bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GeneHummus: A pipeline to define gene families and their expression in legumes and beyond
Authors: Die Jose V. , Elmassry Moamen Mahmoud , LeBlanc Kimberly Hathaway , Awe Olaitan I. , Dillman Allissa , Busby Ben
Published: October 2018

During the last decade, plant biotechnological laboratories have sparked a monumental revolution with the rapid development of next sequencing technologies at affordable prices. Soon, these sequencing technologies and assembling of whole genomes will extend beyond the plant computational biologists and become commonplace within the plant biology disciplines. The current availability of large-scale genomic resources for non-traditional plant model systems (the so-called ‘orphan crops’) is enabling the construction of high-density integrated physical and genetic linkage maps with potential applications in plant breeding. The newly available fully sequenced plant genomes represent an incredible opportunity for comparative analyses that may reveal new aspects of genome biology and evolution. Analysis of the expansion and evolution of gene families across species is a common approach to infer biological functions. To date, the extent and role of gene families in plants has only been partially addressed and many gene families remain to be investigated. Manual identification of gene families is highly time-consuming and laborious, requiring an iterative process of manual and computational analysis to identify members of a given family, typically combining numerous BLAST searches and manually cleaning data. Due to the increasing abundance of genome sequences and the agronomical interest in plant gene families, the field needs a clear, automated annotation tool. Here, we present the GeneHummus pipeline, a step-by-step R-based pipeline for the identification, characterization and expression analysis of plant gene families. The impact of this pipeline comes from a reduction in hands-on annotation time combined with high specificity and sensitivity in extracting only proteins from the RefSeq database and providing the conserved domain architectures based on SPARCLE. As a case study we focused on the auxin receptor factors gene (ARF) family in Cicer arietinum (chickpea) and other legumes. We anticipate that our pipeline should be suitable for any plant gene family, and likely other gene families, vastly improving the speed and ease of genomic data processing.
Encoding of an engram for food location by satiety-promoting Drd2 hippocampal neurons
Authors: Azevedo Estefania P. , Pomeranz Lisa , Cheng Jia , Schneeberger Marc , Stern Sarah , Doerig Katherine , Greengard Paul , Friedman Jeffrey M.
Published: October 2018

Associative learning guides feeding behavior in mammals in part by using cues that link location in space to food availability. However, the elements of the top-down circuitry encoding the memory of the location of food is largely unknown, as are the high-order processes that control satiety. Here we report that hippocampal dopamine 2 receptor (D2R) neurons are specifically activated by food and that modulation of their activity reduce food intake in mice. We also found that activation of these neurons interferes with the valence of food and the acquisition of a spatial memory linking food to a location via projections from the hippocampus to the lateral septum. Finally, we showed that inputs from lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) to the hippocampus can also drive satiety via activation of D2R cells. These data describe a previously unidentified function for hippocampal D2R cells to regulate feeding behavior and identifies a LEC->Hippocampus->Septal high-order circuit that encodes the memory of food location.
Ablation of NMDA receptors in dopamine neurons disrupts attribution of incentive salience to reward-paired stimuli
Authors: Cieślak Przemysław Eligiusz , Parkitna Jan Rodriguez
Published: October 2018

Midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons play a crucial role in the formation of conditioned associations between environmental cues and appetitive events. Activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors is a key mechanism responsible for the generation of conditioned responses of DA neurons to reward cues. Here, we tested the effects of the cell type-specific inactivation of NMDA receptors in DA neurons in adult mice on stimulus-reward learning. Animals were trained in a Pavlovian learning paradigm in which they had to learn the predictive value of two conditioned stimuli, one of which (CS+) was paired with the delivery of a water reward. Over the course of conditioning, mutant mice learned that the CS+ predicted reward availability, and they approached the reward receptacle more frequently during CS+ trials than CS− trials. However, conditioned responses to the CS+ were weaker in the mutant mice, possibly indicating that they did not attribute incentive salience to the CS+. To further assess whether the attribution of incentive salience was impaired by the mutation, animals were tested in a conditioned reinforcement test. The test revealed that mutant mice made fewer instrumental responses paired with CS+ presentation, confirming that the CS+ had a weaker incentive value. Taken together, these results indicate that reward prediction learning does occur in the absence of NMDA receptors in DA neurons, but the ability of reward-paired cues to invigorate and reinforce behavior is lost.
Gene Expression Correlates of the Cortical Network Underlying Sentence Processing
Authors: Kong Xiang-Zhen , Tzourio-Mazoyer Nathalie , Joliot Marc , Fedorenko Evelina , Liu Jia , Fisher Simon E. , Francks Clyde
Published: October 2018

