bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mismodeled purines: implicit alternates and hidden Hoogsteens
Authors: Hintze Bradley J. , Richardson Jane S. , Richardson David C.
Published: October 2017

Hoogsteen base pairs are seen in DNA crystal structures, but only rarely. This study tests whether Hoogsteens or othersynpurines are either under-modeled or over-modeled, which are known problems for rare conformations. Candidate purines needing asyn/anti180° flip were identified by diagnostic patterns of difference electron-density peaks. Manual inspection narrowed 105 flip candidates to 20 convincing cases, all at ≤2.7 Å resolution. Rebuilding and refinement confirmed that 14 of these were authentic purine flips. Seven examples are modeled as Watson–Crick base pairs but should be Hoogsteens (commonest at duplex termini), and three had the opposite issue.Syn/antiflips were also needed for some single-stranded purines. Five of the 20 convincing cases arose from an unmodeled alternate duplex running in the opposite direction. These are in semi-palindromic DNA sequences bound by a homodimeric protein and show flipped-purine-like difference peaks at residues where the palindrome is imperfect. This study documents types of incorrect modeling which are worth avoiding. However, the primary conclusions are that such mistakes are infrequent, the bias towards fittingantipurines is very slight, and the occurrence rate of Hoogsteen base pairs in DNA crystal structures remains unchanged from earlier estimates at ∼0.3%.
Multiple temporal perspectives extend sustainable competitiveness
Authors: Klassen Robert , Hajmohammad Sara
Published: October 2017

Purpose

In operations and supply chain management, time is largely one-dimensional – less is better – with much effort devoted to compressing, efficiently using, and competitively exploiting clock-time. However, by drawing on other literatures, the purpose of this paper is to understand implications for the field of operations management if we also emphasize how humans and organizations experience time, termed process-time, which is chronicled by events and stages of change.

Design/methodology/approach

After a brief review, the limitations of the recurrent time-oriented themes in operations management and the resulting short-termism are summarized. Next, sustainability is offered as an important starting point to explore the concept of temporality, including both clock- and process-time, as well as the implications of temporal orientation and temporal conflict in supply chains.

Findings

A framework that includes both management and stakeholder behavior is offered to illustrate how multiple temporal perspectives might be leveraged as a basis for an expanded and enriched understanding of more sustainable competitiveness in operations.

Social implications

Research by others emphasizes the importance of stakeholders to competitiveness. By recognizing that different stakeholder groups have varying temporal orientations and temporality, managers can establish objectives and systems that better reflect time-based diversity and diffuse temporal conflict.

Originality/value

This paper summarizes how time has been incorporated in operations management, as well as the challenges of short-termism. Sustainability forms the basis for exploring multiple perspectives of time and three key constructs: temporal orientation, temporality, and temporal conflict. A framework is proposed to better incorporate temporal perspectives as a basis for competitiveness in operations and supply chain management.
Relevance of humanitarian logistics research: best practices and way forward
Authors: Kunz Nathan , Van Wassenhove Luk N. , Besiou Maria , Hambye Christophe , Kovács Gyöngyi
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper is based on a panel discussion at EurOMA 2015. The purpose of this paper is to identify a number of barriers to relevant research in humanitarian logistics. The authors propose a charter of ten rules for conducting relevant humanitarian research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use operations management literature to identify best practices for doing research with practice. The authors compile, condense and interpret opinions expressed by three academics and one practitioner at the panel discussion, and illustrate them through quotes.

Findings

The increasing volume of papers published in the humanitarian logistics literature has not led to a proportional impact on practice. The authors identify a number of reasons for this, such as poor problem definition, difficult access to data or lack of contextualization. The authors propose a charter of ten rules that have the potential to make humanitarian logistics research more relevant for practice.

Practical implications

By developing best practices for doing relevant research in humanitarian logistics, this paper enables the academic community and practice to better work together on relevant and impactful research projects. Academic knowledge combined with practice-inspired problems has the potential to generate significant improvements to humanitarian practice.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to address the problem of relevance of humanitarian logistics research. It is also one of the few papers involving a practitioner to discuss practical relevance of research. Through this unique approach, it is hoped that this paper provides a set of particularly helpful recommendations for researchers studying humanitarian logistics.
Investigating the factors influencing cultural adjustment and expatriate performance
Authors: Sambasivan Murali , Sadoughi Morvarid , Esmaeilzadeh Pouyan
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The fundamental question addressed in this research is: How do cultural intelligence, personality traits of expatriates, spousal support and cultural adjustment of expatriates impact their performance? The answer to the question is important to ensure that expatriation is successful. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The integrated framework linking the factors was formulated and tested among the 139 expatriates employed by multinational corporations (MNC) in Malaysia. A questionnaire was developed and distributed. The framework was validated using structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

Based on the analysis, the important findings are: cultural empathy and social initiatives (personality traits) of expatriates, cultural intelligence and spousal support enhance cultural adjustment of expatriates; spousal support, cultural empathy and social initiatives influence the cultural intelligence of the expatriates; and cultural intelligence and spousal support impact the performance of expatriates.

