bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxidative stress–induced assembly of PML nuclear bodies controls sumoylation of partner proteins
Authors: Sahin Umut , Ferhi Omar , Jeanne Marion , Benhenda Shirine , Berthier Caroline , Jollivet Florence , Niwa-Kawakita Michiko , Faklaris Orestis , Setterblad Niclas , de Thé Hugues , Lallemand-Breitenbach Valérie
Published: March 2014

The promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein organizes PML nuclear bodies (NBs), which are stress-responsive domains where many partner proteins accumulate. Here, we clarify the basis for NB formation and identify stress-induced partner sumoylation as the primary NB function. NB nucleation does not rely primarily on intermolecular interactions between the PML SUMO-interacting motif (SIM) and SUMO, but instead results from oxidation-mediated PML multimerization. Oxidized PML spherical meshes recruit UBC9, which enhances PML sumoylation, allow partner recruitment through SIM interactions, and ultimately enhance partner sumoylation. Intermolecular SUMO–SIM interactions then enforce partner sequestration within the NB inner core. Accordingly, oxidative stress enhances NB formation and global sumoylation in vivo. Some NB-associated sumoylated partners also become polyubiquitinated by RNF4, precipitating their proteasomal degradation. As several partners are protein-modifying enzymes, NBs could act as sensors that facilitate and confer oxidative stress sensitivity not only to sumoylation but also to other post-translational modifications, thereby explaining alterations of stress response upon PML or NB loss.
Hook is an adapter that coordinates kinesin-3 and dynein cargo attachment on early endosomes
Authors: Bielska Ewa , Schuster Martin , Roger Yvonne , Berepiki Adokiye , Soanes Darren M. , Talbot Nicholas J. , Steinberg Gero
Published: March 2014

Bidirectional membrane trafficking along microtubules is mediated by kinesin-1, kinesin-3, and dynein. Several organelle-bound adapters for kinesin-1 and dynein have been reported that orchestrate their opposing activity. However, the coordination of kinesin-3/dynein-mediated transport is not understood. In this paper, we report that a Hook protein, Hok1, is essential for kinesin-3– and dynein-dependent early endosome (EE) motility in the fungus Ustilago maydis. Hok1 binds to EEs via its C-terminal region, where it forms a complex with homologues of human fused toes (FTS) and its interactor FTS- and Hook-interacting protein. A highly conserved N-terminal region is required to bind dynein and kinesin-3 to EEs. To change the direction of EE transport, kinesin-3 is released from organelles, and dynein binds subsequently. A chimaera of human Hook3 and Hok1 rescues the hok1 mutant phenotype, suggesting functional conservation between humans and fungi. We conclude that Hok1 is part of an evolutionarily conserved protein complex that regulates bidirectional EE trafficking by controlling attachment of both kinesin-3 and dynein.
Recruitment of Mad1 to metaphase kinetochores is sufficient to reactivate the mitotic checkpoint
Authors: Ballister Edward R. , Riegman Michelle , Lampson Michael A.
Published: March 2014

The mitotic checkpoint monitors kinetochore–microtubule attachment and prevents anaphase until all kinetochores are stably attached. Checkpoint regulation hinges on the dynamic localization of checkpoint proteins to kinetochores. Unattached, checkpoint-active kinetochores accumulate multiple checkpoint proteins, which are depleted from kinetochores upon stable attachment, allowing checkpoint silencing. Because multiple proteins are recruited simultaneously to unattached kinetochores, it is not known what changes at kinetochores are essential for anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) inhibition. Using chemically induced dimerization to manipulate protein localization with temporal control, we show that recruiting the checkpoint protein Mad1 to metaphase kinetochores is sufficient to reactivate the checkpoint without a concomitant increase in kinetochore levels of Mps1 or BubR1. Furthermore, Mad2 binding is necessary but not sufficient for Mad1 to activate the checkpoint; a conserved C-terminal motif is also required. The results of our checkpoint reactivation assay suggest that Mad1, in addition to converting Mad2 to its active conformation, scaffolds formation of a higher-order mitotic checkpoint complex at kinetochores.
Is there quality control of localized mRNAs?
Authors: Walters Robert , Parker Roy
Published: March 2014

In eukaryotic cells many mRNAs are localized to specific regions of the cytosol, thereby allowing the local production of proteins. The process of mRNA localization can be coordinated with mRNA turnover, which can also be spatially controlled to increase the degree of mRNA localization. The coordination of mRNA localization, translation repression during transport, and mRNA degradation suggests the hypothesis that an additional layer of mRNA quality control exists in cells to degrade mRNAs that fail to be appropriately localized.
Yves Barral: Lessons from yeast on growth, renewal, and old age
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: March 2014

Barral studies the regulation of cell growth and aging in yeast.
Healthcare-Associated Bloodstream Infections in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit over a 20-Year Period (1992–2011): Trends in Incidence, Pathogens, and Mortality
Authors: Verstraete Evelien , Boelens Jerina , Coen Kris De , Claeys Geert , Vogelaers Dirk , Vanhaesebrouck Piet , Blot Stijn
Published: March 2014

Objective.

