bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recombination-aware phylogenomics unravels the complex divergence of hybridizing species.
Authors: Li Gang , Figueiro Henrique V. , Eizirik Eduardo , Murphy William J.
Published: December 2018

Current phylogenomic approaches implicitly assume that the predominant phylogenetic signal within a genome reflects the true evolutionary history of organisms, without assessing the confounding effects of gene flow that result in a mosaic of phylogenetic signals that interact with recombinational variation. Here we tested the validity of this assumption with a recombination-aware analysis of whole genome sequences from 27 species of the cat family. We found that the prevailing phylogenetic signal within the autosomes is not always representative of speciation history, due to ancient hybridization throughout felid evolution. Instead, phylogenetic signal was concentrated within large, conserved X-chromosome recombination deserts that exhibited recurrent patterns of strong genetic differentiation and selective sweeps across mammalian orders. By contrast, regions of high recombination were enriched for signatures of ancient gene flow, and these sequences inflated crown-lineage divergence times by ~40%. We conclude that standard phylogenomic approaches to infer the Tree of Life may be highly misleading without considering the genomic partitioning of phylogenetic signal relative to recombination rate, and its interplay with historical hybridization.
Assessment of Environmental and Occupational Exposure while Working with Candida auris a Multidrug Resistant (MDR) Fungus in the Animal Facility.
Authors: Torres Steven R. , Kim Heather C. , Leach Lynn , Chaturvedi Sudha , Bennett Corey J. , Hill David J. , De Jesus Magdia
Published: December 2018

In less than a decade since its identification in 2009, the emerging fungal pathogen Candida auris has become a major public health threat due to its multidrug resistant (MDR) phenotype, high transmissibility, and high mortality. Unlike any other Candida species, C. auris has acquired high levels of resistance to an already limited arsenal of antifungals. As an emerging pathogen, there are currently a limited number of documented murine models of C. auris infection. These animal models use inoculums as high as 107-108 cells per mouse, and the environmental and occupational exposure of working with these models has not been clearly defined. Using an intravenous model of C. auris infection, this study determined that shedding of the organism is dose-dependent. C. auris was detected in the cage bedding when mice were infected with 107 and 108 cells, but not with doses of 105 and 106 cells. Potential for exposure to C. auris during necropsies and when working with infected tissues was also demonstrated. To mitigate these potential exposures, a rigorous buddy system workflow, biomonitoring and disinfection procedures were developed that can be used to prevent accidental exposures when using small animal models of C. auris infection.
Bacterial community composition of recycled irrigation water of a NFT-type experimental system, with and without a slow sand filter
Authors: Cafa Giovanni , Thwaites Richard , Dickinson Matthew
Published: December 2018

The bacterial community composition (BCC) of recycled irrigation freshwater was monitored on a Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)-type experimental hydroponic system. Two identical NFT systems in a greenhouse were used to grow tomato plants. One was connected to a slow sand filter (SSF), and one was used as control. DNA was isolated from irrigation freshwater, and molecular methods were carried out to characterise the BCC. These included terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP), cloning and 454 pyrosequencing. A total number of 291 442 trimmed sequences, of 211 bp average length. A strong differentiation of the bacterial community composition in recycled irrigation water was triggered by the activity of the SSF. Phylogenetic affiliation revealed that Bacilli, Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria, and Nitrospira were differentially abundant during filtration with the SSF. This study showed that SSF modified the relative amount of a set of bacterial genera. These included Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Flavobacterium, Burkholderia and Azospirillum. These bacteria have been previously described as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). The presence, increased or exclusive, in Water ssf of bacteria such as Bacteroidetes, Gemmatimonadetes, Nitrospira, Firmicutes, Alpha-, Beta-, Gamma- and Deltaproteobacteria, was associated with an increased biomass in plants. Such findings are promising for future applications of a combined system NFT-SSF: NFT guarantees a controlled closed environment for the growth of plants, while the SSF secures the microbiological balance of recycled irrigation water.
Graphene Oxide as 2D Platform for Complexation and Intracellular Delivery of siRNA
Authors: Lázaro Irene de , Vranic Sandra , Marson Domenico , Rodrigues Artur Filipe , Buggio Maurizio , Esteban-Arranz Adrián , Mazza Mariarosa , Posocco Paola , Kostarelos Kostas
Published: December 2018

