bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the mechanistic basis of deformation at the microscale in hexagonal close-packed metals
Authors: Britton T. B. , Dunne F. P. E. , Wilkinson A. J.
Published: May 2015

This is an overview of micromechanical deformation mechanisms in hexagonal close-packed metals. We start with an in-depth discussion of single-crystal behaviour concerning crystallographic slip, plastic anisotropy and deformation twinning. We move on to discuss some complexities involved in polycrystalline deformation and modelling approaches, focusing on rate effects in titanium alloys that are thought to play a significant role in dwell fatigue. We finish our review with a brief commentary on current understanding and state-of-the-art techniques, and outline some key areas where further study is recommended.
Experiments on generation of surface waves by an underwater moving bottom
Authors: Jamin Timothée , Gordillo Leonardo , Ruiz-Chavarría Gerardo , Berhanu Michael , Falcon Eric
Published: May 2015

We report laboratory experiments on surface waves generated in a uniform fluid layer whose bottom undergoes an upward motion. Simultaneous measurements of the free-surface deformation and the fluid velocity field are focused on the role of the bottom kinematics (i.e. its spatio-temporal features) in wave generation. We observe that the fluid layer transfers bottom motion to the free surface as a temporal high-pass filter coupled with a spatial low-pass filter. Both filter effects are often neglected in tsunami warning systems, particularly in real-time forecast. Our results display good agreement with a prevailing linear theory without any parameter fitting. Based on our experimental findings, we provide a simple theoretical approach for modelling the rapid kinematics limit that is applicable even for initially non-flat bottoms: this may be a key step for more realistic varying bathymetry in tsunami scenarios.
Phase dynamics of periodic waves leading to the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation in 3+1 dimensions
Authors: Ratliff Daniel J. , Bridges Thomas J.
Published: May 2015

The Kadomstev–Petviashvili (KP) equation is a well-known modulation equation normally derived by starting with the trivial state and an appropriate dispersion relation. In this paper, it is shown that the KP equation is also the relevant modulation equation for bifurcation from
periodic travelling waves
when the wave action flux has a critical point. Moreover, the emergent KP equation arises in a universal form, with the coefficients determined by the components of the conservation of wave action. The theory is derived for a general class of partial differential equations generated by a Lagrangian using phase modulation. The theory extends to any space dimension and time, but the emphasis in the paper is on the case of 3+1. Motivated by light bullets and quantum vortex dynamics, the theory is illustrated by showing how defocusing NLS in 3+1 bifurcates to KP in 3+1 at criticality. The generalization to
N
>3 is also discussed.
Niche and metabolic principles explain patterns of diversity and distribution: theory and a case study with soil bacterial communities
Authors: Okie Jordan G. , Van Horn David J. , Storch David , Barrett John E. , Gooseff Michael N. , Kopsova Lenka , Takacs-Vesbach Cristina D.
Published: May 2015

The causes of biodiversity patterns are controversial and elusive due to complex environmental variation, covarying changes in communities, and lack of baseline and null theories to differentiate straightforward causes from more complex mechanisms. To address these limitations, we developed general diversity theory integrating metabolic principles with niche-based community assembly. We evaluated this theory by investigating patterns in the diversity and distribution of soil bacteria taxa across four orders of magnitude variation in spatial scale on an Antarctic mountainside in low complexity, highly oligotrophic soils. Our theory predicts that lower temperatures should reduce taxon niche widths along environmental gradients due to decreasing growth rates, and the changing niche widths should lead to contrasting α- and β-diversity patterns. In accord with the predictions, α-diversity, niche widths and occupancies decreased while β-diversity increased with increasing elevation and decreasing temperature. The theory also successfully predicts a hump-shaped relationship between α-diversity and pH and a negative relationship between α-diversity and salinity. Thus, a few simple principles explained systematic microbial diversity variation along multiple gradients. Such general theory can be used to disentangle baseline effects from more complex effects of temperature and other variables on biodiversity patterns in a variety of ecosystems and organisms.
Diaphorobacter polyhydroxybutyrativorans sp. nov., a novel poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)-degrading bacterium isolated from biofilms
Authors: Qiu Tianlei , Zuo Zhengyan , Gao Junlian , Gao Min , Han Meilin , Sun Lijiao , Zhang Lanhe , Wang Xuming
Published: May 2015

