bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The socio-economic effects of remittances in the labour-exporting MENA countries
Authors: Awdeh Ali
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is, at the same time, a major source and a major recipient of remittances, which could have significant implications on the economic and social developments of the region. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the socio-economic effects of the large remittance inflows in 12 remittance-dependent MENA countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the vector autoregressive model and Granger causality test on the entire set of labour-exporting MENA countries, and covers the period 1991-2015. It also exploits nine (dependent) variables that represent the economic developments, external balance, employment, and the potential uses of remittances in these countries.

Findings

The study shows a positive and significant impact running from remittances to gross domestic product and household expenditures. On the other hand, the authors found that an increase in inflation or a decline in economic conditions result in a considerable increase in remittance inflows, proving the counter-cyclical nature of these transfers.

Originality/value

In addition of examining an understudied region, the paper provided many interesting concepts regarding the form of association between remittances and receiving countries’ economic conditions, and the relationship dynamics between remittances on one hand and several macro-economic and social variables on the other.
Funding liquidity risk and bank risk-taking in BRICS countries
Authors: Dahir Ahmed Mohamed , Mahat Fauziah Binti , Ali Noor Azman Bin
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of funding liquidity risk and liquidity risk on the bank risk-taking.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation technique and a sample of 57 banks operating in BRICS countries over the period from 2006 to 2015.

Findings

The results reveal that liquidity risk has a significant and negative effect on the bank risk-taking, indicating that a decrease in liquidity risk contributes to higher bank risk-taking. The study also reveals that funding liquidity risk has the substantial impact on bank risk-taking, suggesting lower funding liquidity risk results in higher bank risk-taking. These results are consistent with prior assumptions.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of this study highlight the fact that liquidity risk is a risk factor which drives the potential bank default, of which banks tend to take more risks when higher funding liquidity exists.

Practical implications

This study offers a number of valuable implications for the policy makers as well as practitioners. The policy makers should take into account better liquidity risk management framework aimed at preventing banks from taking excessive risks. Bank executives must pay more attention on how banks could hold more liquid securities and cash. Less risk-taking reduces higher borrowing costs undermining earnings through imposing taxes on corporate.

Originality/value

This work uncovered that liquidity riskper seis an important and previously unidentified risk factor, specifically its effects on bank risk-taking and contributes to the view in support of holding more liquid securities than the past.
Price leadership in the South African foreign-exchange market: an empirical analysis
Authors: Shandu Philani , Boako Gideon , Alagidede Paul
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the information-based microstructure theory’s effectiveness in explaining short-term disturbances in currency prices by determining whether the price discovery process in the US dollar (USD) and South African rand (ZAR)-USD/ZAR spot market is led by an individual market agent, around an exogenous news event.

Design/methodology/approach

The influence of central bank intervention-related events on USD/ZAR volatility is investigated through the application of Brown-Forsythe variance equality tests on individual dealer and market quotes. Furthermore, the study applies bivariate Granger-causality tests to individual dealers’ USD/ZAR spot rate quotes, in an effort to determine whether certain dealers can be established as price leaders around an exogenous news event.

Findings

The study finds significant evidence to suggest the USD/ZAR market price leadership of Nomura forex (FX) prior to the public announcement of a South African Reserve Bank intervention-related news event. This finding supports microstructure theory’s assertions regarding the existence of foreign-exchange market characteristics such as trader heterogeneity and private information.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is conducted on a sample of eight USD/ZAR market agents, of which six are offshore dealers, and only two are located locally. Although these proportions are somewhat relatable to the locations of rand turnover, it would still be interesting to investigate the existence of price leadership solely amongst South African authorised FX dealers.

Practical implications

The results suggest the existence and price relevance of private information, as well as the heterogeneous nature of USD/ZAR market participants, based on informational asymmetries. The outcomes of the paper are useful to market participants, researchers, and central banks alike.

Originality/value

Though the study does not impugn the body of work related to the orthodox macroeconomic approaches to exchange rate determination, it seems apparent that much more microstructure-related research still has to be conducted in the context of emerging market currencies. It is this void that the current study has attempted to provide for in contribution to literature.
Investigations on influence of groove shapes for the journal bearing in high-speed and heavy-load press system
Authors: Chen Yu , Sun Yu , Cao Chunping
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the hydrodynamic characteristics of journal bearings in a high-speed and heavy-load press system by considering thermal influence and cavitation.

Design/methodology/approach

A proper and effectual computational method is presented for steady-state analysis of fluid interaction in a rotor-bearing press system by combining computational fluid dynamics techniques.

Findings

The influences of eccentricity ratio, rotational speed and oil-film thickness on the hydrodynamic behavior of the journal bearing are studied.

