bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational algorithms and neural circuitry for compressed sensing in the mammalian main olfactory bulb
Authors: Kepple Daniel , Cazakoff Brittany N. , Demmer Heike S. , Eckmeier Dennis , Shea Stephen D. , Koulakov Alexei A.
Published: June 2018

A major challenge for many sensory systems is the representation of stimuli that vary along many dimensions. This problem is particularly acute for chemosensory systems because they require sensitivity to a large number of molecular features. Here we use a combination of computational modeling andin vivoelectrophysiological data to propose a solution for this problem in the circuitry of the mammalian main olfactory bulb. We model the input to the olfactory bulb as an array of chemical features that, due to the vast size of chemical feature space, is sparsely occupied. We propose that this sparseness enables compression of the chemical feature array by broadly-tuned odorant receptors. Reconstruction of stimuli is then achieved by a supernumerary network of inhibitory granule cells. The main olfactory bulb may therefore implement a compressed sensing algorithm that presents several advantages. First, we demonstrate that a model of synaptic interactions between the granule cells and the mitral cells that constitute the output of the olfactory bulb, can store a highly efficient representation of odors by competitively selecting a sparse basis set of “expert” granule cells. Second, we further show that this model network can simultaneously learn separable representations of each component of an odor mixture without exposure to those components in isolation. Third, our model is capable of independent and odor-specific adaptation, which could be used by the olfactory system to perform background subtraction or sensitively compare a sample odor with an internal expectation. This model makes specific predictions about the dynamics of granule cell activity during learning. Usingin vivoelectrophysiological recordings, we corroborate these predictions in an experimental paradigm that stimulates memorization of odorants.
Fold-change detection of NF-κB at target genes with different transcript outputs
Authors: Wong V. C. , Ramji R. , Gaudet S. , Miller-Jensen K.
Published: June 2018

The transcription factor NF-κB promotes inflammatory and stress-responsive gene transcription across a range of cell types in response to the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF). Although NF-κB signaling exhibits significant variability across single cells, some target genes exhibit fold-change detection of NF-κB, which may buffer against stochastic variation in signaling molecules. However, this observation was made at target genes supporting high levels of TNF-inducible transcription. It is unknown if fold-change detection is maintained at NF-κB target genes with low levels of TNF-inducible transcription, for which stochastic promoter events may be more pronounced. Here we used a microfluidic cell-trapping device to measure how TNF-induced activation of NF-κB controls transcription in single Jurkat T cells at the promoters of integratedHIVand the endogenous cytokine geneIL6, which produce only a few transcripts per cell. We tracked TNF-stimulated NF-κB RelA nuclear translocation by live-cell imaging and then quantified transcript number by RNA FISH in the same cell. We found that TNF-induced transcription correlates with fold change in nuclear NF-κB with similar strength at low versus high abundance target genes. A computational model of TNF-NF-κB signaling, which implements fold-change detection from competition for binding to κB motifs, was sufficient to reproduce fold-change detection across the experimentally measured range of transcript outputs. Nevertheless, we found that gene-specific trends in transcriptional noise and levels of promoter-bound NF-κB predicted by the model were inconsistent with our experimental observations at low abundance gene targets. Our results reveal a gap in our understanding of RelA-mediated transcription for low abundance transcripts and suggest that cells use additional biological mechanisms to maintain robustness of NF-κB fold-change detection while tuning transcriptional output.
Oxygen restriction generates difficult-to-culture pathogens
Authors: Kvich Lasse , Fritz Blaine G. , Crone Stephanie , Kragh Kasper N. , Kolpen Mette , Sønderholm Majken , Andersson Mikael , Koch Anders , Jensen Peter Ø. , Bjarnsholt Thomas
Published: June 2018

Induction of a non-culturable state has been demonstrated for many bacteria. In a clinical perspective, the lack of growth due to these non-culturable bacteria can have major consequences for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Here we show how anoxic conditioning (restriction of molecular oxygen, O2) generates difficult-to-culture (DTC) bacteria during biofilm growth. A significant subpopulation ofPseudomonas aeruginosaentered a DTC state after anoxic conditioning, ranging from five to 90 % of the total culturable population, in both planktonic and biofilm models. Anoxic conditioning also generated DTC subpopulations ofStaphylococcus aureusandStaphylococcus epidermidis. Growth of the DTC populations were achieved by substituting O2with 10 mM NO3-as an alternative electron acceptor for anaerobic respiration or, in the case ofP. aeruginosa, by adding sodium pyruvate or catalase as scavengers against reactive oxygen species (ROS) during aerobic respiration. An increase in normoxic plating due to addition of catalase suggests the molecule hydrogen peroxide as a possible mechanism for induction of DTCP. aeruginosa.Anoxic conditioning also generated a true viable but non-culturable (VBNC) population ofP. aeruginosathat was not resurrected by substituting O2with NO3-during anaerobic respiration. Moreover, bacterial detection in clinical samples was improved significantly by supplementing 10 mM NO3-to LB plates and incubating under anoxic conditions. These results demonstrate that habituation to an infectious anoxic micro-environment complicates diagnostic culturing of bacteria, especially in the case of chronic infections where oxygen is restricted due to the host immune response.

