bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Users' Concerns Related to Online HIV Counseling in South Korea: A Descriptive Qualitative Study
Authors: Lee Han Ju , Kang Hee Sun , Singh-Carlson Savitri , Kim Kyung Sun
Published: December 2020

This qualitative descriptive study was designed to identify HIV-related questions frequently asked by online counseling users seeking professional advice. Data were collected via a public online question/answer counseling website operated by the Gyeonggi-do branch of the Korean Association for AIDS Prevention. Data on users' questions regarding HIV were collected between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018. The online questions were then analyzed and divided into codes and categories. From the 559 questions submitted, content analysis identified four major categories related to HIV: (a) HIV testing, (b) self-perceived HIV risk and risky sexual behaviors, (c) positive and negative emotional states, and (d) treatment and prevention. This study indicates that online counseling can be used to provide tailored information related to HIV along with emotional and psychosocial support to reach different subgroups and to provide current information such as the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis for those seeking professional advice.
Benzene-Exposed Army Soldiers: Nasal Cytology as a Screening Tool
Authors: Bruno Ernesto , De Berardinis Rita , di Folco Francesco , Russo Carmelo , Tatangelo Pietro
Published: December 2020

Objective:

Assessment of the nasal cytology in revealing early nasal mucosa alteration of workers exposed to benzene.

Methods:

Nasal cytology was compared among non-exposed and exposed workers to benzene. A comparison of the two groups was performed considering rhino-cytological features.

Results:

In the exposed group neutrophils count range was 14 to 70, compared to 2 to 5 in control group. Ciliated cells ratio range was respectively 0.28 to 2.8 and 0.25 to 0.31. In subjects exposed to benzene >10 years, nasal mucosa showed an inflammatory status and an ongoing mucipar metaplasia, defined by an alteration of mucipar/ciliated cells ratio.

Conclusions:

Nasal cytology may be a useful research tool for the health surveillance of workers exposed to benzene and may be applied to study the effects of other upper airways chemicals irritants.
Association between plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G polymorphism and risk of Alzheimer's disease, metabolic syndrome, and female infertility
Authors: Zhang Xin , Gao Bai , Xu Bing
Published: December 2020

Background:

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is considered to be involved in the physiopathological mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease (AD), metabolic syndrome (MetS), and female infertility. Previous studies investigating the association between PAI-14G/5G (rs1799889) gene polymorphism and the risk of AD, MetS, and female infertility have reported inconsistent results. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible associations.

Methods:

Eligible studies were retrieved through PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, CNKI, and WANFANG databases. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the associations. Subgroup analyses by ethnicity and mean age, sensitivity analyses, and publication bias were performed.

Results:

Five studies (four articles) for AD, six studies (six articles) for MetS, and four studies (four articles) for female infertility were included in this meta-analysis. Our results showed no significant associations between the PAI-14G/5G polymorphism and the risk of AD and female infertility in five genetic models. For the risk of MetS, the PAI-1 4G/5G (rs1799889) polymorphism may be associated with the risk of MetS (4G vs 5G, OR = 1.31, 95%CI = 1.04–1.64, P = .021), especially in Asians (4G/4G vs 4G/5G+5G/5G, OR = 1.38, 95%CI = 1.01–1.87, P = .041) and patients with mean age > 50 years old (4G/4G vs 4G/5G+5G/5G, OR = 1.36, 95%CI = 1.03–1.78, P = .029).

Conclusion:

The present meta-analysis suggested that the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism might be associated with the risk of MetS, but no evidence was detected for AD and female infertility.
Pareuzebyella sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel marine bacterium in the family Flavobacteriaceae, isolated from a tidal flat sediment
Authors: Huang Zhaobin , Wei Xiaomei , Lai Qiliang , Chen Shiyong , Yuan Jianjun
Published: December 2020

Two marine bacterial strains, designated S2-4-21T and MT2-5-19, were isolated from two tidal flat sediments of cordgrass Spartina alterniflora and adjacent oyster culture field in Quanzhou bay, China, respectively. Both strains were Gram-staining-negative, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, non-motile, aerobic, had NaCl requirements, and contained carotenoid and flexirubin pigments. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (99.8%), average nucleotide identity value (99.4%) and average amino acid identity (99.3%) between strain S2-4-21T and strain MT2-5-19 strongly supported that they belonged to a single species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain S2-4-21T and strain MT2-5-19 formed a monophyletic branch affiliated to the family

Flavobacteriaceae

, sharing similarities of 94.6% with

Euzebyella marina

CY01T and

E. saccharophila

7SM30T, and of 94.1 and 92.8% with

E. algicola

MEBiC 12267T and Pseudozobellia thermophile DSM 19858T, respectively. Phylogenomic analysis based on the whole genome sequences supported that the two strains formed a distinct monophyletic clade within

