bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increasing tolerance of hospitalEnterococcus faeciumto hand-wash alcohols
Authors: Pidot Sacha J. , Gao Wei , Buultjens Andrew H. , Monk Ian R. , Guerillot Romain , Carter Glen P. , Lee Jean Y.H. , Lam Margaret M. C. , Grayson M. Lindsay , Ballard Susan A. , Mahony Andrew A. , Grabsch Elizabeth A. , Kotsanas Despina , Korman Tony M. , Coombs Geoffrey W. , Robinson J. Owen , Gonçalves da Silva Anders , Seemann Torsten , Howden Benjamin P. , Johnson Paul D. R. , Stinear Timothy P.
Published: May 2016

Alcohol-based hand rubs are international pillars of hospital infection control, restricting transmission of pathogens such asStaphylococcus aureus. Despite this success, health care infections caused byEnterococcus faecium(Efm) - another multidrug resistant pathogen - are increasing. We tested alcohol tolerance of 139 hospital Efm isolates, obtained between 1997 and 2015 and found Efm post-2010 were 10-fold more tolerant to alcohol killing than older isolates. Using a mouse infection control model, we then showed that alcohol tolerant Efm resisted standard 70% isopropanol surface disinfection and led to gastrointestinal colonization significantly more often than alcohol sensitive Efm. We next looked for bacterial genomic signatures of adaptation. Tolerant Efm have independently accumulated mutations modifying genes involved in carbohydrate uptake and metabolism. Mutagenesis confirmed their roles in isopropanol tolerance. These findings suggest bacterial adaptation and complicate infection control recommendations. Additional policies and procedures to prevent Efm spread are required.
Cerebellar learning using perturbations
Authors: Bouvier Guy , Aljadeff Johnatan , Clopath Claudia , Bimbard Célian , Ranft Jonas , Blot Antonin , Nadal Jean-Pierre , Brunel Nicolas , Hakim Vincent , Barbour Boris
Published: May 2016

The cerebellum aids the learning and execution of fast coordinated movements, with acquired information being stored by plasticity of parallel fibre—Purkinje cell synapses. According to the current consensus, erroneously active parallel fibre synapses are depressed by complex spikes arising when climbing fibres signal movement errors. However, this theory cannot solve thecredit assignment problemof using the limited information from a global movement evaluation to optimise behaviour by guiding the plasticity in numerous neurones. We identify the possible implementation of an algorithm solving this problem, whereby spontaneous complex spikes perturb ongoing movements, create an eligibility trace for plasticity and signal resulting error changes to guide plasticity. These error changes are extracted by adaptively cancelling the average error. This framework,stochastic gradient descent with estimated global errors, generates specific predictions for synaptic plasticity rules that contradict the current consensus. However, in vitro plasticity experiments under physiological conditions verified our predictions, highlighting the sensitivity of plasticity studies to unphysiological conditions. Using numerical and analytical approaches we demonstrate the convergence and estimate the capacity of learning in our implementation. Finally, a similar mechanism may operate during optimisation of action sequences by the basal ganglia, where dopamine could both initiate movements and signal rewards, analogously to the dual perturbation and correction role of the climbing fibre outlined here.
Excess of Deleterious Mutations around HLA Genes Reveals Evolutionary Cost of Balancing Selection
Authors: Lenz Tobias L. , Spirin Victor , Jordan Daniel M. , Sunyaev Shamil R.
Published: May 2016

Deleterious mutations are expected to evolve under negative selection and are usually purged from the population. However, deleterious alleles segregate in the human population and some disease-associated variants are maintained at considerable frequencies. Here we test the hypothesis that balancing selection may counteract purifying selection in neighboring regions and thus maintain deleterious variants at higher frequency than expected from their detrimental fitness effect. We first show in realistic simulations that balancing selection reduces the density of polymorphic sites surrounding a locus under balancing selection, but at the same time markedly increases the population frequency of the remaining variants, including even substantially deleterious alleles. To test the predictions of our simulations empirically, we then use whole exome sequencing data from 6,500 human individuals and focus on the most established example for balancing selection in the human genome, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Our analysis shows an elevated frequency of putatively deleterious coding variants in non-HLA genes localized in the MHC region. The mean frequency of these variants declined with physical distance from the classical HLA genes, indicating dependency on genetic linkage. These results reveal an indirect cost of the genetic diversity maintained by balancing selection, which has hitherto been perceived as mostly advantageous, and have implications both for the evolution of recombination and also for the epidemiology of various MHC-associated diseases.
Environmental modification via a quorum sensing molecule influences the social landscape of siderophore production
Authors: Popat Roman , Harrison Freya , da Silva Ana C. , Easton Scott A. S. , McNally Luke , Williams Paul , Diggle Stephen P.
Published: May 2016

