bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanopore amplicon sequencing reveals molecular convergence and local adaptation of opsin genes
Authors: Eaton Katherine M. , Bernal Moisés A. , Backenstose Nathan J.C. , Krabbenhoft Trevor J.
Published: June 2020

Local adaptation can drive diversification of closely related species across environmental gradients and promote convergence of distantly related taxa that experience similar conditions. We examined a potential case of adaptation to novel visual environments in a species flock (Great Lakes salmonids, genusCoregonus) using a new amplicon genotyping protocol on the Oxford Nanopore Flongle. Five visual opsin genes were amplified for individuals ofC. artedi, C. hoyi, C. kiyi, andC. zenithicus. Comparisons revealed species-specific differences in the coding sequence ofrhodopsin(Tyr261Phe substitution), suggesting local adaptation byC. kiyito the blue-shifted depths of Lake Superior. Parallel evolution and “toggling” at this amino acid residue has occurred several times across the fish tree of life, resulting in identical changes to the visual systems of distantly related taxa across replicated environmental gradients. Our results suggest that ecological differences and local adaptation to distinct visual environments are strong drivers of both evolutionary parallelism and diversification.
Genetic polymorphisms do not predict inter-individual variability to cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation of the primary motor cortex
Authors: Pellegrini Michael , Zoghi Maryam , Jaberzadeh Shapour
Published: June 2020

High variability between individuals (i.e. inter-individual variability) in response to transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has become a commonly reported issue in the tDCS literature in recent years. Inherent genetic differences between individuals has been proposed as a contributing factor to observed response variability. This study investigated whether tDCS inter-individual variability was genetically mediated. A large sample-size of sixty-one healthy males received cathodal-tDCS (c-tDCS) and sham-tDCS, of the primary motor cortex at 1mA and 10-minutes via 6×4cm active and 7×5cm return electrodes. Corticospinal excitability (CSE) was assessed via twenty-five single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation motor evoked potentials (MEP). Intracortical inhibition (ICI) was assessed via twenty-five 3ms inter-stimulus interval (ISI) paired-pulse MEPs, known as short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI). Intracortical facilitation (ICF) was assessed via twenty-five 10ms ISI paired-pulse MEPs. Gene variants encoding for excitatory and inhibitory neuroreceptors were determined via saliva samples. Pre-determined thresholds and statistical cluster analyses were used to subgroup individuals. Two distinct subgroups were identified, ‘responders’ reducing CSE following c-tDCS and ‘non-responders’ showing no reduction or even increase in CSE. Differences in CSE between responders and non-responders following c-tDCS were not explained by changes in SICI or ICF. No significant relationships were reported between gene variants and inter-individual variability to c-tDCS suggesting the chosen gene variants did not influence the activity of the neuroreceptors involved in eliciting changes in CSE in responders following c-tDCS. In this largest c-tDCS study of its kind, novel insights were reported into the contribution genetic factors may play in observed inter-individual variability to c-tDCS.
The extent and impact of variation in ADME genes in sub-Saharan African populations
Authors: Rocha Jorge da , Othman Houcemeddine , Botha Gerrit , Cottino Laura , Twesigomwe David , Ahmed Samah , Drögemöller Britt I. , Fadlelmola Faisal M. , Machanick Philip , Mbiyavanga Mamana , Panji Sumir , Wright Galen E.B. , Adebamowo Clement , Matshaba Mogomotsi , Ramsay Michèle , Simo Gustave , Simuunza Martin C. , Tiemessen Caroline T. , Baldwin Sandra , Chiano Mathias , Cox Charles , Gross Annette S. , Thomas Pamela , Gamo Francisco-Javier , Hazelhurst Scott ,   as members of the H3Africa Consortium
Published: June 2020

Investigating variation in genes involved in theabsorption, distribution, metabolism, andexcretion(ADME) of drugs are key to characterising pharmacogenomic (PGx) relationships. ADME gene variation is relatively well characterised in European and Asian populations, but African populations are under-studied – which has implications for safe and effective drug use in Africa.

The genetic diversity of ADME genes across sub-Saharan African populations is large. The Southern African population cluster is most distinct from that of far West Africa. PGx strategies based on European variants will be of limited use in African populations.

Although established variants are important, PGx must take into account the full range of African variation. This work urges further characterisation of variants in African populations includingin vitroandin silicostudies, and to consider the unique African ADME landscape when developing precision medicine guidelines and tools for African populations.

