bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shifter and resident red deer: intrapopulation and intersexual behavioural diversities in a predator-free area
Authors: Bocci A. , Angelini I. , Brambilla P. , Monaco A. , Lovari S.
Published: November 2018

Context
Population management of meso-large game species; knowledge of seasonal movements and sexual segregation.

Aims
We predicted (1) a similar mixed spatial tactic in the two sexes (shifters and residents); (2) that reproductive success could be a key factor eliciting a mixed spatial tactic in hinds; and (3) that hunting activities may affect the rutting season, influencing rutting site location.

Methods
We studied the spatial behaviour of 41 red deer on the Italian north-eastern Alps, from December 2003 to October 2007, by VHF radio-tracking.

Key results
For both sexes, two main spatial tactics were described, including residents, remaining in the same area all year long, and shifters, using non-overlapping seasonal home ranges. Most deer showed consistent spatial behaviour. In all, 87% of stags and 49% of hinds were shifters. Sexual segregation was greater in winter than in summer. All hinds wintered in the same valley, with residents in the qualitatively poorer, but protected, area. Resident hinds showed a variable yearly reproductive success, whereas usually all shifters had a calf at heel. Rutting areas of hinds overlapped with their winter or summer ranges, whereas stags occupied up to three different areas yearly. Deer distribution determined a different harvesting pressure on the two sexes.

Conclusions
Although shifters and residents were found in both sexes, differences in spatial behaviour of stags and hinds were consistent for seasonal occupancy, habitat selection and number of seasonal home ranges. For hinds, a mixed spatial tactic, seasonality and hunting activities could be key factors of reproductive success.

Implications
Hunting could affect the proportions of shifter and resident hinds at different levels, with the latter benefiting from the protection accorded. This unequally distributed selective harvesting may alter the local social structure and population dynamics in the long term. Shifter behaviour, seasonal movements and sexual segregation may bias population estimates, if counts are conducted when individuals make seasonal movements. Furthermore, the size of a hunting unit should be function of the extent of local movements of deer.
Single event visualization of unconventional secretion of FGF2
Authors: Dimou Eleni , Cosentino Katia , Platonova Evgenia , Ros Uris , Sadeghi Mohsen , Kashyap Purba , Katsinelos Taxiarchis , Wegehingel Sabine , Noé Frank , García-Sáez Ana J. , Ewers Helge , Nickel Walter
Published: November 2018

FGF2 is exported from cells by an unconventional secretory mechanism. Here, we directly visualized individual FGF2 membrane translocation events at the plasma membrane using live cell TIRF microscopy. This process was dependent on both PI(4,5)P2–mediated recruitment of FGF2 at the inner leaflet and heparan sulfates capturing FGF2 at the outer plasma membrane leaflet. By simultaneous imaging of both FGF2 membrane recruitment and the appearance of FGF2 at the cell surface, we revealed the kinetics of FGF2 membrane translocation in living cells with an average duration of ∼200 ms. Furthermore, we directly demonstrated FGF2 oligomers at the inner leaflet of living cells with a FGF2 dimer being the most prominent species. We propose this dimer to represent a key intermediate in the formation of higher FGF2 oligomers that form membrane pores and put forward a kinetic model explaining the mechanism by which membrane-inserted FGF2 oligomers serve as dynamic translocation intermediates during unconventional secretion of FGF2.
Deciphering cancer fibroblasts
Authors: Biffi Giulia , Tuveson David A.
Published: November 2018

In this issue of JEM, Raz et al. (https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20180818) identify a subset of bone marrow–derived cells that uniquely promotes breast cancer angiogenesis and tumor growth. The existence of functional heterogeneity among stromal populations motivates further fundamental and therapeutic inquiries.
Who Will Benefit From Expanding HPV Vaccination Programs to Boys?
Authors: Qendri Venetia , Bogaards Johannes A , Berkhof Johannes
Published: November 2018

Indications for human papillomavirus vaccination programs are expanding to boys. However, the rationale behind their inclusion is often not clear. Using a Bayesian synthesis framework and assuming equal vaccine coverage in both sexes, we assessed how the incremental number of cancer cases prevented and life-years gained from boys’ vaccination are distributed between women, heterosexual men, and men who have sex with men (MSM). Below 60% coverage, at least 50% of the gains from boys’ vaccination was attributable to cervical cancer prevention, whereas at 80% coverage, 50% of the gains was attributable to women, 15% to heterosexual men, and 35% to MSM. Above 90% coverage, 85–100% of the gains from boys’ vaccination was attributable to anal and oropharyngeal cancer prevention, mainly in MSM. Sex-neutral vaccination can be advocated on grounds of bolstering herd protection to women and directly protecting men, particularly MSM, with the clinical significance of either argument determined by the coverage.
Bio-inspired low-tortuosity carbon host for high-performance lithium-metal anode
Authors: Yin Yi-Chen , Yu Zhi-Long , Ma Zhi-Yuan , Zhang Tian-Wen , Lu Yu-Yang , Ma Tao , Zhou Fei , Yao Hong-Bin , Yu Shu-Hong
Published: November 2018