To analyze trends in the incidence and pathogen distribution of healthcare-associated bloodstream infections (HABSIs) over a 20-year period (1992–2011).

Design.

Historical cohort study.

Setting.

Thirty-two-bed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in a tertiary referral hospital.

Patients.

Neonates with HABSIs defined according to the criteria of the National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD).

Methods.

A hospital-based ongoing surveillance program was used to identify HABSI cases in neonates. A distinction between definite or possible HABSI was made according to the NICHD criteria. Incidence, incidence densities (HABSIs per 1,000 hospital-days and HABSIs per 1,000 total parenteral nutrition–days), and case fatality rate were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was used to find time trends. Four periods of 5 years were considered when executing variance analysis.

Results.

In total, 682 episodes of HABSIs occurred on 9,934 admissions (6.9%). The median total incidence density rate was 3.1 (interquartile range, 2.2–3.9). A significant increasing time trend in incidence density was observed for the period 1995–2011 (P < .003). A significant decrease in the case fatality rate was found in the last 5-year period (P < .001). No neonate died following possible HABSIs, whereas the case fatality rate among neonates with definite HABSIs was 9.7%. Most HABSIs were caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 414 [60.7%]). A significant increase in Staphylococcus aureus HABSI was observed in the last 10-year period (P < .001).

Conclusions.

An increase in incidence density rate occurred, while the case fatality rate dropped. Better perinatal care could be responsible for the latter. A decrease in days before infection and a high incidence of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus HABSIs indicate the need for vigorous application of evidence-based prevention initiatives, in particular for catheter care.
Impacts of the ubiquitous factor Zelda on Bicoid-dependent DNA binding and transcription in Drosophila
Authors: Xu Zhe , Chen Hongtao , Ling Jia , Yu Danyang , Struffi Paolo , Small Stephen
Published: March 2014

In vivo cross-linking studies suggest that the Drosophila transcription factor Bicoid (Bcd) binds to several thousand sites during early embryogenesis, but it is not clear how many of these binding events are functionally important. In contrast, reporter gene studies have identified >60 Bcd-dependent enhancers, all of which contain clusters of the consensus binding sequence TAATCC. These studies also identified clusters of TAATCC motifs (inactive fragments) that failed to drive Bcd-dependent activation. In general, active fragments showed higher levels of Bcd binding in vivo and were enriched in predicted binding sites for the ubiquitous maternal protein Zelda (Zld). Here we tested the role of Zld in Bcd-mediated binding and transcription. Removal of Zld function and mutations in Zld sites caused significant reductions in Bcd binding to known enhancers and variable effects on the activation and spatial positioning of Bcd-dependent expression patterns. Also, insertion of Zld sites converted one of six inactive fragments into a Bcd-responsive enhancer. Genome-wide binding experiments in zld mutants showed variable effects on Bcd-binding peaks, ranging from strong reductions to significantly enhanced levels of binding. Increases in Bcd binding caused the precocious Bcd-dependent activation of genes that are normally not expressed in early embryos, suggesting that Zld controls the genome-wide binding profile of Bcd at the qualitative level and is critical for selecting target genes for activation in the early embryo. These results underscore the importance of combinatorial binding in enhancer function and provide data that will help predict regulatory activities based on DNA sequence.
The circadian clock regulates rhythmic activation of the NRF2/glutathione-mediated antioxidant defense pathway to modulate pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Pekovic-Vaughan Vanja , Gibbs Julie , Yoshitane Hikari , Yang Nan , Pathiranage Dharshika , Guo Baoqiang , Sagami Aya , Taguchi Keiko , Bechtold David , Loudon Andrew , Yamamoto Masayuki , Chan Jefferson , van der Horst Gijsbertus T.J. , Fukada Yoshitaka , Meng Qing-Jun
Published: March 2014

