bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acoustic wave sparsely activated localization microscopy (AWSALM): Super-resolution ultrasound imaging using acoustic activation and deactivation of nanodroplets
Authors: Zhang Ge , Harput Sevan , Lin Shengtao , Christensen-Jeffries Kirsten , Leow Chee Hau , Brown Jemma , Dunsby Christopher , Eckersley Robert J. , Tang Meng-Xing
Published: July 2018

Photo-activated localization microscopy (PALM) has revolutionized the field of fluorescence microscopy by breaking the diffraction limit in spatial resolution. In this study, “acoustic wave sparsely activated localization microscopy (AWSALM),” an acoustic counterpart of PALM, is developed to super-resolve structures which cannot be resolved by conventional B-mode imaging. AWSALM utilizes acoustic waves to sparsely and stochastically activate decafluorobutane nanodroplets by acoustic vaporization and to simultaneously deactivate the existing vaporized nanodroplets via acoustic destruction. In this method, activation, imaging, and deactivation are all performed using acoustic waves. Experimental results show that sub-wavelength micro-structures not resolvable by standard B-mode ultrasound images can be separated by AWSALM. This technique is flow independent and does not require a low concentration of contrast agents, as is required by current ultrasound super resolution techniques. Acoustic activation and deactivation can be controlled by adjusting the acoustic pressure, which remains well within the FDA approved safety range. In conclusion, this study shows the promise of a flow and contrast agent concentration independent super-resolution ultrasound technique which has potential to be faster and go beyond vascular imaging.
Interaction between trailing edge wake and vortex rings in a Francis turbine at runaway condition: Compressible large eddy simulation
Authors: Trivedi Chirag , Dahlhaug Ole Gunnar
Published: July 2018

The present study aims to investigate the unsteady flow phenomenon that produces high energy stochastic fluctuations in a highly skewed blade cascade. A complex structure such as a turbine is operated at runaway speed, where the circumferential velocity is dangerously high, and the energy dissipation is so significant that it takes a toll on the operating life of a machine. Previous studies showed that a large vortical structure changes the spatial location very quickly and interacts with the secondary flow attached to the blade pressure-side. The temporal inception of the rings dissipates the energy of a wide frequency band and induces heavy vibration in the mechanical structure. The focus of the present study is to experimentally measure and numerically characterize the time-dependent inception of vortex rings in the blade cascade. The experimental data are used to verify and validate the numerical results obtained from the large eddy simulation. Flow compressibility is considered to obtain more accurate amplitudes of unsteady pressure pulsations associated with the wave propagation and reflection. The following three aspects are of particular focus: (1) How the wake from a guide vane interacts with the stagnation point of a blade, (2) how vortex rings are developed in a blade cascade, and what are the temporal characteristics, and (3) how the decelerating flow at the runner outlet interacts with the secondary flow in the draft tube.
Hydrodynamic coupling and rotational mobilities near planar elastic membranes
Authors: Daddi-Moussa-Ider Abdallah , Lisicki Maciej , Gekle Stephan , Menzel Andreas M. , Löwen Hartmut
Published: July 2018

We study theoretically and numerically, the coupling and rotational hydrodynamic interactions between spherical particles near a planar elastic membrane that exhibits resistance toward shear and bending. Using a combination of the multipole expansion and Faxén’s theorems, we express the frequency-dependent hydrodynamic mobility functions as a power series of the ratio of the particle radius to the distance from the membrane for the self mobilities and as a power series of the ratio of the radius to the interparticle distance for the pair mobilities. In the quasi-steady limit of zero frequency, we find that the shear- and bending-related contributions to the particle mobilities may have additive or suppressive effects depending on the membrane properties in addition to the geometric configuration of the interacting particles relative to the confining membrane. To elucidate the effect and role of the change of sign observed in the particle self mobilities and pair mobilities, we consider an example involving a torque-free doublet of counterrotating particles near an elastic membrane. We find that the induced rotation rate of the doublet around its center of mass may differ in magnitude and direction depending on the membrane shear and bending properties. Near a membrane of only energetic resistance toward shear deformation, such as that of a certain type of elastic capsules, the doublet undergoes rotation of the same sense as observed near a no-slip wall. Near a membrane of only energetic resistance toward bending, such as that of a fluid vesicle, we find a reversed sense of rotation. Our analytical predictions are supplemented and compared with fully resolved boundary integral simulations where very good agreement is obtained over the whole range of applied frequencies.
Rapid, simple and quantitative detection of metolcarb residues in apples by surface-enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Wang Yuhong , Wang Mingli , Sun Xin , Shi Guochao , Ma Wanli , Ren Lijian
Published: July 2018

