bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inducing chondrogenesis in MSC/chondrocyte co-cultures using exogenous TGF-β: a mathematical model
Authors: Chen M.J. , Whiteley J.P. , Please C.P. , Schwab A. , Ehlicke F. , Waters S.L. , Byrne H.M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into chondrocytes (native cartilage cells), or chondrogenesis, is a key step in the tissue engineering of articular cartilage, where the motility and high proliferation rate of MSCs used as seed cells are exploited. Chondrogenesis is regulated by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), a short-lived cytokine whose effect is prolonged by storage in the extracellular matrix. Tissue engineering applications require the complete differentiation of an initial population of MSCs, and two common strategies used to achieve thisin vitroare (1) co-culture the MSCs with chondrocytes, which constitutively produce TGF-β; or (2) add exogenous TGF-β. To investigate these strategies we develop an ordinary differential equation model of the interactions between TGF-β, MSCs and chondrocyte. Here the dynamics of TGF-βare much faster than those of the cell processes; this difference in time-scales is exploited to simplify subsequent model analysis. Using our model we demonstrate that under strategy 1 complete chondrogenesis will be induced if the initial proportion of chondrocytes exceeds a critical value. Similarly, under strategy 2 we find that there is a critical concentration of exogenous TGF-βabove which all MSCs will ultimately differentiate. Finally, we use the model to demonstrate the potential advantages of adopting a hybrid strategy where exogenous TGF-βis added to a co-culture of MSCs and chondrocytes, as compared to using either strategy 1 or 2 in isolation.
Postmitotic nuclear pore assembly proceeds by radial dilation of small ER membrane openings
Authors: Otsuka Shotaro , Steyer Anna M. , Schorb Martin , Hériché Jean-Karim , Hossain M. Julius , Sethi Suruchi , Kueblbeck Moritz , Schwab Yannick , Beck Martin , Ellenberg Jan 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe nuclear envelope has to be reformed after mitosis to create viable daughter cells with closed nuclei. How membrane sealing of DNA and assembly of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are achieved and coordinated is poorly understood. Here, we reconstructed nuclear membrane topology and structure of assembling NPCs in a correlative three dimensional electron microscopy time-course of dividing human cells. Our quantitative ultrastructural analysis shows that nuclear membranes form from highly fenestrated ER sheets, whose shrinking holes are stabilized and then dilated into NPCs during inner ring complex assembly, forming thousands of transport channels within minutes. This mechanism is fundamentally different from interphase NPC assembly and explains how mitotic cells can rapidly establish a closed nuclear compartment while making it transport-competent at the same time.
Optic fissure margin morphogenesis sets the stage for consecutive optic fissure fusion, pioneered by a distinct subset of margin cells using a hyaloid vessel as scaffold
Authors: Eckert Priska , Schütz Lucas , Wittbrodt Joachim , Heermann Stephan 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe optic fissure is a transient gap in the developing optic cup of vertebrates. Persisting optic fissures, coloboma, are a frequent reason for blindness in children. Although many genes have been linked to coloboma, it has remained unclear how the two bi-layered epithelia comprising the optic fissure margins are fusing to form a continuous neuroretina and retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) respectively. Besides, highly variable morphologies of coloboma phenotypes strongly argue for a diverse set of underlying pathomechanisms.Here we investigated the contribution of the individual cell types with 4Din vivotime-lapse analyses using zebrafish (Danio rerio). This allowed defining the respective roles of the participating tissues and cell populations and their activities during fissure morphogenesis, contact formation between the margins as well as during fusion.We show that optic fissure closure is initiated by a bilateral tissue flow partially in continuation of the dynamic optic cup morphogenesis but additionally including a tissue flow from the optic stalk. This process is followed by the setup of specific fissure margins by a distinct cell population translocating from of the optic stalk. The morphological fusion is triggered by in an EMT-like disassembly of the fissure margin driven by bi-potential pioneer cells that ultimately take the fate of both, neuroretina and RPE respectively. The consecutive fusion and re-epithelialization transforms the two initially separated epithelial bilayers into the two continuous layers of neuroretina and RPE. The processes described here in detail represents a fundamental mechanism of the seamless connection of adjacent multilayered epithelia and is highly reminiscent of other fusion processes, like palatal shelf fusion with key relevance for development and growth.
Success in combating corruption in New Zealand
Authors: Zirker Daniel 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
New Zealand has had success in combating corruption. It has been ranked consistently as one of the five least corrupt countries in the world. The purpose of this paper is to shed light on this accomplishment.

