bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sleep Quality and Quality of Life in Older Women With Urinary Incontinence Residing in Turkey
Authors: Yılmaz Bulut Tuba , Altay Birsen
Published: January 2020

PURPOSE:

The aim of this study was to evaluate sleep quality and quality of life in older women with urinary incontinence.

DESIGN:

Cross-sectional.

SUBJECTS/SETTING:

Women ages 65 to 84 years with reported urinary incontinence and were receiving care in the Gynecology and Obstetrics Polyclinic in Gynecology and Obstetrics Polyclinic, Medical Practice and Research Center, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey.

METHODS:

Data were collected over a 3-month period during one-on-one interviews using the investigator-developed Personal Information Form to capture demographic data, and with questionnaires including the Incontinence-Quality of Life Instrument (I-QOL), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analyzed using nonparametric tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

RESULTS:

We approached 210 individuals, of which 140 were consented, enrolled, and completed the study. The mean age of participants was 70.3 ± 4.1 years. The mean sleep quality score measured with the PSQI was 9.6 ± 6.0, suggesting poor sleep quality, which affected 89.3% of the sample. The quality-of-life mean total score measured with the I-QOL was 67.8 ± 14.9, reflecting normal quality of life specific to urinary incontinence. However, quality of life was lower in the older age group, 75 to 84 years, who also reported at least one chronic condition, had not received treatment for urinary incontinence, and had irregular sleep patterns.

CONCLUSIONS:

We found a strong correlation between sleep quality and quality of life in older females with urinary incontinence, raising awareness of the need for health care providers to inquire about sleep and quality of life and provide treatment options to ameliorate these negative health outcomes.
Feasibility of the Audio Recorded Cognitive Screen in the Assessment of Individuals Undergoing Electroconvulsive Therapy
Authors: Weiss Alan Michael , Brown Nicole , Wainwright Robert , Newtown Christopher , Schofield Peter William
Published: January 2020

Background

Monitoring for cognitive deficits during a course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is recommended, but cognitive assessment can be time consuming. The Audio Recorded Cognitive Screen (ARCS) is a cognitive test instrument with good psychometric properties that places minimal demands on clinicians' time, but until now, it has not been formally evaluated for monitoring cognition in the context of ECT treatment.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the feasibility/utility of using the ARCS in the assessment of depressed patients undergoing ECT.

Methods

Depressed patients undergoing ECT were tested with the ARCS and a comparison instrument, the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), in counterbalance order immediately before any ECT and after the sixth ECT treatment episode. Apathy (Apathy Scale) and depression (Profile of Mood states Short Form) were measured on both occasions. Analyses compared performances on the 2 cognitive instruments and examined for associations with the measures of apathy or depression.

Results

Twenty-eight individuals (9 male, 19 female) aged 19 to 84 years underwent testing. Performances on the total ARCS were similar to those on the total RBANS, and both showed decline from baseline to follow-up. The total ARCS and RBANS measures correlated well (r = 0.75, P < 0.001). Neither apathy nor depression scores were significantly associated with scores on either the RBANS or ARCS.

Conclusions

The ARCS was acceptable and convenient in the assessment of cognition in patients undergoing treatment with ECT. In light of its practical advantages, further evaluation of the ARCS for detecting cognitive impairment and tracking cognitive changes during ECT seems warranted.
Robin Jon Hawes Clark. 16 February 1935—6 December 2018
Authors: Davies Alwyn G. , McMillan Paul F.
Published: January 2020

Robin Clark was a distinguished physical/inorganic chemist who made major discoveries in the coordination chemistry of the early transition metals, especially of titanium and vanadium complexes with high coordination numbers (notably seven and eight) and of the structures and physical properties of mixed valence, linear chain and metal–metal bonded compounds. He applied far-infrared spectroscopy to study metal–ligand vibrations systematically and established the technique for structure elucidation of transition metal and main group compounds. He also developed Raman and resonance Raman spectroscopy applied to inorganic compounds and highly coloured solids including mineral samples. That work led to his seminal applications of microbeam Raman spectroscopy for the identification of pigments and other constituents of artworks and historical artefacts, thereby developing a basis for testing their provenance and the identification of forgeries.
Hydrogel systems and their role in neural tissue engineering
Authors: Madhusudanan Pallavi , Raju Gayathri , Shankarappa Sahadev
Published: January 2020