A rapid and simple detection method of metolcarb residues in apples with spectral analysis technology was achieved drawing support from the high sensitive and flexible silver/dragonfly wing (Ag/DW) surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. The three steps “spray”, “press” and “separate” greatly simplified the procedures of extraction and sampling of pesticide molecules, resulting in the entire detection process was completed just in a few minutes. Importantly, the Ag nanoislands offered strong electromagnetic (EM) field enhancement near metallic nanostructures and significantly improved the sensitivity and reproducibility of the Raman signals. Meanwhile, surface plasmon coupling at the nanogaps between adjacent nanoislands created abundant “hot spots”, which became enormous enhancement necessary for high sensitivity SERS detection of metolcarb. Taking the apple peels as carriers, the trace detection of metolcarb residues on them was realized, whose detection limit reached 1×10-9 g/cm2. In addition, the linear relationship (R2 = 0.98666) between the logarithmic concentrations of metolcarb residues and the logarithmic peak areas at 1581 cm-1 was established, which was the more accurate reference for the prediction of the unknown concentration of metolcarb residues. In order to carry out the actual emulation, we studied metolcarb in mixed solution, and its obvious characteristic peaks were observed. These results indicated that SERS technology coupled with “spray-press-separate-test” method had the potential to qualitatively and quantitatively analyse metolcarb residues on complex apple peels.
Multi-color and multidirectional-steerable Smith-Purcell radiation from 2D sub-wavelength hole arrays
Authors: Liang Linbo , Liu Weihao , Liu Yucheng , Jia Qika , Wang Lin , Lu Yalin
Published: July 2018

We proposed and investigated, by theoretical analyses and simulations, a multi-color and multi-directional radiation by using sheet electron-beams to drive two-dimensional (2D) sub-wavelength hole arrays (SHAs). Each sub-wavelength hole is a resonant and radiative unit, which is successively excited by the electron-beam, such that the 2D SHA becomes a 2D array of radiating units and generates coherent Smith-Purcell radiation in specific directions where the radiation from all the units constructively interferes. The multi-color radiation is obtained when several resonant modes are excited. Each resonant mode could simultaneously radiate at several directions due to the multiple periodicity of the 2D SHA, and the radiation could be steered to any directions in the three dimensional space by adjusting the arrangement of 2D SHA and the electron energy. This radiation could promisingly be developed as radiation sources and devices with broad applications.
Pressure-induced enhancement of non-polar to polar transition temperature in metallic LiOsO3
Authors: Paredes Aulestia Esteban I. , Cheung Yiu Wing , Fang Yue-Wen , He Jianfeng , Yamaura Kazunari , Lai Kwing To , Goh Swee K. , Chen Hanghui
Published: July 2018

LiOsO3 undergoes a continuous transition from a centrosymmetric R3¯c structure to a polar R3c structure at Ts = 140 K. By combining transport measurements and first-principles calculations, we find that Ts is enhanced by applied pressures, and it reaches a value of ∼250 K at ∼6.5 GPa. The enhancement is due to the fact that the polar R3c structure of LiOsO3 has a smaller volume than the centrosymmetric R3¯c structure. Pressure generically favors the structure with the smallest volume, and therefore further stabilizes the polar R3c structure over the R3¯c structure, leading to the increase in Ts.
Note: Derivative divide, a method for the analysis of broadband ferromagnetic resonance in the frequency domain
Authors: Maier-Flaig Hannes , Goennenwein Sebastian T. B. , Ohshima Ryo , Shiraishi Masashi , Gross Rudolf , Huebl Hans , Weiler Mathias
Published: July 2018

Broadband ferromagnetic resonance (bbFMR) spectroscopy is an established experimental tool to quantify magnetic properties. Due to frequency-dependent transmission of the microwave setup, bbFMR measurements in the frequency domain require a suitable background removal method. Here, we present a measurement and data analysis protocol that allows us to perform quantitative frequency-swept bbFMR measurements without the need for a calibration of the microwave setup. We furthermore compare the results of the proposed frequency space analysis and a conventional analysis in field-space of bbFMR data obtained from a permalloy thin film. The very good agreement of the extracted parameters using the two methods shows the reliability of our method.
Timing generator breaks clock speed limits in circuits using time folding and interpolating technique
Authors: DeJarnette Drew
Published: July 2018

A new hardware approach, overlapping and interpolating multiple signals, improves resolution in user-defined pulse generation for arbitrary timing generators by an order of magnitude.
Gold- and Silver-Catalysed Cyclisation Reactions of β-Amino Allenes
Authors: Joyce Liam M. , Willis Anthony C. , Hyland Christopher J. T. , Pyne Stephen G.
Published: July 2018

