bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asexual queen succession in the higher termite
Embiratermes neotenicus
Authors: Fougeyrollas Romain , Dolejšová Klára , Sillam-Dussès David , Roy Virginie , Poteaux Chantal , Hanus Robert , Roisin Yves
Published: May 2015

Asexual queen succession (AQS), in which workers, soldiers and dispersing reproductives are produced sexually while numerous non-dispersing queens arise through thelytokous parthenogenesis, has recently been described in three species of lower termites of the genus
Reticulitermes
. Here, we show that AQS is not an oddity restricted to a single genus of lower termites, but a more widespread strategy occurring also in the most advanced termite group, the higher termites (Termitidae). We analysed the genetic structure in 10 colonies of the Neotropical higher termite
Embiratermes neotenicus
(Syntermitinae) using five newly developed polymorphic microsatellite loci. The colonies contained one primary king accompanied either by a single primary queen or by up to almost 200 neotenic queens. While the workers, the soldiers and most future dispersing reproductives were produced sexually, the non-dispersing neotenic queens originated through thelytokous parthenogenesis of the founding primary queen. Surprisingly, the mode of thelytoky observed in
E. neotenicus
is most probably automixis with central fusion, contrasting with the automixis with terminal fusion documented in
Reticulitermes
. The occurrence of AQS based on different mechanisms of ploidy restoration raises the hypothesis of an independent evolutionary origin of this unique reproductive strategy in individual lineages of lower and higher termites.
A test of genetic models for the evolutionary maintenance of same-sex sexual behaviour
Authors: Hoskins Jessica L. , Ritchie Michael G. , Bailey Nathan W.
Published: May 2015

The evolutionary maintenance of same-sex sexual behaviour (SSB) has received increasing attention because it is perceived to be an evolutionary paradox. The genetic basis of SSB is almost wholly unknown in non-human animals, though this is key to understanding its persistence. Recent theoretical work has yielded broadly applicable predictions centred on two genetic models for SSB: overdominance and sexual antagonism. Using
Drosophila melanogaster
, we assayed natural genetic variation for male SSB and empirically tested predictions about the mode of inheritance and fitness consequences of alleles influencing its expression. We screened 50 inbred lines derived from a wild population for male–male courtship and copulation behaviour, and examined crosses between the lines for evidence of overdominance and antagonistic fecundity selection. Consistent variation among lines revealed heritable genetic variation for SSB, but the nature of the genetic variation was complex. Phenotypic and fitness variation was consistent with expectations under overdominance, although predictions of the sexual antagonism model were also supported. We found an unexpected and strong paternal effect on the expression of SSB, suggesting possible Y-linkage of the trait. Our results inform evolutionary genetic mechanisms that might maintain low but persistently observed levels of male SSB in
D. melanogaster
, but highlight a need for broader taxonomic representation in studies of its evolutionary causes.
Bony labyrinth morphometry indicates locomotor adaptations in the squirrel-related clade (Rodentia, Mammalia)
Authors: Pfaff Cathrin , Martin Thomas , Ruf Irina
Published: May 2015

The semicircular canals (SCs) of the inner ear detect angular acceleration and are located in the bony labyrinth of the petrosal bone. Based on high-resolution computed tomography, we created a size-independent database of the bony labyrinth of 50 mammalian species especially rodents of the squirrel-related clade comprising taxa with fossorial, arboreal and gliding adaptations. Our sampling also includes gliding marsupials, actively flying bats, the arboreal tree shrew and subterranean species. The morphometric anatomy of the SCs was correlated to the locomotion mode. Even if the phylogenetic signal cannot entirely be excluded, the main significance for functional morphological studies has been found in the diameter of the SCs, whereas the radius of curvature is of minor interest. Additionally, we found clear differences in the bias angle of the canals between subterranean and gliding taxa, but also between sciurids and glirids. The sensitivity of the inner ear correlates with the locomotion mode, with a higher sensitivity of the SCs in fossorial species than in flying taxa. We conclude that the inner ear of flying and gliding mammals is less sensitive due to the large information flow into this sense organ during locomotion.
Submerged plants may have substantial growth in shallow water lakes under nitrogen deposition: a theoretical investigation
Authors: Ali Ashehad A.
Published: May 2015

Understanding shallow water lakes is important because they are not only subjected to a number of natural and anthropogenic stressors but are also able to switch from clear states with high levels of biodiversity to dominance by suspended sediments, phytoplankton, or floating plants. Such switches are often influenced by high levels of nitrogen deposition, which may reduce the diversity of submerged plant communities, suppressing benthic animal and plant life. Therefore, it is important to predict potential effects of nitrogen on such a change.