A novel Gram-stain-negative, facultatively aerobic and rod-shaped strain, designated SL-205T, was isolated from the biofilms of a denitrifying reactor using poly(3-hydoxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) as the sole carbon source in Beijing, PR China. A polyphasic taxonomic characterization was performed on the novel isolate. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain SL-205Tis a member of the genusDiaphorobacter.High levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity were found between strain SL-205TandDiaphorobacter nitroreducensNA10BT(99.4 %) andDiaphorobacter oryzaeRF3T(98.5 %), respectively. However, the DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain SL-205TandD. nitroreducensNA10BTandD. oryzaeRF3Twere 57 ± 1 % and 45 ± 1.5 %, respectively. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain SL-205Twas 66.8 mol%. The major fatty acids consisted of summed feature 3 (including C16 : 1ω7cand/or iso-C15 : 02-OH), C16 : 0and C18 : 1ω7c. Ubiquinone Q-8 was the only respiratory quinone; the polar lipid profile comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and one uncharacterized phospholipid. We conclude that strain SL-205Trepresents a novel species of the genusDiaphorobacterfor which the nameDiaphorobacter polyhydroxybutyrativoransis proposed; the type strain is SL-205T( = ACCC 19739T = DSM 29460T).
Mariniphaga sediminis sp. nov., isolated from coastal sediment
Authors: Wang Feng-Qing , Shen Qi-Yao , Chen Guan-Jun , Du Zong-Jun
Published: May 2015

A Gram-stain-negative and facultatively anaerobic bacterium, SY21T, was isolated from marine sediments of the coastal area in Weihai, China (122° 0′ 37″ E 37° 31′ 33″ N). Cells of strain SY21T were 0.3–0.5 μm wide and 1.5–2.5 μm long, catalase- and oxidase-positive. Colonies on 2216E agar were transparent, beige- to pale-brown-pigmented, and approximately 0.5 mm in diameter. Growth occurred optimally at 33–37 °C, pH 7.0–7.5 and in the presence of 2–3 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene indicated that strain SY21T was a member of the genus Mariniphaga within the family Prolixibacteraceae. The closest described neighbour in terms of 16S rRNA gene sequences identity was Mariniphaga anaerophila Fu11-5T (94.7 %). The major respiratory quinone of strain SY21T was MK-7, and the dominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and anteiso-C15 : 0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, aminolipid and an unidentified lipid, and the DNA G+C content was 37.9 mol%. The distinct phylogenetic position and phenotypic traits distinguished the novel isolate from M. anaerophila Fu11-5T. Phenotypic and genotypic analysis indicated that strain SY21T could be assigned to the genus Mariniphaga. The name Mariniphaga sediminis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain SY21T ( = KCTC 42260T = MCCC 1H00107T).
Sphingobium barthaii sp. nov., a high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium isolated from cattle pasture soil
Authors: Maeda Allyn H. , Kunihiro Marie , Ozeki Yasuhiro , Nogi Yuichi , Kanaly Robert A.
Published: May 2015

A Gram-stain-negative, yellow, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain KK22T, was isolated from a microbial consortium that grew on diesel fuel originally recovered from cattle pasture soil. Strain KK22Thas been studied for its ability to biotransform high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogeny, strain KK22Twas affiliated with the genusSphingobiumin the phylumProteobacteriaand was most closely related toSphingobium fuliginisTKPT(99.8  %) and less closely related toSphingobium quisquiliarumP25T(97.5  %). Results of DNA–DNA hybridization (DDH) revealed relatedness values between strain KK22Tand strain TKPTand between strain KK22Tand strain P25Tof 21 ± 4  % (reciprocal hybridization, 27 ± 2  %) and 15 ± 2  % (reciprocal hybridization, 17 ± 1  %), respectively. Chemotaxonomic analyses of strain KK22Tshowed that the major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10, that the polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidyl-N-methylethylethanolamine and sphingoglycolipid, and that C18 : 1ω7cand C14 : 02-OH were the main fatty acid and hydroxylated fatty acids, respectively. This strain was unable to reduce nitrate and the genomic DNA G+C content was 64.7 mol%. Based upon the results of the DDH analyses, the fact that strain KK22Twas motile, and its biochemical and physiological characteristics, strain KK22Tcould be separated from recognized species of the genusSphingobium. We conclude that strain KK22Trepresents a novel species of this genus for which the nameSphingobium barthaiisp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is KK22T( = DSM 29313T = JCM 30309T).
A new idea on the evolution of biodiversity
Authors: Cazzolla Gatti Roberto
Published: May 2015

The understanding of the mechanisms that allow the origin of species has shed light on many processes such as speciation, adaptation and extinction, but how to explain the existence of such a huge diversity of species on Earth still remains a mystery. Many theories and evidence have corroborated the processes that allow species to evolve or become extinct. Currently there are different hypotheses but no clear demonstrations of the factors that maintain the species diversity of ecosystems. Those based on competitive principles have been criticized from both theoretical and empirical approaches. Only by studying biodiversity in the context of evolution, natural history and ecology (taking into consideration theavoidance of competitionand dispersal abilities, the phenotypic plasticity, the heterogeneous landscape, the facilitation and theendogenosymbiosis) we can understand values and gaps of past theories trying to provide a broader understanding of life on Earth towards a Unified Theory of Biodiversity.
A Unified Architecture of Transcriptional Regulatory Elements
Authors: Andersson Robin , Sandelin Albin , Danko Charles G.
Published: May 2015

