bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age-related decrements in cortical gyrification: Evidence from an accelerated longitudinal dataset
Authors: Madan Christopher R.
Published: March 2020

Cortical gyrification has been found to decrease due to aging, but thus far this has only been examined in cross-sectional samples. Interestingly, the topography of these age-related differences in gyrification follow a distinct gradient along the cortex relative to age effects on cortical thickness, likely suggesting a different underlying neurobiological mechanism. Here I examined several aspects of gyrification in an accelerated longitudinal dataset of 280 healthy adults aged 45-92 with an interval between first and last MRI session of up to 10 years (total of 815 MRI sessions). Results suggest that age changes in sulcal morphology underlie these changes in gyrification.
Ptr1evolved convergently withRPS2andMr5to mediate recognition of AvrRpt2 in diverse solanaceous species
Authors: Mazo-Molina Carolina , Mainiero Samantha , Haefner Benjamin J. , Bednarek Ryland , Zhang Jing , Feder Ari , Shi Kai , Strickler Susan R. , Martin Gregory B.
Published: March 2020

ThePtr1 (Pseudomonas tomato race 1)locus inSolanum lycopersicoidesconfers resistance to strains ofPseudomonas syringaepv. tomato expressing AvrRpt2 andRalstonia pseudosolanacearumexpressing RipBN. Here we describe the identification and phylogenetic analysis of thePtr1gene. A single recombinant among 585 F2 plants segregating for thePtr1locus was discovered that narrowed thePtr1candidates to eight nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat protein (NLR)-encoding genes. From analysis of the gene models in theS. lycopersicoidesgenome sequence and RNA-Seq data, two of the eight genes emerged as the strongest candidates forPtr1. One of these two candidates was found to encodePtr1based on its ability to mediate recognition of AvrRpt2 and RipBN when it was transiently expressed with these effectors in leaves ofNicotiana glutinosa. The ortholog ofPtr1in tomato and inSolanum pennelliiis a pseudogene. However, a functionalPtr1ortholog exists inN. benthamianaand potato and both mediate recognition of AvrRpt2 and RipBN. In apple and Arabidopsis, recognition of AvrRpt2 is mediated by the Mr5 and RPS2 proteins, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis placesPtr1in a distinct clade compared toMr5andRPS2and it therefore appears to have arisen by convergent evolution for recognition of AvrRpt2.
Symmetrically substituted dichlorophenes inhibitN-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D
Authors: Aggarwal Geetika , Zarrow Jonah E. , Mashhadi Zahra , Flynn C. Robb , Vinson Paige , Weaver C. David , Davies Sean S.
Published: March 2020

N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD) (EC 3.1.4.4) catalyzes the final step in the biosynthesis ofN-acyl-ethanolamides (NAEs). Reduced NAPE-PLD expression and activity may contribute to obesity and inflammation, but a major obstacle to elucidating the role of NAPE-PLD and NAE biosynthesis in various physiological processes has been the lack of effective NAPE-PLD inhibitors. The endogenous bile acid lithocholic acid (LCA) inhibits NAPE-PLD activity (IC5068 μM) but LCA is also a highly potent ligand for TGR5 (EC500.52 μM). Recently, the first selective small molecule inhibitor of NAPE-PLD, ARN19874, was reported (IC5034 μM). To identify more potent inhibitors of NAPE-PLD, we screened compounds using a quenched fluorescent NAPE analog, PED-A1, as a substrate for recombinant mouse NAPE-PLD. Screened compounds included a panel of bile acids as well as a library of experimental compounds (the Spectrum Collection). Muricholic acids and several other bile acids inhibited NAPE-PLD with potency similar to LCA. Fourteen potent NAPE-PLD inhibitors were identified in the Spectrum Collection, with the two most potent (IC50~2 μM) being symmetrically substituted dichlorophenes: hexachlorophene and bithionol. Structure activity relationship assays using additional substituted dichlorophenes identified key moieties needed for NAPE-PLD inhibition. Both hexachlorophene and bithionol showed significant selectivity for NAPE-PLD compared to non-target lipase activities such asS. chromofuscusPLD activity or serum lipase activity. Both also effectively inhibited NAPE-PLD activity in cultured HEK293 cells.
Computational genomic discovery of diverse gene clusters harboring Fe-S flavoenzymes in anaerobic gut microbiota
Authors: Pascal Andreu Victòria , Fischbach Michael A. , Medema Marnix H.
Published: March 2020

