bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finanzierung regionaler Demenznetzwerke: Determinanten einer nachhaltigen Finanzierung am Beispiel spezialisierter Gesundheitsnetzwerke
Authors: Michalowsky B. , Wübbeler M. , Thyrian J. , Holle B. , Gräske J. , Schäfer-Walkmann S. , Fleßa S. , Hoffmann W.
Published: April 2016

Ziele: Darstellung unterschiedlicher Finanzierungskonzepte, Bestimmung nachhaltiger Finanzierungsstrukturen und deren Determinanten in regionalen Demenznetzwerken (DN).

Methode: In einer vergleichenden qualitativen Analyse wurden Experteninterviews mit Verantwortlichen von 13 DN geführt. Der angewandte halbstrukturierte Interviewleitfaden fokussierte die finanzrelevante Organisation, die Kostenstruktur, die Finanzierungsquellen und die Nachhaltigkeit der DN.

Ergebnisse: Mitgliedsbeiträge, Einnahmen aus Angeboten, öffentlichen Fördergeldern sowie Geld- und Sachleistungen einer Gebietskörperschaft oder von Trägern waren hauptsächliche Finanzierungsquellen der DN. 62% der DN bezeichneten sich als finanziell nachhaltig. Geldleistungen zur Stärkung des personellen Netzwerkaufbaus, ein Mix aus Innen- und Außenfinanzierung und eine kommunale Beteiligung waren Determinanten einer nachhaltigen Finanzierung. DN in ländlichen Regionen schienen strukturell benachteiligt.

Schlussfolgerung: DN verfügen insbesondere in leistungsanbieterreichen Regionen über nachhaltige Finanzierungsstrukturen. Ein Finanzierungsvolumen von mindestens 50.000 €/Jahr zur Anstellung hauptamtlicher Mitarbeiter fördert eine nachhaltige Netzwerktätigkeit.
Effect of the order of He+ and H+ ion co-implantation on damage generation and thermal evolution of complexes, platelets, and blisters in silicon
Authors: Daghbouj N. , Cherkashin N. , Darras F.-X. , Paillard V. , Fnaiech M. , Claverie A.
Published: April 2016

Hydrogen and helium co-implantation is nowadays used to efficiently transfer thin Si layers and fabricate silicon on insulator wafers for the microelectronic industry. The synergy between the two implants which is reflected through the dramatic reduction of the total fluence needed to fracture silicon has been reported to be strongly influenced by the implantation order. Contradictory conclusions on the mechanisms involved in the formation and thermal evolution of defects and complexes have been drawn. In this work, we have experimentally studied in detail the characteristics of Si samples co-implanted with He and H, comparing the defects which are formed following each implantation and after annealing. We show that the second implant always ballistically destroys the stable defects and complexes formed after the first implant and that the redistribution of these point defects among new complexes drives the final difference observed in the samples after annealing. When H is implanted first, He precipitates in the form of nano-bubbles and agglomerates within H-related platelets and nano-cracks. When He is implanted first, the whole He fluence is ultimately used to pressurize H-related platelets which quickly evolve into micro-cracks and surface blisters. We provide detailed scenarios describing the atomic mechanisms involved during and after co-implantation and annealing which well-explain our results and the reasons for the apparent contradictions reported at the state of the art.
Radially local approximation of the drift kinetic equation
Authors: Sugama H. , Matsuoka S. , Satake S. , Kanno R.
Published: April 2016

A novel radially local approximation of the drift kinetic equation is presented. The new drift kinetic equation that includes both E×B and tangential magnetic drift terms is written in the conservative form and it has favorable properties for numerical simulation that any additional terms for particle and energy sources are unnecessary for obtaining stationary solutions under the radially local approximation. These solutions satisfy the intrinsic ambipolarity condition for neoclassical particle fluxes in the presence of quasisymmetry of the magnetic field strength. Also, another radially local drift kinetic equation is presented, from which the positive definiteness of entropy production due to neoclassical transport and Onsager symmetry of neoclassical transport coefficients are derived while it sacrifices the ambipolarity condition for neoclassical particle fluxes in axisymmetric and quasi-symmetric systems.
Research Update: Strain and composition effects on ferromagnetism of Mn0.05Ge0.95 quantum dots
Authors: Wang Liming , Liu Tao , Jia Quanjie , Zhang Zhi , Lin Dongdong , Chen Yulu , Fan Yongliang , Zhong Zhenyang , Yang Xinju , Zou Jin , Jiang Zuimin
Published: April 2016