Design/methodology/approach
An analysis of the policies, socio-cultural attributes and historical and geographical elements that have contributed to New Zealand’s success in combating corruption.

Findings
New Zealand’s long-term geographical isolation, egalitarian socio-economic and cultural traditions, its close legal and cultural affinity with Britain, and its unique regulatory civil service largely explain its success in combating corruption. Nevertheless, global influences, the absence of a single anti-corruption agency, and changing values may be eroding New Zealand’s record of success.

Originality/value
This paper will be useful to policy makers and those concerned with New Zealand’s recent decline in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.
Effect of agricultural policy on income and revenue risks in Italian farms
Authors: Severini Simone , Tantari Antonella , Di Tommaso Giuliano 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess how direct payments (DPs) of the Common Agricultural Policy affect income and revenue variability faced by Italian farmers.

Design/methodology/approach
Balanced farm-level panel data are used to construct coefficients of variation over the period 2003-2012. Nonlinear robust regression techniques are used to measure the effect of DP, farm size, fixity in resources, labor intensity, farm production orientation, and specialization on the variability of farm income (FI) and farm revenue. This is done on the overall sample as well as on subsamples of farms located in different regions and belonging to different types of farming.

Findings
DPs have mixed effects on the variability of FI. While a negative and significant relationship is found on the whole national sample, this is not generally the case when models are run on the considered subsamples. On the contrary, DPs have always significant variability increasing effects on revenue. This suggests that DPs reduce the degree of risk that farmers face allowing them to engage in riskier activities. Thus, DPs are less effective than expected in terms of income stabilization because these distort farmers’ risk management behavior. Because of this, DPs could constrain the development of markets for risk management instruments and reduce the effectiveness of policies supporting the use of these instruments.

Originality/value
The analysis is inspired by El Benni et al. (2012) but uses a different approach, applies it to a different country, and yields different results. Volatility measures are calculated over more years, and the paper accounts for differences in farm production orientation and is not based on an unbalanced panel of farms. Because of these differences, the authors obtained different results regarding the correlation between DP and income and, even more, revenue variability. Finally, comparing the results of models referring to FI and farm revenue improves the author’s understanding of the impact of DP on farmers’ risk management behavior and allows interesting policy considerations.
Relative performance evaluation among business unit level managers
Authors: van Elten Hilco J. 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
Relative performance evaluation (RPE) is a widely studied topic in the theoretical and analytical accounting and economics literatures. The empirical literature also addresses this topic, with its main focus on executive compensation. This paper aims to extend the findings of the literature by assessing the extent to which RPE is used at lower organisational levels.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a purpose-developed survey to gather data from 325 business unit managers.

Findings
This study finds that RPE is used to a great extent in the performance evaluation of business unit managers. Additionally, the findings suggest that RPE use increases the informativeness of the performance evaluation through noise reduction. Noise in the performance evaluation is described in literature as the primary antecedent of RPE, but prior research provides only weak empirical support for this claim.

Research limitations/implications
This study hypothesises a causal relation between RPE and noise in performance evaluation. However, the use of cross-sectional survey data only allows testing associations, not causations.

Originality/value
The originality and value of the paper lie in the focus on the business unit level and the use of survey data, which are almost completely absent in this area of research that almost exclusively uses archival data at the executive level.
Client importance and audit quality, office level evidence from the banking industry: a pitch
Authors: Zhang Yuyu 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
This paper aims to discuss the application of Faff’s pitch template to a research proposal on client importance and audit quality.

Design/methodology/approach
The “cocktail glass” approach and “3-2-1” design provide junior researchers with an effective tool to develop, evaluate and communicate research ideas in a simple way.

Findings
The author further provides a commentary and reflections based on his own experience in this letter.

Research limitations/implications
Based on my pitching experience, pitching requires significant preparation. Further, the pitching template is a useful means to deposit research ideas and as a control and supervisory tool.

