bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Composability of regulatory sequences controlling transcription and translation in
Escherichia coli
Authors: Kosuri Sriram , Goodman Daniel B. , Cambray Guillaume , Mutalik Vivek K. , Gao Yuan , Arkin Adam P. , Endy Drew , Church George M.
Published: August 2013

The inability to predict heterologous gene expression levels precisely hinders our ability to engineer biological systems. Using well-characterized regulatory elements offers a potential solution only if such elements behave predictably when combined. We synthesized 12,563 combinations of common promoters and ribosome binding sites and simultaneously measured DNA, RNA, and protein levels from the entire library. Using a simple model, we found that RNA and protein expression were within twofold of expected levels 80% and 64% of the time, respectively. The large dataset allowed quantitation of global effects, such as translation rate on mRNA stability and mRNA secondary structure on translation rate. However, the worst 5% of constructs deviated from prediction by 13-fold on average, which could hinder large-scale genetic engineering projects. The ease and scale this of approach indicates that rather than relying on prediction or standardization, we can screen synthetic libraries for desired behavior.
Gram-positive siderophore-shuttle with iron-exchange from Fe-siderophore to apo-siderophore by
Bacillus cereus
YxeB
Authors: Fukushima Tatsuya , Allred Benjamin E. , Sia Allyson K. , Nichiporuk Rita , Andersen Ulla N. , Raymond Kenneth N.
Published: August 2013

Small molecule iron-chelators, siderophores, are very important in facilitating the acquisition of Fe(III), an essential element for pathogenic bacteria. Many Gram-negative outer-membrane transporters and Gram-positive lipoprotein siderophore-binding proteins have been characterized, and the binding ability of outer-membrane transporters and siderophore-binding proteins for Fe-siderophores has been determined. However, there is little information regarding the binding ability of these proteins for apo-siderophores, the iron-free chelators. Here we report that
Bacillus cereus
YxeB facilitates iron-exchange from Fe-siderophore to apo-siderophore bound to the protein, the first Gram-positive siderophore-shuttle system. YxeB binds ferrioxamine B (FO, Fe-siderophore)/desferrioxamine B (DFO, apo-siderophore) in vitro. Disc-diffusion assays and growth assays using the
yxeB
mutant reveal that YxeB is responsible for importing the FO. Cr-DFO (a FO analog) is bound by YxeB in vitro and
B. cereus
imports or binds Cr-DFO in vivo. In vivo uptake assays using Cr-DFO and FO and growth assays using DFO and Cr-DFO show that
B. cereus
selectively imports and uses FO when DFO is present. Moreover, in vitro competition assays using Cr-DFO and FO clearly demonstrate that YxeB binds only FO, not Cr-DFO, when DFO is bound to the protein. Iron-exchange from FO to DFO bound to YxeB must occur when DFO is initially bound by YxeB. Because the metal exchange rate is generally first order in replacement ligand concentration, protein binding of the apo-siderophore acts to dramatically enhance the iron exchange rate, a key component of the Gram-positive siderophore-shuttle mechanism.
A stochastic Evans-Aronsson problem
Authors: Gomes Diogo , Sánchez Morgado Héctor
Published: August 2013

In this paper the stochastic version of the Evans-Aronsson problem is studied. Both for the mechanical case and two dimensional problems we prove the existence of smooth solutions. We establish that the corresponding effective Lagrangian and Hamiltonian are smooth. We study the limiting behavior and the convergence of the effective Lagrangian and Hamiltonian, Mather measures and minimizers. We end the paper with applications to stationary mean-field games.
Splitting methods for the nonlocal Fowler equation
Authors: Bouharguane Afaf , Carles Rémi
Published: August 2013

We consider a nonlocal scalar conservation law proposed by Andrew C. Fowler to describe the dynamics of dunes, and we develop a numerical procedure based on splitting methods to approximate its solutions. We begin by proving the convergence of the well-known Lie formula, which is an approximation of the exact solution of order one in time. We next use the split-step Fourier method to approximate the continuous problem using the fast Fourier transform and the finite difference method. Our numerical experiments confirm the theoretical results.
Effects of Simulated Hail Events and Subsequent Fungicide Applications on Cranberry Fruit Rot Incidence and Yield
Authors: Wells L. D. , McManus P. S.
Published: August 2013

