Innovative Affinity Spaces and Their Influence on Network Leadership in Open Innovation: a Dynamic Network Analysis of the Case of China

The intention in this paper is to present a conceptual framework developed as an evolution of the ‘innovation communities’ concept, called ‘Innovative Affinity Spaces’. This new construct is applied in the context of Chinese firms to explore how it affects network leadership in open innovation projects. Using dynamic network analysis as the methodological tool, the research hypotheses were addressed through cross-checking data from a sample of 68 Chinese networks of companies and research institutions.  Our study yields important conclusions on the notion of network competencies/capabilities as critical elements towards successful network leadership acting within innovative affinity spaces. Keywords: Innovation networks, Network leadership, Network capabilities, Open innovation, Affinity spaces, Dynamic network analysis, Chin

Addressing challenges in public relations: A comparison among the views of chief communication officers (CCOs) and future leaders

This study investigates the views of chief communication officers and future leaders in the area of public relations. A mixed method approach was pursued using survey questionnaire among 120 chief communication officers and next generation leaders supplemented by focus group interviews with10 chief communication officers and 10 future leaders respectively. Content analysis was undertaken to compare the views, experiences and expectations of the people representing the two target groups. -               Findings from this study suggested that there is no narrow and conclusive picture of a specific type of personality or vision that a leader must share. The findings of the research demonstrate the need for establishing a precise interpretation of what strategic communication entails, including, strengthening of internal networking, promoting internships and training within a company, examine ways to bring close future to current communication leaders through mentoring programmes, and promote a more balanced work routine. The study offers insights of understanding of strategic communication are crucial to define a systematic view of leadership, strategies and policies that determine the profession and success of companies. Keywords: leadership, chief communication officers, public relations, strategic communicatio

Pension System Reform in India: Analysis of the Impact on the Administration and Regulation within the Pension System

This research focuses on the pension system in India and the pension systems reform that have been adopted to make the pension system more effective and efficient. The clamor for the pension reforms was driven by the challenges that existed within the old pension system structure in India. The pension reforms that were adopted in India were driven by various factors that include low pension coverage, pension system fiscal effects, high elderly poverty and administrative and regulatory ineffectiveness and inefficiencies. This research was borne from the weak and inefficient administration and regulations structure that existed within the pension system in India. The main focus of this research was to evaluate the impact of the adopted pension reforms on the administration and regulation structure within the pension system.The primary data that was used to evaluate the impact that the pension reforms have had on the administration and regulation within the pension system was gathered by the use of questionnaires which were administered across five major states within India, based on the Census population data. The questionnaire that was used was in the form of a structured questionnaire. The research had a high response rate averaging over 80% in all the states that were considered with Andhra Pradesh at 85.19% having the highest. The questionnaire data that was used in the analysis had a Cronbach alpha of 99.7% indicating a high degree of reliability.The research used a five point Likert scale including strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree, and strongly agree. The research tested the null hypothesis that the pension reforms have led to improved administration and regulations within the pension system. Out of the total respondents 127 strongly agreed and agreed with the research proposition that the pension reforms have improved the administration and regulations within the pension system.190 of the 217 research respondents were of the opinion that the pension reforms had not led to improved regulations and administration within the pension system. The research concluded that the pension reforms have not resulted in the improvement of the administration and regulations within the pension system. Keywords: OASIS, Pension reform, pension system administration and regulation.

Pension System Reform: Factors That Have Driven and Necessitated the Pension Dynamics Globally

Technological and medical advancement globally in recent times has led to an increase in the life expectancy and research shows that there will be a further increase in the coming years. And increase in the life expectancy ratio poses a threat to the pension systems of an economy. The world has experience a global pension system crisis due to the increasing aging populations hence a high old dependency ratio. The global pension systems was generated by factors such as increase in older population, inadequate savings for retirement in old age and increase in unfunded pension liabilities. There have been moves by the various governments to adopt measures to mitigate the rise in the pension costs within their countries. This paper discusses in details the factors that have driven and necessitated the pension system reform dynamics at the global stage. Keywords: elderly poverty, pension system reform, old age crisi

A Review of Pension System Reform: An In-Depth Analysis on Related Theories

The literature on pension reform is increasingly growing examining different aspects of pension matters including but not limited to the nature, types of classifications, effects, challenges and prospects of pension reforms. The importance of pension reforms is credited to its potential to guarantee a sustainable pension scheme that provides with a decent life to pensioners and their dependents. This research gives a detailed analysis on pension reform theories such as economic theory, multi-pillar model by the World Bank, theory of utility and preferences and life cycle theories. It further discusses the three retirement decision models: two-thirds retirement decision model, the option value retirement decision model and one-year retirement decision model used in explaining various decisions relating to retirement and also the forms of retirement benefits payments. Finally, it discusses the four approaches by which pension reforms can be analyzed. Key words: pension reform, retirement decisions, pensioner benefits, pension syste

