bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining the decision to offer in-person college instruction during the COVID-19 era: A multilevel analysis of the factors that affected intentions to open
Authors: Felson Jacob Louise , Adamczyk Amy
Published: October 2020

At the end of Summer 2020 colleges and universities had to make difficult decisions about whether to return to in-person instruction. While opening campuses could pose a major health risk, keeping instruction online could dissuade students from enrolling. Taking an ecological approach that considers the influence of state, county, and college characteristics, this study uses mixed modeling techniques and data from 89% of two- and four-year public and four-year private US colleges to assess the factors that shaped their decision to provide mostly in-person instruction as of August 1, 2020. We consider the roles of the political and religious climate, COVID-19 infections, deaths, and mask mandates, college niche, finances, dormitory capacity, faculty resistance, online readiness, and enrollment pressures. Most notably, we find that decision-making was unrelated to cumulative COVID infection and related mortality rates. The strongest predictor of in-person instruction was the proportion of state residents who voted for Trump in the 2016 presidential election. We also find that dormitory capacity, percentage of revenue from tuition, institutional importance to the local economy, graduation rates, and per capita endowment were associated with providing in-person instruction.
Dataset of COVID-19 outbreak and potential predictive features in the USA
Authors: Haratian Arezoo , Fazelinia Hadi , Maleki Zeinab , Ramazi Pouria , Wang Hao , Lewis Mark A. , Greiner Russell , Wishart David
Published: October 2020

This dataset provides information related to the outbreak of COVID-19 disease in the United States, including data from each of 3142 US counties from the beginning of the outbreak (January 2020) until September 2020. This data is collected from many public online databases and includes the daily number of COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths, as well as 33 features that may be relevant to the pandemic dynamics: demographic, geographic, climatic, traffic, public-health, social-distancing-policy adherence, and political characteristics of each county. We anticipate many researchers will use this dataset to train models that can predict the spread of COVID-19 and to identify the key driving factors.
Peptide vaccine candidate mimics the heterogeneity of natural SARS-CoV-2 immunity in convalescent humans and induces broad T cell responses in mice models
Authors: Somogyi Eszter , Csiszovszki Zsolt , Molnár Levente , Lőrincz Orsolya , Tóth József , Pattijn Sofie , Schockaert Jana , Mazy Aurélie , Miklós István , Pántya Katalin , Páles Péter , Tőke Enikő R.
Published: October 2020

We developed a global peptide vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 that addresses the dual challenges of heterogeneity in the immune responses of different individuals and potential heterogeneity of the infecting virus. PolyPEPI-SCoV-2 is a polypeptide vaccine containing nine 30-mer peptides derived from all four major structural proteins of the SARS-CoV-2. Vaccine peptides were selected based on their frequency as HLA class I and class II personal epitopes (PEPIs) restricted to multiple autologous HLA alleles of individuals in anin silicocohort of 433 subjects of different ethnicities. PolyPEPI-SCoV-2 vaccine administered with Montanide ISA 51VG adjuvant generated robust, Th1-biased CD8+and CD4+T cell responses against all four structural proteins of the virus, as well as binding antibodies upon subcutaneous injection into BALB/c and CD34+transgenic mice. In addition, PolyPEPI-SCoV-2-specific, polyfunctional CD8+and CD4+T cells were detectedex vivoin each of the 17 asymptomatic/mild COVID-19 convalescents’ blood investigated, 1–5 months after symptom onset. The PolyPEPI-SCoV-2-specific T cell repertoire used for recovery from COVID-19 was extremely diverse: donors had an average of seven different peptide-specific T cells, against the SARS-CoV-2 proteins; 87% of donors had multiple targets against at least three SARS-CoV-2 proteins and 53% against all four. In addition, PEPIs determined based on the complete HLA class I genotype of the convalescent donors were validated, with 84% accuracy, to predict PEPI-specific CD8+T cell responses measured for the individuals. Extrapolation of the above findings to a US bone marrow donor cohort of 16,000 HLA-genotyped individuals with 16 different ethnicities (n=1,000 each ethnic group) suggest that PolyPEPI-SCoV-2 vaccination in a general population will likely elicit broad, multi-antigenic CD8+and CD4+T cell responses in 98% of individuals, independent of ethnicity, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) cohorts.
COVID-19 in children with rheumatic diseases (RD) in the spanish national cohort EPICO-AEP
Authors: Calvo Cristina , Remesal Agustín , Murias Sara , Ara-Montojo Fátima , Otheo Enrique , Sanz-Santaeufemia Francisco J , Villarroya Álvaro , Udaondo Clara , Moraleda Cinta , Tagarro Alfredo
Published: October 2020

Objectives

SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults with rheumatic diseases (RD) is a cause for concern. Data in the pediatric population are practically absent. We aimed to describe the prevalence of patients with RD and their complications among children admitted with COVID-19 in the Spanish national cohort EPICO-AEP; a multicenter prospective national study.

