bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and test results of a novel quench protection circuit for a HTS ship propulsion motor
Authors: Murase Yohei , Izumi Mitsuru , Umemoto Katsuya , Oryu Tamami , Yokoyama Minoru , Yanamoto Toshiyuki
Published: April 2021

This paper describes a novel configuration of a quench protection circuit for a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) ship propulsion motor that can protect the HTS coils from an unexpected outage in its cryogenic cooling system. The quench protection circuit consists of conductor parts placed adjacent to the HTS coils and dump resistors and diodes placed in the cryogenic-temperature and normal-temperature areas, respectively. The conductor parts are shaped and arranged such that the magnetic coupling with the HTS coil is extremely large. Thereby, the current of the HTS coils can be instantaneously attenuated immediately after the quench protection is activated. With this configuration, the electromagnetic energy of the HTS coils can be absorbed in the dispersed parts. This can make the dump resistors smaller and make it easier to install them on a HTS ship propulsion motor. By analysing the equivalent electric circuit model of the protection circuit, we derived the conditions under which instantaneous current attenuation of the HTS coil occurs. In accordance with the conditions, we have fabricated a quench protection circuit that protects one HTS field pole of the 3 MW HTS motor developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The fabricated circuit was empirically evaluated and proved to be highly effective in quench protection. The present quench protection circuit technology contributes to the practical application of HTS ship propulsion motors.
Large scale RNA-binding proteins/LncRNAs interaction analysis to uncover lncRNA nuclear localization mechanisms
Authors: Huang Yile , Qiao Yulong , Zhao Yu , Li Yuying , Yuan Jie , Zhou Jiajian , Sun Hao , Wang Huating
Published: April 2021

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key regulators of major biological processes and their functional modes are dictated by their subcellular localization. Relative nuclear enrichment of lncRNAs compared to mRNAs is a prevalent phenomenon but the molecular mechanisms governing their nuclear retention in cells remain largely unknown. Here in this study, we harness the recently released eCLIP data for a large number of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) in K562 and HepG2 cells and utilize multiple bioinformatics methods to comprehensively survey the roles of RBPs in lncRNA nuclear retention. We identify an array of splicing RBPs that bind to nuclear-enriched lincRNAs (large intergenic non-coding RNAs) thus may act as trans-factors regulating their nuclear retention. Further analyses reveal that these RBPs may bind with distinct core motifs, flanking sequence compositions, or secondary structures to drive lincRNA nuclear retention. Moreover, network analyses uncover potential co-regulatory RBP clusters and the physical interaction between HNRNPU and SAFB2 proteins in K562 cells is further experimentally verified. Altogether, our analyses reveal previously unknown factors and mechanisms that govern lincRNA nuclear localization in cells.
HelPredictor models single-cell transcriptome to predict human embryo lineage allocation
Authors: Liang Pengfei , Zheng Lei , Long Chunshen , Yang Wuritu , Yang Lei , Zuo Yongchun
Published: April 2021

The in-depth understanding of cellular fate decision of human preimplantation embryos has prompted investigations on how changes in lineage allocation, which is far from trivial and remains a time-consuming task by experimental methods. It is desirable to develop a novel effective bioinformatics strategy to consider transitions of coordinated embryo lineage allocation and stage-specific patterns. There are rapidly growing applications of machine learning models to interpret complex datasets for identifying candidate development-related factors and lineage-determining molecular events. Here we developed the first machine learning platform, HelPredictor, that integrates three feature selection methods, namely, principal components analysis, F-score algorithm and squared coefficient of variation, and four classical machine learning classifiers that different combinations of methods and classifiers have independent outputs by increment feature selection method. With application to single-cell sequencing data of human embryo, HelPredictor not only achieved 94.9% and 90.9% respectively with cross-validation and independent test, but also fast classified different embryonic lineages and their development trajectories using less HelPredictor-predicted factors. The above-mentioned candidate lineage-specific genes were discussed in detail and were clustered for exploring transitions of embryonic heterogeneity. Our tool can fast and efficiently reveal potential lineage-specific and stage-specific biomarkers and provide insights into how advanced computational tools contribute to development research. The source code is available at https://github.com/liameihao/HelPredictor.
A Review and Assessment of the Shared-Pathway Hypothesis for the Maintenance of Signal Honesty in Red Ketocarotenoid-Based Coloration
Authors: Powers Matthew J , Hill Geoffrey E
Published: April 2021

