bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constitutional democracy and technology in the age of artificial intelligence
Authors: Nemitz Paul
Published: October 2018

Given the foreseeable pervasiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern societies, it is legitimate and necessary to ask the question how this new technology must be shaped to support the maintenance and strengthening of constitutional democracy. This paper first describes the four core elements of today's digital power concentration, which need to be seen in cumulation and which, seen together, are both a threat to democracy and to functioning markets. It then recalls the experience with the lawless Internet and the relationship between technology and the law as it has developed in the Internet economy and the experience with GDPR before it moves on to the key question for AI in democracy, namely which of the challenges of AI can be safely and with good conscience left to ethics, and which challenges of AI need to be addressed by rules which are enforceable and encompass the legitimacy of democratic process, thus laws. The paper closes with a call for a new culture of incorporating the principles of democracy, rule of law and human rights by design in AI and a three-level technological impact assessment for new technologies like AI as a practical way forward for this purpose.

This article is part of a theme issue ‘Governing artificial intelligence: ethical, legal, and technical opportunities and challenges’.
Apples, oranges, robots: four misunderstandings in today's debate on the legal status of AI systems
Authors: Pagallo Ugo
Published: October 2018

Scholars have increasingly discussed the legal status(es) of robots and artificial intelligence (AI) systems over the past three decades; however, the 2017 resolution of the EU parliament on the ‘electronic personhood’ of AI robots has reignited and even made current debate ideological. Against this background, the aim of the paper is twofold. First, the intent is to show how often today's discussion on the legal status(es) of AI systems leads to different kinds of misunderstanding that regard both the legal personhood of AI robots and their status as accountable agents establishing rights and obligations in contracts and business law. Second, the paper claims that whether or not the legal status of AI systems as accountable agents in civil––as opposed to criminal––law may make sense is an empirical issue, which should not be ‘politicized’. Rather, a pragmatic approach seems preferable, as shown by methods of competitive federalism and legal experimentation. In the light of the classical distinction between primary rules and secondary rules of the law, examples of competitive federalism and legal experimentation aim to show how the secondary rules of the law can help us understanding what kind of primary rules we may wish for our AI robots.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Governing artificial intelligence: ethical, legal, and technical opportunities and challenges’.
Two male siblings with a novel LRBA mutation presenting with different findings of IPEX syndrome
Authors: Eren Akarcan Sanem , Edeer Karaca Neslihan , Aksu Guzide , Aykut Ayca , Yilmaz Karapinar Deniz , Cetin Funda , Aydinok Yesim , Azarsiz Elif , Gambineri Eleonora , Cogulu Ozgur , Ulusoy Severcan Ezgi , Alper Hudaver , Kutukculer Necil
Published: October 2018

Introduction. LPS-responsive beige-like anchor (LRBA) protein deficiency is a disease of immune dysregulation with autoimmunity affecting various systems.

Case Presentation. Two male siblings with a novel LRBA mutation had different primary findings at admission: the younger sibling had chronic early-onset diarrhoea and the elder one had autoimmune haemolytic anaemia. During long-term follow-up for IPEX phenotype, both developed hypogammaglobulinaemia, enteropathy and lung involvement. The patients partially responded to immunosuppressive therapies. A homozygous c.2496C>A, p.Cys832Ter (p.C832*) mutation in the LRBA gene causing a premature stop codon was detected. After molecular diagnosis, abatacept, as a target-specific molecule, was used with promising results.

Conclusion. LRBA deficiency is a recently defined defect, with variable presentations in different patients; a single, definitive treatment option is thus not yet available.
Degron-tagged reporters probe membrane topology and enable the specific labelling of membrane-wrapped structures
Authors: Beer Katharina B , Fazeli Gholamreza , Judasova Kristyna , Irmisch Linda , Causemann Jona , Mansfeld Jörg , Wehman Ann M
Published: October 2018

Visualization of specific organelles in tissues over background fluorescence can be challenging, especially when reporters localize to multiple structures. Instead of trying to identify proteins enriched in specific membrane-wrapped structures, we used a selective degradation approach to remove reporters from the cytoplasm or nucleus ofC. elegansembryos and mammalian cells. We demonstrate specific labelling of organelles using degron-tagged reporters, including extracellular vesicles, as well as individual neighbouring membranes. These degron-tagged reporters facilitate long-term tracking of released cell debris and cell corpses, even during uptake and phagolysosomal degradation. We further show that degron protection assays can probe the topology of the nuclear envelope and plasma membrane during cell division, giving insight into protein and organelle dynamics. As endogenous and heterologous degrons are used in bacteria, yeast, plants, and animals, degron approaches can enable the specific labelling and tracking of proteins, vesicles, organelles, cell fragments, and cells in many model systems.
Metastatic tumor cells exploit their adhesion repertoire to counteract shear forces during intravascular arrest
Authors: Osmani Naël , Follain Gautier , Leòn Marìa Jesùs Garcia , Lefebvre Olivier , Busnelli Ignacio , Larnicol Annabel , Harlepp Sébastien , Goetz Jacky G.
Published: October 2018

