bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Invasive ants carry novel viruses in their new range and form reservoirs for a honeybee pathogen
Authors: Sébastien Alexandra , Lester Philip J. , Hall Richard J. , Wang Jing , Moore Nicole E. , Gruber Monica A. M.
Published: September 2015

When exotic animal species invade new environments they also bring an often unknown microbial diversity, including pathogens. We describe a novel and widely distributed virus in one of the most globally widespread, abundant and damaging invasive ants (Argentine ants,
Linepithema humile
). The
Linepithema humile virus 1
is a dicistrovirus, a viral family including species known to cause widespread arthropod disease. It was detected in samples from Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Argentine ants in New Zealand were also infected with a strain of
Deformed wing virus
common to local hymenopteran species, which is a major pathogen widely associated with honeybee mortality. Evidence for active replication of viral RNA was apparent for both viruses. Our results suggest co-introduction and exchange of pathogens within local hymenopteran communities. These viral species may contribute to the collapse of Argentine ant populations and offer new options for the control of a globally widespread invader.
Outer membrane protein biogenesis in Gram-negative bacteria
Authors: Rollauer Sarah E. , Sooreshjani Moloud A. , Noinaj Nicholas , Buchanan Susan K.
Published: September 2015

Gram-negative bacteria contain a double membrane which serves for both protection and for providing nutrients for viability. The outermost of these membranes is called the outer membrane (OM), and it contains a host of fully integrated membrane proteins which serve essential functions for the cell, including nutrient uptake, cell adhesion, cell signalling and waste export. For pathogenic strains, many of these outer membrane proteins (OMPs) also serve as virulence factors for nutrient scavenging and evasion of host defence mechanisms. OMPs are unique membrane proteins in that they have a β-barrel fold and can range in size from 8 to 26 strands, yet can still serve many different functions for the cell. Despite their essential roles in cell survival and virulence, the exact mechanism for the biogenesis of these OMPs into the OM has remained largely unknown. However, the past decade has witnessed significant progress towards unravelling the pathways and mechanisms necessary for moulding a nascent polypeptide into a functional OMP within the OM. Here, we will review some of these recent discoveries that have advanced our understanding of the biogenesis of OMPs in Gram-negative bacteria, starting with synthesis in the cytoplasm to folding and insertion into the OM.
Channel crossing: how are proteins shipped across the bacterial plasma membrane?
Authors: Collinson Ian , Corey Robin A. , Allen William J.
Published: September 2015

The structure of the first protein-conducting channel was determined more than a decade ago. Today, we are still puzzled by the outstanding problem of protein translocation—the dynamic mechanism underlying the consignment of proteins across and into membranes. This review is an attempt to summarize and understand the energy transducing capabilities of protein-translocating machines, with emphasis on bacterial systems: how polypeptides make headway against the lipid bilayer and how the process is coupled to the free energy associated with ATP hydrolysis and the transmembrane protein motive force. In order to explore how cargo is driven across the membrane, the known structures of the protein-translocation machines are set out against the background of the historic literature, and in the light of experiments conducted in their wake. The paper will focus on the bacterial general secretory (Sec) pathway (SecY-complex), and its eukaryotic counterpart (Sec61-complex), which ferry proteins across the membrane in an unfolded state, as well as the unrelated Tat system that assembles bespoke channels for the export of folded proteins.
A combined kinetic push and thermodynamic pull as driving forces for outer membrane protein sorting and folding in bacteria
Authors: Fleming Karen G.
Published: September 2015

In vitro
folding studies of outer membrane beta-barrels have been invaluable in revealing the lipid effects on folding rates and efficiencies as well as folding free energies. Here, the biophysical results are summarized, and these kinetic and thermodynamic findings are considered in terms of the requirements for folding in the context of the cellular environment. Because the periplasm lacks an external energy source the only driving forces for sorting and folding available within this compartment are binding or folding free energies and their associated rates. These values define functions for periplasmic chaperones and suggest a biophysical mechanism for the BAM complex.
Outer membrane lipoprotein biogenesis: Lol is not the end
Authors: Konovalova Anna , Silhavy Thomas J.
Published: September 2015