The gut contains an enormous diversity of simple as well as complex molecules from highly diverse food sources as well as host-secreted molecules. This presents a large metabolic opportunity for the gut microbiota, but little is known on how gut microbes are able to catabolize this large chemical diversity. Recently, Fe-S flavoenzymes were found to be key in the transformation of bile acids, catalysing the key step in the 7α-dehydroxylation pathway that allows gut bacteria to transform cholic acid (CA) into deoxycholic acid (DCA), an exclusively microbe-derived molecule with major implications for human health. While this enzyme family has also been implicated in a limited number of other catalytic transformations, little is known about the extent to which it is of more global importance in gut microbial metabolism. Here, we use large-scale computational genomic analysis to show that this enzyme superfamily has undergone a remarkable expansion in Clostridiales, and occurs throughout a diverse array of >1,000 different families of putative metabolic gene clusters. Analysis of the enzyme content of these gene clusters suggests that they encode pathways with a wide range of predicted substrate classes, including saccharides, amino acids/peptides and lipids. Altogether, these results indicate a potentially important role of this protein superfamily in the human gut, and our dataset provides significant opportunities for the discovery of novel pathways that may have significant effects on human health.
High-temperature X-ray scattering studies of atomic layer deposited IrO2
Authors: Heikkilä Mikko J. , Hämäläinen Jani , Puukilainen Esa , Leskelä Markku , Ritala Mikko
Published: March 2020

IrO2 is an important material in numerous applications ranging from catalysis to the microelectronics industry, but despite this its behaviour upon annealing under different conditions has not yet been thoroughly studied. This work provides a detailed investigation of the annealing of IrO2 thin films using in situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction and X-ray reflectivity (HTXRR) measurements from room temperature up to 1000°C in oxygen, nitrogen, forming gas and vacuum. Complementary ex situ scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy measurements were conducted. The combined data show the dependencies of crystalline properties and surface morphology on the annealing temperature and atmosphere. The reduction of IrO2 to Ir takes place at a temperature as low as 150°C in forming gas, but in oxygen IrO2 is stable up to 800°C and evaporates as a volatile oxide at higher temperatures. The IrO2 crystallite size remains constant in oxygen up to 400°C and increases above that, while in the more reducing atmospheres the Ir crystallites grow continuously above the phase-change temperature. The role of HTXRR in the analysis is shown to be important since its high sensitivity allows one to observe changes taking place in the film at temperatures much below the phase change.
General approaches for shear-correcting coordinate transformations in Bragg coherent diffraction imaging. Part II
Authors: Li P. , Maddali S. , Pateras A. , Calvo-Almazan I. , Hruszkewycz S.O. , Cha W. , Chamard V. , Allain M.
Published: March 2020

X-ray Bragg coherent diffraction imaging (BCDI) has been demonstrated as a powerful 3D microscopy approach for the investigation of sub-micrometre-scale crystalline particles. The approach is based on the measurement of a series of coherent Bragg diffraction intensity patterns that are numerically inverted to retrieve an image of the spatial distribution of the relative phase and amplitude of the Bragg structure factor of the diffracting sample. This 3D information, which is collected through an angular rotation of the sample, is necessarily obtained in a non-orthogonal frame in Fourier space that must be eventually reconciled. To deal with this, the approach currently favored by practitioners (detailed in Part I) is to perform the entire inversion in conjugate non-orthogonal real- and Fourier-space frames, and to transform the 3D sample image into an orthogonal frame as a post-processing step for result analysis. In this article, which is a direct follow-up of Part I, two different transformation strategies are demonstrated, which enable the entire inversion procedure of the measured data set to be performed in an orthogonal frame. The new approaches described here build mathematical and numerical frameworks that apply to the cases of evenly and non-evenly sampled data along the direction of sample rotation (i.e. the rocking curve). The value of these methods is that they rely on the experimental geometry, and they incorporate significantly more information about that geometry into the design of the phase-retrieval Fourier transformation than the strategy presented in Part I. Two important outcomes are (1) that the resulting sample image is correctly interpreted in a shear-free frame and (2) physically realistic constraints of BCDI phase retrieval that are difficult to implement with current methods are easily incorporated. Computing scripts are also given to aid readers in the implementation of the proposed formalisms.
Measuring usage of formal financial services as a proxy for financial inclusion
Authors: Mohammed Fatima , Barrowclough Michael J. , Kibler Michelle L. , Boerngen Maria A.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Financial inclusion is an issue of importance and increasing concern worldwide, particularly to policymakers across Africa and the rest of the developing world. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the level of usage of formal financial services among Ghanaian agricultural households as well as factors influencing these levels.