Lithium metal is one of the most promising anode materials for high-energy-density Li batteries. However, low stability caused by dendrite growth and volume change during cycling hinders its practical application. Herein, we report an ingenious design of bio-inspired low-tortuosity carbon with tunable vertical micro-channels to be used as a host to incorporate nanosized Sn/Ni alloy nucleation sites, which can guide Li metal's plating/stripping and meanwhile accommodate the volume change. The pore sizes of the vertical channels of the carbon host can be regulated to investigate the structure–performance correlation. After compositing Li, the bio-inspired carbon host with the smallest pore size (∼14 μm) of vertical channels exhibits the lowest overpotential (∼18 mV at 1 mA cm−2), most stable tripping/plating voltage profiles, and best cycling stability (up to 500 cycles) in symmetrical cells. Notably, the carbon/Li composite anode is more rewarding than Li foil when coupled with LiFePO4 in full cells, exhibiting a much lower polarization effect, better rate capability and higher capacity retention (90.6% after 120 cycles). This novel bio-inspired design of a low-tortuosity carbon host with nanoalloy coatings may open a new avenue for fabricating advanced Li-metal batteries with high performance.
Developmental and reproductive characteristics of beef heifers classified by number of estrous cycles experienced by start of first breeding
Authors: Roberts Andrew J , Ketchum Jaclyn N , Funston Richard N
Published: November 2018

A retrospective analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of number of estrous cycles exhibited before breeding on growth and reproductive performance of replacement beef heifers fed ad-libitum or restricted by 20% less than ad-libitum during postweaning development over a 9-yr period. Progesterone concentration in blood samples collected at 9- to 11-d intervals were used to assign heifers into groups by number of estrous cycles exhibited before the start of breeding: 0 (nonpubertal; n = 395), 1 (n = 205), 2 (n = 211), 3 (n = 116), or >3 (n = 249). Heifers (P < 0.01) in the 0 cycle group were born 6 d later than the 1, 2, or 3 cycle groups, which were born 4 d later (P < 0.01) than the >3 cycle group. Weight of heifers at birth decreased (P < 0.05) as the number of cycles increased. Weaning weight and ultrasound measures of loin area and fat thickness over the loin at 1 yr age increased as the number of cycles increased (P < 0.01). Postwean weight gain, hip height at 1 yr age, and weights from the start of breeding through precalving increased with cycle numbers in a quadratic fashion (P < 0.02) and were greater (P < 0.05) in ad-libitum than restricted-fed heifers. Pregnancy rate in the 0 cycle group was lower (84%; P < 0.05) than the 1 (90%) or >3 (94%) estrous cycles groups and tended to differ (P < 0.1) from the 2 (88%) and 3 (89%) estrous cycle groups. Interval from the start of breeding to calving was 3 to 5 d longer (P < 0.05) for the 0 cycle group (300 ± 1 d) than other groups. Proportion of heifers calving in the first 21 d was less (P < 0.05) in the 0 or 1 cycle groups than other groups. Pregnancy rates of 2-yr-old cows (n = 898) were lowest (P < 0.05) for the 0 (73%) and 2 (79%) estrous cycle groups than the 1 (85%), 3 (90%), or >3 (92%) estrous cycle groups. Restricted level of feeding during postweaning development resulted in greater (P < 0.05) proportion of heifers in 0 cycle group and lower (P < 0.05) proportion in >3 cycle group, but reproductive performance was not influenced (P > 0.1) by level of feeding or interaction of feeding and estrous cycle grouping. In summary, date of birth and rate of physical maturation (weight, height, and fat deposition) were associated with timing of puberty. Pregnancy rate was greater in heifers that exhibited estrus before the start of breeding, but did not improve from having more than one estrous cycle. Proportion conceiving early was greater for heifers having two or more cycles before breeding.
Force inference predicts local and tissue-scale stress patterns in epithelia
Authors: Kong W. , Loison O. , Shivakumar P. , Collinet C. , Lenne P.F. , Clément R.
Published: November 2018

