bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acetic acid activates distinct taste pathways in Drosophila to elicit opposing, state-dependent feeding responses
Authors: Devineni Anita V. , Sun Bei , Zhukovskaya Anna , Axel Richard
Published: July 2018

Taste circuits are genetically determined to elicit an innate appetitive or aversive response, ensuring that animals consume nutritious foods and avoid the ingestion of toxins. We have examined the response of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to acetic acid, a tastant that can be a metabolic resource but can also be toxic to the fly. Our data reveal that flies accommodate these conflicting attributes of acetic acid by virtue of a hunger-dependent switch in their behavioral response to this stimulus. Fed flies show taste aversion to acetic acid, likely a response to its potential toxicity, whereas starved flies show a robust appetitive response that may reflect their overriding need for calories. These opposing responses are mediated by two different classes of taste neurons. Acetic acid activates both the sugar and bitter pathways, which have opposing effects on feeding behavior. Hunger shifts the response from aversion to attraction by enhancing the appetitive sugar pathway as well as suppressing the aversive bitter pathway. Thus a single tastant can drive opposing behaviors by activating distinct taste pathways modulated by internal state.
Mechanisms for zinc and proton inhibition of the GluN1/GluN2A NMDA receptor
Authors: Jalali-Yazdi Farzad , Chowdhury Sandipan , Yoshioka Craig , Gouaux Eric
Published: July 2018

N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play essential roles in memory formation, neuronal plasticity and brain development with their dysfunction linked to a range of disorders from ischemia to schizophrenia. Zinc and pH are physiological allosteric modulators of NMDARs with GluN2A containing receptors inhibited by nanomolar concentrations of divalent zinc and by excursions to low pH. Despite the widespread importance of zinc and proton modulation of NMDARs, the molecular mechanism by which these ions modulate receptor activity has proven elusive. Here, we use cryo-electron microscopy to elucidate the structure of the GluN1/GluN2A NMDAR in a large ensemble of conformations under a range of physiologically relevant zinc and proton concentrations. We show how zinc binding to the amino terminal domain elicits structural changes that are transduced though the ligand-binding domain and result in constriction of the ion channel gate.
Full-section otolith microtexture imaged by local-probe X-ray diffraction
Authors: Cook Phil K. , Mocuta Cristian , Dufour Élise , Languille Marie-Angélique , Bertrand Loïc
Published: July 2018

An optimized synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction method is described for the direct and efficient measurement of crystallite phase and orientation at micrometre resolution across textured polycrystalline samples of millimetre size (high scale dynamics) within a reasonable time frame. The method is demonstrated by application to biomineral fish otoliths. Otoliths are calcium carbonate accretions formed in the inner ears of vertebrates. Fish otoliths are essential biological archives, providing information for individual age estimation, the study of population dynamics and fish stock management, as well as past environmental and climatic conditions from archaeological specimens. Here, X-ray diffraction mapping is discussed as a means of describing the mineralogical structure and microtexture of otoliths. Texture maps could be generated with a fewa priorihypotheses on the aragonitic system. Full-section imaging allows quantitative intercomparison of crystal orientation coupled to microstructural description, across the zones of the otoliths that represent distinctive mineral organization. It reveals the extents of these regions and their internal textural structure. Characterization of structural and textural correlations across whole images is therefore proposed as a complementary approach to investigate and validate the local in-depth nanometre-scale study of biominerals. The estimation of crystallite size and orientational distribution points to diffracting domains intermediate in size between the otolith nanogranules and the crystalline units, in agreement with recently reported results.
Making glycoproteins a little bit sweeter withPDB-REDO
Authors: van Beusekom Bart , Lütteke Thomas , Joosten Robbie P.
Published: July 2018

Glycosylation is one of the most common forms of protein post-translational modification, but is also the most complex. Dealing with glycoproteins in structure model building, refinement, validation and PDB deposition is more error-prone than dealing with nonglycosylated proteins owing to limitations of the experimental data and available software tools. Also, experimentalists are typically less experienced in dealing with carbohydrate residues than with amino-acid residues. The results of the reannotation and re-refinement byPDB-REDOof 8114 glycoprotein structure models from the Protein Data Bank are analyzed. The positive aspects of 3620 reannotations and subsequent refinement, as well as the remaining challenges to obtaining consistently high-quality carbohydrate models, are discussed.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 2,4-diamino-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazin-1-ium 4-methylbenzenesulfonate
Authors: Sangeetha Ramalingam , Balasubramani Kasthuri , Thanigaimani Kaliyaperumal , Jose Kavitha Savaridasson
Published: July 2018

