bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dis-integrating the fly: A mutational perspective on phenotypic integration and covariation
Authors: Haber Annat , Dworkin Ian
Published: July 2015

The structure of environmentally induced phenotypic covariation can influence the effective strength and magnitude of natural selection. Yet our understanding of the factors that contribute to and influence the evolutionary lability of such covariation is poor. Most studies have either examined environmental variation without accounting for covariation, or examined phenotypic and genetic covariation without distinguishing the environmental component. In this study we examined the effect of mutational perturbations on different properties of environmental covariation, as well as mean shape. We use strains ofDrosophila melanogasterbearing well-characterized mutations known to influence wing shape, as well as naturally-derived strains, all reared under carefully-controlled conditions and with the same genetic background. We find that mean shape changes more freely than the covariance structure, and that different properties of the covariance matrix change independently from each other. The perturbations affect matrix orientation more than they affect matrix eccentricity or total variance. Yet, mutational effects on matrix orientation do not cluster according to the developmental pathway that they target. These results suggest that it might be useful to consider a more general concept of ‘decanalization’, involving all aspects of variation and covariation.
Dating ancient human samples using the recombination clock
Authors: Moorjani Priya , Sankararaman Sriram , Fu Qiaomei , Przeworski Molly , Patterson Nick , Reich David
Published: July 2015

The study of human evolution has been revolutionized by inferences from ancient DNA analyses. Key to these is the reliable estimation of the age of ancient specimens. The current best practice is radiocarbon dating, which relies on characterizing the decay of radioactive carbon isotope (14C), and is applicable for dating up to 50,000-year-old samples. Here, we introduce a new genetic method that uses recombination clock for dating. The key idea is that an ancient genome has evolved less than the genomes of extant individuals. Thus, given a molecular clock provided by the steady accumulation of recombination events, one can infer the age of the ancient genome based on the number of missing years of evolution. To implement this idea, we take advantage of the shared history of Neanderthal gene flow into non-Africans that occurred around 50,000 years ago. Using the Neanderthal ancestry decay patterns, we estimate the Neanderthal admixture time for both ancient and extant samples. The difference in these admixture dates then provides an estimate of the age of the ancient genome. We show that our method provides reliable results in simulations. We apply our method to date five ancient Eurasian genomes with radiocarbon dates ranging between 12,000 to 45,000 years and recover consistent age estimates. Our method provides a complementary approach for dating ancient human samples and is applicable to ancient non-African genomes with Neanderthal ancestry. Extensions of this methodology that use older shared events may be able to date ancient genomes that fall beyond the radiocarbon frontier.

Significance

We introduce a new genetic method for dating ancient human samples that uses the recombination clock. The main idea relies on the insight that an ancient genome lacks several thousand years of evolution compared to genomes of living individuals. To infer the age of ancient genomes, we take advantage of the shared history of Neanderthal gene flow into non-Africans that occurred around 50,000 years ago. By characterizing the dates of Neanderthal gene flow in ancient and extant genomes and quantifying the difference in these dates, we estimate the age of the ancient specimen. Our method is applicable for dating ancient samples more recent than the Neanderthal mixture event, so on par with radiocarbon dating, providing a complementary approach for dating.
SEX-DETector: a probabilistic approach to uncover sex chromosomes in non-model organisms
Authors: Muyle Aline , Käfer Jos , Zemp Niklaus , Mousset Sylvain , Picard Franck , Marais Gabriel AB
Published: July 2015

Data deposition:During the review process, the SEX-DETector galaxy workflow and associated test datasets are made available on the publicgalaxy.prabi.frserver. The data as well as the tool interface are visible to anonymous users, but to use them, you should register for an account (“user Register”), and import the data library “SEX-DETector” (“Shared Data Data Libraries”) into your history. More instructions can be found in the “readme” file in this library. The user manual for SEX-DETector is available here:https://lbbe.univ-lyon1.fr/Download-5251.html?lang=en.

Paper submitted as a Genome Resource.

We propose a probabilistic framework to infer autosomal and sex-linked genes from RNA-seq data of a cross for any sex chromosome type (XY, ZW, UV). Sex chromosomes (especially the nonrecombining and repeat-dense Y, W, U and V) are notoriously difficult to sequence. Strategies have been developed to obtain partially assembled sex chromosome sequences. However, most of them remain difficult to apply to numerous non-model organisms, either because they require a reference genome, or because they are designed for evolutionarily old systems. Sequencing a cross (parents and progeny) by RNA-seq to study the segregation of alleles and infer sex-linked genes is a cost-efficient strategy, which also provides expression level estimates. However, the lack of a proper statistical framework has limited a broader application of this approach. Tests on empirical data show that our method identifies many more sex-linked genes than existing pipelines, while making reliable inferences for downstream analyses. Simulations suggest few individuals are needed for optimal results. For species with unknown sex-determination system, the method can assess the presence and type (XY versus ZW) of sex chromosomes through a model comparison strategy. The method is particularly well optimised for sex chomosomes of young or intermediate age, which are expected in thousands of yet unstudied lineages. Any organism, including non-model ones for which nothing is known a priori, that can be bred in the lab, is suitable for our method. SEX-DETector is made freely available to the community through a Galaxy workflow.
Paracrine signaling between tumor subclones of mouse SCLC: a critical role of ETS transcription factor Pea3 in facilitating metastasis
Authors: Kwon Min-chul , Proost Natalie , Song Ji-Ying , Sutherland Kate D. , Zevenhoven John , Berns Anton
Published: July 2015

