bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
WDFY2 restrains matrix metalloprotease secretion and cell invasion by retention of VAMP3 in endosomal tubules
Authors: Sneeggen Marte , Pedersen Nina Marie , Campsteijn Coen , Haugsten Ellen Margrethe , Stenmark Harald , Schink Kay Oliver
Published: April 2018

The endosomal FYVE- and WD40-domain-containing protein WDFY2 has been assigned a function as tumour suppressor, but its functional mechanism has remained elusive. Here we have used confocal, widefield and super-resolution fluorescence microscopy to show that WDFY2 localizes to the base of retromer-containing endosomal tubules by a mechanism that involves recognition of a specific pool of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns3P) by the WDFY2 FYVE domain. Affinity purification and mass spectrometry identified the v-SNARE VAMP3 as an interaction partner of WDFY2, and cellular knockout of WDFY2 caused a strong redistribution of VAMP3 into small vesicles near the plasma membrane. This was accompanied by increased secretion of the matrix metalloprotease MT1-MMP, enhanced degradation of extracellular matrix, and increased cell invasion. WDFY2 is frequently lost in metastatic cancers, most predominantly in ovarian and prostate cancer. We propose that WDFY2 acts as a tumor suppressor by serving as a gatekeeper for VAMP3 recycling.
Spatial Mark-Resight for Categorically Marked Populations with an Application to Genetic Capture-Recapture
Authors: Augustine Ben C. , Stewart Frances E. C. , Royle J. Andrew , Fisher Jason T. , Kelly Marcella J.
Published: April 2018

The estimation of animal population density is a fundamental goal in wildlife ecology and management, commonly met using mark recapture or spatial mark recapture (SCR) study designs and statistical methods. Mark-recapture methods require the identification of individuals; however, for many species and sampling methods, particularly noninvasive methods, no individuals or only a subset of individuals are individually identifiable. The unmarked SCR model, theoretically, can estimate the density of unmarked populations; however, it produces biased and imprecise density estimates in many sampling scenarios typically encountered. Spatial mark-resight (SMR) models extend the unmarked SCR model in three ways: 1) by introducing a subset of individuals that are marked and individually identifiable, 2) introducing the possibility of individual-linked telemetry data, and 3) introducing the possibility that the capture-recapture data from the survey used to deploy the marks can be used in a joint model, all improving the reliability of density estimates. The categorical spatial partial identity model (SPIM) improves the reliability of density estimates over unmarked SCR along another dimension, by adding categorical identity covariates that improve the probabilistic association of the latent identity samples. Here, we combine these two models into a “categorical SMR” model to exploit the benefits of both models simultaneously. We demonstrate using simulations that SMR alone can produce biased and imprecise density estimates with sparse data and/or when few individuals are marked. Then, using a fisher (Pekania pennanti) genetic capture-recapture data set, we show how categorical identity covariates, marked individuals, telemetry data, and jointly modeling the capture survey used to deploy marks with the resighting survey all combine to improve inference over the unmarked SCR model. As previously seen in an application of the categorical SPIM to a real-world data set, the fisher data set demonstrates that individual heterogeneity in detection function parameters, especially the spatial scale parameter σ, introduces positive bias into latent identity SCR models (e.g., unmarked SCR, SMR), but the categorical SMR model provides more tools to reduce this positive bias than SMR or the categorical SPIM alone. We introduce the possibility of detection functions that vary by identity category level, which will remove individual heterogeneity in detection function parameters than is explained by categorical covariates, such as individual sex. Finally, we provide efficient SMR algorithms that accommodate all SMR sample types, interspersed marking and sighting periods, and any number of identity covariates using the 2-dimensional individual by trap data in conjunction with precomputed constraint matrices, rather than the 3-dimensional individual by trap by occasion data used in SMR algorithms to date.
Dilution and titration of cell-cycle regulators may control cell size in budding yeast
Authors: Heldt Frank S. , Lunstone Reece , Tyson John J. , Novák Béla
Published: April 2018

The size of a cell sets the scale for all biochemical processes within it, thereby affecting cellular fitness and survival. Hence, cell size needs to be kept within certain limits and relatively constant over multiple generations. However, how cells measure their size and use this information to regulate growth and division remains controversial. Here, we present two mechanistic mathematical models of the budding yeast (S. cerevisiae) cell cycle to investigate competing hypotheses on size control: inhibitor dilution and titration of nuclear sites. Our results suggest that an inhibitor-dilution mechanism, in which cell growth dilutes the transcriptional inhibitor Whi5 against the constant activator Cln3, can facilitate size homeostasis. This is achieved by utilising a positive feedback loop to establish a fixed size threshold for the STARTtransition, which efficiently couples cell growth to cell cycle progression. Yet, we show that inhibitor dilution cannot reproduce the size of mutants that alter the cell’s overall ploidy andWHI5gene copy number. By contrast, size control through titration of Cln3 against a constant number of genomic binding sites for the transcription factor SBF recapitulates both size homeostasis and the size of these mutant strains. Moreover, this model produces an imperfect ‘sizer’ behaviour in G1 and a ‘timer’ in S/G2/M, which combine to yield an ‘adder’ over the whole cell cycle; an observation recently made in experiments. Hence, our model connects these phenomenological data with the molecular details of the cell cycle, providing a systems-level perspective of budding yeast size control.
Modified Pearson Correlation Coefficient for Two-color Imaging in Spherocylindrical Cells
Authors: Mohapatra Sonisilpa , Weisshaar James C.
Published: April 2018

