bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Break-crop effects on wheat production across soils and seasons in a semi-arid environment
Authors: McBeath T. M. , Gupta V. V. S. R. , Llewellyn R. S. , Davoren C. W. , Whitbread A. M.
Published: April 2015

In low-rainfall environments, a high frequency of cereal crops has been favoured for optimising productivity and risk. However, cereals at high intensity often lead to declining water-use efficiency and increasing inputs to cope with emergent nutritional, disease and weed problems. The value of including breaks in the cropping sequence can involve a high level of uncertainty in low-rainfall areas where non-cereal crops are more risky and profitability is largely determined by the subsequent benefit to cereal productivity. In this study, we aimed to improve understanding of the magnitude and primary source of break benefits such as nutrition, water and disease management in a low-rainfall environment where a high level of within-field soil variability can also contribute to uncertainty about the value of breaks. In on-farm field experiments near Karoonda in the South Australian Mallee, breaks were grown in 2009 or 2010 on four distinct soil types across a dune–swale catena. The effect of these breaks on subsequent cereal production was measured for up to 3 years. In addition, the effect of breaks on nutrition and water available, along with disease infection in subsequent cereal crops, was explored and actual yields were compared with nitrogen and water-limited potential yields. Consistent cumulative benefits to subsequent cereal crops of at least 1 t ha–1 after 3 years accrue from breaks grown on the different soil types. The inclusion of breaks had beneficial effects on the cycling and supply of nutrients along with some short-term impacts on infection by Rhizoctonia solani AG8 in subsequent cereals, whereas there were no conclusive effects of breaks on the supply of water to subsequent crops. This study suggests that the inclusion of both legume and brassica breaks is likely to be beneficial to subsequent cereal production where nitrogen is a factor limiting productivity in low-rainfall, semi-arid environments.
Does a corporate worksite physical activity program reach those who are inactive? Findings from an evaluation of the Global Corporate Challenge
Authors: Macniven Rona , Engelen Lina , Kacen Mia J. , Bauman Adrian
Published: April 2015

Issue addressed

Workplace physical activity programs can motivate inactive target groups to increase daily activity levels, but it is important to determine their reach and impact.

Methods

The Global Corporate Challenge (GCC) is a team‐based program promoting pedometer‐based self‐monitoring to reach 10 000 steps per day. Participants (n = 587) from an Australian university were recruited and recorded their daily step counts. Demographic, anthropometric, behavioural, self‐reported physical activity and sitting time data were collected at baseline and following the 16‐week program.

Results

On average, participants self‐estimated 11 638 daily steps in Week 1, increasing to measured estimates of 13 787 daily steps in Week 16 (P < 0.001). At baseline, 92% of survey completers were already meeting the physical activity recommendations, increasing to 98% (P = 0.059) at follow‐up. Four month improvements in objectively assessed anthropometric measures showed small, non‐significant reductions in weight (−0.12 kg; P = 0.416), body mass index (−0.06 kg/m2; P = 0.314) and waist circumference (−0.43 cm; P = 0.082). Sitting time during work decreased significantly by 21 min per day (P < 0.001) and participants with initially low levels of sitting time at work were more likely to increase their step counts during the GCC (adjusted odds ratio 1.90, 95% confidence interval 1.03–3.50).

Conclusions

Although this pedometer‐based program resulted in increases in physical activity and reductions in occupational sedentary behaviour, most participants were already meeting physical activity recommendations at baseline.
How big is a food portion? A pilot study in Australian families
Authors: Collins Clare E. , Bucher Tamara , Taylor Aimee , Pezdirc Kristine , Lucas Hannah , Watson Jane , Rollo Megan , Duncanson Kerith , Hutchesson Melinda J. , Burrows Tracy
Published: April 2015

Issues addressed

It is not known whether individuals can accurately estimate the portion size of foods usually consumed relative to standard serving sizes in national food selection guides. The aim of the present cross‐sectional pilot study was to quantify what adults and children deem a typical portion for a variety of foods and compare these with the serving sizes specified in the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE).

Methods

Adults and children were independently asked to serve out their typical portion of 10 common foods (rice, pasta, breakfast cereal, chocolate, confectionary, ice cream, meat, vegetables, soft drink and milk). They were also asked to serve what they perceived a small, medium and large portion of each food to be. Each portion was weighed and recorded by an assessor and compared with the standard AGHE serving sizes.

Results

Twenty‐one individuals (nine mothers, one father, 11 children) participated in the study. There was a large degree of variability in portion sizes measured out by both parents and children, with means exceeding the standard AGHE serving size for all items, except for soft drink and milk, where mean portion sizes were less than the AGHE serving size. The greatest mean overestimations were for pasta (155%; mean 116 g; range 94–139 g) and chocolate (151%; mean 38 g; range 25–50 g), each of which represented approximately 1.5 standard AGHE servings.

