bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heart-Brain Interactions Shape Somatosensory Perception and Evoked Potentials
Authors: Al Esra , Iliopoulos Fivos , Forschack Norman , Nierhaus Till , Grund Martin , Motyka Paweł , Gaebler Michael , Nikulin Vadim V. , Villringer Arno
Published: August 2019

Human perception either refers to the external world, exteroception, or internal body parts such as the heart, interoception. How these two types of perception interact is poorly understood. Using electroencephalography, we identify two heartbeat-related modulations of conscious somatosensory perception: (i) When stimulus timing coincided with systole of the cardiac cycle, participants were less likely to detect and localize somatosensory stimuli, and late components (P300) of the somatosensory-evoked potential (SEP) were attenuated. (ii) The amplitude of the heartbeat-evoked potential (HEP) negatively correlated with detection bias (criterion) and localization accuracy. Furthermore, higher HEP amplitudes were followed by decreases in both early and late SEP amplitudes. Both heartbeat-related effects were independent of the alpha oscillations’ influence on somatosensory processing. We conclude that internal signals are integrated into our conscious perception of the world, and connect our results to predictive processing (heartbeat-coupled stimulus timing) and attentional shifts between exteroception and interoception (HEP amplitude).
Repository-scale Co- and Re-analysis of Tandem Mass Spectrometry Data
Authors: Jarmusch Alan K. , Wang Mingxun , Aceves Christine M. , Advani Rohit S. , Aguire Shaden , Aksenov Alexander A. , Aleti Gajender , Aron Allegra T. , Bauermeister Anelize , Bolleddu Sanjana , Bouslimani Amina , Rodriguez Andres Mauricio Caraballo , Chaar Rama , Coras Roxana , Elijah Emmanuel O. , Ernst Madeleine , Gauglitz Julia M. , Gentry Emily C. , Husband Makhai , Jarmusch Scott A. , Jones Kenneth L. , Kamenik Zdenek , Le Gouellec Audrey , Lu Aileen , McCall Laura-Isobel , McPhail Kerry L. , Meehan Michael J. , Melnik Alexey V. , Menezes Riya C. , Giraldo Yessica Alejandra Montoya , Nguyen Ngoc Hung , Nothias Louis Felix , Nothias-Esposito Mélissa , Panitchpakdi Morgan , Petras Daniel , Quinn Robert , Sikora Nicole , van der Hooft Justin J.J. , Vargas Fernando , Vrbanac Alison , Weldon Kelly , Knight Rob , Bandeira Nuno , Dorrestein Pieter C.
Published: August 2019

Metabolomics data are difficult to find and reuse, even in public repositories. We, therefore, developed the Reanalysis of Data User (ReDU) interface (https://redu.ucsd.edu/), a community- and data-driven approach that solves this problem at the repository scale. ReDU enables public data discovery and co- or re-analysis via uniformly formatted, publicly available MS/MS data and metadata in the Global Natural Product Social Molecular Networking Platform (GNPS), consistent with findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) principles.1
Targeting effector pathways in RAC1P29S-driven malignant melanoma
Authors: Uribe-Alvarez Cristina , Guerrero-Rodríguez Sandra Lucía , Rhodes Jennifer , Cannon Alexa , Chernoff Jonathan , Araiza-Olivera Daniela
Published: August 2019

Malignant melanoma is characterized by mutations in a number of driver genes, most notablyBRAFandNRAS. Recently, genomic analyses revealed that 4-9% of sun-exposed melanoma bear activating mutations inRAC1, which encodes a small GTPase that is known to play key roles in cell proliferation, survival, and migration. The RAC1 protein activates several effector pathways, including Group A p21-activated kinases (PAKs), phosphoinositol-3-kinases (PI3Ks), in particular the beta isoform, and the serum-response factor/myocardin-related transcription factor (SRF/MRTF). Having previously shown that inhibition of Group A PAKs impedes oncogenic signaling from RAC1P29S, we here extend this analysis to examine the roles of PI3Ks and SRF/MITF in melanocytes and/or in a zebrafish model. We demonstrate that a selective Group A PAK inhibitor (Frax-1036) and certain PI3Ks inhibitors (BKM120, TGX221, GSK2636771) impede the growth of melanoma cells driven by mutant RAC1 but not mutant BRAF, however other PI3K inhibitors, including PI3Kα-selective inhibitors are less effective. Similar results were seenin vivo, using embryonic zebrafish development as a readout, but now including an SRF/MRTF inhibitor (CCG-203971). These results suggest that targeting Group A PAKs and/or SRF/MRTF represent promising approach to suppress RAC1 signaling in malignant melanoma.
Temporal fluctuations in the brain’s modular architecture during movie-watching
Authors: Betzel Richard F. , Byrge Lisa , Esfahlani Farnaz Zamani , Kennedy Daniel P.
Published: August 2019