Storms containing hail are a common occurrence in Wisconsin, with a few or many cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) growers being affected every year. Growers usually apply fungicides immediately following hail events to prevent fruit rot, despite a lack of research to support this practice. We conducted field trials in 2010 and 2011 to address the question of whether applying fungicides to injured fruit reduces fruit rot incidence (% rotten fruit). Hail damage was simulated by forcibly projecting pea gravel into cranberry beds using a mist-blower sprayer modified for this purpose, and the fungicides azoxystrobin or copper hydroxide were applied to fruit immediately after applying gravel. Fruit rot incidence and yield were evaluated within 2 weeks prior to commercial harvest in late September and early October. Fruit rot incidence was greater (P ≤ 0.05) and yield was lower (P < 0.05) in plots treated with gravel than in the nontreated control plots in six of seven trials. Fungicides did not reduce fruit rot incidence (P ≥ 0.05) in gravel-treated plots compared to the nontreated control in six of seven trials. However, in a trial conducted on relatively immature berries, fruit rot incidence in gravel-treated plots treated with azoxystrobin was less (P = 0.0103) than fruit rot incidence in gravel-treated plots receiving no fungicide treatment. In that same trial, fruit rot incidence was not reduced (P = 0.1243) in gravel-treated plots treated with copper hydroxide compared to gravel-treated plots that were not treated with fungicide. Results suggest that under most circumstances, if cranberries are damaged by hail, it is unlikely that an application of fungicide will reduce the amount of fruit rot at the time of harvest.
Role of Soybean mosaic virus–Encoded Proteins in Seed and Aphid Transmission in Soybean
Authors: Jossey Sushma , Hobbs Houston A. , Domier Leslie L.
Published: August 2013

Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) is seed and aphid transmitted and can cause significant reductions in yield and seed quality in soybean (Glycine max). The roles in seed and aphid transmission of selected SMV-encoded proteins were investigated by constructing mutants in and chimeric recombinants between SMV 413 (efficiently aphid and seed transmitted) and an isolate of SMV G2 (not aphid or seed transmitted). As previously reported, the DAG amino acid sequence motif near the amino terminus of the coat protein (CP) was the major determinant in differences in aphid transmissibility of the two SMV isolates, and helper component proteinase (HC-Pro) played a secondary role. Seed transmission of SMV was influenced by P1, HC-Pro, and CP. Replacement of the P1 coding region of SMV 413 with that of SMV G2 significantly enhanced seed transmissibility of SMV 413. Substitution in SMV 413 of the two amino acids that varied in the CPs of the two isolates with those from SMV G2, G to D in the DAG motif and Q to P near the carboxyl terminus, significantly reduced seed transmission. The Q-to-P substitution in SMV 413 also abolished virus-induced seed-coat mottling in plant introduction 68671. This is the first report associating P1, CP, and the DAG motif with seed transmission of a potyvirus and suggests that HC-Pro interactions with CP are important for multiple functions in the virus infection cycle.
Genetic and Virulence Variability Among Erwinia tracheiphila Strains Recovered from Different Cucurbit Hosts
Authors: Rojas E. Saalau , Dixon P. M. , Batzer J. C. , Gleason M. L.
Published: August 2013

The causal agent of cucurbit bacterial wilt, Erwinia tracheiphila, has a wide host range in the family Cucurbitaceae, including economically important crops such as muskmelon (Cucumis melo), cucumber (C. sativus), and squash (Cucurbita spp.). Genetic variability of 69 E. tracheiphila strains was investigated by repetitive-element polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) using BOXA1R and ERIC1-2 primers. Fingerprint profiles revealed significant variability associated with crop host; strains isolated from Cucumis spp. were clearly distinguishable from Cucurbita spp.-isolated strains regardless of geographic origin. Twelve E. tracheiphila strains isolated from muskmelon, cucumber, or summer squash were inoculated onto muskmelon and summer squash seedlings, followed by incubation in a growth chamber. Wilt symptoms were assessed over 3 weeks, strains were reisolated, and rep-PCR profiles were compared with the inoculated strains. Wilting occurred significantly faster when seedlings were inoculated with strains that originated from the same crop host genus (P<0.001). In the first run of the experiment, cucumber and muskmelon strains caused wilting on muskmelon seedlings at a median of 7.8 and 5.6 days after inoculation (dai), respectively. Summer squash seedlings wilted 18.0, 15.7, and 5.7 dai when inoculated with muskmelon-, cucumber-, and squash-origin strains, respectively. In a second run of the experiment, cucumber and muskmelon strains caused wilting on muskmelon at 7.0 and 6.9 dai, respectively, whereas summer squash seedlings wilted at 23.6, 29.0 and 9.0 dai when inoculated with muskmelon-, cucumber-, and squash-origin strains, respectively. Our results provide the first evidence of genetic diversity within E. tracheiphila and suggest that strain specificity is associated with plant host. This advance is a first step toward understanding the genetic and population structure of E. tracheiphila.
Molecular diagnosis of bloodstream infections with a new dual-priming oligonucleotide-based multiplex PCR assay
Authors: Carrara Lucrecia , Navarro Ferran , Turbau Miquel , Seres Montse , Morán Indalecio , Quintana Isabel , Martino Rodrigo , González Yesica , Brell Albert , Cordon Oscar , Diestra Karol , Mata Caterina , Mirelis Beatriz , Coll Pere
Published: August 2013

