bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct gene expression patterns in vector-residing Leishmania infantum identify parasite stage-enriched markers
Authors: Coutinho-Abreu Iliano V. , Serafim Tiago D. , Meneses Claudio , Kamhawi Shaden , Oliveira Fabiano , Valenzuela Jesus G.
Published: June 2019

Promastigotes of Leishmania infantum undergo a series of extracellular developmental stages inside the natural sand fly vector Lutzomyia longipalpis to reach the infectious stage, the metacyclic promastigote. There is limited information regarding the expression profile of L. infantum developmental stages inside the sand fly vector, and molecular markers that can distinguish the different parasite stages are lacking. We performed RNAseq on unaltered midguts of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis after infection with L. infantum parasites. RNAseq was carried out at various time points throughout parasite development. Principal component analysis mapped the sequences corresponding to the procyclic, nectomonad, leptomonad or metacyclic promastigote stage into distinct positions, with the procyclic stage being the most divergent population. Transcriptional levels across genes varied on average between 10- to 100-fold. Comparison between procyclic and nectomonad promastigotes resulted in 836 differentially expressed (DE) genes; between nectomonad and leptomonad promastigotes in 113 DE genes; and between leptomonad and metacyclic promastigotes in 302 DE genes. Most of the DE genes do not overlap across stages, highlighting the uniqueness of each stage. Furthermore, the different stages of Leishmania parasites exhibited specific transcriptional enrichment across chromosomes. Using the transcriptional signatures exhibited by distinct Leishmania stages during their development in the sand fly midgut, we determined the genes predominantly enriched in each stage, identifying multiple stage-specific markers for L. Infantum. Leading stage-specific marker candidates include genes encoding a zinc transporter in procyclics, a beta-fructofuranidase in nectomonads, a surface antigen-like protein in leptomonads, and an amastin-like surface protein in metacyclics. Overall, these findings demonstrate the transcriptional plasticity of the Leishmania parasite inside the sand fly vector and provide a repertoire of stage-specific markers for further development as molecular tools for epidemiological studies.
An explicit formula for a dispersal kernel in a patchy landscape
Authors: Beykzadeh Ali , Watmough James
Published: June 2019

Integrodifference equations (IDEs) are often used for discrete-time continuous-space models in mathematical biology. The model includes two stages: the reproduction stage, and the dispersal stage. The output of the model is the population density of a species for the next generation across the landscape, given the current population density. Most previous models for dispersal in a heterogeneous landscape approximate the landscape by a set of homogeneous patches, and allow for different demographic and dispersal rates within each patch. Some work has been done designing and analyzing models which also include a patch preference at the boundaries, which is commonly referred to as the degree of bias. Individuals dispersing across a patchy landscape can detect the changes in habitat at a neighborhood of a patch boundary, and as a result, they might change the direction of their movement if they are approaching a bad patch.

In our work, we derive a generalization of the classic Laplace kernel, which includes different dispersal rates in each patch as well as different degrees of bias at the patch boundaries. The simple Laplace kernel and the truncated Laplace kernel most often used in classical work appear as special cases of this general kernel. The form of this general kernel is the sum of two different terms: the classic truncated Laplace kernel within each patch, and a correction accounting for the bias at patch boundaries.
Deep neural network affinity model for BACE inhibitors in D3R Grand Challenge 4
Authors: Wang Bo , Ng Ho-Leung
Published: June 2019

Drug Design Data Resource (D3R) Grand Challenge 4 (GC4) offered a unique opportunity for designing and testing novel methodology for accurate docking and affinity prediction of ligands in an open and blinded manner. We participated in the beta-secretase 1 (BACE) Subchallenge which is comprised of cross-docking and redocking of 20 macrocyclic ligands to BACE and predicting binding affinity for 154 macrocyclic ligands. For this challenge, we developed machine learning models trained specifically on BACE. We developed a deep neural network (DNN) model that used a combination of both structure and ligand-based features that outperformed simpler machine learning models. According to the results released by D3R, we achieved a Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient of 0.43(7) for predicting the affinity of 154 ligands. We describe the formulation of our machine learning strategy in detail. We compared the performance of DNN with linear regression, random forest, and support vector machines using ligand-based, structure-based, and combining both ligand and structure-based features. We compared different structures for our DNN and found that performance was highly dependent on fine optimization of the L2 regularization hyperparameter, alpha. We also developed a novel metric of ligand three-dimensional similarity inspired by crystallographic difference density maps to match ligands without crystal structures to similar ligands with known crystal structures. This report demonstrates that detailed parameterization, careful data training and implementation, and extensive feature analysis are necessary to obtain strong performance with more complex machine learning methods. Post hoc analysis shows that scoring functions based only on ligand features are competitive with those also using structural features. Our DNN approach tied for fifth in predicting BACE-ligand binding affinities.
The effect of scanning speed on texture-elicited vibrations
Authors: Greenspon Charles M. , McLellan Kristine R. , Lieber Justin D. , Bensmaia Sliman J.
Published: June 2019

