bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decoupling transcription factor expression and activity enables dimmer-switch gene regulation
Authors: Ricci-Tam C. , Wang J. , Ben-Zion I. , Palme J. , Li A. , Savir Y. , Springer M. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractOur mechanistic understanding of how gene regulatory networks can achieve complex biological responses is limited. We find that the galactose-responsive pathway inS. cerevisiaehas a complex behavior - the decision to induce is controlled independently from the induction level, resembling a mechanical dimmer-switch. Surprisingly, this behavior is not achieved directly through chromatin regulation or combinatorial control at galactose-responsive promoters. Instead, this behavior is achieved by hierarchical regulation of the expression and catalytic activity of a single transcription factor. This genetic motif allows evolution to independently act on both properties, providing a means to tune both resource allocation strategies in dynamic multi-input environments on both physiological and evolutionary time-scales. Hierarchical regulation is ubiquitous and thus dimmer-switch regulation is likely a key feature of many biological systems.
Sexual Dimorphism in Telomere Length in Childhood Autism
Authors: Panahi Yasin , Moghaddam Fahimeh Salasar , Babaei Khadijeh , Eftekhar Mohammad , Badv Reza Shervin , Eskandari Mohammad Reza , Vafaee-Shahi Mohammad , Pezeshk Hamid , Pedram Mehrdad 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACTAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) are lifelong heterogeneous set of neurodevelopmental conditions with strikingly profound male prevalence. Differences in sex biology and hormones are thought to play key roles in ASD prevalence and outcome, but the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for ASD sex-differential risk are not well understood. Two recent studies reported a significant association between shortened telomere length (TL) and autistic children. However, the role of gender bias has been overlooked. Here, we carefully examined the status of average TL among nonsyndromic male and female children with autism, and we also took a close look at the data from earlier reports. A total of 58 children were recruited for this project, including 24 apparently nonsyndromic autistic children (14 males and 10 females), their healthy siblings (n = 10), and 24 sex-, age, and location-matched healthy controls. Relative TLs (RTL) were assessed by the monochrom multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MMQPCR) technique, using genomic DNA extracted from saliva samples. Data analysis showed that gender and age had strong impacts on average RTLs among the study groups. In a sex stratified manner, autistic male children had significantly shorter average RTL than their female counterparts. Only male children with autism showed a homogeneous pattern of shorter RTLs compared with their respective healthy controls. Our findings are indicative of a sexually dimorphic pattern of TL in childhood autism. The data presented here have important implications for the role of telomere biology in the molecular mechanisms responsible for ASD male bias prevalence and etiology.
Absence of receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) reduces inflammation and extends survival in the hSOD1G93Amouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Lee John D , McDonald Tanya S , Fung Jenny NT , Woodruff Trent M 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACTAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and rapidly progressing motor neuron degenerative disease that is without effective treatment. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a major component of the innate immune system that has been implicated in ALS pathogenesis. However, the contribution of RAGE signaling to the neuroinflammation that underlies ALS neurodegeneration remains unknown. The present study therefore generated SOD1G93Amice lacking RAGE, and compared them to SOD1G93Atransgenic ALS mice in respect to disease progression (i.e. body weight, survival and muscle strength), neuroinflammation and denervation markers in the spinal cord and tibialis anterior muscle. We found that complete absence of RAGE signaling exerted a protective effect on SOD1G93Apathology, slowing disease progression and significantly extending survival by ∼3 weeks, and improving motor function (rotarod and grip strength). This was associated with reduced microgliosis, cytokines, innate immune factors (complement, TLRs, inflammasomes), and oxidative stress in the spinal cord, and a reduction of denervation markers in the tibialis anterior muscle. We also documented that RAGE mRNA expression was significantly increased in the spinal cord and muscles of preclinical SOD1 and TDP43 models of ALS, supporting a widespread involvement for RAGE in ALS pathology. In summary, our results indicate that RAGE signalling drives neuroinflammation and contributes to neurodegeneration in ALS, and highlights RAGE as a potential immune therapeutic target for ALS.
Improved Jaya algorithm-based FOPID/PID for AVR system
Authors: Bhookya Jailsingh , Jatoth Ravi Kumar 
Published: May 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to get the optimal controller parameters of fractional order proportional integral derivative (FOPID)/proportional integral derivative (PID) i.e. Kp, Ki, Kd, λ and µ for designing controller in automatic voltage regulator (AVR) system.

