bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The importance of being cross-linked for the bacterial cell wall
Authors: Rani Garima , Patri Issan
Published: March 2019

The bacterial cell wall is primarily composed of a mesh of stiff glycan strands cross-linked by peptide bridges and is essential for safeguarding the cell. The structure of the cell wall has to be stiff enough to bear the high turgor pressure and sufficiently tough to ensure protection against failure. Here we explore the role of various design features of the cell in enhancing the toughness of the cell wall. We explain how the glycan strand length distribution and the degree of cross-linking can play a vital role in ensuring that the cell wall offers sufficient resistance to propagation of cracks. We suggest a possible mechanism by which peptide bond hydrolysis can also help mitigate this risk of failure. We also study the reinforcing effect of MreB on the cell wall and conclude that the cross-linked structure of the cell wall plays the more important role in safeguarding against mechanical failure due to cracking.
The transporters SLC35A1 and SLC30A1 play opposite roles in cell survival upon VSV virus infection
Authors: Moskovskich Anna , Goldmann Ulrich , Kartnig Felix , Lindinger Sabrina , Konecka Justyna , Fiume Giuseppe , Girardi Enrico , Superti-Furga Giulio
Published: March 2019

Host factor requirements for different classes of viruses are still to be fully unraveled. Replication of the viral genome and synthesis of viral proteins inside the human host cell are associated with altered, often enhanced, cellular metabolism and increased demand for nutrients as well as specific metabolites. With more than 400 members listed to date in humans, solute carriers (SLCs) represent the largest family of transmembrane proteins dedicated to the transport of ions and small molecules such as amino acids, sugars and nucleotides. Consistent with their impact on cellular metabolism, several SLCs have been implicated as host factors affecting the viral life cycle and the cell response to infection. In this study, we aimed at characterizing the role of host SLCs in cell survival upon viral infection by performing unbiased genetic screens using a focused CRISPR knockout library. Genetic screens with the cytolytic vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) showed that loss of two SLCs genes, encoding the sialic acid transporter SLC35A1/CST and the zinc transporter SLC30A1/ZnT1, affected cell survival upon infection. Further characterization of these genes pointed to a role of both transporters in the apoptotic response induced by VSV, offering new insights into the cellular response to oncolytic virus infections.
ComplexBrowser: a tool for identification and quantification of protein complexes in large scale proteomics datasets
Authors: Michalak Wojciech , Tsiamis Vasileios , Schwämmle Veit , Rogowska-Wrzesińska Adelina
Published: March 2019

We have developed ComplexBrowser, an open source, online platform for supervised analysis of quantitative proteomics data that focuses on protein complexes. The software uses information from CORUM and Complex Portal databases to identify protein complex components. Based on the expression changes of individual complex subunits across the proteomics experiment it calculates Complex Fold Change (CFC) factor that characterises the overall protein complex expression trend and the level of subunit co-regulation. Thus up- and down-regulated complexes can be identified. It provides interactive visualisation of protein complexes composition and expression for exploratory analysis. It also incorporates a quality control step that includes normalisation and statistical analysis based on Limma test. ComplexBrowser performance was tested on two previously published proteomics studies identifying changes in protein expression in human adenocarcinoma tissue and during activation of mouse T-cells. The analysis revealed 1519 and 332 protein complexes, of which 233 and 41 were found co-ordinately regulated in the respective studies. The adopted approach provided evidence for a shift to glucose-based metabolism and high proliferation in adenocarcinoma tissues and identification of chromatin remodelling complexes involved in mouse T-cell activation. The results correlate with the original interpretation of the experiments and also provide novel biological details about protein complexes affected. ComplexBrowser is, to our knowledge, the first tool to automate quantitative protein complex analysis for high-throughput studies, providing insights into protein complex regulation within minutes of analysis.

A fully functional demo version of ComplexBrowser v1.0 is available online via http://computproteomics.bmb.sdu.dk/Apps/ComplexBrowser/

The source code can be downloaded from: https://bitbucket.org/michalakw/complexbrowser

Highlights

Automated analysis of protein complexes in proteomics experiments

Quantitative measure of the coordinated changes in protein complex components

Interactive visualisations for exploratory analysis of proteomics results

In brief

ComplexBrowser is capable of identifying protein complexes in datasets obtained from large scale quantitative proteomics experiments. It provides, in the form of the CFC factor, a quantitative measure of the coordinated changes in complex components. This facilitates assessing the overall trends in the processes governed by the identified protein complexes providing a new and complementary way of interpreting proteomics experiments.
Dissection of acute stimulus-inducible nucleosome remodeling in mammalian cells
Authors: Comoglio Federico , Simonatto Marta , Polletti Sara , Liu Xin , Smale Stephen T. , Barozzi Iros , Natoli Gioacchino
Published: March 2019

