bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health and safety considerations and guidelines.
Authors: Nur F. , Forster B. P. , Osei S. A. , Amiteye S. , Ciomas J. , Hoeman S. , Jankuloski L.
Published: September 2018

Mutation induction is the most hazardous part of mutation breeding. The application of physical or chemical mutagens as well as the general handling of mutant materials in mutation breeding has associated high health and safety risks. Poor practice can be hazardous, resulting in minor or serious personal injuries, and even fatal accidents. Therefore, the use of standard health and safety protocols as guides in mutation induction activities is an absolute necessity. It is important to abide by the rules and regulations of mutation induction in order to avoid, or reduce to the barest minimum, injuries and accidents, as well as associated financial costs. With respect to chemical mutagens, these need specialist waste disposal systems after use. It is essential that mutation induction is carried out by specially trained personnel, and it is recommended that this is done in specialized institutes, or at least laboratories. International, regional and national service facilities are available (Chapter 6 of this manual). Certain rules and regulations constituting the operation guidelines may be generally applicable; however, depending on local requirements, some rules and regulations may be specific to a particular region or country. In certain jurisdictions, negligence in the strict adherence to health and safety protocols may incur sanctions such as fines, jail terms, or an embargo on field and laboratory research or commercial operations. This chapter highlights the standard operating protocols on health and safety issues relating to mutation induction for breeding in oil palm. Once mutation treatment has been carried out, subsequent steps (mutation detection, mutant line development and breeding) are relatively safe, but adherence to good laboratory, glasshouse and field practices is essential.
Options for mutation breeding in oil palm.
Authors: Nur F. , Forster B. P. , Osei S. A. , Amiteye S. , Ciomas J. , Hoeman S. , Jankuloski L.
Published: September 2018

Theoretical and practical options for mutation breeding in oil palm are discussed. In theory, haploids are considered the ideal targets, as the induced mutation can be fixed instantly on conversion to doubled haploids. However, haploid/doubled haploid technology is in its infancy in oil palm and therefore other practical targets need to be considered. The two obvious targets are pollen and seed, as these are produced in large numbers in breeding and commercial seed production. Schemes for pollen and seed irradiation and subsequent mutant population development are compared. The irradiation of germinated seed is currently considered to be the better approach in terms of convenience and time. A major constraint in mutation breeding in oil palm is the long life cycle. Oil palm has a long juvenile stage, and it takes 4-5 years from sowing a seed to getting seed of the next generation. Traditionally, mutant selection has relied on phenotypic selection, which can only take place in the second mutant generation (M2) due to the presence of physiological disorders and chimeras in the M1. However, now that the oil palm genome has been sequenced, it is feasible to select for mutants genotypically in the M1. Early detection of mutants is extremely valuable in oil palm, as it saves space in growing up only selected mutants in the field. Mutation breeding is a non-GM technique that has been used for over nine decades. New methods in genetic manipulation include gene editing, which has huge potential for the future but is currently still under debate as to whether it is considered a GM method and is subject to restrictive regulations.
Protocol for developing mutant generations for mutant selection.
Authors: Nur F. , Forster B. P. , Osei S. A. , Amiteye S. , Ciomas J. , Hoeman S. , Jankuloski L.
Published: September 2018

A practical step-by-step protocol is presented for mutation induction and mutation detection in oil palm. Germinated seed is chosen as the target material for mutation induction, as this provides the quickest development of mutant populations (as discussed in Chapters 3 and 4 of this manual). The protocol adopts gamma irradiation as this is a proven effective mutagen for mutation breeding. Genotyping is deployed in the M1 to select for mutants in target genes. These selections, plus a random selection of M1 plants, are then advanced from nursery to field conditions to produce mature palms, which may be self-pollinated to produce the M2 generation. The M2 generation is subject to phenotypic screening at all stages in plant development, from seed, germination, seedling, juvenile to adult palms. A list of target genes and traits for mutation is given. As discussed in Chapter 4 of this manual, there are two practical targets for mutation induction in oil palm: pollen and seed. The seed option is the more favoured, as it takes less time and involves only one pollination/seed production stage, thus saving time and labour. A step-by-step guide is provided in generating the M1 and M2 populations for mutant detection.
Applied strategies for the control of coccidiosis in poultry.
Authors: Chapman H. D.
Published: September 2018

