bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A faster escape does not enhance survival in zebrafish larvae
Authors: Nair Arjun , Nguyen Christy , McHenry Matthew J.
Published: April 2017

An escape response is a rapid manoeuvre used by prey to evade predators. Performing this manoeuvre at greater speed, in a favourable direction, or from a longer distance have been hypothesized to enhance the survival of prey, but these ideas are difficult to test experimentally. We examined how prey survival depends on escape kinematics through a novel combination of experimentation and mathematical modelling. This approach focused on zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae under predation by adults and juveniles of the same species. High-speed three-dimensional kinematics were used to track the body position of prey and predator and to determine the probability of behavioural actions by both fish. These measurements provided the basis for an agent-based probabilistic model that simulated the trajectories of the animals. Predictions of survivorship by this model were found by Monte Carlo simulations to agree with our observations and we examined how these predictions varied by changing individual model parameters. Contrary to expectation, we found that survival may not be improved by increasing the speed or altering the direction of the escape. Rather, zebrafish larvae operate with sufficiently high locomotor performance due to the relatively slow approach and limited range of suction feeding by fish predators. We did find that survival was enhanced when prey responded from a greater distance. This is an ability that depends on the capacity of the visual and lateral line systems to detect a looming threat. Therefore, performance in sensing, and not locomotion, is decisive for improving the survival of larval fish prey. These results offer a framework for understanding the evolution of predator–prey strategy that may inform prey survival in a broad diversity of animals.
Motif Disruption Domains Lead To Cancer Gene Expression Rewiring
Authors: Lamaze Fabien C. , Chateigner Aurelien , Edgington Hilary A. , Fave Marie-Julie , Houle Armande Ang ,   PCAWG3, Awadalla Philip
Published: April 2017

Somatic mutations accumulate in non-coding regions of the genome during tumorigenesis, but their functional characterization presents a challenge. Somatic non-coding mutations rarely overlap among patients, which necessitates large sample sizes to detect associations. We analysed somatic mutations called from whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and RNA sequencing (RNAseq) from 3000 tumors across the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes to identify and functionally characterize mutation accumulation and its impact on gene dysregulation in cancer. We identified 1.5 million motif disruption domains (MDDs) across 40 cancer types, which we characterized as pan-cancer targets for recurrent mutation accumulation. These MDDs deregulate gene expression in cancer-specific and pan-cancer patterns by disrupting transcription factor binding sites in regulatory and insulator elements. Disruption is most recurrent across individuals at MDDs in conserved open chromatin, revealing potential drivers. This accumulation of somatic variants targeting regulatory and structural elements in MDDs generates gene expression dysregulation during tumorigenesis.
Small effect-size mutations cumulatively affect yeast quantitative traits
Authors: Hua Bo , Springer Michael
Published: April 2017

Quantitative traits are influenced by pathways that have traditionally been defined through genes that have a large loss- or gain-of-function effect. However, in theory, a large number of small effect-size genes could cumulative play a substantial role in pathway function, potentially by acting as “modifiers” that tune the levels of large effect size pathway components. To understand the role of these small effect-size genes, we used a quantitative assay to determine the number, strength, and identity of all non-essential genes that affect two galactose-responsive (GAL) traits, in addition to re-analyzing two previously screened quantitative traits. Over a quarter of assayed genes have a detectable effect; approximately two thirds of the quantitative trait variation comes from small effect-size genes. The functions of small effect-size genes are partially overlapping between traits and are enriched in core cellular processes. This implies that genetic variation in one process has the potential to influence behavior or disease in seemingly unconnected processes.

Highlights

Four yeast quantitative traits are affected by thousands of small effect-size genes.

Small effect-size genes are enriched in core cellular processes

The effects of these genes are quantitative trait-specific.
Modelling neuroanatomical variation due to age and sex during childhood and adolescence
Authors: Ball Gareth , Adamson Chris , Beare Richard , Seal Marc L. ,   the Pediatric Imaging, Neurocognition and Genetics
Published: April 2017

Brain development is a dynamic process that follows a well-defined trajectory during childhood and adolescence with tissue-specific alterations that reflect complex and ongoing biological processes. Accurate identification and modelling of these anatomical processesin vivowith MRI may provide clinically useful imaging markers of individual variability in development. In this study, we build a model of age- and sex-related anatomical variation using multiple imaging metrics and manifold learning.

Using publicly-available data from two large, independent developmental cohorts (n=768, 862), we apply a multi-metric machine learning approach combining measures of tissue volume, cortical area and cortical thickness into a low-dimensional data representation.

We find that neuroanatomical variation due to age and sex can be captured by two orthogonal patterns of brain development and we use this model to simultaneously predict age with a mean error of 1.5-1.6 years and sex with an accuracy of 81%.