Conclusion

The findings of the present study indicate that there is variability between parents' and children's estimation of typical portion sizes compared with national recommendations.
Inherited IL-17RC deficiency in patients with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis
Authors: Ling Yun , Cypowyj Sophie , Aytekin Caner , Galicchio Miguel , Camcioglu Yildiz , Nepesov Serdar , Ikinciogullari Aydan , Dogu Figen , Belkadi Aziz , Levy Romain , Migaud Mélanie , Boisson Bertrand , Bolze Alexandre , Itan Yuval , Goudin Nicolas , Cottineau Julien , Picard Capucine , Abel Laurent , Bustamante Jacinta , Casanova Jean-Laurent , Puel Anne
Published: April 2015

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) is characterized by recurrent or persistent infections of the skin, nail, oral, and genital mucosae with Candida species, mainly C. albicans. Autosomal-recessive (AR) IL-17RA and ACT1 deficiencies and autosomal-dominant IL-17F deficiency, each reported in a single kindred, underlie CMC in otherwise healthy patients. We report three patients from unrelated kindreds, aged 8, 12, and 37 yr with isolated CMC, who display AR IL-17RC deficiency. The patients are homozygous for different nonsense alleles that prevent the expression of IL-17RC on the cell surface. The defect is complete, abolishing cellular responses to IL-17A and IL-17F homo- and heterodimers. However, in contrast to what is observed for the IL-17RA– and ACT1-deficient patients tested, the response to IL-17E (IL-25) is maintained in these IL-17RC–deficient patients. These experiments of nature indicate that human IL-17RC is essential for mucocutaneous immunity to C. albicans but is otherwise largely redundant.
Specific bone cells produce DLL4 to generate thymus-seeding progenitors from bone marrow
Authors: Yu Vionnie W.C. , Saez Borja , Cook Colleen , Lotinun Sutada , Pardo-Saganta Ana , Wang Ying-Hua , Lymperi Stefania , Ferraro Francesca , Raaijmakers Marc H.G.P. , Wu Joy Y. , Zhou Lan , Rajagopal Jayaraj , Kronenberg Henry M. , Baron Roland , Scadden David T.
Published: April 2015

Production of the cells that ultimately populate the thymus to generate α/β T cells has been controversial, and their molecular drivers remain undefined. Here, we report that specific deletion of bone-producing osteocalcin (Ocn)-expressing cells in vivo markedly reduces T-competent progenitors and thymus-homing receptor expression among bone marrow hematopoietic cells. Decreased intrathymic T cell precursors and decreased generation of mature T cells occurred despite normal thymic function. The Notch ligand DLL4 is abundantly expressed on bone marrow Ocn+ cells, and selective depletion of DLL4 from these cells recapitulated the thymopoietic abnormality. These data indicate that specific mesenchymal cells in bone marrow provide key molecular drivers enforcing thymus-seeding progenitor generation and thereby directly link skeletal biology to the production of T cell–based adaptive immunity.
Comparison of Efficacy and Tolerance of Automatic Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Devices With the Optimum Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
Authors: Tommi George , Aronow Wilbert S. , Sheehan John C. , McCleay Matthew T. , Meyers Patrick G.
Published: April 2015

Patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome were randomly placed on automatic continuous positive airway pressure (ACPAP) for 2 hours followed by manual titration for the rest of the night. One hundred sixty-one patients entered the study, with at least 50 patients titrated with each of 3 ACPAP devices. The optimum continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) was defined as the lowest pressure with an apnea–hypoxia index of ≤5/hr, which ranged from 4 cm to 18 cm. Success with ACPAP was approximately 60%–80% when the optimum CPAP was 4–6 cm but fell to below 30% if the optimum CPAP was ≥8 cm (P = 0.001). Average ACPAP ranged from 2 to 10 cm below the optimum level if the optimum CPAP was ≥8 cm. Patients who responded to a low CPAP but deteriorated on higher pressures failed to respond to any of the automatic devices. We recommend that CPAP titration be performed manually before initiation of ACPAP in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The basal pressure for ACPAP should be the optimum pressure obtained by manual titration. Limits on the upper level of ACPAP may be necessary for patients who deteriorate on higher positive pressures.
Surveillance of antibiotic resistance
Authors: Johnson Alan P.
Published: April 2015

