bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modelling heterogeneities in the cross-linked bacterial sacculus
Authors: Rani Garima , Patri Issan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractExamining the design principles of biological materials, in particular the presence of inhomogeneities in their ultrastructure is the key to understanding the often remarkable mechanical properties possessed by them. In this work, motivated by the question of understanding the effect of variability in the material properties of the peptide cross-linkers on the bulk mechanical properties of the cell wall structure of bacteria, we study a spring system in which variability is encoded by assigning values of spring constants and rupture strengths of the constituent springs from appropriate probability distribution. Using analytical methods and computer simulations, we study the response of the spring system to shear loading and observe how heterogeneities inherent in the system can heighten the resistance to failure. We derive the force extension relation of the system and explore the effect that the disorder in values of spring constant and rupture strength has on load carrying capacity of the system and failure displacement. We also study a discrete step shear loading of the system, exhibiting a transition from quasi-brittle to brittle response controlled by the step size, providing possible framework to experimentally quantify the disorder in analogous structures. The model studied here will also be useful in general to understand fiber bundles exhibiting disorder in the elasticity and rupture strengths of constituent fibers.
CellCountCV – a web-application for accurate cell counting and automated batch processing of microscopy images using fully-convolutional neural networks
Authors: Antonets Denis , Russkikh Nikolai , Sanchez Antoine , Kovalenko Victoria , Bairamova Elvira , Shtokalo Dmitry , Medvedev Sergey , Zakian Suren 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTThe in vitro cellular models are promising tools for studying normal and pathological conditions. One of their important applications is the development of genetically engineered biosensor systems to investigate the processes occurring in living cells in real time. Today, there are fluorescence protein based sensory systems for detecting various substances in living cells (for example, hydrogen peroxide, ATP, Ca2+ etc.) or for detecting processes such as endoplasmic reticulum stress. Such systems help to study mechanisms underlying the pathogenic processes and diseases and for screening potential therapeutic compounds. It is also necessary to develop new tools for processing and analysis of obtained microimages. Here we present our web-application CellCountCV for automation of microscopy cell images analysis which is based on fully-convolutional deep neural networks. This approach can efficiently deal with non-convex overlapping objects, that are virtually inseparable with conventional image processing methods. The cell counts predicted with CellCountCV were very close to expert estimates (the average error rate was < 4%). CellCountCV was used to analyse large series of microscopy images obtained in experimental studies and it was able to demonstrate the endoplasmic reticulum stress development and to catch the dose-dependent effect of tunicamycin.
Risk mitigation in PFI/PPP project finance
Authors: Owolabi Hakeem , Oyedele Lukumon , Alaka Hafiz , Ajayi Saheed , Bilal Muhammad , Akinade Olugbenga 
Published: December 2019

Purpose
Earlier studies on risk evaluation in private finance initiative and public private partnerships (PFI/PPP) projects have focussed more on quantitative approaches despite increasing call for contextual understanding of the bankability of risks. The purpose of this paper is to explore the perspectives of UK PFI financiers’ regarding the bankability of four critical risks (construction and completion risk, operations, supply and offtake risk) in PPP projects.

Design/methodology/approach
Multiple case study strategy was adopted to investigate the phenomenon within real-life context of PFI/PPP projects in UK. Using purposive sampling approach, the study examined school and road PFI/PPP projects through interviews, documentations and focus group discussions.

Findings
Results from the study unravelled 36 suitable bankability criteria and some mitigation strategies for evaluating the four critical risks in PFI/PPP during due diligence appraisal. Further evidences from the study also show that, financiers’ bankability criteria, when paired along with corresponding risks and mitigation strategies within with a single framework, provides a quick and effective view of bankability of risks in PFI/PPP funding application.

Research limitations/implications
In order to ensure generalisability of findings, only projects with similar nature were selected from just two sectors of the UK economy (road and education sectors). The context of the study is also based on UK’s PFI/PPP and Construction Industry, as such, other geographical regions in Europe and beyond have not been contextualised in this study. Due to the significance of finance in PFI/PPP contracts, only the perspective of project financiers have been explored in this study.

Practical implications
This study provides a less complicated but useful understanding of how risks in PFI/PPP projects may be packaged in a bankable manner to secure the confidence of project financiers. By presenting a qualitative framework, the study addresses concerns of over quantification of risk analysis in PFI/PPP appraisals and provides a relatable approach useful for non-finance oriented PPP practitioners.

Social implications
This study addresses the social concerns of too much complexity and ambiguity in PFI/PPP structuring especially regarding factors that could make a project acceptable to lenders.

