bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Excitation of Faraday-like body waves in vibrated living earthworms
Authors: Maksymov Ivan S. , Pototsky Andrey
Published: December 2019

Biological cells and many living organisms are mostly made of liquids and therefore, by analogy with liquid drops, they should exhibit a range of fundamental nonlinear phenomena such as the onset of standing surface waves. Here, we test four common species of earthworm to demonstrate that vertical vibration of living worms lying horizontally of a flat solid surface results in the onset of subharmonic Faraday-like body waves, which is possible because earthworms have a hydrostatic skeleton with a flexible skin and a liquid-filled body cavity. Our findings are supported by theoretical analysis based on a model of parametrically excited vibrations in liquid-filled elastic cylinders using material parameters of the worm’s body reported in the literature. The ability to excite nonlinear subharmonic body waves in a living organism could be used to probe, and potentially to control, important biophysical processes such as the propagation of nerve impulses, thereby opening up avenues for addressing biological questions of fundamental impact.
Genetic profiling of Vietnamese population from large-scale genomic analysis of non-invasive prenatal testing data
Authors: Tran Ngoc Hieu , Vo Thanh Binh , Nguyen Van Thong , Tran Nhat Thang , Trinh Thu-Huong Nhat , Pham Hong-Anh Thi , Dao Thi Hong Thuy , Nguyen Ngoc Mai , Van Yen-Linh Thi , Tran Vu Uyen , Vu Hoang Giang , Bui Quynh-Tram Nguyen , Vo Phuong-Anh Ngoc , Nguyen Huu Nguyen , Nguyen Quynh-Tho Thi , Do Thanh-Thuy Thi , Ngoc Phuong Cao Thi , Truong Dinh Kiet , Nguyen Hoai-Nghia , Giang Hoa , Phan Minh-Duy
Published: December 2019

The under-representation of several ethnic groups in existing genetic databases and studies have undermined our understanding of the genetic variations and associated traits or diseases in many populations. Cost and technology limitations remain the challenges in performing large-scale genome sequencing projects in many developing countries, including Vietnam. As one of the most rapidly adopted genetic tests, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) data offers an alternative untapped resource for genetic studies. Here we performed a large-scale genomic analysis of 2,683 pregnant Vietnamese women using their NIPT data and identified a comprehensive set of 8,054,515 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, among which 8.2% were new to the Vietnamese population. Our study also revealed 24,487 disease-associated genetic variants and their allele frequency distribution, especially 5 pathogenic variants for prevalent genetic disorders in Vietnam. We also observed major discrepancies in the allele frequency distribution of disease-associated genetic variants between the Vietnamese and other populations, thus highlighting a need for genome-wide association studies dedicated to the Vietnamese population. The resulted database of Vietnamese genetic variants, their allele frequency distribution, and their associated diseases presents a valuable resource for future genetic studies.
Overstaying in patchy foraging can be explained by behavioral variability
Authors: Cash-Padgett Tyler , Hayden Benjamin
Published: December 2019

Foragers often systematically deviate from rate-maximizing choices in two ways: in accuracy and precision. That is, they both use suboptimal threshold values and show variability in their application of those thresholds. We hypothesized that these biases are related and, more specifically, that foragers’ widely known accuracy bias – over-staying – could be explained, at least in part, by their precision bias. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed choices made by three rhesus macaques in a computerized patch foraging task. Confirming previously observed findings, we find high levels of variability. We then show, through simulations, that this variability changes optimal thresholds, meaning that a forager aware of its own variability should increase its leaving threshold (i.e., over-stay) to increase performance. All subjects showed thresholds that were biased in the predicted direction. These results indicate that over-staying in patches may reflect, in part, an adaptation to behavioral variability.
The gap junction blocker mefloquine impairs sleep-dependent declarative memory consolidation in humans
Authors: Feld Gordon B. , Ngo Hong-Viet , Durán Ernesto , Gebhardt Sandra , Kleist Lisa , Brugger Kerstin , Fritsche Andreas , Born Jan , Hallschmid Manfred
Published: December 2019

During sleep, the time-compressed replay of engrams acquired during preceding wakefulness drives memory consolidation. We demonstrate in healthy humans that direct electrical coupling between neurons via gap junctions, i.e., electrical synapses, contributes to this beneficial effect of sleep. Twenty male participants learned a declarative word-pair task and a procedural finger sequence tapping task before receiving the antimalarial mefloquine that is known to block electrical synapses. Retrieval was tested after a retention interval of approximately 20.5 hours that included nocturnal sleep. As predicted, mefloquine given before sleep impaired the retention of declarative memory. In contrast, this effect was absent in control groups, which stayed awake or received mefloquine after sleep. Irrespective of sleep or administration time, mefloquine enhanced retention performance on the procedural memory control task. We conclude that sleep-dependent processes relying on electrical neuronal coupling enable hippocampus-dependent declarative memory consolidation, presumably via time-compressed hippocampal replay of memory traces within sharp-wave/ripple complexes. The recruitment of this understudied form of neuronal information transfer may be necessary to achieve fast-paced memory reprocessing during sleep. Considering that drugs targeting neurochemical synapses have recently fallen short of substantially advancing the treatment of memory impairments in Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia or during normal aging, unraveling the contribution of gap junctions to sleep-dependent declarative memory formation can be expected to open new therapeutic avenues.