Design/methodology/approach
A novel method is proposed to get the optimal controller parameters for designing controller in AVR system using improved Jaya algorithm (IJA). The time domain objective and regular integral error objectives are used to design the controller to estimate the performance of the AVR system based on optimal tuning FOPID/PID controller.

Findings
The proposed method captures time domain objective of the FOPID/PID controller design and demonstrates effective transient response and better control action. The efficient tuning of FOPID controller results in high superiority of control efforts.

Practical implications
The simulations of IJA-based FOPID/PID controller design method are performed in MatLab tool and compared with several methods in the recent state of the art and the same are observed to be robust for the AVR system.

Originality/value
The developed optimal FOPID/PID controller tuning using IJA optimization method is totally a new approach for the AVR system in the literature.
Red & Yellow: the business of education
Authors: Robertson Jeandri , Ferreira Caitlin Candice , Duncan Sherese , Nath Atanu 
Published: May 2020

Learning outcomes
Students learn to evaluate a firm’s growth strategies with the aim of establishing long-term business sustainability. Students will examine the impact of external macro-environmental factors that influence firm growth in an emerging market context. Using this case, students will learn how to apply a resource-based view to a firm’s offering by comparing and identifying the competitive advantage of the internal resources of the firm. Using this case, students can apply the principle of strategic fit by strategically analyzing the opportunities and threats in the external environment, while taking into account the firm’s internal strengths and weaknesses.

Case overview/synopsis
This case outlines the strategic, macro-environmental and marketing challenges that the Cape Town-based private higher education institution, Red & Yellow Creative School of Business, faced as it entered its 25th year of existence. In 2019, Red & Yellow had its roots in industry and had done well historically to cement that bond through the creation of successful alumni and the constant innovation of its higher education offering. Two weeks before having to present a detailed five-year growth strategy plan to the board of directors, Rob Stokes, the Director and Chairman of Red & Yellow, was faced with a multitude of decisions pertaining to the sustainable growth of the school. Recent growth patterns showed that programs with lower profit margins, such as classroom-based full-time programs, had experienced double-digit growth while student numbers for higher gross profit offerings, such as online and executive education programs had started to decline. Another challenge that the school faced was the need for its students to future-proof their careers in a world where artificial intelligence and machine learning threatened their careers and jobs. As such, Red & Yellow was confronted with one central strategic problem: How to grow strategically in the short term while developing a sustainable and scalable growth strategy for the school in the long term.

Complexity academic level
This case could work well as part of an executive education course, as well as a strategic management course for master’s degree or Master of Business Administration students.

Supplementary materials
Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code
CSS 11: Strategy.
Amtek Auto debacle: financial statement analysis
Authors: Pandey Asheesh 
Published: May 2020

Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes are as follows: developing an understanding of financial statement analysis among students; students would be able to calculate various ratios, understand their meaning and interpret them to take a financial decision; and exploring the relationship between financial leverage and risk.

Case overview/synopsis
Amtek Auto is a leading auto-components manufacturer established in 1988 which entered into bankruptcy in through the order of Reserve Bank of India in 2017. The company started with a humble beginning and later on the promoter decided to expand exponentially both through organic as well as inorganic growth in past 15 years. To grow a company kept on taking debt which made it riskier and deteriorated its financial position over a period. The case covers a 10-year timeline from 2008 to 2017. It gives an opportunity to analyze its financial statements to understand how its decisions shaped its performance

Complexity academic level
The case aims for students to take a comprehensive view of the financial statement analysis of Amtek Auto including the following: vertical and horizontal analysis; comprehensive ratio analysis including liquidity, profitability, leverage and turnover ratios with special emphasis on debt as a double-edged sword; analysis of Armtek Auto’s financial performance over a period of 10 years.

Supplementary materials
Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code
CSS 1: Accounting and Finance.
Social media visibility, investor diversity and trading consensus
Authors: Hasan Rajib , Wang Weiwei 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of Facebook users' responses to corporate Facebook posts on investor diversity and trading consensus.Design/methodology/approachThe authors collect publicly available data on corporate Facebook posts and user responses to such posts. They use the OLS regression framework to analyze the effects of such Facebook activities on institutional ownership percentage and trading consensus among investors.FindingsThe authors find that Facebook users' responses to corporate Facebook posts reduce large institutional investors' ownership. Their interpretation for this finding is that such Facebook activities increase the visibility of the companies across a more diverse group of investors. This increased visibility especially makes information more accessible to smaller investors so that they are attracted to invest more in these companies. They also find that Facebook activities increase the buy-sell consensus among investors, indicating that the information disseminated through social media reduces the disagreements among investors.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper examines the effects of user reactions to all kinds of corporate Facebook posts without separately identifying the types of posts such as advertising, financial information and corporate news. Future research may try to identify the differential effects of specific types of posts and reactions on investor diversity.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that social media has become a new and effective supplement to traditional disclosure channels in making information available to all investors in the capital market.Originality/valueThis paper is among the first to document the effects of corporate disclosures on social media in changing investor composition and reducing the information gap among investors.
The HESFS for higher education funding, employment and sustainability
Authors: Son-Turan Semen 
Published: May 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a higher education funding and employment system that obviates barriers to sustainable development and helps engrain the notion of sustainability into the institutional framework.

