bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of physical and cognitive exertion on cognitive control
Authors: Davranche Karen , Tempest Gavin D , Gajdos Thibault , Radel Rémi
Published: October 2018

In a recent study, the differential effects of prolonged physiologically challenging 4 exercise upon two executive processes (cognitive control and working memory) have been 5 investigated. However, the impact of exercise on the selective inhibition task remained debatable and needed further analysis to dissociate the effects induced by exercise intensity from those induced by the time spent on task upon cognitive control outcomes. In this study we propose a thorough analysis of these data, using a generalized mixed model on a trial-by-9 trial basis and a new measure of the strength of the automatic response based on reaction time distribution, to disentangle the effect of physical fatigue from cognitive fatigue. Despite the prolonged duration of exercise, no decline in cognitive performance was found in response to physical fatigue. The only change observed over the 60-min exercise was an acceleration of the correct trials and an increase of errors for incompatible trials. This pattern, similar in both exercise conditions, supports the occurrence of cognitive fatigue induced by the repetition of the cognitive tasks over time.
Design Guidelines For Sequestration Feedback Networks
Authors: Baetica Ania-Ariadna , Leong Yoke Peng , Olsman Noah , Murray Richard M.
Published: October 2018

Integral control is commonly used in mechanical and electrical systems to ensure perfect adaptation. A proposed design of integral control for synthetic biological systems employs the sequestration of two biochemical controller species. The unbound amount of controller species captures the integral of the error between the current and the desired state of the system. However, implementing integral control inside bacterial cells using sequestration feedback has been challenging due to the controller molecules being degraded and diluted. Furthermore, integral control can only be achieved under stability conditions that not all sequestration feedback networks fulfill. In this work, we give guidelines for ensuring stability and good performance (small steady-state error) in sequestration feedback networks. Our guidelines provide simple tuning options to obtain a flexible and practical biological implementation of sequestration feedback control. Using tools and metrics from control theory, we pave the path for the systematic design of synthetic biological circuits.
Are veterinary clinical manuscripts published more slowly than medical or scientific counterparts? A comparative observational study
Authors: Rishniw Mark , white Maurice E.
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND

Publication speeds of clinically relevant veterinary journals have not been evaluated.

METHODS

We compared 23 prominent veterinary journals to 11 comparable medical and 4 high-impact science journals and examined select factors that might affect these speeds. Submission date, acceptance date and first online publication date were recorded for 50 sequentially identified research articles from each journal that had been published immediately prior to April 26, 2018. Intervals from submission to acceptance, acceptance to publication, and submission to publication were calculated in days for each article. Data were compared visually across all journals, and statistically by field (veterinary, medical, high-impact), by impact factor and by publisher (commercial vs society) to identify trends or differences in publication intervals.

RESULTS

When assessed by field, intervals from submission to acceptance (p=0.18), acceptance to publication (p=0.75) and submission to publication (p=0.13) did not differ. Individual journals varied slightly in intervals from submission to acceptance, but varied markedly in intervals from acceptance to publication. Three journals had median intervals from acceptance to publication exceeding 135 days and two exceeding 500 days. Three journals had median intervals from submission to publication exceeding 550 days. Neither impact factor nor publication model affected any intervals. Intervals from submission to acceptance and acceptance to publication were positively associated with overall interval from submission to publication (rho=0.7, P<0.0001 for both associations).

CONCLUSIONS

Intervals from submission to acceptance for veterinary journals are like those for medical and high-impact journals, suggesting that the review process is similar across fields. However, several veterinary journals have intervals from acceptance to publication approaching 18 months.
Neutralization of a Distributed Coulombic Switch Precisely Tunes Reflectin Assembly
Authors: Levenson Robert , Bracken Colton , Sharma Cristian , Santos Jerome , Arata Claire , Kohl Phillip , Li Youli , Morse Daniel E.
Published: October 2018

