bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fast Objective Coupled Planar Illumination Microscopy
Authors: Greer Cody , Holy Timothy E.
Published: December 2018

Among optical imaging techniques light sheet fluorescence microscopy stands out as one of the most attractive for capturing high-speed biological dynamics unfolding in three dimensions. The technique is potentially millions of times faster than point-scanning techniques such as two-photon microscopy. However current-generation light sheet microscopes are limited by volume scanning rate and/or camera frame rate. We present speed-optimized Objective Coupled Planar Illumination (OCPI) microscopy, a fast light sheet technique that avoids compromising image quality or photon efficiency. We increase volume scanning rate to 40 Hz for volumes up to 700 µm thick and introduce Multi-Camera Image Sharing (MCIS), a technique to scale imaging rate by parallelizing acquisition across cameras. Finally, we demonstrate fast calcium imaging of the larval zebrafish brain and find a heartbeat-induced artifact that can be removed by filtering when the imaging rate exceeds 15 Hz. These advances extend the reach of fluorescence microscopy for monitoring fast processes in large volumes.
Drivers of human gut microbial community assembly: Coadaptation, determinism and stochasticity
Authors: Oliphant Kaitlyn , Parreira Valeria R. , Cochrane Kyla , Allen-Vercoe Emma
Published: December 2018

Microbial community assembly is a complex process shaped by multiple factors, including habitat filtering, species assortment and stochasticity. Understanding the relative importance of these drivers would enable scientists to design strategies initiating a desired reassembly for e.g., remediating low diversity ecosystems. Here, we aimed to examine if a human fecal-derived defined microbial community cultured in bioreactors assembled deterministically or stochastically, by completing replicate experiments under two growth medium conditions characteristic of either high fiber or high protein diets. Then, we recreated this defined microbial community by matching different strains of the same species sourced from distinct human donors, in order to elucidate whether coadaptation of strains within a host influenced community dynamics. Each defined microbial ecosystem was evaluated for composition using marker gene sequencing, and for behaviour using 1H-NMR based metabonomics. We found that stochasticity had the largest influence on the species structure when substrate concentrations varied, whereas habitat filtering greatly impacted the metabonomic output. Evidence of coadaptation was elucidated from comparisons of the two communities; we found that the artificial community tended to exclude saccharolytic Firmicutes species and was enriched for metabolic intermediates, such as Stickland fermentation products, suggesting overall that polysaccharide utilization by Firmicutes is dependent on cooperation.
Using a machine learning approach to complement group level statistics in experimental psychology: A case study to reveal different levels of inhibition in a modified Flanker Task
Authors: Krumpe Tanja , Scharinger Christian , Rosenstiel Wolfgang , Gerjets Peter , Spueler Martin
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we demonstrate how machine learning (ML) can be used to beneficially complement the traditional analysis of behavioral and physiological data to provide new insights into the structure of mental states, in this case, executive functions (EFs) with a focus on inhibitory control. We used a modified Flanker task with the aim to distinguish three levels of inhibitory control: no inhibition, readiness for inhibition and the actual execution of inhibitory control. A simultaneously presented n-back task was used to additionally induce demands on a second executive function. This design enabled us to investigate how the overlap of resources influences the distinction between three levels of inhibitory control. A support vector machine (SVM) based classification approach has been used on EEG data to predict the level of inhibitory control on single-subject and single-trial level. The SVM classification is a subject-specific and single-trial based approach which will be compared to standard group-level statistical approaches to reveal that both methodologies access different properties of the data. We show that considering both methods can give new insights into mental states which cannot be discovered when only using group-level statistics alone. Machine learning results indicate that three different levels of inhibitory control can be distinguished, while the group-average analysis does not give rise to this assumption. In addition, we highlight one other important benefit of the ML approach. We are able to define specific properties of the executive function inhibition by investigating the neural activation patterns that were used during the classification process.
Non-covalently-associated peptides are observed during liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and affect crosslink analyses
Authors: Giese Sven H. , Belsom Adam , Sinn Ludwig , Fischer Lutz , Rappsilber Juri
Published: December 2018

Crosslinking mass spectrometry draws structural information from covalently-linked peptide pairs. When these links do not match to previous structural models, they may indicate changes in protein conformation. Unfortunately, such links can also be the result of experimental error or artefacts. Here, we describe the observation of non-covalently-associated peptides during liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, which can easily be misidentified as crosslinked. Strikingly, they often mismatch to the protein structure. Non-covalently-associated peptides presumably form during ionization and can be distinguished from crosslinked peptides by observing co-elution of the corresponding linear peptides in MS1, as well as the presence of the individual (intact) peptide fragments in MS2 spectra. To suppress non-covalent peptide formations increasingly disruptive ionization settings can be used, such as in-source fragmentation.
Inadequate dried blood spot samples for Early Infant Diagnosis, how common and what are the reasons for rejection in Zimbabwe?
Authors: Chiku Charles , Zolfo Maria , Senkoro Mbazi , Mabhala Mzwandile , Tweya Hannock , Musasa Patience , Shukusho Fungai D. , Mazarura Exervia , Mushavi Angela , Mangwanya Douglas
Published: December 2018

