bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Hox transcription factor Ubx ensures somatic myogenesis by suppressing the mesodermal master regulator Twist
Authors: Domsch Katrin , Schröder Julia , Janeschik Matthias , Schaub Christoph , Lohmann Ingrid 
Published: February 2020

AbstractEarly determination factors and lineage-specific master regulators are essential for the specification of cell and tissue types. However, once a cell has committed to a specific fate, it is equally critical to restrict the activity of such factors to enable proper differentiation. In many studies the functional network for master regulators are under constant investigations. Yet, how these factors are silenced remains unclear. Using theDrosophilamesoderm as a model and a comparative genomic approach, we identified the Hox transcription factor (TF) Ultrabithorax (Ubx) to be critical for the repression of the mesodermal master regulator Twist (Twi). Mesoderm-specific Ubx loss-of-function experiments using CRISPR/Cas9 as well as overexpression experiments demonstrated that Ubx majorly impactstwitranscription. A detailed mechanistic analysis revealed that Ubx requires the function of the NK-homeodomain protein Tinman (Tin) but not the muscle differentiation factor Myocyte enhancer factor 2 (Mef2) to bind to thetwipromoter. Furthermore, we found these TF interactions to be critical for silencing of thetwipromoter region by recruiting the Polycomb DNA binding protein Pleiohomeotic (Pho). In sum, our study demonstrates that the Hox TF Ubx is a critical player in mediating the silencing of the mesodermal master regulator Twi, which is crucial for coordinated muscle differentiation.
The invaluable experience
Authors: Lan Kenneth 
Published: February 2020

PurposeThis writing examines the remarkable career of the founding East Asian scholar at Montreal's Concordia University. He was the individual who did more than merely a college professor after 37 years there. He had helped to shape a new course in Sino-Canadian relations.DesignThis paper will look at an element of soft power engagement between Canada and China before Deng Xiaoping's Open Door Policy. It also examines Concordia's achievement in establishing a China foothold in the early-1980s.FindingsCanada has always been a pioneer in engaging Red China. Despite not having formal diplomatic ties until October 1970, Ottawa never abandoned its wish to seek a friendship with Beijing. Amidst the thawing China–Canada relations since 1970, Concordia University recruited a 25-year-old graduate student named Martin Singer to inaugurate its East Asian courses. Singer's auspicious academic career not only gave him to organize Canada's first and the largest student delegation to China but also enabled him to pioneer the first joint-postgraduate studies program between a Chinese and a Western postsecondary institution. He was also a key player in establishing a novel and unique relationship between the PRC and the Western world.OriginalityThis paper provides a glimpse into China's early experience in engaging the world as it left behind decades of communist isolation. It also highlights how serendipities allowed people and institutions to advance in the wake of this exciting period in modern Chinese history.
Migrant workers in Japan: socio-economic conditions and policy
Authors: Hosogaya Nobuko 
Published: February 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to ascertain the major characteristics of contemporary migrant workers in Japan. In order to illustrate their actual situations in relation to the socio-economic conditions and government policies, data have been gathered from relevant government sources and several surveys conducted by Japanese researchers.Design/methodology/approach The paper discusses social background, socio-economic factors and the public response to migrant workers in Japan. The focus is placed upon Japanese policy context and recent trend which demonstrates an increase in foreign workers. The main method is statistical analyses of the government macro data. In addition, some data from the relevant research outcomes are systematised.FindingsThe inflow of migrant workers has consistently augmented, and this has fostered the public debate. Some observers indicate that government deceitfully accepts migrant workers through the “backdoor” and the “side doors”. There has been some criticism, relating to the fact that increasing numbers of foreign employees include many workers with no formal qualifications, such as technical internships and international students who take on part-time jobs.Originality/valueThis article provides some factors for certain migration patterns, featuring contemporary Japan's migration issues. In conclusion, some uniqueness of contemporary migrant workers in Japanese community has been depicted, and the implications of these findings can contribute to prospective research, Japan's policy and practice in this field.
Banks' sustainable growth challenge under economic recessionary pressure
Authors: Zheng Maoyong , Escalante Cesar L. 
Published: February 2020