Bacteria produce a wide variety of exoproducts that favourably modify their environment and increase their fitness. These are often termed ‘public goods’ because they are costly for individuals to produce and can be exploited by non-producers (‘cheats’). The outcome of conflict over public goods is dependent upon the prevailing environment and the phenotype of the individuals in competition. Many bacterial species use quorum sensing (QS) signalling molecules to regulate the production of public goods. QS therefore determines the cooperative phenotype of individuals, and influences conflict over public goods. In addition to their regulatory functions, many QS molecules have additional properties that directly modify the prevailing environment. This leads to the possibility that QS molecules could influence conflict over public goods indirectly through nonsignalling effects, and the impact of this on social competition has not previously been explored. ThePseudomonas aeruginosaQS signal molecule PQS is a powerful chelator of iron which can cause an iron starvation response. Here we show that PQS stimulates a concentration-dependent increase in the cooperative production of iron scavenging siderophores, resulting in an increase in the relative fitness of non-producing siderophore cheats. This is likely due to an increased cost of siderophore output by producing cells and a concurrent increase in the shared benefits, which accrue to both producers and cheats. Although PQS can be a beneficial signalling molecule forP. aeruginosa, our data suggests that it can also render a siderophore-producing population vulnerable to competition from cheating strains. More generally our results indicate that the production of one social trait can indirectly affect the costs and benefits of another social trait.
What cliff is your business headed for? Are you listening and are the right people talking?
Authors: Ballman Paul
Published: May 2016

Purpose

This paper addresses one particular type of cliff edge – “Unknown Knowns” that organizations are often headed for and suggests ways in which it can be avoided.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports lessons learned through the author’s experience and draws on relevant literature.

Findings

Apparently unforeseen cliffs are actually well known about, deep in the organization, well ahead of time and either nobody is talking or nobody is listening.

Practical Implications

People need to change their cultures to ensure that the “Cassandras” (people who can be seen as “negative” and problem rather than solution focused) are genuinely listened to.

Originality/value

New scandals break every month. At the time of writing, the latest is Volkswagen (VW) emissions testing, itself a classic example of an unknown-known cliff.
Electronic and face-to-face communication in mentoring relationships
Authors: Merritt Stephanie M. , Havill Lyndsey
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Many mentoring relationships incorporate electronic communication. This study aims to examine the effects of communication format and interaction frequency on career and social support felt by the protégé.

Design/methodology/approach

Surveys followed 39 high-potential protégés over seven months in a mentoring program at a large US manufacturing organization.

Findings

All pairs but one chose to communicate electronically at least 50 per cent of the time. Less mentoring support was perceived when average media richness was lower (e.g. when pairs communicated more by e-mail); however, this effect was reduced when communication was more frequent.

Practicalimplications

Mentors and protégés should be trained to understand that average media richness is associated with perceived support and that they should avoid using exclusively low-richness formats (e.g. e-mail). When they do need to use more low-richness formats, they should communicate more frequently. Companies should provide technological support and motivational incentives for mentoring pairs to incorporate high-richness interactions (e.g. face to face) in their mentoring relationships more often.

Originality/value

This study is the first to our knowledge to examine mixed-media formats in high-potential employee mentoring pairs. In contrast to past work which has randomly assigned participants to communicate only via one format, these participants were allowed to choose their interaction format for each interaction, which is more realistic. The findings have practical value for mentors and protégés in terms of balancing format and interaction frequency.
Nonlinear thermal convection of a non-Fourier fluid
Authors: Khorasany Rahim M , Khayat Roger E , Niknami Mohammad
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine the thermo-gravitational convective state of a non-Fourier fluid layer of the single-phase-lagging type, heated from below. Unlike existing methodologies, the spectral modes are not imposed arbitrarily. They are systematically identified by expanding the spectral coefficients in terms of the relative departure in the post-critical Rayleigh number (perturbation parameter). The number and type of modes is determined to each order in the expansion. Non-Fourier effects become important whenever the relaxation time (delay in the response of the heat flux with respect to the temperature gradient) is of the same order of magnitude as process time.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the spectral method the flow and temperature fields are expanded periodically along the layer and orthonormal shape functions are used in the transverse direction. A perturbation approach is developed to solve the nonlinear spectral system in the post-critical range.

Findings

– The Nusselt number increases with non-Fourier effect as suggested in experiments in microscale and nanofluid convection.