Tumor heterogeneity can create a unique symbiotic tumor microenvironment. Earlier, we showed that clonal evolution in mouse small cell lung cancer (SCLC) can result in subclones that, upon cografting, endow the neuroendocrine tumor cells with metastatic potential. We now show that paracrine signaling between SCLC subclones is a critical requirement in the early steps of the metastatic process, such as local invasion and intravasation. We further show evidence that paracrine signaling via fibroblast growth factor 2 (Fgf2) and Mapk between these diverged tumor subclones causes enhanced expression of the Pea3 (polyomavirus enhancer activator 3) transcription factor, resulting in metastatic dissemination of the neuroendocrine tumor subclones. Our data reveal for the first time paracrine signaling between tumor cell subclones in SCLC that results in metastatic spread of SCLC.
A novel 3′ splice site recognition by the two zinc fingers in the U2AF small subunit
Authors: Yoshida Hisashi , Park Sam-Yong , Oda Takashi , Akiyoshi Taeko , Sato Mamoru , Shirouzu Mikako , Tsuda Kengo , Kuwasako Kanako , Unzai Satoru , Muto Yutaka , Urano Takeshi , Obayashi Eiji
Published: July 2015

The pre-mRNA splicing reaction of eukaryotic cells has to be carried out extremely accurately, as failure to recognize the splice sites correctly causes serious disease. The small subunit of the U2AF heterodimer is essential for the determination of 3′ splice sites in pre-mRNA splicing, and several single-residue mutations of the U2AF small subunit cause severe disorders such as myelodysplastic syndromes. However, the mechanism of RNA recognition is poorly understood. Here we solved the crystal structure of the U2AF small subunit (U2AF23) from fission yeast, consisting of an RNA recognition motif (RRM) domain flanked by two conserved CCCH-type zinc fingers (ZFs). The two ZFs are positioned side by side on the β sheet of the RRM domain. Further mutational analysis revealed that the ZFs bind cooperatively to the target RNA sequence, but the RRM domain acts simply as a scaffold to organize the ZFs and does not itself contact the RNA directly. This completely novel and unexpected mode of RNA-binding mechanism by the U2AF small subunit sheds light on splicing errors caused by mutations of this highly conserved protein.
Crystallographic analysis of RsmA, a ribosomal RNA small subunit methyltransferase A fromStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhu Yuwei , Teng Maikun , Li Xu
Published: July 2015

RsmA, a ribosomal RNA small subunit methyltransferase fromStaphylococcus aureus, catalyzes theN6methylation of adenine in 16S rRNA. In this study, RsmA fromStaphylococcus aureuswas cloned, expressed, purified and crystallized. The crystal belonged to space groupC2, with unit-cell parametersa= 84.38,b= 157.76,c= 96.50 Å, β = 95.04°. X-ray diffraction data were collected to a resolution of 3.2 Å. The self-rotation function and the Matthews coefficient suggested the presence of two molecules in the asymmetric unit.
Crystallization, neutron data collection, initial structure refinement and analysis of a xyloglucan heptamer bound to an engineered carbohydrate-binding module from xylanase
Authors: Ohlin Mats , von Schantz Laura , Schrader Tobias E. , Ostermann Andreas , Logan Derek T. , Fisher S. Zoë
Published: July 2015

Carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) are discrete parts of carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes that bind specific types of carbohydrates. Ultra high-resolution X-ray crystallographic studies of CBMs have helped to decipher the basis for specificity in carbohydrate–protein interactions. However, additional studies are needed to better understand which structural determinants confer which carbohydrate-binding properties. To address these issues, neutron crystallographic studies were initiated on one experimentally engineered CBM derived from a xylanase, X-2 L110F, a protein that is able to bind several different plant carbohydrates such as xylan, β-glucan and xyloglucan. This protein evolved from a CBM present in xylanase Xyn10A ofRhodothermus marinus. The protein was complexed with a branched xyloglucan heptasaccharide. Large single crystals of hydrogenous protein (∼1.6 mm3) were grown at room temperature and subjected to H/D exchange. Both neutron and X-ray diffraction data sets were collected to 1.6 Å resolution. Joint neutron and X-ray refinement usingphenix.refineshowed significant density for residues involved in carbohydrate binding and revealed the details of a hydrogen-bonded water network around the binding site. This is the first report of a neutron structure of a CBM and will add to the understanding of protein–carbohydrate binding interactions.
Crystallographic analysis of archaeal ribosomal protein L11
Authors: Mitroshin Ivan , Garber Maria , Gabdulkhakov Azat
Published: July 2015