Flavobacteriaceae

members, which was phylogenetically different from the clades of

Euzebyella

and

Pseudozobellia

. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-6. The major fatty acids (>10%) consisted of C15 : 0 iso, C16 : 0, summed feature 9 (C17 : 1 iso ω9c/C16 : 0 10-methyl) and C17 : 0 iso 3-OH. The polar lipid profiles of strain S2-4-21T and strain MT2-5-19 are identical, including phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified aminolipids, and four unidentified lipids. The genomic size was 4.9–5.0 Mb with genomic DNA G+C content of 41.5 mol%. Based on the above characteristics, strains S2-4-21T and MT2-5-19 represented a novel species of a novel genus in the family

Flavobacteriaceae

. Thus, Pareuzebyella sediminis gen. nov. sp. nov. is proposed with type strain S2-4-21T (=MCCC 1K03818T=KCTC 72152T), and another strain MT2-5-19 (=KCTC 72539=MCCC 1K03874).
Phytotoxic tryptoquialanines producedin vivobyPenicillium digitatumare exported in extracellular vesicles
Authors: Costa Jonas Henrique , Bazioli Jaqueline Moraes , Barbosa Luidy Darllan , dos Santos Júnior Pedro Luis Theodoro , Reis Flavia C. G. , Klimeck Tabata , Crnkovic Camila Manoel , Berlinck Roberto G. S. , Sussulini Alessandra , Rodrigues Marcio L. , Fill Taícia Pacheco
Published: December 2020

Penicillium digitatumis the most aggressive pathogen of citrus fruits. Tryptoquialanines are major indole alkaloids produced byP. digitatum. It is unknown if tryptoquialanines are involved in the damage of citrus fruits caused byP. digitatum. To investigate the pathogenic roles of tryptoquialanines, we initially asked if tryptoquialanines could affect the germination ofCitrus sinensisseeds. Exposure of the citrus seeds to tryptoquialanine A resulted in a complete inhibition of germination and an altered metabolic response. Since this phytotoxic effect requires the extracellular export of tryptoquialanine A, we investigated the mechanisms of extracellular delivery of this alkaloid inP. digitatum. We detected extracellular vesicles (EVs) released byP. digitatumboth in culture and during infection of citrus fruits. Compositional analysis of EVs produced during infection revealed the presence of a complex cargo, which included tryptoquialanines and the mycotoxin fungisporin. The EVs also presented phytotoxicity activityin vitro, and caused damage to the tissues of citrus seeds. Through molecular networking, it was observed that the metabolites present in theP. digitatumEVs are produced in all of its possible hosts. Our results reveal a novel phytopathogenic role ofP. digitatumEVs and tryptoquialanine A, implying that this alkaloid is exported in EVs during plant infection.

IMPORTANCE

During the post-harvest period, citrus fruits can be affected by phytopathogens such asPenicillium digitatum, which causes the green mold disease and is responsible for up to 90 % of the total citrus losses. Chemical fungicides are widely used to prevent the green mold disease, leading to concerns about environmental and health risks. To develop safer alternatives to control phytopathogens, it is necessary to understand the molecular basis of infection during the host-pathogen interaction. In theP. digitatummodel, the virulence strategies are poorly known. Here, we describe the production of phytotoxic extracellular vesicles (EVs) byP. digitatumduring the infection of citrus fruits. We also characterized the secondary metabolites in the cargo of EVs and found in this set of molecules an inhibitor of seed germination. Since EVs and secondary metabolites have been related to virulence mechanisms in other host-pathogen interactions, our data are important for the comprehension of howP. digitatumcauses damage to its primary hosts.
Exploiting a PAX3-FOXO1-induced synthetic lethal ATR dependency for rhabdomyosarcoma therapy
Authors: García Heathcliff Dorado , Bei Yi , von Stebut Jennifer , Ibáñez Glorymar , Imami Koshi , Gürgen Dennis , Rolff Jana , Helmsauer Konstantin , Timme Natalie , Bardinet Victor , González Rocío Chamorro , MacArthur Ian C. , Pusch Fabian , Chen Celine Y. , Schulz Joachim , Wengner Antje M. , Furth Christian , Lala Birgit , Eggert Angelika , Seifert Georg , Hundsoerfer Patrick , Kirchner Marieluise , Mertins Philipp , Selbach Matthias , Lissat Andrej , Schulte Johannes H. , Haase Kerstin , Scheer Monika , Ortiz Michael V. , Henssen Anton G.
Published: December 2020

