bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperate marine protected area provides recruitment subsidies to local fisheries
Authors: Le Port A. , Montgomery J. C. , Smith A. N. H. , Croucher A. E. , McLeod I. M. , Lavery S. D.
Published: October 2017

The utility of marine protected areas (MPAs) as a means of protecting exploited species and conserving biodiversity within MPA boundaries is supported by strong empirical evidence. However, the potential contribution of MPAs to fished populations beyond their boundaries is still highly controversial; empirical measures are scarce and modelling studies have produced a range of predictions, including both positive and negative effects. Using a combination of genetic parentage and relatedness analysis, we measured larval subsidies to local fisheries replenishment for Australasian snapper (Chrysophrys auratus: Sparidae) from a small (5.2 km2), well-established, temperate, coastal MPA in northern New Zealand. Adult snapper within the MPA contributed an estimated 10.6% (95% CI: 5.5–18.1%) of newly settled juveniles to surrounding areas (approx. 400 km2), with no decreasing trend in contributions up to 40 km away. Biophysical modelling of larval dispersal matched experimental data, showing larvae produced inside the MPA dispersed over a comparable distance. These results demonstrate that temperate MPAs have the potential to provide recruitment subsidies at magnitudes and spatial scales relevant to fisheries management. The validated biophysical model provides a cost-efficient opportunity to generalize these findings to other locations and climate conditions, and potentially informs the design of MPA networks for enhancing fisheries management.
A multivariate test of disease risk reveals conditions leading to disease amplification
Authors: Halliday Fletcher W. , Heckman Robert W. , Wilfahrt Peter A. , Mitchell Charles E.
Published: October 2017

Theory predicts that increasing biodiversity will dilute the risk of infectious diseases under certain conditions and will amplify disease risk under others. Yet, few empirical studies demonstrate amplification. This contrast may occur because few studies have considered the multivariate nature of disease risk, which includes richness and abundance of parasites with different transmission modes. By combining a multivariate statistical model developed for biodiversity–ecosystem–multifunctionality with an extensive field manipulation of host (plant) richness, composition and resource supply to hosts, we reveal that (i) host richness alone could not explain most changes in disease risk, and (ii) shifting host composition allowed disease amplification, depending on parasite transmission mode. Specifically, as predicted from theory, the effect of host diversity on parasite abundance differed for microbes (more density-dependent transmission) and insects (more frequency-dependent transmission). Host diversity did not influence microbial parasite abundance, but nearly doubled insect parasite abundance, and this amplification effect was attributable to variation in host composition. Parasite richness was reduced by resource addition, but only in species-rich host communities. Overall, this study demonstrates that multiple drivers, related to both host community and parasite characteristics, can influence disease risk. Furthermore, it provides a framework for evaluating multivariate disease risk in other systems.
Left-right asymmetry of the Maxwell spot centroids in adults without and with dyslexia
Authors: Le Floch Albert , Ropars Guy
Published: October 2017

In human vision, the brain has to select one view of the world from our two eyes. However, the existence of a clear anatomical asymmetry providing an initial imbalance for normal neural development is still not understood. Using a so-called foveascope, we found that for a cohort of 30 normal adults, the two blue cone-free areas at the centre of the foveas are asymmetrical. The noise-stimulated afterimage dominant eye introduced here corresponds to the circular blue cone-free area, while the non-dominant eye corresponds to the diffuse and irregular elliptical outline. By contrast, we found that this asymmetry is absent or frustrated in a similar cohort of 30 adults with normal ocular status, but with dyslexia, i.e. with visual and phonological deficits. In this case, our results show that the two Maxwell centroid outlines are both circular but lead to an undetermined afterimage dominance with a coexistence of primary and mirror images. The interplay between the lack of asymmetry and the development in the neural maturation of the brain pathways suggests new implications in both fundamental and biomedical sciences.
Fluctuating seawater pH/pCO2regimes are more energetically expensive than static pH/pCO2levels in the musselMytilus edulis
Authors: Mangan Stephanie , Urbina Mauricio A. , Findlay Helen S. , Wilson Rod W. , Lewis Ceri
Published: October 2017