Author summary

The ADME genes are a group of genes that play a key role in absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs. Variations in these genes can have a significant impact on drug safety and efficacy. Africa has a high level of genetic variation and is under-studied in drug development, which makes study of variations in these genes in African populations very important. Using a new data set of 458 high-coverage genomes from across Africa, we characterise the extent and impact of variation in the ADME genes, looking at both single nucleotide and copy number variations. We identified 343,368 variants, including 40,692 novel variants, and 930 coding variants which are predicted to have high impact on function. Our discovery curves indicate that there will be considerable value in sequencing more African genomes. Moreover, relatively few of these novel variants are captured on common genotyping arrays. We show that there is considerable diversity within Africa in some important genes, and this will have significant consequences for the emerging field of precision medicine in Africa.
DNA sequence-directed cooperation between nucleoid-associated proteins
Authors: Japaridze Aleksandre , Yang Wayne , Dekker Cees , Nasser William , Muskhelishvili Georgi
Published: June 2020

Nucleoid associated proteins (NAPs) are a class of highly abundant DNA binding proteins in bacteria and archaea. While the composition and relative abundance of the NAPs change during the bacterial growth cycle, surprisingly little is known about their crosstalk in mutually binding to the bacterial chromosome and stabilising higher-order nucleoprotein complexes. Here, we use atomic force microscopy and solid-state nanopores to investigate long-range nucleoprotein structures formed by the binding of two major NAPs, FIS and H-NS, to DNA molecules with distinct binding-site arrangements. We find that spatial organisation of the protein binding sites can govern the higher-order architecture of the nucleoprotein complexes. Based on sequence arrangement the complexes differed in their global shape and compaction, as well as the extent of FIS and H-NS binding. Our observations highlight the important role the DNA sequence plays in driving structural differentiations within the bacterial chromosome.
Discovery of a novel small protein factor involved in the coordinated degradation of phycobilisomes in cyanobacteria
Authors: Krauspe Vanessa , Fahrner Matthias , Spät Philipp , Steglich Claudia , Frankenberg-Dinkel Nicole , Macek Boris , Schilling Oliver , Hess Wolfgang R.
Published: June 2020

Phycobilisomes are the major pigment-protein antenna complexes that perform photosynthetic light harvesting in cyanobacteria, rhodophyte and glaucophyte algae. Up to 50% of the cellular nitrogen can be stored in their giant structures. Accordingly, upon nitrogen depletion, phycobilisomes are rapidly degraded. This degradation is tightly coordinated, follows a genetic program and involves small proteins serving as proteolysis adaptors. Here, we describe the role of NblD, a novel factor in this process in cyanobacteria. NblD is a cysteine-rich, 66-amino acid small protein that becomes rapidly induced upon nitrogen starvation. Deletion of thenblDgene in the cyanobacteriumSynechocystisprevents the degradation of phycobilisomes, leading to a nonbleaching (nbl) phenotype. Competition experiments provided direct evidence for the physiological importance of NblD. Complementation by a plasmid-localized gene copy fully restored the phenotype of the wild type. Overexpression of NblD under nitrogen-replete conditions showed no effect, in contrast to the unrelated proteolysis adaptors NblA1 and NblA2, which can trigger phycobilisome degradation ectopically. Transcriptome analysis revealed that nitrogen starvation correctly inducesnblA1/2transcription in the ΔnblDstrain implying that NblD does not act as a transcriptional (co-)regulator. However, fractionation and coimmunoprecipitation experiments indicated the presence of NblD in the phycobilisome fraction and identified the β-phycocyanin subunit as its target. These data add NblD as a new factor to the genetically programmed response to nitrogen starvation and demonstrate that it plays a crucial role in the coordinated dismantling of phycobilisomes when nitrogen becomes limiting.

Significance Statement

During genome analysis, genes encoding small proteins are frequently neglected. Accordingly, small proteins have remained underinvestigated in all domains of life. Based on a previous systematic search for such genes, we present the functional analysis of the small protein NblD in a photosynthetic cyanobacterium. We show that NblD plays a crucial role during the coordinated dismantling of phycobilisome light-harvesting complexes. This disassembly is triggered when the cells run low in nitrogen, a condition that frequently occurs in nature. Similar to the NblA proteins that label phycobiliproteins for proteolysis, NblD binds to phycocyanin polypeptides but has a different function. The results show that, even in a well-investigated process, crucial new players can be discovered if small proteins are taken into consideration.
An atlas of neural crest lineages along the posterior developing zebrafish at single-cell resolution
Authors: Howard Aubrey G.A. , Baker Phillip A. , Ibarra-García-Padilla Rodrigo , Moore Joshua A. , Rivas Lucia J. , Tallman James J. , Singleton Eileen W. , Westheimer Jessa L. , Corteguera Julia A. , Uribe Rosa A.
Published: June 2020

