bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sample-Efficient Deep Learning for COVID-19 Diagnosis Based on CT Scans
Authors: He Xuehai , Yang Xingyi , Zhang Shanghang , Zhao Jinyu , Zhang Yichen , Xing Eric , Xie Pengtao
Published: April 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected more than 1.3 million individuals all over the world and caused more than 106,000 deaths. One major hurdle in controlling the spreading of this disease is the inefficiency and shortage of medical tests. There have been increasing efforts on developing deep learning methods to diagnose COVID-19 based on CT scans. However, these works are difficult to reproduce and adopt since the CT data used in their studies are not publicly available. Besides, these works require a large number of CTs to train accurate diagnosis models, which are difficult to obtain. In this paper, we aim to address these two problems. We build a publicly-available dataset containing hundreds of CT scans positive for COVID-19 and develop sample-efficient deep learning methods that can achieve high diagnosis accuracy of COVID-19 from CT scans even when the number of training CT images are limited. Specifically, we propose a Self-Trans approach, which synergistically integrates contrastive self-supervised learning with transfer learning to learn powerful and unbiased feature representations for reducing the risk of overfitting. Extensive experiments demonstrate the superior performance of our proposed Self-Trans approach compared with several state-of-the-art baselines. Our approach achieves an F1 of 0.85 and an AUC of 0.94 in diagnosing COVID-19 from CT scans, even though the number of training CTs is just a few hundred.
Single-cell transcriptomics predicts relapse in MLL-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia in infants
Authors: Candelli Tito , Schneider Pauline , Castro Patricia Garrido , Jones Luke A. , Pieters Rob , Margaritis Thanasis , Stam Ronald W. , Holstege Frank C.P.
Published: April 2020

Infants with MLL-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) undergo intense therapy to counter a highly aggressive leukemia with survival rates of only 30-40%. The majority of patients initially show therapy response, but in two-thirds of cases the leukemia returns, typically during treatment. Accurate relapse prediction would enable treatment strategies that take relapse risk into account, with potential benefits for all patients. Through analysis of diagnostic bone marrow biopsies, we show that single-cell RNA sequencing can predict future relapse occurrence. By analysing gene modules derived from an independent study of the gene expression response to the key drug prednisone, individual leukemic cells are predicted to be either resistant or sensitive to treatment. Quantification of the proportion of cells classified by single-cell transcriptomics as resistant or sensitive, accurately predicts the occurrence of future relapse in individual patients. Strikingly, the single-cell based classification is even consistent with the order of relapse timing. These results lay the foundation for risk-based treatment of MLL-rearranged infant ALL, through single-cell classification. This work also sheds light on the subpopulation of cells from which leukemic relapse arises. Leukemic cells associated with high relapse risk are characterized by a smaller size and a quiescent gene expression program. These cells have significantly fewer transcripts, thereby also demonstrating why single-cell analyses may outperform bulk mRNA studies for risk stratification. This study indicates that single-cell RNA sequencing will be a valuable tool for risk stratification of MLL-rearranged infant ALL, and shows how clinically relevant information can be derived from single-cell genomics.

Key Points

Single-cell RNA sequencing accurately predicts relapse in MLL-rearranged infant ALL

Identification of cells from which MLL-rearranged infant ALL relapses occur
Analyzing the effects of altitudes on the metabolic diversity and forskolin content inColeus forskohliiroots by HPTLC and HPLC
Authors: Rana Pawan Singh , Saklani Pooja , Chandel Chandresh
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Coleus forskohliiis an important medicinal plant native to India. It grows wild in a wide range of altitude in the Indian Himalayan region and contains some important phytochcemicals which possess remarkable medicinal properties. The plant contains terpenoid like Forskolin in its roots.

Objective

Considering the medicinal importance ofC. forskohlii, being the only source of Forskolinand its availability over a wide altitude range, the effect of altitude on the metabolic diversity and forskolin content was assessed using the HPTLC and HPLC.

Methods

Five populations ofColeus forskohliicollected from five locations of varying altitude from Uttarakhand, India. The plant roots were extracted with methanol by soxhlet extraction. The metabolic diversity was analyzed by employing HPTLC fingerprinting while forskolin was extracted and quantified by HPLC.

Results

Significant differences were observed in the phytochemical composition through the HPTLC chromatograms among the studied population across the altitudes. The Gopeshwar population (1488m) showed highest number of bands on HPTLC chromatogram each of which corresponds to acompound. Results of HPLC shows differences in forskolin quantity in studied populations and the Piaplkoti population(1339m) showed highest forskolin accumulation.