Ocean acidification (OA) studies typically use stable open-ocean pH or CO2values. However, species living within dynamic coastal environments can naturally experience wide fluctuations in abiotic factors, suggesting their responses to stable pH conditions may not be reflective of either present or near-future conditions. Here we investigate the physiological responses of the musselMytilus edulisto variable seawater pH conditions over short- (6 h) and medium-term (2 weeks) exposures under both current and near-future OA scenarios. Mussel haemolymph pH closely mirrored that of seawater pH over short-term changes of 1 pH unit with acidosis or recovery accordingly, highlighting a limited capacity for acid–base regulation. After 2 weeks, mussels under variable pH conditions had significantly higher metabolic rates, antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation than those exposed to static pH under both current and near-future OA scenarios. Static near-future pH conditions induced significant acid–base disturbances and lipid peroxidation compared with the static present-day conditions but did not affect the metabolic rate. These results clearly demonstrate that living in naturally variable environments is energetically more expensive than living in static seawater conditions, which has consequences for how we extrapolate future OA responses in coastal species.
Re-evaluating the link between brain size and behavioural ecology in primates
Authors: Powell Lauren E. , Isler Karin , Barton Robert A.
Published: October 2017

Comparative studies have identified a wide range of behavioural and ecological correlates of relative brain size, with results differing between taxonomic groups, and even within them. In primates for example, recent studies contradict one another over whether social or ecological factors are critical. A basic assumption of such studies is that with sufficiently large samples and appropriate analysis, robust correlations indicative of selection pressures on cognition will emerge. We carried out a comprehensive re-examination of correlates of primate brain size using two large comparative datasets and phylogenetic comparative methods. We found evidence in both datasets for associations between brain size and ecological variables (home range size, diet and activity period), but little evidence for an effect of social group size, a correlation which has previously formed the empirical basis of the Social Brain Hypothesis. However, reflecting divergent results in the literature, our results exhibited instability across datasets, even when they were matched for species composition and predictor variables. We identify several potential empirical and theoretical difficulties underlying this instability and suggest that these issues raise doubts about inferring cognitive selection pressures from behavioural correlates of brain size.
Heterospecific eavesdropping in ant-following birds of the Neotropics is a learned behaviour
Authors: Pollock Henry S. , Martínez Ari E. , Kelley J. Patrick , Touchton Janeene M. , Tarwater Corey E.
Published: October 2017

Animals eavesdrop on other species to obtain information about their environments. Heterospecific eavesdropping can yield tangible fitness benefits by providing valuable information about food resources and predator presence. The ability to eavesdrop may therefore be under strong selection, although extensive research on alarm-calling in avian mixed-species flocks has found only limited evidence that close association with another species could select for innate signal recognition. Nevertheless, very little is known about the evolution of eavesdropping behaviour and the mechanism of heterospecific signal recognition, particularly in other ecological contexts, such as foraging. To understand whether heterospecific eavesdropping was an innate or learned behaviour in a foraging context, we studied heterospecific signal recognition in ant-following birds of the Neotropics, which eavesdrop on vocalizations of obligate ant-following species to locate and recruit to swarms of the army ant
Eciton burchellii
, a profitable food resource. We used a playback experiment to compare recruitment of ant-following birds to vocalizations of two obligate species at a mainland site (where both species are present) and a nearby island site (where one species remains whereas the other went extinct approx. 40 years ago). We found that ant-following birds recruited strongly to playbacks of the obligate species present at both island and mainland sites, but the island birds did not recruit to playbacks of the absent obligate species. Our results strongly suggest that (i) ant-following birds learn to recognize heterospecific vocalizations from ecological experience and (ii) island birds no longer recognize the locally extinct obligate species after eight generations of absence from the island. Although learning appears to be the mechanism of heterospecific signal recognition in ant-following birds, more experimental tests are needed to fully understand the evolution of eavesdropping behaviour.
Trunk dental tissue evolved independently from underlying dermal bony plates but is associated with surface bones in living odontode-bearing catfish
Authors: Rivera-Rivera Carlos J. , Montoya-Burgos Juan I.
Published: October 2017

Although oral dental tissue is a vertebrate attribute, trunk dental tissue evolved in several extinct vertebrate lineages but is rare among living species. The question of which processes trigger dental-tissue formation in the trunk remains open, and would shed light on odontogenesis evolution. Extra-oral dental structures (odontodes) in the trunk are associated with underlying dermal bony plates, leading us to ask whether the formation of trunk bony plates is necessary for trunk odontodes to emerge. To address this question, we focus on Loricarioidei: an extant, highly diverse group of catfish whose species all have odontodes. We examined the location and cover of odontodes and trunk dermal bony plates for all six loricarioid families and 17 non-loricarioid catfish families for comparison. We inferred the phylogeny of Loricarioidei using a new 10-gene dataset, eight time-calibration points, and noise-reduction techniques. Based on this phylogeny, we reconstructed the ancestral states of odontode and bony plate cover, and find that trunk odontodes emerged before dermal bony plates in Loricarioidei. Yet we discovered that when bony plates are absent, other surface bones are always associated with odontodes, suggesting a link between osteogenic and odontogenic developmental pathways, and indicating a remarkable trunk odontogenic potential in Loricarioidei.
The erroneous signals of detection theory
Authors: Trimmer Pete C. , Ehlman Sean M. , McNamara John M. , Sih Andrew
Published: October 2017

