bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Individual-level analysis of differential expression of genes and pathways for personalized medicine
Authors: Wang Hongwei , Sun Qiang , Zhao Wenyuan , Qi Lishuang , Gu Yunyan , Li Pengfei , Zhang Mengmeng , Li Yang , Liu Shu-Lin , Guo Zheng
Published: August 2014

Motivation: The differential expression analysis focusing on inter-group comparison can capture only differentially expressed genes (DE genes) at the population level, which may mask the heterogeneity of differential expression in individuals. Thus, to provide patient-specific information for personalized medicine, it is necessary to conduct differential expression analysis at the individual level.

Results: We proposed a method to detect DE genes in individual disease samples by using the disrupted ordering in individual disease samples. In both simulated data and real paired cancer-normal sample data, this method showed excellent performance. It was found to be insensitive to experimental batch effects and data normalization. The landscape of stable gene pairs in a particular type of normal tissue could be predetermined using previously accumulated data, based on which dysregulated genes and pathways for any disease sample can be readily detected. The usefulness of the RankComp method in clinical settings was exemplified by the identification and application of prognostic markers for lung cancer.

Availability and Implementation:  RankComp is implemented in R script that is freely available from Supplementary Materials.

Contact:  guoz@ems.hrbmu.edu.cn or slliu@ucalgary.ca

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
MR_predictor: a simulation engine for Mendelian Randomization studies
Authors: Voight Benjamin F.
Published: August 2014

Summary: I present MR_predictor, a simulation engine designed to guide the development and interpretation of statistical tests of causality between phenotypes using genetic instruments. MR_predictor provides a framework to model either individual traits or complex scenarios where multiple phenotypes are correlated or dependent on each other. Crucially, MR_predictor can incorporate the effects of multiple biallelic loci (linked or unlinked) contributing genotypic variability to one or more simulated phenotypes. The software has a range of options for sample generation, and output files generated by MR_predictor port into commonly used analysis tools (e.g. PLINK, R), facilitating analyses germane for Mendelian Randomization studies. Benchmarks for speed and power calculations for summary statistic-based Mendelian Randomization analyses are presented and compared with analytical expectation.

Availability and implementation: The simulation engine is implemented in PERL, and the associated scripts can be downloaded from github.com, and online documentation, tutorial and example datasets are available at http://coruscant.itmat.upenn.edu/mr_predictor.

Contact: bvoight@upenn.edu

Supplementary information: Supplementary derivations are available at Bioinformatics online.
MIRPIPE: quantification of microRNAs in niche model organisms
Authors: Kuenne Carsten , Preussner Jens , Herzog Mario , Braun Thomas , Looso Mario
Published: August 2014

Summary: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent an important class of small non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression in eukaryotes. Present algorithms typically rely on genomic data to identify miRNAs and require extensive installation procedures. Niche model organisms lacking genomic sequences cannot be analyzed by such tools. Here we introduce the MIRPIPE application enabling rapid and simple browser-based miRNA homology detection and quantification. MIRPIPE features automatic trimming of raw RNA-Seq reads originating from various sequencing instruments, processing of isomiRs and quantification of detected miRNAs versus public- or user-uploaded reference databases.

Availability and implementation: The Web service is freely available at http://bioinformatics.mpi-bn.mpg.de. MIRPIPE was implemented in Perl and integrated into Galaxy. An offline version for local execution is also available from our Web site.

Contact:  Mario.Looso@mpi-bn.mpg.de

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Severe Outbreak of the Emerging Soybean Viruses in Korea: An Increasing Threat
Authors: Seo Jang-Kyun , Park Ja-Yeon , Kwak Hae-Ryun , Kim Mi-Kyeong , Nam Moon , Lee Su-Heon , Kim Jeong-Soo , Choi Hong-Soo
Published: August 2014

To determine the current incidence of Soybean yellow mottle mosaic virus (SYMMV), Soybean yellow common mosaic virus (SYCMV), and Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) in Korea, a nationwide survey was performed in 2013. A total of 417 soybean samples with typical virus symptoms were collected from 9 large-scale soybean-cultivated areas. To identify viruses from the collected samples, RT-PCR was performed using specific primers for SMV, SYMMV, or SYCMV. To confirm the RT-PCR results, PCR products were purified and sequenced.