Importance

Diagnostics of bacteria from chronic infections by standard culture-based methods is challenging. Bacteria in a non-culturable state may contribute to the lack of culturing from these infections. Many stressors are known to induce a non-culturable state, among others the absence of molecular oxygen, which is evident in chronic infections due to high rates of oxygen consumption by the host response. In this study, we have shown thatPseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidiscan enter a difficult-to-culture state after oxygen restriction. Regrowth was not possible using conventional normoxic plating where oxygen served as electron acceptor. Instead, regrowth was enabled during anoxic conditions with added nitrate as alternative electron acceptor. Our findings show that bacteria can habituate to their environment and that it has to be taken into consideration especially when culturing clinical samples e.g. from chronic infections.
Supramolecular architectures in metal(II) (Cd/Zn) halide/nitrate complexes of cytosine/5-fluorocytosine
Authors: Karthikeyan Ammasai , Zeller Matthias , Thomas Muthiah Packianathan
Published: June 2018

Three new metal(II)–cytosine (Cy)/5-fluorocytosine (5FC) complexes, namely bis(4-amino-1,2-dihydropyrimidin-2-one-κN
3)diiodidocadmium(II) or bis(cytosine)diiodidocadmium(II), [CdI2(C4H5N3O)2], (I), bis(4-amino-1,2-dihydropyrimidin-2-one-κN
3)bis(nitrato-κ2
O,O′)cadmium(II) or bis(cytosine)bis(nitrato)cadmium(II), [Cd(NO3)2(C4H5N3O)2], (II), and (6-amino-5-fluoro-1,2-dihydropyrimidin-2-one-κN
3)aquadibromidozinc(II)–6-amino-5-fluoro-1,2-dihydropyrimidin-2-one (1/1) or (6-amino-5-fluorocytosine)aquadibromidozinc(II)–4-amino-5-fluorocytosine (1/1), [ZnBr2(C4H5FN3O)(H2O)]·C4H5FN3O, (III), have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In complex (I), the CdII ion is coordinated to two iodide ions and the endocyclic N atoms of the two cytosine molecules, leading to a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The structure is isotypic with [CdBr2(C4H5N3O)2] [Muthiah et al. (2001). Acta Cryst. E57, m558–m560]. In compound (II), each of the two cytosine molecules coordinates to the CdII ion in a bidentate chelating mode via the endocyclic N atom and the O atom. Each of the two nitrate ions also coordinates in a bidentate chelating mode, forming a bicapped distorted octahedral geometry around cadmium. The typical interligand N—H...O hydrogen bond involving two cytosine molecules is also present. In compound (III), one zinc-coordinated 5FC ligand is cocrystallized with another uncoordinated 5FC molecule. The ZnII atom coordinates to the N(1) atom (systematic numbering) of 5FC, displacing the proton to the N(3) position. This N(3)—H tautomer of 5FC mimics N(3)-protonated cytosine in forming a base pair (via three hydrogen bonds) with 5FC in the lattice, generating two fused R
2
2(8) motifs. The distorted tetrahedral geometry around zinc is completed by two bromide ions and a water molecule. The coordinated and nonccordinated 5FCs are stacked over one another along the a-axis direction, forming the rungs of a ladder motif, whereas Zn—Br bonds and N—H...Br hydrogen bonds form the rails of the ladder. The coordinated water molecules bridge the two types of 5FC molecules via O—H...O hydrogen bonds. The cytosine molecules are coordinated directly to the metal ion in each of the complexes and are hydrogen bonded to the bromide, iodide or nitrate ions. In compound (III), the uncoordinated 5FC molecule pairs with the coordinated 5FC ligand through three hydrogen bonds. The crystal structures are further stabilized by N—H...O, N—H...N, O—H...O, N—H...I and N—H...Br hydrogen bonds, and stacking interactions.
Two tris(3,5-disubstituted phenyl)phosphines and their isostructural PV oxides
Authors: Hill Nathan D. D. , Boeré René T.
Published: June 2018

