bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A mathematical model of marine bacteriophage evolution
Authors: Pagliarini Silvia , Korobeinikov Andrei
Published: March 2018

To explore how particularities of a host cell–virus system, and in particular host cell replication, affect viral evolution, in this paper we formulate a mathematical model of marine bacteriophage evolution. The intrinsic simplicity of real-life phage–bacteria systems, and in particular aquatic systems, for which the assumption of homogeneous mixing is well justified, allows for a reasonably simple model. The model constructed in this paper is based upon the Beretta–Kuang model of bacteria–phage interaction in an aquatic environment (Beretta & Kuang 1998Math. Biosci.149, 57–76. (doi:10.1016/S0025-5564(97)10015-3)). Compared to the original Beretta–Kuang model, the model assumes the existence of a multitude of viral variants which correspond to continuously distributed phenotypes. It is noteworthy that the model is mechanistic (at least as far as the Beretta–Kuang model is mechanistic). Moreover, this model does not include any explicit law or mechanism of evolution; instead it is assumed, in agreement with the principles of Darwinian evolution, that evolution in this system can occur as a result of random mutations and natural selection. Simulations with a simplistic linear fitness landscape (which is chosen for the convenience of demonstration only and is not related to any real-life system) show that a pulse-type travelling wave moving towards increasing Darwinian fitness appears in the phenotype space. This implies that the overall fitness of a viral quasi-species steadily increases with time. That is, the simulations demonstrate that for an uneven fitness landscape random mutations combined with a mechanism of natural selection (for this particular system this is given by the conspecific competition for the resource) lead to the Darwinian evolution. It is noteworthy that in this system the speed of propagation of this wave (and hence the rate of evolution) is not constant but varies, depending on the current viral fitness and the abundance of susceptible bacteria. A specific feature of the original Beretta–Kuang model is that this model exhibits a supercritical Hopf bifurcation, leading to the loss of stability and the rise of self-sustained oscillations in the system. This phenomenon corresponds to the paradox of enrichment in the system. It is remarkable that under the conditions that ensure the bifurcation in the Beretta-Kuang model, the viral evolution model formulated in this paper also exhibits a rise in self-sustained oscillations of the abundance of all interacting populations. The propagation of the travelling wave, however, remains stable under these conditions. The only visible impact of the oscillations on viral evolution is a lower speed of the evolution.
Quadrupedal locomotor simulation: producing more realistic gaits using dual-objective optimization
Authors: Sellers William Irvin , Hirasaki Eishi
Published: March 2018

In evolutionary biomechanics it is often considered that gaits should evolve to minimize the energetic cost of travelling a given distance. In gait simulation this goal often leads to convincing gait generation. However, as the musculoskeletal models used get increasingly sophisticated, it becomes apparent that such a single goal can lead to extremely unrealistic gait patterns. In this paper, we explore the effects of requiring adequate lateral stability and show how this increases both energetic cost and the realism of the generated walking gait in a high biofidelity chimpanzee musculoskeletal model. We also explore the effects of changing the footfall sequences in the simulation so it mimics both the diagonal sequence walking gaits that primates typically use and also the lateral sequence walking gaits that are much more widespread among mammals. It is apparent that adding a lateral stability criterion has an important effect on the footfall phase relationship, suggesting that lateral stability may be one of the key drivers behind the observed footfall sequences in quadrupedal gaits. The observation that single optimization goals are no longer adequate for generating gait in current models has important implications for the use of biomimetic virtual robots to predict the locomotor patterns in fossil animals.
Diversity of late Neogene Monachinae (Carnivora, Phocidae) from the North Atlantic, with the description of two new species
Authors: Dewaele Leonard , Peredo Carlos Mauricio , Meyvisch Pjotr , Louwye Stephen
Published: March 2018

