bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioinspired surfaces for turbulent drag reduction
Authors: Golovin Kevin B. , Gose James W. , Perlin Marc , Ceccio Steven L. , Tuteja Anish
Published: June 2016

In this review, we discuss how superhydrophobic surfaces (SHSs) can provide friction drag reduction in turbulent flow. Whereas biomimetic SHSs are known to reduce drag in laminar flow, turbulence adds many new challenges. We first provide an overview on designing SHSs, and how these surfaces can cause slip in the laminar regime. We then discuss recent studies evaluating drag on SHSs in turbulent flow, both computationally and experimentally. The effects of streamwise and spanwise slip for canonical, structured surfaces are well characterized by direct numerical simulations, and several experimental studies have validated these results. However, the complex and hierarchical textures of scalable SHSs that can be applied over large areas generate additional complications. Many studies on such surfaces have measured no drag reduction, or even a drag increase in turbulent flow. We discuss how surface wettability, roughness effects and some newly found scaling laws can help explain these varied results. Overall, we discuss how, to effectively reduce drag in turbulent flow, an SHS should have: preferentially streamwise-aligned features to enhance favourable slip, a capillary resistance of the order of megapascals, and a roughness no larger than 0.5, when non-dimensionalized by the viscous length scale.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Bioinspired hierarchically structured surfaces for green science’.
Nanog fluctuations in ES cells highlight the problem of measurement in cell biology
Authors: Smith Rosanna C G , Stumpf Patrick S , Ridden Sonya J , Sim Aaron , Filippi Sarah , Harrington Heather , MacArthur Ben D
Published: June 2016

A number of important pluripotency regulators, including the transcription factor Nanog, are observed to fluctuate stochastically in individual embryonic stem (ES) cells. By transiently priming cells for commitment to different lineages, these fluctuations are thought to be important to the maintenance of, and exit from, pluripotency. However, since temporal changes in intracellular protein abundances cannot be measured directly in live cells, these fluctuations are typically assessed using genetically engineered reporter cell lines that produce a fluorescent signal as a proxy for protein expression. Here, using a combination of mathematical modeling and experiment, we show that there are unforeseen ways in which widely used reporter strategies can systemically disturb the dynamics they are intended to monitor, sometimes giving profoundly misleading results. In the case of Nanog we show how genetic reporters can compromise the behavior of important pluripotency-sustaining positive feedback loops, and induce a bifurcation in the underlying dynamics that gives rise to heterogeneous Nanog expression patterns in reporter cell lines that are not representative of the wild-type. These findings help explain the range of published observations of Nanog variability and highlight a fundamental measurement problem in cell biology.
Heterogeneity of cognitive decline in dementia: a failed attempt to take into account variable time-zero severity
Authors: J Kiddle Steven , Parodi Alice , Johnston Caroline , Wallace Chris , JB Dobson Richard ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI),   for the Australian Imaging Biomarkers and Lifestyle flagship study of ageing (AIBL),   and for the Coalition Against Major Diseases (CAMD)
Published: June 2016

NOTE

The biases seen in simulations of Temporal Clustering appear to be even worse in real applications. While this was a novel and interesting approach, ultimately this work has been discontinued. I feel the biases are due to propagated error in estimating individual level offsets based on a single noisy measure, amplified by the fact that high MMSE scores change very slowly and therefore many estimates are from near an asymptote on the left hand of the model. We continue to work in this area, with other approaches showing significantly more promise.

Understanding heterogeneity in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression is critically important for the optimal design of trials, allowing participants to be recruited who are correctly diagnosed and who are likely to undergo cognitive decline. Current knowledge about heterogeneity is limited by the paucity of long-term follow-up data and methodological challenges. Of the latter, a key problem is how to choose the most appropriate ‘time zero’ to use in longitudinal models, a choice which affects results. Rather than a pre-specified ‘time zero’ we propose a novel methodology – Temporal Clustering – that defines a new ‘time zero’ using individual offsets inferred from the data. We applied this to longitudinal Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), where this approach ensures that individuals have similar estimated MMSE scores at this new ‘time zero’. Simulations showed that it could accurately predict cluster membership after the application of a filter. Next we applied it to a cohort of 2412 individuals, with large variability in MMSE score at first visit. Temporal Clustering was used to split individuals into two clusters. The group showing faster decline had higher average levels of AD risk factors: cerebrospinal fluid tau andAPOE ∊4. Cluster membership predicted by Temporal Clustering was less affected by individuals’ cognitive ability at first visit than was the case for clusters found using Latent Class Mixture Models. Further application and development of this method will help researchers to identify risk factors affecting cognitive decline.
Two-Dimensional Hermite Filters Simplify the Description of High-Order Statistics of Natural Images
Authors: Hu Qin , Victor Jonathan
Published: June 2016

