bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating low-velocity fluid flow in tumours using convection-MRI
Authors: Walker-Samuel Simon , Roberts Thomas A. , Ramasawmy Rajiv , Burrell Jake , Johnson S. Peter , Siow Bernard , Richardson Simon , Gonçalves Miguel , Pendsé Douglas , Robinson Simon P. , Pedley R. Barbara , Lythgoe Mark F.
Published: October 2017

Several distinct fluid flow phenemena occur in solid tumours, including intravascular blood flow and interstitial convection. To probe low-velocity flow in tumors resulting from raised interstitial fluid pressure, we have developed a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique named convection-MRI. It uses a phase-contrast acquisition with a dual-inversion vascular nulling preparation to separate intra- and extra-vascular flow. Here, we report the results of experiments in flow phantoms, numerical simulations and tumor xenograft models to investigate the technical feasibility of convection-MRI. We report a good correlation between estimates of effective fluid pressure from convection-MRI with gold-standard, invasive measurements of interstitial fluid pressure in mouse models of human colorectal carcinoma and show that convection-MRI can provide insights into the growth and response to vascular-targeting therapy in colorectal cancers.
Necklace: combining reference and assembled transcriptomes for more comprehensive RNA-Seq analysis
Authors: Davidson Nadia M , Oshlack Alicia
Published: October 2017

Background

RNA-Seq analyses can benefit from performing a genome-guided and de novo assembly, in particular for species where the reference genome or the annotation is incomplete. However, tools for integrating assembled transcriptome with reference annotation are lacking.

Findings

Necklace is a software pipeline that runs genome-guided and de novo assembly and combines the resulting transcriptomes with reference genome annotations. Necklace constructs a compact but comprehensive superTranscriptome out of the assembled and reference data. Reads are subsequently aligned and counted in preparation for differential expression testing.

Conclusions

Necklace allows a comprehensive transcriptome to be built from a combination of assembled and annotated transcripts which results in a more comprehensive transcriptome for the majority of organisms. In addition RNA-seq data is mapped back to this newly created superTranscript reference to enable differential expression testing with standard methods. Necklace is available fromhttps://github.com/Oshlack/necklace/wikiunder GPL 3.0.
Nitrate modulates stem cell dynamics by regulatingWUSCHELexpression through cytokinins
Authors: Landrein Benoit , Formosa-Jordan Pau , Malivert Alice , Schuster Christoph , Melnyk Charles W. , Yang Weibing , Turnbull Colin , Meyerowitz Elliot M. , Locke James C.W. , Jönsson Henrik
Published: October 2017

The shoot apical meristem (SAM) is responsible for the generation of all of the aerial parts of plants1. Given its critical role, dynamical changes in SAM activity should play a central role in the adaptation of plant architecture to the environment2. Using quantitative microscopy, grafting experiments and genetic perturbations, we connect the plant environment to the SAM, by describing the molecular mechanism by which cytokinins signal the level of nutrient availability to the SAM. We show that a systemic signal of cytokinin precursors3mediates the adaptation of SAM size and organogenesis rate to the availability of mineral nutrients by modulating the expression ofWUSCHEL, a key regulator of stem cell homeostasis4. In time-lapse experiments, we further show that this mechanism allows meristems to adapt to rapid changes in nitrate concentration, and thereby modulate their rate of organ production to the availability of mineral nutrients within a few days. Our work sheds new light on the role of the stem cell regulatory network, by showing that it does not only maintain meristem homeostasis but also allows plants to adapt to rapid changes in the environment.
Vital signs analysis algorithm detects inflammatory response in premature infants with late onset sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis
Authors: Mithal Leena B. , Yogev Ram , Palac Hannah L. , Kaminsky Daniel , Gur Ilan , Mestan Karen K.
Published: October 2017

Background

Nonspecific clinical signs and suboptimal diagnostic tests limit accurate identification of late onset sepsis (LOS) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants, resulting in significant morbidity and antibiotic overuse. An infant’s systemic inflammatory response may be identified earlier than clinical suspicion through analysis of multiple vital signs by a computerized algorithm (RALIS).

Aim

To evaluate the revised RALIS algorithm for detection of LOS and NEC in preterm infants.

Methods

In this nested case-control study, VS data (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, desaturations, bradycardias) were extracted from medical records of infants 23-32 weeks gestation. RALIS generated an output, with score >5 triggering an alert. Patient episodes were classified based on culture, radiograph, and antibiotic data into categories: LOS, expanded LOS, NEC, and controls. Paired t-tests, linear regression and cross-validation analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between RALIS alert and LOS/NEC.

