bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Price manipulation at the NYSE and the 1899 battle for Brooklyn Rapid Transit shares
Authors: Kruse Timothy A. , Todd Steven K.
Published: November 2013

In 1899, James Keene, a prominent bear, and Roswell Flower, a well-known bull, both attempted to manipulate the share price of Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT), a young commuter railway company. Flower and Keene were stock ‘operators’, who used pools of cash from like-minded investors to push share prices higher or lower. In their efforts to garner profits, BRT operators claimed insider status, planted rumors in the press, used leverage to accumulate large positions, manipulated borrowing costs and camouflaged trades. The events of 1899 can shed light on current market dynamics, and we draw parallels between the predatory trading strategies used in 1899 and those of today.
Unusual Micrometric Calcite–Aragonite Interface in the Abalone Shell Haliotis (Mollusca, Gastropoda)
Authors: Dauphin Yannicke , Cuif Jean-Pierre , Castillo-Michel Hiram , Chevallard Corinne , Farre Bastien , Meibom Anders
Published: November 2013

Species of Haliotis (abalone) show high variety in structure and mineralogy of the shell. One of the European species (Haliotis tuberculata) in particular has an unusual shell structure in which calcite and aragonite coexist at a microscale with small patches of aragonite embedded in larger calcitic zones. A detailed examination of the boundary between calcite and aragonite using analytical microscopies shows that the organic contents of calcite and aragonite differ. Moreover, changes in the chemical composition of the two minerals seem to be gradual and define a micrometric zone of transition between the two main layers. A similar transition zone has been observed between the layers in more classical and regularly structured mollusk shells. The imbrication of microscopic patches of aragonite within a calcitic zone suggests the occurrence of very fast physiological changes in these taxa.
Separation versus Fusion – or: How to Accommodate National Autonomy and the Charter? Diverging Visions of the German Constitutional Court and the European Court of Justice
Authors: Thym Daniel
Published: November 2013

German Federal Constitutional Court's dialogue with the European Court of Justice – Background, trigger, contents and context of the FCC's reaction to the Åkerberg Fransson judgment – The FCC's Counter-Terrorism Database judgment – Constitutional control standards – theoretical repercussions of the judicial dispute – Underlying conceptual differences – The ‘fusion thesis’ versus the ‘separation thesis’ – Pragmatic approximation of divergent positions
Free Life after Life Imprisonment as a Human Right under the European Convention: European Court of Human Rights, Grand Chamber, Judgment of 9 July 2013, Vinter and Others v. The United Kingdom
Authors: Szydło Marek
Published: November 2013

The recent judgment of the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (‘the ECtHR’ or ‘the Court’) in Vinter and Others reflects a very significant change in the Court's attitude to those actions of the states parties to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (‘the Convention’ or ‘the ECHR’) that consist in the imposition and further execution of whole life sentences. In this judgment, the Court concluded that Article 3 of the Convention – which prohibits torture, inhuman or degrading punishment – requires the reducibility of all whole life sentences as imposed by national courts, in the sense of a review mechanism which allows domestic authorities to conclude whether in the course of a life sentence the legitimate peno-logical grounds justifying the further incarceration of a life prisoner still exist. Moreover, such a mechanism or possibility for review of a whole life sentence must be provided for by a national law and, consequently, must be known to a life prisoner already at the moment of imposition of the whole life sentence. What is also important, a life prisoner, at the outset of his/her sentence, must know when (i.e. after how many years) and under what conditions a review of his/her sentence will take place or may be sought, and what he/she must do to be considered for release. Otherwise, the very imposition of a life sentence by a national court infringes Article 3 of the Convention.
On the nature of Phase-type Poisson distributions
Authors: Hautphenne Sophie , Latouche Guy , Nguyen Giang T.
Published: November 2013

Matrix-form Poisson probability distributions were recently introduced as one matrix generalization of Panjer distributions. We show in this paper that under the constraint that their representation is to be nonnegative, they have a physical interpretation as extensions of PH distributions, and we name this restricted familyPhase-type Poisson. We use our physical interpretation to construct an EM algorithm-based estimation procedure.
Control of TFH cell numbers: why and how?
Authors: Pratama Alvin , Vinuesa Carola G
Published: November 2013

T follicular helper (TFH) cells are essential for formation of germinal centres (GCs) and selection of mutated GC B cells. It has become clear over the last decade that precise control of TFH cell numbers is important to produce optimally affinity‐matured antibody responses that are devoid of self‐reactivity. Indeed, limiting the number of TFH cells appears important to impose competition amongst B‐cell clones and set a selection threshold that will favour survival of high affinity clones. In contrast, excessive number of TFH cells appears to lower the selection threshold and allow survival of low affinity or self‐reactive clones. Here, we review the cell‐intrinsic and cell‐extrinsic mechanisms that influence TFH cell homeostasis, including recent insights into novel modes of regulation by T‐cell costimulators, toxic metabolites, microRNAs, RNA‐binding proteins and regulatory cells.
Colitogenic effector T cells: roles of gut‐homing integrin, gut antigen specificity and γδ T cells
Authors: Do Jeong‐su , Visperas Anabelle , Freeman Michael L , Iwakura Yoichiro , Oukka Mohamed , Min Booki
Published: November 2013