Reflectin proteins are widely distributed in reflective structures in cephalopods, but only in Loliginid squids are they and the sub-wavelength photonic structures they control dynamically tunable, driving changes in skin color for camouflage and communication. The reflectins are block copolymers with repeated canonical domains interspersed with cationic linkers. Neurotransmitter-activated signal transduction culminates in catalytic phosphorylation of the tunable reflectins’ cationic linkers, with the resulting charge-neutralization overcoming Coulombic repulsion to progressively allow condensation and concommitant assembly to form multimeric spheres of tunable size. Structural transitions of reflectins A1 and A2 were analyzed by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, solution small angle x-ray scattering, circular dichroism, atomic force microscopy, and fluorimetry. We analyzed the assembly behavior of phospho-mimetic, deletion, and other mutants in conjunction with pH-titration as an in vitro surrogate of phosphorylation to discover a predictive relationship between the extent of neutralization of the protein’s net charge density and the size of resulting multimeric protein assemblies of narrow polydispersity. Comparison of mutants shows this sensitivity to neutralization resides in the linkers and is spatially distributed along the protein. These results are consistent with the behavior of a charge-stabilized colloidal system, while imaging of large particles, and analysis of sequence composition, suggest that assembly may proceed through a transient liquid-liquid phase separated intermediate. These results offer insights into the basis of reflectin-based tunable biophotonics and open new paths for the design of new reflectin mutants with tunable properties.
Genetic Association of The CYP7A1 Gene with Duck Lipid Traits
Authors: Qin Yuan-Yu , Zhang Yi-Yu , Luo Hua-Lun , Wu Lei
Published: October 2018

Cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (Cyp7a1) participates in lipid metabolism of liver, and its pathway involves catabolism of cholesterol to bile acids and excretion from the body. However, little is known about the effect of the polymorphisms of CYP7A1 gene on duck lipid traits. In the present study, seven novel synonymous mutations loci in exon 2 and exon 3 of CYP7A1 gene in Cherry Valley ducks were identified using PCR production direct sequencing. One novel SNP g.1033130 C>T was predicted in exon 2. Six novel SNPs g.1034076 C>T, g.1034334 G>A, g.1034373 G>A, g.1034448 T>C, g.1034541 C>G, and g.1034550 G>A were discovered in exon 3. Six haplotypes were detected using SHEsis online analysis software, and five loci (g.1034334G>A, g.1034373G>A, g.1034448T>C, g.1034541C>G, and g.1034550G>A) were in complete linkage disequilibrium, and as a block named Locus C3. By single SNP association analysis, we found that the g.1033130 C>T locus was significantly associated with IMF, AFP, TG, and TC (P<0.01 orP<0.05) respectively, the g.1034076 C>T locus was significantly associated with AFP (P<0.05), and the locus C3 was significantly associated with TCH (P<0.05). Sixteen dipoltypes were detected by the combination of haplotypes, and demonstrated strong association with IMF, AFP, TG, and TCH (P<0.01). Therefore, our data suggested that the seven SNPs of CYP7A1 gene are potential markers for lipid homeostasis, and may be used for early breeding and selection of duck.
Optimal strategies for inhibition of protein aggregation
Authors: Michaels Thomas C. T. , Weber Christoph A. , Mahadevan L.
Published: October 2018

Protein aggregation has been implicated in many diseases.1-7Therapeutic strategies for these diseases propose the use of drugs to inhibit specific molecular events during the aggregation process.8-11However, viable treatment protocols require balancing the efficacy of the drug with its toxicity while accounting for the underlying events of aggregation and inhibition at the molecular level. Here, we combine aggregation kinetics and control theory to determine optimal protocols which prevent protein aggregation via specific reaction pathways. We find that the optimal inhibition of primary and fibril-dependent secondary nucleation require fundamentally different drug administration protocols. We test the efficacy of our approach on experimental data for Amyloid-βaggregation of Alzheimer’s disease in the model organismC. elegans. Our results pose and answer the question of the link between the molecular basis of protein aggregation and optimal strategies for inhibiting it, opening up new avenues for the design of rational therapies to control pathological protein aggregation.
The more you know: Investigating why adults get a bigger memory boost from semantic congruency than children
Authors: Wang Wei-Chun , Ghetti Simona , Brod Garvin , Bunge Silvia A.
Published: October 2018

Humans possess the capacity to employ prior knowledge in the service of our ability to remember; thus, memory is oftentimes superior for information that is semantically congruent with our prior knowledge. This congruency benefit grows during development, but little is understood about neurodevelopmental differences that underlie this growth. Here, we sought to explore the brain mechanisms underlying these phenomena. To this end, we examined the neural substrates of semantically congruent vs. incongruent item-context associations in 116 children and 25 young adults who performed encoding and retrieval tasks during functional MRI data collection. Participants encoded item-context pairs by judging whether an item belonged in a scene. Episodic memory was then tested with a source memory task. Consistent with prior work, source memory accuracy improved with age, and was greater for congruent than incongruent pairs; further, this congruency benefit was greater in adults than children. Age-related differences were observed across univariate, functional connectivity, and multivariate analyses, particularly in lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC). In sum, our results revealed two general age differences. First, left ventrolateral/rostrolateral PFC exhibited age-related increases in univariate activity, as well as greater functional connectivity with temporal regions during the processing of congruency. Second, right rostrolateral PFC activation was associated with successfully encoded congruent associations in adults, but not children. Finally, multivariate analyses provided evidence for stronger veridical memory in adults than children in right ventrolateral PFC. These effects in right lateral PFC were significantly correlated with memory performance, implicating them in the process of remembering congruent associations. These results connect brain regions associated with top-down control in the congruency benefit and age-related improvements therein.
High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Oncogenes Disrupt the Fanconi Anemia DNA repair Pathway by Impairing Localization and Deubiquitination of FancD2
Authors: Khanal Sujita , Galloway Denise A.
Published: October 2018

