bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scribal Features of Customary Amulets
Authors: de Bruyn Theodore
Published: August 2017

This chapter compares incantations that are similar in purpose and formulation: incantations against snakes and scorpions; incantations against fever and illness; amatory incantations; and curses or prayers for justice. The ways in which incantations in these different groups are ‘christianized’ varies. Commonplace incantations against snakes and scorpions are resistant to change, but may be framed with Christian elements. Incantations against fever and illness may juxtapose customary and Christian elements or may be formulated in a wholly Christian idiom. On the basis of the formulation and writing of specific artefacts, it is suggested that some scribes were closer to the institutional centre of the Egyptian church, and other scribes were further away from the centre. While amatory incantations with Christian elements are rare (probably because scribes shaped by Christian norms would also have been predisposed against such incantations), curses and prayers for justice are not.
Conclusion
Authors: de Bruyn Theodore
Published: August 2017

The Conclusion reviews the spectrum of amulets with Christian elements and the range of hands with which they were written. The formulaic character of many amulets with regards to both conventional and Christian elements allows one to observe, in varying degrees, the ‘conditioned individuality’ of their writers. The salience that a particular element, customary or Christian, held for a scribe may be hard to determine. Nevertheless, some scribes, it is argued, were closer culturally and socially than others to the institutional centre of the Egyptian church. Finally, one must consider what sorts of persons, including clergy, monks, and nuns, would have been able to write the amulets discussed in this book, given the nature of literacy at the time and the range of hands with which the amulets were written.
The role of pathos: from argumentative responses to feeling and emotions
Authors: Meyer Michel
Published: August 2017

Chapter 10 is devoted to the role of emotions or pathos. Pathos was the term ordinarily used to denote the notion of audience. For the first time since Aristotle, emotions receive a full role in a treatise on rhetoric. The responses of the audience are modulated by its emotions. What is their nature and how precisely do they operate? The areas of political and legal rhetoric are examined here in the light of an original view of the theory of distance: values at greater distance become passions at short distance, and this is one of the features which demarcates politics from law. Law and politics are not merely argumentative, nor are they entirely emotional. The norms they codify are often implicit in their shaping of our mutual expectations and behavior in the social world.
Conclusion
Authors: Meyer Michel
Published: August 2017

The Conclusion summarizes the new conception of rhetoric as provided in the preceding chapters. It recapitulates the basic tenets of this view, showing the boundaries and the principles of rhetoric to be finally established by means of the question-view of thought, called problematology. This conclusion brings together all elements contained in our definition of rhetoric and vindicates this synthesis as a new and original conception of rhetoric and which includes all principal (if partial) contributions to the discipline since the Greeks and Romans.
Introduction
Authors: Meyer Michel
Published: August 2017

The Introduction recalls how rhetoric has been understood in the past and offers an outline of a new, integrative conception of rhetoric. Ethos or the speaker, pathos or the audience, and logos as discourse are the three components of any definition of rhetoric. For the first time, each of these components is here given equal weight, thus allowing for a new definition: rhetoric is the negotiation of distance between individuals, the speaker (ethos) and the audience (pathos) on a given question (logos). The Introduction also provides a summary of each of the book’s chapters. A detailed analysis of each component of the new definition of rhetoric will be found in each chapter of the book.
Introduction
Authors: Armour-Garb Bradley , Armour-Garb Bradley
Published: August 2017

In this chapter, after introducing a few versions of the liar paradox and identifying the pathology that the versions of the paradox appear to present, the author considers some proposals for how to understand ‘paradox’ and goes on to offer a particular reading of that notion. He then identifies a number of projects the completion of which would contribute to our understanding—or, in some cases, our resolution—of the liar paradox and, after considering certain “treatments” of the paradox, highlights certain “revenge” problems that arise for such treatments. In the concluding section, the author summarizes each of the chapters that are contained in the volume.
Thinking about the Liar, Fast and Slow
Authors: Barnard Robert , Ulatowski Joseph , Weinberg Jonathan M. , Armour-Garb Bradley
Published: August 2017

In the past, experimental philosophers have explored the psychological underpinning of a number of notions in philosophy, including free will, moral responsibility, and more. But prior to this chapter, although a number of philosophers have speculated on how ordinary folks might, or should, think about the liar paradox, no one had systematically explored the psychological underpinnings of the Liar itself. The authors take on this task. In particular, the chapter investigates the status of a liar sentence, L = ‘Sentence L is false’. The thesis, arrived at by interpreting the data the authors have accrued, is that reflective thinkers (some of whom possess a modicum of philosophical expertise) judge L to be neither true nor false (as opposed to false or true), and the authors see this as some evidence for the claim that L is neither true nor false.
Semantics for Semantics
Authors: Shaw James R. , Armour-Garb Bradley , Armour-Garb Bradley
Published: August 2017

