bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sympathetic and parasympathetic involvement in time constrained sequential foraging
Authors: Dundon Neil M. , Garrett Neil , Babenko Viktoriya , Cieslak Matt , Daw Nathaniel D. , Grafton Scott T.
Published: September 2019

Appraising sequential offers relative to an unknown future opportunity and a time cost requires an optimization policy that draws on a learned estimate of an environment’s richness. Converging evidence points to a learning asymmetry, whereby estimates of this richness update with a bias toward integrating positive information. We replicate this bias in a sequential foraging (prey selection) task and probe associated activation within two branches of the autonomic system, sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, using trial-by-trial measures of simultaneously recorded cardiac autonomic physiology. In general, lower value offers were accepted during periods of autonomic drive, both in the sympathetic (shorter pre-ejection period PEP) and parasympathetic (higher HF HRV) branches. In addition, we reveal a unique adaptive role for the sympathetic branch in learning. It was specifically associated with adaptation to a deteriorating environment: it correlated with both the rate of negative information integration in belief estimates and downward changes in moment-to-moment environmental richness, and was predictive of optimal performance on the task. The findings are consistent with a parallel processing framework whereby autonomic function serves both learning and executive demands of prey selection.

Significance statement

The value of choices (accepting a job) depends on context (richness of the current job market). Learning contexts, therefore, is crucial for optimal decision-making. Humans demonstrate a bias when learning contexts; we learn faster about improvements vs deteriorations. New techniques allow us to cleanly measure fast acting stress responses that might fluctuate with trial-by-trial learning. Using these new methods, we observe here that increased stress – specifically sympathetic (heart contractility) – might help overcome the learning bias (making us faster at learning contextual deterioration) and thereafter guide us toward better context appropriate decisions. For the first time we show that specific building blocks of good decision-making might benefit from short bursts of specific inputs of the stress system.
Transient astrocytic Gq signaling underlies remote memory enhancement
Authors: Iwai Youichi , Ozawa Katsuya , Yahagi Kazuko , Tanaka Mika , Itohara Shigeyoshi , Hirase Hajime
Published: September 2019

Astrocytes elicit transient Ca2+ elevations induced by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), yet their role in vivo remains unknown. To address this, transgenic mice with astrocytic expression of the optogenetic Gq-type GPCR, Optoα1AR, were established, in which transient Ca2+ elevations similar to those in wild type mice were induced by brief blue light illumination. Activation of cortical astrocytes resulted in an adenosine A1 receptor-dependent inhibition of neuronal activity. Moreover, sensory stimulation with astrocytic activation induced long-term depression of sensory evoked response. At the behavioral level, repeated astrocytic activation in the anterior cortex gradually affected novel open field exploratory behavior, and remote memory was enhanced in a novel object recognition task. These effects were blocked by A1 receptor antagonism. On the other hand, compelling evidence for astrocytic Ca2+-induced diameter changes of arteries was not observed. Together, we demonstrate that GPCR-triggered Ca2+ elevation in cortical astrocytes has causal impacts on neuronal activity and behavior.
Understanding biological ageing in terms of constitutive signals: Convergence to an average decrease in cellular sensitivity and information transmission
Authors: Guimera Alvaro Martinez , Shanley Daryl P.
Published: September 2019

Biological ageing is a process that encompasses observations often too heterogeneous to draw coherent conceptual frameworks that may shed light into the generality of the underlying gradual loss of function. Whilst the concept of stochastic damage is often invoked as the driver of the ageing process, this can be too abstract to understand ageing at a higher mechanistic resolution. However, there do exist general mechanisms that describe how stochastic damage interferes with biological function, such as through genetic mutations. In a similar manner, we argue that a ‘molecular habituation’ phenomenon occurs during biological ageing where constitutive signals arising from damage accumulation drive an average decrease in network sensitivity and information transmission, as well as an increase in noise, across cells and tissue.
Prevalence of Stunting and Associated Factors among public Primary School pupils of Bahir Dar city, Ethiopia: School-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bantie Getasew Mulat , Akenew Kidist Hailu , Belete Mahlet Tilahun , Tena Eyerusalem Teshome , Gebretsadik Genet Gebreselasie , Tsegaw Aynalem Nebebe , Woldemariam Tigist Birru , Woya Ashenafi Abate , Melese Amare Alemu
Published: September 2019

Background

Stunting is a well-established pupils-health indicator of chronic malnutrition which reliably gives a picture of the past nutritional history and the prevailing environmental and socioeconomic circumstances.

Objective

The prevalence of stunting and associated factors among public primary school pupils of Bahir Dar city.