Neural crest cells (NCCs) are vertebrate stem cells that give rise to various cell types throughout the developing body in early life. Here, we utilized single-cell transcriptomic analyses to delineate NCC-derivatives along the posterior developing vertebrate, zebrafish, during the late embryonic to early larval stage, a period when NCCs are actively differentiating into distinct cellular lineages. We identified several major NCC/NCC-derived cell-types including mesenchyme, neural crest, neural, neuronal, glial, and pigment, from which we resolved over three dozen cellular subtypes. We dissected gene expression signatures of pigment progenitors delineating into chromatophore lineages, mesenchyme subtypes, and enteric NCCs transforming into enteric neurons. Global analysis of NCC derivatives revealed they were demarcated by combinatorialhoxgene codes, with distinct profiles within neuronal cells. From these analyses, we present a comprehensive cell-type atlas that can be utilized as a valuable resource for further mechanistic and evolutionary investigations of NCC differentiation.
A Simple Enhancement for Gibson Isothermal Assembly
Authors: Rabe Brian A , Cepko Constance
Published: June 2020

Gibson Isothermal Assembly has become a widespread cloning method, with a multitude of advantages over traditional cut-and-paste cloning. It allows for scarless assembly of multiple fragments simultaneously and has become widely used for molecular cloning. We have found that a simple change to the formulation of the reaction mix, the addition of a single-stranded DNA binding protein, can substantially improve both the accuracy and efficiency of assembly, especially as the number of fragments being assembled increases. In addition, when creating this Enhanced Gibson Isothermal Assembly reaction mix in-house with homemade DNA ligase, the cost of the reaction can be reduced to less than $10 per milliliter.
A high-power, high-repetition-rate THz source for pump–probe experiments at Linac Coherent Light Source II
Authors: Zhang Z. , Fisher A. S. , Hoffmann M. C. , Jacobson B. , Kirchmann P. S. , Lee W.-S. , Lindenberg A. , Marinelli A. , Nanni E. , Schoenlein R. , Qian M. , Sasaki S. , Xu J. , Huang Z.
Published: June 2020

Experiments using a THz pump and an X-ray probe at an X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) facility like the Linac Coherent Light Source II (LCLS II) require frequency-tunable (3 to 20 THz), narrow bandwidth (∼10%), carrier-envelope-phase-stable THz pulses that produce high fields (>1 MV cm−1) at the repetition rate of the X-rays and are well synchronized with them. In this paper, a two-bunch scheme to generate THz radiation at LCLS II is studied: the first bunch produces THz radiation in an electromagnet wiggler immediately following the LCLS II undulator that produces X-rays from the second bunch. The initial time delay between the two bunches is optimized to compensate for the path difference in THz transport. The two-bunch beam dynamics, the THz wiggler and radiation are described, as well as the transport system bringing the THz pulses from the wiggler to the experimental hall.
Synthesis, structure and biological activity of four new picolinohydrazonamide derivatives
Authors: Szczesio Małgorzata , Gobis Katarzyna , Korona-Głowniak Izabela , Mazerant-Politowicz Ida , Ziembicka Dagmara , Foks Henryk , Główka Marek , Olczak Andrzej
Published: June 2020

Four new picolinohydrazonamide derivatives, namely, 6-methyl-N′-(morpholine-4-carbonothioyl)picolinohydrazonamide, C12H17N5OS, 6-chloro-N′-(morpholine-4-carbonothioyl)picolinohydrazonamide methanol monosolvate, C11H14ClN5OS·CH3OH, 6-chloro-N′-(4-phenylpiperazine-1-carbonothioyl)picolinohydrazonamide, C17H19ClN6S, and 6-chloropicolinohydrazonamide, C6H7ClN4, have been synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal low-temperature X-ray diffraction. In addition, their antibacterial and anti-yeast activities have been determined. The first three compounds adopt the zwitterionic form in the crystal structure regardless of the presence or absence of solvent molecules in the structure. They also adopt the same symmetry, i.e. P21/c (P21/n), unlike the fourth structure which is chiral and has the space group P212121. For all the studied cases, intermolecular N—H...O and N—H...N hydrogen bonds play an essential role in the formation of the structures.
Ex-post evaluation of the R&D tax incentive law in Chile
Authors: Mardones Cristian , Madrid Becerra Natalia
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study carries out an ex - post evaluation of the Research and Development (R&D) Tax Incentive Law in Chile.

