bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of wideband antireflective coatings using fused deposition modelling
Authors: Ransom P. , Larimore Z. , Jensen S. , Mirotznik M.S.
Published: January 2016

A method to fabricate continuously tapered antireflective (AR) coatings using fused deposition modelling (FDM) is presented. The method leverages FDM's ability to fabricate spatially varying 3D structures with variable polymer fill volumes, thus producing a spatially varying effective permittivity profile. The method is validated experimentally within the Ka‐band. Experimental results closely match predictions, and AR treated samples demonstrate much less transmission loss than non‐AR treated samples.
Chromate adsorption from chromite ore processing residue eluates by three Indian soils
Authors: Matern K. , Mansfeldt T.
Published: January 2016

Environmental context Chromate (CrO42–)-containing waste is illegally dumped in some places in the state of Uttar Pradesh, north India, although CrO42– is known to be toxic and carcinogenic. Because CrO42– is leached from the landfills, this study investigated the adsorption of CrO42– by soils. The results indicated that CrO42– is highly leachable and adsorption is inhibited, which leads to contamination of the groundwater and drinking water in this area. Abstract Chromite ore processing residue (COPR) is a harmful waste of the chromate (CrO42–) extraction roasting process. Nevertheless, deposition of COPR in uncontrolled surface landfills is still common practice in some countries. Leaching of carcinogenic CrO42– and contamination of groundwater is a key environmental risk arising from COPR sites. The objective of this study was to evaluate the adsorption behaviour of CrO42– from COPR eluates by soils. Prior to the adsorption experiments, batch studies at varying solid-to-liquid ratios were performed to evaluate the solubility of CrO42– from COPR. Chromate adsorption experiments were carried out in a batch system with eluates obtained from two different Indian COPRs to assess potential groundwater contamination by CrO42–. Three soils that originate from the surroundings of COPR dumping sites were chosen in order to provide realistic adsorption conditions. The data were evaluated with the Freundlich and Langmuir equation. Chromate adsorption was inhibited because of the high pH of both of the soils (pH 6.7 to 7.2) and the eluates (pH 12.3) as well as the high carbonate concentration of the eluates. The extent and behaviour of CrO42– adsorption from both eluates was similar. The main difference between the eluates was the solubility of CrO42– from COPR and thus the initial CrO42– concentration. The results presented in this study provide an improved understanding of the mobility of CrO42– in the affected area, which is important because the local population uses the groundwater not only for the needs of livestock but also as drinking water.
Combination OX40 agonism/CTLA-4 blockade with HER2 vaccination reverses T-cell anergy and promotes survival in tumor-bearing mice
Authors: Linch Stefanie N. , Kasiewicz Melissa J. , McNamara Michael J. , Hilgart-Martiszus Ian F. , Farhad Mohammad , Redmond William L.
Published: January 2016

Significance

Several immunotherapies are approved for treating cancer patients, including aCTLA-4 (anti–cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated protein 4; ipilimumab) and anti–PD-1 (anti-programmed cell death protein 1; nivolumab; pembrolizumab), but the best clinical results are coming from combination immunotherapy. Our research demonstrates that aOX40 (anti-CD134)/aCTLA-4 immunotherapy can lead to a potentially tumor-promoting Th2-cytokine milieu (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) when relying on endogenous antigen presentation. However, aOX40/aCTLA-4 treatment combined with a tumor antigen-specific vaccine, DEC-205 (anti–dendritic and epithelial cells, 205 kDa)–HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2), promoted robust tumor infiltration by effector CD8 T cells and restored Th1 polarization of CD4 T cells, leading to improved overall survival in a mammary carcinoma model. This study has direct relevance for the design of combination therapy trials in patients.
Additivity of semantic and phonological effects: Evidence from speech production in Mandarin
Authors: Zhu Xuebing , Zhang Qingfang , Damian Markus F.
Published: January 2016

A number of previous studies using picture–word interference (PWI) tasks conducted with speakers of Western languages have demonstrated non-additive effects of semantic and form overlap between pictures and words, which may indicate underlying non-discrete processing stages in lexical retrieval. The present study used Mandarin speakers and presented Chinese characters as distractors. In two experiments, we crossed semantic relatedness with “pure” phonological (i.e., orthographically unrelated) relatedness and found statistically additive effects. In a third experiment, semantic relatedness was crossed with orthographic overlap (phonological overlap was avoided), and once again we found an additive pattern. The results are discussed with regard to possible cross-linguistic differences between Western and non-Western languages in terms of phonological encoding, as well as concerning the locus of relatedness effects in PWI tasks.
Repeated Self- and Peer-Review Leads to Continuous Improvement in Child Interviewing Performance
Authors: Stolzenberg Stacia , Lyon Thomas
Published: January 2016