Ribosomal protein L11 is an important part of the GTPase-associated centre in ribosomes of all organisms. L11 is a highly conserved two-domain ribosomal protein. The C-terminal domain of L11 is an RNA-binding domain that binds to a fragment of 23S rRNA and stabilizes its structure. The complex between L11 and 23S rRNA is involved in the GTPase activity of the translation elongation and release factors. Bacterial and archaeal L11–rRNA complexes are targets for peptide antibiotics of the thiazole class. To date, there is no complete structure of archaeal L11 owing to the mobility of the N-terminal domain of the protein. Here, the crystallization and X-ray analysis of the ribosomal protein L11 fromMethanococcus jannaschiiare reported. Crystals of the native protein and its selenomethionine derivative belonged to the orthorhombic space groupI222 and were suitable for structural studies. Native and single-wavelength anomalous dispersion data sets have been collected and determination of the structure is in progress.
In vivoprotein crystallization in combination with highly brilliant radiation sources offers novel opportunities for the structural analysis of post-translationally modified eukaryotic proteins
Authors: Duszenko Michael , Redecke Lars , Mudogo Celestin Nzanzu , Sommer Benjamin Philip , Mogk Stefan , Oberthuer Dominik , Betzel Christian
Published: July 2015

During the last decade, the number of three-dimensional structures solved by X-ray crystallography has increased dramatically. By 2014, it had crossed the landmark of 100 000 biomolecular structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank. This tremendous increase in successfully crystallized proteins is primarily owing to improvements in cloning strategies, the automation of the crystallization process and new innovative approaches to monitor crystallization. However, these improvements are mainly restricted to soluble proteins, while the crystallization and structural analysis of membrane proteins or proteins that undergo major post-translational modifications remains challenging. In addition, the need for relatively large crystals for conventional X-ray crystallography usually prevents the analysis of dynamic processes within cells. Thus, the advent of high-brilliance synchrotron and X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) sources and the establishment of serial crystallography (SFX) have opened new avenues in structural analysis using crystals that were formerly unusable. The successful structure elucidation of cathepsin B, accomplished by the use of microcrystals obtained byin vivocrystallization in baculovirus-infected Sf9 insect cells, clearly proved that crystals grown intracellularly are very well suited for X-ray analysis. Here, methods by whichin vivocrystals can be obtained, isolated and used for structural analysis by novel highly brilliant XFEL and synchrotron-radiation sources are summarized and discussed.
Expression, purification, crystallization and X-ray crystallographic analysis of the periplasmic binding protein VatD fromVibrio vulnificusM2799
Authors: Miyano Nao , Igarashi Tomoko , Kawano Hiroaki , Miyamoto Katsushiro , Tsuchiya Takahiro , Tomoo Koji , Tsujibo Hiroshi
Published: July 2015

Vibrio vulnificusis a halophilic marine microorganism which causes gastroenteritis and primary septicaemia in humans. An important factor that determines the survival ofV. vulnificusin the human body is its ability to acquire iron. VatD is a periplasmic siderophore-binding protein fromV. vulnificusM2799. The current study reports the expression, purification and crystallization of VatD. Crystals of both apo VatD and a VatD–desferrioxamine B–Fe3+(VatD–FOB) complex were obtained. The crystal of apo VatD belonged to space groupP6422, while the crystal of the VatD–FOB complex belonged to space groupP21. The difference in the two crystal forms could be caused by the binding of FOB to VatD.
Structural analysis ofClostridium acetobutylicumATCC 824 glycoside hydrolase from CAZy family GH105
Authors: Germane Katherine L. , Servinsky Matthew D. , Gerlach Elliot S. , Sund Christian J. , Hurley Margaret M.
Published: July 2015

Clostridium acetobutylicumATCC 824 gene CA_C0359 encodes a putative unsaturated rhamnogalacturonyl hydrolase (URH) with distant amino-acid sequence homology to YteR ofBacillus subtilisstrain 168. YteR, like other URHs, has core structural homology to unsaturated glucuronyl hydrolases, but hydrolyzes the unsaturated disaccharide derivative of rhamnogalacturonan I. The crystal structure of the recombinant CA_C0359 protein was solved to 1.6 Å resolution by molecular replacement using the phase information of the previously reported structure of YteR (PDB entry 1nc5) fromBacillus subtilisstrain 168. The YteR-like protein is a six-α-hairpin barrel with two β-sheet strands and a small helix overlaying the end of the hairpins next to the active site. The protein has low primary protein sequence identity to YteR but is structurally similar. The two tertiary structures align with a root-mean-square deviation of 1.4 Å and contain a highly conserved active pocket. There is a conserved aspartic acid residue in both structures, which has been shown to be important for hydration of the C=C bond during the release of unsaturated galacturonic acid by YteR. A surface electrostatic potential comparison of CA_C0359 and proteins from CAZy families GH88 and GH105 reveals the make-up of the active site to be a combination of the unsaturated rhamnogalacturonyl hydrolase and the unsaturated glucuronyl hydrolase fromBacillus subtilisstrain 168. Structural and electrostatic comparisons suggests that the protein may have a slightly different substrate specificity from that of YteR.
Structure of GUN4 fromChlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Tarahi Tabrizi Shabnam , Langley David B. , Harrop Stephen J. , Duff Anthony P. , Willows Robert D.
Published: July 2015