Accessibility of the genomic regulatory information is largely controlled by the nucleosome-organizing activity of transcription factors (TFs). Whereas stimulus-induced TFs bind to genomic regions that are maintained accessible by lineage-determining TFs, they also increase accessibility of thousands of cis-regulatory elements. Nucleosome remodeling events underlying such changes and their interplay with basal positioning are unknown. Here, we devised a novel quantitative framework discriminating different types of nucleosome remodeling events in micrococcal nuclease ChIP-seq datasets and used it to analyze nucleosome dynamics at stimulus-regulated cis-regulatory elements. At enhancers, remodeling preferentially affected poorly positioned nucleosomes while sparing well-positioned nucleosomes flanking the enhancer core, indicating that inducible TFs do not suffice to overrule basal nucleosomal organization maintained by lineage-determining TFs. Remodeling events appeared to be combinatorially driven by multiple TFs, with distinct TFs showing however different remodeling efficiencies. Overall, these data provide a systematic view of the impact of stimulation on nucleosome organization and genome accessibility in mammalian cells.
Injection practices in 2011-2015: A rapid review using data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS)
Authors: Hayashi Tomoyuki , Hutin Yvan J-F , Bulterys Marc , Altaf Arshad , Allegranzi Benedetta
Published: March 2019

Background

Reuse of injection devices to give healthcare injections decreased from 39.8% to 5.5% between 2000 and 2010, but trends since 2011 have not been described. We reviewed results of Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) to describe injection practices worldwide from 2011 to 2015.

Methods

We searched the DHS Internet site for data published on injection practices conducted in countries from 2011 to 2015, extracted information on frequency (number of healthcare injections per person in the last 12 months) and safety (proportion of syringes and needles taken from a new, unopened package). We compared gender groups and WHO regions in terms of frequency and safety. For countries with data available, we compared injection practices 2004- 2010 and 2011-2015.

Results

Since 2011, 40 of 92 countries (43%) that had DHS surveys reported on injection practices. On average, the frequency of injection was 1.64 per person per year (from 3.84 in WHO Eastern Mediterranean region to 1.18 in WHO African region). Among those, 96.1% of injections reportedly used new injection devices (from 90.2% in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region to 98.8% in the WHO Western Pacific region). On average, women received more injections per year (1.85) than men (1.41). Among 16 (40%) countries with data up to 2010 and since 2011, 69% improved in terms of safety. The annual number of unsafe injections was reduced in 81% of countries, with the notable exception of Pakistan where the number of unsafe injections was the highest and did not decrease between 2006 and 2012.

Conclusion

Injection practices have continued to improve in most countries worldwide, although the Eastern Mediterranean region in particular is facing residual unsafe practices that are not improving. Further efforts are needed to completely eliminate unsafe injection practices in health care settings, including through the use of reuse-prevention devices. Despite some limitations, DHS is an easily available method to measure progress over time.
Redetermination of the crystal structure of 2-oxo-1,3-thiazolidin-4-iminium chloride
Authors: Muthukkumar Manickam , Karthikeyan Ammasai , Poovarasan Madeshwaran , Ruckmani Vadivel , Rajaram Dhanakotti , Jegan Jennifer Samson , Abdul Razak Ibrahim
Published: March 2019

In the redetermination of the title compound, C3H5N2OS+·CI−, the asymmetric unit consists of one independent 2-oxo-1,3-thiazolidin-4-iminium cation and one independent chloride anion. The cation interacts with a chloride anion via N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds forming a supramolecular chain along [010]. These supramolecular chains are further extended by weak C—H...Cl and C—H...O interactions, forming a two-dimensional network parallel to (001). The crystal structure is further stabilized by weak C—O...π interactions, supporting a three-dimensional architecture. The structure was previously determined by Ananthamurthy & Murthy [Z. Kristallogr. (1975). 8, 356–367] but has been redetermined with higher precision to allow the hydrogen-bonding patterns and supramolecular interactions to be investigated.
A perfect couple? Institutional theory and entrepreneurship research
Authors: Zhai Qinghua , Su Jing
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the progress made in understanding the impact of multi-level institutions on entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on scientific articles published between 1992 and 2017, the authors take a unique focus on both institutional theory applied and research topics of this area. Bibliometric method and systematic literature review method are used.

Findings

The results demonstrate that although institutional theory is well prepared for entrepreneurship context operating at different levels, the major knowledge foundation used predominantly focuses on macro and meso level. When it comes to research topics, entrepreneurship is often simplified as the founding of new venture, and the unique venture founding process has rarely been explored.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to provide a full picture of the multi-level institutions and their consequences on different kinds of entrepreneurial activities. The authors’evaluation of this research area also points out directions for future study.
Effects of the classification system in international SAR
Authors: Okita Yosuke , Shaw Rajib
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse if the classification system introduced by International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), or INSARAG External Classification (IEC), contributes to effective international search and rescue (SAR) activities in the 2015 Nepal earthquake.