This chapter argues that certain important lessons about truth can only be appreciated by approaching semantic circularity from the perspective of a compositional semanticist. It explains our need for a compositional semantics for semantic vocabulary like ‘true’. These reflections stress the need to explain, consistently with linguistic productivity facts, truth-value judgments concerning two classes of semantic circularities. The first involves claims like ‘Everything I say today will be true’, made when all other utterances by the speaker that day are true. The second involves claims about broad distributions of semantic properties like ‘A conjunction is true just in case both of its conjuncts are true’. We cannot explain the productive speaker judgments concerning the classes with a theory that gives ‘true’ an extension assignment as part of its semantic value. The chapter explains what shape semantic theories would need to take in order to avoid this circularity.
Semantic Paradoxes and Abductive Methodology
Authors: Williamson Timothy , Armour-Garb Bradley
Published: August 2017

This chapter provides a methodological case for maintaining classical logic even in the face of the semantic paradoxes. It advocates an abductive methodology for choosing, or adjudicating, logics (or, more specifically, logical theories), and notes that the semantic paradoxes constitute promising grounds for an abductive critique of classical logic. As the chapter notes, there is a strong prima facie abductive case for classical logic. This is not due to a principle of conservativism. It does not appeal to the benefits of familiarity with classical logic or the costs of changing the logic. It concerns, rather, intrinsic features of classical logic, such as its simplicity and strength. The chapter concludes that classical logic is doing fine by ordinary criteria and has no need for further justification, so we should keep it.
Suzaku and Chandra observations of the galaxy cluster RXC J1053.7+5453 with a radio relic
Authors: Itahana Madoka , Takizawa Motokazu , Akamatsu Hiroki , van Weeren Reinout J. , Kawahara Hajime , Fukazawa Yasushi , Kaastra Jelle S. , Nakazawa Kazuhiro , Ohashi Takaya , Ota Naomi , Röttgering Huub J. A. , Vink Jacco , Zandanel Fabio
Published: August 2017

We present the results of Suzaku and Chandra observations of the galaxy cluster RXC J1053.7+5453 (z = 0.0704), which contains a radio relic. The radio relic is located at a distance of ∼540 kpc from the X-ray peak toward the west. We measured the temperature of this cluster for the first time. The resultant temperature in the center is ∼1.3 keV, which is lower than the value expected from the X-ray luminosity–temperature and the velocity dispersion–temperature relations. Though we did not find a significant temperature jump at the outer edge of the relic, our results suggest that the temperature decreases outward across the relic. Assuming the existence of the shock at the relic, its Mach number becomes M ≃ 1.4. A possible spatial variation of Mach number along the relic is suggested. Additionally, a sharp surface brightness edge is found at a distance of ∼160 kpc from the X-ray peak toward the west in the Chandra image. We performed X-ray spectral and surface brightness analyses around the edge with the Suzaku and Chandra data, respectively. The obtained surface brightness and temperature profiles suggest that this edge is not a shock but likely a cold front. Alternatively, it cannot be ruled out that thermal pressure is really discontinuous across the edge. In this case, if the pressure across the surface brightness edge is in equilibrium, other forms of pressure sources, such as cosmic-rays, are necessary. We searched for the non-thermal inverse Compton component in the relic region. Assuming a photon index Γ = 2.0, the resultant upper limit of the flux is 1.9 × 10−14 erg s−1 cm−2 for a 4.50 × 10−3 deg2 area in the 0.3–10 keV band, which implies that the lower limit of magnetic field strength becomes 0.7 μG.
Selective Stimulation of Facial Muscles Following Chronic Intraneural Electrode Array Implantation and Facial Nerve Injury in the Feline Model
Authors: Sahyouni Ronald , Haidar Yarah M. , Moshtaghi Omid , Wang Beverly Y. , Djalilian Hamid R. , Middlebrooks John C. , Lin Harrison W.
Published: August 2017

Background:

Our group has previously shown that activation of specific facial nerve (FN) fiber populations and selective activation of facial musculature can be achieved through acute intraneural multichannel microelectrode array (MEA) implantation in the feline model.

Hypothesis:

Selective stimulation of facial muscles will be maintained in the setting of 1) chronic and 2) acute MEA implantation after FN injury and subsequent recovery.

Methods:

This study included seven cats. In three cats with normal facial function, 4-channel penetrating MEAs were implanted chronically in the FN and tested biweekly for 6 months. Electrical current pulses were delivered to each channel individually, and elicited electromyographic (EMG) voltage outputs were recorded for each of several facial muscles. For FN injury experiments, two cats received a standardized hemostat-crush injury, and two cats received a transection-reapproximation injury to the FN main trunk. These four underwent acute implantation of MEA and EMG recording in terminal experiments 4 months postinjury.

Results:

Stimulation through individual channels selectively activated restricted nerve populations, resulting in activation of individual muscles in cats with chronic MEA implantation and after nerve injury. Increasing stimulation current levels resulted in increasing EMG voltage responses in all patients. Nerve histology showed only minor neural tissue reaction to the implant.

