bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dissociation of tonotopy and pitch in human auditory cortex
Authors: Allen Emily J. , Mesik Juraj , Kay Kendrick N. , Oxenham Andrew J.
Published: September 2020

Frequency-to-place mapping, or tonotopy, is a fundamental organizing principle from the earliest stages of auditory processing in the cochlea to subcortical and cortical regions. Although cortical maps are referred to as tonotopic, previous studies employed sounds that covary in spectral content and higher-level perceptual features such as pitch, making it unclear whether these maps are inherited from cochlear organization and are indeed tonotopic, or instead reflect transformations based on higher-level features. We used high-resolution fMRI to measure BOLD responses in 10 participants as they listened to pure tones that varied in frequency or complex tones that independently varied in either spectral content or fundamental frequency (pitch). We show that auditory cortical gradients are in fact a mixture of maps organized both by spectral content and pitch. Consistent with hierarchical organization, primary regions were tuned predominantly to spectral content, whereas higher-level pitch tuning was observed bilaterally in surrounding non-primary regions.
High-dose pyruvate treatment alters skeletal muscle differentiation and expression of inflammation-related genes
Authors: Hasegawa Kazuya , Yamaguchi Yuya , Pengjam Yutthana
Published: September 2020

Pyruvic acid therapy is used for various diseases, but the therapeutic effect decreases at high doses. The molecular mechanism of high-dose pyruvate is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of high dose pyruvate addition on skeletal muscle using C2C12. The gene expression profile for the GSE5497 dataset was taken from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. GEO2R was used to identify specifically expressed genes (DEGs). Functional analysis and pathway enrichment analysis of DEG were performed using the DAVID database. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was built in the STRING database and visualized using Cytoscape. GO analysis showed that up-regulated DEG was primarily involved in angiogenesis, cell adhesion, and inflammatory response. We also showed that down-regulated DEG is involved in the regulation of muscle contraction, skeletal muscle fiber development. In addition, the upregulated KEGG pathway of DEG included Rheumatoid arthritis, Chemokine signaling pathway, and Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. Downregulated DEG included Calcium signaling pathway, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), Dilated cardiomyopathy, Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, and Cardiac muscle contraction. Further, analysis of two modules selected from the PPI network showed that high-dose pyruvate exposure to C2C12 was primarily associated with muscle contraction, muscle organ morphogenesis, leukocyte chemotaxis, and chemokine activity. In conclusion, High-dose pyruvate treatment of C2C12 was found to be associated with an increased inflammatory response and decreased skeletal muscle formation. However, further studies are still needed to verify the function of these molecules at high doses of pyruvate.
Antithrombotic Therapy After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients with Long-Term Indication for Anticoagulation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Costa Gonçalo , Sousa José Pedro , Gonçalves Lino , Teixeira Rogério
Published: September 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to compare antithrombotic regimens following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients requiring long-term oral anticoagulation (OAC).

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for interventional and observational studies comparing OAC to OAC plus single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT).

Results

Five studies were included (four registry-based and one randomized controlled trial), comprising a total of 1318 patients. Our meta-analysis revealed lower rates of severe bleeding (pooled odds ratio [OR] 0.46 [0.31, 0.69], P<0.01, I2=0%) and major bleeding (pooled OR 0.46 [0.27,0.79], P<0.01, I2=0%) for the OAC group than for the OAC-plus-SAPT group. There was a nonsignificant trend towards reduced life-threatening bleeding events in the OAC group (pooled OR 0.54 [0.27,1.08], P=0.08, I2=11%). There was no difference between groups in the risks of stroke (pooled OR 1.02 [0.58,1.80], P=0.58, I2= 0%) or all-cause mortality (pooled OR 1.04 [0.75,1.42], P=0.83, I2= 0%) after TAVI.

Conclusions

Our pooled analysis suggests that for patients with an indication for long-term OAC after TAVI, double anti-thrombotic therapy, compared to OAC alone, increased the risk of bleeding without reducing cerebrovascular events and all-cause mortality.

Key questions

What is already known about this subject?

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is a landmark techinique in interventional cardiology with growing clinical experience and continuous refinement of procedural techniques and devices. Nevertheless, the post-TAVI antithrombotic regimen guidelines are largely based on expert opinions and followed variably across the globe.

What does this study add?

Our pooled analysis suggests that for patients with an indication for long-term anticoagulation after TAVI, double anti-thrombotic therapy, compared to OAC alone, increased the risk of bleeding without reducing cerebrovascular events and all-cause mortality.

How might this impact on clinical practice?