The crystal structures of tris(3,5-dimethylphenyl)phosphine (C24H27P), (I), tris(3,5-dimethylphenyl)phosphine oxide (C24H27OP), (II), tris(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)phosphine (C27H33O3P), (III), and tris(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)phosphine oxide (C27H33O4P), (IV), are reported. The strucure of (III) has been described before [Romain et al. (2000). Organometallics, 19, 2047–2050], but it is rereported here on the basis of modern area-detector data and to facilitate comparison with the other structures reported here. Compounds (I) and (II) crystallize isostructurally in P21/c. Similarly, (III) and (IV) crystallize isostructurally in Pbca. The conformations of (I) and (II) in the solid state deviate strongly from helical, whereas those of (III) and (IV) are found to be closer to an ideal threefold rotational symmetry. The pyramidality indices, ∑(C—P—C), are 305.35 (16), 317.23 (15), 307.2 (4) and 318.67 (18)° for (I), (II), (III) and (IV), respectively. Each is found to be more pyramidal than Ph3P or Ph3PO. Hybrid DFT calculations incorporating terms for dispersion provide evidence that the causes of the increased pyramidality, despite the 3,5-dimethyl group substitution, include dispersion interactions. The calculated ∑(C—P—C) values are 304.8° for both (I) and (III) and 317.4° for both (II) and (IV), with no difference arising from the substitution at ring position 4.
Crystal structure, electrochemical and spectroscopic investigation of mer-tris[2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl-κN
3)pyrimidine-κN
1]ruthenium(II) bis(hexafluoridophosphate) trihydrate
Authors: Bibi Naheed , Guerra Renan Barrach , Huamaní Luis Enrique Santa Cruz , Formiga André Luiz Barboza
Published: June 2018

The crystal structure of the title compound, [Ru(C7H6N4)3](PF6)2·3H2O, a novel RuII complex with the bidentate ligand 2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyrimidine, comprises a complex cation in the meridional form exclusively, with a distorted octahedral geometry about the ruthenium(II) cation. The Ru—N bonds involving imidazole N atoms are comparatively shorter than the Ru—N bonds from pyrimidine because of the stronger basicity of the imidazole moiety. The three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network involves all species in the lattice with water molecules interacting with both counter-ions and NH hydrogen atoms from the complex. The supramolecular structure of the crystal also shows that two units of the complex bind strongly through a mutual N—H...N bond. The electronic absorption spectrum of the complex displays an asymmetric band at 421 nm, which might point to the presence of two metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands. Electrochemical measurements show a quasi-reversible peak referring to the RuIII/RuII reduction at 0.87 V versus Ag/AgCl.
(E)-1-[1-(3-Phenylcyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-ylidene)ethyl]pyrrolidine
Authors: Peloquin Andrew J. , Smith Madelyn B. , Balaich Gary J. , Iacono Scott T.
Published: June 2018

The title compound, C17H19N, is a disubstituted pentafulvene obtained from the hydroamination of 1-phenyl-3-trimethylsilylethynylcyclopentadiene and has monoclinic P21/n symmetry at 100 K. C—H...π ring interactions between neighboring molecules consolidate the packing. To the authors' knowledge, this reaction is the first reported example of a non-transition metal catalyzed hydroamination with concomitant desilylation.
Research on the construction of seamless learning platform based on open education
Authors: Xin Yongrong , Zuo Xiuping , Huang Qingping
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The implementation of the national education and lifelong education should break through the traditional learning mode in the digital era. A seamless learning environment is the intelligent form of deep integration of digital learning environment and physical learning environment. The development and construction of seamless learning space and platform is a new trend of international mobile learning research and practice. So, the purpose of this paper is to build a seamless learning platform of the open education system by expanding and improving the connotation and extension of seamless learning, based on the theories of mobile learning, ubiquitous learning and open education, combining with the characteristics of the big data era.

Design/methodology/approach

A seamless learning platform model will be constructed through constructing five modules including resource integration module, requirement module, management module, teacher integration module, and carrier module, using interdisciplinary research methods (combined with economics), functional analysis, model methods and exploratory research methods. Finally, this paper attempts to realize the application of a seamless learning platform in open education through the strategic path of public-private partnership (PPP).

Findings

Seamless learning platform model given by this paper can effectively eliminate the problem of information asymmetry between learner-demander and educational manager through the effective management of carrier fusion module. Furthermore, it can effectively integrate the learning resources and teachers of the open education system and social individual education system, and provide high-quality shared learning resources and diverse stratification teachers to students and social workers through PPP project cooperation ways.

