bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infrared thermography cannot be used to approximate core body temperature in wild primates
Authors: McFarland Richard , Barrett Louise , Fuller Andrea , Hetem Robyn S , Porter Warren , Young Christopher , Henzi S Peter
Published: September 2020

Understanding the physiological processes that underpin primate performance is key if we are to assess how a primate might respond when navigating new and changing environments. Given the connection between an animal’s ability to thermoregulate and the changing demands of its thermal environment, increasing attention is being devoted to the study of thermoregulatory processes as a means to assess primate performance. Infrared thermography can be used to record the body surface temperatures of free-ranging animals. However, some uncertainty remains as to how these measurements can be used to approximate core body temperature. Here, we use data collected from wild vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) to examine the relationship between infrared body surface, core body, and local climate, to determine to what extent surface temperatures reflect core body temperature. While we report a positive association between surface and core body temperature – a finding that has previously been used to justify the use of surface temperature measurements as a proxy for core temperature regulation – when we controlled for the effect of the local climate in our analyses, this relationship was no longer observed. That is, body surface temperatures were solely predicted by local climate, and not core body temperatures, suggesting that surface temperatures tell us more about the environment a primate is in, and less about the thermal status of its body core in that environment. Despite the advantages of a non-invasive means to detect and record animal temperatures, infrared thermography alone cannot be used to approximate core body temperature in wild primates.
Development of a micro-CT mouse holder for a femur defect mouse model
Authors: Paul Graeme R. , Schwilch Peter , Wehrle Esther , Kuhn Gisela A. , Müller Ralph
Published: September 2020

Correct fixation of an object is essential for accurate micro computed tomography scanning. In this document, we provide a motivation for, description of, and use cases for a mouse holder appropriate for holding an externally fixated mouse in femur fracture/defect healing experiments. In addition to rigid fixation, the holder provides heating and anaesthetic gas to ensure correct anaesthetic conditions for the animal. We provide the description and design files for a Scanco viva40 scanner, but with small changes, the holder can be used with other scanners.
Epigenetic clock and methylation study of oocytes from a bovine model of reproductive aging
Authors: Kordowitzki Paweł , Haghani Amin , Zoller Joseph A. , Li Caesar Z. , Raj Ken , Spangler Matthew L. , Horvath Steve
Published: September 2020

Cattle are an attractive animal model of fertility in women due to their high degree of similarity relative to follicle selection, embryo cleavage, blastocyst formation, and gestation length. To facilitate future studies of the epigenetic underpinnings of aging effects in the female reproductive axis, several DNA methylation-based biomarkers of aging (epigenetic clocks) for bovine oocytes are presented. One such clock was germane to only oocytes, while a dual-tissue clock was highly predictive of age in both oocytes and blood. Dual species clocks that apply to both humans and cattle were also developed and evaluated. These epigenetic clocks can be used to accurately estimate the chronological age of the oocyte donor. Both epigenetic clock studies and epigenome wide association studies revealed that blood and oocytes differ substantially with respect aging and the underlying epigenetic signatures that potentially influence the aging process. The rate of epigenetic aging was found to be slower in oocytes compared to blood, however, oocytes appeared to begin at an older epigenetic age. The epigenetic clocks for oocytes are expected to address questions in the field of reproductive aging, including the central question: how to slow aging of oocytes.
Dissociable components of oscillatory activity underly information encoding in human perception
Authors: Vidaurre Diego , Cichy Radoslaw M. , Woolrich Mark W.
Published: September 2020

Brain decoding can predict visual perception from non-invasive electrophysiological data by combining information across multiple channels. However, decoding methods typically confound together the multi-faceted and distributed neural processes underlying perception, so it is unclear what specific aspects of the neural computations involved in perception are reflected in this type of macroscale data. Using MEG data recorded while participants viewed a large number of naturalistic images, we analytically separated the brain signal into a slow 1/f drift (<5Hz) and a oscillatory response in the theta frequency band. Combined with a method for capturing between-trial variability in the way stimuli are processed, this analysis revealed that there are at least three dissociable components that contain distinct stimulus-specific information: a 1/f component, reflecting the temporally stable aspect of the stimulus representation; a global phase shift of the theta oscillation, related to differences in the speed of processing between the stimuli; and differential patterns of theta phase across channels, likely related to stimulus-specific computations. We demonstrate that common cognitive interpretations of decoding analysis can be flawed if the multicomponent nature of the signal is ignored, and suggest that, by acknowledging this fact, we can provide a more accurate interpretation of commonly observed phenomena in the study of perception.
Parvalbumin interneurons in the nucleus accumbens regulate impairment of risk avoidance inDISC1transgenic mice
Authors: Zhou Xinyi , Wu Bifeng , Xiao Qian , He Wei , Zhou Ying , Wei Pengfei , Zhang Xu , Liu Yue , Wang Jie , Li Weidong , Wang Liping , Tu Jie
Published: September 2020