Brain networks are flexible and reconfigure over time to support ongoing cognitive processes. However, tracking statistically meaningful reconfigurations across time has proven difficult. This has to do largely with issues related to sampling variability, making instantaneous estimation of network organization difficult, along with increased reliance on task-free (cognitively unconstrained) experimental paradigms, limiting the ability to interpret the origin of changes in network structure over time. Here, we address these challenges using time-varying network analysis in conjunction with a naturalistic viewing paradigm. Specifically, we developed a measure of inter-subject network similarity and used this measure as a coincidence filter to identify synchronous fluctuations in network organization across individuals. Applied to movie-watching data, we found that periods of high inter-subject similarity coincided with reductions in network modularity and increased connectivity between cognitive systems. In contrast, low inter-subject similarity was associated with increased system segregation and more rest-like architectures. We then used a data-driven approach to uncover clusters of functional connections that follow similar trajectories over time and are more strongly correlated during movie-watching than at rest. Finally, we show that synchronous fluctuations in network architecture over time can be linked to a subset of features in the movie. Our findings link dynamic fluctuations in network integration and segregation to patterns of intersubject similarity, and suggest that moment-to-moment fluctuations in FC reflect shared cognitive processing across individuals.
Sterol regulatory element binding protein and Sp1 is required for transcriptional activation of a freshwater carnivorous fish (Channa striata) elovl5 elongase
Authors: Goh Pei-Tian , Kuah Meng-Kiat , Chew Yen-Shan , Teh Hui-Ying , Shu-Chien Alexander Chong
Published: August 2019

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) biosynthesis involves the activities of two groups of enzymes, the fatty acyl desaturases (Fads) and elongases of very long-chain fatty acid (Elovl). Fish are major source of beneficial n-3 LC-PUFA in human diet and there is a considerable interest to elucidate the mechanism and regulatory aspects of LC-PUFA biosynthesis in farmed fish species. The promoter of elovl5 elongase, which catalyze the rate limiting reaction of adding two carbons to the C18 PUFA have been previously described and characterized from several marine and diadromous teleost species. We report here the cloning and characterization of the elovl5 promoter from two freshwater fish species, the carnivorous snakehead fish (Channa striata) and zebrafish. Results show the importance of sterol regulatory element binding protein (Srebp) and the corresponding sterol responsive element (SRE) in the core regulatory region of both promoters. Mutagenesis luciferase and electrophoretic mobility shift assays confirm that SRE is indispensable for basal transcriptional activation in both species. In addition, several Sp1 binding sites located in close proximity with SRE were present in the snakehead promoter, with one having a potential synergy with SRE in regulating elovl5 expression. The core elovl5 promoter fragments of both species also directed in vivo expression in the yolk syncytial layer of developing zebrafish embryos. This study is the first functional promoter analysis of Elovl5 in freshwater teleost.
Diffusion tubes: a method for the mass culture of ctenophores and other pelagic marine invertebrates
Authors: Patry Wyatt L. , Bubel Mac Kenzie , Hansen Cypress , Knowles Thomas
Published: August 2019

The culture of pelagic marine invertebrates, especially the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi, has been demonstrated in past studies dating back to the 1960’s, however the mass culture of delicate pelagic invertebrates has remained elusive. By using a pair of acrylic tubes and enabling water diffusion between them, we have been able to reliably and cost effectively mass culture several genera of ctenophores (Pleurobrachia, Hormiphora, Bolinopsis, Mnemiopsis, and Leucothea), one species of siphonophore (Nanomia) and one species of larvacean (Oikopleura). The simple, compact method is effective enough to support two permanent exhibits of ctenophores at the Monterey Bay Aquarium while minimizing live food culture requirements with the potential to support further investigation of pelagic marine invertebrate ontogeny, ecology and genomics.
Inhibitory effect ofBacillus subtilisWL-2 and its IturinA lipopeptides againstPhytophthora infestans
Authors: Wang Youyou , Zhang Congying , Wu Lufang , Wang Le , Gao Wenbin , Jiang Jizhi , Wu Yanqing
Published: August 2019