Background: Early infant diagnosis (EID) of HIV in infants provides an opportunity for early detection of the infection and early access to Antiretroviral treatment (ART). Dried Blood Spot (DBS) samples are used for EID of HIV-exposed infants, born from HIV positive mothers. However, DBS rejection rates have been exceeding in Zimbabwe the target of less than 2% per month set by the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory (NMRL). The aim of this study was to determine the DBS samples rejection rate, the reasons for rejection and the possible associations between rejection and level of health facility where the sample was collected. Methods: Analytic cross-sectional study using routine DBS samples data from the NMRL in Harare, Zimbabwe, between January and December 2017. Results: A total of 34.950 DBS samples were received at the NMRL. Of these, 1291(4%) were rejected and reasons for rejections were: insufficient specimen volume (72%), missing request form (11%), missing sample (6%), cross contamination (6%), mismatch information (4%) and clotted sample (1%). Samples collected from clinics/rural health facilities had five times likelihood to be rejected compared to those from a central hospital. Conclusion: Rejection rates were above the set target of 2%. The reasons for rejection were 'pre-analytical' errors including labeling errors, sample damage, missing or inconsistent data, and insufficient volume. Samples collected at primary healthcare facilities had higher rejection rates. Key words: Operational Research, SORT IT, Early Infant Diagnosis, Dried Blood Spot
Biological Potencial of Colletotrichum typhae H.C Greene mycoherbicide for Typha domingensis Pers
Authors: Maia Cláudio Belmino , Rodrigues de Melo Paulo Alexandre Fernandes , Barreto Robert Weingart , Maffia Luiz Antônio , Pinto Kedma Maria Silva , Rodrigues Antonia Alice Costa , de Souza Serra Ilka Márcia Ribeiro , Mesquita Mário Luiz Ribeiro , Mondego Janaina Marques , da Silva Aline Priscilla Gomes
Published: December 2018

The anthropic interference in aquatic ecosystems, favors the disordered colonization of T. domingensis, damaging the production of hydroelectric power and river traffic. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of C. typhae as a mycoherbicide in the control of T. domingensis, in vitro and in greenhouse. 107 samples of symptomatic T. domingensis leaves were collected in flooded areas of rivers in Brazil, with identification and isolation of the collected fungal species. The concentration of inoculum was determined to evaluate the incidence and severity of the disease, the influence of temperature on mycelial growth and conidia germination, the effect of temperature and leaf wetness period on T. domingensis infection by C. typhae and the host range test. The growth of the colonies of C. typhae was higher at 25 to 30 ºC, there was no interference of the photoperiod on germination of the spores, but the highest percentage of germination occurred at 17.39 ºC. The influence of environmental conditions on infection of inoculated leaves of T. dominguensis indicated that at 15 ºC and the period of leaf wetness of 48 hours promoted the highest incidence of the disease, as well as the severity for the same period of leaf wetness. The specificity test showed that C. typhae is specific and pathogenic to T. domingensis. Being this the first report of the occurrence of this pathogen in aquatic macrophytes of this species and in T. domingensis in Brazil.
Serological evidence of dengue fever and associated factors in health facilities in Borena Zone, Southern Ethiopia.
Authors: Geleta Eshetu Nigussie
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Background: Dengue fever is a re-emerging public health threat in Ethiopia. Yet, little is known about the epidemiology and risk factors. In this study the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of dengue virus infection were assessed in Borena Zone health facilities.
Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from May to August, 2016. A total of 519 consecutive acute febrile patients attending the outpatient departments of Teltelle health Center, Yabello and Moyale Hospital were enrolled. Data on socio-demographic and environmental risk factors were collected using structured questionnaire. Three to five milliliter blood samples were collected from all participants and screened for dengue virus exposure using indirect immunofluorescent assay.
Result: The overall prevalence of anti-DENV IgG and IgM was 22.9% and 7.9% respectively. The relatively higher IgM versus IgG, absence of trend with age and little or no correlation with the assessed possible risk factors except being male (AOR=1.72; 95%CI 1.01-2.94), place of residence (AOR=0.37;95%CL 0.21-0.64) that had higher rate of exposure and recall of a recent mosquito bite (AOR=2.98; 95%CI 1.51-5.89) probably imply recent and/or ongoing active transmission.
Conclusion: This study showed dengue fever could potentially emerge as public health threat in the study area. On top, the observed low awareness of participants underline the urgent need for further systematic studies to determine the environmental, and host factors that determine the extent of exposure to dengue virus infection in the area for appropriate control and prevention planning.
Dynamics-function relationship of N-terminal acetyltransferases: the β6β7 loop modulates substrate accessibility to the catalytic site
Authors: Abboud Angèle , Bédoucha Pierre , Byška Jan , Arnesen Thomas , Reuter Nathalie
Published: December 2018