Pathognomonic PAX3-FOXO1 fusion oncogene expression is associated with poor outcome in rhabdomyosarcoma. Combining genome-wide CRISPR screening with cell- based functional genetic approaches, we here provide evidence that PAX3-FOXO1 induces replication stress, resulting in a synthetic lethal dependency to ATR-mediated DNA damage-response signaling in rhabdomyosarcoma. Expression of PAX3-FOXO1 in muscle progenitor cells was not only sufficient to induce hypersensitivity to ATR inhibition, but PAX3-FOXO1-expressing rhabdomyosarcoma cells also exhibited increased sensitivity to structurally diverse inhibitors of ATR, a dependency that could be validated genetically. Mechanistically, ATR inhibition led to replication stress exacerbation, decreased BRCA1 phosphorylation and reduced homologous recombination-mediated DNA repair pathway activity. Consequently, ATR inhibitor treatment increased sensitivity of rhabdomyosarcoma cells to PARP inhibitionin vitro, and combined ATR and PARP inhibition induced regression of primary patient-derived alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma xenograftsin vivo. Moreover, a genome-wide CRISPR activation screen (CRISPRa) identifiedFOSgene family members as inducers of resistance against ATR inhibitors. Mechanistically,FOSgene family members reduced replication stress in rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Lastly, compassionate use of ATR inhibitors in two pediatric patients suffering from relapsed PAX3-FOXO1-expressing alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma showed signs of tolerability, paving the way to clinically exploit this novel synthetic lethal dependency in rhabdomyosarcoma.
Cross-species examination of X-chromosome inactivation highlights domains of escape from silencing
Authors: Balaton Bradley P , Fornes Oriol , Wasserman Wyeth W , Brown Carolyn J
Published: December 2020

Background

X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) in eutherian mammals is the epigenetic inactivation of one of the two X chromosomes in XX females in order to compensate for dosage differences with XY males. Not all genes are inactivated, and the proportion escaping from inactivation varies between human and mouse (the two species that have been extensively studied).

Results

We used DNA methylation to predict the XCI status of X-linked genes with CpG islands across 12 different species: human, chimp, bonobo, gorilla, orangutan, mouse, cow, sheep, goat, pig, horse and dog. We determined the XCI status of 342 CpG islands on average per species, with most species having 80-90% of genes subject to XCI. Mouse was an outlier, with a higher proportion of genes subject to XCI than found in other species. Sixteen genes were found to have discordant X-chromosome inactivation statuses across multiple species, with five of these showing primate-specific escape from XCI. These discordant genes tended to cluster together within the X chromosome, along with genes with similar patterns of escape from XCI. CTCF- binding, ATAC-seq signal and LTR repeats were enriched at genes escaping XCI when compared to genes subject to XCI; however, enrichment was only observed in three or four of the species tested. LINE and DNA repeats showed enrichment around subject genes, but again not in a consistent subset of species.

Conclusions

In this study we determined XCI status across 12 species, showing mouse to be an outlier with few genes that escape inactivation. Inactivation status is largely conserved across species. The clustering of genes that change XCI status across species implicates a domain-level control. In contrast, the relatively consistent, but not universal correlation of inactivation status with enrichment of repetitive elements or CTCF binding at promoters demonstrates gene-based influences on inactivation state. This study broadens enrichment analysis of regulatory elements to species beyond human and mouse.
The linkage of methionine addiction, overmethylation of histone H3 lysines and malignancy demonstrated when cancer cells revert to methionine-independence
Authors: Yamamoto Jun , Inubushi Sachiko , Han Qinghong , Tashiro Yoshihiko , Sugisawa Norihiko , Hamada Kazuyuki , Aoki Yusuke , Miyake Kentaro , Matsuyama Ryusei , Bouvet Michael , Clarke Steven G. , Endo Itaru , Hoffman Robert M.
Published: December 2020

Methionine addiction is a fundamental and general hallmark of cancer and is an area of current intense interest. Methionine addiction results from the overuse of methionine by cancer cells for excess transmethylation reactions. In order to identify excess transmethylation reactions in cancer and further understand the basis of methionine addiction, we compared the histone H3 lysine-methylation status and malignancy between methionine-addicted cancer cells and their methionine-independent revertants which have regained the ability to grow on low levels of methionine or independently of exogenous methionine. The levels of trimethylated histone H3 lysine marks were reduced in methionine-independent revertants compared to parental cancer cellsin vitro. Tumorigenicity and experimental metastatic potential in nude mice were also highly reduced in the methionine-independent revertants compared to the parental cells. Our present results demonstrate that overmethylation of histone H3 lysines is linked with methionine addiction of cancer and to malignancy which suggests a possible causal relationship.
Task dependence of neural representations of scene attributes but not scene categories in the prefrontal cortex
Authors: Jung Yaelan , Walther Dirk B.
Published: December 2020