The development of efficient and safe nucleic acid delivery vectors remains an unmet need holding back translation of gene therapy approaches into bedside. Graphene oxide (GO) could help bypass such bottleneck thanks to its large surface area, versatile chemistry and biocompatibility, which could overall enhance transfection efficiency while abolishing some of the limitations linked to the use of viral vectors. Here, we aimed to assess the capacity of bare GO, without any further surface modification, to complex a short double-stranded nucleic acid of biological relevance (siRNA) and mediate its intracellular delivery. GO formed stable complexes with siRNA at 10:1, 20:1 and 50:1 GO:siRNA mass ratios. Complexation was further corroborated by atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. GO:siRNA complexes were promptly internalized in a primary mouse cell culture, as early as 4 h after exposure. At this time point, intracellular siRNA levels were comparable to those provided by a lipid-based transfection reagent that achieved significant gene silencing. Time-lapse tracking of internalized GO and siRNA evidenced a sharp decrease of intracellular siRNA from 4 to 12 h, while GO was sequestered in large vesicles, which may explain the lack of biological effect (i.e. gene silencing) achieved by GO:siRNA complexes. This study underlines the potential of non-surface modified GO flakes to act as 2D siRNA delivery platforms, without the need for cationic functionalization, but warrants further vector optimization to allow effective release of the nucleic acid and achieve efficient gene silencing.
Detecting Diffusion Imaging constructive connectivity analysis for What stream Visual Pathways with correlations to Visual Agnosia
Authors: ELUMALAI GANESH , Vinodhanand Geethanjali , Brown Valencia Lasandra Camoya , Dasari Jessica , Kurra Venkata Hari Krishna , Douglas Kevin Andrew , Ghanta Nitya Akarsha Surya Venkata , Kammila Joshna Naga Sudha , Singh Divya , Tricia Dyal Nitisha , Jose Sherly Pravitha , Joy Ann Maria
Published: December 2018

Visual perception is the ability to interpret the surrounding environment. A hypothetical ventral stream visual pathway explains how we perceive objects with respect to spatial orientation. The ventral stream fibers extend between Visual cortex to Inferior temporal gyrus. The previous studies have failed to prove any indications on the structural connectivity of this pathway. This study is designed to trace the existence of neural structural connectivity between Visual cortex with Inferior temporal gyrus using Diffusion Tensor Imaging Tractography, which aims to correlate its functional importance with visual object perception. The observational analysis used thirty two healthy adults, ultrahigh b-value and diffusion MRI datasets from an Open access research platform. The datasets range from both sexes, between 20 to 49 years, with mean age of 30.4 years. The confirmatory observational analysis process includes datasets acquisition, pre-processing, processing, reconstruction, fiber tractography and analysis using software tools. All the datasets confirmed the fibre structural extension between, Visual cortex to Inferior temporal gyrus in both the sexes may responsible for the visual perception of objects. This new fiber connectivity evidence justifies the structural relevance of visual perception impairments, such as visual object agnosia. Keywords: Ventral Visual Stream, Dorsal Visual Stream, Visual Agnosia, Where visual pathways
Evolutionary constraints on the complexity of genetic regulatory networks allow predictions of the total number of genetic interactions
Authors: Campos-González Adrian I. , Freyre-González Julio A.
Published: December 2018

Genetic regulatory networks (GRNs) have been widely studied, yet there is a lack of understanding with regards to the final size and properties of these networks, mainly due to no network is currently complete. In this study, we analyzed the distribution of GRN structural properties across a large set of distinct prokaryotic organisms and found a set of constrained characteristics such as network density and number of regulators. Our results allowed us to estimate the number of interactions that complete networks would have, a valuable insight that could aid in the daunting task of network curation, prediction, and validation. Using state-of-the-art statistical approaches, we also provided new evidence to settle a previously stated controversy that raised the possibility of complete biological networks being random. Therefore, attributing the observed scale-free properties to an artifact emerging from the sampling process during network discovery. Furthermore, we identified a set of properties that enabled us to assess the consistency of the connectivity distribution for various GRNs against different alternative statistical distributions. Our results favor the hypothesis that highly connected nodes (hubs) are not a consequence of network incompleteness. Finally, an interaction coverage computed for the GRNs as a proxy for completeness revealed that high-throughput based reconstructions of GRNs could yield biased networks with a low average clustering coefficient, showing that classical targeted discovery of interactions is still needed.
Double Stranded DNA Breaks and Genome Editing Trigger Ribosome Remodeling and Translational Shutdown
Authors: Riepe Celeste , Zelin Elena , Wyman Stacia K. , Nguyen David N. , Liang Jin Rui , Frankino Phillip A. , Meacham Zuriah A. , Vu Jonathan T. , Marson Alexander , Ingolia Nicholas T. , Corn Jacob E.
Published: December 2018