N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs) are enzymes catalysing the transfer of the acetyl from Ac-CoA to the N-terminus of proteins, one of the most common protein modifications. Unlike NATs, lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) transfer an acetyl onto the amine group of internal lysines. To date, not much is known on the exclusive substrate specificity of NATs towards protein N-termini. All the NATs and some KATs share a common fold called GNAT. The main difference between NATs and KATs is an extra hairpin loop found only in NATs called β6β7 loop. It covers the active site as a lid. The hypothesized role of the loop is that of a barrier restricting the access to the catalytic site and preventing acetylation of internal lysines. We investigated the dynamics-function relationships of all available structures of NATs covering the three domains of life. Using elastic network models and normal mode analysis, we found a common dynamics pattern conserved through the GNAT fold; a rigid V-shaped groove, formed by the β4 and β5 strands and three relatively more dynamic loops α1α2, β3β4 and β6β7. We identified two independent dynamical domains in the GNAT fold, which is split at the β5 strand. We characterized the β6β7 hairpin loop slow dynamics and show that its movements are able to significantly widen the mouth of the ligand binding site thereby influencing its size and shape. Taken together our results show that NATs may have access to a broader ligand specificity range than anticipated.
The self-organization model reveals systematic characteristics of aging
Authors: Wang Yin , Huang Tao , Sha Xianzheng , Li Yixue , Xing Chengzhong
Published: December 2018

Aging is a fundamental biological process, where key bio-markers interact with each other and synergistically regulate the aging process. Thus aging dysfunction will induce many disorders. Finding aging markers and re-constructing networks based on multi-omics data (i.e. methylation, transcriptional and so on) are informative to study the aging process. However, optimizing the model to predict aging have not been performed systemically, although it is critical to identify potential molecular mechanism of aging relative diseases.

This paper aims to model the aging self-organization system using a serious of supervised learning methods, and study complex molecular mechanism of aging at system level: i.e. optimizing the aging network; summarizing interactions between aging markers; accumulating patterns of aging markers within module; finding order-parameters of the aging self-organization system.

In this work, the normal aging process is modeled based on multi-omics profiles across tissues. In addition, the computational pipeline aims to model aging self-organizing systems and study the relationship between aging and related diseases (i.e. cancers), thus provide useful indexes of aging related diseases and improve diagnostic effects for both pre- and pro- gnosis.
Established rodent community delays recovery of dominant competitor following experimental disturbance
Authors: Christensen Erica M. , Simpson Gavin L. , Ernest S.K. Morgan
Published: December 2018

Human activities alter processes that control local biodiversity, causing changes in the abundance and identity of species in many ecosystems. However, restoring biodiversity to a previous state is rarely as simple as reintroducing lost species or restoring processes to their pre-disturbance state. Theory suggests that established species can impede shifts in species composition via a variety of mechanisms, including direct interference (e.g. territoriality), preempting resources, or habitat alteration. Here we use a long-term experimental manipulation of a desert rodent community to examine differences in the recolonization dynamics of a dominant competitor (kangaroo rats of the genus Dipodomys) when patches were already occupied by an existing rodent community relative to when patches were empty. Recovery of kangaroo rat populations was slow on plots with an established community of other rodent species, taking approximately two years. In contrast, recovery of kangaroo rat populations was rapid on empty plots with no established residents (approximately 3 months). We found little evidence that the delay in kangaroo rat colonization was due to direct interference from competitors, or could be explained by differences in habitat, implicating resource preemption by the established community as the most likely mechanism. These results demonstrate that the presence of an established alternate community inhibits recolonization by new species, even those that should be dominant in the community. This has important implications for understanding how biodiversity may change in the future, and what processes may slow or prevent this change.