Persistent expression of high-risk HPV oncogenes is necessary for the development of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. Here, we show that E6/E7 expressing cells are hypersensitive to DNA crosslinking agent cisplatin and have defects in repairing DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICL). Importantly, we elucidate how E6/E7 attenuate the Fanconi anemia (FA) DNA crosslink repair pathway. Though E6/E7 activated the pathway by increasing FancD2 monoubiquitination and foci formation, they inhibited the completion of the repair by multiple mechanisms. E6/E7 impaired FancD2 colocalization with double-strand breaks (DSB), which subsequently hindered the recruitment of downstream protein Rad51 to DSB in E6 cells. Further, E6 expression caused delayed FancD2 de-ubiquitination, an important process for effective ICL repair. Delayed FancD2 de-ubiquitination was attributed to the increased chromatin retention of FancD2 hindering USP1 de-ubiquitinating activity, and persistently activated ATR/CHK-1/pS565 FancI signaling. E6 mediated p53 degradation did not hamper the cell cycle specific process of FancD2 modifications but abrogated repair by disrupting FancD2 de-ubiquitination. Further, E6 reduced the expression and foci formation of Palb2, which is a repair protein downstream of FancD2. These findings uncover unique mechanisms by which HPV oncogenes contribute to genomic instability and the response to cisplatin therapies.

AUTHOR SUMMARY

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) causes nearly all cervical and many other anogenital cancers, and oropharyngeal cancers. As cisplatin is the most commonly used drug for cervical and HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers, it is important to understand how HPV oncogenes disrupt the Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway involved primarily in the repair of cisplatin-induced DNA crosslinks. However, the mechanism by which HPV E6 and E7 attenuate the FA pathway is poorly understood. We demonstrate that E6/E7 expression disrupts crosslink repair and increase cisplatin sensitivity, and attenuate the FA pathway through multiple unique mechanisms. First, E6/E7 causes accumulation of FancD2, a central component of the FA pathway, at the sites away from DNA damage. This results in reduced recruitment of Rad51, another repair protein involved in the pathway. Second, E6 causes delayed FancD2 de-ubiquitination, an important process for effective repair. Third, E6 expressing cells decreases the expression and foci formation of Palb2 repair protein. Together, this work elucidates the mechanisms by which HPV attenuates the repair of DNA crosslinks increasing cisplatin cytotoxicity and efficacy in treating HPV-positive cancers.
Changes in the Active, Dead, and Dormant Microbial Community Structure Across a Pleistocene Permafrost Chronosequence
Authors: Burkert Alex , Douglas Thomas A. , Waldrop Mark P. , Mackelprang Rachel
Published: October 2018

Permafrost hosts a community of microorganisms that survive and reproduce for millennia despite extreme environmental conditions such as water stress, subzero temperatures, high salinity, and low nutrient availability. Many studies focused on permafrost microbial community composition use DNA-based methods such as metagenomic and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. However, these methods do not distinguish between active, dead, and dormant cells. This is of particular concern in ancient permafrost where constant subzero temperatures preserve DNA from dead organisms and dormancy may be a common survival strategy. To circumvent this we applied: (i) live/dead differential staining coupled with microscopy, (ii) endospore enrichment, and (iii) selective depletion of DNA from dead cells to permafrost microbial communities across a Pleistocene permafrost chronosequence (19K, 27K, and 33K). Cell counts and analysis of 16S rRNA gene amplicons from live, dead, and dormant cells revealed how communities differ between these pools and how they change over geologic time. We found clear evidence that cells capable of forming endospores are not necessarily dormant and that the propensity to form endospores differed among taxa. Specifically, Bacilli are more likely to form endospores in response to long-term stressors associated with permafrost environmental conditions than members of Clostridia, which are more likely to persist as vegetative cells over geologic timescales. We also found that exogenous DNA preserved within permafrost does not bias DNA sequencing results since its removal did not significantly alter the microbial community composition. These results extend the findings of a previous study that showed permafrost age and ice content largely control microbial community diversity and cell abundances.

