bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations Between Internalized Homophobia and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Crosby Richard A. , Salazar Laura F. , Mena Leandro , Geter Angelica
Published: August 2016

Objective

To assess internalized homophobia (IH) and its relationship to sexual risk behaviors and prevalence of sexually transmitted infection (STIs) in a clinic-based sample of young black men who have sex with men (YBMSM).

Methods

Six hundred YBMSM completed a self-interview and provided specimens for testing. A 7-item scale assessed IH, and 19 sexual risk behaviors were assessed.

Results

In adjusted models, compared with men with less IH, those with greater IH were more likely to report: any condomless anal receptive sex (P = 0.01) and sex with women (P < 0.001). Alternatively, men with greater IH were less likely to: discuss acquired immune deficiency syndrome prevention with sex partners (P = 0.009), disclose their same sex sexual behavior to providers (P = 0.01), be tested for human immunodeficiency virus in the past 12 months (P = 0.04), report condomless oral sex (P = 0.049), and test RPR positive (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

With some exceptions, IH among YBMSM attending STI clinics may influence their sexual risk behaviors; however, STI prevalence was not associated with this construct.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication of Abstracts Presented at an International Emergency Medicine Scientific Meeting
Authors: Halickman Ryan , Scolnik Dennis , Rimon Ayelet , Glatstein Miguel Marcelo
Published: August 2016

Scientific presentations at professional organization meetings have long been recognized as a method of providing up-to-date and novel information to both the medical and scientific community. After abstract presentation at a medical conference, the subsequent publication rate of full-text articles is variable, and few studies have examined this topic with respect to international emergency medicine conferences. This study's goals were to determine the publication rate of articles resulting from abstracts presented at the 12th International Conference on Emergency Medicine 2008 in San Francisco, Calif, and to compare this with data from the previous International Conference on Emergency Medicine 2006 conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. We found a reduction in publication rate from 33.2% in 2006 to 22.8% in 2008 and that the host country furnished a greater proportion of the abstracts. It would be interesting to examine how these potential trends played out over more extended periods.
Noise Texture Deviation
Authors: Morsbach Fabian , Desbiolles Lotus , Raupach Rainer , Leschka Sebastian , Schmidt Bernhard , Alkadhi Hatem
Published: August 2016

Objectives

The aims of this study were to introduce the measure noise texture deviation as quantitative parameter for evaluating iterative reconstruction (IR)–specific artifacts in computed tomography (CT) images and to test whether IR-specific artifacts, quantified through this measure, are reduced in advanced modeled IR (ADMIRE) as compared with sinogram-affirmed IR (SAFIRE) images of the liver ex vivo and in patients with hypodense liver lesions.

Materials and Methods

In the ex vivo study part, an abdominal phantom was used. In the institutional review board–approved in vivo study part, 40 consecutive patients (mean age, 63 years) with hypodense liver lesions undergoing abdominal CT in the portal-venous phase were included. Images were reconstructed with filtered back projection, with the second-generation IR algorithm SAFIRE and with the third-generation IR algorithm ADMIRE. Noise power spectra and noise texture deviation were calculated in the phantom; image noise was measured in the phantom and in patients. Two blinded readers evaluated all image data regarding IR-specific artifacts (plastic-like, blotchy appearance); patient data were evaluated regarding conspicuity and confidence for detecting hypodense liver lesions.

Results

Image noise was significantly reduced at increasing IR levels (P < 0.001) with both algorithms, with no significant differences between corresponding strength levels of SAFIRE and ADMIRE (all, P > 0.05). Noise power spectra were similar at corresponding strength levels of SAFIRE and ADMIRE (all, P > 0.05). Noise texture deviation in ADMIRE was reduced compared with corresponding strength levels of SAFIRE (all, P < 0.001) and strongly correlated with subjective IR-specific artifacts (r = 0.88, P < 0.001). Iterative reconstruction–specific artifacts were significantly reduced in ADMIRE compared with that in SAFIRE images at strength levels 3 or greater, both ex vivo and in vivo (all, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the readers' ratings of lesion conspicuity and lesion confidence in detecting hypodense liver lesions between SAFIRE and ADMIRE (P > 0.05). Only lesion conspicuity was superior with SAFIRE and ADMIRE compared with filtered back projection (all, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Noise texture deviation is a quantitative measure reflecting IR-specific artifacts and is reduced in CT images with ADMIRE compared with SAFIRE.
Presumed Gadolinium Toxicity in Subjects With Normal Renal Function
Authors: Semelka Richard C. , Commander Clayton W. , Jay Michael , Burke Lauren M.B. , Ramalho Miguel
Published: August 2016

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine and report 4 patients who developed symptomatology shortly after gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) administration.

Materials and Methods

History taking and targeted physical examination were performed on 4 subjects who reported development of new disease features within hours to 4 weeks of having received an intravenous administration of GBCA.