Natural image statistics play a crucial role in shaping biological visual systems, understanding their function and design principles, and designing effective computer-vision algorithms. High-order statistics are critical for conveying local features, but they are challenging to study – largely because their number and variety is large. Here, via the use of two-dimensional Hermite (TDH) functions, we identify a covert symmetry in high-order statistics of natural images that simplifies this task. This emerges from the structure of TDH functions, which are an orthogonal set of functions that are organized into a hierarchy of ranks. Specifically, we find that the shape (skewness and kurtosis) of the distribution of filter coefficients depends only on the projection of the function onto a 1-dimensional subspace specific to each rank. The characterization of natural image statistics provided by TDH filter coefficients reflects both their phase and amplitude structure, and we suggest an intuitive interpretation for the special subspace within each rank.
A genetically encoded inhibitor of 53BP1 to stimulate homology-based gene editing
Authors: Canny Marella D. , Wan Leo C.K. , Fradet-Turcotte Amélie , Orthwein Alexandre , Moatti Nathalie , Juang Yu-Chi , Zhang Wei , Noordermeer Sylvie M. , Wilson Marcus D. , Vorobyov Andrew , Munro Meagan , Ernst Andreas , Zimmermann Michal , Ng Timothy F. , Sidhu Sachdev S. , Sicheri Frank , Durocher Daniel
Published: June 2016

The expanding repertoire of programmable nucleases such as Cas9 brings new opportunities in genetic medicine1–3. In many cases, these nucleases are engineered to induce a DNA double-strand break (DSB) to stimulate precise genome editing by homologous recombination (HR). However, HR efficiency is nearly always hindered by competing DSB repair pathways such as non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ). HR is also profoundly suppressed in non-replicating cells, thus precluding the use of homology-based genome engineering in a wide variety4of cell types. Here, we report the development of a genetically encoded inhibitor of 53BP1 (known as TP53BP1), a regulator of DSB repair pathway choice5. 53BP1 promotes NHEJ over HR by suppressing end resection, the formation of 3-prime single-stranded DNA tails, which is the rate-limiting step in HR initiation. 53BP1 also blocks the recruitment of the HR factor BRCA1 to DSB sites in G1 cells4,6. The inhibitor of 53BP1 (or i53) was identified through the screening of a massive combinatorial library of engineered ubiquitin variants by phage display7. i53 binds and occludes the ligand binding site of the 53BP1 Tudor domain with high affinity and selectivity, blocking its ability to accumulate at sites of DNA damage. i53 is a potent selective inhibitor of 53BP1 and enhances gene targeting and chromosomal gene conversion, two HR-dependent reactions. Finally, i53 can also activate HR in G1 cells when combined with the activation of end-resection and KEAP1 inhibition. We conclude that 53BP1 inhibition is a robust tool to enhance precise genome editing by canonical HR pathways.
Elucidating Combinatorial Chromatin States by Co-ImmunoPrecipitation (comb-ChIP)
Authors: Sadeh Ronen , Launer-Wachs Roee , Wandel Hava , Rahat Ayelet , Friedman Nir
Published: June 2016

Chromatin ImmunoPrecipitation followed by massively parallel sequencing (ChIP-Seq) has been instrumental to our current view of chromatin structure and function, and identifies correlating histone marks, which together demarcate biologically-relevant domains. However, as with most genome-wide assays, ChIP-seq is an ensemble measurement that reports on the average occupancy of individual modifications in a population of cells. Consequently, our understanding of the combinatorial nature of chromatin states relies almost exclusively on spatial correlations. Here, we report the development of a novel protocol, called indexed Combinatorial ChIP (comb-ChIP), which has the power to determine the genome-wide co-occurrence of histone marks at single nucleosome resolution. We show that at regions of overlapping ChIP signals, certain combinations of marks (H3K36me3 and H3K79me3) tend to co-occur on the same nucleosome, while other combinations (H3K4me3 and H3K36me3) do not, reflecting differences in the underlying chromatin pathways. We further use comb-ChIP to detect changes in histone mark co-occurrence upon genetic perturbation, illuminating new aspects of the Set2-RPD3S pathway. Overall, comb-ChIP promises to greatly improve our understanding of the structural and functional complexity of chromatin.
Assessment of carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide/oxygen, isoflurane and pentobarbital killing methods in rats
Authors: Chisholm Jessica M , Pang Daniel SJ
Published: June 2016

Background:

Exposure to carbon dioxide (CO2) gas as a killing method is aversive and exposure to high concentrations likely to be painful. Bradycardia during exposure to CO2is associated with nociception and pain. However, it is unclear if bradycardia occurs before loss of consciousness as this is variably defined in the literature. The objectives of this study were to explore the relationship between recumbency, loss of righting reflex (LORR) and a quiescent electromyograph as measures of loss of consciousness, and identify the onset of bradycardia in relation to these measures.

