bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly specific enrichment of rare nucleic acids usingThermus thermophilusArgonaute
Authors: Song Jinzhao , Hegge Jorrit W. , Mauk Michael G. , Bhagwat Neha , Till Jacob E. , Azink Lotte T. , Peng Jing , Sen Moen , Chen Junman , Mays Jazmine , Carpenter Erica , van der Oost John , Bau Haim H.
Published: December 2018

Characterization of disease-associated, cell-free nucleic acids (liquid biopsy) provides a powerful, minimally-invasive means for early detection, genotyping, and personalized therapy; but is challenged by alleles of interest differing by single nucleotide from and residing among large abundance of wild-type alleles. We describe a new multiplexed enrichment assay, dubbed NAVIGATER, that utilizes short nucleic acid-guided endonucleases Argonaute (Ago), derived from the bacteriumThermus thermophilus(TtAgo), to specifically cleave complementary DNA and RNA while sparing alleles having single nucleotide mismatches with the guides. NAVIGATER greatly increases the fractions of rare alleles of interest in samples and enhances sensitivity of downstream procedures such ddPCR, sequencing, and clamped enzymatic amplification. We demonstrate60-foldenrichment ofKRASG12D in blood samples from pancreatic cancer patients and detection ofKRAS,EGFR, andBRAFmutants with XNA-PCR at 0.01% fraction.
Mechanical Stretch Kills Transformed Cancer Cells
Authors: Tijore Ajay , Yao Mingxi , Wang Yu-Hsiu , Nematbakhsh Yasaman , Hariharan Anushya , Teck Lim Chwee , Sheetz Michael
Published: December 2018

Transformed cancer cells differ from normal cells in several important features like anchorage independence, Warburg effect and mechanosensing. Consequently, transformed cancer cells develop an anaplastic morphology and respond aberrantly to external mechanical forces. Consistent with altered mechano-responsiveness, here we show that transformed cancer cells from many different tissues have reduced growth and become apoptotic upon cyclic stretch as do normal cells after the transformation. When matrix rigidity sensing is restored in transformed cancer cells, they survive and grow faster on soft surface upon cyclic stretch like normal cells but undergo anoikis without stretch by activation of death associated protein kinase1 (DAPK1). In contrast, stretch-dependent apoptosis (mechanoptosis) of transformed cells is driven by stretch-mediated calcium influx and calcium-dependent calpain 2 protease activation on both collagen and fibronectin matrices. Further, mechanosensitive calcium channel, Piezo1 is needed for mechanoptosis. Thus, cyclic stretching of transformed cells from different tissues activates apoptosis, whereas similar stretching of normal cells stimulates growth.
CCR3 antagonist impairs estradiol induced eosinophil migration to the uterus in ovariectomized mice
Authors: Araujo Jessica , Silva Luiz , Felix Franciel , Camargo Enilton , Grespan Renata
Published: December 2018

The eosinophils in the uterus was associated with the successful implantation of the embryo. In addition, they are prevalent in the female reproductive tract, where they may contribute to remodeling and maintenance of epithelial integrity. However, the mechanisms by which eosinophils migrate into the uterus are still not entirely clear, since there are a variety of chemotactic factors that can cause migration of these cells. Therefore, to evaluate the CCR3 participation on eosinophil migration, we using ovariectomized C57BL/6 mice treated with CCR3 antagonist SB328437 and 17-β-estradiol (E2). Thus, it was possible to confirm the hypothesis that the CCR3 receptor has an important role in the migration of these cells to the uterus of mice, because it was clearly observed histologically that the antagonist reduces this migration and activity eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) corroborated this result. Concomitant to this, there was a 46% reduction in uterine edema, as demonstrated by the uterus weight and histology. Together, these data suggest that the CCR3 is an important receptor involved in the eosinophils regulation in uterus, including influencing the uterine edema.
elPrep: A multithreaded framework for sequence analysis
Authors: Herzeel Charlotte , Costanza Pascal , Decap Dries , Fostier Jan , Verachtert Wilfried
Published: December 2018