Originality/value

– Unlike existing nonlinear formulations for RB thermal convection, the present combined spectral-perturbation approach provides a systematic method for mode selection.
The convection of a Bingham fluid in a differentially-heated porous cavity
Authors: Rees D.  Andrew S.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine the manner in which a yield stress fluid begins convecting when it saturates a porous medium. A sidewall-heated rectangular cavity is selected as the testbed for this pioneering work.

Design/methodology/approach

– Steady solutions are obtained using a second order accurate finite difference method, line relaxation based on the Gauss-Seidel smoother, a Full Approximation Scheme multigrid algorithm with V-cycling and a regularization of the Darcy-Bingham model to smooth the piecewise linear relation between the Darcy flux and the applied body forces.

Findings

– While Newtonian fluids always convect whenever the Darcy-Rayleigh number is nonzero, Bingham fluids are found to convect only when the Darcy-Rayleigh number exceeds a value which is linearly dependent on both the Rees-Bingham number and the overall perimeter of the rectangular cavity. Stagnation is always found in the centre of the cavity and in regions close to the four corners. Care must be taken over the selection of the regularization constant.

Research limitations/implications

– The Darcy-Rayleigh number is restricted to values which are at or below 200.

Originality/value

– This is the first investigation of the effect of yield stress on nonlinear convection in porous media.
Numerical investigation on the performance of cross-flow micro heat exchangers
Authors: Nonino Carlo , Savino Stefano
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is twofold: to describe a relevant improvement to an in-house FEM procedure for the heat transfer analysis of cross-flow micro heat exchangers and to study the influence of microchannel cross-sectional geometry and solid wall thermal conductivity on the thermal performance of these microdevices.

Design/methodology/approach

– The velocity field in each microchannel is calculated separately. Then the energy equation is solved in the whole computational domain. Domain decomposition and grids that do not match at the common interface are employed to make meshing more effective. Some flow maldistribution effects are taken into account.

Findings

– The results show that larger thermal conductivities of the solid walls and rectangular cross-sectional geometries with higher aspect ratios allow the maximization of the total heat flow rate in the device. However, on the basis of the heat transfer per unit pumping power, the square cross-section could be the best option.

Research limitations/implications

– The value of the average viscosity is assumed to be different in different microchannels, but constant within each of the microchannels.

Practical implications

– The procedure can represent a valuable tool for the design of cross-flow micro heat exchangers.

Originality/value

– In spite of requiring limited computational resources, the improved procedure can take into account flow maldistribution effects stemming from non-uniform microchannel temperatures.
Method of regularized sources for axisymmetric Stokes flow problems
Authors: Wang Kai , Wen Shiting , Zahoor Rizwan , Li Ming , Šarler Božidar
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to find solution of Stokes flow problems with Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions in axisymmetry using an efficient non-singular method of fundamental solutions that does not require an artificial boundary, i.e. source points of the fundamental solution coincide with the collocation points on the boundary. The fundamental solution of the Stokes pressure and velocity represents analytical solution of the flow due to a singular Dirac delta source in infinite space.

Design/methodology/approach

– Instead of the singular source, a non-singular source with a regularization parameter is employed. Regularized axisymmetric sources were derived from the regularized three-dimensional sources by integrating over the symmetry coordinate. The analytical expressions for related Stokes flow pressure and velocity around such regularized axisymmetric sources have been derived. The solution to the problem is sought as a linear combination of the fields due to the regularized sources that coincide with the boundary. The intensities of the sources are chosen in such a way that the solution complies with the boundary conditions.

Findings

– An axisymmetric driven cavity numerical example and the flow in a hollow tube and flow between two concentric tubes are chosen to assess the performance of the method. The results of the newly developed method of regularized sources in axisymmetry are compared with the results obtained by the fine-grid second-order classical finite difference method and analytical solution. The results converge with a finer discretization, however, as expected, they depend on the value of the regularization parameter. The method gives accurate results if the value of this parameter scales with the typical nodal distance on the boundary.

Originality/value

– Analytical expressions for the axisymmetric blobs are derived. The method of regularized sources is for the first time applied to axisymmetric Stokes flow problems.
Investigation of the coherent structures in flow behind a backward-facing step
Authors: Hu Ruyun , Wang Liang , Fu Song
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the characteristic flow structures behind a backward-facing step. With better understanding of unsteady features, effective control practice with harmonic actuation is illustrated.

Design/methodology/approach

– The present study employs Improved Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation to resolve flow turbulence with a finite-volume approach on structured grid mesh. The coherent structure is displayed through temporal- and spatial-evolution of pressure fluctuations. Characteristic frequencies in different flow regions are extracted using fast Fourier transform. Dynamic mode decomposition method is applied to uncover the critical dynamic modes.

