bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diversified Diet Feeding Practice is Low Compared to the WHO Recommendation in the Dabat Demographic and Health Surveillance System Site: Finding from the Baseline Survey of Nutrition Project, 2016
Authors: Abebe Zegeye , Tariku Amare , Bikes Gashaw Andargie , Wassie Molla Mesele , Abdella Kedir , Awoke Tadesse , Gebeye Ejigu , Gete Azeb Atnafu , Yesuf Melkie Edris , Kebede Yigzaw , Alemu Kassahun , Addis Abebaw , Muhammad Esmael Ali , Abebe Solomon Mekonnen , Kasahun belew Aysheshim , Tamir Melkamu , Fentie Melkitu , Kebede Adane , Fentahun Kindie
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Improving infant and young child feeding practices is critical to improved nutrition, health, and development of children. The country of Ethiopia has also adopted the WHO recommendations of child feeding practices and developed the national guideline of infant and young child feeding to improve child’s nutrition and health status. However, a few children start and received appropriate complementary feeding based on the recommendation. Therefore, the study aimed to determine dietary diversity score and its associated factors among under five children at Dabat Demography Surveillance System site (HDSS), northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional community based study was from February to June 2016. All children aged 6-59 months old who lived in HDSS site were included in the survey. The collected data were checked and entered into Epi info version 7 and exported to STATA version 14 statistical software for analysis. Both crude odds ratio (COR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to show the strength of association. Finally, a p-value of 0.05 was used to determine if the association was statistically significant.

Results

In this study, about 34.87% (95%CI: 33.27, 36.49%) of the children received adequately diversified diet. The odds of receiving adequately diversified diet was higher among children whose mother had secondary and above education (AOR= 6.51; 95%CI: 4.95, 8.56), mother who had ANC (AOR = 1.90; 95%CI: 1.60, 2.26) and PNC visit (AOR= 1.31; 95%CI: 1.00, 1, 72). However, a lower dietary diversity score is observed among young children (AOR=0.59; 95%CI: 0.41, 0.85), and children from food inscured household (AOR=0.76; 95%CI: 0.63, 0.92).

Conclusions

Diversified diet feeding practice is low compared to the WHO recommendation in the surveillance site. Age of the child, maternal education, ANC and PNC visit, and household food insecurity were significantly associated with Dietary diversity score of children. Hence, various actions need to scale up the current practices of child feeding by improving HHFSS, strengthening ANC and PNC counselling about child feeding options, and feeding of young infants.
The Hunchback temporal transcription factor determines motor neuron axon and dendrite targeting inDrosophila
Authors: Seroka Austin Q. , Doe Chris Q.
Published: February 2019

The generation of neuronal diversity is essential for circuit formation and behavior. Morphological differences in sequentially born neurons could be due to intrinsic molecular identity specified by temporal transcription factors (henceforth called intrinsic temporal identity) or due to changing extrinsic cues. Here we use theDrosophilaNB7-1 lineage to address this question. NB7-1 sequentially generates the U1-U5 motor neurons; each has a distinct intrinsic temporal identity due to inheritance of a different temporal transcription factor at time of birth. Here we show that the U1-U5 neurons project axons sequentially, followed by sequential dendrite extension. We misexpress the earliest temporal transcription factor, Hunchback, to create “ectopic” U1 neurons with an early intrinsic temporal identity but later birth-order. These ectopic U1 neurons have axon muscle targeting and dendrite neuropil targeting consistent with U1 intrinsic temporal identity, rather than their time of birth or differentiation. We conclude that intrinsic temporal identity plays a major role in establishing both motor axon muscle targeting and dendritic arbor targeting, which are required for proper motor circuit development.
The elusive actin cytoskeleton of a green alga expressing both conventional and divergent actins
Authors: Craig Evan W. , Mueller David M. , Schaffer Miroslava , Engel Benjamin D. , Avasthi Prachee
Published: February 2019

