bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Diversity, Reassortment, and Recombination inAlfalfa mosaic virusPopulation in Spain
Authors: Bergua María , Luis-Arteaga Marisol , Escriu Fernando
Published: April 2014

The variability and genetic structure of Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) in Spain was evaluated through the molecular characterization of 60 isolates collected from different hosts and different geographic areas. Analysis of nucleotide sequences in four coding regions—P1, P2, movement protein (MP), and coat protein (CP)—revealed a low genetic diversity and different restrictions to variation operating on each coding region. Phylogenetic analysis of Spanish isolates along with previously reported AMV sequences showed consistent clustering into types I and II for P1 and types I, IIA, and IIB for MP and CP regions. No clustering was observed for the P2 region. According to restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, the Spanish AMV population consisted of seven haplotypes, including two haplotypes generated by reassortment and one involving recombination. The most frequent haplotypes (types for P1, MP, and CP regions, respectively) were I-I-I (37%), II-IIB-IIB (30%), and one of the reassortants, II-I-I (17%). Distribution of haplotypes was not uniform, indicating that AMV population was structured according to the geographic origin of isolates. Our results suggest that agroecological factors are involved in the maintenance of AMV genetic types, including the reassortant one, and in their geographic distribution.
Virulence and Molecular Analyses Support Asexual Reproduction of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici in the U.S. Pacific Northwest
Authors: Cheng P. , Chen X. M.
Published: April 2014

Wheat stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, occurs every year and causes significant yield losses in the U.S. Pacific Northwest (PNW). A large number of P. striiformis f. tritici races are identified every year and predominant races have changed rapidly. Barberry and mahonia plants, which have been identified under controlled conditions as alternate hosts for the fungus, are found in the region. However, whether sexual reproduction occurs in the P. striiformis f. sp. tritici population under natural conditions is not clear. To determine the reproduction mode of the P. striiformis f. sp. tritici population using virulence and molecular markers, a systematic collection of leaf samples with a single stripe of uredia was made in 26 fields in the PNW in 2010. In total, 270 isolates obtained from the PNW collection, together with 66 isolates from 20 other states collected in the same year, were characterized by virulence tests and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. In total, 21 races and 66 multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were detected, of which 15 races and 32 MLGs were found in the PNW. Cluster analysis with the SSR marker data revealed two genetic groups, which were significantly correlated to the two virulence groups. The analyses of genotype/individual ratio, multilocus linkage disequilibrium, and heterozygosity strongly supported asexual reproduction for the pathogen population in the PNW, as well as other regions of the United States.
Melanin-Independent Accumulation of Turgor Pressure in Appressoria of Phakopsora pachyrhizi
Authors: Chang Hao-Xun , Miller Lou Ann , Hartman Glen L.
Published: April 2014

Appressoria of some plant-pathogenic fungi accumulate turgor pressure that produces a mechanical force enabling the direct penetration of hyphae through the epidermis. Melanin functions as an impermeable barrier to osmolytes, which allows appressoria to accumulate high turgor pressure. Deficiency of melanin in appressoria reduces turgor pressure and compromises the infection process. In Phakopsora pachyrhizi, the soybean rust pathogen, the appressoria are hyaline. Our objective was to ensure the absence of a melanin layer specifically between the appressorial cell wall and plasma membrane, as well as to determine the turgor pressure of P. pachyrhizi appressoria. We demonstrated that two melanin biosynthesis inhibitors neither reduced turgor pressure nor compromised the infection process. Transmission electron microscopy also showed the absence of a melanin layer between the appressorial cell wall and plasma membrane. In addition, the turgor pressure of P. pachyrhizi appressoria was 5 to 6 MPa, based on extracellular osmolytes used to simulate different osmotic pressures. This is the first report showing that turgor pressure accumulation of P. pachyrhizi appressoria was independent of melanin.
The Impact of Cancer on the Clinical Outcome of Patients After Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement
Authors: Narayan Anand , Hong Kelvin , Streiff Michael , Shinohara Russell , Frangakis Constantine , Coresh Josef , Kim Hyun S.
Published: April 2014

Objectives:

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are placed to prevent pulmonary embolism, however, some studies have suggested that IVC filters are associated with exacerbated risks of deep vein/IVC thrombosis in cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to determine if cancer patients develop higher than expected rates of venous thromboembolism complications after filter placement compared with noncancer patients.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients who received filters (2002 to 2006) at Johns Hopkins was conducted. Exposures and outcomes were obtained by chart review. Relative risks (RR, 95% confidence interval [CI]) for outcomes in cancer versus noncancer patients were estimated using multistate models.