The present study examined whether a training model that focuses on consistent exposure to protocol procedure, self-evaluation, and intensive peer-review sessions could improve interviewers’ ability to adhere to best practices. Law students (N = 19) interviewed 5- to 10-year-old children on a weekly basis as part of a semester-long forensic child interviewing class. They transcribed their interviews, and participated in 1-hr self- and peer-reviews. The proportion of each question type was calculated (option-posing, Wh- questions [what, how, where, why, when, and who], and open-invitations) within each interview for each interviewer. Across 10 weeks of interviews, interviewers consistently improved their performance, decreasing the proportion of option-posing questions by 31% and increasing the proportion of open-invitations by 47%. All interviewers improved. The present study suggests that with consistent self-evaluation and peer-review, forensic interviewers can incrementally improve their performance.
Scanning Electron Microscopic Features of Extubated Monoka Stents
Authors: Ali Mohammad Javed , Baig Farhana , Lakhsman Mekala , Naik Milind N.
Published: January 2016

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to examine the presence of surface and intraluminal biofilms and physical deposits on the extubated Monoka stents.

Methods:

A prospective interventional study was performed on consecutive patients who underwent Monoka stents placement for varied indications. The patient samples were retrieved either at 6 weeks or 3 months after the surgery based on the indication for stent use. None of the patients had any clinical evidence of postoperative infection. The intraluminal portions studied include the distal cut ends as well as the entire intraluminal surface. The analysis was performed using the standard protocols of scanning electron microscopy. The external and internal surfaces were compared against sterile stents which acted as controls.

Results:

A total of 12 stents were studied. Ten were consecutive patient samples and 2 were sterile stents. The external surfaces, cut ends as well as intraluminal surfaces of all the patient stents demonstrated evidence of biofilm formation and physical deposits. The most preferential site of the deposits was the ampullary portion of the stent head. The biofilms and deposits were more extensive in stents retained for 3 months as compared with 6 weeks. Intraluminal surfaces, all through showed clumps of physical deposits and bacterial biofilms with intervening skip areas.

Conclusions:

All surfaces of Monoka stents harbor physical deposits and biofilms. Lumen-less Monoka stents may prevent the lumens from acting as additional biofilm nidus.
Cheating and punishment in cooperative animal societies
Authors: Riehl Christina , Frederickson Megan E.
Published: January 2016

Cheaters—genotypes that gain a selective advantage by taking the benefits of the social contributions of others while avoiding the costs of cooperating—are thought to pose a major threat to the evolutionary stability of cooperative societies. In order for cheaters to undermine cooperation, cheating must be an adaptive strategy: cheaters must have higher fitness than cooperators, and their behaviour must reduce the fitness of their cooperative partners. It is frequently suggested that cheating is not adaptive because cooperators have evolved mechanisms to punish these behaviours, thereby reducing the fitness of selfish individuals. However, a simpler hypothesis is that such societies arise precisely because cooperative strategies have been favoured over selfish ones—hence, behaviours that have been interpreted as ‘cheating’ may not actually result in increased fitness, even when they go unpunished. Here, we review the empirical evidence for cheating behaviours in animal societies, including cooperatively breeding vertebrates and social insects, and we ask whether such behaviours are primarily limited by punishment. Our review suggests that both cheating and punishment are probably rarer than often supposed. Uncooperative individuals typically have lower, not higher, fitness than cooperators; and when evidence suggests that cheating may be adaptive, it is often limited by frequency-dependent selection rather than by punishment. When apparently punitive behaviours do occur, it remains an open question whether they evolved in order to limit cheating, or whether they arose before the evolution of cooperation.
Oscillatory control of Delta-like1 in cell interactions regulates dynamic gene expression and tissue morphogenesis
Authors: Shimojo Hiromi , Isomura Akihiro , Ohtsuka Toshiyuki , Kori Hiroshi , Miyachi Hitoshi , Kageyama Ryoichiro
Published: January 2016