Signal detection theory has influenced the behavioural sciences for over 50 years. The theory provides a simple equation that indicates numerous ‘intuitive’ results; e.g. prey should be more prone to take evasive action (in response to an ambiguous cue) if predators are more common. Here, we use analytical and computational models to show that, in numerous biological scenarios, the standard results of signal detection theory do not apply; more predators can result in prey being less responsive to such cues. The standard results need not apply when the probability of danger pertains not just to the present, but also to future decisions. We identify how responses to risk should depend on background mortality and autocorrelation, and that predictions in relation to animal welfare can also be reversed from the standard theory.
Automated Reactive Accelerated Aging for Rapid In Vitro Evaluation of Neural Implants Performance
Authors: Street Matthew G. , Welle Cristin G. , Takmakov Pavel A.
Published: October 2017

Objective

Novel therapeutic applications for neural implants require miniaturized devices. Pilot clinical studies suggest that rapid failure of the miniaturized neural implants in the body presents a major challenge for this type of technology. Miniaturization imposes stricter requirements for reliability of materials and designs. Evaluation of neural implant performance over clinically relevant timescales presents time-and cost-prohibitive challenges for animal models.

Approach

In vitro reactive accelerated aging (RAA) was developed to expedite durability testing of these devices. RAA simulates an aggressive physiological environment associated with an immune response and implicated in device failure. It uses hydrogen peroxide, which mimics reactive oxygen species (ROS), and high temperature to accelerate chemical reactions that lead to device degradation. RAA accurately simulates the degradation pattern of neural implants observed in vivo, but requires daily maintenance and is prone to variability in performance.

Main results

This work introduces automated reactive accelerated aging (aRAA) that is compatible with multiplexing. The core of aRAA is electrochemical detection for feedback control of hydrogen peroxide concentration, implemented with simple off-the shelf components.

Significance

aRAA allows multiple parallel experiments for a high-throughput optimization of reactive aging conditions to more quickly and more rigorously simulate the in vivo environment. aRAA is a cost-effective tool for rapid in vitro evaluation of durability of neural implants, ultimately expediting the development of a new generation of miniaturized devices with long functional lifespans.
Germline Contamination and Leakage in Whole Genome Somatic Single Nucleotide Variant Detection
Authors: Sendorek Dorota H. , Caloian Cristian , Ellrott Kyle , Bare J. Christopher , Yamaguchi Takafumi N. , Ewing Adam D. , Houlahan Kathleen E. , Norman Thea C. , Margolin Adam A. , Stuart Joshua M. , Boutros Paul C.
Published: October 2017

Background

The clinical sequencing of cancer genomes to personalize therapy is becoming routine across the world. However, concerns over patient re-identification from these data lead to questions about how tightly access should be controlled. It is not thought to be possible to re-identify patients from somatic variant data. However, somatic variant detection pipelines can mistakenly identify germline variants as somatic ones, a process called “germline leakage”. The rate of germline leakage across different somatic variant detection pipelines is not well-understood, and it is uncertain whether or not somatic variant calls should be considered re-identifiable. To fill this gap, we quantified germline leakage across 259 sets of whole-genome somatic single nucleotide variant (SNVs) predictions made by 21 teams as part of the ICGC-TCGA DREAM Somatic Mutation Calling Challenge.

Results

The median somatic SNV prediction set contained 4,325 somatic SNVs and leaked one germline polymorphism. The level of germline leakage was inversely correlated with somatic SNV prediction accuracy and positively correlated with the amount of infiltrating normal cells. The specific germline variants leaked differed by tumour and algorithm. To aid in quantitation and correction of leakage, we created a tool, called GermlineFilter, for use in public-facing somatic SNV databases.

Conclusions

The potential for patient re-identification from leaked germline variants in somatic SNV predictions has led to divergent open data access policies, based on different assessments of the risks. Indeed, a single, well-publicized re-identification event could reshape public perceptions of the values of genomic data sharing. We find that modern somatic SNV prediction pipelines have low germline-leakage rates, which can be further reduced, especially for cloud-sharing, using pre-filtering software.
ILF and vReD pathways cooperate to control lysosomal transporter protein lifetimes
Authors: McNally Erin Kate , Brett Christopher
Published: October 2017

