bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Neural System of Metacognition Accompanying Decision-Making in The Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Qiu Lirong , Su Jie , Ni Yinmei , Bai Yang , Li Xiaoli , Wan Xiaohong
Published: May 2017

Decision-making is usually accompanied by metacognition, through which a decision maker monitors the decision uncertainty and consequently revises the decision, even prior to feedback. However, the neural mechanisms of metacognition remain controversial: one theory proposes that metacognition coincides the decision-making process; and another addresses that it entails an independent neural system in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Here we devised a novel paradigm of “decision-redecision” to investigate the metacognition process in redecision, in comparison with the decision process. We here found that the anterior PFC, including dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and lateral frontopolar cortex (lFPC), were exclusively activated after the initial decisions. dACC was involved in decision uncertainty monitoring, whereas lFPC was involved in decision adjustment controlling, subject to control demands of the tasks. Our findings support that the PFC is essentially involved in metacognition and further suggest that functions of the PFC in metacognition are dissociable.
Effects of curcumin nanoformulations on cellular function in Niemann-Pick disease type C astrocytes
Authors: Maguire Emily , Haslett Luke J. , Welton Joanne L. , Waller-Evans Helen , Goike Jule , Clark Emily H. , Knifton Harry R. , Shrestha Ravin , Wager Kim , Webb Richard , Lloyd-Evans Emyr
Published: May 2017

Niemann-Pick disease type C1 (NPC disease) is a neurodegenerative multi-lipid lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations in theNPC1gene presenting with reduced lysosomal Ca2+signalling and inhibited late endosome-lysosome transport. Elevating cytosolic Ca2+levels in NPC cells has been shown to reduce lysosomal lipid storage. TreatingNpc1-/-mice with the Ca2+modulator curcumin led to reduced lipid storage, improved life expectancy and function. These studies led to reported utilisation of curcumin supplements by NPC disease families despite there being no clinical evidence of benefit and a report indicating no benefit of nanoformulated curcumin inNpc1-/-mice. The aim of this study was to determine whether various commercially available curcumin nanoformulations were capable of reproducing the findings obtained with unformulated pharmaceutical grade curcumin. We compared seven curcumin nanoformulations inNpc1-/-mouse astrocytes. All the nanoformulations elevate cytosolic Ca2+levels but only two lowered lysosomal lipid storage. Importantly, some caused elevations in NPC lysosomal storage and/or decreased cellular viability. Although this is anin vitrostudy, our findings suggest that care should be taken when contemplating the use of curcumin supplements for NPC disease.
Brain structural differences between 73- and 92-year olds matched for childhood intelligence, social background, and intracranial volume
Authors: Ritchie Stuart J. , Dickie David Alexander , Cox Simon R. , Valdés Hernández Maria del C. , Pattie Alison , Anblagan Devasuda , Redmond Paul , Royle Natalie A. , Corley Janie , Muñoz Maniega Susana , Taylor Adele M. , Karama Sherif , Booth Tom , Gow Alan J. , Starr John M. , Bastin Mark E. , Wardlaw Joanna M. , Deary Ian J.
Published: May 2017

Fully characterizing age differences in the brain is a key task for combatting ageing-related cognitive decline. Using propensity score matching on two independent, narrow-age cohorts, we used data on childhood cognitive ability, socioeconomic background, and intracranial volume to match participants at mean age 92 years (n= 42) to very similar participants at mean age 73 (n= 126). Examining a variety of global and regional structural neuroimaging variables, there were large differences in grey and white matter volumes, cortical surface area, cortical thickness, and white matter hyperintensity volume and spatial extent. In a mediation analysis, the total volume of white matter hyperintensities and total cortical surface area jointly mediated 24.9% of the relation between age and general cognitive ability (tissue volumes and cortical thickness were not significant mediators in this analysis). These findings provide an unusual and valuable perspective on neurostructural ageing, in which brains from the eighth and tenth decades of life differ widely despite the same cognitive, socio-economic, and brain-volumetric starting points.
Identification of a deleterious phase in photocatalyst based on Cd1 − xZnxS/Zn(OH)2by simulated XRD patterns
Authors: Cherepanova Svetlana , Markovskaya Dina , Kozlova Ekaterina
Published: May 2017