While the diversity of ‘southern seals’, or Monachinae, in the North Atlantic realm is currently limited to the Mediterranean monk seal,Monachus monachus, their diversity was much higher during the late Miocene and Pliocene. Although the fossil record of Monachinae from the North Atlantic is mainly composed of isolated specimens, many taxa have been erected on the basis of fragmentary and incomparable specimens. The humerus is commonly considered the most diagnostic postcranial bone. The research presented in this study limits the selection of type specimens for different fossil Monachinae to humeri and questions fossil taxa that have other types of bones as type specimens, such as forTerranectes parvus. In addition, it is essential that the humeri selected as type specimens are (almost) complete. This questions the validity of partial humeri selected as type specimens, such as forTerranectes magnus. This study revisesCallophoca obscura,Homiphoca capensisandPliophoca etrusca, all purportedly known from the Lee Creek Mine, Aurora, North Carolina, in addition to their respective type localities in Belgium, South Africa and Italy, respectively.C. obscurais retained as a monachine seal taxon that lived both on the east coast of North America and in the North Sea Basin. However,H. capensisfrom North America cannot be identified beyond the genus level, and specimens previously assigned toPl. etruscafrom North America clearly belong to different taxa. Indeed, we also present new material and describe two new genera of late Miocene and Pliocene Monachinae from the east coast of North America:Auroraphoca atlanticanov. gen. et nov. sp., andVirginiaphoca magurainov. gen. et nov. sp. This suggests less faunal interchange of late Neogene Monachinae between the east and west coasts of the North Atlantic than previously expected.
Maternal modulation of paternal effects on offspring development
Authors: Mashoodh Rahia , Habrylo Ireneusz B. , Gudsnuk Kathryn M. , Pelle Geralyn , Champagne Frances A.
Published: March 2018

The paternal transmission of environmentally induced phenotypes across generations has been reported to occur following a number of qualitatively different exposures and appear to be driven, at least in part, by epigenetic factors that are inherited via the sperm. However, previous studies of paternal germline transmission have not addressed the role of mothers in the propagation of paternal effects to offspring. We hypothesized that paternal exposure to nutritional restriction would impact male mate quality and subsequent maternal reproductive investment with consequences for the transmission of paternal germline effects. In the current report, using embryo transfer in mice, we demonstrate that sperm factors in adult food restricted males can influence growth rate, hypothalamic gene expression and behaviour in female offspring. However, under natural mating conditions females mated with food restricted males show increased pre- and postnatal care, and phenotypic outcomes observed during embryo transfer conditions are absent or reversed. We demonstrate that these compensatory changes in maternal investment are associated with a reduced mate preference for food restricted males and elevated gene expression within the maternal hypothalamus. Therefore, paternal experience can influence offspring development via germline inheritance, but mothers can serve as a modulating factor in determining the impact of paternal influences on offspring development.
A learning-based framework for miRNA-disease association identification using neural networks
Authors: Peng Jiajie , Hui Weiwei , Li Qianqian , Chen Bolin , Jiang Qinghua , Shang Xuequn , Wei Zhongyu
Published: March 2018

Motivation

A microRNA (miRNA) is a type of non-coding RNA, which plays important roles in many biological processes. Lots of studies have shown that miRNAs are implicated in human diseases, indicating that miRNAs might be potential biomarkers for various types of diseases. Therefore, it is important to reveal the relationships between miRNAs and diseases/phenotypes.

Results

We propose a novel learning-based framework, MDA-CNN, for miRNA-disease association identification. The model first captures richer interaction features between diseases and miRNAs based on a three-layer network with an additional gene layer. Then, it employs an auto-encoder to identify the essential feature combination for each pair of miRNA and disease automatically. Finally, taking the reduced feature representation as input, it uses a convolutional neural network to predict the final label. The evaluation results show that the proposed framework outperforms some state-of-the-art approaches in a large margin on both tasks of miRNA-disease association prediction and miRNA-phenotype association prediction.

Availability

The source code and data are available athttps://github.com/Issingjessica/MDA-CNN.

Contact

jiajiepeng@nwpu.edu.cn;shang@nwpu.edu.cn;zywei@fudan.edu.cn

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available atBioinformaticsonline.
Fostering the next generation of sustainability leadership
Authors: Feagan Mathieu Lawrence
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore graduate student experiences of ecohealth communities of practice in Canada, West and Central Africa and Central America, to better understand the role of student knowledge in advancing innovative practices in transdisciplinary, participatory and equitable research approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

This ethnographic analysis builds on observations of graduate student participants in ecohealth communities of practice activities, along with 26 in-depth interviews conducted in 2011 with graduate students and professionals trained in ecosystem approaches to health. Interviews are transcribed by the author, and coded and analyzed using a grounded theory approach.

Findings

Although ecohealth communities of practice open new space for students to experiment with innovative practices in transdisciplinary, participatory and equitable research approaches, the surrounding disciplinary, top-down structure of academic and professional careers continue to pose significant obstacles to how students can take up the principles of ecohealth in practice. Through their collective experiences of these obstacles, students have considerable knowledge about the opportunities and constraints that the ecohealth communities of practice afford; however, this student knowledge has not yet been systematized or adequately mobilized.

