bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microtubule segment stabilization by RASSF1A is required for proper microtubule dynamics and Golgi integrity
Authors: Arnette Christopher , Efimova Nadia , Zhu Xiaodong , Clark Geoffrey J. , Kaverina Irina
Published: January 2014

The tumor suppressor and microtubule-associated protein Ras association domain family 1A (RASSF1A) has a major effect on many cellular processes, such as cell cycle progression and apoptosis. RASSF1A expression is frequently silenced in cancer and is associated with increased metastasis. Therefore we tested the hypothesis that RASSF1A regulates microtubule organization and dynamics in interphase cells, as well as its effect on Golgi integrity and cell polarity. Our results show that RASSF1A uses a unique microtubule-binding pattern to promote site-specific microtubule rescues, and loss of RASSF1A leads to decreased microtubule stability. Furthermore, RASSF1A-associated stable microtubule segments are necessary to prevent Golgi fragmentation and dispersal in cancer cells and maintain a polarized cell front. These results indicate that RASSF1A is a key regulator in the fine tuning of microtubule dynamics in interphase cells and proper Golgi organization and cell polarity.
Damnacanthal, an effective inhibitor of LIM-kinase, inhibits cell migration and invasion
Authors: Ohashi Kazumasa , Sampei Kaori , Nakagawa Mami , Uchiumi Naoto , Amanuma Tatsuya , Aiba Setsuya , Oikawa Masato , Mizuno Kensaku
Published: January 2014

LIM-kinases (LIMKs) play crucial roles in various cell activities, including migration, division, and morphogenesis, by phosphorylating and inactivating cofilin. Using a bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay to detect the actin–cofilin interaction, we screened LIMK1 inhibitors and identified two effective inhibitors, damnacanthal (Dam) and MO-26 (a pyrazolopyrimidine derivative). These compounds have already been shown to inhibit Lck, a Src family tyrosine kinase. However, in vitro kinase assays revealed that Dam inhibited LIMK1 more effectively than Lck. Dam suppressed LIMK1-induced cofilin phosphorylation and deceleration of actin retrograde flow in lamellipodia in N1E-115 cells. Dam impaired CXCL12-induced chemotactic migration of Jurkat T lymphocytes and Jurkat-derived, Lck-deficient JCaM1.6 cells and also inhibited serum-induced migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells. These results suggest that Dam has the potential to suppress cell migration and invasion primarily through the inhibition of LIMK kinase activity. Topical application of Dam also suppressed hapten-induced migration of epidermal Langerhans cells in mouse ears. Dam provides a useful tool for investigating cellular and physiological functions of LIMKs and holds promise for the development of agents against LIMK-related diseases. The bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay system used in this study will provide a useful method to screen for inhibitors of various protein kinases.
Roles for PI(3,5)P2 in nutrient sensing through TORC1
Authors: Jin Natsuko , Mao Kai , Jin Yui , Tevzadze Gela , Kauffman Emily J. , Park Sujin , Bridges Dave , Loewith Robbie , Saltiel Alan R. , Klionsky Daniel J. , Weisman Lois S.
Published: January 2014

TORC1, a conserved protein kinase, regulates cell growth in response to nutrients. Localization of mammalian TORC1 to lysosomes is essential for TORC1 activation. Phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate (PI(3,5)P2), an endosomal signaling lipid, is implicated in insulin-dependent stimulation of TORC1 activity in adipocytes. This raises the question of whether PI(3,5)P2 is an essential general regulator of TORC1. Moreover, the subcellular location where PI(3,5)P2 regulates TORC1 was not known. Here we report that PI(3,5)P2 is required for TORC1 activity in yeast and regulates TORC1 on the vacuole (lysosome). Furthermore, we show that the TORC1 substrate, Sch9 (a homologue of mammalian S6K), is recruited to the vacuole by direct interaction with PI(3,5)P2, where it is phosphorylated by TORC1. Of importance, we find that PI(3,5)P2 is required for multiple downstream pathways via TORC1-dependent phosphorylation of additional targets, including Atg13, the modification of which inhibits autophagy, and phosphorylation of Npr1, which releases its inhibitory function and allows nutrient-dependent endocytosis. These findings reveal PI(3,5)P2 as a general regulator of TORC1 and suggest that PI(3,5)P2 provides a platform for TORC1 signaling from lysosomes.
The ecological foundation for ecosystem-based management of fisheries: mechanistic linkages between the individual-, population-, and community-level dynamics
Authors: Persson Lennart , Van Leeuwen Anieke , De Roos André M.
Published: January 2014

