bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification of topological phonons in linear mechanical metamaterials
Authors: Süsstrunk Roman , Huber Sebastian D.
Published: August 2016

Significance

A mechanical metamaterial is an engineered material that is characterized by properties that go beyond the properties of its microscopic building blocks. Specifically, in topological metamaterials, one makes use of surface or boundary modes that are stable against imperfections or environmental influences and hence constitute reliable building blocks for various applications. In our work, we provide a classification scheme of possible topological metamaterials and an extensive number of examples illustrating this scheme. Our classification can serve as an important blueprint for many future applications that target such stable boundary modes for engineering purposes.
Charge-induced nematicity in FeSe
Authors: Massat Pierre , Farina Donato , Paul Indranil , Karlsson Sandra , Strobel Pierre , Toulemonde Pierre , Méasson Marie-Aude , Cazayous Maximilien , Sacuto Alain , Kasahara Shigeru , Shibauchi Takasada , Matsuda Yuji , Gallais Yann
Published: August 2016

Significance

Anisotropic electron liquids are ubiquitous in many correlated electron systems. Among them, electron nematics, which break rotation but not translation symmetry, are believed to play a key role in the physics of both cuprates and iron-based superconductors (Fe SC). However the study of electron nematicity has been hampered by the lack of an adequate probe of its associated fluctuations and susceptibility, making it difficult to track its origin. Here, using polarization-resolved Raman scattering, we report the detection of critical nematic fluctuations in the charge channel in the Fe SC compound FeSe. The strong enhancement of the associated nematic susceptibility allows us to link the appearance of nematicity to a symmetry-breaking distortion of the Fermi surface.
O-linked GlcNAcylation elevated by HPV E6 mediates viral oncogenesis
Authors: Zeng Qinghua , Zhao Rui-Xun , Chen Jianfeng , Li Yining , Li Xiang-Dong , Liu Xiao-Long , Zhang Wei-Ming , Quan Cheng-Shi , Wang Yi-Shu , Zhai Ying-Xian , Wang Jian-Wei , Youssef Mariam , Cui Rutao , Liang Jiyong , Genovese Nicholas , Chow Louise T. , Li Yu-Lin , Xu Zhi-Xiang
Published: August 2016

Significance

O-linked GlcNAcylation is a reversible posttranslational protein modification on serine or threonine residues and regulates multiple cellular signaling pathways. We discovered elevated O-GlcNAc and O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) in HPV-associated cervical neoplasms relative to the normal cervix. We show that HPV
E6
upregulates OGT, increases O-GlcNAc, stabilizes c-MYC via O-GlcNAc, and enhances HPV oncogene activities. Conversely, suppression of O-GlcNAc in HPV-transformed cells by knocking down or inhibiting OGT impairs HPV oncogene-induced activities and impedes tumor growth in animal models. Thus, O-GlcNAc plays a critical role in HPV-induced carcinogenesis, and targeting O-GlcNAc might prove to be a potential therapeutic approach.
Distinct cellular properties of oncogenic KIT receptor tyrosine kinase mutants enable alternative courses of cancer cell inhibition
Authors: Shi Xiarong , Sousa Leiliane P. , Mandel-Bausch Elizabeth M. , Tome Francisco , Reshetnyak Andrey V. , Hadari Yaron , Schlessinger Joseph , Lax Irit
Published: August 2016

Significance

A common practice in modern clinics is to identify a match between a mutated oncogenic protein that functions as a “driver” of a particular cancer with a known or new cancer drug from available targeted therapies. To understand mechanisms underlying the differential clinical impact of various targeted therapies on cancers driven by the receptor tyrosine kinase KIT, we analyzed a variety of biochemical and cellular properties of the most common KIT somatic mutations identified in human cancers. Surprisingly, each of the six major KIT oncogenic mutants exhibits distinct properties and responds differently to targeted therapies. These experiments show that detailed biochemical and cellular analyses of oncogenic mutations are required to optimize precision medicine for cancer treatment.
Training barn owls: a powerful tool in ecological experiments
Authors: Subach Aziz
Published: August 2016

Predators affect prey directly by predation and indirectly by triggering behavioral responses that aim at reducing predation risk. In this paper, I present a method for training an avian predator which can allow separating between its direct and indirect effects on prey in various experimental setups. Barn owls are found to be a valuable tool for empirically testing different hypotheses related to predator-prey interactions, population dynamics, and inter-specific competition, all performed in the field using authentic rodent prey and their natural predators. Barn owls are raised and trained to participate in field experiments using classical conditioning, and are trained either to catch rodents or only to fly above a certain area without making any attempt to attack the prey, simulating solely predation risk. Body mass is a crucial factor in the training procedure, and I thus define five body mass ranges that characterize different behavioral stages in the training of owls. A logistic model is used to calculate and to predict changes in the body mass during the growth and training periods of owls. Finally, I discuss several possible implications of the usage of trained barn owls in empirical studies.
The effect of Omani-Iranian relations on the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries after the Arab Spring
Authors: Al-Bolushi Maryam
Published: August 2016

