bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Separability and Geometry of Object Manifolds in Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Cohen Uri , Chung SueYeon , Lee Daniel D. , Sompolinsky Haim 
Published: May 2019

AbstractStimuli are represented in the brain by the collective population responses of sensory neurons, and an object presented under varying conditions gives rise to a collection of neural population responses called an object manifold. Changes in the object representation along a hierarchical sensory system are associated with changes in the geometry of those manifolds, and recent theoretical progress connects this geometry with classification capacity, a quantitative measure of the ability to support object classification. Deep neural networks trained on object classification tasks are a natural testbed for the applicability of this relation. We show how classification capacity improves along the hierarchies of deep neural networks with different architectures. We demonstrate that changes in the geometry of the associated object manifolds underlie this improved capacity, and shed light on the functional roles different levels in the hierarchy play to achieve it, through orchestrated reduction of manifolds’ radius, dimensionality and inter-manifold correlations.
Bayogenin 3-O-Cellobioside is a novel non-cultivar specific anti-blast metabolite produced in rice in response toPyricularia oryzaeinfection
Authors: Norvienyeku Justice , Lin Lili , Waheed Abdul , Chen Xiaomin , Bao Jiandong , Shabbir Ammarah , Lin Lianyu , Zhong Zhenhui , Batool Wajjiha , Aliyu Sami Rukaiya , Zhou Jie , Lu Guodong , Wang Zonghua 
Published: May 2019

AbstractRice cultivars fromjaponicaandindicalineage possess differential resistance against blast fungus on an account genetic divergence. Whether different rice cultivars also show distinct metabolomic changes in response toP. oryzae, and their role in host resistance, are poorly understood. Here, we examine the responses of six different rice cultivars fromjaponicaandindicalineage challenged withP. oryzae. Both susceptible and resistant rice cultivars expressed several metabolites exclusively duringP. oryzaeinfection, including the saponin Bayogenin 3-O-cellobioside. Bayogenin 3-O-cellobioside level in infected rice directly correlated with their resistant attributes. These findings reveal, for the first time to our knowledge that besides oat, other grass plants including rice produces protective saponins. Our study provides insight into the role of pathogen-mediated metabolomics-reprogramming in host immunity. The correlation between Bayogenin 3-O-Cellobioside levels and blast resistance suggests that engineering saponin expression in cereal crops represents an attractive and sustainable disease control strategy.
Enhancing Six Sigma methodology using simulation techniques
Authors: Ahmed Ali , Page John , Olsen John 
Published: May 2019

Purpose
In recent times, the idea of taking advantage of the benefits of simulation techniques and Six Sigma discipline altogether has led various organizations towards implementation of simulation tools within Six Sigma methodology. The purpose of this study is to provide a more comprehensive literature review on the topic exploring how this amalgamation could work both in theory and practice. This precisely entailed finding dependable studies that shows how Six Sigma (DMAIC) Methodology can be enhanced by the three prevalent simulation techniques; Agent-Based (AB), Discrete-Events (DE), System Dynamics (SD).

Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was considered more fitting in research because it involves rigorous and well-defined approach compared to other forms of literature review. In this case, the literature was comprehensive, well-encompassing and involved finding Six Sigma and Simulations literatures from reputable scholarly databases. The outcome of these reviews was the identification of a set of key finding compiled and classified by topics. The study follows an inductive approach and utilises a meta-synthesis review technique.

Findings
As numerous studies assert, simulation techniques including AB, DE and SD are applicable tools in almost every stage of DMAIC, especially the Analyse, Improve and Control phases, because of their capability to test and identify potential bottlenecks and improvement areas. Findings show that the simulation tools such as CLDs, Group Model Building, Dynamic Balance Scorecards and Cost of poor quality all have the potential to add value to a Six Sigma methodology.