One strong survival instinct in animals is to approach things that are of benefit and avoid risk. In humans, a large portion of mental disorders are accompanied by cognition-related impairments including the inability to recognize potential risks. One of the most important genes involved in risk behavior is disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 (DISC1), and animal models where this gene has some dysfunction show cognitive impairments. However, whetherDISC1mice models have an impairment in avoiding potential risks is still not fully understood. In the present study, we used DISC1-N terminal truncation (DISC1-NTM) mice to study cognitive abilities related to potential risks. We found thatDISC1-NTMmice were impaired in risk avoidance on the elevated plus maze (EPM) test, and showed impairment in social preference in a three-chamber social interaction test. Staining for c-Fos following the EPM indicated that the nucleus accumbens (NAc) was associated with risk avoidance behavior inDISC1-NTMmice. Meanwhile,in vivoelectrophysiological recordings showed that firing rates of fast spiking neurons (FS) in the NAc significantly decreased inDISC1-NTMmice following tamoxifen administration. In addition, theta band power was lower when mice shuttled from the safe (closed) arms to the risky (open) arms, an effect which disappeared after induction of the truncatedDISC1gene. Furthermore, we found throughin vitropatch clamp recording that the frequency of action potentials stimulated by current injection was lower in parvalbumin (PV) neurons in the NAc ofDISC1-NTMmice than their wild-type littermates. Risk-avoidance impairments inDISC1-NTMmice were rescued using optogenetic tools that activated NAcPVneurons. Finally, we inhibited activitiy of NAcPVneurons in PV-Cre mice, which mimicked the risk-avoidance impairment found in theDISC1-NTMmice during tests on the elevated zero maze. Taken together, our findings confirmed a cognitive impairment inDISC1-NTMmice related to risk recognition and suggests that reduced excitability of NAcPVneurons may be responsible.
A cAMP/PKA-dependent synaptically targeted lncRNA mediates structural plasticity in hippocampal neurons by functionally interacting with the Spectrin/Ankyrin Network
Authors: Grinman Eddie , Nakahata Yoshihisa , Avchalumov Yosef , Espadas Isabel , Swarnkar Supriya , Yasuda Ryohei , Puthanveettil Sathyanarayanan V.
Published: September 2020

Activity-dependent structural plasticity at the synapse requires specific changes in the neuronal transcriptome. While much is known about the role of coding elements in this process, the role of the long-noncoding transcriptome remains elusive. Here we report the discovery of an intronic long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)—termed ADEPTR—whose expression is upregulated and is synaptically transported in a cAMP/PKA-dependent manner in hippocampal neurons, independent of its protein-coding host gene. Loss of ADEPTR function suppresses activity-dependent changes in synaptic transmission and structural plasticity of dendritic spines. Mechanistically, dendritic localization of ADEPTR is mediated by molecular motor protein Kif2A. ADEPTR physically binds to actin-scaffolding regulators Ankyrin (AnkB) and Spectrin (Sptn1) and is required for their dendritic localization. Taken together, this study demonstrates that ADEPTR regulates the dendritic Spectrin-Ankyrin network for structural plasticity at the synapse and illuminates a novel role for lncRNAs at the synapse.

One Sentence Summary

We have uncovered an intronic long noncoding RNA that is synaptically transported in a cAMP-dependent manner and is linked to cytoskeletal components of structural plasticity in hippocampal neurons.
Quantitative analysis of tyrosine phosphorylation from FFPE tissues reveals patient specific signaling networks
Authors: Kohale Ishwar N. , Burgenske Danielle M. , Mladek Ann C. , Bakken Katrina K. , Kuang Jenevieve , Boughey Judy C. , Wang Liewei , Carter Jodi M. , Haura Eric B. , Goetz Matthew P. , Sarkaria Jann N. , White Forest M.
Published: September 2020

Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues are an invaluable source of clinical specimens. Tyrosine phosphorylation (pTyr) plays a fundamental role in cellular processes and is commonly dysregulated in cancer but has not been studied to date in FFPE samples. We describe a method for quantitative analysis of pTyr signaling networks at an unprecedented sensitivity, with hundreds of sites quantified from 1-2 10-μm sections of FFPE tissue specimens. Phosphotyrosine profiles of flash frozen and FFPE tissues derived from the same tumors suggest that FFPE tissues preserve pTyr signaling characteristics in PDX tumors and archived clinical specimens. Differential activation of oncogenic proteins was observed in triple negative breast cancer tumors as well as lung cancer tumors, highlighting patient specific oncogenic driving kinases and indicating potential targeted therapies for each patient. These data highlight the capability for direct translational insight from pTyr analysis of small amounts of FFPE tumor tissue specimens.
Sex differences in the amplification of responding to an alcohol-predictive cue by an alcohol-associated context
Authors: Segal Diana , Valyear Milan , Chaudhri Nadia
Published: September 2020

Background

In male rats, physical contexts that are associated with alcohol can invigorate responding to a discrete, alcohol-predictive conditioned stimulus (CS), and amplify priming-induced reinstatement. Here, we examined these effects as a function of biological sex.