Lysosomal nutrient transporter proteins move lumenal products of biomaterial catabolism to the cytoplasm for reuse by the cell. Two mechanisms control their lifetimes: the ILF (IntraLumenal Fragment) and vReD (Vacuole REcycling and Degradation) pathways. But it is not clear if they function independently. Using S. cerevisiae as a model, here we show that the ILF pathway mediates constitutive turnover of the lysine transporter Ypq1 and zinc transporter Cot1-known vReD client proteins-in vivo and in vitro. In contrast, the vReD pathway mediates constitutive degradation of the amino acid transporter Vba4. Activation of TOR with cycloheximide enhances their degradation by these pathways. However, misfolding by heat stress shunts all three into the ILF pathway. Thus, both pathways control individual transporter lifetimes, although only the ILF pathway mediates protein quality control. The pathway chosen depends on protein fate: degradation is imminent by the ILF pathway, whereas the vReD pathway permits reuse.
A simple, consistent estimator of heritability for genome-wide association studies
Authors: Schwartzman Armin , Schork Andrew J. , Zablocki Rong , Thompson Wesley K.
Published: October 2017

Analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) is characterized by a large number of univariate regressions where an outcome, a quantitative trait, is regressed on hundreds of thousands to millions of genomic markers, i.e. single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) counts, one marker at a time. Assuming a linear model linking the markers to the outcome, this article proposes an estimator of the heritability of the trait, defined here as the fraction of the variance of the trait explained by the genomic markers in the study. The estimator, called GWAS heritability (GWASH) estimator, is easy to compute, highly interpretable, and is consistent as the number of markers and the sample size increase. More importantly, it can be computed from summary statistics typically reported in GWAS, not requiring access to the original data. The estimator takes full account of the linkage disequilibrium (LD) or correlation between the SNPs in the study through moments of the LD matrix, estimable from auxiliary datasets. Unlike other proposed estimators in the literature, the precision of the estimate is obtainable analytically, allowing for power and sample size calculations for heritability estimates.
Competitive inter-species interactions underlie the increased antimicrobial tolerance in multispecies brewery biofilms
Authors: Parijs Ilse , Steenackers Hans P.
Published: October 2017

Genetic diversity often enhances the tolerance of microbial communities against antimicrobial treatment. However the sociobiology underlying this antimicrobial tolerance remains largely unexplored. Here we analyze how inter-species interactions can increase antimicrobial tolerance. We apply our approach to 17 industrially-relevant multispecies biofilm models, based on species isolated from 58 contaminating biofilms in three breweries. Sulfathiazole is used as antimicrobial agent because it shows the highest activity out of 22 biofilm inhibitors tested. Our analysis reveals that competitive interactions dominate among species within brewery biofilms. We show that antimicrobial treatment can reduce the level of competition and therefore cause a subset of species to bloom. The result is a lower percentage inhibition of these species and increased tolerance. In addition, we show that the presence of competing species can also directly enhance the inherent tolerance of microbes to antimicrobial treatment, either because species protect each other or because they induce specific tolerance phenotypes as a response to competitors (i.e. competition sensing). Overall, our study emphasizes that the dominance of competitive interactions is central to the enhanced antimicrobial tolerance of the multispecies biofilms and that the activity of antimicrobials against multispecies biofilms cannot be predicted based on their effect against mono-cultures.
Strong binding activity of few transcription factors is a major determinant of open chromatin
Authors: Wei Bei , Jolma Arttu , Sahu Biswajyoti , Orre Lukas M. , Zhong Fan , Zhu Fangjie , Kivioja Teemu , Sur Inderpreet Kaur , Lehtiö Janne , Taipale Minna , Taipale Jussi
Published: October 2017

It is well established that transcription factors (TFs) play crucial roles in determining cell identity, and that a large fraction of all TFs are expressed in most cell types. In order to globally characterize activities of TFs in cells, we have developed a novel massively parallel protein activity assay, Active TF Identification (ATI) that measures DNA-binding activity of all TFs from any species or tissue type. In contrast to previous studies based on mRNA expression or protein abundance, we found that a set of TFs binding to only around ten distinct motifs display strong DNA-binding activity in any given cell or tissue type. Mass spectrometric identification of TFs revealed that within these highly active TFs, there were both housekeeping TFs, which were universally found in all cell types, and specific TFs, which were highly enriched in known factors that determine the fate of the analyzed tissue or cell type. The importance of a small subset of TFs for determining the overall accessible chromatin landscape of a cell suggests that gene regulatory logic may be simpler than what has previously been appreciated.
Clinical and metabolic consequences of L-serine supplementation in hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 1C
Authors: Auranen Mari , Toppila Jussi , Suriyanarayanan Saranya , Lone Museer A. , Paetau Anders , Tyynismaa Henna , Hornemann Thorsten , Ylikallio Emil
Published: October 2017