Apicomplexan parasites of the genus
Eimeria
are widespread in poultry flocks and if present in sufficient numbers can cause the intestinal disease coccidiosis. For many years, the disease has been controlled either by incorporating drugs in the feed (prophylaxis) or by immunization with live parasites (vaccination). Efficacy of anticoccidial drugs has been compromised by the acquisition of resistance which has been documented for all drugs introduced including those most widely used, the ionophorous antibiotics. A consequence of limited efficacy is that these drugs permit some parasite development thus allowing the acquisition of immunity. Combined with improvements in management, this may explain the continued use of drugs for the control of coccidiosis in broiler and turkey production. In recent years vaccination, utilizing live attenuated or non-attenuated parasites has made a significant contribution to the control of coccidiosis in chickens. Vaccines are administered on a single occasion by a variety of methods to newly hatched chicks and initiate an immune response in the bird. Full protective immunity requires secondary exposure to vaccinal oocysts in the litter, an aspect of vaccination over which the producer has little control. Exposure to wild-type parasites already present in the litter may cause clinical coccidiosis, as evident by characteristic intestinal lesions in birds, before protective immunity has time to fully develop. Several vaccines comprise parasites that have never been exposed to anticoccidial drugs and it has been shown that their use in a commercial setting may replace drug-resistant organisms resulting in a restoration of drug-sensitivity. Programs involving alternation of chemotherapy and vaccination have been introduced with the objective of prolonging the life of anticoccidial drugs that have been compromised by drug-resistance. This is the only known example of restoration of drug sensitivity in veterinary parasitology. So-called 'natural' products that include herbs, herbal and fungal extracts, and probiotics are claimed to alleviate
Eimeria
infections in poultry, but few have been thoroughly investigated. Advances have been made in our knowledge of the structure of proteins released during parasite invasion of host cells and may eventually result in novel vaccines based upon molecular technology. Hens immunized with proteins isolated from gametocyte stages of the life cycle of one species of
Eimeria
pass antibodies to developing embryos and this may provide short-term passive protection to young chickens' post-hatch. As with other approaches to vaccination, protection is dependent upon exposure to wild-type parasites present in the environment.
Kidney cancer: The next decade
Authors: Turajlic Samra , Swanton Charles , Boshoff Chris
Published: September 2018

Chris Boshoff, Senior Vice President of Immuno-Oncology, Translational and Early Development at Pfizer, and colleagues Samra Turajlic and Charles Swanton from the Francis Crick Institute and University College London give us their personal point of view on new insights and future therapeutic approaches for renal cancer.
FA02.07: BARRIER STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE NEO-SQUAMOUS EPITHELIUM FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL BARRETT’S ENDOTHERAPY IS IMPAIRED
Authors: Ravindran Adharsh , Blevins Christopher , Johnson Michele , Lansing Ramona , Wang Kenneth , Katzka David , Iyer Prasad
Published: September 2018

Background

The neo-squamous epithelium that replaces columnar epithelium after successful endoscopic ablation of Barrett's esophagus (BE) has not been fully characterized in regard to its structural and functional integrity. Intercellular space is a surrogate marker for epithelial structural integrity and mucosal impedance (MI) is a surrogate for transepithelial resistance and thus epithelial functional integrity. Impairment of the structural and functional integrity may influence recurrence following successful ablation. We aimed to measure the esophageal epithelial intercellular space diameter and MI in the neo-squamous and normal squamous epithelium of patients who underwent successful radiofrequency ablation for dysplastic BE.

Methods

Forty patients with complete remission of intestinal metaplasia (CRIM) (defined as two negative surveillance endoscopies for intestinal metaplasia) were prospectively recruited. Patients were excluded if they had endoscopic evidence of esophagitis. MI measurements were taken at 1 cm above the GE junction and 2 cm above the prior BE segment (targeting uninvolved squamous epithelium), using a novel through the scope MI probe. Endoscopic biopsies were also taken at these corresponding sites to assess intercellular space diameter using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using standard techniques.

Results

80% of patients were male with a mean age of 69 years. Mean follow since achieving CRIM was 30 months. 39 patients underwent RFA for dysplasia. The mean intercellular space diameter was higher in the neo-squamous epithelium (1.01 μm) when compared to the untreated native squamous epithelium (0.96 μm) [Difference of 0.056 μm, 95% CI of -0.036 to 0.148, P = 0.228]. The mean MI was significantly lower in the neosquamous epithelium (4001.3 Ω) when compared to the untreated native epithelium (5168.1 Ω) [Difference of 1166.7 Ω, 95% CI 418.8 to 1914.6, P = 0.003].

