bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of El Niño-driven changes in wind patterns on North Pacific albatrosses
Authors: Thorne L. H. , Conners M. G. , Hazen E. L. , Bograd S. J. , Antolos M. , Costa D. P. , Shaffer S. A.
Published: June 2016

Changes to patterns of wind and ocean currents are tightly linked to climate change and have important implications for cost of travel and energy budgets in marine vertebrates. We evaluated how El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-driven wind patterns affected breeding Laysan and black-footed albatross across a decade of study. Owing to latitudinal variation in wind patterns, wind speed differed between habitat used during incubation and brooding; during La Niña conditions, wind speeds were lower in incubating Laysan (though not black-footed) albatross habitat, but higher in habitats used by brooding albatrosses. Incubating Laysan albatrosses benefited from increased wind speeds during El Niño conditions, showing increased travel speeds and mass gained during foraging trips. However, brooding albatrosses did not benefit from stronger winds during La Niña conditions, instead experiencing stronger cumulative headwinds and a smaller proportion of trips in tailwinds. Increased travel costs during brooding may contribute to the lower reproductive success observed in La Niña conditions. Furthermore, benefits of stronger winds in incubating habitat may explain the higher reproductive success of Laysan albatross during El Niño conditions. Our findings highlight the importance of considering habitat accessibility and cost of travel when evaluating the impacts of climate-driven habitat change on marine predators.
Control at stability's edge minimizes energetic costs: expert stick balancing
Authors: Milton John , Meyer Ryan , Zhvanetsky Max , Ridge Sarah , Insperger Tamás
Published: June 2016

Stick balancing on the fingertip is a complex voluntary motor task that requires the stabilization of an unstable system. For seated expert stick balancers, the time delay is 0.23 s, the shortest stick that can be balanced for 240 s is 0.32 m and there is a

° dead zone for the estimation of the vertical displacement angle in the saggital plane. These observations motivate a switching-type, pendulum–cart model for balance control which uses an internal model to compensate for the time delay by predicting the sensory consequences of the stick's movements. Numerical simulations using the semi-discretization method suggest that the feedback gains are tuned near the edge of stability. For these choices of the feedback gains, the cost function which takes into account the position of the fingertip and the corrective forces is minimized. Thus, expert stick balancers optimize control with a combination of quick manoeuvrability and minimum energy expenditures.
Open water camouflage via ‘leaky’ light guides in the midwater squid
Galiteuthis
Authors: Holt Amanda L. , Sweeney Alison M.
Published: June 2016

Galiteuthis
, a midwater squid, has photophores on the ventral surfaces of its eyes. These photophores emit bioluminescence to counter-illuminate the shadows cast by the eyes in downwelling sunlight, thereby hiding the eyes from upward-looking predators. The photophores consist of laminated fibre-like cells with semi-coaxial protein-dense layers around axial cytoplasm. These cells have been suggested to function as light guides: bioluminescence is an isotropic process used to hide in an anisotropic light environment, so any emission must be reshaped to be effective. We found a wide variation in cross-sectional geometries of photophore cells; some were more efficient at light guiding than others. We used a set of optical models to place these photophores in the context of the radiance where
Galiteuthis
lives and discovered a possible adaptive reason for this variation. In
Galiteuthis
's horizontal and vertical range, ocean radiance is also quite variable. For complete camouflage, photophores must reproduce this variation in radiance using an isotropic source. Our models show that variation in the geometry of the photophore light guides reproduces the predicted variation in ocean radiance experienced by this species. By selectively activating geometrically distinct populations of photophore cells, the animal may reproduce the angular distribution of light at all positions in its habitat.
Periodicity, synchronization and persistence in pre-vaccination measles
Authors: Marguta Ramona , Parisi Andrea
Published: June 2016

We investigate the relationship between periodicity, synchronization and persistence of measles through simulations of geographical spread on the British Isles. We show that the establishment of areas of biennial periodicity depends on the interplay between human mobility and local population size and that locations undergoing biennial cycles tend to be, on average, synchronized in phase. We show however that occurrences of opposition of phase are actually quite common and correspond to stable dynamics. We also show that persistence is strictly related to circulation of the disease in the highly populated area of London and that this ensures survival of the disease even when human mobility drops to extremely low levels.
Modelling the relation between income and commuting distance
Authors: Carra Giulia , Mulalic Ismir , Fosgerau Mogens , Barthelemy Marc
Published: June 2016