Originality/value

There are many papers on the study of open education and resource construction. However, few papers have studied how to effectively integrate and optimize various existing scattered online resources, including various system courses, teachers and platform systems. The paper provides an effective way to solve the above sub-problems and the realization path/model reference for the effective and accurate promotion of lifelong sustainable learning for all.
A quantitative approach for measuring the degree of flexibility of business process models
Authors: Mejri Asma , Ayachi-Ghannouchi Sonia , Martinho Ricardo
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure the flexibility of business process models. The authors give the notions of flexible process distance, which corresponds to the number of change operations needed for transforming one process model into another, considering the different perspectives (functional, operational, behavioral, informational, and organizational).

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed approach is a quantitative-based approach to measure the flexibility of business process models. In this context, the authors presented a method to compute the distance between two process models. The authors measured the distance between a process model and a process variant in terms of the number of high-level change operations (e.g. to insert or delete actors) needed to transform the process model into the respective variant when a change occurred, considering the different perspectives and the flexible features.

Findings

To evaluate the flexibility-measurement approach, the authors performed a comprehensive simulation using an emergency care (EC) business process model and its variants. The authors used a real-world EC process and illustrated the possible changes faced in the emergency department (possible variants). Simulation results were promising because they fit the flexibility needs of the EC process users. This was validated using the authors’ previous work which consists in a guidance approach for business process flexibility.

Research limitations/implications

The authors defined six different distances between business process models, which are summarized in the definition of total process distance. However, changes in one perspective may lead to changes in other perspectives. For instance, adding a new activity may lead to adding a new actor.

Practical implications

The results of this study would help companies to obtain important information about their processes and to compare the desired level of flexibility with their actual process flexibility.

Originality/value

This study is probably the first flexibility-measurement approach which incorporates features for capturing changes affecting the functional, operational, informational, organizational, and behavioral perspectives as well as elements related to approaches enhancing flexibility.
Capital structure and business process management: evidence from ambidextrous organizations
Authors: Miglietta Nicola , Battisti Enrico , Carayannis Elias , Salvi Antonio
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between capital structure and business process management (BPM) within ambidextrous firms. In particular, referring to the listed companies in theMercato Telematico Azionario(MTA) andMercato degli Investment Vehicles(MIV) markets with large- and mid-sized capitalization, divided into ambidextrous and non-ambidextrous companies, the authors examined the capital structure to fill a gap in the current literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a mixed-method sequential exploratory design. In particular, a qualitative study was conducted to identify some Italian-listed companies, called ambidextrous firms, which have implemented incremental (exploitative) and radical (explorative) innovations in an ambidexterity perspective of process management. A quantitative study was designed to provide insights into the different degrees of leverage of the listed companies selected by the qualitative analysis.

Findings

The research is based on an empirical analysis undertaken with 69 companies listed on Italian markets (starting from the MTA and MIV Italy 100 – large- and mid-sized capitalization). In particular, the authors highlight 11 companies that, based on the literature, can be defined as ambidextrous organizations. These firms, in each year analyzed (2014, 2015, and 2016), have more leverage than non-ambidextrous ones. Considering that firms today need to constantly revisit their portfolio of debt and equity, ambidextrous organizations could evaluate the largest debt available in order to implement new BPM tools.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first exploratory study based on capital structure and the simultaneous exploration and exploitation of knowledge (ambidexterity) that also is informed by a BPM perspective. The paper presents evidence from Italian-listed companies that are referred to as ambidextrous and have different degrees of leverage.
What does affect profitability of banks in Croatia?
Authors: Fidanoski Filip , Choudhry Moorad , Davidović Milivoje , Sergi Bruno S.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The paper aims to determine the impact of bank-specific, industry-specific and macro-specific determinants on the profitability indicators – return on assets (ROA) and ratio net-interest margin (RNIM).

Design/methodology/approach

This research sample includes selected Croatian banks, and the empirical analysis covers the period 2007-2014. Based on the reliable and robust econometric tests, dynamic estimation technique (DOLS) was run to estimate the profitability models, by using of ROA and RNIM as dependent variables, which also include lagged dependent variables to capture the speed of mean reversion in terms of profitability, respectively.

Findings

The results proved the crucial positive impact of assets size (economies of scale), loan portfolio and GDP growth on the banks’ profitability. Further, the negative impacts on profitability have risks and administrative costs. This paper shows the positive impact of capital adequacy ratio (CAR) and leverage on ROA and RNIM, as well as the correlation between market concentration and banks’ profitability.

Practical implications

Basically, Croatian banks should improve operative efficiency and risk management practice to increase their profitability. In addition, banks should carefully balance between capital base and risk exposure on the one hand and take advantage of using relative cheaper deposits and borrowed funds instead of using more expensive equity. This conclusion is reasonable, keeping in mind that the Croatian financial market does not punish banks for an extra risk exposure caused by market imperfections. Finally, the regulatory authority in Croatia should impose some additional antitrust measures to increase competition in the banking market.