To sense the texture of a surface, we run our fingers across it, which leads to the elicitation of skin vibrations that depend both on the surface and on exploratory parameters, particularly scanning speed. The transduction and processing of these vibrations mediates the ability to discern fine surface features. In the present study, we seek to characterize the effect of changes in scanning speed on texture-elicited vibrations to better understand how the exploratory strategy shapes the neuronal representation of texture. To this end, we scanned a variety of textures across the fingertip of human participants at a variety of speeds (10 – 160 mm/s) while measuring the resulting vibrations using a laser Doppler vibrometer. We found that increases in speed led to systematic increases in vibratory intensity and to a systematic upward multiplicative shift in the frequency composition of the vibrations. Furthermore, we showed that the upward shift in frequency composition accounts for the increase in intensity. The enhancement of higher frequency components accounts for the observed increase in the firing rates of nerve fibers, particularly Pacinian corpuscle-associated fibers, which are most sensitive at the high frequencies.
De novoTranscriptome Characterization ofIris atropurpurea(the Royal Iris,IrissectionOncocyclus) and Phylogenetic Analysis of MADS-box and R2R3-MYB Gene Families
Authors: Yamit Bar-Lev , Esther Senden , Metsada Pasmanik-Chor , Yuval Sapir
Published: June 2019

The Royal Irises,IrissectionOncocyclus, are a Middle-Eastern group of irises, characterized by extremely large flowers with a huge range of flower colors and a unique pollination system. The Royal Irises are considered to be in the course of speciation and serve as a model for evolutionary processes of speciation and pollination ecology. However, no transcriptomic and genomic data for molecular characterization are available for these plants.

Transcriptome sequencing is a valuable resource for determining the genetic basis of ecological-meaningful traits, especially in non-model organisms. Here we describe thede novotranscriptome sequencing and assembly ofIris atropurpurea, an endangered species, endemic to Israel’s coastal plain. We employed RNA sequencing to analyze the transcriptomes of roots, leaves, and three stages of developing flower buds. To identify genes involved in developmental processes we generated phylogenetic gene trees for two major gene families, the MADS-box and MYB transcription factors, which play an important role in plant development. In addition, we identified 1,503 short sequence repeats that can be developed for molecular markers for population genetics in irises.

In the era of large genetic datasets, theIristranscriptome sequencing provides a valuable resource for studying adaptation-associated traits in this non-model plant. This first reported transcriptome for the Royal Irises, and the data generated from this study, will facilitate gene discovery, functional genomic studies, and development of molecular markers in irises, to complete the intensive eco-evolutionary studies of this group.
Genome-wide sequence-based genotyping supports a nonhybrid origin ofCastanea alabamensis
Authors: Perkins M. Taylor , Zhebentyayeva Tetyana , Sisco Paul H. , Craddock J. Hill
Published: June 2019

The genusCastaneain North America contains multiple tree and shrub taxa of conservation concern. The two species within the group, American chestnut (Castanea dentata) and chinquapin (C. pumilasensu lato), display remarkable morphological diversity across their distributions in the eastern United States and southern Ontario. Previous investigators have hypothesized that hybridization betweenC. dentataandC. pumilahas played an important role in generating morphological variation in wild populations. A putative hybrid taxon,Castanea alabamensis, was identified in northern Alabama in the early 20th century; however, the question of its hybridity has been unresolved. We tested the hypothesized hybrid origin ofC. alabamensisusing genome-wide sequence-based genotyping ofC. alabamensis, all currently recognized North AmericanCastaneataxa, and two AsianCastaneaspecies at >100,000 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci. With these data, we generated a high-resolution phylogeny, tested for admixture among taxa, and analyzed population genetic structure of the study taxa. Bayesian clustering and principal components analysis provided no evidence of admixture betweenC. dentataandC. pumilainC. alabamensisgenomes. Phylogenetic analysis of genome-wide SNP data indicated thatC. alabamensisforms a distinct group withinC. pumilasensu lato. Our results are consistent with the model of a nonhybrid origin forC. alabamensis. Our finding ofC. alabamensisas a genetically and morphologically distinct group within the North American chinquapin complex provides further impetus for the study and conservation of the North AmericanCastaneaspecies.
Perturbation of the titin/MURF1 signaling complex is associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a fish model and in human patients
Authors: Higashikuse Yuta , Mittal Nishant , Arimura Takuro , Yoon Sung Han , Oda Mayumi , Enomoto Hirokazu , Kaneda Ruri , Hattori Fumiyuki , Suzuki Takeshi , Kawakami Atsushi , Gasch Alexander , Furukawa Tetsushi , Labeit Siegfried , Fukuda Keiichi , Kimura Akinori , Makino Shinji
Published: June 2019