Results

Two subjects were assessed at 2 months (patient P2mo) and at 3 months (patient P3mo) after GBCA administration (early stage), and 2 subjects were assessed at 7 years (patient P7yr) and 8 years (patient P8yr) after having received GBCA administration (late stage). Clinical features were similar between subjects, and included central torso pain (all), peripheral arm and leg pain (all), clouded mentation (n = 2), and distal arm and leg skin thickening and rubbery subcutaneous tissue (one early and both late subjects). Gadolinium was detected as follows: in a 24-hour urine specimen, 1 month after disease development (18 μg/24 hours and 82 μg/24 hours in patients P2mo and P3mo, respectively); hair (0.0007 μg/g) and urine (0.0644 μg/g) samples, 7 years after disease development (late stage, patient P7yr); and saphenous vein sample, 8 years after disease development (0.27 ± 0.007 ng/62 mg sample) (late stage, patient P8yr).

Conclusions

Gadolinium toxicity may occur in subjects with normal renal function. Central torso and peripheral arm and leg distribution pain were common features. Distal arm and leg skin thickening and rubbery subcutaneous tissue were seen in late stages. Clouded mentation is also common. Vigilance to identify additional cases and investigate strategies for prevention and treatment is warranted to increase even further the safety of a very safe diagnostic procedure, GBCA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.
Effect of Noise-Optimized Monoenergetic Postprocessing on Diagnostic Accuracy for Detecting Incidental Pulmonary Embolism in Portal-Venous Phase Dual-Energy Computed Tomography
Authors: Weiss Jakob , Notohamiprodjo Mike , Bongers Malte , Schabel Christoph , Mangold Stefanie , Nikolaou Konstantin , Bamberg Fabian , Othman Ahmed E.
Published: August 2016

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of virtual monoenergetic images (MEI+) at low kiloelectronvolt levels for the detection of incidental pulmonary embolism (PE) in oncological follow-up portal-venous phase dual-energy (DE-CTpv) staging.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-six patients with incidental PE in DE-CTpv staging, which was confirmed by computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), were included in this study. In addition, 26 matched control patients who were negative for PE in both DE-CTpv and CTPA were included. All examinations were performed on a third-generation DE-CT system in single-energy (CTPA) and dual-energy mode (DE-CTpv). Subsequently, 2 series of MEI+ data sets were reconstructed at 40 and 55 keV from the DE-CTpv data and compared with CTPA and the linearly blended CTpv images. Diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic confidence were calculated and compared for MEI+ reconstructions and for CTpv images regarding the detection of PE with CTPA as standard of reference.

Results

In 3 patients, PE was only detectable in CTPA and in the 40-kV and 55-kV MEI+ reconstructions but not in CTpv images. Diagnostic accuracy increased significantly for both MEI+ series (40 keV; area under the curve [AUC], 0.928; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.879–0.978; 55 keV; AUC, 0.960; 95% CI, 0.922–0.998) as compared with CTpv (AUC, 0.814; 95% CI, 0.741–0.887; P ≤ 0.004). Diagnostic confidence was rated highest in CTPA (median, 5; range, 3–5) followed by 55-keV MEI+ and 40-keV MEI+ (median, 5; range, 2–5 and median, 5; range, 2–5, respectively) and was lowest for CTpv (median, 4; range, 1–5), with significant differences to CTPA and MEI+ reconstructions (P ≤ 0.001).

Conclusions

Monoenergetic image reconstructions from DE-CT data sets at low kiloelectronvolt levels improve diagnostic accuracy for the detection of incidental PE in oncological follow-up DE-CTpv staging, with the highest subjective diagnostic confidence in MEI+ at 55 keV.
Local modulation of chemoattractant concentrations by single cells: dissection using a bulk-surface computational model
Authors: Mackenzie J. A. , Nolan M. , Insall R. H.
Published: August 2016

Chemoattractant gradients are usually considered in terms of sources and sinks that are independent of the chemotactic cell. However, recent interest has focused on ‘self-generated’ gradients, in which cell populations create their own local gradients as they move. Here, we consider the interplay between chemoattractants and single cells. To achieve this, we extend a recently developed computational model to incorporate breakdown of extracellular attractants by membrane-bound enzymes. Model equations are parametrized, using the published estimates fromDictyosteliumcells chemotaxing towards cyclic AMP. We find that individual cells can substantially modulate their local attractant field under physiologically appropriate conditions of attractant and enzymes. This means the attractant concentration perceived by receptors can be a small fraction of the ambient concentration. This allows efficient chemotaxis in chemoattractant concentrations that would be saturating without local breakdown. Similar interactions in which cells locally mould a stimulus could function in many types of directed cell motility, including haptotaxis, durotaxis and even electrotaxis.
Collective migration under hydrodynamic interactions: a computational approach
Authors: Marth W. , Voigt A.
Published: August 2016