Research limitations/implications

This study selected the expatriates working in MNCs and residing in Malaysia for six months and above.

Originality/value

This integrated view helps us understand the mechanism that leads to an expatriate’s perceived performance. Generally, researchers use “Big Five” to capture the personality traits. This research has used the construct and its dimensions that are relevant for studies on expatriation.
The sticky cost phenomenon at the local government level: empirical evidence from Greece
Authors: Cohen Sandra , Karatzimas Sotirios , Naoum Vassilios-Christos
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the asymmetric cost behaviour in Greek local governments. More precisely, it investigates whether municipality costs show stickiness or anti-stickiness behaviour after increases or decreases in the stream of their revenues.

Design/methodology/approach

The Andersonet al.’s (2003) approach is adapted to the public sector environment by using types of expenses and revenues typical to the local government setting. The data sample consists of 1,852 observations of Greek municipalities for the period 2002-2008.

Findings

The empirical evidence suggests that local government managers adjust resources related to administrative services faster when revenues decrease than when they rise (anti-stickiness cost behaviour). On the contrary, they adjust costs of service provision which are associated with core activities asymmetrically; more quickly for upward than for downward activity changes (cost stickiness behaviour).

Research limitations/implications

While prior studies examine the sticky cost phenomenon in the private sector, this study explores this phenomenon in the public sector through a data sample of municipalities. Local governments constitute an appealing and unique setting for the examination of asymmetric cost behaviour due to the existence of a strong political influence, which appears to affect rational economic decision making, and their non-profit character, which prevents them from acting in a business-like manner.

Practical implications

Understanding how cost stickiness works inside local understanding how cost stickiness works inside local governments, could lead to an understanding of its implications in periods of cutback measures. Decreases in municipalities’ subsidies and grants as a result of cutbacks in central government expenditures should not be expected to automatically result in symmetric savings in expenditures as corresponding increases in expenditures when revenues used to grow. At the same time, it might be difficult to achieve balanced budgets in municipalities when there is a considerable decrease in revenues, without having to make considerable adjustments to the input values, the output and the mix of services offered by them.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the accounting literature by expanding the understanding of how deliberate decisions influence the asymmetric cost behaviour in local governments, to different cost categories (administrative expenses and cost of service provision) and different revenue categories (grants, tax revenues and revenues from sales of goods and services).
Cultural and organizational integration in cross-border M&A deals
Authors: Panibratov Andrei
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify key factors that influence the integration process in cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals of emerging multinational enterprises (EMNEs). The research questions are: how national and organizational culture coupled with other organizational characteristics influence M&A deals of EMNEs? Which factors influence the process of cultural and organizational integration in cross-border M&A deals, initiated by EMNEs? What is the effect and consequences that different integration factors have on cross-border M&A deals by EMNEs?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a multiple case study research, considering cross-border deals of Chinese and Russian firms separately. Each block consists of two cases, describing M&A integration of companies operating in two sectors: high technology and finance. The authors obtained the data for case studies from companies’ official websites, annual reports, press releases, other official documents where companies were mentioned, business-media sources (newspapers and magazines), published interviews, documented speeches, letters, laws, as well as through blogs and social networks. The authors have also used the published information from articles, books, databases, and previously conducted case studies.

Findings

The authors have identified the factors influencing deals’ results of Chinese and Russian MNEs, with explanation based on case studies’ analysis. The full list of factors is presented in Table IV in the manuscript. The authors have also identified the set of elements that were derived from the case studies’ analysis only, without having any strong support in the literature, such as changes at a senior management level, educational and business exchanges, CSR policy, and the government involvement.

Originality/value

The authors have identified the key factors that influence integration of emerging market firms in cross-border M&A deal. The list of factors was adjusted and actualized in accordance with the results of four cases of cross-border M&A deals of Chinese or Russian companies. As a result, the authors founded the combination of characteristics of cultural and organizational integration process of firms from China and Russia.
Why do I contribute when I am an “insider”? A moderated mediation approach to perceived insider status and employee’s innovative behavior
Authors: Wang Hongli , Feng Jingming , Prevellie Peter , Wu Kunjin
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The relationship between perceived insider status (PIS) and innovative behavior may be mediated by felt obligation. Then the relationship between felt obligation and innovative behavior may be moderated by job stress. At last, felt obligation may conditional mediate the relationship between PIS and innovative behavior when job stress at different level. The purpose of this paper is to test these hypotheses.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors tested the moderated mediation model with data from a sample of 529 supervisor-subordinate dyads from the People’s Republic of China. Employees were asked to evaluate their PIS, felt obligation, and job stress when in the workplace. Their innovative behavior was evaluated by their immediate supervisors.