Method

A cross-sectional study was carried out from March to June 2019. Data were coded and entered into Epi-Data and exported to SPSS. Then, Anthropometric data were converted into height for age Z-scores to determine the pupils stunting outcomes using WHO Anthro-Plus software. Then, the final analysis was done by SPSS version 20 software. Anthropometric measurements determined the proportion of stunting (z-score of height for age less than minus two standard deviations from WHO Anthro-plus software output). A simple logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated between the independent variables and the dependent variable at a 95% confidence level and p-value <0.05.

Results

370 primary school pupils were included in the study with the mean age of 121.84(± 26.67) months. About 51.6% of the pupils were females. The total prevalence of stunting was 15.13% (95%CI; 11%, 19%). The burden of stunting was higher in the age group of greater than 132 months. Pupil’s age ≥132 months (AOR=15.6; 95%CI; 3.31, 73.45; p-value<0.001) and male pupils (AOR=7.07; 95%CI: 2.51, 19.89; p-value<0.0002) were significantly associated with stunting.

Conclusion

The prevalence of stunting was relatively lower than the regional estimated stunting level. However, this result is also very significant figure to get critical attention. Pupil’s age ≥ 132 months and male sex were significantly associated with stunting.
Chemical genetics of AGC-kinases reveals shared targets of Ypk1, Protein Kinase A and Sch9
Authors: Plank Michael , Perepelkina Mariya , Müller Markus , Vaga Stefania , Zou Xiaoming , Berti Marina , Saarbach Jacques , Haesendonckx Steven , Winssinger Nicolas , Aebersold Ruedi , Loewith Robbie
Published: September 2019

Protein phosphorylation cascades play a central role in the regulation of cell growth and protein kinases PKA, Sch9 and Ypk1 take centre stage in regulating this process inS. cerevisiae. To understand how these kinases co-ordinately regulate cellular functions we compared the phospho-proteome of exponentially growing cells without and with acute chemical inhibition of PKA, Sch9 and Ypk1. Sites hypo-phosphorylated upon PKA and Sch9 inhibition were preferentially located in RRxS/T-motifs suggesting that many are directly phosphorylated by these enzymes. Interestingly, when inhibiting Ypk1 we not only detected several hypo-phosphorylated sites in the previously reported RxRxxS/T-, but also in an RRxS/T-motif. Validation experiments revealed that neutral trehalase Nth1, a known PKA target, is additionally phosphorylated and activated downstream of Ypk1. Signalling through Ypk1 is therefore more closely related to PKA- and Sch9-signalling than previously appreciated and may perform functions previously only attributed to the latter kinases.
Classification of Brain Tumor IDH Status using MRI and Deep Learning
Authors: Nalawade Sahil , Murugesan Gowtham , Vejdani-Jahromi Maryam , Fisicaro Ryan A. , Bangalore Yogananda Chandan Ganesh , Wagner Ben , Mickey Bruce , Maher Elizabeth , Pinho Marco C. , Fei Baowei , Madhuranthakam Ananth J. , Maldjian Joseph A.
Published: September 2019

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation status is an important marker in glioma diagnosis and therapy. We propose a novel automated pipeline for predicting IDH status noninvasively using deep learning and T2-weighted (T2w) MR images with minimal preprocessing (N4 bias correction and normalization to zero mean and unit variance). T2w MRI and genomic data were obtained from The Cancer Imaging Archive dataset (TCIA) for 260 subjects (120 High grade and 140 Low grade gliomas). A fully automated 2D densely connected model was trained to classify IDH mutation status on 208 subjects and tested on another held-out set of 52 subjects, using 5-fold cross validation. Data leakage was avoided by ensuring subject separation during the slice-wise randomization. Mean classification accuracy of 90.5% was achieved for each axial slice in predicting the three classes of no tumor, IDH mutated and IDH wild-type. Test accuracy of 83.8% was achieved in predicting IDH mutation status for individual subjects on the test dataset of 52 subjects. We demonstrate a deep learning method to predict IDH mutation status using T2w MRI alone. Radiologic imaging studies using deep learning methods must address data leakage (subject duplication) in the randomization process to avoid upward bias in the reported classification accuracy.
Practicality, utility and face-validity of the dynamic support database
Authors: Mottershead Trixie , Woodrow Ceri
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the clinical perspective of the practicality, utility and face-validity of the dynamic support database (DSD) Red, Amber, Green (RAG) rating support tool within adult learning disabilities services in a North West NHS Foundation Trust. The aim of the current project is to evaluate the practicality, utility and face-validity of the DSD RAG rating support tool, as reported by clinicians who have been employing it.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods design was utilised by asking clinicians to complete a questionnaire in relation to the DSD Support Tool. Questionnaires were distributed across three community learning disability teams within the North West. A total of 50 clinicians completed the questionnaire which included rated responses for quantitative analysis and free-text comments for qualitative analysis.

