bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Similarities in perceived predation risk prevent temporal partitioning of food by rodents in an African grassland
Authors: Banasiak Natalia , Shrader Adrian M.
Published: March 2016

One way in which animals coexist is through temporal separation of feeding activities. This separation directly reduces interference competition, but potentially not exploitive competition. To reduce exploitive competition, coexisting species tend to utilize different microhabitats and/or achieve different feeding efforts across microhabitats. However, 1 factor that has generally not been considered with regards to its impacts on competition, and thus coexistence, is predation risk. As different predators are active during the day and at night, the location of safe areas across the landscape can vary temporally. If so, then temporally separated prey species would likely forage in different areas thus reducing exploitive competition. However, if predation risk across the landscape is similar for nocturnal and diurnal species, then both could restrict their foraging to the same microhabitats, thus increasing exploitive competition. To explore these alternative possibilities, we manipulated grass height in an African grassland to create microhabitats that varied in predation risk. We then estimated perceived predation risk of both nocturnal and diurnal rodents in these microhabitats by recording giving-up densities (GUDs) in artificial resource patches. We found that despite differences in predators, both nocturnal and diurnal rodents preferred feeding in the same microhabitats, and they achieved similar feeding efforts within these microhabitats. This suggests that despite the prevention of interference competition through temporal partitioning, the spatial similarities in perceived predation risk in relation to cover likely increase exploitive competition between these rodents. However, as both nocturnal and diurnal rodents were present in the study area, it is likely that some other mechanism (e.g., varied diets) allows them to coexist.
Academic Medicine’s Critical Role in the “Third Curve” of Health Care
Authors: Paz Harold L.
Published: March 2016

Over the last several years, the health care landscape has changed at an unprecedented rate due to new economic and regulatory forces ushered in by the Affordable Care Act and the introduction of innovative technologies, such as personalized medicine, that are poised to open the door to consumer-driven health care. Tremendous pressure exists on academic health centers to rapidly evolve clinically while not abandoning their unique academic mission. The convergence of personalized medicine, new digital technologies, and changes in health professionals’ scope of practice alongside new payment structures will accelerate the move to a patient-centered health system. In this Commentary, the author argues that these new tools and resources must be embraced to improve the health of patients. With the traditional, fee-for-service model of care as “Curve I” and the post-Flexner era of population-based medicine as “Curve II,” the author identifies the emergence of “Curve III,” which is characterized by patient-centered, consumer-directed models of care. As the old models of health care undergo transition and the impact of technology and analytics grow, future practitioners must be trained to embrace this change and function effectively in the “third curve” of consumer-driven health care.
Supported Standing in Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Townsend Elise L. , Bibeau Christine , Holmes Tara M.
Published: March 2016

Purpose:

To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of supported standing in a small sample of boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Methods:

Four 12- to 15-year-old boys with DMD engaged in a home-based supported standing program for 6 to 12 months. A single-subject design was employed to examine muscle length. Bone mineral density was assessed at 4-month intervals using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Results:

Upright, sustained supported standing was tolerated in 3 of the 4 boys. Mean weekly stand times ranged from 1.3 to 3.3 hours. Improved hip or knee flexor muscle length was seen in 3 of the 4 boys. No boys showed improved plantar flexor muscle length or increased lumbar bone mineral density.

Conclusions:

Findings offer preliminary empirical evidence addressing the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of standing in boys with DMD. Additional research with an emphasis on better program adherence is indicated.
Performance Evaluation of the New HIV-1 Quantification Assay, Xpert HIV-1 Viral Load, on a Wide Panel of HIV-1 Variants
Authors: Gueudin Marie , Baron Adeline , Alessandri-Gradt Elodie , Lemée Véronique , Mourez Thomas , Etienne Manuel , Plantier Jean-Christophe
Published: March 2016

Objective:

To evaluate the quantification performance of the new Cepheid GeneXpert HIV-1 viral load assay, on a wide panel of HIV-1 variants.

Methods:

Clinical performance was evaluated relative to the Abbott RealTime HIV-1 assay on 285 HIV-1 seropositive samples selected to cover the assays quantification range (40 copies/mL–10,000,000 copies/mL), and included RNA undetectable or detected seropositive samples. The panel comprised 120 subtype B, 150 non-B, and 15 nontypable clinical samples; serial dilutions of 18 viral supernatants representative of the divergent viruses of HIV-1 groups N, O, and P were also tested.

