bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ferruginibacter yonginensis sp. nov., isolated from a mesotrophic artificial lake
Authors: Lee Beom-Il , Kang Heeyoung , Kim Haneul , Joung Yochan , Joh Kiseong
Published: November 2013

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic and reddish-pigmented strain, designated HME8442T, was isolated from a mesotrophic artificial lake. The strain grew optimally at 30 °C and pH 7 on R2A agar. The major fatty acid was iso-C15 : 0. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and three unidentified polar lipids. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. The DNA G+C content was 35.8 mol%. Strain HME8442T was closely related to

Ferruginibacter lapsinanis

HU1-HG42T (94.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and

Ferruginibacter alkalilentus

HU1-GD23T (93.9 %). The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HME8442T formed a lineage within the genus

Ferruginibacter

. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain HME8442T represents a novel species of the genus

Ferruginibacter

, for which the name Ferruginibacter yonginensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HME8442T ( = KACC 17314T = CECT 8289T).
Taxonomic evaluation of Streptomyces albus and related species using multilocus sequence analysis and proposals to emend the description of Streptomyces albus and describe Streptomyces pathocidini sp. nov.
Authors: Labeda D. P. , Doroghazi J. R. , Ju K.-S. , Metcalf W. W.
Published: November 2013

In phylogenetic analyses of the genusStreptomycesusing 16S rRNA gene sequences,Streptomyces albussubsp. albusNRRL B-1811Tforms a cluster with five other species having identical or nearly identical 16S rRNA gene sequences. Moreover, the morphological and physiological characteristics of these other species, includingStreptomyces almquistiiNRRL B-1685T,Streptomyces flocculusNRRL B-2465T,Streptomyces gibsoniiNRRL B-1335TandStreptomyces rangoonensisNRRL B-12378Tare quite similar. This cluster is of particular taxonomic interest becauseStreptomyces albusis the type species of the genusStreptomyces. The related strains were subjected to multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) utilizing partial sequences of the housekeeping genesatpD,gyrB,recA,rpoBandtrpBand confirmation of previously reported phenotypic characteristics. The five strains formed a coherent cluster supported by a 100 % bootstrap value in phylogenetic trees generated from sequence alignments prepared by concatenating the sequences of the housekeeping genes, and identical tree topology was observed using various different tree-making algorithms. Moreover, all but one strain,S. flocculusNRRL B-2465T, exhibited identical sequences for all of the five housekeeping gene loci sequenced, but NRRL B-2465Tstill exhibited an MLSA evolutionary distance of 0.005 from the other strains, a value that is lower than the 0.007 MLSA evolutionary distance threshold proposed for species-level relatedness. These data support a proposal to reclassifyS. almquistii,S. flocculus,S. gibsoniiandS. rangoonensisas later heterotypic synonyms ofS. albuswith NRRL B-1811Tas the type strain. The MLSA sequence database also demonstrated utility for quickly and conclusively confirming that numerous strains within the ARS Culture Collection had been previously misidentified as subspecies ofS. albusand thatStreptomyces albussubsp. pathocidicusshould be redescribed as a novel species,Streptomyces pathocidinisp. nov., with the type strain NRRL B-24287T.
Exopolyphosphatase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is essential for the production of virulence factors, and its expression is controlled by NtrC and PhoB acting at two interspaced promoters
Authors: Gallarato Lucas A. , Sánchez Diego G. , Olvera Leticia , Primo Emiliano D. , Garrido Mónica N. , Beassoni Paola R. , Morett Enrique , Lisa Angela T.
Published: November 2013

The exopolyphosphatase (Ppx) ofPseudomonas aeruginosais encoded by the PA5241 gene (ppx). Ppx catalyses the hydrolysis of inorganic polyphosphates to orthophosphate (Pi). In the present work, we identified and characterized the promoter region ofppxand its regulation under environmental stress conditions. The role of Ppx in the production of several virulence factors was demonstrated through studies performed on appxnull mutant. We found thatppxis under the control of two interspaced promoters, dually regulated by nitrogen and phosphate limitation. Under nitrogen-limiting conditions, its expression was controlled from a σ54-dependent promoter activated by the response regulator NtrC. However, under Pilimitation, the expression was controlled from a σ70promoter, activated by PhoB. Results obtained from theppxnull mutant demonstrated that Ppx is involved in the production of virulence factors associated with both acute infection (e.g. motility-promoting factors, blue/green pigment production, C6–C12 quorum-sensing homoserine lactones) and chronic infection (e.g. rhamnolipids, biofilm formation). Molecular and physiological approaches used in this study indicated thatP. aeruginosamaintains consistently proper levels of Ppx regardless of environmental conditions. The precise control ofppxexpression appeared to be essential for the survival ofP. aeruginosaand the occurrence of either acute or chronic infection in the host.
A mobile insulator system to detect and disrupt cis-regulatory landscapes in vertebrates
Authors: Bessa José , Luengo Mario , Rivero-Gil Solangel , Ariza-Cosano Ana , Maia António H.F. , Ruiz-Ruano Francisco J. , Caballero Pablo , Naranjo Silvia , Carvajal Jaime J. , Gómez-Skarmeta José Luis
Published: November 2013