22 July 2014. 18 August 2014.
Thermomechanical constitutive modelling of shape memory polymer including continuum functional and mechanical damage effects
Authors: Shojaei Amir , Li Guoqiang
Published: August 2014

A multi-mechanism-based phenomenological model is developed within the finite deformation kinematics framework for capturing the thermomechanical behaviour of shape memory polymers (SMPs) both during programming and in service. Particularly, the damage mechanisms in SMPs are studied within the continuum damage mechanics (CDMs) framework in which they are classified into
mechanical
or
physical
damage, induced during service condition, e.g. fatigue and
functional
damage induced during thermomechanical cycles, e.g. shape recovery loss. Statistical mechanics is incorporated to describe the initiation and saturation of these deformation mechanisms. The main advantage of the presented viscoplastic model, comparing to the existing counterparts, is its simplicity by minimizing the need for curve fitting, and capability in simulating the nonlinear stress–strain behaviour of amorphous, crystalline or semicrystalline SMPs. The developed viscoplastic CDM model takes into account several distinctive deformation mechanisms involved in the thermomechanical cycle of SMPs, including glass transition loss events, temperature-dependent material properties, stress relaxation, shape recovery transient events and damage effects. The established model correlates well with the experimental results and its computational capabilities provide material designers with a powerful design tool for future SMP applications.
Determination of serotyping antigens, clonal analysis and genetic characterization of the 4CMenB vaccine antigen genes in invasive Neisseria meningitidis from Western Canada, 2009 to 2013
Authors: Law Dennis K. S. , Zhou Jianwei , Deng Saul , Hoang Linda , Tyrrell Gregory , Horsman Greg , Wylie John , Tsang Raymond S. W.
Published: August 2014

This study examined invasive Neisseria meningitidis recovered from invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases in Western Canada between 2009 and 2013. A total of 161 isolates from individual IMD cases were analysed for serogroup, serotype, serosubtype, PorA genotype, multi-locus sequence type and nucleotide sequence of their 4CMenB vaccine antigen genes. Sixty-nine isolates were serogroup B (MenB), 47 were serogroup Y (MenY), 22 were serogroup C (MenC), 19 were serogroup W (MenW), three were serogroup E and one was non-encapsulated. MenC, MenY and MenW were mainly clonal, represented primarily by clonal complex (cc) 11, cc23 or cc167, and cc22, respectively. In contrast, MenB were composed of eight different ccs together with 11 isolates not assigned to any known cc. Antigenic analysis and PorA genotyping confirmed the heterogeneity of MenB isolates, while such results supported the clonal nature of most MenC, MenY and MenW isolates. Thirty-four (21.1 %) isolates had at least one gene that encoded one matching vaccine protein component of the 4CMenB vaccine (i.e. PorA P1.4; fHbp variant 1.1; NHBA peptide 2; and NadA-1, -2, or -3). An additional 18 isolates had genes that encoded variant 1 or subfamily B factor H binding proteins of this same vaccine.
New challenges in beamline instrumentation for the ESRF Upgrade Programme Phase II
Authors: Susini Jean , Barrett Raymond , Chavanne Joel , Fajardo Pablo , Götz Andy , Revol Jean-Luc , Zhang Lin
Published: August 2014

Although beamline instrumentation is by nature driven by science, some recent examples serve as reminders that new technologies also enable new science. Indeed, exploiting the full scientific potential of forthcoming new storage rings with unprecedented source characteristics will, in many cases, require the development and implementation of novel instrumentation. In comparison with present synchrotron radiation facilities, the majority of beamlines should reap immediate performance benefits from the improved source emittance, principally through increased flux and/or horizontal beam size reduction at the sample. Instrumentation will have to develop along similar quantitative and qualitative trends. More speculative and more challenging is anticipating instrumentation that will be required by the new science made possible thanks to the unique coherence properties of diffraction-limited storage rings (DLSRs). ESRF has recently carried out a detailed feasibility study for a new ultra-low-emittance 6 GeV hybrid multibend storage ring, identified as ESRF Upgrade Programme Phase II. Although its performance is not expected to be equivalent to a DLSR source, the successful implementation of the ESRF Phase II project has to address scientific instrumentation issues that are also common to DLSRs. This article aims at providing a comprehensive review of some of the challenges encountered by the ESRF, in the context of the preparation of Phase II of its upgrade programme.
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the periplasmic domain of theEscherichia coliaspartate receptor Tar and its complex with aspartate
Authors: Mise Takeshi , Matsunami Hideyuki , Samatey Fadel A. , Maruyama Ichiro N.
Published: August 2014