I modeled competition for light and nutrients between floating and submerged plants under low and high nutrient levels. Both types of plants were randomly chosen in their trait space by varying their average trait values by +/-25%.

Surprisingly, I found that submerged plants could perform better under high nitrogen by having substantial growth rates. Further, I found that responsiveness to nitrogen deposition is greater in shallow lakes with low biomass than high biomass. My results suggest that shallow lakes with low productivity may respond strongly to nitrogen deposition. Moreover, albedo may increase in the future over shallow lakes. Thus, future warming over shallow lakes may be higher than current predictions. Earth System Models should allow the trait values of submerged and floating plants to vary when making predictions about future climatic conditions.
Mode of binding of the antithyroid drug propylthiouracil to mammalian haem peroxidases. Erratum
Authors: Singh R. P. , Singh A. , Kushwaha G. S , Singh A. K. , Kaur P. , Sharma S. , Singh T. P.
Published: May 2015

The results in the article by Singhet al.[(2015),Acta Cryst.F71, 304–310] have been brought into question and the article is retracted.
Crystal structure of (E)-undec-2-enoic acid
Authors: Sonneck Marcel , Peppel Tim , Spannenberg Anke , Wohlrab Sebastian
Published: May 2015

In the molecule of the title low-melting α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid, C11H20O2, the least-squares mean line through the octyl chain forms an angle of 60.10 (13)° with the normal to plane of the acrylic acid fragment (r.m.s. deviation = 0.008 Å). In the crystal, centrosymmetrically related molecules are linked by pairs of O—H...O hydrogen bonds into dimers, forming layers parallel to the (041) plane.
Do firms seek social license to operate when stakeholders are poor? Evidence from Africa
Authors: McIntyre Michael L. , Murphy Steven A. , Tetrault Sirsly Carol-Ann
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to test for the salience of social licence to operate in the context of a very poor community. The idea of social license to operate is closely linked to ideas of stakeholder power, legitimacy and urgency (Mitchellet al., 1997). But what if a community is impoverished, and lacks the tools and privileges to effect change? Do the stakeholders believe they have influence over extension of the social license to operate? Does the employer listen to them? To examine this issue, survey data was gathered from 12,000 stakeholders working in a poor township in South Africa. The township is located near a major South African city in an employment market dominated by a single heavy industry. Responders perceived their welfare to be of importance to the employer and that they had a role in extension of the social license to operate.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey of 12,000 employees working in an impoverished township near a large South African city.

Findings

– Despite being impoverished and lacking the tools and privileges to effect change that are available in wealthier communities, responders perceived some influence over extension of social license to operate.

Research limitations/implications

– While responders expressed clear sentiments, their actual power to extend or withhold social license to operate is unclear, and the study did not test for this.

Practical implications

– The practical implication is that firms should be wary of assuming that just because a stakeholder group is impoverished, it is unaware of its role and power as a stakeholder.

Social implications

– The more important implication is that under conditions of poverty, responders expressed a clear desire to see impediments to work removed, rather than a desire for handouts.

Originality/value

– The authors doubt there has ever been a study of this kind with this large a sample, in conditions of such extreme poverty.
Women on board: evidence from a masculine industry
Authors: Arena Claudia , Cirillo Alessandro , Mussolino Donata , Pulcinelli Ingrid , Saggese Sara , Sarto Fabrizia
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide insights on the gender-performance relationship, this paper studies the impact of board gender diversity on firm performance, by taking into account the “critical mass” of women directors and their educational level.

Design/methodology/approach

– The hypotheses are tested on a unique dataset of 211 European Union publicly listed companies in 2012 belonging to the construction industry from 28 different countries through a set of ordinary least squares regressions.

Findings

– The evidence shows that the “critical mass” rather than the simple presence of women has an incremental benefit on firm performance. In addition, results show that the educational level of women directors negatively affects firm performance, as it might impact the dynamics within the boardroom.

Research limitations/implications

– The quantitative nature of the study does not allow drawing strong inferences on behavioral processes and dynamics in and around the boardroom. Nevertheless, this study will open new research insights on exploring the educational level on board.

Practical implications

– Regulators and policymakers that should be aware of the influence of women as a group on firm performance and that this role is differential across industries.

Originality/value

– The novelty of this paper is that it investigates the role of women in a high masculine gender-specific industry and explores a still poorly understood demographic variable (i.e. the educational level) of women directors.
The impact of board traits on the social performance of Canadian firms
Authors: Deschênes Sébastien , Rojas Miguel , Boubacar Hamadou , Prud'homme Brigitte , Ouedraogo Alidou
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine if certain board characteristics have an impact on the corporate social responsibility (CSR) score of corporations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors’ paper analyzes the link between the ratings of CSR of the largest publicly traded Canadian firms (i.e. those included in the S&P/TSX 60 index) and the traits of their boards.