Importance

The study of permafrost transcends the study of climate change and exobiology. Permafrost soils store more than half earth’s soil carbon despite covering ∽15% of the land area (Tarnocai et al 2009). This permafrost carbon is rapidly degraded following thaw (Tarnocai C et al 2009, Schuur et al 2015). Understanding microbial communities in permafrost will contribute to the knowledge base necessary to understand the rates and forms of permafrost C and N cycling post thaw. Permafrost is also an analog for frozen extraterrestrial environments and evidence of viable organisms in ancient permafrost is of interest to those searching for potential life on distant worlds. If we can identify strategies microbial communities utilize to survive permafrost we can focus efforts searching for evidence of life on cryogenic cosmic bodies. Our work is significant because it contributes to an understanding of how microbial life adapts and survives in the extreme environmental conditions in permafrost terrains across geologic timescales.
Quantitative single-cell splicing analysis reveals an ‘economy of scale’ filter for gene expression
Authors: Ding Fangyuan , Elowitz Michael B.
Published: October 2018

In eukaryotic cells, splicing affects the fate of each pre-mRNA transcript, helping to determine whether it is ultimately processed into an mRNA, or degraded. The efficiency of splicing plays a key role in gene expression. However, because it depends on the levels of multiple isoforms at the same transcriptional active site (TAS) in the same cell, splicing efficiency has been challenging to measure. Here, we introduce a quantitative single-molecule FISH-based method that enables determination of the absolute abundances of distinct RNA isoforms at individual TASs. Using this method, we discovered that splicing efficiency behaves in an unexpected ‘economy of scale’ manner, increasing, rather than decreasing, with gene expression levels, opposite to a standard enzymatic process. This behavior could result from an observed correlation between splicing efficiency and spatial proximity to nuclear speckles. Economy of scale splicing represents a non-linear filter that amplifies the expression of genes when they are more strongly transcribed. This method will help to reveal the roles of splicing in the quantitative control of gene expression.
Detecting spatial dynamics of range expansions with geo-referenced genomewide SNP data and the geographic spectrum of shared alleles
Authors: Alvarado-Serrano Diego F. , Hickerson Michael J.
Published: October 2018

Uncovering the spatial dynamics of range expansions is a major goal in studies of historical demographic inference, with applications ranging from understanding the evolutionary origins of domesticated crops, epidemiology, invasive species, and understanding specieslevel responses to climate change. Following the surge in advances that make explicit use of the spatial distribution of genetic data from georeferenced SNP variants, we present a novel summary statistic vector, the geographic spectrum of shared alleles (GSSA). Using simulations of twodimensional serial expansion, we find that the information from the GSSA, summarized with Harpending’s Raggedness Index (RI), can accurately detect the spatial origins of a range expansion under serial founder models, even with sparse sampling of only ten individuals. When applying to SNP data from two species of the holarctic butterfly genusLycaeides, the suggested origins of expansion are consistent with hindcasts obtained from ecological niche models (ENMs). These results demonstrate the GSSA to be a useful exploratory tool for generating hypotheses of range expansion with genomewide SNP data. Our simulation experiments suggest high performance even with sampling found in studies of nonmodel organisms (one sampled individual per location, no outgroup information, and only 5,000 SNP loci).
Corporate social responsibility, firm performance and the moderating effect of earnings management in Chinese firms
Authors: Sial Muhammad Safdar , Chunmei Zheng , Khan Tehmina , Nguyen Vinh Khuong
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and firm performance and the moderating role of earnings management on the relationship between CSR and firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study used the updated data set (3,481 unbalanced observations for period 2009–2015) from Chinese listed companies on Shenzhen and Shanghai stock exchanges. The generalized method of moments (GMM) statistical approach has been used for the analysis. The authors utilized STATA to test GMM on a sample of Chinese listed firms data over the period 2009–2015. The unbalanced sample obtained 3,481 observations from China stock market and accounting research database and CSR ratings provided by Rankins (RKS).

Findings

The results demonstrated that CSR has a positive and significant relationship with firm’s performance; also, earnings management has a negatively moderate relationship between CSR and firm performance. These results imply that a high value of earnings management, which results in high level of symbolic CSR, converts to low firm performance of the Chinese firms. CSR actions (only as symbolic measures) promoted by managers as a means to cover their profit management incite an adverse effect on the company’s performance. This study has highlighted the impact of two different corporate social responsibilities: substantive and symbolic (genuine CSR vs greenwashing) on firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this investigation will be of distinct interest to company owners who wish to ascertain the effectiveness of the sustainability decisions of directors and managers, and also to investors and public authorities to estimate the positive relationship between CSR and company’s reputation and image, and thus, the positive influence on firm performance.