We discuss the distribution of commuting distances and its relation to income. Using data from Denmark, the UK and the USA, we show that the commuting distance is (i) broadly distributed with a slow decaying tail that can be fitted by a power law with exponent
γ
≈ 3 and (ii) an average growing slowly as a power law with an exponent less than one that depends on the country considered. The classical theory for job search is based on the idea that workers evaluate the wage of potential jobs as they arrive sequentially through time, and extending this model with space, we obtain predictions that are strongly contradicted by our empirical findings. We propose an alternative model that is based on the idea that workers evaluate potential jobs based on a quality aspect and that workers search for jobs sequentially across space. We also assume that the density of potential jobs depends on the skills of the worker and decreases with the wage. The predicted distribution of commuting distances decays as 1/
r
3
and is independent of the distribution of the quality of jobs. We find our alternative model to be in agreement with our data. This type of approach opens new perspectives for the modelling of mobility.
Or47b plays a role inDrosophilamales' preference for younger mates
Authors: Zhuang Luming , Sun Ying , Hu Mi , Wu Chenxi , La Xiaojin , Chen Xinhong , Feng Yu , Wang Xingjun , Hu Yujia , Xue Lei
Published: June 2016

Reproductive behaviour is important for animals to keep their species existing on Earth. A key question is how to generate more and healthier progenies by choosing optimal mates. InDrosophila melanogaster, males use multiple sensory cues, including vision, olfaction and gustation, to achieve reproductive success. These sensory inputs are important, yet not all these different modalities are simultaneously required for courtship behaviour to occur. Moreover, the roles of these sensory inputs for male courtship choice remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that males court younger females with greater preference and that olfactory inputs are indispensable for this male courtship choice. Specifically, the olfactory receptor Or47b is required for males to discriminate younger female mates from older ones. In combination with our previous work indicating that gustatory perception is necessary for this preference behaviour, our current study demonstrates the requirement of both olfaction and gustation inDrosophilamales' courtship preference, thus providing new insights into the role of sensory cues in reproductive behaviour and success.
Symmetric waterbomb origami
Authors: Chen Yan , Feng Huijuan , Ma Jiayao , Peng Rui , You Zhong
Published: June 2016

The traditional waterbomb origami, produced from a pattern consisting of a series of vertices where six creases meet, is one of the most widely used origami patterns. From a rigid origami viewpoint, it generally has multiple degrees of freedom, but when the pattern is folded symmetrically, the mobility reduces to one. This paper presents a thorough kinematic investigation on symmetric folding of the waterbomb pattern. It has been found that the pattern can have two folding paths under certain circumstance. Moreover, the pattern can be used to fold thick panels. Not only do the additional constraints imposed to fold the thick panels lead to single degree of freedom folding, but the folding process is also kinematically equivalent to the origami of zero-thickness sheets. The findings pave the way for the pattern being readily used to fold deployable structures ranging from flat roofs to large solar panels.
Mixed finite-element formulations in piezoelectricity and flexoelectricity
Authors: Mao Sheng , Purohit Prashant K. , Aravas Nikolaos
Published: June 2016

Flexoelectricity, the linear coupling of strain gradient and electric polarization, is inherently a size-dependent phenomenon. The energy storage function for a flexoelectric material depends not only on polarization and strain, but also strain-gradient. Thus, conventional finite-element methods formulated solely on displacement are inadequate to treat flexoelectric solids since gradients raise the order of the governing differential equations. Here, we introduce a computational framework based on a mixed formulation developed previously by one of the present authors and a colleague. This formulation uses displacement and displacement-gradient as separate variables which are constrained in a ‘weighted integral sense’ to enforce their known relation. We derive a variational formulation for boundary-value problems for piezo- and/or flexoelectric solids. We validate this computational framework against available exact solutions. Our new computational method is applied to more complex problems, including a plate with an elliptical hole, stationary cracks, as well as tension and shear of solids with a repeating unit cell. Our results address several issues of theoretical interest, generate predictions of experimental merit and reveal interesting flexoelectric phenomena with potential for application.
The Hall–Petch effect as a manifestation of the general size effect
Authors: Li Y. , Bushby A. J. , Dunstan D. J.
Published: June 2016

The experimental evidence for the Hall–Petch dependence of strength on the inverse square-root of grain size is reviewed critically. Both the classic data and more recent results are considered. While the data are traditionally fitted to the inverse square-root dependence, they also fit well to many other functions, both power law and non-power law. There have been difficulties, recognized for half-a-century, in the inverse square-root expression. It is now explained as an artefact of faulty data analysis. A Bayesian meta-analysis shows that the data strongly support the simple inverse or lnd/dexpressions. Since these expressions derive from underlying theory, they are also more readily explicable. It is concluded that the Hall–Petch effect is not to be explained by the variety of theories found in the literature, but is a manifestation of, or to be underlain by the general size effect observed throughout micromechanics, owing to the inverse relationship between the stress required and the space available for dislocation sources to operate.
Mathematical model of a moment-less arch
Authors: Lewis W. J.
Published: June 2016