Design/methodology/approach

A subset of data from the 9th Innovation Survey is chosen, specifically those that were available for the years 2013 and 2014. Then, differences in differences (DID) and matching with differences in differences (MDID) techniques are used to identify the impact of this policy.

Findings

The results obtained allow us to affirm that the use of the R&D Tax Incentive Law had some positive but very low effects on some components of expenditure for innovation. Also, the positive effect of the tax credits on the total expenditure for innovation identified with MDID disappears when only firms that know the R&D Tax Incentive Law are used as a control group.

Originality/value

This work provides new evidence to evaluate innovation policies in Latin America, focusing on tax credits that have been much less studied than subsidy programs. Specifically, it is concluded that there is still a wide margin to improve and reformulate the R&D Tax Incentive Law in Chile.
The future of the circular economy and the circular economy of the future
Authors: Weigend Rodríguez Ricardo , Pomponi Francesco , Webster Ken , D'Amico Bernardino
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The circular economy (CE) has gained momentum in recent years as a new economic paradigm. While the CE sets a very defined vision for a sustainable future, it still operates in the present. As such, existing guidance on and research into the CE lack a necessary understanding of how to go from the present to the future. What if the future is different from what the CE expects? The CE cannot answer this question adequately and therefore is not capable of developing this understanding alone. To address this shortcoming, this paper proposes futures studies (FS) as a complementary discipline because it offers exactly what CE lacks: methods to explore alternative futures.

Design/methodology/approach

To understand the level of interdisciplinary research in the built environment between CE and FS, a systematic literature review is carried out using a bibliometric review and a snowballing technique. This manuscript reviews seminal literature in both fields and their theoretical background.

Findings

This paper demonstrates the lack of collaboration between CE and FS and highlights a systemic failure within CE, which is to consider the future as unknowable. It further provides an initial understanding of where the synergy sits, recommendations on where to start and introduces some of the FS chief methods that could be used by CE in the built environment.

Research limitations/implications

The authors’ bibliometric review and snowballing approach might have missed out on some literature that still falls within the scope. Such limitations are due, on one hand, to the authors’ bibliometric review approach by selecting publications based on matching keywords. On the other hand, the snowballing approach is affected by the authors’ subjective judgements on which of the publications are worth to explore based mainly just on the title and abstract of the paper.

Practical implications

The inclusion of Futures Studies will allow a stronger focus on approaching possible futures to be integrated overtly into existing work, research and action within the CE community.

Social implications

It is more reasonable to expect that by cooperatively creating and implementing constructed futures with FS methods and CE principles, a better future for the built environment be reached. This is why it is so relevant for humanity that these two communities start to interact as soon as possible and maintain and open and productive collaboration in transitioning towards a sustainable society.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first of its kind by considering FS into the CE debate.
What influences consumers to purchase organic food in developing countries?
Authors: Pacho Frida
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The behavior compelling the consumer’s intention to purchase organic food has received little attention in developing countries. There is limited knowledge concerning the factors that impact consumer’s intention to purchase organic food in these countries. The study empirically examined the impact of attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control on the consumer intention to buy organic food. The study also aimed to explore whether knowledge about organic food and health consciousness has an indirect effect on the relationship between attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control and intention to buy.

Design/methodology/approach

To accomplish the study’s objectives, the questionnaires were administered to a convenience sample of 730 consumers using a traditional paper and pencil questionnaire interview (PAPI). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied to validate the data, and the Structural equation model (SEM) was employed to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings showed that subjective norms and attitudes were positively correlated, and they significantly impacted the purchase intention of organic food. The findings also showed that knowledge about organic food and health consciousness has an indirect effect on the relationship between attitude, subjective norms, and intention to buy.

Originality/value

The findings stimulate the momentum to the growing literature, particularly in the developing countries on consumer behaviors regarding organic foods. Also, they will help stakeholders to achieve the marketing strategy for the growth of this sector.
Industry 4.0 and clusters: complementaries or substitutes in firm’s knowledge creation?
Authors: Grashof Nils , Kopka Alexander , Wessendorf Colin , Fornahl Dirk
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to show the interaction effects between clusters and cluster-specific attributes and the industrial internet of things (IoT) knowledge of a firm on the innovativeness of firms. Cluster theory and the concept of key enabling technologies are linked to test their effect on a firm’s incremental and radical knowledge generation.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative approach at the firm-level. By combining several data sources (e.g. ORBIS, PATSTAT and German subsidy catalogue) the paper relies on a unique database encompassing 8,347 firms in Germany. Ordinary least squares (OLS)-regression techniques are used for data analysis.