Practical implications

Student knowledge gained through shared experiences of ecohealth communities of practice appears to be a critical, necessary and underused component in working on systemic change in the structure of sustainability leadership in higher education. However, more research is needed to understand how greater emphasis could be placed on putting students in charge of confronting the conditions of their own training, to collectively produce alternatives that challenge dominant structural norms.

Originality/value

The ethnographic approach re-centers student voices within debates about the relevance of ecohealth communities of practice for realizing the aims of transdisciplinary, participatory and equitable research approaches within the context of international sustainability challenges and graduate training.
Selection of optimal noise filtering technique for guided waves in diagnosis of structural cracks
Authors: Sharma Ambuj , Kumar Sandeep , Tyagi Amit
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The presence of random noise as well as narrow band coherent noise makes the structural health monitoring a really challenging issue and to achieve efficient structural health assessment methodology, very good extraction of noise and analysis of the signals are essential. The purpose of this paper is to provide optimal noise filtering technique for Lamb waves in the diagnosis of structural singularities.

Design/methodology/approach

Filtration of time-frequency information of multimode Lamb waves through the noisy signal is investigated in the present analysis using matched filtering technique and wavelet denoising methods. Using Shannon’s entropy criterion, the optimal wavelet function is selected and verification is made via the analysis of root mean square error of filtered signal.

Findings

The authors propose wavelet matched filter method, a combination of the wavelet transform and matched filtering method, which can significantly improve the accuracy of the filtered signal and identify relatively small damage, especially in enormously noisy data. Correlation coefficient and root mean square error are additionally computed for performance evaluation of the filters.

Originality/value

The present study provides detailed information about various noise filtering methods and a first attempt to apply the combination of the different techniques in signal processing for the structural health monitoring application. A comparative study is performed using the statistical tool to know whether filtered signals obtained through three different methods are acceptable and practicable for guided wave application or not.
Calculation on the flexural stiffness of the section of PC hollow slab beam in the life cycle
Authors: Liu Jinliang , Jia Yanmin , Zhang Guanhua , Wang Jiawei
Published: March 2018

Purpose

During service period, due to the overload or other non-load factors, cracks of the pre-stressed concrete beam are seriously affecting the safety of the bridge structure. The purpose of this paper is to quickly realize the bearing capacity and the loss of the section stiffness through fracture characteristics and make correct judgments.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the flexural failure test of two test beams: collecting data of fracture characteristics and section stiffness loss value. According to the fracture characteristic data, the flexural stiffness of the section is obtained by the nonlinear calculation method, and the results are verified by test data. Data regression method is used to establish the section flexural stiffness loss ratio calculation formula, nominal tensile strain at the bottom edge of the cross-section used as a variable factor, and the accuracy of this formula is verified by comparing the flexural failure test results of pre-stressed hollow plates.

Findings

The loss of the flexural stiffness of section shows the decrease trend of first-fast-then-slow and the structural stiffness is sensitive to the initial cracking of beam. The calculation formula on the loss ratio of the flexural stiffness of section established with the nominal tensile stress at the bottom edge of beam as a variable is accurate and feasible, it realizes the possibility of assessing the stiffness loss of pre-stressed concrete structure by adopting the statistic parameters on crack characteristics.

Originality/value

A method for quickly determine the stiffness loss of structures by using fracture characteristics is established, and using this method, engineers can quickly determine whether a bridge is a dangerous bridge, without loading test. So, this method not only ensures the safety of human life, but also saves money.
Elastic wave dispersion and attenuation caused by multiple types of disc-shaped inclusions
Authors: Mykhas’kiv Victor , Kunets Yaroslav , Matus Valeriy , Khay Oksana
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to numerically investigate time-harmonic elastic wave propagation with the analysis of effective wave velocities and attenuation coefficients in a three-dimensional elastic composite consisting of infinite matrix and uniformly distributed soft, low-contrast and absolutely rigid disc-shaped micro-inclusions.

Design/methodology/approach

Within the assumptions of longitudinal mode of a propagating wave as well as dilute concentration and parallel orientation of inclusions in an infinite elastic matrix, Foldy’s dispersion relation is applied for introducing a complex and frequency-dependent wavenumber of homogenized structure. Then, the effective wave velocities and attenuation coefficients are directly defined from the real and imaginary parts of wavenumber, respectively. Included there a far-field forward scattering amplitude by a single low-contrast inclusion given in an analytical form, while for the other types of single scatterers it is determined from the numerical solution of boundary integral equations relative to the displacement jumps across the surfaces of soft inclusion and the stress jumps across the surfaces of rigid inclusion.