Synopsis

For decades, scientists have noted connections between individual condition and carotenoid-based coloration in terrestrial and aquatic animals. Organisms that produce more vibrant carotenoid-based coloration tend to have better physiological performance and behavioral displays compared with less colorful members of the same species. Traditional explanations for this association between ornamental coloration and performance invoked the need for color displays to be costly, but evidence for such hypothesized costs is equivocal. An alternative explanation for the condition-dependence of carotenoid-based coloration, the Shared-Pathway Hypothesis (SPH), was developed in response. This hypothesis proposes that red ketocarotenoid-based coloration is tied to core cellular processes involving a shared pathway with mitochondrial energy metabolism, making the concentration of carotenoids an index of mitochondrial function. Since the presentation of this hypothesis, empirical tests of the mechanisms proposed therein have been conducted in several species. In this manuscript, we review the SPH and the growing number of studies that have investigated a connection between carotenoid-based coloration and mitochondrial function. We also discuss future strategies for assessing the SPH to more effectively disentangle evidence that may simultaneously support evidence of carotenoid-resource tradeoffs.
Explicit Threats of Violence
Authors: Warren Lisa J. , Basocak Ruby Z. , Bobera Tamara , Chamberlain Sarah J. , Mullen Paul E. , McEwan Troy E.
Published: April 2021

A threat is an utterance whose content implies an intention to do harm. The motivational typology presented in the chapter distinguishes between the intention to threaten and the commitment to act. The commonest threats in everyday life are the expletive screams. These threats may also reflect a preexisting angry or fearful state of mind and presage further aggression, though not necessarily against the person threatened. Threateners whose intention is to shield themselves are, if anything, committed to avoiding violence. Those who intend to shock are using the threat as a weapon to cause distress. Those who threaten to signal their commitment to enact are sending a clear warning that produces apprehension in even the most stoic. Those who scheme, coerce action through menacing behavior. Given that any threatener can escalate to violence, all threats need to be taken seriously and assessed carefully. Management reduces the commitment to violence and challenges the choice to threaten.
Legal Issues in Threat Assessment and Management
Authors: Amman Molly , Schouten Ronald , Solov Rachel B.
Published: April 2021

The legal considerations for threat assessment and management practitioners are many and varied. Constitutional, statutory, regulatory, and common law considerations all play a role in the legal landscape for professionals engaged in the discipline. This chapter focuses on key legal issues that affect the practice of threat assessment and management, with an emphasis on the U.S. legal system and primary relevance to those countries that follow the Anglo-American legal tradition. While the chapter provides a broad treatment of many areas of the law, an in-depth exploration of particular areas of interest is encouraged when needed. It is not intended as legal advice, but rather as a groundwork to prepare the reader to engage with their own legal counsel in seeking guidance in their work.
Intimate Partner Violence, Stalking, and Femicide
Authors: Kropp P. Randall , Cook Alana N.
Published: April 2021

Professionals are commonly asked to address the risk of intimate partner violence (IPV) in criminal justice, civil court, health care, workplace, and post-secondary settings. This chapter reviews the literature addressing risk factors for IPV and the state of the art for threat assessment tools for this form of violence. Special attention is given to the topics of stalking and killing of intimate partners. While these issues are related to the more general problem of IPV, they require some unique considerations in conducting threat assessments. The chapter concludes that there remain difficulties in the field in defining “threat,” determining the role of the victim in threat assessment, and implementing effective risk management strategies. Promising practices in assessing and managing stalking are presented along with a model for formulating risk in high-lethality situations. Finally, a case study is presented to illustrate a structured professional judgment (SPJ) approach to threat assessment in this context.
Lone Actor Terrorism
Authors: Gill Paul
Published: April 2021

This chapter outlines the main research findings in relation to lone actor terrorism from the past decade of work. The results are clustered across seven core themes. The authors explore (1) the heterogeneity of lone actors in terms of their sociodemographic characteristics; (2) the degree to which people within the lone actor’s social or physical space were aware of a plot developing; (3) the prevalence and forms of mental disorders within lone actor samples and how they differ from what you would expect in the general population; (4) the relationship between offline and online forms of radicalization; (5) their similarity with other forms of violent lone offenders who conduct violence in public spaces; (6) what attack planning looks like; and (7) the key role protective factors might play.
Electronic Threats and Harassment
Authors: Scalora Mario J.
Published: April 2021

