bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age-Related Changes in the Rhesus Macaque Eye
Authors: Lin Kira H. , Tran Tu , Kim Soohyun , Park Sangwan , Chen Jiajia , Timothy Stout J. , Chen Rui , Rogers Jeffrey , Yiu Glenn , Thomasy Sara , Moshiri Ala
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To assess age-related changes in the rhesus macaque eye and evaluate them to corresponding human age-related eye disease.

Methods

Data from eye exams and imaging tests including intraocular pressure (IOP), lens thickness, axial length, and retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) images were evaluated from 142 individuals and statistically analyzed for age-related changes. Quantitative autofluorescence (qAF) was measured as was the presence of macular lesions as related to age.

Results

Ages of the 142 rhesus macaques ranged from 0.7 to 29 years (mean=16.4 years, stdev=7.5 years). Anterior segment measurements such as IOP, lens thickness, and axial length were acquired. Advanced retinal imaging in the form of optical coherence tomography and qAF were obtained. Quantitative assessments were made and variations by age groups were analyzed to compare with established age-related changes in human eyes. Quantitative analysis of data revealed age-related increase in intraocular pressure, ocular biometry (lens thickness and axial length), and presence of macular lesions. Age-related changes in thicknesses of retinal layers on OCT were observed and quantified. Age was correlated with increased qAF.

Conclusions

The rhesus macaque has age-related ocular changes similar to humans. IOP increases with age while retinal ganglion cell layer thickness decreases. Macular lesions develop in some aged animals. Our findings support the concept that rhesus macaques may be useful for the study of important age-related diseases such as glaucoma, macular diseases, and cone disorders, and for development of therapies for these diseases.
The Antimicrobial Efficacy Of Plasma Activated Water Is Modulated By Reactor Design And Water Composition
Authors: Rothwell Joanna G. , Alam David , Carter Dee A. , Soltani Behdad , McConchie Robyn , Zhou Renwu , Cullen Patrick J. , Mai-Prochnow Anne
Published: July 2021

Plasma activated water (PAW) contains a cocktail of reactive oxidative species and free radicals and has demonstrated efficacy as a sanitizer for fresh produce, however there is a need for further optimization. The antimicrobial efficacy of PAW produced by a bubble spark discharge (BSD) reactor and a dielectric barrier discharge-diffuser (DBDD) reactor operating at atmospheric conditions with air, discharge frequencies of 500, 1000 and 1500 Hz, and MilliQ and tap water, was investigated with model organisms Listeria innocua and Escherichia coli. Optimal conditions were subsequently employed for pathogenic bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli and Salmonella enterica. PAW generated with the DBDD reactor reduced more than 6-log CFU of bacteria within 1 minute of treatment. The BSD-PAW, while attaining high CFU reduction was less effective, particularly for L. innocua. Analysis of physicochemical properties revealed BSD-PAW had a greater variety of reactive species than DBDD-PAW. Scavenger assays were employed to specifically sequester reactive species, including the short-lived superoxide (·O2-) radical that could not be directly measured in the PAW. This demonstrated a critical role of superoxide for the inactivation of both E. coli and L. innocua by DBDD-PAW, while in BSD-PAW it had a role in L. innocua inactivation only. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of DBDD-PAW in fresh produce, where there is a need for sterilization while minimizing chemical inputs and residues and maintaining food quality. Highly effective PAW was generated using air as a processing gas and tap water, making this a feasible and cost-effective option.

Importance

There is a growing demand for fresh food produced with minimal processing, however guaranteeing microbial safety in the absence of a thermal kill step is challenging. Plasma-activated water (PAW) is a promising novel antimicrobial but its use in high-risk applications like the sanitization of fresh produce requires further optimization. This study demonstrated the importance of reactor design in the production of reactive species in PAW with capacity to kill bacteria. Very effective PAW was generated using a dielectric barrier discharge-diffuser (DBDD) system, with antimicrobial activity attributed to the presence of superoxide radicals. The DBBD reactor used air as a processing gas and tap water, highlighting the potential of this approach as a cost-effective and green alternative to chemical treatment methods that are currently used in food decontamination.
Phylogenomic and mitogenomic data can accelerate inventorying of tropical beetles during the current biodiversity crisis
Authors: Motyka Michal , Kusy Dominik , Bocek Matej , Bilkova Renata , Bocak Ladislav
Published: July 2021

