bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The mitochondrial DNA content can not predict the embryo viability
Authors: Yong Qiu M.S. , Songchang Chen M.S. , Dayang Chen , Ping Liu M.S. , Jun Xia M.S. , Lin Yang B.S. , Zhe Song M.S. , Qianyu Shi M.S. , Lin Xie M.S. , Zhu Zhu M.S. , Ye Du , Jiang Hui , Wang Jian , Yang Huanming , Xu Chenming , Chen Fang
Published: October 2018

Objective

To investigate whether the mitochondrial DNA content could predict the embryo viability

Design

Retrospective analysis.

Setting

Reproductive genetics laboratory

Patient(s)

A total of 421 biopsied samples obtained from 129 patients

Intervention(s)

Embryo biopsies samples underwent whole genome amplification (WGA) and were tested by next generation sequencing (NGS) and array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH), 30 samples were selected randomly to undergo quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Those embryos which obtained the consistent chromosome status determined both aCGH and NGS platform were further classified. We investigated the relationship of mtDNA content with several factors including female patient age, embryo morphology, chromosome status, and live birth rate of both blastocysts and blastomeres.

Result(s)

A total of 386 (110 blastomeres and 276 blastocysts) out of 399 embryos showed consistent chromosome status outcome. We found no statistically difference was observed in aneuploid and euploid blastocysts (p=0.14), the same phenomenon was observed in aneuploid and euploid blastomeres (p=0.89). Similarly, the mtDNA content was independent of female patient age, embryo morphology and live birth rate.

Conclusion(s)

The mtDNA content did not provide a reliable prediction of the viability of blastocysts to initiate a pregnancy.
Identifying and classifying shared selective sweeps from multilocus data
Authors: Harris Alexandre M. , DeGiorgio Michael
Published: October 2018

Positive selection causes beneficial alleles to rise to high frequency, resulting in a selective sweep of the diversity surrounding the selected sites. Accordingly, the signature of a selective sweep in an ancestral population may still remain in its descendants. Identifying signatures of selection in the ancestor that are shared among its descendants is important to contextualize the timing of a sweep, but few methods exist for this purpose. We introduce the statistic SS-H12, which can identify genomic regions under shared positive selection across populations and is based on the theory of the expected haplotype homozygosity statistic H12, which detects recent hard and soft sweeps from the presence of high-frequency haplotypes. SS-H12, is distinct from other statistics that detect shared sweeps because it requires a minimum of only two populations, and properly identifies and differentiates between independent convergent sweeps and true ancestral sweeps, with high power and robustness to a variety of demographic models. Furthermore, we can apply SS-H12 in conjunction with the ratio of a different set of expected haplotype homozygosity statistics to further classify identified shared sweeps as hard or soft. Finally, we identified both previously-reported and novel shared sweep candidates from whole-genome sequences of global human populations. Previously-reported candidates include the well-characterized ancestral sweeps atLCTandSLC24A5in Indo-European populations, as well asGPHNworldwide. Novel candidates include an ancestral sweep atRGS18in sub-Saharan African populations involved in regulating the platelet response and implicated in sudden cardiac death, and a convergent sweep atC2CD5between European and East Asian populations that may explain their different insulin responses.Introduction
A Mixed-Model Approach for Powerful Testing of Genetic Associations with Cancer Risk Incorporating Tumor Characteristics
Authors: Zhang Haoyu , Zhao Ni , Ahearn Thomas U. , Wheeler William , García-Closas Montserrat , Chatterjee Nilanjan
Published: October 2018

Abstract

Cancers are routinely classified into subtypes according to various features, including histopathological characteristics and molecular markers. Previous genome-wide association studies have reported heterogeneous associations between loci and cancer subtypes. However, it is not evident what is the optimal modeling strategy for handling correlated tumor features, missing data, and increased degrees-of-freedom in the underlying tests of associations. We propose to test for genetic associations using a mixed-effect two-stage polytomous model score test (MTOP). In the first stage, a standard polytomous model is used to specify all possible sub-types defined by the cross-classification of the tumor characteristics. In the second stage, the subtype-specific case-control odds ratios are specified using a more parsimonious model based on the case-control odds ratio for a baseline subtype, and the case-case parameters associated with tumor markers. Further, to reduce the degrees-of-freedom, we specify case-case parameters for additional exploratory markers using a random-effect model. We use the Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm to account for missing data on tumor markers. Through simulations across a range of realistic scenarios and data from the Polish Breast Cancer Study (PBCS), we show MTOP outperforms alternative methods for identifying heterogeneous associations between risk loci and tumor subtypes. The proposed methods have been implemented in a user-friendly and high-speed R statistical package called TOP (https://github.com/andrewhaoyu/TOP).
A small proportion of Talin molecules transmit forces to achieve muscle attachment in vivo
Authors: Lemke Sandra B. , Weidemann Thomas , Cost Anna-Lena , Grashoff Carsten , Schnorrer Frank
Published: October 2018

