bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ecology of differences: assessing community assembly with trait and evolutionary distances
Authors: Cadotte Marc , Albert Cecile H. , Walker Steve C.
Published: August 2013

Species enter and persist in local communities because of their ecological fit to local conditions, and recently, ecologists have moved from measuring diversity as species richness and evenness, to using measures that reflect species ecological differences. There are two principal approaches for quantifying species ecological differences: functional (trait‐based) and phylogenetic pairwise distances between species. Both approaches have produced new ecological insights, yet at the same time methodological issues and assumptions limit them. Traits and phylogeny may provide different, and perhaps complementary, information about species' differences. To adequately test assembly hypotheses, a framework integrating the information provided by traits and phylogenies is required. We propose an intuitive measure for combining functional and phylogenetic pairwise distances, which provides a useful way to assess how functional and phylogenetic distances contribute to understanding patterns of community assembly. Here, we show that both traits and phylogeny inform community assembly patterns in alpine plant communities across an elevation gradient, because they represent complementary information. Differences in historical selection pressures have produced variation in the strength of the trait‐phylogeny correlation, and as such, integrating traits and phylogeny can enhance the ability to detect assembly patterns across habitats or environmental gradients.
Adaptive evolution of a generalist parasitoid: implications for the effectiveness of biological control agents
Authors: Zepeda‐Paulo Francisca A. , Ortiz‐Martínez Sebastián A. , Figueroa Christian C. , Lavandero Blas
Published: August 2013

The use of alternative hosts imposes divergent selection pressures on parasitoid populations. In response to selective pressures, these populations may follow different evolutionary trajectories. Divergent natural selection could promote local host adaptation in populations, translating into direct benefits for biological control, thereby increasing their effectiveness on the target host. Alternatively, adaptive phenotypic plasticity could be favored over local adaptation in temporal and spatially heterogeneous environments. We investigated the existence of local host adaptation in Aphidius ervi, an important biological control agent, by examining different traits related to infectivity (preference) and virulence (a proxy of parasitoid fitness) on different aphid‐host species. The results showed significant differences in parasitoid infectivity on their natal host compared with the non‐natal hosts. However, parasitoids showed a similar high fitness on both natal and non‐natal hosts, thus supporting a lack of host adaptation in these introduced parasitoid populations. Our results highlight the role of phenotypic plasticity in fitness‐related traits of parasitoids, enabling them to maximize fitness on alternative hosts. This could be used to increase the effectiveness of biological control. In addition, A. ervi females showed significant differences in infectivity and virulence across the tested host range, thus suggesting a possible host phylogeny effect for those traits.
How do people interpret information about colorectal cancer screening: observations from a think‐aloud study
Authors: Smith Samuel G. , Vart Gemma , Wolf Michael S. , Obichere Austin , Baker Helen J. , Raine Rosalind , Wardle Jane , von Wagner Christian
Published: August 2013

Background

The English NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme biennially invites individuals aged 60–74 to participate in screening. The booklet, ‘Bowel Cancer Screening: The Facts' accompanies this invitation. Its primary aim is to inform potential participants about the aims, advantages and disadvantages of colorectal cancer screening.

Objective

To provide detailed commentary on how individuals process the information contained within ‘The Facts’ booklet.

Design, setting and participants

This study comprised of 18 interviews with individuals aged 45–60 and used a ‘think‐aloud’ paradigm in which participants read aloud the booklet. Participant utterances (verbal statements made in response to researcher‐led prompts) were transcribed and analysed using a combination of content and thematic analysis.

Results

A total of 776 coded utterances were analysed (mean = 43.1 per person; range = 8–95). While overall comprehension was satisfactory, several problem areas were identified such as the use of complex unfamiliar terminology and the presentation of numerical information. Specific sections such as colonoscopy risk information evoked negative emotional responses. Participants made several suggestions for ways in which comprehension might be improved.

Conclusion

Public perceptions of the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme information materials indicated that specific aspects of the booklet were difficult to process. These materials may be an appropriate target to improve public understanding of the aims, benefits and disadvantages of colorectal cancer screening. These findings will contribute to a broader NIHR‐funded project that aims to design a supplementary ‘gist‐based’ information leaflet suitable for low literacy populations.
Consumers' acceptance and quality stability of olive oil flavoured with essential oils of different oregano species
Authors: Asensio Claudia M. , Nepote Valeria , Grosso Nelson R.
Published: August 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate chemical and physical stability and consumers' acceptance of olive oil flavoured with oregano essential oils (EOs; Compacto, Cordobes, Criollo and Mendocino). Samples of olive oil were added with 0.05% EO and stored in dark (D) and light (L) conditions for 126 days. Samples with oregano EO had lower lipid oxidation indicator values [K232, K269, peroxide value (PV) and anisidine value], especially in darkness. Olive oil with Cordobes EO in D had the lowest PV (18.71 meqO2 kg−1). Using prediction equations, 20 meqO2 kg−1 PV in olive oil should be reached in 34 days in L control sample and in 126 days in the Cordobes EO sample in darkness. Samples with Cordobes and Criollo EOs in darkness had the highest chlorophyll content after 126 days (2.91 and 2.88 mg kg−1, respectively). Sensory analysis showed that oregano EO addition in olive oil was detected by panellists in discriminative test and affected consumer acceptance.
Influence of the addition of lupin sourdough with different lactobacilli on dough properties and bread quality
Authors: Bartkiene Elena , Schleining Gerhard , Rekstyte Toma , Krungleviciute Vita , Juodeikiene Grazina , Vaiciulyte‐Funk Lina , Maknickiene Zita
Published: August 2013