The genomes uncoupled 4 (GUN4) protein stimulates chlorophyll biosynthesis by increasing the activity of Mg-chelatase, the enzyme that inserts magnesium into protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) in the chlorophyll biosynthesis pathway. One of the roles of GUN4 is in binding PPIX and Mg-PPIX. In eukaryotes, GUN4 also participates in plastid-to-nucleus signalling, although the mechanism for this is unclear. Here, the first crystal structure of a eukaryotic GUN4, fromChlamydomonas reinhardtii, is presented. The structure is in broad agreement with those of previously solved cyanobacterial structures. Most interestingly, conformational divergence is restricted to several loops which cover the porphyrin-binding cleft. The conformational dynamics suggested by this ensemble of structures lend support to the understanding of how GUN4 binds PPIX or Mg-PPIX.
Crystal structure of tetrakis(acetylacetonato)dichloridodi-μ3-methanolato-tetra-μ2-methanolato-tetrairon(III)
Authors: Richers Casseday P. , Bertke Jeffery A. , Gray Danielle L. , Rauchfuss Thomas B.
Published: July 2015

The title complex, [Fe4(C5H7O2)4(CH3O)6Cl2] or [Fe4(acac)4(μ2-OMe)4(μ3-OMe)2Cl2] (acac = acetylacetonate), crystallizes in the orthorhombicPbcaspace group with one half of the molecule per asymmetric unit, the other half being completed by inversion symmetry. The core structure consists of a face-sharing double pseudo-cubane entity with two opposite corners missing. Weak C—H...Cl intermolecular interactions result in a two-dimensional layered structure parallel to theacplane.
Crystal structure of aquabis[4-(methylsulfanyl)benzoato-κO](1,10-phenanthroline-κ2N,N′)copper(II) monohydrate
Authors: Zhu Jin-Li , Li Jian-hua , Wang Miao , Jiang Guo-Min , Jiang Guo-Qing
Published: July 2015

In the title compound, [Cu(C8H7O2S)2(C12H8N2)(H2O)]·H2O, the central CuIIatom is five-coordinated in a slightly distorted square-pyramidal environment by two N atoms from a 1,10-phenanthroline ligand, one O atom from the carboxylate group of one 4-(methylsulfanyl)benzoate anion and one water O atom in the equatorial plane while the apical position is occupied by the O atom of a carboxylate group of the second anion. In the crystal, a three-dimensional supramolecular network is formed through weak intermolecular C—H...O and C—H...S interactions and π-stacking between the 1,10-phenanthroline ligand and the aromatic rings of symmetry-related 4-(methylsulfanyl)benzoate ligands.
Crystal structure of (7-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)methyl piperidine-1-carbodithioate
Authors: Roopashree K. R. , Meenakshi T. G. , Kumar K. Mahesh , Kotresh O. , Devarajegowda H. C.
Published: July 2015

In the title compound, C17H19NO2S2, the 2H-chromene ring system is nearly planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.0383 (28) Å, and the piperidine ring adopts a chair conformation. The 2H-chromene ring makes dihedral angles of 32.89 (16) and 67.33 (8)°, respectively, with the mean planes of the piperidine ring and the carbodithioate group. In the crystal, C—H...O and weak C—H...S hydrogen bonds link the molecules into chains along [001]. The crystal structure also features C—H...π and π–π interactions, with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.7097 (17) Å.
Crystal structure of cafenstrole
Authors: Kang Gihaeng , Kim Jineun , Park Hyunjin , Kim Tae Ho
Published: July 2015

The title compound (systematic name:N,N-diethyl-3-mesitylsulfonyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-carboxamide), C16H22N4O3S, is a triazole herbicide. The dihedral angle between the planes of the triazole and benzene ring planes is 88.14 (10)°. In the crystal, C—H...O hydrogen bonds and weak C—H...π interactions link adjacent molecules, forming one-dimensional chains along theaaxis.
Crystal structure of (E)-1-(1-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl)-3-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one
Authors: Srividya J. , Reuben Jonathan D. , Revathi B. K. , Anbalagan G.
Published: July 2015