Natural scenes deliver rich sensory information about the world. Decades of research has shown that the scene-selective network in the visual cortex represents various aspects of scenes. However, less is known about how such complex scene information is processed beyond the visual cortex, such as in the prefrontal cortex. It is also unknown how task context impacts the process of scene perception, modulating which scene content is represented in the brain. In this study, we investigate these questions using scene images from four natural scene categories, which also depict two types of scene attributes, temperature (warm or cold), and sound level (noisy or quiet). A group of healthy human subjects from both sexes participated in the present study using fMRI. In the study, participants viewed scene images under two different task conditions; temperature judgment and sound-level judgment. We analyzed how these scene attributes and categories are represented across the brain under these task conditions. Our findings show that scene attributes (temperature and sound-level) are only represented in the brain when they are task-relevant. However, scene categories are represented in the brain, in both the parahippocampal place area and the prefrontal cortex, regardless of task context. These findings suggest that the prefrontal cortex selectively represents scene content according to task demands, but this task selectivity depends on the types of scene content; task modulates neural representations of scene attributes but not of scene categories.

Significance statement

Research has shown that visual scene information is processed in scene-selective regions in the occipital and temporal cortices. Here, we ask how scene content is processed and represented beyond the visual brain, in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). We show that both scene categories and scene attributes are represented in PFC, with interesting differences in task dependency: Scene attributes are only represented in PFC when they are task-relevant, but scene categories are represented in PFC regardless of the task context. Taken together, our work shows that scene information is processed beyond the visual cortex, and scene representation in PFC reflects how adaptively our minds extract relevant information from a scene.
Distinct neural representations of content and ordinal structure in auditory sequence memory
Authors: Fan Ying , Han Qiming , Guo Simeng , Luo Huan
Published: December 2020

Two forms of information – frequency (content) and ordinal position (structure) – have to be stored when retaining a sequence of auditory tones in working memory (WM). However, the neural representations and coding characteristics of content and structure, particularly during WM maintenance, remain elusive. Here, in two electroencephalography (EEG) studies, by transiently perturbing the ‘activity-silent’ WM retention state and decoding the reactivated WM information, we demonstrate that content and structure are stored in a dissociative manner with distinct characteristics throughout WM process. First, each tone in the sequence is associated with two codes in parallel, characterizing its frequency and ordinal position, respectively. Second, during retention, a structural retrocue successfully reactivates structure but not content, whereas a following white noise triggers content but not structure. Third, structure representation remains stable whereas content code undergoes a dynamic transformation through memory progress. Finally, the noise-triggered content reactivations during retention correlate with subsequent WM behavior. Overall, our results support distinct content and structure representations in auditory WM and provide a novel approach to access the silently stored WM information in the human brain. The dissociation of content and structure could facilitate efficient memory formation via generalizing stable structure to new auditory contents.
Argonaute NRDE-3 and MBT domain protein LIN-61 redundantly recruit an H3K9me3 HMT to prevent embryonic lethality and transposon expression
Authors: Padeken Jan , Methot Stephen , Zeller Peter , Delaney Colin E. , Kalck Veronique , Gasser Susan M.
Published: December 2020

The establishment and maintenance of chromatin domains shape the epigenetic memory of a cell, with the methylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9me) defining transcriptionally silent heterochromatin. We show here that the C. elegans SET-25 (SUV39/G9a) histone methyltransferase (HMT), which catalyzes H3K9me1, me2 and me3, can establish repressed chromatin domains de novo, unlike the SETDB1 homolog MET-2. Thus, SET-25 is needed to silence novel insertions of RNA or DNA transposons, and repress tissue-specific genes de novo during development. We identify two partially redundant pathways that recruit SET-25 to its targets. One pathway requires LIN-61 (L3MBTL2), which uses its four MBT domains to bind the H3K9me2 deposited by MET-2. The second pathway functions independently of MET-2 and involves the somatic Argonaute NRDE-3 and small RNAs. This pathway targets primarily highly conserved RNA and DNA transposons. These redundant SET-25 targeting pathways (MET-2–LIN-61–SET-25 and NRDE-3–SET-25) ensure repression of intact transposons and de novo insertions, while MET-2 can act alone to repress simple and satellite repeats. Removal of both pathways in the met-2;nrde-3 double mutant leads to the loss of somatic H3K9me2 and me3 and the synergistic derepression of transposons in embryos, strongly elevating embryonic lethality.
Food allergy knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) among restaurant's staff in Jordan: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Elsahoryi Nour Amin , Alkurd Refat , Ahmad Leena , Olaimat Amin N. , Hammad Fwzieh , Holley Richard
Published: December 2020

Purpose

People with food allergies rely to a great extent on restaurant staff to have a safe meal. The purpose of this paper is to acquire novel data to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practices of food allergy among the restaurant's staff and factors that could be associated with these domains.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study involving 306 restaurant staff in Amman City, Jordan was conducted using a validated self-reported questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP).

