bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VP-Detector: A 3D convolutional neural network for automated macromolecule localization and classification in cryo-electron tomograms
Authors: Hao Yu , Zhang Biao , Wan Xiaohua , Yan Rui , Liu Zhiyong , Li Jintao , Zhang Shihua , Cui Xuefeng , Zhang Fa
Published: May 2021

Motivation

Cryo-electron tomography (Cryo-ET) with sub-tomogram averaging (STA) is indispensable when studying macromolecule structures and functions in their native environments. However, current tomographic reconstructions suffer the low signal-to-noise (SNR) ratio and the missing wedge artifacts. Hence, automatic and accurate macromolecule localization and classification become the bottleneck problem for structural determination by STA. Here, we propose a 3D multi-scale dense convolutional neural network (MSDNet) for voxel-wise annotations of tomograms. Weighted focal loss is adopted as a loss function to solve the class imbalance. The proposed network combines 3D hybrid dilated convolutions (HDC) and dense connectivity to ensure an accurate performance with relatively few trainable parameters. 3D HDC expands the receptive field without losing resolution or learning extra parameters. Dense connectivity facilitates the re-use of feature maps to generate fewer intermediate feature maps and trainable parameters. Then, we design a 3D MSDNet based approach for fully automatic macromolecule localization and classification, called VP-Detector (Voxel-wise Particle Detector). VP-Detector is efficient because classification performs on the pre-calculated coordinates instead of a sliding window.

Results

We evaluated the VP-Detector on simulated tomograms. Compared to the state-of-the-art methods, our method achieved a competitive performance on localization with the highest F1-score. We also demonstrated that the weighted focal loss improves the classification of hard classes. We trained the network on a part of training sets to prove the availability of training on relatively small datasets. Moreover, the experiment shows that VP-Detector has a fast particle detection speed, which costs less than 14 minutes on a test tomogram.

Contact

zsh@amss.ac.cn, xfcui@email.sdu.edu.cn, zhangfa@ict.ac.cn

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Estimating anisotropy directly via neural timeseries
Authors: Fagerholm Erik D. , Foulkes W.M.C. , Gallero-Salas Yasir , Helmchen Fritjof , Moran Rosalyn J. , Friston Karl J. , Leech Robert
Published: May 2021

An isotropic dynamical system is one that looks the same in every direction, i.e., if we imagine - standing somewhere within an isotropic system, we would not be able to differentiate between different lines of sight. Conversely, anisotropy is a measure of the extent to which a system deviates from perfect isotropy, with larger values indicating greater discrepancies between the structure of the system along its axes. Here, we derive the form of a generalised scalable (mechanically similar) discretized field theoretic Lagrangian that allows for levels of anisotropy to be directly estimated via timeseries of arbitrary dimensionality. We generate synthetic data for both isotropic and anisotropic systems and, by using Bayesian model inversion and reduction, show that we can discriminate between the two datasets – thereby demonstrating proof of principle. We then apply this methodology to murine calcium imaging data collected in rest and task states, showing that anisotropy can be estimated directly from different brain states and cortical regions in an empirical in vivo biological setting. We hope that this theoretical foundation, together with the methodology and publicly available MATLAB code, will provide an accessible way for researchers to obtain new insight into the structural organization of neural systems in terms of how scalable neural regions grow – both ontogenetically during the development of an individual organism, as well as phylogenetically across species.
Classification models for likelihood prediction of diabetes at early stage using feature selection
Authors: Oladimeji Oladosu Oyebisi , Oladimeji Abimbola , Oladimeji Olayanju
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Diabetes is one of the life-threatening chronic diseases, which is already affecting 422m people globally based on (World Health Organization) WHO report as at 2018. This costs individuals, government and groups a whole lot; right from its diagnosis stage to the treatment stage. The reason for this cost, among others, is that it is a long-term treatment disease. This disease is likely to continue to affect more people because of its long asymptotic phase, which makes its early detection not feasible.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors have presented machine learning models with feature selection, which can detect diabetes disease at its early stage. Also, the models presented are not costly and available to everyone, including those in the remote areas.

Findings

The study result shows that feature selection helps in getting better model, as it prevents overfitting and removes redundant data. Hence, the study result when compared with previous research shows the better result has been achieved, after it was evaluated based on metrics such as F-measure, Precision-Recall curve and Receiver Operating Characteristic Area Under Curve. This discovery has the potential to impact on clinical practice, when health workers aim at diagnosing diabetes disease at its early stage.

