bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the impact of international airline suspensions on the early global spread of COVID-19
Authors: Adiga Aniruddha , Venkatramanan Srinivasan , Schlitt James , Peddireddy Akhil , Dickerman Allan , Bura Andrei , Warren Andrew , Klahn Brian D , Mao Chunhong , Xie Dawen , Machi Dustin , Raymond Erin , Meng Fanchao , Barrow Golda , Mortveit Henning , Chen Jiangzhuo , Walke Jim , Goldstein Joshua , Wilson Mandy L , Orr Mark , Porebski Przemyslaw , Telionis Pyrros A , Beckman Richard , Hoops Stefan , Eubank Stephen , Baek Young Yun , Lewis Bryan , Marathe Madhav , Barrett Chris
Published: February 2020

Global airline networks play a key role in the global importation of emerging infectious diseases. Detailed information on air traffic between international airports has been demonstrated to be useful in retrospectively validating and prospectively predicting case emergence in other countries. In this paper, we use a well-established metric known as effective distance on the global air traffic data from IATA to quantify risk of emergence for different countries as a consequence of direct importation from China, and compare it against arrival times for the first 24 countries. Using this model trained on official first reports from WHO, we estimate time of arrival (ToA) for all other countries. We then incorporate data on airline suspensions to recompute the effective distance and assess the effect of such cancellations in delaying the estimated arrival time for all other countries. Finally we use the infectious disease vulnerability indices to explain some of the estimated reporting delays.
Modulation of the Cardiac Sodium Channel NaV1.5 Peak and Late Currents by NAD+Precursors
Authors: Matasic Daniel S. , Yoon Jin-Young , McLendon Jared M. , Mehdi Haider , Schmidt Mark S. , Greiner Alexander M. , Quinones Pravda , Morgan Gina M. , Boudreau Ryan L. , Irani Kaikobad , Brenner Charles , London Barry
Published: February 2020

Rationale

The cardiac sodium channel NaV1.5, encoded bySCN5A, produces the rapidly inactivating depolarizing current INathat is responsible for the initiation and propagation of the cardiac action potential. Acquired and inherited dysfunction of NaV1.5 results in either decreased peak INaor increased residual late INa(INa,L), leading to tachy/bradyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Previous studies have shown that increased cellular NAD+and NAD+/NADH ratio increase INathrough suppression of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and PKC-mediated NaV1.5 phosphorylation. In addition, NAD+-dependent deacetylation of NaV1.5 at K1479 by Sirtuin 1 increases NaV1.5 membrane trafficking and INa. The role of NAD+precursors in modulating INaremains unknown.

Objective

To determine whether and by which mechanisms the NAD+precursors nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide (NAM) affect peak INaand INa,Lin vitroand cardiac electrophysiologyin vivo.

Methods and Results

The effects of NAD+precursors on the NAD+metabolome and electrophysiology were studied using HEK293 cells expressing wild-type and mutant NaV1.5, rat neonatal cardiomyocytes (RNCMs), and mice. NR increased INain HEK293 cells expressing NaV1.5 (500 μM: 51 ± 18%, p=0.02, 5 mM: 59 ± 22%, p=0.03) and RNCMs (500 µM: 60 ± 26%, p=0.02, 5 mM: 75 ± 39%, p=0.03) while reducing INa,Lat the higher concentration (RNCMs, 5 mM: −45 ± 11%, p=0.04). NR (5 mM) decreased NaV1.5 K1479 acetylation but increased INain HEK293 cells expressing a mutant form of NaV1.5 with disruption of the acetylation site (NaV1.5-K1479A). Disruption of the PKC phosphorylation site abolished the effect of NR on INa. Furthermore, NAM (5 mM) had no effect on INain RNCMs or in HEK293 cells expressing wild-type NaV1.5, but increased INain HEK293 cells expressing NaV1.5-K1479A. Dietary supplementation with NR for 10-12 weeks decreased QTc in C57BL/6J mice (0.35% NR: −4.9 ± 2.0%, p=0.26; 1.0% NR: −9.5 ± 2.8%, p=0.01).

Conclusions

NAD+precursors differentially regulate NaV1.5 via multiple mechanisms. NR increases INa, decreases INa,L, and warrants further investigation as a potential therapy for arrhythmic disorders caused by NaV1.5 deficiency and/or dysfunction.
Dynamics of visual perceptual decision-making in freely behaving mice
Authors: You Wen-Kai , Mysore Shreesh P.
Published: February 2020