Disturbance of T‐cell homeostasis could lead to intestinal inflammation. Naive CD4 T cells undergoing spontaneous proliferation, a robust proliferative response that occurs under severe lymphopenic conditions, differentiate into effector cells producing Th1‐ and/or Th17‐type cytokines and induce a chronic inflammation in the intestine that resembles human inflammatory bowel disease. In this study, we investigated the key properties of CD4 T cells necessary to induce experimental colitis. α4β7 upregulation was primarily induced by mesenteric lymph node (mLN) resident CD11b+ dendritic cell subsets via transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ)/retinoic acid‐dependent mechanism. Interestingly, α4β7 expression was essential but not sufficient to induce inflammation. In addition to gut‐homing specificity, expression of gut Ag specificity was also crucial. T‐cell acquisition of the specificity was dramatically enhanced by the presence of γδ T cells, a population previously shown to exacerbate T‐cell‐mediated colitis. Importantly, interleukin (IL)‐23‐mediated γδ T cell stimulation was necessary to enhance colitogenicity but not gut antigen reactivity of proliferating CD4 T cells. These findings demonstrate that T‐cell colitogenicity is achieved through multiple processes, offering a therapeutic rationale by intervening these pathways.
How to Decrease the Viscosity of Suspension with the Second Fluid and Nanoparticles?
Authors: Xu Menghan , Liu Haifeng , Zhao Hui , Li Weifeng
Published: November 2013

According to recent research reports, addition of small amounts of a secondary fluid to a suspension could dramatically increase viscosity of suspension. Results of this study indicate another interesting behavior that the secondary fluid could form a thin hydrophobic membrane around particle surface and significantly decrease the viscosity and yield stress of the suspension. To enhance the surface hydrophobicity, hydrophobic nanoparticles (nano-CaCO3) were added to the hydrophobic membrane of particles to improve the surface roughness and to generate composite particles having a hierarchical structure similar to the micromorphology of lotus leaf. This composite particle has a higher contact angle and the suspension of composite particles has a lower viscosity and a lower yield stress.
Twist reverses muscle cell differentiation through transcriptional down-regulation of myogenin
Authors: Mastroyiannopoulos Nikolaos P. , Antoniou Antonis A. , Koutsoulidou Andrie , Uney James B. , Phylactou Leonidas A.
Published: November 2013

Some higher vertebrates can display unique muscle regenerative abilities through dedifferentiation. Research evidence suggests that induced dedifferentiation can be achieved in mammalian cells. TWIST is a bHLH (basic helix-loop-helix) transcription factor that is expressed during embryonic development and plays critical roles in diverse developmental systems including myogenesis. Several experiments demonstrated its role in inhibition of muscle cell differentiation. We have previously shown that overexpression of TWIST can reverse muscle cell differentiation in the presence of growth factors. Here we show that TWIST reverses muscle cell differentiation through binding and down-regulation of myogenin. Moreover, it can reverse cellular morphology in the absence of growth factors.
Improving Enterprise Governance of IT in a Major Airline: A Teaching Case
Authors: De Haes Steven , Van Grembergen Wim
Published: November 2013

A common and critical dilemma confronting enterprises today is how to ensure that they realize value from their large-scale investments in information technology (IT) and IT-enabled change. IT-enabled investments can bring huge rewards, but only with the right governance and management processes and full engagement from all management levels. This teaching case is about the tough but rewarding journey of the Dutch airline company KLM in improving the governance of IT, moving from managing the cost of IT towards managing the business value of IT. Although KLM still has challenges ahead, the changes in structures, processes and relational mechanisms have helped to restore trust between the business and the IT organization, and lowered business operating costs through a more rigorous selection and portfolio management process. The changes have also increased the resources allocated to IT innovation. Although KLM faced some unique challenges as it began the journey to transform its enterprise governance of IT, the realization of greater business value from today's significant and increasingly complex investments in IT is a concern for all businesses. We therefore believe that the practices and lessons learned at KLM can be applied by other organizations as they seek to more fully engage their own business unit managers in IT investment decision making and in accountability for realizing business value.
Al(OTf)3 Catalysed Friedel-Crafts Michael Type Addition of Indoles to α,β-Unsaturated Ketones with PEG-200 as Recyclable Solvent
Authors: Gohain Mukut , Jacobs Jc , Marais Charlene , Bezuidenhoudt Barend C. B.
Published: November 2013