Results

Among 155 infants with 161 episodes, there were 41 expanded LOS (+ blood, CSF, urine, respiratory culture), 31 LOS (+ blood, CSF, urine), 9 NEC, and 93 controls. RALIS alert was 43.1+/-79 hours before culture in LOS (p=0.012). There was a significant association between RALIS alert and LOS/NEC (β=0.72, p<0.0001). Sensitivity and specificity for LOS/NEC were 84% and 80%, (PPV=63%; NPV=93%). The regression model demonstrated an AUC of 89.9%.

Conclusions

For infants <32 weeks, RALIS detects systemic inflammatory responses in LOS and NEC in the first month of life. The algorithm identifies infection earlier than clinical suspicion, even for NEC with negative cultures. RALIS has high NPV to rule-out LOS and NEC, and may, after prospective validation, aid in antibiotic treatment decisions.
Cis-regulatory evolution integrated the Bric-à-brac transcription factors into a novel fruit fly gene regulatory network
Authors: Roeske Maxwell J. , Camino Eric M. , Grover Sumant , Rebeiz Mark , Williams Thomas M.
Published: October 2017

Gene expression evolution through gene regulatory network (GRN) changes has gained appreciation as a driver of morphological evolution. However, understanding how GRNs evolve is hampered by finding relevantcis-regulatory element (CRE) mutations, and interpreting the protein-DNA interactions they alter. We investigated evolutionary changes in the duplicated Bric-à-brac (Bab) transcription factors and a key Bab target gene in a GRN underlying the novel dimorphic pigmentation ofD. melanogasterand its relatives. It has remained uncertain how Bab was integrated within the pigmentation GRN. Here we show that Bab gained a role in sculpting sex-specific pigmentation through the evolution of binding sites in a CRE of the pigment-promotingyellowgene and without any noteworthy changes to Bab protein coding sequences. This work demonstrates how a new trait can evolve by incorporating existing transcription factors into a GRN through CRE evolution, an evolutionary path likely to predominate newly evolved functions of transcription factors.
Rab5 and Alsin regulate stress-activated cytoprotective signaling on mitochondria
Authors: Hsu FoSheng , Spannl Stephanie , Ferguson Charles , Hyman Tony , Parton Robert G. , Zerial Marino
Published: October 2017

Mitochondrial stress response is essential for cell survival, and damaged mitochondria are a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases. It is thus fundamental to understand how mitochondria relay information within the cell. Here, by investigating mitochondrial-endosome contact sites we made the surprising observation that the small GTPase Rab5 translocates from early endosomes to the outer mitochondrial membrane upon oxidative stress. This is accompanied by an increase in Rab5-positive endosomes in contact with mitochondria. Interestingly, activation of Rab5 on mitochondria depend on the Rab5-GEF ALS2/Alsin, which is encoded by a gene mutated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Alsin-/-human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived spinal motor neurons cannot relocate Rab5 to mitochondria and display increased susceptibility to oxidative stress. These findings define a novel pathway whereby Alsin catalyzes assembly of the Rab5 endocytic machinery on mitochondria. Defects in stress-sensing by endosomes could be crucial for mitochondrial quality control during the onset of ALS.
A dynamical model of TCRβgene recombination: Coupling the initiation of Dβ-Jβrearrangement to TCRβallelic exclusion
Authors: Jaeger Sébastien , Lima Ricardo , Meyroneinc Arnaud , Bonnet Marie , Ugalde Edgardo , Ferrier Pierre
Published: October 2017

One paradigm of random monoallelic gene expression is that of T-cell receptor (TCR)βallelic exclusion in T lymphocytes. However, the dynamics that sustain asymmetric choice in TCRβdual allele usage and the production of TCRβmonoallelic expressing T-cells remain poorly understood. Here, we develop a computational model to explore a scheme of TCRβallelic exclusion based on the stochastic initiation of DNA rearrangement [V(D)J recombination] at homologous alleles in T-cell progenitors, and thus account for the genotypic profiles typically associated with allelic exclusion in differentiated T-cells. Disturbances in these dynamics at the level of an individual allele have limited consequences on these pro1les, robust feature of the system that is underscored by our simulations. Our study predicts a biological system in which locus-specific, prime epigenetic allelic activation effects set the stage to both optimize the production of TCRβallelically excluded T-cells and curtail the emergence of their allelically included counterparts.
A cancer pharmacogenomic screen powering crowd-sourced advancement of drug combination prediction
Authors: Menden Michael P , Wang Dennis , Guan Yuanfang , Mason Mike J , Szalai Bence , Bulusu Krishna C , Yu Thomas , Kang Jaewoo , Jeon Minji , Wolfinger Russ , Nguyen Tin , Zaslavskiy Mikhail ,   AstraZeneca-Sanger Drug Combination DREAM Consortium, Jang Sock , Ghazoui Zara , Ahsen Mehmet Eren , Vogel Robert , Neto Elias Chaibub , Norman Thea , Tang Eric KY , Garnett Mathew J , Di Veroli Giovanni , Fawell Stephen , Stolovitzky Gustavo , Guinney Justin , Dry Jonathan R. , Saez-Rodriguez Julio
Published: October 2017