The green algaChlamydomonas reinhardtiiis a leading model system to study photosynthesis, cilia, and the generation of biological products. The cytoskeleton plays important roles in all of these cellular processes, but to date, the filamentous actin network withinChlamydomonashas remained elusive. By optimizing labeling conditions, we can now visualize distinct linear actin filaments at the posterior of the nucleus in both live and fixed vegetative cells. Usingin situcryo-electron tomography, we confirmed this localization by directly imaging actin filaments within the native cellular environment. The fluorescently-labeled structures are sensitive to the depolymerizing agent Latrunculin B (Lat B), demonstrating the specificity of our optimized labeling method. Interestingly, Lat B treatment resulted in the formation of a transient ring-like filamentous actin structure around the nucleus. The assembly of this perinuclear ring is dependent upon a second actin isoform, NAP1, which is strongly upregulated upon Lat B treatment and is insensitive to Lat B-induced depolymerization. Our study combines orthogonal strategies to provide the first detailed visual characterization of filamentous actins inChlamydomonas, allowing insights into the coordinated functions of two actin isoforms expressed within the same cell.
The functional repertoire encoded within the native microbiome of the model nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Zimmermann Johannes , Obeng Nancy , Yang Wentao , Pees Barbara , Petersen Carola , Waschina Silvio , Kissoyan Kohar Annie , Aidley Jack , Hoeppner Marc P. , Bunk Boyke , Spröer Cathrin , Leippe Matthias , Dierking Katja , Kaleta Christoph , Schulenburg Hinrich
Published: February 2019

The microbiome is generally assumed to have a substantial influence on the biology of multicellular organisms. The exact functional contributions of the microbes are often unclear and cannot be inferred easily from 16S rRNA genotyping, which is commonly used for taxonomic characterization of the bacterial associates. In order to bridge this knowledge gap, we here analyzed the metabolic competences of the native microbiome of the model nematodeCaenorhabditis elegans. We integrated whole genome sequences of 77 bacterial microbiome members with metabolic modelling and experimental characterization of bacterial physiology. We found that, as a community, the microbiome can synthesize all essential nutrients forC. elegans. Both metabolic models and experimental analyses further revealed that nutrient context can influence how bacteria interact within the microbiome. We identified key bacterial traits that are likely to influence the microbe’s ability to colonizeC. elegans(e.g., pyruvate fermentation to acetoin) and the resulting effects on nematode fitness (e.g., hydroxyproline degradation). Considering that the microbiome is usually neglected in the comprehensive research on this nematode, the resource presented here will help our understanding ofC. elegansbiology in a more natural context. Our integrative approach moreover provides a novel, general framework to dissect microbiome-mediated functions.
A novel population of long-range inhibitory neurons
Authors: Christenson Wick Zoé , Tetzlaff Madison R. , Krook-Magnuson Esther
Published: February 2019

The hippocampus, a brain region important for spatial navigation and episodic memory, benefits from a rich diversity of neuronal cell-types. Recent work suggests fundamental gaps in our knowledge of these basic building blocks (i.e., neuronal types) in the hippocampal circuit, despite extensive prior examination. Through the use of an intersectional genetic viral vector approach, we report a novel hippocampal neuronal population, which has not previously been characterized, and which we refer to as LINCs. LINCs are GABAergic, but, in addition to broadly targeting local CA1 cells, also have long-range axons. LINCs are thus both interneurons and projection neurons. We demonstrate that LINCs, despite being relatively few in number, can have a strong influence on both hippocampal and extrahippocampal network synchrony and function. Identification and characterization of this novel cell population advances our basic understanding of both hippocampal circuitry and neuronal diversity.
Systematic spatio-temporal mapping reveals divergent cell death pathways in three mouse models of hereditary retinal degeneration
Authors: Power M.J. , Rogerson L.E. , Schubert T. , Berens P. , Euler T. , Paquet-Durand F.
Published: February 2019

Calcium (Ca2+) dysregulation has been linked to neuronal cell death, including in hereditary retinal degeneration. Ca2+ dysregulation is thought to cause rod and cone photoreceptor cell death. Spatial and temporal heterogeneities in retinal disease models have hampered validation of this hypothesis.

We examined the role of Ca2+ in photoreceptor degeneration, assessing the activation pattern of Ca2+-dependent calpain proteases, generating spatio-temporal maps of the entire retina in the cpfl1 mouse model for primary cone degeneration, and in the rd1 and rd10 models for primary rod degeneration. We used Gaussian process models to distinguish the temporal sequences of degenerative molecular processes from other variability sources.

In the rd1 and rd10 models, spatio-temporal pattern of increased calpain activity matched the progression of primary rod degeneration. High calpain activity coincided with activation of the calpain-2 isoform but not with calpain-1, suggesting differential roles for both calpain isoforms. Primary rod loss was linked to upregulation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), although only a minute fraction of cells showed activity of the apoptotic marker caspase-3. After primary rod degeneration concluded, caspase-3 activation appeared in cones, suggesting apoptosis as the dominant mechanism for secondary cone loss. Gaussian process models highlighted calpain activity as a key event during primary rod photoreceptor cell death.