A pivotal question in modern neuroscience is which genes regulate brain circuits that underlie cognitive functions. However, the field is still in its infancy. Here we report an integrated investigation of the high-level language network (i.e., sentence processing network) in the human cerebral cortex, combining regional gene expression profiles, task fMRI, large-scale neuroimaging meta-analysis, and resting-state functional network approaches. We revealed reliable gene expression-functional network correlations using three different network definition strategies, and identified a consensus set of genes related to connectivity within the sentence-processing network. The genes involved showed enrichment for neural development and actin-related functions, as well as association signals with autism, which can involve disrupted language functioning. Our findings help elucidate the molecular basis of the brain’s infrastructure for language. The integrative approach described here will be useful to study other complex cognitive traits.
Colocalization features for classification of tumors using desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Inglese Paolo , Correia Gonçalo , Pruski Pamela , Glen Robert C , Takats Zoltan
Published: October 2018

Supervised modeling of mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) data is a crucial component for the detection of the distinct molecular characteristics of cancerous tissues. Currently, two types of supervised analyses are mainly used on MSI data: pixel-wise segmentation of sample images, and whole-sample-based classification. A large number of mass spectra associated with each MSI sample can represent a challenge for designing models that simultaneously preserve the overall molecular content while capturing valuable information contained in the MSI data. Furthermore, intensity-related batch effects can introduce biases in the statistical models.

Here we introduce a method based on ion colocalization features that allows the classification of whole tissue specimens using MSI data, which naturally preserves the spatial information associated the with the mass spectra and is less sensitive to possible batch effects. Finally, we propose data visualization strategies for the inspection of the derived networks, which can be used to assess whether the correlation differences are related to co-expression/suppression or disjoint spatial localization patterns and can suggest hypotheses based on the underlying mechanisms associated with the different classes of analyzed samples.
Dissecting the dynamics of signaling events in the BMP, WNT, and NODAL cascade during self-organized fate patterning in human gastruloids
Authors: Chhabra Sapna , Liu Lizhong , Goh Ryan , Warmflash Aryeh
Published: October 2018

During gastrulation, the pluripotent epiblast is patterned into the three germ layers, which form the embryo proper. This patterning requires a signaling cascade involving the BMP, WNT and NODAL pathways; however, how these pathways regulate one another in space and time to generate cell-fate patterns remains unknown. Using a human gastruloid model, we show that BMP signaling initiates a wave of WNT signaling, which, in turn, initiates a wave of NODAL signaling. While WNT propagation depends on continuous BMP activity, NODAL propagates independently of upstream signals. We further show that the duration of BMP signaling determines the position of mesodermal differentiation while WNT and NODAL synergize to achieve maximal differentiation. The waves of both WNT and NODAL signaling activity extend farther into the colony than mesodermal differentiation. Combining dynamic measurements of signaling activity with mathematical modeling revealed that the formation of signaling waves is inconsistent with WNT and NODAL forming a stable spatial pattern in signaling activities, and the final signaling state is spatially homogeneous. Thus, dynamic events in the BMP, WNT, and NODAL signaling cascade, in the absence of a signaling gradient, have the potential to mediate epiblast patterning.
Inferring demography and selection in organisms characterized by skewed offspring distributions
Authors: Sackman Andrew M. , Harris Rebecca , Jensen Jeffrey D.
Published: October 2018

The recent increase in time-series population genomic data from experimental, natural, and ancient populations has been accompanied by a promising growth in methodologies for inferring demographic and selective parameters from such data. However, these methods have largely presumed that the populations of interest are well-described by the Kingman coalescent. In reality, many groups of organisms, including viruses, marine organisms, and some plants, protists, and fungi, typified by high variance in progeny number, may be best characterized by multiple-merger coalescent models. Estimation of population genetic parameters under Wright-Fisher assumptions for these organisms may thus be prone to serious mis-inference. We propose a novel method for the joint inference of demography and selection under the Ψ-coalescent model, termed Multiple-Merger Coalescent Approximate Bayesian Computation, or MMC-ABC. We first quantify mis-inference under the Kingman and then demonstrate the superior performance of MMC-ABC under conditions of skewed offspring distribution. In order to highlight the utility of this approach, we re-analyzed previously published drug-selection lines of influenza A virus. We jointly inferred the extent of progeny-skew inherent to viral replication and identified putative drug-resistance mutations.
Specification of diverse cell types during early neurogenesis of the mouse cerebellum
Authors: Wizeman John W. , Guo Qiuxia , Wilion Elliot , Li James Y.H.
Published: October 2018