In the title molecular salt, C9H10N5
+·C7H7O3S−, the asymmetric unit consists of a 2,4-diamino-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazin-1-ium cation and a 4-methylbenzenesulfonate anion. The cation is protonated at the N atom lying between the amine and phenyl substituents. The protonated N and amino-group N atoms are involved in hydrogen bonding with the sulfonate O atoms through a pair of intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds, giving rise to a hydrogen-bonded cyclic motif with R
2
2(8) graph-set notation. The inversion-related molecules are further linked by four N—H...O intermolecular interactions to produce a complementary DDAA (D = donor, A = acceptor) hydrogen-bonded array, forming R
2
2(8), R
4
2(8) and R
2
2(8) ring motifs. The centrosymmetrically paired cations form R
2
2(8) ring motifs through base-pairing via N—H...N hydrogen bonds. In addition, another R
3
3(10) motif is formed between centrosymetrically paired cations and a sulfonate anion via N—H...O hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure also features weak S=O...π and π–π interactions. Hirshfeld surface and fingerprint plots were employed in order to further study the intermolecular interactions.
Development of probiotic yogurt by incorporation of milk protein concentrate (MPC) and ‎microencapsulated Lactobacillus paracasei ‎ in gellan-caseinate mixture
Authors: Moghaddas Kia Ehsan , Ghasempour Zahra , Ghanbari Soheila , Pirmohammadi Rasool , Ehsani Ali
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate effects of simultaneous supplementation of milk protein concentrate (MPC) as texture modifier and microencapsulated Lactobacillus paracasei (L. paracasei) (entrapped in gellan–caseinate) on physico-chemical, sensorial and microbial characteristics of yogurt during storage time.

Design/methodology/approach

L. paracasei cells were encapsulated through unique pH triggered gelation technique using combination of sodium caseinate-gellan gum as protective shell material. MPC was also used to improve physico-chemical indices of probiotic yogurt at different levels (0–3 percent).

Findings

The results showed that yogurt samples containing encapsulated L. paracasei showed lower post-acidification and higher viability. Samples containing encapsulated L. paracasei showed less syneresis amount, due to possible hydration of shell material, also application of MPC could reduce this attribute during storage time. The numbers of probiotic bacteria were remained above the recommended therapeutic minimum throughout the samples.

Practical implications

The findings suggest a practical ingredient in probiotic dairy product. Simultaneous usage of this kind of encapsulation via MPC enhanced sensorial and physical properties of probiotic yogurt while of no reduction in viable counts survival.

Originality/value

This study revealed usage of microcapsules of L. paracasei prepared by the gelation of sodium caseinate-gellan gum could be a suitable manner for delivery of probiotics in fermented dairy products like yogurt.
The role of big data in shaping ambidextrous business process management
Authors: Dezi Luca , Santoro Gabriele , Gabteni Heger , Pellicelli Anna Claudia
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how big data can shape ambidextrous business process management (BPM) in terms of exploitation and exploration.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative methodology involving case studies has been chosen to explore the impact of big data deployment on exploitative and explorative business processes.

Findings

The results of case studies offer some opportunities and challenges for service firms related to both the exploitative and the explorative aspects of BPM driven by big data.

Originality/value

The deployment of big data in business processes has attracted a large amount of interest recently. However, these studies are mostly conceptual, so empirical research about this complex relationship is quite rare, especially research with specific arguments regarding exploitative and explorative activities. This paper aims to fill this gap by offering empirical evidence for big data-driven business processes.
The dynamic information spill-over effect of WTI crude oil prices on China’s traditional energy sectors
Authors: Zhang Yue-Jun , Wu Yao-Bin
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the dynamic influence of WTI crude oil returns on the stock returns of China’s traditional energy sectors, including oil and gas exploitation, coal mining and processing, petroleum processing and coking, electricity, heat production and supply and mining services.

Design/methodology/approach

Hong’s information spill-over test and the DP Granger causality test are applied to investigate the relationship between the two markets. Moreover, a rolling window is introduced into the above two tests to capture time-varying characteristics of the influence of WTI crude oil returns.

Findings

The empirical results indicate that, first, there exists significant bidirectional linear causality between WTI crude oil returns and China’s traditional energy sectoral stock returns, but the nonlinear causality appears weaker. Second, the influence of WTI crude oil returns on traditional energy sectoral stock returns has time-varying characteristics and industry heterogeneity both in the linear and nonlinear cases. Finally, the decline of WTI crude oil prices may strengthen its linear influence on the stock returns of traditional energy sectors, while the excessive rise of market values in traditional energy sectors may weaken the linear and nonlinear influence of WTI on them.