Notch signaling regulates tissue morphogenesis through cell–cell interactions. The Notch effectors Hes1 and Hes7 are expressed in an oscillatory manner and regulate developmental processes such as neurogenesis and somitogenesis, respectively. Expression of the mRNA for the mouse Notch ligand Delta-like1 (Dll1) is also oscillatory. However, the dynamics of Dll1 protein expression are controversial, and their functional significance is unknown. Here, we developed a live-imaging system and found that Dll1 protein expression oscillated in neural progenitors and presomitic mesoderm cells. Notably, when Dll1 expression was accelerated or delayed by shortening or elongating the Dll1 gene, Dll1 oscillations became severely dampened or quenched at intermediate levels, as modeled mathematically. Under this condition, Hes1 and Hes7 oscillations were also dampened. In the presomitic mesoderm, steady Dll1 expression led to severe fusion of somites and their derivatives, such as vertebrae and ribs. In the developing brain, steady Dll1 expression inhibited proliferation of neural progenitors and accelerated neurogenesis, whereas optogenetic induction of Dll1 oscillation efficiently maintained neural progenitors. These results indicate that the appropriate timing of Dll1 expression is critical for the oscillatory networks and suggest the functional significance of oscillatory cell–cell interactions in tissue morphogenesis.
Mechanisms of Hippo pathway regulation
Authors: Meng Zhipeng , Moroishi Toshiro , Guan Kun-Liang
Published: January 2016

The Hippo pathway was initially identified in Drosophila melanogaster screens for tissue growth two decades ago and has been a subject extensively studied in both Drosophila and mammals in the last several years. The core of the Hippo pathway consists of a kinase cascade, transcription coactivators, and DNA-binding partners. Recent studies have expanded the Hippo pathway as a complex signaling network with >30 components. This pathway is regulated by intrinsic cell machineries, such as cell–cell contact, cell polarity, and actin cytoskeleton, as well as a wide range of signals, including cellular energy status, mechanical cues, and hormonal signals that act through G-protein-coupled receptors. The major functions of the Hippo pathway have been defined to restrict tissue growth in adults and modulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration in developing organs. Furthermore, dysregulation of the Hippo pathway leads to aberrant cell growth and neoplasia. In this review, we focus on recent developments in our understanding of the molecular actions of the core Hippo kinase cascade and discuss key open questions in the regulation and function of the Hippo pathway.
Detection of Autophagy in Caenorhabditis elegans Using GFP::LGG-1 as an Autophagy Marker
Authors: Palmisano Nicholas J. , Meléndez Alicia
Published: January 2016

In yeast and mammalian cells, the autophagy protein Atg8/LC3 (microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B encoded by MAP1LC3B) has been the marker of choice to detect double-membraned autophagosomes that are produced during the process of autophagy. A lipid-conjugated form of Atg8/LC3B is localized to the inner and outer membrane of the early-forming structure known as the phagophore. During maturation of autophagosomes, Atg8/LC3 bound to the inner autophagosome membrane remains in situ as the autophagosomes fuse with lysosomes. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is thought to conduct a similar process, meaning that tagging the nematode ortholog of Atg8/LC3—known as LGG-1—with a fluorophore has become a widely accepted method to visualize autophagosomes. Under normal growth conditions, GFP-modified LGG-1 displays a diffuse expression pattern throughout a variety of tissues, whereas, when under conditions that induce autophagy, the GFP::LGG-1 tag labels positive punctate structures, and its overall level of expression increases. Here, we present a protocol for using fluorescent reporters of LGG-1 coupled to GFP to monitor autophagosomes in vivo. We also discuss the use of alternative fluorescent markers and the possible utility of the LGG-1 paralog LGG-2.
MYTH Screening: iMYTH and tMYTH Variants
Authors: Snider Jamie , Stagljar Igor
Published: January 2016

Once a bait has been generated and validated for the membrane yeast two-hybrid (MYTH) assay, it can be used for either high-throughput screening to generate a detailed interaction map (interactome) or in low-throughput experiments to examine interactions with specific targets. Here we describe how to carry out high-throughput MYTH library screening of a validated bait generated using integrated or traditional MYTH. The principles herein can be easily adapted for use in a smaller-scale format if required. A typical MYTH library screen can be completed in ∼3–4 wk.
Use of the BioGRID Database for Analysis of Yeast Protein and Genetic Interactions
Authors: Oughtred Rose , Chatr-aryamontri Andrew , Breitkreutz Bobby-Joe , Chang Christie S. , Rust Jennifer M. , Theesfeld Chandra L. , Heinicke Sven , Breitkreutz Ashton , Chen Daici , Hirschman Jodi , Kolas Nadine , Livstone Michael S. , Nixon Julie , O’Donnell Lara , Ramage Lindsay , Winter Andrew , Reguly Teresa , Sellam Adnane , Stark Chris , Boucher Lorrie , Dolinski Kara , Tyers Mike
Published: January 2016