Results:

The cohort included 702 patients—246 with cancer and 456 without cancer. Cancer patients were older, more likely to be white and have filters placed for contraindications to anticoagulation (P<0.01). The most common cancers were lung (11.8%) and colorectal (10.6%). Cancer patients had an increase in venous thromboembolism (RR 1.9 [95% CI, 1.1, 3.2]) due to more deep venous thrombosis/IVC thrombosis (RR 1.7 [95% CI, 1.0, 3.0]). Higher pulmonary embolism rates in cancer were not statistically significant (RR 2.2 [95% CI, 0.8, 5.8]).

Conclusions:

Cancer patients have elevated risks of thrombotic complications compared with noncancer patients; however, these risks are not higher than expected based on historical controls.
Radiotherapy and Male Breast Cancer
Authors: Madden Nicholas A. , Macdonald Orlan K. , Call Jason A. , Schomas David A. , Lee Christopher M. , Patel Shilpen
Published: April 2014

Background:

The local-regional management of female breast cancer has been extensively investigated worldwide. The optimal approach for males diagnosed with breast cancer is less clear. We have analyzed the treatment of male breast cancer using a population-based national registry to determine the impact of surgery and radiation therapy on survival.

Materials and Methods:

The Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database was queried to identify males with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast who underwent primary surgical resection (radical mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy, total mastectomy, or segmental) for the years 1983 to 2002. Demographic, clinical, and pathologic data were culled and analyzed to determine the impact of radiation therapy (RT) following resection. Survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and significance was determined using the log-rank test (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model was performed to determine factors significant for overall (OS) and cause-specific survival (CSS).

Results:

A total of 1337 patients met the eligibility criteria and were analyzed. Median follow-up was 7.3 years (range, 1 mo to 25 y). Most men underwent modified radical mastectomy (n=1062) with a minority undergoing segmental (n=113). About 329 men received postoperative external beam RT. The median rates of OS and CSS for all men were 10.5 years and not yet reached, respectively. The surgical procedure did not significantly associate with OS or CSS. By stage, RT was associated with improved OS for stage I (P=0.03). There was a trend for improved survival with stage II (P=0.21) and III (P=0.15). RT was not associated with improved CSS by stage. RT improved rates of OS and CSS in N2 patients without reaching statistical significance (P=0.10 and 0.22). On multivariate analysis, advancing age, stage and grade, and no postoperative RT predicted for worse OS. However, when controlled for those with known hormone receptor status (n=978), only the factors of advancing age, stage, grade, and hormone receptor negativity predicted for worse OS. Advancing age, stage, and grade were the only predictors of CSS irrespective of the cohort analyzed.

Conclusions:

The primary surgical procedure did not ultimately influence OS or CSS in this population-based registry of males with breast cancer. A statistically nonsignificant improvement with postoperative RT was observed in men with lymph node involvement, larger tumor size, or higher stage. When controlled for age, stage, and grade in multivariate analysis, postoperative RT predicted for improved OS but not CSS. These data suggest a beneficial effect of RT in the postoperative setting. A prospective study is necessary to further elucidate appropriate treatment strategies for men with breast cancer.
Corticospinal mirror neurons
Authors: Kraskov A. , Philipp R. , Waldert S. , Vigneswaran G. , Quallo M. M. , Lemon R. N.
Published: April 2014

Here, we report the properties of neurons with mirror-like characteristics that were identified as pyramidal tract neurons (PTNs) and recorded in the ventral premotor cortex (area F5) and primary motor cortex (M1) of three macaque monkeys. We analysed the neurons’ discharge while the monkeys performed active grasp of either food or an object, and also while they observed an experimenter carrying out a similar range of grasps. A considerable proportion of tested PTNs showed clear mirror-like properties (52% F5 and 58% M1). Some PTNs exhibited ‘classical’ mirror neuron properties, increasing activity for both execution and observation, while others decreased their discharge during observation (‘suppression mirror-neurons’). These experiments not only demonstrate the existence of PTNs as mirror neurons in M1, but also reveal some interesting differences between M1 and F5 mirror PTNs. Although observation-related changes in the discharge of PTNs must reach the spinal cord and will include some direct projections to motoneurons supplying grasping muscles, there was no EMG activity in these muscles during action observation. We suggest that the mirror neuron system is involved in the withholding of unwanted movement during action observation. Mirror neurons are differentially recruited in the behaviour that switches rapidly between making your own movements and observing those of others.
Hebbian learning and predictive mirror neurons for actions, sensations and emotions
Authors: Keysers Christian , Gazzola Valeria
Published: April 2014