Neural tissue engineering (NTE) is a rapidly progressing field that promises to address several serious neurological conditions that are currently difficult to treat. Selecting the right scaffolding material to promote neural and non-neural cell differentiation as well as axonal growth is essential for the overall design strategy for NTE. Among the varieties of scaffolds, hydrogels have proved to be excellent candidates for culturing and differentiating cells of neural origin. Considering the intrinsic resistance of the nervous system against regeneration, hydrogels have been abundantly used in applications that involve the release of neurotrophic factors, antagonists of neural growth inhibitors and other neural growth-promoting agents. Recent developments in the field include the utilization of encapsulating hydrogels in neural cell therapy for providing localized trophic support and shielding neural cells from immune activity. In this review, we categorize and discuss the various hydrogel-based strategies that have been examined for neural-specific applications and also highlight their strengths and weaknesses. We also discuss future prospects and challenges ahead for the utilization of hydrogels in NTE.
Kia kaua te reo e rite ki te moa, ka ngaro: do not let the language suffer the same fate as the moa
Authors: Barrett-Walker Tessa , Plank Michael J. , Ka'ai-Mahuta Rachael , Hikuroa Daniel , James Alex
Published: January 2020

More than a third of the world's languages are currently classified as endangered and more than half are expected to go extinct by 2100. Strategies aimed at revitalizing endangered languages have been implemented in numerous countries, with varying degrees of success. Here, we develop a new model regarding language transmission by dividing the population into defined proficiency categories and dynamically quantifying transition rates between categories. The model can predict changes in proficiency levels over time and, ultimately, whether a given endangered language is on a long-term trajectory towards extinction or recovery. We calibrate the model using data from Wales and show that the model predicts that the Welsh language will thrive in the long term. We then apply the model to te reo Māori, the indigenous language of New Zealand, as a case study. Initial conditions for this model are estimated using New Zealand census data. We modify the model to describe a country, such as New Zealand, where the endangered language is associated with a particular subpopulation representing the indigenous people. We conclude that, with current learning rates, te reo Māori is on a pathway towards extinction, but identify strategies that could help restore it to an upward trajectory.
Sea star inspired crawling and bouncing
Authors: Heydari Sina , Johnson Amy , Ellers Olaf , McHenry Matthew J. , Kanso Eva
Published: January 2020

The oral surface of sea stars is lined with arrays of tube feet that enable them to achieve highly controlled locomotion on various terrains. The activity of the tube feet is orchestrated by a nervous system that is distributed throughout the body without a central brain. How such a distributed nervous system produces a coordinated locomotion is yet to be understood. We develop mathematical models of the biomechanics of the tube feet and the sea star body. In the model, the feet are coupled mechanically through their structural connection to a rigid body. We formulate hierarchical control laws that capture salient features of the sea star nervous system. Namely, at the tube foot level, the power and recovery strokes follow a state-dependent feedback controller. At the system level, a directionality command is communicated through the nervous system to all tube feet. We study the locomotion gaits afforded by this hierarchical control model. We find that these minimally coupled tube feet coordinate to generate robust forward locomotion, reminiscent of the crawling motion of sea stars, on various terrains and for heterogeneous tube feet parameters and initial conditions. Our model also predicts a transition from crawling to bouncing consistently with recent experiments. We conclude by commenting on the implications of these findings for understanding the neuromechanics of sea stars and their potential application to autonomous robotic systems.
A kinase of many talents: non-neuronal functions of CDK5 in development and disease
Authors: Sharma Samanta , Sicinski Piotr
Published: January 2020

The cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) represents an unusual member of the family of cyclin-dependent kinases, which is activated upon binding to non-cyclin p35 and p39 proteins. The role of CDK5 in the nervous system has been very well established. In addition, there is growing evidence that CDK5 is also active in non-neuronal tissues, where it has been postulated to affect a variety of functions such as the immune response, angiogenesis, myogenesis, melanogenesis and regulation of insulin levels. Moreover, high levels of CDK5 have been observed in different tumour types, and CDK5 was proposed to play various roles in the tumorigenic process. In this review, we discuss these various CDK5 functions in normal physiology and disease, and highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting CDK5.
Crowdsourced mapping extends the target space of kinase inhibitors
Authors: Cichonska Anna , Ravikumar Balaguru , Allaway Robert J , Park Sungjoon , Wan Fangping , Isayev Olexandr , Li Shuya , Mason Michael , Lamb Andrew , Tanoli Ziaurrehman , Jeon Minji , Kim Sunkyu , Popova Mariya , Capuzzi Stephen , Zeng Jianyang , Dang Kristen , Koytiger Gregory , Kang Jaewoo , Wells Carrow I. , Willson Timothy M. ,   The IDG-DREAM Drug-Kinase Binding Prediction Challenge Consortium, Oprea Tudor I. , Schlessinger Avner , Drewry David H. , Stolovitzky Gustavo , Wennerberg Krister , Guinney Justin , Aittokallio Tero
Published: January 2020