Mn0.05Ge0.95 quantum dots (QDs) samples were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on Si substrates and 15-nm-thick fully strained Si0.8Ge0.2 virtual substrates, respectively. The QDs samples grown on the Si0.8Ge0.2 virtual substrates show a significant ferromagnetism with a Curie temperature of 227 K, while the QDs samples grown on the Si substrates are non-ferromagnetic. Microstructures of the QDs samples were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction. Interdependence between microstructure and ferromagnetism of Mn-doped Ge QDs was investigated. For the QDs sample grown on the strained Si0.8Ge0.2 virtual substrate, although the ferromagnetic phase Mn5Ge3 clusters were found to be formed in small dome-shaped dots, the significant ferromagnetism observed in that sample is attributed to ferromagnetic phase Mn-doped large dome-shaped Ge QDs, rather than to the ferromagnetic phase Mn5Ge3 clusters. The fully strained Si0.8Ge0.2 virtual substrates would result in a residual strain into the QDs and an increase in Ge composition in the QDs. Both consequences favor the formations of ferromagnetic phase Mn-doped Ge QDs from points of view of quantum confinement effect as well as Mn doping at substitutional sites.
Magnetoelectric coupling by acoustic wave guide
Authors: Li X. Y. , Liu J. , Zhang N.
Published: April 2016

Magnetoelectric (ME) coupling by acoustic waveguide was developed. A very strong axial ME response was observed. The dependences of the sample size and the frequency of the ac field on the ME coupling were investigated. Several resonant points were observed in the frequency range applied (<50 kHz). Analysis shows that the standing waves transmitted in the waveguide were responsible for those resonances. And the resonant frequencies were closely influenced by the geometrical size of the waveguide. A resonant condition related to the size of the sample was obtained. The axial (or longitudinal) and transversal ME coefficients were observed to be up to 62 and 6 (V cm−1 Oe−1) at resonant points, respectively, indicating that the axial ME effect in this device was much higher than its transversal ones. A series of double-peak curves of axial ME coefficient versus magnetic field were observed. The significance of the double-peak curves was discussed.
Carrier recombination spatial transfer by reduced potential barrier causes blue/red switchable luminescence in C8 carbon quantum dots/organic hybrid light-emitting devices
Authors: Chen Xifang , Yan Ruolin , Zhang Wenxia , Fan Jiyang
Published: April 2016

The underlying mechanism behind the blue/red color-switchable luminescence in the C8 carbon quantum dots (CQDs)/organic hybrid light-emitting devices (LEDs) is investigated. The study shows that the increasing bias alters the energy-level spatial distribution and reduces the carrier potential barrier at the CQDs/organic layer interface, resulting in transition of the carrier transport mechanism from quantum tunneling to direct injection. This causes spatial shift of carrier recombination from the organic layer to the CQDs layer with resultant transition of electroluminescence from blue to red. By contrast, the pure CQDs-based LED exhibits green–red electroluminescence stemming from recombination of injected carriers in the CQDs.
Intergenerational effects of omega-6 fatty acids. 2. Preliminary evidence for the influence of diet fed to dams at conception on the sex ratio of lambs born to their daughters
Authors: Clayton E. H. , Wilkins J. F. , Friend M. A.
Published: April 2016

In a previous experiment, the proportion of female lambs was higher when Merino ewes were offered a diet high in omega-6 (n-6) compared with low in n-6 around joining. The effect of these diets on the sex ratio of lambs born to the offspring of these ewes has not previously been investigated. The aim of the current study was to determine whether the proportion of female lambs when Border Leicester × Merino ewes were fed a diet high compared with low in n-6 around mating was affected by diet previously fed to their dams at conception. Ewes were stratified to treatment group based on the diet previously fed to their dams around mating and fed a Low n-6 (lucerne hay) or High n-6 (oats and cottonseed meal) diet for ~40 days pre-mating and 17 days post-mating. Liveweight, fat score, plasma fatty acid status and lamb sex was determined. The ratio of n-6 : n-3 fatty acids in plasma was higher (P < 0.001) and the time to oestrus shorter (P < 0.001) when ewes received the High n-6 compared with the Low n-6 diet. The proportion of female lambs was not significantly (P = 0.229) higher when ewes were fed the High n-6 compared with the Low n-6 diet (59.8 vs 42.7%), but was significantly (r2 = 0.78, P = 0.008) positively correlated with the ratio of arachidonic acid to eicosapentaenoic acid in ewe plasma. The effect of the High n-6 diet on the sex ratio of lambs born to Border Leicester × Merino ewes was not affected by diet previously fed to dams around conception; however, results need to be confirmed with larger numbers of ewes. The effect of dam nutrition on the sex ratio of lambs and overall productivity should be monitored over several years.
Increased spreading potential of the invasive Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) at its northern distribution limit in Europe due to warmer climate
Authors: Rinde Eli , Tjomsland Torulv , Hjermann Dag Ø. , Kempa Magdalena , Norling Pia , Kolluru Venkat S.
Published: April 2016

The Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, is an invasive species with a large increase in prevalence globally, and with potential of spreading even more because of climate-change effects. We examined how future climate might affect its potential for spread at its northern distribution limit in a temperate ecoregion, by simulating spawning, larval dispersal, larvae settlement and adult survival, given different climate scenarios. The simulations were performed using a three-dimensional current model (GEMSS) and a specially designed oyster module, applied at the study site in the Oslofjord, Norway. The simulations showed that the expected climate in the middle and latter part of this century, with warmer summers and winters, very likely will lead to increased prevalence of the species within northern Europe. The warmer summers will more often provide favourable temperature conditions for oyster spawning and settlement, and warmer winters will more seldom cause high winter mortality. The simulations gave a realistic picture of the relative frequency and the main distribution pattern observed, given the current climate. The future climate-scenario simulations indicated influence of local differences in temperature on the dispersal pattern. The study indicated increased dispersal and successful establishment at the outer edge of the species present distribution in the future and, hence, an increased risk to native species and habitats in temperate regions.
Effects of Bosentan on Peripheral Endothelial Function in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension or Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Hirashiki Akihiro , Adachi Shiro , Nakano Yoshihisa , Kamimura Yoshihiro , Shimokata Shigetake , Takeshita Kyosuke , Murohara Toyoaki , Kondo Takahisa
Published: April 2016

Endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) have been shown to improve the prognosis of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, the effect of the oral dual ERA bosentan on peripheral endothelial dysfunction (PED), as assessed by flow‐mediated vasodilation (FMD), in patients with pulmonary hypertension is not well characterized. We investigated the effect of bosentan on PED in patients with PAH or inoperable chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). A total of 18 patients with PAH and 8 with CTEPH were treated with bosentan. All patients underwent FMD assessment before and after 3 months of bosentan treatment. Whereas FMD increased from 6.01% ± 2.42% at baseline to 8.07% ± 3.18% after 3 months (P < 0.0001) in patients with PAH, those with CTEPH showed no change in FMD after bosentan therapy. In addition, FMD at baseline showed no correlation with pulmonary vascular resistance (r = 0.09) or plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels (r = −0.23) in patients with PAH. Bosentan treatment ameliorated PED in patients with PAH but not in those with inoperable CTEPH. In addition, FMD did not correlate with PAH severity.
ProtAnnot: an App for Integrated Genome Browser to display how alternative splicing and transcription affect proteins
Authors: Mall Tarun , Eckstein John , Norris David , Vora Hiral , Freese Nowlan H. , Loraine Ann E.
Published: April 2016

Summary: One gene can produce multiple transcript variants encoding proteins with different functions. To facilitate visual analysis of transcript variants, we developed ProtAnnot, which shows protein annotations in the context of genomic sequence. ProtAnnot searches InterPro and displays profile matches (protein annotations) alongside gene models, exposing how alternative promoters, splicing and 3′ end processing add, remove, or remodel functional motifs. To draw attention to these effects, ProtAnnot color-codes exons by frame and displays a cityscape graphic summarizing exonic sequence at each position. These techniques make visual analysis of alternative transcripts faster and more convenient for biologists.

Availability and implementation: ProtAnnot is a plug-in App for Integrated Genome Browser, an open source desktop genome browser available from http://www.bioviz.org.

Contact:  aloraine@uncc.edu
mDCC_tools: characterizing multi-modal atomic motions in molecular dynamics trajectories
Authors: Kasahara Kota , Mohan Neetha , Fukuda Ikuo , Nakamura Haruki
Published: April 2016

Summary: We previously reported the multi-modal Dynamic Cross Correlation (mDCC) method for analyzing molecular dynamics trajectories. This method quantifies the correlation coefficients of atomic motions with complex multi-modal behaviors by using a Bayesian-based pattern recognition technique that can effectively capture transiently formed, unstable interactions. Here, we present an open source toolkit for performing the mDCC analysis, including pattern recognitions, complex network analyses and visualizations. We include a tutorial document that thoroughly explains how to apply this toolkit for an analysis, using the example trajectory of the 100 ns simulation of an engineered endothelin-1 peptide dimer.

Availability and implementation: The source code is available for free at http://www.protein.osaka-u.ac.jp/rcsfp/pi/mdcctools/, implemented in C ++ and Python, and supported on Linux.

Contact:  kota.kasahara@protein.osaka-u.ac.jp

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
gEVAL — a web-based browser for evaluating genome assemblies
Authors: Chow William , Brugger Kim , Caccamo Mario , Sealy Ian , Torrance James , Howe Kerstin
Published: April 2016

Motivation: For most research approaches, genome analyses are dependent on the existence of a high quality genome reference assembly. However, the local accuracy of an assembly remains difficult to assess and improve. The gEVAL browser allows the user to interrogate an assembly in any region of the genome by comparing it to different datasets and evaluating the concordance. These analyses include: a wide variety of sequence alignments, comparative analyses of multiple genome assemblies, and consistency with optical and other physical maps. gEVAL highlights allelic variations, regions of low complexity, abnormal coverage, and potential sequence and assembly errors, and offers strategies for improvement. Although gEVAL focuses primarily on sequence integrity, it can also display arbitrary annotation including from Ensembl or TrackHub sources. We provide gEVAL web sites for many human, mouse, zebrafish and chicken assemblies to support the Genome Reference Consortium, and gEVAL is also downloadable to enable its use for any organism and assembly.

Availability and Implementation: Web Browser: http://geval.sanger.ac.uk, Plugin: http://wchow.github.io/wtsi-geval-plugin.

