bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate change and green sea turtle sex ratio – Preventing possible extinction
Authors: Blechschmidt Jana , Wittmann Meike J. , Blüml Chantal
Published: April 2020

Climate change poses a threat to species with temperature-dependent sex determination. A recent study on green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas)at the northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR) showed a highly female-skewed sex ratio with almost all juvenile turtles being female. This shortage of males might eventually cause population extinction, unless rapid evolutionary rescue, migration or conservation efforts ensure a sufficient number of males. We built a stochastic individual-based model inspired byC. mydas, but potentially transferrable to other species with TSD. Nest depth, level of shade, and pivotal temperature were evolvable traits. Additionally, we considered the effect of crossbreeding between the northern and southern GBR, nest-site philopatry, and conservation efforts. Among the evolvable traits, nest depth was the most likely to rescue the population in the face of climate change, but even here the more extreme climate-change scenario led to extinction. Surprisingly, nest-site philopatry elevated extinction rates. Conservation efforts to artificially increase nest depth promoted population survival and did not preclude trait evolution. Although extra information is needed to make reliable predictions for the fate of green sea turtles, our results illustrate how evolution can shape the fate of long lived, vulnerable species in the face of climate change.

Graphical Abstract
Hair follicle stem cell progeny heal blisters while pausing skin development
Authors: Fujimura Yu , Watanabe Mika , Ohno Kota , Kobayashi Yasuaki , Takashima Shota , Nakamura Hideki , Kosumi Hideyuki , Wang Yunan , Mai Yosuke , Lauria Andrea , Proserpio Valentina , Ujiie Hideyuki , Iwata Hiroaki , Nishie Wataru , Nagayama Masaharu , Oliviero Salvatore , Donati Giacomo , Shimizu Hiroshi , Natsuga Ken
Published: April 2020

Injury in adult tissue generally reactivates developmental programs to foster regeneration, but it is not known whether this paradigm applies to growing tissue. Here, by employing blisters, we show that epidermal wounds heal at the expense of skin development. The regenerated epidermis suppresses the expression of tissue morphogenesis genes accompanied by delayed hair follicle (HF) growth. Lineage tracing experiments, cell proliferation dynamics, and mathematical modeling reveal that the progeny of HF junctional zone stem cells, which undergo a morphological transformation, repair the blisters while not promoting HF development. In contrast, the contribution of interfollicular stem cell progeny to blister healing is small. These findings demonstrate that tissue development can be sacrificed for the sake of wound regeneration and suggest that tissue repair does not coincide with the reactivation of developmental programs in all regenerative contexts. Our study elucidates the key cellular mechanism of wound healing in skin blistering diseases.
Continuous manipulation of mental representations is compromised in cerebellar degeneration
Authors: McDougle Samuel D. , Tsay Jonathan , Pitt Benjamin , King Maedbh , Saban William , Taylor Jordan A. , Ivry Richard B.
Published: April 2020

Here we test the hypothesis that the cerebellum aids in the dynamic transformation of mental representations. We report a series of neuropsychological experiments comparing the performance of individuals with cerebellar degeneration (CD) on cognitive tasks that either entail continuous, movement-like mental operations or more discrete mental operations. In visual cognition, individuals with CD exhibited an impaired rate of mental rotation, an operation hypothesized to require the continuous manipulation of a visual representation. In contrast, individuals with CD showed a normal processing rate when scanning items in visual working memory, an operation hypothesized to require the maintenance and retrieval of representations. In mathematical cognition, individuals with CD were impaired at single-digit addition, an operation hypothesized to require iterative manipulations along a mental number-line; this group was not impaired on arithmetic tasks requiring memory retrieval (e.g., single-digit multiplication). These results, obtained in tasks from two disparate domains, suggest one potential constraint on the contribution of the cerebellum to cognitive tasks. This constraint may parallel the cerebellum’s role in motor control, involving coordinated dynamic transformations in a mental workspace.
Mosquito cellular immunity at single-cell resolution
Authors: Raddi Gianmarco , Barletta Ana Beatriz F , Efremova Mirjana , Ramirez Jose Luis , Cantera Rafael , Teichmann Sarah A. , Barillas-Mury Carolina , Billker Oliver
Published: April 2020