Morphogenesis relies on the active generation of forces, and the transmission of these forces to surrounding cells and tissues. Hence measuring forces directly in developing embryos is an essential task to study the mechanics of development. Among the experimental techniques that have emerged to measure forces in epithelial tissues, force inference is particularly appealing. Indeed it only requires a snapshot of the tissue, as it relies on the topology and geometry of cell contacts, assuming that forces are balanced at each vertex. However, establishing force inference as a reliable technique requires thorough validation in multiple conditions. Here we performed systematic comparisons of force inference with laser ablation experiments in three distinct Drosophila epithelia. We show that force inference accurately predicts single junction tensions, tension patterns in stereotyped groups of cells, and tissue-scale stress patterns, in wild type and mutant conditions. We emphasize its ability to capture the distribution of forces at different scales from a single image, which gives it a critical advantage over perturbative techniques such as laser ablation. Our results demonstrate that force inference is a reliable and efficient method to quantify the mechanics of epithelial tissues during morphogenesis.
Effects of 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine on human osteoarthritic chondrocytes
Authors: Kadler Shirin , Vural Özlem , Reiners-Schramm Luzia , Lauster Roland , Rosowski Mark
Published: November 2018

Background

Given regenerative therapies, the utilization of primary human cells is desired and requested in the development of in vitro systems and disease models. After a few passages in vitro, all cells from the connective tissue end up in a similar fibroblastoid cell type marked by loss of the specific expression pattern. It is still under discussion whether different de-differentiated mesenchymal cells have similar or identical differentiation capacities in vitro.

Methods

Chondrocytes isolated from patients with late-stage osteoarthritis were cultured for several passages until de-differentiation was completed. The mRNA level of cartilage markers was investigated, and the adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation capacity was examined. By adding 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) to the media, the influence of DNA methylation on the differentiation capacity was analyzed.

Results

The chondrocytes used in this work were not affected by the loss of specific gene expression upon cell culture. The mRNA levels of SOX5, SOX6, SOX9, aggrecan, and proteoglycan-4 remained unchanged. The underlying mechanisms of cartilage marker maintenance in osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes were investigated with a focus on the epigenetic modification by DNA methylation. The treatment of de-differentiated chondrocytes with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) displayed no appreciable impact on the observed maintenance of marker gene expression, while the chondrogenic differentiation capacity was compromised. On the other hand, the pre-cultivation with 5-aza-dC improved the osteogenesis and adipogenesis of OA chondrocytes. Contradictory to these effects, the DNA methylation levels were not reduced after treatment with 1 μM 5-aza-dC for four weeks.

Conclusion

Chondrocytes isolated from late-stage osteoarthritic patients represents a reliable cell source for in vitro studies as wells as disease models since the chondrogenic differentiation potential remains. 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine could not further improve their chondrogenic potential.
Biofilm/Persister/Stationary Phase Bacteria Cause More Severe Disease Than Log Phase Bacteria – II Infection with Persister Forms of Staphylococcus aureus Causes a Chronic Persistent Skin Infection with More Severe Lesion that Takes Longer to Heal and is not Eradicated by the Current Recommended Treatment in Mice
Authors: Yee Rebecca , Yuan Yuting , Brayton Cory , Leal Andreina Tarff , Feng Jie , Shi Wanliang , Behrens Ashley , Zhang Ying
Published: November 2018

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause persistent infections clinically. Treatment for chronic S. aureus infections ranges from at least one week to several months and such infections are prone to relapse likely due to the presence of persistent forms of bacteria such as persister cells. Persister cells, which are bacterial cells that become dormant under stress conditions, can be isolated in vitro but their clinical significance in in vivo infections are largely unclear. Here, we evaluated S. aureus persistent forms using stationary phase cultures and biofilm bacteria (enriched in persisters) in comparison with log phase cultures in terms of their ability to cause disease in a mouse skin infection model. Surprisingly, we found that infection of mice with stationary phase cultures and biofilm bacteria produced a more severe chronic skin infection with more pronounced lesions which took longer to heal than log phase (actively growing) cultures. After two week infection, the bacterial load and skin tissue pathology, as determined by hyperplasia, immune cell infiltration, and crust/lesion formation, of mice infected with the more persistent forms (e.g. stationary phase bacteria and biofilm bacteria) were greater than mice infected with log phase bacteria. Using our persistent infection mouse model, we showed that the clinically recommended treatment for recurrent S. aureus skin infection, doxycycline + rifampin, was not effective in eradicating the bacteria in the treatment study, despite reducing lesion sizes and pathology in infected mice. Analogous findings were also observed in a Caenorhabditis elegans model, where S.aureus stationary phase cultures caused a greater mortality than log phase culture as early as two days post-infection. Thus, we established a new model for chronic persistent infections using persister bacteria that could serve as a relevant model to evaluate therapeutic options for persistent infections in general. Our findings connect persisters with persistent infections, have implications for understanding disease pathogenesis, and are likely to be broadly valid for other pathogens.
Antiretroviral therapy is a major cause of tuberculosis decline in southern and eastern Africa
Authors: Dye Christopher , Williams Brian G.
Published: November 2018