Methods

Male and female Long-Evans rats were acclimated to drinking ethanol (EtOH, 15% v/v) in their home cages. Next, they were trained to associate an auditory CS (10 s; white noise; 15 trials per session) with EtOH delivery (0.2 ml per CS; 3.0 ml per session) into a fluid port for oral intake. Training occurred in a distinctive context containing specific visual, olfactory, and tactile stimuli. During alternating sessions rats were exposed to a second context where they did not receive EtOH. At test, CS presentations occurred in both contexts without EtOH delivery. Rats then underwent extinction using repeated unreinforced presentations of the CS in both contexts. An alcohol-primed reinstatement test was then conducted, in which 0.2 ml of EtOH was presented both at the start of the session and during the first CS presentation, after which no EtOH was delivered for the remainder of the session.

Results

At both test and reinstatement, male rats made significantly more CS port-entries in the context associated with alcohol delivery than in the context in which alcohol was never experienced. Unlike males, female rats made a similar number of CS port-entries at test in both the alcohol context and the neutral context. The reinstatement observed in female rats was not affected by context.

Conclusions

These findings identify novel sex differences in the capacity of an alcohol-associated context to modulate responding to a discrete, alcohol-predictive cue.
Population-based Carrier Screening and Prenatal Diagnosis of Fragile X Syndrome in East Asian Populations
Authors: Guo Qiwei , Chang Yih-Yuan , Huang Chien-Hao , Hsiao Yu-Shan , Hsiao Yu-Chiao , Chiu I-fan , Zhou Yulin , Zhang Haixia , Ko Tsang-Ming
Published: September 2020

Identification of carriers of fragile X syndrome (FXS) with the subsequent prenatal diagnosis, and knowledge of FXS-associated genetic profiles are essential for intervention in specific populations. We report the results of carrier screening of 39,458 East Asian adult women and prenatal diagnosis from 87 FXS carriers. The prevalence of FXS carriers and incidence of full mutation fetuses in carrier pregnancies were found to be 1/556 and 11.0%, respectively. The prevalence of FXS carriers and full mutation fetuses was estimated to be 1/581 and 1/3124 in East Asian populations, respectively. We confirmed the validity of the current threshold of CGG repeats forFMR1categorization; the integral risks of full mutation expansion were approximately 6.0%, 43.8%, and 100% for premutation alleles with 55-74, 75-89, and ≥90 CGG repeats, respectively. The protective effect of AGG interruption in East Asian populations was validated, which is important in protecting premutation alleles with 75-89 CGG repeats from full mutation expansion. Lastly, family history was shown not an effective indicator for FXS carrier screening in East Asian populations and population-based screening was more cost-effective. This study provides an insight into the largest carrier screening and prenatal diagnosis for FXS in East Asian populations to date. The FXS-associated genetic profiles of East Asian populations are delineated and population-based carrier screening is shown to be promising for FXS intervention.
The organosulfur compound dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is utilized as an osmoprotectant byVibriospecies
Authors: Gregory Gwendolyn J. , Boas Katherine E. , Boyd E. Fidelma
Published: September 2020

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is a key component of the global geochemical sulfur cycle that is a secondary metabolite produced in large quantities by marine phytoplankton and utilized as an osmoprotectant. Bacterial DMSP lyases convert DMSP to the climate active gas dimethylsulfide (DMS). Whether marine bacteria can also accumulate DMSP as an osmoprotectant to maintain the turgor pressure of the cell in response to changes in external osmolarity remains unknown. The marine halophileVibrio parahaemolyticus, contains at least six osmolyte transporters, four betaine carnitine choline transport (BCCT) carriers BccT1-BccT4 and two ABC-family ProU transporters. In this study, we showed that DMSP is used as an osmoprotectant byV. parahaemolyticusand several otherVibriospecies includingV. choleraeandV. vulnificus. Using aV. parahaemolyticus proUdouble mutant, we demonstrated that these ABC transporters are not required for DMSP uptake. However, abccTnull mutant lacking all four BCCTs had a growth defect compared to wild type in high salt media supplemented with DMSP. UsingbccTtriple mutants, possessing only one functional BCCT, in growth pattern assays, we identified two BCCT-family transporters, BccT1 and BccT2 are carriers of DMSP.Vibrio choleraeandV. vulnificus, only contain a homolog of BccT3 and functional complementation inEscherichia coliMKH13 showed onlyV. choleraeBccT3 could transport DMSP. InV. vulnificusstrains, we identified and characterized an additional BCCT transporter that was also a carrier for DMSP. Phylogenetic analysis uncovered at least 11 distinct BCCT transporters among members of the Harveyi clade, with some species having up to 9 BCCTs as exemplified byV. jasicida.