Food-dependent growth and size-dependent interactions form cornerstones in the dynamics of fish populations. Using two freshwater examples, we illustrate the importance of considering both these cornerstones for understanding system dynamics. Moreover, a proper understanding of the dynamics requires mechanistic linkages between individual-, population-, and community-level processes based on mass conservation principles. In one example, we further find that quantitative predictions of individual-level energy flows are essential for understanding the community dynamics. This mechanistic approach to understanding system dynamics is generally not reflected in fisheries models as an overview shows that only half of them incorporate food-dependent growth, and none fully observe the principles of mass conservation. As a marine example we examine patterns in the Baltic Sea system and show that no relationship between cod growth and sprat biomass is present related to the low size resolution in prey fish. Linking individual cod performance to its resource base is complicated by the many prey types cod uses over its life cycle. We conclude that an ecological perspective including size- and food-dependent processes is vital for ecosystem-based fisheries management making necessary a proper description of the interactive trophic structure as a result of mechanistic linkages between individual, population, and community processes.
A phylogenomics approach for selecting robust sets of phylogenetic markers
Authors: Capella-Gutierrez Salvador , Kauff Frank , Gabaldón Toni
Published: January 2014

Reconstructing the evolutionary relationships of species is a major goal in biology. Despite the increasing number of completely sequenced genomes, a large number of phylogenetic projects rely on targeted sequencing and analysis of a relatively small sample of marker genes. The selection of these phylogenetic markers should ideally be based on accurate predictions of their combined, rather than individual, potential to accurately resolve the phylogeny of interest. Here we present and validate a new phylogenomics strategy to efficiently select a minimal set of stable markers able to reconstruct the underlying species phylogeny. In contrast to previous approaches, our methodology does not only rely on the ability of individual genes to reconstruct a known phylogeny, but it also explores the combined power of sets of concatenated genes to accurately infer phylogenetic relationships of species not previously analyzed. We applied our approach to two broad sets of cyanobacterial and ascomycetous fungal species, and provide two minimal sets of six and four genes, respectively, necessary to fully resolve the target phylogenies. This approach paves the way for the informed selection of phylogenetic markers in the effort of reconstructing the tree of life.
A knowledge-based scoring function for protein-RNA interactions derived from a statistical mechanics-based iterative method
Authors: Huang Sheng-You , Zou Xiaoqin
Published: January 2014

Protein-RNA interactions play important roles in many biological processes. Given the high cost and technique difficulties in experimental methods, computationally predicting the binding complexes from individual protein and RNA structures is pressingly needed, in which a reliable scoring function is one of the critical components. Here, we have developed a knowledge-based scoring function, referred to as ITScore-PR, for protein-RNA binding mode prediction by using a statistical mechanics-based iterative method. The pairwise distance-dependent atomic interaction potentials of ITScore-PR were derived from experimentally determined protein–RNA complex structures. For validation, we have compared ITScore-PR with 10 other scoring methods on four diverse test sets. For bound docking, ITScore-PR achieved a success rate of up to 86% if the top prediction was considered and up to 94% if the top 10 predictions were considered, respectively. For truly unbound docking, the respective success rates of ITScore-PR were up to 24 and 46%. ITScore-PR can be used stand-alone or easily implemented in other docking programs for protein–RNA recognition.
Improved multimodal admittance method in varying cross section waveguides
Authors: Maurel Agnès , Mercier Jean-François , Pagneux Vincent
Published: January 2014

An improved version of the multimodal admittance method in acoustic waveguides with varying cross sections is presented. This method aims at a better convergence with respect to the number of transverse modes that are taken into account. It is based on an enriched modal expansion of the pressure: the
N
first modes are the local transverse modes and a supplementary (
N
+1)th mode, called boundary mode, is a well-chosen transverse function orthogonal to the
N
first modes. This expansion leads to the classical form of the coupled mode equations where the component of the boundary mode is of evanescent character. Under this form, the multimodal admittance method based on the Riccati equation on the admittance matrix (the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operator) is straightforwardly implemented. With this supplementary mode, in addition to the improvement of the convergence of the pressure field, results show a superconvergence of the scattered field outside of the varying cross sections region.
Intermittent locomotion as an optimal control strategy
Authors: Paoletti P. , Mahadevan L.
Published: January 2014