DNA damage activates a robust transcriptional stress response, but much less is known about how DNA impacts translation. The advent of genome editing via a Cas9-induced DNA double-strand break has intensified interest in understanding cellular responses to DNA damage. Here we find that DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) induced by Cas9 or other damaging agents lead to a reduction of core ribosomal proteins, RPS27A and RPL40, and that the loss of these proteins is post-transcriptional and p53-independent. DSBs furthermore lead to the shutdown of translation through phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha, and altering these signals affects genome editing outcomes. This DSB translational response is widespread and precedes the transcriptional response. Our results demonstrate that even a single double-strand break can lead to ribosome remodeling and reduced translational output, and suggest caution in interpreting cellular phenotypes measured immediately after genome editing.
Klebsiella quasipneumonaiae provides a window into carbapenemase gene transfer, plasmid rearrangements and nosocomial acquisition from the hospital environment
Authors: Mathers Amy J , Crook Derrick W , Vaughan Alison , Barry Katie E , Vegesana Kasi , Stoesser Nicole , Parikh Hardik , Sebra Robert , Kotay Shireen M , Walker A. Sarah , Sheppard Anna E
Published: December 2018

Several emerging pathogens have arisen as a result of selection pressures exerted by modern healthcare. Klebsiella quasipneumoniae was recently defined as a new species, yet its prevalence, niche, and propensity to acquire antimicrobial resistance genes are not fully described. We have been tracking inter- and intra-species transmission of the Klebsiella quasipneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) gene, blaKPC, between bacteria isolated from a single institution. We applied a combination of Illumina and PacBio whole-genome sequencing to identify and compare K. quasipneumoniae from patients and the hospital environment over 10 and five-year periods respectively. There were 32 blaKPC-positive K. quasipneumoniae isolates, all of which were identified as K. pneumoniae in the clinical microbiology laboratory, from eight patients and 11 sink drains, with evidence for seven separate blaKPC plasmid acquisitions. Analysis of a single subclade of K. quasipneumoniae subspecies quasipneumoniae (n=23 isolates) from three patients and six rooms demonstrated seeding of a sink by a patient, subsequent persistence of the strain in the hospital environment, and then probable transmission to another patient. Longitudinal analysis of this strain demonstrated the acquisition of two unique blaKPC plasmids and then subsequent within-strain genetic rearrangement through transposition and homologous recombination. Our analysis highlights the apparent molecular propensity of K. quasipneumoniae to persist in the environment as well as acquire carbapenemase plasmids from other species and enabled an assessment of the genetic rearrangements which may facilitate horizontal transmission of carbapenemases.
Pheophorbide a, a chlorophyll catabolite may regulate jasmonate signalling during dark-induced senescence in Arabidopsis
Authors: Aubry Sylvain , Fankhauser Niklaus , Ovinnikov Serguei , Zienkiewicz Krzysztof , Feussner Ivo , Hörtensteiner Stefan
Published: December 2018

Chlorophyll degradation is one of the most visible landmarks of leaf senescence. During senescence, chlorophyll is degraded in the multi-step pheophorbide a oxygenase (PAO)/phyllobilin pathway, which is tightly regulated at the transcriptional level. This regulation allows a coordinated and efficient remobilisation of nitrogen towards sink organs. Taking advantage of combined transcriptome and metabolite analyses during dark-induced senescence of Arabidopsis thaliana mutants deficient in key steps of the PAO/phyllobilin pathway, we show an unanticipated role for one of the pathway intermediates, i.e. pheophorbide a. Both jasmonic acid-related gene expression and jasmonic acid precursors specifically accumulated in pao1, deficient in PAO. We propose that pheophorbide a, the last intact porphyrin intermediate of chlorophyll degradation and unique pathway ‘bottleneck’, has been recruited as a signalling molecule of the chloroplast metabolic status. Our work challenges the assumption that chlorophyll breakdown is merely a senescence output, but propose that the flux of pheophorbide a through the pathway acts in a feed-forward loop that remodels the nuclear transcriptome and controls the pace of chlorophyll degradation in senescing leaves.

Transcriptome and metabolite profiles of key chlorophyll breakdown mutants reveal complex interplay between speed of chlorophyll degradation and jasmonic acid signalling

Financial sources

This work was supported by the European Union (Plant Fellow program), the Swiss National Foundation/ERA-NET (grant N° 163504) and the German Research Foundation (DFG, grant N° INST 186/822-1).
Alternative hydrogen uptake pathways suppress methane production in ruminants
Authors: Greening Chris , Geier Renae , Wang Cecilia , Woods Laura C. , Morales Sergio E. , McDonald Michael J. , Rushton-Green Rowena , Morgan Xochitl C. , Koike Satoshi , Leahy Sinead C. , Kelly William J. , Cann Isaac , Attwood Graeme T. , Cook Gregory M. , Mackie Roderick I.
Published: December 2018