Findings

The results showed that most restaurant staff had moderate to excellent knowledge, positive attitudes, low to moderate risk practices regarding food allergy. Knowledge level was significantly associated with the staff's age, position, education level and restaurant class. Further, attitude level was significantly associated with staff age, experience, gender, education level, restaurant class and whether the restaurant held food safety certificates. Similarly, staff behavioral practices were significantly associated with staff position, restaurant class and the presence of valid food safety certificates.

Practical implications

This study suggests that more training for the staff in restaurants would be associated with a lower risk of providing unsafe meals.

Originality/value

This study demonstrated the need for the pre-employment theoretical and practical tests for restaurants’ staff to determine their knowledge level and provide them mandatory developing training programs to support and facilitate food allergy risk management and to develop food allergy policies.
An econometric analysis of the factors affecting consumers' bread waste and consumption behaviour: a case study of Isparta province, Turkey
Authors: Sarica Deniz , Demircan Vecdi , Erturk Aybike , Arslantas Nilay
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the research is to identify the various factors affecting bread wastage and bread consumption of consumers in Isparta, Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the categorical regression (CATREG) model to estimate the driving forces of bread waste and consumption. The study concentrates on data obtained from 384 respondents speaking for the same number of households placed in the province of Isparta in Turkey.

Findings

The results indicate that both models are statistically significant at the 1% level. Parents' profession, storage method, type of bread consumed, daily bread expenditure, monthly income and the idea of “bread is cheap” are the most important variables affecting bread wastage. Regarding bread consumption, parents' profession, fathers' education level, monthly income, inadequate control in bakeries, household size and the idea of “bread makes people fat” are found to play significant roles.

Practical implications

The results could be helpful to develop influential policies on healthy eating and aiming plans to reduce bread consumption to healthy levels and prevent bread waste.

Social implications

This research contributes to knowledge regarding the underlying causes of the bread consumption and wastage of Turkish consumers in the light of the data analysis for Isparta province.

Originality/value

This paper contains unique and original understandings concerning bread consumption and wastage attitudes and determinants for consumers from Isparta, Turkey. The novel findings of this research have conduced to a better understanding of the key factors that affect bread consumption and waste. The paper also applies an econometric analysis using a CATREG model to analyse the factors influencing consumers' bread waste and consumption behaviour in Isparta province, Turkey.
Experimental analysis of UV-activated ethanol sensor based on the formation of organic/inorganic heterojunction
Authors: Sankararajan Radha , Savarimuthu Kirubaveni , Murugesan Sudha , Ramany Kiruthika , Rajamanickam Govindaraj , Narendhiran Santhosh
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to fabricate an ethanol sensor which has bio-friendly and eco-friendly properties compared to the commercially available ethanol sensors.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes the construction of a highly sensitive ethanol sensor with low ppm level detection at room temperature by integrating three techniques. The first deals with the formation of organic/inorganic p-n heterojunction. Second, tuning of structural parameters such as length, diameter and density of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanostructure was achieved through introduction of the Fe dopant into a pure ZnO seed layer. Furthermore, ultra-violet (UV) light photoactivation approach was used for enhancing the sensing performance of the fabricated sensors. Four different sensors were fabricated by combing the above approaches. The structural, morphological, optical and material compositions were characterized using different characterization techniques. Sensing behavior of the fabricated sensors toward ethanol was experimented at room temperature with and without UV illumination combined with stability studies. It was observed that all the fabricated sensors showed enhanced sensing performance for 10 ppm of ethanol. In specific, FNZ (Fe-doped ZnO seeded Ni-doped Zn nanorods) sensor exhibited a higher response at 2.2 and 13.5 s for 5 ppm and 100 ppm of ethanol with UV light illumination at room temperature, respectively. The photoactivated FNZ sensor showed quick response and speedy recovery at 18 and 30 s, respectively, for 100 ppm ethanol.

Findings

In this study, the authors have experimentally analyzed the effect of Fe (in ZnO seed layer and ZnO NRs) and Ni (in ZnO NRs) dopants in the room temperature sensing performance (with and without UV light) of the fabricated ethanol sensors. Important sensing parameters like sensitivity, recovery and response time of all the fabricated sensors are reported.

Originality/value

The Fe doped ZnO seeded Ni doped Zn nanorods (FNZ sample) showed a higher response at 2.2 s and 13.5 s for very low 5 ppm and 10 ppm of ethanol at room temperature under UV light illumination when compared to the other fabricated sensors in this paper. Similarly, this sensor also had quick response (18 s) and speedy recovery (30 s) for 100 ppm ethanol.
Novel center potential based analytical sub-threshold model for dual metal broken gate TFET
Authors: Chowdhury Joy , Sarkar Angsuman , Mahapatra Kamalakanta , Das Jitendra Kumar
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an improved model based on center potential instead of surface potential which is physically more relevant and accurate. Also, additional analytic insights have been provided to make the model independent and robust so that it can be extended to a full range compact model.