Cancer metastasis is a process whereby a primary tumor spreads to distant organs. We have previously demonstrated that blood flow controls the intravascular arrest of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), through stable adhesion to endothelial cells. We now aim at defining the contribution of cell adhesive potential and at identifying adhesion receptors at play. Early arrest is mediated by the formation of weak adhesion depending on CD44 and integrin αvβ3. Stabilization of this arrest uses integrin α5β1-dependent adhesions with higher adhesion strength, which allows CTCs to stop in vascular regions with lower shear forces. Moreover, blood flow favors luminal deposition of fibronectin on endothelial cells, an integrin α5β1 ligand. Finally, we show that only receptors involved in stable adhesion are required for subsequent extravasation and metastasis. In conclusion, we identified the molecular partners that are sequentially exploited by CTCs to arrest and extravasate in vascular regions with permissive flow regimes.
Mitochondria-Associated Membranes (MAMs) are involved in Bax mitochondrial localization and cytochrome c release
Authors: Légiot Alexandre , Céré Claire , Dupoiron Thibaud , Kaabouni Mohamed , Manon Stéphen
Published: October 2018

The distribution of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax in the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) is a central point of regulation of apoptosis. It is now widely recognized that parts of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are closely associated to the OMM, and are actively involved in different signalling processes. We adressed a possible role of these domains, called Mitochondria-Associated Membranes (MAMs) in Bax localization and fonction, by expressing the human protein in a yeast mutant deleted of MDM34, a ERMES component (ER-Mitochondria Encounter Structure). By affecting MAMs stability, the deletion of MDM34 altered Bax mitochondrial localization, and decreased its capacity to release cytochrome c. Furthermore, the deletion of MDM34 decreased the size of an uncompletely released, MAMs-associated pool of cytochrome c.
Simultaneous Deletion of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 3 and Cacna1h Undermines Ca2+ Homeostasis in Oocytes and Fertility in Mice
Authors: Mehregan Aujan , Ardestani Goli , Carvacho Ingrid , Fissore Rafael
Published: October 2018

In mammals, calcium (Ca2+) influx fills the endoplasmic reticulum, from where Ca2+ is released following fertilization to induce egg activation. However, an incomplete index of the plasma membrane channels and their specific contributions that underlie this influx in oocytes and eggs led us to simultaneously knock out the transient receptor potential vanilloid, member 3 (TRPV3) channel and the T-type channel, CaV3.2. Double knockout (dKO) females displayed subfertility and their oocytes and eggs showed significantly diminished Ca2+ store content and oscillations after fertilization compared to controls. We also found that the cell cycle stage during maturation determines the functional expression of channels whereby they show a distinct permeability to certain ions. In total, we demonstrate that TRPV3 and CaV3.2 are required for initiating physiological oscillations and that Ca2+ influx dictates the periodicity of oscillations during fertilization. dKO gametes will be indispensable to identify the complete native channel currents present in mammalian eggs.
Opioids trigger breast cancer metastasis through E-Cadherin downregulation and STAT3 activation promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Tripolt Sabrina , Knab Vanessa M. , Neubauer Heidi A. , Elmer Dominik P. , Aberger Fritz , Moriggl Richard , Fux Daniela A.
Published: October 2018

The opioid crisis of pain medication bears risks from addiction to cancer progression, but little experimental facts exist. Expression of δ-opioid receptors (DORs) correlates with poor prognosis for breast cancer (BCa) patients, but mechanism and genetic/pharmacologic proof of key changes in opioid-triggered cancer biology are lacking. We show that oncogenic STAT3 signaling and E-Cadherin downregulation are triggered by opioid-ligated DORs, promoting metastasis. Human and murine transplanted BCa cells (MDA-MB-231, 4T1) displayed enhanced metastasis upon opioid-induced DOR stimulation, and DOR-antagonist blocked metastasis. Opioid-exposed BCa cells showed enhanced migration, STAT3 activation, down-regulation of E-Cadherin and expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. STAT3 knockdown or upstream inhibition through the JAK1/2 kinase inhibitor ruxolitinib prevented opioid-induced BCa cell metastasis and migration. We conclude that opioids trigger metastasis through oncogenic JAK1/2-STAT3 signaling.
Continuous and bolus intraventricular topotecan prolong survival in a mouse model of leptomeningeal medulloblastoma
Authors: Shackleford GM , Mahdi MY , Moats RA , Hawes Debra , Tran HC , Hoang T , Meng E , Erdreich-Epstein A
Published: October 2018