Methods:

Thirty-two adult, female Sprague-Dawley rats were instrumented with a telemetry device and randomly assigned to one of four killing methods (100% CO2, CO2(70%)/O2(30%), isoflurane (5%) and intraperitoneal pentobarbital (200 mg/kg). Time to achieve recumbency, LORR, quiescent electromyograph, isoelectric electrocorticograph, heart rate and apnea were recorded.

Results:

The general order of progression was recumbency, LORR, quiescent electromyograph, isoelectric electrocorticograph and apnea. Recumbency preceded LORR in the majority of animals (CO2; 7/8, CO2/O2; 8/8, isoflurane; 5/8, pentobarbital; 4/8). Bradycardia occurred before recumbency in the CO2(p = 0.0002) and CO2/O2(p = 0.005) groups, with a 50% reduction in heart rate compared to baseline. The slowest (time to apnea) and least consistent killing methods were CO2/O2(1180 ± 658.1s) and pentobarbital (875 [239 to 4680]s).

Conclusion:

Bradycardia, and consequently nociception and pain, occurs before loss of consciousness during CO2exposure. Pentobarbital displayed an unexpected lack of consistency, questioning its classification as an acceptable euthanasia method in rats.
A novel approach to derive human midbrain-specific organoids from neuroepithelial stem cells
Authors: Monzel Anna S. , Smits Lisa M. , Hemmer Kathrin , Hachi Siham , Lucumi Moreno Edinson , van Wuellen Thea , Fleming Ronan M.T. , Bolognin Silvia , Schwamborn Jebs C.
Published: June 2016

Research on human brain development and neurological diseases is limited by the lack of advanced experimentalin vitromodels that truly recapitulate the complexity of the human brain. Furthermore, animal models of human neurodegenerative diseases have failed dramatically, and the success rate of clinical trials based on these models has been disappointing. Here, we describe a novel and robust human brain organoid system that is highly specific to the midbrain derived from regionally patterned neuroepithelial stem cells. These human midbrain organoids contain spatially organized groups of dopaminergic neurons, which make them an attractive model to study Parkinson’s disease. Midbrain organoids are characterized in detail for neuronal, astroglial and oligodendrocyte differentiation. Furthermore, we show the presence of synaptic connections and electrophysiological activity. The complexity of this model is further highlighted by the myelination of neurites. The present midbrain organoid system has the potential to be used for advancedin vitrodisease modeling and therapy development.
CLARITY-compatible lipophilic dyes for electrode marking and neuronal tracing
Authors: Jensen Kristian H. R. , Berg Rune W.
Published: June 2016

Fluorescent lipophilic dyes, such as DiI, stain cellular membranes and are used extensively for retrograde/anterograde labelling of neurons as well as for marking the position of extracellular electrodes after electrophysiology. Convenient histological clearing techniques, such as CLARITY, enable immunostaining and imaging of large volumes for 3D-reconstruction. However, such clearing works by removing lipids and, as an unintended consequence, also removes lipophilic dyes. To remedy this wash-out, the molecular structure of the dye can be altered to adhere to both membranes and proteins so the dye remains in the tissue after lipid-clearing. Nevertheless, the capacity of such modified dyes to remain in tissue has not yet been tested. Here, we test dyes with molecular modifications that make them aldehyde-fixable to proteins. We use three Dil-analogue dyes, CM-DiI, SP-DiI and FM 1-43FX that are modified to be CLARITY-compatible candidates. We use the challenging adult, myelin-rich spinal cord tissue, which requires prolonged lipid-clearing, of rats and mice. All three dyes remained in the tissue after lipid-clearing, but CM-DiI had the sharpest and FM 1-43FX the strongest fluorescent signal.
Enhancer sharing promotes neighborhoods of transcriptional regulation across eukaryotes
Authors: Quintero-Cadena Porfirio , Sternberg Paul W.
Published: June 2016