Birds, fish and other animals routinely use unsteady effects to save energy by alternating between phases of active propulsion and passive coasting. Here, we construct a minimal model for such behaviour that can be couched as an optimal control problem via an analogy to travelling with a rechargeable battery. An analytical solution of the optimal control problem proves that intermittent locomotion has lower energy requirements relative to steady-state strategies. Additional realistic hypotheses, such as the assumption that metabolic cost at a given power should be minimal (the fixed gear hypothesis), a nonlinear dependence of the energy storage rate on propulsion and/or a preferred average speed, allow us to generalize the model and demonstrate the flexibility of intermittent locomotion with implications for biological and artificial systems.
Straightening: existence, uniqueness and stability
Authors: Destrade M. , Ogden R. W. , Sgura I. , Vergori L.
Published: January 2014

One of the least studied universal deformations of incompressible nonlinear elasticity, namely the straightening of a sector of a circular cylinder into a rectangular block, is revisited here and, in particular, issues of existence and stability are addressed. Particular attention is paid to the system of forces required to sustain the large static deformation, including by the application of end couples. The influence of geometric parameters and constitutive models on the appearance of wrinkles on the compressed face of the block is also studied. Different numerical methods for solving the incremental stability problem are compared and it is found that the impedance matrix method, based on the resolution of a matrix Riccati differential equation, is the more precise.
Restricted expression of cdc25a in the tailbud is essential for formation of the zebrafish posterior body
Authors: Bouldin Cortney M. , Snelson Corey D. , Farr Gist H. , Kimelman David
Published: January 2014

The vertebrate body forms from a multipotent stem cell-like progenitor population that progressively contributes newly differentiated cells to the most posterior end of the embryo. How the progenitor population balances proliferation and other cellular functions is unknown due to the difficulty of analyzing cell division in vivo. Here, we show that proliferation is compartmentalized at the posterior end of the embryo during early zebrafish development by the regulated expression of cdc25a, a key controller of mitotic entry. Through the use of a transgenic line that misexpresses cdc25a, we show that this compartmentalization is critical for the formation of the posterior body. Upon misexpression of cdc25a, several essential T-box transcription factors are abnormally expressed, including Spadetail/Tbx16, which specifically prevents the normal onset of myoD transcription, leading to aberrant muscle formation. Our results demonstrate that compartmentalization of proliferation during early embryogenesis is critical for both extension of the vertebrate body and differentiation of the multipotent posterior progenitor cells to the muscle cell fate.
Mosaic Analysis with Double Markers (MADM) in Mice
Authors: Espinosa J. Sebastian , Tea Joy S. , Luo Liqun
Published: February 2014

The human brain comprises more than 100 billion neurons, each of which has an elaborate shape and a complex pattern of connections. To untangle this complexity, it is often useful to visualize one neuron at a time. Mosaic analysis with double markers (MADM) is a genetic method for labeling and manipulating individual neurons. This method was developed in mice and it allows simultaneous labeling and gene knockout in clones of somatic cells or isolated single cells in vivo. In MADM, labeling is achieved by using site-specific recombinases to induce the reconstitution of chimeric fluorescent proteins. Here we provide the standard procedure for utilizing MADM to examine lineage analysis, neural circuit tracing, and gene function.ROSA26-MADM is used as an example because the reagents are published and available. As MADM cassettes are introduced onto more chromosomes, genes located on these other chromosomes can be subjected to mosaic analysis in an analogous manner to that described below. We present detailed protocols with troubleshooting guides, as well as applications of the technique in tracing neural circuits, live imaging of developing neurons, and studying mechanisms of neuronal morphogenesis.
Measurement of Mitochondrial Ca2+ Transport Mediated by Three Transport Proteins: VDAC1, the Na+/Ca2+ Exchanger, and the Ca2+ Uniporter
Authors: Ben-Hail Danya , Palty Raz , Shoshan-Barmatz Varda
Published: February 2014

Ca2+ is a ubiquitous cellular signal, with changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration not only stimulating a number of intercellular events but also triggering cell death pathways, including apoptosis. Mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and release play pivotal roles in cellular physiology by regulating intracellular Ca2+ signaling, energy metabolism and cell death. Ca2+ transport across the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes is mediated by several proteins, including channels, antiporters, and a uniporter. In this article, we present the background to several methods now established for assaying mitochondrial Ca2+ transport activity across both mitochondrial membranes. The first of these is Ca2+ transport mediated by the outer mitochondrial protein, the voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein 1 (VDAC1, also known as porin 1), both as a purified protein reconstituted into a planar lipid bilayer (PLB) or into liposomes and as a mitochondrial membrane-embedded protein. The second method involves isolated mitochondria for assaying the activity of an inner mitochondrial membrane transport protein, the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) that transports Ca2+ and is powered by the steep mitochondrial membrane potential. In the event of Ca2+ overload, this leads to opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) and cell death. The third method describes how Na+-dependent mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux mediated by mitochondrial NCLX, a member of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger superfamily, can be assayed in digitonin-permeabilized HEK-293 cells. The Ca2+-transport assays can be performed under various conditions and in combination with inhibitors, allowing detailed characterization of the transport activity of interest.
2-(4-Chloro-2-nitrophenyl)-4-methoxy-9-phenylsulfonyl-9H-carbazole-3-carbaldehyde
Authors: Narayanan P. , Sethusankar K. , Saravanan Velu , Mohanakrishnan Arasambattu K.
Published: January 2014