Our finding may prove insightful for future recommendations regarding the conundrum of the best antithrombotic strategy, particularly for patients with AF.
Smoking is associated with worse outcomes of COVID-19 particularly among younger adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Patanavanich Roengrudee , Glantz Stanton A.
Published: September 2020

Background

Smoking impairs lung immune functions and damages upper airways, increasing risks of contracting and severity of infectious diseases.

Methods

We searched PubMed and Embase for studies published from January 1-May 25, 2020. We included studies reporting smoking behavior of COVID-19 patients and progression of disease, including death. We used a random effects meta-analysis and used meta-regression and lowess regressions to examine relationships in the data.

Results

We identified 47 peer-reviewed papers with a total of 31,871 COVID-19 patients, 5,759 (18.1%) experienced disease progression and 5,734 (18.0%) with a history of smoking. Among smokers, 29.2% experienced disease progression, compared with 21.1% of non-smokers. The meta-analysis confirmed an association between smoking and COVID-19 progression (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.32-1.83, p=0.001). Smoking was associated with increased risk of death from COVID-19 (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.05-1.34, p=0.007). We found no significant difference (p=0.432) between the effects of smoking on COVID-19 disease progression between adjusted and unadjusted analyses, suggesting that smoking is an independent risk factor for COVID-19 disease progression. We also found the risk of having COVID-19 progression among younger adults (p=0.023), with the effect most pronounced among people under about 45 years old.

Conclusions

Smoking is an independent risk for having severe progression of COVID-19, including mortality. The effects seem to be higher among young people. Smoking prevention and cessation should remain a priority for the public, physicians, and public health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A temporally resolved transcriptome for developing “Keller” explants of theXenopus laevisdorsal marginal zone
Authors: Kakebeen Anneke D. , Huebner Robert , Shindo Asako , Kwon Kujin , Kwon Taejoon , Wills Andrea E. , Wallingford John B.
Published: September 2020

Explanted tissues from vertebrate embryos reliably develop in culture and have provided essential paradigms for understanding embryogenesis, from early embryological investigations of induction, to the extensive study ofXenopusanimal caps, to the current studies of mammalian gastruloids. Cultured explants of theXenopusdorsal marginal zone (“Keller” explants) serve as a central paradigm for studies of convergent extension cell movements, yet we know little about the global patterns of gene expression in these explants. In an effort to more thoroughly develop this important model system, we provide here a time-resolved bulk transcriptome for developing Keller explants.
A new ladder-type silver(I) coordination polymer with 4,4′-bipyridine and 4-[(4-carboxybenzyloxy)methyl]benzoate ligands: synthesis, crystal structure, fluorescence properties and Hirshfeld surface analysis
Authors: Chen Zhao , Zhang Zilong , Zhang Chong , Xiao Yu
Published: September 2020

A novel ladder-type coordination polymer (CP), poly[(μ-4,4′-bipyridine-κ2N:N′){μ-4-[(4-carboxybenzyloxy)methyl]benzoato-κO}silver(I)](Ag—Ag), [Ag(C16H13O5)(C10H8N2)]nor [Ag(HL)(4,4′-bpy)]n{H2Lis 4,4′-[oxybis(methylene)]dibenzoic acid and 4,4′-bpy is 4,4′-bipyridine}, was synthesized using hydrothermal methods. The complex was characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and is a ladder-type CP which exhibits an obvious Ag—Ag interaction. The legs of the ladder are formed by parallel 4,4′-bipy ligands and silver ions, and the rungs are constructed by Ag—Ag interactions. A Hirshfeld surface analysis was carried out and is discussed in detail. The complex also displays favourable fluorescence properties.
Experimental investigation of diaphragm material combinations in a small-scale shock tube
Authors: Singh Anugya , Satheesh Kumar Aravind , B.T. Kannan
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to experimentally investigate the trends in shock wave Mach number that were observed when different diaphragm material combinations were used in the small-scale shock tube.

Design/methodology/approach

A small-scale shock tube was designed and fabricated having a maximum Mach number production capacity to be 1.5 (theoretically). Two microphones attached in the driven section were used to calculate the shock wave Mach number. Preliminary tests were conducted on several materials to obtain the respective bursting pressures to decide the final set of materials along with the layered combinations.

Findings

According to the results obtained, 95 GSM tracing paper was seen to be the strongest reinforcing material, followed by 75 GSM royal executive bond paper and regular 70 GSM paper for aluminium foil diaphragms. The quadrupled layered diaphragms revealed a variation in shock Mach number based on the position of the reinforcing material. In quintuple layered combinations, the accuracy of obtaining a specific Mach number was seen to be increasing. Optimization of the combinations based on the production of the shock wave Mach number was carried out.

Research limitations/implications

The shock tube was designed taking maximum incident shock Mach number as 1.5, the experiments conducted were found to achieve a maximum Mach number of 1.437. Thus, an extension to further experiments was avoided considering the factor of safety.