Conclusion

Neo-squamous epithelium that replaces BE epithelium following successful endoscopic therapy for BE appears to be functionally and likely structurally deficient with regards to acid reflux barrier function, when compared to native squamous esophageal epithelium. This impairment may be associated with recurrence following successful ablation.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
RNAseq dataset describing transcriptional changes in cervical sensory ganglia after bilateral pyramidotomy and forelimb intramuscular gene therapy with AAV1 encoding human neurotrophin-3
Authors: Kathe Claudia , Moon Lawrence D F
Published: September 2018

Unilateral or bilateral corticospinal tract injury in the pyramids of adult rats causes changes in proprioceptive axon terminal arborization in the cervical spinal cord accompanied by hyperreflexia and abnormal movements including spasms [1, 2]. Treatment of affected forelimb muscles with an Adeno-Associated Viral Vector (AAV) encoding human neurotrophin-3 (NT3) normalizes many of these anatomical, neurophysiological and behavioural changes [1]. Interestingly, in several studies, neurotrophin-3 protein accumulates in cervical dorsal root ganglia (DRG) on the side ipsilateral to AAV injection [1, 3]. We hypothesize that neurotrophin-3 induces these changes (in proprioceptive axon wiring, proprioceptive reflex neurophysiology and sensorimotor behaviors involving proprioception) by modifying gene expression in affected cervical dorsal root ganglia (DRG). As a first step in testing this hypothesis, we analyzed the transcriptomes of cervical DRGs obtained during a previous study from naïve rats and from rats after bilateral pyramidotomy (bPYX) with unilateral intramuscular injections of either AAV1-CMV-NT3 or AAV1-CMV-EGFP made 24h after injury [1]. Ten weeks after surgery, Poly(A) RNAs and small RNAs from C6 to C8 DRGs on the treated side were sequenced. We detected mRNAs or small RNAs that were significantly regulated under three conditions (bPYX+GFP vs naïve; bPYX+NT3 versus naïve; bPYX+NT3 vs bPYX+GFP). We identified mRNAs and small RNAs whose expression level was altered after pyramidotomy and normalized by neurotrophin-3 treatment. A bioinformatic analysis enabled us to identify genes that are likely to be expressed in proprioceptors after injury and which were regulated by neurotrophin-3 in the direction expected from other datasets involving knockout or overexpression of neurotrophin-3. This dataset will help us and others identify genes in sensory neurons whose expression levels are regulated by neurotrophin-3 treatment. This may help identify novel therapeutic targets to improve sensation and movement after neurological injury. Data has been deposited in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE82197).
VEP-G2P: A Tool for Efficient, Flexible and Scalable Diagnostic Filtering of Genomic Variants
Authors: Thormann Anja , Halachev Mihail , McLaren William , Moore David J , Svinti Victoria , Campbell Archie , Kerr Shona M , Hunt Sarah , Dunlop Malcolm G , Hurles Matthew E , Wright Caroline F , Firth Helen V , Cunningham Fiona , FitzPatrick David R
Published: September 2018

Purpose

We aimed to develop an efficient, flexible, scalable and evidence-based approach to sequence-based diagnostic analysis/re-analysis of conditions with very large numbers of different causative genes. We then wished to define the expected rate of plausibly causative variants coming through strict filtering in control in comparison to disease populations to quantify background diagnostic “noise”.

Methods

We developed G2P (www.ebi.ac.uk/gene2phenotype) as an online system to facilitate the development, validation, curation and distribution of large-scale, evidence-based datasets for use in diagnostic variant filtering. Each locus-genotype-mechanism-disease-evidence thread (LGMDET) associates an allelic requirement and a mutational consequence at a defined locus with a disease entity and a confidence level and evidence links. We then developed an extension to Ensembl Variant Effect Predictor (VEP), VEP-G2P, which can filter based on G2P other widely used gene panel curation systems. We compared the output of disease-associated and control whole exome sequence (WES) using Developmental Disorders G2P (G2PDD; 2044 LGMDETs) and constitutional cancer predisposition G2P (G2PCancer; 128 LGMDETs).

Results

We have shown a sensitivity/precision of 97.3%/33% and 81.6%/22.7% for causative de novo and inherited variants respectively using VEP-G2PDD in DDD study probands WES. Many of the apparently diagnostic genotypes “missed” are likely false-positive reports with lower minor allele frequencies and more severe predicted consequences being diagnostically-discriminative features.

Conclusion

Case:control comparisons using VEP-G2PDD established an observed:expected ratio of 1:30,000 plausibly causative variants in proband WES to ~1:40,000 reportable but presumed-benign variants in controls. At least half the filtered variants in probands represent background “noise”. Supporting phenotypic evidence is, therefore, necessary in genetically-heterogeneous disorders. G2P and VEP-G2P provides a practical approach to optimize disease-specific filtering parameters in diagnostic genetic research.
Dating genomic variants and shared ancestry in population-scale sequencing data
Authors: Albers Patrick K. , McVean Gil
Published: September 2018

