bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial neural network filters for enhancing 3D optical microscopy images of neurites
Authors: Wang Shih-Luen , Kahaki Seyed M. M. , Stepanyants Armen
Published: October 2018

The ability to extract accurate morphology of labeled neurons from microscopy images is crucial for mapping brain connectivity and for understanding changes in connectivity that underlie learning and memory formation. There are, however, two problems, specific to optical microscopy imaging of neurons, which make accurate neuron tracing exceedingly challenging: (i) neurites can appear broken due to inhomogeneous labeling and (ii) neurites can appear fused in 3D due to limited resolution. Here, we propose and evaluate several artificial neural network (NN) architectures and conventional image enhancement filters with the aim of solving both problems. To evaluate the effects of filtering, we examine the following four image quality metrics: normalized intensity in the cross-over regions between neurites, radius of neurites, coefficient of variation of intensity along neurites, and local background to neurite intensity ratio. Our results show that NN filters, trained on optimized semi-manual traces of neurites, can significantly outperform conventional filters. In particular, U-Net based filtering can virtually eliminate background intensity, while also reducing radius of neurites by 23% to nearly 1 voxel, decreasing intensity in the cross-over regions between neurites by 22%, and reducing variations in intensity along neurites by 26%. These results suggest that including a NN filtering step, which does not require much extra time or computing power, can be beneficial for neuron tracing projects.
Bayesian Estimation of Species Divergence Times Using Correlated Quantitative Characters
Authors: Álvarez-Carretero Sandra , Goswami Anjali , Yang Ziheng , dos Reis Mario
Published: October 2018

Discrete morphological data have been widely used to study species evolution, but the use of quantitative (or continuous) morphological characters is less common. Here, we implement a Bayesian method to estimate species divergence times using quantitative characters. Quantitative character evolution is modelled using Brownian diffusion with character correlation and character variation within populations. Through simulations, we demonstrate that ignoring the population variation (or population “noise”) and the correlation among characters leads to biased estimates of divergence times and rate, especially if the correlation and population noise are high. We apply our new method to the analysis of quantitative characters (cranium landmarks) and molecular data from carnivoran mammals. Our results show that time estimates are affected by whether the correlations and population noise are accounted for or ignored in the analysis. The estimates are also affected by the type of data analysed, with analyses of morphological characters only, molecular data only, or a combination of both; showing noticeable differences among the time estimates. Rate variation of morphological characters among the carnivoran species appears to be very high, with Bayesian model selection indicating that the independent-rates model fits the morphological data better than the autocorrelated-rates model. We suggest that using morphological continuous characters, together with molecular data, can bring a new perspective to the study of species evolution. Our new model is implemented in the MCMCtree computer program for Bayesian inference of divergence times.
Comparisons of a Novel Air Sampling Filter Material, Wash Buffers and Extraction Methods in the Detection and Quantification of Influenza Virus
Authors: Thedell Terrance A. , Boles Corey L. , Cwiertny David M. , Qian Jiajie , Brown Grant D. , Nonnenmann Matthew W.
Published: October 2018

Quantification of aerosolized influenza virus is used for determining inhalation exposure. Several bioaerosol samplers and analytical methods have been used; however, the detection and quantification of influenza virus among aerosol samples remains challenging. Therefore, improved viral aerosol measurement methods are needed. This study evaluated influenza virus recovery among three filter types polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylchloride and polystyrene. Polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylchloride are fabricated filter materials and commonly used in the scientific literature to sample for viral aerosols. A novel, electrospun polystyrene filter material may improve viral aerosol recovery during filter-based air sampling. The filter materials were compared across the following conditions: treated with or without air, filter wash buffer (HBSS or PBS), and viral RNA extraction method (QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit or Trizol). Twenty trials were completed in a chamber and samples were analyzed using RT-qPCR. Viral recovery was significantly different (p-value < .0001) by filter type. Polystyrene filter use resulted in recovery of the most viral RNA. Air sampling did not affect the recovery of viral RNA from the filter materials (p-values > 0.05). Viral RNA concentrations were significantly different across extraction methods for all comparisons (p-values < 0.05). Our results demonstrated that the novel polystyrene filter material resulted in the highest concentration of extracted RNA compared to the commonly used polytetrafluoroethylene and polyvinylchloride, which we speculate may be related to the chemical composition of the filter material (e.g., polystyrene is an aromatic hydrocarbon whereas polytetrafluoroethylene and polyvinylchloride contain more polar, and thus potentially reactive, carbon-halogen bonds). Air sampling did not have an effect on viral RNA recovery. Using Hanks Balanced Salt Solution with QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit, and Phosphate-buffered saline with the Trizol extraction, resulted in the most viral RNA recovery.
The role of climate change education on individual lifetime carbon emissions
Authors: Cordero Eugene C. , Centeno Diana , Marie Todd Anne
Published: October 2018