Design/methodology/approach

In addition to the data collected by Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team, the data were collected by one of the authors who was deployed to Nepal as part of the UNDAC just after the earthquake. Interviews with the deployed international SAR teams and the INSARAG Secretariat were also conducted.

Findings

Although more than 50 teams have been classified in IEC, some IEC-classified teams could not utilise their full capabilities in the Nepal response. For example, they did not necessarily arrive in Nepal earlier than the non-classified teams, but it was because the affected country did not prioritise the IEC-classified teams. To save more lives by international teams, INSARAG will need to raise the awareness of IEC in receiving countries, consider the good regional balance of IEC-classified teams and facilitate strengthening local SAR capabilities through the IEC process.

Originality/value

The added value of this study is, by combining the evidence-based field reality and academic analysis, to find out the existing problems in the field and to provide tangible recommendations for further improvement of the IEC system, which will then lead to saving more lives.
Investment valuation model for sustainable infrastructure systems
Authors: Gonzalez-Ruiz Juan David , Arboleda Alejandro , Botero Sergio , Rojo Javier
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an investment valuation model using the mezzanine debt mechanism based on blue bonds that explicitly allude to public–private partnerships (P3s) and project finance (PF). Additionally, this study proposes the financial captured value (FCV) theory for measuring how much financial value lenders may capture by becoming sponsors through financing of sustainable infrastructure systems (SIS).

Design/methodology/approach

The investment valuation model was validated through the Aguas Claras wastewater treatment plant as a case study.

Findings

The empirical results show that lenders may capture financial value by converting outstanding debt into equity shares throughout the operation and maintenance stage. Furthermore, case study results provide new insights into the implications of the debt–equity conversion ratio on the relationship between the sponsors’ internal rate of return and the FCV.

Research limitations/implications

The most significant limitation is the lack of primary and secondary information on blue bonds. Thus, robust statistical analyses to contrast results were not possible.

Practical implications

Researchers and practising professionals can improve their understanding of how mezzanine debt, P3s and PF into an investment valuation model allows financing SIS using a non-conventional financial mechanism. The recommendations will benefit both the academia as well infrastructure industry in bridging the gap between design theory and practice.

Originality/value

Sustainability components have not been addressed explicitly or combined in the financing’s structuring. Therefore, the investment valuation model could be considered a novel methodology for decision making related to financing and investment of SIS.
The role of HRD in university – community partnership
Authors: Osafo Emmanuel , Yawson Robert M.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to identify ways by which the core functions of human resource development HRD can be used to enhance the university–community partnership (UCP) in lieu of the “town and gown” era. Furthermore, the paper addresses the need to extend HRD activities beyond the organization and leverage HRD to spearhead the community-development agenda through coalition building between organizations, local universities and the community.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature on UCP is reviewed and analyzed, and the need to extend HRD focus beyond the organization to include community development through coalition building is discussed. A single-case descriptive analysis to illustrate the critical role of human resource and leadership development in UCP is done.

Findings

HRD’s interest in the UCP drive is negligible. UCP presents a new frontier for HRD research and practice because there is both public and private funding that can be assessed through the right contacts and networks.

Originality/value

The need for UCP has been a subject of discussion among scholars for time immemorial. However, the collapse of the “town and gown” era has inspired greater interest in UCP. HRD scholars and practitioners can leverage the expertise in applying andragogy principles, the focus on the adult learner and community leadership development to play a crucial in the UCP drive.
Development of a user-friendly regression model to evaluate carbon emissions of office buildings design in the subtropics
Authors: Lee Pan , Chan Edwin H.W. , Qian Queena K. , Lam Patrick T.I.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Design teams have difficulties in assessing building carbon emissions at an early stage, as most building energy simulation tools require a detailed input of building design for estimation. The purpose of this paper is to develop a user-friendly regression model to estimate carbon emissions of the preliminary design of office buildings in the subtropics by way of example. Five sets of building design parameters, including building configuration, building envelope, design space conditions, building system configuration and occupant behaviour, are considered in this study.

Design/methodology/approach

Both EnergyPlus and Monte Carlo simulation were used to predict carbon emissions for different combinations of the design parameters. A total of 100,000 simulations were conducted to ensure a full range of simulation results. Based on the simulation results, a regression model was developed to estimate carbon emissions of office buildings based on preliminary design information.