PurposeThis is a comparative study of the nature of operating decisions made by agricultural and non-agricultural banks, affecting their actual growth plans in the years around and during the Great Recession of 2008. The main empirical question is whether banks under greater economic stress shortly before, during, and immediately after the recession made deliberate adjustments in their growth decisions vis-à-vis predetermined sustainable levels.Design/methodology/approachHiggins' sustainable growth challenge is employed to evaluate banks' growth decisions involving four growth levers (profitability, earnings retention, asset management, and financial leverage). Actual growth trends are related to business growth rates deemed sustainable given available financial capability as prescribed by Higgins' model.FindingsBoth banking groups made cautious growth decisions during the sample period. Actual growth rates were below sustainable levels. Agricultural banks registered steadily increasing sustainable growth rates from the pre-recession years until the recovery period, while non-agricultural banks were more constrained to grow given their declining sustainable growth levels. Notably, agricultural banks showed relatively more aggressiveness in raising slightly actual revenue growth to levels much closer to sustainable levels. This could have resulted from their less volatile profit margin trends and usual pressure to maintain acceptable liquidity conditions in order to gain access to external funds.Originality/valueThis study presents an additional application of Higgins' model to agricultural finance. The comparative analysis of banking groups becomes even more relevant these days as recent economic discussions focus on indicators of an imminent recessionary period.
Capacity building for transnationalisation of higher education
Authors: Shams S.M. Riad , Hasan Rajibul 
Published: February 2020

PurposeTransnationalism and transnational concept are extensively researched in many social science areas; however, transnational management and transnational marketing is relatively a less explored research domain. Also, knowledge management for transnational education (TNE) marketing is not well-researched. Capacity building is an established research-stream, with a key focus on socio-economic and ecological development; however, prior research on capacity building from the context of TNE’s knowledge management and marketing is scarce. The purpose of this study is to analyse TNE marketing mix, to understand the influence of transnational stakeholders’ causal scope(s) on knowledge management in TNE to uphold their transnatioalisation processes through capacity building in TNEs’ marketing management.Design/methodology/approachAn inductive constructivist method is followed.FindingsOrganisational learning from the context of transnational market and socio-economic competitive factors, based on analysing the transnational stakeholders’ causal scope(s) is imperative for proactive knowledge management capacity in TNE marketing. Following the analysis of transnational stakeholders’ causal scope(s) to learn about the cause and consequence of the transnational stakeholders’ relationships and interactions, an initial conceptual framework of knowledge management for TNE marketing is proposed. Practical insights from different TNE markets are developed in support of this novel knowledge management capacity building framework of TNE, and its generalisation perspectives and future research areas are discussed.Practical implicationsThese insights will be useful for TNE administrators to better align their knowledge management perspectives and propositions with their transnational stakeholders to underpin TNE marketing. Academics will be able to use these insights as a basis for future research.Originality/valueThis study proposes a novel conceptual stakeholder-centred capacity building framework for TNE’s knowledge management to uphold TNE marketing and supports the framework, based on practical insights from three different transnational markets.
A novel parallel finite element procedure for nonlinear dynamic problems using GPU and mixed-precision algorithm
Authors: Wang Shengquan , Wang Chao , Cai Yong , Li Guangyao 
Published: February 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to improve the computational speed of solving nonlinear dynamics by using parallel methods and mixed-precision algorithm on graphic processing units (GPUs). The computational efficiency of traditional central processing units (CPUs)-based computer aided engineering software has been difficult to satisfy the needs of scientific research and practical engineering, especially for nonlinear dynamic problems. Besides, when calculations are performed on GPUs, double-precision operations are slower than single-precision operations. So this paper implemented mixed precision for nonlinear dynamic problem simulation using Belytschko-Tsay (BT) shell element on GPU.Design/methodology/approachTo minimize data transfer between heterogeneous architectures, the parallel computation of the fully explicit finite element (FE) calculation is realized using a vectorized thread-level parallelism algorithm. An asynchronous data transmission strategy and a novel dependency relationship link-based method, for efficiently solving parallel explicit shell element equations, are used to improve the GPU utilization ratio. Finally, this paper implements mixed precision for nonlinear dynamic problems simulation using the BT shell element on a GPU and compare it to the CPU-based serially executed program and a GPU-based double-precision parallel computing program.FindingsFor a car body model containing approximately 5.3 million degrees of freedom, the computational speed is improved 25 times over CPU sequential computation, and approximately 10% over double-precision parallel computing method. The accuracy error of the mixed-precision computation is small and can satisfy the requirements of practical engineering problems.Originality/valueThis paper realized a novel FE parallel computing procedure for nonlinear dynamic problems using mixed-precision algorithm on CPU-GPU platform. Compared with the CPU serial program, the program implemented in this article obtains a 25 times acceleration ratio when calculating the model of 883,168 elements, which greatly improves the calculation speed for solving nonlinear dynamic problems.
Supporting building automation systems in BIM/IFC: reviewing the existing information gap
Authors: Vieira Renato , Carreira Paulo , Domingues Pedro , Costa Antonio Aguiar 
Published: February 2020