Strategies to mitigate climate change often center on clean technologies such as electric vehicles and solar panels, while the mitigation potential of a quality educational experience is rarely discussed. In this paper, we investigate the long-term impact that an intensive one-year university course had on individual carbon emissions by surveying students at least five years after having taken the course. A majority of course graduates reported pro-environmental decisions (i.e., type of car to buy, food choices) that can be attributed to experiences gained in the course. Furthermore, our carbon footprint analysis demonstrates that for the average course graduate, these decisions reduced their individual carbon emissions by 2.86 tons of CO2 per year. Focus group interviews identify that course graduates have developed a strong personal connection to climate change solutions, and this is realized in their daily behaviors and through their professional careers. The paper discusses in more detail the specific components of the course that are believed to be most impactful, and it shares preliminary outcomes from similar curriculum designs that are being used with K-12 students. Our analysis also demonstrates that if similar education programs were applied at scale, the potential reductions in carbon emissions would be of similar magnitude to other large-scale mitigation strategies such as rooftop solar or electric vehicles.
Conditioned place avoidance using encapsulated calcium propionate as an appetite suppressant for broiler breeders Conditioned place avoidance and calcium propionate
Authors: Arrazola Aitor , Torrey Stephanie
Published: October 2018

Broiler breeders, the parent stock of meat chicks, are feed-restricte throughout rearing to avoid obesity-related problems in their health and reproductive performance. Broiler breeders often show signs of chronic hunger, lack of satiety and feeding frustration, and the development of alternative feeding strategies has investigated the inclusion of calcium propionate (CaP) as an appetite suppressant. However, the mechanisms involved in the reduction of voluntary feed intake are unknown, but are thought to be due to low palatability, gastrointestinal discomfort, or both. The objective of this experiment was to examine the effect of CaP as an appetite suppressant on the experience of a negative affective state, using a conditioned place preference test. Twenty four broiler breeders were trained to associate the consumption of CaP or a placebo pill with a red or blue place, depending on inherent colour preference. Pullets consumed two pills followed by 20 g feed allotment. The CaP pill contained 160 mg of CaP and the placebo pill had 160 mg of feed. Conditioning lasted for 90 min/pullet/day over 8 consecutive days at 7 and 9 weeks of age, and pullets’ choice was tested in a T-maze twice on two consecutive days at both 8 and 10 weeks of age. Data were analysed using a linear mixed regression model, with pen nested in the model and age as a repeated measure. Pullets were less likely to choose the place conditioned with the consumption of CaP (P<0.05) and the preference of the placebo linearly increased with training sessions (P<0.05). These results suggest that calcium propionate as an appetite suppressant can induce a negative affective state, with the lower feed intake resulting from a conditioned response to the negative effect of calcium propionate rather than to satiety.
Dosage Matters: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Rehabilitation Dose in the Chronic Phase after Stroke
Authors: Winstein Carolee , Kim Bokkyu , Kim Sujin , Martinez Clarisa , Schweighofer Nicolas
Published: October 2018

Background and Purpose

For stroke rehabilitation, task-specific training in animal models and human rehabilitation trials is considered important to trigger inherent neuroplasticity, promote motor learning, and functional recovery. Little is known, however, about what constitutes an effective dosage of therapy.

Methods

This is a parallel group, four arm, single blind, phase I, randomized control trial of four dosages of upper extremity therapy delivered in an outpatient setting during the chronic phase after stroke. Participants were randomized into groups that varied in total dosage of therapy (i.e., 0, 15, 30, or 60 hours). Seven hundred and four participants were assessed for eligibility, 50 were eligible to enroll, 45 were randomized, 44 participated and 41 completed the study. Planned primary analyses used linear mixed effects regression to model baseline to post-intervention changes in the Motor Activity Log-Quality of Movement rating (MALQ) and the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) time score as a function of therapy dosage. A series of hierarchical models were constructed using the MALQ and WMFT.

Results

We observed a significant dose response curve: the greater the dosage of training, the greater the change in MALQ, with the dose by week slope parameter of 0.0045 (ΔMAL/hour/week; p = 0.0011; 95% CI = [0.0019; 0.0071]). Over the 3 weeks of therapy, this corresponds to a gain of 0.81 in MALQ for the 60 hour dose.