Conservation efforts must be evidence-based, so rapid and economically feasible methods should be used to quantify diversity and distribution patterns. We have attempted to overcome current impediments to the gathering of biodiversity data by using integrative phylogenomic and three mtDNA fragment analyses. As a model, we sequenced the Metriorrhynchini beetle fauna, sampled from ∼700 localities in three continents. The species-rich dataset included ∼6,500 terminals, >2,300 putative species, more than a half of them unknown to science. The phylogenomic backbone enabled the integrative delimitation of robustly defined natural units that will inform future research. Using constrained mtDNA analysis, we identified the spatial structure of α-diversity, very high species-level endemism, a biodiversity hotspot in New Guinea, and high phylogenetic diversity in the Sundaland. We suggest that ∼20 person months of focused field research and subsequent laboratory and bioinformatic workflow steps would substantially accelerate the inventorying of any hyperdiverse tropical group with several thousand species. The outcome would be a scaffold for the incorporation of further data. The database of sequences could set a benchmark for the spatiotemporal evaluation of biodiversity, would support evidence-based conservation planning, and would provide a robust framework for systematic, biogeographic, and evolutionary studies.
INFIMA leverages multi-omics model organism data to identify effector genes of human GWAS variants
Authors: Dong Chenyang , Simonett Shane P. , Shin Sunyoung , Stapleton Donnie S. , Schueler Kathryn L. , Churchill Gary A. , Lu Leina , Liu Xiaoxiao , Jin Fulai , Li Yan , Attie Alan D. , Keller Mark P. , Keleş Sündüz
Published: July 2021

Genome-wide association studies have revealed many non-coding variants associated with complex traits. However, model organism studies have largely remained as an untapped resource for unveiling the effector genes of non-coding variants. We develop INFIMA,IntegrativeFine-Mapping, to pinpoint causal SNPs for Diversity Outbred (DO) mice eQTL by integrating founder mice multi-omics data including ATAC-seq, RNA-seq, footprinting, andin silicomutation analysis. We demonstrate INFIMA’s superior performance compared to alternatives with human and mouse chromatin conformation capture datasets. We apply INFIMA to identify novel effector genes for GWAS variants associated with diabetes. The results of the application are available athttp://www.statlab.wisc.edu/shiny/INFIMA/
Gene Evolutionary Trajectories inM. tuberculosisReveal Temporal Signs of Selection
Authors: Chiner-Oms Álvaro , López Mariana G. , Comas Iñaki
Published: July 2021

Genetic differences between differentMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex (MTBC) strains determine their ability to transmit within different host populations, their latency times, and their drug-resistance profiles. Said differences usually emerge throughde novomutations and are maintained or discarded by the balance of evolutionary forces. Using a dataset of ~5,000 strains representing global MTBC diversity, we determined the past and present selective forces that have shaped the current variability observed in the pathogen population. We identified regions that have evolved under changing types of selection since the time of the MTBC common ancestor. Our approach highlighted striking differences in the genome regions relevant for host-pathogen interaction and, in particular, suggested an adaptive role for the sensor protein of two-component systems. In addition, we applied our approach to successfully identify potential determinants of resistance to drugs administered as second-line tuberculosis treatments.
Potato juice, a starch industry waste, as a cost-effective medium for the biosynthesis of bacterial cellulose
Authors: Ciecholewska-Juśko Daria , Broda Michał , Żywicka Anna , Styburski Daniel , Sobolewski Peter , Gorący Krzysztof , Migdał Paweł , Junka Adam , Fijałkowski Karol
Published: July 2021

The unique properties of bacterial cellulose (BC) make it of great interest for numerous branches of industry. Nevertheless, the high cost of the dedicated, microbiological medium used for BC production significantly hinders possibility of widespread use. Searching for an alternative, we turned our attention to potato tuber juice (PJ), a major waste product of the potato starch industry. We verified the possibility of using PJ as a cost-effective, ecological-friendly medium that yielded BC with properties equivalent to those from conventional commercial Hestrin-Schramm medium. The BC yield from PJ medium (>4 g/L) was comparable, despite the lack of any pre-treatment. Likewise, the macro- and microstructure, physicochemical parameters, and chemical composition showed no significant differences between PJ and control BC. Importantly, BC obtained from PJ was not cytotoxic against fibroblast cell line L929 in vitro and did not contain any hard-to-remove impurities. These are very important aspects from an application standpoint, particularly in biomedicine. Therefore, we conclude that using PJ for BC biosynthesis is a path towards significant valorization of an environmentally problematic waste product of the starch industry and can help ultimately lower BC production costs.

Highlights

Potato juice (PJ) was used as a culture medium for cellulose-synthesizing bacteria.

PJ was suitable as source of nutrients and did not required any pre-treatment.

Yield of BC from PJ was equivalent to that obtained from conventional HS.

PJ-BC did not differ from conventionally produced HS-BC in terms of its properties.

PJ-BC can be used in the same applications as commercially produced BC.