Design/methodology/approach
The “Higher Education Sustainability First System” (HESFS) is a conceptual model that builds upon ideas from previous literature. Its theoretical basis draws on a joint value creation framework from the stakeholder theory and business model perspectives.

Findings
A holistic three-pillar approach that offers multiple value propositions is needed to engage the stakeholders to collaborate for the coherent functioning of the HESFS. This will enable the establishment of a viable innovative financial model and the institution of a sustainability-focused student employment program that are facilitated by a robust sustainable infrastructure. Several sustainable development goals may be furthered in the process.

Research limitations/implications
The applicability of a part or entire HESFS depends on the characteristics of the higher education institution and the level of its maturity in a sustainable development process. Although its different constituents have been empirically validated in literature, the HESFS model could be applied in a case study to determine its potential feasibility.

Practical implications
The HESFS may inspire policymakers, businesses and higher education institutions to forge alliances to devise innovative resources of funding and engage in employment partnerships that can lead to progress in sustainable development. It may particularly be useful for institutions in developing and less developed countries, where inequality and high youth unemployment rates prevail.

Originality/value
By focusing on an under-researched topic through a multitheoretical perspective, this study contributes to theories pertaining to stakeholder engagement and business models.
An experimental study on the tribological performance of water-lubricated journal bearings with three different materials
Authors: Han Yanfeng , Yin Lei , Xiang Guo , Zhou Guangwu , Chen Haizhou , Zheng Xiaolin 
Published: May 2020

Purpose
The tribological behavior, i.e. friction coefficient and wear rate, and vibration characteristics of the water-lubricated bearing was investigated. The water-lubricated bearing is made of three different materials, i.e. polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), polyimide (PI) and nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR).

Design/methodology/approach
The tribological behavior was investigated experimentally on a specially designed test rig. Three vibration sensors were used to record the vibration of the bearing.

Findings
The results indicated that the variation of friction coefficient with rotation speed agrees well with the trend of Stribeck curve. The tested friction coefficient of rubber bearing is higher than that of the other two bearings whether it is in the state of mixed-lubrication or hydrodynamic lubrication, and which causing a larger wear rate in rubber bearing. The PEEK bearing exhibits the best tribological properties due to it has smaller friction coefficient and wear rate. However, it can be found that the rubber bearing gives the minimum vibration acceleration, which means that the rubber bearing has the most potential to improve the stability of water-lubricated bearing rotor system.

Originality/value
In this study, a group of experiment studies conducted on a specially designed test rig. The comprehensive performance, including friction coefficient, vibration acceleration and wear rate, of water-lubricated bearing with three different materials, i.e. PEEK, PI and NBR, was compared systematically. The experiment research may offer a reference for the selection of material in water-lubricated bearing in specific operating conditions.

Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-10-2019-0447/
Developing a marketing framework for the bottom of the pyramid consumers
Authors: Mathur Mahima , Mehta Ritu , Swami Sanjeev 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThis paper develops a comprehensive marketing framework that firms could use as a foundation for developing a successful business model that ensures sustainability in BOP markets.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a qualitative research approach based on semi-structured in-depth interviews with founders or senior managers of Indian firms who have been successfully operating in the Indian BOP market. The data is then systematically coded and categorized with the help of software to get better insights.FindingsThe findings of the paper indicate that although the traditional 4As of marketing are important, they do not explain the success of firms adequately. Based on the findings of the interviews, we propose an 8A model that comprises the original 4As along with adaptability, assistance, action innovation and accelerating scale.Practical implicationsThe proposed 8A framework would be useful for domestic and multi-national firms aiming to make a foray into the Indian BOP market.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the literature on the BOP market by identifying the factors important for succeeding in the BOP market. It builds on the 4A model to propose 8As marketing framework in the context of BOP markets.
Financial C.R.I.M.Es in small businesses: causes and consequences
Authors: Othman Radiah , Laswad Fawzi , Berkahn Matthew 
Published: May 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the causes and consequences of financial crimes perpetrated against New Zealand small businesses.