This chapter highlights the highly influential and evolving contribution of cyber activity across a range of harassing, threatening, stalking, and violent behavior. Multiple psychological factors (e.g., perceived anonymity and low-risk nature of activity) influence the negative impacts of cyber and electronic activity. It is strongly suggested that the de facto standard of practice emerges in that one cannot perform threat assessment and management without assessing the electronic activity by the subjects of concern. The omnipresence of cyber and electronic communications mandates that threat assessment and management cannot occur without a review of pertinent electronic activity and communications that are reasonably accessible. The research to date suggests that threat assessment professionals should focus on the pattern and nature, as opposed to the modality, of communications when assessing the risk entailed with threatening and harassing electronic communications. The nature and pattern of contacts must also be evaluated in the context of how the correspondence relates to other contact behaviors as part of a chain of events signaling intent from ideation to action. Among such factors are the presence of relevant content factors (e.g., personalized motive, expressing intent or plans to approach, language regarding justified violence, and rhetoric suggesting incitement of violence) as well as factors related to leakage of intent and intensity of effort. Implications for threat management, particularly related to the impact on victims, as well as strategies to help combat such online harassment or abuse are also discussed.
Crawling in the Dark—Perspectives on Threat Assessment in the Virtual Sphere
Authors: Allwinn Mirko , Böckler Nils
Published: April 2021

his chapter provides an overview of the opportunities and pitfalls of threat management in the virtual sphere. It contains approaches that can support threat managers in making large amounts of data available for threat analysis in a resource-efficient manner. Using the examples of school shooting fan groups and Islamist and right-wing networks, the authors illustrate how diverse virtual groups on social media platforms such as YouTube and Twitter can be in their structure and dynamics. Against this background, the potential of network analysis for threat management is highlighted for detecting networks and individuals of concern in a large data set, identifying centralized networks of propagandists, or discovering the infiltration of legal social movements by violent forces. In the second part, the authors shift the focus from the structural to the linguistic level. On this level, they focus on the analysis of communication in groups as well as in individual players in the virtual sphere. An overview of the possibilities of automated text analysis (e.g., emotion and sentiment analysis, named entity recognition, and linguistic inquiry and word count) is given. The authors discuss both explorative and model-driven research methods, present a number of tools, and discuss the significance of these approaches for future-oriented threat management in the virtual sphere.
Critical Concepts for Threat Assessment and Management With Adolescents
Authors: Guy Laura S.
Published: April 2021

Adolescence is a developmental period characterized by a series of remarkable transformations and transitions in social roles. In this chapter, some of the critical concepts for threat assessment and management raised when the person of concern is an adolescent are explored. First, the developmental changes in neurological, cognitive, and psychosocial maturity that occur during this period in the life span are discussed. Consequences arising from deviant peer influences are a concern for any threat situation, but the importance of peers among adolescents intensifies during this developmental period and can be explained in part by neurological changes. Second, the role of the adolescent’s internal world in assessing and managing concerns about targeted violence is examined, including violent ideation and fantasy and psychopathology. The final section presents a discussion of key concepts relevant to managing concerns about risk for targeted violence by adolescents that are consistent with developmentally appropriate and scientifically informed principles.
Operations of the Los Angeles Police Department Threat Management Unit and Crisis Support Response Section
Authors: Bixler Brian S. , Dunn Jeffrey , Grundland Traci
Published: April 2021

The Los Angeles Police Department has developed a systematic approach to investigating and managing cases involving stalking, workplace violence, and threats to high-profile individuals, including celebrities and elected officials. The authors note that there is no checklist or “one size fits all” formula to successfully manage these cases. From the law enforcement perspective, successful case management comes from experience, a fundamental understanding of threat assessment principles, in-depth familiarity with applicable laws, and knowing the available resources within jurisdictional control. This chapter explores the nuances inherent in investigations of this type, the necessity to integrate multiple avenues of prevention and intervention, and the critical role that mental health plays.
Domestic Violence Risk Assessment
Authors: Ennis Liam , Hilton N. Zoe
Published: April 2021

Many cases referred for threat assessment involve intimate partner violence (IPV). As a form of targeted violence, IPV fits the preventative focus of the threat assessment model. However, heterogeneity of IPV offender profiles, the personal nature of the relationship between aggressor and target, and concern for a diverse range of undesirable but relatively probable outcomes present distinct challenges to effective threat management. In this chapter, the authors offer a theoretically grounded and empirically informed framework for evaluating and managing threats to intimate partners. They describe empirically validated IPV risk assessment tools, and outline an approach to IPV threat assessment using the guiding principles of risk, need, and responsivity; such guidelines emphasize communication and collaboration with the threat management team and third parties, including the victim, and include perpetrator controls that attend to the perpetrator’s criminogenic needs. The authors also discuss victim safety issues and potential situational risk factors applying to IPV cases.
Workplace Violence Risk Instrumentation
Authors: Viñas-Racionero Rosa , Scalora Mario J. , Cawood James S.
Published: April 2021