Potato late blight triggered byPhytophthora infestans((Mont.) de Bary) represents a great food security threat worldwide and is difficult to control. Currently,Bacillusspp. have been considered biocontrol agents to control many fungal diseases. Here,Bacillus subtilisWL-2 was selected as the antifungal strain with the most potential againstP. infestansmycelium growth. Additionally, the functional metabolites extracted from WL-2 were identified as IturinA-family cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Analyses using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) revealed that IturinA caused a change in the mycelial surface and damage to the internal cell structure, including cell membrane disruption and irregular organelle formation. Moreover, propidium iodide staining and nucleic acid and protein release were detected to clarify the cell membrane damage caused by IturinA. Additionally, IturinA triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and malondialdehyde (MDA) production. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes activity (MRCCA), respiratory control rate (RCR), and oxidative phosphorylation efficiency (P/O) assays indicated thatP. infestansmitochondria affected by IturinA were so seriously damaged that the MMP and MRCCA declined remarkably and that mitochondrial ATP production ability was weakened. Therefore, IturinA induces cell membrane damage, oxidative stress, and dysfunction of mitochondria, resulting inP. infestanshyphal cell death. As such, the results highlight thatB. subtilisWL-2 and IturinA have great potential as candidates for inhibitingP. infestansmycelium growth and controlling potato late blight.

IMPORTANCE

Potato (Solanum tuberosumL.) is the fourth most common global food crop, and its planting area and yield increase yearly. Notably, in 2015, China initiated a potato staple food conversion strategy, and by 2020, approximately 50% of potatoes will be consumed as a staple food. The plant pathogen fungusPhytophthora infestans((Mont.) de Bary) is the culprit of potato late blight; however, biological agents rather than chemicals are highly necessary to control this threatening disease. In this study, we discovered an antifungal substance, IturinA, a lipopeptide produced byBacillus subtilisWL-2. Moreover, our research revealed the actual mechanism of IturinA againstP. infestansmycelium growth and clarified the potential ofB. subtilisWL-2 and IturinA as a biocontrol agent againstP. infestansmycelium growth as well as for controlling the development of late blight in potato cultivation.
The aminoalkylindole, BML-190, negatively regulates chitosan synthesis via the cAMP/PKA1 pathway in Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Maybruck Brian T. , Lam Woei C. , Specht Charles A. , Ilagan Ma Xenia G. , Donlin Maureen J. , Lodge Jennifer K.
Published: August 2019

Cryptococcus neoformans can cause fatal meningoencephalitis in patients with AIDS or other immune-compromising conditions. Current antifungals are suboptimal to treat this disease, therefore, novel targets and new therapies are needed. Previously, we have shown that chitosan is a critical component of the cryptococcal cell wall, is required for survival in the mammalian host, and that chitosan deficiency results in rapid clearance from the mammalian host. We had also identified several specific proteins that were required for chitosan biosynthesis, and we hypothesize that screening for compounds that inhibit chitosan biosynthesis would identify additional genes/proteins that influence chitosan biosynthesis.

To identify these compounds we developed a robust and novel cell-based flow cytometry screening method to identify small molecule inhibitors of chitosan production. We screened the ICCB Known Bioactives library and identified 8 compounds that reduced chitosan in C. neoformans. We used flow cytometry-based counter and confirmatory screens, followed by a biochemical secondary screen to refine our primary screening hits to 2 confirmed hits.

One of the confirmed hits that reduced chitosan content was the aminoalkylindole, BML-190, a known inverse agonist of mammalian cannabinoid receptors. We demonstrated that BML-190 likely targets the C. neoformans G-protein coupled receptor, Gpr4, and via the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway, contributes to an intracellular accumulation of cAMP that results in decreased chitosan. Our discovery suggests that this approach could be used to identify additional compounds and pathways that reduce chitosan biosynthesis, and could lead to potential novel therapeutics against C. neoformans.

Importance

Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen that kills ∼200,000 people every year. The cell wall is an essential organelle that protects fungus from the environment. Chitosan, the deacetylated form of chitin, has been shown to be an essential component of cryptococcal cells wall during infection of a mammalian host. In this study, we screened a set of 480 compounds, which are known to have defined biological activities, for activity that reduced chitosan production in C. neoformans. Two of these compounds were validated using an alternative method of measuring chitosan, and one of these was demonstrated to impact the cAMP signal transduction pathway. This work demonstrates that the cAMP pathway regulates chitosan in C. neoformans, and validates that this screening approach could be used to find potential antifungal agents.
Impact of C-terminal amino acid composition on protein expression in bacteria
Authors: Weber Marc , Burgos Raul , Yus Eva , Yang Jae-Seong , Lluch-Senar Maria , Serrano Luis
Published: August 2019

The C-terminal sequence of a protein is involved in processes such as efficiency of translation termination and protein degradation. However, the general relationship between features of this C-terminal sequence and levels of protein expression remains unknown. Here, we identified C-terminal amino acid biases that are ubiquitous across the bacterial taxonomy (1582 genomes). We showed that the frequency is higher for positively charged amino acids (lysine, arginine) while hydrophobic amino acids and threonine are lower. In highly abundant proteins, the C-terminal residue is more conserved. We then studied the impact of C-terminal composition on protein levels in a library ofM. pneumoniaemutants, covering all possible combinations of the two last codons. We found that charged and polar residues, in particular lysine, led to higher expression, while hydrophobic and aromatic residues led to lower expression, with a difference in protein levels up to 4-fold. Our results demonstrate that the identity of the last amino acids has a strong influence on protein expression levels and is under selective pressure in highly expressed proteins.
Efficient data extraction from neutron time-of-flight spin-echo raw data
Authors: Zolnierczuk P. A. , Holderer O. , Pasini S. , Kozielewski T. , Stingaciu L. R. , Monkenbusch M.
Published: August 2019