The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of a deleterious phase in the photocatalyst based on Cd1 − xZnxS/Zn(OH)2contains two relatively intense asymmetric peaks withd-spacings of 2.72 and 1.56 Å. Very small diffraction peaks with interplanar distances of (d) ≃ 8.01, 5.40, 4.09, 3.15, 2.49 and 1.35 Å are characteristic of this phase but not always observed. To identify this phase, the XRD patterns for sheet-like hydroxide β-Zn(OH)2and sheet-like hydrozincite Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6as well as for turbostratic hydrozincite were simulated. It is shown that the XRD pattern calculated on the basis of the last model gives the best correspondence with experimental data. Distances between layers in the turbostratically disordered hydrozincite fluctuate aroundd≃ 8.01 Å. This average layer-to-layer distance is significantly higher than the interlayer distance 6.77 Å in the ordered Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6probably due to a deficiency of CO32−anions, excess OH−and the presence of water molecules in the interlayers. It is shown by variable-temperature XRD and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) that the nanocrystalline turbostratic nonstoichiometric hydrozincite-like phase is quite thermostable. It decomposes into ZnO in air above 473 K.
Crystal structure of a heterometallic coordination polymer: poly[diaquabis(μ7-benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylato)dicalcium(II)copper(II)]
Authors: Zhang Feng , Zhang Bing-Guang
Published: May 2017

In the title complex, [Ca2Cu(C9H3O6)2(H2O)2]
n
, the CaII and CuII cations are bridged by the benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate anions (BTC3−) to form the coordination polymer, in which each BTC3− anion bridges two CuII and five CaII cations with a μ7 coordination mode. The CuII cation, located at an inversion centre, is in a nearly square-planar geometry defined by four O atoms from four bridging BTC3− anions, while the CaII cation is in a distorted octahedral geometry defined by five O atoms from bridging BTC3− anions and one water molecule. O—H...O hydrogen bonds between coordinating water molecules and carboxyl groups further stabilize the structure; π–π stacking is also observed between parallel benzene rings, the centroid-to-centroid distance being 3.357 (2) Å.
Secondary bonding in dimethylbis(morpholine-4-carbodithioato-κ2S,S′)tin(IV): crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis
Authors: Zaldi Nordiyana Binti , Hussen Rusnah Syahila Duali , Lee See Mun , Halcovitch Nathan R. , Jotani Mukesh M. , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: May 2017

The title compound, [Sn(CH3)2(C5H8NOS2)2], has the SnIVatom bound by two methyl groups which lie over the weaker Sn—S bonds formed by two asymmetrically chelating dithiocarbamate ligands so that the coordination geometry is skew-trapezoidal bipyramidal. The most prominent feature of the molecular packing are secondary Sn...S interactions [Sn...S = 3.5654 (7) Å] that lead to centrosymmetric dimers. These are connected into a three-dimensional architectureviamethylene-C—H...S and methyl-C—H...O(morpholino) interactions. The Sn...S interactions are clearly evident in the Hirshfeld surface analysis of the title compound along with a number of other intermolecular contacts.
2-(Pyridin-2-yl)pyridinium trifluoromethanesulfonate
Authors: Abe Ryosuke , Takase Tsugiko , Oyama Dai
Published: May 2017

Although in the title salt, C10H9N2+·CF3SO3−, the C—C and C—N bond lengths within the aromatic rings are normal, there is a considerable difference in the C—N—C angles at the protonated and unprotonated N atoms,viz. 123.42 (10) and 117.10 (11)°, respectively. Bifurcated N—H...X(X= N or O) hydrogen bonds form within the cation and between cation and anion. As a result, the cation exists in acisconformation in the solid state. An obvious π–π contact is also present between the non-protonated pyridyl rings of neighbouring cations.
Self-crafting vegetable snacks: testing the IKEA-effect in children
Authors: Raghoebar Sanne , van Kleef Ellen , de Vet Emely
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test whether the IKEA-effect (Norton et al., 2012) – better liking for self-crafted products than for identical products crafted by others – can be exploited to increase liking and consumption of vegetable snacks in children.

Design/methodology/approach

A between-subjects experiment was conducted at an after school care facility. In total, 86 children aged four to six either crafted a peacock with vegetables or with non-food objects following an example. After the task, children ate snack vegetables ad libitum, and rated their liking for the vegetables and pride in crafting the peacock.

Findings

No significant main effect of the vegetable snack creation on consumption and liking was observed. Also, perceived pride did not mediate the effect of self-crafting vegetable snacks on consumption of and liking for vegetables.

Research limitations/implications

Vegetable consumption did not differ between children who were either simply exposed to vegetable snacks while crafting or those who were crafting the vegetable snacks themselves. The equal consumption might suggest that this is caused by simple exposure, but more research is needed comparing self-crafting and exposure to a condition where there is no initial exposure to vegetables.

