bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How maternal investment varies with environmental factors and the age and physiological state of wild tsetse
Glossina pallidipes
and
Glossina morsitans morsitans
Authors: Hargrove John W. , Muzari M. Odwell , English Sinead
Published: February 2018

Theory suggests females should optimize resource allocation across reproductive bouts to maximize lifetime reproduction, balancing current and future reproductive efforts according to physiological state and projected survival and reproduction. Tests of these ideas focus on long-lived vertebrates: few measure age-related reproductive output in iteroparous invertebrates, or partition reserves between those allocated to offspring versus mothers. We investigated how maternal age, and environmental and physiological factors influence reproductive investment in wild tsetse,
Glossina pallidipes
Austen and
G. morsitans morsitans
Westwood. Tsetse provide a tractable system to measure reproductive allocation. Females exhibit high maternal investment, producing single, large offspring that rely exclusively on maternal reserves. We find that mothers in better physiological condition and experiencing cooler temperatures produce larger offspring. Pupal size increases significantly but weakly with age. In both species, females with less fat invest proportionately more in offspring. Post-partum fat decreases in flies with badly frayed wings: poor flight capability may limit their feeding efficiency, or they may sacrifice more reserves as a terminal investment. Our results support evidence that offspring size increases with maternal size, investment depends on the environment, and females with lower chances of future reproduction invest more into current offspring. We discuss the implications of maternal effects for predicting vector population responses to environmental change.
Study on room temperature gas-sensing performance of CuO film-decorated ordered porous ZnO composite by In
2
O
3
sensitization
Authors: Li Tian-tian , Bao Na , Geng Ai-fang , Yu Hui , Yang Ying , Dong Xiang-ting
Published: February 2018

For the first time, ordered mesoporous ZnO nanoparticles have been synthesized by a template method. The electroplating after chemical plating method was creatively used to form copper film on the surface of the prepared ZnO, and then a CuO film-decorated ordered porous ZnO composite (CuO/ZnO) was obtained by a high-temperature oxidation method. In
2
O
3
was loaded into the prepared CuO film–ZnO by an ultrasonic-assisted method to sensitize the room temperature gas-sensing performance of the prepared CuO/ZnO materials. The doped In
2
O
3
could effectively improve the gas-sensing properties of the prepared materials to nitrogen oxides (NO

x

) at room temperature. The 1% In
2
O
3
doped CuO/ZnO sample (1 wt% In
2
O
3
–CuO/ZnO) showed the best gas-sensing properties whose response to 100 ppm NO

x

reached 82%, and the detectable minimum concentration reached 1 ppm at room temperature. The prepared materials had a good selectivity, better response, very low detection limit, and high sensitivity to NO

x

gas at room temperature, which would have a great development space in the gas sensor field and a great research value.
Magnetic field inhomogeneities due to CO2incubator shelves: a source of experimental confounding and variability?
Authors: Makinistian L. , Belyaev I.
Published: February 2018

A thorough assessment of the static magnetic field (SMF) inside a CO2incubator allowed us to identify non-negligible inhomogeneities close to the floor, ceiling, walls and the door. Given that incubator's shelves are made of a non-magnetic stainless steel alloy, we did not expect any important effect of them on the SMF. Surprisingly, we did find relatively strong distortion of the SMF due to shelves. Indeed, our high-resolution maps of the SMF revealed that distortion is such that field intensities differing by a factor of up to 36 were measured on the surface of the shelf at locations only few millimetres apart from each other. Furthermore, the most intense of these fields was around five times greater than the ones found inside the incubator (without the metallic shelves in), while the lowest one was around 10 times lower, reaching the so-called hypomagnetic field range. Our findings, together with a survey of the literature on biological effects of hypomagnetic fields, soundly support the idea that SMF inhomogeneities inside incubators, especially due to shelves' holes, are a potential source of confounding and variability in experiments with cell cultures kept in an incubator.
Implications of asymptomatic carriers for infectious disease transmission and control
Authors: Chisholm Rebecca H. , Campbell Patricia T. , Wu Yue , Tong Steven Y. C. , McVernon Jodie , Geard Nicholas
Published: February 2018