Design/methodology/approach

The design methodology used is center potential based analytical modeling using Psuedo-2D Poisson equation, with ingeniously developed boundary conditions, which help achieve reasonably accurate results. Also, the depletion width calculation has been suitably remodeled, to account for proper physical insights and accuracy.

Findings

The proposed model has considerable accuracy and is able to correctly predict most of the physical phenomena occurring inside the broken gate Tunnel FET structure. Also, a good match has been observed between the modeled data and the simulation results. Ion/Iambipolar ratio of 10^(−8) has been achieved which is quintessential for low power SOCs.

Originality/value

The modeling approach used is different from the previously used techniques and uses indigenous boundary conditions. Also, the current model developed has been significantly altered, using very simple but intuitive technique instead of complex mathematical approach.
Motivational factors, customer engagement and loyalty in the South African mobile instant messaging environment: moderating effect of application usage
Authors: Kritzinger Ronnie , Petzer Daniël Johannes
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine specific gratifications obtained from using mobile instant messaging (MIM) applications by applying the uses and gratifications theory. This study explores the relationships between motivational factors, customer engagement and loyalty for existing WhatsApp subscribers in South Africa, as well as the moderating effect of application usage.

Design/methodology/approach

A descripto-explanatory research design was used in this quantitative study and 282 responses from an online survey were analysed. Structural equation modelling was used to test the study’s hypotheses.

Findings

The study reveals that utilitarian and hedonic motivation impact customer engagement positively in using WhatsApp, which, in turn, impacts loyalty. Social motivation in using WhatsApp bore no relationship with customer engagement. Furthermore, medium application usage moderates the link between customer engagement and utilitarian and hedonic motivation.

Research limitations/implications

The study offers a greater understanding of customer engagement and motivational factors in the MIM environment. Future studies could consider more complex relationships with customer engagement in using MIM apps focussed on a younger generation.

Practical implications

MIM service providers should enhance customer engagement by tracking user activity and identifying customers who need to use an app more by targeting their utilitarian and hedonic needs through sophisticated marketing strategies.

Originality/value

This research enriches the understanding of key motivational factors impacting customers’ continued engagement towards using MIM, as opposed to the adoption thereof.
An empirical regression model toward optimized ergonomic conditions for monitoring room operators using RSM
Authors: Fallahiarezoudar Ehsan , Ahmadipourroudposht Mohaddeseh , Ngadiman Nor Hasrul Akhmal
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to provide an ergonomic design of the monitoring room that has resulted in safe, functional and comfortable environment for the operators, which may lead to improve the efficiency. Currently, uses of closed‐circuit televisions to monitor the critical environments are widely applicable. The information is continuously transferred and analyzed through a center called monitoring room.

Design/methodology/approach

Here, through creating a systematic analysis, a series of experiments was performed initially to evaluate and then optimize the parameters such as illumination, visual angle, operator-screen distance, number of scenes display in a single screen, workstation height, screen dimension and monitoring time that may affect the visual skill of the operators. Taguchi orthogonal array was used to analyze the significance of parameters on operator’s response time to a threat. The five parameters were distinguished as significant. Later response surface methodology was utilized to optimize the parameters.

Findings

Quadratic empirical model developed for the response time exposes the optimum response time was achievable at illumination of 500 lux, visual angle of 13°, operator-screen distance of 60 cm, three scenes, workstation height of 120 cm, screen dimension of 34” and monitoring time of 15 min. This shortened the response time by 28 per cent. The adequacy of the fitted model was successfully verified using the confirmation test with α = 95 per cent.

Originality/value

The novelty of this work lies in the application of a systematic statistical analysis, which enables considering the interaction among the noise parameters and controllable one simultaneously. Furthermore, the obtained regression model can widely be used for adjusting the parameters accordingly based on various anthropometric data.
Coordination and competition in two-echelon supply chain using grey revenue-sharing contracts
Authors: Hendalianpour Ayad , Hamzehlou Mohammad , Feylizadeh Mohammad Reza , Xie Naiming , Shakerizadeh Mohammad Hossein
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study examines the potential of contracts as one of the supply chain coordination mechanisms under competitive conditions. It also investigates a two-echelon supply chain model with two manufacturers and two retailers to develop a competitive structure in grey stochastic demand.

Design/methodology/approach

Supply chain demand is considered as a stochastic phenomenon depending on the selling price of the product. Also, products can be replaced by market manufacturers. Each retailer faces the pricing of products from two manufacturers, leading to competition between downstream retailers. In the present study, the duopoly supply chain model was presented based on the wholesale price contract, revenue-sharing contract and quantity discount contract separately.

Findings

Grey optimization and analysis of their coordination were presented. The results showed the high performance of revenue-sharing contracts in the supply chain. Thus, manufacturers will give the next priority to quantity discount contracts.