Originality/value

The computational method can be used for creating a precise lubrication design for a journal bearing of a lubrication system.
Optimization of depositing uniform and wear-resistant diamond films on massive mechanical seals
Authors: He Yun , Sun Fanghong , Lei Xuelin
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This study aims to obtain diamond-coated mechanical seals with improved sealing performance and considerable cost. To achieve this purpose, the study focuses on depositing uniform, wear-resistant and easily polished diamond coatings on massive mechanical seals in a large-scale vacuum chamber.

Design/methodology/approach

The computational fluid dynamics simulation test and its corresponding deposition experiment are carried out to improve the uniformity of diamond films on massive mechanical seals. The polishing properties and sealing performance of mechanical seals coated with three different diamond films (microcrystalline diamond [MCD], nanocrystalline diamond [NCD] and microcrystalline/nanocrystalline diamond [MNCD]) and uncoated mechanical seals are comparatively studied using the polishing tests and dynamic seal tests to obtain the optimized diamond coating type on the mechanical seals.

Findings

The substrate rotation and four gas outlets distribution are helpful for depositing uniform diamond coatings on massive mechanical seals. The MNCD-coated mechanical seal shows the advantages of high polishing efficiency in the initial polishing process and excellent wear resistance and self-lubrication property in the follow-up polishing period because of its unique composite diamond film structures. The MNCD-coated mechanical seal shows the longest working life under dry friction condition, about 14, 1.27 and 1.9 times of that for the uncoated, MCD and NCD coated mechanical seals, respectively.

Originality/value

The effect of substrate rotation and gas outlets distribution on temperature and gas flow field during diamond deposition procedure is simulated. The MNCD-coated mechanical seal exhibits a superior sealing performance compared with the MCD-coated, NCD-coated and uncoated mechanical seals, which is helpful for decreasing the operating system shut-down frequency and saving operating energy consumption.
A mass-conserving algorithm for piston ring dynamical lubrication problems with cavitation
Authors: He Zhenpeng , Gong Wenqin , Xie Weisong , Zhang Guichang , Hong Zhenyu
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Piston ring dynamic problem plays an important role in the lubricant characteristics of a reciprocating engine, which lead to engine wear and the increased consumption of lubricating oil. A cavitation analysis of the piston ring lubrication with two-dimensional Reynolds equation has rarely been reported owing to the complex working condition. The purpose of this study is to establish a precise model that can provide guidance for the design of the piston ring.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a cavitation model and its effect on the piston ring lubrication was studied in a simulation program based on the mass-conserving theory which is solved by means of the Newton–Raphson method. In this study, some models such as mixed lubrication, asperity contact, blow-by/blow-back flow and cavitation have been coupled with the lubrication model.

Findings

The established model has been compared with the traditional model that deals with cavitation by using the Reynolds boundary condition algorithm. The cavitation zone, pressure distribution and density distribution between the piston ring and the cylinder have also been predicted. Studies of the changing trend for the pressure distribution and the cavitation zone at few typical crank angles have been listed to illustrate the cavitation changing rule. The analysis of the results indicates that the developed simulation model can adequately illustrate the lubrication problem of the piston ring system. All the analyses will provide guidance for the oil film rupture and the reformation process.

Originality/value

A two-dimensional cavitation model based on the mass-conserving theory has been built. The cavitation-forming and -developing process for the piston ring–liner lubrication has been studied. Non-cavitation occurs in the vicinity of top dead center and bottom dead center. The non-cavitation period will be longer in the vicinity of 360° of crank angle. The density distribution in the cavitation zone can be obtained.
An improved model on forecasting temperature rise of high-speed angular contact ball bearings considering structural constraints
Authors: Zheng De-xing , Chen Weifang , Li Miaomiao
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Thermal performances are key factors impacting the operation of angular contact ball bearings. Heat generation and transfer about angular contact ball bearings, however, have not been addressed thoroughly. So far, most researchers only considered the convection effect between bearing housings and air, whereas the cooling/lubrication operation parameters and configuration effect were not taken into account when analyzing the thermal behaviors of bearings. This paper aims to analyze the structural constraints of high-speed spindle, structural features of bearing, heat conduction and convection to study the heat generation and transfer of high-speed angular contact ball bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the generalized Ohm’s law, the thermal grid model of angular contact ball bearing of high-speed spindle was first established. Next Gauss–Seidel method was used to solve the equations group by Matlab, and the nodes temperature was calculated. Finally, the bearing temperature rise was tested, and the comparative analysis was made with the simulation results.

Findings

The results indicate that the simulation results of bearing temperature rise for the proposed model are in better agreement with the test values. So, the thermal grid model established is verified.