Originality/value
It is a PRL submission.
Field quality metrics – findings and recommendations
Authors: Palmquist Brian 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
Based on a 2015 research survey by the author, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate a group of tablet- and smartphone-based software in order to recommend which one (or two) best matches the requirements for building construction field quality management. The secondary purpose of this paper is to identify which usage criteria best represent the needs of designers and builders. A tertiary but equally important purpose is to identify best means for knowledge transfer to up to 100 project teams per year.

Design/methodology/approach
Using a previously developed in-house questionnaire comprising 34 evaluation criteria, the author identified and evaluated eight currently available field quality management software being used by project teams in several different branches of the author’s building construction company. Evaluation involved face-to-face meetings with each of the 11 project teams using a standard questionnaire. Software vendors were also interviewed. Each comment made during interviews was captured and the results were communicated back to the team members for review – there were several comments and clarifications received in this manner. Questionnaires were evaluated, findings and recommendations drafted and circulated to senior management for review.

Findings
Out of the original 34 evaluation criteria, there emerged 12 field-derived evaluation criteria; an additional five arose from the site office, for a total of 17 out of the original 34. While site office-based personnel were comfortable with tablet-based software solutions, field staff such as superintendents favored smartphone-based solutions. Where field staff were required to use tablets for field quality management, they insisted on being accompanied by junior project management staff to act as scribes – all agreed this was inefficient.

Research limitations/implications
The eight software products selected for evaluation were limited to those already in use in the company; in one case a product was evaluated due to strong recommendations from staff based on hearsay. There are many more field quality management software and the field is changing rapidly, however the author believes the findings are of value in analyzing any current or future offering.

Practical implications
The ideal building construction field staff member should be equipped with a tablet used periodically during the workday to access the most up-to-date project documents. But the same individual should use a smartphone for the large majority of quality management observations, such as identifying and tracking to resolution deficiencies and non-conformances. Details of this mix and usage have not been previously identified.

Originality/value
In addition to evaluating a variety of field quality management software and identifying selection criteria, the paper identifies a practical implementation protocol that will maximize the likelihood of successful implementation.
Lean process design for a radiology department
Authors: Camgöz-Akdağ Hatice , Çalişkan Esra , Toma Sirel 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to design a future value stream map of the system and patient pathway with lean health care application tools in terms of quality improvement (QI) in order to decrease the non-value-added activities for patients, doctors, and nurses for a radiology unit in a public hospital based in Istanbul, Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach
Data are collected from personal observations, information technologies unit, and authorized employees. In order to measure subprocesses, some qualitative data are transformed into quantitative data via authorized employees’ experiences. Moreover, data tracking and keeping systems are too poor for revealing the current situation.

Findings
The current value stream map of the system of the radiology department of a public education and research hospital was analyzed and the future value stream map of the system and patient pathway was redesigned with lean health care application tools in terms of QI.

Research limitations/implications
The greatest limitation is the resistant to change and fear of talking on mistakes and low performances.

Originality/value
This paper states an example of a current and future value stream map showing step by step where the bottlenecks are and how these can be improved and what specific benefits will this analysis bring to the health care system. It will be useful for both academicians and practitioners on how to apply lean to health care.
Automated competitor analysis using big data analytics
Authors: Guo Liang , Sharma Ruchi , Yin Lei , Lu Ruodan , Rong Ke 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
Competitor analysis is a key component in operations management. Most business decisions are rooted in the analysis of rival products inferred from market structure. Relative to more traditional competitor analysis methods, the purpose of this paper is to provide operations managers with an innovative tool to monitor a firm’s market position and competitors in real time at higher resolution and lower cost than more traditional competitor analysis methods.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors combine the techniques of Web Crawler, Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning algorithms with data visualization to develop a big data competitor-analysis system that informs operations managers about competitors and meaningful relationships among them. The authors illustrate the approach using the fitness mobile app business.

Findings
The study shows that the system supports operational decision making both descriptively and prescriptively. In particular, the innovative probabilistic topic modeling algorithm combined with conventional multidimensional scaling, product feature comparison and market structure analyses reveal an app’s position in relation to its peers. The authors also develop a user segment overlapping index based on user’s social media data. The authors combine this new index with the product functionality similarity index to map indirect and direct competitors with and without user lock-in.