Surveillance involves the collection and analysis of data for the detection and monitoring of threats to public health. Surveillance should also inform as to the epidemiology of the threat and its burden in the population. A further key component of surveillance is the timely feedback of data to stakeholders with a view to generating action aimed at reducing or preventing the public health threat being monitored. Surveillance of antibiotic resistance involves the collection of antibiotic susceptibility test results undertaken by microbiology laboratories on bacteria isolated from clinical samples sent for investigation. Correlation of these data with demographic and clinical data for the patient populations from whom the pathogens were isolated gives insight into the underlying epidemiology and facilitates the formulation of rational interventions aimed at reducing the burden of resistance. This article describes a range of surveillance activities that have been undertaken in the UK over a number of years, together with current interventions being implemented. These activities are not only of national importance but form part of the international response to the global threat posed by antibiotic resistance.
Time for a change: addressing R&D and commercialization challenges for antibacterials
Authors: Payne David J. , Miller Linda Federici , Findlay David , Anderson James , Marks Lynn
Published: April 2015

The antibacterial therapeutic area has been described as the perfect storm. Resistance is increasing to the point that our hospitals encounter patients infected with untreatable pathogens, the overall industry pipeline is described as dry and most multinational pharmaceutical companies have withdrawn from the area. Major contributing factors to the declining antibacterial industry pipeline include scientific challenges, clinical/regulatory hurdles and low return on investment. This paper examines these challenges and proposes approaches to address them. There is a need for a broader scientific agenda to explore new approaches to discover and develop antibacterial agents. Additionally, ideas of how industry and academia could be better integrated will be presented. While promising progress in the regulatory environment has been made, more streamlined regulatory paths are still required and the solutions will lie in global harmonization and clearly defined guidance. Creating the right incentives for antibacterial research and development is critical and a new commercial model for antibacterial agents will be proposed. One key solution to help resolve both the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and lack of new drug development are rapid, cost-effective, accurate point of care diagnostics that will transform antibacterial prescribing and enable more cost-effective and efficient antibacterial clinical trials. The challenges of AMR are too great for any one group to resolve and success will require leadership and partnerships among academia, industry and governments globally.
Evaluating passive optical clearing protocols for two-photon deep tissue imaging in adult intact visceral and neuronal organs
Authors: Vlieg R.C. , Gillespie C , Lee W.M.
Published: April 2015

Imaging cellular activities in an entire intact whole organ with light is a grand challenge in optical microscopy. To date, most passive clearing techniques were shown to transform brain, neuronal and embryo tissue into near transparent state for deep tissue imaging. Here, we expand these passive clearing protocols from neuronal tissue (brain and spinal cord) to other visceral organs such as liver and colon and further evaluate their “depth-clearing performance” based on image contrast of endogenous fluorescence structures. We found that SeeDB achieves the highest depth in brain, 3DISCO is adept at clearing liver and spinal cord and ScaleViewA2 in colon. Overall, 3DISCO clears more rapidly than other agents but at a higher cost, while ScaleViewA2 is the most economical however at a slower rate. This study, for the first time, provide a direct evaluation of imaging depth, cost and time amongst passive tissue clearing protocols for different intact organs. In addition, we discuss the possible roles of tissue composition in clearing.
Proteins linked to autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive disorders harbor characteristic rare missense mutation distribution patterns
Authors: Turner Tychele N. , Douville Christopher , Kim Dewey , Stenson Peter D. , Cooper David N. , Chakravarti Aravinda , Karchin Rachel
Published: April 2015

The role of rare missense variants in disease causation remains difficult to interpret. We explore whether the clustering pattern of rare missense variants (MAF<0.01) in a protein is associated with mode of inheritance. Mutations in genes associated with autosomal dominant (AD) conditions are known to result in either loss or gain of function, whereas mutations in genes associated with autosomal recessive (AR) conditions invariably result in loss of function. Loss-of-function mutations tend to be distributed uniformly along protein sequence, while gain-of-function mutations tend to localize to key regions. It has not previously been ascertained whether these patterns hold in general for rare missense mutations. We consider the extent to which rare missense variants are located within annotated protein domains and whether they form clusters, using a new unbiased method called CLUstering by Mutation Position (CLUMP). These approaches quantified a significant difference in clustering between AD and AR diseases. Proteins linked to AD diseases exhibited more clustering of rare missense mutations than those linked to AR diseases (Wilcoxon P=5.7×10-4, permutation P=8.4×10-4). Rare missense mutation in proteins linked to either AD or AR diseases were more clustered than controls (1000G) (Wilcoxon P=2.8×10-15for AD and P=4.5×10-4for AR, permutation P=3.1×10-12for AD and P=0.03 for AR). Differences in clustering patterns persisted even after removal of the most prominent genes. Testing for such non-random patterns may reveal novel aspects of disease etiology in large sample studies.
Structural mechanisms of DREAM complex assembly and regulation
Authors: Guiley Keelan Z. , Liban Tyler J. , Felthousen Jessica G. , Ramanan Parameshwaran , Litovchick Larisa , Rubin Seth M.
Published: April 2015