Originality/value

The general nexus between international crude oil market and China’s traditional energy stock market is explored both in the linear and nonlinear perspectives. In particular, the dynamic linear and nonlinear influence of WTI crude oil returns on China’s traditional energy sectoral stock returns and its industry heterogeneity are analysed in detail.
Farmers’ satisfaction with compensations for farmland expropriation in China
Authors: Qu Song , Heerink Nico , Xia Ying , Guo Junping
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the compensation amount as well as the mode through which compensations are paid on farmers’ satisfaction with the compensation received for farmland expropriation in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Using rural household survey data collected among 450 households in three provinces, located in eastern, central and western China, this paper estimates the impacts of compensation payments, compensation modes, household characteristics and other control variables on farmers’ satisfaction applying an ordinal probit model.

Findings

The major findings are: farmers’ satisfaction with the compensation depends not only on the size of the compensation but also on the gap between the compensation and the market value of the expropriated land; and the compensation amount positively affects farmers’ satisfaction when the social security compensation mode is used, but does not significantly affect farmers’ satisfaction when other modes are used.

Originality/value

First, it contributes to the literature on farmland expropriation by providing empirical evidence of the direct impact of the compensation amount and other factors on the degree of farmers’ satisfaction with farmland compensations. Second, potential interactions between compensation amount and compensation mode are taken into account in estimating factors affecting farmers’ satisfaction.
Bridging metacompetencies and entrepreneurship education
Authors: Ustav Sirje , Venesaar Urve
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of metacompetencies in entrepreneurship education through students’ expressions of metacompetencies in their learning processes, aiming to provide assistance embedding metacompetencies in entrepreneurship education.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study is based on qualitative data retrieved from students’ reflections throughout the course, and measures the constructs of metacompetencies in parallel with the acquisition of entrepreneurship course outcomes. The phenomenological analysis is coded to apply Bayesian modelling and statistical validation measures to establish interrelations between metacompetency components and conceptual validity.

Findings

Different degrees of appearance of students’ metacompetencies and significant correlations between all three components of metacompetencies are identified. An empirical model of connection between metacompetencies and entrepreneurship education is created, which shows a strong relationship between students’ metacompetencies and changes in attitudes, emotions, intentions and interest towards entrepreneurship.

Practical implications

Practical implications are connected with the entrepreneurship course design, supporting the development of students’ metacompetencies and self-awareness.

Social implications

Social implications bring learners’ physical participation in the courses into the spotlight, influencing students’ attitudes towards entrepreneurship. Enhancing metacompetencies as a tripartite model assures that cognitive, conative and affective aspects of learning are in corresponding change.

Originality/value

This paper provides a step forward from theorising metacompetencies, putting this concept in the middle of practice. The empirical model establishes a direct connection between metacompetencies and entrepreneurship education, demonstrating how students’ awareness creation through metacompetencies influences changes in interest and intention towards entrepreneurship.
From policy to practice: the challenges facing Uganda in reducing maternal mortality
Authors: Edwards Grace
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the challenges faced by health professionals in meeting Millennium Goal 5 and reducing maternal mortality in Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

Uganda is a low income land locked country with some major challenges around maternal health. There are many comprehensive and visionary plans produced by the Ugandan Government, however, there is a disconnect between policy and practice and there are many barriers to be addressed in order to reduce maternal mortality in Uganda.

Findings

Despite making considerable progress in reducing maternal mortality, Millenium Development Goal (MDG) 5 was not achieved and every day 300 children and 20 mothers die in Uganda. Major barriers include lack of resources, both human and equipment, disparities in access to care, lack of clinical skills and knowledge and financial constraints. The Millennium goals are now behind us and focus has shifted to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The Ugandan Government must focus on using these goals as part of developing the maternal and child health strategy by prioritising the human resource and health financial issues and continuing to work towards reducing maternal and perinatal mortality.

Originality/value

This paper gives a succinct review of the progress of Uganda towards meeting the Millennium Goal 5 and makes key recommendations for addressing SDG 3.
Exploring the valuation of compulsory purchase compensation
Authors: Holtslag-Broekhof Sanne , Beunen Raoul , Marwijk Ramona Van , Wiskerke Johannes S.C.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse how Dutch Compulsory Purchase (CP) compensation is decided on and to explore to what extent the valuation of the CP compensation is assessed by professionals within a range of 10 per cent (higher or lower) difference.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors study CP compensation using the Dutch Legal Intelligence database, assessing every publicly available court decision and comparing the compensation that is offered in the voluntary negotiations and during the CP procedure in court.

