bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behavioral context determines network state and variability dynamics in monkey motor cortex
Authors: Riehle Alexa , Brochier Thomas , Nawrot Martin Paul , Grün Sonja
Published: December 2017

Variability of spiking activity is ubiquitous throughout the brain but little is known about its contextual dependence. Trial-to-trial spike count variability, estimated by the Fano Factor (FF), and within-trial spike time irregularity, quantified by the local coefficient of variation (CV2), reflect variability on long and short time scales, respectively. We co-analyzed FF and CV2 in monkey motor cortex comparing two behavioral contexts, movement preparation (wait) and execution (movement). We find that FF significantly decreases from wait to movement, while CV2 increases. The more regular firing (low CV2) during wait is related to an increased power of local field potential beta oscillations and phase locking of spikes to these oscillations. In renewal processes, a widely used model for spiking activity under stationary input conditions, both measures are related as FF≈CV2. This expectation was met during movement, but not during wait where FF≫CV22. We conclude that during movement preparation, ongoing brain processes result in changing network states and thus in high trial-to-trial variability (high FF). During movement execution, the network is recruited for performing the stereotyped motor task, resulting in reliable single neuron output. We discuss our results in the light of recent computational models that generate non-stationary network conditions.
Selective effects of temperature on body mass depend on trophic interactions and network position
Authors: Weinbach Avril , Allhoff Korinna T. , Thébault Elisa , Massol Francois , Loeuille Nicolas
Published: December 2017

Body mass is a key trait constraining interspecific interactions in food webs through changes in metabolic requirements. Because climate warming affects metabolic rates, it creates direct selective effects on body mass. Many empirical studies suggest that body mass decreases under warming, although important exceptions have been noted. We first analyze the evolution of body mass in a simple consumer-resource model to provide conditions under which a body mass increase or decrease may be expected. We then extend our model to a multi-trophic food web context that allows for the coevolution of body mass and of feeding preferences. We focus here on how the trophic position of a consumer influences its evolutionary response to warming under different scenarios for the temperature dependence of attack rates. We observe that body masses can remain constant or increase with temperature when attack rates are constant or increasing with temperature, while body mass reductions in response to warming are only expected when attack rates have a thermal optimum and populations are initially locally adapted. We also found that body masses at lower trophic levels vary less under warming than body masses at higher trophic levels, which may be explained by decreasing levels of stabilizing selection along food chains.
Hormone Control Regions mediate opposing steroid receptor-dependent genome organizations
Authors: Le Dily François , Vidal Enrique , Cuartero Yasmina , Quilez Javier , Nacht Silvina , Vicent Guillermo P. , Sharma Priyanka , Verde Gaetano , Beato Miguel
Published: December 2017

In breast cancer cells, topologically associating domains (TADs) behave as units of hormonal gene regulation with transcripts within hormone responsive TADs changing coordinately their expression in response to steroid hormones. Here we further described that responsive TADs contain 20-100 kb-long clusters of intermingled estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) binding sites, hereafter called Hormone-Control Regions (HCRs). We identified more than 200 HCRs, which are frequently bound by ER and PR even in the absence of hormones. These HCRs establish steady long-distance inter-TAD interactions between them and organize characteristic looping structures with promoters even in the absence of hormones. This organization is dependent on the expression of the receptors and is further dynamically modulated in response to steroid hormones. HCRs function as platforms integrating different signals resulting in some cases in opposite transcriptional responses to estrogens or progestins. Altogether, these results suggest that steroid hormone receptors act not only as hormone-regulated sequence-specific transcription factors, but also as local and global genome organizers.

Highlights

Hormone responsive TADs are organized around conserved large regulatory
regions (HCRs) enriched in ER and PR.

HCR contact promoters within their TADs and engaged long-range inter-TADs
contacts between them.

Binding of the receptors in absence of hormones maintains global HCR-HCR
interactions and intra-TADs regulatory loops.