Originality/value

The paper presents a detailed study on the effect of change in the material and its position in the layered diaphragm combinations, which could lead to variation in Mach numbers that are produced. This could be used to obtain a specific Mach number for a required study accurately, with a low-cost setup.
Effect of hydrocolloid addition on batter properties and quality of deep-fried banana (Musa spp.) fritters
Authors: Vengu Sharmila , Ravandran Haswini Paniker , Gannasin Sri Puvanesvari , Muhammad Kharidah
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Deep-fried banana (Musa spp.) fritters is one of the frequently consumed fruit based snacks in Southeast Asian countries despite its substantial amount of oil content. Consistent with the demand for low fat food with maintained palatability, this study aimed to determine the quality of banana fritters as affected by batter system containing selected hydrocolloids such as pectin (PCN), whey protein isolate (WPI) and soy protein isolate (SPI).

Design/methodology/approach

Banana fritter batters were prepared with individual addition of 2% PCN (w/w), 10% WPI (w/w), 10% SPI (w/w), combination of 2% PCN and 10% WPI, combination of 2% PCN and 10% SPI and control (without hydrocolloid addition). Batter viscosity (Pa.s) and batter pick-up (%) were determined. Banana fritters were analysed for moisture and fat contents, moisture loss, colour, hardness and sensory characteristics.

Findings

Hydrocolloid addition in the batter system resulted in a higher batter pick-up and viscosity in comparison to control batter system. Moisture loss from banana fritters with batter formulation of 2% PCN and 10% SPI was the lowest while the reduction in oil content (55%) was the highest. Banana fritters with inclusion of hydrocolloids in the batter formulation were equally accepted as the control sample by the sensory panelists with a score range between 6 and 7 for most of the sensory attributes evaluated except for oiliness.

Originality/value

Application of PCN and SPI in batter system to develop banana fritters with low oil content, moist fruit core and crunchy crust is reported for the first time. Batter premix containing PCN and SPI can be produced for fresh and frozen fritters preparation.
Birds of a feather flock together: ownership in cross-border acquisitions by emerging multinationals
Authors: Domínguez Beatriz , Fuentelsaz Lucio , Garrido Elisabet , González Minerva
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Despite prior studies on cross-border acquisitions (CBAs) have analyzed the determinants of ownership strategies; there is still a quest for evidence on how the differences between home and host market characteristics affect the ownership percentage. Prior studies have acknowledged that entering host countries with greater uncertainty makes multinationals reluctant to acquire high levels of ownership. Nevertheless, emerging multinationals (EMNEs) are usually used to operating under greater levels of uncertainty than multinationals from advanced countries (AMNEs), which can imply different ownership strategies. The purpose of this study is to analyze the ownership percentage acquired by MNEs when designing a CBA in emerging or in advanced countries, and to analyze the extent to which the ownership strategy in emerging countries differs between EMNEs and AMNEs.

Design/methodology/approach

Mobile telecommunications industry is used as research setting to provide empirical evidence of the interaction effect of the advanced versus emerging nature of the host and home countries on the ownership acquired in CBAs.

Findings

Results confirm that both home and host countries' characteristics are relevant in explaining the ownership strategies of MNEs.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to the strategy and IB literatures by providing empirical evidence on the recent debate on whether the internationalization strategies followed by EMNEs are similar to the traditional patterns of AMNEs, and analyze how EMNEs differ from AMNEs in their ownership strategies in emerging countries. Focusing in the mobile telecommunications industry, the authors also contribute by extending the analysis to an international and cross-cultural setting that includes 48 mobile groups that come from 35 home and 81 host countries.
Research on the regional leading industry selection of “Kashgar urban agglomerations” based on multi-attribute weighted intelligent grey target decision-making evaluation model
Authors: Bai Xiao , Xu Yan , Liu Sifeng
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish the index system of leading industries in Kashgar urban agglomeration, and use the multi-attribute weighted intelligent grey target decision-making evaluation model to measure the comprehensive effect, so as to select the leading industries of Kashgar urban agglomeration.

Design/methodology/approach

First, 18 industries in Kashgar urban agglomerations are taken as objectives, and four indexes, namely, demand income elasticity index, growth rate index, labor productivity growth rate index and contribution rate of output value, are selected to construct an evaluation system for leading industry selection in Kashgar urban agglomerations. Then, grey incidence degree method is used to determine the decision-making power of each decision-making objective. Finally, multi-attribute weighted intelligent grey target decision-making evaluation model is used to measure the comprehensive effect of the objective system of leading industries in Kashgar urban agglomerations.