The disruption of the NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2)/glutathione-mediated antioxidant defense pathway is a critical step in the pathogenesis of several chronic pulmonary diseases and cancer. While the mechanism of NRF2 activation upon oxidative stress has been widely investigated, little is known about the endogenous signals that regulate the NRF2 pathway in lung physiology and pathology. Here we show that an E-box-mediated circadian rhythm of NRF2 protein is essential in regulating the rhythmic expression of antioxidant genes involved in glutathione redox homeostasis in the mouse lung. Using an in vivo bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model, we reveal a clock “gated” pulmonary response to oxidative injury, with a more severe fibrotic effect when bleomycin was applied at a circadian nadir in NRF2 levels. Timed administration of sulforaphane, an NRF2 activator, significantly blocked this phenotype. Moreover, in the lungs of the arrhythmic ClockΔ19 mice, the levels of NRF2 and the reduced glutathione are constitutively low, associated with increased protein oxidative damage and a spontaneous fibrotic-like pulmonary phenotype. Our findings reveal a pivotal role for the circadian control of the NRF2/glutathione pathway in combating oxidative/fibrotic lung damage, which might prompt new chronotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of human lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
High-efficiency zone-plate optics for multi-keV X-ray focusing
Authors: Mohacsi Istvan , Karvinen Petri , Vartiainen Ismo , Guzenko Vitaliy A. , Somogyi Andrea , Kewish Cameron M. , Mercere Pascal , David Christian
Published: March 2014

High-efficiency nanofocusing of hard X-rays using stacked multilevel Fresnel zone plates with a smallest zone width of 200 nm is demonstrated. The approach is to approximate the ideal parabolic lens profile with two-, three-, four- and six-level zone plates. By stacking binary and three-level zone plates with an additional binary zone plate, the number of levels in the optical transmission function was doubled, resulting in four- and six-level profiles, respectively. Efficiencies up to 53.7% focusing were experimentally obtained with 6.5 keV photons using a compact alignment apparatus based on piezoelectric actuators. The measurements have also been compared with numerical simulations to study the misalignment of the two zone plates.
A mixed-valence complex of cobalt based on 3-methoxysalicylaldoxime
Authors: Yao Tiantian , Lu Jing , Li Dacheng , Dou Jianmin
Published: March 2014

A new tetranuclear mixed-valence cobalt complex, namely di-μ2-azido-diazidodiethanolbis{μ2-2-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]-6-methoxyphenolato}bis{μ3-6-methoxy-2-[(oxidoimino)methyl]phenolato}dicobalt(II)dicobalt(III) ethanol disolvate, [CoII2CoIII2(C8H7NO3)2(C8H8NO3)2(N3)4(C2H5OH)2]·2C2H5OH, has been synthesized by the reaction of Co(OAc)2·4H2O (OAc is acetate) with 3-methoxysalicylaldoxime (H2mosao) in an ethanol solution. In the complex, the four Co cations all display distorted octahedral coordination environments and they are bridged by two κ2,κ1,κ1;μ3-mosao2−ligands, two κ2,κ2;μ2-Hmosao−ligands and two μ2-N3−anions to form a tetranuclear [Co4N4O4] cluster. Adjacent clusters are connected through weak C—H...N and C—H...O interactions, resulting in a two-dimensional supramolecular network parallel to theacplane. The magnetic properties of the complex have also been studied.
A unified perspective on the factors influencing consumer acceptance of internet of things technology
Authors: Gao Lingling , Bai Xuesong
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– With recent advances in internet technologies, internet of things (IoT) technology is having an increasing impact on our daily lives, and beginning to offer interesting and advantageous new services. The current research aims to develop and test an integrative model of factors determining consumers' acceptance of IoT technology.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on technology acceptance model (TAM), the authors proposed an IoT acceptance model that consists of three technology factors (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and trust); one social context factor (social influence); and two individual user characteristics (perceived enjoyment and perceived behavioral control). Data from 368 Chinese consumers were used to test the research model through the use of structural equation modeling.

Findings

– The results showed particularly strong support for the effects of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, social influence, perceived enjoyment, and perceived behavioral control. However, trust played an insignificant role in predicting the intention. In addition, perceived ease of use and trust were found to affect perceived usefulness. Compared with the individual TAM model, the integrated model provides more explanation on user behavioral intention toward IoT usage.

Originality/value

– The integrated model explores the driving factors of individuals' willingness to use IoT technology from the perspectives of the technology itself, social context and individual user characteristic. It links the constructs of social influence, enjoyment, and perceived behavioral control to the TAM and successfully extends TAM in the IoT technology context.
Clarifying the impact of product scarcity and perceived uniqueness in buyers' purchase behavior of games of limited-amount version
Authors: Chen Hsiu-Ju , Sun Tzu-Hui
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Different from general goods, games are intangible. Games of limited-amount version are much more expensive. However, the value of games cannot be actually validated, while buyers purchase the intangible goods. This study, therefore, aims to empirically clarify the impact of product scarcity and uniqueness in buyers' purchase of games of limited-amount version.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on literature review, the survey method was conducted. Data of 204 respondents who recently bought games of limited-amount version were gathered and analyzed with partial least square.