The cell-surface receptor Tar mediates bacterial chemotaxis toward an attractant, aspartate (Asp), and away from a repellent, Ni2+. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of Tar activity by its ligands, theEscherichia coliTar periplasmic domain with and without bound aspartate (Asp-Tar and apo-Tar, respectively) were each crystallized in two different forms. Using ammonium sulfate as a precipitant, crystals of apo-Tar1 and Asp-Tar1 were grown and diffracted to resolutions of 2.10 and 2.40 Å, respectively. Alternatively, using sodium chloride as a precipitant, crystals of apo-Tar2 and Asp-Tar2 were grown and diffracted to resolutions of 1.95 and 1.58 Å, respectively. Crystals of apo-Tar1 and Asp-Tar1 adopted space groupP41212, while those of apo-Tar2 and Asp-Tar2 adopted space groupsP212121andC2, respectively.
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of YfcM: an important factor for EF-P hydroxylation
Authors: Kobayashi Kan , Suzuki Takehiro , Dohmae Naoshi , Ishitani Ryuichiro , Nureki Osamu
Published: August 2014

Elongation factor P (EF-P) plays an essential role in the translation of polyproline-containing proteins in bacteria. It becomes functional by the post-translational modification of its highly conserved lysine residue. It is first β-lysylated by PoxA and then hydroxylated by YfcM. In this work, the YfcM protein fromEscherichia coliwas overexpressed, purified and crystallized. The crystal of YfcM was obtained by thein situproteolysis crystallization method and diffracted X-rays to 1.45 Å resolution. It belonged to space groupC2, with unit-cell parametersa= 124.4,b= 37.0,c= 37.6 Å, β = 101.2°. The calculated Matthews coefficient (VM) of the crystal was 1.91 Å3 Da−1, indicating that one YfcM molecule is present in the asymmetric unit with a solvent content of 35.7%.
Purification, characterization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies of monodehydroascorbate reductase fromOryza sativaL.japonica
Authors: Do Hackwon , Kim Il-Sup , Kim Young-Saeng , Shin Sun-Young , Kim Jin-Ju , Mok Ji-Eun , Park Seong-Im , Wi Ah Ram , Park Hyun , Lee Jun Hyuck , Yoon Ho-Sung , Kim Han-Woo
Published: August 2014

Monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR; EC 1.6.5.4) is a key enzyme in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification system of plants. The participation of MDHAR in ascorbate (AsA) recycling in the ascorbate–glutathione cycle is important in the acquired tolerance of crop plants to abiotic environmental stresses. Thus, MDHAR represents a strategic target protein for the improvement of crop yields. Although physiological studies have intensively characterized MDHAR, a structure-based functional analysis is not available. Here, a cytosolic MDHAR (OsMDHAR) derived fromOryza sativaL.japonicawas expressed usingEscherichia colistrain NiCo21 (DE3) and purified. The purified OsMDHAR showed specific enzyme activity (approximately 380 U per milligram of protein) and was crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method at pH 8.0 and 298 K. The crystal diffracted to 1.9 Å resolution and contained one molecule in the asymmetric unit (the Matthews coefficientVMis 1.98 Å3 Da−1, corresponding to a solvent content of 38.06%) in space groupP41212 with unit-cell parametersa=b= 81.89,c= 120.4 Å. The phase of the OsMDHAR structure was resolved by the molecular-replacement method using a ferredoxin reductase fromAcidovoraxsp. strain KKS102 (PDB entry 4h4q) as a model.
Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of TssL fromVibrio cholerae
Authors: Jeong Jae-Hee , Chang Jeong Ho , Kim Yeon-Gil
Published: August 2014

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a macromolecular complex that is conserved in Gram-negative bacteria. The T6SS secretes effector proteins into recipient cells in a contact-dependent manner in order to accomplish cooperative and competitive interactions with the cells. Although the composition and mechanism of the T6SS have been intensively investigated across many Gram-negative bacteria, to date structural information on T6SS components from the important pathogenVibrio choleraehas been rare. Here, the cloning, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of the cytoplasmic domain of TssL, an inner membrane protein of the T6SS, fromV. choleraeare reported. Diffraction data were collected to 1.5 Å resolution using synchrotron radiation. The crystal belonged to the hexagonal space groupP61, with unit-cell parametersa= 78.4,b= 78.4, c= 49.5 Å. The successful structural characterization of TssL fromV. choleraewill contribute to understanding the role of the membrane-associated subunits of the T6SS in more detail.
Alcohol related brain damage – a case of neglect?
Authors: Place Charlie
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to argue that alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) is a neglected problem. ARBD is a term that has begun to be used over the past decade to describe prolonged cognitive impairment caused by alcohol use, including Wernicke's encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome, alcohol dementia and alcohol-related brain injury.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper provides an overview of ARBD describing the research around its prevalence and prognosis. There is a consensus in the literature that there is little research and a lack of awareness of this condition. The author uses case studies from his own experience working with people with ARBD to describe the difficulties in accessing appropriate assessment and care for this group, and suggests that they are often excluded in a way that is familiar from the experience of the person with “dual diagnosis”.