Originality/value

This study has not been published anywhere else.
Panasonic life solutions: anchoring its future growth strategy
Authors: Mehrotra Sonia , Salunkhe Uday
Published: May 2021

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this paper is as follows: to explain the importance of rationalizing business operations to achieve efficiencies. To explain the importance of constantly re-inventing the product portfolio and the business for the survival and growth of the business. To discuss the use of product-market expansion strategies as used by businesses for growth and sustainability. To evaluate the internal challenges faced by a company as they adopt business strategies for business growth. To discuss a firm’s strategy to exploit significant opportunities in an evolving business environment.

Case overview/synopsis

Panasonic Life Solutions India Limited (PLSIND) an electrical products company with operations in India – an emerging market has set a Vision 2022 to achieve INR 69.21bn revenue target by the year 2022. PLSIND is marketed through the distributor business to consumer sales channel. To achieve the new growth targets, it was imperative for them to expand the product portfolio and explore marketing through the new business to business (B2B) and business to government (B2G) sales channels. Dinesh Aggarwal the Joint Managing Director of PLSIND was tasked with this responsibility. Both propositions depicted attractive business potential but at the same time came with additional risks of a longer sales/revenue cycle. PLSIND to a certain extent had ventured into new business projects with the launch of home automation, solar solutions for industries and smart street lighting business projects. In 2019, they also made a modest beginning by achieving revenues of INR 3.4bnn (constituting 10% of their aggregate revenues of INR 34bn) from B2B/B2G sales channels. Aggarwal believed that this was a good beginning. However, to achieve 2022 growth targets, they had to aggressively move forward with the new business strategy. Aggarwal had to work with the management team to gain acceptance and then to manage these additional risks for growth that came with this new business strategy. How could he win the confidence of the management team? How could he best reorganize the business teams and processes internally to enhance the required operational efficiencies for business growth?

Complexity academic level

This case is designed for business students at the MBA or executive MBA level courses.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Gender in vocational education and training: an integrative review
Authors: Ray Sarah , Zarestky Jill
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Vocational education and training (VET) programmes are key contributors to skill and talent development for nations worldwide, as aligned with the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs). The purpose of this paper is to explore gender inclusion in VET programmes from an economic feminist (EF) theoretical perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This integrative literature review identified and analysed relevant empirical studies to create a more comprehensive representation of supports for global gender equity and economic growth through VET.

Findings

A gap exists between EF theory, human resource development and VET practices. Consequently, instructor preparation and practice do not adequately contribute to equitable workplaces beyond VET programmes. VET programmes continually struggle to create inclusive environments that support women and challenge masculinized fields and workplace norms.

Research limitations/implications

This paper limits empirical studies addressing gender in VET. Future empirical work should investigate the value to students, instructors and communities when masculine industry norms are reconstructed and redesigned for gender inclusivity.

Practical implications

VET advisors and instructors are influential in contextualizing vocational fields for students and influencing students’ career trajectories. Women need more accessible training and employment in traditional masculine industries.

Originality/value

This comprehensive review of gender in VET can aid in inclusivity efforts of programmes and employers and support nations’ efforts to achieve the UN’s SDGs.
Determinants of adaptation to climate variability among farming households in Tyhume Valley communities, Eastern Cape province, South Africa
Authors: Mtintsilana Olona , Akinyemi Babatope Ebenezer , Zhou Leocadia
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to determine factors affecting adaptation to climate variability on crop production among farming households in Tyhume Valley.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted an empirical analysis of the impact of adaptation on crop yield of farming households and estimated the factors affecting adaptation to climate variability on farming households. The analysis used primary data from 205 farming households practicing crop production in Tyhume Valley communities.

Findings

Based on binary logit results, factors affecting rural farming households’ adaptation to climate variability are gender, age, heatwave, employment status, strong high wind occasional experience and cell phone. The adaptation measures adopted by the farming households in the study area include irrigation (94.8%), crop rotation (66%), changing crop variety (7.4%) and other methods of adaptation were found to be (1.3%). The other methods of adaptation used included the use of ash to kill (intuku) mole and using dirty water from washing dishes and clothes when irrigating to kill parasites on crops.