In the sterically hindered title compound, C26H17ClN2O6S, the carbazole ring has a maximum deviation from planarity of 0.067 (4) Å for the C atom connected to the aldehyde group. The carbazole moiety forms a dihedral angle of 72.8 (1)° with the nitro-substituted benzene ring. The O atom of the methoxy group deviates by 0.186 (1) Å from the adjacent carbazole moiety. The phenylsulfonyl group forms intramolecular C—H...O bonds between sulfone O atoms and the carbazole moiety, resulting in twoS(6) rings. In the crystal, the nitrated benzene rings are linkedviaC—H...O interactions forming infiniteC(7) chains along [100]. The crystal packing is also characterized by C—H...π interactions, which result in inversion dimers.
Crystal structure prediction and hydrogen-bond symmetrization of solid hydrazine under high pressure: a first-principles study
Authors: Zhang Hua-Di , Zheng Song-Kuan , Jin Xi-Lian , Jiang Shu-Qing , He Zhi , Liu Bing-Bing , Cui Tian
Published: January 2014

In this article, the crystal structure of solid hydrazine under pressure has been extensively investigated usingab initioevolutionary simulation methods. Calculations indicate that hydrazine remains both insulating and stable up to at least 300 GPa at low temperatures. A structure withP21symmetry is found for the first time through theoretical prediction in the pressure range 0–99 GPa and it is consistent with previous experimental results. Two novel structures are also proposed, in the space groupsCcandC2/c, postulated to be stable in the range 99–235 GPa and above 235 GPa, respectively. Below 3.5 GPa,C2 symmetry is found originally, but it becomes unstable after adding the van der Waals interactions. TheP21→Cctransition is first order, with a volume discontinuity of 2.4%, while theCc→C2/ctransition is second order with a continuous volume change. Pressure-induced hydrogen-bond symmetrization occurs at 235 GPa during theCc→C2/ctransition. The underlying mechanism of hydrogen-bond symmetrization has also been investigated by analysis of electron localization functions and vibrational Raman/IR spectra.
KNi0.93FeII0.07FeIII(PO4)2: a new type of structure for a compound of compositionMIMIIMIII(PO4)2
Authors: Strutynska Nataliya Yu. , Zatovsky Igor V. , Baumer Vyacheslav N. , Ogorodnyk Ivan V. , Slobodyanik Nikolay S.
Published: January 2014

The solid solution KNi0.93FeII0.07FeIII(PO4)2{potassium [nickel(II)/iron(II)] iron(III) bis(orthophosphate)} has been prepared by the flux method. The compound shows a new type of structure for a phosphate with the general compositionMIMIIMIII(PO4)2. The framework is formed by [(Ni/Fe)O6] polyhedra [Fe site occupancy = 0.069 (14)] linkedviashared oxygen vertices forming acis-like parallel chain stretching alongaand [FeO5] polyhedra (located on alternate sides of the chains) connectedviatwo types of PO4groups into a three-dimensional structure. The K atoms are disordered between two sites, denoted K1Aand K1B, with occupancies of 0.930 (9) and 0.070 (9), respectively, and reside inside channels along theaaxis. Calculations of the Voronoi–Dirichlet polyhedra of the K atoms give a coordination scheme for K1Aof [9 + 3] and for K1Bof [10 + 2]. The most remarkable feature of the structure is the splitting of the K-atom site and the population of the K1Aand K1Bpositions due to substitution of Ni by Fe in the (Ni/Fe) position.
Corporate governance and dividend policy in Indonesia
Authors: Setiawan Doddy , Kee Phua Lian
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This study aims at examining the impact of corporate governance on dividend policy among Indonesian companies. There are two theories of the effect of corporate governance on dividend policy: substitution and outcome theory. Substitution theory argue that corporate governance have negative effect on dividend policy, while outcome theory argue that corporate governance have positive effect on dividend policy. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of corporate governance on dividend policy in Indonesia. This study aims at examining the impact of corporate governance on dividend policy among Indonesian companies. There are two theories of the effect of corporate governance on dividend policy: substitution and outcome theory. Substitution theory argue that corporate governance have negative effect on dividend policy, while outcome theory argue that corporate governance have positive effect on dividend policy. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of corporate governance on dividend policy in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