Findings

– Recommendations are made including raising awareness, improving screening for cognitive impairment and developing specialist services.

Originality/value

– ARBD appears to have been neglected in the “dual diagnosis” world and this paper attempts to address this, and so should be of interest to a wide range of professionals working with substance use, mental health, homelessness and social work.
Exploring coping strategies of carers looking after people with intellectual disabilities and dementia
Authors: D. Perera Bhathika , J. Standen Penny
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– Carers play a vital role in looking after people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Caring role can be stressful and challenging in nature. Carers use various coping strategies to deal with stressors. The purpose of this paper is to explore coping strategies of carers looking after people with ID and dementia.

Design/methodology/approach

– Qualitative methodology was used to explore coping strategies. Focus groups and face-to-face interviews were carried out. These interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

– Nine interviews with carers (six paid carers and three family carers) and two focus groups with nursing staff looking after people with ID were carried out. Three key themes of “Narrative”, “Strategy toolbox” and “Compartmentalisation” emerged from analysis. Narrative and strategy took box were further subthemed. Carers had narratives about them and the person they look after. These “narratives” helped them to deal with day to day stressors. They also carried a “strategy toolbox”, which they used when they were in stressful situations. Compartmentalisation helped them to separate their personal life from work life as a carer.

Originality/value

– Understanding carers’ coping strategies is important when planning services to help carers who play an important role in our society. Professionals can support carers to understand and improve their existing coping skills and help them to thrive in their role as carers.
Prader-Willi syndrome and hyperphagia: an update
Authors: Stanley K.
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder characterised by excessive appetite and progressive obesity. The causes of hyperphagia are unknown and this has implications on treatment limiting the options available. The purpose of this paper is to systematically synthesise the latest evidence regarding all causes as well as management of hyperphagia in people with PWS.

Design/methodology/approach

– A computer-based literature search, citation tracking and related articles search was undertaken. Primary research studies using genetically confirmed Prader-Willi participants specifically focused on the causes and treatment of overeating was included. Studies were described, critically analysed, presented and discussed in the review.

Findings

– In total, 18 relevant studies were identified. Nine studies were included in the causes of hyperphagia and focused largely on the roles of secretory hormones, and reward-related areas of the brain. Nine studies were included in the management of hyperphagia and related to physical exercise and food control, antidiabetic agents and weight loss surgery.

Originality/value

– The causes and the management of hyperphagia are still to be determined despite promising findings. The small number and heterogeneity of the included studies and participants limits conclusions. There is the need for future research to use larger systematic studies to validate findings so far.
Adapting to trauma: disengagement as a holding strategy
Authors: Barton David , Ward Kath , Roddam Hazel
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to draw upon a range of material to improve the understanding of disengagement with everyday life, by some individuals who have learning disabilities and mental health difficulties. Illustrative incidents from historical clinical cases are utilised, to consider whether this reframing may enhance the interpretation of presenting behaviours.

Design/methodology/approach

– Key recurring themes within transpersonal literature were reviewed, relevant to adults with behaviour indicating a degree of disengagement from everyday life. These were grouped into Physical Realm, Psychosocial Realm and Realm of Being. Illustrative examples of behaviour are reviewed and re-interpreted within this framework.

Findings

– These examples generated plausible interpretations for the presenting behaviours within this framework of the Three Realms. These interpretations support a fresh understanding of the quality of the individual's inner experience. This paper suggests a potential framework to consider the way in which some individuals may experience a different quality of consciousness than the usual.

Practical implications

– Use of the Three Realms for behaviour interpretation should result into a more empathetic and client-centred approach that could reduce the need for aversive approaches, lessening risk for the client and any employing organisation. The identification of behaviours that signal participation in the Realm of Being could be defined and evaluated with the potential to be used to inform the nature and content of the support provided.

Originality/value

– This paper, rooted in clinical examples, offers an original synthesis with reasons to include the immaterial realm in the perspective of the human condition. This could benefit people with substantial episodes of disconnection from the Physical Realm and everyday culture and those who support them.
Current U.S. trends in formal performance appraisal: practices and opportunities – Part One
Authors: O. Longenecker Clinton , S. Fink Laurence , Caldwell Sheri
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this two-part paper is to explore the current practices being employed in the formal performance appraisal process in a cross-section of US service and manufacturing organizations. In this paper, the authors identify the current trends that emerged from this research study and the improvement opportunities that exist for organizations that currently engage in the practice of formally appraising their personnel.

Design/methodology/approach

– The formal performance appraisal process, procedure, and rating form from 183 US organizations were reviewed by a three-person review panel and were content analyzed to identify current trends and opportunities for improvement.