Leptomeningeal metastasis remains a difficult clinical challenge. Some success has been achieved by direct administration of therapeutics into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circumventing limitations imposed by the blood brain barrier. Here we investigated continuous infusion versus bolus injection of therapy into the CSF in a preclinical model of human Group 3 medulloblastoma, the molecular subgroup with the highest incidence of leptomeningeal disease. Initial tests of selected Group 3 human medulloblastoma cell lines in culture showed that D283 Med and D425 Med were resistant to cytarabine and methotrexate. D283 Med cells were also resistant to topotecan, whereas 1 μM topotecan killed over 99% of D425 Med cells. We therefore introduced D425 Med cells, modified to express firefly luciferase, into the CSF of immunodeficient mice. Mice were then treated with topotecan or saline in five groups: continuous intraventricular (IVT) topotecan via osmotic pump (5.28 μg/day), daily bolus IVT topotecan injections with a similar daily dose (6 μg/day), systemic intraperitoneal injections of a higher daily dose of topotecan (15 μg/day), daily IVT pumped saline and daily intraperitoneal injections of saline. Bioluminescence analyses revealed that both IVT topotecan treatments effectively slowed leptomeningeal tumor growth in the brains, although histological analysis showed that they were associated with localized brain necrosis. In the spines, bolus IVT topotecan showed a trend towards slower tumor growth compared to continuous (pump) IVT topotecan, as measured by bioluminescence. Both continuous and bolus topotecan IVT showed similar survival that was longer compared to other groups. Thus, both direct IVT topotecan CSF delivery methods produced better anti-medulloblastoma effect compared to systemic therapy at the dosages used here.
Lymph-Circulating Tumor Cells show distinct properties to Blood-Circulating Tumor Cells and constitute extraordinary efficient metastatic precursors
Authors: Mohammed Sulma I , Torres Luquis Odalys , Walls El Wood , Lloyd Frank
Published: October 2018

The molecular properties of tumor cells as they exit the primary tumor into the afferent lymphatics en route to the sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) are not yet known. We developed an innovative technique that enables the collection of lymph and lymph-circulating tumor cells (LCTCs) en route to the SLN in immunocompetent animal model of breast cancer metastasis. We found that LCTCs and blood circulating tumor cells (BCTCs) as exited the primary tumor shared similar gene and protein expression profiles that were distinct from those of primary tumors and lymph node metastases (LNMs) despite their common parental cell origin. LCTCs but not BCTC exist in clusters, display a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype and cancer stem cell-like properties and constitute extraordinarily efficient metastatic precursors. These results demonstrate that tumor cell metastasizing through the lymphatic are different from those spread by the blood circulation. The contribution of these cells to overall peripheral blood CTC is important in cancer therapy. Whether these two types of cells occur in cancer patients remain to be determined.
Molecular anatomy and plasticity of the long noncoding RNA HOTAIR
Authors: Spokoini-Stern Rachel , Stamov Dimitar , Jessel Hadass , Aharoni Lior , Haschke Heiko , Giron Jonathan , Unger Ron , Segal Eran , Abu-Horowitz Almogit , Bachelet Ido
Published: October 2018

Long noncoding RNA molecules (lncRNAs) are estimated to account for the majority of eukaryotic genomic transcripts, and have been associated with multiple diseases in humans. However, our understanding of their structure-function relationships is scarce, with structural evidence coming mostly from indirect biochemical approaches or computational predictions. Here we describe the hypothetical molecular anatomy of the lncRNA HOTAIR (HOx Transcript AntIsense RNA) inferred from direct, high-resolution visualization by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in nucleus-like conditions at 37 degrees. Our observations reveal that HOTAIR has a distinct anatomy with a high degree of plasticity. Fast AFM scanning enabled the quantification of this plasticity, and provided visual evidence of physical interactions with genomic DNA segments. Our report provides the first biologically-plausible hypothetical description of the anatomy and intrinsic properties of HOTAIR, and presents a framework for studying the structural biology of lncRNAs.
Previously rewarding environments enhance incidental memory formation
Authors: Shneyer Anatoly , Mendelsohn Avi
Published: October 2018

Declarative memory performance is superior for items that were encoded in temporal proximity to reward delivery or expectancy. How reward-predicting contexts affect subsequent declarative memory formation in those contexts are, however, unknown. Using an ecological experimental setup in the form of a naturalistic driving simulator task, we examined the effect that previously rewarded environments may have on incidental memory formation. After driving in two distinct environments, one of which associated with monetary reward, participants drove again in the environments, which were embedded with unique images on billboards. A recognition test 24 h later demonstrated that incidental memory was superior for items presented in the reward-associated environment. These findings suggest that environmental cues imbued with incentive salience promote memory processes even in the absence of reward.
The role of the gustatory cortex in incidental experience-evoked enhancement of later taste learning
Authors: Flores Veronica L. , Parmet Tamar , Mukherjee Narendra , Nelson Sacha , Katz Donald B. , Levitan David
Published: October 2018

