bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma gradient of soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor is linked to pathogenic plasma proteome and immune transcriptome and stratifies outcomes in severe COVID-19
Authors: Sarif Jafar , Raychaudhuri Deblina , D’Rozario Ranit , Bandopadhyay Purbita , Singh Praveen , Mehta Priyanka , Hoque Md. Asmaul , Sinha Bishnu Prasad , Kushwaha Manoj , Sahni Shweta , Devi Priti , Chattopadhyay Partha , Paul Shekhar Ranjan , Ray Yogiraj , Chaudhuri Kausik , Banerjee Sayantan , Majumdar Debajyoti , Saha Bibhuti , Sarkar Biswanath Sharma , Bhattacharya Prasun , Chatterjee Shilpak , Paul Sandip , Ghosh Pramit , Pandey Rajesh , Sengupta Shantanu , Ganguly Dipyaman 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTDisease caused by SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality world-wide. A systemic hyper-inflammation characterizes the severe COVID-19 disease often associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Blood biomarkers capable of risk stratification are of great importance in effective triage and critical care of severe COVID-19 patients. In the present study we report higher plasma abundance of soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (sUPAR), expressed by an abnormally expanded circulating myeloid cell population, in severe COVID-19 patients with ARDS. Plasma sUPAR level was found to be linked to a characteristic proteomic signature of plasma, linked to coagulation disorders and complement activation. Receiver operator characteristics curve analysis identified a cut-off value of sUPAR at 1996.809 pg/ml that could predict survival in our cohort (Odds ratio: 2.9286, 95% confidence interval 1.0427-8.2257). Lower sUPAR level than this threshold concentration was associated with a differential expression of the immune transcriptome as well as favourable clinical outcomes, both in terms of survival benefit (Hazard ratio: 0.3615, 95% confidence interval 0.1433-0.912) and faster disease remission in our patient cohort. Thus we identified sUPAR as a key pathogenic circulating molecule linking systemic hyperinflammation to the hypercoagulable state and stratifying clinical outcomes in severe COVID-19 patients with ARDS.
Intranasal oxytocin reduces pre-courtship aggression and increases paternal response in California mice (Peromyscus californicus)
Authors: Guoynes Caleigh D. , Marler Catherine A. 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTOxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide that can facilitate prosocial behavior and decrease social stress and anxiety. We investigated whether acute pulses of intranasal (IN) OXT influenced social behavior during social challenges that are likely to occur throughout the lifespan of a wild mouse. To test this, we examined the acute effects of IN OXT in the male California mouse (Peromyscus californicus), a monogamous, biparental, and territorial rodent, using a within-subjects longitudinal design. Social challenges included a pre-courtship male-female encounter conducted during the initial aggressive and not the following affiliative phase of courtship, same-sex resident intruder test, and parental care test, with each test and dose separated by at least two weeks. Males were treated with intranasal infusions of 0.8 IU/kg OXT or saline controls 5-min before each behavioral test, receiving a total of three treatments of either IN OXT or saline control. We predicted that IN OXT would 1) decrease aggression and increase affiliation during the pre-courtship aggression phase, 2) increase aggression during resident intruder paradigms and 3) increase paternal care and vocalizations during a paternal care test. As predicted, during pre-courtship aggression with a novel female, IN OXT males displayed less contact aggression than control males, although with no change in affiliative behavior. However, post-pairing, during the resident intruder test, IN OXT males did not differ from control males in contact aggression. During the paternal care test, IN OXT males were quicker to approach their pups than control males but did not differ in vocalizations produced, unlike our previous research demonstrating an effect on vocalizations in females. In summary, during pre-courtship aggression and the paternal care test, IN OXT promoted prosocial approach; however, during the resident intruder test IN OXT did not alter social approach. These data suggest that IN OXT promotes prosocial approach specifically in social contexts that can lead to affiliation.HIGHLIGHTSIN OXT attenuates male aggression during pre-courtship encountersIN OXT does not attenuate male aggression during resident intruder encountersIN OXT increases paternal responsiveness during a paternal care challengeIN OXT in fathers does not influence total paternal care or vocalizationsGRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Executives and career shocks: observations from coaching practice
Authors: Korotov Konstantin 
Published: June 2021