HCRs can integrate the hormone signals in divergent ways leading to opposite
restructuration of TADs in response to Estrogens or Progestins.
A temperature dependent trophic cascade modifies temperature dependence of ecosystem function
Authors: Garzke Jessica , Connor Stephanie J. , Sommer Ulrich , O’Connor Mary I.
Published: December 2017

Ecological communities and their ecosystem functions are sensitive to temperature, and aquatic habitats worldwide continue to experience unprecedented warming. Understanding ecological effects of warming requires linking empirical evidence to theories that allow projection to unobserved conditions. Metabolic scaling theory and its tests suggest that warming accelerates ecosystem functions (e.g., oxygen flux), yet this prediction apparently contradicts community-level studies suggesting warming is a stressor that can reduce ecosystem function. We sought to reconcile these predictions with an experimental test of the hypothesis that cascading trophic interactions modify the temperature-dependence of community structure and ecosystem fluxes. In a series of independent freshwater ecosystems exposed to a thermal gradient, we found that warmer temperatures strengthened the trophic cascade increased and indirectly changed community structure by altering grazer species composition and phytoplankton biomass. Temperature-driven community shifts only modestly affected the temperature dependence of net ecosystem oxygen fluxes. Over the 10 °C thermal gradient, NPP and ER increased ∼2.7-fold among ecosystems, while standing phytoplankton biomass declined by 85-95%. The exponential increase in oxygen flux over the thermal gradient, as well as monotonic declines in phytoplankton standing stock, suggested no threshold effects of warming across systems. We also observed temperature variation over time, within ecosystems. For phytoplankton biomass, temporal variation had the opposite effect to spatial variation, suggesting that within-community temporal change in community structure was not predicted by space-for-time substitution. We conclude that food chain length can modify effects of temperature on ecosystem fluxes, but that temperature can still have continuous and positive effects on ecosystem fluxes, consistent with patterns based on large-scale, macroecological comparisons. Changes in community structure, including temperature dependent trophic cascades, may be compatible with prevailing and predictable effects of temperature on ecosystem functions related to fundamental effects of temperature on metabolism.

Statement of authorship

JG & MIO designed the study, MIO & US provided materials, JG & SJC performed research and collected data, JG performed zooplankton analysis, SJC performed phytoplankton analysis, JG & MIO performed modeling work, analyzed data output, and wrote the first draft, and all authors contributed substantially to reviews
A new method to isolate algal species from mix algal culture
Authors: Ali Ehsan , Mirza Saima S.
Published: December 2017

To meet the issues of energy and environment, algae cultivation for biofuel and CO2sequestration is getting popular at the global level. Specific algal strains have been identified for production of biofuel, biomolecules and biomass. To start algae cultivation at lab or industrial scale, it is requirement to have isolated and identified algal culture for targeted products. Water sample for algae from aquatic system is usually consist of mix culture of algae and need to be processed for targeted isolated algal strains using reported techniques like streaking, spraying, serial dilution, and single-cell isolations. But none of these techniques is considered as efficient or popular except streaking on agar plate which involves a set of microbial techniques and may take months to make isolation properly. Here, a new method is proposed to make alginic acid solution using aquatic sample followed by pouring it in calcium chloride solution drop by drop which makes the beads with single or more algal species trapped in each bead. The trapped algal species in the beads are grown in 96 wells plate having single bead in each well with standard medium leading to microscopic verification of the isolated algal species to process further. A mix culture from a lake was subjected to isolation using proposed method and excellent results were obtained in one week duration.
Gene networks underlying faster flowering induction in response to far-red light
Authors: Pazos-Navarro Maria , Ribalta Federico M , Hurgobin Bhavna , Croser Janine S , Kaur Parwinder
Published: December 2017

Light is one of the main signals that regulates flowering. Low red to far-red ratios accelerate flowering in a wide range of species. The central gene pathways controlling flowering time in Arabidopsis, appear to be largely conserved in legumes. However, numerous examples exist of gene duplication and loss. The role ofCONSTANS-LIKEgenes as integrators of the photoperiod response has been questioned in several dicot species, including legumes. In this study on subterranean clover, using RNA-seq and controlled light spectra, we identified 13 differentially expressed genes related to light signalling, meristem identity and flowering promotion. Of these, we pinpointed genes which seem to link photoperiod and far-red light signalling coding for a With no lysine kinase, a CCT motif related toCONSTANS, aFLOWERING LOCUS T b2like protein, and their active downstream cascade. The earlier down-regulation of these genes under blue compared to far-red-enriched light may explain their role in floral induction. A second independent approach (qPCR analysis) confirmed our findings. Contrasting responses to light quality related to reproduction and defence mechanisms were also found. These results will contribute to a better understanding of the molecular basis of flowering in response to light quality in long-day plants.
Premarin has opposing effects on spatial learning, neural activiation and serum cytokine levels in middle age dependent on reproductive history
Authors: Galea Liisa AM , Roes Meighen M. , van den Brink Christina , Chow Carmen , Mahmoud Rand , Lieblich Stephanie E. , Duarte-Guterman Paula
Published: December 2017