We present a framework for modelling anatomical development during childhood using manifold embedding. This model accurately predicts age and sex based on image-derived markers of cerebral morphology and generalises well to independent populations.
Intermolecular disulfide-bond formation in human FICD modulates the activity of the hyperactive E234G mutant
Authors: Magnoni Raffaella , Virolainen Minttu S. , Hackney Celeste M. , Søltoft Cecilie L. , Cordeiro Ana P. , Liu Yun , Scavenius Carsten , Enghild Jan J. , Christensen Brian , Paton James , Paton Adrienne W. , Sørensen Esben S. , Ellgaard Lars
Published: April 2017

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress that leads to the accumulation of misfolded proteins in the ER initiates the unfolded protein response (UPR). This homeostatic response activates signaling pathways that seek to reinstate a proper ER protein folding balance or induce apoptosis if ER stress persists. Recently, we and others identified human FICD (Filamentation induced by cyclic AMP domain-containing protein), an enzyme with adenylyltransferase (aka AMPylation) activity, as a new UPR target. Here, we demonstrate that FICD is functionally linked to the UPR, as evidenced by the finding that the adenylyltransferase activity of the protein induces ER stress, while FICD silencing increases sensitivity to ER stress. We identify BiP, an abundant ER chaperone and key regulator of the UPR, as the main substrate of FICD AMPylation in ER-derived microsomes, further emphasizing close functional connection of FICD to the UPR and in line with recent reports that AMPylation inactivates BiP. Notably, BiP overexpression increased the levels of BiP AMPylation as well as FICD auto-AMPylation, suggesting a homeostatic response that balances the pool of active BiP to modulate its functions in protein folding as well as UPR signaling. Finally, we show that overexpressed FICD forms a disulfide-bonded homo-dimer through Cys51 and Cys75 and demonstrate that mutation of these two cysteines in the context of a hyperactive FICD mutant leads to increased BiP AMPylation. This latter finding opens up the possibility that FICD activity is redox regulated and closely connected with ER redox homeostasis.
Chaperonin facilitates protein folding by avoiding polypeptide collapse
Authors: Motojima Fumihiro , Fujii Katsuya , Yoshida Masasuke
Published: April 2017

Chaperonins assist folding of many cellular proteins, including essential proteins for cell viability. However, it remains unclear how chaperonin-assisted folding is different from spontaneous folding. Chaperonin GroEL/GroES facilitates folding of denatured protein encapsulated in its central cage but the denatured protein often escapes from the cage to the outside during reaction. Here, we show evidence that the in-cage-folding and the escape occur diverging from the same intermediate complex in which polypeptide is tethered loosely to the cage and partly protrudes out of the cage. Furthermore, denatured proteins in the chaperonin cage start their folding from extended conformations but not from compact conformations as usually observed in spontaneous folding. We propose that the formation of tethered intermediate of polypeptide is necessary to prevent polypeptide collapse at the expense of polypeptide escape. The tethering of polypeptide would allow freely mobile portions of tethered polypeptide to fold segmentally. The folding acceleration and deceleration by chaperonin for various substrate proteins can be explained by considering the tethering.
High Accuracy Base Calls in Nanopore Sequencing
Authors: Faucon Philippe , Trevino Robert , Balachandran Parithi , Standage-Beier Kylie , Wang Xiao
Published: April 2017

Nanopore sequencing has introduced the ability to sequence long stretches of DNA, enabling the resolution of repeating segments, or paired SNPs across long stretches of DNA. Unfortunately significant error rates >15%, introduced through systematic and random noise inhibit downstream analysis. We propose a novel method, using unsupervised learning, to correct biologically amplified reads before downstream analysis proceeds. We also demonstrate that our method has performance comparable to existing techniques without limiting the detection of repeats, or the length of the input sequence.
Sensitivity to statistical structure facilitates perceptual analysis of complex auditory scenes
Authors: Aman Lucie , Picken Samantha , Andreou Lefkothea-Vasiliki , Chait Maria
Published: April 2017

The notion that sensitivity to the statistical structure of the environment is pivotal to perception has recently garnered considerable attention. Here we investigated this issue in the context of hearing. Building on previous work (Sohoglu & Chait, 2016b), stimuli were artificial ‘sound-scapes’ populated by multiple (up to 14) simultaneous sources (‘auditory objects’) comprised of tone-pip sequences, each with a distinct frequency and pattern of amplitude modulation. Sequences were either temporally regular or random.