Herein we report the formation of pyrrolines and tetrahydropyridines from the cyclisation reactions of β-amino allenes by both AuI and AgI catalysts in yields ranging from 5 to 70 %. AuI catalysts favour a 5-endo-dig cyclisation before rapid rearrangement to the 5-exo-dig product, while AgI favours a 6-endo-trig cyclisation. We also report the first known Ag2O catalysed cyclisation reaction of an allene which occurred in good yield (61 %).
Mechanistic insights in transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair of ribosomal DNA
Authors: Daniel Laurianne , Cerutti Elena , Donnio Lise-Marie , Nonnekens Julie , Carrat Christophe , Zahova Simona , Mari Pierre-Olivier , Giglia-Mari Giuseppina
Published: July 2018

Significance

RNAP1 transcription, dedicated to ribosomal DNAs (rDNAs), is the first and rate-limiting step of ribosome biogenesis. rDNAs are grouped into several copies. This redundancy is important to guarantee that at low damage levels one rDNA gene can be temporarily silenced without affecting overall ribosome biogenesis. Nevertheless, when DNA repair is defective or overloaded, several rDNAs could be damaged, disturbing the whole RNAP1 transcription process and later on modifying the ribosome content of cells. Therefore, it is of fundamental importance for the cell to maintain a functional RNAP1 transcription by repairing DNA lesions on rDNAs. In this work we identified, in mammals, the repair mechanism of rDNAs along with a specific behavior for RNAP1 after UV irradiation.
False reasoning and argumentation in the Twitter discourse of the Prime Minister of Israel
Authors: Boukala Salomi
Published: July 2018

This paper explores the Twitter discourse of the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, regarding security issues and the threat of ‘Islamist terrorism’ as manifested in the latest election campaign (March 2015) and his tweets and statements onOperation Protective Edge(July – August 2014). By focusing on national security and the underlying threat of terrorism against Israel and the West on Twitter, I argue that Netanyahu disseminates his political agenda further and attempts to communicate political decisions on the Gaza conflict in a digital environment.

By synthesizing Aristotle’s dialectic and rhetoric and the Discourse Historical Approach (DHA) to Critical Discourse Studies (CDS), and drawing on the concepts of topos and fallacy, I attempt to understand and explain how the Gaza conflict is communicated on social media by the Israeli Prime Minister. My aim is also to shed light on the validity of social media in political discourse and to examine whether and how social media can play a role in the propagation of political discourse in times of crisis through an argumentative discourse analysis of the tweets posted by the Prime Minister of Israel.
Novel Xanthine Oxidase (XO) inhibitory phenylindanes produced by thermal reaction of caffeic acid
Authors: Fukuyama Yuya , Hidaka Kayo , Masuda Akiko , Masuda Toshiya
Published: July 2018

The products from the thermal reaction of chlorogenic and caffeic acids, which is a model process of roasting coffee beans, exhibited xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory activity. From caffeic acid, six inhibitory phenylindanes were identified, and a new phenylindane displayed the highest inhibitory activity among them. The activity of these phenylindanes may contribute to XO inhibition-related functions of roasted coffee beverages.
Transient behaviour of torque and process efficiency during inertia friction welding
Authors: Tung D. J. , Mahaffey D. W. , Senkov O. N. , Semiatin S. L. , Zhang W.
Published: July 2018

Process efficiency is a crucial parameter for inertia friction welding (IFW). A new method is developed to determine the efficiency by comparing the workpiece torque used to heat and deform the joint to the total torque. Particularly, the former is measured by torque load cell attached to the non-rotating workpiece, while the latter is determined from the deceleration rate of flywheel. The efficiency measured for IFW of AISI 1018 steel is inputted into analytical heat balance calculation of the upset length and finite element thermo-mechanical modelling of the extruded flash profile. The calculated results are consistent with the respective experiment data. The transient behaviour of torque and efficiency is discussed based on the energy loss and the bond formation.
Heritability of Regional Brain Volumes in Large-Scale Neuroimaging and Genetic Studies
Authors: Zhao Bingxin , Ibrahim Joseph G , Li Yun , Li Tengfei , Wang Yue , Shan Yue , Zhu Ziliang , Zhou Fan , Zhang Jingwen , Huang Chao , Liao Huiling , Yang Liuqing , Thompson Paul M , Zhu Hongtu
Published: July 2018