Insect hemocytes are the functional equivalents of leukocytes and limit the capacity of mosquitoes to transmit human pathogens through phagocytosis, encapsulation, secretion of immune factors and immune priming (1,2). Here we profile the transcriptomes of 8506 hemocytes ofAnopheles gambiaeandAedes aegypti, two important mosquito vectors. Blood feeding, infection with malaria parasites and other immune challenges reveal a previously unknown functional diversity of hemocytes, with different types of granulocytes expressing distinct and evolutionarily conserved subsets of effector genes. A new cell type, which we term megacyte, is defined inAnophelesby a unique transmembrane protein marker (TM7318) and high expression of LPS-Induced TNF-alpha transcription factor 3 (LL3). Knock-down experiments indicate that LL3 mediates hemocyte differentiation during immune priming. We identify two main hemocyte lineages and find evidence of proliferating granulocyte populations. We validate our analysis with RNA in-situ hybridization and highlight the mobilization of sessile hemocytes into circulation upon infection. Our data (https://hemocytes.cellgeni.sanger.ac.uk/) provide the first atlas of medically relevant invertebrate immune cells at single cell resolution. It provides an important resource for invertebrate immunology by identifying cellular events that underpin mosquito immunity to malaria infection.
Complete and validated genomes from a metagenome
Authors: Giguere Daniel J , Bahcheli Alexander T , Joris Benjamin R , Paulssen Julie M , Gieg Lisa M , Flatley Martin W , Gloor Gregory B
Published: April 2020

0.1

The assembly and binning of metagenomically-assembled genomes (MAGs) using Illumina sequencing has improved the genomic characterization of unculturable communities. However, short-read-only metagenomic assemblies rarely result in completed genomes because of the difficulty assembling repetitive regions. Here, we present a strategy to complete and validate multiple MAGs from a bacterial community using a combination of short and ultra long reads (N50 > 25 kb). Our strategy is to perform an initial long read-only metagenomic assembly using metaFlye, followed by multiple rounds of polishing using both long and short reads. To validate the genomes, we verified that longs reads spanned the regions that were not supported by uniquely mapped paired-end Illumina sequences. We obtained multiple complete genomes from a naphthenic acid-degrading community, including one from the recently proposed Candidate Phyla Radiation. The majority of the population is represented by the assembled genomes; recruiting 63.77 % of Nanopore reads, and 64.38 % of Illumina reads. The pipeline we developed will enable researchers to validate genomes from metagenomic assemblies, increasing the quality of metagenomically assembled genomes through additional scrutiny.
Dynamics of the cell-free DNA methylome of metastatic prostate cancer during androgen-targeting treatment
Authors: Peter Madonna R. , Bilenky Misha , Isserlin Ruth , Bader Gary D. , Shen Shu Yi , De Carvalho Daniel D. , Hansen Aaron R. , Hu Pingzhao , Fleshner Neil E. , Joshua Anthony M. , Hirst Martin , Bapat Bharati
Published: April 2020

Aim

We examined methylation changes in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) during treatment.

Materials and Methods

Genome-wide methylation analysis of sequentially collected cfDNA samples derived from mCRPC patients undergoing androgen-targeting therapy was performed.

Results

Alterations in methylation states previously implicated in prostate cancer progression were observed and patients that maintained methylation changes throughout therapy tended to have a longer time to clinical progression (TTP). Importantly, we also report that markers associated with a highly aggressive form of the disease, Neuroendocrine-CRPC, were associated with a faster TTP.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight the potential of monitoring cfDNA methylome during therapy in mCRPC, which may serve as predictive markers of response to androgen-targeting agents.
Testing the ‘caves as islands’ model in two cave-obligate invertebrates with a genomic approach
Authors: Balogh Andras , Ngo Lam , Zigler Kirk S. , Dixon Groves
Published: April 2020

Caves offer selective pressures that are distinct from the surface. Organisms that have evolved to exist under these pressures typically exhibit a suite of convergent characteristics, including a loss or reduction of eyes and pigmentation. As a result, cave-obligate taxa, termed troglobionts, are no longer viable on the surface. This circumstance has led to a “caves as islands” model of troglobiont evolution that predicts extreme genetic divergence between cave populations even across relatively small areas. An effective test of this model would involve (1) common troglobionts from (2) nearby caves in a cave-dense region, (3) good sample sizes per cave, (4) multiple taxa, and (5) genome-wide characterization. With these criteria in mind, we used RAD-seq to genotype an average of ten individuals of the troglobiotic spiderNesticus barriand the troglobiotic beetlePtomaphagus hatchi, each from four closely located caves (ranging from 3-13 km apart) in the cave-rich southern Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee, USA. Consistent with the caves as islands model, we find that populations from separate caves are indeed highly genetically isolated. In addition, nucleotide diversity was correlated to cave length, suggesting that cave size is a dominant force shaping troglobiont population size and genetic diversity. Our results support the idea of caves as natural laboratories for the study of parallel evolutionary processes.
Genome-wide CRISPR synthetic lethality screen identifies a role for the ADP-ribosyltransferase PARP14 in replication fork stability controlled by ATR
Authors: Dhoonmoon Ashna , Schleicher Emily M. , Nicolae Claudia M. , Clements Kristen E. , Moldovan George-Lucian
Published: April 2020

