bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The identity and distribution ofBhavania annandaleiHora 1920 (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae), a hillstream loach endemic to the Western Ghats of India
Authors: Sundar Remya L. , Anoop V.K. , Sidharthan Arya , Dahanukar Neelesh , Raghavan Rajeev
Published: April 2020

Bhavania annandaleiHora 1920, is resurrected from the synonymy ofB. australis(Jerdon 1849) based on examination of freshly collected topotypic specimens. The two species can be distinguished by a combination of morphological, morphometric and meristic characters, and by genetic distance using mitochondrialcox1gene. The distribution ofB. annandaleiis restricted to the river systems draining the Agasthyamalai hills, below the Shencottah Gap in southern Western Ghats.
Integral methods for automatic quantification of fast-scan-cyclic-voltammetry detected neurotransmitters
Authors: Espín Leonardo X. , Asp Anders J. , Trevathan James K. , Ludwig Kip A. , Lujan J. Luis
Published: April 2020

Modern techniques for estimating basal levels of electroactive neurotransmitters rely on the measurement of oxidative charges. This requires time integration of oxidation currents at certain intervals. Unfortunately, the selection of integration intervals relies on ad-hoc visual identification of peaks on the oxidation currents, which introduces sources of error and precludes the development of automated procedures necessary for analysis and quantification of neurotransmitter levels in large data sets. In an effort to improve charge quantification techniques, here we present novel methods for automatic selection of integration boundaries. Our results show that these methods allow quantification of oxidation and reduction reactions, for multiple analytes, both in vitro and in vivo.
The impact of fire intensity on plant growth forms in high-altitude Andean grassland
Authors: Zomer Maya A. , Ramsay Paul M.
Published: April 2020

Fires in the páramo grasslands of the tropical northern Andes vary in intensity at the landscape scale. Fire suppression strategies, intended to conserve biodiversity and páramo ecosystem integrity and function, could lead to the accumulation of high fuel loads and ultimately fires of higher intensity. Yet the impact of fire intensity on páramos is not well studied or understood. 5½ years after a fire, we measured plant growth form composition, light transmission to the ground and soil temperature in plots representing very high, high, medium, and low fire intensities, plus a “control” that had been unburned for at least 40 years. We also assessedEspeletiarosette diameters, heights, population density, and mortality. The low intensity plot, with a closed canopy of vegetation and lower growth form diversity, contrasted with the very high intensity plot, with patchy vegetation cover and higher growth form diversity. The high intensity plot had shorterEspeletiaplants with smaller rosettes. Light transmission to the ground increased with fire intensity, as did soil temperatures. We demonstrate that the same fire can produce different microenvironmental conditions, plant communities, and population structures in different parts of the same fire event. In future, fire suppression could provoke more intense fires with consequences for ecosystem function and service provision. Since intensity is determined by a complex interaction of factors, we advocate a field programme of experimental fires for a better understanding of páramo fire ecology and to guide effective páramo conservation strategies.
Pangenome analytics reveal two-component systems as conserved targets in ESKAPEE pathogens
Authors: Rajput Akanksha , Seif Yara , Choudhary Kumari Sonal , Dalldorf Christopher , Poudel Saugat , Monk Jonathan , Palsson Bernhard O.
Published: April 2020

Bacteria sense and respond to environmental stimuli through two-component systems (TCSs), that are composed of histidine kinase sensing and response regulator elements. TCSs are ubiquitous and participate in numerous cellular functions. TCSs across the ESKAPEE pathogens, representing the leading causes of nosocomial infections, were characterized using pangenome analytics, including annotation, mapping, pangenomic status, gene orientation, sequence variation, and structure. Our findings fall into two categories. 1) phylogenetic distribution of TCSs: (i) the number and types of TCSs varies between species of the ESKAPEE pathogens; (ii) TCSs are group-specific, i.e., Gram-positive and Gram-negative, except for KdpDE; (iii) most TCSs are conserved among genomes of an ESKAPEE, except inPseudomonas aeruginosa. 2) sequence variation: (i) at the operon level, the genomic architecture of a TCS operon stratifies into a few discrete classes; and (ii) at the gene sequence level, histidine kinases, responsible for signal sensing, show sequence and structural variability as compared to response regulators that show a high degree of conservation. Taken together, this first comprehensive pangenomic assessment of TCSs reveals a range of strategies deployed by the ESKAPEE pathogens to manifest pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance. It further suggests that the conserved features of TCSs makes them an attractive group of potential targets with which to address antibiotic resistance.
Osr40g3 imparts salt tolerance by regulating GF14e-mediated gibberellin metabolism to activate EG45 in rice
Authors: Roy Chandan , Sahid Salman , Shee Dibyendu , Datta Riddhi , Paul Soumitra
Published: April 2020