Findings

Industrial IoT is an important driver of radical patents, mediated positively by firm size. For incremental knowledge, a substitution effect occurs between a cluster and IoT effects, which is bigger for larger firms and dependent on cluster attributes and firms’ outside connections.

Research limitations/implications

The paper opens up new research paths considering long-term disruptive effects of the industrial IoT compared to short-term effects on the innovativeness of firms within clusters. Additionally, it enables further research enriching the discussion about cluster attributes and how these affect ongoing processes.

Practical implications

Linking cluster theory and policy with Industry 4.0 raises awareness for being considerate in terms of funding and scrutinising one-size-fits-all approaches.

Originality/value

Connecting the concepts of a cluster and advanced manufacturing technologies as a proxy for industrial IoT, specifically focussing on both radical and incremental innovations is a new approach. Especially, taking into account the interaction effects between cluster attributes and the influence of industrial IoT on the innovativeness of firms.
Employer branding at armed forces: current and potential employees’ perspective
Authors: Kaur Rajwinder , Shah Reena
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Drawing from the instrumental and symbolic framework for employer branding, this study aims to explore the perception of the current and potential employees for the Indian armed forces’ employer brand.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is conducted as a mixed-method approach in the form of qualitative and quantitative phases. In the qualitative phase, online reviews of current employees were collected from glassdoor.com and analysis was conducted. While in the quantitative phase, data were collected through questionnaire from 200 potential candidates who were interested in joining the armed forces.[AQ1] Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for instrument validity and regression analysis, for finding significant factors, were used for data analysis.

Findings

The qualitative results indicate that the current employee's perception fits the instrumental and symbolic framework. Additionally, variables such as discrimination in positions, risk, stress, confidence and personality development were also identified. The CFA and regression analysis results were found to be significant on the instrumental dimensions – job security and task diversity and symbolic dimensions – competence.

Originality/value

The study emphasizes the important instrumental and symbolic attributes for both current and potential employees. Thus, the armed forces can use these as a base for strategy formulation regarding employer branding.
In liminality: interdisciplinary teams learning through challenges
Authors: Brandshaug Sigrid Westad , Sjølie Ela
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to introduce the concept of liminality as a theoretical lens to explore and discuss how challenges, accompanied by frustrations and confusion, can enable significant learning in a teamwork setting. Student team narratives on how they handle challenges they face working to solve real-world problems are used as the basis for the discussion.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a case study using student narratives from an interdisciplinary master course at a Norwegian university.

Findings

We argue that the concept of liminality can support teachers and student teams to understand and handle challenges in ways that enable significant learning and innovation. Practical implications for teachers and facilitators are provided at the end of the paper.

Originality/value

This paper offers new lenses to understand the team- and learning processes in courses where students work with real-world problems. If the teams are able to stay open in the liminality phase it enables significant learning and innovation. This capacity is valuable in a time where teams face complexity and uncertainty is becoming more of a standard than an exception, both in higher education and in working life.
Expanding knowledge frontiers in entrepreneurship: examining bricolage and effectuation
Authors: Vasconcelos Scazziota Vanessa , Andreassi Tales , Ribeiro Serra Fernando Antonio , Guerrazzi Luiz
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Our purpose is to evaluate effectuation and bricolage through their unique and shared references to understand possible overlaps and conceptual complementarities between these theoretical approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

The use of bibliometric techniques to examining simultaneously both theoretical approaches is one of the distinctions of this work. Another important methodological feature is the use of co-citation and bibliographic coupling and their interaction, to verify 179 published documents relating to their references.

Findings

The study reveals the intellectual structures underlying the approaches and differences originating from their knowledge bases, as well as the research trends.

Originality/value

By identifying the differences in the decision process and behaviors that culminate in opportunity creation in each, it offers a complementary vision of previous works. The evidence stresses it is interesting to explore their integration, considering the complementarity of their unique aspects.
Does it pay to be socially responsible? Empirical evidence from the GCC countries
Authors: Musleh Alsartawi Abdalmuttaleb
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the financial performance (profitability and market value) of firms listed in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries’ stock markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of the study consisted of all the listed companies in the GCC bourses for the period of 2010-2017. CSR was calculated by using the total amount of donations and charity disclosed in the financial reports. The three performance proxies used as the dependent variables included return on assets (ROA; profitability), return on equity (ROE; profitability) and Tobin’s Q (market value).

Findings

This study found that the UAE had the highest level of CSR compared to the other GCC countries. Additionally, the findings showed a negative and significant relationship between CSR and ROA, and a positive and significant relationship between CSR and Tobin’s Q.