Conclusion

The present study confirms that altitude and changing environment affects the nature and quantity of secondary metabolites inC. forskohliiand the environmental conditions might be instrumental factor for intraspecific metabolic diversity. The Pipalkoti (1339m) and Gopeshwar (1488m) populations were found suitable for the forskolin production as well as other metabolites and these two populations can be propagated for commercial use.
scSTATseq: Diminishing Technical Dropout Enables Core Transcriptome Recovery and Comprehensive Single-cell Trajectory Mapping
Authors: Zheng Zihan , Tang Xiangyu , Qiu Xin , Xu Hao , Wu Haiyang , Yu Haili , Wen Xingzhao , Peng Zhou , Xu Fa , Zhou Yiwen , Ni Qingshan , Zhou Jianzhi , Zou Liyun , Chen Gang , Wan Ying
Published: April 2020

The advent of single-cell RNA sequencing has provided illuminating information on complex systems. However, large numbers of genes tend to be scarcely detected in common scRNAseq approaches due to technical dropout. Although bioinformatics approaches have been developed to approximate true expression profiles, assess the dropout events on single-cell transcriptomes is still consequently challenging. In this report, we present a new plate-based method for scRNAseq that relies on Tn5 transposase to tagment cDNA following second strand synthesis. By utilizing pre-amplification tagmentation step, scSTATseq libraries are insulated against technical dropout, allowing for detailed analysis of gene-gene co-expression relationships and mapping of pathway trajectories. The entire scSTATseq library construction workflow can be completed in 7 hours, and recover transcriptome information on up to 8,000 protein-coding genes. Investigation of osteoclast differentiation using this workflow allowed us to identify novel markers of interest such as Rab15. Overall, scSTATseq is an efficient and economical method for scRNAseq that compares favorably with existing workflows.
Iceberg or cut off – how adults who stutter articulate fluent-sounding utterances
Authors: Leha Andreas , Dickhut Susanne , Ponssen Daniela , Primassin Annika , Korzeczek Alexandra , Joseph Arun A. , Paulus Walter , Frahm Jens , Sommer Martin
Published: April 2020

Whether fluent-sounding utterances of adults who stutter (AWS) are normally articulated is unclear. We asked 15 AWS and 17 matched adults who do not stutter (ANS) to utter the pseudoword “natscheitideut” 15 times in a 3 T MRI scanner while recording real-time MRI videos at 55 frames per per second in a mid-sagittal plane. All stuttered or otherwise dysfluent runs were discarded. We used sophisticated analyses to model the movement of the tip of the tongue, lips and velum.

We observed reproducible movement patterns of the inner and outer articulators which were similar in both groups. Speech duration was similar in both groups and decreased over repetitions, more so in ANS than in AWS. The variability of the movement patterns of tongue, lips and velum decreased over repetitions. The extent of variability decrease was similar in both groups. Across all participants, this repetition effect on movement variability for the lips and the tip of the tongue was less pronounced in severely as compared to mildly stuttering individuals.

We conclude that there is no major difference in the movement patterns of a fluent-sounding utterance in both groups. This encourages studies looking at state rather than trait markers of speech dysfluency.
Optogenetic stimulation of the basolateral amygdala-medial entorhinal cortex pathway after spatial training has sex-specific effects on downstream activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein expression
Authors: Wahlstrom Krista L. , Alvarez-Dieppa Amanda , McIntyre Christa K. , LaLumiere Ryan T.
Published: April 2020

Previous work from our laboratory suggests that projections from the basolateral amygdala (BLA) to the medial entorhinal cortex (mEC) are a critical pathway by which the BLA modulates the consolidation of spatial learning. Posttraining optogenetic stimulation of this pathway enhances retention of spatial memories. Evidence also indicates that intra-BLA administration of memory-enhancing drugs increases protein levels of activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein (ARC) in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) and that blocking ARC in the DH impairs spatial memory consolidation. Yet, whether optical manipulations of the BLA-mEC pathway after spatial training also alter ARC in the DH is unknown. To address this question, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats received optogenetic stimulation of the BLA-mEC pathway immediately after spatial training using a Barnes maze and, 45 min later, were sacrificed for ARC analysis. Initial experiments found that spatial training increased ARC levels in the DH of rats above those observed in control rats and rats that underwent a cued-response version of the task. Optogenetic stimulation of the BLA-mEC pathway following spatial training, using parameters effective at enhancing spatial memory consolidation, enhanced ARC protein levels in the DH of male rats without affecting ARC levels in the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) or somatosensory cortex. In contrast, similar optical stimulation decreased ARC protein levels in the DLS of female rats without altering ARC in the DH or somatosensory cortex. Together, the present findings suggest a mechanism by which BLA-mEC stimulation enhances spatial memory consolidation in rats and reveals a possible sex-difference in this mechanism.
Overall dynamic body acceleration as an indicator of dominance in homing pigeons
Authors: Ricketts Rhianna L. , Sankey Daniel W. , Tidswell Bryce P. , Brown Joshua , Deegan Joseph F. , Portugal Steven J.
Published: April 2020