This research paper focuses on Gulf–Iran relations within the framework of the bilateral relationship between Oman and Iran. This relationship is unique as well as distinct from Oman’s relations with the other nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and has a direct influence on Gulf regional security. Oman’s relationship with Iran has grown stronger and firmer after the events of the Arab Spring. This comes at a time when the Gulf countries are suffering worsening internal security, political and economic conditions and disagree amongst themselves about how to deal with Iran. Hence, the Omani-Iranian rapprochement is intensifying the security anxieties of the GCC countries. This paper examines the conceptual frameworks for security and cooperation within the GCC. Oman’s view on security and cooperation is seen in its foreign policy which adheres to non-intervention and neutrality in foreign affairs. Omani-Iranian relations are analyzed in how they affect Gulf integration and the role played by Oman in the Iranian nuclear deal. The paper concludes by discussing Oman’s position on the current conflict in Yemen and its effect on Gulf security as well as Oman’s role in mediation between the parties in the conflict.
Methodologies for assessing knowledge management in the Arab nation
Authors: Rabie Grine
Published: August 2016

In the 21st century, knowledge has come to be counted as the new primary delimiter in balances of power in the global system and the decisive factor within it, meaning that power and political authority have come to be tied to the production of knowledge and the capability to use it creatively. The process of transformation towards the stage of a new economy demands assessment and development of four primary focal points in a knowledge economy and these are education and training, infrastructure for information, economic incentives, an institutional system, and a system of innovation. The Arab countries are orienting towards a knowledge economy by improving their educational sectors via the adoption of modern techniques and investment in technological, information and communications infrastructure, and by depending upon robust programmes of research and development, while improving the business environment and that of workers in general. This article focuses on the process of transformation to a knowledge economy taking place in the Arab countries. The first section deals with the nature of assessing knowledge management; the second explores the most significant methodologies for assessing Arab knowledge performance for which we adopted a method of qualitative analysis through a presentation of findings published in global reports dealing with knowledge performance, its indicators and analysis.
Which bulges are favoured by barred S0 galaxies?
Authors: Barway Sudhanshu , Saha Kanak , Vaghmare Kaustubh , Kembhavi Ajit K.
Published: August 2016

S0 galaxies are known to host classical bulges with a broad range of size and mass, while some such S0s are barred and some not. The origin of the bars has remained a long-standing problem – what made bar formation possible in certain S0s? By analysing a large sample of S0s with classical bulges observed by the Spitzer Space Telescope, we find that most of our barred S0s host comparatively low-mass classical bulges, typically with bulge-to-total ratio less than 0.5, whereas S0s with more massive classical bulges than these do not host any bar. Furthermore, we find that amongst the barred S0s, there is a trend for the longer and massive bars to be associated with comparatively bigger and massive classical bulges – possibly suggesting bar growth being facilitated by these classical bulges. In addition, we find that the bulge effective radius is always less than the bar effective radius – indicating an interesting synergy between the host classical bulge and bars being maintained while bar growth occurred in these S0s.
Near-infrared spectroscopy of faint discrete X-ray point sources constituting the Galactic ridge X-ray emission
Authors: Morihana Kumiko , Tsujimoto Masahiro , Dubath Pierre , Yoshida Tessei , Suzuki Kensuke , Ebisawa Ken
Published: August 2016