The DREAM complex represses cell cycle genes during quiescence through scaffolding MuvB proteins with E2F4/5 and the Rb tumor suppressor paralog p107 or p130. Upon cell cycle entry, MuvB dissociates from p107/p130 and recruits B-Myb and FoxM1 for up-regulating mitotic gene expression. To understand the biochemical mechanisms underpinning DREAM function and regulation, we investigated the structural basis for DREAM assembly. We identified a sequence in the MuvB component LIN52 that binds directly to the pocket domains of p107 and p130 when phosphorylated on the DYRK1A kinase site S28. A crystal structure of the LIN52–p107 complex reveals that LIN52 uses a suboptimal LxSxExL sequence together with the phosphate at nearby S28 to bind the LxCxE cleft of the pocket domain with high affinity. The structure explains the specificity for p107/p130 over Rb in the DREAM complex and how the complex is disrupted by viral oncoproteins. Based on insights from the structure, we addressed how DREAM is disassembled upon cell cycle entry. We found that p130 and B-Myb can both bind the core MuvB complex simultaneously but that cyclin-dependent kinase phosphorylation of p130 weakens its association. Together, our data inform a novel target interface for studying MuvB and p130 function and the design of inhibitors that prevent tumor escape in quiescence.
Exome sequencing reveals pathogenic mutations in 91 strains of mice with Mendelian disorders
Authors: Fairfield Heather , Srivastava Anuj , Ananda Guruprasad , Liu Rangjiao , Kircher Martin , Lakshminarayana Anuradha , Harris Belinda S. , Karst Son Yong , Dionne Louise A. , Kane Coleen C. , Curtain Michelle , Berry Melissa L. , Ward-Bailey Patricia F. , Greenstein Ian , Byers Candice , Czechanski Anne , Sharp Jocelyn , Palmer Kristina , Gudis Polyxeni , Martin Whitney , Tadenev Abby , Bogdanik Laurent , Pratt C. Herbert , Chang Bo , Schroeder David G. , Cox Gregory A. , Cliften Paul , Milbrandt Jeffrey , Murray Stephen , Burgess Robert , Bergstrom David E. , Donahue Leah Rae , Hamamy Hanan , Masri Amira , Santoni Federico A. , Makrythanasis Periklis , Antonarakis Stylianos E. , Shendure Jay , Reinholdt Laura G.
Published: April 2015

Spontaneously arising mouse mutations have served as the foundation for understanding gene function for more than 100 years. We have used exome sequencing in an effort to identify the causative mutations for 172 distinct, spontaneously arising mouse models of Mendelian disorders, including a broad range of clinically relevant phenotypes. To analyze the resulting data, we developed an analytics pipeline that is optimized for mouse exome data and a variation database that allows for reproducible, user-defined data mining as well as nomination of mutation candidates through knowledge-based integration of sample and variant data. Using these new tools, putative pathogenic mutations were identified for 91 (53%) of the strains in our study. Despite the increased power offered by potentially unlimited pedigrees and controlled breeding, about half of our exome cases remained unsolved. Using a combination of manual analyses of exome alignments and whole-genome sequencing, we provide evidence that a large fraction of unsolved exome cases have underlying structural mutations. This result directly informs efforts to investigate the similar proportion of apparently Mendelian human phenotypes that are recalcitrant to exome sequencing.
Antecedents of philanthropic behavior of health care volunteers
Authors: Alias Siti Noormi , Ismail Maimunah
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to propose a conceptual model of philanthropic behavior of volunteers in the health care sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is based on an extensive review of past research on philanthropic behavior. To conduct the literature review, keywords such as philanthropy, philanthropic behavior, giving, donating, competencies, volunteering and social network in health care were identified.

Findings

– From the literature reviewed, three groups of antecedents of philanthropic behavior among health care volunteers (HCVs) were identified, viz., individual factors, social factors and organizational factors. This paper proposes social network as a mediating variable in linking the three groups of antecedents with philanthropic behavior. The paper offers a number of propositions which explain the proposed model of philanthropic behavior of HCVs.

Practical implications

– Further research is suggested to test and validate the framework to provide empirical evidence. Upon model validation, the paper could offer practical interventions for human resource development (HRD) managers to assist philanthropic-based organization toward developing and managing philanthropic behavior of HCVs. The paper highlights the importance of social network to promote individuals to engage in philanthropic actions.