Conclusions

For mild-to-moderately impaired stroke survivors, the dosage of a patient-centered, task specific motor therapy was shown to systematically influence the gain in quality of arm use in the natural environment, but not functional capacity as measured in the laboratory. We highlight the importance of recovery outcomes that capture arm use vs. functional capacity.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT 01749358
Current clinical use of polygenic scores will risk exacerbating health disparities
Authors: Martin Alicia R. , Kanai Masahiro , Kamatani Yoichiro , Okada Yukinori , Neale Benjamin M. , Daly Mark J.
Published: October 2018

Polygenic risk scores (PRS) are poised to improve biomedical outcomes via precision medicine. However, the major ethical and scientific challenge surrounding clinical implementation is that they are many-fold more accurate in European ancestry individuals than others. This disparity is an inescapable consequence of Eurocentric genome-wide association study biases. This highlights that—unlike clinical biomarkers and prescription drugs, which may individually work better in some populations but do not ubiquitously perform far better in European populations—clinical uses of PRS today would systematically afford greater improvement to European descent populations. Early diversifying efforts show promise in levelling this vast imbalance, even when non-European sample sizes are considerably smaller than the largest studies to date. To realize the full and equitable potential of PRS, we must prioritize greater diversity in genetic studies and public dissemination of summary statistics to ensure that health disparities are not increased for those already most underserved.
Synthetic essentiality of metabolic regulator PDHK1 in PTEN-deficient cells and cancers
Authors: Chatterjee Nilanjana , Pazarentzos Evangelos , Hrustanovic Gorjan , Lin Luping , Verschueren Erik , Johnson Jeffrey R. , Hofree Matan , Yan Jenny J. , Olivas Victor , Newton Billy W. , Dollen John V. , Earnshaw Charles H. , Flanagan Jennifer , Chan Elton , Asthana Saurabh , Ideker Trey , Wu Wei , Mayekar Manasi K. , Suzuki Junji , Barad Ben , Kirichok Yuriy , Fraser James , Weiss William A. , Krogan Nevan J. , Tulpule Asmin , Sabnis Amit J. , Bivona Trever G.
Published: October 2018

PTEN is a tumor suppressor that is often inactivated in cancer and possesses both lipid and protein phosphatase activities. We report the metabolic regulator PDHK1 (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase1) is a synthetic-essential gene in PTEN-deficient cancer and normal cells. The predominant mechanism of PDHK1 regulation and dependency is the PTEN protein phosphatase dephosphorylates NFκ;B activating protein (NKAP) and limits NFκB activation to suppress expression of PDHK1, a NFκB target gene. Loss of the PTEN protein phosphatase upregulates PDHK1 to drive aerobic glycolysis and induce PDHK1 cellular dependence. PTEN-deficient human tumors harbor increased PDHK1, which is a biomarker of decreased patient survival, establishing clinical relevance. This study uncovers a PTEN-regulated signaling pathway and reveals PDHK1 as a potential target in PTEN-deficient cancers.

SIGNIFICANCE

The tumor suppressor PTEN is widely inactivated in cancers and tumor syndromes. PTEN antagonizes PI3K/AKT signaling via its lipid phosphatase activity. The modest success of PI3K/AKT inhibition in PTEN-deficient cancer patients provides rationale for identifying other vulnerabilities in PTEN-deficient cancers to improve clinical outcomes. We show that PTEN-deficient cells are uniquely sensitive to PDHK1 inhibition. PTEN and PDHK1 co-suppression reduced colony formation and induced cell deathin vitroand tumor regressionin vivo. PDHK1 levels were high in PTEN-deficient patient tumors and associated with inferior patient survival, establishing clinical relevance. Our study identifies a PTEN-regulated signaling pathway linking the PTEN protein phosphatase to the metabolic regulator PDHK1 and provides a mechanistic basis for PDHK1 targeting in PTEN-deficient cancers.
Elevatedde novofatty acid biosynthesis gene expression promotes melanoma cell survival and drug resistance
Authors: Wu Su , Näär Anders M.
Published: October 2018

Elevatedde novofatty acid biosynthesis (DNFA) is a hallmark adaptation in many cancers that supports survival, proliferation, and metastasis. Here we elucidate previously unexplored aspects of transcription regulation and clinical relevance of DNFA in melanomas. We show that elevated expression of DNFA genes is characteristic of many tumor types and correlates with poor prognosis. Elevated DNFA gene expression depends on transcription factor SREBP1 in multiple melanoma cell lines. SREBP1 predominantly binds to the transcription start sites of DNFA genes, directly regulating transcription via RNA polymerase II recruitment and productive elongation. We find that SREBP1-regulated DNFA represents an intrinsic survival mechanism in melanoma cells, regardless of proliferative state and oncogenic mutation status. Indeed, malignant melanoma cells exhibit elevated DNFA gene expression after pro-survival signaling pathways are blocked (e.g. by the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib). Altogether, these results implicate SREBP1 and DNFA enzymes as enticing therapeutic targets in melanomas.
A multipurpose instrument for time-resolved ultra-small-angle and coherent X-ray scattering
Authors: Narayanan Theyencheri , Sztucki Michael , Van Vaerenbergh Pierre , Léonardon Joachim , Gorini Jacques , Claustre Laurent , Sever Franc , Morse John , Boesecke Peter
Published: October 2018