Findings

– The time- and spanwise-averaged quantities agree well with experimental data. It is observed that two distinct modes exist: shear layer mode and shedding mode. The former is related to Kelvin-Helmholtz instability mechanism, vortex pairing and step mode with non-dimensional frequency, Sth,st
at around 0.2. The latter is of multi-scale, with a typical coherent structure shedding frequency, Sth,st
at 0.074. Step mode interacts with shedding mode in the reattachment region, resulting in the low-frequency characteristics.

Originality/value

– An optimal excitation frequency to reduce recirculation bubble length is obtained at about Sth,st
=0.2 with an explanation.
Second order accurate particle-based formulations
Authors: Shimada Masao , Tae David , Xue Tao , Deokar Rohit , Tamma K K
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present new implementation aspects of unified explicit time integration algorithms, called the explicit GS4-II family of algorithms, of a second-order time accuracy in all the unknowns (e.g. positions, velocities, and accelerations) with particular attention to the moving-particle simulation (MPS) method for solving the incompressible fluids with free surfaces.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the present paper, the explicit GS4-II family of algorithms is implemented in the MPS method in the following two different approaches: a direct explicit formulation with the use of the weak incompressibility equation involving the (modified) speed of sound; and a predictor-corrector explicit formulation. The first approach basically follows the concept of the explicit MPS method, presented in the literature, and the latter approach employs a similar concept used in, for example, a fractional-step method in computational fluid dynamics.

Findings

– Illustrative numerical examples demonstrate that any scheme within the proposed algorithmic framework captures the physics with the necessary second-order time accuracy and stability.

Originality/value

– The new algorithmic framework extended with the GS4-II family encompasses a multitude of pastand new schemes and offers a general purpose and unified implementation.
A model of customer-centric banking practices for corporate clients in Bangladesh
Authors: Andaleeb Syed Saad , Rashid Mamunur , Rahman Quazi Akhlaqur
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Customer-centric banking envisions that banks should meet both tangible and intangible satisfaction criteria of their customers. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the customer-centric banking practices that drive satisfaction of corporate customers in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

– Financial managers from a sample of 112 non-financial listed companies were interviewed. The study employed a structured questionnaire using Likert scales. Exploratory factor analysis followed by multiple regression analysis were used to test the effects of both tangible and intangible factors.

Findings

– The findings of the study indicate that customer-centric banking is primarily influenced by intangible factors. Among six bank selection criteria analyzed in this study, corporate image, commitment, compassion and consistency are the four significant intangible factors that drive corporate customer satisfaction. The two tangible factors: cost-benefit and convenience were not significant determinants of satisfaction for corporate clients.

Research limitations/implications

– For lack of sample frames and relative unavailability of corporate respondents, a non-probability sampling technique was used. The study contributes to the existing literature on customer-centric marketing, relationship marketing and bank selection by suggesting that there is a shift in banking needs among corporate clients in developing countries such as Bangladesh.

Practical implications

– The study contributes to a richer understanding of the customer-centric banking framework, suggesting the service strategies that banks ought to adopt. The results are especially important for developing countries that are experiencing a change in theoretical understanding of customer satisfaction in financial services.

Originality/value

– Now banks and policy makers can better strategize on building loyal corporate customers for banks, thereby ensuring healthy corporate banking relationship. Banks can also prioritize on the important intangible elements to focus on to satisfy corporate customers. Among other factors, technology adoption, training of corporate customer managers, and emphasizing customer-centric banking policies may help provide better services and obtain higher levels of customer satisfaction.
Taxonomizing performance measurement systems’ failures
Authors: Van Camp Jelle , Braet Johan
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– After more than 30 years of research, literature on performance measurement systems (PMS) is characterized by diversity and fragmentation. Due to the multidisciplinarity of stakeholders and researchers involved the basis of literature is expanding, but not converging. The purpose of this paper is to dispersedly discuss failures of PMS in the abundance of literature written.

Design/methodology/approach

– Over 250 articles related to PMS have been analyzed in order to shortlist failures of PMS. Two criteria have been used: explicitly referenced being a failure; or mentioned as being essential for a successful PMS. Next steps were clustering, cross-checking with academics and professionals and re-allocation to appropriate levels.

Findings

– This paper identifies 36 failures and proposes an easy taxonomy for further referencing by attribution to three levels: metric, framework and management. Failures range from uncertainties in data gathering, lack of knowledge and dealing with complexity, toward the allocation of necessary resources.

Research limitations/implications

– Limitations are attributed to the abundance of research published on PMS. Consequently, incorporated papers are a subset representing the current state of the research domain. Furthermore, the completeness of the list can be discussed as well as the level of generalization of the proposed taxonomy.