Spike-timing-dependent plasticity is considered the neurophysiological basis of Hebbian learning and has been shown to be sensitive to both contingency and contiguity between pre- and postsynaptic activity. Here, we will examine how applying this Hebbian learning rule to a system of interconnected neurons in the presence of direct or indirect re-afference (e.g. seeing/hearing one's own actions) predicts the emergence of mirror neurons with predictive properties. In this framework, we analyse how mirror neurons become a dynamic system that performs active inferences about the actions of others and allows joint actions despite sensorimotor delays. We explore how this system performs a projection of the self onto others, with egocentric biases to contribute to mind-reading. Finally, we argue that Hebbian learning predicts mirror-like neurons for sensations and emotions and review evidence for the presence of such vicarious activations outside the motor system.
Bodily selves in relation: embodied simulation as second-person perspective on intersubjectivity
Authors: Gallese Vittorio
Published: April 2014

This article addresses basic aspects of social cognition focusing on the pivotal role played by the lived body in the constitution of our experience of others. It is suggested that before studying intersubjectivity we should better qualify the notion of the self. A minimal notion of the self, the bodily self, defined in terms of its motor potentialities, is proposed. The discovery of mirror mechanisms for action, emotions and sensations led to the proposal of an embodied approach to intersubjectivity—embodied simulation (ES) theory. ES and the related notion of neural reuse provide a new empirically based perspective on intersubjectivity, viewed first and foremost as intercorporeality. ES challenges the notion that folk psychology is the sole account of interpersonal understanding. ES is discussed within a second-person perspective on mindreading.
Dyadic brain modelling, mirror systems and the ontogenetic ritualization of ape gesture
Authors: Arbib Michael , Ganesh Varsha , Gasser Brad
Published: April 2014

The paper introduces dyadic brain modelling, offering both a framework for modelling the brains of interacting agents and a general framework for simulating and visualizing the interactions generated when the brains (and the two bodies) are each coded up in computational detail. It models selected neural mechanisms in ape brains supportive of social interactions, including putative mirror neuron systems inspired by macaque neurophysiology but augmented by increased access to proprioceptive state. Simulation results for a reduced version of the model show ritualized gesture emerging from interactions between a simulated child and mother ape.
Frequency and topography in monkey electroencephalogram during action observation: possible neural correlates of the mirror neuron system
Authors: Coudé G. , Vanderwert R. E. , Thorpe S. , Festante F. , Bimbi M. , Fox N. A. , Ferrari P. F.
Published: April 2014

The observation of actions executed by others results in desynchronization of electroencephalogram (EEG) in the alpha and beta frequency bands recorded from the central regions in humans. On the other hand, mirror neurons, which are thought to be responsible for this effect, have been studied only in macaque monkeys, using single-cell recordings. Here, as a first step in a research programme aimed at understanding the parallels between human and monkey mirror neuron systems (MNS), we recorded EEG from the scalp of two monkeys during action observation. The monkeys were trained to fixate on the face of a human agent and subsequently to fixate on a target upon which the agent performed a grasping action. We found that action observation produced desynchronization in the 19–25 Hz band that was strongest over anterior and central electrodes. These results are in line with human data showing that specific frequency bands within the power spectrum of the ongoing EEG may be modulated by observation of actions and therefore might be a specific marker of MNS activity.
Listening to speech recruits specific tongue motor synergies as revealed by transcranial magnetic stimulation and tissue-Doppler ultrasound imaging
Authors: D'Ausilio A. , Maffongelli L. , Bartoli E. , Campanella M. , Ferrari E. , Berry J. , Fadiga L.
Published: April 2014

The activation of listener's motor system during speech processing was first demonstrated by the enhancement of electromyographic tongue potentials as evoked by single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over tongue motor cortex. This technique is, however, technically challenging and enables only a rather coarse measurement of this motor mirroring. Here, we applied TMS to listeners’ tongue motor area in association with ultrasound tissue Doppler imaging to describe fine-grained tongue kinematic synergies evoked by passive listening to speech. Subjects listened to syllables requiring different patterns of dorso-ventral and antero-posterior movements (/ki/, /ko/, /ti/, /to/). Results show that passive listening to speech sounds evokes a pattern of motor synergies mirroring those occurring during speech production. Moreover, mirror motor synergies were more evident in those subjects showing good performances in discriminating speech in noise demonstrating a role of the speech-related mirror system in feed-forward processing the speaker's ongoing motor plan.
Neural mirroring mechanisms and imitation in human infants
Authors: Marshall Peter J. , Meltzoff Andrew N.
Published: April 2014