Menopause is associated with cognitive decline, and hormone therapies (HT) can improve cognition dependent on time since menopause. Previous parity also influences cognition in later life. The present study investigated how primiparity and long-term ovariectomy influence cognition, hippocampal neurogenesis, and neuronal activation in middle-aged rats in response to the HT, Premarin. Nulliparous and primiparous rats were sham-ovariectomized or ovariectomized, administered vehicle or Premarin six months later, and trained in the Morris water maze. Premarin improved spatial learning and memory in nulliparous rats, but impaired spatial and reversal learning in primiparous rats. Primiparity increased hippocampal neurogenesis, whereas Premarin treatment decreased immature neurons in both primiparous and nulliparous middle-aged rats in a region-specific manner. Moreover, Premarin increased serum TNFα and KC/GRO in nulliparous, but not primiparous, rats, whereas Premarin increased zif268 expression in the CA3 region of the hippocampus in primiparous rats. Thus, primiparity alters how Premarin affects spatial learning, neuronal activation, serum cytokines, and adrenal mass. These findings have implications for the tailored treatment of age-associated cognitive decline in women.
Host_microbe_mapper allows to analyse and interpret the expression of dual RNA-seq measurements and reveals potential microbial contaminations in the data
Authors: Nussbaumer Thomas
Published: December 2017

Next-generation sequencing technologies provide a wealth of sequencing data. To handle these data amounts, various tools were developed over the last years for mapping, normalisation and functional analyses. To support researchers in the interpretation of expression measurements originating from dual RNA-seq studies and from host-microbe systems in particular, the computational pipeline host_microbe_mapper can be applied to quantify and interpret dual RNA-seq datasets in host-microbe experiments. The pipeline with all the required scripts is stored at the Github repository (https://github.com/nthomasCUBE/hostmicrobemapper).
Genetic dissection of cyclic pyranopterin monophosphate biosynthesis in plant mitochondria
Authors: Kruse Inga , Maclean Andrew , Hill Lionel , Balk Janneke
Published: December 2017

Mitochondria play a key role in the biosynthesis of two metal cofactors, iron-sulfur (FeS) clusters and molybdenum cofactor (Moco). The two pathways intersect at several points, but a scarcity of mutants has hindered studies to better understand these links. We screened a collection of sirtinol-resistant Arabidopsis thaliana mutants for lines with decreased activities of cytosolic FeS enzymes and Moco enzymes. We identified a new mutant allele of ATM3, encoding the ATP-binding cassette Transporter of the Mitochondria 3 (systematic name ABCB25), confirming the previously reported role of ATM3 in both FeS cluster and Moco biosynthesis. We also identified a mutant allele in CNX2, Cofactor of Nitrate reductase and Xanthine dehydrogenase 2, encoding GTP 3′,8-cyclase, the first step in Moco biosynthesis which is localized in the mitochondria. A single nucleotide polymorphism in cnx2-2 leads to substitution of Arg88 with Gln in the N-terminal FeS cluster-binding motif. cnx2-2 plants are small and chlorotic, with severely decreased Moco enzyme activities, but they performed better than a cnx2-1 knockout mutant, which could only survive with ammonia as nitrogen source. Measurement of cyclic pyranopterin monophosphate (cPMP) levels by LC-MS/MS showed that this Moco intermediate was below the limit of detection in both cnx2-1 and cnx2-2, and accumulated more than 10-fold in seedlings mutated in the downstream gene CNX5. Interestingly, atm3-1 mutants had less cPMP than wild type, correlating with previous reports of a similar decrease in nitrate reductase activity. Taken together, our data functionally characterise CNX2 and suggest that ATM3 is indirectly required for cPMP synthesis.
Supergene evolution triggered by the introgression of a chromosomal inversion
Authors: Jay Paul , Whibley Annabel , Frezal Lise , de Cara Angeles , Nowell Reuben W. , Mallet Jim , Dasmahapatra Kanchon K. , Joron Mathieu
Published: December 2017