The effectiveness of most cancer targeted therapies is short lived since tumors evolve and develop resistance. Combinations of drugs offer the potential to overcome resistance, however the number of possible combinations is vast necessitating data-driven approaches to find optimal treatments tailored to a patient’s tumor. AstraZeneca carried out 11,576 experiments on 910 drug combinations across 85 cancer cell lines, recapitulatingin vivoresponse profiles. These data, the largest openly available screen, were hosted by DREAM alongside deep molecular characterization from the Sanger Institute for a Challenge to computationally predict synergistic drug pairs and associated biomarkers. 160 teams participated to provide the most comprehensive methodological development and subsequent benchmarking to date. Winning methods incorporated prior knowledge of putative drug target interactions. For >60% of drug combinations synergy was reproducibly predicted with an accuracy matching biological replicate experiments, however 20% of drug combinations were poorly predicted by all methods. Genomic rationale for synergy predictions were identified, including antagonism unique to combined PIK3CB/D inhibition with the ADAM17 inhibitor where synergy is seen with other PI3K pathway inhibitors. All data, methods and code are freely available as a resource to the community.
A parametric interpretation of Bayesian Nonparametric Inference from Gene Genealogies: linking ecological, population genetics and evolutionary processes
Authors: Ponciano José M.
Published: October 2017

Using a nonparametric Bayesian approach Palacios and Minin [1] dramatically improved the accuracy, precision of Bayesian inference of population size trajectories from gene genealogies. These authors proposed an extension of a Gaussian Process (GP) nonparametric inferential method for the intensity function of non-homogeneous Poisson processes. They found that not only the statistical properties of the estimators were improved with their method, but also, that key aspects of the demographic histories were recovered. The authors’ work represents the first Bayesian nonparametric solution to this inferential problem because they specify a convenient prior belief without a particular functional form on the population trajectory. Their approach works so well and provides such a profound understanding of the biological process, that the question arises as to how truly “biology-free” their approach really is. Using well-known concepts of stochastic population dynamics, here I demonstrate that in fact, Palacios and Minin’s GP model can be cast as a parametric population growth model with density dependence and environmental stochasticity. Making this link between population genetics and stochastic population dynamics modeling provides novel insights into eliciting biologically meaningful priors for the trajectory of the effective population size. The results presented here also bring novel understanding of GP as models for the evolution of a trait. Thus, the ecological principles foundation of Palacios and Minin [1]’s prior adds to the conceptual and scientific value of these authors’inferential approach. I conclude this note by listing a series of insights brought about by this connection with Ecology.
DGIdb 3.0: a redesign and expansion of the drug-gene interaction database
Authors: Cotto Kelsy C. , Wagner Alex H. , Feng Yang-Yang , Kiwala Susanna , Coffman Adam C. , Spies Greg , Wollam Alex , Spies Nick , Griffith Obi L. , Griffith Malachi
Published: October 2017

The Drug-Gene Interaction Database (DGIdb,www.dgidb.org) consolidates, organizes, and presents drug-gene interactions and gene druggability information from papers, databases, and web resources. DGIdb normalizes content from more than thirty disparate sources and allows for user-friendly advanced browsing, searching and filtering for ease of access through an intuitive web user interface, application programming interface (API), and public cloud-based server image. DGIdb v3.0 represents a major update of the database. Nine of the previously included twenty-eight sources were updated. Six new resources were added, bringing the total number of sources to thirty-three. These updates and additions of sources have cumulatively resulted in 56,309 interaction claims. This has also substantially expanded the comprehensive catalogue of druggable genes and antineoplastic drug-gene interactions included in the DGIdb. Along with these content updates, v3.0 has received a major overhaul of its codebase, including an updated user interface, preset interaction search filters, consolidation of interaction information into interaction groups, greatly improved search response times, and upgrading the underlying web application framework. In addition, the expanded API features new endpoints which allow users to extract more detailed information about queried drugs, genes, and drug-gene interactions, including listings of PubMed IDs (PMIDs), interaction type, and other interaction metadata.
syris: a flexible and efficient framework for X-ray imaging experiments simulation
Authors: Faragó Tomáš , Mikulík Petr , Ershov Alexey , Vogelgesang Matthias , Hänschke Daniel , Baumbach Tilo
Published: October 2017