Studying human infants will increase our understanding of the nature, origins and function of neural mirroring mechanisms. Human infants are prolific imitators. Infant imitation indicates observation–execution linkages in the brain prior to language and protracted learning. Investigations of neural aspects of these linkages in human infants have focused on the sensorimotor mu rhythm in the electroencephalogram, which occurs in the alpha frequency range over central electrode sites. Recent results show that the infant mu rhythm is desynchronized during action execution as well as action observation. Current work is elucidating properties of the infant mu rhythm and how it may relate to prelinguistic action processing and social understanding. Here, we consider this neuroscience research in relation to developmental psychological theory, particularly the ‘Like-Me’ framework, which holds that one of the chief cognitive tasks of the human infant is to map the similarity between self and other. We elucidate the value of integrating neuroscience findings with behavioural studies of infant imitation, and the reciprocal benefit of examining mirroring mechanisms from an ontogenetic perspective.
Glycomyces
fuscus sp. nov. and Glycomyces
albus sp. nov., actinomycetes isolated from a hypersaline habitat
Authors: Han Xiao-Xue , Luo Xiao-Xia , Zhang Li-Li
Published: April 2014

Two actinomycete strains, designated TRM 49117T and TRM 49136T, were isolated from a hypersaline habitat in Xinjiang Province, north-west China and were characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic study. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain TRM 49117T had 93.93 % similarity with the type strain

Glycomyces halotolerans

TRM 40137T (GenBank accession no. HQ651156) and TRM 49136T had 94.32 % similarity with

G. halotolerans

TRM 40137T. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the two new isolates was 93 %. The isolates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 as major cellular fatty acids. The predominant menaquinones of the isolates were MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H6). The whole-cell sugar patterns of these strains contained xylose and ribose, and strain TRM 49136T also contained arabinose. The polar lipid pattern of strain TRM 49117T comprised phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and three additional unknown phospholipids. The polar lipid pattern of strain TRM 49136T comprised phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, glycolipids and two phosphoglycolipids of unknown composition. Genotypic and phenotypic data confirmed that strains TRM 49117T and TRM 49136T represent two novel species, clearly different from related species of the genus
Glycomyces
, for which the names Glycomyces
fuscus sp. nov. (type strain TRM 49117T = CCTCC AA 2013003T = NRRL B-59998T = KACC 17682T) and Glycomyces albus sp. nov. (type strain TRM 49136T = CCTCC AA 2013004T = NRRL B-24927T = KACC 17681T) are proposed.
Expression of Sucrose Transporter cDNAs Specifically in Companion Cells Enhances Phloem Loading and Long-Distance Transport of Sucrose but Leads to an Inhibition of Growth and the Perception of a Phosphate Limitation
Authors: Dasgupta Kasturi , Khadilkar Aswad S. , Sulpice Ronan , Pant Bikram , Scheible Wolf-Rüdiger , Fisahn Joachim , Stitt Mark , Ayre Brian G.
Published: April 2014

Sucrose (Suc) is the predominant form of carbon transported through the phloem from source to sink organs and is also a prominent sugar for short-distance transport. In all streptophytes analyzed, Suc transporter genes (SUTs or SUCs) form small families, with different subgroups evolving distinct functions. To gain insight into their capacity for moving Suc in planta, representative members of each clade were first expressed specifically in companion cells of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and tested for their ability to rescue the phloem-loading defect caused by the Suc transporter mutation, Atsuc2-4. Sequence similarity was a poor indicator of ability: Several genes with high homology to AtSUC2, some of which have phloem-loading functions in other eudicot species, did not rescue the Atsuc2-4 mutation, whereas a more distantly related gene, ZmSUT1 from the monocot Zea mays, did restore phloem loading. Transporter complementary DNAs were also expressed in the companion cells of wild-type Arabidopsis, with the aim of increasing productivity by enhancing Suc transport to growing sink organs and reducing Suc-mediated feedback inhibition on photosynthesis. Although enhanced Suc loading and long-distance transport was achieved, growth was diminished. This growth inhibition was accompanied by increased expression of phosphate (P) starvation-induced genes and was reversed by providing a higher supply of external P. These experiments suggest that efforts to increase productivity by enhancing sugar transport may disrupt the carbon-to-P homeostasis. A model for how the plant perceives and responds to changes in the carbon-to-P balance is presented.
3-[(4-Phenoxyphenyl)sulfanyl]-5-phenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole
Authors: Ben Othman Raja , Marchivie Mathieu , Suzenet Franck , Routier Sylvain
Published: April 2014