This paper presents a mathematical model for predicting the geometrical shapes of rigid, two-pin, moment-less arches of constant cross section. The advancement of this work lies in the inclusion of arch self-weight and the ability to produce moment-less arch forms for any span/rise ratio, and any ratio of uniformly distributed load per unit span,w, to uniformly distributed arch weight per unit arch length,q. The model is used to derive the shapes of two classical ‘moment-less’ arch forms: parabolic and catenary, prior to demonstrating a general case, not restricted by the unrealistic load assumptions (absence ofq, in the case of a parabolic form, or now, in the case of a catenary arch). Using the same value of span/rise ratio, andw/q>1, the behaviour of the moment-less and parabolic arches under permanent loading, (w+q), is analysed. Results show the former to be developing much lower stresses than its parabolic rival, even when there are relatively small differences in the two geometries; for a medium span/rise ratio of 4 andw/q=2, differences in the parabolic and moment-less arch geometries would, in practical terms, be viewed as insignificant, but the stresses in them are different.
First evidence of non-locality in real band-gap metamaterials: determining parameters in the relaxed micromorphic model
Authors: Madeo Angela , Barbagallo Gabriele , d’Agostino Marco Valerio , Placidi Luca , Neff Patrizio
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we propose the first estimate of some elastic parameters of the relaxed micromorphic model on the basis of real experiments of transmission of longitudinal plane waves across an interface separating a classical Cauchy material (steel plate) and a phononic crystal (steel plate with fluid-filled holes). A procedure is set up in order to identify the parameters of the relaxed micromorphic model by superimposing the experimentally based profile of the reflection coefficient (plotted as function of the wave-frequency) with the analogous profile obtained via numerical simulations. We determine five out of six constitutive parameters which are featured by the relaxed micromorphic model in the isotropic case, plus the determination of the micro-inertia parameter. The sixth elastic parameter, namely the Cosserat couple modulusμc, still remains undetermined, since experiments on transverse incident waves are not yet available. A fundamental result of this paper is the estimate of the non-locality intrinsically associated with the underlying microstructure of the metamaterial. We show that the characteristic lengthLcmeasuring the non-locality of the phononic crystal is of the order of13of the diameter of its fluid-filled holes.
The behavioural consequences of sex reversal in dragons
Authors: Li Hong , Holleley Clare E. , Elphick Melanie , Georges Arthur , Shine Richard
Published: June 2016

Sex differences in morphology, physiology, and behaviour are caused by sex-linked genes, as well as by circulating sex-steroid levels. Thus, a shift from genotypic to environmental sex determination may create an organism that exhibits a mixture of male-like and female-like traits. We studied a lizard species (Central Bearded Dragon,Pogona vitticeps), in which the high-temperature incubation of eggs transforms genetically male individuals into functional females. Although they are reproductively female, sex-reversed dragons (individuals with ZZ genotype reversed to female phenotype) resemble genetic males rather than females in morphology (relative tail length), general behaviour (boldness and activity level), and thermoregulatory tactics. Indeed, sex-reversed ‘females’ are more male-like in some behavioural traits than are genetic males. This novel phenotype may impose strong selection on the frequency of sex reversal within natural populations, facilitating rapid shifts in sex-determining systems. A single period of high incubation temperatures (generating thermally induced sex reversal) can produce functionally female individuals with male-like (or novel) traits that enhance individual fitness, allowing the new temperature-dependent sex-determining system to rapidly replace the previous genetically based one.
Unique pattern of dietary adaptation in the dentition of Carnivora: its advantage and developmental origin
Authors: Asahara Masakazu , Saito Kazuyuki , Kishida Takushi , Takahashi Katsu , Bessho Kazuhisa
Published: June 2016

Carnivora is a successful taxon in terms of dietary diversity. We investigated the dietary adaptations of carnivoran dentition and the developmental background of their dental diversity, which may have contributed to the success of the lineage. A developmental model was tested and extended to explain the unique variability and exceptional phenotypes observed in carnivoran dentition. Carnivorous mammalian orders exhibited two distinct patterns of dietary adaptation in molars and only Carnivora evolved novel variability, exhibiting a high correlation between relative molar size and the shape of the first molar. Studies ofBmp7-hetero-deficient mice, which may exhibit lowerBmp7expression, suggested thatBmp7has pleiotropic effects on these two dental traits. Its effects are consistent with the pattern of dietary adaptation observed in Carnivora, but not that observed in other carnivorous mammals. A molecular evolutionary analysis revealed thatBmp7sequence evolved by natural selection during ursid evolution, suggesting that it plays an evolutionary role in the variation of carnivoran dentition. Using mouse experiments and a molecular evolutionary analysis, we extrapolated the causal mechanism of the hitherto enigmatic ursid dentition (larger M2than M1and M3). Our results demonstrate how carnivorans acquired novel dental variability that benefits their dietary divergence.
Climate constrains lake community and ecosystem responses to introduced predators
Authors: Symons C. C. , Shurin J. B.
Published: June 2016