The strength of learned associations between pairs of stimuli is affected by multiple factors, the most extensively studied of which is prior experience with the stimuli themselves. In contrast, little data is available regarding how experience with “incidental” stimuli (independent of any conditioning situation) impacts later learning. This lack of research is striking given the importance of incidental experience to survival. We have recently begun to fill this void using conditioned taste aversion (CTA), wherein an animal learns to avoid a taste that has been associated with malaise. We previously demonstrated that incidental exposure to salty and sour tastes (taste preexposure—TPE) enhances aversions learned later to sucrose. Here, we investigate the neurobiology underlying this phenomenon. First, we use immediate early gene (c-Fos) expression to identify gustatory cortex (GC) as a site at which TPE specifically increases the neural activation caused by taste-malaise pairing (i.e., TPE did not change c-Fos induced by either stimulus in isolation). Next, we use site-specific infection with the optical silencer Archaerhodopsin-T to show that GC inactivation during TPE inhibits the expected enhancements of both learning and CTA-related c-Fos expression, a full day later. Thus, we conclude that GC is almost certainly a vital part of the circuit that integrates incidental experience into later associative learning.
On the origin of crystallinity: a lower bound for the regularity radius of Delone sets
Authors: Baburin Igor A. , Bouniaev Mikhail , Dolbilin Nikolay , Erokhovets Nikolay Yu. , Garber Alexey , Krivovichev Sergey V. , Schulte Egon
Published: October 2018

The mathematical conditions for the origin of long-range order or crystallinity in ideal crystals are one of the very fundamental problems of modern crystallography. It is widely believed that the (global) regularity of crystals is a consequence of `local order', in particular the repetition of local fragments, but the exact mathematical theory of this phenomenon is poorly known. In particular, most mathematical models for quasicrystals, for example Penrose tiling, have repetitive local fragments, but are not (globally) regular. The universal abstract models of any atomic arrangements are Delone sets, which are uniformly distributed discrete point sets in Euclidean d space. An ideal crystal is a regular or multi-regular system, that is, a Delone set, which is the orbit of a single point or finitely many points under a crystallographic group of isometries. The local theory of regular or multi-regular systems aims at finding sufficient local conditions for a Delone set X to be a regular or multi-regular system. One of the main goals is to estimate the regularity radius \hat{\rho}_d for Delone sets X in terms of the radius R of the largest `empty ball' for X. The celebrated `local criterion for regular systems' provides an upper bound for \hat{\rho_d} for any d. Better upper bounds are known for d ≤ 3. The present article establishes the lower bound \hat{\rho_d}\geq 2dR for all d, which is linear in d. The best previously known lower bound had been \hat{\rho}_d\geq 4R for d ≥ 2. The proof of the new lower bound is accomplished through explicit constructions of Delone sets with mutually equivalent (2dR − ∊)-clusters, which are not regular systems. The two- and three-dimensional constructions are illustrated by examples. In addition to its fundamental importance, the obtained result is also relevant for the understanding of geometrical conditions of the formation of ordered and disordered arrangements in polytypic materials.
Crystal symmetry aspects of materials with magnetic spin reorientation
Authors: Przeniosło Radosław , Fabrykiewicz Piotr , Sosnowska Izabela
Published: October 2018

The symmetry of materials which undergo a continuous spin reorientation has been analysed. It is shown that continuous spin reorientation is possible only in materials with triclinic or monoclinic crystal structure symmetry,i.e.other symmetries – orthorhombic, tetragonal, trigonal, hexagonal and cubic – are forbidden.
Awareness of alternative gluten-free grains for individuals with coeliac disease
Authors: Laheri Zainab , Soon Jan Mei
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Coeliac disease (CD) is a prevalent autoimmune disorder, affecting 1 in 100 of all individuals in the UK. Currently, the only treatment for CD is the complete avoidance of gluten, a protein commonly found in wheat, rye and barley. The use of alternative grains (AG) is highly recommended to individuals with CD to improve and diversify their diet. The purpose of this paper is to determine the current knowledge of the gluten-free diet (GFD), consumption rates of AG and awareness of AG, for individuals diagnosed with CD.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 100 participants were recruited via local coeliac support groups as well as an “Allergy and Free From Show”, to participate in a survey. Consent was obtained from all organisations and all individual participants, prior to collecting data. The questionnaire consists of ten questions, related to participants’ demographic characteristics, knowledge of gluten-free food (GFF) and AG and consumption rate of AG. χ2 analyses were conducted to compare the variables between gender and time of diagnosis.