Neutron spin-echo spectrometers with a position-sensitive detector and operating with extended time-of-flight-tagged wavelength frames are able to collect a comprehensive set of data covering a large range of wavevector and Fourier time space with only a few instrumental settings in a quasi-continuous way. Extracting all the information contained in the raw data and mapping them to a suitable physical space in the most efficient way is a challenge. This article reports algorithms employed in dedicated software, DrSpine (data reduction for spin echo), that achieves this goal and yields reliable representations of the intermediate scattering function S(Q, t) independent of the selected `binning'.
Can internal factors improve innovation performance via innovation culture in SMEs?
Authors: Hanifah Haniruzila , Halim Hasliza Abdul , Ahmad Noor Hazlina , Vafaei-Zadeh Ali
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Innovation performance is an issue that has a profound effect not only on Malaysian large companies but also among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) especially Bumiputera SMEs. The purpose of this paper is to explore the theoretical review of innovation culture pertaining to innovation performance by conducting a literature review on SME studies. The previous reference on innovation performance in Malaysian SMEs is still scarce, even though it is the key benchmark to measure firm performance. It has been demonstrated by the literature that innovation culture is significantly associated with innovation performance. Nonetheless, its effect on Bumiputera SMEs is still underexplored. Thus, this study examines the importance of internal factors (specific human capital and social capital) to innovation culture in driving innovation performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to gather data from Bumiputera SMEs. A total of 140 responses were obtained and analyses were carried out using Smart-PLS software to produce interesting findings.

Findings

The findings indicate that social capital (relational capital and social network) has a significant impact on innovation culture and indirectly impacts innovation performance. The findings also reveal that specific human capital does not have significant impact on innovation culture and innovation performance. This paper shows the importance of social capital and how it directly influences Bumiputera SMEs and innovation performance. This result will be encouraging to firms in other developing countries.

Practical implications

Although SMEs play an important role in economic development, their contribution to innovation is small and marginal. This study makes an important contribution by providing information to the Malaysian SMEs, especially those that are of Bumiputera status on the factors that could enhance innovation performance and nurture innovation culture in their organisations. Thus, it is hoped that this study will generate interest among researchers to attain more conclusive evidence about the practice of innovation culture among Malaysian SMEs.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to address the mediating effect of innovation culture on specific human capital, social capital and innovation performance.
A positivity-preserving nonlinear finite volume scheme for radionuclide transport calculations in geological radioactive waste repository
Authors: Peng Gang , Gao Zhiming , Yan Wenjing , Feng Xinlong
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to consider numerical simulation for radionuclide transport calculations in geological radioactive waste repository.

Design/methodology/approach

The nonlinear two-point flux approximation is used to discretize the diffusion flux and has a fixed stencil. The cell-vertex unknowns are applied to define the auxiliary unknowns and can be interpolated by the cell-centered unknowns. The approximation of convection flux is based on the second-order upwind method with a slope limiter.

Findings

Numerical results illustrate that the positivity-preserving is satisfied in solving this convection-diffusion system and has a second-order convergence rate on the distorted meshes.

Originality/value

A new positivity-preserving nonlinear finite volume scheme is proposed to simulate the far-field model used in the geological radioactive waste repository. Numerical results illustrate that the positivity-preserving is satisfied in solving this convection-diffusion system and has a second-order convergence rate on the distorted meshes.
Numerical simulation of forced convection in a bi-disperse porous medium channel by creating new porous micro-channels inside the porous macro-blocks
Authors: Rajabzadeh Behnam , Hojaji Mohammad , Karimipour Arash
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Porous medium has always been introduced as an environment for increasing heat transfer in cooling systems. However, increase in heat transfer and resolving pressure drop in the fluid flow have been focused on by researchers.The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of creating porous micro-channels inside porous macro-blocks to optimize system performance in channels.

Design/methodology/approach

To simulate flow field, a developed numerical code that solves Navier–Stokes equations by finite volume method and semi-implicit method for pressure linked equations (SIMPLE) algorithm will be used together with bi-disperse porous medium (BDPM) method. Working fluid is air with Pr = 0.7 in laminar state. Influence of permeability changes by creation of micro-channels containing porous medium in vertical, horizontal and cross-shape patterns will be investigated.