Findings

– The results showed that perceived quality and perceived uniqueness, significantly increased by product scarcity, was shown of significant positive impact on perceived value which significantly enhanced purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

– The results indicated the importance of high quality and the reflection of uniqueness in buyers' purchase of games of limited-amount version. The results also validated the effect of scarcity on intangible goods. Practically, the results facilitated strategic operation and marketing of game producers and suppliers in designing and marketing game software. The results also facilitated further theoretical development of goods scarcity.

Originality/value

– Nowadays, product scarcity has been an important operation and marketing strategy to enterprises. Games are an industry of growing importance. However, the impact of scarcity in buyers' purchase of games of limited-amount version was still limited. The results validated the importance of scarcity and perceived uniqueness in intangible game goods purchase behavior. The validation of this study can provide references for strategic operation and marketing of the game industry.
Testing and validation of a hierarchical values-attitudes model in the context of green food in China
Authors: Perrea Toula , G. Grunert Klaus , Krystallis Athanasios , Zhou Yanfeng , Huang Guang , Hue Yue
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Values-attitudes hierarchical models are quite frequent in the consumer behaviour literature. In attitudinal models specific to food produced in an environmentally friendly way (i.e. “green” food), past research evidence mainly originating in Western cultures posits that the strongest path of the model can be found among collectivistic consumer values, general environmental attitudes, and attitudes specific to green food. On the other hand, in non-Western cultures (i.e. China), green food (e.g. organic) is perceived by consumers as safer to consume. With this as point of departure, the present paper aims to examine whether attitudes towards green food in a values-attitudes model in China are determined as postulated in past Western research.

Design/methodology/approach

– A “typical” (i.e. Western research evidence-based) values-attitudes hierarchical model was developed and a questionnaire comprising 34 items reflecting the conceptual model was designed. Data collection was focused on six major Chinese cities, as this is where the current changes in eating habits are predominantly taking place. Data were collected by personal interviews conducted by local researchers between January and March 2009 through a mall-intercept method. A total number of 479 respondents were recruited, equally distributed among the six cities.

Findings

– Collectivistic values and environmental attitudes were still found to be strong determinants of Chinese consumers' attitudes towards green foods; contrary to relevant Western findings, however, collectivism also influenced technological attitudes; which, in turn, influenced attitudes towards green food jointly with environmental attitudes. These findings point to the conclusion that Chinese consumers, possibly guided by altruistic predispositions, see technology as a positive determinant of both food safety and environmental friendliness in food production. Empirical findings like these highlight the need for adaptation of well-substantiated models to completely customised research approaches within new globally rising environments.

Originality/value

– It is still not quite clear how green food products are perceived in South-East Asian consumer cultures, as well as in other non-Western contexts. This scarcity makes the empirical examination of well-established values-attitudes hierarchies in such contexts valuable from an academic and practitioner's point of view.
Starting from scratch: an exploration of the narratives of the first episode of self-wounding
Authors: Donskoy Anne-Laure , Stevens Rosemarie
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present some results of a qualitative study exploring people's memories of the pathways to the first episode of self-wounding. Specifically it will focus on the issue of “suicidality”.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 11 participants, aged between 19 and 50, were described. They were asked to describe their first episode of self-wounding. The interviews were conducted using a semi-structured topic guide. An initial thematic and a subsequent narrative analysis were used to explore the participants’ stories.

Findings

– The narratives of self-wounding show that the first episode occurs in a complex landscape of interactions between events and emotions. Even when participants were aware of suicidal feelings before self-wounding, the suicidal intention was abandoned as the self-wounding was shown to be an effective method for dealing with distress. For most of the participants the self-wounding was not associated with suicidality but with a strong need to gain or regain control of an emotionally charged and chaotic environment.

Practical implications

– Focusing on the first episode of self-harm holds the key to a better appreciation of the underlying meanings of self-wounding as a complex and dynamic experience. It can provide health care practitioners with a new direction to understanding people's individual motivations rather than focusing relying on behaviour generalised assumptions.

Originality/value

– This study provides a rare insight into the first episode of self-harm as a unique event. It is also a rare example of publicly funded service-user research with a focus on issues which are meaningful to them.
Case study of a custom colored carpet tile prototype utilizing sustainable sampling
Authors: Kang Mihyun , Hebert Paulette
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to examine the process of a custom colored carpet prototype that utilized innovative and sustainable sampling techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study adapted the prototype design process of problem definition and research; creative exploration; and implementation by LaBat and Solowski. The stages of problem definition and research and creative exploration were conducted for this study. Since only a sample of the carpet tile was developed, the implementation stage was not applicable and was replaced with an deliberation stage. The deliberation process for sustainable sampling was based on the five major performance categories of the sustainable carpet assessment standard, NSF/ASNI 140-2007: Public Health and Environment; Energy and Energy Efficiency; Bio-based Content, Recycled Content, and Environmentally Preferable Materials; Manufacturing; and Reclamation and End of Life Management.