Conclusion:

We have established in the animal model the ability of a chronically implanted MEA to selectively stimulate restricted FN fiber populations and elicit activations in specific facial muscles. Likewise, after FN injury, selective stimulation of restricted FN fiber populations and subsequent activation of discrete facial muscles can be achieved after acute MEA implantation.
Lymphatic Malformation Architecture: Implications for Treatment With OK-432
Authors: Malic Claudia C. , Guilfoyle Regan , Courtemanche Rebecca J.M. , Arneja Jugpal S. , Heran Manraj K.S. , Courtemanche Douglas J.
Published: August 2017

Purpose:

Herein, the authors aim to describe their findings of novel architectural types of lymphatic malformations (LM) and explain the relationship between these architectures and OK-432 treatment outcomes.

Methods:

A retrospective review was conducted of all patients diagnosed with a LM treated with OK-432 at the Vascular Anomalies Clinic at BC Children's Hospital from December 2002 to January 2012.

Results:

Twenty-seven patients were included in the study. Sixty percent of lesions were present by 2 years of age with the majority located in the head and neck (59%). The average number of sclerotherapy procedures was 1.4 per patient. Treatment under fluoroscopic guidance revealed 3 new LM architectures: open-cell microcystic, closed-cell microcystic, and lymphatic channel. Response to treatment was complete or good for 14/19 macrocystic and for 1/2 mixed lesions. Open-cell microcystic LMs gave a complete or good response for 3/3, which was attributed to OK-432 freely communicating between cysts. Closed-cell microcystic LM had localized cysts that did not allow OK-432 to freely communicate and were associated with partial responses, 2/2. The lymphatic channel had a partial response. There were 2 minor complications and 1 instance of recurrence.

Conclusions:

The identification of 3 new LM architectures expands the current accepted classification to include: open-cell microcystic, closed-cell microcystic, and lymphatic channels. The majority of complete responses to OK-432 were found with macrocystic lesions. Open-cell microcystic lesions respond better to OK-432 than closed-cell microcystic lesions, and lymphatic channels may respond to OK-432. These key architecture–response relationships have direct clinical implications for treatment with OK-432 sclerotherapy.
Transgene-free hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Guyonneau-Harmand Laurence , L’Homme Bruno , Birebent Brigitte , Desterke Christophe , Chevallier Nathalie , Garçon Loïc , Lapillonne Hélène , Benderitter Marc , Delhommeau François , Jaffredo Thierry , Chapel Alain , Douay Luc
Published: August 2017

Introductory paragraph

The successful production of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells (HSPCs) from human pluripotent sources is conditioned by transgene delivery1-5. We describe here a dedicated and tractable one step, GMP-grade, transgene-free and stroma-free protocol to produce HSPCs from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). This procedure, applied to several sources of hiPSCs with equal efficiency, is based on a directed differentiation with morphogens and cytokines to generate a cell population close to nascent HSPCs or their immediate forerunners i.e., hemogenic endothelial cells6-9. Following engraftment into immunocompromised recipients, this cell population was proved capable of a robust myeloid, lymphoid and definitive red blood cell production in sequential recipients for at least 40 weeks. Further identification of the repopulating cells show that they express the G protein–coupled receptor APELIN (APLNR) and the homing receptor CXCR4. This demonstrates that the generation ofbona fideHSPCs from hiPSCs without transgenes is possible and passes through an early endo-hematopoietic intermediate. This work opens the way to the generation of clinical grade HSPCs for the treatment of hematological diseases and holds promise for the analysis of HSPC development in the human species.
Circuit robustness to temperature perturbation is altered by neuromodulators
Authors: Haddad Sara A. , Marder Eve
Published: August 2017

In the ocean, the crab,Cancer borealis, is subject to daily and seasonal temperature changes. Previous work, done in the presence of descending modulatory inputs, had shown that the pyloric rhythm of the crab increases in frequency as temperature increases, but maintains its characteristic phase relationships until it “crashes” at extreme high temperatures. To study the interaction between neuromodulators and temperature perturbations, we studied the effects of temperature on preparations from which the descending modulatory inputs were removed. Under these conditions the pyloric rhythm was destabilized. We then studied the effects of temperature on preparations in the presence of oxotremorine, proctolin, and serotonin. Oxotremorine and proctolin enhanced the robustness of the pyloric rhythm, while serotonin made the rhythm less robust. These experiments reveal considerable animal-to-animal diversity in their crash stability, consistent with the interpretation that cryptic differences in many cell and network parameters are revealed by extreme perturbations.
Heterogeneity Within the Frontoparietal Control Network and its Relationship to the Default and Dorsal Attention Networks
Authors: Dixon Matthew L , De La Vega Alejandro , Mills Caitlin , Andrews-Hanna Jessica , Nathan Spreng R. , Cole Michael W. , Christoff Kalina
Published: August 2017

