bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Augmenting biologging with supervised machine learning to studyin situbehavior of the medusaChrysaora fuscescens
Authors: Fannjiang Clara , Mooney T. Aran , Cones Seth , Mann David , Alex Shorter K. , Katija Kakani
Published: June 2019

Zooplankton occupy critical roles in marine ecosystems, yet their fine-scale behavior remains poorly understood due to the difficulty of studying individualsin situ. Here we combine biologging with supervised machine learning (ML) to demonstrate a pipeline for studyingin situbehavior of larger zooplankton such as jellyfish. We deployed the ITAG, a biologging package with high-resolution motion sensors designed for soft-bodied invertebrates, on 8Chrysaora fuscescensin Monterey Bay, using the tether method for retrieval. Using simultaneous video footage of the tagged jellyfish, we develop ML methods to 1) identify periods of tag data corrupted by the tether method, which may have compromised prior research findings, and 2) classify jellyfish behaviors. Our tools yield characterizations of fine-scale jellyfish activity and orientation over long durations, and provide evidence that developing behavioral classifiers onin siturather than laboratory data is essential.

Summary Statement

High-resolution motion sensors paired with supervised machine learning can be used to infer fine-scalein situbehavior of zooplankton for long durations.
Biased competition in semantic representation during natural visual search
Authors: Shahdloo Mohammad , Çelik Emin , Çukur Tolga
Published: June 2019

Humans divide their attention among multiple visual targets in daily life, and visual search gets more difficult as the number of targets increases. The biased competition hypothesis (BC) has been put forth as an explanation for this phenomenon. BC suggests that brain responses during divided attention are a weighted linear combination of the responses during search for each target individually. Furthermore, this combination is biased by the intrinsic selectivity of cortical regions. Yet, it is unknown whether attentional modulations of semantic representations of cluttered and dynamic natural scenes are consistent with this hypothesis. Here, we investigated whether BC accounts for semantic representation during natural category-based visual search. Human subjects viewed natural movies, and their whole-brain BOLD responses were recorded while they attended to “humans”, “vehicles” (i.e. single-target attention tasks), or “both humans and vehicles” (i.e. divided attention) in separate runs. We computed a voxelwise linearity index to assess whether semantic representation during divided attention can be modeled as a weighted combination of representations during the two single-target attention tasks. We then examined the bias in weights of this linear combination across cortical ROIs. We find that semantic representations during divided attention are linear to a substantial degree, and that they are biased toward the preferred target in category-selective areas across ventral temporal cortex. Taken together, these results suggest that the biased competition hypothesis is a compelling account for attentional modulations of semantic representation across cortex.

Significance Statement

Natural vision is a complex task that involves splitting attention between multiple search targets. According to the biased competition hypothesis (BC), limited representational capacity of the cortex inevitably leads to a competition among representation of these targets and the competition is biased by intrinsic selectivity of cortical areas. Here we examined BC for semantic representation of hundreds of object and action categories in natural movies. We observed that: 1) semantic representation during simultaneous attention to two object categories is a weighted linear combination of representations during attention to each of them alone, and 2) the linear combination is biased toward semantic representation of the preferred object category in strongly category-selective areas. These findings suggest BC as a compelling account for attentional modulations of semantic representation across cortex in natural vision.
Experience- and sex-dependent intrinsic plasticity in the zebra finch auditory cortex during song memorization
Authors: Chen Andrew N , Meliza C Daniel
Published: June 2019

Early auditory experience is critical to the development of vocal communication. Zebra finches and other songbirds have a sensitive period when young birds memorize a song to use as a model for vocal production. We found that intrinsic spiking dynamics change dramatically during this period in the caudal mesopallium, a cortical-level auditory area. Specifically, the proportion of neurons that only fire transiently at the onset of intracellular current injections increases, along with Kv1.1, a channel that facilitates transient spiking. Plasticity is greater in males and requires exposure to a complex, noisy environment. These observations indicate that intrinsic dynamics are modulated in response to the acoustic environment to support robust auditory processing during a critical phase of vocal learning.
Interdependence of balance mechanisms during bipedal locomotion
Authors: Fettrow Tyler , Reimann Hendrik , Grenet David , Thompson Elizabeth , Crenshaw Jeremy , Higginson Jill , Jeka John
Published: June 2019

