bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Site-specific phosphorylation of histone H1.4 is associated with transcription activation
Authors: Saha Ankita , Seward Christopher , Stubbs Lisa , Mizzen Craig Andrew
Published: October 2019

Core histone variants like H2A.X and H3.3 and their modified forms serve specialized roles in chromatin processes that depend on their genomic distributions and their interaction with chromatin components. Similarly, previous evidence from our lab and others suggest that amino acid sequence variant forms of the linker histone family and specific posttranslational modifications on these variants also result in distinct functions. These inferences are contrary to the notion that the H1 family function as redundant repressors. Here, we provide the first genome-wide evidence that when phosphorylated at a specific C-terminal domain site i.e serine 187, the linker histone H1.4 is enriched at active promoters. This is in direct contrast to previous reports that suggest that phosphorylation of H1 leads to their dissociation from chromatin. Using a highly specific pS187H1.4 antibody earlier developed in the lab, we studied the distribution patterns of pS187H1.4 in estradiol-responsive MCF7 cells where we demonstrated the inducible nature of this modification. We also used public MCF7 data to confirm the association of pS187H1.4 with well-known active transcription marks. These data suggest that linker histones and their modified forms have a more nuanced role than previously understood and may even play a role in transcription regulation.
A functional analysis of the Drosophila genehindsight: evidence for positive regulation of EGFR signaling
Authors: Kim Minhee , Du Olivia Y. , Whitney Rachael J. , Wilk Ronit , Hu Jack , Krause Henry M. , Kavaler Joshua , Reed Bruce H.
Published: October 2019

We have investigated the relationship between the function of the genehindsight(hnt), which is the Drosophila homolog ofRas Responsive Element Binding protein-1(RREB-1), and the EGFR signaling pathway. We report thathntmutant embryos are defective in EGFR signaling dependent processes, namely chordotonal organ recruitment and oenocyte specification. We also show the temperature sensitive hypomorphic allelehntpebbledis enhanced by the hypomorphic MAPK allelerolled(rl1). We find thathntoverexpression results in ectopicDPax2expression within the embryonic peripheral nervous system, and we show that this effect is EGFR-dependent. Finally, we show that the canonical U-shaped embryonic lethal phenotype ofhnt,which is associated with premature degeneration of the extraembyonic amnioserosa and a failure in germ band retraction, is rescued by expression of several components of the EGFR signaling pathway (sSpi,Ras85DV12,pntP1) as well as the caspase inhibitorp35. Based on this collection of corroborating evidence, we suggest that an overarching function ofhntinvolves the positive regulation of EGFR signaling.
PINK1 Regulates Dopamine and Lipids at Mitochondria to Maintain Synapses and Neuronal Function
Authors: Bus Christine , Geisler Sven , Feldkaemper Marita , Flores-Romero Hector , Schaedler Anna , Zittlau Katharina , Zarani Maria , Uysal Betül , Casadei Nicolas , Fallier-Becker Petra , Schwarz Lisa , Brouwers Jos F. , Koch Henner , Ugun-Klusek Aslihan , Maruszczak Klaudia , Vogt Weisenhorn Daniela M. , Wurst Wolfgang , Schmidt Benjamin , Martens Gerard , Brügger Britta , Rapaport Doron , Garcia Ana , Macek Boris , Krüger Rejko , Gasser Thomas , Kahle Philipp , Fitzgerald Julia C.
Published: October 2019

Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease but it is not clear why inherent mitochondrial defects lead specifically to the death of dopaminergic neurons of the mid brain. PINK1 is mitochondrial kinase andPINK1mutations cause early onset Parkinson’s disease.

We found that in neuronal progenitors, PINK1 regulates mitochondrial morphology, mitochondrial contact to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the phosphorylation of Miro1. A compensatory metabolic shift towards lipid synthesis provides mitochondria with the components needed for membrane renewal and oxidative phosphorylation, maintaining the mitochondrial network once mature.

Cholesterol is increased by loss of PINK1, promoting overall membrane rigidity. This alters the distribution of phosphorylated DAT at synapses and impairs dopamine uptake. PINK1 is required for the phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase at Ser19, dopamine and calcium homeostasis and dopaminergic pacemaking.