Importance

DMSP is present in the marine environment, produced in large quantities by marine phytoplankton as an osmoprotectant, and is an important component of the global geosulfur cycle. The bacterial familyVibrionaceaeis comprised of marine species, many of which are halophiles such asV. parahaemolyticus, which can utilize a wide range of osmolytes and possesses at least six transporters for the uptake of these compounds. Here, we demonstrated thatV. parahaemolyticusand otherVibriospecies can accumulate DMSP as an osmoprotectant and show that the BCCT family transporters were required. DMSP was transported by four different BCCT transporters; BccT1, BccT2, BccT3 and BccT5 depending on the species. Bioinformatics and phylogenetics demonstrated thatVibriospecies contain a large number of BCCTs and that many of these are associated with different metabolic pathways.
Establishing a Living Biobank of Patient-Derived Organoids of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas
Authors: Beato Francisca , Reverón Dayana , Dezsi Kaleena B. , Ortiz Antonio , Johnson Joseph O. , Chen Dung-Tsa , Ali Karla , Yoder Sean J. , Jeong Daniel , Malafa Mokenge , Hodul Pamela , Jiang Kun , Centeno Barbara A. , Abdalah Mahmoud A. , Balasi Jodi A. , Tassielli Alexandra F. , Sarcar Bhaswati , Teer Jamie K. , DeNicola Gina M. , Permuth Jennifer B. , Fleming Jason B.
Published: September 2020

Pancreatic cancer (PaCa) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. There is an unmet need to develop strategies to detect PaCa at an early, operable stage and prevent its progression. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are cystic PaCa precursors that comprise nearly 50% of pancreatic cysts detected incidentally via cross-sectional imaging. Since IPMNs can progress from low- and moderate-grade dysplasia to high-grade dysplasia and invasion, the study of these lesions offers a prime opportunity to develop early detection and prevention strategies. Organoids are an ideal preclinical platform to study IPMNs, and the objective of the current investigation was to establish a living biobank of patient-derived organoids (PDO) from IPMNs. IPMN tumors and adjacent normal pancreatic tissues were successfully harvested from 15 patients with IPMNs undergoing pancreatic surgical resection at Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute (Tampa, FL) between May of 2017 and March of 2019. Organoid cultures were also generated from cryopreserved tissues. Organoid count and size were determined over time by both Image-Pro Premier 3D Version 9.1 digital platform and Matlab application of a Circular Hough Transform algorithm, and histologic and genomic characterization of a subset of the organoids was performed using immunohistochemistry and targeted sequencing, respectively. The success rates for organoid generation from IPMN tumor and adjacent normal pancreatic tissues were 81% and 87%, respectively. IPMN organoids derived from different epithelial subtypes showed different morphologiesin vitro, and organoids recapitulated histologic and genomic characteristics of the parental IPMN tumor. In summary, this pre-clinical model has the potential to provide new opportunities to unveil mechanisms of IPMN progression to invasion and to shed insight into novel biomarkers for early detection and targets for chemoprevention.
Hydroflux synthesis and crystal structure of Tl3IO
Authors: Albrecht Ralf , Menning Heinrich , Doert Thomas , Ruck Michael
Published: September 2020

Single-crystals of thallium(I) iodide oxide Tl3IO were obtained as by-product in a hydroflux synthesis at 473 K for 10 h. A potassium hydroxide hydroflux with a water-base molar ratio of 1.6 and the starting materials TlNO3, RhI3 and Ba(NO3)2 was used, resulting in a few black needle-shaped crystals. X-ray diffraction on a single-crystal revealed the hexagonal space group P63/mmc (No. 194) with lattice parameters a = 7.1512 (3) Å and c = 6.3639 (3) Å. Tl3IO crystallizes as hexagonal anti-perovskite (anti-BaNiO3 type) and is thus structurally related to the alkali-metal halide/auride oxides M
3
XO (M = K, Rb, Cs; X = Cl, Br, I, Au). The oxygen atoms center thallium octahedra. The [OTl6] octahedra share trans faces, forming a linear chain along [001]. Twelve thallium atoms surround each iodine atom in an [ITl12] anti-cuboctahedron. Thallium and iodine atoms together form a hexagonal close-sphere packing, in which every fourth octahedral void is occupied by oxygen.
Hard Knocks on a Software Company
Authors: Monippally M.M.
Published: September 2020

This case is about the way Pragati Software Private Limited, a small but profitable software training company set up in Mumbai by an alumnus of Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad sent away half its employees in three rounds of layoff in its tenth year.
Standard bank: exploring opportunities to make Côte d’Ivoire ‘home’
Authors: Ghazzawi Issam , Urban Angie , Horne Renee , Beswick Claire
Published: September 2020

Learning outcomes

After completion of this case, students will be able to: define and understand the external and internal components of the strategic management process; define and explain various alternative strategies that help companies create a sustainable competitive advantage; understand and explain the five main choices of entry mode that are available to organisations when considering entry into a foreign market, suggest an entry mode that is relevant to Standard Bank and explain the pros and cons of each entry mode; and understand how a company can offer or phase in its service offerings.