We consider a generic model for cell motility. Even if a comprehensive understanding of cell motility remains elusive, progress has been achieved in its modelling using a whole-cell physical model. The model takes into account the main mechanisms of cell motility, actin polymerization, actin–myosin dynamics and substrate mediated adhesion (if applicable), and combines them with steric cell–cell and hydrodynamic interactions. The model predicts the onset of collective cell migration, which emerges spontaneously as a result of inelastic collisions of neighbouring cells. Each cell here modelled as an active polar gel is accomplished with two vortices if it moves. Upon collision of two cells, the two vortices which come close to each other annihilate. This leads to a rotation of the cells and together with the deformation and the reorientation of the actin filaments in each cell induces alignment of these cells and leads to persistent translational collective migration. The effect for low Reynolds numbers is as strong as in the non-hydrodynamic model, but it decreases with increasing Reynolds number.
Review on experiment-based two- and three-dimensional models for wound healing
Authors: Weihs Daphne , Gefen Amit , Vermolen Fred J.
Published: August 2016

Traumatic and chronic wounds are a considerable medical challenge that affects many populations and their treatment is a monetary and time-consuming burden in an ageing society to the medical systems. Because wounds are very common and their treatment is so costly, approaches to reveal the responses of a specific wound type to different medical procedures and treatments could accelerate healing and reduce patient suffering. The effects of treatments can be forecast using mathematical modelling that has the predictive power to quantify the effects of induced changes to the wound-healing process. Wound healing involves a diverse and complex combination of biophysical and biomechanical processes. We review a wide variety of contemporary approaches of mathematical modelling of gap closure and wound-healing-related processes, such as angiogenesis. We provide examples of the understanding and insights that may be garnered using those models, and how those relate to experimental evidence. Mathematical modelling-based simulations can provide an important visualization tool that can be used for illustrational purposes for physicians, patients and researchers.
Multimodality imaging and mathematical modelling of drug delivery to glioblastomas
Authors: Boujelben Ahmed , Watson Michael , McDougall Steven , Yen Yi-Fen , Gerstner Elizabeth R. , Catana Ciprian , Deisboeck Thomas , Batchelor Tracy T. , Boas David , Rosen Bruce , Kalpathy-Cramer Jayashree , Chaplain Mark A. J.
Published: August 2016

Patients diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumour, have a poor prognosis, with a median overall survival of less than 15 months. Vasculature within these tumours is typically abnormal, with increased tortuosity, dilation and disorganization, and they typically exhibit a disrupted blood–brain barrier (BBB). Although it has been hypothesized that the ‘normalization’ of the vasculature resulting from anti-angiogenic therapies could improve drug delivery through improved blood flow, there is also evidence that suggests that the restoration of BBB integrity might limit the delivery of therapeutic agents and hence their effectiveness. In this paper, we apply mathematical models of blood flow, vascular permeability and diffusion within the tumour microenvironment to investigate the effect of these competing factors on drug delivery. Preliminary results from the modelling indicate that all three physiological parameters investigated—flow rate, vessel permeability and tissue diffusion coefficient—interact nonlinearly to produce the observed average drug concentration in the microenvironment.
Tuberculosis susceptibility and vaccine protection are independently controlled by host genotype
Authors: Smith Clare M. , Proulx Megan K. , Olive Andrew J. , Laddy Dominick , Mishra Bibhuti B. , Moss Caitlin , Martinez Gutierrez Nuria , Bellerose Michelle M. , Barreira-Silva Palmira , Phuah Jia Yao , Baker Richard E. , Behar Samuel M. , Kornfeld Hardy , Evans Thomas G. , Beamer Gillian , Sassetti Christopher M.
Published: August 2016

The outcome ofMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) infection and the immunological response to the Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine are highly variable in humans. Deciphering the relative importance of host genetics, environment, and vaccine preparation on BCG efficacy has proven difficult in natural populations. We developed a model system that captures the breadth of immunological responses observed in outbred individuals, which can be used to understand the contribution of host genetics to vaccine efficacy. This system employs a panel of highly-diverse inbred mouse strains, consisting of the founders and recombinant progeny of the “Collaborative Cross”. Unlike natural populations, the structure of this panel allows the serial evaluation of genetically-identical individuals and quantification of genotype-specific effects of interventions such as vaccination. When analyzed in the aggregate, our panel resembled natural populations in several important respects; the animals displayed a broad range of Mtb susceptibility, varied in their immunological response to infection, and were not durably protected by BCG vaccination. However, when analyzed at the genotype level, we found that these phenotypic differences were heritable. Mtb susceptibility varied between lines, from extreme sensitivity to progressive Mtb clearance. Similarly, only a minority of the genotypes was protected by vaccination. BCG efficacy was genetically separable from susceptibility, and the lack of efficacy in the aggregate analysis was driven by nonresponsive lines that mounted a qualitatively distinct response to infection. These observations support an important role for host genetic diversity in determining BCG efficacy, and provide a new resource to rationally develop more broadly efficacious vaccines.