Significance statement

Sleep supports the strengthening and transformation of memory content via the active replay of previously encoded engrams. Surprisingly, blocking neurochemical synaptic transmission does not impair this function of sleep. Here we demonstrate that the direct electrical coupling between neurons via electrical synapses (gap junctions) is essential for the sleep-dependent formation of declarative memory, i.e., memory for episodes and facts. These findings are in line with the assumption that electrical synapses enable time-compressed neuronal firing patterns that emerge during sleep and drive declarative memory consolidation. Electrical synapses have so far not been linked to higher-order brain functions in humans; their contribution to sleep-dependent memory processing may provide a novel target for sleep-related clinical interventions.
Co-evolving wing spots and mating displays are genetically separable traits inDrosophila
Authors: Massey Jonathan H. , Rice Gavin R. , Firdaus Anggun , Chen Chi-Yang , Yeh Shu-Dan , Stern David L. , Wittkopp Patricia J.
Published: December 2019

The evolution of sexual traits often involves correlated changes in morphology and behavior. For example, in Drosophila, divergent mating displays are often accompanied by divergent pigment patterns. To better understand how such traits co-evolve, we investigated the genetic basis of correlated divergence in wing pigmentation and mating display between the sibling speciesDrosophila elegansandD. gunungcola.Drosophila elegansmales have an area of black pigment on their wings known as a wing spot and appear to display this spot to females by extending their wings laterally during courtship. By contrast,D. gunungcolalacks both of these traits. Using Multiplexed Shotgun Genotyping (MSG), we identified a ∼440 kb region on the X chromosome that behaves like a genetic switch controlling the presence or absence of male-specific wing spots. This region includes the candidate geneoptomotor-blind(omb), which plays a critical role in patterning theDrosophilawing. The genetic basis of divergent wing display is more complex, with at least two loci on the X chromosome and two loci on autosomes contributing to its evolution. Introgressing the X-linked region affecting wing spot development fromD. gunungcolaintoD. elegansreduced pigmentation in the wing spots but did not affect the wing display, indicating that these are genetically separable traits. Consistent with this observation, broader sampling of wildD. gunungcolapopulations confirmed the wing spot and wing display are evolving independently: someD. gunungcolamales preformed wing displays similar toD. elegansdespite lacking wing spots. These data suggest that correlated selection pressures rather than physical linkage or pleiotropy are responsible for the coevolution of these morphological and behavioral traits. They also suggest that the change in morphology evolved prior to the change in behavior.
Positively and negatively autocorrelated environmental fluctuations have opposing effects on species coexistence
Authors: Schreiber Sebastian J.
Published: December 2019

Environmental fluctuations can mediate coexistence between competing species via the storage effect. This fluctuation-dependent coexistence mechanism requires three conditions: (i) a positive covariance between environment conditions and the strength of competition, (ii) species-specific environmental responses, and (iii) species are less sensitive to competition in environmentally unfavorable years. In serially uncorrelated environments, condition (i) only occurs if favorable environmental conditions immediately and directly increase the strength of competition. For many demographic parameters, this direct link between favorable years and competition may not exist. Moreover, many environmental variables are temporal autocorrelated, but theory has largely focused on serially uncorrelated environments. To address this gap, a model of competing species in autocorrelated environments is analyzed. This analysis shows that positive autocorrelations in demographic rates that increase fitness (e.g. maximal fecundity or adult survival) produce the positive environment-competition covariance. Hence, when these demographic rates contribute to buffered population growth, positive temporal autocorrelations generate a storage effect, otherwise they destabilize competitive interactions. For negatively autocorrelated environments, this theory highlights an alternative stabilizing mechanism that requires three conditions: (i’) a negative environmental-competition covariance, (ii) species-specific environmental responses, and (iii’) species are less sensitive to competition in more favorable years. When the conditions for either of these stabilizing mechanisms are violated, temporal autocorrelations can generate stochastic priority effects or hasten competitive exclusion. Collectively, these results highlight that temporal autocorrelations in environmental conditions can play a fundamental role in determining ecological outcomes of competing species.
Beyond accessibility: ATAC-seq footprinting unravels kinetics of transcription factor binding during zygotic genome activation
Authors: Bentsen Mette , Goymann Philipp , Schultheis Hendrik , Klee Kathrin , Petrova Anastasiia , Wiegandt René , Fust Annika , Preussner Jens , Kuenne Carsten , Braun Thomas , Kim Johnny , Looso Mario
Published: December 2019