In multicellular organisms, cis-regulation controls gene expression in space and time. Despite the essential implication of cis-regulation in the development and evolution of organisms and in human diseases, our knowledge about regulatory sequences largely derives from analyzing their activity individually and outside their genomic context. Indeed, the contribution of these sequences to the expression of their target genes in their genomic context is still largely unknown. Here we present a novel genetic screen designed to visualize and interrupt gene regulatory landscapes in vertebrates. In this screen, based on the random insertion of an engineered Tol2 transposon carrying a strong insulator separating two fluorescent reporter genes, we isolated hundreds of zebrafish lines containing insertions that disrupt the cis-regulation of tissue-specific expressed genes. We therefore provide a new easy-to-handle tool that will help to disrupt and chart the regulatory activity spread through the vast noncoding regions of the vertebrate genome.
5-[(2-Methyl-4-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine
Authors: Usha M. K. , Madan Kumar S. , Vidyashree Jois H. S. , Kalluraya B. , Lokanath N. K. , Revannasiddaiah D.
Published: November 2013

In the title compound, C7H8N6O2S, the dihedral angle between the imidazole and thiadiazole rings is 70.86 (15)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked into [10-1] chains by N—H...N hydrogen bonds, which incorporate centrosymmetricR22(8) andR22(18) loops. The chains are linked by C—H...O and C—H...N interactions, generating a three-dimensional network. Very weak π–π stacking [centroid–centroid distance = 3.901 (17) Å] is also observed.
5-[(tert-Butyldiphenylsilyloxy)methyl]pyridazin-3(2H)-one
Authors: Costas-Lago María Carmen , Costas Tamara , Vila Noemí , Terán Carmen
Published: November 2013

In the title compound, C21H24N2O2Si, a new pyridazin-3(2H)-one derivative, the carbonyl group of the heterocyclic ring and the O atom of the silyl ether are located on the same side of the pyridazinone ring and the C—C—O—Si torsion angle is −140.69 (17)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by pairs of strong N—H...O hydrogen bonds into centrosymmetric dimers with graph-set notationR22(8). Weak C—H...π interactions are also observed.
N-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-2-phenyl-5-{[4-(trifluoromethyl)anilino]methyl}pyrimidin-4-amine
Authors: Cieplik Jerzy , Pluta Janusz , Bryndal Iwona , Lis Tadeusz
Published: November 2013

The title compound, C26H23F3N4O, crystallizes with two symmetry-independent molecules in the asymmetric unit, denotedAandB, which differ mainly in the rotation of the methoxyphenyl ring. The –CF3group of moleculeBis disordered by rotation, with the F atoms split over two sets of sites; the occupancy factor for the major component is 0.853 (4). The dihedral angles between the pyrimidine ring and the attached phenyl, methoxyphenyl and trifluoromethylphenyl rings are 8.1 (2), 37.5 (2) and 70.7 (2)°, respectively, in moleculeA, and 9.3 (2), 5.3 (2) and 79.7 (2)° in moleculeB. An intramolecular N—H...N hydrogen bond occurs in each molecule. In the crystal, two crystallographically independent molecules associate into a dimerviaa pair of N—H...N hydrogen bonds, with a resultingR22(12) ring motif and π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.517 (4) Å] between the pyrimidine rings. For theAmolecules, there are intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds between an aryl C atom of methoxyphenyl ring and a methoxy O atom of an adjacent molecule. A similar interaction is lacking in theBmolecules.
N′-[(E)-2-Fluorobenzylidene]benzohydrazide
Authors: Sreeja P. B. , Sithambaresan M. , Aiswarya N. , Kurup M. R. Prathapachandra
Published: November 2013