PurposeThe study provides practice-based vignettes describing career shocks as experienced by executives. It also offers a brief description of the approaches taken by the coach in helping executives to cope with their initial reactions. This work informs the readers about examples of career shocks in the executive population and provides access to normally rarely available information about sensitive aspects of psychological life of executives.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is a qualitative exploration of managers' career shock experiences reflected in executive coaching interventions. It takes an anecdotal look at how executives react to shocks of various valences, and how coaching attempts to assist them by processing their first reactions and choosing a response. The paper particularly looks at managers' responses almost immediately following a shocking event triggering their request for coaching help.FindingsCoaching conversation serves as opportunities for handling immediate emotional reactions to career disruptions. Even shocks with positive valence can cause ambivalent reactions. Processing of career shocks through coaching conversations can activate agency in dealing with abrupt career events. Coaches can offer further support in career deliberations. In one of the cases, an instance of anticipation of a negative career event was associated with positive hopes, and the non-occurrence of the event led to further elaboration about one's career options.Research limitations/implicationsThis work is based on a small sample of executives experiencing career shocks.Practical implicationsThis work informs executives about opportunities provided by executive coaching in handling difficult reactions to external career events. Coaches or coaches-in-training receive an overview of coaching requests associated with career shocks.Social implicationsWith the increasing instability in careers the paper draws the attention to the helping potential of coaching to those experiencing career shocks. It also contributes to normalization of turning for support in psychologically burdening situations.Originality/valueThis work is a trigger for further consideration of the experiences of career shocks by business executives. It provides a first look into immediate reactions of this career population to unexpected external disruptions. It also offers opportunities for further exploration of the role executive coaching can play in career deliberations.
Creating a case for innovation acceleration in the New Zealand building industry
Authors: Adafin Johnson , Wilkinson Suzanne , Rotimi James O.B. , MacGregor Casimir , Tookey John , Potangaroa Regan 
Published: June 2021

Purpose
This study aims to examine how innovation can be accelerated within the New Zealand (NZ) building industry to improve the productivity and efficiency of the industry.

Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted a mixed philosophical approach combining interpretivism and post-positivism. Data for the study were obtained through a focus group of 50 practitioners that were selected using a stratified sampling procedure. All focus group data were audio-recorded, notes of the discussions were taken and then transcribed, de-identified and managed using NVivo software. Data analysis was undertaken using thematic analysis and inductive reasoning consistent with interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Findings
The study findings revealed that the industry could benefit from the adoption of new and emerging technologies to improve its performance, especially its productivity and efficiency. Key drivers for the adoption of innovative practices included the adaptation of “local best practices” from case studies that would consist of stories of successful innovations that could foster confidence in future innovation. It was also identified that Government and industry should nurture innovation through collaborative contracts, policies and regulations. Further, it was highlighted that a culture of innovation needed to be developed to help nurture competencies and capability within the industry workforce.

Research limitations/implications
This study provides an in-depth examination of the need for innovation from the point of view of building industry practitioners. This study provides a useful starting-off point for further research and for the creation of policies that could help to support and accelerate innovation within the NZ building industry.

Practical implications
NZ’s building industry productivity and efficiency have been sub-optimal relative to other industries. But using evidence from the experiences and knowledge of industry practitioners, strategies can be developed to accelerate innovation within the NZ building industry that could help reverse industry performance. Further, the research findings can help inform government policies to develop support mechanisms that could encourage innovation in the industry in NZ. In addition, it is anticipated that the findings will provide a useful set of guidance for other countries that have similar market and physical constraints as those encountered by NZ.

Originality/value
There is a dearth of empirical studies on innovation in the NZ building industry which the current study contributes to. By sharing industry practitioners’ experiences and knowledge of innovation, the paper seeks to counteract more technocratic and technological optimist accounts of innovation within the building industry. Further, the paper provides insights into how the NZ building industry can transform its performance through innovation.
Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perceptions and sentiments of tourism employees: evidence from a small island tourism economy in the Caribbean
Authors: Peterson Ryan R. , DiPietro Robin B. 
Published: June 2021

PurposeBuilding on tourism crisis studies and behavioral economics, this study describes a national survey conducted among 439 Aruban tourism and nontourism employees.Design/methodology/approachRegression analysis was subsequently conducted to analyze the relationship between experienced well-being, crisis duration and tourism and nontourism employee sentiments.FindingsThe findings indicate that tourism employee sentiments are generally, and significantly, more negative and their concerns about the future are significantly more pessimistic than nontourism employees. The results show that the experienced well-being and expected duration of the COVID-19 crisis have a significant negative effect on tourism employees' sentiments. The paper provides several policies and industry recommendations for strengthening tourism employee well-being and economic resilience. Several avenues for future research are presented.Originality/valueThe current study contributes to this literature by showing that the increased pessimism and negativity of the tourism employees as compared to nontourism employees during the current pandemic influence their thoughts about future income and earnings as well as future purchases.
Digital transformations and supply chain management: a Lean Six Sigma perspective
Authors: Tay Huay Ling , Loh Hui Shan 
Published: June 2021

Purpose
With the advent of technological connectivity and access to massive data, the possibilities of augmenting Lean Six Sigma’s Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control (LSS’s DMAIC) problem-solving approach with advanced technologies are enormous. This paper aims to examine digital transformations (DT) of supply chains from a process improvement angle using the LSS DMAIC approach.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a case study approach. Three exemplary case studies were examined to shed light on how LSS can aid in DT to achieve enterprise-wide improvements and enhance value across the supply chains.

