bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed that narrowband 280 and 310 nm UV-B induce distinctive responses in Arabidopsis
Authors: Tsurumoto Tomohiro , Fujikawa Yasuo , Ohta Daisaku , Okazawa Atsushi 
Published: February 2021

SUMMARYIn plants, the UV-B photoreceptor UV RESISTANCE LOCUS8 (UVR8) perceives UV-B and induces UV-B responses including synthesis of UV-B absorbing phenolic compounds such as anthocyanins. UVR8 absorbs a range of UV-B (260–335 nm). However, the responsiveness of plants to each UV-B wavelength has not been intensively studied so far. Here, we performed transcriptome and metabolome analyses of Arabidopsis using UV light emitting diodes (LEDs) with peak wavelengths of 280 and 310 nm to investigate the differences in the wavelength-specific UV-B responses. Irradiation with both UV-LEDs induced gene expression of the transcription factor ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5), which has a central role in the UVR8 signaling pathway. However, the overall transcriptomic and metabolic responses to 280 and 310 nm UV-LED irradiation were different. Most of the known UV-B-responsive genes, such as salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and defense-related genes, responded only to 280 nm UV-LED irradiation. Lipids, polyamines and organic acids were the metabolites most affected by 280 nm UV-LED irradiation, whereas the effect of 310 nm UV-LED irradiation on the metabolome was considerably less. Enzymatic genes involved in the phenylpropanoid pathway upstream in anthocyanin biosynthesis were up-regulated only by 280 nm UV-LED irradiation. On the other hand, no enzymatic genes downstream in anthocyanin biosynthesis were induced by the UV-LEDs, but rather, they were down-regulated by 310 nm UV-LED irradiation. These results revealed that the responsivenesses of Arabidopsis to 280 and 310 nm UV-B were significantly different, suggesting that UV-B signaling is mediated by more complex pathways than the current model.
Rapidly Increasing SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization by Intravenous Immunoglobulins Produced from Plasma Collected During the 2020 Pandemic
Authors: Farcet Maria R. , Karbiener Michael , Schwaiger Julia , Ilk Reinhard , Kreil Thomas R. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractImmunoglobulin (IG) lots (N=176) released since March 2020 were tested for SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies, with first positive results for September 2020 lots, mean = 1.8 IU/ml, 46% of lots positive. From there, values steadily increased, in correlation with the cumulative COVID-19 incidence, to reach a mean of 36.7 IU/ml and 93% of lots positive by January 2021. Extrapolating the correlation, IGs could reach an anti-SARS-CoV-2 potency of ~400 IU/ml by July 2021. At that stage, prophylactic IG treatment for primary/secondary immunodeficiency could contain similar doses of anti-SARS-CoV-2 as convalescent plasma which is used for treatment of COVID-19.
To be more philanthropic when joining the government-controlled business association? Evidence from Chinese private firms
Authors: Yan Youliang , Xu Xixiong 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether and how affiliation with the government-controlled business association, namely, China Federation of Industry and Commerce (CFIC), affects corporate philanthropy in an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach
Through an analysis of survey data gathered from Chinese private firms, this paper conducts multiple regressions to examine the impact of the CFIC membership on corporate philanthropy.

Findings
Empirical results show that the CFIC membership of private entrepreneurs is significantly positively associated with corporate philanthropy. Moreover, this study finds that the provincial marketization level and the firm Communist Party branch attenuate the positive association between CFIC membership and corporate philanthropy, indicating that the effect of CFIC on corporate philanthropy is more pronounced in regions with lower marketization level and firms without Communist Party branch. The findings are robust to various alternate measures of corporate philanthropy and remain valid after controlling for potential endogeneity.

Practical implications
Firms will be more active in corporate philanthropy to respond to the government’s governance appeal when they join the CFIC. This highlights the implications of political connections and in particular on the value of government-controlled business associations in the Chinese business world.

Originality/value
This study extends the literature on the determinants of corporate philanthropy and deepens the theoretical understanding of the governance role of business association with Chinese characteristics.
Using genetic programming to model the bond strength of GFRP bars in concrete under the effects of design guidelines
Authors: Chuang Ying-Ji , Tsai Hsing-Chih 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
This paper aims to use a derivative of genetic programming to predict the bond strength of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars in concrete under the effects of design guidelines. In developing bond strength prediction models, this paper prioritized simplicity and meaningfulness over extreme accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach
Assessing the bond strength of GFRP bars in concrete is a critical issue in designing and building reinforced concrete structures.