Hereditary sensory neuropathy type 1 (HSAN1) may be the first genetic neuropathy amenable to a specific mechanism-based treatment, as L-serine supplementation can be used to lower the neurotoxic levels of 1-deoxysphingolipids (1-deoxySL) that cause the neurodegeneration. The treatment is so far untested in HSAN1C caused by variants in the serine palmitoyl transferase subunit 2 (SPTLC2) gene. The aim of this study was to establish whether oral L-serine lowers 1-deoxySL in a patient with HSAN1C, to perform a dose escalation to find the minimal effective dose, and to assess the safety profile and global metabolic effects of the treatment. Our patient underwent a 52-wk treatment in which the L-serine dose was titrated up to 400 mg/kg/day. She was followed up by repeated clinical examination, nerve conduction testing, and skin biopsies to document effects on small nerve fibers. Serum was assayed for 1-deoxySL and metabolomics analysis of 111 metabolites. We found a robust lowering of 1-deoxySL, which correlated in a near-linear fashion with increased serum L-serine levels. Metabolomics analysis showed a modest elevation in glycine and a marked reduction in the level of cytosine, whereas most of the other assayed metabolites did not change. There were no direct side effects from the treatment, but the patient developed a transitory toe ulceration during the course of the study. The Charcot–Marie–Tooth neuropathy score increased by 1 point. We conclude that oral supplementation of L-serine decreases 1-deoxySL in HSAN1C without major global effects on metabolism. L-serine is therefore a potential treatment for HSAN1C.
Early commissioning results for spectroscopic X-ray Nano-Imaging Beamline BL 7C sXNI at PLS-II
Authors: Lee Sangsul , Kwon Ik hwan , Kim Jae-Young , Yang Sung-Sun , Kang Sechang , Lim Jun
Published: October 2017

For spectral imaging of chemical distributions using X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra, a modified double-crystal monochromator, a focusing plane mirrors system and a newly developed fluorescence-type X-ray beam-position monitoring and feedback system have been implemented. This major hardware upgrade provides a sufficiently stable X-ray source during energy scanning of more than hundreds of eV for acquisition of reliable XANES spectra in two-dimensional and three-dimensional images. In recent pilot studies discussed in this paper, heavy-metal uptake by plant rootsin vivoand iron's phase distribution in the lithium–iron–phosphate cathode of a lithium-ion battery have been imaged. Also, the spatial resolution of computed tomography has been improved from 70 nm to 55 nm by means of run-out correction and application of a reconstruction algorithm.
Health commodified, health communified: navigating digital consumptionscapes of well-being
Authors: Cavusoglu Lena , Demirbag-Kaplan Melike
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Historically, research on perceptions of health either converged upon the meanings created and proposed by specialists in the healthcare industry or focused on people who have medical conditions. This approach has failed to capture how the meanings and notions of health have been evolving as medicine extends into non-medical spheres and has left gaps in the exploration of how the meanings surrounding health and well-being are constructed, negotiated and reproduced in lay discourse. This paper aims to fill this gap in the understanding of the perceptions surrounding health by investigating consumers’ digitized visual accounts on social media.

Design/methodology/approach

Textual network and visual content analyses of posts extracted from Instagram are used to derive conclusions on definitions of health and well-being as perceived by healthy lay individuals.

Findings

Research demonstrates that digital discourse of health is clustered around four F’s, namely, food, fitness, fashion and feelings, which can be categorized with respect to their degrees of representation on a commodification/communification versus bodily/spiritual well-being map.

Originality/value

Our knowledge about the meanings of health as constructed and reflected by healthy lay people is very limited and even more so about how these meaning-making processes is realized through digital media. This paper contributes to theory by integrating consumers’ meaning-making literature into health perceptions, as well as investigating the role of social networks in enabling a consumptionscape of well-being. Besides a methodological contribution of using social network analysis on textual data, this paper also provides valuable insights for policy-makers, communicators and professionals of health.
Consumer imagination in marketing: a theoretical framework
Authors: Philips Barbara J.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Imagination is a complex mental process where consciousness departs from reality to create new content not currently found in existence. Imagination is key to marketing persuasion, but studies that examine consumer imagination in response to marketing messages illustrate confusing and sometimes contradictory perspectives about consumers’ mental processing. This paper aims to provide a review of the existing literature on consumer imagination relevant to marketing scholarship, and builds a new theoretical framework to organize and explain these papers.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review of the marketing literature was undertaken to identify all papers related to consumer imagination and its role in marketing persuasion. A focus was placed on empirical papers, review papers and meta-analyses.