The BioGRID database is an extensive repository of curated genetic and protein interactions for the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and the yeast Candida albicans SC5314, as well as for several other model organisms and humans. This protocol describes how to use the BioGRID website to query genetic or protein interactions for any gene of interest, how to visualize the associated interactions using an embedded interactive network viewer, and how to download data files for either selected interactions or the entire BioGRID interaction data set.
Membrane Yeast Two-Hybrid (MYTH) Mapping of Full-Length Membrane Protein Interactions
Authors: Snider Jamie , Stagljar Igor
Published: January 2016

Mapping of protein interaction networks is a major strategy for obtaining a global understanding of protein function in cells and represents one of the primary goals of proteomics research. Membrane proteins, which play key roles in human disease and as drug targets, are of considerable interest; however, because of their hydrophobic nature, mapping their interactions presents significant technical challenges and requires the use of special methodological approaches. One powerful approach is the membrane yeast two-hybrid (MYTH) assay, a split-ubiquitin-based system specifically suited to the study of full-length membrane protein interactions in vivo using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a host. The system can be used in both low- and high-throughput formats to study proteins from a wide range of different organisms. There are two primary variants of MYTH: integrated (iMYTH), which involves endogenous expression and tagging of baits and is suitable for studying native yeast membrane proteins, and traditional (tMYTH), which involves ectopic plasmid-based expression of tagged baits and is suitable for studying membrane proteins from other organisms. Here we provide an introduction to the MYTH assay, including both the iMYTH and tMYTH variants. MYTH can be set up in almost any laboratory environment, with results typically obtainable within 4 to 6 wk.
Benchmarking of TQM practices in INGOs: a literature review
Authors: Sweis Rateb J , Mahmoud Saleh Firas Izzat , Dahiyat Samer Eid , Sweis Nadia J , Saleh Rawan Ali , Diab Hannah
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to aggregate significant part of debates in the field of International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) toward performance improvement by benchmarking of the Total Quality Management (TQM) practices, and to propose TQM-Benchmarking model as a seed for future research in the context of INGOs.

Design/methodology/approach

– TQM practices for INGOs were first identified based on critical synthesis of the literature for both, existing for-profit TQM literature and the INGOs field-specific quality and accountability frameworks, initiatives, and practices (Jordan introduced as an example) followed by solicitation of the opinions of experts and colleagues through personal interviews and focus group discussions to define the proposed TQM-Benchmarking model.

Findings

– TQM-Benchmarking model of six practices vital to INGOs performance are proposed by this review including leadership and management commitment, beneficiaries focus and participation, partnership management for sustainability, human resource (HR) focus, process management and learning and continuous improvement, and use of quality information.

Originality/value

– While TQM practices succeed in improving performance of for-profit organizations, this review proposed TQM-Benchmarking model with field-specific practical pillars of performance improvement in the INGOs.
Optimising NPD in SMEs: a best practice approach
Authors: Leithold Nick , Woschke Tino , Haase Heiko , Kratzer Jan
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This study analyses new product development (NPD) processes of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The purpose of this paper is to find successful innovation processes of SMEs on the one hand, and to reveal starting points to further improve these processes on the other.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were gathered from 49 semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with German firms. From the total of 49 cases, the authors identified three manufacturing SMEs with high-performing innovation processes, whose NPD processes the authors took as best practice examples. The authors then used the design structure matrix to map these three NPD processes, and optimised the sequence by applying an optimisation algorithm.

Findings

– The authors determined which activities could be done sequentially, in parallel, or overlapping. The authors also scrutinised the position of dynamic milestones and demonstrated that the best-performing SMEs had flexible NPD processes, which allowed for an accelerated innovation process.

Research limitations/implications

– Due to the qualitative design of the investigation, the research presented was not specifically designed to draw statistical generalisations. For this reason, the results may not be applicable to all SMEs.

Practical implications

– The authors recommend that SMEs uncouple activities as much as possible. In this regard, the findings revealed that that especially technical and economic activities may be conducted in parallel due to their low dependence.

Originality/value

– The paper offers an SME-specific NPD process to optimise the innovation performance. Moreover, the findings deliver new knowledge on how the best-performing SMEs innovate.
Interpretive structural modelling of critical risk factors in software engineering project
Authors: Samantra Chitrasen , Datta Saurav , Mahapatra Siba Sankar , Debata Bikash Ranjan
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– Success of software projects depends on identification of project risks and managing the risks in a proactive manner. Risk management requires thorough insights into interrelationship of various risk factors for proposing strategies to minimize failure rate. The purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive structural model to interrelate important risk factors affecting the success of software projects.

Design/methodology/approach

– Specifically, this study reveals how interpretive structural modelling helps the risk managers in identifying and understanding the interrelationship among various risk factors. A total of 23 risk factors (or risk sources) have been identified through an extensive literature review.