The overarching goal of this book chapter is to highlight how workplace violence may be better assessed and managed with the use of appropriately constructed risk assessment instrumentation. In line with this goal, the authors review the theoretical underpinnings of workplace violence risk prediction and present data on the reliability and predictive validity of two workplace violence risk assessment instruments: the Workplace Assessment of Violence Risk—21, Version 3 (WAVR-21 V3) and the Cawood Assessment and Response/Intervention Grids (CARGs), Version 3.5. These data suggest that the WAVR-21 V3 and the CARGs have the potential to become an effective aid for risk prediction. The authors further argue that the instruments’ structured approach to estimating the level of risk may significantly guide practitioners in their decision-making and management implementation. Specifically, instruments like the WAVR-21 V3 and the CARGs may help to capture changes within a trajectory of problematic workplace behavior and distinguish between actions that are distant or more proximate to violence. Such differentiation allows the prioritizing of interventions and offers a baseline on which to assess the effectiveness of a threat management plan.
Assessing Potentially Violent Extremists
Authors: Bootsma Lieke , Harbers Ellen
Published: April 2021

This chapter describes the way investigative psychologists of the Dutch National Police assess behavior of potentially violent extremists. Investigative psychologists in the Netherlands have adopted structured professional judgment as the best framework to do so. The different phases investigative psychologists go through in practice while assessing the risk of violence for these potential extremists are set out. Specifically, the following steps are explored: intake and triage, information gathering, conducting a behavioral timeline, risk assessment, risk formulation, scenario thinking, and advice. Lastly, the future challenges in this field of operations are discussed.
Assessing Threats by Direct Interview of the Violent True Believer
Authors: Meloy J. Reid , Mohandie Kris
Published: April 2021

This chapter outlines important elements for the successful interview of the violent true believer, a person who is willing to kill the self and others to advance a particular belief system. These elements include adequate preparation for the interview; fostering attachment between the interviewer and the subject; establishing rapport; developing a line of questioning beforehand; understanding the expression and meaning of emotion in the subject; calibrating for deception during the interview; listening for extreme overvalued beliefs and distinguishing them from thinking that suggests a diagnosable mental disorder; integrating the interview findings with other sources of data; and measuring the risk of violence with a validated instrument.
PIF4 negatively modulates cold tolerance in tomato anthers via temperature-dependent regulation of tapetal cell death
Authors: Pan Changtian , Yang Dandan , Zhao Xiaolin , Liu Yue , Li Mengzhuo , Ye Lei , Ali Muhammad , Yu Fangjie , Lamin-Samu Anthony Tumbeh , Fei Zhangjun , Lu Gang
Published: April 2021

Extreme temperature conditions seriously impair male reproductive development in plants; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the response of anthers to extreme temperatures remain poorly described. The transcription factor phytochrome-interacting factor4 (PIF4) acts as a hub that integrates multiple signaling pathways to regulate thermosensory growth and architectural adaptation in plants. Here, we report that SlPIF4 in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) plays a pivotal role in regulating cold tolerance in anthers. CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)–associated nuclease Cas9-generated SlPIF4 knockout mutants showed enhanced cold tolerance in pollen due to reduced temperature sensitivity of the tapetum, while overexpressing SlPIF4 conferred pollen abortion by delaying tapetal programmed cell death (PCD). SlPIF4 directly interacts with SlDYT1, a direct upstream regulator of SlTDF1, both of which (SlDYT1 and SlTDF1) play important roles in regulating tapetum development and tapetal PCD. Moderately low temperature (MLT) promotes the transcriptional activation of SlTDF1 by the SlPIF4–SlDYT1 complex, resulting in pollen abortion, while knocking out SlPIF4 blocked the MLT-induced activation of SlTDF1. Furthermore, SlPIF4 directly binds to the canonical E-box sequence in the SlDYT1 promoter. Collectively, these findings suggest that SlPIF4 negatively regulates cold tolerance in anthers by directly interacting with the tapetal regulatory module in a temperature-dependent manner. Our results shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the adaptation of anthers to low temperatures.
Assessments of Physicians’ Electrocardiogram Interpretation Skill: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cook David A. , Oh So-Young , Pusic Martin V.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To identify features of instruments, test procedures, study design, and validity evidence in published studies of electrocardiogram (ECG) skill assessments.

Method

The authors conducted a systematic review, searching MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ERIC, and Web of Science databases in February 2020 for studies that assessed the ECG interpretation skill of physicians or medical students. Two authors independently screened articles for inclusion and extracted information on test features, study design, risk of bias, and validity evidence.