While footprinting analysis of ATAC-seq data can theoretically enable investigation of transcription factor (TF) binding, the lack of a computational tool able to conduct different levels of footprinting analysis has so-far hindered the widespread application of this method. Here we present TOBIAS, a comprehensive, accurate, and fast footprinting framework enabling genome-wide investigation of TF binding dynamics for hundreds of TFs simultaneously. As a proof-of-concept, we illustrate how TOBIAS can unveil complex TF dynamics during zygotic genome activation (ZGA) in both humans and mice, and explore how zygotic Dux activates cascades of TFs, binds to repeat elements and induces expression of novel genetic elements. TOBIAS is freely available at:https://github.com/loosolab/TOBIAS.
A von Hamos-type hard X-ray spectrometer at the PETRA III beamline P64
Authors: Kalinko Aleksandr , Caliebe Wolfgang A. , Schoch Roland , Bauer Matthias
Published: December 2019

The design and performance of the high-resolution wavelength-dispersive multi-crystal von Hamos-type spectrometer at PETRA III beamline P64 are described. Extended analyzer crystal collection available at the beamline allows coverage of a broad energy range from 5 keV to 20 keV with an energy resolution of 0.35–1 eV. Particular attention was paid to enabling two-color measurements by a combination of two types of analyzer crystals and two two-dimensional detectors. The performance of the spectrometer is demonstrated by elastic-line and emission-line measurements on various compounds.
XUV-driven plasma switch for THz: new spatio-temporal overlap tool for XUV–THz pump–probe experiments at FELs
Authors: Zapolnova E. , Pan R. , Golz T. , Sindik M. , Nikolic M. , Temme M. , Rabasovic M. , Grujic D. , Chen Z. , Toleikis S. , Stojanovic N.
Published: December 2019

A simple and robust tool for spatio-temporal overlap of THz and XUV pulses in in-vacuum pump–probe experiments is presented. The technique exploits ultrafast changes of the optical properties in semiconductors (i.e. silicon) driven by ultrashort XUV pulses that are probed by THz pulses. This work demonstrates that this tool can be used for a large range of XUV fluences that are significantly lower than when probing by visible and near-infrared pulses. This tool is mainly targeted at emerging X-ray free-electron laser facilities, but can be utilized also at table-top high-harmonics sources.
A real-space approach to the analysis of stacking faults in close-packed metals: G(r) modelling and Q-space feedback
Authors: Longo Alessandro , Giannici Francesco , Sciortino Luisa , Martorana Antonino
Published: December 2019

An R-space approach to the simulation and fitting of a structural model to the experimental pair distribution function is described, to investigate the structural disorder (distance distribution and stacking faults) in close-packed metals. This is carried out by transferring the Debye function analysis into R space and simulating the low-angle and high-angle truncation for the evaluation of the relevant Fourier transform. The strengths and weaknesses of the R-space approach with respect to the usual Q-space approach are discussed.
Inferring the one-electron reduced density matrix of molecular crystals from experimental data sets through semidefinite programming
Authors: De Bruyne Benjamin , Gillet Jean-Michel
Published: December 2019

Constructing a quantum description of crystals from scattering experiments is of great significance to explain their macroscopic properties and to evaluate the pertinence of theoretical ab initio models. While reconstruction methods of the one-electron reduced density matrix have already been proposed, they are usually tied to strong assumptions that limit and may introduce bias in the model. The goal of this paper is to infer a one-electron reduced density matrix (1-RDM) with minimal assumptions. It has been found that the mathematical framework of semidefinite programming can achieve this goal. Additionally, it conveniently addresses the nontrivial constraints on the 1-RDM which were major hindrances for the existing models. The framework established in this work can be used as a reference to interpret experimental results. This method has been applied to the crystal of dry ice and provides very satisfactory results when compared with periodic ab initio calculations.
Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited
Authors: Dixit Mukund , Kumar H. Anil
Published: December 2019

This case presents the details of origin, strategy, and performance of Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited. It describes the initiatives of Mr. Shukla, Managing Director and Vice President, in maintaining the leadership of the company in a changing environment. The participants are required to assume the role of a new leader of the company, comprehend the initiatives and their impact on the performance, and formulate a strategy for the next five years.
ePuja: Seek, Discover, Get Blessed
Authors: Patel Malay , Karna Amit
Published: December 2019

