bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IsoProt: A complete and reproducible workflow to analyse iTRAQ/TMT experiments
Authors: Griss Johannes , Vinterhalter Goran , Schwämmle Veit
Published: October 2018

Reproducibility has become a major concern in biomedical research. In proteomics, bioinformatic workflows can quickly consist of multiple software tools each with its own set of parameters. Their usage involves the definition of often hundreds of parameters as well as data operations to ensure tool interoperability. Hence a manuscript’s methods section is often insufficient to completely describe and reproduce a data analysis workflow. Here we present IsoProt: A complete and reproducible bioinformatic workflow deployed on a portable container environment to analyse data from isobarically-labeled, quantitative proteomics experiments. The workflow uses only open source tools and provides a user-friendly and interactive browser interface to configure and execute the different operations. Once the workflow is executed, the results including the R code to perform statistical analyses can be downloaded as an HTML or PDF document providing a complete record of the performed analyses. IsoProt therefore represents a reproducible bioinformatics workflow that will yield identical results on any computer platform.
Glass confers rhabdomeric photoreceptor identity inDrosophila, but not across all metazoans
Authors: Bernardo-Garcia F. Javier , Syed Maryam , Jékely Gáspár , Sprecher Simon G.
Published: October 2018

Across metazoans, visual systems employ different types of photoreceptor neurons to detect light. These include rhabdomeric PRs, which exist in distantly related phyla and possess an evolutionarily conserved phototransduction cascade. While the development of rhabdomeric PRs has been thoroughly studied in the fruit flyDrosophila melanogaster, we still know very little about how they form in other species. To investigate this question, we tested whether the transcription factor Glass, which is crucial for instructing rhabdomeric PR formation inDrosophila, may play a similar role in other metazoans. Glass homologues exist throughout the animal kingdom, indicating that this protein evolved prior to the metazoan radiation. Interestingly, our work indicates thatglassis not expressed in rhabdomeric photoreceptors in the planarianSchmidtea mediterraneanor in the annelidPlatynereis dumerilii. Combined with a comparative analysis of the Glass DNA-binding domain, our data suggest that the fate of rhabdomeric PRs is controlled by Glass-dependent and Glass-independent mechanisms in different animal clades.
Teaching methods shape neural tuning to visual words in beginning readers
Authors: van de Walle de Ghelcke Alice , Rossion Bruno , Schiltz Christine , Lochy Aliette
Published: October 2018

The impact of global vs. phonics teaching methods for reading on the emergence of left hemisphere neural specialization for word recognition is unknown in children. We tested 42 first graders behaviorally and with electroencephalography with Fast Periodic Visual Stimulation to measure selective neural responses to letter strings. Letter strings were inserted periodically (1/5) in pseudofonts in 40sec sequences displayed at 6Hz and were either words globally taught at school, eliciting visual whole-word form recognition (global method), or control words/pseudowords eliciting grapheme-phoneme mappings (phonic method). Selective responses (F/5, 1.2Hz) were left lateralized for control stimuli but bilateral for globally taught words, especially in poor readers. These results show that global method instruction induces activation in the right hemisphere, involved in holistic processing and visual object recognition, rather than in the specialized left hemisphere for reading. Poor readers, given their difficulties in automatizing grapheme-phoneme mappings, mostly rely on this alternative inadequate strategy.
PACS-1 and Adaptor Protein-1 Mediate ACTH Trafficking to the Regulated Secretory Pathway
Authors: Dirk Brennan S. , End Christopher , Pawlak Emily N. , Van Nynatten Logan R. , Jacob Rajesh Abraham , Heit Bryan , Dikeakos Jimmy D.
Published: October 2018

The regulated secretory pathway is a specialized form of protein secretion found in endocrine and neuroendocrine cell types. Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) is a pro-hormone that utilizes this pathway to be trafficked to dense core secretory granules (DCSGs). Within this organelle, POMC is processed to multiple bioactive hormones that play key roles in cellular physiology. However, the complete set of cellular membrane trafficking proteins that mediate the correct sorting of POMC to DCSGs remain unknown. Here, we report the roles of the phosphofurin acidic cluster sorting protein – 1 (PACS-1) and the clathrin adaptor protein 1 (AP-1) in the targeting of POMC to DCSGs. Upon knockdown of PACS-1 and AP-1, POMC is readily secreted into the extracellular milieu and fails to be targeted to DCSGs.
Dynamic Brain Connectivity Alternation Detection via Matrix-variate Differential Network Model
Authors: Ji Jiadong , He Yong , Xie Lei
Published: October 2018

Motivation

Nowadays brain connectivity analysis has attracted tremendous attention and has been at the foreground of neuroscience research. Brain functional connectivity reveals the synchronization of brain systems through correlations in neurophysiological measures of brain activity. Growing evidence now suggests that the brain connectivity network experiences alternations with the presence of numerous neurological disorders, thus differential brain network analysis may provides new insights into disease pathologies. For the matrix-valued data in brain connectivity analysis, existing graphical model estimation methods assume a vector normal distribution that in essence requires the columns of the matrix data to be independent. It is obviously not true, they have limited applications. Among the few solutions on graphical model estimation under a matrix normal distribution, none of them tackle the estimation of differential graphs across different populations. This motivates us to consider the differential network for matrix-variate data to detect the brain connectivity alternation.

