bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro determination of the CB1 efficacy of illicit synthetic cannabinoids
Authors: Sachdev Shivani , Vemuri Kiran , Banister Samuel D. , Longworth Mitchell , Kassiou Michael , Santiago Marina , Makriyannis Alexandros , Connor Mark
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The morbidity and mortality associated with recreational use of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) is a major health concern, and may involve over-activation of CB1 receptors. Thus, we sought to determine the efficacy of 13 SCRAs at CB1 using receptor depletion with the irreversible CB1 antagonist AM6544 followed by fitting the curve with the Black and Leff operational model to calculate efficacy.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Receptor depletion in mouse AtT-20 neuroblastoma cells stably expressing human CB1 was achieved by pre-treatment of cells with AM6544 (10 µM, 60 mins). The CB1-mediated hyperpolarisation of AtT20 cells was measured using membrane potential dye. From data fit to the operational model, the efficacy (tau) and affinity (KA) parameters were obtained for each drug.

KEY RESULTS

AM6544 did not affect the potency or maximal effect of native somatostatin receptor-induced hyperpolarisation (Control, pEC50 9.13 ± 0.05, Emax 38 ± 1%; AM6544 treated pEC50 9.18 ± 0.04, Emax 39 ± 0.7%). The tau value of ∆9-THC was 70-fold less than the reference CB-agonist CP55940, and 240-fold less than the highest efficacy SCRA, 5F-MDMB-PICA. Most of the SCRAs had about 50% of the efficacy of CP55940. There was no correlation between the tau and KA values for any SCRA.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

All the SCRA tested showed substantially higher agonist activity at CB1 than ∆9-THC, which may contribute to the adverse effects seen with these drugs but not ∆9-THC, although the mechanisms underlying SCRA toxicity are still poorly defined.
Dopamine D1 receptor signalling differentially regulates action sequences and turning behaviour in freely movingDrosophila
Authors: Kottler Benjamin , Faville Richard , Bridi Jessika , Hirth Frank
Published: August 2018

Here, we introduce a novel behavioural paradigm to study neural circuits and mechanisms underlying action selection and decision-making in freely movingDrosophila. We first validate our approach by studyingFoxPmutants and show that normally invariant patterns of motor activity and turning behaviour are altered in these flies, reminiscent of indecision. Then, focusing on central complex (CX) circuits known to integrate different sensory modalities and controlling premotor regions, we show that action sequences and turning behaviour are regulated by dopamine D1 (Dop1R1) receptor signalling. Dop1R1 inputs onto CX columnar wedge and ellipsoid body R2/R4m ring neuron circuits both negatively gate motor activity but inversely control turning behaviour. While flies deficient of D1 receptor signalling present normal turning behaviour despite decreased activity, restoring Dop1R1 level in R2/R4m-specific circuitry affects the temporal organisation of motor actions and turning. These findings suggest that columnar wedge and ring neuron circuits of the CX differentially modulate patterns of motor action sequences and turning behaviour by comparative Dop1R1 signalling for goal-directed locomotion.
Mini viral RNAs act as innate immune agonists during influenza virus infection
Authors: Velthuis Aartjan J.W. te , Long Joshua C. , Bauer David L.V. , Fan Rebecca L.Y. , Yen Hui-Ling , Sharps Jane , Siegers Jurre Y. , Killip Marian J. , French Hollie , José Oliva-Martín Maria , Randall Richard E. , Wit Emmie de , Riel Debby van , Poon Leo L.M. , Fodor Ervin
Published: August 2018

Influenza A virus infection usually causes a mild to moderately severe respiratory disease in humans. However, infection with the 1918 H1N1 pandemic or highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) of the H5N1 subtype, can lead to viral pneumonia, systemic disease and death. The molecular processes that determine the outcome of influenza virus infection are multifactorial and involve a complex interplay between host, viral, and bacterial factors1. However, it is generally accepted that a strong innate immune dysregulation known as ‘cytokine storm’ contributes to the pathology of pandemic and avian influenza virus infections2–4. The RNA sensor Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) plays an important role in sensing viral infection and initiating a signalling cascade that leads to interferon (IFN) expression5. Here we show that short aberrant RNAs (mini viral RNAs; mvRNAs), produced by the viral RNA polymerase during the replication of the viral RNA genome, bind and activate the intracellular pathogen sensor RIG-I, and lead to the expression of interferon-β. We find that erroneous polymerase activity, dysregulation of viral RNA replication, or the presence of avian-specific amino acids underlie mvRNA generation and cytokine expression in mammalian cells and propose an intramolecular copy-choice mechanism for mvRNA generation. By deep-sequencing RNA samples from lungs of ferrets infected with influenza viruses we show that mvRNAs are generated during infection of animal models. We propose that mvRNAs act as main agonists of RIG-I during influenza virus infection and the ability of influenza virus strains to generate mvRNAs should be considered when assessing their virulence potential.
Adaptive metabolic strategies in consumer-resource models
Authors: Pacciani-Mori Leonardo , Giometto Andrea , Suweis Samir , Maritan Amos
Published: August 2018