The case is about an online venture that enables believers to pursue their faith in the several Hindu gods and goddesses in India. The beliefs of the around 1.2 billion population of India in the divine, serve as a lucrative market for religious and spiritual services. Further, India is an ideal market for spiritual and religious services because Indians generally spend on religion and spiritual activities on a daily basis. In 2016, India's religious and spiritual market was estimated at about USD 30 billion. ePuja is an entrepreneurial venture that has been initiated in the e-commerce space to cater to this large market in the religious and spiritual sector. The case describes the entrepreneurial journey of Shivakumar and an angel investor Chetan Merchant and their dilemma in scaling up this venture to the next level of growth.
Measuring the effectiveness of technology-based marketing strategies from the consumer perspective
Authors: Fullerton Sam , Brooksbank Roger , Neale Larry
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Marketers are increasingly spoilt for choice as to which emerging technology to use for the purpose of enhancing their company’s competitive advantage. Accordingly, there is an inherent need to assess, relative to the task of accomplishing an organization’s marketing goals, the levels of consumer-perceived effectiveness germane to these options. Based on grounded theory, this study aims to develop an appropriate measurement instrument.

Design/methodology/approach

Research is based on a survey featuring a cross-section of 18 technology-based initiatives that are being routinely incorporated within many companies’ marketing strategies. A sample of 967 adult residents of the USA provided their perspective on the effectiveness of each initiative as a mainstream marketing tool.

Findings

A wide spectrum of opinions exists as to what constitutes an effective initiative. Three sub-dimensions of the consumer-perceived effectiveness construct were identified and validated as measurement scales for use in future research: involvement stealth and outreach.

Research limitations/implications

The generalization of the findings may be limited because minority segments of the adult American population, specifically, African Americans and Asian Americans were somewhat under-represented in the sample. Likewise, younger and older segments were slightly under- and over-represented, respectively.

Practical implications

The study findings can be used to aid in the further development of an instrument designed to measure the strength and directionality of consumer-perceived marketing effectiveness. With the specter of an increasing array of technology-based strategic options going forward, using such an instrument will no doubt become a critically important success factor among business-to-customer (B2C) organizations.

Originality/value

Few studies to date have sought to understand consumer perspectives regarding the effectiveness of technology-based initiatives as marketing tools, and none have explored the relativities of such perceptions across an array of different initiatives or examined any latent sub-dimensions of the construct. This study addresses these deficiencies.
Anytime distribution – a case of gender differential in sales performance
Authors: Shahzad Farhan , Shaikh Abdul Rehman , Qazi Asad Ali , Sattar Muhammad Muzamil
Published: December 2019

Learning outcomes

To understand how the external culture of an organization affects the internal decisions; to explore how employment stereotypes are used in recruitment; to grasp the general understanding of how line managers give more value to the bottom line than “non-discrimination statement”; to understand the challenges while managing a diverse workforce; and to critically analyze hiring decision and recommend practical solution.

Case overview/synopsis

Asma Malik was hired as a management trainee around five years ago. After successful completion of her one year as a management trainee, she was placed in the finance department. She outperformed all of her targets and received multiple rewards of a star performer. However, Malik was passionate and eager to work in the field and to work with the sales team. It was her dream to be an outstanding salesgirl. Based on the company’s policy of equal opportunity employer, she quickly got herself promoted to the position of wholesale manager and she was the first one to be provided such a challenging position. However, the market dynamics and market acceptability in a country like Pakistan were quite thought-provoking for a girl to be a wholesale manager. And it was observed that sales were constantly declining, as she had assigned this role. Now Country Manager (CM) had to make a decision, whether to transfer her to any other position or to retain her in the same position.

Complexity academic level

Bachelor of Business Administration and MBA.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 1: Accounting and Finance.
Banco Bankaool: Arquitectura de una marca financiera exclusivamente en línea
Authors: Reyes-Mercado Pável
Published: December 2019

Learning outcomes

Entender el lanzamiento de un nuevo banco en la esfera digital. Comprender la conducta de los consumidores en un entorno de creciente cobertura digital y difusión de dispositivos inteligentes. Reconocer que el valor de marca va mucho más allá del desarrollo y lanzamiento de productos. Tomar conciencia de las ventajas y los peligros de un banco puramente digital.

Case overview/synopsis

En 2016, Claire Solís estaba discutiendo con su equipo los caminos para impulsar el crecimiento y el conocimiento de marca de un banco sin sucursales en México. Con el fin de posicionar mejor la marca en el mercado financiero mexicano, Bankaool había decidido ser 100% digital, una institución sin sucursales. El caso presenta una historia condensada de la banca y de los cambios en la conducta de los consumidores digitales. A medida que el caso continúa, los productos de Bankaool se introducen junto con algunas preocupaciones por mantener el negocio andando, en particular con respecto a la salud del banco y su futuro crecimiento. La nueva directora de mercadeo y su equipo tienen que decidir los siguientes pasos a seguir para aumentar el crecimiento de productos justo antes de que la industria de la tecnología financiera se vuelva más madura y competitiva; un escenario de decisiones más complejas. Mientras consideran el potencial de ventas de Bankaool en el corto plazo, también necesitan una estrategia para posicionar la marca Bankaool a largo plazo mientras se esfuerzan por acelerar el crecimiento y generar retornos para los inversionistas.