Despite decades of intensive search for compounds that modulate the activity of particular targets, there are currently small-molecules available only for a small proportion of the human proteome. Effective approaches are therefore required to map the massive space of unexplored compound-target interactions for novel and potent activities. Here, we carried out a crowdsourced benchmarking of predictive models for kinase inhibitor potencies across multiple kinase families using unpublished bioactivity data. The top-performing predictions were based on kernel learning, gradient boosting and deep learning, and their ensemble resulted in predictive accuracy exceeding that of kinase activity assays. We then made new experiments based on the model predictions, which further improved the accuracy of experimental mapping efforts and identified unexpected potencies even for under-studied kinases. The open-source algorithms together with the novel bioactivities between 95 compounds and 295 kinases provide a resource for benchmarking new prediction algorithms and for extending the druggable kinome.
Thin layer immunoassay; an economical approach to diagnoseHelicobacter pyloriInfection in gastroduodenal ulcer disease patients of Pakistan; a comparative analysis
Authors: Aziz Faisal , Taj Yasmeen , Kazmi Shahana Urooj
Published: January 2020

Helicobacter pyloriis a causative agent of gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcers and gastric adenocarcinoma. Gastric patient’s serums were screened forH. pyloriinfection by thin layer immunoassay. A polystyrene plate coated withH. pylorisonicate whole cell antigen (10 μg/ml). Two fold-diluted patient’s serum was allowed to react at 37 °C, incubated at 60 °C for 1 min over water bath and recorded water condensation pattern forH. pyloriantibody. Gastric patient’s blood samples (62% male and 6% female) were tested positive forH. pylori,while agewise 15–25 years males (36%) and 65–75 years females (50%) showed highest number ofH. pyloriinfection. Thin layer immunoassay showed sensitivity (72–67%), specificity (100%), accuracy (94–69%) and κ value (0.493–0.357) in comparison with wELISA, sELISA and kELISA. We conclude thin layer immunoassay was reliable, low cost, quick, simple and clinically useful method forH. pyloridiagnosis in patients of Pakistan.
Predictive feedback, early sensory representations and fast responses to predicted stimuli depend on NMDA receptors
Authors: Mohanta Sounak , Afrasiabi Mohsen , Casey Cameron , Tanabe Sean , Redinbaugh Michelle J. , Kambi Niranjan A. , Phillips Jessica M. , Polyakov Daniel , Filbey William , Austerweil Joseph L. , Sanders Robert D. , Saalmann Yuri B.
Published: January 2020

Learned associations between stimuli allow us to model the world and make predictions, crucial for efficient behavior; e.g., hearing a siren, we expect to see an ambulance and quickly make way. While there are theoretical and computational frameworks for prediction, the circuit and receptor-level mechanisms are unclear. Using high-density EEG, Bayesian modeling and machine learning, we show that inferred “causal” relationships between stimuli and frontal alpha activity account for reaction times (a proxy for predictions) on a trial-by-trial basis in an audio-visual delayed match-to-sample task which elicited predictions. Predictive beta feedback activated sensory representations in advance of predicted stimuli. Low-dose ketamine, a NMDA receptor blocker – but not the control drug dexmedetomidine – perturbed behavioral indices of predictions, their representation in higher-order cortex, feedback to posterior cortex and pre-activation of sensory templates in higher-order sensory cortex. This study suggests predictions depend on alpha activity in higher-order cortex, beta feedback and NMDA receptors, and ketamine blocks access to learned predictive information.
Hydrogen evolution and absorption phenomena in plasma membrane of higher plants
Authors: Zhang Xin , Zhang Zhao , Su Zehua , Zhao Qinghui , LeBaron Tyler W. , Li Qinjian , Lyu Baobei , Adzavon Yao Mawulikplimi , Liu Guangyang , Liu Mengyu , Xie Fei , Zhao Pengxiang , Ma Xuemei
Published: January 2020

Molecular hydrogen (H2) exhibits a wide breadth of botanical effects especially in improving the resistance to abiotic stress. However, the primary target is not clear. Bidirectional hydrogenases have been well studied in microbes and alga, but there is a paucity of research in higher plants. Here, we used real-time spectrophotometry, gas chromatography and H2sensor to detect the H2-evolving and H2-uptake activity of the plasma membrane (PM) vesicles of higher plants. Net H+, Na+and K+fluxes were measured using Non-invasive Micro-test Technology (NMT). We found that the PM vesicles ofVigna radiatahypocotyls andCapsicum annuumstems have the ability of both oxidizing and producing H2. This two-way enzymatic activity coupled with the redox of ferricyanide/ferrocyanide and NADH/NAD+. H2affected the H+and Na+fluxes on the surface ofV. radiatahypocotyls. These results demonstrate that the PM vesicles of higher plants have the abilities of H2evolution and absorption. The bidirectional activities may act as a valve to regulate the energy balance in plant cells.
Detection of phylogenetic core groups in diverse microbial ecosystems
Authors: Parras-Moltó Marcos , de Cárcer Daniel Aguirre
Published: January 2020

