bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continuity and discontinuity in human cortical development and change from embryonic stages to old age
Authors: Fjell Anders M , Chen Chi-Hua , Sederevicius Donatas , Sneve Markus H , Gryde Håkon , Krogsrud Stine K , Amlien Inge , Ferschmann Lia , Ness Hedda , Folvik Line , Beck Dani , Mowinckel Athanasia M , Tamnes Christian K , Westerhausen René , Håberg Asta K. , Dale Anders M , Walhovd Kristine B
Published: May 2018

The human cerebral cortex is highly regionalized. We aimed to test whether principles of regionalization could be traced from embryonic development throughout the human lifespan. A data-driven fuzzy-clustering approach was used to identify regions of coordinated longitudinal development of cortical surface area (SA) and thickness (CT) over 1.5 years (n = 301, 4-12 years). First, the SA clusters were compared to patterns from embryonic cortical development. The earliest sign of cortical regionalization is the emergence of morphometric gradients in the cerebral vesicles, with a major gradient running along the anterior-posterior (AP) axis. We found that the principal divide for the developmental SA clusters extended from the inferior-posterior to the superior-anterior cortex, corresponding to the embryonic morphometric AP gradient. Second, embryonic factors showing a clear AP gradient were identified, and tests revealed significant differences in gene expression of these factors between the anterior and posterior clusters. Further, each identified developmental SA and CT cluster showed distinguishable lifespan trajectories in a larger longitudinal dataset (4-88 years, 1633 observations). This means that regions that developed together also changed together throughout life, demonstrating continuity in regionalization of cortical changes. The AP divide in SA development also characterized genetic patterning obtained in an adult twin sample, but otherwise regionalized CT development adhered more to the genetic boundaries. Finally, SA and CT clusters showed differential relationships to cognitive functions. In sum, the results suggest that development of cortical regionalization is a continuous process from the embryonic stage throughout human life.

Significance statement (120 words)

The protomap and the radial unit theories of brain development have shown that graded expression patterns of several factors are responsible for shaping the ultimately highly partitioned and specialized neocortical landscape. The present study shows that the major anterior-posterior gradient of embryonic development can be detected in the regional cortical expansion profiles of children. The study further demonstrates that brain regions that develop together during childhood also tend to change together throughout the lifespan. This suggests that regional cortical development is a continuous process through the entire life, and that early-life factors have life-long impacts on this process.
Temporal changes in gut microbiota and signaling molecules of the gut–brain axis in mice fed meat protein diets
Authors: Xie Yunting , Zhou Guanghong , Wang Chao , Xu Xinglian , Li Chunbao
Published: May 2018

The purpose of this study was to characterize the dynamical changes of gut microbiota and explore the influence on bidirectional communications between the gut and the brain during a relatively long-term intake of different protein diets. The C57BL/6J mice were fed casein, soy protein and four kinds of processed meat proteins at a normal dose of 20% for 8 months. Protein diets dramatically affected the microbial composition and function and also the signaling molecule levels of the gut–brain axis in a dynamic manner, which consequently affected growth performance. Alistipes, Clostridiales vadinBB60, Anaerotruncus, Blautia and Oscillibacter had a relatively fast response to the diet, while Bacteroidales S24-7, Ruminiclostridium, Ruminococcaceae UCG-014, Coriobacteriaceae UCG-002 and Bilophila responded slowly. Rikenellaceae RC9 gut, Faecalibaculum and Lachnospiraceae showed a continuous change with feeding time. Bacteroidales S24-7 abundance increased from 4 months to 8 months, whereas those of Rikenellaceae RC9 gut, Akkermansia, Alistipes and Anaerotruncus remarkably decreased. Five and fifteen biological functions of microbiota were affected at 4 months and 8 months, respectively, and sixteen functions were observed to change over feeding time. Moreover, 28 and 48 specific operational taxonomy units were associated with the regulation of serotonin, peptide YY, leptin and insulin levels at two time points. Ruminococcaceae was positively associated with Lachnospiraceae and negatively associated with Bacteroidales S24-7. These results give an important insight into the effect of gut microbiota on the bidirectional communications between the gut and the brain under a certain type of diet.

Importance

Many gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric disorders may have a common pathophysiologic mechanism, involving bidirectional brain–gut axis signaling through humoral and neural pathways. The gut microbiota plays an important role in the communications between the gut and the brain. Recent evidence suggests that a growing number of subjects suffer from the above disorders. The significance of this study lies in the finding that long-term intake of different proteins at a normal dose induces dynamic alterations of specific microbiota in mice, which consequently affect bidirectional communications between the gut and the brain and results in different growth performance through dynamically regulating signaling molecule levels. Furthermore, this study indicates that intake of the same diet for a long time, irrespective of the diet source, may have an adverse effect on host health by altering gut microbiota.
The association between 25(OH)D levels, frailty status and adiposity indices in older adults
Authors: Sousa-Santos Ana Rita , Afonso Cláudia , Santos Alejandro , Borges Nuno , Moreira Pedro , Padrão Patrícia , Fonseca Isabel , Amaral Teresa F
Published: May 2018

Background

Vitamin D deficiency is common in older adults and has been linked with frailty and obesity, but it remains to be studied whether frail obese older adults are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the association between frailty, adiposity indices and serum 25(OH)D concentrations.