Findings

Overall, both genders possessed good knowledge of the GFD. Yogurt, vinegar and oats resulted in the highest incorrect responses. It was found that females possessed better knowledge of both GFF and AG. Rice, quinoa and corn were amongst the most popular AG consumed whilst job’s tears, fonio and sorghum were the least consumed grains. Females reported a higher consumption rate of AG than males. Additionally, those more recently diagnosed had poorer knowledge of the GFD, reduced consumption rates of AG and poor awareness of AG.

Originality/value

It can be suggested that the incorporation of AG into the diet can prove beneficial for coeliacs and that both knowledge and education play a fundamental role in determining consumption rates amongst individuals.
High-performance unsymmetric 3-node triangular membrane element with drilling DOFs can correctly undertake in-plane moments
Authors: Shang Yan , Cen Song , Qian Zheng-Hua , Li Chenfeng
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a simple but robust three-node triangular membrane element with rational drilling DOFs for efficiently analyzing plane problems.

Design/methodology/approach

This new element is developed within the general framework of unsymmetric FEM. The element test functions are determined by using a conforming displacement field which is slightly different with the classical Allman’s interpolations, while a self-equilibrated stress field formulated based on the analytical airy stress solutions is adopted as the trial functions. To ensure the correctness between the drilling DOFs and the true rotations in elasticity, reasonable constraints are introduced through the penalty function method. Moreover, the special quadrature strategy is used for operating related integrations for future enrichment of element behavior.

Findings

Numerical benchmark tests reveal that this new triangular membrane element has exceptional prediction capabilities. In particular, this element can correctly reproduce a rigid body rotation motion and correctly undertake the external in-plane twisting moments; thus, it is a reasonable choice for being used to formulate flat shell elements or to be connected with other kind of elements with physical rotational DOFs.

Originality/value

This work provides a new approach for developing high-performance lower-order elements with simple formulations and good numerical accuracies.
Lévy flight trajectory-based whale optimization algorithm for engineering optimization
Authors: Zhou Yongquan , Ling Ying , Luo Qifang
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to represent an improved whale optimization algorithm (WOA) based on a Lévy flight trajectory and called the LWOA algorithm to solve engineering optimization problems. The LWOA makes the WOA faster, more robust and significantly enhances the WOA. In the LWOA, the Lévy flight trajectory enhances the capability of jumping out of the local optima and is helpful for smoothly balancing exploration and exploitation of the WOA. It has been successfully applied to five standard engineering optimization problems. The simulation results of the classical engineering design problems and real application exhibit the superiority of the LWOA algorithm in solving challenging problems with constrained and unknown search spaces when compared to the basic WOA algorithm or other available solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, an improved WOA based on a Lévy flight trajectory and called the LWOA algorithm is represented to solve engineering optimization problems.

Findings

It has been successfully applied to five standard engineering optimization problems. The simulation results of the classical engineering design problems and real application exhibit the superiority of the LWOA algorithm in solving challenging problems with constrained and unknown search spaces when compared to the basic WOA algorithm or other available solutions.

Originality value

An improved WOA based on a Lévy flight trajectory and called the LWOA algorithm is first proposed.
Multi-scale computational modeling for concrete damage by mixed pore pressures – case of coupled alkali–silica reaction and cyclic freeze/thaw
Authors: Gong Fuyuan , Takahashi Yuya , Maekawa Koichi
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a multi-scale simulation approach for the concrete macro-mechanical damage caused by mixed micro-pore pressures, such as the coupled alkali–silica reaction (ASR) and freeze-thaw cycles (FTC).

Design/methodology/approach

The micro-physical events are computationally modeled by considering the coupling effect between ASR gel and condensed water in the mixed pressure and motion. The pressures and transport of pore substances are also linked with the concrete matrix deformation at macro-scale through a poro-mechanical approach, and affect each other, reciprocally. Once the crack happens in the nonlinear analysis, both the micro-events (water and gel motion) and the macro mechanics will be mutually interacted. Finally, different sequences of combined ASR and FTC are simulated.

Findings

The multi-chemo mechanistic computation can reproduce complex events in pore structures, and further the macro-damages. The results show that ASR can reduce the FTC expansion for non-air-entrained concrete, but may increase the frost damage for air-entrained concrete. The simulation is examined to bring about the observed phenomena.

Originality/value

This paper numerically clarifies the strong linkage between macro-mechanical deformation and micro-chemo-physical events for concrete composites under coupled ASR and FTC.
Influence of velocity head on filling transients in a branched pipeline
Authors: Wang Ling , Wang Fujun , Karney Bryan William , Malekpour Ahmad , Wang Zhengwei
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The velocity head is usually neglected in the energy equation for a pipeline junction when one-dimensional (1D) hydraulic transient flow is solved by method of characteristics. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of velocity head on filling transients in a branched pipeline by an energy equation considering velocity head.

Design/methodology/approach

An interface tracking method is used to locate the air–water interface during pipeline filling. The pressured pipe flow is solved by a method of characteristics. A discrete gas cavity model is included to permit the occurrence of column separation. A universal energy equation is built by considering the velocity head. The numerical method is provisionally verified in a series pipeline and the numerical results and experimental data accord well with each other.