Mortality from bloodstream infections (BSIs) correlates with diagnostic delay and the use of inappropriate empirical treatment. Early PCR-based diagnosis could decrease inappropriate treatment, improving patient outcome. The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical utility of this molecular technology to diagnose BSIs. We assessed a new dual-priming oligonucleotide-based multiplex PCR assay, the Magicplex Sepsis Test (MST) (Seegene), along with blood culture (BC). A total of 267 patients from the intensive care unit and haematology and emergency departments were enrolled. Clinical data were also used by physicians to determine the likelihood of infection. Ninety-eight (37 %) specimens were positive: 29 (11 %) by both the MST and BC, 29 (11 %) by the MST only, and 40 (15 %) by BC only. The proportion of agreement between the two methods was 73 % (Cohen’s κ: 0.45; 0.28–0.6; indicating fair to moderate agreement). According to clinical assessment, 63 (64 %) positive specimens were considered BSIs: 23 (36 %) were positive by both the MST and BC, 22 (35 %) were positive only by BC, and 18 (29 %) were positive only by the MST. Thirty-eight (14 %) positive specimens by the MST and/or BC were considered as contaminants. Of 101 specimens collected from patients receiving antibiotics, 20 (20 %) were positive by the MST and 32 (32 %) by BC. Sensitivity and specificity were 65 % and 92 %, respectively, for the MST and 71 % and 88 %, respectively for BC. We concluded that the MST shows a high specificity but changes in design are needed to increase bacteraemia detection. For viability in clinical laboratories, technical improvements are also required to further automate the process.
Combined MCDM approaches for century‐old Taiwanese food firm new product development project selection
Authors: Chang Kuei‐Lun
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to integrate the analytic network process (ANP) and a technique for order preference by similarity to the ideal solution (TOPSIS) to help Taiwanese managers in century‐old food industry firms make better decisions for new product development (NPD) project selection.

Design/methodology/approach

The balanced scorecard (BSC) which links financial and non‐financial, tangible and intangible, inward and outward factors can provide an integrated viewpoint for decision makers in selecting optimal NPD projects. Considering the interrelated perspectives and criteria of BSC, ANP is used to obtain the weights of the criteria. TOPSIS is used for simplifying ANP to rank the alternatives. After reviewing the literature on BSC, the study collected criteria for selecting optimal NPD projects. Likert nine‐point scale questionnaires based on the BSC criteria were received from 34 senior executives to obtain the importance of criteria.

Findings

Based on the geometric mean values, the top 12 criteria are: Capabilities, Well‐being, Satisfaction, Lead‐time, Risk, Facility, Reputation, Loyalty, New customer, Market, Profitability and New market to structure the hierarchy for century‐old Taiwanese food business NPD project selection.

Practical implications

Using the hierarchy based on four perspectives and 12 important criteria, century‐old Taiwanese food businesses may select the optimal NPD projects more effectively. Moreover, the practical application of the proposed approach illustrated is generic and also suitable for century‐old Taiwanese food businesses.

Originality/value

In 2008, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) established an association to help century‐old businesses to maintain growth and competitive advantage. To maintain continuous competitive advantage, developing new products is necessary. However, NPD is a risky process. The vital issue in NPD is how to select the optimal projects for new products. The majority of century‐old Taiwanese businesses are in the food industry. This paper contributes to a more effective selection of optimal NPD projects for century‐old Taiwanese food firms.
Physico‐chemical, biochemical and microbiological changes of Kumpia wieprzowa during ripening
Authors: Węsierska Ewelina , Szołtysik Marek , Palka Krystyna , Lipczyńska Agnieszka , Lipczyńska‐Szlaur Ewelina
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to estimate physico‐chemical, biochemical and microbiological changes during the three‐month ripening of the Polish traditional raw smoked fermented meat product Kumpia wieprzowa, produced from pork shoulder without fore‐shank.

Design/methodology/approach

After one, two and three months, the pH, aw, chemical composition, the content of nitrogen – total and soluble – as well as the profile of aromatic compounds and microflora, were evaluated.

Findings

During ripening, the water content decreased from 62.7 percent to 47.5 percent, while the protein and fat amount increased from 20.8 percent to 25.0 percent and from 9.7 percent to 16.3 percent, respectively; the aw decreased from 0.95 to 0.88 and pH from 5.80 to 5.35. The proteolytic changes, measured by free amine groups and Nsoluble content, as well as the quantity of free fatty acids and percentage of most of the volatile compounds increased, particularly during the first two months of ripening. The total number of aerobic microorganisms, and Lactobacillaceae decreased during ripening from 7.9 to 6.2 and 5.6 to 4.7 log cfu/g, respectively. The count of coagulase‐negative cocci changed from 5.3 to 5.2 log cfu/g.