Originality/value

– Both academics and professionals can benefit from this study as it creates an awareness of the risks involved when constructing, implementing and managing a PMS. Therefore, this original research ought to be seen as a catalyst for a learning curve, as it puts the research of PMS in a different perspective.
Communities of co-commenting in the Russian LiveJournal and their topical coherence
Authors: Koltsova Olessia , Koltcov Sergei , Nikolenko Sergey
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The paper addresses the problem of what drives the formation of latent discussion communities, if any, in the blogosphere: topical composition of posts or their authorship? The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the knowledge about structure of co-commenting.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research is based on a dataset of 17,386 full text posts written by top 2,000 LiveJournal bloggers and over 520,000 comments that result in about 4.5 million edges in the network of co-commenting, where posts are vertices. The Louvain algorithm is used to detect communities of co-commenting. Cosine similarity and topic modeling based on latent Dirichlet allocation are applied to study topical coherence within these communities.

Findings

– Bloggers unite into moderately manifest communities by commenting roughly the same sets of posts. The graph of co-commenting is sparse and connected by a minority of active non-top commenters. Communities are centered mainly around blog authors as opinion leaders and, to a lesser extent, around a shared topic or topics.

Research limitations/implications

– The research has to be replicated on other datasets with more thorough hand coding to ensure the reliability of results and to reveal average proportions of topic-centered communities.

Practical implications

– Knowledge about factors around which co-commenting communities emerge, in particular clustered opinion leaders that often attract such communities, can be used by policy makers in marketing and/or political campaigning when individual leadership is not enough or not applicable.

Originality/value

– The research contributes to the social studies of online communities. It is the first study of communities based on co-commenting that combines examination of the content of commented posts and their topics.
Using online self-assessment tool to improve conjoint analysis
Authors: Wang Keqiang , Liu Hongmei , Hu Wuyang , Cox Linda
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Dolphin excursions have become increasingly popular worldwide. Many past studies assessing the value of dolphin excursions use choice-based methods such as the conjoint analysis. However, this method is often criticized as being hypothetical. The purpose of this paper is to describe a relatively low cost but effective approach to enhance understanding of consumer preference obtained by conjoint analysis. The method relies heavily on using internet-based survey tools.

Design/methodology/approach

– Enabled by an online tool, individuals are asked to self-explicate their preferred alternatives using the same attributes as are found in the conjoint design. The difference between the self-constructed, preferred alternatives and those offered in conjoint experiment are incorporated into choice models. Unlike previous research where only rough estimates can be provided, the proposed method allows precise capture of respondents’ preferred alternative through the automated online survey design.

Findings

– Results show that although the extra effort involved in data collection is small, the gain in model fit, choice interpretation, and the value (welfare) estimation is sizeable. Evidence indicates that consumers would be willing to pay up to $50 more for adventurous excursions and guarantees that they will interact with dolphins could worth up to $70 per trip. The approach presented in this paper can also serve as a method to test for preference consistency.

Originality/value

– This study is the first using an online survey to assess values associated with dolphin excursion. It describes the benefit of involving online tools to enhance modeling and interpretation of consumer behavior. Applications of internet-based surveys on household consumer products are abundant (such as food and electronics) but this study offers a much less discussed application in environmental service.
The influence of personality traits and social networks on the self-disclosure behavior of social network site users
Authors: Chen Xi , Pan Yin , Guo Bin
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine the influence and interaction of social networks and personality traits on the self-disclosure behavior of social network site (SNS) users. According to social capital theory and the Big Five personality model, the authors hypothesized that social capital factors would affect the accuracy and amount of self-disclosure behavior and that personality traits would moderate this effect.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was conducted to collect data from 207 SNS users. The questionnaire was administered in university classrooms and libraries and via e-mail. The measurement model and structural model were examined by using LISREL 8.8 and SmartPLS 2.0.

Findings

– Based on the path analysis, the authors identified several interesting patterns to explain self-disclosure behavior on SNSs. First, the centrality of SNS users has a positive effect on their amount of self-disclosure. Moreover, people who are more extroverted disclose personal information that is more accurate with the level of the cognitive dimension held constant and disclose a greater amount of personal information with the level of the structural dimension held constant. From a practical perspective, the results may provide useful insight for companies operating SNSs.