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C14H11FN2O, contains two independent molecules, both of which adopt theEconformation with respect to the azomethine C=N bond. The molecules are non-planar, with dihedral angles of 26.92 (12) and 11.36 (11)° between the benzene and phenyl rings. In the crystal, molecules are linked through N—H...O=C and N—H...N hydrogen bonds into chains along [101]. C—H...O contacts link these chains into layers parallel to (001). The three-dimensional crystal packing is stabilized by π–π interactions, the shortest separation between the centroids of benzene rings being 3.884 (1) Å.
Bis{μ4-N-[phenyl(pyridin-2-ylazanidyl)methyl]pyridin-2-aminido}tetrakis(tetrahydrofuran)tetralithium
Authors: Chen Juan
Published: November 2013

The title complex, [Li4(C17H14N4)2(C4H8O)4], bears a novel tetradentate diamido ligand. In the tetranuclear centrosymmetric complex molecule, the metal atoms exhibit two kinds of coordination modes. The middle two Li+cations are coordinated by four N (ligand) and one O (tetrahydrofuran, THF) atoms, resulting in a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. The outer two Li+cations are in distorted tetrahedral environments consisting of three N (ligand) and one O (THF) atoms. The Li—N bond lengths vary from 2.020 (7) to 2.441 (6)Å.
The role of brand orientation in the higher education sector: a student-perceived paradigm
Authors: Casidy Riza
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between perceived brand orientation (PBO), satisfaction, loyalty, and post-enrolment communication behaviour in the Australian higher education sector.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two hundred and fifty-eight questionnaires were completed by undergraduate students of a particular university in Australia. Structural equation modeling was employed in this study to examine the associations between the constructs.

Findings

– This study provides empirical evidence that PBO has a positive and significant relationship with all dependent variables. The research reveals that students' perception of a university's brand orientation is significantly related to satisfaction, loyalty, and post-enrolment communication behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings may guide the key decision makers in higher education institutions to understand the importance of brand orientation in their corporate strategy to enhance satisfaction, loyalty, and positive WOM, which can be used to differentiate themselves from other institutions in the highly competitive education market.

Originality/value

– Past researchers have not looked into the dynamic relationships between PBO, satisfaction, loyalty, and post-enrolment communication behaviour, and hence research is to be called for in this area. The paper is the first to examine brand orientation from the perspective of the students and provide higher education institutions with recommendations to improve service quality through brand orientation.
The effect of environmental uncertainty, information quality, and collaborative logistics on supply chain flexibility of small manufacturing firms in India
Authors: Nagarajan Vivek , Savitskie Katrina , Ranganathan Sampathkumar , Sen Sandipan , Alexandrov Aliosha
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between environmental uncertainty, information quality, and proactive logistics practices on supply chain flexibility.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey of 75 Indian small-scale manufacturers in Coimbatore (Southern India) was conducted.

Findings

– India, which is a thriving emerging economy, is an ideal location for this study. Results indicate that if managers wish to ensure improved supply chain flexibility, firms must work to improve information quality.

Research limitations/implications

– The small sample size is a limitation of the study, so too is the narrow sector targeted (small-scale manufacturing).

Practical implications

– The results reinforce the fact that supply chain management has many elements that can impact a manufacturing firm's responsiveness, which is especially true in an emerging market like India.

Originality/value

– The paper is one of the first to survey small-scale manufacturing executives regarding their acceptance of and use of supply chain concepts under environmental uncertainty.
The impacts of climate change on the People's Republic of China's grain output
Authors: Xin Xian , Lin Tun , Liu Xiaoyun , Wan Guanghua , Zhang Yongsheng
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the impacts of climate change on the People's Republic of China's (PRC) grain output using rural household survey data. The paper highlights the regional differences of impacts by estimating output elasticities (with respect to climate change) for different grain crops and different regions.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses production function to investigate the responses of grain output to climate variables as well as other traditional input variables. The use of production function approach allows us to do away with the competitive land market assumption as required in the Ricardian approach. The paper will use interaction terms of climate variables and regional dummies to capture the regional differences of climate change impact on grain crops.

Findings

– The results indicate that the overall negative climate impacts on the PRC's grain output range from −0.31 to −2.69 percent in 2030 and from −1.93 to −3.07 percent in 2050, under different emission scenarios. The impacts, however, differ substantially for different grain crops and different regions.

Originality/value

– This paper addresses the limitations of existing literature by highlighting regional differences and crop varieties using the most recent nationwide rural household survey data. The results indicate pronounced regional differences and crop differences in the impacts of climate changes on PRC's grain output.
Understanding the mental health needs of Chinese children living in the North East of England
Authors: Shun Wilson Cheng Wai , Fenn Dickson , Le Couteur Ann
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– Research evidence concerning the mental health of the Chinese population in Britain is much more limited than for other ethnic groups. The purpose of this paper is to get a better understanding of the mental health needs of Chinese children living in the North East of England and their parents’ experiences and knowledge about the mental health services.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors invited parents from two Chinese language schools to complete the Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire (SDQ) and a seven-question self-report questionnaire.