Findings

Positive ratings given by clinicians suggested good practicality, utility and face-validity in relation to the tool. Analysis of the free-text comments suggested that the tool supported clinical judgement in a standardised way and helped discussions with commissioners. Feedback also provided insights into how the DSD support tool could be improved.

Research limitations/implications

Further investigation would be required to yield higher numbers of participation across NHS Trusts to add reliability to the present findings.

Originality/value

The DSD support tool has been used within the NHS Foundation Trust for the last 12 months however the practicality, utility and face-validity of the tool had not been explored from the clinician perspective.
Do gender diversity and CEO gender enhance firm’s value? Evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Ullah Irfan , Fang Hongxing , Jebran Khalil
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether and how gender diversity and CEO gender can influence firm value in the emerging market of Pakistan. The study further tests whether these relations vary across state-owned enterprises (SOE) and non-state-owned enterprises (NSOE).

Design/methodology/approach

This study considers Pakistani listed firms over the period 2010-2017. The firms have been divided into SOE and NSOE for additional analysis. Tobin’s Q is used to measure firm’s value.

Findings

The authors document that female directors (FDirectors) on corporate boards is positively associated with firm value. The findings also illustrate that female CEOs (FCEOs) enhances a firm value. Additional analyses show that the influence of FDirectors and FCEOs on firm value is stronger in NSOE than in SOE.

Practical implications

The results suggest that gender diversity and CEO gender play a significant role in corporate decisions. The findings imply that FDirectors discipline the management, reduce agency conflicts and thereby improve corporate governance, resulting in higher firm value.

Originality/value

This study has two important contributions. First, while prior studies mostly based their arguments on using gender diversity of corporate boards, this study shows that a firm performance can be significantly improved if a female serves as a CEO. Second, this study also tests the stated relations for SOE and NSOE and show that gender diversity plays a significant role in NSOE than in SOE.
An empirical investigation of predicting employee performance through succession planning
Authors: Ali Zulqurnain , Mehreen Aqsa
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Leadership development practices develop future leaders for the organizations which are evidence for the proper utilization of organizational resources. The purpose of this paper is to integrate succession planning into the job demands–resources (JD–R) model to predict individual performance.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 239 participants were drawn from commercial banks located in a large city of Pakistan through a structured questionnaire. The proposed model was tested through structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results from 239 participants suggest that succession planning has a direct and indirect effect on engagement and employee performance through the JD–R model. Furthermore, job resources and engagement mediate the association between succession planning and employee performance.

Research limitations/implications

The present study employed a cross-sectional approach, and all constructs were answered on a self-report questionnaire. Thus, the findings should be validated through a longitudinal design by employing a more objective construct.

Practical implications

The banks should adopt proactive succession system to improve individual and organizational performance. Succession planning helps the banks to reduce recruitment cost and promote internal hiring. This study supports the managerial decisions making by mobilizing skilled and talented employees in the sudden resignation of a bank employee.

Social implications

Succession planning seems an important development factor that directly improves employees’ well-being through the JD–R model.

Originality/value

The present study demonstrates the integration of the JD–R model into succession planning.
Transient dynamic analysis of bars and trusses by the adaptive generalized finite element method
Authors: Col Debella Leticia , Cittadin Carolina Castro , Arndt Marcos , Machado Roberto Dalledone
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to present an adaptive approach of the generalized finite element method (GFEM) for transient dynamic analysis of bars and trusses. The adaptive GFEM, previously proposed for free vibration analysis, is used with the modal superposition method to obtain precise time-history responses.

Design/methodology/approach

The adaptive GFEM is applied to the transient analysis of bars and trusses. To increase the precision of the results and computational efficiency, the modal matrix is responsible for the decoupling of the dynamic equilibrium equations in the modal superposition method, which is used with only the presence of the problem’s most preponderant modes of vibration. These modes of vibration are identified by a proposed coefficient capable of indicating the influence of each mode on the transient response.

Findings

The proposed approach leads to more accurate results of displacement, velocity and acceleration when compared to the traditional finite element method.