Originality/value

Previous studies have generally focused on the relationship between CSR and firm performance. This study provides the impact of earnings management (measurement of both aspects of accrual-based earnings management and real earnings management) on this relationship. Furthermore, this study examines the state of CSR in the Chinese market and provides empirical evidence of this relationship in emerging markets.
Two aspects of knowledge transfer: what every manager should know about using analogy and narrative
Authors: Thomas Nobin
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Organizational scholars continue to study “knowledge” as an important organizational resource, and there is a good understanding that knowledge transfer can boost organizational performance significantly. The power of individuals in the knowledge transfer is well established, as they can transfer tacit as well as explicit knowledge. However, recent studies have shown that organizations fail to transfer knowledge adequately. The purpose of this paper is to look at alternative modes of knowledge transfer that are still underexplored in organizations. The author focuses on two modes of knowledge transfer from an individual perspective – analogy and narratives, though often neglected, but can be most powerful for managers in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This viewpoint is prepared by an independent writer who has amalgamated several other voices from different researchers/scholars and, finally, adds his own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

The significant progress that we have made in understanding the various nuances of knowledge transfer now translates to need for focus on areas that still have scope for further inquiry. Based on current literature review, it was found that the two modes of knowledge transfer – analogy and narratives – require greater attention by managers during communicating tacit knowledge, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and organizational change.

Research limitations/implications

Storytelling and analogy allow researchers to translate charts, facts and figures into an engaging narrative that enhances its reach beyond the specialists.

Practical implications

Narratives can be used for indirectly stating uncomfortable truths and rules of the game in a society, and thereby avoid possible conflicts.

Originality/value

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.
Application of SPH-FE method for fluid-structure interaction using immersed boundary method
Authors: Kalateh Farhoud , Koosheh Ali
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a new smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH)-finite element (FE) algorithm to study fluid–structure interaction (FSI) problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The fluid domain is discretized based on the theory of SPH), and solid part is solved through FE method, similar to other SPH-FE methods in the previous studies. Instead of master-slave technique, the interpolating (kernel) functions of immersed boundary method are implemented to couple fluid and solid domains. The procedure of modeling completely follows the classic IB framework where forces and velocities are transferred between interacting parts. Three benchmark FSI problems are simulated and the results are compared with those of similar numerical and experimental works.

Findings

The proposed SPH-FE algorithm with promising and acceptable results can be utilized as a reliable method to simulate FSI problems.

Originality/value

Contrary to most SPH-FE algorithms, the calculation of contact force is not required at interacting boundaries and no iterative process is proposed to calculate forces, velocities and positions at new time step.
There is plenty of time at the bottom: the economics, risk and ethics of time compression
Authors: Sandberg Anders
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The speed of computing and other automated processes plays an important role in how the world functions by causing “time compression”. This paper aims to review reasons to believe computation will continue to become faster in the future, the economic consequences of speedups and how these affect risk, ethics and governance.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief review of science and trends followed by an analysis of consequences.

Findings

Current computation is far from the physical limits in terms of processing speed. Algorithmic improvements may be equally powerful but cannot easily be predicted or bounded. Communication and sensing is already at the physical speed limits, although improvements in bandwidth will likely be significant. The value in these speedups lies in productivity gains, timeliness, early arrival of results and cybernetic feedback shifts. However, time compression can lead to loss of control owing to inability to track fast change, emergent or systemic risk and asynchrony. Speedups can also exacerbate inequalities between different agents and reduce safety if there are competitive pressures. Fast decisions are potentially not better decisions, as they may be made on little data.

Social implications

The impact on society and the challenge to governance are likely to be profound, requiring adapting new methods for managing fast-moving and technological risks.

Originality/value

The speed with which events happen is an important aspect of foresight, not just as a subject of prediction or analysis, but also as a driver of the kinds of dynamics that are possible.
LES-based simulation of the time-resolved flow for rotor-stator interactions in axial fan stages
Authors: Fernandez Oro Jesús Manuel , Meana-Fernández Andrés , Galdo Vega Monica , Pereiras Bruno , González Pérez José
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the development of a CFD methodology based on LES computations to analyze the rotor–stator interaction in an axial fan stage.