Findings

The results show that occupant density, annual mean occupancy rate, equipment load, lighting load and chiller coefficient of performance are the top five influential parameters affecting building carbon emissions under the subtropics. Besides, the design parameters of ten office buildings were input into this user-friendly regression model for validation. The results show that the ranking of its simulated carbon emissions for these ten buildings is consistent with the original carbon emissions ranking.

Practical implications

With the use of this developed regression model, design teams can not only have a simple and quick estimation of carbon emissions based on the building design information at the conceptual stage but also explore design options by understanding the level of reduction in carbon emissions if a certain building design parameter is changed. The study also provides recommendations on building design to reduce carbon emissions of office buildings.

Originality/value

Limited research has been conducted to date to investigate how the change of building design affects carbon emissions in the subtropics where four distinct seasons lead to significant variations of outdoor temperature and relative humidity. Previous research also did not emphasise on the impact of high-rise office building designs (e.g. small building footprint, high window-to-wall ratio) on carbon emissions. This paper adds value by identifying the influential parameters affecting carbon emissions for a high-rise office building design and allows a handy estimate of building carbon emissions under the subtropical conditions. The same approach may be used for other meteorological conditions.
Crisis leadership competencies: the facility management sector in Thailand
Authors: Wisittigars Boonkiat , Siengthai Sununta
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to identify crisis leadership competencies in the facility management (FM) sector in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

The Delphi technique was used in three rounds of opinion evaluation from 24 Thai FM experts, based on which a large-scale questionnaire survey instrument was developed and administered. Of the 350 questionnaires distributed, 290 usable questionnaires were obtained (82.85 per cent response rate). Factor analysis was used to reveal important leadership competencies for managing facilities in crisis situations.

Findings

The Delphi technique identified 32 potential FM crisis leadership competencies. Of these, principal component analysis revealed 29 significant competencies. These competencies were grouped, using factor loadings, into five different competencies: emergency preparedness; crisis communication; emotional intelligence; leadership skills; and problem-solving. Emergency preparedness was found to be the most important leadership competency in FM crisis management.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to the experiences of FM experts in Thailand. Its empirical results can help human resource managers to develop appropriate training programs and policies for FM practitioners, as well as to help junior FM practitioners develop competencies essential for leaders in the FM sector.

Originality/value

This is a novel empirical study of leadership competencies in a growing business sector in Thailand (FM) and possibly other countries in the Asian region. Leaders in FM can benefit from recognizing the leadership competencies that are critical during crisis management.
Explaining the challenges of academic professional ethics training from the perspective of faculty members at Ardabil University of Medical Sciences: a qualitative study
Authors: Habibzadeh Shahram , Zandian Hamed , Edalatkhah Hasan , Mehrtak Mohammad
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Education systems throughout the world seek to take the advantage of every presenting opportunity for achieving a standard level of ethical accountability and capability. The purpose of this paper is to explain the challenges of professional ethics training from the perspective of faculty members at the Ardabil University of Medical Sciences (ARUMS).

Design/methodology/approach

The present qualitative framework analysis held interviews with 21 key faculty members were selected using the purposeful and snowball method to interview from ARUMS in 2016. The duration of each interview varied between 45 and 120 min. The data obtained were analyzed in MAXQDA-10. Codes were extracted using inductive methods.

Findings

Three main themes were extracted from the interviews, namely, educational efficacy, professional interaction and equity in education along with 12 subthemes, namely, teacher’s personal capability, work in the area of expertise, regular class attendance, quality class attendance, inclusion of theoretical bases, the teacher as an ethical role model, respect for the student, encouragement of ethical behaviors, respect for the patient’s rights, fair assessment, attention to differences and positive discrimination.

Practical implications

This study results could help to improve the quality of training and ethical standards in medical education.

Originality/value

To comply with the codes of ethics in research, permission was obtained from the Ethics Committee and the participants were ensured about the confidentiality of their data and their right to withdraw from the study at any stage. Given that this project was a qualitative study, the authors did not have a moral or practical problem in the study. This study was approved with number “IR.ARUMS.FEC.1394.25” at the Ardabil University of Medical Sciences Research Ethics Council. The cooperation of participants in the study was completely voluntary; moreover, the authors obtained written consent from participants for the study.
Quality procedures and complaints: nursing homes in Portugal
Authors: Gil Ana Paula
Published: March 2019

Purpose

In most European countries there is a range of quality control system mechanisms, however, poor quality and institutional violence can be found in the residential sector. Taking Portugal as an example of a country that uses an inspection-only approach, this paper focuses on the monitoring system for controlling the quality of care in nursing homes. The purpose of this paper is to analyse how mistreatment of older people is identified and dealt with by the national social security services. In particular it looks at what the indicators are with which to assess poor quality care and mistreatment (how it is perceived and defined), which factors affect mistreatment of older people and intervention outputs (i.e. what are the sanctions to prevent and combat this).