Originality/value

In this paper, the application of the adaptive GFEM to the transient analysis of bars and trusses is presented for the first time. A methodology of identification of the preponderant modes to be retained in the modal matrix is proposed to improve the quality of the solution. The examples showed that the method has a strong potential to solve dynamic analysis problems, as the approach had already proved to be efficient in the modal analysis of different framed structures. A simple way to performh-refinement of truss elements to obtain reference solutions for dynamic problems is also proposed.
How entrepreneurial orientation translates social identities into performance
Authors: Brändle Leif , Golla Stephan , Kuckertz Andreas
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) has been viewed almost exclusively through the lens of profit-driven firms. However, individuals engage in entrepreneurship not only for economic reasons but also to enrich a community or to advance society. Drawing on upper echelons theory, the purpose of this paper is to address this issue by proposing that founders’ social identities shape the strategic choices of their ventures.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the data from 318 founders in the early stages of their entrepreneurial activity, the study applies partial least squares structural equation modeling to empirically test whether founders’ social identities influence their ventures’ EO.

Findings

The findings of the current research show that founders whose dominant purpose is the creation of value for others are more likely to launch ventures oriented toward innovation. On the other hand, ventures of founders driven by economic self-interest accept more risk, which leads to higher performance outcomes on the enterprise, community and societal levels.

Originality/value

The study enhances the EO discussion by adding social identity theory as a way to explain different levels of EO in firms and answers the call for more diversity in EO–performance measurement by applying specific outcomes on the enterprise, community and societal levels to investigate whether a firm’s EO leads to the desired outcomes.
Coping mechanisms among Palestinian refugee families in Malaysia during the transition period
Authors: Eid Iyad M. , Diah Nurazzura Bt Mohamad
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how Palestinian refugee families in Malaysia cope with the challenges they face during their transitional destination. These families have recently fled from conflict zones in various Arab countries and moved to Malaysia where they registered in the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Kuala Lumpur, waiting for resettlement in a third country.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes the qualitative research approach, drawing descriptive analysis (thematic analysis technique) of data collected by semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 30 Palestinian families. For sample selection, the author used purposive sampling and employed the Snowball technique to select the families who have experienced refuge life for the second time. Then the sample was equally divided into three groups to include ten families moving from Iraq, Syria and the Gaza Strip. The interviews were conducted with the head of the families who varied in terms of gender and age composition. The study involved 9 female participants and 21 males. They are all Muslims and aged between 24 and 80 years old. In terms of educational background, all of the participants are literate with formal school education, diploma or tertiary education.

Findings

The study shows that refugee families adopt four main ways of coping commonly used to improve the quality of their life during their transition in Malaysia. They turn to religion and spirituality, keep in touch with relatives and friends in the diaspora and conflict zones, develop a positive image about their present situation by comparing it to worse living conditions of others living in conflict zones and plan to migrate to Europe to hold a European passport which will give them the opportunity to visit their original country, Palestine.

Originality/value

The paper tackles the Palestinian refugee family life and explores their real-life stories and experiences during transition in Malaysia. It provides them with an opportunity to speak up their suffering and reveal the various strategies they adopt to cope with life challenges. Besides, the result of the study will be a fruitful addition to the corpus of sociological knowledge as well as an important contribution to the families that stay in transition in different societies around the world.
Consideration of the state of corrosion in seismic assessment of columns
Authors: El-Joukhadar Nicolas , Tsiotsias Konstantinos , Pantazopoulou S.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Seismic assessment procedures of RC members quantify member strength, deformation capacity and failure mode using detailed information regarding member geometry and reinforcement amount and arrangement. However, the condition of the reinforcing materials is not explicitly accounted for in the calculation process. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This problem is explored in the present paper through consistent evaluation of the evidence from a database of column tests which were subjected to cyclic lateral load reversals simulating earthquake effects after being subjected to accelerated corrosion. The column performance expressed in terms of the shear vs drift resistance envelope is introduced in the available methodologies of rapid assessment of reinforced concrete structures showcasing the limitations and uncertainties of the existing state of the art in the field of seismic assessment of existing structures.

Findings

Simple estimations as well as experimental observation show that the effect can be staggering, in terms of reduced deformation capacity, prevailing mode of failure and residual strength under seismic loading. It has been observed in the field that deterioration and ageing can reduce a well detailed structural component to behave as a poorly constructed one, by means of cover delamination, transverse and longitudinal bar area loss and steel embrittlement.

Originality/value

The amount of deterioration in the residual life of the component, in the face of a future seismic hazard, is fraught with uncertainty regarding the amount and intensity of material deprecation and the manner in which this may be considered in the logistics of the assessment process.
Damage characteristics in laminated composite structures subjected to low-velocity impact
Authors: Stamoulis Konstantinos , Georgantzinos Stelios K. , Giannopoulos G.I.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The present study deals with the numerical modeling of the low-velocity impact damage of laminated composites which have increasingly important applications in aerospace primary structures. Such damage, generated by various sources during ground handling, substantially reduces the mechanical residual performance and the safe-service life. The purpose of this paper is to present and validate a computationally efficient approach in order to explore the effect of critical parameters on the impact damage characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Numerical modeling is considered as one of the most efficient tool as compared to the expensive and time-consuming experimental testing. In this paper, a finite element model based on explicit dynamics formulations is adopted. Hashin criterion is applied to predict the intralaminar damage initiation and evolution. The numerical analysis is performed using the ABAQUS® programme.