The revolution in fluorescence microscopy enables sub-diffraction-limit (“superresolution”) localization of hundreds or thousands of copies of two differently labeled proteins in the same live cell. In typical experiments, fluorescence from the entire three-dimensional (3D) cell body is projected along thez-axis of the microscope to form a 2D image at the camera plane. For imaging of two different species, here denoted “red” and “green”, a significant biological question is the extent to which the red and green spatial distributions are positively correlated, anti-correlated, or uncorrelated. A commonly used statistic for assessing the degree of linear correlation between two image matricesRandGis the Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC). PCC should vary from –1 (perfect anti-correlation) to 0 (no linear correlation) to +1 (perfect positive correlation). However, in the special case of spherocylindrical bacterial cells such asE.coliorB.subtilis, we show that the PCC fails both qualitatively and quantitatively. PCC returns the same +1 value for 2D projections of distributions that are either perfectly correlated in 3D or completely uncorrelated in 3D. The PCC also systematically underestimates the degree of anti-correlation between the projections of two perfectly anti-correlated 3D distributions. The problem is that the projection of a random spatial distribution within the 3D spherocylinder is non-random in 2D, whereas PCC compares every matrix element ofRorGwith the constant mean valueRorG. We propose a modified Pearson Correlation Coefficient (MPCC) that corrects this problem for spherocylindrical cell geometry by using the proper reference matrix for comparison withRandG. Correct behavior of MPCC is confirmed for a variety of numerical simulations and on experimental distributions of HU and RNA polymerase in liveE.colicells. The MPCC concept should be generalizable to other cell shapes.
Mono-homologous linear DNA recombination by the non-homologous end-joining pathway as a novel and simple gene inactivation method: a proof of concept study inDietziasp. DQ12-45-1b
Authors: Lu Shelian , Nie Yong , Wang Meng , Xu Hong-Xiu , Ma Dong-Ling , Liang Jie-Liang , Wu Xiao-Lei
Published: April 2018

Non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) is critical for genome stability because of its roles in double-strand break repair. Ku and ligase D (LigD) are the crucial proteins in this process, and strains expressing Ku and LigD can cyclize linear DNAin vivo.Herein, we established a proof-of-concept mono-homologous linear DNA recombination for gene inactivation or genome editing by which cyclization of linear DNAin vivoby NHEJ could be used to generate non-replicable circular DNA and could allow allelic exchanges between the circular DNA and the chromosome. We achieved this approach inDietziasp. DQ12-45-1b, which expresses Ku and LigD homologs and presents NHEJ activity. By transforming the strain with a linear DNA mono homolog to the sequence in chromosome, we mutated the genome. This method did not require the screening of suitable plasmids and was easy and time-effective. Bioinformatic analysis showed that more than 20% prokaryotic organisms contain Ku and LigD, suggesting the wide distribution of NHEJ activities. Moreover, theEscherichia colistrain also showed NHEJ activity when the Ku and LigD ofDietziasp. DQ12-45-1b were introduced and expressed in it. Therefore, this method may be a widely applicable genome editing tool for diverse prokaryotic organisms, especially for non-model microorganisms.

IMPORTANCE

The non-model gram-positive bacteria lack efficient genetic manipulation systems, but they express genes encoding Ku and LigD. The NHEJ pathway inDietziasp. DQ12-45-1b was evaluated and was used to successfully knockout eleven genes in the genome. Since bioinformatic studies revealed that the putative genes encoding Ku and LigD ubiquitously exist in phylogenetically diverse bacteria and archaea, the mono-homologous linear DNA recombination by the NHEJ pathway could be a potentially applicable genetic manipulation method for diverse non-model prokaryotic organisms.
Preferred hexoses influence long-term memory and induction of lactose catabolism byStreptococcus mutans
Authors: Zeng Lin , Burne Robert A.
Published: April 2018