The aim of this research was to study the effects of solid‐state fermentation (SSF) with Lactobacillus sakei, Pediococcus pentosaceus and P. acidilactici on lupine sourdough parameters and lupine sourdough influence on the physical dough properties and wheat bread quality. The results showed that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) significantly reduced the pH and increased total titratable acidity (TTA) of SSF lupine. The highest protease activity in lupine is excreted by L. sakei (187.1 ± 8.6 PU g−1), and the highest amylase activity, by P. pentosaceus (155.8 ± 7.5 AU g−1). Lupine sourdough has a significant effect on the rheological properties of doughs, which affect the baking characteristics of the final product. In conclusion, it can be said that L. sakei, P. pentosaceus and P. acidilactici could be used for lupine SSF, and the addition of up to the 10% SSF lupine products increases the wheat–lupine bread quality.
Study of different nectarine cultivars and their suitability for fresh‐cut processing
Authors: Nogales‐Delgado Sergio , Fuentes‐Pérez María del Carmen , Ayuso‐Yuste Concepción , Bohoyo‐Gil Diego
Published: August 2013

Nectarine [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] is a sought‐after fruit due to its properties. In addition, minimally processed produces are more and more accepted by consumers. Four nectarine cultivars (‘Early Top’, ‘Nectaprima’, ‘Big Top’ and ‘Venus’) were selected to study their suitability for minimal processing. Samples were processed in a clean room at 8 °C, washed them in water (4 °C) and stored at 4 °C in modified atmosphere packaging. The samples were analysed at 0, 3, 6 and 9 days of storage, and quality parameters as well as functional compounds (polyphenols and polyphenol oxidase activity) were studied. Principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out to assess the relationship between nectarine cultivars and determined parameters. In conclusion, ‘Early Top’ and ‘Nectaprima’ cultivars showed the best quality results and therefore a promising suitability for fresh‐cut processing. Nevertheless, the remaining cultivars should not be ruled out due to their functional content, advising additional conservation treatments for them.
Optimisation of analytical methods for the characterisation of oranges, clementines and citrus hybrids cultivated in Spain on the basis of their composition in ascorbic acid, citric acid and major sugars
Authors: Carballo Silvia , Zingarello Fabrizio A. , Maestre Salvador E. , Todolí José L. , Prats M. Soledad
Published: August 2013

Three HPLC methods were optimised for the determination of citric acid, succinic acid and ascorbic acid using a photodiode array detector and fructose, glucose and sucrose using a refractive index in twenty eight citrus juices. The analysis was completed in <16 min. Two different harvests were taken into account for this study. For the season 2011, ascorbic acid content was comprised between 19.4 and 59 mg vitamin C/100 mL; meanwhile for the season 2012, the content was slightly higher for most of the samples ranging from 33.5 to 85.3 mg vitamin C/100 mL. Moreover, the citric acid content in orange juices ranged between 9.7 and 15.1 g L−1, while for clementines the content was clearly lower (i.e. from 3.5 to 8.4 g L−1). However, clementines showed the highest sucrose content with values near to 6 g/100 mL. Finally, a cluster analysis was applied to establish a classification of the citrus species.
Cystic local recurrence of renal cell carcinoma after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in a hemodialysis patient
Authors: Ito Kazuyo , Takagi Toshio , Kondo Tsunenori , Yoshida Kazuhiko , Iizuka Junpei , Kobayashi Hirohito , Tomita Eri , Hashimoto Yasunobu , Tanabe Kazunari
Published: August 2013

Although local recurrence of renal cell carcinoma after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is sometimes reported, cystic local recurrence of renal cell carcinoma has rarely been reported. We report the case of a 59‐year‐old man with hemodialysis who developed cystic local recurrence of renal cell carcinoma accompanied by acquired cystic disease of the kidney in the retroperitoneal space after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. A cystic tumor of 5.1 cm in diameter occurred in the left retroperitoneal space 15 months after left laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, and enlarged to 7.2 cm in diameter with enhanced mass along the wall of the cyst 36 months after surgery. The cystic tumor was removed and showed local recurrence of renal cell carcinoma on pathological examination.
Sustainable population management of birds: current challenges exemplified
Authors: Lynch C. , Snyder T.
Published: August 2013