Originality/value

This paper shows an improved model on forecasting temperature rise of high-speed angular contact ball bearings. In modeling, the cooling/lubrication operation parameters and structural constraints are integrated. As a result, the bearing temperature variation can be forecasted more accurately, which may be beneficial to improve bearing operating accuracy and bearing service life.
Wear morphology analysis and structural optimization of cone bit bearing seals
Authors: Yi Zhang , Xiaodong Zhang , Xueping Chang , Qian Wu
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to clarify the relationship between the cone bit seal failure and the down-hole drilling fluid pressure and high temperature that occur during ultra-deep well drilling. It proposes that the contact pressure distribution under low pressure conditions is favourable for lubrication and the seal inner wear is serious under high pressure conditions. Furthermore, the more reliable cone bit seal can be obtained using the back propagation (BP) neural network and genetic algorithm (GA) to reduce the drilling cost.

Design/methodology/approach

The wear morphologies of the seal surface were analyzed using Contour GT-K to determine the seal contact pressure distribution. Then, the influences of the drilling fluid pressure and high temperature on the metal seal interface were analyzed using finite element method. The structural parameters of the seal under high pressure were optimized based on the BP neural network and GA.

Findings

This paper proposes that the inner seal contact pressure increases rapidly with an increase in the drilling fluid pressure. The design parameters of the seal components should be adjusted reasonably to ensure that the outer contact pressure is greater than the inner contact pressure, which is advantageous for forming a lubricant film on the inner side of the seal. The uneven temperature distribution of the seal surface will further aggravate seal failure.

Originality/value

Study on the bit seal with good property is significant in drilling application, and the optimized seal can prolong the cone bit life.
Experimental and numerical analysis of a self-circulating oil bearing system for gear pumps
Authors: Jintao Mo , Chaohua Gu , Xiaohong Pan , Shuiying Zheng , Guangyao Ying
Published: November 2017

Purpose

For moderate pressure and high pressure gear pumps, the temperature failure problem of bearings is now of considerable concern because of their heavy loads. However, the compact structure and the efficiency consideration make it extremely difficult to improve the bearing cooling. A self-circulating oil bearing system is developed for gear pumps with self-lubricating bearings to solve this problem. The oil is aspirated in from the low pressure chamber of the gear pump and discharged to the same chamber by using the pressure difference in the journal bearing, thus achieving the self-circulation.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment test rig has been built for the feasibility study. The oil flow rate under different speeds has been recorded. Furthermore, the temperatures of the bearings with or without the oil circulation have been compared. Additionally, the oil flow in the test rig has been simulated using computational fluid dynamics codes.

Findings

The experimental and numerical results agree well. The experimental results indicate that the oil flow rate increases approximately linearly with the speed and the bearing temperature can be lowered successfully. The calculation results indicate that the bearing load capacity is nearly the same. Both the experimental and numerical studies establish that the self-circulating oil bearing system works successfully.

Originality value

As far as the authors know, it is the first time to find that the self-circulation can be built using the pressure difference in the bearing oil film, and this principle can be applied in the cooling and lubrication of the gear pumps to solve the temperature failure problem.
Solid lubrication with MoS2-Ti-C films for high-vacuum applications in a nuclear fusion experimental device
Authors: Shi Shanshuang , Wu Huapeng , Song Yuntao , Handroos Heikki
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present a study on composite coating films for solid lubrication applied on the surface of bearings and gears, which are exposed to the vacuum vessel of a tokamak fusion experimental device running under ultra-high vacuum conditions. Experimental advanced superconducting tokamak is a tokamak fusion experimental device running under ultra-high vacuum conditions. To avoid polluting the inner vessel environment, solid lubrication has been applied on the surface of bearings and gears, which are exposed to the vacuum.

Design/methodology/approach

Anti-friction MoS2 coatings integrated with Titanium and Carbon have been developed using the multi-target magnetron sputtering deposition technique. This paper presents the comparative testing of tribological properties for three kinds of MoS2-based coating layers.

Findings

Based on the test results, MoS2-Ti-C coating films are supposed to be the final selection because of the better performance of friction coefficient and lubrication longevity.

Originality/value

Finally, the detailed information has been characterized for the hybrid coatings, which can provide some references for applications of solid lubrications under similar conditions of high vacuum and temperature.
Analysis of mixed lubrication of RV reducer turning arm roller bearing
Authors: Zhang Zhenhua , Wang Jiaxu , Zhou Guangwu , Pei Xin
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to solve the lubrication failures in the turning arm bearing of RV reducer, give some help in perfecting the bearing structure design and provide theoretical basis for the reducer’s performance improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper establishes a mixed lubrication analysis model to study performance parameters. According to the discretization of parameters and iteration of equations, numerical simulation and theoretical analysis are achieved in computational process.