Findings

On the frequency dependencies, characteristic extremes of the effective wave velocities and attenuation coefficients are revealed and analyzed for different combinations of the filling ratios of involved types of inclusions. Anisotropic dynamic behavior of composite is demonstrated by the consideration of wave propagation in perpendicular and tangential directions relatively to the plane of inclusions. Specific frequencies are revealed for the first case of wave propagation, at which inclusion rigidities do not affect the effective wave parameters.

Originality/value

This paper develops a micromechanical study that provides a deeper understanding of the effect of thin-walled inclusions of diversified rigidities on elastic wave propagation in a three-dimensional composite. Described wave dispersion and attenuation regularities are important for the non-destructive testing of composite materials by ultrasonics.
Design and development of a test rig to investigate the load-deflection characteristics of helical spring lock washers
Authors: Wagh Hemant Krishnarao , Desale Girish R.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The helical spring lock washer (HSLW) is a part of nut bolt joint assembly used in different industries like automobile, aerospace, mechanical, chemical, electrical, electronics, etc. It works as a part of temporary joint and plays important role in loosening behavior of assembly under dynamic (vibrations) conditions. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of HSLW under different controlled operating conditions in order to satisfy its functional requirement.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present investigation, a novel test rig is designed and developed to determine the load-deflection characteristics of HSLWs. The test rig facilitates the controlled linear displacement of the HSLW with predetermined angular rotation of the handle gives the corresponding reaction load on the display. Additionally, the repeatability and reproducibility of the test rig was carried out.

Findings

The newly designed and developed test rig is capable enough to differentiate the load-deflection characteristics during compressive loading and unloading of HSLWs. Additionally, the loss of strain energy can be determined from the load-deflection characteristics of HSLW.

Originality/value

The present test rig is designed and developed to investigate the load-deflection characteristics under compressive loading and unloading of HSLW. The test rig has least count of 0.4905 N for load measurement and 0.01389 mm for linear displacement.
Tackling fraud effectively in central government departments
Authors: Gilbert Michael , Wakefield Alison
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Fraud has a significant effect on society. It has been estimated to cost the UK economy more than £50bn annually. The Government have signalled their determination to tackle these losses through a range of preventative, enforcement and collaborative activities. Diminishing police resources allocated to fraud means that this activity will need to be delivered by both law enforcement and civilian counter fraud teams. This paper aims to establish whether UK central government organisations have the legal powers, skills and regulation needed to tackle fraud effectively.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was based upon a literature review, which included academic and other material, a semi-structured interview programme and a survey of counter fraud champions.

Findings

Empirical data suggested that the effectiveness of central government civilian counter fraud teams is hampered by a fragmented legal landscape and a lack of skills, and that further professionalisation and regulation is needed to protect professional standards and individual legal rights.

Research limitations/implications

Postal survey had 50 per cent response rate – below gold standard of 70 per cent.

Practical implications

There are no practical implications, as this is a topical research area which is intended to inform counter fraud practice and development.

Social implications

This research highlights limitations on the UK central government’s ability to tackle fraud. There is therefore a low risk that, when published, this research could inform those considering fraudulent actions.

Originality/value

This research was undertaken for a professional doctorate and has been sent to the Cabinet Office to inform their professionalisation programme. It filled a potential gap in the academic literature by looking at the perceived powers, skills and regulatory pressures in place within the UK central government and the extent of the current gap between current practice and the delivery of a fully professionalised service.
Fraud prevention initiatives in the Nigerian public sector
Authors: Abdullahi Rabiu , Mansor Noorhayati
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Detecting and preventing fraud are challenging and risky tasks, especially in a fast developing economy such as Nigeria. The efforts become crucial in the government sectors, as they involve public’s trust and resources. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between the fraud incidence and the elements of fraud triangle theory (FTT) with the aim of combating current fraud outrages in the Nigerian public sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted and 302 questionnaires were distributed to the staff of the departments of accounting, internal auditing and investigation of ten selected ministries, departments and agencies of Kano State, Nigeria. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The study reveals a significant relationship between three elements of FTT and fraud incidences in the Nigerian public sectors (p-value < 0.001 for pressure and opportunity and p-value = 0.024 for rationalization).