Methods

Children <18 years old with RD and COVID-19 enrolled in EPICO-AEP were included in this study.

Results

By June 30th 2020, 350 children were admitted in secondary and tertiary hospitals of Spain with SARS-CoV-2 infection. A total of 8 patients presented RD (2.2% of those hospitalized). All were female. The median age was 12.1 years (IQR 8.3-14.5). The diagnosis related with COVID-19 were febrile syndrome and/or upper respiratory infection (4 cases) and pneumonia (4 cases). One of the 8 (12.5%) patients with a severe juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) with interstitial lung disease died. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) was the most frequent diagnosis in 3/8 (37.5%) patients. In 5/8 (62.5%) cases, the RD was not fully controlled, and all patients except one received corticosteroid treatment.

Conclusions

Children with RD have accounted for 2.2% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in our series. The evolution has been moderately favorable, with one deceased. In case of active disease and use of corticosteroids patients should be managed with caution.

What is already known about this subject?

Studies in adults with rheumatic disesases (RD) show that immune-mediated inflammatory disease and use of biologics are not associated with worse COVID-19.

Poorly controlled active RD or some treatments such as corticosteroids, may have an increased risk of infection and serious disease in adults. No data in children.

What does this study add?

Pediatric data from the national EPICO-AEP registry in Spain are presented, where children with RD and COVID-19 were 2.2% of those hospitalized.

Active disease and the use of corticosteroids could be considered risk factors in the pediatric population as well as in adults.

How might this impact on clinical practice or future developments?

The rheumatologist pediatrician must be very careful in the management of children with COVID-19 infection, especially if they receive corticosteroid treatment or have active RD.
SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients with multiple sclerosis; A cross-sectional study
Authors: Bayat Mahnaz , Fayyazpoor Alireza , Haghighi Afshin Borhani , Salehi Daniyal , Vardanjan Hossein Molavi , Poursadeghfard Maryam
Published: October 2020

Background

Neurological disability associated with multiple sclerosis and immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory therapy which is administered for it may increases the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its morbidity/mortality.

Objective

In this study, we evaluated the infection rate and the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS)

Methods

One thousand and three hundred and sixty one MS patients from Fars province, south of Iran, were interviewed by phone from April 3 to June 20, 2020. Basic demographic data, information about MS disease and any symptoms or laboratory results relevant to COVID-19 were gathered and reviewed by treating neurologist and MS nurses. SPSS version 22 was used for data analysis.

Results

68 (5%) of MS patients were suspected cases and 8 (0.58%) of all patients with positive real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or chest CT were in the confirmed group. 5 cases of the confirmed group needed hospitalization. Two patients died while both of them had PPMS and were taking rituximab. The frequency rate of suspected cases with RRMS was 57 (87.7%), followed by PPMS 5 (7.7%) and CIS 2(3.1%). In the confirmed group 37.5% had RRMS, 50% had PPMS, 25% use corticosteroid drug, and 50% were on rituximab. 62.5% of confirmed cases had high disability level and need assistance to walk. 36.8% of suspected and 25% of the confirmed cases were on IFN-β1; eventually all of them recovered well from COVID-19 infection.

Conclusion

The present study showed that rate of developing COVID-19 in MS patients are similar to the general population and the frequency of PPMS phenotype, rituximab therapy and corticosteroid therapy were higher in the confirmed group.
On Classification and Taxonomy of Coronaviruses (Riboviria, Nidovirales, Coronaviridae) with special focus on severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2)
Authors: Mavrodiev Evgeny V. , Tursky Melinda L. , Mavrodiev Nicholas E. , Ebach Malte C. , Williams David M.
Published: October 2020

Coronaviruses are highly pathogenic and therefore important human and veterinary pathogens viruses worldwide (1). Members of family Coronaviridae have previously been analysed phylogenetically, resulting in proposals of virus interrelationships (2–5). However, available Coronavirus phylogenies remain unrooted, based on limited sampling, and normally depend on a single method (2–11). The main subjects of this study are the taxonomy and systematics of coronaviruses and our goal is to build the first natural classification of Coronaviridae using several methods of cladistic analyses (12), Maximum Likelihood method, as well as rigorous taxonomic sampling, making the most accurate representation of Coronaviridae’s relationships to date. Nomenclature recommendations to help effectively incorporate principles of binary nomenclature into Coronaviridae taxonomy are provided. We have stressed that no member ofSarbecovirusclade is an ancestor of SARS-Cov-2, and humans are the only known host.

