bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a novel signature of long noncoding RNAs as a prognostic biomarker for esophageal cancer
Authors: Miao Yan , Sui Jing , Zhang Ying , Yin Lihong
Published: October 2018

Objectives

This study aims to develop a lncRNA signature based on RNA-Seq data to predict overall survival in esophageal cancer patients.

Methods

The lncRNA expression profiles and clinical data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database on August 30, 2017. Differentially expressed lncRNAs were screened out between tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues. The univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to develop a prognostic signature for all esophageal cancer patients. The receiver operating curve (ROC) was used to test the sensitivity and specificity of lncRNA signature. Survivals were compared via log-rank test. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were used to explore the potential functions of prognostic lncRNAs.

Results

We identified two lncRNAs (RPL34-AS1 and GK3P) were significantly associated with the overall survival of the total 150 esophageal cancer patients. A novel two-lncRNA signature was constructed by Cox regression models. Signature low-risk cases showed better overall survival (median 625.560 days vs. 478.000 days, p = 0.002) than high-risk cases. Further analysis suggested that this two-lncRNA signature was independent of clinical characteristics. GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses revealed potential functional roles of the two prognostic lncRNAs in tumorigenesis.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the two-lncRNA signature may be a useful prognostic biomarker for predicting overall survival in esophageal cancer patients.
Density dependent enhancement effect ofWolbachiaand the host RNAi response to a densovirus inAedescells
Authors: Parry Rhys , Bishop Cameron , Hayr Lachlan de , Asgari Sassan
Published: October 2018

The endosymbiotic bacteriumWolbachia pipientishas been shown to restrict a range of RNA viruses inDrosophila melanogasterand transinfected dengue mosquito,Aedes aegypti. Here, we show thatWolbachiainfection enhances replication of Aedes albopictus densovirus (AalDNV-1), a single stranded DNA virus, inAedescell lines in a density-dependent manner. Analysis of previously produced small RNAs of Aag2 cells showed thatWolbachia-infected cells produced greater proportions of viral derived short interfering RNAs as compared to uninfected cells. Additionally, we found production of viral derived PIWI-like RNAs (vpiRNA) produced in response to AalDNV-1 infection. Nuclear fractions of Aag2 cells produced a primary vpiRNA signature U1bias whereas the typical “ping-pong” signature (U1- A10) was evident in the cytoplasmic fraction. This is the first report of the density-dependent enhancement of DNA viruses byWolbachia. Further, we report the generation of vpiRNAs in a DNA virus-host interaction for the first time.
Role of RIG-I-like receptors in innate immune sensing of Coxsackievirus B3 and encephalomyocarditis virus in murine macrophages and fibroblasts
Authors: Francisco Esther , Suthar Mehul , Gale Michael , Rosenfeld Amy B. , Racaniello Vincent R.
Published: October 2018

Viral infections are sensed by pattern recognition receptors that trigger an innate immune response through the expression of interferons (IFNs) and other cytokines. Most RNA viruses are sensed by the RIG-I like receptors (RLR)s. The contributions of these receptors to sensing viruses of thePicornaviridaefamily were investigated. Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) and Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), picornaviruses of theCardiovirusandEnterovirusgenera, are detected by both MDA5 and RIG-I in bone marrow derived macrophages. In macrophages from wild type mice, type I IFN is produced early after infection; IFNβ synthesis is reduced in the absence of each sensor, while IFNα production is reduced in the absence of MDA5. EMCV and CVB3 do not replicate in murine macrophages, and their detection is different in murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), in which the viruses replicate to high titers. In MEFs RIG-I was essential for the expression of type I IFNs but contributes to increased yields of CVB3, while MDA5 inhibited CVB3 replication but in an IFN independent manner. These observations demonstrate that innate sensing of similar viruses by RLRs depends upon the cell type.

Importance

Enteroviruses such as Coxsackieviruses are the most common human respiratory pathogens. The host’s innate immune response, in particular that modulated by the production of type I and III interferons, is thought to restrict picornavirus infection. Two cytoplasmic proteins, MDA5 and RIG-I, are critical for initiating the early innate immune response against these viruses. Mutations within MDA5 encoding gene have been associated with the development of severe enterovirus associated respiratory illnesses in healthy children. To further understand how the innate immune response dependent upon MDA5 and Rig-I is initiated during picornavirus infection, macrophages from mice lacking MDA5 or RIG-I were infected with Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) and a related animal virus. RIG-I is essential for type I IFN production during CVB3 infection; when MDA5 is present, viral titers are reduced by an IFN-independent pathway. These observations demonstrate that innate sensing of viruses by MDA5 and RIG-I depends upon the cell type.
Immunoinformatics Prediction of Epitope Based Peptide Vaccine AgainstMadurella mycetomatis Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein
Authors: Bolis Samira Munir , Omer Walaa Abdullah , Abdelhamed Mohamed Anwar , Shambal Masajed Abdelmagid , Adam Esameldeen Ahmed , Abass Mohammed Abaker , Abdalla Wiaam Abdelwahab , Is-haq Suzan Hashim , Abdalla Aisha Abubakralsiddig , Zeinalabedeen Abeer Algaali , Ahmed Omar Hashim , Hassan Mohamed A
Published: October 2018