Graphical abstract
Late-acting self-incompatible system, preferential allogamy and delayed selfing in the heteromorphic invasive populations ofLudwigia grandiflora subsp. hexapetala
Authors: Portillo Lemus Luis O. , Harang Marilyne , Bozec Michel , Haury Jacques , Stoeckel Solenn , Barloy Dominique
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Breeding system influences local population genetic structure, effective size, offspring fitness and functional variation. Determining the respective importance of self- and cross-fertilization in hermaphroditic flowering plants is thus important to understand their ecology and evolution. The worldwide invasive species,Ludwigia grandiflora subsp. hexapetala(Lgh) presents two floral morphs: one self-compatible short-styled morph (S-morph) and one self-incompatible long-styled morph (L-morph). In this study, we identified the breeding systems of western European experimental and natural populations of Lgh by comparing structural characteristics of pollen and style, by studying self- and cross-pollen tube elongations and the viability of the resulting seeds and seedlings in both floral morphs. Our results showed no differences in pollen shape and stigma surfaces no matter the floral morph. In the self-incompatible L-morph flowers, self-pollen tubes were stopped tardily, in the ovarian area, and were unable to fertilize the ovules. This first formal identification of a late-acting, prezygotic self-incompatible system (LSI) inLudwigiagenus contributes a case of LSI in an additional family within the Myrtales order. In the self-compatible S-morph flowers, self-pollen always succeeded to self-fertilize the ovules that nearly all developed into viable seedlings. However, cross-pollen tubes always elongated faster than self-pollen tubes in both morphs. S-morph individuals may thus advantage preferential allogamy over selfing when cross-pollen is available despite its self-compatibility. As expected in late-acting self-incompatible systems, L-morph flowers authorised 0.2‰ of selfed seeds during the uppermost flowering season, that increased to 1‰ at the end of the flowering season. Such delayed selfing resulted in a significant quantity of viable floating seeds. They may contribute to the local regeneration, seed bank and propagation of the L-morph, which may contribute to explain its invasion success worldwide. Management plans of Lgh would gain to consider the breeding systems we identified.
Large-scale identification of viral quorum sensing systems reveals density-dependent sporulation-hijacking mechanisms in bacteriophages
Authors: Bernard Charles , Li Yanyan , Lopez Philippe , Bapteste Eric
Published: July 2021

Communication between viruses supported by quorum sensing systems (QSSs) were found to optimize the fitness of temperate bacteriophages of Bacilli by guiding the transition from the host-destructive lytic cycle to the host-protective lysogenic cycle in a density-dependent manner. All known phage-encoded QSSs consist of a communication propeptide and a cognate intracellular receptor that regulates the expression of adjacent target genes upon recognition of the matured peptide, a signature known as RRNPP and found in chromosomes, plasmids and phages of Firmicutes bacteria. Recently, we have introduced the RRNPP_detector software to detect novel genetic systems matching the RRNPP signature, which unearthed many novel phage-encoded candidate QSSs. Here, by looking at the adjacent genes likely regulated by these viral candidate QSSs, we identified an unsuspected clustering of viral QSSs with viral genes whose bacterial homologs are key regulators of the last-resort bacterial sporulation initiation pathway (rap, spo0E or abrB). Consistently, we found evidence in published data that certain of these QSSs encoded by prophages (phage genomes inserted within a bacterial genome) dynamically manipulate the timing of sporulation in the host. Because these viral QSSs are genetically diverse and are found associated with different sporulation regulators, this suggests a convergent evolution in bacteriophages of density-dependent sporulation-hijacking mechanisms.

SIGNIFICANCE

Communication between viruses supported by quorum sensing systems (QSSs) is a brand new research area that has transformed our views of viral adaptation and virus-host co-evolution. The viral QSSs discovered so far were found to guide the lysis-lysogeny decision in temperate bacteriophages as a function of phage density. Here, we identified that quorum sensing-mediated communication between phages can not only guide the regulation of viral processes but also the manipulation of the bacterial sporulation pathway. Our finding introduces the new view that not only bacteria decide when it is time to sporulate, some bacteriophages are also key stakeholders in this dynamical decision-making process. Considering that spores are the transmissive form of many pathogens, these new insights have important applied implications.
Reciprocal regulation of Shh trafficking and H2O2 levels via a noncanonical BOC-Rac1 pathway
Authors: Thauvin Marion , Amblard Irène , Rampon Christine , Mourton Aurélien , Queguiner Isabelle , Li Chenge , Gautier Arnaud , Joliot Alain , Volovitch Michel , Vriz Sophie
Published: July 2021