Findings

By creating porous micro-channels inside macro-blocks, not only does the heat transfer increase significantly but the pressure also drops remarkably. Increase in performance evaluation criteria (PEC) is more evident in lower Reynolds numbers that can increase the PEC to 75 per cent by creating cross-shape micro-channels. By changing the permeability of micro-channels, PEC will increase by reducing the pressure drop but it has minor changes in Nu.

Research limitations/implications

The current work is applicable to optimizing system performance by decreasing the pressure drop and increasing the heat transfer.

Practical implications

The developed patterns are useful in increasing the system performance including the increase in heat transfer and decrease in pressure drop in systems such as air coolers required in electrical circuits.

Originality/value

Development and optimization of system performance by new patterns using BDPM in comparison to the previous patterns.
Numerical analysis of natural convection heat transfer and entropy generation in a porous quadrantal cavity
Authors: Dutta Shantanu , Biswas Arup Kumar , Pati Sukumar
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the natural convection heat transfer and irreversibility characteristics in a quadrantal porous cavity subjected to uniform temperature heating from the bottom wall.

Design/methodology/approach

Brinkmann-extended Darcy model is used to simulate the momentum transfer in the porous medium. The Boussinesq approximation is invoked to account for the variation in density arising out of the temperature differential for the porous quadrantal enclosure subjected to uniform heating on the bottom wall. The governing transport equations are solved using the finite element method. A parametric study is carried out for the Rayleigh number (Ra) in the range of 103 to 106 and Darcy number (Da) in the range of 10−5-10−2.

Findings

A complex interaction between the buoyant and viscous forces that govern the transport of heat and entropy generation and the permeability of the porous medium plays a significant role on the same. The effect of Da is almost insignificant in dictating the heat transfer for low values of Ra (103, 104), while there is a significant alteration in Nusselt number for Ra ≥105 and moreover, the change is more intense for larger values of Da. For lower values of Ra (≤104), the main contributor of irreversibility is the thermal irreversibility irrespective of all values of Da. However, the fluid friction irreversibility is the dominant player at higher values of Ra (=106) and Da (=10−2).

Practical implications

From an industrial point of view, the present study will have applications in micro-electronic devices, building systems with complex geometries, solar collectors, electric machinery and lubrication systems.

Originality/value

This research examines numerically the buoyancy driven heat transfer irreversibility in a quadrantal porous enclosure that is subjected to uniform temperature heating from the bottom wall, that was not investigated in the literature before.
A finite element solver for hypersonic flows in thermo-chemical non-equilibrium, Part II
Authors: Gao Song , Seguin Jory , Habashi Wagdi G. , Isola Dario , Baruzzi Guido
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This work aims to describe the physical and numerical modeling of a CFD solver for hypersonic flows in thermo-chemical non-equilibrium. This paper is the second of a two-part series that concerns the application of the solver introduced in Part I to adaptive unstructured meshes.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing equations are discretized with an edge-based stabilized finite element method (FEM). Chemical non-equilibrium is simulated using a laminar finite-rate kinetics, while a two-temperature model is used to account for thermodynamic non-equilibrium. The equations for total quantities, species and vibrational-electronic energy conservation are loosely coupled to provide flexibility and ease of implementation. To accurately perform simulations on unstructured meshes, the non-equilibrium flow solver is coupled with an edge-based anisotropic mesh optimizer driven by the solution Hessian to carry out mesh refinement, coarsening, edge swapping and node movement.

Findings

The paper shows, through comparisons with experimental and other numerical results, how FEM + anisotropic mesh optimization are the natural choice to accurately simulate hypersonic non-equilibrium flows on unstructured meshes. Three-dimensional test cases demonstrate how, for high-speed flows, shocks resolution, and not necessarily boundary layers resolution, is the main driver of solution accuracy at walls. Equally distributing the error among all elements in a suitably defined Riemannian space yields highly anisotropic grids that feature well-resolved shock waves. The resulting high level of accuracy in the computation of the enthalpy jump translates into accurate wall heat flux predictions. At the opposite end, in all cases examined, high-quality but isotropic unstructured meshes gave very poor solutions with severely inadequate heat flux distributions not even featuring expected symmetries. The paper unequivocally demonstrates that unstructured anisotropically adapted meshes are the best, and may be the only, way for accurate and cost-effective hypersonic flow solutions.

Originality/value

Although many hypersonic flow solvers are developed for unstructured meshes, few numerical simulations on unstructured meshes are presented in the literature. This work demonstrates that the proposed approach can be used successfully for hypersonic flows on unstructured meshes.
Service failure in higher education institutions
Authors: Msosa Steven Kayambazinthu , Govender Jeevarathnam P.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Providing quality service is the goal of many service providers and higher education institutions are not exceptional. However, service failure may occur from time to time which may eventually lead to customer dissatisfaction with the service rendered. The purpose of this paper is to examine service failure incidents in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, three categories of service failure, namely, employee response to service delivery system failure, employee response to customer needs and requests, and unprompted and unsolicited employee actions were used to categorise 45 critical incidents obtained from 30 students at a university of technology.

