bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel mutual information estimator to measure spike train correlations in a model thalamocortical network
Authors: Gribkova Ekaterina D. , Ibrahim Baher A. , Llano Daniel A.
Published: March 2018

The impact of thalamic state on information transmission to the cortex remains poorly understood. This limitation exists due to the rich dynamics displayed by thalamocortical networks and because of inadequate tools to characterize those dynamics. Here, we introduce a novel estimator of mutual information and use it to determine the impact of a computational model of thalamic state on information transmission. Using several criteria, this novel estimator, which uses an adaptive partition, is shown to be superior to other mutual information estimators with uniform partitions when used to analyze simulated spike train data with different mean spike rates, as well as electrophysiological data from simultaneously recorded neurons. When applied to a thalamocortical model, the estimator revealed that thalamocortical cell T-type calcium current conductance influences mutual information between the input and output from this network. In particular, a T-type calcium current conductance of about 40 nS appears to produce maximal mutual information between the input to this network (conceptualized as afferent input to the thalamocortical cell) and the output of the network at the level of a layer 4 cortical neuron. Furthermore, at particular combinations of inputs to thalamocortical and thalamic reticular nucleus cells, thalamic cell bursting correlated strongly with recovery of mutual information between thalamic afferents and layer 4 neurons. These studies suggest that the novel mutual information estimator has advantages over previous estimators, and that thalamic reticular nucleus activity can enhance mutual information between thalamic afferents and thalamorecipient cells in the cortex.
Behavior of homing endonuclease gene drives targeting genes required for viability or female fertility with multiplexed guide RNAs
Authors: Oberhofer Georg , Ivy Tobin , Hay Bruce A.
Published: March 2018

A gene drive method of particular interest for population suppression utilizes homing endonuclease genes (HEGs), wherein a site-specific nuclease-encoding cassette is copied, in the germline, into a target gene whose loss of function results in loss of viability or fertility in homozygous, but not heterozygous progeny. Earlier work inDrosophilaand mosquitoes utilized HEGs consisting of Cas9 and a single gRNA that together target a specific gene for cleavage. Homing was observed, but resistant alleles, immune to cleavage, while retaining wildtype gene function, were also created through non-homologous end joining. Such alleles prevent drive and population suppression. Targeting a gene for cleavage at multiple positions has been suggested as a strategy to prevent the appearance of resistant alleles. To test this hypothesis, we generated two suppression HEGs, targeting genes required for embryonic viability or fertility, using a HEG consisting of CRISPR/Cas9 and guide RNAs (gRNAs) designed to cleave each gene at four positions. Rates of target locus cleavage were very high, and multiplexing of gRNAs prevented resistant allele formation. However, germline homing rates were modest, and the HEG cassette was unstable during homing events, resulting in frequent partial copying of HEGs that lacked gRNAs, a dominant marker gene, or Cas9. Finally, in drive experiments the HEGs failed to spread, due to the high fitness load induced in offspring as a result of maternal carry over of Cas9/gRNA complex activity. Alternative design principles are proposed that may mitigate these problems in future gene drive engineering.

Significance statement

HEG-based gene drive can bring about population suppression when genes required for viability or fertility are targeted. However, these strategies are vulnerable to failure through mechanisms that create alleles resistant to cleavage, but that retain wildtype gene function. We show that resistance allele creation can be prevented through the use of gRNAs designed to cleave a gene at four target sites. However, homing rates were modest, and the HEGs were unstable during homing. In addition, use of a promoter active in the female germline resulted in levels of HEG carryover that compromised the viability or fertility of HEG-bearing heterozygotes, thereby preventing drive. We propose strategies that can help to overcome these problems in next generation HEG systems.
Predicting the viability of archaic human hybrids using a mitochondrial proxy
Authors: Allen Richard , Ryan Hannah , Davis Brian W. , King Charlotte , Frantz Laurent , Barnett Ross , Linderholm Anna , Loog Liisa , Haile James , Lebrasseur Ophélie , White Mark , Kitchener Andrew C. , Murphy William J. , Larson Greger
Published: March 2018

Ancient DNA evidence has confirmed hybridization between humans and Neanderthals and revealed a complex pattern of admixture between hominin lineages. Many segments of the modern human genome are devoid of Neanderthal ancestry, however, and this non-random distribution has raised questions regarding the frequency and success of hybridisation between ancient human lineages. Here, we examine the hypothesis that hominin hybrid offspring suffered a reduction in fertility by comparing patterns of sequence divergence of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA from numerous hybridising pairs of mammals. Our results reveal a threshold separating species pairs whose divergence values fall within two categories: those whose hybrid offspring can successfully reproduce without backcrossing with their parent species, and those whose hybrid offspring cannot. Using this framework, we predict that the potential hybrid offspring of Neanderthals, Denisovans, the ancient individuals from the Sima de los Huesos and anatomically modern humans would not have suffered a reduction in fertility.
A Comparative Assessment of Human and Chimpanzee iPSC-derived Cardiomyocytes with Primary Heart Tissues
Authors: Pavlovic Bryan J. , Blake Lauren E. , Roux Julien , Chavarria Claudia , Gilad Yoav
Published: March 2018