We suggest a novel mechanism for PINK1 pathogenicity in Parkinson’s disease in addition to but not exclusive of mitophagy. We also provide a basis for potential therapeutics by showing that low doses of the cholesterol depleting drug ß-cyclodextrin reverse PINK1-specific phenotypes.
Identification and genetic validation of drug-comorbidity interactions in type 2 diabetes using data-driven disease trajectory analysis
Authors: Ichikawa Osamu , Glicksberg Benjamin S. , Minsky Noga , Lee Hao-Chih , Li Shuyu D. , Chen Rong , Li Li , Dudley Joel T.
Published: October 2019

Given various risk profiles, manifestations, comorbidities, and outcomes for individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), a one-size-fits-all approach towards treatment and management is inadequate, and there is a clear need for personalized medications to reduce rates of complications and comorbidities. Here, we leveraged comprehensive Electronic Medical Records (EMR) to identify associations between T2D comorbidities and medications and evaluated their biological determinants using EMR-linked genetic information. We discovered clinically novel associations supported by the previous laboratory studies; e.g. 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptor antagonists, ondansetron and granisetron, are protective against cognitive disorders, and clopidogrel is protective against retinopathy. Furthermore, potentially novel associations were validated by genetic analysis; e.g. association between gabapentin and cognitive disorders was supported via variants of its target genes,GRIN1andCACNA2D2. These results of the current study open the door for optimizing treatment combinations to mitigate risks and for individualizing therapy based on T2D subtype risk profiles.
Biosynthesis of β-(1→5)-Galactofuranosyl Chains of Fungal-Type and O-Mannose-Type Galactomannans within the Invasive PathogenAspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Chihara Yuria , Tanaka Yutaka , Izumi Minoru , Hagiwara Daisuke , Watanabe Akira , Takegawa Kaoru , Kamei Katsuhiko , Shibata Nobuyuki , Ohta Kazuyoshi , Oka Takuji
Published: October 2019

The pathogenic fungusAspergillus fumigatuscontains galactomannans localized on the surface layer of its cell walls, which are involved in various biological processes. Galactomannans comprise α-(1→2)-/α-(1→6)-mannan and β-(1→5)-/β-(1→6)-galactofuranosyl chains. We previously revealed that GfsA is a β-galactofuranoside β-(1→5)-galactofuranosyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of β-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl chains. Here, we clarified the entire biosynthesis of β-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl chains inA. fumigatgus. Two paralogs exist withinA. fumigatus: GfsB and GfsC. We show that GfsB and GfsC, in addition to GfsA, are β-galactofuranoside β-(1→5)-galactofuranosyltransferases by biochemical and genetic analyses. GfsA, GfsB, and GfsC can synthesize β-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl oligomers up to lengths of 7, 3, and 5 galactofuranoses within an establishedin vitrohighly efficient assay of galactofuranosyltransferase activity. Structural analyses of galactomannans extracted from the strains ΔgfsB, ΔgfsC, ΔgfsAC, and ΔgfsABCrevealed that GfsA and GfsC synthesized all β-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl residues of fungal-type and O-mannose-type galactomannans, and GfsB exhibited limited function inA. fumigatus. The loss of β-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl residues decreased the hyphal growth rate and conidia formation ability as well as increased the abnormal hyphal branching structure and cell surface hydrophobicity, but this loss is dispensable for sensitivity to antifungal agents and virulence toward immune-compromised mice.

IMPORTANCE

β-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl residues are widely distributed in the subphylum Pezisomycotina of the phylum Ascomycota. Pezizomycotina includes many plant and animal pathogens. Although the structure of β-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl residues of galactomannans in filamentous fungi was discovered long ago, it remains unclear which enzyme is responsible for biosynthesis of this glycan. Fungal cell wall formation processes are complicated, and information concerning glycosyltransferases is essential for their understanding. In this study, we show that GfsA and GfsC are responsible for the biosynthesis of all β-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl residues of fungal-type and O-mannose-type galactomannans. The data presented here indicates that β-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl residues are involved in cell growth, conidiation, polarity, and cell surface hydrophobicity. Our new understanding of β-(1→5)-galactofuranosyl residue biosynthesis provides important novel insights into the formation of the complex cell wall structure and the virulence of the subphylum Pezisomycotina.
Multiple layers of phospho-regulation coordinate metabolism and the cell cycle in budding yeast
Authors: Zhang Lichao , Winkler Sebastian , Schlottmann Fabian , Kohlbacher Oliver , Elias Josh E. , Skotheim Jan M. , Ewald Jennifer C.
Published: October 2019