Design/methodology/approach

Financial inclusion indicators associated with the usage of formal financial services are selected from the 2017 Ghana Living Standard Survey. Using these indicators, an index measuring the level of usage of formal financial services is developed. A multinomial logistic regression model is implemented to analyze the possible effect that farm and household characteristics have on index measures.

Findings

Usage of formal financial services is very low among agricultural households, with many households using no financial products or services. Household expenditure, education, religion, geographic location, and the use of informal financial services were found to be consistent factors impacting household financial inclusion levels.

Practical implications

Findings may assist policymakers in designing policy schemes aimed at improving access to and usage of financial services for Ghanaian agricultural households. This may lead to a more inclusive financial system with the potential to improve the livelihood of agricultural households and contribute to Ghana's overall economic development.

Originality/value

A household-level index measuring usage of formal financial services was developed and characteristics influencing said index measures were examined, providing a more holistic view and understanding of factors influencing usage decisions.
Credit relevance after mandatory IFRS adoption in deposit money banks of Nigeria
Authors: Dang Dagwom Yohanna , Akwe James Ayuba , Garba Salisu Balago
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Credit relevance of financial reporting can be influenced by change in financial reporting framework. This study aims to examine the effect of mandatory international financial reporting standards (IFRS) adoption on credit relevance quality of financial reporting of deposit money banks (DMBs) in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses difference-in-differences (D-in-D) design for its modelling. Panel data regression analysis based on the D-in-D model is used in analysing the data collected from secondary sources.

Findings

The findings of this study are that based on the D-in-D approach, there is a significant and positive effect of mandatory IFRS adoption on credit relevance quality of financial reporting of DMBs in Nigeria, and that there is also a significant difference in the credit relevance quality of financial reporting of mandatory adopting banks in the post-mandatory IFRS adoption period compared to pre-mandatory IFRS adoption period.

Research limitations/implications

To the best of this study's review, there is inadequacy of literature within the credit relevance research in Nigeria. In the light of this, this study intends to fill the gap.

Practical implications

This study is specifically important to regulatory authorities, both primary and secondary regulators. Specifically, this study has implications in the regulatory roles of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC). However, the study recommends that regulatory authorities should encourage DMBs to avail their financial reports annually to credit rating agencies (local and international) for proper evaluation for subsequent ratings.

Originality/value

The peculiarities in this study, that is the utilisation of the D-in-D design and the use of credit relevance metric as the dependent variable, made this study important and novel to push the frontier of existing knowledge.
Profound barriers to building information modelling (BIM) adoption in construction small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Authors: Saka Abdullahi B. , Chan Daniel W.M.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate and investigate the dynamics of the barriers to building information modelling (BIM) adoption from the perspective of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries with the Nigerian construction industry as a case study.

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretive structural modelling approach was adopted to develop a hierarchical model of the interrelationships of the barriers. Also, the Matrice d’Impacts croises-multipication applique a classement analysis was used for categorisation of the barriers.

Findings

The findings revealed that the barriers are from a sociotechnical context and that SMEs have the will to drive BIM adoption by focussing more on their internal environment.

Originality/value

This study presented the adoption of BIM in SMEs, which is underrepresented in extant studies. Also, it contributes to the nascent discussion of BIM from the perspective of SMEs in developing countries.
Job insecurity and work–family conflict
Authors: Nauman Shazia , Zheng Connie , Naseer Saima
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Drawing on conservation of resources theory, this study aims to investigate the processes underlying the linkages between job insecurity (JI) and work–family conflict (WFC) from a stress perspective, focusing on the mediating role of subordinates' work withdrawal (WW) and emotional exhaustion (EE). Specifically, the authors tested two distinct mediating mechanisms, namely, WW and EE that have received less attention in testing the JI and WFC linkage. The authors also tested the variable of perceived organizational justice (POJ) to moderate these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data collected at Time 1 and Time 2 included 206 professionals from different occupational sectors. The authors study independent variable (i.e. JI), moderator (POJ) and mediator (WW) were measured at Time-1, whereas the other mediator (EE) and outcome (WFC) were tapped by the same respondent at Time-2 with a time interval of one month between them.

Findings

The findings suggest that subordinates’ EE and WW mediate the relationship between JI and WFC. Further, the authors found that EE is a relatively more effective mechanism than WW in explaining how and why JI translates into WFC. The results of the moderated mediation analysis revealed that the indirect effect of JI on WFC is strengthened when POJ is low.

