bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Censoring Huxley and Wilberforce: A new source for the meeting that the
Athenaeum
‘wisely softened down’
Authors: England Richard
Published: June 2017

In mid July 1860, the
Athenaeum
published a summary of the discussions about Charles Darwin's theory that took place at the British Association meeting in Oxford. Its account omitted the famous exchange between Samuel Wilberforce, Bishop of Oxford, and Thomas Huxley, the rising man of science. A fuller report of the meeting was published a week later in a local weekly, the
Oxford Chronicle
, but this has gone unnoticed by historians. The
Oxford Chronicle
supplies a new version of Wilberforce's question to Huxley, with more material about religious objections to human evolution and the proper role of authority in popular scientific discussions. Excerpts from the
Athenaeum
and
Oxford Chronicle
accounts show that they likely had a common ancestor, and other sources corroborate details given only in the
Oxford Chronicle
. This discovery reveals that the
Athenaeum
narrative—until now the longest and best known—was censored to remove material that was considered objectionable. The
Oxford Chronicle
gives us a fuller story of what was said and how the audience reacted to the encounter between Huxley and Wilberforce.
Niche and neutral processes both shape community structure in parallelized, aerobic, single carbon-source enrichments
Authors: Flynn Theodore M. , Koval Jason C. , Greenwald Stephanie M. , Owens Sarah M. , Kemner Kenneth M. , Antonopoulos Dionysios A.
Published: June 2017

Here we seek to test the extent to which laboratory enrichments mimic natural community processes and the degree to which the initial structure of a community determines its response to a press disturbance via the addition of environmentally-relevant carbon compounds. By utilizing aerobic substrate arrays to examine the effect of carbon amendment on microbial communities taken from six distinct environments (soil from a temperate prairie and forest, tropical forest soil, subalpine forest soil, and surface water and soil from a palustrine emergent wetland), we examined how carbon amendment and inoculum source shape the composition of the community in each enrichment. Dilute subsamples from each environment were used to inoculate 96-well microtiter plates containing triplicate wells amended with one of 31 carbon sources from 6 different classes of organic compound (phenols, polymers, carbohydrates, carboxylic acids, amines, amino acids). After incubating each well aerobically in the dark for 72 hours, we analyzed the composition of the microbial communities on the substrate arrays as well as the initial inocula by sequencing 16S rRNA gene amplicons using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Comparisons of alpha and beta diversity in these systems showed that, while the composition of the communities that grow to inhabit the wells in each substrate array diverges sharply from that of the original community in the inoculum, these enrichment communities are still is strongly affected by the inoculum source. We found most enrichments were dominated by one or several OTUs most closely related to aerobes or facultative anaerobes from theProteobacteria(e.g.Pseudomonas,Burkholderia, andRalstonia) orBacteroidetes(e.g.Chryseobacterium). Comparisons within each substrate array based on the class of carbon source further show that the communities inhabiting wells amended with a carbohydrate differ significantly from those enriched with a phenolic compound. Niche selection therefore seems to play a strong role in shaping the communities in the substrate arrays, although some stochasticity is seen whereby several replicate wells within a single substrate array display strongly divergent community compositions. Overall, the use of highly parallel substrate arrays offers a promising path forward to study the response of microbial communities to a changing environment.
A dual transcript-discovery approach to improve the delimitation of gene features from RNA-seq data in the chicken model
Authors: Orgeur Mickael , Martens Marvin , Börno Stefan T. , Timmermann Bernd , Duprez Delphine , Stricker Sigmar
Published: June 2017

The sequence of the chicken genome, like several other draft genome sequences, is presently not fully covered. Gaps, contigs assigned with low confidence and uncharacterized chromosomes result in gene fragmentation and imprecise gene annotation. Transcript abundance estimation from RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data relies on read quality, library complexity and expression normalization. In addition, the quality of the genome sequence used to map sequencing reads and the gene annotation that defines gene features must also be taken into account. Partially covered genome sequence causes the loss of sequencing reads from the mapping step, while an inaccurate definition of gene features induces imprecise read counts from the assignment step. Both steps can significantly bias interpretation of RNA-seq data. Here, we describe a dual transcript-discovery approach combining a genome-guided gene prediction and ade novotranscriptome assembly. This dual approach enabled us to increase the assignment rate of RNA-seq data by nearly 20% as compared to when using only the chicken reference annotation, contributing therefore to a more accurate estimation of transcript abundance. More generally, this strategy could be applied to any organism with partial genome sequence and/or lacking a manually-curated reference annotation in order to improve the accuracy of gene expression studies.
Characterization of a spectrally diverse set of fluorescent proteins as FRET acceptors for mTurquoise2
Authors: Mastop Marieke , Bindels Daphne S. , Shaner Nathan C. , Postma Marten , Gadella Theodorus W. J. , Goedhart Joachim
Published: June 2017