– The sample of this research comprises 248 firms from Indonesian Stock Exchange during 2004-2006. This research using Transparency and Disclosure Index (TDI) to measure corporate governance in Indonesia

Findings

– We find that TDI are low among Indonesian firms, with a score of 32 per cent out of the maximum point. This score indicates that Indonesian corporate governance is still low. The results show that there is a negative relation between corporate governance and dividend policy in Indonesia. Thus, the Indonesian companies pay more dividends when corporate governance practice is low. This result confirms applicable of substitution theory in Indonesia.

Research limitations/implications

– This research focuses on manufacturing industry in Indonesia. Therefore, the conclusions of this research apply on the manufacturing companies in Indonesia

Practical implications

– This research shows that companies with poor corporate governance pay dividend higher than companies with better corporate governance. Thus, investor can use this information to make investment decision.

Originality/value

– This research provides evidence on the negative effect of corporate governance on dividend policy in Indonesia (substitution theory).
Applying the concepts of simplicity and discipline for creating customers' value in a low contact services company: an exploratory study
Authors: Idris Fazli
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The research aims to find and highlight the process, procedures, and practices at AirAsia that deem to fit the characteristics of simplicity and discipline in the original model for creating value in the forms of lower operations costs, which ultimately translates into lower ticket price for Airasia's customers.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study method is used in this study. It is appropriate as; the model has not been applied to a service organization. In exploring the concept of simplicity and discipline and how they create values, at a set of the best practices and procedures utilized by AirAsia are being scrutinized. Four employees at the executive and managerial level were interviewed. The author spent approximately two hours with the senior manager of Network Management Centre as all operations fall under his jurisdiction. Besides him, this study also took information from a technical service manager and two executives. The information collected from the staff is complementary to each other, ensuring the internal validity of the method. The secondary information was taken primarily from AirAsia's website: AirAsia.com.

Findings

– It is suggested that excellent practices and procedures done at Airasia characterize both concepts of simplicity and discipline, which in return help AsiaAsia in creating value for its customers. For example, the company decision to use one type of aircraft ensures its easy maintenance and training of staffs. The use of IT at the company helps the company plan the unplanned changes. The clever use of IT has enabled the control filter, as specified by Correa and Gianesi to function properly. It simplifies the booking, sales and checking-in procedures. Furthermore, the company has locked a partnership with its IT vendors for mutual benefits where AirAsia can constantly improve their system while the IT vendor learns to create innovative products according to customer requirements.

Research limitations/implications

– The result does not indicate that that Airasia's operational success is due to these concepts. Rather this article suggests that the concepts of simplicity and discipline, as proven to be successfully applied to manufacturing sector, could also be potentially applied to service organizations to helps firms create value, in this company in the form of low price ticket for affordable travel.

Practical implications

– Managers in a similar service industry could use the principles and practices proposed to potentially enhance its operations flexibility.

Originality/value

– This research is important as for one to understand the main topics of operations flexibility in services sector.
Issues and strategy of institutional repositories (IR) in Bangladesh: a paradigm shift
Authors: Mukhlesur Rahman Md , Mezbah-ul-Islam Muhammad
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper was to identify various institutional repository (IR) initiatives taken by Bangladeshi institutions, including identifying prospects, exploring strategies, and framing guideline for building IRs in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is a general review and counts the development of IR practices in Bangladesh. Other secondary sources, such as research reports, articles and internet, are used. Discussions were also held with staff members of some other libraries, who intended to establish IR in their respective institutions. Data were collected from different institutions, currently practicing IRs in Bangladesh, through personal visit and website.

Findings

– The study explored the existing status of practicing IRs in Bangladesh and identified the trends at national and global level of IRs. Results showed that some institutions established their repositories in Bangladesh using DSpace, others used Greenstone and EPrints.

Originality/value

– This paper provides basic information for beginners and helps in planning to build IR in their respective organizations in Bangladesh.
Using networked narratives to understand internet book reviews in online communities
Authors: Kuei Huang Yun , I. Yang Wen
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper was to investigate word-of-mouth communication behavior and other interactions between bloggers writing book testimonials and their community of readers in order to develop a method and strategy for enhancing word-of-mouth communication about books.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study conducted a netnographic investigation to explore word-of-mouth communication and interactions about new books between bloggers and their community of readers. Netnography is a qualitative approach for exploring the information exchange among online community members.