The origin and fate of new mutations within species is the fundamental process underlying evolution. However, while much attention has been focused on characterizing the presence, frequency, and phenotypic impact of genetic variation, the evolutionary histories of most variants are largely unexplored. We have developed a non-parametric approach for estimating the date of origin of genetic variants in large-scale sequencing data sets. The accuracy and robustness of the approach is demonstrated through simulation. Using data from two publicly available human genomic diversity resources, we estimated the age of more than 45 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human genome and release the Atlas of Variant Age as a public online database. We characterize the relationship between variant age and frequency in different geographical regions, and demonstrate the value of age information in interpreting variants of functional and selective importance. Finally, we use allele age estimates to power a rapid approach for inferring the ancestry shared between individual genomes, to quantify genealogical relationships at different points in the past, as well as describe and explore the evolutionary history of modern human populations.
Warm Temperatures, Cool Sponges: The Effect of Increased Temperatures on the Antarctic SpongeIsodictyasp
Authors: González-Aravena M. , Kenny N.J. , Osorio M. , Font A. , Riesgo A. , Cárdenas C.A.
Published: September 2018

Although the cellular and molecular responses to exposure to relatively high temperatures (acute thermal stress or heat shock) have been studied previously, only sparse empirical evidence of how it affects cold-water species is available. As climate change becomes more pronounced in areas such as the Western Antarctic Peninsula, it has become crucial to understand the capacity of these species to respond to thermal stress.

Here we use the Antarctic spongeIsodictyasp. to investigate how sessile organisms (particularly Porifera) can adjust to acute short-term heat stress, by exposing this species to 3 and 5 °C for 4 hours, corresponding to predicted temperatures under high-end 2080 IPCC-SRES scenarios. Assembling ade novoreference transcriptome (90,188 contigs, >93.7% metazoan BUSCO genes) we have begun to discern the molecular componentry employed byIsodictyato adjust to environmental insult.

Our initial analyses suggest that TGF-β, ubiquitin and hedgehog cascades are involved, alongside other genes. However, the degree and type of response changed little from 3 to 5 °C, suggesting that even moderate rises in temperature could cause stress at the limits of this organism’s capacity. Given the importance of sponges to Antarctic ecosystems, our findings are vital for discerning the consequences of increases in Antarctic ocean temperature on these and other species.
A stress-induced Tyrosine tRNA depletion response mediates codon-based translational repression and growth suppression
Authors: Huh Doowon , Passarelli Maria C. , Gao Jenny , Dusmatova Shahnoza N , Goin Clara , Fish Lisa , Pinzaru Alexandra M. , Molina Henrik , McMillan Elizabeth A. , Asgharian Hosseinali , Goodarzi Hani , Tavazoie Sohail F.
Published: September 2018

Eukaryotic transfer RNAs can become selectively fragmented upon various stresses, generating tRNA-derived small RNA fragments. Such fragmentation has been reported to impact a small fraction of the tRNA pool and thus presumed to not directly impact translation. We report that oxidative stress can rapidly generate tyrosine tRNAGUA fragments in human cells—causing significant depletion of the precursor tRNA. Tyrosine tRNAGUA depletion impaired translation of growth and metabolic genes enriched in cognate tyrosine codons. Depletion of tyrosine tRNAGUA or its translationally regulated targets USP3 and SCD repressed proliferation—revealing a dedicated tRNA-regulated growth suppressive pathway for oxidative stress response. Tyrosine fragments are generated in a DIS3L2 exoribonuclease-dependent manner and inhibit hnRNPA1-mediated transcript destabilization. Moreover, tyrosine fragmentation is conserved in C. elegans. Thus, tRNA fragmentation can coordinately generate trans-acting small-RNAs and functionally deplete a tRNA. Our findings reveal the existence of an underlying adaptive codon-based regulatory response inherent to the genetic code.
Connexin 43 plays an important role in the transformation of human cholangiocytes upon stimulation withClonochis sinensisexcretory-secretory protein andN-nitrosodimethylamine
Authors: Kim Eun-Min , Bae Young Mee , Choi Min-Ho , Hong Sung-Tae
Published: September 2018

Background

Clonorchis sinensisis a group I bio-carcinogen responsible for cholangiocarcinoma (CHCA) in humans. However, the mechanism by whichC. sinensispromotes carcinogenesis is unclear.

Methodology

Using the human cholangiocyte line H69, we investigated cell proliferation and gap junction protein expression after stimulation with the hepatotoxinN-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and/or excretory-secretory products (ESP) of C.sinensis, which induce inflammation. NDMA and ESP treatment increased proliferation by 146% and the proportion of cells in the G2/M phase by 37%. Moreover, the expression of the cell cycle protein E2F1 and the cell proliferation-related proteins Ki-67 and cytokeratin 19 increased in response to combined treatment with NDMA and ESP. The gap-junction proteins connexin (Cx) 43 and Cx26 also increased. In contrast, Cx32 expression decreased in cells treated with NDMA and ESP. Cox-2 was also upregulated. Silencing of Cx43 reduced cell proliferation and significantly suppressed Cx26 and Cox-2 expression.

Conclusions

These results suggest that Cx43 is an important factor in CHCA induced byC. sinensisESP and NDMA and further investigations targeting this pathway may allow prevention of this deadly disease.