The frontoparietal control network (FPCN) plays a central role in executive control. It has been predominantly viewed as a unitary domain general system. Here, we examined patterns of FPCN functional connectivity (FC) across multiple conditions of varying cognitive demands, in order to test for FPCN heterogeneity. We identified two distinct subsystems within the FPCN based on hierarchical clustering and machine learning classification analyses of within-FPCN FC patterns. These two FPCN subsystems exhibited distinct patterns of FC the default network (DN) and the dorsal attentional network (DAN). This 2-fold FPCN differentiation was observed across four independent data sets, across 9 different conditions (rest and 8 tasks), as well as in meta-analytic co-activation patterns. The extent of FPCN differentiation varied across conditions, suggesting flexible adaptation to task demands. These findings reveal a flexible and heterogeneous FPCN organization that may in part emerge from separable DN and DAN processing streams.
Identification of an Essential IL15-STAT1-IRX3 Prosurvival Pathway in T Lymphocytes with Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Persengiev Stephan P.
Published: August 2017

IRX3 homeobox transcription factor plays a role in neural development and in the pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance. T lymphocytes play an essential role in the pathogenesis of obesity and their expansion and differentiation is a tightly controlled process. Circulating cytokines trough activation of cell death mechanisms controls the number of CD4 and CD8 T cells, and failure to activate apoptosis is considered the main cause for their uncontrolled expansion. Here, the identification an essential anti-apoptotic pathway in T lymphocytes is presented, whereby IL-15 activation of Stat/Jak signaling cascade leads to induction of the IRX3 expression. IRX3, in turn, promotes T cells survival and self-renewal, at least partially, by controlling the expression of T-bet transcription factor eomesodermin (EOMES). The Stat/Jak signaling inhibition by Jak inhibitor 1 suppresses IRX3 transcription in T lymphocytes and tumor cell lines and increases apoptosis after growth factor deprivation. Our results demonstrate that IRX3 is essential in T lymphocytes differentiation and reveal that the IL-15-dependent IRX3 pro-survival pathway provides potential therapeutic target for regulation of T cell proliferation that has implications for immune cell malignancies, obesity and autoimmune diseases.
Multimodal Surface Matching with Higher-Order Smoothness Constraints☆
Authors: Robinson Emma C. , Garcia Kara , Glasser Matthew F. , Chen Zhengdao , Coalson Timothy S. , Makropoulos Antonios , Bozek Jelena , Wright Robert , Schuh Andreas , Webster Matthew , Hutter Jana , Price Anthony , Grande Lucilio Cordero , Hughes Emer , Tusor Nora , Bayly Philip V. , Van Essen David C. , Smith Stephen M. , David Edwards A. , Hajnal Joseph , Jenkinson Mark , Glocker Ben , Rueckert Daniel
Published: August 2017

In brain imaging, accurate alignment of cortical surfaces is fundamental to the statistical sensitivity and spatial localisation of group studies; and cortical surface-based alignment has generally been accepted to be superior to volume-based approaches at aligning cortical areas. However, human subjects have considerable variation in cortical folding, and in the location of functional areas relative to these folds. This makes alignment of cortical areas a challenging problem. The Multimodal Surface Matching (MSM) tool is a flexible, spherical registration approach that enables accurate registration of surfaces based on a variety of different features. Using MSM, we have previously shown that driving cross-subject surface alignment, using areal features, such as resting state-networks and myelin maps, improves group task fMRI statistics and map sharpness. However, the initial implementation of MSM's regularisation function did not penalize all forms of surface distortion evenly. In some cases, this allowed peak distortions to exceed neu-robiologically plausible limits, unless regularisation strength was increased to a level which prevented the algorithm from fully maximizing surface alignment. Here we propose and implement a new regularisation penalty, derived from physically relevant equations of strain (deformation) energy, and demonstrate that its use leads to improved and more robust alignment of multimodal imaging data. In addition, since spherical warps incorporate projection distortions that are unavoidable when mapping from a convoluted cortical surface to the sphere, we also propose constraints that enforce smooth deformation of cortical anatomies. We test the impact of this approach for longitudinal modelling of cortical development for neonates (born between 32 and 45 weeks of post-menstrual age) and demonstrate that the proposed method increases the biological interpretability of the distortion fields and improves the statistical significance of population-based analysis relative to other spherical methods.
Olfactory coding in the turbulent realm
Authors: Jacob Vincent , Monsempès Christelle , Rospars Jean-Pierre , Masson Jean-Baptiste , Lucas Philippe
Published: August 2017