Findings

The results show that there are many uncertainties in the valuation process of CP that lead to a broad range of valuation outcomes. In 94 legal CP cases from the Netherlands, the final offer of compensation in court was on average 56.7 per cent higher than the last compensation offer from the expropriator. The differences in valuation were related to several aspects including different systems of valuation and different interpretations of the CP legislation.

Originality/value

A central issue in the CP procedure is the amount of compensation that the landowner receives. There are few researchers who have studied how accurate CP compensation is appraised in practise. This is one of the first attempts internationally to empirically conduct an analysis of CP compensation values.
An actor–network theory model of property development
Authors: Ward Emily
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to model the property development process from an actor–network theory perspective. The model aims to address the relationship between structure and agency to combine the social and the economic aspects of the property development process.

Design/methodology/approach

An inductive methodology was appropriate for this study. Consequently, 12 semi-structured interviews have been carried out with professionals involved in the property development process in central London.

Findings

Analysis of the interview transcripts revealed that throughout the development process a developer creates a core actor–network and enrols those required for production. Economic, cultural, legal and political structures influence actions throughout the development process and therefore have the ability to cause disruption. As a result, sub-networks are created to overcome challenges throughout the development process, such as obtaining planning consent. This allows the interests of actors to be aligned or re-aligned so that solutions can be punctualised into the core actor–network. Additionally, structures are affected by actions throughout the property development process.

Practical implications

It is recommended that developers measure the extent to which the interests of actors are successfully aligned and re-aligned throughout a developments life cycle, in addition to a developments financial success. The findings are paramount for policymakers and regulators, as it allows them to understand the intricate workings of the development process and so when they regulate or develop policy, they will understand how it will reverberate through the process and recalibrate it, thereby limiting unforeseen consequences.

Originality/value

This research has proven valuable given it advances the property development process literature by examining the property development process from an actor–network theory perspective and provides areas for further study.
Getting acquainted with social networks and apps: combating fake news on social media
Authors: Anderson Katie Elson
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a general overview of how the major social media companies are addressing the problem of fake news and the spread of digital disinformation. The fight against bad sources and false authorities is one that librarians have been engaged in for a very long time.

Design/methodology/approach

While the inaccurate information may not always have been called “fake news,” misinformation, propaganda, conspiracy, exaggeration, manipulated facts and out and out lies have always been combated by librarians through information literacy. It is nearly impossible to go a day in this current news climate without reading or hearing the term “fake news”; whether it is being tweeted by the 45th president of the USA, discussed in the media, detailed in articles about social media or addressed by librarians in literature, conversation, conferences, tweets and blog posts.

Findings

The inescapable phrase was named word of the year for 2017 by both the American Dialect Society (“Fake News,” 2018) and Collins Dictionary (Meza, 2017). While the official definitions provided by a number of different sources may vary, the gist of what is meant by fake news is that it is information that is largely inaccurate, misleading, unsubstantiated, manipulated or completely fabricated that is being passed off as truthful, authoritative and accurate.

Originality/value

Though the phrase “fake news” may seem to be a recent term, it has actually been around since the end of the nineteenth century and it is not limited to just discussing political news according to Merriam-Webster.
“Through the looking glass: envisioning new library technologies” spending time well – helping patrons take control of their technology
Authors: Fernandez Peter
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Social networking and mobile devices are now fully integrated into the fabric of society. Even people who do not directly use these applications are impacted by those who do. These technologies structure information, media companies, education, political policies and much more.

Design/methodology/approach

At their best, these are technologies that can provide entertainment, increase productivity and improve the lives of their users.

Findings

This column will explore concerns about how technology uses unconscious biases to influence its users’ engagement. It will offer tools and techniques for those interested in exerting more control over their use of technology and how the underlying ecosystem has created this situation.

Originality/value

It highlighted the work of Tristan Harris, who had previously worked at Google as a design ethicist but left to found an organization called Time Well Spent as one of the key leaders.
How Twitter affects academic library users
Authors: Harisanty Dessy
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This study aims to determine the influence of social networking Twitter library on the level of utilization of college libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The method used to explore this problem is explanative as it uses the multiple linear regression test. The research location is at Universitas Airlangga Library, Surabaya, Indonesia. The sampling technique was purposive, as it used the criteria of the academic community of Airlangga University that became an active member or often visited the homepage of the library’s Twitter account at least three times in the past one month. The sample of this study was 220 respondents.