Originality/value

This research paper will be an addition to the body of knowledge on adaptation strategies to climate variability in South Africa, especially at the rural farming household level. This study may assist the rural communities in decision-making when dealing with the challenges of climate variability on their crop production, thereby increasing their crop production. The information gathered in this study might assist policymakers in revising the existing policies. This study will also help rural farming households to practice appropriate adaptation strategies.
The impact of new affective components on museum visitor retention: the context of major city event using SEM and CTree
Authors: Gorgadze Aleksei , Sinitsyna Anastasia , Trabskaya Julia , Bala To'neill
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between ranges of affective components that have an impact on the revisit intention of museum visitors, in the context of a major city event. The study reveals the most significant factors that affect decision-making by applying the findings to a structural equation modelling (SEM) and conditional inference tree (CTree).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilises face-to-face survey research at the “Long Night of Museums” event in Saint Petersburg, 298 questionnaires were completed on the night of the event. The empirical part of the research is based on the SEM and interpreted by using the CTree. The SEM model measures the direct and indirect influence of the cognitive and affective components; the CTree enables the testing of both component and the joint effect they both produce.

Findings

This study shows a strong indirect correlation between the cognitive component of the major city event and the revisit intention of museum visitors. When focussing on affective components, both the SEM and the CTree demonstrated that attractiveness and atmosphere are revealed to be the most impactful elements regarding visitor retention and repeat custom. The research allows for a deeper understanding of visitor behaviours, intentions and their decision-making processes.

Practical implications

The results of the study allow museum managers to understand how to create repeat custom amongst visitors, by appreciating the importance of participation in major city events and the role that attraction and atmosphere play when creating intention for repeat visit. The research has uncovered which dimensions are the most important to visitors, and as a result, these particular dimensions should be thoroughly developed by museums in future in order to attract and repeat visits. This study has demonstrated the practical implications for museums participating in city events. When considering policy makers, this particular research provides an opportunity to develop recommendations for future city events, as well as using the CTree to assess and predict the effectiveness of visitor behaviour.

Originality/value

This is an original study which aims to integrate the impact of the perceived value of the cognitive component and a new range of affective elements regarding museum retention in the context of a major city event. The study includes newly developed dimensions of perceived value, as well as a unique focus on affective dimensions such as – atmosphere and attraction. Another point of originality is provided by using a CTree, which captures an in depth understanding of the intention formation process. This study provides an opportunity to advance our understanding of visitor decision-making processes.
Views on business continuity and disaster recovery
Authors: Sawalha Ihab Hanna
Published: May 2021

Purpose

There is a noticeable confusion in the literature between Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP). The two expressions are very often used interchangeably especially when it comes to their application. In this paper, the differences between business continuity and disaster recovery are discussed. The disaster management cycle is also addressed in order to highlight the importance of having plans before, during and after the occurrence of an incident.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the extant literature on business continuity and disaster recovery was made. A number of different views were then presented in order to provide a better understanding of the two concepts and their potential overlap/connection. The literature review was conducted in 2020 using a variety of academic resources ranging from journal articles to text books and credible Internet websites. Relevant journal articles were obtained from two primary databases: Emerald Insight and EBSCOhost. Keywords, such as DRP, continuity, disruption and BCP, were mainly used to facilitate the search for these resources and other related material.

Findings

Reviewing the literature revealed that BCP and DRP are not the same. Yet, they are used interchangeably very often in the literature. This indicates a possible relationship/overlap between the two. The relationship between BCP and DRP can be viewed from a variety of perspectives, which altogether provide a better understanding of their purposes and application.

Practical implications

On top of the need to differentiate between business continuity and disaster recovery, the widespread impact of the current COVID-19 crisis, especially on businesses and supply chains, has unfolded the necessity to deal with business disruptions in all their forms and the significance of quick and effective recovery. This research clarifies the purpose of BCP and the purpose of DRP and their role in combating impacts of disruptive incidents on businesses and organizations.

Originality/value

BCP and DRP are discussed extensively in the literature. Yet, few studies attempted to address the precise functions of the two resulting in an obvious confusion between their meaning and purpose which subsequently reduced the uniqueness of their application and the uniqueness of the application of each. Only a small minority of practitioners and academics recognise the precise differences between the two. This study aims at clarifying this misconception to a wider set of readers and interested parties.
Flash translation layer: a review and bibliometric analysis
Authors: Luo Yuhan , Lin Mingwei
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to make an overview of 474 publications and 512 patents of FTL from 1987 to 2020 in order to provide a conclusive and comprehensive analysis for researchers in this field, as well as a preliminary knowledge of FTL for interested researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, the FTL algorithms are classified and its functions are introduced in detail. Secondly, the structures of the publications are analyzed in terms of the fundamental information and the publication of the most productive countries/regions, institutions and authors. After that, co-citation networks of institutions, authors and papers illustrated by VOS Viewer are given to show the relationship among those and the most influential of them is further analyzed. Then, the characteristics of the patent are analyzed based on the basic information and classification of the patent and the most productive inventors. In order to obtain research hotspots and trends in this field, the time-line review and citation burst detection of keywords carried out by Cite Space are made to be visual. Finally, based on the above analysis, it draws some other important conclusions and the development trend of this field.