Results

The authors found 85 eligible studies. Participants included medical students (42 studies), postgraduate physicians (48 studies), and practicing physicians (13 studies). ECG selection criteria were infrequently reported: 25 studies (29%) selected single-diagnosis or straightforward ECGs; 5 (6%) selected complex cases. ECGs were selected by generalists (15 studies [18%]), cardiologists (10 studies [12%]), or unspecified experts (4 studies [5%]). The median number of ECGs per test was 10. The scoring rubric was defined by 2 or more experts in 32 studies (38%), by 1 expert in 5 (6%), and using clinical data in 5 (6%). Scoring was performed by a human rater in 34 studies (40%) and by computer in 7 (8%). Study methods were appraised as low risk of selection bias in 16 studies (19%), participant flow bias in 59 (69%), instrument conduct and scoring bias in 20 (24%), and applicability problems in 56 (66%). Evidence of test score validity was reported infrequently, namely evidence of content (39 studies [46%]), internal structure (11 [13%]), relations with other variables (10 [12%]), response process (2 [2%]), and consequences (3 [4%]).

Conclusions

ECG interpretation skill assessments consist of idiosyncratic instruments that are too short, composed of items of obscure provenance, with incompletely specified answers, graded by individuals with underreported credentials, yielding scores with limited interpretability. The authors suggest several best practices.
Detection of hepatitis B virus-host junction sequences in urine of infected patients
Authors: Lin Selena Y. , Su Yih-Ping , Trauger Evan R. , Song Benjamin P. , Thompson Emilie G. C. , Hoffman Malcolm C. , Chang Ting-Tsung , Lin Yih-Jyh , Kao Yu-Lan , Cui Yixiao , Hann Hie-Won , Park Grace , Song Wei , Su Ying-Hsiu
Published: April 2021

Background & Aims

Integrated hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, found in >85% of HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinomas (HBV-HCC), can play a significant role in HBV-related liver disease progression. HBV-host junction sequences (HBV-JS’s), created through integration events, have been used to determine HBV-HCC clonality. Here, we investigate the feasibility of analyzing HBV integration in a noninvasive urine liquid biopsy.

Approach & Results

Utilizing an HBV-targeted NGS assay, we first identified HBV-JS’s in 8 HBV-HCC tissues and designed short-amplicon junction-specific PCR assays to detect HBV-JSs in matched urine. We detected and validated tissue-derived junctions in 5 of 8 matched urine samples. Next, we screened 32 urine samples collected from 25 HBV-infected patients (5 with hepatitis, 10 with cirrhosis, 4 with HCC, and 6 post-HCC). Encouragingly, all 32 urine samples contained HBV-JS’s detectable by HBV-targeted NGS. Of the 712 total HBV-JS’s detected in urine, 351 were in gene-coding regions, 11 of which, including TERT, had previously been reported as recurrent integration sites in HCC tissue and were found in urine of cirrhosis or HCC patients only. The integration breakpoints of HBV DNA detected in urine were found predominantly (∼70%) at a previously identified integration hotspot, HBV DR1-2.

Conclusions

HBV viral-host junction DNA can be detected in urine of HBV-infected patients. This study is the first study to demonstrate the potential for a noninvasive urine liquid biopsy of integrated HBV DNA to monitor HBV-infected patients for HBV-associated liver diseases and the efficacy of antiviral therapy.
Shared services: configurations, dynamics and performance
Authors: Richter Philipp
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the configurations of shared service center (SSC) characteristics, their performance implications and the dynamics of SSC configurations during their implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the capability-based view and configurational approach to suggest a model that explains performance outcomes of shared service configurations. Survey data are analyzed with a cluster analysis to examine shared service configurations in distinct stages of implementation. Moreover, a lifecycle framework of shared service configurations is conceptualized.

Findings

This study considers shared service configurations as operational capabilities to run corporate support activities. The purpose is to examine the configurations of those capabilities, their performance implications and their dynamics during the shared service implementation.

Practical implications

The findings help senior executives to effectively implement and transform shared services when deciding to renew corporates' support activities.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first that conceptually and empirically explores shared service configurations, performance and configurational dynamics.
Skyline refinement exploiting fuzzy formal concept analysis
Authors: Haddache Mohamed , Hadjali Allel , Azzoune Hamid
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The study of the skyline queries has received considerable attention from several database researchers since the end of 2000's. Skyline queries are an appropriate tool that can help users to make intelligent decisions in the presence of multidimensional data when different, and often contradictory criteria are to be taken into account. Based on the concept of Pareto dominance, the skyline process extracts the most interesting (not dominated in the sense of Pareto) objects from a set of data. Skyline computation methods often lead to a set with a large size which is less informative for the end users and not easy to be exploited. The purpose of this paper is to tackle this problem, known as the large size skyline problem, and propose a solution to deal with it by applying an appropriate refining process.