Bacterial lipoproteins are lipid-anchored proteins that contain acyl groups covalently attached to the N-terminal cysteine residue of the mature protein. Lipoproteins are synthesized in precursor form with an N-terminal signal sequence (SS) that targets translocation across the cytoplasmic or inner membrane (IM). Lipid modification and SS processing take place at the periplasmic face of the IM. Outer membrane (OM) lipoproteins take the localization of lipoproteins (Lol) export pathway, which ends with the insertion of the N-terminal lipid moiety into the inner leaflet of the OM. For many lipoproteins, the biogenesis pathway ends here. We provide examples of lipoproteins that adopt complex topologies in the OM that include transmembrane and surface-exposed domains. Biogenesis of such lipoproteins requires additional steps beyond the Lol pathway. In at least one case, lipoprotein sequences reach the cell surface by being threaded through the lumen of a beta-barrel protein in an assembly reaction that requires the heteropentomeric Bam complex. The inability to predict surface exposure reinforces the importance of experimental verification of lipoprotein topology and we will discuss some of the methods used to study OM protein topology.
Activities and regulation of peptidoglycan synthases
Authors: Egan Alexander J. F. , Biboy Jacob , van't Veer Inge , Breukink Eefjan , Vollmer Waldemar
Published: September 2015

Peptidoglycan (PG) is an essential component in the cell wall of nearly all bacteria, forming a continuous, mesh-like structure, called the sacculus, around the cytoplasmic membrane to protect the cell from bursting by its turgor. Although PG synthases, the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), have been studied for 70 years, useful
in vitro
assays for measuring their activities were established only recently, and these provided the first insights into the regulation of these enzymes. Here, we review the current knowledge on the glycosyltransferase and transpeptidase activities of PG synthases. We provide new data showing that the bifunctional PBP1A and PBP1B from
Escherichia coli
are active upon reconstitution into the membrane environment of proteoliposomes, and that these enzymes also exhibit DD-carboxypeptidase activity in certain conditions. Both novel features are relevant for their functioning within the cell. We also review recent data on the impact of protein–protein interactions and other factors on the activities of PBPs. As an example, we demonstrate a synergistic effect of multiple protein–protein interactions on the glycosyltransferase activity of PBP1B, by its cognate lipoprotein activator LpoB and the essential cell division protein FtsN.
Saccharothrix ecbatanensis sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from soil
Authors: Mohammadipanah Fatemeh , Hamedi Javad , Schumann Peter , Spröer Cathrin , Carmen Montero-Calasanz María del , Klenk Hans-Peter
Published: September 2015

A novel actinomycete, designated HM 537T, was isolated from soil in Hamedan Province, Iran. Cell-wall hydrolysates of strain HM 537T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, and whole-cell hydrolysates contained ribose, glucose, galactose, rhamnose and traces of mannose. The main phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and an unknown phospholipid. MK-9(H4), an unknown MK and MK-10(H4) were the predominant menaquinones. The major fatty acids included iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 1 G and 9(?)-methyl C16 : 0. Strain HM 537T had the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Saccharothrix hoggarensis DSM 45457T (99.5 %) and Saccharothrix saharensis DSM 45456T (99.0 %). DNA–DNA hybridization studies showed relatedness values of 13.8 ± 3.3 % with S. hoggarensis DSM 45457T and 16.3 ± 3.5 % with S. saharensis DSM 45456T. Based on the results of phenotypic and genotypic studies, strain HM 537T represents a novel species of the genus Saccharothrix, for which the name Saccharothrix ecbatanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HM 537T ( = DSM 45486T = UTMC 00537T = CCUG 63021T).
Spirochaeta odontotermitis sp. nov., an obligately anaerobic, cellulolytic, halotolerant, alkaliphilic spirochaete isolated from the termite Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) gut
Authors: Sravanthi T. , Tushar L. , Sasikala Ch. , Ramana Ch. V.
Published: September 2015

A Gram-stain-negative spirochaete (strain JC202T) was isolated from the gut of the termiteOdontotermes obesus(Rambur) from Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, India. This strain was obligately anaerobic, mesophilic, halotolerant and required alkaline conditions for growth. Strain JC202Twas resistant to rifampicin and kanamycin, but sensitive to gentamicin, tetracycline, ampicillin and chloramphenicol. Strain JC202Tpossessed phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, glycolipid and six unidentified lipids. C18 : 1ω7cwas the predominant cellular fatty acid with significant proportions of C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c, C14 : 0, C18 : 0, C16 : 1ω5c, C18 : 1ω5cand C20 : 1ω9c. The DNA G+C content of strain JC202Twas 59 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain JC202Tis considered to belong to the genusSpirochaetawithSpirochaeta sphaeroplastigenensJC133T(100 % similarity),Spirochaeta alkalicaZ-7491T(99.92 %),Spirochaeta americanaATCC BAA-392T(99.47 %) and other members of the genusSpirochaeta( < 93.83 %) as the closest phylogenetic neighbours. However, mean DNA–DNA hydridization values between strain JC202TandS. sphaeroplastigenensJC133T,S. alkalicaDSM 8900T( = Z-7491T) andS. americanaDSM 14872T( = ASpG1T) were 55 ± 2, 22 ± 3 and 32 ± 1 %, respectively. On the basis of physiological, biochemical, chemotaxonomic (including metabolome) and genomic differences from the previously described taxa, strain JC202Tis differentiated from other members of the genusSpirochaetaand is considered to represent a novel species, for which the nameSpirochaeta odontotermitissp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JC202T( = KCTC 15324T = NBRC 110104T).
Using cell line and patient samples to improve predictions of patient drug response
Authors: Zhao Cheng , Li Ying , Safikhani Zhaleh , Haibe-Kains Benjamin , Goldenberg Anna
Published: September 2015