Long-distance olfactory search behaviors depend on odor detection dynamics. Due to turbulence, olfactory signals travel as bursts of variable concentration and spacing and are characterized by long-tail distributions of odor/no-odor events, challenging the computing capacities of olfactory systems. How animals encode complex olfactory scenes to track the plume far from the source remains unclear. Here we focus on the coding of the plume temporal dynamics in moths. We compare responses of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) and antennal lobe projection neurons (PNs) to sequences of pheromone stimuli either with white-noise patterns or with realistic turbulent temporal structures simulating a large range of distances (8 to 64 m) from the odor source. For the first time, we analyze what information is extracted by the olfactory system at large distances from the source. Neuronal responses are analyzed using linear–nonlinear models fitted with white-noise stimuli and used for predicting responses to turbulent stimuli. We found that neuronal firing rate is less correlated with the dynamic odor time course when distance to the source increases because of improper coding during long odor and no-odor events that characterize large distances. Rapid adaptation during long puffs does not preclude however the detection of puff transitions in PNs. Individual PNs but not individual ORNs encode the onset and offset of odor puffs for any temporal structure of stimuli. A higher spontaneous firing rate coupled to an inhibition phase at the end of PN responses contributes to this coding property. This allows PNs to decode the temporal structure of the odor plume at any distance to the source, an essential piece of information moths can use in their tracking behavior.

Author Summary

Long-distance olfactory search is a difficult task because atmospheric turbulence erases global gradients and makes the plume discontinuous. The dynamics of odor detections is the sole information about the position of the source. Male moths successfully track female pheromone plumes at large distances. Here we show that the moth olfactory system encodes olfactory scenes simulating variable distances from the odor source by characterizing puff onsets and offsets. A single projection neuron is sufficient to provide an accurate representation of the dynamic pheromone time course at any distance to the source while this information seems to be encoded at the population level in olfactory receptor neurons.
UPF1 helicase promotes TSN-mediated miRNA decay
Authors: Elbarbary Reyad A. , Miyoshi Keita , Hedaya Omar , Myers Jason R. , Maquat Lynne E.
Published: August 2017

While microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the vast majority of protein-encoding transcripts, little is known about how miRNAs themselves are degraded. We recently described Tudor-staphylococcal/micrococcal-like nuclease (TSN)-mediated miRNA decay (TumiD) as a cellular pathway in which the nuclease TSN promotes the decay of miRNAs that contain CA and/or UA dinucleotides. While TSN-mediated degradation of either protein-free or AGO2-loaded miRNAs does not require the ATP-dependent RNA helicase UPF1 in vitro, we report here that cellular TumiD requires UPF1. Results from experiments using AGO2-loaded miRNAs in duplex with target mRNAs indicate that UPF1 can dissociate miRNAs from their mRNA targets, making the miRNAs susceptible to TumiD. miR-seq (deep sequencing of miRNAs) data reveal that the degradation of ∼50% of candidate TumiD targets in T24 human urinary bladder cancer cells is augmented by UPF1. We illustrate the physiological relevance by demonstrating that UPF1-augmented TumiD promotes the invasion of T24 cells in part by degrading anti-invasive miRNAs so as to up-regulate the expression of proinvasive proteins.
Nanosecond pump–probe device for time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography developed at SACLA
Authors: Kubo Minoru , Nango Eriko , Tono Kensuke , Kimura Tetsunari , Owada Shigeki , Song Changyong , Mafuné Fumitaka , Miyajima Ken , Takeda Yoshihiro , Kohno Jun-ya , Miyauchi Naoya , Nakane Takanori , Tanaka Tomoyuki , Nomura Takashi , Davidsson Jan , Tanaka Rie , Murata Michio , Kameshima Takashi , Hatsui Takaki , Joti Yasumasa , Neutze Richard , Yabashi Makina , Iwata So
Published: August 2017

X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) have opened new opportunities for time-resolved X-ray crystallography. Here a nanosecond optical-pump XFEL-probe device developed for time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography (TR-SFX) studies of photo-induced reactions in proteins at the SPring-8 Angstrom Compact free-electron LAser (SACLA) is reported. The optical-fiber-based system is a good choice for a quick setup in a limited beam time and allows pump illumination from two directions to achieve high excitation efficiency of protein microcrystals. Two types of injectors are used: one for extruding highly viscous samples such as lipidic cubic phase (LCP) and the other for pulsed liquid droplets. Under standard sample flow conditions from the viscous-sample injector, delay times from nanoseconds to tens of milliseconds are accessible, typical time scales required to study large protein conformational changes. A first demonstration of a TR-SFX experiment on bacteriorhodopsin in bicelle using a setup with a droplet-type injector is also presented.
Bis(μ-N,N-diallyldithiocarbamato)bis[(N,N-diallyldithiocarbamato)cadmium]
Authors: Onwudiwe Damian C. , Hrubaru Madalina , Hosten Eric C. , Arderne Charmaine
Published: August 2017