Findings

Considering influences of contact load, real rough surface and realistic geometry of RV reducer turning arm roller bearing, the mixed lubrication analysis model is established to study the ratio of oil film thickness, pressure distribution and maximum von Mises stress in different speeds, temperatures and fillets. The results of mixed lubrication show that reasonable round corner modification, increase in temperature and speed, decrease of surface roughness and lubricant types can improve the lubrication performance.

Originality/value

The mixed lubrication analysis model is established to study the influences of contact load, real rough surface and realistic geometry of RV reducer turning arm roller bearing. Different speed, temperature, lubricant and fillet modification are also considered in the research to analyze oil film thickness, pressure distribution and maximum von Mises stress. These studies can optimize structural design of bearing and direct engineer operations.
Leadership in crisis situations: merging the interdisciplinary silos
Authors: Paquin Hugo , Bank Ilana , Young Meredith , Nguyen Lily H.P. , Fisher Rachel , Nugus Peter
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Complex clinical situations, involving multiple medical specialists, create potential for tension or lack of clarity over leadership roles and may result in miscommunication, errors and poor patient outcomes. Even though copresence has been shown to overcome some differences among team members, the coordination literature provides little guidance on the relationship between coordination and leadership in highly specialized health settings. The purpose of this paper is to determine how different specialties involved in critical medical situations perceive the role of a leader and its contribution to effective crisis management, to better define leadership and improve interdisciplinary leadership and education.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study was conducted featuring purposively sampled, semi-structured interviews with 27 physicians, from three different specialties involved in crisis resource management in pediatric centers across Canada: Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Otolaryngology and Anesthesia. A total of three researchers independently organized participant responses into categories. The categories were further refined into conceptual themes through iterative negotiation among the researchers.

Findings

Relatively “structured” (predictable) cases were amenable to concrete distributed leadership – the performance by micro-teams of specialized tasks with relative independence from each other. In contrast, relatively “unstructured” (unpredictable) cases required higher-level coordinative leadership – the overall management of the context and allocations of priorities by a designated individual.

Originality/value

Crisis medicine relies on designated leadership over highly differentiated personnel and unpredictable events. This challenges the notion of organic coordination and upholds the validity of a concept of leadership for crisis medicine that is not reducible to simple coordination. The intersection of predictability of cases with types of leadership can be incorporated into medical simulation training to develop non-technical skills crisis management and adaptive leaderships skills.
The impact of ethical leadership on organizational citizenship behavior
Authors: Yang qi , Wei hua
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the relationship between ethical leadership and employee organizational citizenship behavior (OCB), specifically the mechanisms through which ethical leadership impacts employee OCB, and the moderating role of workplace ostracism.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the survey-based dyad data collected from middle management team members and their immediate subordinates in Chinese companies. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the research hypothesis.

Findings

The empirical findings indicate that ethical leadership positively influences employee OCB. Organizational commitment mediates the relationship between ethical leadership and employee OCB. Furthermore, the effect of ethical leadership on employee OCB directly and indirectly (via organizational commitment) is moderated by workplace ostracism.

Originality/value

This paper adds to knowledge about the relationship between ethical leadership and employee OCB and contributes to better understand workplace ostracism.
COO effect: business opportunities for Middle Eastern entrepreneurs
Authors: Supramaniam Sivakumari , Gaur Sanjaya S. , Idris Izian , Cheng Boon Liat
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the potential business opportunities for Middle Eastern entrepreneurs by understanding the Malaysian Muslim’s ways of experiencing and realising value of products originating from Middle Eastern countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Phenomenography approach has been used to identify the variations among the Muslim consumers’ ways of experiencing Middle Eastern products.

Findings

The authors reported that Muslim consumers considered the country of origin as an important cue that affects their knowing, understanding, judging and acting on products originating from Middle Eastern countries.

Originality/value

Understanding developed from the Malaysian Muslim consumers enabled authors to suggest business opportunities for Middle Eastern entrepreneurs to enter and expand their operations in other leading Islamic countries.
Relationships among social capital, self-efficacy, and new venture creations
Authors: M. Kannadhasan , Charan Parikshit , Singh Pankaj , N. Sivasankaran
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship of social capital with new venture creation, and whether self-efficacy plays a role in mediating the association between social capital and new venture creation.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 375 entrepreneurs through cross-sectional survey in India. The study used partial least square path modeling to assess the relationships among the variables.