Bacteria are able to adapt to different environments by changing their “metabolic strategies”, i.e. the ways in which they uptake available resources from the environment. For example, in a celebrated experiment Jacques Monod showed that bacteria cultured in media containing two different sugars consume them sequentially, resulting in bi-phasic growth curves called “diauxic shifts”. From the theoretical point of view, microbial communities are commonly described using MacArthur’s consumer-resource model, which describes the population dynamics of species competing for a given set of resources. In this model, however, metabolic strategies are treated as constant parameters. Here, we introduce adaptive metabolic strategies in the framework of consumer-resource models, allowing the strategies to evolve to maximize each species’ relative fitness. By doing so, we are able to describe quantitatively, and without invoking any specific molecular mechanisms for the metabolism of the microbial species, growth curves of the baker’s yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiaemeasured in a controlled experimental set-up, with galactose as the primary carbon source. We also show that metabolic adaptation enables the community to self-organize, allowing species to coexist even in the presence of few resources, and to respond optimally to a time-dependent environment. A connection between the Competitive Exclusion Principle and the metabolic theory of ecology is also discussed.
Reducing Aedes albopictus breeding sites through education: a study in urban area
Authors: Stefopoulou A. , Balatsos G. , Petraki A. , LaDeau Shannon L. , Papachristos D. , Michaelakis A.
Published: August 2018

Aedes albopictus tends to proliferate in small, often man-made bodies of water, largely present in urban private areas. For this reason, education and community participation are considered crucial for source reduction and mosquito control. In the current study, we tried to relate for the first time in Greece, the effectiveness of resident education in an urban area with the number of breeding sites based on previous KAP (knowledge, attitudes and practices) studies. Our study examines the relationship between mosquito breeding sources and socioeconomic or demographic characteristics of different households in a Greek municipality and evaluates efficacy of resident education. The results revealed that only a minority of residents knew where mosquitoes breed (18.6%) and only 46% felt that residents had any responsibility for managing breeding habitat. Our findings strongly suggest that only the presence of scientific staff inspecting possible habitats in their properties, could be enough to stimulate practices towards source reduction. However, educational interventions alone with printed education material cannot enhance significant community participation and source reduction.
Epidemiological impact of hepatitis B vaccination (Monastir_ Tunisia ; 2000-17)
Authors: Dhouib Wafa , Kacem Meriem , Samia Grira , Maalel Issam , Zemni Imen , Abroug Hela , fredj Manel Ben , Salah Arwa Ben , Chelly Souhir , Green Essia , Djobbi Amira , Belguith Asma Sriha
Published: August 2018

Background: In 2016, the first global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis was endorsed with the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. In Tunisia, effective vaccines for hepatitis B (HBV) have been added to the expanded programme of immunization (EPI) since July 1995 for new borns. We expected to have a decreasing trend in the prevalence rate of reported HBV. Our study aimed to address the epidemiological profile of HBV, to assess trends by age and gender in Monastir governorate over a period of 18 years according to immunization status and to estimate the burden (years lived with disability YLDs) of this pathology. Methods: We performed a descriptive cross sectional study of declared HBV from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2017 defined as having positive serologic markers for HBs Ag. All declared patients were residents of Monastir’s Governorate. EPI included two periods, the first between 1995 and 2006 following a three-dose schedule (3, 4, 9 months). The second PI cohort after 2006 following a three-dose schedule (0, 2, 6 months). Results: During 18 years, 1526 cases of HBV were declared in Monastir with a mean of 85 cases per year. We estimated a mean of 1699 declared cases per year of HBV in Tunisia. CPR was 16.85/100,000 inh being the higher in age group of 20-39 years and in men .ASR was 15.99/100,000 inh, being 35.5 in men and 8.69 in women. During the study period, declared cases among presumed immunized (PI) person against HBV were 32(2.0%). Among PI cases, 29 were from the first period and 3 were from the second. We established a negative trend over 18 years of hepatitis B. The age group of 20 to 39 was the most common with a sharply decline. Presumed not immunized (PNI) HBV cases are decreasing by years with a prediction of 35 cases in 2024. Reported HBV contributed to 1.26 YLDs per 100,000 inh. The highest rate of YLDs occurred at the age 20-39 (2.73 YLDs per 100,000 inh). During 18 years, YLDs were 114.45 in Monastir with a mean of 2293.65 YLDs of HBV in Tunisia. Conclusion, this study showed a law prevalence rate and a decreasing trend of HBV during 18 years showing an efficacy of immunization and confirming that the universal hepatitis B vaccination in Tunisia has resulted in progress towards the prevention and control of hepatitis B infection. These findings should be demonstrated in other Tunisian regions with a standardized serological profile.
A prospective, observational study on conversion of Clinically Isolated Syndrome to Multiple Sclerosis during 4-year period (MS NEO study) in Taiwan
Authors: Ro Long-Sun , Yang Chih-Chao , Lyu Rong-Kuo , Lin Kon-Ping , Tsai Tzung-Chang , Lu Shiang-Ru , Chang Kuo-Hsuan , Huang Li-Chieh , Tsai Ching-Piao
Published: August 2018

Importance

CIS to MS conversion rates vary depending on population cohorts, initial manifestations, and durations of follow-up.