Findings

The numerical results show that some differences in filling velocity and piezometric head occur in the branched pipeline. These differences arise because the velocity head in the energy equation can become an important contributor to the hydraulic response of the system. It is also confirmed that a local high point in the profile is apt to experience column separation during rapid filling. Significantly, the magnitude of overpressure and cavity volume induced by filling transients at the local high point is predicted to increase with the velocity in the pipes.

Originality/value

The velocity head in the energy equation for a pipeline junction could play an important role in the prediction of filling velocity, piezometric head and column separation phenomenon, which should be given more attention in 1D hydraulic transient analysis.
Analysis of freezing process about falling droplet using the lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Zhao Xin , Dong Bo , Li Weizhong
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The freezing phenomenon of a falling droplet is a frequently encountered phenomenon in various applications, such as spray crystallization, hail formation and artificial snowmaking. Therefore, this paper aims to understand the freezing processes of a falling droplet without and with initial horizontal velocity in a cold space.

Design/methodology/approach

The freezing processes of a falling droplet were characterized using a modified enthalpy-based lattice Boltzmann method.

Findings

The temperature field, streamlines and freezing process of the falling droplet were investigated and analyzed. The lower part of the droplet was frozen earlier than the upper part. The freezing trend slowed down in the later stage of the freezing process. The droplet shape was related to the initial vertical velocity, nucleation temperature and initial horizontal velocity.

Originality/value

A modified enthalpy-based lattice Boltzmann method is proposed. In the model, the improved pseudo-potential model is used and the radiation is considered. This method was firstly used to simulate the freezing process of a falling droplet. By examining these freezing processes in detail, the freezing trend and the effect factors of droplet deformation and freezing time were obtained, respectively.
Exploring the future workplace: results of the futures forum study
Authors: De Bruyne Evi , Gerritse Doranne
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper describes the set-up and results of the “futures forum” study. Through different methodological approaches, the future of work and its implications for the future (physical) workplace are explored. What will our office workplace look like in 2025 and how best to support future work, in alignment with the different organisational support services [human resources, information technology (IT), facility management and real estate]?

Design/methodology/approach

Different stakeholders were involved through different methods. First, a global literature study summed up some of the contemporary views on future directions and future studies. Second, focus groups were held with office end-users and employees of 11 participating organisations. Third, a Delphi study was applied to a multidisciplinary expert group. And finally, results were further developed in a “pre-design” workshop. The “forum” refers to the consortium of private and public partners that supported the study. The research involved large (>1,000 employees) knowledge-based and administrative organisations.

Findings

The fast-developing digitalisation will have substantial repercussions for work processes and environments. New types of work and work processes are appearing and need to be accommodated. Work will be organised in a more dynamic manner to adapt to the rapid changes in the market. Automation will lead to a continuous decrease of administrative processes which leaves more complex, knowledge-intensive work in organisations. Digitalisation and technology will lead to new ways of working and other necessary capabilities in the organisation with great emphasis on IT and technology-based activities. This dynamic environment brings the demand for an agile response of the support services in the organisation and a work environment that can accommodate changes easily. The main findings centre around eight themes for the future workplace that were considered to be the main, joint priorities of support services. These themes are changes in work, move towards digitalisation, adaptive potential of organisations, liberation of old structures, attract and retain employees, self-employment and self-marketing and future employee needs. Because of the dimensions of the research topic, a broad thematic perspective was applied so a further in-depth exploration might be valuable. The stakeholders that were involved in the data collection were mostly contacted through research partners, which might narrow research findings.

Originality/value

Many “future studies” have been taken place in the past, and they all apply a different research scope. This study aimed specifically at large office organisations in The Netherlands and on the implications for the future workplace that are to be addressed in a communal way by the organisations’ support services.
Do a company’s sincere intentions with CSR initiatives matter to employees?
Authors: Lee Seoki , Lee Kiwon , Gao Yixing (Lisa) , Xiao Qu , Conklin Martha
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to examine how employees’ perceptions of customer-related and employee-related corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives influence their job satisfaction. Further, the study investigates whether employees’ organizational commitment mediates this proposed relationship and, more importantly, tests how such mediated relationships change according to the level of employees’ perceptions of their company’s sincerity in investing in CSR activities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used an online survey to collect data and collected a total of 490 responses for the main analysis. A regression analysis and standard path-analytic approaches described by Hayes (2013) were conducted to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

Findings support the main effect of customer- and employee-related CSR on employees’ job satisfaction mediated by employees’ organizational commitment, as well as the moderating effect of the perceived sincerity of customer-related CSR but not employee-related CSR.