This article presents the main technical features and performance of the upgraded beamline ID02 at the ESRF. The beamline combines different small-angle X-ray scattering techniques in one unique instrument, enabling static and kinetic investigations from ångström to micrometre size scales and time resolution down to the sub-millisecond range. The main component of the instrument is an evacuated detector tube of length 34 m and diameter 2 m. Several different detectors are housed inside a motorized wagon that travels along a rail system, allowing an automated change of the sample–detector distance from about 1 to 31 m as well as selection of the desired detector. For optional combined wide-angle scattering measurements, a wide-angle detector is installed at the entrance cone of the tube. A scattering vector (of magnitude q) range of 0.002 ≤ q ≤ 50 nm−1 is covered with two sample–detector distances and a single-beam setting for an X-ray wavelength of 1 Å. In the high-resolution mode, two-dimensional ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering patterns down to q < 0.001 nm−1 can be recorded, and the resulting one-dimensional profiles have superior quality as compared to those measured with an optimized Bonse–Hart instrument. In the highest-resolution mode, the beam is nearly coherent, thereby permitting multispeckle ultra-small-angle X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy measurements. The main applications of the instrument include the elucidation of static and transient hierarchical structures, and nonequilibrium dynamics in soft matter and biophysical systems.
Citizens of Delhi lead resilience action
Authors: Gupta Manu , Talankar Parag , Chavda Shivangi
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate practical approaches to addressing issues of risk reduction and disaster prevention in urban areas. In addition to exposure to natural hazards, urban areas represent complex risks and vulnerabilities together with complicated governance structures.

Design/methodology/approach

To address the challenge, SEEDS mobilised a “Disaster Watch Forum” – a citizens’ platform that brought citizens together to proactively engage with the local government. With hand-holding support from SEEDS, training by domain experts, internal team building and the forum has become a credible people-based institution addressing issues of risk reduction and prevention.

Findings

Urban risk reduction has remained a challenging issue with solutions often sought in high investment structural interventions. These have limited impact on the urban poor living in informal areas. This paper reveals “bottom-up” people-based approach that is able to engage with the “system” from “outside”. It reveals how people relate to day-to-day risks that affect their lives, making it the stepping stone to address higher order societal risks. Finally, the immense power and energy of youth and children work as local “agents of change”. Overall, the work aligns with priorities of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Research limitations/implications

There are three principal implications for further research: with half the world now urbanized, urgent solutions are needed for improving disaster risk governance in cities; taking a “whole of society” approach in addressing a wider canvas of risks; and redirecting investments in urban areas towards managing risks, rather than managing disasters.

Practical implications

The model illustrated is replicable in urban areas facing risk. It worked well in a population catchment of 50,000 residents; to achieve scale would require enabling a federated structure of several localised forums.

Originality/value

The paper presents a hands-on experience in building an alternative approach to urban risk reduction. It has required authors to move from “government to governance” model making citizens active stakeholders in proactively addressing their own underlying vulnerabilities that lead to creation of and exacerbation of risks.
When two existential risks are better than one
Authors: Miller James Daniel
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The great filter and an unfriendly artificial general intelligence might pose existential risks to humanity, but these two risks are anti-correlated. The purpose of this paper is to consider the implications of having evidence that mankind is at significant peril from both these risks.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper creates Bayesian models under which one might get evidence for being at risk for two perils when we know that we are at risk for at most one of these perils.

Findings

Humanity should possibly be more optimistic about its long-term survival if we have convincing evidence for believing that both these risks are real than if we have such evidence for thinking that only one of these perils would likely strike us.

Originality/value

Deriving implications of being greatly concerned about both an unfriendly artificial general intelligence and the great filter.
Asymmetric characteristics of the shock bifurcation in the reflected shock/boundary layer interaction
Authors: Zhang Yang , Zou Jianfeng , Xie Jiahua , Li Xiaoyue , Ma Zhenhai , Zheng Yao
Published: October 2018

Purpose

When a reflected shock interacts with the boundary layer in a shock tube, the shock bifurcation occurs near the walls. Although the study of the shock bifurcation has been carried out by many researchers for several decades, little attention has been devoted to investigate the instability pattern of the bifurcation. This research work aims to successfully capture the asymmetry of the whole flow field, and attempt to achieve the instability mechanism of the shock bifurcation by a direct numerical simulation of the reflected shock wave/boundary layer interaction at Ma = 1.9. In addition, the reason for the formation of the bifurcated structure is also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

The spatial and temporal evolution of the shock bifurcation is obtained by solving the two-dimensional compressible Navier–Stokes equations using a seventh-order accurate weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) scheme and a three-step Runge–Kutta time advancing approach.