Genetically encoded Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) based biosensors report on changes in biochemical states in single living cells. The performance of biosensors depends on their brightness and dynamic range, which are dependent on the characteristics of the fluorescent proteins that are employed. Cyan fluorescent protein (CFP) is frequently combined with yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) as FRET pair in biosensors. However, current YFPs are prone to photobleaching and pH changes. In addition, more efficient acceptors may yield biosensors that have higher contrast. In this study, we evaluated the properties of a diverse set of acceptor fluorescent proteins in combination with the optimized CFP variant mTurquoise2 as the donor. To determine the theoretical performance of acceptors, the Förster radius was determined. The practical performance was determined by measuring FRET efficiency and photostability of tandem fusion proteins in mammalian cells. Our results show that mNeonGreen is the most efficient acceptor for mTurquoise2 and that the photostability is better than SYFP2. The non-fluorescent YFP variant sREACh is an efficient acceptor, which is useful in lifetime-based FRET experiments. Among the orange and red fluorescent proteins, mChery and mScarlet-I are the best performing acceptors. Several new pairs were applied in a multimolecular FRET based sensor for detecting activation of a heterotrimeric G-protein by G-protein coupled receptors. The sensor with mScarlet-I as acceptor and mTurquoise2 as donor shows a higher dynamic range in ratiometric FRET imaging experiments and less variability than with mCherry as acceptor, due to the high quantum yield and efficient maturation of mScarlet-I. Overall, the sensor with mNeonGreen as acceptor and mTurquoise2 as donor showed the highest dynamic range in ratiometric FRET imaging experiments with the G-protein sensor.
Voltage-gating of mechanosensitive PIEZO channels
Authors: Moroni Mirko , Servin-Vences Martha Rocio , Fleischer Raluca , Lewin Gary R.
Published: June 2017

Mechanosensitive PIEZO ion channels are evolutionarily conserved proteins whose presence is critical for normal physiology in multicellular organisms. Here we show that, in addition to mechanical stimuli, PIEZO channels are also powerfully modulated by voltage and can even switch to a purely voltage gated mode. Mutations that cause human diseases such as Xerocytosis profoundly shift voltage sensitivity of PIEZO1 channels towards the resting membrane potential and strongly promote pure voltage gating. Our data may be explained by the presence of an inactivation gate in the pore, the opening of which is promoted by outward permeation. Invertebrate (fly) and vertebrate (fish) PIEZO proteins are also voltage sensitive but voltage gating is a much more prominent feature of these older channels. We propose that the voltage sensitivity of PIEZO channels is a deep property co-opted to add a regulatory mechanism for PIEZO activation in widely different cellular contexts.
Cftr Modulates Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling and Stem Cell Proliferation in Murine Intestine
Authors: Strubberg Ashlee M. , Liu Jinghua , Walker Nancy M. , Stefanski Casey D. , MacLeod R. John , Magness Scott T. , Clarke Lane L.
Published: June 2017

Background & Aims

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and CF mouse models have increased risk for gastrointestinal tumors. CF mice exhibit augmented intestinal proliferation of unknown etiology and an altered intestinal environment. We examined the role of Cftr in Wnt/β-catenin signaling, stem cell proliferation and its functional expression in the active intestinal stem cell (ISC) population. Dysregulation of intracellular pH (pHi) in CF ISCs was investigated for facilitation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Methods

Crypt epithelia from wild-type (WT) and CF mice were compared ex vivo and in intestinal organoids (enteroids) for proliferation and Wnt/β-catenin signaling by standard assays. Cftr in ISCs was assessed by immunoblot of sorted Sox9EGFPintestinal epithelia and pHiregulation by confocal microfluorimetry of Lgr5+-EGFP ISCs. Plasma membrane association of the Wnt transducer Disheveled 2 (Dvl2) was assessed by fluorescence imaging of live enteroids from WT and CF mice crossed with Dvl2-EGFP/RosamT/mGmice.

Results

Relative to WT, CF intestinal crypts showed a ~30% increase in epithelial and Lgr5+ ISC proliferation and increased Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Cftr was expressed in Sox9EGFPLoISCs and loss of Cftr induced an alkaline pHiin Lgr5+-EGFP ISCs. CF crypt-base columnar cells (CBCs) demonstrated a generalized increase in plasma membrane Dvl2-EGFP association as compared to WT. Dvl2-EGFP membrane association was charge- and pH-dependent and increased in WT CBCs by Cftr inhibition.

Conclusions

CF intestine exhibits increased ISC proliferation and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Loss of Cftr increases pHiin ISCs which stabilizes the plasma membrane association of the Wnt transducer Dvl, likely facilitating Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Absence of Cftr-dependent suppression of ISC proliferation in the CF intestine may contribute to increased risk for intestinal tumors.