An open-source framework for conducting a broad range of virtual X-ray imaging experiments,syris, is presented. The simulated wavefield created by a source propagates through an arbitrary number of objects until it reaches a detector. The objects in the light path and the source are time-dependent, which enables simulations of dynamic experiments,e.g.four-dimensional time-resolved tomography and laminography. The high-level interface ofsyrisis written in Python and its modularity makes the framework very flexible. The computationally demanding parts behind this interface are implemented in OpenCL, which enables fast calculations on modern graphics processing units. The combination of flexibility and speed opens new possibilities for studying novel imaging methods and systematic search of optimal combinations of measurement conditions and data processing parameters. This can help to increase the success rates and efficiency of valuable synchrotron beam time. To demonstrate the capabilities of the framework, various experiments have been simulated and compared with real data. To show the use case of measurement and data processing parameter optimization based on simulation, a virtual counterpart of a high-speed radiography experiment was created and the simulated data were used to select a suitable motion estimation algorithm; one of its parameters was optimized in order to achieve the best motion estimation accuracy when applied on the real data.syriswas also used to simulate tomographic data sets under various imaging conditions which impact the tomographic reconstruction accuracy, and it is shown how the accuracy may guide the selection of imaging conditions for particular use cases.
Psychosocial factors associated with adolescent substance use: a longitudinal investigation
Authors: Champion Katrina Elizabeth , Barrett Emma Louise , Slade Tim , Teesson Maree , Newton Nicola Clare
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Alcohol and cannabis are the two most commonly used substances by young people in many developed nations. The purpose of this paper is to explore the longitudinal relationships between risky substance use (binge drinking and cannabis use) and psychological distress, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and truancy among Australian adolescents.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 527 students (Mage=13.4 years, SD=0.43; 67 per cent female) from seven Australian schools completed an online self-report survey on four occasions over two years (baseline, 6, 12 and 24 months). The survey assessed binge drinking (5+ standard drinks on one occasion), cannabis use in the past six months, psychological distress, emotional and behavioural difficulties (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire), and truancy. Generalised estimating equations (GEEs) were conducted to examine the longitudinal relationship between the substance use outcomes and each predictor variable.

Findings

At baseline, 3 per cent of students reported binge drinking and 6 per cent had used cannabis in the past six months. Rates of binge drinking significantly increased over time (21.1 per cent at 24 months) however, rates of cannabis use remained relatively stable (8.8 per cent at 24 months). Multivariate GEE analyses indicated that higher levels of hyperactivity/inattention, more days of truancy and being female were independently and consistently associated with binge drinking over time. Conduct problems was the only factor to be independently associated with cannabis use over time.

Originality/value

These findings provide valuable information about psychosocial risk factors for harmful alcohol and cannabis use. A better understanding of these associations is critical for informing substance use prevention efforts in the future.
Trajectories of emotional symptoms in adolescence: impact on alcohol use
Authors: Birrell Louise Elizabeth , Newton Nicola Clare , Stapinski Lexine , Prior Katrina , Champion Katrina Elizabeth , Mackie Clare J. , Teesson Maree , Slade Tim
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how different trajectories of emotional symptoms relate to alcohol use in adolescence.

Design/methodology/approach

In all, 431 participants (majority female), aged approximately 13 years at baseline were followed over three years and reported on their emotional symptoms and alcohol use. Latent class growth analyses explored different trajectories of emotional symptoms and regression models were run to relate these trajectories to alcohol use (full standard drink, and binge drinking) at 36-month follow-up (age 16 years).

Findings

While the majority of adolescents were best characterised by low-stable emotional symptoms, those with high-stable symptoms were more likely to be have consumed a full standard drink of alcohol and binge drunk when aged 16 years.

Research limitations/implications

Findings highlight the importance of prevention and early intervention, particularly targeting adolescents with elevated stable emotional symptoms who were more likely to be using alcohol at 16 years of age.

Originality/value

The present study is one of the first longitudinal investigations into the use of alcohol by community adolescents with different emotional symptom trajectories.
Time-varying formation finite-time tracking control for multi-UAV systems under jointly connected topologies
Authors: Xiong Tianyi , Pu Zhiqiang , Yi Jianqiang
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the time-varying finite-time formation tracking control problem for multiple unmanned aerial vehicle systems under switching topologies, where the states of the unmanned aerial vehicles need to form desired time-varying formations while tracking the trajectory of the virtual leader in finite time under jointly connected topologies.