Findings

– The authors’ examination concludes that the CSR score is positively linked with the percentages of women and independent directors. The study did not find a link in the cases of board characteristics, namely, director’s remuneration, director’s tenure and director’s ownership.

Research limitations/implications

– The study focuses on the 60 largest public Canadian firms, which are strongly scrutinized. An analysis that includes smaller firms as well may show different results.

Practical implications

– To improve the ability of boards of directors to deal with CSR, the appointment of women and independent directors should be given greater emphasis. Data show that all boards in their sample are composed of at least 50 per cent of independent directors, with an average of 80 per cent. Thus, there is a more limited room to ameliorate CSR by adding independent directors. In contrast, women represented, on average, only 14.25 per cent of all directors. Companies wanting to improve their CSR should consider appointing more female participation in their boards.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes to the extant literature on corporate governance by presenting evidence of a link between CSR and certain board characteristics.
Corporate governance, stickiness and losses
Authors: Mulcahy Mark , Donnelly Ray
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to study the impact of a significant negative shock (the reporting of an initial loss) on the stickiness of corporate governance. This paper examines whether corporate governance changes in response to the reporting of an initial loss and also whetherex antecorporate governance weakness impacts on the propensity for change.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study uses three years of corporate governance information spanning the report of an initial loss for companies listed on the UK Stock Exchange. An industry- and size-matched control sample is used in a difference-in-difference analysis to isolate the impact of the loss from underlying changes in governance.

Findings

– The results indicate that an initial loss precipitates an improvement in corporate governance and that this improvement is significantly more pronounced in those companies which displayed either weak or extreme governance before the loss. There is also evidence that the improvement in corporate governance begins before the loss is actually reported.

Research limitations/implications

– This study focuses on a three-year period in the UK only and so is a limitation of the research. Future research could be based on the findings from other jurisdictions or from using other conditioning variables.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to the stream of research that examines negative shocks, and losses in particular, as an event likely to precipitate firm-level changes in corporate governance and offers insights into the reasons for firm-level corporate governance improvements. It demonstrates that, notwithstanding the recommendations of the Combined Code, firms tend to not make improvements without the impetus and need to do so, i.e. corporate governance is sticky.
An investigation into the use of LibGuides for electronic resources troubleshooting in academic libraries
Authors: Erb Rachel Ann , Erb Brian
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to seek to ascertain how many electronic resource troubleshooting LibGuides are in use and what level of support they tend to provide. LibGuides have become quite popular in academic libraries as a tool for subject and college liaison librarians to deliver library-mediated content to colleges and individual classes. Another promising area for their use is to provide electronic resource troubleshooting support to students and faculty, as well as to other library staff.

Design/methodology/approach

– A sample of electronic resource troubleshooting LibGuides was obtained through a Google advanced search augmented by additional searches in the limited LibGuides community search utility. These LibGuides were selected according to a standard definition of troubleshooting and were analyzed for content on 36 support variables.

Findings

– A relatively small number of LibGuides were located, and a thorough treatment of electronic resource access issues was present in only a limited number of the LibGuides found.

Research limitations/implications

– While some LibGuides may have gone undiscovered owing to an incomplete search strategy for discovery, subsequent efforts to find overlooked pages were mostly fruitless. The relatively small number of electronic resource troubleshooting LibGuides discovered coupled with their simplicity may indicate that the use of LibGuides platform in this capacity has not gained traction.

Originality/value

– While there have been many case studies discussing the use of LibGuides as a subject and course guide platform, relatively few have explored the use of LibGuides outside of their traditional subject-focused implementation, and none have looked at LibGuides as a potential platform to aid in electronic resource access troubleshooting.
The prevalence of web browser extensions use in library services: an exploratory study
Authors: De Sarkar Tanmay
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The paper aims to present an outline how libraries are harnessing browser extensions to provide an easy and convenient access to library resources and services. Investigating the features, purposes of use and types of browser extensions prevalent among libraries in different regions, the paper seeks to measure the degree of implementation of browser extensions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Stratified sampling method was followed to select academic libraries, and convenient sampling method was applied to select public libraries from four continents – Asia, Oceania, Europe and North America. Two-step web content analysis was applied to gather data along the select dimensions.

Findings

– The study contributes to the recent advances in application of browser extension with numerous examples focussing on the relevance of different approaches adopted by the libraries. Providing a framework of proportionate implementation along checkpoints, the study also highlights degree of acceptance of browser extension among libraries in different regions.