Findings

The research on FTL algorithm is still the top priority in the future, and how to improve the performance of SSD in the era of big data is one of the research hotspots.

Research limitations/implications

This paper makes a comprehensive analysis of FTL with the method of bibliometrics, and it is valuable for researchers can quickly grasp the hotspots in this area.

Originality/value

This article draws the structural characteristics of the publications in this field and summarizes the research hotspots and trends in this field in recent years, aiming to inspire new ideas for researchers.
Laziness as an explanation for the privacy paradox: a longitudinal empirical investigation
Authors: Wirth Jakob , Maier Christian , Laumer Sven , Weitzel Tim
Published: May 2021

Purpose

“Smart devices think you're “too lazy” to opt out of privacy defaults” was the headline of a recent news report indicating that individuals might be too lazy to stop disclosing their private information and therefore to protect their information privacy. In current privacy research, privacy concerns and self-disclosure are central constructs regarding protecting privacy. One might assume that being concerned about protecting privacy would lead individuals to disclose less personal information. However, past research has shown that individuals continue to disclose personal information despite high privacy concerns, which is commonly referred to as the privacy paradox. This study introduces laziness as a personality trait in the privacy context, asking to what degree individual laziness influences privacy issues.

Design/methodology/approach

After conceptualizing, defining and operationalizing laziness, the authors analyzed information collected in a longitudinal empirical study and evaluated the results through structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings show that the privacy paradox holds true, yet the level of laziness influences it. In particular, the privacy paradox applies to very lazy individuals but not to less lazy individuals.

Research limitations/implications

With these results one can better explain the privacy paradox and self-disclosure behavior.

Practical implications

The state might want to introduce laws that not only bring organizations to handle information in a private manner but also make it as easy as possible for individuals to protect their privacy.

Originality/value

Based on a literature review, a clear research gap has been identified, filled by this research study.
Do family and peer academic social supports predict academic motivations and achievement of first-year college students?
Authors: Marley Scott C , Wilcox M Jeanne
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study examines family and peer academic social supports as correlates of academic motivation and first-semester GPA.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a correlational design, 468 first-semester college students completed an online survey. Demographic characteristics, high school GPA and first-semester GPA were gathered from institutional data and linked to student survey responses.

Findings

Bivariate and multiple regression analyses revealed that family and peer academic social supports are predictive of academic motivation and first-semester GPA. The relationships identified were small- to medium-sized and of theoretical and substantive interest.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitations of the study are the measures are self-reported and the study is correlational, the latter limiting the strength of causal inferences. However, the study provides further understanding of the importance of college students' family and peer social supports in relationship to academic motivation and achievement.

Practical implications

The research has practical implications for higher educators developing programs to improve family and peer social support. If future research establishes causal relationships, interventions to enhance family and peer academic supports may prove beneficial in promoting academic motivation. Further, encouraging families to broadly discuss academic topics may be ineffective in terms of academic self-efficacy and achievement for historically underrepresented students.

Originality/value

This study makes a unique contribution to the literature by establishing relationships between family and peer supports with academic motivation. Statistical interactions between family and peer supports and with demographic characteristics in predicting academic motivation were identified. If the interactions are replicable, the findings provide avenues for future correlational and intervention research.
The effects of blockchain technology on the accounting and assurance profession in the UAE: an exploratory study
Authors: Abdennadher Sonia , Grassa Rihab , Abdulla Hareb , Alfalasi Abdulla
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Blockchain looks to be the next step of technology transformation and would redesign the business landscape. It is expected to have an impact on business methods in the next few years; which add new challenges and complexity to the accounting and assurance profession. This paper aims to analyze the perceptions of accountants and auditors toward the implementation of blockchain technology in the UAE after the government decided to transform 50% of government transactions into the blockchain platform by 2021.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach has been used in this study. A semi-structural interview has been conducted with 19 accountants, internal auditors, auditors and risk managers on the potential opportunities and challenges of blockchain technology on accounting and auditing practices in the UAE.