Findings

The results showed that service delivery system failures account for the biggest number (51 per cent) of service failure incidents captured in this study.

Research limitations/implications

The critical incident technique which relies on the respondents’ memory to recall service failure incidents was used to collect information. The drawback is that memory can be fallible and students may end up exaggerating service failure incidents.

Practical implications

This study can assist higher education institutional managers to understand the nature of service failure incidents that lead to student dissatisfaction.

Originality/value

This study is unique as it presents service failure incidents from the developing world and further provides the basis for creation of service recovery strategies.
Wavelet and multiple linear regression analysis for identifying factors affecting particulate matter PM2.5 in Mumbai City, India
Authors: Venkataraman Vivekanand , Usmanulla Syed , Sonnappa Appaiah , Sadashiv Pratiksha , Mohammed Suhaib Soofi , Narayanan Sundaresh S.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify significant factors of environmental variables and pollutants that have an effect on PM2.5 through wavelet and regression analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to provide stable data set for regression analysis, multiresolution analysis using wavelets is conducted. For the sampled data, multicollinearity among the independent variables is removed by using principal component analysis and multiple linear regression analysis is conducted using PM2.5 as a dependent variable.

Findings

It is found that few pollutants such as NO2, NOx, SO2, benzene and environmental factors such as ambient temperature, solar radiation and wind direction affect PM2.5. The regression model developed has high R2 value of 91.9 percent, and the residues are stationary and not correlated indicating a sound model.

Research limitations/implications

The research provides a framework for extracting stationary data and other important features such as change points in mean and variance, using the sample data for regression analysis. The work needs to be extended across all areas in India and for various other stationary data sets there can be different factors affecting PM2.5.

Practical implications

Control measures such as control charts can be implemented for significant factors.

Social implications

Rules and regulations can be made more stringent on the factors.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in the integration of wavelets with regression analysis for air pollution data.
Time and cost constrained optimal designs of multiple step stress tests under progressive censoring
Authors: Hakamipour Nooshin
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the general k level step-stress accelerated life test with the Rayleigh lifetime distribution for units subjected to stress under progressive Type-I censoring.

Design/methodology/approach

The parameter of this distribution is assumed to be a log-linear function of the stress, and a tampered failure rate model holds. The progressive Type-I censoring reduces the cost of testing. Due to constrained resources in practice, the test design must be optimized carefully. A numerical study is conducted to illustrate the optimum test design based on several four optimality criteria under the constraint that the total experimental cost does not exceed a pre-specified budget.

Findings

This paper compares unconstrained and constrained optimal k level step-stress test. Based on the results of the simulation study, the cost constraint reduces cost and time of the test and it also, in the most cases, increases the efficiency of the test. Also, the T-optimal design is lowest cost and time for testing and it is found more optimal in both conditions.

Originality/value

In this paper, various optimization criteria for selecting the stress durations have been used, and these criteria are compared together. Also, because of affecting the stress durations on the experimental cost, the author optimize under the constraint that the total experimental cost does not exceed a pre-specified budget. The efficiency of the unconstrained test in comparison with constrained test is discussed.
Understanding the adoption of bike sharing systems
Authors: Gao Shang , Li Ying , Guo Hong
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This study aims to investigate users’ adoption of bike sharing systems in China.

Design/methodology/approach

This research combined perceived risk factors with existing technology diffusion theories (e.g. technology acceptance model and unified theory of acceptance and use of technology) to develop a research model to examine users’ adoption of bike sharing systems in China. As a result, a research model with 11 hypotheses was developed. The developed research model was empirically tested using data collected from a survey of 298 users in China. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the collected data.

Findings

The findings indicated that perceived usefulness, facilitating conditions and perceived risks were important determinants to the adoption of bike sharing systems. However, perceived ease of use and social influence did not have significant positive impacts on users’ behavioral intention to use bike sharing systems.

Practical implications

It is important for service providers to dedicate their time and efforts in maintaining and repairing bikes to ensure that the bikes are in a good condition to be used. System providers need to work on good solutions to better protect users’ personal information and location information.

Originality/value

This study is first of its kinds in investigating the adoption of bike sharing systems by combining technology diffusion theories and perceived risk theory in China.
Educating business students to manage for mental health
Authors: Simola Sheldene K.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe content topics and teaching methods for a new undergraduate course in business administration on managing for workplace mental health. It then discusses a preliminary evaluation of the course.