One Sentence Summary

Multiple comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of all coronavirus species enabled testing of critical proposals on virus interrelationships.
Causal effects of serum levels of n-3 or n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids on coronary artery disease: Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Park Sehoon , Lee Soojin , Kim Yaerim , Lee Yeonhee , Kang Min Woo , Kim Kwangsoo , Kim Yong Chul , Han Seung Seok , Lee Hajeong , Lee Jung Pyo , Joo Kwon Wook , Lim Chun Soo , Kim Yon Su , Kim Dong Ki
Published: October 2020

Background

Additional studies on the causal effects of 3-n and 6-n polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) are warranted.

Methods

This Mendelian randomization (MR) study utilized a genetic instrument developed from previous genome-wide association studies for various serum 3-n and 6-n PUFA levels. First, we calculated the allele scores for genetic predisposition of PUFAs in individuals of European ancestry in the UK Biobank data (N=337,129). The allele score-based MR was obtained by regressing the allele scores to CAD risks. Second, summary-level MR was performed with the CARDIoGRAMplusC4D data for CAD (N=184,305). The inverse variance-weighted or Wald ratio method was the main analysis for the summary-level MR, and when multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms were utilized (e.g., linoleic acid), MR-Egger and weighted median methods were implemented as sensitivity analyses.

Results

Higher genetically predicted eicosapentaenoic acid and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid levels were significantly associated with a lower risk of CAD both in the allele-score-based and summary-level MR analyses. Higher allele scores for linoleic acid level were significantly associated with lower CAD risks, and in the summary-level MR, the causal estimates by the MR-Egger and weighted median methods also indicated that higher linoleic acid levels cause a lower risk of CAD. Arachidonic acid was the 6-n PUFA that showed significant causal estimates for a higher risk of CAD. Higher docosapentaenoic acid and adrenic acid levels showed inconsistent findings in the MR analysis results.

Conclusions

This study supports the causal effects of certain 3-n and 6-n PUFA types on the risk of CAD.
Single cell resolution of SARS-CoV-2 tropism, antiviral responses, and susceptibility to therapies in primary human airway epithelium
Authors: Fiege Jessica K. , Thiede Joshua M. , Nanda Hezkiel , Matchett William E. , Moore Patrick J. , Montanari Noe Rico , Thielen Beth K. , Daniel Jerry , Stanley Emma , Hunter Ryan C. , Menachery Vineet D. , Shen Steven S. , Bold Tyler D. , Langlois Ryan A.
Published: October 2020

The human airway epithelium is the initial site of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We used flow cytometry and single cell RNA-sequencing to understand how the heterogeneity of this diverse cell population contributes to elements of viral tropism and pathogenesis, antiviral immunity, and treatment response to remdesivir. We found that, while a variety of epithelial cell types are susceptible to infection, ciliated cells are the predominant cell target of SARS-CoV-2. The host protease TMPRSS2 was required for infection of these cells. Importantly, remdesivir treatment effectively inhibited viral replication across cell types, and blunted hyperinflammatory responses. Induction of interferon responses within infected cells was rare and there was significant heterogeneity in the antiviral gene signatures, varying with the burden of infection in each cell. We also found that heavily infected secretory cells expressed abundant IL-6, a potential mediator of COVID-19 pathogenesis.
A novel viral protein translation mechanism reveals mitochondria as a target for antiviral drug development
Authors: Cheng Zhenguo , Zhang Danhua , Chen Jingfei , Wu Yifan , Liu XiaoWen , Si Lingling , Zhang Zhe , Zhang Na , Zhang Zhongxian , Liu Wei , Liu Hong , Zhang Lirong , Song Lijie , Dunmall Louisa S Chard , Dong Jianzeng , Lemoine Nicholas R , Wang Yaohe
Published: October 2020

The ongoing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has acutely highlighted the need to identify new treatment strategies for viral infections. Here we present a pivotal molecular mechanism of viral protein translation that relies on the mitochondrial translation machinery. We found that rare codons such as Leu-TTA are highly enriched in many viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, and these codons are essential for the regulation of viral protein expression. SARS-CoV-2 controls the translation of its spike gene by hijacking host mitochondria through 5’ leader and 3’UTR sequences that contain mitochondrial localization signals and activate the EGR1 pathway. Mitochondrial-targeted drugs such as lonidamine and polydatin significantly repress rare codon-driven gene expression and viral replication. This study identifies an unreported viral protein translation mechanism and opens up a novel avenue for developing antiviral drugs.