Cells in a developing organism are subjected to particular mechanical forces, which shape tissues and instruct cell fate decisions. How these forces are sensed and transmitted at the molecular level is thus an important question, which has mainly been investigated in cultured cells in vitro. Here, we elucidate how mechanical forces are transmitted in an intact organism. We studied Drosophila muscle attachment sites, which experience high mechanical forces during development and require integrin-mediated adhesion for stable attachment to tendons. Hence, we quantified molecular forces across the essential integrin-binding protein Talin, which links integrin to the actin cytoskeleton. Generating flies expressing three FRET-based Talin tension sensors reporting different force levels between 1 and 11 pN enabled us to quantify physiologically-relevant, molecular forces. By measuring primary Drosophila muscle cells, we demonstrate that Drosophila Talin experiences mechanical forces in cell culture that are similar to those previously reported for Talin in mammalian cell lines. However, in vivo force measurements at developing flight muscle attachment sites revealed that average forces across Talin are comparatively low and decrease even further while attachments mature and tissue-level tension increases. Concomitantly, Talin concentration at attachment sites increases five-fold as quantified by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, suggesting that only few Talin molecules are mechanically engaged at any given time. We therefore propose that high tissue forces are shared amongst a large excess of adhesion molecules of which less than 15% are experiencing detectable forces at the same time. Our findings define an important new concept of how cells can adapt to changes in tissue mechanics to prevent mechanical failure in vivo.
Comparable genomic copy number aberrations differ across astrocytoma malignancy grades
Authors: Pećina-Šlaus Nives , Kafka Anja , Gotovac Kristina , Logara Monika , Bukovac Anja , Bakarić Robert , Borovečki Fran
Published: October 2018

Malignancy grades of astrocytomas were analyzed for copy number aberrations by aCGH. Altogether 1438 CNA were found of which losses prevailed. We searched for regions that are more likely to drive cancer pathogenesis with Bioconductor package and Genomic Identification of Significant Targets in Cancer. On our total sample significant deletions affected 14 chromosomal regions, out of which deletions at 17p13.2, 9p21.3, 13q12.11, 22q12.3 remained significant even at 0.05 q-value. When divided to malignancy groups, the regions identified as significantly deleted in high grades were: 9p21.3; 17p13.2; 10q24.2; 14q21.3; 1p36.11 and 13q12.11, while amplified were: 3q28; 12q13.3 and 21q22.3. Low grades comprised significant deletions at 3p14.3; 11p15.4; 15q15.1; 16q22.1; 20q11.22 and 22q12.3 indicating their involvement in early stages of tumorigenesis. Significantly enriched pathways brought by DAVID software were PI3K-Akt, Cytokine-cytokine receptor, NODlike receptor, Jak-STAT, RIG-II-like receptor and Toll-like receptor pathways. HPV and herpex simplex infection and inflammation pathways were also represented. Present study brings new data to astrocytoma research amplifying the wide spectrum of changes which could help us identify the regions critical for tumorigenesis.
Visualization of tetrahedral disordering in amorphous germanium through local atomic motifs
Authors: Rahemtulla Aly , Tomberli Bruno , Kycia Stefan
Published: October 2018

The atomic arrangements in amorphous solids, unlike those in crystalline materials, remain elusive. The details of atom ordering are under debate even in simplistic random network models. This work presents further advancements in the local atomic motif (LAM) method, first through the introduction of an optimized alignment procedure providing a clearer image of the angular ordering of atoms in a model. Secondly, by applying stereographic projections with LAMs, the angular ordering within coordination shells can be quantified and investigated. To showcase the new capabilities, the LAM method is applied to amorphous germanium, the archetype of covalent amorphous systems. The method is shown to dissect structural details of amorphous germanium (a-Ge) from the continuous random network (CRN) model and a reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) refined model fitted to high-resolution X-ray scattering measurements. The LAMs reveal well defined dihedral ordering in the second shell. The degree of dihedral ordering is observed to be coupled to bond length distances in the CRN model. This coupling is clearly not present within the RMC refined model. The LAMs reveal inclusions of third-shell atoms occupying interstitial positions in the second shell in both models.
Zirconia-supported 11-molybdovanadophosphoric acid catalysts: effect of the preparation method on their catalytic activity and selectivity
Authors: Bakkali Bouchra El , Trautwein Guido , Alcañiz-Monge Juan , Reinoso Santiago
Published: October 2018