Design/methodology/approach

A wall-modeled large eddy simulation (WMLES) has been performed for a spanwise 3D extrusion of the central section of the fan stage. Computations were performed for three different operating conditions, from nominal (Q_N) to off-design (85 per cent Q_N and 70 per cent Q_N) working points. Circumferential periodic conditions were introduced to reduce the extent of the computational domain. The post-processing procedure enabled the segregation of unsteady deterministic features and turbulent scales. The simulations were experimentally validated using wake profiles and turbulent scales obtained from hot-wire measurements.

Findings

The transport of rotor wakes and both wake–vane and wake–wake interactions in the stator flow field have been analyzed. The description of flow separation, particularly at off-design conditions, is fully benefited from the LES performance. Rotor wakes impinging on the stator vanes generate a coherent large-scale vortex shedding at reduced frequencies. Large pressure fluctuations in the stagnation region on the leading edge of the vanes have been found.

Research limitations/implications

LES simulations have shown to be appropriate for the assessment of the design of an axial fan, especially for specific operating conditions for which a URANS model presents a lower performance for turbulence description.

Originality/value

This paper describes the development of an LES-based simulation to understand the flow mechanisms related to the rotor–stator interaction in axial fan stages.
Identification of conductivity in inhomogeneous orthotropic media
Authors: Mahmood Mohammed Shuker , Lesnic D.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to solve numerically the identification of the thermal conductivity of an inhomogeneous and possibly anisotropic medium from interior/internal temperature measurements.

Design/methodology/approach

The formulated coefficient identification problem is inverse and ill-posed, and therefore, to obtain a stable solution, a non-linear regularized least-squares approach is used. For the numerical discretization of the orthotropic heat equation, the finite-difference method is applied, while the non-linear minimization is performed using the MATLAB toolbox routine lsqnonlin.

Findings

Numerical results show the accuracy and stability of solution even in the presence of noise (modelling inexact measurements) in the input temperature data.

Research limitations/implications

The mathematical formulation uses temporal temperature measurements taken at many points inside the sample, and this may be too much information that is provided to identify a space-wise dependent only conductivity tensor.

Practical implications

As noisy data are inverted, the paper models real situations in which practical temperature measurements recorded using thermocouples are inherently contaminated with random noise.

Social implications

The identification of the conductivity of inhomogeneous and orthotropic media will be of great interest to the inverse problems community with applications in geophysics, groundwater flow and heat transfer.

Originality/value

The current investigation advances the field of coefficient identification problems by generalizing the conductivity to be anisotropic in addition of being heterogeneous. The originality lies in performing, for the first time, numerical simulations of inversion to find the orthotropic and inhomogeneous thermal conductivity from noisy temperature measurements. Further value and physical significance are brought in by determining the degree of cure in a resin transfer molding process, in addition to obtaining the inhomogeneous thermal conductivity of the tested material.
A novel multi-objective hybrid WIPSO-GSA algorithm-based optimal DG and capacitor planning for techno-economic benefits in radial distribution system
Authors: Rajendran Arulraj , Narayanan Kumarappan
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to optimally plan distributed generation (DG) and capacitor in distribution network by optimizing multiple conflicting operational objectives simultaneously so as to achieve enhanced operation of distribution system. The multi-objective optimization problem comprises three important objective functions such as minimization of total active power loss (Plosstotal), reduction of voltage deviation and balancing of current through feeder sections.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a hybrid configuration of weight improved particle swarm optimization (WIPSO) and gravitational search algorithm (GSA) called hybrid WIPSO-GSA algorithm is proposed in multi-objective problem domain. To solve multi-objective optimization problem, the proposed hybrid WIPSO-GSA algorithm is integrated with two components. The first component is fixed-sized archive that is responsible for storing a set of non-dominated pareto optimal solutions and the second component is a leader selection strategy that helps to update and identify the best compromised solution from the archive.

Findings

The proposed methodology is tested on standard 33-bus and Indian 85-bus distribution systems. The results attained using proposed multi-objective hybrid WIPSO-GSA algorithm provides potential technical and economic benefits and its best compromised solution outperforms other commonly used multi-objective techniques, thereby making it highly suitable for solving multi-objective problems.

Originality/value

A novel multi-objective hybrid WIPSO-GSA algorithm is proposed for optimal DG and capacitor planning in radial distribution network. The results demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed technique in improved distribution system planning and operation and also in achieving better optimized results than other existing multi-objective optimization techniques.
Externalities of home-ownership on entrepreneurship: empirical evidence
Authors: Laamanen Jani-Petri
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to examine the externalities from regional home-ownership to individual-level entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper links individual-level data from the Finnish Income Distribution Statistics for years 1990-1992 to regional home-ownership proportions. Probit models of entrepreneurship with regional home-ownership and appropriate control variables as regressors are estimated. A rental housing market deregulation experiment which caused exogenous variation in regions’ home-ownership is exploited to identify the causal effects on entrepreneurship.