Background

Recent advances in high-throughput technologies have facilitated the profiling of large panels of cancer cell lines with responses measured for thousands of drugs. The computational challenge is now to realize the potential of these data in predicting patients’ responses to these drugs in the clinic.

Methods

We address this issue by examining the spectrum of prediction models of patient response: models predicting directly from cell lines, those predicting directly from patients, and those trained on cell lines and patients at the same time. We tested 21 classification models on four drugs, that are bortezomib, erlotinib, docetaxel and epirubicin, for which clinical trial data were available.

Results

Our integrative models consistently outperform cell line-based predictors, indicating that there are limitations to the predictive potential ofin vitrodata alone. Furthermore, these integrative models achieve better predictive accuracy and require substantially fewer patients than would be the case if only patient data were available.

Conclusions

The integration ofin vitroandex vivogenomic data results in more accurate predictors using only a fraction of the patient information, which can help optimize the development of personalized predictors of therapy response. Altogether our results support the relevance of preclinical data for therapy prediction in clinical trials, enabling more efficient and cost-effective trial design.
Widespread shortening of 3’ untranslated regions and increased exon inclusion are evolutionarily conserved features of innate immune responses to infection
Authors: Pai Athma A. , Baharian Golshid , Sabourin Ariane Pagé , Brinkworth Jessica F. , Nédélec Yohann , Foley Joseph W. , Grenier Jean-Christophe , Siddle Katherine J. , Dumaine Anne , Yotova Vania , Johnson Zachary P. , Lanford Robert E. , Burge Christopher B. , Barreiro Luis B.
Published: September 2015

The contribution of pre-mRNA processing mechanisms to the regulation of immune responses remains poorly studied despite emerging examples of their role as regulators of immune defenses. Here, we used mRNA sequencing to quantify gene expression and isoform abundances in primary macrophages from 60 individuals, before and after infection with two live bacteria. In response to both bacteria we identified thousands of genes that significantly change isoform usage in response to infection, and found global shifts towards (i) the inclusion of cassette exons and (ii) shorter 3’ UTRs. Using complementary data collected in non-human primates, we show that these features are evolutionarily conserved among primates. Finally, our results suggest that the pervasive usage of shorter 3’ UTRs is a mechanism for particular genes to evade repression by immune-activated miRNAs. Collectively, our results show that dynamic changes in RNA processing play a key role in the regulation of innate immune responses.
False context fear memory in rats
Authors: Bae Sarah E. , Holmes Nathan M. , Westbrook R. Frederick
Published: September 2015

Four experiments used rats to study false context fear memories. In Experiment 1, rats were pre-exposed to a distinctive chamber (context A) or to a control environment (context C), shocked after a delay in a second chamber (context B) and tested either in B or A. Rats pre-exposed to A froze just as much as control rats in B but more than control rats in A. In Experiment 2, rats were pre-exposed to A or C, subjected to an immediate shock in B and tested in B or A. Rats pre-exposed to A froze when tested in A but did not freeze when tested in B and control rats did not freeze in either A or B. The false fear memory to the pre-exposed A was contingent on its similarity with the shocked B. In Experiment 3, rats pre-exposed to A and subjected to immediate shock in B froze when tested in A but did not freeze when tested in C and rats pre-exposed to C did not freeze when tested either in A or C. In Experiment 4, rats pre-exposed to A and subjected to immediate shock in B froze more when tested in A than rats whose pre-exposure to A began with an immediate shock. The results were discussed in terms of a dual systems explanation of context fear conditioning: a hippocampal-dependent process that forms a unitary representation of context and an amygdala-based process which associates this representation with shock.
Phase densities and lamellar morphologies of semicrystalline polyethylenesviaabsolute small-angle X-ray scattering measurements
Authors: Basiura-Cembala Monika , Erlacher Kurt , Pedersen Jan Skov , Goderis Bart
Published: September 2015