Research limitations/implications

– The investigation was restricted to libraries having English websites and confined to four continents only. This study aims at improving understanding among the librarians about the intended use and application of browser extension and helping them benchmark their effort in support of education, research and training. The current investigation expands the scope of future research on remaining regions and website whose contents are in non-English language to attain a broader perspective of its implementation.

Originality/value

– The article may guide library professionals to use, develop and promote the implementation of browser extension in libraries. The checkpoints used here may serve as bedrock for framing questionnaire and interview schedule for conducting future research examining users’ perception of browser extension in the context of library resources and usage pattern, to fully comprehend its practicability and usefulness.
Trust evaluation for inter-organization knowledge sharing via the e-learning community
Authors: Wu Bing , Zhang Chenyan
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to design a trust-based knowledge-sharing framework based on the characteristics of the e-learning community.

Design/methodology/approach

– The interaction network is constructed to illustrate the relationships between knowledge-sharing agents and objects. Then, a trust evaluation method for knowledge sharing is proposed based on identified agent types and object types. Three sub-methods are included in the model to provide the trust-level references between agents.

Findings

– This study develops strategies based on proposed diagnosis framework to improve the willingness of knowledge sharing in the e-learning community. Finally, the authors apply the proposed diagnosis framework to a case study in China to propose strategies for the development of inter-organization knowledge sharing via e-learning community.

Originality/value

– Previous research on e-learning community strategies has generally suggested broad guidelines without diagnosing the current trust status. The purpose of this study is to design a trust-based knowledge-sharing framework based on the characteristics of the e-learning community.
Website usability: the case of Kuwaiti middle school students
Authors: Alqudsi Taghreed Mohammad , Alkhaledi Reem Murdhi
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to add to the knowledge about how to design websites that are stress-free, easy to navigate and relevant to children’s learning needs.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper involves an observational study that reports the results of website usability among sixth-grade students in a private foreign school in Kuwait. The observation pertained to search performance, usability and navigation to find the needed information using the WebPath Express database.

Findings

– Most of the children navigated and searched the system without much prompting; they found the search box easily, as it was positioned at the top-centre of the page, and without keywords. Of the eight students, none used the narrow-down search option; they commonly performed searches using phrases, and consistency and simplicity aided the search process. Some gender differences were found. The boys got side-tracked easily and took a longer time to find the information they sought than the girls. User behaviour, generally, was influenced by the interface design.

Research limitations/implications

– Research about usability with different grade levels, with different languages and between genders needs to be conducted to provide more definitive conclusions. Sample size in observations can bring to light details that large samples cannot. The goal in observation is not statistical significance but small things that observations can bring to light.

Practical implications

– Web designers need to take into consideration the research results in the areas of user interaction with computers and software. In designing educational tools for the young, several elements that research in general, including this one, emphasizes have to do with the location of search boxes, navigation interface and design elements, all of which can aid the learning process while providing a rewarding and fruitful educational experience.

Originality/value

– These findings shed light on implications for cooperation between librarians and teachers and on design elements for sites tailored to school children.
She’s already busy
Authors: Crawley Daria C. , Maher Jill K. , Blake-Beard Stacy
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to examine women’s organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) or the voluntary, discretionary behaviors employees perform that are not linked to their reward system but benefit organizations. Specifically, it investigates several attitudinal and organizational antecedents relative to two sub-dimensions of OCB: organizational loyalty and helping behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

– Alumnae (n= 160) responded to an e-mail survey regarding their self-reported OCBs, job satisfaction, work engagement and several demographic and organizational variables.

Findings

– In this fiscal climate, organizations are challenged with fostering an environment encouraging employees to go beyond job requirements. Findings here suggest that married women who are engaged in work have the highest propensity to do this by engaging in these non-compensated, non-mandated behaviors. However, importantly, differences were found between organizational loyalty citizenship and helping behaviors. An inverse relationship was also found between job tenure and helping behaviors: an interesting result.

Research limitations/implications

– An important implication of the research is the dissection and examination of two sub-dimensions of OCB (i.e. organizational loyalty and helping), providing a better understanding of the dimensionality of the phenomenon and how they relate to job satisfaction and work engagement for a significant segment of the American workforce: women.