Practical implications

JI has adverse consequences on the employees’ well-being and a cost to the organization in terms of WW. HR and top management should anticipate the negative influence of WW and EE and should focus on nurturing positive work–family climates to help reduce WFCs. Managers should give employees opportunities for participation and foster a climate of fairness in the organization to mitigate the harmful consequences of JI.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the employees’ burnout, counter work behavior and the WFC literature. By introducing EE and WW as underlying mechanisms and identifying POJ as a work contextual variable to explain the JI – WFC relationship, the authors extend the nomological network of JI. The authors respond to the calls by prior researchers as little research has examined how perceived fairness (unfairness) can induce WFC.
Making a dart for a clothing pattern in virtual space
Authors: Inui Shigeru , Mesuda Yuko , Horiba Yosuke
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The final goal of this study is to virtualize draping. Draping which is one of the methods to design paper patterns for clothing requires much labor and time. The sub-goal of this study is to construct a system in which the fundamental functions of draping are equipped.

Design/methodology/approach

The system is realized in the virtual world by integrating the virtualized elements of real draping. The cloth is modeled by mechanical formulation, and the shape is determined by numerical calculation. The hand is geometrically modeled, and the captured motions of the hand and fingers are applied to the model. The model dress form is made from the data by measurement. The system in which darts can be made in the virtual space is constructed by integrating the models.

Findings

It is confirmed that the cloth model in the virtual world can be manipulated by the motions of the fingers in the real world. And it is suggested that it is possible to design practical paper patterns for clothing by adding functions to the system.

Originality/value

We are aiming at the system to design paper patterns by the movements of the fingers. With this system, it is expected that the efficiency in designing paper patterns is much improved, and it becomes possible to design clothing that fits individuals efficiently.
Design in 3D: a computational fashion design protocol
Authors: Greder Katherine Celia , Pei Jie , Shin Jooyoung
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to create a corset—understructure as well as fabric covering—using only computational, 3D approaches to fashion design. The process incorporated 3D body scan data, parametric methods for the 3D-printed design, and algorithmic methods for the automated, custom-fit fabric pattern.

Design/methodology/approach

The methods or protocol-based framework that nucleated this design project (see Figure 1) enabled more concentrated research into the iterative step-by-step procedure and the computational techniques used herein.

Findings

The 3D computational methods in this study demonstrated a new way of rendering the body-to-pattern relationship through the use of multiple software platforms. Using body scan data and computer coding, the computational construction methods in this study showed a pliant and sustainable method of clothing design where designers were able to manipulate the X, Y, and Z coordinates of the points on the scan surface.

Research limitations/implications

A study of algorithmic methods is inherently a study of limitation. The iterative process of design was defined and refined through the particularity of an algorithm, which required thoughtful manipulation to inform the outcome of this research.

Practical implications

This study sought to illustrate the use and limitations of algorithm-driven computer programming to advance creative design practices.

Social implications

As body scan data and biometric information become increasingly common components of computational fashion design practices, the need for more research on the use of these techniques is pressing. Moreover, computational techniques serve as a catalyst for discussions about the use of biometric information in design and data modeling.

Originality/value

The process of designing in 3D allowed for the dynamic capability to manipulate proportion and form using parametric design techniques.
Gateways for intra-national tourism flows: measured using two types of tracking technologies
Authors: Raun Janika , Shoval Noam , Tiru Margus
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Understanding the essence of tourism flows is one of the fundamental undertakings of tourism geography research and a key issue behind effective destination management and development. However, thus far, few studies have analysed tourist movement on a national scale. This is due to the deficiency of spatially accurate data that can be used for recording tourists’ intra-national movements. This paper aims to illustrate the impact of major gateways on national tourism flows by using tracking data; and demonstrate and compare the use and applicability of tracking data on a national scale.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors analyse foreign tourists’ movements using two spatially and temporally precise tracking data sets – call detail records from passive mobile positioning data and GPS data from smartphones – in two countries, Estonia and Israel. The movements of international tourists entering the countries via main gateways are studied, with a focus on the impact of gateways on intra-national tourism flows.

Findings

The results clearly show the impact of gateways on the concentration of tourists. In the two respective countries, the critical mass of time was spent in close proximity to the gateway and, due to distance decay, a dramatic decrease was seen in visitation to areas that were distanced from both countries’ core areas.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first time when tourism flows attained from tracking data are compared on a national scale for two countries.
Does occupational licensing costs disproportionately affect the self-employed?
Authors: Plemmons Alicia Morgan
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze how occupational licensing costs within a state affect the performance of self-employed firms, as measured through annual sales.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilizes an empirical approach to determine if there are additional effects on the annual sales for firms that are self-employed in high-cost states that are not explained through the individual estimations. Since the choice of self-employment is plausibly nonrandom, this study also uses a propensity score matching method to develop a matched subsample of self-employed and employee-maintaining firms. This selection methodology ensures that the set of self-employed and employee-maintaining firm observations are similar in all measurable attributes besides their regulatory environment and firm structure. Using this representative subsample, the empirical framework is repeated to reevaluate the effects of high occupational licensing fees on the sales of self-employed firms.