Case overview/synopsis

This case situates Sola David-Borha, CEO for the Africa Region at the Standard Bank Group, in April 2018, considering whether and how to expand into personal and business banking in Cote d’Ivoire – a country that Standard Bank had just re-entered, having exited there in 2003 because of the civil war. The bank has operations in 20 sub-Saharan African countries and its growth strategy is focussed on Africa. This strategy is reflected in its slogan: “Africa is our home. We drive her growth”. David-Borha has a number of questions on her mind. These include: can the bank offer financial services that will meet the needs of the Ivorian people, how can the bank expand into personal a business banking – indeed is rapid expansion into this sector the right decision for now?

Complexity academic level

Advanced/graduate courses in strategic management and international business.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 5: International business.
The experience of social reporting in Italian judicial offices. The laboratory of the public prosecutor’s office in Naples
Authors: Ricci Paolo , Pavone Pietro
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The paper aims to reach a better understanding of accountability and social reporting in the Italian justice system, by examining the state of the art of both literature and practice. The case study highlights the critical elements in drawing up the social report of one of the most important Prosecutor Offices in Italy.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study analyzes the activities of the actors involved in the report building process by detailing all the steps involved in a research diary, in order to examine such process from the inside, thus reversing its perspective.

Findings

The study shows that both the lack of guidelines for judicial administrations and a consolidated trend of transforming administrative facts into documents useful to stakeholders slow down the evolution of practices, which are stuck in a perpetual trial stage.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations are mainly related to the adoption of a single case study, which does not include any comparison with other reporting experiences in the justice sector.

Originality/value

This paper adds evidence to the theoretical debate on social reporting in the justice sector which has so far received the attention of a limited number of scholars. Furthermore, unlike other studies focusing exclusively on the final report while overlooking the process that turns input into output, this research deals with the core of the social reporting process and practices in their development, capturing their most intimate and controversial aspects from the inside.
How ambidextrous social networking service users balance different social capital benefits: an evidence from WeChat
Authors: Zheng Daqing , Huang Lin , Kim Ki Joon
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Social networking services (SNSs) have been praised for their social capital (SC) benefits. However, the time displacement hypothesis in Internet research may challenge such an optimistic view. In response to this challenge, this study aimed to develop a theoretical model that uncovers the transformation, rather than displacement among online and offline SC in terms of bonding and bridging types during SNSs use.

Design/methodology/approach

The concept of SC was divided into the following four types: offline bonding, online bonding, offline bridging and online bridging. A theoretical model grounded in individual ambidexterity theory was developed that uncovered the transformation among these types of SC, and it was tested a sample of WeChat users in China. Furthermore, the theoretical model included the concept of cognitive ambidexterity, which promotes transformation.

Findings

As an exploitation process, offline bonding SC mediated the relationship between SNSs use and online bonding SC. As an exploration process, online bridging SC mediated the association between SNSs use and offline bridging SC. In addition, cognitive ambidexterity moderated the exploration and exploitation processes positively.

Originality/value

This study demonstrated that SNSs users strategically and successfully manage SC benefits through exploitation and exploration processes, and ambidextrous individuals can do this more effectively. Accordingly, this study proposed the transformation hypothesis in the SNSs context.
Success factors for hackathons: German banks collaborate to tame the economic crisis
Authors: Feldmann Anna , Teuteberg Frank
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the banking industry and its hackathon formats, which have been created by various banking groups. Other industries can learn from these findings and adopt best practice solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-case study was conducted with three hackathon formats (Collabothon, GENOhackathon and Symbioticon) from the banking sector in which qualitative interviews with members of the organization team were held and used to summarize the differences and similarities of hackathon formats in the banking industry.

Findings

A model was developed to demonstrate how the different hackathon formats in banking overlap and what differences exist.

Originality/value

This study used a cross-case analysis to summarize differences and similarities of hackathon formats in the banking industry in Germany.
Economic role of education in agriculture: evidence from rural Vietnam
Authors: Ninh Le Khuong
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates the impact of education on output of rice farming households in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

Given the literature review, this paper specifies three empirical models (i.e. linear constant coefficient model, partially nonlinear model and linear varied coefficient model) with variables that well describe the mechanism through which education affects output. The data were collected from 901 rice farming households randomly selected out of ten provinces and city in the Mekong River Delta (MRD) of Vietnam. The models are estimated using ordinary least squares (OLS) and Robinson's (1988) double residual estimators.

Findings

Estimates of the empirical models show that seed, fertilizer, labor and farm size have significant impacts on output of rice farming households while pesticide and herbicide do not. Education is also found to have a positive effect on output of rice farming households because it helps them better manage farms of larger size via combining various inputs in a more desirable way.

