bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial control over near-critical-point operation ensures fidelity of ParABS-mediated bacterial genome segregation
Authors: Hu Longhua , Rech Jérôme , Bouet Jean-Yves , Liu Jian 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTIn bacteria, most low-copy-number plasmid and chromosomally encoded partition systems belong to the tripartite ParABSpartition machinery. Despite the importance in genetic inheritance, the mechanisms of ParABS-mediated genome partition are not well understood. Combining theory and experiment, we provided evidences that the ParABSsystem – partitioning via the ParA gradient-based Brownian ratcheting – operates near a critical pointin vivo. This near-critical-point operation adapts the segregation distance of replicated plasmids to the half-length of the elongating nucleoid, ensuring both cell halves to inherit one copy of the plasmids. Further, we demonstrated that the plasmid localizes the cytoplasmic ParA to buffer the partition fidelity against the large cell-to-cell fluctuations in ParA level. Thus, the spatial control over the near-critical-point operation not only ensures both sensitive adaption and robust execution of partitioning, but sheds light on the fundamental question in cell biology: How do cells faithfully measure cellular-scale distance by only using molecular-scale interactions?
Computer modeling of whole-cell voltage-clamp analyses to delineate guidelines for good practice of manual and automated patch-clamp
Authors: Montnach Jérôme , Lorenzini Maxime , Lesage Adrien , Simon Isabelle , Nicolas Sébastien , Moreau Eléonore , Marionneau Céline , Baró Isabelle , De Waard Michel , Loussouarn Gildas 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTThe patch-clamp technique has contributed to major advances in the characterization of ion channels. The recent development of high throughput patch-clamp provides a new momentum to the field. However, whole-cell voltage-clamp technique presents certain limits that need to be considered for robust data generation. One major caveat is that current amplitude profoundly impacts the precision of the analyzed characteristics of the ion current under study. For voltagegated channels, the higher the current amplitude is, the less precise the characteristics of voltagedependence are. Similarly, in ion channel pharmacology, the characteristics of dose-response curves are hindered by high current amplitudes. In addition, the recent development of high throughput patch-clamp technique is often associated with the generation of stable cell lines demonstrating high current amplitudes. It is therefore critical to set the limits for current amplitude recordings to avoid inaccuracy in the characterization of channel properties or drug actions, such limits being different from one channel to another. In the present study, we use kinetic models of a voltage-gated sodium channel and a voltage-gated potassium channel to edict simple guidelines for good practice of whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings.
Too much reciprocity?
Authors: Sun Zhe , Ai Qi 
Published: April 2020

Purpose
Using the evidence of Chinese outbound mergers and acquisitions (M&As) enacted between 2006 and 2014, this study aims to investigate the role played by home political connections on the cost implications of Chinese multinationals. It also examines whether home political connections – at different levels and of different configurations – impact the operational cost of Chinese multinationals.

Design/methodology/approach
The data were analysed using a multivariate regression model. To examine their heterogeneous effect on Chinese multinationals, the political connection data were further split into higher and lower level political connections and in chief executive officer (CEO) and chairperson political connections.

Findings
This study implies the negative effect of home political connections on the internationalisation of Chinese multinationals. At the same time, the impact of lower-level political connections is stronger than that of their higher-level counterparts. Moreover, CEO political connections have a stronger effect on the operational costs of Chinese multinationals than their Chairperson equivalents.

Originality/value
By unravelling the “black box” of Chinese internationalisation from the social exchange perspective, through the informal political connection networking ties between Chinese firms and the government, this study advances emerging market multinational theory, contributes to the understanding of the heterogeneous nature of political connections and sheds new light on social exchange theory from the perspective of the emerging phenomenon of Chinese internationalisation.
Application of the value-belief-norm model to environmentally friendly drone food delivery services
Authors: Hwang Jinsoo , Kim Woohyoung , Kim Jinkyung Jenny 
Published: April 2020

PurposeThis study aims to apply the value-belief-norm (VBN) model in the context of environmentally friendly drone food delivery services to understand ways to influence consumers’ behavior toward the services. The current study also attempted to deepen the VBN model using the moderating role of product involvement.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 428 respondents through an online survey in South Korea.FindingsThe results of the data analysis indicated that all proposed hypotheses have been statistically supported in the VBN model. Furthermore, product involvement played a moderating role in the relationship between the sense of obligation to take pro-environmental actions and intentions to use and a sense of obligation to take pro-environmental actions and willingness to pay more.Originality/valueAlthough drone food delivery services have not yet been fully commercialized, many foodservice companies have conducted pilot tests and the services are likely to be commonly used in the near future. Thus, the findings of this study are expected to have important implications for companies preparing to roll out drone food delivery services.
Social inclusion and financial inclusion: international evidence
Authors: Ozili Peterson K. 
Published: April 2020

Purpose
This study aims to investigate the association between social inclusion and financial inclusion. Social inclusion and financial inclusion are two major development policy agendas in many countries, and the association between them has received little attention in the policy and academic literature.