Findings

The employed modeling approach is validated using corresponding numerical data found in the literature and the presented results show a reasonable correlation to the available literature data. It is demonstrated that the current model can be used to capture the force-time response as well as damage parameter maps showing the intralaminar damage evolution for different impact cases with respect to the physical boundary conditions and a range of impact energies.

Originality/value

Low-velocity impact damage of laminated composites is still not well understood due to the complexity and non-linearity of the damage zone. The presented model is used to predict the force-time response which is considered as one of the most important parameters influencing the structural integrity. Furthermore, it is used for capturing the damage shape evolution, exhibiting a high degree of capability as a damage assessment computational tool.
Quay crane scheduling for multiple hatches vessel considering double-cycling strategy
Authors: He Junliang , Yu Hang , Tan Caimao , Yan Wei , Jiang Chao
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The development of mega container ships and operational pressures puts forward higher requirements on the operational ability of the container terminal. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to propose an effective method for quay crane (QC) scheduling of multiple hatches vessel considering double-cycling strategy to improve the operation efficiency and reduce the risk of delay.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed integer programming model, which covers the main operational constraints in a container terminal, is formulated to solve the quay crane scheduling problem (QCSP) with a novel objective.

Findings

A case study is presented and a number of numerical experiments are conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed model. Meanwhile, management insights are proposed. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can efficiently solve QCSP in a container terminal, and an interesting finding is that reducing the stack layers on the vessel can improve the operation efficiency of QC.

Originality/value

A new mathematical model is proposed for QC scheduling at the operational level, which considers the constraints of double-cycling strategy, multiple hatches and hatch covers. The proposed model also provides methods to research the QC double-cycling problem considering the balance between energy cost and operation efficiency.
Understanding the role of culture and gender stereotypes in women entrepreneurship through the lens of the stereotype threat theory
Authors: Adom Kwame , Anambane Golda
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the role of culture and gender stereotypes in the entrepreneurial journey of women entrepreneurs. It specifically focuses on women entrepreneurs in the Nabdam district of Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted the qualitative approach and collected data from 20 women entrepreneurs in the Nabdam district in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Data were collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews which were analysed according to identified themes.

Findings

The key finding of the study is that culture, through gender stereotypes, acts as a “push” motivational factor of women entrepreneurship and breeds more necessity-driven women entrepreneurs than opportunity-driven ones. However, gender stereotyping is found to be a bane to entrepreneurial success of several women-owned enterprises. Due to gender stereotypes, countless women entrepreneurs are sceptical about venturing into “unknown sector” sectors not familiar and operating larger businesses that are likely to yield more profits.

Originality/value

Currently, there is less research on entrepreneurship and culture/gender stereotypes until now in Ghana, and this study seeks to bridge this gap. The results are discussed linking what is pertaining in other economic landscapes, thus avoiding just national perspectives. This is the first known study conducted in the study area that looks at entrepreneurship through the lens of culture-gender stereotypes.
“Pixie dust”
Authors: Brandis Susan , Schleimer Stephanie , Rice John
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Creating a culture of patient safety and developing a skilled workforce are major challenges for health managers. However, there is limited information to guide managers as to how patient safety culture can be improved. The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of reflexivity and develop a model for magnifying the effect of patient safety culture and demonstrating a link to improved perceptions of quality of care.

Design/methodology/approach

This research employed a correlational case study design with empirical hypothesis testing of quantitative scores derived from validated survey items. Staff perceptions of patient safety, reflexivity and quality of patient care were obtained via a survey in 2015 and analysed using inferential statistics. The final sample included 227 health service staff from clinical and non-clinical designations working in a large Australian tertiary hospital and health service delivering acute and sub-acute health care.

Findings

Both patient safety culture and reflexivity are positively correlated with perceived quality of patient care at the p<0.01 level. The moderating role of reflexivity on the relationship between patient safety culture and quality of care outcomes was significant and positive at the p<0.005 level.

Practical implications

Improving reflexivity in a health workforce positively moderates the effect of patient safety culture on perceptions of patient quality of care. The role of reflexivity therefore has implications for future pre-professional curriculum content and post-graduate licencing and registration requirements.

Originality/value

Much has been published on reflection. This paper considers the role of reflexivity, a much less understood but equally important construct in the field of patient safety.
Responding to uncertainty in emotion recognition
Authors: Schuller Björn
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Uncertainty is an under-respected issue when it comes to automatic assessment of human emotion by machines. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the existent approaches towards such measurement of uncertainty, and identify further research need.