Farmed ruminants are the largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions globally. The methanogenic archaea responsible for these emissions use molecular hydrogen (H2), produced during bacterial and eukaryotic carbohydrate fermentation, as their primary energy source. In this work, we used comparative genomic, metatranscriptomic, and co-culture-based approaches to gain a system-wide understanding of the organisms and pathways responsible for ruminal H2metabolism. Two thirds of sequenced rumen bacterial and archaeal genomes encode enzymes that catalyze H2production or consumption, including 26 distinct hydrogenase subgroups. Metatranscriptomic analysis confirmed that these hydrogenases are differentially expressed in sheep rumen. Electron-bifurcating [FeFe]-hydrogenases from carbohydrate-fermenting Clostridia (e.g.Ruminococcus) accounted for half of all hydrogenase transcripts. Various H2uptake pathways were also expressed, including methanogenesis (Methanobrevibacter), fumarate reduction and nitrate ammonification (Selenomonas), and acetogenesis (Blautia). Whereas methanogenesis predominated in high methane yield sheep, alternative uptake pathways were significantly upregulated in low methane yield sheep. Complementing these findings, we observed significant differential expression and activity of the hydrogenases of the hydrogenogenic cellulose fermenterRuminococcus albusand the hydrogenotrophic fumarate reducerWolinella succinogenesin co-culture compared to pure culture. We conclude that H2metabolism is a more complex and widespread trait among rumen microorganisms than previously recognized. There is evidence that alternative hydrogenotrophs, including acetogens and selenomonads, can prosper in the rumen and effectively compete with methanogens for H2in low methane yield ruminants. Strategies to increase flux through alternative H2uptake pathways, including animal selection, dietary supplementation, and methanogenesis inhibitors, may lead to sustained methane mitigation.
Guiding biomolecular interactions in cells using de novo protein-protein interfaces
Authors: Smith Abigail J , Thomas Franziska , Shoemark Deborah , Woolfson Derek N , Savery Nigel J
Published: December 2018

An improved ability to direct and control biomolecular interactions in living cells would impact on synthetic biology. A key issue is the need to introduce interacting components that act orthogonally to endogenous proteomes and interactomes. Here we show that low-complexity, de novo designed protein-protein-interaction (PPI) domains can substitute for natural PPIs and guide engineered protein-DNA interactions in Escherichia coli. Specifically, we use de novo homo- and hetero-dimeric coiled coils to reconstitute a cytoplasmic split adenylate cyclase; to recruit RNA polymerase to a promoter and activate gene expression; and to oligomerize both natural and designed DNA-binding domains to repress transcription. Moreover, the stabilities of the heterodimeric coiled coils can be modulated by rational design and, thus, adjust the levels of gene activation and repression in vivo. These experiments demonstrate the possibilities for using designed proteins and interactions to control biomolecular systems such as enzyme cascades and circuits in cells.
Temporal patterns of fluoxetine-induced plasticity in the mouse visual cortex
Authors: Steinzeig Anna , Cannarozzo Cecilia , Castren Eero
Published: December 2018

Heightened neuronal plasticity expressed during early postnatal life has been thought to permanently decline once critical periods have ended. For example, monocular deprivation is able to shift ocular dominance in the mouse visual cortex during the first months of life, but this effect is lost later in life. However, various treatments such as the antidepressant fluoxetine can reactivate a critical period-like plasticity in the adult brain. When monocular deprivation is supplemented with chronic fluoxetine administration, a major shift in ocular dominance is produced after the critical period has ended. In the current study, we characterized the temporal patterns of fluoxetine-induced plasticity in the adult mouse visual cortex, using in vivo optical imaging. We found that artificially-induced plasticity in ocular dominance extended beyond the duration of the naturally occurring critical period, and continued as long as fluoxetine was administered. However, this fluoxetine-induced plasticity period ended as soon as the drug was not given. Taken together, our data highlights how a combination of pharmacological treatment and environmental change could be used to improve strategies in antidepressant therapy in humans.
New methods to calculate concordance factors for phylogenomic datasets
Authors: Minh Bui Quang , Hahn Matthew W. , Lanfear Robert
Published: December 2018

We implement two measures for quantifying genealogical concordance in phylogenomic datasets: the gene concordance factor (gCF) and the novel site concordance factor (sCF). For every branch of a reference tree, gCF is defined as the percentage of “decisive” gene trees containing that branch. This measure is already in wide usage, but here we introduce a package that calculates it while accounting for variable taxon coverage among gene trees. sCF is a new measure defined as the percentage of decisive sites supporting a branch in the reference tree. gCF and sCF complement classical measures of branch support in phylogenetics by providing a full description of underlying disagreement among loci and sites. An easy to use implementation and tutorial is freely available in the IQ-TREE software package (http://www.iqtree.org).
The rice G protein γ subunit qPE9-1 positively regulates grain-filling process by interacting with abscisic acid and auxin
Authors: Zhang Dongping , Zhang Minyan , Zhou Yong , Wang Yuzhu , Chen Hongyingxue , Xu Weifeng , Zhang Lin , Pan Ting , Lv Bing , Liang Guohua , Liang Jiansheng
Published: December 2018