Originality/value
The study proposes a “Bankability and Risk Qualitative Framework”, which presents bankability information on critical risks in clear manner and represents critical parameters for winning financiers’ funding approvals for PFI/PPP projects.
Solving dissociative group effects using construal level theory
Authors: McGowan Miriam , Hassan Louise May , Shiu Edward 
Published: December 2019

Purpose
Consumers usually respond favourably to ingroups but negatively to dissociative groups and products linked to dissociative groups, termed the dissociative group effect. Despite important implications for branding, advertising and celebrity endorsement, little is known about how to attenuate the effect. This paper aims to introduce a mechanism which attenuates the dissociative group effect by drawing on construal level theory.

Design/methodology/approach
An experimental approach was used which included two-part between-subjects designs.

Findings
High identifiers prefer products linked to their ingroup over ones linked to a dissociative group, however, the opposite is true for low identifiers. The difference in preference is attenuated for high and low identifiers when they are placed in an abstract mind-set. The underlying mechanism of this effect is similarity focus.

Research limitations/implications
The same context was used to ensure that the attenuating effect found was not due to contextual factors. However, further studies should replicate the findings in a wider variety of contexts.

Practical implications
This research offers practical recommendations on how to manage multiple customer segments in increasingly diverse marketplaces. By inducing an abstract mind-set in customers, for example, via advertising copy, website architecture or contextual factors such as pitch of the music, marketers can increase the effectiveness of identity-linking marketing for consumers’ high/low in identification.

Originality/value
This is one of the first empirical studies to evidence the applicability of construal level theory within identity marketing and offers a novel mechanism to attenuate the dissociative group effect. The findings shed new light on how low identifiers relate and respond to identity-linked marketing.
Effects of CeO2 on the microstructure and tribological properties of atmospheric plasma-sprayed Cr2O3-TiO2 coatings
Authors: Ding Qingjun , Zhao Gai 
Published: December 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the mechanism and effect of rare earth oxides on the properties of Cr2O3-TiO2 coating.

Design/methodology/approach
Cr2O3-TiO2 coatings with different proportion of CeO2 were deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying on aluminum alloy 7005. The mechanical, microstructure and tribological properties were studied.

Findings
The addition of CeO2 could improve the micro-hardness; decrease porosity, wear rate and surface roughness of the coating; and increase the bonding strength between the coating and substrate. The wear mechanism is a mixture of abrasive and adhesive wear.

Originality/value
The addition of CeO2 could refine microstructure, and promote the formation of solid solution structure, and then affect the properties of coatings.
The association between intellectual capital and financial performance in the Islamic banking industry
Authors: Ousama A.A. , Hammami Helmi , Abdulkarim Mustafa 
Published: December 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to empirically investigate the impact of intellectual capital (IC) on the financial performance of Islamic banks operating in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.Design/methodology/approachThe study measures IC by the value added intellectual coefficient model. A regression analysis was used to assess the impact of IC on financial performance. The research sample consisted of Islamic banks operating in the GCC countries during the years 2011, 2012 and 2013. Data originated from the annual reports of Islamic banks.FindingsThe results support the thesis that IC has a positive impact on the financial performance of Islamic banks. Even though the average IC is lower than that reported in other studies, the positive effect on financial performance is obvious. The findings also show that human capital (HC) is higher than capital employed (CE) and structural capital (SC). The study reveals that SC has an insignificant impact on the financial performance of the Islamic banks compared to CE and HC.Practical implicationsThe findings provide empirical evidence that IC affects the Islamic banks’ financial performance. It helps Islamic banks in the GCC countries to understand how to use their IC efficiently, especially SC as it is yet to be used efficiently. Also, the findings benefit the relevant authorities (e.g. legislators and central banks) who could use them to emphasise strategic policy reforms whenever required.Originality/valueThe current research adds to the empirical studies in the GCC countries as it views the region as a collective as opposed to individual countries. It also extends the IC and performance measurement literature of Islamic banks in the GCC countries. Moreover, the current study enriches the limited literature on IC in the context of Islamic banking.
Economies of scale: the case of KiwiSaver fees
Authors: Gilbert Aaron , Scott Ayesha , Xu Shuohan 
Published: December 2019

Purpose
International evidence of economies of scale in mutual funds is mixed. KiwiSaver offers an interesting opportunity to examine economies of scale given its growth from a new scheme with few members and low balances, where fund costs should be high, to a much larger scheme that should be cheaper to run. As a defined contribution superannuation scheme, fees play an important role in determining the eventual retirement savings members achieve. This paper aims to examine whether the anticipated economies of scale are passed onto members.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors use a sample of 267 KiwiSaver funds over 2013-2018 and relate fund fees to assets under management (AUM) and the number of participants using regression analysis and a translog cost function.