Originality/value

Although the IKEA-effect has been demonstrated in adults, this is one of the first studies evaluating the IKEA-effect in children and as a means to increase liking for a generally disliked product in this target group, i.e. vegetables. The IKEA-effect could not be replicated under these more stringent conditions, where the experimental set-up enabled disentangling exposure and crafting effects.
Analysts issuing forecasts on weekends
Authors: Liu Ling
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the motivation of financial analysts issuing forecasts on weekends and the impact of such behavior on forecast accuracy and analysts’ careers.

Design/methodology/approach

Logistic regression and ordinary least squares models with Huber–White standard errors were used in this study.

Findings

This paper first documented the emerging trends of the weekend forecasts after 2000. Longitudinal data from 2002 to 2011 validated that analysts’ conscientious timing of information release in line with their workload and confidence level gives more accurate forecasts. Further, given the same accuracy, analysts exhibiting diffident behaviors (analysts who are predicted to work on weekdays but in fact work on weekends) are not fired or demoted by brokerage houses, but those exhibiting inactive behaviors (analysts who are predicted to work on weekends but did not do so) are more likely to be dismissed or demoted by brokerage houses, indicating that brokerage houses are aware of the negative effect of both behaviors, but treat them differently.

Research limitations/implications

Weekend versus weekday proxies for an analyst’s timing of information release consider only one of many timing options. Other timing proxies, the nature and the composition of the information release of analysts are not examined in this study.

Practical implications

For practitioners, the results indicate that depending on the alignment, capital market can predict analysts’ future forecast accuracy, and hence, respond accordingly. For example, in addition to analyst forecast level or change, investors could pay attention to when the information is released to the market and possible reasons behind the choice of timing. Investors can thus better assess the forecast accuracy of one specific forecast and respond with the right action. Furthermore, analysts can better project their own forecast accuracy and career potential by assessing to what extent their forecasts are released conscientiously.

Social implications

This study examines analysts’ forecast behavior, but generate some insights on linking the analysts and investors in the capital market.

Originality/value

This study is the author’s original work.
Independent directors and firm value of group-affiliated firms
Authors: Khosa Amrinder
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of board independence on firm valuation of group-affiliated firms in distinct Indian setting.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a sample of 317 listed firms comprising 1,350 firm-year observations for the period 2008-2012. The value-relevance model is used to examine the effect of board independence on market value of equity.

Findings

The distinct finding of an inverse relationship between board independence and firm value of group-affiliated firms in India illustrates that effective monitoring by outside directors is largely influenced by the institutional setting and ownership structure. This study does not find any evidence of different valuation when comparing non-family CEOs and family CEOs.

Practical implications

Independent directors play an important role to stop abusive use of related-party transactions in an environment where principal–principal conflict exists. The study’s findings will prove useful in determining whether one should rely merely on the independent status of outside directors or the influence of institutional setting on effective governance.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the existing literature in the following ways: it helps to gain a better understanding of business groups which are characterised by unique governance structures and the dominance of controlling families on the board, which makes the external governance mechanisms (i.e. independent directors and non-family CEOs) ineffective and it illustrates that effective monitoring by outside directors is largely influenced by the institutional setting and ownership structure.
Competencies as a factor of economic deactivation
Authors: Wiktorowicz Justyna
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose the method of measurement of competencies using exploratory factor analysis and the evaluation of the relation between competencies and economic activity of mature people.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis is based on the Study of Human Capital data (conducted in Poland). The study population people are aged 50+. In statistical analysis explanatory factor analysis and logistic regression were used.

Findings

Competencies are the crucial factor of professional position and career development. However, older people have often out-dated skills and it results in a higher propensity for economic deactivation. On the other hand, older people are valuable on the labour market due to their experience, knowledge and social skills. The survey results indicate that competencies, measured with using of factor analysis, similarly as health, marital status, place of residence and age are significant determinants of early employment deactivation.

Research limitations/implications

Limitation in the evaluation of the risk of economic deactivation factors is the static approach of this analysis. The Study of Human Capital data are the best source of information about competencies of Poles, but its character is not longitudinal.

Originality/value

The analysis of mature people’s competencies is very important in the context of extending working life, but the scientific researches in this area are rare. This paper would reduce the knowledge gap on the topic of reasons for older workers’ deactivation in which competencies are included. Application of exploratory factor analysis in this area is unique.
Empathic technologies for distance/mobile learning
Authors: Isaias Pedro , Reis Francisco , Coutinho Clara , Lencastre Jose Alberto
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper examines the acceptance, of a group of 79 students, of an educational forum, used for mobile and distance learning, that has been modified to include empathic characteristics and affective principles.

Design/methodology/approach

With this study is proposed that the introduction of empathic and affective principles in educational forums is a useful and effective way to increase students’ participation and motivation in educational contexts. After an analysis of existing literature and research on the subject of empathic technology, the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) was used as a framework for the research model. The analysis of their acceptance is done via an extended version of the UTAUT that focuses on the use of the variable attitude toward technology and uses gender, age and experience as moderators. A partial least square technique has been used to test the nine hypotheses.

