bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Speed dependency in α-motoneuron activity and locomotor modules in human locomotion: indirect evidence for phylogenetically conserved spinal circuits
Authors: Yokoyama Hikaru , Ogawa Tetsuya , Shinya Masahiro , Kawashima Noritaka , Nakazawa Kimitaka
Published: March 2017

Coordinated locomotor muscle activity is generated by the spinal central pattern generators (CPGs). Vertebrate studies have demonstrated the following two characteristics of the speed control mechanisms of the spinal CPGs: (i) rostral segment activation is indispensable for achieving high-speed locomotion; and (ii) specific combinations between spinal interneuronal modules and motoneuron (MN) pools are sequentially activated with increasing speed. Here, to investigate whether similar control mechanisms exist in humans, we examined spinal neural activity during varied-speed locomotion by mapping the distribution of MN activity in the spinal cord and extracting locomotor modules, which generate basic MN activation patterns. The MN activation patterns and the locomotor modules were analysed from multi-muscle electromyographic recordings. The reconstructed MN activity patterns were divided into the following three patterns depending on the speed of locomotion: slow walking, fast walking and running. During these three activation patterns, the proportion of the activity in rostral segments to that in caudal segments increased as locomotion speed increased. Additionally, the different MN activation patterns were generated by distinct combinations of locomotor modules. These results are consistent with the speed control mechanisms observed in vertebrates, suggesting phylogenetically conserved spinal mechanisms of neural control of locomotion.
Response of microbial community function to fluctuating geochemical conditions within a legacy radioactive waste trench environment
Authors: Vázquez-Campos Xabier , Kinsela Andrew S. , Bligh Mark W. , Harrison Jennifer J. , Payne Timothy E. , Waite T. David
Published: March 2017

During the 1960s, small quantities of radioactive materials were co-disposed with chemical waste at the Little Forest Legacy Site (Sydney, Australia) in three-metre-deep, unlined trenches. Chemical and microbial analyses, including functional and taxonomic information derived from shotgun metagenomics, were collected across a six-week period immediately after a prolonged rainfall event to assess how changing water levels impact upon the microbial ecology and contaminant mobility. Collectively, results demonstrated that oxygen-laden rainwater rapidly altered the redox balance in the trench water, strongly impacting microbial functioning as well as the radiochemistry. Two contaminants of concern, plutonium and americium, were shown to transition from solid-iron-associated species immediately after the initial rainwater pulse, to progressively more soluble moieties as reducing conditions were enhanced. Functional metagenomics revealed the potentially important role that the taxonomically-diverse microbial community played in this transition. In particular, aerobes dominated in the first day followed by an increase of facultative anaerobes/denitrifiers at day four. Towards the mid-end of the sampling period, the functional and taxonomic profiles depicted an anaerobic community distinguished by a higher representation of dissimilatory sulfate reduction and methanogenesis pathways. Our results have important implications to similar near-surface environmental systems in which redox cycling occurs.

Importance

The role of chemical and microbiological factors in mediating the biogeochemistry of groundwaters from trenches used to dispose of radioactive materials during the 1960s is examined in this study. Specifically, chemical and microbial analyses, including functional and taxonomic information derived from shotgun metagenomics, were collected across a six-week period immediately after a prolonged rainfall event to assess how changing water levels influence microbial ecology and contaminant mobility.

Results demonstrate that oxygen-laden rainwater rapidly altered the redox balance in the trench water, strongly impacting microbial functioning as well as the radiochemistry. Two contaminants of concern, plutonium and americium, were shown to transition from solidiron-associated species immediately after the initial rainwater pulse, to progressively more soluble moieties as reducing conditions were enhanced. Functional metagenomics revealed the important role that the taxonomically-diverse microbial community played in this transition. Our results have important implications to similar near-surface environmental systems in which redox cycling occurs.
Integrating patient and whole genome sequencing data to provide insights into the epidemiology of seasonal influenza A(H3N2) viruses
Authors: Goldstein Emily J. , Harvey William T. , Wilkie Gavin S. , Shepherd Samantha J. , MacLean Alasdair R. , Murcia Pablo R. , Gunson Rory N.
Published: March 2017