An Al(OTf)3 catalysed efficient Friedel–Crafts Michael type addition of indoles to α,β-unsaturated ketones using recyclable PEG-200 as an alternative reaction solvent is disclosed. The reaction under microwave irradiation is clean, leads to excellent yields in minutes and reduces the use of volatile organic compounds.
Ice lubrication for moving heavy stones to the Forbidden City in 15th- and 16th-century China
Authors: Li Jiang , Chen Haosheng , Stone Howard A.
Published: November 2013

Significance

In the history of mechanical engineering, it is commonly believed that transporting huge stones with sliding sledges hauled by men did not occur in ancient China, because there were well-developed wheeled vehicles in China around 1500 B.C. However, some books contain brief remarks that the Large Stone Carving in the Forbidden City in Beijing was pulled to the site with a sledge sliding on an artificial ice path. Here we investigate the Chinese case based on historical documents and modern experimental results. We demonstrate that wood-on-ice sliding is more reliable and efficient than other lubrication methods, and pouring water on the contact surface is necessary to make this type of transport feasible.
Monounsaturated fatty acids generated via stearoyl CoA desaturase-1 are endogenous inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase
Authors: Liu Jie , Cinar Resat , Xiong Keming , Godlewski Grzegorz , Jourdan Tony , Lin Yuhong , Ntambi James M. , Kunos George
Published: November 2013

Significance

High-fat diet–induced obesity (DIO) increases the activity of endocannabinoids, the body’s own marijuana-like substances. Endocannabinoids activate CB
1
receptors in the liver to cause insulin resistance and promote the synthesis of lipids by inducing stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1), the enzyme responsible for generating monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). Here we show that endogenous, but not diet-derived, MUFAs act as potent inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase, the enzyme that degrades the endocannabinoid anandamide, and are thus responsible for the increased hepatic levels of anandamide in mice with DIO. These findings reveal a positive feedback loop between the hepatic endocannabinoid/CB
1
receptor system and SCD1 that contributes to increased lipogenesis and insulin resistance in DIO.
Inositol pyrophosphates regulate JMJD2C-dependent histone demethylation
Authors: Burton Adam , Azevedo Cristina , Andreassi Catia , Riccio Antonella , Saiardi Adolfo
Published: November 2013

Significance

Epigenetic modifications of chromatin are emerging as important regulatory mechanisms of many nuclear processes. Numerous proteins have been identified that mediate these modifications in a dynamic manner. However, less is known about the signaling pathways that transduce upstream signals into chromatin changes. Here, we show that the signaling molecule inositol pyrophosphate (IP
7
) synthesised by inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 1 plays a key role in regulating the association of one of these proteins, Jumonji domain containing 2C with chromatin, thereby controlling the levels of a number of crucial epigenetic modifications important to regulate gene expression.
Childhood maltreatment is associated with altered fear circuitry and increased internalizing symptoms by late adolescence
Authors: Herringa Ryan J. , Birn Rasmus M. , Ruttle Paula L. , Burghy Cory A. , Stodola Diane E. , Davidson Richard J. , Essex Marilyn J.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Childhood maltreatment is a major risk factor for internalizing disorders including depression and anxiety, which cause significant disability. Altered connectivity of the brain’s fear circuitry represents an important candidate mechanism linking maltreatment and these disorders, but this relationship has not been directly explored. Using resting-state functional brain connectivity in adolescents, we show that maltreatment predicts lower prefrontal–hippocampal connectivity in females and males but lower prefrontal–amygdala connectivity only in females. Altered connectivity, in turn, mediated the development of internalizing symptoms. These results highlight the importance of fronto–hippocampal connectivity for both sexes in internalizing symptoms following maltreatment. The additional impact on fronto–amygdala connectivity in females may help explain their higher risk for anxiety and depression.
Self-contact elimination by membrane fusion
Authors: Sumida Grant M. , Yamada Soichiro
Published: November 2013

Significance

While contacting membranes from neighboring epithelial cells rapidly assemble and maintain junctional complexes, it is unclear why self-contacting membranes from a single cell, despite similar surface binding conditions, do not. Using a self-contact–inducing micropillar array, we demonstrate that self-contacts of normal epithelial cells are rapidly eliminated by fusion between the two opposing plasma membrane regions of a single cell. The efficiency of fusion depends on the expression of the cell–cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin and the contractile state of the cell regulated through Rho-associated protein kinase. This is the first demonstration of self-contact–induced membrane fusion in mammalian cells and that membrane fusion may be an underlying mechanism for seamless tubule formation.
Sox9 plays multiple roles in the lung epithelium during branching morphogenesis
Authors: Rockich Briana E. , Hrycaj Steven M. , Shih Hung Ping , Nagy Melinda S. , Ferguson Michael A. H. , Kopp Janel L. , Sander Maike , Wellik Deneen M. , Spence Jason R.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Human mutations in SOX9 lead to several congenital disorders, including campomelic dysplasia. Babies born with this condition often die of respiratory distress; however, defects in lung development have thus far not been reported in mouse models. Here, we report that epithelial-specific deletion of Sox9 leads to developmental abnormalities in the lung during branching morphogenesis. We demonstrate that Sox9 plays multiple roles in the lung epithelium, balancing proliferation and differentiation and regulating the extracellular matrix. Therefore, our work highlights a role for Sox9 during lung branching morphogenesis, making this a useful model to study defects associated with a congenital disorder affecting humans.
Mechanism of vibrational energy dissipation of free OH groups at the air–water interface
Authors: Hsieh Cho-Shuen , Campen R. Kramer , Okuno Masanari , Backus Ellen H. G. , Nagata Yuki , Bonn Mischa
Published: November 2013