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a hereditary disease characterized by cardiac hypertrophy with diastolic dysfunction. Gene mutations causing HCM have been found in about half of the patients, while the genetic etiology and pathogenesis remain unknown for many cases of HCM. To identify novel mechanisms underlying HCM pathogenesis, we generated a cardiovascular-mutant medaka fish non-spring heart (nsh), which showed diastolic dysfunction and hypertrophic myocardium. Thenshhomozygotes had fewer myofibrils, disrupted sarcomeres and expressed pathologically stiffer titin isoforms. In addition, thenshheterozygotes showed M-line disassembly that is similar to the pathological changes found in HCM. Positional cloning revealed a missense mutation in an immunoglobulin (Ig) domain located in the M-line-A-band transition zone of titin. Screening of mutations in 96 unrelated patients with familial HCM, who had no previously implicated mutations in known sarcomeric gene candidates, identified two mutations in Ig domains close to the M-line region of titin.In vitrostudies revealed that the mutations found in both medaka fish and in familial HCM increased binding of titin to muscle-specific ring finger protein 1 (MURF1) and enhanced titin degradation by ubiquitination. These findings implicate an impaired interaction between titin and MURF1 as a novel mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of HCM.
Mathematical relations between measures of brain connectivity estimated from electrophysiological recordings for Gaussian distributed data
Authors: Nolte Guido , Galindo-Leon Edgar , Li Zhenghan , Liu Xun , Engel Andreas K.
Published: June 2019

A large variety of methods exist to estimate brain coupling in the frequency domain from electrophysiological data measured e.g. by EEG and MEG. Those data are to reasonable approximation, though certainly not perfectly, Gaussian distributed. This work is based on the well-known fact that for Gaussian distributed data, the cross-spectrum completely determines all statistical properties. In particular, for an infinite number of data, all normalized coupling measures at a given frequency are a function of complex coherency. However, it is largely unknown what the functional relations are. We here present those functional relations for six different measures: the weighted phase lag index, the phase lag index, the absolute value and imaginary part of the phase locking value (PLV), power envelope correlation, and power envelope correlation with correction for artifacts of volume conduction. With the exception of PLV, the final results are simple closed form formulas. We tested in simulations of linear and nonlinear dynamical systems and for empirical resting state EEG on sensor level to what extent a model, namely the respective function of coherency, can explain the observed couplings. For empirical data w e found that for measures of phase-phase coupling deviations from the model are in general minWor, while power envelope correlations systematically deviate from the model for all frequencies. For power envelope correlation with correction for artifacts of volume conduction the model cannot explain the observed couplings at all. We also analyzed power envelope correlation as a function of time and frequency in an event related experiment using a stroop reaction task and found significant event related deviations mostly in the alpha range.
The question of research relevance: a university management perspective
Authors: Tucker Basil P. , Parker Lee D.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the issue of research relevance from the frame of reference of university leaders. Its specific aim is to gain insights into how “relevance” is conceptualised, and the underlying assumptions upon which such conceptualizations are based.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting an inductive approach, the study collects and analyses data from semi-structured interviews with 31 senior research-related university leaders, and archival sources in five Australian universities.

Findings

Research relevance is primarily viewed as a means of responding to government and political imperatives, as a pathway to ensuring university legitimacy, and as a means of generating further resources. The authors apply this understanding to develop a framework that adopts a nuanced view of relevance, reflecting what is driving research, and to whom research is principally targeted.

Research limitations/implications

The evidence-base upon which the study is based represents a relatively small number of university leaders of Australian universities. Moreover, restricting the investigation to a few senior hierarchical levels nonetheless offers insights into high level organisational drivers hitherto neglected in the accounting research literature on university strategy, governance and accountability. While not addressing perceptions across the university population, this study focusses on and unpacks the social construction of relevance of this select group as research policy makers.

Originality/value

As one of the few empirically informed investigations exploring the issue of research relevance from the perspective of university leaders, this study provides insights rather than “answers”. Its findings therefore serve as a foundational basis for further empirical and theoretical enquiry.
Scaling algorithms in modelling of power loss in soft magnetic composites
Authors: Najgebauer Mariusz , Szczyglowski Jan , Slusarek Barbara , Przybylski Marek
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine scaling algorithms in the description and modelling of power loss in soft magnetic composites (SMCs).