Supergenes are groups of tightly linked loci whose variation is inherited as a single Mendelian locus and are a common genetic architecture for complex traits under balancing selection1. Supergene alleles are long-range haplotypes with numerous mutations underlying distinct adaptive strategies, often maintained in linkage disequilibrium through the suppression of recombination by chromosomal rearrangements2–5. However, the mechanism governing the formation of supergenes is not well understood, and poses the paradox of establishing divergent functional haplotypes in face of recombination1,6. Here, we show that the formation of the supergene alleles encoding mimicry polymorphism in the butterfly Heliconius numata is associated with the introgression of a divergent, inverted chromosomal segment. Haplotype divergence and linkage disequilibrium indicate that supergene alleles, each allowing precise wing-pattern resemblance to distinct butterfly models, originate from over a million years of independent chromosomal evolution in separate lineages. These “superalleles” have evolved from a chromosomal inversion captured by introgression and maintained in balanced polymorphism, triggering supergene inheritance. This mode of evolution is likely to be a common feature of complex structural polymorphisms associated with the coexistence of distinct adaptive syndromes, and shows that the reticulation of genealogies may have a powerful influence on the evolution of genetic architectures in nature.
Dissociable contributions of thalamic nuclei to recognition memory: novel evidence from a case of medial dorsal thalamic damage
Authors: Newsome Rachel N. , Trelle Alexandra N. , Fidalgo Celia , Hong Bryan , Smith Victoria M. , Jacob Alexander , Ryan Jennifer D. , Rosenbaum R. Shayna , Cowell Rosemary A. , Barense Morgan D.
Published: December 2017

The thalamic nuclei are thought to play a critical role in recognition memory. Specifically, the anterior thalamic nuclei and medial dorsal nuclei may serve as critical output structures in distinct hippocampal and perirhinal cortex systems, respectively. Existing evidence indicates that damage to the anterior thalamic nuclei leads to impairments in hippocampal-dependent tasks. However, evidence for the opposite pattern following medial dorsal nuclei damage has not yet been identified. In the present study, we investigated recognition memory in NC, a patient with relatively selective medial dorsal nuclei damage, using two object recognition tests with similar foils: a yes/no (YN) test that requires the hippocampus, and a forced choice corresponding test (FCC) that is supported by perirhinal cortex. NC performed normally in the YN test, but was impaired in the FCC test. Critically, FCC performance was impaired only when the study-test delay period was filled with interference. We interpret these results in the context of the representational–hierarchical model, which predicts that memory deficits following damage to the perirhinal system arise due to increased vulnerability to interference. These data provide the first evidence for selective deficits in a task that relies on perirhinal output following damage to the medial dorsal nuclei, providing critical evidence for dissociable thalamic contributions to recognition memory.
Savings memory is accompanied by transcriptional changes that persist beyond the decay of recall
Authors: Perez Leticia , Patel Ushma , Rivota Marissa , Calin-Jageman Irina E. , Calin-Jageman Robert J.
Published: December 2017

Most long-term memories are forgotten. What happens, then, to the changes in neuronal gene expression that were initially required to encode and maintain the memory? Here we show that the decay of recall for long-term sensitization memory in Aplysia is accompanied both by a form of savings memory (easier relearning) and by persistent transcriptional regulation. A behavioral experiment (N = 14) shows that sensitization training produces a robust long-term sensitization memory, but that recall fades completely within 1 wk. This apparent forgetting, though, is belied by persistent savings memory, as we found that a weak reminder protocol reinstates a long-term sensitization memory only on the previously trained side of the body. Using microarray (N = 8 biological replicates), we found that transcriptional regulation largely decays along with recall. Of the transcripts known to be regulated 1 d after training, 98% (1172/1198) are no longer significantly regulated 7 d after training. Still, there is a small set of transcripts which remain strongly regulated even when recall is absent. Using qPCR (N = 11 additional biological replicates) we confirmed that these include the peptide transmitter FMRFamide, a transcript encoding a putative homolog of spectrin beta chain (Genbank: EB255259) , a transcript encoding a protein with a predicted EF-hand calcium-binding domain (Genbank: EB257711), and eight uncharacterized transcripts. To our knowledge, this is the first work to show that transcriptional changes evoked by learning can outlast recall. The small set of transcriptional changes that persist could mediate the rapid relearning of the memory (savings), or the decay of recall, or both, or neither.
Temporal specificity in Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer
Authors: Matell Matthew S. , Della Valle Rebecca B.
Published: December 2017