One Sentence Summary

Mitochondria are a potential target for antiviral therapy
Targeting of CXCR4 by the naturally occurring CXCR4 antagonist EPI-X 4 in Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia
Authors: Kaiser Lisa M. , Harms Mirja , Sauter Daniel , Rawat Vijay PS , Glitscher Mirco , Hildt Eberhard , Tews Daniel , Hunter Zachary , Münch Jan , Buske Christian
Published: October 2020

CXCR4 expression and downstream signaling have been identified as key factors in malignant hematopoiesis. Thus, up to 40% of all patients with Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia (WM) carry an activating mutation of CXCR4 that leads to a more aggressive clinical course and inferior outcome upon treatment with the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor ibrutinib. Nevertheless, little is known about physiological mechanisms counteracting CXCR4 signaling in hematopoietic neoplasms. Recently, the endogenous human peptide EPI-X4 was identified as a natural CXCR4 antagonist that effectively blocks CXCL12-mediated receptor internalization and suppresses the migration and invasion of cancer cells towards a CXCL12 gradient. Here, we demonstrate that EPI-X4 efficiently impairs growth of WM cellsin vitroandin vivoand blocks their migration towards CXCL12. The CXCR4 inhibitory activity of EPI-X4 is accompanied by decreased expression of genes involved in MAPK signaling and energy metabolism. Notably, the anti-WM activity of EPI-X4 could be further augmented by the rational design of EPI-X4 derivatives showing higher binding affinity to CXCR4. In summary, these data demonstrate that a naturally occurring anti-CXCR4 peptide is able to interfere with WM growth, and that optimized derivatives of EPI-X4 may represent a promising approach in suppressing growth promoting CXCR4 signaling in WM.
Cyclase-associated protein 2 (CAP2) controls MRTF-A localization and SRF activity in mouse embryonic fibroblasts
Authors: Kepser Lara-Jane , Hinojosa Laura Soto , Macchi Chiara , Ruscica Massimiliano , Marcello Elena , Culmsee Carsten , Grosse Robert , Rust Marco B.
Published: October 2020

Recent studies identified cyclase-associated proteins (CAPs) as important regulators of actin dynamics that control assembly and disassembly of actin filaments (F-actin). While these studies significantly advanced our knowledge of their molecular functions, the physiological relevance of CAPs largely remained elusive. Gene targeting in mice implicated CAP2 in heart physiology and skeletal muscle development. Heart defects in CAP2 mutant mice were associated with altered activity of serum response factor (SRF), a transcription factor involved in multiple biological processes including heart function, but also skeletal muscle development. By exploiting mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from CAP2 mutant mice, we aimed at deciphering the CAP2-dependent mechanism relevant for SRF activity. Reporter assays and mRNA quantification by qPCR revealed reduced SRF-dependent gene expression in mutant MEFs. Reduced SRF activity was associated with moderately increased G-actin levels and reduced nuclear levels of MRTF-A, a transcriptional SRF coactivator that is shuttled out of the nucleus and, hence, inhibited upon G-actin binding. Moreover, pharmacological actin manipulation restored MRTF-A distribution in mutant MEFs. Our data are in line with a model in which CAP2 controls the MRTF-SRF pathway in an actin-dependent manner. While MRTF-A localization and SRF activity was impaired under basal conditions, serum stimulation induced nuclear MRTF-A translocation and SRF activity in mutant MEFs similar to controls. In summary, our data revealed that in MEFs CAP2 controls basal MRTF-A localization and SRF activity, while it was dispensable for serum-induced nuclear MRTF-A translocation and SRF stimulation.
7-Methoxypentacyclo[5.4.0.02,6.03,10.05,9]undecane-8,11-dione
Authors: Kotha Sambasivarao , Ansari Saima , Cheekatla Subba Rao
Published: October 2020

The structure of 7-methoxypentacyclo[5.4.0.02,6.03,10.05,9]undecane-8,11-dione, C12H12O3, at 150 K has monoclinic (P21/c) symmetry. The pentacycloundecane cage compound is composed of four five-membered rings, a planar four-membered ring and a six-membered ring in a boat conformation fused into a closed strained-cage framework. All of the five-membered rings adopt an envelope conformation.
ICT as a solution for the revitalization of public open space in private developments
Authors: Jian Izzy Yi , Chan Edwin H.W. , Yao Terry Ye Peng
Published: October 2020

Purpose

POSPD, as supplementation of public open spaces (POS), has become a common policy to moderate the intensification of urbanization. However, some access restrictions, both physical and information-wise, were deliberately designed by private developers to reserve the POSPD for their own gains, which further hampers POSPD’s publicness and leads to their failure to bear social responsibilities.

Design/methodology/approach

By analyzing the current situation of the availability of public open space in private developments (POSPD) from the perspective of information justice, this research aims at proposing a policy framework for an “accessible and interactive platform” which advocates promoting informational justice by integrating public participation into the establishment of an interaction loop to promote the revitalization of POSPD. The methodology includes the review of previous solutions and platforms, the establishment of a POSPD database and geographic information system (GIS) analysis.

Findings

The POSPD in Hong Kong are unevenly distributed physically while the information about them is injustice and inadequate. Understanding the existing informational injustice associated with POSPD and revitalizing the stock spaces is timely and vital. Using the user-generated data from volunteers as the information flow, the proposed responsive POSPD platform will provide continuous positive feedback for policy improvement to help realize the collaborative management and sustainable development of the POS.