Enhancers physically interact with transcriptional promoters, looping over distances that can span multiple regulatory elements. Given that enhancer-promoter (EP) interactions generally occur via common protein complexes, it is unclear whether EP pairing is predominantly deterministic or proximity guided. Here we present cross-organismic evidence suggesting that most EP pairs are compatible, largely determined by physical proximity rather than specific interactions. By re-analyzing transcriptome datasets, we find that the transcription of gene neighbors is correlated over distances that scale with genome size. We experimentally show that non-specific EP interactions can explain such correlation, and that EP distance acts as a scaling factor for the transcriptional influence of an enhancer. We propose that enhancer sharing is commonplace among eukaryotes, and that EP distance is an important layer of information in gene regulation.
Agricultural productivity, credit and farm size nexus in Africa: a case study of Ghana
Authors: Akudugu Mamudu Abunga
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the connections of agricultural productivity, access to credit and farm size in Africa using Ghana as a case study.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper employs mixed methods – quantitative and qualitative strategies for data collection and analyses. The hierarchical competitive model was used for the quantitative analyses supplemented with qualitative analyses using key informant interviews, focus group discussions and household case studies.

Findings

– The results show that there is significant relationship between credit from formal and informal sources and agricultural productivity. Thus access to formal and informal credit increases farm household agricultural productivity by about 0.10 (p=0.05) and 0.45 (p< 0.01), respectively. The quadratic terms of formal and informal credit as well as farm size were found to significantly influence agricultural productivity. The implication of this is that the relationships between formal credit, informal credit and farm size on one hand and agricultural productivity on the other are non-linear in nature. The interactions of formal credit with informal credit; informal credit with farm size; and formal and informal credit with farm size have significant relationships with agricultural productivity. The amount of remittance received by farm households has negative and insignificant influence on agricultural productivity. Market access is also an insignificant determinant of agricultural productivity in Ghana.

Originality/value

– This paper provides new insights on whether the scale of production (farm size as proxy) and access to financial services (credit as a proxy) matter in promoting agricultural productivity in Africa using Ghana as a case study. Thus the paper is of relevance to policy-makers and practitioners in Africa and Ghana in particular who are seeking to make informed policy decisions on effectively incorporating credit provision into the agricultural transformation agenda of the continent.
Africa-based scholars publishing
Authors: Paulos Afeworki
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss Africa-based scholars’ publication citation at the global level. The study selected four countries – Botswana, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyzed citation data from Elsevier’s SciVal from 2010 to 2015.

Findings

The investigation reveals that Africa-based scholars in Botswana, South Africa and Kenya have a significant citation impact, particularly in the field of medicine.

Research limitations/implications

The study concentrated only on four African countries. International collaboration is an important factor and further investigation on this specific angle would be a useful research endeavor.

Practical implications

Influence university decision-making on funding for research; scholarly collaboration.

Originality/value

The study would be helpful in understanding the contribution of Africa-based scholars to knowledge creation and dissemination.
Understanding the grumbles
Authors: Crumpton Michael A.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to advocate the consideration of Maslow’s Grumble Theory to advance motivational activities within the organization, as well as matching individual needs to morale concerns. This includes a view of associated costs as an investment instead of a common expense.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper includes a study of Maslow’s Needs Hierarchy and related literature that supports a modern interpretation. Suggestions are made for administrators to view solving complaints or grumbles proactively by investing in appropriate activities.

Findings

Overall, if complaints are viewed as opportunities to address individual needs, with the top level of grumbles empowered to help support high-level organizational functions, the organization can benefit greatly.

Originality/value

This paper represents the author’s point of view after a study of Grumble Theory and self-application of suggestions.
Implementation of power transformer controlled switching algorithm
Authors: Horiszny Jacek
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The paper presents two new algorithms of controlled switching the power transformer. The purpose of this paper is to obtain formulas that determine the moments of closing of the circuit breaker poles. The study contains projects of control systems for both algorithms.

Design/methodology/approach

– Mathematical formulas for the time instants of the breaker poles closing were developed on the basis of electric circuit theory and magnetic circuit theory. The presented systems were simulated using a model created in the Alternative Transients Program/Electromagnetic Transients Program software.

Findings

– Numerical simulations have proved that the shown systems properly perform the controlled switching carried out in accordance with the proposed algorithms. The times of the poles closing were correctly determined and the inrush currents were reduced to a level of the current of unloaded transformer.

Originality/value

– The results achieved are better than those shown in the literature. The solutions presented in the literature provide a reduction of inrush current to a value comparable to the rated current of the transformer, which is ten times greater than the no-load current. Additional achievement of the work is the development of analytical formulas that determine the times of the breaker poles closing.
Metamaterial-based wireless power transfer through interdigitated SRRs
Authors: Lalas Antonios X. , Kantartzis Nikolaos V. , Tsiboukis Theodoros D.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– Wireless power transfer (WPT) is deemed as an emerging technology with exciting applications, like wireless charging devices, and electric vehicles, whereas metamaterials exhibit exceptional properties. For every WPT system that occupies coupled magnetic resonances, it is also mandatory to involve resonators. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new interdigitated split-ring resonator (I-SRR) as the basic part of a WPT system, pursuing advanced levels of efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

– A novel WPT system, which exploits I-SRRs as its elementary blocks, is comprehensively examined. The analysis investigates the distance between the modules, the distance between transmitting and receiving components as well as the geometrical features of the structure. Several numerical data derived via the finite element method unveil the merits of the featured configuration.