Background

Madurella. mycetomatisis most common causative agent of mycetoma in Sudan and worldwide. No vaccines are available till now so design of effective vaccine is essential as protection tool. Peptide vaccine can overcome the common side effects of the conventional vaccines. The aim of this study was to design peptide based vaccine forM.Mycetomatis Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP)using immunoinformatics tools.

Materials and methods

TCTPsequences were retrieved from NCBI and then processed using BioEdit program to determine conserved regions and different immunoinformatics tools from IEDB. Population coverage analysis was performed for the most promising epitopes. Homology modelling was performed to show their structural positions inTCTP.Protein analysis was done using Expasy (ProtParamsotware).

Results and conclusion

Four epitopes passed the Bepipred, Emini, Kolaskar and Tongaonkar tools. 111 epitopes were predicted to interact with MHCI alleles with IC50 < 500 nM, three of them were most promising. 274 predicted epitopes were interacted with MHCII alleles with IC50 < 100 nM, four of them were most promising. The epitope (YMKSVKKAL) was the most promising one concerning its binding with MHCI alleles, while (FRLQSTSFD) was the most promising for MHC II. The epitope (YLKAYMKSV) is shared betweenMHC I and II. For the population coverage ofM. Mycetomatis TCTPvaccine Sudan (90.39%) had the highest percentage for MHC I. This is the first computational vaccinology study conducted in mycetoma caused byM. MycetomatisusingTCTP.
Reactive SINDy: Discovering governing reactions from concentration data
Authors: Hoffmann Moritz , Fröhner Christoph , Noé Frank
Published: October 2018

The inner workings of a biological cell or a chemical reaction can be rationalized by the network of reactions, whose structure reveals the most important functional mechanisms. For complex systems, these reaction networks are not known a priori and cannot be efficiently computed with ab initio methods, therefore an important approach goal is to estimate effective reaction networks from observations, such as time series of the main species. Reaction networks estimated with standard machine learning techniques such as least-squares regression may fit the observations, but will typically contain spurious reactions. Here we extend the sparse identification of nonlinear dynamics (SINDy) method to vector-valued ansatz functions, each describing a particular reaction process. The resulting sparse tensor regression method “reactive SINDy” is able to estimate a parsimonious reaction network. We illustrate that a gene regulation network can be correctly estimated from observed time series.
Word stress representations are language-specific: evidence from event-related brain potentials
Authors: Honbolygó Ferenc , Kóbor Andrea , German Borbála , Csépe Valéria
Published: October 2018

Understanding speech at the basic levels entails the simultaneous and independent processing of phonemic and prosodic features. While it is well-established that phoneme perception relies on language-specific long-term traces, it is unclear if the processing of prosodic features similarly involves language-specific representations. In the present study, we investigated the processing of a specific prosodic feature, word stress, using the method of event-related brain potentials (ERPs) employing a cross-linguistic approach. Hungarian participants heard disyllabic pseudowords stressed either on the first (legal stress) or on the second (illegal stress) syllable, pronounced either by a Hungarian or a German speaker. Results obtained using a data-driven ERP analysis methodology showed that all pseudowords in the deviant position elicited an Early Differentiating Negativity (EDN) and a Mismatch Negativity (MMN) component, except for the Hungarian pseudowords stressed on the first syllable. This suggests that Hungarian listeners did not process the native legal stress pattern as deviant, but the same stress pattern with a non-native accent was processed as deviant. This implies that the processing of word stress was based on language-specific long-term memory traces.
High Temporal Sub-millisecond Time Resolution Stimulation Increases Performances of Retina Prosthetic Vision
Authors: Kime S. , Simon-Shane C. , Sabatier Q. , Galluppi F. , Benosman R.
Published: October 2018