We show that listeners’ ability to detect abrupt appearance or disappearance of a source is facilitated when scene sources were characterized by a temporally regular fluctuation pattern. The patterning of the changing source as well as that of the background (non-changing) sources contribute independently to this effect. Remarkably, listeners benefit from regularity even when they are not consciously aware of it. These findings establish that perception of complex acoustic scenes relies on the availability of detailed representations of the regularities automatically extracted from each scene source.
Transcriptional integration of paternal and maternal factors in the Arabidopsis zygote
Authors: Ueda Minako , Aichinger Ernst , Gong Wen , Groot Edwin , Verstraeten Inge , Vu Lam Dai , De Smet Ive , Higashiyama Tetsuya , Umeda Masaaki , Laux Thomas
Published: April 2017

In many plants, the asymmetric division of the zygote sets up the apical–basal axis of the embryo. Unlike animals, plant zygotes are transcriptionally active, implying that plants have evolved specific mechanisms to control transcriptional activation of patterning genes in the zygote. In Arabidopsis, two pathways have been found to regulate zygote asymmetry: YODA (YDA) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, which is potentiated by sperm-delivered mRNA of the SHORT SUSPENSOR (SSP) membrane protein, and up-regulation of the patterning gene WOX8 by the WRKY2 transcription factor. How SSP/YDA signaling is transduced into the nucleus and how these pathways are integrated have remained elusive. Here we show that paternal SSP/YDA signaling directly phosphorylates WRKY2, which in turn leads to the up-regulation of WOX8 transcription in the zygote. We further discovered the transcription factors HOMEODOMAIN GLABROUS11/12 (HDG11/12) as maternal regulators of zygote asymmetry that also directly regulate WOX8 transcription. Our results reveal a framework of how maternal and paternal factors are integrated in the zygote to regulate embryo patterning.
BRaf signaling principles unveiled by large-scale human mutation analysis with a rapid lentivirus-based gene replacement method
Authors: Lim Chae-Seok , Kang Xi , Mirabella Vincent , Zhang Huaye , Bu Qian , Araki Yoichi , Hoang Elizabeth T. , Wang Shiqiang , Shen Ying , Choi Sukwoo , Kaang Bong-Kiun , Chang Qiang , Pang Zhiping P. , Huganir Richard L. , Zhu J. Julius
Published: April 2017

Rapid advances in genetics are linking mutations on genes to diseases at an exponential rate, yet characterizing the gene-mutation-cell-behavior relationships essential for precision medicine remains a daunting task. More than 350 mutations on BRaf are associated with various tumors, and ∼40 mutations are associated with the neurodevelopmental disorder cardio–facio–cutaneous syndrome (CFC). We developed a fast cost-effective lentivirus-based rapid gene replacement method to interrogate the physiopathology of BRaf and ∼50 disease-linked BRaf mutants, including all CFC-linked mutants. Analysis of simultaneous multiple patch-clamp recordings from 6068 pairs of rat neurons with validation in additional mouse and human neurons and multiple learning tests from 1486 rats identified BRaf as the key missing signaling effector in the common synaptic NMDA-R–CaMKII–SynGap–Ras–BRaf–MEK–ERK transduction cascade. Moreover, the analysis creates the original big data unveiling three general features of BRaf signaling. This study establishes the first efficient procedure that permits large-scale functional analysis of human disease-linked mutations essential for precision medicine.
Increased taxon sampling reveals thousands of hidden orthologs in flatworms
Authors: Martín-Durán José M. , Ryan Joseph F. , Vellutini Bruno C. , Pang Kevin , Hejnol Andreas
Published: April 2017

Gains and losses shape the gene complement of animal lineages and are a fundamental aspect of genomic evolution. Acquiring a comprehensive view of the evolution of gene repertoires is limited by the intrinsic limitations of common sequence similarity searches and available databases. Thus, a subset of the gene complement of an organism consists of hidden orthologs, i.e., those with no apparent homology to sequenced animal lineages—mistakenly considered new genes—but actually representing rapidly evolving orthologs or undetected paralogs. Here, we describe Leapfrog, a simple automated BLAST pipeline that leverages increased taxon sampling to overcome long evolutionary distances and identify putative hidden orthologs in large transcriptomic databases by transitive homology. As a case study, we used 35 transcriptomes of 29 flatworm lineages to recover 3427 putative hidden orthologs, some unidentified by OrthoFinder and HaMStR, two common orthogroup inference algorithms. Unexpectedly, we do not observe a correlation between the number of putative hidden orthologs in a lineage and its “average” evolutionary rate. Hidden orthologs do not show unusual sequence composition biases that might account for systematic errors in sequence similarity searches. Instead, gene duplication with divergence of one paralog and weak positive selection appear to underlie hidden orthology in Platyhelminthes. By using Leapfrog, we identify key centrosome-related genes and homeodomain classes previously reported as absent in free-living flatworms, e.g., planarians. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that hidden orthologs comprise a significant proportion of the gene repertoire in flatworms, qualifying the impact of gene losses and gains in gene complement evolution.
The logic of transcriptional regulator recruitment architecture at cis-regulatory modules controlling liver functions
Authors: Dubois-Chevalier Julie , Dubois Vanessa , Dehondt Hélène , Mazrooei Parisa , Mazuy Claire , Sérandour Aurélien A. , Gheeraert Céline , Guillaume Penderia , Baugé Eric , Derudas Bruno , Hennuyer Nathalie , Paumelle Réjane , Marot Guillemette , Carroll Jason S. , Lupien Mathieu , Staels Bart , Lefebvre Philippe , Eeckhoute Jérôme
Published: April 2017