Gene expression is precisely controlled in time and space through the integration of signals that act at gene promoters and gene-distal enhancers. Classically, promoters and enhancers are considered separate classes of regulatory elements, often distinguished by histone modifications. However, recent studies have revealed broad similarities between enhancers and promoters, blurring the distinction: active enhancers often initiate transcription, and some gene promoters have the potential of enhancing transcriptional output of other promoters. Here, we propose a model in which promoters and enhancers are considered a single class of functional element, with a unified architecture for transcription initiation. The context of interacting regulatory elements, and surrounding sequences, determine local transcriptional output as well as the enhancer and promoter activities of individual elements.
Practical macromolecular cryocrystallography
Authors: Pflugrath J. W.
Published: May 2015

Cryocrystallography is an indispensable technique that is routinely used for single-crystal X-ray diffraction data collection at temperatures near 100 K, where radiation damage is mitigated. Modern procedures and tools to cryoprotect and rapidly cool macromolecular crystals with a significant solvent fraction to below the glass-transition phase of water are reviewed. Reagents and methods to help prevent the stresses that damage crystals when flash-cooling are described. A method of using isopentane to assess whether cryogenic temperatures have been preserved when dismounting screened crystals is also presented.
Structure–activity correlations for three pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine antifolates binding to human andPneumocystis cariniidihydrofolate reductase
Authors: Cody Vivian , Pace Jim , Namjoshi Ojas A. , Gangjee Aleem
Published: May 2015

To further define the interactions that enhance the selectivity of binding and to directly compare the binding of the most potent analogue {N6-methyl-N6-(3,4,5-trifluorophenyl)pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4,6-triamine; compound26} in the series of bicyclic pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine analogues of piritrexim (PTX) with native human (h),Pneumocystis carinii(pc) andPneumocystis jirovecii(pj) dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) enzymes, the crystal structures of hDHFR complexed withN6-methyl-N6-(4-isopropylphenyl)pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4,6-triamine (compound22), of hDHFR complexed with compound26and of pcDHFR complexed withN6-methyl-N6-1-naphthylpyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4,6-triamine (compound24) are reported as ternary complexes with NADPH. This series of bicyclic pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines were designed in which there was a transposition of the 5-methyl group of PTX to the N9 position of the pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine. It was hypothesized that the N9-methyl group would preferentially interact with Ile123 of pcDHFR (and Ile123 of pjDHFR), but not with the shorter Val115 in hDHFR. Structure–activity data for this series of antifolates revealed that a trifluoro derivative (26) was the most selective against pjDHFR compared with mammalian DHFR (h/pj = 35.7). Structural data for the hDHFR–26complex revealed that26binds in a different conformation from that observed in the pcDHFR–26complex. In the hDHFR–26complex the trifluorophenyl ring of26occupies a position near the cofactor-binding site, with close intermolecular contacts with Asp21, Ser59 and Ile60, whereas this ring in the pcDHFR–26complex is positioned away from the cofactor site and near Ile65, with weaker contacts with Ile65, Phe69 and Ile123. Comparison of the intermolecular contacts between the N9-methyl group with Val115/Ile123 validates the hypothesis that the N9-methyl substituent preferentially interacts with Ile123 compared with Val115 of hDHFR, as the weaker contact with Val115 in the hDHFR structure is consistent with its weaker binding affinity compared with pcDHFR. The results for the structures of hDHFR–22and pcDHFR–24show that their inhibitor-binding orientation is similar to that observed in pcDHFR–26and the pcDHFR variant (F69N) reported previously. The naphthyl moiety of24makes several intermolecular contacts with the active-site residues in pcDHFR that help to stabilize the binding, resulting in a more potent inhibitor.
Crystal structure of bis{S-hexyl 3-[4-(dimethylamino)benzylidene]dithiocarbazato-κ2N3,S}copper(II)
Authors: Zangrando E. , Begum M. S. , Miyatake R. , Sheikh M. C. , Hossain Md. M.
Published: May 2015

In the title complex, [Cu(C16H24N3S2)2], the CuIIatom is coordinated by two azomethine N and two thiolate S atoms of the chelating Schiff base ligands, resulting in a distorted square-planar coordination environment. The S—Cu—N chelating angle is of 84.41 (5)°. The CuIIatom is located on a crystallographic inversion centre, leading to atransconfiguration of theN,S-chelating ligands.
Crystal structure of aqua[(E)-N′-(5-bromo-2-oxidobenzylidene-κO)benzohydrazidato-κ2O,N′]dioxidomolybdenum(VI) dimethylformamide monosolvate
Authors: Sudheer Radhika , Sithambaresan M. , Sajitha N. R. , Manoj E. , Kurup M. R. Prathapachandra
Published: May 2015