Originality/value

Although a bunch of existing studies explain the determinants of bank profitability from different perspectives, this paper conducts a specific empirical analysis about the determinants of bank profitability in Croatia. In addition, this paper provides a good synthesis of the relevant empirical and theoretical studies from this domain.
Entrepreneurial CSR, managerial role and firm resources: a case study approach
Authors: Duarte Alonso Abel , Austin Ian Patrick
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the extant body of the entrepreneurship and business management literature, investigating corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its implications for firms’ competitiveness. The cases of four different firms are examined through the lens of the resource-based view of the firm and role theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Face-to-face and telephone interviews were conducted with the owners and managers of four model firms identified in Western Australia.

Findings

While financial outcomes clearly stand out as the end goal for engaging in CSR-related practices, the importance of firm managers’ entrepreneurial role emerges in using existing resources to exploit business opportunities to ultimately achieve competitiveness, benefit the organisation, the community and society. Management’s ability to reconcile financial objectives and CSR practices give rise to the notion of entrepreneurial CSR.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates that management’s entrepreneurial drive, skills, knowledge, expertise or strategic strengths can identify substantial opportunities. Furthermore, the investment of resources to develop socially responsible products and services can help achieve CSR and the firm’s bottom line. Finally, learning about participants’ motivations for engaging in CSR could identify areas, concepts and directions to be considered by entrepreneurs, compared/contrasted to previous research or even operationalised by enterprises of different sizes elsewhere.
Decision-making in cold chain logistics using data analytics: a literature review
Authors: Chaudhuri Atanu , Dukovska-Popovska Iskra , Subramanian Nachiappan , Chan Hing Kai , Bai Ruibin
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to identify the multiple types of data that can be collected and analyzed by practitioners across the cold chain, the ICT infrastructure required to enable data capture and how to utilize the data for decision making in cold chain logistics.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis based literature review of 38 selected research articles, published between 2000 and 2016, was used to create an overview of data capture, technologies used for collection and sharing of data, and decision making that can be supported by the data, across the cold chain and for different types of perishable food products.

Findings

There is a need to understand how continuous monitoring of conditions such as temperature, humidity, and vibration can be translated to support real-time assessment of quality, determination of actual remaining shelf life of products and use of those for decision making in cold chains. Firms across the cold chain need to adopt appropriate technologies suited to the specific contexts to capture data across the cold chain. Analysis of such data over longer periods can also unearth patterns of product deterioration under different transportation conditions, which can lead to redesigning the transportation network to minimize quality loss or to take precautions to avoid the adverse transportation conditions.

Research limitations/implications

The findings need to be validated through further empirical research and modeling. There are opportunities to identify all relevant parameters to capture product condition as well as transaction data across the cold chain processes for fish, meat and dairy products. Such data can then be used for supply chain (SC) planning and pricing products in the retail stores based on product conditions and traceability information. Addressing some of the above research gaps will call for multi-disciplinary research involving food science and engineering, information technologies, computer science and logistics and SC management scholars.

Practical implications

The findings of this research can be beneficial for multiple players involved in the cold chain like food processing companies, logistics service providers, ports and wholesalers and retailers to understand how data can be effectively used for better decision making in cold chain and to invest in the specific technologies, which will suit the purpose. To ensure adoption of data analytics across the cold chain, it is also important to identify the player in the cold chain, which will drive and coordinate the effort.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the earliest to recognize the need for a comprehensive assessment for adoption and application of data analytics in cold chain management and provides directions for future research.
Proximity manufacturing for enhancing clothing supply chain sustainability
Authors: Sirilertsuwan Petchprakai , Ekwall Daniel , Hjelmgren Daniel
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal benefits and factors (elements) of proximity manufacturing that enhance triple bottom line (TBL) sustainability in the clothing industry and discusses previous proximity manufacturing studies.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review is used in searching and extracting data (primary studies artifacts and proximity manufacturing elements) from peer-reviewed articles. Extracted elements are gathered and analyzed in constructed tables under TBL. Four subgroups are inducted under the business bottom line.

Findings

This paper shows the potential of proximity manufacturing to enhance TBL sustainability, the scope of proximity manufacturing, and the trend and absence of existing studies. The most frequently mentioned elements are time-to-market, job creation, product quality, quick response, and trade policies. Governments and clusters are also important players.

Research limitations/implications

Future research can further explore elements potentially improving TBL sustainability to fill gaps in existing studies, including how proximity manufacturing can drive environmental and social practices, and how governments can encourage proximity manufacturing in various markets.

