bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental study of the electrokinetic behaviour of kaolinite–smectite mixtures
Authors: Ben Salah M. , Souli H. , Dubujet P. , Hattab M. , Trabelsi Ayadi M.
Published: May 2017

The evolution of the behaviour of kaolinite–smectite mixtures was studied using mechanical and electrokinetic tests. Oedometric tests showed that the compression index of the mixtures increases with increasing smectite percentage and that the curves feature a double slope in the [log σv,e] (where σv is the vertical mechanical stress and e is the void ratio) coordinate system when the percentage of smectite is strictly higher than 25%. Electrokinetic tests show that, of smectite the electrical conductivity and electro-osmotic flow tend towards that of the smectite. Measurements performed after the electrokinetic tests showed that the pH and conductivity are constant when the amount of smectite is lower than 25%. For higher smectite content, acidification of the medium is not totally obtained and the electrical conductivity is higher near the anode because of the slow diffusion of H+ ions in the structure. The tests also highlight that the electro-osmotic permeability is affected by the hydraulic permeability, although the variation in electro-osmotic permeability remains small compared with that of hydraulic permeability.
Universal transition from unstructured to structured neural maps
Authors: Weigand Marvin , Sartori Fabio , Cuntz Hermann
Published: May 2017

Significance

To save wiring, neurons in the brain that are connected to one another should be located in close vicinity. We use computational models based on multidimensional scaling to explore the implications of this simple premise regarding the organization of the visual cortex. Assuming only that neurons with similar orientation preference are more strongly connected, we predict the emergence of characteristic pinwheels where preferred orientations organize in a continuous circular manner. We find that a universal transition exists between completely unstructured and such structured neural maps when increasing neuron numbers even without changing the selectivity of the connections. Our results are a simple explanation for the existence of salt-and-pepper arrangements in rodents and pinwheel arrangements in cat visual cortex.
ΔNp63α is a common inhibitory target in oncogenic PI3K/Ras/Her2-induced cell motility and tumor metastasis
Authors: Hu Linshan , Liang Shan , Chen Hu , Lv Tao , Wu Junfeng , Chen Deshi , Wu Min , Sun Shengnan , Zhang Haibo , You Han , Ji Hongbin , Zhang Yujun , Bergholz Johann , Xiao Zhi-Xiong Jim
Published: May 2017

Significance

Oncogenic hotspot mutations in
PIK3CA
or
RAS
and overexpression of Her2 are known as a driving force for human cancer development. We and others have shown that ΔNp63α, the major protein isoform of the p53-related p63 expressed in epithelial cells, functions as an important regulator for the cell adhesion program and is a critical inhibitor of cancer metastasis. In this study, we demonstrate that oncogenic p110α
H1047R
, K-Ras
G12V
, H-Ras
G12V
, and Her2 use a common Akt1-FOXO3a pathway in suppression of ΔNp63α expression and, consequently, promote cell migration/invasion and tumor metastasis. Thus, ΔNp63α may function as a critical integrator of oncogenic signals in cell motility and cancer metastasis.
Multiscale model predicts increasing focal adhesion size with decreasing stiffness in fibrous matrices
Authors: Cao Xuan , Ban Ehsan , Baker Brendon M. , Lin Yuan , Burdick Jason A. , Chen Christopher S. , Shenoy Vivek B.
Published: May 2017

Significance

Focal adhesions play crucial roles in mechanotransduction and regulate processes such as spreading, proliferation, differentiation, and motility. It is well known that cells develop larger adhesions when cultured on stiffer elastic hydrogels, but the native extracellular matrix (ECM) is fibrous, nonlinear, and dissipative. We developed a multiscale model showing that adhesion size decreases with increasing stiffness in fibrous matrices, in excellent agreement with our experiments on engineered fibrous matrices. Our model shows that this is due to the feedback between cell contractility and the physical remodeling of ECM, which does not exist in elastic substrates. The basic stiffness–adhesion size principle uncovered can be applied to understand tumor progression fundamentally or to better design biomaterial scaffolds to control cell behavior.
Introduction: what is a tragedy?
Authors: Wells Stanley
Published: May 2017

Around half of Shakespeare’s plays are tragedies in the most basic sense of the word, with the death of their central character or characters. The Introduction explains that just as Shakespeare’s comedies often verge on tragedy, so his tragedies frequently offer a wittily ironic perspective on the action. This suggests that when Shakespeare set about looking for a story to dramatize he was more concerned to find one that offered possibilities for a variety of dramatic effects than for one that would fit neatly into the traditional kinds of drama. It also notes that Shakespeare was aware of, and influenced by, the Roman tragedies of Seneca and the comic dramatist Plautus.
Tragedies on the stages of Shakespeare’s time
Authors: Wells Stanley
Published: May 2017