The oxidation of adamantane with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by zirconia-supported 11-molybdovanadophosphoric acid is shown to be a suitable green route for the synthesis of adamantanol and adamantanone. This work evaluates how the catalyst activity and selectivity are affected by some of its preparative parameters, such as the method for supporting the catalytically active heteropoly acid over the zirconia matrix or the pretreatments applied to the resulting materials before being used as heterogeneous catalysts. Our results indicate that the most effective catalysts able to maintain their activity after several reaction runs are those prepared by following the sol-gel route, whereas the most selective catalysts are those obtained by impregnation methods. Moreover, the calcination temperature has also been identified as a relevant parameter influencing the performance of catalysts based on supported heteropoly acids. The increasing catalytic activity observed over several consecutive reaction runs has been attributed to the formation of peroxo derivatives of polyoxometalate clusters at the surface of the catalyst and their accumulation after each reaction cycle.
Solid-state structure and antimicrobial and cytotoxicity studies of a cucurbit[6]uril-like Cu6
L
4 constructed from 3,5-bis[(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl]-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine
Authors: Vasylevskyi Serhii , Holzheu Anja , Fromm Katharina M.
Published: October 2018

3,5-Bis[(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl]-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine (H2
L) associates under deprotonation with CuSO4 in aqueous medium to form a new waisted barrel-shaped M
6
L
4 cluster, namely hexaaquatetrakis{μ4-3,5-bis[(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)methyl]-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine}-μ4-sulfato-hexacopper(II) sulfate hydrate, [Cu6(SO4)(C6H6N12)4(H2O)6]SO4·nH2O (n = ∼23) (1). Cluster 1 resembles concave cucurbit[6]uril and has one disordered sulfate anion trapped inside the cage, which additionally stabilizes the Cu6 unit. The CuII ions have either a square-pyramidal or a distorted octahedral geometry. The equatorial positions are filled by N atoms from the L
2− ligand, while the axial positions are occupied by coordinated water molecules and O atoms of the sulfate counter-ion. In the solid state, the Cu6 clusters are connected through a large number of hydrogen bonds formed by uncoordinated water molecules and an additional sulfate anion. The compound shows good antimicrobial activity against E. coli tested with the Kirby Bauer approach. In addition, the cell viability towards HeLa and L-929 cells was studied.
The mathematical model of UAV vertical take-off and landing
Authors: Chodnicki Marcin , Mazur Michal , Nowakowski Miroslaw , Kowaleczko Grzegorz
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present a mathematical model of the dynamics of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). It will be used to develop control laws to a multirotor that is inherently unstable. Also, the model will be used to design algorithms to estimate the attitude of an object.

Design/methodology/approach

The physical model of UAV assumes that it is a rigid body with six degrees of freedom acted by forces generated by the propellers, motors, aerodynamic forces, gravity and disturbance forces. The mathematical model was described by differential equations. However, drive system (propeller, BLDC motor and BLDC motor controller) was described by six transfer functions. These transfer functions were demarcated with Matlab/Simulink identification toolbox from data received from a specially designed laboratory stand. Moments of inertia of the platform have been analytically determined and compared with empirical results from the pendulum. The mathematical model was implemented in Matlab/Simulink.

Findings

The paper confirms the need of designing mathematical models. Moreover, mathematical models show that some parts of the object are better to be replaced by experimental results than by equations, which is proved by the data. The paper also shows advantages of using Matlab/Simulink. What is more the simulation of the model proves that multirotor is an unstable object.

Research limitations/implications

The test results show that drive units are strongly dependent on ambient conditions. An additional problem is the different response of the drive set to increasing and decreasing the control signal amplitude. Next tests will be done at different temperatures and air densities of the environment, also it is need to explore drag forces.

Practical implications

The mathematical model is a simplification of the physical model expressed by means of equations. The results of simulation like accelerations and angular rate are noise-free. However, available sensors always have their errors and noise. To design control loops and attitude estimation algorithms, there is a need for identification of sensors’ errors and noise. These parameters have to be measured.