Results:

Based on samples selected according to the Abbott assay viral loads (VL), the Cepheid assay detected or quantified 222/285 (78%) samples and the Abbott assay 240/285 (84%). Xpert yielded VLs for 162 (76%) of the 213 quantifiable samples with Abbott. This difference corresponded to 51 samples with VL >40 copies/mL by the Abbott assay (all below 200 copies/mL) but detected (n = 40) or undetectable (n = 11) by the Cepheid assay. VL of samples quantifiable by both assays (n = 162) showed very strong correlation, with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.985 and a Bland–Altman's mean of differences of −0.01. Performance for quantification of the non-M samples showed very good correlation, with significantly higher values with Cepheid for the group N and 2 group O samples.

Conclusions:

Our study showed that the Xpert HIV-1 VL assay offered very good performance for detection and quantification of the current HIV-1 genetic diversity; differences reported at the threshold could be an issue and requires further evaluations. The practicability of this new assay makes it suitable for low-income countries, where it could facilitate and improve follow-up of patients, as well as for high-income regions.
A homeostatic-driven turnover remodelling constitutive model for healing in soft tissues
Authors: Comellas Ester , Gasser T. Christian , Bellomo Facundo J. , Oller Sergio
Published: March 2016

Remodelling of soft biological tissue is characterized by interacting biochemical and biomechanical events, which change the tissue's microstructure, and, consequently, its macroscopic mechanical properties. Remodelling is a well-defined stage of the healing process, and aims at recovering or repairing the injured extracellular matrix. Like other physiological processes, remodelling is thought to be driven by homeostasis, i.e. it tends to re-establish the properties of the uninjured tissue. However, homeostasis may never be reached, such that remodelling may also appear as a continuous pathological transformation of diseased tissues during aneurysm expansion, for example. A simple constitutive model for soft biological tissues that regards remodelling as homeostatic-driven turnover is developed. Specifically, the recoverable effective tissue damage, whose rate is the sum of a mechanical damage rate and a healing rate, serves as a scalar internal thermodynamic variable. In order to integrate the biochemical and biomechanical aspects of remodelling, the healing rate is, on the one hand, driven by mechanical stimuli, but, on the other hand, subjected to simple metabolic constraints. The proposed model is formulated in accordance with continuum damage mechanics within an open-system thermodynamics framework. The numerical implementation in an in-house finite-element code is described, particularized for Ogden hyperelasticity. Numerical examples illustrate the basic constitutive characteristics of the model and demonstrate its potential in representing aspects of remodelling of soft tissues. Simulation results are verified for their plausibility, but also validated against reported experimental data.
Dynamic similarity promotes interpersonal coordination in joint action
Authors: Słowiński Piotr , Zhai Chao , Alderisio Francesco , Salesse Robin , Gueugnon Mathieu , Marin Ludovic , Bardy Benoit G. , di Bernardo Mario , Tsaneva-Atanasova Krasimira
Published: March 2016

Human movement has been studied for decades, and dynamic laws of motion that are common to all humans have been derived. Yet, every individual moves differently from everyone else (faster/slower, harder/smoother, etc.). We propose here an index of such variability, namely an individual motor signature (IMS) able to capture the subtle differences in the way each of us moves. We show that the IMS of a person is time-invariant and that it significantly differs from those of other individuals. This allows us to quantify the dynamic similarity, a measure of rapport between dynamics of different individuals' movements, and demonstrate that it facilitates coordination during interaction. We use our measure to confirm a key prediction of the theory of similarity that coordination between two individuals performing a joint-action task is higher if their motions share similar dynamic features. Furthermore, we use a virtual avatar driven by an interactive cognitive architecture based on feedback control theory to explore the effects of different kinematic features of the avatar motion on coordination with human players.
Cross-regulation between Aurora B and Citron kinase controls midbody architecture in cytokinesis
Authors: McKenzie Callum , Bassi Zuni I. , Debski Janusz , Gottardo Marco , Callaini Giuliano , Dadlez Michal , D'Avino Pier Paolo
Published: March 2016

Cytokinesis culminates in the final separation, or abscission, of the two daughter cells at the end of cell division. Abscission relies on an organelle, the midbody, which forms at the intercellular bridge and is composed of various proteins arranged in a precise stereotypic pattern. The molecular mechanisms controlling midbody organization and function, however, are obscure. Here we show that proper midbody architecture requires cross-regulation between two cell division kinases, Citron kinase (CIT-K) and Aurora B, the kinase component of the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC). CIT-K interacts directly with three CPC components and is required for proper midbody architecture and the orderly arrangement of midbody proteins, including the CPC. In addition, we show that CIT-K promotes Aurora B activity through phosphorylation of the INCENP CPC subunit at the TSS motif. In turn, Aurora B controls CIT-K localization and association with its central spindle partners through phosphorylation of CIT-K's coiled coil domain. Our results identify, for the first time, a cross-regulatory mechanism between two kinases during cytokinesis, which is crucial for establishing the stereotyped organization of midbody proteins.
Effects of multiple vein microjoints on the mechanical behaviour of dragonfly wings: numerical modelling
Authors: Rajabi H. , Ghoroubi N. , Darvizeh A. , Appel E. , Gorb S. N.
Published: March 2016