We applied single-cell RNA sequencing to profile genome-wide gene expression in about 9,400 individual cerebellar cells from the mouse embryo at embryonic day 13.5. Reiterative clustering identified the major cerebellar cell types and subpopulations of different lineages. Through pseudotemporal ordering to reconstruct developmental trajectories, we identified novel transcriptional programs controlling cell fate specification of populations arising from the ventricular zone and the anterior rhombic lip, two distinct germinal zones of the embryonic cerebellum. Together, our data revealed cell-specific markers for studying the cerebellum, important specification decisions, and a number of previously unknown subpopulations that may play an integral role in the formation and function of the cerebellum. Importantly, we identified a potential mechanism of vermis formation, which is affected by multiple congenital cerebellar defects. Our findings will facilitate new discovery by providing insights into the molecular and cell type diversity in the developing cerebellum.
Calotropis gigantea extract induces apoptosis through extrinsic/intrinsic pathways and upregulation of reactive oxygen species in non-small-cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Lee Jiyon , Jang Huiju , Bak Yesol , Shin Jong-Woon , Jin Hang , Kim Yong-In , Won Ryu Hyung , Ryang Oh Sei , Yoon Do-Young
Published: October 2018

Background

Calotropis gigantea (CG) plant grows in Asia and tropical Africa. However, the precise mechanisms of its anticancer effects have not yet been examined in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, A549 and NCI-H1299 cells.

Purpose

This study was focused on the anti-cancer effects of CG extract on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells.

Methods

The cytotoxic effects of CG extract on NSCLC, A549 and NCI-H1299 cells, were detected by MTS assay, microscope and DAPI staining. Apoptosis was determined by annexin V-FITC/PI staining, cell cycle analysis, western blotting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and JC-1 staining.

Results

First, CG showed significant dose-dependent cytotoxicity in NSCLC, A549, and NCI-H1299 cells. In addition to induction of caspase-8 processing, CG induced apoptosis by upregulating mRNA expression levels of extrinsic pathway molecules such as Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD) and death receptor 5 (DR5). Also, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was collapsed, and intrinsic pathway molecules such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), caspase-3, and caspase-9 were processed by CG. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were generated in a CG dose-dependent manner, and inhibition of ROS by NAC, ROS scavenger, recovered A549 and NCI-H1299 cell viability.

Conclusion

These results indicate that CG causes apoptosis by activating the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways and generating ROS in NSCLC cells. These results suggest that CG can be used as a lung cancer therapeutic agent.
Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Promotes Proliferation and Contractility of Human Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle
Authors: Thompson Michael , Sathish Venkatachalem , Manlove Logan , Roos Benjamin , Wang Bowen , Vassallo Robert , Miller Jordan , Pabelick Christina M. , Prakash Y.S.
Published: October 2018

Hypoxia is a well-recognized risk factor in several pulmonary vascular diseases including pulmonary hypertension (PH). Furthermore, hypoxia-associated inflammatory changes enhance the structural and functional changes in the pulmonary artery (PA) of PH patients. Understanding the mechanisms that link hypoxia and inflammation, particularly early in disease, is key to development of novel therapeutic avenues for PH. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an “early” inflammatory mediator thought to be critical in diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and atopic dermatitis. TSLP has canonical effects on the immune system, but can also have non-canonical effects on resident lung cells, e.g. airway smooth muscle. Currently, the expression and role of TSLP in the PA is unknown. We hypothesized that locally-produced TSLP potentiates the effects of hypoxia in PA remodeling and contractility relevant to PH. Experiments in human PA endothelial cells (PAECs) and smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) found PAECs to be a larger source of TSLP which targets PASMCs to enhance intracellular Ca2+responses to vasoconstrictor agonist as well as cell proliferation, acting via a number of signaling cascades including Stat3 and PI3/Akt. Hypoxia, acting via HIF1α, enhanced PAEC production of TSLP, and promoted TSLP effects on PASMCs. Interestingly, TSLP per se enhance HIF1a. Overall, these novel data highlight a role for TSLP in hypoxia effects on the PA, and thus relevance for inflammation in PH.
AstroEBSD: exploring new space in pattern indexing with methods launched from an astronomical approach
Authors: Britton Thomas Benjamin , Tong Vivian S. , Hickey Jim , Foden Alex , Wilkinson Angus J.
Published: October 2018

Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is a technique used to measure crystallographic features in the scanning electron microscope. The technique is highly automated and readily accessible in many laboratories. EBSD pattern indexing is conventionally performed with raw electron backscatter patterns. These patterns are software processed to locate the band centres (and sometimes edges) from which the crystallographic index of each band is determined. Once a consistent index for many bands is obtained, the crystal orientation with respect to a reference sample and detector orientation can be determined and presented. Unfortunately, because of challenges related to crystal symmetry, there are limited available pattern-indexing approaches and this has probably hampered open development of the technique. In this article, a new method of pattern indexing is presented, based upon a method with which satellites locate themselves in the night sky, and its effectiveness is systematically demonstrated using dynamical simulations and real experimental patterns. The benefit of releasing this new algorithm as open-source software is demonstrated when this indexing process is utilized, together with dynamical solutions, to provide some of the first accuracy assessments of an indexing solution. In disclosing a new indexing algorithm, and software processing toolkit, the authors hope to open up EBSD developments to more users. The software code and example data are released alongside this article for third party developments.
EwaldSphere: an interactive approach to teaching the Ewald sphere construction
Authors: Barbour Leonard J.
Published: October 2018

EwaldSphere is a Microsoft Windows computer program that superimposes the Ewald sphere construction onto a small-molecule single-crystal X-ray diffractometer. The main objective of the software is to facilitate teaching of the Ewald sphere construction by depicting our classical description of the X-ray diffraction process as a three-dimensional model that can be explored interactively. Several features of the program are also useful for introducing students to the operation of a diffractometer. EwaldSphere creates a virtual reciprocal lattice based on user-defined unit-cell parameters. The Ewald sphere construction is then rendered visible, and the user can explore the effects of changing various diffractometer parameters (e.g. X-ray wavelength and intensity, goniometer angles, and detector distance) on the resulting diffraction pattern as captured by a virtual area detector. Additional digital resources are provided, including a simple but comprehensive program manual, a PowerPoint presentation that introduces the essential concepts, and an Excel file to facilitate calculation of lattice dhk
spacings (required for the presentation). The program and accompanying resources are provided free of charge, and there are no restrictions on their use.
Quantitative X-ray diffraction of free, not chemically bound water with the PONKCS method
Authors: Scherb Sebastian , Beuntner Nancy , Thienel Karl-Christian , Neubauer Jürgen
Published: October 2018

The free water in calcined phyllosilicate–water mixtures exhibits a distinctly different behaviour in its X-ray amorphous scattering contribution as opposed to fly ash– or limestone powder–water mixtures. While fly ash and limestone powder yield a continuous increase in the scattering contribution when water is added, the scattering contribution stagnates for calcined phyllosilicates over a wide range of water addition. There is a direct correlation between the consistency of the sample and the X-ray amorphous scattering contribution caused by the water. The same correlation can also be found in in situ X-ray diffraction measurements of hydrating systems. As long as the sample has a pasty consistency, the scattering contribution of the water decreases with progressive reaction. After the transition from fresh paste to final set, there is no further reduction of the X-ray amorphous scattering contribution caused by the free water, which means that the free water cannot be quantified correctly from this point in time.
Geoelectrical study of corrosivity and competence of soils within Uburu and Okposi areas of Ebonyi State, Southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Ekwe Amobi C. , Opara Alexander I. , Onwuka Obialo S.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The corrosivity and competence of soils within Uburu and Okposi areas of the Southern Benue Trough, Nigeria, were evaluated using the electrical resistivity method. This paper aims to provide information that will aid pre-design of subsurface iron/steel pipe networks for distribution of pipe-borne water and construction of subsurface structures for agricultural and environmental purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 22 vertical electrical soundings (VES) in the Schlumberger configuration were acquired with Allied Ohmega™ Terrameter with a maximum half current (AB/2) electrode spacing of 200 m. Layer parameters were determined using partial curve matching techniques, using the Schlumberger master curves, while processing and modelling were done with the IPI2win™ software. The VES results were interpreted qualitatively and quantitatively to obtain various curve types and layer parameters, respectively, which were used to categorize the area into different competence and corrosivity zones. The first layer isoresistivity and competence maps were used to delineate four zones (A,B,C and D) with varying apparent resistivities and competences.

Findings

Incompetent soils with resistivity values ranging from 24.3-88.7 Om are found in Zone A. The soils in Zone A are mainly expansive clays which swell on absorption of water. Zone B contains moderately competent soils with resistivity values ranging from 273-308.6 Om, while Zones C and D are underlain by sandstones and contain competent to highly competent soils with resistivity values ranging from 511-750 Om and 835-1,525 Om, respectively. Zone E contains highly corrosive (24.3 Om) to mildly corrosive (102 Om) soils; Zone F contains soils that are essentially non-corrosive with resistivity values ranging from 271-1,525 Om, while the corrosivity of soils within Zone G varies from corrosive to mildly corrosive, with resistivity values ranging from 44.3-114 Om.

Research limitations/implications

Some of the areas are not accessible because of community restrictions.

Practical implications

These findings are essentially very significant and should be taken into consideration when materials that are susceptible to corrosion are being considered for engineering, agricultural and environmental purposes in the area.