Originality/value

The paper describes a solution of correct identification of drive unit, which is a main component of the UAV.
Topology optimization in electromagnetism using SIMP method
Authors: Sanogo Satafa , Messine Frédéric
Published: October 2018

Purpose

In this work, the authors deal with topology optimization in electromagnetism using solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) method associated with a gradient-based algorithm. The purpose of this study is to propose and investigate the impact of new generalized material interpolation scheme (MIS) used in SIMP approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

The variable domains of this kind of electromagnetism design problem are decomposed into small squares which represent a material point (iron here) or void. A least square function where the magnetic ﬁeld in a target zone has to be as close as possible to a ﬁxed one is minimized. Then the binary optimization problem is relaxed to a continuous one. By using the adjoint variable method, the gradient is provided. By penalizing the objective function using MIS, gradient-based algorithms can then be directly applied to provide eﬃcient solutions close to the binary ones.

Findings

In this work, new general MISs are proposed. It is shown on numerous numerical instances that the so-obtained design solutions are more precise to define the zones with or without materials.

Research limitations/implications

Only the linearity of the materials is addressed because the associated adjoint method needs this assumption. However, the new penalization approaches are not dependent directly on this assumption.

Originality/value

The new MISs are efficiently applied to design of a hall effect thruster (HET) magnetic circuits. Furthermore, these schemes are generic and can then be applied to other topology optimization applications in electromagnetism as well as and in mechanism.
Supply chain cooperation as a green supply chain management implementation strategy to achieve competitive advantages in natural disaster prone regions
Authors: Montshiwa Abednico Lopang
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to present a competitive advantages framework suited for disaster prone regions in the era of climate change, present supply chain cooperation (SCC) as an integral part of GrSCM within the automobile industry and evaluate the competitive advantages framework merits based on SCC as a new implementation tool.

Design/methodology/approach

In an effort to address limited green supply chain management implementation strategies in disaster prone regions, the paper presents SCC as an economic, social and political implementation tool. To explore this; the study introduces SCC in a three-phase competitive advantages model adopted from the Barney 1995 model (with slight differences). Smart PLS 3.0 software package was adopted to carry out multi-variable data analysis. The study’s assumption is a capital economic system and bases its argument of analysis on stockholder theoretical lenses.

Findings

Big company size does not significantly affect SCC, suggesting that companies of all size can organize and enhance their network to be cooperative. Companies with cooperative supply chain network tend to have competitive advantages. SCC is also a viable way to manage business risks, be there internal or external.

Research limitations/implications

One of the study’s limitation is the stockholder theory it adopts, which shoulders its assumptions on a capital economic model of operation. Indeed, the study covered China, which is seen to be a communist-based economy. Another study’s limitation is that it narrows its data collection to disaster prone areas as documented by Guha-Sapir et al. (2012). Consequently, the findings of this study might be only applicable to areas that experience significant level of disruptions usually caused by disaster incidents.

Originality/value

The study is also the first of its kind to propose a model for automobile manufacturing in disaster prone regions. This is done by introducing SCC as an economic, social and political factor, while risk ranking is introduced as an environmental factor to constitute the external changes that Barney 1995 introduced.
"“La Vida de los Emigrantes”
Authors: McGinnis Theresa Ann
Published: October 2018

Purpose

In September 2014, 1,200 unaccompanied immigrant youth, from a region of Central America known for high rates of violence and homicide, enrolled in a suburban school district of New York State. This paper aims to highlight the stories of the newly arrived Central American high school youth, as told through Bilingual (Spanish/English) digital testimonios completed in the English Language Arts classroom. The author examines how the telling of their stories of surviving migration offers a way for the youth to respond to political and emotional struggles. The author also explores how the youth become active participants in the telling of political narratives/testimonios.

Design/methodology/approach

Part of a larger ethnographic case study, the author adopts the ethnographic approaches of the new literacy studies. Testimonios as a research epistemology privilege the youth’s narratives as sources of knowledge, and allow the youth to reclaim their authority in telling their own stories.

Findings

The integration of critical digital texts into the English Language Arts classroom created a participatory classroom culture where the Central American youth’s digital testimonios can be seen as a shared history of struggles that make visible the physical toil of their journeys, the truth of their border crossings and their enactments of political identities. As a collective, the youth’s stories become part of national and global political dialogues.

Originality/value

At a time when immigrant youth struggle for rights, to further their education and to negotiate the daily experiences of living in a new country, this research offers a unique perspective on the politics of inclusion and exclusion for unaccompanied youth.
The restauranteurship of Hong Kong’s premium Japanese restaurant market
Authors: Baldwin Watson
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Hong Kong has a global reputation as an entrepreneurial hub. The Japanese restaurant community has grown and evolved over the last three decades into what many consider as a natural secondary market for Japanese food. As such, several Japanese restaurateurs have come to Hong Kong to enter Hong Kong’s premium Japanese restaurant market. The purpose of this paper is to explore this market of Japanese restaurateurship in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

One of the closest methodologies within the topic and discipline from Baldwin (2017) focuses on Japaneseness as a measurement of culinary authenticity examining Hong Kong’s Michelin rated restaurants. Here, the qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews with the chefs of two sets of premium Japanese restaurants from Japan that expanded in Hong Kong, Sushi Iwa and Sushi Yoshitake. As this paper focuses on the premium and high-end market of Japanese chefs and restaurateurs in Hong Kong, the researcher combined the approaches of Kawahara & Speece and Baldwin to pursue a qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews.