Vision loss has an enormous impact on affected individuals, and increasing social and economics costs for the whole of society. Important approaches have been introduced, aimed at restoring visual functionality in the case of vision degradation and loss. Currently the most promising technology is represented by retinal implants, with companies producing devices approved for commercialization. The first clinical studies encouragingly reported perception elicited by both devices. Some patients retrieve autonomy, but only a few could reach satisfactory perception levels, allowing more complex tasks such as reading. Fundamental limitations however still exist in both spatial and temporal resolution, and these limitations call for improvements of the technology and of the stimulation strategies used therein. This study focuses on the importance of temporal resolution for retinal stimulation, and how it can be used to improve restored perception for implanted patients. We show a quantification of the improvement of discrimination performance when stimulating with high frame rates compared to conventional 30-60Hz frame rates. Such effect is evaluated using data collected from implanted patients, and deriving from it a realistic phosphene model. This study allowed to accurately replicate the perceptual effects of the studied technologies, and to evaluate the hypotheses regarding performance improvements using higher temporal resolutions for stimulation strategies in visual restoration devices.
Variational Infinite Heterogeneous Mixture Model for Semi-supervised Clustering of Heart Enhancers
Authors: Mehdi Tahmid F. , Singh Gurdeep , Mitchell Jennifer A. , Moses Alan M.
Published: October 2018

Motivation

PMammalian genomes can contain thousands of enhancers but only a subset are actively driving gene expression in a given cellular context. Integrated genomic datasets can be harnessed to predict active enhancers. One challenge in integration of large genomic datasets is the increasing heterogeneity: continuous, binary and discrete features may all be relevant. Coupled with the typically small numbers of training examples, semi-supervised approaches for heterogeneous data are needed; however, current enhancer prediction methods are not designed to handle heterogeneous data in the semi-supervised paradigm.

Results

We implemented a Dirichlet Process Heterogeneous Mixture model that infers Gaussian, Bernoulli and Poisson distributions over features. We derived a novel variational inference algorithm to handle semi-supervised learning tasks where certain observations are forced to cluster together. We applied this model to enhancer candidates in mouse heart tissues based on heterogeneous features. We constrained a small number of known active enhancers to appear in the same cluster, and 47 additional regions clustered with them. Many of these are located near heart-specific genes. The model also predicted 1176 active promoters, suggesting that it can discover new enhancers and promoters.

Availability

We created the ‘dphmix’ Python package:https://pypi.org/project/dphmix/

Contact

alan.moses@utoronto.ca
A Framework for Intelligence and Cortical Function Based on Grid Cells in the Neocortex
Authors: Hawkins Jeff , Lewis Marcus , Klukas Mirko , Purdy Scott , Ahmad Subutai
Published: October 2018

How the neocortex works is a mystery. In this paper we propose a novel framework for understanding its function. Grid cells are neurons in the entorhinal cortex that represent the location of an animal in its environment. Recent evidence suggests that grid cell-like neurons may also be present in the neocortex. We propose that grid cells exist throughout the neocortex, in every region and in every cortical column. They define a location-based framework for how the neocortex functions. Whereas grid cells in the entorhinal cortex represent the location of one thing, the body relative to its environment, we propose that cortical grid cells simultaneously represent the location of many things. Cortical columns in somatosensory cortex track the location of tactile features relative to the object being touched and cortical columns in visual cortex track the location of visual features relative to the object being viewed. We propose that mechanisms in the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus that evolved for learning the structure of environments are now used by the neocortex to learn the structure of objects. Having a representation of location in each cortical column suggests mechanisms for how the neocortex represents object compositionality and object behaviors. It leads to the hypothesis that every part of the neocortex learns complete models of objects and that there are many models of each object distributed throughout the neocortex. The similarity of circuitry observed in all cortical regions is strong evidence that even high-level cognitive tasks are learned and represented in a location-based framework.
The geometry of habitat fragmentation: effects of distribution patterns on short-term species persistence
Authors: May Felix , Rosenbaum Benjamin , Schurr Frank M. , Chase Jonathan M.
Published: October 2018