Social implications

The findings will aid water resource planners and developers on how to protect metal pipes from corrosion, when used for water reticulation and agricultural purposes.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to study the corrosivity of soils in the study area with a view to providing adequate protection to metal objects when being considered for water reticulation for domestic and agricultural purposes in the area.
Bio-inspired aircraft control
Authors: Zikmund Pavel , Macík Miroslav , Dvořák Petr , Míkovec Zdeněk
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present a state-of-the-art review in various fields of interest, leading to a new concept of bio-inspired control of small aircraft. The main goal is to improve controllability and safety in flying at low speeds.

Design/methodology/approach

The review part of the paper gives an overview of artificial and natural flow sensors and haptic feedback actuators and applications. This background leads to a discussion part where the topics are synthesized and the trend in control of small aircraft is estimated.

Findings

The gap in recent aircraft control is identified in the pilot–aircraft interaction. A pilot’s sensory load is discussed and several recommendations for improved control system architecture are laid out in the paper.

Practical implications

The paper points out an opportunity for a following research of suggested bio-inspired aircraft control. The control is based on the artificial feeling of aerodynamic forces acting on a wing by means of haptic feedback.

Originality/value

The paper merges two research fields – aircraft control and human–machine interaction. This combination reveals new possibilities of aircraft control.
Application of computed tomography to hole expansion measurements
Authors: Wronicz Wojciech , Malicki Maciej
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a possibility of determination of the rivet hole expansion with the use of computed tomography (CT). This method offers several benefits in comparison to the traditionally used destructive methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The measurements of rivet hole expansion were performed on three specimens with the use of CT. Then, the same specimens were measured with the use of the conventional destructive method. This allows to estimate accuracy of the proposed method and characterize its advantages and limitations.

Findings

Good correlation with the destructive method has been obtained. The proposed method enables more detailed analysis of a joint as arbitrarily oriented cross-section for analysed area can be easily generated and increase of measurements number is always possible and simple. The disadvantage of the method is lower accuracy of diameter determination than in the case of conventional methods.

Research limitations/implications

The measurements were performed only on one type of specimens. Probably, if a rivet and sheets were made of the same alloy, the measurements would be barely possible. The rivets were installed with squeezing ratio D/Do = 1.7 whose value is close to maximum as defined in riveting instructions (Kaniowski, 2015). This means that measured hole expansions were higher than in typical joint. The proposed method is appropriate for simple specimens (one rivet at a specimen width).

Practical implications

The investigation shows that rivet hole expansion can be measured with the use of CT. This method is useful especially when destruction of a specimen is not allowed or more detailed analysis is required (e.g. measurements on many depth levels).

Originality/value

The paper presents measurements of rivet hole expansion with the method which has not been used before for this application. Advantages and limitations of the proposed approach compared to conventional methods are discussed.
Flow-separation-control system operating in feedback closed loop
Authors: Stalewski Wienczyslaw , Krzysiak Andrzej
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop the concept of self-adapting system which would be able to control a flow on the wing-high-lift system and protect the flow against strong separation.

Design/methodology/approach

The self-adapting system has been developed based on computational approach. The computational studies have been conducted using the URANS solver. The experimental investigations have been conducted to verify the computational results.

Findings

The developed solution is controlled by closed-loop-control (CLC) system. As flow actuators, the main-wing trailing-edge nozzles are proposed. Based on signals received from the pressure sensors located at the flap trailing edge, the CLC algorithm changes the amount of air blown from the nozzles. The results of computational simulations confirmed good effectiveness and reliability of the developed system. These results have been partially confirmed by experimental investigations.

Research limitations/implications

The presented research on an improvement of the effectiveness of high-lift systems of modern aircraft was conducted on the relatively lower level of the technology readiness. However, despite this limitation, the results of presented studies can provide a basis for developing innovative self-adaptive aerodynamic systems that potentially may be implemented in future aircrafts.

Practical implications

The studies on autonomous flow-separation control systems, operating in a closed feedback loop, are a great hope for significant advances in modern aeronautical engineering, also in the UAV area. The results of the presented studies can provide a basis for developing innovative self-adaptive aerodynamic systems at a higher level of technological readiness.

Originality/value

The presented approach is especially original and valuable in relation to the innovative concept of high-lift system supported by air-jets blown form the main-wing-trailing-edge nozzles; the effective and reliable flow sensors are the pressure sensors located at the flap trailing edge, and the effective and robust algorithm controlling the self-adapting aerodynamic system – original especially in respect to a strategy of deactivation of flow actuators.
A (2 + 1)-dimensional extension of the Benjamin-Ono equation
Authors: Wazwaz Abdul-Majid
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is concerned with developing a (2 + 1)-dimensional Benjamin–Ono equation. The study shows that multiple soliton solutions exist and multiple complex soliton solutions exist for this equation.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed model has been handled by using the Hirota’s method. Other techniques were used to obtain traveling wave solutions.