Originality/value

Ordering is the main factor contributing to competitive decision-making. Meanwhile, decision-making along with ordering and pricing will be required due to the nature of the demand.
Develop a numerical approach of fuzzy logic type-2 to improve the reliability of a hydraulic automated guided vehicles
Authors: Li Zhixiong , Jamshidian Morteza , Mousavi Sayedali , Karimipour Arash , Tlili Iskander
Published: December 2020

Purpose

In this paper, the uncertainties important components and the structure status are obtained by using the condition monitoring, expert groups and multiple membership functions by creating a fuzzy system in MATLAB software.

Design/methodology/approach

In the form of fuzzy type, the average structural safety must be followed to replace the damages or to absolutely control the decision-making. Uncertainty in the functionality of hydraulic automated guided vehicles (AGVs), without knowing the reliability of pieces, can cause failure in the manufacturing process. It can be controlled by the condition monitoring pieces done by measurement errors and ambiguous boundaries.

Findings

As a result, this monitoring could increase productivity with higher quality in delivery in flexible manufacturing systems with an increase of 70% reliability mutilation for the hydraulic AGV parts.

Originality/value

Hydraulic AGVs play a vital role in flexible manufacturing in recent years. Lately, several strategies for maintenance and repairing of hydraulic AGVs exist in the industry but are still confronted with many uncertainties. The hydraulic AGV is faced with uncertainty after 10 years of working in terms of reliability. Reconstruction of the old parts with the new parts may not have the quality and durability.
Developing metacognitive teaching in Chinese language through conducting lesson study in Shanghai
Authors: Shi Lan , Cheng Eric C.K.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates the effectiveness of metacognitive teaching methods on students' reading comprehension through a lesson study case conducted in Shanghai.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts an experimental design with control groups and experimental groups. Plan–do–check–act (PDCA) cycles of lesson study were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of modeling, self-questioning, think aloud and KWL strategy in Chinese language lessons. Metacognitive teaching strategies were implemented at a junior high school in Shanghai. The data was collected via lesson observation, interviews and pre- and posttests.

Findings

Results identified a significant difference between the incremental scores of students' reading comprehension in the experimental group and control group. The findings from the lesson observation showed that metacognitive teaching strategies in Chinese language developed students' reading comprehension. Moreover, PDCA cycles of lesson study helped the teachers improve metacognitive teaching strategies.

Originality/value

Few studies have been conducted to validate metacognitive teaching through lesson study in the context of China schools, and this study contributes to a new research dimension of lesson study on developing pedagogical practices to improve student learning outcomes.
Converting debt into equity in private limited companies in Thailand
Authors: Reekie Adam
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the prohibition on debt-to-equity conversions for private limited companies in Thailand, resulting from an interpretation of Section 1119 of the Thai Civil and Commercial Code (TCCC) adopted by academics and the regulator.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper critically examines the interpretation of Section 1119 of the TCCC made by academics, the Thai Supreme Court and the regulator. Taking an approach, which draws on debate in the EU over the past two decades, this paper presents a new understanding of the rules relating to legal capital in Thailand. This new understanding is applied to challenge the orthodox interpretation of Section 1119.

Findings

The interpretation proposed by this paper is that debt-to-equity conversions may be permitted when viewed as shares issued in return for payment in kind. This proposed interpretation is consistent with existing Thai Supreme Court jurisprudence. In addition, a close reading of the provision, further supported by a historical investigation into the legislative drafting process, reveals that it reflects the original intention behind this provision.

Originality/value

This paper presents a view of Thai legal capital rules, which challenges the orthodox understanding of their nature, purpose and categorisation. Furthermore, the proposed interpretation of Section 1119 of the TCCC, if adopted by the regulator, would permit Thai private limited companies to engage in debt-to-equity swaps without further legislative intervention.
Policy and institutional enablers of public–private partnerships in the electricity sector in Uganda: a multi-level and path dependence perspective
Authors: Onyoin Moses , Bovis Christopher
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper explains the evident disproportionality in the levels of adoption of the modality of public–private partnerships (PPPs) in Uganda by tracing the peculiar preconditions and enablers of the model's relative high adoption in the electricity sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Key conceptual suggestions from historical institutionalism (HI), critical juncture and path dependence are used to orient the data collection and analysis. The direct experiences and perceptions of key informants involved in policy, regulation and operations in the electricity sector are thematically analyzed.

Findings

The primacy of specific policy, institutional decisions and actions sequentially undertaken at the international, national and sectorial levels in shaping the conceivability and possibility of PPP modality is foregrounded. In particular, international advisory for the changed role of the state and the government's subsequent decision to enact and reenact specific institutional frameworks at the national and sectorial levels created important disruptions to the status quo and paved a new and relatively stable institutional path conducive for private sector participation.