The detection and subsequent analysis of phylogenetic core groups (PCGs) in a microbial ecosystem has been recently proposed as a potentially important analytical framework with which to increase our understanding of its structure and function. However, it was still unclear whether PCGs represented an infrequent phenomenon in nature. Here we provide evidence of PCGs in a large and diverse array of environments, which seems to indicate that their existence is indeed a predominant feature of microbial ecosystems. Moreover, we offer dedicated scripts to examine the presence and characteristics of PCGs in other microbial community datasets.
Adult mice lacking VIP SCN neurons retain circadian locomotor behavior but exhibit dampened daily glucocorticoid rhythms
Authors: Mazuski Cristina , Chen Samantha P. , Herzog Erik D.
Published: January 2020

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) drives circadian rhythms in locomotion through coupled, single-cell oscillations. Global genetic deletion of the neuropeptide,Vipor its receptorVipr2, results in profound deficits in daily synchrony among SCN cells and daily rhythms in locomotor behavior and glucocorticoid secretion. To test whether this phenotype depends on VIP neurons in the SCN, we ablated VIP SCN neuronsinvivo in adult mice through Caspase3-mediated induction of the apoptotic pathway in cre-expressing VIP neurons. We found that ablation of VIP SCN neurons in adult mice caused a phenotype distinct fromVip-andVipr2-null mice. Mice lacking VIP neurons retained rhythmic locomotor activity with a shortened circadian period, more variable onsets and decreased duration of daily activity. Circadian hormonal outputs, specifically corticosterone rhythms were severely dampened. In contrast, deletion of neonatal SCN VIP neurons dramatically reduced circadian gene expression in the cultured SCN, mimicking the effects of global deletion ofViporVipr2. These results suggest that SCN VIP neurons play a role in lengthening circadian period and stimulating the daily surge in glucocorticoids in adults and in synchronizing and sustaining daily rhythms among cells in the developing SCN.

Significance Statement

The importance of the neuropeptide, VIP, for circadian rhythms has been described in mice lacking the gene forVipor its receptor,Vipr2. This study found that ablation of VIP neurons only in the adult SCN reproduced the loss of circadian rhythms in glucocorticoids, but not the loss of circadian locomotor behavior, seen with global loss of VIP signaling. We conclude that VIP SCN neurons play two roles: one in adulthood lengthening circadian period and regulating circadian outputs, and one in development coordinating synchrony among circadian cells.
CTDSP1 inhibitor rabeprazole regulates DNA-PKcs dependent topoisomerase I degradation and irinotecan drug resistance in colorectal cancer
Authors: Matsuoka Hiroya , Ando Koji , Swayze Emma J , Unan Elizabeth C , Mathew Joseph , Hu Quingjiang , Tsuda Yasuo , Nakashima Yuichiro , Saeki Hiroshi , Oki Eiji , Bharti Ajit K , Mori Masaki
Published: January 2020

Irinotecan specifically targets topoisomerase I (topoI), and is used to treat various solid tumors, but only 13-32% of patients respond to the therapy. Now, it is understood that the rapid rate of topoI degradation in response to irinotecan causes irinotecan resistance. We have published that the deregulated DNA-PKcs kinase cascade ensures rapid degradation of topoI and is at the core of the drug resistance mechanism of topoI inhibitors, including irinotecan. We also identified CTD small phosphatase 1 (CTDSP1) (a nuclear phosphatase) as a primary upstream regulator of DNA-PKcs in response to topoI inhibitors. Previous reports showed that rabeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) inhibits CTDSP1 activity. The purpose of this study was to confirm the effects of rabeprazole on CTDSP1 activity and its impact on colon cancer. Using HCT116 and HT29, with high and low CTDSP1 expression respectively and a retrospective analysis of patients receiving irinotecan with or without rabeprazole have indicated the effect of CTDSP1 in irinotecan response. These results indicate that CTDSP1 promotes sensitivity to irinotecan and rabeprazole prevents this effect, resulting in drug resistance. To ensure the best chance at effective treatment, rabeprazole may not be a suitable PPI for cancer patients treated with irinotecan.
Role of the transcriptional regulator SP140 in resistance to bacterial infections via repression of type I interferons
Authors: Ji Daisy X. , Witt Kristen C. , Kotov Dmitri I. , Margolis Shally R. , Louie Alexander , Chevée Victoria , Chen Katherine J. , Gaidt Moritz , Dhaliwal Harmandeep S. , Lee Angus Y. , Nishimura Stephen , Zamboni Dario S. , Kramnik Igor , Portnoy Daniel A. , Darwin K. Heran , Vance Russell E.
Published: January 2020

Type I interferons (IFNs) are essential for anti-viral immunity, but often impair protective immune responses during bacterial infections. An important question is how type I IFNs are strongly induced during viral infections, and yet are appropriately restrained during bacterial infections. TheSuper susceptibility to tuberculosis 1 (Sst1)locus in mice confers resistance to diverse bacterial infections. Here we provide evidence thatSp140is a gene encoded within theSst1locus that represses type I IFN transcription during bacterial infections. We generatedSp140-/-mice and find they are susceptible to infection byLegionella pneumophilaandMycobacterium tuberculosis.Susceptibility ofSp140-/-mice to bacterial infection was rescued by crosses to mice lacking the type I IFN receptor(Ifnar-/-). Our results implicateSp140as an important negative regulator of type I IFNs that is essential for resistance to bacterial infections.