Originality/value

– This study examines the dimensionality of OCB (as called for by previous research) and establishes that not all OCBs can be treated equally, as antecedents vary in their predictability of OCB engagement. Further, this research investigates the relationship between individual job satisfaction components (pay, recognition and supervision) and OCBs to help clarify conflicting findings between OCB and this key workplace attitude.
Modelling the supplier selection process enablers using ISM and fuzzy MICMAC approach
Authors: Kumar Sudarshan , Gorane Shrikant , Kant Ravi
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present an approach to successful supplier selection process (SSP) by understanding the dynamics between SSP enablers (SSPEs), using interpretive structure modelling (ISM) methodology and find out driving and the dependence power of enablers, using fuzzy MICMAC (Matriced’ Impacts Croisés Appliquée á un Classement) analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

– The group of experts from industries and the academics were consulted and ISM is used to develop the contextual relationship among various SSPEs for each dimension of supplier selection. The results of the ISM are used as an input to the fuzzy MICMAC analysis to identify the driving and the dependence power of SSPEs.

Findings

– The research presents a hierarchy-based model and mutual relationships among SSPEs. The research shows that there is a group of SSPEs having a high driving power and low dependence, which requires maximum attention and is of strategic importance, while another group consists of those SSPEs that have high dependence and low driving power, which requires the resultant actions.

Research limitations/implications

– The weightage obtained for the ISM model development and fuzzy MICMAC are obtained through the judgment of academician and few industry experts. It is the only subjective judgment and any biasing by the person who is judging the SSPEs might influence the final result. A questionnaire survey can be conducted to catch the insight on these SSPEs from more organizations.

Practical implications

– This category provides a useful tool for top management to differentiate between independent and dependent SSPEs and their mutual relationships which would help them to focus on those key SSPEs that are most significant for effective supplier selection.

Originality/value

– Arrangement of SSPEs in a hierarchy, the categorization into the driver and dependent categories, and fuzzy MICMAC are an exclusive effort in the area of supplier selection.
The adoption of strategic pricing by industrial service firms
Authors: Indounas Kostis
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to measure the extent to which selected contextual variables have an impact on the adoption of strategic pricing by industrial service firms, and determine the effect of the adoption of strategic pricing on company performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from 154 industrial service firms operating in four different service sectors through a mail survey. Moreover, qualitative research through 20 in-depth interviews was carried out.

Findings

– The study’s main findings indicate that market orientation along with a leading position in the market and market growth boost the development of strategic pricing. On the other hand, technological and market turbulence hinder this development, while the overall impact of turbulence is reduced in market-oriented firms. Finally, a positive impact of strategic pricing on company performance was found.

Research limitations/implications

– The adoption of strategic pricing requires attention to a variety of factors, while this adoption can improve both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the company’s performance. The significance of these findings notwithstanding, the context of the study does limit generalization of its findings to other industrial service sectors and national contexts.

Originality/value

– The current study represents one of the first attempts to empirically examine the aforementioned topics in an industrial service context.
The influence of marketing and innovation investments on alliance type choice
Authors: Sarkees Matthew , Luchs Ryan
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the gap in the literature as well as investigate how the combination of internal marketing or innovation investments with new product introductions influences alliance type choices. Most research on marketing–innovation resource allocation decisions has focused on trade-offs in internal investments such as advertising versus research and development. Absent from this discussion is whether firms offset a weakness internally by reaching outside the boundaries of the firm through alliances. As a result, managers lack a clear understanding of the potential for complementarity using internal–external approaches to a market.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper draws on the resource-based view of the firm, using a longitudinal secondary data set and a choice model.

Findings

– The authors find that firms that internally emphasize either marketing or innovation maintain the same approach externally with respect to alliance type choices. Thus, efforts to complement internal marketing (innovation) resource investments with innovation (marketing) alliances are not seen. However, the interaction of new product introductions with internal resource investments does result in a complementary firm approach.

Originality/value

– The authors bridge a gap in the resource investment literature by exploring how the internal decisions impact the external alliance choices. The authors draw on longitudinal data and show that the action of making the choice is important, as it impacts future resource decisions. The authors explore the interaction between new production introductions and internal firm investments on alliance type choice. Given that new product introductions are a key to longer-term firm success, examining these relationships enhances the managerial impact.
Study of social ties as one kind of switching costs: a new typology
Authors: Shi Wenhua , Ma Jianmei , Ji Chen
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study how customers’ social ties can be performed as one kind of switching costs, which can affect customer loyalty and have a moderate effect on the relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty, and to improve the typology study of switching costs and give suggestions for companies about how to strengthen customer loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

– An empirical research is implemented to prove the effectiveness of the study model, using factor analyses, regression analyses and structural equation model analyses as data analyses approaches.

Findings

– The research results prove the direct and moderate effect of social ties loss costs, and the effectiveness and reasoning of the new typology of switching costs.

Practical implications

– According to the research results, companies can take measures to enhance customers’ social ties loss costs properly so as to strengthen their loyalty.