The title compound, C20H15N3OS, is V-shaped. In the 4-phenoxyphenyl group, the two rings are inclined to one another by 74.52 (13)°. These rings are inclined to the triazole ring by 72.20 (15) and 72.30 (15)°, respectively. The phenyl ring is inclined to the triazole ring by 10.85 (12)°. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviaN—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming chains propagating along [010]. These chains are linkedviapairs of C—H...S hydrogen bonds, forming sheets lying parallel to theacplane.
Hierarchical dielectric orders in layered ferroelectrics Bi2SiO5
Authors: Kim Younghun , Kim Jungeun , Fujiwara Akihiko , Taniguchi Hiroki , Kim Sungwng , Tanaka Hiroshi , Sugimoto Kunihisa , Kato Kenichi , Itoh Mitsuru , Hosono Hideo , Takata Masaki
Published: April 2014

Electric dipole engineering is now an emerging technology for high electron-mobility transistors, ferroelectric random access memory and multiferroic devicesetc. Although various studies to provide insight into dipole moment behaviour, such as phase transition, order and disorder states, have been reported, macroscopic spontaneous polarization has been mainly discussed so far. Here, visualization of the electric dipole arrangement in layered ferroelectrics Bi2SiO5by means of combined analysis of maximum entropy charge density and electrostatic potential distribution analysis based on synchrotron radiation X-ray powder diffraction data is reported. It was found that the hierarchical dipole orders, the weak-ferroelectric and ferroelectric configurations, were observed in the Bi2O2and the SiO3layers, respectively, and the ferrielectric configuration was realised by the interlayer interaction. This discovery provides a new method to visualize the local polarization in ferroelectric materials.
Maternal education and child nutritional status: evidence from Uganda
Authors: Bbaale Edward
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The debate concerning the relationship between maternal education and child nutritional status is not a foregone conclusion. This paper aims to contribute to the existing debate by examining this relationship for the case of Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

– Theoretically, the study was based on household models of optimization, just like in the standard consumer theory, to gain insights into household demand for the health good. Empirically, the paper employed maximum-likelihood probit models and computed marginal effects in order to obtain logically interpretable results.

Findings

– The paper finds that once the socio-economic factors are controlled for, the significance of maternal education, especially primary and secondary levels, in influencing child nutrition status decays but post-secondary education persists. Therefore, if mothers are exposed to the same socio-economic conditions, it is education of the mother beyond secondary level that generates a difference in the child nutrition outcomes.

Practical implications

– These findings suggest that efforts to improve the child health outcomes in the future need to target measures that aim to educate women beyond secondary level. The government program to extend free education at the secondary level is a good start and should be strengthened.

Originality/value

– Literature presents no consensus on the effect of maternal education and child nutritional status. It is often argued that maternal education is simply a proxy for the socio-economic conditions and geographical area of residence such its significance decays once these are controlled for. Yet others argue that maternal education is a single most important factor influencing child nutritional outcomes. The debate is still very hot and this study sought to contribute to this debate for the case of Uganda.
Bank competition, financial innovations and economic growth in Ghana
Authors: Adu-Asare Idun Anthony , Q.Q. Aboagye Anthony
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– This paper takes the finance-growth nexus further by looking at the relationship between bank competition, financial innovations and economic growth in Ghana. The purpose of this paper is to find the causality among bank competition, financial innovations and economic growth in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

– The relationship between bank competition, financial innovations and economic growth was established through the framework of the endogenous growth model. In addition, the paper employed the bound testing ARDL cointegration procedures to enable us to establish both short-run and long-run relationship between bank competition, financial innovations and economic growth. Granger causality test were also estimated to determine the direction of causality.

Findings

– The results showed that, in the long run, bank competition is positively related to economic growth while financial innovation is negatively related to economic growth. In the short run, bank competition is negatively related to economic growth. By the same token, financial innovation is positively related to economic growth in the short run. In terms of causality, the results showed that there is unidirectional Granger causality from bank competition to economic growth. However, there is bidirectional Granger causality between financial innovation and economic growth.

Practical implications

– The study therefore, recommends for more regulations toward a more competitive banking system with more innovative products tailored toward mobilization of savings and investment to growth induced sectors of the economy.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a time series perspective to the finance-growth nexus and highlights the potential contribution of effective banking development to the economic welfare of the Ghanaian citizens.
Reflecting upon child protection – the professional doctorate journey
Authors: Kettle Martin
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– This paper draws on a recently completed professional doctorate thesis. The purpose of this paper is to explore how the research process mirrors the area being researched, and underscores the importance of the ability to tolerate ambiguity, in both the research process and in working to protect children.

Design/methodology/approach

– The doctorate used a constructivist grounded theory approach, and drew on 22 in-depth interviews with social workers and a sample of 20 serious case reviews. Central to the research process were issues of reflexivity and positionality, which were both crucial to the area under exploration.