Findings

The results of this study illustrate that the satisfaction of users of social networking Twitter library which includes surveillance, diversion/entertainment, personal identity and social relationship, either partially or simultaneously, affects the utilization of the college library.

Originality/value

Based on these results, libraries should always provide services in accordance with the characteristics of user behavior. In the era of booming social media Twitter for teenagers who are the largest users of college libraries, the use of social networking medium Twitter is considered effective in the libraries of universities.
Promotion of electronic resources through information literacy
Authors: Bennett Samantha , Djukic Predrag , Kapitzki Rupa
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The study aims to report on how electronic resources of Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) library are being promoted through information literacy sessions and how quick response (QR) codes are created for patrons for ease of access to these electronic resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The QR codes created are displayed in the library to attract attention of the patron. Information literacy sessions include database training and how to access e-resources through the library website. Database posters and PowerPoint presentations are displayed in the library. Student Research blog and subject LibGuides are created with access to databases content as necessary. Library volunteer projects include extensive database searches.

Findings

While accessing the databases through Student Research blog, LibGuides, volunteer project work and QR codes the usage statistics of these resources have shown an increase. QR code poster attracted attention from many patrons, followed by curiosity to access the databases and eventual access of the databases as evidenced through email inquiry and troubleshooting.

Research limitations/implications

Usage statistics harvested from vendor platforms is only available system wide and not per HCT campus locations. It is thus not possible to report per location or track usage per location. More advanced analytical tools are required in future to extract more specific data for further deeper analysis.

Practical implications

Findings recommend future online information literacy courses offered through the proposed virtual library platform to be easily accessible through the Blackboard Learn mobile application including more subject specific resources from databases in their content. The more the databases are used by patron, the higher the chances are they will be renewed for subscription.

Social implications

Academic libraries work closely and collaboratively with database vendors and aggregators to promote information literacy. Vice versa if libraries are promoting their databases through information literacy sessions and easier access through QR codes – then it is a mutual symbiosis for growth benefitting the academic community.

Originality/value

A majority of HCT library patrons are UAE nationals – the future leaders of the country. Using rich resources through the databases and lifelong learning skills through information literacy sessions – provides them with authentic information enriching their knowledge and application of skills encouraging, which fosters innovation.
Fully developed mixed convection flow in a vertical channel with electrokinetic effects
Authors: Jha Basant Kumar , Oni Michael O.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate electrokinetic and mixed convection (pressure gradient and buoyancy) effects on reverse flow formation at the channel walls.

Design/methodology/approach

The electrical potential distribution was modelled using the Poisson–Boltzmann equation while the governing momentum and energy equations are modelled from the Navier–Stokes equations and solved exactly.

Findings

It is found that flow reversal at the walls is enhanced by electrokinetic parameter whereas increasing degree of asymmetric parameter up to symmetric heating eliminates reverse flow formation at the walls no matter the electric charge distribution.

Originality/value

The results of this paper indicate that degree of asymmetric heating, mixed convection parameter and electrokinetic parameter regulate fluid velocity, rate of heat transfer, skin friction and reverse flow formation at the walls.
Police officers’ attitudes toward citizen advisory councils
Authors: Nix Justin , Wolfe Scott E. , Tregle Brandon
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the antecedents of sheriff deputies’ perceived legitimacy of their agency’s citizen advisory council (CAC).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors obtained survey data from 567 sheriff deputies in a southeastern state. The authors first asked whether respondents knew their agency had a CAC, and then asked those who responded affirmatively a series of questions about the legitimacy of the council. The authors then ran an ordinary least squares regression that included organizational justice, self-legitimacy and public scrutiny as independent variables predicting perceived legitimacy of the CAC.

Findings

Deputies who perceived greater organizational justice from command staff were significantly more likely to perceive the CAC as legitimate.

Originality/value

In response to strained police/community relations, reform advocates have urged the police to embrace a more democratic style of policing, including allowing for more citizen oversight of agencies. The study sheds light on how line-level officers perceive such oversight.
Special Weapons and Tactics operations
Authors: Avdija Avdi S.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the effects of differential police training on hostage rescue effectiveness. More specifically, this study looks at the types of police trainings that are the most effective in preparing Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) officers in dealing with hostage rescue situations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a cross-sectional design. The analyses are based on a national sample of 341 law enforcement agencies, which employed at least 50 sworn officers.