Our main interest is to identify how humans maintain upright while walking. Balance during standing and walking is different, primarily due to a gait cycle which the nervous system must contend with a variety of body configurations and frequent perturbations (i.e., heel-strike). We have identified three mechanisms that healthy young adults use to respond to a visually perceived fall to the side. The lateral ankle mechanism and the foot placement mechanism are used to shift the center of pressure in the direction of the perceived fall, and the center of mass away from the perceived fall. The push-off mechanism, a systematic change in ankle plan-tarflexion angle in the trailing leg, results in fine adjustments to medial-lateral balance near the end of double stance. The focus here is to understand how the three basic balance mechanisms are coordinated to produce an overall balance response. The results indicate that lateral ankle and foot placement mechanisms are inversely related. Larger lateral ankle responses lead to smaller foot placement changes. Correlations involving the push-off mechanism, while significant, were weak. However, the consistency of the correlations across stimulus conditions suggest the push-off mechanism has the role of small adjustments to medial-lateral movement near the end of the balance response. This verifies that a fundamental feature of human bipedal gait is a highly flexible balance system that recruits and coordinates multiple mechanisms to maintain upright balance during walking to accommodate extreme changes in body configuration and frequent perturbations.
NOISYmputer: genotype imputation in bi-parental populations for noisy low-coverage next-generation sequencing data
Authors: Lorieux Mathias , Gkanogiannis Anestis , Fragoso Christopher , Rami Jean-François
Published: June 2019

Motivation

Low-coverage next-generation sequencing (LC-NGS) methods can be used to genotype bi-parental populations. This approach allows the creation of highly saturated genetic maps at reasonable cost, precisely localized recombination breakpoints, and minimize mapping intervals for quantitative-trait locus analysis.

The main issues with these genotyping methods are (1) poor performance at heterozygous loci, (2) a high percentage of missing data, (3) local errors due to erroneous mapping of sequencing reads and reference genome mistakes, and (4) global, technical errors inherent to NGS itself.

Recent methods like Tassel-FSFHap or LB-Impute are excellent at addressing issues 1 and 2, but nonetheless perform poorly when issues 3 and 4 are persistent in a dataset (i.e. “noisy” data). Here, we present an algorithm for imputation of LC-NGS data that eliminates the need of complex pre-filtering of noisy data, accurately types heterozygous chromosomic regions, corrects erroneous data, and imputes missing data. We compare its performance with Tassel-FSFHap, LB-Impute, and Genotype-Corrector using simulated data and three real datasets: a rice single seed descent (SSD) population genotyped by genotyping by sequencing (GBS) by whole genome sequencing (WGS), and a sorghum SSD population genotyped by GBS.

Availability

NOISYmputer, a Microsoft Excel-Visual Basic for Applications program that implements the algorithm, is available at mapdisto.free.fr. It runs in Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows operating systems.

Supplementary files: Download link
Integrative Network Analysis of Differentially Methylated and Expressed Genes for Biomarker Identification in Leukemia
Authors: Sanchez Robersy , Mackenzie Sally A.
Published: June 2019

Genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression are commonly altered in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (PALL). Integrated analysis of cytosine methylation and expression datasets has the potential to provide deeper insights into the complex disease states and their causes than individual disconnected analyses. Studies of protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of differentially methylated (DMGs) and expressed genes (DEGs) showed that gene expression and methylation consistently targeted the same gene pathways associated with cancer:Pathways in cancer, Ras signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, andRap1 signaling pathway, among others. Detected gene hubs and hub sub-networks are integrated by signature loci associated with cancer that include, for example,NOTCH1, RAC1, PIK3CD, BCL2, andEGFR. Statistical analysis disclosed a stochastic deterministic dependence between methylation and gene expression within the set of genes simultaneously identified as DEGs and DMGs, where larger values of gene expression changes are probabilistically associated with larger values of methylation changes. Concordance analysis of the overlap between enriched pathways in DEG and DMG datasets revealed statistically significant agreement between gene expression and methylation changes, reflecting a coordinated response of methylation and gene-expression regulatory systems. These results support the identification of reliable and stable biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
Structural and functional brain parameters related to cognitive performance across development: Replication and extension of the parieto-frontal integration theory in a single sample
Authors: Gur Ruben C. , Butler Ellyn R. , Moore Tyler M. , Rosen Adon F.G. , Ruparel Kosha , Satterthwaite Theodore D. , Roalf David R. , Gennatas Efstathios D. , Bilker Warren B. , Shinohara Russell T. , Port Allison , Elliott Mark A. , Verma Ragini , Davatzikos Christos , Wolf Daniel H. , Detre John A. , Gur Raquel E.
Published: June 2019