Originality/value

– The paper yields a new approach in theorizing philanthropic behavior among HCVs by integrating the theory of planned behavior, social identity approach and organizational support theory. The proposed social network as a mediator could provide new insights to the HRD practitioners on developing philanthropic behavior among HCVs subject to model validation. The research contributes to literature in philanthropy, HRD and community development.
Becoming an expert: developing expertise in an applied discipline
Authors: Kuhlmann Diane Orlich , Ardichvili Alexandre
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the development of expertise in an applied discipline by addressing the research question: How is professional expertise developed in an applied profession?

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a grounded theory methodology (GTM), nine technical-tax experts, and three experienced, non-expert tax professionals were interviewed regarding their experience in developing technical-tax expertise. Using GTM procedures, a core concept and variables (categories and properties of categories) were identified. A theory is advanced which explains the interaction of the core concept and the variables.

Findings

– This theory proposes that expertise in applied disciplines occurs through years of engaging in the high-value, non-routine work. Professionals with an intelligence matched to the discipline and willingness to work hard are more likely to be successful in this non-routine work. Professionals who find the discipline fascinating and who revel in ambiguity are likely to repeatedly seek this non-routine work. Finally, professionals in organizations with complex client issues are more likely to have opportunities to engage in non-routine work.

Research limitations/implications

– This study proposed a theory related to a very specific profession – tax accounting. Future research would be appropriate to determine whether other applied disciplines have a similar dynamic in developing expertise.

Originality/value

– Based on existing theories of expertise, this study developed a new theory of how professional expertise is developed in an applied discipline.
The training demand in organizational changes processes in the Spanish wine sector
Authors: Gil Alfonso J. , Garcia-Alcaraz Jorge L. , Mataveli Mara
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe the role of training demand in the organisational changes.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper describes the demand of training courses in the Rioja wine sector in Spain and its relation with the changes in the sector carried out in recent years. Through a questionnaire, wineries’ managers asked about the training demand in the sector and change processes. It is proposed, first, the relationship between the demand for training and changes made by companies of Rioja wine in entering new markets and innovation in products and, second, that these changes explain the demand of training in marketing and oenology topics. To confirm the hypotheses, a binary logistic regression analysis was performed.

Findings

– It was found that the relationship between the demand for training and the processes of change, and that the change processes in companies of Rioja wine sector originate a specific demand for training.

Practical implications

– The paper provides a review of the importance of training in changes processes of companies. A critical factor in the change process is the development of workers competencies to cope with the changes in the organisation, but it is also important to develop a culture of change in the organisation.

Originality/value

– This paper provides empirical evidence of the relationship between organisational changes and training demands in a key sector from the Rioja Community in Spain.
Signs and wonders
Authors: Smith Simon , Stokes Peter
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine and assess the reputational impact of the logo and symbols of the UK Standard Investors in People (IiP). The extant literature highlights differing opinions in terms of the likely benefits that IiP generates following achievement of the Standard. This paper focuses specifically on the perceptions of reputational claims made regarding existing employees, potential employees and customers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The debate is explored through 38 interviews using the perceptions of managers and frontline employees within six IiP-accredited firms and one non-accredited firm.

Findings

– The study indicates that the logo and symbols of the Standard have minimal meaning and significance for the interviewees and their outlook on potential employees and customers. There were some indications, however, that the wider reputational implications of carrying the logo may have some potentially beneficial effects.

Originality/value

– The paper concludes that the overarching findings present a potentially serious issue for IiP, and that there is a need to understand further the impact and value of the logo and symbols.
Commercial service charge accounting and audit: a review
Authors: Holt Andrew
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to critique the accounting and auditing requirements of the 2011 RICS Code of Practice, Service Charges in Commercial Property and examines whether the new 2014 version of the RICS Code and its associated accounting guidance note provide a “best practice” framework for service charge accounting and audit. This theoretical discussion is then applied to empirical data obtained from a sample of UK commercial office properties to assess whether current practices used by managing parties for the preparation and review of service charge reconciliation certificates actually embody the principles of best practice.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses inductive reasoning to theorise about how the accounting and auditing of commercial service charges might be improved. The paper also uses a deductive approach to identify whether current commercial service charges accounting and audit practices achieve a theoretical level of best practice. The paper reviews a range of secondary literature and utilises hand-collected data from the service charge documents provided to commercial leaseholders.

Findings

– The paper finds deficiencies within the RICS Code’s requirements for service charge accounting and audit. As a result, empirical evidence is found suggesting that UK commercial service charge accounting and audit practices are inconsistent, lack transparency and provide poor levels of negative assurance for tenants.

Research limitations/implications

– Content analysis requires subjective interpretation on behalf of the researcher.