Objective

To investigate conversion rate of patients from CIS to MS and the prognostic significance of demographic and clinical variables in Taiwanese population.

Design

Nationwide, prospective, multi-centric, observational study from November 2008 to November 2014 with 4 years follow-up.

Setting

Multi-centre setting at 5 institutions in Taiwan.

Participants

152 patients having single clinical event potentially suggestive of MS in last 2 years were enrolled as consecutive sample. 33 patients were lost to follow-up and 16 patients did not complete the study.103 patients completed the study.

Intervention(s) (for clinical trials) or Exposure(s) (for observational studies)

Natural progression from first episode of CIS to MS or NMO was observed.

Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s)

Variables analysed were ‘proportion of patients converting to MS or NMO after first episode of CIS’, ‘duration between first episode of neurological event and diagnosis of MS’, ‘status of anti-AQP4 IgG’ and ‘length of longest contiguous spinal cord lesion in MS patients’. Association between baseline characteristics and progression to MS from CIS was analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Multivariate time dependent effect of baseline characteristics on progression to MS was plotted.

Results

14.5% patients with CIS converted to MS after 1.1 ± 1.0 years with greater predisposition (18.8%) in those having syndromes referable to the cerebral hemispheres. Conversion rate from ON to MS was 9.7%. 90.9% patients had benign disease course. 46.7% patients had abnormal MRIs at baseline, with 0.6±0.5 contrast enhanced lesions. ‘Below normal BMI’ and ‘MRI lesion load (≥ 4 lesions)’ were identified as risk indicators for the development of MS. Only 4.5% were positive for anti-AQP4 antibody in MS patients and amongst them, 80% were NMO patients as diagnosed by modern criteria.

Conclusions and Relevance

‘Below normal BMI’ and ‘number of demyelinating lesions (≥4)’ are significant predictors of conversion from CIS to MS. A low conversion rate to MS in Taiwanese CIS patients and majority of them having a benign course and minimal disability suggest the roles of geographic, genetic and ethnic factors.

Trial Registration

Non-trial observational study.
Competition among Aedes aegypti larvae Kurt Steinwascher
Authors: Steinwascher Kurt
Published: August 2018

Adult Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are important vectors of human disease. The size of the adult female affects her success, fitness, and ability to transmit diseases. The size of the adults is determined during the aquatic larval stage. Competition among larvae for food influences the size of the pupa and thus the adult. In these experiments, the food level (mg/larva) and the density (larvae/vial) both affect intraspecific competition, which shows up as the interaction of the two factors. Furthermore, the total food per vial affects the nature of competition among the larvae, also apparent in the interaction of food and density. Male larvae are affected by the percent of males in the vial, but females are not. Seven biologically significant dependent variables were examined, and the data analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance to gain insight into the relationships among the variables and the effects of these factors on the larvae as they grew in small containers. Male and female larvae compete differently from one another for the particulate yeast cells in this experiment; female larvae outcompete males through larger size and by retaining cells within their gut at low total food levels. Under conditions of more intense competition, the pupal masses of both males and females are smaller, so the effect of competition is a reduced apparent food level. The age at pupation is also affected by food and density. Across the twenty treatment combinations of food/larva and larvae/vial, female larvae grew as though there were six different ecological environments while male larvae grew as though there were only four different environments. No interference competition was observed. Eradication efforts aimed at adult populations of this mosquito may inadvertently increase the size and robustness of the next generation of larvae, resulting in a subsequent adult population increase in the second generation.
Using selective lung injury to improve murine models of spatially heterogeneous lung diseases
Authors: Paris Andrew J. , Guo Lei , Dai Ning , Katzen Jeremy B. , Patel Pryal N. , Worthen G. Scott , Brenner Jacob S.
Published: August 2018