Our data suggests a causal link between Ca2+ dysregulation and primary, non-apoptotic degeneration of photoreceptors and a role for apoptosis in secondary degeneration of cones, highlighting the importance of the spatial and temporal location of key molecular events, which may guide the evaluation of new therapies.
RNAseq profiling of leukocyte populations in zebrafish larvae reveals a cxcl11 chemokine gene as a marker of macrophage polarization during mycobacterial infection
Authors: Rougeot Julien , Torraca Vincenzo , Zakrzewska Ania , Kanwal Zakia , Jansen Hans J. , Spaink Herman P. , Meijer Annemarie H.
Published: February 2019

Macrophages are phagocytic cells from the innate immune system, which forms the first line of host defense against invading pathogens. These highly dynamic immune cells can adopt specific functional phenotypes, with the pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 polarization states as the two extremes. Recently, the process of macrophage polarization during inflammation has been visualized by real time imaging in larvae of the zebrafish. This model organism has also become widely used to study macrophage responses to microbial pathogens. To support the increasing use of zebrafish in macrophage biology, we set out to determine the complete transcriptome of zebrafish larval macrophages. We studied the specificity of the macrophage signature compared with other larval immune cells and the macrophage-specific expression changes upon infection. We made use of the well-established mpeg1, mpx, and lck fluorescent reporter lines to sort and sequence the transcriptome of larval macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphoid progenitor cells, respectively. Our results provide a complete dataset of genes expressed in these different immune cell types and highlight their similarities and differences. Major differences between the macrophage and neutrophil signatures were found within the families of proteinases. Furthermore, expression of genes involved in antigen presentation and processing was specifically detected in macrophages, while lymphoid progenitors showed expression of genes involved in macrophage activation. Comparison with datasets of in vitro polarized human macrophages revealed that zebrafish macrophages express a strongly homologous gene set, comprising both M1 and M2 markers. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis of low numbers of macrophages infected by the intracellular pathogen Mycobacterium marinum revealed that infected macrophages change their transcriptomic response by downregulation of M2-associated genes and overexpression of specific M1-associated genes. Among the infection-induced genes, a homolog of the human CXCL11 chemokine gene, cxcl11aa, stood out as the most strongly overexpressed M1 marker. Upregulation of cxcl11aa in Mycobacterium-infected macrophages was found to require the function of Myd88, a critical adaptor molecule in the Toll-like and interleukin 1 receptor pathways that are central to pathogen recognition and activation of the innate immune response. Altogether, our data provide a valuable data mining resource to support infection and inflammation research in the zebrafish model.
BioCell2XML: A novel tool for converting cell lineage data from SIMI BioCell to MaMuT (Fiji)
Authors: Pennerstorfer Markus , Loose Günther , Wolff Carsten
Published: February 2019

Computer-assisted 4D manual cell tracking has been a valuable method for understanding spatial-temporal dynamics of embryogenesis (e.g., Stach & Anselmi, 2015; Vellutini et al., 2017; Wolff et al., 2018) since the method was introduced in the late 1990s. Since two decades SIMI® BioCell (Schnabel et al., 1997), a software which initially was developed for analyzing data coming from the, at that time new technique of 4D microscopy, is in use. Many laboratories around the world use SIMI BioCell for the manual tracing of cells in embryonic development of various species to reconstruct cell genealogies with high precision. However, the software has several disadvantages: Limits in handling very large data sets, the virtually no maintenance over the last ten years (bound to older Windows versions), the difficulty to access the created cell lineage data for analyses outside SIMI BioCell, and the high cost of the program. Recently, bioinformatics, in close collaboration with biologists, developed new lineaging tools that are freely available through the open source image processing platform Fiji.

Here we introduce a software tool that allows conversion of SIMI BioCell lineage data to a format that is compatible with the Fiji plugin MaMuT (Wolff et al., 2018). Hereby we intend to maintain the usability of SIMI BioCell created cell lineage data for the future and, for investigators who wish to do so, facilitate the transition from this software to a more convenient program.
Principles Governing the Dynamics of GABAergic Interneurons in the Barrel Cortex
Authors: Yu Jianing , Hu Hang , Agmon Ariel , Svoboda Karel
Published: February 2019