The title compound, [Mo(C14H9BrN2O2)O2(H2O)]·C3H7NO, has a distorted octahedral geometry around the Mo atom, with the two terminal oxide groups lyingcisto each other. The two aromatic rings present in the molecule are almost coplanar, forming a dihedral angle of 1.4 (2)°. The five-membered ring involving the metal atom is puckered, with an amplitudeQ= 0.358 (2) Å and ϕ = 204.1 (6)°. In the crystal, pairs of inversion-related molecules are linked by O—H...N hydrogen bonds. An O—H...O hydrogen bond connects the water ligand to the dimethylformamide solvent molecule. The crystal packing also features π–π [centroid–centroid distance of 3.688 (2) Å] and C—H...O interactions.
Crystal structure of poly[(2,2′-bipyridine-κ2N,N′)tetrakis(μ-cyanido-κ2N:C)dinickel(II)]
Authors: Zuo Minghui , Wang Haiyu , Xu Jie , Zhu Lingling , Cui Shuxin
Published: May 2015

The polymeric title complex, [Ni2(CN)4(C10H8N2)]n, was obtained serendipitously under hydrothermal conditions. The asymmetric unit consists of one half of an [Ni(CN)4]2−anion with the Ni2+cation situated on an inversion centre, and one half of an [Ni(2,2′-bpy)]2+cation (2,2′-bpy is 2,2′-bipyridine), with the second Ni2+cation situated on a twofold rotation axis. The two Ni2+cations exhibit different coordination spheres. Whereas the coordination of the metal in the anion is that of a slightly distorted square defined by four C-bound cyanide ligands, the coordination in the cation is that of a distorted octahedron defined by four N-bound cyanide ligands and two N atoms from the chelating 2,2′-bpy ligand. The two different Ni2+cations are alternately bridged by the cyanide ligands, resulting in a two-dimensional structure extending parallel to (010). Within the sheets, π–π interactions between pyridine rings of neighbouring 2,2′-bpy ligands, with a centroid-to-centroid distance of 3.687 (3) Å, are present. The crystal packing is dominated by van der Waals forces. A weak C—H...N interaction between adjacent sheets is also observed.
Crystal structure of 1-((1E)-{(E)-2-[(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylidene]hydrazin-1-ylidene}methyl)naphthalen-2-ol
Authors: Vijayan Paranthaman , Viswanathamurthi Periasamy , Fleck Michel , Paramasivam Sugumar , Nanjappagounder Ponnuswamy Mondikalipudur
Published: May 2015

The complete molecule of the title compound, C22H16N2O2, is generated by a crystallographic inversion centre at the mid-point of the central N—N bond. Two intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bonds occur.
Crystal structure of di-μ-iodido-bis{[1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene]lithium}
Authors: Wan Hui-Da , Hong Jian-Quan
Published: May 2015

In the title binuclear complex, [Li2(C27H36N2)2I2], the unique LiIcation is coordinated by two iodide anions and one ylidene C atom from a 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene ligand in a distorted trigonal–planar geometry. The two symmetry-related iodide anions bridge two LiIcations, forming an inversion dimer in which the Li2I2plane is nearly perpendicular to the imidazol-2-ylidene ring, with a dihedral angle of 85.5 (3)°. No hydrogen bonding is observed in the crystal.
Crystal structure of bis(1,1,2,2-tetramethyldiphosphane-1,2-dithione-κ2S,S′)copper(I) tetrafluoridoborate
Authors: Corfield Peter W. R. , Seeler Uwe
Published: May 2015

In the title compound, [Cu(C4H12P2S2)2]BF4, both diphosphine disulfide molecules bind to the CuIatom, as chelating ligandsviathe S atoms, forming a monovalent cation with a slightly distorted tetrahedral coordination around the CuIatom. The average Cu—S distance is 2.350 (15) Å, with small but possibly significant differences within each chelate ring. Ligand P=S distances average 1.964 (3) Å, and the P—P distances are 2.2262 (13) and 2.2166 (14) Å. The ligand chelate rings are twisted in opposite directions, with one in the λ and one in the δ configuration. Although the anisotropic displacement parameters of the F atoms of the anion are quite large compared to that of the B atom, difference Fourier syntheses indicate only one set of sites for the F atoms. In the crystal, possible C—H...F hydrogen bonds may stabilize the orientation. The B—F distances, uncorrected for libration, average 1.359 (6) Å.
Crystal structure of 1-ethyl-5-iodoindolin-2-one
Authors: Zhang Man , Shen Yu-Xiang , Fang Qi , Wang Lei , Li Da-Zhi
Published: May 2015

In the title indolinone derivative, C10H10INO, all the non-H atoms, except the terminal methyl C atom, are almost coplanar. The molecules are arranged into columns extending along thea-axis direction and interact with the molecules in adjacent columnsviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds [H...O distance = 2.57 (3) Å] and I...I short contacts of 3.8986 (3) Å. A one-dimensional zigzag iodine chain along theaaxis is apparent between two neighbouring columns.
Development of corporate governance codes in the GCC: an overview
Authors: Shehata Nermeen F.
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to discuss and compare the corporate governance codes in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Design/methodology/approach

– The development of corporate governance codes in the GCC is considered using an analytical approach.