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in southern and eastern Africa was driven sharply upwards during 1980s and 1990s by coinfection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although drug treatments for TB infection (isoniazid preventive therapy) and disease (combinations of TB drugs) can reduce TB incidence if implemented effectively, we find that antiretroviral therapy (ART) given to people with HIV infection was strongly and systematically associated with the accelerated decline of TB in 12 of the worst affected African countries between 2003 and 2016. Inferring that ART was a significant cause of TB decline, ART prevented approximately 1.88 ± 0.23 million HIV-positive TB cases, or 15.7 ± 1.9 percent of the total number expected. There is no evidence that drug treatment of TB infection (IPT) or disease (combination chemotherapy) played more than a minor role in accelerating TB decline after 2003. In these 12 countries, over the period 2003–16, ART made a major contribution towards achieving international targets for the reduction of TB incidence.

Significance

Tuberculosis (TB) is still the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. To cut the TB incidence rate by 80% between 2015 and 2030, in line with the WHO End TB Strategy, demands a five-fold increase in the rate of decline worldwide, from 2% to 10%/year. We find that the reduction in TB incidence rate in 12 African countries, at up to 8%/year, is due mainly to the expanded provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to people living with HIV, rather than to improvements in the treatment of TB infection and disease. ART should remain central to TB control where rates of TB-HIV coinfection are high, but new efforts are needed to maximize the direct benefits of treating TB infection and disease.
Wheel-running exercise during adolescence may not convincingly impact cocaine conditioned place preference in male C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Lespine Louis-Ferdinand , Tirelli Ezio
Published: November 2018

Wheel-running in rodents can mitigate addiction-related effects of drugs of abuse like cocaine. However, experiments using conditioned place preference (CPP) are conflicting, warranting further studies. Our purpose was to test whether wheel-running during adolescence could impact the formation and long-term retention of CPP to cocaine in mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were individually housed either with (n=32) or without (n=32) a running wheel from the age of 35 days. Behavioral testing began 3 weeks after such housing, mice underwent a baseline session followed by 10 once-daily conditioning sessions receiving peritoneal injections of 10 mg/kg cocaine and saline on alternate days (n=16), control mice receiving saline every day (n=16). One and 21 days after the last conditioning session, they were tested for CPP. Both groups exhibited comparable well-marked cocaine-induced CPP in both post-conditioning tests resulting in a negligible interaction between housing and the pharmacological treatment (η²p < 0.01). These results, along with the discrepancy found in the literature, question the nature (and the robustness) of the effects that exercise induces on CPP to cocaine.
A mathematical model of calcium dynamics: Obesity and mitochondria-associated ER membranes
Authors: Han Jung Min , Periwal Vipul
Published: November 2018

Multiple cellular organelles tightly orchestrate intracellular calcium (Ca2+) dynamics to regulate cellular activities and maintain homeostasis. The interplay between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a major store of intracellular Ca2+, and mitochondria, an important source of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), has been the subject of much research, as their dysfunctionality has been linked with metabolic diseases. Interestingly, through out the cell’s cytosolic domain, these two organelles share common microdomains called mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs), where their membranes are in close apposition. The role of MAMs is critical for intracellular Ca2+ dynamics as they provide hubs for direct Ca2+ exchange between the organelles. A recent experimental study reported correlation between obesity and MAM formation in mouse liver cells, and obesity-related cellular changes that are closely associated with the regulation of Ca2+ dynamics. We constructed a mathematical model to study the effects of MAM Ca2+ dynamics on global Ca2+ activities. Through a series of model simulations, we investigated cellular mechanisms underlying the altered Ca2+ dynamics in the cells under obesity. We found that the formation of MAMs is negatively correlated with the amplitude of cytosolic Ca2+ activities, but positively correlated with that of mitochondrial Ca2+ dynamics and the overall frequency of Ca2+ oscillations. We predict that, as the dosage of stimulus gradually increases, liver cells from obese mice will reach the state of saturated cytosolic Ca2+ concentration at a lower stimulus concentration, compared to cells from healthy mice.

Author summary

It is well known that intracellular Ca2+ oscillations carry encoded signals in their amplitude and frequency to regulate various cellular processes, and accumulating evidence supports the importance of the interplay between the ER and mitochondria in cellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Miscommunications between the organelles may be involved in the development of metabolic diseases. Based on a recent experimental study that spotlighted a correlation between obesity and physical interactions of the ER and mitochondria in mouse hepatic cells, we constructed a mathematical model as a probing tool that can be used to computationally investigate the effects of the cellular changes linked with obesity on global cellular Ca2+ dynamics. Our model successfully reproduced the experimental study that observed a positive correlation between the ER-mitochondrial junctions and the magnitude of mitochondrial Ca2+ responses. We postulate that hepatic cells from lean animals exhibit Ca2+ oscillations that are more robust under higher concentrations of stimulus, compared to cells from obese animals.
Systematic study of a corrugated waveguide as a microwave undulator
Authors: Zhang Liang , He Wenlong , Clarke Jim , Ronald Kevin , Phelps Alan D. R. , Cross Adrian
Published: November 2018