Information processing in the neocortex is performed by GABAergic interneurons that are integrated with excitatory neurons into precisely structured circuits. To reveal how each neuron type shapes sensory representations, we measured spikes and membrane potential of specific types of neurons in the barrel cortex while mice performed an active, whisker-dependent object localization task. Whiskers were tracked with millisecond precision. Fast-spiking (FS) neurons were activated by touch with short latency and by whisking. FS neurons track thalamic input and provide feedforward inhibition. Somatostatin (SOM)-expressing neurons were also excited by touch, but with a delay (5 ms) compared to excitatory (E) and FS neurons. SOM neurons monitor local excitation and provide feedback inhibition. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-expressing neurons were not driven by touch but elevated their spike rate during whisking, disinhibiting E and FS neurons. Our data reveal rules of recruitment for specific interneuron types, providing foundations for understanding cortical computations.
The Multidimensional Battery of Prosody Perception (MBOPP)
Authors: Jasmin Kyle , Dick Frederic , Tierney Adam Taylor
Published: February 2019

Prosody can be defined as the rhythm and intonation patterns spanning words, phrases and sentences. Accurate perception of prosody is an important component of many aspects of language processing, such as parsing grammatical structures, recognizing words, and determining where emphasis may be placed. Prosody perception is important for language acquisition and can be impaired in language-related developmental disorders. However, existing assessments of prosodic perception suffer from some shortcomings. These include being unsuitable for use with typically developing adults due to ceiling effects, or failing to allow the investigator to distinguish the unique contributions of individual acoustic features such as pitch and temporal cues. Here we present the Multi-Dimensional Battery of Prosody Perception (MBOPP), a novel tool for the assessment of prosody perception. It consists of two subtests – Linguistic Focus, which measures the ability to hear emphasis or sentential stress, and Phrase Boundaries, which measures the ability to hear where in a compound sentence one phrase ends, and another begins. Perception of individual acoustic dimensions (Pitch and Time) can be examined separately, and test difficulty can be precisely calibrated by the the experimenter because stimuli were created using a continuous voice morph space. We present validation analyses from a sample of 57 individuals and discuss how the battery might be deployed to examine perception of prosody in various populations.
3-[5-Methyl-1-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde
Authors: El-Hiti Gamal A. , Abdel-Wahab Bakr F. , Alqahtani Alaa , Hegazy Amany S. , Kariuki Benson M.
Published: February 2019

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C20H17N5O, consists of two independent molecules. The molecules comprise tolyl (A), triazolyl (B), pyrazolecarbaldehydyl (C) and phenyl (D) groups. The angles between the planes through neighouring rings A/B, B/C and C/D are 39.1 (1), 6.0 (1) and 12.6 (1)°, respectively, for the first molecule and 46.0 (1), 4.6 (1) and 8.5 (2)°, respectively, for the second. In the crystal, the two independent molecules form dimers linked by four C—H...O hydrogen bonds with each O atom accepting two such links.
Prediction of the development cost of commercial aviation aircraft
Authors: Chen Xiaonan , Huang Jun , Yi Mingxu , Pan Yalin
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a flexible design-oriented development cost method for commercial aviation aircraft based on small sample and poor information.

Design/methodology/approach

To predict the development cost of commercial aviation aircraft accurately, the methodology is based on the collected cost data and actual technical, and then the cost prediction relationships derived from an exhaustive statistical and filtered from regression analysis are incorporated. A series of regression equations with high regression coefficient are yielded after the cost driving factors of the development cost are fixed. Next, several sets of equations with high regression coefficient are selected for final integration. It is a flexible method that can be used efficiently to predict the cost of commercial aviation aircraft.

Findings

The development of commercial aviation aircraft has relatively a late start and no cost prediction model has been suitable for small sample, the proposed method is expected and is rather desirable.

Practical implications

By comparing the approach with the ordinary regression model and back propagation (BP) neural network, the scheme in this work is more efficient and convenient.

Originality/value

The results obtained in this paper show that the proposed method not only has a certain degree of versatility, but also can provide a preliminary prediction of the development cost of commercial aviation aircraft.
Analyzing the barriers to purchase intentions of energy efficient appliances from consumer perspective
Authors: Joshi Gauri Yogesh , Sheorey Pratima Amol , Gandhi Aradhana Vikas
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the barriers to consumers’ intention to purchase energy efficient appliances. It uses multiple regression analysis to predict the factors that deter consumers’ purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Five barriers to consumers’ intention to purchase energy efficient appliances were identified through an exhaustive literature survey. Data were gathered from 300 respondents from Pune city from the state of Maharashtra in India through a survey. The items were measured on a five-point Likert scale. Validity and reliability of the scale were established. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to predict consumers’ intention to purchase energy efficient appliances based on factors identified.