The sustainable management of zoological collections is the foundation for the successful implementation of institutional missions, enabling zoological facilities to meet all other programmatic objectives for conservation and public education. Yet the sustainability of many of the populations we manage and of our collections as a whole is in question. Evidence of the avian sustainability crisis is largely anecdotal but this is a growing area of research. Specific challenges to avian collection sustainability include both logistical and biological facets. Passerines are specifically important to our collections and are a taxon of high risk. One Species Survival Plan® (SSP), the Blue‐grey tanager Thraupis episcopus SSP, has proposed a management strategy to address many of the sustainability challenges facing passerines.
Can I get a retweet please? Health research recruitment and the Twittersphere
Authors: O'Connor Anita , Jackson Leigh , Goldsmith Lesley , Skirton Heather
Published: August 2013

Aim

To evaluate the social networking site Twitter™ as a vehicle for recruitment in online health research and to examine how the Twitter community would share information: the focus of our study was the antenatal experience of mothers of advanced maternal age.

Background

One result of growth in worldwide Internet and mobile phone usage is the increased ability to source health information online and to use social media sites including Facebook and Twitter. Although social media have been used in previous health research, there is a lack of literature on the use of Twitter in health research.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey.

Method

We report a novel recruitment method via a social networking site between May and August 2012. Through a Twitter account, we tweeted and requested other Twitter users to retweet our invitation to be involved in the study. Tweets contained a unique URL directing participants to an online survey hosted on the Survey Monkey™ website.

Findings

Over 11 weeks, 749 original tweets were posted by the researcher. A total of 529 mothers accessed the survey as a result of 359 researcher tweets and subsequent retweets that were seen by Twitter users. The survey was fully completed by 299 (56·5%) participants.

Conclusion

Twitter is a cost‐effective means of recruitment, enabling engagement with potentially difficult‐to‐reach populations, providing participants with transparency, anonymity and a more accessible method by which to participate in health research.
Restoring drinking water acceptance following a waterborne disease outbreak: the role of trust, risk perception, and communication
Authors: Bratanova Boyka , Morrison Greg , Fife‐Schaw Chris , Chenoweth Jonathan , Mangold Mikael
Published: August 2013

Although research shows that acceptance, trust, and risk perception are often related, little is known about the underlying patterns of causality among the three constructs. In the context of a waterborne disease outbreak, we explored via zero‐order/partial correlation analysis whether acceptance predicts both trust and risk perception (associationist model), or whether trust influences risk perception and acceptance (causal chain model). The results supported the causal chain model suggesting a causal role for trust. A subsequent path analysis confirmed that the effect of trust on acceptance is fully mediated by risk perception. It also revealed that trust is positively predicted by prior institutional trust and communication with the public. Implications of the findings for response strategies to contamination events are discussed.
The work–family interface among school psychologists and related school personnel: a test of role conflict and expansionist theories
Authors: Brown Theresa J. , Sumner Kenneth E.
Published: August 2013

The purpose was to test of the utility of role conflict and expansionist theories in explaining the work–family interface using psychometrically sound instruments. Participants (n = 74) responded to measures of work–family conflict, work‐related stress, and role quality. In support of the expansionist theory, results indicated that the quality of the life roles was a better predictor of both work–family conflict and work‐related stress than was the number of life roles. For both, results indicated that as quality of the work role increased, work–family conflict and work‐related stress decreased. The implications for the research on the work–family life interface and attracting and retaining the most qualified school psychologists are discussed.
Genetic background of claw disorders in the course of lactation and their relationships with type traits
Authors: Gernand E. , Döhne D.A. , König S.
Published: August 2013