Originality/value

The current study focuses on comparing two types of CSR initiatives, i.e. employee- and customer-related, because these two groups are any company’s core stakeholders with the closest relationship to its operations, and they represent the internal and external stakeholders, respectively. Further, the current study investigates the moderating effect of employees’ perceptions of the sincerity of their company’s CSR initiatives on the relationship between the two types of CSR initiatives and employees’ job commitment.
Cybernetically informed pedagogy in two tertiary educational contexts: China and South Africa
Authors: Baron Philip , Herr Christiane M.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Discussing cybernetics as an enacted practice within specific contexts, this paper aims to identify key similarities and differences of two cybernetically informed approaches to tertiary education in the distinct contexts of China and South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

Making explicit and comparing two cybernetically informed educational approaches, the authors identify shared aspects as well as differences arising from their practice in social contexts that have differing norms and values.

Findings

The authors find that conversational settings for learning, immediacy of feedback, the key role of the teacher and assessment strategies that are matched to cybernetic learning and teaching strategies all constitute shared vital aspects of cybernetically informed teaching that are valid across two distinct educational contexts. Enacting these key aspects however requires careful adaptation to local contexts.

Research limitations/implications

Primarily qualitative in nature, this study is limited to the examination of two bodies of work conducted independently of each other in differing contexts.

Practical implications

Arising from the long-term examination of applied educational practice, findings discussed in the paper are intended to inform similar practice in other contexts. The authors however emphasise that enacted ethical practice requires careful adapting of learning and teaching strategies to local conditions.

Social implications

Based on the authors’ findings, the authors demonstrate the value of cybernetically informed tertiary education that emphasises ethical settings for learning on the basis of mutuality, equality and social inclusion.

Originality/value

Based on two bodies of work that consolidated practice-based insights independently of each other, this paper presents insights on cybernetically informed education that, shown to work well in two very different contexts, may offer a broader applicability.
Assessing teachers’ use of language and their teaching quality
Authors: Flavian Heidi , Dan Doron
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Understanding the contribution of the use of proper language to thinking development and learning processes, served as the basis of this study. The purpose of this study is to learn from parents, teachers and teacher-trainees whether their view of efficient teaching also relies on the teacher’s use of proper language.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 308 teacher-trainees, teachers and parents participated in this mixed-method study. Completing a questionnaire with open and closed questions, they were asked to rate a teacher’s professionalism via a written reflection, thereby gauging their perspectives in regard to important teacher characteristics.

Findings

The main finding was that teachers’ intercultural knowledge and understanding of their students’ diversity were perceived as significantly more important than their language register. Participants did not argue that language was not important, but did not necessarily refer to it while assessing the teacher’s professionalism. No significant differences were found between the chosen three groups of participants.

Research limitations/implications

Although this study included a large number of participants, it is the first of its type. As far as is known, no other study has been published in regard to people evaluating teachers’ professionalism on the basis of their language level as expressed in written reflections.

Originality/value

From previous studies, it is taken for granted that people will evaluate teachers’ professionalism according to the language they use. Nevertheless, this study presents different perspectives that might allow the development of different and teaching and assessments methods.
Summative evaluation of online language learning course efficiency for students studying tourism and hospitality management
Authors: Luka Ineta
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The paper aims to analyse the application of a pedagogy-based approach to designing online language learning courses. It aims to evaluate course efficiency from three perspectives – provider, recipient and wider community perspective and define the extent to which the target course could be applied for developing tourism and hospitality industry students’ and employees’ language competences in Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

In line with pragmatism paradigm, a summative/outcome evaluation research in provider, recipient and wider community perspective was conducted in Latvia, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania and Italy. It comprised a focus group interview of 8 language teachers (the provider perspective), a survey of 505 students (the recipient perspective) and a survey of 106 language teachers and 161 industry representatives and 10 expert interviews (the wider community perspective).

Findings

The results highlight the main strengths of online learning environments and emphasise the efficiency of the pedagogy-based approach applied in designing an online course. The created courses are beneficial and may be used to foster the development of tourism and hospitality industry students’ and employees’ language competences.

Research limitations/implications

The research sample is composed of language learners from five countries, but it is not proportionally distributed. Another limitation refers to the languages piloted. Further in-depth study concerning less widely used languages is required.

Practical implications

The research results enable understanding certain aspects of designing online language learning courses, provide evaluators’ feedback, suggest the course application for language learning and reveal the European value added.