Design/methodology/approach

The discussion is based on a literature review.

Findings

Technical solutions towards measurement of uncertainty in automatic emotion recognition (AER) exist but need to be extended to respect a range of so far underrepresented sources of uncertainty. These then need to be integrated into systems available to general users.

Research limitations/implications

Not all sources of uncertainty in automatic emotion recognition (AER) including emotion representation and annotation can be touched upon in this communication.

Practical implications

AER systems shall be enhanced by more meaningful and complete information provision on the uncertainty underlying their estimates. Limitations of their applicability should be communicated to users.

Social implications

Users of automatic emotion recognition technology will become aware of their limitations, potentially leading to a fairer usage in crucial application context.

Originality/value

There is no previous discussion including the technical view point on extended uncertainty measurement in automatic emotion recognition.
Exploring organizational contexts on lean manufacturing and supply chain relationship
Authors: Vanichchinchai Assadej
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the levels of lean manufacturing (LM) and supply chain relationships (SCR) in the manufacturing sector in Thailand, and analyze the differences across organizational characteristics (i.e. firm size, nationality of firms, manufacturing system, product brand, export level, nationality of customers, nationality of suppliers and existence of supply chain management (SCM) departments) on LM and SCR.

Design/methodology/approach

The measurement instruments of LM and SCR were developed and validated by experts, pilot test and various statistical techniques. Descriptive statistics were applied to investigate the levels of LM and SCR in the sample firms. Independent samples t-test and ANOVA were employed to examine the differences across organizational characteristics on overall LM and SCR, and their individual sub-construct.

Findings

It was found that the measurement instruments of LM and SCR were reliable and valid. Manufacturers in Thailand emphasized internal LM at the operational level much more extensively than external SCR. Overall, for LM, this study revealed significant differences across firm size, nationality of firms, manufacturing systems, export levels, nationality of customers and existence of SCM departments. For SCR, there were significant differences across export level, nationality of suppliers and existence of SCM departments. Differences across contexts of individual sub-construct of LM and SCR were analyzed and discussed.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to present insights into the existence of LM and SCR and into the differences across organizational contexts on LM, SCR and their sub-constructs in the manufacturing sector in Thailand. The methodologies and findings are applicable to other developing countries.
Examining open innovation practices in low-tech SMEs: insights from an emerging market
Authors: Oduro Stephen
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Much of the scholarly works on open innovation have significantly highlighted the application of the model in high-tech industries in the developed world. However, how the phenomenon applies in low-tech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries is still marginal and lacks substantive research. This study aims to draw on the network theory of innovation to examine the open innovation orientations of low-tech SMEs in an emerging market context, particularly Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design used was a qualitative–quantitative approach: the qualitative phase of the study, involving 31 low-tech SMEs, used a multiple case approach through semi-structured interviews and analyzed the interview responses using NVivo statistical tool; the quantitative phase, including 706 low-tech SMEs, also used a survey questionnaire approach and descriptively analyzed data collected using SPSS statistical tool.

Findings

Results disclose that the low-tech SMEs’ employment of the open innovation model are preponderantly driven by commercialization purposes, knowledge acquisition motives, financial motives and strategic motives, whereas their open innovation approaches include inbound strategies (collaboration with suppliers, co-creation/customer immersion), outbound strategies (IP licensing out) and coupled strategies (strategic alliances, contract manufacturing, and joint ventures). Moreover, the findings show that the SMEs’ preferred open innovation partners include suppliers, customers, private universities and non-industry, in that order. Finally, results show that the low-tech SMEs’ open innovation advantages include market gains, strategic gains, knowledge gains, operational gains, financial gains and network gains, whereas their open innovation challenges colossally were collaboration barriers and organizational barriers.

Practical implications

These findings purvey valuable perceptiveness for managers, academicians and policymakers alike; they highlight the importance of open innovation to low-tech SMEs, proven strategies, challenges involved and the mechanisms for effective and efficient adoption of the open innovation model.

Originality/value

The value of this study reclines in the extension of open innovation research from high-tech industries in the advanced world to low-tech SMEs in emerging economies. Results of the study enrich the knowledge and understanding of how the theoretical model of open innovation is adopted and implemented by the low-tech SME sector in emerging economies.
The adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies in SMEs: results of an international study
Authors: Agostini Lara , Nosella Anna
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the financial resources invested in advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) and social capital (SC), in terms of the set of internal and external relationships a firm holds, have a positive effect on the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies. Furthermore, it tests whether the organizational context strengthens these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used regression models to analyze data collected through an international survey carried out within the scope of a European project involving six Central European regions.