Findings

It can be seen that the multi-attribute weighted intelligent grey target decision-making evaluation model is more convenient to be used in selecting regional leading industries, and the results are accurate and feasible. Based on the calculation results and the actual economic development requirements of Kashgar urban agglomeration, the leading industries of Kashgar urban agglomeration can be determined as: wood processing, furniture, paper making and printing; wholesale and retail; construction; equipment manufacturing; transportation, storage and postal services.

Originality/value

First, it is a new method in selecting regional leading industry by using the multi-attribute weighted intelligent grey target decision-making evaluation model. Second, since there is relatively little research on Kashgar urban agglomeration, especially on leading industries in Kashgar urban agglomeration. The research in this paper can not only enrich the research on selecting leading industries in urban agglomeration but also provide scientific reference for relevant government agencies to formulate economic development plans.
Investigating the relationship between working capital management and business performance: evidence from the 2008 financial crisis of EU-28
Authors: Akgün Ali İhsan , Memiş Karataş Ayyüce
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study examines the relationship between working capital management and business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The relationship between the working capital management and business performance is examined using panel data analysis for a sample of EU-28 listed firms for the period from 2003 to 2012. To examine this relationship, an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression model is used to analyze the data obtained from the sample. The dependent variable consists of three measurements, namely return on asset (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and earnings before interest and taxes margin (EBITM), which are used as proxies for accounting-based measures of performance.

Findings

The authors examined the aforementioned relationship during the 2008 financial crisis. The OLS regression analysis suggests that there is a negative relationship between gross working capital and business performance for code law countries. The results also show that liquidity measures estimated by current ratio have a statistically significant impact on business performance indicated by ROA for all EU countries. The 2008 financial crisis had a significantly negative impact on ROA. Additionally, the findings regarding financial inclusion show a negative relationship between gross working capital and business performance among EU and other performer countries.

Practical implications

Overall, the empirical findings are consistent with Afrifa's (2016), who suggests that cash flow should increase investment in working capital to improve performance indicated by EBITM for old EU members.

Originality/value

While many empirical studies investigate the relationship between working capital and firm profitability, most do not consider the impact of the 2008 financial crisis apart from Tsurate (2019). The authors examine whether legal origins are important determinants of working capital management policies and business performance. Thus, empirically, the code law countries have a negative relationship between gross working capital, business performance and EBITM.
Immigrant women, nature and mental health
Authors: Lorentzen Catherine Anne Nicole , Viken Berit
Published: September 2020

Purpose

There is a need for cost-effective strategies to counteract mental health challenges among immigrant women. This study aims to identify how nature might improve the mental health status of immigrant women residing in Norway.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data were gathered through individual interviews with 14 immigrant women from Iran (2), Poland (2), Palestine, Afghanistan, Congo, Kenya, Thailand, Russia, Portugal, Latvia, Colombia and Bulgaria.

Findings

The qualitative content analysis revealed that interaction with nature positively influenced the immigrant women’s mental health. This occurred because of the following: exposure to nature itself, leading to mood enhancements; familiarization with the new country’s culture, nature, climate and language, facilitating feelings of mastery, attachment and belonging; social interactions, promoting immediate well-being and future social support; interacting with nature in familiar ways, reducing feelings of alienation/loss; and physical activity, improving mood and stress-related conditions. These mental health improvements were a result of interactions with various types of natural environments.

Originality/value

This study supports the promotion of interaction with nature among immigrant women as part of low-cost public health work. Practitioners should consider multiple arenas for potential nature-related mental health gains.
Christmas markets in city centers: how do they impact local residents and businesses?
Authors: Egresi István O. , Răcăşan Bianca Sorina , Dezsi Stefan , Ilieş Marin , Ilieş Gabriela
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Christmas markets have more recently become important tourist attractions in Europe. The purpose of this study is to understand how does this recurring event impact local businesses and residents. The research focuses on the city of Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used both quantitative and qualitative methods. First, a survey was conducted with local residents to evaluate the impact of the Christmas market on the local community. Residents’ perception of social impacts was ascertained by using a five-point Likert scale. The data collected was then processed using the SPSS software. Second, to assess the impact of the Christmas market on the businesses located in the city’s historic central square, semi-structured interviews with managers and front-line employees were conducted. In total, 21 people were interviewed for this study. The interviews were then transcribed, and the content analysis was applied to the textual data.

Findings

The study found that both residents and local businesses have a positive attitude toward the Christmas market. The only negative impact, identified by a segment of the population and some companies, was crowding of public spaces (including parking problems and traffic jams).