With the crystalline volume fraction from small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and the density of the crystalline phase from wide-angle X-ray diffraction, the amorphous phase density of two representative polyethylenes was calculated as a function of temperature using the absolute total SAXS scattering power or invariant. The density of the amorphous phase in semicrystalline polyethylene is crystallinity independent and is lower than melt-extrapolated values reported in the literature. Model-independent SAXS-based crystallinity values can be calculated with the aid of the densities of the crystalline and amorphous phase and the absolute SAXS invariant. Such model-independent crystallinity values can be used in SAXS curve-shape analysis procedures to obtain the average thickness of the crystalline and amorphous layers also in the case of non-ideal lamellar semicrystalline polymer morphologies for which the number-average long period cannot be retrieved from the maxima in correlation functions or interface distribution functions.
Effect of using polyimide capillaries during thermal experiments on the particle size distribution of supported Pt nanoparticles
Authors: Gámez-Mendoza Liliana , Resto Oscar , Martínez-Iñesta María
Published: September 2015

Kapton HN-type polyimide capillaries are commonly used as sample holders for transmission X-ray experiments at temperatures below 673 K because of their thermal stability, high X-ray transmittance and low cost. Using high-angle annular dark field scanning high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis, this work shows that using polyimide capillaries leads to the overgrowth of supported Pt nanoparticles during reduction at temperatures below the glass transition temperature (Tg= 658 K) owing to an outgassing of water from the polyimide. Quartz capillaries were also studied and this overgrowth was not observed.
Supramolecular interactions in the solid state
Authors: Resnati Giuseppe , Boldyreva Elena , Bombicz Petra , Kawano Masaki
Published: September 2015

In the last few decades, supramolecular chemistry has been at the forefront of chemical research, with the aim of understanding chemistry beyond the covalent bond. Since the long-range periodicity in crystals is a product of the directionally specific short-range intermolecular interactions that are responsible for molecular assembly, analysis of crystalline solids provides a primary means to investigate intermolecular interactions and recognition phenomena. This article discusses some areas of contemporary research involving supramolecular interactions in the solid state. The topics covered are: (1) an overview and historical review of halogen bonding; (2) exploring non-ambient conditions to investigate intermolecular interactions in crystals; (3) the role of intermolecular interactions in morphotropy, being the link between isostructurality and polymorphism; (4) strategic realisation of kinetic coordination polymers by exploiting multi-interactive linker molecules. The discussion touches upon many of the prerequisites for controlled preparation and characterization of crystalline materials.
Structure–mechanical property correlations in mechanochromic luminescent crystals of boron difluoride dibenzoylmethane derivatives
Authors: Krishna Gamidi Rama , Devarapalli Ramesh , Prusty Rajesh , Liu Tiandong , Fraser Cassandra L. , Ramamurty Upadrasta , Reddy Chilla Malla
Published: September 2015

The structure and mechanical properties of crystalline materials of three boron difluoride dibenzoylmethane (BF2dbm) derivatives were investigated to examine the correlation, if any, among mechanochromic luminescence (ML) behaviour, solid-state structure, and the mechanical behaviour of single crystals. Qualitative mechanical deformation tests show that the crystals of BF2dbm(tBu)2can be bent permanently, whereas those of BF2dbm(OMe)2exhibit an inhomogeneous shearing mode of deformation, and finally BF2dbmOMe crystals are brittle. Quantitative mechanical analysis by nanoindentation on the major facets of the crystals shows that BF2dbm(tBu)2is soft and compliant with low values of elastic modulus,E, and hardness,H, confirming its superior suceptibility for plastic deformation, which is attributed to the presence of a multitude of slip systems in the crystal structure. In contrast, both BF2dbm(OMe)2and BF2dbmOMe are considerably stiffer and harder with comparableEandH, which are rationalized through analysis of the structural attributes such as the intermolecular interactions, slip systems and their relative orientation with respect to the indentation direction. As expected from the qualitative mechanical behaviour, prominent ML was observed in BF2dbm(tBu)2, whereas BF2dbm(OMe)2exhibits only a moderate ML and BF2dbmOMe shows no detectable ML, all examined under identical conditions. These results confirm that the extent of ML in crystalline organic solid-state fluorophore materials can be correlated positively with the extent of plasticity (low recovery). In turn, they offer opportunities to design new and improved efficient ML materials using crystal engineering principles.
Situational appropriation of information
Authors: Huvila Isto
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– In contrast to the interest of describing and managing the social processes of knowing, information science and information and knowledge management research have put less emphasis on discussing how particular information becomes usable and how it is used in different contexts and situations. The purpose of this paper is to address this major gap, and introduce and discuss the applicability of the notion of situational appropriation of information for shedding light on this particular process in the context of daily information work practices of professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is based on the analysis of 25 qualitative interviews of archives, library and museum professionals conducted in two Nordic countries.

Findings

– The study presents examples of how individuals appropriate different tangible and intangible assets as information on the basis of the situation in hand.

