bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal foraging and the information theory of gambling
Authors: Baddeley Roland J. , Franks Nigel R. , Hunt Edmund R.
Published: December 2018

At a macroscopic level, part of the ant colony life-cycle is simple: a colony collects resources; these resources are converted into more ants, and these ants in turn collect more resources. Because more ants collect more resources, this is a multiplicative process, and the expected logarithm of the amount of resources determines how successful the colony will be in the long run. Over 60 years ago, Kelly showed, using information theoretic techniques, that the rate of growth of resources for such a situation is optimised by a strategy of betting in proportion to the probability of payoff. Thus, in the case of ants the fraction of the colony foraging at a given location should be proportional to the probability that resources will be found there, a result widely applied in the mathematics of gambling. This theoretical optimum generates predictions for which collective ant movement strategies might have evolved. Here, we show how colony level optimal foraging behaviour can be achieved by mapping movement to Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, specifically Hamiltonian Markov chain Monte Carlo (HMC). This can be done by the ants following a (noisy) local measurement of the (logarithm of) the resource probability gradient (possibly supplemented with momentum, i.e. a propensity to move in the same direction). This maps the problem of foraging (via the information theory of gambling, stochastic dynamics and techniques employed within Bayesian statistics to efficiently sample from probability distributions) to simple models of ant foraging behaviour. This identification has broad applicability, facilitates the application of information theory approaches to understanding movement ecology, and unifies insights from existing biomechanical, cognitive, random and optimality movement paradigms. At the cost of requiring ants to obtain (noisy) resource gradient information, we show that this model is both efficient, and matches a number of characteristics of real ant exploration.
Validation of the Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool for Children in the Dominican Republic
Authors: Sanchez-Vincitore Laura V. , Schaettle Paul , Castro Arachu
Published: December 2018

Background: This study initiated the validation process of a translated and adapted version of the Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool (MDAT) for children in the Dominican Republic (DR). Like Malawi before the development of the MDAT, the DR did not have early childhood development (ECD) tools explicitly designed for low-resource areas that are also valid assessments of child development. We chose MDAT because it underwent a rigorous validation process and retained measurements of test items that were culturally adaptable from the Denver Developmental Screening Test II. We aimed to test the internal consistency and inter-rater reliability of the psychometric properties of the MDAT in children under the age of two years living in low-income neighborhoods in Santo Domingo in 2017.
Methods and Findings: Forty-two children from 2 to 24 months of age (mean = 11.26, SD = 6.37, boys = 22, girls = 20) and their corresponding caregiver participated in the study. We conducted a cross-sectional, pre-experimental study. The primary outcome measure was an index of ECD, as assessed by the Dominican adaptation of the MDAT. The tool evaluates children in four domains: social, fine motor, language, and gross motor. To determine internal consistency, we obtained Cronbach's alpha for each sub-scale. The results ranged from 0.89 to 0.94, indicating good consistency. Second, to test the interrater reliability, we conducted a Kendall's Taub test of independence for both the general scale and each sub-scale. Significant Cronbach's alpha scores ranged from .923 to .966, indicating appropriate interrater reliability. Third, we correlated the age variable with each subscale to determine if the development scale followed a progression of abilities that are expected to increase with maturation. The age variable correlated positively with all the subscales (social r=.887, p < .001; fine motor r = .799, p < .001; language r = .834, p < .001; gross motor r = .805, p < .001), indicating that the older the child, the better scores in the development measurements, as expected. There were no adverse events. This study, however, has multiple limitations. We did not gather information about socioeconomic position, which is an important variable when assessing child development; however, all participants lived in a low-income neighborhood. Given that this is the first ECD tool specific to the Dominican Republic, norm-referenced scores for the Dominican population do not yet exist. This study sample size is insufficient to make inferences about the national population.
Conclusions: This study represents the first attempt to obtain a valid tool to screen for development milestones in children living in poverty in the DR. More research is needed to refine the instrument. The availability of the tool will enable impact evaluations of ECD intervention programs and the development of evidence-based public policies in the DR.
The Germline Variants rs61757955 and rs34988193 are Predictive of Survival in Low Grade Glioma Patients
Authors: Chatrath Ajay , Kiran Manjari , Kumar Pankaj , Ratan Aakrosh , Dutta Anindya
Published: December 2018

Low grade gliomas are invasive brain tumors that are difficult to completely resect neurosurgically. They often recur following resection and progress, resulting in death. Although previous studies have shown that specific germline variants increase the risk of tumor formation, no previous study has screened many germline variants to identify variants predictive of survival in glioma patients. In this study, we present an approach to identify the small fraction of prognostic germline variants from the pool of over four million variants that we variant called in The Cancer Genome Atlas whole exome sequencing and RNA sequencing datasets. We identified two germline variants that are predictive of poor patient outcomes by Cox regression, controlling for eleven covariates. rs61757955 is a germline variant found in the 3’ UTR of GRB2 associated with increased KRAS signaling, CIC mutations, and 1p/19q co-deletion. rs34988193 is a germline variant found in the tumor suppressor gene ANKDD1a that causes an amino acid change from lysine to glutamate. This variant was found to be predictive of poor prognosis in two independent low grade glioma datasets and is predicted to be within the top 0.06% of deleterious mutations across the human genome. The wild type residue is conserved in all 22 other species with a homologous protein.