Significance

Interfaces of liquid water play an important role in a wide variety of biological, environmental, and technological processes. These interfaces have many unusual macroscopic properties, e.g., the high surface tension, the tendency to sequester ions at the air–water interface, and the high proton conductivity, that are difficult to understand given simple descriptions of bulk liquid water. To understand what differentiates interfacial water from the bulk, insights into the molecular level structure and dynamics of water at interfaces are crucial. We quantify the dynamics of vibrational energy dissipation of interfacial water using ultrafast time-resolved surface specific vibrational spectroscopy and show that the relaxation pathways differ markedly from bulk water and reflect surface structural dynamics.
Relevance of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of exemestane and synergism with sulforaphane for disease prevention
Authors: Liu Hua , Talalay Paul
Published: November 2013

Significance

Estrogens control the growth and development of the majority of breast cancers, the most prevalent malignancies of women in the developed world. Exemestane, a synthetic steroid commonly used clinically to prevent, delay progression of, and treat breast cancer, was designed to inhibit estrogen biosynthesis by aromatase. We have made the unexpected observation that exemestane also has widespread protective activities unrelated to blocking estrogens. Thus, exemestane is potently anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and can thereby protect against development of cancer and chronic degenerative diseases. Moreover, these activities are synergistic with sulforaphane and other cytoprotective phytochemicals. Use of such combinations could therefore provide a valuable strategy for reducing the risk of a variety of other malignancies and age-related chronic diseases.
Functional asymmetry within the Sec61p translocon
Authors: Demirci Erhan , Junne Tina , Baday Sefer , Bernèche Simon , Spiess Martin
Published: November 2013

Significance

The Sec61/SecY translocon mediates translocation of hydrophilic amino acid sequences across the membrane and integration of hydrophobic segments as transmembrane helices into the lipid bilayer. The integration process is proposed to correspond to thermodynamic equilibration of the translocating sequence between the translocon and the membrane. Here we probed the conditions in the translocon interior in vivo by scanning a cluster of hydrophobic amino acids through the potential transmembrane segment, scoring for membrane insertion vs. translocation. The results reveal functional asymmetry within the translocon caused by the residues forming the central constriction in the translocation pore. Molecular dynamics simulations correlate the insertion behavior with the hydration profile through the pore.
Optimized gene editing technology for
Drosophila melanogaster
using germ line-specific Cas9
Authors: Ren Xingjie , Sun Jin , Housden Benjamin E. , Hu Yanhui , Roesel Charles , Lin Shuailiang , Liu Lu-Ping , Yang Zhihao , Mao Decai , Sun Lingzhu , Wu Qujie , Ji Jun-Yuan , Xi Jianzhong , Mohr Stephanie E. , Xu Jiang , Perrimon Norbert , Ni Jian-Quan
Published: November 2013