Graphical Abstract
ADAGE signature analysis: differential expression analysis with data-defined gene sets
Authors: Tan Jie , Huyck Matthew , Hu Dongbo , Zelaya René A. , Hogan Deborah A. , Greene Casey S.
Published: June 2017

Background

Gene set enrichment analysis and overrepresentation analyses are commonly used methods to determine the biological processes affected by a differential expression experiment. This approach requires biologically relevant gene sets, which are currently curated manually, limiting their availability and accuracy in many organisms without extensively curated resources. New feature learning approaches can now be paired with existing data collections to directly extract functional gene sets from big data.

Results

Here we introduce a method to identify perturbed processes. In contrast with methods that use curated gene sets, this approach uses signatures extracted from public expression data. We first extract expression signatures from public data using ADAGE, a neural network-based feature extraction approach. We next identify signatures that are differentially active under a given treatment. Our results demonstrate that these signatures represent biological processes that are perturbed by the experiment. Because these signatures are directly learned from data without supervision, they can identify uncurated or novel biological processes. We implemented ADAGE signature analysis for the bacterial pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosa. For the convenience of different user groups, we implemented both an R package (ADAGEpath) and a web server (http://adage.greenelab.com) to run these analyses. Both are open-source to allow easy expansion to other organisms or signature generation methods. We applied ADAGE signature analysis to an example dataset in which wild-type andΔanrmutant cells were grown as biofilms on the Cystic Fibrosis genotype bronchial epithelial cells. We mapped active signatures in the dataset to KEGG pathways and compared with pathways identified using GSEA. The two approaches generally return consistent results; however, ADAGE signature analysis also identified a signature that revealed the molecularly supported link between the MexT regulon and Anr.

Conclusions

We designed ADAGE signature analysis to perform gene set analysis using data-defined functional gene signatures. This approach addresses an important gap for biologists studying non-traditional model organisms and those without extensive curated resources available. We built both an R package and web server to provide ADAGE signature analysis to the community.
Germline Cas9 Expression Yields Highly Efficient Genome Engineering in a Major Worldwide Disease Vector,Aedes aegypti
Authors: Li Ming , Bui Michelle , Yang Ting , White Bradley J. , Akbari Omar S.
Published: June 2017

The development of CRISPR/Cas9 technologies has dramatically increased the accessibility and efficiency of genome editing in many organisms. In general,in vivogermline expression of Cas9 results in substantially higher activity than embryonic injection. However, no transgenic lines expressing Cas9 have been developed for the major mosquito disease vectorAedes aegypti. Here, we describe the generation of multiple stable, transgenicAe. aegyptistrains expressing Cas9 in the germline, resulting in dramatic improvements in both the consistency and efficiency of genome modifications using CRISPR. Using these strains, we disrupted numerous genes important for normal morphological development, and even generated triple mutants from a single injection. We have also managed to increase the rates of homology directed repair by more than an order of magnitude. Given the exceptional mutagenic efficiency and specificity of the Cas9 strains we built, they can be used for high-throughput reverse genetic screens to help functionally annotate theAe. aegyptigenome. Additionally, these strains represent a first step towards the development of novel population control technologies targetingAe. aegyptithat rely on Cas9-based gene drives.

Significance Statement

Aedes aegyptiis the principal vector of multiple arboviruses that significantly affect human health including dengue, chikungunya, and zika. Development of tools for efficient genome engineering in this mosquito will not only lay the foundation for the application of novel genetic control strategies that do not rely on insecticides, but will also accelerate basic research on key biological processes involved in disease transmission. Here, we report the development of a transgenic CRISPR approach for rapid gene disruption in this organism. Given their high editing efficiencies, the Cas9 strains we developed can be used to quickly generate novel genome modifications allowing for high-throughput gene targeting, and can possibly facilitate the development of gene drives, thereby accelerating comprehensive functional annotation and development of innovative population control strategies forAe. aegypti.
Robustness of spike deconvolution for calcium imaging of neural spiking
Authors: Pachitariu Marius , Stringer Carsen , Harris Kenneth D.
Published: June 2017

Calcium imaging is a powerful method to record the activity of neural populations, but inferring spike times from calcium signals is a challenging problem. We compared multiple approaches using multiple datasets with ground truth electrophysiology, and found that simple non-negative deconvolution (NND) outperformed all other algorithms. We introduce a novel benchmark applicable to recordings without electrophysiological ground truth, based on the correlation of responses to two stimulus repeats, and used this to show that unconstrained NND also outperformed the other algorithms when run on “zoomed out” datasets of ~10,000 cell recordings. Finally, we show that NND-based methods match the performance of a supervised method based on convolutional neural networks, while avoiding some of the biases of such methods, and at much faster running times. We therefore recommend that spikes be inferred from calcium traces using simple NND, due to its simplicity, efficiency and accuracy.
Chemical-microstructural-nanomechanical variations in the structural units of the cuttlebone ofSepia officinalis
Authors: North L , Labonte David , Oyen ML , Coleman MP , Caliskan HB , Johnston RE
Published: June 2017