Findings

For this research, the interview process had to be divided into two stages. The first was to speak with long standing members of Hong Kong’s Japanese restaurant community. The common thread amongst the restaurateurs was that they were either the sole proprietor or a partner who was financially vested within the company not a form of sweat equity. To respect the privacy of the interviews, questions about exact monetary amounts, number of shares and equity or anything regarding holdings were not asked. The idea was to only examine their responses within the criteria of the research objectives.

Research limitations/implications

As the Michelin and premium market of Japanese cuisine is so small, this research can only represent a certain part of the market. Future research could examine other Japanese restaurateurs outside of this market that could be examined to gain a wider perspective of the entrepreneurial strategies they used to start-up their business in Hong Kong.

Originality/value

As research in this area is very limited, this paper helps bring restaurateurship in Hong Kong into the academic front. Restaurants are one of the most common entry points for new entrepreneurs in hospitality. This paper may help shed some light on how foreign investment entrepreneurship has been achieved in Asia.
The dual effects of task conflict on team creativity
Authors: Lee Eun Kyung , Avgar Ariel C. , Park Won-Woo , Choi Daejeong
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the dual effects of task conflict on team creativity and the role of team-focused transformational leadership (TFL) as a key contingency in the task conflict–team creativity relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 325 teams across ten large companies in South Korea. The study tested the hypothesized moderated mediation model using an SPSS macro (PROCESS, Hayes, 2008).

Findings

Results showed that task conflict is directly and positively related to team creativity and is negatively and indirectly related to team creativity via relationship conflict. Furthermore, the study found that team-focused TFL moderates all paths through which task conflict affects team creativity. Specifically, team-focused TFL enhances the positive direct effect of task conflict and alleviates the negative indirect effects of task conflict on team creativity.

Research limitations/implications

Although this study could not test the causal chains of the proposed relationships owing to a cross-sectional nature of data, the present research provides theoretical implications for the conflict, leadership and team creativity literatures. The study highlights the role of transformational leadership in the process through which team conflict is managed so as to increase team creativity.

Practical implications

To capitalize on the creativity-related benefits associated with task conflict, managers will need to pay attention to the role they can play and their leadership that emphasizes collective goals and identity. Managers and team leaders are also expected to intervene in conflict situations to minimize the harmful effect of task conflict that may take place owing to the association between task conflict and relationship conflict.

Social implications

The findings will have implications for any social contexts where people work together toward common goals. In such contexts, the study emphasizes the role of leadership in teams to use the creative potential associated with different opinions and values regarding what and how work to be completed.

Originality/value

The study’s examination of the dual paths through which task conflict affects team creativity brings insights into why the impact of task conflict on team creativity has been inconsistent or unclear in past research. This paper also articulates a leader’s role in teams in relation to managing team conflict to increase team creativity.
Women-owned businesses and household welfare
Authors: Seshie-Nasser Hellen Adzo , Oduro Abena Daagye
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Contrary to the gender gap in favour of men in entrepreneurial activity elsewhere, in Ghana more women own businesses. This paper aims to examine the correlates between women’s business ownership and household welfare in Ghana and the socio-economic factors that affect business size.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a nationally representative survey data and ordinary least squares and IV regression methods.

Findings

The findings reveal that more businesses are owned by women and their business ownership is associated with improved welfare for the household, yet still there exists size gap in favour of men. The implication is that potentials exist for poverty reduction and economic growth if policy invests in the size of women businesses. Also, while unpaid work limits entrepreneurial activity for women, older children help to reduce the time constraint.

Originality/value

The study uses individual-level business ownership data on a developing country (Ghana) to examine the link between women entrepreneurship and household welfare. This is new in the literature, when individual level data is readily not available in developing countries.
Novel approaches to vaccine development in lower-middle income countries
Authors: Siagian Ria Christine , Osorio Jorge Emilio
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify, analyze and describe the novel approaches that affect vaccine development in lower-middle income countries (LMICs).