Findings

– Necessary modelling information has been gathered from expert through a structured questionnaire survey. Matrice d’Impacts croises-multipication appliqué an classment analysis has been employed to classify the risk factors into four clusters such as autonomous, dependent, linkage and independent based on their driving and dependence power. Risk factors with strong dependence and weak driving power need urgent attention from managerial perspective.

Originality/value

– The proposed model is useful for software managers/practitioners to address risk factors associated with complicated projects.
An empirical study for implementation of lean principles in Indian manufacturing industry
Authors: Jasti Naga Vamsi Krishna , Kodali Rambabu
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– Lean manufacturing (LM) principles are one of the alternatives to improve manufacturing productivity, quality and customer satisfaction in Indian manufacturing industry. The purpose of this paper is to find the implementation status of LM principles across Indian manufacturing organizations through the empirical survey methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

– The survey questionnaire was developed based upon literature review conducted on LM and also considered experts suggestion in the field of LM. The survey questionnaire was sent to 753 manufacturing organization located in India. The respondent organization details have gathered from the list of Confederation of Indian Industries directory for the year 2011.The selected respondents were production managers, quality managers, sales managers, maintenance managers, CEOs of the organization. The empirical survey collected 180 filled survey questionnaires from Indian manufacturing industries.

Findings

– The study clearly identified that many manufacturing organizations were in initial transition stage and concentrating mostly in-plant operations instead of collaboration in all levels of business with suppliers and customers. The present study found that drivers for implementation of LM were customer satisfaction and organizational continuous improvement program. The present study also found that barriers to implement LM principles were employee resistance, implementing few elements of LM principles instead of the complete package of LM framework, budget constraints and lack of understanding of LM principles to shop floor managers. Finally the study concluded that Indian manufacturing organizations have to conduct continuous learning programmed to improve understanding of LM principles as well as to maintain their motivation level in apex point. The study also suggested that a systematic LM framework is needs to Indian manufacturing organizations, which will act as clear cut guiding torch to the organization managers to implement LM principles across organization.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample size of the present study was moderate number than previous studies. However the study only concentrated on manufacturing organizations across India. The results of the present study cannot generalize across all the sectors of Indian organizations.

Originality/value

– The concept of LM was very popular among developed and developing countries in the world. Many research studies were performed across world to find the status of LM implementation in their countries. Very few research studies reported the status of LM implementation in Indian manufacturing industries and those studies also with limited focus of the status of LM implementation. Hence the study presented details status of LM principles implementation in Indian manufacturing industries.
Mapping the linkage between Organizational Culture and TQM
Authors: Sinha Neena , Garg Ajay K. , Dhingra Sanjay , Dhall Neelam
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of Organisational Culture (OC) on total quality management (TQM) implementation in Indian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the auto component sector. Specifically; it attempts to propose a model linking OC and TQM for this sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– Survey method was used for data collection by targeting the whole population of 482 Indian auto component SMEs drawn from Auto Component Manufacturers Association members’ database. Out of 482, 150 completely filled questionnaires were taken for data analysis. Proposed relationships among identified dimensions of OC and TQM interventions have been validated through parameter estimation statistics and goodness-of-fit statistics using path analysis technique of structural equation modelling using AMOS 18.0.

Findings

– Based on the results, a culture influenced TQM model has been developed. The model demonstrates a linkage between cultural dimensions and TQM interventions, thereby suggesting that OC characterised by “openness”, “confrontation”, “trust”, “authenticity”, “proaction”, “autonomy”, “collaboration” and “experimentation” has a significant and positive impact on TQM implementation.

Practical implications

– The study presents many practical implications, specifically for quality managers in Indian auto component SMEs. The study has developed a culture influenced TQM model which identifies dimensions of OC that promote TQM implementation. The study also identifies various interventions of TQM in their order of significance, which can be used by SMEs in mapping the critical links between OC and TQM through this model. Thus, findings of the present study will help SMEs in this sector to move up the value chain and sustain their global competitiveness.

Originality/value

– The study provides a culture influenced TQM model which would assist managers in quality implementation in Indian auto component SMEs.
Empirical assessment on the liveability of cities in the Greater China Region
Authors: Tan Khee Giap , NIE Tongxin , Baek Shinae
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to apply a comprehensive Liveability Cities index to rank the liveability of 100 cities in the Greater China Region. Against the backdrop of the ongoing trend of rapid and extensive urbanisation observed in China, “liveability” is being given an increasingly higher priority by the Chinese government. However, there has been no attempt to empirically measure this concept and to examine its nexus to the narrower concept of competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

– The index is based on 96 indicators across five environments, namely, economic vibrancy and competitiveness; environmental friendliness and sustainability; domestic security and stability; socio-cultural conditions; and political governance.