Methods

1447 individuals with 65 years or older, participating in a cross-sectional study (Nutrition UP 65). Frailty, according to Fried et al., body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), body roundness index (BRI) and body shape index (ABSI) were evaluated. A stepwise multinomial logistic regression was carried out to quantify the association between 25(OH)D quartiles and independent variables.

Results

Median 25(OH)D levels were lower in individuals presenting both frailty and obesity (p<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, pre-frailty (OR 2.65; 95% CI 1.63-4.32) and frailty (OR 3.76; 95% CI 2.08-6.81) were associated with increased odds of lower 25(OH)D serum levels (first quartile). Regarding adiposity indices, obesity (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.07-2.87) and the highest categories of WC (OR 3.46; 95% CI 1.95-6.15), BRI (OR 4.35; 95% CI 2.60-7.29) and ABSI (OR 3.17 95% CI 1.86-5.38) were directly associated with lower 25(OH)D serum levels (first quartile).

Conclusions

A positive association between frailty or obesity and lower levels of vitamin D was found. Moreover, besides BMI and WC, other indicators of body adiposity, such as BRI and ABSI, were associated with lower 25(OH)D serum concentrations.
Evaluating recovery potential of the northern white rhinoceros from cryopreserved somatic cells
Authors: Tunstall Tate , Kock Richard , Vahala Jiri , Diekhans Mark , Fiddes Ian , Armstrong Joel , Paten Benedict , Ryder Oliver A. , Steiner Cynthia C.
Published: May 2018

The critically endangered northern white rhinoceros is believed to be extinct in the wild, with the recent death of the last male leaving only two remaining individuals in captivity. Its extinction would appear inevitable, but the development of advanced cell and reproductive technologies such as cloning by nuclear transfer and the artificial production of gametes via stem cells differentiation offer a second chance for its survival. In this work, we analyzed genome-wide levels of genetic diversity, inbreeding, population history, and demography of the white rhinoceros sequenced from cryopreserved somatic cells, with the goal of informing how genetically valuable individuals could be used in future efforts toward the genetic rescue of the northern white rhinoceros. We present the first sequenced genomes of the northern white rhinoceros, which show relatively high levels of heterozygosity and an average genetic divergence of 0.1% compared with the southern subspecies. The two white rhinoceros subspecies appear to be closely related, with low genetic admixture and a divergent time <80,000 yr ago. Inbreeding, as measured by runs of homozygosity, appears slightly higher in the southern than the northern white rhinoceros. This work demonstrates the value of the northern white rhinoceros cryopreserved genetic material as a potential gene pool for saving this subspecies from extinction.
A novel de novo CDH1 germline variant aids in the classification of carboxy-terminal E-cadherin alterations predicted to escape nonsense-mediated mRNA decay
Authors: Krempely Kate , Karam Rachid
Published: May 2018

Most truncating cadherin 1 (CDH1) pathogenic alterations confer an elevated lifetime risk of diffuse gastric cancer (DGC) and lobular breast cancer (LBC). However, transcripts containing carboxy-terminal premature stop codons have been demonstrated to escape the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway, and gastric and breast cancer risks associated with these truncations should be carefully evaluated. A female patient underwent multigene panel testing because of a personal history of invasive LBC diagnosed at age 54, which identified the germline CDH1 nonsense alteration, c.2506G>T (p.Glu836*), in the last exon of the gene. Subsequent parental testing for the alteration was negative and additional short tandem repeat analysis confirmed the familial relationships and the de novo occurrence in the proband. Based on the de novo occurrence, clinical history, and rarity in general population databases, this alteration was classified as a likely pathogenic variant. This is the most carboxy-terminal pathogenic alteration reported to date. Additionally, this alteration contributed to the classification of six other upstream CDH1 carboxy-terminal truncating variants as pathogenic or likely pathogenic. Identifying the most distal pathogenic alteration provides evidence to classify other carboxy-terminal truncating variants as either pathogenic or benign, a fundamental step to offering presymptomatic screening and prophylactic procedures to the appropriate patients.
Cocrystals of the antimalarial drug 11-azaartemisinin with three alkenoic acids of 1:1 or 2:1 stoichiometry
Authors: Nisar Madiha , Wong Lawrence W.-Y. , Sung Herman H.-Y. , Haynes Richard K. , Williams Ian D.
Published: May 2018