Impact Statement

Repression of type I interferons by SP140 is essential for resistance toLegionella pneumophilaandMycobacterium tuberculosis.
Effect of Al on microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-8Gd-4Y-1Zn alloy
Authors: Zhou Yongxin , Li Qian , Xing Zhiguo , Zhou Renze , Huang Zhenhua , Huang Yanfei , Guo Weiling
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of aluminum addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-8Gd-4Y-1Zn alloy.

Design/methodology/approach

Mg-8Gd-4Y-1Zn-xAl (x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 Wt.%) alloys were prepared by the conventional gravity casting technology, and then microstructures, phase composition and mechanical properties were investigated by material characterization method, systematically.

Findings

Results show that the as-cast microstructure of Mg-8Gd-4Y-1Zn alloy mainly consists of a-Mg matrix as well as Mg12REZn (18 R LPSO structure), and island-like Mg3(RE, Zn) phase is distributed at the grain boundary. The addition of a small amount of Al (0.5 Wt.%) can decrease the content of island-like Mg3(RE, Zn) phase, but significantly increase the content of long-period stacking ordered (LPSO) structure, resulting in the improvement of both tensile strength and elongation of Mg-8Gd-4Y-1Zn alloy. However, the addition of excessive Al will consume Re element and decrease the amount of LPSO structure, leading to the decrease of tensile properties. When the content of Al is 0.5 Wt.%, the tensile strength and elongation are 225 MPa and 9.0% of Mg-8Gd-4Y-1Zn alloy, which are 14% and 29% higher than that of Mg-8Gd-4Y-1Zn alloy, respectively.

Originality/value

Adding aluminum to Mg-8Gd-4Y-1Zn alloy strengthens its mechanical properties. And the effect of Al content on the alloy strengthening. The formation mechanism of LPSO structure with different aluminum content was revealed.
The dynamic effects of monetary policy innovations in Ethiopia
Authors: Nuru Naser Yenus
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of unanticipated monetary policy innovations on output and price for Ethiopia from 1991:Q1 to 2016:Q1.

Design/methodology/approach

Short run and long run identification schemes on structural vector autoregressive model are employed in this study.

Findings

The impulse response function results generated show that while a positive shock in interest rate causes a reduction in output and price puzzle, a positive shock to broad money supply has a positive and significant effect on output and price. A positive shock in real effective exchange rate has also an expansionary, though insignificant, effect on impact on both output and price. These results are especially true for the short run identification scheme. As to the results from the variance decomposition, the study shows that the highest variation in output and price is caused by broad money supply shock in the short run.

Originality/value

It adds to the scarce empirical literature on the effects of monetary policy innovations on the Ethiopian economy.
Audit effort, materiality and audit fees: evidence from the adoption of IFRS in Australia
Authors: Miah Muhammad Shahin , Jiang Haiyan , Rahman Asheq , Stent Warwick
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the association between International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) effort due to higher levels of material adjustments and audit fees. In addition, this paper tests whether these associations differ between industry specialist auditors and non-specialist auditors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors measure IFRS effort by using differences between local GAAP and IFRS. More specifically, they measure the differences in the balances of accounts that are prepared under IFRS as opposed to the previously used Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) standards. They posit that higher material adjustments and more risk to fair presentation of financial statements require additional accounting and auditing effort (“IFRS effort”).

Findings

The authors find that audit fees are higher when accounting standards are more material and complex at an aggregate level. Nevertheless, not all standards are equally complex and/or material and not all individual standards contribute to higher audit fees. In addition, the results show that the positive association between IFRS effort and audit fees is more pronounced when firms are audited by city-level industry specialists than by non-industry specialists.

Originality/value

Overall, the results are consistent with the prediction of increasing audit fees for firms requiring higher levels of IFRS effort compared to firms requiring lower levels of IFRS effort. The results contribute to the understanding that not all IFRS are equally complex and, thereby, the standards require different levels of auditor effort. Isolating specific standards based on materiality/risk levels is informative to standard setters for standard setting, standard implementation and post-implementation review of standards.
Does organizational virtuousness and psychological capital impact employee performance: evidence from the banking sector
Authors: Dubey Shubha , Ruparel Namita , Choubisa Rajneesh
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Positive psychology views organizational virtuousness (OV) and psychological capital (PsyCap) as significant external and internal variables. From a research perspective, both OV and PsyCap have indicated a positive relationship with employee performance. However, the underlying mechanism of the causal relationship needs to be explored.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a cross-sectional design. The sample was collected through snowball technique from (n = 122) Indian bank employees from the public (51 per cent) and private sector (49 per cent).