Microwave undulators have great potential to be used in short-wavelength free-electron lasers. In this paper, the properties of a corrugated waveguide and its performance as an undulator cavity for a UK X-ray free-electron laser were systematically studied. The equations presented in this paper allow a fast estimation of the dimensions of the corrugated waveguide. An undulator cavity operating at 36 GHz designed for the HE11 and HE12 modes was investigated and the performance of both modes compared.
Exploring retention factors and job security of nurses in Gauteng public hospitals in South Africa
Authors: Dhanpat Nelesh , Manakana Tlou , Mbacaza Jessica , Mokone Dineo , Mtongana Busisiwe
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between employee retention and job security and the impact of retention factors on the job security of nurses in public hospitals in South Africa. The retention of nurses is essential in public hospitals in South Africa. It is therefore critical that retention strategies are primed to ensure the job security of nurses.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is quantitative in nature, adopts a cross-sectional approach and is set within a positivist research paradigm. Pre-established questionnaires were used to collect data. Non-probability sampling was used to select a convenience sample. Questionnaires were distributed to three public hospitals in Johannesburg and 202 responses were received. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire were established through validity and reliability. Inferential and descriptive statistics were deployed to analyse data.

Findings

The study established that there is a relationship between retention factors and job security. The study further identified retention factors as predictors of job security and noted that training and development was the strongest predictor of job security amongst nurses. In addition, the study contributes towards research on retention practices of nurses from a South African perspective.

Practical implications

The study recommendations are diagrammatically represented. If implemented by human resource practitioners and nursing management, they are likely to enhance job security.

Originality/value

The study provides insights on the retention of nursing professionals in public hospitals in Gauteng and identifies retention factors which contribute most towards job security.
Protecting my baby: a qualitative study of the health promoting practices of pregnant Burmese migrant women living in Thailand
Authors: Phanwichatkul Titaree , Burns Elaine , Liamputtong Pranee , Schmied Virginia
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe Burmese migrant women’s perceptions of health and well-being during pregnancy, their health promoting practices and their experiences with the Thai antenatal services.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used an ethnographic design. Observations were conducted in two antenatal clinics in southern Thailand. Ten Burmese migrant women and three Burmese interpreters participated in interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

The Burmese women wanted to take care of themselves and their baby to the best of their ability. This included following traditional practices and attending the antenatal clinic if able. Negotiating the demands of earning an income, and protecting their unborn baby, sometimes led to unhealthy practices such as consuming energy drinks and herbal tonics to improve performance. Accessing antenatal care was a positive health seeking behaviour noted in this community, however, it was not available to all.

Research limitations/implications

This is a small ethnographic study conducted in one Province in Thailand and all Burmese participants were legal migrants. Further research is required to understand the needs of pregnant women not able to access maternity services because of their status as an illegal migrant.

Practical implications

Community-based health promotion initiatives need to focus on the nutrition of pregnant women who are migrants living in southern Thailand. New models of care may increase migrant women’s use of antenatal services.

Originality/value

Most studies of the health of migrant women are conducted in high-income countries. This study demonstrates the difficulties experienced by women migrating from a low to middle-income country.
Unethical sales behavior neutralization: the impact of salesperson role variables and moderating effects of role relationship orientation
Authors: Munoz Laura , Mallin Michael
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between salesperson role perceptions and use of neutralization techniques, given the relationship orientation of the salesperson. Direct relationships between salesperson role conflict, role ambiguity, role task self-efficacy and a salesperson’s propensity to use neutralizations to attribute their unethical selling behavior are tested. The moderating effects of role-relationship orientation on the aforementioned relationships are also explored

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 163 (cross-industry, B2B/B2C non-retail) salespeople. Results were analyzed and seven hypotheses were tested using SmartPLS to estimate and evaluate a (partial least squares) structural model.

Findings

The study findings conclude that role ambiguity, role task self-efficacy and role relationship orientation directly impact a salesperson’s tendency to use neutralization techniques to justify unethical sales behavior. Role relationship orientation serves to moderate the relationship between role conflict and neutralization use.

Research limitations/implications

This research integrates attribution and role theories to isolate the conditions where salespeople are prone to use neutralization techniques to justify their unethical behavior. Salesperson role relationship orientation is explored to understand the moderating effects on the salesperson role–neutralization relationships.

Practical implications

Sales managers are provided guidance (e.g. training and coaching) to help salespeople navigate feelings of negative role perceptions (role conflict, role ambiguity, role self-efficacy) to minimize the impact on justification of unethical sales behaviors.