Originality/value

– This research comes up with a new kind of relational switching costs, social ties loss costs and proves its effects, thus improving the typology of switching costs, and makes practical suggestions for companies.
The impact of customer participation: the employee’s perspective
Authors: Chen Chih-Cheng Volvic , Chen Chih-Jou , Lin Ming-Ji James
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of customer participation in a service delivery process by designing and testing an empirical model with the employees’ point of view in mind.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using data collected from 166 pairs of customers and service employees in the context of professional financial insurance services, this study uses partial least square path modeling in SmartPLS to analyze the proposed model.

Findings

– The results of the study show that customer participation produces positive effects on employees’ job satisfaction only if such participation minimizes job stress and meets employees’ relational needs. Job stress and satisfaction were strong predictors for organizational commitment, but the proposed relationship between relational value and organizational commitment was not found.

Practical implications

– This study suggests that customer participation can be a win-win situation for employees and the service firm. Employees who create relational value with their customers effectively enjoy their jobs more and are more likely to build and maintain long-term relationships with their service firm.

Originality/value

– The findings highlighted the roles of the customer and the employee and indicated the heuristic value of viewing job satisfaction and organizational commitment as consequences of customer participation. This can enhance the understanding of how encounters should be designed to support employees and improve the co-creation of value.
The role of information technology in purchasing function
Authors: Rodríguez-Escobar Javier Alfonso , González-Benito Javier
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to analyze how information technology (IT) can help explain performance by the purchasing function. In addition to analyzing the direct effect and mediating role of purchasing practices in the relationship between IT and purchasing performance, as has been considered in previous research, this study investigates the possibility of a moderating effect of IT in the relationships between purchasing practices and purchasing performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The propositions are tested with data from 156 purchasing managers, collected through a survey of members of the Spanish Association of Professionals of Purchasing and Supply Management who work in industrial companies.

Findings

– Although IT investments exert a positive effect on the purchasing function, the results show that this effect takes place through the implementation of purchasing practices that in turn improve the results of the purchasing function.

Originality/value

– Instead of focusing on a single, specific effect of IT investment in the purchasing function, this paper considers three potential effects (direct, mediated and moderating). Thus, it provides a more comprehensive overview of the topic and a more complete elucidation of the actual effects.
Relationship investment and reciprocity: an empirical investigation
Authors: Yu Yu
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to quantify the monetary amount of relationship investment in an investment banking context, investigate the drivers behind these relationship investments and look for evidence indicating reciprocity from the clients who receive these relationship investments. Relationship marketing has been one of the dominant mantras in marketing strategy circles, yet there is a lack of empirical evidence to prove significant relationship investment and reciprocity between exchange partners.

Design/methodology/approach

– Relationship investment as the monetary amount by which the fair value of a loan at issuance is below its par value is measured. Regression analysis is used to study the drivers of relationship investment, including relationship depth, relationship breadth and relationship potential. Finally, reciprocity is studied as the extent to which bank’s expectations are realized through future revenues.

Findings

– Based on 164 loans issued by a multinational investment bank, it was found that the bank provides significant monetary benefit to its corporate clients. The amount of monetary benefit provided to each client depends on the breadth and potential of the bank-borrower relationship. The author also finds evidence suggesting that the clients reciprocated these relationship investments and the bank anticipated the reciprocity by clients.

Originality/value

– This paper is the first to empirically show a significant monetary investment in a relationship-marketing context, with the intention of building stronger relationship with clients and earning future revenues through reciprocity.
Carbon assimilation and habitat segregation in resurrection plants: a comparison between desiccation‐ and non‐desiccation‐tolerant species of Neotropical Velloziaceae (Pandanales)
Authors: Alcantara Suzana , de Mello‐Silva Renato , Teodoro Grazielle S. , Drequeceler Kamila , Ackerly David D. , Oliveira Rafael S.
Published: May 2015

Desiccation tolerance is the ability that some organisms show to equilibrate their water content with that of dry air and recover when water supplies are re‐established. This is a widespread although rare strategy in angiosperms, and most desiccation‐tolerant (DT) species are restricted to tropical rock outcrops. Such restricted ecological range is attributed to weak competitive potential caused by low productivity, due to the temporal limitation in carbon assimilation that occurs when plants desiccate. However, few studies addressing this question in angiosperms have been conducted.

We investigate 20 species of Velloziaceae of campos rupestres that differ in their desiccation tolerance. Campos rupestres is an ecoregion characterized by particular vegetation growing on rocky substrates that occurs along mountains in central/south‐eastern Brazil, above 900 m a.s.l. It is considered a Neotropical hotspot and the main centre of diversity for DT vascular plants and the Velloziaceae. Here, we tested whether carbon assimilation rates, functional traits and species habitats corroborate the hypothesized trade‐off between productivity and desiccation tolerance.