Implications

This is the first study presenting an approach to screening many germline variants to identify variants predictive of survival and our application of this methodology revealed the germline variants rs61757955 and rs34988193 as being predictive of survival in low grade glioma patients.
LIN-15B promotes enrichment of H3K9me2 on the promoters of a subset of germline genes that are repressed in somatic cells in C. elegans
Authors: Rechtsteiner Andreas , Costello Meghan E. , Egelhofer Thea A. , Garrigues Jacob M. , Strome Susan , Petrella Lisa
Published: December 2018

Repression of germline-promoting genes in somatic cells is critical for somatic development and function. To study how germline genes are repressed in somatic tissues, we analyzed key histone modifications in three Caenorhabditis elegans synMuv B mutants, lin-15B, lin-35, and lin-37, all of which display ectopic expression of germline genes in the soma. LIN-35 and LIN-37 are members of the conserved DREAM complex. LIN-15B has been proposed to work with the DREAM complex but has not been shown biochemically to be a complex member. We found that in wild-type worms synMuv B target genes and germline genes are enriched for the repressive histone modification dimethylation of histone H3 on lysine 9 (H3K9me2) at their promoters. Genes with H3K9me2 promoter localization are distributed across the autosomes and not biased toward autosomal arms like broad H3K9me2 domains. Both synMuv B targets and germline genes display dramatic reduction of H3K9me2 promoter localization in lin-15B mutants, but much weaker reduction in lin-35 and lin-37 mutants. This is the first major difference reported between lin-15B and DREAM complex mutants, which likely represents a difference in molecular function for these synMuv B proteins. In support of the pivotal role of H3K9me2 in regulation of germline genes through LIN-15B, global loss of H3K9me2 but not H3K9me3 results in phenotypes similar to synMuv B mutants, high temperature larval arrest and ectopic expression of germline genes in the soma. We propose that LIN-15B-driven enrichment of H3K9me2 on promoters of germline genes contributes to repression of those genes in somatic tissues.
Serotonin regulates mitochondrial biogenesis and function in rodent cortical neurons via the 5-HT2A receptor and SIRT1-PGC-1α axis
Authors: Fanibunda Sashaina , Deb Sukrita , Maniyadath Babukrishna , Gupta Samir , Weisstaub Noelia , Gingrich Jay , Vaidya Ashok , Kolthur-Seetharam Ullas , Vaidya Vidita Ashok
Published: December 2018

Mitochondria in neurons in addition to their primary role in bioenergetics also contribute to specialized functions including regulation of synaptic transmission, Ca2+ homeostasis, neuronal excitability and stress adaptation. However, the factors that influence mitochondrial biogenesis and function in neurons remain poorly elucidated. Here, we identify an important role for serotonin (5-HT) as a regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and function in rodent cortical neurons, via a 5-HT2A receptor-mediated recruitment of the SIRT1-PGC-1α axis, which is relevant to the neuroprotective action of 5-HT. 5-HT increased mitochondrial biogenesis, reflected through enhanced mtDNA levels, mitotracker staining, and expression of mitochondrial genes. This was accompanied by increased cellular ATP levels, basal and maximal respiration, as well as spare respiratory capacity. Mechanistically the effects of 5-HT were mediated via the 5-HT2A receptor and master modulators of mitochondrial biogenesis, SIRT1 and PGC-1α. SIRT1 was required to mediate the effects of 5-HT on mitochondrial biogenesis and function in cortical neurons. In vivo studies revealed that 5-HT2A receptor stimulation increased cortical mtDNA and ATP levels, in a SIRT1 dependent manner. In cortical neurons, 5-HT enhanced expression of anti-oxidant enzymes, decreased cellular reactive oxygen species, and exhibited neuroprotection against excitotoxic and oxidative stress, an effect that required SIRT1. These findings identify 5-HT as a novel upstream regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and function in cortical neurons, and implicate the mitochondrial effects of 5-HT in its neuroprotective action.
PLK1 protects centromeres from BLM-mediated disintegration to promote chromosome biorientation
Authors: Addis Jones Owen , Tiwari Ankana , Olukoga Tomisin , Herbert Alex , Chan Kok-Lung
Published: December 2018