Results

The primary interest is to detect spatial locations where the connectivity, in terms of the spatial partial correlation, differ across the two groups. To detect the brain connectivity alternation, we innovatively propose a Matrix-Variate Differential Network (MVDN) model. MVDN assumes that the matrix-variate data follows a matrix-normal distribution. We exploit the D-trace loss function and a Lasso-type penalty to directly estimate the spatial differential partial correlation matrix where the temporal information is fully excavated. We propose an ADMM algorithm for the Lasso penalized D-trace loss optimization problem. We investigate theoretical properties of the estimator. We show that under mild and regular conditions, the proposed method can identify all differential edges accurately with probability tending to 1 in high-dimensional setting where dimensions of matrix-valued data p, q and sample size n are all allowed to go to infinity. Simulation studies demonstrate that MVDN provides more accurate differential network estimation than that achieved by other state-of-the-art methods. We apply MVDN to Electroencephalography (EEG) dataset, which consists of 77 alcoholic individuals and 45 controls. The hub genes and differential interaction patterns identified are consistent with existing experimental studies.

Contact

heyong@sdufe.edu.cn

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available online.
A protein-RNA interaction atlas of the ribosome biogenesis factor AATF
Authors: Kaiser Rainer W. J. , Ignarski Michael , Van Nostrand Eric L. , Frese Christian , Jain Manaswita , Cukoski Sadrija , Heinen Heide , Schaechter Melanie , Seufert Lisa , Bunte Konstantin , Frommolt Peter , Keller Patrick , Helm Mark , Bohl Katrin , Höhne Martin , Schermer Bernhard , Benzing Thomas , Höpker Katja , Dieterich Christoph , Yeo Gene W. , Müller Roman-Ulrich , Fabretti Francesca
Published: October 2018

AATF is a central regulator of the cellular outcome upon p53 activation, a finding that has primarily been attributed to its function as a transcription factor. Recent data showed that AATF is essential for ribosome biogenesis and plays a role in rRNA maturation. AATF has been implicated to fulfil this role through direct interaction with rRNA and was identified in several RNA-interactome capture experiments. Here, we provide a first comprehensive analysis of the RNA bound by AATF using CLIP-sequencing. Interestingly, this approach shows predominant binding of the 45S pre-ribosomal RNA precursor molecules. Furthermore, AATF binds to mRNAs encoding for ribosome biogenesis factors as well as snoRNAs. These findings are complemented by an in-depth analysis of the protein interactome of AATF containing a large set of proteins known to play a role in rRNA maturation with an emphasis on the protein-RNA-complexes known to be required for the generation of the small ribosomal subunit (SSU). In line with this finding, the binding sites of AATF within the 45S rRNA precursor localize in close proximity to the SSU cleavage sites. Consequently, our multilayer analysis of the protein-RNA interactome of AATF reveals this protein to be an important hub for protein and RNA interactions involved in ribosome biogenesis.
Survival cost to relocation does not reduce population self-sustainability in an amphibian
Authors: Cayuela Hugo , Gillet Lilly , Laudelout Arnaud , Besnard Aurélien , Bonnaire Eric , Levionnois Pauline , Muths Erin , Dufrêne Marc , Kinet Thierry
Published: October 2018

Relocations are increasingly popular among wildlife managers despite sharp debate and low rate of relocation success in vertebrates. In this context, understanding the influence of extrinsic (e.g., relocation design, habitat characteristics) and intrinsic factors (e.g., age and sex) on demographic parameters such as survival that regulate the dynamics of relocated populations is critical to improve relocation protocols and better predict relocation success.

We investigated survival in naturally established and relocated populations of yellow-bellied toads (Bombina variegata), an amphibian that was nearly extinct in Belgium by the late 1990s. We quantified survival at three ontogenetic stages (juvenile, subadult, and adult) in the relocated population, the source population, and a control population. In the relocated population, we quantified survival in captive bred individuals and their locally born descendants.