Design/methodology/approach

The problem of the skyline refinement is formalized in the fuzzy formal concept analysis setting. Then, an ideal fuzzy formal concept is computed in the sense of some particular defined criteria. By leveraging the elements of this ideal concept, one can reduce the size of the computed Skyline.

Findings

An appropriate and rational solution is discussed for the problem of interest. Then, a tool, named SkyRef, is developed. Rich experiments are done using this tool on both synthetic and real datasets.

Research limitations/implications

The authors have conducted experiments on synthetic and some real datasets to show the effectiveness of the proposed approaches. However, thorough experiments on large-scale real datasets are highly desirable to show the behavior of the tool with respect to the performance and time execution criteria.

Practical implications

The tool developed SkyRef can have many domains applications that require decision-making, personalized recommendation and where the size of skyline has to be reduced. In particular, SkyRef can be used in several real-world applications such as economic, security, medicine and services.

Social implications

This work can be expected in all domains that require decision-making like hotel finder, restaurant recommender, recruitment of candidates, etc.

Originality/value

This study mixes two research fields artificial intelligence (i.e. formal concept analysis) and databases (i.e. skyline queries). The key elements of the solution proposed for the skyline refinement problem are borrowed from the fuzzy formal concept analysis which makes it clearer and rational, semantically speaking. On the other hand, this study opens the door for using the formal concept analysis and its extensions in solving other issues related to skyline queries, such as relaxation.
An in-depth case study of a modular service delivery system in a logistics context
Authors: Ponsignon Frédéric , Davies Phil , Smart Andi , Maull Roger
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The objective of this work is to empirically investigate the design of a service delivery system that supports the provision of modular service logistics offerings.

Design/methodology/approach

An in-depth single-case study relying on interview data and extensive documentary evidence is carried out in the business-to-business (B2B) logistics sector. Three main analytical techniques are used to make sense of the qualitative data: thematic analysis, process mapping and the application of modular operators.

Findings

A modular service delivery system comprises three types of processes that collectively deliver modular offerings. The platform consists of core processes that enable the collection, transport and delivery of physical items for all offerings (modular and non-modular). Dedicated modular processes are mandatory and exclusive to individual modular offerings. Optional modular processes are shared across several modular offerings. Interfaces regulate physical (e.g. parcels or parts) and information (e.g. booking data) inputs provided by the customer in order to control the interdependencies within these different process types.

Practical implications

The identification of three process types and their interdependencies provides detailed insights into how managers can design modular logistics services that benefit from economies of scale and meet increasingly variable customer requirements. The importance of well-designed interfaces among the customers, the service offering and the service delivery system is highlighted.

Originality/value

This study extends previous modularity studies in service logistics. It is the first study to apply modular operators to determine the presence of modularity in the service delivery system and to establish the role of different process types in enabling modularity in the service delivery system.
Strategic management accounting in the public sector context: the case of the Swedish Transport Administration
Authors: Höglund Linda , Holmgren Caicedo Mikael , Mårtensson Maria , Svärdsten Fredrik
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to generate further knowledge about strategic management accounting (SMA) in the public sector context. The authors attempt to do this through a study of SMA work in a public sector agency (PSA), the Swedish Transport Administration (STA). The paper elaborates on the formation of the agency's strategies and the challenges the agency's SMA work had to deal with, and focuses its analysis on the interplay between SMA and the characteristics of the public sector as well as how it is constitutive of strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical material was gathered between 2013 and 2015 and consists of documents that include the STA's appropriation, mandate, strategic and operational plans, and balanced scorecard, as well as interviews with 35 civil servants at various levels of the STA.

Findings

The study finds that, depending on the performances of PSAs in their specific environment and the influences from the environment's constituents, SMA may function as an instrument that makes or breaks strategies. The characteristics of the public sector context may therefore affect SMA, and by extension, strategy, in several ways. First, the present case shows that the inherent reduction that the focus of SMA techniques entails, and their inability to deal with the complexity of a PSA's context, places them at constant risk of becoming strategically irrelevant in the eyes of knowledgeable local managers in a PSA. Second, interventions from the government may override a PSA's SMA and in effect make a PSA's strategic focus ambiguous. Third, outside monitoring performed by such actors as the National Audit Office and the mass media may influence a PSA's SMA work both directly and indirectly when the agency and the government are responsive to the agenda set by such scrutiny.