‘Cuttlebone’, the internalized shell found in all members of the cephalopod family Sepiidae, is a sophisticated buoyancy device combining high porosity with considerable strength. Using a complementary suite of characterization tools, we identified significant structural, chemical and mechanical variations across the different structural units of the cuttlebone: the dorsal shield consists of two stiff and hard layers with prismatic mineral organization which encapsulate a more ductile and compliant layer with a lamellar structure, enriched with organic matter. A similar organization is found in the lamellar matrix, which consists of individual chambers separated by septa, and supported by meandering plates (‘pillars’). Like the dorsal shield, septa contain two layers with lamellar and prismatic organization, respectively, which differ significantly in their mechanical properties: layers with prismatic organization are a factor of three stiffer, and up to a factor of ten harder than those with lamellar organization. The combination of stiff and hard, and compliant and ductile components may serve to reduce the risk of catastrophic failure, and reflect the role of organic matter for the growth process of the cuttlebone. Mechanically ‘weaker’ units may function as sacrificial structures, ensuring a step-wise failure of the individual chambers in cases of overloading, allowing the animals to retain near-neutral buoyancy even with partially damaged cuttlebones. Our findings have implications for the structure-property-function relationship of cuttlebone, and may help to identify novel bioinspired design strategies for light-weight yet high-strength foams.
Place branding-exploring knowledge and positioning choices across national boundaries
Authors: Pucci Tommaso , Casprini Elena , Rabino Samuel , Zanni Lorenzo
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of the product-specific region-of-origin (ROO) and product-specific country-of-origin (COO) on the willingness to pay a premium price for a wine label designated as a superbrand by the Italian Government: the Chianti Classico.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper introduces the concept of “ROO-COO distance”, defined as the importance attributed to a product-specific ROO as compared to its COO. In order to better understand whether the construct “ROO-COO distance” influences the willingness to pay a premium price, the paper considers consumers’ cross-national differences and their knowledge, distinguishing among three types of knowledge: consumers’ subjective general product knowledge, consumers’ subjective country product knowledge and consumers’ regional product experience (PE). Four hypotheses were tested focussing on Chianti Classico – a premium wine – as related to its ROO and COO (Tuscany, Italy). The authors employed a sample of 4,254 consumers originating from New World countries (Australia, USA and Canada) and Old World countries (Germany, UK, Sweden and Belgium).

Findings

The findings confirm that a place-of-origin influence on price-related product evaluations is country specific. Furthermore, the moderating role of consumers’ subjective product knowledge and consumers’ region-related PEs differ across countries. The ROO-COO distance was found to positively affect only Old World consumers. It was established that respondents’ subjective country/product knowledge and consumers’ regional knowledge or PEs positively moderate this relationship.

Originality/value

The paper links the COO and ROO effects in a single framework and analyses it at the cross-national level, while also considering the moderating effect of consumer’s knowledge.
How do food safety regulations influence market price? A theoretical analysis
Authors: Nait Mohand Nacim , Hammoudi Abdelhakim , Radjef Mohammed Said , Hamza Oualid , Perito Maria Angela
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This study is in line with the debate concerning the compatibility between the qualitative and quantitative food production objectives. The purpose of this paper is to identify the causal relationship that may exist between public food safety regulations (specifically, the maximum authorised levels of chemical or microbiological contaminants), and the expected price in the spot markets (wholesale markets, for example).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose a theoretical industrial economic model that identifies the causal link which may exist between public food safety regulations (e.g. the maximum authorised levels of chemical or microbiological contaminants), the expected price in domestic markets, and the rate of exclusion of local producers. This general model allows one to characterize the price formation process in markets subject to maximum residue level constraints by focusing on the role of the official inspection systems established by public authorities.

Findings

The authors show how strengthening official controls does not systematically impact negatively on producers’ participation and does not always decrease supply. Moreover, the authors show that reinforcing the maximum permitted contamination thresholds is not always sufficient for ensuring consumer health.