Findings
Ultimately, the equation of a linear form of a particular design guideline was suggested as the optimal prediction model. Improvements to the current design guidelines suggested by this model include setting a 1.31 magnification and considering the effects of the three significant parameters of bar diameter (db), minimum cover-to-bar diameter (C/db) and development length to bar diameter (l/db) under an acceptable root mean square error accuracy of around 2 MPa. Furthermore, the model suggests that the original influence parameter of concrete compressive strength (fc) may be removed from bond strength calculations.

Originality/value
The model suggests that the original influence parameter of concrete compressive strength (fc) may be removed from bond strength calculations.
Application of genetic programming in the identification of tool wear
Authors: Wang Hao , Dong Guangming , Chen Jin 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is building the regression model related to tool wear, and the regression model is used to identify the state of tool wear.

Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, genetic programming (GP), which is originally used to solve the symbolic regression problem, is used to build the regression model related to tool wear with the strong regression ability. GP is improved in genetic operation and weighted matrix. The performance of GP is verified in the tool vibration, force and acoustic emission data provided by 2010 prognostics health management.

Findings
In result, the regression model discovered by GP can identify the state of tool wear. Compared to other regression algorithms, e.g. support vector regression and polynomial regression, the identification of GP is more precise.

Research limitations/implications
The regression models built in this paper can only make an assessment of the current wear state with current signals of tool. It cannot predict or estimate the tool wear after the current state. In addition, the generalization of model has some limitations. The performance of models is just proved in the signals from the same type of tools and under the same work condition, and different tools and different work conditions may have influences on the performance of models.