The Parieto-Frontal Integration Theory (PFIT) identified a fronto-parietal network of regions where individual differences in brain parameters most strongly relate to cognitive performance. PFIT was supported and extended in adult samples, but not in youths or within single-scanner well-powered multimodal studies. We performed multimodal neuroimaging in 1601 youths age 8-22 on the same 3-Tesla scanner with contemporaneous neurocognitive assessment, measuring volume, gray matter density (GMD), mean diffusivity (MD), cerebral blood flow (CBF), resting-state functional MRI measures of amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo), and activation to a working memory and a social cognition task. Across age and sex groups, better performance was associated with higher volumes, greater GMD, lower MD, lower CBF, higher ALFF and ReHo and greater activation for the working memory task in PFIT regions. However, additional cortical, striatal, limbic and cerebellar regions showed comparable effects, hence PFIT needs expansion into an Extended PFIT (ExtPFIT) network incorporating nodes that support motivation and affect. Associations of brain parameters became stronger with advancing age group from childhood to adolescence to young adulthood, effects occurring earlier in females. This ExtPFIT network is developmentally fine-tuned, optimizing abundance and integrity of neural tissue while maintaining low resting energy state.
An improved plant toolset for high-throughput recombineering
Authors: Brumos J. , Zhao C. , Gong Y. , Soriano D. , Patel A.P. , Perez-Amador M.A. , Stepanova A.N. , Alonso J.M
Published: June 2019

Gene functional studies often rely on the expression of a gene of interest as transcriptional and translational fusions with specialized tags. Ideally, this is done in the native chromosomal contexts to avoid potential misexpression artifacts. Although recent improvements in genome editing make it possible to directly modify the target genes in their native chromosomal location, classical transgenesis is still the preferred experimental approach chosen in most gene tagging studies because of its time efficiency and accessibility. We have developed a recombineering-based tagging system that brings together the convenience of the classical transgenic approaches and the high degree of confidence in the obtained results provided by the direct chromosomal tagging achievable by genome editing strategies. These simple and customizable recombineering toolsets and protocols allow for high-throughput generation of a variety of genetic modifications. In addition, a highly efficient recombinase-mediated cassette exchange system has been developed to facilitate the transfer of the desired sequences from a BAC clone to a transformation-compatible binary vector, expanding the use of the recombineering approaches beyond Arabidopsis. The utility of this system is demonstrated by the generation of over 250 whole-gene translational fusions and 123 Arabidopsis transgenic lines corresponding to 62 auxin-related genes, and the characterization of the translational reporter expression patterns for 14 auxin biosynthesis genes.
Recounting the FANTOM Cage Associated Transcriptome
Authors: Imada Eddie-Luidy , Sanchez Diego Fernando , Collado-Torres Leonardo , Wilks Christopher , Matam Tejasvi , Dinalankara Wikum , Stupnikov Aleksey , Lobo-Pereira Francisco , Yip Chi-Wai , Yasuzawa Kayoko , Kondo Naoto , Itoh Masayoshi , Suzuki Harukazu , Kasukawa Takeya , Hon Chung-Chau , de Hoon Michiel JL , Shin Jay W , Carninci Piero ,   FANTOM consortium, Jaffe Andrew E , Leek Jeffrey T , Favorov Alexander , Franco Gloria R , Langmead Ben , Marchionni Luigi
Published: June 2019

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key coordinators of biological and cellular processes. Characterizing lncRNA expression across cells and tissues is key to understanding their role in determining phenotypes including human diseases. We present hereFC-R2, a comprehensive expression atlas across a broadly-defined human transcriptome, inclusive of over 109,000 coding and non-coding genes, as described in the FANTOM CAGE-Associated Transcriptome (FANTOM-CAT) study. This atlas greatly extends the gene annotation used in the originalrecount2resource. We demonstrate the utility of theFC-R2atlas by reproducing key findings from published large studies and by generating new results across normal and diseased human samples. In particular, we (a) identify tissue specific transcription profiles for distinct classes of coding and non-coding genes, (b) perform differential expression analyses across thirteen cancer types, providing new insights linking promoter and enhancer lncRNAs expression to tumor pathogenesis, and (c) confirm the prognostic value of several enhancers in cancer. Comprised of over 70,000 samples, theFC-R2atlas will empower other researchers to investigate functions and biological roles of both known coding genes and novel lncRNAs. Most importantly, access to theFC-R2atlas is available fromhttps://jhubiostatistics.shinyapps.io/recount/, therecountBioconductor package, andhttp://marchionnilab.org/fcr2.html.
The frequency of cortical microstimulation shapes artificial touch
Authors: Callier Thierri , Brantly Nathan , Caravelli Attilio , Bensmaia Sliman J.
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) of somatosensory cortex evokes vivid tactile sensations and can be used to convey sensory feedback in brain-controlled bionic hands. Changes in ICMS frequency result in discriminable percepts, but the effects of frequency have only been investigated over a narrow range of low frequencies, spanning only a small fraction of that relevant for neuroprosthetics. Furthermore, the sensory correlates of changes in ICMS frequency remain to be elucidated. To fill these gaps, we trained monkeys to discriminate the frequency of ICMS pulse trains over a wide range of frequencies (from 10 to 400 Hz). ICMS amplitude also varied across stimuli to reduce the animals’ reliance on magnitude in making frequency judgments. We found that animals could discriminate ICMS frequency up to about 200 Hz but that the sensory correlates of frequency were highly electrode dependent. We discuss the implications of our findings for neural coding and brain-machine interfaces.
Cost utility analysis of end stage renal disease treatment in Ministry of Health dialysis centres, Malaysia: hemodialysis versus continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Surendra Naren Kumar , Abdul Manaf Mohd Rizal , Hooi Lai Seong , Bavanandan Sunita , Mohamad Nor Fariz Safhan , Firdaus Khan Shahnaz Shah , Meng Ong Loke , Abdul Gafor Abdul Halim
Published: June 2019