Tragedies were immensely popular at the time Shakespeare came on the theatrical scene. The brightest star among Shakespeare’s early contemporaries was Christopher Marlowe, a prolific dramatist who had a seminal influence on his contemporaries and successors. Shakespeare also learnt much from the less prolific Thomas Kyd. ‘Tragedies on the stages of Shakespeare’s time’ explains that the form and style of Shakespeare’s plays were determined partly by the physical conditions of the playhouses within which they were to be acted; the nature of the companies that performed them; the conventions of dramatic presentation at the time; and to a lesser extent the expectations of those who went to see them.
Hamlet
Authors: Wells Stanley
Published: May 2017

‘Hamlet’ explains the textual fluidity of the play and how it has therefore been subject to a wider range of interpretation than most; it is different every time it is acted. Though every version has the same basic central story of Hamlet’s revenge for his father’s murder, each inevitably presents a more or less subtly different narrative, some omitting whole scenes and even major story threads. All this helps to explain why the play—and its central character—have been subject to an exceptionally wide range of interpretation. The most familiar image of the play is the young prince contemplating a skull, the overriding theme being how people react to death.
King Lear
Authors: Wells Stanley
Published: May 2017

‘King Lear’ explains that for readers, as well as for performers, the play may seem a daunting intellectual and emotional challenge. It tells a deeply tragic story, a story of national and familial division and paternal oppression, of hypocritical deception, of developing enmity, and of profound physical cruelty. The story of the play—related to that of Cinderella and her two ugly sisters—has something of the nature of a parable, in which characters divide easily into the good and the bad; and profoundly serious though the play is, it is shot through with comedy, though admittedly it’s often a grotesque, ironic sort of comedy.
Epilogue: why might we enjoy tragedies?
Authors: Wells Stanley
Published: May 2017

‘Epilogue: why might we enjoy tragedies?’ considers why we pay good money to subject ourselves to displays of misery, cruelty, suicide, murder—even cannibalism. Perhaps central to the appeal of Shakespeare’s tragedies is that through dramatic, well-shaped stories with lyricism, rhetorical force, complex variety, and frequent ironic and comic perspective, they give us a sense of sharing in and facing up to the ultimate realities of human existence; the intermingling in our lives of joy and sorrow, love and hatred; conflicting impulses of kindness and cruelty; the inevitability of death; the pathos of human endeavour to mitigate its terrors; and the mystery inherent in the human condition.
Tumor phylogeny inference using tree-constrained importance sampling
Authors: Satas Gryte , Raphael Benjamin J
Published: May 2017

Motivation

A tumor arises from an evolutionary process that can be modeled as a phylogenetic tree. However, reconstructing this tree is challenging as most cancer sequencing uses bulk tumor tissue containing heterogeneous mixtures of cells.

Results

We introduce Probabilistic Algorithm for Somatic Tree Inference (PASTRI), a new algorithm for bulk-tumor sequencing data that clusters somatic mutations into clones and infers a phylogenetic tree that describes the evolutionary history of the tumor. PASTRI uses an importance sampling algorithm that combines a probabilistic model of DNA sequencing data with a enumeration algorithm based on the combinatorial constraints defined by the underlying phylogenetic tree. As a result, tree inference is fast, accurate and robust to noise. We demonstrate on simulated data that PASTRI outperforms other cancer phylogeny algorithms in terms of runtime and accuracy. On real data from a chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patient, we show that a simple linear phylogeny better explains the data the complex branching phylogeny that was previously reported. PASTRI provides a robust approach for phylogenetic tree inference from mixed samples.

Availability and Implementation

Software is available at compbio.cs.brown.edu/software.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Assembling draft genomes using contiBAIT
Authors: O’Neill Kieran , Hills Mark , Gottlieb Mike , Borkowski Matthew , Karsan Aly , Lansdorp Peter M
Published: May 2017

Massively parallel sequencing is now widely used, but data interpretation is only as good as the reference assembly to which it is aligned. While the number of reference assemblies has rapidly expanded, most of these remain at intermediate stages of completion, either as scaffold builds, or as chromosome builds (consisting of correctly ordered, but not necessarily correctly oriented scaffolds separated by gaps). Completion of de novo assemblies remains difficult, as regions that are repetitive or hard to sequence prevent the accumulation of larger scaffolds, and create errors such as misorientations and mislocalizations. Thus, complementary methods for determining the orientation and positioning of fragments are important for finishing assemblies. Strand-seq is a method for determining template strand inheritance in single cells, information that can be used to determine relative genomic distance and orientation between scaffolds, and find errors within them. We present contiBAIT, an R/Bioconductor package which uses Strand-seq data to repair and improve existing assemblies.