Originality/value
In this study, the discovered regression model can identify the state of tool wear precisely, and the identification performances of model applied in other tools are also excellent. It can provide a significant information about the health of tool, so the tools can be replaced or repaired in time, and the loss caused by tool damage can be avoided.
Addressing COVID through PCD: policy coherence for vulnerability in development and its relationship to the coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Moldes-Anaya Sergio , Koff Harlan , Da Porto Angelica , Lipovina Tara 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to understand how coronavirus impacts relate to existing vulnerabilities in different world regions.Design/methodology/approachThe article utilizes quantitative analysis to examine regional variations in coronavirus risk assessment. It then qualitatively employs a policy coherence for development (PCD) approach to analyze how public policies contribute to or mitigate vulnerability, defined as the product of exposure to external shocks, institutional coping capabilities and risk associated with social divisions in societies.FindingsThe research presented below shows that significant regional variance exists in terms of coronavirus risk, based on statistical analysis of the INFORM COVID-19 Risk Report prepared by the European Commission. The PCD analysis highlights important relationships between public policy strategies and the construction of both underlying vulnerabilities and coronavirus impacts.Practical implicationsThe PCD approach presented here focuses on the reconciliation of trade-offs. It shows how policy interactions affect vulnerabilities and suggests that coherent policy strategies aimed at reducing vulnerabilities are necessary in order to adequately respond to the coronavirus pandemic.Originality/valueThis analysis frames vulnerability as a socially constructed condition and through implementation of a PCD approach, it indicates how policy strategies contribute to or mitigate vulnerabilities. In doing so, it intends to contribute conceptually to the literature on vulnerability by showing how policy incoherences contribute to the construction of this condition. Empirically, the originality of this article is its statistical analysis of regional variance of coronavirus risk and the qualitative analysis of policy strategies in representative cases and how they have affected vulnerabilities and coronavirus impacts.
Analyzing health-care service environment with Malaysian general practice clinics
Authors: Rahman Muhammad Khalilur , Newaz Md Shah , Hemmati Mina , Mallick S M Yusuf 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the private general practice (GP) clinics' service environment, patients' satisfaction and their impact on word of mouth (WoM) for others for future treatment in GP clinics.Design/methodology/approachData are collected from 367 respondents using a paper-based survey questionnaire. Partial least square (PLS) is used to evaluate the proposed model and hypotheses relationships.FindingsThe findings reveal that ambience and service delivery have a high significant influence on patients' emotional satisfaction (β = 0.27, t = 4.31, p = 0.00) and (β = 0.26, t = 4.81, p = 0.00), respectively, while interior décor has a positive and significant influence on satisfaction (β = 0.13, t = 1.98, p = 0.04). The results indicate that exterior design and cleanliness are not associated with satisfaction. Patients' emotional satisfaction is highly related to WoM (β = 0.55, t = 13.44, p = 0.00). The results also show that emotional satisfaction has a significant mediating effect on the relationship between clinic service environments (ambience, interior décor, service delivery) and WoM (β = 0.15, t = 3.94, p = 0.00), (β = 0.073, t = 3.94, p = 0.04), (β = 0. 0.143, t = 4.13, p = 0.00), respectively.Originality/valueThe study will provide insights regarding Malaysian health consumers' perceptions toward GP clinics' service environment, whether they remain utilitarian or have evolved to entail hedonic appreciations. The contribution to the service environment could be adopted by future health-care studies, particularly those intended to examine GP clinics and other clinic-based institutions.
Confronting the unprecedented: micro and small businesses in the age of COVID-19
Authors: Bressan Alessandro , Duarte Alonso Abel , Kok Seng Kiat 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to understand how micro and small firms are navigating through the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) threat, and the alternatives they are implementing to coexist with the ongoing crisis. To this end, Italy's socioeconomically and traditionally significant wine industry is examined. The study considers insights of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and develops a theoretical framework, which proposes various emerging theoretical dimensions, including proactiveness, support-reliance and resourcefulness.Design/methodology/approachWinery owners–managers were contacted and invited to partake in the study completing an online questionnaire. Overall, 167 useable responses were collected.FindingsWhile facing the loss of vital income through decreasing demand and exports, participants resort to exploiting various initiatives, including “reinventing” their firms. Their observations also recognise the vital supporting role of various key stakeholders, first and foremost family members, as well as clients and staff. Concerning how owners-managers envision managing their firm post-COVID-19, two predominant groups are identified, one strongly favouring modern-day alternatives, and the second committing to the firm's traditional business model. Overall, the different predictors of the TPB, namely attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control emerged.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first that empirically analyses micro and small firms in a socioeconomically and traditionally significant industry during an unprecedented event. In addition, the proposed theoretical framework provides a roadmap and guide to examine, understand and assimilate the entrepreneurial journey through a devastating event.
Lean Six Sigma as an organizational resilience mechanism in health care during the era of COVID-19
Authors: Hundal Gaganpreet Singh , Thiyagarajan Senthilkumar , Alduraibi Manal , Laux Chad Matthew , Furterer Sandra L. , Cudney Elizabeth A. , Antony Jiju 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate how Lean Six Sigma (LSS) may help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 within health care environments. The goals of this study were to understand the current knowledge of LSS and COVID-19 through a systematic review of the current literature, identify the gap in the current knowledge of LSS in COVID-19 mitigation within health care environments and define the principles of LSS, within organizational resilience that support a health care organization’s ability to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach
A narrative literature review was conducted to identify relevant research. A total of 21 subject matter experts (SMEs) meeting the inclusion criteria were approached through a guided interview process. Content analysis was conducted to describe how LSS principles contribute to supporting health care organizations operating in the era of COVID-19.

Findings
Study results report that personal safety is the primary subject, followed by supporting dimensions of process redesign, and telemedicine. LSS topics that directly relate to COVID-19 are in four thematic areas: tools, applications, benefits and challenges. Particular areas of application, techniques, challenges and benefits are identified and discussed that could be applied proactively and reactively, to organizational and supply chain resilience to recover from COVID-19.

Research limitations/implications
There were a number of limitations to the generalizability of this work. The sample size was small and purposeful, thus, external validity of the study results are not determined. The SMEs in this study have not implemented the practices noted in the results at the time of the study, and knowledge of results is limited to the study aims.