The stoichiometry, X-ray structures and stability of four pharmaceutical cocrystals previously identified from liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) of 11-azaartemisinin (11-Aza; systematic name: 1,5,9-trimethyl-14,15,16-trioxa-11-azatetracyclo[10.3.1.04,13.08,13]hexadecan-10-one) with trans-cinnamic (Cin), maleic (Mal) and fumaric (Fum) acids are herein reported. trans-Cinnamic acid, a mono acid, forms 1:1 cocrystal 11-Aza:Cin (1, C15H23NO4·C9H8O2). Maleic acid forms both 1:1 cocrystal 11-Aza:Mal (2, C15H23NO4·C4H4O4), in which one COOH group is involved in self-catenation, and 2:1 cocrystal 11-Aza2:Mal (3, 2C15H23NO4·C4H4O4). Its isomer, fumaric acid, only affords 2:1 cocrystal 11-Aza2:Fum (4). All cocrystal formation appears driven by acid–lactam R
2
2(8) heterosynthons with short O—H...O=C hydrogen bonds [O...O = 2.56 (2) Å], augmented by weaker C=O...H—N contacts. Despite a better packing efficiency, cocrystal 3 is metastable with respect to 2, probably due to a higher conformational energy for the maleic acid molecule in its structure. In each case, the microcrystalline powders from LAG were useful in providing seeding for the single-crystal growth.
PicW2 fromPicea wilsonii: preparation, purification, crystallization and X-ray diffraction analysis
Authors: Zhang Bei , Guo Gangxing , Lu Fang , Song Ying , Liu Yong , Xu JiChen , Gao Wei
Published: May 2018

Low temperature is a major limiting factor for plant growth and development. Dehydrin proteins are generally induced in response to low-temperature stress. In previous research, a full-length dehydrin gene,PicW2, was isolated fromPicea wilsoniiand its expression was associated with hardiness to cold. In order to gain insight into the mechanism of low-temperature tolerance by studying its three-dimensional crystal structure, prokaryotically expressed PicW2 dehydrin protein was purified using chitosan-affinity chromatography and gel filtration, and crystallized using the vapour-diffusion method. The crystal grew in a condition consisting of 0.1 MHEPES pH 8.0, 25%(w/v) PEG 3350 using 4 mg ml−1protein solution at 289 K. X-ray diffraction data were collected from a crystal at 100 K to 2.82 Å resolution. The crystal belonged to space groupC121, with unit-cell parametersa= 121.55,b= 33.26,c= 73.39 Å, α = γ = 90.00, β = 109.01°. The asymmetric unit contained one molecule of the protein, with a corresponding Matthews coefficient of 2.87 Å3 Da−1and a solvent content of 57.20%. Owing to a lack of structures of homologous dehydrin proteins, molecular-replacement trials failed. Data collection for selenium derivatization of PicW2 and crystal structure determination is currently in progress.
Crystal structures of four new iridium complexes, each containing a highly flexible carbodiphosphorane PCP pincer ligand
Authors: Partl Gabriel Julian , Nussbaumer Felix , Schlapp-Hackl Inge , Schuh Walter , Kopacka Holger , Wurst Klaus , Peringer Paul
Published: May 2018