Author summary

Clonorchis sinensis, a human fluke, resides in the liver of humans and is commonly found in the common bile duct and gall bladder. This parasite is the main cause of cholangiocarcinoma, also called bile duct cancer, in humans. Of note, the excretory-secretory products (ESP) ofC. sinensisare known to cause inflammation in the biliary epithelium, which may ultimately result in neoplasms via production of reactive oxygen species and subsequent DNA damage. Together withN-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a potent hepatotoxin that can cause fibrosis and tumors in the liver, ESP led to an increase in the growth and proliferation of cholangiocytes. Our results showed that the ESPs ofC. sinensisinduced pro-inflammatory responses by increasing the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), which in turn, enhanced the production of connexin 43 (Cx43), a gap-junction protein. Therefore, Cx 43 can serve as a potential target for developing a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma in humans.
Crystal structure of (E)-3-[(2,6-dimethylphenyl)diazenyl]-7-methyl-1H-indazole
Authors: Yagi Shiomi , Haraguchi Tomoyuki , Akitsu Takashiro
Published: September 2018

The title azo compound, C16H16N4, was synthesized from 2,6-dimethylaniline. The diazenyl group adopts a trans (E) conformation, with an N=N bond length of 1.265 (4) Å. The pyrazole ring is approximately planar. In the crystal, zigzag chains along the b-axis direction with a C(3) is graph-set motif are formed by N—H...N hydrogen bonds involving the pyrazole moiety.
Crystal structure of 3,6-dihydroxy-4,5-dimethylbenzene-1,2-dicarbaldehyde
Authors: Yamazaki Shu , Nishiyama Kazuki , Yagi Shiomi , Haraguchi Tomoyuki , Akitsu Takashiro
Published: September 2018

The title compound, C10H10O4, was synthesized from tetramethyl-1,4-benzoquinone. In the crystal, the almost planar molecule (r.m.s. deviation = 0.024 Å) forms intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the aldehyde and hydroxy groups and exhibits C
2v symmetry. This achiral molecule crystallizes in the chiral space group P21 with intermolecular O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonding and C—H...π and C=O...π interactions stabilizing the crystal packing.
4-Phenyl-2,5,5a,6,7,8,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-1,5-benzodiazepine-2-thione ethanol monosolvate
Authors: Al Garadi Wedad , Ramli Youssef , El Ghayati Lhoussaine , El Hafi Mohamed , Moussaif Ahmed , Essassi El Mokhtar , Mague Joel T.
Published: September 2018

In the solvated title compound, C15H18N2S·C2H5OH, the seven-membered ring has a twisted envelope conformation and the cyclohexyl ring has a chair conformation. In the crystal, N—H...O and O—H...S hydrogen bonds as well as C—H...π(ring) interactions form helical chains in which the thione and solvent ethanol molecules alternate. These chains are formed into layers parallel to (101) by inversion-related pairs of N—H...S hydrogen bonds. The ethanol solvent molecule is disordered over two sets of sites [occupancy ratio 0.880 (8): 0.120 (8)] with the oxygen atom in common.
Understanding the trust building mechanisms in social media
Authors: Sun Yongqiang , Zhang Yan , Shen Xiao-Liang , Wang Nan , Zhang Xi , Wu Yanqiu
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Although the impacts of trust on information disclosure have been well recognized, the trust building mechanisms in social media are still underexplored. To fill this gap, the purpose of this paper is to explore two trust building mechanisms, namely, institution-based and transference-based trust building and identify how these two mechanisms vary across gender.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted to collect data. The partial least squares method was used to examine the relationships among regulatory effectiveness, three trusting perceptions and disclosure intention. A cross-group path coefficient comparison method was used to test gender differences.

Findings

The results suggest that regulatory effectiveness affects competence- and character-based trust and these impacts are stronger for males than for females. Both competence- and character-based trust influence general trust in members while their impacts vary. Competence-based trust is more important for males while character-based trust is more important for females.

Originality/value

This study contributes to social media literature by identifying the two trust building mechanisms with special attention to the role of regulatory effectiveness and trust transfer. Further, this study also sheds light on how these two mechanisms vary across gender.
Exploring the digital innovation process
Authors: Huesig Stefan , Endres Herbert
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Previous research has highlighted the digitization of innovation processes and outcomes especially with regard to the impact of information technology (IT) on new product development (NPD). Instead of analyzing generic IT usage in the NPD, the purpose of this paper is to explore the influencing factors on the adoption of specific software tools to support innovation management methods, called innovation management software (IMS) and their specific functionality.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used an online questionnaire and gathered data from 99 innovation managers of German industrial firms to explore which functionalities embedded in the tools such as aided innovation methods and activities influence the adoption of IMS.