Many lung diseases, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), display significant regional heterogeneity, with patches of severely injured tissue adjacent to apparently healthy tissue. Current mouse models that aim to mimic ARDS generally produce diffuse injuries that cannot reproducibly generate ARDS’s regional heterogeneity. This deficiency prevents the evaluation of how well therapeutic agents reach the most injured regions, and precludes many regenerative medicine studies, since it is not possible to know which apparently healing regions suffered severe injury initially. Finally, these diffuse injury models must be mild to allow for survival, as their diffuse nature does not allow for residual healthy lung to keep an animal alive long enough for many drug and regenerative medicine studies. To solve all of these deficiencies of current animal models, we have created a simple and reproducible technique to selectively induce lung injury in specific areas of the lung. Our technique, catheter-in-catheter selective lung injury (CICSLI), involves guiding an inner catheter to a particular area of the lung and delivering an injurious agent mixed with nanoparticles (fluorescently and/or radioactively labeled) that can be used to track the location and extent of where the initial injury was, days later. Further, we demonstrate that CICSLI can produce a more severe injury than diffuse models, yet has much higher survival since CICSLI intentionally leaves undamaged lung regions. Collectively, these attributes of CICSLI will allow better study of how drugs act within heterogeneous lung pathologies and how regeneration occurs in severely damaged lung tissue, thereby aiding the development of new therapies for ARDS and other lung diseases.
Morphometric Identification of Stem BorersDiatraea saccharalisandDiatraea busckella(Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Sugarcane Crops (Saccharum officinarum) in Caldas Department, Colombia
Authors: Valencia Arbeláez Julián Andrés , Giraldo Alberto Soto , Castaño Villa Gabriel Jaime , Espinosa Luis Fernando Vallejo , Guitierrez Melba Ruth Salazar
Published: August 2018

The sugarcane (Saccharumsp.), of great importance for being one of the most traditional rural agroindustries in Latin America and the Caribbean, as part of the agricultural systems, is vulnerable to increases or reductions in the incidence of pests associated with extreme events of climate change, such as prolonged droughts, hurricanes, heavy and out of season rains, among others, contributing to the increase losses in agricultural production, which forces farmers to make excessive expenditures on pesticides that generally fail to solve the issue. (Vázquez, 2011). The main pest belongs to theDiatraeacomplex (Vargas et al., 2013; Gallegoet al.,1996), a larval stage perforator habit. Different field evaluations have revealed the presence of a species that had not been reported in sugarcane crops,Diatraea busckella, and to corroborate the finding, a method of identification was needed whose advantage was to be quick and also low cost, in this sense, geometric morphometry is a mathematical tool with biological basis (Bookstein, 1991), which allows to decompose the variation resulting from the physiology of individuals of the most stable individuals of the population, product of the genetic component. CLIC (Collecting Landmarks for Identification and Characterization) was used for identification, with reference to the previous right wing (De La Rivaet al., 2001; Belenet al., 2004; Schachter-Broideet al., 2004; Dvoraket al., 2006; Soto Vivaset al.,2007). Wing morphometry was performed using generalized Procrustes analysis (Rohlf and Marcus, 1993). The analysis clearly differentiated betweenD. busckellaandD. saccharalis, eliminating the environmental factors that could generate some level of error, being considered a support tool that validates the molecular biology processes for the identification of organisms.
Carbon starvation-induced lipoprotein Slp directs the synthesis of catalase and expression of OxyR regulator to protect against hydrogen peroxide stress in Escherichia coli
Authors: Li Xiaoxia , Xie Yuanhong , Jin Junhua , Liu Hui , Gao Xiuzhi , Xiong Lixia , Zhang Hongxing
Published: August 2018

Escherichia colican induce a group of stress-response proteins, including carbon starvation-induced lipoprotein (Slp), which is an outer membrane lipoprotein expressed in response to stressful environments. In this paper,slpnull mutant

E. coliwere constructed by insertion of the group II intron, and then the growth sensitivity of theslpmutant strain was measured under 0.6% (vol/vol) hydrogen peroxide. The changes in resistance to hydrogen peroxide stress were investigated by detecting antioxidant activity and gene expression in theslpmutant strain. The results showed that deletion of theslpgene increased the sensitivity ofE. coliunder 0.6% (vol/vol) hydrogen peroxide oxidative stress. Analysis of the unique mapping rates from the transcriptome libraries revealed that four of thirteen remarkably up/down-regulated genes inE. coliwere involved in antioxidant enzymes after mutation of theslpgene. Mutation of theslpgene caused a significant increase in catalase activity, which contributed to an increase in glutathione peroxidase activity. ThekatGgene was activated by the OxyR regulator, which was activated directly by 0.6% (vol/vol) hydrogen peroxide, and HPI encoded bykatGwas induced against oxidative stress. Therefore, the carbon starvation-induced lipoprotein Slp regulates the expression of antioxidant enzymes and the transcriptional activator OxyR in response to the hydrogen peroxide environment, ensuring that cells are protected from hydrogen peroxide oxidative stress at the level of enzyme activity and gene expression.
Impact of Microbial Iron Oxide Reduction on the Transport of Diffusible Tracers and Non-diffusible Nanoparticles in Soils
Authors: Liang Xiaolong , Radosevich Mark , Löffler Frank , Schaeffer Sean M. , Zhuang Jie
Published: August 2018