Originality/value
The findings of this study highlight the importance of further inquiry in this area of study. The finding of this study suggests that although the study on the integration of Six Sigma and simulations is increasing, empirical evidence on its effectiveness is still limited. Therefore, this study suggests more roadmaps and investigations aimed at merging Six Sigma methodology and various simulation technique. Moreover, studies that centre on hybrid or multi-method simulations within Six Sigma are also urgently necessitated.
Stakeholder influence strategies in construction projects
Authors: Nguyen Tan Hai Dang , Chileshe Nicholas , Rameezdeen Raufdeen , Wood Anthony 
Published: May 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to investigate strategies that external stakeholders can employ to affect construction project outcomes and, second, to identify essential requirements for utilising each strategy.Design/methodology/approachA new theoretical framework of stakeholder influence strategies was proposed and applied. The research design is a multi-case study, comprising four cases in the construction industry in Vietnam.FindingsSeven specific strategies were found, including inputs withholding, inputs compromising, communication, direct action, coalition building, conflict escalation and credibility building. When possessing project inputs, stakeholders can affect a project directly via a withholding or compromising strategy. Communication is available to those who have basic communicating skills; however, direct action is only employed by groups that include a large number of members. Objectors must have common interests or goals with their potential allies for using coalition building. Conflict escalation is restricted to communities having distinctive characteristics which can be used to create new problems sensibly, while credibility building is used by parties possessing adequate resources and expertise.Research limitations/implicationsThis study’s generalisability may be limited by the main source of data and the types of projects in the selected cases.Practical implicationsThis study provides directions for project managers to predict stakeholder influence by taking project inputs and utilisation requirements of the strategies into consideration.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first investigations on stakeholder-attributes-related requirements for utilising influence strategies in projects.
Impactful engineering education through sustainable energy collaborations with public and private entities
Authors: Pacheco Lluís , Ningsu Luo , Pujol Toni , Gonzalez Jose Ramon , Ferrer Inès 
Published: May 2019

Purpose
This paper aims to report on a case study concerning the development of sustainable energy partnerships involving engineering faculty and undergraduate students at the University of Girona, Catalonia, Spain.

Design/methodology/approach
Faculty were motivated to seek partnerships with public and private entities in the local area for the purposes of realising mutually beneficial outcomes. The educational programmes of future engineers, when sustainability is considered, are analysed. Education for sustainable development has to include multidisciplinary active learning as a desirable competence. Active learning can be obtained when problems are based on real life because they are most motivating for students. Constructive alignment component is obtained because learning objectives are linked with learning activities related to the needs of public and private entities.

Findings
Through the provision of technical expertise, the adoption and success of renewable energy projects was facilitated on the one hand, while final year undergraduate students benefited in terms of hands-on experience in helping to bring these projects to life, drawing on the knowledge and skills they had acquired throughout their degree programmes. These works are addressed to students by faculty members with the aim of developing and promoting renewable energies. Outcomes from partnerships surpassed expectations; not only were different benefits realised as were initially hoped for, but this success led to partnerships being sustained over time.

Originality/value
Fossil fuel-based energy systems are associated with a myriad of negative environmental and social externalities. It is difficult to overstate the importance of transitioning towards alternative low carbon energy sources for climate change mitigation which are less centralised compared to the status-quo for energy security and energy independence. By actively facilitating the development of decentralised renewable energy sources in Catalonia, the projects reported herein are of significant value in social environmental and educational terms.
Applying an organizational effectiveness approach to measure family business performance
Authors: Williams Jr Ralph I. , Pieper Torsten , Kellermanns Franz , Astrachan Joe 
Published: May 2019

Purpose
Current approaches to measuring family business performance have limitations: failing to acknowledge the entire family business holistically, and lacking recognition of the idiosyncratic nature of family business goals. By applying organizational effectiveness and the achievement of desired organizational outcomes, the purpose of this paper is to develop a scale to measure performance based on a family business’ idiosyncratic goals.

Design/methodology/approach
This study applies mixed methods, including qualitative research, two surveys and structural equation modeling.

Findings
The authors develop a scale employing 21 items, representing six goal dimensions, to measure the family business performance.

Originality/value
The family business performance measurement scale from this study responds to multiple calls for a scale gauging family business performance in a manner including both financial and non-financial outcomes.
Development of a model for maintenance performance measurement
Authors: Ku Sungtae , Kim Changeun 
Published: May 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a model that can measure the equipment maintenance performance of the energy company K-company.

Design/methodology/approach
The case study method was adopted for the investigation of maintenance performance indicators (MPIs). The development of a model for measuring maintenance performance suggested new ways to apply the methodologies of existing papers to evaluate the level of maintenance.

Findings
Maintenance indicators, which are managed differently for each plant, were assessed for their performance relevance, applicability and data reliability and then standardized into five key MPIs. The MPI model, which enables comprehensive and quantitative measurement of maintenance performance using the five selected MPIs, was presented, and the criteria for assessing the maintenance level were presented in five stages.

Practical implications
The authors selected MPIs that match the characteristics of the company and proposed a model that can comprehensively and quantitatively evaluate maintenance performance. The model also standardizes maintenance indicators that are individually managed and provides a basis for comparing and indexing the level of maintenance indicators at each plant.