Control of gene transcription relies on concomitant regulation by multiple transcriptional regulators (TRs). However, how recruitment of a myriad of TRs is orchestrated at cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) to account for coregulation of specific biological pathways is only partially understood. Here, we have used mouse liver CRMs involved in regulatory activities of the hepatic TR, NR1H4 (FXR; farnesoid X receptor), as our model system to tackle this question. Using integrative cistromic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and interactomic analyses, we reveal a logical organization where trans-regulatory modules (TRMs), which consist of subsets of preferentially and coordinately corecruited TRs, assemble into hierarchical combinations at hepatic CRMs. Different combinations of TRMs add to a core TRM, broadly found across the whole landscape of CRMs, to discriminate promoters from enhancers. These combinations also specify distinct sets of CRM differentially organized along the genome and involved in regulation of either housekeeping/cellular maintenance genes or liver-specific functions. In addition to these TRMs which we define as obligatory, we show that facultative TRMs, such as one comprising core circadian TRs, are further recruited to selective subsets of CRMs to modulate their activities. TRMs transcend TR classification into ubiquitous versus liver-identity factors, as well as TR grouping into functional families. Hence, hierarchical superimpositions of obligatory and facultative TRMs bring about independent transcriptional regulatory inputs defining different sets of CRMs with logical connection to regulation of specific gene sets and biological pathways. Altogether, our study reveals novel principles of concerted transcriptional regulation by multiple TRs at CRMs.
A tale of many auctions: mobile communications in India struggle to overcome a dysfunctional structure
Authors: Curwen Peter , Whalley Jason
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to assess whether the dysfunctional structure of the Indian mobile communications sector has been improved by a large number of spectrum auctions during the period 2010-2016.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a case study of developments in the Indian mobile communications sector primarily during the period 2010-2016. This period has witnessed a large number of spectrum auctions, the results of which are presented and analysed. The particular focus is upon the consequences of these auctions for the structure of the sector which began the period in what can best be described as a dysfunctional state.

Findings

The paper concludes that only limited progress has so far been made in improving the structure of the sector. This is due to factors such as political interference, delays in completing merger & acquisition (M&A) activity, badly organised auctions, a scarcity of the right amount of spectrum in the right places and a regional structure that inhibits operators from providing a nationwide presence.

Practical implications

The paper concludes that considerable progress still needs to be made: For example, political interference needs to be harmonised, auction prices need to become market-clearing and M&A activity needs to come to fruition.

Originality/value

The existing analysis of the sector has paid only limited attention to the significance of auctions for the structure of the sector, and this paper provides an analysis of all auctions and M&A activity virtually to the end of 2016, making it unusually up-to-date.
Authorship of Iranian chemistry articles: an actuarial approach
Authors: Nikzad Mahsa , Hariri Nadjla , Babalhavaeji Fahimeh , Nooshinfard Fatemeh
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This study aims to apply some concepts of actuarial statistics to the authorship of Iranian ISI papers in the field of chemistry based on Price’s model. The study determines scientific birth rate, death rate, infant mortality rate, natural increase rate and life expectancy.

Design/methodology/approach

Price maintained that authors in each given period in any field fall into four categories including newcomers, transients, continuants and terminators. He suggested that actuarial statistics could be applied to authorship to calculate death rate and birth rate in scientific fields. A total 25,573 papers written by 59,661 Iranian chemistry authors between 1973 and 2012 were downloaded from Web of Science (WoS) and were subjected to statistical analysis.

Findings

The average birth rate was 66.7 per cent, the average death rate was 19.4 per cent, infant mortality rate was 51.2 per cent, average natural increase was 47.3 per cent, the average life expectancy was 1.98 years and the longest scientific age was 22 years. The results show that although a large number of people start their scientific activity, the number of those who terminate their activity in the same year as they start (infant mortality rate) is also large and little continuity exists in the publishing activities of Iranian chemists.

Research limitations/implications

The findings have implications for the planning of human resources in science. They could help maintain a stable scientific labor force and decide for instance whether a larger number of scientists should be trained and hired, or the barriers should be removed so the existing scientists can work for more years. The limitation is that the study is restricted to ISI articles, although they are not the only kind of scientific output.