Practical implications

In addition to other reforms, this paper recommends the GCC governments to impose a CSR framework and SMART platforms in line with the UAE’s initiatives.

Originality/value

This paper offers new contributions to the GCC literature and recommendations to their firms and governments.
Genetic services diffusion in the precision medicine ecosystem
Authors: Wadovski Rodolfo , Nogueira Roberto , Chimenti Paula
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Genetic knowledge is advancing steadily while at the same time DNA sequencing prices are dropping fast, but the diffusion of genetic services (GS) has been slow. The purpose of this paper is to identify GS diffusion drivers in the precision medicine (PM) ecosystem.

Design/methodology/approach

After reviewing the literature on innovation diffusion, particularly on GS diffusion, the PM ecosystem actors are interviewed to obtain their perspective. Using content analysis, the interviewees’ visions were interplayed with the literature to achieve driver conceptualization, which posteriorly originated broad themes.

Findings

The results indicate that GS diffusion depends on satisfying aspects from three broad themes and respective drivers: technology (evidence strength and credibility, customization, knowledge, data and information, tech evolution speed and cost), human (ethics, privacy and security and user power) and business (prevention, holistic view of the individual, public policy and regulation, business model and management).

Practical implications

The main management implications refer to considering health care in a multidisciplinary way, investing in the propagation of genetic knowledge, standardizing medical records and interpreting data.

Originality/value

This study, to the best of authors’ knowledge, is the first attempt to understand GS diffusion from a broad perspective, taking into account the PM stakeholders’ view. The 13 drivers offer a comprehensive understanding of how GS could spread in health care and they can assist researchers and practitioners to discuss and set strategies based on an initial structured map.
Building a digitally enhanced community of practice
Authors: Donaldson Jonan Phillip
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Emergency transitions from face-to-face learning environments to digitally mediated learning require robust support networks, particularly in the form of communities of practice. Digitally enhanced communities of practice (DECoP) can be created and sustained when research-based design principles are used. The purpose of this paper is to present a set of evidence-based design principles for purposeful creation of digitally enhanced communities of practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used integrative literature review methodology. All literature regarding DECoP was collected, analyzed and synthesized to provide a set of design principles for building DECoPs.

Findings

The analysis resulted in 26 crucial design principles and 8 desirable design principles.

Practical implications

The synthesized set of design principles provides a blueprint for designing and facilitating the development of DECoPs.

Originality/value

This unique synthesis of the DECoP literature provides practitioners with guidance in creating and nurturing a new DECoP.
Collaborating in online teaching: inviting e-guests to facilitate learning in the digital environment
Authors: Fulton Crystal
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Teaching and learning online during the Covid-19 pandemic has forced university instructors to consider online alternatives to the classroom. It is possible to facilitate students’ learning in the digital environment in similar ways to the traditional face-to-face classroom. The inclusion of e-guests in the digital learning space presents one such opportunity. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the use of e-guests in online learning.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a case study, following a postgraduate class and the role of the e-guest in students’ synchronous online learning.

Findings

E-guests facilitated student learning. Their approaches to learning ranged from slides to discussions. Students responded well to this method of learning.

Practical implications

There is potential for enhancing student learning through the inclusion of e-guests, who bring their expertise to the classroom. E-guests from different regions offer students an opportunity to learn from specialists they would not necessarily have access to in the traditional classroom.

Originality/value

E-guests offer one important potential means of enriching online teaching.
Cultivating staff culture online: How Edith Bowen Laboratory School responded to COVID-19
Authors: Justis Nathan , Litts Breanne K. , Reina Laura , Rhodes Shannon
Published: June 2020

Purpose

As educators across the globe are tasked with taking teaching online, this paper shares a culture-centered approach to transitioning to education at a distance. Specifically, in this essay, a focus is placed on how one school preserved their collaborative culture among administrators, teachers and staff. The purpose of this paper is to provide guidance to school leadership during this public health crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

To ensure trustworthiness in this naturalistic inquiry, a triangulation was made of contributing authors’ perspectives to present theory-informed insights.

Findings

This school’s transition to online education was guided by a shared goal to not only move content online but also a rich participatory culture among staff. Critical forms of participation and community practices are presented that were pivotal in supporting teachers through the transition. Insights equip school leaders and administrators potentially remaining online, at least in part, through the next school year.

Practical implications

Schools undergoing the shift to teaching online should attend to cultural shifts and create conditions in which staff members can collaborate at higher levels.