Importance:Tuberculosis (TB) remains an urgent global health crisis, and the efficacy of the currently used TB vaccine,M. bovisBCG, is highly variable. The design of more broadly-efficacious vaccines depends on understanding the factors that limit the protection imparted by BCG. While these complex factors are difficult to disentangle in natural populations, we used a model population of mice to understand the role of host genetic composition to BCG efficacy. We found that the ability of BCG to protect an individual genotype was remarkably variable. BCG efficacy did not depend on the intrinsic susceptibility of the animal, but instead correlated with qualitative differences in the immune response to the pathogen. These studies suggest that host genetic polymorphism is a critical determinant of vaccine efficacy and provides a model system to develop interventions that will be useful in genetically diverse populations.
Rad51 catalytic mutants differentially affect the Rad51 nucleoprotein filamentin vivo
Authors: Mundia Maureen M. , Magwood Alissa C. , Baker Mark D.
Published: August 2016

In this study, we utilized mouse hybridoma cell lines stably expressing ectopic wild-type Rad51, or the Rad51-K133A and Rad51-K133R catalytic mutants deficient in ATP binding and ATP hydrolysis, respectively, to investigate effects on the Rad51 nucleoprotein filamentin vivo. Immunoprecipitation studies reveal interactions between ectopic wild-type Rad51, Rad51-K133A and Rad51-K133R and endogenous Rad51, Brca2 and p53 proteins. Importantly, the expression of Rad51-K133A and Rad51-K133R catalytic mutants (but not wild-type Rad51) targets endogenous Rad51, Brca2 and p53 proteins for proteasome-mediated degradation. Expression of Rad51-K133R significantly reduces nascent DNA synthesis (3’ polymerization) during homologous recombination (HR), but the effects of Rad51-K133A on 3’ polymerization are considerably more severe. Provision of additional wild-type Rad51 in cell lines expressing Rad51-K133A or Rad51-K133R does not restore diminished levels of endogenous Brca2, Rad51 or p53, nor restore the deficiency in 3’ polymerization. Cells expressing Rad51-K133A are also significantly reduced in their capacity to drive strand exchange through regions of heterology. Our results reveal an interesting mechanistic dichotomy in the way mutant Rad51-K133A and Rad51-K133R proteins influence 3’ polymerization and provide novel insight into the mechanism of their dominant-negative phenotypes.
Escherichia coli populations adapt to complex, unpredictable fluctuations by minimizing trade-offs across environments
Authors: Karve Shraddha Madhav , Bhave Devika , Nevgi Dhanashri , Dey Sutirth
Published: August 2016

In nature, organisms are simultaneously exposed to multiple stresses (i.e. complex environments) that often fluctuate unpredictably. While both these factors have been studied in isolation, the interaction of the two remains poorly explored. To address this issue, we selected laboratory populations of Escherichia coli under complex (i.e. stressful combinations of pH, H2O2 and NaCl) unpredictably fluctuating environments for ~900 generations. We compared the growth rates and the corresponding trade-off patterns of these populations to those that were selected under constant values of the component stresses (i.e. pH, H2O2 and NaCl) for the same duration. The fluctuation-selected populations had greater mean growth rate and lower variation for growth rate over all the selection environments experienced. However, while the populations selected under constant stresses experienced trade-offs in the environments other than those in which they were selected, the fluctuation-selected populations could by-pass the across-environment trade-offs almost entirely. Interestingly, trade-offs were found between growth rates and carrying capacities. The results suggest that complexity and fluctuations can strongly affect the underlying trade-off structure in evolving populations.
Pulsatile lipid vesicles under osmotic stress
Authors: Chabanon Morgan , Ho James C.S. , Liedberg Bo , Parikh Atul N. , Rangamani Padmini
Published: August 2016

The response of lipid bilayers to osmotic stress is an important part of cellular function. Previously, in (Oglecka et al., 2014), we reported that cell-sized giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) exposed to hypotonic media, respond to the osmotic assault by undergoing a cyclical sequence of swelling and bursting events, coupled to the membrane’s compositional degrees of freedom. Here, we seek to deepen our quantitative understanding of the essential pulsatile behavior of GUVs under hypotonic conditions, by advancing a comprehensive theoretical model for vesicle dynamics. The model quantitatively captures our experimentally measured swell-burst parameters for single-component GUVs, and reveals that thermal fluctuations enable rate dependent pore nucleation, driving the dynamics of the swell-burst cycles. We further identify new scaling relationships between the pulsatile dynamics and GUV properties. Our findings provide a fundamental framework that has the potential to guide future investigations on the non-equilibrium dynamics of vesicles under osmotic stress.
DNA replication origins—where do we begin?
Authors: Prioleau Marie-Noëlle , MacAlpine David M.
Published: August 2016