The DNA damage response is essential to maintain genomic stability, suppress replication stress, and protect against carcinogenesis. The ATR-CHK1 pathway is an essential component of this response, which regulates cell cycle progression in the face of replication stress. PARP14 is an ADP-ribosyltransferase with multiple roles in transcription, signaling, and DNA repair. To understand the biological functions of PARP14, we catalogued the genetic components that impact cellular viability upon loss of PARP14 by performing an unbiased, comprehensive, genome-wide CRISPR knockout genetic screen in PARP14-deficient cells. We uncovered the ATR-CHK1 pathway as essential for viability of PARP14-deficient cells, and identified regulation of replication fork stability as an important mechanistic contributor to the synthetic lethality observed. Our work shows that PARP14 is an important modulator of the response to ATR-CHK1 pathway inhibitors.
Decoding Predictions and Violations of Object Position and Category in Time-resolved EEG
Authors: Whyte Christopher J. , Robinson Amanda K. , Grootswagers Tijl , Hogendoorn Hinze , Carlson Thomas A.
Published: April 2020

Classic models of predictive coding propose that sensory systems use information retained from prior experience to predict current sensory input. Any mismatch between predicted and current input (prediction error) is then fed forward up the hierarchy leading to a revision of the prediction. We tested this hypothesis in the domain of object vision using a combination of multivariate pattern analysis and time-resolved electroencephalography. We presented participants with sequences of images that stepped around fixation in a predictable order. On the majority of presentations, the images conformed to a consistent pattern of position order and object category order, however, on a subset of presentations the last image in the sequence violated the established pattern by either violating the predicted category or position of the object. Contrary to classic predictive coding when decoding position and category we found no differences in decoding accuracy between predictable and violation conditions. However, consistent with recent extensions of predictive coding, exploratory analyses showed that a greater proportion of predictions was made to the forthcoming position in the sequence than to either the previous position or the position behind the previous position suggesting that the visual system actively anticipates future input as opposed to just inferring current input.
Mycobacteria tolerate carbon monoxide by remodelling their respiratory chain
Authors: Bayly Katherine , Cordero Paul R. F. , Huang Cheng , Schittenhelm Ralf B. , Grinter Rhys , Greening Chris
Published: April 2020

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas infamous for its acute toxicity. The toxicity of CO predominantly stems from its tendency to form carbonyl complexes with transition metals, thus inhibiting the heme-prosthetic groups of proteins, including the terminal oxidases of the respiratory chain. While CO has been proposed as an antibacterial agent, the evidence supporting its toxicity towards bacteria is equivocal, and its cellular targets remain poorly defined. In this work, we investigate the physiological response of mycobacteria to CO. We show thatMycobacterium smegmatisis highly resistant to the toxic effects of CO, exhibiting normal growth parameters when cultured in its presence. We profiled the proteome ofM. smegmatisduring growth in CO, identifying strong induction of cytochromebdoxidase and members of thedosregulon, but relatively few other changes. We show that the activity of cytochromebdoxidase is resistant to CO, whereas cytochromebcc-aa3oxidase is strongly inhibited by this gas. Consistent with these findings, growth analysis shows thatM. smegmatislacking cytochromebdoxidase displays a significant growth defect in the presence of CO, while induction of thedosregulon appears to be unimportant for adaption to CO. Altogether, our findings suggest thatM. smegmatishas considerable resistance to CO and benefits from respiratory flexibility to withstand its inhibitory effects.

Importance

Carbon monoxide has an infamous reputation as a toxic gas and it has been suggested that it has potential as an antibacterial agent. Despite this, the means by which bacteria resist its toxic effects are not well understood. In this study we determine the physiological response ofMycobacterium smegmatisto growth in CO. We show for the first time that the cytochromebdoxidase is inherently resistant to CO and is deployed byM. smegmatisto tolerate the presence of this gas. Further, we show that aside from this remodelling of its respiratory chain,M. smegmatismakes few other functional changes to its proteome, suggesting it has a high level of inherent resistance to CO.
Translational inhibition and phase separation primes the epigenetic silencing of transposons
Authors: Kim Eun Yu , Wang Ling , Lei Zhen , Li Hui , Fan Wenwen , Cho Jungnam
Published: April 2020

Transposons are mobile DNAs that can cause fatal mutations. To counteract these genome invaders, the host genomes deploy small interfering (si) RNAs to initiate and establish the epigenetic silencing. However, the regulatory mechanisms for the selective recognition of transposons by the host genomes remain still elusive. Here we show that plant transposon RNAs undergo frequent ribosome stalling caused by their inherently unfavourable codon sequence usage. The ribosome stalling then causes the RNA truncation and the localization to siRNA bodies, which are both critical prerequisites for the siRNA processing. In addition, SGS3, the key protein in the siRNA biogenesis pathway, forms liquid dropletsin vitrothrough its prion-like domains implicating the role of liquid-liquid phase separation in the formation of the siRNA bodies. Our study provides a novel insight into the regulatory mechanisms for the recognition of invasive genetic elements which is essential for the maintenance of genome integrity.
A Rapid Pathogenicity Assay ofR. solanacearumin 10-12 Days Old Eggplant (Solanum melongena) Seedlings by Root Inoculation Approach
Authors: Singh Niraj
Published: April 2020

1.