Design/methodology/approach

Research-supported content and teaching methods were developed and implemented.n=18 undergraduates completed pre- and post-course quantitative measures related to course goals, and a qualitative post-course survey about course content and delivery.

Findings

Analysis of pre- and post-course quantitative measures demonstrated significant increases in mental health-related knowledge; other-directed, mental health supportive behaviours; mental health promotion self-efficacy; mental health promotion intentions; and self-compassion; as well as significant decreases in stigmatising attitudes. Effect sizes were moderate to large, indicating usefulness. Qualitative, post-course data indicated that positive aspects of course content were those that enhanced knowledge of mental health conditions; skills for managing workplace mental health concerns; and attitudes towards those suffering from mental illness. Qualitative post-course data indicated that positive aspects of course delivery were specific teaching strategies and teaching qualities.

Research limitations/implications

Results support the continued development and use of a course for business students on managing workplace mental health. Additional, larger scale evaluation would be helpful.

Practical implications

Detailed information is provided about the course structure, content, resources and teaching methods, which could be used in other settings.

Social implications

The workplace is an important site for early identification and intervention of mental health concerns, regardless of their origin or cause. This research supports the usefulness of training prospective business managers in this regard.

Originality/value

Coverage of mental health-related topics with business students has been scant to absent. This project developed, implemented and evaluated a new course.
Secondary school teachers’ experiences of supporting mental health
Authors: Shelemy Lucas , Harvey Kate , Waite Polly
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Teachers are often the first contact for students with mental health difficulties. They are in an ideal position to identify students who are struggling and frequently support them using different approaches and techniques. The purpose of this paper is to investigate secondary school teachers’ experiences of supporting the mental health of their students.

Design/methodology/approach

Seven secondary school teachers from state-funded schools in the UK participated in face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to understand and structure the data into themes.

Findings

Five superordinate themes emerged from the data analysis: perceived role of teacher, nature of relationship, barriers to helping the child, amount of training and resource, and helplessness and satisfaction. Participants described the lack of training, resource and clarity about their role to be causes of frustration. Internal and environmental factors often influenced participants’ feelings of helplessness.

Research limitations/implications

The findings from this study cannot be readily generalised to the wider population due to the nature of qualitative interviews.

Practical implications

This study has led to a greater understanding of the experiences of teachers within a school setting. It is crucial that mental health training for teachers directly meets their needs and abilities.

Originality/value

This paper finds value in recognising the lived experience and difficulties faced by teachers supporting students’ mental health problems. A theoretical model is presented based on this analysis that can help inform best practice for schools.
Why people commit public procurement fraud? The fraud diamond view
Authors: Rustiarini Ni Wayan , T. Sutrisno , Nurkholis Nurkholis , Andayani Wuryan
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the factors that cause individuals to commit fraud, especially in the public procurement context. All this time, an empirical review of public procurement fraud has only focused on the macro and micro level, as well as its losses on the country's economy. This paper highlights individuals’ fraudulent behavior from the four elements of the fraud diamond theory, namely, pressure, opportunity, rationalization and capability.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a literature review that discusses the fraudulent behavior of bureaucrat as a procurement official in the context of public procurement. This review uses fraud diamond theory as its theoretical framework to explain the attributes to do fraud.

Findings

Public procurement is a high-risk area for fraud (corruption), particularly in the government institution. It cannot be denied that the situation factor (pressure and opportunity) will interact with psychological aspects (rationalization) and individual capability to direct the individuals to commit fraud. This study discusses how existing pressure (motivation) and opportunities are used by individuals who have the capability to rationalize their actions. This literature review also endeavors to shed light on the strategy to prevent, detect and control the causes of fraud.

Practical implications

This paper provides an understanding of regulators, auditors and other employees in recognizing the characteristics and nature of fraud antecedents. This understanding can help prevent various forms of procurement fraud that occur within their organizations. This paper also can be a guideline to assist public sector organizations in designing effective internal control systems to prevent fraud in the process and practice of public procurement.

Social implications

Public procurement has a central role that enables the government to allocate the budget effectively and efficiently. Compliance in implementing procurement rules and procedures will improve the quality of public services.

Originality/value

There exists relatively little study outlining the factors underlying of bureaucrats’ (procurement official) opportunistic behavior on procurement activities. The authors focused on bureaucrats’ behavior because they have unique positions of power and responsibility of the procurement process. On the one hand, they have a crucial role in serving the public and safeguarding public assets. On the other hand, they have the ability to collaborate with politicians and business actors in corrupt procurement practices. Therefore, the discussion on this topic is very relevant and interesting.
How can WeChat contribute to psychosocial benefits? Unpacking mechanisms underlying network size, social capital and life satisfaction among sojourners
Authors: Pang Hua
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to systematically unpack whether and how WeChat network size is correlated with perceived social capital and life satisfaction among Chinese overseas students in Germany.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a web-based survey data collected from 218 sojourners, zero-order correlation analyses and structural equation modeling were separately implemented to tackle the complicated research questions.