Originality/value

Kumpia wieprzowa is a unique pork product, entered on the List of Polish Traditional Products in 2005. Up to the present, the properties of Kumpia wieprzowa were not recognized and published in the scientific literature, in spite of its very interesting raw material (shoulder spontaneously fermented as a whole large primal cut).
Isolation, characterization and utilization of starter cultures for the development of wheyghurt drink
Authors: Saeed Muhammad , Muhammad Anjum Faqir , Rafiq Khan Moazzam , Issa Khan Muhammad , Nadeem Muhammad
Published: August 2013

Purpose

Whey products have conventionally been professed as a means of reducing ingredient costs. The authentic benefits of adding whey products are the enhanced worth resulting from flavor, texture and nutritional improvements as well as nutraceutical or health‐enhancing payback. Therefore, the present study aims to isolate and characterize suitable starter cultures for the production of wheyghurt drink.

Design/methodology/approach

Keeping in view all the benefits of yoghurt technology this study was planned to isolate the starter cultures and optimize the conditions for the production of wheyghurt drink. The starter cultures (Lactobacillus delbruceckiissp.BulgaricusandStreptococcus thermophilus) were isolated from the yoghurt and further characterized on the basis of their morphological and biochemical characteristics. The wheyghurt drink prepared from starter cultures with varying starter culture concentrations (1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 percent) was analyzed for the physicochemical and sensory characteristics to explore the potential of wheyghurt drink.

Findings

During storage, color, flavor, taste and overall acceptability were affected significantly. But the interaction between treatments and storage was found non‐significant to all the sensory parameters. At zero day maximum score (7.40) for overall acceptability was recorded for T3and minimum score (5.60) was awarded to T4. After five, ten and 15 days of storage, judges observed a slight decline in overall acceptability in all wheyghurt drink samples. Hence it was concluded that wheyghurt drink sample T3obtained maximum scores regarding the organoleptic evaluation and remained the best.

Practical implications

The key to growth is a continuous evaluation and modification of the product to match consumer expectations. Currently there are many apparent benefits that result from incorporating selected whey products into yogurt formulas. The starter cultures for the production of fermented whey products are not presently produced in Pakistan and are imported for industrial use. The use of LAB as starter culture may help to improve the quality and shelf life of the whey products.

Originality/value

The research is useful for food manufacturers in order to develop functional food products for consumers. Understanding consumer needs and preferences is critical to successful product development and enhancing marketing values of a product. Nutritionally improved foods, such as wheyghurt over the conventional counterpart, will be highly successful in the marketplace. Consumers will prefer such kinds of foods because they are more conscious about their health and such foods provide them with what they desire, i.e. health benefits with good nutrition.
Online brand community response to negative brand events: the role of group eWOM
Authors: Chang Aihwa , Hsieh Sara H. , Tseng Timmy H.
Published: August 2013

Purpose

Brand communities now play a significant role in building brand loyalty. Past researches focus on how brand community facilitates brand loyalty under normal market situations. Yet, limited research examines consumer responses to negative events within the brand community context. Drawing from social identity theory and the theory of involvement, the present study aims to reveal the role that group eWOM plays in influencing brand community members’ evaluation on negative brand decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

By using an experimental study, the current research adopts far brand extension as the empirical testing ground.

Findings

This research illustrates that group eWOM's influence on brand community member's attitude toward the negative brand information is affected by member's level of brand community identification and brand involvement. When the group eWOM opposes far extension, high brand community identified members are driven by social creativity to resist negative impacts to the brand. However, when the group eWOM supports far extension, high brand involved members are strengthened by group eWOM to promote favorable brand evaluations and attenuate negative impacts to the brand.

Practical implications

Firms should leverage the ingrained associations between brand community identification, brand involvement and group eWOM in affecting brand community’s responses to insulate brand community from the impacts of negative events.

Originality/value

The present study extends prior research on customer loyalty from an individual perspective to reveal the significance of group dynamics in influencing brand community’s response to negative events.
Antecedent of purchase intention: online seller reputation, product category and surcharge
Authors: Pan Ming‐Chuan , Kuo Chih‐Ying , Pan Ching‐Ti , Tu Wei
Published: August 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the antecedent of purchase intention: online seller reputation, product category and surcharge.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses five experimental designs to explore the seller reputation, product category and surcharge effects in Internet shopping. The authors chose one seller of low reputation and one seller of high reputation from Yahoo Mall. ANOVA are used to evaluate the results.