Studying the temporal dynamics of perceptual decisions offers key insights into the cognitive processes contributing to it. Conducting such investigation in a genetically tractable animal model can facilitate the subsequent unpacking of the mechanistic basis of different stages in perceptual dynamics. Here, we investigated the time course as well as fundamental psychophysical constants governing visual perceptual decision-making in freely behaving mice. We did so by analyzing response accuracy against reaction time (i.e., conditional accuracy), in a series of 2-AFC orientation discrimination tasks in which we varied target size, luminance, duration, and presence of a foil. Our results quantified two distinct stages in the time course of mouse visual decision-making - a ‘sensory encoding’ stage, in which conditional accuracy exhibits a classic tradeoff with response speed, and a subsequent ‘short term memory-dependent’ stage in which conditional accuracy exhibits a classic asymptotic decay following stimulus offset. We estimated the duration of visual sensory encoding as 200-320 ms across tasks, the lower bound of the duration of short-term memory as ~1700 ms, and the briefest duration of visual stimulus input that is informative as ≤50 ms. Separately, by varying stimulus onset delay, we demonstrated that the conditional accuracy function and RT distribution can be independently modulated, and found that the duration for which mice naturally withhold from responding is a quantitative metric of impulsivity. Taken together, our results establish a quantitative foundation for investigating the neural circuit bases of visual decision dynamics in mice.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

This study presents a quantitative breakdown of the time course of visual decision-making in mice during naturalistic behavior. It demonstrates parallel stages in mouse visual perceptual decision dynamics to those in humans, estimates their durations, and shows that mice are able to discriminate well under challenging visual conditions – with stimuli that are brief, low luminance, and small. These results set the stage for investigating the neural bases of visual perceptual decision dynamics and their dysfunction in mice.
Epidemiological characteristics of 1212 COVID-19 patients in Henan, China
Authors: Wang Pei , Lu Jun-an , Jin Yanyu , Zhu Mengfan , Wang Lingling , Chen Shunjie
Published: February 2020

Based on publicly released data for 1212 patients, we investigated the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in Henan of China. The following findings are obtained: 1) COVID-19 patients in Henan show gender (55% vs 45%) and age (81% aged between 21 and 60) preferences, possible causes were explored; 2) Statistical analysis on 483 patients reveals that the estimated average, mode and median incubation periods are 7.4, 4 and 7 days; Incubation periods of 92% patients were no more than 14 days; 3) The epidemic of COVID-19 in Henan has undergone three stages and showed high correlations with the numbers of patients that recently return from Wuhan; 4) Network analysis on the aggregate outbreak phenomena of COVID-19 revealed that 208 cases were clustering infected, and various people’s Hospital are the main force in treating patients. The related investigations have potential implications for the prevention and control of COVID-19.
Comparison of throat swabs and sputum specimens for viral nucleic acid detection in 52 cases of novel coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) infected pneumonia (COVID-19)
Authors: Lin Chenyao , Xiang Jie , Yan Mingzhe , Li Hongze , Huang Shuang , Shen Changxin
Published: February 2020

Background

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infected pneumonia (COVID-19) occurred in Wuhan, China. Diagnostic test based on real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay (qRT-PCR) was the main means of confirmation, and sample collection was mostly throat swabs, which was easy to miss the diagnosis. It is necessary to seek specimen types with higher detection efficiency and accuracy.

Methods

Paired specimens of throat swabs and sputum were obtained from 54 cases, and RNA was extracted and tested for 2019-nCoV (equated with SARS-CoV-2) by qRT-PCR assay.

Results

The positive rates of 2019-nCoV from sputum specimens and throat swabs were 76.9% and 44.2%, respectively. Sputum specimens showed a significantly higher positive rate than throat swabs in detecting viral nucleic acid using qRT-PCR assay (P=0.001).

Conclusions

The detection rates of 2019-nCoV from sputum specimens are significantly higher than throat swabs. We suggest that sputum would benefit for the detection of 2019-nCoV in patients who produce sputum. The results can facilitate the selection of specimens and increase the accuracy of diagnosis.
Evolving epidemiology of novel coronavirus diseases 2019 and possible interruption of local transmission outside Hubei Province in China: a descriptive and modeling study
Authors: Zhang Juanjuan , Litvinova Maria , Wang Wei , Wang Yan , Deng Xiaowei , Chen Xinghui , Li Mei , Zheng Wen , Yi Lan , Chen Xinhua , Wu Qianhui , Liang Yuxia , Wang Xiling , Yang Juan , Sun Kaiyuan , Longini Ira M. , Halloran M. Elizabeth , Wu Peng , Cowling Benjamin J. , Merler Stefano , Viboud Cecile , Vespignani Alessandro , Ajelli Marco , Yu Hongjie
Published: February 2020

Background

The COVID-19 epidemic originated in Wuhan City of Hubei Province in December 2019 and has spread throughout China. Understanding the fast evolving epidemiology and transmission dynamics of the outbreak beyond Hubei would provide timely information to guide intervention policy.