Findings

Findings reveal that social capital is positively related to new venture creation. The association of social capital and new venture creation is fully mediated by entrepreneurs’ self-efficacy.

Originality/value

The role of social capital in the success of new venture creations through self-efficacy is useful to the potential entrepreneurs and people who facilitate new venture creation in Indian context.
Considering heterogeneity within assumed homogenous generational cohorts
Authors: Stark Ernie , Poppler Paul
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This study aims to address demographic variables believed likely to restrain or modify homogeneous attitudes and values purported as inherent in each generational cohort and associated with divergence of workplace preferences and expectations.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a subsample of data collected from a larger study conducted as part of the General Social Survey and supported by the National Science Foundation, this study contributes to the emerging generational differences in literature by using Kruskal–Wallis tests in the analysis of five generational research questions.

Findings

In one sense, the results of this study appear to reflect the mixed and confusing disarray of evidence regarding the influence of generational differences on job preferences and workplace behaviors. On only two of the five job characteristics in this study did generational cohort membership demonstrate beyond random chance divergence in generational preference. However, the analysis of the interaction of cohort membership and demographic covariates on these two job characteristics points toward merit in further examination of relationship of subgroup differences relative to overarching assumptions about generational attitudes and norms of behavior.

Research limitations/implications

A number of limitations to the interpretation of this study merit reflection. First, given that the data for this study were cross-sectional in nature, the relationships in our study may be subject to temporal change. Second, the data were secured by self-report and is subject to all the limitations of self-reported data. Third, some of the demographic variables in this study were the result of aggregation in an attempt to secure adequate observations in each cell, and as such, important variance may have been concealed. Fourth, the study did not control for the confounding influence of age difference on cohort preferences.

Practical implications

In a rush to adapt and develop different approaches to human resource management in hope of meeting the needs of successive generational cohorts, it behooves scholars and practitioners alike to acknowledge the confused state of research on generational cohorts and to question the assumed monolithic model of generational cohort job-related likes and dislikes.

Social implications

This study would suggest that the assumed homogeneity of generational values and attitudes and their influence on the US workplace frequently fails to consider the heterogeneity evolving from the rural/urban characteristics where cohort members experienced adolescence.

Originality/value

Scholars will appreciate the broad perspective presented in this study and the potential new avenues for research. For practitioners, the study provides valuable insights into the three dominant generational cohorts currently in the workplace, thus enabling practitioners to understand the underpinnings of performance and work climate with greater depth and breadth of perspective.
Learning from within: a longitudinal case study of an education research group
Authors: Burt Brian A. , Lundgren Kathryn , Schroetter Joshua
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Professionals in higher education are expected to be informed consumers of knowledge who seek out scholarship, critical evaluators of the applicability of extant knowledge, and contributors who build new knowledge for higher education practice. Despite the understood importance of developing research competencies, many have limited opportunities to develop these skills. This study aims to explore one way individuals develop research competencies: through participation in team-based research experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal case study approach was used to investigate what participants in an education research group learn, and how their participation in the group changes the ways in which they think about themselves as researchers and scholars. Four group members participated in two focus group interviews (at the end of the fall 2015 and spring 2016 academic semesters). Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Study participants report gaining knowledge about research, developing an identity as a researcher, and learning about faculty roles. Particular group practices and activities (e.g. full group meetings, subgroup meetings, professional development moments) helped mediate members’ learning and identity development.

Originality/value

Research groups should be considered valuable contexts where teaching and learning take place. By learning – and integrating what we learn – from research group participation, the higher education and student affairs fields may become better able to generate innovative practices and activities that provide students and professionals with opportunities to develop important research competencies.
Validation of the quality in PhD processes questionnaire
Authors: Herrmann Kim Jesper , Wichmann-Hansen Gitte
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Increasing interest in PhD processes calls for valid and reliable survey instruments that cover key aspects of the PhD experience. Based on recent research, existing questionnaires and interviews with PhD students, the Quality in PhD Processes Questionnaire (QPPQ) was developed to cover a range of influential factors such as perceptions of the research environment and psychological well-being. This paper aims at validating the QPPQ for measuring quality in PhD processes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study assesses the validity of the QPPQ’s scales with special attention to factorial, convergent and discriminatory validity. Six scales were developed based on exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses applied to 23 items in a sample of 1,670 PhD students representing various academic disciplines.

Findings

Results were promising concerning the scales’ psychometric properties and indicators of validity.