Presentation of a previously trained Pavlovian conditioned stimulus while an organism is engaged in operant responding can moderate the rate of responding, a phenomenon known as Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer. Although it is well known that Pavlovian contingencies will generate conditioned behavior that is temporally organized with respect to the arrival of the predicted outcome, little work has examined the temporal dynamics of responding during Pavlovian-instrumental transfer. We trained rats using a fixed time 60-sec, fixed time 120-sec, or random time 60-sec schedule in an appetitive Pavlovian task, and found that presentation of the conditioned stimulus potentiated operant responding in a manner that reflected these previously established temporal expectancies. Further, this temporal specificity conformed to the scalar property as seen with other forms of interval timing behavior. Surprisingly, this effect was only seen when the conditioned stimulus was a visual cue, but not when it was an auditory cue. These data suggest that the motivational processes triggered by Pavlovian cues are not static, but fluctuate in strength as a function of temporally specific expectations of reward.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of aquabis(nicotinamide-κN)bis(4-sulfamoylbenzoato-κO1)copper(II)
Authors: Hökelek Tuncer , Yavuz Vijdan , Dal Hakan , Necefoğlu Hacali
Published: December 2017

In the crystal of the title complex, [Cu(C7H6NO4S)2(C6H6N2O)2(H2O)], the CuIIcation and the O atom of the coordinated water molecule reside on a twofold rotation axis. The CuIIion is coordinated by two carboxylate O atoms of the two symmetry-related 4-sulfamoylbenzoate (SB) anions and by two N atoms of the two symmetry-related nicotinamide (NA) molecules at distances of 1.978 (2) and 2.025 (3) Å, respectively, forming a slightly distorted square-planar arrangement. The distorted square-pyramidal coordination environment is completed by the water O atom in the axial position at a distance of 2.147 (4) Å. In the crystal, the molecules are linkedviaO—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds withR22(8) andR22(18) ring motifs, forming a three-dimensional architecture. The Hirshfeld surface analysis of the crystal structure indicates that the most important contributions for the crystal packing are from H...O/O...H (42.2%), H...H (25.7%) and H...C/C...H (20.0%) interactions.
40-year reform of farmland institution in China: target, effort and the future
Authors: Luo Biliang
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Based on the brief historical review, the purpose of this paper is to expound the target and bottom line for the farmland institutional reform of in China, analyze the “Chinese scenes” and historical heritage of farmland institutional arrangement, evaluate the policies and their effects over the last four decades and outline the keynotes and possible direction of the future reform.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper builds the analytical clue of “institutional target – institutional heritage – policy effort – realistic dilemma – future direction” and review and forecast the Chinese farmland institutional reform.

Findings

The farmland institution is an important issue with Chinese characteristics. Over the last four decades, the farmland institutional reform in China has focused on “stabilizing the land property rights” and “promote the farmland transfer.” As the study indicates, the promotion of farmland transfer has not effectively improved the scale economy of agriculture and stabilizing land property rights by titling may restrain the development of farmland transfer market because farmland transfer is of special market logic.

Originality/value

It depends on the revitalization of farmland management rights to resolve the transaction constraint of personal property and its endowment effect in farmland transfer. And, classifying the land management property to involve farmers into the economy of division can be reference for the reform of traditional agriculture worldwide.
Corporate governance and management incentives: evidence from the Scandinavian countries
Authors: Xia Belle Selene , De Beelde Ignace
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The Scandinavian boards are known for their “best practices” for corporate governance. This paper aims to examine the management incentives behind corporate disclosure via an empirical study.

Design/methodology/approach

Many of the previous empirical work have focused on the US data, but the generalizability of such findings is geographically bounded. The set of management incentives in this paper is examined using a total sample of 123 local annual reports via some of the largest publicly listed firms in the Scandinavian countries between the years 2008-2012.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal that a firm’s financial success originates from the different attributes of corporate governance. Correlation and regression analyses reveal that in terms of firm size, leverage ratio, the existence of audit committee and the independence of CEO, there is a correlation between firm-specific factors and the level of disclosure. In contrast to the previous literature, a positive relationship between corporate disclosure and information asymmetry was not found.

Originality/value

The results of this study are valuable to the policymakers when implementing regulations on corporate governance control. The strategic implications of the findings on business decisions and future research are also discussed.
Barriers to use open government data in private sector and NGOs in Pakistan
Authors: Saxena Stuti , Muhammad Irfan
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Open government data (OGD) is making available data freely to all by the government with the aim to ensure accountability and transparency in government besides generating public value by its usage. OGD is an emerging government initiative in Pakistan, and there is a lot of potential for harnessing OGD for spearheading innovation and improvising services in different economic sectors. This paper aims to seek to investigate the usage of OGD in private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

Documentary analysis is conducted to review the national OGD portal of Pakistan. Besides, structured interviews were conducted with 49 senior management representatives from private sector and NGOs to solicit their perspectives regarding the usage of OGD for professional purposes. Also, questions were posed regarding the challenges in harnessing OGD for professional purposes.