The rice genome contains a single Gα (RGA1) and Gβ (RGB1) and five Gγ subunits. Recent genetic studies have shown that DEP1/qPE9-1, an atypical putative Gγ protein, is responsible for dense and erect panicles, but the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying control of grain size are not well understood. Here, we report that plants carrying qPE9-1 have more endosperm cells per grain than plants contain the qpe9-1 allele. The qPE9-1 line has a higher rate and longer period of starch accumulation than the qpe9-1 line. Additionally, the expression of several key genes encoding enzymes catalyzing sucrose metabolism and starch biosynthesis is higher in the qPE9-1 line than in the qpe9-1 line, especially from the mid to late grain-filling stage. Grains of the qPE9-1 line also have higher contents of two phytohormones, ABA and IAA. Exogenous application of ABA or IAA enhanced starch accumulation and the expression of genes encoding grain-filling-related enzymes in the grains of qPE9-1, whereas only IAA produced these effects in qpe9-1. Based on these results, we conclude that qPE9-1 promotes endosperm cell proliferation and positively regulates starch accumulation largely through ABA and IAA, which enhance the expression of genes encoding starch biosynthesis during the late grain-filling stage.
Establishment and imaging evaluation of Guangxi Ba-Ma mini pigs as a model of cerebral hernia induced by acute intracranial hypertension
Authors: Zhou Jianguo , Huang Lixuan , Zhu Xiaoling , Wei Wupeng , Feng Yongbiao , Ma Xiangfei , Zhang Ling , Zeng Gang , Zhang Jianfeng , Li Weixiong , Tang Huamin
Published: December 2018

Objective: To establish an animal model of cerebral hernia induced by acute intracranial hypertension for subsequent research in emergency medicine.
Methods: Six Guangxi Ba-Ma mini-pigs were injected with autologous arterial blood by micropump to induce intracranial hematoma in the frontal and temporal parietal lobes. Changes in intracranial pressure (ICP), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) were observed during hematoma formation. Morphological changes and the occupying effects of intracranial hematoma were analyzed using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head.
Results: ICP, MAP and CPP gradually increased during blood injection, and they began to slowly decrease at 10 min after injection, though they remained higher than before injection. These three parameters were significantly different before blood injection, immediately after injection and at 10 min after injection (P < 0.05). Head CT and MRI showed cerebral hernia induced by acute intracranial hypertension.
Conclusion: Micropump injection of autologous arterial blood can lead to acute intracranial hypertension in mini-pigs, which may be a useful model of cerebral hernia.
Study on the preparation and corrosion inhibition of Schiff-base self-assembled membranes
Authors: Liu Lin , Su Hongyu , Li Xue , Wang Yanan , Zhang Qiang , Qian Jianhua
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the inhibitive effect and adsorption behavior of the 2-amino-5-thiol-1,3,4-thiadiazole vanillin (A) on copper in 3 per cent NaCl solution.

Design/methodology/approach

A thiazole Schiff bases were synthesized, named, 2-amino-5-thiol-1,3,4-thiadiazole vanillin (A), which was fabricated respectively on copper surface by the molecular self-assembled. Evaluation was carried out by electrochemical measurement and surface analysis techniques. Measurement of static friction coefficient scanning electron microscopy and Contact angle analysis were applied, and it is finally confirmed the existence of the adsorbed film. The inhibitive mechanism of A was evaluated by means of quantitative calculation and molecular dynamics simulation.

Findings

The electrochemical measurement indicated that the self-assembled molecular film can effectively inhibit the corrosion of copper sheet, when the concentration was 15 mmol⋅L−1and the assembly time was 6 h, the corrosion inhibition effect was the best, reaching as high as 97.5 per cent. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that the Schiff base compound forms a protective film on the surface of the copper, which effectively blocks the transfer of corrosion particles to the metal substrate, thereby inhibiting the occurrence of corrosion. Adsorption behavior of A followed the Langmuir’s adsorption isotherm and attributed to mixed-type adsorption. The results of Quantitative calculation and molecular dynamics simulation showed that A was adsorbed on Cu (111) surface in parallel.

Research limitations/implications

In this study, the corrosion inhibition properties of Schiff base film were investigated by combining theory with experiment. Theoretical calculation is helpful to guide the synthesis of efficient and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors.

Practical implications

The damage caused by metal corrosion is great. The self-assembled Schiff base membrane synthesized in this paper is simple and compact, and the corrosion inhibition efficiency of copper in 3 per cent NaCl solution is 97.5 per cent.

Social implications

Inhibition of metal corrosion can better save energy and reduce economic losses.