Contact:  kj2@sanger.ac.uk

Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Catalytic water dissociation by greigite Fe3S4surfaces: density functional theory study
Authors: Roldan A. , de Leeuw N. H.
Published: April 2016

The iron sulfide mineral greigite, Fe3S4, has shown promising capability as a hydrogenating catalyst, in particular in the reduction of carbon dioxide to produce small organic molecules under mild conditions. We employed density functional theory calculations to investigate the {001},{011} and {111} surfaces of this iron thiospinel material, as well as the production of hydrogen ad-atoms from the dissociation of water molecules on the surfaces. We systematically analysed the adsorption geometries and the electronic structure of both bare and hydroxylated surfaces. The sulfide surfaces presented a higher flexibility than the isomorphic oxide magnetite, Fe3O4, allowing perpendicular movement of the cations above or below the top atomic sulfur layer. We considered both molecular and dissociative water adsorption processes, and have shown that molecular adsorption is the predominant state on these surfaces from both a thermodynamic and kinetic point of view. We considered a second molecule of water which stabilizes the system mainly by H-bonds, although the dissociation process remains thermodynamically unfavourable. We noted, however, synergistic adsorption effects on the Fe3S4{001} owing to the presence of hydroxyl groups. We concluded that, in contrast to Fe3O4, molecular adsorption of water is clearly preferred on greigite surfaces.
Emergence of a novel lineage containing a prophage in emm/M3 group A Streptococcus associated with upsurge in invasive disease in the UK
Authors: Al-Shahib Ali , Underwood Anthony , Afshar Baharak , Turner Claire E. , Lamagni Theresa , Sriskandan Shiranee , Efstratiou Androulla
Published: April 2016

A sudden increase in invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) infections associated with emm/M3 isolates during the winter of 2008/09 prompted the initiation of enhanced surveillance in England. In order to characterise the population of emm/M3 GAS within the UK and determine bacterial factors that might be responsible for this upsurge, 442 emm/M3 isolates from cases of invasive and non-invasive infections during the period 2001–2013 were subjected to whole genome sequencing. MLST analysis differentiated emm/M3 isolates into three sequence types (STs): ST15, ST315 and ST406. Analysis of the whole genome SNP-based phylogeny showed that the majority of isolates from the 2008–2009 upsurge period belonged to a distinct lineage characterized by the presence of a prophage carrying the speC exotoxin and spd1 DNAase genes but loss of two other prophages considered typical of the emm/M3 lineage. This lineage was significantly associated with the upsurge in iGAS cases and we postulate that the upsurge could be attributed in part to expansion of this novel prophage-containing lineage within the population. The study underlines the importance of prompt genomic analysis of changes in the GAS population, providing an advanced public health warning system for newly emergent, pathogenic strains.
DiscoMark: Nuclear marker discovery from orthologous sequences using draft genome data
Authors: Rutschmann Sereina , Detering Harald , Simon Sabrina , Fredslund Jakob , Monaghan Michael T.
Published: April 2016

High-throughput sequencing has laid the foundation for fast and cost-effective development of phylogenetic markers. Here we present the program DISCOMARK, which streamlines the development of nuclear DNA (nDNA) markers from whole-genome (or whole-transcriptome) sequencing data, combining local alignment, alignment trimming, reference mapping and primer design based on multiple sequence alignments in order to design primer pairs from input orthologous sequences. In order to demonstrate the suitability of DISCOMARKwe designed markers for two groups of species, one consisting of closely related species and one group of distantly related species. For the closely related members of the species complex ofCloeon dipterums.l. (Insecta, Ephemeroptera), the program discovered a total of 78 markers. Among these, we selected eight markers for amplification and Sanger sequencing. The exon sequence alignments (2,526 base pairs (bp)) were used to reconstruct a well supported phylogeny and to infer clearly structured haplotype networks. For the distantly related species we designed primers for several families in the insect order Ephemeroptera, using available genomic data from four sequenced species. We developed primer pairs for 23 markers that are designed to amplify across several families. The DISCOMARKprogram will enhance the development of new nDNA markersby providing a streamlined, automated approach to perform genome-scale scans for phylogenetic markers. The program is written in Python, released under a public license (GNU GPL v2), and together with a manual and example data set available at:https://github.com/hdetering/discomark.
Magnetite biomineralization in Magnetospirillum magneticum is regulated by a switch-like behavior in the HtrA protease MamE
Authors: Hershey David M. , Browne Patrick J. , Iavarone Anthony T. , Teyra Joan , Lee Eun H. , Sidhu Sachdev S. , Komeili Arash
Published: April 2016