Compound [Ir(C8H12)(C51H45P4)]Cl2 or [Ir(cod)(CH(dppm)2-κ3
P,C,P)]Cl2 (1a), was obtained from [IrCl(cod)]2 and the carbodiphosphorane (CDP) salt [CH(dppm)2]Cl [where cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene and dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane]. Treatment of 1a with thallium(I) trifluoromethanesulfonate [Tl(OTf)] and subsequent crystallization gave complex [Ir(C8H12)(C51H45P4)](OTf)2·CH3CO2C2H5·CH2Cl2 or [Ir(cod)(CH(dppm)2-κ3
P,C,P)](OTf)2·CH3CO2C2H5·CH2Cl2 (1b) [systematic name: (cycloocta-1,5-diene)(1,1,3,3,5,5,7,7-octaphenyl-1,7-diphospha-3,5-diphosphoniaheptan-4-yl)iridium(I) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate)–ethyl acetate–dichloromethane (1/1/1)]. This five-coordinate iridium(I) complex cation adopts a trigonal–bipyramidal geometry with the CDP carbon and one cod double bond in axial sites. Compound 1b represents the first example of a non-meridional coordination of the PCP pincer ligand [CH(dppm)2]+ with a P—Ir—P angle of 98.08 (2)°. Compound 2, [IrCl2H(C51H44P4)]·(CH3)2CO or [IrCl2H(C(dppm)2-κ3
P,C,P)]·(CH3)2CO [systematic name: dichloridohydrido(1,1,3,3,5,5,7,7-octaphenyl-1,5λ5,7-triphospha-3-phosphoniahept-4-en-4-yl)iridium(III) acetone monosolvate], crystallizes as an acetone monosolvate. It is a six-coordinate IrIII coordination compound. Here, the PCP pincer ligand is coordinated in a meridional manner; one chlorido ligand is positioned trans to the carbon donor, the remaining two coordination sites being occupied by the second chlorido and a hydrido ligand trans to each other. Complex 3, [IrCl2H(C51H45P4)]Cl·5H2O or [IrCl2H(CH(dppm)2-κ3
P,C,P)]Cl·5H2O [systematic name: dichloridohydrido(1,1,3,3,5,5,7,7-octaphenyl-1,7-diphospha-3,5-diphosphoniaheptan-4-yl)iridium(III) chloride pentahydrate], represents the conjugate CH acid of 2. The ligand [CH(dppm)2]+ is coordinated in a meridional manner. In the cationic six-coordinate IrIII complex 4, [IrClH(CO)(C51H44P4)]Cl·2CH3OH·H2O or [IrClH(CO)(C(dppm)2-κ3
P,C,P)]Cl·2CH3OH·H2O [systematic name: carbonylchloridohydrido(1,1,3,3,5,5,7,7-octaphenyl-1,5λ5,7-triphospha-3-phosphoniahept-4-en-4-yl)iridium(III) chloride–methanol–water (1/2/1)], the chlorido ligand is found in the plane defined by the Ir center and the meridional PCP ligand; the H and CO ligands are positioned axially to this plane and trans to each other.
Labour productivity motivation framework for Iskandar Malaysia
Authors: Ohueri Chukwuka Christian , Enegbuma Wallace Imoudu , Wong Ngie Hing , Kuok Kuok King , Kenley Russell
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a motivation framework that will enhance labour productivity for Iskandar Malaysia (IM) construction projects. The vision of IM development corridor is to become Southern Peninsular Malaysia’s most developed region by the year 2025. IM cannot realise this foresight without effective labour productivity. Previous studies have reported that the labour productivity of IM construction projects was six times lower than the labour productivity of Singapore construction projects, due to lack of motivation among IM labourers, and a shortage of local skilled labour. Therefore, there is a need to study how to motivate IM construction labourers, so as to increase their productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research method was used to collect data from IM construction skilled labourers and construction professionals, using two sets of questionnaire. The respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique. In total, 40 skilled labourers and 50 construction professionals responded to the questionnaire survey, and the data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science software (version 22).

Findings

The analysis revealed the major factors that motivate labourers participating in IM construction projects. The factors were ranked hierarchically using Relative Importance Index (RII) and the outcome of the ranking indicated that effective management, viable construction practices, financial incentives, continuous training and development, and safe working environment were the most significant motivation strategies that positively influence IM construction labourers.

Originality/value

The study developed and validated a framework that can be used to boost the morale of IM construction labourers, so that their productivity can be increased. Implementation of the established motivation framework will also lead to career progression of IM construction labourers, based on the training elements in the framework. This career prospect will attract local skilled labourers to participate in IM construction projects.
Exploring the context of visual information seeking
Authors: Sedghi Shahram , Shormeij Zeinab , Tahamtan Iman
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Information seeking is an interactive behaviour of the end users with information systems, which occurs in a real environment known as context. Context affects information-seeking behaviour in many different ways. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that potentially constitute the context of visual information seeking.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a Straussian version of grounded theory, a qualitative approach, to conduct the study. Using a purposive sampling method, 28 subjects participated in the study. The data were analysed using open, axial and selective coding in MAXQDA software.

Findings

The contextual factors influencing visual information seeking were classified into seven categories, including: “user characteristics”, “general search features”, “visual search features”, “display of results”, “accessibility of results”, “task type” and “environmental factors”.

Practical/implications

This study contributes to a better understanding of how people conduct searches in and interact with visual search interfaces. Results have important implications for the designers of information retrieval systems.

Originality/value

This paper is among the pioneer studies investigating contextual factors influencing information seeking in visual information retrieval systems.
Using multiple Web resources and inference rules to classify Chinese word semantic relation
Authors: Ma Shutian , Zhang Yingyi , Zhang Chengzhi
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to classify Chinese word semantic relations, which are synonyms, antonyms, hyponyms and meronymys.

Design/methodology/approach

Basically, four simple methods are applied, ontology-based, dictionary-based, pattern-based and morpho-syntactic method. The authors make good use of search engine to build lexical and semantic resources for dictionary-based and pattern-based methods. To improve classification performance with more external resources, they also classify the given word pairs in Chinese and in English at the same time by using machine translation.

Findings

Experimental results show that the approach achieved an average F1 score of 50.87 per cent, an average accuracy of 70.36 per cent and an average recall of 40.05 per cent over all classification tasks. Synonym and antonym classification achieved high accuracy, i.e. above 90 per cent. Moreover, dictionary-based and pattern-based approaches work effectively on final data set.