Findings

– The proposed arrangement reveals a noteworthy enhancement of the power delivered to the load and a promising tuning of the operational frequency via the interdigitated topology. Several parametric studies clarify the principal characteristics of the proposed setup, facilitating the design of high-end systems. In particular, the distance between the resonators and the port loops affect the matching of the input and output ports, allowing optimisation of power efficiency, while the length of the I-SRR gap can determine the operational frequency.

Originality/value

– Development of a WPT system, which utilises I-SRRs as its key elements. Incorporation of metamaterials into WPT technology. Efficiency enhancement of WPT systems and alternative design via geometrical modifications. The necessity of lumped elements to implement the WPT resonators is eliminated by utilising split-ring resonators components, enabling compactness in several implementations.
A precise electromagnetic field model useful for development of microwave imaging systems
Authors: Chaber Bartosz , Mohr Johan Jacob
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The paper describes a fast forward electromagnetic model built with help of commercial software. The purpose of this paper is to create an efficient and robust electromagnetic field model that could be easily plugged into a working microwave imaging system. The secondary purpose is to evaluate advantages and disadvantages of such a commercial packages for creating such a model.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper the authors decided to build the model using COMSOL Multiphysics software suite, ultimately comparing its result to measurements of a real device. The numerical model was created in an iterative fashion in order to determine how much details are needed to make it reliable, while keeping it efficient.

Findings

– The authors found that the commercial software seems like a viable platform for developing electromagnetic solvers. The resulting computer model is easy to prepare, run and integrate with external tools.

Research limitations/implications

– Using the experience in building numerical models of various systems the authors came to the conclusion that developing some in-house code is a very non-efficient technique as it slows down the progress of the research team once the team changes. Transfer of knowledge associated with the numerical tools is much easier when the tools are constructed using a common platform, i.e. commercial packages. It does not really matter if the software is free or proprietary as long as the platform provides efficient tools assisting in model preparation and data visualization.

Practical implications

– One of the main advantages of using such a full field electromagnetic model is the ability to investigate an impact of different properties of the system (length of antennas, liquid parameters) on its performance. Thanks to the use of commercial software it is much easier to pass the project to new people too.

Originality/value

– The presented numerical model utilizes a frugal meshing scheme which allows faster execution while keeping required accuracy of solutions. Using this model the authors were able to diagnose important geometrical details that could affect the performance of the system.
Which sport sponsorships most impact sponsor CSR image?
Authors: Plewa Carolin , Carrillat François Anthony , Mazodier Marc , Quester Pascale G.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how organizations can utilize sport sponsorship to build their corporate social responsibility (CSR) image effectively, by examining the attributes of a sports property that are most conducive to a sponsor gaining CSR image benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

A between-subjects experimental design was used, which simulated different sponsorship scenarios by varying community proximity (operationalized by property scope) and property engagement in community initiatives. Hypotheses were tested with a non-parametric bootstrapping-based procedure, using a panel sample of 400.

Findings

The results show that a sporting property’s proactive community engagement is conducive to an enhanced CSR image for its sponsor, especially when the property operates on the national rather than grassroots level. Further analysis also demonstrates the critical contribution of altruistic motive attributions in the process.

Originality/value

This study advances knowledge on how organizations may build their CSR image while leveraging on the strong audience involvement and the mass appeal of sport sponsorship. It is the first to offer insights into the extent to which a sports property’s proactive engagement in the community, rather than that of the sponsoring firm itself, enhances the CSR image of the sponsor, particularly if the property’s community proximity is low. Furthermore, our results provide an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms determining the benefits that sponsors can reap from a property’s activities.
Effects of task complexity on creative customer behavior
Authors: Gong Taeshik , Choi Jin Nam
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Improving the creative performance of customers is critical to improving the competitive advantage of service firms. Customers that perform creatively and generate novel and useful ideas contribute to firm profitability by helping the firm save on costs and improve its services rather than merely relying on its employees. This paper aims to focus on creative customer behavior and examine its antecedents.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a dyadic data set involving salespeople and their customers, collected over two periods across various industries in the context of business-to-business service deliveries.