Bacteria prioritize sugar metabolism via carbohydrate catabolite repression, which regulates global gene expression to optimize the catabolism of preferred substrates. Here, we report an unusual long-term memory effect in certainStreptococcus mutansstrains that alters adaptation to growth on lactose after prior exposure to glucose or fructose. In strain GS-5, cells that were first cultured on fructose then transferred to lactose displayed an exceptionally long lag (>11 h) and slower growth, compared to cells first cultured on glucose or cellobiose, which displayed a reduction in lag phase by as much as 10 h. Mutants lacking the cellobiose-PTS or phospho-β-glucosidase lost the accelerated growth on lactose associated with prior culturing on glucose. The memory effects of glucose or fructose on lactose catabolism were not as profound in strain UA159, but the lag phase was considerably shorter in mutants lacking the glucose-PTS EIIMan. Interestingly, whenS.mutanswas cultivated on lactose, significant quantities of free glucose accumulated in the medium, with higher levels found in the cultures of strains lacking EIIMan, glucokinase, or both. Free glucose was also detected in cultures that were utilizing cellobiose or trehalose, albeit at lower levels. Such release of hexoses byS.mutansis likely of biological significance as it was found that cells required small amounts of glucose or other preferred carbohydrates to initiate efficient growth on lactose. These findings suggest thatS.mutansmodulates the induction of lactose utilization based on its prior exposure to glucose or fructose, which can be liberated from common disaccharides.

IMPORTANCE

Understanding the molecular mechanisms employed by oral bacteria to control sugar metabolism is key to developing novel therapies for management of dental caries and other oral diseases. Lactose is a naturally occurring disaccharide that is abundant in dairy products and commonly ingested by humans. However, for the dental caries pathogenStreptococcus mutans, relatively little is known about the molecular mechanisms that regulate expression of genes required for lactose uptake and catabolism. Two peculiarities of lactose utilization byS.mutansare explored here: a)S.mutansexcretes glucose that it cleaves from lactose and b) prior exposure to certain carbohydrates can result in a long-term inability to use lactose. The study begins to shed light on howS.mutansmay bet-hedge to optimize its persistence and virulence in the human oral cavity.
Modulation ofACD6dependent hyperimmunity by natural alleles of anArabidopsis thalianaNLR resistance gene
Authors: Zhu Wangsheng , Zaidem Maricris , Van de Weyer Anna-Lena , Gutaker Rafal M. , Chae Eunyoung , Kim Sang-Tae , Bemm Felix , Li Lei , Schwab Rebecca , Unger Frederik , Beha Marcel Janis , Demar Monika , Weigel Detlef
Published: April 2018

Plants defend themselves against pathogens by activating an array of immune responses. Unfortunately, immunity programs may also cause unintended collateral damage to the plant itself. The quantitative disease resistance geneACCELERATED CELL DEATH 6(ACD6) serves as a nexus for the trade-off between growth and pathogen resistance in wild populations ofArabidopsis thaliana.An autoimmune allele,ACD6-Est, first identified in the natural accession Est-1, is found in over 10% of wild strains, even though it causes a clear fitness penalty under optimal growth conditions. There is, however, extensive variation in the strength of the autoimmune phenotype expressed by strains with anACD6-Est allele, indicative of genetic modifiers. Quantitative genetic analysis suggests that the population genetic basis ofACD6modulation is complex, with different strains often carrying different large-effect modifiers. One modifier isSUPPRESSOR OF NPR1-1,CONSTITUTIVE 1(SNC1), located in a highly polymorphic cluster of nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptor genes, which are prototypes for qualitative disease resistance genes. Allelic variation atSNC1correlates withACD6-Est activity in multiple accessions, and a common structural variant affecting the NL linker sequence can explain differences in SNC1 activity. Taken together, we find that an NLR gene can mask the activity of anACD6autoimmune allele in naturalA. thalianapopulations, thereby linking different arms of the plant immune system.

Author summary

Plants defend themselves against pathogens by activating immune responses. Unfortunately, these can cause unintended collateral damage to the plant itself. Nevertheless, some wild plants have genetic variants that confer a low threshold for the activation of immunity. While these enable a plant to respond particularly quickly to pathogen attack, such variants might be potentially dangerous. We are investigating one such variant of the immune geneACCELERATED CELL DEATH 6(ACD6) in the plantArabidopsis thaliana.We discovered that there are variants at other genetic loci that can mask the effects of an overly activeACD6gene. One of these genes,SUPPRESSOR OF NPR1-1,CONSTITUTIVE 1(SNC1), codes for a known immune receptor. TheSNC1variant that attenuatesACD6activity is rather common inA. thalianapopulations, suggesting that new combinations of the hyperactiveACD6variant and this antagonisticSNC1variant will often arise by natural crosses. Similarly, because the two genes are unlinked, outcrossing will often lead to the hyperactiveACD6variants being unmasked again. We propose that allelic diversity atSNC1contributes to the maintenance of the hyperactiveACD6variant in naturalA. thalianapopulations.
Enhanced bacterial immunity and mammalian genome editing via RNA polymerase-mediated dislodging of Cas9 from double strand DNA breaks
Authors: Clarke Ryan , Heler Robert , MacDougall Matthew S. , Yeo Nan Cher , Chavez Alejandro , Regan Maureen , Hanakahi Leslyn , Church George M. , Marraffini Luciano A. , Merrill Bradley J.
Published: April 2018