Findings

Results show that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) having stronger internal and external SC have a higher propensity to adopt I4.0 technologies, and both management support and absorptive capacity (AC) strengthen these relationships, whereas investments in AMTs within the manufacturing area and internal SC have a positive association with the intensity of I4.0 adoption. However, in presence of a high level of management support and AC, the relationship between external SC and I4.0 adoption becomes positive and significant. Management support also moderates the impact that investments in AMTs in the manufacturing area and internal SC have on the intensity of adoption of I4.0 technologies.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to investigate the context of SMEs that, having fewer resources, face some difficulties in exploiting the potential of I4.0 revolution. Moreover, it adopts a broad perspective on the factors that facilitate the adoption of I4.0.
The effects of radiation and chemical reaction on MHD mixed convective flow and mass transfer from a vertical surface with Ohmic heating and viscous dissipation
Authors: Suneetha K. , Ibrahim S.M. , Reddy G.V. Ramana
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the combined effects of thermal radiation and chemical reaction on steady MHD mixed convective heat and mass transfer flow past a vertical surface under the influence of Joule and viscous dissipation.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing system of partial differential equations is transformed to dimensionless equations using dimensionless variables. The dimensionless equations are then solved analytically using perturbation technique.

Findings

With the help of graphs, the effects of the various important parameters entering into the problem on the dimensionless velocity, dimensionless temperature and dimensionless concentration fields within the boundary layer are discussed. The authors noticed that the velocity increases with an increase in the porosity parameter. An increase in the Prandtl number Pr, decreases the velocity and the temperature field. An increase in the radiation parameter, decreases the velocity and the temperature field. Also the effects of the pertinent parameters on the skin-friction coefficient and rates of heat and mass transfer in terms of the Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are presented numerically in tabular form.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, recent this work has not been finished by any other researchers.
Information technology competency and knowledge management in the hospitality industry service supply chain
Authors: Jalilvand Mohammad Reza , Khazaei Pool Javad , Khodadadi Masood , Sharifi Mehdi
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This study aims to provide a better understanding of how information technology (IT) competency and knowledge management (KM) contribute to service supply chain (SSC) (coordination, collaboration and efficiency) practices in the hospitality industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on tourism businesses, this study tests the structural relationships of IT competency, KM and SSC. Structural equation modeling is performed to test the hypotheses. A survey of 494 hotels in Iran provided empirical evidence for the existence of interrelationships between multiple constructs.

Findings

The analysis demonstrated that IT competency is significantly associated with KM. Furthermore, SSC practices are found to be directly impacted by KM and IT competency.

Originality/value

This study unpacks the mechanism that operates between IT competency, KM and SSC and contributes to the academic research on SSC in the context of the hospitality industry.
Lactic acid‐mediated isolation of alpha‐, beta‐ and kappa‐casein fractions by isoelectric precipitation coupled with cold extraction from defatted cow milk
Authors: Thekkilaveedu Saranya , Krishnaswami Venkateshwaran , Mohanan Dhilin Pathayappurakkal , Alagarsamy Shanmugarathinam , Natesan Subramanian , Kandasamy Ruckmani
Published: September 2019

The present study focused on the isolation of individual caseins (α, β and κ) from defatted cow's milk using lactic acid‐mediated isoelectric precipitation coupled with cold extraction technique, followed by purification using sucrose‐based density gradient centrifugation method. In vitro characterisation of the isolated casein fractions confirmed preservation of micellar morphology throughout the experimental conditions with anionic surface charge and wider particle size range. The RP‐HPLC analysis showed a peak at retention time of 25.13 min and 27.84 min for α‐casein and β‐casein, respectively. Results confirmed isolation of pure casein fractions from cow's milk which could serve as a rich source of bioactive peptides for nutraceutical/pharmaceutical applications.
A Backup Quarterback View of Mezzanine Finance
Authors: Mello Antonio , Quintin Erwan
Published: September 2019

A significant number of real estate transactions involve the use of mezzanine finance. One obvious purpose of mezzanine debt is to plug financing gaps left by other forms of financing. In this article, we formalize a complementary role of mezzanine finance in a simple model with moral hazard on the part of operators. According to our theory, mezzanine financiers serve as substitute operating agents—backup quarterbacks of sorts—ready to replace the original operator when the project underperforms. The presence of skilled mezzanine investors in the capital structure makes it cheaper to provide incentives to incumbent operators.
Aqueous Fluid as a Viable Substitute for Vitreous Fluid in Postmortem Chemistry Analysis
Authors: Butler Daniel C. , Schandl Cynthia , Hyer Madison , Erin Presnell Susan
Published: September 2019