Findings

To improve the SWAT response effectiveness in hostage rescue situations, this study shows that two factors play a significant role, namely, the training for hostage rescue situations and an increase in the average training hours per month. Among the types of trainings that were thought to be effective but did not show a significant effect in this present study were training for crowd control/civil unrest, having military training, and training for building searches.

Practical implications

Increased training hours specifically designed to address hostage situations increases the likelihood of successful hostage extractions. Thus, police departments should have specific training hours set aside for hostage situations.

Originality/value

This study attempts to identify specific types of police trainings that have a positive effect on improving SWAT effectiveness in dealing with hostage situations. There is a very limited number of research works on SWAT operations. This study, therefore, adds to this very limited research area of policing.
Police officers’ experiences as victims of hate crime
Authors: Mawby Rob C. , Zempi Irene
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to fill a research and literature gap by examining the nature and impact of hate crime victimisation on police officers, and their responses to it. The research explores victimisation due to the occupational stigma of policing and the personal characteristics and identities of individual officers.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design is qualitative, based on 20 in-depth interviews with police officers in one English police force. Thematic analysis was applied to the data.

Findings

All participants had experienced hate crime arising from their occupational or personal identities. Initially shocked, officers became desensitized and responded in different ways. These include tolerating and accepting hate crime but also challenging it through communication and the force of law.

Research limitations/implications

This research is based on a small sample. It does not claim to be representative but it is exploratory, aiming to stimulate debate and further research on a contemporary policing issue.

Practical implications

If further research works were to confirm these findings, there are implications for police training, officer welfare and support, supervision and leadership.

Originality/value

The police occupy a problematic position within hate crime literature and UK legislation. This paper opens up debate on an under-researched area and presents the first published study of the hate crime experiences of police officers.
Strategic improvisation and HEIs performance: the moderating role of organizational culture
Authors: Ibrahim Najafi Auwalu , Mahmood Rosli , Bakar Muhammad Shukri
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This study aims to explore the relationships between strategic improvisation, organizational culture and higher education institutions (HEIs) performance. The dynamic nature of today’s environment, increased population and demand and budget cuts have created a lot of pressure on HEIs around the world. Hence, the need for effective human resource capable of providing advanced policies for efficiency and sustainability of these institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 229 questionnaires were filled and returned by academic leaders from HEIs in Kano state, Nigeria. The study used partial least squares path modelling to test the hypotheses postulated.

Findings

The major findings indicate that both strategic improvisation and organizational culture dimensions have direct relationship with HEIs performance. However, only innovative culture moderates the relationship between strategic improvisation and HEIs, while bureaucratic culture and supportive culture fail to support the proposed hypothesis.

Research limitations/implications

More studies are needed to further validate the impact of strategic improvisation (SI) on other public sector performance. Also, future studies should use longitudinal approach to establish at which stage SI has more impact on performance. Also, future studies should identify the difference that exists between units, department and faculty leaders, as some are more likely to engage in SI due to the nature of their specialization.

Practical implications

It is obvious that HEIs performance is not only limited to organizational factors but also individual characteristics such as ability to improvise. Hence, HEIs should consider SI ability during employment to ensure efficiency, performance and sustainability. Moreover, organizational culture of HEIs needs to be updated and to be more flexible in accommodating new initiatives or failure to encourage display of such ability.

Originality/value

Previous studies especially in the for profit sector have demonstrated the role of SI and organizational culture on performance. Thus, the present study is one of the early studies in the non-profit sector, specifically the HEIs. Moreover, the inconsistent result of the previous findings necessitates the study to test the moderating effect of organizational culture.
A startup’s strategy: doing good sets the stage for doing well
Authors: Grossberg Kenneth Alan
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Maor Zlotzever, a 32-year-old Israeli entrepreneur, was inspired to devote himself to his startup, Axios, by a youthful dream of giving customers genuine value that will improve lives.

Design/methodology/approach

This case looks at an entrepreneurial non-profit innovator diversifying into the hydroponics market.

Findings

Maor began working on the development of Axios’ hydroponics division as a way to maximize the production capacity of facilities for growing food plants without soil. He and his team designed a simple modular system that requires no computer and can be adapted to use solar power or biogas to drive the hydroponics pump and be energy-neutral. The compact system will sell for much less than competitors’ devices and requires very little “hands on” adjustment while the vegetables are growing.

Practical implications

Maor learned several lessons through his efforts to obtain resources for his project: organizations that position themselves as promoters of the entrepreneurial community often were not inclined to devote resources to idealistic inventions. In contrast, large, supposedly less entrepreneurial organizations like the Ministry of Education, Haifa University and the Israel Institute of Technology, as well as reformist groups like the green organizations, offered support, aid and encouragement.