For infectious pathogens such as
Staphylococcus aureus
and
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, some hosts may carry the pathogen and transmit it to others, yet display no symptoms themselves. These asymptomatic carriers contribute to the spread of disease but go largely undetected and can therefore undermine efforts to control transmission. Understanding the natural history of carriage and its relationship to disease is important for the design of effective interventions to control transmission. Mathematical models of infectious diseases are frequently used to inform decisions about control and should therefore accurately capture the role played by asymptomatic carriers. In practice, incorporating asymptomatic carriers into models is challenging due to the sparsity of direct evidence. This absence of data leads to uncertainty in estimates of model parameters and, more fundamentally, in the selection of an appropriate model structure. To assess the implications of this uncertainty, we systematically reviewed published models of carriage and propose a new model of disease transmission with asymptomatic carriage. Analysis of our model shows how different assumptions about the role of asymptomatic carriers can lead to different conclusions about the transmission and control of disease. Critically, selecting an inappropriate model structure, even when parameters are correctly estimated, may lead to over- or under-estimates of intervention effectiveness. Our results provide a more complete understanding of the role of asymptomatic carriers in transmission and highlight the importance of accurately incorporating carriers into models used to make decisions about disease control.
Markov chain models of cancer metastasis
Authors: Mason Jeremy , Newton Paul K.
Published: February 2018

We describe the use of Markov chain models for the purpose of quantitative forecasting of metastatic cancer progression. Each site (node) in the Markov network (directed graph) is an organ site where a secondary tumor could develop with some probability. The Markov matrix is an N x N matrix where each entry represents a transition probability of the disease progressing from one site to another during the course of the disease. The initial state-vector has a 1 at the position corresponding to the primary tumor, and 0s elsewhere (no initial metastases). The spread of the disease to other sites (metastases) is modeled as a directed random walk on the Markov network, moving from site to site with the estimated transition probabilities obtained from longitudinal data. The stochastic model produces probabilistic predictions of the likelihood of each metastatic pathway and corresponding time sequences obtained from computer Monte Carlo simulations. The main challenge is to empirically estimate the N^2 transition probabilities in the Markov matrix using appropriate longitudinal data.
Targeting redox regulatory site of protein kinase B impedes neutrophilic inflammation in lung injury
Authors: Chen Po-Jen , Ko I-Ling , Lee Chia-Lin , Hu Hao-Chun , Chang Fang-Rong , Wu Yang-Chang , Leu Yann-Lii , Wu Chih-Ching , Lin Cheng-Yu , Pan Chang-Yu , Tsai Yung-Fong , Hwang Tsong-Long
Published: February 2018

Neutrophil activation has a pathogenic effect in inflammatory diseases. Protein kinase B (PKB)/AKT regulates diverse cellular responses. However, the significance of AKT in neutrophilic inflammation is still not well understood. Here, we identified CLLV-1 as a novel AKT inhibitor. CLLV-1 inhibited respiratory burst, degranulation, chemotaxis, and AKT phosphorylation in activated human neutrophils and dHL-60 cells. Significantly, CLLV-1 blocked AKT activity and covalently reacted with AKT Cys310 in vitro. The AKT309-313 peptide-CLLV-1 adducts were determined by NMR or mass spectrometry assay. The alkylation agent-conjugated AKT (reduced form) level was also inhibited by CLLV-1. Additionally, CLLV-1 ameliorated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. CLLV-1 acts as a covalent allosteric AKT inhibitor by targeting AKT Cys310 to restrain inflammatory responses in human neutrophils and LPS-induced ALI in vivo. Our findings provide a mechanistic framework for redox modification of AKT that may serve as a novel pharmacological target to alleviate neutrophilic inflammation.
Maturation Trajectories of Cortical Resting-State Networks Depend on the Mediating Frequency Band
Authors: Khan S. , Hashmi J. A. , Mamashli F. , Michmizos K. , Kitzbichler M. G. , Bharadwaj H. , Bekhti Y. , Ganesan S. , Garel K. A , Whitfield-Gabrieli S. , Gollub R. L. , Kong J. , Vaina L. M. , Rana K. D. , Stufflebeam S. S. , Hämäläinen M. S. , Kenet T.
Published: February 2018

The functional significance of resting state networks and their abnormal manifestations in psychiatric disorders are firmly established, as is the importance of the cortical rhythms in mediating these networks. Resting state networks are known to undergo substantial reorganization from childhood to adulthood, but whether distinct cortical rhythms, which are generated by separable neural mechanisms and are often manifested abnormally in psychiatric conditions, mediate maturation differentially, remains unknown. Using magnetoencephalography (MEG) to map frequency band specific maturation of resting state networks from age 7 to 29 in 162 participants (31 independent), we found significant changes with age in networks mediated by the beta (13-30Hz) and gamma (31-80Hz) bands. More specifically, gamma band mediated networks followed an expected asymptotic trajectory, but beta band mediated networks followed a linear trajectory. Network integration increased with age in gamma band mediated networks, while local segregation increased with age in beta band mediated networks. Spatially, the hubs that changed in importance with age in the beta band mediated networks had relatively little overlap with those that showed the greatest changes in the gamma band mediated networks. These findings are relevant for our understanding of the neural mechanisms of cortical maturation, in both typical and atypical development.
Representation of multiple objects in macaque category-selective areas
Authors: Bao Pinglei , Tsao Doris Y.
Published: February 2018