Originality/value

– This study analyzed the influence of social capital factors on SNS users’ self-disclosure, as well as the interactions between personality and social capital factors. Specifically, the authors examined six important variables of social capital divided into three dimensions. This research complements current research on SNSs by focusing on SNS users’ motivation to disclose self-related information in addition to information sharing.
An empirical assessment of the antecedents of electronic-business implementation and the resulting organizational performance
Authors: Migdadi Mahmoud Mohammad , Abu Zaid Mohammed  Khair Saleem , Al-Hujran Omar Salameh , Aloudat Anas Mustafa
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose and empirically test a unified framework that captures the antecedents of e-business implementation, that is; organizational factors which is decomposed into organizational capabilities (training availability, technical expertise, knowledge level), knowledge management capabilities (knowledge acquisition, application, and sharing), adhocracy culture, and top management support, e-business implementation, and organizational performance (efficiency, sales performance, customer satisfaction, relationship development).

Design/methodology/approach

– Data from a survey of 258 top managers in Saudi Arabian enterprises were collected to empirically test the proposed research model. Additionally, the statistical techniques employed included a confirmatory factor analysis to examine the reliability and validity of the measurement model, and structural equation modeling using AMOS is utilized to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– The findings of this study suggest that organizational factors influence e-business implementation. Moreover, e-business implementation affects organizational performance.

Research limitations/implications

– This study did not investigate all organizational factors and knowledge management processes. Future research could assess the influence of additional factors such as technology and environment contexts on e-business implementation.

Practical implications

– Owners/managers considering e-business implementation would be best to focus on internal (organizational) factors and their interaction within and beyond the organization, rather than focussing exclusively on technological considerations.

Originality/value

– This study is significant for at least two reasons: it determines the key antecedents to successful business implementation based on organizational factors and it helps to understand the effects of e-business implementation on organizational performance.
Mobile apps usage by Malaysian business undergraduates and postgraduates
Authors: Carter Stephen , Yeo Amy Chu-May
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– This qualitative, exploratory study uses constructs from the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and construct variables from literature, as a basis to ascertain similarities and differences in the behaviour by business undergraduates (UGs) and postgraduates (PGs) of mobile apps and the purpose of this paper is to suggest implications for consumer behaviour theory and marketing practice for the two groups of students.

Design/methodology/approach

– Literature informed us of the paucity of research on the relationship between behavioural theory and mobile apps usage in the Asia region. An exploratory and interpretivist approach, with thematic analysis, was employed to aid in data processing.

Findings

– The investigative outcomes highlighted more similarities than dissimilarities in terms of perceived attitude (e.g. mood, ethical guilt, familiarity, addiction) and more differences in perceived subjective norms (e.g. family, friends, classmates and teammates) and perceived users’ behavioural control (e.g. promotional inducements, self-confidence) towards the usage of mobile apps exhibited by two different sets of data.

Research limitations/implications

– Homogeneity of participants, small sample size and generalisability of results were the main concern, hence, it warrants further research. In addition a cross-cultural comparison would be beneficial which might generate more meaningful results.

Practical implications

– The research, albeit exploratory, serves as a guide for marketers and apps content providers to focus on usability of features and functions of apps as well as credibility, social context, timing, location, excitement of advertisements and promotional messages especially when marketing to the 18-30-age group. The research also shows that practitioners should be nuanced in their appeals to UGs and PGs.

Originality/value

– Despite the provision of numerous mobile apps, this study, using the constructs of the TPB as a basis, offers a new insight into the reasons for, and usage of, specific and top popular apps (e.g. FB, Whatsapps and WeChat) Malaysian students used which reflects a varied behavioural dimension as opposed to planned behaviour.
FINRA publishes guidance on research conflict of interest rules
Authors: Burke Timothy , Pinney Jason
Published: May 2016

Purpose

To explain recent guidance released by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) regarding research analyst conflicts of interest that arise during the underwriter selection process.

Design/methodology/approach

The article discusses the risks associated with different communications between research analysts and issuers during the three phases of the underwriter selection process: the pre-IPO period; the solicitation period; and the post-mandate period.

Findings

While many questions remain, the FINRA guidance provides valuable insight to firms regarding the types of communications between research analysts and issuers that are permitted during different periods in the solicitation process. The risk levels associated with different types of communications during those time periods range from low to high to “unmanageable”. The article provides practical guidance on what research analysts can say and do during the different periods.

Practical implications

Broker-dealers should evaluate their policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the new FINRA guidelines.

Originality value

Practical guidance from experienced securities lawyers who are on the front lines in dealing with these issues.
Progressive dysarthria and augmentative and alternative communication in conversation: establishing the reliability of the Dysarthria‐in‐Interaction Profile
Authors: Bloch Steven , Tuomainen Jyrki
Published: May 2016

Background

The Dysarthria‐in‐Interaction Profile's potential contribution to the clinical assessment of dysarthria‐in‐conversation has been outlined in the literature, but its consistency of use across different users has yet to be reported.