Findings

– It was found that personality traits, testimonials, and the responses of community readers to bloggers affected word-of-mouth related to books. Exposure to testimonials with commercial characteristics will not necessarily hinder the word-of-mouth about books.

Practical implications

– These results may provide a reference for publishers or related businesses that sell books or products via blogs during the planning of their marketing strategies.

Originality/value

– Businesses value the effects of online communities on marketing communication. This study provides insights into the communication between bloggers and their community of readers by demonstrating how word-of-mouth affects the promotion of books. This could facilitate the selection of relevant recommendations by management.
Exploring corporate social responsibility values of millennial job-seeking students
Authors: Leveson Lynne , A. Joiner Therese
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) work values of millennial undergraduates and their priorities among key CSR dimensions as a basis for the design of CSR curricula that will enhance students’ social responsibility values and their job choice decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Respondents were 238 senior undergraduates studying in three discipline areas at an Australian metropolitan university. Their CSR values were explored in the context of a hypothetical job choice scenario.

Findings

– While the majority of students rated CSR values highly in the job choice scenario, a larger majority were willing to trade this off for greater extrinsic benefits. Among millennial job-seeking students, workplace practices were rated the most important CSR dimension with environmental issues ranking last. Significant differences were found between gender and discipline.

Research limitations/implications

– Quantitative analysis only; use of cross-sectional, single-source data.

Practical implications

– In the context of greater extrinsic rewards, CSR values (particularly environmental concerns) are not front-of-mind in millennial students’ job choice decisions. This, coupled with high levels of indecision among business students may provide an important theoretical and practical basis for the development of CSR curricula in business courses in Australia.

Originality/value

– The study offers a unique insight into the CSR values of millennial business studentsvis-à-vishumanities and science students in a job choice context. These findings are important for designing effective business programs to shape the social responsibility behaviours of the next generation of managers and leaders.
FM research in Switzerland
Authors: Windlinger Lukas , Hofer Susanne , Coenen Christian , Honegger Franziska , von Felten Daniel , Kofler Andrea , Wehrmüller Thomas
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to review FM research in Switzerland with a focus on recent research projects at the Institute of Facility Management of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper provides a summary and review of research projects.

Findings

– FM research in Switzerland has grown in the past few years and is now well rooted in the Swiss FM industry. The focus is on service management, workplace management and FM in health care. FM research in Switzerland has been driven collaboratively by the Institute of FM and the industry.

Research limitations/implications

– Research at the IFM is very much oriented towards application and many collaborative projects between industry, public administration and universities have been conducted. However, some fields of FM have received little attention yet.

Practical implications

– FM research in Switzerland has been driven collaboratively by the Institute of FM and the industry. The focus is on application, e.g. management tools, benchmarking systems or the relationship of FM services, organisational outcomes, and customer satisfaction. Many research results contribute to the development of Swiss FM industry.

Originality/value

– In this article the authors summarize FM research in Switzerland and their research approach. With this they contribute to transparency and further development of FM research.
Review of linguistic approach in the workplace management research
Authors: Airo Kaisa , Nenonen Suvi
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to review the use of linguistic methods such as narrative and discourse analysis in workplace management research.

Design/methodology/approach

– Ten journals are reviewed in a time period of six years between years 2004-2010. The journals are categorized into three linguistic methodological journals and seven journals on built environment. Additionally articles were gathered with search words of workplace management, discourse and narrative analysis. Out of the total 2,245 articles, 40 articles were considered to be relevant for this research.

Findings

– The linguistic methods of narrative and discourse analysis are not recognized in the workplace management research in a comprehensive way by combining the research on built environment to the research on organization and culture. In the workplace management research methods of narrative and discourse analysis were applied to the processes of built environment. Additionally methods were applied to the research of space and place as means of communication and means of identity construction.

Practical implications

– Linguistic approach would reveal underlying messages behind evident structures of workplace and give new insights on understanding and developing workplaces both in design and in use.

Originality/value

– The linguistic methods of narrative and discourse analysis are rarely used in workplace management research and should be considered as a new resource in the research of WPM.
Predicting visitors’ satisfaction and behavioral intentions from service quality in the context of a small-scale outdoor sport event
Authors: Tzetzis George , Alexandris Kostantinos , Kapsampeli Sophia
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to test if the service quality model, proposed by Shonk and Chelladurai (2008), can be applied in the context of a small-scale sport event.

Design/methodology/approach

– This model proposes the following dimensions: access quality, venue quality and contest quality. Furthermore the study aimed to test if satisfaction acts as a mediator of the relationships between service quality and behavioral intentions.