The coordination of metabolism and growth with cell division is crucial for proliferation. While it has long been known that cell metabolism regulates the cell division cycle, it is becoming increasingly clear that the cell division cycle also regulates metabolism. In budding yeast, we previously showed that over half of all measured metabolites change concentration through the cell cycle indicating that metabolic fluxes are extensively regulated during cell cycle progression. However, how this regulation is achieved still remains poorly understood. Since both the cell cycle and metabolism are regulated to a large extent by protein phosphorylation, we here decided to measure the phosphoproteome through the budding yeast cell cycle. Specifically, we chose a cell cycle synchronisation strategy that avoids stress and nutrient-related perturbations of metabolism, and we grew the yeast on ethanol minimal medium to force cells to utilize their full biosynthetic repertoire. Using a tandem-mass-tagging approach, we found over 200 sites on metabolic enzymes and transporters to be phospho-regulated. These sites were distributed among many pathways including carbohydrate catabolism, lipid metabolism and amino acid synthesis and therefore likely contribute to changing metabolic fluxes through the cell cycle. Among all one thousand sites whose phosphorylation increases through the cell cycle, the CDK consensus motif and an arginine-directed motif were highly enriched. This arginine-directed R-R-x-S motif is associated with protein-kinase A, which regulates metabolism and promotes growth. Finally, we also found over one thousand sites that are dephosphorylated through the G1/S transition. We speculate that the phosphatase Glc7/ PP1, known to regulate both the cell cycle and carbon metabolism, may play an important role because its regulatory subunits are phospho-regulated in our data. In summary, our results identify extensive cell cycle dependent phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of metabolic enzymes and suggest multiple mechanisms through which the cell division cycle regulates metabolic signalling pathways to temporally coordinate biosynthesis with distinct phases of the cell division cycle.
Crystal structure, DFT and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 2-amino-4-(2-chlorophenyl)-7-hydroxy-4H-benzo[1,2-b]pyran-3-carbonitrile
Authors: Beemarao M. , Silambarasan S. , Nasser A. Jamal Abdul , Purushothaman M. , Ravichandran K.
Published: October 2019

The benzopyran ring of the title compound, C16H11ClN2O2, is planar [maximum deviation = 0.079 (2) Å] and is almost perpendicular to the chlorophenyl ring [dihedral angle = 86.85 (6)°]. In the crystal, N—H...O, O—H...N, C—H...O and C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds form inter- and intramolecular interactions. The DFT/B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) method was used to determine the HOMO–LUMO energy levels. The molecular electrostatic potential surfaces were investigated by Hirshfeld surface analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots were used to analyse the intermolecular interactions in the molecule.
Bis[2-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-4-nitrophenolato]copper(II) dihydrate: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis
Authors: Chettri Sailesh , Brahman Dhiraj , Sinha Biswajit , Jotani Mukesh M. , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: October 2019

The crystal and molecular structures of the title CuII complex, isolated as a dihydrate, [Cu(C21H14N3O3)2]·2H2O, reveals a highly distorted coordination geometry intermediate between square-planar and tetrahedral defined by an N2O2 donor set derived from two mono-anionic bidentate ligands. Furthermore, each six-membered chelate ring adopts an envelope conformation with the Cu atom being the flap. In the crystal, imidazolyl-amine-N—H...O(water), water-O—H...O(coordinated, nitro and water), phenyl-C—H...O(nitro) and π(imidazolyl)–π(nitrobenzene) [inter-centroid distances = 3.7452 (14) and 3.6647 (13) Å] contacts link the components into a supramolecular layer lying parallel to (101). The connections between layers forming a three-dimensional architecture are of the types nitrobenzene-C—H...O(nitro) and phenyl-C—H...π(phenyl). The distorted coordination geometry for the CuII atom is highlighted in an analysis of the Hirshfeld surface calculated for the metal centre alone. The significance of the intermolecular contacts is also revealed in a study of the calculated Hirshfeld surfaces; the dominant contacts in the crystal are H...H (41.0%), O...H/H...O (27.1%) and C...H/H...C (19.6%).
Towards corporate transparency
Authors: Esterhuyse Leana
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether companies recognised for the quality of their sustainability reporting are also adopting investor relations (IR) best practices for their IR webpages. Quality communications to all stakeholder groups may then speak to organisational transparency and integrated corporate communication management (CCM).

Design/methodology/approach

An ordinary least squares regression model was developed to test the hypothesis that companies with quality sustainability reporting also adopts best practices in online IR. Sustainability reporting quality was signalled by inclusion of the company in a socially responsible investment (SRI) index. IR quality was proxied by disclosure scores compiled from content analyses of investor relations webpages.

Findings

This study find that inclusion in the SRI Index was positively and significantly associated with online IR quality, while controlling for other variables associated with voluntary disclosure behaviour.

Practical implications

For retail and institutional investors in SRI Index companies, cost of information discovery is reduced as they can use the investor relations webpages as comprehensive source.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on corporate transparency by operationalising reporting “transparency” in that it considers the combined communications output to both financial and non-financial stakeholder groupings. A 2 × 2 conceptual framework for corporate disclosures is proposed that reconciles legitimacy theory and voluntary disclosure theory as motivations. It also contributes to the paucity of research on the links between public relations and investor relations in corporate communications by demonstrating a joint contribution to transparency.
The cyber-insurance market in Norway
Authors: Bahşi Hayretdin , Franke Ulrik , Friberg Even Langfeldt
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the cyber-insurance market in Norway but offers conclusions that are interesting to a wider audience.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on semi-structured interviews with supply-side actors: six general insurance companies, one marine insurance company and two insurance intermediaries.