Dragonfly wings are known as biological composites with high morphological complexity. They mainly consist of a network of rigid veins and flexible membranes, and enable insects to perform various flight manoeuvres. Although several studies have been done on the aerodynamic performance of Odonata wings and the mechanisms involved in their deformations, little is known about the influence of vein joints on the passive deformability of the wings in flight. In this article, we present the first three-dimensional finite-element models of five different vein joint combinations observed in Odonata wings. The results from the analysis of the models subjected to uniform pressures on their dorsal and ventral surfaces indicate the influence of spike-associated vein joints on the dorsoventral asymmetry of wing deformation. Our study also supports the idea that a single vein joint may result in different angular deformations when it is surrounded by different joint types. The developed numerical models also enabled us to simulate the camber formation and stress distribution in the models. The computational data further provide deeper insights into the functional role of resilin patches and spikes in vein joint structures. This study might help to more realistically model the complex structure of insect wings in order to design more efficient bioinspired micro-air vehicles in future.
Impact of the spatial structure of the hydraulic conductivity field on vorticity in three-dimensional flows
Authors: Di Dato M. , Fiori A. , Chiogna G. , de Barros F. P. J. , Bellin A.
Published: March 2016

A material fluid element within a porous medium experiences deformations due to the disordered spatial distribution of the Darcy scale velocity field, caused by the heterogeneity of hydraulic conductivity. A physical consequence of this heterogeneity is the presence of localized kinematical features such as straining, shearing and vorticity in the fluid element. These kinematical features will influence the shape of solute clouds and their fate. Studies on the deformation of material surfaces highlighted the importance of stretching and shearing, whereas vorticity received so far less attention, though it determines folding, a deformation associated with the local rotation of the velocity field. We study vorticity in a three-dimensional porous formation exploring how its fluctuations are influenced by the spatial structure of the porous media, obtained by immersing spheroidal inclusions into a matrix of constant hydraulic conductivity. By comparing porous formations with the same spatial statistics, we analyse how vorticity is affected by the different shape and arrangement of inclusions, defined as the medium ‘microstructure’. We conclude that, as microstructure has a significant impact on vorticity fluctuations, the usual second-order statistical description of the conductivity field is unable to capture local deformations of the plume.
An efficient approach for limited-data chemical species tomography and its error bounds
Authors: Polydorides N. , Tsekenis S.-A. , McCann H. , Prat V.-D. A. , Wright P.
Published: March 2016

We present a computationally efficient reconstruction method for the limited-data chemical species tomography problem that incorporates projection of the unknown gas concentration function onto a low-dimensional subspace, and regularization using prior information obtained from a simple flow model. In this context, the contribution of this work is on the analysis of the projection-induced data errors and the calculation of bounds for the overall image error incorporating the impact of projection and regularization errors as well as measurement noise. As an extension to this methodology, we present a variant algorithm that preserves the positivity of the concentration image.
Formulation of the Reynolds equation on a time-dependent lubrication surface
Authors: Temizer İ. , Stupkiewicz S.
Published: March 2016

The Reynolds equation, which describes the lubrication effect arising through the interaction of two physical surfaces that are separated by a thin fluid film, is formulated with respect to a continuously evolving third surface that is described by a time-dependent curvilinear coordinate system. The proposed formulation essentially addresses lubrication mechanics at interfaces undergoing large deformations and
a priori
satisfies all objectivity requirements, neither of which are features of the classical Reynolds equation. As such, this formulation may be particularly suitable for non-stationary elastohydrodynamic lubrication problems associated with soft interfaces. The ability of the formulation to capture finite-deformation effects and the influence of the choice of the third surface are illustrated through analytical examples.
Numerosity representations in crows obey the Weber–Fechner law
Authors: Ditz Helen M. , Nieder Andreas
Published: March 2016