Object recognition in the natural world usually occurs in the presence of multiple surrounding objects, but responses of neurons in inferotemporal (IT) cortex, the large brain area responsible for object recognition, have mostly been studied only to isolated objects. We study rules governing responses to multiple objects by cells in two category-selective regions of macaque IT cortex, the middle lateral face patch (ML) and the middle body patch (MB). We find that responses of single ML and MB cells to pairs of objects could be explained by the widely-accepted framework of normalization, with one added ingredient: homogeneous category selectivity of neighboring neurons forming the normalization pool. This rule leads to winner-take-all, contralateral-take-all, or weighted averaging behavior in single cells, depending on the category, spatial configuration, and relative contrast of the two objects. The winner-take-all behavior suggests a potential mechanism for clutter-invariant representation of face and bodies under certain conditions.
A widespread decrease of chromatin accessibility in age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Wang Jie , Zibetti Cristina , Shang Peng , Sripathi Srinivasa R. , Zhang Pingwu , Cano Marisol , Hoang Thanh , Xia Shuli , Ji Hongkai , Merbs Shannath L. , Zack Donald J. , Handa James T. , Sinha Debasish , Blackshaw Seth , Qian Jiang
Published: February 2018

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the elderly. The extent to which epigenetic changes regulate AMD progression is unclear. Here we globally profiled chromatin accessibility in the retina and retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) from AMD patients and controls. Global decreases in chromatin accessibility occurr in RPE in early AMD, and in the retina with advanced disease, suggesting that dysfunction in RPE cells drives disease progression. Footprints of photoreceptor and RPE-specific transcription factors are enriched in differentially accessible regions (DARs). Genes associated with DARs show altered expression in AMD. Cigarette smoke treatment of RPE cells recapitulates epigenomic changes seen in AMD, providing an epigenetic link between the known risk factors for AMD and AMD pathology. Finally, overexpression of HDAC11 is partially responsible for the reduction in chromatin accessibility, identifying potential new targets for treatment of AMD.
Competition in biofilms between cystic fibrosis isolates ofPseudomonas aeruginosais shaped by R-pyocins
Authors: Oluyombo Olubukola , Penfold Christopher N. , Diggle Stephen P.
Published: February 2018

Pseudomonas aeruginosais an opportunistic pathogen responsible for a number of different human infections and is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.P. aeruginosainfections are difficult to treat due to a number of antibiotic resistance mechanisms and the organisms propensity to form multicellular biofilms. Epidemic strains ofP. aeruginosaoften dominate within the lungs of individual CF patients, but how they achieve this is poorly understood. One of the ways strains ofP. aeruginosacan compete, is by producing chromosomally encoded bacteriocins, called pyocins. Three major classes of pyocin have been identified inP. aeruginosa:soluble pyocins (S-types) and tailocins (R- and F-types). In this study, we investigated the distribution of S- and R-type pyocins in 24 clinical strains isolated from individual CF patients and then focused on understanding their roles on inter-strain competition. We found that (i) each strain produced only one R-pyocin type, but the number of S-pyocins varied between strains; (ii) R-pyocins were generally important for strain dominance during competition assays in planktonic cultures and biofilm communities in strains with both disparate R and S pyocin sub-types. (iii) purified R-pyocins demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against established biofilms. Our work provides support for a key role played by R-pyocins in the competition betweenP. aeruginosastrains, and may help explain why certain strains and lineages ofP. aeruginosadominate and displace others during CF lung infection. Furthermore, we demonstrate the potential of exploiting R-pyocins for therapeutic gains in an era when antibiotic resistance is a global concern.

IMPORTANCE

A major clinical problem caused byPseudomonas aeruginosa, is chronic biofilm infection of the lungs in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). EpidemicP. aeruginosastrains dominate and displace others during CF infection, but these intra-species interactions remain poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that R-pyocins (bacterocins) are important factors in driving competitive interactions in biofilms betweenP. aeruginosastrains isolated from different CF patients. In addition, we found that these phage-like pyocins are inhibitory against mature biofilms of susceptible strains. This highlights the potential of R-pyocins as antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents, at a time when new antimicrobial therapies are desperately needed.
CRISPR Cas9 searches for a protospacer adjacent motif by one-dimensional diffusion
Authors: Globyte Viktorija , Lee Seung Hwan , Bae Taegun , Kim Jin-Soo , Joo Chirlmin
Published: February 2018