For more than three decades, investigators have sought to identify the precise locations where DNA replication initiates in mammalian genomes. The development of molecular and biochemical approaches to identify start sites of DNA replication (origins) based on the presence of defining and characteristic replication intermediates at specific loci led to the identification of only a handful of mammalian replication origins. The limited number of identified origins prevented a comprehensive and exhaustive search for conserved genomic features that were capable of specifying origins of DNA replication. More recently, the adaptation of origin-mapping assays to genome-wide approaches has led to the identification of tens of thousands of replication origins throughout mammalian genomes, providing an unprecedented opportunity to identify both genetic and epigenetic features that define and regulate their distribution and utilization. Here we summarize recent advances in our understanding of how primary sequence, chromatin environment, and nuclear architecture contribute to the dynamic selection and activation of replication origins across diverse cell types and developmental stages.
Common genomic elements promote transcriptional and DNA replication roadblocks
Authors: Roy Kevin , Gabunilas Jason , Gillespie Abigail , Ngo Duy , Chanfreau Guillaume F.
Published: August 2016

RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription termination by the Nrd1p-Nab3p-Sen1p (NNS) pathway is critical for the production of stable noncoding RNAs and the control of pervasive transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To uncover determinants of NNS termination, we mapped the 3′-ends of NNS-terminated transcripts genome-wide. We found that nucleosomes and specific DNA-binding proteins, including the general regulatory factors (GRFs) Reb1p, Rap1p, and Abf1p, and Pol III transcription factors enhance the efficiency of NNS termination by physically blocking Pol II progression. The same DNA-bound factors that promote NNS termination were shown previously to define the 3′-ends of Okazaki fragments synthesized by Pol δ during DNA replication. Reduced binding of these factors results in defective NNS termination and Pol II readthrough. Furthermore, inactivating NNS enables Pol II elongation through these roadblocks, demonstrating that effective Pol II termination depends on a synergy between the NNS machinery and obstacles in chromatin. Consistent with this finding, loci exhibiting Pol II readthrough at GRF binding sites are depleted for upstream NNS signals. Overall, these results underscore how RNA termination signals influence the behavior of Pol II at chromatin obstacles, and establish that common genomic elements define boundaries for both DNA and RNA synthesis machineries.
Crystal structure of BaMnB2O5 containing structurally isolated manganese oxide sheets
Authors: Maschmeyer Elizabeth M. , Sanjeewa Liurukara D. , Ranmohotti Kulugammana G. S.
Published: August 2016

In an attempt to search for mixed alkaline-earth and transition metal pyroborates, the title compound, barium manganese(II) pyroborate, has been synthesized by employing a flux method. The structure of BaMnB2O5 is composed of MnO5 square pyramids that form Mn2O8 dimers by edge-sharing and of pyroborate units ([B2O5]4−) that are composed of two corner-sharing trigonal–planar BO3 units. These building blocks share corners to form ∞
2[MnB2O5]2− layers extending parallel to (100). The Ba2+ cations reside in the gap between two manganese pyroborate slabs with a coordination number of nine. The title compound forms an interesting spiral framework propagating along the 21 screw axis. The structure is characterized by two alternating layers, which is relatively rare among known transition-metal-based pyroborate compounds.
Bis(triethylammonium) tetrabromidozincate
Authors: Seck Gorgui Awa , Sene Aboubacary , Diop Libasse , Schmidt Horst
Published: August 2016

The title molecular salt, (C6H16N)[ZnBr4], consists of a tetrahedral tetrabromidozincate dianion and two triethylammonium cations linked by N—H...Br hydrogen bonds. In the crystal, these three-membered units are linkedviaC—H...Br hydrogen bonds, forming layers parallel to theabplane.
Facebook as a platform for co-creating music festival experiences
Authors: Hoksbergen Emma , Insch Andrea
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the need to understand how younger music festival-goers use and engage with a music festival’s Facebook page, and how they perceive this social networking service (SNS) as a potential on-line platform for value co-creation.

Design/methodology/approach

Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 young adults who attended an annual New Year’s Eve music festival, Rhythm and Vines, in Gisborne, New Zealand.

Findings

Analysis of the interview data revealed that the majority of participants did not actively engage with this platform and could be categorised as passive viewers or information-seekers. In addition, participants perceived five types of value from using this SNS: functional, social, emotional, interactive and aesthetic value. Even though participants were not segmented due to the small sample size, patterns in their levels of engagement with Facebook, attendance status, reasons for attending the festival and the combinations of forms of value that they perceived were identified.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should use a large-scale survey method to obtain a representative sample that is generalisable to a specific population of music festival-goers.