Findings

OV and PsyCap reveal a positive effect on self and supervisor-rated performance of the Indian bankers. OV predicts PsyCap. Overall, OV and PsyCap impacts supervisor-rated performance.

Research limitations/implications

Our study demonstrates that organizations can develop employee OV to enhance their PsyCap. It is essential to improve their perceptions of OV. Moreover, this relationship also empowers employee performance, thereby emphasizing the importance of OV among employees, managers and organizations. Study findings seem robust, but other researchers should extend this work into other sectors and with larger sample sizes.

Originality/value

Our study is the first to explore the relationships between OV and PsyCap. Also, it assesses the variable’s impact on self and supervisor rated performance. The results of our study provide insights into banking employees' performance that managers can use in their daily operations.
Quantitative assessment of landslide risk using Monte Carlo material point method
Authors: Zhou Xiaomin , Sun Zheng
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an effective way to assess landslide risk quantitatively. Quantitative assessment plays an important role in mitigating the landslide risk and developing a landslide risk-based warning system. However, efficient risk assessment on the large deformation failure process of slope with spatially variable soils is a challenging problem.

Design/methodology/approach

Combining the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) and the higher-order material point method – the B-spline Material Point Method (BSMPM) – the concept of MC-BSMPM to assess the landslide risk quantitatively is proposed in this paper. The overall dynamic evolution of soil slope failure has been simulated by the BSMPM, and the probability density function of the sliding duration, the sliding kinematic energy, the sliding mass and the sliding distance of the landslide are obtained based on the MCS. Through the four risk assessment parameters of the sliding duration, the sliding kinematic energy, the sliding mass and the sliding distance, the landslide risk could be assessed quantitatively.

Findings

It is found that the post-failure behavior of the landslide conforms well to a normal distribution as the soil physical parameter is in a normal distribution. The variation of soil’s shear strength affects the dynamic motion of the landslide greatly.

Originality/value

The result shows that the landslide hazard cannot be estimated comprehensively by the deterministic BSMPM, while the landslide risk could be more clearly understood and quantitatively assessed with more details by the proposed method, which demonstrates that the MC-BSMPM method is an effective way to assess the landslide risk quantitatively.
Green-Haar method for fractional partial differential equations
Authors: Ismail Muhammad , Rehman Mujeeb ur , Saeed Umer
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to obtain the numerical scheme of finding the numerical solutions of arbitrary order partial differential equations subject to the initial and boundary conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors present a novel Green-Haar approach for the family of fractional partial differential equations. The method comprises a combination of Haar wavelet method with the Green function. To handle the nonlinear fractional partial differential equations the authors use Picard technique along with Green-Haar method.

Findings

The results for some numerical examples are documented in tabular and graphical form to elaborate on the efficiency and precision of the suggested method. The obtained results by proposed method are compared with the Haar wavelet method. The method is better than the conventional Haar wavelet method, for the tested problems, in terms of accuracy. Moreover, for the convergence of the proposed technique, inequality is derived in the context of error analysis.

Practical implications

The authors present numerical solutions for nonlinear Burger’s partial differential equations and two-term partial differential equations.

Originality/value

Engineers and applied scientists may use the present method for solving fractional models appearing in applications.
When more is better
Authors: Valenzuela Marcus A. , Jian Guowei , Jolly Phillip M.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how organizational diversity may be associated with immigrants’ quality of coworker relationships. More specifically, this paper examines how immigrants’ perceived deep-level similarity and perceived workplace ethnic diversity may be associated with their quality of coworker relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A final sample of 347 immigrant employees were surveyed. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Immigrants’ quality of coworker relationships is positively associated with their perceived deep-level similarity with other coworkers. In addition, perceived workplace ethnic diversity moderates this relationship such that the relation is stronger as perceived workplace ethnic diversity increases.

Research limitations/implications

The study and analyses are based on cross-sectional and single-source data and cannot determine causality. The study is also restricted to immigrants in the USA.

Practical implications

Findings provide evidence that increased levels of ethnic diversity and deep-level similarity in the workplace may improve immigrants’ quality of relationships, helping them integrate more successfully in organizations. Thus, managers seeking to benefit from diversity should strive for the creation of truly multicultural organizations or workgroups and focus on fostering similarities in deep-level attributes to maximize their potential.

Originality/value

Immigrants are an important asset for organizations, but research about their inclusion in organizations is limited, especially when examining their integration in their workplaces. This study addresses some of these limitations by looking at the effect of diversity in organizations.
A multiphase SPH framework for solving the evaporation and combustion process of droplets
Authors: Wang Dudou , Qiang Hongfu , Shi Chao
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a two-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) framework for simulating the evaporation and combustion process of fuel droplets.