Originality/value

For many natural language processing (NLP) tasks, the step of distinguishing word semantic relation can help to improve system performance, such as information extraction and knowledge graph generation. Currently, common methods for this task rely on large corpora for training or dictionaries and thesauri for inference, where limitation lies in freely data access and keeping built lexical resources up-date. This paper builds a primary system for classifying Chinese word semantic relations by seeking new ways to obtain the external resources efficiently.
A bank merger predictive model using the Smoluchowski stochastic coagulation equation and reverse engineering
Authors: Banakar Zahra , Tavana Madjid , Huff Brian , Di Caprio Debora
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical framework for predicting the next period financial behavior of bank mergers within a statistical-oriented setting.

Design/methodology/approach

Bank mergers are modeled combining a discrete variant of the Smoluchowski coagulation equation with a reverse engineering method. This new approach allows to compute the correct merging probability values via the construction and solution of a multi-variable matrix equation. The model is tested on real financial data relative to US banks collected from the National Information Centre.

Findings

Bank size distributions predicted by the proposed method are much more adherent to real data than those derived from the estimation method. The proposed method provides a valid alternative to estimation approaches while overcoming some of their typical drawbacks.

Research limitations/implications

Bank mergers are interpreted as stochastic processes focusing on two main parameters, that is, number of banks and asset size. Future research could expand the model analyzing the micro-dynamic taking place behind bank mergers. Furthermore, bank demerging and partial bank merging could be considered in order to complete and strengthen the proposed approach.

Practical implications

The implementation of the proposed method assists managers in making informed decisions regarding future merging actions and marketing strategies so as to maximize the benefits of merging actions while reducing the associated potential risks from both a financial and marketing viewpoint.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study where bank merging is analyzed using a dynamic stochastic model and the merging probabilities are determined by a multi-variable matrix equation in place of an estimation procedure.
Multichannel segmentation in the after-sales stage in the insurance industry
Authors: Dalla Pozza Ilaria , Brochado Ana , Texier Lionel , Najar Dorra
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a multichannel segmentation approach to identifying customer segments based on actual customer channel usage in the post-purchase phase in the health insurance industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A multinomial regression model and count regression models were estimated to describe the profiles of customer segments and the frequency of channel usage based on generations and sociodemographic variables.

Findings

This study identified generational differences in channel usage. Single female customers from the Pre-Boomer or Baby Boomer generation and customers living in states with lower incomes are more likely to use call centres. Website users tend to live in regions with higher per capita income. Multichannel users are, on average, more frequent users of both the website and call centres. In terms of sociodemographics, they display a more heterogeneous profile.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed segmentation needs to be enriched with additional variables such as customers’ health status or channel usage motivations.

Practical implications

Customers, who are male, married and from Generations Y and X, are more likely to use the website. Their propensity to switch to a digital channel could be investigated further to develop targeted migration strategies. Multichannel users are, on average, more frequent users of all channels. To avoid increased channel costs, segments should be analysed in terms of their size and profit potential to help allocate marketing investment more efficiently.

Originality/value

As opposed to existing research, the proposed segmentation approach is based on transactional data of channel usage from a real company, combined with analyses using generations and sociodemographic variables.
When customers are willing to disclose information in the insurance industry
Authors: Steiner Philipp Hendrik , Maas Peter
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show antecedents of customers’ information disclosure in the insurance industry and demonstrate central levers that foster customers’ information disclosure to companies in the insurance sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model is presented, which is empirically tested with 3,494 insurance customers from ten counties with structural equation modelling and multi-group analysis.

Findings

Customer value in the insurance industry consists of three factors (customer value provided by the company, the agent, and the product) and affects information disclosure directly and indirectly (via satisfaction and trust).

Research limitations/implications

Antecedents of customers’ information disclosure in the insurance industry were identified. Moreover, the authors show that, in line with resource exchange theory, customers are willing to disclose personal and behavioral data to an insurance company in exchange for lower premiums or additional services.

Practical implications

Customers expect benefits in exchange for their personal data. In combination with new technologies (e.g. smartphones or wearables), companies can offer tailored products to their customers and can create a win -win situation for customers as well as insurance companies.

Originality/value

The paper identifies the antecedents of customers’ information disclosure in the insurance industry with a conceptual model. This model is tested in ten countries and offers insights in established (e.g. USA) as well as emergent markets (e.g. Brazil).
Migrant workers’ (non)belonging in rural British Columbia, Canada: storied experiences of Marginal Living
Authors: Caxaj Susana , Diaz Luis
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the experiences of belonging and wellbeing among temporary migrant agricultural workers (TMAWs) in a rural setting in the interior of British Columbia, Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative narrative approach informed by participatory action research principles was employed. In total, 12 migrant workers participated in two to four one-on-one interviews and/or focus group conversations.

Findings

The analysis revealed an over-arching theme of Marginal Living encompassing stories of always on the outside, mechanisms of isolation and exclusion; struggling for the basics, realities of worrying about daily bare necessities; and “nothing but a worker’s,” experiences of being reduced only to one’s labor. These storied experiences each impacted workers’ wellbeing and typically limited their ability to feel a sense of belonging. Yet, workers exerted agency and resilience through storied experiences of “one family and for those who come next.” Their efforts contributed to building a sense of community through mutual support and advocacy.