Methods

We collected individual information on 8,579 laboratory-confirmed cases from official publically sources reported outside Hubei in mainland China, as of February 17, 2020. We estimated the temporal variation of the demographic characteristics of cases and key time-to-event intervals. We used a Bayesian approach to estimate the dynamics of the net reproduction number (Rt) at the provincial level.

Results

The median age of the cases was 44 years, with an increasing of cases in younger age groups and the elderly as the epidemic progressed. The delay from symptom onset to hospital admission decreased from 4.4 days (95%CI: 0.0-14.0) until January 27 to 2.6 days (0.0-9.0) from January 28 to February 17. The mean incubation period was estimated at 5.2 days (1.8-12.4) and the mean serial interval at 5.1 days (1.3-11.6). The epidemic dynamics in provinces outside Hubei was highly variable, but consistently included a mix of case importations and local transmission. We estimate that the epidemic was self-sustained for less than three weeks with Rt reaching peaks between 1.40 (1.04-1.85) in Shenzhen City of Guangdong Province and 2.17 (1.69-2.76) in Shandong Province. In all the analyzed locations (n=10) Rt was estimated to be below the epidemic threshold since the end of January.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the strict containment measures and movement restrictions in place may contribute to the interruption of local COVID-19 transmission outside Hubei Province. The shorter serial interval estimated here implies that transmissibility is not as high as initial estimates suggested.
Characterization of exome variants and their metabolic impact in 6,716 American Indians from Southwest US
Authors: In Kim Hye , Gosalia Nehal , Ye Bin ,   Regeneron Genetics Center, Köroğlu Çiğdem , Hanson Robert L. , Hsueh Wen-Chi , Knowler William C. , Baier Leslie J. , Bogardus Clifton , Shuldiner Alan R. , Van Hout Cristopher V.
Published: February 2020

Applying whole exome sequencing (WES) to populations with unique genetic architecture has the potential to reveal novel genes and variants associated with traits and diseases. We sequenced and analyzed the exomes of 6,716 individuals from an American Indian population in Southwest US (Southwestern American Indian, or SWAI) with well-characterized metabolic traits. We found that individuals of SWAI have distinct allelic architecture compared to individuals with European and East Asian ancestry, with many predicted loss-of-function (pLOF) and nonsynonymous variants that were highly enriched or private in SWAI. We evaluated gene-level associations with metabolic traits using pLOF and nonsynonymous variants in SWAI. Many of the candidate genes from previous GWAS studies for body mass index, type 2 diabetes, and plasma lipid levels were associated with respective traits in SWAI. Notably, these associations were mainly driven by pLOF and nonsynonymous variants that are unique or highly enriched in American Indians, many of which have not been observed in other populations or functionally characterized. Our study illustrates the utility and potential of WES in American Indians to prioritize candidate effector genes within GWAS loci and to find novel variants in known diseases genes with potential clinical impact.
Neural manifold under plasticity in a goal driven learning behaviour
Authors: Feulner Barbara , Clopath Claudia
Published: February 2020

Neural activity is often low dimensional and dominated by only a few prominent neural covariation patterns. It has been hypothesised that these covariation patterns could form the building blocks used for fast and flexible motor control. Supporting this idea, recent experiments have shown that monkeys can learn to adapt their neural activity in motor cortex on a timescale of minutes, given that the change lies within the original low-dimensional subspace, also called neural manifold. However, the neural mechanism underlying this within-manifold adaptation remains unknown. Here, we show in a computational model that modification of recurrent weights, driven by a learned feedback signal, can account for the observed behavioural difference between within- and outside-manifold learning. Our findings give a new perspective, showing that recurrent weight changes do not necessarily lead to change in the neural manifold. On the contrary, successful learning is naturally constrained to a common subspace.
A unified neurocomputational bilateral model of spoken language production in healthy participants and recovery in post-stroke aphasia
Authors: Chang Ya-Ning , Ralph Matthew A. Lambon
Published: February 2020

Understanding the processes underlying normal, impaired and recovered language performance has been a long-standing goal for cognitive and clinical neuroscience. Many verbally-described hypotheses about language lateralisation and recovery have been generated. However, they have not been considered within a single, unified and implemented computational framework, and the literatures on healthy participants and patients are largely separated. These investigations also span different types of data, including behavioural results and fMRI brain activations, which augment the challenge for any unified theory. Consequently, many key issues, apparent contradictions and puzzles remain to be solved. We developed a neurocomputational, bilateral pathway model of spoken language production, designed to provide a unified framework to simulate different types of data from healthy participants and aphasic patients. The model encapsulates key computational principles (differential computational capacity, emergent division of labour across pathways, experience-dependent plasticity-related recovery) and provides an explanation for the bilateral yet asymmetric lateralisation of language in healthy participants, chronic aphasia after left rather than right hemisphere lesions, and the basis of partial recovery in patients. The model provides a formal basis for understanding the relationship between behavioural performance and brain activation. The unified model is consistent with the degeneracy and variable neuro-displacement theories of language recovery, and adds computational insights to these hypotheses regarding the neural machinery underlying language processing and plasticity-related recovery following damage.