Subtype-Based Analysis of Cell-in-Cell Structures in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Cell-in-cell (CIC) structures are defined as the special structures with one or more cells enclosed inside another one. Increasing data indicated that CIC structures were functional surrogates of complicated cell behaviors and prognosis predictor in heterogeneous cancers. However, the CIC structure profiling and its prognostic value have not been reported in human esophageal squamous cell Carcinoma (ESCC). We conducted the analysis of subtyped CIC-based profiling in ESCC using “epithelium-macrophage-leukocyte” (EML) multiplex staining and examined the prognostic value of CIC structure profiling through Kaplan-Meier plotting and Cox regression model. Totally, five CIC structure subtypes were identified in ESCC tissue and the majority of them was homotypic CIC (hoCIC) with tumor cells inside tumor cells (TiT). By univariate and multivariate analyses, TiT was shown to be an independent prognostic factor for resectable ESCC, and patients with higher density of TiT tended to have longer post-operational survival time. Furthermore, in subpopulation analysis stratified by TNM stage, high TiT density was associated with longer overall survival (OS) in patients of TNM stages III and IV as compared with patients with low TiT density (mean OS: 51 vs 15 months, P = 0.04) and T3 stage (mean OS: 57 vs 17 months, P=0.024). Together, we reported the first CIC structure profiling in ESCC and explored the prognostic value of subtyped CIC structures, which supported the notion that functional pathology with CIC structure profiling is an emerging prognostic factor for human cancers, such as ESCC

Exome Sequencing Identified a Recessive RDH12

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most important hereditary retinal disease caused by progressive degeneration of the photoreceptor cells. This study is to identify gene mutations responsible for autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (arRP) in a Chinese family using next-generation sequencing technology. A Chinese family with 7 members including two individuals affected with severe early-onset RP was studied. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. Exome sequencing was performed on a single RP patient (the proband of this family) and direct Sanger sequencing on other family members and normal controls was followed to confirm the causal mutations. A homozygous mutation c.437T<A (p.V146D) in the retinol dehydrogenase 12 (RDH12) gene, which encodes an NADPH-dependent retinal reductase, was identified as being related to the phenotype of this arRP family. This homozygous mutation was detected in the two affected patients, but not present in other family members and 600 normal controls. Another three normal members in the family were found to carry this heterozygous missense mutation. Our results emphasize the importance of c.437T<A (p.V146D) substitution in RDH12 and provide further support for the causative role of this mutation in the pathogenesis and clinical diagnosis of RP

Biological detoxification of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol and its use in genetically engineered crops and feed additives

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is the major mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi in grains. Food and feed contaminated with DON pose a health risk to humans and livestock. The risk can be reduced by enzymatic detoxification. Complete mineralization of DON by microbial cultures has rarely been observed and the activities turned out to be unstable. The detoxification of DON by reactions targeting its epoxide group or hydroxyl on carbon 3 is more feasible. Microbial strains that de-epoxidize DON under anaerobic conditions have been isolated from animal digestive system. Feed additives claimed to de-epoxidize trichothecenes enzymatically are on the market but their efficacy has been disputed. A new detoxification pathway leading to 3-oxo-DON and 3-epi-DON was discovered in taxonomically unrelated soil bacteria from three continents; the enzymes involved remain to be identified. Arabidopsis, tobacco, wheat, barley, and rice were engineered to acetylate DON on carbon 3. In wheat expressing DON acetylation activity, the increase in resistance against Fusarium head blight was only moderate. The Tri101 gene from Fusarium sporotrichioides was used; Fusarium graminearum enzyme which possesses higher activity towards DON would presumably be a better choice. Glycosylation of trichothecenes occurs in plants, contributing to the resistance of wheat to F. graminearum infection. Marker-assisted selection based on the trichothecene-3-O-glucosyltransferase gene can be used in breeding for resistance. Fungal acetyltransferases and plant glucosyltransferases targeting carbon 3 of trichothecenes remain promising candidates for engineering resistance against Fusarium head blight. Bacterial enzymes catalyzing oxidation, epimerization, and less likely de-epoxidation of DON may extend this list in future