Findings

The examined extension of the Benjamin–Ono model features interesting results in propagation of waves and fluid flow.

Research limitations/implications

The paper presents a new efficient algorithm for constructing extended models which give a variety of multiple soliton solutions.

Practical implications

This work is entirely new and provides new findings, where although the new model gives multiple soliton solutions, it is nonintegrable.

Originality/value

The work develops two complete sets of multiple soliton solutions, the first set is real solitons, whereas the second set is complex solitons.
Unsteady MHD mixed convection along an exponentially stretching surface
Authors: Patil Prabhugouda Mallanagouda , A. Shashikant , Momoniat Ebrahim
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the unsteady mixed convection along an exponentially stretching surface in presence of transverse magnetic field applied at the wall and the opposing buoyancy flow.

Design/methodology/approach

The dimensional partial differential equations governing the flow field are transformed to non-dimensional coupled partial differential equations with the aid of suitable non-similar transformations. The resulting equations are then solved by the coalition of quasilinearization technique and the finite difference method.

Findings

Effects of volumetric heat source/sink, suction/blowing and other dimensionless parameters on velocity and temperature profiles are examined numerically. This investigation reveals that in presence of opposing buoyancy flow, the suction and volumetric heat source enhances the skin-friction coefficient, while the rise in the MHD increases the momentum boundary layer.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no such investigation has been carried out in the literature.
Linking marketing mix elements to passion-driven behavior toward a brand
Authors: Kim Min-Seong , Kim Jihye
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationships among perceptions of advertising, sales promotions, brand prestige and brand love, as well as the development of passion-driven behavior among family restaurant customers. Based on the well-established framework of marketing mix elements and brand, this study proposes and tests a research model that attempts to understand the inter-relationships between the two dimensions of advertising (i.e. advertising spending and attitudes toward advertisement), two dimensions of sales promotions (i.e. monetary promotion and non-monetary promotion), brand prestige, brand love and passion-driven behavior, as well as compares local and global family restaurant brands.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model of this study was tested based on responses from 265 family restaurant customers in Korea (i.e. 105 from Outback Steak House, 78 from T.G.I. Fridays, 45 from VIPS and 37 from Ashley). Data were analyzed using frequency, reliability, confirmatory factor and correlation analyses, the structural equation modeling and multi-sample methods.

Findings

The verified model confirmed that brand prestige was significantly influenced by attitudes toward advertisement, monetary promotion and non-monetary promotion. Also, brand love was significantly affected by the amount spent on advertising, attitudes toward the advertisement and monetary promotion. Passion-driven behavior was significantly impacted by brand prestige and brand love. Lastly, the results identified that the brand origin (i.e. local and global family restaurant brands) moderated one of the hypothesized relationships (i.e. the impact of brand prestige on brand love).

Practical implications

The study suggests that a family restaurant brand manager may want to emphasize planning and developing marketing mix elements focusing on advertising and sales promotions.

Originality/value

This research illustrates the influences of the two dimensions of advertising and two types of sales promotions on brand prestige and brand love, which in turn led to passion-driven behavior from family restaurant customers.
Investigation on spatial distribution and evolution features of the running-in attractor based on a new approach
Authors: Ding Cong , Zhu Hua , Sun Guodong , Wei Chun Ling , Jiang Yu
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to comprehensively reveal the spatial distribution and evolution features of a running-in attractor.

Design/methodology/approach

The friction coefficient signals extracted from wear experiments are reconstructed. A projected matrix is obtained based on the reconstructed matrix. Then the approach of three-dimensional (3D) histogram of phase points is proposed, which is used to intuitively characterize the complex properties of the running-in attractor.

Findings

The space occupied by the running-in attractor gradually contracts, then stabilizes and finally expands; the maximum of phase points number in a certain bin initially decreases, then keeps stable and finally increases rapidly; yet the percentage of bins number storing phase points shows an inverse variation tendency. Consequently, 3D histogram evolves from a nonuniform state to a uniform state then returns back to the nonuniform state, which indicates the evolution rule of “formation, stabilization and disappearance” of the running-in attractor.