Among molecules that bridge environment, cell metabolism, and cell signaling, H2O2 recently appeared as an emerging but central player. Its level depends on cell metabolism and environment and was recently shown to play key roles during embryogenesis, contrasting with its long-established role in disease progression. We decided to explore whether the secreted morphogen Sonic hedgehog (Shh), known to be essential in a variety of biological processes ranging from embryonic development to adult tissue homeostasis and cancers, was part of these interactions. Here, we report that H2O2 levels control key steps of Shh delivery and that physiological in vivo modulation of H2O2 levels changes Shh distribution and tissue patterning. A feedback loop exists in which Shh trafficking controls H2O2 synthesis via a non-canonical BOC-Rac1 pathway, leading to cytoneme growth. Our findings reveal that Shh directly impacts its own distribution, thus providing a molecular explanation for the robustness of morphogenesis to both environmental insults and individual variability.
The influence of chalcogen atom on conformation and phase transition in chalcogenazinoquinolinium monoiodides
Authors: Yushina Irina , Krylov Alexander , Leonidov Ivan I. , Batalov Vladimir , Chen Yu-Sheng , Wang Suyin Grass , Stash Adam , Bartashevich Ekaterina
Published: July 2021

Crystalline chalcogenazinoquinolinium monoiodides, where the chalcogen atom is oxygen and sulfur, were studied using a combination of X-ray diffraction, Raman and UV-vis spectroscopies and photoluminescence experimental techniques. Periodic quantum-chemical calculations were performed to characterize the features of electronic structure and vibrational assignment. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy experiments consistently reveal phase transition of thiazinoquinolinium monoiodide at low temperatures with the decrease of symmetry to P
1. The luminescence study for oxazinoquinolinium monoiodide reveals the excitation maximum at 532 nm and emission at 650 nm with significantly higher intensity than for the thiazinoquinolinium derivative. The studied chalcogenazinoquinolinium monoiodides demonstrate high values of Stokes shift up to 150 nm.
Czochralski growth of mixed cubic sesquioxide crystals in the ternary system Lu2O3–Sc2O3–Y2O3
Authors: Kränkel Christian , Uvarova Anastasia , Haurat Émile , Hülshoff Lena , Brützam Mario , Guguschev Christo , Kalusniak Sascha , Klimm Detlef
Published: July 2021

Cubic rare-earth sesquioxide crystals are strongly demanded host materials for high power lasers, but due to their high melting points investigations on their thermodynamics and the growth of large-size crystals of high optical quality remain a challenge. Detailed thermal investigations of the ternary system Lu2O3–Sc2O3–Y2O3 revealing a large range of compositions with melting temperatures below 2200°C and a minimum of 2053°C for the composition (Sc0.45Y0.55)2O3 are presented. These reduced temperatures enable for the first time the growth of high optical quality mixed sesquioxide crystals with disordered structure by the conventional Czochralski method from iridium crucibles. An (Er0.07Sc0.50Y0.43)2O3 crystal is successfully grown and characterized with respect to its crystallographic properties as well as its composition, thermal conductivity and optical absorption in the 1 µm range.
The transformation of education during the corona pandemic: exploring the perspective of the private university students in Bangladesh
Authors: Shahriar Shamsul Huq Bin , Arafat Sayed , Sultana Nayeema , Akter Silvia , Khan Md. Mahfuzur Rahman , Nur J.M. Ekram Hossain , Khan Syful Islam
Published: July 2021

Purpose

In 2020, the education system was preliminary halted by the COVID-19 crisis and went through radical improvisation, and online-based distance learning was the only plausible initiative to continue educational activities ensuring health guidelines properly. However, in reality, such desperate measure in case of a lower-middle-income developing nation lacking proper structural capabilities raised some issues and concerns for both pupils and mentors, and this study aims to explore the practice of online-based distance learning in private universities of Bangladesh and the challenges associated with it.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory research is qualitative in nature. A total number of 89 undergraduate level university students from different private universities were divided into two main clusters and interviewed in depth.

Findings

The findings of this paper revealed that common developing country syndromes like improper technological infrastructure development, limitation to devices or internet accessibility and financial hindrances can disrupt the harmony of the online learning experience. Also, the lack of tech literacy has created a huge tension and psychological inertia among both the teachers and the students.

Social implications

The coronavirus pandemic event, with its dreadful influence, is creating immense mental pressures for students to cope well with the online learning system. Comprehending the underlying challenges affiliated with online-based distance learning and enabling faculties or respected personnel with training and development programs to handle impediments better way, this learning initiative can ensure the best outcomes.

Originality/value

The significance of this study lies in comprehending the feasibility of online-based education regarding lower-middle-income developing nation context and the realism of such learning process's acceptability considering its actual effectiveness.
Aircraft air data system fault detection and reconstruction scheme design
Authors: Kilic Ugur , Unal Gulay
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to detect and reconstruct a fault in pitot probe and static ports, which are components of the air data system in commercial aircrafts, without false alarm and no need for pitot-static measurements. In this way, flight crew will be prevented from flying according to incorrect data and aircraft accidents that may occur will be prevented.