Findings

Results indicate that customer task complexity affects creative customer behavior not through intrinsic motivation but through customer stress, and reveal that customer learning orientation and customer creative ability positively moderate these relationships.

Originality/value

Customers, salespeople and their managers should enrich the customers’ tasks with core job characteristics, in particular significance and feedback, and treat task stress as a positive, surmountable challenge that facilitates customer value creation. The results also indicate that to enhance creative customer behavior, managers should appreciate and develop customers’ learning orientation and creative ability, which in turn leads to increased sales performance and service quality.
Consumers’ pre-launch awareness and preference on movie sales
Authors: Moon Sangkil , Kim Junhee , Bayus Barry L. , Yi Youjae
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide insightful advice that can improve the practice of using consumers’ pre-launch awareness and preference (AP) changes to predict the sales of new movies.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applies a new movie box-office revenue forecasting model based on consumers’ weekly AP measures, to take advantage of the industry’s practice of using weekly survey data containing the AP measures of upcoming new movies. Specifically, a sales forecasting model is developed on the basis of the theory that the combination of the nature of new product preference (positive vs negative) and the timing of new product awareness (early vs recent) influences entertainment product sales.

Findings

This paper shows that early awareness consumers are as important as late awareness consumers in determining new product sales, suggesting that more marketing resources need to be allocated earlier than currently practiced. This paper also shows that when negative preferences dominate positive preferences well ahead of a product’s release, marketing efforts cannot overcome the negative sentiment of the market. Finally, the empirical application illustrates that three consumer segments varying in product expertise and consumption frequency reveal different AP patterns among high-, medium- and low-performance products.

Originality/value

This paper is intended to provide insightful advice that can improve the AP-based approach in entertainment industries. Toward that end, the authors emphasize two major aspects in association with new entertainment product sales: rethinking survey-based AP measures and examining heterogeneous consumer segments’ differential AP patterns.
Science, technology and innovation systems of small economies under pressure – sketching three possible future pathways of the Finnish system
Authors: Nieminen Mika , Loikkanen Torsti , Pelkonen Antti
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore and discuss possible future pathways of the Finnish science, technology and innovation (STI) system. The paper sketches three speculative pathways for the Finnish STI system.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretical considerations behind the pathways are based on analyses of the determinants and behaviour of small open economies, their innovation systems and governance. The empirical background of the paper is in the current trends of the Finnish economy and STI system. The analysis of pathways is based on three dimensions: institutionalized policy environment and economy, domestic interest groups and policy and STI institutions and funding. Changes in these dimensions are analysed by paying special attention to two variables: the position of the nation state and the general economic development.

Findings

The first future pathway outlined is based on an optimistic view by setting Finland on the basis of past success factors as an European and global STI hotspot. The second pathway is based on the assumption that the Finnish STI system will be increasingly subordinated to international structures and decision-making. The third one is geared around the assumption that the Finnish STI system will be dominated by industries.

Research limitations/implications

While Finland has been seen as a European showpiece of innovation since the early 2000s, currently the country’s national economy and STI system are undergoing a critical period. The paper sheds light on this transformation and its potential future outcomes and attempts to raise debate on the options policy makers may face in the increasingly complex global environment in small countries.

Originality/value

The paper introduces potential future avenues for the Finnish STI system and provides a contribution to the debate of the future of small countries’ STI systems and innovation policies by emphasising the limited space of the STI policy choices and how the development paths and space for policy making evolve from the interaction of socio-economic factors between domestic and wider international context.
Strategies for emerging research and innovation futures
Authors: Amanatidou Effie , Saritas Ozcan , Loveridge Denis
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to present a set of strategic options for Research and Innovation (R&I) stakeholders in the light of new and emerging ways of organising and performing research.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first reviews the evolution of the R&I landscape and identifies the most influential stakeholders engaged in R&I. In the light of the scenarios developed for the year 2030, a set of strategic options are identified and assessed for each stakeholder group.

Findings

R&I systems are now more complex than 50 years ago and will be even more in the future. Radical changes are expected in terms of the ways research is funded, organised and carried out. Some of these transformations are captured by the scenarios developed. The analysis of scenarios indicated that their feasibility and desirability differ across different sectors of industry, and research areas within the research landscape.

Research limitations/implications

Scenarios and strategies presented in the paper bring new considerations on the way research activities are practiced. Further research is considered to be useful on the new modes of research and implications for academia, industry, society and policy makers.

Practical implications

The discussion around the responses of different stakeholders vis-à-vis specific scenarios about the future in R&I practices and organisation gives a practical view about how to deal with associated emerging trends and issues.