Design/methodology/approach

To solve the gas–liquid two-phase flow problem, a multiphase SPH method capable of handling high density-ratio problems is established. Based on the Fourier heat conduction equation and Fick’s law of diffusion, the SPH discrete equations are derived. To effectively characterize the phase transition problem, inspired by volume of fluid method, the concept of liquid phase mass fraction of the SPH particles is proposed. The one-step global reaction model of n-hexane is used for the vapor combustion.

Findings

The evaporation and combustion process of single droplet conforms to the law. The framework works out well when the evaporation of multiple droplets involves coalescence process. Three different kinds of flames are observed in succession in the combustion process of a single droplet at different inflow velocity, which agree well with the results of the experiment.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first computational framework that has the capability to simulate evaporation and combustion with SPH method. Based on the particle nature of SPH method, the framework has natural advantages in interface tracking.
How are we tempted into debt? Emotional appeals in loan advertisements in UK newspapers
Authors: Czarnecka Barbara , Mogaji Emmanuel
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of emotional appeals in advertisements for loans and explored consumers’ perceptions of advertisements featuring such appeals in order to explore how emotional meanings are transferred to consumers via advertising.

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 employed content analysis to examine the use of emotional appeals in loan advertisements. Over 2,900 editions of eight British newspapers were monitored for advertisements for loans containing emotional appeals. Study 2 employed 33 semi-structured interviews to explore consumers’ perceptions of emotional appeals in loan advertisements.

Findings

Loans were positioned as services providing relief, security and excitement. The use of negative emotional appeals such as guilt, fear and sorrow was sporadic. Loans that carried the most risk were advertised with positive emotional appeals the most frequently. Five dimensions of perceptions of emotional loan advertisements were conceptualised from the reported data in Study 2.

Originality/value

This is the first study in the UK to examine the use of emotional appeals in loan advertising and to explore consumers’ perceptions of loan advertisements featuring emotional appeals. The study identified five dimensions of perceptions of emotional appeals.
Predicting customer satisfaction for distribution companies using machine learning
Authors: Cavalcante Siebert Luciano , Bianchi Filho José Francisco , Silva Júnior Eunelson José da , Kazumi Yamakawa Eduardo , Catapan Angela
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This study aims to support electricity distribution companies on measuring and predicting customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The developed methodology selects and applies machine learning techniques such as decision trees, support vector machines and ensemble learning to predict customer satisfaction from service data, power outage data and reliability indices.

Findings

The results on the predicted main indicator diverged only by 1.36 per cent of the results obtained by the survey with company customers.

Research limitations/implications

Social, economic and political conjunctures of the regional and national scenario can influence the indicators beyond the input variables considered in this paper.

Practical implications

Currently, the actions taken to increase customer satisfaction are based on the track record of a yearly survey; therefore, the methodology may assist in identifying disturbances on customer satisfaction, enabling decision-making to deal with it in a timely manner.

Originality/value

Development of an intelligent algorithm that can improve its performance with time. Understanding customer satisfaction may improve companies’ performance.
The mediation role of public governance in the relationship between entrepreneurship and economic growth
Authors: Hamdan Allam Mohammed , Khamis Reem , Al Hawaj Ammar Abdulla , Barone Elisabetta
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediation role of public governance in the relationship between entrepreneurship and economic growth in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this aim, the study uses a 20-year time series analysis (1996–2015) and tests the effect of entrepreneurship on economic growth, through public governance, via a mediator model.

Findings

The study has determined that public governance buoys the positive effect that entrepreneurship activities exert on economic growth in the UAE. Based on this determination, the study posits a set of recommendations that focus on supporting entrepreneurship activities that play a significant role in economic growth.

Originality/value

The study adds to the literature on the impact of entrepreneurship on economies dependent on oil revenuesvis-à-visa public policy perspective. The study provides insights into the type of entrepreneurship that most efficaciously suits the Emirati social and cultural milieu in terms of fostering national economic growth. In addition, the study limns a vision of the role of public governance in creating an enabling environment that stimulates entrepreneurial activity and, in turn, increases economic growth in the Emirates.
Implementing self-service technologies: not without competition!
Authors: Audrin Bertrand
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the implementation of self-service technologies (SST) in two competitors and unravel the process of change in two related setups, offering a comparison as well as an association of cases.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on two extensive case studies of SST adoption by leading retailers in a Western European country. The analysis is based on a material-discursive approach using Greimas actantial model to identify actors’ roles in the implementation process.

Findings

Results highlight the key role of technology and organizational identity as legitimizers of the change process. The findings also emphasize the role of competition in justifying change.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the specific situation of the market in the country of study (both retailers share 70 percent of the grocery market), this research offers a textbook example of the role of competition in technological change. This helps to understand the role of competition in technological change.