Magnetotactic bacteria are aquatic organisms that produce subcellular magnetic particles in order to orient in the earth’s geomagnetic field. MamE, a predicted HtrA protease required to produce magnetite crystals in the magnetotactic bacteriumMagnetospirillum magneticumAMB-1, was recently shown to promote the proteolytic processing of itself and two other biomineralization factorsin vivo. Here, we have analyzed thein vivoprocessing patterns of three proteolytic targets and used this information to reconstitute proteolysis with a purified form of MamEin vitro. MamE cleaves a custom peptide substrate with positive cooperativity, and its auto-proteolysis can be stimulated with exogenous substrates or peptides that bind to either of its PDZ domains. A misregulated form of the protease that circumvents specific genetic requirements for proteolysis causes biomineralization defects, showing that proper regulation of its activity is required during magnetite biosynthesisin vivo. Our results represent the first reconstitution of MamE’s proteolytic activity and show that its behavior is consistent with the previously proposed checkpoint model for biomineralization.
(E)-1-(Anthracen-9-yl)-3-(2-chloro-6-fluorophenyl)prop-2-en-1-one: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis
Authors: Abdullah Amzar Ahlami , Hassan Nur Hafiq Hanif , Arshad Suhana , Khalib Nuridayanti Che , Razak Ibrahim Abdul
Published: April 2016

In the title compound, C23H14ClFO, the enone moiety adopts anEconformation. The dihedral angle between the benzene and anthracene ring is 63.42 (8)° and an intramolecular C—H...F hydrogen bond generates anS(6) ring motif. In the crystal, molecules are arranged into centrosymmetric dimersviapairs of C—H...F hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure also features C—H...π and π–π interactions. Hirshfeld surface analysis was used to confirm the existence of intermolecular interactions.
Crystal structure of the co-crystal of 5-aminoisophthalic acid and 1,2-bis(pyridin-4-yl)ethene
Authors: McGuire Scott C. , Travis Steven C. , Tuohey Daniel W. , Deering Thomas J. , Martin Bob , Cox Jordan M. , Benedict Jason B.
Published: April 2016

In the title 1:1 co-crystal, C12H10N2·C8H7NO4, the bipyridine moiety shows whole-molecule disorder over two sets of sites in a 0.588 (3): 0.412 (3) ratio. In the crystal, the components form hydrogen-bonded sheets linked by N—H...O and O—H...N interactions, which stack along theaaxis. A comparison to a related and previously published co-crystal of 5-amino-isophthalic acid and the shorter 4,4′-bipryidine is presented.
Crystal structure of bis(triethanolamine-κ3N,O,O′)nickel(II) bis(3-hydroxybenzoate) tetrahydrate
Authors: Ibragimov Aziz B.
Published: April 2016

The reaction of 3-hydroxybenzoic (m-hydroxybenzoic) acid (MHBA), triethanolamine (TEA) and Ni(NO3)2in aqueous solution led to formation of the hydrated title salt, [Ni(C6H15NO3)2](C7H5O3)·4H2O. In the complex cation, the Ni2+ion is located on an inversion centre. Two symmetry-related TEA ligands occupy all coordination sites in anN,O,O′-tridentate coordination, leading to a slightly distorted NiN2O4octahedron. Two ethanol groups of each TEA ligand form two five-membered chelate rings around Ni2+, while the third ethanol group does not coordinate to the metal atom. Two MHBA−anions in the benzoate form are situated in the outer coordination sphere for charge compensation. An intricate network of hydrogen bonds between the free and coordinating hydroxy groups of the TEA ligands, the O atoms of the MHBA−anions and the water molecules leads to the formation of a two-dimensional structure extending parallel to (010).
N′-[(1S,3R,8R)-2,2-Dichloro-3,7,7,10-tetramethyltricyclo[6.4.0.01,3]dodecan-11-yl]acetohydrazide
Authors: Benharref Ahmed , Oukhrib Abdelouhed , Ait Elhad Mustapha , Daran Jean-Claude , Berraho Moha
Published: April 2016

The title compound, C18H26Cl2N2O, was synthesized in four steps from β-himachalene (3,5,5,9-tetramethyl-2,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-benzocycloheptene), which was isolated from an essential oil of the Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica). It crystallizes with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. Each molecule is built up from fused six- and seven-membered rings and an appended three-membered ring. An acetylhydrazone substituent is attached to the six-membered ring. In both molecules the six-membered rings display half-chair conformations, whereas the seven-membered rings have boat conformations. In the two molecules, the mean planes of the two rings are inclined to one another by 59.9 (3) and 59.1 (3)°. In the crystal, the two molecules are linkedviaN—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming dimers with anR22(8) loop. Within the dimer there are also C—H...O hydrogen bonds present. The dimers are linkedviaC—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, forming slabs parallel to theabplane.
State capitalism and clusters: the case of Brazilian shipbuilding
Authors: DuBois Frank L. , Primo Marcos Andre Mendes
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– State capitalism is an economic model that relies on the role of a strong central government to support chosen firms and industries with subsidies, tax benefits and other advantages to which non-favored firms or industries do not have access (Bremmer, 2010). From an economic development perspective state capitalism is often used to redirect economic activity to underdeveloped regions (Wickham, 2009; Chobanyan and Leigh, 2006; Porter, 2008). The purpose of this paper is to examine the case of the Brazilian shipbuilding to illustrate the use of state capitalism to direct economic activity.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using Porter’s diamond factor model the authors analyze the development of an economic cluster focussed on the shipbuilding industry in northeastern Brazil. Using interviews with company executives and archival information, the authors profile the investments and incentives that the government has made in this region with particular attention to the mechanisms and policy directives designed to support local involvement in cluster activity.