Findings

– In total, 76 out of 158 questionnaires returned. The mean scores of SDQ were lower than those reported in China, Hong Kong and UK. Only 43 per cent of parents knew how to seek psychiatric help if they suspect their children have mental health problems. Also, almost one-third of the parents believed that language barrier would be an obstacle for them to seek help.

Originality/value

– This is the first study in UK to look at the mental health of Chinese children and young people from their parents’ perspectives. This is also the first study in UK to compare their mental health wellbeing (via using SDQ) with their counterparts in other countries. This study has brought some clarity and new information to light about this ethnic minority group.
A phenomenological bubble number density model developed for simulation of cavitating flows inside high-pressure diesel injection nozzles
Authors: Wang Xiang , Zhu Guangya , Li Ke
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The present study aims to resolve the adjustment problem of cavitation bubble number density in simulations of the cavitating flows within the diesel injection nozzle holes using a two-fluid cavitation model.

Design/methodology/approach

– The basic rule that determines the variations of cavitation bubble number density has been checked through the scaling analysis of a two-fluid model under the assumption of hydrodynamic similarity of the cavitating flows. Moreover, a phenomenological model for the number density of cavitation bubbles that takes the hydrodynamic effect into account has been developed through the combined analysis of cavitation bubble dynamics and internal flow characteristics of diesel injection nozzle holes. This new model has also been validated by the discharge coefficient measures in a wide range of injection conditions.

Findings

– The values of cavitation bubble number density must rationally match changes both in liquid quality effect and in hydrodynamic effect corresponding to different cavitating flows. The validation results show that the two-fluid cavitation model together with this new cavitation bubble number density model predicts well both the cavitation content inside the diesel nozzle hole and the relationship between discharge coefficient and cavitation number, and the new cavitation bubble number density model has the potential to further expand the application range of the two-fluid cavitation model.

Originality/value

– This study provides insight into hydrodynamic effect corresponding to cavitating flows inside diesel nozzle holes and presents an idea to model the cavitation bubble number density phenomenologically. The model idea and the developed model are useful to researchers and engineers in the area of nozzle internal flow and cavitating flow.
Numerical simulation of two-phase reactive flow with moving boundary
Authors: Cheng Cheng , Zhang Xiaobing
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– In computational fluid dynamics for two-phase reactive flow of interior ballistic, the conventional schemes (MacCormack method, etc.) are known to introduce unphysical oscillations in the region where the gradient is high. This paper aims to improve the ability to capture the complex shock wave during the interior ballistic cycle.

Design/methodology/approach

– A two-phase flow model is established to describe the complex physical process based on a modified two-fluid theory. The solution of model is obtained including the following key methods: an approximate Riemann solver to construct upwind fluxes, the MUSCL extension to achieve high-order accuracy, a splitting approach to solve source terms, a self-adapting method to expand the computational domain for projectile motion and a control volume conservation method for the moving boundary.

Findings

– The paper is devoted to applying a high-resolution numerical method to simulate a transient two-phase reactive flow with moving boundary in guns. Several verification tests demonstrate the accuracy and reliability of this approach. Simulation of two-phase reaction flow with a projectile motion in a large-caliber gun shows an excellent agreement between numerical simulation and experimental measurements.

Practical implications

– This paper has implications for improving the ability to capture the complex physics phenomena of two-phase flow during interior ballistic cycle and predict the combustion details, such as the flame spreading, the formation of pressure waves and so on.

Originality/value

– This approach is reliable as a prediction tool for the understanding of the physical phenomenon and can therefore be used as an assessment tool for future interior ballistics studies.
Blend hard and soft skills to fast-track a management career
Authors: Rao M.S
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– Highlights the importance of top people in an organization having both hard and soft skills.

Design/methodology/approach

– Connects hard and soft skills with left and right-brain respectively. Distinguishes between book-smart and street-smart.

Findings

– Argues that leaders with hard and soft skills are more likely to enjoy career success and to achieve organizational excellence.

Practical implications

– Observes how successful leaders treat others as partners rather than as subordinates.