Brain genetics is an active research area. The degree to which genetic variants impact variations in brain structure and function remains largely unknown. We examined the heritability of regional brain volumes (P ~ 100) captured by single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in UK Biobank (n ~ 9000). We found that regional brain volumes are highly heritable in this study population and common genetic variants can explain up to 80% of their variabilities (median heritability 34.8%). We observed omnigenic impact across the genome and examined the enrichment of SNPs in active chromatin regions. Principal components derived from regional volume data are also highly heritable, but the amount of variance in brain volume explained by the component did not seem to be related to its heritability. Heritability estimates vary substantially across large-scale functional networks, exhibit a symmetric pattern across left and right hemispheres, and are consistent in females and males (correlation = 0.638). We repeated the main analysis in Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (n ~ 1100), Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort (n ~ 600), and Pediatric Imaging, Neurocognition, and Genetics (n ~ 500) datasets, which demonstrated that more stable estimates can be obtained from the UK Biobank.
Potential of social media in promoting mental health in adolescents
Authors: O’Reilly Michelle , Dogra Nisha , Hughes Jason , Reilly Paul , George Riya , Whiteman Natasha
Published: July 2018

The growing prevalence of adolescent mental disorders poses significant challenges for education and healthcare systems globally. Providers are therefore keen to identify effective ways of promoting positive mental health. This aim of this qualitative study was to explore perceptions that social media might be leveraged for the purposes of mental health promotion amongst adolescents aged between 11 and 18 years. Utilizing focus groups conducted with adolescents (N = 54), educational professionals (N = 16) and mental health practitioners (N = 8). We explored their views about the value of social media for this purpose. Three themes were identified. First, social media appears to have potential to promote positive mental health. Second, adolescents frequently utilize social media and the internet to seek information about mental health. Finally, there are benefits and challenges to using social media in this way. We conclude that despite challenges of using social media and the risks, social media does offer a useful way of educating and reaching adolescents to promote mental wellbeing.
Split between two worlds: automated sensing reveals links between above- and belowground social networks in a free-living mammal
Authors: Smith Jennifer E. , Gamboa Denisse A. , Spencer Julia M. , Travenick Sarah J. , Ortiz Chelsea A. , Hunter Riana D. , Sih Andy
Published: July 2018

Many animals socialize in two or more major ecological contexts. In nature, these contexts often involve one situation in which space is more constrained (e.g. shared refuges, sleeping cliffs, nests, dens or burrows) and another situation in which animal movements are relatively free (e.g. in open spaces lacking architectural constraints). Although it is widely recognized that an individual's characteristics may shape its social life, the extent to which architecture constrains social decisions within and between habitats remains poorly understood. Here we developed a novel, automated-monitoring system to study the effects of personality, life-history stage and sex on the social network structure of a facultatively social mammal, the California ground squirrel (
Otospermophilus beecheyi
) in two distinct contexts: aboveground where space is relatively open and belowground where it is relatively constrained by burrow architecture. Aboveground networks reflected affiliative social interactions whereas belowground networks reflected burrow associations. Network structure in one context (belowground), along with preferential juvenile–adult associations, predicted structure in a second context (aboveground). Network positions of individuals were generally consistent across years (within contexts) and between ecological contexts (within years), suggesting that individual personalities and behavioural syndromes, respectively, contribute to the social network structure of these free-living mammals. Direct ties (strength) tended to be stronger in belowground networks whereas more indirect paths (betweenness centrality) flowed through individuals in aboveground networks. Belowground, females fostered significantly more indirect paths than did males. Our findings have important potential implications for disease and information transmission, offering new insights into the multiple factors contributing to social structures across ecological contexts.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Interdisciplinary approaches for uncovering the impacts of architecture on collective behaviour’.
Multi-Method Characterisation of the Human Circulating Microbiome
Authors: Whittle E. , Leonard M.O. , Harrison R. , Gant T.W. , Tonge D.P
Published: July 2018

The term microbiome describes the genetic material encoding the various microbial populations that inhabit our body. Whilst colonisation of various body niches (e.g. the gut) by dynamic communities of microorganisms is now universally accepted, the existence of microbial populations in other “classically sterile” locations, including the blood, is a relatively new concept. The presence of bacteria-specific DNA in the blood has been reported in the literature for some time, yet the true origin of this is still the subject of much deliberation. The aim of this study was to investigate the phenomenon of a “blood microbiome” by providing a comprehensive description of bacterially-derived nucleic acids using a range of complementary molecular and classical microbiological techniques. For this purpose we utilised a set of plasma samples from healthy subjects (n = 5) and asthmatic subjects (n = 5). DNA-level analyses involved the amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. RNA-level analyses were based upon thede novoassembly of unmapped mRNA reads and subsequent taxonomic identification. Molecular studies were complemented by viability data from classical aerobic and anaerobic microbial culture experiments. At the phylum level, the blood microbiome was predominated by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. The key phyla detected were consistent irrespective of molecular method (DNA vs RNA), and consistent with the results of other published studies.In silicocomparison of our data with that of the Human Microbiome Project revealed that members of the blood microbiome were most likely to have originated from the oral or skin communities. To our surprise, aerobic and anaerobic cultures were positive in eight of out the ten donor samples investigated, and we reflect upon their source. Our data provide further evidence of a core blood microbiome, and provide insight into the potential source of the bacterial DNA / RNA detected in the blood. Further, data reveal the importance of robust experimental procedures, and identify areas for future consideration.
Mating in wild yeast: variable interest in sex after spore germination
Authors: McClure Allison W. , Jacobs Katherine C. , Zyla Trevin R. , Lew Daniel J.
Published: July 2018