Complexity academic level

Nivel de postgrado. Ocasionalmente para estudiantes de pregrado con un conocimiento avanzado de estrategias de marca y análisis estratégico. Aplicable para analizar cómo las compañías pueden mejorar sus estrategias de marca en industrias altamente reguladas.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
External knowledge search paths in open innovation processes of small and medium enterprises
Authors: Chaochotechuang Preecha , Daneshgar Farhad , Mariano Stefania
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to advance knowledge by exploring how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) search for external knowledge in their open innovation processes, and how the search can be advanced.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory research employs a qualitative multiple case study design. A literature review of open innovation in SMEs and external knowledge search is used to build the premises of this study. Semi-structured interviews with eight SMEs are employed to collect subsequent exploratory empirical data.

Findings

This exploratory study revealed that SMEs adopted a combination of cognitive and experiential search heuristics where cognitive search was practiced during the innovation research process when searching for external knowledge, whilst experiential search was practiced during the innovation development process. Concerning the search space, this study found that SMEs mainly explored local knowledge, and occasionally pursued distant knowledge when confronted with complex problems. The reason for the above behavior was explained to be related to the reduction of costs and risks associated with innovation activities.

Originality/value

External knowledge plays a pivotal role in open innovation. Although extant studies have shed some light on how large firms search for external knowledge, however, it is not clear how SMEs search for external knowledge. Moreover, this study focuses on learning about both the search space and the search heuristics at both the research and the development stages of the innovation process.
An anomaly detection method to improve the intelligent level of smart articles based on multiple group correlation probability models
Authors: Lu Xudong , Wang Shipeng , Kang Fengjian , Liu Shijun , Li Hui , Xu Xiangzhen , Cui Lizhen
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to detect abnormal data of complex and sophisticated industrial equipment with sensors quickly and accurately. Due to the rapid development of the Internet of Things, more and more equipment is equipped with sensors, especially more complex and sophisticated industrial equipment is installed with a large number of sensors. A large amount of monitoring data is quickly collected to monitor the operation of the equipment. How to detect abnormal data quickly and accurately has become a challenge.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors propose an approach called Multiple Group Correlation-based Anomaly Detection (MGCAD), which can detect equipment anomaly quickly and accurately. The single-point anomaly degree of equipment and the correlation of each kind of data sequence are modeled by using multi-group correlation probability model (a probability distribution model which is helpful to the anomaly detection of equipment), and the anomaly detection of equipment is realized.

Findings

The simulation data set experiments based on real data show that MGCAD has better performance than existing methods in processing multiple monitoring data sequences.

Originality/value

The MGCAD method can detect abnormal data quickly and accurately, promote the intelligent level of smart articles and ultimately help to project the real world into cyber space in CrowdIntell Network.
Why would whistleblowers dare to reveal wrongdoings?
Authors: Nurhidayat Ilham , Kusumasari Bevaola
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to attempt to address basic empirical and theoretical queries on why and how insiders have the courage to voice their concerns and reveal corruption on corruption-related crimes that have been committed in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory research uses the qualitative method and uses a multi-case study in exploring the reality of whistleblowing cases in Indonesia by treating each case with a unique case orientation. Data were acquired through in-depth interviews conducted with whistleblowers and other supporting informants.

Findings

By analysing the rationalisation of an insider’s courage in revealing the corruption act, this study finds out that the act of whistleblowing is driven by the intention developed in the whistleblower’s attitude to defy the actions of wrongdoers. Such an attitude can invoke courage in whistleblowers despite the perceived norms and control that are internally prevalent in the organisation being non-conducive to such acts.

Practical implications

The findings in this paper are expected to guide the government in drafting a policy creating a more effective whistleblowing system that protects whistleblowers.

Originality/value

This study endeavours to fill the existing gap in mainstream research regarding corruption-related crimes in Indonesia that, to date, focusses more on aspects relating to the perpetrators of corruption. This research, conversely, approaches the subject matter from the perspective of whistleblowers.
Frictional characteristics of thin-walled tubes in liquid impact forming
Authors: Ma Jianping , Yang Lianfa , He Yulin , Guo Jian
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to study frictional characteristics of thin-walled tubes in the liquid impact forming (LIF) process.

Design/methodology/approach

LIF experiments under various impacting velocities were performed on SUS304 stainless steel tubes with various guiding lengths on a custom-designed measurement system to investigate the effects of impacting velocity and guiding length on the coefficient of friction (COF) in the guiding zone.