The title compound, C22H20O5, is composed of a hydroxynaphthyl ring and a trimethoxyphenyl ring [the planes of which are inclined to one another by 21.61 (10)°] bridged by an unsaturated prop-2-en-1-one group. The mean plane of the prop-2-en-1-one group [–C(=O)—C=C–] is inclined to that of the naphthyl system and benzene rings by 3.77 (14) and 18.01 (16)°, respectively. There is an intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond present forming anS(6) ring motif. In the crystal, inversion-related molecules are linked by a slipped-parallel π–π interaction [intercentroid distance = 3.8942 (13) Å, interplanar distance = 3.478 (9) Å and slippage = 1.751 Å], and stack along the [101] direction. There are no other significant intermolecular interactions present.
Resources-for-infrastructure (R4I) swaps
Authors: Konijn Peter , van Tulder Rob
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to understand the role resources-for-infrastructure (R4I) swaps play in internationalisation strategies, thereby contributing to a modern theory of the multinational enterprises (MNEs) based on experiences of rising power firms. Since 2004, the Chinese Government; state-owned policy banks; and oil, mining and construction corporations have used a relatively unique form of internationalisation through complex, large-scale R4I swaps in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper uses a resource bundling perspective and political economy lens to analyse complex entry decisions and success, as well as the failure of R4I swaps. The paper is based on a comparative analysis of published case studies of R4I swaps in seven African countries complemented by field research by the first author.

Findings

– The findings show that, under very specific circumstances, R4I swaps can be considered as a successful internationalisation strategy. R4I swaps enable Chinese MNEs to build and maintain relationships with non-market elites that control access to natural resources and infrastructure contracts.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample of cases, although representing all relevant R4I-swaps, is too small to come for more quantitative conclusions on success/failure factors.

Practical implications

– R4I swaps are a very unlikely model for Western MNEs, as they lack the necessary country-specific competitive advantages and institutional mechanisms.

Originality/value

– To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study of all relevant Chinese R4I swaps in Africa and contains original data from fieldwork in Ghana and D.R. Congo.
Responding to the rising power “threat”
Authors: Horner Rory
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore how established multinational enterprises (MNEs) have responded to the perceived threat from rising power firms by seeking to alter the intellectual property institutional environment in key emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The key place of emerging economies in the efforts of established MNEs to seek patent law change is discussed. Two case studies review developments related to pharmaceutical patents in India and South Africa, highlighting the influence of MNEs in driving policy change and the contested nature of their actions.

Findings

– While India and South Africa both present evidence of MNEs seeking to influence pharmaceutical patent laws, distinct differences emerge. In India, most MNE pressure has been in response to the emergence of an active domestic industry and a patent law oriented towards generic entry, while the MNE priority in South African has been geared towards maintaining MNE dominance and a system which leads to generous granting of patents.

Practical implications

– Managers and decision-makers seeking to invest in emerging economies must take account of a plethora of institutions present, which may be better suited towards local industrial and consumer interests and may prompt resistance to any established MNE-led attempt at institutional change.

Originality/value

– The article offers a comparative perspective on pharmaceutical patent laws in India and South Africa, which have been subject to significant contestation by policymakers, civil society organisations and both rising power and established MNEs. The comparison explores and questions the increasingly widespread “institutional void” thesis in international business.
Regional export advantage of rising power SMEs
Authors: Pradhan Jaya Prakash , Das Keshab
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine the subnational regional dimension of exports by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India, one of the prominent emerging economies or “rising powers”.

Design/methodology/approach

– To understand the forces driving the variation in subnational region’s share in international business of rising power SMEs, an analytical conceptual framework on regional export advantage (REA) was formulated based on the review of relevant theoretical and empirical literature. The model was estimated for Indian states using the most appropriate and recently developed econometric technique of fractional logit model.

Findings

– The paper provides evidence that the emergence of exports by rising Indian power SMEs is geographically limited to a few select regions/states. Southern Indian states alone accounted for half of exports from SMEs in the organized manufacturing sector during 2000-2008, followed by Western India. The REA analysis has brought to the fore that regional stock of technological knowledge, availability of skill, port facilities, urban areas and foreign direct investment stocks are crucial factors determining states’ share in SME exports across technological subcategories. However, the size and sophistication of local demand continue to influence states’ efforts at enhancing exports by SMEs, at least those belonging to the medium- and high-technology categories.

Research limitations/implications

– The proposed empirical framework could be extended to include institutional and political economy factors. Its application to subnational regional shares in total exports by all firms taking into account fixed effects for regions may be another feasible line of future research.

Practical implications

– Empirical findings recognize that appropriate strategies by subnational policymakers are important for a region to achieve a higher contribution in national SME exports. Subnational policy measures aimed at upgradation of regional technological assets and skill base through the promotion of technology clusters and R & D of local firms, facilitation and creation of better industry-university linkages and investments in education and training institution may help the states to gain higher export advantage.