Significance

Using the recently introduced Cas9/sgRNA technique, we have developed a method for specifically targeting
Drosophila
germ-line cells to generate heritable mutant alleles. We have established transgenic lines that stably express Cas9 in the germ line and compared different promoters and scaffolds of sgRNA in terms of their efficiency of mutagenesis. An overall mutagenesis rate of 74.2% was achieved with this optimized system, as determined by the number of mutant progeny out of all progeny screened. We also evaluated the off-targets associated with the method and established a Web-based resource, as well as a searchable, genome-wide database of predicted sgRNAs appropriate for genome engineering in flies. Our results demonstrate that this optimized Cas9/sgRNA system in
Drosophila
is efficient, specific, and cost-effective and can be readily applied in a semi-high-throughput manner.
Very large G protein-coupled receptor 1 regulates myelin-associated glycoprotein via Gαs/Gαq-mediated protein kinases A/C
Authors: Shin Daesung , Lin Shu-Ting , Fu Ying-Hui , Ptáček Louis J.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Although most known Mendelian genes causing nonsymptomatic epilepsies encode ion channels,Mass1(monogenic audiogenic seizure susceptible 1) is among the few known epilepsy genes that do not encode channels, suggesting that membrane hyperexcitability can arise indirectly. Here we found that the MASS1 protein is highly expressed in the colliculi of the adult brain, where MASS1 senses extracellular calcium and activates PKA and PKC signaling via Gαs and Gαq to regulate stability of MAG in myelin-forming cells. These data provide us with a unique working model where MASS1 regulates MAG in response to calcium in myelinated regions of critical sites for the initiation and propagation of audiogenic epilepsy.
Intestinal glucuronidation protects against chemotherapy-induced toxicity by irinotecan (CPT-11)
Authors: Chen Shujuan , Yueh Mei-Fei , Bigo Cyril , Barbier Olivier , Wang Kepeng , Karin Michael , Nguyen Nghia , Tukey Robert H.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Camptothecin (CPT)-11 (irinotecan) is an antitumor agent used in cancer chemotherapy primarily for the treatment of solid tumors. CPT-11 is a prodrug that is metabolized by carboxylesterases to the DNA topoisomerase 1 inhibitor, called SN-38. Detoxification of SN-38 occurs by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1)-dependent glucuronidation. A serious side effect of CPT-11 chemotherapy is SN-38–induced intestinal toxicity, which is believed to result in part from the delivery of SN-38 into intestinal tissue through enterohepatic circulation. By selectively targeting the deletion of the
Ugt1
locus in either liver or intestinal tissue, we have confirmed that intestinal UGT1A-specific glucuronidation of SN-38 is essential in preventing SN-38–induced toxicity. Being able to induce intestinal UGT1A1 may be effective in reducing CPT-11 toxicity.
Functional identification and characterization of sodium binding sites in Na symporters
Authors: Loo Donald D. F. , Jiang Xuan , Gorraitz Edurne , Hirayama Bruce A. , Wright Ernest M.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Symporters or cotransporters are proteins that use sodium electrochemical potential gradients to drive sugars, amino acids, anions, and neurotransmitters into cells. Progress in structural biology has provided important clues about substrate binding sites, but the identification of Na
+
in binding sites has been a challenge owing to the high resolution required. We use a biophysical method to determine the Na
+
affinity of electrogenic transporters, and, together with site-directed mutagenesis, we identify the two Na
+
binding sites in the human intestinal Na
+
/glucose cotransporter SGLT1. The results provide insights into the Na
+
binding sites of symporters and the mechanism of active transport.
Folding of a large protein at high structural resolution
Authors: Walters Benjamin T. , Mayne Leland , Hinshaw James R. , Sosnick Tobin R. , Englander S. Walter
Published: November 2013

Significance

This study characterizes the initially collapsed but not yet folded denatured state ensemble of the large two-domain maltose binding protein (MBP), its contribution to the folding process, and an obligatory on-pathway native-like folding intermediate and probable further intermediates. The results add MBP to the growing list of proteins that fold through a distinct pathway with obligatory intermediates.
Individual pericentromeres display coordinated motion and stretching in the yeast spindle
Authors: Stephens Andrew D. , Snider Chloe E. , Haase Julian , Haggerty Rachel A. , Vasquez Paula A. , Forest M. Gregory , Bloom Kerry
Published: November 2013

The mitotic segregation apparatus composed of microtubules and chromatin functions to faithfully partition a duplicated genome into two daughter cells. Microtubules exert extensional pulling force on sister chromatids toward opposite poles, whereas pericentric chromatin resists with contractile springlike properties. Tension generated from these opposing forces silences the spindle checkpoint to ensure accurate chromosome segregation. It is unknown how the cell senses tension across multiple microtubule attachment sites, considering the stochastic dynamics of microtubule growth and shortening. In budding yeast, there is one microtubule attachment site per chromosome. By labeling several chromosomes, we find that pericentromeres display coordinated motion and stretching in metaphase. The pericentromeres of different chromosomes exhibit physical linkage dependent on centromere function and structural maintenance of chromosomes complexes. Coordinated motion is dependent on condensin and the kinesin motor Cin8, whereas coordinated stretching is dependent on pericentric cohesin and Cin8. Linking of pericentric chromatin through cohesin, condensin, and kinetochore microtubules functions to coordinate dynamics across multiple attachment sites.
Sortilins get a new delivery route
Authors: Short Ben
Published: November 2013

Lysosomal sorting receptors transport cargo to secretory granules in Tetrahymena.
Formation of Kinneyia via shear-induced instabilities in microbial mats
Authors: Thomas Katherine , Herminghaus Stephan , Porada Hubertus , Goehring Lucas
Published: November 2013