Findings

The Norwegian cyber-insurance market supply-side has grown significantly in the past two years. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is found to have had a modest effect on the market so far but has been used by the supply-side as an icebreaker to discuss cyber-insurance with customers. The NIS Directive has had little or no impact on the Norwegian cyber-insurance market until now. Informants also indicate that Norway is still the least mature of the four Nordic markets.

Practical implications

Some policy lessons for different stakeholders are identified.

Originality/value

Empirical investigation of cyber-insurance is still rare, and the paper offers original insights on market composition and actor motivations, ambiguity of coverage, the NIS Directive and GDPR.
Enhancing cyber security behavior: an internal social marketing approach
Authors: Pham Hiep Cong , Brennan Linda , Parker Lukas , Phan-Le Nhat Tram , Ulhaq Irfan , Nkhoma Mathews Zanda , Nhat Nguyen Minh
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Understanding the behavioral change process of system users to adopt safe security practices is important to the success of an organization’s cybersecurity program. This study aims to explore how the 7Ps (product, price, promotion, place, physical evidence, process and people) marketing mix, as part of an internal social marketing approach, can be used to gain an understanding of employees’ interactions within an organization’s cybersecurity environment. This understanding could inform the design of servicescapes and behavioral infrastructure to promote and maintain cybersecurity compliance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted an inductive qualitative approach using in-depth interviews with employees in several Vietnamese organizations. Discussions were centered on employee experiences and their perceptions of cybersecurity initiatives, as well as the impact of initiatives on compliance behavior. Responses were then categorized under the 7Ps marketing mix framework.

Findings

The study shows that assessing a cybersecurity program using the 7P mix enables the systematic capture of users’ security compliance and acceptance of IT systems. Additionally, understanding the interactions between system elements permits the design of behavioral infrastructure to enhance security efforts. Results also show that user engagement is essential in developing secure systems. User engagement requires developing shared objectives, localized communications, co-designing of efficient processes and understanding the “pain points” of security compliance. The knowledge developed from this research provides a framework for those managing cybersecurity systems and enables the design human-centered systems conducive to compliance.

Originality/value

The study is one of the first to use a cross-disciplinary social marketing approach to examine how employees experience and comply with security initiatives. Previous studies have mostly focused on determinants of compliance behavior without providing a clear platform for management action. Internal social marketing using 7Ps provides a simple but innovative approach to reexamine existing compliance approaches. Findings from the study could leverage proven successful marketing techniques to promote security compliance.
Patient use of online medical records: an application of technology acceptance framework
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Surma , Basak Ramsankar , Carpenter Darrell , Reithel Brian J.
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Little is known about factors that affect patient use of online medical records (OMR). Specifically, with rising vulnerability concerns associated with security and privacy breaches, patient use of OMR requires further attention. This paper aims to investigate patient use of OMR. Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), factors affecting continued use of OMR were examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The Health Information National Trends Survey 5 (HINTS 5), Cycle 1 data were used. This is an ongoing nation-wide survey sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the USA. The subjects were 31-74 years old with access to the Internet. Descriptive information was projected to the US population.

Findings

In total, 765 respondents representing 48.7 million members of the US population were analyzed. Weighted regression results showed significant effects of perceived usefulness, visit frequency and provider encouragement on continued use of OMR while vulnerability perception was not significant. Moderating effects of these variables were also noted. Perceived usefulness and provider encouragement emerged as important predictors.

Practical implications

Insights may help design interventions by health-care providers and policymakers.

Social implications

Insights should help patient empowerment and developers with designing systems.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine health-care consumers’ continued use of OMR using nationally representative data and real-world patients, many of who have one or more chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes, hypertension, asthma) or are cancer survivors. Results highlight factors helping or hindering continuing OMR use. As such, insights should help identify opportunities to increase the extent of use, project future OMR usage patterns and spread the benefits of OMR, including bringing forth positive health outcomes.
Route classification scheme based on covering rough set approach in mobile ad hoc network (CRS-MANET)
Authors: T. Sudhakar , H. Hannah Inbarani , S. Senthil Kumar
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to obtain correctly classified routes based on their parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a covering rough set (CRS) approach is proposed for route classification in wireless ad hoc networks. In a wireless network, mobile nodes are deployed randomly in a simulation region. This work addresses the problem of route classification.

Findings

The network parameters such as bandwidth, delay, packet byte rate and packet loss rate changes due to the frequent mobility of nodes lead to uncertainty in wireless networks. This type of uncertainty can be very well handled using a rough set concept. An ultimate aim of classification is to correctly predict the decision class for each instance in the data.