Originality/value

The originality of the model is that it shows how all variables (economic and sanitary variables) interact in the formation of agricultural prices and determine the final size of the productive system (number of active producers). The characterisation of the market price as a function of producers’ investment efforts and of the level of official control reliability allows one to determine both the total supply and the proportion of this supply that is contaminated (i.e. does not comply with the maximum threshold of contamination).
Why do you drink? A means-end approach to the motivations of young alcohol consumers
Authors: Fabbrizzi Sara , Marinelli Nicola , Menghini Silvio , Casini Leonardo
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the motivations of young consumers of alcoholic beverages in order to supply information for the definition of corporate and social marketing strategies. The target of young consumers was chosen because of its association with the choice of consumption behaviours often resulting in health and social issues related to alcohol. The focus on motivations, on the other hand, is justified by the need to assess the contents of appropriate and efficient communication campaigns for both producers and public institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A means-end approach was used on a sample of young consumers from Tuscany via face-to-face interviews. The interviews were carried out with students who were completing their last year of high school. The results were processed using an MEC analyst software for the construction of the hierarchical value maps and cognitive maps showing the links between products and consumers.

Findings

The results highlighted the perception of a “socialisation” attribute that is stronger when linked to the consumption of beer and spirits; however, wine is still perceived as a non-friendly beverage. The aspect of socialisation underlines both the pleasure of sharing consumption experiences and the dangerous binge drinking behaviour. Thanks to this approach, the study identifies the main elements in the cognitive structure that, if used to define a communication strategy, may guarantee a high degree of efficacy.

Originality/value

The findings of the study constitute valuable information that can be used to prepare stages of communication plans within larger corporate and social marketing strategies. The wine sector can benefit from understanding the motivations that prevent young people from drinking wine and can attempt to fill the psychological and cognitive gap between young consumers and the product. Public institutions, on the other hand, may benefit from understanding the motivations that lead young people towards dangerous drinking behaviours. In turn, the institutions may be able to send appropriate messages within their communication activities aimed at containing such behaviours.
Capability, environment and internationalization fit, and financial and marketing performance of MNEs’ foreign subsidiaries
Authors: Dikova Dessislava , van Witteloostuijn Arjen , Parker Simon
Published: June 2017

Purpose

Extant work in international business (IB) involves a partial contingency-theoretic perspective: a holistic view of the impact of bundles of contingencies on an outcome variable is missing. The purpose of this paper is to adopt a contingency approach to study multinational enterprise (MNE) subsidiary performance in the appropriate context of European transition economies at the beginning of the current millennium.

Design/methodology/approach

Methodologically, the authors introduce abduction as a line of inquiry into IB and management to develop new theoretical insights, and apply the novel empirical general interaction method to estimate bundle effects. In so doing, the authors contribute to the further development of a theoretical and empirical toolkit to revitalize holistic, or configurational, quantitative research in IB and management.

Findings

The authors find that capability fit is a necessary condition for high MNE subsidiary marketing performance, whilst environment fit is particularly critical for high MNE subsidiary financial performance.

Research limitations/implications

A key limitation is that this is a cross-section study.

Practical implications

This study offers insights as to subsidiary fit into Eastern Europe, indicating fitting entry and establishment modes.

Originality/value

This paper offers a novel holistic approach to IB, both in terms of theoretical and empirical methodology.
How Snowden’s revelations have influenced youngsters’ attitude and behaviour in the PRC and Taiwan
Authors: Murata Kiyoshi , Fukuta Yasunori , Adams Andrew A. , Ronghua Dang
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how Snowden’s revelations are viewed by young people in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan through questionnaire surveys of and follow-up interviews with university students in the two countries, taking into account the histories and current status of state surveillance in these countries and the current complicated and delicate cross-strait relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire surveys of 315 PRC and 111 Taiwanese university students (a majority studying in those places but a few studying abroad) and semi-structured follow-up interviews with 16 master’s course students from the PRC and one from Taiwan (all studying at Meiji University in Japan) were conducted, in addition to reviews of the literature on privacy and state surveillance in the PRC and Taiwan. The outcomes of the survey were statistically analysed and qualitative analyses of the interview results were also performed.

Findings

Youngsters living in the PRC had greater interest in and more knowledge about Snowden’s revelations than those living in Taiwan, and the revelations were positively evaluated in both countries as serving public interest. However, PRC students indicated they were less likely to emulate Snowden than those from Taiwan did.

Originality/value

This study is the first attempt to investigate the social impact of Snowden’s revelations on PRC and Taiwanese youngsters’ attitudes towards privacy and state surveillance as part of cross-cultural analyses between eight countries.
Following Snowden: a cross-cultural study on the social impact of Snowden’s revelations
Authors: Murata Kiyoshi , Adams Andrew A. , Lara Palma Ana María
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a cross-cultural study of the views and implications of Snowden’s revelations about NSA/GCHQ surveillance practices, undertaken through surveys administered in eight countries. The aims and academic and social significance are explained, and justification is offered for the methods used.

Design/methodology/approach

Pilot surveys were deployed in two countries, following which revised versions were deployed in eight countries (including expanded collection in the original pilot countries). Quantitative analysis of suitable answer sets (Yes/No; Likert scales) and quantitative analysis (interpretation of free text answers) were performed.