Comparative genomic studies in primates have the potential to reveal the genetic and mechanistic basis for human specific traits. These studies may also help us better understand inter-species phenotypic differences that are clinically relevant. Unfortunately, the obvious limitation on sample collection and experimentation in humans and non-human apes severely restrict our ability to perform dynamic comparative studies in primates. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and their corresponding differentiated cells, may provide a suitable alternative system for dynamic comparative studies. Yet, to effectively use iPSCs and differentiated cells for comparative studies, one must characterize the extent to which these systems faithfully represent biological processes in primary tissues. To do so, we compared gene expression data from primary adult heart tissue and iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes from multiple human and chimpanzee individuals. We determined that gene expression in cultured cardiomyocytes from both human and chimpanzee is most similar to that of adult hearts compared to other adult tissues. Using a comparative framework, we found that 50% of gene regulatory differences between human and chimpanzee hearts are also observed between species in cultured cardiomyocytes; conversely, inter-species regulatory differences seen in cardiomyocytes are found significantly more often in hearts than in other primary tissues. Our work provides a detailed description of the utility and limitation of differentiated cardiomyocytes as a system for comparative functional genomic studies in primates.

Data availability and resource sharing

Gene expression (RNA-seq) data are available at GEO under accession number GSE110471. All human and chimpanzee iPSCs are available upon request without restriction or limitation.
Numerous recursive sites contribute to accuracy of splicing of long introns in flies
Authors: Pai Athma A. , Paggi Joseph , Adelman Karen , Burge Christopher B.
Published: March 2018

Recursive splicing, a process by which a single intron is removed from pre-mRNA transcripts in multiple distinct segments, has been observed in a small subset of Drosophila melanogaster introns. However, detection of recursive splicing requires observation of splicing intermediates which are inherently unstable, making it difficult to study. Here we developed new computational approaches to identify recursively spliced introns and applied them, in combination with existing methods, to nascent RNA sequencing data from Drosophila S2 cells. These approaches identified hundreds of novel sites of recursive splicing, expanding the catalog of recursively spliced fly introns by 4-fold. Recursive sites occur in most very long (> 40 kb) fly introns, including many genes involved in morphogenesis and development, and tend to occur near the midpoints of introns. Suggesting a possible function for recursive splicing, we observe that fly introns with recursive sites are spliced more accurately than comparably sized non-recursive introns.
Visualizing multiple inter-organelle contact sites using the organelle-targeted split-GFP system
Authors: Kakimoto Yuriko , Tashiro Shinya , Kojima Rieko , Morozumi Yuuki , Endo Toshiya , Tamura Yasushi
Published: March 2018

Functional integrity of eukaryotic organelles relies on direct physical contacts between distinct organelles. However, the entity of organelle-tethering factors is not well understood due to lack of means to analyze inter-organelle interactions in living cells. Here we evaluate the split-GFP system for visualizing organelle contact sitesin vivoand show its advantages and disadvantages. We observed punctate GFP signals from the split-GFP fragments targeted to any pairs of organelles among the ER, mitochondria, peroxisomes, vacuole and lipid droplets in yeast cells, which suggests that these organelles form contact sites with multiple organelles simultaneously although it is difficult to rule out the possibilities that these organelle contacts sites are artificially formed by the irreversible associations of the split-GFP probes. Importantly, split-GFP signals in the overlapped regions of the ER and mitochondria were mainly co-localized with ERMES, an authentic ER-mitochondria tethering structure, suggesting that split-GFP assembly depends on the preexisting inter-organelle contact sites. We also confirmed that the split-GFP system can be applied to detection of the ER-mitochondria contact sites in HeLa cells. We thus propose that the split-GFP system is a potential tool to observe and analyze inter-organelle contact sites in living yeast and mammalian cells.
Multiple-scale structures: from Faraday waves to soft-matter quasicrystals
Authors: Savitz Samuel , Babadi Mehrtash , Lifshitz Ron
Published: March 2018