Originality/value

The traditional classification algorithms, named K-nearest neighbor, J48, general rough set theory, naive Bayes, JRIP and multilayer perceptron, are used in this work for comparison and for the proposed CRS based on route classification approach revealing better accuracy than traditional classification algorithms.
Improving system reliability by optimal allocation of resources for discovering software vulnerabilities
Authors: Bhatt Navneet , Anand Adarsh , Aggrawal Deepti
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a mathematical framework to optimally allocate resources required for the discovery of vulnerabilities pertaining to different severity risk levels.

Design/methodology/approach

Different sets of optimization problems have been formulated and using the concept of dynamic programming approach, sequence of recursive functions has been constructed for the optimal allocation of resources used for discovering vulnerabilities of different severity scores. Mozilla Thunderbird web browser data set has been considered for giving the empirical evaluation by working with vulnerabilities of different severities.

Findings

As per the impact associated with a vulnerability, critical and high severity level are required to be patched promptly, and hence, a larger amount of funds have to be allocated for vulnerability discovery. Nevertheless, a low or medium risk vulnerability might also get exploited and thereby their discovery is also crucial for higher severity vulnerabilities. The current framework provides a diversified allocation of funds as per the requirement of a software manager and also aims at improving the discovery of vulnerability significantly.

Practical implications

The finding of this research may enable software managers to adequately assign resources in managing the discovery of vulnerabilities. It may also help in acknowledging the funds required for various bug bounty programs to cater security reporters based on the potential number of vulnerabilities present in software.

Originality/value

Much of the attention has been focused on the vulnerability discovery modeling and the risk associated with the security flaws. But, as far as the authors’ knowledge is concern, there is no such study that incorporates optimal allocation of resources with respect to the vulnerabilities of different severity scores. Hence, the building block of this paper contributes to future research.
Coworking space as a third-fourth place: changing models of a hybrid space in corporate real estate
Authors: Yang Eunhwa , Bisson Catherine , Sanborn Bonnie Eaton
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to review the concept and characteristics of coworking space, especially physical and operational characteristics and its objectives. The authors propose three models of coworking spaces, such as revenue, synergistic and customer contact, which organizations can use as a part of their corporate real estate strategies to build workplace flexibility and resiliency. This paper also addresses research gaps and a research agenda for future research.

Methodology

This paper is a literature review of academic research focusing on coworking spaces. Because of the relatively limited existing academic literature on the topic, industry sources and white papers are also reviewed.

Findings

The authors categorized common threads of the existing literature on coworking spaces to emergence and growth trends, the types of users, the type of work to be completed in these spaces, characteristics of coworking spaces and the desired outcomes of coworking space models. Coworking spaces are expected to grow worldwide because of the increase in knowledge-based economy, the “digital nomad” lifestyle and mobile technologies, however, there is limited research on the relationship between spatial and operational characteristics of coworking spaces and users’ collaboration, social well-being and creativity. No research identified fully articulated the nuanced differences between the types of coworking spaces now found in the real estate ecosystem.

Research limitations

There is limited academic, empirical research focusing on coworking spaces. Thus, the search for literature itself is limited to a small number of papers. Although the authors extended the search to non-academic sources, the conclusion of this study is tentative because of the prematurity of the topic.

Originality/value

This paper urges the identification of research questions, considering the fast growth of coworking spaces and suggests future research directions based on newly proposed models. Industry practitioners, including building owners, managers, coworking space providers and corporate real estate practitioners, can consider using variations of coworking space concepts and characteristics, as they understand the importance of social needs and connectivity among users. By addressing the history of the coworking space as a concept and business model, and updating the types of models to include new coworking spaces, the authors provide further options to industry practitioners as to how to integrate coworking into their real estate.
Portfolio allocation across variance risk premia
Authors: Chevallier Julien , Vo Dinh-Tri
Published: October 2019

Purpose

In asset management, what if clients want to purchase protection from risk factors, under the form of variance risk premia. This paper aims to address this topic by developing a portfolio optimization framework based on the criterion of the minimum variance risk premium (VRP) for any investor selecting stocks with an expected target return while minimizing the risk aversion associated to the portfolio according to “good” and “bad” times.

Design/methodology/approach

To accomplish this portfolio selection problem, the authors compute variance risk-premium as the difference from high-frequencies' realized volatility and options' implied volatility stemming from 19 stock markets, estimate a 2-state Markov-switching model on the variance risk-premia and optimize variance risk-premia portfolios across non-overlapping regions. The period goes from March 16, 2011, to March 28, 2018.

Findings

The authors find that optimized portfolios based on variance-covariance matrices stemming from VRP do not consistently outperform the benchmark based on daily returns. Several robustness checks are investigated by minimizing historical, realized or implicit variances, with/without regime switching. In a boundary case, accounting for the realized variance risk factor in portfolio decisions can be seen as a promising alternative from a portfolio performance perspective.