The ability to estimate number is widespread throughout the animal kingdom. Based on the relative close phylogenetic relationship (and thus equivalent brain structures), non-verbal numerical representations in human and non-human primates show almost identical behavioural signatures that obey the Weber–Fechner law. However, whether numerosity discriminations of vertebrates with a very different endbrain organization show the same behavioural signatures remains unknown. Therefore, we tested the numerical discrimination performance of two carrion crows (
Corvus corone
) to a broad range of numerosities from 1 to 30 in a delayed match-to-sample task similar to the one used previously with primates. The crows' discrimination was based on an analogue number system and showed the Weber-fraction signature (i.e. the ‘just noticeable difference’ between numerosity pairs increased in proportion to the numerical magnitudes). The detailed analysis of the performance indicates that numerosity representations in crows are scaled on a logarithmically compressed ‘number line’. Because the same psychophysical characteristics are found in primates, these findings suggest fundamentally similar number representations between primates and birds. This study helps to resolve a classical debate in psychophysics: the mental number line seems to be logarithmic rather than linear, and not just in primates, but across vertebrates.
Balanced excitation and inhibition decorrelates visual feature representation in the mammalian inner retina
Authors: Franke Katrin , Berens Philipp , Schubert Timm , Bethge Matthias , Euler Thomas , Baden Tom
Published: March 2016

The retina extracts visual features for transmission to the brain. Different types of bipolar cell split the photoreceptor input into parallel channels and provide the excitatory drive for downstream visual circuits. Anatomically, mouse bipolar cell types have been described down to the ultrastructural level, but a similarly deep understanding of their functional diversity is lacking. By imaging light-driven glutamate release from more than 11,000 bipolar cell axon terminals in the intact retina, we here show that bipolar cell functional diversity is generated by the balanced interplay of dendritic excitatory inputs and axonal inhibitory inputs. The resultant centre and surround components of bipolar cell receptive fields interact to decorrelate bipolar cell output in the spatial and temporal domain. Our findings highlight the importance of inhibitory circuits in generating functionally diverse excitatory pathways and suggest that decorrelation of parallel visual pathways begins already at the second synapse of the mouse visual system.
A role for YY1 in sex-biased transcription revealed through X-linked promoter activity and allelic binding analyses
Authors: Chen Chih-yu , Shi Wenqiang , Matthews Allison M. , Li Yifeng , Arenillas David J. , Mathelier Anthony , Itoh Masayoshi , Kawaji Hideya , Lassmann Timo ,   FANTOM Consortium, Hayashizaki Yoshihide , Carninci Piero , Forrest Alistair R. R. , Brown Carolyn J. , Wasserman Wyeth W.
Published: March 2016

Sex differences in susceptibility and progression have been reported in numerous diseases. Female cells have two copies of the X chromosome with X-chromosome inactivation imparting mono-allelic gene silencing for dosage compensation. However, a subset of genes, named escapees, escape silencing and are transcribed bi-allelically resulting in sexual dimorphism. Here we conducted analyses of the sexes using human datasets to gain perspectives in such regulation. We identified transcription start sites of escapees (escTSSs) based on higher transcription levels in female cells using FANTOM5 CAGE data. Significant over-representations of YY1 transcription factor binding motif and ChIP-seq peaks around escTSSs highlighted its positive association with escapees. Furthermore, YY1 occupancy is significantly biased towards the inactive X (Xi) at long non-coding RNA loci that are frequent contacts of Xi-specific superloops. Our study elucidated the importance of YY1 on transcriptional activity on Xi in general through sequence-specific binding, and its involvement at superloop anchors.
Evaluation of SNP-based genotyping to monitor tuberculosis control in a high MDR-TB setting
Authors: Tukvadze N , Bergval I , Bablishvili N , Bzekalava N , Schuitema ARJ , de Beer J , de Zwaan R , Alba S , van Soolingen D , Aspindzelashvili R , Anthony RM , Sengstake S
Published: March 2016

Mycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) lineage identification and typing of clinical isolates in general is performed only retrospectively. The results are rarely linked to drug susceptibility testing (DST) or patient data. Consequently, the association between Mtb lineage, (multi)drug resistance and treatment history is not fully explored at the local level. Here we evaluated a new SNP based typing assay. We furthermore assessed the added value of genotyping of Mtb isolates for epidemiological purposes and guidance of tuberculosis (TB) control.Mtblineage, DST profile and treatment history were determined for 399 samples at the National TB Reference Laboratory (NRL) in Tbilisi, Georgia by local staff. Data was shared electronically and analysis was performed remotely. Out of 399 isolates, 74 (74/399, 18.5%) were at least multidrug resistant (MDR)-TB, of which 63 (63/74, 85.1%) were members of three differentMtbBeijing lineages. Previous treatment was reported in 38/74 (51.4%) MDR(+) patients. The availability of this data allows associations with lineages. Notably, multidrug resistant TB was more strongly associated with the Beijing lineage than treatment history. Of all MDR-TB Beijing strains 56.7% (42/74) were members of a genetic cluster. This is most easily explained by (ongoing) MDR-TB transmission rather than drug resistance amplification. This knowledge is useful when designing intervention strategies for MDR-TB. Our study provides an example that on-site integratedMtbgenotyping is realistic and could support TB control activities.
Mining Large Heterogeneous Cancer Data Sets Using Boolean Implications
Authors: Sinha Subarna , Dill David L.
Published: March 2016