Random regression threshold animal models were applied to binary longitudinal claw disorder data for studying genetic parameters of all claw disorders (ACD), as well as to claw disorders divided into different categories: non‐purulent claw disorders (NPCD), purulent claw disorders (PCD), dermatitis digitalis (DD), sole ulcer (SU), phlegmona (PH), laminitis (LAM) and interdigital hyperplasia (IH) in the course of lactation. Claw disorder data were obtained from 26 651 Holstein cows kept in 15 large‐scale contract herds in the region of Thuringia over a period of 5 years from 2007 to 2012. If a cow had one or more entries of the same disorder, for example, sole ulcer, within an interval of 30 days, she was scored with a ‘1’, and otherwise, she received a score of ‘0’ for healthy. Heritabilities for the same disorder were relatively stable between DIM 50 and DIM 300, but they tended to increase in early and late lactation. Highest heritabilities in the range from 0.20 to 0.34 were estimated for IH, and lowest heritabilities were realized for LAM (~ 0.05). Genetic correlations for same traits between different DIMs were high for adjacent test days, but close to zero for distant test days. The relationship between the sire EBVs for claw disorders and official sire EBVs for the type traits ‘foot angle’ was slightly antagonistic with correlation coefficients in the range from 0.05 (DD) to 0.33 (PH). Correlations between lactation EBVs for hock quality, rear leg rear view and the feet and leg index with EBVs for claw disorders were slightly favourable and ranged between −0.01 (rear leg rear view correlated with SU) and −0.43 (hock quality correlated with PH). Regarding daily EBVs for claw disorders, the strongest correlation coefficient was of value −0.46 (LAM early in lactation correlated with the feet and leg index). Genetic parameters from the random regression model were verified by applying a single‐trait repeatability model. Correlation coefficients between lactation EBVs from the random regression model and lactation EBVs from the repeatability model for the same claw disorder were close to 1. Correlations were lower between EBVs from single test days and lactation EBVs from the repeatability models, with a minimal value of 0.58 for PCD measured at day 20.
Newborn Behavior, Parent–Infant Interaction, and Developmental Change Processes: Research Roots of Developmental, Relational, and Systems‐Theory‐Based Practice
Authors: Sparrow Joshua
Published: August 2013

The discovery of individual and cross‐cultural differences among newborns, and their effects on caregiver behaviors, underpins a systems theory of human development and a resulting paradigm shift. This theory accommodates both epigenetics—mediating genes and environment within the individual, and culture—a dynamic, emergent phenomenon transmitting contextually adaptive child‐rearing beliefs and practices. Within human systems, children and parents' development is also propelled by mutual adaptation occurring through the microprocesses of early interactions and through normative periods of disorganization and reorganization (touchpoints). This paradigm shift in developmental theory calls for parallel shifts in clinical practice and organizational structures and processes.
Challenges to Local Authorities under EU Structural Funds: Evidence from Mixed Quasi‐markets for Public Service Provision in Romania
Authors: Pop Daniel , Radu Roxana
Published: August 2013

The emergence of quasi‐markets – new regulatory tools to design and manage public service delivery through competition – has led to a new ecology for local authorities, who increasingly operate alongside for‐profit, not‐for‐profit and other governmental contractors for social service provision. This raises a series of challenges related to the secondary regulatory measures to correct for market and government imperfections under conditions of competition between entities with different objective functions. In shared governance systems, such as the European Union structural funds, additional tensions are generated by the double role of the public sector as purchaser and potential provider of services. This analysis presents empirical evidence from a transitional context in which quasi‐markets have been newly established, based on data from the Romanian human resource development operational programme (RO‐SOPHRD) between 2007 and 2011. These findings enhance our understanding of the dynamics of distortions created by quasi‐market environments for public service delivery in emerging economies.
Is the Convergence Party Over? Labour Productivity and the Technology Gap in Europe
Authors: Filippetti Andrea , Peyrache Antonio
Published: August 2013

Closing the technology gap to reduce labour productivity disparities across Europe is crucial for the European cohesion policy. This article explores the sources of labour productivity growth in Europe over the period 1993–2007 in light of the enlargement process. Labour productivity growth has been mostly driven by capital accumulation. New Member States have significantly reduced their inefficiency and their technology gap. Disparities in the levels of labour productivity are still substantial and, to a considerable extent, they can be attributed to technology gap differences. This raises concerns about the process of convergence in labour productivity in Europe and suggests further policies aimed at reducing the technology gap.
Informal Politics in the EU
Authors: Christiansen Thomas , Neuhold Christine
Published: August 2013

Traditionally, much of the focus of the study of politics has been on formal arrangements and formal institutions. In recent years, however, this dominant focus has given way to an increasing concern with informal aspects of politics. This can be said for both the study of comparative politics and international relations more generally and for research on governance within the European Union in particular. Against this background, the aim of this research note is, first, to review the findings of research on informal governance and, second, to explore whether analytical concepts can be applied to the EU, with the aim of bringing greater conceptual clarity to the field and identifying future research agendas in this area. In a final section, the article also addresses the normative dimension of informal governance in the EU, discussing both the benefits and the risks of such arrangements from the perspective of transparency, efficiency and democratic accountability.
CMT4D (NDRG1 mutation): genotype–phenotype correlations
Authors: Ricard Emilie , Mathis Stéphane , Magdelaine Corinne , Delisle Marie‐Bernadette , Magy Laurent , Funalot Benoît , Vallat Jean‐Michel
Published: August 2013

Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth (CMT) disease is a heterogeneous condition with a large number of clinical, electrophysiological and pathological phenotypes. More than 40 genes are involved. We report a child of gypsy origin with an autosomal recessive demyelinating phenotype. Clinical data, familial history, and electrophysiological studies were in favor of a CMT4 sub‐type. The characteristic N‐Myc downstream‐regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) mutation responsible for this CMT4D phenotype was confirmed: p.R148X. The exact molecular function of the NDRG1 protein has yet to be elucidated.
FLEXIBLE RETIREMENT
Authors: van Vuuren Daniel
Published: August 2013

Flexible retirement – that is, the opportunity to choose one's own personal retirement age – is a hedge against pension risk and provides insurance to workers facing health or productivity shocks. Flexible retirement and flexible pension schemes are in practice closely linked because of imperfect capital markets and institutional restrictions. I discuss three necessary conditions to provide insurance through flexible retirement. First, it should be possible to adjust the pension starting date at limited cost. This condition is gradually being fulfilled, as many countries are moving toward more actuarially neutral pension schemes. Second, individuals should be willing to adjust their labor supply in case of a wealth shock. This condition seems largely fulfilled, although the available empirical evidence suggests that the ‘standard retirement age’ is at least as important as the income effect. Third, the labor market should be able to deal with flexible individual retirement decisions. This condition is gaining importance, but has not yet received much attention in the literature. Institutions often hamper employment past the ‘standard retirement age’. Moreover, the hiring rates of older workers are low and their unemployment duration is high. Institutional reforms facilitating flexible retirement opportunities are desirable from an insurance perspective.
Changes in Youths' Perceived Parental Acceptance of Their Sexual Minority Status Over Time
Authors: Samarova Valeria , Shilo Guy , Diamond Gary M.
Published: August 2013

This cross‐sectional, retrospective mixed‐method exploratory study examined 140 Israeli LGB adolescents' (14–21 year old) perceptions of their parents' level of acceptance at time of same‐sex identity disclosure and currently. Approximately 75% of respondents indicated that parents were moderately to fully accepting at time of disclosure. Approximately 15% said their parents were fully or almost fully rejecting at time of disclosure, with about half eventually becoming more accepting. Perceived parental acceptance of gay and lesbian children, but not bisexual daughters, improved over time. Increased parental acceptance was attributed to multiple factors including repeated adolescent‐initiated conversations about sexual identity, parental exposure to LGB individuals, and parental love and commitment to the relationship.
Developing Lexicons: A Review
Authors: Lawless Lydia J.R. , Civille Gail V.
Published: August 2013

Lexicons are standardized vocabularies that facilitate communication across diverse audiences. Lexicons undergo two stages (preparation and development). Lexicon preparation includes selecting suitable panelists who are highly trained and capable of describing the product category, selecting samples that represent the entire product space, and developing protocols that panelists systematically follow when creating the lexicon. The development stage includes reviewing protocols before evaluation ensues, generating terms and definitions that describe the products, selecting references that clarify the terms, reviewing examples to further train the panel on important attributes, and finalizing the lexicon. Examples of published lexicons exist for foods, beverages, home care products, personal care products and fragrances. Publishing lexicons is beneficial because it promotes standardization of sensory vocabulary across multiple panels, companies and countries. Ideally, a published lexicon has the complete list of products from which it was developed, all attribute terms, definitions for every attribute and references for every attribute.

Practical Applications

Sensory analysts working with trained descriptive panels need well defined and documented words to consistently and correctly describe products of interest. These lexicons provide a tool for communication within the panel and allow sensory analysts to communicate with product developers, marketing professionals and suppliers. Ultimately the terminology provides a basis for understanding the differences among products in a category and is the basis for designing consumer research questionnaires.

Lexicons are prominent in the sensory literature. Synthesizing these publications and establishing best practices for lexicon development promotes consistency and reproducibility across the field of sensory science. Review of existing lexicons reveals criteria for successful and useful versions. As globalization spreads modern‐day businesses to new locations, consistency in sensory evaluation becomes increasingly important to establish the success of product development.
Differences in the Induction of Defence Responses in Resistant and Susceptible Muskmelon Plants Infected with Colletotrichum lagenarium
Authors: Ge Yonghong , Guest David I. , Bi Yang
Published: August 2013