Findings

– A third party's proprietary sustainable sampling system was employed to support experimentation with multiple colorway applications, while minimizing sample waste. A custom colored commercial carpet tile that reflects one university's unique color palette was developed in collaboration with a large carpet manufacturer.

Research limitations/implications

– The deliberation stage was not intended to measure or award the points for the five performance categories. Moreover, the researchers are not eligible to certify carpet products. The certifiers are reputable auditors such as Scientific Certification Systems, UL Environment and NSF International. Rather, the five major performance categories of NSF/ASNI 140-2007 were employed as the framework for discussion.

Practical implications

– Although creating a custom-colored commercial carpet tile product was a laborious and time-consuming activity, consumers in today's society have begun to expect tailored products that meet their needs. Custom colorization provides for personalization and the support of established color palettes without the anticipated higher associated expenses incurred with a completely custom product. At universities, where the home team's colors are omnipresent and extremely meaningful to stakeholders, developing custom colored carpet tile is appropriate.

Originality/value

– Sustainable sampling was effectively utilized to facilitate a custom colored carpet tile prototype. This study fills a gap in the current literature since it incorporates a case study of the design of a sustainable interior product. Previously, few studies have tracked the inception and development of a carpet product through its design phases.
Energy conservation and sustainability at Adobe Systems Incorporated
Authors: Graebert Robert , Fischer Martin
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze a successful sustainability program run by an owner that has invested $23 million, received rebates of $10 million, accrued over $9 million of savings and has won top scores in LEED and Energy Star. Other owners planning to invest in energy conservation and sustainability can apply the lessons learnt to overcome common barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

– This case study is based on project information supplied by the owner and structured interviews with the operational team. The projects are analyzed based on drivers and payback characteristics. Finally, the case study puts Adobe Systems' results within the context of the industry by matching it to the challenges identified in other reports.

Findings

– The results show that 40 percent of projects are initiated by operation management personnel. The projects with the biggest savings are supported by third-party incentives. Only 10 percent of projects are evaluated by simulation and account for 12 percent of annual savings. Energy Star plays a crucial role for benchmarking performance and should be run annually. LEED EB is valuable when expending conservation efforts beyond energy aspects to sustainability. Performance benchmarking is a crucial step to determine the potential and priority of energy improvements.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings are based on the three towers in San Jose, California.

Practical implications

– Building owners can incorporate the methodologies applied to evaluate these successful projects into their buildings. Facility managers can leverage the findings to present the advantages of recertification and commissioning.

Originality/value

– A detailed project analysis, from a leader in practice, shows the importance of the local building operations team in sustainability and energy conservation.
Design for maintenance accessibility using BIM tools
Authors: Liu Rui , R.A. Issa Raja
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the design for maintenance accessibility (DFMA) method, and the opportunities offered by the application of building information modeling (BIM) software to accomplish this design.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper definitions of DFMA are investigated, different BIM tools including Solibri Model Checker (SMC) and Revit Add-in are explored for maintainability problems. Microsoft Visual Studio is used as a tool to develop Add-in applications in Revit for DFMA problem. A case study involving exhaust fan maintenance accessibility is used to validate the proposed solution.

Findings

– Maintenance accessibility tends to be ignored in the design phase. The process of clash detection among building components does not ordinarily detect accessibility issues. SMC can help partially solve this problem if there is a corresponding SMC rule sets available. As a 3D modeling tool associated with a parametric database of components, Revit offers opportunities for designers to explore the background geometry and parametric database to add more functions in the form of Add-in applications which can help facilities managers anticipate and solve maintenance accessibility issues.

Research limitations/implications

– The add-in tools developed for this paper and the rules used for SMC are specific for the case study. A more general and comprehensive tool or rule set will be the direction for a future study.

Practical implications

– This study shows that maintainability checking is possible in the design phase. Comprehensive maintainability checking in the design phase would result in a big savings in maintenance cost during a facility's lifecycle.

Originality/value

– The paper illustrates with a case study using two different tools the process of accessibility checking for maintenance in the design phase, which transforms the concept of “design for maintenance accessibility” into reality.
Motorcycle tourism demand generators and dynamic interaction leisure
Authors: M. Sykes Diane , G. Kelly Kathryn
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Serious leisure and tourism experiences are important to the motorcycle subculture and form the basis for one subculture of consumption. This paper aims to further the understanding of motorcycle tourism demand generators so that a brand experience can be developed to appeal to this subculture.