Boolean implications (if-then rules) provide a conceptually simple, uniform and highly scalable way to find associations between pairs of random variables. In this paper, we describe their usage in mining associations from large, heterogeneous cancer data sets. Next, we illustrate how Boolean implications were used to discover a new causal association between a mutation and aberrant DNA hypermethylation in acute myeloid leukemia as well as the therapeutic implications of this discovery. We conclude with a brief description of how Boolean implications can be extracted from a given data set.
Genome sequence of tsetse bracoviruses: insights into symbiotic virus evolution
Authors: Kimenyi Kelvin M , Abry Muna F , Okeyo Winnie , Matovu Enock , Masiga Daniel , Kulohoma Benard W
Published: March 2016

Mutualism between endogenous viruses and eukaryotes is still poorly understood. Whole genome data has highlighted the diverse distribution of viral sequences in several eukaryote host genomes. A group of endogenous double-stranded polydnaviruses known as bracoviruses has been identified in parasitic braconid wasp (Hymenoptera). Bracoviruses allow wasps to reproductively co-opt other insect larvae. Bracoviruses are excised from the host genome and injected in to the larva along side the wasp eggs; where they encode proteins that lower host immunity allowing development of parasitoid wasp larvae in the host. Interestingly, putative bracoviral sequences have recently been detected in the first sequenced genome of the tsetse fly (Diptera). This is peculiar since tsetse flies do not share this reproductive lifestyle. To investigate genome rearrangements associated with these unique mutual symbiotic relationships and examine its value as a potential vector control strategy entry point. We use comparative genomics to determine the presence, prevalence and genetic diversity of bracoviruses of five tsetse fly species (G. austeni, G. brevipalpis, G. f. fuscipes, G. m. morsitans and G. pallidipes) and the housefly (Musca domestica). We identify and use four viral Maverick genes as evolutionary models for bracoviruses. This is the first record of homologous bracoviruses in multiple Dipteran genomes. Phylogenetic reconstruction of each gene revealed two major clades that represent the two types of Mavericks. We detect varying magnitudes of purifying selection across these loci except for the poxvirus A32 gene, which is under positive selection. Moreover, these genes were inserted at conserved regions and co-evolve at similar rates with the host genomes.
RNA Synthesis is Associated with Multiple TBP-Chromatin Binding Events
Authors: Zaidi Hussain A. , Auble David T. , Bekiranov Stefan
Published: March 2016

Competition chip is an experimental method that allows transcription factor (TF) chromatin turnover dynamics to be measured across a genome. We develop and apply a physical model of TF-chromatin competitive binding using chemical reaction rate theory and derive the physical half-life or residence time for TATA-binding protein (TBP) across the yeast genome from competition ChIP data. Using our physical modeling approach where we explicitly include the induction profile of the competitor in the model, we are able to estimate yeast TBP-chromatin residence time as short as 1.3 minutes, demonstrating that competition ChIP is a relatively high temporal-resolution approach. Strikingly, we find a median value of ~5 TBP-chromatin binding events associated with the synthesis of one RNA molecule across Pol II genes, suggesting multiple rounds of pre-initiation complex assembly and disassembly before productive elongation of Pol II is achieved at most genes in the yeast genome.
Neural codes of seeing architectural styles
Authors: Choo Heeyoung , Nasar Jack , Nikrahei Bardia , Walther Dirk B.
Published: March 2016

Images of iconic buildings, such as the CN Tower, instantly transport us to specific places, such as Toronto. Despite the substantial impact of architectural design on people’s visual experience of built environments, we know little about its neural representation in the human brain. In the present study, we have found patterns of neural activity associated with specific architectural styles in several high-level visual brain regions, but not in primary visual cortex (V1). This finding suggests that the neural correlates of the visual perception of architectural styles stem from style-specific complex visual structure beyond the simple features computed in V1. Surprisingly, the network of brain regions representing architectural styles included the fusiform face area (FFA) in addition to several scene-selective regions. Hierarchical clustering of error patterns further revealed that the FFA participated to a much larger extent in the neural encoding of architectural styles than entry-level scene categories. We conclude that the FFA is involved in fine-grained neural encoding of scenes at a subordinate-level, in our case, architectural styles of buildings. This study for the first time shows how the human visual system encodes visual aspects of architecture, one of the predominant and longest-lasting artefacts of human culture.
Extraction of local coordination structure in a low-concentration uranyl system by XANES
Authors: Zhang Linjuan , Zhou Jing , Zhang Jianyong , Su Jing , Zhang Shuo , Chen Ning , Jia Yunpeng , Li Jiong , Wang Yu , Wang Jian-Qiang
Published: March 2016