Significance Statement

Studies of healthy and impaired language have generated many verbally-described hypotheses. Whilst these verbal descriptions have advanced our understanding of language processing, some explanations are mutually incompatible and it is unclear how they work mechanistically. We constructed a neurocomputational bilateral model of spoken language production to simulate a range of phenomena in healthy participants and patients with aphasia simultaneously, including language lateralisation, impaired performance after left but not right damage, and hemispheric involvement in plasticity-dependent recovery. The model demonstrates how seemly contradictory findings can be simulated within a single framework. To our knowledge, this provides the first coherent mechanistic account of language lateralisation and recovery from post-stroke aphasia.
Control of spontaneous activity patterns by inhibitory signaling in the developing visual cortex
Authors: Leighton Alexandra H. , Houwen Gerrit J. , Cheyne Juliette E. , Maldonado Paloma P. , De Winter Fred , Lohmann Christian
Published: February 2020

During early development, even before the senses are active, bursts of activity travel across the nervous system. This spontaneously generated activity drives the refinement of synaptic connections, preparing young networks for patterned sensory input. Synaptic fine-tuning relies not only on the presence of spontaneous activity, but also on the specific characteristics of these activity patterns, such as their frequency, amplitude and synchronicity. Here, we provide evidence that these crucial characteristics are shaped by the relative balance of excitation and inhibition, where patterns with distinct characteristics have different excitatory/inhibitory ratios. Inhibition can control whether cells participate during a spontaneous event, as pharmacogenetic suppression of the somatostatin (SST) expressing subtype of inhibitory interneurons increased cell recruitment and lateral spread of events.
Association of radiologic findings with mortality of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China
Authors: Yuan Mingli , Yin Wen , Tao Zhaowu , Tan Weijun , Hu Yi
Published: February 2020

Background

Radiologic characteristics of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infected pneumonia (NCIP) which had not been fully understood are especially important for diagnosing and predicting prognosis.

Purpose

To summarize the clinical and radiologic characteristics of NCIP cases and analyze the association of radiologic findings with mortality cases.

Material and methods

We retrospective studied 27 consecutive patients who were confirmed NCIP, the clinical characteristics and CT image findings were collected, and the association of radiologic findings with mortality of patients was evaluated.

Results

27 patients included 12 men and 15 women, with median age of 60 years (IQR 47-69). 17 patients discharged in recovered condition and 10 patients died in hospital. The median age of mortality group was higher compared to survival group (68 (IQR 63-73) vs 55 (IQR 35-60), P = 0.003). The comorbidity rate in mortality group was significantly higher than in survival group (80% vs 29%, P = 0.018). The predominant CT characteristics consisted of ground glass opacity (67%), bilateral sides involved (86%), both peripheral and central distribution (74%), and lower zone involvement (96%). The median CT score of mortality group was higher compared to survival group (30 (IQR 7-13) vs 12 (IQR 11-43), P = 0.021), with more frequency of consolidation (40% vs 6%, P = 0.047) and air bronchogram (60% vs 12%, P = 0.025). An optimal cutoff value of a CT score of 24.5 had a sensitivity of 85.6% and a specificity of 84.5% for the prediction of mortality.

Conclusions

2019-nCoV was more likely to infect elderly people with chronic comorbidities. CT findings of NCIP were featured by predominant ground glass opacities mixed with consolidations, mainly peripheral or combined peripheral and central distributions, bilateral and lower lung zones being mostly involved. A simple CT scoring method was capable to predict mortality.
Decellularized Plant-Based Scaffolds for Guided Alignment of Myoblast Cells
Authors: Campuzano Santiago , Mogilever Nicolette B. , Pelling Andrew E.
Published: February 2020

Alignment and orientation of cellsin vivoplays a crucial role in the functionality of tissue. A challenged faced by traditional cell culture approaches is that the majority of two-dimensional substrates fail to induce a controlled alignment of cellsin vitro. To address this challenge, approaches utilizing mechanical stresses, exposure to electrical fields, structurally aligned biomaterials and/or textured microfabricated substrates, have been developed to control the organization of cells through microenvironmental stimuli. In the field of muscle tissue engineering it is often desirable to control the alignment and fusion of muscle precursor cells as it more closely resemblesin vivoconditions. In this study, we utilize plant-derived cellulose biomaterials to control thein vitroalignment of C2C12 murine myoblasts. We hereby report that cells display a clear sensitivity to the highly aligned vascular bundle architectures found in decellularized celery (Apium graveolens). Conveniently, the xylem and phloem channels lie within the 10-100μm diameter, which has been shown to be optimal diameter for myoblast alignment through contact guidance. Following 10 days in proliferation media, F-actin filaments were observed to be aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vascular bundle. Subsequently, following 5 days in differentiation media, myoblast maintained an aligned morphology, which led to the formation of aligned myotubes. We therefore conclude that the microtopography of the vascular bundle guides muscle cell alignment. The results presented here highlight the potential of this plant-derived scaffold forin vitrostudies of muscle myogenesis, where structural anisotropy is required to more closely resemblein vivoconditions.
Ice2 promotes ER membrane biogenesis in yeast by inhibiting the conserved lipin phosphatase complex
Authors: Papagiannidis Dimitrios , Bircham Peter W. , Lüchtenborg Christian , Ruffini Giulia , Brügger Britta , Schuck Sebastian
Published: February 2020