The ability to target the Cas9 nuclease to DNA sequences via Watson-Crick base pairing with a single guide RNA (sgRNA) has provided a dynamic tool for genome editing and an essential component of adaptive immune systems in bacteria. After generating a double strand break (DSB), Cas9 remains stably bound to it. Here we show persistent Cas9 binding blocks access to DSB by repair enzymes, reducing genome editing efficiency. Cas9 can be dislodged by translocating RNA polymerases, but only if the polymerase approaches one direction towards the Cas9-DSB complex. By exploiting these RNA polymerase-Cas9 interactions, Cas9 can be conditionally converted into a multi-turnover nuclease, mediating increased mutagenesis frequencies in mammalian cells and enhancing bacterial immunity to bacteriophages. These consequences of a stable Cas9-DSB complex provide insights into the evolution of PAM sequences and a simple method of improving selection of highly active sgRNA for genome editing.
Required marker properties for unbiased estimates of the genetic correlation between populations
Authors: Wientjes Yvonne C.J. , Calus Mario P.L. , Duenk Pascal , Bijma Piter
Published: April 2018

Populations generally differ in environmental and genetic factors, which can create differences in allele substitution effects between populations. Therefore, a single genotype may have different additive genetic values in different populations. The correlation between the two additive genetic values of a single genotype in both populations is known as the additive genetic correlation between populations and can differ from one. Our objective was to investigate whether differences in linkage disequilibrium (LD) and allele frequencies of markers and causal loci between populations affect bias of the estimated genetic correlation. We simulated two populations that were separated for 50 generations. Markers and causal loci were selected to either have similar or different allele frequencies in the two populations. Differences in consistency of LD between populations were obtained by using different marker density panels. Results showed that when the difference in allele frequencies of causal loci between populations was reflected by the markers, genetic correlations were only slightly underestimated using markers. This was even the case when LD patterns, measured by LD statistic r, were different between populations. When the difference in allele frequencies of causal loci between populations was not reflected by the markers, genetic correlations were severely underestimated. We conclude that for an unbiased estimate of the genetic correlation between populations, marker allele frequencies should reflect allele frequencies of causal loci so that marker-based relationships can accurately predict the relationships at causal loci, i.e. E(Gcausal loci|Gmarkers) ≠ Gmarkers. Differences in LD between populations have little effect on the estimated genetic correlation.
International comparison of performance of public projects
Authors: Ling Florence Yean Yng
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of public projects in Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney to uncover which areas project managers should focus on when managing public projects in different countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature review, a structured questionnaire was designed to collect data of completed public projects. In total, 244 sets of data of completed public projects were collected.

Findings

Significant cost and schedule overruns are found in all four cities. Hong Kong’s public projects have the highest cost and schedule overruns. Singapore’s public projects have the lowest cost overrun and Beijing’s projects have the lowest schedule overrun. Public projects in all four cities recorded significantly good project quality.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are not easily generalizable due to the relatively small sample size in Sydney, low response rate and data being collected from only four cities. The research implication is that the plethora of project management strategies does not seem effective in preventing cost and schedule overruns in public projects.

Practical implications

This study found that across the four cities, there are significant cost and schedule overruns. Projects in Hong Kong perform the worst in terms of cost and schedule, when compared to Beijing, Singapore and Sydney. The implication is that more attention should be paid to managing cost and schedule, especially in Hong Kong.

Originality/value

The originality is that the study discovered which areas project managers should focus on when managing public projects in different countries. In laissez-faire or free market economies, more attention should be paid to managing project cost and schedule. When a country has lower transparency index, more attention should be paid to controlling project quality. Project team members should focus on delivering public projects to the highest level of quality in developed countries.
The contrary effects of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations on burnout and turnover intention in the public sector
Authors: Kim Jungin
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Based on motivation theories, such as self-determination theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine whether intrinsic and extrinsic motivations significantly influence burnout and turnover intention in the public sector. Furthermore, the authors assessed the mediating effect of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and public service motivation (PSM) on the relationship between intrinsic/extrinsic motivation and burnout/turnover intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a survey of 203 public employees from local governments in South Korea, this study conducted ordinary least squares regression analysis to investigate the relationships among intrinsic/extrinsic motivation, OCB, PSM, and burnout/turnover intention.

Findings

The authors found that intrinsic motivation had a significantly negative effect on both burnout and turnover intention. Extrinsic motivation had a significantly positive effect only on burnout. Lastly, OCB and PSM had a mediating effect on the relationships between intrinsic motivation and burnout.