Since its discovery, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has been at the focus of fundamental researchers, genome engineers, and the general public alike. Despite being in the spotlight for several years, aspects of the precise molecular mechanism of Cas9 activity remain ambiguous. We use single-molecule Foerster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) to reveal Cas9 target search mechanism with nanometer sensitivity. We have developed single-molecule assays to monitor transient interactions of Cas9 and DNA in real time. Our study shows that Cas9 interacts with the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) sequence weakly, yet probing neighboring sequences via lateral diffusion. This dynamic mode of interactions leads to translocation of Cas9 to another PAM nearby and consequently an on-target sequence. We propose a model in which lateral diffusion competes with 3-dimensional diffusion and thus might aid PAM finding and consequently on-target binding.
A plant biodiversity effect resolved to a single genetic locus
Authors: Wuest Samuel E. , Niklaus Pascal A.
Published: February 2018

Despite extensive evidence that biodiversity promotes plant community productivity, progress towards understanding the mechanistic basis of this effect remains slow, impeding the development of predictive ecological theory and agricultural applications. Here, we analysed non-additive interactions between genetically divergent Arabidopsis accessions in experimental plant communities. By combining methods from ecology and genetics, we identified a major effect locus at which allelic differences between individuals increases above-ground productivity of communities. In experiments with near-isogenic lines, we show that this diversity effect acts independently of other genomic regions and can be resolved to a single region representing less than 0.3% of the genome. Using plant-soil-feedback experiments, we also demonstrate that allelic diversity causes genotype-specific soil legacy responses in a consecutive growing period, even after the original community has disappeared. Our work thus suggests that positive diversity effects can be linked to single Mendelian factors, and that a range of complex community properties can have a simple cause. This may pave the way to a better understanding of diversity effects, and to novel breeding strategies, focussing on phenotypic properties that manifest themselves beyond isolated individuals, i.e. at a higher level of biological organisation.
Axenic Aedesaegyptidevelop without live bacteria, but exhibit delayed development and reduced oviposition
Authors: Correa Maria A. , Brackney Doug E , Steven Blaire
Published: February 2018

The mosquito gut microbiome plays an important role in mosquito development and fitness, providing a promising avenue for novel mosquito control strategies. Here we present a method for rearing axenic (bacteria free)Aedes aegyptimosquitoes, which will greatly facilitate mechanistic studies documenting the structure and function of the microbiome. Through feeding sterilized larvae agar plugs containing attenuatedEscherichia coli, mosquito development was observed in the absence of living bacteria. Axenic larvae were capable of full development into adults, which laid eggs that were subsequently hatched. However, axenic mosquitoes exhibited delayed development time and reduced egg clutch size in comparison to bacterially colonized mosquitoes. These findings suggest that mosquito development is not dependent on live bacteria, but their phenotype is modulated by the presence of microorganisms. This axenic system offers a new tool in which the mosquito microbiome can be systematically manipulated for a deeper understanding of microbiome host interactions.
F-actin patches nucleated on chromosomes coordinate capture by microtubules in oocyte meiosis
Authors: Burdyniuk Mariia , Callegari Andrea , Mori Masashi , Nédélec François , Lénárt Péter
Published: February 2018

Capture of each and every chromosome by spindle microtubules is essential to prevent chromosome loss and aneuploidy. In somatic cells, astral microtubules search and capture chromosomes forming lateral attachments to kinetochores. However, this mechanism alone is insufficient in large oocytes. We have previously shown that a contractile F-actin network is additionally required to collect chromosomes scattered in the 70-μm starfish oocyte nucleus. How this F-actin-driven mechanism is coordinated with microtubule capture remained unknown. Here, we show that after nuclear envelope breakdown Arp2/3-nucleated F-actin patches form around chromosomes in a Ran-GTP-dependent manner, and we propose that these structures sterically block kinetochore-microtubule attachments. Once F-actin-driven chromosome transport is complete, coordinated disassembly of these F-actin patches allows synchronous capture by microtubules. Our observations indicate that this coordination is necessary, as early capture of chromosomes by microtubules would interfere with F-actin-driven transport leading to chromosome loss and formation of aneuploid eggs.
Saccharomyces cerevisiaehistone Chaperones FACT and Spt6 modulate Pol II and histone occupancy genome-wide
Authors: Pathak Rakesh , Singh Priyanka , Ananthakrishnan Sudha , Adamczyk Sarah , Schimmel Olivia , Govind Chhabi K.
Published: February 2018

Histone chaperones, chromatin remodelers, and histone modifying complexes play a critical role in alleviating the nucleosomal barrier. Here, we have examined the role of two highly conserved yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) histone chaperones, FACT and Spt6, in regulating transcription and histone occupancy. We show that the H3 tail contributes to the recruitment of FACT to coding sequences in a manner dependent on acetylation. We found that deleting a H3 HAT Gcn5 or mutating lysines on the H3 tail impairs FACT recruitment atADH1andARG1genes. However, deleting the H4 tail or mutating the H4 lysines failed to dampen FACT occupancy in coding regions. Additionally, we show that FACT-depletion greatly reduces Pol II occupancy in the 5’ ends genome-wide. By contrast, Spt6-depletion led to reduction in Pol II occupancy towards the 3’ end, in a manner dependent on the gene-length. Severe transcription and histone eviction defects were also observed in a strain that was impaired for Spt6 recruitment (spt6Δ202) and depleted of FACT. Importantly, the severity of the defect strongly correlated with WT Pol II occupancies at these genes, indicating critical roles of Spt6 and Spt16 in promoting high-level transcription. Collectively, our study shows cooperation, as well as redundancy between chaperones, FACT and Spt6, in regulating transcription and chromatin in coding regions of transcribed genes.
Water availability dynamics have long-term effects on mature stem structure in Vitis vinifera
Authors: Munitz S. , Netzer Y. , Shtein Ilana , Schwartz A.
Published: February 2018