Originality/value

The paper broadens the scope of earlier SMA research in the public sector by including the specific characteristics of the public sector in the analysis and how accounting techniques may come to compete for strategic placement as they are propelled from within and from without the organization.
Capability components of supply chain resilience for readymade garments (RMG) sector in Bangladesh during COVID-19
Authors: Ali Mohammad , Rahman Syed Mahbubur , Frederico Guilherme F.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The readymade garments (RMG) industry acts as one of the foremost vital catalysts for financial as well as social advancement of Bangladesh. Due to the harsh impact of COVID-19, RMG sector has been confronting a never-seen-before phenomenon. Since the supply chain has seriously been influenced, concern raises among industry and policymakers on how to support against disturbances resulting from pandemics. Accordingly, this research aims to explore the vulnerability and capability factors of RMG sector in Bangladesh, their relationship and how these variables affect supply chain resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research design has been employed. In the first stage, content analysis has been performed. Since COVID-19 is a new experience, newspapers were the source to become acquainted with the vulnerability and capability factors following the guidelines provided by Pettit et al. (2010). In the second stage, in-depth interviews with key informants were conducted to investigate the relationship among the variables and how these factors may influence supply chain resilience.

Findings

This study identifies fourteen capability factors and their sub-factors of RMG industry in Bangladesh in order to improve the resilience capacity against the vulnerabilities in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.

Research limitations/implications

This research is based on the setting of particular industry in Bangladesh, where respondents are immersed in a unique culture. Special care is required to generalize the results to other segments and phenomena.

Practical implications

The framework recognizes the balanced and unbalanced strength with the capability's components and find the relation between capabilities and vulnerabilities within the fashion industry. By creating the resilience network with the four conceivable positions, companies can find themselves with their capability's components and natural vulnerabilities.

Originality/value

This study investigates diverse components of capability figure against vulnerabilities to create the supply chain resilience. This paper, moreover, develops with four conceivable positions with their capabilities against existing vulnerabilities which brings timely contribution considering the context of COVID-19.
Policing nonfatal strangulation within the context of intimate partner violence
Authors: Garza Alondra D. , Goodson Amanda , Franklin Cortney A.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The current study examined police response, specifically identification and arrest decisions, to nonfatal strangulation occurring within the context of intimate partner violence.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the present study were derived from a sample of 117 possible nonfatal strangulation case reported to a police agency located in one of the fifth largest and most diverse US cities. A series of logistic regression models were employed to examine the role of victim, suspect and case characteristics on officer formal identification of strangulation and officer arrest decisions.

Findings

Results revealed that 14% of all intimate partner violence (IPV) cases reported to the police agency involved possible nonfatal strangulation and less than half of all possible nonfatal strangulation cases were formally identified as such by officers. The odds of formal identification of strangulation by police increased when strangulation was manual and when victims reported difficulty breathing. Injury and formal identification increased the odds of arrest.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine predictors of police formal identification and arrest decisions in nonfatal strangulation occurring within intimate partner violence incidents.
Sustainable Development Goals, are we there yet?–challenges and shortcomings
Authors: Inieke Otobong
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Literature reviews were conducted with the aim of analysing and deriving evidence and reference points. A qualitative research approach was also used in order to properly identify situations, problems and solutions related to the particular context of sustainable development with Africa as a focus.

Design/methodology/approach

The Sustainable Development Goals are a commendable metric and framework by which to measure practical improvements in various governments, communities or socio-economic regions. There is also the reality of adapting and implementing this framework to the dynamic nature of myriad environments consisting of many distinct cultures, ideologies and lifestyles. The purpose of this article is to briefly and pointedly assess the African status quo in relation to achieving the United Nations’ (UN) prescribed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The African challenges and shortcomings in this regard are addressed and ideas for solutions are also looked into.

Findings

Economic inadequacies and poor development are not always rooted in a lack of resources or the will to act but usually as a result of bad governance, corruption and poor adoption of suggested strategies for recovery. This brings into focus the facet of the resource curse. It is seen in multiple contexts across continents that having reserves of resources does not translate to economic prosperity if the concerned region is weighed down by poor governance or stagnant policies. The article shows that though the journey to implementing solutions is challenging, consistent commitment to trusted development frameworks and social programs will benefit many communities and spark projects for economic self-sufficiency.