Design/methodology/approach

The vaccine market in LMICs currently focuses on traditional Expanded Program for Immunization vaccines instead of new ones. Unlike the successful introduction of those traditional vaccines, the introduction of new vaccines appears to be very slow, mainly due to financial issues. This paper systematically reviews a set of published papers on vaccine development and analyzes them against a specific region-setting framework.

Findings

Public–private partnership alone could not ensure long-term vaccine sustainability. Several factors that encourage domestic vaccine development were identified. The findings demonstrate that the regulatory approach of hybrid collaboration and market opportunity strategies can be a major breakthrough for domestic vaccine development in LMICs.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is required to include qualitative and quantitative methods for policy analysis, as all of the discussion in this research focused on literature reviews. The authors did not discuss how strategic decisions are affected from a political perspective and this needs to be specified in future research. Think tanks, considerably and fundamentally, affect policy ideas and decisions. However, important breakthroughs continue to be made at the same time.

Social implications

The development of vaccines in LMICs is expected to be a mechanism to overcome the inadequate access to vaccines in those countries, as solving this problem requires tackling issues from both the supply and demand sides.

Originality/value

This is a literature review that creates recommendation and approaches for domestic vaccine development in LMICs. This review aims to encourage LMICs to produce their own vaccines for sustainability of the vaccine access through vaccine development lifecycle, instead of expecting donor that provides funding and vaccines (vaccine access) in certain period of time. Donor is not always the solution for the problem, since vaccine development requires finance to function infrastructure. There are many efforts in revoking this, including World Health Organization through several reports; however, this effort still has many doubts. Therefore, the article would like to try to see this as a viable solution from the policy perspectives, with several examples to make recommendations more practical.
Individual goals and social preferences in operational decisions
Authors: Hofstra Nienke , Dullaert Wout , De Leeuw Sander , Spiliotopoulou Eirini
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop propositions explaining the influence of individual goals and social preferences on human decision making in transport planning. The aim is to understand which individual goals and social preferences planners pursue and how these influence planners’ decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Propositions are developed based on investigation of decision making of transport planners in a Dutch logistics service provider using multiple data collection methods.

Findings

The study shows how decision making of transport planners is motivated by individual goals as well as social preferences for reciprocity and group identity.

Research limitations/implications

Further research including transaction data analysis is needed to triangulate findings and to strengthen conclusions. Propositions are developed to be tested in future research.

Practical implications

Results suggest that efforts to guide planners in their decision making should go beyond traditional (monetary) incentives and consider their individual goals and social preferences. Moreover, this study provides insight into why transport planners deviate from desired behaviour.

Originality/value

While individual decision making plays an essential role in operational planning, the factors influencing how individuals make operational planning decisions are not fully understood.
Does visual perceptual testing correlate with caregiver and teacher reported functional visual skill difficulties in school-aged children?
Authors: Sullivan Charlotte , Lynch Helen , Kirby Amanda
Published: October 2018

Purpose

As occupational therapists embrace evidence-informed and occupation-centred practice, the use of standardised visual perceptual tests remains a strong feature of typical paediatric practice. Yet, the research evidence for the use of such tools is inconclusive at best. This study compared the results of the Test of Visual Perceptual Skills (TVPS) with a checklist of reported functional difficulties in 30 children attending occupational therapy. The purpose of this paper was to determine the usefulness of visual perceptual testing in relation to occupation-centred practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive correlational study design was used. Participants were 30 primary school-age children who were on a paediatric occupational therapy caseload. An additional 30 typically developing children participated in the development of the checklist.

Findings

Correlations were found between reported functional visual skill difficulties and two subtests of the TVPS (visual memory and visual discrimination). No correlation was found between the reported functional difficulties and any of the other five subtests of the TVPS or the total score.

Originality/value

Results highlight the weak relationship that existed in this study between standardised measures of visual perception, as measured by the TVPS, and functional difficulties. Therapists are cautioned to explore both the evidence base for continued use of standardised visual perceptual measures to inform occupation-centred practice and the need to embrace a more comprehensive person-centred approach to visual perceptual assessment.
The effect of service recovery on customer loyalty: the role of perceived food safety
Authors: Bouranta Nancy , Psomas Evangelos , Vouzas Fotis
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the food industry and empirically examine the mediating role of consumers’ perceived food safety on the relationship between a company’s service recovery and customer loyalty. In addition, consumers’ demographic characteristics and their influences on the relationship between perceived food safety and customer loyalty are determined.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was carried out through a structured questionnaire which was administered to the public. Using a small intercept interview, a random sample of 836 usable questionnaires was collected in Greece. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were applied to validate the proposed constructs. The causal relationships among constructs were examined using structural equation modeling.