Faithful chromosome segregation cannot be achieved without proper chromosome biorientation (so-called metaphase alignment). Disabling PLK1, a key mitotic kinase, impairs multiple aspects of mitosis, particularly chromosome alignment. This is believed primarily due to unstable bipolar spindle-kinetochore attachments. Contrary to this belief, PLK1 inactivation does not necessarily abolish metaphase establishment, instead impairing its maintenance. Here, we demonstrate that the failure of chromosome biorientation maintenance is driven by a hitherto undescribed mechanism named centromere dislocation. Without an active PLK1 during mitosis, BLM helicase is illegitimately recruited to and unwinds a specific centromere domain underneath kinetochores in a PICH-dependent manner, impairing centromere configuration and rigidity. Acting with bipolar spindle pulling forces, the distorted centromeric chromatin is promptly converted into an ultra-thin DNA structure, termed pre-anaphase interchromatin DNA threads(PITs) and fails to withstand spindle tension, resulting in whole-chromosome arms splitting. This devastating dechromatinisation action severely damages the centromere integrity and destroys normal metaphase maintenance. Therefore, our study unveils that in order to facilitate chromosome biorientation, PLK1 serves as a chromosome guardian to protect centromeres from disintegration, driven by a BLM-mediated chromatin decompaction activity.
Life in coastal pebble sediment: Unique interstitial organism community and selective feeding on meiobenthos by interstitial fishes (Luciogobius: Gobiidae)
Authors: Kondo Kasumi , Kato Makoto
Published: December 2018

Interstitial areas of coastal pebble sediment in the Japanese Archipelago are inhabited by extremely elongated gobies of the genus Luciogobius, which are characterized by an increased number of vertebrae and reduction of scales, eyes, and fins. To explore the little-known interstitial life of Luciogobius gobies, we investigated the diets of two interstitial Luciogobius species, L. elongatus and L. grandis, and the interstitial organism communities of the gobies’ microhabitats in an exposed gravelly coast in Shirahama, southern Japan. The interstitial organism community in pebbly sediment was dominated by minute arthropods such as harpacticoids, isopods, and ostracods, presenting a marked contrast to the communities in sandy sediments, which are dominated by nematodes and turbellarians. The gut contents of the two goby species were composed exclusively of interstitial organisms, especially harpacticoides and isopods. Although each prey assemblage was roughly similar to the interstitial organism community in the corresponding microhabitat, marked preferences for harpacticoids and flabelliferan isopods were detected in L. elongatus and L. grandis, respectively. Irrespective of their intense feeding of harpacticoids, rare catches of large isopods were suggested to be nutritionally important for the gobies. These results suggest that the Luciogobius gobies are the first known fishes that depend exclusively on interstitial organisms, and that selective feeding upon meiobenthos may facilitate the coexistence of several interstitial goby species in pebbly sediment.
Metabolic network reductions
Authors: Tefagh Mojtaba , Boyd Stephen P.
Published: December 2018

Genome-scale metabolic networks are exceptionally huge and even efficient algorithms can take a while to run because of the sheer size of the problem instances. To address this problem, metabolic network reductions can substantially reduce the overwhelming size of the problem instances at hand. We begin by formulating some reasonable axioms defining what it means for a metabolic network reduction to be “canonical” which conceptually enforces reversibility without loss of any information on the feasible flux distributions. Then, we start to search for an efficient way to deduce some of the attributes of the original network from the reduced one in order to improve the performance. As the next step, we will demonstrate how to reduce a metabolic network repeatedly until no more reductions are possible. In the end, we sum up by pointing out some of the biological implications of this study apart from the computational aspects discussed earlier.

Author summary

Metabolic networks appear at first sight to be nothing more than an enormous body of reactions. The dynamics of each reaction obey the same fundamental laws and a metabolic network as a whole is the melange of its reactions. The oversight in this kind of reductionist thinking is that although the behavior of a metabolic network is determined by the states of its reactions in theory, nevertheless it cannot be inferred directly from them in practice. Apart from the infeasibility of this viewpoint, metabolic pathways are what explain the biological functions of the organism and thus also what we are frequently concerned about at the system level.