Originality/value

– Data are original to this research and provide a unique insight as to the accounting and audit practices used by facilities managers, managing agents, accountants and independent auditors within the commercial property sector.
Exploring the interaction between R&D and production in their globalisation
Authors: Cheng Yang , Johansen John , Hu Haibo
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to extend the discussions on globalisation from production to R&D. It investigates how R&D and production interact with each other in their globalisation processes.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research aim is developed by identifying the gaps in the reviewed literature. This paper is based on four case studies undertaken in one Chinese manufacturing, one Danish pharmaceutical and two Danish manufacturing companies. The cases provide a sound basis for developing an understanding of the interaction between the globalisation of R&D and production.

Findings

– This paper identifies three approaches the case companies followed to globalise their production and R&D: interactive globalisation, separated globalisation and a possible combination. The paper indicates that research and development might have to be treated separately with regard to their globalisation, and proposes industry and country characteristics as the key factors for globalisation approach selection, and site capability and strategic decision as the impacting factors for globalisation evolution.

Originality/value

– This paper emphasises the dispersion of R&D activities, which is seldom addressed by existing internationalisation theories. Its investigation provides a foundation for the further extension of current internationalisation theories to consider global R&D. Moreover, the theoretical gap in the existing literature between global R&D and production is noted. This paper bridges this gap by clarifying the interaction between R&D and production in their globalisation, conceptualising three globalisation approaches, and proposing tentative factors that have impacts on approach selection and management.
Partial and iterative Lean implementation: two case studies
Authors: Bamford David , Forrester Paul , Dehe Benjamin , Leese Rebecca Georgina
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the implementation of lean within two contrasting UK-based organizations; a food manufacturer and a healthcare organization. The different contexts provide insight to the strategic desire for efficiency gains and tactical issues and challenges of lean execution and implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research questions developed from the review of the literature were tested using evidence from field-based, action research within a food manufacturer and a National Health Service organization. The reported contrasting case studies contribute to the longer term debate on the adoption and adaptation of lean-based “best practice” within organizations.

Findings

– There are three primary findings: first, that the adoption of lean provides a strategic benefit, as well as providing a basis for a strategy of operational change; second, that partial, as opposed to full, adoption of lean occurs due to external organizational constraints, such as demand patterns, supplier unreliability, little expertise in deploying change programmes, etc.; and third, that a company will balance the adoption of the lean ideology against the financial costs and operational risks incurred in full adoption.

Practical implications

– The conclusions drawn add substantially to the ongoing commentaries on aspects of lean, and develop interesting questions for future research regards the developed “Cycles of Lean Implementation” concept.

Originality/value

– The conclusion proposes that partial implementation of the lean philosophy does not necessarily represent a conscious organizational choice, or any lack of conviction, but is representative of external constraints on the organization. This complements previous commentaries on appropriate strategies and develops interesting questions for future research into operational efficiency.
Student seminar program for improving academic presentation skills for PhD students in science
Authors: Ohnishi Satomi , Ford Judith Helen
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The study aims to reveal how the students improved their academic presentation skills and the limitations to improvement with or without influences of students’ language backgrounds. Since the career paths of postgraduates have become more diverse in recent years, generic skills training is increasingly included in postgraduate programmes in addition to specific research training. However, PhD education generally adopts a traditional style, often relying on an individual supervisor without the inclusion of specific programmes to improve students’ generic skills. As academic presentation skills are crucial to research and are a generic skill that PhD students in science must acquire, we propose that existing student seminar programmes can be used effectively as an active training programme to improve these skills.

Design/methodology/approach

– To design effective student seminars, we investigated how PhD students improved their academic presentation skills when opportunities to give regular seminars were provided and students were given detailed scores that measured performance in specific areas of presentation competency. We outline an extensive case study of 95 PhD students who presented at student seminars over a period of six years (2006-2011). Valid data of 73 students were collected, and data of 58 students were used for detailed analysis. Performance in three major factors important to presentation skills: structure, visuals and delivery, were scored for each seminar, and the scores underwent detailed statistical analysis.

Findings

– Our key findings are that international students obtained better scores than Australian students for their first presentations while Australian students obtained a better score than international in for their second and the later presentations. The improvement of international students is slower than Australian students but occurs at a steadier pace. International students showed difficulty in improving answering questions.

Originality/value

– This is the first time that a longitudinal study on PhD students’ development of academic presentation skills has been undertaken. Our results revealed how the students improved academic presentation skills and that the limitations to improvement depended on their language backgrounds. We discuss our findings from the viewpoint of student language backgrounds and the process of adaptation to academic culture.
The generic-discipline dilemma: learning advising in quantitative literacy
Authors: Blumenstein Marion
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide insights into the experiences of and challenges confronting higher degree research students and learning advisors (LAs) regarding data analysis support. The ability to handle data and use numerical evidence systematically is an important transferable skill and essential for the successful completion of a quantitative research thesis.