Design/methodology/approach
The findings reveal a positive and significant correlation between social inclusion and financial inclusion for Asian countries, Middle Eastern countries and African countries while the correlation between social inclusion and financial inclusion is negative for European countries. The findings also show that European and Asian economies experience higher levels of social inclusion and account ownership in a formal financial institution while African countries and Middle Eastern countries experience lower levels of social inclusion and account ownership.

Originality/value
The association between social and financial inclusion has received little attention in the policy and academic literature. This is the first study that investigates the association between social and financial inclusion.
The classification of the image segmentation algorithms
Authors: Khanykov Igor Georgievich , Tolstoj Ivan Mikhajlovich , Levonevskiy Dmitriy Konstantinovich 
Published: April 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is the image segmentation algorithms (ISA) classification analysis, providing for advanced research and design of new computer vision algorithms.Design/methodology/approachFor the development of the required algorithms a three-stage flowchart is suggested. An algorithm of quasi-optimal segmentation is discussed as a possible implementation of the suggested flowchart. A new attribute is introduced reflecting the specific hierarchical algorithm group, which the proposed algorithm belongs to. The introduced attribute refines the overall classification scheme and the requirements for the algorithms under development.FindingsOptimal approximation generation is a computationally intensive task. The computational complexity can be reduced using a hierarchical data framework and a set of auxiliary algorithms, contributing to overall quality improvement. Because hierarchical solutions usually are distinctively suboptimal, further optimization to them was applied. A new classification attribute, proposed in this paper allows to discover previously hidden «blank spots», having decomposed the two-tier ISA classification scheme. The new classification attribute allows to aggregate algorithms, yielding multiple partitions at output and assign them to a dedicated group.Originality/valueThe originality of the paper consists in development of a high-level ISA classification, as well in introduction of a new classification attribute, pertinent to iterative algorithm groups and to hierarchically structured data presentation algorithms.
Understanding ethical/unethical behavior in pharmaceutical companies: a literature review
Authors: Marmat Geeta , Jain Pooja , Mishra P.N. 
Published: April 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine and review the available literature on ethical/unethical behaviour of pharmaceutical companies and to determine the ethical issues, unethical behaviour by analysing, summarising and categorising the factors related to these issues and unethical behaviour as were studied during the period 2008-2017. Essentially, this paper presents a critical analysis of the available literature on the subject and avenues for future research.Design/methodology/approachThis paper adopted the systematic review approach to achieve the purpose of this study and examines the most relevant literature from online existing database sources, available between 2008-2017 by using the keyword search method. Then studies are categorised and summarised, using previously developed theories and frameworks, which have provided evidence to the universal consensus that ethical behavioural outcomes are dependent on the interplay of individual, organisational and environmental factors and have reordered to fulfil the purpose.FindingsThe findings identify that ethical issues related to pharmaceutical companies as were studied during the period 2008-2017 are drug pricing, drug safety and gift-giving. The organisational variables appeared to be the dominant cause of these ethical issues and unethical practices along with other determinants such as environmental and stakeholders. A large number of studies were in the western country context. Theoretical research has studied more comparatively empirical studies.Research limitations/implicationsThis review provides insights for understanding the ethical issues, unethical behaviour and determinants related to these issues of pharmaceutical companies and provides insights where the literature is standing. This review only includes studies between 2008-2017, which are related to the ethical issue of pharmaceutical companies, therefore, the view is only of the past 10 years papers. This review provides gaps and insight into the source of ideas for future research and will help the researchers in guiding ethics-related information in the context of pharmaceutical companies.Practical implicationsThis study will help the practitioners and policymakers in informing about the issues that required the urgent need to solve and will shed some light to focus and formulate strategies for successful competitive advantage. This study will help researchers who are seeking information related to ethics and ethical behaviour in pharmaceutical companies.Originality/valueTo the best of my knowledge, this review of understanding ethical/unethical behaviour in pharmaceutical companies of the past 10 years between 2008-2017 has not been done to date. This study is filling the gap by bringing all the information about ethics in pharmaceutical companies at one place, which works as an index of ethics-related study in this specific pharmaceutical company context.
Audience response to endemic and non-endemic sponsors of esports events
Authors: Rogers Ryan , Farquhar Lee , Mummert Jacob 
Published: April 2020