Originality/value

– Demonstrates how leaders with soft skills along with hard skills handle knowledge workers who crave partnership rather than traditional command-and-control management.
Socio-spatial occupation, conflict and humanitarian assistance for Bororo cross-border migrants in east Cameroon
Authors: Vitalis Pemunta Ngambouk , Brice Aristide Atock
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the socio-political factors and the influence of spatial reconfiguration and transformation orchestrated by the forceful migration of Bororo herdsmen – a nomadic ethnic group from the Central African Republic into east Cameroon where they are now subsistent farmers. This livelihood transition strategy led to conflict and competition over natural resources with the local inhabitants.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study draws from ethnographic interviews and participant observation involving security officials and international relief agencies alongside their implementing partners. Data abducted from various stakeholders were further complemented by reports produced by various humanitarian agencies and desk research – evaluation and reinterpretation of what others have written on pastoral peoples.

Findings

– The paper suggests that humanitarian agencies be aware of “transnational borderland identities” by considering the specificity of particular borderland regions-isolation, underdevelopment and prone to conflict in crises of forced migration. They further need to move from a spatialized “refugee-centric” approach to the conversion of refugee relief into local development projects for refugee hosting areas.

Research limitations/implications

– While the problem of resource use conflict caused by the influx of refugees might be local, it highlights regional and global security concerns and articulates the growing recognition of political and environmental factors for national and international security.

Originality/value

– The study articulates the need to shift from a spatialized “refugee-centric” regime that directs attention only to one category of social actors in an emergency situation to a more integrative assistance programme so as to erase the fake division of identities as well as to acknowledge the importance of a “border identity” for a more peaceful development aimed at achieving better social interaction between hosts and refugees. While the problem of resource use conflict caused by the influx of refugees might be local, it highlights regional and global security concerns and articulates the growing recognition of political and environmental factors for national and international security.
Globalization and Africa: implications for human development
Authors: Simplice Asongu
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the effects of trade and financial globalization on human development in 52 African countries using updated data (1996-2010) and a new indicator of human development (adjusted for inequality).

Design/methodology/approach

– The estimation technique used is a two stage least squares instrumental variable methodology. Instruments include income-levels, legal-origins and religious-dominations. The first-step consists of justifying the choice of the estimation technique with a Hausman-test for endogeneity. In the second-step, the paper verifies that the instrumental variables are exogenous to the endogenous components of explaining variables (globalization dynamic channels) conditional on other covariates (control variables). In the third-step, the strength and validity of the instruments are assessed with the Cragg-Donald and Sargan overidentifying restrictions tests, respectively. Robustness checks are ensured by: the use of alternative globalization indicators; endogeneity-based estimation; adoption of two interchangeable sets of instruments; estimation with a technique that controls for time-invariant unobservable shocks that affect openness and human development simultaneously.

Findings

– Findings broadly indicate that while trade globalization improves human development (consistent with the neoliberal theory), financial globalization has the opposite effect (in line with the hegemony thesis). The “life expectancy” component of the Human Development Index weighs most in the positive impact of trade globalization on human emancipation.

Practical implications

– Capital accounts should be opened in tandem with financial and institutional development. The investment atmosphere needs improvement to curtail capital flight (about 39 percent). Other policy implications include adoption of openness options in a selective and gradual manner, development of some industrial backbone for an import-substitution or export-led industry, emphasis on regional trade and building capacity, development of the agricultural sector with continuous government assistance, building of rural infrastructure, increasing adult literacy rate and developing human resources, fighting corruption and mitigating wastages in government expenditure.

Originality/value

– These findings are based on very recent data. Usage of the inequality-adjusted Human Development Index first published in 2010 corrects past works of the bulk of criticisms inherent in the first index.
Estimation of operational efficiency and its determinants using DEA
Authors: Kumar Singh Sudhir , Kumar Bajpai Vijay
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to benchmark the performance of state-owned coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) and test whether plant-specific knowledge in terms of quality of coal, size, age and make of plant contribute to an improvement in plant efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology that is utilized in the study follows a nonparametric approach of data envelopment analysis (DEA) with sensitivity analysis and Tobit regression model. The input-oriented DEA models are applied to evaluate the overall, pure technical and scale efficiencies of the CFPPs. Further, slack analysis is conducted to identify modes to improve the efficiency of the inefficient plants. Sensitivity analysis based on peer count and the removal of variables is carried out to identify the benchmark power plant. Through Tobit and bootstrap-truncated regression model, the paper investigates whether a plant's specific knowledge influences its efficiency.