Under changing environmental conditions, salt stress has posed a severe threat to agriculture. Although the R40 family lectins are known to be associated with osmotic stress response, their mechanism of action remains elusive. Among them,Osr40g3displays the highest expression under salt stress. Here, we report that the constitutive overexpression ofOsr40g3imparts salt tolerance but displays pollen sterility and poor seed development in rice. Promoter analysis and gene expression studies revealed that the gene follows a precise tissue-specific expression pattern, which is essential for proper seed development. Overexpressing the gene under the control of its native promoter rescued the pollen-sterile phenotype while significantly improving salt tolerance. Protein-protein interaction studies demonstrated thatOsr40g3 positively regulates an expansin protein,OsEG45, while decreasing the stability of a 14-3-3 protein,OsGF14e. Correspondingly, theOsEG45overexpression andOsGF14esilencing lines display a salt-tolerant phenotype. Again, silencingOsEG45in the background ofOsGF14esilencing lines resulted in a salt-sensitive phenotype, indicating that salt tolerance of theOsGF14esilencing lines isOsEG45-dependent. Notably, theOsGF14egene displays early salt responsiveness, whileOsr40g3andOsEG45display a late response, indicating a spatio-temporal regulation of these genes. Interestingly, constitutive overexpression ofOsr40g3or silencing ofOsGF14eleads to diminished gibberellic acid (GA) accumulation that activates theOsEG45gene. Together, our study demonstrates that during salt stress,Osr40g3, a late salt-responsive gene, confers salt tolerance by negatively regulatingOsGF14e while positively regulatingOsEG45 via a GA-mediated pathway. This mechanistic insight broadens our understanding of lectin-mediated regulation of salt tolerance.
Institutional logics and institutional work: radical reform of the Chinese public accounting profession in the 1990s
Authors: Yee Helen
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper examines radical reform of the Chinese public accounting profession in the 1990s. In particular, the paper seeks to provide a more nuanced understanding of the sources, responses and processes of this radical institutional change that effectively paved the way for development of the Chinese accounting profession into the twenty-first century.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical data that inform this study come from both archival materials (mostly in Chinese) and in-depth interviews. These data are analysed and interpreted from a neo-institutionalist perspective, drawing, in particular, on the concept of institutional logics and the concept of institutional work.

Findings

A state logic initially guided the development of the Chinese accounting profession but was seriously challenged in the 1990s following a series of high profile financial scandals. The findings reveal a shift to a new professional logic, which was made possible through multiple forms of institutional works instigated by various state actors.

Originality/value

Research into the radical reform of the Chinese public accounting profession in the 1990s was mostly quantitative in nature, focussing mainly on one reform programme, i.e. the disaffiliation of the accounting firms from their sponsoring agencies. This paper adopts a qualitative approach and is aimed at providing a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the institutional change process within its political and economic contexts.
Monopolistic professional closure, family credentials and examination procedures in the Venetian college of accountants (16th−17th century)
Authors: Sargiacomo Massimo , Corsi Christian , D'Amico Luciano , Di Cimbrini Tiziana , Sangster Alan
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The paper investigates the closure mechanisms and strategies of exclusion concerning the establishment and subsequent functioning of the Collegio dei Rasonati, the professional body of accountants that was established in Venice in 1581 and operated until the end of the 18th century.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design offers a critical longitudinal explanation of the emergence of the Collegio dei Rasonati as a professional body in the context of Venetian society by relying on the social closure theory elaborated by Collins (1975); Parkin (1979) and Murphy (1988).

Findingse

The Collegio dei Rasonati was established to overcome the prerogatives of a social class in accessing the accounting profession. However, the pre-existing professional elites enacted a set of social closure strategies able to transform this professional body into a stronghold of their privileges.

Research limitations/implications

As virtually all of the evidence concerning the admission examinations has been lost over time, the investigation is restricted to the study of the few examples that have survived. The main implication of the study concerns the understanding of some dynamics leading to neutralize attempts to replace class privileges with a meritocratic system.

Originality/value

The research investigates the structure of the rules of social closure revealing the possibility of an antagonistic relationship between different co-existing forms of exclusion within the same structure. Moreover, it highlights that a form of exclusion can be made of different hierarchical levels.
Reconfiguration of assembly line balancing–an automobile case study solved by the exact solution procedure
Authors: Yadav Ashish , Kumar Shashank , Agrawal Sunil
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Multi-manned assembly lines are designed to produce large-sized products, such as automobiles. In this paper, a multi-manned assembly line balancing problem (MALBP) is addressed in which a group of workers simultaneously performs different tasks on a workstation. The key idea in this work is to improve the workstation efficiency and worker efficiency of an automobile plant by minimizing the number of workstations, the number of workers, and the cycle time of the MALBP.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-integer programming formulation for the problem is proposed. The proposed model is solved with benchmark test problems mentioned in research papers. The automobile case study problem is solved in three steps. In the first step, the authors find the task time of all major tasks. The problem is solved in the second step with the objective of minimizing the cycle time for the sub-tasks and major tasks, respectively. In the third step, the output results obtained from the second step are used to minimize the number of workstations using Lingo 16 solver.