Canonical metabolic network reductions decrease the number of reactions substantially despite leaving the metabolic pathways intact. In other words, the reduced metabolic networks are smaller in size while retaining the same metabolic pathways. The possibility of such operations is rooted in the fact that the total degrees of freedom of a metabolic network in the steady-state conditions are significantly lower than the number of its reactions because of some emergent redundancies. Strangely enough, these redundancies turn out to be very well-studied in the literature.
State-aware detection of sensory stimuli in the cortex of the awake mouse
Authors: Sederberg Audrey , Pala Aurelie , Zheng He J. V. , He Biyu J. , Stanley Garrett B.
Published: December 2018

Cortical responses to sensory inputs vary across repeated presentations of identical stimuli, but how this trial-to-trial variability impacts detection of sensory inputs is not fully understood. Using multi-channel local field potential (LFP) recordings in primary somatosensory cortex (S1) of the awake mouse, we optimized a data-driven cortical state classifier to predict single-trial sensory-evoked responses, based on features of the spontaneous, ongoing LFP recorded across cortical layers. Our findings show that, by utilizing an ongoing prediction of the sensory response generated by this state classifier, an ideal observer improves overall detection accuracy and generates robust detection of sensory inputs across various states of ongoing cortical activity in the awake brain, which could have implications for variability in the performance of detection tasks across brain states.
Novel haplotypes and networks of AVR-Pik alleles in Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Li Jin-bin , Wang Qun , Li Chengyun , Bi Yunqing , Fu Xue , Wang Raoquan
Published: December 2018

Rice blast disease is one of the most destructive fungal diseases of rice world-wide. The avirulence (AVR) genes of Magnaporthe oryzae are recognized by the cognate resistance (R) genes of rice, and trigger race specific resistance. Here, we studied the possible evolutionary pathways in the evolution of AVR-Pik alleles by analyzing the DNA sequence variation and assayed for their avirulence function to the cognate Pik alleles resistance genes under field conditions in China. Results of PCR products showed that 278 isolates of M. oryzae carry AVR-Pik alleles among genomic DNA of 366 isolates of M. oryzae collected from Yunnan Province, China. Among of them, 66.7-90.3% of M. oryzae carry AVR-Pik alleles from six regions of Yunnan. Moreover, 10 AVR-Pik haplotypes encoding five novel AVR-Pik variants were identified among 201 isolates. The AVR-Pik alleles stepwise evolved to virulence from avirulent forms via base substitution. These findings demonstrate that AVR-Pik alleles are under positive selection and mutations are responsible for defeating race-specific resistance Pik alleles in nature.
Concomitant diagnosis of immune deficiency and Pseudomonas sepsis in a 19 month old with ecthyma gangrenosum by host whole-genome sequencing
Authors: Sanford Erica , Farnaes Lauge , Batalov Serge , Bainbridge Matthew , Laubach Susan , Worthen H. Michael , Tokita Mari , Kingsmore Stephen F. , Bradley John
Published: December 2018

X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA, OMIM#300300) is a rare monogenic primary immunodeficiency caused by mutations in the Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) gene. XLA is characterized by insufficient immunoglobulin levels and susceptibility to life-threatening bacterial infections. We report on a patient that presented with ecthyma gangrenosum and septicemia. Rapid trio whole-genome sequencing (rWGS) revealed an apparently de novo hemizygous pathogenic variant (c.726dupT; p.Ile243TyrfsTer15) in the BTK gene. Metagenomic analysis of rWGS sequences that did not align to the human genome revealed 770 aligned to the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 genome. The patient was diagnosed with XLA and pseudomonal sepsis.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 4-allyl-6-bromo-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine
Authors: Bourichi Selma , Kandri Rodi Youssef , Hökelek Tuncer , Haoudi Amal , Renard Catherine , Capet Frédéric
Published: December 2018

The title compound, C15H11BrClN3, is built up from a planar imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine unit linked to phenyl and allyl substituents. The allyl substituent is rotated significantly out of the imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine plane, while the benzene ring is inclined by 3.84 (6)° to the ring system. In the crystal, molecules are linked via a pair of weak intermolecular C—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming an inversion dimer with an R
2
2(20) ring motif. The dimers are further connected by π–π stacking interactions between the imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine ring systems [centroid–centroid distances = 3.7161 (13) and 3.8478 (13) Å]. The important contributions to the Hirshfeld surface are H...H (35.9%), H...Cl/Cl...H (15.0%), H...C/C...H (12.4%), H...Br/Br...H (10.8%), H...N/N...H (7.5%), C...Br/Br...C (5.9%), C...C (5.5%) and C...N/N...C (4.0%) contacts.
Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT studies of (E)-1-(4-bromophenyl)-3-(3-fluorophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one
Authors: Zaini Muhamad Fikri , Razak Ibrahim Abdul , Anis Mohamad Zahid , Arshad Suhana
Published: December 2018