Findings

Findings revealed that some degree of uncertainty was associated with energy efficient appliance purchase. In addition to possessing lower degrees of awareness on energy efficient appliances, consumers tend to disbelieve claims made on labels of energy efficient appliances. Consumers also feel inconvenience in identifying these appliances, spending time to know about them and paying the price to purchase them. Hence, the factors – scepticism towards label claims and perceived personal inconvenience – were found to have negative impact on consumers’ purchase intention. Societal norm was found to have a positive impact on consumers’ purchase intention. Interestingly, price sensitivity and perceived product risk (which were expected to have a negative relationship with consumers’ purchase intention) displayed a positive relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The model proposed here is based on the researcher’s identification of the barriers. There might have been unidentified barriers that were not considered. The research does not account for manufacturing or policy-based issues that might also pose as barriers. The study encourages marketers to re-examine marketing and communication policies associated with the sale of energy efficient appliances.

Originality/value

The paper provides insights into the external barriers faced by consumers while purchasing an energy efficient appliance. This research enables managers to understand consumer’s preference for conventional products over energy efficient ones. It attempts to check the presence of barriers to energy efficient appliances, identified from literature in a tier 1 city of India. Tier 1 city is the city with population greater than 1,00,000 as per 2001 census of India.
Job site weather index: an indicator for open environment construction projects
Authors: Alvanchi Amin , JavadiAghdam Shayan
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Many construction projects are implemented in open-environment job sites and can be significantly affected by various weather conditions. Evaluating the overall impacts of the weather conditions on a project can assist project managers to prepare effectively. Nevertheless, methods measuring the overall adverse impacts of the job sites’ weather condition on the project performance are still missing. This study aims to address this gap.

Design/methodology/approach

In this investigation, a survey-based method was proposed to evaluate the overall impacts of the weather conditions on the construction project resources through a new indicator called job site weather index (JWI). The target survey population includes practitioners directly involved in the on-site construction operations.

Findings

The JWI suggests the direction of the resource change in new construction projects based on the weather condition. The method was implemented in the road construction projects of Iran and successfully applied to four sample cities. In this experiment, construction workers were identified as the most susceptible resources to the unfavorable weather conditions. Hot temperature above 50°C and cold temperature below −10°C were ranked as the most influential factors for the workers. The results achieved showed high accordance with the trends currently followed in the country.

Originality/value

This research was the first structured method for capturing impacts of weather conditions on the performance of construction resources in open environment construction projects. Implementation of the method in road construction projects of Iran revealed new results that have not been previously identified. The impacts of the company-specific factors on the final productivity rate, however, were not investigated in the research. Investigations accounting impacts of various company-specific factors on the final productivity rate are required.
Shaping tomorrow’s facilities management
Authors: Bröchner Jan , Haugen Tore , Lindkvist Carmel
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Against the background of earlier publications on the future of facilities management (FM) and acknowledging digitalization and sustainability as two major shaping forces, the purpose of this paper is to place contributions to the special issue in the perspective of current opportunities for FM research.

Design/methodology/approach

After a review of publications since the 1980s, dealing with the future of FM, there is an analysis of how the forces of digitalization and sustainability have emerged over five decades. The articles of this special issue are introduced against this background. Opportunities for future FM research are identified, and the relation between research, education and practice is discussed.

Findings

Megatrends outlined in the 1980s still shape how FM develops. Digitalization supports sustainability not only through workplace change and building design but also through performance measurement, certification schemes and an awareness of the wider urban context.

Research limitations/implications

Opportunities for FM research are created by digitalization and concerns with sustainability, combining environmental and social aspects. Relations between organizations studied in an FM context are important. Within organizations, employee issues and risk management are emphasized.