Studies of lab strains ofSaccharomyces cerevisiaehave uncovered signaling pathways involved in mating, including information processing strategies to optimize decisions to mate or to bud. However, lab strains are heterothallic (unable to self-mate) while wild yeast are homothallic. And while mating of lab strains is studied using cycling haploid cells, mating of wild yeast is thought to involve germinating spores. Thus, it was unclear whether lab strategies would be appropriate in the wild. Here, we have investigated the behaviors of several yeast strains derived from wild isolates. Following germination, these strains displayed large differences in their propensity to mate or to enter the cell cycle. The variable interest in sex following germination was correlated with differences in pheromone production, which were due to both cis- and trans-acting factors. Our findings suggest that yeast spores germinating in the wild may often enter the cell cycle and form microcolonies prior to engaging in mating.
Translational Control of TFEB and Autophagy via eIF5A Rejuvenates B Cell Immunity
Authors: Zhang Hanlin , Alsaleh Ghada , Feltham Jack , Sun Yizhe , Riffelmacher Thomas , Charles Philip , Frau Lisa , Yu Zhanru , Mohammed Shabaz , Balabanov Stefan , Mellor Jane , Katharina Simon Anna
Published: July 2018

Failure to make adaptive immune responses is a hallmark of aging. In particular reduced B cell function leads to poor vaccination efficacy and a high prevalence of infections in the elderly. However, the molecular mechanism underlying immune senescence is largely unknown. Here we show that autophagy levels are specifically reduced in mature lymphoid cells, leading to compromised memory B cell responses in old individuals. Spermidine, a naturally occurring polyamine metabolite, induces autophagyin vivoand rejuvenates memory B cell responses in an autophagy-dependent manner. Mechanistically, spermidine post-translationally modifies the translation factor eIF5A, which assists the synthesis of TFEB, a key transcription factor of autophagy. Spermidine is depleted in the elderly, leading to reduced TFEB expression and autophagy. Replenishing spermidine restored this pathway and improved the responses of old human B cells. Taken together, our results reveal an unexpected autophagy regulatory mechanism mediated by eIF5A at the translational level, and this pathway can be harnessed to rejuvenate immune senescence in humans.
Unilateral optogenetic inhibition and excitation of basal ganglia output show opposing effects on directional lick choices and movement initiation in mice
Authors: Morrissette Arthur E. , Chen Po-Han , Bhamani Conrad , Borden Peter Y. , Waiblinger Christian , Stanley Garrett B. , Jaeger Dieter
Published: July 2018

Models of basal ganglia function predict that tonic inhibitory output to motor thalamus suppresses unwanted movements, and that a decrease in such activity leads to action selection. A direct test of these outcomes of thalamic inhibition has not been performed, however. To conduct such a direct test, we utilized rapid optogenetic activation and inactivation of the GABAergic output of the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) to motor thalamus in mice that were trained in a sensory cued left/right licking task. Directional licking tasks have previously been shown to depend on a thalamocortical feedback loop between ventromedial motor thalamus and antero-lateral premotor cortex (Li et al., 2015; Guo et al., 2017). In confirmation of model predictions, we found that 1s of unilateral optogenetic inhibition of GABAergic output from the SNr biased decision making towards the contralateral lick spout with ipsilaterally cued trials while leaving motor performance intact. In contrast, 1s of optogenetic excitation of SNr terminals in motor thalamus resulted in an opposite bias towards the ipsilateral direction confirming a bidirectional effect of tonic nigral output on directional decision making. In a second variant of the task we disallowed anticipatory licking and found that successful suppression of anticipatory licking was also impacted by our optogenetic manipulations in agreement with the suppressive effect of tonic nigral output. Nevertheless, direct unilateral excitation of SNr cell bodies resulted in bilateral movement suppression, suggesting that descending motor pathways from the SNr to superior colliculus also play an important role in the control of licking behavior.