Practical implications

As a new management “style”, the realized volatility approach can, therefore, bring incremental value to construct the conditional covariance matrix estimates.

Originality/value

The authors assess the portfolio performance determined by the variance-covariance matrices that are derived by four models: “naive” (Markowitz returns benchmark), non-switching VRP, maximum likelihood regime-switching VRP and Bayesian regime switching VRP. The authors examine the best return-risk combination through the calculation of the Sharpe ratio. They also assess another different portfolio strategy: the risk parity approach.
Relationship between human resource management practices and informal workplace learning
Authors: Khandakar Md Shariful Alam , Pangil Faizuniah
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between human resource management (HRM) practices and informal workplace learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a sample of 381 employees working as heads of the department of branches in private commercial banks of Bangladesh. Hypotheses were tested by using structural equation modelling-partial least square.

Findings

Findings of the study revealed that HRM practices such as selective hiring, extensive training, performance appraisal, compensation practices, empowerment and information-sharing, significantly positively related with informal workplace learning.

Originality/value

Based on the situated learning and organizational support theory, this study is empirically testing how HRM practices influence informal workplace learning.
Periprosthetic bone response to axial loading following TKR
Authors: Baliga Ravishanker , Rao Sharat K. , Pai Raghuvir , Shenoy Satish B. , Hegde Atmananda K. , Swaroop Shubham , Shetkar Abhijeet
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate by means of finite element analysis (FEA), the effect of polyethylene insert thickness and implant material, under axial loading following TKA.

Design/methodology/approach

The 3D geometric model of bone was processed using the CT scan data by MIMICS (3matic Inc.), package. Implant components were 3D scanned and subsequently 3D modeled using ANSYS Spaceclaim and meshed in Hypermesh (Altair Hyperworks). The assembled, meshed bone-implant model was then input to ABAQUS for FE simulations, considering axial loading.

Findings

Polyethylene insert thickness was found to have very little or no significance (p>0.05) on the mechanical performance, namely, stress, strain and stress shielding of bone-implant system. Implant material was found to have a very significant effect (p<0.05) on the performance parameters and greatly reduced the high stress zones up to 60 percent on the tibial flange region and periprosthetic region of tibia.

Originality/value

Very few FEA studies have been done considering a full bone with heterogeneous material properties, to save computational time. Moreover, four different polyethylene insert thickness with a metal-backed and all-poly tibial tray was considered as the variables affecting the bone-implant system response, under static axial loading. The authors believe that considering a full bone shall lead to more precise outcomes, in terms of the response of bone-implant system, namely, stress, strains and stress shielding in the periprosthetic region, to loading.
Implementation of a distance learning program focused on continuing medical education with the support of patent-based data mining
Authors: Ferraz Renato Ribeiro Nogueira , da Silva Marcus Vinícius Cesso , da Silva Renan Antônio , Quoniam Luc
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the use of a free code computational tool, Patent2net, in the search of patents for the implementation of distance learning aimed at Continuing Medical Education.

Design/methodology/approach

This technical report is based on the extraction, organization and availability, in the format of graphs and dynamic tables, and also based on information in other patents on the subject, made available in the Espacenet database.

Findings

As a result, it was possible to identify a Chinese patent, free for reproduction in Brazil, which describes an e-learning system that simulates 3D scenarios for training nursing teams.

Research limitations/implications

The paper has used one unique patent database, but containing more than 100m documents.

Practical implications

The selected patent can contribute to the improvement of care and behavioral techniques of the health professionals.

Social implications

The training of health professionals can improve the public and supplementary health systems.

Originality/value

This is the first paper in that de technometric analisys of patents was used to solve a problem regarding the training of health professionals.
Towards a circular built environment
Authors: van Stijn Anne , Gruis Vincent
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The transition to a circular economy in the built environment is key to achieving a resource-effective society. The built environment can be made more circular by applying circular building components. The purpose of this paper is to present a design tool that can support industry in developing circular building components.

Design/methodology/approach

The tool was developed and tested in five steps. In Step 1, the authors analysed existing circular design frameworks to identify gaps and develop requirements for the design tool (Step 2). In Step 3, the authors derived circular design parameters and options from existing frameworks. In Step 4, the authors combined and specified these to develop the “circular building components generator” (CBC-generator). In Step 5, the CBC-generator was applied in the development of an exemplary component: the circular kitchen and tested in a student workshop.

Findings

The CBC-generator is a three-tiered design tool, consisting of a technical, industrial and business model generator. These generators are “parameter based”; they consist of a parameter-option matrix and design canvasses. Different variants for circular components can be synthesised by filling the canvasses through systematically “mixing and matching” design options.

Research limitations/implications

The developed tool does not yet support establishing causal links between “parameter-options” and identification of the most circular design variant.

Practical implications

The CBC-generator provides an important step to support the building industry in developing and implementing circular building components in the built environment.