Human activities have resulted in rising temperatures and the introduction or extirpation of top predators worldwide. Both processes generate cascading impacts throughout food webs and can jeopardize important ecosystem services. We examined the impact of fish stocking on communities and ecosystems in California mountain lakes across an elevation (temperature and dissolved organic carbon) gradient to determine how trophic cascades and ecosystem function vary with climate. Here, we show that the impact of fish on the pelagic consumer-to-producer biomass ratio strengthened at low elevation, while invertebrate community composition and benthic ecosystem rates (periphyton production and litter decomposition) were most influenced by predators at high elevation. A warming climate may therefore alter the stability of lake ecosystems by shifting the strength of top-down control by introduced predators over food web structure and function.
Ultra-rare disruptive and damaging mutations influence educational attainment in the general population
Authors: Ganna Andrea , Genovese Giulio , Howrigan Daniel P. , Byrnes Andrea , Kurki Mitja , Zekavat Seyedeh M. , Whelan Christopher W. , Kals Mart , Nivard Michel G. , Bloemendal Alex , Bloom Jonathan M. , Goldstein Jacqueline I. , Poterba Timothy , Seed Cotton , Handsaker Robert E. , Natarajan Pradeep , Mägi Reedik , Gage Diane , Robinson Elise B. , Metspalu Andres , Salomaa Veikko , Suvisaari Jaana , Purcell Shaun M. , Sklar Pamela , Kathiresan Sekar , Daly Mark J. , McCarroll Steven A. , Sullivan Patrick F. , Palotie Aarno , Esko Tõnu , Hultman Christina , Neale Benjamin M.
Published: June 2016

Ultra-rare inherited andde novodisruptive variants in highly constrained (HC) genes are enriched in neurodevelopmental disorders1–5. However, their impact on cognition in the general population has not been explored. We hypothesize that disruptive and damaging ultra-rare variants (URVs) in HC genes not only confer risk to neurodevelopmental disorders, but also influence general cognitive abilities measured indirectly by years of education (YOE). We tested this hypothesis in 14,133 individuals with whole exome or genome sequencing data. The presence of one or more URVs was associated with a decrease in YOE (3.1 months less for each additional mutation; P-value=3.3×10−8) and the effect was stronger in HC genes enriched for brain expression (6.5 months less, P-value=3.4×10−5). The effect of these variants was more pronounced than the estimated effects of runs of homozygosity and pathogenic copy number variation6–9. Our findings suggest that effects of URVs in HC genes are not confined to severe neurodevelopmental disorder, but influence the cognitive spectrum in the general population
Evolutionary dynamics of CRISPR gene drives
Authors: Noble Charleston , Olejarz Jason , Esvelt Kevin M. , Church George M. , Nowak Martin A.
Published: June 2016

The alteration of wild populations has been discussed as a solution to a number of humanity’s most pressing ecological and public health concerns. Enabled by the recent revolution in genome editing, CRISPR gene drives, selfish genetic elements which can spread through populations even if they confer no advantage to their host organism, are rapidly emerging as the most promising approach. But before real-world applications are considered, it is imperative to develop a clear understanding of the outcomes of drive release in nature. Toward this aim, we mathematically study the evolutionary dynamics of CRISPR gene drives. We demonstrate that the emergence of drive-resistant alleles presents a major challenge to previously reported constructs, and we show that an alternative design which selects against resistant alleles greatly improves evolutionary stability. We discuss all results in the context of CRISPR technology and provide insights which inform the engineering of practical gene drive systems.
Simulated forward and backward self motion, based on realistic parameters, causes strong motion induced blindness
Authors: Thomas Victoria , Davidson Matthew , Zakavi Parisa , Tsuchiya Naotsugu , van Boxtel Jeroen
Published: June 2016

Motion Induced Blindness (MIB) is a well-established visual phenomenon whereby highly salient targets disappear when viewed against a moving background mask. No research has yet explored whether contracting and expanding optic flow can also trigger target disappearance. We explored MIB using mask speeds corresponding to driving at 35, 50, 65 and 80 km/h in simulated forward (expansion) and backward (contraction) motion as well as 2-D radial movement, random, and static mask motion types. Participants (n= 18) viewed MIB targets against masks with different movement types, speed, and target locations. To understand the relationship between saccades, pupil response and perceptual disappearance, we ran two additional eye-tracking experiments (n= 19). Target disappearance increased significantly with faster mask speeds and upper visual field target presentation. Simulated optic flow and 2-D radial movement caused comparable disappearance, and all moving masks caused significantly more disappearance than a static mask. Saccades could not entirely account for differences between conditions, suggesting that self-motion optic flow does cause MIB in an artificial setting. Pupil analyses implied that MIB disappearance induced by optic flow is not subjectively salient, potentially explaining why MIB is not noticed during driving. Potential implications of MIB for driving safety and Head-Up-Display (HUD) technologies are discussed.
Integrative modeling of tumor DNA methylation identifies a role for metabolism
Authors: Mehrmohamadi Mahya , Mentch Lucas K. , Clark Andrew G. , Locasale Jason W.
Published: June 2016