Design/methodology/approach

A consensus-based formation control protocol is constructed to achieve the desired formation. In this paper, the time-varying formation is specified by a piecewise continuously differentiable vector, while the finite-time convergence is guaranteed by utilizing a non-linear function. Based on the graph theory, the finite-time stability of the close-loop system with the proposed control protocol under jointly connected topologies is proven by applying LaSalle’s invariance principle and the theory of homogeneity with dilation.

Findings

The effectiveness of the proposed protocol is verified by numerical simulations. Consequently, the proposed protocol can successfully achieve the predefined time-varying formation in finite time under jointly connected topologies while tracking the trajectory generated by the leader.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a solution to simultaneously solve the control problems of time-varying formation tracking, finite-time convergence, and switching topologies.
Contesting the austerity and “welfare reform” narrative of the UK Government
Authors: Wiggan Jay
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The “welfare reform” narrative of successive Conservative-led UK Government emphasises public spending reductions, individual responsibility and strengthening of benefit conditionality. The purpose of this paper is to cast light on how this narrative is challenged and disrupted by the Scottish Government through their articulation of a social democratic welfare state imaginary.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws together a decentred governance perspective that emphasises ideational tradition for understanding (re)construction of governance (Bevir, 2013, p. 27) with critical discourse analysis to examine how welfare interpretations/representations are carried into the policy and public arena. The Scottish Government documents are deconstructed to interrogate the ideas and form of their emergent discourse and its relation to the independence referendum and welfare governance reform.

Findings

Responding to changing socio-economic contexts and welfare governance, the Scottish Government has developed a discourse of modernisation rooted in British and Scandinavian social democratic traditions. Fusing (civic) nationalism with social wage and social investment concepts, they conjure up imaginaries of a prosperous, solidaristic, egalitarian welfare state as a feasible future reality, recuperating “welfare” as a collective endeavour and positioning a maldistribution of power/resources between groups and constituent countries of the UK as the “problem”.

Originality/value

The paper is of value to those interested in how changes to centralised-hierarchical welfare governance can open new spaces for actors at different levels of government to articulate counter-hegemonic discourses and practices. Its originality lies in the analysis of how the Scottish Government has reworked social democratic traditions to weave together a welfare imaginary that directly contests the problem-solution narrative of successive Conservative-led UK Governments.
Virtual world global collaboration: an educational quest
Authors: Hill Valerie , Knutzen K. Brant
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This research case study shares the partnership between librarians and educators to create a live digital literacy experience at The Quest (Camelot Project), a virtual world medieval simulation. The purpose of the partnership was to gain understanding of the learning elements addressed with a group of participants from across the globe, working at various skill levels and interacting with an immersive virtual world simulation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using field notes, machinima and interviews (participatory action research), the study identifies learning elements within three contexts: technological, pedagogical and content. Learners cycle toward intended learning outcomes in a virtual-world treasure hunt game from the perspective of both designers and participants.

Findings

Findings of the case study illustrate the value of collaboration in a digital game-based learning (DGBL) environment through scaffolding of knowledge and skills in a virtual world. Findings exemplify the experiential learning cycle within a virtual world for constructing learning, and support a proposed new theoretical framework of technology-mediated learning which may help educators in both design and implementation.

Originality/value

As virtual worlds and immersive learning opportunities continue to expand for learners and educators, this study shares the value of experiential learning from the perspective of both the teacher and the learner. Socially constructing knowledge and acquiring skills across distance with a team of librarians and educators are innovative examples of DGBL in an alternative reality setting.
Mobile technologies make education a part of everyday life
Authors: Shyshkanova Ganna , Zaytseva Tetyana , Frydman Oleksandr
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show the effectiveness of innovative mobile technologies in learning, to develop a new testing system with a mobile application and to investigate the influence of its use on the level of students’ knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

Modern information assessment methods of knowledge, testing, including application of mobile devices and statistical analysis tools were used in the present research.

Findings

In recent times, students are motivated to use mobile technologies in education. This paper offers one of the approaches for achieving the effective integration of mobile technologies into the learning process. The software is developed for in-class testing as a client-server and its mobile application.

Practical implications

The practical research verified many advantages of mobile device usage during testing. It contributes to higher academic performance; in addition, it is economically advantageous as it does not require special equipment in classrooms and is psychologically comfortable for students who are accustomed to constantly using their mobile devices.