The title compound, [Cd2(C7H10NS2)4], is a neutral dinuclear cadmium(II) complex bearing four bisN,N-diallyldithiocarbamate ligands coordinating to two CdIIcations. In each of the monomeric subunits, there are four S atoms of two dithiocarbamate ligands [Cd—S = 2.5558 (3), 2.8016 (3), 2.6050 (3) and 2.5709 (3) Å] that coordinate to one CdIIatom in a bidentate mode. The dimers are located over an inversion centre bridged by two additional bridging Cd—S bonds [2.6021 (3) Å], leading to a substantial distortion of the geometry of the monomeric subunit from the expected square-planar geometry. The five-coordinate environment around each of the CdIIions in the dimer is best described as substantially tetragonally distorted square pyramidal. The dithiocarbamate groups are themselves planar and are also coplanar with the CdIIions. The negative charge on these groups is delocalized by resonance across the S atoms bound to the CdIIcation. This delocalization of the π electrons in the dithiocarbamate groups also extends to the C—N bonds as they reveal significant double bond character [C—N = 1.3213 (16) and 1.3333 (15) Å].
The effect of personality on salespeople’s information gathering
Authors: Mehl Erik , Hansen Håvard
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the direct effects of intrinsic motivation, perceived information value, activity perception, perceived organizational support, and adaptive selling on the propensity to collect market information and how locus of control (LOC) moderates these effects.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a cross-sectional design with a web-based survey. The respondents were business-to-business salespeople. All relationships were tested by regression modeling.

Findings

Support was found for most direct effects, and LOC moderated all supported direct effects. Thus, adding LOC as a moderator will increase the understanding of what motivates salespeople to gather information.

Research limitations/implications

This study shows that using the theoretical construct of personality as a moderator increases the understanding of what motivates salespeople to collect information.

Practical implications

Sales leaders use different motivational tools to ensure that their sales forces focus on important tasks, but the responses to a specific motivational tool may differ among salespeople. The most prominent managerial contribution of the present study is a possible explanation of why salespeople differ in information collection even when the same motivational tools are used.

Originality/value

Several researchers have focused on what drives salespeople to collect, share, and use market information at the individual-level perspective, but despite the long history of studies of the relationship between motivation and personality, focus on the effects of individual differences is lacking. This paper addresses this gap and shows how personality differences have a moderating effect on the propensity of salespeople to collect market information.
What stops creative employees to implement ideas? Individual culture value orientation perspective
Authors: Wang Hongli
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Creativity itself does not necessarily lead to idea implementation. The purpose of this paper is to deeply understand the impact of the individual culture value orientation on employees’ motivation on whether they want to push creative ideas into implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, drawing on socially desirable responding (SDR) theory, the author reasons that individual value on power distance and superficial harmony and that these two factors interact to influence employees transform their creativity into implementation. The author argues that prevalence of the failure where creativity cannot be transformed into implementation results from the lack of understanding for two elusive individual culture value orientations: individual superficial harmony orientations (ISHO) and individual power distance orientations (IPDO). Data from 66 middle managers and 301 members of five high-tech firms provide a considerable support for the hypothesized model.

Findings

The results showed that individuals were able to improve the possibility of putting their creative ideas into practice when they are both lower in IPDO and ISHO.

Originality/value

Such findings help the author to understand how individual cultural value orientation complements each other to generate joint impact on the relationship between their creative ideas to idea implementation.
Impact of psychological capital on the resistance to change during post-merger integration
Authors: Dorling Jennifer Linda
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are major corporate changes and are among the most stressful for employees. Employee resistance is a well-recognised reason for high failure rates of post-merger integration (PMI). The contemporary concept of psychological capital (PsyCap) is a promising approach for dealing with the issue. To date, relatively little research has been conducted on the relationship between PsyCap and resistance. The purpose of this paper is to examine the possible positive impacts of PsyCap on employee resistance during PMI, based on a review of the existing literature and selected interviewers with a panel of experts, and offer a theoretical model for decreasing the resistance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper builds on the literature on M&A, PMI, and employee resistance by focusing on the contribution of PsyCap. Apart from formulating propositions and answering pre-determined research questions, the findings are the basis for a theoretical model that was validated by a panel of experts.

Findings

This research documents the negative emotions that are triggers for resistance during PMI under the influence of PsyCap. By measuring and assessing the PsyCap needs of employees, resistant employees were revealed, and their PsyCap was developed using tailored interventions. The research findings indicate this to be a feasible approach for reducing resistance during PMI.

Research limitations/implications

All of the findings rely on empirical testing and operationalisation. Cultural differences may influence the PsyCap dimensions.

Practical implications

M&A deals often fail due to unsuccessful PMI implementation because leaders fail to consider the psychological impacts when trying to overcome resistance. The model proposes a possible solution.

Originality/value

The offered theoretical approach is original and provides new insights for researchers and practitioners who evaluate M&A strategies.
Entrepreneurship education knowledge transfer in a conflict Sub-Saharan African context
Authors: Anosike Paschal
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how entrepreneurship education (EE) interacts with knowledge transfer and entrepreneurial behaviour in a conflict Sub-Saharan African context.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth telephone interviews of 20 participants who benefited from EE knowledge transfer were used to document and analyse the effect of EE on their behaviours as micro-entrepreneurs in a conflict zone.