Findings

Results suggest that PIS is positively related to employee’s innovative behavior, and felt obligation mediates this relationship. In addition, job stress moderates two stage relationships: one is to moderate the relationship between felt obligation and innovative behavior; the other is to moderate the whole mediation model.

Practical implications

In China, managers can treat some employees as family members and support them when they are in trouble so that the employees will perceive insider status. Let employees get the feeling of PIS maybe a good way to motivate them to contribute to the organization. In addition, managers should reduce the work load of some employees who are expected to be innovative. Then those employees will have much more spare time to engage in innovative behavior.

Originality/value

This research sheds light on the relationship between PIS and innovative behavior in a non-western context by testing the mediating mechanism guided by role identity and appropriateness framework, which is a way different from social exchange process.
Research on interval optimization of the proportion of female executives based on panel threshold model
Authors: Wang Xing , Shao Xuefeng
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to seek the optimal proportion of female executives in corporate management teams, and to analyze the threshold effect of the proportion of female executives on the enterprise market value and enterprise management performance by using a panel threshold regression model. The purpose of this paper is to obtain the optimal interval, during which female executives exert positive effects on enterprise market value and enterprise management performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the data of listed companies in SSE from 2003 to 2012, this paper conducts theoretical and empirical analysis by using a panel threshold regression model.

Findings

This paper proves that the proportion of female executives has a threshold effect on the enterprise market value and enterprise management performance. The results show that the proportion of female executives has an optimal interval. In other words, during the 53.8-68.4 percent interval, the proportion of female executives exerts the least negative effect on the enterprise market value and the most positive effect on the enterprise management performance.

Originality/value

In this paper, the non-linear relationship between female executives, enterprise market value and enterprise management performance has been verified, and the optimization interval of the female executives’ proportion has been figured out as well.
Moderation effect of organizational citizenship behavior on the performance of lecturers
Authors: Hakim Wardhani , Fernandes Adji
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to know the effect of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) moderating the effect of personality, organizational commitment, and job satisfaction on the performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was conducted in the city of Makassar with the entire population as a lecturer with the status as a permanent lecturer foundation. By using the formula, Slovin found a sample of 295 respondents. Statistical analysis of inferential used to test the hypothesis of the research is structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

OCB is the moderator variable in effect between personality, organizational commitment and job satisfaction on the performance. It means that the higher value of OCB affects the increasing effect of personality, organizational commitment and job satisfaction on the performance.

Originality/value

This paper’s originality is shown on variables used, which are personality, organization commitment, job satisfaction, OCB, and performance. Furthermore, the method used in this research is using SEM, as well as the investigator sites located at two private colleges in the city of Makassar, namely, Indonesian Muslim University and Muhammadiyah University Makassar, South Sulawesi, where there are no previous studies that discuss the same topic on these locations.
The effect of loan portfolio diversification on banks’ risks and return
Authors: Adzobu Lydia Dzidzor , Agbloyor Elipkimi Komla , Aboagye Anthony
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test whether diversification of credit portfolios across economic sectors leads to improved profitability and reduced credit risks for Ghanaian banks that have been characterized by high non-performing loans in recent times (IMF, 2011).

Design/methodology/approach

Static and dynamic estimations, namely Prais-Winsten, fixed and random effect estimators, feasible generalized least squares as well as the system generalized methods of moments are employed on the annual data of 30 Ghanaian banks that operated between 2007 and 2014 to determine the effect of loan portfolio diversification on bank performance.

Findings

The study shows that loan portfolio diversification does not improve banks’ profitability nor does it reduce banks’ credit risks.

Research limitations/implications

The study focuses on a single banking system in Africa largely as a result of data limitation.

Practical implications

The study emphasizes the need for banks to perform a careful assessment of the effects of their lending policies geared toward increased sectoral diversification on their monitoring efficiency and effectiveness. A further investment in loan screening and monitoring is necessary to minimize credit risks.