Findings

The results confirmed three of the nine hypotheses: performance expectancy and effort expectancy had a positive influence on the students attitudes towards empathic forums, while the effect of social influence and facilitating conditions was considered insignificant; social influence had a positive influence on the students’ behavioral intention to use emphatic forums, while attitude toward technology, performance expectancy, facilitating conditions and effort expectancy were considered not relevant.

Originality/value

The focus of this study was the influence of attitude toward empathic forums, used for mobile and distance learning, and the results establish the grounds for future research on attitude as an important determinant of technology acceptance.
Investigating and critiquing teacher educators’ mobile learning practices
Authors: Burden Kevin John , Kearney Matthew
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This study aims to investigate contemporary mobile learning practices in teacher education, exploring the following research question: how are teacher educators exploiting the pedagogical features of mobile learning?

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses data from an online survey that elicited information about how 46 teacher educator participants were using distinctive mobile pedagogical features (Personalisation, Authenticity and Collaboration) in their mobile learning practices. It uses the iPAC theoretical framework to analyse the data collected.

Findings

Findings indicated high self-ratings of authenticity, and positive perceptions of collaborative sharing (Collaboration construct), often involving generative tasks that required use of creative, media production mobile applications. There were weaker perceptions of personalisation and online conversation (Collaboration construct). In light of these findings, we discuss implications for teacher education and recommend future directions for research and development.

Research limitations/implications

This study underlines our contention that teacher educators struggle to exploit the entire range of mobile pedagogical approaches. The findings suggest that teacher educators are cautiously exploring the potential for online collaboration mediated through mobile devices, but have not yet fully grasped the opportunities to design tasks which exploit (and model) the personalised nature of m-learning. The limitations of the study include the size of the sample (46), its self-selected nature and its bias towards Australian and the UK respondents.

Practical implications

In response to the issues raised in this paper, the authors are developing a mobile learning toolkit (www.mobilelearningtoolkit.com) for teacher educators.

Originality/value

There is a scarcity of m-learning studies in teacher education exploring pedagogical insights, and the views of teacher educators themselves are often absent.
ASD and offending: reflections of practice in from a New Zealand perspective
Authors: Bathgate David
Published: May 2017

Purpose

There is growing awareness in New Zealand (NZ) of the impact that Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has on individuals and their families and the ability to engage in health services. Although it is a relatively rare condition, approximately 1 per cent of the population will have ASD, directly affecting approximately 40,000 individuals in NZ. The purpose of this paper is to provide some reflections and questions on what we can learn from a NZ perspective. This is based on an overview of the limited literature around ASD and offending and the author’s experience in the UK working in a medium secure unit.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a past site visit as part of the annual international conference on the Care and Treatment of Offenders with an Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability in the United Kingdom (UK), the author became aware of the medium secure forensic unit for male patients with ASD at the Roseberry Park Hospital (UK’s Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust). During the author’s advanced training in forensic psychiatry with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists the author was privileged to be able to apply and be accepted for a four-month sabbatical training position at this hospital.

Findings

Outlined is background information about ASD and review findings from the limited literature on ASD and offending. Also outlined is the author’s learning as a trainee working in medium secure unit for people with ASD who have offended, and finally how this experience may help in the development of services in NZ, given that at this stage such services are under-developed.

Originality/value

To be able to share the valuable experience and learning opportunity the author was able to have, as well as raise the awareness of ASD generally, and specifically the need for specialist services for the small number of people with ASD who come into contact with Justice Services.
The Inventory of Legal Knowledge (ILK) and adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Watson Malorie E. , Kivisto Aaron J.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) entering the legal system in the USA are at heightened risk of being incorrectly labeled as malingering. The Inventory of Legal Knowledge (ILK) was recently developed to assess response style of individuals undergoing competency to stand trial (CST) evaluations. The purpose of this paper is to present preliminary data on the utility of the ILK with adults with ID.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 32 adults were recruited from an American day program for adults with ID. Using a simulation design, the first 24 participants were assigned to the honest responding group and the remaining eight were assigned to the fake bad group. The normative performance of the honest responding group was compared to established norms for adults without ID, the most efficient ILK cut-off score was examined, and convergent validity of the ILK and other malingering measures tested.

Findings

Compared to the established mean score, the recommended cut-off score, and two independent published samples of non-ID adults, the normative performance of the honest responding ID group was significantly lower. Analyses of area under the curve revealed that the ILK lacked sufficient ability to discriminate adults with ID instructed to respond honestly from those instructed to feign incompetence, and correlational analyses failed to support the convergent validity of the ILK in this sample.