Design/methodology/approach

Three scaling algorithms are examined to determine the most appropriate description of power loss in magnetic composites. The scaling coefficients are estimated in such a way that all measurement data should be collapsed onto a single curve, given in the scaled coordinates. The coefficient estimation is based on a non-linear optimization using the generalized reduced gradient method. The obtained formulae are then used in the power loss modelling.

Findings

It is revealed that only two-component formulae are suitable for the scaling analysis of power loss because these allow obtaining of the collapse of measurement data.

Research limitations/implications

This study considers just one type of SMC (Somaloy 700). Further research will be devoted to the verification of the scaling approach to the power loss modelling for other types of magnetic composites.

Practical implications

The power loss is a basic property of soft magnetic materials, which determines their practical applications. The scaling approach to the power loss modelling gives quite simple models that require a reduced number of measurement data to estimate coefficients.

Originality/value

The scaling algorithms can be a useful tool in the analysis and designing of magnetic circuits made of SMCs.
Design of an induction machine with damper windings for noise and vibrations reduction
Authors: Bauw Gregory , Cassoret Bertrand , Ninet Olivier , Romary Raphael
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a design method for induction machines including a three-phase damper winding for noise and vibrations reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first part, the principle of the damper winding is recalled. The second part presents the iterative design method which is applied on a 4-kW pulse width modulation (PWM)-fed induction machine to study the impact of the additional winding on the geometry. In the third part, the finite-element method is used to validate the designed geometry and highlight the harmonic flux density reduction. Finally, some experimental results are given.

Findings

The study shows that the impact of the additional three-phase winding on the geometry and weight of the machine is low. Moreover, the proposed noise reduction method allows one to reduce the total noise level of a PWM-fed induction machine up to 8.5 dBA.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper concerns the design and characterization of a three-phase damper winding for a noiseless induction machine. The principle of this proposed noise reduction method is new and has been patented.
Interaction and reputation in Airbnb: an exploratory analysis
Authors: Baute-Díaz Nisamar , Gutiérrez-Taño Desiderio , Díaz-Armas Ricardo
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the role of social interaction and reputation when reviewing experiences on the Airbnb platform. Recent studies have suggested that social interaction and aspects related to reputation may encourage positive bias in the case of online ratings and comments.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research method was used. In total, 20 semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with non-professional Airbnb hosts and guests resident on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands).

Findings

Face-to-face interaction between the host and guest could lead to the moderation or omission of negative comments by guests. Reputation is a relevant factor that affects the behaviour of the users on the platform. Users are expected to behave in accordance with certain conventions learned when using the platform.

Research limitations/implications

The exploratory analysis must be complemented by other quantitative research. The hosts interviewed are not professional hosts.

Practical implications

It is recommendable for hosts offering average accommodation to pay special attention to welcoming and assisting their guests, with the aim of boosting their reputation on the platform.

Originality/value

This is the first qualitative study to deal with the effect of social interaction and reputation from the point of view of hosts and guests when reviewing experiences on the Airbnb platform.
Contributors to exchange structures and their effects on community solidarity in online communities
Authors: Han Eunyoung , Kim Kyung Kyu , Lee Ae Ri
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate which exchange structure, direct or generalized exchange, better promotes community solidarity in online communities (OCs). Furthermore, it examines the moderating effects of activity intensity on the relationship between exchange structure and community solidarity in order to resolve the conflicts in extant literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model is developed based on the social exchange theory (SET). It also accommodates social structures as determinants of exchange structure, such as organizational identity orientation (OIO) and distributive justice norms. Data in this study were collected from 376 OCs through an e-mail survey.

Findings

Generalized exchange has stronger effects on community solidarity than direct exchange. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the impact on community solidarity between generalized exchange and direct exchange at high-activity intensity levels, whereas no significant differences were found at low-activity intensity conditions. OIO significantly influences exchange structure. Additionally, equality norm significantly influences generalized exchange, whereas need norm significantly influences direct exchange.

Originality/value

In information systems research, there have not been any attempts to identify the determinants of exchange structure in OCs. Furthermore, only a couple of studies have empirically investigated the relationship between exchange structure and OC solidarity, and yet they found conflicting results. This research makes contributions to an enhancement of theoretical precision of the SET in two ways: by empirically examining the determinants of exchange structure, and by introducing a third variable, activity intensity, as a moderator of the relationship between exchange structure and OC solidarity.
An approach for learning from robots using formal languages and automata
Authors: Aslan Muhammet Fatih , Durdu Akif , Sabancı Kadir , Erdogan Kemal
Published: June 2019

Purpose

In this study, human activity with finite and specific ranking is modeled with finite state machine, and an application for human–robot interaction was realized. A robot arm was designed that makes specific movements. The purpose of this paper is to create a language associated to a complex task, which was then used to teach individuals by the robot that knows the language.