OBJECTIVES

In Malaysia, there is exponential growth of patients on dialysis. Dialysis treatment consumes a considerable portion of healthcare expenditure. Comparative assessment of their cost effectiveness can assist in providing a rational basis for preference of dialysis modalities.

METHODS

A cost utility study of hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was conducted from a Ministry of Health (MOH) perspective. A Markov model was also developed to investigate the cost effectiveness of increasing uptake of CAPD to 55% and 60 % versus current practice of 40% CAPD in a five-year temporal horizon. A scenario with 30% CAPD was also measured. The costs and utilities were sourced from published data which were collected as part of this study. The transitional probabilities and survival estimates were obtained from the Malaysia Dialysis and Transplant Registry (MDTR). The outcome measures were cost per life year (LY), cost per quality adjusted LY (QALY) and incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) for the Markov model. Sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

LYs saved for HD was 4.15 years and 3.70 years for CAPD. QALYs saved for HD was 3.544 years and 3.348 for CAPD. Cost per LY saved was RM39,791 for HD and RM37,576 for CAPD. The cost per QALY gained was RM46,595 for HD and RM41,527 for CAPD. The Markov model showed commencement of CAPD in 50% of ESRD patients as initial dialysis modality was very cost-effective versus current practice of 40% within MOH. Reduction in CAPD use was associated with higher costs and a small devaluation in QALYs.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest provision of both modalities is fiscally feasible; increasing CAPD as initial dialysis modality would be more cost-effective.
The evolution of contact prediction: Evidence that contact selection in statistical contact prediction is changing
Authors: Chonofsky Mark , de Oliveira Saulo H. P. , Krawczyk Konrad , Deane Charlotte M.
Published: June 2019

Over the last few years, the field of protein structure prediction has been transformed by increasingly-accurate contact prediction software. These methods are based on the detection of coevolutionary relationships between residues from multiple sequence alignments. However, despite speculation, there is little evidence of a link between contact prediction and the physico-chemical interactions which drive amino-acid coevolution. Furthermore, existing protocols predict only a fraction of all protein contacts and it is not clear why some contacts are favoured over others.

Using a dataset of 863 protein domains, we assessed the physico-chemical interactions of contacts predicted by CCMpred, MetaPSICOV, and DNCON2, as examples of direct coupling analysis, meta-prediction, and deep learning, respectively. To further investigate what sets these predicted contacts apart, we considered correctly-predicted contacts and compared their properties against the protein contacts that were not predicted.

We found that predicted contacts tend to form more bonds than non-predicted contacts, which suggests these contacts may be more important. Comparing the contacts predicted by each method, we found that metaPSICOV and DNCON2 favour accuracy whereas CCMPred detects contacts with more bonds. This suggests that the push for higher accuracy may lead to a loss of physico-chemically important contacts.

These results underscore the connection between protein physico-chemistry and the coevolutionary couplings that can be derived from multiple sequence alignments. This relationship is likely to be relevant to protein structure prediction and functional analysis of protein structure and may be key to understanding their utility for different problems in structural biology.

Author summary

Accurate contact prediction has allowed scientists to predict protein structures with unprecedented levels of accuracy. The success of contact prediction methods, which are based on inferring correlations between amino acids in protein multiple sequence alignments, has prompted a great deal of work to improve the quality of contact prediction, leading to the development of several different methods for detecting amino acids in proximity.

In this paper, we investigate the properties of these contact prediction methods. We find that contacts which are predicted differ from the other contacts in the protein, in particular they have more physico-chemical bonds, and the predicted contacts are more strongly conserved than other contacts across protein families. We also compared the properties of different contact prediction methods and found that the characteristics of the predicted sets depend on the prediction method used.

Our results point to a link between physico-chemical bonding interactions and the evolutionary history of proteins, a connection which is reflected in their amino acid sequences.
Integration of genomic variation and phenotypic data using HmtPhenome
Authors: Preste R. , Attimonelli M.
Published: June 2019

A full understanding of relationships between variants, genes, phenotypes and diseases is often overlooked when investigating mitochondrial functionality in both healthy and pathological situations. Gaining a comprehensive overview of this network can indeed offer interesting insights, and guide researchers and clinicians towards a full-spectrum knowledge of the mitochondrial system.