Findings

A new conceptual framework was created to classify the consumer imagination literature based on both the characteristics and the content of imagination. The existing marketing literature was then organized into the framework. The framework helps to explain seeming contradictions between different studies as well as helps to collect similar studies together to summarize schools of thought.

Originality/value

The imagination framework presents an entirely new way of conceptualizing imagination research in marketing. This new categorization structure not only clarifies consumers’ use of imagination in response to marketing messages but also identifies questions for future research in this area of marketing theory.
The corporate identity, total corporate communications, stakeholders’ attributed identities, identifications and behaviours continuum
Authors: Balmer John M.T.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a new integrated strategic framework entitled, “The corporate identity, total corporate communications, stakeholders’ attributed identities, identifications and behaviours continuum” and elucidates the central and strategic importance of corporate identity apropos corporate communications, corporate image, attributed stakeholder identifications and resultant behaviours. The strategic importance of corporate identity is noted. The continuum incorporates a variety of disciplinary/theoretical perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper/framework is informed by corporate marketing and strategic perspectives; legal theory of the firm; social identity branch theories; and stakeholder theory. The effects and management of corporate identity are seen as a continuum. The framework accommodates Tagiuri’s (1982) scholarship on corporate identity.

Findings

This paper formally introduces and explicates “The corporate identity, total corporate communications, stakeholders’ attributed identities, identifications and behaviours continuum”. Corporate identity management is an on-going strategic senior management/strategic requisite. Notably, the legal theory of company law – routinely overlooked – and its impact on corporate identity management is accepted, acknowledged and accommodated. The importance of stakeholders and stakeholder identification (a derivative of social identity theory) is underscored.

Practical implications

Via the explication of the continuum, managers can comprehend the nature and importance of corporate identity; appreciate that corporate identity adaptation/change is on-going; comprehend its interface/s with corporate communications, stakeholder attributed identities, identifications and the business environment; understand the need for on-going fidelity to an institution’s legally based core purposes and corporate identity traits (juridical identity); cognise the efficacy of constant stakeholder and environmental analysis. Corporate identity sustainability requires corporate identity to be advantageous, beneficial, critical, differentiating and effectual. Stakeholder prioritisation is not solely dependent on power, legitimacy and urgency but on legality, efficacy, ethicality and temporality.

Originality/value

The resultant framework/approach, therefore, aims to make a meaningful advance on the territory and, moreover, seeks to be of utility to scholars and practitioners of corporate marketing, strategy and company law. Arguably, therefore, the framework is more ambitious than extant framework on the domain. The resultant framework/approach, therefore, aims to make a meaningful advance on the territory and seeks to be of utility to scholars and practitioners of corporate identity, communications, images, identification, stakeholder theory, company law and, importantly, corporate strategy.
Brand addiction: conceptualization and scale development
Authors: Mrad Mona , Cui Charles Chi
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a definition of brand addiction and a valid brand addiction scale (BASCALE).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used focus-group results to define brand addiction and generate items for the BASCALE and validated the BASCALE with survey data collected in the UK.

Findings

Based on the 11 brand-addiction features found from the focus groups, the authors define brand addition as an individual consumer’s psychological state that pertains to a self-brand relationship manifested in daily life and involving positive affectivity and gratification with a particular brand and constant urges for possessing the brand’s products/services. Based on the survey study, the authors have established a valid ten-item BASCALE.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the survey’s setting in the fashion context in the UK, the authors do not intend to generalize the results to other product types and countries. Future research should replicate the BASCALE in different product categories and different countries.

Practical implications

The BASCALE can serve marketers in the behavioral segmentation and assist brand managers to identify brand addict consumers and maintain long-term relationships with them.

Originality/value

The authors have developed a definition of brand addiction and a valid BASCALE, which one can use for a wide range of theoretical and empirical research in the marketing and psychology fields. The definition and BASCALE also serve to differentiate brand addiction from other consumer–brand relationships and addiction constructs (e.g. compulsive buying, brand love and brand trust).
Proactive entrepreneurial behaviour, market orientation, and innovation outcomes
Authors: Liu Gordon , Ko Wai Wai Joyce , Ngugi Isaac , Takeda Sachiko
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Drawing from resource-based theory, the authors aim to study how and under what conditions small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) capitalise on their proactive entrepreneurial behaviour (PEB) to achieve new product development (NPD) performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors’ data were drawn from a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 401 UK-based SMEs in the manufacturing sector.

Findings

The authors identify an upward curvilinear relationship between PEB and NPD performance. Taking a step further, the authors propose and confirm that this curvilinear association arises from, in part, SMEs’ innovation capability, which in turn translates into NPD performance. The authors also find that this upward curvilinear relationship between PEB and innovation capability flips to a downward curvilinear relationship when firms pursue a customer and competitor orientation.