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory approach was based on a mixed method, using a database of 3,685 complaints reported to the social security inspection services. To understand the context of the complaints and the assessment of institutional violence, focus groups were carried out with inspectors from the National Inspection Service.

Findings

The focus groups identified severe situations of poor care, mistreatment of older people and loss of human rights and dignity. Some indicators were found in key areas of care and the factors associated with this were based on Kamavarapu’s typology (2017): physical conditions of facilities; closed organisational models; difficult working conditions; and perceived concerns of residents. Monitoring and inspection systems are still based on minimum standards focusing on structural and process quality, devoting little attention to the human rights situation of older persons and clinical issues.

Research limitations/implications

The number of participants in the focus groups was limited in size but the uniqueness of this exploratory method draws a dark picture of non-licensed nursing homes in Portugal.

Originality/value

An exploratory analysis was useful to identify institutional violence and discuss potential implications, in terms of effectiveness of quality care control, which calls for special attention by policy makers and researchers when monitoring the human rights of older persons.
Transformative vision
Authors: Allen Keisha McIntosh
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how a Black male teacher made sense of the ways racism and white supremacy function in schools and constrains his practice by addressing the question: How does a culturally relevant Black male teacher engage a racial perspective in his pedagogy and make sense of the socio-political context of his practice?

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative case study draws its data from semi-structured interviews and participant observations and was situated within a transfer high school in the Northeastern region of the USA.

Findings

This study elucidates the ways in which a Black male teacher’s racial literacy enabled him to make sense of the socio-political context of his school, the profession and help his Black male students negotiate how they are racialized in schools and society.

Research limitations/implications

This paper closes with a call for additional research that further examines the relationship racial literacy plays in retaining teachers of color in the profession and for racial literacy to be positioned as a vital component of teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge in both teacher education and professional development.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on critical Black male teachers by forwarding a framework that helps us to understand how they engage in transformative work within assimilationist educational spaces.
Aligning organizational culture and operations strategy to improve innovation outcomes
Authors: Wu Li-Fan , Huang Ing-Chung , Huang Wei-Chang , Du Pey-Lan
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Innovation is a key factor in assessing organizational success. The purpose of this paper is to examine how the organizational culture and operations strategy impact organizational innovation. It explores the influence of various combinations of organizational cultures and operations strategies on a firm’s ability to innovate both in process and product.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model is developed which attempts to explain how the reciprocal and dynamic interactive relationship between organizational culture and operations strategy and innovation is structured. In total, 233 valid questionnaires were collected from 17 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Taiwan. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate the direction and strengths of the relationships and develop a comprehensive picture to illustrate the drivers of successful innovation.

Findings

The analysis and conclusions confirm the suitability of Culture–Strategy–Innovation Model and the detailed results demonstrate that a combination of innovative organizational culture and flexibility-oriented operations strategy has the strongest influence on a firm’s innovation process thereby improving their innovative organizational outcomes.

Practical implications

Although based on Taiwanese manufacturing industries these results provide useful insights for manufacturing industries in general. In alternative contexts, the combination of different dimensions of culture and strategy can be expected to cause different levels of success in innovation. This study provides robust evidence to explain the organizational climate needed to guide the innovative and flexibility considerations needed for SMEs in the manufacturing industry.

Originality/value

This is an empirical study which specifically investigates the activities of SMEs in the metal/plastic manufacturing industry in Taiwan and in particular examines organizational culture, operations strategies and innovation. The research model proposed and confirmed offers a new multi-dimensional structure of culture and strategy linked with their various related dynamic interrelationships and the drivers that impact organizational innovation.
US SEC approves amendments to Nasdaq’s 20 per cent rule for shareholder approval of certain private offerings
Authors: Hoffman Justin F. , Dworaczyk Jude A.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

To explain a recent amendment by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) to Nasdaq Rule 5635(d) (the 20 per cent Rule) to change the definition of “market value” for purposes of the 20 per cent Rule and eliminate the requirement for shareholder approval of certain private issuances at a price less than book value but greater than market value.

Design/methodology/approach

This article provides background on the purpose and policy behind the 20 per cent Rule and summarizes the provisions of the 20 per cent rule, both before and after the recent SEC amendment thereto. This article then highlights the most important changes to the 20 per cent Rule and explains the implications thereof for Nasdaq-listed issuers.

Findings

The amended 20 per cent Rule provides Nasdaq-listed issuers greater flexibility in structuring transactions involving private placements of equity and will likely reduce the number of such transactions requiring a shareholder vote.