Findings

– Efforts and initiatives are underway in the GCC towards improving the corporate governance environment and coping with international developments. Although most GCC codes are comprehensive compared to those of other Middle East North Africa (MENA) countries, and are similar to international codes, as with almost all countries in the region, there is room for development. Updated codes that address the unique nature of these countries could enhance corporate governance.

Research limitations/implications

– This comparison between GCC corporate governance codes provides opportunities to empirically compare the corporate governance status in these countries through indices or checklists based on the current comparison.

Practical implications

– The research facilitates future evaluations of corporate governance in Gulf countries. In other words, different stakeholders, including investors and analysts, can utilise this paper during decision-making. Moreover, comparing GCC codes to others in the MENA region would help to assess the GCC’s position in the region regarding these codes, and also alert firms to corporate governance reforms occurring in the region.

Originality/value

– The paper analyses the corporate governance codes issued in the GCC, which represents a group of countries with similar characteristics that are thus studied separately from other MENA countries, and compares the corporate governance codes issued for non-financial listed companies.
Investigation and analysis of research data services in university libraries
Authors: Si Li , Xing Wenming , Zhuang Xiaozhe , Hua Xiaoqin , Zhou Limei
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to find the current situation of research data services by academic libraries and summarize some strategies for university libraries to reference. Recent years have seen an increasing number of university libraries extended their traditional roles and provided research data services.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper selected 87 libraries of the top 100 universities listed in the World’s Best Universities released by the USA News in October 2012 as samples and conducted a Web site investigation to check if there were any research data services provided. In addition, it made an interview with the Wuhan University Library’s Research Data Service Workgroup to understand the procedure, difficulties and experiences of their research data service. Based on the survey and interview, it analyzed the current status and difficulties of research data services in university libraries and proposed some strategies for others to reference.

Findings

– Of the 87 university libraries investigated, 50 libraries have offered research data services. Most of the services can be divided into six aspects: research data introduction, data management guideline, data curation and storage service, data management training, data management reference and resource recommendation. Among these services, research data introduction is the most frequently provided (47.13 per cent), followed by data curation and storage services (43.68 per cent), data management guideline (42.53 per cent), data management reference (41.38 per cent), resource recommendation (41.38 per cent) and data management training (24.14 per cent). The difficulties met by research data service of Chinese academic libraries are also concluded.

Originality/value

– Through Web site investigation and interview with the Wuhan University Library’s Research Data Service, this paper presented an overall picture of research data services in university libraries and identified the difficulties and experiences of research data services of the Wuhan University Library. Based on some successful examples, it put forward some strategies for university libraries to reference. This study is very useful for academic libraries to promote their research data services.
Mining library and university data to understand library use patterns
Authors: Renaud John , Britton Scott , Wang Dingding , Ogihara Mitsunori
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– Library data are often hard to analyze because these data come from unconnected sources, and the data sets can be very large. Furthermore, the desire to protect user privacy has prevented the retention of data that could be used to correlate library data to non-library data. The research team used data mining to determine library use patterns and to determine whether library use correlated to students’ grade point average.

Design/methodology/approach

– A research team collected and analyzed data from the libraries, registrar and human resources. All data sets were uploaded into a single, secure data warehouse, allowing them to be analyzed and correlated.

Findings

– The analysis revealed patterns of library use by academic department, patterns of book use over 20 years and correlations between library use and grade point average.

Research limitations/implications

– Analysis of more narrowly defined user populations and collections will help develop targeted outreach efforts and manage the print collections. The data used are from one university; therefore, similar research is needed at other institutions to determine whether these findings are generalizable.

Practical implications

– The unexpected use of the central library by those affiliated with law resulted in cross-education of law and central library staff. Management of the print collections and user outreach efforts will reflect more nuanced selection of subject areas and departments.

Originality/value

– A model is suggested for campus partnerships that enables data mining of sensitive library and campus information.
ICT skills acquisition and competencies of librarians
Authors: Ayoku Ojedokun A , Okafor Victoria Nwamaka
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is an audit of information technology (IT) skills set of librarians in some Nigerian university libraries with the aim of examining their relevance and adequacy to the digital environment. Nigerian universities as knowledge creators and their libraries as gatekeepers of knowledge are rapidly witnessing the introduction of various IT. One of the challenges facing IT/digital library projects in Nigeria has been the readiness of the university libraries in terms of knowledge and skills to implement the digital and electronic library services.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper used the survey approach. The sampling technique for the selection of the universities was stratified and for the librarians (respondents), census. The sampling frame was the approved list of universities released by the National Universities Commission as of the time of this study. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.

Findings

– The findings of this paper revealed that many of the respondents do have knowledge and skills of email use and word processing tasks but lack knowledge of search engines and directories other than Google and Yahoo, respectively. Many of them do not know how to evaluate and catalogue e-resources; have no knowledge of subject gateways, specialised databases and some open-access library databases; have no knowledge of database management; are not skilled in Web design; and are equally not familiar with Web design applications.