Findings

According to the findings, consumers’ perceived food safety partially mediates the effect of a company’s service recovery on customer loyalty. The socio-demographic profile of consumers (gender, marital and parenthood status) also significantly influences the underlying factors of product and the loyalty attributes.

Practical implications

This study enriches the existing literature of food safety by examining the distinct role that consumers’ perceptions play in forming loyalty, highlighting the importance of companies’ recovery efforts. The results obtained from this analysis offer a better understanding of consumer behavior toward food safety – encouraging and supporting food companies to successfully design their marketing strategies. Food safety issues also have become increasingly important in international trade, which makes it essential to understand consumer perceptions and behavior toward food safety.

Originality/value

This study fills the identified literature gap and contributes to the literature, as no previous study has examined the proposed relationships in the food sector, taking into consideration food safety issues.
Industrial-buying research 1965-2015: review and analysis
Authors: Chavan Gitesh Dhairyashilrao , Chaudhuri Ranjan , Johnston Wesley J.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the underlying knowledge structure and evolution of industrial-buying research published between 1965 and 2015.

Design/methodology/approach

Bibliometric analysis is performed on 357 relevant papers (using principal component analysis and natural language processing, using VantagePoint® tools, used to generate bubble maps, auto-correlation maps and Aduna cluster maps), demonstrating how various factors involved in industrial buying have evolved, their degree of correlation with each other and the interrelationships of multiple factors concerning their co-occurrences.

Findings

The systematic mapping of industrial-buying research would illustrate the development of the significant factors in industrial-buying research. This paper provides both a global perspective on the leading countries and journals in the field and a robust roadmap for further investigation in this field.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited to the data considered for analysis and may, therefore, overlook or underestimate some work that has not been captured while filtering databases related to industrial buying.

Practical implications

This paper facilitates near-future projection and trend analysis in industrial-buying research.

Originality/value

The methodology used is unique to the field of business-to-business marketing.
The activity does not archive well: comparing audio and written records of supervision case discussions in Children’s Services
Authors: Wilkins David , Jones Rebecca , Westlake David
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast what is spoken about in supervision case discussions in Children’s Services with what subsequently appears in the written record on the child’s file. As an exploratory study, the authors set two research questions – how do supervision conversations and corresponding records compare? And how do social work supervisors make use of these records?

Design/methodology/approach

The authors sampled ten pairs of supervision audio recordings and written records from the child’s file. Using a content analysis approach, the authors compared what was spoken about (on the audio recordings) with what was subsequently written down (on the child’s file).

Findings

The complex activity of social work case supervision is not easily captured in written form. Written records did not reflect objectively the content of the audio recordings and on occasion, even contained information absent from the discussion. Supervisors seemed to engage in an interpretative process when creating the records, translating what was spoken about into a record thought (more) suitable for the file.

Research limitations/implications

The sample was limited to one authority and did not compare between different models or approaches to supervision.

Practical implications

Supervisors understandably orient their recording behaviour towards anticipated audiences (chiefly, senior managers and Ofsted inspectors). To change recording practices, it would help to promote the role of children and families as the more important audience for written recordings of supervision case discussions.

Originality/value

The major strength of this study is the inclusion of audio recordings of actual supervision case discussions and real case records. This is an advantage over the more common methods of vignettes, role plays and self-reports because it allowed the authors to examine directly what happens in practice. The findings from the study are strengthened via the use of a focus group with social work managers, helping the authors to validate and test the themes the authors’ identified.
The impact of monetary policy on Islamic bank financing: bank-level evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Zulkhibri Muhamed
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the distributional differences of Islamic bank financing responses to financing rate across bank-specific characteristics in dual banking system. The study also aims to provide understanding of how efficiently Islamic banks perform their roles as suppliers of capital for businesses and entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses panel regression methodology covering all Islamic banks in Malaysia. The study estimates the benchmark model for Islamic bank financing with respect to bank characteristics and monetary policy.

Findings

The evidence suggests that bank-specific characteristics are important in determining Islamic financing behaviour. The Islamic financing behaviour is consistent with conventional lending behaviour that the Islamic bank financing operates depending on the level of bank size, liquidity and capital. There is no significant difference between Islamic bank financing and conventional bank lending behaviour with respect to changes in monetary policy.

Originality/value

Many problems and challenges relating to Islamic financing instruments, financial markets and regulations must be addressed and resolved. In practice, it would be a good idea if Islamic banks move away from developing debt-based instruments and concentrate more efforts to develop profit and loss sharing instruments.
Exploration of “Talking Groups” within a medium secure setting
Authors: Tolland Heather , Laithwaite Heather
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore patient and staff views of a new intervention “Talking Groups” within a medium secure setting.