The benefits of dominance are well known and numerous, including first access to resources such as food, mates and nesting sites. Less well studied are the potential costs associated with being dominant. Here, the movement of two flocks of domestic homing pigeons (Columba livia) – measured via accelerometry loggers – was recorded over a period of two weeks. Movement was then used to calculate each individual’s daily overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA, G), which can be used as a proxy for energy expenditure. The dominance hierarchy of the two flocks was determined via group-level antagonistic interactions, and demonstrated a significantly linear structure. The most dominant bird within each flock was found to move significantly more than conspecifics – on average, c.39% greater than the individual with the next highest degree of movement – indicating a possible cost to possessing the top rank within a hierarchy. Despite the dominance hierarchy being linear, mean daily total ODBA did not reflect a linear nature, with no pattern observed between rank and ODBA, once the top ranked individuals had been accounted for. This suggest that energy expenditure may be more reflective of a despotic hierarchy. These results show the potential for the future use of accelerometery as a tool to study the fusion of energetics and behaviour.

Subject Category

behaviour

Subject Areas

behaviour, physiology
Single-cell RNA-seq reveals identity and heterogeneity of malignant osteoblast cells and TME in osteosarcoma
Authors: Zhou Yan , Yang Dong , Yang Qing-Cheng , Lv Xiao-Bin , Huang Wen-Tao , Zhou Zhenhua , Wang Ya-Ling , Zhang Zhichang , Yuan Ting , Ding Xiaomin , Tang Li-Na , Zhang Jian-Jun , Yin Jun-Yi , Huang Yu-Jing , Yu Wen-Xi , Wang Yong-Gang , Zhou Chen-Liang , Su Yang , He Ai-Na , Sun Yuan-Jue , Shen Zan , Qian Bin-Zhi , Chen Peizhan , Pan Xinghua , Yao Yang , Hu Hai-Yan
Published: April 2020

Osteosarcoma (OS) has high heterogeneity and poor prognosis. In order to explore the molecular mechanism of OS and the tumor micro-environment (TME) on OS, we employed single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) on 110,745 individual cells from OS primary lesion, recurrent focal and metastatic tissues. We identified 5 main malignant subpopulations of OS cells, 3 clusters of osteoclast(OC) and 2 types of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Further we found that the progenitor OC and, antigen presenting CAF (apCAF) were lower in lung metastatic and recurrent tumor tissues than in primary tumor tissue. M2-like macrophages were predominant in the TME myeloid cells. Inactivation state of tumor-infiltrating T cells, mainly the CD4-/CD8-T and Treg cells, existed in lung metastatic tissues. T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT) expressed in 11 samples. We then blocked TIGIT which significantly enhancd the cytotoxic effects of primary T cells on OS cell lines. Our report represents the first use of scRNA-seq for the transcriptomic profiling of OS cells. Thus, the findings in this study will serve as a valuable resource for deciphering the intra-tumoral heterogeneity in OS and provide potential therapeutic strategies for OS in clinic.
Single-cell lineages reveal the rates, routes, and drivers of metastasis in cancer xenografts
Authors: Quinn Jeffrey J. , Jones Matthew G. , Okimoto Ross A. , Nanjo Shigeki , Chan Michelle M. , Yosef Nir , Bivona Trever G. , Weissman Jonathan S.
Published: April 2020

Cancer progression is characterized by rare, transient events which are nonetheless highly consequential to disease etiology and mortality. Detailed cell phylogenies can recount the history and chronology of these critical events – including metastatic seeding. Here, we applied our Cas9-based lineage tracer to study the subclonal dynamics of metastasis in a lung cancer xenograft mouse model, revealing the underlying rates, routes, and drivers of metastasis. We report deeply resolved phylogenies for tens of thousands of metastatically disseminated cancer cells. We observe surprisingly diverse metastatic phenotypes, ranging from metastasis-incompetent to aggressive populations. These phenotypic distinctions result from pre-existing, heritable, and characteristic differences in gene expression, and we demonstrate that these differentially expressed genes can drive invasiveness. Furthermore, metastases transit via diverse, multidirectional tissue routes and seeding topologies. Our work demonstrates the power of tracing cancer progression at unprecedented resolution and scale.