Design/methodology/approach

– A combination of qualitative and quantitative data was used, enabling a convergence of findings: the questionnaire and one-on-one advisory sessions feedback gathered information on the student experience, while semi-structured interviews provided data on the LAs’ perspective.

Findings

– Phenomenographic analysis of interviews revealed many challenges associated with centralised learning support provision. Learning advisors recognised not only different disciplinary needs but also the tensions associated with working centrally and cross-disciplinary. Students identified a need for more practice-orientated training opportunities in data analysis during their postgraduate and doctoral research.

Practical implications

– Understanding gained from students’ and LAs’ experiences are essential for changes of university-wide teaching and learning strategies. The collection of “bottom-up” data on the student experience combined with data on learning thresholds provided by faculty and student learning support units would allow a coordinated, institution-wide approach to identified learning needs.

Originality/value

– Developing a community of practice concerned with quantitative literacy means that staff with expert knowledge, regardless of discipline affiliation, can provide an environment in which students are able to develop their analytical skills further and can participate in ongoing discussions on real-life research and data analysis issues.
Empowering future educators through environmental sustainability
Authors: Latz Amanda O. , Bolin Jocelyn H. , Quick Marilynn (Marks) , Jones Ruth , Chapman Austin
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide information regarding the ways in which the authors’ College’s faculty use paper within their pedagogical practice. A related purpose was to ascertain faculty interest in professional development initiatives related to reducing paper usage through technological affordances.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was developed and administered to the faculty within the university’s Teachers College. The survey was built to assess faculty pedagogical use of paper. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected via the survey.

Findings

– The results suggested that digital resources are widely used by faculty, and students are encouraged to conserve paper. However, many faculty are uncomfortable with the complete elimination of paper.

Originality/value

– Modeling and promoting environmentally sustainable pedagogical practice is imperative within institutions charged with preparing the next generation of educators.
Living green: examining sustainable dorms and identities
Authors: Watson Lesley , Johnson Cathryn , Hegtvedt Karen A , Parris Christie L.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of living in “green” dorms on students’ environmentally responsible behaviors (ERBs), in concert with other factors, including individual identity and social context in the form of behavior modeling by peers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The sample of 243 consists of students who resided in two newly constructed, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold-certified dorms and two conventional dorms. The authors analyze the data collected at the end of the respondents’ freshmen year at Emory University using seemingly unrelated regression analysis.

Findings

– Findings indicate that students who live in “green” dorms engage in more recycling and advocacy behaviors than students in conventional dorms. Environmental identity and perceived behavior modeling by peers positively affect recycling, advocacy and conservation. Furthermore, results indicate an interaction between dorm and identity whereby students with weak environmental identities experience a greater increase in ERBs from living in green dorms than do students with strong environmental identities.

Practical implications

– These results show that universities do promote students’ ERBs through the construction of green residence halls. Universities can also facilitate ERBs by encouraging students to develop strong environmental identities and fostering opportunities for them to engage in ERBs with their peers.

Originality/value

– This study is valuable for both its practical implications and the theoretical implications for predicting ERBs. The findings indicate that to predict ERBs, it is necessary to consider both contextual and individual level factors.
A method for detecting local events using the spatiotemporal locality of microblog posts
Authors: Sugitani Takuya , Shirakawa Masumi , Hara Takahiro , Nishio Shojiro
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to detect local events in real time using Twitter, an online microblogging platform. The authors especially aim at detecting local events regardless of the type and scale.

Design/methodology/approach

– The method is based on the observation that relevant tweets (Twitter posts) are simultaneously posted from the place where a local event is happening. Specifically, the method first extracts the place where and the time when multiple tweets are posted using a hierarchical clustering technique. It next detects the co-occurrences of key terms in each spatiotemporal cluster to find local events. To determine key terms, it computes the term frequency-inverse document frequency (TFIDF) scores based on the spatiotemporal locality of tweets.

Findings

– From the experimental results using geotagged tweet data between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on October 9, 2011, the method significantly improved the precision of between 50 and 100 per cent at the same recall compared to a baseline method.