Findings

– The DEA analysis demonstrates that nine plants are technically purely efficient.The slack analysis reveals that reducing the consumption of oil is the most effective way to improve the efficiency of inefficient plants. Mattur plant is the benchmark for most of the inefficient plants. Regression result suggests that quality of coal and size of plant significantly affect the inefficiency of the sample plants. Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited MAKE plant achieved higher efficiency in comparison to mixed MAKE.

Originality/value

– This study is one of the few published studies that benchmark the performance of state-owned CFPPs. This research carried out taking some new uncontrollable parameters of power plant utilities of India. Research work also identifies the possible causes of inefficiency and provides measures to improve the efficiency of the inefficient power plant.
Contagion effect of the oil shock and US financial crisis on the GCC and BRIC countries
Authors: Ghorbel Achraf , Boujelbene Younes
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to employ GARCH-class models (GARCH, IGARCH and CGARCH) to estimate the volatility persistence on crude oil, US, Gulf Corporation Council (GCC), Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) stock markets. Also, the paper investigates the volatility spillover and the dynamic conditional correlation between crude oil, US stock index and stock indices of GCC and BRIC countries. The results prove a high degree of volatility persistence in the crude oil and stock markets. Based on the BEKK-GARCH and DCC-GARCH results, the paper finds strong evidence of the contagion effect of the oil shock and US financial crisis of 2008 on GCC and BRIC stock markets.

Design/methodology/approach

– In the beginning, the paper uses univariate GARCH models to estimate the volatility persistence of the oil market, US stock market, and GCC and BRIC stock markets. Then, the paper uses a trivariate BEKK-GARCH model of Malik and Hammoudeh to examine the volatility spillover between oil market, US stock market and stock markets for GCC and BRIC countries. Finally, the paper analyses the dynamic conditional correlation between US market and each stock market of GCC and BRIC countries using the DCC-GARCH model. Also, the paper estimates the dynamic conditional correlation between oil market and all stock markets.

Findings

– The results indicate the contagion effect of the oil shock and US financial crisis of 2008 on the GCC stock markets which are among the most important oil-exporting countries and also on BRIC stock markets which are among the emergent countries which are characterized by high economic growth level.

Originality/value

– The contribution of this paper is to investigate the existence of contagion effect between oil market, US stock market and two panels of emerging stock markets which have different economic characteristics, the GCC and BRIC countries, during the oil shock and US financial crisis period of 2008-2009.
Supplier choice criteria and the security aware food purchasing manager
Authors: Voss Doug
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the differences in preferred supplier choice criteria between food purchasing agents who focus on supplier security and those that do not. Specifically, this research determines the relationship between purchasing agents’ supplier security preferences and their preferences for product quality, delivery reliability, price, and supplier location. The influence of international sourcing on demand for increased supplier security is also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

– Choice-based conjoint analysis with hierarchical Bayes (HB) estimation and t-tests are used to assess and compare the utility food purchasing managers derive from different supplier attributes.

Findings

– Purchasing managers that place a higher priority on security when choosing suppliers were willing to pay suppliers a higher price and receive lower levels of delivery reliability in return for higher security but placed less emphasis on suppliers’ product quality. Firms that source internationally do not have a significantly greater preference for advanced supplier security. However, purchasing managers that value supplier security were more likely to source internationally, potentially indicating that security allows for global sourcing by mitigating the increased vulnerability inherent to sourcing abroad.

Research limitations/implications

– This research was limited by its focus on the food industry and a relatively small sample size.

Practical implications

– This work illustrated that food purchasing managers can be segmented by the emphasis they place on security. Food industry managers will find results useful in formulating their future service offerings with respect to security and other supplier choice criteria.

Originality/value

– This is one of few works investigating security as a supplier choice criterion and utilizing HB estimation of choice-based conjoint data.
Reverse logistics: past research, current management issues, and future directions
Authors: R. Huscroft Joseph , T. Hazen Benjamin , J. Hall Dianne , B. Skipper Joseph , B. Hanna Joe
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the key issues faced by today's supply chain professionals when managing reverse logistics (RL) processes and compare these issues with the topics examined in extant research. By making such a comparison, the paper identifies areas of practical relevance that are being adequately addressed in the literature, as well as areas that may need further attention.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper employed a Delphi method in order to uncover the most salient RL issues faced in industry, as viewed by practitioners. The paper then completed a systematic analysis of the RL literature in order to examine the degree to which topics addressed in the extant literature correspond with the framework proposed by Carter and Ellram (1998). Finally, the paper compared and contrasted the findings of the content analysis and Delphi study, which highlights areas for future investigation that may help to better align research with practice.