Originality/value

Very few studies have focused on the day-to-day experiences of this population and its influence on their sense of belonging and wellbeing. This study is also the first to examine this topic within this particular region (the rural BC interior). These findings can provide a starting point for improved program planning to address challenges faced by TMAWs in rural Western Canada. Further, they expand the understanding of concepts such as partial citizenship and structural exclusion as they apply in the day-to-day realities of migrant workers in rural BC.
Participation in decision making regarding the conservation of heritage resources and conservation attitudes in Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania
Authors: Chinyele Batholomeo Jerome , Lwoga Noel Biseko
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of local residents’ participation in decision making regarding the conservation of the built heritage on conservation attitudes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study borrows ideas from Arnstein’s Model of Citizen Participation and from past research to develop a model, and then testing it using a questionnaire survey with a sample of 209 local residents in Kilwa Kisiwani World Heritage Site in Tanzania.

Findings

The mean statistics showed that participation in decision making in Kilwa Kisiwani is relatively limited to the level of tokenism. Nevertheless, on the side of attitudes, the study indicates residents’ tendency to favour conservation. Regression results indicate that there is a significantly positive relationship between participation in decision making and attitude towards conservation.

Research limitations/implications

Although the study did not cover the dynamics inherent in each bloc of resident community that may act as roadblocks in the participation process, it regards “participation in decision making” as a useful tool for heritage managers and conservation authorities for promoting local support for the conservation of heritage resources. Theoretically, the study implies that Arnstein’s Model can be a useful framework for ascertaining residents’ participation in the heritage management context, and for explaining its effect on conservation attitudes.

Originality/value

This study is the first rigorous confirmation of the relationship between participation in decision making and individual’s attitude towards conservation. The study provides a useful conceptual tool for heritage managers in promoting local support for conservation.
Towards the development of cultural tourism as an alternative for tourism growth in Northern Zimbabwe
Authors: Woyo Erisher , Woyo Edith
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Zimbabwean tourism, whose draw-card is wildlife, has been on the decline since land invasions that occurred in 2000. Due to the farm invasions, wildlife-based tourism is no longer a viable option. In cases where traditional industries are declining, cultural tourism has been found to be an effective alternative source of revenue. Cultural and heritage tourism represents a growing special interest market whose demand is very high; however, this sector is yet to be sufficiently explored in the empirical context of Northern Zimbabwe. The purpose of this paper is to explore the development potential of the sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative methodology was applied in this study. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to 500 international tourists who visited Northern Zimbabwe’s cultural and heritage attractions between October 2013 and February 2014. Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 19.0 was employed in data coding and analysis. Descriptive statistics, independentt-tests and one way analysis of variance were used in this study.

Findings

On the whole, the study found that there is potential to develop cultural tourism as an alternative for tourism growth in Northern Zimbabwe. Results showed that there exists a certain demand for cultural and heritage tourism in Northern Zimbabwe and should be developed. Cultural and heritage tourists’ spending is high per visit, despite the fact that Zimbabwe is an expensive destination. The intention to repeat visitation was found to be significant with the age, level of qualification and nationality of respondents.

Originality/value

The findings provides insights for cultural and heritage tourism managers in Northern Zimbabwe and similar places around the country to invest in this special interest tourism. The development of cultural and heritage tourism will contribute towards the diversification of the seasonal and threatened nature-based tourism in Zimbabwe. With a better understanding of the motivations, trip behaviour characteristics and perceptions of Northern region, this paper presents insights that are important in developing the cultural and heritage tourism sector. Research on tourism growth in Zimbabwe has predominantly focused on nature-based tourism, suggesting a clear relegation of the contribution that cultural and heritage resources can make towards tourism growth; thus, this study provides a significant contribution in the Zimbabwean context with regards to literature.
Firm characteristics associated with concurrent disclosure of GAAP-compliant financial statements with earnings announcements
Authors: D’Angelo Thomas , El-Gazzar Samir , Jacob Rudolph A.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the characteristics of firms that voluntary disclose generally accepted accounting principals (GAAP)-compliant statements of income, statement of cash flows (SCF) and balance sheet (BS) concurrently with quarterly earnings releases. Cardinal motivation of the paper stems from the increasing demand over the past decade by professional analysts and the Securities and Exchange Commission for concurrent disclosure of GAAP-compliant financial statements with earnings’ announcements.

Design/methodology/approach

Using hand-collected archival data, a random sample was identified as disclosing GAAP-compliant SCF and BS with their quarterly earnings releases compared to a control sample identified as non-GAAP-compliant disclosing firms during the 36-month period of 2009-2011, and several hypotheses are tested to determine managements’ incentives to disclose GAAP-compliant versus non-GAAP financials with their earnings releases.