DNA methylation varies across genomic regions, tissues and individuals in a population. Altered DNA methylation is common in cancer and often considered an early event in tumorigenesis. However, the sources of heterogeneity of DNA methylation among tumors remain poorly defined. Here, we capitalize on the availability of multi-platform data on thousands of molecularly-and clinically-annotated human tumors to build integrative models that identify the determinants of DNA methylation. We quantify the relative contribution of clinical and molecular factors in explaining within-cancer (inter-individual) variability in DNA methylation. We show that the levels of a set of metabolic genes involved in the methionine cycle that are constituents of one-carbon metabolism are predictive of several features of DNA methylation status in tumors including the methylation of genes that are known to drive oncogenesis. Finally, we demonstrate that patients whose DNA methylation status can be predicted from the genes in one-carbon metabolism exhibited improved survival over cases where this regulation is disrupted. To our knowledge, this study is the first comprehensive analysis of the determinants of methylation and demonstrates the surprisingly large contribution of metabolism in explaining epigenetic variation among individual tumors of the same cancer type. Together, our results illustrate links between tumor metabolism and epigenetics and outline future clinical implications.
Topslam: Waddington Landscape Recovery for Single Cell Experiments
Authors: Zwiessele Max , Lawrence Neil D
Published: June 2016

We present an approach to estimating the nature of the Waddington (or epigenetic) landscape that underlies a population of individual cells. Through exploiting high resolution single cell transcription experiments we show that cells can be located on a landscape that reflects their differentiated nature.

Our approach makes use of probabilistic non-linear dimensionality reduction that respects the topology of our estimated epigenetic landscape. In simulation studies and analyses of real data we show that the approach, known as topslam, outperforms previous attempts to understand the differentiation landscape.

Hereby, the novelty of our approach lies in the correction of distancesbeforeextracting ordering information. This gives the advantage over other attempts, which have to correct for extracted time lines by post processing or additional data.
Genome-wide characterization of genetic and functional dysregulation in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Krishnan Arjun , Zhang Ran , Yao Victoria , Theesfeld Chandra L. , Wong Aaron K. , Tadych Alicja , Volfovsky Natalia , Packer Alan , Lash Alex , Troyanskaya Olga G.
Published: June 2016

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of major neurodevelopmental disabilities with a strong genetic basis. Yet, owing to extensive genetic heterogeneity, multiple modes of inheritance and limited study sizes, sequencing and quantitative genetics approaches have had limited success in characterizing the complex genetics of ASD. Currently, only a small fraction of potentially causal genes—about 65 genes out of an estimated severalhundred—are known based on strong genetic evidence. Hence, there isa critical need for complementary approaches to further characterize the genetic basis of ASD, enabling development of better screening and therapeutics. Here, we use a machine-learning approach based on a human brain-specific functional gene interaction network to present a genome-wide prediction of autism-associated genes, including hundreds of candidate genes for which there is minimal or no prior genetic evidence. Our approach is validated in an independent case-control sequencing study of approximately 2,500families. Leveraging these genome-wide predictions and the brain-specificnetwork, we demonstrate that the large set of ASD genes converges on a smaller number of key cellular pathways and specific developmental stages of the brain. Specifically, integration with spatiotemporal transcriptome expression data implicates early fetal and midfetal stages of the developing human brain in ASD etiology. Likewise, analysis of the connectivity of topautism genes in the brain-specific interaction network reveals the breadthof autism-associated functional modules, processes, and pathways in the brain. Finally, we identify likely pathogenic genes within the most frequent autism-associated copy-number-variants (CNVs) and propose genes and pathways that are likely mediators of autism across multiple CNVs. All the predictions, interactions, and functional insights from this work are available to biomedical researchers atasd.princeton.edu.
The WRKY57 Transcription Factor Affects the Expression of Jasmonate ZIM-Domain Genes Transcriptionally to Compromise Botrytis cinerea Resistance
Authors: Jiang Yanjuan , Yu Diqiu
Published: June 2016

Although necrotrophic pathogens cause many devastating plant diseases, our understanding of the plant defense response to them is limited. Here, we found that loss of function of WRKY57 enhanced the resistance of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) against Botrytis cinerea infection. Further investigation suggested that the negative regulation of WRKY57 against B. cinerea depends on the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that WRKY57 directly binds to the promoters of JASMONATE ZIM-DOMAIN1 (JAZ1) and JAZ5, encoding two important repressors of the JA signaling pathway, and activates their transcription. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that WRKY57 interacts with nuclear-encoded SIGMA FACTOR BINDING PROTEIN1 (SIB1) and SIB2. Further experiments display that the same domain, the VQ motif, of SIB1 and SIB2 interact with WRKY33 and WRKY57. Moreover, transient transcriptional activity assays confirmed that WRKY57 and WRKY33 competitively regulate JAZ1 and JAZ5, SIB1 and SIB2 further enhance these competitions of WRKY57 to WRKY33. Therefore, coordinated regulation of Arabidopsis against B. cinerea by transcription activators and repressors would benefit plants by allowing fine regulation of defense.
An Innate Immunity Pathway in the Moss Physcomitrella patens
Authors: Bressendorff Simon , Azevedo Raquel , Kenchappa Chandra Shekar , Ponce de León Inés , Olsen Jakob V. , Rasmussen Magnus Wohlfahrt , Erbs Gitte , Newman Mari-Anne , Petersen Morten , Mundy John
Published: June 2016