Findings

In both the unmatched and matched samples, there are significant, large, negative interactions representing a reduction in annual sales per employee within self-employed firms relative to employee-maintaining firms when located in states with above-average occupational licensing costs. The results using the matched subsamples are noticeably smaller in magnitude, which indicates that future policy assessments would benefit from ensuring that the sample pool, when dealing with self-employment, is limited only to firms under a common convex hull in order to not skew the size of results.

Originality/value

This study contributes new understanding of the financial relationship of self-employed firms and occupational licensing costs using firm-level observations of sales and firm structure. This has important policy implications for the development and evaluation of occupational licensing policies when considering effects on the self-employed.
Care quality commission inspections of high-security hospitals
Authors: Rabab Sana , Tomlin Jack , Huband Nick , Völlm Birgit
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Patients detained in high-security psychiatric hospitals are particularly vulnerable to excessive restrictions and exploitation. In the UK, the care quality commission (CQC) monitors and regulates forensic healthcare provision. The purpose of this study is to identify key concerns highlighted in CQC inspection reports of the three high-secure hospitals in England between 2010 and 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

In this qualitative study, 49 CQC inspection reports from three high-secure hospitals were subjected to thematic analysis.

Findings

Five central themes emerged: staffing and management; restrictive practice; physical environment and ward atmosphere; patients’ needs and involvement in their care; and legal and statutory matters. There was some variation in the overall quality of care between the hospitals. Positive staff–patient interactions and good practice in assessing and delivering care were consistently observed. However, enduring staff shortages within each hospital were experienced negatively and sometimes co-occurred with concerns over restrictive practices, poor care-plan procedure and inadequate legal documentation. Over time, Rampton and Broadmoor Hospitals appeared to worsen with regard to staffing levels, staff morale and management involvement. While services progressed over time in providing patients with access to advocacy and information concerning their rights, in some recent inspections it remained unclear whether patients were adequately involved in the care-plan process.

Practical implications

These findings provide preliminary indicators for areas requiring further attention from policymakers, clinicians and advocates.

Originality/value

This study appears to be the first systematic analysis of key concerns expressed in CQC reports of English high-security hospitals.
The evolution and significance of the “apply and explain” regime in King IV
Authors: Natesan Parmi
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to delve into the progress in governance application regimes over the years.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper was conceptual/analytical in nature and based on research of King Reports and other desktop research.

Findings

Distinctive developments in the narrative and practice of governance in the King Reports were found.

Originality/value

A unique reporting of the development in governance praxis through the King Reports is provided.
Prevalence and characteristics of risk factors for non-communicable diseases in semi-urban communities
Authors: Nawamawat Juntima , Prasittichok Wipa , Prompradit Thansinee , Chatchawanteerapong Suwapich , Sittisart Vipaporn
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this research aimed to identify the risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and determine their prevalence and characteristics in a semi-urban community in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey was designed to determine the type and prevalence of risk factors for NCDs among populations in semi-urban areas in the Takianleurn subdistrict of Nakhonsawan, Thailand. A stratified random sampling design was used to select 352 subjects, aged over 15 years and living in this region. Data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed to show frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-squared, prevalence rate and prevalence rate ratio with significance indicated by p-value < 0.05 and confidence interval 95 percent.

Research limitations/implications

The implications for the future study are as follows: (1) a comparative study between rural and urban or rural and semi-urban or urban and semi-urban should be studied to understand how risk factors cause NCDs and (2) Participatory action research should be introduced to assess the effectiveness of the decrease in NCDs risk factors management in the community.

Practical implications

(1) To scale up public health interventions measures to promote and prevent NCDs should be focused on behavioral risk factors of NCDs such as eating habits, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption. (2) Health promotion and disease prevention for decrease in NCDs should consist of reducing alcohol consumption and enhancing healthy eating habits and (3) To manage unmodified risk factors such as age, gender, educational level, etc. should be focused on surveillance and physical health examination yearly.

Findings

The results revealed a prevalence of NCDs of 14.8 percent. The main unmodifiable risk factors affecting NCD prevalence were gender, age, low level of education and poverty; behavioral risk factors included not eating enough fruit and vegetables, high alcohol consumption, a high-fat fast-food diet and smoking.