Significance statement

Ecological communities are changing due to human activities altering the processes governing local biodiversity. However restoring these processes often fails to restore the previous biodiversity state, implying that additional mechanisms contribute to community dynamics. Here we use an experimental manipulation of a desert rodent community—in which dominant competitors (kangaroo rats) were removed and then reintroduced years later—to show that the presence of previously-established species alters the dynamics of the dominant competitor’s recovery. Kangaroo rat populations took two years to recover on patches where inferior competitors were already established, compared to three months on uninhabited patches. This suggests that priority effects and initial conditions are critical to consider when predicting community response to disturbance, or in ecological restoration projects.
Build-up of serial dependence in color working memory
Authors: Barbosa João , Compte Albert
Published: December 2018

Serial dependence, how recent experiences bias our current estimations, has been described experimentally during delayed-estimation of many different visual features, with subjects tending to make estimates biased towards previous ones. It has been proposed that these attractive biases help perception stabilization in the face of correlated natural scene statistics as an adaptive mechanism, although this remains mostly theoretical. Color, which is strongly correlated in natural scenes, has never been studied with regard to its serial dependencies. Here, we found significant serial dependence in 6 out of 7 datasets with behavioral data of humans (total n=111) performing delayed-estimation of color with uncorrelated sequential stimuli. Consistent with a drifting memory model, serial dependence was stronger when referenced relative to previous report, rather than to previous stimulus. In addition, it built up through the experimental session, suggesting metaplastic mechanisms operating at a slower time scale than previously proposed (e.g. short-term synaptic facilitation). Because, in contrast with natural scenes, stimuli were temporally uncorrelated, this build-up casts doubt on serial dependencies being an ongoing adaptation to the stable statistics of the environment.
Anomalous small viral shells and simplest polyhedra with icosahedral symmetry: the rhombic triacontahedron case
Authors: Pimonov Vladimir V. , Konevtsova Olga V. , Rochal Sergey B.
Published: December 2018

The development of antiviral strategies requires a clear understanding of the principles that control the protein arrangements in viral shells. Considered here are those capsids that violate the paradigmatic Caspar and Klug (CK) model, and it is shown that the important structural features of such anomalous shells from the Picobirnaviridae, Flaviviridae and Leviviridae families can be revealed by models in the form of spherical icosahedral packings of equivalent rhombic structural units (SUs). These SUs are composed of protein dimers forming the investigated capsids which, as shown here, are based on the rhombic triacontahedron (RT) geometry. How to modify the original CK approach in order to make it compatible with the considered rhombic tessellations of a sphere is also discussed. Analogies between capsids self-assembled from dimers and trimers are demonstrated. This analysis reveals the principles controlling the localization of receptor proteins (which recognize the host cell) on the capsid surface.
Model-independent extraction of the shapes and Fourier transforms from patterns of partially overlapped peaks with extended tails
Authors: Mendenhall Marcus H. , Cline James P.
Published: December 2018

This work presents a technique for extracting the detailed shape of peaks with extended, overlapping tails in an X-ray powder diffraction pattern. The application discussed here concerns crystallite size broadening, though the technique can be applied to spectra of any origin and without regard to how the profiles are to be subsequently analyzed. Historically, the extraction of profile shapes has been difficult due to the complexity of determining the background under the peak, resulting in an offset of the low-frequency components of the Fourier transform of the peak known as the `hook' problem. The use of a carefully considered statistical weighting function in a non-linear least-squares fit, followed by summing the residuals from such a fit with the fit itself, allows one to extract the full shape of an isolated peak, without contributions from either the background or adjacent peaks. The extracted shape, consisting of the fit function recombined with the residuals, is not dependent on any specific shape model. The application of this to analysis of microstructure is performed independently of global parametric models, which would reduce the number of refined parameters; therefore the technique requires high-quality data to produce results of interest. The effectiveness of the technique is demonstrated by extraction of Fourier transforms of peaks from two sets of size-broadened materials with two differing pieces of equipment.
Neutron scattering in the biological sciences: progress and prospects
Authors: Ashkar Rana , Bilheux Hassina Z. , Bordallo Heliosa , Briber Robert , Callaway David J. E. , Cheng Xiaolin , Chu Xiang-Qiang , Curtis Joseph E. , Dadmun Mark , Fenimore Paul , Fushman David , Gabel Frank , Gupta Kushol , Herberle Frederick , Heinrich Frank , Hong Liang , Katsaras John , Kelman Zvi , Kharlampieva Eugenia , Kneller Gerald R. , Kovalevsky Andrey , Krueger Susan , Langan Paul , Lieberman Raquel , Liu Yun , Losche Mathias , Lyman Edward , Mao Yimin , Marino John , Mattos Carla , Meilleur Flora , Moody Peter , Nickels Jonathan D. , O'Dell William B. , O'Neill Hugh , Perez-Salas Ursula , Peters Judith , Petridis Loukas , Sokolov Alexei P. , Stanley Christopher , Wagner Norman , Weinrich Michael , Weiss Kevin , Wymore Troy , Zhang Yang , Smith Jeremy C.
Published: December 2018