One Sentence Summary

Single-cell lineage tracing and RNA-seq capture diverse metastatic behaviors and drivers in lung cancer xenografts in mice.
Dynamic effects of interacting genes underlying rice flowering-time phenotypic plasticity and global adaptation
Authors: Guo Tingting , Mu Qi , Wang Jinyu , Vanous Adam E. , Onogi Akio , Iwata Hiroyoshi , Li Xianran , Yu Jianming
Published: April 2020

The phenotypic variation of living organisms is shaped by genetics, environment, and their interaction. Understanding phenotypic plasticity under natural conditions is hindered by the apparently complex environment and the interacting genes and pathways. Herein, we report findings from the dissection of rice flowering-time plasticity in a genetic mapping population grown in natural long-day field environments. Genetic loci harboring four genes originally discovered for their photoperiodic effects (Hd1, Hd2, Hd5, and Hd6) were found to differentially respond to temperature at the early growth stage to jointly determine flowering time. The effects of these plasticity genes were revealed with multiple reaction norms along the temperature gradient. By coupling genomic selection and the environmental index, accurate performance predictions were obtained. Next, we examined the allelic variation in the four flowering-time genes across the diverse accessions from the 3000 Rice Genomes Project and constructed haplotypes at both individual-gene and multigene levels. The geographic distribution of haplotypes revealed their preferential adaptation to different temperature zones. Regions with lower temperatures were dominated by haplotypes sensitive to temperature changes, whereas the equatorial region had a majority of haplotypes that are less responsive to temperature. By integrating knowledge from genomics, gene cloning and functional characterization, and environment quantification, we propose a conceptual model with multiple levels of reaction norms to help bridge the gaps among individual gene discovery, field-level phenotypic plasticity, and genomic diversity and adaptation.
Effect of liquid flow velocity on corrosion behavior of 20# steel at initial stage under gas-liquid two-phase plug flow condition
Authors: Yang Guirong , Song Wenming , Zhu Zibo , Ma Ying , Hao Yuan
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The paper aims to study the effect of liquid flow velocity on corrosion behavior of 20# steel at initial stage under (CO2/aqueous solution) gas–liquid two-phase plug flow conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Weight loss, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and XPS methods were used in this study.

Findings

The corrosion rate increased with the increasing liquid flow velocity at any different corrosion time. The corrosion rate decreased with the extension of corrosion time at the same liquid flow velocity. There was no continuous corrosion products film on the whole pipe wall at any different corrosion time. The macroscopic brown-yellow corrosion products on the pipe wall surface decreased with the increasing liquid flow velocity and the loose floccus corrosion products decreased gradually until these products were transformed into un-continuous needle-like dense products with the increasing liquid velocity. The main elements among the products film were Fe, C and O, and the main phases of products film on the pipe wall were Fe3C, FeCO3, FeOOH and Fe3O4. When the corrosion time was 1 h under different liquid–velocity condition, the thickness of local corrosion products film was from 3.5 to 3.8 µm.

Originality/value

The ion mass transfer model of corrosion process in pipe was put forward under gas–liquid two-phase plug flow condition. The total thickness of diffusion sublayer and turbulence sublayer decreased as well as the turbulence propagation coefficient increased with the increasing liquid velocity, which led to the increasing velocity of ion transfer during corrosion process. This was the fundamental reason for the increase of corrosion rate with the increasing liquid velocity.
Hello, I am calling to ask for some money: mobile phones and credit uptake in rural Ethiopia
Authors: Gebremariam Aregawi Gebremedhin
Published: April 2020

Purpose

It is widely believed that ICT has a significant influence on the daily life of the poor and has positive spillover effects in their livelihoods. Mobile phones are one of the few ICT innovations that have found their way into the hands of the poor residing in remote and rural areas. In Ethiopia, mobile phones are recently introduced but got an acceptance from everyone including the rural poor; in five years’ time, mobile phones subscription has increased from less than 4% to more than 40%. Empirical evidence generally documents the positive role mobile phones play in facilitating the development efforts of poor households. However, using panel data from Ethiopia, the current paper explores a less investigated issue of the possible effects of mobile phone adoption on the credit uptakes of the rural poor who are mostly neglected from the formal credit markets but finance their credit demand from informal sources including relatives/friends.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the relationship between mobile phones and credit uptake and/or loan size, one can use different empirical strategies. For partly unleashing the endogeneity problem, an instrumental variable estimation approach is adopted in this paper. To deal with the endogeneity problem, one may consider using the linear IV approach or the control function. But the outcome variable and the endogenous variable are binary in nature, and the usual trend is to use the linear IV models or control functions, which do not consider these binary natures of the variables. To this end, a special regressors estimator is adopted, mostly used when both the dependent and the endogenous variables are binary in nature.