Findings

– This qualitative analysis revealed that the average rating procedure had been in place for 5.5 years, to serve a wide variety of purposes, identified critical gaps in training, made it clear that organizations employ a wide variety of performance criteria in assessing their people.

Research limitations/implications

– The biggest limitation of this research is the fact that a convenience sample of 183 organizations was employed as the basis for this study.

Practical implications

– Data on the actual formal performance appraisal process of organizations are rather limited and this research provides critical insight into current practice limiting potential generalizability.

Social implications

– The social implications of this research suggests that organizations can do a much better job of equipping their leaders/employees to more effectively reap the organizational benefits of this key practice.

Originality/value

– Research in this area is not prevalent so this is a descriptive research study that both researchers and organizations can use to further their knowledge in formal performance appraisals.
Design, fabrication and test of an embedded lightweight kinematic autopilot (ELKA)
Authors: Petricca Luca , Hrishikeshavan Vikram , Ohlckers Per , Chopra Inderjit
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– Unmanned vehicles flight is controlled by embedded circuits in the aircraft, under the remote control of a pilot on the ground. This circuit, called autopilot, represents one of the key elements inside the vehicles. The authors developed one of the smallest autopilot, specifically designed for low-weight low-power applications. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The system is based on STM32 ARM Cortex M3 microcontroller. It includes an onboard 9 DOF IMU (MPU9150) and a 2.4 GHz wireless transceiver (nRF24L01+).

Findings

– The embedded lightweight kinematic autopilot (ELKA) can pilot up to eight servomotors, and can be used to monitor more than 100 sensors. The final assembled board is 28×21 mm2 and weighs around 1.2 grams (battery excluded), and has successfully passed initial functionality tests.

Originality/value

– The authors presented the design, fabrication and initial tests of a lightweight kinematic autopilot (ELKA board version 1.0). The system has been designed in order to upgrade the state-of-art capability in sensing and processing over a previous autopilot (GINA), which is of similar weight and size. The small size (28×21 mm2) and the lightweight (around 1.2 grams) make ELKA one of the smallest autopilot in the world.
L1adaptive pitch control of an autonomous underwater vehicle
Authors: Sarhadi Pouria , Ranjbar Noei Abolfazl , Khosravi Alireza
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to show the application of an L1adaptive controller to control an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), considering realistic perturbations.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper, an L1adaptive controller is proposed to control the pitch channel of an AUV, for the first time. Based on a six degree of freedom (6-DOF) nonlinear equations, an appropriate linear model considering real perturbations is derived for the pitch channel of AUV. Then L1adaptive controller is applied on the model in the presence of the bounded disturbances and uncertainties. For this purpose, verified parameters of the REMUS AUV have been considered. Several simulations are performed in different operating conditions.

Findings

– The results confirm the quality of the proposed method in various situations. Furthermore, it is shown that the L1adaptive controller is potential to contribute in practical applications of AUVs such as other autonomous systems.

Originality/value

– This is the first time that this method has been applied to an AUV.
The acquisition puzzle and mispricing: evidence of over-optimism
Authors: Donnelly Ray , Hajbaba Amir
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– Researchers suspect that the overvaluation of equity issuing acquirers is a major cause of their subsequent post-event underperformance. Definitive conclusions regarding this overpricing hypothesis have not been possible since indicators of overpricing such as the book-to-market ratio and subsequent underperformance are open to alternative interpretations. The purpose of this paper is to corroborate or refute overvaluation as a driver of equity issuing acquirers’ subsequent underperformance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The literature has linked overvaluation of acquirers to over-optimistic expectations. The authors use analysts’ earnings forecasts to reflect the market's expectations. Over-optimism is indicated by subsequent earnings disappointments. The authors examine the relation between acquirers’ choice of payment method and their tendency to report disappointing earnings. The authors also examine the effect of including a more direct measure of over-optimism in a model to explain the long-run post-event buy-and-hold-abnormal returns of acquirers.

Findings

– The post-acquisition earnings of equity issuing acquirers disappoint more often than those of acquirers employing alternative financing methods. This relationship is confined to glamour acquirers. The ability of financing method to predict long-run post-acquisition performance is subsumed when direct measures of optimism are included in a model explaining long-run post-acquisition performance. This result is robust to controls for overpayment and other potential explanations of post-acquisition underperformance.

Research limitations/implications

– Acquirers’ management exploit their information advantage to exchange overvalued equity for the assets of the target company in accordance with Loughran and Ritter's (2000) behavioural timing hypothesis.