Findings

– Central to the thesis on which this paper draws, and the professional doctorate is the notion of balance. Social workers and researchers have to negotiate both getting close to and achieving distance from, the subject of enquiry. Seeking and maintaining balance requires managing a number of dimensions, and the negotiation of ambiguity.

Originality/value

– This paper explores the complexity of “working the hyphen” of insider-outsider research, and argues that, as in child protection practice, insider-outsider research requires the adoption of strategies to both get close to, and achieve distance from, the subject of enquiry.
A systematic approach to the assessment of impact in a professional doctorate
Authors: Kumar Swapna
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present one approach to the measurement of impact in a professional doctorate in education that encompasses discipline-based coursework and practice-embedded research.

Design/methodology/approach

– Quantitative and qualitative data on the impact of the doctoral program were collected at regular intervals, with a focus on students’ application of program content in their professional practice and on students’ professional growth.

Findings

– The research design and the findings are discussed in the context of the larger debate surrounding the measurement of doctoral impact and the value of online doctoral degrees for practitioners.

Originality/value

– This paper presents the systematic collection of data over four years in a newly developed professional doctorate in education.
Developing researching professionals in an EdD program
Authors: R. Buss Ray , Zambo Ron , Zambo Debby , R. Williams Tiffany
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how entering students and graduating students from an education doctorate (EdD) program viewed themselves as learners, leaders, and action researchers. Further, the paper examines differences in the identity trajectories between the two groups. Finally, the paper suggested a new identity status – scholarly and influential practitioners (SaIP) emerged from melding the three identity statuses.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper employed a mixed method design.

Findings

– Results indicated students new to the program held strong identities as learners and leaders, but not as action researchers; whereas graduates held stronger views of each type of identity, especially as researchers. Program features such as cycles of action research (CAR), and leader-scholar communities were instrumental in influencing graduates’ identities as researching professionals.

Research limitations/implications

– SaIP emerge when doctoral programs enhance the learner and leader identity statuses of doctoral students while at the same time fostering the construction of a researching professional identity status.

Practical implications

– Development of researching professionals can be accomplished by fostering a researcher ethos during their participation in a doctoral program. For working professionals, this can be accomplished by requiring and supporting ongoing CAR in a doctoral program.

Social implications

– With respect to social implications, researching professionals, especially those in education offer substantial promise of achieving the educational reforms the school so desperately need.

Originality/value

– This research examines how one institution has attempted to develop researching professionals during their preparation in an EdD program, which is based on Carnegie Project for the Education Doctorate (CPED) working principles and design features.
Improving managerial performance: a study on entrepreneurial and leadership competencies
Authors: Jena Sambedna , Kumar Sahoo Chandan
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the study is to ascertain predictors for superior managerial performance with special emphasis on leadership and entrepreneurial competencies required in manufacturing units.

Design/methodology/approach

– The entrepreneurial and leadership competencies have been obtained from the existing literature to predict their impact on managerial performance. Primary data collected from the respondents (executives) of two manufacturing units by administering structured questionnaire. In total, 410 responses were obtained and analysed using the SPSS statistical software.

Findings

– A total of 15 independent variables were used in the study, only three factors extracted namely business knowledge, spirit of competitiveness and dimensions of leadership were found to be significant predictors of superior managerial performance. The proposed hypotheses for this study are found significant.

Practical implications

– The study identifies potential dimensions of entrepreneurial and leadership competencies that improve managerial performance. The research concentrates on identifying the most important aspects of these two competencies which are vital for superior managerial performance.

Originality/value

– This paper has clearly identified the specific entrepreneurial and leadership competencies that the executives can acquire to improve their performance within the organization.
Probing organizational efficiency
Authors: Kemal Avkiran Necmi
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– In investigating the performance of multidivisional organizations, ability to account for each division's importance and contribution enhances the deftness of resource allocation and targeting desired outcomes. With this motivation, the author aims to introduce network data envelopment analysis (NDEA) from operations research in this conceptual article and discuss how two articles from this journal can be extended using this approach.

Design/methodology/approach

– NDEA was first developed to deliver a more in-depth understanding of underlying sources of operational inefficiency. Thus, NDEA can be viewed as a peer benchmarking method useful in comparing performance of organizations and identifying divisional inefficiencies that may detract from overall performance. NDEA's ability to capture interactions among multiple variables in an objective manner based on actual observed data rather than sample averages is one of its key advantages.