Research limitations/implications

– The study proposes a new conceptual tool for articulating and conducting research on the process how information becomes useful in the situation in hand.

Practical implications

– The situational appropriation of information perspective redefines the role of information management to incorporate a comprehensive awareness of the situations when information is useful and is being used. A better understanding how information becomes useful in diverse situations helps to discern the active role of contextual and situational effects and to exploit and take them into account as a part of the management of information and knowledge processes.

Originality/value

– In contrast to orthodoxies of information science and information and knowledge management research, the notion of situational appropriation of information represents an alternative approach to the conceptualisation of information utilisation. It helps to frame particular types of instances of information use that are not necessarily addressed within the objectivistic, information seeker or learning oriented paradigms of information and knowledge management.
A longitudinal, mixed method evaluation of self-awareness training in the workplace
Authors: Sutton Anna , Williams Helen M , Allinson Christopher W
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to investigate whether self-awareness, which is associated with general well-being and positive life outcomes, is also of specific benefit in the workplace. The authors tested the relationship between self-awareness and job-related well-being, and evaluated two different interventions designed to improve dispositional self-awareness at work.

Design/methodology/approach

– Full-time employees took part in these training interventions and completed questionnaires using a switching-replications design. Questionnaires measured dispositional self-attentiveness (reflection and rumination) and job well-being (satisfaction, enthusiasm and contentment) at three time points over a period of six weeks. Statistical analyses were complemented with qualitative analysis of reported impacts.

Findings

– Self-awareness was positively associated with job-related well-being and was improved by training. Employees reported gaining a greater appreciation of diversity, improved communication with colleagues and increased confidence.

Research limitations/implications

– Sample size limited the extent to which the relatively weak relationships between the concepts could be identified.

Practical implications

– Self-awareness is demonstrated to be of value at work, associated with higher well-being and improvements in several positive occupational outcomes. The self-awareness training is more likely to result in active work-based improvements than in reflective changes.

Originality/value

– Dispositional self-awareness is shown to be subject to change through training. The study demonstrates the value of self-awareness at work and identifies a range of related work outcomes.
Single-site housing first for chronically homeless people
Authors: Malone Daniel K. , Collins Susan E. , Clifasefi Seema L.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– Chronic homelessness is a serious public health issue that places a strain on health-care and criminal justice systems. Typical housing models place requirements on chronically homeless individuals that are often experienced as insurmountable barriers to housing. Housing First (HF) models attempt to more effectively reach this population, and an emerging version of this is the single-site HF approach introduced by Seattle’s DESC. Single-site HF entails the provision of immediate, permanent, low-barrier supportive housing to chronically homeless individuals within a single building. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this case report, the authors use DESC’s 1811 Eastlake, a well-known and well-researched application of the single-site HF approach, as an example to describe single-site HF, enumerate its underlying principles, and provide a strong evidence base for its replication.

Findings

– The paper provides information and insight into elements of a successful single-site HF program and what it looks like in practice.

Research limitations/implications

– 1811 Eastlake is one specific application of the single-site HF approach focused specifically on chronically homeless individuals with severe alcohol problems who are the highest utilizers of publicly funded services. Due to the specific nature of the population, the findings presented may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to continue evaluating the outcomes of single-site HF programs on alcohol use, mental health and quality of life outcomes for all populations receiving single-site HF.

Practical implications

– The accumulating research and clinical evidence have indicated that HF is key to engaging and housing chronically homeless individuals.

Social implications

– These ongoing efforts stand to decrease the burden of chronic homelessness for affected individuals, their families, communities and society-at-large.

Originality/value

– Many housing providers look to DESC’s 1811 as a model program. This paper fulfills an identified need to describe a successful model of single-site HF for purposes of replication.
Despite initial “kicking and screaming” unstably housed persons report high satisfaction with representative payee program
Authors: Davis Dana , Hawk Mary , McLaughlin Jamie , Brincko Terri , King Miranda , Farmartino Christina
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore unstably housed persons satisfaction with representative payee services.

Design/methodology/approach

– Surveys were distributed through two different methods, which consisted of mailings and dispersal by program staff members.

Findings

– Participants overwhelmingly reported that they were satisfied with representative payee services with 77 percent of the stand-alone housing participants and 86 percent of the scattered site participants reported being “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with representative payee services. Similarly, 92 percent of stand-alone participants and 82 percent of scattered site participants reported being satisfied with their abilities to care for their needs. The lowest reported satisfaction with the program was with the timeliness of getting spending checks, with 85 percent of participants being satisfied in the stand-alone location and only 63 percent of participants reporting satisfaction in the scattered site setting.