Originality/value
The criterion for selecting the key MPIs considering the characteristics of the company and a model that can comprehensively and quantitatively evaluate maintenance performance were presented. In addition, a standard for evaluating the level of maintenance at the global level of maintenance management was suggested.
Pension discount rate and investor sentiment
Authors: Sun Fang , Wei Xiangjing 
Published: May 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how investor sentiment, proxied by Michigan consumer confidence index, affects the choice of defined benefit pension plan discount rates.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use multivariate analysis to test our hypotheses. The dependent variable is defined pension plan discount rate and the testing variables are investor sentiment and a dummy variable representing underfunded status.FindingsThe authors find a negative and significant relation between investor sentiment and pension plan discount rate. During high (low) sentiment periods, pension discount rate tends to be adjusted downward (upward) discretionarily. Further analysis indicates the relationship between pension discount rate and investor sentiment is more pronounced for firms with underfunded pension plans. The results can be explained by limited attention effects, capital budgeting strategy and earning smoothing.Practical implicationsThe empirical results of this study have important implications for corporate governance and regulation. Specifically, the results suggest the need for increased attention from boards of directors, auditors and regulators to reported pension liabilities, especially during periods of high investor sentiment when pension plan sponsors are more likely to adjust down pension discount rate and accordingly to increase pension liabilities.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the extant literature by identifying investor sentiment as a new incentive of pension discount rate manipulation. The empirical results of this study also have important implications for corporate governance and regulation.
Boundary integration, work/family enrichment and life satisfaction among female nursing staff
Authors: Yasir Muhammad , Majid Abdul , Yasir Muhammad , Khan Najeebullah 
Published: May 2019

Purpose
This study aims to propose a model based on boundary theory to provide information about how boundary integration (BI) promotes life satisfaction (LS) among female nursing staff. For the prediction of this relationship, this study also captures the mediation effect of family-to-work enrichment (FWE), work-to-family enrichment (WFE) and job satisfaction (JS).

Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive statistics, correlation, structural equation modelling (SEM), Baron and Kenny approach, PROCESS Macro and Sobel test approaches were used on a sample of 724 nurses.

Findings
The results of the study confirm the significant effects of BI on LS of female nursing staff. Moreover, the mediating roles of FWE, WFE and JS are also confirmed.

Practical implications
Work–family BI is essential for the enhancement of LS among nursing staff. Increasing the BI level along with WFE and FWE provides foundation for JS and LS. Moreover, the study in hand provides significant implications for nursing management; importantly, this study explores BI as an important predictor of FWE, WFE and JS in addressing the LS among nurses.

Originality/value
Nurses’ WFE and FWE are determined through various factors. In distinguishing from past studies in the relevant field, this study explores BI as an important predictor of WFE and FWE in addressing the JS and LS among female nursing staff.
Does bank competition promote economic growth? Empirical evidence from selected South Asian countries
Authors: Rakshit Bijoy , Bardhan Samaresh 
Published: May 2019