Genetic surveillance of seasonal influenza is largely focused upon sequencing of the haemagglutinin gene. Consequently, our understanding of the contribution of the remaining seven gene segments to the evolution and epidemiological dynamics of seasonal influenza is relatively limited. The increased availability of next generation sequencing technologies allows rapid and economic whole genome sequencing (WGS). Here, 150 influenza A(H3N2) positive clinical specimens with linked epidemiological data, from the 2014/15 season in Scotland, were sequenced directly using both Sanger sequencing of the HA1 region and WGS using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Sequences generated by both methods were highly consistent and WGS provided on average >90% whole genome coverage. As reported in other European countries during 2014/15, all strains belonged to genetic group 3C, with subgroup 3C.2a predominating. Inter-subgroup reassortants were identified (9%), including three 3C.3 viruses descended from a single reassortment event, which had persisted in the population. Significant phylogenetic associations with cases of severe acute respiratory illness observed herein warrant further investigation. Severe cases were also more likely to be associated with reassortant viruses (odds ratio: 4.4 (1.3-15.5)) and occur later in the season. These results suggest that increased levels of WGS, linked to clinical and epidemiological data, could improve influenza surveillance.
Transient network synchrony of the developing medial entorhinal cortex
Authors: Dawitz Julia , Hjorth J.J. Johannes , Kroon Tim , Ruiperez-Alonso Marta , Chandrasekhar Nandakumar , Hartung Henrike , Hanganu-Opatz Ileana L. , Mansvelder Huibert D. , Meredith Rhiannon M.
Published: March 2017

The medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) contains a variety of specialized spatially-tuned neurons whose properties emerge during the third postnatal week onwards in rodents. How neuronal networks underlying the spatial firing patterns are formed is largely unknown but they are hypothesized to develop from topographic modules of synchronized neurons in superficial MEC. Here, we show that developing MEC neuronal networks in the second postnatal week are synchronously active in spatially-grouped modules. Network synchrony is intrinsic to MEC and desynchronized just prior to the emergence of spatially-tuned firing properties. The MEC network is modulated but not driven by the immature hippocampus and is tightly-coupled to neighboring neocortical networks. Unlike hippocampal networks, developing modules are dominated by glutamatergic excitation rather than GABAergic inhibition. Our results demonstrate that intrinsically synchronous modules exist in immature MEC: these may play a key role in establishing and organizing circuitry necessary for spatially-tuned firing properties of MEC neurons.
DNA methylation as a marker for prenatal smoke exposure in adults
Authors: Richmond R.C. , Suderman M. , Langdon R. , Relton C.L. , Davey Smith G.
Published: March 2017

Prenatal cigarette smoke is an environmental stressor that has a profound effect on DNA methylation in the exposed offspring. We have previously shown that some of these effects persist throughout childhood and into adolescence. Of interest is whether these signals persist into adulthood.

We conducted an analysis to investigate associations between reported maternal smoking in pregnancy and DNA methylation in peripheral blood of women in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) (n=754; mean age 30 years). We observed associations at 15 CpG sites in 11 gene regions,MYO1G, FRMD4A, CYP1A1, CNTNAP2, ARL4C, AHRR, TIFAB, MDM4, AX748264, DRD1, FTO(FDR < 5%). All but two of these CpG sites have previously been identified in relation to prenatal smoke exposure in the offspring at birth and the majority showed persistent hypermethylation among the offspring of smokers.

We confirmed that most of these associations were not driven by own smoking and that they were still present 18 years later (N = 656; mean age 48 years). In addition, we replicated findings of a persistent methylation signal related to prenatal smoke exposure in peripheral blood among men in the ALSPAC cohort (N = 230; mean age 53 years). For both participant groups, there was a strong signal of association above that expected by chance at CpG sites previously associated with prenatal smoke exposure in newborns (Wilcoxon rank sum p-value < 2.2 × 10−4). Furthermore, we found that a prenatal smoking score, derived by combining methylation values at these CpG sites, could predict whether the mothers of the ALSPAC women smoked during pregnancy with an AUC 0.69 (95% 0.67, 0.73).
Home country underdevelopment and internationalization
Authors: Cuervo-Cazurra Alvaro , Ramamurti Ravi
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to use the rise of emerging-market multinationals as a vehicle to explore how a firm’s country of origin influences its internationalization.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a conceptual paper.

Findings

We argue that the home country’s institutional and economic underdevelopment can influence the internationalization of firms in two ways. First, emerging-market firms may leverage innovations made at home to cope with underdeveloped institutions or economic backwardness to gain a competitive advantage abroad, especially in other emerging markets; We call this innovation-based internationalization. Second, they may expand into countries that are more developed or have better institutions to escape weaknesses on these fronts at home; we call this escape-based internationalization.

Research limitations/implications

Comparative disadvantages influence the internationalization of the firm differently from comparative advantage, as it forces the firm to actively upgrade its firm-specific advantage and internationalize.