Originality/value

– This paper provides new analytics and insights into the role of subnational spaces in the internationalization of rising power SMEs from India and serves to contribute to the extant international business research that is predominantly occupied with “nation” as the unit of location.
The mirage of upgrading local automotive parts suppliers through the creation of vertical linkages with MNEs in developing economies
Authors: Khan Zaheer , Lew Yong Kyu , Sinkovics Rudolf R.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore inter-organizational linkages and the extent of technology transfer and develop propositions related to the linkages, technology transfer and upgrading of local suppliers in developing economies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conduct a literature review and 50 exploratory interviews with senior managers and policymakers in the automotive parts industry of Pakistan.

Findings

– The data revealed that three major international joint ventures (IJVs) established in the automotive industry of Pakistan have created significant vertical linkages. However, advanced high-level technology transfer has not actually taken place due to the following reasons: IJV parents are reluctant to engage in technology transfer, there is limited support from local government and local suppliers exhibit limited improvement in their innovation capability. The vertical linkage creation and low-medium technology transfer contributes to incremental product upgrading of the local suppliers, rather than their process upgrading and insertion into the global value chain (GVC).

Research limitations/implications

– This research looked at technology interactions between IJVs and local tier-1 suppliers (not tier 2 and tier 3) in Pakistan’s automotive industry. This paper’ illustrative case indicates what is required for local suppliers in developing economies to make breakthrough upgrades of their products and processes through their vertical linkages with foreign-owned indigenous firms.

Originality/value

– Unlike prior research, the authors investigate the role of inter-organizational linkages and the extent of technology transfer, and how these affect local suppliers’ product/process upgrading in the local value chain. Highlighting the illusion of upgrading in the GVC, this paper reveals the difficulties involved in upgrading suppliers’ positions (e.g. insertion and functional upgrading in the GVC) through their vertical linkages with foreign multinational enterprises in developing economies. The illusion of upgrading sheds a rather disappointing light on the position of developing country suppliervis-à-vistheir powerful international partners.
Abuse of Empire style robe to thermal insulation and body discomfort
Authors: Na Youngjoo , Kim Jisu
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– Empire style fashion, Greek-Roman style robe with bare shoulder and chest and short sleeved with long gloves which created a slim silhouette, was worn even in winter season in Europe, where average temperature is 0-5°C. Most women suffered with catching cold and thousands caught flu and tuberculosis of the lungs, called muslin disease. The purpose of this paper is to find out clothing insulation of the robe by measuring the thermal resistance and to guess how cold they felt in this robe in winter time.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors performed the investigation on original robe shape with based on historical evidence and data, such as drawings, sketches, pattern books and sewing books, and reproduced a representative robe costume and tested its thermal insulation. The fabrics of robe were thin wool, silk and cotton following the literature evidence and preserved costume. Thermal insulation of the robes was measured using thermal manikin with the test method ISO 15831. The authors analyzed the thermal insulation of reconstructed robes with an inner cotton breech as for daily use and tested them wrapped with cashmere shawl on manikin shoulder as for severe cold weather.

Findings

– The dress robes had the range of 0.61-0.67 clo regardless of the type of fabric materials, and 0.80-0.81 clo with the cashmere shawl. These values were not enough for women to keep body temperature or comfort in winter time.

Originality/value

– This study combined fashion historic theory for costume reproduction with clothing science and technology for thermal insulation. Combination of costume history, construction technology and measurement engineering is the ingenious idea, and the combination of historical and scientific research evidences interdisciplinary originality.
3D parametric human modeling for warp-knitted seamless garment
Authors: Dong Zhijia , Jiang Gaoming , Wu Zhiming , Cong Honglian
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a parametric design method for 3D human bodies to be used in computer-aided style design and the 3D presentations of warp-knitted seamless garment.

Design/methodology/approach

– In order to obtain 3D human bodies of different sizes, all of which have been based on anthropometric measurement, a human body model template was constructed by importing vertices and facets information in an OBJ model file which had been exported from POSER. A parametric model was then established by extracting feature information from the template model using a method combining 3D geometry analysis and human semantic analysis; this information included the template model’s feature points and measurements. By applying a mesh deformation method, based on the radius basis function interpolation, to the template model, different size human bodies were then generated according to user-specific anthropometric measurements.

Findings

– The test results validated the method presented in this paper as a useful and effective approach to generate diffident size human models from a template model by modifying anthropometric measurements, which establishes a foundation for the style design and 3D presentations of warp-knitted seamless garments.

Originality/value

– This paper provides parametric design methods for generating bodies of varying size according to different anthropometric measurements in the 3D domain, which is the basis of style design and 3D presentation for warp-knitted seamless garments.
Theoretical predicting of the needle penetration force in denim fabric, part 2
Authors: Haghighat Ezzatollah , Shaikhzadeh Najar Saeed , Etrati Seyed Mohammad , Shamsi Mostafa
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to theoretically compute and predict the needle penetration force (NPF) in woven denim fabrics with twill 3/1 weave pattern on the basis of geometrical, physical, and mechanical properties of yarns and fabric, and characteristics of sewing needle.