This study has reported standardization of pathogenicity assay ofRalstonia solancearumin eggplant seedlings by root inoculation approach. Though the approach is similar to my earlier published work that done with tomato seedlings, in case of eggplant, duration of the seed germination, age of the seedlings, symptom timing and progression rate of the disease are different. In an introductory observation,R. solanacearumF1C1 inoculation was performed in to 10-12 days old eggplant seedlings resulted in lethal infection in eggplant seedlings and subsequently most of these infected seedlings got wilted within 10 days of post-inoculation. Colonization studies ofR. solanacearumin wilted as well as infected eggplant seedlings were confirmed by GUS staining as well as fluorescence microscopy. In addition, we also observed that wrapping of the eggplant seedlings root by a thin layer of cotton soon after the pathogen inoculation in the root, enhanced the disease progression and wilting of the inoculated seedlings. The standardized root inoculation protocol in eggplant seedlings was found to be efficient to distinguish mutant strains of different virulence genes such ashrpB, phcAandpilTfrom wild-typeR. solanacearum. Due to its reproducibility and consistency in different eggplant cultivars, the standardized protocol described here is practically observed as an useful and rapid approach to investigateR. solanacearumpathogenicity and disease progression at the early seedling stage of eggplant.
Pharmacological activation of the circadian component REV-ERB inhibits HIV-1 replication
Authors: Borrmann Helene , Davies Rhianna , Dickinson Matthew , Pedroza-Pacheco Isabela , Schilling Mirjam , Vaughan-Jackson Alun , James William , Balfe Peter , Borrow Persephone , McKeating Jane A , Zhuang Xiaodong
Published: April 2020

Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) is a life-threatening pathogen that still lacks a curative therapy or vaccine. Despite the reduction in AIDS-related deaths achieved by current antiretroviral therapies, drawbacks including drug resistance and the failure to eradicate infection highlight the need to identify new pathways to target the infection. Circadian rhythms are endogenous 24-hour oscillations which regulate physiological processes including immune responses to infection, and there is an emerging role for the circadian components participating viral replication. The molecular clock consists of transcriptional/translational feedback loops that generate rhythms. In mammals, CLOCK and BMAL1 activate rhythmic transcription of genes including the nuclear receptor REV-ERBα, which represses BMAL1 and plays an essential role in sustaining a functional clock. We investigated whether REV-ERB activity regulates HIV-1 replication, and found REV-ERB agonists inhibited HIV-1 promoter activity in cell lines, primary human CD4 T cells and macrophages, whilst antagonism or genetic disruption of REV-ERB increased promoter activity. Furthermore, the REV-ERB agonist SR9009 inhibited promoter activity of different HIV-subtypes and HIV-1 replication in primary T cells. This study shows a role for REV-ERB synthetic ligands to inhibit HIV-1 LTR promoter activity and viral replication, supporting a role for circadian clock transcription factors in regulating HIV-1 replication.
From Substance to Computation: Internalization and Hierarchical Structure in Evolutionary Phonology
Authors: Tanaka Shin-ichi
Published: April 2020

In the history of phonological theory, the paradigm of computational systems has shifted in tandem with a better understanding of substantive issues such as typology, acquisition, social variation, and historical change in sound structure. The paradigm shift in the past 50 years can simply be characterized as the one from ‘serial derivation by rules’ to ‘parallel evaluation by constraints,’ and now Optimality Theory (OT) focusses on substantive issues by improving its phonetic groundings and has ceased groping for a better mode of computation. This is because OT is primarily a substantive theory of CON, and at least in its standard version, the computational systems of Eval and GEN are merely ‘given assumptions.’