Design/methodology/approach

– A holistic approach was used to examine the open-end responses from motorcycle tourist survey data to discover emergent trends in motorcycle tourism and compare them to existing leisure and experiential tourism theories.

Findings

– Analysis identified the applicability and limitations of demand generator theory, experiential tourism, the tourist gaze, drama-based theory and serious leisure theory when studying motorcycle tourism. A modified conceptual framework (Motorcycle Tourism Demand Generators) using core theories, contributing theories and useful theories emerged. Studying motorcycle tourism led to promulgating a new boundary, Dynamic Interaction Leisure, to study the motorcycle leisure lifestyle.

Research limitations/implications

– Survey data were obtained from a small sample. The questionnaire was untested. Thus, results need further testing to be generalized. Respondents may be older than the general population of motorcycle riders. One researcher was a participant so care was taken to ensure objectivity.

Practical implications

– Tourism bureaus and businesses can better understand motorcycle tourists' needs and facilitate creating brand experiences to improve motorcyclist's enjoyment. Promotional tools can be developed to encourage rural tourism that will generate substantial returns.

Originality/value

– The paper modifies existing theories that study experiential tourism fitting them to motorcycle tourism suggesting a new model and boundary, Dynamic Interaction Leisure, to examine the sub-cultural motorcycle leisure lifestyle.
Effects of second home tourism on rural settlements development in Iran (case study: Shirin-Dareh Region)
Authors: Anabestani Aliakbar
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the different effects of second home tourism development and its comparative analysis from the view of owners and residents in Shirin- Dareh Region of Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

– Applied methodology is based on empirical studies and descriptive-analytical methods. In order to do this, seven rural areas were selected with 1,188 households as the volume of sample society by Cochran formula, and 218 questionnaires were distributed between them in two groups of owners and residents.

Findings

– There is a strong correlation between second home tourism development and changes in social, economic, physical and environmental dimensions. The impact of the variable of the second home tourism development on changes in rural life was approximately 0.449 which reveals the average impact of second home tourism in the study area. Investments by none-indigenous with a co-efficient of 41.8 per cent have had the greatest role in different changes in rural life.

Research limitations/implications

– The generalizability of results to other countries is limited.

Practical implications

– This study and studies similar to it have led to adopted comprehensive approaches to tourism and second homes in Iran and other Third World countries.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to the literature by including socio-economic variables in the domestic tourism and second home model. So this paper has a new subject and in practical aspects it tries to take a general solution to second home tourism on rural settlements development in Iran.
Promoting technology spillovers from trade and investments
Authors: U. Mendoza Ronald , Lau Ailyn
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– Trade and investment flows into less-advanced economies could bring about important technological spillovers that could boost firm-level productivity and bolster their long-term economic growth. However, learning by doing and various forms of innovation activities are typically underprovided in a laissez faire policy environment. This brief paper outlines some of the motivations for public sector interventions to support learning by doing and stronger technological spillovers. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– To accomplish this, the paper provides a brief discussion of three key areas for policy attention, covering: the features that make international production networks fertile platforms for these spillovers; the opportunities for technology spillovers in the services sector; and the challenges associated with policies to link SMEs into these sectors that are fertile ground for technology spillovers and innovation.

Findings

– This paper concludes by presenting a few possible guidelines on innovation and technology policy based on the lessons of industrialization attempts in the last several decades. A key insight tying these strategies together is that of creating incentives to compete and innovate, and ensuring that support is outcome oriented and temporary.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to the literature and practitioner-oriented scholarship by providing a clear framework for thinking about how to promote technology spillovers from trade and investments, as part of new industrial policies.
Regional disparity and economic linkage in the Greater Mekong Sub-region
Authors: Nozaki Kenji
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) is noted as an investment destination recently. However, there are few surveys about this region. In particular, direction of the regional disparity and economic linkage cannot be found, although it is inevitable to formulate economic or business policies. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, the author calculated the regional GINI coefficient of the GMS, converting the per capita GDP using the purchasing power parity. Then, the trend of intra-regional trade was calculated by using the data of Direction of Trade Statistics of IMF. In addition to that, to consider the trade structures, bilateral trades of Thailand with Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar were analyzed.