Originality/value

These results provide some insights into the effects of job motivation on burnout and turnover intention in the public sector. Particularly, this research highlights the importance of intrinsic motivation, OCB, and PSM in decreasing burnout and the importance of intrinsic motivation in decreasing turnover intention of public employees.
Minimum wages effects on low-skilled workers in less developed regions of China
Authors: Wang Jing , Gunderson Morley
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the causal effect of minimum wages on the employment of low-skilled workers in less developed regions of China.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, a double-difference (DD) methodology is used to compare the employment of low-skilled individuals before and after a minimum wage increase in their provinces with a comparison group of individuals in provinces that did not have a minimum wage increase. Also, a triple-difference methodology (DDD) is used that also includes an additional control group of highly educated workers as a within-province internal comparison group that should not be affected by a minimum wage increase.

Findings

No evidence of an adverse employment effect is found in any of the 36 different estimates, consistent with recent US evidence that uses a similar DD methodology.

Research limitations/implications

The data are not national representative; rather heavily weighted towards the less developed Central, Western and parts of the Eastern Regions of China. This may partially explain the absence of the theoretically expected adverse employment effect. Other related reasons are discussed, including: lack of enforcement in those less developed regions; a large presence of state-owned enterprises in the regions where employment security clause remains intact; the relatively less developed labour markets in the regions including where employers may behave in a monopsony fashion in their labour markets; shock effects; and cost offsets from reduced fringe benefits and increases in the pace of work. This paper was unable to disentangle the separate effect of these possible factors.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies on minimum wages in China to focus on low-skilled workers in less developed regions, to use individuals as the unit of observation rather than aggregates, and to provide causal estimates based on DD and DDD methodologies.
Sustainability and academic air travel in Australian universities
Authors: Glover Andrew , Strengers Yolande , Lewis Tania
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Air travel is becoming increasingly recognized as a source of greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change. This is particularly relevant for the university sector, which relies heavily on staff air travel for domestic and international mobility.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative content and textual analysis of Australian university sustainability policies, documents and Web pages, this paper discusses the extent to which these organizations take the task of reducing emissions from flying seriously.

Findings

Universities fall into one of three groups in this regard. “Air Travel Ignorers” are organizations that either have no sustainability policy or none that recognize air travel as a source of greenhouse gas emissions. The second group – “Recognition without Intervention” – describes universities that do acknowledge the role of air travel in their carbon footprint, but do not propose any means to reduce the amount of flying they do. Third, “Air Travel Substituters” seek to substitute their air travel with a digital form of mobility, usually video conferencing.

Research limitations/implications

The authors then highlight the need to decrease and denormalize university air travel through shifting shared expectations of mobility for events such as conferences and meetings.

Practical implications

By way of a conclusion, the authors discuss the nature of air travel for Australian academia and the relationship between various forms of mobility, connectedness and co-presence.

Originality/value

This is the first comprehensive analysis of Australian university sustainability policies with respect to air travel.
Recommending valuable ideas in an open innovation community
Authors: Lee Hanjun , Choi Keunho , Yoo Donghee , Suh Yongmoo , Lee Soowon , He Guijia
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Open innovation communities are a growing trend across diverse industries because they provide opportunities of collaborating with customers and exploiting their knowledge effectively. Although open innovation communities can be strategic assets that can help firms innovate, firms nonetheless face the challenge of information overload incurred due to the characteristic of the community. The purpose of this paper is to mitigate the problem of information overload in an open innovation environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This study chose MyStarbucksIdea.com (MSI) as a target open innovation community in which customers share their ideas. The authors analyzed a large data set collected from MSI utilizing text mining techniques including TF-IDF and sentiment analysis, while considering both term and non-term features of the data set. Those features were used to develop classification models to calculate the adoption probability of each idea.

Findings

The results showed that term and non-term features play important roles in predicting the adoptability of ideas and the best classification accuracy was achieved by the hybrid classification models. In most cases, the precisions of classification models decreased as the number of recommendations increased, while the models’ recalls and F1s increased.

Originality/value

This research dealt with the problem of information overload in an open innovation context. A large amount of customer opinions from an innovation community were examined and a recommendation system to mitigate the problem was proposed. Using the proposed system, the firm can get recommendations for ideas that could be valuable for its business innovation in the idea generation phase, thereby resolving the information overload and enhancing the effectiveness of open innovation.
The influence of coproduction’s factors and corporate image toward attitudinal loyalty
Authors: Abd Aziz Norzalita
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Islamic banking system has become mainstream with the increasing popularity and demand of its products and services, including that of non-Muslims and even among the Western market. This paper aims to attempt to explore the factors that influence the co-production of services as well consumer attitudinal loyalty based on consumers’ perception of Islamic financial banking services. It also tests how co-production and customer loyalty as well as corporate image relate to each other. The present study is set up in the context of Islamic financial banking service industry in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected using the survey method. Convenience sampling was used to collect 502 usable responses via self-administered questionnaires.