Given the current lack of tools addressing this need, we have developed HmtPhenome (https://www.hmtphenome.uniba.it), a new web resource that aims at providing a visual network of connections among variants, genes, phenotypes and diseases having any level of involvement in the mitochondrial functionality. Data are collected from several third party resources and aggregated on the fly, allowing users to clearly identify interesting relations between the involved entities. Tabular data with additional hyperlinks are also included in the output returned by HmtPhenome, so that users can extend their analysis with further information from external resources.
An efficient coupled pressure–velocity solver for three-dimensional injection molding simulation using Schur complement preconditioned FGMRES
Authors: Liu Xiang , Guo Fei , Zhang Yun , Liang Junjie , Li Dequn , Zhou Huamin
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a coupled approach to solve the pressure–velocity-coupled problem efficiently in the three-dimensional injection molding simulation.

Design/methodology/approach

A fully coupled pressure–velocity algorithm is developed to solve the coupled problem, by treating the pressure gradient term implicitly. And, the Schur complement preconditioned FGMRES is applied to decompose the resulting coupled pressure–velocity equation into pressure and velocity subsystems. Then, BoomerAMG is adopted to solve the pressure subsystem, and block Jacobi preconditioned FGMRES is applied to the velocity subsystem.

Findings

According to the several experiments, the fully coupled pressure–velocity algorithm was demonstrated to have faster convergence than the traditional SIMPLE algorithm, and the calculating time was reduced by up to 70 per cent. And, the Schur complement preconditioned FGMRES worked more efficiently than block Gauss–Seidel preconditioned FGMRES, block-selective AMG and AMG with block ILU(0) smoother and could take at least 47.4 per cent less time. The proposed solver had good scalability for different-size problems, including various cases with different numbers of elements. It also kept good speedup and efficiency in parallel performance.

Originality/value

A coupled solver has been proposed to effectively solve the coupled problem in the three-dimensional injection molding simulation, which is more robust and efficient than existing methods.
Cruise brand experience: functional and wellness value creation in tourism business
Authors: Ahn Jiseon , Back Ki-Joon
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Experience and value creation have become integral themes for tourism service providers. This study aims to understand the role of different types of experiences in formulating customers’ perceived value. Studies on this area are scarce, especially in the cruise industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model that includes two value variables, namely, functional and wellness values, and four cruise brand experience variables, namely, sensory, affective, behavioral and intellectual factors, was tested through partial least-squares (PLS) structural equation modeling approach. A total of 389 usable cruise customer responses were obtained and analyzed using SmartPLS software.

Findings

Results revealed the relative effects of sensory, affective, behavioral and intellectual factors on perceived functional and wellness values. The positive impact of perceived value on customer satisfaction and behavioral intention and the moderating role of service expertise in the relationship between cruise experience and perceived value were examined.

Research limitations/implications

Future research can examine how types of leisure facilities (e.g. casinos, restaurants, bars and shows), cultural differences (e.g. Eastern and Western) and customers’ travel characteristics (e.g. visiting purpose and companions) may influence the relationships between cruise brand experience and perceived value.

Practical implications

From a practical point, the relationships among multidimensional cruise brand experience, functional and wellness values, customer satisfaction, revisit intention and service expertise provide a clue on how cruise brands can enhance customers’ perceived value to retain current customers.

Originality/value

This study contributes to literature by providing a theoretical framework and empirical evidence for predicting and explaining cruise customers’ behavior. From a managerial perspective, this study identified critical factors that are essential to value creation and discussed the implications of predictive factors on developing marketing strategies that enhance customers’ positive attitude and behavior toward the cruise brand.
Improving vocational recovery among people with psychosis: a two-pronged approach
Authors: Turner Niall , Nesbitt Tara , Fanning Felicity , Clarke Mary
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the feasibility of conducting research on a two-pronged vocational intervention for people with first episode psychosis. The paper also aims to empirically examine the impact of a two-pronged vocational intervention for people with first episode psychosis by determining what effect, if any, introducing a two-pronged vocational intervention to an early intervention for psychosis service (EIPS) has on vocational outcomes using a prospective follow-up design. The approach consisted of supported employment (individual placement and support, IPS) for participants without a productive role and a job retention programme for those employed or studying.

Design/methodology/approach

Between 2010 and 2013, a supported employment specialist joined an EIPS where occupational therapy was available to all attenders. The appropriate intervention was determined by the occupational therapist on the team. Participants were interviewed at baseline and one follow-up. Ethical approval was attained. The Individual Placement and Support Fidelity Scale was used to ensure the quality of IPS implementation.