Findings

– The authors find that the Brazilian shipbuilding industry offers a unique perspective on the role that governments play in the inducement of economic activity. The authors document the challenges that confront the local enterprise in meeting the requirements of the state controlled buyer and the difficulties associated with developing a local supplier base and finding a qualified workforce. The authors conclude with comments with regard to the applicability of this model to economic development activity in other country contexts.

Research limitations/implications

– This research adds to the body of literature on the role of governments in the creation of economic clusters.

Practical implications

– Economic development in emerging markets is often associated with strong government intervention. The authors use the Brazilian shipbuilding industry to illustrate the role of a state owned enterprise in facilitation of economic development.

Social implications

– Some countries may suffer from what has been known as the “resource curse,” that is, the misallocation of resource wealth into non-productive activities. In this paper, the authors illustrate and attempt by the Brazilian government to use this wealth to create employment opportunities in an underdeveloped region of the country.

Originality/value

– Emerging markets are challenged in developing viable enterprises that are competitive in global markets. Most research on the development of industrial clusters is focussed on developed markets. These markets do not have to confront the same challenges found in emerging markets. The research illustrates these challenges and the efforts that may be made to surmount them.
Competitiveness of clusters
Authors: Sarturi Greici , Vargas Carlos Augusto França , Boaventura João Maurício Gama , Santos Silvio Aparecido dos
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to deepen the discussion regarding the competitiveness of clusters based on a theoretical and empirical study that compares the level of competitiveness of the Brazilian wine cluster located in Serra Gaúcha with the competitiveness of the Chilean cluster located in Valle del Maule.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative-descriptive approach was applied to the study, and data collection was conducted through secondary sources.

Findings

– The analysis employed a competitiveness analysis model consisting of 11 competitiveness factors. The Chilean cluster presented a higher level of competitiveness in four competitiveness factors (“scope of viable and relevant business,” “introduction of new technologies,” “balance with no privileged positions” and “oriented strategy”), while the Brazilian cluster presented a higher level of competitiveness in three competitiveness factors (“concentration,” “cooperation” and “replacement”). For four of the competitiveness factors of the model, both clusters presented similar levels of competitiveness.

Practical implications

– By comparing the two wine clusters, it was possible to identify aspects that can be improved to increase competitiveness, especially in the Brazilian cluster. These aspects include, first, the need for bottle manufacturers in Serra Gaúcha, which would have a positive impact on production costs; second, the expansion of the geographical indication registration for the entire Serra Gaúcha region, resulting in an enhanced image of Brazilian wine abroad; and third, greater incentives for exports, which would result in an increase in market share.

Originality/value

– The paper proposes an explanation for the superior level of competitiveness of the Chilean cluster regarding the “scope of viable and relevant business,” “balance with no privileged positions,” “introduction of new technologies” and “strategy focussed on cluster development.” In terms of its contribution, the study developed additional metrics for the model adopted, which can be used for the competitive analysis of other agribusiness clusters.
Experience the “ambience”
Authors: Wu Jun , Arora Anshu Saxena , Arora Amit
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– Ambient advertising is a unique, intimate and non-traditional form of communication between the product and the consumer; and uses all physical and environmental elements leading to stronger customer engagement. The purpose of this paper is to explore the innovations in ambient advertising including flash mob dancing, use of structures, posters, props, bus tickets, supermarket floors, shopping carts, bank receipts, animals, and other strange and unusual venues in developed economies (e.g. the USA) vs emerging economies (e.g. India).

Design/methodology/approach

– The research proposes relationship strength (R)-inherent drama (I)-prodigious execution (P) or R-I-P conceptual framework to measure ambient advertising and delves into the R-I-P constructs of ambient advertising.

Findings

– The results of Study 1 demonstrate that consumers’ global consumption orientation positively influences their attitudes toward ambient advertising. Results from Studies 2 and 3 exhibit interesting comparisons of innovations in ambient advertising between the USA and India; which improves understanding of globalization of ambient advertising in both developed and emerging economies. Relationship strength (R) between the product and the customer strengthens ad believability in both developed and emerging economies; while inherent dramatic surprise (I) displays contrasting results for developed and emerging economies. Prodigious execution (P) results in ad irritation for developed economies while it has no impact for emerging economies.

Research limitations/implications

– Overall R-I-P constructs of ambient advertising strengthen brand and ad attitudes and purchase intentions. The research has strong implications for advertising innovations in the USAvis-à-visIndia, and demonstrates stronger implications of advertising internationalization across developed and emerging economies.

Originality/value

– The research is valuable in the context of emerging and developed economies of the world with respect to ambient advertising. The research explores the trends in ambient advertising and develops measures for testing perceptions of consumers in various world markets toward ambient advertising. The world economies exhibit varying levels of acceptance and appreciation to the global emerging advertising trends, and this presents a huge challenge to the companies worldwide.
Motivations for servitization: the impact of product complexity
Authors: Raddats Chris , Baines Tim , Burton Jamie , Story Vicky Mary , Zolkiewski Judy
Published: April 2016

Purpose

To identify the commonalities and differences in manufacturers’ motivations to servitize.