Findings

– The author discusses how NDEA can be applied in organisational analysis by examining two articles from this journal. Briefly commenting on one of the cases here, the author shows that a network can be defined as the interacting divisions of cultural norms and structural forms. The potential improvements (i.e. horizontal re-alignment) indicated by NDEA can guide management on the extent organisational alignment that could be changed in reaching strategic aims. The author's theoretical model is conducive to assessing the amount and direction of change from the proposed alignment model in a multi-criteria framework – characteristics embraced by NDEA.

Practical implications

– Given the hierarchical nature of organizations where employees are nested in work groups or teams, groups nested in departments or divisions, and divisions nested in organizations, application of NDEA at various levels of analysis is feasible.

Originality/value

– NDEA's ability to account for each division's importance or assign desired weights inwhat-if analysesadds to flexibility in managerial decision-making regarding allocation of resources, or re-alignment of processes and targeting of desired outcomes. Such a method that does not assume independence among multiple performance measures provides additional assurance to those concerned about shortcomings of additive scales in complex organizations.
Supply chain management, supply performance and total quality management
Authors: Vanichchinchai Assadej
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to assess the level of supply chain management practices (SCMP), total quality management practices (TQMP) and firm's supply performance (FSP) in the automotive industry in Thailand and investigate the differences across organizational characteristics on SCMP, TQMP and FSP.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on an extensive literature review, the measurement instruments for SCMP, TQMP and FSP were developed and validated by experts, pilot test and various statistical techniques. Descriptive statistics were employed to examine the existences of SCMP, TQMP and FSP in the sample companies. MANOVA was applied to test the differences across company ownership, company size, tier in the supply chain and ISO/TS 16949 on SCMP, TQMP and FSP.

Findings

– The author found that the measurements of SCMP, TQMP and FSP are reliable and valid. The automotive companies in Thailand apply TQMP much more extensively than SCMP. Their SCMP still emphasize efficient flows of information and materials at operational level to minimize transaction cost. Overall, Japanese companies, large companies, first-tier suppliers and the companies with ISO/TS 16949 have more intensively applied SCMP and TQMP and achieved a higher level of FSP.

Research limitations/implications

– The distribution of paper-based questionnaires was a convenience sample. Although data from a sample of 211 companies were collected, only 19 percent of them provided more than one response. Future research should apply different random sampling methods and investigate the reasons for and ways to improve the low multiple-response rate.

Practical implications

– The findings are beneficial to the managers who want to improve SCMP, TQMP and FSP through organization management.

Originality/value

– This study is one of the first to assess the existence of SCMP and FSP and to study the differences across organizational characteristics on SCMP and FSP in the automotive industry in developing countries. The existence and differences across organizational characteristics on TQMP were also confirmed.
Relationship between transformational leadership behaviors and manufacturing strategy
Authors: Birasnav M.
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– It is widely agreed that top management's leadership behavior is a source for achieving and sustaining competitive advantage. Very few research studies analyzed the prevalence of transformational leadership style in the manufacturing environment, and importantly, the associations between transformational behaviors and manufacturing strategies in connection with flexibility, quality, delivery, and cost are not yet deeply explored in the literature. In this direction, efforts are initiated to explain the relationships between transformational leadership behaviors and manufacturing strategies in this study. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– A systematic literature review was conducted by analyzing all traditional and contemporary research studies in the fields of leadership and operations management in order to examine the link between transformational leadership and manufacturing strategies comprising of flexibility, quality, delivery, and cost strategy.

Findings

– It was found from the review that top-level leaders exhibit transformational leadership behaviors while implementing manufacturing strategies in their firms. In particular, transformational leaders are capable to transform the production system into flexible system, and in addition, they develop new production processes for manufacturing both new and old products. Such leaders ensure quality in all the levels of production process and support to speed up order delivery process with the help of technology. Finally, they also concentrate on reducing cost growth.

Research limitations/implications

– This study is bounded by its focus on Bass and Avolio's transformational leadership behaviors and Ward and Duray's manufacturing strategies comprising of flexibility, quality, delivery, and cost strategy.

Originality/value

– This study shows that transformational leaders, in the manufacturing environment, use manufacturing strategy as a tool to improve operational performance. Thus, they have potential to achieve and sustain competitive advantage through formulation of manufacturing strategy.
Does message placement influence risk perception and affect?
Authors: Lachlan Kenneth , R. Spence Patric
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– A recent body of research in crisis communications suggests that risk awareness and negative affect concerning a risk may be separate psychological constructs. These constructs may have independent and combined implications for crisis communication practitioners, in terms of message placement and audience responses. Making affected audiences aware of the nature of a risk, and coupling this awareness with an appropriate degree of negative affect, may be critical in motivating individuals to take action to protect themselves. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the above issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– In order to explore the best outlets for inducing risk awareness and appropriate levels of negative affect, an experimental study explored the influence of print, video, and combined messages on these factors. The experiment also examined whether or not order of presentation of print and video messages would be relevant.