Design/methodology/approach

– To predict the NPF by mathematical relations, the proposed models by Stylios and Xu (1995) and Lomov (1998) are extended for a twill woven structure. The NPF is calculated based on resistance forces due to yarn tensile elongation, yarn resistance to bending in the near of the sewing needle while the needle penetrates into the fabric, friction between weft and warp yarns, needle profile shape, and friction between sewing needle and yarns. In order to evaluate the obtained results, nine different denim fabric samples are produced, and five sewing needles with different sizes are used. The NPF is measured on the Instron tensile tester to simulate sewing process.

Findings

– The results show that there is a good relationship between the predicted and experimental values of the NPF (R2=0.831, MSE=0.079, and MAPE=9.51 percent). Moreover, it is found that the performance of developed model to predict the NPF for needle sizes of 80, 90, 100, and 110 (Nm) is better than that of needle size of 120 (Nm). Generally, the developed theoretical model can predict the NPF in fabrics with twill 3/1 weave pattern.

Originality/value

– The fabrics with twill weave pattern have a complicated structure than plain pattern. So, in this research work, the NPF of denim fabric with twill 3/1 weave pattern was theoretically predicted on the basis of yarn elongation, changing of yarn bent shape in the near of the sewing needle, and friction between warp and weft yarns. The NPF was measured in the successive cycle loading conditions similar to sewing machine process by using a designed and constructed instrument, which is mounted on the Instron tensile tester.
Pyrolysis kinetics of recycled polyesters
Authors: Al-Juaidiyah Jaber
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the non-isothermal degradation kinetics of recycled polybutylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in a nitrogen atmosphere.

Design/methodology/approach

– To achieve this goal, the author utilized standard kinetic models, such as Coats-Redfern and Kissinger equations, for analysis of the TGA data.

Findings

– When applied to the TGA data, the Kissinger model resulted in a coefficient of determination (R2) value greater than 0.99.

Originality/value

– This study describes the maiden application of the Kissinger model to obtain the pre-exponential factor (A) and activation energy (E) for different polyester systems used in the textile industry.
A business-driven framework for automatic information extraction in professional media production
Authors: Elser Matthias , Mies Ronald , Altendorf Peter , Messina Alberto , Negro Fulvio , Bailer Werner , Hofmann Albert , Thallinger Georg
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to propose a service-oriented framework for performing content annotation and search, adapted to the task context. Media production workflows are becoming increasingly distributed and heterogeneous.The tasks of professionals in media production can be supported by automatic content analysis and search and retrieval services.

Design/methodology/approach

– The processes of the framework are derived top-down, starting from business goals and scenarios in audiovisual media production. Formal models of tasks in the production workflow are defined, and business processes are derived from the task models. A software framework enabling the orchestrated execution of these models is developed.

Findings

– This paper presents a framework that implements the proposed approach called Metadata Production Management Framework (MPMF). The authors show how a media production workflow for a real-world scenario is implemented using the MPMF.

Research limitations/implications

– The authors have demonstrated the feasibility of a model-based approach for media processing. In the reification step, there is still information that needs to be provided in addition to the task models to obtain executable processes. Future research should target the further automation of this process.

Practical implications

– By means of this approach, the implementation of the business process defines the workflow, whereas the services that are actually used are defined by the configuration. Thus, the processes are stable and, at the same time, the services can be managed very flexibly. If necessary, service implementations can also be completely replaced by others without changing the business process implementation.

Originality/value

– The authors introduce a model-based approach to media processing and define a reification process from business-driven task models to executable workflows. This enables a more task-oriented design of media processing workflows and adaptive use of automatic information extraction tools.
Facet-value extraction scheme from textual contents in XML data
Authors: Komamizu Takahiro , Amagasa Toshiyuki , Kitagawa Hiroyuki
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to extract appropriate terms to summarize the current results in terms of the contents of textual facets. Faceted search on XML data helps users find necessary information from XML data by giving attribute–content pairs (called facet-value pair) about the current search results. However, if most of the contents of a facet have longer texts in average (such facets are called textual facets), it is not easy to overview the current results.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed approach is based upon subsumption relationships of terms among the contents of a facet. The subsumption relationship can be extracted using co-occurrences of terms among a number of documents (in this paper, a content of a facet is considered as a document). Subsumption relationships compose hierarchies, and the authors utilize the hierarchies to extract facet-values from textual facets. In the faceted search context, users have ambiguous search demands, they expect broader terms. Thus, we extract high-level terms in the hierarchies as facet-values.

Findings

– The main findings of this paper are the extracted terms improve users’ search experiences, especially in cases when the search demands are ambiguous.