Social implications

As Steve Jobs said, “People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

Originality/value

In theory, financial success follows continuous innovation to provide unique value to customers. So far an entrepreneurial innovator intent on doing good by giving customers genuine value that will improve lives is learning to succeed.
Younger workers’ attitudes and perceptions towards older colleagues
Authors: Patel Jasmine , Tinker Anthea , Corna Laurie
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate younger workers’ perceptions of older colleagues, including whether there is evidence of ageism.

Design/methodology/approach

Convenience sampling was used to recruit ten individuals who were both below the age of 35 and employed at a multigenerational workplace in England. The study is qualitative, involving semi-structured interviews that were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

This study found that whilst some younger employees valued working with older colleagues as they believe that their differing characteristics are complementary, others felt that it leads to intergenerational conflict due to contrasting approaches towards work. Positive perceptions of older workers included their increased knowledge and experience, reliability and better social skills; however, ageism was also prevalent, such as the perception of older workers as resistant to change, slower at using technology and lacking the drive to progress. This study also provided evidence for the socioemotional selectivity and social identity theories.

Research limitations/implications

This study has a small sample size and participants were only recruited from London.

Practical implications

In order to create working environments that are conducive to the well-being of employees of all ages, organisations should place an emphasis on reducing intergenerational tension. This could be achieved by team building sessions that provide an opportunity for individuals to understand generational differences.

Originality/value

There is minimal evidence from the UK focussing on the perceptions of specifically younger workers towards older colleagues and the basis of their attitudes. Only by gaining an insight into their attitudes and the reasoning behind them, can efforts be made to decrease ageism.
The fly factor phenomenon is mediated by interkingdom signaling between bacterial symbionts and their blow fly hosts
Authors: Uriel Yonathan , Gries Regine , Tu Lorna , Carroll Cassandra , Zhai Huimin , Moore Margo , Gries Gerhard
Published: July 2018

We tested the recent hypothesis that the “fly factor” phenomenon (food currently or previously fed on by flies attracts more flies than the same type of food kept inaccessible to flies) is mediated by bacterial symbionts deposited with feces or regurgitated by feeding flies. We allowed laboratory‐reared black blow flies, Phormia regina (Meigen), to feed and defecate on bacterial Luria–Bertani medium solidified with agar, and isolated seven morphologically distinct bacterial colonies. We identified these using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. In two‐choice laboratory experiments, traps baited with cultures of Proteus mirabilis Hauser, Morganella morganii subsp. sibonii Jensen, or Serratia marcescens Bizio, captured significantly more flies than corresponding control jars baited with tryptic soy agar only. A mixture of seven bacterial strains as a trap bait was more attractive to flies than a single bacterial isolate (M. m. sibonii). In a field experiment, traps baited with agar cultures of P. mirabilis and M. m. sibonii in combination captured significantly more flies than traps baited with either bacterial isolate alone or the agar control. As evident by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, the odor profiles of bacterial isolates differ, which may explain the additive effect of bacteria to the attractiveness of bacterial trap baits. As “generalist bacteria,” P. mirabilis and M. m. sibonii growing on animal protein (beef liver) or plant protein (tofu) are similarly effective in attracting flies. Bacteria‐derived airborne semiochemicals appear to mediate foraging by flies and to inform their feeding and oviposition decisions.
Radiocephalic Fistula Recovery Using the Brachial Vein and Forearm Basilic Vein: A Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Norton de Matos António , Sousa Clemente N , Almeida Paulo , Teles Paulo , Rego Duarte , Teixeira Gabriela , Loureiro Luís , Teixeira Sérgio , Antunes Inês
Published: July 2018

Vascular access dysfunction is a serious problem in dialysis units. Some patients have complex dysfunctions that are difficult to resolve. In this article, we report the case a of two patients with radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulae (RC‐AVF) who had stenosis/occlusion of the forearm median vein and where we used the basilic vein of the forearm as a solution. We reviewed the use of this surgical solution in RC‐AVF. Two male patients on hemodialysis exhibited stenosis/occlusion of the forearm median vein. The forearm basilic vein was isolated and rotated toward the forearm median vein in order to solve RC‐AVF problems. One patient had fistula thrombosis 5 months after the procedure, while for the other patient, the fistula continues to work without problems. Literature describes only a few cases using the forearm basilic vein or the brachial vein for fistula recovery. This procedure increased the patency of fistulas. This approach has been proven to be a good solution for solving outflow problems using the superficial or deep veins, increasing fistula patency and avoiding the need to place a central venous catheter and all the related complications.
Computed tomography‐guided hook wire localization facilitates video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery of pulmonary ground‐glass nodules
Authors: Li Chunhai , Liu Bo , Jia Haipeng , Dong Zhenyu , Meng Hong
Published: July 2018