Findings

The econometric results suggest mobile phones are positively associated with the credit uptake of rural households, especially credit uptake from informal sources. Households with mobile phones are found to have 4%–14% higher probabilities of credit uptake and about 6%–17% in the case of credit from informal sources. Besides, households with mobile phones are found to have about ETB 65 (USD 3.42) higher loan size and about ETB 78 (USD 4.11) higher amount of loan in the case of a loan from the informal sources. Thus, policy-makers and financial providers working on providing credit in rural areas need to exploit the use of mobile phones in reaching out to the rural poor.

Originality/value

The author attests the fact that the work described has not been published previously and that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. Besides, it is the original work of the author.
Measuring corporate reputation: a comprehensive model with enhanced objectivity
Authors: Baruah Loopamudra , Panda Nagari Mohan
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Corporate reputation (CR), the new buzz word has created many waves in the business world and thereby has become a topic of interest of many researchers. CR is often addressed as an intangible asset that brings with itself lots of advantages and benefits that may build the company and push it forward or may bring a company completely down. CR is a multidisciplinary concept generating parallel interpretations, and as a consequence, disagreements arise regarding its definition and its measurement techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper attempted to address this issue by bringing in more clarity to the concept and objectivity in its measurement. To address this issue a new comprehensive definition of CR is developed by reviewing the semi-centennial evolution of the construct. By bringing a critical analysis of the currently followed methods of measurement the paper has classified them into the five broad categories on the basis of the guiding definition, methodology and data sources, multiple stakeholders emphasised and the extent of objectivity inherent in the methodology. Establishing linkage between different concepts a model is developed for better understanding of the process of corporate reputation building.

Findings

Based on the renewed understanding, a new method has been suggested for measuring corporate reputation from the perspective of multiple stakeholders.

Originality/value

This method is claimed to be superior as it is founded on a comprehensive meaning of the concept and designed to use easily available and accessible objective data.
A novel speech emotion recognition model using mean update of particle swarm and whale optimization-based deep belief network
Authors: B Rajasekhar , M Kamaraju , V Sumalatha
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Nowadays, the speech emotion recognition (SER) model has enhanced as the main research topic in various fields including human–computer interaction as well as speech processing. Generally, it focuses on utilizing the models of machine learning for predicting the exact emotional status from speech. The advanced SER applications go successful in affective computing and human–computer interaction, which is making as the main component of computer system's next generation. This is because the natural human machine interface could grant the automatic service provisions, which need a better appreciation of user's emotional states.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper implements a new SER model that incorporates both gender and emotion recognition. Certain features are extracted and subjected for classification of emotions. For this, this paper uses deep belief network DBN model.

Findings

Through the performance analysis, it is observed that the developed method attains high accuracy rate (for best case) when compared to other methods, and it is 1.02% superior to whale optimization algorithm (WOA), 0.32% better from firefly (FF), 23.45% superior to particle swarm optimization (PSO) and 23.41% superior to genetic algorithm (GA). In case of worst scenario, the mean update of particle swarm and whale optimization (MUPW) in terms of accuracy is 15.63, 15.98, 16.06% and 16.03% superior to WOA, FF, PSO and GA, respectively. Under the mean case, the performance of MUPW is high, and it is 16.67, 10.38, 22.30 and 22.47% better from existing methods like WOA, FF, PSO, as well as GA, respectively.

Originality/value

This paper presents a new model for SER that aids both gender and emotion recognition. For the classification purpose, DBN is used and the weight of DBN is used and this is the first work uses MUPW algorithm for finding the optimal weight of DBN model.
Staffing needs and utilization for alternative contracting methods in highway design and construction
Authors: Tran Dai Q. , Harper Christofer M. , Smadi Adi M. , Mohamed Mamdouh
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This research investigates procedures and effective practices on staffing needs and utilization for successful implementation of alternative contracting methods (ACMs) in the United Sates, including design–build (D–B) and construction manager/general contractor (CM/GC) delivery methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The review of published empirical studies, a national survey of transportation agencies and case studies of highway agencies form the basis of the conclusions in this research. In addition to the national survey, with 46 of 50 agencies participating, the research presents case studies from five highway agencies in the United States including the following: California, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota and Virginia. These five case studies were selected from agencies that have extensive experience in delivering ACM projects. The case studies involved a thorough procedural review and structured interviews of agency personnel. The agencies then validated the results and conclusions.

Findings

The results showed that implementing ACM projects requires different knowledge, skills and management and coordination efforts than traditional design–bid–build (D–B–B) projects. The study found that the key success factors of implementing ACMs are the following: (1) establishment of an ACM champion; (2) active involvement of key staff throughout the ACM project development process; (3) appropriate use of consultants and (4) ACM training and staff development.