Findings

The hierarchical regression results show that communication and commitment have a significant influence on co-production of services, but competence has an insignificant relationship. Co-production and corporate image have a significant influence on the consumer attitudinal loyalty, whereas corporate image has significant influence on consumer commitment. The study findings show that the co-production fully mediates the relationship between the communication and attitudinal loyalty, whereas it partially mediates the relationship between commitment and attitudinal loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is required to determine other additional and broader range of constructs. Further testing is therefore required before any generalization of these results can be undertaken, and it would be useful to conduct future studies in other types of industries. There are four segments of Islamic financial services customers, namely, religious conviction group, religious conviction and economic group, ethical observant group and economic rationality group. It is interesting to examine these segments related to the current study on how each segment influences the co-production process and loyalty among them.

Originality/value

The sustainability of a service organization depends on understanding customers’ needs but it also relies on the involvement of its customers. Although similar to-production, value co-creation has been regarded as one of the most prioritized research topics in service and marketing; thus, future researchers might model the relationships based on this concept. Despite these, few studies have been conducted to understand the nature and implications of co-production concept in Islamic financial banking services. This study contributes to the knowledge, in particular, in the context of Islamic financial banking services, especially by integrating additional constructs in determining customers’ loyalty such as the corporate image. To a certain extent, it offers some important insights on the subject of co-production and customer loyalty that eventually will lead to value creation and sustainability of businesses.
Islamic marketing paradoxes: a way to understand it again …
Authors: Abu Daabes Ajayeb
Published: April 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to provide insights on Islamic marketing (IM) through discussing a number of controversial questions and paradoxes to understand deeply this new wave.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is conceptual in nature. It is based on several assumptions of IM concepts and implications that were originated from literature. Couple of arguments were addressed deeply: the contradiction between conventional and IM, and the success of the non-Muslim companies before the emerging of IM, the importance of IM in the current era, the nature of the lens that is used in understanding IM and Islam as marketing tool or IM as a tool to promote Islam. Extensive debates were introduced through critical analysis and comparisons between various perspectives.

Findings

The paper presents the following key arguments: there is no apparent difference between conventional marketing and IM, as it is built on the core conventional marketing principles besides the MuslimShariahand practices. Practitioners should focus on understanding the Muslim markets in context to particular practices and perceptions of that specific market. Islam does not need to be promoted by IM as huge sources are available; moreover, Islam is not a mere marketing tool, but a backbone to prevail the IM field.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to this new trend by introducing and analyzing paradoxes of IM. The discussion of the proposed controversial questions opens the door for new understanding of different perspectives for IM.
Heat treatment of electron beam melted (EBM) Ti-6Al-4V: microstructure to mechanical property correlations
Authors: Raghavan Srinivasan , Nai Mui Ling Sharon , Wang Pan , Sin Wai Jack , Li Tao , Wei Jun
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The paper presents a wide range of post processing heat treatment cycles performed to Electron Beam Melted (EBM) Ti6Al4V alloy and establishes correlations of heat treat process to microstructure and mechanical property (microhardness). The research also identifies the optimal heat treatment to obtain the best microstructure and mechanical properties (hardness and tensile).

Design/methodology/approach

Rectangular bars fabricated using EBM was used to study the different heat treatment cycles. A variety of heat treatments from sub ß-transus, super ß-transus, near ß-transus and solution aircool plus ageing were designed. After the heat treatment process, the samples were analysed for, α lath width, prior ß grain size, microhardness and nanohardness. Tensile tests were done for the heat treated samples showing most refined α lath structure with uniform globular grains.

Findings

A clear correlation was observed between α lath width and the microhardness values. The solution aircooled plus aged samples exhibited the best refinement in α-ß morphology with uniform equiaxed grains. The tensile properties of the solution aircooled plus aged samples were comparable to that of the EBM printed samples and better than ASTMF1472 specifications.

Originality/value

There is hardly any prior work related to post processing heat treatment of EBM built Ti6Al4V other than HIP treatments. The variety of heat treatment cycles and its influence in microstructure and properties, studied in this research, gives a clear understanding on how to tailor final microstructures and select the optimal heat treatment process.
Microstructure and properties of functionally graded materials Ti6Al4V/TiC fabricated by direct laser deposition
Authors: Zhang Jingwei , Zhang Yunlu , Li Wei , Karnati Sreekar , Liou Frank , Newkirk Joseph W.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to manufacture Ti6Al4V/TiC functionally graded material (FGM) by direct laser deposition (DLD) using Ti6Al4V and TiC powder. The objective is to investigate the effect of process parameters and TiC composition on microstructure, Vickers hardness and mechanical properties.