Research limitations/implications

Theoretically, the paper demonstrates the ability and power of HI to support the exploration and framing of multilevel and path-dependent explanations of institutional development and policy adoption. Practically, suggestions in terms of policy, legal and regulatory enablers for the adoption of PPP are made to shape practitioners' decision-making

Practical implications

Practically, suggestions in terms of policy, legal and regulatory enablers for the adoption of PPP are made to shape practitioners' decision-making.

Originality/value

The importance of considering factor combinations and sequences in explaining the emergence, adoption and proliferation of public policy instruments and phenomena is underscored. In addition, the discourse on PPPs is moved beyond rationalization on how to even out their adoption (and subsequently the associated benefits) across sectors.
Performance improvement of a crystallization system through optimization and sensitivity analysis
Authors: Aggarwal Anil Kr.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper deals with the performance optimization and sensitivity analysis for crystallization system of a sugar plant.

Design/methodology/approach

Crystallization system comprises of five subsystems, namely crystallizer, centrifugal pump and sugar grader. The Chapman–Kolmogorov differential equations are derived from the transition diagram of the crystallization system using mnemonic rule. These equations are solved to compute reliability and steady state availability by putting the appropriate combinations of failure and repair rates using normalizing and initial boundary conditions. The performance optimization is carried out by varying number of generations, population size, crossover and mutation probabilities. Finally, sensitivity analysis is performed to analyze the effect of change in failure rates of each subsystem on availability, mean time to failure (MTBF) and mean time to repair (MTTR).

Findings

The highest performance observed is 96.95% at crossover probability of 0.3 and sugar grader subsystem comes out to be the most critical and sensitive subsystem.

Originality/value

The findings of the paper highlights the optimum value of performance level at failure and repair rates for subsystems and also helps identify the most sensitive subsystem. These findings are highly beneficial for the maintenance personnel of the plant to plan the maintenance strategies accordingly.
Operational policing and child abuse: examining the impact of feminism, exploring the application of intersectionality
Authors: Romeyn Ineke , Birch Philip
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine operational policing practice and child abuse. The paper acknowledges the influence second-wave feminism has had on police practice in terms of recognising and addressing this crime type. However, child abuse is mostly considered within the context of a single incident, with those children who suffer repeat and poly-victimisation being overlooked. As a consequence, the application of intersectionality as a theoretical framework to underpin practice is considered.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a case study approach. By doing so, an examination of operational policing practice with regard to child abuse takes place.

Findings

Feminism, as a theoretical framework, for informing practice has its limitations, in particular with regard to operational policing practice. This is illustrated through the crime type of child abuse. With the onset of work by scholars such as Finkelhor, the importance of recognising and dealing with those who suffer from repeat and multiple forms of victimisation has become apparent. As a consequence, the policing of repeat and poly-victimisation of child sexual abuse victims needs to be enhanced. Intersectionality is considered as being a theoretical framework that can inform police practice in this area of work.

Practical implications

The implications for practice are, namely, intersectionality has an important role to play in informing an understanding of child abuse. Intersectionality is an appropriate framework for the police to use to enhance their response to child abuse as the cornerstone of both Intersectionality and police practice is to redress unjust treatment. A targeted and consistent approach by police, education, health and community services to prevent child abuse informed by intersectionality. Building on the success of a number of police-led initiatives designed to address child abuse.

Originality/value

Much that is written about child abuse is typically done so through the lens of social work. This piece provides a timely reminder of the importance of policing in the prevention, disruption and reduction of this crime type. Further to this, the paper takes a novel approach by applying intersectionality not only as a means of understanding and addressing child abuse but as a means of informing police practice in dealing with the crime.
A heuristic approach applied to the fleet sizing problem for military ground vehicles
Authors: Longhorn Dave C. , Stobbs John Dale
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to propose two solution approaches to determine the number of ground transport vehicles that are required to ensure the on-time delivery of military equipment between origin and destination node pairs in some geographic region, which is an important logistics problem at the US Transportation Command.

Design/methodology/approach

The author uses a mathematical program and a traditional heuristic to provide optimal and near-optimal solutions, respectively. The author also compares the approaches for random, small-scale problems to assess the quality and computational efficiency of the heuristic solution, and also uses the heuristic to solve a notional, large-scale problem typical of real problems.

Findings

This work helps analysts identify how many ground transport vehicles are needed to meet cargo delivery requirements in any military theater of operation.

Research limitations/implications

This research assumes all problem data is deterministic, so it does not capture variations in requirements or transit times between nodes.

Practical implications

This work provides prescriptive details to military analysts and decision-makers in a timely manner. Prior to this work, insights for this type of problem were generated using time-consuming simulation taking about a week and often involving trial-and-error.

Originality/value

This research provides new methods to solve an important logistics problem. The heuristic presented in this paper was recently used to provide operational insights about ground vehicle requirements to support a geographic combatant command and to inform decisions for railcar recapitalization within the US Army.