Findings

The experimental results of the automobile case study show that there is a large improvement in workstation efficiency and worker efficiency of the plant in terms of reduction in the number of workstations and workers; the number of workstations reduced by 24% with a cycle time of 240 s. The reduced number of workstations led to a reduction in the number of workers (32% reduction) working on that assembly line.

Practical implications

For assembly line practitioners, the results of the study can be beneficial where the manufacturer is required to increased workstation efficiency and worker efficiency and reduce resource requirement and save space for assembling the products.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to apply a multi-manned assembly line balancing approach in real life problem by considering the case study of an automobile plant.
Crowdfunding success: a systematic literature review 2010–2017
Authors: Shneor Rotem , Vik Amy Ann
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The paper takes stock of accumulated knowledge on factors impacting the success of online crowdfunding (CF) campaigns while suggesting opportunities for future research development.

Design/methodology/approach

A Systematic Literature Review of 88 academic papers published between 2010 and 2017. Papers were collected from four academic databases and published in 65 different journals. The review addresses issues related to theory, methods, context, findings and gaps. Overall, the paper presents an analysis of 1,718 associations between 111 aggregated independent variables (from 927 variables) with six main aggregated success indicators.

Findings

Most research involves quantitative analyses of public data collected from reward-CF platforms. More research is required in equity, lending, donation and other CF contexts. Existing studies are mostly anchored in theories of signaling, social capital and elaboration likelihood. There is a need for wider conceptualization of success beyond financial indicators. And based on aggregated summaries of effects, the paper suggests a series of CF success models, while outlining an agenda for future research.

Research limitations/implications

Studied phenomenon is in its early days of existence, and hence biased by the circumstances of a new industry. Moreover, the current review only covers published journal articles in English.

Practical implications

Findings of factors impacting campaign success can inform fundraisers in building campaigns, as well as platforms in adjusting systems and services toward responsibly enhancing campaign success. Moreover, identified gaps can inform on what has not been sufficiently documented and may be a source of competitive advantage.

Originality/value

A comprehensive review of research on CF success factors at factor level, a coherent agenda for future research development and a series of evidence-based models on most prevalent factors impacting CF success by CF model.
Physics-aware macromodels for MEMS switches
Authors: Lup Aurel-Sorin , Ciuprina Gabriela , Ioan Daniel , Duca Anton , Nicoloiu Alexandra , Vasilache Dan
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a physics-aware algorithm to obtain radio frequency (RF)-reduced models of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) switches and show how, together with multiphysics macromodels, they can be realized as circuits that include both lumped and distributed parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

The macromodels are extracted with a robust procedure from the solution of Maxwell’s equations with electromagnetic circuit element (ECE) boundary conditions. The reduced model is extracted from the simulations of three electromagnetic field problems, in full-wave regime, that correspond to three configurations: signal lines alone, switch in the up and down positions.

Findings

The technique is exemplified for shunt switches, but it can be extended for lateral switches. Moreover, the algorithm is able take frequency dependence into account both for the signal lines and for the switch model. For the later, the order of the model is increased until a specified accuracy is achieved.

Originality/value

The use of ECE as boundary conditions for the RF simulation of MEMS switches has the advantage that the definition of ports is unambiguous and robust as the ports are clearly defined. The extraction approach has the advantage that the simplified model keeps the basic phenomena, i.e. the propagation of the signal along the lines. As the macromodel is realized with a netlist that uses transmission lines models, the lines’ extension is natural. The frequency dependence can be included in the model, if needed.
Stable compact modeling of piezoelectric energy harvester devices
Authors: Yuan Chengdong , Hu Siyang , Bechtold Tamara
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Based on the framework of Krylov subspace-based model order reduction (MOR), compact models of the piezoelectric energy harvester devices can be generated. However, the stability of reduced piezoelectric model often cannot be preserved. In previous research studies, “MOR after Schur,” “Schur after MOR” and “multiphysics structure preserving MOR” methods have proven successful in obtaining stable reduced piezoelectric energy harvester models. Though the stability preservation of “MOR after Schur” and “Schur after MOR” methods has already been mathematically proven, the “multiphysics structure preserving MOR” method was not. This paper aims to provide the missing mathematical proof of “multiphysics structure preserving MOR.”