Research limitations/implications

The issue on how to attract and retain talented staff and a committed core workforce with appropriate skills and competences for ACM implementation is vital for highway agencies, but it lacks information and guidance. The chief limitation of this research is that the primary data were collected from highway agencies in the United Sates. Any future research should include more data to enhance the validity of this study outside of the public transportation sector.

Practical implications

Developing a sustainable level of core staff plays an important role in implementing an ACM program. The result of this research will help transportation agencies and other public owners to develop effective staffing strategies for successful implementation of ACMs. The findings of this research also address the appropriate use of consultants to supplement core staff with regard to delivery of ACM projects.

Originality/value

This research is the first attempt to examine the staffing needs and utilization for ACM projects.
Optimizing time–cost in generalized construction projects using multiple-objective social group optimization and multi-criteria decision-making methods
Authors: Tran Duc Hoc
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Project managers work to ensure successful project completion within the shortest period and at the lowest cost. One of the main tasks of a project manager in the planning phase is to generate the project time–cost curve, and furthermore, to determine the most appropriate schedule for the construction process. Numerous existing time–cost tradeoff analysis models have focused on solving a simple project representation without regarding for typical activity and project characteristics. This study aims to present a novel approach called “multiple-objective social group optimization” (MOSGO) for optimizing time–cost decisions in generalized construction projects.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a novel MOGSO to mimic the time–cost tradeoff problem in generalized construction projects is proposed. The MOSGO has slightly modified the mechanism operation from the original algorithm to be a free-parameter algorithm and to enhance the exploring and exploiting balance in an optimization algorithm. The evidential reasoning technique is used to rank the global optimal obtained non-dominated solutions to help decision makers reach a single compromise solution.

Findings

Two case studies of real construction projects were investigated and the performance of MOSGO was compared to those of widely considered multiple-objective evolutionary algorithms. The comparison results indicated that the MOSGO approach is a powerful, efficient and effective tool in finding the time–cost curve. In addition, the multi-criteria decision-making approaches were applied to identify the best schedule for project implementation.

Research limitations/implications

Accordingly, the first major practical contribution of the present research is that it provides a tool for handling real-world construction projects by considering all types of construction project. The second important implication of this study derives from research finding on the hybridization multiple-objective and multi-criteria techniques to help project managers in facilitating the time–cost tradeoff (TCT) problems easily. The third implication stems from the wide-range application of the proposed model TCT.

Practical implications

The model can be used in early stages of the construction process to help project managers in selecting an appropriate plan for whole project lifecycle.

Social implications

The proposal model can be applied to multi-objective contexts in diversified fields. Moreover, the model is also a useful reference for future research.

Originality/value

This paper makes contributions to extant literature by: introducing a method for making TCT models applicable to actual projects by considering general activity precedence relations; developing a novel MOSGO algorithm to solving TCT problems in multi-objective context by a single simulation; and facilitating the TCT problems to project managers by using multi-criteria decision-making approaches.
Gaston Acurio: innovación de modelo de negocio y creación de una marca gastronómica peruana
Authors: Ontaneda Elizabeth , Quiroga Guillermo
Published: April 2020

Learning outcomes

Identificar el tipo de innovación que ha generado la propuesta de Gastón Acurio. Ya que si bien desarrolla productos nuevos su principal innovación es en el modelo de negocio. Comprender las principales estrategias desarrolladas para el crecimiento y consolidación de la comida peruana como categoría a nivel mundial y del grupo Acurio. Identificar los elementos de un modelo de negocio usando un Business Model Canvas. Explicar cómo los elementos de un modelo de negocio se relacionan y refuerzan entre sí y cómo son driver de buen desempeño. Evaluar las fortalezas, oportunidades, debilidades y amenazas a un modelo de negocio. Analizar los cambios al modelo que podrían capitalizar o mitigar estos factores, sustentado con evidencia.

Case overview/synopsis

Gastón Acurio es un exitoso chef y empresario Peruano que ha sido clave en la formación de la industria gastronómica nacional. Se distingue de otros empresarios del rubro por su innovador modelo de negocio que le ha permitido crecer y aprovechar nuevas oportunidades a nivel local como internacional. Su éxito y crecimiento atrajeron US $52 millones en capital de dos fondos de inversión. Sin embargo, los desafíos del modelo quedan en evidencia durante una difícil apertura de un local en el extranjero exacerbado por una dura crítica del New York Times. Los estudiantes deben identificar y analizar los elementos clave del modelo de negocio desarrollado por Acurio para evaluar y proponer cambios que podrían mejor aprovechar sus fortalezas y oportunidades, así como mitigar sus debilidades y amenazas.