The scattering of neutrons can be used to provide information on the structure and dynamics of biological systems on multiple length and time scales. Pursuant to a National Science Foundation-funded workshop in February 2018, recent developments in this field are reviewed here, as well as future prospects that can be expected given recent advances in sources, instrumentation and computational power and methods. Crystallography, solution scattering, dynamics, membranes, labeling and imaging are examined. For the extraction of maximum information, the incorporation of judicious specific deuterium labeling, the integration of several types of experiment, and interpretation using high-performance computer simulation models are often found to be particularly powerful.
Assessing the impact of organizational culture on achieving business excellence with a moderating role of ICT
Authors: Kassem Rassel , Ajmal Mian , Gunasekaran Angappa , Helo Petri
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discover the impact of different dimensions of organizational culture (mission culture, adaptability culture, involvement culture and consistency culture) on business excellence results criteria (customer results, people results, society results and business results) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and explore the moderating role of information and communication technology (ICT) use in both service and manufacturing industries.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by questionnaire from 448 managers in nine companies that have won the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award in the last three years. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the data.

Findings

Organizational culture is significantly related to business excellence. However, these effects varied for different business excellence criteria. Three organizational culture types had a significant positive role in achieving excellent customer-related results. All four types of organizational culture had a positive role in achieving excellent people-related results. Only two culture types had significant role in achieving excellent society-related results. Business results were positively related to a balance between the four types of organizational culture. ICT use moderated the relationship between organizational culture and results related to customers, people and business, but not society.

Research limitations/implications

This study had some conceptual limitations. In particular, it considered the organizational culture as four types in the research model, but without structuring the indices under each type. It also had some methodological limitations. It was cross-sectional and used a self-administered questionnaire, which means that no causal relationships can be implied, and there may have been some bias in responding.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies that investigate the relationship between organizational culture and business excellence in UAE excellence award-winning companies.
An explicit time integration algorithm for linear and non-linear finite element analyses of dynamic and wave problems
Authors: Zhao Mi , Li Huifang , Cao Shengtao , Du Xiuli
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new explicit time integration algorithm for solution to the linear and non-linear finite element equations of structural dynamic and wave propagation problems.

Design/methodology/approach

The algorithm is completely explicit so that no linear equation system requires solving, if the mass matrix of the finite element equation is diagonal and whether the damping matrix does or not. The algorithm is a single-step method that has the simple starting and is applicable to the analysis with the variable time step size. The algorithm is second-order accurate and conditionally stable. Its numerical stability, dissipation and dispersion are analyzed for the dynamic single-degree-of-freedom equation. The stability of the multi-degrees-of-freedom non-proportional damping system can be evaluated directly by the stability theory on ordinary differential equation.

Findings

The performance of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by several numerical examples including the linear single-degree-of-freedom problem, non-linear two-degree-of-freedom problem, wave propagation problem in two-dimensional layer and seismic elastoplastic analysis of high-rise structure.

Originality/value

A new single-step second-order accurate explicit time integration algorithm is proposed to solve the linear and non-linear dynamic finite element equations. The algorithm has advantages on the numerical stability and accuracy over the existing modified central difference method and Chung-Lee method though the theory and numerical analyses.
Internal marketing in a higher education context – towards an enriched framework
Authors: Vel Prakash , Shah Aakash , Mathur Sunita , Pereira Vijay
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The concept of “internal marketing” (IM) has gained the attention of researchers over the past three decades. Though a lot of research has been carried out on this topic, it remains a concept yet to be completely understood and captured, with ambiguity in terms of its definition and scope. The purpose of this paper is to utilise the higher education (HE) context in an emerging country, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to argue that the term “IM” needs more unbundling and hence the authors propose an enriched framework with a renewed and relevant identity, which the authors term as “corporate fusion” (CF).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors do so with a renewed framework and philosophy that tries to capture new constructs and dimensions of IM in line with the emerging corporate milieu and has been applied to the HE sector of the UAE in this paper.

Findings

The proposed new conceptual framework identifies a CF philosophy building on the existing literature and captures the essence of IM orientation, albeit with its new constructs, dimensions and justifications. Furthermore, the authors argue that this new model is relevant to the contemporary environmental trends surrounding present day HE organisations, more so ever in emerging markets such as the UAE, given their growth needs in a competitive global marketplace.

Originality/value

In this paper, the authors take a close introspection at the contemporary role of IM in the HE landscape available in the UAE using a renewed framework titled “Corporate Fusion”.
The effect of highly emotionally intelligent teachers on their students’ satisfaction
Authors: Maamari Bassem E. , Majdalani Joelle F.
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to answer the basic research question “Do highly emotional intelligent teachers increase student’s satisfaction in the universities?”