Practical implications

Besides perceiving the benefits of proximity manufacturing, businesses may use the derived elements to make manufacturing decisions.

Social implications

Public policies giving privileges to the locally produced garment industry have great potential to drive the economy and employment as well as sustain local clothing knowledge and the environment.

Originality/value

Proximity manufacturing strategies toward sustainability are under-researched academically and under-practiced industrially; this paper provides insight into sustainability benefits of proximity manufacturing.
Examination of intergenerational occupational mobility among Indian women
Authors: Choudhary Akanksha , Singh Ashish
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the intergenerational occupational mobility for young women (vis-à-vistheir mothers) in India and six of its states from its diverse geographic regions which contribute 39 percent of the Indian population.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses transition/mobility matrices and multiple mobility measures for examination of intergenerational occupational mobility among young females in India by using the data from the “India Youth Survey: Situation and Needs” from the year 2006 to 2007.

Findings

The study finds that intergenerational occupational mobility among the young women in India is about 71 percent, but surprisingly it is predominantly downwards. The urban areas have higher occupational mobility than the rural areas. However, upward intergenerational occupational mobility is lower among the young SC/ST women compared to the young women belonging to the “Others” caste category. Moreover, upward mobility in the economically and demographically poorer states is much lower than that of other states.

Originality/value

The present study is the only study which examines how women performvis-à-vistheir mothers in terms of occupational attainment in the Indian context.
Development and revitalization strategies for traditional markets in Bali
Authors: Giantari I. Gusti Ayu Ketut , Surya Ida Bagus Ketut , Yasa Ni Nyoman Kerti , Yasa Ida Bagus Anom
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find out: strengths/weaknesses, environmental opportunities/threats encountered by traditional market; traditional market business position; and a proper business strategy to be applied by traditional market and its implication on the marketing strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The population in this research was policy makers in Bali Province, in relation to the development and revitalization planning of traditional market, and traders doing their activity in a traditional market. The data analysis used internal and external strategic factor matrix (IE).

Findings

Key external strategic variables that pose both current and future threats are information technology, bargaining power with buyers and competitors. The key internal strategic variables which are included both present and future strengths are product quality, product variety offered, uniqueness of products offered, affordable product prices, bargaining process, strategic market location, service speed and vast parking lot. Based on the business position of the present Denpasar traditional market which is in quadrant V, while in the future it will be in quadrant II, the strategy properly applied is the proper competition strategy to be grown and built.

Research limitations/implications

The research was only conducted to traditional markets in Bali, thus it cannot be generalized to wider areas, and this research used the survey method where the data collection process was done in a certain point of time or cross-section, whilst the environment would experience extra quick changes. Therefore, it is important to do this research in the future.

Originality/value

The originality for this paper shows the comprehensively development strategies, revitalization strategies in traditional market, by using strength weakness opportunity threat and IE matrix analysis, and research location which is conducted in Bali that has different tourist condition and potentials from other regions.
Pythagorean fuzzy CODAS and its application to supplier selection in a manufacturing firm
Authors: Bolturk Eda
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop the Pythagorean fuzzy extension of CODAS method.

Design/methodology/approach

Supplier selection is a critical issue for manufacturing companies since it is a multidimensional problem including several conflicting criteria. A suitable multi criteria decision making (MCDM) method that could consider vagueness and impreciseness in the assessments should be used for this kind of problems. Pythagorean fuzzy sets (PFSs) are characterized by a membership degree and a non-membership degree satisfying the condition that their square sum is equal to or less than 1. PFSs extend the concept of intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs). COmbinative Distance-based Assessment (CODAS) method is relatively a new MCDM technique introduced by Keshavarz Ghorabaee et al. (2016).

Findings

Pythagorean fuzzy CODAS gives better results than ordinary fuzzy CODAS since it considers the hesitancy of decision makers and presents a larger space for membership and non-membership definition.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is the proposal of a new method to use for the solutions of MCDM problems under vagueness and impreciseness. To show validity and effectiveness of the proposed method, an application to the supplier selection problem is given.
An integrated fuzzy approach for classifying slow-moving items
Authors: Otay Irem , Senturk Embiye , Çebi Ferhan
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new integrated method for evaluating inventory of slow-moving items by introducing the application of fuzzy AHP method with interval Type-2 fuzzy sets (IT2FSs) and ABC analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

In the study, fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method with IT2FSs is employed to set the importance of criteria. The weights obtained from IT2 fuzzy AHP are used to classify slow-moving items in ABC analysis. In the application part, a real-life case study is presented.