Complexity academic level

Maestría o MBA

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 12: Tourism and Hospitality.
In the eye of the beholder
Authors: Sharifi Shahin , Spassova Gerri
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of interdependent vs independent self-construal on service satisfaction, following the observation of failure and recovery experienced by a fellow customer.

Design/methodology/approach

Three experiments were conducted to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

After service failure, interdependent observers react less favorably compared to independent observers. After high recovery compensation, interdependent observers react more favorably compared to independent observers. The effects are driven by differences in perceived interactional and distributive justice.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses three scenario-based experiments to test the hypotheses. While providing greater control of the experimental conditions, the external validity of the results is to some extent sacrificed. Moreover, this research does not investigate observers’ reactions to the interactional aspect of recovery.

Practical implications

When handling service failure, firms are required to anticipate and address not only the responses of the target customers involved but also those of potential observers. Providers can accordingly use available customer information to gauge customers’ likely self-construal and to adjust their service delivery and recovery tactics. Providers can influence observing customers’ reactions by creating a servicescape that activates a desired self-construal.

Originality/value

This research is one of a few to examine the effect of service failure and recovery on observing customers, and the first to do so via the lens of self-construal. It contributes to the literature on service failure and recovery and the literature on self-construal and has practical implications for service providers. The value of this research is further highlighted given the increasingly public nature of services and the multicultural context of service delivery.
Fighting fake news: exploring George Orwell's relationship to information literacy
Authors: Haggar Ellen
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse George Orwell's diaries through an information literacy lens. Orwell is well known for his dedication to freedom of speech and objective truth, and his novel Nineteen Eighty-Four is often used as a lens through which to view the fake news phenomenon. This paper will examine Orwell's diaries in relation to UNESCO's Five Laws of Media and Information Literacy to examine how information literacy concepts can be traced in historical documents.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper will use a content analysis method to explore Orwell's relationship to information literacy. Two of Orwell's political diaries from the period 1940–42 were coded for key themes related to the ways in which Orwell discusses and evaluates information and news. These themes were then compared to UNESCO Five Laws of Media and Information Literacy. Textual analysis software NVivo 12 was used to perform keyword searches and word frequency queries in the digitised diaries.

Findings

The findings show that while Orwell's diaries and the Five Laws did not share terminology, they did share ideas on bias and access to information. They also extend the history of information literacy research and practice by illustrating how concerns about the need to evaluate information sources are represented within historical literature.

Originality/value

This paper combines historical research with textual analysis to bring a unique historical perspective to information literacy, demonstrating that “fake news” is not a recent phenomenon, and that the tools to fight it may also lie in historical research.
Designing technologies for museums: accessibility and participation issues
Authors: Garcia Carrizosa Helena , Sheehy Kieron , Rix Jonathan , Seale Jane , Hayhoe Simon
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to report the findings of a systematized literature review focusing on participatory research and accessibly in the context of assistive technologies, developed for use within museums by people with sensory impairments or a learning disability. The extent and nature of participatory research that occurs within the creation of technologies to facilitate accessible museum experiences is uncertain, and this is therefore a focus of this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a systematized literature review and subsequent thematic analysis.

Findings

A screening of 294 research papers produced 8 papers for analysis in detail. A thematic analysis identified that the concept of accessibly has nuanced meanings, underpinned by social values; the attractiveness of a technology is important in supporting real-life usability; and that the conceptualization of participation should extend beyond the end users.

Social implications

The argument is made that increasing the participation of people with sensory impairments and learning disabilities in the research process will benefit the design of technologies that facilitate accessibility for these groups.

Originality/value

An original notion of participation has emerged from this review. It includes the participation and goals of disabled people but has expanded the concept to encompass museum personnel and indeed the physical and social spaces of the museums and heritage sites themselves. This constructs a broad of participation, with different aspects being reflected across the review’s research papers.
Transformative service research at the BoP: the case of Etawa goat farmers in Indonesia
Authors: Dean Alison , Indrianti Nur
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how value creation and transformative service research (TSR) are interconnected at the base of the pyramid (BoP). To do so, the study seeks consumers’ perceptions of changes in well-being from value creation and the means by which these changes become transformative.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, longitudinal design was used, involving a community education project in Indonesia. Data collection consisted of interviews with Etawa goat farmers and village leaders after one year (n = 21), and a further three years (n = 10).

Findings

Findings from the study are used to advance a model for value creation and TSR at the BoP, which identifies three critical change periods within consumers. These periods suggest that creating improvements in well-being of consumers requires their initial recognition of value outcomes, realisation of agency and a new vision for the future.