Defence reactions occurring in resistant (cv. Gankezaomi) and susceptible (cv. Ganmibao) muskmelon leaves were investigated after inoculating with Colletotrichum lagenarium. Lesion restriction in resistant cultivars was associated with the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The activity of antioxidants catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) significantly increased in both cultivars after inoculation, while levels of both CAT and POD activity were significantly higher in the resistant cultivar. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) increased in both cultivars after inoculation, and level of APX activity was significantly higher in the resistant cultivar. Glutathione reductase (GR) activity significantly increased in both cultivars following inoculation, but was higher in the resistant cultivar, resulting in higher levels of ascorbic acid (AsA) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) significantly increased in inoculated leaves of both cultivars, resulting in higher levels of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids. The pathogenesis‐related proteins chitinase (CHT) and β‐1, 3‐glucanase (GLU) significantly increased following inoculation with higher activity in the resistant cultivar. These findings show that resistance of muskmelon plants against C. lagenarium is associated with the rapid accumulation of H2O2, resulting in altered cellular redox status, accumulation of pathogenesis‐related proteins, activation of phenylpropanoid pathway to accumulation of phenolic compounds and flavonoids.
Entrepreneurial Orientation and Firm Performance: Drawing Attention to the Senior Team
Authors: Van Doorn Sebastiaan , Jansen Justin J. P. , Van den Bosch Frans A. J. , Volberda Henk W.
Published: August 2013

Prior studies have argued entrepreneurial orientation (EO) plays an important role in explaining firm performance. This study aims to assess how senior team attributes moderate the relationship between EO and firm performance. For this purpose, an attention‐based perspective is adopted, focusing on attention scope as well as distributed and situated attention. By considering the role of senior team heterogeneity in broadening the attention scope of senior teams and the role of senior team shared vision in aligning distributed attention across organizational functions, this research investigates how senior teams may enhance the value‐creating potential of EO. In addition, we assess situated attention by including the notion of environmental dynamism and examining whether the role of the senior team attributes is contingent upon environmental conditions. Using a time‐lagged sample of 346 firms operating in various industries, we find that senior team heterogeneity helps firms to leverage their EO and improve their performance. Moreover, once environmental conditions are taken into account, results indicate that the absence of heterogeneity at senior team level may be particularly detrimental for firms operating in stable environments. The direct moderating effect of shared vision on the relationship between EO and performance is not substantiated. However, senior team shared vision has a positive impact for firms operating in dynamic environments, providing a premium for firms aiming to realize the inherent value of EO. Our research provides important implications for senior teams aiming to leverage their EO into increased firm performance. Evidence shows that while a heterogeneous team composition and senior team shared vision may provide several benefits, these advantages may fluctuate across environmental conditions.
Top Management Support and Initial Strategic Assets: A Dependency Model for Internal Corporate Venture Performance
Authors: Garrett Robert P. , Neubaum Donald O.
Published: August 2013

Internal corporate venturing is frequently used by established companies desiring to innovate and grow. These ventures, however, often fail, and previous research has revealed surprisingly little about the antecedents to performance for this strategically important phenomenon. Using resource dependence theory and the resource‐based view, a model is developed wherein the positive relationship between top management support and the internal corporate venture's (ICV) initial strategic asset endowment is moderated by the amount of the venture's operations autonomy. We then argue how top management support, the venture's initial strategic asset endowment, and parent‐venture product similarity are related to ICV performance. Primary data were collected from 72 firms which furnished data on 145 ICVs. The results suggest that increases in the level of support provided by top management leads to higher levels of initial strategic assets endowed in the corporate venture. This relationship, however, is weakened the more corporate parents give their ICVs operations autonomy. Further, top management's support of the corporate venture, as well as the level of initial strategic assets endowed to the venture, increases the subsequent performance of the ICV. The performance benefit of these initial strategic assets, however, is lower the more there is an overlap between the parent's and the venture's products.
Exploration and Resource Commitments in Unequal Partnerships: An Examination of Corporate Venture Capital Investments
Authors: Wadhwa Anu , Basu Sandip
Published: August 2013

While established firms' relationships with external ventures may have significant strategic benefits, the realization of such benefits is fraught with considerable uncertainty. The real options and interorganizational learning literatures present an interesting trade‐off for established firms regarding commitment of resources in a partnership. This study seeks to enhance our understanding of how firms manage these trade‐offs when committing resources to external venturing initiatives. We examine the magnitude of resources initially committed by an established firm to an external venturing partnership in the context of corporate venture capital (CVC) investments. While a real options approach suggests that resource commitments should be lowered in the presence of uncertainty regarding realization of benefits, the interorganizational literature emphasizes that resource commitments may be essential for building quality relationships that expedite learning. Corporate investors, who invest in new ventures in order to gain strategic benefits, face higher uncertainty when their investment objectives involve greater exploration. However, greater exploration also increases investors' need to learn from their portfolio ventures. We, therefore, predicted that the degree of exploration would have aU‐shaped relationship with the investor's resource commitment in a venture. We also expected that factors that serve to decrease the investor's uncertainty, i.e., investor experience diversity and venture affiliation to prominent venture capitalists, would moderate the U‐shaped relationship between exploration and resource commitment. The predictions of the study are tested on a sample of 248 initial investments in private ventures made by incumbent firms in the computer, semiconductor, and telecommunications industries between 1996 and 2000. We find some support for our hypotheses. This study contributes to the external venturing literature onCVCinvestments by examining the determinants of the magnitude of resource commitment to new ventures, and integrates real options perspective, which advocates low resource commitments under uncertainty, with the organizational learning literature, which argues for greater resource commitment to secure partner cooperation. The results of this study reveal interesting insights into howCVCinvestors manage individual investments to generate strategic benefits.
An integrated analysis of SOCS1 down‐regulation in HBV infection‐related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang X. , Wang J. , Cheng J. , Ding S. , Li M. , Sun S. , Zhang L. , Liu S. , Chen X. , Zhuang H. , Lu F.
Published: August 2013