Originality/value

The prevention of NCDs requires more focus on changing the eating behavior of high-risk groups and providing easily accessible health care information and services. The entire family should be involved in the process of maintaining good health and disease prevention for all family members.
The key success factors in focus group discussions with the elderly for novice researchers: a review
Authors: Muijeen Kasorn , Kongvattananon Puangpaka , Somprasert Chomchuen
Published: March 2020

Purpose

This study aimed to discuss the key success factors in focus group discussions among the elderly as a means of supporting novice researchers and also to share the experiences of novice researchers with focus group discussions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a literature review of previous studies that revealed three themes regarding the key success of focus group discussions with the elderly. Focusing on issues published between 2009 and 2019, four health-related databases, namely the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), ScienceDirect, PsycARTICLES and Thaijo were investigated using keyword searches, both individually and in combination, and the inclusion criteria used in selecting relevant articles as primary sources included research written in the English and Thai languages.

Findings

The literature review involved eight published articles related to this topic in the nursing field. Three themes for key successes were identified as follows: good planning and convenient organization, being accepting and flexible concerning their opinions and good management.

Originality/value

Focus group discussions with the elderly are complex and challenging for novice researchers. It is necessary that a novice researcher in the nursing field builds up the skills of a moderator in conducting focus group interviews if he or she wishes to obtain rigorous data.
Lean and agile manufacturing: complementary or competing capabilities?
Authors: Iqbal Tahir , Jajja Muhammad Shakeel Sadiq , Bhutta Mohammad Khurrum , Qureshi Shahzad Naeem
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Lean (TQM and JIT) and agile manufacturing (AM) are viewed as strategic capabilities that can help firms to meet diverse set of market demands. However, the question whether lean manufacturing and AM are complementary or competing capabilities is still open to discussion. This research proposes an integrated research framework that draws on complementary theory, theory of systems, and concept of fit to examine this question regarding these two strategic capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected from 248 apparel exporting firms, and the proposed model is evaluated using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results show that lean manufacturing, AM, and supporting management and infrastructural practices have positive and complementary effects on firm's performance. Further, results depict that lean manufacturing and AM complementarity is a complete organizational synergistic phenomenon, and piecemeal implementation of these initiatives may lead to suboptimal or unsatisfactory results. Results also indicate that there is no significant direct (correlated and uncorrelated) relationship of management, infrastructure, lean manufacturing, and AM practices with firm's performance and support that lean manufacturing and AM are not competing paradigms.

Research limitations/implications

This research is based on cross-sectional data from one industry. Future research should collect data from diverse sectors in different countries.

Practical implications

This study provides a key insight for manufacturing managers that piecemeal implementation of lean manufacturing and AM does not yield optimal outcomes. In addition, study suggests that lean manufacturing and AM complementarity builds on strong foundation of strategic management and internal and external infrastructure. Therefore, managers should focus on development of skilled and empowered human resources, technological advancements, and learning and virtually integrated organizations for effective implementation of lean manufacturing and AM.

Originality/value

Proposed framework is one of the first, if not the first, that seeks to resolve the question: whether lean manufacturing and AM are complementary or competing capabilities. Complementary effects of lean manufacturing and AM along with management, internal infrastructure, and common external infrastructure practices have positive impact on performance. This study also segregated infrastructure practices into internal and common external infrastructure practices.
Design of conformal lattice structures using the volumetric distance field based on parametric solid models
Authors: Liang Yan , Zhao Feng , Yoo Dong-Jin , Zheng Bing
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a novel design method to construct lattice structure computational models composed of a set of unit cells including simple cubic, body-centered cubic, face-centered cubic, diamond cubic and octet cubic unit cell.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors introduce a new implicit design algorithm based on the computation of volumetric distance field (VDF). All the geometric components including lattice core structure and outer skin are represented with VDFs in a given design domain. This enables computationally efficient design of a computational model for an arbitrarily complex lattice structure. In addition, the authors propose a hybrid method based on the VDF and parametric solid models to construct a conformal lattice structure, which is oriented in accordance with the geometric form of the exterior surface. This method enables the authors to design highly complex lattice structure, computational models, in a consistent design framework irrespective of the complexity in geometric representations without sacrificing accuracy and efficiency.

Findings

Experimental results are shown for a variety of geometries to validate the proposed design method along with illustrative several lattice structure prototypes built by additive manufacturing techniques.