Findings

– The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) provided support for the factorial validity of the service quality model. The psychometric properties of all the scales were satisfactory. In terms of the mediation analysis the results provided partially support for the hypotheses. Satisfaction fully mediated the relationship between access, venue quality and intention and partially mediated the relationship between contest quality and intentions. Furthermore, satisfaction partially mediated all the relationships between the quality dimensions and word-of-mouth communications. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

Originality/value

– This paper fulfils a need to develop a service quality model and its influence for visitors’ satisfaction and behavioral intentions at small-scale sport events.
Fault detection of reaction wheels in attitude control subsystem of formation flying satellites
Authors: Mousavi Shima , Khorasani Khashayar
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– A decentralized dynamic neural network (DNN)-based fault detection (FD) system for the reaction wheels of satellites in a formation flying mission is proposed. The paper aims to discuss the above issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– The highly nonlinear dynamics of each spacecraft in the formation is modeled by using DNNs. The DNNs are trained based on the extended back-propagation algorithm by using the set of input/output data that are collected from the 3-axis of the attitude control subsystem of each satellite. The parameters of the DNNs are adjusted to meet certain performance requirements and minimize the output estimation error.

Findings

– The capability of the proposed methodology has been investigated under different faulty scenarios. The proposed approach is a decentralized FD strategy, implying that a fault occurrence in one of the spacecraft in the formation is detected by using both a local fault detector and fault detectors constructed specifically based on the neighboring spacecraft. It is shown that this method has the capability of detecting low severity actuator faults in the formation that could not have been detected by only a local fault detector.

Originality/value

– The nonlinear dynamics of the formation flying of spacecraft are represented by multilayer DNNs, in which conventional static neurons are replaced by dynamic neurons. In our proposed methodology, a DNN is utilized in each axis of every satellite that is trained based on the absolute attitude measurements in the formation that may nevertheless be incapable of detecting low severity faults. The DNNs that are utilized for the formation level are trained based on the relative attitude measurements of a spacecraft and its neighboring spacecraft that are then shown to be capable of detecting even low severity faults, thereby demonstrating the advantages and benefits of our proposed solution.
The challenges of leading professionals
Authors: Iles Valerie
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the role of organisational leaders and leaders within the professions in ensuring that society is well served by its professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper draws on the authors own observations over 25 years of educating and developing clinical leaders.

Findings

– This paper explores the particular challenges of leading professionals in fields such as, law, education or healthcare, where relationships can often be fraught and combative rather than constructive and effective. The paper concludes that if leaders insist on managing professionals as part of a connected hierarchy it will simply continue to provoke resistance.

Originality/value

– This paper explores the particular challenges of leading professionals in fields such as, law, education or healthcare, where relationships can often be fraught and combative rather than constructive and effective.
Motivations for support to retired parents in Israel
Authors: Atzil Ariel , Feinerman Eli
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Enabling decision-makers in Israel to better assess the prospects of government policies aimed at changing inter-generation income distribution for the benefit of the retirees.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on a comprehensive data set, the paper utilizes multivariate ordered-probit regression for empirical investigation of the motivations for support between parents and children in Israel.

Findings

– The main finding is that child-parent support in Israel is usually driven by a combination of exchange and altruistic motives, rather than altruism alone.

Practical implications

– Child-parent support will not reduce the impact of governmental policies aimed at redistributing income among different generations. If the Government of Israel raises the income level of its citizens aged 65 and over, the improvement in this population's condition will most probably be bigger than that caused directly by the amount the government has added to their income.

Originality/value

– Empirical evaluation of the motivations for support given by children to their retired parents in Israel. Israel is a multicultural, immigrant country, home to people originating from all over the world, which provides an interesting cross-cultural perspective. In addition, the underlying database used in this study includes much more information than most databases utilized by earlier studies.
Threshold effects of exchange rate depreciation and money growth on inflation
Authors: E. Wimanda Rizki
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the impact of exchange rate depreciation and money growth to the consumer price index (CPI) inflation in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using threshold model applied to Phillips curve equation.

Findings

– Using monthly data from 1980:1 to 2008:12, the econometric evidence shows that there are indeed threshold effects of money growth on inflation, but no threshold effect of exchange rate depreciation on inflation. Even though the threshold value for exchange rate depreciation is found at 8.4 percent, the F-test suggests that there is no significant difference between the coefficient below and that above the threshold value. While two threshold values are found for money growth, i.e. 7.1 and 9.8 percent, and they are statistically different. The impact on inflation is high when money grows by up to 7.1 percent, it is moderate when money grows by 7.1-9.8 percent, and it is low when money grows by above 9.8 percent.