Social implications

Well-educated people play a role in the development of modern society. Mobile technologies can transform education into a seamless part of the ordinary life so that a person does not recognize it as training at all. The learning process will become more natural and easier and that will improve its quality.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates how mobile devices can satisfy the learning expectations of students who frequently use mobile services on the Web and can attract their study interest implementing the created testing system in full-time education process.
75 lessons learned for enhancing information literacy programs
Authors: Uribe-Tirado Alejandro , Pinto María
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study has the aim of expanding lessons learned that were originally detected for information literacy (INFOLIT) programs in Ibero-American universities (from Latin America, Spain and Portugal), this paper presents lessons learned for enhancing equivalent programs offered by other universities around the world.

Design/methodology/approach

As this paper is a comparative literature review, the methodology involved three stages. Initially, a documentary analysis was carried out to identify the texts published during the past five years – since 2013 – reporting a categorization of experiences and cases of international INFOLIT programs and their corresponding lessons learned. Second, we conducted a content analysis of these publications to uncover the classification, identification and frequency of the lessons learned. A third comparative step consisted of analyzing the similarities of these lessons when compared to those reported in similar research on Ibero-American universities (Uribe-Tirado, 2013).

Findings

From the 75 lessons learned from INFOLIT programs in Ibero-American universities, 65 lessons (87 per cent) were identified as also present in universities elsewhere. These similarities give an account of the possibilities for collaborative learning and benchmarking that INFOLIT programs could achieve with regard to content, pedagogy, learning objects and evaluation if there were more networking and more common participation in sharing experiences, with appropriate adaptations to contextual, technological and idiomatic variations.

Originality/value

As a comparative literature review, this paper makes a significant contribution to the international advancement of INFOLIT in higher education, as it correlates the lessons learned from INFOLIT programs in Ibero-American universities with those from other countries. This provides a global view of the lessons learned about INFOLIT, which to date have not been reported with such a wide scope and number of lessons.
Art galleries in the library
Authors: Massis Bruce
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to report that the library has recognized the benefit to the community of including art gallery space in the library.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a literature review and commentary on this topic that has been addressed by professionals, researchers and practitioners.

Findings

Exposure to art in the library can open and expand worlds that might never have been available to some and can provide the populace with greater access directly in their own community.

Originality/value

The value in exploring this topic is to provide libraries that may not have considered including an art gallery in their libraries to consider the possibility of doing so.
Introducing web components into the LIS graduate curriculum
Authors: Wusteman Judith
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper introduces web components, one of the most exciting and potentially transformative of the technologies that comprise HTML5. Web components provide a standardised method of creating and sharing custom HTML elements.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a viewpoint.

Findings

The paper proposes that the web development curriculum in library and information science (LIS) graduate programs needs to expand to cover this important topic.

Originality/value

Despite the potentially seismic impact of web components on Web development, up until this point, there has not been a discussion of this technology within the LIS literature.
Investigating work and learning through complex adaptive organisations
Authors: Lizier Amanda Louise
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline an empirical study of how professionals experience work and learning in complex adaptive organisations. The study uses a complex adaptive systems approach, which forms the basis of a specifically developed conceptual framework for explaining professionals’ experiences of work and learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 professionals from a variety of organisations, industry sectors and occupations in Sydney, Australia. The transcripts were subjected to an adapted phenomenographic analysis, and an analysis using the complex adaptive organisations conceptual framework (CAOCF).

Findings

The findings indicated that professionals experienced learning mainly through work, where work was experienced as fluid and influenced by varying degrees of emergence, agency, complex social networks and adaptation. Further, the greater the degree of work fluidity, the greater the impetus towards learning through work, empirically indicating that the experience of learning in contemporary organisations is entwined with work.

Originality/value

This study used the concept of complex adaptive organisations as a conceptual framework, coupled with an adapted phenomenographic methodology, to investigate individual professionals’ experiences of work and learning. The adoption of the concept of complex adaptive organisations provided a rigorous way to adopt a complexity approach. In particular, the concept of emergence provides insights into how organisational complexity influences work and, subsequently, learning and adaptation.
Sociomaterial perspectives on work and learning: sites of emergent learning
Authors: Reich Ann , Rooney Donna , Hopwood Nick
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce, explain and illustrate the concept of “sites of emergent learning” (SEL), which pinpoints particular instances of learning in everyday practice. This concept is located within contemporary practice-oriented and sociomaterial approaches to understanding workplace learning.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual development has been resourced by a secondary analysis of data from three workplace learning studies. These were: an ethnographic study of a residential parenting service; a case study of learning among engineers working on a railway construction site; and a case study of a multicultural unit that aims to enhance health services for a diverse community. All were based in the Sydney metropolitan area. The secondary analysis was undertaken by identifying regular practices within each setting where professionals discuss past and future work. These were then subjected to theoretical scrutiny, identifying common and distinctive features.