Practical implications

We explain two drivers of internationalization that managers operating in emerging markets can consider when facing disadvantages in their home countries and follow several strategies, namely, trickle-up innovation, self-reliant innovation, improvisation management, self-reliance management, technological escape, marketing escape, institutional escape and discriminatory escape.

Originality/value

We explain how a firm’s home country’s comparative disadvantage, not just its comparative advantage, can spur firms its internationalization.
Ascertaining the competitiveness of Thai exports to PRC
Authors: Suwannarat Pornlapas
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This study aims to fundamentally focus on the comparative advantage measurement and the trend of change in the international competitiveness of five Thai economic products exporting to the People’s Republic of China during the first half of the 2010s via the analysis of the revealed comparative advantage (RCA) index and market share.

Design/methodology/approach

The RCA index has been computed to show the comparative advantages of the product to a certain extent: whether it is cost-effective to produce that product in a certain location compared to opportunity cost of the resources in producing that product. The data set of number and value of five important export products from Thailand to China during 2010-2013 has been obtained from the Thai Ministry of Commerce and Thai-Chinese Business Information Centre.

Findings

The study reveals that of these five important economic products, cassava has the highest comparative advantage and continues to have a rapid growth trend, whilst computer equipment and components have been shown to have comparative disadvantage and the lowest comparative advantage index scores.

Research limitations/implications

Measuring with various sophisticated indices may provide clearer results. Also, according to unavailability of data set, the four-year period may not be able to show the long-term trend of competitiveness. Future studies are encouraged to study in the longer-term period with numerous indices.

Practical implications

The research also provides policy implications and measures to develop each sector to enhance competitiveness.

Originality/value

This is the original attempt to use both indices to assess the competitiveness of important Thai exports to the Chinese market.
A critical assessment of Brazilian manufacturing competitiveness in foreign markets
Authors: Cyrino Alvaro Bruno , Parente Ronaldo , Dunlap Denise , de Góes Bruno B.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine the competitiveness of firms operating in the emerging economy of Brazil. This study examines the current perception of Brazilian business leaders regarding the level of competitiveness in various sectors of industrial activity and the country’s business environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected in a joint study developed by Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration (EBAPE) and the Brazilian Institute of Economics (IBRE). The population surveyed was composed of businessmen, managers and directors of Brazilian manufacturing firms. This survey was created based on a similar survey conducted by the Harvard Business School, which was also aimed at identifying the reasons behind national loss of competitiveness.

Findings

The results of the survey point out that the worsening competitive nature of companies operating in Brazil can be primarily attributed to the deterioration of its country-specific advantages and in particular those linked to government policies, services and bureaucratic procedures, all of which bear a negative impact on the country’s business environment.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should explore in more depth the specific types of initiatives that these firms have and are continuing to eagerly adopt with the aim of improving their domestic competitiveness and, namely, firm-specific advantages, whether it be by contributing to the improvement of the business environment as a whole, or by improving their own operations and management systems.

Practical implications

The main obstacles related to competitiveness are associated with the “Brazil Cost”, namely, the tax system, infrastructure, political system, labor laws and bureaucracy that do not appear to offer much room for maneuvering in terms of reducing these barriers in the short term. Managers not addressing these important input factors of competitiveness not only divert attention away from innovation and creativity but also could lead to more serious political, social welfare and economic implications in the global marketplace.

Social implications

This study helps to gain a better understanding of the initiatives that could and are being used to contribute to a fruitful discussion about leading public policies and government actions geared toward upgrading Brazil’s business environment and country competitiveness as a whole.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the understanding of the initiatives that could and are being used to improve firm competitiveness in Brazil. These initiatives contribute to a fruitful discussion about leading public policies and government actions geared toward upgrading Brazil’s business environment and country competitiveness as a whole.
HRM and work practices in Chile: the regulatory power of organisational culture
Authors: Rodriguez Jenny K. , Stewart Paul
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the characteristics of working practices, in particular HRM practices in work settings in Chile, specifically the regulatory strength of organisational culture.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on data gathered from a non-probabilistic sample of 1299 workers in the Metropolitan Region of Chile.

Findings

Findings suggest that HRM practices sustain, while restructuring, dynamics of worker monitoring and control, consistent with historical and social patterns of relationships in Chile. These relationships are sustained via status differences and operate through the development of paternalistic relationships between managers and workers.

Originality/value

The paper provides insight into the character of human resource management in Latin America from the perspective of workers. In addition, it highlights the impact of organisational culture on regulating workplaces and shaping HRM practices that do not challenge the socio-cultural order.
Regulating wellbeing in the brave new quantified workplace
Authors: Moore Phoebe , Piwek Lukasz
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to lay out the conceptual issues arising alongside the rise of sensory technologies in workplaces designed to improve wellness and productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a text based conceptual paper. The authors’ approach is to throw light on some of the emerging issues with the introduction of wearable self-tracking technologies in workplaces.