Originality/value

This is the first study of its kind on Iranian scientific output. It shows that the overall labor force in the field of chemistry in Iran was not satisfactory, as the majority of authors in each period are transients. There is a need for better planning for the labor force.
Library performance evaluation in a dynamic environment using patron satisfaction
Authors: Zare Mehrjerdi Yahia
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new model for studying the patron’s satisfaction level over time for library systems. For this purpose, it is necessary to identify the key factors that are influential in nature. Thereafter, this paper explains and shows the procedure used for developing the causal loop diagram, the flow diagram, mathematical modelling and the simulation of the problem. A sample problem is used to show the applicability of the proposed model. Because the proposed methodology allows management to look into the patrons’ satisfaction level over time, it makes a significant contribution to the literature of the library and information management, as well as dynamic simulation modelling.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is written based on the studies and observations from scientific journals and reports. For model development purposes, the author has used the concept of systems thinking and systems dynamics to model the complex systems and simulate that using Vensim computer simulation software.

Findings

As the trend of patron’s satisfaction shows, it is possible to improve the satisfaction level over time to a level above 60 per cent from 48 per cent over the simulation running periods. Meanwhile, the level of donation is up from 10 to 40 per cent in the same period as the satisfaction level has been studied. Because this is the first paper that looks into such important variables over time using systems dynamics, it makes significant contribution to the field of library and information management.

Originality/value

In almost all library models for patron’s satisfaction calculation, the proposed models are static and can find this value for a point of time rather than over a long period of time. In this paper, a system with an initial value of patron’s satisfaction level was used, and by taking all key factors into consideration, the author has developed a system that calculates patron’s satisfaction trend over time. Also, the proposed dynamic model is able to determine the level of donations that patrons can make to the library over time.
We should be just a number and we should embrace it
Authors: Kendall Graham , Yee Angelina , Hardy Steven
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to support the use of unique identifiers for the authors of scientific publications. This, the authors believe, aligns with the views of many others, as it would solve the problem of author disambiguation. If every researcher had a unique identifier, there would be significant opportunities to provide even more services. These extensions are proposed in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors discuss the bibliographic services that are currently available. This leads to a discussion of how these services could be developed and extended.

Findings

The authors suggest a number of ways that a unique identifier for scientific authors could support many other areas of importance to the scientific community. This will provide a much more robust system that provides a much richer and more easily maintained, scientific environment.

Originality/value

The scientific community lags behind most other communities with regard to the way it identifies individuals. Even if the current vision for a unique identifier for authors was to become more widespread, there would still be many areas where the community could improve its operations. This viewpoint paper suggests some of these, along with a financial model that could underpin the functionality.
Global research on information literacy: a bibliometric analysis from 2005 to 2014
Authors: Kolle Shankar Reddy
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature published on information literacy (IL) from 2005 to 2014 and reveal the key aspects of IL publication trends.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyses the literature indexed in Web of Science database on IL from 2005 to 2014 and used the required bibliometric measures to analyse specific aspects of publishing trends.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal that increase in literature on IL from 2005 to 2014 was noticed. A high amount of annual growth of literature on IL is observed for the year of 2007, 2008 and 2011. “Pinto, M” and the “University of Granada, Spain” was productive author and institute. Journal of Academic Librarianship was the most productive journal, with 97 articles being published for the period. USA was the most contributing country. “Digital divide”, “media literacy”, “pedagogy”, “higher education” and “critical thinking” were current research topics in the IL domain.

Originality/value

The paper is very useful for researchers to learn about trends in the literature on IL, as well as possible areas for further research, and it provides the names of the most productive authors, organizations and countries, along with the most popular IL keywords.
Digital preservation policies of the institutional repositories at Brazilian Federal Universities
Authors: da Silva Júnior Laerte Pereira , Manuel Borges Maria
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to verify the implementation of digital preservation policies at the institutional repositories (IRs) of Brazilian Federal Universities.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used involved the verification of the information available in the Directory of Open Access Repositories (OpenDOAR) and on the websites of the IRs, to confirm the existence of published digital preservation policies. In this study, a sample of the 26 IRs of Brazilian Federal Universities registered with OpenDOAR, which represents 68 per cent of these repositories, was used.

Findings

The main conclusion is that the IRs of these universities do not have any published digital preservation policies, even though some repositories state their intention of preserving digital material in their institutional information policy.