Significance Statement

This study provides the first evidence that basal ganglia output to motor thalamus can control decision making in left/right licking choices and suppress anticipatory movement initiation. Unilateral optogenetic inhibition or excitation of basal ganglia output via the substantia nigra resulted in opposite changes of directional lick choices and could override the sensory information on lick direction provided by a whisker stimulus. These results suggest that basal ganglia output gates activity in a thalamo-cortical feedback loop previously shown to underlie the control of forced choice directional licking behavior. The results substantiate models stating that tonic inhibition of motor thalamus from the basal ganglia directs action selection and suppresses unwanted movements.
Flow Cytometric Analysis of Xenopus Immune Cells
Authors: Edholm Eva-Stina
Published: July 2018

Flow cytometry is a versatile analytical platform capable of multiparameter analysis of more than a thousand individual cells per second. This technique is used to measure the physical and chemical characteristics of individual cells in a heterogeneous cell suspension as they pass through one or multiple lasers. Physical properties, such as size and internal complexity, are recorded as light scattering at different angles and are expressed as forward- and side-scatter, respectively. Following light excitation, fluorochromes conjugated to antibodies or intercalated with different cellular components reemit light at distinct wavelengths. This can identify a broad array of cell specific antigens, further defining distinct cell subsets based on activation, lineage, and developmental stage. The combination of labels that can be used depends on the laser used to excite the fluorochromes and on the detector and available antibodies. With the growing number of Xenopus-specific antibodies, flow cytometry can be used to identify, isolate, and characterize distinct immune cell subsets. In this protocol, different methods to obtain single-cell suspensions from various X. laevis tissues are described. A standard three-parameter procedure defining viability and two cell-surface markers is then described.
Impact of challenging behaviour on siblings of people with Autism
Authors: Yacoub Evan , Dowd Michael , McCann Leigh , Burke Lydia
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Despite being largely supportive of their sibling with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), some siblings without ASD also feel the effects of the disorder particularly in relation to challenging behaviour and lack of empathy. The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences adults who have a sibling with ASD and intellectual disability (ID) with challenging behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were conducted with 11 capacitous adult siblings of service users who have ASD and ID as well as a history of challenging behaviour. A modified version of the autism Parenting Stress Index was used to assess the impact on those siblings. thematic analysis was utilised to analyse their responses.

Findings

Four main themes emerged from the interviews, which highlighted that challenging behaviour can cause emotional losses and can impact upbringing and the sibling relationship. Despite the siblings making adjustments, they continue to have concerns for the future.

Originality/value

Chronic challenging behaviour can impact on siblings, and it is important to support entire families, and not exclusively parents.
Shifting the balance of power
Authors: Whaley Jo , Domenico Di , Alltimes Jane
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This purpose of this paper is to examine the role of engagement and empowerment in “Transforming Care”, for people with a learning disability. The aim is to shift the balance of power so that people are able to live ordinary lives in the community, in the home they choose, close to people they love. It shares ideas to support people to take control over their own lives and to influence the system, so that it works with people, rather than “doing to” people.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines barriers and enablers to people having their rights as citizens. So that people have as much choice and control as they are comfortable with to live an ordinary life (bearing in mind any legal restrictions). The paper includes people’s involvement in system/service redesign. It critiques traditional views of looking at language, participation and power. The authors have used the language throughout which people have told us they prefer as a descriptor.

Findings

The authors present a framework for looking at the power of, and around, people with a learning disability who have mental health issues or have displayed behaviour that can challenge services.

Originality/value

This paper offers advice on how to address power imbalances at individual level and at organisational/system level. It looks at the language we use, the information we share and how we work with experts by experience to ensure we can transform care and support and enable people to live ordinary lives as citizens.
Managing religious diversity in secular organizations in France
Authors: Hennekam Sophie , Peterson Jonathan , Tahssain-Gay Loubna , Dumazert Jean-Pierre
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how managers deal with religious diversity in secular organizations in France.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 28 semi-structured in-depth interviews with managers in France were conducted, transcribed and analyzed.

Findings

The findings reveal three distinct strategies. First, the authors identified a “flexibility within the rules” strategy in which managers try to accommodate religious practices by making allowances, create mutual understanding and trust. Second, a “separation strategy” emerged in which managers keep work and religion clearly separated. Those managers expressed a strong adherence to rules and perceived the implementation of allowances difficult not only for their own organization but also in light of third parties with whom they worked. Third, the findings reveal a “common-ground” strategy in which managers stressed the communalities between individual workers, downplayed their differences and sought to create a strong corporate culture to which all employees could relate.

Practical implications

The expression of religious beliefs in the workplace is increasing. However, little is known about how managers deal with the perceived clash of secularism and the presence of different religions in the workplace. Implications for managers such as taking into account perceptions of justice, practical issues as well as the importance of communication and education are discussed.