Originality/value

The synthesized Schiff base was prepared on the copper surface by the molecular self-assembled. The Schiff base membrane has a good corrosion inhibition effect on copper in 3 per cent NaCl solution, and the corrosion inhibition efficiency is up to 97.5 per cent.
Stigma as a dominant discourse in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Authors: Choate Peter , Badry Dorothy
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a scoping review of the literature to explore the many ways stigma affects people with FASD and to highlight the disciplines and places where discourse on FASD and stigma is taking place.

Design/methodology/approach

Searches were conducted in PubMed, ERIC, Family & Society Studies Worldwide, Families Studies Abstracts and Google Scholar between 2008 and 2018. Search terms focused on stigma, shame and the connection to FASD with a view to looking across social and medical science literature.

Findings

Searches identified 39 full text manuscripts, 13 of which were included in the scoping review. Stigma toward people with FASD exists in multiple professional forums across disciplines. The relationship between mother’s use of alcohol and the lasting impact on the child is a focus in the articles identified from a public health perspective. The review showed there was limited cross-disciplinary discussion evident. In total 13 articles were selected for inclusion in this review.

Research limitations/implications

Negative discourses predominate with little attention being paid to possible areas of success as well as cases of lower FASD impacts. There is a significant void in work focusing on positive outcomes for people with FASD. Such discourse would support a better understanding of pathways to more positive outcomes.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the issue of FASD and stigma through identification of relevant literature and expands the conversation to offer insights into the challenging terrain that individuals with FASD must navigate. The issue of stigma is not linked only to individuals with FASD but also their support systems. It is critical to recognize the multiple attributions of stigma to FASD in order to effectively take up conversations across and between disciplines to promote new discourses focused on de-stigmatization.
A structured review of Lean Six Sigma in various industrial sectors
Authors: Singh Mahipal , Rathi Rajeev
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of present study is to expose the detailed review for benefits and challenges about implementation of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) in business organization and spread of LSS literature in term of various sectors wise, research methodology wise and journal wise.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper covers the literature on LSS from 2000 to 2018. The authors have selected a large number of research papers using the keywords as Lean Six Sigma implementation in automotive, micro small medium enterprises, health care, education, financial sectors and many more. A total of 216 research papers have been reviewed on LSS distribution of sector wise, research methodology adopted, active countries, year of publication and critical barriers in implementation of LSS.

Findings

The present literature classifies the spread of LSS in four important sectors of manufacturing, health care, human resource, financial and education. It presents the critical barriers and benefits of LSS implementation in various sectors mentioned above and an important research gap, where practitioner/researcher can focus more during their research on LSS.

Practical implications

It is important for industry, researchers and LSS practitioners to be aware about challenges and success factor during LSS implementation in various sectors such as manufacturing, education, financial, human resource and health care. Hence, this paper could provide significant and valuable insights to industry and practitioners for successful implementation of LSS projects.

Social implications

LSS results in reduced waste, defects and improve process, which in turn provide high-quality products at minimum cost, and this leads to customer delight, which ultimately raises the societal living standard. The results encourage LSS practices without fear because there is a huge discussion of near about all success and failure parameters about LSS.

Originality/value

To the authors’ best knowledge, no studies have still covered the literature review of LSS implementation in three different sectors: manufacturing, service and process. The present study was mainly focused on presenting a systematic review of literature in said sectors and found the gap between current status and future direction for the implementation of LSS in different areas.
Effective contracting for high operational performance in projects
Authors: Kapsali Maria , Roehrich Jens K. , Akhtar Pervaiz
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine combinations of contract clauses in order to ascertain which combinations correlate to high operational performance (OP).

Design/methodology/approach

Two hypotheses were formulated from contracting theory and tested on data collected from 45 projects. Fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis was used and validated with multiple regression and simulation.

Findings

The hypotheses were tested to determine whether combinations of classical, relational, and/or associational contract clauses correlate to high OP. The results show that whereas high OP correlates to combinations of relational and associational contract clauses, classical and relational clauses should not be combined.

Research limitations/implications

Directions are proposed to guide future research in order to produce a more nuanced testing of contractual complementarity.