Originality/value

This method enables the authors to design highly complex lattice structure, computational models, in a consistent design framework irrespective of the complexity in geometric representations without sacrificing accuracy and efficiency.
Ant colony nest networks adapt to resource disruption
Authors: Burns Dominic D. R. , Franks Daniel W. , Parr Catherine , Robinson Elva J. H.
Published: March 2020

Animal social structure is shaped by environmental conditions, such as food availability. This is important as conditions are likely to change in the future and changes to social structure can have cascading ecological effects. Wood ants are a useful taxon for the study of the relationship between social structure and environmental conditions, as some populations form large nest networks and they are ecologically dominant in many northern hemisphere woodlands. Nest networks are formed when a colony inhabits more than one nest, known as polydomy. Polydomous colonies are composed of distinct sub‐colonies that inhabit spatially distinct nests and that share resources with each other.

In this study, we performed a controlled experiment on 10 polydomous wood ant (Formica lugubris) colonies to test how changing the resource environment affects the social structure of a polydomous colony. We took network maps of all colonies for 5 years before the experiment to assess how the networks changes under natural conditions. After this period, we prevented ants from accessing an important food source for a year in five colonies and left the other five colonies undisturbed.

We found that preventing access to an important food source causes polydomous wood ant colony networks to fragment into smaller components and begin foraging on previously unused food sources. These changes were not associated with a reduction in the growth of populations inhabiting individual nests (sub‐colonies), foundation of new nests or survival, when compared with control colonies.

Colony splitting likely occurred as the availability of food in each nest changed causing sub‐colonies to change their inter‐nest connections. Consequently, our results demonstrate that polydomous colonies can adjust to environmental changes by altering their social network.
Herpes zoster granulomatous dermatitis in metastatic lung cancer treated with nivolumab: A case report
Authors: Gozzi Elisa , Rossi Luigi , Angelini Francesco , Leoni Valentina , Trenta Patrizia , Cimino Giuseppe , Tomao Silverio
Published: March 2020

Granulomatous dermatitis (GD) is the most common among a variety of skin reactions that may occur in the varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) reactivation area. It is thought that the formation of granulomas may be the result of a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to viral envelope glycoproteins. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as nivolumab stimulate T cells and promote hypersensitivity reactions, leading to the formation of granulomas in VZV wrapping proteins, thus triggering VZV‐GD. Few cases of the use of ICIs in patients diagnosed with VZV‐GD have been reported in the literature. Here, we report the clinical case of a patient with metastatic lung cancer which was treated with nivolumab who subsequently developed VZV‐GD. Accurate clinical diagnosis and prompt treatment with antiviral agents have resulted in a complete resolution of the clinical picture.

Key points

Significant findings

Treatment with ICIs may result in VZV reactivation.

Accurate differential diagnosis and early treatment led to the resolution of VZV‐GD.

What this study adds

Few cases of ICI and VZV reactivation have been reported in the literature.

Full and timely resolution of VZV‐GD allowed the continuation of ICI treatment.
Does surgically resected small‐cell lung cancer without lymph node involvement benefit from prophylactic cranial irradiation?
Authors: Lou Yuqing , Zhong Runbo , Xu Jianlin , Qiao Rong , Teng Jiajun , Zhang Yanwei , Zhang Xueyan , Chu Tianqing , Zhong Hua , Han Baohui
Published: March 2020

Background

It has previously been demonstrated that surgically resected small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients could benefit from prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI). However, PCI in patients without lymph node involvement remains controversial. This study includes a larger sample size to evaluate the benefit of PCI therapy in this specific population.

Methods

The records of surgically resected SCLC patients without lymph node involvement (N0M0) in Shanghai Chest Hospital were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Between January 2006 and May 2017, a total of 146 cases of surgically resected SCLC without lymph node involvement were included. A total of 46 patients received PCI therapy and 100 patients received no therapy. During the observation period, 12.0% (12/100) of the patients who did not receive PCI therapy developed brain metastases while 10.9% (5/46) of patients who received PCI therapy developed brain metastases. With regard to time to recurrence, no significant difference was observed among the groups (P = 0.798). Moreover, there was no significant difference in either the overall survival benefit (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.49–1.45, P = 0.532) or disease‐free survival rate (HR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.52–1.75, P = 0.864).

Conclusions

The evidence obtained does not support PCI therapy in the management of surgically resected SCLC with no lymph node involvement.

Key points

Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) remains controversial for resected small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC) without lymph node involvement. In this study, the results indicated that PCI does not reduce the risk of cerebral recurrence of resected p‐T1‐2N0M0 SCLC.