Findings

The results indicate that the COF changes dynamically in the guiding zone and decreases with the deformation process. The reduction range of the COF is wider in LIF than in both the conventional and pulsating hydroforming (THF), which may be contributed to the impacting velocities in a short time. Moreover, the COF decreases faster in the first half of the LIF process than in the second half. Under different impacting velocities and guiding lengths, the decreasing rate of the COF in the first half is more sensitive and obvious than that in the second half.

Originality/value

A method for determining the COF in the guiding zone in LIF is proposed and the frictional characteristics in LIF are studied. Comparing the COF of tubes in conventional THF, pulsating THF and the LIF process is valuable for improving and predicting the tubular formability in various hydraulic environments for industrial production.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-07-2019-0269
Effect of load on the fretting behavior of SAF 2507 super duplex stainless steel in air and sea water
Authors: Wang Mengjiao , Wang Yunxia , Liu Hao , Yan Fengyuan
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to study the influence of load and environment medium on the fretting behavior of SAF 2507 SDSS.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the effect of load on the fretting behavior of SAF 2507 SDSS in air and sea water were studied. The fretting wear tests under different loads were conducted with a ball-on-flat contact configuration. The friction coefficient, wear volume, surface morphology and oxidation component were determined.

Findings

With the increase of applied load, the friction coefficient decreases both in air and sea water. The fretting mechanism is gradually transformed from partial slip regime to slip regime in air while the fretting counterparts are all in the state of gross slip in sea water. In sea water, the friction coefficient is lower while the wear loss is higher compared with that in air.

Research limitations/implications

This research suggests that the fretting behavior of SAF 2507 SDSS is related to load and environment medium.

Practical implications

The results may help us to choose the appropriate load under different environments.

Originality/value

The main originality of the research is to reveal the fretting behavior of SAF 2507 SDSS under different loads in air and sea water, which would help us to realize fretting behavior of SAF 2507 SDSS is controlled by the combination of applied load and lubricating environment.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ILT-08-2019-0335.
A benchmarking study of Indian seaports
Authors: George Sajeev Abraham , Tumma Anurag C.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to benchmark the operational and financial performances of the major Indian seaports to help derive useful insights to improve their performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology has been used with the help of data collected on the 13 major seaports of India. The first stage of the DEA captured the operational efficiencies, while the second stage the financial performance.

Findings

A window analysis over a period of three years revealed that no port was able to score an overall average efficiency of 100 per cent. The study identified the better performing units among their peers in both the stages. The contrasting results of the study with the traditional operational and financial performance measures used by the ports helped to derive useful insights.

Research limitations/implications

The data used in the study were majorly limited to the available sources in the public domain. Also, the study was limited to the major seaports which are under the Government of India and no comparisons were carried out with other local or international ports.

Practical implications

There is a need to prioritize investments and improvement efforts where they are most needed, instead of following a generalized approach. Once the benchmark ports are identified, the port authorities and other relevant stakeholders should work in detail on the factors causing inefficiencies, for possible improvements in performance.

Originality/value

This paper carried out a two-stage DEA that helped to derive useful insights on operational efficiency and financial performance of the India seaports. A combination of the financial and operational parameters, along with a comparison of the DEA results with the traditional measures, provided a different perspective on the Indian seaport performance. Considering the scarcity of research papers reported in the literature on DEA-based benchmarking studies of seaports in the Indian context, it has the potential to attract future research in this field.
Annual report readability subsequent to going-concern opinions
Authors: Kawada Brett S. , Wang Jeff Jundong
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine a firm’s disclosure properties subsequent to receiving a going-concern opinion.

Design/methodology/approach

A difference-in-difference research design was used to control for endogeneity issues. Annual report readability is used as a proxy for firm disclosure.

Findings

The results indicate a negative and significant association between issuance of a going-concern report to a firm and the firm’s readability index in the subsequent year. In other words, after receiving a going-concern opinion, a firm’s annual report exhibits increased readability. The results, when broken into subsamples of surviving and failing firms, are concentrated in the surviving firms.

Research limitations/implications

Prior research has shown that firms change their disclosure properties due to endogenous choices motivated by incentive or exogenous shocks. The results of this study, however, suggest that firms that receive going-concern opinions are incentivized to be more forthcoming in disclosing their financial information.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to investigate how firms’ general disclosures change subsequent to receiving a going-concern opinion.
Dental services provided by dentists in Australia
Authors: Brennan DS , Chrisopoulos S , Luzzi L , Teusner DN
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To examine the efect of age and gender on dental services provided by dentists in Australia, and compare with previous estimates across the period 1983–1984 to 2013–2014.