Cells dynamically adapt organelle size to current physiological demand. Organelle growth requires membrane biogenesis and therefore needs to be coordinated with lipid metabolism. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) can undergo massive expansion, but the regulatory mechanisms that govern ER membrane biogenesis are largely unclear. Here, we conduct a genetic screen for factors involved in ER membrane expansion in budding yeast and identify the ER transmembrane protein Ice2 as a strong hit. We show that Ice2 promotes ER membrane biogenesis by opposing the phosphatidic acid phosphatase Pah1, which is called lipin in metazoa. Ice2 inhibits the conserved Nem1-Spo7 complex, which dephosphorylates and thus activates Pah1. Furthermore, Ice2 cooperates with the transcriptional regulation of lipid synthesis genes and helps to maintain ER homeostasis during ER stress. These findings establish inhibition of the lipin phosphatase complex as an important mechanism for controlling ER membrane biogenesis.
Compulsive buying of branded apparel, its antecedents, and the mediating role of brand attachment
Authors: Lim Xin-Jean , Cheah Jun-Hwa , Cham Tat Huei , Ting Hiram , Memon Mumtaz Ali
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Compulsive buying continues to be a maladaptive behavior that draws the attention of both scholars and marketers. The present study aims to investigate the determinants of compulsive buying, which are conceptualized as impulsive and obsessive–compulsive buying, and the mediation effect of brand attachment.

Design/methodology/approach

Using purposive sampling, a self-administered questionnaire was completed by 600 young consumers in Malaysia. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The results show that materialism, utilitarian value, and brand attachment are positively related to impulsive buying, while materialism, hedonic value, and brand attachment have a positive effect on obsessive–compulsive buying. In addition, brand attachment is found to mediate the effect of materialism and utilitarian value on both compulsive buying.

Research limitations/implications

The study provides new insights into brand management literature by examining the predictors of impulsive and obsessive–compulsive buying. Moreover, brand attachment is found to be a significant mechanism that induces negative buying behavior. However, due to the growth of online shopping, future research should consider different types of retailers to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter in the modern business landscape.

Originality/value

Being one of the few studies to address both impulsive and obsessive–compulsive buying behaviors among consumers, this study highlights the essential role of brand attachment as a mediator in the contemporary setting. Moreover, the interrelationships between self-congruence, materialism, hedonic value, utilitarian value, brand attachment, and compulsive buying behavior are examined in a holistic manner.
DICOM-based medical image repository using DSpace
Authors: Hazarika Hirak Jyoti , Handique Akash , S. Ravikumar S. Ravikumar
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to provide image repository to the medical professional in an open source platform, which will increase the visibility of Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) image in a network mode; further, the proposed system will reduce the storage cost of the images to significant level.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have developed a new institutional repository model for the medical professionals cum radiologists to preserve, store and retrieve medical images from one database with the help of open source software. The authors used JavaScript programming to integrate and develop the DICOM Standard with DSpace.

Findings

Major outcome of this work is that DICOM images can be accommodated in DSpace without modifying the image properties and keeping intact the various dimensions of image viewing options. Further, it was found that the images are retrieved without any ease because of the robust indexing system.

Research limitations/implications

Major limitation of this study was the size of the data (5000 DICOM image) with which the authors have tested the system. The scalability of the system has to be tested on various fronts, for which separate study has to be done.

Practical implications

Once this system is in place, DICOM user can store, retrieve and access the image from Web platform. This proposed repository will be the storehouse of various DICOM images with reasonable storage costs.

Originality/value

In addition to exploring the opportunities of open source software (OSS) implementation in Medical Fields, this study includes issues related to implementation of open source repository for storing and preserving medical image. This is the first time in Library Science field to create and develop Open Source DICOM Medical Image Library with the help of DSpace. The study will create value for library professionals as well as medical professionals and OSS vendors to understand the medical market in the context of OSS.
Stay competitive in 2035: a scenario-based method to foresight in the design and manufacturing industry
Authors: Alizadeh Reza , Soltanisehat Leili
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to envision the alternative futures of the design and manufacturing industry using an integrated foresight method based on scenario planning. Also, the authors aim at developing robust strategies for an enterprise that aims to be placed as a leading high-tech international design and manufacturing company in 2035.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed approach is created by integrating several foresight methods such as Delphi, scenario planning, MICMAC and cross-impact analysis.