Originality/value
The approach improves on previous approaches by fully automating information extraction from multiple online sources. The authors believe this is the first system of its kind. With limited human intervention, the methodology can easily be adapted to different settings, giving quicker, more reliable real-time results. The approach is also cost effective for market analysis projects covering different data sources.
How does the public and private university environment affect students’ entrepreneurial intention?
Authors: Canever Mario Duarte , Barral Maria Renata Martínez , Ribeiro Felipe Garcia 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the causal links between public and private university environments and the entrepreneurial intention (EI) of students.

Design/methodology/approach
The impact of different university environments on the students’ EI was checked using a model adapted from Krueger et al. (2000). The study comprised a sample of students enrolled in business administration from three public and three private universities at first semester (freshmen) and at the last two semesters (senior) in Brazil. The model was measured through various questions and later assessed by principal component analysis to build constructs. Via t-test and path analysis the EI and the antecedents were subjected to a comparative analysis to test the equality of the models across the four categories emerged.

Findings
The two main types of Brazilian university environments (public and private) do not present significant differences in the way they influence EI and its antecedents. Both the tests of means and the tests of measurement of the structural relations between constructs confirm this finding with only a few exceptions. The result of this study is opposed to other studies carried out in Brazil, by showing that the public university environment is not worse for the entrepreneurship than the private. The environmental effects are mostly equal and they as a whole are not conducive to the development of EI.

Research limitations/implications
The study comprises business students only, and enrolled on regular universities. It is worth highlighting that evidence was brought to the debate for a group of universities in Brazil. Replicating the study with students from other areas and other universities, as well as students in Master’s and Doctorate programs could enrich the analyses.

Practical implications
This study provides insight into entrepreneurship education, as to which the university environment is conducive to the entrepreneurship. It brings insights for the development of entrepreneurial universities.

Originality/value
This study contributes to understanding the differences between the public and private universities environment regarding students’ EI.
Classroom-based action research with secondary school students of English Literature
Authors: Wood Audrey B. 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to reflect on some of the professional and practical challenges which emerged during the process of carrying out a small-scale action research project into different approaches to teaching English Literature in a Year-9 secondary classroom, completed in part-fulfilment of the requirements for a higher degree.

Design/methodology/approach
The author narrates an account of some of the difficulties faced by one emergent researcher whilst carrying out educational research in a comprehensive school in England.

Findings
The author suggests that even within a research-supportive environment where “research” is encouraged or expected, there is often limited effort from management to articulate the practicalities or evaluate its effectiveness. Despite this, the author emphasises the benefits to teachers and students of undertaking small-scale action research projects into issues of contemporary professional concern in the classroom. The author argues for the involvement of school administrators and universities in supporting teacher-researchers.

Originality/value
The value of this research lies in acknowledging some of the challenges that emergent researchers might face in conducting research in the context of the classroom, which might enable other teacher-researchers to anticipate and avoid similar problems in their own research, and circumvent criticism from those who believe that educational research should not be carried out by teachers.
Mobile device users’ privacy security assurance behavior
Authors: Chen Hao , Li Wenli 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
Recently, the spread of malicious IT has been causing serious privacy threats to mobile device users, which hampers the efficient use of mobile devices for individual and business. To understand the privacy security assurance behavior of mobile device users, this study aims to develop a theoretical model based on technology threat avoidance theory (TTAT), to capture motivation factors in predicting mobile device user’s voluntary adoption of security defensive software.

Design/methodology/approach
A survey is conducted to validate the proposed research model. A total of 284 valid survey data are collected and partial least square (PLS)-based structural equation modeling is used to test the model.

Findings
Results highlight that both privacy concern and coping appraisal have a significant impact on the intention to adopt the security defensive software. Meanwhile, privacy security awareness is a crucial determinant to stimulate mobile device user’s threat and coping appraisal processes in the voluntary context. The results indicate that emotional-based coping appraisal of anticipated regret is also imperative to arouse personal intention to adopt the security tool.

Practical implications
This result should be of interest to practitioners. Information security awareness training and education programs should be developed in a variety of forms to intensify personal security knowledge and skills. Besides, emotion-based warnings can be designed to arouse users’ protection behavior.

Originality/value
This paper embeds TTAT theory within the mobile security context. The authors extent TTAT by taking anticipated regret into consideration to capture emotional-based coping appraisal, and information security awareness is employed as the antecedent factor. The extent offers a useful starting point for the further empirical study of emotion elements in the information security context.