For many years, quasicrystals were observed only as solid-state metallic alloys, yet current research is now actively exploring their formation in a variety of soft materials, including systems of macromolecules, nanoparticles and colloids. Much effort is being invested in understanding the thermodynamic properties of these soft-matter quasicrystals in order to predict and possibly control the structures that form, and hopefully to shed light on the broader yet unresolved general questions of quasicrystal formation and stability. Moreover, the ability to control the self-assembly of soft quasicrystals may contribute to the development of novel photonics or other applications based on self-assembled metamaterials. Here a path is followed, leading to quantitative stability predictions, that starts with a model developed two decades ago to treat the formation of multiple-scale quasiperiodic Faraday waves (standing wave patterns in vibrating fluid surfaces) and which was later mapped onto systems of soft particles, interactingviamultiple-scale pair potentials. The article reviews, and substantially expands, the quantitative predictions of these models, while correcting a few discrepancies in earlier calculations, and presents new analytical methods for treating the models. In so doing, a number of new stable quasicrystalline structures are found with octagonal, octadecagonal and higher-order symmetries, some of which may, it is hoped, be observed in future experiments.
Exploitation of knowledge databases in the synthesis of zinc(II) malonates with photo-sensitive and photo-insensitive N,N′-containing linkers
Authors: Zorina-Tikhonova Ekaterina N. , Chistyakov Aleksandr S. , Kiskin Mikhail A. , Sidorov Aleksei A. , Dorovatovskii Pavel V. , Zubavichus Yan V. , Voronova Eugenia D. , Godovikov Ivan A. , Korlyukov Alexander A. , Eremenko Igor L. , Vologzhanina Anna V.
Published: March 2018

Photoinitiated solid-state reactions are known to affect the physical properties of coordination polymers, such as fluorescence and sorption behaviour, and also afford extraordinary architectures (e.g. three-periodic structures with polyorganic ligands). However, the construction of novel photo-sensitive coordination polymers requires an understanding of the factors which govern the mutual disposition of reactive fragments. A series of zinc(II) malonate complexes with 1,2-bis(pyridin-4-yl)ethylene and its photo-insensitive analogues has been synthesized for the purpose of systematic analysis of their underlying nets and mutual disposition of N-donor ligands. The application of a big data-set analysis for the prediction of a variety of possible complex compositions, coordination environments and networks for a four-component system has been demonstrated for the first time. Seven of the nine compounds possess one of the highly probable topologies for their underlying nets; in addition, two novel closely related four-coordinated networks were obtained. Complexes containing 1,2-bis(pyridin-4-yl)ethylene and 1,2-bis(pyridin-4-yl)ethane form isoreticular compounds more readily than those with 4,4′-bipyridine and 1,2-bis(pyridin-4-yl)ethylene. The effects of the precursor, either zinc(II) nitrate or zinc(II) acetate, on the composition and dimensionality of the resulting architecture are discussed. For three of the four novel complexes containing 1,2-bis(pyridin-4-yl)ethylene, the single-crystal-to-single-crystal [2 + 2] cycloaddition reactions were carried out. UV irradiation of these crystals afforded either the 0D→1D or the 3D→3D transformations, with and without network changes. One of the two 3D→3D transformations was accompanied by solvent (H2O) cleavage.
Aromaticity of benzene derivatives: an exploration of the Cambridge Structural Database
Authors: Majerz Irena , Dziembowska Teresa
Published: March 2018

The harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity (HOMA) index, one of the most popular aromaticity indices for solid-state benzene rings in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD), has been analyzed. The histograms of HOMA for benzene, for benzene derivatives with one formyl, nitro, amino or hydroxy group as well as the histograms for the derivatives with two formyl, nitro, amino or hydroxy groups inortho,metaandparapositions were investigated. The majority of the substituted benzene derivatives in the CSD are characterized by a high value of HOMA, indicating fully aromatic character; however, the distribution of the HOMA value from 1 to about 0 indicates decreasing aromaticity down to non-aromatic character. Among the benzene derivatives investigated, a significant decrease in aromaticity can be related to compounds with diamino and dinitro groups in themetaposition.
Ionic network analysis of tectosilicates: the example of coesite at variable pressure
Authors: Reifenberg Melina , Thomas Noel W.
Published: March 2018

The method of ionic network analysis [Thomas (2017).Acta Cryst.B73, 74–86] is extended to tectosilicates through the example of coesite, the high-pressure polymorph of SiO2. The structural refinements of Černoket al.[Z. Kristallogr.(2014),229, 761–773] are taken as the starting point for applying the method. Its purpose is to predict the unit-cell parameters and atomic coordinates at (p–T–X) values in-between those of diffraction experiments. The essential development step for tectosilicates is to define a pseudocubic parameterization of the O4cages of the SiO4tetrahedra. The six parametersaPC,bPC,cPC, αPC, βPCand γPCallow a full quantification of the tetrahedral structure,i.e.distortion and enclosed volume. Structural predictions for coesite require that two separate quasi-planar networks are defined, one for the silicon ions and the other for the O4cage midpoints. A set of parametric curves is used to describe the evolution with pressure of these networks and the pseudocubic parameters. These are derived by fitting to the crystallographic data. Application of the method to monoclinic feldspars and to quartz and cristobalite is discussed. Further, a novel two-parameter quantification of the degree of tetrahedral distortion is described. At pressures in excess ofca20.45 GPa it is not possible to find a self-consistent solution to the parametric curves for coesite, pointing to the likelihood of a phase transition.
A method for visualization of the variation of noncovalent interactions in crystal structures of conformational polymorphs
Authors: Savchenkov Anton V. , Serezhkin Viktor N.
Published: March 2018