Findings

The findings show that the blockchain impacts on the accounting profession in terms of recording of transactions, storing evidence and providing a secured environment for conducting business transactions. For the auditors, the results indicate that the blockchain changes their audit process and strategy. The blockchain has great potential to supplement traditional auditing by providing a low-cost and decentralized audit process and automated audit evidence. The accounting of the companies will not be changed but it will be automated with the development of cryptocurrencies and blockchain activities. The blockchain will be developed in assurance services through the awareness and involvement of accounts and auditors.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the existing literature as follows. First, the research is one of the very few studies that discussed empirically the effect of blockchain on the accounting and assurance profession, which contributes to improved knowledge about the potential of blockchain technology to accounting and assurance services. Second, our research is the first to explore the accountants and financial auditors’ perceptions regarding the potential effect of blockchain technology on their profession in the UAE context after the government decided to transform 50% of government transactions into the blockchain platform by 2021. Third, the research identifies the pending challenges for blockchain and possible factors for its effectiveness.
Adverse maternal outcomes associated with Cesarean deliveries and their determinants: hospital based cross sectional, mixed- methods study
Authors: Dibabi Mulugeta Meles , Debiso Alemu Tamiso , Rodamo Kaleb Mayisso
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine adverse outcomes associated with cesarean deliveries and to assess potential confounding factors.

Design/methodology/approach

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 1−30, 2019 using mixed methods of data collection. Multistage sampling was used to draw the eligible study participants. The sample size was calculated using the single population proportion formula. A systematic random sampling technique was used to draw the sample size. 180 original medical records were excluded because of having missed information, leaving 1,618 women as the study population. We used the questionnaire adapted from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey to collect quantitative data and analyzed using SPSS version 22, while thematic analysis for qualitative measures was used to generate themes regarding associated perspectives of participants from a community.

Findings

More than 383 women delivered by cesarean section. 20% of the mothers with the mean age at birth of 26.1 ± 4.8 experienced adverse outcomes. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was used to measure the association of determinants and was 2.95 (95% CI 1.19–7.29) for nonuse of antenatal care, 3.18 (95% CI 1.43–6.94) for nonuse of prophylaxis, 4.28 (95% CI 1.58−11.61) for history of medical illness and 7.09 (95% CI 1.19−45.59) for use of substandard operation set up compared with their counterparts.

Research limitations/implications

Strengths of the study include the finding of the study are reliably reported in mixed study methods examining hospital-based institutional and personal risk factors and exploring the whole community's perspectives. However, the important limitations of the study indicate that the study poses a number of challenges related to studying design, therefore there was not sufficient evidence of causality to draw conclusions from the findings. In addition, the study was conducted at a single hospital so that it is not convenient to generalize the findings of the study for setting different in social and economic status.

Originality/value

Based on the findings, attention has been drawn to healthcare personnel to provide training and consultation services for pregnant women and for health care administration to ensure standard set up for operation.
How is COVID-19 pandemic causing employee withdrawal behavior in the hospitality industry? An empirical investigation
Authors: Khawaja Kausar Fiaz , Sarfraz Muddassar , Rashid Misbah , Rashid Mariam
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study divulges the new concept of employees' withdrawal behavior during the global pandemic (COVID-19). The study's purpose is to draw new insights into workplace stressors and employee withdrawal behavior. The study also considers the mediating role of aggression and the moderating role of COVID-19 worry and cyberloafing.

Design/methodology/approach

The study's statistical population consists of 384 frontline hotel employees from Pakistan's hospitality industry. Statistical analysis SPSS and AMOS were utilized to conduct Pearson's correlation and multilevel regression analysis. A Hayes process technique has been used for moderation and mediation analysis.

Findings

The results demonstrated that COVID-19 has a psychological effect on the employee's mental health and higher turnover intention during the current pandemic. Workplace stressor is significantly related to aggression and employee withdrawal behavior. Aggression mediates the relationship between workplace stressors and withdrawal behavior. The study results show that COVID-19 worry moderates between workplace stressors and aggression – notably, cyberloafing moderate aggression and withdrawal behavior.

Practical implications

The government and hospitality organizations need to implement crisis management strategies in response to COVID-19. This research can help management in coping with employees' mental and psychological challenges. Employees' mental health has been affected during the current global health crises. Firms should encourage their employees psychologically while going for downsizing.