Findings

The results in this paper suggest that debt financing, corporate governance, operating performance, earnings volatility, industry membership (such as technology and more research and development-intensive) and complexity of operations (number of segments) are significant characteristics of firms electing to concurrently disclose GAAP-compliant SCF and BS with earnings releases.

Practical implications

The findings discussed in this paper are of special interest to financial reporting policymakers, financial analysts, firm managers and stakeholders and academics.

Originality/value

The voluntary disclosure literature on quarterly earnings releases is extended by differentiating between GAAP-compliant and non-GAAP-compliant voluntary disclosers. The specific findings of this study may provide valuable input to policymakers as they study prevailing voluntary disclosure rules and practices.
Visualizing Winchester: a brand history through iconic Western images
Authors: Witkowski Terrence H.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to present a visually documented brand history of Winchester Repeating Arms through a cultural analysis of iconic Western images featuring its lever action rifles.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies visual culture perspectives and methods to the research and writing of brand history. Iconic Western images featuring Winchester rifles have been selected, examined, and used as points of departure for gathering and interpreting additional data about the brand. The primary sources consist chiefly of photographs from the nineteenth century and films and television shows from the twentieth century. Most visual source materials were obtained from the US Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and the Internet Movie Firearms Database. These have been augmented by written sources.

Findings

Within a few years of the launch of the Winchester brand in 1866, visual images outside company control associated its repeating rifles with the settlement of the American West and with the colorful people involved. Some of these images were reproduced in books and others sold to consumers in the form of cartes de visite, cabinet cards and stereographs made from albumen prints. Starting in the 1880s, the live Wild West shows of William F. Cody and his stars entertained audiences with a heroic narrative of the period that included numerous Winchesters. During the twentieth century and into the present, Winchesters have been featured in motion pictures and television series with Western themes.

Research limitations/implications

Historical research is an ongoing process. The discovery of new primary data, both written and visual, may lead to a revised interpretation of the selected images.

Originality/value

Based largely on images as primary data sources, this study approaches brand history from the perspective of visual culture theory and data. The research shows how brands acquire meaning not just from the companies that own them but also from consumers, the media and other producers of popular culture.
Stakeholder engagement in intra- and inter-organizational innovation
Authors: Jonas Julia M. , Boha Julian , Sörhammar David , Moeslein Kathrin M.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

To further extend the understanding of multidimensional engagement of stakeholders embedded in service systems, the purpose of this paper is to explore the antecedents that constitute stakeholder engagement in inter-organizational service ecosystems where stakeholders co-create innovations over time.

Design/methodology/approach

An explorative, longitudinal case study design is employed to analyze stakeholders’ engagement in co-innovation in an inter-organizational service system in an engineering context.

Findings

The study identifies eight antecedents for stakeholder engagement in innovation in the context of a B2B environment. Building on related engagement research, the empirical data show how stakeholder engagement is influenced at both individual and organizational levels by the antecedents friendship, common experiences, self-representation, trust, a common goal, resource dependency, level in the hierarchy, institutional arrangements, and local proximity.

Originality/value

The paper extends current understanding of engagement and illuminates stakeholder engagement on a micro level, addressing four key issues for stakeholder engagement in a service ecosystem. How can stakeholder engagement be maintained over time? Does stakeholder engagement at specific hierarchical levels enhance or hinder inter-organizational co-innovation? Is strong engagement necessary for innovation activities? Are the different engagement antecedents linked?
Understanding black market retailing: the case of Colombia’s San Andresitos
Authors: Rosenbaum Mark S. , Losada-Otalora Mauricio , Contreras-Ramirez Germán
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore black market retailing, with a focus on Colombia’s San Andresitos.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use grounded theory methodology to develop a theoretical framework that explains how consumers rationalize their acceptance, rejection, or tolerance of black market retailing. The authors obtained qualitative data based on reader responses to newspaper articles on San Andresitos and used the responses as qualitative data in comparative analysis to derive a “strategy family” theoretical framework.

Findings

The framework advances rationalization techniques that consumers employ to accept, reject, or tolerate the San Andresitos.

Research limitations/implications

Colombians are divided on the legality of the San Andresitos. Although half the informants note the wrongfulness of the San Andresitos, the other half offer reasons to accept or tolerate them.

Practical implications

Legitimate (i.e. lawful) retailers operating in Colombia, or planning to enter, need to realize that local and national government officials support the San Andresitos. Colombia’s legitimate retailers must co-exist with the black market and dissuade consumers from patronizing unauthorized vendors or purchasing illicit goods.