A method for clear visualization of the variation of noncovalent interactions in crystal structures of conformational polymorphs is developed and introduced. The first stage of the method establishes the characteristics of all, without exception, noncovalent interactions in all crystal structures under discussion. This is possible using a strict and objective method of construction of Voronoi–Dirichlet polyhedra within the framework of the stereoatomic model of crystal structures. The second stage of the method then involves plotting of diagrams, showing the relation between parameters characterizing interatomic interactions and chosen geometric parameters of molecules. Application of the title method to highly polymorphic systems of ROY and flufenamic acid allows several imperceptible features of real crystal structures to be revealed and determines the value of different types of interactions in their conformational polymorphs. The method is universal as it can be readily adapted to any system of crystal structures in which noncovalent interactions change as a function of any parameters. Employment of the title method along with quantum chemical calculations offers opportunities for the correlation of potential energy of crystalline materials with noncovalent interactions in their structures, which is a giant step forward towards a more complete understanding of the relationship between the structure and properties of compounds.
Crystal structure of 3-[2-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl)diazen-1-yl]pyridine-2,6-diamine monohydrate
Authors: Chotima Ratanon , Boonseng Bussaba , Piyasaengthong Akkharadet , Songsasen Apisit , Chainok Kittipong
Published: March 2018

In the title hydrated azo compound, C8H8N6S·H2O, the two aromatic groups are close to coplanar with the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the thiazole and pyridine rings being 2.9 (2)°. The organic molecule adopts an E configuration with respect to the double bond of the azo bridge. In the crystal, molecules are linked by (amine)N—H...N(pyridine), (amine)N—H...O(water) and (water)O—H...N(thiazole) hydrogen bonds along with π–π interactions involving pairs of thiazole rings and pairs of pyridine rings. The plane-to-plane distance between two parallel molecules is 3.7856 (4) Å and corresponds to the length of the a axis. In this way, a layer structure parallel to (010) is formed. The layers are linked by weak C—H...S hydrogen bonds, eventually resulting in a three-dimensional network.
Synthesis and crystallographic characterization of [2,2-bis(η5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)-3,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-2-zirconafuran-5-one-κO5]triisobutylaluminium
Authors: Burlakov Vladimir V. , Bogdanov Vyacheslav S. , Arndt Perdita , Spannenberg Anke , Rosenthal Uwe , Beweries Torsten , Shur Vladimir B.
Published: March 2018

The crystal structure of the title zwitterionic zirconocene complex containing a furanone unit, [AlZr(C10H15)2(C4H9)3(C9H18O2Si2)], is reported. On reacting a zirconafuranone with two equivalents of HAl(i-Bu)2, disproportionation of the Lewis acid results in the formation of a triisobutylaluminium fragment, Al(i-Bu)3, which coordinates to the exocyclic carbonyl O atom of the zirconafuranone ring. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that the zirconafuranone ring remains intact with coordination of the aluminium to the exocyclic O atom. One of thei-butyl groups is disordered over two sets of sites, with an occupancy ratio of 0.731 (3):0.269 (3).
efin Recruiters: at the crossroads of the Indian RPO Industry
Authors: Parameswar Nakul , Singh Ashwani , Malik Rajat , Dhir Sanjay
Published: March 2018

Subject area

Strategic Management.

Study level/applicability

Master of Business Administration/Executive Program in Management Level.

Case overview

Rajat Malik started eFin Recruiters in January 2015 an RPO firm solely catering to the finance domain. Positioning eFin Recruiters in a niche domain created serious challenges to be tackled. Rajat was contemplating leveraging the Indian Government’s Startup India campaign launched on January 16, 2016 to his advantage to scale up eFin Recruiters’ operations by 400 per cent and compete with large established players in the RPO industry. Complacency and anticipated retaliatory action by competitors against eFin Recruiters’ positioning in the niche domain were a huge impediment in eFin Recruiters’ path to exponential growth.

Expected learning outcomes

This case will enable students to understand the concepts of industry analysis, strategic positioning from the view of an entrepreneurial firm and business level strategy. This case acts as a medium to integrate entrepreneurship and strategy which is of utmost relevance.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS: 11: Strategy.
From Asia to Africa: the international expansion of Hon Chuan enterprise
Authors: Chen Caleb Huanyong , Chan Allan KK
Published: March 2018

Subject area

International Expansion; Emerging Markets; Corporate Strategy; Strategic Management.