Land-use changes cause habitat loss and fragmentation and are thus important drivers of anthropogenic biodiversity change. However, there is an ongoing debate about how fragmentationper seaffects biodiversity in a given amount of habitat. We illustrate why it is important to distinguish two different aspects of fragmentation to resolve this debate: (i) geometric fragmentation effects, which exclusively arise from the spatial distributions of species and habitat fragments, and (ii) demographic fragmentation effects due to reduced fragment size, increased isolation, or edge effects. While most empirical studies are primarily interested in quantifying demographic fragmentation effects, geometric effects are typically invoked only as post-hoc explanations of biodiversity responses to fragmentationper se. Here, we present an approach to quantify geometric fragmentation effects on species persistence probability. We illustrate this approach using spatial simulations where we systematically varied the initial abundances and distribution patterns (i.e. random, aggregated, and regular) of species as well as habitat amount and fragmentationper se.As expected, we found no geometric fragmentation effects when species were randomly distributed. However, when species were aggregated, we found positive effects of fragmentationper seon persistence probability for a large range of scenarios. For regular species distributions, we found weakly negative geometric effects. These findings are independent of the ecological mechanisms which generate non-random species distributions. Our study helps to reconcile seemingly contradictory results of previous fragmentation studies. Since intraspecific aggregation is a ubiquitous pattern in nature, our findings imply widespread positive geometric fragmentation effects. This expectation is supported by many studies that find positive effects of fragmentationper seon species occurrences and diversity after controlling for habitat amount. We outline how to disentangle geometric and demographic effects of fragmentation, which is critical for predicting the response of biodiversity to landscape change.
Sulfated RaxX, which represents an unclassified group of ribosomally synthesized post-translationally modified peptides, binds a host immune receptor
Authors: Luu Dee Dee , Joe Anna , Chen Yan , Parys Katarzyna , Bahar Ofir , Pruitt Rory , Chen Leanne Jade G. , Petzold Christopher J. , Long Kelsey , Adamchak Clifford , Stewart Valley , Belkhadir Youssef , Ronald Pamela C.
Published: October 2018

The rice immune receptor XA21 is activated by the sulfated microbial peptide RaxX (required foractivation ofXA21-mediated immunityX) produced byXanthomonas oryzaepv.oryzae(Xoo). Mutational studies and targeted proteomics revealed that RaxX is processed and secreted by the protease/transporter RaxB, whose function can be partially fulfilled by a noncognatepeptidase-containing transporterB(PctB). RaxX is cleaved at a Gly-Gly motif, yielding a mature peptide that retains the necessary elements for RaxX function as an immunogen and host peptide hormone mimic. These results indicate that RaxX is a founding member of a previously unclassified and understudied group of tyrosine sulfated RiPPs (ribosomally synthesized,post-translationally modifiedpeptides). We further demonstrate that sulfated RaxX directly binds XA21 with high affinity. This work reveals a complete, previously uncharacterized biological process: bacterial RiPP biosynthesis, secretion, binding to a eukaryotic receptor and triggering of a robust host immune response.
Tropical arboreal ants form dominance hierarchies over nesting resources in agroecosystems
Authors: Yibarek Senay , Philpott Stacy M.
Published: October 2018

Interspecific dominance hierarchies have been widely reported across animal systems. While some dominant individuals (winners) get to monopolize resources, during dyadic interactions, they can increase their relative fitness as compared to subdominant individuals (losers). In some ant species, dominance hierarchies have been used to explain species coexistence and community structure. However, it remains unclear whether or in what contexts dominance hierarchies occur in tropical ant communities. Furthermore, it can be challenging to infer and quantify reliable dominance hierarchies from observed interactions. This study seeks to examine whether arboreal twig-nesting ants competing for nesting resources in a Mexican coffee agricultural ecosystem are arranged in a dominance hierarchy. Using network analysis, we quantified interactions between ten species by measuring the uncertainty and steepness in the dominance hierarchy. We also assessed the orderliness of the hierarchy by considering species interactions at the network level. Based on the Elo-ranking method, we found that the twig-nesting ant species Myrmelachista mexicana ranked highest in the ranking, while Pseudomyrmex ejectus was ranked as the lowest in the hierarchy. We quantified the uncertainty in the dominance hierarchy and found that the hierarchy was intermediate in its steepness, suggesting that the probability of higher ranked individuals winning contests against lower ranked individuals was fairly high. Motif analysis and significant excess of triads further revealed that the species networks were largely transitive. This study highlights that some tropical arboreal ant communities self-organize into dominance hierarchies.
Visual adaptation and microhabitat choice in Lake Victoria cichlid fish
Authors: Mameri Daniel , van Kammen Corina , Groothuis Ton G.G. , Seehausen Ole , Maan Martine E.
Published: October 2018

When different genotypes choose different habitats to better match their phenotypes, adaptive differentiation within a population may be promoted. Mating within those habitats may subsequently contribute to reproductive isolation. In cichlid fish, visual adaptation to alternative visual environments is hypothesised to contribute to speciation. Here, we investigated whether variation in visual sensitivity causes different visual habitat preferences, using two closely related cichlid species that occur at different but overlapping water depths in Lake Victoria and that differ in visual perception (Pundamilia sp.). In addition to species differences, we explored potential effects of visual plasticity, by rearing fish in two different light conditions: broad-spectrum (mimicking shallow water) or red-shifted (mimicking deeper waters). Contrary to expectations, fish did not prefer the light environment that mimicked their typical natural habitat. Instead, we found an overall preference for the broad-spectrum environment. We also found a transient influence of the rearing condition, indicating that assessment of microhabitat preference requires repeated testing to control for familiarity effects. Together, our results show that cichlid fish exert visual habitat preference, but do not support straightforward visual habitat matching.
Deliberation and enaction during adaptive economic choice
Authors: Hawellek David J. , Brown Kevin A. , Pesaran Bijan
Published: October 2018

Economic decisions can adapt to contexts. Choices can be quick and impulsive or slow and more deliberative, depending on the temporal context. Choices can also depend on how we enact the choice, in an action context. Where we decide to go for dinner may change if we can take a taxi or need to walk.