Design/methodology/approach

Although the complex task is known by the robot, it is not known by the human. When the application is started, the robot continuously checks the specific task performed by the human. To carry out the control, the human hand is tracked. For this, the image processing techniques and the particle filter (PF) based on the Bayesian tracking method are used. To determine the complex task performed by the human, the task is divided into a series of sub-tasks. To identify the sequence of the sub-tasks, a push-down automata that uses a context-free grammar language structure is developed. Depending on the correctness of the sequence of the sub-tasks performed by humans, the robot produces different outputs.

Findings

This application was carried out for 15 individuals. In total, 11 out of the 15 individuals completed the complex task correctly by following the different outputs.

Originality/value

This type of study is suitable for applications to improve human intelligence and to enable people to learn quickly. Also, the risky tasks of a person working in a production or assembly line can be controlled with such applications by the robots.
Effects of voluntary intellectual capital disclosure for disclosing firms
Authors: Vanini Ute , Rieg Robert
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Mandatory disclosure of a firm’s intellectual capital (IC) is restricted by accounting regulations, leading companies to use voluntary disclosure to inform their stakeholders about their IC. However, voluntary IC disclosure (ICD) is costly and may lead to a leak of knowledge. Consequently, firms should only engage in voluntary ICD if it really reduces information asymmetries and leads to reduced cost of capital or a better reputation. The purpose of this paper is to review, integrate and critically discuss the results of studies examining various effects of voluntary ICD.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a structured literature review approach.

Findings

The results mainly support the expected positive effects of voluntary ICD on monetary value for disclosing firms, e.g. lower cost of capital, higher firm value or increased analysts’ following. Nevertheless, the studies mainly represent second stage IC research.

Research limitations/implications

Additional studies concerning effects of voluntary ICD outside capital markets are recommended. Future studies should be based on an improved study design concerning the theoretical underpinning and concept of value relevance, sufficient sample sizes and alternative sources of ICD.

Practical implications

Due to positive monetary effects, firms should engage in voluntary ICD.

Originality/value

The paper reviews and integrates the state-of-the-art of empirical research of effects of voluntary ICD. It contributes to and enlarges the debate concerning the value relevance of voluntary ICD with respect to the different stages of IC research.
A view from the field: the process of improving equitable systems leadership
Authors: Rigby Jessica , Donaldson Walsh Emily , Boten Shelley , Deno Allison , Harrison M. Scott , Merrell Rodrick , Pritchett Sarah , Seaman Scott
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Research on principal supervisors (PSs) is an emerging field, and principal supervision for racial equity has not yet been studied or theorized. Conducted in partnership with practicing district leaders, the purpose of this paper is to examine current PS leadership in three districts at various points of engagement in equitable leadership practices and set forth a framework for conceptualizing systems equitable leadership practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This collaborative study emerged from an EdD course project in which groups of practitioner–scholars identified and collected qualitative interview, survey and artifact data about problems of practice in their districts. University researchers supported data collection and conducted analyses across settings, building on Ishimaru and Galloway’s (2014) equitable leadership practices framework.

Findings

Equitable PS leadership practices were variable. No district engaged with “proficiency” across all drivers of equitable leadership practice, but the district that engaged in equitable PS practices most deeply framed the work of schooling as a race-explicit endeavor, suggesting that framing is a fundamental driver.

Research limitations/implications

This paper builds on PS and equity-focused leadership research by adding a systems-level equity focus.

Practical implications

Findings suggest that districts should focus on equity framing as the foundation for principal support and development.

Originality/value

This researcher/practitioner–scholar collaboration shows how practitioner–scholars provide focus and expertise to the field unavailable to traditional researchers.
Pilot of a consumer based anti-stigma mentorship program for nursing students
Authors: Fokuo J. Konadu , Maroney Mary M. , Corrigan Patrick
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Nurses and nursing students often hold stigmatizing attitudes toward patients with mental illness, contributing to poor health outcomes. To address this, direct contact with persons with lived experience in mental illness (i.e. consumers) has been integrated into training curricula. This has shown decreased negative attitudes and increased empathy, but gains are not typically maintained at follow-up. The purpose of this paper is to explore acceptability (i.e. feasibility, process and fidelity) and stigmatizing attitudes of nursing students after the completion of a mentor-based direct-contact curriculum to decrease stigmatizing attitudes toward persons with mental illness.