Originality/value

This article is important because it is a quick and concise snapshot about the realities experienced by a contemporary African attempting to evaluate the cumulative value and worth of the UN prescribed SDGs. This work is also valuable to academic institutions and young/aspiring researchers alike, it can serve as a compact reference point that analyses the realities of the concept of the “resource curse” in relation to attainable SDGs.
Current situation of carbapenem‐resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Acinetobacter in Japan and Southeast Asia
Authors: Akeda Yukihiro
Published: April 2021

In the recent years, issues related to drug‐resistant bacteria have evolved worldwide, and various countermeasures have been taken to control their spread. Among a wide variety of drug‐resistant bacterial species, carbapenem‐resistant Gram‐negative bacteria, including carbapenem‐resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and carbapenem‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAb), are those for which countermeasures are particularly important. Carbapenems are the last resort antibiotics for any bacterial infection; therefore, infectious diseases caused by these drug‐resistant bacteria are difficult to treat. In the case of CRE, since carbapenemases responsible for carbapenem resistance are mostly encoded on transmissible plasmids, it is known that susceptible bacteria can easily become carbapenem‐resistant by transfer of plasmids between Enterobacteriaceae. In addition, Enterobacteriaceae are common bacterial species found in the guts of animals, including humans. Acinetobacter is ubiquitously isolated in the environment. Due to these characteristics, it is quite difficult to prevent the intrusion of multi‐drug resistant pathogens in hospitals. Therefore, effective countermeasures should be developed and utilized against such dangerous pathogens based on molecular epidemiological analyses. In this review, there are also some examples presented on how to manage to monitor and control those troublesome drug‐resistant bacteria conducted in Japan and Southeast Asia.
Geographic Inequality in Income and Mortality in Germany*
Authors: Redler Peter , Wuppermann Amelie , Winter Joachim , Schwandt Hannes , Currie Janet
Published: April 2021

We use data from the German Federal Statistical Office on population counts, births, deaths and income to study the development of socio‐economic inequality in mortality rates from 1990 to 2015 for different age groups and both genders. Ranking the 401 German districts by average disposable income per capita, we observe large inequalities in district‐level mortality rates in 1990, which had almost disappeared, or at least been flattened considerably, by 2015 particularly for infants, children and the very old. The most important driver of this reduction in inequality is German reunification in 1990. As indicated by more detailed analyses comparing districts in the former East and the former West, even five years after reunification there was a large gap in disposable income, with all Eastern districts considerably poorer than the poorest district in the West. At the same time, mortality rates were higher for all age groups and both genders in the East. Income has caught up, to the extent that there are equally poor districts in the East and West in most recent years (although the West is still much richer on average). Mortality rates in the East have improved considerably and are even below mortality rates for similarly poor districts in the West in the most recent data.
Re‐orienting the Statement of Cash Flows Around Cash Flows to Equity Holders
Authors: Dichev ILIA D.
Published: April 2021

This paper argues that the Statement of Cash Flows should be re‐oriented around the concept of Cash Flows to Equity Holders. This re‐orientation seems attractive for conceptual and internal consistency reasons. The Income Statement and the Balance Sheet are already oriented around reporting the residual claim of equity holders. Thus, re‐orienting the Statement of Cash Flows around Cash Flows to Equity Holders naturally aligns it with the other two principal financial statements. The change also has considerable practical appeal for major users of financial reporting, especially investors who are interested in equity cash flows for forecasting and valuation. Finally, the proposed change is unusually easy to implement, essentially limited to different presentation of already existing information.
Do ‘Boss Effects’ Exist in Japanese Companies? Evidence from Subordinate–Supervisor Matched Panel Data*
Authors: Okajima Yuko , Matsushige Hisakazu , Ye Yuwei
Published: April 2021

This article investigates whether supervisors can significantly enhance their subordinates' performance using a five‐waves panel dataset from a medium‐sized Japanese firm comprising around 400 employees. The dataset includes all regular non‐managerial employees working in one manufacturing company. About 40 supervisors were matched to their subordinates, and the evaluation outcomes were used to evaluate the worker performance. The results showed that supervisor effects were heterogeneous, displayed a one‐year lag, and lasted for two years. We proved the existence of the supervisor effect on current performance, by using current supervisor dummies or past supervisor dummies. Irrespective of the supervisor being switched, the effect of the past supervisor on workers’ current performance continues to exist. It was also found that these effects remained significant, even when workers were assigned new/different supervisors.
971. PECTEILIS SUSANNAE
Authors: Wah Lee Kit , Kumar Pankaj , Gale Stephan W.
Published: April 2021

Viable populations of threatened orchids can be re‐established in the wild through integrated conservation that combines a scientific understanding of species ecology with applied knowledge of horticultural requirements. Previously abundant in South China,Pecteilis susannaehas declined due to habitat loss and collection, both for its magnificent flowers and its fleshy tubers, which are of purported medicinal value. To illustrate the steps being taken for the conservation of this and other orchids in Hong Kong, the history, taxonomy and ecology ofP. susannaeare discussed, and information on its propagation and culture are provided.
974. HEMIPILIA FLABELLATA
Authors: Cribb Phillip , Schuiteman André , Want Terry
Published: April 2021

Hemipilia flabellata, a terrestrial orchid from western China is illustrated. Its history, ecology, introduction and cultivation are described.