We hypothesized that frontal action circuits could contribute to adapting economic choices to context because of their privileged position over actions as endpoints of decisions.

To test this, we performed an unbiased survey of neuronal population activity across motor, premotor and prefrontal cortices as animals expressed context-dependent economic preferences. Activity in distributed action circuits tracked the animals’ evolving preferences in real-time and integrated them with a signal for their enaction. We propose that frontal action circuits form a neural substrate that supports an adaptive control over economic choice by flexibly translating real-time preferences into actions.
Lean home services in Czech Republic
Authors: Martinez Felipe
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of an empirical research on the leanness of the home services sector in the Czech Republic. The automotive sector provides reference to argue the numerical outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses a specifically designed assessment tool (Lean Index – LI) to determine the sector’s leanness level. Referring to the results from both sectors, the paper draws conclusions about the current leanness level of home services providers.

Findings

The proposed LI indicates a value of 69.50 per cent for home services providers, whereas the LI for the automotive industry suppliers is 82.88 per cent. This suggests that there are large opportunities for the implementation of lean management in the home services sector. However, the main challenge is to introduce a continuous improvement approach to these companies.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size limits the generalisation of the research results. However, this paper represents the first empirical attempt to implement a large-scale survey. The results are limited to the Czech Republic. However, parties from other countries have indicated interest to replicate the research.

Practical implications

This research provides first empirical findings on the possibilities of implementing lean in the home services sector. Future research projects in other sectors will have the opportunity to make use of the LI assessment tool.

Originality/value

The paper presents the first approach of lean management into the home services sector. It provides valuable information to specialised institutions in the sector about the possibilities of lean management in the sector. It also provides an overview of the sector for practitioners and academics willing to pioneer lean in the sector.
Do implicit and explicit attitudes explain organic wine purchase intention?
Authors: Sarabia-Andreu Francisco , Sarabia-Sánchez Francisco J.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to recognise the role of implicit and explicit attitudes on organic wine purchase intention and to segment consumers using these variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a two-part Web survey (n= 690) in Spain: an Implicit Association Test followed by a questionnaire on explicit attitudes, purchase intention and demographic data. Validity and reliability of these attitudes are contrasted using confirmatory factor analysis, attitude relationships with purchase intention using multiple linear regression analysis, and segments using k-means cluster and discriminant analyses.

Findings

The authors improve the measurement of explicit attitudes explaining organic wine purchase intention. Only attitudes towards intrinsic attributes and arousal feelings significantly explain purchase intention. Two attitudinal segments are detected, one showing moderate purchase intention with high explicit attitudinal levels and high consumption of organic wine and the other showing low levels of purchase intention and explicit attitudes, consuming mainly conventional wines. Neither segment shows any relevant differences in implicit attitudes.

Practical implications

The analysis offers information on attitudes that contribute to explain Spanish consumer purchase intention in a wine sector notable for focusing more on making quality products than by knowing its market.

Originality/value

The authors offer deeper understanding of the influence of attitudes on organic wine purchase intention. This paper also presents an attitudinal segmentation of consumers.
Tribological properties of metallic nanoparticles as lubricant additives under the applied electric currents
Authors: Si Lina , Pan Yan , Zhang Xiaoqing , Wang Jie , Yao Jia , Wang Yanjie , Liu Fengbin , He Feng
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to clarify the effects of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) additives and room temperature ionic liquids (ILs) on the tribological performance of electric contacts.

Design/methodology/approach

Tribological properties of copper (Cu) and silver (Ag) NPs as lubricant additives in different lubricants of ILs or polyalphaolefin (PAO) oils under applied electric currents were investigated. After tribological tests, morphologies of worn surfaces were observed; meanwhile, lubrication and anti-wear properties were analyzed.

Findings

The mixture solution of the IL and Cu NPs showed desirable lubrication and anti-wear properties due to the reduction of electrocorrosion and the enhancement of rolling effects of particles in the contact region. The anti-wear performance of Cu NPs is better than that of Ag NPs due to the difference in the particle size. The PAO oil with the Cu NPs additives showed poor lubrication properties due to the low solubility of the particles in the oil. When the direction of applied current was changed, the friction of the lubricant with better conductivity was more stable in the variation trend.