Findings
The authors find evidence to suggest funds are passing on cost savings. Specifically, the authors observe that fees increase slower as the number of members grows, suggesting economies of scale are driven by the number of members, but not the size of the assets being managed. All else held constant, a 1 per cent increase in fund participants increases fees by 0.93 per cent on average. In contrast, a 1 per cent increase in AUM results in effectively 1 per cent increase in fees, all else held constant.

Originality/value
While KiwiSaver has been an undeniable boost to the local funds management industry, regulators are increasingly under pressure to ensure fees are appropriate. In 11 years, New Zealand-based KiwiSaver has grown to over $50b in AUM, with over $400m in total fees per year. This paper provides evidence that economies of scale are partially present in the KiwiSaver sector, although not where it arguably counts: in the size of the AUM.
Perish in gossip? Nonlinear effects of perceived negative workplace gossip on job performance
Authors: Xie Jun , Huang Qihai , Wang Hongli , Shen Minghao 
Published: December 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the curvilinear relationship between perceived negative workplace gossip and target employee’s task performance, and the moderating roles of perceived organizational support (POS).Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample of 275 supervisor–subordinate dyads in a two-wave survey, the authors adopted a hierarchical regression analysis to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe results revealed that there is a U-shaped relationship between perceived negative workplace gossip and task performance. Moreover, POS moderated the curvilinear relationship such that the curvilinear relationship is more pronounced among those with lower POS.Research limitations/implicationsThis study does not explore the mediating mechanism of how perceived negative gossip affects the target’s task performance. Moreover, as this research was conducted in a Chinese context, the question of the generalizability of the findings calls for more attention.Practical implicationsWhen the negative gossip is still in its early stages, managers should realize the potential threat to target employees and take measures to stop and minimize negative gossiping and rumormongering. Furthermore, managers should do their best to find the optimal levels of organizational support for target employees.Originality/valueThis study is among the first effort to understand how perceived negative gossip can influence the target employees’ performance by proposing and demonstrating a nonlinear relationship. Moreover, by illuminating how POS plays a role in the curvilinear relationship between negative gossip and task performance, the authors not only complement but also extend the literature on workplace gossip and organizational support.
Virtual reality experiences, attachment and experiential outcomes in tourism
Authors: Wu Hung-Che , Ai Chi-Han , Cheng Ching-Chan 
Published: December 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the structural relationships between the dimensions of virtual reality (VR) experiences (immersion, interaction, usability and illusion), the dimensions of VR attachment (VR dependence, VR identity, VR affect and VR familiarity) and the dimensions of VR experiential outcomes (VR experiential satisfaction, VR experiential loyalty and VR experiential advocacy).Design/methodology/approachA total of 490 visitors who tried 360 VR travel video games in the TripMoment VR were surveyed.FindingsIn this study, there are positive relationships between VR experiential satisfaction and immersion, interaction, illusion, as well as VR identity, VR affect and VR familiarity. In addition, VR experiential satisfaction has a positive relationship with VR experiential loyalty. In addition, VR experiential advocacy has a positive relationship with both VR experiential satisfaction and VR experiential loyalty.Practical implicationsThe results show that tourism operators should focus on increasing VR experiential satisfaction and experiential loyalty to enable visitors to have intentions to advocate their VR experiences.Originality/valueThis paper provides the data that lead to a better understanding of the relationship between the dimensions of VR experiences, VR attachment and VR experiential outcomes in the tourism industry.
Epidemiological study on the relationship between toxin production and psm‐mec mutations in MRSA isolates in Thailand
Authors: Tabuchi Fumiaki , Lulitanond Aroonlug , Lulitanond Viraphong , Thunyaharn Sudaluck , Kaito Chikara 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn this present study, we investigated the phenol‐soluble modulin (psm‐mec) mutations, the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types, and toxin production in 102 methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from the northeast and central regions of Thailand. The MRSA isolates carrying ‐7T>C psm‐mec in Type II SCCmec (n = 18) and the MRSA isolates carrying no psm‐mec in Type IV (n = 8) or Type IX SCCmec (n = 4) had higher hemolytic activity against sheep erythrocytes than MRSA isolates carrying intact psm‐mec in Type III SCCmec (n = 34), but MRSA isolates carrying no psm‐mec in Type I SCCmec (n = 27) did not.
Industrial Relations and the Limits of the State: Can a Left Labour Government Resurrect Comprehensive Sectoral Collective Bargaining and Restore Trade Union Power?
Authors: ACKERS PETER 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSince 2017 the British Labour Party has proposed mandatory sectoral collective bargaining (SCB) as a comprehensive strategy to rebuild the trade union voice across the entire economy. The intellectual roots lie in the Institute of Employment Rights’ (IER) Manifesto for Labour Law (2016). First, this article explains the core IER approach, questioning its feasibility given current low levels of union membership and bargaining coverage and whether it would produce the stable and productive economy promised. Second, the article develops four social science objections to this state‐driven approach centred on industrial relations history; political sociology; economics; and political philosophy. The conclusion argues that while stronger voluntary trade unions could help, it is neither practicable nor desirable for the state to impose a trade union, single‐channel approach to employee voice. Instead, a ‘mixed economy of voice’ is proposed, perhaps including statutory works councils, which speaks directly to all employees—union and non‐union—and wins broader political, employer and public support.
Is there any correlation between spectral CT imaging parameters and PD‐L1 expression of lung adenocarcinoma?
Authors: Chen Mai‐Lin , Shi An‐Hui , Li Xiao‐ting , Wei Yi‐Yuan , Qi Li‐Ping , Sun Ying‐Shi 
Published: December 2019