Practical implications

Policies and schemes for sustainable buildings should be linked to sustainable FM more clearly. The relation between research, education and practice needs to be consolidated as a basis for research and development, as illustrated by a number of studies belonging to this special issue. To reach the goals of sustainable development, we need to develop the knowledge and theoretical frameworks that can be applied to and used by practice. The recent ISO FM definition appears as narrow and should be extended to recognize facilities’ life-cycle issues as well as broader urban and social concerns.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the importance of basing FM research on an understanding of the fundamental forces that shape change.
Managing the quality of higher education in apprenticeships
Authors: Felce Alison
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Traditionally, apprenticeships have been the domain of further education and skills training providers, predominately at pre-higher education levels where management, organisation, inspection and funding have little in common with those familiar to higher education. Higher level and degree apprenticeships have brought together different cultures and methods of designing, delivering and assessing knowledge, skills and behaviours, funding learners and learning providers, data reporting, quality management and its review or inspection. The purpose of this paper is to establish the primary concerns about managing quality in degree apprenticeships, the challenges the variances bring, how the challenges are being resolved and future work that may be required.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of a range of guidance and organisations involved in managing the quality of higher education in apprenticeships was undertaken. The primary focus is on the advice and guidance provided through the Quality Code and associated documentation, which are key to managing and assuring standards and quality in UK higher education. In addition, requirements and guidance provided through other bodies is considered along with the cross-sector groups charged with developing quality assurance processes for apprenticeships at all levels.

Findings

The paper shows a range of detailed guidance available to those entering the higher and degree apprenticeships arena and how the organisations involved in quality assurance of apprenticeships are working together to remove or mitigate concerns to ensure that quality is embedded and successfully managed.

Originality/value

Designing and delivering higher level and degree apprenticeships is a relatively new addition to UK higher education providers. There are long established practices to assure the quality and standards of UK higher education wherever and, however, it is delivered, in the UK, overseas and through online models. Apprenticeships across the UK have changed significantly over recent years, and new models, organisations and methods of working and funding have been introduced. This paper brings together key activity by the Quality Assurance Agency and other stakeholders to show how standards and quality can be managed and assured.
The moderating effect of CEO duality on the relationship between geographic diversification and firm performance in the US lodging industry
Authors: Song Hyoung Ju , Kang Kyung Ho
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the moderating role of CEO duality on the geographic diversification–firm performance relationship in the US lodging industry.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine the individual effect of geographic diversification and the moderating effect of CEO duality, this study adopts random effects regression. Additionally, to appropriately address the endogeneity issue, this study uses random effects regression with the instrumental variable method. The sample period spans 1990-2015 and 258 firm-year observations are included.

Findings

This study finds that geographic diversification has a positive and significant effect on firm performance. Also, the result shows a positive and significant moderating role of CEO duality, which implies that the magnitude of the impact of geographic diversification on firm performance is significantly greater when CEO duality exists.

Research limitations/implications

Although it has a limitation of applying the results of this study to privately held lodging firms in other countries, US public lodging firms are encouraged to consider a corporate governance structure incorporating CEO duality to maximize the effect of geographic diversification on firm performance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the hospitality literature by providing a unique dimension that the influence of geographic diversification is contingent on the adoption of CEO duality. And, the results of this study provide practical guidelines for the lodging firms’ implementation of geographic diversification.
Making connections: a multi-disciplinary analysis of domestic homicide, mental health homicide and adult practice reviews
Authors: Robinson Amanda Lea , Rees Alyson , Dehaghani Roxanna
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to “read across” a sample of domestic homicide reviews (DHRs), mental health homicide reviews (MHHRs) and adult practice reviews (APR) to identify the cross-cutting themes.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involved a qualitative comparative analysis of 20 Welsh reviews: 10 DHRs, 6 APRs and 4 MHHRs. Each review was triple coded by a multi-disciplinary team of researchers (representing criminology, social work and law).

Findings

Five overarching themes were identified from this diverse sample of cases: crossing boundaries, including transitions between services and geographical boundaries; hoodwinking, where there was manipulation of the presentation of self; faulty assessment, which was not always holistic and only based on certain aspects of behaviour; tunnel vision, resulting from the initial underpinning narrative rarely being challenged; and knowledge, with certain types being privileged over others, especially professional over that of families and para-professionals.

Research limitations/implications

Further research into death reviews should adopt a comparative, multi-disciplinary approach.

Practical implications

The research highlights the possibility for duplication across the different types of reviews. Further, it suggests that review processes could be streamlined.

Originality/value

Five cross-cutting themes have been developed through the very first study “reading across” three types of reviews (DHRs, APRs and MHHRs). Findings suggest the need for streamlining review processes and highlight the importance of adopting a multi-disciplinary perspective when researching death reviews.
Safeguarding Adult Reviews: the experience of one Independent Author
Authors: Morgan Pete
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the process of undertaking a Safeguarding Adult Review (SAR) from the perspective of an Independent Author and from an agency participating in one and to stimulate a debate on both the process and the culture of Safeguarding Adults Boards that commission them.