Originality/value

The stakeholders of IRs need to implement a programme to guide their activities to preserve digital materials in the long term. In fact, similar to examples worldwide, this programme should take the form of an institutional commitment outlined in a digital preservation policy. IRs at Brazilian Federal Universities still have a long way to go to guarantee access to digital materials in the long term.
Empowering academic librarians for effective e-services
Authors: Oyieke Lilian Ingutia , Dick Archie L.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to assess the Web 2.0 competencies’ levels of academic librarians in selected libraries from two library consortia KLISC in Kenya and GAELIC in South Africa and how these competencies can be sources of empowerment for the effective provision of e-services. As service organizations, academic libraries face challenges similar to those in other service sectors. One of the major challenges includes that of providing not only quality print resources but also quality e-services. Globally, academic librarians use various Web 2.0 technologies to engage with their library users and colleagues and for their information work. Academic librarians are now, more than ever, expected to be empowered and build diverse voices, perspectives and arguments into library collections and services. Most of the youths (academic library users) in developing countries like Kenya and South Africa are heavy users of Web 2.0 technologies. This presents a challenge for their academic librarians who must augment their traditional library skills with Web 2.0 technologies for provision of effective e-services. This study explores the interconnections between librarian empowerment, traditional librarian skills and Web 2.0 competencies for effective e-services.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey method of research was used to conduct the study. Purposive sampling was used to select a homogeneous sample of academic librarians and libraries that use the Web 2.0 technologies. An online questionnaire with both closed and open-ended questions was used to collect data. The Web 2.0 competency levels were analyzed and presented using descriptive statistics. To achieve more robust findings and to illustrate the implications of Web 2.0 for librarian empowerment, the ATLAS. ti software was used to illustrate interconnections between librarian empowerment, traditional librarian skills and Web 2.0 technologies. The emerging codes and themes are presented in three network views.

Findings

The findings from the quantitative data indicate that the majority of the librarians have intermediate competency levels in Web 2.0 technologies. The findings from the qualitative data show that Web 2.0 tools and librarian empowerment can be used to illustrate interconnections in content collaboration tools, bookmarking tools and SNSs. Web 2.0 competencies can transform knowledge-sharing activities, augment existing authoritative information service, foster interaction and market information products and services. This study redefines librarian empowerment through competency in Web 2.0 tools and new roles for effective e-services.

Originality/value

This paper proposes that librarian empowerment through Web 2.0 competencies is essential in augmenting traditional library skills and in providing effective e-services. This manuscript describes original work and is a re-submission EL-08-2015-0143.R1 due to expired deadline in this journal. Both authors approved the manuscript and this submission.
Analysis and forecast of Tianjin’s industrial energy consumption
Authors: Zhu Hongqing , Ge Xiaoling , Wang Yang , Ding Zequn
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to study the present situation of Tianjin industrial energy consumption carbon emissions and put forward constructive suggestions for future energy-saving emission reduction work.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the energy consumption data form the Tianjin’s Industrial Energy Efficiency Guide (TJBS, 2009-2013) and Tianjin’s Statistical Yearbook (NBS, 2006-2012), some models were able to predict the future with a high degree of accuracy.

Findings

With an average error of 3.06 per cent for the logistic regression model and an average error of 2.03 per cent for the gray model, the R2 for the energy elasticity model is 0.99158. It also indicated that between 2008 and 2012, the energy consumption per unit of industrial added value decreased by approximately 33.61 per cent. These results show that energy-saving efforts and the optimization of the industrial structure have increased the energy efficiency of Tianjin.

Originality/value

The authors think that their contribution refers to a combination between methodology of forecasting and industrial energy consumption.
Mobile assistive technology and the job fit of blind workers
Authors: Babu Rakesh , Heath Donald
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This study aims to explore the potential of mobile assistive technology (MAT) as a vocational tool for blind workers (BW). Specifically, it investigates: Can MAT-enabled BW to perform better at the workplace and will insight into MAT-enabled capabilities impact employer perception regarding BW employability.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory case study which draws on theories of fit to analyze observational and interview data at an organization familiar with employing, training and referring BW.

Findings

MAT can increase blind worker job fit, positively impacting their performance, self-reliance and managerial perceptions regarding their employability.

Research limitations/implications

A conceptual framework is articulated which expands current literature on fit to better account for the assistive potential of mobile technology for differently abled workers.

Practical implications

The positive impact of MAT on managerial perceptions of BW fit and employability can inform the regimes of employers, job skills trainers, vocational rehabilitation specialists and policy makers.

Social implications

Insights on the use of MAT as a vocational tool can reduce the systemic workplace disenfranchisement of blind people.

Originality/value

This paper presents novel theory which accounts for the impact of MAT on the job fit of differently abled workers.
Green IT practice disclosure
Authors: Deng Qi , Ji Shaobo , Wang Yun
Published: April 2017

Purpose

As an enabler of environmental sustainability, Green information technology (IT) has become an emerging topic of interest in both academic and business communities. Despite its importance, confusions exist in the content and scope of Green IT practice. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the current state of Green IT practice.