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a quantitative study using self-reporting questionnaires applied on 283 students and 10 faculty members.

Findings

The paper shows the importance of having high emotional intelligent teachers in the universities to increase students’ emotional intelligence (EI) and, therefore, their satisfaction. The results show that the primary factor that will increase the EI of students is not what most of the scholars mentioned, the EI of teacher, but the class interactions.

Practical implications

The paper makes a recommendation to universities to hire emotionally intelligent teachers who stress on increasing the EI of students. Universities, by increasing the EI of their students, will improve their business situation, since if students are happy they will remain in the universities, spending, therefore, more money and encouraging other students to do so.

Originality/value

No such research was previously conducted in Lebanon where still few people understand the meaning or the importance of EI. This study, therefore, is fulfilling a gap, a brick in the wall of knowledge on class interaction in bridging the link between teachers and students.
Application of waqf for social and development finance
Authors: Shaikh Salman Ahmed , Ismail Abdul Ghafar , Mohd Shafiai Muhammad Hakimi
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the application of waqf (endowment) in the social finance sector for funding social and development projects and services.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is qualitative. It reviews literature and provides descriptive data to present its main idea.

Findings

Most Muslim-majority countries are generally income-poor, and the governments are generally weak in their tax collection, effective governance and capacity for development spending. Private sector financial institutions are scarce and mostly cater to the people who can meet the income-based lending criteria. Thus, the institution of waqf can fill the gap as a social finance institution by providing intermediation services for effectively utilising perpetual social savings. Flexibility in the rules of waqf enables it to serve beneficiaries directly or through financial institutions and to provide a wide range of social services.

Research limitations/implications

This conceptual research highlights the need and potential of waqf without discussing the regulatory and operational details of how to effectively institutionalize it in different regions.

Practical implications

The institution of waqf can harness the potential of selfless charitable giving in an effective way for better economic impact in the targeted social segments of society.

Originality value

The paper suggests the establishment of waqf-based training and vocational centres which will increase opportunities of self-employment and contribute in upward social mobility of beneficiaries.
Causes and solutions for the stagnation of Islamic banking in Turkey
Authors: Yanīkkaya Halit , Pabuçcu Yaşar Uğur
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the root causes of stagnation of the Islamic banking sector in Turkey in three steps and proposes solutions and policy recommendations.

Design/methodology/approach

First, global Islamic banking practices in terms of governance and instruments are summarised and compared with the Turkish experience. Second, the financial and efficiency ratios of Turkish Islamic banks (IBs) and conventional banks (CBs) are compared and analysed for the period 2005 to 2015. Finally, the long-term growth strategy of Turkish IBs is evaluated.

Findings

This paper asserts that Islamic banking in Turkey diverges from Islamic banking practices of prominent countries by not having a Sharīʿah governance framework at either a national or bank level. Turkey is thus immediately in need of a sound Sharīʿah governance framework. Increasing the variety of instruments and improving the perception of Islamic banking in the society are other critical points. Furthermore, regulatory and research institutions specifically focusing on Islamic banking are insufficient. A large number of financial and efficiency ratios reveal that the efficiency and profitability of IBs fall behind that of CBs. IBs should improve their business models, operational efficiencies and information technology infrastructure as these issues are undervalued in their growth strategy.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on the Turkish Islamic banking sector, which is a rarely studied topic. It is the first study that provides institutional differences of banking practices and evaluates the efficiency status and growth strategy of IBs in Turkey.
Proposal for a new Sharīʿah risk rating approach for Islamic banks
Authors: Ashraf Muhammad Adeel , Lahsasna Ahcene
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Customers of Islamic banking industry continue to be skeptical on Sharīʿah compliance of Islamic banks despite receiving fatwa from the competent authorities. The purpose of this paper is to quantify the Sharīʿah risk taken by Islamic banks, so that customers are better informed on the level of Sharīʿah compliance that will help in removing the persistent level of skepticism toward Sharīʿah compliance.

Design/methodology/approach

This research has used the scorecard based modeling approach to build the Sharīʿah risk rating model, which consists of 14 factors that capture Sharīʿah risk and are grouped in 5 major areas revolving around regulatory support, quality of Sharīʿah supervision, business structure, product mix and treatment of capital adequacy ratio. The score calculated by applying the model is grouped into 4 tiers reflecting the level Sharīʿah compliance at bank as non-compliant, weak compliance, satisfactory compliance and high level of Sharīʿah compliance. Three case studies were conducted by applying the model to Islamic banks from Malaysia, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Findings

The final Sharīʿah risk scores calculated by the model clearly differentiate the 3 banks on basis of their Sharīʿah risk. The underlying scores also highlighted the areas where banks need to improve to reduce their Sharīʿah risk.