Findings

Findings demonstrate that an individual’s WeChat network size significantly and directly influences bridging, bonding and maintained social capital. Importantly, a path model demonstrates that these distinct dimensions of social capital are all significant predictors of life satisfaction. Furthermore, the empirical evidence reveals that bridging, bonding and maintained social capital can mediate the association between network size and well-being outcome.

Research limitations/implications

Theoretically, the paper is an initial attempt contributing to the previous studies on estimating the influence of WeChat friendships on social capital and life satisfaction. Practically, these findings will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of effect of personal network characteristics derived from the dominant media interaction on social connectedness and life quality.

Originality/value

Despite WeChat is immensely prevalent in Mainland China, only few studies have concentrated on the role of WeChat network size in fostering individuals’ social and psychological development. The work provides unique evidence that number of friends on the emerging technology could indirectly benefit sojourners’ satisfaction with life through processes involving diverse categories of social capital in a trans-cultural environment.
Social sustainability in supply chains: a review
Authors: Chiesa Patricio Javier , Przychodzen Wojciech
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to review the development of the socially sustainable supply chain management field.

Design/methodology/approach

The 112 most cited papers in the field until 2017 are analysed using a state-of-the-art structured literature review model borrowed from the accounting field.

Findings

This study highlights the increasing number of publications across the years, the diversity of journals and the type of authors addressing the topic. It reveals that qualitative studies focused on large companies in the garment, food and electronics sectors and on private regulations capture most of the attention, with Asia, Europe and North America being the most scrutinised locations. Drivers and barriers for socially sustainable supply chain management are summarised, clustered and confronted. This study also evaluates how the sustainability and corporate social responsibility concepts are used in the above field and analyses the existing definitions of social sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

This study incites researchers to broaden their studies to diverse sectors and locations, addressing different levels of supply chains with quantitative techniques and clearer conceptual foundations.

Practical implications

This study incites practitioners to further contribute to this scholars-dominated research field, offering their practical insights and perspectives.

Originality/value

This study offers original insights and critiques of the literature, highlighting its gaps and proposing new research avenues for the future.
The mobilising effect of political choice
Authors: HOBOLT SARA B. , HOERNER JULIAN M.
Published: August 2019

Political choice is central to citizens’ participation in elections. Nonetheless, little is known about the individual‐level mechanisms that link political choice and turnout. It is argued in this article that turnout decisions are shaped not only by the differences between the parties (party polarisation), but also by the closeness of parties to citizens’ own ideological position (congruence), and that congruence matters more in polarised systems where more is at stake. Analysing cross‐national survey data from 80 elections, it is found that both polarisation and congruence have a mobilising effect, but that polarisation moderates the effect of congruence on turnout. To further explore the causal effect of political choice, the arrival of a new radical right‐wing party in Germany, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), is leveraged and the findings show that the presence of the AfD had a mobilising effect, especially for citizens with congruent views.
Contemporary practice patterns of stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastasis: A review of published Australian literature
Authors: Ong Wee Loon , Wada Morikatsu , Ruben Jeremy , Foroudi Farshad , Millar Jeremy
Published: August 2019

There has been a shift in the management of brain metastasis (BM), with increasing use of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and delaying/avoiding whole‐brain radiotherapy (WBRT), given the concern regarding the long‐term neurocognitive effect and quality of life impact of WBRT. It is, however, unclear as to the contemporary practice pattern and outcomes of SRS in Australia. We conducted a literature search in PubMed and MEDLINE using a series of keywords: ‘stereotactic’, ‘radiosurgery’ and ‘brain metastases’, limiting to Australian studies, which report on clinical outcomes following SRS. Eight studies – one randomized trial and seven retrospective cohort studies – were identified and included in this review. A total of 856 patients were included, with the most common primary tumour types being melanoma, lung cancer and breast cancer. Approximately half of the patients had solitary BM, while 7% had 10 or more BM lesions. SRS is not routinely given in combination with WBRT. The 6‐month intracranial control and 1‐year intracranial control following SRS were reported in the range of 67–87% and 48–82%, respectively, whereas the 1‐year overall survival and 2‐year overall survival were reported in the range of 37–60% and 20–36%, respectively. There are limited data reported on SRS‐related toxicities in all included studies. Overall, despite increasing use of SRS for BM, there is a low number of published Australian series in the literature. There is a potential role for establishing an Australian clinical quality registry or collaborative consortium for SRS in BM, to allow for systematic prospective data collection, and benchmarking of quality and outcomes of SRS.