Practical implications

The findings of the study are useful for forensic accountants and the Nigerian anti-graft bodies to enhance existing control mechanisms in fraud prevention initiatives. The research also contributes to bridge the gap in academic theory and empirical study related to FTT.

Social implications

Fraud scandals can cause public’s frustration, damage the reputation and integrity of the ruling government and result in negative image of the public sector.

Originality/value

Accordingly, the study suggests a salary scale reform (SSR) in the Nigerian public sector and improvement in fringe benefits to increase employees’ standard of living. The study concludes with recommendations to enhance fraud awareness and training programs to the government employees.
Madoff’s Ponzi investment fraud: a social capital analysis
Authors: Manning Paul
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The social network analysis of criminal networks at both the ego and socio-centric level is well established. This purpose of this study is to expand this literature with a social capital analysis of a criminal network. The focus of the analysis will be the recent egregious investment fraud of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities (BLMIS).

Design/methodology/approach

This research involves a case study of the BLMIS financial fraud. The article uses a social capital theoretical lens, with archival sources taken from the court records of Madoff v. NY to include victim impact statements and the defendant’s Plea Allocution.

Findings

Financial crime literature can be expanded with a social capital analysis which facilitates a socio-economic analysis of ego-centric criminal networks.

Research limitations/implications

Each financial crime is of its time; however, there are recurring socio-economic network characteristics that could be applied to develop an understanding of criminal networks.

Practical implications

Any understanding of financial crime, including contemporary instances of criminal innovation, such as cyber-crime, can be enhanced with a social capital analysis of criminal networks.

Originality/value

A social capital analysis of financial crime draws attention to “human factors” in criminal networks that are integral to this form of crime.
Moving in the right direction to fight financial crime: prevention and detection
Authors: Fauzi Fitriya , Szulczyk Kenneth , Basyith Abdul
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify current measures taken for financial crime’s prevention and detection in the context of Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on data from articles in Indonesian newspapers relating to the current financial crimes, current measures of preventing financial crimes in Indonesia and based on the literature review.

Findings

There are some attempts to combat financial crimes in Indonesia, both internally and externally. The attempts that have been made for the internal scope are the enactment of anti-money laundering law, the new monitoring system of financial institutions and the formation of a superintendent institution. The attempts that have been made for the external scope are the agreement between Indonesia’ financial intelligence unit Pusat Pelaporan dan Analisis Transaksi Keuangan (PPATK), and other countries’s financial intelligence unit, the affiliation member of the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) to combat financial crimes through strengthening its anti-money laundering and terror financing capabilities.

Originality/value

This paper presents an overview of current prevention and detection measures in the context of Indonesia, and it is hoped that this paper will contribute to the current discussion of eliminating financial crimes.
A public perception study on bribery as a crime in Turkey
Authors: Benk Serkan , McGee Robert W. , Budak Tamer
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the perception of Turkish citizens of the severity of bribery relative to other crimes and violations.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was administered to 545 Turkish people respondents. A five-point Likert scale that measures attitudes and behaviors using answer choices was used to categorize the degree of seriousness of each crime for data analysis.

Findings

The results of the study show that bribery ranked 16th among the 33 offences surveyed, that is, it lies in the middle in terms of seriousness. The results also indicate that the average person views bribery as not a very serious crime. When compared to violent crimes, bribery is significantly less serious. As for the property crimes, bribery is significantly less serious than arson and carjacking, but it significantly more serious than damage to public property, shoplifting and bike theft. When compared to white-collar crimes, bribery is remarkably less serious than embezzlement and appreciably more serious than welfare fraud, insider trading, child labor, minimum wage and insurance fraud. The results of this study are substantial; general public do not perceive bribe as a serious crime.

Originality/value

This is an important study in relation to Turkey. This is as a pioneer study that indicates the relationship between bribery as a crime and other offences in Turkey. The results of this study should be useful to policy-makers in Turkey and elsewhere. Another important sight of this study is the fact that the results show different correlations with similar studies put through in the other countries. According to the studies, bribery was the least serious crime in Australia and New Zealand; it ranked in the middle in terms of seriousness in Mexico, similar to Turkey; and it was also less serious than the average offense in the USA.
Greed of the elite; capital flight from a fragile country: case of Burundi
Authors: Ndoricimpa Arcade
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This study aims to undertake an institutional analysis of capital flight and examine the drivers of capital flight from Burundi.

Design/methodology/approach

Given the episodes of political instability and poor governance which have characterized Burundi’s landscape in the past decades, coupled with macroeconomic instability which has been prevailing, political, economic and institutional factors are used to explain the trend and magnitude of capital flight which were recorded. An econometric analysis using robust least squares is also used to examine the determinants of capital flight from Burundi.