Practical implications

The managerial implications of the findings include a more thorough understanding of the use of contract clauses and of which clauses managers should combine to achieve high OP.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the theory of contractual incompleteness and complementarity, specifically in the context of project contracting. The analysis produced two theoretical implications: first, that better performing contracts are created when combining relational and associational contract clauses; and second, that in projects, relational and classical contract clauses are not complementary with regards to realizing high OP.
Virtuous cycles of service quality: an empirical test
Authors: Rosenzweig Eve , Queenan Carrie , Kelley Ken
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Research on the service–profit chain (SPC) provides important insights regarding how organizations attain service excellence. However, this research stream does not shed light on the mechanisms by which service organizations sustain such excellence, despite the struggles of many organizations to do so. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to develop the SPC as a more dynamic system characterized by feedback loops, accumulation processes, and time delays based on the service operations, human resources, and marketing literatures.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors posit the feedback loops operate as virtuous cycles, such that increases in customer perceptions of service quality and in profit margins lead to subsequent increases in the quality of the internal working environment, which ultimately reimpacts performance in a positive way, and so on. The authors test the hypotheses using five years of archival data on 417 full-service US hotels. The unique data set combines longitudinal data from multiple functions, including employee assessments regarding their tools, practices, and abilities to serve customers, customer perceptions of service quality, and objective measures of financial performance.

Findings

The authors find support for the idea that some organizations provide customers with high-quality service over time by reinvesting in the inputs responsible for generating the initial success, i.e., in various aspects of the internal working environment.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis of 417 hotels from a single firm may influence the extent to which the findings can be generalized.

Originality/value

By expanding the boundaries of previous conceptual and empirical models investigating SPCs, the authors offer a deeper understanding of the cross-functional character of modern operational systems and the complex dynamics that these systems generate.
An exploratory analysis of employer branding in healthcare
Authors: Berry Alison , Martin Jeanette
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how large, public companies in the health industry communicatively engage in employer branding on career homepages.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory content analysis of the career homepages (N = 42; 8,500) was conducted to analyze the communication of successful organizations in four realms of the public health-care industry to include Biotech (n =10), Managed Health Care (n = 8), Medical and Equipment Supplies (n = 12) and Pharmaceuticals (n = 12).

Findings

The analysis revealed the following ten major themes of content: Worldview, Stakeholders, Environment, Excellence, Dedication, Aid, Unity, Advancement, Distinctiveness and Industry/Organization. Additionally, the results revealed that health-care employer branding often communicated about Stakeholders, Industry/Organization and Advancement.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study aid researchers in understanding the foundational content of employee branding efforts in the health industry.

Practical implications

The results assist practitioners in understanding how different health-care industries and organizations engage in employer branding on career homepages.

Originality/value

The results of this study function to both confirm previous findings related to employer branding and extend research on employer branding into the career homepages of organizations in the health-care industry.
The unobserved signaling ability of marketing accountability: can suppliers’ marketing accountability enhance business customers’ value perceptions?
Authors: Arslanagic-Kalajdzic Maja , Žabkar Vesna , Diamantopoulos Adamantios
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Marketing accountability is currently receiving increased attention from scholars and practitioners alike, with its usage mostly being linked to the improved position of marketing within the firm and to better firm performance. The purpose of this study is to assess whether a supplier’s marketing accountability also has an unobserved signaling effect on customer perceived value.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a survey of advertising agency-client dyads, the authors develop and test a multilevel model that assesses the relationship between the supplier’s marketing accountability and perceived value of the client.

Findings

Empirical results indicate that marketing accountability of the agency is positively related to client-firm perceived value, that is marketing accountability also has a positive signaling effect on customers’ value perceptions.

Originality/value

This study provides novel insights on how perceptions of customer value are created in business relationships. More specifically, it highlights that marketing accountability of a supplier positively contributes to shaping clients’ value perceptions. Implications for marketing theory and practice, focused on the need for building, improving and sustaining marketing accountability within the firm and its relevance for value, are discussed and future research directions are identified.
Conventional and Islamic banks deposit rates as inflation hedges: the case of Malaysia
Authors: Lee Siew Peng , Isa Mansor
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which conventional and Islamic bank fixed deposit rates can protect depositors against inflation in the Malaysia context.

Design/methodology/approach

Nominal interest rates are represented by commercial bank fixed deposit and investment bank fixed deposit rates. The authors use monthly data over the period 2000–2016. The authors apply the autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing methodology to test the existence of long-run relationship between nominal rates and inflation, and the error-correction model to test for the short-run dynamics.

Findings

The results show that the nominal interest rate and inflation are cointegrated for all the data series. The evidence indicates that all the fixed deposit rates, for both conventional and Islamic banks are effective inflation hedges in the long-run thereby supporting the Fisher hypothesis. There is no difference in the inflation hedging ability between conventional bank rates and Islamic bank rates. However, the authors find no evidence of the short-run relationship between interest rates and inflation for either bank.