Design/methodology/approach

Piezoelectric energy harvesters can be represented by system of differential-algebraic equations obtained by the finite element method. According to the block structure of its system matrices, “MOR after Schur” and “Schur after MOR” both perform Schur complement transformations either before or after the MOR process. For the “multiphysics structure preserving MOR” method, the original block structure of the system matrices is preserved during MOR. 

Findings

This contribution shows that, in comparison to “MOR after Schur” and “Schur after MOR” methods, “multiphysics structure preserving MOR” method performs the Schur complement transformation implicitly, and therefore, stabilizes the reduced piezoelectric model.

Originality/value

The stability preservation of the reduced piezoelectric energy harvester model obtained through “multiphysics structure preserving MOR” method is proven mathematically and further validated by numerical experiments on two different piezoelectric energy harvester devices.
Vibration analysis of E-core flux reversal free stator switched reluctance motor
Authors: Sundaramoorthy Prabhu , M. Balaji , K. Suresh , Natesan Ezhilventhan , K. Mohan
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The main purpose of this research is to investigate finite-element analysis (FEA) on flux reversal-free stator switched reluctance motor (FRFSSRM) for industrial applications. The vibration analysis for an electrical machine is essential because of the acoustic noises. The acoustic noises originate by coincidence of natural frequencies of motor with the vibration frequencies.

Design/methodology/approach

The identification with the performance for FRFSRM by torque ripple, vibration. The vibration of the machine is because of unbalanced electromagnetic forces. The mutual coupled winding and a common pole between two adjacent exciting poles reduce these unbalanced forces.

Findings

The accelerometer is used to monitor the vibration amplitude in transient mode. A comparison study shows that the vibration is less in the E-core SRM than in the conventional flux reversal SRM.

Originality/value

The shorter flux path reduces the torque ripple and vibration content in SRM. This research article mainly focuses on the parameters such as vibration and torque ripple. The vibration of FRFSRM is identified by accelerometer; ANSYS Package predicts the simulation of the vibration measurement. The dynamic behaviors of this E-core SRM model with rated conditions the vibration had predicted.
A study of UPQC: emerging mitigation techniques for the impact of recent power quality issues
Authors: Nagarajan Ananthan , P. Sivachandran , M.V. Suganyadevi , P. Muthukumar
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to help the researchers, public, industries and government to realize the tremendous trends to improve the power quality of both sources and load side.

Design/methodology/approach

The work carried out in the Facts device and power quality issues.

Findings

Maintaining the quality of electric power is always a challenging task. The effect of power electronics devices leads to improper power quality. The use of FACTS devices is preferably the best approach to treat power-quality-related problems. Usually, all FACTS devices are constructed to operate on the side of either the source side or the load.

Originality/value

This paper explores a broad comprehensive study of various types of power quality problems and classification of FACTS devices with its recent developments. Furthermore unified power quality conditioner (UPQC) is particularly reviewed to highlight the advantages over other compensating devices. An exhaustive study of literature has been carried out and most significant concepts are presented
Impact of key HR practices (human capital, training and rewards) on service recovery performance with mediating role of employee commitment of the Takaful industry of the Southeast Asian region
Authors: Mihardjo Leonardus W.W. , Jermsittiparsert Kittisak , Ahmed Umair , Chankoson Thitinan , Iqbal Hussain Hafezali
Published: April 2020

Purpose

current study intends to examine key human resources practices (human capital, training and rewards) that influence employee commitment and service recovery performance (SRP) of Takaful industry agents in Southeast Asian region. The Takaful industry is facing stiff competition with conventional insurance industry in Malaysia and Indonesia as the Southeast Asian region has a large Muslim population. SRP is crucial in insurance industry specifically in the Islamic Insurance (Takaful) industry and plays a vital and key role in sustainable competitive advantage for value addition for firms in future to acquire market.

Design/methodology/approach

The data was collected from 350 front line agents of the Takaful industry operating in Malaysia and Indonesia on convenience sampling technique. Data was analyzed by using PLS-SEM to examine the relationship between constructs.

Findings

The results show that human capital, training and reward significantly influence commitment of employee which further influenced SRP to be improved. Mediation effect was also found to be influential and statistically positive and significant by employee commitment between key HR practices (human capital, training, rewards) and SRP.

Originality/value

current study contributed to the body of knowledge in explaining relationship of human capital to employee commitment and SRP, further, inconclusive findings between training and rewards was also explained in the Takaful industry of the Southeast Asian region.
“It's a very different world”: work transition and employability of higher education graduates
Authors: Monteiro Sílvia , Almeida Leandro , García-Aracil Adela
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study addresses the specific topic of transition between higher education and the world of work, taking differences naturally inherent to the individual and to the surrounding micro and macro contexts. With a holistic approach, this paper aimed to provide a deeper understanding about the university-to-work transition process in a period of turbulence and continuous changes in the labour market.