Obtaining structural information of uranyl species at an atomic/molecular scale is a critical step to control and predict their physical and chemical properties. To obtain such information, experimental and theoreticalL3-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra of uranium were studied systematically for uranyl complexes. It was demonstrated that the bond lengths (R) in the uranyl species and relative energy positions (ΔE) of the XANES were determined as follows: ΔE1= 168.3/R(U—Oax)2− 38.5 (for the axial plane) and ΔE2= 428.4/R(U—Oeq)2− 37.1 (for the equatorial plane). These formulae could be used to directly extract the distances between the uranium absorber and oxygen ligand atoms in the axial and equatorial planes of uranyl ions based on the UL3-edge XANES experimental data. In addition, the relative weights were estimated for each configuration derived from the water molecule and nitrate ligand based on the obtained average equatorial coordination bond lengths in a series of uranyl nitrate complexes with progressively varied nitrate concentrations. Results obtained from XANES analysis were identical to that from extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) analysis. XANES analysis is applicable to ubiquitous uranyl–ligand complexes, such as the uranyl–carbonate complex. Most importantly, the XANES research method could be extended to low-concentration uranyl systems, as indicated by the results of the uranyl–amidoximate complex (∼40 p.p.m. uranium). Quantitative XANES analysis, a reliable and straightforward method, provides a simplified approach applied to the structural chemistry of actinides.
The impact of tuberous sclerosis complex – a parent’s perspective
Authors: Willacy Helen
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe the impact of having a child with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).

Design/methodology/approach

– The author explains the process her family has been through on their TSC journey.

Findings

– Several themes emerge from the author’s story: a lack of awareness about relatively common conditions such as epilepsy; a dearth of accessible information provided to families; delays in identification/assessment and a lack of follow up on parents’ concerns; the wide range in the quality of advice provided from one professional/service to another; the extent to which parents have to advocate for their children and the importance of social support.

Originality/value

– Few journal articles explore the impact of complex health conditions on families from their perspective and in their own words. This thought provoking viewpoint piece provides a powerful insight into the reality of having a child with TSC.
Strategic orientation and information technological turbulence
Authors: Pratono Aluisius Hery
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– There is an emerging recognition in the strategy field that differences in organization forms represent firms’ capability to gain benefit from investing in technology. This study has intention to add to this stream of research by proposing the technological turbulence (TT) as a primary contingency factor focussing on strategic orientation (SO) as main determinant of firm performance (FP). The purpose of this paper is to provide considerable suggestion on how to match SO with various level of TT.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study uses quantitative approach with structural equation model to understand the moderating effect of information TT on the relationship between SO and FP. The 390 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia contributes to the research as randomly selected respondents.

Findings

– The result shows how the TT influences managerial decision-making processes under an opportunity-based paradigm. However, SME managers face lack of capability to deal with high TT.

Research limitations/implications

– This study uses cross-section data at the SMEs context in Indonesia.

Practical implications

– This study suggest that the initiative to encourage SMEs to adopt information technology (IT) should consider the SME capability to utilize the IT.

Originality/value

– The research gap challenges a question from previous literature on how long firms retain a given capability to deal with dynamic environment. This study has intention to add to the stream of research by proposing the information TT as a primary contingency factor focussing on SO as main determinant of FP.
Risk of an epidemic impact when adopting the Internet of Things
Authors: Trequattrini Raffaele , Shams Riad , Lardo Alessandra , Lombardi Rosa
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the main types of sector-based resistance that affect the success of the innovation, and specifically the Internet of Things (IoT), with particular reference to professional football, as a prime example of how institutions can prevent the IoT from being used. The starting point for the research is the assumption that innovation has to address institutional obstacles in the form of economic and cultural resistance. The main purpose of the paper, however, is to highlight resistance at individual level and resistance that is company specific and sector specific, in connection with the introduction of the IoT in professional sport, and the risk of an epidemic effect in relation to the general acceptance of (or opposition to) the IoT.

Design/methodology/approach

– Research is based on the qualitative analysis of a specific football industry case, with reference to the introduction of innovation within the sports sector.