Findings

The estimation results seem to be sensitive to capital flight measurement used, but in general, they suggest that external debt, political instability and wars, as well as exports, are the main drivers of capital flight from Burundi.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study imply that to discourage capital flight, the government of Burundi should promote peace and political stability. In addition, more responsibility, more transparency and accountability are required from the government of Burundi in managing resources from external debt. Moreover, some actions are needed to fight trade misinvoicing, which was seen to be a major channel of capital flight from Burundi. It is however to be acknowledged that our econometric analysis results might not be robust because of data limitations related to data availability on capital flight for only the period 1985-2013.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing capital flight literature in two ways. First, by undertaking the first ever country-specific study focusing on Burundi, and second, by undertaking an institutional analysis of capital flight to understand the political, economic and institutional issues behind capital flight from Burundi. The focus in this study is on Burundi because of the burden that capital flight imposes on the country already impoverished.
Inventory control weaknesses – a case study of lubricant manufacturing company
Authors: Karim Norazira Abd , Nawawi Anuar , Salin Ahmad Saiful Azlin Puteh
Published: March 2018

Purpose

For a manufacturing company, inventory control and management is crucial to ensure smooth production and sustainable sales performance, as well as preventing stockout that will result in customer switch to competitors. This paper aims to examine the effectiveness of cycle count activities, one of the inventory control tools to manage inventory. Beside, this study also wishes to identify any loopholes in practices and procedures in inventory control of companies.

Design/methodology/approach

One of the lubricant manufacturing companies in Malaysia was selected as a case study and mixed method data collection of document analysis and observation were used. The analysis and examination was conducted by using Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission Framework 2013 as guidance.

Findings

This study found that problems in inventory control can be caused by inconsistency of practices due to incomplete or absent standard operating procedures. Furthermore, no segregation of duties and excessive reliance on one person to conduct many tasks will lead to human error and fraud.

Research limitations/implications

This paper enhances the theoretical understanding on the inventory control and management system applied in the manufacturing organization particularly. However, frequent changes of the management in the organization of the case study make the study difficult to obtain consistent information. Not all standard operating procedures were revised or updated and available for examination. In addition, some of the reports needed for investigation are confidential and requests to observe and scrutinize information from those documents are denied by the company. Thus, more in-depth analysis and verification on the issues of interest were unable to be conducted.

Practical implications

This study provides an indicator that cycle count activities need to be conducted frequently on a regular basis so that the physical inventory and recording system are accurate. Cycle count activities also must involves various related departments in the company in which regular training is essential to ensure employees are aware and understand their responsibility and accountability on the inventory.

Originality/value

This study is original as it focuses on the inventory control management of one of the largest lubricant manufacturing in Malaysia, particularly on cycle count activities which is scare in literature. Furthermore, the company allows research access to the documents and operations conducted in the company, which is usually difficult to obtain from many companies.
Knowledge centricity and organizational performance: an empirical study of the performing arts
Authors: Vakharia Neville , Vecco Marilena , Srakar Andrej , Janardhan Divya
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This paper explores the concepts of knowledge-centric organizations in the performing arts sector to understand how specific organizational practices relate to measures of financial and operational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative analysis of 368 small and mid-sized nonprofit performing arts organizations in the USA was undertaken via primary data on organizational practices and secondary data on performance metrics. Structural equation modeling was used to validate the latent construct of knowledge centricity and to test hypotheses on how knowledge centricity impacts financial and operational performance, and is influenced by firm-level demographic variables.

Findings

Results show several distinct performance metrics that are statistically associated with knowledge-centric practices of the organizations analyzed.

Research limitations/implications

This article investigates the knowledge centricity of organizations, a relatively nascent theoretical concept, which is of significant relevance in today’s knowledge-driven economy. The findings can serve as a basis to further investigate strategic approaches that arts organizations can undertake to remain sustainable and operate effectively in a knowledge-driven society.

Practical/implications

It provides critical insights into management practices and approaches that can be instituted to drive improved organizational performance.

Originality/value

Building on the extant literature, this article develops a conceptual framework of knowledge centricity and defines a knowledge-centric organization. It thoroughly investigates the latent construct of knowledge centricity, identifies how knowledge centricity impacts financial and operational performance of nonprofit performing arts organizations, and provides grounding for future studies.
Linking work-family interference, workplace incivility, gender and psychological distress
Authors: Abubakar A. Mohammed
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Drawing on COR theory, the purpose of this paper is to contribute to the scarce literature of work-family interference, workplace incivility, gender and psychological distress at the practical and academic juncture.