Design/methodology/approach

Real flight data collected from a local airline was used to design the relevant system. Correlation analysis was performed to select the data related to the airspeed and altitude. Fault detection and reconstruction were carried out by using adaptive neural fuzzy inference system and artificial neural networks, which are machine learning methods. MATLAB software was used for all the calculations.

Findings

No false alarm was detected when the fault test following the fault modeling was carried out at 0–2 s range by filtering the residual signal. When the fault was detected, fault reconstruction process was initiated so that system output could be achieved according to estimated sensor data.

Practical implications

The presented alternative analytical redundant airspeed and altitude calculation scheme could be used when the pitot-static system contains any fault condition.

Originality/value

Instead of using the methods based on hardware redundancy, the authors designed a new system within the scope of this study. Fault situations that may occur in pitot probes and static ports are modeled and different fault scenarios that can be encountered in all flight phases have been examined.
Consumer perception on halal meat logistics
Authors: Tieman Marco , Che Ghazali Maznah , van der Vorst Jack G.A.J.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the preferred minimum level of segregation for halal meat in supermarket, transport, storage and terminals; the responsibility of halal logistics; and the willingness to pay for halal logistics in a Muslim and non‐Muslim country.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a comparative study involving Muslim consumers in Malaysia and The Netherlands. Cross‐sectional data were collected through a survey with 251 Muslims in Malaysia and 250 Muslims in The Netherlands. Data were analysed by means of nonparametric tests.

Findings

There is a preferred higher level of segregation in a Muslim country than a non‐Muslim country. A Muslim country has a higher willingness to pay for a halal logistics system as compared to a non‐Muslim country. Furthermore, there lies a heavy responsibility with the manufacturer to extend halal assurance towards supply chain management.

Research limitations/implications

The study confirms there is a need for a different level of segregation and therefore different halal logistics standard in a Muslim country and a non‐Muslim country. However, during the survey in The Netherlands significant rejections were received from especially first generation Muslims due to the lack of understanding of the Dutch language. Similar surveys need to be conducted in other countries in order to be able to generalise over the various Islamic schools of thought, localfatwasand local customs.

Practical implications

Halal logistics is important to the Muslim consumer and critical for the trust in a halal certified brand, which requires extending halal integrity from point of production to the point of consumer purchase.

Originality/value

This study is a preliminary one investigating the consumer perception on halal logistics. The study indicates the level of segregation required for a halal meat supply chain in a Muslim and non‐Muslim country.
Modeling of a simplified hybrid algorithm for short-term load forecasting in a power system network
Authors: Mayilsamy Kathiresh , A, Maideen Abdhulkader Jeylani , Akbarali Mahaboob Subahani , Sathiyanarayanan Haripranesh
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a hybrid algorithm, which is a blend of auto-regressive integral moving average (ARIMA) and multilayer perceptron (MLP) for addressing the non-linearity of the load time series.

Design/methodology/approach

Short-term load forecasting is a complex process as the nature of the load-time series data is highly nonlinear. So, only ARIMA-based load forecasting will not provide accurate results. Hence, ARIMA is combined with MLP, a deep learning approach that models the resultant data from ARIMA and processes them further for Modelling the non-linearity.

Findings

The proposed hybrid approach detects the residuals of the ARIMA, a linear statistical technique and models these residuals with MLP neural network. As the non-linearity of the load time series is approximated in this error modeling process, the proposed approach produces accurate forecasting results of the hourly loads.

Originality/value

The effectiveness of the proposed approach is tested in the laboratory with the real load data of a metropolitan city from South India. The performance of the proposed hybrid approach is compared with the conventional methods based on the metrics such as mean absolute percentage error and root mean square error. The comparative results show that the proposed prediction strategy outperforms the other hybrid methods in terms of accuracy.
Systematic development of a data model for the blockchain-based embodied carbon (BEC) Estimator for construction
Authors: Rodrigo M.N.N. , Perera Srinath , Senaratne Sepani , Jin Xiaohua
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Blockchain as an emerging technology has increased the interests within various industries because of its salient features. A potential application of blockchain for embodied carbon (EC) estimating is being explored. Though there are several databases/tools to estimate EC, the accuracy of estimates prepared using them is affected due to several limitations. As a solution, a prototype blockchain-based EC (BEC) Estimator for distributed supply chain-based EC estimating has been introduced. The data models and user flow diagram that lead to development of a BEC Estimator are developed and evaluated in this study.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach assisted in developing the data models and user flow diagram for the BEC Estimator. A Delphi-based expert forum was used to evaluate and produce the refined data models and user flow diagram.

Findings

The BEC Estimator adopts a waterfall model, a system development lifecycle model, in developing the application. The phases, system analysis and system design, consisting the development of the data models and user flow diagram for the BEC Estimator are discussed.