Research limitations/implications

– This research is limited by the fact that it is an evaluation of one program and does not have a comparison group. Additionally, clients self-selected to participate in the research and results are not generalizable. Future research should ascertain whether aspects of harm reduction and peer staff have an impact on client outcomes as well as representative payee satisfaction. The study was conducted in a metropolitan area in the Northeast USA, which includes the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. Given that this region includes both city and suburban areas, it is likely the results are translatable to multiple geographic areas.

Practical implications

– Results of this research indicate that use of harm reduction and peer staff could be factors in client satisfaction with representative payee services thereby increasing the possibility that clients will sign up for this service and receive the benefits of the program.

Social implications

– Having a representative payee program imposed on clients whether voluntarily or involuntarily can be an extremely anxiety provoking experience. Increasing satisfaction with this service will lend to improved quality of life for clients as well as improved relationships with providers which may lead to more engagement in care.

Originality/value

– This paper provides a new perspective on representative payee programs since it shows positive satisfaction, as well as use of harm reduction and peer staff, which varies from previous studies.
Identifying the financial barriers to deliberative, affordable apartment development in Australia
Authors: Sharam Andrea , Bryant Lyndall Elaine , Alves Thomas
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the financial barriers to the supply of affordable apartments in Australia and examine whether demand aggregation and “deliberative development” (self-build) can form a new affordable housing “structure of provision”.

Design/methodology/approach

– Market design, an offshoot of game theory, is used to analyse the existing apartment development model, with “deliberative development” proposed as an innovative alternative. Semi-structured interviews with residential development financiers are used to evaluate whether deliberative development could obtain the requisite development finance.

Findings

– This investigation into the financial barriers of a deliberative development model suggests that, while there are hurdles, these can be addressed if key risks in the exchange process can be mitigated. Hence, affordability can be enhanced by “deliberative development” replacing the existing speculative development model.

Research limitations/implications

– Market design is a new innovative theoretical approach to understand the supply of housing, offering practical solutions to affordable apartment supply in Australia.

Originality/value

– This research identifies financial barriers to the supply of affordable apartments; introduces theoretical understandings gained from market design as an innovative solution; and provides evidence that a new structure of building provision based on “deliberative development” could become a key means of achieving more affordable and better designed apartments.
Inequalities in addressing the HIV epidemic: the story of the Indonesian Ojek community
Authors: Fauk Nelsensius Klau , Mwanri Lillian
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the potential socio-cultural determinants contributing to inequalities and the susceptibility of the Ojek to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.

Design/methodology/approach

– In 2010 a qualitative enquiry was employed to collect data concerning the susceptibility of the Ojek to HIV infection. Both one-on-one open-ended in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were employed. Participants included Ojek (hired motorcycle drivers), religious and community leaders, staff from the HIV/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Commission of Belu and staff from two HIV/AIDS non-governmental organisations. A thematic analysis and a framework approach were used to analyse the data.

Findings

– The findings showed four socio-cultural determinants of susceptibility to HIV infection within the Ojek community. These included: first, mobility and migration; second, patterns of sexual behaviours, sexual networks and sexual incentives; third, cultural norms and social interactions; and fourth, the lack of resources, knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS. Underpinned by these factors, the main determinant of HIV susceptibility for the Ojek is an individual’s engagement in sexual intercourse with multiple sex partners, including female commercial sex workers (FCSWs).

Social implications

– There is a need to disseminate HIV/AIDS information and education throughout the Ojek communities, and to engage the general population in the promotion of sexual behavioural change among the Ojek in Belu. Empowerment strategies should also be employed to empower the general community, the Ojek and FCSWs in order to address HIV/AIDS transmission.

Originality/value

– This paper provides evidence of the socio-cultural determinants of HIV inequalities within the Ojek community in Indonesia. An understanding of these determinants would enable the planning, implementation and application of a holistic approach addressing the determinants of HIV in Belu and other similar settings. Additionally, knowledge of such determinants would provide an understanding of the role of inter-sectoral collaboration and community participation in tackling the susceptibility to HIV infection within the Ojek community.
Collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment: a literature review
Authors: Hollmann Roberto Luis , Scavarda Luiz Felipe , Thomé Antônio Márcio Tavares
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic review of the literature on Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR). The review emphasises the descriptors of CPFR implementation and models, as well as the impact of CPFR and other supply chain collaboration (SCC) initiatives on supply chain (SC) performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The systematic review includes 50 full-text papers retrieved from four databases: Emerald, EBSCO, ScienceDirect and Wiley. Rigorous and verifiable keywords, review steps and selection criteria were applied to the database and inter-coders agreement was systematically checked.

Findings

– There is no consensus regarding the breadth and scope of CPFR configurations. CPFR is context-dependent and varies according to the configuration of the SC. Trust, information-communication technology and the quality of information sharing are main enablers and inhibitors of implementation.