Originality/value

This paper confirms the positive impact of education on agricultural output, which implies that policies aiming to provide better education to rural people will greatly enhance their income as well as trigger long-term economic and agricultural growth.
How do self-initiated expatriates fit into the Japanese traditional HR system? A call for institutional change to achieve mutual understanding
Authors: Yorozu Chie
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Japan has recently opened its doors to welcome them in order to reduce the labour shortage in the domestic market. Peltokorpi and Froese (2009) indicated that Japan has a challenging workplace and system for foreigners. It is clear that Japanese firms have not really been ready to take on self-initiated expatriates in spite of their rapid acceptance of them. This research, therefore aims to explore how international labourers have worked in Japan and how well they have really been fitted into the unique Japanese work environment, especially its HR system.

Design/methodology/approach

This research examined the issues from the both angle of Japanese firms and from the point of view of international labour through interview-based qualitative research method. The author analysed both data gained from 16 Japanese staff members including human resource management staff members of leading Japanese firms and 40 international workers. The data were analysed through ethnographical investigations of the current situation between Japanese firms and international labour. There has still been a lack of studies using interview-based qualitative method as introduced under the literature reviews.

Findings

Although the issues occurring in the UK and US as regards pay and discrimination from local workers (e.g. Baruch et al., 2013) seem not to be shared by international workers in Japanese firms, other unique issues have arisen under the traditional HR system. There is a gap between Japanese firms' expectations and international labour' expectations; the former expects the latter to stay for the long term, while the latter prefers variety of job experiences in order to quickly develop skills. Under the traditional Japanese HR system, both sides seem to suffer if they work together for long.

Originality/value

The relationship between international labour in Japan and Japanese firms has been examined. Such both angles brought about expectation gap between both sides as mentioned above. While Japanese staff members have enjoyed the benefits of the secure HR system (Dore, 2000), self-initiated expatriates do not necessarily need these benefits.
The impact of time pressure on knowledge transfer effectiveness in teams: trust as a critical but fragile mediator
Authors: Bjorvatn Torbjørn , Wald Andreas
Published: September 2020

Purpose

With faster innovation and shorter product cycles, time pressure is a highly relevant factor affecting contemporary business processes. This study aims to extend prior research on the effects of velocity at the firm level by considering the effect of time pressure on knowledge transfer effectiveness (KTE) on the team level and the role of trust as a mediator of this effect.

Design/methodology/approach

We empirically assess the impact of time pressure on knowledge transfer effectiveness in teams. Further, we test the mediating effect of trust on this relationship. We study a sample of 285 project teams applying partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The authors find that time pressure is negatively associated with KTE. Moreover, trust among team members has a complementary mediating effect on this relationship. Thus, while trust is urgently needed for enhancing KTE under time pressure, time pressure reduces trust-building too.

Research limitations/implications

This study establishes empirically the importance of time pressure and trust as drivers of KTE in teams. The contribution connects the field of knowledge management to important streams in the wider business literature: organization studies, management, strategic management, project management, innovation etc. Whereas the model is parsimonious, it has high explanatory power and high generalizability to other contexts.

Practical implications

Team managers should take care to allow enough time for knowledge transfer within the team. This is particularly important when knowledge sharing is central, e.g. in innovation, development and change processes. If this is not possible, measures should be taken to maintain trust among team members.

Social implications

Effective knowledge management enhances the performance of business entities and public-sector organizations alike. Today, both the private and public sectors are under considerable pressure to increase both efficiency and effectiveness. Effective knowledge transfer within teams is a core capability to achieve this goal. More effective organizations result in more competitive private firms, more employment opportunities and improved public services to citizens.

Originality/value

Time pressure is an increasingly relevant factor in contemporary business but so far little explored in research. This study extends current knowledge by considering the effect of time pressure on KTE.
After‐hours emergency department care: Does time or day of arrival affect survival?
Authors: Rolls David A , Khanna Sankalp , Boyle Justin , Xie Yang , Good Norm , Romeo Michelle , Bell Anthony
Published: September 2020

Objective

To determine whether after‐hours presentation to EDs is associated with differences in 7‐day and 30‐day mortality. The influence of patient case‐mix and workforce staffing differences are also explored.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective observational study of 3.7 million ED episodes across 30 public hospitals in Queensland, Australia during May 2013–September 2015 using routinely collected hospital data linked to hospital staffing data and the death registry. Episodes were categorised as within/after‐hours using time of presentation. Staffing was derived from payroll records and explored by defining 11 staffing ratios.

Results

Weekend presentation was slightly more associated (7‐day mortality odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.10) or no more associated (30‐day mortality odds ratio 1.01, 95% CI 0.98–1.03) with death than weekday presentation. When weeknights are included in the ‘after‐hours’ period, odds ratios are smaller, so that after‐hours presentation is no more associated (7‐day mortality odds ratio 1.03, 95% CI 0.99–1.08) or less associated (30‐day mortality odds ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.93–0.97) with death. No significant after‐hours patient case‐mix differences were observed between weekday and weekend presentations for 7‐day mortality. In other combinations of outcome and after‐hours definition, some differences (especially measures relating to severity of presenting condition) were found. Staffing ratios were not strongly associated with any within/after‐hours differences in ED mortality.