Originality/value

This study is novel in that, with one exception, there are no studies on the community impacts of Christmas markets. Moreover, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study on Christmas markets in Romania and one of the very few in Eastern Europe.
Psychological factors of fear of crime: an empirical study of older people in Lucknow, India
Authors: Patel Avanish Bhai
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The incidents of elder victimisation and cases of victimisation, in general, are increasing fast in the society. These incidents have had negative impact on the sense of well-being and way of life of the older people. Therefore, fear of crime is being considered as a most concerning psycho-social problem amongst the older people in contemporary time. The purpose of this study is to understand the impact of crime rate on the well-being of the older people and examine the linkage between psychological factors and fear of crime amongst the older people.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study is based on the mixed method approach and an exploratory research designed applied to conduct the study. The field survey has been done from October 2012 to January 2013 on a sample of 220 older people of rural and urban areas of Lucknow in the state of Uttar Pradesh through purposive sampling. For the study, researcher has interviewed 137 male older people and 83 female older people through interview schedules and case studies. The data have been analysed through descriptive and narrative analysis.

Findings

The study finds that those older people have direct or indirect experience of victimisation, they have anxiety and feel insecurity that someone can victimise them. The study also finds that the happiness of older people is more affected due to anxiety and phobia and have higher level of feeling of fear of crime in their neighbourhood and home. The study also finds whenever anti-social elements are active in the neighbourhood and they commit crimes, fear of crime and anxiety grasp the older people to a large extent causing a fracture in their psychological well-being.

Originality/value

This work is the original work of researcher. This paper is related to the researcher’s PhD dissertation work. This paper talks about how the psychological well-being of older people affects due to nature of crime in neighbourhood, phobia of crime and anxiety due to criminal activities.
English language learning demotivation among Pakistani university students: do resilience and personality matter?
Authors: Pathan Zahid Hussain , Ismail Shaik Abdul Malik Mohamed , Fatima Irum
Published: September 2020

Purpose

A plethora of research highlights the pernicious effects of English language learning demotivation on students' language learning outcomes. Therefore, to prevent students' demotivation has been a challenging task for the English language teachers. To shed fresh insight into this problem, the prime purpose of the present study was to examine the possible constituents of Pakistani university students' language learning demotivation, and how they interact with the resilience and the two personality dimensions (i.e. conscientiousness and openness to experience).

Design/methodology/approach

The present quantitative research study administered a questionnaire consisting of four parts to 215 undergraduate students who were enrolled in the two public universities in Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan province of Pakistan. To analyze the data, both descriptive and inferential statistics were performed with the SPSS (version 24).

Findings

The results identified both external and internal salient demotivating factors. The external factors included classroom environment, classroom learning materials, characteristics of classes, whereas lack of language learning interest and experiences of failure were the internal factors. Additionally, the results of simple linear regressions and multiple linear regressions also revealed that resilience and the two personality dimensions influenced the English language learning demotivation.

Practical implications

The prevalence of demotivation in the language classrooms necessitates Pakistani university English language teachers to adopt motivational teaching strategies to elicit, enhance and sustain language learners' motivation. The present study also draws the attention of the university teachers to foster students' resilience, conscientiousness and openness to prevent their language learning demotivation. The findings also implicate the ministry of education of Pakistan to equip educational institutes with language learning facilities to lower the burgeoning issue of students' language learning demotivation.

Originality/value

The present study provides empirical evidence regarding the interaction of resilience and personality with demotivation in the Pakistani context and contributes to the sparse existing knowledge on this issue. Additionally, the present study also establishes the knowledge that despite experiencing demotivation, language learners can regain language learning motivation through their resilience as well as behavioral patterns (i.e. being conscientious and open).
The influence of perceived benefit on structural, cognitive and relational social capital in fashion blogs; the study of female users
Authors: Kim Jiyoung , Yang Kiseol , Zeng Xin , Cheng Hwa-Ping
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate (1) how female blog users' perceived benefits (i.e. perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment, community identification and perceived norm of reciprocity) influence their perceived social capital on fashion blogs, (2) the influence of structural social capital and cognitive social capital on users' relational social capital and (3) the influence of relational social capital on blog loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling was performed using 530 useable data collected through an online survey.

Findings

The result indicated that perceived usefulness and the norm of reciprocity led to the development of cognitive social capital, while community identification and the norm of reciprocity led to the development of structural social capital. Cognitive and structural social capital both led to the development relational social capital, which in turn influenced blog loyalty.

Originality/value

This study provides insights for a fashion brand marketing strategy that uses fashion blogs to target relevant consumers. It helps firms to understand the factors that lead people to embed their resources in a blog and to learn how the different perceived benefits impact blog users' contributions to the community.
Effort exertion and contract design in collaborative product development with fairness concern
Authors: Gong Xiaoming , Gao Liang , Chen Yuan , Wu Zun
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study aims to model collaborative product development (CPD) among a focal firm (FF) and a fairness-concerned external partner (EP). The model is used to explore the impact of fairness concerns on revenue distributing contract and innovation efforts. The study also examines the role of follow-up sales in product development decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

A sequential game-theoretic model is developed to analyze product development decisions between the two parties, where participants exert innovation efforts to promote the product value and a revenue-sharing contract is used to distribute the revenue.