Design/methodology/approach

The author drew solely on his own experience as an Independent Author and member of an SAR Panel.

Findings

The finding of this paper is that Safeguarding Adults Board vary in their commissioning process for SARs and their expectations of the role of Independent Author and the SAR Panel.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is drawn from the experience of the author and is therefore subjective.

Practical implications

There are implications for the role of Independent Authors and the process by which SARs are commissioned and managed.

Originality/value

The author is not aware of similar consideration of the experience of an Independent Author or of an agency participating in a SAR.
Design thinking: a working strategy for the third sector
Authors: Jayakumar Tulsi , Das Krishnakoli , Srivastava Neelesh
Published: February 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to understand how non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can use design thinking (DT) as a strategic tool to improve organisational and societal outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies a case study design. Building on in-depth interviews with senior management, beneficiaries (villagers), the village headman and children in Karaliya village (Rajasthan), as also from secondary sources, the paper presents a model of using DT for NGOs.

Findings

This paper presents evidence of how Jal Bhagirathi Foundation, an Indian NGO working in the most water-distressed and densely populated arid zone of the Thar Desert, used a user-centric, DT approach to solve the water-scarcity problem in villages in the Marwar region. In doing so, several interconnected societal problems were also addressed, including those of sanitation, education – especially of the girl child – poverty and migration.

Practical implications

DT has been increasingly used by “for-profit” business organisations to derive competitive advantage. NGOs have lagged in the use of DT as a strategic tool to drive enhanced organisational and societal outcomes. Such NGOs can strategise to adopt a DT approach.

Originality/value

A literature search revealed that while the term “NGO” threw up 36,571 results, “NGOs and strategic management” had only 363 results, and “the use of design thinking in NGOs” had 0 results. This paper contributes to the limited research in the field of strategic management in the NGO space by looking at DT as an important strategic tool for NGOs.
Skew to win, not to profit – unbalanced bidding among informed bidders
Authors: Nyström Johan , Mandell Svante
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Several sectors, especially the construction industry, use unit price contracting (UPC). This contracting form provides agents, ex ante, with estimated quantities of the work to be done. Competing agents then offer corresponding unit prices i.e. the bid is a price vectors, and most often the lowest vector sum is awarded the contract. This way of procuring is not only transparent but also entails a potential problem of unbalanced bidding. Unbalanced bidding occurs when an informed agent skews unit prices to win the ex ante bid. The concept is not new topic in research, but theoretical models from an economics perspective are not extensive.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper will focus on how competition among informed bidders will affect the optimal solution.

Findings

It is shown that skewing is still a dominating strategy under competition. However, competition will decrease, but not necessarily eliminate, information rents.

Originality/value

In this setting, unbalanced bidding could mainly be seen as a way to win the contract and not to extract information rents. Thus, it would not constitute an efficiency problem for the client.
The evaluation of a brand association density metric
Authors: Vriens Marco , Chen Song , Schomaker Judith
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new brand association density metric and evaluate its performance in terms of correlations with recall, consideration, brand equity and market share and to compare different data collection methodologies to identify brand associations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present results from two studies covering three product categories. The authors use an open free association question and associations to a set of pre-defined brand attributes. The responses to the open free format question are text-mined prior to further analysis.

Findings

The authors find that the brand association density metric performs better than a metric that only uses the number of distinct associations. The authors also find that these metrics work best when derived from open free association data.

Practical implications

First, in addition to focusing on trying to build specific brand associations in consumers’ minds, it may be equally important, if not more important, to manage the number and inter-connectedness of the brand’s associations. Second, firms should complement their existing survey approaches with open-ended free association questions.

Originality/value

The brand association density concept presented is believed to be new. The empirical comparison between the use of free association to pre-defined attributes is also new.
Affordances and constraints of communities of practice to promote bilingual schooling
Authors: Scanlan Martin , Kim Minsong , Ludlow Larry
Published: February 2019

Purpose

As the demographic landscape in the USA becomes more culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD), schools must build educators’ professional knowledge and skills to better serve students whose mother tongues are not English. The purpose of this paper is to report on the formation of a network of schools collaboratively transforming their approaches to teaching and learning in order to meet the educational needs of this changing student population.

Design/methodology/approach

To determine how relational networks in this network affect the learning of educators to implement the bilingual education model, the authors drew from three data sources: a social network survey, semi-structured interviews and archival documents.