Findings

OGD has immense usage for private sector and NGOs; however, more initiatives are required on the part of the government to open their data sets. Further, involvement of stakeholders from the private sector and NGOs and other interested partners is required for an optimum usage of OGD in different economic sectors of Pakistan.

Research limitations/implications

As the research focuses on private sector and NGOs in Pakistan, the study requires a more broad-based approach to take into account the perspectives of different users. Further research is required to appreciate the role of contextual factors in determining the usage of OGD in Pakistan.

Practical implications

Government should be more forthcoming in its OGD initiatives and encourage collaboration from citizens, businesses, voluntary organizations and the like.

Social implications

Working professionals from different economic sectors should tap OGD for generating value by improvising their services.

Originality/value

The study is the first one to be conducted in Pakistan about the OGD initiatives of the country. Soliciting views from the key management representatives in the private sector and NGOs, the paper contributed to the extant OGD literature which is more supply-focused and not demand-driven. While conceding that there are ample usages of OGD for the different economic sectors, the paper underlines the need for refining the OGD initiatives of Pakistan.
Guidelines for authors in Croatian scholarly journals
Authors: Hebrang Grgić Ivana , Čačković Lorena
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to compare guidelines for authors in Croatian scholarly journals regarding six scientific fields (according to Croatian classification) and to show the representation of technical and ethical issues that are explained in guidelines for authors.

Design/methodology/approach

The aim of the research is to identify elements that are included in guidelines for authors in Croatian scholarly journals from all scientific fields. Fourteen parameters for 200 journals were analyzed (all the journals that had published at least one 2016 issue by the end of February 2017).

Findings

The parameter that is explained in the most journals is the length of the manuscript (91.5 per cent). The lowest number of journals explains Open Researcher and Contributor ID (1.5 per cent). The highest percentage of journals that explain plagiarism is in the field of natural sciences (44 per cent). As compared to the results of previous researches, there is an increase in the number of ethical questions mentioned in the guidelines for authors of Croatian scholarly journals.

Practical implications

This paper provides recommendations and suggestions that could help journal editors make guidelines for authors more informative. That could help in advancing editorial process (e.g. peer review process) and in avoiding misconducts (e.g. plagiarism or false attribution of authorship).

Originality/value

This paper is the first detailed content analysis of guidelines for authors in all Croatian scholarly journals.
A longitudinal analysis of the relationship between cultural adaptation and argumentativeness
Authors: Croucher Stephen Michael , Kelly Stephanie , Condon Shawn Michael , Campbell Elsa , Galy-Badenas Flora , Rahmani Diyako , Zeng Cheng , Nshom Elvis
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This study aims to first explore the extent to which argumentativeness changed during the adaptation process among Muslim immigrants to France from 2006 to 2015 and, second, to examine the cultural fusion process. The study investigates the influence of intercultural contact on communication traits by exploring the extent to which members of the dominant cultural group adapt their argumentativeness over time.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a longitudinal panel study, the paper investigates the influence of intercultural contact on communication traits by exploring the extent to which members of the dominant cultural group adapt their argumentativeness over time. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling are used to assess the hypotheses and research question.

Findings

Results revealed a curvilinear relationship between argumentativeness and time. Argumentativeness increased from 2006 to 2009, remained constant from 2009 to 2012 and then decreased after 2012. Furthermore, data analysis revealed argumentativeness levels among members of the dominant culture did not change.

Research limitations/implications

The results are potentially limited by the sample being a convenience sample and the presence of extenuating factors.

Originality/value

Argumentativeness is viewed by many researchers as a functional form of communication. However, few studies have longitudinally studied how this trait can change over time.
Predicting conflict acts using behavior and style measures
Authors: Davis Mark H. , Schoenfeld Michael B. , Flores Elizabeth J.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to compare style and behavior-focused individual difference measures in their ability to uniquely predict naturally occurring conflict acts.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary participants (and a friend of their choosing) completed a style measure and a behavior-focused measure about the primary participants and reported on the occurrence of a variety of conflict actions over a 60-day period.

Findings

For self-ratings and friend ratings, both the style measure and the behavior-focused measure were significantly related to the occurrence of conflict acts. However, the unique effect of the behavior-focused measure was stronger than that of the style measure.

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected from college students, thus limiting the generalizability of the findings. The measure of conflict acts was based on recall, which may also be subject to error and bias. In terms of implications, the findings strongly suggest that behavior-focused instruments are superior to style measures in predicting everyday conflict acts.