The Galactic Ridge X-ray Emission (GRXE) is an apparently extended X-ray emission along the Galactic plane. The X-ray spectrum is characterized by a hard continuum with a strong Fe K emission feature in the 6–7 keV band. A substantial fraction (∼80%) of the GRXE in the Fe band was resolved into point sources by deep Chandra imaging observations; thus GRXE is mostly composed of dim Galactic X-ray point sources, at least in this energy band. To investigate the populations of these dim X-ray point sources, we carried out near-infrared (NIR) follow-up spectroscopic observations in two deep Chandra fields located in the Galactic plane at (l, b) = (0 $_{.}^{\circ}$1, −1 $_{.}^{\circ}$4) and (28 $_{.}^{\circ}$5, 0 $_{.}^{\circ}$0) using NTT/SofI and Subaru/MOIRCS. We obtained well-exposed NIR spectra from 65 objects and found that there are three main classes of Galactic sources based on the X-ray color and NIR spectral features: those having (A) hard X-ray spectra and NIR emission features such as H i (Brγ), He i, and He ii (2 objects), (B) soft X-ray spectra and NIR absorption features such as H i, Na i, Ca i, and CO (46 objects), and (C) hard X-ray spectra and NIR absorption features such as H i, Na i, Ca i, and CO (17 objects). From these features, we argue that class A sources are cataclysmic variables (CVs), and class B sources are late-type stars with enhanced coronal activity, which is in agreement with current knowledge. Class C sources possibly belong to a new group of objects, which has been poorly studied so far. We argue that the candidate sources for class C are the binary systems hosting white dwarfs and late-type companions with very low accretion rates. It is likely that this newly recognized class of sources contribute to a non-negligible fraction of the GRXE, especially in the Fe K band.
Superoutburst of CR Bootis: Estimation of mass ratio of a typical AM CVn star by stage A superhumps
Authors: Isogai Keisuke , Kato Taichi , Ohshima Tomohito , Kasai Kiyoshi , Oksanen Arto , Masumoto Kazunari , Fukushima Daiki , Maeda Kazuki , Kawabata Miho , Matsuda Risa , Kojiguchi Naoto , Sugiura Yuki , Takeda Nao , Matsumoto Katsura , Itoh Hiroshi , Pavlenko Elena P. , Antonyuk Kirill , Antonyuk Oksana , Pit Nikolai , Sosnovskij Aleksei , Baklanov Alex , Babina Julia , Sklyanov Aleksandr , Kiyota Seiichiro , Hambsch Franz-Josef , Littlefield Colin , Maeda Yutaka , Cook Lewis M. , Masi Gianluca , Dubovsky Pavol A. , Novák Rudolf , Dvorak Shawn , Imada Akira , Nogami Daisaku
Published: August 2016

We report on two superoutbursts of the AM CVn-type object CR Boo in 2014 April–March and 2015 May–June. A precursor outburst accompanied both of these superoutbursts. During the rising branch of the main superoutburst in 2014, we detected growing superhumps (stage A superhumps) whose period was 0.017669(24) d. Assuming that this period reflects the dynamical precession rate at the radius of the 3:1 resonance, we could estimate the mass ratio (q = M2/M1) of 0.101(4) by using the stage A superhump period and the orbital period of 0.0170290(6) d. This mass ratio is consistent with that expected from the theoretical evolutionary model of AM CVn-type objects. The detection of precursor outbursts and stage A superhumps is the second case in AM CVn-type objects. There are two interpretations of the outbursts of AM CVn-type objects. One is a dwarf nova (DN) outbursts analogy, which suggets that the outbursts are caused by thermal and tidal instabilities. Another is the VY Scl-type variation, which suggests that the outbursts are caused by the variation of the mass-transfer rate of the secondary.This detection of the superhump variations strongly supports the former interpretation.
Microbiome Networks: A Systems Framework for Identifying Candidate Microbial Assemblages for Disease Management
Authors: Poudel R. , Jumpponen A. , Schlatter D. C. , Paulitz T. C. , Gardener B. B. McSpadden , Kinkel L. L. , Garrett K. A.
Published: August 2016

Network models of soil and plant microbiomes provide new opportunities for enhancing disease management, but also challenges for interpretation. We present a framework for interpreting microbiome networks, illustrating how observed network structures can be used to generate testable hypotheses about candidate microbes affecting plant health. The framework includes four types of network analyses. “General network analysis” identifies candidate taxa for maintaining an existing microbial community. “Host-focused analysis” includes a node representing a plant response such as yield, identifying taxa with direct or indirect associations with that node. “Pathogen-focused analysis” identifies taxa with direct or indirect associations with taxa known a priori as pathogens. “Disease-focused analysis” identifies taxa associated with disease. Positive direct or indirect associations with desirable outcomes, or negative associations with undesirable outcomes, indicate candidate taxa. Network analysis provides characterization not only of taxa with direct associations with important outcomes such as disease suppression, biofertilization, or expression of plant host resistance, but also taxa with indirect associations via their association with other key taxa. We illustrate the interpretation of network structure with analyses of microbiomes in the oak phyllosphere, and in wheat rhizosphere and bulk soil associated with the presence or absence of infection by Rhizoctonia solani.
Evaluation of the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Oxytetracycline and Its Control Effect Against Citrus Huanglongbing via Trunk Injection
Authors: Hu Jiahuai , Wang Nian
Published: August 2016

Citrus huanglongbing (HLB) or greening is a devastating bacterial disease that has destroyed millions of trees and is associated with phloem-residing ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (Las) in Florida. In this study, we evaluated the spatiotemporal dynamics of oxytetracycline in planta and its control effect against HLB via trunk injection. Las-infected ‘Hamlin’ sweet orange trees on ‘Swingle’ citrumelo rootstock at the early stage of decline were treated with oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) using trunk injection with varying number of injection ports. Spatiotemporal distribution of OTC and dynamics of Las populations were monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography method and qPCR assay, respectively. Uniform distribution of OTC throughout tree canopies and root system was achieved 2 days postinjection. High levels of OTC (>850 µg/kg) were maintained in leaf and root for at least 1 month and moderate OTC (>500 µg/kg) persisted for more than 9 months. Reduction of Las populations in root system and leaves of OTC-treated trees were over 95% and 99% (i.e., 1.76 and 2.19 log reduction) between 2 and 28 days postinjection. Conditions of trees receiving OTC treatment were improved, fruit yield was increased, and juice acidity was lowered than water-injected control even though their differences were not statistically significant during the test period. Our study demonstrated that trunk injection of OTC could be used as an effective measure for integrated management of citrus HLB.
Disease Management in the Genomics Era—Summaries of Focus Issue Papers
Authors: Klosterman S. J. , Rollins J. R. , Sudarshana M. R. , Vinatzer B. A.
Published: August 2016