Originality/value

This research builds on the sales and ethics literatures by incorporating role and attribution theory to better understand how salespeople approach dealing with their own unethical behavior and the implications on maintaining relationships with their customers.
Strategic plurality in intergenerational hand-over
Authors: Osnes Gry , Hök Liv , Yanli Hou Olive , Haug Mona , Grady Victoria , Grady James D.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

With strategy-as-practice theory the authors explore successful business-owning families hand-over of roles to the next generation. The authors argue for the usefulness of strategy-as-practice theory in exploring the complexity and plurality of best practices in intergenerational hand-over. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-cultural in-depth case study with best practice cases from China, Germany, Sweden, England, Tanzania, Israel and the USA, based on in-depth interviews of family members and non-family employees.

Findings

The authors identified three different succession patterns: a “monolithic practice,” a distributed leadership hand-over, and active ownership with a non-family managing director/CEO. Two other types of hand-over practices were categorized as incubator patterns that formed a part of, or replaced, what we traditionally see as a hand-over of roles. Families would switch between these practices.

Research limitations/implications

Surprisingly, a monolithic succession practice (a one-company-one-leadership role) was rarely used. Quantitative and qualitative research should consider, as should advisors to family owners and family businesses, the plurality of succession practices. Education should explore a variation of succession and how the dynamic of gender influences the process.

Practical implications

Giving practitioners, such as research and practitioner, an overview of strategic options so as to explore these in a client or research case.

Social implications

Adding the notions that the family is an incubator for new entrepreneurship makes it possible to show how not only sector or public policy generate new ventures. That family as source of entrepreneurship has been well established in the field but it mainstream policy thinking the family is not seen as such a source.

Originality/value

The paper offers an integrative model of the complexity of hand-over practices of ownership and leadership roles. It shows how these practices are fundamental for understanding how a family’s ownership and their leadership of businesses and new entrepreneurship develops.
Technology transfer as a part of the business – inter-organizational transfer strategies based on experiences of aircraft production
Authors: Fredriksson Anna , Malm Anna , Skov Madsen Erik
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is through a literature study and a study of the Saab offset cases to identify strategies to increase inter-organizational transfer capability.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a literature study and a study of three of Saab’s offset cases and Saab’s process for technology transfer.

Findings

This study has identified inter-organizational transfer strategies based on the importance of the hierarchy of decision-making and the change from capacity transfers to capability transfers in offset business. The type of performance goals set in the business agreement decides how to realize the transfer. The hierarchy of decision-making creates a need to align the understanding of the performance goals between the different parts of the organization, which affect the plans for how to transfer knowledge between the organizational as well as the individual levels. To reach the performance goals of the technology transfer, there needs to be a balance between the disseminative capability of the sender and the absorptive capability of the receiver.

Research limitations/implications

This study is based on a single case within a relatively unique industry with an offset perspective and production transfers. Therefore, there is also a need for future studies to confirm the identified relationships within outsourcing/offset within other industries and other types of transfers.

Originality/value

A change from capacity transfers to capability transfers in both outsourcing/offshoring and offset business indicates that more research should be placed on the disseminative capacity of the sender. The literature review revealed that the disseminative capacity of the sender has been the subject of less research than the absorptive capacity of the receiver.
The feasibility of innovation and entrepreneurial education in middle schools
Authors: Jónsdóttir Svanborg Rannveig , Macdonald M. Allyson
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to construct a means of assessing the feasibility of implementing innovation and entrepreneurial education (IEE) in schools. The study focuses on teaching IEE in middle school (Grades 5–7).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from six middle school teachers in three Icelandic compulsory schools through on-site observations and semi-structured interviews with teachers and principals. Data including documentary evidence were subjected to the method of constant comparison. A model of nested systems provided concepts to create categories for a general rubric of feasible IEE development, the Social ecology rubrics for innovation and entrepreneurship in schools (SERIES).

Findings

Profiles of the six IEE teachers emerged during data collection. Teachers found some IEE methods challenging, especially “standing back” allowing students freedom and agency. Implementation was fragile when IEE developed without support from neighboring systems. In all three schools the weakest connections were with the exosystem (general views in society).

Practical implications

The range of knowledge, skills and competences that emerged in the data could be discussed with teachers as a source of professional development. The application of the SERIES approach can benefit policy, research and practice and developing similar rubrics can provide a valuable assessment approach in other curriculum areas.

Originality/value

An advantage of the rubric is that it is descriptive rather than prescriptive, giving schools an opportunity to develop their own standards. Any professional group can produce their own profile, with categories of levels and systems that reflect their own practice and development.
Hybrid differential evolution algorithms for the optimal camera placement problem
Authors: Brévilliers Mathieu , Lepagnot Julien , Idoumghar Lhassane , Rebai Maher , Kritter Julien
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate to what extent hybrid differential evolution (DE) algorithms can be successful in solving the optimal camera placement problem.