Research limitations/implications

The present findings do not support the use of the ILK with adults with ID, even with adjusted cut scores. The development of novel malingering measures that can be used in the context of CST evaluations with adults with ID is needed.

Originality/value

The present study is the first to examine the psychometric properties of the ILK with adults diagnosed with ID and without concomitant psychiatric symptomatology.
Money laundering, lawyers and President’s intervention in Zimbabwe
Authors: Maguchu Prosper Simbarashe
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the effects of the Presidential Powers (Temporal Measures), amendment to the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act to include legal practitioners under the list of designated non-financial business and professions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is a textual analysis of anti-money laundering legislation [anti-money laundering (AML) legislation] within the context of legal practice in Zimbabwe.

Findings

The amendment put Zimbabwe on the international standard in the fight against money laundering, as legal practitioners have become a soft target for money laundering. Despite its noble aim, in Zimbabwe there is anecdotal evidence that the AML legislation turns lawyers into watchdogs or law enforcement agents. On the contrary, the amendment prevents lawyers from falling to the mercy of organised criminals and money launderers. Furthermore, there is a dearth of empirical research that can demystify the impact of some of the provisions of this law on contested issues, such as legal professional privilege.

Research limitations/implications

This study aims to outline the rationale for anti-money laundering policy and law. This study will analyse how the issue has been approached in other jurisdictions such as England and Wales. The paper will then try to establish coherent principles in the prevention of money laundering. This study will also suggest a number of recommendations as to how Zimbabwe could approach some of the issues while still considering the need to balance competing influences of legal privilege and money laundering regulations.

Practical implications

The paper will bring this issue to the fore and initiate an informed debate, as well as provide practical talking points for legal practitioners to embrace the AML regime and to engage policymakers on the issues that need reform.

Originality/value

This paper provides the first in depth analysis of the money laundering legislation in the legal fraternity in Zimbabwe and goes to offer practical tips and entry points on the application of the regulations or for advocacy towards any reform as might be needed.
Blindingly obvious and frequently exploitable
Authors: Gilmour Nicholas
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of the openness and specific techniques through which illicit funds generated by criminals are moved, transferred and laundered in the financial arrangement retained using high-value portable commodities in the UK and internationally.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents exploratory findings from research conducted between 2011 and 2013 in the UK. The research undertaken sought to identify the process, steps and vulnerabilities behind money laundering via high-value portable commodities and highlight the explicit facilitators enabling this method of money laundering to take place.

Findings

Despite significant research into money laundering typologies, the use of high-value portable commodities has remained largely untouched regardless of the increased implementation of anti-money laundering policies and procedures seeking to halt the depositing of illicit cash into the global financial system. This paper demonstrates how high-value portable commodities are extremely vulnerable to money laundering despite the large-scale anti-money laundering efforts focused on combating money laundering across a broad range of sectors.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is of value to government policymakers, regulators and financial institutions considering future preventative measures. It is also of value to financial investigators and law enforcement agencies intent on investigating money laundering. While the paper relies on data from the UK, the overall findings are such that wherever high-value portable commodities are present, so too does the opportunity for money laundering through the financial arrangement retained by high-value portable commodities.

Originality/value

This paper presents new research on the direct link between high-value portable commodities and money laundering in the UK despite significant research having previously taken place to identify and develop money laundering typologies.
A study on different techniques of restoration of fire damaged reinforced concrete flexural members
Authors: Anasco Bastin Danie Roy , Sharma Umesh Kumar , Bhargava Pradeep
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The main aim of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of various strengthening techniques in restoring the structural performance of reinforced concrete (RC) beams damaged by elevated temperatures.

Design/methodology/approach

Three different strengthening techniques, namely, high-strength fibre reinforced concrete (HSFRC), ferrocement (FC) jacketing and externally bonded fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) were used. Series of RC beams were casted, heated, strengthened and tested to investigate the influence of various variables. The variables of the study were type of strengthening and level of heat damage.

Findings

Externally bonded FRP was found to be the best among the various techniques, especially with respect to strength and stiffness restoration. On the contrary, the FRP strengthening was not that effective in restoring the energy absorption capacity of beams compared to HSFRC and FC techniques of strengthening. The chosen strengthening techniques were able to restore the failure mode of beams to flexural failure, which was found to have changed to shear failure in case of heated unstrenghthened beams.