We showed that survival at juvenile and subadult stages was relatively similar in all populations. In contrast, relocated adult survival was lower than adult survival in the source and control populations. Despite this, offspring of relocated animals (the next generation, regardless of life stage) survived at similar rates to offspring in the source and control populations. Our simulations revealed that the relocated population was self-sustaining under different scenarios and that the fate (e.g., stability or finite rate of increase) of the simulated populations was highly dependent on the fecundity of relocated adults and their offspring.

Policy implications. Our results indicate that survival in relocated individuals is lower than in non-relocated individuals but that this cost (= reduced survival) disappears in the second generation. A finer understanding of how relocation affects demographic processes is an important step in improving relocation success of amphibians and other animals.
Widespread RNA editing dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Tran Stephen , Jun Hyun-Ik , Bahn Jae Hoon , Azghadi Adel , Ramaswami Gokul , Van Nostrand Eric L. , Nguyen Thai B. , Hsiao Yun-Hua E. , Lee Changhoon , Pratt Gabriel A. , Yeo Gene W. , Geschwind Daniel H. , Xiao Xinshu
Published: October 2018

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a genetically complex, clinically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disease. Recently, our understanding of the molecular abnormalities in ASD has been expanded through transcriptomic analyses of postmortem brains. However, a crucial molecular pathway involved in synaptic development, RNA editing, has not yet been studied on a genome-wide scale. Here, we profiled the global patterns of adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing in a large cohort of post-mortem ASD brains. Strikingly, we observed a global bias of hypo-editing in ASD brains, common to different brain regions and involving many genes with known neurobiological functions. Through genome-wide protein-RNA binding analyses and detailed molecular assays, we show that the Fragile X proteins, FMRP and FXR1P, interact with ADAR proteins and modulate A-to-I editing. Furthermore, we observed convergent patterns of RNA editing alterations in ASD and Fragile X syndrome, thus establishing RNA editing as a molecular link underlying these two highly related diseases. Our findings support a role for RNA editing dysregulation in ASD and highlight novel mechanisms for RNA editing regulation.
Surface-grafted lanthanoid complexes of the tungstosilicate polyanion [SiW12O40]4−: a synthetic, structural and computational investigation
Authors: Derakhshanrad Shadi , Mirzaei Masoud , Najafi Atefeh , Ritchie Chris , Bauzá Antonio , Frontera Antonio , Mague Joel T.
Published: October 2018

As an extension of our continued interest in the preparation of inorganic–organic hybrids, we report the successful hydrothermal synthesis of sodium tris[triaqua(μ-1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylato)dysprosium(III)] silicododecatungstate dodecahydrate, {[DyNa(C14H6N2O4)3(H2O)9(SiW12O40)]·12H2O}nor Na[Dy(PDA)(H2O)3]3[SiW12O40]·12H2O (1), and sodium aqua tris[tetraaqua(μ-4-hydroxypyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato)praseodymium(III)] silicododecatungstate dodecahydrate, {[NaPr(C7H3NO5)3(H2O)13(SiW12O40)]·12H2O}nor Na(H2O)[Pr(pydc-OH)(H2O)4]3[SiW12O40]·12H2O (2) (in which H2PDA is 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylic acid and H2pydc-OH is 4-hydroxypyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid or chelidamic acid). Both compounds have been characterized using elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction methods. Structural characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that these compounds consist of [SiW12O40]4−Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POMs), where a single {W3O13} triad is decorated with a trinuclear Ln complex. Moreover, the decorated polyanions are involved in a series of intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonds and anion–π interactions, resulting in three-dimensional supramolecular architectures. Density functional theory (DFT) studies were conducted to support these intermolecular interactions in both1and2, and have been rationalized using molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface calculations.
Recent advances of polyoxometalate-catalyzed selective oxidation based on structural classification
Authors: Chen Qiongyao , Shen Chaoren , He Lin
Published: October 2018

The structural diversity and tenability observed in POMs has encouraged extensive investigations into their catalytic activity. Based on the structural classification of POMs, this review summarizes recent advances relating to POM-catalyzed selective oxidation and places most emphasis on dynamic developments from 2015 onwards. Work which contributes to comparing the catalytic performance of POMs with delicate structural differences (e.g. the same type of POM structure with differences of the heteroatom, addenda, protonated state or counter-ion) and in elucidating the origin/distinction of catalytic activity, as well as reasonable mechanisms, are especially highlighted.
High-resolution structures of inhibitor complexes of human indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 in a new crystal form
Authors: Luo Shukun , Xu Ke , Xiang Shaoyun , Chen Jie , Chen Chunyun , Guo Chuangxin , Tong Youzhi , Tong Liang
Published: October 2018