Originality/value

New administrator-level insights are contributed regarding the organizational shift to teaching elementary school online, a minimally researched topic.
Humanoid robots from the past to the present
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to provide technical details of humanoid robot developments from the 1970s to the present day and to consider their potential applications and prospects.

Design/methodology/approach

Following an introduction, this first identifies the motivations for developing humanoid robots. It then provides a technical review of developments conducted between the 1970s and the late 2010s. The most recent developments and their applications are then discussed and the paper concludes with a brief consideration of future prospects.

Findings

Since the first efforts to develop humanoid robots in Japan, the 1970s, the technology has attracted global interest and progress has been dramatic. Enabled by developments in computing, imaging, sensing, power sources, actuators and other technologies, today’s humanoid robots are agile, stable and capable of all manner of human-like capabilities such as running, climbing stairs and carrying heavy loads. Real-world uses in fields such as construction, assembly, disaster response and home assistance are expected to emerge in the near future as a result of application-specific developments.

Originality/value

This illustrates the technological evolution of humanoid robots from their inception in the 1970s to the present day.
The importance of museums in the tourist development and the motivations of their visitors: an analysis of the Costume Museum in Viana do Castelo
Authors: Vareiro Laurentina , Sousa Bruno Barbosa , Silva Sónia Sousa
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study reflects on heritage, culture and museums as vectors of the tourist development of a destination. Considering the challenges inherent in the efficient correlation of these three areas, this study intends to demonstrate the clear benefits resulting from knowledge sharing and effective cooperation.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the objectives outlined, the authors conducted a survey of the visitors of the Costume Museum, which was chosen for being one of the unmistakable icons identifying the cultural heritage of Viana do Castelo (Portugal).

Findings

In an increasingly competitive tourist market, with demand resulting from growing specialization, the integration of museological spaces as patrimonial and cultural elements in the supply of tourist destinations is an important factor in differentiation and development.

Research limitations/implications

To enhance the importance of the Costume Museum in the process of the tourist development of the city, it is fundamental to define a clear strategy for attracting and responding to the greatest demand from cultural tourists who are increasingly interested in actively participating in learning experiences. It is believed that a larger sample could strengthen the conclusions, eventually more relevant and closer to the reality.

Practical implications

The results show that visitors to the Costume Museum very positively evaluated the museum with regard to several factors covered in this study. However, there is a great dependence on school visits. On the other hand, lower qualitative evaluations were made by older age groups and those with higher academic degrees, although the evaluations remain positive.

Social implications

The paper presents museums as a possible factor in tourism development and social inclusion, advancing practical measures aimed at social justice through a fairer distribution of tourism revenues and the defence of historic centre residents' way, and quality, of life.

Originality/value

This paper examines the importance of the Costume Museum in the tourist development of Viana do Castelo (Portugal). This study reflects on heritage, culture and museums as vectors of the tourist development of a destination. Particular attention is given to visitors' motivations for visiting and their opinions about the quality of service, satisfaction and loyalty regarding this museum.
Complementary therapy for advanced dementia palliation in nursing homes
Authors: Mitchell Bryan , Jackson Graham A. , Sharp Barbara , Tolson Debbie
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper reports on an action research study that aimed to collaboratively develop a complementary therapy care intervention to augment palliative care choices available to nursing home residents with advanced dementia.

Design/methodology/approach

An action research design was adopted that consisted of a series of action cycles involving collaborative exploration, problem-solving planning, development and evidence gathering. A combination of mixed methods was used when gaining data at the different stages, including face to face delivered questionnaires, observational notes, focus groups, and the objective measure of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory adapted for Nursing Homes (NPI-NH).

Findings

Care home staff and relatives considered the use of Complementary Therapy to be a helpful intervention promoting that it can reduce a sense of loneliness and provide companionship for residents experiencing distress. Analysis of NPI-NH scores showed a reduction in presenting neuropsychiatric behaviours associated with stress and distress.

Research limitations/implications

Differing levels of participant group engagement may affect this study’s findings as it was noted that care home staff provided a fuller contribution to the project in comparison to relatives.

Practical implications

Implementation guidance is needed when implementing complementary therapy within the nursing home practice to promote consistency and successful integration of an intervention that is not provided as routine care.