Findings

Automation and sustainable development are found as the fundamental driving forces in the design and manufacturing industry. Four scenarios based on these driving forces and expert knowledge are created: innovation adaptation, forced automation (business-as-usual), sustainable era and automationless scenarios. For the developed scenarios, a set of strategies are proposed by asking experts about the strategies which can be taken to make the enterprise competitive in all developed scenarios in 2035. The main macro-level outcome is that economic and technological drivers will be the most important factors for design and manufacturing, followed by environmental and social factors.

Originality/value

The proposed method uses the strengths of traditional scenario planning but overcomes its weaknesses by suggesting a systematic process for scenario building and easy application.
Needs assessment for vocational skills training for unemployed youth in eThekwini Municipality, South Africa
Authors: Mayombe Celestin
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the eThekwini Municipal Academy (EMA) conducts training needs assessments for vocational skills training for unemployed and disadvantaged youths, KwaZulu-Natal province. By examining the process of training needs assessment (TNA), the focus was on determining how it might influence the success in employment outcomes of the graduates.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher used mixed research methods of qualitative and quantitative approaches. The quantitative research method was a survey questionnaire. The survey questionnaire helped produce a detailed description of respondents' opinions and experiences. The qualitative method in the form of semi-structured interviews helped to present the data from the perspective of the training managers on the process of TNA and opportunities in accessing employment for the graduates. Purposive sampling was used to select 24 training centre managers and 512 trainees. The quantitative data were analysed using SPSS software, and data from interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

The findings revealed that the most important aspect of the TNA process was that the EMA managers selected and design a training course after consulting and engaging the stakeholders who were also prospective employers to identify needs and job availability within the companies or government departments. The author concludes that the process of TNA involving all stakeholders helped to provide vocational training programmes, which were demand-driven. The process also might promote the best and most promising practices enhancing the transition from skills acquisition to skills utilisation in the labour market.

Practical implications

The results of the study have shown the three main factors that affect the TNA process, which are an individual or person analysis, consulting key stakeholders and labour market assessment. It is hoped that the results of the study can be used by training practitioners for better understanding of factors that can contribute to the effectiveness of vocational skills training for unemployed youth.

Originality/value

The paper is unique because it contributes to the knowledge by explaining the link between the effectiveness of vocational skills training and a proper TNA for unemployed youth. It also provides knowledge on key factors in conducting the TNA process by involving all stakeholders. Existing TNA research focuses on competency-based need analysis for employees of companies, organisations and institutions. Therefore, this paper is significant because it helps to understand the role of TNA in enhancing the effectiveness of vocational skills training for unemployed and disadvantaged youths.
What make banks’ front-line staff more customer oriented? The role of interactional justice
Authors: Dang Thuy T. , Pham Anh D.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

While technological advances have been changing the way that services are delivered to customers, direct interaction between banks’ front-line staff and customers still holds its distinct position in the banking sector. This research investigates the relationship between interactional justice and the willingness of commercial banks’ front-line staff to engage in customer-centric behaviors, as well as the mediators behind this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This research combined both qualitative and quantitative research methods. In-depth interviews were employed to explore the potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between interactional justice and customer-centric behavior and to develop the specific measurement scale for customer-centric behavior in the banking service context. A survey was conducted to test the conceptual model using a sample of 312 customer contact employees working in Vietnamese commercial banks.

Findings

The research results indicate that interactional justice significantly enhances employees’ willingness to engage in customer-centric behaviors, and this relationship is partially mediated by overall job satisfaction and the leader-member exchange relationship.

Research limitations/implications

This research faces several limitations. The first limitation concerns the fact that the data are based on self-reports, which might lead to common method biases. Second, this study used a sample drawn from the North of Vietnam only. Third, this study adopted a limited set of measurement items due to the concerns of model parsimony and data collection efficiency. Fourth, we followed prior justice work to assume the linear relationship between interactional justice and leader-member exchange, in which the leader-member exchange is hypothesized to be the outcome of fair treatment (Erdogan and Liden, 2006; Mastersonet al., 2000). Last, we only considered how leaders treat their followers through the lens of interactional justice, while interactional justice differentiation has also been affirmed as a crucial determinant of leader-member exchange and employees’ performance.