Originality/value

This study is the first to present empirical evidence on the effects of loan portfolio diversification on bank performance in an emerging banking market in Africa.
Sport participation from sport events: why it doesn’t happen?
Authors: Taks Marijke , Green B. Chris , Misener Laura , Chalip Laurence
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present and use an event leveraging framework (ELF) to examine processes and challenges when seeking to leverage a sport event to build sport participation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used an action research approach for which the researchers served as consultants and facilitators for local sports in the context of the International Children’s Games. Initially three sports were selected, and two sports were guided through the full leveraging process. Prior to the event, actions were planned and refined, while researchers kept field notes. Challenges and barriers to implementation were examined through observation immediately prior to and during the event, and through a workshop with stakeholders six weeks after the event, and interviews a year later.

Findings

With the exception of a flyer posted on a few cars during the track and field competition, none of the planned action steps was implemented. Barriers included competition and distrust among local sport clubs, exigencies associated with organizing event competitions, the event organizers’ focus on promoting the city rather than its sports, and each club’s insufficient human and physical resources for the task. These barriers were not addressed by local clubs because they expected the event to inspire participation despite their lack of marketing leverage. The lack of action resulted in no discernible impact of the event on sport participation.

Research limitations/implications

Results demonstrate that there are multiple barriers to undertaking the necessary steps to capitalize on an event to build sport participation, even when a well-developed framework is used. Specific steps to overcome the barriers need to be implemented, particularly through partnerships and building capacity for leverage among local sport organizations.

Originality/value

This study presents the ELF, and identifies reasons why sport events fail to live up to their promise to build sport participation. Necessary steps are suggested to redress that failing.
Poverty and malnutrition in Africa: a conceptual analysis
Authors: Adeyeye Samuel Ayofemi Olalekan , Adebayo-Oyetoro Abiodun Omowonuola , Tiamiyu Hussaina Kehinde
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the concept of poverty and malnutrition in Africa, implications and the way out.

Design/methodology/approach

Several literatures were reviewed on the causes, modes, implications and solutions to the contemporary challenges of poverty and malnutrition in Africa.

Findings

Poverty and malnutrition are two sides of a coin that are ravaging the African continent. These were as a result of underdevelopment, maladministration and lack of focus and vision by the generations of leaders saddled with administration in different African countries. Poverty in Africa embraces lack of basic human needs faced by people in African society. Many African nations are very poor, and their income per capita or gross domestic product per capita fall toward the bottom of list of nations of the world, despite a wealth of natural resources. In 2009, according to United Nations (UN), 22 of 24 nations identified as having “Low Human Development” on the UN’s Human Development Index were in sub-Saharan Africa and 34 of the 50 nations on the UN list of least developed countries are in Africa. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 233 million people in sub-Saharan Africa were hungry/undernourished in 2014-2016 (its most recent estimate). In total, 795 million people were hungry worldwide. According to the World Bank, sub-Saharan Africa was the area with the second largest number of hungry people, as Asia had 512 million, mainly due to the much larger population of Asia when compared to sub-Saharan Africa. World Bank also reported in 2012 that sub-Saharan Africa Poverty and Equity Data was 501 million people, or 47 per cent Poverty has also been reported as the principal cause of hunger in Africa and the principal causes of poverty have been found to be harmful economic systems, conflict, environmental factors such as drought and climate change and population growth.

Originality/value

This study examined the concept of poverty and malnutrition in Africa, the implications and the way out.
Stage of change toward “9-a-day” not “5-a-day” is associated with lower body weight
Authors: Bawadi Hiba , Tayyem Reema , Muhanna Safaa , Tuuri Georgianna , Keenan Michael J. , Faris Moez , Losso Jack
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to assess the students’ stage of change (SOC) for fruits and vegetables (FV) consumption using the 5-a-day and 9-a-day patterns; to validate a tool to measure SOC for consuming 5-a-day and 9-a-day of FV; and to investigate the relationship between SOC for FV consumption and body weight among Jordanian college students.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was conducted and included a convenient sample of 788 college students (47.7 per cent men and 52.2 per cent women) who completed validated questionnaires which included socio-demographic data, readiness to consume 5-a-day and 9-a-day servings of FV daily and FV consumption behaviors. Students’ heights and weights were measured. SOC for participants was examined using reparation, contemplation, pre-contemplation, action and maintenance stages.

Findings

A majority (69.9 per cent) of college students were in the pre-contemplation stage with regard to 9-a-day behavior. Females tended to be classified in the action stage more than males (P < 0.001). After controlling for age, gender and energy consumption, a significant (P < 0.05) inverse relationship was found between maintenance or action SOC for consuming 9-a-day behavior and body mass index (BMI). A large proportion of college students were in a pre-action stage for either consuming 5-a-day or 9-a-day of FV. Those students who followed the 9-a-day recommendations had significantly (P < 0.05) lower BMI values that those students in the pre-action stages.