PurposeDespite the continuous development of Building Information Modeling (BIM) standards, not all of its dimensions are supported to the same extent. This is the case of Building Automation Systems (BAS) in which the features that are limited mostly to physical setup of devices are supported. These are largely insufficient to support modeling automation scenarios. The purpose of this article is to clarify the gap in the state of the art and define the need for further developments.Design/methodology/approachThis article explores the existing gap in the literature and discusses the hypothesis of extending BIM to a wider support of BA concepts. Based on an assessment of scientific and technical literature, this study elicits the information requirements of BA and performs a gap analysis with current BIM standards, such as Industry Foundation Classes (IFC).FindingsOur findings lead us to conclude that there is a lack of completeness regarding features from BAS automation and management levels. Furthermore, it is shown that IFC is the most adequate data model to cover BAS without losing its purpose, but there is still a considerable work that needs to be addressed in future research.Originality/valueBIM standards such as IFC position themselves as natural candidates for modeling and exchanging information regarding BA. However, the extent to which BIM supports automation features has never been rigorously analyzed. This article explores the existing gap in the literature and discusses the hypothesis of extending BIM to a wider support of BA concepts. Based on an assessment of scientific and technical literature, this study elicits the information requirements of BA and performs a gap analysis with current BIM standards such as IFC.
Research-evidence-based health policy formulation in Malawi
Authors: Mapulanga Patrick , Raju Jaya , Matingwina Thomas 
Published: February 2020

PurposeThe paper seeks to report on research-evidence-based health policy formulation in Malawi based on interviews with policymakers and questionnaire administered to health researchers.Design/methodology/approachQuantitative data for inferential statistical analysis was obtained through a questionnaire administered to researchers in the University of Malawi's College of Medicine and the Kamuzu College of Nursing. Interviews were conducted with four directors holding decision-making national health policy roles in the Ministry of Health and the National Assembly. The five national policymakers interviewed constituted five of the nine interviewees. The remaining four interviewed represented other government agencies and non-governmental organisations in the health sector. These constituted a piloted group of health policymakers in Malawi. Data from interviews shows illustrative comments typical of consistent perspectives among interviewees. Where they disagreed, divergent views have been presented.FindingsThe survey has revealed that health researchers rarely interact with health policymakers. Policymakers rarely attend researchers' workshops, seminars and conferences. Researchers prefer to interact with policymakers through expert committees or technical working groups. However, the meetings are called by policymakers at their own will. In terms of health research designed for user relevance, survey respondents suggested that developing research products; formulating study objectives; analysing and interpreting research findings and; developing research designs and methods were their responsibility. However, policymakers felt that research evidence should appeal to specific priorities needed by health policymakers in policy formulation. Health researchers suggested that health research evidence should be communicated through syntheses of the research literature and reprints of articles published in scientific journals. However, policymakers were of the view that research products should not be bulky, should be presented in points form and should provide options for specific policy areas.Practical implicationsUniversity research groups and technical working groups provide an opportunity for interacting and enhancing the use of health research evidence.Originality/valueFor the purposes of facilitating the use of research evidence into policy, the study provides a low-cost framework for linking research groups and technical working groups to inform health research utilisation.
Volatility clustering, risk-return relationship and asymmetric adjustment in the Finnish housing market
Authors: Dufitinema Josephine 
Published: February 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether the house prices in Finland share financial characteristics with assets such as stocks. The studied regions are 15 main regions in Finland over the period of 1988:Q1-2018:Q4. These regions are divided geographically into 45 cities and sub-areas according to their postcode numbers. The studied type of dwellings is apartments (block of flats) divided into one-room, two rooms and more than three rooms apartment types.Design/methodology/approachBoth Ljung–Box and Lagrange multiplier tests are used to test for clustering effects (autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity effects). For cities and sub-areas with significant clustering effects, the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH)-in-mean model is used to determine the potential impact that the conditional variance may have on returns. Moreover, the exponential GARCH model is used to examine the possibility of asymmetric effects of shocks on house price volatility. For each apartment type, individual models are estimated; enabling different house price dynamics, and variation of signs and magnitude of different effects across cities and sub-areas.FindingsResults reveal that clustering effects exist in over half of the cities and sub-areas in all studied types of apartments. Moreover, mixed results on the sign of the significant risk-return relationship are observed across cities and sub-areas in all three apartment types. Furthermore, the evidence of the asymmetric impact of shocks on housing volatility is noted in almost all the cities and sub-areas housing markets. These studied volatility properties are further found to differ across cities and sub-areas, and by apartment types.Research limitations/implicationsThe existence of these volatility patterns has essential implications, such as investment decision-making and portfolio management. The study outcomes will be used in a forecasting procedure of the volatility dynamics of the studied types of dwellings. The quality of the data limits the analysis and the results of the study.Originality/valueTo the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates the volatility of the Finnish housing market in general, and by using data on both municipal and geographical level, particularly.
Towards a high-performance HR bundle process for lean service operations
Authors: Zirar Araz , Trusson Clive , Choudhary Alok 
Published: February 2020