Kinneyia are a class of microbially mediated sedimentary fossils. Characterized by clearly defined ripple structures, Kinneyia are generally found in areas that were formally littoral habitats and covered by microbial mats. To date, there has been no conclusive explanation of the processes involved in the formation of these fossils. Microbial mats behave like viscoelastic fluids. We propose that the key mechanism involved in the formation of Kinneyia is a Kelvin–Helmholtz-type instability induced in a viscoelastic film under flowing water. A ripple corrugation is spontaneously induced in the film and grows in amplitude over time. Theoretical predictions show that the ripple instability has a wavelength proportional to the thickness of the film. Experiments carried out using viscoelastic films confirm this prediction. The ripple pattern that forms has a wavelength roughly three times the thickness of the film. This behaviour is independent of the viscosity of the film and the flow conditions. Laboratory-analogue Kinneyia were formed via the sedimentation of glass beads, which preferentially deposit in the troughs of the ripples. Well-ordered patterns form, with both honeycomb-like and parallel ridges being observed, depending on the flow speed. These patterns correspond well with those found in Kinneyia, with similar morphologies, wavelengths and amplitudes being observed.
High virulence differences among phylogenetically distinct isolates of the fish rhabdovirus viral hemorrhagic septicaemia virus are not explained by variability of the surface glycoprotein G or the non-virion protein Nv
Authors: Einer-Jensen Katja , Harmache Abdallah , Biacchesi Stéphane , Bremont Michel , Stegmann Anders , Lorenzen Niels
Published: November 2013

Viral hemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) is an important viral pathogen in European rainbow trout farming. Isolates from wild marine fish and freshwater trout farms show highly different virulence profiles: isolates from marine fish species cause little or no mortality in rainbow trout following experimental waterborne challenge, whilst challenge with rainbow trout isolates results in high levels of mortality. Phylogenetic analyses have revealed that the highly virulent trout-derived isolates from freshwater farms have evolved from VHSV isolates from marine fish host species over the past 60 years. Recent isolates from rainbow trout reared in marine zones show intermediate virulence. The present study aimed to identify molecular virulence markers that could be used to classify VHSV isolates according to their ability to cause disease in rainbow trout. By a reverse genetics approach using a VHSV-related novirhabdovirus [infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV)], four chimaeric IHNV–VHSV recombinant viruses were generated. These chimaeric viruses included substitution of the IHNV glyco- (G) or non-structural (Nv) protein with their counterparts from either a trout-derived or a marine VHSV strain. Comparative challenge experiments in rainbow trout fingerlings revealed similar levels of survival induced by the recombinant (r)IHNV–VHSV chimaeric viruses regardless of whether the G or Nv genes originated from VHSV isolated from a marine fish species or from rainbow trout. Interestingly, recombinant IHNV gained higher virulence following substitution of the G gene with those of the VHSV strains, whilst the opposite was the case following substitution of the Nv genes.
R&D-based earnings management, accounting performance and market return
Authors: Zhang Xindong , He Yanan
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical support for managers and investors and help them to identify corporate investment decisions on research and development (R&D) rationally.

Design/methodology/approach

– Grouping and regression analysis are employed in the research.

Findings

– The paper finds that managers in firms with medium accounting performance and at the border of profit target are prone to manage earnings by real R&D transactions, namely reducing R&D expenditures.

Originality/value

– The conclusions are of great significance for innovation promotion in China.
Guest Editor foreword
Authors: Li Yuanhui
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The papers in this issue make a significant original contribution which will result in the better understanding of Chinese corporate finance management challenges from both theoretical and practical perspective. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The papers of this issue have a wide range of coverage related to corporate finance, such as CSR disclosure, organizational structure, earnings management, ownership structure, media impact, corporate accidents, and institution background. Those papers selected are all based on empirical researches with the original designs of their modeling, by the real and fundamental data from the latest Chinese market and enterprises.

Findings

– The author believes that such in-depth analysis and discussion will enhance the understanding for both researches and practitioners on the behavior of managing corporate finance in China. Those findings will contribute to the establishment of Chinese management theories and to the building of a wide range of Chinese management practices.

Originality/value

– Although the angle of each paper varies, they are all trying to have a deep analysis which may unveil the behavior of corporate finance decision. Some of such behaviors will be beneficial to the long-term sustainable growth of the company, while others, though, may have the negative impact on the corporate value creation.
Stigma and perceptions of recovery in Scotland: a qualitative study of injecting drug users attending methadone treatment
Authors: McPhee Iain , Brown Anne , Martin Colin
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore how injecting opiate users on a methadone treatment programme experience stigma as drug addicts, and as service users in health care and pharmacy settings. In particular the paper explores the rationale for injecting drugs, which the paper is argued to create the conditions for experiencing shame at the micro interactional level, influenced by macro institutional factors. The paper links this issue of being an injecting drug user in treatment to question whether the definition of recovery as “drug free” in the Scottish drug policy document The Road to Recovery (2008) creates the potential for stigma of service users receiving methadone maintenance treatment.

Design/methodology/approach

– In all, 14 participants, all of whom identified themselves as problem intravenous users of drugs, were recruited from three voluntary sector (third sector) treatment agencies in Scotland. Participants took part in semi-structured interviews; these were recorded, transcribed and qualitatively analysed thematically.