Originality/value

The current study is genuine and original, and valuable in designing new strategies in lowering obesity and its comorbidities.
Role of food taboos in energy, macro and micronutrient intake of pregnant women in western Kenya
Authors: Kariuki Lucy Wanjiru , Lambert Christine , Purwestri Ratna Chrismiari , Maundu Patrick , Biesalski Hans Konrad
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine food taboos/habits and dietary patterns of pregnant women in Kenya.

Design/methodology/approach

In all, 205 individual 24-h recall interviews were conducted face to face to collect information on pregnant women dietary intake. Women focus group discussions were conducted in seven villages in Kakamega County to determine which foods are avoided during pregnancy and the reasons for avoiding them.

Findings

The concept of “baby becoming big” was common advice to pregnant women to reduce intake of large amounts of starchy or high caloric foods. Restriction on the consumption of some parts of cow and chicken and consumption of eggs was widespread. Women with the highest education had significantly higher intake than women with lower education: energy (1,718 vs 1,436 kcal, p = 0.007), protein (45 vs 38 g, p = 0.03), vitamin C (59 vs 39 mg, p = 0.000), calcium (275 vs 222 mg, p = 0.04) and iron (8.5 vs 7.2 mg, p = 0.03). Multivariate binary logistic regression showed that participants with higher education were more likely to reach estimated average intake for energy (OR = 2.82, 95 per cent CI = 1.2-6.5) and vitamin C (OR = 4.1, 95 per cent CI = 1.5-11.0) than women with lower education level.

Originality/value

The observed link between reduced intake of nutrients and low education levels suggests that education is a possible intervention strategy. Incorporating nutrition education in school curriculum and improving knowledge on nutrition among women with low education may help overcome unhealthy food taboos in pregnant women.
Formulation and nutritional evaluation of baked products supplemented with partially defatted peanut flour
Authors: Seth Kripa , Kochhar Anita
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Due to the increased consumption of fast foods in India, especially among the youngsters, obesity and related health ailments have become a serious concern. Fast foods provide empty calories which calls for an urgent need to improvise their nutritional value rendering them “nutrient dense”. The purpose of this research was development and nutritional evaluation of baked products incorporated with partially defatted peanut flour.

Design/methodology/approach

Three baked products, namely, pizza base, buns and bread were developed using standardized recipes with different levels of incorporation of defatted peanut meal flour. These products were organoleptically evaluated by a trained panel of ten judges using nine-point hedonic scale. The selected samples of each product were nutritionally evaluated for proximate composition and mineral content along with their respective control samples.

Findings

Results from sensory evaluation revealed that pizza base, buns and bread were most acceptable at 10, 10 and 15 per cent level of incorporation of partially defatted peanut flour, respectively. The developed products were found to have high protein, crude fiber, calcium and iron, i.e. 11.5-12.4 per cent, 1.4-1.8 per cent, 19.2-20.4 mg/100 g, 1.8-2.3 mg/100 g content, respectively. p-values for the same were also calculated.

Originality/value

Keeping in view the nutritional benefits of peanut flour and trending consumption of bakery products among children and other age groups, these products can be commercialized to improve the nutritional value of empty calorie baked products as these products are consumed very frequently. Defatted peanut meal although being nutrient rich has generally been used as animal feed or is discarded as waste. The role of this meal in the human diet has not been explored to the best.
Students’ perception on developing conceptual generic skills for business
Authors: Bratianu Constantin , Vatamanescu Elena-Madalina
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The classical approach of teaching and learning mostly based on knowledge transfer is questionable as knowledge life cycle is shortening and new type of jobs appear every day with new knowledge request. In this vein, the purpose of this paper is to investigate how to switch the focus from learning knowledge to learning generic skills liable to help future professionals to think and learn by doing.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a 30-item questionnaire that was addressed to over 500 students involved in management and business undergraduate and graduate programs from two well-reputed Romanian universities. Three hundred and forty questionnaires were filled in and processed using SPSS, version 19. Additionally, a factorial analysis was performed, with a view to extract the most important factors that are involved in developing generic skills in university programs.

Findings

Results demonstrate that most of the students from the undergraduate programs prefer the classical approach – less implication and responsibility in doing a harder conceptual work – while most students from the master programs are open to the new perspective of learning to learn, namely, to developing generic skills.

Research limitations/implications

In the new turbulent business landscape, universities face a significant change in teaching their students. Although the research adds to the value of the extant literature on generic skills (also known as core skills), it is mainly focused on a Romanian sample, thus reflecting a context-based perspective.