Methods

Data were collected by mailed survey from a random sample of Australian dentists. Private sector dentists were the focus of the analysis. Data were weighted to the age and sex distribution of Australian practising dentists.

Results

The analysis was based on service logs collected from n = 211 dentists. Adjusted results (rate ratio, 95% CI) showed male dentists had higher endodontic rates (1.7, 1.0–2.9) than female dentists. Dentists aged 40–49 years had higher restorative rates (1.6, 1.1–2.2) but lower preventive rates (0.5, 0.3–0.9) than those aged 20–29 years. Diagnostic services were lower for dentists aged 40–49 to 60+ years (0.8, 0.6–0.9), while denture services were higher for dentists aged 40–49 (11.1, 2.5–48.5) to 60+ years (6.4, 1.2–33.3). Crowns were higher for dentists aged 40–49 (2.4, 1.0–5.6) and 50–59 years (2.9, 1.3–6.6). Diagnostic and preventive services were consistently higher across 1983–1984 to 2013–2014.

Conclusions

Younger dentists provided higher rates of diagnostic and preventive services. Over a 30‐year period, there was a consistent trend towards higher provision of diagnostic and preventive services.
Towards the development of Vietnam’s national dementia plan—the first step of action
Authors: Nguyen Tuan Anh , Pham Thang , Dang Thu Ha , Hinton Walter Ladson , Nguyen Anh Trung , Pham Tuan Le , Crotty Maria , Kurrle Susan , Bui Quang Thuc , Nguyen Huong , Roughead Elizabeth E.
Published: December 2019

Objective

To foster a national dialogue on addressing dementia as an emerging public health problem and formulating a strategy for developing Vietnam’s national dementia plan.

Methods

In September 2018, the Vietnamese National Geriatric Hospital supported by University staff in Australia and the United States organised the first Vietnam National Dementia Conference in Hanoi.

Results

Over 270 Vietnamese dementia stakeholders and international dementia experts participated in the conference. The participants agreed dementia was a public health priority in Vietnam and identified the need for the development of Vietnam’s national dementia plan. Policymakers supported positioning dementia as a priority in the national health agenda. Research institutions created collaboration to generate scientific information for policymaking process. Funding and international supports were obtained to develop Vietnam’s national dementia plan.

Conclusion

Strong leadership, stakeholder engagement and international support are critical in raising awareness and advocating for the development of Vietnam’s national dementia plan.
Assessing research capacity in Victoria's south‐west health service providers
Authors: Gill Stephen D. , Gwini Stella May , Otmar Renee , Lane Stephen E. , Quirk Frances , Fuscaldo Giuliana
Published: December 2019

Objective

To investigate the research interest, capacity and culture in individuals, teams and health organisations across south‐western Victoria.

Design

Cross‐sectional survey.

Setting

Eight public health services in the south‐western region of Victoria.

Participants

All staff were invited to participate.

Intervention

Hospital staff survey.

Main outcome measure

The Research Capacity and Culture tool.

Results

The survey was completed by 776 staff including nurses, allied health staff and doctors. Half of the respondents were currently involved in research, while most wanted to be more involved. Respondents reported having moderate research skills and success at individual, team and organisation levels. Women and nurses reported having lower skills than comparable groups. Motivators for undertaking research were skill development (increased job satisfaction and brain stimulation) while the most commonly selected barriers were lack of time, other work taking priority and lack of funding.

Conclusion

Health organisations in regional and rural Victoria could harness opportunities to enable staff participation in research by supporting identified strengths, addressing barriers and providing “permission” for staff to get involved in research. Efforts to improve research capacity among women and nurses could lead to the greatest overall improvement in organisations' research capacity and output—and translation of evidence into practice.
Malaysian propolis and metformin mitigate subfertility in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic male rats by targeting steroidogenesis, testicular lactate transport, spermatogenesis and mating behaviour
Authors: Nna Victor Udo , Bakar Ainul Bahiyah Abu , Ahmad Azlina , Umar Usman Zayyanu , Suleiman Joseph Bagi , Zakaria Zaida , Othman Zaidatul Akmal , Mohamed Mahaneem
Published: December 2019

Background

Diabetes mellitus is one of the risk factors for male subfertility/infertility. Malaysian propolis is reported to decrease hyperglycaemia in diabetic state.

Objectives

The present study investigated the protective effect of Malaysian propolis on diabetes‐induced subfertility/infertility. Additionally, its combined beneficial effects with metformin were investigated.

Materials and methods

Forty adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into five groups, namely normal control, diabetic control, diabetic + Malaysian propolis (300 mg/k.g. b.w.), diabetic + metformin (300 mg/kg b.w.) and diabetic + Malaysian propolis + metformin. Diabetes was induced using a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg b.w.) and treatment lasted for 4 weeks. During the 4th week, mating behavioural experiments were performed using sexually receptive female rats. Thereafter, fertility parameters were assessed in the female rats.