Findings

– Participants describe feelings of stigma in relation to their drug taking as problem users. Their experiences as recovering opiate injectors raises further challenges in distancing themselves from stigmatised addict identities.

Originality/value

– Reasons for injecting rather than smoking heroin were principally financially challenging a widely held belief that users inject primarily for pleasure, which is argued as increasing the potential for stigma. Shame and perceived discrimination was documented before and during drug treatment.
Co-producing addiction aftercare
Authors: Tober Gillian , Raistrick Duncan , Fiona Crosby Helen , Sweetman Jennifer , Unsworth Sally , Suna Leah , Copello Alex
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and delivery of an aftercare programme called Learning To Live Again, which was co-produced between service users and clinic staff.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 37 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 project stakeholders who were service users, mentors, university and clinical staff. The data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

– Four overarching themes were identified in the analysis of interview data as characterising the process of co-producing an aftercare programme. These were: achieving common ground, roles and responsibilities, the activities programme and the road to recovery. Interdependence of service users and clinicians was given strong emphasis.

Practical implications

– A number of challenges arise in co-producing an aftercare programme which is largely service user led and adds to the local recovery capital. The benefits of co-producing aftercare outweigh the difficulties and the programme can be set up within existing resources. Given the study's focus on the process of setting up and maintaining an aftercare programme, no attempt was made to evaluate the improvement in outcomes or cost-effectiveness.

Originality/value

– Many peer-mentor-led aftercare programmes have been set up and this paper describes stakeholders’ thoughts about the challenges and benefits of co-producing an aftercare programme.
Work values in a changing economic environment: the role of entrepreneurial capital
Authors: Jaén Inmaculada , Liñán Francisco
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The need for more flexible, dynamic and innovative firms is widely recognised nowadays. Entrepreneurial capital may contribute to a more entrepreneurial labour force with work values aligned to those needs, thus becoming one of the firm's strategic resources. But entrepreneurial capital is not evenly distributed between countries and regions. The purpose of this paper is to measure the importance of a region's cultural values in determining its level of entrepreneurial capital, and considers how this may affect the characteristics of the workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

– Schwartz's (2004) approach to measuring cultural values will be followed. Entrepreneurial intentions will be used as a proxy for entrepreneurship capital, following Ajzen's (1991) theory of planned behaviour. A representative sample of 2,974 adults with higher education was used in the empirical analysis.

Findings

– Results show that the region's culture indirectly influences the entrepreneurial capital of its members. People in some regions are more pro-entrepreneurial, showing higher start-up intentions, due to their cultural characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

– Results help explain why a larger share of the workforce in some regions presents work values facilitating flexibility, creativity and innovation. Similarly, they explain some of the difficulties faced when transferring human-resource practices that have been successful in one branch, to new branches in regions with lower entrepreneurial capital.

Originality/value

– The paper is novel in that it contributes to explaining why the majority of firms in some regions enjoy a more flexible and innovative labour force than those in less entrepreneurial regions.
Does intellectual capital matter? High-performance work systems and bilateral innovative capabilities
Authors: Wang Duanxu , Chen Shuai
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a systematic understanding of the mechanisms through which high-performance work systems (HPWSs) facilitate the incremental and radical innovative capabilities of organizations. Using a knowledge-based view of the firm, the paper introduces the mediating role of intellectual capital (composed of human, organizational and social capital) while examining this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected using a questionnaire survey approach from 164 firms in the People's Republic of China. The paper used analyses based on structural equation modeling to measure the main constructs and test the hypothesized relationships among the variables.

Findings

– The results indicate that HPWSs contribute to both the incremental and radical innovative capabilities of organizations. In addition, intellectual capital mediates the relationships between HPWSs and different types of innovative capabilities. Specifically, organizational and social capital mediate the relationship between HPWSs and incremental innovative capability, whereas social capital mediates the relationship between HPWSs and radical innovative capability.

Originality/value

– The study supports and expands on the strategic human resource management (SHRM) literature and knowledge-based view of the firm in terms of whether, why and how HPWSs can develop a competitive advantage on the basis of innovation.
Work-life balance under challenging financial and economic conditions
Authors: Pasamar Susana , Valle Cabrera Ramón
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse perceptions of institutional pressures on employers to improve the work-life balance in challenging environments with difficult financial and economic conditions and to classify organisations according to these perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using survey data from 146 Spanish private firms in different industries, the cluster analysis was conducted.

Findings

– The analysis clearly shows the existence of three different groups of companies according to their perception of coercive, mimetic and normative pressures, and the different characteristics of the groups. The perceptions of institutional pressures determine the stance of the company with regard to work-life balance.

Research limitations/implications

– Despite the changing economic context, it seems important to analyse the existence of environmental pressures to encourage work-life balance.

Social implications

– Spain still has a long way to go in the diffusion of work-life practices.