All species showed similar photosynthetic rates during the wet season; in the dry season, only DT species showed drastic decrease in their metabolism. Non‐desiccation‐tolerant (NT) species are larger than DT ones (i.e. greater maximum plant height; stem volume). Relative canopy area and stem dry‐matter content were lower in DT compared to NT, while leaf phosphorous concentration was higher in DT. The remaining morphofunctional traits evaluated did not vary between these groups. DT species occupied mainly exposed rock soils, while NT species occurred in deep, sandy soil habitats.

Our results support the hypothesis of a trade‐off between desiccation tolerance and productivity in angiosperms and suggest that DT strategy may only evolve and persist in habitats where severe growth limitations due to drought limit competition from more productive species.
The effects of anaesthetics on postoperative physiological reactions: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Na , Wang Jinguo , Zhang Rui , Wang Fei , Wang Rui
Published: May 2015

This study aimed to systematically investigate the effects of different anaesthetics on postoperative physiological reactions compared with placebo. The literature search was conducted using three databases: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Studies published from January 1990 to January 2015 were screened. The language was restricted to English. Heterogeneity was analyzed by the Q test and I2 statistic. A fixed‐effect model was used for homogenous data and a random‐effects model for heterogeneous data. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to monitor the incidences of overall adverse events, arterial blood pressure, and cardiac abnormalities. Sensitivity analysis was performed to estimate the strength of the meta‐analysis, and publication bias was analyzed using Egger's test. A total of 24 articles were included in this meta‐analysis. There were 1,810 and 1,806 cases in the anaesthetic group and the placebo group, respectively. The incidence of overall adverse events was significantly lower in the anaesthetic group compared with the placebo group (OR = 0.57; 95% CI, 0.38–0.84). No publication bias was observed, and no inverse estimates were calculated using sensitivity analysis. There was no significant difference for the incidence of arterial blood pressure (OR = 4.62; 95% CI, 0.90–23.70) and cardiac abnormalities (OR = 1.18; 95% CI, 0.53–2.63) between the two groups. Although the incidence of overall adverse events was decreased in the anaesthetic group, it is impossible to determine whether the use of anaesthetics during surgical operation has a protective effect on postoperative physiological reactions.
Effect of perioperative dexmedetomidine on the endocrine modulators of stress response: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Xian‐wang , Cao Jiang‐bei , Lv Bao‐sheng , Mi Wei‐dong , Wang Zhuo‐qiang , Zhang Changsheng , Wang Heng‐lin , Xu Zhen
Published: May 2015

This study examined the effects of perioperative dexmedetomidine treatment on physiological modulators of surgical stress response. The quality of the included studies was assessed prior to performing meta‐analyses of the weighted mean differences in the changes from baseline of stress hormones and interpreted in the light of statistical heterogeneity between the studies. Nineteen studies (844 surgical subjects) data were used for this meta‐analysis. Dexmedetomidine administration significantly decreased blood cortisol levels (μg/dL) postoperatively (mean difference with 95% confidence interval (CI) from controls: −18.78 (−28.45, −9.10); P < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis, the mean difference between dexmedetomidine‐treated and saline‐treated subjects in the changes from baseline of the cortisol levels was −20.10 (−30.96, −9.25; P < 0.05) but, between dexmedetomidine‐ and comparator‐treated subjects, it was not statistically significantly different (−15.13 (−49.78, 19.52); P < 0.05). Compared with controls, dexmedetomidine treatment also decreased adrenaline and noradrenaline levels significantly (mean difference in the percent changes from baseline: −90.41 (−145.79, −35.03)%; P < 0.05 and −62.82 (−85.47, −0.40.17)%; P < 0.05, respectively). Dexmedetomidine also decreased prolactin levels with a mean difference of −19.42 (−39.37, 0.52) μg/L (P = 0.06). In conclusion, perioperative use of dexmedetomidine reduces serum catecholamine and cortisol levels but the decrease in cortisol levels was not statistically different from the comparator anaesthetics. More data will be required to assess the effects of dexmedetomidine on corticotropin, prolactin, and growth hormone.
Antagonistic interactions between endophytic cultivable bacterial communities isolated from the medicinal plant Echinacea purpurea
Authors: Maida Isabel , Chiellini Carolina , Mengoni Alessio , Bosi Emanuele , Firenzuoli Fabio , Fondi Marco , Fani Renato
Published: May 2015