Originality/value

The research explores the specifics for designing online language learning courses for Languages for Special Purposes for the application in tourism and hospitality industry. The course efficiency and quality are evaluated from provider, recipient and wider community perspective.
Online learning communities and their effects on relational capital
Authors: Cegarra-Sánchez Jorge , Bolisani Ettore , Cegarra-Navarro Juan-Gabriel , Martínez Caro Eva
Published: October 2018

Purpose

An online learning community is defined as the context where knowledge sharing takes place virtually. Prior research has revealed that it is fundamentally important for higher education institutions to leverage on internal and external sources of knowledge, which can improve the value of relational capital. However, in a higher education setting, the positive effects of relationship improvement because of knowledge sharing can be jeopardized by the circulation of unverified information (i.e. counter-knowledge). The purpose of this study has been to analyse if online learning communities can counteract the effects of counterknowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examined the relevance of online learning communities to counteract counter-knowledge, along with how this, in turn, can affect the creation of relational capital from the perspective of 210 undergraduate students using partial least squares.

Findings

Results support that online learning communities may help universities to not only create relational capital but also contribute to clarify misunderstandings and prevent counter-knowledge learned from badly informed sources.

Originality/value

There has been very limited research aimed at developing an adequate framework to analyze the role played by unverified information in universities. Therefore, this study fills this gap and proposes a framework focusing on the concept of online learning communities.
Characteristics of tasks and technology as a driver of task-technology fit and the use of the hotel reservation information system
Authors: Ratna Silvia , Astuti Endang Siti , Utami Hamidah Nayati , Rahardjo Kusdi , Arifin Zainul
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of task and technology characteristics on the compatibility of technology and tasks, as well as examine the reciprocal effect between the task-technology fit and the use of information systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The study took place in 36 star hotels from one-star to four-star hotels in some cities and districts in South Kalimantan Province. There were 24 hotels in Banjarmasin, 7 hotels in Banjarbaru and 1 hotel in each area of Banjar, Tanah Bumbu, Tabalong, Hulu Sungai Utara and Barito Kuala. The hotels chosen were those implemented the information and communication technology as supporting administrative activities to serve hotel customers. The population was the front office staff in the existing hotels as the users of the information technology. The sampling technique used in this research was the questionnaire distribution in accordance with the number of population. Data were collected from the filled questionnaires. From the 239distributed questionnaires, 164 (68.62 per cent) were returned and used as the research data.

Findings

Task characteristics and technology characteristics have a significant and positive effect on task-technology fit, in which the higher the task characteristics and technology characteristics, the higher the task-technology fit. The task-technology fit and the use of information systems are positive and reciprocal. This means that the higher the task-technology fit, the higher the use of information systems.

Originality/value

The originality of this study is reciprocal relationship between the variables of use with the task-technology fit. Some researchers have found the compatibility of technological tasks affecting the use of information systems, namely, Lin and Huang (2008), Norzaidi and Salwani (2009), Larsen et al. (2009), McGill and Klobas (2009), D’Ambra and Wilson (2013), Im (2014) and Chang et al. (2015). On the other hand, in task-technology fit theory, Goodhue and Thompson (1995) state that use affects the task-technology fit.
Knowledge content quality, perceived usefulness, KMS use for sharing and retrieval
Authors: Jahmani Khaldoon , Fadiya Samson Oluwaseun , Abubakar A. Mohammed , Elrehail Hamzah
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Flock leadership theory explores how different collective learning capacities emerge when interacting individuals work through challenges. While research has link other leadership styles with knowledge management systems (KMS), studies examining flock leadership and KMS are largely lacking. This paper aims to investigate the nexus between flock leadership, knowledge content quality, perceived usefulness of KMS, KMS use for sharing and KMS use for retrieval.

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey data (n = 442) from health-care establishments in Jordan, the authors apply structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The results show the following: flock leadership influences knowledge content quality; knowledge content quality influences perceived usefulness of KMS; perceived usefulness of KMS influences KMS use for sharing and retrieval; and knowledge content quality and perceived usefulness of KMS mediates the link between flock leadership and KMS use for sharing and retrieval.

Originality/value

Existing research considered KMS through a narrow lens, without consideration of the social context (collective capacities) that surrounds knowledge workers. This study responds to call for research concerning the motion that says technical and adaptive capacity are the underlying norm that configures flock behaviors. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
The Third Era of British Euroscepticism: Brexit as a Paradigm Shift
Authors: Usherwood Simon
Published: October 2018

The 2016 referendum marks the start of a new era of euroscepticism in the UK, as the basic parameters of debate have shifted from EU membership to non‐membership as the central working assumption of the political system. This shift radically alters the political opportunity structure for those groups and elements that have developed in the period since the Maastricht treaty, removing the unifying and rallying calls of withdrawal and/or radical change to the EU. The achievement of Brexit thus poses an existential challenge, as individuals either demobilise or divert their political energies into other issues. While a core of activists is likely to remain, their scope for influencing public policy or even public debate will be further weakened by the centrality of creating and managing the UK's relationship with the EU to party political debate for the next decade: precisely because it is so important, we would expect many more voices to lobby government and opposition parties. This all points towards a sharp contraction in the organised base of eurosceptic groups, as well as continuing tensions about what still needs to be done in the grand project of opposing European integration.