The genomics revolution has contributed enormously to research and disease management applications in plant pathology. This development has rapidly increased our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning pathogenesis and resistance, contributed novel markers for rapid pathogen detection and diagnosis, and offered further insights into the genetics of pathogen populations on a larger scale. The availability of whole genome resources coupled with next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has helped fuel genomics-based approaches to improve disease resistance in crops. NGS technologies have accelerated the pace at which whole plant and pathogen genomes have become available, and made possible the metagenomic analysis of plant-associated microbial communities. Furthermore, NGS technologies can now be applied routinely and cost effectively to rapidly generate plant and/or pathogen genome or transcriptome marker sequences associated with virulence phenotypes in the pathogen or resistance phenotypes in the plant, potentially leading to improvements in plant disease management. In some systems, investments in plant and pathogen genomics have led to immediate, tangible benefits. This focus issue covers some of the systems. The articles in this focus issue range from overall perspective articles to research articles describing specific genomics applications for detection and control of diseases caused by nematode, viral, bacterial, fungal, and oomycete pathogens. The following are representative short summaries of the articles that appear in this Focus Issue .
Telling plant species apart with DNA: from barcodes to genomes
Authors: Hollingsworth Peter M. , Li De-Zhu , van der Bank Michelle , Twyford Alex D.
Published: August 2016

Land plants underpin a multitude of ecosystem functions, support human livelihoods and represent a critically important component of terrestrial biodiversity—yet many tens of thousands of species await discovery, and plant identification remains a substantial challenge, especially where material is juvenile, fragmented or processed. In this opinion article, we tackle two main topics. Firstly, we provide a short summary of the strengths and limitations of plant DNA barcoding for addressing these issues. Secondly, we discuss options for enhancing current plant barcodes, focusing on increasing discriminatory power via either gene capture of nuclear markers or genome skimming. The former has the advantage of establishing a defined set of target loci maximizing efficiency of sequencing effort, data storage and analysis. The challenge is developing a probe set for large numbers of nuclear markers that works over sufficient phylogenetic breadth. Genome skimming has the advantage of using existing protocols and being backward compatible with existing barcodes; and the depth of sequence coverage can be increased as sequencing costs fall. Its non-targeted nature does, however, present a major informatics challenge for upscaling to large sample sets.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘From DNA barcodes to biomes’.
PathScore: a web tool for identifying altered pathways in cancer data
Authors: Gaffney Stephen G. , Townsend Jeffrey P.
Published: August 2016

PathScorequantifies the level of enrichment of somatic mutations within curated pathways, applying a novel approach that identifies pathways enriched across patients. The application provides several user-friendly, interactive graphic interfaces for data exploration, including tools for comparing pathway effect sizes, significance, gene-set overlap and enrichment differences between projects.

Availability and Implementation

Web application available atpathscore.publichealth.yale.edu. Site implemented in Python and MySQL, with all major browsers supported. Source code available at github.com/sggaffney/pathscore with a GPLv3 license.

Contact

stephen.gaffney@yale.edu

Supplementary Information

Additional documentation can be found athttp://pathscore.publichealth.yale.edu/faq.
Evolutionary thrift: mycobacteria repurpose plasmid diversity during adaptation of type VII secretion systems
Authors: Mortimer Tatum D. , Weber Alexandra M. , Pepperell Caitlin S.
Published: August 2016

Mycobacteria have a distinct secretion system, termed type VII (T7SS), which is encoded by paralogous chromosomal loci (ESX) and associated with pathogenesis, conjugation, and metal homeostasis. Evolution of paralogous gene families is of interest because duplication is an important mechanism by which novel genes evolve, but there are potential conflicts between adaptive forces that stabilize duplications and those that enable evolution of new functions. Our objective was to delineate the adaptive forces underlying diversification of T7SS. Plasmid-borne ESX were described recently, and we found evidence that the initial duplication and divergence of ESX systems occurred on plasmids and was driven by selection for advantageous mutations. Plasmid conjugation has been linked to T7SS and type IV secretion systems (T4SS) in mycobacteria, and we discovered that T7SS and T4SS genes evolved in concert on the plasmids. We hypothesize that differentiation of plasmid ESX helps to prevent conjugation among cells harboring incompatible plasmids. Plasmid ESX appear to have been repurposed following migration to the chromosome, and there is evidence of positive selection driving further differentiation of chromosomal ESX. We hypothesize that ESX loci were initially stabilized on the chromosome by mediating their own transfer. These results emphasize the diverse adaptive paths underlying evolution of novelty, which in this case involved plasmid duplications, selection for advantageous mutations in the mobile and core genomes, migration of the loci between plasmids and chromosomes, and lateral transfer among chromosomes. We discuss further implications for the choice of model organism to study ESX functions inMycobacterium tuberculosis.
Molecular Characterization of the Rehydration Process in the Resurrection Plant Craterostigma plantagineum
Authors: Bernacchia G. , Salamini F. , Bartels D.
Published: August 2016