Originality/value

This research is noteworthy that it is the first to take a social exchange perspective to examine customer-oriented behavior as an outcome of interpersonal interactions in the workplace. Accordingly, it delivers a key message to bank supervisors: “Treat employees the way you want your customers to be treated.”
Research on the influence of balance patch on players' character preference
Authors: Wang Qi , Yang Yi , Li Zhengren , Liu Na , Zhang Xiaohang
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The balance patch is an important but not well studied area to maintain game fairness and improve player entertainment. In this paper, we examine the effect of balance patch on player's character preference and further explore the moderating effect of psychological distance and character selection pattern.

Design/methodology/approach

In study 1, a web crawler was used to get server-side data of 40, 974 multi-player online battle arena (MOBA) players through official application programming interfaces (APIs). A paired-Ttest and a stepwise regression were performed to verify the hypothesis. In study 2, a 2-patch type (buff vs nerf) × 2 psychological distance (near vs distant) × 2 character selection pattern (stable vs variable) between-subjects design was adopted to confirm the empirical conclusions through questionnaire survey design and further explored the mediating effect of patch adjustment perception.

Findings

The analyzed results showed that the buff patch led to an increase in players' character preference, while the nerf patch led to a decrease in players' character preference. Moreover, the main effect was mediated by patch adjustment perception. Furthermore, psychological distance and character selection pattern both moderated the relationship between balance patch and character preference changes. The character preference of the near psychological distance increased more significantly elicited by buff patches and decreased more significantly in an adverse situation. Similarly, players with variable selection pattern of characters were more sensitive to the stimuli, and the character preference of the variable group changed more significantly than that of the stable group caused by balance patch release.

Originality/value

This paper studies the influence of a patch on the balance of character strength on player preference, which expands the research on game balance and fairness. The present results contribute to the theoretical research on consumer behavior of psychological distance and character selection pattern elicited by balance patches. Meanwhile, the results indicate that psychological distance theory can apply to the study of the relationship between players and virtual characters.
Dynamic factor demand in the Japanese manufacturing industry
Authors: Kim Sangho
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study investigates the dynamic production structure of the Japanese manufacturing industry by using the adjustment cost approach. The study is to shed some light on the unique dynamic structure of the Japanese manufacturing industry. The study attempts to help design and predict industrial policies that are implemented to enhance domestic investments by the Japanese government.

Design/methodology/approach

This study obtains a system of dynamic factor demand and output supply equations by applying the dual approach to the intertemporal value function as represented by the Hamilton–Jacobi equation. By using industrial panel data for 1973–2012 of the Japanese manufacturing industry, the study estimates the system of the behavioral equations and corresponding elasticities. The study uses hypothesis tests and dynamic elasticities to investigate the dynamic structure of the Japanese manufacturing industry.

Findings

Estimation results show that labor and capital are quasi-fixed variables that adjust about 0.2 percent annually to the long-run optimum levels. Estimated adjustment rates are very slow as often presumed about the Japanese manufacturing industry, which uses lifetime employment practice and slow decision-making process in investment decisions. The results also show that output supply and factor demand elasticities vary greatly depending on time horizon. Factor demand increases when its own price increases in the short run, suggesting that factor adjustment is mostly determined factor prices in the past due to sluggish factor adjustment. However, factor demand becomes a normal downward-sloping curve in the long run as factor adjustment gets completed.

Originality/value

Japanese manufacturing firms hire employees through lifetime contract to exploit the benefits of dynamic learning-by-doing and execute investments carefully considering all the possible impacts. Under the strategy, adjustment costs for changing workers and capital stock are minimized. Dynamic adjustment model is expected to shed some light on the unique dynamic structure of the Japanese manufacturing industry. However, researches regarding the dynamic factor adjustment of the Japanese manufacturing industry are hard to find. This study is expected to fill the research vacuum.
Hedging and effectiveness of Indian currency futures market
Authors: Kharbanda Varuna , Singh Archana
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to measure the effectiveness of the hedging with futures currency contracts. Measuring the effectiveness of hedging has become mandatory for Indian companies as the new Indian accounting standards, Ind-AS, specify that the effectiveness of hedges taken by the companies should be evaluated using quantitative methods but leaves it to the company to choose a method of evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper compares three models for evaluating the effectiveness of hedge – ordinary least square (OLS), vector error correction model (VECM) and dynamic conditional correlation multivariate GARCH (DCC-MGARCH) model. The OLS and VECM are the static models, whereas DCC-MGARCH is a dynamic model.

Findings

The overall results of the study show that dynamic model (DCC-MGARCH) is a better model for calculating the hedge effectiveness as it outperforms OLS and VECM models.

Practical implications

The new Indian accounting standards (Ind-AS) mandates the calculation of hedge effectiveness. The results of this study are useful for the treasurers in identifying appropriate method for evaluation of hedge effectiveness. Similarly, policymakers and auditors are benefitted as the study provides clarity on different methods of evaluation of hedging effectiveness.