Originality/value

This paper looks beyond the linear relationship that exists among entrepreneurial behaviour, market orientation and innovation outcomes.
Adaptable design in Olympic construction
Authors: Brown Laura Alexandra , Cresciani Manuel
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The Olympic Games is the largest sporting mega event of its type, with deep cultural and historical roots. The event is short lived compared to the lifespan of the infrastructure required in host cities. The purpose of this paper is to examine models of adaptability in Olympic construction, using case studies in previous Olympic host cities of the Summer Olympic Games (Rome 1960, London 2012), to assess the impact of adaptability on future legacy.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods approach (archival research, direct observation), was used in two case studies: Rome (Palazzetto dello Sport, Palazzo dello Sport), and London (London Olympic Velodrome, London Aquatics Centre). The case studies examined how adaptability was used in design to secure legacy.

Findings

In the selected case studies (Rome 1960, London 2012), adaptability has had a positive impact on the post-Games use of venues, all four of which remain in use today. However, there are multiple factors that contribute to post-Games legacy, and further research is necessary.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst some positive results were observed in this study, more research is necessary across a broader spectrum of sites and venues to make conclusive recommendations for architects designing for Mega Sporting events.

Social implications

The significance of this study to architectural practice, academia, and society is its potential to benefit future Olympic Games, International Olympic Committee policy, and be extended to other Mega Sporting events.

Originality/value

The originality of this research lies within its analysis of Olympic infrastructures and sustainability, of which there is a current lack of comparative studies in academic research.
Effects of exit barriers on word of mouth activities
Authors: Leisen Pollack Birgit
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to contrast the effects of four exit barriers on word of mouth activities. Monetary, service loss, social and convenience exit barriers are compared. The differential effects of these four barriers on the valence of word of mouth (positive, negative), the type of word of mouth recipient (weak tie, strong tie) and the motives (catharsis, company sabotage) for spreading word of mouth are studied.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for empirically addressing a set of hypotheses were collected from 185 consumers. The hypotheses were analyzed using ANOVA models along with post hoc tests.

Findings

The results suggest that the type of exit barrier matters. Exit barriers, with respect to word of mouth activities, seem to fall on a continuum. On one extreme, the most detrimental barriers are monetary hurdles, and on the other end, the least detrimental barriers are convenience hurdles. Monetary barriers are responsible for the most negative word of mouth and company sabotage. Social and convenience barriers lead to significantly less.

Practical implications

The implications for erecting exit barriers are discussed. In particular, the value of monetary barriers is questioned. The benefits of such involuntary customer retention methods may be offset by the sabotage they invite through negative word of mouth.

Originality/value

The paper provides insights into word of mouth activities of dissatisfied customers that are trapped by various exit barriers. The word of mouth activities investigated include valence, recipient type and motives. The study contrasts monetary, service loss, social and convenience exit barriers.
Snubbing the old to embrace the new: the impact of cross-buying on the usage of existing services
Authors: Krishnamurthy Anup , Shainesh G.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the impact of an additional service on existing consumers’ usage of existing services from the same service provider. Research has often focused on marketers’ efforts to sell new offerings to existing customers. However, does the consumption of these new offerings by existing customers affect their usage of the firm’s existing services? This research examines this question in the context of a subscription service.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses matched consumer- and firm-level data from a leading telecom service provider in India. These data include responses from 230 consumers, as well as details on their usage of existing and additional services. The data are analyzed using three-stage least squares regressions while controlling for consumers’ past usage of the existing services.

Findings

The results indicate that existing consumers’ cross-buying of the new service results in a reduction of their future usage of existing services. Most consumers also managed to maintain their monthly payments constant, even though they had subscribed to the new service. Together, these findings imply that consumers reallocate their budget by reducing their usage of existing services to accommodate the usage of an additional service from the same service provider. Consequently, the revenue of the firm might not always increase when the consumer cross-buys an additional service from the firm.