Vitis vinifera is a climbing vine with wide vessels and high hydraulic conductivity. There is a lack of data on the anatomical structure of the mature vine stem, and most current knowledge is based on first-year shoots. Moreover, the effect of drought stress on anatomical structure has been partly reported in shoots of Vitis vinifera but not in stems.

In current study two irrigation approaches were applied on Vitis vinifera Merlot vines: constant (low, medium and high irrigation) and dynamic (early/late season water deficit). The following parameters were measured: trunk diameter, annual ring width and area, vessel diameter, specific hydraulic conductivity and stem water potential.

High water availability early in the season (high irrigation and late deficit) resulted in vigorous vegetative growth (greater trunk diameter, ring width and area), wider vessels and increased specific hydraulic conductivity. The distribution of large xylem vessels was altered by drought stress, where high water availability early in the season caused a shift of the vessel population towards the wider frequency classes. Interestingly, the early deficit vines showed more negative water potential values late in the season compared to the low irrigation vines. This may imply an effect of anatomical structure on vine water status.

Highlights

Water availability early in the season determines vegetative growth and stem anatomical structure in mature Vitis vinifera vines.
Intellectual stimulation and team creative climate in a professional service firm
Authors: Sandvik Alexander Madsen , Croucher Richard , Espedal Bjarne , Selart Marcus
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the precise role of intrinsic motivation and autonomy in relation to intellectual stimulation in creating a creative climate in a professional services firm. The intention is to discover whether theories that stress the primacy of the need for intrinsic motivation and autonomy over other managerial goals such as monitoring find support.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose and test a model for the relationship of interest. The theoretical model is tested through analysis of multilevel data gathered across in two iterations over two years from 177 employees and 64 teams in one company.

Findings

The authors find that intrinsic motivation and autonomy mediate the relationship between intellectual stimulation and creative climate. Autonomy exercises a stronger mediating effect than intrinsic motivation.

Research limitations/implications

The single company research context’s specificity; causal relationships between variables cannot be empirically investigated; the verified research model cannot claim to represent how the organization actually functions, for which qualitative work is required.

Practical implications

Theories stressing the primacy of employee autonomy are supported over those stressing a need for management to monitor and control autonomy-seeking employees.

Originality/value

This paper shows the vital mediating role of employee autonomy and to a lesser extent intrinsic motivation in a professional service firm context.
Empowering leadership and organizational ambidexterity: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Siachou Evangelia , Gkorezis Panagiotis
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of empowering leadership on contextual ambidexterity. To this end, the authors underscore the underlying mechanism of perceived organizational support (POS). Furthermore, to provide more robust insights into this indirect effect, role ambiguity was examined as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a questionnaire survey. Data collected from 219 employees working in three IT small-and-medium enterprises located in Greece.

Findings

The findings indicated that empowering leadership is positively related to contextual ambidexterity through POS and, further, this indirect association is contingent on role ambiguity.

Originality/value

The study provides more insights into the important role of leadership in generating contextual ambidexterity. Thus, moderated mediation framework that has empirically tested considers both how and when empowering leadership affects contextual ambidexterity and provides important implications for both theory and practice.
Modeling the determinants of turnover intentions: a Bayesian approach
Authors: Nandialath Anup Menon , David Emily , Das Diya , Mohan Ramesh
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Much of what we learn from empirical research is based on a specific empirical model(s) presented in the literature. However, the range of plausible models given the data is potentially larger, thus creating an additional source of uncertainty termed: model uncertainty. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of model uncertainty on empirical research in HRM and suggest potential solutions to deal with the same.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of call center employees from India, the authors test the robustness of predictors of intention to leave based on the unfolding model proposed by Harmanet.al.(2007). Methodologically, the authors use Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) to identify the specific variables within the unfolding model that have a robust relationship with turnover intentions after accounting for model uncertainty.

Findings

The findings show that indeed model uncertainty can impact what we learn from empirical studies. More specifically, in the context of the sample, using four plausible model specifications, the authors show that the conclusions can vary depending on which model the authors choose to interpret. Furthermore, using BMA, the authors find that only two variables, job satisfaction and perceived organizational support, are model specification independent robust predictors of intention to leave.