Design/methodology/approach

First 14 widely accepted Green IT practice topics were identified from prior research and a taxonomy was developed to categorize them. Using the content analysis method, these topics were examined in the sustainability reports of 30 IT companies in 2014Fortune 500. A quantity–quality portfolio framework was developed and applied to measure and assess the Green IT practices of the selected samples.

Findings

Currently, the Green IT practice is still in its infancy. Both research and practice attention are now focusing on IT’s direct impacts and enabling impacts, while overlooking the systemic impacts, on natural environment. The possible reasons for the current state and the recommendations for future research and practice are provided.

Originality/value

Theoretically, this paper identified 14 widely accepted Green IT practice topics and developed a taxonomy for categorizing them. The taxonomy and topics provide a theoretical basis for future examination on Green IT practice-related issues. Practically, the findings of this paper provide guidelines for Green IT practice and directions for both Green IT developers and adopters in their decision-making.
How change information influences attitudes toward change and turnover intention
Authors: van den Heuvel Sjoerd , Freese Charissa , Schalk René , van Assen Marcel
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the quality of change information influences employees’ attitude toward organizational change and turnover intention. Additionally, the role of engagement, psychological contract fulfillment and trust in the relationship between change information and attitude toward change is assessed.

Design/methodology/approach

In a technology services organization that was implementing a “new way of working,” questionnaire data of 669 employees were gathered. The organizational change in question sought to increase employees’ autonomy by increasing management support and improving IT support to facilitate working at other locations (e.g. at home) or at hours outside of regular working hours (e.g. in evening).

Findings

The results showed that change information was positively related to psychological contract fulfillment and attitude toward change. Engagement and psychological contract fulfillment were positively related to attitude toward change and negatively related to turnover intention. Contrary to what was expected, trust did not influence attitude toward change but was negatively related to turnover intention.

Practical implications

The study presents a model that can help management to foster positive affective, behavioral, and cognitive responses to change, as well as to reduce employee turnover. Fulfilling employees’ psychological contracts and cultivating engagement is important in this respect, as well as continuously considering whether information about the organizational change is received in good time, is useful, is adequate and satisfies employees’ questions about the change.

Originality/value

As one of the first studies in its field, attitude toward change was conceptualized and operationalized as a multidimensional construct, comprising an affective, a behavioral and a cognitive dimension.
Authentic leadership and employee creativity: testing the multilevel mediation model
Authors: Xu Bao-Da , Zhao Shu-Kuan , Li Ci-Rong , Lin Chen-Ju
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test a multilevel framework to further explicate how team leaders’ authentic leadership is related to their followers’ individual creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a questionnaire survey/analysis of analyses of multisource and lagged data from 63 team leaders and 428 followers in Taiwan.

Findings

The findings demonstrated that leader-member exchange (LMX) and team psychological safe climate mediated the positive relationship of authentic leadership on followers thriving at work. Furthermore, employee thriving at work sequentially mediated the positive relationship between authentic leadership and employee creativity. The author also found that indirect relationship of LMX with employee creativity through thriving at work was stronger when authentic leadership was higher.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to the existing understanding that authentic leadership relates to individual creativity through three multilevel mechanisms: leaders modeling their authenticity to develop and maintain their dyad-level exchange relationships with their followers (LMX), motivating the team, captured by team-level psychological safe climate and its members, reflected by employee-level thriving at work, and facilitating the relationship between LMX and employee thriving at work.
Exploring the role of organizational learning activities in the quality management context
Authors: Oh Seok-young , Kuchinke K. Peter
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships between three quality management (QM) practices, leadership, people focus, and process management practices and organizational learning (OL) activities and business performance in Korean manufacturing businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on 204 responses to a survey of Korean manufacturing companies listed on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index to test nine hypotheses with structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The results from SEM show that leadership practices have a significant effect on people focus and process management practices, and that the three QM practices jointly influence OL. However, leadership, people focus, and process management practices do not have direct associations with business performance, but rather show statistically influence only via OL activities. The findings verify that OL has a mediating role in QM practices and business performance as a crucial resource that determines a firm’s competitive advantage.

Originality/value

An important implication of this study’s findings for managers or QM professionals is that learning takes place at multiple levels and is a crucial resource that determines a firm’s competitive advantage, bridging quality and business outcomes.
Behavioral interviewing essentials (and why you should care)
Authors: Srinivasan Leela , Humes Maya
Published: April 2017

Purpose

A candidate’s cultural fit is often just as important as their skill set, but more difficult to screen for. Behavioral interviewing, which involves probing into a candidate’s past behavior to predict their future behavior and performance, gives recruiters a reliable indication of whether or not a candidate will succeed in a specific role and carries the significant added benefit of helping minimize the influence of unconscious bias.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors explore three reasons why behavioral interviewing is more relevant now than ever before. They also outline specific recommendations for how companies can implement behavioral interviewing.