Conclusions

After‐hours presentation on the weekend to an ED is associated with higher 7‐day mortality even after controlling for case‐mix.
Unraveling subcutaneous panniculitis‐like T‐cell lymphoma: An association between subcutaneous panniculitis‐like T‐cell lymphoma, autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, and familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: LeBlanc Robert E. , Lansigan Frederick
Published: September 2020

Germline HAVCR2 mutations, recently identified in a large subset of patients with subcutaneous panniculitis‐like T‐cell lymphoma (SPTCL), are associated with an increased risk of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Discovery of this heritable HLH/SPTCL diathesis has expanded our understanding of a rare and molecularly heterogeneous lymphoma. Furthermore, patients with SPTCL have excellent survival unless they develop HLH. Therefore, through compiling data on SPTCL‐related conditions that predispose patients to HLH, we are better able to predict which patients with SPTCL have the greatest risk of mortality. We present the first case of SPTCL with concomitant HLH and autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) in a patient who was subsequently diagnosed with familial HLH (F‐HLH) attributable to a germline STXBP2 splice‐site mutation. She had wild‐type HAVCR2. Reports including ours show how SPTCL can evolve in the setting of an exaggerated host inflammatory response attributable to a variety of unusual underlying etiologies.
Belowground impacts of alpine woody encroachment are determined by plant traits, local climate, and soil conditions
Authors: Collins Courtney G. , Spasojevic Marko J. , Alados Concepción L. , Aronson Emma L. , Benavides Juan C. , Cannone Nicoletta , Caviezel Chatrina , Grau Oriol , Guo Hui , Kudo Gaku , Kuhn Nikolas J. , Müllerová Jana , Phillips Michala L. , Pombubpa Nuttapon , Reverchon Frédérique , Shulman Hannah B. , Stajich Jason E. , Stokes Alexia , Weber Sören E. , Diez Jeffrey M.
Published: September 2020

Global climate and land use change are causing woody plant encroachment in arctic, alpine, and arid/semi‐arid ecosystems around the world, yet our understanding of the belowground impacts of this phenomenon is limited. We conducted a globally distributed field study of 13 alpine sites across four continents undergoing woody plant encroachment and sampled soils from both woody encroached and nearby herbaceous plant community types. We found that woody plant encroachment influenced soil microbial richness and community composition across sites based on multiple factors including woody plant traits, site level climate, and abiotic soil conditions. In particular, root symbiont type was a key determinant of belowground effects, as Nitrogen‐fixing woody plants had higher soil fungal richness, while Ecto/Ericoid mycorrhizal species had higher soil bacterial richness and symbiont types had distinct soil microbial community composition. Woody plant leaf traits indirectly influenced soil microbes through their impact on soil abiotic conditions, primarily soil pH and C:N ratios. Finally, site‐level climate affected the overall magnitude and direction of woody plant influence, as soil fungal and bacterial richness were either higher or lower in woody encroached versus herbaceous soils depending on mean annual temperature and precipitation. All together, these results document global impacts of woody plant encroachment on soil microbial communities, but highlight that multiple biotic and abiotic pathways must be considered to scale up globally from site‐ and species‐level patterns. Considering both the aboveground and belowground effects of woody encroachment will be critical to predict future changes in alpine ecosystem structure and function and subsequent feedbacks to the global climate system.
Biological behaviour of primary osteosarcoma of the digits, metacarpal and metatarsal bones in dogs
Authors: Tremolada Giovanni , Thamm Douglas H. , Milovancev Milan , Seguin Bernard
Published: September 2020

Osteosarcoma (OSA) arising from the digits, metatarsal and metacarpal bones is rare and may carry a better prognosis compared with other locations. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the biological behaviour, the progression free interval (PFI), the survival time (ST) and evaluate the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy for OSA affecting these bones. Medical records from two academic institutions were reviewed and 15 cases were included. Descriptive statistics were used for signalment and history. For estimation of median PFI and median ST, the Kaplan‐Meier method was utilized. The prognostic effect of chemotherapy, lymphocyte and monocyte count was investigated. Log‐rank analysis was used to compare PFI and ST between groups. The overall median PFI and median ST were 377 and 687 days, respectively. No significant differences were noted for any of the variables evaluated. In this study, dogs affected by OSA of digits, metacarpal and metatarsal bones appear to have a longer ST compared with dogs with OSA of other appendicular locations. A study with a larger number of patients is needed to confirm these results and investigate the potential benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy.
The Effect of Porosity on Elastic Stability of Toroidal Shell Segments Made of Saturated Porous Functionally Graded Materials
Authors: Babaei Hadi , Jabbari Mohsen , Eslami M. Reza
Published: September 2020