Study level/applicability

Senior undergraduate; MBA; EMBA.

Case overview

This case focuses on the international expansion of Hon Chuan Enterprise, a beverage packaging and filling company headquartered in Taiwan. The company has set foot in Africa after its development in mainland China and Southeast Asia. Its 41st factory has just started production in Mozambique, Africa. The African base may help the company reach the turnover milestone of NT$20bn (approximately US$640m) in the next year. This NT$20bn turnover has been a target every year since 2013, but they have so far failed to reach it. As an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in beverage packaging and filling, Hon Chuan to some extent relies on customers that own brands. After losing a key customer in mainland China, the company has experienced a three-year slump that forced the company’s president, Hish-Chung Tsao, to modify his strategy. Africa was the new battlefield bearing his ambition. His intention was not just to add another manufacturing base, but to develop its own beverage brands as an OBM. Yet, how could this be achieved in Africa? It would be a new journey full of challenges. Africa was more complex than other markets. The company’s first factory there had just been established, and its future was still unknown.

Expected learning outcomes

This case is appropriate for courses in international business, emerging markets, corporate strategy and marketing management. After studying the case, students should be able to understand international expansion of a manufacturing company in emerging markets; understand several key emerging markets of the world and learn what CAGE distances are; identify Hon Chuan’s success factors, challenges and necessary capabilities for future development and then comprehend why it is important to upgrade from OEM to OBM; and learn how to develop beverage brands in emerging markets.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 5: International Business.
Azza and her ARJMST brand: which way forward?
Authors: Jabeen Fauzia , Katsioloudes Marios , Zamberi Bin Ahmad Syed , Behery Mohamed
Published: March 2018

Subject area

Entrepreneurship and/or Strategic management/International Business Management.

Study level/applicability

This case is intended for teaching entrepreneurship/Strategic management/International Business Courses at the undergraduate level.

Case overview

This is a field-researched case about a budding Emirati female entrepreneur “Azza Al Qubaisi” who established the ARJMST Jewelry brand in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The ARJMST brand, a UAE-based jewelry design and art pioneer company in the local art and craft is one of the most popular jewelry brands in the United Arab Emirates. Azza, the entrepreneur faces many challenges and hurdles if she is to successfully sustain her business in the long term. She is considering what her next step ought to be in light of the competition. Should she expand? If yes, where and how? This case will enable students to critically think about the various issues and reach a decision based on the facts provided. The case is based on primary and secondary data collection and has been tested in an International Business Management class at BBA level, with great success.

Expected learning outcomes

This case study illustrates the journey of an Emirati female entrepreneur who uses simple things in a creative way to build a business. The case will help the students to identify the start up motivation and evaluate the business strategy for further growth. This will also enable the students to critically think about the various factors and reach a decision based on the facts provided.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Modernisation of dairy farms: the case of Nestlé’s Dairy Farming Institute in China
Authors: Gong Yu , Jia Fu , Brown Steve
Published: March 2018

Subject area

Operations and Logistics.

Study level/applicability

Senior undergraduate students and postgraduate students specialising in agricultural economics/agribusiness/supply chain management and can also be used for executive training for supply chain managers and corporate social responsibility (CSR) managers of food companies.

Case overview

This case presents an industry leading company – Nestlé’s sustainable initiative in its dairy supply chain in China. The case begins with the background of China’s dairy industry, followed by an introduction of the case company. The case then moves on to the comparison of Nestlé’s fresh milk supply chain operation before and after 2008 and different approaches to help the dairy suppliers’ transformation. The focus is on Nestlé’s innovative industry collaboration platform, the Dairy Farming Institute.

Expected learning outcomes

This case allows students to explore the following theoretical frameworks: sustainable supply chain management; supply chain leadership, supply chain learning and supply chain structure. By analysing this case, students should be able to gain an understanding of how multinational corporations (MNCs) play a supply chain leadership role in supply chain learning of sustainable supply chain initiatives.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 9: Operations and Logistics.
Future research directions for sport education: toward an entrepreneurial learning approach
Authors: Ratten Vanessa , Jones Paul
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an entrepreneurial learning approach to the study of sport education in order to inform future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

Sport education needs to focus on how it can overcome existing barriers to bring a more interdisciplinary approach. This paper uses entrepreneurship education theory to explore the changes required in sport education provision to create a more relevant and conducive teaching environment.

Findings

The findings of this paper suggest that by bringing sport students into contact with entrepreneurship education, aids in the development of improved employability and social skills.

Research limitations/implications

Introducing entrepreneurship education into sport will help the students develop learning initiatives that advance the scholarship of sport education within the university sector.