Originality/value

This research program has contributed to the fundamental understanding of designing post fire retrofit solutions for RC beams.
Fire performance of LSF walls made of hollow flange channel studs
Authors: Kesawan Sivakumar , Mahendran Mahen
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present an investigation conducted to evaluate the effects of important parameters affecting the structural fire performance of light gauge steel frame (LSF) walls. It also evaluates the applicability of commonly used critical hot flange temperature method to determine the fire resistance ratings (FRR) of different LSF walls.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of important parameters such as stud section profiles and their dimensions, elevated temperature mechanical property reduction factors of the steel used, types of wall configurations and fire curves on the FRR of LSF walls were investigated. An extensive finite element analysis-based parametric study was conducted to evaluate their effects (finite element analysis – FEA). For this purpose, finite element models which were validated using the full-scale fire test results were used. Using the structural capacities obtained from FEAs, the load ratio versus FRR curves were produced for all the different LSF walls considered.

Findings

Stud depth and thickness significantly affected the fire performance of LSF walls because of the differences in temperature development pattern, thermal bowing deflections and the failure modes of stud. The FRR of LSF walls increased significantly when steel studs with higher elevated temperature mechanical property reduction factors were used. FRR significantly changed when realistic design fire curves were used instead of the standard fire curve. Furthermore, both the critical hot and average flange temperature methods were found to be unsuitable to predict the FRR of LSF walls.

Originality/value

The developed comprehensive fire performance data would facilitate the development of LSF walls with enhanced fire performance, and, importantly, it would facilitate and advance the successful applications of hollow flange channel section studs in LSF walls.
Post-fire assessment and reinstatement of steel structures
Authors: Maraveas Chrysanthos , Fasoulakis Zacharias , Tsavdaridis Konstantinos Daniel
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present technical aspects of the assessment method and evaluation of fire damaged steel structures. The current work focuses on the behavior of structural normal steel (hot-rolled and cold-formed) and high-strength bolts after exposure to elevated temperatures. Information on stainless steel, cast iron and wrought iron is also presented.

Design/methodology/approach

Because of the complexity of the issue, an elaborate presentation of the mechanical properties influencing factors is followed. Subsequently, a wide range of experimental studies is extensively reviewed in the literature while simplified equations for determining the post-fire mechanical properties are proposed, following appropriate categorization. Moreover, the reinstatement survey is also comprehensively described.

Findings

Useful conclusions are drawn for the safe reuse of the structural elements and connection components. According to the parametric investigation of the aforementioned data, it can be safely concluded that the most common scenario of buildings after fire events, i.e. apart from excessively distorted structures, implies considerable remaining capacity of the structure, highlighting that subsequent demolition should not be the case, especially regarding critical infrastructure and buildings.

Originality/value

The stability of the structure as a whole is addressed, with aim to establish specific guidelines and code provisions for the correct appraisal and rehabilitation of fire damaged structures.
Value co-creation behaviour – role of embeddedness and outcome considerations
Authors: Laud Gaurangi , Karpen Ingo Oswald
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify antecedents and consequences of customers’ value co-creation behaviour (VCB). VCB as a means to facilitate value realisation processes is gaining importance in service research and practice. Encouraging such enactments can be challenging, but can also offer competitive advantages.

Design/methodology/approach

We empirically investigate a conceptual model by converging three contemporary concepts of co-creation research – embeddedness, VCB and value-in-context – and examining the interdependencies between them. Data were collected in an online forum of a leading international weight-management firm.

Findings

Results suggest that customers’ embeddedness is a key antecedent of customers’ VCB in a service system. The three embeddedness dimensions – structural, relational and cultural – have a differential impact on customers’ VCB. Furthermore, findings illustrate that customers’ VCB has a significant impact on their object-oriented, self-oriented and brand-oriented social value-in-context outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes by empirically investigating and validating antecedents and consequences of VCB in a service system. In doing so, the study highlights the significance of the nature of customer’s social constellations to develop contexts where value outcomes are actualised. Understanding the factors that shape VCB offers insights for firms to recognise how and where value propositions can be deployed that drives on-going co-creation processes.

Originality/value

This study is the first empirical research to offer insights into important pre-conditions and subsequent outcomes concurrently to illustrate how customers’ VCB can be managed and nurtured for sustainable value co-creation processes within service systems. This research further advances mid-range theorizing and microfoundational perspectives in marketing.
Engagement valence duality and spillover effects in online brand communities
Authors: Bowden Jana Lay-Hwa , Conduit Jodie , Hollebeek Linda D. , Luoma-aho Vilma , Solem Birgit Apenes
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Online brand communities (OBCs) are an effective avenue for brands to engage consumers. While engaging with the brand, consumers simultaneously interact with other OBC members; thus engaging with multiple, interrelated engagement objects concurrently. The purpose of this paper is to explore both positively and negatively valenced consumer engagement with multiple engagement objects, the interplay between these, and the spillover effect from consumers’ engagement with the OBC to their engagement with the brand.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on 16 in-depth interviews with OBC members of a luxury accessory brand, a constant comparative method was adopted using axial and selective coding procedures. The objective was to understand the nature of participants’ engagement with the brand, the OBC, and the interplay between individuals’ engagement with these objects. The coding framework and resultant interpretive frameworks address engagement valence, outcomes, and direction.