Originality/value

Religion is a deep-level and understudied aspect of diversity management that deserves more attention given the increase in religious diversity in the workplace.
Small sample discrete reliability growth modeling using a grey systems model
Authors: Talafuse Thomas Paul , Pohl Edward A.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

When performing system-level developmental testing, time and expenses generally warrant a small sample size for failure data. Upon failure discovery, redesigns and/or corrective actions can be implemented to improve system reliability. Current methods for estimating discrete (one-shot) reliability growth, namely the Crow (AMSAA) growth model, stipulate that parameter estimates have a great level of uncertainty when dealing with small sample sizes. The purpose of this paper is to present an application of a modified GM(1,1) model for handling system-level testing constrained by small sample sizes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a methodology for incorporating failure data into a modified GM(1,1) model for systems with failures following a poly-Weibull distribution. Notional failure data are generated for complex systems and characterization of reliability growth parameters is performed via both the traditional AMSAA model and the GM(1,1) model for purposes of comparing and assessing performance.

Findings

The modified GM(1,1) model requires less complex computational effort and provides a more accurate prediction of reliability growth model parameters for small sample sizes and multiple failure modes when compared to the AMSAA model. It is especially superior to the AMSAA model in later stages of testing.

Originality/value

This research identifies cost-effective methods for developing more accurate reliability growth parameter estimates than those currently used.
Revisiting the project management knowledge framework
Authors: Cha Jonghyuk , Newman Mike , Winch Graham
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This paper highlights that extant project management (PM) bodies of knowledge have not fully addressed organisational transformation enabled by information systems projects. The purpose of this paper is to examine the transformation context in the PM disciplines. The authors argue that the execution-oriented PM bodies of knowledge are limited, as they place too much emphasis on the delivery outputs by the supplier rather than the achievement of beneficial outcomes by the project owner.

Design/methodology/approach

As a conceptual paper, this paper reviews extant PM bodies of knowledge, life cycle models, the context of organisational transformation and benefits realisation, and the distinction between a project owner’s and the project supplier’s capabilities.

Findings

A new PM knowledge framework is provided as an advanced research frame for future works by enhancing Peter Morris’ Management of Projects framework by employing the conceptual lens of Winch’s Three Domains of Project Organising model.

Originality/value

The advanced model emphasises the necessity of distinguishing a project owner’s and a supplier’s PM capability and knowledge to achieve successful IS-enabled organisational transformation. Through this effort to resolve the fragmentation and specialisation problems in PM disciplines, the model can be used as a theoretical groundwork for the advancement of PM research.
A step-by-step guide to assist logistics managers in defining efficient re-shelving solutions for retail store deliveries
Authors: Sanz Guillem , Pastor Rafael , Domenech Bruno
Published: July 2018

Purpose

City logistics is a challenge in many cities. Literature works focus on the analysis of large or local-scale solutions to increase the efficiency of freight transport. However, store deliveries from the perspective of practitioners, particularly retail stores, are still an issue. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to propose a decision framework to assist logistics managers in defining efficient re-shelving solutions for store deliveries, according to the emplacement characteristics, city administration constraints and social issues.

Design/methodology/approach

An iterative step-by-step decision framework is developed, which allows taking decisions in a clear and structured way, including the preferences of key stakeholders. Moreover, a “what if” procedure is proposed, aiming to modify some initial conditions of the target store to achieve more efficient solutions.

Findings

The proposed decision framework is applicable in practice and helps users (mainly logistics managers) to identify solutions for efficient re-shelving in urban settings.

Research limitations/implications

The decision framework is applied by the logistics manager of two Spanish food retail stores, but it could be used in different logistics sectors and cities/regions, although adapting the decisions taken at each phase.

Practical implications

Logistics managers have a support tool when addressing re-shelving solutions for store deliveries.

Social implications

A balance can be found between company interests (minimise costs) and citizens quality of life (less contamination, noise, traffic, etc.).

Originality/value

This study simultaneously deals with large- and local-scale decisions faced by logistics managers in their day-to-day activity, considering details about the store location, its surroundings and the company it belongs.
Experimental research on the tilting pad bearing under the high temperature of inlet oil
Authors: Yang Peiji , Yuan Qi , Chen Runlin
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of high-temperature inlet oil on the comprehensive performance of tilting-pad bearing.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking a tilting-pad bearing under high temperature of inlet oil in a natural gas compressor as an example, the experimental system was developed for the tilting-pad bearing applied in a real machine, and the experiment was performed. The bearing lubricating properties under different high temperatures of inlet oil were obtained, including oil film thickness on the pivot, temperature rise and the shaft vibration values at the bearing positions.

Findings

The experimental results showed that the vibration, the oil film thickness on the pivot and the pad temperature were not sensitive to the change in temperature of the inlet oil, but vibrations were observed under the specific speed. At the same speed, when oil temperature changed by 1°C, the bearing temperature rise did not exceed 0.2°C and change in oil film thickness on the pivot was 1 µm. The test results of the actual unit are in good agreement with the experimental results.