Design/methodology/approach

The linear (structural equation modeling (SEM)) and non-linear (artificial neural network (ANN)) techniques were applied to the survey data from a sample of Nigerian health workers (n=447) to investigate the relationships between the aforementioned variables.

Findings

The results from SEM and ANN revealed that work-family conflict (WFC), family-work conflict, supervisor incivility and coworker incivility have positive impacts on psychological distress. A multi-group moderation analysis suggests that women were more likely to experience psychological distress.

Originality/value

The work-family interference and incivility are pervasive and gendered problems in the workplace. This paper strives to enhance the understanding of the nature of the relationship in an African work setting. The implications for making the workplace better and safer are discussed.
Explicit preferred leader behaviours across cultures
Authors: Littrell Romie Frederick , Warner-Soderholm Gillian , Minelgaite Inga , Ahmadi Yaghoub , Dalati Serene , Bertsch Andrew , Kuskova Valentina
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a reliable and valid field survey research instrument to assess national cultural cognitive templates of preferred leader behaviour dimensions to facilitate education, development, and training of managerial leaders operating across diverse organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study consists of focus group evaluations of the validity and the translations to local languages of a survey instrument assessing leader behaviour preferences in business organisations.

Findings

The studies find that the survey instrument and its translations are valid and reliable for assessing preferred leader behaviour across national cultures. The length of the survey is problematic, and a new project is underway to produce a shorter version with equivalent reliability and validity.

Research limitations/implications

As the research project is long term, at this point, a relatively long survey is available for research, with a shorter version planned for the future.

Practical implications

Practical implications include producing and validating a field survey research instrument that is reliable and valid across cultures and languages, and can be employed to improve the understanding, development, and education of managers and leaders of international business organisations.

Social implications

Management and leadership processes are employed in all aspects of life, and can be better understood and improved through this research project.

Originality/value

The majority of cross-cultural research is leader-centric studies of implicit leader characteristics; this project expands the scope of studies further into follower-centric studies of observed leader behaviour.
Electronic communication in the workplace: boon or bane?
Authors: Stich Jean-François , Tarafdar Monideepa , Cooper Cary L.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review technostress-related challenges arising out of workplace communication, for employees and organizations, and to provide suggestions for taking these challenges on.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an overview of current research and practice in the area of technostress-related challenges workplace communication.

Findings

Employees face technostress challenges relating to workplace communication in the form of technology overload, interruptions and work-home interferences. Organizations have to strike a balance between giving employees the technology they want and protecting them from these challenges. Several interventions to strike such balance are reviewed and commented on.

Practical implications

The paper gives practitioners an accessible overview of current research and practice in the area of technostress from workplace communication such as e-mail. A number of practical interventions are reviewed and commented on, which could help employees tackle such challenges.

Originality/value

Although this paper reviews state-of-the-art research, it is written in an accessible and practitioner-oriented style, which should be found valuable by readers with limited time but urgency to deal with technostress challenges arising out of workplace communication.
Sponsees: the silent side of sponsorship research
Authors: Toscani Giulio , Prendergast Gerard
Published: March 2018

Purpose

To date the vast majority of sponsorship research has focused on the perspective of sponsors. The purpose of this paper is to use this research to identify factors that sponsored institutions and organizations (sponsees) should be cognizant of before entering into a sponsorship arrangement, and to propose a research agenda based on these factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors leverage sponsorship research that has been published in business journals with an impact factor above 0.5 (Reuters, 2015).

Findings

This paper argues that sponsees should be aware of the benefits that sponsorship brings to sponsors so that they can better appeal to potential sponsors. A sponsee also needs to be aware of the impact a sponsorship partnership may have on its own brand, image, and equity.

Research limitations/implications

This is a conceptual paper grounded in the literature that aims to stimulate further research in the domain of sponsorship and provide deeper understanding for sponsees. Empirical research addressing the research questions posed is required.

Practical implications

In a holistic manner, this literature review offers insights into factors that sponsees should consider before entering a sponsorship relationship.