Findings

Fairness concern of EP has significant impacts on decisions. FF has incentives to change the contract in that fairness concerns might decrease his profit. Conditions and results change when the contract is endogenously decided. First, FF tends to develop the product independently. Second, FF may share a smaller revenue fraction with EP, as FF relies more on his own efforts during CPD. Third, FF cannot benefit from fairness concerns, as his profit is not higher than that in the benchmark. Finally, the existence of follow-up sales does not change FF’s decision about whether to collaborate with EP.

Originality/value

This study incorporates fairness preference into CPD decisions. Besides, a new concept of fairness called “effort-related fairness” is proposed.
Enabling leadership: Whitney Young, Jr as dramaturgical director of the US civil rights movement
Authors: Humphreys John H. , Novicevic Milorad M. , Pane Haden Stephanie S. , Hasan Md. Kamrul
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Uhl-Bien and Arena (2018) presented a persuasive argument for recognizing the concept of enabling leadership as a critical form of leadership for adaptive organizations. This study aims to narratively explore the concept of enabling leadership in the context of social complexity.

Design/methodology/approach

To explore how leaders enable adaptive processes, Uhl-Bien and Arena (2018) called for future research using in-depth case studies of social actors centered on emergence in complex environments. In this in-depth case study, the authors pursue theory elaboration by using a form of analytically structured history process to analyze primary and secondary sources.

Findings

During archival research of Whitney Young, Jr’s largely overlooked and misunderstood leadership in the historic social drama of the 1960s US civil rights movement, the authors discovered compelling evidence to support and extend the theoretical arguments advanced by Uhl-Bien and Arena (2018).

Research limitations/implications

The reflexivity associated with interpretive case approaches confronts the issue of subjectivism. The authors ask readers to judge the credibility of their arguments accordingly.

Originality/value

Using a relational leadership-as-practice lens, the authors interpret the dramaturgical performance Whitney Young, Jr directed to facilitate coherent emancipatory dialogue, affect the social construction of power relations and enable the adaptive space needed for social transformation to emerge.
Multi-species ethnography: methodological training in the field in South Africa
Authors: Wels Harry
Published: September 2020

Purpose

To further develop research methodologies for multi-species ethnographic fieldwork, based on researcher's experiences with multi-species fieldwork in private wildlife conservancies in South Africa and inspired by San tracking techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

Reflections on methodological lessons learnt during multi-species ethnographic fieldwork in South Africa. The approach is rather “Maanenesque” in telling various types of tales of the field. These tales also implicitly show how all-encompassing ethnographic fieldwork and its accompanying reflexivity are; there is never time for leisure in ethnographic fieldwork.

Findings

That developing fieldwork methodologies in multi-species ethnographic research confronts researchers with the explicit need for and training in multi-sensory methods and interpretations, inspired by “the art of tracking” of the San.

Originality/value

Comes up with a concrete suggestion for a sequence of research methods for multi-species ethnography based on the trials and tribulations of a multi-species ethnographer's experiences in South Africa and inspired by San tracking techniques.
Condition-based maintenance: an industrial application on rotary machines
Authors: Acernese Antonio , Del Vecchio Carmen , Tipaldi Massimo , Battilani Nicola , Glielmo Luigi
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a model for the design and development of a condition-based maintenance (CBM) strategy for the cutting group of a labeling machine. The CBM aims to ensure the quality of labels' cut and overall machine performances.

Design/methodology/approach

In developing a complete CBM strategy, two main difficulties have to be overcome: (1) appropriately dealing with incomplete and low-quality production database and (2) selecting the most promising predictive model. The first issue has been addressed applying data cleansing operations and creating ad hoc methodology to enlarge the training data. The second issue has been handled developing and comparing an empirical model with a machine learning (ML)-based model; the comparison has been performed assessing capabilities thereof in predicting erroneous label cuts on data obtained from an operating plant located in Italy.

Findings

Research results showed that both empirical and ML-based approaches exhibit good performances in detecting the operating conditions of the cutting machine. The advantage of adopting an ML-based model is that it can be used not only as a condition indicator (i.e. a model able to continuously provide the health status of an asset) but also in predictive maintenance policies (i.e. a CBM carried out following a forecast of the degradation of the item).