Design/methodology/approach

The three research questions that guide this qualitative study are as follows: (1) What are the factors that facilitate the transition to the labour market? (2) What are the factors that constrain the transition to the labour market? (3) What are graduates' perceptions of their employability? To answer these questions, eleven graduates were interviewed about facilitators and barriers of the transition process and perceptions of employability. Data collected from the interviews were then related to categories previously defined from the literature review. Version 12.0 of the NVivo software was used to support the process of data analysis.

Findings

Overall, participants' discourse refer to a multidimensional and dynamic perspective of factors related with work transition and employability. The obtained results indicate that the lack of career agency during graduation and professional experiences, together with late career exploration processes, represent possible barriers of transition, especially in study fields with targeted job offers. Likewise, experiences promoting the development of competencies through supportive practice from teachers, mentors and colleagues are referred as facilitators of transition.

Practical implications

One of the most consistent outcomes of the interviews conducted concerns the importance of a stronger focus on developing practical experiences during higher education studies. This empirical study demonstrated how this type of experience can mitigate the impact of the transition from university to the labour market.

Originality/value

This empirical study demonstrated how work being integrated into learning in curricula can mitigate the impact of the transition from university to the labour market. It offers important insights about possible strategies that could be adopted to promote graduates' employability from a perspective of shared responsibility.
Deep reinforcement learning-based attitude motion control for humanoid robots with stability constraints
Authors: Shi Qun , Ying Wangda , Lv Lei , Xie Jiajun
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to present an intelligent motion attitude control algorithm, which is used to solve the poor precision problems of motion-manipulation control and the problems of motion balance of humanoid robots. Aiming at the problems of a few physical training samples and low efficiency, this paper proposes an offline pre-training of the attitude controller using the identification model as a priori knowledge of online training in the real physical environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The deep reinforcement learning (DRL) of continuous motion and continuous state space is applied to motion attitude control of humanoid robots and the robot motion intelligent attitude controller is constructed. Combined with the stability analysis of the training process and control process, the stability constraints of the training process and control process are established and the correctness of the constraints is demonstrated in the experiment.

Findings

Comparing with the proportion integration differentiation (PID) controller, PID + MPC controller and MPC + DOB controller in the humanoid robots environment transition walking experiment, the standard deviation of the tracking error of robots’ upper body pitch attitude trajectory under the control of the intelligent attitude controller is reduced by 60.37 per cent, 44.17 per cent and 26.58 per cent.

Originality/value

Using an intelligent motion attitude control algorithm to deal with the strong coupling nonlinear problem in biped robots walking can simplify the control process. The offline pre-training of the attitude controller using the identification model as a priori knowledge of online training in the real physical environment makes up the problems of a few physical training samples and low efficiency. The result of using the theory described in this paper shows the performance of the motion-manipulation control precision and motion balance of humanoid robots and provides some inspiration for the application of using DRL in biped robots walking attitude control.
Socioeconomic determinants of property crime offending in Ethiopia:
Authors: Wassie Nigatu , Melese Bekele , Eyasu Nahom
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the socioeconomic determinants of property crimes on convicted offenders in the Chilga district correctional institution (CDCI).

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a socioeconomic determinant of property crimes on convicted offenders using quantitative research. Respondents consisted of a random sample of 170 convicted offenders in CDCI. This study used descriptive statistics, logistic regression and Pearson correlations for analyzing the quantitative data in CDCI.

Findings

The results of the study showed that the age at first engagement, educational status, offender’s immediate economic situation and previous experience of the offender were the perceived reasons in one’s major property crime offending. However, average monthly income, peer effect and family structure (grown up with) were found to be non-perceived reasons. Youths who are unmarried, illiterate and unemployed offenders had over three times more probabilities of committing theft than robbery and burglary in the winter season, especially in February, because of the determinants of illiteracy and unemployment such as negligence for the future life. Furthermore, the convicted offenders who were illiterate, unemployed and raised by single parents have engaged in theft for the first time, but burglary and robbery by employed and literate offenders in more probable.

Originality/value

This paper takes a fresh perspective on knowledge about property crime and economic as well as criminological theories using various bodies of academic research. This paper’s insight will be helpful to fill the literature gaps; there are lot research studies with little investigations addressing to the issue of the determinants of property crime. It will also be useful for policymakers to mitigate the determinant of property crime.
The impact of the implementation of management system on the perception of role and tasks of maintenance services and effectiveness of their functioning
Authors: Drożyner Przemysław
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The first goal of the article was to examine how the perception of the role and scope of operation of maintenance services in the enterprise changes, depending on whether the company has an integrated management system (IMS), only a quality management system implemented in accordance with ISO 9001 and in the absence of a formal, certified management system. The second goal was to propose a model for assessing the quality of maintenance service functioning in enterprise with IMS implemented.