Findings

Results show that higher home-ownership in a region leads to greater entrepreneurship. Further analyses together with the fact that homeownership tends to have detrimental labour market effects suggest that homeownership encourages entrepreneurship by leading to less paid work opportunities. These results are in line with those of earlier literature that self-employment and entrepreneurship, especially during bad economic times, are partly motivated by bad employment opportunities.

Originality/value

This study presents novel results on the externalities that home-ownership has on entrepreneurship. These externalities are shown to be important enough that they need to be considered when assessing the economic effects of various policies that affect the prevalence of owner-occupied housing. The instrumental variables’ estimates are the first causal estimates in the literature and the bias resulting from assuming exogeneity is shown to be nonnegligible.
Investigations of the three-dimensional temperature field of journal bearings considering conjugate heat transfer and cavitation
Authors: Li Qiang , Zhang Shuo , Wang Yujun , Xu Wei-Wei , Wang Zhenbo
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The growing demand of efficiency and economy has led to a dramatic increase of the operating speed of the journal bearing, with a higher temperature distribution. This paper aims to investigate the three-dimensional temperature distribution of journal bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

A thermo-hydrodynamic lubrication model of a journal bearing was established based on the full 3D CFD method. A two-sided wall was used to include the conjugate heat transfer effect. The temperature-dependent characteristics of lubrication and cavitation impact were also included. The simulation results well agreed with the experimental results. Based on this method, the three-dimensional temperature distribution was analyzed under different operating conditions.

Findings

The temperature distribution in the radial direction had a difference. An increase of speed and de-crease of inlet temperature promoted temperature differences in the higher temperature zone and the increasing temperature zone, respectively. However, the inlet pressure had less influence on these differences. The temperature distribution was basically the same at a lower bearing conductivity. As the conductivity increased, the radial temperature difference was increased.

Originality/value

The temperature distribution in the radial direction was found under different operating conditions, and the present research provides references to understand the three-dimensional temperature distribution of journal bearings.
Resource access mechanisms in networks and SME survival in Ghana
Authors: Acheampong George , Odoom Raphael , Anning-Dorson Thomas , Anim Patrick Amfo
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The study aims to determine the resource access mechanism in inter-firm networks that aids SME survival in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collect census data on a poultry cluster in Ghana and construct a directed network. The network is used to extract direct and indirect ties both incoming and outgoing, as well as estimate the structural holes of the actors. These variables are used to estimate for survival of SMEs after a one-year period using a binary logit model.

Findings

The study finds that out-indirect ties and structural hole have a significant influence on SME survival. This works through the global influence and the vision advantage that these positions and ties offer the SMEs.

Originality/value

The study offers SMEs a choice of whom to collaborate with for information (resources) in the form of outgoing and incoming ties at both the global and local level.
A literature review of routine maintenance in high-rise residential buildings
Authors: Au-Yong Cheong Peng , Ali Azlan Shah , Chua Shirley Jin Lin
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Facilities management plays a significant role in the housing industry to support human daily routine and enhancing the productivity of the activities in and around the residential. Nonetheless, facilities management has not been readily encouraged or adopted by the Government in Malaysia in any structured way. The maintenance approaches adopted are mostly corrective which resulting poor service delivery, poor user satisfaction and endless maintenance backlogs. Thus, this paper aims to review the implementation of preventive maintenance and importance of routine maintenance frequency for the building facilities and services in high-rise residential buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review published in between 1987 to 2016 has been carried out on the implementation of preventive maintenance strategy specifically routine maintenance. The building facilities and services which are divided into essential and value-added were identified and tabulated systematically to further form a theoretical framework to demonstrate the association between routine maintenance of building facilities and services and maintenance outcome.

Findings

The findings of the study argued that the routine maintenance might affect the maintenance performance. Future research is proposed to investigate the optimal frequency of routine maintenance to enhance maintenance performance.