Findings

The paper indicates that scholars will need to put ethical issues at the heart of research on sensory tracking technologies in workplaces that aim to regulate employee behaviour via wellness initiatives.

Practical implications

The study explores the legal issues around data protection and potential work intensification.

Social implications

Privacy and personal data protection, workplace discipline are discuss in this paper.

Originality/value

This is an original paper. Since there is very little scholarly research in this area, it is important to begin to consider the implications of sensory technology in workplaces linked to wellness initiatives, given the probable impact it will have on work design and appraisal systems.
Examining and challenging the intentions of work-integrated learning
Authors: Fleming Jenny , Haigh Neil J.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

While the intended outcomes of work-integrated learning (WIL) are well documented, significant challenges arise when the stakeholders have different understandings and expectations. The purpose of this paper is to examine the alignment of stakeholder views on the defining features of cooperative education as a model of WIL.

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretive case-study methodology, incorporating questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, was used to determine the views of students, workplace supervisors and university academic supervisors involved in a sport cooperative education program.

Findings

Students, workplace supervisors and academic supervisors shared a perception that the students’ development of employability skills and their acquisition of experience in industry were the primary intended outcomes. As an associated benefit, students would be work-ready. Ideally, cooperative education experiences should also provide opportunities for students to learn to integrate theory and practice, further develop their personal and professional identities, and learn to navigate the important ethical aspects of being a professional.

Practical implications

While the employability emphasis in the findings aligns well with government agendas, graduates need to be prepared for complex and dynamic workplaces, and to be future ready for careers that are yet to exist. WIL curricula need to explicitly address this expanded agenda, which in turn needs to be communicated clearly to all stakeholders.

Originality/value

This paper challenges stakeholders in WIL to move beyond a focus on preparing students for the “now” and to reconsider the learning outcomes that should be imperative for university education in the twenty-first century.
Career choice of females in the private sector: empirical evidence from the United Arab Emirates
Authors: AlDhaheri Rajwa , Jabeen Fauzia , Hussain Matloub , Abu-Rahma Ali
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of a range of factors on the decision of female Emirati students to join the private sector as a career choice.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to prioritise the factors affecting Emirati students’ choice of career. The AHP model was developed with five criteria and 19 sub-criteria based on previous literature. Data were collected through interviews of 12 female Emirati students enroled in higher educational institutions in the UAE. The respondents were selected from both public and private universities on the basis of their majors and their academic performance (GPA). The data collected were interpreted and a priority vector was assigned to each criterion and sub-criterion.

Findings

The findings show that emotional stability for engineering students and job-skills mismatch for business students are the most important factors that influence the career choice of female Emirati students in the private sector.

Research limitations/implications

Authors can develop this model in their academic pursuits, and the AHP method can be used to solve employment-related decision-making problems in the private sector. Also, the findings can help policy makers and related associations to develop various policies based on the specific factors found to empower female Emirati students in the private sector in an effective manner.

Originality/value

The low rates of employment of the native population in the private sector is a major issue in the UAE. The study is the first of its kind to propose an AHP model that prioritises the factors which influence female Emirati students to join the private sector.
Student real-time visualization system in classroom using RFID based on UTAUT model
Authors: Raja Yusof Raja Jamilah , Qazi Atika , Inayat Irum
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to monitor in-class activities and the performance of the students.

Design/methodology/approach

A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the proposed system using a questionnaire with 132 participants (teachers and non-teachers) in a presentation style to record the participant’s perception about performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), facilitating conditions (FC), usability expectancy (UE) and user’s satisfaction (S) based on unified theory of acceptance use of technology (UTAUT) model.

Findings

The results show that PE, EE, FC had positive and significant influence on the UE of the proposed system. The effect of EE and FC on UE was seen to be more in female compared to male participants. The teacher category considered the PE and EE as important factors in determining their decision to use the proposed system.

Originality/value

A real-time student(s) visualization system based on the concept of real-time student locating system using radio frequency identification technology is proposed. Concepts can be categorized within the Internet of Things in the education domain.
Examination of factors influencing students and faculty behavior towards m-learning acceptance
Authors: Bakhsh Muhammad , Mahmood Amjad , Sangi Nazir A.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Mobile learning is a unique form of learning which uses the distinct features of mobile devices. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the present state of student and faculty perception towards m-learning at open and distance educational institutes in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a conceptual model based on TAM, which explains factors influencing student and faculty perception towards m-learning acceptance. M-learning acceptance mainly depends on personal attitude, so this study focusses on individual context. Primary data from students and faculty including tutors (n=612, students =448, faculty/tutors=162) was collected through a properly designed questionnaire by using purposive convenient sampling technique during Autumn 2015 semester. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the collected data.