The resurrection plant Craterostigma plantagineum is unique among higher plants because it is able to survive a desiccation treatment. For this reason it has been used as a model system for the analysis of the molecular mechanisms of desiccation tolerance. Many transcripts and proteins are expressed de novo during dehydration. This paper describes the molecular events that occur during the rehydration process of dried C. plantagineum plants. Changes in gene expression patterns were first analyzed by in vivo labeling and in vitro translation experiments. In a second set of experiments steady-state mRNA levels were monitored using specific cDNA clones. The experiments indicated three major changes on the molecular level during rehydration: the dehydration-specific gene products disappeared during an early phase of rehydration, a small number of rehydration-specific transcripts were synthesized around 12 to 15 h after the onset of rewatering, and hydration-related gene products appeared concomitantly. The gene expression patterns during rehydration are discussed with respect to the possible roles of the gene products.
Roots of Iron-Efficient Maize also Absorb Phytosiderophore-Chelated Zinc
Authors: von Wiren N. , Marschner H. , Romheld V.
Published: August 2016

To investigate the recognition of Zn-phytosiderophores by the putative Fe-phytosiderophore transporter in maize (Zea mays L.) roots, short-term uptake of 65Zn-labeled phytosiderophores was compared in the Fe-efficient maize cultivar Alice and the maize mutant ys1 carrying a defect in Fe-phytosiderophore uptake. In ys1, uptake and translocation rates of Zn from Zn-phytosiderophores were one-half of those in Alice, but no genotypical difference was found in Zn uptake and translocation from other Zn-binding forms. In ys1 and in tendency also in Alice, Zn uptake decreased with increasing stability constant of the chelate in the order: ZnSO4 [greater than or equal to] Zn-desferrioxamine > Zn-phytosiderophores > Zn-EDTA. Adding a 500-fold excess of free phytosiderophores over Zn to the uptake solution depressed Zn uptake in ys1 almost completely. In uptake studies with double-labeled 65Zn-14C-phytosiderophores, ys1 absorbed the phytosiderophore at similar rates when supplied as a Zn-chelate or the free ligand. By contrast, in Alice 14C-phytosiderophore uptake from the Zn-chelate was 2.8-fold higher than from the free ligand, suggesting that Alice absorbed the complete Zn-phytosiderophore complex via the putative plasma membrane transporter for Fe-phytosiderophores. We propose two pathways for the uptake of Zn from Zn-phytosiderophores in grasses, one via the transport of the free Zn cation and the other via the uptake of nondissociated Zn-phytosiderophores.
Competence for Regeneration during Tobacco Internodal Development (Involvement of Plant Age, Cell Elongation Stage, and Degree of Polysomaty)
Authors: Gilissen LJW. , van Staveren M. J. , Hakkert J. C. , Smulders MJM.
Published: August 2016

This study deals with internodal development in vegetative plants of Nicotiana tabacum cv Samsun NN and its reflection in changes of the cellular competence for regeneration. During elongation of the internodes, the cells of the epidermis, subepidermis, and cortex exclusively expanded and increased their DNA content cell type specifically, generally from 2C to 4C. Cells with the 8C DNA content were found mainly among the cortex cells of mature internodes. The frequency of shoot regeneration (directly from subepidermal and epidermal cells together) on thin cell layer explants increased to an optimum along with elongation of the internodes and decreased in mature internodes along with aging. The frequencies of diploid shoots among the regenerants from elongating and mature internodes were high (88 and 75% on the average, respectively), indicating that most cells that had achieved the 4C DNA content generally retained the G2 phase of the diploid cell cycle. Shoots regenerated from explants of young plant material mainly had a vitrified appearance. The occurrence of this type of malformed growth was already determined by the physiological state of the cells in the internode and did not interfere with their acquisition of competence. Vitrification was unrelated to the degree of polysomaty of the internodal tissue. Using the occurrence of tetraploid root regenerants (from intermediate cortex-derived callus), up to a frequency of 50%, we show that the position in the plant where a majority of the 4C cortex cells switched to the G1 phase of the tetraploid cell cycle was at the transition from the elongation phase to the mature phase.
Differential Expression of Two Endo-1,4-β-Glucanase Genes in Pericarp and Locules of Wild-Type and Mutant Tomato Fruit
Authors: Gonzalez-Bosch C. , Brummell D. A. , Bennett A. B.
Published: August 2016