Findings

The results show that the formation of shock bifurcation is mainly because of the shock/gradient field interaction, and the height of the bifurcated foot increases with the growth of the shock intensity and the gradient field. The unsteady asymmetry of the upper and bottom shock bifurcated structures is because of the vortex shedding with high frequency in the rear recirculation zone, which leads to the fluctuation of the recirculation area. The vortex shedding process behind the bifurcated structure closely resembles the Karman vortex street formed by the flow around the cylinder. The dimensionless vortex shedding frequency varies between 0.01 and 0.02. In comparison to the scenario at Ma = 1.9, the occurring time of instability is delayed and the upper and bottom bifurcated feet intersect in a relatively short time at Ma = 3.5. The region behind the bifurcated shock is a transitional flow field containing obvious cell structures and “isolated islands.”

Originality/value

This paper discovers an unsteady flow pattern of the shock bifurcation, and the mechanism of this instability in the reflected shock/boundary layer interaction is revealed in detail.
Numerical simulation of wet steam transonic condensation flow in the last stage of a steam turbine
Authors: Han Xu , Han Zhonghe , Zeng Wei , Li Peng , Qian Jiangbo
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the condensation flow of wet steam in the last stage of a steam turbine and to obtain the distribution of condensation parameters such as nucleation rate, Mach number and wetness.

Design/methodology/approach

Because of the sensitivity of the condensation parameter distribution, a double fluid numerical model and a realizable k-ε-kd turbulence model were applied in this study, and the numerical solution for the non-equilibrium condensation flow is provided.

Findings

The simulation results are consistent with the experimental results of the Bakhtar test. The calculation results indicate that the degree of departure from saturation has a significant impact on the wet steam transonic condensation flow. When the inlet steam deviates from the saturation state, shock wave interference and vortex mixing also have a great influence on the distribution of water droplets.

Originality/value

The research results can provide reference for steam turbine wetness losses evaluation and flow passage structure optimization design.
Influence of external head cooling on the head, core body and blood temperatures using 3D whole-body model
Authors: Devarakonda Surendra Balaji , Bulusu Pallavi , Al-rjoub Marwan , Bhattacharya Amit , Banerjee Rupak Kumar
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of external head cooling on alleviating the heat stress in the human body by analyzing the temperatures of the core body (Tc), blood (Tblood) and head (Th) during exercise conditions using 3D whole body model.

Design/methodology/approach

Computational study is conducted to comprehend the influence of external head cooling on Tc, Tblood and Th. The Pennes bioheat and energy balance equations formulated for the whole-body model are solved concurrently to obtain Tc, Tblood and Th for external head cooling values from 33 to 233 W/m2. Increased external head cooling of 404 W/m2 is used to compare the numerical and experimental Th data.

Findings

Significant reductions of 0.21°C and 0.38°C are observed in Th with external head cooling of 233 and 404 W/m2, respectively. However, for external head cooling of 233 W/m2, lesser reductions of 0.03°C and 0.06°C are found in Tc and Tblood, respectively. Computational results for external head cooling of 404 W/m2 show a difference of 15 per cent in Th compared to experimental values from literature.

Originality/value

The development of stress because of heat generated within human body is major concern for athletes exercising at high intensities. This study provides an insight into the effectiveness of external head cooling in regulating the head and body temperatures during exercise conditions.
What does the new 2011-12 IIP series tell about the Indian manufacturing sector?
Authors: Pandey Radhika , Sapre Amey , Sinha Pramod
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the changes in the new 2011-12 base year series of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) to determine whether the new series has improved the understanding of the growth in the manufacturing sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a simple framework to separately estimate the contribution of value- and volume-based commodities in the growth of the manufacturing index. The authors present a case study by analysing the growth performance of IIP drugs and pharmaceuticals sector by comparing it with real net sales of a common sample of firms in this segment.

Findings

The authors find that growth in value-based commodities contributes significantly in moving the index in either direction, and that high growth in value-based commodities coincides with periods of low inflation. On comparability, using real net sales as an alternate indicator of industrial output for the pharmaceuticals sector, the authors find that IIP and real net sales show contrasting trends, thereby raising issues of reliability. The authors also find that the IIP shows a disconnect with growth rates from Annual Survey of Industries for several industries.