Originality/value

– In contrast to existing work, the method described in this paper can detect various types of small-scale local events as well as large-scale ones by incorporating the spatiotemporal feature of tweet postings and the text relevance of tweets. The findings will be useful to researchers who are interested in real-time event detection using microblogs.
A semantic integration approach to publish and retrieve ecological data
Authors: Moura Ana Maria de Carvalho , Porto Fabio , Vidal Vania , Magalhães Regis Pires , Maia Macedo , Poltosi Maira , Palazzi Daniele
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a four-level architecture that aims at integrating, publishing and retrieving ecological data making use of linked data (LD). It allows scientists to explore taxonomical, spatial and temporal ecological information, access trophic chain relations between species and complement this information with other data sets published on the Web of data. The development of ecological information repositories is a crucial step to organize and catalog natural reserves. However, they present some challenges regarding their effectiveness to provide a shared and global view of biodiversity data, such as data heterogeneity, lack of metadata standardization and data interoperability. LD rose as an interesting technology to solve some of these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

– Ecological data, which is produced and collected from different media resources, is stored in distinct relational databases and published as RDF triples, using a relational-Resource Description Format mapping language. An application ontology reflects a global view of these datasets and share with them the same vocabulary. Scientists specify their data views by selecting their objects of interest in a friendly way. A data view is internally represented as an algebraic scientific workflow that applies data transformation operations to integrate data sources.

Findings

– Despite of years of investment, data integration continues offering scientists challenges in obtaining consolidated data views of a large number of heterogeneous scientific data sources. The semantic integration approach presented in this paper simplifies this process both in terms of mappings and query answering through data views.

Social implications

– This work provides knowledge about the Guanabara Bay ecosystem, as well as to be a source of answers to the anthropic and climatic impacts on the bay ecosystem. Additionally, this work will enable evaluating the adequacy of actions that are being taken to clean up Guanabara Bay, regarding the marine ecology.

Originality/value

– Mapping complexity is traded by the process of generating the exported ontology. The approach reduces the problem of integration to that of mappings between homogeneous ontologies. As a byproduct, data views are easily rewritten into queries over data sources. The architecture is general and although applied to the ecological context, it can be extended to other domains.
Examining the influence of corporate governance on intellectual capital efficiency
Authors: Appuhami Ranjith , Bhuyan Mohammed
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of corporate governance on intellectual capital (IC) in top service firms in Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

– Drawing on the agency theory, the paper develops hypotheses about relationships between corporate governance mechanisms (chief executive officer [CEO] duality, board size, board composition and subcommittee composition) and IC. The study uses a multiple regression analysis on data collected from corporate annual reports of 300 firm-year observations.

Findings

– The findings of the regression analysis indicate that CEO duality, board composition and remuneration committee composition are significantly associated with IC. In contrast, there is no evidence that board size and audit committee composition have an effect on IC. The study contributes to agency theory in general and the literature on IC and corporate governance more specifically.

Practical implications

– The findings of the study might be of interest to regulators, investment analysts, shareholders, company directors and managers in Australia, as well as academics, in designing corporate governance mechanisms to develop IC.

Originality/value

– Corporate governance is country-specific and, hence, its impact on managerial decisions leading to IC is different from country to country. This study provides empirical evidence on the relationship between corporate governance and IC in top service firms in Australia.
Did Japanese-SOX have an impact on earnings management and earnings quality?
Authors: Nakashima Masumi , Ziebart David A.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether Japanese Sarbanes – Oxley Act (J-SOX) impacted earnings management and earnings quality of public firms in Japan.

Design/methodology/approach

– This archival study compares earnings management and earnings quality of firms that disclose at least one material weakness with a sample matched on size and industry without a material weakness.

Findings

– The authors investigate whether the differences in regulations, corporate governance and regulatory environment acceptance influence earnings management and earnings management of Japanese listed firms, relative to findings in the USA. They found the Japanese results to be slightly different from the results found in previous USA studies. First, the time-series observations suggest that while accruals management and real earnings management remained unchanged for control firms, accruals management and real earnings management increased for material weaknesses disclosing firms following J-SOX. The regression analyses suggest that accruals management for both the groups is significant in the pre-and post-J-SOX periods, but that real earnings management declined for both the groups post-J-SOX. Second, while, both accruals quality and accuracy of cash flow predictions improved in the post-J-SOX period.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample of Japanese firms disclosing a material weakness is small because the number of firms that disclose internal control deficiencies is decreasing in Japan. The authors have no evidence that their results are not generalizable to a larger sample and leave this for future research.

Practical implications

– The authors provide evidence that J-SOX, which does not have a direct reporting system, does not constrain earnings management. Their results drive the regulator to reconsider whether the reporting system works in the Japanese business environment. Additionally, their results show that J-SOX has no effect on earnings management; thus, regulators need to reconsider the governance function of directors and internal auditors. This paper communicates to the world how J-SOX works in Japan through changes in earnings quality and management post J-SOX and the root problems.

Originality/value

– This paper is the first (of which the authors are aware) to examine whether J-SOX impacted both earnings management and earnings quality in Japan. This paper discusses how the differences in regulations and corporate governance as well as the differences between USA-SOX and J-SOX may explain the results observed in Japan. This paper provides results regarding whether J-SOX improved earnings quality.