Design/methodology/approach

UK study based on interviews with 40 managers in 25 companies in 12 sectors. Using the concept of product complexity, sectors were grouped using the Complex Products and Systems (CoPS) typology: non-complex products, complex products, and systems.

Findings

Motivations to servitize were categorised as competitive, demand-based (i.e., derived from the customer) or economic. Motivations to servitize vary according to product complexity, although cost savings and improved service quality appear important demand-based motivations for all manufacturers. Non-complex product manufacturers also focus on services to help product differentiation. For CoPS manufacturers, both risk reduction and developing a new revenue stream were important motivations. For uniquely complex product manufacturers, stabilising revenue and increased profitability were strong motivations. For uniquely systems manufacturers, customers sought business transformation, whilst new service business models were also identified.

Research limitations/implications

Using the CoPS typology, this study delineates motivations to servitize by sector. The findings show varying motivations to servitize as product complexity increases, although some motivational commonality existed across all groups.
Manufacturers may have products of differing complexity within their portfolio. To overcome this limitation the unit of analysis was the SBU.

Practical implications

Managers can reflect on and benchmark their motivation for, and opportunities from, servitization, by considering product complexity.

Originality/value

The first study to categorise servitization motivations by product complexity. Identifying that some customers of systems manufacturers seek business transformation through outsourcing.
Value creation of EVA and traditional accounting measures: Indian evidence
Authors: Gupta Vijay Kumar , Sikarwar Ekta
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the superiority of economic value added (EVA) over the traditional accounting performance measures, i.e. earnings per share, return on assets and return on equity. For this purpose, the relative and incremental information content of EVA and accounting measures are tested by examining the relationship of these measures with stock returns.

Design/methodology/approach

– The analysis is performed for a sample of 50 Indian companies selected from the index Nifty 50 for the period of 2008-2011. The penal regression models are applied to examine the relative and incremental information content of EVA and traditional performance measures.

Findings

– The study finds that EVA has more relevant and incremental information content than accounting measures for analyzing shareholder value creation. These results confirm that EVA is better performance measure than traditional accounting measures.

Research limitations/implications

– The study could be further extended for the sample of other firms covering the specific industries and sectors. The calculation of EVA could be modified with respect to the adjustment in profit after tax and the calculation of cost of capital.

Practical implications

– The study has implications for the managers who are responsible to generate the wealth of shareholders by formulating the corporate financial policies. The findings also help investors who are closely concerned with the financial health of the firm while taking their investment decisions.

Originality/value

– The novelty of this study is that it relates total return of firm’s stock with the financial measures unlike the previous literature.
A framework for performance evaluation of channel partners in distribution relationships
Authors: Goyal Vikas , Mishra Prashant
Published: April 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework for performance evaluation of channel partners in distribution relationships and develop a scale to measure the proposed dimensions of performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed framework is built on the theoretical foundations of salesforce control systems and organizational performance. The authors developed the measurement scale by the three-stage protocol and established the scale’s reliability, factor structure and validity through the data collected from 252 firm-channel partner dyads across automobile firms in India.

Findings

– The proposed framework highlights three distinct dimensions of channel partners’ performance, i.e. output performance, the financial/other objective results; activity performance, the activities, behavior and process-compliance levels; and capability performance, the resources and capabilities of channel partners. An 18-item measurement scale is developed to measure the three proposed dimensions of channel partners’ performance.

Research limitations/implications

– The proposed framework conceptualizes the three key dimensions of channel partners’ performance that can assist firms in exercising a focussed approach to performance management in distribution channel relationships and other inter-firm contexts. This study contributes to the legitimacy and further development of research in the area.

Practical implications

– The measurement scale provides valid and reliable items for a rigorous performance analyses of channel partners, both at the individual level as well as at the level of the distribution channel as a whole. These performance analyses have multiple applications, right from managing the day-to-day channel activities to steering the channel strategy.

Originality/value

– The paper presents a multidimensional conceptual framework for performance evaluation of channel partners and provides a suitable instrument for operationalizing future empirical research in the area.
Supplier selection considering product structure and product life cycle cost
Authors: Ebrahimipour Vahid , Maleki Shoja Babak , Li Shanling
Published: April 2016

Purpose

Supplier selection is a complex decision that involves not only the consideration of unit purchasing cost but also product life-cycle cost (LCC), which affects the company’s after-sale costs over the life cycles of their products. Product structure and its impact on the supplier selection evaluation process are rarely investigated in the literature. Therefore, product structure for a multi-criteria multi-product supplier selection problem with uncertainty is considered. In the model, we address product structure, the competitive supply environment, diverse criteria, and standard requirements. The objective is to choose suppliers that minimize LCC and maximize the reliability of the finished products.