The asymmetric unit of the title halogenated chalcone derivative, C15H10BrFO, contains two independent molecules, both adopting an s-cis configuration with respect to the C=O and C=C bonds. In the crystal, centrosymmetrically related molecules are linked into dimers via intermolecular hydrogen bonds, forming rings with R
1
2(6), R
2
2(10) and R
2
2(14) graph-set motifs. The dimers are further connected by C—H...O interactions into chains parallel to [001]. A Hirshfeld surface analysis suggests that the most significant contribution to the crystal packing is by H...H contacts (26.3%). Calculations performed on the optimized structure obtained using density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP with the 6–311 G++(d,p) basis set reveal that the HOMO–LUMO energy gap is 4.12 eV, indicating the suitability of this crystal for optoelectronic and biological applications. The nucleophilic and electrophilic binding site regions are elucidated using the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP).
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of a chalcone derivative: (E)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(4-nitrophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one
Authors: Wong Qin Ai , Chia Tze Shyang , Kwong Huey Chong , Chidan Kumar C. S. , Quah Ching Kheng , Arafath Md. Azharul
Published: December 2018

The molecular structure of the title chalcone derivative, C15H10FNO3, is nearly planar and the molecule adopts atransconfiguration with respect to the C=C double bond. The nitro group is nearly coplanar with the attached benzene ring, which is nearly parallel to the second benzene ring. In the crystal, molecules are connected by pairs of weak intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds into inversion dimers. The dimers are further linked by another C—H...O hydrogen bond and a C—H...F hydrogen bond into sheets parallel to (104). π–π interactions occur between the sheets, with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.8860 (11) Å. Hirshfeld surface analysis was used to investigate and quantify the intermolecular interactions.
Service design and knowledge management in the construction supply chain for an infrastructure programme
Authors: Duryan Meri , Smyth Hedley
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the extent to which service design (SD) is addressed by the client and its supply chain at a program level into one functional capability, knowledge management (KM), to share knowledge across projects and organizational actors.

Design/methodology/approach

The interpretative methodology employing two methods of engaged scholarship, namely, action research and engaged research, is applied. The data are analyzed using cognitive mapping to identify the extent of alignment of perceptions.

Findings

The findings show that the client and its supply chain are very transactional in their management minimizing investment in KM and program management. There is a lack of commitment and cultural leadership; hence, there is over-reliance on individuals to take responsibility for knowledge sharing and application. SD thinking can help develop a holistic approach to learning from projects.

Research limitations/implications

The study underlines the links between the concepts of SD and KM. The findings emphasize the importance of developing a holistic approach to KM through the lenses of SD. The organizations must view KM as a process and build capabilities at a program level to make knowledge sharing an integral part of the work culture across projects.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the subject of KM in the construction industry by mobilizing the concept of SD to examine how KM systems and procedures are embedded in the client and across its supply chain.
Time to look beyond ageing as a factor? Alternative explanations for the continuing rise in drug related deaths in Scotland
Authors: McPhee Iain , Sheridan Barry , O’Rawe Steve
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the reasons and risk factors that explain the threefold increase in drug-related deaths from 267 in 1996 to 934 in 2017 in Scotland. The authors explore the known links between deprivation and problem drug use (PDU) and discuss the impact of drug policy and service provision on PDU and drug-related deaths.

Design/methodology/approach

Using quantitative data sets from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) for drug-related deaths registered in 2017 and data sets from the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD), we produce statistical data on mortality rates relating to areas of deprivation, gender and age.

Findings

The data highlight the disproportionate number of deaths in the most deprived areas in comparison to the least deprived areas and the national average. Findings indicate that one quarter of male and female DRD in 2017 were under 35. When examining the least deprived vingtile, drug-related deaths account for 2.84 per 100,000 population. Based on this mortality rate calculation, the amount of drug-related deaths are 23 times higher in the most deprived area than the least deprived area.

Research limitations/implications

The research design uses data obtained from the NRS and data from Scottish Multiple Index of Deprivation. Due to the limitations of available data, the research design focused on SIMD population vingtiles.

Practical implications

This research contributes to making unarguable links between entrenched structural inequality and increased drug-related death.

Social implications

This paper contributes to knowledge on the need for drug policy advisors to recognise the importance of deprivation that plays a major part in risks of problematic drug use and harms.

Originality/value

While several national data sets have published information by SIMD vingtile, no published research has sought to investigate the disproportionate number of deaths by population in the most deprived areas.
A critical perspective on the changing patterns of Lean Six Sigma research
Authors: Rodgers Bryan , Antony Jiju , Gupta Sandeep
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to utilise the research patterns of the most prolific contributors to Lean and Six Sigma methodologies over a 15-year period to inform the discussion on whether the methodologies should be or are being integrated.

Design/methodology/approach

Structured searches using keywords were carried out using a single database (SCOPUS) to identify the most prolific contributors to research articles in the areas of Lean, Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma, and thereafter patterns were analysed in five-year periods between 2000 and 2015.