Design/methodology/approach

The author's experience of over 1,000 audits in enterprises in various industries: food, automotive, construction, petrochemical, electronic and so on was used in the work. The audits were carried out in three types of companies: which had IMSs (800 audits), which only had a system implementation certificate ISO 9001 (140 audits) and without any standardized management system implemented (so-called second-party audits, commissioned by the client of the audited company.

Findings

The most important conclusion is – the role of UR services in enterprises with the implemented IMS is much broader and goes beyond the classic framework for planning, implementation and settlement of maintenance and repair work. Maintenance is understood more broadly and includes in its scope also the safety of people and the environment, the efficiency of production and consumption of utilities as well as the quality of products and services. Maintenance issues include not only strictly technical aspects but also economic, logistic, legal and organizational and management aspects.

Practical implications

Research shows that enterprises, especially those with high technical and organizational culture, should not treat management systems as costs, but as a driving force for the implementation of new technologies, new organizational solutions and the development of employees' competences.

Social implications

Broad views on stakeholders of maintenance services (including employees, their families, control institutions) and their requirements make enterprises begin to see the need to maintain the so-called lifetime balance, as well as the safety and comfort of work of employees of these services.

Originality/value

The author did not find in literature any reports on studies of the impact of formal, certified management systems on the quality of maintenance services; this article shows that this impact is large and, above all, positive; with such a broad understanding of the role of maintenance, there is a need to develop a common platform for such seemingly distant concepts as machine technical condition or fatigue life versus cost accounting and quality management.
Mathematics and STEM teacher development for flipped education
Authors: Weinhandl Robert , Lavicza Zsolt , Houghton Tony
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Flipped classroom approaches (FCA) are an educational innovation that could increase students' learning outcomes in, and their enjoyment of, mathematics or STEM education. To integrate FCA into education sustainably, professional teacher development (PTD) is a promising tool. The research aim is to explore which aspects should be considered when developing and implementing professional mathematics or STEM teacher development for flipped approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 20 expert interviews were conducted and analysed according to a synthesis of grounded theory approaches and qualitative interview study principles.

Findings

Evaluating the interview data indicates that the characteristics of different teacher types in PTD, learning activities in PTD and the DSE model derived in this study could be vital elements in professional mathematics or STEM teacher development for flipped approaches.

Originality/value

Evaluating the interview data indicates that the characteristics of different teacher types in PTD, learning activities in PTD and the DSE model derived in this study could be vital elements in professional mathematics or STEM teacher development for flipped approaches.
Beyond smart tourism cities – towards a new generation of “wise” tourism destinations
Authors: Coca-Stefaniak J. Andres
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this trends paper is to offer insights into the technological changes affecting our cities and urban tourism destinations, and to explore avenues for further research and practice in the context of smart tourism destinations.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature on smart cities and smart tourism destinations is analysed in view of delivering a research agenda for a new generation of “post-smart” tourism destinations, beyond existing paradigms in this field.

Findings

Smart tourism research to date is found to be lacking in terms of addressing emerging (“post-smart”) social issues increasingly faced by global tourism cities, such as growing inequalities between host communities and visitors, wellness (e.g. slow tourism and slow cities) and resilience and mental health (e.g. digital detox), among others.

Practical implications

A post-smart approach to tourism city management and marketing calls for rethinking of existing tourism and urban policies that address wider sustainability issues exemplified by the urban transitions debate as well as adopting a more holistic networked approach to smartness involving entire regions. This also calls for the development of a new research agenda in urban tourism through a new prism – the post-smart “wise” tourism destination.

Originality/value

A new tourism futures construct – the “wise” tourism destination – is posited. This is done within the context of a new (“post-smart”) generation of tourism cities. It is argued that “wise” tourism cities will require novel attributes and adopt a visionary strategic positioning well beyond today’s smart tourism destination paradigms. Additionally, a tentative research agenda for “wise” tourism cities is discussed.
Microdivisionalization as a way toward dynamic capability
Authors: Chen Roger (Rongxin) , Wang Liang , Li Eric Ping Hung , Hu Guodong
Published: April 2020

Purpose

As entrepreneurial top management teams in multidivisional forms are typically treated in pertinent literature as the default organizational solutions for developing dynamic capabilities, the emerging innovative organizational forms tend to be overlooked, even though they could be a viable means of transforming established enterprises. The present case study examines how Haier's microenterprise and platforms influenced the firm's dynamic capabilities development.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a qualitative case study of Haier Group Corporation in China.