Research limitations/implications

Research in other contexts is warranted to confirm the model, to further explore well-being from service at the BoP and to identify issues that diminish consumers’ confidence and stall transformation. Methodological challenges at the BoP also present avenues for insightful work.

Practical implications

Transformative service at BoP requires an emphasis on suitable structures, collaborative processes and management skills to facilitate consumers gaining agency and control, so that they can use their new and existing resources effectively and/or differently.

Social implications

Participants highlighted positive changes to well-being at both individual and collective levels. Notably, some changes were not directly related to initial service provision but reflected improvements, such as employment for women, and better hygiene, health and education of families.

Originality/value

By exploring the interconnection between transformative service and value creation, this study addresses the issue of when value creation becomes transformative and vital for poverty alleviation at the BoP. The proposed model incorporates TSR, service logic and other literature, illustrates a process moving from value determination to value expansion and highlights three critical intrasubjective change periods within actors.
Social entrepreneurs' personal network, resource bricolage and relation strength
Authors: Liu Zhen , Xiao Yingzhao , Jiang Shiyao , Hu Shuang
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study proposes personal network of social entrepreneurs as a key antecedent factor of their resource bricolage to understand the mechanisms underlying social entrepreneurial practices before the founding of social enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study is used to collect and analyze data. The questionnaire data are drawn from in-depth semistructured interviews with Chinese social entrepreneurs. This study develops a theoretical framework that draws upon two dimensions of social capital, namely, “ownership” and “use,” to explore relationships among personal network, resource bricolage and relation strength.

Findings

With data from 227 social enterprises in China, empirical results suggest that personal network of social entrepreneurs, that is, the “owned” social capital, shall be transformed by the intermediate role of resource bricolage into relation strength, that is, the “used” social capital. The relationship between resource bricolage and relation strength is positively moderated by the marketization degree and social class of social entrepreneurs.

Research limitations/implications

This study introduces resource bricolage into the front-end course of social entrepreneurship. The results show that similar personal network can lead to different behavioral outcomes in the context of social entrepreneurship. Then the integration of resources and opportunities at the beginning of the social entrepreneurial process opens new avenues for future research. However, this study only investigates the transformation from network to resources implemented by social entrepreneurs before organization establishment. It does not explore potential outcomes of such a transformation for the development of social enterprises.

Practical implications

Social entrepreneurs at the prefounding stage shall make use of the values of available resources, fully use potential interpersonal relations in the personal network, and transform these relations into a close, steady relationship to realize potential values of available resources. Social entrepreneurs can start from excavation and foundation laying of strong relation networks, to avoid problems in legality, social awareness and failure risks generated from blind integration of external resources.

Originality/value

This study finds that social entrepreneurship exists between the motivation of the social entrepreneur and the establishment of the organization after the development over time. Creating first a phased result through the resource bricolage is necessary. This result establishes a complete process chain of social entrepreneurship from motivation to behavior, next to organization establishment and subsequent development. This study is an empirical test based on the theoretical interpretation to make a positive effect on the social entrepreneurship research in the theoretical construction and testing of the deficiencies.
Optimizing faculty talents through identifying entrepreneurial champions: an ELECTRE IV approach
Authors: Al-Abbasi Sumaya , Masri Hatem
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The rapid increase in higher education institutions (HEIs) can affect the provision of quality education especially when there are no clear integrated objectives to serve the overall HEI as well as the lack of management related to human resource needs. The quality of HEIs relies on the performance of their employees who are considered as one of the most important resources. Several studies demonstrated that the concept of talent management is not well defined for HEIs and considered it as a new study; however, researchers emphasized on its importance to improve the employees' performance and to achieve sustainable competitive advantages. The main aim of this paper is to propose a faculty equity framework for talent optimization in HEIs to help these institutions to recruit the right people, manage and motivate them to achieve their future goals and serve the best quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The faculty equity framework criteria are derived from the standards of national and international quality assurance and accreditation agencies which are grouped into three categories: alignment, capabilities and engagement. These criteria are used to outrank faculties and determine the entrepreneurial champions. As the framework does not require setting weights for these criteria, the authors propose to adapt the ELECTRE IV to outrank faculties.

Findings

The proposed framework has given faculty a chance to assimilate the HEI dominant culture and guidance to improve their performance through comparing themselves to entrepreneurial champions who are better aligned, capable and engaged. Also, the framework offers the HEI an opportunity to effectively retain talents and achieve maximized outcomes.

Originality/value

This research provides HEIs with a practical guide on how to enhance practices, policies and strategies regarding their human capital in order to achieve their missions and strategic goals.