Human indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is a heme-dependent enzyme with important roles in many cellular processes and is a potential target for drug discovery against cancer and other diseases. Crystal structures of IDO1 in complex with various inhibitors have been reported. Many of these crystals belong to the same crystal form and most of the reported structures have resolutions in the range 3.2–2.3 Å. Here, three new crystal forms of human IDO1 obtained by introducing a surface mutation, K116A/K117A, distant from the active site are reported. One of these crystal forms diffracted to 1.5 Å resolution and can be readily used for soaking experiments to determine high-resolution structures of IDO1 in complex with the substrate tryptophan or inhibitors that coordinate the heme. In addition, this mutant was used to produce crystals of a complex with an inhibitor that targets the apo form of the enzyme under the same conditions; the structure of this complex was determined at 1.7 Å resolution. Overall, this mutant represents a robust platform for determining the structures of inhibitor and substrate complexes of IDO1 at high resolution.
Structural model with controls of a very light airplane for numerical flutter calculations
Authors: Rogólski Robert , Olejnik Aleksander
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The finite element model developed for a new-designed aircraft was used to solve some problems of structural dynamics. The key purpose of the task was to estimate the critical flutter velocities of the light airplane by performing numerical analysis with application of MSC Software.

Design/methodology/approach

Flutter analyses processed by Nastran require application of some complex aeroelastic model integrating two separate components – structural model and aerodynamic model. These sub-models are necessary for determining stiffness, mass and aerodynamic matrices, which are involved in the flutter equation. The aircraft structural model with its non-structural masses was developed in Patran. To determine the aerodynamic coefficient matrix, some simplified aerodynamic body-panel geometries were developed. The flutter equation was solved with the PK method.

Findings

The verified aircraft model was used to determine its normal modes in the range of 0-30 Hz. Then, some critical velocities of flutter were calculated within the range of operational velocities. As there is no certainty that the computed modes are in accordance with the natural ones, some parametric calculations are recommended. Modal frequencies depend on structural parameters that are quite difficult to identify. Adopting their values from the reasonable range, it is possible to assign the range of possible frequencies. The frequencies of rudder or elevator modes are dependent on their mass moments of inertia and rigidity of controls. The critical speeds of tail flutter were calculated for various combinations of stiffness or mass values.

Practical implications

The task described here is a preliminary calculational study of normal modes and flutter vibrations. It is necessary to prove the new airplane is free from flutter to fulfil the requirement considered in the type certification process.

Originality/value

The described approach takes into account the uncertainty of results caused by the indeterminacy of selected constructional parameters.
Composite stiffened panel sizing for conceptual tail design
Authors: Sanchez-Carmona Alejandro , Cuerno-Rejado Cristina
Published: October 2018

Purpose

A conceptual design method for composite material stiffened panels used in aircraft tail structures and unmanned aircraft has been developed to bear compression and shear loads.

Design/methodology/approach

The method is based on classical laminated theory to fulfil the requirement of building a fast design tool, necessary for this preliminary stage. The design criterion is local and global buckling happen at the same time. In addition, it is considered that the panel does not fail due to crippling, stiffeners column buckling or other manufacturing restrictions. The final geometry is determined by minimising the area and, consequently, the weight of the panel.

Findings

The results obtained are compared with a classical method for sizing stiffened panels in aluminium. The weight prediction is validated by weight reductions in aircraft structures when comparing composite and aluminium alloys.

Research limitations/implications

The work is framed in conceptual design field, so hypotheses like material or stiffeners geometry shall be taken a priori. These hypotheses can be modified if it is necessary, but even so, the methodology continues being applicable.

Practical implications

The procedure presented in this paper allows designers to know composite structure weight of aircraft tails in commercial aviation or any lifting surface in unmanned aircraft field, even for unconventional configurations, in early stages of the design, which is an aid for them.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is the development of a new rapid methodology for conceptual design of composite panels and the feasible application to aircraft tails and also to unmanned aircraft.
Synthesis and optimization of modular deployable truss antenna reflector
Authors: Hu Fei , Song Yanping , Xu Yundou , Wen Huaizhou
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to synthesize a modular deployable truss antenna with the lower degree of freedom (DOF) and larger folding ratio. Because of the advantages of this kind of new truss antenna, the modules that make up the antenna can be deployed together by the synchronous motor drivers instead of twist springs to realize the controllable deployment.

Design/methodology/approach

The closed-loop branch equivalence method is proposed to synthesize the single DOF module and the large deployable reflector. The complex mechanism can be equivalently replaced by a simpler mechanism based on screw theory. The motion pairs are synthesized and optimized to make the curved surface achieve to the maximum folding ratio when the modular parabolic truss antenna is folded.

Findings

The results show that the 3(3RR-3RRR)-3RRR-3RRR planar module is a single DOF mechanism. Additionally, the adjacent parts of every two modules are connected with universal joints to obtain the new truss antenna when the modules are networked.