Originality/value

The current study provides a preliminary insight into the perception of Romanian students about developing generic skills and into their readiness to assume the role of main actors in the learning process.
Transmitting competencies at universities: employability readiness of students
Authors: Sultanova Gulbakhyt , Svyatov Serik , Ussenbayev Nurzhan
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine factors that can contribute to minimising a discrepancy between a traditional grade point average and a newly introduced employability readiness indicator, aiming to increase the efficiency of universities in producing employable graduates. While grade point average integrates grades for courses completed, employability readiness indicator indicates the level of competencies developed in these courses.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected for two bachelor programmes at Narxoz University by means of a structured interview, a structured observation and a specialised test. Various statistical and regression analyses were applied to determine properties of grade point average and employability readiness indicator as well as factors affecting them by setting and solving the problem of minimising the discrepancy using Bloom’s taxonomy as a framework.

Findings

The minimisation problem appears to have had multiple optimal solutions that significantly decrease the discrepancy on account of factors from thinking levels 3-4 (apply and analyse). To further eliminate this discrepancy, it is reasonable to focus on factors from thinking levels 5-6 (evaluate and create).

Research limitations/implications

Due to its consistency and simplicity, this approach can be applied at any university allowing national and international comparison of educational quality. A longitudinal study covering more programmes is necessary to draw conclusions concerning causality.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study lies in illustrating how the education process can be related to competency development and how critical factors of competency transmission can be identified.
Lifewide, lifelong comprehensive approach to knowledge management education – emerging standards
Authors: Bedford Denise A.D. , Georgieff Marion , Brown-Grant Johel
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose a framework for developing standards for knowledge management education programs from primary through tertiary levels. The lack of standards for knowledge management education is a significant challenge for the advancement of the field, for the sustainability of institutional programs, the future competencies of knowledge workers and the effective growth of knowledge organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopts and adapts the framework and methodology used to establish educational standards in computer science. The framework is presented as a focal point for discussion across the profession. Nine strands are derived from historical treatment of the discipline. Seven levels of learning are identified. Learning goals and objectives are developed for each level.

Findings

The research suggests that a lifelong learning model is definable for the field of knowledge management, just as it has been for other disciplines. The progressive learning model may produce high school graduates who are better prepared for knowledge work, a larger population of knowledge practitioners and professionals prepared to support and lead knowledge organizations and increased quantities and improved quality of knowledge management research. Finally, the progressive learning model may generate a new and increased demand for lifelong learning opportunities in the field of knowledge management.

Research limitations/implications

The research is intended as a focal point for discussion and review by knowledge management professionals and particularly educators around the globe. The research represents an important stage of development, but adoption is the final stage of this research.

Originality/value

While this research draws upon established theories and practices in the field, and learning frameworks from other domains, the context and the research results are unique.
Bacterial microbiomes of individual ectomycorrhizal Pinus sylvestris roots are shaped by soil horizon and differentially sensitive to nitrogen addition
Authors: Marupakula Srisailam , Mahmood Shahid , Jernberg Johanna , Nallanchakravarthula Srivathsa , Fahad Zaenab A. , Finlay Roger D.
Published: October 2017

Plant roots select non‐random communities of fungi and bacteria from the surrounding soil that have effects on their health and growth, but we know little about the factors influencing their composition. We profiled bacterial microbiomes associated with individual ectomycorrhizal Pinus sylvestris roots colonized by different fungi and analyzed differences in microbiome structure related to soils from distinct podzol horizons and effects of short‐term additions of N, a growth‐limiting nutrient commonly applied as a fertilizer, but known to influence patterns of carbon allocation to roots. Ectomycorrhizal roots growing in soil from different horizons harboured distinct bacterial communities. The fungi colonizing individual roots had a strong effect on the associated bacterial communities. Even closely related species within the same ectomycorrhizal genus had distinct bacterial microbiomes in unfertilized soil, but fertilization removed this specificity. Effects of N were rapid and context dependent, being influenced by both soil type and the particular ectomycorrhizal fungi involved. Fungal community composition changed in soil from all horizons, but bacteria only responded strongly to N in soil from the B horizon where community structure was different and bacterial diversity was significantly reduced, possibly reflecting changed carbon allocation patterns.
Strong impact of anthropogenic contamination on the co‐occurrence patterns of a riverine microbial community
Authors: Hu Anyi , Ju Feng , Hou Liyuan , Li Jiangwei , Yang Xiaoyong , Wang Hongjie , Mulla Sikandar I. , Sun Qian , Bürgmann Helmut , Yu Chang‐Ping
Published: October 2017