Findings

Through the pilot survey studies conducted in Japan and Spain, the academic significance and meaningfulness, as well as social significance of the project, were confirmed.

Practical implications

The results of the cross-cultural study are expected to contribute not only to the advance of surveillance study but also to the enhancement of ordinary, non-technical people’s awareness of state surveillance and their proactive approach to protecting their own rights and dignity from covert intrusion by government agencies.

Originality/value

This paper clarifies the importance and methodologies of investigating the social impact of Snowden’s revelations on youngsters’ attitudes toward privacy and state surveillance in a cross-cultural analysis framework. Although a few other studies have assessed the impact of Snowden’s revelations, these have mostly focussed on the USA, so this is the only study to date considering that impact on a broad international scale, using highly similar surveys to ensure comparability.
Acceptance and forwarding of electronic word of mouth
Authors: Mahapatra Sabita , Mishra Abhishek
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of source credibility, message credibility and tie strength, on acceptance and subsequent forwarding of electronic word of mouth (EWOM). Forwarding EWOM (FEWOM) also depends on personality traits, which this work investigates in form of moderation effect of individual regulatory focus.

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses are developed using social exchange theory and the elaboration likelihood model and tested using structural equation modelling. Data were collected online, using a random sample of 324 respondents in India.

Findings

Findings indicate that source credibility and tie strength are instrumental in influencing acceptance of EWOM. A strong mediation role of acceptance of EWOM, confirms that people tend to forward information online only if they accept it.

Research limitations/implications

This study represents a unique effort to focus on the combined effects of message credibility, source credibility and tie strength on acceptance and subsequent forwarding of EWOM.

Originality/value

This study provides original insights about antecedents of FEWOM as well as the role of individual regulatory focus as a moderator in the process.
Uniqueness and status consumption in Generation Y consumers
Authors: Butcher Luke , Phau Ian , Shimul Anwar Sadat
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the existence of consumers’ need for uniqueness (CNFU) and status consumption (SC) in Generation Y (Gen Y). In exploring such, the equivalency of each construct (measurement invariance and population heterogeneity) is examined across early and late Gen Y consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered online survey is examined, with the sample of 397 Gen Y respondents analyzed through structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results reveal that Gen Y consumers experience a need for uniqueness in a three-factor composition which is invariant across earlier and later Gen Y consumers. Similarly, SC is observed amongst Gen Y, with the empirical results again equivalent across the two groups. Finally, SC is supported to directly influence Gen Y’s purchase intention (PI) of luxury fashion goods, with the three CNFU constructs failing to directly influence PI, or SC’s influence on PI.

Practical implications

Results suggest to practitioners that not only are CNFU and SC motivations existent in Gen Y consumers, but they act similarly across early (19-23) and later (24-34) members of the consumer segment. Additionally, SC positively influences Gen Y’s purchase behavior of luxury fashion goods. Practitioners may target such consumers with reassurance that these groups do not behave differently with respect to CNFU and SC.

Originality/value

This study explores for the first time the three factors of CNFU and SC amongst Gen Y consumers. Such analysis, including the invariance of responses between those later and earlier born Gen Y consumers, and the structural relationships shared between these constructs and PI of luxury fashion goods offer intriguing insights for academics and practitioners alike.
Transfer student analysis and retention: a collaborative endeavor
Authors: Jacobson Trudi , Delano John , Krzykowski Linda , Garafola Laurie , Nyman Meghan , Barker-Flynn Holly
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to describe a multifaceted campus-wide initiative to retain transfer students that was undertaken when it was recognized that their retention rates were lower than those of first-time, full-time students.

Design/methodology/approach

The Enhancing Student Experience (ESE) Working Group at the University at Albany (UAlbany) brought together key parties from Student Affairs and academic units, including the University Libraries, and provided an energizing arena in which existing student engagement and retention endeavors were discussed and coordinated, and new initiatives were inspired.

Findings

This paper reflects the work of a subcommittee of the ESE group that focused on developing strategies to increase the retention rate of students who transferred to UAlbany, and identifying characteristics of those first-time, full-time students who transferred from UAlbany. The efforts discussed in this paper, which were guided by professional experiences, institutional data and published reports, resulted in a 2 per cent increase in the student retention rate in the past two years.

Research limitations/implications

The data collection and analysis, and the initiatives, are specific to one public research university.

Practical implications

Initiatives undertaken to address the retention of transfer students have begun to have an impact.