Availability and Implementation

contiBAIT is available on Bioconductor. Source files available from GitHub.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
An efficient graph kernel method for non-coding RNA functional prediction
Authors: Navarin Nicolò , Costa Fabrizio
Published: May 2017

Motivation

The importance of RNA protein-coding gene regulation is by now well appreciated. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are known to regulate gene expression at practically every stage, ranging from chromatin packaging to mRNA translation. However the functional characterization of specific instances remains a challenging task in genome scale settings. For this reason, automatic annotation approaches are of interest. Existing computational methods are either efficient but non-accurate or they offer increased precision, but present scalability problems.

Results

In this article, we present a predictive system based on kernel methods, a type of machine learning algorithm grounded in statistical learning theory. We employ a flexible graph encoding to preserve multiple structural hypotheses and exploit recent advances in representation and model induction to scale to large data volumes. Experimental results on tens of thousands of ncRNA sequences available from the Rfam database indicate that we can not only improve upon state-of-the-art predictors, but also achieve speedups of several orders of magnitude.

Availability and implementation

The code is available from http://www.bioinf.uni-freiburg.de/~costa/EDeN.tgz.
EEG datasets for motor imagery brain–computer interface
Authors: Cho Hohyun , Ahn Minkyu , Ahn Sangtae , Kwon Moonyoung , Jun Sung Chan
Published: May 2017

Background:

Most investigators of brain–computer interface (BCI) research believe that BCI can be achieved through induced neuronal activity from the cortex, but not by evoked neuronal activity. Motor imagery (MI)–based BCI is one of the standard concepts of BCI, in that the user can generate induced activity by imagining motor movements. However, variations in performance over sessions and subjects are too severe to overcome easily; therefore, a basic understanding and investigation of BCI performance variation is necessary to find critical evidence of performance variation. Here we present not only EEG datasets for MI BCI from 52 subjects, but also the results of a psychological and physiological questionnaire, EMG datasets, the locations of 3D EEG electrodes, and EEGs for non-task-related states.

Findings:

We validated our EEG datasets by using the percentage of bad trials, event-related desynchronization/synchronization (ERD/ERS) analysis, and classification analysis. After conventional rejection of bad trials, we showed contralateral ERD and ipsilateral ERS in the somatosensory area, which are well-known patterns of MI. Finally, we showed that 73.08% of datasets (38 subjects) included reasonably discriminative information.

Conclusions:

Our EEG datasets included the information necessary to determine statistical significance; they consisted of well-discriminated datasets (38 subjects) and less-discriminative datasets. These may provide researchers with opportunities to investigate human factors related to MI BCI performance variation, and may also achieve subject-to-subject transfer by using metadata, including a questionnaire, EEG coordinates, and EEGs for non-task-related states.
Ontogenetic development of otolith shape during settlement of juvenile Barents Sea cod (Gadus morhua)
Authors: Irgens Christian , Kjesbu Olav S , Folkvord Arild
Published: May 2017

This study documents how settlement of juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in the Barents Sea affects otolith growth and morphology. A simple method to objectively discriminate between age 0 and age 1 cod sampled in late summer was demonstrated by using only two otolith morphometric descriptors: area and perimeter. In the pre-settled 0-group cod, otolith lobe formation clearly increased with fish size, resulting in high otolith crenulation. This trend was disrupted during settlement, resulting in noticeably less crenulated otoliths of the settled 1-group cod sampled in winter. Combined observations of otolith shape, fish size, and body condition suggest that environmental factors associated with settlement during autumn, particularly reduced food intake, directly affect lobe formation leading to less crenulated otoliths. Comparably reduced body condition and otolith crenulation of 0-group cod in bottom trawls (vs. pelagic trawls) may indicate early settlement or vertical exploratory behaviour in the Barents Sea Ecosystem Survey (in August–September) and, thus, an underrepresentation of 0-group cod from pelagic trawling.
The superior colliculus and the steering of saccades toward a moving visual target
Authors: Goffart Laurent , Cecala Aaron , Gandhi Neeraj
Published: May 2017