Originality/value

Making use of information and communication technology (ICT) to extend the “public” to the “internet-based”, the proposed framework regards the exploitation of ICT to enhance information justice as a novel way to revitalize POSPD. It involves collaborative operation among citizen participation and official POS management.
The asymmetric impact of institutional ownership on firm performance: panel smooth transition regression model
Authors: Daryaei Abbas Ali , Fattahi Yasin
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to test the asymmetric impact of institutional ownership on firm performance. This study does it through an examination of the hypotheses of efficient monitoring and convergence of interests from the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE).

Design/methodology/approach

Using a panel smooth transition regression model, as a new econometric technique, this paper examined the data to explore the asymmetric impact of institutional ownership on firm performance. With regard to 177 firms for the period 2009 to 2018 from TSE. Performance proxies are returned on asset (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and Tobins’ Q.

Findings

The empirical for three performance proxies results strongly rejected the null hypothesis of linearity and the test for no remaining nonlinearity indicated a model with one transition function and one threshold parameters. The first regime (levels of institutional ownership below 28.5% and 43.5% for ROA and Tobins’ Q) showed that performance increases with institutional ownership while the trend was reversed in the second regime (levels of institutional ownership above 28.5% and 43.5% for ROA and Tobins’ Q percent). Also, institutional shareholders percent between 4.2 and 14.1 explain the positive relationship between institutional shareholders and ROE.

Originality/value

Furthermore, the findings of this study suggest that the application of institutional ownership theories calls for more inquiry.
Mentoring reality: from concepts and theory to real expertise and the mentor’s point of view
Authors: Zentgraf Laura Lidija
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the reality of mentoring in higher education from the mentor’s point of view. The goal is to elaborate best practice of mentoring on issues such as advanced training, professionalization, experience exchange, networking, de facto tasks and levels of interaction with mentees.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the gap between theoretical mentoring methods, for example, with regard to timely planning and the reality of being a mentor. Data were generated by qualitative interviews of up to 45 min with mentors with several years of experience. The qualitative findings will help interested people to get a feel for what it means to be a mentor.

Findings

The findings showed that each mentor found his or her individual way of mentoring and that each was eager to personally improve. The paper shows influencing factors beyond project planning, such as emotional involvement, dealing with student denial and the time it actually takes to be a good mentor beyond office hours.

Research limitations/implications

As matriculation numbers must not be documented due to German data protection law, the de facto effectiveness of mentoring was close to impossible to measure.

Social implications

Text.

Originality/value

This work is original because the Aachener Mentoring Modell entails 35 professional mentors working in all but one faculty of RWTH Aachen University; it is an entire schooling concept, with technical documentation especially implemented for this project.
Subjectivity in incentive schemes, cognitive orientations and counterproductive knowledge behavior: an experimental study
Authors: Mursita Lufi Yuwana , Almilia Luciana Spica
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the causal relationship of subjective incentive schemes on counterproductive knowledge behavior. Besides, this study also identifies the moderating role of cognitive orientation on the relationship between those two variables.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a 2 × 2 between-subjects laboratory experiment with accounting undergraduate students as the subjects.

Findings

Subjective-based incentive schemes reduce the tendency for counterproductive knowledge behavior. Also, the collectivist cognitive orientation negatively influences the behavior. However, cognitive orientation does not act as a moderator in the causal relationship of incentive schemes and counterproductive knowledge behavior.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first that investigates and finds the effect of inclusion of subjectivity in incentive schemes and the level of individual’s collectivism on the reluctance to share knowledge in the workplace. This study has also strived to reduce an overlapping between the concept of knowledge sharing and counterproductive knowledge behavior by applying the right basic concept during the experiment.
Do local circumstances affect attitudes towards local social policies? Exploring the role of economic, political and demographic conditions
Authors: Broekema Babs , Fenger Menno , van der Waal Jeroen
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This article aims to explore whether and how economic, political and demographic municipal conditions shape citizens' attitudes regarding decentralised social policies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analysed the 2018 wave of the Dutch Local Election Studies, which includes a novel survey item asking respondents whether they prefer local social policies to be primarily: (1) protection-based, (2) cohesion-building or (3) activation-based. The authors appended context indicators to that survey and performed multilevel logistic regression analyses (1,913 respondents nested in 336 municipalities).

Findings

At the individual level, these preferences are affected by gender, age, income, education and political inclination, as expected. However, preferences towards local social policies are not shaped by local economic, demographic or political conditions. The authors discuss the implications of these findings for future research.

Originality/value

By using unique data, including a newly developed survey item, this study is the first to explore whether and how municipal conditions shape preferences regarding local welfare. Understanding those preferences is increasingly important as many Western European countries have decentralised swathes of social policies from the national to the local level in recent decades.
I am you, you are me: game character congruence with the ideal self
Authors: Ko Dong Woo , Park Jihye
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of congruence between the ideal self-image of a game player and the game character on identification and interaction with the game character, perceived game power and performance, character attachment and willingness to spend money on the game character.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 347 online game players participated in an online survey posted via the nationwide crowdsourcing web service Mechanical Turk in the US. A structural equation modelling was conducted using a maximum-likelihood estimation procedure to test the relationships among the variables.