Originality/value

Many previous studies have evaluated the efficiency of the Indian currency futures market, but with rising importance of hedging in the Indian companies, Reserve Bank of India’s initiatives and encouragement for the use of futures for hedging the currency risk and now the mandatory accounting requirement for measuring hedging effectiveness, it has become more relevant to evaluate the effectiveness of hedge. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is one of the first few papers which evaluate the effectiveness of the currency future hedging.
Forms of suicide communication are not associated with five-factor personality
Authors: Schuler Kaitlyn R. , Basu Natasha , Fadoir Nicholas A. , Marie Laura , Smith Phillip N.
Published: February 2020

Purpose

US age-adjusted suicide rates increased by 33 per cent from 1999 to 2017 (Hedegardet al., 2018). Communications about suicide and death are a commonly cited warning sign (SPRC, 2014) and are foundational to the vast majority of risk assessment, prevention and intervention practices. Suicidal communications are critically understudied despite their implications for prevention and intervention practices. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between five factor model personality traits and forms of suicidal communications.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 154 people admitted to emergency psychiatry for suicide ideation or attempt completed self-report measures about their suicide ideation and behavior. Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA examined differences between five-factor model personality domains and forms of communications.

Findings

There were no significant differences; however, two nonsignificant trends related to indirect or non-communication and extraversion and openness emerged.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies should focus on using more nuanced measures of dimensional personality and suicidal communications.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine differences in the Five-Factor Model personality traits and suicidal communications.
Governance and performance in co-exploitation and co-exploration projects
Authors: Solís-Molina Miguel , Hernández-Espallardo Miguel , Rodríguez-Orejuela Augusto
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how contractual vs. informal governance influences the performance of collaborative innovation projects considering their exploitation vs. exploration character.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected from a sample of 218 companies that have developed innovative projects in collaboration with other organizations. Regression models are estimated to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that contractual governance is the most effective for co-exploitation projects compared to informal governance. Specialization in either contractual or informal governance is more effective for co-exploration projects.

Practical implications

Developing collaborative innovation projects with other organizations is an alternative for firms to innovate either by exploiting complementary assets or by exploring new opportunities. Thus, the success of the collaborative innovation project is significantly affected by the way the collaboration is governed. On the one hand, for co-exploitation projects, companies should rely on contracts to improve their performance. On the other hand, for co-exploration projects, governance may specialize in either contracts or informal mechanisms to reach higher performance.

Originality/value

Despite previous studies analyzing the effect of contractual or informal governance on the performance of collaborative innovation projects, no research has focused on comparing simultaneously these effects, by using the innovation character of the project of co-exploitation or co-exploration as a moderator. Therefore, this paper explores comparatively the most effective type of governance mechanism for co-exploitation and co-exploration projects.
Long-term unemployment
Authors: Apergis Emmanuel , Apergis Nicholas
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper empirically explores the role of skill losses during unemployment behind firms' behaviour in interviewing long-term unemployed

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis makes use of the Work Employment Relations Survey in the UK, while it applies a panel probit modelling approach to estimate the empirical findings.

Findings

The findings document that skill losses during long-term unemployment reduce the likelihood of an interview, while they emphasize the need for certain policies that could compensate for this deterioration of skills. For robustness check, the estimation strategy survives the examination of the same predictors under different types of the working environment.

Originality/value

The original values of the work 1 combines for the first time both duration and technology as predictors of interview probability. Until now, the independent variables were used to test whether an individual has managed to exit unemployment, thus skipping the step of the interview process.
Understanding the lived experience of British non-offending paedophiles
Authors: Dymond Harriet , Duff Simon
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Research into paedophilia mainly uses offender samples; thus, little is understood about non-offending paedophiles. The limited body of research has been conducted in North America or Europe whose health and legal systems differ from those in the UK. Using semi-structured interviews, the purpose of this study is to explore the experience of three non-offending British paedophilic males.

Design/methodology/approach

The interview discussed their paedophilia, refraining from offending and perspectives on treatment initiatives. Data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Findings

Three superordinate themes emerged: “paedophilia as more than a sexuality,” “acceptance leads to management” and “barriers to support.” These encapsulated how paedophilia was understood, how accepting one’s sexual attraction is tantamount to well-being and the various obstacles to providing support were discussed.

Research limitations/implications

Acknowledging the sampling considerations (size and recruitment), the results implicate research into paedophilia. The onset of paedophilia was chronologically associated with typical sexual attraction, and not the result of sexual abuse as some theories suggest. Furthermore, the tenets of attraction to children extending beyond sexual desire were highlighted. Practically, the results influence future research into the area and highlight the dearth in our understanding of diverse behavioural management techniques (i.e. computerised images of children or human-like dolls).

Originality/value

This paper presents novel insight into the aspects of paedophilia, excluding offensive behaviour and highlights the need for affordable, UK-based services targeted towards people with a paedophilic attraction to manage child sexual abuse preventatively and not reactively.