In this article, we will overview some arguments against OT in substantive respects. As an ultimate problem in substance, it cannot solve ‘the poverty paradox,’ which means the paradox of ‘the poverty of the stimulus’ in ontogeny and ‘the poverty of the inheritance’ in phylogeny. Moreover, as a proximate problem in substance, certain gaps to be missed in syllable typology would erroneously be predicted to exist by OT. Alternatively, we will rethink the mode of computation in phonology and propose a new paradigm for phonology from the viewpoint of language evolution under a minimalist lens. Our proposal is based on Fujita’s (2016a, 2017) Hypothesis on Motor Control Origin of Merge in Language Evolution, which solves ‘the poverty paradox’ and thus satisfies both explanatory and evolutionary adequacy. We will demonstrate that substantive findings in OT can successfully be carried over to this scenario, in which the empirical problem concerning the typological gap is offered a reasonable explanation. We will also show that phonology has a vital role in computation and is not merely a subsidiary issue at the interface of the Sensory-Motor systems in linearization or externalization. We will take up one case for this claim: the English syllable CCVC has structural ambiguity, which means that phonology involves internalization with some mechanisms in order to create different hierarchical structures.
Microrheology reveals microscale viscosity gradients in planktonic systems
Authors: Guadayol Òscar , Mendonca Tania , Segura-Noguera Mariona , Wright Amanda J. , Tassieri Manlio , Humphries Stuart
Published: April 2020

Microbial activity in planktonic systems creates a dynamic and heterogeneous microscale seascape that harbours a diverse community of microorganisms and ecological interactions of global significance. In recent decades a great effort has been put into understanding this complex system, particularly focusing on the role of chemical patchiness, while overlooking a physical parameter that governs microbial life and is affected by biological activity: viscosity. Here we use microrheological techniques to measure viscosity at length scales relevant to microorganisms. Our results reveal the viscous nature and the spatial extent of the phycosphere, the microenvironment surrounding phytoplankton cells, and show heterogeneity in viscosity at the microscale. Such heterogeneity affects the distribution of chemicals and microorganisms, with pervasive and profound implications for the functioning of the planktonic ecosystem.

One Sentence Summary

Microrheology measurements unveil the existence of layers of increased viscosity surrounding phytoplankton cells and within aggregates.
Atomic structures determined from digitally defined nanocrystalline regions
Authors: Gallagher-Jones Marcus , Bustillo Karen C. , Ophus Colin , Richards Logan S. , Ciston Jim , Lee Sangho , Minor Andrew M. , Rodriguez Jose A.
Published: April 2020

Nanocrystallography has transformed our ability to interrogate the atomic structures of proteins, peptides, organic molecules and materials. By probing atomic level details in ordered sub-10 nm regions of nanocrystals, scanning nanobeam electron diffraction extends the reach of nanocrystallography and in principle obviates the need for diffraction from large portions of one or more crystals. Scanning nanobeam electron diffraction is now applied to determine atomic structures from digitally defined regions of beam-sensitive peptide nanocrystals. Using a direct electron detector, thousands of sparse diffraction patterns over multiple orientations of a given crystal are recorded. Each pattern is assigned to a specific location on a single nanocrystal with axial, lateral and angular coordinates. This approach yields a collection of patterns that represent a tilt series across an angular wedge of reciprocal space: a scanning nanobeam diffraction tomogram. Using this diffraction tomogram, intensities can be digitally extracted from any desired region of a scan in real or diffraction space, exclusive of all other scanned points. Intensities from multiple regions of a crystal or from multiple crystals can be merged to increase data completeness and mitigate missing wedges. It is demonstrated that merged intensities from digitally defined regions of two crystals of a segment from the OsPYL/RCAR5 protein produce fragment-based ab initio solutions that can be refined to atomic resolution, analogous to structures determined by selected-area electron diffraction. In allowing atomic structures to now be determined from digitally outlined regions of a nanocrystal, scanning nanobeam diffraction tomography breaks new ground in nanocrystallography.
Top management's communication in economic crisis and the firm's subsequent performance: sentiment analysis approach
Authors: Pengnate Supavich (Fone) , Lehmberg Derek G. , Tangpong Chanchai
Published: April 2020

Purpose

In economic crisis, where tensions create anxiety and test the emotions of the firms' shareholders, communication from top management is very crucial as it provides the reflection of the managers' interpretation of the firms' situation and potential strategies. The goal of this paper is to investigate the relationships between sentiment, as an aspect of emotions extracted from the letters to shareholders, managerial discretion and the firms' subsequent performance and performance trajectory during crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

A sentiment analysis was conducted to extract the sentiment from the letters to shareholders, which were collected from firms in two countries with different levels of managerial discretion (US vs. Japan). Hypotheses were developed and tested using a series of regression analysis.

Findings

The primary findings indicate that (1) managerial sentiment identified in letters to shareholders can potentially be related to the firm's subsequent performance in the economic crisis, and (2) managerial discretion moderates the relationship between managerial sentiment and subsequent firm performance.

Practical implications

When the managerial discretion is high, firms' shareholders can use the sentiment in top management communications to gauge whether the firms' situation would be improving in the near future.