Originality/value

The QPPQ offers itself as a theoretically grounded and thoroughly tested instrument for the purposes of evaluating and developing PhD programs at a local level or for researching PhD processes in general.
Implementing Six Sigma within Kaizen events, the experience of AIDC in Taiwan
Authors: Cheng Lang Jung
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore a Six Sigma implementation within a Kaizen mechanism, how the Kaizen events and methodology evolved, as well as the critical success factors as the methodology developed.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper begins with a review of the literature on Six Sigma and its Kaizen factors, followed by an empirical study a Kaizen event framework that was developed for a Taiwanese firm.

Findings

The results of the Six Sigma system proposed in this paper show that each organization used a unique Kaizen mechanism when initiating a Six Sigma project. A Kaizen event within a Kaizen mechanism can be used to obtain valuable insights about Six Sigma implementations. Firms should be able to achieve better management decisions after conducting self-assessments using the model.

Originality/value

This paper provides documented evidence of Six Sigma implementations with Kaizen events flow units, representative of aerospace industry. This study should prove to be of a great value to academics, consultants, researchers, and practitioners of Six Sigma.
How does ICT-use improve the environment? The case of Turkey
Authors: Gonel Feride , Akinci Atakan
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the effects of ICT-use on environmental problems in Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focuses on the effects of ICTs on finding the solutions to environmental problems. Inspired by specific classification, these categories that the authors used are as follows: the consumption of material sources; the transportation of people and goods; office spaces and smart building; using data communication and monitoring; ICT equipment (the last category involves the negative effects of ICT equipment itself; since we focus on “by ICT” issues, the authors will not examine this category in detail).

Findings

First of all, as a developing country, Turkey has an ability to monitor and control data on environment and the country is working to improve on it successfully in cooperation with international-related institutions. At the same time, using ICTs, smart buildings are increasingly becoming popular in Turkey with the help of some regulations. Transportation is another area that uses ICT.

Originality/value

To make a connection between ICT and environmental problems, it is a very new issue in developing countries. It is also new for Turkey. Therefore, as the authors know, this is the first general review on this subject.
Evaluation of Francisella tularensis ΔpdpC as a candidate live attenuated vaccine against respiratory challenge by a virulent SCHU P9 strain of Francisella tularensis in a C57BL/6J mouse model
Authors: Tian Deyu , Uda Akihiko , Park Eun‐sil , Hotta Akitoyo , Fujita Osamu , Yamada Akio , Hirayama Kazuhiro , Hotta Kozue , Koyama Yuuki , Azaki Mika , Morikawa Shigeru
Published: November 2017

Francisella tularensis, which causes tularemia, is an intracellular gram‐negative bacterium. F. tularensis has received significant attention in recent decades because of its history as a biological weapon. Thus, development of novel vaccines against tularemia has been an important goal. The attenuated F. tularensis strain ΔpdpC, in which the pathogenicity determinant protein C gene (pdpC) has been disrupted by TargeTron mutagenesis, was investigated as a potential vaccine candidate for tularemia in the present study. C57BL/6J mice immunized s.c. with 1 × 106 CFUs of ΔpdpC were challenged intranasally with 100× the median lethal dose (LD50) of a virulent SCHU P9 strain 21 days post immunization. Protection against this challenge was achieved in 38% of immunized C57BL/6J mice administered 100 LD50 of this strain. Conversely, all unimmunized mice succumbed to death 6 days post challenge. Survival rates were significantly higher in vaccinated than in unimmunized mice. In addition, ΔpdpC was passaged serially in mice to confirm its stable attenuation. Low bacterial loads persisted in mouse spleens during the first to tenth passages. No statistically significant changes in the number of CFUs were observed during in vivo passage of ΔpdpC. The inserted intron sequences for disrupting pdpC were completely maintained even after the tenth passage in mice. Considering the stable attenuation and intron sequences, it is suggested that ΔpdpC is a promising tularemia vaccine candidate.
Scholars, strategists or stakeholders? Competing rationalities and impact of performance evaluation for academic managers in Chinese universities
Authors: Wang Meng , Morley Michael J , Cooke Fang Lee , Xu Jiuping , Bian Huimin
Published: November 2017

The education sector is an important pillar of a nation's economic and social development. Yet, limited research has been conducted on the performance management of those in managerial positions in the Chinese higher education sector context. Given the Chinese government's recent espoused ambition, and resource commitment, to build world‐class universities and world‐class disciplines, this is a significant gap. Drawing on data collected from 18 semi‐structured interviews and 693 survey responses, we examine the relationship between the extent to which performance evaluation is used for monitoring and decision‐making purposes, and role conflict, organizational citizenship behavior and performance. Our study contributes to existing knowledge on the performance management system in the Chinese higher education sector by revealing its unique characteristics underpinned by competing rationalities and demands on academic leaders. It highlights the need for improvement in human resource management if China is serious in building first‐class universities.
The effect of allogeneic cardiac stem cells in left ventricular geometry and function in a rat model of myocardial infarction
Authors: Weng Yinlun , Zhang Xueyuan , Liu Anmin , Cai Wangqing , Li Fangcheng , Wang Tong
Published: November 2017

Background

The development of heart failure after acute myocardial infarction (MI) was related to left ventricular (LV) pathological remodeling and dysfunction. Cardiac stem cells (CSCs) provided a new option to treat acute MI. This study was to investigate the effects of CSCs on structural and functional alteration in acute MI.