Practical implications

The research has specific implications for the development of HR analytics and informs managers on which are the most robust elements affecting attrition.

Originality/value

While empirical research typically acknowledges and corrects for the presence of sampling uncertainty throughp-values, rarely does it acknowledge the presence of model uncertainty (which variables to include in a model). To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study to show the effect and offer a solution to studying total uncertainty (sampling uncertainty + model uncertainty) on empirical research in HRM. The work should open more doors toward more studies evaluating the robustness of key HRM constructs in explaining important work-related outcomes.
Globalisation and governance in Africa: a critical contribution to the empirics
Authors: Asongu Simplice A. , Efobi Uchenna , Tchamyou Vanessa S.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This study aims to assess the effect of globalisation on governance in 51 African countries for the period 1996-2011.

Design/methodology/approach

Ten bundled and unbundled governance indicators and four globalisation variables are used. The empirical evidence is based on Generalised Method of Moments.

Findings

Firstly, on political governance, while only social globalisation improves political stability, only economic globalisation does not increase voice and accountability and political governance. Secondly, with regard to economic governance: only economic globalisation significantly promotes regulation quality; social globalisation and general globalisation significantly advance government effectiveness; and economic globalisation and general globalisation significantly promote economic governance. Thirdly, with respect to institutional governance, while only social globalisation improves corruption-control, the effects of globalisation dynamics on the rule of law and institutional governance are not significant. Fourthly, the impacts of social globalisation and general globalisation are positive on general governance.

Practical implications

It follows that political governance is driven by voice and accountability compared to political stability; economic governance is promoted by both regulation quality and government effectiveness from specific globalisation angles; and globalisation does not improve institutional governance for the most part.

Originality/value

Governance variables are bundled and unbundled to reflect evolving conceptions and definitions of governance. Theoretical contributions and policy implications are discussed.
Secular education and religious values in the formation of human capital
Authors: Autiero Giuseppina
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the causal link between religion and the formation of human capital. It takes into consideration that, though religion may transmit a system of values that positively affect children’s education, it can also be characterized by a traditionalist dimension. The latter may hamper children’s self-determination and their educational achievements. Nevertheless, religious values may adapt to the cultural changes due to economic development and modernization and become less conservative.

Design/methodology/approach

The above aspects are investigated through an overlapping generations model with human capital where parents’ human capital and the religion in which individuals have been raised, characterize family background.

Findings

The model’s predictions point to the crucial role that development may play in promoting education. For instance, if a moderate responsiveness of religious institutions to economic and cultural changes is associated with low development, conservative attitudes prevail in society. This undermines individual confidence in improving one’s socio-economic status through education and negatively affects children’s education. Whereas, a development level sufficiently high counterbalances the effects of a low ability of religious institutions to adjust to changes and fosters education.

Originality/value

Though the empirical literature widely acknowledges that religion affects economic growth, the hypothesis that the link between religion and economic performance may also pass through education has been overlooked. In this respect, the paper investigates on this relationship by taking religion as a force reactive to economic processes.
Dynamics of the formal and informal labour in Brazil: occupational and earnings mobility
Authors: Maciel Francieli Tonet , Oliveira Ana Maria Hermeto C.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss recent dynamics of the Brazilian labour market, by analysing occupational mobility patterns, specially the transitions between formal and informal labour, and verify the earnings mobility resulting from these transitions, separately by gender.

Design/methodology/approach

The changes in the mobility patterns are analysed by performing an estimation of the transition probabilities between different occupational status between 2002 and 2012, using a multinomial logit model and the microdata from the Monthly Employment Survey (PME). The earnings mobility is analysed by using quantile regressions.

Findings

The results indicate a high degree of mobility from unemployment to formal employment in the period but suggest the persistence of mobility patterns. Women are better off in the period, but only among individuals with better attributes. The earnings mobility results, for women and men, suggest an increase in valuation of the formal labour relatively to informality (informal salaried employment and self-employment), especially at the bottom of the earnings distribution.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to a better understanding of recent changes in occupational mobility patterns between formal and informal labour and the earnings mobility underlying these patterns, accounting for the differences along the earnings distribution and gender issues. That is, it allows identify which groups of workers benefited more from the formalisation process to infer about trends in formal–informal dynamics over the period and discuss the challenges in conducting policies to promote inclusive and quality employment.
Dividing network externality into the number of peers and users
Authors: Kim Hana , Lee Daeho , Hwang Jun-Seok
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Even though network externality plays an important role in users’ motivations to use services or products, the implications of this are not clear because previous studies did not distinguish between the number of peers and the number of total users. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that there is a difference between the two network externalities, i.e., the number of peers and the total number of users. To accomplish this, the perception of quality of life is considered to have an impact on the effects of the two different network externalities.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a survey that covered 508 online game players in South Korea, and the two hypotheses of “player experience of need satisfaction” from self-determination theory as well as user gratification theory (UGT) were assessed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicate that people consider the total number of users and the number of peers differently. In addition, the effects of the total number of users and the number of peers vary according to respondents’ perceived life quality in four dimensions: loneliness, happiness, satisfaction with life (SWL), and escapism. In particular, people’s offline tendencies are reflected online in terms of loneliness, whereas online life compensates for a lack of enjoyment offline.