Research limitations/implications

The study described in this manuscript has been developed on the practices of a labeling machine developed by an international company manufacturing bottling lines for beverage industry. The proposed approach might need some customization in case it is applied to other industries. Future researches can validate the applicability of such models on different rotary machines in other companies and similar industries.

Originality/value

The main contribution of this paper lies in the empirical demonstration of the benefits of CBM and predictive maintenance in manufacturing, through the overcoming of a specific production issue. The large number of variables involved in thin label cutting lines (film thickness between 30 and 38 µm), the high throughput and the high costs due to production interruptions render the prediction of non-conforming labels an economically relevant, albeit challenging, goal. Moreover, despite the large scientific literature on CBM in rolling bearing and face cutting movements, papers dealing with rotary labeling machines are very unusual and unique.
Chronicles of one woman’s journey towards well-being: recovery
Authors: Mullen Jo
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share the experiences and reflections of one woman’s journey towards well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative approach has been taken to structure reflections based on lived experience.

Findings

Reflections are offered based on a personal journey towards well-being.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the accounts of the lived experience of the journey towards well-being and, as such, contributes to the understanding of the process of rebuilding a life.
Toward a diversified economy in post-pandemic environment: regeneration of Qatari villages
Authors: Fetais Ghada H. , Gharib Remah
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the possibilities of economic diversification in the State of Qatar through the regeneration of built heritage post the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting sustainable tourism and creating a center for cultural heritage in Qatar, thereby enhancing the sense of identity both socially and physically among the nationals and residents. In light of the strategic goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030, which is to diversify Qatar’s economy and minimize its reliance on hydrocarbon industries, if these ambitious goals are to be achieved, there is a necessity to maintain the local cultural identity, demonstrated through architecture and urbanism.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is an exploratory research based on qualitative methods of data gathering and investigation. The local communities who used to live in the scattered old villages were approached with surveys. At the same time, semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals in the field in Qatar and other individuals from the public, depending on their literacy levels.

Findings

This paper examines how to revive those villages and improve their current economic level. Finally, the study proposes some recommendations for these abandoned villages in an attempt to rejuvenate their built heritage and revitalize their socioeconomic status.

Originality/value

Economic diversification needs to be engendered through the services and products of Qatari society; this is possible by exploiting current resources such as the built heritage or historic sites in areas outside the emerging metropolitan cities. This study reveals the great potential of regenerating the old villages of the Gulf States by establishing nonprofit organizations and increasing the economic benefit of the abandoned historic structures.
Understanding social innovation processes in rural areas: empirical evidence from social enterprises in Germany
Authors: Martens Katrin , Wolff Anke , Hanisch Markus
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Against the background of increasing infrastructure loss in many rural areas, this study aims to contribute conceptually and empirically towards better understanding of rural innovation processes related to provision of public goods.

Design/methodology/approach

The nationally focused understanding of innovation processes leads the debate on rural development into a dilemma that this study seeks to sidestep via the concept of social innovation. Community cooperatives – a type of social enterprise that has increasingly emerged in rural areas of Germany in the past decade – offer the opportunity to examine social innovation processes. This cross-case study reveals the broad range of activities in which such cooperatives are active and analyses their social innovation processes.

Findings

The study shows that the social innovation governance framework enables examination of social innovation processes. Although macro-level policy has appeared to be an important instrument for financing social innovation, public actors at the micro-level seem barely able to initiate social innovation processes unless they are also private actors and, therefore, can pursue additional incentives. The social innovations studied here seem to differ in terms of their actor constellations and resource-allocation patterns, depending on whether they are concerned with the establishment or maintenance of local infrastructure. What they have in common, however, is the initiation of formalised collective-action processes that serve to legitimise social innovation.

Originality/value

By applying an analytical framework that is new to the literature on social innovation, the study provides insight into the activities and decision-making processes of actors involved in social innovation in rural areas. In this context, community cooperatives have rarely been studied as an interface between public, private and civil society actors or as a platform for mobilising human, social and financial capital.
Low-power in-pixel buffer circuit for smart image sensor
Authors: Li Qin , Zhu Huifeng , Huang Guyue , Yu Zijie , Qiao Fei , Wei Qi , Liu Xinjun , Yang Huazhong
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The smart image sensor (SIS) which integrated with both sensor and smart processor has been widely applied in vision-based intelligent perception. In these applications, the linearity of the image sensor is crucial for better processing performance. However, the simple source-follower based readout circuit in the conventional SIS introduces significant nonlinearity. This paper aims to design a low-power in-pixel buffer circuit applied in the high-linearity SIS for the smart perception applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The linearity of the SIS is improved by eliminating the non-ideal effects of transistors and cancelling dynamic threshold voltage that changes with the process variation, voltage and temperature. A low parasitic capacitance low leakage switch is proposed to further improve the linearity of the buffer. Moreover, an area-efficient SIS architecture with a sharing mechanism is presented to further reduce the number of in-pixel transistors.