Findings

This study illustrates consumer expressions of consumers’ positively and negatively valenced engagement with a focal brand, and with the OBC. Further, it demonstrates the interplay (spillover effect) that occurs between consumers’ engagement with the OBC, to their engagement with the brand. While the existence of positively valenced engagement with the OBC was found to further enhance consumer brand engagement (i.e. reflecting an engagement accumulation effect), negatively valenced engagement with the OBC was found to reduce consumer brand engagement (i.e. reflecting an engagement detraction effect).

Originality/value

While consumer engagement has been recognized to have both positive and negative manifestations, this study demonstrates that consumers’ engagement valence may differ across interrelated engagement objects (i.e. the brand and the OBC). Further, we demonstrate the existence of engagement spillover effects from the OBC to the brand for both positively and negatively valenced engagement.
Service-dominant orientation, dynamic capabilities and firm performance
Authors: Wilden Ralf , Gudergan Siegfried
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of a firm’s service-dominant orientation on marketing and technological capabilities, and its performance. It outlines how a service-dominant orientation offers guidance for the development and deployment of ordinary capabilities, and indirectly affects performance. Additionally, it delineates how dynamic capabilities affect the impact of a service-dominant orientation on ordinary capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least squares structural equation modeling drawing on data from 228 firms serves to assess hypotheses relating service-dominant orientation and dynamic capabilities with firm performance.

Findings

The results indicate that marketing and technological capabilities fully mediate the relationship between a firm’s service-dominant orientation and firm performance. Furthermore, the positive marginal effect of a firm’s service-dominant orientation on its marketing capabilities increases with the firm displaying a stronger service-dominant orientation. In addition, the positive effect of service-dominant orientation on marketing capabilities reduces the more the firm deploys dynamic capabilities.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the cross-sectional sample, future studies could adopt longitudinal research designs to explore the impact of a service-dominant orientation on ordinary capabilities and performance, or investigate the applicability of the findings in other contexts.

Practical implications

The findings imply that implementing a service-dominant orientation can be beneficial for firms. However, because the impact of such an orientation weakens the greater a firm’s dynamic capabilities, managers need to be mindful of this trade-off.

Originality/value

The study is the first to establish a link between the dynamic capability view, originating from strategy research, and service-dominant logic, stemming from marketing thinking.
Customer engagement in CSR: a utility theory model with moderating variables
Authors: Jarvis Wade , Ouschan Robyn , Burton Henry J. , Soutar Geoffrey , O’Brien Ingrid M.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Both customer engagement (CE) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) have been linked to customer loyalty. Past studies use service dominant logic and customer value co-creation to explain this relationship. The purpose of this paper is to apply utility theory to develop and test a new theoretical model based on CSR initiative preference to understand the relationship between CE and customer loyalty to the organisation in a CSR platform.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical study uses choice theory in the form of best-worst scaling, and structural equation modelling, to measure the impact of sports club members’ choice preferences for a range of CSR initiatives on their intention to engage with the initiative and subsequent loyalty to the club.

Findings

This study highlights the importance of engaging members in the CSR strategy they prefer as it enhances not only the extra value to the organisation via customer loyalty to the organisation, but also CE with the organisation. Furthermore, the study reveals age and gender impact on the relationship between CE in CSR initiatives and customer loyalty.

Originality/value

This study extends CE to CSR behaviours and provides empirical evidence for a unique theoretical framework of CE based on utility theory. It also highlights the need to take into account moderating variables such as customer demographics.
Volatility Effects of Index Trading and Spillovers onUSAgricultural Futures Markets: A MultivariateGARCHApproach
Authors: Sanjuán‐López Ana I. , Dawson Philip J.
Published: May 2017

We examine the effects of speculation in the form of index trading on contemporaneous returns and volatility on corn, soybeans and wheat futures markets on the Chicago Board of Trade using multivariate generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity models and weekly data for 2006–2014. We also assess spillovers. Results are threefold. First, contemporaneous effects of index trading on own returns are positive and inelastic, and they are partially mitigated in the following week. Second, volatility depends positively on own past volatility, and volatility spillovers are limited. Third, index trading reduces own volatility.
Does drought stress modify the effects of plant‐growth promoting rhizobacteria on an aboveground chewing herbivore?
Authors: de Bobadilla Maite Fernández , Friman Julia , Pangesti Nurmi , Dicke Marcel , van Loon Joop J.A. , Pineda Ana
Published: May 2017