Originality/value

This study explores the implementation of SST in two competitors and unravels the process of change in two related setups, offering a comparison as well as an association of cases.
How long is a parental leave and for whom? An analysis of methodological and policy dimensions of leave length and division in Sweden
Authors: Duvander Ann-Zofie , Viklund Ida
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Parental leave in Sweden can be taken both as paid and unpaid leave and often parents mix these forms in a very flexible way. Therefore, multiple methodological issues arise regarding how to most accurately measure leave length. The purpose of this paper is to review the somewhat complex legislation and the possible ways of using parental leave before presenting a successful attempt of a more precise way of measuring leave lengths, including paid and unpaid days, for mothers and fathers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study makes use of administrative data for a complete cohort of parents of first born children in 2009 in Sweden. The authors examine what characteristics are associated with the use of paid and unpaid leave for mothers and fathers during the first two years of the child’s life, focusing particularly on how individual and household income is associated with leave patterns.

Findings

Among mothers, low income is associated with many paid leave days whereas middle income is associated with most unpaid days. High income mothers use a shorter leave. Among fathers it is the both ends with high and low household income that uses most paid and unpaid leave.

Practical implications

A measure that includes unpaid parental leave will be important to not underestimate the parental leave and to prevent faulty comparisons between groups by gender and by socioeconomic status.

Originality/value

A measure of parental leave including both paid and unpaid leave will also facilitate international comparisons of leave length.
Cronyism as an outcome of institutional settings: the case of pre-2011 Egypt
Authors: Sabry Mohamed Ismail
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Why are state business relations in Egypt characterized by widely acknowledged high levels of cronyism? The purpose of this paper is to investigate the institutional factors explaining this research question with a focus on pre-2011 Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a general theoretical discussion, certain institutions were proposed as being responsible. A game theoretical model is then introduced. It explains why cronyism was the best strategy for various business players in contrast to aggregating and lobbying their efforts to obtain government available resources, whether these resources are energy subsidies, public banks’ credit or regulations. Then pre-2011 Egypt is discussed as a case study. This discussion is enriched by the available literature and empirical data.

Findings

Choosing cronyism was attributed to the presence of a weak and dependent private sector, where businesspeople are unable to aggregate their power; a relatively stronger government; poor governance performance; higher levels of regime legitimization practices, such as providing generous consumer subsidies; and economic growth caused by an increase in resources rather than by governance institutional improvement. A discussion of the available literature and empirical data on pre-2011 Egypt, going over the various proposed institutional factors, helped to support these arguments.

Research limitations/implications

Further empirical evidence is needed to support and modify the suggestions of this paper. More detailed indicators would have further helped this research. Moreover, more case studies, other than the case of pre-2011 Egypt, are also needed. It is hoped that this paper would encourage further research endeavors that would cover these limitations.

Practical implications

Governance institutional reform is needed to minimize cronyism, especially institutions such as voice and accountability, rule of law, regulatory quality and control of corruption.

Social implications

This paper can explain why high levels of cronyism are witnessed in many countries of the world, including the countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The region shares many institutional factors with Egypt. Governments in the MENA region have various sources of power with regard to their dependent private sectors added to the general poor performance in various governance indicators in the region.

Originality/value

The deep analysis conducted in this paper for the causes of Cronyism in Egypt has not been done elsewhere. This is also true for the whole MENA region. The introduced theoretical model is the first trial of this sort and should be important for future works on this topic in the MENA region and developing countries.
Analysis of mechanical power loss of a helical gear pair based on the starved thermal-elastohydrodynamic lubrication model
Authors: Liu Mingyong , Xu Peidong , Zhang Jinxi , Ding Huafeng
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Power loss is an important index to evaluate the transmission performance of a gear pair. In some cases, the starved lubrication exists on the gear contact interface. The purpose of this paper is to reveal the mechanical power loss of a helical gear pair under starved lubrication.

Design/methodology/approach

A starved thermal-elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) model is proposed to evaluate the tribological properties of a helical gear pair. The numerical result has been validated against the published simulation data. Based on the proposed model, the influence of thermal effect, working conditions, inlet oil-supply layer and surface roughness on the mechanical power loss and lubrication performance has been discussed.

Findings

Results show that the thermal effect has a significant effect on the tribological properties of helical gear pair, especially on mechanical power loss. For a specified working condition, there is an optimal oil supply for gear lubrication to obtain the state of full film lubrication. Meanwhile, it reveals that the mechanical power loss increases with the increase of the surface roughness amplitude.

Originality/value

In this paper, a starved thermal-EHL model has been developed for the helical gear pair based on the finite line contact theory. This model can be used to analyze the tribological properties of gear pair from full film lubrication to mixed lubrication. The results can provide the tribological guidance for design of a helical gear pair.