Methods

Acute MI was induced in 20 Sprague‐Dawley rats by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Two weeks after MI, animals were randomized into CSCs or control group. LV geometry and function were echocardiographically measured at baseline, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after MI. After measuring hemodynamics at 6 weeks after MI, hearts were harvested for tracing CSCs stained by PKH26 and testing expression of VEGF‐α/TGF‐β1 by RT‐PCR and ELISA.

Results

Two weeks after MI, there were significant decreases in interventricular septal systolic and diastolic thickness (IVSTs/d), while increases in LV systolic and diastolic dimension (LVDs/d). Consequently, this contributed to decreases in ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shorting (FS). With the treatment of CSCs for 4 weeks, significant better ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shorting (FS) were achieved in CSCs group accompanied by the reduction in LV systole and diastole dimension (LVDs/d). Besides, a significant improvement in the maximal rate of LV pressure development and decline (peak +dP/dt and ‐dP/dt, respectively) was observed. Moreover, significantly higher VEGF‐α was expressed in CSCs group rather than TGF‐β1.

Conclusion

CSCs significantly prevented structural and functional deterioration after MI with increasing expression of VEGF‐α.
Land degradation affects shrub growth responses to precipitation in a semiarid rangeland of north‐eastern Patagonia (Argentina)
Authors: Campanella María Victoria , Rostagno César Mario , Videla Lina Sonia , Bisigato Alejandro Jorge
Published: November 2017

Arid land degradation diminishes the proportion of precipitation conducted to infiltration and increases the proportion lost to run‐off and evaporation. Consequently, we expect that the effects of annual precipitation on shrub growth vary with land degradation as a result of changes in soil available water. Chuquiraga avellanedae is the dominant shrub and the main indicator of land degradation in semiarid rangelands of north‐eastern Patagonia. We chose two communities with a different degree of land degradation: an herbaceous steppe with shrubs (HSS) and a degraded shrub steppe (SS). Vegetative growth of C. avellanedae was determined nondestructively using a double‐sampling approach. Soil water content was estimated for the two communities using a soil water balance model. Linear regressions were used to evaluate the relationships between shrub growth and (i) annual precipitation and (ii) mean available water during the period of high vegetative growth in the soil layer that each plant community concentrates their roots. In SS, with elevated clay content, there were more roots of C. avellanedae in the upper layers of soil while in HSS, with coarse‐textured soil, C. avellanedae had more roots in deeper layers. Vegetative growth of C. avellanedae, both in HSS and SS communities, was positively related to annual precipitation but, for a given precipitation, C. avellanedae presented higher vegetative growth in HSS than in SS. We also found a positive relationship between vegetative growth and soil available water, and this relationship did not differ between communities. SS presented lower water availability because of lower infiltration rates. Our results showed that, irrespective of the degree of land degradation, plants respond directly to water content of the soil layers where most roots are present at a specific window of time.
Outcomes of Asian patients with localized prostate cancer treated with combined intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy: A single institution experience
Authors: Ng Ivy Wei Shan , Tey Jeremy Chee Seong , Soon Yu Yang , Tseng Michelle Shu Fen , Chen Desiree , Lim Keith Hsiu Chin
Published: November 2017

Aim

External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) followed by high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy boost has demonstrated minimal toxicities and improved disease control rate compared with EBRT alone in observational and randomized studies with predominantly Caucasian patients. This study aims to report the outcomes of patients treated with this approach in our predominantly Asian population.

Methods

Medical records for patients with localized prostate cancer who received combined EBRT delivered via intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) technique followed by HDR brachytherapy boost were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes evaluated included 5‐year biochemical recurrence‐free survival (per Phoenix definition), overall survival and treatment toxicities.