Practical implications

The configuration of this new modular deployable truss antenna can be synthesized to design the structure, and the proposed method can be applied to other space multi-loop coupling mechanism and other spacecraft.

Originality/value

This paper presents an approach to synthesizing the motion pairs, as well as the DOF analysis. The results lay a foundation for the further analysis of the deployable control and dynamics of this kind of antenna. And the new modular truss antenna has a practical application in aerospace engineering.
Principle and experimental research on vibration reduction of flexible solar array using reaction flywheel
Authors: Chen Bifa , Zhang Meiyan , Tang Guo-an
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The rest-to-rest movements for the spacecraft, such as attitude adjustment and orbital maneuver, are likely to excite residual vibration of the flexible appendages, which may affect the attitude accuracy and even result in severe structural damage. This paper presents an approach to attenuating the vibration of flexible solar array by using reaction flywheel.

Design/methodology/approach

The reaction flywheel installed on solar array is served as an actuator to provide reaction torque to the structure according to the designed feedback control law. This torque can be considered as an artificial damping. Experiment on a scale model of the solar array is firstly performed to verify the effectiveness of this method. Numerical simulation on finite element model of a full-scale solar array is subsequently carried out to confirm the validity of this method for practical engineering application.

Findings

The vibration suppression effect on the structure by using reaction flywheel is deduced by theoretical analysis. Results from both experiment and numerical simulation reveal that the efficiency of vibration attenuation is promoted.

Research limitations/implications

Improvements on control law are left for further study. Additionally, only the first-order bending vibration of the flexible solar array is attenuated, and further study is required for other types of vibration suppression.

Practical implications

An effective method is proposed for spacecraft designers to actively suppress the vibration of the flexible solar array.

Originality/value

A novel active vibration reduction scheme is proposed by using reaction flywheel to suppress vibration of the flexible solar array. This paper fulfills a source of theoretical analysis and experimental studies for vibration reduction measure design and provides practical help for the spacecraft designers.
Consumer intention and credit card adoption in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Oanh Dinh Yen , Cassidy John F.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

There is limited research on consumer intention and credit card adoption in the transitional economies of Southeast Asia. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the key elements that influence an individual’s intention of adopting credit cards in the transitional economy Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was developed based on the technology adoption literature. After data cleaning, 595 responses were deemed valid. Factor analysis (EFA and CFA) was utilized on split samples, and a structural equation model developed to identify the influential technology adoption factors.

Findings

The analysis found strong support for the hypotheses theoretically developed. In the transitional economy of Vietnam, consumer’s intention to adopt credit cards was influenced by “Perceived usefulness (PU),” “Perceived ease of use (PEOU),” “subjective norm (SN),” “perceived self-efficacy (PSE)” and “Anxiety”. However, “perceived financial cost (PFC)” was not a significant factor.

Research limitations/implications

The use of cross-sectional data does not enable the analysis of time sequence of the determinants of consumer intention.

Practical implications

This research provides a body of knowledge on modern banking payment systems and credit card utilization factors in the transitional economy of Vietnam which has relevance for other transitional as well as developing economies of Southeast Asia, and is a good reference source for foreign investors, banks and card service companies.

Originality/value

To date, there are no studies that explore the interaction between “PU,” “PEOU,” “PFC,” “SN,” “PSE,” “Anxiety” and “Behavioral Intention” in the context of the Vietnamese credit card market, nor other transitional markets in Southeast Asia.
Mitigation of challenges in sustaining green certification in the Sri Lankan hotel sector
Authors: Bandara Chamali , Dissanayake D.M.P.P. , Karunasena Gayani , Madhusanka Nadun
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The successful continuation of green certification in the Sri Lankan hotel sector is vital for tourism industry as well as the economy of the country as it balances the economic interests with social and environmental responsibilities. However, it has become an issue in the Sri Lankan hospitality and tourism industry to sustain green certification due to many challenges. The prevailing situation highlights the need of exploring long-term strategies to mitigate challenges in sustaining green certification which has not been researched to date. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to propose strategies to mitigate challenges in sustaining green certification in the hotel sector in Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 3 hotels were selected as cases of the study and 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted with engineers, maintenance managers and supervisors, who are responsible for sustaining green certificates at such hotels. The collected data were subjected to cross-case analysis to determine challenges in sustaining green certification. The findings were analysed with the support of the QSR.NVivo version 11.0 computer software.

Findings

Challenges were identified in detail under five main categories. They are technical, managerial, political and legal, environment and biological and social and cultural. Such challenges include design and construction defects, use of poor quality building and other materials, improper maintenance practices, incomplete and unclear construction documents, plans and specifications, resource limitations, insufficient budget allocations, government intervention, legal constraints, lack of user awareness and natural environmental conditions. Finally, strategies to mitigate such challenges are proposed based on empirical research findings.