Design/methodology/approach

Powder blends with three different volume percentages of Ti6Al4V and TiC were used as feed material for DLD process. Five experiments with different values of laser power and scan speed were conducted to investigate the effect on microstructure and Vickers hardness for different compositions of feed material. Mini-tensile tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of the FGM samples. Digital image correlation (DIC) was applied to estimate Young’s modulus and ultimate tensile stress (UTS) of heterogeneous material.

Findings

This paper indicates that primary carbide, eutectic carbide and un-melted carbide phases are formed in the FGM deposit. As the energy density was increased, the primary and secondary dendrite arm spacing was found to increase. As TiC composition was increased, Young’s modulus increased and UTS decreased. The dendritic morphology of primary TiC growth was expected to cause low resistance for crack propagation, causing lower UTS values. Tensile specimens cut in vertical orientation were observed to possess higher values of Young’s modulus in comparison with specimens cut horizontally at low carbon content.

Originality/value

Current work presents unique and original contributions from the study of miniature FGM tensile specimens using DIC method. It investigates the effect of specimen orientation and TiC content on Young’s modulus and UTS. The relationship between energy density and dendritic arm spacing was evaluated. The relationship between laser power and scan speed with microstructure and Vickers hardness was investigated.
The dividends of diversity: the win-win-win model is taking over business and it necessitates diversity
Authors: Sheppard Donald Lee
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show business leaders and human resource professionals that promoting diversity within any given organization is good for business. By demonstrating the concrete ways in which diversity is good for business, good for clients, good for customers and good for the larger community, this paper intends to convince readers to implement diversity, and provides them with a strong argument for doing so.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper outlines the necessary facets of being an ethical leader and provides an exploration of the role of diversity in ethical leadership and successful business. It also provides various case studies, including the company the author created, Sheppard Associates, which benefited enormously from focusing on diversity in the workplace.

Findings

Diversity is not just good for business, it is good for employees, clients and our society as a whole. Diversity means promoting and rewarding employees based on merit and not based on their gender, race, physical disabilities or any other physical attributes. To create a diverse workforce, leaders must be open to overcome their own unconscious bias. Leaders are key to encouraging and promoting diversity in any organization. It is their role and responsibility to ensure that the company’s ethical values become the moral compass for decent behavior throughout the workplace.

Originality/value

This paper uniquely focuses on the idea that “leadership excellence demands ethical business practices.” A leader cannot achieve the highest standards without embracing ethics and integrity in everything he or she does. Furthermore, the primary function of leaders – business, political, military and community – is to inspire those around them. Failure to perform this function, especially when it comes to inspiring others to accept and celebrate differences in culture and race, is self-defeating.
How diversity (that is included) can fuel innovation and engagement – and how sameness can be lethal
Authors: Frost Stephen
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Conventional wisdom says that diverse organisations perform better. However, this is not always the case. Diverse teams that are not inclusive are unable to leverage their diversity, and thus will not reap its benefits. The purpose of this paper is to show that organisations that exhibit inclusive behaviour and inclusive leadership can leverage diversity to reap its multiple positive benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on various examples from different sectors, including Kodak, the US Armed Forces and NASA, to analyse the effects of sameness on teams. It also draws on the author’s own experience and the most recent peer-reviewed research to look at the effects of inclusive management, not just diversity.

Findings

This paper shows that there is ample evidence that diverse teams often perform better, and that they only perform better when led inclusively. The combination of diverse teams and inclusive management can lead to increased innovation and productivity and better decision-making.

Originality/value

This important reframing of the value of inclusion and not just diversity is insightful for the CEO and C-suite leaders, as well as essential for human resource managers or anyone who makes decisions about hiring, promotions or team composition.
When and where does dispersal limitation matter in primary succession?
Authors: Makoto Kobayashi , Wilson Scott D.
Published: April 2018

Primary succession encompasses the earliest and most fundamental stages of community assembly. The relative contributions of plant dispersal and ecosystem development, the main drivers that control the rate of primary succession, remain largely unknown, in spite of their central roles in community organization in general. Understanding the contribution of dispersal is especially critical because it casts light on our ability to manage succession resulting from climate change or anthropogenic disturbance.

Here, we review the literature in order to understand when and where dispersal limits primary succession. Studies from many systems (tropical, temperate, boreal, arctic, alpine, floodplain forest, desert, mines, volcanic eruption and glacier forelands) show that dispersal limitation occurs consistently in the early stages of primary succession, suggesting that this is a general pattern. On the other hand, we found strong biases in study sites towards the Northern Hemisphere, temperate regions, volcanic eruptions and glacier forelands, which suggests that there are risks in drawing general conclusions about the importance of dispersal for primary succession for other biomes.