Findings

The findings indicate that Haier employed a loosely coupled relationship between its headquarters and the microenterprises, developed quasi market-based exchange relationships and established peer-to-peer learning opportunities and coordination among its microenterprises. Data analyses further revealed that Haier has adopted three-step routines to capture market opportunities and enhance operational efficiency. This research extends the sensing-seizing-reconfiguration model typically recommended in the existing literature. It also demonstrates that organizational configuration is an important aspect of dynamic innovation. In summary, the study results showcase microdivisionalization as a new way for developing dynamic capabilities to better adapt to the ever-changing market environments.

Originality/value

In summary, our study showcased microdivisionalization as a new way for firms to change the organization structure and business strategies to better adapt to the ever-changing market environments.
Employer image, corporate image and organizational attractiveness: the moderating role of social identity consciousness
Authors: Younis Raghda Abulsaoud Ahmed , Hammad Rasha
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Although researchers agreed that corporate image and employer image are important factors affecting organizational attractiveness, understanding the role of social identity within the attracting process, in addition to exploring the relationship between corporate image and employer image, is still a research gap. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of corporate and employer image on organizational attractiveness in addition to understanding the moderating role of social identity on the relationship between corporate image and employer brand and organizational attractiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a survey method for data collection from fourth year students.

Findings

The findings show that both employer image and corporate image have a significant positive effect on organizational attractiveness . In addition, it has showed that social identity consciousness plays partial role as a moderator in the model.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first papers that include corporate image, employer image, social identity consciousness and organizational attractiveness in the same model . In addition, it is one of the limited papers that considered both signal and social identity theory in attraction process.
Contrasting floral biology of Artabotrys species (Annonaceae): Implications for the evolution of pollinator trapping
Authors: Chen Junhao , Liu Ming‐Fai , Saunders Richard M. K.
Published: April 2020

Artabotrys comprises a species‐poor early divergent grade (EDG) and a main species‐rich clade (“main Artabotrys clade,” MAC). All members of the MAC exhibit a remarkably well‐conserved floral Bauplan characterized by a tightly enclosed floral chamber with an elaborate rim between the inner petal blade and claw. Conversely, EDG resembles the sister genus Xylopia in lacking the inner petal rim, with one species (Artabotrys brachypetalus) bearing petals that lack the distinction between blade and claw altogether. The floral phenology and pollination ecology of two exemplar species—Artabotrys brachypetalus from the EDG and Artabotrys blumei from the MAC—are compared, including assessment of effective pollinators and their activity patterns, scent chemistry and thermogenesis. Our study revealed that Artabotrys blumei exhibits abbreviated anthesis (c. 27 hr), with a floral phenology and morphology that are clearly consistent with pollinator trapping, and may be pollinated by small beetles. Artabotrys brachypetalus has a typical anthetic duration (c. 45 hr), lacks a pollinator trapping mechanism, and is pollinated by honey bees and curculionid beetles. The “xylopioid” traits of the EDG are likely to be plesiomorphic, whereas the tightly enclosed floral chamber is likely to be apomorphic for the MAC and functionally significant in trapping pollinators.
Walking in Jozi: Guided Tours, Insecurity and Urban Regeneration in Inner City Johannesburg
Authors: Opfermann Lena S.
Published: April 2020

This article explores how the emerging tourism sector in Johannesburg is intertwined with current processes of urban regeneration and development. Using walking tours as a case study, I illustrate how tour operators navigate insecure urban spaces and contribute to their (re‐)development by performing (in)security, by offering ‘authentic’ experiences and by actively engaging in social and economic activities. I argue that walking tours promote a particular kind of urban development that aims to appeal to a new urban middle class and is in line with the vision pursued by big private investors and new urban entrepreneurs. Similar to other global gentrification processes, this vision draws on Western notions of hip urban lifestyles and aesthetics in order to foster an image of the city as pan‐African and cool. While making new spaces accessible, this approach to urban development also affects and threatens other inner city users, including African migrants living or working in precarious conditions. I contend that these side effects of the currently promoted urban regeneration have so far been overlooked. In order to create a social and sustainable urban development that supersedes apartheid‐era spatial segregation, these effects should be taken into account by the tourism sector, by private investors and policy makers alike.
Adaptive niche‐based sampling to improve ability to find rare and elusive species: Simulations and field tests
Authors: Chiffard Jules , Marciau Coline , Yoccoz Nigel Gilles , Mouillot Florent , Duchateau Stéphane , Nadeau Iris , Fontanilles Philippe , Besnard Aurélien
Published: April 2020

Sampling efficiency is crucial to overcome the data crisis in biodiversity and to understand what drives the distribution of rare species.