Findings

– This paper made clear that the regional disparity of the GMS has been gradually shrinking from serious level to moderate in recent years, although it is still larger than the disparity of ASEAN original members. Two Chinese districts and Vietnam played an important role to improve the disparity. As for the intra-regional trade, it used to be very poor in the early 1990s, but is increasing in these years. There may be some signs of starting of the intra-industrial trade between Thailand and Vietnam, although trades with lower developed countries such as Laos and Myanmar are led by natural resources-related products.

Originality/value

– This paper is the first survey to calculate the regional disparity of the GMS with time series data. The analysis of the intra-trade among the GMS members expresses the current situation of the economic linkage of this area.
Organic coffee certification in Peru as an alternative development-oriented drug control policy
Authors: Garcia-Yi Jaqueline
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– This article aims to evaluate the effect of organic coffee certification on coca cultivation, based on a survey of 496 members from coffee cooperatives located in the upper Tambopata valley in Peru. Coca is a bush from the leaves of which cocaine is extracted.

Design/methodology/approach

– The results were estimated using the propensity score matching methodology.

Findings

– The results suggest that participation in organic coffee certification statistically significantly reduces the scale of coca cultivation.

Originality/value

– This paper analyses a unique primary data set from a coca-growing region in Peru. The value of this paper is that the results suggest that under specific conditions, such as reasonable high and stable coffee prices, organic coffee certification can be an effective element of drug control policy in Latin America.
The effect of tasting sheet sensory descriptors on tasting room sales
Authors: Thomas Lauren , I. Gómez Miguel , James Gerling Christopher , Katharine Mansfield Anna
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the impact that tasting sheet sensory descriptors have on wine sales in tasting rooms that rely on direct-to-consumer sales to sell the majority of their wines, such as those in New York wine regions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Nine tasting rooms participated in the study that took place on weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) during a six-week period in July and August 2012. Tasting rooms alternated tasting sheets by weekend, one including sensory descriptors and one omitting sensory descriptors. At the end of each weekend, tasting room managers compiled information on daily wine bottle and (in the case of seven wineries) dollar sales. A multivariate statistical model was created to measure the relationship between the treatment (tasting sheet with or without descriptors) and wine sales, controlling for other variables that could influence wine sales.

Findings

– The authors found that both bottle and dollar sales were higher when tasting sheets without sensory descriptors were used, with dollar sales statistically significant at the 10 percent level. Other variables that impacted wine sales included the specific tasting room, the day of the weekend, and festivals occurring in the area.

Practical implications

– Many tasting rooms, particularly in New York, rely on the tasting room for the majority of wine sales. Determining factors that affect sales can help tasting room managers/owners optimize the tasting room experience for maximized profits.

Originality/value

– While there have been studies involving the impact of descriptors on sales of food and wine products, these studies have all taken place in a grocery store or restaurant setting where many different brands and varieties are offered. There has been no research studying the impact of descriptors on wine sales in the tasting room, where tasters have a limited selection and an option to sample products before purchasing. There has also been little research studying aspects of tasting sheets.
Customer satisfaction and sales performance in wine tasting rooms
Authors: Shapiro Marin , I. Gómez Miguel
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the linkages between customer satisfaction (CS) and sales performance among wineries in New York State's Finger Lakes region.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey instrument was used to collect data from visitors to winery tasting rooms in the Finger Lakes. Responses from 457 visitors were collected from nine wineries during the period June 2010 through November 2010. The authors used a factor analysis to identify the primary drivers of CS. Then, the authors modeled the relationship between these drivers and overall CS and assessed the impact of CS on sales, purchase and repurchase intentions.

Findings

– The authors found five principal drivers of CS: ambience, tasting protocol, service, retail execution, and tasting experience. Of these, ambience and service exerted the most influence on overall CS. Furthermore, as expected, CS significantly influences purchase intentions, the amount of dollars spent and quantity purchased.

Practical implications

– The results provide valuable information to winery tasting room managers/owners on measures they can use to improve sales performance. Identifying attributes of the tasting room that generate a positive customer reaction can help winery managers/owners make profit-maximizing decisions.

Originality/value

– While the links between CS and sales performance have been established in other product sectors, few studies have focused on a comprehensive assessment of CS and sales performance in wine tasting rooms.
Consumer segmentation based on usage of sales channels in the German wine market
Authors: Szolnoki Gergely , Hoffmann Dieter
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to test the segmentation based on the usage of sales channels and to compare the segments with each other in terms of socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study was conducted using representative data collected in Germany through a face-to-face interview. 2,000 German consumers answered questions towards the usage of different sales channels when purchasing wine as well as socio-demographic and other behavioural questions. A hierarchical cluster analysis was run, to classify the respondents into segments.