Findings

– The empirical results show that Hong Kong, Macau and cities in Taiwan generally perform well in overall liveability rankings, while first-tier cities in mainland China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen) do not find a place among the top ranks.

Originality/value

– The rankings and simulation exercise aim to provide Chinese policy makers with a framework to assess the liveability of China’s cities and suggests indicative policy suggestions that can be taken to improve overall liveability.
Organisational and task factors influencing teachers’ professional development at work
Authors: Evers Arnoud T. , Van der Heijden Béatrice I. J. M. , Kreijns Karel
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate organisational (cultural and relational) and task factors which potentially enhance teachers’ professional development at work (TPD at Work). The development of lifelong learning competencies and, consequently, the careers of teachers, has become a permanent issue on the agenda of schools worldwide. The workplace is also increasingly regarded as the place to develop these competencies.

Design/methodology/approach

– A model incorporating the relationships between organisational and task factors as predictor variables and TPD at Work as the dependent variable, is presented and empirically tested by a quantitative (survey research) method.

Findings

– The study results indicated that learning climate, social support from one’s immediate supervisor, social support from close colleagues and learning value of the function can act as important job resources for TPD at Work. Work pressure and emotional demands, on the other hand, appeared to act as job demands for TPD at Work, but also have the potential to enhance TPD at Work.

Research limitations/implications

– The most important limitations of the study were the cross-sectional nature of the study and the use of self-ratings only, which may imply common method bias.

Practical implications

– To enhance TPD at Work, it is vital for actors inside and outside schools to focus on the right working conditions (as mentioned under findings) in schools, so that teachers can learn from their job.

Originality/value

– Knowledge in schools and empirical research about which factors at the organisational and task level are important to enhance TPD at Work seems scarce. This research contributes to this knowledge gap.
Sustainability in the hospitality industry
Authors: Jones Peter , Hillier David , Comfort Daphne
Published: January 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this commissioned paper is to offer some personal reflections on sustainability within the hospitality industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opens by identifying sustainability as a teasing paradox for the hospitality industry and a short discussion of the characteristics of sustainability. It then explores the growing interest in corporate sustainability and offers a review of the range of academic research into sustainability within the hospitality industry literature. More generally, the authors suggest three fundamental sets of issues that currently face the industry, namely, defining sustainability within the industry, materiality and independent external assurance and sustainable consumption and the industry’s commitment to continuing economic growth.

Findings

In addressing these three sets of issues, the authors make a number of suggestions. First that definitions of sustainability within the hospitality industry can be interpreted as being constructed around business imperatives rather than an ongoing commitment to sustainability. Second that materiality and external assurance are not treated comprehensively within the industry, which undermines the credibility of the sustainability reporting process. Third that the concept of sustainable consumption and any critique of the industry’s commitment to economic growth are conspicuous by their absence in the both the research literature on sustainability and in sustainability reporting within the industry.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that the hospitality industry may need to examine how it defines sustainability, to extend its sustainability reporting to embrace materiality and external assurance and to address the issues of sustainable consumption and continuing economic growth if it is to demonstrate a worthwhile and enduring commitment to sustainability.

Originality/value

The paper provides some accessible personal reflections on sustainability within the hospitality industry and, as such, it will be of interest to academics, students and practitioners interested in the hospitality industry and more widely within the business and management community.
Towards a conceptual framework for product vision
Authors: Benassi João  Luís Guilherme , Amaral Daniel Capaldo , Ferreira Lucelindo Dias
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– Many publications emphasize the importance of product vision and its contribution to successful product development. However, the current literature lacks a definition. The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual model that unites and organizes the definitions of product vision, the construct’s latent components, and demonstrates the relationship of product vision to the existing theories.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study conducted two exploratory literature reviews to find the initial key concepts, and a systematic literature review to define the product vision construct and identify its components.

Findings

– This paper proposes a framework that defines product vision through two main elements (textual and visual) and four main properties (concise, challenging, aligned with strategy, and collectively obtained).

Research limitations/implications

– While the proposed framework constructs a more precise definition of product vision, more research is required to validate the construct in practice.

Originality/value

– This paper reduces the ambiguity around the definitions of product vision employed in areas such as design management, project management, and product development by proposing an operational definition. This common and useful construct could support the communication and complementarity between these theories.
Communities of practice: control or autonomy?
Authors: Bardon Thibaut , Borzillo Stefano
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to address the question of how two seemingly opposite principles – managerial control and autonomy – simultaneously affect, positively and negatively, managers’ motivation to develop together innovative practices in a community of practice (the Custoprog community).