Practical implications

The benefits of including entrepreneurship education in sport studies could be of interest to the directors of education wanting to increase student enrollments and interest in their courses.

Originality/value

The study suggests ways to offer more interdisciplinary courses and activities linking entrepreneurship education to sport. This needs to be taken into consideration as it will enable the development of sport entrepreneurship education that improves links between academic research with policy and business initiatives.
Religion, spirituality and social work: an international perspective
Authors: Crisp Beth R.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

While there has been the emergence of a substantial body of scholarship on the place of religion and spirituality in social work, the predominant voices in this discourse have primarily been authors from the English-speaking North Atlantic countries. The purpose of this paper is to redress this issue by exploring the impact of other national perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a post-colonial perspective, the author reflects on the issues which emerged in seeking to develop a truly international perspective on religion and spirituality in social work.

Findings

There are important historical and contextual differences between countries which influence how social work is practiced, as well as different understandings as to what social work is. These differences are reflected in social workers’ understandings as to how religion and spirituality can be utilised in social work practice. It is also noted that the growing enthusiasm of social workers to embrace religion and spirituality in their practice needs to be tempered by the realisation that religion and spirituality can be harmful in some circumstances.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates how drawing on a wider range of international perspectives has the potential to enrich social work scholarship and practice.
Thermo-hydrodynamic performance of tilted non-circular micropolar lubricated journal bearings
Authors: Rashidi Meybodi R. , Rasoolizadeh Shooroki A. , Zare Mehrjardi M.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the thermo-hydrodynamic performance of tilted non-circular journal bearings lubricated with a micropolar fluid. The investigated bearing types are two- and three-lobe journal bearings with finite length.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, modified Reynolds, energy and three-dimensional Laplace equations are solved numerically by using generalized differential quadrature method. The effects of micropolarity characteristics of lubricants, such as characteristic length and coupling number, as well as tilt angle as a design parameter, on the performance of non-circular two- and three-lobe journal bearings are studied.

Findings

The results show that the tilt angle can affect the temperature and pressure profiles causing variation in the performance of non-circular bearings. Increasing coupling number and decreasing characteristic length cause the load-carrying capacity to decrease because of the increase in maximum oil temperature of the fluid film of lubricant and decrease in the minimum oil base viscosity. So, it is possible to select suitable values of tilt angle for achieving optimum performance of these bearings.

Originality/value

The non-circular bearings suggest several design parameters such as tilt angle for designers. By considering thermal effects for micropolar lubricant, the requirements of a specific application can be fulfilled.
Slurry erosion performance study of HVFS sprayed Ni-20Al2O3 and Ni-15Al2O3-5TiO2 coatings under hydro accelerated conditions
Authors: Kumar Rajeev , Bhandari Sanjeev , Goyal Atul , Singla Yogesh Kumar
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to cover all the aspects of development, investigation and analysis phases to evaluate the slurry erosion performance of test coatings. The powders having composition of Ni-20Al2O3 and Ni-15Al2O3-5TiO2 were deposited on CA6NM grade turbine steel by using high velocity flame spray (HVFS) technique. The characterization of the coatings was done with the help of SEM/EDS and XRD techniques. Various properties such as micro-hardness and bonding strength of the coatings were also evaluated. Thereafter, these coatings were subjected to an indigenously developed high speed slurry erosion tester at different levels of rotational speed, erodent particle size and slurry concentration. The effect of these parameters on the erosion behavior of coatings was also evaluated. The slurry erosion tests and SEM of the eroded surfaces revealed remarkable improvement in slurry erosion resistance of Ni-15Al2O3-5TiO2 coating in comparison with Ni-20Al2O3 coating.

Design/methodology/approach

Two different compositions of HVFS coating were developed onto CA6NM steel. Subsequently, these coatings were evaluated by means of mechanical and microstructural characterization. Further, slurry erosion testing was done to analyze the erosive wear behavior of developed coatings.

Findings

The coatings were successfully developed by HVFS process. Cross-sectional microscopic analysis of sprayed coatings revealed a continuous and defect-free contact between substrate and coating. Ni-15Al2O3-5TiO2 coating showed higher value of bond strength in comparison with Ni-20Al2O3 coating. Under all the testing conditions, Ni-15Al2O3-5TiO2 coatings showed higher resistance to slurry erosion in comparison with Ni-20Al2O3 coatings. Rotational speed, average particle size of erodent and slurry concentration were found to have proportional effect on specific mass loss of coatings. The mixed behavior (brittle as well as ductile) of the material removal mechanism was observed for the coatings.