Originality/value

– The study provides new and unambiguous evidence that equity-issuing acquirers are optimistically priced at the time of acquisition.
Portfolio revision and optimal diversification strategy choices
Authors: Mroua Mourad , Abid Fathi
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– Since equity markets have a dynamic nature, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of a revision procedure for domestic and international portfolios, and provides an empirical selection strategy for optimal diversification from an American investor's point of view. This paper considers the impact of estimation errors on the optimization processes in financial portfolios.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper introduces the concept of portfolio resampling using Monte Carlo method. Statistical inferences methodology is applied to construct the sample acceptance regions and confidence regions for the resampled portfolios needing revision. Tracking error variance minimization (TEVM) problem is used to define the tracking error efficient frontiers (TEEF) referring to Roll (1992). This paper employs a computation method of the periodical after revision return performance level of the dynamic diversification strategies considering the transaction cost.

Findings

– The main finding is that the global portfolio diversification benefits exist for the domestic investors, in both the mean-variance and tracking error analysis. Through TEEF, the dynamic analysis indicates that domestic dynamic diversification outperforms international major and emerging diversification strategies. Portfolio revision appears to be of no systematic benefit. Depending on the revision of the weights of the assets in the portfolio and the transaction costs, the revision policy can negatively affect the performance of an investment strategy. Considering the transaction costs of portfolios revision, the results of the return performance computation suggest the dominance of the global and the international emerging markets diversification over all other strategies. Finally, an assessment between the return and the cost of the portfolios revision strategy is necessary.

Originality/value

– The innovation of this paper is to introduce a new concept of the dynamic portfolio management by considering the transaction costs. This paper investigates the performance of a revision procedure for domestic and international portfolios and provides an empirical selection strategy for optimal diversification. The originality of the idea consists on the application of a new statistical inferences methodology to define portfolios needing revision and the use of the TEVM algorithm to define the tracking error dynamic efficient frontiers.
Determinants and market implications of differentiated dividends in Korea
Authors: Bae Choi Bo , Kang Jangkoo , Lee Doowon
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore unequal dividend payment policies called differentiated dividends (DDs) in Korea. The characteristics of firms are examined which allocate higher dividends to small shareholders than large shareholders within the same share class.

Design/methodology/approach

– Logit analysis is used to compare firms that initiate DDs with those that pay conventional equal dividends. The abnormal market reaction to news of initiation of DDs is also examined.

Findings

– Managers of firms facing cash insufficiency are more likely to initiate DDs. The DD scheme is used as a method to cater to high dividend demands in the market. The stock price reaction to the initiation of DDs is positive when the total dividend payments are increased, signifying that the market interprets it as good news.

Practical implications

– Firms facing cash insufficiency can avoid an increase in the cost of capital by retaining extra cash from DDs rather than borrowing external funds. Additionally, managers can foster favorable market reactions by using DDs which helps firms in attracting new capital investments. Finally, regulatory bodies can consider encouraging managers to adopt unequal dividend schemes to allow higher dividend payments to small shareholders, especially in countries with weak legal protection for minority shareholders.

Originality/value

– Similar unequal dividend policies exist in European countries but there is a lack of research conducted on those policies. The paper provides implications for the strategic use of unequal dividends to maximize firm value.
The relationship between ownership structure, capital structure and corporate governance practices
Authors: Reddy Krishna , Locke Stuart
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nature of corporate governance practised by co-operatives and mutual societies in New Zealand and whether there is any relationship between co-operatives’ ownership structure, capital structure and agency costs. The study also explores whether the capital structure and the ownership structure changed during the period 2005-2011.

Design/methodology/approach

– Panel data for the period 2005-2011 are analysed using ordinary least squares regression and the Tobit model regression. The authors have used operating expense to sales, asset utilisation and ROA as the dependent variables.

Findings

– The findings indicate that an increase in independent directors, board member experience and size (measured by total annual sales) reduces agency costs in co-operatives and mutuals in New Zealand. Also, borrowing from members rather than banks reduces agency cost and increases profitability in co-operatives and mutuals.

Research limitations/implications

– Caution should be exercised when generalising the findings of the study as it is restricted to New Zealand environment and the sample size used is relatively small.

Practical implications

– This study offers insights for policy makers internationally who are interested in adopting similar corporate governance practices in their own countries. Within New Zealand, the corporate governance debate associated with co-operatives and mutual societies will be better informed as a direct consequence of this research.

Originality/value

– This is the first study that extends the research undertaken by Anget al.(2000) and Singh and Davidson (2003) to the cooperative and mutual business model in New Zealand.
Synthesis of a long chain alkylbiphenyl base stock and study on the lubricating properties
Authors: Wang Tinggui , Cai Guoxing , Zhang Letao , Ma Li , Yu Erlei , Eli Wumanjiang
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The Friedel-Crafts alkylation of biphenyl with 1-octene was completed using methanesulfonic acid (MSA) as catalyst.