Design/methodology/approach

– A single-case study was conducted in the Custoprog community, during which 22 semi-directive interviews with Custoprog members were conducted over a period of eight months. Members are all EuroAirport middle managers of EuroAirport (a Western Europe international airport).

Findings

– The findings highlight how Custoprog members experience the conflicting situation of enjoying some autonomy (granted by top management), while being subjected to some degree of managerial control. Our results focus on how these two opposite principles (control and autonomy) simultaneously (positively as well as negatively) affect the motivation of Custoprog members to develop innovative practices together.

Research limitations/implications

– The study is limited by the scope of the sample. Further research conducted in multiple communities of practice (CoPs) may therefore be useful for comparability purposes, and to generalize our results.

Practical implications

– We provide a set of practical recommendations to steer CoPs effectively, by achieving a delicate balance between control and autonomy.

Originality/value

– Our investigation contributes to understanding the strategic benefits of using CoPs as an informal means of developing and diffusing customer-related innovative practices.
All together now: strategy mapping for family businesses
Authors: Braun Michael , Latham Scott , Porschitz Emily
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to introduce a supplementary strategic mapping tool designed specifically for family businesses. The authors extend the popular tool of strategy maps into the family business arena to address potential misalignments arising from the family imprint on a business. The resulting family enterprise strategy map (FESM) aims, both literally and figuratively, to get internal stakeholders on the same page in their pursuit of family business objectives. Using the FESM, family managers can enhance strategy design and implementation, thereby increasing the viability and longevity of their enterprises for future generations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The framework draws from previous work on strategic maps, from scholarly research on family businesses and from the authors’ experiences consulting with family enterprises. The framework addresses four distinct but interrelated perspectives requiring managerial attention: family business objectives, family alignment, family systems and family business foundation. The case of Mondavi Winery is used to illustrate the prescriptive value of the FESM.

Findings

– The FESM is meant to be used cooperatively among internal stakeholders to tease out potential challenges that can hinder the effective design and implementation of a family business strategy. The FESM makes explicit the primary objectives of the family business, prompts stakeholders to voice professional and personal ambitions in the business and brings individual risk propensities to the dialogue. Systems and activities necessary for successful strategy implementation are also underlined in the FESM. Lastly, the framework helps to identify the strategic foundation that can be leveraged to achieve the family enterprise’s objective.

Originality/value

– The value of the FESM is threefold. First, having family members and non-family managers engage in this activity can make known individual, family and non-family functions, desires and goals. In doing so, the FESM also effectively highlights misalignments among and between various internal stakeholders that may otherwise go unnoticed. Second, the FESM draws management’s attention to specific family-related resources and capabilities within the company and, just as importantly, those that need to be cultivated to achieve strategic objectives. Third, the FESM can serve as a valuable reminder during those times when family systems begin to malfunction or to diverge from intended objectives.
Scholars and learners: a case study of new library spaces at Indiana University
Authors: Dallis Diane
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This case study aims to describe the renovations and intended functions for rooms; explain the different design approaches implemented for the different end-user populations; provide an overview of traditional, new and non-library services for which spaces were designed; briefly explain training and planning; and describe the spaces and services that function well and those that do not. Indiana University Libraries completed two significant renovations in late 2014. They renovated the Learning Commons, which is a 27,000 square feet (SQF) facility designed to meet the needs of undergraduate students, and they created the Scholars’ Commons, which is a 15,000 SQF facility supporting graduate student and faculty research.

Design/methodology/approach

– Both spaces were thoughtfully designed to support new and traditional library services, as well as services supported by non-library units. Staff training and service planning took place during the construction process, with the goal of having outstanding services operating on opening day.

Findings

– The goal of creating flexible space was achieved, but it presents organizational and staffing challenges. Libraries seeking to create multifunctional environments must consider the practical implications of daily operation and use of such spaces.

Research limitations/implications

– This case study describes two library environments that are in their first year of operation and the assessment of the use and impact is underway. The stage of the work limits the research to be reported upon.

Practical implications

– The spaces described provide very practical information for other academic libraries that seek to renovate spaces and provide innovative services.

Originality/value

– Academic libraries that are in the planning stage of a learning space should take note of the variety of spaces, strategies for working with cavernous spaces, use of natural light and “bring-your-own-device” interior designs. In addition, the service hub model implemented in the Scholars’ Commons is a unique approach for digital scholarship centers.
Library graphic design best practices and approval processes
Authors: Wakimoto Diana K
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore graphic design best practices and approval processes used by librarians.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper used an online, qualitative survey to collect data on librarians’ design processes and best practices. The responses were reviewed to determine categories and themes of librarians’ design processes and best practices to gain an understanding of the state of graphic design in libraries.