Originality/value

– This paper explores the institutional pressures on employers to improve work-life balance in a crisis context, and in a non-Anglo-Saxon country, showing that companies pay attention to the dynamics of the environment in which the company operates, and do not only consider economic reasons.
Online social networks and leadership
Authors: Korzynski Pawel
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of online social networks in experiencing a change in working environment of today's leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study's participants were managers, directors and CEOs working in different organizations (including Fortune 500 companies) in the USA, the UK, Germany, France, Russian Federation, Australia and China. The data were collected through structured surveys delivered through LinkedIn to the managers, directors and CEOs. A total of 115 matched questionnaires were returned. Statistical analysis, using STATA software, was conducted to assess the research results.

Findings

– The results indicate that the importance of online social networking environment is growing. Furthermore the study shows that online social networks are more useful for participative and consultative leadership style on social networking platforms than for directive leadership style. A higher number of activities on social networks by leaders is positively associated with the higher number of platforms used by leaders for business purposes. It is also correlated with a lower percentage of people from the same organization in the leader's contacts. Finally, the findings also show that the usefulness of online social networks as a tool supporting leadership, depends on the number of activities, number of platforms and size of the company. Surprisingly, age is not a predictor of the usefulness of online social networks.

Practical implications

– Leaders that seek ways in which to foster their leadership, need to recognize the importance of online social networking environment and the possibilities of using online relations in various aspects of authentic and situational leadership.

Originality/value

– This research provides knowledge regarding the usage of online social networks by many different leaders all over the world and suggests that a new generation of leaders will have to adjust to new working environment.
Organizational commitment within a contemporary career context
Authors: Enache Mihaela , M. Sallán José , Simo Pep , Fernandez Vicenç
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relation between the underlying dimensions of protean (self-direction and values driven) and boundaryless (boundaryless mindset and organizational mobility preference (OMP)) career attitudes (Briscoeet al., 2006) and organizational commitment, within today's unstable and uncertain business scenario.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from 167 professionals attending graduate and postgraduate distance learning courses. The hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regression analysis.

Findings

– Research results suggest that protean career attitudes contribute significantly to individuals’ emotional attachment to their employing organization. Furthermore, OMP was found to be significant in predicting both affective and continuance commitment.

Research limitations/implications

– First, cross-sectional correlational designs impede conclusive inferences regarding causal relationships among the variables. Second, the use of a sample of professionals attending distance learning business courses could limit the generalizability of the study findings, because the majority of the respondents were homogenous in terms of age and educational background.

Practical implications

– Fostering individuals’ self-direction results in enhanced affective commitment to their employing organizations. Workshops oriented at clarifying and communicating organizational values, philosophy and principles can be all beneficial for strengthening employees’ commitment to the organization.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper to test the relationship between boundaryless and protean career attitudes and organizational commitment on a European sample.
Driving human resources towards quality and innovation in a highly competitive environment
Authors: Gil-Marques Maria , D. Moreno-Luzon Maria
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– Intense competitive environments demand the combination of quality and innovation. The potential of human resource management practices within the total quality framework for promoting innovation is under debate, particularly in relation to radical innovation. The purpose of this paper is to enhance and extend the analysis of the role of cultural change as a mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

– The empirical study examines a sample of Spanish firms in highly competitive environments in their search for a combination of quality and innovation. To this end, the investigation includes structural equation analysis through partial least square path modelling.

Findings

– According to the results, the cultural change towards exploitation and exploration brought about by the application of these practices has a positive and significant relationship with incremental innovation. The findings indicate that incremental innovation has a positive and significant effect on radical innovation as well. This outcome challenges a well-known phenomenon: the so-called “success trap”.

Practical implications

– The study helps to understand how human resource management practices within a total quality framework can be designed and implemented as a means of generating synergies between the two fields.

Originality/value

– This study adds two original contributions to the current dialogue on the implications of total quality management for innovation: it reveals the moderating role of cultural change for exploitation and exploration, and pinpoints the role of incremental innovation in facilitating radical innovation within the TQM framework.
Recent SEC action reminds investment advisers of importance of robust compliance program
Authors: Pritchard Therese , Kalinowski Jeff , Ziesman Jeff
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to remind investment advisers of the need for robust compliance policies and procedures in light of a recent SEC administrative proceeding in the case of IMC Asset Management, Inc.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper describes discrepancies the SEC cited in IMC's compliance program and its chief compliance officer's (CCO's) performance, and recommends compliance policies and procedures that firms should review, including compliance staff training, experience and competence; appropriate number of compliance personnel; periodic review of policies and procedures; and attention to SEC examination findings.

Findings

– This matter follows several other settled cases, which were resolved in late 2011, in which the SEC alleged serious overall compliance program deficiencies and found that the CCOs at those firms did not devote enough time to compliance responsibilities.

Practical implications

– In light of the SEC administrative proceeding, investment advisers should consider the compliance program review measures recommended in this article.

Originality/value

– The paper provides practical guidance by experienced financial services lawyers.