Findings

– In the Delphi study, the paper uncovered and ranked seven key issues for RL managers. These are: customer support, top-management support, communication, costs, formalization, timing of operations, and environmental issues. When compared to Carter and Ellram's (1998) framework, three of the seven factors coincide with factors described in the framework and two factors indirectly relate to the framework. The two factors not specifically represented are costs and formalization.

Practical implications

– The findings provide practitioners with an understanding of what factors are most important to consider when managing RL programs. The discussion of the comparison between the Delphi results and extant literature provides guidance as to how to address the RL issues uncovered in this study.

Originality/value

– This research effort suggests directions for future research that will better align academic topics with current managerial issues. Although the paper offers many suggestions for future research, the paper proposes that investigating ways to increase formalization of RL programs and establish RL as a profit center within organizations may be the areas in greatest need for additional scholarly research.
Dental caries status and treatment needs among Tibetan refugees residing in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Mahajan Poonam
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– Oral health is an integral part of the general health, however, oral health has been given lower priority than other health problems especially among the underprivileged refugee population. Out of total refugees in the world, 70 percent of the refugees belong to Tibet. The purpose of this paper is to assess the dental caries status and treatment needs of Tibetans residing in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India and to explore and suggest better oral health care delivery to them.

Design/methodology/approach

– Tibetans above the age of 12 years were included in this cross-sectional study. American Dental Association Type-3 examination was conducted. Data regarding demography and oral health practices was recorded on a structured format. For recording dental caries, dentition status and treatment need index was used. The data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software. χ2 test, student t-test, and ANOVA test were used.

Findings

– A total of 18,831 teeth were examined among which 82 percent were sound, 16.7 percent decayed, 0.7 percent were filled without decay, 0.1 percent filled with decay, 0.03 percent were bridge abutments and 0.15 percent teeth had traumatic injury. The mean DMFT was 7.3 and it was increasing with the age. Mean number of teeth requiring one surface filling, two or more surface filling, pulp therapy, and extraction was 1.27, 0.39, 0.21, and 2.08, respectively.

Originality/value

– The study revealed low prevalence of dental caries among Tibetans and dental treatment requirement steadily increased with the advancement of age and was also related to other factors like poverty, education, and their tough life where oral health is given no priority.
Green marketing: what the Millennials buy
Authors: Lu Leslie , Bock Dora , Joseph Mathew
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– To develop an understanding of the Millennial Generation's consumption of green products. Specifically, our research sought to address the following two research questions in regard to this generation's consumption behavior: What product attributes have significant effects on purchases of green products? What are the primary reasons for not adopting green products?

Design/methodology/approach

– A questionnaire was administered to 197 undergraduates at a private university in the southern US. The sample was 59 percent female and ages ranged from less than 18 to 25. Full time students represented 95 percent of the sample.

Findings

– The findings suggest that when developing marketing communications, marketers may want to devote more attention to recyclability or re-usability, biodegradableness, and positive health effects stemming from eco-friendly product attributes, as these characteristics shared the strongest associations with Millennial intent to purchase green products. The results also indicate that the primary reason Millennials do not purchase green products is the belief that green products are too expensive.

Research limitations/implications

– To capture opinions of members of the Millennial Generation, the study used a sample of students at a private university which may not be representative of the entire population of Millennials. Since all participants were enrolled in higher education, there may be some relationship between education and green consumption behavior.

Originality/value

– This research offers marketers a richer understanding of this segments' consumption behavior of green products, in addition to highlighting important obstacles marketers need to overcome to transition non-purchasers to purchasers of green products.
Marketing at the bottom of the pyramid: service quality sensitivity of captive microfinance borrowers
Authors: Jose Saju , Robert Buchanan F.
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to survey the working poor who are microfinance borrowers, examining their perceptions of customer satisfaction and corporate social responsibility.

Design/methodology/approach

– Validated scale measures were presented in a cross-sectional field study survey of 201 respondents. OLS regression was used after determining factor loadings and reliabilities.

Findings

– Customer dissatisfaction with the microfinance product, lack of commitment from lender's staff, and dissatisfaction with informational support, were all significantly related to future purchase intentions. Only dissatisfaction toward the firm's people was significantly related to perceptions of CSR.

Practical implications

– Dissatisfied poor would prefer to buy elsewhere, even if they find the seller to be socially responsible. However, attitudes and behaviors of the firm's agents convey low CSR. Microfinance customers were sensitive to customer service. Service quality was also significantly related to their perceptions of CSR.