Originality/value

Estimating EC accurately plays an important role in construction. The BEC Estimator uses the supply chain based embodied carbon estimating method to estimate EC accurately. This paper demonstrates the data models and user flow diagram developed for the BEC Estimator.
Evaluation and analysis of SDG reporting: evidence from Africa
Authors: Erin Olayinka Adedayo , Bamigboye Omololu Adex
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The 2030 Agenda and the sustainable development goals (SDG) have gained considerable attention in research and public debate. This calls for accounting research on the subject of SDG disclosure. Based on this premise, this paper aims to evaluate and analyze the extent of SDG reporting by 80 listed firms from 8 selected African countries for the period of 2016 to 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a content analysis and survey method to evaluate the extent of SDG reporting by the selected African countries. This paper conducted content analysis through the use of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) framework and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework to gauge the extent of firms’ compliance with SDG reporting. Also, this paper uses the business reporting indicators for each SDG developed by GRI to determine the compliance level of the selected firms regarding SDG reporting. The survey was targeted at the big four audit firms (PwC, KPMG, Ernst and Young and Deloitte and Touche).

Findings

The evaluation of SDG disclosure by the 80 listed firms in Africa is still at a very low level except for South African firms. Also, the findings of the business reporting indicators for each SDG target show that most of the firms show little or no concern to report on SDG activities. The result of the research survey indicates that voluntary disclosure, lack of management commitment, lack of regulatory enforcement and cost implications account for low SDG disclosure by the selected African firms.

Research limitations/implications

This study fails to consider the qualitative research approach in determining the extent of SDG disclosure in Africa, as the study did not allow respondents to freely express their opinion on SDG disclosure, as a large part of the survey used close-ended questionnaires.

Practical implications

This study’s findings call for clear responsibility and a strong drive for SDG performance from corporate institutions in Africa. While the overall responsibility rests on the government, the actualization of SDG cannot be achieved without support from corporate organizations. The empirical approach used in this study emphasizes the need for corporate organizations to embrace sustainable practices and to integrate SDG information into their reporting cycle.

Originality/value

This study contributes to growing literature in the area of corporate reporting, sustainability reporting and SDG research in Africa and other emerging economies. Also, this study provides original insight into the contribution of accounting research toward the achievement of SDG.
Integrated techniques for the structural assessment of cultural heritage masonry buildings: application to Palazzo Cocchi-Serristori in Florence
Authors: Cardinali Vieri , Castellini Marta , Cristofaro Maria Teresa , Lacanna Giorgio , Coli Massimo , De Stefano Mario , Tanganelli Marco
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the discussion of the experimental campaigns on Cultural Heritage buildings. By adopting integrated procedures it is possible to limit the invasiveness of the destructive techniques leading to reliable results. The purpose is the proper definition of the structural system, which represents the starting point of the following analysis's phases, not treated in this work. A methodology based on normative references and acknowledged non-destructive and partial destructive strategies has been conceived. The latter aims to an accurate comprehension of the structural information.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated approach for the structural assessment of cultural heritage buildings is presented. The methodology defines an interdisciplinary procedure based on normative references, non-destructive and minor-destructive techniques. A funnel-shaped workflow is developed to characterize the structural system of the buildings. The non-destructive campaigns are widely extended. Then, in-depth analysis concerning partial demolitions and minor-destructive tests are performed. The dynamic identification of the building is executed to detect its global response. The final validation of the assumed mechanical values is obtained by comparing the experimental modes coming from the ambient vibrations and the analytical modes of the structural modelling.

Findings

This research belongs to the Protocol signed between the Municipality of Florence and Department of Earth's Science and Department of Architecture of the University of Florence for the seismic vulnerability assessment of relevant and strategic buildings.

Research limitations/implications

The descripted methodology is targeted for monuments and special buildings where the use of destructive techniques is not possible or unrecommended.

Social implications

Social implications are related to the conservation of Heritage buildings. The latter deals with: (1) risk assessment of the targeted buildings towards different hazard sources (e.g. earthquakes, floods); (2) knowledge path developed through non-invasive diagnostic campaigns oriented to the conservation of the manufact. Furthermore, the paper encourages towards the recognition of non-destructive techniques and ambient vibration tests for the achievement of higher knowledge levels.

Originality/value

This paper defines a funnel-shaped procedure defining hierarchical roles between the different available strategies. The originality of this contribution is firstly related to the methodological flowchart. It is targeted to limit the invasive tests and consequently achieving accurate levels of knowledge. Secondly, some novelty can be found in the adoption of improvement parameters from a regional database adopting a Bayesian approach.
Tourism development dilemmas in Musina Municipality: evidence from the Big Tree Nature Reserve and neighboring entities, Vhembe district, South Africa
Authors: Ramaano Azwindini Isaac
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study assesses tourism development dilemmas about the Big Tree Nature Reserve (BNTR) with its neighboring tourism entities in Musina Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained by interviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions and physical observation. Tacitly pertinent literature review propped and augmented the adopted approach.