Following the suggestion that a command encoding the expected here-and-now target location feeds the oculomotor system during interceptive saccades, we tested whether this command originates in the deep superior colliculus (SC). Monkeys generated saccades to targets that were static or moving along the preferred axis, away from (outward) or toward a fixated target (inward) with a constant speed (20°/s). Vertical and horizontal motions were also tested. Extracellular activity of 57 saccade-related neurons was recorded in 3 monkeys. The movement field (MF) parameters (boundaries, center and firing rate) were estimated after spline fitting the relation between the saccade amplitude and the average firing rate of the motor burst. During radial motion, the inner MF boundary shifted in the same direction as the target motion for some neurons, not all. During vertical motion, both lower and upper boundaries were shifted upward during upward motion whereas the upper boundary only shifted during downward motions. For horizontal motions, the medial boundaries were not changed. The MF center was shifted only for outward motion. Regardless of the motion direction, the average firing rate was consistently reduced during interceptive saccades. Our study shows an involvement of the saccade-related burst of SC neurons in steering the gaze toward a moving target. When observed, the shifts of MF boundary in the direction of target motion correspond to commands related to antecedent target locations. The absence of shift in the opposite direction shows that SC activity does not issue predictive commands related to the future target location.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

By comparing the movement field (MF) of saccade-related neurons between saccades toward static and moving targets, we show that the motor burst issued by neurons in the superior colliculus does not convey commands related to the future location of a moving target. During interceptive saccades, the active population consists of a continuum of neurons, ranging from cells exhibiting a shift in the center or boundary of their MF to cells which exhibit no change. The shifts correspond to residual activity related to the fact that the active population does not change as fast as the target in the visual field. By contrast, the absence of shift indicates commands related to the current target location, as if it were static.
Gene2Function: An integrated online resource for gene function discovery
Authors: Hu Yanhui , Comjean Aram , Mohr Stephanie E. ,   the FlyBase Consortium, Perrimon Norbert , Agapite Julie , Broll Kris , Crosby Madeline , Dos Santos Gilberto , Emmert David , Falls Kathleen , Gelbart Susan Russo , Gramates Sian , Matthews Beverley , Perrimon Norbert , Sutherland Carol , Tabone Chris , Zhou Pinglei , Zytkovicz Mark , Antonazzo Giulia , Attrill Helen , Brown Nicholas , Fexova Silvie , Jones Tamsin , Larkin Aoife , Marigold Steven , Milburn Gillian , Rey Alix , Urbano Jose-Maria , Czoch Brian , Goodman Josh , Grumbling Gary , Kaufman Thomas , Strelets Victor , Thurmond James , Baker Phill , Cripps Richard , Werner-Washburne Margaret
Published: May 2017

One of the most powerful ways to develop hypotheses regarding biological functions of conserved genes in a given species, such as in humans, is to first look at what is known about function in another species. Model organism databases (MODs) and other resources are rich with functional information but difficult to mine. Gene2Function (G2F) addresses a broad need by integrating information about conserved genes in a single online resource.
Patterns of female entrepreneurial activities in Turkey
Authors: Kalemci Tuzun Ipek , Araz Takay Bahar
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This study aims to identify and understand the challenges, motivational factors and future needs of female entrepreneurs in Ankara, Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the qualitative analysis methodology and uses the qualitative data analysis software, MAXQDA 11. A total of 41 randomly selected female entrepreneurs from the city of Ankara and rural areas of the Ankara region participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. A total of 284 codes were defined.

Findings

Results indicate that female entrepreneurs are mostly intrinsically motivated and are driven by the desire to achieve and to become independent. The socially constructed role of women in Turkey is the primary challenge faced by female entrepreneurs in both urban and rural areas. Moreover, the major future needs identified for female entrepreneurs are support from public institutions and access to managerial consultants.

Originality/value

There are limited number of studies that closely examine the characteristics of female entrepreneurship activity and their challenges/motivations in Turkey. This research contributes to the existing literature through its qualitative nature and by highlighting differences in urban and rural female entrepreneurs. Moreover, the results of this study are useful for policy makers to evaluate the future needs of female entrepreneurs and the programs that will be needed to overcome the challenges facing female entrepreneurs in the entrepreneurial process.
Dating business cycles in India
Authors: Pandey Radhika , Patnaik Ila , Shah Ajay
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present a chronology of Indian business cycles in the post-reform period. In India, earlier, macroeconomic shocks were about droughts and oil prices. Economic reforms have led to an interplay of a market economy, financial globalisation and decisions of private firms to undertake investment and hold inventory. This has changed the working of the business cycle and has raised concerns about business-cycle stabilisation. In the backdrop of these developments, the macroeconomics research agenda requires foundations of measurement about business-cycle phenomena. One element of this is the identification of dates of business-cycle turning points.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the growth-cycle approach to present the chronology of business cycles. The paper uses the Christiano–Fitzgerald (CF) filter to extract the cyclical component and shows the robustness of the findings to the contemporary methods of cycle extraction. It then applies the Bry–Boschan algorithm to identify the dates of peaks and troughs.