Design/methodology/approach

This problem is stated as a unicost set covering problem (USCP) and 18 problem instances are defined according to practical operational needs. Three methods are selected from the literature to solve these instances: a CPLEX solver, greedy algorithm and row weighting local search (RWLS). Then, it is proposed to hybridize these algorithms with two hybrid DE approaches designed for combinatorial optimization problems. The first one is a set-based approach (DEset) from the literature. The second one is a new similarity-based approach (DEsim) that takes advantage of the geometric characteristics of a camera to find better solutions.

Findings

The experimental study highlights that RWLS and DEsim-CPLEX are the best proposed algorithms. Both easily outperform CPLEX, and it turns out that RWLS performs better on one class of problem instances, whereas DEsim-CPLEX performs better on another class, depending on the minimal resolution needed in practice.

Originality/value

Up to now, the efficiency of RWLS and the DEset approach has been investigated only for a few problems. Thus, the first contribution is to apply these methods for the first time in the context of camera placement. Moreover, new hybrid DE algorithms are proposed to solve the optimal camera placement problem when stated as a USCP. The second main contribution is the design of the DEsim approach that uses the distance between camera locations to fully benefit from the DE mutation scheme.
Decoding the elemental arcs of superior performance in sustainable supply chains
Authors: Roy Vivek
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to delve into the intricate depths surrounding the development of sustainable supply chains by conceptualizing the elemental aspects of superior performance in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is conceptual in nature and is grounded in the theories of SSCM and knowledge-based view.

Findings

The findings outline the elemental background processes governing the implementation of SSCM practices and superior performance outcomes. The conceptualization suggests that the superior performance of a sustainable supply chain is elementally dependent on the intricate efforts – to enrich the supply chain knowledge base with perspectives on SSCM. Thereby, these intricate efforts are delineated along the arcs of supply chain leadership, supply chain learning orientation, supply chain knowledge management (SCKM) and supply chain knowledge transfer. As such, while an SSCM orientation within the supply chain leadership is helpful in offsetting the inertia among the supply chain members to channelize intricate efforts in SSCM, the SSCM-based supply chain learning orientation further orientates the SSCM efforts of supply chain members toward the excavation of new knowledge in the frame of SSCM. Subsequently, the arcs of SSCM-based SCKM and SSCM-based supply chain knowledge transfer characterize the finer spaces of knowledge excavating actions, essential for enriching the supply chain knowledge base with perspectives on SSCM.

Originality/value

This conceptualization facilitates intriguing theoretical explanations to the linkage between SSCM implementation and superior performance outcomes. Specifically, from the knowledge-based angle, it delineates the root causes governing the superior/inferior nature of SSCM outcomes.
A combined compromise solution (CoCoSo) method for multi-criteria decision-making problems
Authors: Yazdani Morteza , Zarate Pascale , Kazimieras Zavadskas Edmundas , Turskis Zenonas
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the advantage of a combinatory methodology presented in this study. The paper suggests that the comparison with results of previously developed methods is in high agreement.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper introduces a combined compromise decision-making algorithm with the aid of some aggregation strategies. The authors have considered a distance measure, which originates from grey relational coefficient and targets to enhance the flexibility of the results. Hence, the weight of the alternatives is placed in the decision-making process with three equations. In the final stage, an aggregated multiplication rule is employed to release the ranking of the alternatives and end the decision process.

Findings

The authors described a real case of choosing logistics and transportation companies in France from a supply chain project. Some comparisons such as sensitivity analysis approach and comparing to other studies and methods provided to validate the performance of the proposed algorithm.

Originality/value

The algorithm has a unique structure among MCDM methods which is presented for the first time in this paper.
Entrepreneurial continuance logic
Authors: Datta Pratim , Peck Jessica Ann , Koparan Ipek , Nieuwenhuizen Cecile
Published: November 2018

Purpose

While much has been debated about venture formation and demise, the behavioral dynamics of why entrepreneurs intend to continue and persevere post-startup have received scant attention and scrutiny. Building upon the rich tapestry of entrepreneurial cognition, the purpose of this paper is to forward entrepreneurial continuance logic as a theoretical framework to empirically investigate the antecedents, contingencies and mediators of entrepreneurial continuance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using observations from surveying 156 practicing entrepreneurs across the USA, UK, South Africa and India, this research offers interesting findings.

Findings

Results surface attitudinal tensions between the transactional attitudes of entrepreneurial climate, entrepreneurial responsiveness and calculative commitment and the relational attitudes of affective and normative continuance. Specifically, the authors find that affect is the strongest direct predictor of continuance intentions but only in the absence of entrepreneurial responsiveness behavior.