In situbioremediation to achieve immobilization of toxic metals and radionuclides or detoxification of chlorinated solvents relies on electron donor additions. This practice promotes microbial Fe(III)-oxide mineral reduction that could change soil pore structure, release soil colloids, alter matrix surface properties, and cause the formation of secondary (i.e., reduced) Fe-mineral phases. These processes in turn may impact rates of bioremediation, groundwater quality, and ultimately contaminant fate. Continuous flow columns packed with water-stable soil aggregates high in Fe-oxides were infused with artificial groundwater containing acetate as electron donor and operated for 20 or 60 days inside an anoxic chamber. Soluble Fe(II) and soil colloids were detected in the effluent within one week after initiation of the acetate addition, demonstrating Fe(III)-bioreduction and colloid formation. Br-, 2,6-difluorobenzoate (DFBA), and silica-shelled silver nanoparticles (SSSNP) were selected as diffusible tracer, low-diffusible tracer, and non-diffusible nanoparticles, respectively, to perform transport experiments before and after the active 20-day bioreduction phase, with an aim of assessing the changes in soil structure and surface chemical properties resulting from Fe(III)-bioreduction. The transport of diffusible Br-was not influenced by the Fe(III)-bioreduction as evidenced by identical breakthrough curves before and after the introduction of acetate. Low-diffusible DFBA showed earlier breakthrough and less tailing after the bioreduction, suggesting alterations in flow paths and surface chemical properties of the soils. Similarly, non-diffusible SSSNP exhibited early breakthrough and enhanced transport after the bioreduction phase. Unexpectedly, the bioreduction caused complete retention of SSSNP in the soil columns when the acetate injection was extended from 20 days to 60 days, though no changes were observed for Br-and DFBA during the extended bioreduction period. The large change in the transport of SSSNP was attributed to the enhancement of soil aggregate breakdown and soil colloid release causing mechanical straining of SSSNP and the exposure of iron oxide surfaces previously unavailable within aggregate interiors favorable to the attachment of SSSNP. These results demonstrate that microbial activity can affect soil properties and transport behaviors of diffusivity-varying solutes and colloids in a time dependent fashion, a finding with implication for interpreting the data generated from soil column experiments under continuous flow.

Highlights

Fe(III)-bioreduction causes time-dependent aggregate breakdown and colloid release.

Short-term bioreduction alters soil aggregate surface chemistry and tracer transport.

Electron donor amendment enhances transport of nanoparticle tracer.
Structure of the GH9 glucosidase/glucosaminidase fromVibrio cholerae
Authors: Wu Liang , Davies Gideon J.
Published: August 2018

Glycoside hydrolase family 9 (GH9) of carbohydrate-processing enzymes primarily consists of inverting endoglucanases. A subgroup of GH9 enzymes are believed to act as exo-glucosidases or exo-glucosaminidases, with many being found in organisms of the family Vibrionaceae, where they are proposed to function within the chitin-catabolism pathway. Here, it is shown that the GH9 enzyme from the pathogenVibrio cholerae(hereafter referred to as VC0615) is active on both chitosan-derived and β-glucoside substrates. The structure of VC0615 at 3.17 Å resolution is reported from a crystal form with poor diffraction and lattice disorder. VC0615 was highly refractory to crystallization efforts, with crystals only appearing using a high protein concentration under conditions containing the precipitant poly-γ-glutamic acid (PGA). The structure is highly mobile within the crystal lattice, which is likely to reflect steric clashes between symmetry molecules which destabilize crystal packing. The overall tertiary structure of VC0615 is well resolved even at 3.17 Å resolution, which has allowed the structural basis for the exo-glucosidase/glucosaminidase activity of this enzyme to be investigated.
The association between internal audit department characteristics and IFRS compliance
Authors: Alzeban Abdulaziz
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether internal audit (IA) influences the successful implementation of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). From January 2017, listed companies in Saudi Arabia have been mandated to adopt the IFRS. Conducted in the 2014–2016 years before this deadline, the study investigates the readiness of IA departments in the Kingdom to adopt the IFRS in their totality, as required, by January 2017.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected for the period 2014 and 2016, two years after the announcement of the intended adoption of the standards, and hence, two years into the five-year preparation period. Data obtained from 78 chief internal auditors from listed companies in Saudi Arabia, and the extraction of information from companies’ annual reports.

Findings

Results of regression analysis show a significant association between the readiness for IFRS adoption and IA size and IA staff training. In firms that adopted the IFRS in the period before the mandatory implementation, IA is weak in the role of monitoring. In this connection, it is demonstrated that the adoption and implementation of the IFRS are likely to be more effective when IA reports directly to the audit committee rather than to management. Further, the results reveal that the Hausman test is not significant for the IA characteristics. Hence, there is implication that the measurement instruments used in the study are exogenous and do not associate with the error term.