Originality/value

Practical guidance from experienced corporate finance and capital markets lawyers.
From the Fermi–Dirac distribution to PD curves
Authors: Brunel Vivien
Published: March 2019

Purpose

In machine learning applications, and in credit risk modeling in particular, model performance is usually measured by using cumulative accuracy profile (CAP) and receiving operating characteristic curves. The purpose of this paper is to use the statistics of the CAP curve to provide a new method for credit PD curves calibration that are not based on arbitrary choices as the ones that are used in the industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The author maps CAP curves to a ball–box problem and uses statistical physics techniques to compute the statistics of the CAP curve from which the author derives the shape of PD curves.

Findings

This approach leads to a new type of shape for PD curves that have not been considered in the literature yet, namely, the Fermi–Dirac function which is a two-parameter function depending on the target default rate of the portfolio and the target accuracy ratio of the scoring model. The author shows that this type of PD curve shape is likely to outperform the logistic PD curve that practitioners often use.

Practical implications

This paper has some practical implications for practitioners in banks. The author shows that the logistic function which is widely used, in particular in the field of retail banking, should be replaced by the Fermi–Dirac function. This has an impact on pricing, the granting policy and risk management.

Social implications

Measuring credit risk accurately benefits the bank of course and the customers as well. Indeed, granting is based on a fair evaluation of risk, and pricing is done accordingly. Additionally, it provides better tools to supervisors to assess the risk of the bank and the financial system as a whole through the stress testing exercises.

Originality/value

The author suggests that practitioners should stop using logistic PD curves and should adopt the Fermi–Dirac function to improve the accuracy of their credit risk measurement.
Organizational justice and knowledge sharing behavior
Authors: Hameed Zahid , Khan Ikram Ullah , Sheikh Zaryab , Islam Tahir , Rasheed Muhammad Imran , Naeem Rana Muhammad
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Knowledge sharing (KS) has been consistently acknowledged as a critical factor in the organizational development and the betterment of employees. The purpose of this paper is to extend previous empirical research on KS by testing psychological ownership as an underlying mechanism between the relationship of organizational justice (OJ) and KS behavior in developing country context. The authors also examine the moderating role of perceived organizational support (POS) between psychological ownership and KS behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a survey questionnaire, data from 348 employees of multinational corporations in Pakistan were used to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The results of this research reveal that dimensions of OJ (procedural, distributive and interactional justice) positively influence psychological ownership. In addition, psychological ownership is found as an underlying psychological mechanism between the relationship of OJ and KS behavior. The results also indicate that a higher level of POS strengthens the relationship between psychological ownership and KS behavior.

Practical implications

Organizations can enhance employees’ sense of psychological ownership by providing them fairness in procedures and resources. Moreover, management can create a perception of equality among the employees which subsequently helps employees engage in sharing their valuable knowledge with their team members and other workers in the organization.

Originality/value

This research suggests that psychological ownership and POS are important factors which influence the relationship between OJ and KS behavior and it empirically tests this model in a developing country context.
Rethinking norms and collectivism in China's inclusive education – moving teachers’ understanding beyond integration
Authors: Qu Xiao
Published: March 2019

The global debates over inclusive education have long moved beyond the archaic notion of physical integration and more towards the meaningful participation in education, children's rights and breaking down institutional barriers. The latest inclusion policy in China also recognises the need for schools to develop provisions to accommodate additional learner needs. However, Chinese teachers may still view inclusion as mere physical integration. This paper focuses on one key theme arising from a qualitative study and explores in‐depth the possible causes behind teachers’ interpretation of inclusion as physical integration to offer deeper understanding of how to move China's inclusive education forward. Drawing from 37 interviews with mainstream primary school teachers in a Chinese city, this paper illustrates how teachers’ non‐inclusive views can be embedded within the local culture, explaining how some teachers focused on physical attendance based on normalising values, although others emphasised assimilation as part of the collective culture. The paper aims to unsettle the often taken‐for‐granted beliefs regarding norms and collectivism in the Chinese culture. The conclusion suggests areas for change.
Choice of surgical procedure – lobectomy, segmentectomy, or wedge resection – for patients with stage T1‐2N0M0 small cell lung cancer: A population‐based study
Authors: Liu Yang , Shan Lanlan , Shen Jianfei , Liu Liping , Wang Jinlin , He Jiaxi , He Qihua , Jiang Long , Guo Minzhang , Chen Xuewei , Zeng Haikang , Xia Xiaojun , Peng Guilin , Liang Wenhua , He Jianxing
Published: March 2019

Background

To date, few studies have evaluated the impact of lobectomy versus sublobar resection for early small cell lung cancer (SCLC). We investigated the survival rates of patients with pathological stage T1‐2N0M0 SCLC who underwent lobectomy or sublobar resection.