Originality/value

– This exploratory research is novel, examining stakeholders at the bottom of the pyramid. Indian respondents came from the origins of microfinance, and are seldom sampled. Despite being captive customers with few alternatives, microfinance borrowers are sensitive to customer service. This service is also significantly related to their perceptions of CSR.
The dimensions of prescription drug brand personality as identified by consumers
Authors: Leonard Erica , Prevel Katsanis Lea
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to describe the development and validation of a two-dimensional scale measuring prescription drug brand personality as identified by consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

– A total of 483 US respondents rated a subset of 15 well-known prescription medications on 22 different personality traits. A total of 2,245 individual brand evaluations were generated and subsequently analyzed using exploratory factor analysis.

Findings

– The findings revealed that consumers are in fact able to attribute human personality traits to prescription drugs. A stable and generalizable two-dimensional (competence and innovativeness) scale was established: the Prescription Brand Personality Scale (PBPS).

Research limitations/implications

– The “stacked” data structure required to aggregate data across subjects discounts the variation between brands and subjects. The brands included in the study are relatively few compared to consumer brands.

Practical implications

– This research has important implications for the expansion of pharmaceutical branding strategies and demonstrates the potential of using brand personality as an effective positioning and differentiation tool.

Originality/value

– This is the first study to investigate the existence of prescription drug brand personalities as perceived by consumers as well as the development of the PBPS, specifically for prescription drug brands. The findings have important implications for the development of innovative marketing strategies, and this study lays the groundwork for further investigation into the antecedents and consequences of prescription drug brand personality.
Foreign executives in local organisations
Authors: Arp Frithjof , Hutchings Kate , A. Smith Wendy
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate foreign executives appointed into cultural contexts distant from their country of origin and headquarters of organisations to which host-country nationals (HCNs) they supervise and HCN superiors they report to attribute a “local” national identity. Significant differences of these foreign executives in local organisations (FELOs) from other forms of expatriation, including assigned and self-initiated expatriates, are identified and discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research utilises a qualitative exploratory approach based on triangulated multiple data sources. Data are sourced from in-depth semi-structured interviews with foreign executives (n=46) from 13 countries and their host-country peers (n=25) in organisations founded and headquartered in Malaysia. Dyadic data from the two sample groups are used to triangulate findings, while non-dyadic and socio-biographical data add further insight.

Findings

– The data analysis identifies issues surrounding allegiance, trust, and control, assumptions about income levels, and exposure to heightened local scrutiny as components of the distinct nature of the FELO experience.

Research limitations/implications

– Implications for future research on new types of international cross-cultural workplaces are discussed. While construct definitions for self-initiated expatriation (SIE) in the wider mobility and migration literature are still in flux, international management research may be at risk of neglecting local workplaces and perspectives.

Practical implications

– The FELO phenomenon differs significantly from expatriate assignments between headquarters and foreign subsidiaries of multinational corporations, and can be viewed as a rare and specific form of SIE. Its occurrence indicates an increasingly global market for individuals with career capital and global mobility.

Originality/value

– The findings elucidate the situation of FELOs and provide comparisons to other types of expatriates. The research contributes to extant literature on global mobility as it explores a specific cross-cultural phenomenon that has not been systematically investigated in the academic literature, but is described in the media and executive search firm publications as “fairly new, highly visible, and sometimes controversial” with demand for FELOs “likely to continue”.
De-escalation: the evidence, policy and practice
Authors: Inglis Pamela , Clifton Andrew
Published: November 2013

Purpose

– The management of violence and aggression is an important aspect of any service in the NHS and has been rightly tackled as a whole organisational approach. De-escalation is one such aspect of the organisation approach relating foremost to the safety of people and as such is a central part of relational security, personal safety and the therapeutic relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper explores the evidence and policies around de-escalation.

Findings

– The paper recommends that a randomised-controlled trial be designed, comparing different de-escalation techniques to establish an evidence base for this routine practice.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper is limited to discussing de-escalation as an approach and the policy that directs it, and does not consider individual theories on aggression and management. It makes recommendations for policy, research and practice.

Practical implications

– There is a lack of high-quality evidence around de-escalation policy and principles which staff may believe is evidence-based practice because training is often mandatory. This obviously impacts upon the patient experience and aspects of safety. The paper is valuable to practitioners working in secure environments, or with offenders that may require management of violence and aggression.

Originality/value

– There are many policies and guidelines from the government and from professional bodies that seems to have tailored off since 2005 (Muralidharan and Fenton, 2006; UKCC, 2002). Forensic staff are constrained by such guidance which is further complicated by debates concerning care/coercion and forensic environments, some of which is alluded to here.