Design/methodology/approach

– Single factor experiments were carried out to investigate the influence of the molar ratio of biphenyl to 1-octene, the amount of MSA, reaction temperature and reaction time on the olefins conversion and the yield of product to obtain the optimal reaction conditions. Under the optimum conditions, a lubricating base stock was synthesized, and its physical, chemical and electrical properties were determined.

Findings

– The experimental results showed that after a 5 h reaction time at 353 K, the olefins conversion of 94.9 per cent and the yield of product of 69.3 per cent were obtained with a molar ratio of biphenyl to 1-octene of 1.2 and a molar ratio of MSA to 1-octene of 1. Under the optimum conditions, a lubricating base stock was synthesized, and its physical, chemical and electrical properties were determined. The results suggested that the synthetic base stock could be used as refrigeration oil.

Originality/value

– In this manuscript, biphenyl was alkylated with 1-octene using MSA as the catalyst and 2.6-di-t-butylphenol as polymerization inhibitor. Compared with traditional catalysts, it has so many advantages as low tendency to oxidize organic compounds, low toxicity and less corrosion. In addition, it can be readily separated from the reaction mixture and can be reused. Moreover, MSA is an environmentally friendly material.
The role of product and brand emotion in purchase behavior, a study in Iranian home appliance context
Authors: Rahmanian Koshkaki Emad
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the role and influence of product emotion and brand emotion on consumer purchase behavior in the Iranian market and consumption context. As products are almost homogenized, it is assumed that product emotion and brand emotion can elicit emotions in consumer purchase behavior, which results in experiences or a different kind of purchase behavior outcome. Also, this study aims to investigate how consumers emotionally relate to brand and products and how this relation affects their purchase behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is a field descriptive, applied research which uses structural equation modeling. Paper-pencil self-report questionnaire was used to gather required data. Pilot tests were conducted on 40 respondents, and the results were used for checking validity and reliability of the questionnaire. In the second phase, 400 questionnaires were subjected to respondents. Exploratory factor analyses were used to investigate the data and the correlation between constructs.

Findings

– The results were in line with previous research works and fulfilled the goals of current study. The estimation and fit indices meet or even exceed the criteria and the measurement model fits the data well. Using structural equation modeling, correlations were found significant. Brand emotion and product emotion both influence consumer purchase behavior significantly, through four constructs of purchase behavior.

Research limitations/implications

– Due to the research approach, data gathering tool and sampling process, the generalizability of this research is limited or may be market or product oriented; the results of this research must be interpreted within its limitation and scope.

Originality/value

– This study shows that in the Iranian market and consumption context, product emotion and brand emotion are correlated and directly and indirectly elicit emotions in consumer’s behavior. Also this study helps to understands how Iranian consumers perceive brands and products emotionally and how they evaluate alternatives based on their emotion.
Musical intelligence: explication, measurement, and implications for consumer behavior
Authors: Krishnan Vijaykumar , A. Machleit Karen , J. Kellaris James , Y. Sullivan Ursula , W. Aurand Timothy
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of the paper is to develop and test a psychometrically valid scale for musical intelligence as an individuating variable. This scale can elicit individual differences on reactions to sonic branding stimuli such as audio logos, radio jingles and commercial music.

Design/methodology/approach

– A two-step confirmatory factor analysis followed by structural equation modeling was used to develop and test the scale. Data were collected across three studies consisting of 470 participants. The scale was developed and nomologically validated.

Findings

– Findings suggest that musical intelligence discriminates reactions to music as evidenced by the three component conceptualization of musical intelligence.

Originality/value

– This study offers an original, three-component conceptualization of musical intelligence, proposes a measurement scale and then presents evidence of construct validity. Finally, the paper discusses potential applications of the scale in personality research.
Collaborative working in South African construction: contractors’ perspectives
Authors: Emuze F. , Julian Smallwood John
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the level of collaborative working among project partners in South African construction. The construction industry is made up of a plethora of entities trading as consultants, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and manufacturers. The effort and contributions of these entities with the input of clients result in completed projects. However, the performance of the industry has continued to generate more negative, rather than positive, headlines. Typical headlines include defects, rework, delays, injuries and accidents, all of which are mostly blamed on the endemic fragmented nature of the industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– The assessment was undertaken through a quantitative survey conducted among general contractor (GC) members of the Master Builders South Africa.

Findings

– Selected findings relative to the research include short-term objectives and price-oriented approach are prevalent in the industry; poor problem-solving mechanisms exist between project partners; poor use of modularisation; significant numbers of irregular clients and rigid adherence to contents of contract data.

Research limitations/implication

– The research findings provide an insight rather than definitive information due to the limited response rate of the survey.