Findings

SEL were identified within the handover, site-walks and catch-up meeting practices. They arise through and are constituted in relationships between social practices and the materialities of work. SEL involve negotiating, exploring and questioning practice and knowledge associated with it; they are instances within work practices in which work is done about how work gets done, developing new understandings of the past to reshape visions for the future. Alongside these commonalities, each site of emergent learning displayed distinctive features shaped by the particularities of the practices and materialities of each site.

Originality/value

This concept is presented as a valuable tool to assist researchers of workplace learning. It elucidates particular learning-intensive features of practice, extending sociomaterial conceptualisations of professional and workplace learning.
Information and performance optimization: a study of Indian IPOs during 2005-2012
Authors: Chhabra Sheena , Kiran Ravi , Sah A.N. , Sharma Vikas
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on examining the first day returns of initial public offerings (IPOs) and the role of information on their performance. The study tries to optimize the returns of the new issues during 2005-2012 with risk as a constraint.

Design/methodology/approach

The initial returns are measured through the market-adjusted excess return and the risk associated with the new issue is measured through underwriters’ reputation. The returns have been optimized through a mixed integer linear problem using the Maple software.

Findings

The previous studies show that various informational variables affect the listing day returns significantly. The results of the present study indicate that the mean of initial returns for IPOs during 2005-2012 is 18.03 and the mean risk for these issues is 0.46. The findings also suggest that the optimal returns are obtained in the pre-recession era (2005-2008) and the value for the same is 50.02 percent.

Originality/value

The current study contributes in the investment decisions for global investors as every investor wants to maximize his/her returns. The optimal returns with risk as a constraint will help the investors in improving their investment decision as a prudent investor does not aim solely at maximizing the expected return of an investment but is also interested in optimizing with the minimization of risk.
The effect of algorithm teaching on the problem-solving skills of deaf-hard hearing students
Authors: Deveci Topal Arzu , Çoban Budak Esra , Kolburan Geçer Aynur
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the effects of algorithm teaching on the problem-solving skills of deaf-hard hearing students.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, a pre-test and post-test problem-solving scale was applied to the single group (16 deaf-hard hearing students at a secondary school level) that had received algorithm education. Pre-test and post-test results were compared in order to see whether there was a significant difference among students in terms of their problem-solving attitudes. Students’ levels of performing the applications were examined through observation forms and their opinions about algorithm teaching were received.

Findings

As a result of the research, it was determined that implemented algorithm teaching had a significant effect on improving the problem-solving skills of the students.

Originality/value

Scratch training can be administered as either a compulsory or an optional course for hearing students as the Scratch programme offers the opportunity of teaching algorithmic reasoning with games, making the courses entertaining and giving students the chance to create their own designs which helps to improve their creative problem-solving skills and their motivation accordingly. Scratch teaching can be beneficial in developing students’ problem-solving behaviours and creativity.
Determinants of personal factors in influencing the buying behavior of consumers in sales promotion: a case of fashion industry
Authors: Rehman Fazal ur , Bin Md Yusoff Rosman , Bin Mohamed Zabri Shafie , Binti Ismail Fadillah
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of personal factors on the buying behavior of consumers with the intentions of sales promotion in the fashion industry. Precisely, it focuses on the marketing techniques and practices in sales promotion activities to influence the buying intentions of consumers in personal ways.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a comprehensive literature review of personal factors, sales promotion and buying behavior, this study has applied a positivist approach to collect data in quantitative way through questionnaires-based survey. The study has analyzed the collected data using structural equation modeling through smart partial least square.

Findings

Personal factors and its sub-dimensions such as market maven, stability and open minded have demonstrated a positive relationship in the conceptual construct. In the same manner, sales promotion and its sub-dimensions like social factors and physical layout have also positive effects.

Research limitations/implications

This study is only limited to the fashion industry of Pakistan and future research may be conducted in other services and manufacturing industries. Future research may assess the role of moderating variables like gender.

Practical implications

This study clarifies the influence of personal characteristics on consumers buying behavior in sales promotion activities in the fashion industry to achieve business objectives.