Originality/value

This study expands the current research on sentiment analysis and firm performance to the context of economic crisis by suggesting that managerial sentiment can be substantially provoked as firms are facing with stressful economic conditions. The study also highlights the moderating role of managerial discretion on the firms' subsequent performance.
Reimagining customer service through journey mapping and measurement
Authors: Patti Charles H. , van Dessel Maria M. , Hartley Steven W.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

How can customer service be so bad in an era when companies collect endless data on customer interactions? The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the important challenge of elevating customer service delivery by providing guidelines for when and how to select optimal measures of customer service measurement using a new decision framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a comprehensive, multi-dimensional review of extant literature related to customer service, journey mapping and performance measurement and applied a qualitative, taxonomic approach for model development.

Findings

A process model and customer journey mapping framework can facilitate the selection and application of appropriate and relevant customer service experience metrics to enhance customer service experience strategies, creation and delivery.

Research limitations/implications

The taxonomy of customer service metrics is limited to current publicly and commercially available metrics. The dynamic nature of the customer service environment necessitates continuous updates of the model and framework.

Practical implications

Selection of customer service performance measures should match relevant stages of the customer journey; use perception-based, operational and outcome-based metrics that track employee and customer behaviours; improve omni-channel measurement; and integrate data-sharing and benchmark measurement initiatives through collaboration with customer service communities.

Originality/value

A reimagined perspective is offered to the complex challenge of measuring and improving customer service, providing a new decision-making framework for customer service experience measurement and guidance for future research.
Finite element modeling and simulation of hip joints in elderly women: for development of protective clothing against fracture
Authors: Park Jinhee , Nam Yun Ja
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Fracture experiments on real human bodies to examine the protected positions and protective devices for the development of protective clothing to manage fractures is exceedingly difficult. Thus, the experimental design will have limitations, more of which are imposed if subjects are elderly people. To circumvent these limitations, this study proposes a finite element model of the hip joint in elderly women with virtual impact simulations that can replace actual fall and impact tests, and examine the positions and characteristics of fractures resulting from taking a fall.

Design/methodology/approach

The hip joints were modeled after the average horizontal surface size and cross-sectional shapes of the lower extremities (waist to knee) in 439 elderly Korean women in that age group. The model was composed of bones, cartilages, and soft tissue.

Findings

The fracture was examined by comparing the maximum stress on the hip joint by applying a point force to its adjacent surface. The vulnerable part in the hip joint neck with a high risk of fracture risk on an impact could be determined and used to set the protective device attachment position.

Originality/value

It is significant that this study has developed a partial model of the human body that can be used for a relatively simple simulation by minimizing the highly complex human body as much as possible. Furthermore, the model is easily applicable to the designing of protected positions and protective devices for the development of special clothing, for hip joint fracture prevention.
Ethical framework for directors – learning from the prophet
Authors: Salin Ahmad Saiful Azlin Puteh , Manan Siti Khadijah Ab , Kamaluddin Norlela
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the director’s work ethics with particular attention given to the Islamic perspectives and prophetic character toward sustaining the performance of the business organizations. As at now, there is a limited code of ethics that can be a guidance for the business organizations and its leaders specifically.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines and reviews the foundation and prior studies on directors’ work ethics and Islamic work ethics. Then, briefly discuss and present a conceptual review of the directors’ work ethics based on prophetic characters, as well as its application in modern business activities.

Findings

Based onQuranandHadith, this paper proposes that four fundamental moral characters of directors aresiddiq(truthfulness),fatanah(intelligent),tabligh(deliver) andamanah(trust).

Research limitations/implications

This paper is conceptual in nature, thus further research needed to empirically test all the characters in actual practices.

Practical implications

The outcome of this paper contributes in way of it can be used and applied by the firm and policymakers to construct a comprehensive code of ethics that based on the Islamic values.

Originality/value

This paper is original as it attempts to suggest the appropriate constructs of directors’ work ethics from the religious studies in the ethics and management literature. These constructs able to increase the integrity and moral behaviors of the directors, which eventually preventing them from a commit in various unethical and malpractices that may obstruct the progress of the country’s economic development and growth.
Evaluating critical failure factors for implementing sustainable lean six sigma framework in manufacturing organization
Authors: Swarnakar Vikas , Tiwari Anil Kr , Singh A.R.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify, evaluate and develop a structured model to measure the interrelation between critical failure factors (CFFs) that affects the implementation of the sustainable Lean Six Sigma (SLSS) framework in a manufacturing organization. Further solution approaches have been provided that inhibit those CFFs and help in successful implementation of the framework.

Design/methodology/approach

To find the interrelation among the selected CFFs and develop a systematic structured model, a total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) approach has been used. A 13-level model for selected CFFs has been formed after the application of the TISM approach. Further classification of CFFs has been performed for a better understanding of their nature through MICMAC analysis.

Findings

A total of 26 SLSS CFFs have been identified through a detailed study of case organization, various literature reviews and experience of panel experts toward developing a systematic model of CFFs. The solution approach has been provided by panel experts based on their industrial experiences after observing the role of CFFs in the developed model. Based on the analysis, it was found that most dependent and dominant CFFs affect the implementation of the SLSS framework in the case organization.