Originality/value

– The study recommends management support for IT skills training and/or continuous professional development to improve the librarians. Librarians are also challenged and encouraged to explore the range of training resources available over the Internet for self-development.
Perceived justice as predictors of a successful pay equity plan: a Canadian case study
Authors: Cloutier Julie , Lamarche Benoit
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to identify the predictors of successful implementations of pay equity plans. Drawing on the perspective of organizational justice, this study highlights the factors that lead to the establishment of perceived fair pay for female-dominated jobs.

Design/methodology/approach

– Qualitative data were collected from 107 respondents in a Canadian company that implemented a pay equity plan as required by the Quebec Pay Equity Act.

Findings

– Justice perceptions of employees are based on: uniformity of implementation, bias suppression with respect to the right to fair pay, reliability of information on job content, relevance of job evaluation criteria, qualifications and impartiality of the pay equity committee members and the quality of employees’ representation and process transparency.

Research limitations/implications

– This study was conducted at a single workplace and among relatively highly educated respondents. Replicating the study may allow to verify the transferability of the results by considering workers’ demographic characteristics and organizational culture.

Practical implications

– The study highlights the cornerstones that may guide the development of an assessment tool of the effectiveness of pay equity processes. These results will additionally help employers to circumvent difficulties which may otherwise thwart the implementation of pay equity plans.

Originality/value

– This study highlights how employees construct their perceptions of justice in a specific context. It sheds light on the salient features of the pay equity implementation, the sources of information involved and the justice rules used. This study also highlights the specific forms of the justice rules in this context.
A relationship marketing perspective to trade fairs: insights from participants
Authors: Sarmento Maria , Farhangmehr Minoo , Simões Cláudia
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual foundation for understanding business-to-business (B2B) interactions at trade fairs.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper reports a qualitative study that was undertaken to gain in-depth insights into the relevance of the trade fair context for business relationships. Key informants were trade fair organizers, trade fair exhibitors, trade fair visitors and experts in the field.

Findings

– Based on a qualitative approach, we propose a conceptual model that allows understanding the importance of relational interactions at B2B trade fairs. The model shows that interactions and networking served through information exchange, and social interaction among participants at B2B trade fairs are vital for relationship building and development. The model also highlights the fact that trade fairs are relevant to develop a relationship marketing strategy that involves interactions and networking with a multitude of players that goes beyond the interactions between exhibitors and visitors. The model also depicts the importance of trade fairs for product innovation and for generating innovative solutions to problems. Overall, findings suggest that a customized approach will become dominant in trade fairs.

Originality/value

– This paper’s contribution is twofold: first, to the relationship marketing literature for developing an understanding of the influence of a specific context in promoting particular interaction dynamics capable of affecting relationship development; second, to the literature on trade fairs by focusing on such context from a relationship marketing perspective.
The effects of the salesperson’s characteristics on buyer-seller relationships
Authors: Choi Yonghoon , Huang Ying , Sternquist Brenda
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the influence of the salesperson’s characteristics (organizational commitment [OC] and disposition to innovate) on buyer’s behaviors in buyer – supplier relationships. A model is proposed depicting the effects of the salesperson’s OC and disposition to innovate on buyer’s long-term orientation and opportunism through partner-specific value to the buyer.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from 155 sales professionals of Japanese manufacturers. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

Findings

– As predicted, the salesperson’s OC and disposition to innovate enhance buyer’s long-term orientation through providing partner-specific value to the buyer, and in turn, buyer’s long-term orientation mitigates opportunism.

Practical implications

– The salesperson plays an important role for developing and maintaining Buyer-seller relationships. Based on authors’ results, firms should promote salespeople’s OC because a highly committed salesperson is likely to be more innovative when managing the relationship with the buyer and, in turn, increase the relationship-specific value to the buyer.

Originality/value

– This study makes two contributions to Buyer-seller relationship literature. First, previous studies on the salesperson focus on the social aspects in the relationship. This study, however, examines the salesperson characteristics in the exchange, and the results reveal the importance of including the salesperson characteristics in studying Buyer-seller relationships. Second, this study proposes the salesperson’s partner-specific value as a key boundary-spanning aspect mediating the salesperson characteristics and buyer’s behaviors in Buyer-seller relationships. The results confirm the argument, thus providing impetus for further studying different types and dimensions of transaction-specific assets in Buyer-seller relationships.
Synergistic effect of technology and customer relationship orientations: consequences for market performance
Authors: Salojärvi Hanna , Ritala Paavo , Sainio Liisa-Maija , Saarenketo Sami
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to examine the effect of firm-specific customer relationship orientation, technology orientation and the marketing–R & D cooperation on market performance. Although the importance of customer focus in R & D has been widely recognized in the literature, less attention has been paid to customer relationship orientation and the simultaneous effect of the three constructs on market performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The hypotheses are tested on a multi-industry survey study of 209 R & D-intensive firms in Finland using hierarchical regression analyses, including both direct and interactional effects.