Background

This retrospectively study was conducted to assess the efficiency and safety of computed tomography (CT)‐guided hook wire localization of pulmonary ground‐glass nodules (GGNs) prior to video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

Methods

From 2015 to 2018, a total of 86 patients with 86 pulmonary GGNs underwent preoperative CT‐guided hook wire localization before VATS. The technical details and clinicopathological findings were analyzed.

Results

All 86 pulmonary GGNs (25 pure GGNs and 61 part‐solid GGNs) were successfully located and resected. The mean diameter of the GGNs was 1.4 ± 0.4 cm (range 0.6–2.2) and the mean lesion distance to the pleural surface was 7.3 ± 4.3 mm (range 2–19). Complications of hook wire marking included asymptomatic minor pneumothorax in 21 patients (24%) and focal pulmonary hemorrhage in 18 (21%). The median hook wire localization time was 19.1 minutes (range 10–30) and the median VATS time was 49 minutes (range 28–89). Pathology revealed 72 precancerous lesions or primary lung adenocarcinomas, 5 metastatic tumors, and 9 benign lesions.

Conclusions

Preoperative localization of small pulmonary GGNs using CT‐guided hook wire was efficient and safe prior to VATS resection.
Estimating recruitment from capture–recapture data by modelling spatio‐temporal variation in birth and age‐specific survival rates
Authors: Chandler Richard B. , Engebretsen Kristin , Cherry Michael J. , Garrison Elina P. , Miller Karl V.
Published: July 2018

Understanding the factors influencing recruitment in animal populations is an important objective of many research and conservation programmes. However, evaluating hypotheses is challenging because recruitment is the outcome of birth and survival processes that are difficult to directly observe. Capture–recapture is the most general framework for estimating recruitment in the presence of observation error, but existing methods ignore the underlying birth and survival processes, as well as age effects and spatial variation in vital rates.

We present an individual‐based, spatio‐temporal model that can be fit to capture–recapture data to draw inferences on the birth and survival processes governing recruitment dynamics. The number, dates, and spatial distribution of births are modelled as outcomes of a point process, and survival is modelled using a failure time approach. Survival parameters can be modelled as functions of individuals traits and time‐varying, spatial covariates. Continuous‐ and discrete‐time formulations are possible. We demonstrate the model using 7 months of camera data collected on white‐tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus fawns in Big Cypress National Preserve. Spot patterns were used to individually identify 28 fawns, detected 1,454 times between December 1, 2015 and July 1, 2016.

A total of 37 (95% CI: 30–49) fawns were born, of which 16 (95% CI: 10–23) survived 180 days to the recruitment age. Mean parturition date was February 14 (95% CI: February 6–February 22), much earlier than in more temperate parts of the species’ range, but coinciding with the dry season in southern Florida. We found little evidence that mortality rates decreased with age, but the estimate of the age effect was imprecise. In contrast, we found strong evidence that encounter rates were age‐specific and increased rapidly over the first month of life as fawns became more mobile.

Our case study demonstrates the potential of this new model for advancing knowledge of spatial population dynamics by providing insights into the birth and juvenile survival processes that influence recruitment. Because the model can be applied to data from noninvasive survey methods such as camera trapping, it is possible to apply it at broad spatial scales to understand how environmental variables and predator communities influence recruitment.
From Madonna to Marx: Towards a Re‐theorisation of Homelessness
Authors: Hennigan Brian
Published: July 2018

Homeless people, so the story goes, are regularly excluded from spaces of consumption because they offend customers. For a significant portion of homelessness scholarship, such exclusion is the point of departure for subsequent analysis. Others, by examining homelessness within these consumption spaces, theorise that anti‐homeless policies and attitudes emerge because homeless people cannot or have not properly consumed (e.g. nice clothes, housing). This article, conversely, argues that homeless people's “offensiveness” derives from their relation to production (rather than consumption), from their class position. Homeless people's spatial incongruity, specifically, originates in their apparent unproductivity, their violation of the capitalist law of value and its ideological justifications. This historical materialist analysis is not only more revealing, it also positions homeless people as a working class faction in need of political organising rather than an abstract population in need of pitiful charity.