Findings

The result of this study indicates that an integrated approach utilizing IT2 fuzzy AHP and ABC analysis can be used as a supportive tool for classification of slow-moving items. The problem is solved under fuzzy environment to handle uncertainties and lack of information about slow-moving items.

Practical implications

Actual data are provided from an automotive company for prioritizing a various criteria to evaluate and classify stocks and a hypothetical model integrated with IT2 fuzzy AHP and ABC analysis is demonstrated.

Originality/value

Apart from inventory classification literature, the study integrates fuzzy AHP method by employing interval IT2FSs and ABC analysis to solve the real-life inventory classification problem.
Leveraging supply chain infrastructure to advance patient safety in community health-care settings
Authors: Snowdon Anne W. , Tallarigo Deborah
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the opportunity for supply chain processes and infrastructure to reduce the risk of medical error and create traceability of adverse events in community care settings. Patient safety has become an important area of focus over the past few decades, with medical error now accounting for the third most common cause of death in Canada and the USA. The majority of patient safety studies to date have focused specifically on safety in hospital settings; however, deaths and harm experienced by patients in the community (home care, long-term care, complex care and rehabilitation settings) are not well understood.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the evidence that adverse events occur at similar, if not more, frequent rates in community care settings.

Findings

The authors propose that above and beyond current efforts to increase awareness and promote a “safety culture” in health-care settings, system infrastructure should be designed in a way that enables clinicians to provide the safest care possible. There is currently no line of sight across the health-care continuum. The authors suggest that improving system infrastructure would reduce the occurrence of adverse events.

Originality/value

Such visibility across the continuum of care holds the potential to transform health-care in Canada from a fragmented system, where information is inadequately captured and transferred from provider to provider, to a system that provides complete, accurate and up-to-date information regarding patient care, procedures, medications and outcomes so as to provide the best and safest care possible. System visibility achieves quality and safe care, which is transparent and accountable and achieves value for patients.
Differential effects of macro and micro country images by product category and by country among Saudi consumers
Authors: Jin Byoungho , Almousa Moudi O. , Yang Heesoon , Kim Naeun
Published: June 2018

Purpose

While country image consists of two hierarchical images – macro country image at the country level and micro country image at the specific product level – previous studies have largely failed to detail its varying effects by product category and by the level of a country’s economic development. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the macro and micro country images of four countries (USA, Italy, Korea, and Malaysia) on Saudi consumers’ purchase intentions in two product categories (symbolic and functional product).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from shoppers older than 20 years of age at several shopping malls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia via mall intercept method.

Findings

Analyses of 496 data revealed that the effects of macro and micro country images differ by product category. In particular, both macro and micro country images were equally relevant to the purchase intention of symbolic goods (i.e. handbags), while micro country image played a greater role in the purchase intention of functional goods (i.e. cell phones). A partial country moderating effect was found. The effects of micro country image on the purchase intention of handbags were valid only in Italy, where product-country match is high.

Originality/value

This study advances country image research by highlighting how the effects of macro and micro country images on purchase intention differ by product category and by country. The findings suggest which aspect of country image (i.e. macro vs micro) should be actively communicated in the marketing of symbolic and functional goods.
Enablers of sustainable industrial ecosystem: framework and future research directions
Authors: Kumari Sneha , Patil Yogesh B.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to dig out enablers of sustainable industrial ecosystem to develop a framework.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the framework statistically, a structured questionnaire was designed. Measures for the questionnaire were adopted from an extensive literature review. Further, the questionnaire was pretested and further pilot study was conducted. Adding to this, the reliability and validity of the constructs was examined using confirmatory factor analysis followed by covariance-based structural equation modeling to test research hypotheses.

Findings

The statistical analyses suggest that the model exceeds the threshold limit for goodness of fit after undergoing through few iterations. Normative pressure has a low effect than rest of the factors.

Originality/value

The present study is a unique contribution in terms of its theoretical implications and practical use. Finally, research findings are concluded and further research directions is outlined.
Is sustainability reporting (ESG) associated with performance? Evidence from the European banking sector
Authors: Buallay Amina
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Sustainability reporting has been widely adopted by firms worldwide given the need of stakeholders for more transparency on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between ESG and bank’s operational (Return on Assets), financial (Return on Equity) and market performance (Tobin’s Q).

Design/methodology/approach

This study examined 235 banks for ten years (2007-2016) to ends up with 2,350 observations. The independent variable is the ESG disclosure; the dependent variables are performance indicators (return on assets, return on equity and Tobin’s Q). Two type of control variables are utilized in this study: bank specific and macroeconomic.