Findings

– The findings show that customer relationship orientation has a direct positive effect on market performance and that technology orientation also has a positive, yet non-significant effect. In addition, the effect of both of these strategic orientations is accentuated when collaboration between marketing and R & D departments is high, providing evidence on the significant moderating effects of these types of processes.

Research limitations/implications

– The implications of the research can be interpreted as being generalizable at least to some extent due to the multi-industry nature of the sample. However, the research is bound to a certain type of firm (R & D-intensive) and to a certain national context (Finland), which poses limitations to the study.

Practical implications

– The results suggest specific benefits for integrating specialist, complementary knowledge into a firm in terms of R & D and marketing knowledge. Practicing managers across departments should thus consider not only focusing on their specialist areas in markets (e.g. customers or technology) but also utilizing complementary insights within the firm to reap benefits in their fields.

Originality/value

– The study focuses on the less-researched concept of customer relationship orientation in parallel with the more established technology orientation. It also provides novel evidence on how the effectiveness of these orientations benefits from firm-internal knowledge transfer between the marketing and R & D departments.
The impact of salesperson customer orientation on sales performance via mediating mechanism
Authors: Singh Rakesh , Venugopal Pingali
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to address the need to study salesperson’s customer orientation and its effectiveness to explain the efficacy of predispositions and skills at individual level. This study is set in the Indian context and, therefore, offers a detailed insight from an Indian sales force perspective. Also, this study introduces self-leadership into sales literature.

Design/methodology/approach

– A model was tested using survey data collected from salespeople within a print media company located in India. A structural equation model was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– The results suggest an interesting interplay between salesperson’s customer orientation and his/her sales performance. The relationship between customer orientation is fully mediated by salesperson’s emotion regulation ability and his/her salesmanship skills. Results support the role of natural rewards strategies as driver of individual level customer orientation which will be of great interest in future research in this area.

Research limitations/implications

– The research suggests that a salesperson’s customer orientation relates positively with sales performance through two process variables – emotion regulation and salesmanship skills. Within an Indian sales force, individual salesperson’s customer orientation is significantly influenced by his/her natural rewards strategies which have important implication for sales force recruitment. Moreover, sales training and other interventions targeted toward building salesmanship skills and emotion regulation abilities may actually enhance effectiveness of customer-oriented sales force. Theoretical and managerial applications are also discussed.

Originality/value

– This study extends the literature through its examination of an Indian sales force, the incorporation of self-leadership construct (natural rewards strategies) and its argument for an alternative approach toward salesperson’s customer orientation effectiveness.
Comply or defy? An empirical investigation of change requests in buyer-supplier relationships
Authors: Crosno Jody L. , Dahlstrom Robert , Manolis Chris
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine change requests in buyer-supplier relationships. Change requests arise when a channel partner wants an addition or alteration to the agreed-upon deliverable. Although these requests are intended to enhance consumer satisfaction and supply chain performance, they complicate development and production processes and may delay time to market. Responses to change requests may embody compliance or malice, yet research to date has not examined these requests in interfirm relationships. To this end, the authors examine supplier reactions (compliance and opportunism) to change requests made by the buying firm.

Design/methodology/approach

– Survey data gathered from 118 third-party developers (i.e. suppliers) reporting on their relationship with the software buyer provide an initial test for the authors’ proposed model.

Findings

– The results of a path analysis indicate that change requests are related positively to supplier compliance with those requests and supplier opportunism. Outcome-based control decreases supplier compliance when there are extensive change requests. Behavioral control, in contrast, increases supplier compliance particularly when the buyer provides support for the requested changes.

Research limitations/implications

– Future research should examine relational governance and ex ante control mechanisms as alternatives to outcome-based and behavioral control.

Practical implications

– The authors’ results suggest that buyers requesting extensive changes should use behavioral control mechanisms and provide support to the supplier implementing the changes.

Originality/value

– The authors provide a preliminary examination of suppliers’ reactions to change requests made by buying firms. The authors argue that these requests may limit the autonomy of the supplying firms, creating reactance effects. The authors investigate outcome-based control, behavioral control and buyer support as factors that influence supplier reactions to change requests.
Efficacy of perioperative dexmedetomidine in postoperative neurocognitive function: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Man Yuanyuan , Guo Zhenggang , Cao Jiangbei , Mi Weidong
Published: May 2015