The mRNA accumulation of two endo-1,4-β-D-glucanase genes, Cel1 and Cel2, was examined in the pericarp and locules throughout the development of normal tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fruit and the ripening-impaired mutants rin and Nr. Both Cel1 and Cel2 were expressed transiently at the earliest stages of fruit development during a period corresponding to cell division and early cell expansion. In the pericarp, the mRNA abundance of both genes increased markedly at the breaker stage; the level of Cel1 mRNA decreased later in ripening, and that of Cel2 increased progressively. Cel2 mRNA levels also increased at the breaker stage in locules but after initial locule liquefaction was already complete. In rin fruit mRNA abundance of Cel1 was reduced and Cel2 was virtually absent, whereas in Nr Cel1 was expressed at wild-type levels and Cel2 was reduced. In wild-type fruit ethylene treatment slightly promoted the mRNA accumulation of both genes. In rin fruit ethylene treatment strongly increased the mRNA abundance of Cel1 to an extent greater than in wild-type fruit, but Cel2 mRNA was absent even after ethylene treatment. These two endo-1,4-β-D-glucanase genes, therefore, do not show coordinated expression during fruit development and are subject to distinct regulatory control. These results suggest that the product of the Cel2 gene contributes to ripening-associated cell-wall changes.
Factors influencing the intention to use information service mashups
Authors: Yan Weiwei , Deng Shengli , Zhang Yin
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This study aims to examine the factors influencing the adoption intention of information service mashup in digital library (DL). The study is an empirical study on DLs in China.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs the theory of information service mashup as its theoretical background and applies it to the field of DL to develop the measurement model which is based on technology acceptance model (TAM). A structured questionnaire was developed including the demographic information, the advantages of information service mashup in DL and the Likert evaluation of each construct. As a result, of 303 questionnaires distributed among DL users, 281 were remained as acceptable answers. The data were processed and analyzed with the aid of the SPSS 20.0 and SmartPLS 2.0.

Findings

The results show that beyond perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, both perceived integration and perceived risk have direct impacts on user’s intention to adopt information service mashup in DL. Perceived integration has the dramatic positive effects, while perceived risk negatively correlates to adoption intention. Moreover, perceived integration and individualization have positive impacts on perceived ease of use, while network externality positively influences perceived usefulness.

Originality/value

Information service mashup is still a relatively new technology in DL. There were few theoretical and empirical studies that examine the user adoption behaviour of the service. This study contributes to existing information service mashup application studies by modifying and extending TAM. The results would help the DL gain a deeper understanding of the factors affecting DL user adoption of information service mashup.
Usability and evaluation of a library mobile web site
Authors: ChanLin Lih-Juan , Hung Wei-Hsiang
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate the use of a library mobile website at a university library. This paper aims to present the approach adopted to investigate users’ reactions to the new mobile platform. A usability test was also conducted to examine its effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

Mobile websites for academic libraries were first reviewed prior to identifying the functions and elements to be included. To assess the intended design purpose, the usability of the design was examined through a comparison of the mobile website and the full PC website used by 50 students to accomplish a set of search tasks. A questionnaire survey was used to assess 336 students’ responses regarding various criteria including learnability, control, presentation and efficiency.

Findings

The usability test that was conducted before the mobile Web was formally released indicated that the students using it finished more search tasks (p < 0.001), and were more efficient in completing search tasks than they were using the PC website (p < 0.001). Data from 336 questionnaire responses also indicated the students’ positive reactions to the developed mobile system in four defined facets (mean >= 4.0).

Research limitations/implications

The difficulty of recruiting volunteers and the small number of subjects who participated was also a major limitation experienced in this study. Replications or use of different measurements might be needed in future research to confirm the result.

Practical implications

In this study, a library mobile website was developed, tested and evaluated by users. Currently, the library mobile website is being implemented in the university. On-going revisions will continue to improve its effectiveness and efficiency for information retrieval.

Social implications

It is expected that through the library mobile services, a ubiquitous learning environment can be provided to students to fulfil their academic and leisure needs.

Originality/value

Summative evaluation of the mobile system revealed the students’ positive reactions to a set of predetermined criteria in various dimensions, including: learnability, control, presentation and efficiency.
Research on user needs for mobile information services in Chinese university libraries
Authors: Zhao Yang , Deng Shengli , Gao Ting , Zhou Ruoxin
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the service demand of existing users and potential users for mobile information services provided by university libraries in China. The primary objective is to explore the impact of user experience on user needs, which is conducted by a comparison between two user groups over their needs from three aspects – service function, service mode and information content.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 353 library users from ten Chinese universities via questionnaires. Based on the user needs model, three dimensions of user needs were established for mobile information services and 26 measurement items were generated through a review of the literature. Furthermore, based on frequency analysis, independent samples t-test and the calculation of need rate, the demand differences in mobile information services between existing and potential users were explored.