Findings

This study’s results indicate in contrast to the previous assumptions in the literature that the likelihood of IMS adoption by innovation managers is positively influenced if the IMS tools offer support functionality for idea evaluation and portfolio management but decreased for idea generation and scenario management. Therefore, this paper can show, that the digitalization of the innovation process though IT tools is more finely nuanced than a “the more – the better” logic often promoted in the digitalization context and proposed in the literature on IMS before.

Originality/value

These findings advance the understanding of technological and organizational drivers of the transformation toward the digitalization of the innovation process from the perspective of innovation managers, who intend to do so by successfully introducing and using IMS in their NPD. Additionally, suppliers of IMS get valuable empirical-based indications from the user perspective that potentially supports their development and sales activities. From a theoretical perspective, this study extends prior research on IT usage and digitalization in the innovation process by expanding to an under-researched category of digitization for the innovation manager perspective aspects of the NPD activities.
External supply chain flexibility and product innovation performance
Authors: Ko Wai Wai Joyce , Liu Gordon , Ngugi Isaac K. , Chapleo Chris
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effect of external supply chain (SC) flexibility on the product innovation performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the contingent role of informal control mechanisms in moderating such an effect.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 236 UK-based SME manufacturers.

Findings

Inbound supplier flexibility (ISF) has a stronger positive effect on SMEs’ product innovation performance than outbound logistics flexibility (OLF), and that the strength and direction of both effects depend on informal control mechanisms. Lead supplier influence negatively moderates the relationship between ISF and product innovation performance but positively moderates the relationship between OLF and product innovation performance. Normative integration positively moderates the relationship between ISF and product innovation performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study enriches SC flexibility studies by focusing on understanding the differential effects of ISF and OLF on product innovation performance, as well as the role that contingency factors play in these relationships in the SME context.

Practical implications

To promote product innovation performance, SME managers should focus on building good relationships with their suppliers rather than their logistics service providers. SME managers should be particularly aware of the different types of informal control mechanisms that govern their SC relationships and adjust their managerial approaches accordingly.

Originality/value

This study distinguishes between ISF and OLF and examines their impacts on SMEs’ product innovation performance. This study investigates the differential effects of lead supplier influence and normative integration on the relationship between external SC flexibility and SMEs’ product innovation performance.
Supply-side review of the UK specialist housing market and why it is failing older people
Authors: Harding Andrew , Parker Jonathan , Hean Sarah , Hemingway Ann
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a supply-side review of policies and practices that impact on the shortage of supply in the contemporary specialist housing market for older people in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The review is based on a review of academic literature, policy documents, reports and other sources.

Findings

There is a critical conflict between the key social purpose of specialist housing (i.e. living independent of socially provided care) and the values that underpin and ultimately limit the quantity of units in both the social and private sector. In the social sector, government policies prohibit rather than encourage local authorities and housing associations from increasing specialist housing stock. The nature of leasehold tenures in the private sector tends to commodify not only housing stock but also those who use it and therefore acts to instrumentalise housing supply in favour of the profit motive and the focus on the person and her or his needs is largely ignored.

Originality/value

While the shortage of specialist housing is well known, this paper is unique in that it provides a comprehensive and critical supply-side review of the factors that have created such conditions.
Experimental and numerical investigations of thermal performance of Al2O3/water nanofluid for a combi boiler with double heat exchangers
Authors: Ozdemir Mustafa Bahadir , Ergun Mustafa Emre
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This study aims to focus on usage of Al2O3/water nanofluid as working fluid in a combi boiler. The plate heat exchanger located at the bottom of the combi boiler has been used for heating the domestic water in the present study. Al2O3/water nanofluid has also been used in obtaining of the heat energy provided from combustion. Therefore, thermal performance of Al2O3/water has been determined by comparing water and nanofluid-water mixture. The present study also investigates heat transfer rates as numerical and experimental for varying cold side outlet temperatures, comparatively.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study has included both experimental and numerical methodologies. The experimental setup consists of main heat exchanger, atmospheric burner, circulation pump and plate-type heat exchanger in which the Al2O3/water nanofluid was used as working fluid to heat the domestic water. In the numerical part of the study, a commercial computational fluid dynamic code has been used to model heat rate and thermal efficiency of the heat exchanger used.

Findings

It has been concluded that the predicted results are in satisfactorily good agreement with the measured data. In the experimental part of the study, the flow rate of Al2O3/water nanofluid was kept constant during the experiments. The flow rates of the water by which the heated Al2O3/water nanofluid mixture was cooled via the plate heat exchanger have been changed as 3, 4, 5 and 6 lpm. The domestic water temperatures that were kept constant have also been changed as 40°C, 45°C, 50°C, 55°C and 60°C. It has been concluded that the Al2O3/water nanofluid thermal efficiency has been 16 per cent better than pure water.