Social implications

Society is a crucial stakeholder of all R&I activities. The transformative scenarios suggest that society will not only be playing a reactive role on the demand side but also more proactive role on the supply side in the decades to come.

Originality/value

The paper is based on work undertaken within the Research and Innovation (RIF) 2030 project. As R&I activities will be important for the development and competitiveness of the EU and its member states, the work presented here is considered to be of value by highlighting how to create more resilient strategies in a fast-changing R&I landscape.
New forms of innovation: critical issues for future pathways
Authors: Leitner Karl-Heinz , Warnke Philine , Rhomberg Wolfram
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Although new forms of innovation such as open innovation, user innovation or crowdsourcing have been intensively discussed in the past decade, there is little systematic exploration of their wider positive and negative effects on economy, society and environment. Based on the recent debate in the literature and findings from a European foresight project, this paper aims to discuss the critical aspects of new forms of innovation such as increased participation, the use of information technologies and the increased pace of innovation and their challenges for innovation policy.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a collection of international practice examples from industry and society, innovation visions have been generated and assessed by different experts across whole Europe.

Findings

A generic trend identified can be best described as open, distributed and networked innovation process. Although many new innovation models accelerate the innovation process, there are also some counter trends which in some fields may slow down the innovation process. In addition, the increased use of web-based tools, algorithms and information technologies raises new questions concerning the protection of intellectual property and data security. This reveals new questions for policymaking, which have not gained much attention on the European level so far.

Originality/value

Although there is an established discourse around potentially negative impacts of the outcomes of the innovation processes notably in the field of technology assessment, innovation capacity is usually seen as a desirable characteristic of innovation systems. In this paper, the possible negative aspects of new innovation models, an issue hardly addressed in the innovation literature so far, are discussed.
Why minimum wage order implementation is a challenge to human resource managers in Langkawi hotels
Authors: Ahmad Rozila , Scott Noel , Abdul-Rahman Rohana
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the human resource (HR) challenges faced by hotel managers in Langkawi due to the implementation of the minimum wage order (MWO).

Design/methodology/approach

This study collected qualitative data from 18 managers and two owners from 19 hotels of various sizes and levels of service, including budget and boutique resorts on Langkawi Island, Malaysia. A semi-structured interview was used to ask the question “What are the challenges faced by hotel managers due to the implementation of an MWO?”

Findings

The challenges faced by the managers are: low employee productivity levels, many employees with a salary below the minimum wage rate, difficulty paying staff because of low revenue and conflicting laws and guidelines relating to the issues related to the service charge.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides an initial qualitative exploration of an important current legal development bearing on hotel managers in Malaysia. It provides some initial findings from Langkawi, but the findings may not represent the attitudes of hotel managers in other parts of Malaysia.

Practical implications

This study contributes to HR management literature by providing an insight into challenges faced by hotel managers in a developing country. To the managers, the MWO guideline is a serious challenge, as some of their employees are not productive enough to be paid at the minimum wage rate. To address the increasing labour cost, some have turned to the employment of foreign workers, whereas others have increased their casual employee numbers. These insights may serve to guide policy-makers and hotel managers in other developing countries that are planning to introduce an MWO.

Social implications

For the MWO to be effective, it is crucial for the government to develop effective guidelines for its implementation and for hotel employees amongst the Langkawi community to increase their level of productivity.

Originality/value

The Malaysian MWO policy was introduced in 2012. The policy affects employees’ remuneration and provides a challenge in implementation for the Malaysian hotel industry, especially in Langkawi. Although many studies on MWO implementation have focused on unemployment, this study provides the managers’ perspective on the challenges faced due to the implementation of this policy and identifies reasons why the unemployment rate for local workers may increase after the implementation of an MWO.
Determinants of tourism hotel market efficiency
Authors: Ben Aissa Sami , Goaied Mohamed
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper to study the hotel performance determinants by examining the impact of the internal and the external environment of the hotel on its performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A bootstrapped truncated regression model is used following the evaluation of efficiency score for hotels using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The effects of the cited variables are discussed to determine the best development strategy for increasing hotel performance.

Findings

This paper has four major contributions. First, the test results confirm that macro-contextual factors, such as international attraction and market competition, have a direct influence on hotel efficiency. Second, hotel efficiency depends on hotel characteristics, such as hotel age, hotel type, management type and the location of the hotel. Third, the tenure of the general manager, education level of the board staff and number of managers influence hotel efficiency. Finally, general tourism wages increase the efficiency score of the corporate hotel performance.

Research limitations/implications

Tourism employment studies require further improvement, and their challenges should be highlighted when countries develop tourism strategies. Moreover, hiring employees with a better educational background appears to be an effective human resource strategy to reduce inefficiency in the hotel sector. Tourism performance and development need a thorough investigation into tourism wages to attract the best students and the best graduates to the tourism sector to bring out the needed number and skills of employees.