Practical implications

Dominance of features on Facebook providing festival-goers with functional value suggests they prefer a passive or co-optation approach to value co-creation in this context. Due to the limited extent of participants actively co-creating value on this platform, alternative means of encouraging interaction to co-create value with festival-goers should be investigated.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates that this SNS provides this group of young adults with a means to connect their real-time festival experience, with their on-line Facebook social network during the year.
Negotiating diasporic culture: festival collaborations and production networks
Authors: Booth Alison
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Within New Zealand, cultural festivals play a vital role in the local representation of diasporic cultures. By analysing the production design of festivals, in Auckland, New Zealand representing Indian culture between 1995 and 2015, the purpose of this paper is to create a deeper understanding of collaborative networks and power relationships. Using Richard’s pulsar/iterative network theory and Booth’s notion of cultural production networks, a new theoretical model is proposed to visually track the collaborative networks that sustain and bridge cultures, empower communities and fulfil political agendas.

Design/methodology/approach

This ethnographic research draws upon event management studies, industry practice, ethnomusicology and sociology to take a multi-disciplinary approach to an applied research project. Using Richards’ pulsar and iterative event framework Castells’ network theory, combined with qualitative data, this research considers critical collaborative relationships clusters and how they might impact on the temporal nature of festivals.

Findings

The 1997 Festival of Asia and the subsequent Lantern Festival in 2000 and Diwali: Festival of Lights in 2002 were pulsar events that played a significant role in collaborative networks that expand across cultures, countries and traditions. The subsequent iterative events have played a vital role in the representation of Asian cultural identity in general and, more specifically, representing of the city’s growing – in both size and cultural diversity – Indian diaspora.

Originality/value

This research proposes a new conceptual model on festival management and diasporic communities in the Asia-Pacific region. Richards’ and Booth’s conceptual models are used, as a starting point, to offer a new way of considering the importance of looking at collaborative relationships through historical perspectives. The framework explored contributes a new approach to cultural festival network theory and a means to understand the complexity of networks required that engage actors from inside and outside both local and global communities.
Analysis of the European Government Bonds and Debt after the European Financial Crisis
Authors: Chtourou Hassen
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to determine the effects of the European debt crisis on the European government bonds.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, we present the European government bond; we explain the European debt crisis; and we examine the evolution of the European debt.

Findings

Our results suggest that the increase of the European debt contributed to the increase of the risk and the default of the European debt and to the depreciation of the economies of the European countries.

Originality/value

We calculate the value of the European debt risks in normal cases and in the case of crisis with normal distribution.
Development Growth Models for Singapore and Malaysia: A Geweke Causality Analysis
Authors: Giap Tan Khee , Anh Nguyen Le Phuong , Denise Ye Ye
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Nearly five decades after undergoing a structural transformation and navigating several external shocks, both Singapore and Malaysia are now grappling with some crucial policy challenges that necessitate a course-correction in order to sustain their growth momentum, going forward. In light of the renewed interest in understanding the growth constraints faced by the two countries, this paper aims to empirically explore the drivers of economic growth in both Singapore and Malaysia, using data from 1975 to 2012.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a novel empirical approach-the Geweke causality analysis-to investigate the causal drivers of economic growth in Singapore and Malaysia. Intuitively, the Geweke causality analysis helps us understand and measure the linear dependence and feedback between multiple time series variables. To that effect, we perform both a bi-variate as well as a multi-variate causality analysis.

Findings

The empirical results established using Geweke causality analysis suggest that Malaysia's new development trajectory should lie in rebalancing the economy toward greater domestic demand and building a robust services sector. The results also suggest that Singapore, on the other hand, should embrace a growth model that goes beyond relying heavily on foreign direct investment (FDI) as a source of economic growth as the linear dependence between FDI and real GDP growth appears to be weaker compared to the linear dependence between the remaining variables and the real GDP growth.

Originality/value

While the traditional growth accounting framework provides useful insights at the aggregate level, there is a growing literature that discusses the importance of sectoral analysis to understand structural transformations in the economies which become important to sustain productivity growth in the long-run. This is immensely relevant in the case of Malaysia and Singapore, as well, especially with the changing policy focus in these countries to overcome structural growth issues. In light of this growing discussion on the importance of understanding the growth dynamics at the sectoral level, this paper presents new empirical evidence on the growth drivers in Singapore and Malaysia with a sectoral focus.
Measurement invariance of second-order factor model of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) across K-12 principal gender
Authors: Xu Lihua , Wubbena Zane , Stewart Trae
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factor structure and the measurement invariance of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) across gender of K-12 school principals (n=6,317) in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Nine first-order factor models and four second-order factor models were tested using confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

The results suggested that the nine-factor model provided the best fit for the data. Further examination revealed that most constructs lacked convergent validity and discriminant validity. Second-order factor models were tested and the hierarchical model with two higher order factors (i.e. transformational and transactional leadership) was deemed the best fit and it was then tested for measurement invariance between females and males. The measurement model was found to be invariant across gender. Findings suggested that female school principals demonstrated significantly greater transformational leadership behaviour, while male school principals demonstrated significantly greater transactional leadership behaviour.