Originality/value

The main originality of the present study is that thermal efficiency of the plate-type heat exchanger when Al2O3/water mixture nanofluids are used as there are limited studies related to the usage of Al2O3/water mixture nanofluids in the plate-type heat exchanger not only experimental but also numerical methodologies.
Exploration of people centric organizational health dimensions: a study of Indian R&D organization
Authors: Singh Anupama , Jha Sumi
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the dimensions of organizational health with the help of existing literature and focus group discussion on organizational health. The study also tries to categorize various antecedents and consequences of organizational health.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review was conducted with limited search word on organizational health using databases like Emerald, Ebsco and Science direct. Focus group discussions were performed at Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute and National Metallurgical Laboratory – laboratories of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, an Indian R&D organization. A total of 29 male and 6 female respondents participated in the focus group discussion.

Findings

The results showed that various dimensions of organizational health which were found using focus group discussions were in congruence with the literature reviewed on organizational health. The findings of focus group discussion also listed the antecedents and consequences of organizational health in an R&D organization.

Research limitations/implications

The literature presented conflicting views on organizational health construct. The focus group discussion provided clarity on the dimensions of organizational health. An empirical research can be done on organizational health considering dimensions identified during the focus group discussion.

Originality/value

It is an attempt to conceptualize the construct of organizational health in a research and development organization with the help of focus group discussion.
Innovation as a booster of rural artisan entrepreneurship: a case study of black pottery
Authors: Marques Carla Susana , Santos Gina , Ratten Vanessa , Barros Ana B.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Rural entrepreneurship is an emergent field of study, with these start-ups becoming one of the most noticeable ways to promote rural development, but the few studies concerning innovation among artisans have thus far only been exploratory. The purpose of this paper is to examine the entrepreneurial artisan initiatives of young innovators in a peripheral northern area of Portugal where black pottery is produced.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data analysis was carried out on in-depth semi-structured interviews with three young artisan innovators and entrepreneurs and one individual who functions as a cultural booster. The content analysis was done using QSR International’s NVivo Version 11 software.

Findings

These young entrepreneurs have developed commercial activities and introduced innovations (i.e. design and process) into black pottery production, while taking advantage of endogenous materials, local culture and traditional knowledge. These individuals have sought not only to generate their own innovations but also to keep their culture and local traditions alive, thereby contributing to rural development by establishing networks with local young artisans.

Research limitations/implications

Some limitations are linked to the sample’s size and basis in a specific geographic reality.

Practical implications

The findings provide a fuller understanding of why some rural artisan firms grow, suggesting that artisans’ networks and innovative and entrepreneurial behaviours play a key role.

Originality/value

This research’s results contribute to the literature on the role that innovation can play as a booster of rural artisanship through networks and entrepreneurship. This paper is among the first to discuss black pottery as a form of artisan entrepreneurship. The results underline the value of innovations and networks, which were found to be the core ingredients in rural artisan entrepreneurship.
Complexity and rationality: a material-systemic approach
Authors: Andersen Lars
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to solving the complexity problem as increased complexity is a main reason why projects fail to reach their goals, and it is unclear what complexity is.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual development integrating theories of materiality, teleology, and complexity, decision-making theory, communication theory, coordination theory, and qualitative, quantitative and participatory approaches are used in this paper.

Findings

To understand complexity, it is necessary to develop a material-systemic process approach and to distinguish structured from unstructured complexity. The social actors construct a complex material-systemic process between themselves and nature to handle unwieldy outer nature. The material-systemic approach reveals how materiel life-world arenas are developed through increased complexity and specialization. Handling complexity is possible by materiality in general and structural material in special, the interplay between inner time (planning) and outer time (production), and between human subjects and an underlying coordination mechanism. It is a systematic organizational blockade that reproduces internal complexity as unstructured and incomprehensible complexity.

Research limitations/implications

The practical models of organizing are tested to the highest degree in construction industry. It is a task to try and examine the models in other types of projects.

Originality/value

The paper offers a proposal to a theoretical solution to the complexity problem going back to the roots in Enlightenment and shows at the same time through practical models how increased complexity may be the most important productive force in future projects.
An experimental investigation on friction and wear test parameters of cylinder liner and piston ring pair using Taguchi technique
Authors: Trivedi H.K. , Bhatt D.V.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study about tribological parameters of cylinder liner/piston ring under sliding contact in the presence of lubricant.

Design/methodology/approach

A reciprocating test rig is used for the experimental work. The Taguchi approach has been adopted to optimize the coefficient of friction and minimum weight loss of piston ring and cylinder liner. Three control factors like load, speed and temperature were used for L9 orthogonal array design and ANOVA (analysis of variance). Parameters have been ranked on the basis of experimental outcomes and signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio analysis.

Findings

It is observed that coefficient of friction was greatly influenced by speed, and weight loss of piston ring and cylinder liner was greatly influenced by load. The surface morphology by SEM (scanning electron microscopy) analysis was used to understand the wear mechanism of worn-out surface and comparative evaluation was made with the Taguchi method.