Practical implications

Because the behavior-focused individual difference measure was a better predictor of actual behavior than the style measure, investigators interested in such prediction may want to seriously consider using such measures.

Originality/value

Little research exists regarding the relative predictive abilities of style measures and behavior-focused measures; this paper provides some of the first such evidence.
Collectivist values for constructive conflict management in international joint venture effectiveness
Authors: Wong Alfred , Wei Lu , Wang Xinyan , Tjosvold Dean
Published: December 2017

Purpose

This study aims to identify mechanisms to manage conflicts that occur when organizations with different cultures, habits and experiences try to coordinate effectively in international joint ventures (IJV). This study proposes that partners can promote their joint venture performance to the extent that they rely on cooperative rather than competitive conflict management. This study further hypothesizes that adopting collectivist values strengthens relationships and thereby provides a foundation for cooperative conflict management.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data for this study in Shanghai, which is currently the most attractive province in China for FDI (FDI Intelligence, 2014). In all, 75 pairs of foreign and Chinese managers at middle and senior levels, knowledgeable about the joint venture relationships, completed their respective questionnaires.

Findings

Results of the structural equation analyses support the hypotheses that collectivist values support cooperative conflict management that in turn facilitates joint venture learning and performance. In contrast, individualistic values promoted competitive conflict management which in turn frustrated IJV performance.

Practical implications

Results suggest that IJV managers can strengthen their venture by developing collective values and training such cooperative conflict management skills as self-expression and demonstrating understanding of opposing views.

Originality/value

This study directly documents that while conflicts may interfere they can also stimulate discussions and decisions that promote coordination and performance of IJVs. This study contributes to conflict management research that has largely focused on investigating the consequences of approaches by examining conditions that promote constructive conflict management approaches.
Towards visual strategic communications
Authors: Goransson Karina , Fagerholm Anna-Sara
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how a visual perspective can be applied to strategic communication research. First, the term visual communication will be examined from various perspectives with an attempt to develop a foundation for this new academic territory. Second, this study summarises how visual approaches are applied in strategic communication research during 2005-2015, this is done by a literature review including an overall content analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to explore how visual approaches can be applied to strategic communication research, the study started with a literature review by examining the term visual communication from various perspectives. The second step was to do a brief content analysis in order to provide a detailed pattern of theoretical visual approaches in strategic communication research published in scientific journals in the field of strategic communication 2005-2015. A qualitative coding scheme was developed based on the classification of visual approaches in communication research by Barnhurstet al.(2004) and Martin (2011).

Findings

The findings of this study not only support previous research indicating that visual approaches in communication research are increasing; the study also points in the direction of that visual approaches in the research field of strategic communication has slightly emerged during 2005-2015.

Research limitations/implications

This study summarises how visual approaches are applied in strategic communication research during 2005-2015.

Originality/value

This study can provide important knowledge about an innovative visual perspective in strategic communication research.
Just mercy through cultural and convict criminology
Authors: King Anna
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore Bryan Stevenson’s (2014, 2015) call to action from within two emergent schools of thought in criminology, “cultural criminology,” and “convict criminology”, which share a special concern with the contributions that criminological research makes to a climate of social control and punishment. The author’s central aim is to explore the capacity of what the author argues is a potentially under-leveraged tool of social change – the philosophies underlying and implemented in cultural and convict criminology.

Design/methodology/approach

To demonstrate the potential impact of this research, the author draws upon a purposive sample of qualitative studies that exemplify the particular emotive, moral, and aesthetic goals central to Stevenson’s call to action. The impact of the production of images of crime, crime control, and criminals that emerge in the development of the paradigms central to cultural and convict criminology is finally discussed in terms of Stevenson’s four prescriptions for social and criminal justice reform.

Findings

The underlying philosophies, theoretical assumptions, and methodological approaches dictated by convict and cultural criminology are uniquely equipped to make visible the forces linked to resistance to penal and social reform.

Research limitations/implications

In synthesizing cultural criminology and the emergent convict criminology as guides to doing empirical research, and identifying each as embodying Stevenson’s call to action, the author hopes – maybe not to extract those easily ignitable, invisible forces away from reform efforts entirely, but at least – to provide those who are interested with a more nuanced map of where they are not likely to live and breathe them. Stimulating and widening the criminological imagination might not satisfy our need to quickly and concretely apply a solution to injustice, but it might be what the problem demands.