Findings

The results revealed a significant positive impact of congruence between a game character and the ideal self-image of a game player on identification and interaction with the game character, perceived game power, game performance, attachment to the game character and willingness to spend money on the game character.

Originality/value

Although significant research has been conducted in the area of online gaming, limited attention has been given to the strategic game content that stimulates a player's intention to purchase game items. Due to the challenges in sales growth in the game industry caused by business model shifts from a subscription-based model to a free-to-play one, it is important for marketing practitioners to motivate game players to continue playing the game and purchase game items. The results of this study provide valuable strategic insights to overcome the limitations of existing marketing strategies in the online game business.
Jaroslav Vanek, participation and labor management: an assessment including some bibliometric analysis
Authors: Jones Derek C.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to provide an assessment of the intellectual impact of the work of Jaroslav Vanek in the related fields of participation and labor management (hereafter, PLM) and participation and employee ownership (hereafter, PEO).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used mixed methods including bibliometric analysis.

Findings

Vanek's work, particularly the General Theory of Labor-Managed Market Economies, (Vanek, 1970) is the building block for the modern scientific study of cooperatives and for helping to establish the fields of PLM and PEO. Vanek (1970) continues to be the highest cited publication each year that investigates the pure case of a labor-managed firm. Arguably his work has played a significant role is setting the stage for the development of adjacent fields in economics such as the new institutional economics. For an economist, his work has had an unusually strong impact on work outside of economics.

Originality/value

No similar assessment has been undertaken before.
Adaptive and noncyclic preventive maintenance to augment production activities
Authors: Dutta Sunil , Reddy Narala Suresh Kumar
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Production schedules, if not met as per timelines may result in heavy losses to a company in terms of its standing and the overall profit. Production scheduling is generally planned by not taking preventive maintenance schedules into consideration. Most of the plants allocate discrete hours/time for preventive maintenance activities. These hours allocated for preventive maintenance will be in addition to the hours which would be lost during breakdown maintenance. These lost hours may be reduced if production scheduling and preventive maintenance activities are integrated. This advocates that we need to devise a methodology which can take care of lost hours.

Design/methodology/approach

Adaptive and noncyclic maintenance strategy describes the modification of existing maintenance practices, policies and procedures to meet new dynamic tasks/opportunities. It demands a high degree of flexibility and mental agility from maintenance staff members. The maintenance team has to be on a lookout for an opportunity message received from the central server and has to act promptly. The moment an opportunity arises, a message is forwarded to a central maintenance server (opportunity is captured). The central server then assigns individuals/team, based on their expertise and the maintenance task due on that machine/equipment. This action is completely automated and implemented without delay.

Findings

The total man-hours saved by executing adaptive and noncyclic preventive maintenance methodology comes to 705 h during 15 days on 30 machines installed in three different sections. There was a contribution of 71 innovative ideas from the repair teams. Out of these 71 innovative ideas, 16 were found suitable for execution. A quantum jump in the morale and motivation of the maintenance team was noticed from the feedback forms. Mutual understanding and respect for each other among employees has been enhanced. The optimization of resources and infrastructure including tools, gauges, testing equipment, etc. could truly be attained.

Practical implications

The developed adaptive and noncyclic preventive maintenance model assists in capturing lost hours and make the system proactive and lean. The suggested model optimizes the preventive and predictive maintenance activities and results in substantial saving of efforts, manpower, resources and allocated budget.

Originality/value

The adaptive and noncyclic preventive maintenance model discussed in the article is a novel approach for the optimization of resources. The technique assists in capturing lost hours and utilization of these hours for preventive maintenance tasks. The model will also encourage creative and innovative ideas from employees and take the organization toward Continual Maintenance Optimization.
Pricing and inventory decisions in a manufacturer-Stackelberg supply chain with deteriorating items
Authors: Mahmoodi Anwar
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Integrated decision of pricing and inventory control for a deteriorating product is known as a good practice in revenue management discipline. The purpose of this paper is to formulate the problem of joint pricing and inventory decision in a manufacturer–retailer supply chain with deteriorating items and backlogging. Furthermore, the other purpose is to develop an efficient algorithm to obtain the equilibrium solution.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a manufacturer–retailer supply chain of a deteriorating product is considered. The retailer aims to maximize his profit, for which he jointly determines the retail price and replenishment cycle. In addition, the manufacturer should decide on the wholesale price to maximize her profit. Considering the problem as a manufacturer-Stackelberg game, the equilibrium solution is formulated and analyzed for both the manufacturer and the retailer. Moreover, two different procedures are developed to obtain the equilibrium solution. The first procedure is an exact procedure for the Taylor-approximated model and the second is a simulated annealing (SA)-embedded algorithm for the actual model.