Findings

The results indicate that student and faculty skill readiness and self-efficacy influence perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, where these two factors along with prior experience positively influence behavioural intension (BI) to accept mobile learning. Furthermore study results specifically provide factors which positively influence BI either directly or indirectly.

Research limitations/implications

The study was limited to AIOU.

Originality/value

The study specifically provides factors which influence BI either directly or indirectly.
Professional training in organic food production: a cross-country experience
Authors: Guiné Raquel , Costa Daniela , Correia Paula , Costa Cristina , Correia Helena , Castro Moises , Guerra Luis , Seeds Catherine , Coll Collette , Radics Laszlo , Arslan Meahmet , Soylu Soner , Tothova Monika , Toth Peter , Basile Salvatore
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to characterize the agricultural activities and past experiences in professional training in the context of mobile learning in different countries (Portugal, Spain, Slovakia, Hungary, UK, Italy and Turkey).

Design/methodology/approach

For the survey, a questionnaire was prepared in English and Portuguese and then translated into the languages of the participating countries. It was delivered electronically for answering online by adults only. The participation was voluntary and in the end 133 consented valid questionnaires were obtained. For the treatment of the data, SPSS was used and basic descriptive statistics tools were applied, together with tests, namely, crosstabs and χ2 tests, considering a level of significance of 5 percent.

Findings

The results showed that the majority of the participants presently have some agricultural activity and one-third is thinking about starting one in the future. Most of the participants want to produce food organically, with significant differences among the countries studied in this paper. Most of the participants were enrolled in training activities in agriculture, especially those with higher education. This participation showed significant differences between countries as well as according to the dimension of the farms owned by the participants. A significant association was found between being a teacher in forming activities related to agriculture and being a farmer. When compared to distance learning, the training activities in classroom were the most frequent, with significant differences among the countries.

Practical implications

This study allowed characterizing the learning activities in the field of organic agriculture and established vision for planning of future training programs, in different countries, with maybe different social, educational and cultural realities.

Originality/value

Because the study included the participation of people from several countries all around Europe, the results obtained enrich the scientific area of training in organic farming, in view of distance learning vs classroom learning on a more global basis.
Estimating hierarchical constructs using consistent partial least squares
Authors: van Riel Allard C.R. , Henseler Jörg , Kemény Ildikó , Sasovova Zuzana
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Many important constructs of business and social sciences are conceptualized as composites of common factors, i.e. as second-order constructs composed of reflectively measured first-order constructs. Current approaches to model this type of second-order construct provide inconsistent estimates and lack a model test that helps assess the existence and/or usefulness of a second-order construct. The purpose of this paper is to present a novel three-stage approach to model, estimate, and test second-order constructs composed of reflectively measured first-order constructs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors compare the efficacy of the proposed three-stage approach with that of the dominant extant approaches, i.e. the repeated indicator approach, the two-stage approach, and the hybrid approach by means of simulated data whose underlying population model is known. Moreover, the authors apply the three-stage approach to a real research setting in business research.

Findings

The study based on simulated data illustrates that the three-stage approach is Fisher-consistent, whereas the dominant extant approaches are not. The study based on real data shows that the three-stage approach is meaningfully applicable in typical research settings of business research. Its results can differ substantially from those of the extant approaches.

Research limitations/implications

Analysts aiming at modeling composites of common factors should apply the proposed procedure in order to test the existence and/or usefulness of a second-order construct and to obtain consistent estimates.

Originality/value

The three-stage approach is the only consistent approach for modeling, estimating, and testing composite second-order constructs made up of reflectively measured first-order constructs.
Sustaining school improvement in a high-need school
Authors: Okilwa Nathern , Barnett Bruce
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how Robbins ES has sustained high academic performance over almost 20 years despite several changes in principals.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzed longitudinal data based on: state-level academic and demographic data; two earlier studies of the school; and recent interviews with teachers, the principal, and parent leaders.

Findings

The analyses of these longitudinal data revealed four ongoing factors were responsible for sustained academic performance: high expectations, distributed leadership, collective responsibility for student performance, and data-based decision making. However, challenges that persistently confront Robbins staff include limited resources (e.g. technology and library materials), high mobility rate, and some cases of unsupportive parents.