Research limitations/implications

Only the Green Globe certified hotels in Sri Lanka were selected considering their need to renew certification annually. Further, interviewees were selected mainly focusing on the operational phase of a building. Hence, the findings were mostly limited to the perceptions and knowledge areas of selected interviewees. This can be highlighted as a primary limitation of the research, where a further study should be carried out on the perceptions of design stage professionals incorporating design stage challenges and strategies into the study.

Originality/value

The proposed strategies can be pursued by hoteliers to mitigate challenges in sustaining green certification, which will ultimately facilitate to balance economic interests with social and environmental responsibilities.
Key success factors influencing SME managers’ information behaviour on emerging ICT (EICT) adoption decision-making in UK SMEs
Authors: Eze Sunday C. , Olatunji Sulaimon , Chinedu-Eze Vera C. , Bello Adenike O.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

While a substantial number of studies have examined information behaviour, most centred on choice of information source, student information behaviour, information behaviour of women, environmental uncertainty and scanning behaviour of top-level hotel executives. However, little is known about how the small and medium enterprise (SME) managers scan, seek, gather, document and use information relevant for emerging information and communication technology (EICT) adoption decision-making. This paper aims to examine the key success factors influencing SME manager’s information behaviour on EICT adoption decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

This study deploys a qualitative approach to exploring 16 key success factors shaping SME managers’ information behaviour on EICT adoption decision-making. More specifically, the study adopted both unstructured and semi-structured interviews with 20 small business managers drawn purposeful from Crunch Database.

Findings

This study develops an extended technology, organisation and environment framework by incorporating the information context which helped to unravel 16 key success factors influencing small business managers’ information behaviour on EICT. From the technology context, uncertainty driven, compatibility, replacement of legacy technology, relative advantages, lack of technical know-how and perceived affordability fit for purpose influence SME managers’ information behaviour. Users’ acceptance information, efficiency driven, owner’s support shape the organisation context of perceived information need; competitor’s intelligence gathering, customer’s information gathering provider credibility and government policy influence the environmental context of perceived information need; and finally, perceived information sources credibility, herding event, testimonial and openness to other people’s ideas and experiences are shaped by the information context.

Research limitations/implications

Qualitative research is normally subjective, interpretive and limited on the sample used. Because of the limited number of interviews, the generalisation of the framework and the finding is difficult. Therefore, the finding and the framework need to be established across broader population. The findings are vital considering the fact that small business managers are limited in knowledge and the study may improve the way and manner they go about seeking and gathering information relevant in adopting new ICT.

Originality/value

This research provides further insight into SME managers’ information behaviour by developing a framework and identifying main factors influencing SMEs information behaviours on EICT. Therefore, understanding such factors will enrich their knowledge on some of the factors that may shape their decisions during EICT adoption decision to make effective decision.
Local voices and action: concluding discussion
Authors: Gibson Terry David , Aka Festus Tongwa , Aretaake Ruiti , Bari Sarwar , Chantry Guillaume , Gupta Manu , Molina Jesusa Grace , Norton John , Parajuli Bhubaneswari , Rahmawati Hepi , Shresha Nisha
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the findings from the body of case studies offered in the issue, combined with three external perspectives on local voices and action.

Design/methodology/approach

Using as its basis the eight key case studies and three external contributions to the special issue, the paper offers a theoretical framework as a basis for discussion of this material. Through this, it identifies possible modes of action understood through the theoretical framework and elaborated through the specific cases. It concludes with proposals for further work.

Findings

The discussion finds that from a local perspective, the ambitions of local populations and local NGOs to achieve emancipatory change depend on the scope for local collaboration and partnerships to exercise influence on underlying risk factors. It resolves the suggested tension between operating within, and outside the system through the concept of “legitimate subversion”.

Originality/value

It is felt that the original recording of case studies of local level action combined with the process of iterative critical reflection on the part of the contributors offers a novel approach to knowledge creation from practice, and offers insights bridging theoretical and practitioner perspectives into means of addressing underlying risk factors affecting local populations.
3D tolerance modeling and geometric precision analysis of plane features for flexible parts
Authors: Mu Xiaokai , Sun Qingchao , Sun Wei , Wang Yunlong , Wang Chuanhua , Wang Xiaobang
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The traditional precision design only takes the influence of geometric tolerance of the parts and does not involve the load deformation in the assembly process. This paper aims to analyze the influence mechanism of flexible parts deformation on the geometric precision, and then to ensure the reliability and stability of the mechanical system.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, this paper adopts the N-GPS to analyze the influence mechanism of flexible parts deformation on the geometric precision and constructs a coupling 3D tolerance mathematical model of the geometric tolerance and the load deformation deviation based on the SDT theory, homogeneous coordinate transformation theory and surface authentication idea. Secondly, the least square method is used to fit the deformation surface of the mating surface under load so as to complete the conversion from the non-ideal element to the ideal element.