Findings

– Sector-based resistance in the football industry can influence other sectors. Scepticism and lack of trust in the IoT vision create obstacles put in place by sectorial institutions. Sector-based resistance propels the obstacles to a more general level, affecting how the IoT vision is acknowledged in every business sector. This leads to a chain-reaction, whereby the general resistance induces sector-based institutions to delay the process of adopting IoT instruments, because of the unresolved cultural and economic issues.

Research limitations/implications

– This research, which examines how the potential of the IoT can be exploited, is based on a single case study.

Originality/value

– Supranational regulations addressing the introduction and governance of the IoT are important; however, sector-specific self-regulations must not be underestimated, because of the risk of general, widespread scepticism against the IoT.
Click and drive
Authors: Dominici Gandolfo , Roblek Vasja , Abbate Tindara , Tani Mario
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to supply indications that may be useful in the process of development of new products that fully exploit the value potential of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in the automotive industry. To this aim, the authors investigate how applications of the IoT to smart vehicles are perceived by consumers and describe different ways to increase their satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

– After a literature review focused on IoT and consumer behaviour in the automotive industry, the authors apply the Kano model to find the drivers for achieving customer satisfaction with new product developments in smartcars.

Findings

– Automotive companies need to consider what is attractive to drivers and what consumers consider to be “driver-friendly”. Using an empirical analysis, the authors highlight the motivations for developing a smartcar to fits the expectation of Italian drivers.

Research limitations/implications

– While the global framework given by this paper can be useful in all contexts, the empirical part is based on the Italian consumer. Further research may extend the application of the model to other countries to improve the generalizability of the results.

Practical implications

– This study supplies an analysis of qualitative data that may prove useful to researchers and managers in planning their strategic and operative activities with the aim of improving the development of IoT-related products in the automotive industry.

Originality/value

– This paper fulfils the need for an original research framework that sheds light on relevant insights and gives useful hints on the development of IoT technologies in the automotive sector.
The business and learning benefits of an LCMS
Authors: Little Bob
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– An outline of two large organisations’ independent searches for a suitable system that enables them to create, collate and curate digital learning materials, along with updating, managing them and monitoring their use efficiently and effectively. The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges and issues each organisation faces – and sets out how they have overcome them satisfactorily, having reached, independently, a common conclusion.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two case studies, making use of producer, distributor and user interviews.

Findings

– Discovering the appropriate learning content management system (LCMS) for your organisation can bring tangible benefits – for the organisation (via improving productivity, efficiency and eliminating “silos” in production), learning and development professionals (in charge of the whole process) and individual workers/learners.

Research limitations/implications

– The value of a LCMS in meeting business and learning needs – from the points of view of both content creation and accessing learning materials.

Practical implications

– Implemented successfully, an LCMS can improve learning content developers’ productivity in quantity and quality terms – among other things, through providing a standard framework that produces homogeneity of approach and look-and-feel to the learning materials. This helps improve learning and development professionals’ efficiency and effectiveness. It also enables the organisation to achieve its business targets and goals through developing its people. Moreover, accessing the LCMS through the Cloud means that all the custom-built content produced by third party developers exists on the system. This makes it simpler, easier and faster to update these materials.

Social implications

– Through the LCMS, learners can access what they need as and whenever they require it.

Originality/value

– An attempt to discern modern approaches to in-house learning content development through two recent cases.
Elevating the sales profession: what sellers crave and sales managers need for success
Authors: Holden Jim
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine sales as a management science and discusses ways to improve the sales profession based on recent research.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper reports the results of a global research study examining the different stages of sellers and what they must do, at each level, to win larger deals.

Findings

– Based on a 12-year global study of over 28,000 B2B sales professionals and 50,000 competitive deal reviews, Holden categorizes sellers along a Four Stage Model of Sales Proficiency. Additionally, the paper suggests ways to update a company’s sales infrastructure to give sellers an advantage in today’s competitive global market.

Originality/value

– Using Holden’s proprietary research, this paper offers real-world sales advice for organizations and sales professionals to succeed.
Identification, intentions and entrepreneurial opportunities: an integrative process model
Authors: Jarvis Lee C.
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore one of the cognitive processes whereby persons develop intentions to enact entrepreneurial behaviours via exploring entrepreneurial identification as a significant influence on an individual’s intentions to recognise and exploit opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this conceptual paper, insights from Ajzen’s theory of planned behaviour are utilised to develop propositions regarding the influence of entrepreneurial identification on intentions to search for opportunities and commit resources to exploiting opportunities. The role of two behavioural controls – entrepreneurial munificence and domain relevant knowledge – are discussed as influencing both an individual’s ability and desire to recognise and exploit opportunities. Opportunity recognition and exploitation are also suggested to reinforce an individual’s entrepreneurial identification, creating a recursive relationship between identification and entrepreneurial behaviour.