Practical implications

This study helps SLSS practitioners, project managers, decision-makers and academicians of manufacturing industries to a better understanding of the failure factors and their interrelations while implementing the SLSS framework in manufacturing organizations. This study also guides the systematic solution approach which helps in tackling such problems that occurred in manufacturing organizations.

Originality/value

In this study, the TISM-based structural model of CFFs for implementing the SLSS framework in manufacturing organizations has been proposed which is a very new effort in the area of a manufacturing environment.
Sensory-based interventions with adult and adolescent trauma survivors
Authors: McGreevy Suzie , Boland Pauline
Published: April 2020

Purpose

An emerging evidence base, and increased awareness of the effects of trauma on the body, advocates a sensory-based approach to treatment with posttraumatic stress and complex trauma survivors. This paper aims to identify, analyse and summarise the empirical evidence for the sensory-based interventions, which occupational therapists are using in the treatment of adult and adolescent trauma survivors.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrative review of the literature was undertaken. Both empirical and conceptual papers were included. An inductive approach and constant comparative method were used to understand and synthesise the research.

Findings

The literature search yielded 18 papers describing the types of sensory-based interventions used, sensory processing (SP) patterns and the context and evidence for sensory-based occupational therapy practice with trauma survivors. Nine of the studies were empirical and nine were conceptual and review papers. Themes identified included: atypical SP patterns; type of sensory-based intervention used with trauma survivors; and transdisciplinary treatment programmes can reduce the symptoms of trauma.

Practical implications

Sensory-based interventions with adult and adolescent trauma survivors are emerging as promising areas of practice and research in the literature. Although empirical data is limited, the sensory needs of the body in processing trauma experiences is becoming more recognised and are supported by the atypical SP patterns identified in survivors. A sensory-based, transdisciplinary approach to treatment has the potential to be effective in treating the trauma survivor.

Originality/value

With a skill base in sensory integration and occupational analysis, occupational therapists have much to offer the field of trauma studies. This review begins to address the gap in the literature, recommending more rigorous controlled outcome research with larger sample sizes, person-centred studies focussing on the trauma survivor’s perspective and continuing professional development and mentorship for occupational therapists working with this population.
On the dynamic characteristics of ball bearing with cage broken
Authors: Li Hui , Liu Heng , Liu Yi , Qi Shemiao , Wang Fengtao
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the dynamic behavior of the ball bearing with cage broken.

Design/methodology/approach

By analyzing the complicated relationship and interactions among the ball bearing elements, the dynamic modelling of the ball bearing with broken cage was established, and the dynamic simulations were conducted by solving the ball bearing dynamic equations using varying-step Runge–Kutta integration.

Findings

The computational results show that there is considerable distinguishment in the dynamic characteristics between the normal cage and the broken cage of the bears. The broken cage makes the trajectory of the cage erratic, and the vibration amplitude is much bigger than that of the normal cage, which makes the motion of the cage unstable. When one of the cage lintels breaks up, the two adjacent balls will collide with each other; what is worse, this may make the balls crush because of the high amplitude of the collision force. The broken cage makes the cage-race interaction force much larger than that of the normal cage, which could promote the guiding ring and quicken the cage wear-failure.

Originality/value

This study can provide important ideas for the fault identification of the ball bearing with cage broken.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-01-2020-0042/
Effects of technical IT capabilities on organizational agility
Authors: Gao Peiran , Zhang Jinlong , Gong Yeming , Li Haitao
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate how critical managerial IT capabilities, such as IT business spanning capability, interact with two pivotal types of technical IT capabilities (i.e. IT flexibility and IT integration) to affect organizational agility. Especially, the authors mainly examine a positive synergy or complementary relationship between IT business spanning capability and IT flexibility and a negative synergy or substitution relationship between IT business spanning capability and IT integration.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop a research model that integrates IT flexibility, IT integration, IT business spanning capability and organizational agility. Based on a matched-pair, cross-sectional field survey of IT and business managers, they use partial least squares (PLS) to analyze this research model.

Findings

IT flexibility and IT integration have been empirically proven to be positively associated with organizational agility. Furthermore, the research results indicate a positive synergy or complementary relationship between IT business spanning capability and IT flexibility, whereas they indicate a negative synergy or substitution relationship between IT business spanning capability and IT integration with regard to organizational agility. This finding demonstrates that IT business spanning capability can differentially influence organizational agility depending on its interaction with specific technical IT capability types. In addition, the effects of IT flexibility on organizational agility are high, whereas the effectiveness of IT integration decreases in the presence of high IT business spanning capability. Each type of technical IT capability displays different effectiveness under high IT business spanning capability. Thus, appropriate technical IT capability types should be carefully deployed, and highly effective technical IT capability types, such as IT flexibility, should be prioritized under high levels of IT business spanning capability.