In this work we have studied the antagonistic interactions existing among cultivable bacteria isolated from three ecological niches (rhizospheric soil, roots and stem/leaves) of the traditional natural medicinal plant Echinacea purpurea. The three compartments harboured different taxonomic assemblages of strains, which were previously reported to display different antibiotic resistance patterns, suggesting the presence of differential selective pressure due to antagonistic molecules in the three compartments. Antagonistic interactions were assayed by the cross‐streak method and interpreted using a network‐based analysis. In particular ‘within‐niche inhibition’ and ‘cross‐niche inhibition’ were evaluated among isolates associated with each compartment as well as between isolates retrieved from the three different compartments respectively. Data obtained indicated that bacteria isolated from the stem/leaves compartment were much more sensitive to the antagonistic activity than bacteria from roots and rhizospheric soil. Moreover, both the taxonomical position and the ecological niche might influence the antagonistic ability/sensitivity of different strains. Antagonism could play a significant role in contributing to the differentiation and structuring of plant‐associated bacterial communities.
Use of carbon monoxide and hydrogen by a bacteria–animal symbiosis from seagrass sediments
Authors: Kleiner Manuel , Wentrup Cecilia , Holler Thomas , Lavik Gaute , Harder Jens , Lott Christian , Littmann Sten , Kuypers Marcel M. M. , Dubilier Nicole
Published: May 2015

The gutless marine worm Olavius algarvensis lives in symbiosis with chemosynthetic bacteria that provide nutrition by fixing carbon dioxide (CO2) into biomass using reduced sulfur compounds as energy sources. A recent metaproteomic analysis of the O. algarvensis symbiosis indicated that carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2) might also be used as energy sources.

We provide direct evidence that the O. algarvensis symbiosis consumes CO and H2. Single cell imaging using nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry revealed that one of the symbionts, the γ3‐symbiont, uses the energy from CO oxidation to fix CO2. Pore water analysis revealed considerable in‐situ concentrations of CO and H2 in the O. algarvensis environment, Mediterranean seagrass sediments. Pore water H2 concentrations (89–2147 nM) were up to two orders of magnitude higher than in seawater, and up to 36‐fold higher than previously known from shallow‐water marine sediments. Pore water CO concentrations (17–51 nM) were twice as high as in the overlying seawater (no literature data from other shallow‐water sediments are available for comparison). Ex‐situ incubation experiments showed that dead seagrass rhizomes produced large amounts of CO. CO production from decaying plant material could thus be a significant energy source for microbial primary production in seagrass sediments.
Light availability affects stream biofilm bacterial community composition and function, but not diversity
Authors: Wagner Karoline , Besemer Katharina , Burns Nancy R. , Battin Tom J. , Bengtsson Mia M.
Published: May 2015

Changes in riparian vegetation or water turbidity and browning in streams alter the local light regime with potential implications for stream biofilms and ecosystem functioning. We experimented with biofilms in microcosms grown under a gradient of light intensities (range: 5–152 μmole photons s−1 m−2) and combined 454‐pyrosequencing and enzymatic activity assays to evaluate the effects of light on biofilm structure and function. We observed a shift in bacterial community composition along the light gradient, whereas there was no apparent change in alpha diversity. Multifunctionality, based on extracellular enzymes, was highest under high light conditions and decoupled from bacterial diversity. Phenol oxidase activity, involved in the degradation of polyphenolic compounds, was twice as high on average under the lowest compared with the highest light condition. This suggests a shift in reliance of microbial heterotrophs on biofilm phototroph‐derived organic matter under high light availability to more complex organic matter under low light. Furthermore, extracellular enzyme activities correlated with nutrient cycling and community respiration, supporting the link between biofilm structure–function and biogeochemical fluxes in streams. Our findings demonstrate that changes in light availability are likely to have significant impacts on biofilm structure and function, potentially affecting stream ecosystem processes.
Structural Adjustment and Unemployment in Selected Eurozone Countries
Authors: Canale Rosaria Rita , Liotti Giorgio
Published: May 2015

Although not always painless, sound public finance as an objective in the Eurozone generally goes unquestioned. The aim of this article is to investigate the effects of structural adjustment on unemployment in selected Eurozone countries from 2000 to 2013. The estimates suggest that fiscal tightening, especially in declining macroeconomic conditions, will tend to increase the unemployment rate. The results suggest that if the reduction in structural deficit has to be considered an objective to achieve per se, it should be pursued in times of growth.
The Australian Government's Settlement Database
Authors: Marshall David , McPadden Gill , Smith David
Published: May 2015

The Australian Government's Settlement Database contains over 3 million records of permanent migrants to Australia. Records in the Settlement Database extend back to 1991 and are compiled from a number of different visa‐processing and movement‐recording systems. This article provides an overview of the Settlement Database, including a summary of the data fields, actual and potential uses for the data, recognised limitations of the dataset and details on how to access the data.