Originality/value

Surface morphology of the worn-out surface is significantly dependent on the load condition which validates the ANOVA results.
Potential of Sharī’ah compliant microfinance in alleviating poverty in Nigeria
Authors: Abdul-Majeed Alaro AbdulRazzaq , Alalubosa Abdulrahman Habeeb
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the option of Sharī’ah-compliant microfinance as a viable alternative to many previous approaches adopted by the Nigerian State in tackling the menace of poverty in the land. In spite of many poverty alleviation policies and interventions of the past three decades, millions of Nigerians still live in abject poverty, while thousands of university graduates roam the streets looking for jobs. Many unemployed Nigerians with good business ideas are usually discouraged by the alarmingly high interest rate charged on start-up capitals by local banks.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve its objective, this paper used both analytical and qualitative methods after thoroughly examining many relevant literature and empirical works. The study explores four Sharī’ah tools for the implementation of the proposed scheme, to wit: musharakah, mudharabah, zakat and waqf.

Findings

The study finds that the suggested Sharī’ah tools are viable and sustainable in lunching microfinance projects in the Nigerian context. The paper further argues that exploring Islamic non-interest microfinance options will guarantee the financial inclusion of a large percentage of Nigerians, pursuant to the Constitutional provision on economic rights of the entire citizenry (s.16 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended).

Originality/value

The paper identifies a yet-to-be explored viable option, with great potential not only in enhancing government policies for poverty alleviation but also in assuring a large percentage of the citizens of financial inclusion.
An empirical investigation into the impact ofShari’ah-compliant status and Muslim directorship on the accuracy of IPO management earnings forecasts
Authors: Ammer Mohammed Abdullah , Alsahlawi Abdulaziz Mohammed
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Islam stresses on the practice of transparency and sufficient disclosure particularly when it concerns the ethical identity of Islamic institutions. This is to make sure that the activities conducted in business adhere toShari’ahprinciples. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact ofShari’ah-compliant status on the accuracy of initial public offering (IPO) earnings forecasts and to investigate the effect of the existence of Muslim directors on IPO companies’ board of directors on the accuracy of earnings forecasts.

Design/methodology/approach

This study makes use of absolute forecast error as a proxy for earnings forecast accuracy. As obtained from the list ofShari’ah-compliant securities established by theShari’ahAdvisory Council of the Malaysian Securities Commission, the study sample comprised 190Shari’ah-compliant and non-compliant IPOs. The collected data were analyzed through univariate analysis and ordinary least squares regression.

Findings

The initial findings show that during the study period, the earnings forecasts of Malaysian IPOs are accurate to some level, although such level is still unsatisfactory. The findings also showed thatShari’ah-compliant status and Muslim directorship do not positively affect the accuracy of IPO earnings forecasts.

Practical implications

The findings of the study provide some implications for regulators, financial analysts, investors and users of financial statements, particularly those desirous of investing in Islamic capital market.

Originality/value

The present study provides a new and far-reaching contribution into the debate about the earnings forecasts disclosure in the context of Islamic ethical perspective. In addition, this study is considered as the first study to extend IPO literature by examining the impact ofShari’ah-compliant status and Muslim directorship on the accuracy of management earnings forecasts disclosed in the IPO prospectus.
Explaining banking spread
Authors: Dwumfour Richard Adjei
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The paper aims to explain bank interest spread from 2000 to 2014.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the ordinary least square panel corrected standard errors (OLS-PCSE) estimation. Generalised least squares results (unreported but available on request) are consistent with the OLS-PCSE results. This is done for 110 developing countries, 50 Europe & Central Asia countries, 33 Latin American countries, 21 Middle East and North African (MENA) countries, 46 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) counties and 8 South Asia countries. The developing countries are further grouped into small, medium and large-size banking markets.

Findings

The study finds consistent results which indicate that the bigger a bank the less margin charged. The results further show an ambiguous relationship between concentration and net interest margin. The authors find strong evidence to show that less competition leads to inefficient banking market. The study finds lower operational efficiency can lead to higher or lower margin depending on the region or market size. General growth in the economy can lead to a more efficient banking market. The results allude to the fact that inflationary shocks do pass on to deposit and loan rates at different extent and speed. Little evidence show that higher presence of foreign banks leads to higher margins.

Practical implications

The study recommends Central banks to encourage banks to grow/expand either through mergers or acquisitions. This could be done by increasing minimum capital requirements. When this is done, it is most likely that economies of scale among the merged banking entities will be materialised, potentially causing a sizable reduction in overhead costs that could eventually also increase the intermediation efficiency. While at this, further efficiency should be ensured through stirring up competition.

Originality/value

This study is the first to give new evidence of banking spread using country level data for developing countries and across different continents.