Findings

Sellers of high reputation can post higher surcharges to increase the total price paid by the buyer, but sellers of low reputation cannot do so (experiment 1). Moreover, partitioned price will decrease purchase intention for sellers of low reputation more than for sellers of high reputation (experiment 2). Consumers take the longest time to make purchasing decisions when buying credence goods (experiment 3) or buying from sellers of low reputation (experiment 4). The effect of surcharge levied by sellers of low reputation is weakened for consumers with low (vs high) shipping‐charge skepticism (experiment 5).

Practical implications

This study is helpful to online sellers if they can identify their reputation, product category and those consumers who have shipping‐charge skepticism, they can create extra profit through surcharge practice.

Originality/value

The authors’ investigation extends the literature on consumers’ price processing by identifying the important moderators (seller reputation, product category, and elaboration) and probing into the decision process (via the response time). The results suggest prescriptive strategies for online sellers.
Trust in the knowledge economy
Authors: Tulio Zanini Marco , Musante Michael
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the expanding role of trust in the knowledge economy. Specifically it aims to focus on the unique nature of the knowledge economy and the importance of informal and social control provided by the development of trust.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is conceptual and a literature review.

Findings

The intra‐ and inter‐organizational dynamics of the knowledge economy require a unique focus on the development and maintenance of trust. Marketing relationships within and across firms will change and require a renewed emphasis on trust to safeguard the key asset in the knowledge economy, knowledge.

Originality/value

This article adds new insights on organizational trust, specifically under the paradigm of knowledge‐based production systems that characterize a knowledge economy.
Strategies for sustaining the edge in offshore outsourcing of services: the case of India
Authors: Javalgi Rajshekhar (Raj) G. , Benoy Joseph W. , Granot Elad , Gross Andrew C.
Published: August 2013

Purpose

Offshore outsourcing offers competitive advantages when goods and services are produced economically and with acceptable or superior quality by suppliers located outside a firm's home country. The purpose of this paper is to focus on India as a destination for offshore outsourcing of services and the challenges it faces in maintaining its leadership in this area. The paper discusses the growth of services outsourcing and the economic and environmental forces that have contributed to the outsourcing of high‐end services, also known as knowledge process outsourcing (KPO).

Design/methodology/approach

This article surveys the literature of offshore outsourcing and identifies strategic drivers and options that can help India to grow and consolidate its position as an exporter of services and build long‐term competitive advantages in its relationships with global partners. To understand why nations gain competitive advantage in certain industries, Porter's “diamond” model is utilized as a broad framework for examining policies and national strategies that can sustain India's competitive advantage in outsourcing of knowledge‐based services. The paper discusses India's current and prospective assets and liabilities that correspond to the model's four components.

Findings

The article discusses India's competitive edge as a leading supplier of knowledge‐based services and proposes a model for sustaining this edge. The model proposes key policy steps to move from the current position (e.g. supplier of business process outsourcing services) to a role of knowledge leader by providing advanced value added services to global clients. This model suggests ways in which a supplier nation can gain leverage in the value chain.

Research limitations/implications

The article is conceptual, not empirical. Public and corporate policy implications are presented to strengthen India's competitive advantages in outsourced services.

Practical implications

The article presents a strategic roadmap with policy implications that can help move India up the value chain from being primarily a destination for low‐end business process outsourcing (BPO) to that of a co‐equal, high value‐adding partner or principal who offers knowledge leadership in the design and delivery of services for global markets.

Originality/value

The article discusses a nation's technical strengths, as well as cultural and infrastructure weaknesses, that can contribute to volatility as a global outsourcing leader. The article also presents strategies that can reduce a nation's vulnerabilities to competitive actions.
Building an entrepreneurial network: the experiences of immigrant entrepreneurs
Authors: Stephens Simon
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The importance of networks with respect to acquiring the resources needed for business creation is one of the main areas within entrepreneurship research. Although there is significant literature on the use of social capital and human capital by immigrant entrepreneurs, there is an absence of studies which report the impact of business networks. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a study examining the process of business network development by immigrant entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

For each of the 28 entrepreneurs, data were collected using a questionnaire and an interview. In completing the questionnaire, the entrepreneurs were asked to fill out a network audit, followed by a series of multiple‐choice questions. For the responses from the interviews, narrative structuring is used to create a coherent story of the entrepreneurs' experience of business networks.

Findings

This paper presents data characterizing the entrepreneurs, their experience in business networks, and enablers and disablers to the development of a business network.

Practical implications

The outcome is multiple perspectives on the purpose, process, benefits and challenges of developing a business network, and the impact of participation in a formal business network.

Originality/value

The findings which emerge offer insights into the development of business networks by immigrant entrepreneurs.
The role of professional communities in governing patient safety
Authors: Turner Simon , Ramsay Angus , Fulop Naomi
Published: August 2013

Purpose

Using the example of medication safety, this paper aims to explore the impact of three managerial interventions (adverse incident reporting, ward‐level support by pharmacists, and a medication safety subcommittee) on different professional communities situated in the English National Health Service (NHS).