Originality/value

This model can be applied by customers of Islamic banks who are interested in understanding Sharīʿah-related aspects of Islamic banking industry. This model can be applied on standalone basis or as an extension to the conventional counter party risk rating models. This model can benefit management of Islamic banks toward allocation of capital against Sharīʿah risk under Basel III, and regulators can apply the model to measure industry wide risk of Sharīʿah non-compliance.
Utilisation of zakāh and waqf fund in micro-takāful models in Malaysia: an exploratory study
Authors: Mikail Said Adekunle , Ahmad Muhammad Ali Jinnah , Adekunle Salami Saheed
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the utilisation of both zakāh and waqf fund as external resources to ensure micro-takāful services are delivered to underserved communities in an effective and sustainable manner. It also addresses Sharīʿah issues related to the zakāh- and waqf-based model.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is a qualitative-based research. It uses both focus group and content analysis approach to gather primary data and identify and interpret relevant secondary data and Sharīʿah concepts in developing the zakāh- and waqf-based micro-takāful model.

Findings

It is discovered throughout the investigation of attributes of beneficiaries of zakāh and waqf institutions as well as micro-takāful scheme that all share commonalities in terms of social securities and socio-economic support to low-income households in societies. The study also finds that the disintegration of zakāh and waqf which form part of the Islamic ecosystem from the micro-takāful model makes it less effective and sustainable.

Originality/value

This study appears as a primitive attempt to discuss and develop a zakāh and waqf-based micro-takāful model with reference to Malaysian jurisdiction.
The effect of IFSA 2013 on late payment of takāful benefits
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Ali Jinnah , Lukman Burhanuddin
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the implications of compensation on late payment of takāful benefit imposed in the Islamic Financial Services Act 2013 on the takāful industry in Malaysia. It also aims to identify the issues and challenges faced by takāful operators in the implementation of the compensation and propose solutions for the benefits of the takāful industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses the qualitative approach to understand the practices of claims in takāful and to analyze the implication of compensation on late payment of takāful benefit to the takāful industry in Malaysia. Data are collected through survey and interview with various takāful stakeholders.

Findings

Some of the key findings in this research are that the compensation of late payment of takāful benefit has a positive impact to the takāful industry. The research also found some Sharīʿah operational issues in terms of its implementation among takāful operators.

Research limitations/implications

The research focuses on compensation on late payment of takāful benefit claim in death and personal accident only.

Practical implications

The research offers certainty to the takāful industry and an explanation to academic and legal fraternities on the implementation of compensation on late payment of takāful benefit according to Islamic Financial Services Act (IFSA) 2013.

Originality/value

The research provides a valuable contribution to the current practices of takāful operators, identifies some issues and challenges of its implementation and proposes the solution.
Developing the framework of sustainable service supply chain balanced scorecard (SSSC BSC)
Authors: Aliakbari Nouri Fahimeh , Shafiei Nikabadi Mohsen , Olfat Laya
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework to assess the sustainability of service supply chains (SC) based on the concept of the balanced scorecard and three dimensions of sustainability, namely economic, social, and environmental performance.

Design/methodology/approach

After reviewing the literature and interviewing the experts, the preliminary list of identified general criteria is categorized in the four perspectives. Then, to select the most important factors in hospital SC, 15 experts evaluated the identified criteria by questionnaires of Fuzzy Delphi Method. Then, interpretative structural modeling was applied to identify the interrelations between the perspectives and between the criteria.

Findings

The framework includes four perspectives, financial; service SC operations; stakeholders’ satisfaction in the direction of sustainability; and learning, growth, and innovation, to improve the SC for sustainability in the service industry. According to the results, the identified criteria are interrelated.

Practical implications

The paper provides an important reference to assess the sustainability of service SCs. It will be beneficial in strategic and operational decision-making in service industries.

Originality/value

Reviewing the literature shows that the concept of sustainability of service SCs is still immature. The paper is a preliminary effort to identify the general criteria of sustainability and their interrelations in the service sector. The presented general framework links the financial measures with the environmental and social measures. It helps to maintain the balance between the sustainability goals for the service SC managers. It can be modified and applied in different service sectors.
The effects of consumption values and relational benefits on smartphone brand switching behavior
Authors: Wong Kit Hong , Chang Hsin Hsin , Yeh Chih Heng
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual model for smartphone brand switching behavior, based on the consumption value theory (functional value, emotional value, social value and epistemic value) and the cognition affect behavior (CAB) model. Two paths – product consumption values and retail service relational benefits – were considered as the cognitive elements to predict brand commitment (affect) and smartphone brand switching behavior. In addition, switching cost was used to measure the moderating effect on the relationship between brand commitment and smartphone brand switching behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

This research examined whether product consumption value and cognitive benefits related to retail services will enhance brand commitment and then further decrease smartphone brand switching behavior. Switching cost was predicted as a moderator in the model. An investigation of consumers who own a particular brand of smartphone (e.g. the top five smartphone brands: Samsung, Apple, HTC, Sony and Asus) was conducted, and 565 valid responses were collected for the structural equation modeling analysis.