Originality/value

This research highlights the joint effects of IT business spanning capability and two pivotal types of technical IT capabilities (i.e. IT flexibility and IT integration) on organizational agility, ultimately contributing to OM theories and practices.
What makes a successful corporate investigator
Authors: King Michael
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the attributes – skills, education and qualifications – required to be a contemporary corporate investigator.

Design/methodology/approach

To address heretofore unexplored areas in the literature, this study used data collected from semi-structured interviews with 33 corporate investigators in Australia.

Findings

This paper highlights the complexities that surround corporate investigations and identifies nine attributes critical for investigative success. The findings identify some commonalities with police–detective skills and suggest that the corporate investigator needs the skills of an accountant and a lawyer to complement these investigative skills.

Originality/value

Studies of private investigators are rare as such; therefore, this paper fills a gap in academic literature by examining the skills necessary to conduct private investigations of corporate and white-collar crime.
Investigating the impact of board characteristics on money laundering
Authors: Mohammadi Shaban , Saeidi Hadi , Naghshbandi Nader
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of board characteristics on money laundering in Iranian listed companies.

Design/methodology/approach

This was a descriptive-correlational study, and in terms of purpose, it was an applied research. The statistical population of this study was all companies listed in Tehran Stock Exchange during the years 2012-2018. A sample of 150 companies was selected by screening method. Data analysis and hypothesis testing were performed using logistic regression and Eviews 10.

Findings

The results indicated that the board bonus and CEO duality (chief executive officer duality) had a significant effect on money laundering. CEO gender also had a significant effect on money laundering.

Originality/value

Sound management of risks related to money laundering by the board of directors is associated with stability, soundness and overall health of a country's financial system, which enables the integrity of the international financial system by meeting the Basel Committee goals, including strengthening the regulations, monitoring and improving current procedures, promoting financial stability and maintaining and enhancing a good corporate reputation; however, banks and other financial institutions are exposed to more serious risks, especially the reputation risk, operational risk, etc., if management does not play an effective role in the fight against money laundering. If management considers efficient and risk-driven policies and procedures in the fight against money laundering, then many problems and losses as well as many costs, including failure to collect receivables and to bring legal proceedings, can be prevented.
The role of regional administrations in improving place branding effectiveness
Authors: Makarov Pavel Yurievich , Illarionov Alexandr Efimovich
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study ways, which regional administrations affect place branding effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted based on qualitative analysis. In total, 10 place branding cases of federal subjects of Russia were considered to estimate short-, mid- and long-term effects of place brands and quality of regional administrations’ place branding process management. The information on these cases was taken and systematized from three groups of sources, namely, official information from regional administrations (including regulatory acts); scientific publications focused on the brands of selected regions; data from federal and regional news agencies.

Findings

It is revealed that the quality of place branding processes is positively related to the presence and power of place branding effects, while the branding budget has no observable impact on place branding. The areas of attention for regional administrations intending to develop the place brand are defined.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this study is that the chosen approach is based on secondary data on brand-management practices that are publicly available. This information is mostly fragmentary and may not provide a complete view of place branding practices.

Originality/value

This paper provides a view on place branding success factors from the standpoint of the quality of branding process, rather than quality of the brand itself. The role of regional administrations in this process is studied, thus proposing a basis for integrating place branding in a public administration field.
CEO-employee pay gap and firm R&D efficiency
Authors: Chan H. Leon , Kawada Brett , Shin Taekjin , Wang Jeff
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether the pay gap between the chief executive officer (CEO) and non-executive employees affects the firm’s research and development (R&D) efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

The dependent variable is the firm’s R&D efficiency, defined as a percentage increase in revenue from a 1-per cent increase in R&D spending. The main independent variable is the CEO-employee pay gap, defined as the ratio of annual total compensation for the CEO to the average of non-executive employees of the firm. The authors estimate fixed-effects models to examine the association between R&D efficiency and the pay gap between CEO and non-executive employees.

Findings

Results indicate a negative and significant association between R&D efficiency and CEO-employee pay gap, which suggests that a wider pay gap reduces employee motivation and effort, consistent with pay equity theory. We also find that the CEO-employee pay gap negatively moderates the relationship between employee pay growth and R&D efficiency

Research limitations/implications

Recently enacted pay gap disclosure requirements mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act will make the disparity between CEO and non-executive compensation more salient. This study provides evidence of a firm outcome associated with that disparity.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to investigate the impact of the pay gap on R&D efficiency, a firm outcome not previously explored in the literature. This study also investigates CEO-employee pay gap’s role as a factor that moderates the effects of employee pay growth and institutional ownership on R&D efficiency