Design/methodology/approach

Seven patients and eight members of staff who had attended Talking Groups in the medium secure wards participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

The analysis revealed four key themes related to the aims, content and perceived benefits of Talking Groups: information; relationship building; engagement and patient involvement in developing activities/interventions.

Practical implications

If Talking Groups are extended to other wards in the medium secure unit, information sessions should continue as part of the groups, as these were valued by patients and provided useful information about transition, human rights and medication.

Originality/value

The findings suggest that Talking Groups have benefits for patients and staff within this medium secure setting. Findings from this evaluation can be used to inform the development of Talking Groups across different wards in this unit.
Social construction of linking executive compensation to EVA: a study on Indian corporates
Authors: Tripathi Manju , Kashiramka Smita , Jain P.K.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

“Paying for performance” has been the corporate mantra for ages, but finding the right performance benchmarks continues to be an enigma. Equally significant is the ongoing debate on the superiority of economic value added (EVA) aligned executive incentive plans over traditional financial performance benchmarks to ensure optimal goal congruence between the corporate and the executive performances. Consequently, this paper aims to explore a plausible linkage between executive compensation and EVA for Indian corporates from a social constructivist perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a mixed method approach where the quantitative analysis of responses from the survey of senior personnel/finance executives of Indian firms is complemented by the qualitative analysis of personal interviews to provide contextual depth to the quantitative data.

Findings

Based on the study, the researchers construct an understanding that EVA is a superior concept but has restricted utility primarily owing to its computational complexity and unaudited characteristics. The researchers’ interpretive inference finds mandatory disclosure of an audited EVA figure in the corporate financial statements as a prime requirement for EVA to emerge as an objective and visible performance measure.

Practical implications

Attention of policymakers is sought towards standardising its computation and ensuring its disclosure to bring it at par with the conventional executive financial performance benchmarks.

Originality/value

The narrative on benefits and the challenges of adopting EVA aligned performance management system is provided directly by the top-level executives responsible for designing the “paying for performance” policies.
Asymmetric impact of shocks on Islamic stock indices: a cross country analysis
Authors: Fatima Anum , Rashid Abdul , Khan Atiq-uz-Zafar
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Several studies focus on asymmetric impact of shocks on conventional stocks. However, only few studies explore Islamic stocks, but none has examined the asymmetric impact of shocks on Islamic stocks. This study aims to fill the gap by investigating the asymmetric impact of shocks on Islamic stocks. Specifically, it identifies the effect of good and bad news on Islamic stock market. The study also aims to examine the returns and volatility spillover effects across different Islamic markets.

Design/methodology/approach

To carry out the empirical analysis, the authors have applied the exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (ARCH) model on daily Islamic stock indices of 18 countries. The study covers the period from July 2009 to July 2016. The authors have started their empirical analysis by examining the time series properties and testing the presence of ARCH effects. Further, the authors have applied several post-estimation tests to ensure the robustness of the results.

Findings

The results indicate that there is significant leverage effect in Islamic stocks traded in the sampled countries. That is, negative shocks or bad news have stronger effects on Islamic stock returns’ volatility as compared to positive shocks or good news. The authors also found that there are significant mean spillover effects for the examined countries. This finding implies that increased Islamic stock returns in country have significant and positive effects in Islamic stocks’ returns in another other. Similarly, the results regarding the volatility spillover effects suggest that there are significant volatility spillover effects across all examined countries. However, the authors found both positive and negative volatility spillover effects. It should also be noted that in some cases, the authors did not find any significant volatility spillover effect.

Practical implications

The findings of this study have several important policy implications for both investors and policymakers. As the findings suggest that Islamic stock indices are integrated across countries both in terms of returns (mean) and risk (volatility), they are useful for investors to design well-diversified portfolios. The significant volatility spillovers suggest policymakers to design such policy that may help in reducing the adverse effects of increased volatility of Islamic stock of other/foreign countries on the Islamic stocks of the home countries. The significant evidence of the presence of leverage (asymmetric) effects suggest investors to use effective and active hedging instruments to hedge risk, particularly, in bad times.

Originality/value

Unlike other studies on Islamic stocks, this study takes into account the asymmetric effects of positive and negative shocks. Further, the study examines the mean and variance spillover effects for a large panel of countries having Islamic stocks. Finally, several pre- and post-estimation tests are applied to ensure the robustness of the results.