Originality/value

The new insights into the impact of IA on IFRS adoption, gained from studying this issue within the oil-based Saudi Arabian economy, represent a contribution to the IA literature. The results of this study provide new insights to several stakeholders. First, to academia, which can benefit from new IA knowledge and understanding in the specific context of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which can be representative of the Gulf region and the wider Arab World. Second, to policy-makers and practitioners in the KSA and other Middle-Eastern, Asian and developing countries that share similar cultural predispositions, socio-economic institutions and/or general socio-economic environments. Additionally, it offers insights for small- to medium-sized companies that have not thus far, adopted the IFRS.
Comparative static analysis of provincial agricultural science and technology level based on grey clustering
Authors: Dong Fenyi , Qi Bing , Jie Yuyang
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to cluster and analyse the level of agricultural science and technology in China’s provinces by using grey clustering model, to have an overall understanding of the current situation of agricultural science and technology development in these provinces, and to offer a reference for decision-making departments to draw up agricultural science and technology development plans.

Design/methodology/approach

First of all, the grey clustering assessment is used to evaluate the clustering of agricultural science and technology level in China’s provinces in 2011, 2013 and 2015. Also a comparative static analysis is made. Then, based on the prediction data of GM (1,1) model, the provincial agricultural science and technology levels in 2017 and 2019 are analysed by grey clustering. Finally, some suggestions are put forward, such as adjusting the allocation of agricultural science and technology resources and providing policy preferences to backward areas, so as to promote the coordinated development of agricultural science and technology in China.

Findings

The development of agricultural science and technology in various provinces and regions of the authors’ country is unbalanced, with a big gap of agricultural and technology level between different provinces. What’s more, the level of agricultural science and technology in remote areas has been developing slowly, but it has been lagging behind. Through the grey clustering analysis of the provincial agricultural science and technology level in 2017 and 2019, it is concluded that the level of agricultural science and technology will be promoted as a whole, but the gap of agricultural science and technology level between different provinces and cities will be enlarged.

Research limitations/implications

This paper comprehensively studies the current situation and future development trends of agricultural science and technology in China’s provinces in recent years, and preliminarily analyses the reasons for the transformation of agricultural science and technology level, however, with no further inspection. Related research should be made for further study.

Practical implications

This paper will provide overall understanding of the current situation of agricultural science and technology development in China’s provinces and cities, and put forward relevant suggestions for the future development of agricultural science and technology in China’s provinces and cities, and provide references for decision-making departments to draw up agricultural science and technology development plans.

Originality/value

For the first time, the grey clustering method is used to the research of agricultural science and technology level in the province. It analyses and evaluates the past and present situation and predicts the future development trend of provincial agricultural science and technology level by the grey clustering analysis method, which is a complete research.
Exploring the development of library makerspaces in China
Authors: Li Ming , Fan Weiguo , Luo Xiaolan
Published: August 2018

Purpose

In response to the government’s decision to make “entrepreneurship and innovation for all” a national strategy in its 2015 annual work report, Chinese professionals in the library field have expressed a growing interest in makerspaces. This study aims to provide an overview of their current research studies and attempts in constructing makerspaces.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors aggregated research materials on library makerspaces in China from two sources: journal articles from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database and online news reports from the search engine Baidu.com. Content analysis was used to extract information regarding visions and perceived values, service models and technology adoption.

Findings

While a growing number of Chinese academic publications are concerned with library makerspaces, the existing research focuses on foreign cases and offers few empirical studies on domestic application scenarios. Libraries and researchers in China hold a positive and supportive attitude toward makerspaces. 3D printing is the most frequently mentioned technology, and free-to-use, promoting communication and realization of ideas and dreams are the most emphasized values. Libraries should highlight their own unique advantages and tap into their resources and services in mutually beneficial collaborations with other types of makerspaces.

Research limitations/implications

First, the results of this study cannot fully summarize the development status of makerspaces in Chinese libraries. Second, the research materials used in this study may be biased, especially the news reports.

Practical implications

This paper presents a semantic, visualized analysis of aggregated online news articles and journal articles on library makerspaces in China in an attempt to summarize their characteristics and guiding values, validate the advantages of library makerspaces and give suggestions on improving their service models.

Social implications

This paper introduces the development trend of makerspace in Chinese libraries, so that researchers at home and abroad can learn more about the development of Chinese library.

Originality/value

This study comprehensively overviews the development of library makerspaces in China. The results provide suggestions to improve maker services in library.
When more is less
Authors: Pérez-Luño Ana , Bojica Ana Maria , Golapakrishnan Shanthi
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of a specific mechanism for cross-functional integration (CFI) in the relationship between product innovation and firm performance. It takes a contingency perspective, accounting for how these relationships vary depending on the degree of organizational knowledge complexity.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses are tested via regression analysis with interaction effects in a sample of 105 wineries from Spain, using both objective and subjective firm performance data.