Findings

This research demonstrates clear changing and evolving patterns of research activity. Not only is there a clear emergence of research focussed on Lean Six Sigma rather than a single methodology, there are also indications that researchers publish work using different methodologies in response to different challenges.

Research limitations/implications

The research is restricted to a single database and includes only the 21 most prolific contributors in each five-year period. The analysis is based on the focus of each peer-reviewed paper contributed to.

Practical implications

This research is intended to support and inform organisations which are developing or running business process improvement approaches by demonstrating the flexibility of Lean and Sigma, and evidencing that researchers work across different approaches and combine them when appropriate.

Originality/value

This paper provides a unique perspective on the debate for the integration of Lean and Six Sigma by looking at the patterns of work of researchers themselves to identify whether the focus of research has in fact moved on from exclusively lean or Six Sigma to more integrated approaches as has been argued in individual pieces of research.
Thai Airways: key influencing factors on customers’ word of mouth
Authors: Ahmadi Arash
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and analyze the influence of service convenience, service quality and customer satisfaction on the formation of word of mouth in airline industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample included 400 passengers who had experienced THAI’S international flights. To test the study hypotheses, a research model was examined applying structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings submit that, in addition to effects of service convenience, service quality and customer satisfaction on word of mouth, decision convenience has the most positive significant influence on word of mouth compared to service quality dimensions and customer satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The present research focuses on assessing the word of mouth level only for THAI; therefore, its findings may not be generalized for the other airlines. In addition, the target market of this study is the customers of THAI. Future researchers can select the markets of other airlines customers.

Practical implications

In airline companies, service convenience plays a central role on customer word of mouth. Therefore, airlines should concentrate on travelers’ convenience in the service procedure. They should plan the service to support the best convenience for travelers.

Originality/value

This investigation would help airlines to understand what makes customers more satisfied before, during and after using an airline service and to understand how this is related to the word of mouth.
Manager perceptions of big data reliability in hotel revenue management decision making
Authors: Egan David , Haynes Natalie Claire
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceptions that managers have of the value and reliability of using big data to make hotel revenue management and pricing decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-stage iterative thematic analysis technique based on the approaches of Braun and Clarke (2006) and Nowell et al. (2017) and using different research instruments to collect and analyse qualitative data at each stage was used to develop an explanatory framework.

Findings

Whilst big data-driven automated revenue systems are technically capable of making pricing and inventory decisions without user input, the findings here show that the reality is that managers still interact with every stage of the revenue and pricing process from data collection to the implementation of price changes. They believe that their personal insights are as valid as big data in increasing the reliability of the decision-making process. This is driven primarily by a lack of trust on the behalf of managers in the ability of the big data systems to understand and interpret local market and customer dynamics.

Practical implications

The less a manager believes in the ability of those systems to interpret these data, the more they perceive gut instinct to increase the reliability of their decision making and the less they conduct an analysis of the statistical data provided by the systems. This provides a clear message that there appears to be a need for automated revenue systems to be flexible enough for managers to import the local data, information and knowledge that they believe leads to revenue growth.

Originality/value

There is currently little research explicitly investigating the role of big data in decision making within hotel revenue management and certainly even less focussing on decision making at property level and the perceptions of managers of the value of big data in increasing the reliability of revenue and pricing decision making.
Tackling the taboo: talking menopause-related problems at work
Authors: Hardy Claire , Griffiths Amanda , Thorne Eleanor , Hunter Myra
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Women are typically reluctant to disclose menopause-related problems that may affect their working lives to line managers. Consequently, support may not be offered nor potential solutions explored. The purpose of this paper is to examine how working menopausal women would prefer to have conversations about the menopause at work.

Design/methodology/approach

Using semi-structured telephone interviews working menopausal women (aged 45–60 years) were asked about their experiencing of talking about their menopause at work, and how helpful conversations might be initiated and conducted. Transcripts were analyzed thematically to identify factors that may facilitate or hinder such conversations.

Findings

Two themes emerged: first, organizational context. Facilitators included an open culture with friendly relationships, a knowledgeable and proactive manager, organization-wide awareness of the menopause and aging, and access to a nominated woman to discuss problems. Barriers included male-dominated workplaces, male line managers, fear of negative responses, stigma, discrimination, embarrassment or believing menopause is inappropriate to discuss at work; second, the nature of the discussion. Facilitators included managers demonstrating an understanding and acceptance of a woman’s experience, jointly seeking acceptable solutions, respecting privacy and confidentiality, and appropriate use of humor, as opposed to being dismissive and using inappropriate body language. Discussions with suitable persons at work were preferred and being prepared was advised. The women in the sample advised having discussions with appropriate persons and being prepared.