Findings

These participants exhibited rare forms of innovative behaviour, through their business skills, gained from their involvement in EE. In relation to the effect of the conflict on their entrepreneurial behaviours, it emerged that the conflict was not the major barrier to entrepreneurial intentions, it however affected how they made strategic decisions about downsizing, advertising and future business plans. Consequently, these decisions altered at different junctures because of the conflict and, therefore, defined their coping strategies.

Practical implications

The paper advocates a policy shift towards a more collaborative sub-regional approach to tackling the underlying causes of conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa through investment in EE strategies as a spur to economic development. Central to this are a priori assumptions about economically disadvantaged populations and their symbiotic relationship with conflict, a phenomenon frequently exploited by armed groups with deviant agenda. Thus, access to employment opportunities could benefit disadvantaged populations, thereby plays a decisive role in conflict mitigation.

Originality/value

The paper provides empirical analysis integrating EE with knowledge transfer and entrepreneurial behaviour in a conflict Sub-Saharan African context. In this way, novel insights are provided that contribute to current efforts aimed at developing a robust theoretical and conceptual foundation for EE domain.
Bryophyte abundance, diversity and composition after retention harvest in boreal mixedwood forest
Authors: Bartels Samuel F. , Macdonald S. Ellen , Johnson Derek , Caners Richard T. , Spence John R.
Published: August 2017

Variable‐retention harvest is widely recognized as an alternative to more intensive methods such as clear‐cutting. However, present information is inadequate to judge the impact of variable retention on biodiversity of indigenous forest organisms intolerant of canopy removal, such as forest‐inhabiting bryophytes.

We examined how bryophyte species cover, richness, diversity and composition change with time in response to a broad range of dispersed retention harvest treatments (2% [clear‐cut], 10%, 20%, 50%, 75% retention of original basal area) contrasted with uncut controls [100% retention]) in broadleaf deciduous, mixedwood and conifer‐dominated boreal forests in North West Alberta, Canada. Bryophytes were studied in 432 permanent sample plots within 72 compartments before harvest and at 3, 6 and 11 years after harvest.

Clear‐cut and lower (10% and 20%) retention levels resulted in lower cover and richness of bryophytes than in unharvested control compartments in mixed and conifer‐dominated forests, but less so in deciduous‐dominated forests, which generally supported low cover and richness. Species composition in each forest type varied along the gradient of harvesting intensity; clear‐cuts and lower levels of retention supported similar composition, as did control plots and those representing higher retention levels. Over time, the retention harvest treatments became more similar to uncut controls.

Synthesis and applications. Variable‐retention harvests can better maintain bryophyte biodiversity in managed boreal mixedwood forests, as compared to clear‐cuts. We found the efficacy of retention harvest scaled with harvest intensity. Higher levels of retention better moderated the negative impacts of harvesting on bryophyte assemblages across all forest types. Our results suggest, however, that even 10% retention will facilitate faster post‐harvest recovery of bryophytes, as compared to clear‐cutting.
Lack of European Identity and the Failure of the Eurozone
Authors: Carl Noah
Published: August 2017

Since late 2007, the Eurozone has been embroiled in a crisis that has seen GDP per capita stagnate, public debt soar, and unemployment reach record levels. This article argues that the Eurozone crisis will inevitably force fundamental changes in the structure of the EU. The only way to make the Eurozone work is through deeper fiscal integration of Eurozone economies. Yet wholesale fiscal integration cannot be achieved in the near term, due to the fact that EU citizens continue to identify more with their own nationalities than with Europe as a whole. The Eurozone economies of southern Europe will, therefore, continue to flounder, leading to further anti‐EU sentiment. Anti‐EU sentiment may eventually increase up to the point where one or all of these countries leave the Eurozone or the EU altogether. These propositions are supported with arguments from economic theory, and are bolstered by evidence from surveys and opinion polls.
The immediate and longer‐term effectiveness of a speech‐rhythm‐based reading intervention for beginning readers
Authors: Harrison Emily , Wood Clare , Holliman Andrew J. , Vousden Janet I.
Published: August 2017

Despite empirical evidence of a relationship between sensitivity to speech rhythm and reading, there have been few studies that have examined the impact of rhythmic training on reading attainment, and no intervention study has focused on speech rhythm sensitivity specifically to enhance reading skills. Seventy‐three typically developing 4‐ to 5‐year‐old children were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups and received a speech‐rhythm‐based intervention, a phonological‐awareness‐based intervention, or a control intervention over 10 weeks. All children completed pre‐test, post‐test and delayed post‐test measures of speech rhythm sensitivity, single‐word reading, phonological awareness and vocabulary. The results show that it is possible to train speech rhythm sensitivity in this age group and that children who undertook the speech rhythm intervention showed a significant improvement in their word reading performance compared to children in the control group. Group differences were maintained 3 months later.
What Happens to Students with Low Reading Proficiency at 15? Evidence from Australia
Authors: Polidano Cain , Ryan Chris
Published: August 2017