Research limitations/implications

– This research is using methodology proposed by Hansen which the threshold is based on the minimum SSR. The value of SSR will differ from one model to one model. For example, model using quarterly data will give the different result from that using monthly or yearly data. Also, when the author uses the new data, the result could be different.

Practical implications

– Even though inflation targeting framework has been adopted by Bank Indonesia (BI) since 2005, BI should not disregard the monetary aggregate variable, especially M1. This is because the growth of money is still matter to influence inflation in the short run. The impact on inflation is found to be larger than the impact of exchange rate depreciation when it is below a certain threshold value.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper that evaluates the threshold effect of exchange rate and money growth in emerging country, especially in Indonesia.
Kaldor-Verdoorn's law and increasing returns to scale
Authors: Millemaci Emanuele , Ofria Ferdinando
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this study is to investigate the validity of the Kaldor-Verdoorn's law in explaining the long-run determinants of the labor productivity growth for the manufacturing sector of some developed economies (Western European Countries, Australia, Canada, Japan and the USA).

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors consider the period 1973-2006 using data provided by the European Commission – Economics and Financial Affairs. The method is instrumental variable. The robustness of estimates is checked by means of the Chow and the CUSUM and CUSUMQ tests. The authors consider the traditional specification of the dynamic Verdoorn law and the one which also includes investment to output ratio (I/Y), as a proxy of the capital growth rate, and the average labor cost growth, as a proxy of supply factors.

Findings

– The findings suggest that the law is valid for the manufacturing as countries show increasing returns to scale. Capital growth and labor cost growth do not appear important in explaining productivity growth. The estimated Verdoorn coefficients are found to be substantially stable throughout the period.

Originality/value

– The authors consider the most recent years, which has been characterized by a constant decline in the average GDP growth rates; a productivity growth decline; the long-term reduction in the manufacturing share of total employment. The authors examine the importance of alternative hypotheses such as those related to the existence of supply constraints. The authors check the stability of the KVL throughout the period under the consideration and across countries. The authors evaluate whether, in the case of the developed countries, economies of scale are significant.
Does political risk deter FDI inflow?
Authors: Gobinda Goswami Gour , Haider Samai
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– In today's increasingly globalized world, foreign direct investment (FDI) is a hotbed for discussion. Numerous studies have been undertaken regarding FDI, its determinants and benefits, but very few works provide importance to the effect of political risk on the inflow of FDI. Some papers introduce institutional or governance issues in determining FDI inflow, but a comprehensive framework in this respect is non-existent. With this end in view, the authors take 146 countries worldwide over a period of 1984-2009 and then classify countries as OECD or non-OECD members to see whether there is any difference in the nature of the effect. The study keeps other possible determinants of FDI – market size, growth rate of real GDP, trade openness, infrastructural facilities as control variables while considering the effect of underlying political risk factors in deterring the FDI.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper looks at the effect of political risk on FDI by using a systematic approach of factor analysis, in reducing the number of variables into their underlying factors and then generating factor scores. Then it uses a panel regression approach combined with factor analysis to examine which particular aspect of political risk contributes more towards deterring FDI inflow.

Findings

– The empirical results of this study refute the conventional notion that government failure is the primary contributing factor for poor FDI inflow. Rather, cultural conflict and the attitude of the partner country towards the host country are found to be mostly responsible for deterring FDI inflow. The result holds significantly even after controlling for traditional determinants regardless of whether it is an OECD member country or not.

Practical implications

– It is not just governance failure but the cultural factors and development partners' attitude about the country which mostly determines FDI inflow.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper which combines the factor analysis in a panel regression framework to examine the impact of political risk on FDI inflow.
Inflation and inflation-uncertainty in India: the policy implications of the relationship
Authors: Chowdhury Abdur
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Inflation and its related uncertainty can impose costs on real economic output in any economy. This paper aims to analyze the relationship between inflation and inflation uncertainty in India.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology uses a generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model and Granger Causality test.

Findings

– Initial estimates show the inflation rate to be a stationary process. The maximum likelihood estimates from the GARCH model reveal strong support for the presence of a positive relationship between the level of inflation and its uncertainty. The Granger causality results indicate a feedback between inflation and uncertainty.

Research limitations/implications

– The research results have important implication for policy makers and especially the Reserve Bank of India.

Practical implications

– It provides strong support to the notion of an opportunistic central bank in India.

Originality/value

– The results of the paper are of relevance not only to the monetary policy makers but also to academicians in India and other developing countries.