Findings

Significant differences existed in the needs for service functions and service modes of mobile information services between existing users and potential users. Existing users cared more about such characteristics as intelligence, personalization and the variety of mobile services. Potential users, in contrast, concerned themselves more with the usability of mobile services and similarity to traditional information services. These two user groups showed little difference in the needs for information content, as they both have strict requirements for specialty, richness in and quality of information resources in mobile network environments.

Originality/value

Previous research on user needs for mobile libraries services has been primarily conducted from the perspectives of existing users. This study, however, compared the needs of existing and potential users based on their previous experiences, which can help libraries to know better what their users need and improve the quality of mobile information services to meet those needs. This can also make existing users more willing to use the services and cultivate the usage habits of potential users at the same time.
Logistics services and Lean Six Sigma implementation: a case study
Authors: Gutierrez-Gutierrez Leopoldo , de Leeuw Sander , Dubbers Ruud
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the application of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) framework for supporting continuous improvement (CI) in logistics services. Both the lean philosophy and the Six Sigma methodology have become two of the most important initiatives for CI in organizations. The combination of both alternatives – LSS – brings significant benefits for companies applying this method, and its influence in logistics services can be relevant.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study on the logistics services of a large consumer electronics company is performed. In this sector, high quality in logistics services is crucial. Using within-case and cross-case analyses, the paper discusses the implementation of LSS in two internal logistics processes.

Findings

The paper identifies important implementation aspects when applying LSS to logistics services, such as CI structure, strategic analysis, cross-functional teams and process management. Furthermore, the paper discusses the potential in logistics services of the DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve and control) approach and tools such as value stream mapping, SIPOC (supplier, input, process, output, and customer) and process mapping.

Practical implications

The paper analyzes two logistics processes where LSS has been applied – a payment process and a request-to-ship process. The analysis of both processes offers relevant information about organizational implementation in a logistics services environment about process improvement and about the use of LSS tools.

Originality/value

First, this paper addresses the gap in literature about LSS and logistics’ activities. Furthermore, the case company, with more than 9,000 employees and distributing its products to more than 100 countries, constitutes a valuable source of information to obtain insights into the implications of implementing LSS in logistics services.
Systematic literature review of critical success factors for continuous improvement projects
Authors: Gonzalez Aleu Fernando , Van Aken Eileen M.
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to synthesize and assess the published literature relating to critical success factors for continuous improvement projects (CIPs).

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to obtain the most relevant papers from four platforms: EBSCOhost, Engineering Village, ProQuest and Web of Science. The literature was assessed and synthesized based on analysis of characteristics relating to publications, authors and the content of publications.

Findings

From the SLR, 98 publications were identified and analyzed. One primary finding is that this research area appears to demonstrate characteristics of an emerging field, not yet well established across all relevant aspects. Second, a comprehensive set of 53 factors were extracted from the publications identified. These factors were analyzed according to frequency in the published literature. This set of factors can be used in future empirical research to develop a more complete understanding of the relative contribution of each to influencing CIP success.

Research limitations/implications

The SLR methodology does not guarantee that all of the publications related to a given research area will be identified; however, the researchers took different actions to mitigate this limitation. Further, not all relevant information from the publication set could be included in this work because of space constraints.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this paper presents the most comprehensive list of factors, and associated definitions, relevant to CIP success.
The double-edge effect of retailers’ cause-related marketing
Authors: Mimouni Chaabane Aïda , Parguel Béatrice
Published: August 2016

Purpose

– Cause-related marketing – linking product sales with donations to a cause – are popular with consumers because they produce warm-glow feelings (the positive route). But when they involve large donations, they may trigger consumer scepticism, reducing the warm glow (the negative route). Drawing on the elaboration likelihood model, the purpose of this paper is to examine whether large donations in cause-related marketing can produce consumer scepticism and reduce the warm-glow effect and positive attitude towards the retailer.

Design/methodology/approach

– An experiment varying the donation size (large, medium, small) in a cause-related marketing offer run by an office equipment retailer is set up. Hypotheses are tested using bootstrapping regression analyses.

Findings

– The negative route has the greater effect: scepticism towards the offer mediates the relationship between donation size and the warm glow. Furthermore, scepticism towards a large donation is higher (lower) for respondents scoring low (high) on altruism and high (low) on familiarity with cause-related marketing.