Neuroprotective effects of dexmedetomidine are reported in preclinical and clinical studies but evidence regarding the postoperative neurocognitive function is not as clear. This study performed a meta‐analysis on outcomes of studies which examined neurocognitive performance by using valid assessment tools before and after perioperative dexmedetomidine treatment. Literature was searched in several electronic databases and studies were selected by following précised inclusion criteria. Meta‐analyses of mean differences in percent changes from baseline in neurocognitive assessment scores were carried out and subgroup analyses were performed. Eighteen studies were included. Initial dose of dexmedetomidine (mean ± SD) was 1.28 ± 0.97 μg/kg and maintenance dose was 0.41 ± 0.11 μg/kg per hour. In healthy volunteers, there was no significant difference in the neurocognitive performance between dexmedetomidine and controls/comparators (mean difference (95% confidence interval (CI)): −12.72 (−50.25, 24.80) %; P = 0.51). Perioperative dexmedetomidine treatment was associated with significantly better neurocognitive performance in comparison with saline (mean difference (95% CI): 9.10 (3.03, 15.16) %; P = 0.003) as well as with comparator anaesthetics (mean difference: 5.50 (0.15, 10.86) %; P = 0.04) treated patients. In the submeta‐analyses of studies which utilized neurocognitive assessment tools other than Mini‐Mental State Examination (mean difference: 6.66 (–3.42, 16.74); P = 0.20) or studies with patients under 60 years of age (mean difference: 7.48 (−3.00, 17.96); P = 0.16), the differences were not significant between dexmedetomidine‐ and saline‐/comparator‐treated patients. Perioperative dexmedetomidine treatment is associated with significantly better neurocognitive function postoperatively in comparison with both saline controls and comparator anaesthetics (predominantly midazolam).
Identification and analysis of the bacterial endosymbiont specialized for production of the chemotherapeutic natural product ET‐743
Authors: Schofield Michael M. , Jain Sunit , Porat Daphne , Dick Gregory J. , Sherman David H.
Published: May 2015

Ecteinascidin 743 (ET‐743, Yondelis) is a clinically approved chemotherapeutic natural product isolated from the Caribbean mangrove tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinata. Researchers have long suspected that a microorganism may be the true producer of the anticancer drug, but its genome has remained elusive due to our inability to culture the bacterium in the laboratory using standard techniques. Here, we sequenced and assembled the complete genome of the ET‐743 producer, Candidatus Endoecteinascidia frumentensis, directly from metagenomic DNA isolated from the tunicate. Analysis of the ∼631 kb microbial genome revealed strong evidence of an endosymbiotic lifestyle and extreme genome reduction. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the producer of the anti‐cancer drug is taxonomically distinct from other sequenced microorganisms and could represent a new family of Gammaproteobacteria. The complete genome has also greatly expanded our understanding of ET‐743 production and revealed new biosynthetic genes dispersed across more than 173 kb of the small genome. The gene cluster's architecture and its preservation demonstrate that the drug is likely essential to the interactions of the microorganism with its mangrove tunicate host. Taken together, these studies elucidate the lifestyle of a unique, and pharmaceutically important microorganism and highlight the wide diversity of bacteria capable of making potent natural products.
The Relationship between Australian Mutual Fund Fees and Risk‐Adjusted Performance in Differing Economic Conditions
Authors: Haque Tariq , Ahmed Abdullahi D.
Published: May 2015

We find that Australian mutual fund investors should avoid high fee funds as these funds generate relatively low after‐fee risk‐adjusted returns both unconditionally and in weak economic conditions. This result is different from some of the previous findings which showed that US mutual funds with relatively high expense ratios may generate relatively higher risk‐adjusted returns during recessions relative to non‐recessions, although their unconditional alphas may be negative. We find some support for the Glode hypothesis in surviving Australian wholesale funds. High‐fee surviving Australian wholesale funds perform relatively strongly in both weak economic conditions and unconditionally. High‐fee funds in other types of Australian mutual funds generally do not perform strongly either in weak economic conditions or unconditionally. Amongst low‐fee funds, we commonly find that those that perform well unconditionally and well in weak economic conditions do charge more than those that perform well unconditionally and poorly in weak economic conditions. Amongst low‐fee funds, it is often true that those that perform poorly unconditionally but well in weak economic conditions can charge more than those that perform poorly unconditionally and poorly in weak economic conditions.
A Finite‐Time‐Horizon Model of Suicide When a Person's Income is at Risk: A Research Note
Authors: Suzuki Tomoya
Published: May 2015

The risk of income fluctuations affects the suicidal behaviour. First, an increase in this risk makes risk‐averse individuals more likely to commit suicide by reducing their expected utility. Second, the increased risk makes them less likely to commit suicide by creating a value to waiting for the economic conditions to improve. I lay out a theoretical model of suicide to assess the net impact of income fluctuations on suicidal behaviour by taking into account an individual's ability to delay the action. I also address the question of whether there are generational differences in the suicidal behaviour.
Licensing Under Bertrand Competition Revisited
Authors: Colombo Stefano
Published: May 2015

This note indicates that the derivation of the royalty contract for licensing in Wang and Yang (Australian Economic Papers, 39 (1999) 106–119) is not correct. As a consequence, the profits of the innovator in the case of royalty licensing are underestimated.