Although the health of rivers is threatened by multiple anthropogenic stressors with increasing frequency, it remains an open question how riverine microbial communities respond to emerging micropollutants. Here, by using 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing of 60 water samples collected during different hydrological seasons, we investigated the spatio‐temporal variation and the co‐occurrence patterns of microbial communities in the anthropogenically impacted Jiulong River in China. The results indicated that the riverine microbial co‐occurrence network had a nonrandom, modular structure, which was mainly shaped by the taxonomic relatedness of co‐occurring species. Fecal indicator bacteria may survive for prolonged periods of time in river water, but they formed an independent module which had fewer interactions with typical freshwater bacteria. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that nutrients and micropollutants [i.e., pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs)] exerted combined effects in shaping α‐ and β‐diversity of riverine microbial communities. Remarkably, we showed that a hitherto unrecognized disruptive effect of PPCPs on the abundance variations of central species and module communities was stronger than the influence of physicochemical factors, suggesting the key role played by micropollutants for the microbial co‐occurrence relationships in lotic ecosystems. Overall, our findings provide novel insights into community assembly in aquatic environments experiencing anthropogenic stresses.
Untangling the cecal microbiota of feral chickens by culturomic and metagenomic analyses
Authors: Ferrario Chiara , Alessandri Giulia , Mancabelli Leonardo , Gering Eben , Mangifesta Marta , Milani Christian , Lugli Gabriele Andrea , Viappiani Alice , Duranti Sabrina , Turroni Francesca , Ossiprandi Maria Cristina , Hiyashi Ricardo , Mackie Roderick , van Sinderen Douwe , Ventura Marco
Published: October 2017

Different factors may modulate the gut microbiota of animals. In any particular environment, diet, genetic factors and human influences can shape the bacterial communities residing in the gastrointestinal tract. Metagenomic approaches have significantly expanded our knowledge on microbiota dynamics inside hosts, yet cultivation and isolation of bacterial members of these complex ecosystems may still be necessary to fully understand interactions between bacterial communities and their host. A dual approach, involving culture‐independent and ‐dependent techniques, was used here to decipher the microbiota communities that inhabit the gastro intestinal tract of free‐range, broiler and feral chickens. In silico analysis revealed the presence of a core microbiota that is typical of those animals that live in different geographical areas and that have limited contact with humans. Anthropic influences guide the metabolic potential and the presence of antibiotic resistance genes of these different bacterial communities. Culturomics attempts, based on different cultivation conditions, were applied to reconstruct in vitro the microbiota of feral chickens. A unique strain collection representing members of the four major phyla of the poultry microbiota was assembled, including bacterial strains that are not typically retrieved from the chicken gut.
Fragmentation in Urban Movements: The Role of Urban Planning Processes
Authors: Özdemir Esin , Eraydin Ayda
Published: October 2017

Urban plans and projects that aim to initiate the redevelopment and gentrification of urban areas create social and ecological pressures on urban environments and thereby stimulate urban movements. These movements have a lifespan, which evolves in interaction with planning authorities under local or central governments and may be marked by institutionalization and co‐optation, as well as fragmentation among the people involved in them. Fragmentations are usually based on conflicting individual and collective interests, but may also be the result of different political perspectives in groups. This article is based on a case study conducted in two adjacent gecekondu neighbourhoods of Istanbul, Gülsuyu and Gülensu, where urban politics have played an important role in efforts to resist plans for urban transformation. It shows that fragmentations are very likely to occur in urban movements during planning processes in a neoliberal era, owing to the different perspectives in the movement on what the just city is.
The Times They Are A‐Changin': On the Ephemeral Nature of Music Polls
Authors: Lenten Liam J. A. , McKenzie Jordi
Published: October 2017

This study examines voting results of two distinct but related long‐running music polls conducted by Australia's public‐owned youth radio station, Triple J, known as the Hottest 100. We document a number of stylised patterns displayed in the data related to song survival, rank ordering, movements, entry age and exit age across the five all‐time Hottest 100 instalments. We also use the annual Hottest 100 data to provide empirical evidence that the radio station itself played a significant role in results of the 20‐year poll via the annual release of CDs featuring subsets of songs from each year's annual poll (1993–2012).
Immuno‐pharmacological characterization of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors controlling glutamate exocytosis in mouse cortex and spinal cord
Authors: Olivero Guendalina , Bonfiglio Tommaso , Vergassola Matteo , Usai Cesare , Riozzi Barbara , Battaglia Giuseppe , Nicoletti Ferdinando , Pittaluga Anna
Published: October 2017

Background and Purpose

We recently proposed the existence of mGlu3‐preferring autoreceptors in spinal cord terminals and of mGlu2‐preferring autoreceptors in cortical terminals. This study aims to verify our previous conclusions and to extend their pharmacological characterization.