Findings

The results obtained confirm the existence of significant triple interaction effect of CFI, knowledge complexity and product innovation on firm performance. CFI has a negative moderating effect on the relationship between product innovation and performance and this effect varies according to the degree of organizational knowledge complexity.

Research limitations/implications

This paper looks at variables that have been hitherto studied at the project or product level, at the firm level, in an attempt to untangle the relationship between innovation, CFI, knowledge complexity and firm performance. Study’s main limitations lie in the use of a cross-functional design and its focus on a single industry.

Practical implications

Firms dealing with complex organizational knowledge could use this CFI mechanism in the development of new products when their size and resources do not allow the creation of more formal temporal structures, such as cross-functional teams. However, unless the winery has to deal with a high degree of knowledge complexity, involving the oenologist in several functional areas for the purpose of coordination, may detract resources from product innovation effort and lead to a poorer performance.

Originality/value

This study showcases a mechanism of CFI not explored in previous research, but used in practice at many firms, i.e. the cross-pollination of ideas across different functional areas through the participation of the responsible for the product development, and tests its role in the relationship between product innovation and different types of firm performance.
Financial development, FDI and economic growth: evidence from Sudan
Authors: Sirag Abdalla , SidAhmed Samira , Ali Hamisu Sadi
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The effect of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth is widely believed to be contingent on the development of the financial sector. Nevertheless, as the possibility that the effect of financial development on growth being contingent on FDI has been neglected in existing literature, the authors have investigated it in this paper. In general, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of financial development and FDI on economic growth in Sudan using annual data from 1970 to 2014.

Design/methodology/approach

Since most of the macroeconomic variables are subject to unit root problem, the time series data are assessed using unit root and cointegration tests with/without structural break. Moreover, the study uses the fully modified ordinary least squares and the dynamic ordinary least squares techniques to estimate the long-run model.

Findings

The results of the cointegration tests provide evidence that a long-run relationship exists among variables even after accounting for the structural break. The results show that financial development and FDI are positive and significant in explaining economic growth in Sudan. Financial development is found to be more beneficial to economic growth than FDI. Moreover, the findings reveal that FDI leads to better economic performance through financial development. Interestingly, the findings of the study show that the effect of financial development on economic growth is further enhanced by the inflows of FDI.

Research limitations/implications

The government should focus on promoting FDI in more productive sectors. In addition, further cooperation with multinational enterprises is needed to increase FDI in the country.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that empirically examines both the interlinked impact of FDI on growth through financial development and the impact of financial development on economic growth through FDI in Sudan using appropriate econometric methods.
Cultural values as determinants of entrepreneurial intentions among university students in Cape Town-South Africa
Authors: Kalitanyi Vivence , Bbenkele Edwin
Published: August 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to determine how cultural values (language and religion) impact on entrepreneurial intentions of students at the University of Cape Town, University of Stellenbosch University of the Western Cape and Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical study was conducted under mixed-methods approach, using survey-correlational strategy. Primary data were collected from a sample of 278 students. A questionnaire survey was used to collect data which were coded and analysed using SPSS version 22.

Findings

The empirical findings reveal that the cultural variable of language influences entrepreneurial intentions among university students, while the variable of language was not found as such and this is in accordance with the literature reviewed.

Research limitations/implications

This study only concerned entrepreneurship university students in Cape Town. Though these universities host students from all corners of the country, their views cannot be said to represent the opinions of all other entrepreneurship students in the whole country.

Practical implications

These findings should encourage the stakeholders (learners, parents and educators) to use and practice the language that present the facilities in understanding more about entrepreneurship, such as the availability of written information.

Social implications

The study can be a catalyst to some societies which do not encourage their children to speak foreign languages to become aware of the advantages those languages do offer.

Originality/value

This is a unique study of its kind in Cape Town universities and presents findings that allow to know more than previously known about the topic of entrepreneurial intentions.
Dynamics of distributed leadership during a hospital merger
Authors: Jonasson Charlotte , Kjeldsen Anne Mette , Ovesen Maria Shubhra
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Mergers have become an influential part of public hospital development, and the successful implementation of such mergers requires skillful management. Recent studies have pointed to the impact of the distribution of leadership tasks amongst employees for implementing planned radical changes, yet this lacks examination with regard to hospital mergers. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the emergence of distributed leadership and this leadership’s influence on the implementation of a hospital merger.

Design/methodology/approach

The emergence of distributed leadership is examined through a qualitative case study of two Danish hospital units in the context of a large hospital merger. The data consist of 21 interviews and documents collected over a three-year period.