Findings

It is found that Taylor-approximated procedure is more accurate than SA-embedded procedure. However, the latter is more time-efficient. Moreover, it is observed that the obtained solution is highly sensitive to demand parameters, while it is not the case for the cost parameters.

Originality/value

The paper models a real industrial problem, and its results could be used in analyzing any manufacturer–retailer supply chain with deteriorating items. Among others, the fruit and vegetable supply chains are more likely to have a similar setting, and this study’s results are applicable for such chains in food industry.
Antecedents of green supply chain practices in developing economies
Authors: Upadhyay Arvind
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates the current state of green supply chain practices (GSCPs) and also introduces a framework for the implementation of GSCPs in India.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach was used for this research in which semi-structured interviews were conducted with three companies. These companies were automobile component manufacturing companies.

Findings

In the three case studies, there were different antecedents depending upon the specific company structure and organization. The ten GSCPs were used as a base for finding the antecedents.

Research limitations/implications

Although every step has been taken to ensure the rigour and reliability of case studies, in a field as complex as GSCPs, there are inevitably some limitations. Due to the limited size of the case study approach, the results can only be generalized to a similar size and types of organization. The scope of data collection for all three case studies was the same, but the quality of information gathered varied. As demonstrated earlier, a good-quality cross-case analysis was still possible, but the relative strengths of the three cases varied.

Practical implications

A double contribution has been made to test the theory of GSCPs from a process and output perspective. From a process perspective, a contribution has been made to methodology by developing a robust approach for conducting supply chain research beyond the dyad. From an output perspective, the author has the empirical results from the three individual case studies and their cross-case comparison for dissemination to an academic audience.

Originality/value

The outputs of this research work will pave a path for other automobile component manufacturing companies in India to address and implement GSCPs.
Research watch: tackling everyday exclusion
Authors: Holttum Sue
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine three recent papers on discrimination and exclusion that happen on a day-to-day basis in social interactions, known as micro-aggressions.

Design/methodology/approach

The author searched for recent papers on discrimination in the databases Psyc INFO and ASSIA. Three papers were selected addressing a common theme published within the past 24 months.

Findings

All three papers concern a US context. The first reports experiences of women with physical disabilities in relation to micro-aggressions. Based on focus groups with 30 women, micro-aggressions appear to be common and some cause considerable distress. The second paper reports experiences of 65 mental health peer support workers in a range of mental health services and finds micro-aggressions common for them too. The third paper goes beyond occurrence and type of micro-aggressions. Based on existing research, it proposes how members of marginalised racial groups can tackle micro-aggressions, whether they are the target, an ally or a bystander.

Originality/value

These papers show clear examples of micro-aggressions, making them easier to see. While the first two papers are each the first to document micro-aggressions for specific marginalised groups, the third paper is the first to bring together practical ways to tackle micro-aggressions in day-to-day life. There is potential for this to help bring about increased social inclusion and equity for a range of marginalised groups, and for a resultant benefit in the mental and physical well-being of many people.
The UK's largest volume housebuilders and the sustainable development goals
Authors: Jones Peter , Comfort Daphne
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) agreed at a United Nations General Assembly in 2015 embrace an ambitious and wide ranging set of global environmental, social and economic issues designed to effect a transition to a more sustainable future. The United Nations called on all governments to pursue these ambitious goals but also acknowledged the important role of the private sector in addressing the SDGs. This paper offers an exploratory review of how some of the UK's largest volume housebuilders publicly claim to be committed to addressing the SDGs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an outline of the characteristics of sustainable development, of the SDGs and of the frame of reference and method of enquiry employed in the study, prior to reviewing the findings from the largest UK housebuilders.

Findings

The findings revealed that seven of the largest housebuilding companies claimed to be committed to contributing to the SDGs, though the scale and the extent of their claimed commitments varied. In reviewing the housebuilders approach to the SDGs, the authors drew attention to three challenges the housebuilders may face in pursuing their claimed commitment to the SDGs, namely, concentrating on specific goals, measurement and reporting.

Originality/value

The paper offers an accessible review of how seven of the UK's largest housebuilders claimed to be committed to addressing the SDGs.
Role stressors and turnover intention among doctors in Malaysian public hospitals: work–family conflict and work engagement as mediators
Authors: Harun Ifrah , Mahmood Rosli , Md. Som Hishamuddin
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the role of work–family conflict (WFC) and work engagement (WE) and its influence on role stressors and turnover intention among medical doctors in Malaysian public hospitals. Doctors who experience higher work stress will inevitably experience WFC, consequently triggering their intention to quit.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 202 structured questionnaire responses were collected from medical doctors in four Malaysian public hospitals. The study used partial least squares structural equation modeling (SmartPLS 3.0) for hypotheses testing.