Originality/value

The “all-hands-on-deck” approach described in this paper demonstrates how strategic collaborations among the many institutional stakeholders at a public research university were marshalled to have a significant and positive impact on student retention.
The library and the common reader program: a collaborative effort to college transition
Authors: Megwalu Anamika , Miller Christina , Haller Cynthia R.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the inception and continuation of a collaborative effort between York College’s Common Reader program and the York College Library. The Common Reader program comprises academic and extracurricular activities designed to help achieve the goals of York College’s First Year Experience Program to assist in the successful transition, achievement and retention of first-year students at York College, The City University of New York.

Design/methodology/approach

The Common Reader Committee was initially comprising only of participating classroom faculty and Student Development staff. York College Library was invited to help with one of the extracurricular events. Subsequently, the collaboration was considered essential to the success of the Common Reader program. This paper describes the library’s role in supporting the initiative.

Findings

The library is an active member of York’s Common Reader Committee and is involved in the selection of the Common Reader book; publicity of the program; promotion of library resources and services; and the programming of extracurricular events. Involvement in these areas allows the library to collaboratively build a learning community, integrate information literacy skills into the curricula, nurture the practice of critical reading and help students feel connected in a new academic environment.

Originality/value

Many colleges have implemented common reading programs, and, in many cases, libraries have been involved in the program in some shape or form. However, at York College, there is a strategic partnership between the library and the Common Reader program. Such a partnership has made it possible for the library to be deeply involved in helping students transition to college life.
ARL instruction librarians and the one-box: a follow-up study
Authors: Rubenstein Ellen L. , McCain Cheryl , Boulden Kristal S.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The effectiveness and usability of one-boxes have been subjects of much research and debate, as librarians have worked to evaluate and improve the tools’ effectiveness and functionality. As one-box technologies change and improve over time, librarians must learn to navigate their new features and limitations. This paper aims to report the results of a study that sought to determine whether or not one-box teaching practices and philosophies of librarians of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) changed between the fall of 2011 and the spring of 2016.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted using the same survey questions that were sent to ARL instruction and reference librarians in October of 2011. The survey was e-mailed to the same librarians who responded to the original survey. Questions focused on how librarians use the one-box during instructional opportunities and their overall opinions on the one-box as an option.

Findings

There were similarities between the two studies in that librarians agreed that one-box search tools tended to be beneficial for novices as an entrée into library resources but not as valuable for significant research. Librarians also noted the need for improvement in the results and felt that the products did not live up to their hype. There was a slight shift from negative opinions to more neutral opinions, indicating that some librarians have become more accepting of the tool. This shift may reflect a gradual change that suggests that librarians have become more comfortable with or accustomed to the presence of the one-box and its features.

Research limitations/implications

Although this follow-up study was sent to all participants who had responded to the first study, fewer than 25 per cent of the original number responded to the survey in 2016.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine the shift in practices and philosophies over the past five years of a select group of reference and instruction librarians.
Niche conservatism and the invasive potential of the wild boar
Authors: Sales Lilian Patrícia , Ribeiro Bruno R. , Hayward Matt Warrington , Paglia Adriano , Passamani Marcelo , Loyola Rafael
Published: June 2017

Niche conservatism, i.e. the retention of a species’ fundamental niche through evolutionary time, is cornerstone for biological invasion assessments. The fact that species tend to maintain their original climate niche allows predictive maps of invasion risk to anticipate potential invadable areas. Unravelling the mechanisms driving niche shifts can shed light on the management of invasive species.

Here, we assessed niche shifts in one of the world's worst invasive species: the wild boar Sus scrofa. We also predicted potential invadable areas based on an ensemble of three ecological niche modelling methods, and evaluated the performance of models calibrated with native vs. pooled (native plus invaded) species records. By disentangling the drivers of change on the exotic wild boar population's niches, we found strong evidence for niche conservatism during biological invasion.

Ecological niche models calibrated with both native and pooled range records predicted convergent areas. Also, observed niche shifts are mostly explained by niche unfilling, i.e. there are unoccupied areas in the exotic range where climate is analogous to the native range.

Niche unfilling is expected as result of recent colonization and ongoing dispersal, and was potentially stronger for the Neotropics, where a recent wave of introductions for pig‐farming and game‐hunting has led to high wild boar population growth rates. The invasive potential of wild boar in the Neotropics is probably higher than in other regions, which has profound management implications if we are to prevent their invasion into species‐rich areas, such as Amazonia, coupled with expansion of African swine fever and possibly great economic losses.

Although the originally Eurasian‐wide distribution suggests a pre‐adaptation to a wide array of climates, the wild boar world‐wide invasion does not exhibit evidence of niche evolution. The invasive potential of the wild boar therefore probably lies on the reproductive, dietary and morphological characteristics of this species, coupled with behavioural thermoregulation.
Vertical root distribution of individual species in a mountain grassland community: Does it respond to neighbours?
Authors: Herben Tomáš , Vozábová Tereza , Hadincová Věra , Krahulec František , Mayerová Hana , Pecháčková Sylvie , Skálová Hana , Krak Karol
Published: June 2017

Vertical differentiation in root placement is one of the potential mechanisms of plant niche differentiation. It can be due to the remarkable plasticity of roots in response to nutrients and neighbours, but most data on it come from pot or garden experiments. The roles of vertical differentiation and of plasticity in it in the field are thus not well known.