Findings

– The majority of the respondents reported that there were no formal guidelines, design committees or approval processes at their libraries. While some librarians were aware of and used graphic design best practices, many respondents were unsure of what constituted a best practice in graphic design.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper was exploratory and the respondents cannot be said to be representative of all librarians and, therefore, generalizations to all librarians are not possible.

Practical implications

– Findings may help librarians who assume design duties in their libraries in exploring best practices and discussing design approval processes.

Originality/value

– This paper is one of the few papers in the library science literature on graphic design as applied specifically to librarians. It increases our understanding of graphic design in libraries.
Identification of barriers to improving quality management systems
Authors: Rogala Piotr
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report the results of a survey on quality management systems (QMS)-related problems faced by management representatives.

Design/methodology/approach

– The survey was carried out on certified organisations by means of a self-administrated questionnaire. A total of 97 organisations participated in the study.

Findings

– It was found that the majority of management representatives believe themselves to be well aware of the weaknesses in their respective organisations and of the underlying causes. They also maintain that they know how to overcome them. They perceive insufficient involvement on the part of managers and staff and limited resources as being far more crucial problems.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample only covers 97 organisations, so including more entities would be strongly recommended in any future research. This would enable grouping by general characteristics, such as businesses and public administration, for instance, and allow a comparative analysis to be conducted. Furthermore, as the data in this study were collected from management representatives and are based on their subjective evaluations, they should be set in the perspective of other viewpoints, for example those of top management and internal auditors.

Practical implications

– The survey data make it possible to identify the personal traits and competences required for the role of management representative. An analysis of the problems identified by means of the survey indicates that those competences should fall within the areas of internal communication, motivation and so forth.

Originality/value

– ISO 9001 pays little attention to the competences and role of a management representative. Empirical research on the subject is also lacking. The survey results and their analysis presented here contribute towards a better understanding of the sources of success or failure in implementing, maintaining and improving a QMS.
Recent advances in animal models of systemic sclerosis
Authors: Asano Yoshihide
Published: January 2016

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem connective tissue disease characterized by the three cardinal pathological features, comprising aberrant immune activation, vasculopathy and tissue fibrosis, with unknown etiology. Although many inducible and genetic animal models mimicking the selected aspects of SSc have been well documented, the lack of models encompassing the full clinical manifestations hindered the development and preclinical testing of therapies against this disease. Under this situation, three new genetic animal models have recently been established, such as Fra2 transgenic mice, urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor deficient mice and Klf5+/−;Fli1+/− mice, all of which recapitulate the pathological cascade of SSc. The former two murine models demonstrate endothelial cell apoptosis and capillary loss followed by tissue fibrosis, whereas the immune systems show no remarkable abnormality. Klf5+/−;Fli1+/− mice develop immune activation, vasculopathy and tissue fibrosis in this sequence, eventually resulting in the development of dermal fibrosis, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary vascular involvement resembling those of SSc. Because Krueppel‐like factor (KLF)5 and Friend leukemia integration 1 transcription factor (Fli1) are the transcription factors epigenetically suppressed in SSc dermal fibroblasts, the reproduction of SSc manifestations in Klf5+/−;Fli1+/− mice supports the canonical idea that environmental influences play a central role in the development of SSc in genetically predisposed individuals. These new animal models offer important clues for the better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of SSc pathology and the identification of potential molecular targets for the treatment of this incurable disease.
Suicidal Drug Overdoses in New Mexico: A 5‐year Retrospective Review
Authors: Szymanski Linda J. , Aurelius Michelle B. , Szymanski Sarah A. , Lathrop Sarah L.
Published: January 2016

To better understand the changing toxicology trends in suicidal drug overdoses in the setting of an increased national trend of multidrug overdoses, a retrospective review of electronic records from New Mexico's Office of the Medical Investigator database was performed between 2008 and 2012 to assess the drug type and current risk factors in suicide deaths. Information on demographics, circumstances, suicide risk factors, toxicology findings, and death certificates was collected and analyzed. Three hundred and forty‐two suicide cases of suicide overdoses were identified. Decedents were predominantly female (61.8%). Scene investigation revealed risk factors including suicide ideation (47.4%), previous suicide attempts (38%), and suicide note (38%). Psychiatric illness was present in 72% of cases, with depression being the most common illness. Chronic pain was seen in 27.2% of cases. Most deaths were attributed to multiple drugs (76%). Utilizing the toxicology information will assist in creating public awareness and provide a framework to support targeted efforts to attempt to prevent future suicides.