Findings

A low parasitic capacitance low leakage switch and a gate-source voltage pre-storage method are proposed to further improve the linearity of the buffer. Nonlinear effects introduced by parasitic capacitance switching leakage, etc., have been investigated and solved by proposing low-parasitic and low-leakage switches. The linearity is improved without a power-hungry operational amplifier-based calibration circuit and a noticeable power consumption increment.

Originality/value

The proposed design is implemented using a standard 0.18-µm CMOS process with the active area of 102 µm2. At the power consumption of 5.6 µW, the measured linearity is −63 dB, which is nearly 27 dB better than conventional active pixel sensor (APS) implementation. The proposed low-power buffer circuit increase not only the performance of the SIS but also the lifetime of the smart perception system.
Revising the interrelationship matrix of house of quality by the Kano model
Authors: Shahin Arash , Ebrahimi Sima
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study aims to revise the weights in the interrelationship matrix of the house of quality.

Desqign/methodology/approach

After determining customer requirements (CRs) and product design characteristics (PDCs), a house of quality (HoQ) has been developed and the interrelationships between CRs and PDCs have been determined and classified using the Kano model. The PDCs have been prioritized based on the classic HoQ and the revised HoQ. Finally the results have been compared and discussed. The television design of Entekhab Industrial Group, the largest producer of home appliance products in Iran has been selected as a case study.

Findings

Results indicated different sets of priorities derived from the two approaches. Particularly, the difference between the revised HoQ and the classic approach was due to the nonlinear relationship between CRs and PDCs.

Research limitations/implications

This study was performed merely on a single product of a company, and the case study results cannot be generalized to all of the home appliance industries.

Originality/value

Developing the application of the Kano model in computing and revising the weights of the cells in the interrelationship matrix of HoQ is the main contribution of this paper.
The Dismissal of Prime Ministers in the Asian Commonwealth: Comparing Democratic Deconsolidation in Malaysia and Sri Lanka
Authors: Welikala Asanga
Published: September 2020

This article comparatively analyses processes of democratic deconsolidation in the Asian Commonwealth states of Malaysia and Sri Lanka by examining two recent constitutional crises in which the head of state dismissed, or attempted to dismiss, the serving prime minister during a parliamentary term. These episodes brought to a close fledgling reform movements that had obtained historic electoral mandates in both countries. The article discusses the Westminster‐derived constitutional provisions concerning government formation as well as the distinctive features of political culture that animate those formal frameworks in the two countries. It is argued that while Malaysia and Sri Lanka possess the formal institutions of liberal democracy that notionally enable both pluralistic democracy and greater democratisation, their political cultures still have sufficient potency to be a counteracting force against the deeper consolidation of constitutional democracy. Democratisation therefore remains a work in progress in both countries.
Investors’ Rights in (Crypto) Custodial Holdings: Ruscoe v Cryptopia Ltd (in Liquidation)
Authors: Solinas Matteo
Published: September 2020

Ruscoe v Cryptopia Ltd (in Liquidation) is a landmark decision of the New Zealand High Court that considers for the first time in a comprehensive way whether cryptocurrencies are property at common law and to what extent account holders’ (interests in) cryptocurrencies are protected from the claims of the insolvent crypto‐exchange's creditors. The ruling relies on a body of case law from various common law jurisdictions and, to a significant extent, on the findings of the UK Jurisdiction Taskforce Legal Statement on Cryptoassets and Smart Contracts. In tackling complex areas of legal uncertainty, it provides an authoritative conceptual benchmark for future court decisions and normative initiatives.
From starving artist to entrepreneur. Justificatory pluralism in visual artists' grant proposals
Authors: Peters Julia , Roose Henk
Published: September 2020

Inspired by French pragmatism and using Bourdieu's notion of “refraction” as an indication of a field's autonomy, we explore in‐depth what kinds of justifications visual artists deploy to legitimate their requests for government money. Based on 494 government grant proposals from visual artists between 1965 and 2015 in Belgium, we find six such justifications. The reputational, esthetic, and romantic justifications are grounded in autonomous criteria of worth, such as artistic CVs, the work of art itself, and a compulsive desire to make art. Since the 90s, social, academic, and entrepreneurial justifications bring in heteronomous criteria, or refractions of field‐external values. Artistic practices become increasingly legitimized through engagement with social/political issues, academic methods and terminology, and an entrepreneurial spirit. We empirically show how the refraction of governmental logics is multi‐faceted, yet always related to or combined with artistic concerns, which we interpret as characteristic for the artistic field's persisting autonomy in the face of heteronomous pressures.