Originality/value

This study addressed construct and factor issues previously associated with the MLQ in the measurement of transformational and transactional leadership among a variety of organizations. By using a sample of K-12 school principals across gender, this study has provided support that may ameliorate contextual doubts of transformational leadership behaviour when examining the relational aspects needed to improve schools.
Developing soft skills (also known as pervasive skills)
Authors: Viviers Herman Albertus , Fouché Jacobus Paulus , Reitsma Gerda Marié
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the usefulness of an educational game to develop soft skills (also known as pervasive skills), from the perspectives of three groups of role-players (student participants, student committee members and employer companies). The game was designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop soft skills and to determine whether students applied the pervasive skills required by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Design/methodology/approach

Action research was conducted according to a parallel convergent mixed-method research design. Both qualitative and quantitative data were gathered using questionnaires and focus group interviews to determine the usefulness of the educational game.

Findings

All three groups perceived the educational game to be effective in requiring students to apply the full spectrum of soft/pervasive skills. Although all the pervasive skills were perceived to be present in the game, teamwork, communication (listening and verbal) and time management skills were perceived to be most prominent, while written communication, professionalism and ethical awareness were found to be less prominent. Overall, this game can be recommended as an effective and innovative teaching method that can positively contribute to the pervasive skills development of accounting students.

Originality/value

The need to deliver well-rounded accounting graduates demonstrating core technical and soft skills (or pervasive skills and competencies) calls for new and innovative teaching methods. Accounting educators and programmes are continuously challenged regarding which methods to apply to meet these outcomes and substantiate their usefulness.
A rhetoric-orientation view of social entrepreneurship
Authors: Chandra Yanto
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to extend the understanding of the ways in which social entrepreneurs give sense to and legitimize their work by introducing a rhetoric-orientation view of social entrepreneurship (SE).

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses computer-aided text analysis and computational linguistics to study 191 interviews of social and business entrepreneurs. It offers validation and exploration of new concepts pertaining to the rhetoric orientations of SE.

Findings

This study confirms prior untested assumptions that the rhetoric of social entrepreneurs is more other, stakeholder engagement and justification-oriented and less self-oriented than the rhetoric of business entrepreneurs. It also confirms that the rhetoric of both types of entrepreneurs is equally economically oriented.

Originality/value

This research makes new contribution to the SE literature by introducing three new orientations, namely, solution, impact and geographical, which reflect distinctive rhetorical themes used by social entrepreneurs, and by revealing that social entrepreneurs use terms associated with other, stakeholder engagement, justification, economic, solution, impact and geographical orientations differently than business entrepreneurs.
The winding road of social entrepreneurship definitions: a systematic literature review
Authors: Conway Dato-on Mary , Kalakay Jerrid
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to understanding social entrepreneurship via a systematic literature review (SLR) of the construct’s varied definitions to assess the means by and the context in which the phenomenon is studied.

Design/methodology/approach

The SLR follows a deliberative, replicable, methodical and transparent process, including a quality assessment tool of definitional sources. SLR results are organized around Gartner’s (1985) framework of new value creation, thus additionally analysing the dimensionality with which social entrepreneurship has been studied. Finally, a qualitative analysis of the definitions reviews commonalities of themes within definitions to assess trends.

Findings

Significant research has been dedicated to defining social entrepreneurship. However, many efforts do not explore the full dimensionality of the concept, as findings reveal that no definition explored the four dimensions of entrepreneurship posited by Gartner (1985). Further, a time-series review of definitions demonstrates limited advancement in definitional development. Geographic location of definition authors and key word analysis challenge previous research on the activation of social entrepreneurship in literature.

Research limitations/implications

Although the SLR was conducted in a controlled manner, this study is time-bound and only reviews English-language publications. While results are analysed using a recognized framework (i.e. Gartner, 1985), other conceptual models are available. Although two researchers independently categorized and analysed definitions, assessment of quality was limited. The results offer an insight into how the conceptualization of social entrepreneurship may be advanced as well as the important role of practitioners in the development of the construct’s theory and practice.

Practical implications

The detailed appraisal of definitions may guide practitioners as they strive to define their own organizational efforts. The multi-dimensional conversation of social entrepreneurship in this study enables the leaders of different organizational types to ensure their social entrepreneurship activities consider all dimensions (i.e. environment, individual, organization and process). The SLR allows the practitioner to further engage in deep discussion on the future of the field by cataloguing their influence on the multi-dimensionality of the social entrepreneurship construct. Organizational leaders may also use the findings to generate more discussion around what is missing from the definitions (i.e. empathy, responsibility, resourcefulness and transparency).