Findings

The paper finds three periods of recession. The first recession was from 1999-Q4 to 2003-Q1; the second recession was from 2007-Q2 to 2009-Q3; and the third recession ran from 2011-Q2 till 2012-Q4. These results are robust to the choice of filter and to the choice of the business-cycle indicator. These dates suggest that, on average, expansions in India are 12 quarters in length and recessions run for 9 quarters. The paper offers evidence of change in the nature of cycles.

Originality/value

Dates of business-cycle turning points are a critical input for academic and policy work in macroeconomics. The paper offers robust estimation of the business-cycle turning points in the post-reform period using contemporary techniques of cycle extraction. This work helps lay the foundations for downstream macroeconomics research by academicians and policymakers.
Anger expression and suppression at work: causes, characteristics and predictors
Authors: Booth Jill , Ireland Jane L. , Mann Sandi , Eslea Mike , Holyoak Lynda
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This study aims to explore the causes, characteristics and consequences of workplace anger expression and suppression, with an additional aim of testing the emotional dimension of Affective Events Theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants (n = 187) from management and non-management positions completed an event-contingent anger diary over a period of four working weeks, alongside measures on trait anger and job satisfaction.

Findings

Over 50 per cent of the sample disclosed anger-causing events. In keeping with Affective Events Theory, disposition was important, with trait anger higher in those disclosing anger-causing events. There appeared a range of factors predicting the expression of anger, with these focused primarily on individual issues and pre-existing emotion rather than work characteristics.

Originality/value

Through consideration of management and non-management workers and by using a longitudinal design, the study highlights the importance of individual factors in understanding workplace anger. It notes the value in focusing on discrete emotion. The findings offer a clear direction for future research that could assist with enhancing models of workplace emotion, particularly if the aim is to account for discrete emotions.
Vulnerable populations in food deserts: a case study
Authors: Wood Van , Thomas Manoj
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the realities of food deserts and the vulnerable populations in urban areas in the USA; review underlying causes of these realities; and propose a set of solutions to address challenges facing vulnerable populations living in urban food deserts.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a case study with a focus on a specific vulnerable population living in a food desert in the inner city of Richmond, Virginia.

Findings

While vulnerable populations and food deserts have much in common, in general, they both reflect, for specific groups of people, a failure to achieve or even having a chance to achieve the American dream. In particular, they reflect the economic, social, culture and education disenfranchisement of many citizens in society.

Originality/value

This exploratory paper and case study offers a beginning reference point to both understand and deal with urban food deserts and the vulnerable populations that reside there-in. Food deserts are a serious problem that is historically based and contemporarily reinforced by economic, social and cultural/community realities in society. By first understanding these realities, the paper calls for research and action.
Variations in involvement: motivating bystanders to care for senior citizens
Authors: Keller Sarah , Wilkinson Timothy
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of a senior service advertising campaign designed to increase volunteerism and financial donations among bystanders.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional mail survey was administered to 2,500 adults; 384 usable responses were obtained. Survey responses were analyzed by level of exposure and involvement in senior care.

Findings

High-involvement individuals viewed the ads more favorably and exhibited stronger senior caretaking intentions. Low-involvement consumers were less likely to see their own potential contributions to senior care services as effective.

Research limitations/implications

Characterizing involvement in terms of awareness, awareness involvement, perceived severity and perceived susceptibility, provides a starting point for future examinations of the relationship between involvement, perceived efficacy and various forms of promotion.

Practical implications

From a practitioner’s standpoint, this study identifies specific features of campaign design and audience profiling that might increase the effectiveness of bystander interventions. This study offers not only constructs that can be used for identifying particular audience subsets but also illustrates the practical ways in which perceived susceptibility and perceived response efficacy to a given issue can be addressed through a mass media campaign.

Social implications

Snowballing healthcare costs coupled with an avalanche of baby boomers entering the elderly phase of the life cycle make the need for bystander involvement in the lives of seniors increasingly important.

Originality/value

With limited theoretical and practical guidance on how to motivate bystanders to engage in prosocial behaviors, health communicators and marketers are challenged to address a vast range of public health issues that require citizen engagement. The research reviewed and presented here indicates the hope for engaging the public to become active players in making the nation a safer and healthier place.
Design of repairable regular steel buildings with square plan based on seesaw motion of building structure and using DADAS dampers
Authors: Nejati Faezeh , Hosseini Mahmood , Mahmoudzadeh Amir
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Almost design code is required for repairability of the buildings after a major earthquake. One such idea is “directed-damage design” (DDD), which means guiding the damage to some pre-decided parts of the structural system. To use the DDD idea for creation of repairable buildings, in this study, a structural system with seesaw motion with respect to a central massive support has been considered for steel buildings with square plan, and the bottom ends of the all circumferential columns at the lowest story have been equipped with double-ADAS (DADAS) dampers, which dissipate a great portion of the seismic input energy. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the hysteretic behavior of DADAS dampers by using finite element analysis. At first, a set of regular steel multistory buildings with five stories have been designed based on the conventional code provisions. Then, the structures of the designed buildings have been changed into the structure with seesaw motion by using, at the base level of the building, a massive central column, eliminating other middle columns, and equipping circumferential columns with DADAS dampers.