Persistent inflammation together with genetic/epigenetic aberrations is strongly associated with chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection‐related hepatocarcinogenesis. Here, we investigated the alterations of the suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) family genes in HBV‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 116 patients with HCC were enrolled in this study. The methylation statuses of SOCS1‐7 and CISH genes were quantitatively measured and clinicopathological significance of SOCS1 methylation was statistically analysed. The gene copy number variation was assayed by aCGH. Luciferase reporter assay and Western blot were used to detect the involvement of SOCS1 in p53 signalling. We found high frequencies of SOCS1 gene hypermethylation in both tumour (56.03%) and adjacent nontumour tissues (54.31%), but tumour tissues exhibited increased methylation intensity (24.01% vs 13.11%, P < 0.0001), particularly in patients with larger tumour size or cirrhosis background (P < 0.0001). In addition, the frequency and intensity of SOCS1 hypermethylation in tumour tissues were both significantly higher than those in nontumour tissues in male gender patients and in patients ≥45 years old (P = 0.0214 and P < 0.0001, P = 0.0232 and P < 0.0001, respectively). SOCS1 gene deletion was found in 8 of 25 aCGH assayed tumour specimens, which was associated with lower SOCS1 mRNA expression (P = 0.0448). Furthermore, ectopic SOCS1 overexpression could activate the p53 signalling pathway in HCC cell lines. Hypermethylation of SOCS2‐7 and CISH genes was seldom found in HCC. Our results suggested that the gene loss and epigenetic silencing of SOCS1 were strongly associated with HBV‐related HCC.
Parapatric divergence of sympatric morphs in a salamander: incipient speciation on Long Island?
Authors: Fisher‐Reid M. Caitlin , Engstrom Tag N. , Kuczynski Caitlin A. , Stephens Patrick R. , Wiens John J.
Published: August 2013

Speciation is often categorized based on geographic modes (allopatric, parapatric or sympatric). Although it is widely accepted that species can arise in allopatry and then later become sympatrically or parapatrically distributed, patterns in the opposite direction are also theoretically possible (e.g. sympatric lineages or ecotypes becoming parapatric), but such patterns have not been shown at a macrogeographic scale. Here, we analyse genetic, climatic, ecological and morphological data and show that two typically sympatric colour morphs of the salamander Plethodon cinereus (redback and leadback) appear to have become parapatrically distributed on Long Island, New York, with pure‐redback populations in the west and pure‐leadback populations in the east (and polymorphic populations in between and on the mainland). In addition, the pure‐leadback populations in eastern Long Island are genetically, ecologically and morphologically divergent from both mainland and other Long Island populations, suggesting the possibility of incipient speciation. This parapatric separation seems to be related to the different ecological preferences of the two morphs, preferences which are present on the mainland and across Long Island. These results potentially support the idea that spatial segregation of sympatric ecotypes may sometimes play an important part in parapatric speciation.
Optimal Clustering of Railroad Track Maintenance Jobs
Authors: Peng Fan , Ouyang Yanfeng
Published: August 2013

Railroad job clustering is an important part of railroad track maintenance planning. It focuses on clustering track maintenance jobs into projects, so that the projects can be assigned to the production teams and scheduled in the planning horizon. The real‐world instances of job‐clustering problem usually have a very large scale, involving thousands of jobs per year. Various difficult side constraints such as mutual exclusion constraints and rounding constraints further increase the difficulty in solving the problem. In this article, we develop a mixed‐integer mathematical programming model in the form of vehicle routing problem with side constraints, and propose a set of integrated heuristic algorithms to solve the problem. The proposed model and algorithms are shown to be effective and have been adopted by a Class‐I railroad to help their practical operations for a few years.
YabA and DnaD inhibit helix assembly of the DNA replication initiation protein DnaA
Authors: Scholefield Graham , Murray Heath
Published: August 2013