Originality/value

This paper begins with a study of tribological properties of Cu and Ag NPs as lubricant additives in different lubricants of IL or PAO oils under applied electric currents. The authors then propose several methods and possible solutions which could be implemented to improve the tribological performance of electric contacts.
Cultivating organizational wisdom for value innovation
Authors: Mora Cortez Roberto , Johnston Wesley J.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Marketing literature, while acknowledging the relevance of organizational learning for a better market understanding, has shown remarkably little effort to develop a framework for organizational wisdom (OW). A learning organization becomes wiser through time. Knowledge acquisition and exploitation are the foundation for differentiation between firms and sustain value creation. Therefore, this paper aims to integrate OW with previously validated marketing concepts in a broader nomological network.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors review extant literature associated to OW and offer a theoretical model to clarify the conceptual domain of this construct.

Findings

This study develops the theory of OW, arguing that when a firm clusters a specific set of knowledge dynamically through time, the organization reaches a level of exceptional understanding about the market and improves the judgment and communication of decision-making. Moreover, this study partializes the effect of the market orientation construct through its components for better outcomes in the value innovation process.

Originality/value

Based on the theoretical support, therefore, the authors provide a framework identifying the properties of OW, as well as the antecedents (a set of organizational knowledge) and consequences of OW (innovation and marketing capabilities development), specifying the moderation role of the marketing function influence.
Improving the M&A success rate: identity may be the key
Authors: Joshi Mahendra , Sanchez Carol , Mudde Paul
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to build a model of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) performance drawing from the concept of organizational identity theory. The paper proposes that successful performance of an M&A is dependent upon two things, namely, the alignment of the organizational identities of the two merging firms and the method used to integrate them.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper based on current research and uses multiple real-world examples of M&A to elaborate the proposed model and highlight scholarly and practical implications.

Findings

The paper explains that the similarity of the identities of the merging organizations has a significant impact on the performance of the combined entity. Furthermore, the integration method used by the merged firms influences the success of the merged entity. The use of an identity approach helps unravel new variables impacting M&A performance.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of the paper is that it does not address how, over time, identity management can overcome the resistance of two merging entities. In addition to testing the proposed relationships, further research can explore these identity dynamics in unraveling an M&A performance.

Practical implications

This paper highlights the importance of evaluating identity as an element of an M&A due diligence. Practitioners should be aware of the dangers of signaling one identity integration strategy but using contradictory actions in implementation.

Social implications

Given the importance of identity in a variety of organizational outcomes, the paper is timely in integrating the organizational identity (OI) concepts in understanding M&A performance issues.

Originality/value

Given the importance of identity in a variety of organizational outcomes, the paper is timely in integrating the OI concepts in understanding M&A performance issues.
Barriers to graduate employment and entrepreneurship in Nigeria
Authors: Ezeani Elimma
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the challenges faced by Nigerian university graduates youths, in finding suitable employment or in embarking on entrepreneurship ventures.

Design/methodology/approach

The research investigates the barriers to graduate employment and entrepreneurship in Nigeria starting from the hypothesis that there are other factors besides scarcity of jobs responsible for unemployment in Nigeria. Data from two qualitative research activities were analysed and the results tested, to determine the extent to which the research findings supported the initial hypothesis.

Findings

The findings confirm the researcher’s hypothesis that there are a number of factors, the two main ones being poor government policy and investment in education and low skills and technical incompetence of graduates, which constitute barriers to employment and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

Practical implications

The findings are clear on the urgency to revisit the Nigerian education and skills curricula and its capacity to facilitate employment and entrepreneurship, and government policy-making in this regard.

Originality/value

This study bases its recommendations for addressing Nigeria’s high graduate unemployment on empirical direct engagement with the primary stakeholder, that is, the Nigerian graduate. It clearly identifies that it is not merely scarcity of jobs but a myriad of factors requiring the urgent attention of both public and private sectors that constitute barriers to graduate employment and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
An inclusive approach to regulating the second economy
Authors: Olomi Donath , Charles Goodluck , Juma Norma
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to examine the experiences and lessons from formalisation initiatives in four sub-Saharan African countries. Drawing upon the three main theories that explain the existence of business informality – the exclusion model, rational exit model and dual economy model – the study offers an alternative path to business formalisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers adopted a descriptive-qualitative method, and through the triangulation of data, identified emerging themes and patterns.