Originality/value

This study enhances the existing literature on the COVID-19 crisis in Pakistan's hospitality industry. This study contributes to new understandings of employees' withdrawal behavior in the hospitality industry. The research shows how COVID-19 affects employees' turnover, mental health and job performance in the hospitality industry. Employees are facing mental and physiological challenges during COVID-19. The study fills a considerable gap in the hospitality industry by exploring the role organization's crisis management during a global pandemic.
Is foreign technology acquisition to complement or substitute for internal technology development? A case of manufacturing enterprises in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc Minh , Dang Huong Thu , Nguyen Minh Khac , PHung Mai Lan Mai
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether foreign technology acquisition is complementary to internal technology development in the context of a developing country.

Design/methodology/approach

The selection model developed by Heckman (1979) was applied with the balanced panel data of manufacturing enterprises from the Annual Enterprise and Technology Surveys from 2012 to 2016 conducted by the Vietnamese General Statistics Organization.

Findings

The results indicate that foreign technology acquisition and internal technology development are complementary innovation options. Particularly, the number of patents granted for manufacturing enterprises positively affects the probability that enterprises acquire foreign technologies. This effect is stronger in cases of high-tech industries than in cases of low-tech industries.

Research limitations/implications

Regarding the relationship between internal technology development and foreign technology acquisition, the findings suggest that adoption of foreign technology acquisition and priority in budget allocation for foreign technology acquisition are different in nature and that budget allocation is a more complex issue and may depend on other factors.

Practical implications

For developing countries, governments should adopt policies supporting domestic enterprises in acquiring technologies from advanced countries that could complement the locally developed technologies. These supports should focus on the high-tech or high-innovation rate industries.

Originality/value

In the context of a developing economy, the complementary effect of internal technology development and foreign technology acquisition is stronger in cases of the high-tech industries than in cases of the low-tech industries.
Study on damage effect of behind-armor debris on internal parts in tanks based on the experiments
Authors: Liang Z.G. , Chen J.L. , Zhang Z.W. , Zhao S.C. , Wang S.S.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

In order to explore the damaging effect of behind-armor debris of explosively formed projectile (EFP) attack on the top armor of tank and the internal parts of vehicles, a method of damage probability calculation based on experiments is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

The equivalent target structure of rear-effect damage of the equipment and personnel in the vehicle is determined based on the analysis of the vulnerability of internal equipment and personnel in the tank. The experimental scheme to obtain the density distribution of behind-armor debris is designed, and the calculation model of the damage probability of cavitating antipersonnel debris to the key components of the vehicle is given in the range of scattering angles and different broken pieces.

Findings

The examples show that the damage probability calculation model can be used in the process of evaluating the damage of the equipment and personnel in the tank by behind-armor debris.

Originality/value

An experimental model based on the analysis of the vulnerability of the equipment and personnel is proposed to calculate the damage probability from debris falling on the equipment and personnel in the vehicle. The results are of great value to the calculation of damage evaluation of the equipment and personnel in the tank.
Exploring the many tales behind success: understanding translations of the “intrapreneurships” management fashion as editing processes
Authors: Carlsson Julia Sofia
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The paper explores a management fashion within the Swedish Public Sector called intrapreneurships. Intrapreneurships became popular during a period of public debate on what forms of organizing are most suitable for the production of welfare. However, while the popularity of the model was short-lived, a few municipalities nevertheless constitute examples of where it was supported for a longer period. The aim of this paper is to investigate how the model became continuously legitimate having lost its appeal elsewhere.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper comprises a longitudinal analysis of two municipalities. Field-material was collected through qualitative methods including interviews (35 interviews, 42 interviewees) and document analysis.

Findings

The results draw attention to how management fashions become enduring. The metaphor of translation highlights how different professional actors in a local setting apply editing rules, and how they constitute work acquired for continuous translation of the model in order to make it legitimate, disseminated and supported. The study draws particular attention to the large number of actors involved in the editing process.

Originality/value

Besides an extended understanding of management concepts, to explain the anomaly of a long-standing management fashion, the paper illustrates the importance of acknowledging editing as processes and not process. A key notion in why intrapreneurships became legitimate is that professional actors edited the model differently in order to satisfy their desires and needs. This contradicts the more common case study design in translation studies, which seeks a unitary translation process, in a single local setting.
The debates of methodology and methods: reflections on the development of the study of international relations
Authors: Abou Samra Amira
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the interplay between methods and methodologies in the field of international relations (IR) over the 100 years of its lifetime reflecting on the relationship between the rise of new research methods and the rise of new methodologies.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper looks in retrospect into the field’s great debates using a historiography approach. It maps chronologically the interplay of methods and methodology throughout the stages of the development of the study of IR.