PurposeTo understand how esports viewers perceive endemic and non-endemic sponsors during an event.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers employed a four-condition experiment. Participants were randomly assigned to watch a clip with one of four possible sponsors. After participants watched the stimuli, they responded to a questionnaire assessing their opinions of the sponsor in the clip they watched.FindingsGenerally, the more endemic a sponsor was, the more positive audience members had. Perceptions of credibility were also important to attitudes toward sponsors.Originality/valueEsports is an emergent area where little empirical research has been published. This study is designed to expand upon research on sponsorships such that it explores audience perceptions of endemic versus non-endemic sponsors of esports events.
Co-designing tools for workplace learning
Authors: Dennerlein Sebastian Maximilian , Tomberg Vladimir , Treasure-Jones Tamsin , Theiler Dieter , Lindstaedt Stefanie , Ley Tobias 
Published: April 2020

Purpose
Introducing technology at work presents a special challenge as learning is tightly integrated with workplace practices. Current design-based research (DBR) methods are focused on formal learning context and often questioned for a lack of yielding traceable research insights. This paper aims to propose a method that extends DBR by understanding tools as sociocultural artefacts, co-designing affordances and systematically studying their adoption in practice.

Design/methodology/approach
The iterative practice-centred method allows the co-design of cognitive tools in DBR, makes assumptions and design decisions traceable and builds convergent evidence by consistently analysing how affordances are appropriated. This is demonstrated in the context of health-care professionals’ informal learning, and how they make sense of their experiences. The authors report an 18-month DBR case study of using various prototypes and testing the designs with practitioners through various data collection means.

Findings
By considering the cognitive level in the analysis of appropriation, the authors came to an understanding of how professionals cope with pressure in the health-care domain (domain insight); a prototype with concrete design decisions (design insight); and an understanding of how memory and sensemaking processes interact when cognitive tools are used to elaborate representations of informal learning needs (theory insight).

Research limitations/implications
The method is validated in one long-term and in-depth case study. While this was necessary to gain an understanding of stakeholder concerns, build trust and apply methods over several iterations, it also potentially limits this.

Originality/value
Besides generating traceable research insights, the proposed DBR method allows to design technology-enhanced learning support for working domains and practices. The method is applicable in other domains and in formal learning.
Plane-based stairway mapping for legged robot locomotion
Authors: Woo Seungjun , Yumbla Francisco , Park Chanyong , Choi Hyouk Ryeol , Moon Hyungpil 
Published: April 2020

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to propose a novel plane-based mapping method for legged-robot navigation in a stairway environment.

Design/methodology/approach
The approach implemented in this study estimates a plane for each step of a stairway using a weighted average of sensor measurements and predictions. It segments planes from point cloud data via random sample consensus (RANSAC). The prediction uses the regular structure of a stairway. When estimating a plane, the algorithm considers the errors introduced by the distance sensor and RANSAC, in addition to stairstep irregularities, by using covariance matrices. The plane coefficients are managed separately with the data structure suggested in this study. In addition, this data structure allows the algorithm to store the information of each stairstep as a single entity.

Findings
In the case of a stairway environment, the accuracy delivered by the proposed algorithm was higher than those delivered by traditional mapping methods. The hardware experiment verified the accuracy and applicability of the algorithm.

Originality/value
The proposed algorithm provides accurate stairway-environment mapping and detailed specifications of each stairstep. Using this information, a legged robot can navigate and plan its motion in a stairway environment more efficiently.
Information technology competency and organizational agility: roles of absorptive capacity and information intensity
Authors: Mao Hongyi , Liu Shan , Zhang Jinlong , Zhang Yajun , Gong Yeming 
Published: April 2020