Research limitations/implications

Entrepreneurial responsiveness, rather than commitment, is found to be a core continuance constituent, traceable as a positive influence on continuance as a direct antecedent, a moderator and a mediator.

Practical implications

The research reveals that entrepreneurs willing to seize and adapt to a changing entrepreneurial landscape are more like to continue with their ventures, but not just driven by strict underpinnings of affect and norms but by a strong sense of economic rationality.

Social implications

Entrepreneurial continuance is an important behavioral phenomenon with substantial socio-economic consequences. Given the scant attention paid to entrepreneurial continuance – symptomatic of broader downstream effects of entrepreneurial survival and positive socio-economic spillovers, the authors embark on a systematic investigation of continuance intention as post-startup behavior.

Originality/value

The paper explains post-startup entrepreneurial behavior in several ways. First, while affective commitment, a relational attitude, still drives continuance intentions, calculative commitment, a transactional attitude, is a significant contender. Interestingly, the nature of contemporary entrepreneurship disregards continuance behavior based on norms. Second, entrepreneurial responsiveness needs to be cautiously examined in relationship to commitment and continuance. Entrepreneurial responsiveness, a transactional attitude, positively influences continuance; however, in the presence of a relational attitude such as affective commitment, the interplay reduces continuance intentions. Third, perceptions of entrepreneurial climate are found to trigger more opportunity-seeking behavior among entrepreneurs, which in turn increases an entrepreneur’s intention to continue.
The effect of industry association on firm innovation in Chinese private ventures
Authors: Zhang Wenge , Li Jun , Mai Yiyuan
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between industry association membership and firm innovation in Chinese private ventures. A secondary objective is to investigate potential moderating effects of firm learning practices and founder characteristics on the above relationship, and to draw out implications for policymakers and practitioners.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilizes data from a sample of 567 Chinese entrepreneurial firms operating in 9 designated emerging industries. Hierarchical regression models were employed to analyze the effect of industry association membership on firm innovation, and the potential moderating effects. A 2SLS procedure was adopted to control for potential endogeneity issue. Supplemental analyses were conducted to ensure the robustness of the findings.

Findings

The paper provides empirical insights about how industry association membership, along with firm learning practice and founder leadership, affect firm innovation in Chinese private ventures in emerging industries. It suggests that industry association membership positively affects firm innovation. Further, there is a three-way interaction effect of industry association membership, learning practice and founder power on innovation.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the design of the data set, there are some limitations. First, the study only considered whether a firm belongs to an industry association, but not the nature of such membership (length, firm status in the association, etc.). Second, the cross-sectional design may limit the power of the study to make casual implications about the tested relationships.

Practical implications

The paper provides important practical implications for policymakers and entrepreneurs in China. In general, the results suggest that private ventures pursuing innovation in emerging industries can benefit from industry associations, and entrepreneurs shall actively engage in firm-level and personal-level learning. For policymakers, the study suggests that to foster innovation in an emerging industry, special attention shall be paid to building necessary institutional support to develop and to strengthen the role of industry association in the industry.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills an important gap in the literature in that it is one of the first, which investigates the role of the industry association in firm innovation, especially in a non-western context. This paper provides new insights into the role of industry association and firm innovation in an under-researched developing economy context.
Transactional leadership and dynamic capabilities: the mediating effect of regulatory focus
Authors: Xu Feng , Wang Xiaohong
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The mechanism of leadership’s impact on dynamic capabilities has aroused widespread interest, but few studies focus on transactional leadership, especially empirical research by micro foundations in the R&D departments from collaborative innovation alliances. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the mechanism of transactional leadership affects dynamic capabilities based on the mediating effect of regulatory focus.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to better illustrate the role of transactional leadership on dynamic capabilities, the authors introduced regulatory focus as a mediator based on previous research. A sample of 245 dyads comprised of full-time employees and their immediate supervisors was collected from the innovation teams of industry-university alliances through questionnaires in China and analyzed via hierarchical regression method. Non-response bias and endogeneity testing were also conducted to confirm the validity of the findings.

Findings

Contingency-reward behavior promotes the development of employee sensing and seizing capability. Management-by-exception promotes the development of employee reconfiguration capability. Promotion focus positively mediates the relationship between contingency-reward and sensing-seizing capability. Prevention focus positively mediates the relationship between management-by-exception and sensing-seizing capability. In addition, management-by-exception is also positively related to sensing capability and promotion focus is positively related to reconfiguration capability.

Originality/value

This paper confirmed different dimensions of transactional leadership favor different dimensions of dynamic capabilities based on different dimensions of regulatory focus, which enriches the theory of strategic leadership and dynamic capabilities, and is conducive to the management of collaborative innovation in technological innovation alliances.