Originality/value

Whilst existing tools and frameworks are not comprehensive, nor specifically developed for designing circular building components, the CBC-generator successfully supports the integral design of circular building components. First, it provides all the design parameters which should be considered; second, it provides extensive design options per parameter; and third, it supports systematic synthesis of design options to a cohesive and comprehensive circular design.
A pilot study of Vipassana meditation with female drug users at a rehabilitation centre, Thailand
Authors: Wongtongkam Nualnong , Bhavanaveeranusith Phrakhru
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Substance abuse has become a major health issue in Thailand, contributing to high numbers of premature deaths and requiring considerable expenditure on treatment and rehabilitation programs. The purpose of this paper is to explore use of Vipassana meditation to reduce depression and improve empathy and self-awareness in drug dependent women at a rehabilitation centre.

Design/methodology/approach

Mixed methods were employed. Data were collected in a randomised controlled trial and focus group interviews with 24 intervention subjects and 22 controls.

Findings

Findings showed no significant differences in depression, empathy or mindfulness levels between intervention and control groups, but intervention subjects had a small decline in depression at one-month follow up. The focus group interviews showed that drug users had developed self-awareness, moral values and greater understanding of right and wrong acts.

Originality/value

Findings suggest that Vipassana meditation which is cultural appropriate for Thai culture and religion, should be incorporated into treatments in rehabilitation centres to increase successful outcomes.
I rather share my knowledge
Authors: Afshar Jalili Yasha
Published: October 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an approach by understanding how Oil Industries’ Commissioning and Operation Company (OICO) company fostered its knowledge sharing (KS) by using gamification approach and nudge theory. It also ascertains the process and challenges that OICO confronted during its three-year journey for improving its organizational knowledge performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a qualitative research method and case study design. Data were collected from several sources, including the first-hand experiences and observations of the author during contributing in the company’s canonical action research, several in-depth face-to-face interviews conducted with the KM Department team members, the data gathered from the company’s KM software and studying the related organizational procedures and documents.

Findings

The results reveal that the gamification approach suits for developing KS reward system and knowledge performance management. It also explains that informing project managers about their project’s knowledge performance accompanied by emoticons would lead to higher supports of KM. The proposed approach by this case study improved the organizational KS and performance by 22 per cent semi-annually.

Practical implications

The described case is detailed deeply and would help KMers to follow it easily. The study would spark some ideas of how to use nudge theory in KM context. Besides, KMers can design a KM reward system based on the explained case.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the KS and KM rewarding system, especially in project-based organizations, as limited studies have been conducted to investigate the roles that the gamification approach can play in this field. Moreover, this is the first time that use of nudge theory and choice architecture is investigated in the context of KM.
A methodological approach to accessing informal dementia care
Authors: Fletcher James Rupert
Published: October 2019

Purpose

A growing body of research seeks to include people with dementia as both participants and co-designers. It is also increasingly recognized that dementia research must pay greater attention to informal care, provided by family and friends in non-institutional settings, because this is the situation of most people affected by dementia. Accessing these kinds of naturalistic care sites through meaningfully inclusive studies can be challenging for researchers in many fields. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes a methodology designed to facilitate meaningful inclusion and access to hard-to-reach dementia care networks. It describes the implementation of this methodology in the field, the problems that emerged and the lessons learned.

Findings

A two-step sampling approach was used. People with dementia were sampled through organizations unrelated to dementia. Care networks were sampled through ecomapping with people with dementia. The strategy successfully accessed the desired population, but it was labour-intensive and biased the sample in several respects.

Originality/value

It is hoped that this outline will encourage further reflection and discussion regarding methodological approaches to complex sampling and recruitment issues in dementia research.
Attitudes towards frailty assessment in clinical practice among psychiatrists in the UK
Authors: Anantapong Kanthee , Tinker Anthea
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Although there is substantial evidence about the association between frailty and mental illnesses in older people, there is currently little evidence about how this is integrated into psychiatric clinical practice. The purpose of this paper is to explore the attitudes of a sample of psychiatrists in the UK about the concept and assessment of frailty in their clinical practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews. Interview schedules and transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. NVivo software and an audit trail were used for the data analysis.

Findings

There were ten respondents (all psychiatrists) in this study. From the interviews, it appeared that some respondents were not be fully familiar with existing concepts of frailty. However, from their perspectives, frailty appeared to be multidimensional, reversible and for some could be enhanced by older people’s ability. Negative stereotypes of being frail could undermine the accessibility to appropriate assessment and care. Existing multidisciplinary assessments, with some adjustments to the particular needs of psychiatric patients, can be used to establish a frailty index.