Findings

This paper takes the horizontal machining center as a case to obtain the deformation information of the mating surface under the self-weight load. The results show that the deformation deviation of the parts has the trend of transmission and accumulation under the load. The terminal deformation cumulative amount of the system is up to –0.0249 mm, which indicated that the influence of parts deformation on the mechanical system precision cannot be ignored.

Originality/value

This paper establishes a comprehensive 3D tolerance mathematical model, which comprehensively considers the effect of the dimensional tolerance, geometric tolerance and load deformation deviation. By this way, the assembly precision of mechanical system can be accurately predicted.
MHD natural convection of Cu/H2O nanofluid in a horizontal semi-cylinder with a local triangular heater
Authors: Dogonchi A.S. , Sheremet Mikhail A. , Pop Ioan , Ganji D.D.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate free convection of copper-water nanofluid in an upper half of circular horizontal cylinder with a local triangular heater under the effects of uniform magnetic field and cold cylinder shell using control volume finite element method (CVFEM).

Design/methodology/approach

Governing equations formulated in dimensionless stream function, vorticity and temperature variables using the single-phase nanofluid model with Brinkman correlation for the effective dynamic viscosity and Hamilton and Crosser model for the effective thermal conductivity have been solved numerically by CVFEM.

Findings

The impacts of control parameters such as the Rayleigh number, Hartmann number, nanoparticles volume fraction, local triangular heater size, shape factor on streamlines and isotherms as well as local and average Nusselt numbers have been examined. The outcomes indicate that the average Nusselt number is an increasing function of the Rayleigh number, shape factor and nanoparticles volume fraction, while it is a decreasing function of the Hartmann number.

Originality/value

A complete study of the free convection of copper-water nanofluid in an upper half of circular horizontal cylinder with a local triangular heater under the effects of uniform magnetic field and cold cylinder shell using CVFEM is addressed.
A numerical algorithm for group control of conventional/unconventional production wells in hydrocarbon reservoirs
Authors: Mosharaf-Dehkordi Mehdi , Ghafouri Hamid Reza
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present detailed algorithms for simulation of individual and group control of production wells in hydrocarbon reservoirs which are implemented in a finite volume-based reservoir simulator.

Design/methodology/approach

The algorithm for individual control is described for the multi-lateral multi-connection ones based on the multi-segment model considering cross-flow. Moreover, a general group control algorithm is proposed which can be coupled with any well model that can handle a constraint and returns the flow rates. The performance of oil production process based on the group control criteria is investigated and compared for various cases.

Findings

The proposed algorithm for group control of production wells is a non-optimization iterative scheme converging within a few number of iterations. The numerical results of many computer runs indicate that the nominal power of the production wells, in general, is the best group control criterion for the proposed algorithm. The production well group control with a proper criterion can generally improve the oil recovery process at negligible computational costs when compared with individual control of production wells.

Research/limitations/implications

Although the group control algorithm is implemented for both production and injection wells in the developed simulator, the numerical algorithm is here described only for production wells to provide more details.

Practical/implications

The proposed algorithm can be coupled with any well model providing the fluid flow rates and can be efficiently used for group control of production wells. In addition, the calculated flow rates of the production wells based on the group control algorithm can be used as candidate solutions for the optimizer in the simulation-optimization models. It may reduce the total number of iterations and consequently the computational cost of the simulation-optimization models for the well control problem.

Originality/value

A complete and detailed description of ingredients of an efficient well group control algorithm for the hydrocarbon reservoir is presented. Five group control criteria are extracted from the physical, geometrical and operating conditions of the wells/reservoir. These are the target rate, weighted potential, ultimate rate and introduced nominal power of the production wells. The performance of the group control of production wells with different group control criteria is compared in three different oil production scenarios from a black-oil and highly heterogeneous reservoir.
Managing the essential medicines stock at rural healthcare systems in India
Authors: Kumar Dinesh , Kumar D.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to eliminate the medicine stock-out problem by building an optimum medicine stock in rural healthcare centers in India.

Design/methodology/approach

Data associated with inflow and outflow of a specific medicine (folic acid tablets) arer collected from all consecutive supply chain stages during the survey. While conducting the survey, it is found that several medicines are out of stock owing to uncertain lead time and demand. Integrating with quantity discount and min–max (s,S) inventory policy, two models are developed using system dynamics: one is Model 1 with constant lead time and uncertain demand, and the other is Model 2 with both uncertain lead time and demand.