Findings

The findings suggest that the informal sector has a small layer that responds to the simplification of regulations and a larger one that requires a different formalisation framework. This shift in paradigm, indirect or group formalisation, where business associations facilitate traceability (registration), self-regulation, access to resources and services for members was observed in all four of the economies studied: Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Research limitations/implications

As with every qualitative study, subjectivity and interpretation inevitably affect the replicability and generalisability of the findings. However, the rich meanings emerging from the qualitative analysis of the text are critically insightful.

Practical implications

Developing countries should explore indirect formalisation. Provision of workspace and construction of business premises for informal operators should be given high priority. The model for building structures for micro enterprises should change in favour of ownership by the operators through their own associations or other private sector investors.

Originality/value

A pioneering study on cross-country analysis based on sub-Saharan African nations to unearth a new paradigm, a shift towards indirect or group formalisation.
Service-oriented architecture of environmental information systems to forecast the impacts of natural disasters in South Korea
Authors: Jung Euisung , Jung Eun Ju
Published: October 2018

Purpose

While high-quality information is critical in decision-making for environmental issues and assessing the impact of natural disasters, there is a significant lack of research on how environmental information systems (EISs) can be integrated through service-oriented architecture (SOA). The purpose of this paper is to investigate the EISs in South Korea and to propose an SOA to improve the quality of EISs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study follows the design science research methodology proposed by Peffers et al. (2007). A pilot test was conducted with Environmental Impact Assessment Support System (EIASS) end users based on the modified DeLone and McLean’s IS success model to discern the moderating effect of SOA readiness.

Findings

This study proposed a new SOA for the South Korea EIASS; the work processes among EIASS, nationwide EISs and local EISs are also analyzed. Conceptual and hardware SOA for the EIASS were presented. The finding shows that SOA readiness has a significant moderating effect for EIASS end user benefits.

Practical implications

Supply chain managers can exploit GIS-based environmental information, which can be provided by the new EIASS architecture, to estimate the risk of a natural disaster within the geographical region of their supply chain.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies in the EIS literature that propose an SOA to improve the quality of EIS. In addition, the study remodeled DeLone and McLean’s IS success model to assess the proposed SOA for EAISS and found that the new SOA would be useful for end users.
Implementing national policing agendas and strategies for fraud at local level
Authors: Doig Alan
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess, since the 2006 Fraud Review, recommendations, strategies and consequential organisational and other changes at national, regional and local levels relating to fraud, using the Northeast as a case study. It also notes that implementation may have been influenced by institutional changes and related emerging governmental policy agendas and institutional changes relating to organised crime, terrorism and cybercrime.

Design/methodology/approach

The research for the paper was undertaken by desk reviews of primary and secondary material. The paper also involved face-to-face interviews with personnel from the regional fraud unit and the three North-east police forces’ fraud units. The interviews were semi-structured and were conducted on grounds of anonymity for the personnel and the forces involved, with a focus on trends and issues. The personnel were invited to comment on a draft of the paper in terms of accuracy of the information they provided; no revisions or additions were proposed. Interpretation of that information is the sole responsibility of the author.

Findings

The paper finds that, despite the decade since the Fraud Review, issues of effectiveness or relevance of national fraud strategies, absence of incentives and identifiable benefits and continuous influence of competing agendas on police priorities continue to marginalise fraud as a mainstream police function and limit the level of resource committed to what also continues to be a rising area of criminality.

Research limitations/implications

The research looks at the recommendations, strategies and consequential organisational and other changes at national, regional and local levels through implementation by four policing units in the North-east. It also notes that implementation may have been influenced by institutional changes and related emerging governmental policy agendas and institutional changes relating to organised crime, terrorism and cybercrime. While the research is limited in that, it draws on the experience of three local and one regional fraud unit; its findings support further research about the implementation of strategies and agendas in practice on the ground.

Practical implications

The research validates many of the findings by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) and supports the need to review national strategies to ensure effective implementation at local level for what also continues to be a rising area of criminality.

Social implications

The research raises important issues concerning public concern over fraud where majority of frauds are of high volume, low value with low levels of recovery and usually targeted at individuals but where the policing responses are targeted elsewhere.

Originality/value

The research is the first study on the local implementation of national strategies on fraud and raises positive and less positive aspects of how far national strategies and intentions are addressed on the ground.
The case studies of fraud prevention mechanisms in the Malaysian medium enterprises
Authors: Gunasegaran Malar , Basiruddin Rohaida , Abdul Rasid Siti Zaleha , Mohd Rizal Adriana
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the extent and type of fraud scheme, prevention mechanisms and challenges experienced by the Malaysian medium enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

The multiple case studies approach has been used in this study. The data were collected through interviews with the directors, owners, managers and supervisors of three medium-size enterprises.