Aims

To establish the level of consistency across raters on four different interaction categories. That is, how reliable clinicians are when rating a series of videos. A secondary aim was to investigate the relationship between raters’ estimates of dysarthric speech intelligibility and their rating of each dyad's overall interaction.

Methods & Procedures

Ten UK speech and language therapists rated independently a series of 40 video samples featuring people with progressive dysarthria in conversation with family members. An equal number of video samples was selected from a collection of recordings featuring four different types of interactional relationship.

Outcomes & Results

The results show that practising speech and language therapists can rate consistently, and with a high degree of agreement, a series of everyday conversation videos featuring dyads with progressive dysarthria and presenting at different interaction levels. The results also indicate that speech intelligibility does not predict the level of impairment in the interaction in a systematic way suggesting that conversation contains elements that are not directly related to speech intelligibility.

Conclusions & Implications

Further work is required to establish the clinical functionality of this tool, but the results presented here support the development of this conversation profiling system, particularly for people experiencing significant intelligibility problems but remaining highly interactive/communicative.
The UK and EU Foreign and Security Policy: An Optional Extra
Authors: Whitman Richard G.
Published: May 2016

Foreign and security policy were not areas in which Prime Minister Cameron was seeking to renegotiate the relationship between the UK and the European Union (EU), but security may be a key issue in the EU referendum. The untangling of Britain's foreign and security policy from the EU following a Brexit vote would be relatively uncomplicated. The EU's arrangements for collective foreign and security policy, the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), are conducted on an intergovernmental basis which allows the UK to preserve independence in its diplomacy while allowing for the coordination of policy where interests are held in common with other member states. The UK retains substantial diplomatic and military capabilities which would allow it to continue to pursue a separate national foreign, security and defence policy in the case of either a ‘Leave’ or ‘Remain’ outcome.
Fundamentals and Sovereign Risk of Emerging Markets
Authors: Aizenman Joshua , Jinjarak Yothin , Park Donghyun
Published: May 2016

We empirically assess the relative importance of various economic fundamentals in accounting for the sovereign credit default swap (CDS) spreads of emerging markets during 2004–2012, which encompasses the global financial crisis of 2008–2009. Inflation, state fragility, external debt and commodity terms of trade volatility were positively associated, while trade openness and a more favourable fiscal balance/GDP ratio were negatively associated with sovereign CDS spreads. Yet the relative importance of economic fundamentals in the pricing of sovereign risk varies over time. The key factors are trade openness and state fragility in the pre‐crisis period, the external debt/GDP ratio and inflation in the crisis period, and inflation and the public debt/GDP ratio in the post‐crisis period. Asian countries enjoy lower sovereign spreads than Latin American countries, and this gap widened during and after the crisis. Trade openness was the biggest factor behind Asia's lower sovereign spreads before the crisis, and inflation during and after the crisis. The results imply that external factors were paramount in pricing sovereign risk prior to the crisis, but internal factors associated with the capacity to adjust to adverse shocks gained prominence during and after the crisis.
The use of Skype in analysis and training: a research and literature review
Authors: Merchant John
Published: May 2016

Of recent years there has not only been an increasing use of Skype in analytic treatment, supervision and teaching, but also a number of writers have been endeavouring to assess its effectiveness. Whilst it is generally agreed that Skype can facilitate an analytic encounter where distance prohibits a face‐to‐face process, where continuity needs to be maintained and where analysands are in areas far from specialized centres, there is divergence in the literature as to whether analysis, as opposed to psychotherapy, can be successful using Skype. This paper reviews the literature and concludes that the essentials of a genuine analytic process are not necessarily precluded by Skype. One central reason is because there exists a cross‐modal communication channel between the human senses (underpinned by audiovisual mirror neurons) in addition to the recently discovered instinct for communication and interpersonal understanding, and these can override the need for physical proximity of the participants. The essentials of an analytic frame can thus be maintained, and the continuity that Skype enables means that containment is also facilitated and this counters the negative aspects of shuttle analysis. The critical issues for the profession then become the professional development for practitioners in the use of Skype and suggestions are listed.
Age Estimation in Living Egyptians Using Signal Joint T‐cell Receptor Excision Circle Rearrangement
Authors: Ibrahim Samah F. , Gaballah Iman F. , Rashed Laila A.
Published: May 2016