Findings

The examination exposed many hurdles correlated with tourism efforts around the BNTR and its adjoining tourism entities. The gains of tourism were not drawn into by the local communities within and around the study area. The determinants adding to the poor state of tourism professions got portrayed by the conclusions of the study. Therefore, there was an inherent necessity for a turnaround efficient tourism management to promote tourism initiatives to bolster local communities in the region.

Originality/value

Musina Municipality constitutes a remote region in the north of Limpopo province, South Africa. Poor rural livelihoods are analogous to many rural districts within the continent. Despite all these, it substantially incorporates an essentially tourism-based area within the Vhembe district of Limpopo province.
ViewpointCovid-19 digital test certificates and blockchain
Authors: Papadaki Maria , Karamitsos Ioannis , Themistocleous Marinos
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate how healthcare and public organizations can control and monitor digital health test certificates with citizens or other stakeholders using Blockchain platforms. The paper reviews and analyses the literature by focusing on keywords like “Blockchain AND COVID-19”. In response to the 2019 pandemic, most local governments closed their borders and imposed movement restrictions, impacting the global economy, peoples' mobility and everyday life. This study aims to provide a solution to how Blockchain technology can improve the socioeconomic impacts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by enhancing people's mobility and achieving a balance between protecting individuals' rights and public health safety.

Design/methodology/approach

This research utilized machine learning bibliometric tools for investigating the normative literature in the area of blockchain and COVID-19. The article conducts a systematic literature review and develops a bibliometric map based on Plevris et al.’s (2017) method.

Findings

This study indicates that there is limited literature on the use of blockchain technology in issuing and validating COVID-19 tests. The development of such solutions can be done through the utilization of smart contracts, and it is expected to increase mobility in a secure and trusted environment that will help in monitoring and slow down the spread of the pandemic.

Research limitations/implications

This analysis is done during the first ten months of the pandemic outbreak, and there is still limited scientific literature investigating blockchain and COVID-19 concepts.

Practical Implications

Organizations are rethinking their information management due to the COVID-19 pandemic for creating better value for the enterprise and all associate stakeholders. Blockchain technology helps organizations to move from a centralized to a decentralized way of information managing. The decentralization of information in the health-care sector will create a better value for all involved stakeholders and radical change in how health-care data are managed and controlled. The implementation of blockchain applications in the health-care industry will result in a more secure, visible, auditable environment accessible by all the parties involved.

Originality/value

It was identified that there is currently limited research done on aligning smart contracts structure within the health-care sector. Therefore, while the current literature demonstrates the importance of aligning the key concepts, little research is done on considering people’s mobility and cross-country communication.
Why do eligible successors withdraw from the succession process in family businesses? A social exchange perspective
Authors: Rodriguez Serna Lil , Nakandala Dilupa , Bowyer Dorothea
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Successors' unwillingness to participate in the family business is known to impede intergenerational succession. However, little is known about why those considered eligible, do not choose to become the next chief executive officer (CEO). The authors investigate why some eligible successors withdraw from the succession process while others remain involved. The purpose of this paper is to build theory for which the authors made use of purposive sampling techniques that complied with certain criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use an inductive, exploratory multi-case study design and investigate six Australian food manufacturers.

Findings

This paper's analysis reveals that successors' decisions are driven by dimensions: pursued outcome and reciprocity. Eligible successors withdrawing from succession are concerned about personal financial sustainability and the business' growth potential; this is accompanied by negative exchanges with the incumbent.

Research limitations/implications

The authors studied a limited number of organizations and these were mainly managed by owner/founders. In this type of organization, successors have been widely exposed to the business and its struggles from an early age. Differences can be present in businesses managed by later generations whose emotional investment, therefore, socio-emotional needs might be different from the cohort being investigated. Second, the authors' aim in carrying out this study was to build theory for which we made use of purposive sampling techniques that complied with certain criteria. Further studies aiming at generalizable results would shed light on the usefulness of the typology and whether other rules apply to the incumbent–successor relationship while ascertaining how the exchanges contribute to the successor's decision to remain or withdraw from the family business.

Practical implications

This study reveals the crucial nature of the incumbent in the succession process. Their role is not limited to how they interact with the successor but how deeply incumbents manage to understand and monitor the successor's motivations and concerns. Incumbents aiming at retaining eligible successors need to thoroughly understand successors' motivations for agreeing to become the next CEO.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to investigate successor withdrawal post training. The authors' methodology includes the responses of non-family senior managers to provide an objective view on the family dynamics.
The impact of green growth on financial stability
Authors: Jadoon Imran Abbas , Mumtaz Raheel , Sheikh Jibran , Ayub Usman , Tahir Mohammad
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The international institutions, policymakers and governments are promoting green growth as a policy objective for global financial stability (FS) without sound empirical investigation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate whether the green economy would be successful in achieving its main objective i.e. stabilizing the world financial system because the investment stakes are too high for this green transition.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the two-step system generalized method of moments (GMM) methodology on panel data of 90 countries for 6 years from 2010 to 2015 to investigate the impact of green growth economy on FS.