Practical implications

These findings could inform training programs, workplace policies and practice.

Originality/value

This study provides insights to help women and their managers discuss menopause-related difficulties at work and seek solutions together.
Are there enough stimuli to develop sustainable farming in Lithuania?
Authors: Baležentis Tomas , Galnaitytė Aiste , Namiotko Virginia , Novickytė Lina , Chen Xueli
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The new programming period of 2021–2027 of the European Union (EU) Common Agricultural Policy requires reconsidering the policy measures. In the new period, the European Commission is to allow each member state (MS) developing eco-schemes to support and/or incentivise farmers to observe agricultural practices beneficial for the climate and the environment beyond their mandatory requirements. The purpose of this paper is to compare the performance of organic and conventional family farms.

Design/methodology/approach

Organic farming under the organic farming measure of the Rural Development Programme is one of the most widely applied sustainable farming practices in the EU as well as in Lithuania. By assessing theex posteconomic impact of the organic farming measure on farm performance indicators, the authors seek to reveal possibilities and obstacles for the implementation of sustainable farming practices. A counterfactualex postimpact assessment method – propensity score matching (PSM) analysis – was used to evaluateex posteconomic impact of the organic farming measure on the performance of farming indicators.

Findings

The application of the PSM allowed assessing both the effectiveness of the implemented measure and possibilities for applying this measure in the future. The research has revealed that organic farming is less profitable and the gap between farm income in organic and conventional farms has increased during the period of 2007–2013.

Originality/value

The most comprehensive economic information about the farm activities from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) was used for theex posteconomic impact evaluation of the organic farming measure in Lithuania. The matched groups of Lithuanian family farms (organic and conventional) were compared. The results of the research provide a new knowledge about the effectiveness of the organic farming measure in Lithuania and suggest the ways of their improvement in the future. The results can also be generalised to other countries with similar agricultural structure.
Do market participants value earnings management? An analysis using the quantile regression method
Authors: Li Leon , Hwang Nen-Chen Richard
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to postulate that market participants’ views on the nature of discretionary accruals as earnings management or earnings manipulation could relate to a rise or a fall in a firm’s stock prices.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying the quantile regression and measuring gains and losses according to the stock returns, this study shows that the relation between earnings manipulation and stock returns is non-uniform and it varies significantly across various quantiles of the latter.

Findings

The empirical results imply a positive (negative) |DA|-RETURN relation for stocks experiencing a rise (fall) in stock prices. This finding is consistent with the notion that market participants lean towards (become) trend followers (fundamentalists) when their stocks price rise (fall) and, thus, positively reward (negatively punish) discretionary accruals.

Originality/value

Using the behavioural heterogeneity of market participants as a research framework, this paper contributes to the literature by demonstrating that market participants’ decisions to positively reward (negatively punish) earning management behaviour depend on their perceptions on nature of discretionary accruals (earnings management vs earnings manipulation).
The impact of strategic deviance on analysts’ earnings forecasts: evidence from China
Authors: He Xiqiong , Yin Changping
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of firm’s deviant strategy on analysts’ earnings forecasts and further examine the effects of firm’s information transparency and environmental uncertainty on these relationships from information asymmetry perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample includes listed firms on Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchange during the period 2007-2013.

Findings

The results indicate that firms’ deviant strategies have effects on analysts’ earnings forecasts, in particular, firms with extreme strategies have less analysts following, larger forecast error and dispersion compared with firms following industry norms. Moreover, information transparency and environmental uncertainty have effects on the relationship between strategic deviance and analysts’ earnings forecasts.

Practical implications

The empirical results of this paper provide strong evidence that strategy information is an important source of information for analysts’ earnings forecasts, which shows that analysts should pay attention to not only financial information but also the strategic information, especially when the information is related to strategic choice. In addition, it is necessary for investors to focus on strategic information to have a better understanding on financial information of enterprises and make better investment decisions.

Originality/value

The findings of this study indicate that corporate strategic deviance has an effect on analysts’ earnings forecasting behavior. This study enriches research studies on corporate strategy and external stakeholders and complements related research on analysts’ earnings forecasts from strategic perspective and information asymmetry perspective.
Global reconstruction of life‐history strategies: A case study using tunas
Authors: Horswill Cat , Kindsvater Holly K. , Juan‐Jordá Maria José , Dulvy Nicholas K. , Mangel Marc , Matthiopoulos Jason
Published: December 2018

Measuring the demographic parameters of exploited populations is central to predicting their vulnerability and extinction risk. However, current rates of population decline and species loss greatly outpace our ability to empirically monitor all populations that are potentially threatened.