Findings

– The findings indicate that the use of organization-produced messages placed in print media may reduce negative affect, while the order of presentation in multimedia approaches may have little effect on either construct. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for those crafting public messages concerning developing crises, while suggesting that organizations must consider the highly arousing nature of televised risk messages when informing and persuading the public.

Originality/value

– This study moves the literature a step forward by offering an empirical assessment of the value of an organizational message in reducing negative affect. It moves beyond past studies exploring the combined impact of risk awareness and affect by examining their relationship with placement strategy, and does so by measuring actual audience reactions.
In defense of profit-seeking
Authors: Lingenfelter Jonathan , E. Block Walter
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– Profits have a bad press. They are associated in the public mind with greed, avarice, self-seeking. The purpose of this paper is to make the case in behalf of profit-seeking, so as to right the balance of publications on this topic.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors undertake an economic analysis of the phenomenon of profit-seeking. The paper explores how profits lead to resource allocation, wealth creation, the promotion of human welfare and well-being.

Findings

– The paper finds that the system of profit and loss, part and parcel of economic freedom and laissez faire capitalism, does indeed promote wealth. It is the last best chance to fight poverty. Contrary to the views of the economically illiterate, it does not cause inflation or the business cycle nor any other economic malady.

Originality/value

– We cannot give ourselves good marks as to originality. Adam Smith, Ludwig von Mises and Murray Rothbard beat us to the punch as to the benefits of the profit and loss private property rights system. However, as Friedrich Hayek said each generation must fight these battles in its own context. So, the authors claim value for this paper, since it confronts more modern criticisms, and addresses more recent contexts.
Foreign value-adding of industrial firms
Authors: Pehrsson Anders
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– There is a lack of research on how the industrial firm's international strategy is associated with basic and advanced value-adding modes of the wholly owned foreign subsidiary. The purpose of this paper is to fill the gap by answering two questions: how are relatedness between the firm and the foreign subsidiary, and the firm's international scope associated with foreign subsidiary's value-adding mode? How does the subsidiary's market experience moderate the relationships?

Design/methodology/approach

– The study develops a conceptual model that integrates strategy theory and internationalization theory in order to explain basic value-adding modes (promotion, sales, and after-sales services), and advanced modes that also include product development and/or production. Also, the study tests the model using statistical data from subsidiaries of Swedish firms operating in Germany, the USA, and the UK.

Findings

– It was found that greater relatedness between the core business unit of the parent firm and the foreign subsidiary favors a basic mode. However, the foreign subsidiary's market experience weakens the relationship, and the interaction triggers an advanced mode. Also, greater international scope of the firm favors an advanced mode.

Research limitations/implications

– The model test shows that research needs to consider both international strategy and market experience in explaining value-adding modes of an industrial firm's wholly owned subsidiary.

Practical implications

– By using the study contributions the industrial firm's efforts to efficiently implement international strategy would become more efficient as strategy coherence will increase.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to literature on international strategy and internationalization by showing that international strategy and market experience of foreign markets mutually impact value-adding modes of wholly owned foreign subsidiaries.
Enhancing visualisation to communicate and execute strategy
Authors: de Salas Kristy , Huxley Craig
Published: April 2014

Purpose

– Developing an organisational, business, or corporate strategy is an important process which sets the direction and the scope for the business, over a period of time. While any organisation can create their own strategy, not all strategies are well executed and lead to business success. What is required is a process that provides a holistic understanding of an organisational strategy, and clear links between the elements of the strategy and the organisational processes that will be central to its execution. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper describes three case studies of medium-sized organisations that were the research context in which the methodology for developing and representing Strategy-to-Process Maps was developed and iteratively refined.

Findings

– Each of these three case organisations had identified a need to better understand their strategic objectives by a stronger visual representation of the components of their strategy, as well as a need to identify how their daily operational tasks contributed to, or distracted from, the achievement of their strategic goals. These cases assisted in the creation of a method of both facilitating better understanding of strategy through visualisation, and better execution through linking strategy to process. This methodology resulted in the employees of these organisations gaining a much stronger understanding of the strategic directions of the organisation and improved the three elements of effective strategy execution: visibility; leverage and responsiveness.

Originality/value

– Strategy-to-Process Maps provide a new way in which organisations can communicate without reliance on any specific strategy development methodology; and can execute their strategy more effectively by linking it closely with organisational processes.