Design/methodology/approach

Our model provides straightforward representation of interrelationships among multi-objectives and analysis of tradeoffs among conflicting objectives affected by product structure. We illustrate our model by using real life data from lubrication systems in the offshore reliability data (OREDA) handbook. Sensitivity analysis is provided for the case study in which various scenarios that describe product structure, the uncertainties in purchasing prices, reliabilities of purchased components, machine down-time due to poor quality components, suppliers’ capacity and delivery times. Different priority ranking among objectives is also tested to examine the impact of each objective on the overall objective.

Findings

Our computational results are based on real data and would provide useful guidelines for the management in OEM to choose right suppliers.

Originality/value

Product structure and its impact on the supplier selection evaluation process are rarely investigated in the literature. Therefore, product structure for a multi-criteria multi-product supplier selection problem with uncertainty is considered.
A-IFM reliability allocation model based on multicriteria approach
Authors: Di Bona Gianpaolo , Forcina Antonio , Petrillo Antonella , De Felice Fabio , Silvestri Alessandro
Published: April 2016

Purpose

The paper aims to evaluate reliability allocation using an aerospace system prototype. The proposed approach has been applied and compared with other traditional methods on an aerospace system prototype, where the reliability allocation process is rigorous.

Design/methodology/approach

The new approach is based on Integrated factors Method (IFM), whose values are adjusted trough a multicriteria method, the Analytic Hierarchy Process, depending on the importance of each factor and each unit of the system. The result is a dynamic model, that combines the advantages of the allocation method and the multicriteria decision-making technique.

Findings

The reasons that led to the development of the IFM based AHP are the outcome of a careful analysis of the current military and commercial approaches. In particular most of analyzed methods use constant weights for the factors involved in the reliability allocation; different weights are rarely assigned to these factors.

Research limitations/implications

There is no limitation for implementation of
A-IFM reliability allocation model in very large and complex systems, and it can
therefore provide an improved structured arrangement for reliability allocation. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.

Practical implications

The proposed method offers several benefits compared with current military and commercial approaches.

Originality/value

The computational results clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the new approach and its ability to overcome the criticalities highlighted in literature.
Measuring patients’ healthcare service quality perceptions, satisfaction, and loyalty in public and private sector hospitals in Pakistan
Authors: Shabbir Asma , Malik Shahab Alam , Malik Shujah Alam
Published: April 2016

Purpose

This study aims to explore the relationship between healthcare perceived service quality (HCSQ) and patient loyalty. Mediating role of patient satisfaction is also assessed between HCSQ and patient loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 600 was gathered using stratified random sampling technique from inpatients of public and private sector hospitals of Pakistan through self-administered questionnaire, and was analyzed through regression analysis.

Findings

Findings indicate that healthcare perceived service quality has a significant positive effect on patients’ loyalty. Patient satisfaction also mediates the relationship between HCSQ and patient loyalty. Findings state that there is a significant difference between HCSQ which is perceived by the patients of both public and private sector hospitals. Differences suggest that the patients of private sector hospitals were found more satisfied than their counterparts.

Practical implications

The results indicate that hospital managers should have knowledge about the perceptions and satisfaction of patients as it leads to a step towards introducing reforms in the quality of healthcare sector.

Originality/value

No such particular research in literature has been made earlier in Pakistan’s context which has assessed the perceptions of patients in terms of HCSQ dimensions as being addressed in this study. Thus, this study endeavors to fill that gap in terms of measuring healthcare services provided by both public and private sector hospitals. Outcomes of this study will enable hospitals’ managers to get a better understanding towards stronger as well as weaker aspects of service quality, and will help in observing factors which contribute towards patients’ satisfaction and patient loyalty in building long term relationships between hospital and patients.
The role of “organic public relations” in communicating wicked public health issues
Authors: Brunton Margaret Ann , Galloway Christopher James
Published: April 2016

Purpose

To explore the applicability of the organic theory of public relations to address “wicked” problems in public health systems.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper, based on critical assessment and application of relevant theory.

Findings

The organic approach to public relations practice is more likely to succeed than largely organisation–centric models as advocated in the work of J.E.Grunig and others. The rationale is that addressing wicked problems involves recruiting a wide range of insights and facilitating collaborative action. The broad, inclusive orientation of the organic theory is expected to be more effective than familiar, but more narrowly organisation-focused strategies.

Research limitations/implications

The organic theory advocated here has potential heuristic value for future research in communication related to the delivery of social services.

Practical implications

Public health system managers and policy makers who adopt an organic approach to communicating system issues, especially adverse events, are more likely to build public support for their work than if they seek to address only “strategic” publics (Grunig & Hunt, 1984) who are seen as potential threats to the organisation’s ability to fulfill its mission.

Originality/value

Applying the organic theory of public relations to address wicked problems in public health management and communication breaks new ground. It contrasts with the managerialist orientation not only of public health systems in many western countries, but also the organisation-centric communication strategies often adopted to attempt to mitigate the effects of “wickedness” shown in recurrent adverse events. Such strategies may neglect the interest society as a whole has in public health outcomes.