Originality/value

This study identified the importance of routine maintenance by providing the classification of facilities and services, which fundamentally support future research to improve the maintenance management of high-rise residential building.
Does PTSD predict institutional violence within a UK male prison population?
Authors: McCallum Kirsten
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Given the amount of research examining the association between trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with aggression and violence, few studies have focussed on a UK prison population. Additionally, few have examined the relationship between PTSD symptoms, aggression and violence perpetrated in custody. The purpose of this paper is to explore the association between PTSD and violence against the person in prison, and the association between PTSD and having a conviction for violence against the person.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consisted of 110 participants from a male prison in England (young offenders and adult prisoners). They were assessed for PTSD symptoms using the Detailed Assessment of Posttraumatic Stress (DAPS; Briere, 2001), their criminal history and custodial behaviour was analysed.

Findings

The findings revealed that symptoms of PTSD were significantly associated with violence in prison, however, symptoms of PTSD were not found to be significantly associated with having a violent conviction. Further analysis using logistic regression found having a violent conviction, age and PTSD symptoms were significant predictors of violence in prison.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study are the reliance on a self-report measure to assess symptoms of PTSD, the small sample size and the absence of a control group.

Practical implications

The results highlighted the need for staff training and the availability of a service to assess and treat PTSD. This would increase the well-being of offenders and support the current HM Prison Service violence reduction strategies.

Originality/value

This study provides new research into the UK prison population.
The WTO practice of legality is ensuring transparency for self-enforcing trade
Authors: Altamimi Abdulmalik
Published: October 2018

Purpose

One of the core objectives of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is to maintain a practice of legality, including guaranteeing state and non-state actors interact based on the world trade norms. In seeking to achieve this objective, the WTO aims to uphold the trade rule of law by emphasising compliance with specified rules and procedures during the accession process, dispute settlement and trade policy review. This study aims to review these compliance procedures by invoking the interactional international law concept of a community of legal practice. Second, it briefly illuminates Chad Bown’s proposal to establish an institute for assessing WTO commitments to improve member states’ remit to detect, challenge and deter noncompliance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on Jutta Brunnée and Stephen Toope’s Interactional Theory of International Law.

Findings

There is a strong link between transparency and enforcement in WTO law. The efficacy of the WTO law depends not only on its role in adjudication, but also on facilitating interactional legal practices, within and outside the WTO.

Originality/value

This paper offers an original analysis of the practices of compliance with WTO obligations and illuminates a new proposal for improving compliance. To attract and maintain compliance, the WTO needs to facilitate transparent interactional legal practices for states and non-state actors.
An empirical examination of the determinants of audit report delay in France
Authors: Khoufi Nouha , Khoufi Walid
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the determinants of delay in publishing audited reports.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is conducted on a sample of French listed companies, covering the period of five years (from 2010 to 2014). The authors use pooled ordinary least squares regression analysis, modeling audit delay as a function of the following explanatory variables relating to the attributes of companies and their auditors.

Findings

A statistically significant association is found between audit delay and type of audit firm, audit opinion, firm size, the month of year-end and profitability. The results suggest that audit delay lag is reduced by appointing an international audit firm but is extended by aspects of qualified audit opinion.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is to investigate audit report in a developed capital market by taking advantage of access to proprietary data on audit timing and audit opinion. This allowed to overcome some of the problems of data quality that inhibit importing research methods from France to other advanced capital markets.
Related-party transactions: a review of the regulation, governance and auditing literature
Authors: El-Helaly Moataz
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Several studies, especially in Asian economies, have investigated the antecedents, implications and consequences of related-party transactions (RPTs). This paper aims to review this literature to collate, gauge and critically discuss understandings of the relationship between RPTs and risk, with a particular focus on audit risk.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses RPTs and how they have been associated with corporate scandals and the expropriation of shareholders’ wealth. RPTs are defined as per accounting standards and the main types of RPTs are described based on the extant literature. Two key research design issues are discussed: measures used to operationalize RPTs and observable variations in sample size across RPT studies. Evidence is presented on the negative effects of RPTs and the role of regulation, corporate governance and auditing in reducing risks.

Findings

Prior studies have associated RPTs with the expropriation of shareholders’ wealth, declining firm valuations, lower-quality financial reporting, increased risk of material misstatements and decreases in long-term firm performance. Further, the evidence suggests that regulation, corporate governance and auditing can mitigate the negative effects of RPTs.

Practical implications

This paper provides insights for regulators on the effects of enforcement, corporate governance and external audits on reducing the negative effects of RPTs, and highlights the increased risk of material misstatements in financial statements when RPTs are conducted. Moreover, it reveals how RPTs affect risk assessments for auditors.

Originality/value

This paper represents the first comprehensive review of the empirical RPT literature. It provides a starting point for future investigations of RPTs, not least because it reveals important limitations with the extant body of research in this domain. It also offers salient insights and implications for practitioners and policy makers.