Adaptive niche‐based sampling (ANBS) is an iterative sampling strategy that relies on the predictions of species distribution models (SDMs). By predicting highly suitable areas to guide prospection, ANBS could improve the efficiency of sampling effort in terms of finding new locations for rare species. Its iterative quality could potentially mitigate the effect of small and initially biased samples on SDMs.

In this study, we compared ANBS with random sampling by assessing the gain in terms of new locations found per unit of effort. The comparison was based on both simulations and two field surveys of mountain birds.

We found an increasing probability of contacting the species through iterations if the focal species showed specialization in the environmental gradients used for modelling. We also identified a gain when using pseudo‐absences during first iterations, and a general tendency of ANBS to increase the omission rate in the spatial prediction of the species' niche or habitat.

Overall, ANBS is an effective and flexible strategy that can contribute to a better understanding of distribution drivers in rare species.
A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of the PTSD Coach App Following Motor Vehicle Crash–related Injury
Authors: Pacella‐LaBarbara Maria L. , Suffoletto Brian P. , Kuhn Eric , Germain Anne , Jaramillo Stephany , Repine Melissa , Callaway Clifton W.
Published: April 2020

Objective

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (PTSS) are common after minor injuries and can impair recovery. We sought to understand whether an evidence‐based mobile phone application with self‐help tools (PTSD Coach) could be useful to improve recovery after acute trauma among injured emergency department (ED) patients. This pilot study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and potential benefit of using PTSD Coach among acutely injured motor vehicle crash (MVC) patients.

Methods

From September 2017 to September 2018, we recruited adult patients within 24 hours post‐MVC from the EDs of two Level I trauma centers in the United States. We randomly assigned 64 injured adults to either the PTSD Coach (n = 33) or treatment as usual (TAU; n = 31) condition. We assessed PTSS and associated symptoms at 1 month (83% retained) and 3 months (73% retained) postenrollment.

Results

Enrollment was feasible (74% of eligible subjects participated) but usability and engagement were low (67% used PTSD Coach at least once, primarily in week 1); 76% of those who used it rated the app as moderately to extremely helpful. No differences emerged between groups in PTSS outcomes. Exploratory analyses among black subjects (n = 21) indicated that those in the PTSD Coach condition (vs. TAU) reported marginally lower PTSS (95% CI = −0.30 to 37.77) and higher PTSS coping self‐efficacy (95% CI = −58.20 to −3.61) at 3 months.

Conclusions

We demonstrated feasibility to recruit acutely injured ED patients into an app‐based intervention study, yet mixed evidence emerged for the usability and benefit of PTSD Coach. Most patients used the app once and rated it favorably in regard to satisfaction with and helpfulness, but longitudinal engagement was low. This latter finding may explain the lack of overall effects on PTSS. Additional research is warranted regarding whether targeting more symptomatic patients and the addition of engagement and support features can improve efficacy.
Cognitive and emotional empathy in individuals at clinical high risk of psychosis
Authors: Montag C. , Brandt L. , Lehmann A. , De Millas W. , Falkai P. , Gaebel W. , Hasan A. , Hellmich M. , Janssen B. , Juckel G. , Karow A. , Klosterkötter J. , Lambert M. , Maier W. , Müller H. , Pützfeld V. , Schneider F. , Stützer H. , Wobrock T. , Vernaleken I. B. , Wagner M. , Heinz A. , Bechdolf A. , Gallinat J.
Published: April 2020

Background

Impairments of social cognition are considered core features of schizophrenia and are established predictors of social functioning. However, affective aspects of social cognition including empathy have far less been studied than its cognitive dimensions. The role of empathy in the development of schizophrenia remains largely elusive.

Methods

Emotional and cognitive empathy were investigated in large sample of 120 individuals at Clinical High Risk of Psychosis (CHR‐P) and compared with 50 patients with schizophrenia and 50 healthy controls. A behavioral empathy assessment, the Multifaceted Empathy Test, was implemented, and associations of empathy with cognition, social functioning, and symptoms were determined.

Results

Our findings demonstrated significant reductions of emotional empathy in individuals at CHR‐P, while cognitive empathy appeared intact. Only individuals with schizophrenia showed significantly reduced scores of cognitive empathy compared to healthy controls and individuals at CHR‐P. Individuals at CHR‐P were characterized by significantly lower scores of emotional empathy and unspecific arousal for both positive and negative affective valences compared to matched healthy controls and patients with schizophrenia. Results also indicated a correlation of lower scores of emotional empathy and arousal with higher scores of prodromal symptoms.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that the tendency to ‘feel with’ an interaction partner is reduced in individuals at CHR‐P. Altered emotional reactivity may represent an additional, early vulnerability marker, even if cognitive mentalizing is grossly unimpaired in the prodromal stage. Different mechanisms might contribute to reductions of cognitive and emotional empathy in different stages of non‐affective psychotic disorders and should be further explored.