Findings

– The lack of insight into cognitive processes has contributed to what some have labelled the “death” of intentions research in entrepreneurship. In exploring identification, this study suggests that measuring identification – in place of attitudes toward entrepreneurship – may actually refine analytical models based on Ajzen’s theory of planned behaviour.

Originality/value

– Ajzen’s theory of planned behaviour has often been applied in entrepreneurial studies, but for the voluminous body of research devoted to intentions, little has delved into the cognitive processes whereby people develop intentions to entrepreneurial behaviours. This paper provides a conceptually unique marrying of identification with entrepreneurial intentions in an attempt to redress this gap in the entrepreneurship literature. This study also speculates as to how practitioners – educators, legislators or managers – might profitably use this study to guide their efforts to reinforce entrepreneurial behaviours in the classrooms, organisations and communities.
Supply chain value stream mapping: a new tool of operation management
Authors: Suarez-Barraza Manuel F. , Miguel-Davila José-Á , Vasquez-García C. Fabiola
Published: March 2016

Purpose

– The issue of the supply chain has been given much attention in recent decades, both in the academic arena as well as in the business world. It has become so important that organizations have begun to directly manage the supply chain, appointing specific managers to perform this function. New challenges now include a focus on supply to determine the right time and place for product delivery. Some authors indicate a close relationship between Total Quality Management and the supply chain regarding its philosophical and operational goals and perspectives. Lee (2004) goes even further by indicating that only organizations that devise agile, adaptable and aligned supply chains will be able to continue competing in today’s environment. Therefore, observing and measuring the supply chain at all times is critical for today’s organizations. The purpose of this paper is to describe the implementation of a tool called Supply Chain Value Stream Mapping (SCVSM) in order to thoroughly understand competitive priorities of volume and delivery (On-time Delivery (OTD)) for any supply chain in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

– An exploratory case study was conducted. Two manufacturing company which have been established in Mexico with a robust supply chain for at least 20 years, were selected. The paper chronicles the implementation of SCVSM in both case studies. Three methods were used to gather data: direct observation; documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews.

Findings

– This paper proposes a new tool for operation management called SCVSM. Its development, refinement and applied in both case studies. The evidence shows that it is possible to apply the tool (SCVSM) to visualize the variables volume and OTD in supply chains. In consequence, this research has made a small empirical contribution to the theoretical field of supply chain quality management.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper has the same limitations as all other case-study-based research, including analysis subjectivity and questionable generalization of findings. There may well also be a theoretical gap in the geographic region because the paper only analyzes two companies established in Mexico.

Practical implications

– Derived to describe both case studies on how to apply the SCVSM tool it may prove to be of value to practitioners and managers involved in the field. Similarly, a section on managerial implications has also been included.

Originality/value

– The study contributes to the limited existing literature on the Supply Chain Quality Management and subsequently disseminates this information in order to provide impetus, guidance and support toward increasing the development companies in an attempt to move the Mexico manufacturing sector toward world class manufacturing performance.
An evaluation of key determinants preventing intra-family business succession
Authors: Lockamy Archie , Carson Charles M , Lohrke Franz T
Published: March 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the key determinants which inhibit intra-family business succession. The study also explores the effects these determinants have on preventing intra-family business succession. Finally, the study explores the probability that intra-family business succession does not take place based upon the effects of the identified determinants.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 250 surveys were mailed to family business owners across the United States, yielding 68 usable responses (27.2% response rate). Factor analysis was used to determine the most influential factors which inhibit intra-family business succession, and Bayesian Networks were constructed to determine the probability that intra-family business succession does not occur based on these factors.

Findings

The study results indicate that there are four key constructs comprised of 23 variables which have the most influence on deterring intra-family business successions. The results also suggest managerial actions that can be taken to improve the probability of intra-family business succession.

Research limitations/implications

A possible research limitation is that the survey respondents may not represent the entire cross-section of family-owned business in the United States. Additionally, the impact of company size, age, industry, and other demographic factors were not considered in the analysis of results. Finally, the selection of the key determinants was made based upon the highest value extracted from the principle components analysis. Combining these variables with other relatively high values may lead to different results.

Originality/value

The empirical findings contained in this study demonstrate that process, context, and governance factors have the largest effect on increasing the probability that intra-family succession does not take place. Additionally, the results of this study suggest several managerial actions that can be taken to improve the probability of intra-family business succession. Thus, the results of this study can be used by practitioners to assist them in intra-family business successions. The results can also be used by researchers as a basis for conducting additional empirical studies in this area.