Findings

In total, 39 (20 men, 19 women) consented; 21 (54 per cent) of these participants were unoccupied; 18 (46 per cent) had a productive role; 87 per cent (n= 34) were followed up. The mean length of follow-up was 18 months. At follow-up, 50 per cent (n= 10) of unoccupied participants had attained a productive role, and 17 of the 18 participants had retained their productive role. Overall, participants were found to have spent an average of 62 per cent of the follow-up period in a productive role.

Research limitations/implications

Rates of vocational recovery among people affected by psychosis may be enhanced by a two-pronged approach that allows for the persons individual work circumstances to be taken into account.

Originality/value

This study highlights the impact of a two-progroned vocational intervention for people with first episode psychosis in Ireland. It is the first study of its kind to be published in the Republic of Ireland and the first world-wide to include a job retention element in its design.
Bank productivity in Africa
Authors: Nartey Sarah Beatson , Osei Kofi A. , Sarpong-Kumankoma Emmanuel
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a total factor productivity index for the African banking industry. It also investigates the impact of some internal and external determinants affecting bank productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

The biennial Malmquist productivity index and various regression models (ordinary least squares, Tobit and truncated bootstrapped regression) are employed in analyzing data from 120 banks in 24 African countries from 2007 to 2012.

Findings

The results indicate a general decline in productivity of banks in Africa, largely due to inadequate technological progress. State banks are found to be more productive than foreign and private banks. The regression analyses showed that non-executive directors, leverage, management quality, credit risk, competition and exchange rate have significant impact on bank productivity, but ownership and CEO-duality do not.

Practical implications

The results have implications for management of banks, governments and regulators. It shows the need for policy and investments that improve state-of-the art technology. The findings also seem to suggest poor management practices in input usage, especially in operational management, as well as costs emanating from non-interest sources. Bank managers need to address these deficiencies to improve productivity in African banking markets.

Originality/value

A major contribution of this paper is the productivity index provided for the African banking industry. This study is also the first to apply the biennial Malmquist to analyze productivity in the African banking industry.
Logistics performance collaboration strategy and information sharing with logistics capability as mediator variable (study in Gafeksi East Java Indonesia)
Authors: Kirono Indro , Armanu Armanu , Hadiwidjojo Djumilah , Solimun Solimun
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of collaboration, capability and information sharing (IS) on logistic performance, the effect of collaboration and IS on capabilities, the effect of collaboration on logistic performance through capabilities, the influence of IS on logistic performance through capabilities and the effect of logistics capabilities on logistics performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative approach and is included in explanatory research. This research uses cross section research design. The research populations are all companies incorporated in GAFEKSI (Joint Forwarder and Expedition Indonesia) of East Java. Sampling in this research is by using a purposive sample. The sample of this study amounted to 47 forwarder and expedition companies. Data analysis method used is partial least square.

Findings

Collaboration has a positive impact on capabilities (CAP); capability (LOC) positive impact on logistic performance; collaboration does not directly affect the logistics performance; and construct capabilities (LOC) is the mediation of IS in building business logistics performance. Increasing the intensity of IS has no direct contribution to increased flexibility, and collaboration is driven by partnership and network, whereas CT (trust) can be ignored, as it is not proven to make a dominant contribution to collaboration.

Originality/value

The novelty of this research is found in the strategic role of capabilities as the dominant latent variable in building business performance of logistic companies. This study finds dual mediation, where both mediations are expressed as full mediation, because the direct effect of mediator latent variables is significant (Little et al., 2010; Hair et al., 1995).
Assessing strategic social partnerships between professional sports teams and NPOs in Australian football
Authors: Rayne Daniel , McDonald Heath , Leckie Civilai
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess corporate social responsibility (CSR) implemented via social partnerships between professional sports teams and not-for-profit organizations according to current theoretical perspectives. Limited resources and outcomes often mean there is a gap between theory and practice, the implications of which are not well understood.

Design/methodology/approach

Five partnerships in Australian football were analyzed via case study methodology which incorporated interviews, analysis of websites, social media and annual reports.

Findings

Despite being used as a CSR tool, findings showed most organizations enter these arrangements to achieve instrumental outcomes. Further, such partnerships mostly operate at a basic stage often described as philanthropic. One partnership was seen as more advanced consisting of a workplace plan to enhance diversity.

Practical implications

It is advocated that managers adopt a more integrated partnership model consisting of formalized objectives, activity implementation, evaluation mechanisms, frequent interaction, top-level leadership involvement and promotion to sufficiently achieve CSR goals.