Practical implications

– Practitioners will benefit from insights related to the choice of SCC configurations (e.g. number of partners, nature of products and spatial complexity), the importance of trust and empowerment for SCC and the need to outweigh carefully the costs and benefits of specific SCC before implementation.

Originality/value

– CPFR, which is considered by many to be the most advanced and the most comprehensive SCC process and has a direct impact upon SC performance. Nonetheless, efforts to synthesise the overall state of the art in CPFR have been rather limited to date. As an effort to fill this gap, this paper provides a better understanding of the role of CPFR as a determinant of SC performance. As an effort to contribute to complete the cycle of theory building based on the literature review, seven propositions for CPFR research are put forward.
Research opportunities in performance measurement in public utilities regulation
Authors: Ensslin Sandra Rolim , Ensslin Leonardo , Matos Lucas dos Santos , Dutra Ademar , Ripoll-Feliu Vicente Mateo
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to choose a set of scientific articles about performance measurement in public utilities regulation. The method is designed to identify references with high academic relevance in databases accessed via the internet, and, through these articles, to perform a mapping of these publications and conduct a systemic analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is characterized as exploratory and descriptive with a qualitative and quantitative approach. Incorporates an inductive logic, and draws on primary and secondary data sources. The research involves the application of a technical procedure for selection and study of selected articles. To this end, the process selected was the Knowledge Development Process – Constructivist (ProKnow-C).

Findings

– The result was a set of 16 renowned scientific articles and, for these papers, the main periodicals, papers, authors and keywords of the topic stood out. The content analysis allowed the identification of highlights and opportunities for future research.

Originality/value

– The originality of the paper lies in presenting a structured process for identifying relevant academic articles relating to the research context and, for these articles, find prominences and opportunities for a research theme without similar papers.
Factors affecting acceptance
&
use of ReWIND
Authors: Nair Pradeep Kumar , Ali Faizan , Leong Lim Chee
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to explain the factors affecting students’ acceptance and usage of a lecture capture system (LCS) – ReWIND – in a Malaysian university based on the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) model. Technological advances have become an important feature of universities’ plans to improve the flexibility and accessibility in a learning and teaching environment. For private universities, which are market-driven, it is vital to assess if these technologies influence the perceptions and behaviour of their target beneficiaries.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is designed using a causal research design to examine the cause–effect relationship between the study variables. The study sample consists of 398 students selected via purposive sampling. Data are collected using a five-point Likert scale covering UTAUT2’s factors and variables featuring ReWIND’s acceptance and usage. Partial least squares-based structural equation modelling is used to analyse the data.

Findings

– The findings show that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, price–value, hedonic motivation and habit have significant influence on students’ acceptance and usage of ReWIND.

Research limitations/implications

– This research examines the factors affecting students’ acceptance and usage of ReWIND in a Malaysian university. The main limitation of this study is that it focuses only on the factors highlighted in the UTAUT2 model.

Practical implications

– The results provide a useful framework to the universities for the successful implementation of student-friendly technologies such as ReWIND to enhance their learning experience.

Originality/value

– Responding to the need of studies validating the UTAUT2 model in the adoption and use of different technologies, this study contributes to the literature by extending the UTAUT2 into the context of LCS at a private university in a developing country.
Stereo orthogonal axonometric perspective for the teaching of Descriptive Geometry
Authors: Méxas José  Geraldo Franco , Guedes Karla Bastos , Tavares Ronaldo da Silva
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present the development of a software for stereo visualization of geometric solids, applied to the teaching/learning of Descriptive Geometry.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper presents the traditional method commonly used in computer graphic stereoscopic vision (implemented in C language) and the proposed method (implemented in GeoGebra software). The proposed method is a new methodology for stereo spatial visualization. It uses the orthogonal axonometric perspective obtained from the mongean projections of the object, both concepts studied in Descriptive Geometry course.

Findings

– The use of stereoscopic techniques has great potential for the improvement of spatial visualization ability, because they allow the understanding of spatial situations presented in complex exercises. The students who tested the proposed method said that it offered a superior stereo vision depth in relation to the traditional matrix method.

Research limitations/implications

– For future work, the paper suggests to carry out a statistical study to evaluate the educational benefit of the tool, and to investigate the proposed method using the conical axonometric perspective.

Practical implications

– Create a virtual environment to support the process of teaching/learning Descriptive Geometry and contribute to the development of students
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spatial visualization skills. The software will be available on the Internet, in the GeoGebra libraries. The objective is to increase e-learning, where a greater number of students will study.

Social implications

– The current goal in Brazil universities is to greatly increase the number of poor students entering as a social inclusion strategy. University courses need more efficient teaching techniques to attend the students, so the e-learning techniques are recommended.