Design/methodology/approach

For repairability buildings in the last three mentioned studies a set of orthogonal strong girders, in the form of grid, has been used. In the present study, the number of bays in the considered building is four in both directions. A major modification has been made in the yielding-plate energy dissipating elements of the circumferential columns, which makes their manufacturing and installation much practical as illustrated in the following sections of the paper.

Findings

In the proposed rocking structural system for regular multistory steel buildings, creation of the possibility of rocking motion has been done by using a space truss resting on a huge central hinge support at base level with a series of circumferential energy dissipating columns at that level.

Originality/value

One such idea is DDD idea, which means guiding the damage to some pre-decided parts of the structural system.
Network traffic reduction mechanism for collaborative Web activities
Authors: Donen Tsuyoshi , Otsubo Shingo , Nishide Ryo , Piumarta Ian , Takada Hideyuki
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to reduce internet traffic when performing collaborative Web search. Mobile terminals are now in widespread use and people are increasingly using them for collaborative Web search to achieve a common goal. When performing such searches, the authors want to reduce internet traffic as much as possible, for example, to avoid bandwidth throttling that occurs when data usage exceeds a certain quota.

Design/methodology/approach

To reduce internet traffic, the authors use a proxy system based on the peer cache mechanism. The proxy shares Web content stored on mobile terminals participating in an ad hoc Bluetooth network, focusing on content that is accessed multiple times from different terminals. Evaluation of the proxy’s effectiveness was measured using experiments designed to replicate realistic usage scenarios.

Findings

Experimental results show that the proxy reduces internet traffic by approximately 20 per cent when four people collaboratively search the Web to find good restaurants for a social event.

Originality/value

Unlike previous work on co-operative Web proxies, the authors study a form of collaborative Web caching between mobile devices within an ad hoc Bluetooth network created specifically for the purpose of sharing cached content, acting orthogonally to (and independently of) traditional hierarchical Web caching.
Design and analysis of a self-lubricating nuclear joint bearing above 320°C
Authors: Cao Jun , Yin Zhongwei , Cui Yuqing , Li Hulin , Gao Gengyuan , Wang Xinbo
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to solve the problem of most woven-fabric self-lubricating bearings that find it difficult to function at temperatures above 320°C, by designing a new type of new nuclear joint bearing. The results of this study will help designers to achieve accurate stress distribution, displacement deformation, fatigue life and damage of bearings. All of these can be a guide for designing self-lubricating joint bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

Finite element analysis is undertaken to simulate the new design bearings. To get the most appropriate and accurate results, the room temperature simulation (Simulation A), the modulus of elasticity that changes with temperature (Simulation B) and the thermal-structure-coupled simulation (Simulation C) are compared. The fatigue simulation is conducted to verify whether the self-lubricating method is reasonable and whether the bearing can function for over 60 years in an enclosed environment.

Findings

Stress distribution and displacement deformation of joint bearing can be accurately achieved via the thermal-structure coupled simulation. Work life and damage results have been achieved via the fatigue analysis, and the suggested working loads can be calculated via safety factors.

Originality/value

The newly designed joint bearing in which the graphite is laid on the outside of the inner ring functions and self-lubricates at temperatures above 320°C.
Air barrier effect in out of mesh jet lubrication of ultra-high speed spur gears
Authors: Niu Wentao , Wang Yanzhong , Chen Yanyan , Song Guanhua
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to reveal the mechanism of air barrier effect in jet lubrication and to figure out the influence of gear parameters and conditions on air barrier, thus providing guidance to the design of jet lubrication in ultra-high speed gear cooling system.

Design/methodology/approach

The computational fluid dynamics method is used to calculate the flow and pressure of ultra-high speed gears. The flow and pressure distributions are obtained under different gear parameters and working conditions, so their variations are obtained. A multiphase flow model is established to simulate the flow regime of oil jet to ultra-high speed gears. Simple experiments are carried out to observe the air barrier effect of high-speed gears.

Findings

Air barrier effect exists in the jet lubrication of ultra-high speed spur gears, which could prevent oil jet to reach on the gear surfaces. The results show that the generated pressure has positive relations with gear speed, module and width; however, as the increasing of gear width, their marginal contribution to pressure is decreasing. The computational results coincide well with the experimental results.