Findings
The paper provides a conceptual framework based on a structured DMAIC problem-solving approach to drive improvements in supply chains. The conceptual framework also provides a systematic approach for big data to be integrated in LSS initiatives to achieve greater supply chain performance.

Originality/value
This paper extends research in LSS supply chains by providing a guidance through a conceptual framework that integrate DT and LSS supply chains to support successful digital transformation and LSS supply chains.
Considerations in the use of local and national data for evaluating innovation in children’s social care
Authors: Preston Oli , Godar Rebecca , Lefevre Michelle , Boddy Janet , Firmin Carlene 
Published: June 2021

Purpose
This paper aims to explore the possibilities in using such national, statutory data sets for evaluating change and the challenges of understanding service patterns and outcomes in complex cases when only a limited view can be gained using existing data. The discussion also explores how methodologies can adapt to an evaluation in these circumstances.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper examines the use of data routinely collected by local authorities (LAs) as part of the evaluation of innovation. Issues entailed are discussed and illustrated through two case studies of evaluations conducted by the research team within the context of children’s social care in England.

Findings
The quantitative analysis of LA data can play an important role in evaluating innovation but researchers will need to address challenges related to: selection of a suitable methodology; identifying appropriate comparator data; accessing data and assessing its quality; and sustaining and increasing the value of analytic work beyond the end of the research. Examples are provided of how the two case studies experienced and addressed these challenges.

Research limitations/implications
• Quasi-experimental methods can be beneficial tools for understanding the impact of innovation in children’s services, but researchers should also consider the complexity of children’s social care and the use of mixed and appropriate methods. • Those funding innovative practice should consider the additional burden on those working with data and the related data infrastructure if wishing to document and analyse innovation in a robust way. • Data, which may be assumed to be uniform may in fact not be when considered at a multi-area or national level, and further study of the data recording practice of social care professionals is required.

Originality/value
The paper discusses some common issues experienced in quasi-experimental approaches to the quantitative evaluation of children’s services, which have, until recently, been rarely used in the sector. There are important considerations, which are of relevance to researchers, service leads in children’s social care, data and performance leads and funders of innovation.
Establishment of a maturity model to assess the development of industrial AI in smart manufacturing
Authors: Chen Wenting , Liu Caihua , Xing Fei , Peng Guochao , Yang Xi 
Published: June 2021

PurposeThe benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) related technologies for manufacturing firms are well recognized, however, there is a lack of industrial AI (I-AI) maturity models to enable companies to understand where they are and plan where they should go. The purpose of this study is to propose a comprehensive maturity model in order to help manufacturing firms assess their performance in the I-AI journey, shed lights on future improvement, and eventually realize their smart manufacturing visions.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on (1) a systematic review of literature on assessing I-AI-related technologies to identify relevant measured indicators in the maturity model, and (2) semi-structured interviews with domain experts to determine maturity levels of the established model.FindingsThe I-AI maturity model developed in this study includes two main dimensions, namely “Industry” and “Artificial Intelligence”, together with 12 first-level indicators and 35 second-level indicators under these dimensions. The maturity levels are divided into five types: planning level, specification level, integration level, optimization level, and leading level.Originality/valueThe maturity model integrates indicators that can be used to assess AI-related technologies and extend the existing maturity models of smart manufacturing by adding specific technical and nontechnical capabilities of these technologies applied in the industrial context. The integration of the industry and artificial intelligence dimensions with the maturity levels shows a road map to improve the capability of applying AI-related technologies throughout the product lifecycle for achieving smart manufacturing.
Improving board diversity around the world: the role of institutional investors
Authors: Alshabibi Badar 
Published: June 2021