Originality/value

By integrating personal factors and sales promotion literature, the main contribution of this paper is the analysis of personal characteristics and promotional practices in the fashion industry of Pakistan, during Eid-ul-Fitter holidays to enhance the consumers buying behavior. Precisely, this study has assessed the effect some unique characteristics of consumers like market maven, stable, open minded and agreeable on their buying behavior in sales promotion activities. This study has apprised marketing professionals to apply the conception of personal characteristics in sales promotion activities to boost up the buying behavior of consumers in enthusiastic way.
Binge watching and college students: motivations and outcomes
Authors: Panda Swati , Pandey Satyendra C.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to explore various motivations that influence college students to spend more time binge watching and the subsequent gratifications. Video streaming websites such as Netflix and Amazon Video have changed the viewing habits of consumers. Viewers have more control and can enjoy on-demand content as per their convenience. This has resulted in viewers watching multiple episodes of television shows in a compressed time frame – a phenomenon termed as binge watching. College students engage in binge watching because of the various gratifications that it promises. This paper investigates the various triggers and consequences of binge watching.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a mixed method approach. The first stage involved qualitative interviews and focused group discussions with college students to understand the phenomenon of binge watching. The second stage involved administering a questionnaire to address our research question.

Findings

Findings indicate that social interaction, escape from reality, easy accessibility to TV content and advertising motivate college students to spend more time binge watching. If students are negatively gratified after binge watching, then they intend to spend more time doing it.

Originality/value

The findings have important implications on the overall wellbeing of college students and strategic implications for video streaming companies.
Co-designing with young consumers – reflections, challenges and benefits
Authors: Durl James , Trischler Jakob , Dietrich Timo
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explore co-design as a method for actively involving young consumers in the design of an alcohol education program that utilizes an interactive Virtual Reality (VR) component.

Design/methodology/approach

Dietrich et al. (2017) six-step framework was applied to a co-design project involving four groups of 14- to 16-year-old Australian high school students. Data collection included observations by three facilitators, written feedback from members of each group and video presentations of the generated ideas. The data analysis focused on investigating the applicability of the six-step framework to young consumers and evaluating the quality and practicality of the generated ideas.

Findings

Sensitization is key to enabling young consumers to become equal participants during the co-design process. Sensitization allowed the participants to engage in the design task in a playful manner, which fostered active participation and creative insights during the co-design session. A team approach based on interactivity and group autonomy enabled adolescents to contribute insights into their specific needs and wants. This was complemented by a trusting environment and the presence of immediately available yet “hands off” facilitators.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited to one specific sample and design task. Future research is required that investigates co-design with young consumers in different contexts.

Practical implications

This paper provides guidance for the application of co-design with young consumers by highlighting the importance of sensitization and facilitation.

Originality/value

This study marks one of the first approaches to co-designing alcohol education programs, including VR components, with young consumers. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the consequences of involving young consumers through co-design.
Navigating the new, transplanted self: how recipients manage the cognitive risks of organ transplantation
Authors: Cormier Nicholas R. , Gallo‐Cruz Selina R. , Beard Renee L.
Published: October 2017

The physiological risks of organ transplantation are well documented, but more poorly understood are the sociological ways in which organ recipients redefine themselves in reaction to physiological risks and social changes accompanying transplantation. This article analyses transplantation as a procedure that is not only physiologically risky but also poses risk to the social identity of the recipient, and explores how transplant recipients cognitively navigate transplantation surgery from waiting for to recovering after a transplant. It builds on previous sociological exploration of risk as a socially constructed process mediating experiences of health and illness with a focused contribution on explaining how individuals navigate risks posed to their social identities by major biophysical transformations. This article pointedly analyses narratives of fourteen organ recipients and the four dominant phases of identity management that emerged to create what we have coined as the new ‘transplanted self’, indicating the varied ways the individual social self emerges in response to the social risks of transplantation. We conclude that a better understanding of the recipient experience will contribute to improved care in the transplantation field.
Changes in status and paradigms? On subject pronouns in medieval french
Authors: Zimmermann Michael
Published: October 2017

This paper addresses the debate on the morpho‐syntactic status of subject pronouns in the pre‐modern stages of the French language by reinvestigating this issue along with that of the number of paradigms of such elements. On the basis of a collection of the various evidence provided in the literature as well as hitherto ignored and novel empirical insights, the paper discusses the different views put forward and essentially argues that, in its medieval stages, French had two paradigms of, respectively, strong and phonologically clitic subject pronouns. From this finding as well as standard assumptions on the modern (standard) stage of the language the paper eventually concludes that, diachronically, French evinces continuity, rather than changes regarding the two issues under investigation.