Originality/value

The authors verify that UGT can affect the network externality by considering perceived quality of life (loneliness, SWL, happiness, and escapism) as a moderating effect.
What social media activities reveal about election results? The use of Facebook during the 2015 general election campaign in Croatia
Authors: Bagić Babac Marina , Podobnik Vedran
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Due to the significant rise in the use of social media in recent years, the purpose of this paper is to investigate who, how and why participates in creating content at political social networking websites utilising a content analysis of posts and comments published on Facebook during the 2015 general election campaign in Croatia. It shows consequences of a transition from traditional to social media campaigns and the effectiveness of social media at activating and moving public opinion during the general election campaign.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a data collection through a social media website, a classification of data set items by content attributes and a statistical analysis of the classified data.

Findings

Building on an empirical data set from Croatia, this study reveals that different political parties implement different election campaign strategies on social media to influence citizens who, consequently, respond differently to each of them. The results indicate that political messages with positive emotions evocate positive response from citizens, while neutral content is more likely to invoke negative comments and criticism, and support to the opponent. Another implication of the results is that two-way and tolerant communication of political actors increases citizen engagement, whereas unidirectional communication decreases it.

Originality/value

This paper provides an original insight into qualitative content analysis of posts and user comments published on Facebook during the 2015 general election campaign in Croatia.
Unpacking open innovation neighborhoods:le milieuof the lean smart city
Authors: Dezi Luca , Pisano Paola , Pironti Marco , Papa Armando
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to satisfy a clear gap in the main field of open innovation research whereabouts a very little scholarship try to analyze the mechanisms of innovativemilieudown smart cities environments by applying through innovative projects that seem to support efficiently the entry of private firms and citizens in public collaborations.

Design/methodology/approach

The research performed an exploratory and qualitative evaluation based on the case study method built on the evaluation of organizational behavior and urban boosting innovation through smart city initiatives. In doing so, after a literature review in smart city as well in lean methodology fields, the case of Turin Smart City follows.

Findings

As acknowledged by international literature, the paper shows how a lean approach enables local government to define and realize smart projects and initiatives in a faster and more effective way. Particularly, the government in one of the main cities in Italy, id est Turin, combines a lean methodology with the job-to-be done approach, according a new concept of smart initiatives involving a startup mentality for the lead users which enables interesting predictions relating the human aspects of open collaborations.

Research limitations/implications

The specificity of this inquiry highlights valuable insights from double-gate smart cities’ innovation, social and urban as well. The research is largely interpretative and exploratory and while this provides a solid scientific foundation for further research, it does not, itself, subject any hypothesis to statistical testing and validation.

Originality/value

Since the city approached the smart city subject in a lean way, it was able to realize some projects in a faster way. Through specific initiatives, the city acquires the ability to involve more and better all its stakeholders such as citizens, companies, and public employees, among others. In this regard, the paper invigorates managerial debates concerning the urban and social aspects of open innovation ecosystems which represent in our minds a superior level of open innovation, testbeds of positive knowledge, and stimulus of knowledge dissemination process around the city.
Antecedents of consumers’ Halal brand purchase intention: an integrated approach
Authors: Ali Afzaal , Xiaoling Guo , Sherwani Mehkar , Ali Adnan
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to apply the concept of traditional branding constructs – brand image, brand satisfaction, brand trust and brand loyalty to an unexplored field of Halal products – Halal brand image, Halal brand satisfaction, Halal brand trust and Halal brand loyalty. In addition, this study seeks to elaborate the relationships among brand perceived quality, Halal brand image, Halal brand satisfaction, and Halal brand trust, Halal brand loyalty and consumer purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model with hypothesised relationships is developed and tested with the help of structural equation modelling procedure in AMOS. This research used the questionnaire survey method to collect data from 347 consumers in Pakistan who had the experience of purchasing Halal milk brand.

Findings

The empirical results suggest that perceived brand quality has a significant and positive influence on the Halal brand image, Halal brand satisfaction, Halal brand trust, Halal brand loyalty and purchase intention. Similarly, the Halal brand image, Halal brand satisfaction, Halal brand trust and Halal brand loyalty significantly influence consumer Halal brand purchase intention.