Originality/value
This study of LSS principles and COVID-19 has implications for practitioners and offers specific guidance for areas of health care adoption of LSS techniques and tools that benefit patient safety, challenges for the user to be mindful of and potential benefits in resilience of operations in the era of COVID-19.
The flexibility of corporate payouts vis-à-vis capital investment: some UK evidence
Authors: Chasiotis Ioannis , Georgantopoulos Andreas G. 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThis study investigates the relative flexibility of payouts vis-à-vis investment in the UK, motivated by concerns regarding this market's distinct payout characteristics and limited relevant research. It addresses the information gap related to the use of conditional mean estimations and examines firm behavior across the investment distribution.Design/methodology/approachThe sample is an unbalanced panel of 6,173 firm-year observations, from 271 non-financial firms in the FTSE-All Share Index, during 1990–2019. Estimation methods include pooled- ordinary least squares (OLS) and firm fixed-effects regressions as well as unconditional quantile regressions with firm fixed effects.FindingsFor the “average” firm results show a negative relationship between share repurchases and investment, amplified in the presence of financial constraints and growth opportunities. Quantile regressions analysis reveals heterogeneous firm behavior as this relationship becomes stronger in successive quantiles of the investment distribution and disappears at the upper/lower extremes. Results suggest that UK firms exploit the inherent flexibility of share repurchases to facilitate investment. However, this flexibility appears irrelevant to firms with extremely high/low investment, characterized by significant differences in growth opportunities, cash flows and external financing cost. Dividends and investment are independent across the investment distribution, underlining the rigidity of dividends in the UK.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the relative flexibility of payouts vis-à-vis investment in the UK, using firm-level financial data and at points other than the conditional mean. Its value lies in that it shows that share repurchases facilitate rather than impede investment and thus do not corroborate relevant concerns by economists and policymakers. Additionally, by utilizing a relatively new methodology it uncovered heterogeneous firm behavior across the investment distribution suggesting that conditional mean estimations should be applied with caution at least for highly heterogeneous samples.
The relationship between business strategy and management entrenchment
Authors: Salehi Mahdi , Arianpoor Arash 
Published: February 2021

PurposeThe present study's main objective is to assess the relationship between business strategy and management entrenchment in listed firms on the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE).Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, 128 firms have been assessed during 2012–2017. The management entrenchment variable is measured using five factors: management ownership, board independence, chief executive officer (CEO) tenure, managers' compensation and CEO duality.FindingsThe obtained results show a negative and significant relationship between the aggressive strategy of the current year (and that of the previous year) and management entrenchment such that adopting an aggressive business strategy in the current and previous years can debilitate the management entrenchment. Moreover, there is a negative and significant relationship between the current year's defensive strategy and management entrenchment, and employing a defensive business strategy in the current year can also weaken the management entrenchment. At the same time, there is no significant relationship between the previous year's defensive business strategy and management entrenchment.Originality/valueManagerial entrenchment is a determining factor in the economy, and regarding the dominant norms in the emerging markets and developing countries, this factor is different from that of the developed countries. It is more important in some markets, like Iran that is dealing with economic sanctions. On the other hand, Tehran Stock Exchange observes numerous modifications, especially providing financial statements in accordance with international standards that are expected to affect the determination of business strategy in firms.
The role of governance in the health expenditure–health outcomes nexus: insights from West Africa
Authors: Ibukun Cleopatra Oluseye 
Published: February 2021

PurposeDespite the global attempt at achieving goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals by improving health outcomes, some countries (West African countries inclusive) still do not spend a significant proportion of their income on health and they exhibit health outcomes that are still far below that of developed countries. Besides countries like Nigeria, Chad and Guinea-Bissau are experiencing worsening insecurity and political instability. This study, therefore, examines the effect of health expenditure on three health outcomes in the West African sub-region, while investigating the effect of the quality of governance in this nexus.Design/methodology/approachThis study conducts an instrumental variable approach (two-stage least squares regression) on a panel of 15 West African countries over the period 2000–2018. This study uses three proxies to measure health outcomes and six measures of the quality of governance were also considered.FindingsThe result of this study shows that all forms of health expenditures significantly influenced health outcomes. That is, there is a negative relationship between health expenditure, infant mortality and under-five mortality, but a positive relationship between health expenditure and life expectancy at birth. Besides, the general effect of the same quantity of public health spending is subject to the quality of governance because countries with a higher quality of governance benefit better from their public health spending.Originality/valueThis study, to the authors' knowledge, is the first empirical attempt to examine the role of governance in the health expenditure-health outcomes nexus in 15 ECOWAS countries, using different measures of health outcomes and governance.