Design/methodology/approach

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with clinical and managerial staff from two English NHS acute trusts, supplemented with meeting observations and documentary analysis.

Findings

Attitudes toward managerial intervention differ by professional community (between doctors, nurses and pharmacists) according to their existing norms of safety and perceptions of formal governance processes.

Practical implications

The heterogeneity of social norms across different professional communities and medical specialties has implications for the design of organisational learning mechanisms in the field of patient safety.

Originality/value

The paper shows that theorisation of professional “resistance” to managerialism privileges the study of doctors' reactions to management with the consequent neglect of the perceptions of other professional communities.
Union presence, employee relations and high performance work practices
Authors: Gill Carol , Meyer Denny
Published: August 2013

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between unions, employee relations and the adoption of high performance work practices (HPWP). Design/methodology/approach – This study uses survey data collected from the senior members of the human resource management (HRM) function in 189 large Australian organisations. Findings – It was found that unions, when coupled with good employee relations, facilitate the adoption of HPWP and consequently have a positive impact on organisational competitiveness, contradicting the simplistic notion that unions are “bad for business”. Research limitations/implications – This study used cross‐sectional survey data from HRM managers, who while being the best single source of information, may have distorted their responses. Further research is required to confirm these results using several data sources collected from a larger sample over more than one time period. Practical implications – This research has implications for Government and organisation approaches to union presence and management in organisations. Social implications – This research contributes to HRM and organisational competitiveness, which has implications for GDP. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the debate on whether the individual and direct voice provided by HPWP is a substitute for union collective voice, with the associated implication that unions are unnecessary and even destructive to organisation competitive advantage.
Communities of practice and organizational learning: case study of a global IT solutions company
Authors: Pandey Satyendra C. , Dutta Andrew
Published: August 2013

Purpose

In today's dynamic business environment knowledge is overturning the old rules of strategy and competition. In this context, communities of practice (CoPs) have recently found a distinct position as a learning and change tool. The aim of this paper is to understand the critical role that CoPs have been found to play in organizational learning and knowledge sharing.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is built mainly around the “how” question related to organizational CoPs within a social context. It makes use of a case study approach to map and describe the relationships between CoPs and organizational learning and knowledge sharing in a midsized global IT solutions company.

Findings

The results show that CoPs could be significant for learning and sharing and gaining organizational competitive advantage. To achieve this, they require a supportive culture and management team.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation is the use of a single case study.

Practical implications

It was found that businesses must guide and nurture CoPs thoroughly. If an organization ignores cultural support, CoPs will fail to promote organizational learning. Therefore, organizational culture plays a bridge role to connect CoPs and organizational learning.

Originality/value

The paper points to the need for starting and developing CoPs in a way that contributes to organizational learning. It adds empirical insight from an Indian point of view to the existing literature on CoPs and organizational learning.
Understanding sustainable development concept in Malaysia
Authors: Joseph Corina
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this research paper is to explore the understanding of sustainable development and sustainability reporting concepts among Malaysian local authorities' personnel.

Design/methodology/approach

The research involved interviews with 23 respondents from 16 selected councils in Malaysia. Interview results were analysed by using the interpretive textual analysis.

Findings

The meaning of the sustainable development concept is quite broad from the local authority's perspective in Malaysia. Local authorities' personnel view sustainable development as: societalist, ecologist and individualist. Only staff directly involved in the sustainable development activity implementation understood the meaning of the sustainable development concept. The respondents indicated the importance of educating people on the awareness of sustainable development in their understanding on this concept. Consistent with the western values, 13 councils (81 per cent) agreed with the definition by GRI.

Research limitations/implications

The research is restricted to Malaysian local authorities and is descriptive in nature. The findings are limited to case studies in several states, thus generalizing the results is not possible at this stage.

Practical implications

There is a deeper appreciation of where local authority personnel gain their understanding of sustainable development issues, and how they participate in the discourse around sustainable development.

Originality/value

Very little research has been undertaken into how local authority personnel gain their knowledge, either about sustainable development and sustainability reporting or about their views on the subject. The research attempts to fill this gap and the way for similar work to be undertaken overseas. Accordingly, this paper calls for further discussion on local authorities' role in achieving sustainable development and on the public sector interpretation of sustainable development in general.
Uncertainties and presumptions about corruption
Authors: Dion Michel
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The paper aims to reveal some uncertain correlations and presumptions about corruption.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper defines corruption as a social phenomenon. It presents two basic components of that phenomenon: unreasonable preferential treatment and abuse of power. The paper addresses the moral issue that is implied in any phenomenon of corruption. The author will use the Corruption Perception Index and the Bribe Payers Index of Transparency International as well as the International Country Risk Guide, in order to check to what extent some correlations or presumptions about corruption could be reliable, at least as hypotheses.