MAP kinase (MPK) cascades in Arabidopsis thaliana and other vascular plants are activated by developmental cues, abiotic stress, and pathogen infection. Much less is known of MPK functions in nonvascular land plants such as the moss Physcomitrella patens. Here, we provide evidence for a signaling pathway in P. patens required for immunity triggered by pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). This pathway induces rapid growth inhibition, a novel fluorescence burst, cell wall depositions, and accumulation of defense-related transcripts. Two P. patens MPKs (MPK4a and MPK4b) are phosphorylated and activated in response to PAMPs. This activation in response to the fungal PAMP chitin requires a chitin receptor and one or more MAP kinase kinase kinases and MAP kinase kinases. Knockout lines of MPK4a appear wild type but have increased susceptibility to the pathogenic fungi Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria brassisicola. Both PAMPs and osmotic stress activate some of the same MPKs in Arabidopsis. In contrast, abscisic acid treatment or osmotic stress of P. patens does not activate MPK4a or any other MPK, but activates at least one SnRK2 kinase. Signaling via MPK4a may therefore be specific to immunity, and the moss relies on other pathways to respond to osmotic stress.
Implications of cascading effects for the Hyogo Framework
Authors: McGee Sibel , Frittman Jaime , Ahn Seongjin James , Murray Susan
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a preliminary systemic portrayal of risk relationships in the context of critical infrastructures (CIs) during disasters and assess the adequacy of the Hyogo Framework in addressing such relationships and the resultant cascading effects.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a systems thinking approach, this study views CIs as complex systems operating in the context of broader societies and disaster conditions. Using a causal loop diagramming technique, relationships across a large number of variables are mapped to capture pathways for cascading effects across CIs. This theoretical understanding is supplemented by cascading effects seen during the 2011 Japanese disaster. The Hyogo Framework indicators are mapped both to causal variables and disaster events to identify gaps. Data on cascading effects were collected from journals, news articles and reports by governments and NGOs.

Findings

The Hyogo Framework does not address facilitation by the host country of international aid during disasters; identification of infrastructure interdependencies and prioritization planning for recovery operations; national risk assessments that account for interrelated disasters; and private sector’s need to understand CIs’ dependencies and establish robust continuity plans that account for potential infrastructure failures.

Originality/value

This paper is the first attempt to assess the Hyogo Framework’s potential in addressing risk relationships and cascading effects. The knowledge provided in the paper is derived from the synthesis of previous cascading effects’ literature and examination of a real-life disaster. Findings are applicable to any disaster risk reduction initiative that seeks to anticipate and mitigate risk relationships and their implications for CIs during disasters.
Conflict of interest in pharmaceutical policy research: an example from Canada
Authors: Chappell Neena , Cassels Alan , Outcalt Linda , Dujela Carren
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– There is much evidence of bias in research on the effectiveness and efficacy of drugs as a result of the influence of the pharmaceutical industry. The purpose of this paper is to present the views of those involved in a major evidence-based policy initiative from Canada and examine the adequacy of existing academic conflict of interest (COI) rules.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data came from the Alzheimer’s Drug Therapy Initiative in British Columbia, a coverage with evidence development (CED) initiative, where a form of action research collected insights from the authors’ experiences, combined with qualitative interviews with members of the research team.

Findings

– The majority of researchers perceive the influence of pharmaceutical manufacturers as problematic. Even when the strictest of COI rules are followed, extending well beyond disclosure, the reach of industry is so great that existing COI rules lag far behind their expanding influence.

Practical implications

– The authors support others who call for the funding of independent research, enforcement of existing disclosure rules, and unfettered publication rights. In addition, the authors urge the education of all research team members, including clinicians, on the evidence indicating the variety of forms through which industry influence is exerted. The authors believe that this awareness-raising can help toward minimizing that influence in the analyses that are conducted.

Originality/value

– Consideration of pharmaceutical influence on CED research is important. There may be an untrue assumption that CED is functioning at arms-length from the drug companies.
Workplace health promotion of large and medium-sized businesses
Authors: Kohler Stefan
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between different areas of workplace health promotion (WHP) activities and predictors of the number of areas in which WHP activities are offered.

Design/methodology/approach

– A questionnaire with ten questions on WHP was mailed to the 478 largest businesses in Berlin and Brandenburg, Germany. The cross-sectional data from this survey are presented and explored using correlation and linear regression analyses.