Originality/value

From the literature review, it was found that researchers have documented the various studies on Ni-Al2O3, Ni-TiO2 and Al2O3-TiO2 coatings. No one has ascertained the synergetic effect of Alumina and Titania on the slurry erosion performance of Nickel-based coating. In view of this, the authors have developed Ni-Al2O3 and Ni-Al2O3-TiO2 coatings, and an attempt has been made to compare their mechanical, microstructural and slurry erosion characteristics.
Multigrid method for the solution of EHL point contact with bio-based oil as lubricants for smooth and rough asperity
Authors: Awati Vishwanath B. , Naik Shankar , N. Mahesh Kumar
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the elastohydrodynamic lubrication point contact problem with bio-based oil as lubricants for an isothermal case. The simulation of the problem is analyzed on smooth and rough asperity.

Design/methodology/approach

The modified Reynolds equation is discretized using finite difference and multigrid method with full approximation scheme (FAS), applied for its solution with varying load and speed.

Findings

This paper traces out the comparison of minimum and central film thickness with the standard formulation of Hamrock and Dowson. The effect of longitudinal roughness on surfaces is investigated by means of numerical simulations.

Originality/value

The results obtained are comparable with the standard results, and are shown by graphs and tables. Bio-based products bring out an alternative source of lubricant to reduce energy crises.
Distance is a Janus: an exploratory study of offshored innovation
Authors: Lorenz Melanie P. , Clampit Jack , Ramsey Jase R.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

A dilemma exists in that many view offshoring as a tradeoff between cost efficiency and innovation. The purpose of this paper is to reconcile this dilemma by showing how and why offshoring to institutionally distant host countries may result in innovation. The authors introduce an institutional lens in order to understand how offshoring to institutionally distant locales affects innovation outcomes of multinational enterprises. This lens is aimed to provide an analytical tool that is less coarse and less overwhelmingly focused on institutional distance (ID) as a harsh and certain harbinger of reduced innovation performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use primary data from the Offshoring Research Network as well as secondary data from the Frasier Institute on Economic Freedom, and Hofstede’s cultural value survey to empirically assess the distinct effects of distance on innovation at the firm level.

Findings

The authors have developed a model of distance and innovation which goes beyond the traditional assumption of distance as overwhelmingly negative. Whereas in some cases, the positive effect of formal and informal distances outweigh the negative effects stimulating innovation; in other cases, the negative effects of distance hamper innovation. Finally, some elements of distance may not have an impact on innovation outcomes at all.

Research limitations/implications

While previous research stresses the negative effects of distance in general, the authors provide an ID model which, in the context of offshoring, takes into account potential positive, negative, or no effects.

Practical implications

The study presents global supply chain managers with a reference framework for making strategic offshoring relationships decisions.

Originality/value

By unbundling the inherently confounding formative construction of distance measures, eschewing the reflexive assumption that distance is always negative, and mapping theories specific to the application of distinct institutional logics to specific value-enhancing business activities (i.e. innovation), this study offers a more accurate and complete institutional picture that helps reconcile institutional theory with an empirical record that often fails to find what it predicts.
Institutional knowledge
Authors: Bell Valerie A. , Cooper Sarah Y.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Rarely have studies on the acquisition of knowledge in internationalisation focused on institutional knowledge. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to investigate the acquisition of this knowledge, and its assimilation and exploitation processes in internationalisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilises ten longitudinal revelatory case studies built from multiple semi-structured interviews conducted with three different firm types of small- and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) in the pharmaceutical industry and secondary documents to which the researchers obtained proprietary access.

Findings

The study enhances the conceptual understanding of the institutional learning process in internationalisation by, for the first time, developing a framework to characterise this process. The study explores and identifies multiple types of institutional knowledge required, the sequencing of their acquisition, sources and learning methods utilised. It also discusses transferability of this learning across foreign markets and firms’ absorptive capacity for that knowledge. Regulatory-specific product knowledge, found to be the most important type required, appeared to affect significantly both market selection and mode of entry, and when acquired insufficiently, prevented internationalisation.

Research limitations/implications

While the sample size is relatively small, and sector-specific, the findings were consistent across all the SME firms and firm types. They may also be generalisable to other sectors, firm sizes such as MNEs and types, particularly those which are knowledge-based or highly regulated, given that similar institutional knowledge and processes of acquisition are necessary for firms of all sizes in internationalisation.

Practical implications

International marketing managers will gain valuable insights, based on a framework proven to propel firms to successful internationalisation, upon how to plan, organise, manage and match their institutional knowledge-seeking and learning activities with their firms’ internal capabilities, staffing and other resources in an effective and timely manner.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the conceptual understanding of the institutional knowledge learning process in the internationalisation.
Consumer-brand congruence and conspicuousness: an international comparison
Authors: Bajac Hector , Palacios Miguel , Minton Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how congruence influences product evaluations in an international Latin culture context, as moderated by the public vs private nature of the product and user-image vs product-personality congruence.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants were recruited from two universities in Spanish-speaking, Latin cultures: Spain – Latin Europe (n=340) and Uruguay – Latin America (n=400). All participants were asked to indicate product-personality congruence (i.e. congruence between one’s self and the product) and user-image congruence (i.e. congruence between a product’s typical user and the product) for two private and two public products.