Vitreous fluid sampling for postmortem chemistry analysis is discouraged in pediatric forensic cases involving head trauma due to the risk of introducing retinal artifacts. Aqueous fluid is physically separated from the posterior chamber of the eye, and therefore, unlikely to produce vitreal artifact when sampled. Analysis of aqueous fluid is therefore proposed as a substitute for vitreous. Vitreous and aqueous fluid was sampled concurrently from 28 pediatric and 55 adult decedents, and sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), urea nitrogen (UN), creatinine (Cr), and glucose (Glc) concentrations were compared. Significant correlation existed between all analytes regardless of age or postmortem interval, and linear regression equations were derived. Aqueous concentrations were generally higher than vitreous for Na, K, and Cr and were marginally lower for Cl, UN, and Glc. Assuming vitreous fluid as a standard for correlating postmortem chemistry to antemortem serum values, aqueous may be a viable substitute for vitreous when expected differences are considered.
The Difficulties in Assessing Wounds Created by .410 Bore Ammunition and Weapons
Authors: Hlavaty Leigh , Amley Jeffery , Root Kelly , Avedschmidt Sarah , Jaworski Andrea , Sung LokMan
Published: September 2019

When interpreting firearm injuries, the distinction between gunshot wounds and shotgun wounds is important, and separation of these categories is typically straightforward. However, .410 bore firearms can make the classification difficult. Shotguns and revolvers that can fire the same .410 bore ammunition are readily available. This study investigates the soot and gunpowder deposits and pellet patterning of these two types of weapons using cartridges specially designed for .410 bore revolvers and standard birdshot pellet ammunition. For both ammunition types, the revolver had more prompt pellet dispersion and positive detection of gunpowder at greater distances compared to the shotgun. Additionally, .410 bore slugs are of similar caliber to many common bullets. In comparing the .410 bore slugs to equivalent bullets, some morphologic differences may be imparted on the skin by the slugs, but the greatest insight into the weapon remained with the retained projectiles.
Iron Infusion and Induced Hypophosphatemia: The Role of Fibroblast Growth Factor‐23
Authors: Coppolino Giuseppe , Nicotera Ramona , Cernaro Valeria , Calimeri Sebastiano , Leonardi Giuseppe , Cosentino Sonia , Comi Alessandro , Donato Cinzia , Lucia Citraro Maria , Provenzano Michele , Michael Ashour , Andreucci Michele
Published: September 2019

The mechanism of action of fibroblast growth factor‐23 (FGF23) is becoming increasingly clearer as a result of studies that have defined its structure and pleiotropic effects. Furthermore, data are emerging on the effects exerted on this hormone by iron administration. Ten main iron formulations are recognized (with clear differences in composition and possible reactions of intolerance and anaphylaxis), which are indicated for iron deficiency anemia, including nephropathic subjects, as suggested by medical guidelines. With some types of iron formulation (especially iron carboxymaltose) a particular side effect has been observed: hypophosphatemia, mediated by FGF23. This review aims to draw attention to this correlation and the contradiction represented by the presence of both positive and negative modulation by FGF23, with the effects induced by its increase even after long‐term treatment with iron formulation. However, more evidence is needed to understand the reasons for this differential stimulation.
Determination of 10‐Hydroxy‐2‐Decenoic Acid of Royal Jelly Using Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy Combined with Chemometrics
Authors: Yang Xinhao , Li Yuanpeng , Wang Lei , Li Liqun , Guo Liu , Huang Furong , Zhao Hongxia
Published: September 2019

A rapid quantitative analysis model for determining the hydroxy‐2‐decenoic acid (10‐HDA) content of royal jelly based on near‐infrared spectroscopy combining with PLS has been developed. Firstly, near‐infrared spectra of 232 royal jelly samples with different 10‐HDA concentrations (0.35% to 2.44%) were be collected. Second‐order derivative processing of the spectra was carried out to construct a full‐spectrum PLS model. Secondly, GA‐PLS, CARS‐PLS, and Si‐PLS were used to select characteristic wavelengths from the second‐order derivative spectrum to construct a PLS calibration model. Finally, 58 samples were used to select the best predictive model for 10‐HDA content. The result show that the PLS model constructed after wavelength selection was significantly more accurate than the full spectrum model. The Si‐PLS algorithm performed best and the corresponding characteristic wavelength range were: 980 to 1038, 1220 to 1278, 1340 to 1398, and 1688 to 1746 nm. The prediction results were RMSEP = 0.1496% and RP = 0.9380. Hence, it is feasible to employ near‐infrared spectra to analyze 10‐HDA in royal jelly.