Originality/value

– An originality of this paper is the way to utilize the textual contents of XML data for improving users’ search experiences on faceted search. The other originality is how to design the tasks to evaluate exploratory search like faceted search.
Trust development and transfer in social commerce: prior experience as moderator
Authors: Shi Si , Chow Wing S.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nature of social commerce trust, and how it impacts company trust and electronic word of mouth (eWOM) intention based on trust transfer theory. The authors also examine how customers’ prior transaction experience could impact their social commerce trust development and the trust transfer process.

Design/methodology/approach

– The proposed research model is empirically examined using a survey method consisting of 375 users of a social commerce web site (SCW). The statistical analysis applies a method based on variance using partial least squares.

Findings

– The results confirm positive impacts of social commerce trust on company trust, and their subsequent influences on consumers’ eWOM intention. Also, consumers’ prior experience is found to moderate the trust transfer process from information-based social commerce trust to company trust.

Originality/value

– The present study is one of the first few studies that attempts to explain trust development and transfer with SCWs with a theoretical foundation as well as examine the role of consumers’ prior experience during trust transfer. It provides practical guidance for the improvement of trust and eWOM in social commerce.
Modes of service innovation: a typology
Authors: Wang Qiang , Voss Chris , Zhao Xiande , Wang Zhiqiang
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore different modes of service innovation by examining business model innovation alongside two traditional modes: product innovation and process innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors first empirically test a typology using archival data from 69 service innovation projects in a major mobile telecom company. The authors then extend the typology by investigating the interrelationships among service product, service process, and business model innovation based on empirical evidence from multi-mode service innovations. Finally, the authors study the patterns of modes in a networked environment.

Findings

– The results indicate that the typology is applicable and all three modes of service innovation exist in the sample. The authors find that all of the business model innovations involve external partnerships during the development process, while only a small proportion of service process innovations involve external partnerships.

Originality/value

– This study has empirically validated a typology of service innovation and discussed the theoretical and managerial implications of multi-mode innovations, contributing to service innovation literature and practices.
A proactive decision making framework for condition-based maintenance
Authors: Bousdekis Alexandros , Magoutas Babis , Apostolou Dimitris , Mentzas Gregoris
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to perform an extensive literature review in the area of decision making for condition-based maintenance (CBM) and identify possibilities for proactive online recommendations by considering real-time sensor data. Based on these, the paper aims at proposing a framework for proactive decision making in the context of CBM.

Design/methodology/approach

– Starting with the manufacturing challenges and the main principles of maintenance, the paper reviews the main frameworks and concepts regarding CBM that have been proposed in the literature. Moreover, the terms of e-maintenance, proactivity and decision making are analysed and their potential relevance to CBM is identified. Then, an extensive literature review of methods and techniques for the various steps of CBM is provided, especially for prognosis and decision support. Based on these, limitations and gaps are identified and a framework for proactive decision making in the context of CBM is proposed.

Findings

– In the proposed framework for proactive decision making, the CBM concept is enriched in the sense that it is structured into two components: the information space and the decision space. Moreover, it is extended in a way that decision space is further analyzed according to the types of recommendations that can be provided. Moreover, possible inputs and outputs of each step are identified.

Practical implications

– The paper provides a framework for CBM representing the steps that need to be followed for proactive recommendations as well as the types of recommendations that can be given. The framework can be used by maintenance management of a company in order to conduct CBM by utilizing real-time sensor data depending on the type of decision required.

Originality/value

– The results of the work presented in this paper form the basis for the development and implementation of proactive Decision Support System (DSS) in the context of maintenance.
Friend recommendation for healthy weight in social networks
Authors: Li Anming , Ngai Eric W.T. , Chai Junyi
Published: July 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a new approach recommending friends to social networking users who are also using weight loss app in the context of social networks.

Design/methodology/approach

– Social network has been recognized as an effective way to enhance overweight and obesity interventions in past studies. However, effective measures integrating social network with weight loss are very limited in the healthcare area. To bridge this gap, this study develops a measure for friend recommendation using the data obtained by weight loss apps; designs methods to model weight-gain-related behaviors (WGRB); constructs a novel “behavior network;” and develops two measurements in experiments to examine the proposed approach.

Findings

– The approach for friend recommendation is based on Friend Recommendation for Health Weight (FRHW) algorithm. By running this algorithm on a real data set, the experiment results show that the algorithm can recommend a friend who has a healthy lifestyle to a target user. The advantages of the proposed mechanism have been well justified via comparisons with popular friend recommenders in past studies.

Originality/value

– The conventional methods for friend recommenders in social networks are only concerned with similarities of pairs rather than interactions between people. The system cannot account for the potential influences among people. The method pioneers to model a WGRB as recommendation mechanism that allow recommended friends to simultaneously fulfill two criteria. They are: first, similarity to the target person; and second, ensuring the positive influence toward weight loss. The second criterion is obviously important in practice and thus the approach is valuable to the literature.