Design/methodology/approach

A five-week manualized contact-based mentorship program, with a mentor (i.e. consumer)–mentee (i.e. student) pairs implemented as a supplement to the clinical curriculum for 23 baccalaureate-nursing students. Feasibility (i.e. attendance), acceptability, fidelity and stigmatizing attitudes were evaluated. The Error Choice Test and the Attribution Questionnaire (AQ-9) were used to assess stigmatizing attitudes.

Findings

Feasibility was 100 percent for face-to-face meetings and participants were satisfied with the integration of the program into their curriculum, indicating high acceptability. A repeated measures ANOVA yielded significant findings for stigmatizing attitudes (F (2, 21)=6.96, p<0.02, η2=0.23). This suggests that a consumer-led mentoring program may reduce mental health stigma within student-nursing populations. The AQ-9 did not yield significant results.

Research limitations/implications

This study lacked a comparison group. Future research should include a randomized controlled trial.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates capacity for high feasibility and acceptability for an anti-stigma curriculum in this educational context.
Wiki support for automated definition of software test cases
Authors: Antonelli Leandro , Hozikian Mariángeles , Camilleri Guy , Fernandez Alejandro , Grigera Julian , Torres Diego , Zarate Pascale
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The design of tests is a very important step in the software development process because it allows us to match the users’ expectations with the finished product. Considered as a cumbersome activity, efforts have been made to automatize and alleviate the burden of test generation, but it is still a largely neglected step. The study aims to propose taking advantage of existing requirement artifacts, like scenarios that describe the dynamic of the domain in a very early stage of software development, to obtain tests from them.

Design/methodology/approach

In particular, the approach proposed complement the scenarios that are textually described with a glossary, the language extended lexicon. Thus, a set of rules to derive tests from scenarios is also proposed. The tests are then described using the task/method model.

Findings

The main findings of this study consist of an extension of a previously presented set of rules. And, a tool based on a media wiki platform that makes possible to record scenarios and the language extended lexicon and implement the rules to obtain the tests.

Originality/value

The main originality of this study is the glossary which complements scenarios, the semantic support to obtain tests and the tool to automatize the approach.
Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the good management work habits scale
Authors: Kertechian Sevag K. , Karkoulian Silva , Ismail Hussein , Nassif Patricia
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Good managerial work habits are essential for creating a favorable work environment that can stimulate everyone’s performance. This papers aims to explore the psychometric properties of the good management work habits (GMWH) scale for a group of 464 Lebanese working adults.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-step approach was used. A first split-half of the sample affirmed that the GMWH scale had a factorial structure, and a factorial analysis used in the second split-half confirmed this. Jointly, the two split-half tests demonstrated the predictive and discriminant validity of the scale.

Findings

After validating the GMWH scale, this study substantiated the psychometric legitimacy of the GMWH test and confirmed its effectiveness in assessing organizational attributes.

Research limitations/implications

This study focused on Lebanese managers only and future studies should be extended to assess the GMWH scale’s validity in other countries. Moreover, the variables of organizational culture and gender were not taken into account in this study.

Practical implications

The GMWH scale can be applied to determine the negative effects of stress on performance to improve an organization’s productivity. Evaluating managers' self-perceptions of their work habits may improve relations with their subordinates and the organization as a whole.

Originality/value

The work habits of a company’s managers play a key role in organizational outcomes and have a ripple effect on all parties in the organization, from subordinates to other managers. This study proposes a validated tool for a company’s leaders to evaluate managers’ perceptions of their work habits and contributes beneficial knowledge to future research on practical ways to measure the work skills of managers.
Examining the role of marketing motives and benefits of quality award frameworks
Authors: Lasrado Flevy
Published: June 2019

Purpose

While the literature has examined various motives and benefits of quality management frameworks, it is limited with respect to marketing related motives and benefits. More specifically, previous research has not considered empirically the relationship between marketing motives and benefits of quality award models. To address this, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between perceived marketing related motives and benefits and to analyze the influence of the sources of marketing motivations that lead companies to adopt this global standard for its perceived benefits in an Arab context.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative study to examine the relationships between the proposed motives and benefits using structural equation modeling was carried out.

Findings

The findings reinforce the view of marketing motives as a dynamic construct, which has an influence on quality awards model implementations. Also, the marketing related and performance drivers to implement the quality award model have a degree of influence on the benefits that is significantly higher than external related ones.

Research limitations/implications

The main implication of this study is that marketing has a role to play in shaping an organizations “excellence” journey. It is yet another strategy to attract customers while striving for higher performance. Therefore, the motives for pursuing excellence should embed marketing related factors as well. The results will also enable aspiring organizations to refine their improvement methods, encouraging them to prioritize on their marketing motives and build on their excellence portfolios.