This research deals with the stability analysis of shallow segments of the toroidal shell made of saturated porous functionally graded (FG) material. The nonhomogeneous material properties of porous shell are assumed to be functionally graded as a function of the thickness and porosity parameters. The porous toroidal shell segments with positive and negative Gaussian curvatures and nonuniform distributed porosity are considered. The nonlinear equilibrium equations of the porous shell are derived via the total potential energy of the system. The governing equations are obtained on the basis of classical thin shell theory and the assumptions of Biot's poroelasticity theory. The equations are a set of the coupled partial differential equations. The analytical method including the Airy stress function is used to solve the stability equations of porous shell under mechanical loads in three cases. Porous toroidal shell segments subjected to lateral pressure, axial compression, and hydrostatic pressure loads are analytically analyzed. Closed-form solutions are expressed for the elastic buckling behavior of the convex and concave porous toroidal shell segments. The effects of porosity distribution and geometrical parameters of the shell on the critical buckling loads of porous toroidal shell segments are studied.
Data-Driven Heuristic Induction From Human Design Behavior
Authors: Puentes Lucas , Cagan Jonathan , McComb Christopher
Published: September 2020

Through experience, designers develop guiding principles, or heuristics, to aid decision-making in familiar design domains. Generalized versions of common design heuristics have been identified across multiple domains and applied by novices to design problems. Previous work leveraged a sample of these common heuristics to assist in an agent-based design process, which typically lacks heuristics. These predefined heuristics were translated into sequences of specifically applied design changes that followed the theme of the heuristic. To overcome the upfront burden, need for human interpretation, and lack of generality of this manual process, this paper presents a methodology that induces frequent heuristic sequences from an existing timeseries design change dataset. Individual induced sequences are then algorithmically grouped based on similarity to form groups that each represent a shared general heuristic. The heuristic induction methodology is applied to data from two human design studies in different design domains. The first dataset, collected from a truss design task, finds a highly similar set of general heuristics used by human designers to that which was hand-selected for the previous computational agent study. The second dataset, collected from a cooling system design problem, demonstrates further applicability and generality of the heuristic induction process. Through this heuristic induction technique, designers working in a specified domain can learn from others’ prior problem-solving strategies and use these strategies in their own future design problems.
The Influence of Multiaxial Stress Relaxation on Component Creep Damage Accumulation
Authors: Matev Nayden , Ainsworth Robert A. , Su Meini , Stevens Mark , Jappy Alan
Published: September 2020

Unless inelastic analysis is used, high temperature codes base creep relaxation on the start-of-dwell equivalent stress, which relaxes according to a uniaxial creep law. Elastic follow-up is also included. This approach only evaluates equivalent stress and creep strain rate and the multiaxial stress state is assumed to remain at its initial value as the stress relaxes. Codes suggest that the stress drop is limited to a fraction (typically 20%) of the initial equivalent stress to ensure this assumption does not introduce significant inaccuracies. This article provides a numerical examination of creep relaxation of a cruciform plate subjected to displacement-controlled biaxial loading, with the aim to provide clarification of any required constraint on stress drop. The initial biaxial stress ratio, the plate geometry and the power in a power–law creep model are varied, leading to variations in the elastic follow-up describing the creep relaxation. The biaxial stress ratio is generally found to change with relaxation and a multiaxial ductility approach is used to evaluate the associated creep damage accumulation. This is compared with the damage estimated assuming relaxation is controlled by the equivalent stress with no change in multiaxial stress state. For biaxial plane stress with one principal stress initially being compressive and one tensile, it is found that significant equivalent stress drops (about 40% of the initial stress) can be allowed without the simplified equivalent stress approach becoming inaccurate. More care is required for tensile–tensile stress biaxiality where multiaxial stress changes depend on the initial stress biaxiality and the degree of elastic follow-up. The results will be used to propose improved guidance for simplified inelastic calculations.
A Mathematical Model to Describe the Inner Contour of Moineau Stators
Authors: Oezkaya Ekrem , Fuss Moritz , Biermann Dirk
Published: September 2020

Bore holes with a large length to diameter ratio of up to l/d = 100 are typically produced using the single-tube deep hole drilling method also named BTA (Boring and Trepanning Association) deep hole drilling method. However, there are various technical applications requiring deep, complex, epitrochoid-similar and helical inner contours, such as stators used in Moineau motors and pumps. According to the current state of the art, epitrochoid-similar contours for small diameters with large drilling depths can only be produced using a special machining process which is referred to a chamber-boring process. In this paper, a developed mathematical model will be presented that describes the epitrochoid-similar contour exactly. This allows the determination of the position-dependent speed and acceleration of the tool, which are necessary for designing the joints and components of the tool system. In addition, this mathematical model can be used for a subsequent Laplace-transformation, so that could be used for a further optimization of the process dynamic in the future.