Originality/value

The vibration measurement scheme was presented, and an indirect measurement method of fulcrum thickness was proposed. The practicability of the measurement method and the accuracy of test results were verified by the comparison of the test results of the shaft vibration, the bearing pad temperature, the fulcrum oil film thickness and the theoretical calculation results. This study will provide an important reference for designing a tilting-pad bearing with high-temperature inlet oil.
Factors affecting marketing channel choice decisions of smallholder Citrus growers
Authors: Siddique Muhammad Imran , Garnevska Elena , Marr Norman Edward
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Despite the fact that citrus industry is growing in Pakistan where production is dominated by small-scale citrus growers, no research has been done to evaluate and analyse the marketing channel choice decision-making process of these citrus growers. The purpose of this paper is to review the existing factors affecting decision making of small-size citrus growers in citrus supply chain in Pakistan and also measures and analyses the factors that affect the marketing channel decisions of these small size growers.

Design/methodology/approach

A multivariate decision analysis technique, conjoint analysis, was used to analyse and evaluate the major factors affecting marketing channel choice decisions of small-size citrus growers.

Findings

It was concluded that among nine very important factors, six factors played a major role in the marketing channel choice decision making. Only three factors namely, “price”, “time of complete fruit picking” and “number of fruit pickings” were considered highly important factors and reflected that citrus growers not only want to secure his payments but also to save their orchards for next season(s).

Research limitations/implications

The research would provide valuable information about citrus grower’s marketing decision-making process and thus would contribute to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of citrus industry in Pakistan.

Originality/value

This analysis would suggest them to make rational decisions and help choosing them the most appropriate combination of different levels of different factors which would increase their profits. This study identifies the most relevant factors and their levels which citrus growers and pre-harvest contractors preferred in citrus marketing channel choice decision making, thus, server as a guideline for the buyer’s to deal with them accordingly. This would improve the efficiency and reduce the transaction cost along the citrus supply chain in Pakistan.
A parametric test evaluating smallholder farmers’ training needs in Uganda
Authors: Kataike Joanita , Modekurti Durga Prasad Venkata , Butali Eric , Magumba David , Mugenyi Andrew Ronnie , Aine-Omucunguzi Adalbert , Gellynck Xavier
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Effective rural agribusiness development requires dedicated training programmes therefore, this paper is an attempt to investigate smallholder farmers’ TNs in the dairy agribusiness sector. The purpose of this paper is to study a bigger research project of the dairy value chain in agribusiness framework in the Rwenzori region.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample size of 100 dairy farmers were randomly selected from two Districts in the Rwenzori region. The descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) provided a basis for discussion. Furthermore, parametric Pearson coefficient test was conducted to examine the smallholder farmers’ TNs and assess its association with selected socio-demographic characteristics of the dairy farmers.

Findings

The analysis indicated that dairy farmers expressed the need for a training program. Most frequently requested topics include: fodder cultivation, quality and safe milk handling, milk marketing, calf feeding and rearing, animal nutrition and financial literacy out of 12 topics. The least desired TNs was record keeping.

Research limitations/implications

The findings contribute to the understanding of dairy farmers’ TNs.

Practical implications

The identified 12 key training intervention areas for the dairy farmers inform policymakers Dairy Development Authority and other development bodies in the Rwenzori region to address the challenges and improve smallholder dairy farming practices.

Originality/value

The study applies a synthesis review to identify theoretically acceptable variables that measure smallholder farmers’ TNs in the dairy agribusiness. The paper also shares the empirical evidence of a pioneering attempt to identify smallholder dairy farmers’ TNs in Uganda.
Does contract farming improve profits and food safety? Evidence from tomato cultivation in Nepal
Authors: Kumar Anjani , Roy Devesh , Tripathi Gaurav , Joshi P.K. , Adhikari Rajendra P.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to quantify the benefits of contract farming (CF) on farmers’ income and adoption of food safety measures (FSMs) at the farm level. The paper also investigates the determinants of participation in CF.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a survey of 600 tomato farmers from Nepal. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis (using instrumental variable) and propensity score matching have been used to accomplish the objectives of the study.

Findings

The study found that the CF ensures higher returns to farmers as well as higher adoption of FSMs at the farm level. The contract farmers earned about 38 per cent higher net returns and had 38 per cent higher adoption of FSM as compared to independent farmers. Caste, occupation, farm size and cropping intensity significantly affected farmers’ participation in CF.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis based on cross-section data has limitations to consider unobserved farmer-level individual heterogeneity.

Originality/value

This study will provide an empirical base to promote CF in Nepal. The study will also contribute to bridge the gap in literature on the drivers of CF and its impact on smallholders’ income and compliance with FSM in Nepal.