Originality/value

The paper proposes an empirically tested conceptual framework that examines vital issues concerning the internalization of the total quality management approach through award models, thus, providing valuable outcomes for decision-makers through business excellence frameworks.
Reviewing the “Valley of Death” between management research and management practice
Authors: De Frutos-Belizón Jesús , Martín-Alcázar Fernando , Sánchez-Gardey Gonzalo
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The knowledge generated by academics in the field of management is often criticized because of its reduced relevance for professionals. In the review of the literature, the authors distinguish between three streams of thought. The review of the literature and the understanding of the research streams that have been addressed by the academic–practitioner gap in management has allowed to clarify that what truly underlies each of these approaches is a different assumption or paradigm from which the management science focusses.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the main approaches that have analysed this topic, drawing a number of conclusions.

Findings

The knowledge generated by academics in the field of management is often criticized because of its reduced relevance for professionals. In the review of the literature, the authors distinguish between three main perspectives. The review of the literature and the understanding of the research streams that have been addressed by the academic–practitioner gap in management has allowed us to clarify that what truly underlies each of these approaches is a different assumption or paradigm from which the management science focusses. To represent the findings of the literature review in this sense, the authors will present, first, a model that serves as a framework to interpret the different solutions proposed in the literature to close the gap from a positivist paradigm. Subsequently, they question this view through a reflection that brings us closer to a more pragmatic and interpretive paradigm of management science to bridge the research–practice gap.

Originality/value

In recent studies, researchers agree that there is an important gap between management research and practice, which may bear little resemblance to each other. However, the literature on this topic does not seem to be guided by a rigorously structured discourse and, for the most part, is not based on empirical studies. Moreover, a sizeable body of literature has been developed with the objective of analysing and contributing solutions that reconcile management researchers and professionals. To offer a more systematic view of the literature on this topic, the paper classifies previous approaches into three different perspectives based on the ideas on which they are supported. Finally, the paper concludes with some reflections that could help to reorient the paradigm from which the management research is carried out.
Relationship between sustainable and responsible investing and returns: a global evidence
Authors: Bodhanwala Shernaz , Bodhanwala Ruzbeh
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine whether sustainable and responsible investing (SRI) outperforms the benchmark index investing across different time frames globally.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the systematic weighted environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings compiled by Thomson Reuters Asset4, the authors assess the stock market performance and risk of highly compliant firms portfolio in seven different countries; grouped as developed and developing nations over different time frames by adopting the Jensen’s alpha model (CAPM) and the Fama and French three-factor model.

Findings

The study finds that SRI portfolios significantly underperform their benchmark index, in case of, the developing nations, however, enjoy a significantly lower risk. This is contrary to the findings in case of developed nations, where the US SRI portfolio has significantly outperformed the benchmark index and the UK and Australia SRI portfolios have performed in line with the benchmark index. Finally, the study discusses results and implications for regulators, practitioners and investors’ who believe in the SRI investing.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides empirical support for the practitioners, policymakers and investors emphasizing that in the case of developed nations SRI investments generate a significant excess return or at the best perform in line with the broader market index. However, in the case of developing nations, very few firms are consistently rated on ESG parameters. This provides lesser options for investors in developing nations to apply the “impact first” philosophy of investment. The investor’s community and regulators need to make a serious effort in promoting firms to take up sustainability effort seriously.

Originality/value

The unique contribution of this study is that it considers a wider definition of the term “sustainability” and examines the performance of SRI investment in developed vs developing countries. This is one of the few studies at the global level, which highlights whether sustainable investing generates abnormal risk-adjusted returns for the investors.
Performance of SAC305 and SAC305-0.4La lead free electronic solders at high temperature
Authors: Aamir Muhammad , Tolouei-Rad Majid , Din Israr Ud , Giasin Khaled , Vafadar Ana
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Tin-Silver-Copper is widely accepted as the best alternative to replace Tin-Lead solders in microelectronics packaging due to their acceptable properties. However, to overcome some of the shortcomings related to its microstructure and in turn, its mechanical properties at high temperature, the addition of different elements into Tin-Silver-Copper is important for investigations. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the effect of lanthanum doping on the microstructure, microhardness and tensile properties of Tin-Silver-Copper as a function of thermal aging time for 60, 120 and 180 h at a high temperature of 150°C and at high strain rates of 25, 35 and 45/s.

Design/methodology/approach

The microstructure of un-doped and Lanthanum-doped Tin-Silver-Copper after different thermal aging time is examined using scanning electron microscopy followed by digital image analyses using ImageJ. Brinell hardness is used to find out the microhardness properties. The tensile tests are performed using the universal testing machine. All the investigations are done after the above selected thermal aging time at high temperature. The tensile tests of the thermally aged specimens are further investigated at high strain rates of 25, 35 and 45/s.