Originality/value

The findings synthesize social entrepreneurship definitions across multi-disciplinary fields and contexts and within a multi-dimensional framework utilizing an infrequently used literature review method within social sciences.
The value matrix: a tool for assessing the future of a business model
Authors: Biloshapka Vladyslav , Osiyevskyy Oleksiy , Meyer Marc
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Good companies innovate. In the process, they consider target markets, target customers, new product or service offerings, and the positioning of these relative to competitors. This forms a basic strategy for the innovation. However, the lesson of competitive dynamics today is that innovation effort stops short of its ultimate potential if it does not also embrace the business model possibilities provided by the innovation itself. This short article provides a strategic lens for considering the efficacy and power of a business model for a product or service innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The current paper is grounded in the empirical results of an ongoing longitudinal study (undertaken by the authors team in the U.S., Canada and Ukraine) aimed at exploring the structure, characteristics, evolution, and performance outcomes of organizational business models.

Findings

The business model’s key characteristics are customer value (the “effectiveness side” of the equation, i.e., doing right things for customers that the latters are ready to appreciate and pay for, but not always to the focal firm) and business value (the “efficiency side” of the equation, reflecting translation of the customer value into profit). Importantly, our evidence strongly reveals the dynamic nature of the business model construct, implying that the companies evolve in terms of these two dimensions.

Practical implications

The recommendations part of the article is primarily based on the in-depth analysis of the recent history of large companies that were struggling to: sustain customer value, and develop and apply internal product and production platforms to increase operating efficiency, and hence business value. All these firms had either slipped into or were in the danger of slipping into Impostor status, and were seeking ways to regain and sustain their Innovation advantage, often over newer entrants in their respective industries.

Originality/value

Introduction of the Business Model Value Matrix allowing to analyze the current company’s business model; practical recommendations regarding getting to and remaining in the Winner quadrant
Do They Really Know? On Party Representatives’ Knowledge of the Extent to Which Their Parties Make Election Pledges
Authors: Naurin Elin
Published: August 2016

The assumption that representatives hold knowledge about their parties’ programmes underlies models of representative democracy. However, representatives’ party knowledge is rarely discussed in theoretical detail, nor is it often systematically empirically investigated. This article takes the first steps and discusses what type of knowledge of their parties representatives need and what knowledge they actually have. Specific focus is given to parties’ election pledge‐making. By comparing the number of parties’ pledges in Swedish election manifestos to Swedish party representatives’ perceptions of the extent to which parties make pledges, the article presents empirical evidence indicating low levels of knowledge. Knowledge is higher among top‐level politicians and politicians who trust parties to generally keep their pledges, but the main conclusion is that research should not assume detailed knowledge of pledge‐making in manifestos among elected representatives, which has not previously been shown in systematic studies.
Financial Integration, Growth and Volatility
Authors: Epaulard Anne , Pommeret Aude
Published: August 2016

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the welfare gains from financial integration for developing and emerging market economies. To do so, we build a stochastic endogenous growth model for a small open economy that can: (i) borrow from the rest of the world; (ii) invest in foreign assets; and (iii) receive foreign direct investment. The model is calibrated on 46 emerging market and developing economies for which we evaluate the upper bound for the welfare gain from financial integration. For plausible values of preference parameters and actual levels of financial integration, the mean welfare gain from financial integration is around 13.5% of initial wealth. Compared with financial autarky, actual levels of financial integration translate into higher annual growth rates.
Insurance of Household Risks and the Rebalancing of the Chinese Economy: Health Insurance, Health Expenses and Household Savings
Authors: Cheung Diana , Laffargue Jean‐Pierre , Padieu Ysaline
Published: August 2016

This paper studies the effects of a public insurance system, the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) on household savings in rural China. We develop a theoretical model in which we explain the impact of health insurance on savings through the impact of health insurance on out‐of‐pocket (OOP) health expense given the household level of wealth and seriousness of illness. We test the model empirically using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. We run endogenous and exogenous quantile regressions to evaluate the effects of NCMS participation on the distributions of household savings and OOP health expense. The impact of NCMS varies with the seriousness of illness. The NCMS induces an increase in OOP health expense for mild illness and, inversely, a decrease in health payments for more serious illnesses. The NCMS also leads to a higher incidence of catastrophic healthcare spending. The impact of the NCMS, given a certain state of illness, also varies with the household level of wealth. Poor households face health expense for both mild and serious illnesses. As the NCMS has opposite effects on the OOP expense for these two kinds of illness, we observe no effect on poor households’ precautionary savings. Because the decrease in OOP health expense for mild illness is larger for less poor households, the NCMS induces a decrease in their savings. For the most affluent households, the higher decrease in OOP spending on most moderate illness is dominated by a sharp increase in catastrophic expense, causing an increase in savings. To significantly reduce household savings and enhance household consumption, the NCMS has to offer better coverage against both serious and catastrophic health risks.