Findings

This paper argues that inspite of narratives of triumph being common in the field, the coexistence of competing research methods and methodologies is the defining feature of the field. All theories, all methods and all methodologies have undergone a process of criticism, self-criticism and change. New methodologies have not necessarily accompanied the rise of new research methods in the field.

Originality/value

Drawing a map of the field’s methodologies and methods reveals necessarily its dynamism and its plurality. An honest map of the field is one that highlights not only theoretical differences but also ontological, epistemological and methodological differences embedded in the field’s debates.
The soft side of TQM and teachers job satisfaction: an empirical investigation in primary and secondary education
Authors: Glaveli Niki , Vouzas Fotios , Roumeliotou Myrsine
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The current study provides insights on the application of critical soft TQM practices in primary and secondary education and their impact on teachers' job satisfaction (TJS).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a review of the literature related to TQM application in primary and secondary education, six soft TQM elements were traced as critical to the success of TQM implementation in the school environment: participation/involvement in continuous improvement, teamwork, empowerment, appraisal systems/recognition and reward for quality, training and development (T&D) and leadership (vision/commitment to quality culture). Moreover, their relationship to JS was theoretically founded and empirically tested. An online questionnaire was used as the research instrument. The participants were 200 primary and secondary public school teachers working in urban, semi urban and rural regions of Greece. After assessing the validity and reliability of the measurement scales, multiple regression analysis was applied to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The research findings revealed that leadership and empowerment are the most highly implemented TQM practices in primary and secondary education. Moreover, participation/involvement, appraisal systems/recognition and rewards and leadership were the TQM elements that had a positive association with TJS.

Practical implications

The outcomes of the study are of help to school principals and policy-makers in order to design and implement TQM policies that advance the quality of teaching and the effectiveness of processes in the primary and secondary education system, as well as to satisfy and motivate teachers for continuous improvement.

Originality/value

This was, to the best of our knowledge, the first study that has explored the impact of soft TQM elements on TJS.
Tree growth in Switzerland is increasingly constrained by rising evaporative demand
Authors: Trotsiuk Volodymyr , Babst Flurin , Grossiord Charlotte , Gessler Arthur , Forrester David I. , Buchmann Nina , Schaub Marcus , Eugster Werner
Published: May 2021

The response of trees to intra‐annual environmental constraints varies temporally throughout a growing season and spatially across landscapes. A better understanding of these dynamics will help us anticipate the impacts of short‐term climate variability and medium‐term climate change on forests. Using the process‐based 3‐PG forest ecosystem model, we assessed the spatial manifestation and seasonal variation in environmental constraints [vapour pressure deficit (VPD), air temperature and soil water availability] on tree growth for the potential distribution range of seven widespread Central European tree species.

We focused our analyses on Switzerland, where large climatic gradients occur within a comparatively small geographic area. On average, over the last 60 years, simulated forest growth during the May–August growing season was limited by high VPD (67% of the forested area), low air temperature (29%) or low soil water availability (4%). But this response varied among species and across elevations.

When comparing the period 1961–1990 with 1991–2018, we observed major shifts from former temperature limitation to recent VPD limitation across 12% of the area (3%–25%, depending on species), mainly at mid‐elevations (700–1,200 m a.s.l.). At the same time, forest growth at lower elevations (i.e. below 700 m a.s.l.) became more limited by available soil water at the end of the growing season.

Synthesis. Our results highlight how the relative impact of environmental growth constraints has shifted in the last three decades, and show that the importance of VPD as a dominant environmental growth constraint has increased for tree species in Swiss and Central European forests. Understanding the spatial and temporal variability in environmental growth constraints will help to generate accurate species‐specific risk maps for forest managers to identify areas with elevated drought and heat stress in the near future.
Coping with Coping: International Migrants’ Experiences of the Covid‐19 Lockdown in the UK
Authors: Yen Dorothy Ai‐wan , Cappellini Benedetta , Yang Hsiao‐Pei (Sophie) , Gupta Suraksha
Published: May 2021