PurposeBank competition and financial stability are often cited as important drivers of economic growth. Bank competition plays a very significant role in enhancing the efficiency and determining the stability of a financial system. However, a question of interest is whether bank competition enhances or hindrances the economic growth of a country. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of bank competition and financial stability on economic growth for selected South Asian economies over the period 1997–2016.Design/methodology/approachTo investigate whether bank competition enhances or hinders economic growth, the author applies a two-step estimation technique. First, the author estimates bank competition using the Lerner index and adjusted Lerner index and, second, examines the joint effect of bank competition and financial stability on economic growth applying both panel regression model and system GMM techniques.FindingsEmpirical findings reveal that the banking sector in South Asian economies is competitive as indicated by the estimated values of Lerner and adjusted Lerner index. Moreover, the joint effect defined by the interaction between banking competition and banking stability also reveals a positive and significant impact on economic growth. This finding implies that both banking competition and banking stability are significant long-term determinants of economic growth in South Asian economies.Practical implicationsThis paper suggests flexible banking regulation policies such as low net interest rate margins, lesser activity restrictions and entry of foreign banks along with few contestability measures to increase bank competition in South Asian countries. This is because as higher the competition, greater is the chance for efficient allocation of resources and hence economic growth.Originality/valueThis paper is the first of its kind that considers the joint role of bank competition and financial stability on economic growth. The application of a semi-parametric approach in the estimation of marginal cost is also a unique contribution to empirical literature.
Impact of exchange rates on exports from India’s sub-national economies
Authors: Tan Khee Giap , Gopalan Sasidaran , Sharma Jigyasa 
Published: May 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of real effective exchange rates (REER), both in terms of levels and volatility, on the export performance of India’s sub-national economies, given the recent slowdown in India’s exports.Design/methodology/approachIndia’s export distribution is highly asymmetric, with 90 percent of India’s exports concentrated in 11 sub-national economies. Exploiting this concentration, this paper constructs a panel data set using available data between 2002 and 2014 to understand the relationship between REER and exports from the top exporting cluster. Moreover, the paper constructs a sub-national competitiveness index to capture the supply capacity of the states.FindingsThe empirical findings of this paper reveal that a higher REER volatility deters exports and movements in REER do not matter as much as volatility. The most significant finding of the paper is that state competitiveness is the most crucial factor affecting trade. Therefore, policy makers at the state level must lay more emphasis on the supply side such as addressing logistical bottlenecks to help revive exports growth.Originality/valueThis study makes a departure from the plethora of extant aggregate-level studies by examining the relationship between REER and exports at the sub-national level for India. Considering the highly skewed distribution of India’s exports, the study provides important insights into the exporting patterns and determinants that are at play at the sub-national level.
Berry Jelly: Optimization Through Desirability‐Based Mixture Design
Authors: Schiassi Maria Cecília E. V. , Salgado Derlyene L. , Meirelles Beatriz S. , Lago Amanda M. T. , Queiroz Fabiana , Curi Paula N. , Pio Rafael , de Souza Vanessa R. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBerries are among the nutritionally richest fruits and the mixing of these fruits can originate products with peculiar characteristics and added value, since the fruit mixture allows adding nutritional and sensory value to the final product. Thus, in this study we aimed to optimize a mixed berry jelly formulation of red fruit (blackberry, blueberry, and strawberry), through the mixture design, desirability function, and response surface methodology. The fruit mixture influenced the physical–chemical, sensory, and nutritional characteristics of mixed jelly, and it was observed that the mixture of two or more fruits may increase the acceptance of the product and even its nutritional value. According to the contour curve graph for the sensory and nutritional desirability function, the ideal mixed berry jelly should contain 55% to 100% blackberry, 0% to 20% blueberry, and 0% to 40% strawberry. The exact proportion of fruit may depend on seasonality or the commercial value of the fruit.Practical ApplicationIn Brazil, there are many blackberry, blueberry, and strawberry cultivars grown in subtropical regions and high perishability hinders the fruit consumption in fresh form. In this context, through this study it was possible to verify which fruits are more suitable for processing in the form of jelly, as well as to optimize, based on sensory and nutritional characteristics, a mixed berry jelly formulation with greater attractiveness to consumers.
The impact of strengthening agricultural extension services on women farmers: Evidence from Ethiopia
Authors: Buehren Niklas , Goldstein Markus , Molina Ezequiel , Vaillant Julia 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis paper evaluates the effect of the Rural Capacity Building Project (RCBP), which aimed at promoting growth by strengthening the agricultural service systems in Ethiopia, and by making them more responsive to smallholders’ needs, in particular women farmers. We examine the gender‐differentiated impact of the RCBP using panel data on 1,485 geographically dispersed households in project and control kebeles. We find that women farmers’ access and satisfaction with extension services increased significantly immediately after the start of the project, but that effect did not last into the medium term. The project led to an increase in the adoption of high‐value crop farming, area of land cultivated, and economic participation of household members, benefiting male‐ and female‐headed households equally. Results point to the positive impact of incorporating women's needs and constraints in the design of the agricultural extension system. However, the project was not able to reduce the preexisting gender gap in agricultural outcomes.
Midostaurin abrogates CD33‐directed UniCAR and CD33‐CD3 bispecific antibody therapy in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Fasslrinner Frederick , Arndt Claudia , Koristka Stefanie , Feldmann Anja , Altmann Heidi , von Bonin Malte , Schmitz Marc , Bornhäuser Martin , Bachmann Michael 
Published: May 2019

SummaryCombinatory therapeutic approaches of different targeted therapies in acute myeloid leukaemia are currently under preclinical/early clinical investigation. To enhance anti‐tumour effects, we combined the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) midostaurin and T‐cell mediated immunotherapy directed against CD33. Clinically relevant concentrations of midostaurin abrogated T‐cell mediated cytotoxicity both after activation with bispecific antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T cells. This information is of relevance for clinicians exploring T‐cell mediated immunotherapy in early clinical trials. Given the profound inhibition of T‐cell functionality and anti‐tumour activity, we recommend specific FLT3 TKIs for further clinical testing of combinatory approaches with T‐cell based immunotherapy.