Findings

– The results illustrate the usefulness of this kind of segmentation and show significant differences between the six consumer groups: discount-customers, food-retail-customers, supermarket-customers, cellar-door-customers, wine-store-customers and multichannel-customers. These segments differ in their socio-demographic as well as in their behavioural structure. Furthermore, the six segments could be split into two groups depending on their average purchase value: a basic group and a premium group.

Practical implications

– This segmentation provides an analysing tool for the German retailers, which is able to identify the loyal and potential consumers of the different sales channels.

Originality/value

– This segmentation was conducted using the purchase activity of German consumers in different sales channels. This segmentation approach has been never used to identify, describe and classify wine consumers.
Benchmarking and pondering ASERL interlibrary loan operations, 2010 and 2013
Authors: P. Atkins David , T. Greenwood Judy , Whaley Pambanisha
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– In 2010 and 2013, the libraries in the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL) were surveyed to identify benchmarks and programs to support resource sharing. Benchmarks and challenges identified generate discussions regarding programming, networking, and other support to improve resource sharing operations. This paper seeks to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study compares and contrasts the two surveys using mixed methods data analysis. This study assesses ILL performance and explores the challenges and trends interlibrary loan practitioners see today.

Findings

– The article identifies changes and trends in consortia-wide transaction volumes; staffing levels; campus document delivery; professional issues and challenges; and library organizational schemes.

Research limitations/implications

– The study did not include data from constituencies outside of interlibrary loan. It also did not include interview follow-ups with survey participants to discuss challenges and reorganizations in greater detail. Future interlibrary loan research could focus less on operational metrics and more on broader issues such as e-resources and change management. Mixed methods are effect tools for benchmarking and comparative case studies.

Practical implications

– Individual libraries can compare themselves to the operational benchmarks and use insights drawn from comment analysis to stimulate conversations regarding current and future roles for interlibrary loan. Consortia can duplicate the study to understand their operational benchmarks and their particular contexts.

Originality/value

– The study provides comparative benchmarks for research libraries and consortia spanning three years. It demonstrates substantial shifts in issues faced by libraries and librarians.
Factors contributing to successful collaboration among Omani academic libraries
Authors: Al Harrasi Nabhan , Hassan Jabur Naeema
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify contributing factors, both internal and external, that will ensure a successful collaboration between Omani academic libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative research approach was adopted, and 23 individual interviews were conducted with representatives from participating libraries.

Findings

– Collaboration among Omani libraries is a complex situation and its chances for success are dependent upon a host of factors, including the participating libraries' staffing, management, financial resources, and available technology as well as support from university administrators.

Originality/value

– This paper presents the findings of original research conducted by the author and reports on the nascent stages of library cooperation in Oman and in a region that is not often covered in library literature.
Valuing flexibility in a retrofit investment
Authors: Vimpari Jussi , Kajander Juho-Kusti , Junnila Seppo
Published: March 2014

Purpose

– The need for flexibility between organisational units is well established in corporate real estate. While the cost of flexibility is rather straightforward to approximate, measuring economical value of the flexibility is not straightforward. The purpose of this paper is to explore how real options analysis can be used for valuing flexibility in a real retrofit investment case, present a research process for valuing the flexibility in the retrofit investment case, and evaluate the empirical usability of real options valuation results compared with traditional discounted cash flow valuation results.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research is conducted as a case study. A newly introduced real options valuation method, the fuzzy pay-off method is used for analysing data from a Finnish office building retrofit investment case. The major difference in the selected method is that it uses fuzzy set theory instead of probabilistic theory, and the main advantage is the practical applicability, i.e. only three scenarios (minimum, best guess, and maximum) are needed for the valuation of flexibility. In the case, the scenarios are determined using a seven-phase research process that incorporates data available (e.g. rental agreements, building information) to a corporate real estate unit. The research process involves defining vacancy scenarios for rental agreements, transforming them into potential income achievable with flexibility, estimating cost of flexibility, comparing the potential income with the costs, and valuing the real options.

Findings

– The main finding of this paper is that real options analysis; especially the fuzzy pay-off method can be used for assessing the monetary value of flexibility. The applicability of the fuzzy pay-off method into a practical investment case was found straightforward because assignment of probabilities into different uncertainty scenarios was unnecessary. In the empirical case, it was found that flexibility investments were profitable only when parts of the building instead of the whole building were designed flexible. The present value of the pay-off from flexibility ranged from negative 58/sqm to positive 130/sqm, depending on the tenant.

Originality/value

– Real options literature, especially in the real estate and construction sector, has requested for new applications of real options analysis in practical setting. This paper adds to that request with an example of evaluating flexibility in a retrofit investment case. The empirical analysis produced in this paper was perceived valuable by case study investor and can be used as a guidance and motivation for further applications of real options in the industry.