We examined species‐specific root vertical distribution in a montane grassland using quantitative real‐time PCR. We asked whether individual species differ in their rooting depths, whether such differences are associated with above‐ground functional traits (such as height or specific leaf area), and whether they respond to the presence of a competitor. This response was assessed by comparison of species‐specific vertical profiles between control plots and plots where the dominant species, Festuca rubra, had been removed.

Vertical profiles of individual species varied considerably, from species with most root biomass concentrated in the uppermost (<2 cm) soil layer, through species with uniform vertical distribution, to a species with roots predominantly below 8 cm (Nardus stricta). Species at the fast end of the plant economy spectrum were more likely to place their roots in the uppermost layers. Grassland species, thus, exploit different parts of the below‐ground resources in spite of their short stature, minor differences in height above‐ground and shallow soil.

While below‐ground and above‐ground biomasses of most species were higher in the removal plots, species rooting patterns did not change in response to the removal. The interspecific differences in vertical profiles were thus due to species' innate differences, not to plastic responses to the presence of the dominant species.

Synthesis. The findings imply that vertical root differentiation in the field is strong and can contribute to niche differentiation. However, the role of root plasticity in natural systems may be considerably weaker than in artificial systems with few species and strong nutrient gradients. This absence of the plastic response in the field is likely to be due to a fairly homogeneous distribution of nutrients in the soil and to the predominantly symmetric nature of below‐ground competition.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction in Agriculture: Trade‐off or Win–Win Situation for Small Farmers in the Sudanian Area of Burkina Faso?
Authors: Some Tiertou Edwige , Mbaye Ahmadou Aly , Barbier Bruno
Published: June 2017

Agriculture can contribute to carbon emission mitigation by storing more carbon in the soil through greener cropping systems. This study aims to assess the impact of mitigation strategies on small farmers’ welfare. It uses a case study of small farmers in Burkina Faso, relying on an analyse programming model, in which farmers maximize their utility subject to a set of such constraints. The results show that integrating an emission reduction will negatively impact farmers’ utility, while integrating perennial crops increases their utility and the net carbon balance. Policymakers should therefore encourage farmers to adopt perennial crops in their cropping systems. To reach the emission reduction targets in the annual cropping system, incentives are needed to compensate for their foregone income.
Mixed‐species aggregations in arthropods
Authors: Boulay Julien , Aubernon Cindy , Ruxton Graeme D. , Hédouin Valéry , Deneubourg Jean‐Louis , Charabidzé Damien
Published: June 2017

This review offers the first synthesis of the research on mixed‐species groupings of arthropods and highlights the behavioral and evolutionary questions raised by such behavior. Mixed‐species groups are commonly found in mammals and birds. Such groups are also observed in a large range of arthropod taxa independent of their level of sociality. Several examples are presented to highlight the mechanisms underlying such groupings, particularly the evidence for phylogenetic proximity between members that promotes cross‐species recognition. The advantages offered by such aggregates are described and discussed. These advantages can be attributed to the increase in group size and could be identical to those of nonmixed groupings, but competition–cooperation dynamics might also be involved, and such effects may differ between homo‐ and heterospecific groups. We discuss three extreme cases of interspecific recognition that are likely involved in mixed‐species groups as vectors for cross‐species aggregation: tolerance behavior between two social species, one‐way mechanism in which one species is attractive to others and two‐way mechanism of mutual attraction. As shown in this review, the study of mixed‐species groups offers biologists an interesting way to explore the frontiers of cooperation–competition, including the process of sympatric speciation.
Rethinking Energy Statecraft: United States Foreign Policy and the Changing Geopolitics of Energy
Authors: Bazilian Morgan , Sovacool Benjamin , Moss Todd
Published: June 2017

The United States Administration has an opportunity to foster a new energy statecraft based on the realities of a dynamic and rapidly‐changing global energy marketplace. The geopolitical considerations of this energy transition are not well‐explored. Additionally, the recent renaissance of oil and gas in the US has reinforced the alluring notion that energy independence and national energy security are the same thing. But the global nature of energy markets expose this notion as utterly misleading. A re‐envisaged energy statecraft would utilize a variety of US foreign policy and multilateral tools to reform the international energy sector, protect the global energy marketplace, and spur investments in new generation and innovation. These steps require building an integrated approach to the multiple energy‐security challenges.