PurposeThis study aims to examine the role of institutional investors in improving board diversity for the companies in which they invest (investee companies) using evidence from corporate board characteristics across the globe. Additionally, this study also investigates the association between institutional investors and board diversity under various institutional settings, including varying economic conditions (pre-crisis, crisis and post-crisis), legal systems and ownership structures.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample collected from 15 countries for the period 2006 to 2012, the paper uses panel data analysis to examine the association between institutional investors and board diversity.FindingsThe study provides evidence that institutional investors do not promote board diversity and show that in general there is no association between institutional ownership and various board diversity attributes such as gender, age, nationality and education. However, the study finds that institutional investors are positively associated with the educational diversity of boards during times of crisis and are negatively associated with board age diversity during pre-crisis and post-crisis periods. Furthermore, while in common law countries institutional investors are found to be negatively associated with board age diversity, they do not influence board diversity outcomes (i.e. gender, age, nationality and education) in civil law countries. The results also show that the associations between institutional investors and board diversity are mixed and insignificant according to different ownership structures (family and non-family owned firms). The main findings of the study are robust and apply to various estimation methods.Originality/valueThis study provides a unique perspective on the impact of institutional investors on board diversity using a sample collected from 15 countries. Furthermore, the study provides an insight that the institutional settings should be considered when investigating the activism of institutional investors in improving governance practices.
Developing and training artificial neural networks using bootstrap data envelopment analysis for best performance modeling of sawmills in Ontario
Authors: Shahi Shashi K. , Dia Mohamed , Yan Peizhi , Choudhury Salimur 
Published: June 2021

PurposeThe measurement capabilities of the data envelopment analysis (DEA) models are used to train the artificial neural network (ANN) models for the best performance modeling of the sawmills in Ontario. The bootstrap DEA models measure robust technical efficiency scores and have benchmarking abilities, whereas the ANN models use abstract learning from a limited set of information and provide the predictive power.Design/methodology/approachThe complementary modeling approaches of the DEA and the ANN provide an adaptive decision support tool for each sawmill.FindingsThe trained ANN models demonstrate promising results in predicting the relative efficiency scores and the optimal combination of the inputs and the outputs for three categories (large, medium and small) of sawmills in Ontario. The average absolute error in predicting the relative efficiency scores varies from 0.01 to 0.04, and the predicted optimal combination of the inputs (roundwood and employees) and the output (lumber) demonstrate that a large percentage of the sawmills shows less than 10% error in the prediction results.Originality/valueThe purpose of this study is to develop an integrated DEA-ANN model that can help in the continuous improvement and performance evaluations of the forest industry working under uncertain business environment.
From gateway to custodian city: Understanding urban residents’ sense of connectedness to Antarctica
Authors: Leane Elizabeth , Lucas Chloe , Marx Katie , Datta Doita , Nielsen Hanne , Salazar Juan Francisco 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAntarctic “gateway” cities have been characterised primarily as portals through which goods and services from around the world can be transported to the frozen continent. However, recent research suggests that this concept should be expanded to address other forms of connectivity, including those felt by people living in these cities rather than simply passing through them. In this article, we explore the meaning of urban relations to Antarctica in the 21st century, focusing on the Australian city of Hobart. We outline evolving understandings of gateway cities, and of Antarctic gateways particularly; examine Hobart’s diverse connections to the far south; and analyse current public policy related to the city’s “gateway” status. We then report the results of a survey (n = 300) conducted in 2018 to investigate how citizens understand their city’s relationship with Antarctica. Survey results show that residents prioritised ecological concerns over economic or political issues and felt strongly that the city should play a custodian role in the future of Antarctica. Hobartians’ strong sense of environmental and cultural connectedness with Antarctica suggests a need to rethink the concept of Antarctic gateways if policy is to reflect adequately the meaning of this identity to residents of the cities that circle the southern continent.
Two‐episode Tectono‐thermal Events of the Heyuan Fault in Late Cretaceous and Oligocene and their Tectonic Implications, Southernmost South China Block
Authors: WANG Qiangmao , LI Hailong , LI Tingdong , DING Xiaozhong , ZHEN Junwei , ZHANG Min , FAN Yanxia 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe Heyuan Fault, is one of the main NE‐trending faults in the southernmost South China Block and is close to the northernmost South China Sea to the south. The fault features multi‐stage deformation and controlled the formation of late Cretaceous to Cenozoic basins. Based on detailed field investigations and comprehensive geochronological research, including zircon U‐Pb, Rb‐Sr isochron, zircon U‐Th‐He dating, two episodic tectono‐thermal events are recognized. The first occurred during ∼79 Ma to 66 Ma, which is characterized by large‐scale quartz‐fluid emplacement. The other occurred at ∼34 Ma, which features the eruption of a set of basalts. The two events show a changing on material source from siliceous hydrotherm to basalt magma, supporting obvious lithospheric thinning of the southernmost South China Block, which shed light on the geological evolution and the interaction mechanisms between the SCB and the northern South China Sea since the Late Cretaceous.