Globally, policymakers have overlooked the challenges faced by international migrants in host countries during the Covid‐19 pandemic. The policies and support systems designed by host governments highlight the lack of social justice and raise concerns for scholarly attention. Considering the experiences of international migrants living in the UK during the Covid‐19 lockdown from the theoretical perspective of coping, this interpretivist study investigates international migrants’ coping strategies adopted during the first UK national lockdown. Data collected from 60 Chinese, Italian and Iranian migrants using semi‐structured interviews during the lockdown period were analysed thematically using NVivo. The findings show that migrants adopted multi‐layered and multi‐phase coping strategies. To cope with the anxiety and uncertainties caused by the pandemic, they initiated new practices informed by both home and host institution logics. Nevertheless, the hostile context's responses provoked unexpected new worries and triggered the adoption of additional and compromising practices. The paper illustrates how coping became paradoxical because migrants had to cope with the hostile reactions that their initial coping strategies provoked in the host environment. By introducing the new concept of coping with coping, this paper extends previous theoretical debate and leads to several managerial implications for governments and policymakers.
Natural disasters and risk aversion: Evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Hoang Trung X. , Le Nga V. T.
Published: May 2021

Vietnam is prone to natural disasters and has incurred a huge loss to property and harvests. This paper ascertains the intermediate impacts of natural disasters on risk aversion. This research utilised a balanced panel dataset to control for household fixed‐effects and thus rule out household time‐invariant factors. The findings suggest that natural disasters make households more likely to be risk‐averse. However, households living in communes that experienced solely one kind of natural disaster or low impact of natural disasters do not change their risk aversion. The loss of household assets is a moderator between natural disasters and risk aversion. In other words, natural disasters cause the loss of assets, this makes households worry about their livelihoods and results in risk aversion. Another finding is the heterogeneous impacts of natural disasters on the risk‐averse behaviour of households. These results are robust and applicable to different model specifications and different measures of risk‐averse behaviour.
Guidelines for determining restorability of competency to stand trial and recommendations for involuntary treatment
Authors: Cochrane Robert E. , Laxton Kelsey L. , Mulay Abby L. , Herbel Bryon L.
Published: May 2021

Over 50,000 defendants are referred for competency to stand trial evaluations each year in the United States (Psychological evaluations for the courts: A handbook for mental health professionals and lawyers, New York, NY: The Guildford Press; 2018). Approximately 20% of those individuals are found by courts to be incompetent and are referred for “restoration” or remediation (Psychological evaluations for the courts: A handbook for mental health professionals and lawyers, 4th edn. New York, NY: The Guildford Press; 2018; Bull Am Acad Psychiatry Law. 1991;19:63–9). The majority of those incompetent defendants meet criteria for psychotic illnesses (J Am Acad Psychiatry Law. 2007;35:34–43). Forensic mental health professionals frequently have such patients/defendants decline recommended treatment with psychotropic medication. For a significant minority of defendants diagnosed with psychotic disorders, treatment with medication is thought to be necessary to restore their competency to stand trial. Without psychiatric intervention to restore competency, defendants may be held for lengthy and costly hospitalizations while criminal proceedings are suspended. In these situations, clinicians are guided by the Supreme Court decision, Sell v. United States (2003). The Sell opinion describes several clinical issues courts must consider when determining whether a defendant can be treated involuntarily solely for the purpose of restoring his/her competency. This paper offers some guidance to clinicians and evaluators who are faced with making recommendations or decisions about involuntary treatment. Using a question and answer format, the authors discuss data that support a decision to request, or not request, court authorization for involuntary treatment. Specifically, eight questions are posed for forensic evaluators to consider in determining the prognosis or viability of successful treatment and restoration. Finally, a clinical vignette is also presented to highlight important factors to consider in Sell‐related evaluations.
The impact of ability‐, motivation‐ and opportunity‐enhancing strategic human resource management on performance: the mediating roles of emotional capability and intellectual capital
Authors: Li Shuwen , Jia Ruiqain , Seufert Juergen H. , Hu Wenan , Luo Jinlian
Published: May 2021

We used data from 441 managers of science and technology enterprises to empirically test the dynamic capability path and resource‐based path of ability‐enhancing, motivation‐enhancing and opportunity‐enhancing (AMO) strategic human resource management as influencing factors on performance. The results show that AMO‐enhancing strategic human resource management affects organizational performance through organizational emotional capability and organizational intellectual capital in the start‐up stage. In the development stage, ability‐ and opportunity‐enhancing strategic human resource management affects performance through organizational emotional capability and organizational intellectual capital, while motivation‐enhancing strategic human resource management has no significant impact on performance. In the mature stage, ability‐enhancing strategic human resource management influences performance through organizational emotional capability, while motivation‐ and opportunity‐enhancing strategic human resource management has no significant effect on performance.