Practical implications

The divergence between two measures of industrial activity raises crucial questions on the representativeness of the IIP.

Originality/value

The study builds a framework to separately estimate the contribution of value- and volume-based commodities in the growth of the manufacturing index.
Collective action among rural poor
Authors: Bongomin George Okello Candiya , Munene John C. , Ntayi Joseph Mpeera , Malinga Charles Akol
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish the mediating role of collective action in the relationship between financial intermediation and financial inclusion of the poor in rural Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses structural equation modeling (SEM) through bootstrap approach constructed using analysis of moment structures to test for the mediating role of collective action in the relationship between financial intermediation and financial inclusion of the poor in rural Uganda. Besides, the paper adopts Baron and Kenny’s (1986) approach to establish whether conditions for mediation by collective action exist.

Findings

The results revealed that collective action significantly mediates the relationship between financial intermediation and financial inclusion of the poor in rural Uganda. The findings further indicated that the mediated model had better model fit indices than the non-mediated model under SEM bootstrap. Furthermore, the results showed that both collective action and financial intermediation have significant and direct impacts on financial inclusion of the poor in rural Uganda. Therefore, the findings suggest that the presence of collective action boost financial intermediation for improved financial inclusion of the poor in rural Uganda.

Research limitations/implications

The study used quantitative data collected through cross-sectional research design. Further studies through the use of interviews could be adopted in future. Methodologically, the study adopted use of SEM bootstrap approach to establish the mediating effect of collective action. However, it ignored the Sobel’s test and MedGraph methods. Future studies could adopt the use of alternative methods of Sobel’s test and MedGraph. Additionally, the study focused only on semi-formal financial institutions. Hence, further studies may consider the use of data collected from formal and informal institutions.

Practical implications

Policy makers and managers of financial institutions should consider the role of collective action in promoting economic development, especially in developing countries. They should create structures and design financial services and products that promote collective action among the poor in rural Uganda.

Originality/value

Although several scholars have articulated financial inclusion based on both the supply and demand side factors, this is the first study to test the mediating role of collective action in the relationship between financial intermediation and financial inclusion of the poor in rural Uganda using SEM bootstrap approach. Theoretically, the study combines the role of collective action with financial intermediation to promote financial inclusion. Financial intermediation theory ignores the role played by collective action in the intermediation process between the surplus and deficit units.
Convergent validity assessment of formatively measured constructs in PLS-SEM
Authors: Cheah Jun-Hwa , Sarstedt Marko , Ringle Christian M. , Ramayah T. , Ting Hiram
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Researchers often use partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to estimate path models that include formatively specified constructs. Their validation requires running a redundancy analysis, which tests whether the formatively measured construct is highly correlated with an alternative measure of the same construct. Extending prior knowledge in the field, this paper aims to examine the conditions favoring the use of single vs multiple items to measure the criterion construct in redundancy analyses.

Design/methodology/approach

Merging the literatures from a variety of fields, such as management, marketing and psychometrics, we first provide a theoretical comparison of single-item and multi-item measurement and offer guidelines for designing and validating suitable single items. An empirical comparison in the context of hospitality management examines whether using a single item to measure the criterion variable yields sufficient degrees of convergent validity compared to using a multi-item measure.

Findings

The results of an empirical comparison in the context of hospitality management show that, when the sample size is small, a single item yields higher degrees of convergent validity than a reflective construct does. However, larger sample sizes favor the use of reflectively measured multi-item constructs, but the differences are marginal, thus supporting the use of a global single item in PLS-SEM-based redundancy analyses.

Originality/value

This study is the first to research the efficacy of single-item versus multi-item measures in PLS-SEM-based redundancy analyses. The results illustrate that a convergent validity assessment of formatively measured constructs can be implemented without triggering a pronounced increase in survey length.
Towards data-driven software engineering skills assessment
Authors: Lin Jun , Yu Han , Pan Zhengxiang , Shen Zhiqi , Cui Lizhen
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Today’s software engineers often work in teams to develop complex software systems. Therefore, successful software engineering in practice require team members to possess not only sound programming skills such as analysis, design, coding and testing but also soft skills such as communication, collaboration and self-management. However, existing examination-based assessments are often inadequate for quantifying students’ soft skill development. The purpose of this paper is to explore alternative ways for assessing software engineering students’ skills through a data-driven approach.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the exploratory data analysis approach is adopted. Leveraging the proposed online agile project management tool – Human-centred Agile Software Engineering (HASE), a study was conducted involving 21 Scrum teams consisting of over 100 undergraduate software engineering students in multi-week coursework projects in 2014.