Originality/value

The research presented here proposed the air barrier effect of ultra-high speed gears for the first time. It also leads to a design reference guideline that could be used in jet lubrication of ultra-high speed gears, thus preventing lubrication and cooling failures.
Young adults, alcohol and Facebook: a synergistic relationship
Authors: Jones Sandra C. , Pettigrew Simone , Biagioni Nicole , Daube Mike , Chikritzhs Tanya , Stafford Julia , Tran Julien
Published: May 2017

Purpose

There is a growing body of research into the utilisation of social networking sites (SNS) by alcohol marketers, but less research into how young people utilise SNS to create their own meanings of, and interactions with, alcohol. The purpose of this study was to explore young adults’ perceptions of the nexus between alcohol and SNS.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 60 adults aged 18-21 years took part in an intensive data collection process over six months. All references to social media in the interviews, focus groups and written introspections were compiled and analysed.

Findings

Results showed social media use stimulates alcohol consumption and alcohol consumption stimulates social media use. Four main themes emerged: social engagement, identity, drinking culture and distancing. Participants reported being constantly exposed to, and often influenced by, images of their peers enjoying themselves while consuming alcohol, with little representation of negative outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

The relationship between SNS, social norms and drinking behaviours is complex; there is a need for further research into the dynamics of this relationship to inform social marketing interventions.

Originality/value

While there is a body of research into commercial references to alcohol on SNS, there is less research into the ways young people utilise SNS to create their own meanings of, and interactions with, alcohol. The consumer research that has been conducted to date has focused on quantifying references to alcohol and drinking behaviours, observing profiles or surveying users. This study addresses a key gap in the literature that is needed to inform social marketing interventions to reduce excessive alcohol consumption: when, why and how do young people post about alcohol.
An analysis of sustainability report assurance statements
Authors: Rossi Adriana , Tarquinio Lara
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to achieve the following objectives. First, through a longitudinal study, the authors explore the trend of voluntary external assurance of sustainability reports among Italian listed companies from 2008 to 2012. Thus, the authors aim to analyse the content level of the assurance statements and to test whether it is affected by certain corporate variables and by the type of practitioner chosen.

Design/methodology/approach

A legitimacy theory framework is adopted to investigate the phenomenon of sustainability report assurance services in Italy. The authors developed an assurance statement disclosure index (ASDI) constructed on the basis of the standards ISAE 3000 and AA1000AS. Thus, the authors tested whether the ASDI is affected by certain corporate variables using an ordinary least square (OLS) regression model. To test how each specific item is related to the assurance provider, a contingency table was developed.

Findings

The results of this paper show many differences in the assurance statements content in particular with reference to the criteria used, conclusive comments and recommendations. The presence of a corporate social responsibility committee and an expert who serves on it is positively related to a higher rank on the ASDI. In contrast, Big4 firms seem to be associated with a lower disclosure rank. Finally, Big4 are positively associated with the indications of the provider’s characteristics and negatively with their conclusive comments and recommendations.

Originality/value

This paper presents some findings in an area where little evidence exists, that is, the effects of some variables on the quantity of information disclosed in the assurance statements.
Basic solution of two collinear mode-I cracks in the orthotropic medium by use of the non-local theory
Authors: Liu Haitao
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the basic solution of two collinear mode-I cracks in the orthotropic medium by the use of the non-local theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Meanwhile, the generalized Almansi’s theorem and the Schmidt method are used. By the Fourier transform, it is converted to a pair of dual integral equations.

Findings

Numerical examples are provided to show the effects of the crack length, the distance between the two collinear cracks and the lattice parameter on the stress field near the crack tips in the orthotropic medium.

Originality/value

The present solution exhibits no stress singularity at the crack tips in the orthotropic medium.
The effect of temperature-dependent properties on generalized magneto-thermo-elastic medium with two-temperature under three-phase-lag model
Authors: Othman Mohamed I.A. , Elmaklizi Yassmin D. , Mansoure Nehal T.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the propagation of plane waves in an isotropic elastic medium under the effect of rotation, magnetic field and temperature-dependent properties with two‐temperatures.

Design/methodology/approach

The problem has been solved analytically by using the normal mode analysis.

Findings

The numerical results are given and presented graphically when mechanical and thermal force are applied. Comparisons are made with the results predicted by the three-phase-lag (3PHL) model and dual-phase-lag model in the presence and absence of cases where the modulus of elasticity is independent of temperature.