Originality/value

This study adds to understanding how high-need urban schools can sustain high academic performance in spite of changes in principals, shifting community demographics, and high student mobility.
Enterprise risk management: a capability-based perspective
Authors: Bogodistov Yevgen , Wohlgemuth Veit
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to enhance the existing enterprise risk-management (ERM) theory by introducing both a resource-based view and a dynamic capability perspective. These strategic management concepts might resolve several theoretical shortcomings in the field of risk management. The concept of risk-management capabilities is proposed as an explanation of a firm’s risk resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is conceptual in nature. For illustrative purposes, the paper refers to practical examples.

Findings

First, the resource-based view provides a framework that helps to set priorities in risk management. Second, the dynamic capability perspective illustrates how firms can handle unforeseen events. Third, it is proposed that dynamic capabilities are needed to allow a constant reassessment of the impact of specific resources and, consequently, of ERM priorities. Fourth, a risk-management capability, as an integral part of a dynamic capability, allows firms to develop risk resilience in turbulent environments.

Research limitations/implications

This paper develops an enhanced framework for ERM within specific boundary conditions. It shows how priorities at the strategic level are to be set, and how these priorities influence the operational level of risk management.

Practical implications

The framework provides clear guidelines on setting priorities in ERM and implementing a risk-management process within firms.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the theoretical literature on ERM by enhancing it through a new framework. The resource-based view and dynamic capability perspective benefit through insights from risk-management literature.
Asset risk and leverage under information asymmetry
Authors: Nguyen Pascal
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether higher asset risk can be associated with higher leverage and to provide a rationale for the relatively low debt ratios displayed by many firms.

Design/methodology/approach

A game is modeled between an informed firm and uninformed lenders. The firm knows the risk of its assets, while lenders only know the minimum level of risk. The author solves for the signaling equilibrium and derive explicit formulas for the firm’s cost of debt and optimal leverage.

Findings

In contrast to the tradeoff theory of capital structure, it is found that asset risk and leverage are positively (instead of negatively) related. Furthermore, leverage is lower than when lenders are informed about the firm’s risk. These results are illustrated with a numerical example.

Practical implications

Low-risk firms can choose a lower leverage to signal their lower risk and reduce their cost of debt. High-risk firms may prefer to pay higher interest rates and use higher leverage.

Originality/value

The paper is able to explain why some firms use surprisingly low leverage and do not appear to take advantage of their debt tax shields.
Institutional repository: access and use by academic staff at Egerton University, Kenya
Authors: Ratanya Felicitas Ciabere
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the access and use of the institutional repository (IR) among academic staff at Egerton University.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a description of the building and development of the IR at the Egerton university and describes expected benefits of the repository to the University and relevant stakeholders. A survey was conducted among 84 academic staff with an aim of examining their levels of awareness on the existence of the IR at the Egerton University and assess their access and use. Through a structured questionnaire both quantitative and qualitative data were collected.

Findings

The study revealed that majority of the academic staff at the Egerton University are still not aware of the existence of the IR. Staff also faced challenges in accessing and using the content available. The paper provided suggestions on how best to enhance the access and utilization of the IRs among the academic staff.

Practical implications

From a practical point of view, the paper provides implications on the access and use of IRs by the academic staff. The paper points out some challenges faced by this group of users which other academic institutions may try to solve in their respective contexts.

Originality/value

Findings and discussions provided in the paper will pave way to solving the challenges faced in access and use of IR by the academic staff at the Egerton University.
C5 model for the consortium management: SWOT analysis
Authors: Srinivasa Rao Y.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper elicits information, an excess of information and the stakeholders’ role in the use of information. The purpose of this paper is to create a “C5 model” (clients, connectivity, content, copyright and cost) for the consortium management to support and improve its academic and administrative decision-making skills and optimize returns.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used for this study was “strength, weakness, opportunity and threat” (SWOT) analysis. As a tool, it was used as one of the strategic analytical techniques to evaluate various aspects of consortium management. The purpose of choosing this method was to derive a set of strategies for comparing the internal (strengths/weaknesses) and external (opportunities/threats) forces of the “C5 model” of consortium management.