Methods

We identified 548 SCLC patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database who underwent lobectomy or sublobar resection. Propensity score matching (PSM) and Cox regression analysis were used to adjust for baseline characteristics.

Results

The three‐year overall survival (OS) of patients treated with lobectomy (n = 376, 60%) was significantly higher than those treated with sublobar resection (n = 172, 38%). PSM and Cox multivariable analysis further confirmed this result (hazard ratio [HR] 0.543, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.421–0.680; P < 0.001). The three‐year OS of patients treated with segmentectomy (n = 24, 54%) and wedge resection (n = 148, 36%) was not significantly different (HR 0.639, 95% CI 0.393–1.039; P = 0.071). Based on PSM analysis, segmentectomy conferred a superior survival advantage to patients relative to wedge resection (HR 0.466, 95% CI 0.221–0.979; P = 0.040).

Conclusion

Lobectomy correlated with superior survival. For patients in which lobectomy is unsuitable, prognosis following segmentectomy appears to be better than after wedge resection.
pavo2: New tools for the spectral and spatial analysis of colour in r
Authors: Maia Rafael , Gruson Hugo , Endler John A. , White Thomas E.
Published: March 2019

Biological coloration presents a canvas for the study of ecological and evolutionary processes. Enduring interest in colour‐based phenotypes has driven, and been driven by, improved techniques for quantifying colour patterns in ever‐more relevant ways, yet the need for flexible, open frameworks for data processing and analysis persists.

Here we introduce pavo 2, the latest iteration of the r package pavo. This release represents the extensive refinement and expansion of existing methods, as well as a suite of new tools for the cohesive analysis of the spectral and (now) spatial structure of colour patterns and perception. At its core, the package retains a broad focus on (a) the organization and processing of spectral and spatial data, and tools for the alternating (b) visualization, and (c) analysis of data. Significantly, pavo 2 introduces image‐analysis capabilities, providing a cohesive workflow for the comprehensive analysis of colour patterns.

We demonstrate the utility of pavo with a brief example centred on mimicry in Heliconius butterflies. Drawing on visual modelling, adjacency, and boundary strength analyses, we show that the combined spectral (colour and luminance) and spatial (pattern element distribution and boundary salience) features of putative models and mimics are closely aligned.

pavo 2 offers a flexible and reproducible environment for the analysis of colour, with renewed potential to assist researchers in answering fundamental questions in sensory ecology and evolution.
The Making of Australia's Supermarket Duopoly, 1958–2000
Authors: Merrett David T.
Published: March 2019

Australian supermarkets had one of the highest levels of concentration among developed economies by 2000. This paper explores the making of a duopoly comprising Coles and Woolworths. We present historical data on market shares in Australia and international comparisons for around 2000. We identify the evolution of their dynamic capabilities through the lens of Teece, Pisano and Shuen's positions, paths and processes (1997). The industrial organisation literature stresses interaction become rivals, notably pre‐emptive strategies including sunk costs (Lee and Ng 2007; Sutton 1991). We argue that the development of dynamic capabilities enabled the execution of various pre‐emptive strategies.
Local antagonism and resource partitioning between two invasive pine plantation pests
Authors: Wondafrash Mesfin , Slippers Bernard , Hurley Brett P. , Garnas Jeff
Published: March 2019

The woodwasp Sirex noctilio Fabricius, native to Eurasia and North Africa, regularly co‐occurs with a North American origin Pissodes sp. on Pinus trees in South Africa. The nature of this co‐occurrence and potential impacts on either of the species is unknown.

Using structured sampling, we investigated the pattern and degree of co‐occurrence of S. noctilio and Pissodes sp. in six sites in P. patula plantations in South Africa aiming to better understand the potential for interactions and population‐level feedbacks. We compared density, adult body size and within‐tree distribution of both insect species in trees where they co‐occurred or occurred singly.

Sirex noctilio and Pissodes sp. co‐occurred on 68.0 ± 3.8% of infested trees (range 55–80%). Both insect species were more abundant in trees where they occurred alone relative to co‐inhabited trees.

The within‐tree distribution of S. noctilio did not differ in the presence of Pissodes sp.; however, in the presence of S. noctilio, Pissodes sp. were more frequent in the bottom than the middle tree section where S. noctilio was at higher density and this could be an indication of resource partitioning. Body size of S. noctilio and Pissodes sp. was not influenced by co‐occurrence.