PurposeScholars have examined the possible relationship between information technology (IT) and organizational agility. Although the general-level effect of IT is undisputed, empirical research on how different types of IT contribute to various aspects of organizational agility remains scarce. Therefore, this study aims to propose an integrated framework of internal capability and external environment to address this research gap.Design/methodology/approachThis study investigates the potential mediating effects of absorptive capacity and the moderating effects of information intensity in the IT‒agility relationship. With a dataset comprising 165 organizations in China, this work provides empirical evidence that the effects of absorptive capacity and information intensity are multifaceted and nuanced, thereby revealing the latent mechanisms of IT competency and organizational agility.FindingsAbsorptive capacity partially mediates the effects of IT knowledge and IT operations on market capitalizing agility and fully mediates their effects on operational adjustment agility. However, no direct or indirect effects of IT objects are found on both types of organizational agility. Information intensity also positively moderates the effects of IT operations and IT objects on absorptive capacity. However, no significant moderation is found with regard to IT operations.Originality/valueThis study provides novel insights by demonstrating clearly the different mediating roles of absorptive capacity in the relationship among various types of IT competency and diverse aspects of organizational agility. This work also underscores the moderating role of information intensity in shaping absorptive capacity through IT competency.
Employees' commitment to change: personality traits and organizational culture
Authors: Marchalina Leonis , Ahmad Hartini , Gelaidan Hamid Mahmood 
Published: April 2020

PurposeThis study examines the influences of personality traits on the employees' commitment to change that moderated by the organizational culture. The employee's commitment to change is important for the large companies to sustain in the global economy.Design/methodology/approachThe quantitative data were collected from the employees in the large companies that are listed in Bursa Saham Kuala Lumpur (BSKL) Malaysia. The research used a simple random sampling and a cross-sectional survey.FindingsThe results showed there is a relationship between the personality traits and the employees' commitment to change, moderated by the organizational culture.Research limitations/implicationsThis study implies that both practitioners and leaders need to review how they could increase the employees' commitment to change in the companies based on the various personalities.Originality/valueThe originality of the study is the establishment of the instruments and theoretical building on the personality traits, organizational change and employees' commitment to change.
Investigation of optimal inflation targets for 15 major oil exporting Sub-Saharan African countries
Authors: Abdulqadir Idris Abdullahi , Chua Soo Y. , Mohd Saidatulakmal 
Published: April 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the optimal inflation targets for an appropriate exchange rate policy in 15 major oil exporting countries in Sub-Saharan African (SSA).Design/methodology/approachDynamic heterogeneous panel threshold techniques are used via threshold-effect test and threshold regression. This procedure is achieved through a grid search and bootstrapping replications method to stimulate the asymptotic distribution of the likelihood ratio test of the null hypothesis on no-threshold as against the alternative hypothesis. Thep-values validate the threshold estimates.FindingsFindings revealed that the optimal inflation target has a turning point and its impact on the real exchange rate is up to a threshold level of 14.47 per cent. Furthermore, the inflation rate above the threshold level overwhelmingly revealed its effect on real exchange regimes.Research limitations/implicationsIt would have been a good idea to investigate optimal inflation targets for all African countries but due to inadequate data the selection criteria was narrowed to oil-exporting countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.Practical implicationsInflation targeting beyond the threshold level would have serious implications on the monetary policy.Originality/valueTo the best of the knowledge, this is the first study to look at optimal inflation targets for 15 major oil exporting countries in general and SSA countries in particular. The findings provide a critical analysis of an inflation regime for a typical oil-producing country that oil exports being their source of revenue.
Causation of halal food consumption in China
Authors: Shahzad Muhammad Asim , Jun Dong , Noor Gull , Zubair Ahsan 
Published: April 2020

PurposeWithin the religious context, purchase and consumption decisions of halal food is different significantly. The purpose of this study is to emphasize the investigation of causation of halal food consumption (HFC) within China. Being a Muslim, the importance of habit, religious self-identity, moral attitude and individualism to the consumption of halal food in the host-culture is examined.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey was placed and cross-sectional data consisted of 199 Muslim participants were collected, primarily from Beijing current capital of China. Data were examined by SPSS and PLS-3 to assess the model and moderating effects of individualism on HFC.FindingsThe results of the research show that moral attitude, habit and religious self-identity in the presence of individualism as a moderator have a significant and positive attitude toward HFC.Practical implicationsThe halal food industry can communicate the Muslim community through tag (Halal), which may help Muslims with different individualism and inspire them to make their choices.Originality/valueThe research can be valued by the strategy makers of the food company, as well as the food industry that might pursue individualism in the communication and supply process while targeting the halal food sector in China and worldwide.