Findings

As hypothesized, WFC encourages turnover intention while WE mitigate the relationship between role ambiguity (RA)-TI. RA is also observed to reduce WE, which, in turn, increases the intention to quit. Findings showed that both role conflict and WFC share a positive relationship with TI while WE and TI are negatively related. Furthermore, it was found that WE and WFC are significant mediators in the RA and TI relationship. WFC is also reported to be a significant mediator between the RC and TI relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The causality effects remain limited due to the nature of the cross-sectional design. Future studies should use a longitudinal approach to gauge a better understanding of these relationships.

Practical implications

This study provides insights for policymakers in resolving the increase of turnover issues by providing support and relieving medical doctors’ stress levels. Health directors should be encouraged to focus on the key aspects that may directly affect the well-being of medical doctors and eventually reduced staff turnover.

Originality/value

The study contributes to existing knowledge by measuring variables such as job demand (RS and WFC), personal resources (WE) and job outcomes (TI) in the public health care sector. Additionally, research involving COR theory in Asian countries like Malaysia remains relatively underexplored.
Can satellite‐based weather index insurance improve the hedging of yield risk of perennial non‐irrigated olive trees in Spain?*
Authors: Kölle Wienand , Martínez Salgueiro Andrea , Buchholz Matthias , Musshoff Oliver
Published: October 2020

Olive oil yields fluctuate strongly due to their dependence on sufficient precipitation. An interesting option to hedge the yield risk in olive cultivation could be satellite‐based weather index insurance. Therefore, we implement index insurance as a hedging alternative for non‐irrigated olive groves using MODerate‐resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite data. For this purpose, we focus on the Spanish region of Andalusia, given its importance in olive production at the international level. We calculate three satellite indices: the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), the Temperature Condition Index (TCI) and the Vegetation Health Index (VHI). Meteorological indices related to temperature and precipitation are used as benchmarks. Firstly, we estimate the periods that have the greatest influence on the critical vegetative phase of olives, which extends from March to September. Based on the indices, insurance contracts are designed using a copula approach, which is then employed to evaluate their hedging effectiveness. On average, the hedging effectiveness of VCI‐, VHI‐ and TCI‐based weather index insurance contracts amounts to 38 per cent, 38 per cent and 29 per cent, respectively. Moreover, VCI‐ and VHI‐based weather index insurance contracts outperform traditional weather index insurance contracts based on precipitation (by 29 per cent) and temperature (by 16 per cent) indices.
The Role of Value‐Based Payment in Promoting Innovation to Address Social Risks: A Cross‐Sectional Study of Social Risk Screening by US Physicians
Authors: BREWSTER AMANDA L. , FRAZE TARESSA K. , GOTTLIEB LAURA M. , FREHN JENNIFER , MURRAY GENEVRA F. , LEWIS VALERIE A.
Published: October 2020

Policy Points

One of the most important possibilities of value‐based payment is its potential to spur innovation in upstream prevention, such as attention to social needs that lead to poor health. Screening patients for social risks such as housing instability and food insecurity represents an early step physician practices can take to address social needs.

At present, adoption of social risk screening by physician practices is linked with having high innovation capacity and focusing on low‐income populations, but not exposure to value‐based payment.

Expanding social risk screening by physician practices may require standardization and technical assistance for practices that have less innovative capacity.

Context

One of the most important possibilities of value‐based payment is its potential to spur innovation in upstream prevention, such as attention to social needs that lead to poor health. However, there is uncertainty about the conditions under which value‐based payment will encourage health care providers to innovate to address upstream social risks.

Methods

We used the 2017‐2018 National Survey of Healthcare Organizations and Systems (NSHOS), a nationally representative survey of physician practices (n = 2,178), to ascertain (1) the number of social risks for which practices systematically screen patients; (2) the extent of practices’ participation in value‐based payment models; and (3) measures of practices’ capacity for innovation. We used multivariate regression models to examine predictors of social risk screening.

Findings

On average, physician practices systematically screened for 2.4 out of 7 (34%) social risks assessed by the survey. In the fully adjusted model, implementing social risk screening was not associated with the practices’ overall exposure to value‐based payment. Being in the top quartile on any of three innovation capacity scales, however, was associated with screening for 0.95 to 1.00 additional social risk (p < 0.001 for all three results) relative to the bottom quartile. In subanalysis examining specific payment models, participating in a Medicaid accountable care organization was associated with screening for 0.37 more social risks (p = 0.015). Expecting more exposure to accountable care in the future was associated with greater social risk screening, but the effect size was small compared with practices’ capacity for innovation.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that implementation of social risk screening—an initial step in enhancing awareness of social needs in health care—is not associated with overall exposure to value‐based payment for physician practices. Expanding social risk screening by physician practices may require standardized approaches and implementation assistance to reduce the level of innovative capacity required.