Findings

Two types of congruence (product-personality and user-image) positively influence brand evaluations more for publicly consumed than for privately consumed brands for consumers in both Latin cultures, with effect sizes being greater than prior research in other cultures.

Research limitations/implications

This research supports congruence theory in showing that similarity between a consumer and a brand leads to more favorable attitudes. Limitations include the sole use of student subjects and examination in only two countries of Latin culture.

Practical implications

Regardless of a brand’s personality, brands should seek consumers with similar personality traits, especially in Latin cultures.

Originality/value

This research addresses several limitations in prior research by examining both publicly and privately consumed products in one study, exploring congruence across Latin cultures, and testing products not confounded by addictive properties.
Literature on organizational innovation: past and future
Authors: Fernandes Rodrigues Alves Marlon , Vasconcelos Ribeiro Galina Simone , Dobelin Silvio
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine what are both the main theoretical basis and the recent perspectives within the organizational innovation literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have conducted a bibliometric analysis reviewing the research on organizational innovation from 460 articles published in the period from 2007 to 2016 and indexed in the Web of Science through co-citation and bibliographical coupling analyses.

Findings

The clusters analysis results show that the main theoretical foundations are learning and evolution; implementation of innovation; and leadership, creativity and learning. Regarding recent perspectives, the clusters indicate studies on core concepts, knowledge and capability, learning for resource development and human resources for innovation.

Originality/value

This study organizes the knowledge basis for future research on organizational innovation, and, unlike most literature reviews, this study provides the current trends on the topic and presents a comprehensive research agenda.
Capital structure, ownership and crisis: how different are banks?
Authors: Ghosh Saibal , Chatterjee Goutam
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the issue of bank capital structure which has been widely debated in recent times, especially in view of the envisaged implementation of the revised Basel capital standards. An issue that has not been adequately addressed is the factors affecting capital structure of banks from a corporate finance perspective. To address this, the authors assemble data on publicly listed Indian banks for an extended time span and compare the findings with a comparable sample of largest non-financial firms.

Design/methodology/approach

In view of the longitudinal nature of the data, the authors use panel data techniques to examine the issue.

Findings

The analysis indicates that profitability, growth opportunities and risk are the factors that are most relevant in influencing bank capital. Second, the crisis appears to have exerted a perceptible impact on bank capital.

Practical implications

On balance, the findings refute the conventional wisdom that bank capital structure is purely a response to the regulatory requirements. Instead, the results would that banks’ capital decisions are influenced by several non-regulatory considerations as well, including government policies toward banks, which is particularly relevant in countries with predominantly state-owned banking systems.

Originality/value

First, the authors examine the relevance of bank ownership for leverage, an aspect not adequately addressed in emerging economy banking systems. Second, they consider the impact of regulatory pressure on bank leverage, which assumes relevance in the aftermath of the crisis, wherein banks have been hard-pressed for capital. And finally, they contribute to the thin literature on the interlinkage between capital structure and board structure for banks.
Assembly line balancing problem
Authors: Fathi Masood , Fontes Dalila Benedita Machado Martins , Urenda Moris Matias , Ghobakhloo Morteza
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to first investigate the efficiency of the most commonly used performance measures for minimizing the number of workstations (NWs) in approaches addressing simple assembly line balancing problem (SALBP) for both straight and U-shaped line, and second to provide a comparative evaluation of 20 constructive heuristics to find solutions to the SALBP-1.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 200 problems are solved by 20 different constructive heuristics for both straight and U-shaped assembly line. Moreover, several comparisons have been made to evaluate the performance of constructive heuristics.

Findings

Minimizing the smoothness index is not necessarily equivalent to minimizing the NWs; therefore, it should not be used as the fitness function in approaches addressing the SALBP-1. Line efficiency and the idle time are indeed reliable performance measures for minimizing the NWs. The most promising heuristics for straight and U-shaped line configurations for SALBP-1 are also ranked and introduced.

Practical implications

Results are expected to help scholars and industrial practitioners to better design effective solution methods for having the most balanced assembly line. This study will further help with choosing the most proper heuristic with regard to the problem specifications and line configuration.

Originality/value

There is limited research assessing the efficiency of the common objectives for SALBP-1. This study is among the first to prove that minimizing the workload smoothness is not equivalent to minimizing the NWs in SALBP-1 studies. This work is also one of the first attempts for evaluating the constructive heuristics for both straight and U-shaped line configurations.