Originality/value

Stevenson (2014) argues that the extent of injustice in the US criminal justice system is so pervasive, extraordinary, and long standing, that everyone has a role to play in the course of our everyday lives in turning the tide of indifference and cruelty that feed mass injustice and incarceration. Applying his proposals to the on-the-ground working lives of empirical criminologists holds potential for effecting change from the top-down.
The evolution of facility management business models in supplier-client relationships
Authors: Nardelli Giulia , Rajala Risto
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the current understanding of business model innovation by outlining how business models unfold over time within supplier–client relationships in facilities management (FM) services.

Design/methodology/approach

This study of FM services in Denmark consists of an explorative case study and three case studies of FM clients. Both phases, related and overlapping, involved collection and analysis of in-depth, semi-structured interviews and archive data.

Findings

Findings show that business model innovation entails interorganisational collaboration across different phases of the innovation process. The research demonstrates that external orientation within FM service ecosystems involves both a reaction to changes in the external environment and the proactive involvement of stakeholders throughout business model innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The selection of business model innovation processes was limited to the Danish context. The sample, although heterogeneous and representative, represented only a fraction of the total population, which may have excluded processes of business model innovation that contradict the research.

Practical implications

This paper suggests that by observing the business models of the value network over time, organisations could learn from the interdependencies between intra- and interorganisational stakeholders, thereby supporting the monitoring of risks and uncertainties as well as the anticipation of potential consequences of changes in the ecosystem.

Originality/value

This paper introduces new thinking on the subject of business model innovation to the context of FM. It presents the external orientation of FM business models as a way to combine planned and emergent business model innovation through interorganisational collaboration and value creation in FM ecosystems.
Antecedents and consequences of organizational ambidexterity: the moderating role of networking
Authors: Günsel Ayse , Altındağ Erkut , Kılıç Keçeli Selva , Kitapçı Hakan , Hızıroğlu Mahmut
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a holistic model regarding the antecedents and consequences of organizational ambidexterity in the context of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly for developing countries such as Turkey. Moreover, this paper also aims to reveal the moderating role of networking between organizational ambidexterity and firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

By studying 105 SMEs engaged in small business and technology development centers (SBTDCs), structural equation modeling through SmartPLS is executed.

Findings

The findings show that: discipline and support positively influence the formation and the maintenance of organizational ambidexterity; organizational ambidexterity significantly contributes to firm performance; and the greater the networking the greater the relationship between exploitation capability and firm performance.

Originality/value

To date, there has been no systematic attempt in the extant literature to develop a holistic manner of organizational ambidexterity, with its antecedents and consequences in the context of SMEs in general, in SMEs of a developing country, Turkey in particular. Moreover, the moderating role of networking between organizational ambidexterity and a firm’s performance has never been examined.
Solving customer insurance coverage sales plan problem using a multi-stage data mining approach
Authors: Abdi Farshid , Khalili-Damghani Kaveh , Abolmakarem Shaghayegh
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Customer insurance coverage sales plan problem, in which the loyal customers are recognized and offered some special plans, is an essential problem facing insurance companies. On the other hand, the loyal customers who have enough potential to renew their insurance contracts at the end of the contract term should be persuaded to repurchase or renew their contracts. The aim of this paper is to propose a three-stage data-mining approach to recognize high-potential loyal insurance customers and to predict/plan special insurance coverage sales.

Design/methodology/approach

The first stage addresses data cleansing. In the second stage, several filter and wrapper methods are implemented to select proper features. In the third stage, K-nearest neighbor algorithm is used to cluster the customers. The approach aims to select a compact feature subset with the maximal prediction capability. The proposed approach can detect the customers who are more likely to buy a specific insurance coverage at the end of a contract term.

Findings

The proposed approach has been applied in a real case study of insurance company in Iran. On the basis of the findings, the proposed approach is capable of recognizing the customer clusters and planning a suitable insurance coverage sales plans for loyal customers with proper accuracy level. Therefore, the proposed approach can be useful for the insurance company which helps them to identify their potential clients. Consequently, insurance managers can consider appropriate marketing tactics and appropriate resource allocation of the insurance company to their high-potential loyal customers and prevent switching them to competitors.

Originality/value

Despite the importance of recognizing high-potential loyal insurance customers, little study has been done in this area. In this paper, data-mining techniques were developed for the prediction of special insurance coverage sales on the basis of customers’ characteristics. The method allows the insurance company to prioritize their customers and focus their attention on high-potential loyal customers. Using the outputs of the proposed approach, the insurance companies can offer the most productive/economic insurance coverage contracts to their customers. The approach proposed by this study be customized and may be used in other service companies.