Findings

According to the microstructural examination, Tin-Silver-Copper with 0.4 Wt.% Lanthanum is found to be more sensitive at high temperature as the aging time increases which resulted in coarse microstructure due to the non-uniform distribution of intermetallic compounds. Similarly, lower values of microhardness, yield strength and ultimate tensile strength come in favours of 0.4 Wt.% Lanthanum added Tin-Silver-Copper. Furthermore, when the thermally aged tensile specimen is tested at high strains, two trends in tensile curves of both the solder alloys are noted. The trends showed that yield strength and ultimate tensile strength increase as the strain rate increase and decrease when there is an increase in thermal aging.

Originality/value

The addition of higher supplement (0.4 Wt.%) of Lanthanum into Tin-Silver-Copper showed a lower hardness value, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, ductility, toughness and fatigue in comparison to un-doped Tin-Silver-Copper at high temperature and at high strain rates. Finally, simplified material property models with minimum error are developed which will help when the actual test data are not available.
The study on reliability of Ni-coated graphene doped SAC305 lead-free composite solders under high current-density stressing
Authors: Chen Guang , Li Jiqiang , Kuang Xinwen , Wu Yaofeng , Wu Fengshun
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of nickel-plated graphene (Ni-GNS) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 96.5Sn3Ag0.5Cu (SAC305) lead-free solder joints before and after an electro-migration (EM) experiment.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, SAC305 solder alloy doped with 0.1 Wt.% Ni-GNS was prepared via the powder metallurgy method. A U-shaped sample structure was also designed and prepared to conduct an EM experiment. The EM experiment was carried out with a current density of 1.5 × 104 A/cm2. The microstructural and mechanical evolutions of both solder joints under EM stressing were comparatively studied using SEM and nanoindentation.

Findings

The experimental results showed that for the SAC305 solder, the interfacial intermetallic compounds (IMC) formulated a protrusion with an average height of 0.42 µm at the anode after 360 h of EM stressing; however, despite this, the surface of the composite solder joint was relatively smooth. During the stressing period, the interfacial IMC on the anode side of the plain SAC305 solder showed a continuous increasing trend, while the IMC at the cathode presented a decreasing trend for its thickness as the stressing time increased; after 360 h of stressing, some cracks and voids had formed on the cathode side. For the SAC305/ Ni-GNS composite solder, a continuous increase in the thickness of the interfacial IMC was found on both the anode and cathode side; the growth rate of the interfacial IMC at the anode was higher than that at the cathode. The nanoindentation results showed that the hardness of the SAC305 solder joint presented a gradient distribution after EM stressing, while the hardness data showed a relatively homogeneous distribution in the SAC305/ Ni-GNS solder joint.

Originality/value

The experimental results showed that the Ni-GNS reinforcement could effectively mitigate the EM behavior in solder joints under high current stressing. Specifically, the Ni particles that plated the graphene sheets can work as a fixing agent to suppress the diffusion and migration of Sn and Cu atoms by forming Sn-Cu-Ni IMC. In addition, the nanoidentation results also indicated that the addition of the Ni-GNS reinforcement was very helpful in maintaining the mechanical stability of the solder joint. These findings have provided a theoretical and experimental basis for the practical application of this novel composite solder with high current densities.
Hedonic pricing and the role of stud fees in the market for thoroughbred yearlings in Australia
Authors: Kim Jun Sung , Mitchell Sophie Deborah , Wang Liang Choon
Published: June 2019

Using data from one of Australia's largest thoroughbred auction houses, we investigate the price determinants of thoroughbred yearlings sold at auction. We include novel key variables to construct hedonic pricing models and examine the relative role of stud fees compared to the wide range of attributes in the pricing of yearlings. We find that the price effect of stud fees is influenced by the value buyers place on both the characteristics of sires and the characteristics of sire side siblings. The findings imply that the quality of dams a sire has been matched within the breeding market has consequential effects on yearling prices through the sire's stud fee and progeny.
Two new species of Tenthredo fortunei group (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae) from China with a key to subgroups and known species of nigricornis subgroup
Authors: Niu Gengyun , Hu Ping , Luo Xi , Wei Meicai
Published: June 2019

Two new species of the nigricornis subgroup of Tenthredo fortunei group from China are described: Tenthredo plagionotella sp. nov. and T. zhoui sp. nov. The diagnosis of Tenthredo fortunei group is briefly discussed. A key to the subgroups of the Tenthredo fortunei group and the known species of nigricornis subgroup is provided.