Originality/value

Characterization on the features of the running-in attractor can provide valuable information about friction systems and their dynamic behaviors.
Design for safety implementation factors: a literature review
Authors: Poghosyan Anush , Manu Patrick , Mahdjoubi Lamine , Gibb Alistair G. F. , Behm Michael , Mahamadu Abdul-Majeed
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Decisions made during the design stage of construction works can significantly reduce the risk of occurrence of occupational accidents, injuries and illnesses. Moreover, it has been established that design is one of the major contributors of accidents and injuries. Design for safety (DfS) studies within construction have highlighted factors affecting the implementation of DfS, among which are designer attitude; DfS knowledge/awareness and education; availability of DfS tools, including guidance; client’s influence and motivation; and legislation. The purpose of this study is to carry out an in-depth literature review of DfS studies within construction to explore the extent to which existing DfS research has looked at the above-listed DfS implementation factors.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of 164 journal articles related to DfS in construction (published from 1990 to 2017) within built environment, engineering and multidisciplinary safety journals was undertaken.

Findings

The findings indicate that around 60 per cent of the journal articles reviewed address designer knowledge/awareness and education issues, about 27 per cent looked at DfS implementation tools to assist designers to undertake DfS, about 23 per cent studied client influence/motivation, about 16 per cent studied designers’ attitudes towards DfS implementation and approximately 16 per cent looked at the role of legislation in DfS implementation. The literature points that client influence/motivation and legislation are very influential DfS implementation factors despite a limited number of studies in these areas.

Originality/value

Overall, the findings provide an indication of areas of DfS implementation, particularly client influence/motivation and legislation, where more research would be needed to promote DfS in construction to help mitigate the occurrence of accidents and injuries.
Price risk management in BOT railroad construction projects using financial derivatives
Authors: Vahdatmanesh Mohammad , Firouzi Afshin
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Railroad transit infrastructures are amongst major capital-intensive projects worldwide, which impose significant risks to the contractors of build-operate-transfer projects because of the fluctuations in steel price fluctuation. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a methodology for hedging steel price risk using financial derivatives.

Design/methodology/approach

Cox–Ross valuation lattice has been used as an option valuation model for determining option’s price for the construction companies involved in fixed-price railroad projects. A sensitivity analysis has been conducted using the financial option Greeks to evaluate the impacts of option’s pricing factors in the total price of option.

Findings

The result of valuation shows that European options cost to safeguard against the effects of price risk is only a fraction in contrast to the total cost of steel procurement for a typical railroad construction company. This confirms that using this kind of financial derivative is a beneficial yet effective approach for hedging steel price risk for railroad construction companies.

Practical implications

The applicability of the financial derivatives, both exchange-traded and over-the-counter instruments, is evident in broad financial industry. This paper shows how European options can be readily used for risk management of a typical railroad project, and explains the methodology in a step-by-step procedure.

Originality/value

Although the financial engineering literature is rife of theory and application of derivatives in various contexts, to the best knowledge of authors there is only few papers on the application of these well-developed financial instruments for risk management in construction industry. This study intends to illustrate how financial derivatives can add value to risky construction projects and shed new light in this important application area.
Analyzing the interactions among barriers of sustainable supply chain management practices
Authors: Narayanan Anilkumar Elavanakattu , Sridharan Rajagopalan , Ram Kumar P.N.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify, model, analyze and prioritize the barriers in implementing sustainable practices in rubber products manufacturing industry in Kerala, a state in South India. This research provides a more reliable quantitative measure of association of the barriers in the implementation of sustainable practices in the rubber products manufacturing sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Interpretive structural modeling (ISM) is used to develop the hierarchical relationships among the barriers in the implementation of sustainable supply chain practices in the rubber products manufacturing sector. The hierarchical structure among the barriers is framed using the experts’ opinion. Cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to the classification (MICMAC) analysis is integrated with the output of ISM to classify the barriers into different categories based on the driving power and the dependence power. The driving power and the dependence power of the barriers obtained from ISM constitute two criteria for prioritizing the barriers. The change management required is considered as the third criterion. The fuzzy-analytic hierarchy process (F-AHP) methodology is adopted to prioritize the barriers based on these three criteria.

Findings

The hierarchical relationship obtained through ISM methodology shows that lack of government initiatives and lack of benchmark on sustainability measurement in Indian conditions are the major barriers in implementing sustainable practices in the rubber products manufacturing sector. These barriers lead to the lack of management commitment for the implementation of sustainable practices in the organizations under study. The prioritization obtained through the F-AHP method suggests that lack of top-level management commitment, lack of motivation, lack of government initiatives and high initial cost of implementation are some of the major barriers in implementing sustainable practices in the organizations.

Research limitations/implications

In the application of the ISM methodology, the contextual relationship between the barriers specified by the experts and their preferences may involve bias. Another limitation of this research is that the modeling and prioritization of the barriers are executed based on the opinion of experts from rubber product manufacturing companies in one state only.