Findings

Both models are simulated for a period of one year on Stella 9.1 platform. The results are compared with actual data, and the comparison shows significant improvement of the medicine stock at all downstream stages, while maintaining a certain safety stock. Further, Model 2 suggests a larger stock than Model 1 at each point of time.

Practical implications

Despite numerous issues, the stocks of medicine in rural healthcare systems can be improved as suggested by the models. The models depict the behavior of inventory stock at each stage of the supply chain and act as a function of time that could be used in the form of a prediction tool for the policymakers.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first papers that had developed the model of the medicine supply chain in rural parts of a developing country. It provides a generic framework for the stock assessment and improvement throughout the supply chain.
Political economy of peace, development and
law
Authors: Taifur Mahfuzul Alam
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explain the discipline of political economy
in terms of the theory of conflict and conflict resolution on social
matters. Such a theory arises substantively from the generalized and unique
methodological worldview of unity of knowledge found in the Islamic
epistemological case.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper simply uses this epistemic background without dwelling in details
of the Islamic methodological worldview of unity of knowledge. Among the
central social issues examined in this paper is that of preservation of
peace in terms of pressing issues that complement with the concept of
well-being.

Findings

The imminent study of political economy of socioeconomic development and
United Nations Declaration of Human Rights is explained as a broader concept
of peace as organic relational balance between the good and true pursuits of
life in terms of common global well-being. Within this purview, analytical
examination is made of various theoretical precepts. Within the same goal of
peaceful coexistence and global conflict resolution, the official stand of
Malaysia in global peace is enunciated.

Originality/value

The paper conveys a critical conceptual idea to debate the scope and approach
of political economy of peace, development and law matters. The results of
the approach used in this study constitute a major contribution of this
paper to scholarship in general and acts as a critique of developmental
thought of political economy of peace and law.
Library and information science collaboration in Pakistan: challenges and prospects
Authors: Malik Amara , Ameen Kanwal
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to explore the nature and extent of collaboration among library and information science (LIS) departments, faculty members and practitioners. It also intends to identify the challenges and future prospects of collaboration in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

Face-to-face and telephonic semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 faculty members (professors, associate professors and assistant professors) from eight LIS departments. A thematic analysis approach was used to answer the research questions.

Findings

A thematic analysis of the participants’ opinions reveals a weak and informal collaboration among LIS stakeholders. However, high level of awareness among faculty members regarding the potential benefits of collaborative activities was observed. Their urge for developing liaison and collaboration with stakeholders is a positive indication that requires visionary leadership and committed efforts to ensure long term success.

Practical implications

The study aspects discussed may provide guidelines for creating future planning and growth of professional collaboration in Pakistan. The scope of this study may be extended to groom national, regional and international collaborative activities in other countries with same conditions. Though this study is conducted in Pakistan, the findings may be extended to other parts of developing countries with similar context.

Originality/value

It will serve as a guideline for further research, as it has addressed an untouched area and reports original research.
Is internet reporting useful? Evidence from Egypt
Authors: Ahmed Ahmed H. , Mardini Ghassan H. , Burton Bruce M. , Dunne Theresa M.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the views of 18 users and preparers regarding the corporate internet reporting (CIR) practices of companies listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange (EGX).

Design/methodology/approach

A decision-usefulness theoretical framework is used as a lens for the study, in order to shed light on: internet infrastructure and its use for disclosure purposes in Egypt; the benefits of and trends in practices relating to CIR in Egypt; how the information presented accords with the qualitative characteristics of “usefulness” set out in the IASB’s conceptual framework of 2010; and the potential economic consequences of CIR.

Findings

The results indicate reasonable satisfaction with internet infrastructure in Egypt. The interviewees are intensive users of the internet, including accessing electronic sources of corporate information, but the perception remains of hard copy financial reports as the most important source of disclosure. With the exception of verifiability, the majority of respondents viewed CIR as having a (potentially) positive impact on the qualitative characteristics of accounting information as set out in the IASB framework.

Research limitations/implications

The use of the interview method is subject to some limitations. These include: the perceived lack of anonymity, which may restrict the extent to which participants speak honestly or openly about the topic being investigated; the non-standardisation of responses – which can result in the inability to make systematic generalisations; and interviewees’ perceptions being influenced by events which have taken place prior to the discussion.

Practical implications

This research provides substantive insights for policy makers about the current attitudes of interested parties concerning CIR in Egypt.

Originality/value

This study contributes to our knowledge in a number of ways, as it provides up-to-date evidence of interested parties’ views concerning CIR practices and it indicates how CIR has affected the quality of financial information disclosure practices. Moreover, this study extends prior research on the use of the internet as a disclosure channel by considering a different empirical site, namely Egypt, and also by adopting a different theoretical framework.