Originality/value

In this work, the authors study the influence of rotation and magnetic field with two‐temperature on thermoelastic isotropic medium when the modulus of elasticity is taken as a linear function of reference temperature in the context of the 3PHL model. The numerical results for the field quantities are obtained and represented graphically.
Transversal skills development through cooperative learning. Training teachers for the future
Authors: Larraz Natalia , Vázquez Sandra , Liesa Marta
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze and assess the impact of cooperative learning in the acquisition of generic skills in teaching students.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology underlying this research has a qualitative orientation. Anad hocquestionnaire has been used as an instrument, in addition to a team notebook, and the observation as procedure to analyze the perceptions of the students in the process.

Findings

The main results indicate that thanks to the active methodologies, more specifically, the cooperative learning, students develop and improve transferable skills, such as negotiation, leadership, teamwork, reflection, etc. Similarly, the authors have observed improvements in the classroom environment and their social interactions.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations and possible implications of this study are in the direction of analyzing the implemented cooperative learning methodology techniques to observe the existence of differences in learning. Moreover, they are also related to the analyzing of individual implications for teamwork to assess group learning and its influence on motivation and teamwork. Finally, they are related to the analysis of the involvement of observation and self-regulatory mechanisms in the teamwork learning.

Practical implications

With this research, the authors incise in the necessary methodological change in universities, responding to the demands of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and highlight the importance of using active methodologies.

Social implications

Cooperative learning is an effective teacher training tool for future teachers who will have to develop in an interpersonal context and, in turn, will teach students who need to acquire a personal and social skills.

Originality/value

This paper evaluates the impact of using active methodologies and how they contribute to the development of transversal or generic competencies in a real context of university learning.
Digital technology and marketing management capability: achieving growth in SMEs
Authors: Foroudi Pantea , Gupta Suraksha , Nazarian Alireza , Duda Marta
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationships between digital technology, tangible/intangible assets and marketing capabilities to gain more insight into the factors related to small- and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs’) growth in the UK. Based on the resource-advantage theory, this research addresses the question “to what extent does digital technology influence marketing capability which leads to companies’ growth?”

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered through 21 in-depth interviews with managers from different multinational organizations and six focus groups with employees.

Findings

The study identifies the two key components of digital technology as information quality and service convenience. In addition, the relationships between digital technology, tangible/intangible assets and marketing capabilities perform the significant role of facilitator of a company’s growth.

Research limitations/implications

The focus on UK SMEs limits the generalizability of the results. Further studies should be conducted in other sectors and country settings to examine the associations identified in the current study.

Originality/value

This study identifies the main impacts of digital technology on intellectual/physical assets. While managers and employees have specified that marketing capability is significant for organizations, there are a few other areas of concern with regard to consequences related to a company’s growth, competence and core competence, particularly in an SME’s setting.
The soul of business
Authors: Czinkota Michael
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analysis the relationship between business ethics and business activities in the dynamic world. Corporations are increasingly expected to play a stronger role as a collaborator with government and society in finding solutions to future challenges. Money no longer is the only or ultimate outcome of business. Business executives like to see themselves as self-sufficient, societally supportive and leading.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a case study.

Findings

Four new core areas need to be understood which are a field’s pillars for a shining business position: truthfulness, simplicity, expanded participation and personal responsibility. In addition, the introduction of guiding key tenets in the educational curriculum of business schools need to be considered.

Originality/value

This study focuses on business ethnics.
Evaluating the impact of corporate logos towards corporate reputation
Authors: Foroudi Pantea , Hafeez Khalid , Foroudi Mohammad M.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of corporate logos on corporate image and reputation in creating competitive advantage in the context of Persia and Mexico as emerging markets. The paper provides an extensive links between corporate logo and its dimension and internal stakeholders’ attitudes towards advertisement, familiarity and recognisability as intermediaries to corporate image and reputation.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative exploratory approach was undertaken, comprising 12 face-to-face interviews and 14 skype in-depth interviews with graphic designers, design, communication and marketing consultant in Mexico and Persia based on attribution theory.

Findings

The study posits that the more favorable the name, colour, typeface and design of the company logo, the more favorable the attitude Mexican consumers have towards the corporate logo, corporate image and reputation. However, in comparison for Persia these factors have less effect on customers’ judgment and behaviour, towards the corporate logo, corporate image and reputation. The research findings suggest that the selection of colour in a corporate logo is related to its marketing objectives, cultural values, desired customer relationship levels with the organisation and organisation’s corporate communications.

Originality/value

Corporate logo has received little attention in marketing literature and rarely researched in the context of emerging market. This is the first research of its kind to find the effect of the compound logo in emerging markets of Persia and Mexico. Therefore, this research makes significant contribution towards the corporate visual identity literature by developing of the sphere of influence of the corporate logo and its antecedents and consequences (corporate image and corporate reputation).