Originality/value

To the best knowledge of the authors, this research is the first study on the identification and prioritization of the barriers in sustainable supply chain implementation in the rubber products manufacturing sector. Modeling the inter-relationship among the barriers using ISM technique and prioritizing the barriers using F-AHP are the novel features of the contributions of this work.
On the statics of curved masonry structures via numerical models
Authors: Berardi Valentino Paolo , De Piano Mariella
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to review recent literature results on the equilibrium problem and the strengthening design of masonry vaults.

Design/methodology/approach

A Lumped Stress Method (LSM) is considered within the Heyman’s safe theorem, based on the definition of thrust surface of a masonry curved structure. In particular, the static problem of the vault is formulated by introducing a membrane continuous of the studied masonry structure to associate with a spatial truss through a nonconforming variational approximation of the thrust surface and membrane stress potential. A tensegrity approach based on a minimal mass design strategy, different strengths in tension and compression of the material is discussed within the strengthening strategy of masonry vaults.

Findings

The numerical results have highlighted the efficacy of the two numerical approaches to assess the vulnerability of existing structures and design optimal strengthening interventions of these structures.

Originality/value

The presented models can represent fast and useful tools to assess the vulnerability of existing structures and design optimal strengthening interventions with composite materials of these structures.
Navigating drugs at university: normalisation, differentiation and drift?
Authors: Patton David
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Whilst drug use appears to be common amongst university students, the purpose of this paper is to move beyond mere drug prevalence, and use the six dimensions of normalisation to better understand the role and place drugs play in the lives of university students.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 512 students completed a student lifestyle survey.

Findings

A differentiated normalisation is occurring amongst different student groups; the social supply of drugs is common, and some users are “drifting” into supply roles yet such acts are neutralised. Students are “drug literate” and have to navigate drugs, and their consumption, availability and marketing, as part of their everyday student life.

Practical implications

Student drug use is not homogenous and very little is known about the nuances and diversity of their use/non-use beyond prevalence data. Qualitative studies are needed to better understand the processes of differentiated normalisation and social supply.

Originality/value

This is the first study in the UK to use the six dimensions of normalisation amongst a sample of university students.
How does a public innovator license a foreign rival?
Authors: Heywood John S. , Xu Lu , Ye Guangliang
Published: October 2018

This paper uniquely considers the optimal two‐part fee of a public firm innovator licensing to a more efficient foreign rival. This is both theoretically interesting and empirically relevant. While previous research emphasises the importance of fixed fees for public firms, we show that, in this case, ad valorem fees typically dominate both fixed fees and per unit royalties. This domination carries over when a private domestic competitor is also added to the market.
Integrating dynamic pricing and inventory control for fresh‐agri product under consumer choice
Authors: Wang Xiong‐zhi , Wang Guo‐qing
Published: October 2018

In this article, we investigate a joint pricing and inventory problem for a retailer selling fresh‐agri products (FAPs) with two‐period shelf lifetime in a dynamic stochastic setting, where new and old FAPs are on sale simultaneously. At the beginning of each period, the retailer makes ordering decision for new FAP and sets regular and discount prices for new and old inventories, respectively. After demand realisation, the expired leftover is disposed and unexpired inventory is carried to the next period, for continuing selling. Unmet demand of all FAPs is backordered. The objective is to maximise the total expected discount profit over the whole planning horizon. We present a price dependent, stochastic dynamic programming model taking into account zero lead‐time, linear ordering costs, inventory holding and backlogging costs, as well as disposal cost. As the influence of the perishability, each customer selects his preferred choice based on the utility of product price and quality. By the way of constructing demand rate vector, the original formulation can be transferred to be jointly concave and tractable. Finally, we characterise the optimal policy and develop effective methods to solve the problem. We also conduct numerical studies to further characterise the optimal policy, and to evaluate the loss of efficiency under static policies when compared to the optimal dynamic policy.
The horizons of Medea: economies and cosmologies of dispossession in Georgia
Authors: Khalvashi Tamta
Published: October 2018

Anthropologists have long reminded us that mythological cosmologies are regularly recruited to help make sense of the present. Buthowkey mythologies perform such labour is remarkably less attended to in many studies. In this article I take up the long life of Medea, one of the principal female characters of Greek mythology surrounding the Argonauts, who is very much alive today in the Republic of Georgia. The character of Medea mediates contradictory imaginations, affects, and narratives attendant upon Georgia's recent political changes. For some varied sections of Georgian society, the Medea mythology conveys Georgia's connection to Europe, but it also channels the experiences of economic dispossession associated with postsocialist transformation and revolution. By exploring Medea as a profoundly flexible figure who can move across narrative and media forms, this article proposes new ways of conceptualizing contemporary mythological cosmologies that threaten to exceed and sometimes even overwhelm their political intentions, generating ambivalent outcomes.