Findings

The findings suggest dynamics of widened and restricted distributed leadership being influenced by and influencing the merger at hospital and local-unit levels, respectively. Importantly, the perceived purpose of widened and restricted distributed leadership mediated the actual effects of widened and restricted distributed leadership on the implementation of a merger. Moreover, the findings show that mergers on both the hospital and local level lead to variations in top-down and bottom-up distributed leadership across pre-merger organizational boundaries.

Practical implications

Perceived purposeful widening and restriction of distributed leadership at various hospital levels enables merger integration and collaboration across organizational boundaries and hierarchies.

Originality/value

The paper addresses the need to understand the complex dynamics of widened and restricted leadership distribution in a merger context.
Challenge accepted! Distinguishing between challenge- and hindrance demands
Authors: Olafsen Anja Hagen , Frølund Claus Wiemann
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to test a model that differentiated between two types of job demands in relation to basic psychological need satisfaction, work motivation, and, in turn, employee well-being. In particular, job challenges and job hindrances were hypothesized to relate to this motivational process in different ways.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data from a sample of 160 entrepreneurs were used in path analyses to test the hypothesized relations.

Findings

The results showed that job challenges related positively to autonomy- and competence need satisfaction as well as to autonomous work motivation, while job hindrances related negatively to satisfaction of the needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness. Further, satisfaction of the need for autonomy, competence and relatedness related positively to autonomous work motivation. Finally, all of the three basic psychological needs as well as autonomous work motivation related directly and positively to vitality.

Originality/value

These results support a view on job challenges and job hindrances as distinct within the job demands-resources model by showing how they are differently related to basic psychological needs, autonomous work motivation and, subsequently, worker well-being.
Resource misallocation of SMEs in Vietnamese manufacturing sector
Authors: Nguyen Phuong Thi , Nguyen Minh Khac
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine resource misallocation among Vietnam’s small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector. The paper also aims to consider selective factors on reducing the level of resource misallocation in SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

Resource misallocation and efficiency gains in total factor productivity (TFP) are assessed using Vietnam’s annual enterprise survey data for the period 2000–2015 and an appropriate productivity decomposition framework.

Findings

Resource misallocation is found to be higher among SMEs than large scale enterprises. TFP is found to 116.3 per cent greater if there is no resource misallocation among SMEs. Smaller scale, lower market concentration, trade liberalisation and corruption control are found to be associated with lower level of resource misallocation in SMEs.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation of this study is that it has only decomposed misallocation of resources arising from output and capital distortions and that it focusses on selective factors contribution to reducing misallocation level in SMEs.

Originality/value

Resource misallocation is attracting attention in both developed and developing countries. However, knowledge about resource misallocation among SMEs is limited, particularly in the context of developing countries. This paper assesses the level of resource misallocation among SMEs in Vietnamese manufacturing sector.
A taxonomy of the expected roles of librarians towards knowledge management
Authors: Abukhader Sajed
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the connection between the various layers of roles and tasks of librarians with the various knowledge types and methods. Although there are multiple benefits anticipated with knowledge management (KM) schemes in libraries, the practical side of it among Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals is not yet notable or evident.

Design/methodology/approach

Taxonomy building and Delphi method were two means of research deployed to achieve the declared purpose.

Findings

It was possible to achieve several steps into structuring a taxonomy but yet further work has to be accomplished in order to consummate the taxonomy. For this, means of group interviewing method along with perhaps sponsorship of association relevant to librarianship might be an appropriate approach.

Research limitations/implications

Delphi process was not possible to be fully exercised and completed due to limitations of limited number of participants as well the overwhelming feeling of participants had toward the unfamiliar content. It would have been more rewarding to have physical meeting in groups to overcome such limitations.

Originality/value

This paper lays the foundation stone of a multi-layer taxonomy for roles of librarians toward KM. The taxonomy also unveils a dimension that librarians often miss when discussing KM. It also models the categories of knowledge types for LIS. Thus, the LIS community is urged to contribute in the development of this taxonomy which could become the handbook of reference in KM for librarianship.
Testing, testing: a usability case study at University of Toronto Scarborough Library
Authors: Guay Sarah , Rudin Lola , Reynolds Sue
Published: August 2018

Purpose

With the rise of virtual library users and a steady increase in digital content, it is imperative that libraries build websites that provide seamless access to key resources and services. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Usability testing is a valuable method for measuring user habits and expectations, as well as identifying problematic areas for improvement within a website.

Findings

In this paper, the authors provide an overview of user experience research carried out on the University of Toronto Scarborough Library website using a mixture of qualitative and quantitative research methods and detail insights gained from subsequent data analysis.

Originality/value

In particular, the authors discuss methods used for task-oriented usability testing and card sorting procedures using pages from the library website. Widely applicable results from this study include key findings and lessons learned from conducting usability testing in order to improve library websites.