Findings

– In total, 30 businesses, of which 90 percent offered WHP activities, participated in the survey. Businesses with WHP were, on average, active in 5.59 (SD=2.24) areas of health promotion. Offering an activity was positively correlated with offering an activity in at least one other area for all WHP areas except ergonomic workplace design (p
<
0.05). Among businesses offering WHP, reporting that WHP would be strengthened with more support (−2.02, 95 percent CI: −4.04 to −0.01) and being a medium-sized business with an information need (−3.63, 95 percent CI: −5.70 to −1.57) or an opinion that health insurance companies should offer WHP (−1.96, 95 percent CI: −3.86 to −0.05) were all associated with offering activities in fewer WHP areas. In a multiple regression analysis, the information need of mid-size businesses was the only significant predictor (−5.25, 95 percent CI: −9.41 to −1.08).

Practical implications

– Addressing the information needs of medium-sized businesses concerning WHP could be an effective strategy for increasing the spectrum of WHP activities offered.

Originality/value

– This study complements existing studies by assessing associations between WHP activities and predictors of WHP activity emphasizing business size.
Entering the base of the pyramid market in India
Authors: Tasavori Misagh , Ghauri Pervez N. , Zaefarian Reza
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the international market expansion of multinational corporations (MNCs) to the base of the pyramid (BoP). The authors employ the corporate social entrepreneurship (CSE) perspective to reveal how MNCs can enter this market, the key enabling factors and the benefits they can gain. CSE is related to entrepreneurial and marketing strategies that are inspired by social responsibility.

Design/methodology/approach

– An exploratory, qualitative multiple-case study has been employed. In-depth interviews were conducted with managers from three MNCs that have entered the BoP market in India.

Findings

– The findings of this research confirm that successful entry into the BoP requires the pursuit of social responsibility and the adaptation of marketing strategies. In addition, MNCs should identify the key environmental factors (demand conditions and socio-political actors’ expectations) and develop organisational characteristics (management support, network orientation towards non-governmental organisations and availability of financial resources) to match. The findings of this research show that engagement in CSE in countries with considerable BoP populations can bring firms legitimacy and sustainable profitability.

Research limitations/implications

– This research is based on interviews with a limited number of MNCs in India. Future studies could generalise the findings of this research to a larger number of corporations in other countries.

Originality/value

– This research brings new insights to the field of international marketing by integrating the corporate social responsibility, marketing and entrepreneurship disciplines. The findings of this research offer empirical support for CSE and its role in international marketing strategies.
Corporate social responsibility as a marketing strategy in foreign markets
Authors: Hadjikhani Amjad , Lee Joong Woo , Park Sohee
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The authors are witnessing the increasing extent of corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance as strategic behaviour specifically in emerging markets. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how multinational companies (MNCs) manage CSR activities in emerging markets to aid their core business activities. In line with this question, the paper aims to develop a theoretical view for deeper understanding of the strategy in CSR practices aiding internationalization. The view is based on a business network perspective highlighting the four concepts of learning, commitment, legitimacy and trust.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology employed is qualitative, based on interviews with involved parties. The case study is about the experiences of a Korean MNC’s CSR strategy when entering into the Chinese electronics industry.

Findings

– The case illustrates how the Korean MNC committed resources to gain trust and legitimacy that improved their market position. It further manifests that the firm’s CSR strategy was proactive because of the large commitment in several long- and short-term projects towards the society. Investment in social issues like education, environmental problems and communities aided the firm’s entry.

Research limitations/implications

– The study has a qualitative and in-depth nature. Future research is needed in order to generalize the proposed theoretical frame.

Practical implications

– The study manifests how a MNC employs CSR strategy for internationalization in a foreign market. It shows how managers can undertake different practical CSR measures to enter and expand in foreign markets.

Social implications

– While internationalization of firms is mainly based on their business commitment towards counterparts or business firms, the study shows how CSR strategy and activities towards the society support their businesses.

Originality/value

– While internationalization of firms is mainly based on their business commitment towards counterparts or business firms, the study shows how CSR strategy and activities towards the society support their businesses. The study investigates CSR strategy and enlightens activities like education and environmental problems. The study further develops the business network view and includes social aspects. The theoretical view holding the four relationship elements of trust, knowledge, legitimacy and commitment permits deeper understanding of the MNC’s proactive CSR behaviour in new markets.
Corporate social responsibility in international marketing: review, assessment, and future research
Authors: Eteokleous Pantelitsa P. , Leonidou Leonidas C. , Katsikeas Constantine S.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– Although corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been an issue of major concern for marketers for more than half a century, only recently has it attracted the attention of international marketing researchers. During the last two decades, this body of research has experienced an increasing trend, which, however, is very fragmented and diverse. In response, the purpose of this paper is to review, assess, and synthesize extant research on the role of CSR activities in international marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

– The review and assessment covered the period from 1993 to 2013 and all relevant articles were traced, using both electronic and manual search methods. Altogether, the authors identified 132 studies published in 106 articles that appeared in 63 journals. Each article was content analyzed by two coders who worked independently from each other, using a structured coding protocol. Due to the nominal nature of the finalized codes, these were statistically analyzed taking the form of percentage frequencies.