Findings

The findings suggest that the fraud cases experienced by the enterprises were related to broken trust and non-cash larceny. The implementation of fraud prevention mechanisms in the enterprises seem to be very limited because of resources and budget constraints.

Practical implications

The findings of the study have an alarming implication for the owners and directors of the selected medium-size organizations. They seem to have shown proactivity and to have responded to fraud in their organizations by implementing fraud prevention mechanisms; however, not to the extent that large organizations have done. This fact may expose the companies to the risk of losing their competitiveness and the ability to survive in the marketplace.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the growing literature on the studies of fraud scheme and the fraud prevention mechanism in the medium-size enterprises, particularly in the context of developing country. Prior studies in these areas have predominantly been undertaken by large organizations of developed countries, which offer different environment, litigation and institutional setting thus limits the generalizability of fraud prevention mechanism to small- and medium-size businesses.
The effect of cultural diversity challenges on organizational cynicism dimensions
Authors: Mousa Mohamed
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to discover the effect of cultural diversity challenges (organizational communication, work- related discrimination and training) on physicians’ cognitive, affective and behavioral cynicism in the context of public hospitals, Menoufia (Egypt).

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 360 physicians at public hospitals in Menoufia (Egypt) were contacted and all of them received a set of questionnaires. After five follow ups, a total of 240 responses were collected with a response rate of 66.67 per cent.

Findings

The findings suggest that only communication is considered the main and significant predictor for cognitive, affective and behavioral cynicism. Accordingly, when physicians perceive well-coordinated and balanced communication, they feel that their hospital has an adequate level of integrity and consequently will have a positive attitude toward it.

Practical implications

Through well-formulated organizational communication, the hospital administration can decrease the organizational cynicism among physicians and subsequently their unwanted behavior. It is needless to say that when physicians experience an open-door communication climate, they experience a sense of psychological safety and give their very best.

Originality/value

This paper contributes by filling a gap in management and organization literature, in which empirical studies on cultural diversity and organizational cynicism were limited until now.
Digital nomadism: students experience of using mobile devices in Delhi Metro
Authors: Dar Saleeq Ahmad , Madhusudhan Margam
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Travel time is considered as the wastage of time, but the ubiquitous nature of mobile devices with Internet has made it possible to use the time for productive activities. This paper aims to focus primarily on the use of mobile devices while travelling in Metrorail and how travel time is being used “productively” as study time and what resources are the students accessing from their mobile devices. In total, 820 students from different colleges in Delhi were randomly chosen for the survey. Using the survey method, the paper explores how students use travel time productively as activity time. The study revealed that browsing internet, communication, text messaging, accessing social media, etc., are the frequent activities by students while travelling. Majority of respondents stated that their travel time is never productive for value of time. Thinking on different issues that occupy their mind is the most frequent personal activity. “Poor Wi-Fi” connectivity is the highly rated impediment faced by students for uses of mobile devices.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was administered to students of different colleges in Delhi who commute daily and consume information while commuting to colleges and back in the month of November and December 2017. The Yellow line that connects most of the colleges of Delhi University was boarded during early and evening hours; a questionnaire was handed out and collected back during the travel. Moreover, a visit was made to different colleges and universities of Delhi. Of the 1,000 questionnaires, only 820 were returned (a response rate of 82%); so a good number of student commuters’ population of Delhi was sampled.

Findings

The study found that majority of the students that responded to the survey use smartphones while travelling. The study indicated that many students face different impediments in consuming the information of their need.

Originality/value

The paper provides insight of how travel time is used by the students in Delhi Metro and what activities they do on their miniature devices to make their travel time productive. The study will serve as a template for policy makers and information service providers to realize the need of the hour.
Beyond nutrients, health effects of entomophagy: a systematic review
Authors: Ayensu Jessica , Annan Reginald Adjetey , Edusei Anthony , Lutterodt Herman
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Edible insects have emerged as a promising inexpensive option to address malnutrition among vulnerable groups in the world. However, it is not clear whether including insects in diets can improve health outcomes. This paper aimed to investigate the impact of edible insect consumption on human health.

Design/methodology/approach

A search was conducted in PubMed Central, BioMed Central, Plosone, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Google Search and bibliographies for all human studies on the impact of edible insect consumption on human health published from January 1990 to April 2018.

Findings

Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Consumption of cereals fortified with edible insects improved iron status and growth in infants and led to the development of life threatening anaphylactic reactions in sensitive people.

Practical implications

Edible insects are nutritious. More rigorous studies are needed to confirm nutrient bioavailability, acceptability and nutritional benefits in humans.

Originality/value

This review shows that the utilization of edible insects as food promotes desirable health outcomes, but caution must be taken to prevent allergic reactions in some cases.