Practical implications

– When using cause-related marketing, retailers should choose their features and target audience carefully in order to reduce scepticism, e.g., small donations should be offered in promotions targeting consumers who are familiar with cause-related marketing and show low altruism.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the recent research examining the negative effects of cause-related marketing by explicitly conceptualising and measuring scepticism towards cause-related marketing. The findings are also valuable because they indicate the importance of a shift in focus, away from the conventional question of cause-related marketing effectiveness to the more specific and under-investigated problem of the appropriate core target consumers.
Religion and earnings: evidence from Germany
Authors: Sinnewe Elisabeth , Kortt Michael , Steen Todd
Published: August 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to estimate the association between religious affiliation and the rate of return to human capital for German men and women.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper employs data from the 1997, 2003, 2007 and 2011 waves of the German Socio-Economic Panel for German men and women in full-time employment between the age of 25 and 54. The association between religious affiliation and wages was estimated using a conventional human capital model.

Findings

– This paper finds that Catholic men (women) received a wage premium of 4 per cent (3 per cent) relative to their Protestant counterparts, even after controlling for an extensive range of demographic, economic and social characteristics.

Originality/value

– The study contributes to the literature by providing – to the best of the authors’ knowledge – the first results on the wage premium received by Catholic men and women in the German labour market.
Institutional environment, political connections of partial state ownership, and performance
Authors: Song Zengji , Nahm Abraham , Yang Jun
Published: August 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine whether substantial differences in institutional environment in China lead to different levels of demand for political connection.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a data set of 296 listed private sector enterprises (PSEs) in China, the authors empirically investigate the effects of institutional environmental factors upon political connection.

Findings

– The authors find that the lower the level of regional property right protection, the more powerful the government intervention, and the slower the economic development, the more motivated the PSEs were to build relationship with the government via partial state ownership. However, the degree of local corruption was not correlated with the demand for political connection. The authors also find that partial state ownership in PSEs exerted a positive effect on performance.

Originality/value

– Deviating from previous literature that has been mostly concerned about the economic consequences to firms caused by political connections, this paper examines the reasons for political connection among Chinese PSEs. The authors introduce a new dimension of political connection, namely, partial state ownership in PSEs.
Credit constraints and their impact on farm household welfare
Authors: Tran Minh Chau , Gan Christopher E.C. , Hu Baiding
Published: August 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify factors affecting formal credit constraint status of rural farm households in Vietnam’s North Central Coast (NCC) region.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using the direct elicitation method (DEM), the authors consider both internal and external credit rationing.

Findings

– Empirical evidences confirm the importance of household head’s age, gender and education to household’s likelihood of being credit constrained. In addition, households who have advantages in farm land size, labour resources and non-farm income are less likely to be credit constrained. Poor households are observed to remain restricted by formal credit institutions. Results from the endogenous switching regression model suggest that credit constraints negatively impact household’s consumption per capita and informal credit can act as a substitute to mitigate the negative influence of formal credit constraints.

Research limitations/implications

– One limitation arises from the usage of the DEM to identify credit constrained households. The method cannot detect effective and ineffective constraints. Another limitation is the inability of cross-section data to capture long-term impacts of credit constraints on household welfare. Finally, causes of credit constraints from the lender’s view cannot be observed.

Practical implications

– The results suggest that it is necessary to enhance the credit allocation regime to reduce the transaction cost and provide target households with sufficient credit. It should be emphasized that high transaction cost and the mismatch between credit demand and supply stemming from information asymmetry. The government can help formal financial institutions to reduce information cost by encouraging the active role of social organizations such as Women Unions, Youth Unions and Veteran Unions in bridging rural farm households with formal lenders.

Originality/value

– There are limited studies focusing on determinants of credit constraints and their impacts on rural farm households. To the best of the knowledge, there is no study evaluating the impact of credit constraints on rural farm household welfare particularly in Vietnam. In addition, the studies related to credit constraints only considered full quantity rationing (households applied for the loan but were rejected), omitting the case of partly quantity rationing (loan obtained by the borrowers is less than their demand) and self-rationing.
Developing a theory-based information security management framework for human service organizations
Authors: Mubarak Sameera
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to identify organizations’ information security issues and to explore dynamic, organizational culture and contingency theories to develop an implementable framework for information security systems in human service organizations (HSOs) based soundly in theory and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper includes a critical review of global information security management issues for HSOs and relevant multi-disciplinary organizational theories to address them.

Findings

Effective information security management can be particularly challenging to HSO because of their use of volunteer staff in a borderless electronic environment. Organizations’ lack of recognition of the need for staff awareness of information security threats and for training in secure work practices, particularly in terms of maintaining clients’ privacy and confidentiality, is a major issue. The dynamic theory of organizational knowledge creation, organizational culture theory and contingency theory were identified as the most suitable theoretical perspectives to address this issue and underpin an effective information security management framework for HSOs.

Research limitations/implications

The theory-based framework presented here has not been tested in practice. Such testing will be carried out in further research.

Originality/value

Currently, there is no framework for information security systems in HSOs. The framework developed here provides a foundation on which HSO can build information security systems specific to their needs.