Social implications

Colombia’s acceptance of its black markets results in consumers inadvertently supporting crime, terrorism, and even bodily harm via the San Andresitos. However, the San Andresitos enable lower-income consumers to gain access to otherwise unattainable merchandise and provide employment through lower-skilled labor.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to explore black markets. From a transformative service research perspective, this research reveals how consumers, retailers, and government officials participate in Colombia’s black market, and how their activities serve to harm consumer well-being.
Consumer dispositions toward global brands
Authors: Srivastava Ankur , Balaji M.S.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Despite the increasing attention on consumers in emerging markets, there is limited research on the emerging market consumers’ evaluation of global brands. The purpose of this paper is to address this research gap by examining the role of consumer dispositions – cosmopolitanism, need for uniqueness and materialism in attitude and purchase intentions toward global brands from emerging vs developed markets.

Design/methodology/approach

A mall intercept method was used to collect responses from shoppers in four major cities in India. The intercept method produced a usable sample of 613 respondents. Each respondent was asked to mark his or her response concerning two global brands – one each from developed and emerging markets separately.

Findings

The findings show that cosmopolitanism and need for uniqueness determine emerging market consumers’ attitude toward global brands. Specifically, the authors find that while cosmopolitanism has a higher positive impact on global brands from the developed market, need for uniqueness has a negative impact on global brands from emerging market.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings show that need for uniqueness negatively affects attitude toward global brands from emerging markets. This presents a significant challenge for global brands from emerging market when competing with the counterparts from developed markets.

Practical implications

The findings show that managers of global brands in emerging markets should develop unique brand positioning that differentiates from international brands. By carefully managing their marketing mix elements (e.g. price, design, distribution), they can induce counter-conformity among consumers for brands that originate in emerging markets.

Originality/value

While prior studies suggest that emerging market consumers prefer foreign brands than domestic brands, little attention was focused on the antecedents for such preference. This study considers consumer dispositions, which were not examined in prior research in addressing this research gap.
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, thyroid cancer and Langerhans cell histiocytosis in a patient with X‐linked recessive Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases with a nuclear factor‐κB essential modifier mutation
Authors: Inoue Yuta , Shimizu Akira , Suto Mariko , Kishi Chikako , Takahashi Ayumi , Yasuda Masahito , Iijima Mayuko , Arakawa Hirokazu , Ishikawa Osamu
Published: May 2018

Nuclear factor (NF)‐κB essential modifier (NEMO), also known as IκB kinase subunit‐γ (IKKγ), is a pivotal molecule in the NF‐κB signaling pathway. Mutations of NEMO cause incontinentia pigmenti and X‐linked ectodermal dysplasia with immunodeficiency. Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases (MSMD), which confers an almost selective predisposition to mycobacterial infection, is also caused by NEMO mutations. We herein report the first case of a patient with X‐linked recessive (XR) MSMD who developed cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, thyroid cancer and Langerhans cell histiocytosis. The relationship between NEMO mutation and oncogenesis is discussed.
Seasonality promotes grassland diversity: Interactions with mowing, fertilization and removal of dominant species
Authors: Doležal Jiří , Lanta Vojtěch , Mudrák Ondřej , Lepš Jan
Published: May 2018

Current biodiversity declines in species‐rich grasslands are connected with the cessation of management, eutrophication and the expansion of dominant grass species. One of the theoretical mechanisms limiting biodiversity loss is the ability of subordinate species to avoid competitive exclusion by seasonal niche separation from dominant species. Here, we explore how seasonality underpins the maintenance of diversity in temperate meadows under different management regimes and competition intensities in relation to species functional traits.

We studied eight different communities in a long‐term meadow experiment that manipulated mowing, fertilization and dominant species (Molinia caerulea) removal. In each community, species‐specific trait and biomass data were taken five times during the year to test whether seasonal variation in species composition and functional strategies enable species to coexist.

Mown unfertilized meadows exhibited pronounced seasonal variations in community composition and structure, linked to differences in resource‐use strategies between mid‐summer dominants and the spring and autumn subordinates. Higher specific leaf area and foliar nitrogen concentration in the fast‐growing dominants, and increased water use (δ13C) and nutrient acquisition (δ15N) efficiency in resource‐retentive subordinates, best predicted their temporal niche separation. Seasonal segregation of species with contrasting strategies increased after mowing cessation, and the resulting summer dominance of Molinia. Conversely, the seasonal dynamics were markedly reduced by fertilization, promoting tall grasses over sedges and forbs throughout the entire year, thereby decreasing the overall taxonomic and functional diversity. When Molinia was removed the compositional changes during the season became less pronounced, being significant only in mown unfertilized plots.

Synthesis. Seasonal shifts in community composition reduced the competitive interactions and promoted the coexistence of dominant and subordinate species. Seasonality reversed the negative mid‐summer diversity‐productivity relationship with a positive one during the spring and autumn, and seasonality only prevented diversity loss in unfertilized conditions possibly because competition is most intense in summer. In fertilized meadows, subordinate species are not able to escape competitive exclusion by shifting their phenological peaks to the spring or autumn periods because asymmetric competition is intense over the entire growing season. Studying seasonal dynamics is key to understanding the maintenance of grassland diversity under ongoing land use change.