Originality/value

The concept of frailty, especially those concerning its multidimensional and homeostatic nature, should be further examined to make it more applicable to psychiatric practice. Without much more effort, frailty could be assessed within current psychiatric practices. This could constitute a care plan tailored for frail people with a psychiatric illness, so as to improve the outcomes of their treatment and quality of life.
Working on the edge: changes in the content and delivery of social care
Authors: Moriarty Jo , Manthorpe Jill , Harris Jess
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe some of the changes to the content and delivery of care work in the context of developments in the wider labour market.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 240 interviews with social care practitioners and managers were undertaken at Time 1 (T1) (2009–2012) and Time 2 (T2) (2011–2014) in four local council sites in England. A final round of interviews (T3) with managers (n=60) and staff (n=60) took place between 2015 and 2018.

Findings

The way in which many workers found meaning and satisfaction within their work was an important way by which many of them tempered dissatisfaction with pay, status and working conditions. Some workers used the concepts of ethical practice and vocation to differentiate themselves from other workers and organisations whom they considered lack these qualities and from what they saw as a wider societal perception that their work was unskilled and unfulfilling.

Research limitations/implications

The interview data may not be generalisable or totally representative of care staff. Those employers who agreed to participate may have been more committed to workforce development and valued their staff more highly. Nonetheless, data were sector wide and there were sizeable numbers of participants.

Practical implications

Pride and job satisfaction are important aspects of job satisfaction in care work and could be fostered in care services and by older people.

Social implications

Negative perceptions of care work within society may act as a barrier to recruitment and retention. Older people might help raise the positive profile of care work.

Originality/value

This is a unique data set from which to document long-term determinants of job satisfaction in care work.
Adoption barriers in engaging young consumers in the Omni-channel retailing
Authors: Sharma Manu , Gupta Manish , Joshi Sudhanshu
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of the study is twofold. The first objective is to identify adoption barriers (AdoBs) in engaging young consumers in the Omni-channel retailing (OCR). The second objective is to develop interrelationship among identified AdoBs.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used interpretative structural modeling–fuzzy ( Matriced’ Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée a UN Classement) methods on 18 AdoBs identified from the existing literature and validated from 10 experts and 137 young consumers through pairwise comparison using the arithmetic hierarchical process method. The resulting ten barriers were further investigated for identifying the strength of relationships among them.

Findings

The study has identified price inconsistency as the dominant AdoB that restricts young consumers in engaging with OCR. The other critical AdoBs include lack of coordination among the channels, and information sharing and inconsistent price discount are the main barriers that affect all the other barriers among the 10 AdoBs identified in this study. The data also revealed that the young consumers exhibit the research-online purchase-offline effect in the purchase process.

Research limitations/implications

The research study has undertaken ten barriers only. The interrelationship among the barriers may be tested further with advanced techniques. The data have been collected from young consumers of emerging markets only which may be further extended for other markets.

Practical implications

This study helps practitioners and decision-makers understand about AdoBs faced by the young consumers influencing the purchase-intention process. Retailers or marketers are encouraged to focus on price consistency, advanced shared information system, proper coordination and developing trust of consumers in sharing their data to enhance the acceptability of Omni channels. Moreover, the identification of barriers and their strength offer marketers or retailers an opportunity to engage them in an effective manner and thus create value using communication channels.

Social implications

Social benefits of understanding barriers are helpful for transforming the existing retail channel into a fully integrated Omni-channel ecosystem. For this, AdoBs identified and their inter-relationships explored in this study could be used for engaging young consumers in OCR.

Originality/value

To date, the research on Omni-channel barriers in the present context is scant. The research provides insides on identified dimensions on young consumer engagement in OCR.
Adjuvant therapy with nivolumab versus ipilimumab after complete resection of stage III/IV melanoma: Japanese subgroup analysis from the phase 3 CheckMate 238 study
Authors: Yokota Kenji , Uchi Hiroshi , Uhara Hisashi , Yoshikawa Shusuke , Takenouchi Tatsuya , Inozume Takashi , Ozawa Kentaro , Ihn Hironobu , Fujisawa Yasuhiro , Qureshi Anila , de Pril Veerle , Otsuka Yasushi , Weber Jeffrey , Yamazaki Naoya
Published: October 2019

The multinational phase 3 CheckMate 238 trial compared adjuvant therapy with nivolumab versus ipilimumab among patients with resected stage III or IV melanoma (N = 906). In this Japanese subgroup analysis of CheckMate 238 (n = 28; nivolumab, n = 18; ipilimumab, n = 10), both the 12‐ and 18‐month recurrence‐free survival rates were 56% for nivolumab and 30% for ipilimumab (hazard ratio, 0.66; 97.56% confidence interval, 0.19–2.24; P = 0.4390). No new safety signals were reported for Japanese patients. Results were consistent with those from the CheckMate 238 global population, indicating that nivolumab has the potential to be a treatment option for Japanese patients with resected melanoma who are at high risk of recurrence.