Findings

The findings deduced from the empirical results demonstrate that there is significant positive impact of ESG on the performance. However, the relationship between ESG disclosures is vary if measured individually; the environmental disclosure found positively affect the ROA and TQ. Whereas, the corporate social responsibility disclosure is negatively affect the three models. However, the corporate governance disclosure found negatively affects the ROA, ROE and positively affects the Tobin’s Q.

Originality/value

The results of this study can be used to present a successful model for worldwide banks to concentrate on the role of ESG disclosure in performance.
Public Spaces Protection Orders: a critical policy analysis
Authors: Heap Vicky , Dickinson Jill
Published: June 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically appraise the Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) policy that was introduced by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act (2014). Within a designated area assigned by the local council, PSPOs can prohibit or require specific behaviours to improve the quality of life for people inhabiting that space. Those who do not comply face a fixed penalty notice of £100 or a fine of £1,000 on summary conviction. However, the practical and theoretical impact associated with the development of these powers has yet to be fully explored.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Bannister and O’Sullivan’s (2013) discussion of civility and anti-social behaviour policy as a starting point, the authors show how PSPOs could create new frontiers in exclusion, intolerance and criminalisation, as PSPOs enable the prohibition of any type of behaviour perceived to negatively affect the quality of life.

Findings

Local councils in England and Wales now have unlimited and unregulated powers to control public spaces. The authors suggest that this has the potential to produce localised tolerance thresholds and civility agendas that currently target and further marginalise vulnerable people, and the authors highlight street sleeping homeless people as one such group.

Originality/value

There has been little academic debate on this topic. This paper raises a number of original, conceptual questions that provide an analytical framework for future empirical research. The authors also use original data from Freedom of Information requests to contextualise the discussions.
Elastic properties of sands, Part 1: Micro computed tomography image analysis of grain shapes and their relationship with microstructure
Authors: Ahmed Zubair , Lebedev Maxim
Published: June 2018

Elastic properties of an unconsolidated sand are largely dependent on the elastic properties of its constituent grain and the micro‐structure that defines how the grains are arranged within themselves. Coordination number, that is the average number of contacts a grain has with its neighbours, and contact surface area are the two parameters closely related to the microstructure. Moreover, grain shapes and sorting also have substantial influence on these parameters. To calculate these parameters and find any potential relationships with the shape factors, we acquire high‐resolution micro computed tomography images of four mechanically compacted unconsolidated dry sand samples that are of different shape factors and sorting indices. After a comprehensive voxel‐based data processing, we calculate shape factors such as sphericity and roundness of each grain in all samples. Using own algorithm, we then calculate the coordination number and contact surface area. Results show that samples of well‐sorted and higher spherical and rounded grains have higher coordination number and contact surface area than the samples of poorly sorted and lower spherical and rounded grains. Among the poorly sorted samples, coordination number is largely dependent on the fraction of larger grain sizes present in the sample. Inside any given sample, grains of lower sphericity tend to have higher coordination numbers. Moreover, more spherical and rounded grains have greater contact surface area with their neighbours.
Identifying Causal Effects of Reproductive Health Improvements on Women's Economic Empowerment Through the Population Poverty Research Initiative
Authors: FINLAY JOCELYN E. , LEE MARLENE A.
Published: June 2018

Policy Points:

Improvements in reproductive health lead to improvements in women's economic empowerment.

Contraceptive use improves women's agency, education, and labor force participation; higher maternal age at first birth (reducing adolescent childbearing) increases the likelihood of school completion and participation in the formal labor market; and having fewer children increases labor market participation.

Reproductive health is not just a benefit to a woman's individual rights, but her gateway for breaking free from her poverty trap and improving the welfare of herself, her children, and her household.

Context

Women's access to employment, business opportunities, and financial resources is critical to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals over the next 15 years. With increased attention to women's economic empowerment among donors and policymakers across the globe, this moment is a pivotal one in which to review the current state of the research on this topic.

Methods

We reviewed the Population and Poverty (PopPov) Research Initiative results from the past 10 years with attention to the causal link between reproductive health improvements and women's economic empowerment, in addition to seminal research that informed our understanding of the link.

Findings

Our review of PopPov findings revealed that improvements in reproductive health do lead to improvements in women's economic empowerment; expanding contraceptive use improves women's agency, education, and labor force participation; higher maternal age at first birth (reducing adolescent childbearing) increases the likelihood of school completion and participation in the formal labor market; and having fewer children increases labor force participation.

Conclusions

Gaps remain in measuring women's work and in the full exploration of women's economic empowerment. More research is needed regarding the long‐term impact of reproductive health improvements on women's economic empowerment, as some studies have shown that at times unintended negative consequences occur after early positive improvements.