Findings

The results of the current study revealed that overall green growth enhanced FS in the country for both the short and long run. However, the social inclusive dimension of green growth was irrelevant in creating FS.

Research limitations/implications

The results of the current study validate the growth-led finance hypothesis and encourage the policymakers to strengthen the policy initiative for green growth. Because green growth mitigates economic and environmental risk to create a stable financial environment. However, social inclusiveness needs to be explored through alternate paradigm in relevance to FS.

Originality/value

As per the author’s knowledge, it is a pioneer study to empirically investigate the impact of green growth on FS which would be useful in understanding the green growth and FS dynamics.
How and when abusive supervision influences knowledge hiding behavior: evidence from India
Authors: Agarwal Upasna A. , Avey James , Wu Keke
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the differential roles of self-esteem and co-rumination in the mediated relationship between abusive supervision and knowledge hiding via psychological safety.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a three-wave time-lagged design and data were collected from 388 full-time employees in India.

Findings

The results show that psychological safety mediated the impact abusive supervision had on knowledge hiding. Further, this impact was weakened by higher self-esteem as employees with higher self-esteem were less affected by the impact of abusive supervision on psychological safety and knowledge hiding; but this impact was amplified by more co-rumination as employees who co-ruminated more were also more affected by abusive supervision in psychological safety and knowledge hiding.

Research limitations/implications

A cross-sectional design and the use of self-reported questionnaires are a few limitations of this study.

Originality/value

This study took a purposeful deviation from the traditional path of organizational justice to the study of abusive supervision and psychological safety and endeavored an alternate route, one of resource conservation. Further, employees have diverse reasons that heighten or dampen their inclination to hide knowledge from others in the workplace. The study examines co-rumination and self-esteem as possible boundary conditions.
Organizational justice and organizational citizenship behaviour: the mediating role of psychological ownership
Authors: K Jnaneswar , Ranjit Gayathri
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose and empirically test a model that examines psychological ownership as an intervening variable between organizational justice and organizational citizenship behaviour drawing on the social exchange theory, equity theory and event mediated model.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on a cross-sectional research design, with a sample of 301 full-time employees from various information technology organizations in India. Amos software was used to test the validity of the hypothesised model, and PROCESS macro was used to test the mediation of psychological ownership.

Findings

The findings showed that organizational justice impacted both psychological ownership and organizational citizenship behaviour. Furthermore, psychological ownership impacted the organizational citizenship behaviour of employees. The key finding of this study is the partial mediation of psychological ownership in the relationship between organizational justice and organizational citizenship behaviour.

Practical implications

Besides enriching the organizational behaviour literature, the findings of the study offer valuable messages to the organizational leaders in creating sustained competitive advantage through employee behaviours like organizational citizenship behaviour and psychological ownership.

Originality/value

Even though the literature reports the impact of organizational justice on organizational citizenship behaviour, the majority of this research is based on a western context. There is little research work done to examine the direct relationship between these variables in a non-western context, especially in an emerging economy like India. This study bridges this research gap and enriches the literature by elucidating how organizational justice impacts organizational citizenship behaviour by evincing the mediating mechanism of psychological ownership. Moreover, this is one of the primary studies that explore the mediating role of psychological ownership in the relationship between organizational justice and organizational citizenship behaviour.
A review on research of fire-induced progressive collapse on structures
Authors: M. Vishal , K.S. Satyanarayanan
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper delineates a literature review on fire-induced progressive collapse on structures and the effect of high temperature on structures and elements. After the occurrences of fire in the World Trade Center in the USA, the researchers started concentrating on the progressive collapse that happens due to high temperature. Currently, most of the researchers are working on fire-induced progressive collapse on structures using high-temperature behavior on materials which are used for construction. The researchers have been doing an intensive study to find a better strategy to prevent the building from structural fire damage or collapse with available codes and guidelines throughout the world. This paper aims to provide a better understanding and analytical solutions on the basis of the recent works done by researchers in fire-induced progressive collapse and methods adopted to find the collapse mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is written by studying different literature papers of 109 related to progressive collapse on structures and fire-induced progressive collapse.

Findings

The behavior of structures due to high temperature and collapse conditions due to fire in different scenarios is identified.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an identified need to study how the structure can withstand high-temperature conditions in our day-to-day lives.