Results

From June 2009 to March 2015, 75 patients were treated with IMRT followed by HDR brachytherapy boost. Twenty patients (27%) had intermediate risk, 55 (74%) had high‐risk disease. Median follow up was 64 months. All patients received IMRT to a median dose of 45 Gy to the pelvis followed by HDR brachytherapy boost. Sixty, 10 and 5 patients received boost of 21 Gy in two fractions, 19 Gy in two fractions and 15 Gy in a single fraction, respectively. All patients met the planning criteria adapted from RTOG 0815. The 5‐year prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) control was 85.2% (80.3% and 100% for high‐risk and intermediate‐risk group, respectively). Cancer‐specific survival and overall survival are 97.3% and 92.0%, respectively. Eleven (15%) patients developed biochemical failure, six of which had distant metastasis. Three (4%) developed grade 3 genitourinary toxicity (urethral stricture and/or cystitis) and none developed grade 3 radiation proctitis.

Conclusion

Our outcomes are comparable to internationally published data and demonstrate reproducibility of this approach in our population.
Amphipoda and Isopoda diversity around Tunisian wetlands (North Africa) in relation to environmental conditions
Authors: Khemaissia Hajer , Jelassi Raja , Souty‐Grosset Catherine , Nasri‐Ammar Karima
Published: November 2017

Amphipoda and Isopoda were sampled in 40 Tunisian wetlands, and their fauna were compared at four different types: lagoon, sebkhas, dams and hill reservoir. At each station, eight quadrates of 50 × 50 cm were randomly placed. Amphipoda and Isopoda were collected by hand. They were identified to species level. At each station, analyses of organic matter, sodium, calcium and heavy metals content from the soil collected in each station were performed. We recorded 19 and eight species for respectively Isopoda and Amphipoda and caught 3,035 specimens in total. The highest isopod's species richness (11 species) was noted around hill reservoirs and dams, a quite similar richness in the banks of lagoons (10 species) but only six species in the sebkhas. Eight amphipod species were recorded in the supralittoral zone of lagoons, three species around sebkhas but no amphipods were found in samples from dams and hill reservoirs. Isopod species richness was positively correlated with soil humidity. However, the distribution of the speciesOrchestia mediterranea,Orchestia gammarellus,Orchestia montagui,Orchestia stephenseniandPlatorchestia platensiswas related to soil metal concentrations.
A cultural psychological analysis of cultural change
Authors: Hamamura Takeshi
Published: November 2017

Life experience appears to be transforming in contemporary societies, with changes taking place in Asia being particularly substantial. There is strong public interest in understanding how these changes affect individual psyches. Scientific understanding of this issue, however, has not kept pace with change. Research findings from Western societies, the USA in particular, provide a model for understanding and predicting patterns of cultural change in Asia. However, the applicability of the model in this region requires critical examination. This article presents an overview of the available evidence in this research field, reviewing available psychological research that examines cultural change in the USA, China, Japan, and Australia. This paper's aim is to stimulate interest in this research area within the community of Asian social psychologists as our Asia‐based insights have much to contribute to the fundamental research question at stake, and the nature of the interplay between a changing social ecology, cultural environment, and participating psyches.
Volume responsiveness assessed by passive leg raising and a fluid challenge: a critical review focused on mean systemic filling pressure
Authors: Cooke K. , Sharvill R. , Sondergaard S. , Aneman A.
Published: November 2017

This review applied cardiovascular principles relevant to the physiology of venous return in interpreting studies on the utility of a passive leg‐raising manoeuvre to identify patients who do (responders) or do not respond to a subsequent intravenous volume challenge with an increase in cardiac output. Values for cardiac output, mean arterial and central venous pressure, and the calculated cardiovascular variables mean systemic filling pressure analogue, heart efficiency, cardiac power indexed by volume state and volume efficiency, before and after passive leg raising as well as before and after fluid volume challenge, were extracted from published studies. Eleven studies including 572 patients and 52% responders were analysed. Cardiac output increased by 12% in responders during passive leg raising and by 22% following a volume challenge. No statistically significant differences were found between responders and non‐responders in cardiac output, mean arterial or central venous pressure before the passive leg‐raising manoeuvre or the volume challenge. In contrast, the calculated mean (SD) systemic filling pressure analogue, reflecting the intravascular volume, was significantly lower in responders (14.2 (1.8) mmHg) than non‐responders (17.5 (3.4) mmHg; p = 0.007) before the passive leg‐raising manoeuvre, as well as before fluid volume challenge (14.6 (2.2) mmHg vs. 17.6 (3.5) mmHg, respectively; p = 0.02). The scalar measure volume efficiency was higher in responders at 0.35 compared with non‐responders at 0.10. Non‐responders also demonstrated deteriorating heart efficiency of −15% and cardiac power of −7% when given an intravenous fluid volume challenge. The results demonstrate that the calculation of mean systemic filling pressure analogue and derived variables can identify patients likely to respond to a fluid volume challenge and provides scalar results rather than merely a dichotomous outcome of responder or non‐responder.