Findings

The results demonstrated that emotional value, social value, epistemic value and confidence benefits increased consumer brand commitment and predicted less smartphone brand switching behavior. In addition, switching cost played a significant moderator role in the relationship between brand commitment and brand switching behavior.

Practical implications

A multiple cognitive paths design, with a consumption values aspect and a relational benefits aspect, can elaborate consumer perceptions of product values and service benefits simultaneously, which can lead to a better understanding of the whole picture of the brand services and the key reasons why consumers commit to a brand. Administrators of brand vendors are suggested to improve product innovation and the professionalism of sales services in order to facilitate consumer consumption values, increase their degree of confidence in members of sales staff and, in the meantime, help these administrators gain an understanding of the real reasons for brand switching so as to provide solutions leading to the maintenance of consumer brand commitment through products or services. This is, in turn, likely to increase continued usage intention and reduce the possibility of brand switching.

Originality/value

This study extended the consumption value theory and the CAB model to show that product consumption value and cognitive benefits related to retail services can enhance brand commitment and further decrease smartphone brand switching behavior. The results indicated that brand retailer managers should regularly conduct activities to connect with their customers to induce consumption values and relational benefits and, consequently, increase brand commitment and prevent customer switching behavior.
An analysis of private versus public sector responses to the environmental challenges of the supply chain
Authors: New Steve , Green Ken , Morton Barbara
Published: December 2018

This paper examines differences and similarities between private and public sectors regarding green supply: the incorporation of environmental considerations into procurement and supply chain relationships. While there are considerable differences between the sectors, there are two key areas of similarity. Firstly, responses in both sectors are heavily influenced by organisational structure and patterns of decision-making and information flow. Secondly, the success of green supply initiatives appears to be heavily dependent on organisation’s ability to align activity with dominant corporate objectives.
The economic context of government procurement: new challenges and new opportunities
Authors: Callender Guy , Matthews Darin
Published: December 2018

Using some experiences in the USA, the United Kingdom and Australia, this paper illustrates the nature of some contractual challenges that can be expected to transform the sophistication of the procurement role in government to ensure the demands of public accountability continue to be met.
The market’s response to contract award announcements: government versus corporate contracts
Authors: Larson Stephen J. , Picou Armand
Published: December 2018

This paper examines the effects of contract award announcements on the stock returns of successful grantees. Contract awards are identified using Lexis/Nexis and classified according to whether the grantor is another corporation or government body. The government grantors are further classified according to the type of government entity granting the contract. Four subsamples emerge: federal (non-military), military, municipal, and foreign. The results suggest that contract awards granted by foreign governments are more lucrative than contract awards granted by corporations or American governmental bodies. This finding endures even after controlling for potentially confounding factors.
County use of the RFP process to select joint venture developers of water-view property: a case study
Authors: Herbold Darla H.
Published: December 2018

Requests for Proposals (RFPs) are typically issued to solicit competitive proposals for a variety of professional services and commodities. The Baltimore County Purchasing Bureau issued 30 RFPs in fiscal year 2001 as well as 550 requests for formal and informal bids. The use of RFPs and the RFP process for choosing a land developer was creative. The fact that the property to be developed impacted the quality of life of the neighboring residents made their buy-in to the project critical. Therefore, it was prudent to include community representatives in the proposal selection process. This article identifies the unique issues on an RFP for the sale of real property rather than the purchase of services or commodities.
Exploring differences in the american states’ procurement practices
Authors: Coggburn Jerrell D.
Published: December 2018

This exploratory article examines the issue of state government procurement. It uses original survey data to create a measure of reformed state procurement practices, as suggested by the literature, and explores the ability of several variables from the state policy literature to explain observed differences in state procurement. Findings suggest that the states’ procurement practices possess varying degrees of reform characteristics, that interest group diversity, legislative professionalism, results-oriented management, and regional effects each have significant relationships to state procurement practices, and that several “classic” explanations of state policy are not significantly related to state procurement practices. One implication is that procurement, like other forms of state administrative policy, may not be readily explained by widely utilized theories of state policy.