Findings

From the SWOT analysis of the “C5 model,” it was observed that four combinations, maxi-maxi (strengths/opportunities (SO), mini-maxi (weaknesses/opportunities (WO), maxi-mini (strengths/threats (ST)) and mini-mini (weaknesses/threats (WT)), were drawn to derive a set of strategies to benefit the consortium management. The SO strategies such as building a client-centric resource management system, centralized gateway, collaborative acquisition model, common copyright communication and clearance center and cost-benefit analysis were built on the basis of the strengths and opportunities identified. Likewise, the WO strategies such as organizational planning, equality in ICT infrastructure facilities, quality content, public disclosure of copyright obligations and effective economic models were drawn to minimize the weaknesses of each component by taking advantage of the identified opportunities. The ST strategies were worked out using strengths of the model to possibly mitigate its threats. Similarly, the WT strategies were created to minimize the weaknesses and avoid the threats as much as possible. However, these strategies would not only help consortium management in the decision-making process, but also optimize returns and improve the intellectual outcome of organizations.

Originality/value

Not many research studies have been developed regarding the SWOT analysis of the “C5 model” for consortium management. This study attempts to benefit a large community of library and information science professionals, consortia and their clients.
Academic library innovation through 3D printing services
Authors: Letnikova Galina , Xu Na
Published: March 2017

Purpose

One of the most innovative library services recently introduced by public and academic libraries, the technology of 3D printing, has the potential to be used in multiple educational settings. The purpose of this paper is to examine how this novel library digital service motivates students’ learning, and to investigate managerial issues related to the introduction of 3D printing services at a medium-size urban community college library with restricted funding.

Design/methodology/approach

Since Fall 2014, the LaGuardia Library Media Resources Center has been offering a portable consumer-end 3D printer for classroom use. This paper provides historical context for the implementation of 3D printing as a service offered by librarians and discusses how the community college library managed 3D printing services to support class curriculum. At the end of the three-semester-long project students were asked to volunteer to take a survey conducted by the librarian and the class instructor.

Findings

The results of the student survey demonstrated that library 3D printing services significantly promoted students’ motivation to learn. The conceptual model of a makerspace should be an essential part of the twenty-first century academic library. To help make that possible this paper examines certain challenges and limitations faced by librarians when introducing 3D printing, including dedicated space management, professional education, and personnel availability.

Originality/value

During the project described students were able to use library services to print out and study complex engineering and biology models in 3D. The proper planning and management of this innovative service allows academic librarians to enhance class curriculum by providing the means of transforming theory into physical reality.
Efficacy comparison of adjuvants in PcrV vaccine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia
Authors: Hamaoka Saeko , Naito Yoshifumi , Katoh Hideya , Shimizu Masaru , Kinoshita Mao , Akiyama Koichi , Kainuma Atsushi , Moriyama Kiyoshi , Ishii Ken J. , Sawa Teiji
Published: March 2017

Vaccination against the type III secretion system of P. aeruginosa is a potential prophylactic strategy for reducing the incidence and improving the poor prognosis of P. aeruginosa pneumonia. In this study, the efficacies of three different adjuvants, Freund's adjuvant (FA), aluminum hydroxide (alum) and CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN), were examined from the viewpoint of inducing PcrV‐specific immunity against virulent P. aeruginosa. Mice that had been immunized intraperitoneally with recombinant PcrV formulated with one of the above adjuvants were challenged intratracheally with a lethal dose of P. aeruginosa. The PcrV–FA immunized group attained a survival rate of 91%, whereas the survival rates of the PcrV–alum and PcrV–CpG groups were 73% and 64%, respectively. In terms of hypothermia recovery after bacterial instillation, PcrV–alum was the most protective, followed by PcrV–FA and PcrV–CpG. The lung edema index was lower in the PcrV–CpG vaccination group than in the other groups. PcrV–alum immunization was associated with the greatest decrease in myeloperoxidase in infected lungs, and also decreased the number of lung bacteria to a similar number as in the PcrV–FA group. There was less neutrophil recruitment in the lungs of mice vaccinated with PcrV–alum or PcrV–CpG than in those of mice vaccinated with PcrV–FA or PcrV alone. Overall, in terms of mouse survival the PcrV–CpG vaccine, which could be a relatively safe next‐generation vaccine, showed a comparable effect to the PcrV–alum vaccine.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities reforms 2014: SENCos’ perspectives of the first six months
Authors: Curran Helen , Mortimore Tilly , Riddell Richard
Published: March 2017

The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms have been reported as the most significant reforms of their kind for over 30 years. Through the Children and Families Act 2014 the Government is seeking to effect cultural change regarding SEND. The SENCo is responsible for the operational and strategic aspects related to SEND provision within the school and as such could be considered a key implementer of the reforms. This article forms part of a PhD research project which is developing research within the area of SEND policy reform, through exploring and analysing the in‐depth experience of the SENCo as a policy implementer during the first academic year post‐reform. This article discusses the emerging themes from one of the wider data sets which sought to gather the views of SENCos six months after the introduction of SEND reforms and the SEND Code of Practice.
Religion and Fertility in East Asia: Evidence from the East Asian Social Survey
Authors: Bessey Donata
Published: March 2017