Practical implications

Bank regulators should be concerned on the similarities in behaviour towards inflation between conventional and Islamic rates, given that the deposit rates for both banks are supposedly set based on different premises. Bank customers, they should deposit their money for the long horizon in order to protect themselves against inflation. Depositors worrying about inflation should be indifferent between conventional or Islamic as both banks provide similar inflation hedging characteristics.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study is in using the bank fixed deposit rates to study the Fisher effect in an emerging market and in comparing the conventional and Islamic bank rates in terms of their inflation hedging ability.
Social capital and integrated reporting
Authors: Casonato Federica , Farneti Federica , Dumay John
Published: December 2018

Purpose

To present the continuation of a case study by Beck et al. (2017) on an Australian bank (CBD) during the period 2004–2013 by examining whether integrated reporting affects relational capital and helps to repair an organisations’ reputation. Both studies examine how a bank rocked by a major scandal in 2004 has attempted to repair its legitimacy through integrated reporting (). The paper aims to discuss these issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a post facto analysis based on the original research from Beck et al. (2017). The research process involved a case study approach with an analysis framed by impression management theory to investigate whether the information in CBD’s integrated reports is consistent with other information available to investors.

Findings

The authors find there is a gap between what CBD discloses in its integrated reports and what is publicly available in other media. CBD’s talk and actions are not aligned, and that asymmetry translates into a decline of trust in CBD. The bank’s integrated reports reveal how management discloses or withholds information to protect their own interests and at their own discretion. These conclusions indicate that the integrated reporting paradigm is being co-opted by IM strategies to improve legitimacy through trust, reputation and social capital.

Research limitations/implications

Future research needs to reach beyond the organisational boundaries and understand if  adds value for society, or is just a new form of multicapitalism, being an ideology to help the rich become richer? The answers are important if we ever hope to see misconduct disappear from our corporations and for company reports to become documents bearing truth and not espouse rhetoric based on organisational hypocrisy.

Originality/value

The paper adds to the growing body of research investigating  in practice to understand the impact of  and whether it is a new and useful reporting tool or just another management fashion.
Do students belong to Florida’s creative class?
Authors: Wesselmann Stefanie
Published: December 2018

Purpose

In a knowledge-based society, one of the main driving forces of prosperity at city and regional levels is the ability to attract students and recently qualified graduates. The purpose of this paper is to identify the urban factors that contribute to “attractiveness” from a student perspective and to subsequently analyse the influence of these factors on students’ location choices. In the corresponding case study, the criteria identified were used to evaluate student satisfaction with the German city of Osnabrück.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-level empirical research concept was used to analyse the relevant criteria. Focus group discussions served as the basis to design and conduct a survey of almost 2,300 students in the university city of Osnabrück at the end of 2016. A follow-up study in November 2017 at two universities in Berlin provided data for comparison.

Findings

Accessible – safe – clean and with affordable housing: these terms sum up the core expectations that students have of an attractive city. In contrast to the findings of Richard Florida regarding the creative class, cultural opportunities, exciting nightlife and a multicultural population were not important factors among the survey participants.

Research limitations/implications

As the study was conducted in two cities only, the findings cannot be generalised. It should be replicated in at least five other cities to validate and compare the research findings presented here. Furthermore, this study focused on the factors influencing the attractiveness of the city as a whole. However, the attractiveness of a specific neighbourhood may be of greater relevance to the decision-making process. As housing plays a major role, students’ particular needs with regard to accommodation should also be examined at greater depth.

Practical implications

Insights generated by the empirical study provide relevant information that may assist city stakeholders in taking effective measures regarding place management to attract and retain students.

Originality/value

To date, little research has been undertaken to empirically examine the specific factors that German students look for when deciding where to study and live. The goal of this paper is to present new empirical insights concerning the quality-of-life factors that influence students’ decision-making processes.
The marketing discipline in trouble? Academic voices vying for supremacy
Authors: Korai Bernard , Souiden Nizar
Published: December 2018

Purpose

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no study that investigates the historical roots of quantitative paradigm hegemony over the qualitative paradigm in marketing using a critical lens. The purpose of this paper is to stimulate thoughtful reflections among marketing scholars so that the dialog among paradigms expands, the stale paradigmatic debates disappear, and the marketing discipline evolves and contributes to the actual functioning of markets and the welfare of society.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is conducted in the light of foucauldian genealogy through the analysis of historical materials that Foucault called discourses, a set of languages, systems of thinking and governality techniques that determine how individuals or organizations come to be disciplined. In this paper, the concept of discourse mainly refers to visible rituals and practices by which marketing researchers have been psychologically and behaviorally shaped to reproduce and perpetuate a hypothetical-deductive mainstream within their discipline.

Findings

This paper intends to stimulate a dialog among marketing scholars about expanding paradigms so that stale debates disappear, and marketing disciplines proves their scientific status by better contributing to the functioning of markets and the welfare of society. As an evolving social science, marketing requires new theory, new concepts and new research methods.

Originality/value

The intellectual contribution of this paper lies in its intention to alert marketing researchers about the danger we are exposing our discipline to by promoting imperialist traditions and standardization of thinking.