Research limitations/implications

The Muslim population is growing in many parts of the world, including non-Muslim countries. Although this study’s focus is limited to Pakistani Muslims, findings related to the effects of brand perceived quality, Halal brand image, Halal brand satisfaction, and Halal brand trust and Halal brand loyalty on intentions may not be equally valid for Muslim consumers in others Muslim and non-Muslim countries and for other types of products.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that ignoring the important quality elements of a brand could be costly to marketers who failed to realise the importance of traditional brand attributes whilst embracing Halal brand marketing initiatives. In addition, Halal branding can allow the businesses to access to new markets, to enjoy more competitive advantages and to increase their profitability by selling at higher prices with higher profit margins.

Originality/value

Although previous research has explored the relevant issues about brand image, brand satisfaction, brand trust and brand loyalty, none highlights these traditional constructs to an unexplored field of Halal products.
The complexity of Spivak’s project: a Marxist interpretation
Authors: Scatamburlo-D’Annibale Valerie , McLaren Peter , Monzó Lilia
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to engage some of the central themes of Gayatri Spivak’s seminal essay, “Can the Subaltern Speak? (CSS)” In particular, her criticisms of post-structuralism’s treatment of the “subject” as well as its privileging of “discourse” and micrological analyses of power vis-à-vis her discussion of Foucault and Deleuze.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper also draws on a historical materialist approach to examine how Spivak’s own work often reinscribes the discursive and politically pusillanimous tendencies of both post-structuralist and post-colonialist thought.

Findings

This lends itself to the “complexification” of capitalism – a bourgeois form of mystification of capital’s essential workings and the underlying class structure of the globalized economy, inclusive of “postcolonial” societies.

Originality/value

The authors conclude that CSS – while an important question – is ultimately a misdirected one that, in effect, mistakes discursive empowerment for social and economic enablement.
Seismic attenuation, normal moveout stretch, and low‐frequency shadows underlying bottom simulating reflector events
Authors: Carcione José M. , Qadrouh Ayman N. , Perroud Hervé , Gei Davide , Ba Jing , Picotti Stefano
Published: February 2018

In many cases, the seismic response of bottom‐simulating reflectors is characterised by low frequencies called “low‐frequency shadow”. Generally, this phenomenon is interpreted as attenuation due to partial saturation with free gas. Actually, this frequency loss may have multiple causes, with a normal moveout stretch as a possible candidate. To analyse this phenomenon, we compute synthetic seismograms by assuming a lossy bottom‐simulating layer, with varying quality factor and thickness, bounded by the upper hydrate‐brine/gas‐brine and lower gas‐brine/brine interfaces. First, we estimate the shift of the centroid frequency of the power spectrum as a function of the travelled distance of the seismic pulse. Then, we perform one‐dimensional numerical experiments to quantify the loss of frequency of the seismic event below the bottom‐simulating reflector as a function of the quality factor of the bottom‐simulating layer and its thickness (due to wave interference). Then, we compute shot gathers to obtain the stacked section, with and without the normal moveout stretch correction and with and without the presence of wave attenuation in the bottom‐simulating layer. The results indicate that the low‐frequency shadow due to the normal moveout stretch is stronger than that due to attenuation and may constitute a false indicator of the presence of gas. In fact, often, the low‐frequency shadow overlies events with higher frequencies, in contradiction with the physics of wave propagation. This is particularly evident when the low‐frequency shadow is so extensive that the presence of high frequencies below cannot be justified by the acquisition geometry.
Validating dispersal distances inferred from autoregressive occupancy models with genetic parentage assignments
Authors: Hall Laurie A. , Van Schmidt Nathan D. , Beissinger Steven R.
Published: February 2018

Dispersal distances are commonly inferred from occupancy data but have rarely been validated. Estimating dispersal from occupancy data is further complicated by imperfect detection and the presence of unsurveyed patches.

We compared dispersal distances inferred from seven years of occupancy data for 212 wetlands in a metapopulation of the secretive and threatened California black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus) to distances between parent‐offspring dyads identified with 16 microsatellites.

We used a novel autoregressive multi‐season occupancy model that accounted for both unsurveyed patches and imperfect detection to quantify patch isolation using buffer radius (BRM) and incidence function (IFM) connectivity measures at 15 scales (1–10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 km). Connectivity measures were then fit as colonization covariates in occupancy models to estimate a model‐averaged dispersal distance.

As predicted, colonization was more strongly related to connectivity at small spatial scales (<10 km).AICweights were greatest at 7 km forBRMand at 4 km forIFM.

Model‐averaged dispersal distances (BRM = 7.46 km;IFM = 5.48 km) showed good agreement with the meanM(±SE) dispersal distance from 23 parent‐offspring dyads (5.58 ± 1.92 km), indicating reasonably accurate mean dispersal distances can be inferred from occupancy data when isolation strongly affects colonization.