Originality/value

Previous research in the sponsorship domain has focused primarily on dyadic sponsors. This paper considers sponsorship from the sponsee’s perspective.
A review on quality control in additive manufacturing
Authors: Kim Hoejin , Lin Yirong , Tseng Tzu-Liang Bill
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The usage of additive manufacturing (AM) technology in industries has reached up to 50 per cent as prototype or end-product. However, for AM products to be directly used as final products, AM product should be produced through advanced quality control process, which has a capability to be able to prove and reach their desire repeatability, reproducibility, reliability and preciseness. Therefore, there is a need to review quality-related research in terms of AM technology and guide AM industry in the future direction of AM development.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper overviews research progress regarding the QC in AM technology. The focus of the study is on manufacturing quality issues and needs that are to be developed and optimized, and further suggests ideas and directions toward the quality improvement for future AM technology. This paper is organized as follows. Section 2 starts by conducting a comprehensive review of the literature studies on progress of quality control, issues and challenges regarding quality improvement in seven different AM techniques. Next, Section 3 provides classification of the research findings, and lastly, Section 4 discusses the challenges and future trends.

Findings

This paper presents a review on quality control in seven different techniques in AM technology and provides detailed discussions in each quality process stage. Most of the AM techniques have a trend using in-situ sensors and cameras to acquire process data for real-time monitoring and quality analysis. Procedures such as extrusion-based processes (EBP) have further advanced in data analytics and predictive algorithms-based research regarding mechanical properties and optimal printing parameters. Moreover, compared to others, the material jetting progresses technique has advanced in a system integrated with closed-feedback loop, machine vision and image processing to minimize quality issues during printing process.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited to reviewing of only seven techniques of AM technology, which includes photopolymer vat processes, material jetting processes, binder jetting processes, extrusion-based processes, powder bed fusion processes, directed energy deposition processes and sheet lamination processes. This paper would impact on the improvement of quality control in AM industries such as industrial, automotive, medical, aerospace and military production.

Originality/value

Additive manufacturing technology, in terms of quality control has yet to be reviewed.
The use of rapid prototyping in the joining of fractured historical silver object
Authors: Seixas Maria Luiza , Assis Paulo Santos , Figueiredo João Cura D’Ars , Pinto Maria Aparecida , Paula Daniella Gualberto Caldeira
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present a proposal for the restoration of a silver crown by means of fitting pieces produced by the process of 3D modelling and rapid prototyping. It also analyses the benefits of this procedure in restoration of objects weakened by corrosive processes.

Design/methodology/approach

Elemental chemical analysis was carried out in the alloy used in the manufacture of the crown and the constructive and corrosive processes present were studied. Three fitting pieces were modelled and prototyped in wax casting by the stereolithography apparatus system aiming to restore the part and protect the original metal against impacts and external tensions which could speed up some deterioration processes.

Findings

The procedure presented in this paper has shown that formal and dimensional accuracy, only achieved by means of 3D technologies, made the restoration and mechanical stability of the crown possible without the use of adhesives or welding.

Originality/value

The proposed procedure is a new restoration alternative which causes minimal impact to the object and abides by the main standards for modern conservation. It is made with metal which is compatible with the original piece, retractable and easily identifiable.
Abrasive flow finishing of FDM printed parts using a sustainable media
Authors: Mali Harlal S. , Prajwal Bhargav , Gupta Divyanshu , Kishan Jai
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the integration between fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology and abrasive flow machining process to improve the surface quality of FDM printed parts. FDM process has some limitations in terms of accuracy and surface finish. Hence, post-processing operations are essential to increase the quality of the part.

Design/methodology/approach

Initially, a sustainable polymer abrasive gel-based media (SPAGM) using natural polymer and natural additives (waste vegetable oil) was prepared using different combinations of (abrasive mesh size, percentage of abrasives and percentage of liquid synthesizer); then the characterization of media was done to check various properties. As media is an essential part in the process which helps in increase the surface finish, it needs to have some desired characteristics such as the following: the developed SPAG needs to hold the abrasives; its viscosity has to be medium so that it can easily flow through the machine; and its thermal stability caused by the increase in the temperature during various cycles of operation. For that, it is characterized rheologically as well as thermally to find its various properties.

Findings

Experiments were performed on FDM-printed parts using an L9 orthogonal array with different parameters to find their effect on the workpiece. Scanning electron microscope images of SGAPM showed sharp edges of abrasive particles and bonding pattern between polymer chain molecules. Good surface finish and material removal rate (MRR) was observed at high pressure and long finishing time with 50 per cent abrasive concentration.

Originality/value

The authors confirm that this work is original and has neither been published elsewhere nor is it currently under consideration for publication elsewhere.