Findings

The schools in this study are engaged in a dramatic restructuring, moving from monolingual English schools to a network of two-way immersion bilingual schools. The evidence from this study revealed different information sharing structures within the relational networks. The authors found organizational structures of interactive spaces and teams supporting the relational networks that created communities of practice, and these communities of practice fostering all three aspects of profession capital (human, social and decisional).

Research limitations/implications

The analysis points toward the complicated nature of organizational learning within networks of schools. While some relational networks were strong, the authors also note gaps and disconnections in the network interactions, despite the structures promoting connectivity. Hence, this study sheds light on both the power and the limitation of networked learning within and across school striving to improve the teaching and learning for CLD students.

Originality/value

This original analysis lays the foundation for future investigations of networked learning.
Empirical analysis of Six Sigma project capability deficiency and its impact on project success
Authors: Hudnurkar Manoj , Ambekar Suhas , Bhattacharya Sonali
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the deficiencies in Six Sigma project capability and empirically validating its impact on project success.

Design/methodology/approach

Deficiencies are identified from literature focusing on Six Sigma challenges or barriers. The study used a survey approach by circulating questionnaires to 400 Six Sigma professionals from 40 multinational organisations. The conceptual model is composed of 16 items measuring five constructs for hypothesis testing. Furthermore, structural equation modelling was used to identify the relationship between Six Sigma project capability deficiency and project success.

Findings

The findings of the study suggest that inadequate top management support, inadequate resources and change management and inadequate quality maturity form Six Sigma project capability deficiency and affect project success.

Research limitations/implications

The study uses resource-based view to understand the deficiencies in Six Sigma project capability and their impact on project success. The study confirms that organisational capabilities in implementing Six Sigma affect the success of the projects.

Practical implications

The results of this study reveal that inadequate top management support, inadequate quality maturity of the organisation and inadequate resources and change management result into a deficiency in Six Sigma project capability. Quality managers in manufacturing and service organisations should attempt to improve these capabilities to achieve competitive advantage.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature by exploring the capability outlook of Six Sigma. The study attempts to fill the gap in Six Sigma literature by providing a structural model for understanding Six Sigma project capability deficiency and its impact on Six Sigma project success.
EFQM model for overall excellence of Indian thermal power generating sector
Authors: Dubey Manoj , Lakhanpal Pooja
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The generic nature of business excellence models and arbitrary approaches followed by organizations to achieve excellence has triggered new approaches to attain excellence; one such approach is to have country- and industry-specific model. World Energy Council has developed an Energy Trilemma Index, which gives relative energy performances of almost 125 countries based on comprehensive energy matrix (affordability, availability and environment impact). Presently, India ranks at 91 as per this index thereby making this sector prudent case for specific excellence model for sector’s overall excellence. The purpose of this paper is to propose European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model with Indian thermal power generating sector specific factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The study followed a research approach that combines literature review, qualitative and quantitative techniques. This includes analysis of the literature related to the subject, qualitative analysis to validate gap areas around EFQM model and identify factors critical to Indian thermal power sector. Quantitative analysis was done using SmartPLS 3.2.7 software for structural equation modeling–partial least square.

Findings

The research proposes inclusion of Indian thermal power generating sector specific factors in EFQM model, which in turn portrays balanced set of results and corresponding enablers for achieving excellence in the sector. The biggest take away will be sustained and effective contribution toward society and environment by this sector.

Originality/value

This is first of its kind study in India and globally for thermal power generating sector. It will trigger quality consciousness among power generating companies. For India, such excellence mission will definitely help nation to improve efforts toward 24×7 electricity and electricity to all.
What are the key challenges that the Indian hospitality industry is facing in search of skilled labour?
Authors: Tiwari Shweta , Munjal Sandeep
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review and summarize the theme issue outcomes in relation to the strategic question: How can the Skill India initiative become a solution to the critical need for skilled labour in the Indian hospitality industry?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on the findings of the theme-issue contributors to identify the role of the Skill India initiative in addressing the need for professionally skilled employees in the Indian hospitality industry.

Findings

This concluding paper highlights research relating to the Skill India initiative and its implications for industry practitioners, researchers and policymakers.

Practical implications

At the broader policy level, the theme issue observes that the Skill India initiative by the central government is an ambitious effort to facilitate skills-based training so that candidates can find employment in an industry or vocation of their choice. However, there are numerous concerns about the effectiveness of its design and implementation.

Originality/value

This theme issue provides insights from both practitioner’s and academic’s perspectives as to how to overcome the gap in the availability of skilled and trained labour in the Indian hospitality industry.