Soil microbes have important effects on the interactions of plants with their environment, by promoting plant growth, inducing resistance to pests or by conferring tolerance to abiotic stress. However, their effects are variable and the factors responsible for this variation are mainly unknown. Our aim was to assess how drought stress modifies the effect of the nonpathogenic rhizobacterium Pseudomonas simiae WCS417r on plant growth and resistance against the generalist leaf‐chewing caterpillar Mamestra brassicae. We studied Arabidopsis thaliana Col‐0 plants, as well as mutants altered in the biosynthesis of the phytohormones jasmonic acid (JA) and abscisic acid (ABA). Caterpillars did not prefer rhizobacteria‐treated plants, independently of drought stress. Rhizobacteria colonization had a variable effect on caterpillar performance, which ranged from positive in one experiment to neutral in a second one. Drought had a consistent negative effect on herbivore performance; however, it did not modify the effect of rhizobacteria on herbivore performance. The effect of drought on herbivore performance was JA‐mediated (confirmed with the use of the dde2‐2 mutant), but it was still present in the ABA‐deficient mutant aba2‐1. Plant biomass was reduced by both drought and herbivory but it was enhanced by rhizobacterial colonization. Pseudomonas simiae WCS417r is able to promote plant growth even when plants are suffering herbivory. Nevertheless, the microbial effect on the herbivore is variable, independently of drought stress. To get the best possible outcome from the rhizobacteria‐plant mutualism it is important to understand which other factors may be responsible for its context‐dependency.
How much performance pay is there in the public sector and what are its effects?
Authors: Bryson Alex , Forth John , Stokes Lucy
Published: May 2017

Theory suggests that performance pay (PP) can align employees' interests with those of the employer and attract high‐ability workers and incentivise effort but that it may be less effective in the public sector. However, empirical evidence on its incidence and effects is largely confined to the private sector. We find that half the 20 percentage point gap in PP incidence in Britain between the public and private sectors is accounted for by differences in occupational composition. The gap falls to 8 percentage points when ‘matching’ employees in both sectors on their demographic and job characteristics. PP is linked to positive job attitudes among private sector employees, but not among observationally equivalent public sector employees. Furthermore, PP is negatively correlated with workplace performance in the public sector. These findings raise important questions about public policies promoting PP in the public sector.
Defining the Diurnal Pattern of Snowmelt Using a Beta Distribution Function
Authors: Webb Ryan W. , Fassnacht Steven R. , Gooseff  Michael N.
Published: May 2017

Snow is an important component of the hydrologic cycle for many regions worldwide. In addition to vital water resources, snowmelt can be important for forest ecosystem dynamics and flood risk. However, standard design events in the United States lack a design snowmelt event, including only precipitation events, though snowmelt has been shown to be larger than rainfall. In this article, we present a method using hourly snow water equivalent data to develop and test a function for representing the diurnal pattern of snowmelt. A two‐parameter beta distribution function is modified for the purposes of this study and found to fit the pattern of snowmelt well with a root mean squared error of 0.008. Soil moisture sensors were additionally utilized to assess the timing of the snowmelt water outflow from the base of the snowpack that supports the shape of the function, but suggests that the timing of losses recorded on snow pillows lag as much as 3 h. Further testing of the function showed the shape of the function to be accurate. The methods developed and tested in this paper can be applied for design purposes comparing snowmelt and rainfall events or to improve hydrological models investigating processes such as streamflow or groundwater recharge.
Identification and validation of single nucleotide polymorphisms as tools to detect hybridization and population structure in freshwater stingrays
Authors: Cruz Vanessa P. , Vera Manuel , Pardo Belén G. , Taggart John , Martinez Paulino , Oliveira Claudio , Foresti Fausto
Published: May 2017

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were identified and validated for two stingrays species, Potamotrygon motoro and Potamotrygon falkneri, using double digest restriction‐site associated DNA (ddRAD) reads using 454‐Roche technology. A total of 226 774 reads (65.5 Mb) were obtained (mean read length 289 ± 183 bp) detecting a total of 5399 contigs (mean contig length: 396 ± 91 bp). Mining this data set, a panel of 143 in silico SNPs was selected. Eighty‐two of these SNPs were successfully validated and 61 were polymorphic: 14 in P. falkneri, 21 in P. motoro, 3 in both species and 26 fixed for alternative variants in both species, thus being useful for population analyses and hybrid detection.