Findings

While it is hard to find enough hours in the day without adding the burden of interviewer training to your plate, there is never been a better time to embrace behavioral interviewing. Failure to train hiring managers and interviewers how to interview effectively can result in a poor candidate experience, and an over-reliance on alternatives such as skills-fit and culture-fit interviewing techniques will prove far less effective in determining the best candidate for the job.

Originality/value

This article explores three key topics among HR practitioners – hiring, culture and retention – and helps to identify how companies can alter their hiring/interviewing process to achieve a better candidate fit for their organization.
HR’s guide to the digital transformation: ten digital economy use cases for transforming human resources in manufacturing
Authors: Amladi Pradeep
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Increasingly chaotic markets are prompting manufacturers to look for new ways to bolster their bottom lines and win in a competitive business world. While the majority of efforts revolve around streamlining manufacturing processes or maintenance procedures, human resource management also can yield compelling returns.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a viewpoint article from vice president of manufacturing solutions marketing at SAP. The author works daily with the largest Fortune 500 corporations in automotive, aerospace, packaging, chemicals, oil and gas, high-tech, mining, milling, cement/construction and more. This expertise gives him unique insight into the multiple industries and their HR challenges, solutions and innovations.

Findings

Whether it is competing for workers, maintaining a flexible workforce or giving workers tools to make their jobs easier, HR teams are embracing digital transformation to help their companies maintain profitability and market leadership.

Originality/value

New ways companies are managing their human resources in light of changing technology, mobile workforces and “The Internet of Things”.
A conserved α‐proteobacterial small RNA contributes to osmoadaptation and symbiotic efficiency of rhizobia on legume roots
Authors: Robledo Marta , Peregrina Alexandra , Millán Vicenta , García‐Tomsig Natalia I. , Torres‐Quesada Omar , Mateos Pedro F. , Becker Anke , Jiménez‐Zurdo José I.
Published: April 2017

Small non‐coding RNAs (sRNAs) are expected to have pivotal roles in the adaptive responses underlying symbiosis of nitrogen‐fixing rhizobia with legumes. Here, we provide primary insights into the function and activity mechanism of the Sinorhizobium meliloti trans‐sRNA NfeR1 (Nodule Formation Efficiency RNA). Northern blot probing and transcription tracking with fluorescent promoter‐reporter fusions unveiled high nfeR1 expression in response to salt stress and throughout the symbiotic interaction. The strength and differential regulation of nfeR1 transcription are conferred by a motif, which is conserved in nfeR1 promoter regions in α‐proteobacteria. NfeR1 loss‐of‐function compromised osmoadaptation of free‐living bacteria, whilst causing misregulation of salt‐responsive genes related to stress adaptation, osmolytes catabolism and membrane trafficking. Nodulation tests revealed that lack of NfeR1 affected competitiveness, infectivity, nodule development and symbiotic efficiency of S. meliloti on alfalfa roots. Comparative computer predictions and a genetic reporter assay evidenced a redundant role of three identical NfeR1 unpaired anti Shine‐Dalgarno motifs for targeting and downregulation of translation of multiple mRNAs from transporter genes. Our data provide genetic evidence of the hyperosmotic conditions of the endosymbiotic compartments. NfeR1‐mediated gene regulation in response to this cue could contribute to coordinate nutrient uptake with the metabolic reprogramming concomitant to symbiotic transitions.
Why Worldwide Bible Translation Grows Exponentially
Authors: Gerner Matthias
Published: April 2017

The number of languages into which the Bible has been translated has grown exponentially during the past 2,300 years. The history of Bible translation can be divided into three periods of growth, each with its distinct limiting and driving forces. In the low‐growth period between 260 BCE and 1814 CE growth was constrained by the rise of Islam and later by the information monopoly of the Catholic Church. The year 1815 was the inflection point, at which annual growth rates rose from below 1 to above 1 per cent. The century 1815–1914 was a period of substantial growth due to the co‐occurrence of three driving forces: Christian revivalism, internationalisation, and industrialisation. This was followed by a third period—the era of explosive growth between 1915 and today—in which information technology and the organisational structure of translation agencies have spurred growth. An array of multinational organisations of Anglo‐Saxon origin have created a quasi‐monopoly for worldwide Bible translation. The exponential growth of worldwide Bible translation can be modelled by a mathematical function. Using this function and assuming the continuation of current trends, it is possible to project the end of the history of pioneer Bible translation sometime between 2026 and 2031.