Little is known about the contribution of dispersal to the later stages of primary succession. We present a recently developed method, multiscale chronosequence comparison that compares rates of succession in similar systems at relatively small and large spatial scales. Rapid succession at small scales compared to large scales suggests that seed dispersal influences succession over time periods of centuries and also limits the development of ecosystem functions such as vegetation cover and soil carbon accumulation.

Synthesis: Dispersal limitation likely matters not only in the early stages but also in the late stages of primary succession by controlling the rate at which new species arrive. Both the accumulation of comparable case studies and novel approaches, such as multiscale chronosequence comparisons and factorial experiments, in contrasting biomes, are necessary to clarify the generality or context dependency of the role of dispersal in future primary successions undergoing changing climate.
Jasmonic acid regulation of the anti‐herbivory mechanism conferred by fungal endophytes in grasses
Authors: Bastías Daniel A. , Martínez‐Ghersa M. Alejandra , Newman Jonathan A. , Card Stuart D. , Mace Wade J. , Gundel Pedro E.
Published: April 2018

The most studied mechanism of protection against herbivores in grasses associated with Epichloë fungal endophytes has been the fungal production of alkaloids. However, the contribution of the plant immune response on the level of resistance to herbivores in symbiotic grasses has been poorly explored. We studied the relationship between the plant hormone, jasmonic acid (JA) and Epichloë fungal endophytes on herbivore defences in symbiotic grasses. We hypothesized that an exogenous application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), an activator of the plant JA defence response, would increase the level of resistance of endophyte‐symbiotic and non‐symbiotic plants to a chewing insect. As Epichloë endophytes produce alkaloids, an enhancement of the JA defence would complement the resistance given by these alkaloids.

Lolium multiflorum plants symbiotic and non‐symbiotic with the endophyte Epichloë occultans were subjected to an exogenous application of MeJA followed by a challenge with the generalist chewing insect Spodoptera frugiperda. We measured the level of plant resistance to chewing insects, and the defences conferred by host plants and fungal endophytes.

Symbiotic plants were more resistant to S. frugiperda than their non‐symbiotic counterparts. However, despite the fact that the concentration of JA significantly increased in all plants exposure to MeJA, neither endophyte‐symbiotic nor non‐symbiotic plants showed an enhanced resistance to insects. Unexpectedly, the exposure of endophyte‐symbiotic plants to MeJA led to a reduction in the concentration of loline alkaloids (i.e. N‐formyllolines and N‐acetylnorlolines), consequently decreasing the level of plant resistance to the herbivore.

Synthesis. Our results suggest that, rather than complementing the alkaloid‐based defence, the jasmonic acid hormone weakens the anti‐herbivore mechanism conferred by Epichloë endophytes. The present study highlights that the interaction between the jasmonic acid hormone and the presence of leaf fungal endophytes can be of importance for the effectiveness of the anti‐herbivore defences of symbiotic plants.
Seeing the woods through the saplings: Using wood density to assess the recovery of human‐modified Amazonian forests
Authors: Berenguer Erika , Gardner Toby Alan , Ferreira Joice , Aragão Luiz E. O. C. , Mac Nally Ralph , Thomson James R. , Vieira Ima Célia Guimarães , Barlow Jos
Published: April 2018

Most of the world's remaining tropical forests have been affected by either selective logging, understorey fires, fragmentation or are regrowing in areas that were previously deforested. Despite the ubiquity of these human‐modified forests, we have a limited knowledge of their potential to recover key traits linked to ecosystem processes and consequent services.

Here we present data from 31,095 trees and saplings distributed across 121 plots of undisturbed and disturbed primary forests as well as secondary forests in the eastern Amazon. We examined the post‐disturbance recovery trajectory of an important plant functional trait, wood density. We tested whether human‐modified Amazonian forests are experiencing a rapid or a slow, or even impeded, recovery of this trait, which is associated with the provision of a fundamental ecosystem service—carbon storage.

As expected, we found that the plot‐level wood density of trees and saplings in disturbed primary and secondary forests was significantly lower than in undisturbed forests. However, there was no significant difference in the average wood density of saplings between disturbed primary and secondary forests, possibly indicating a process of secondarization. We also found evidence that the recovery of wood density in human‐modified forests is being severely disrupted due to edge effects (in the case of disturbed primary forests) and high liana densities (in the case of both disturbed primary and secondary forests). Surprisingly, these two factors were more important predictors of wood density recovery than the time elapsed since the disturbance event.

Synthesis. Plant communities in human‐modified Amazonian forests appear to not be recovering a key functional property—wood density, which in turn may affect their ability to store carbon in the future. If the aim of conservation programs in tropical forests is to maintain existing rates of ecosystem functions, processes and services, then they must concentrate efforts on avoiding anthropogenic disturbance in areas of currently undisturbed forests. It is also vital to prevent further disturbance in human‐modified forests to avoid disrupting even more their recovery.