While illiterate adults are disadvantaged in the labour market, it is unclear whether low reading proficiency in school diminishes employment prospects in adulthood. We fill this gap using data on participants in the 2003 Program of International Student Assessment who were tracked to age 25 in the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Youth. We find no difference in full‐time employment rates or earning capacity of jobs attained at age 25 associated with low reading proficiency at 15. Those with low reading proficiency are found to avoid negative effects through high rates of participation and positive outcomes from vocational education and training.
Pyomelanin from Pseudoalteromonas lipolytica reduces biofouling
Authors: Zeng Zhenshun , Guo Xing‐Pan , Cai Xingsheng , Wang Pengxia , Li Baiyuan , Yang Jin‐Long , Wang Xiaoxue
Published: August 2017

Members of the marine bacterial genus Pseudoalteromonas are efficient producers of antifouling agents that exert inhibitory effects on the settlement of invertebrate larvae. The production of pigmented secondary metabolites by Pseudoalteromonas has been suggested to play a role in surface colonization. However, the physiological characteristics of the pigments produced by Pseudoalteromonas remain largely unknown. In this study, we identified and characterized a genetic variant that hyperproduces a dark‐brown pigment and was generated during Pseudoalteromonas lipolytica biofilm formation. Through whole‐genome resequencing combined with targeted gene deletion and complementation, we found that a point mutation within the hmgA gene, which encodes homogentisate 1,2‐dioxygenase, is solely responsible for the overproduction of the dark‐brown pigment pyomelanin. In P. lipolytica, inactivation of the hmgA gene led to the formation of extracellular pyomelanin and greatly reduced larval settlement and metamorphosis of the mussel Mytilus coruscus. Additionally, the extracted pyomelanin from the hmgA deletion mutant and the in vitro‐synthesized pyomelanin also reduced larval settlement and metamorphosis of M. coruscus, suggesting that extracellular pyomelanin released from marine Pseudoalteromonas biofilm can inhibit the settlement of fouling organisms.
Metallic bionanocatalysts: potential applications as green catalysts and energy materials
Authors: Macaskie Lynne E. , Mikheenko Iryna P. , Omajai Jacob B. , Stephen Alan J. , Wood Joseph
Published: August 2017

Microbially generated or supported nanocatalysts have potential applications in green chemistry and environmental application. However, precious (and base) metals biorefined from wastes may be useful for making cheap, low‐grade catalysts for clean energy production. The concept of bionanomaterials for energy applications is reviewed with respect to potential fuel cell applications, bio‐catalytic upgrading of oils and manufacturing ‘drop‐in fuel’ precursors. Cheap, effective biomaterials would facilitate progress towards dual development goals of sustainable consumption and production patterns and help to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy.
Soil and brownfield bioremediation
Authors: Megharaj Mallavarapu , Naidu Ravi
Published: August 2017

Soil contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons, persistent organic pollutants, halogenated organic chemicals and toxic metal(loid)s is a serious global problem affecting the human and ecological health. Over the past half‐century, the technological and industrial advancements have led to the creation of a large number of brownfields, most of these located in the centre of dense cities all over the world. Restoring these sites and regeneration of urban areas in a sustainable way for beneficial uses is a key priority for all industrialized nations. Bioremediation is considered a safe economical, efficient and sustainable technology for restoring the contaminated sites. This brief review presents an overview of bioremediation technologies in the context of sustainability, their applications and limitations in the reclamation of contaminated sites with an emphasis on brownfields. Also, the use of integrated approaches using the combination of chemical oxidation and bioremediation for persistent organic pollutants is discussed.
Ultrasound‐guided regional blockade for lipoma excision: a new approach to an old technique
Authors: Tammam T. F. , Kamhawy G. A.
Published: August 2017

Background

Local anesthesia for lipoma excision can be feasible with anesthetic injection in the fascial plane between the lipoma and the surrounding soft tissues under real‐time ultrasonography [ultrasound‐ guided lipoma plane (ULP) block]. The advantage of targeting a single anesthetic injection plane under ultrasound guidance may allow for technically easier block placement and long‐term analgesic effects.

Methods

Forty‐eight patients were randomly assigned to receive ULP block, group A (n = 24) or traditional block, group B (n = 24). Primary outcome measure was the number of needle passes required to perform the blockade. The level of procedure pain and the time to first request of analgesia were assessed.

Results

Median (interquartile range) needle passes required to complete the blockade was significantly less in the group A 1(1, 1) in comparison with the group B 3 (2.5, 3); P = 0.0001. Group A required fewer needle redirections 1.5 (1, 2) than group B 2 (2, 2.5); P = 0.001. Group A showed significantly less procedure‐related pain 2 (2, 3) when compared with group B 4 (3, 4); P = 0.0001. The time to first rescue analgesic was significantly longer in group A (21.3 ± 4.7 h) in comparison with group B (4.4 ± 1.2 h); P = 0.001.

Conclusion

Ultrasound‐guided lipoma plane blockade reduces the number of needle passes required to complete the block and provides less procedure pain and longer pain relief compared with the traditional block in patients undergoing lipoma excision.