The scale of this problem cannot be addressed through additional data collection alone, and therefore it is a common practice to conduct population assessments based on surrogate data collected from similar species. However, this approach introduces biases and imprecisions that are difficult to quantify. Recent developments in hierarchical modelling have enabled missing values to be reconstructed based on the correlations between available life‐history data, linking similar species based on phylogeny and environmental conditions.

However, these methods cannot resolve life‐history variability among populations or species that are closely placed spatially or taxonomically. Here, theoretically motivated constraints that align with life‐history theory offer a new avenue for addressing this problem. We describe a Bayesian hierarchical approach that combines fragmented, multispecies and multi‐population data with established life‐history theory, in order to objectively determine similarity between populations based on trait correlations (life‐history trade‐offs) obtained from model fitting.

We reconstruct 59 unobserved life‐history parameters for 23 populations of tuna that sustain some of the world's most valuable fisheries. Testing by cross‐validation across different scenarios indicated that life‐histories were accurately reconstructed when information was available for other populations of the same species. The reconstruction of several traits was also accurate for species represented by a single population, although credible intervals increased dramatically.

Synthesis and applications. The described Bayesian hierarchical method provides access to life‐history traits that are difficult to measure directly and reconstructs missing life‐history information useful for assessing populations and species that are directly or indirectly affected by human exploitation of natural resources. The method is particularly useful for examining populations that are spatially or taxonomically similar, and the reconstructed life‐history strategies described for the principal market tunas have immediate application to the world‐wide management of these fisheries.
CotL, a new morphogenetic spore coat protein of Clostridium difficile
Authors: Alves Feliciano Carolina , Douché Thibaut , Giai Gianetto Quentin , Matondo Mariette , Martin‐Verstraete Isabelle , Dupuy Bruno
Published: December 2018

The strict anaerobe Clostridium difficile is the most common cause of antibiotic‐associated diarrhoea. The oxygen‐resistant C. difficile spores play a central role in the infectious cycle, contributing to transmission, infection and recurrence. The spore surface layers, the coat and exosporium, enable the spores to resist physical and chemical stress. However, little is known about the mechanisms of their assembly. In this study, we characterized a new spore protein, CotL, which is required for the assembly of the spore coat. The cotL gene was expressed in the mother cell compartment under the dual control of the RNA polymerase sigma factors, σE and σK. CotL was localized in the spore coat, and the spores of the cotL mutant had a major morphologic defect at the level of the coat/exosporium layers. Therefore, the mutant spores contained a reduced amount of several coat/exosporium proteins and a defect in their localization in sporulating cells. Finally, cotL mutant spores were more sensitive to lysozyme and were impaired in germination, a phenotype likely to be associated with the structurally altered coat. Collectively, these results strongly suggest that CotL is a morphogenetic protein essential for the assembly of the spore coat in C. difficile.
Economic Security and the Political Governance Crisis in Central African Republic
Authors: Yapatake Kossele Thales Pacific , Shan Li Jin
Published: December 2018

Recently the Central African Republic (CAR) has been experiencing huge economic insecurity which mostly derives from the political governance crisis that the country has been continuously undergoing since its independence in 1960. This paper examines the relationship between the political governance crisis and economic security in the country, covering the period 1996–2015, using two‐stage instrumental analysis and second order asymptotic tests. The results show that political stability and absence of violence/terrorism, voice and accountability, proxies of political governance crisis played a different role on national income per capita, agricultural raw materials exports, agriculture value added, external balance on goods and services, food exports, food imports, foreign direct investment, GDP growth, GDP per capita growth, wage and salaried workers, industry value added, total natural resources rent and trade, as proxies of economic security. The importance of sustainable political governance stability and the implementation of appropriate reforms at institutional level are preconditions to economic security.
Macroeconomic Consequences of Commodity Price Fluctuations in African Economies
Authors: Chuku Chuku , Simpasa Anthony , Oduor Jacob
Published: December 2018

Commodity price fluctuations pose significant challenges for macroeconomic stability in many African economies. This is so because of the heavy dependence on primary commodities for revenue and economic activity. But not all countries are affected alike. The nature of the impacts is likely to be different, depending on the structural characteristics of the economy and the policy responses. In this paper we seek to better understand the macroeconomic impacts of commodity price fluctuations on economic performance in Africa using both descriptive analysis and carefully identified structural vector autoregressions. Overall, the results show that there is heterogeneity in both the direction and magnitude of macroeconomic responses to commodity price shocks in different economies. Specifically, the policy responses to commodity price shocks in Africa have been mostly procyclical, whereas the primary aim of fiscal and monetary policy should be to follow a countercyclical stance from a Keynesian perspective. As a result of these procyclical impacts, especially for fiscal variables, we recommend the use of structurally cyclical budget rules for fiscal policy, and product price targeting rules for monetary policy in Africa's commodity republics.