The results obtained in the present study suggest a broad overlap for both insects in preference for stressed trees in similar states of decline, as well as moderate antagonism between the species leading to lower emergence of both species in shared trees. The influence of S. noctilio on Pissodes sp. population densities may still be a net positive at a landscape scale because Pissodes sp. prefers declining or recently dead trees that are readily created by S. noctilio via attacks on healthy trees.
Associations between major dietary patterns and testicular function in a population‐based cohort of young men: results from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study
Authors: Ognjenovic M. , Ambrosini G. L. , Malacova E. , Doherty D. A. , Oddy W. H. , Handelsman D. J. , McLachlan R. , Dickinson J. , Hart R. J. 
Published: March 2019

Background

Controversial speculation suggestions that dietary intake may affect semen quality and testicular function, however, there are limited comprehensive studies observing dietary patterns.

Objective

To study associations between major dietary patterns and markers of testicular function in adulthood.

Material and Methods

Observational cross‐sectional study of two hundred and ninety men with an average age of 20 years, from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study.

Usual dietary intake assessed using a semi‐quantitative food frequency questionnaire at 20 years of age. Two dietary patterns previously identified using exploratory factor analysis (“Healthy” or “Western”) and participants received z‐scores for each dietary pattern. Primary endpoints were testicular volume, total sperm per ejaculate, morning serum testosterone concentration. Secondary endpoints were semen sample parameters, inhibin B and sex steroids (DHT: 3α‐diol, 3β‐diol; LH; FSH; DHEA; estradiol; estrone).

Result(s)

Participants were on average 20.0 ± 0.4 years old, had a median of 2 days sexual abstinence and a body mass index of 24.1 ± 3.9 kg/m2, 13% were smokers, 52% were ‘moderate’ alcohol drinkers, 23% frequently used recreational drugs and 68% reported ‘high’ physical activity levels. Sperm concentration and DHT 3α‐diol were negatively associated with a greater z‐score for the “Western” dietary pattern (p = 0.007 and; p = 0.044, respectively), and serum estradiol concentration was positively associated with a “Western” dietary pattern (p = 0.007) after adjustment for BMI, varicocele, cryptorchidism and sexual abstinence.

Discussion

Despite associations between greater intake of the “Western” dietary pattern and a decreased male reproductive health markers, our lack of consistent associations of either a “Healthy” or a “Western” dietary pattern, limit clinical or biological significance in isolation.

Conclusions

A potential negative association of a “Western” dietary pattern with male reproductive health was detected and should be studied further in population‐based studies.
Critical approaches to island geography
Authors: Grydehøj Adam
Published: March 2019

This special section seeks to identify what it is that makes islands special as well as to critique the limitations of generalised conceptions of islandness. In recent years, the field of island studies has drawn on critical trends in geography, being particularly influenced by the “relational turn,” the “decolonial turn,” and theories of the Anthropocene. The papers in this special section focus on the themes of vulnerability and resilience, indigeneity, spatial transformation, democracy and governance, urbanisation and transport, enclavisation and eco‐cultural tourism, mobility and connective infrastructures, and Anthropocene relationality to explore new horizons in island geography research.
Anticipatory pleasure for future experiences in schizophrenia spectrum disorders and major depression: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hallford David J. , Sharma Manoj K.
Published: March 2019

Objectives

Deficits in anticipating pleasure may be an important dimension of anhedonia and functioning in psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia and depression; however, inconsistent findings have limited the conclusions that can be drawn. We conducted the first systemic review and meta‐analysis of the extant literature for research comparing psychiatric groups to healthy control groups on anticipatory pleasure.

Methods

Academic Search Complete, Science Direct, and CINAHL databases were systematically searched up to 9 June 2018 for relevant peer‐reviewed articles, book chapters, and dissertations. Reference lists were also hand searched. A total of 36 studies were included in the review.

Results

A moderate‐sized deficit was observed in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (k = 32, 1,851 patients and 1,449 controls, g = −0.42 [95% CI = −0.53 to −0.31], p < .001), and a large deficit in major depression (k = 415 patients and 506 controls, g = −0.87 [95% CI = −1.23 to −0.51], p < .001), with this effect being significantly larger for depression (p < .05). Meta‐regression showed that heterogeneity was partially explained in schizophrenia spectrum by longer duration of illness and lower cognitive functioning predicting larger deficits. In depression, some evidence was found that ruling out a history of psychiatric illness in controls may be related to larger effects. There was evidence for small study bias inflating estimates in schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Conclusions

Deficits in anticipatory pleasure are manifest in these disorders, and significantly more so in major depression. These findings indicate a possible therapeutic target to link cognitive, affective, and behavioural factors that precipitate and maintain disorder.

Practitioner points

Anticipatory pleasure is impaired in schizophrenia spectrum and major depression.

A particular focus on enhancing anticipatory pleasure may improve motivation for rewarding behaviour and psychosocial functioning.

The review contained only a small number of studies for major depression.

Given the heterogeneity in effects, there are likely to be more moderators of anticipatory pleasure that require examination.