This article analyses the effect of religious affiliation on fertility in Japan, Korea and the Republic of China (Taiwan). It adds to the sparse empirical evidence on the effects of religious affiliation on fertility in East Asia, for both Christian and other religions. It uses an identity‐economic model and analyses prescriptions among the different religions to derive testable hypotheses. In the empirical section, the East Asian Social Survey and a generalized Poisson model are used to estimate the effects of different religions on fertility. In line with theoretical predictions, the empirical results suggest that a positive effect of Catholicism on fertility is still present in East Asia. In line with the sparse previous empirical evidence on Buddhism, it seems to have no effect on fertility.
An Environmental Kuznets Curve for N2O emissions in Germany: an ARDL approach
Authors: Zambrano‐Monserrate Manuel A. , Fernandez Mario Andres
Published: March 2017

This paper analyses the relationship between nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, economic growth, agricultural land used and exports in Germany. We use time‐series data between 1970 and 2012 and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) methodology to test for cointegration in the long run. Results show that there is a quadratic long run relationship between N2O emissions and economic growth, confirming the existence of an Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) for Germany. Agricultural land area affects N2O emissions positively, whereas exports affect emissions negatively. The turning point is $27,880, which is within the sample and implies that Germany is in the decreasing part of the curve of environmental degradation. The paper shows that, contrary to testing the EKC in less developed countries, mitigation of N2O emissions does not negatively affect growth in Germany. As such, it is feasible to undertake any conservative policy in order to reduce emissions without major consequences on economic sectors.
Forensic Facial Reconstruction: Relationship Between the Alar Cartilage and Piriform Aperture
Authors: Strapasson Raíssa Ananda Paim , Herrera Lara Maria , Melani Rodolfo Francisco Haltenhoff
Published: March 2017

During forensic facial reconstruction, facial features may be predicted based on the parameters of the skull. This study evaluated the relationships between alar cartilage and piriform aperture and nose morphology and facial typology. Ninety‐six cone beam computed tomography images of Brazilian subjects (49 males and 47 females) were used in this study. OsiriX software was used to perform the following measurements: nasal width, distance between alar base insertion points, lower width of the piriform aperture, and upper width of the piriform aperture. Nasal width was associated with the lower width of the piriform aperture, sex, skeletal vertical pattern of the face, and age. The current study contributes to the improvement of forensic facial guides by identifying the relationships between the alar cartilages and characteristics of the biological profile of members of a population that has been little studied thus far.
Patient satisfaction with procedural sedation in the emergency department
Authors: Johnson Olivia G , Taylor David McD , Lee Marina , Ding Juen‐Li , Ashok Aadith , Johnson Damian , Peck Daniel , Knott Jonathan , Weinberg Laurence
Published: March 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine patient satisfaction with procedural sedation as a function of nature of the procedure and depth of sedation.

Method

We undertook a prospective observational study of adult patients who received procedural sedation in two EDs (20 month period). The level of sedation was determined by an investigator, using the Observers Assessment of Anaesthesia/Sedation Scale (1 = awake to 6 = no response to noxious stimuli). Patient satisfaction was measured with the Iowa Satisfaction with Anaesthesia Scale after full recovery. This was self‐administered, comprised 11 items (e.g. ‘I felt pain’) and has a score range of −3 (poor satisfaction) to +3 (very satisfied).

Results

A total of 163 patients were enrolled (51.2% men, mean age 50.7 years). The median (interquartile range) satisfaction score was 2.7 (0.7). Patient satisfaction was lower among patients who had orthopaedic procedures (median 2.6 vs 2.8, P < 0.01) and among patients who had a pre‐sedation opioid (2.6 vs 2.8, P = 0.03). Satisfaction was positively correlated with deeper sedation (Spearman's correlation coefficient 0.49, P < 0.001). Satisfaction also differed significantly between the four most common sedation regimens (P < 0.001). It was greatest among those who were administered propofol with or without fentanyl and least among those who were administered nitrous oxide with or without opioid. Patients sedated with propofol with or without fentanyl had the greatest depths of sedation. There was no difference in satisfaction among patients who were and were not sedated by a consultant (median 2.6 and 2.7, respectively, P = 0.84).

Conclusion

Generally, the level of patient satisfaction is high. Greater satisfaction is associated with deeper sedation, sedation with propofol and non‐orthopaedic procedures.