Experimental Approach

We studied the effect of LY566332, an mGlu2 receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM), and of LY2389575, a selective mGlu3 receptor negative allosteric (NAM) modulator, on the mGlu2/3 agonist LY379268‐mediated inhibition of glutamate exocytosis [measured as KCl‐evoked release of preloaded [3H]‐D‐aspartate]. The mGlu2 PAM BINA and the mGlu3 NAM ML337, as well as selective antibodies recognizing the N‐terminal of the receptor proteins, were used to confirm the pharmacological characterization of the native receptors.

Key Results

Cortical synaptosomes possess LY566332‐sensitive autoreceptors that are slightly, although significantly, susceptible to LY2389575. In contrast, LY566332‐insensitive and LY2389575‐sensitive autoreceptors are present in spinal cord terminals. BINA and ML337 mimicked LY566332 and LY2389575, respectively, in controlling LY379268‐mediated inhibition of glutamate exocytosis from both cortical and spinal cord synaptosomes. Incubation of cortical synaptosomes with anti‐mGlu2 antibody prevented the LY379268‐induced inhibition of glutamate exocytosis, and this response was partially reduced by the anti‐mGlu3 antibody. Incubation of spinal cord synaptosomes with the anti‐mGlu3 antibody abolished LY379268‐mediated reduction of glutamate exocytosis from these terminals, while the anti‐mGlu2 antibody was inactive. Western blot analysis and confocal microscopy data were largely consistent with these functional observations.

Conclusions and Implications

We confirmed that mGlu3‐preferring autoreceptors exist in spinal cord terminals. Differently, cortical glutamatergic terminals possess mGlu2/mGlu3 heterodimers, whose inhibitory effect is largely mediated by mGlu2 receptors.
Reappraising the early evidence of durophagy and drilling predation in the fossil record: implications for escalation and the Cambrian Explosion
Authors: Bicknell Russell D. C. , Paterson John R.
Published: October 2017

The Cambrian Explosion is arguably the most extreme example of a biological radiation preserved in the fossil record, and studies of Cambrian Lagerstätten have facilitated the exploration of many facets of this key evolutionary event. As predation was a major ecological driver behind the Explosion – particularly the radiation of biomineralising metazoans – the evidence for shell crushing (durophagy), drilling and puncturing predation in the Cambrian (and possibly the Ediacaran) is considered. Examples of durophagous predation on biomineralised taxa other than trilobites are apparently rare, reflecting predator preference, taphonomic and sampling biases, or simply lack of documentation. The oldest known example of durophagy is shell damage on the problematic taxon Mobergella holsti from the early Cambrian (possibly Terreneuvian) of Sweden. Using functional morphology to identify (or perhaps misidentify) durophagous predators is discussed, with emphasis on the toolkit used by Cambrian arthropods, specifically the radiodontan oral cone and the frontal and gnathobasic appendages of various taxa. Records of drill holes and possible puncture holes in Cambrian shells are mostly on brachiopods, but the lack of prey diversity may represent either a true biological signal or a result of various biases. The oldest drilled Cambrian shells occur in a variety of Terreneuvian‐aged taxa, but specimens of the ubiquitous Ediacaran shelly fossil Cloudina also show putative drilling traces. Knowledge on Cambrian shell drillers is sorely lacking and there is little evidence or consensus concerning the taxonomic groups that made the holes, which often leads to the suggestion of an unknown ‘soft bodied driller’. Useful methodologies for deciphering the identities and capabilities of shell drillers are outlined. Evidence for puncture holes in Cambrian shelly taxa is rare. Such holes are more jagged than drill holes and possibly made by a Cambrian ‘puncher’. The Cambrian arthropod Yohoia may have used its frontal appendages in a jack‐knifing manner, similar to Recent stomatopod crustaceans, to strike and puncture shells rapidly. Finally, Cambrian durophagous and shell‐drilling predation is considered in the context of escalation – an evolutionary process that, amongst other scenarios, involves predators (and other ‘enemies’) as the predominant agents of natural selection. The rapid increase in diversity and abundance of biomineralised shells during the early Cambrian is often attributed to escalation: enemies placed selective pressure on prey, forcing phenotypic responses in prey and, by extension, in predator groups over time. Unfortunately, few case studies illustrate long‐term patterns in shelly fossil morphologies that may reflect the influence of predation throughout the Cambrian. More studies on phenotypic change in hard‐shelled lineages are needed to convincingly illustrate escalation and the responses of prey during the Cambrian.