Originality/value

– This paper’s innovative characteristic comes from the implementation of stereoscopic vision from traditional methods used in Descriptive Geometry, so the proposed method improves both the visualization ability and the Descriptive Geometry basic concepts, which points out to its educational role.
Career success of older workers: the influence of social skills and continuous learning ability
Authors: Hennekam Sophie
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of the competencies social skills and continuous learning ability on career success and career satisfaction among workers aged 50 or over.

Design/methodology/approach

– A mixed methods approach consisted of 920 surveys and 11 semi-structured interviews with working individuals aged 50 or above, registered at a job agency specialized in older employees in the Netherlands. Multiple regression and content analysis were used to analyze the findings.

Findings

– The survey showed a positive relationship between the competencies and career success and career satisfaction However, the interviews revealed that not all older workers perceived the need to continuously stay up-to-date as positive, pushing them into retirement.

Originality/value

– The influence of competencies on career success and career satisfaction of older workers has received only little attention from researchers.
Personality characteristics of the self-employed
Authors: Lee-Ross Darren
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to permit further understanding of entrepreneurial personality characteristics of need for achievement, locus of control, innovation, risk-taking and competitive aggression by comparing the self-employed with waged and salaried workers and the general population.

Design/methodology/approach

– A logistic regression equation was used on the “World Values Survey (WVS)” data set to test the relationship between entrepreneurship and personality characteristics by estimating the probability of an event occurring directly.

Findings

– This research replicated and extended the earlier work of Beugelsdijk and Noorderhaven (2005). Using two reference groups for comparison, entrepreneurs are different in terms of their psychological characteristics. Specifically, these are need for achievement and locus of control; these were the strongest characteristics. Competitive aggression and risk-taking were moderate in this respect with innovation finding least support.

Research limitations/implications

– In terms of limitations, the present study does not account for environmental enablers or mitigation of starting and sustaining businesses. Also how do the national media, society and culture regard entrepreneurship? Moreover, is there only one model of entrepreneurship or several? For example, amongst indigenous societies, entrepreneurship is more of a collective rather than an individual pursuit where culture and heritage preservation are more important than purely profit generation. Similarly, no account is taken of the differences (nuanced or otherwise) between entrepreneurial personality characteristics in factor vs opportunity/innovation-driven economies.

Practical implications

– The self-employed in this study were different to both comparison groups which is important information for government policy formation at all levels in terms of targeted business/career education, infrastructure, funding, opportunity creation and incubator programmes. Furthermore, rudimentary community and university diagnostics could be formulated around these entrepreneurial characteristics to identify potential entrepreneurs for a “career” of self-employment or placement within large firms as “intrapreneurs” to improve productivity and economic growth.

Originality/value

– This study is the first to use the WVS for scrutiny of entrepreneurial personality traits. It expands and augments earlier work in the field which used the smaller “European Values Survey” by including many more questions pertaining to entrepreneurial personality characteristics adding additional robustness to the outcomes.
Virtuous leadership – insights for the 21st century
Authors: Caldwell Cam , Hasan Zuhair , Smith Sarah
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explain the importance of virtuous leadership and identify six characteristics that are necessary for the modern leader to be effective in an increasingly challenging and competitive world market.

Design/methodology/approach

– Theory development.

Findings

– The authors suggest that virtuous leaders possess an uncommon level of commitment to those employees whom they serve, to their customers, to their shareholders, and to society at large, the authors extend the concept of the moral continuum and identify the importance of a virtuous perspective in honoring the obligation to optimize wealth creation and enriching outcomes and relationships, and the authors suggest ten propositions about virtuous leadership that may be empirically tested by both scholars and practitioners who are interested in studying and/or applying virtuous leadership to improve relationships and build organizations.

Originality/value

– Original article.
Leadership roles and transformative duties – preliminary research
Authors: Xu Feng , Caldwell Cam , Glasper Kevin , Guevara Leiry
Published: September 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present empirical evidence about the roles of leaders and how those roles mesh with transformative leadership as a new theory of ethical stewardship.

Design/methodology/approach

– Statistical methods are implemented to test the associations between specific leadership roles and six transformative leadership perspectives. Data are collected from Likert-type responses from a survey of 399 faculty, staff, and students of a Catholic University in South Florida.

Findings

– Analysis results indicate that there are significantly positive associations between six leadership perspectives of transformative leadership and the five roles of leadership in the Kouzes and Posner (2012) model.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to empirically transformative leadership, a new theory that incorporates six highly regarded leadership perspectives. It provides a framework for understanding the ethical duties of leaders and affirms the importance of those duties as they correlate with Kouzes and Posner’s highly regarded five-role model.