Findings

During this study, students performed close to 170,000 software engineering activities logged by HASE. By analysing the collected activity trajectory data set, the authors demonstrate the potential for this new research direction to enable software engineering educators to have a quantifiable way of understanding their students’ skill development, and take a proactive approach in helping them improve their programming and soft skills.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there has yet to be published previous studies using software engineering activity data to assess software engineers’ skills.
The originality of the lean manufacturing studies
Authors: Psomas Evangelos
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the originality value of the lean manufacturing (LM) studies carried out worldwide so far.

Design/methodology/approach

Four major publishers, namely, Emerald Online, Science Direct, Springer Link and Taylor and Francis provided the databases for a systematic literature review (SLR) of peer-reviewed journal articles in LM. In total, 211 articles published in 52 journals during 2005-2016 were collected. The affinity diagram was applied to group the originality value statements identified into logical themes.

Findings

The plethora of originality value statements identified in the literature are analytically presented. Furthermore, meaningful themes of the originality value of the LM studies are formulated.

Research limitations/implications

Some publishers might have been missed out in this SLR, given that it is based on only four academic publishers.

Practical implications

Identifying the originality value of the existing LM studies and presenting respective meaningful themes can help researchers and practitioners design their future research and implementation plans, respectively.

Originality value

The originality value of the LM studies is a subject which has not been reviewed in the literature previously.
Effects of Six Sigma initiatives in Malaysian private hospitals
Authors: Ahmed Selim , Abd Manaf Noor Hazilah , Islam Rafikul
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to investigate applications of Six Sigma methodology in Malaysian private hospitals. It measures Six Sigma initiatives of the private hospitals based on demographics such as gender, position and working experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study measures Six Sigma initiatives of private hospitals and used stratified random sampling to collect data from eight selected hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia. The respondents of the study include doctors, nurses, pharmacists and medical laboratory technologists. In this study, 520 questionnaires were distributed to respondents who are working in Malaysian private hospitals. In total, 251 responses were received (48.27 per cent response rate). The descriptive analysis, independent samplest-test and one-way ANOVA were undertaken using SPSS version 23.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate that male respondents have better perception on four aspects of Six Sigma applications such as process improvement tools, process improvement methods, manage quality improvement activities and formal planning process compared to female respondents. The research findings also indicate that doctors have better perception regarding process improvement tools to measure quality improvement process, leadership to continuous improvement processes, training in process improvement tools for employees’ skill improvement compared to nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory technologists.

Research limitations/implications

The present research focussed solely on the Malaysian private hospitals, and thus the results might not be applicable to other countries. This study focussed on Six Sigma initiatives of private hospitals in Malaysia, while the future research may consider investigating the difference or conformance between private and public hospitals on Six Sigma initiatives and its relationship with quality performance. In addition, present study findings are expected to provide guidelines to enhance the applications of Six Sigma methodology in private hospitals in Malaysia as well as other countries.

Originality/value

This research provides theoretical and practical contributions for the Six Sigma initiatives in private hospitals. Most of the past studies of Six Sigma initiatives are centred on manufacturing sector, but few empirical studies have been conducted on the health-care organisation. Thus, findings of the present study on the health-care sector contribute to the on-going pursuit of knowledge in the area of Six Sigma by using the strength of related theories and parent disciplines.
Exploring the role of mental health first aid officers in workplaces
Authors: Bovopoulos Nataly , LaMontagne Anthony D. , Martin Angela , Jorm Anthony
Published: October 2018

Purpose

An emerging trend in Australian workplaces is to appoint staff trained in mental health first aid as mental health first aid officers (MHFAOs), similar to physical first aid officers (PFAOs) focused on physical health emergencies. The purpose of this paper is to better understand the nature of MHFAO roles in workplaces and develop recommendations for other workplaces.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study methodology was used, with semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted with multiple individuals within five diverse organisations.

Findings

The results indicated that organisations tended to differ in their approach to implementation, based on their level of experience. There was a strong agreement across organisations on the benefits and challenges they have experienced with the role.

Practical implications

Organisational representatives highlighted some important differences between PFAO and MHFAO roles. Respondents across all organisations agreed that MHFA training should ideally be offered to all staff if feasible, not only MHFAOs. The greatest challenge experienced by respondents was inadequate support to, and internal resourcing for, MHFAO roles. Respondents suggested that workplaces provide more support and training to MHFAOs.

Originality/value

This is the first study to explore and describe the experiences of workplaces with MHFAOs. Recommendations are made to assist interested organisations in these efforts.
Do employees in a “good” company comply better with information security policy? A corporate social responsibility perspective
Authors: Kim Hyungjin Lukas , Han Jinyoung
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on employees’ compliance behavior concerning information security policy (ISP). A research model includes CSR activities as an antecedent of ISP compliance and as a mediator of the relationship between ISP compliance intention and the perceived costs of compliance.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 162 respondents were surveyed from organizations with more than 500 employees. This study used partial least squares (SmartPLS 3.0) to analyze and examine hypotheses.