Control of DNA replication initiation is essential for cell growth. A unifying characteristic of DNA replication initiator proteins is their distinctive AAA+ nucleotide‐binding domains. The bacterial initiator DnaA assembles into a right‐handed helical oligomer built upon interactions between neighbouring AAA+ domains to form an active initiation complex. Recently we developed a unique cross‐linking assay that specifically detects ATP‐dependent DnaA helix assembly. Here we have utilized this assay to show that two DnaA regulatory proteins in Bacillus subtilis, YabA and DnaD, inhibit DnaA helix formation. These results, in combination with our previous finding that the regulatory factor Soj/ParA also targets DnaA filament formation, highlight the critical importance of regulating DnaA helix formation during the initiation reaction. Moreover, these observations lead us to suggest that DnaA oligomerization may be the main regulatory step of the initiator assembly pathway in B. subtilis, in contrast to the prevailing model of bacterial DNA replication based on Escherichia coli DnaA where ATP binding appears to be the targeted activity.
Evolutionary responses of native plant species to invasive plants: a review
Authors: Oduor Ayub M. O.
Published: August 2013

Strong competition from invasive plant species often leads to declines in abundances and may, in certain cases, cause localized extinctions of native plant species. Nevertheless, studies have shown that certain populations of native plant species can co‐exist with invasive plant species, suggesting the possibility of adaptive evolutionary responses of those populations to the invasive plants. Empirical inference of evolutionary responses of the native plant species to invasive plants has involved experiments comparing two conspecific groups of native plants for differences in expression of growth/reproductive traits: populations that have experienced competition from the invasive plant species (i.e. experienced natives) versus populations with no known history of interactions with the invasive plant species (i.e. naïve natives). Here, I employ a meta‐analysis to obtain a general pattern of inferred evolutionary responses of native plant species from 53 such studies. In general, the experienced natives had significantly higher growth/reproductive performances than naïve natives, when grown with or without competition from invasive plants. While the current results indicate that certain populations of native plant species could potentially adapt evolutionarily to invasive plant species, the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that probably underlie such evolutionary responses remain unexplored and should be the focus of future studies.
Cost estimates for flood resilience and protection strategies in New York City
Authors: Aerts Jeroen C.J.H. , Botzen W.J. Wouter , de Moel Hans , Bowman Malcolm
Published: August 2013

In the aftermaths of Hurricanes Irene, in 2011, and Sandy, in 2012, New York City has come to recognize the critical need to better prepare for future storm surges and to anticipate future trends, such as climate change and socio‐economic developments. The research presented in this report assesses the costs of six different flood management strategies to anticipate long‐term challenges the City will face. The proposed strategies vary from increasing resilience by upgrading building codes and introducing small scale protection measures, to creating green infrastructure as buffer zones and large protective engineering works such as storm surge barriers. The initial investment costs of alternative strategies vary between $11.6 and $23.8 bn, maximally. We show that a hybrid solution, combining protection of critical infrastructure and resilience measures that can be upgraded over time, is less expensive. However, with increasing risk in the future, storm surge barriers may become cost‐effective, as they can provide protection to the largest areas in both New York and New Jersey.
Oral adverse reactions due to cinnamon‐flavoured chewing gums consumption
Authors: Calapai G , Miroddi M , Mannucci C , Minciullo PL , Gangemi S
Published: August 2013

Cinnamon‐flavoured products (toothpaste, chewing gum, food, candy and mouthwash) can cause oral adverse reactions; among these, the most common is contact stomatitis (cinnamon contact stomatitis, CCS). Signs and symptoms of contact allergic reactions affecting the oral mucosa can mimic other common oral disorders, making diagnosis difficult. As CCS may be more prevalent than believed and its clinical features can frequently determine misdiagnosis, we reviewed case reports and case series of oral adverse reactions due to cinnamon‐containing chewing gums, emphasizing clinical aspects, diagnostic and management procedures. We also proposed an algorithm to perform a diagnosis of CCS as in the previous published literature the diagnostic approach was not based on a harmonized and shared evidence‐based procedure. Moreover, as patients can refer to different specialists as dentists, dermatologists and allergists, a multidisciplinary approach is suggested.
Contemplating Chinese Foreign Policy: Approaches to the Use of Historical Analysis
Authors: Blanchard Jean‐Marc F. , Lin Kun‐Chin
Published: August 2013

Many have contemplated Chinese foreign policy and its future direction, but few have queried how Chinese history might illuminate both. This is unfortunate since researchers have shown that history can influence foreign policy agendas, discourses, and national goals. Moreover, it provides an invaluable tool for comparative analysis. The purpose of this introduction is to provide historical background to the articles comprising this special issue, whose contributors employ historical analysis, with the period preceding and following the Xinhai Revolution as a basis, to illuminate contemporary Chinese foreign policy – e.g., China's interest in remaking the international order and its security norms – or to suggest differences between past and present – for example, in regards to China's Asia–Pacific posture. This introduction also hopes to stimulate further work on Chinese history and foreign policy by highlighting similarities and differences between past and present with respect to, inter alia, pressures against China's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence, the penetration of foreign actors and ideas into China, and domestic factors limiting China's efforts to filter external influences and to respond to them.