Originality/value

Addressing calls from past research into an examination of the variation of CSR in sports, this research is one of the first to compare multiple case studies to assess the strategic implementation of social partnerships in a professional sporting context. Accordingly, the study demonstrates how such partnerships can be evaluated against a prominent theoretical model, the Collaboration Continuum, enabling more robust social partnership strategies.
Attitude: mediator of subjective norm, religiosity and intention to adopt Islamic banking
Authors: Bananuka Juma , Kasera Musa , Najjemba Grace Muganga , Musimenta Doreen , Ssekiziyivu Bob , Kimuli Saadat Nakyejwe Lubowa
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on the results of a study carried out to examine the mediating effect of attitude in the relationship between subjective norm, religiosity and intention to adopt Islamic banking in a developing secular state like Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

This study’ research design was cross sectional. Closed ended questionnaires were distributed to 258 managers of micro businesses in Uganda. Data were analyzed with the help of SPSS v22 and MedGraph program (Excel version).

Findings

Attitude is a significant mediator in the relationship between subjective norm and intention to adopt Islamic banking. Also, attitude significantly mediates the relationship between religiosity and intention to adopt Islamic banking.

Research limitations/implications

The study used only a single research methodological approach; therefore, future research could be undertaken using a mixed-methods approach.

Practical implications

Emphasis should be put on improving the mindsets of Ugandans toward Islamic banking.

Originality/value

While there has been a number of studies on Islamic banking, this study provides an initial empirical evidence on the mediation effect of attitude in the relationship between subjective norm, religiosity and intention to adopt Islamic banking in a single study in an African developing secular state like Uganda.
Measuring perceptions of Muslim consumers toward income tax rebate over zakat on income in Malaysia
Authors: Al-Mamun Abdullah- , Haque Ahasanul , Jan Muhammad Tahir
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the variables that affect Muslim consumers’ perception towards tax rebate over zakat on income in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A close-ended structured questionnaire was developed and a total number of 236 valid responses were collected through online survey from the Muslims residing in Malaysia.

Findings

This study found that halal-haram aspect of Islamic Shariah, legal consciousness and religiosity of Muslim consumers are positive significant factors for growing perceptions towards tax rebate over zakat on income in Malaysia.

Research limitations/implications

This study will definitely play an important leading role for the policy-makers and academicians in understanding the perceptions of Muslim consumers.

Practical implications

This study can assist zakat and tax authorities in Malaysia for taking corrective actions to adapt or improve the current policy on the basis of its Muslim consumers’ perception.

Social implications

The findings of this study can reduce the gap of understanding among Muslims in the society by letting other people’s perceptions towards tax rebate through zakat system in Malaysia.

Originality/value

As there are not enough studies in this area, this study will definitely play an important leading role for the countries or policy-makers or concerned zakat or tax institutions all over the world in capitalizing the practices which is highly and positively perceived by the Muslim consumers in Malaysia.
Key audit matters: insight from audit experts
Authors: Segal Milton
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Key audit matters (KAM) and their impact on the auditor is a relatively understudied area. The purpose of this study is to analyse whether auditors perceive that the recent requirement for auditors of listed companies to report KAMs has enhanced the transparency of audit reports or not, what additional risks they now face, how the risk is being managed and its impact on the relationship with their clients.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses an interpretive approach for detailed interviews with some of South Africa’s leading audit experts to highlight their perspective of the impact of KAM on audit reporting and the audit environment.

Findings

The experts have various perceptions of what makes a matter “key”. These vary from materiality, to subjectivity and difficulty, as well as incorporating a time-based consideration. Concerns identified include a significant increase in cost and an increase in potential liability, triggering the need for thorough internal risk management policies. The audit experts conclude that KAM has ultimately failed to achieve its goal of greater transparency, with clients virtually ignoring KAM reports.

Research limitations/implications

The research relies on a relatively small sample of subject experts and may not provide a complete account of the view of all audit professionals and KAM reports issued. It analyses the impact of KAM from the preparers’ perspective.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the research conducted in this topical area. Although there has been research on KAM focusing on pre-implementation consequences, there is virtually no formal academic research on the impact KAM has had on audit partners and firms in South Africa post implementation. It may also serve as a basis for the IAASB to consider going forward.
Omani SME perceptions towards Islamic financing systems
Authors: Al Balushi Yasmeen , Locke Stuart , Boulanouar Zakaria
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) owner–managers’ awareness, willingness and perceptions concerning Islamic financing instruments as an alternative sourcing decision in SMEs’ businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The research employed mixed methods to gather data. A questionnaire survey was conducted via face-to-face interviews with 385 SME owner–managers operating in Muscat, Oman’s capital city, along with face-to-face discussion on Islamic finance with 86 SME owner–managers. Descriptive and thematic analysis were used to analyse the data.

Findings

The findings indicate that SME owner–managers are aware of Islamic banking principles and have knowledge of Islamic financial instruments, despite Islamic finance being new to Oman. Interestingly, although the majority of the participants indicated their intention to adopt this new finance method, they were motivated by special requirements other than finance. Their positive perception of Islamic financing methods could play a significant role in developing the Islamic banking industry.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited in that its data came only from Omani SME owner–managers in Muscat. Future research could investigate wider samples. Secondly, the study’s findings lack generalisability to larger and public enterprises, because only SME owner–managers were surveyed.