This is the largest sample size study focused on PCI in resected p‐T1‐2N0M0 SCLC. Future revised versions of the guidelines should address this issue.
Alcohol use disorder and cannabis use disorder symptomatology in adolescents is associated with dysfunction in neural processing of future events
Authors: Aloi Joseph , Blair Karina S. , Meffert Harma , White Stuart F. , Hwang Soonjo , Tyler Patrick M. , Crum Kathleen I. , Thornton Laura C. , Mobley Alita , Killanin Abraham D. , Filbey Francesca M. , Pope Kayla , Blair R. James
Published: March 2020

Two of the most commonly used substances by adolescents in the United States are cannabis and alcohol. Cannabis use disorder (CUD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are associated with impairments in decision‐making processes. One mechanism for impaired decision‐making in these individuals is thought to be an inability to adequately represent future events during decision‐making. In the current study involving 112 adolescents, we used a comparative optimism task to examine the relationship between relative severity of CUD/AUD (as indexed by the CUD/AUD Identification Tests [CUDIT/AUDIT]) and atypical function within neural systems underlying affect‐based neural represenation future events. Greater CUDIT scores were negatively related to responses within subgenual anterior and posterior cingulate cortex when processing high‐intensity potential future positive and negative events. There was also a particularly marked negative relationship between CUD symptoms and blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) responses within visual and premotor cortices to high‐intensity, negatively valenced potential future events. However, AUD symptom severity was not associated with dysfunction within these brain regions. These data indicate that relative risk/severity of CUD is associated with reduced responsiveness to future high‐intensity events. This may impair decision‐making where future significant consequences should guide response choice.
Mechanical Turk data collection in addiction research: utility, concerns and best practices
Authors: Mellis Alexandra M. , Bickel Warren K.
Published: March 2020

Aims

Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) provides a crowdsourcing platform for the engagement of potential research participants with data collection instruments. This review (1) provides an introduction to the mechanics and validity of MTurk research; (2) gives examples of MTurk research; and (3) discusses current limitations and best practices in MTurk research.

Methods

We review four use cases of MTurk for research relevant to addictions: (1) the development of novel measures, (2) testing interventions, (3) the collection of longitudinal use data to determine the feasibility of longer‐term studies of substance use and (4) the completion of large batteries of assessments to characterize the relationships between measured constructs. We review concerns with the platform, ways of mitigating these and important information to include when presenting findings.

Results

MTurk has proved to be a useful source of data for behavioral science more broadly, with specific applications to addiction science. However, it is still not appropriate for all use cases, such as population‐level inference. To live up to the potential of highly transparent, reproducible science from MTurk, researchers should clearly report inclusion/exclusion criteria, data quality checks and reasons for excluding collected data, how and when data were collected and both targeted and actual participant compensation.

Conclusions

Although on‐line survey research is not a substitute for random sampling or clinical recruitment, the Mechanical Turk community of both participants and researchers has developed multiple tools to promote data quality, fairness and rigor. Overall, Mechanical Turk has provided a useful source of convenience samples despite its limitations and has demonstrated utility in the engagement of relevant groups for addiction science.
The association between parental supply of alcohol and supply from other sources to young people: a prospective cohort
Authors: Boland Veronica C. , Clare Philip J. , Yuen Wing See , Peacock Amy , Aiken Alexandra , Wadolowski Monika , Hutchinson Delyse , Najman Jackob , Slade Tim , Bruno Raimondo , McBride Nyanda , Degenhardt Louisa , Kypri Kypros , Mattick Richard P.
Published: March 2020

Aims

Despite legal age limits set for alcohol consumption, parents are one of the main suppliers of alcohol to underage minors. Although supply from non‐parental sources has been found to be associated with greater risk of harm compared with parental supply, the association between parental supply and supply from other sources is unclear. This study investigated the associations between parental supply of sips and whole serves of alcohol on subsequent other supply, conditional on current supply from non‐parental sources.

Methods

Data from the Australian Parental Supply of Alcohol Longitudinal Study cohort of adolescents was used. A cohort of 1927 Australian children recruited in grade 7 (mean age 12.9 years) was surveyed annually from 2010 to 2016 (94%, n = 1821 included for analyses). The primary outcome was alcohol exposure from other sources (‘other supply’), including alcohol supply from other adults, friends, siblings, or self‐supply, compared with adolescents reporting no supply from these sources. Analyses were conducted using random intercept logistic regression (to account for within‐respondent correlation).

Results

Parental supply of alcohol alone was associated with increased odds of receiving alcohol from other non‐parental sources in subsequent years (OR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.65–2.39) after adjusting for confounders. Increased odds of subsequent other supply were associated with current parental supply of sips (OR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.56–2.36) and whole drinks (OR: 2.76; 95% CI: 1.85–4.11).

Conclusions

Parental supply of alcohol appears to increase the risk of subsequent supply of alcohol from other sources in certain contexts.