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to explore whether spectral computed tomography (CT) imaging parameters are associated with PD‐L1 expression of lung adenocarcinoma.MethodsSpectral CT imaging parameters (iodine concentrations [IC] of lesion in arterial phase [ICLa] and venous phase [ICLv], normalized IC [NICa/NICv]‐normalized to the IC in the aorta, slope of the spectral HU curve [λHUa/λHUv] and enhanced monochromatic CT number [CT40keVa/v, CT70keVa/v] on 40 and 70 keV images) were analyzed in 34 prospectively enrolled lung adenocarcinoma patients with common molecular pathological markers including PD‐L1 expression detected with immunohistochemistry. Patients were divided into two groups: positive PD‐L1 expression and negative PD‐L1 expression groups. Two‐sample Mann‐Whitney U test was used to test the difference of spectral CT imaging parameters between the two groups.ResultsThe CT40keVa (127.03 ± 37.92 vs. −54.69 ± 262.04), CT40keVv (124.39 ± 34.71 vs. −45.73 ± 238.97), CT70keVa (49.56 ± 11.76 vs. −136.51 ± 237.08) and CT70keVv (46.13 ± 15.81 vs. −133.10 ± 230.72) parameters in the positive PD‐L1 expression group of lung adenocarcinoma were significantly higher than the negative PD‐L1 expression group (all P < 0.05). There was no difference detected in IC, NIC and λHU of the arterial and venous phases between both groups (all P > 0.05).ConclusionCT40keVa, CT40keVv, CT70keVa and CT70keVv were increased in positive PD‐L1 expression. These parameters may be used to distinguish the PD‐L1 expression state of lung adenocarcinoma.
From back to front: A functional model for the cerebellar modulation in the establishment of conditioned preferences for cocaine‐related cues
Authors: Gil‐Miravet Isis , Melchor‐Eixea Ignasi , Arias‐Sandoval Edgar , Vasquez‐Celaya Lizbeth , Guarque‐Chabrera Julian , Olucha‐Bordonau Francisco , Miquel Marta 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIt is now increasingly clear that the cerebellum may modulate brain functions altered in drug addiction. We previously demonstrated that cocaine‐induced conditioned preference increased activity at the dorsal posterior cerebellar vermis. Unexpectedly, a neurotoxic lesion at this region increased the probability of cocaine‐induced conditioned preference acquisition. The present research aimed at providing an explanatory model for such as facilitative effect of the cerebellar lesion. First, we addressed a tracing study in which we found a direct projection from the lateral (dentate) nucleus to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) that also receives Purkinje axons from lobule VIII in the vermis. This pathway might control the activity and plasticity of the cortico‐striatal circuitry. Then we evaluated cFos expression in different regions of the medial prefrontal cortex and striatum after a lesion in lobule VIII before conditioning. Additionally, perineuronal net (PNN) expression was assessed to explore whether the cerebellar lesion might affect synaptic stabilization mechanisms in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Damage in this region of the vermis induced general disinhibition of the mPFC and striatal subdivisions that receive dopaminergic projections, mainly from the VTA. Moreover, cerebellar impairment induced an upregulation of PNN expression in the mPFC. The major finding of this research was to provide an explanatory model for the function of the posterior cerebellar vermis on drug‐related memory. In this model, damage of the posterior vermis would release striatum‐cortical networks from the inhibitory tonic control exerted by the cerebellar cortex over VTA, thereby promoting drug effects.