Findings

Uncertain correlations and presumptions about corruption actually create an effect of distorted interpretation. They could cause ideological biases that distort our perception of corruption in developing and developed countries.

Research limitations/implications

The paper does not take into account the multiple expressions of gift‐giving practices around the world and the way such practices could be confused with corruption.

Practical implications

Being aware of our “presumptions” about corruption will help us to choose relevant strategies to combat corrupt practices. This study has implications for business corporations, governments and IFIs. It reveals how the awareness of such uncertainties and presumptions about corruption is related to the CSR discourse.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper is to unveil some presumptions about corruption that have not been compared with the results obtained from the Corruption Perception Index, the Bribe Payers Index and the International Country Risk Guide.
An introspect into the Islamic roots of CSR in the Middle East: the case of Savola Group in Egypt
Authors: Darrag Menatallah , E‐Bassiouny Noha
Published: August 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to look into Islamic CSR, a literature domain that is rarely researched. The article has three goals. First, it provides an overview of the varying conceptualizations and paradigms underpinning CSR. Second, it presents an analogy relating commonalities and deviations between Islam and some of the basic international CSR paradigms. Third, it proposes a novel model of Islamic CSR based on the Islamic legislation (shar'iah) and applies it to an MNC with explicit application of Islamic CSR.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of an explicitly Islamic‐abiding corporation has been investigated to test for the applicability of the proposal model. Semi‐structured interviews have been employed with both the CSR and the HR Heads in Egypt. In addition, various corporate communications have been also utilized in this study.

Findings

The research reflects upon international paradigms of CSR versus the Islamic one, highlighting its origins and providing an analogy among both perspectives. Also, a new model is developed and further put into action by the case study employed. Further research is needed to assess further the generalizability of the proposed model, especially with companies operating in Muslim‐majority countries and, hence, with potential implicit application of Islamic CSR.

Research limitations/implications

Generalization of the model cannot be generated at this stage of the model development. Further large‐scale empirical research is needed for further development of the proposed model.

Practical implications

This research would prove useful for corporations operating in Muslim‐majority countries as well as for managers of companies interested in understanding the Islamic perspective on important contemporary world issues like CSR.

Originality/value

This article put forth a comprehensive Islamic CSR model based on the shari'ah while presenting the commonalities and differences between basic international CSR paradigms and the Islamic perspective on CSR.
Cu filling of TSV using various current forms for three‐dimensional packaging application
Authors: Roh Myong‐Hoon , Lee Jun‐Hyeong , Kim Wonjoong , Pil Jung Jea
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to overview the effect of electroplating current wave forms on Cu filling of through‐silicon‐vias (TSV) for three‐dimensional (3D) packaging.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes the form of a literature review.

Findings

Effective TSV technology for 3D packaging involves various processes such as via formation, filling with conductive material, wafer thinning, and chip stacking. Among these processes, high‐speed via filling without defect is very important for applying the TSV process to industry with a lower production cost. In this paper, the effects of various current forms on Cu electroplating of TSV such as direct current (DC), pulse current (PC), pulse reverse current (PRC), and periodic pulse reverse current (PPR) are described in detail including recent studies.

Originality/value

TSV is a core technology for high density 3D packaging. This paper overviews the recent studies of various current forms on Cu‐filling of TSV.
A study into the re‐processing of pure tin termination finishes into tin‐lead
Authors: Turner Ian C. , Dunn Barrie D. , Barnes Cathy
Published: August 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a process (chemical stripping) that can be used to remove pure tin plating from component leads and propose this activity as a mitigation strategy for tin whisker risk reduction associated with spacecraft hardware. The problems associated with the nucleation and growth of tin whiskers are stated. Present contractual requirements, having the purpose of avoiding the selection of pure tin plating, are highlighted to those not familiar with spacecraft standards.

Design/methodology/approach

The key issue here is that the process must remove pure tin from the entire length of terminations present on a wide range of component types. A resilient component can be dipped into liquid solder directly to the component's body in order to remove pure tin by alloying it with tin‐lead. However, delicate heat‐sensitive devices and those with glass‐to‐metal seals can suffer from the effect of thermal shock associated with immersion of their leads/terminations into molten solder. Solder dipping was performed on chemically stripped terminations but, in the specific case of the delicate components, the solder was prevented from wetting along the complete length of the exposed base metal or barrier layer metal. Any negative effect of the chemical stripping solution was assessed by inspection of each components' markings, their construction materials and, after tin‐dipping, a wide range of standard tests were performed on re‐processed devices in order to check that they had not degraded either physically or electrically.