Originality/value

– The paper concludes that contractors should embrace collaborative procurement methods to improve performance and promote innovation in the industry.Recommendations include the availability of a consistent work load for the supply chain members as well as the improvement of the relationship between project partners, especially between contractors and their subcontractors/suppliers.
Low cost real-time tracking system prototype using GM862 cellular quad band module
Authors: M. El-Medany Wael , Al-Omary Alauddin , Al-Hakim Riyadh , Nusaif Mustafa
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a development to the hardware and software of a real-time tracking system that provides the position of the tracked vehicle accurately using fairly low-cost equipment and services. Vehicle tracking industries are expanding as businesses are interested to know their fleet vehicles positions minute by minute every day. Many systems were proposed recently that can provide such information.

Design/methodology/approach

– The system is implemented using GM862 cellular quad band module. A monitoring server and a graphical user interface on a Web site have also been implemented to view the current location of a vehicle on a specific map.

Findings

– The experiments were conducted and tested in different areas of the Kingdom Of Bahrain using Google maps, and results are discussed.

Originality/value

– The developed system has been compared to the available and imported tracking systems to some of the telematics companies in Bahrain, and the comparison has been discussed.
Shadow banking in China: expanding scale, evolving structure
Authors: Li Tong
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to survey available data sources and put China’s shadow banking system in perspective. Although bank loans still account for the majority of credit provided to China’s real economy, other channels of credit extension are growing rapidly. The fast expansion of shadow banking has spurred wide concerns regarding credit quality and financial stability.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper explores various data sources, provides an overview of shadow banking activities in China, discusses their close ties with banks and summarizes regulatory issues. Extensive descriptive data are included to provide a comprehensive picture of the nature of shadow banking activities in China. In particular, institutions and products are discussed in great details.

Findings

– While China’s shadow banking system is by no means simple, it does not (yet) involve the extensive use of financial derivatives. Rather, shadow banking credit is often directly extended to the real economy. In addition, shadow banks are typically interconnected with commercial banks in various ways. The expanding scale and constantly evolving structure of the shadow banking system has posed challenges for financial regulators.

Originality/value

– This paper attempts to quantify the scale and scope of China’s shadow banking activities and provides a consistent framework as the basis for cross-country comparison of shadow banking systems. This is one of the first scholarly research products that discusses the origin, nature and risks of China’s shadow banking system in a regulatory context.
Marketing an established institutional repository: Marquette Libraries’ research stewardship survey
Authors: Fortier Rose , Laws Emily
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the results of Marquette University Libraries’ survey measuring faculty knowledge and attitudes about the institution’s repository, for the purposes of creating a marketing plan for the institutional repository (IR).

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper adopts a quantitative approach through the use of a survey.

Findings

– Like many other endeavors to measure faculty engagement with the IR, the investigators discovered that faculty knowledge of the IR is not universal. Moreover, the perceived values and motivators for faculty use of the IR were also not surprising, with faculty viewing online dissemination of their work to be the most valuable feature offered by the IR, and furthering their own careers was the prime motivator. The importance of continual and varied methods of marketing is reaffirmed.

Originality/value

– Whereas many articles on faculty recruitment for IRs agree on the importance of marketing, very few suggest specific strategies. The investigators make suggestions for continual and varied marketing methods based on their findings.
Emotional intelligence in a stupid world
Authors: Klare Diane , Behney Melissa , Kenney Barbara Ferrer
Published: August 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to review the five emotional intelligence (EI) competencies as originally outlined by Daniel Goleman but within the context of academic libraries. EI skills can be more important to have than intellectual ability in creating effective organizations. Academic librarians, particularly those in leadership positions, need to be mindful of EI competencies to avoid miscommunication when working with colleagues. Used skillfully, EI has the ability to build more cohesive and stronger collaborations inside and outside the library. EI is just as important for early career librarians as it is for those in senior management positions.

Design/methodology/approach

– This article reviews the five EI competencies as originally outlined by Daniel Goleman but within the context of academic libraries. It focuses on empathy to demonstrate how its application in libraries can facilitate teamwork, engender better cooperation and strengthen an organization’s culture.

Findings

– Most library literature focuses on EI skills as related to senior-level positions. There is a need for researchers to explore the understanding of EI skills throughout the entire library structure, including how to screen for EI during the hiring process and develop EI skills among existing staff.

Practical implications

– Librarians will learn how hiring for EI competencies at all levels will benefit the work environment within academic libraries, as well as how to develop and improve their own EI skills using complementary techniques.

Originality/value

– Readers will increase their awareness of how EI can benefit them and their colleagues regardless of whether they have structural (formal) or informal leadership roles in academic libraries, as well as how it leads to professional and personal growth.