Practical implications

This study will be important for policy makers concerned about SMEs’ financing, Islamic financial institutions and new entrants into the Islamic banking industry, as it provides empirically evidence of Omanis’ views, and more specifically those of Omani SME owner–managers, on the recent introduction of Islamic finance into the country. The insights this study offers should help them to develop the strategies required to attract SMEs and to construct policies and regulations to improve Oman’s Islamic banking industry.

Originality/value

The research is significant, as it is the first study to investigate the awareness, willingness and perceptions of Omani SMEs regarding Islamic banking in Oman. Even though all Omanis are Muslims, Oman was the last of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council countries to introduce Islamic finance. Thus, this emerging market provides an important basis from which to extend future research on Islamic finance to other potential Islamic finance markets.
Toward multi-dimensional and developmental notion of researcher positionality
Authors: Lu Hangyan , Hodge Warren A.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue for a multi-dimensional and developmental notion of researcher positionality in conducting qualitative research, in lieu of the dichotomous notion of outsider and insider. The former emphasizes the agentive role researchers play in knowledge production, whereas the latter has been much challenged as oversimplified and insufficient in understanding the dynamic interactions in which field researchers engage.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper borrows Milner’s (2007) four-level framework of research personality to reflect on one cross-cultural narrative inquiry study.

Findings

Reflective stories revealed that researcher positionality captures threads of intersectionality as well as inter- and intra-personal dynamics, and thus better informs the research process than what concept of insider/outsider dichotomy can do.

Research limitations/implications

The paper enriches the discussion of research positionality in qualitative research by involving a cross-cultural study where the researcher moved to-and-fro two sites.

Practical implications

The paper suggests a methodological and practical way of raising researcher’s awareness and agency relative to positionality by exposing the researcher to cross-cultural settings.

Originality/value

While the multi-dimensional aspect of researcher positionality and its relatedness to research findings has been much discussed, not much acknowledgment has been given to the developmental aspect of research positionality.
Proteolytic, lipidergic and polysaccharide molecular recognition shape innate responses to house dust mite allergens
Authors: Jacquet Alain , Robinson Clive
Published: June 2019

House dust mites (HDMs) are sources of an extensive repertoire of allergens responsible for a range of allergic conditions. Technological advances have accelerated the identification of these allergens and characterized their putative roles within HDMs. Understanding their functional bioactivities is illuminating how they interact with the immune system to cause disease and how interrelations between them are essential to maximize allergic responses. Two types of allergen bioactivity, namely proteolysis and peptidolipid/lipid binding, elicit IgE and stimulate bystander responses to unrelated allergens. Much of this influence arises from Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 4 or TLR2 signalling and, in the case of protease allergens, the activation of additional pleiotropic effectors with strong disease linkage. Of related interest is the interaction of HDM allergens with common components of the house dust matrix, through either their binding to allergens or their autonomous modulation of immune receptors. Herein, we provide a contemporary view of how proteolysis, lipid‐binding activity and interactions with polysaccharides and polysaccharide molecular recognition systems coordinate the principal responses which underlie allergy. The power of the catalytically competent group 1 HDM protease allergen component is demonstrated by a review of disclosures surrounding the efficacy of novel inhibitors produced by structure‐based design.
Keeping heart homeostasis in check through the balance of iron metabolism
Authors: Vela Driton
Published: June 2019

Highly active cardiomyocytes need iron for their metabolic activity. In physiological conditions, iron turnover is a delicate process which is dependent on global iron supply and local autonomous regulatory mechanisms. Though less is known about the autonomous regulatory mechanisms, data suggest that these mechanisms can preserve cellular iron turnover even in the presence of systemic iron disturbance. Therefore, activity of local iron protein machinery and its relationship with global iron metabolism is important to understand cardiac iron metabolism in physiological conditions and in cardiac disease. Our knowledge in this respect has helped in designing therapeutic strategies for different cardiac diseases. This review is a synthesis of our current knowledge concerning the regulation of cardiac iron metabolism. In addition, different models of cardiac iron dysmetabolism will be discussed through the examples of heart failure (cardiomyocyte iron deficiency), myocardial infarction (acute changes in cardiac iron turnover), doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity (cardiomyocyte iron overload in mitochondria), thalassaemia (cardiomyocyte cytosolic and mitochondrial iron overload) and Friedreich ataxia (asymmetric cytosolic/mitochondrial cardiac iron dysmetabolism). Finally, future perspectives will be discussed in order to resolve actual gaps in knowledge, which should be helpful in finding new treatment possibilities in different cardiac diseases.