Findings

The majority of components that were re‐processed by chemical stripping, and subsequently solder‐dipped, suffered no degradation from either of these processes. In order to avoid the removal of identification markings it was found that the bodies of certain components should not be completely immersed into the chemical stripping solution. Devices sensitive to heat or thermal shock could be stripped and their leads partially re‐tinned by immersion into liquid solder to a predetermined depth. A short length of exposed bare termination substrate adjacent to a seal is considered, for the purpose of this study, to be acceptable.

Originality/value

The European space industry has not previously utilized chemical stripping as a viable method for removing pure tin from components and other space hardware. The complete procedure for stripping and solder‐dipping will be of benefit to companies manufacturing products for industries that have exemption from the RoHS lead‐free directives.
Improving the application of long‐term ecology in conservation and land management
Authors: Davies Althea L. , Colombo Sergio , Hanley Nick
Published: August 2013

Significant effort is being made to develop more inclusive and systematic decision‐making frameworks in ecology, but these have yet to include palaeoecology. Doing so would address critical questions about long‐term ecological processes (spanning >50 years).

This paper outlines the main barriers to the integration of long‐term ecological data (LTE) into management. Using two UK upland case studies, it uses a choice experiment to assess the value placed on LTE by ecological researchers, policymakers and practitioners. Respondents were able to consider how selecting or excluding different sources of evidence might affect management decisions and their environmental outcomes.

The results suggest that LTE has the potential to become a valued part of the evidence base for guiding land‐management decisions.

Synthesis and applications. Placing more emphasis on site‐based approaches can help translate this potential into practice by demonstrating the practical benefits of using LTE. By working with managers to address site‐based issues, palaeoecology can provide additional insights into ecosystem dynamics and critical thresholds. Using LTE can also improve conservation effectiveness by ensuring that both rapid and lagged responses are anticipated and indicating the range of variability against which management responses can be evaluated.
On the materials of mats: thinking through design in a Melanesian society
Authors: Were Graeme
Published: August 2013

This article examines the selective use of plant materials in design inMelanesia. It explores – through an analysis of pandanus leaf mats inNewIreland,PapuaNewGuinea – how makers select fibres on the basis of their capacity to express social relations to varying temporalities before their natural decay.J.J.Gibson's theory of affordance andDonaldNorman's concept of mapping are critically applied for this purpose. This approach emphasizes how social and temporal relations are condensed into objects, and refocuses anthropological attention towards materials and their affordances in the production of material culture.
The Efficacy of Shareholder Voting: Evidence from Equity Compensation Plans
Authors: ARMSTRONG CHRISTOPHER S. , GOW IAN D. , LARCKER DAVID F.
Published: August 2013

This study examines the effects of shareholder support for equity compensation plans on subsequent CEO compensation. Using cross‐sectional regression, instrumental variable, and regression discontinuity research designs, we find little evidence that either lower shareholder voting support for, or outright rejection of, proposed equity compensation plans leads to decreases in the level or composition of future CEO incentive compensation. We also find that, in cases where the equity compensation plan is rejected by shareholders, firms are more likely to propose, and shareholders are more likely to approve, a plan the following year. Our results suggest that shareholder votes for equity pay plans have little substantive impact on firms’ incentive compensation policies. Thus, recent regulatory efforts aimed at strengthening shareholder voting rights, particularly in the context of executive compensation, may have limited effect on firms’ compensation policies.
Effect of the route of glutamine supplementation (enteral versus parenteral) on intestinal permeability on surgical intensive care unit patients: A pilot study
Authors: Uranjek Jasna , Vovk Irena , Kompan Lidija
Published: August 2013

Aim

Glutamine administration influences intestinal permeability (IP). Enteral and parenteral glutamine supplementations have different metabolic pathways. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the route of glutamine supplementation on IP. The infection rate, inflammatory parameters and treatment outcome were the secondary end‐points in this study.

Patients and Methods

A prospective, single‐blind study was performed in mechanically‐ventilated, early enterally‐fed, mixed‐surgery, intensive care unit (ICU) patients, randomly assigned to the parenteral group (group P) or enteral group (group E). The supplemented groups were treated with glutamine for 5 days. IP was measured using the lactulose/mannitol (L/M) test at the end of the study.

Results

A total of 81 patients completed the study; 39 from group P and 42 from group E. We found no difference in the L/M index (0.492 ± 0.68 group P, 0.521 ± 0.86 group E; P = 0.88) and the ICU‐acquired infection rate (38 per cent group P, 28 per cent group E; P = 0.34). A positive correlation between the start of enteral feeding and the L/M index was confirmed (correlation coefficient: 0.36, P = 0.003), but not with the dose (correlation coefficient: −0.019, P = 0.9) of glutamine supplementation. The outcome data also showed no statistical significant difference.

Conclusions

The results of this pilot study showed no difference in the IP, infection rate and 6 months' survival between the parenteral or enteral glutamine‐supplemented patients.