Age estimation is one of the challenges in forensic sciences. There are many techniques to estimate the age. Molecular biology approach is one of these techniques. Signal joint T‐cell receptor excision circles gene (sjTRECs), is one of this approach. We aimed to use sjTRECs as a suitable marker for age estimation among Egyptian population. TaqMan qPCR approach was used to quantify sjTREC levels in blood samples obtained from 153 healthy Egyptian individuals ranging from a few weeks to 70 years. Our results showed a significant negative correlation between sjTREC levels and age with p ≤ 0.05. Moreover, the individual's age can be determined through this formula Age = −30.671+ (−5.998Y) (Y is dCtTBP − sjTREC) with standard error ±7.35 years. Within the forensic context, sjTREC' levels can be used to estimate the Egyptian individual's age accurately.
Potential role for psychological skills training in emergency medicine: Part 1 ‐ Introduction and background
Authors: Lauria Michael J , Rush Stephen , Weingart Scott D , Brooks Jason , Gallo Isabelle A
Published: May 2016

Psychological skills training (PST) is the systematic acquisition and practice of different psychological techniques to improve cognitive and technical performance. This training consists of three phases: education, skills acquisition and practice. Some of the psychological skills developed in this training include relaxation techniques, focusing and concentration skills, positive ‘self‐suggestion’ and visualisation exercises. Since the middle of the 20th century, PST has been successfully applied by athletes, performing artists, business executives, military personnel and other professionals in high‐risk occupations. Research in these areas has demonstrated the breadth and depth of the training's effectiveness. Despite the benefits realised in other professions, medicine has only recently begun to explore certain elements of PST. The present paper reviews the history and evidence behind the concept of PST. In addition, it presents some aspects of PST that have already been incorporated into medical training as well as implications for developing more comprehensive programmes to improve delivery of emergency medical care.
Measuring spleen stiffness to predict varices in chronic hepatitis B cirrhotic patients with or without receiving non‐selective beta‐blockers
Authors: Wong Grace Lai‐Hung , Kwok Raymond , Chan Henry Lik‐Yuen , Tang Stephen Pui‐Kit , Lee Eugenia , Lam Thomas Chi‐Ho , Lau Tiffany Wing‐Yan , Ma Teresa Man‐Kee , Wong Betsy Chi‐Kuen , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun
Published: May 2016

Objectives

we aimed to investigate the accuracy of liver (LSM) spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) with transient elastography (TE) to predict varices in the presence of non‐selective beta‐blockers (NSBB).

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study of consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and cirrhosis, all patients underwent TE and upper endoscopic examinations. LSM and SSM in predicting varices in patients receiving and not receiving NSBB were evaluated.

Results

Altogether 144 CHB patients (29 receiving NSBB; 35 with any varices, 31 and 11 with esophageal and gastric varices, respectively) were recruited. Their mean LSM and SSM were 13.3 ± 9.0 kPa and 32.8 ± 19.2 kPa, respectively. The correlation between LSM and SSM was better in the NSBB subgroup (r = 0.525, P = 0.003) than its counterpart (r = 0.329, P  < 0.001). The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of LSM and SSM for any varices was 0.675 and 0.685 (P = 0.002 and 0.001), respectively. SSM of 18.9 kPa had a negative predictive value of 92.1% and negative likelihood ratio of 0.27 for ruling out any varices; and SSM of 54.9 kPa had a positive predictive value of 56.5% and a positive likelihood ratio of 4.05 to rule in varices. The AUROC of LSM for varices was 0.742 and 0.549 in patients with or without NSBB, respectively; the corresponding AUROC of SSM was 0.572 and 0.603, respectively.

Conclusions

SSM only has modest accuracy to predict varices independent of NSBB use. An SSM cutoff value of 18.9 kPa may be adopted to achieve a high negative predictive value to rule out varices.
The Joint Effects of Multiple Legal System Characteristics on Auditing Standards and Auditor Behavior
Authors: Simunic Dan A. , Ye Minlei , Zhang Ping
Published: May 2016

This paper derives the impacts of legal system characteristics and auditing standards on auditor behavior (audit quality), and analyzes the determination of optimal auditing standards under different legal regimes. Legal regimes are characterized by differences in the uncertainty concerning the outcome of legal proceedings (termed vagueness of legal systems) and differences in the average size of damage awards. Auditing standards as determined by standard setters can vary in both toughness and vagueness. Our analysis provides implications for the adoption of International Standards on Auditing (ISA). Countries, such as the United States, where auditor legal liability is significantly more onerous than the global norm are not likely to adopt ISA, since these standards may not induce auditors to provide the optimal level of audit quality. Conversely, the adoption of ISA by countries, such as China, where the legal system makes the recovery of damages from auditors quite difficult, is not by itself likely to result in a high level of audit quality. Furthermore, our model suggests that auditor rotation can help improve audit quality, but only in certain circumstances.