Design/methodology/approach
A random sample of 200 court cases was selected from 2010 to 2017. A total of 12 cases involving 14 small businesses were analysed.

Findings
The results reveal that financial crime is a systemic problem and involves people with diverse demographics, and the victims are not restricted to any specific type of small business. The offenders are mostly middle-level managers. The length of offence varied from 1 year to 12.5 years. Most of them funnelled the stolen money into their personal accounts. The common motive is “keeping up appearance”. The management placed immense trust in their employees and did not vet candidates before employment. The losses suffered by small entities ranged from $6,000 to $590,000 and liquidated one business. The severity of the actual court cases indicates the necessity of an employee screening as the first line of defence in these businesses.

Research limitations/implications
The small sample of court cases is a limitation, but the study contributes to the fraud auditing literature by examining actual court cases involving small businesses. Small businesses as victims of employee fraud and their lack of internal controls are known but under-researched to promote thought about fraud risk severity in these businesses.

Originality/value
The C.R.I.M.E model has yet been tested on fraud cases involving small businesses.
Services under new management: the myth of a fresh start
Authors: Jones Tim , Myrden Susan E. , Dacin Peter 
Published: May 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the consumer-side effects of “under new management” (UNM) signs. The authors integrate cue-utilization theory and relevance theory to guide hypotheses about the conditions under which these signs are and are not beneficial.

Design/methodology/approach
Two consumer-based experiments were used to examine the quality and reputation effects of restaurants signaling a management change on potential and existing customers.

Findings
The results suggest that positive and negative effects are possible. The direction of these effects is contingent upon consumers’ prior experience, type of service (i.e. search/experience) and the relevance of the signal.

Research limitations/implications
The study is limited to one industry (i.e. restaurants) and examines the effects of market signals on perceived quality and reputation. In addition, this research brought forth the notion of “signal relevance” and suggested that it may be explicitly tied to attributions. However, this assertion must examine multiple signals (relevant/irrelevant) and their contingent effects on consumer perceptions.

Practical implications
The findings advise businesses to use caution when using signals such as an “UNM” sign, as they appear to have different effects depending on the experience of the consumer with the service and the relevance of the signal.

Originality/value
This research contributes to the literature on cue utilization theory to understand the effects of marketplace cues on consumer perceptions. It contributes to marketing theory and practice by proposing a model of cue effects based on prior customer experience, type of service and cue relevance.
Do foreign banks in India respond to global monetary policy shocks? A SVAR analysis
Authors: Shareef Ameen Omar , Prabheesh K.P. 
Published: May 2020

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the role of foreign banks in transmitting global monetary policy shocks to India. Further, the authors try to explore the international bank lending channel and analyze the impact of global monetary policy on Indian macroeconomic variables.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a structural break unit root test and structural vector autoregression on monthly data from 1998 to 2018.FindingsThe study finds that the global monetary policy is significantly determining foreign banks’ lending in India; the evidence of a portfolio re-balancing channel in the process of global monetary policy transmission to the Indian economy; the exchange rate is significantly explaining the foreign bank credit dynamism in India; and evidence of international monetary policy spillover to the Indian economy.Originality/valueThis is the first attempt to analyze the role of foreign banks in the transmission of global monetary policy shocks to India, where the literature availability is limited. The finding of ineffective domestic monetary policy on foreign bank lending opens the need for an in-depth and diversified analysis of the role of foreign banks in the transmission of domestic monetary policy.
Driving engagement with the employee experience
Authors: Tucker Elissa 
Published: May 2020

Purpose
This paper aims to define the employee experience as a concept, give an overview of how employers are using it as an engagement approach and discuss two examples of how leading organizations are leveraging more advanced applications of the employee experience to drive better engagement outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach
In 2019, APQC surveyed 231 HR professionals responsible for the engagement strategy at organizations with more than 1,000 employees and greater than US$500m in revenue. The survey results represent employers from 30 industries and 34 headquarters countries.

Findings
Most employers have made the employee experience part of their employee engagement strategy. Employers reporting the best outcomes from their engagement strategy are significantly more likely to train leaders, managers and HR on the employee experience concept and leverage critical elements from the employee experience design methodology.

Originality/value
This paper explains the reasons for the growing popularity of the employee experience, discusses its potential as a method for employee engagement and concludes with an overview and examples of the steps involved in employee experience design.