Findings

– The results were organized in terms of theoretical, methodological, and empirical considerations. Theoretically, a third of the articles were not anchored on any theory, while the remainder employed various theoretical platforms, with stakeholder theory having a predominant role. Methodologically, this specific body of research is characterized by growing sophistication and rigor, with some room for improvement, especially as regards the use of longitudinal research, better sampling methods, wider geographic scope, and advanced statistical analysis. Empirically, a broad range of issues was covered, with the most widely studied being those focussing on the elements of international marketing strategy, external environmental influences, and CSR practices.

Originality/value

– The authors review and assess 21 years of research conducted on a crucial and contemporary dimension of international marketing, namely CSR. The findings provide useful insights for public policymakers, business managers, academic scholars, and marketing educators. The authors also provide detailed directions for future research, extracted from the articles reviewed.
Influence of institutional pressures on performance measurement systems
Authors: Munir Rahat , Baird Kevin
Published: June 2016

Purpose

Grounded in DiMaggio and Powell’s (1983) institutional isomorphism perspective of institutional theory, the purpose of this study is to examine the influence of institutional pressures on the performance measurement system (PMS) within banks and financial institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was used to collect data from 71 banks and financial institutions operating in Australia.

Findings

Four institutional pressures, the normative pressure “corporate change” and the coercive pressures “economic and financial legislation”, “socio-economic political pressures” and “banking regulations” were found to be associated with the use of multi-dimensional performance measures. In addition, the coercive pressure “economic and financial legislation” and the normative pressure “corporate change” were associated with the use of financial, internal and learning and growth performance measures. Finally, the use of internal and learning and growth measures was positively associated with the coercive force “socioeconomic-political pressures”, and the use of financial measures was associated with the coercive pressure “banking regulations”.

Research limitations/implications

Given the recent global financial crisis, the study offers a reference within the contemporary performance measurement literature in relation to the influence of institutional pressures on the PMS within banks and financial institutions.

Originality/value

While prior research has focused on manufacturing organisations, this study deepens our understanding of the institutional environment of banks and financial institutions and how specific coercive, mimetic and normative forces influence the PMS.
Effect of perceived warmth on positive judgment
Authors: Choi Jungsil , Chang Young Kyun , Lee Kiljae , Chang Jae D.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how color-based visual sensation affects people’s judgment of other people and their environment. The authors focus primarily on uncovering the causal mechanism in which such effect is mediated by warmth stereotype.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used data collected from experiments and field surveys in the USA and South Korea.

Findings

Pilot study shows that an anonymous person against a warm color background (vs neutral and cold color background) is perceived to be one with warmer personality. Study 1 shows that warm (vs neutral) color in advertising increases a perceiver’s warmth stereotype and trust and, consequently, a favorable attitude toward the advertiser. Study 2 shows that color-based warmth of an e-commerce website increases a web user’s warmth stereotype and trust of the website and higher intention to purchase. Study 3 shows that the nurses’ perception of warmth from a hospital’s ambient color affects their favorable judgment of the hospital and intention to take on an extra role. Importantly, all effects observed across studies were mediated by the activation of warmth stereotype.

Practical implications

The findings provide practical guidelines to companies for the usage of colors in crafting advertising artifacts, designing a website and creating a workplace environment to induce positive attitudes and motivations toward each target.

Originality/value

The extant research on warmth experiences focuses on tactile sensation as a key independent variable and transient mood as a dominant mediator. This study extends the stream of research by adopting perceived visual sensation as an independent variable and warmth stereotype as a new mediating construct.
Building multilevel governance and partnerships: an evaluation approach
Authors: Li Zhihong , Li Jun , Liang Dong , Lee Tenpao
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The paper aims to develop a framework to facilitate the evaluation of the complexities of working in multi-level governance and partnership and to assess the extent to which collaboration adds value in terms of both process and outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies the fuzzy analysis hierarchy process (FAHP) to the design of an evaluation framework for partnerships and uses data from a questionnaire survey in Wuhan, China, to validate the framework.

Findings

The paper finds that the effectiveness of multi-level governance and partnerships is primarily determined by such factors as clarity of framework for partnership, consensus on mission statement of strategic partnership, mechanisms for joint initiation and implementation of projects and removal of barriers to flow of resources.

Practical implications

The paper shows that policymakers need to adopt an evaluation approach to improve the effectiveness of multi-level governance and partnerships.

Originality/value

The paper provides a framework for building multi-level governance and partnerships in the Chinese context.