Results

Malaysian propolis increased serum and intratesticular free testosterone levels, up‐regulated the mRNA levels of AR and luteinizing hormone receptor, up‐regulated the mRNA and protein levels of StAR, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, 3β‐HSD and 17β‐HSD in the testes of diabetic rats. Furthermore, Malaysian propolis up‐regulated testicular MCT2, MCT4 and lactate dehydrogenase type C mRNA levels, in addition to improving sperm parameters (count, motility, viability and normal morphology) and decreasing sperm nDNA fragmentation in diabetic rats. Malaysian propolis improved mating behaviour by increasing penile guanosine monophosphate levels. Malaysian propolis also improved fertility outcome as seen with decreases in pre‐ and post‐implantation losses, increases in gravid uterine weight, litter size per dam and foetal weight. Malaysian propolis's effects were comparable to metformin. However, their combination yielded better results relative to the monotherapeutic interventions.

Conclusion

Malaysian propolis improves fertility potential in diabetic state by targeting steroidogenesis, testicular lactate metabolism, spermatogenesis and mating behaviour, with better effects when co‐administered with metformin. Therefore, Malaysian propolis shows a promising complementary effect with metformin in mitigating Diabetes mellitus‐induced subfertility/infertility.
Factors affecting renal function preservation among patients not achieving trifecta after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for clinical T1a renal masses
Authors: Takeda Toshikazu , Komatsuda Akari , Yanai Yoshinori , Tanaka Nobuyuki , Matsumoto Kazuhiro , Morita Shinya , Kosaka Takeo , Mizuno Ryuichi , Shinojima Toshiaki , Asanuma Hiroshi , Oya Mototsugu
Published: December 2019

Introduction

The goal of partial nephrectomy for renal tumors is complete tumor removal with the preservation of renal function and no complications. Trifecta (total ischemia time < 25 minutes, negative surgical margins, and no surgical complications) is widely used to evaluate success after partial nephrectomy. We investigated factors affecting renal function preservation among patients not achieving trifecta after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Methods

Sixty‐six patients who underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for clinical T1a renal masses between December 2006 and March 2016 were examined. We defined preserved renal function as the preservation of an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥ 90% 1 year after surgery. We examined factors affecting renal function preservation among patients not achieving trifecta after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Results

Thirty out of 66 patients (45%) did not achieve trifecta. In an evaluation of 66 patients, a multivariate analysis identified tumor size (P = .04) as an independent predictor affecting the achievement of trifecta. Tumor size was significantly smaller in the trifecta achievement group (1.9 ± 0.1 cm) than in the non‐achievement group (2.2 ± 0.6 cm) (P = .04). We found that renal function was preserved 1 year after surgery in 14 out of the 30 patients not achieving trifecta. In univariate analysis, age (P = .01) was significantly associated with affecting the preservation of renal function among these patients. Patients with preserved renal function were significantly younger (47.8 ± 2.5 years) than those without (58.5 ± 2.9 years) (P = .01).

Conclusion

Renal function may be preserved in younger patients even if they do not achieve trifecta after partial nephrectomy for small renal masses.
Keys to engagement: A case study exploring the participation of autistic pupils in educational decision‐making at school
Authors: Zilli Chantelle , Parsons Sarah , Kovshoff Hanna
Published: December 2019

Background

The UNCRC (1989) established the importance of listening to children’s views globally. In England, seeking the views of pupils with special educational needs and disability about their education, and involving them in decision‐making, has been mandatory since 2015. Autistic children’s views and experiences are particularly underrepresented in this context.

Aims

To provide a detailed exploratory analysis of practices that enable autistic pupils to participate in educational decision‐making, and to generate new knowledge about pupil participation in a school context, using the Framework for Participation (Black‐Hawkins, 2010) as an analytical frame.

Sample

Four male pupils aged 11–15, with autism spectrum diagnoses, and 11 staff members from a specialist, independent school took part in this case study.

Methods

Observations were made of pupils in lessons, and pupils completed a photo‐voice activity focusing on where they felt ‘most listened to’ in the school. Staff members participated in semi‐structured interviews.

Results

A range of practices supported pupils’ participation in everyday decision‐making, underpinned by a respectful and positive culture led by the senior management team. The focus was on what learners can do and how they make decisions to facilitate achievement. Pupils and staff developed mutually respectful relationships, within which boundaries were negotiated and compromises offered. Flexibility through decision‐making was provided within the timetabling and content of the curriculum. Pupils’ special interests and expertise were valued as ‘keys’ to supporting their engagement.

Conclusions

These insights provide a tool for reflection by educators and educational psychologists for considering how they might promote the participation of autistic pupils in different educational contexts.