Originality/value

Marketing research on cross-buying has so far neglected to look at the effects of existing consumers’ adoption of an additional service on existing services of the service provider. This study focused on this gap in knowledge, in the context of subscription services. Using consumers’ perceptions and matched service usage data, the authors extend the literature that tries to understand why cross-buying may not be beneficial to the firm in certain service settings.
Olfactory biosensor based on odorant-binding proteins ofBactrocera dorsaliswith electrochemical impedance sensing for pest management
Authors: Lu Yanli , Yao Yao , Li Shuang , Zhang Qian , Liu Qingjun
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Using the remarkable olfaction ability, insects can sense trace amounts of host plant volatiles that are notorious for causing severe damage to fruits and vegetables and in consequence the industry. The purpose of the paper is to investigate the interactions between olfactory proteins, odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and host plant volatiles through the developed olfactory biosensors. It might be helpful to develop novel pest control strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the successfully expressed and purified OBPs of the oriental fruit flyBactrocera dorsalis, a biosensor was developed by immobilizing the proteins on interdigitated electrodes through nitrocellulose membrane. Based on electrochemical impedance sensing, benzaldehyde emitted by the host plants, such asBeta vulgaris, was detected, which could be used to investigate and analyze the mechanisms of pests’ sense of chemical signals. The relative decreases of charge transfer resistances of the sensor were proportional to the odorant concentrations from 10−7M to 10−3M. Meanwhile, the interactions between OBPs and benzaldehyde were studied through the process of molecular docking.

Findings

The paper provides a pest OBPs-based biosensor that could sensitively detect the host odorants benzaldehyde. Meanwhile, the most related amino acids of OBPs that bind to host plant volatiles can be distinguished with molecular docking.

Originality/value

An olfactory biosensor was developed to explore interactions and mechanism between the pest OBPs and benzaldehyde, which showed promising potentials for small organic molecule sensing. Simultaneously, it might be helpful for novel pest control strategies.
Analyzing of the sensitivity of chip formation during machining process
Authors: Jovic Srdjan , Lazarevic Dragan , Vulovic Aleksa
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to analyze chip formation during machining process since it can be a very important indicator for the quality of the machining process, as some chip forms can be undesirable.

Design/methodology/approach

It is essential to determine the sensitivity of the chip formation on the basis of different machining parameters. The main goal of the study was to analyze the sensitivity of the chip formation during the machining process by using adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS).

Findings

According to the results, the chip formation is the most sensitive to feed rate.

Originality/value

Different cutting tests were performed to monitor the chip formation on the basis of the cutting forces and the cutting displacement. ANFIS was used to estimate the sensitivity of the chip formation during the cutting process on the basis of different parameters.
Sensorless estimation of lake level by soft computing approach
Authors: Jovic Srdjan , Vasic Predrag S. , Jakšic Tatjana R.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to evaluate a lake lavel prediction model. Lake-level prediction is very important task for different crucial issues like planning of water resource, controlled drainage, etc. Therefore, in this study, a soft computing approach was applied to predict the lake levels based on the different prediction horizons.

Design/methodology/approach

The main focus was to establish a sensorless estimation of the lake level based on different prediction horizons. Support vector regression approach was implemented for the lake-level prediction, as this approach is suitable for highly nonlinear prediction problems.

Findings

Ludoš Lake in Serbia was used for analysis.

Originality/value

According the results, the soft computing models can be used confidently for the lake-level prediction based on the prediction accuracy.
Reef accessibility impairs the protection of sharks
Authors: Juhel Jean‐Baptiste , Vigliola Laurent , Mouillot David , Kulbicki Michel , Letessier Tom B. , Meeuwig Jessica J. , Wantiez Laurent
Published: October 2017

Reef sharks are declining world‐wide under ever‐increasing fishing pressure, with potential consequences on ecosystem functioning. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are currently one of the management tools used to counteract the pervasive impacts of fishing. However, MPAs in which reef sharks are abundant tend to be located in remote and underexploited areas, preventing a fair assessment of management effectiveness beyond remoteness from human activities.

Here, we determine the conditions under which MPAs can effectively protect sharks along a wide gradient of reef accessibility, from the vicinity of a regional capital towards remote areas, using 385 records from baited remote underwater video systems and 2,790 underwater visual censuses performed in areas open to fishing and inside 15 MPAs across New Caledonia (South‐Western Pacific).

We show that even one of the world's oldest (43 years), largest (172 km2) and most restrictive (no‐entry) MPA (Merlet reserve) on coral reefs has between 17.3% and 45.3% fewer shark species and between 37.2% and 79.8% fewer shark abundance than remote areas in a context where sharks are not historically exploited.

On coral reefs situated at less than 1 hr of travel time from humans, shark populations are so low in abundance (less than 0.05 individuals per 1,000 m2) that their functional roles are severely limited.

Synthesis and applications. Remote areas are the last sanctuaries for reef sharks, providing a new baseline from which to evaluate human impacts on the species. However, there is no equivalent close to human activities even in large, old and strongly restrictive marine protected areas. As such sharks deserve strong protection efforts. The large, no‐entry marine protected areas, close to humans, offer limited benefits for reef shark populations, but provide more realistic conservation targets for managers of human‐dominated reefs. The exclusion of human activities on a sufficiently large area is key to protect reef shark populations. However, this strategy remains difficult to apply in many countries critically depending on reef resources for food security or livelihood.