Practical implications

The conclusions of this paper are consistent with the literature results. However, it is important to separate market concentration from market competition for whose literature concluded an opposite influence on the hotel performance. The authors explain this contrast by the measure choice.

Social implications

The performance of the hotel depends not only on the physical resources and on the destination characteristics but also on the management characteristics.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to test empirically the influence of destination attractiveness, competition level, hotel size, hotel age, management contract, hotel type, location, advertising, manager’s tenure, tourism education and wages on the hotel performance in Tunisia.
Social entrepreneurship in Portugal
Authors: Parente Cristina
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– This paper provides a reflection about the usefulness of the concept of social entrepreneurship to Portuguese third sector organizations (TSOs) with the purpose of understanding the paths undertaken by the latter. Departing from a theoretical synthesis inspired by different approaches to social entrepreneurship, the purpose of this paper is to offer an operative view of the concept in light of the problematics of social innovation and organizational innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The empirical analysis focuses on the intervention models and management models of these organizations. It uses a sequential methodological approach that combines extensive and intensive analyses.

Findings

– The author has concluded that Portuguese TSOs show a fragile form of social entrepreneurship. This includes, among others, state dependency both in terms of models of financial management and the definition and regulation of activities, recipients and social intervention. This leads the author to claim, even though cautiously, that management models influence intervention models.

Originality/value

– The originality of this paper lies on the use of an analytic framework that offers an eclectic approach to social entrepreneurship. This approach goes beyond some hidden contradictions between Anglo-Saxon schools of thought, namely, the earned income school of thought, and the school of social innovation, as well as the European perspective on social enterprises, and the Latin-American school of solidarity economy. These schools have been reconciled for the purposes of this analysis, which attempts to operationalize the notion of social entrepreneurship in the Portuguese TSOs.
Fighting cultural marginalisation with symbolic power in a Parisian banlieue
Authors: Downing Joseph
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– There exists a significant literature detailing the role of voluntary associations as important actors in mitigating forms of marginalisation under austerity. However, neglected in this literature is the role that such voluntary associations can play in forming and deploying “symbolic power” to fight post-colonial, cultural forms of marginalisation. This is important, especially given conditions where material forms of fighting marginalisation are limited by austerity. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper employs a case study analysis, drawing on data collected during fieldwork and through archival research in France. This methodology allows for the investigation of the multitude of ways by which this association utilises post-colonial symbols to fight marginalisation.

Findings

– This paper finds that under conditions of austerity, the case study of this association demonstrates three important themes of analysis. First, the association, while not receiving funds outright from municipal authorities, actually is granted privileged access to municipal resources and is given significant personal support from local politicians. This support facilitates the second and third inter-related themes of analysis – namely the abilities to fight marginalisation using history and public culture.

Originality/value

– This paper seeks to clarify this role of voluntary associations in the important field of “symbolic power” (Bourdieu, 1990) through the use of cultural and historical symbols from a colonial/post-colonial repertoire in France.
Selection and industrial applications of panel data based demand forecasting models
Authors: Ren Shuyun , Choi Tsan-Ming
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– Panel data-based demand forecasting models have been widely adopted in various industrial settings over the past few decades. Despite being a highly versatile and intuitive method, in the literature, there is a lack of comprehensive review examining the strengths, the weaknesses, and the industrial applications of panel data-based demand forecasting models. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap by reviewing and exploring the features of various main stream panel data-based demand forecasting models. A novel process, in the form of a flowchart, which helps practitioners to select the right panel data models for real world industrial applications, is developed. Future research directions are proposed and discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

– It is a review paper. A systematically searched and carefully selected number of panel data-based forecasting models are examined analytically. Their features are also explored and revealed.

Findings

– This paper is the first one which reviews the analytical panel data models specifically for demand forecasting applications. A novel model selection process is developed to assist decision makers to select the right panel data models for their specific demand forecasting tasks. The strengths, weaknesses, and industrial applications of different panel data-based demand forecasting models are found. Future research agenda is proposed.

Research limitations/implications

– This review covers most commonly used and important panel data-based models for demand forecasting. However, some hybrid models, which combine the panel data-based models with other models, are not covered.

Practical implications

– The reviewed panel data-based demand forecasting models are applicable in the real world. The proposed model selection flowchart is implementable in practice and it helps practitioners to select the right panel data-based models for the respective industrial applications.

Originality/value

– This paper is the first one which reviews the analytical panel data models specifically for demand forecasting applications. It is original.