Findings

The results show CSR’s influence as a mediator in the context of ISP compliance. In particular, moral CSR can affect employees’ ISP compliance intention positively and fully mediate the relationship between the costs of compliance and ISP compliance intention. Employees would like to comply with ISP when they recognize the benefits of ISP compliance and the costs of ISP noncompliance.

Originality/value

This study examines influential factors on ISP compliance considering cost-benefit factors from rational choice theory. Moreover, the study contributes to ISP compliance research by being the first attempt to consider CSR in an ISP compliance research context. The results provide insights on how to strategically implement CSR activities in terms of organizational information security.
Effect of Islamic values on green purchasing behavior
Authors: Siyavooshi Malihe , Foroozanfar Abdullah , Sharifi Yaser
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to conduct an experimental investigation into the effectiveness of using Islamic values and environmental knowledge in advertising for plant disposable containers on the level of willingness to purchase such products for religious ceremonies and rituals among Muslim consumers in Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 270 individuals participating in one of the religious assemblies in the city of Shiraz in Iran was classified into three groups (a control and two experimental groups). A pretest was administered for each group; then both experimental groups received brochures whose contents were associated with environmental and religious messages about environmental protection. After four days, a post-test was similarly conducted for each group. The data were collected through a questionnaire and analyzed using one-way analysis of variance.

Findings

The results revealed that the use of religious and environmental messages in advertising for plant disposable containers could boost the willingness to purchase such containers for religious ceremonies and rituals; however, the effectiveness of using religious messages was stronger compared to that of the environmental ones.

Research limitations implications

Given that the present study was conducted based on an experimental research design in a real context, there was the possibility of the presence of other variables outside the control of the study design and affecting its results.

Practical implications

Increased awareness regarding the harmful environmental impacts of plastic containers and emphasis on religious duties to protect the environment can affect targeting a sector of the Muslim community endowed with strong religious beliefs.

Originality/value

This study confirmed that consumer values and beliefs could have effects on their purchase and consumption behaviors.
Management accounting routines: a framework on their foundations
Authors: Quinn Martin , Hiebl Martin R.W.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Recent research provides useful insights on management accounting routines, yet little is written on their foundations. In particular, factors which may contribute to eventual management accounting routines have not been detailed in terms of the process of routinization. Thus, this paper aims to provide an initial theory-based understanding on the foundation of management accounting routines. In turn, it is hoped that this will raise further research interest on this topic.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on extant literature, a framework on foundations of management accounting routines is developed, and two empirical cases illustrate its operationalization.

Findings

The framework illustrates that a more complete understanding of change to management accounting routines can be gleaned when more is known about their foundations. The foundations are likely to be influenced by a combination and/or interaction of factors at the organizational level, the organizational field level and the economic and political level.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the so far limited understanding of the foundation of management accounting routines, more research is required. This framework may be useful to guide such research.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of few papers to offer an initial theory-based understanding on the foundations of management accounting routines specifically. This understanding can be built on to improve our knowledge in the management accounting domain of the complex, but ubiquitous, concept of organizational routines.
Rethinking mental health provision in the secure estate for children and young people: a framework for integrated care (SECURE STAIRS)
Authors: Taylor Jenny , Shostak Lisa , Rogers Andrew , Mitchell Paul
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline the challenges to achieving positive outcomes for young people within the secure estate in England, and introduces a psychologically informed framework, SECURE STAIRS (SS), aimed at improving outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper argues that there is a need for a fundamental shift in the way care and intervention for young people within the secure estate is delivered. It gives an overview of current challenges and needs and summarises the theoretical concepts and evidence base which can guide practice and form the foundations of the SS framework.

Findings

The framework recommends that intervention shift from focussing primarily on individual assessment and treatment to a greater emphasis on supporting the work of the wider system of care. Recommendations include promoting trauma-informed care, a focus on the system dynamics within institutions and how these impact on the care young people receive, and on the collaborative development with residential staff and young people of formulation-led care plans that include a focus on issues of sustainability after leaving the secure estate.

Practical implications

These include the establishment of discrete residential groupings with truly integrated and trauma-informed work across residential, mental health, education and criminal justice agencies. This involves addressing governance issues around shared record keeping, and challenges to sustainability and the accompanying need for local implementation plans for each establishment alongside central support at a strategic level.

Originality/value

This paper describes a new and innovative way of working within secure settings to ensure children and young people’s needs are better met.