PurposeThis article presents an empirically induced “high-performance” “human resources (HR) bundle”, comprising six HR practices, for supporting lean service operations.Design/methodology/approachThis was a multiple case study. A qualitative data set, including transcripts from 27 semistructured in-depth interviews with lean practitioners from across five service organizations that have adopted lean practices, was thematically analyzed to establish key HR practices on the road to lean maturity.FindingsA “high-performance” HR bundle of three work practices and three employment practices emerged from the analysis. These practices typically mature implicitly rather than systematically to support organizations in successfully implementing lean service operations by resourcing the most suitable people for carefully defined roles, providing workers with extensive lean training opportunities, appraising workers' performances such that lean behaviours are recognized and rewarded and encouraging a participative teamworking culture.Research limitations/implicationsThis article uses cross-sectional data from five case studies to induce a “high-performance” “HR bundle” theoretical model and process. A larger number of case studies and/or longitudinal data would add credence.Practical implicationsLean service managers should regard HR practices as integral to the lean maturation process and might usefully conceive of them as processes allowing for greater management control to achieve incremental improvements to lean service provision.Originality/valueThe article provides deeper understanding of the importance of HR practice for lean service organizations and offers practical suggestions for managing HR practices in this context.
Industry 4.0 technologies in the purchasing process
Authors: Gottge Simon , Menzel Torben , Forslund Helena 
Published: February 2020

PurposeThe aim of the study is to explore the possible practical impact of big data/business intelligence and Internet of Things on the purchasing process of premium automotive manufacturers, and to evaluate its theoretical impact with a transaction cost economics approach.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory multiple-case study was carried out, using qualitative content analysis and cross-case synthesis.FindingsCollaborative platforms and a new purchaser role were found to impact the entire process. In the strategic purchasing 4.0 process, co-creation of specifications, automated prequalification, and parameter-based negotiations are some expected changes. The operative purchasing 4.0 process is shaped by, for example, interactive call-offs. Transaction cost is expected to decrease by reduced uncertainty and supplier specificity, as well as by lowered information search, negotiation, and monitoring costs.Research limitations/implicationsThe description of a potential purchasing 4.0 process for premium automotive manufacturers is given.Practical implicationsPremium automotive manufacturers can develop strategies to push the existing standards of purchasing. Suppliers can create scenarios to allow for future compliance at the purchasing–sales interface.Social implicationsNew technologies' effects on the workforce are considered.Originality/valueNo identified study focused on the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on the purchasing process of premium automotive manufacturers.
The impact of product market competition on stock price crash risk
Authors: Li Jia , Luo Zhengying 
Published: February 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of product market competition on the risk of stock price crash based on the degree of industry competition and the competitive position of enterprises.Design/methodology/approachThis paper chooses the data of Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share listed companies from 2009 to 2017 as samples and uses a threshold regression model to explore the impact of product market competition on the risk of a stock price crash.FindingsThe results show that: the overall level of industry competition is negatively correlated with the risk of stock price crash; the competitive position of enterprises and the risk of a stock price crash. The correlation is not significant: for high competitive enterprises, the degree of industry competition is negatively correlated with the risk of stock price crash; for low competitive enterprises, the degree of industry competition is positively correlated with the risk of a stock price crash and the conclusions obtained have passed the robustness test.Originality/valueThis paper not only enriches the literature on the relationship between product market competition and the risk of stock price crash but also has reference significance for supervisors to allocate resources to supervise information disclosure of listed companies.