Originality/value

The findings of this study are encouraging and demonstrate the acceptability of complementary therapies to residents with advanced dementia, where positive impacts on otherwise difficult to address dementia symptoms related to stress and distress are highlighted.
“It’s good.” “says who?”: the mediating role of professional legitimacy on the relationship between film-extension performance and changes in directors’ human brand identity
Authors: Pluntz Camille , Pras Bernard
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Building strong human brands inscribed in social and symbolic recognition is a strategic issue for branded individuals. In the context of film director human brands, this study aims to examine the respective influences of the economic and critical performance of films, on the one hand, and the professional legitimacy bestowed by internal stakeholders, on the other, on changes in human brand identity. Contrary to what is generally believed, it shows that the specific legitimacy bestowed by producers and the institutional legitimacy bestowed by elite peers mediate the effects of performance on changes in human brand identity. Brand extension (i.e. new films) incongruence and initial human brand identity moderate the effect of performance on legitimacy.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is applied to film director human brands and to their extensions through the films they make. Data were collected for 81 films, including information before and after the brand extension occurs, to capture changes in human brand identity and extension effects.

Findings

The results show that economic performance influences both specific and institutional legitimacy, whereas critical performance only impacts institutional legitimacy. These relationships are moderated by initial human brand identity and congruence. Both types of professional legitimacies also help reinforce human brand identity.

Originality/value

The study challenges the role of performance on the building of human brand identity and shows that the latter is co-constructed by the branded individual and internal stakeholders. It also enhances the key roles of global incongruence and genre incongruence in the model.
The collapse of tourism and its impact on wildlife tourism destinations
Authors: Newsome David
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To evaluate some of the current discussion about the possible impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on wildlife tourism destinations. There could be either positive and/or negative impacts and this viewpoint provides some reflection on what the future might hold for some if not many wildlife tourism destinations when the global tourism industry resumes.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of tourism and environmental impact research studies and online resources are used to demonstrate the wildlife tourism-conservation nexus and provide a commentary regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the wildlife tourism system.

Findings

This paper provides a context and viewpoint on the possible implications of post COVID-19 reflection for wildlife tourism operations in the future.

Research limitations/implications

This viewpoint paper captures only a snapshot of rapidly emerging online perspectives but at the same time draws together relevant research that emphasises the importance of wildlife tourism.

Practical implications

This paper enables an appreciation of the implications of not reflecting on the way that tourism and the environment are currently/recently managed and funded. One possibility is that we could arrive at a different baseline that reflects degraded wildlife tourism conditions. If, in a post COVID-19 world, a new awareness of the vulnerability of species and the tourism upon which it is dependent arises, this could open the door for improved tourism management and conservation of species that are of high tourism value.

Social implications

This paper offers a synthesis of views that fosters understanding of the possibility of damage to wildlife tourism resources due to the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 on the global nature-based tourism sector.

Originality/value

The viewpoint proffered in this paper provides scope for a rapid evaluation of the current status of wildlife tourism, its vulnerability and the need to reflect on the industry in a post COVID-19 world.
The story turn in tourism: forces and futures
Authors: Moscardo Gianna
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the rise of stories in tourism practice, identify the forces that are supporting and directing this story turn and argue for tourism researchers to pay greater attention to this new development.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a general review of academic and professional literature on marketing practice and experience design in tourism and an audit of destination marketing materials using story or story telling in their campaigns.

Findings

This paper identifies three forces supporting a story turn in tourism: building on the experiential approach to tourism; the rise of mobile social media, user generated content and gamification; and the Asian Wave in tourism.

Originality/value

This paper identifies a story turn in current tourism practice and reviews the increasing awareness of the value of stories in psychology, sociology and anthropology research, to suggest how this story turn may influence the nature of both tourism practice and research in the future.
Advancing the frontiers of justice to the under represented in Nigeria through public law library legal clinics: issues for consideration
Authors: John Bamgbose Oludayo
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The research sought to explore the role of public law libraries in advancing the net of persons who could access justice, using the law clinic in Nigeria as a gateway. It also examined how public law libraries could fit in drawing justice closer to the people using law clinics.

Design/methodology/approach

In achieving the research intentions, the researcher adopted mixed research approach. For the doctrinal method, the study embraced a desktop review of relevant literature on law clinic, access to justice and law libraries. For non-doctrinal method, the researcher brought to bare, his observation, experience and participation in clinical legal education, law clinic and law librarianship for a period of almost a decade. The literature and the experience of the researcher formed the basis on which the paper was developed.

Findings

The findings from this research reveal that access to justice is constrained by a number of factors that make it impossible for many Nigerians to access justice. The study further brings to the fore the role of law clinics in widening the gap of access to justice. In addition, the place of public law libraries in expanding the frontiers of access to justice is further underscored.

Originality/value

Not minding the potentials of public libraries in advancing access to justice world over, perusal of literature reveals that there is dearth of literature on the role of public law libraries in advancing access to justice through the instrumentality of law clinics in Nigeria. This research appears to be pioneering research in this regard.