We present elPrep 4, a reimplementation from scratch of the elPrep framework for processing sequence alignment map files in the Go programming language. elPrep 4 includes multiple new features allowing us to process all of the preparation steps defined by the GATK Best Practice pipelines for variant calling. This includes new and improved functionality for sorting, (optical) duplicate marking, base quality score recalibration, BED and VCF parsing, and various filtering options. The implementations of these options in elPrep 4 faithfully reproduce the outcomes of their counterparts in GATK 4, SAMtools, and Picard, even though the underlying algorithms are redesigned to take advantage of elPrep's parallel execution framework to vastly improve the runtime and resource use compared to these tools. Our benchmarks show that elPrep executes the preparation steps of the GATK Best Practices up to 13x faster on WES data, and up to 7.4x faster for WGS data compared to running the same pipeline with GATK 4, while utilizing fewer compute resources.
The study on the mechanism of “oil-spilling” of wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)fruits during storage
Authors: Wang Fu , Xiong Suqin , Liu Youping , Chen Lin , Chen Hongping
Published: December 2018

Improper storage of wolfberry fruit is liable to soften, discoloration and adhesion, we call it “oil-spilling”. The purpose of the study is to explore the mechanism of “oil-spilling” of wolfberry fruits during storage. In our study, the relationship between water content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the cross section, epidermal cells of wolfberry fruit were studied during storage. Results showed that wolfberry fruits began to “oil-spilling” on the 20th day, and with the extension of storage time, the degree of “oil-spilling” gradually deepened, the content of water increased and the activity of POD decreased, and the content of MDA increased. It suggested that “oil-spilling” was the result of improper external storage conditions, which it could promote the increase of water content and reactive oxygen free radical of wolfberry fruit, and lead to damage of cell structure and function and lipid peroxidation of cell membrane. The results explain the mechanism of “oil-spilling” and provide a strong basis for the establishment of scientific storage methods of wolfberry fruit.
Correlations between holistic processing, Autism quotient, extraversion, and experience and the own-gender bias in face recognition
Authors: Morgan Mia , Hills Peter James
Published: December 2018

The variability in the own-gender bias (OGB) in face-recognition is thought to be based on experience (Herlitz & Lovén, 2013) and the engagement of expert face processing mechanisms for own-gender faces. Experience is also associated with personality characteristics such as extraversion and Autism, yet the effects of these variables on the own-gender bias has not been explored. We ran a face recognition study exploring the relationships between opposite-gender experience, holistic processing (measured using the face-inversion effect, composite face effect, and the parts-and-wholes test), personality characteristics (extraversion and Autism Quotient) and the OGB. Findings did not support a mediational account where experience increases holistic processing and this increases the OGB. Rather, there was a direct relationship between extraversion and Autism Quotient and the OGB. We interpret this as personality characteristics having an effect on the motivation to process own-gender faces more deeply than opposite-gender faces.
Extracellular SPARC improves cardiomyocyte contraction during health and disease
Authors: Deckx Sophie , Johnson Daniel M. , Rienks Marieke , Carai Paolo , van Deel Elza , van der Velden Jolanda , Sipido Karin , Heymans Stephane , Papageorgiou Anna-Pia
Published: December 2018

Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a non-structural extracellular matrix protein that regulates interactions between the matrix and neighboring cells. In the cardiovascular system, it is expressed by cardiac fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and in lower levels by ventricular cardiomyocytes. SPARC expression levels are increased upon myocardial injury and also during hypertrophy and fibrosis. We have previously shown that SPARC improves cardiac function after myocardial infarction by regulating post-synthetic procollagen processing, however whether SPARC directly affects cardiomyocyte contraction is still unknown. In this study we demonstrate a novel inotropic function for extracellular SPARC in the healthy heart as well as in the diseased state after myocarditis-induced cardiac dysfunction. We demonstrate SPARC presence on the cardiomyocyte membrane where it is co-localized with the integrin-beta1 and the integrin-linked kinase. Moreover, extracellular SPARC directly improves cardiomyocyte cell shortening ex vivo and cardiac function in vivo, both in healthy myocardium and during coxsackie virus-induced cardiac dysfunction. In conclusion, we demonstrate a novel inotropic function for SPARC in the heart, with a potential therapeutic application when myocyte contractile function is diminished such as that caused by a myocarditis-related cardiac injury.
Transcriptional profiling elucidates the essential role of glycogen synthase kinase 3 to fruiting body formation in Coprinopsis cinerea
Authors: Chan Kathy PoLam , Chang Jinhui , Xie Yichun , Cheung Man Kit , Ma Ka Lee , Kwan HS
Published: December 2018

The functions of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) have been well-studied in animal, plant and yeast. However, information on its roles in basidiomycetous fungi is still limited. In this study, we used the model mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea to study the characteristics of GSK3 in fruiting body development. Application of a GSK3 inhibitor Lithium chloride (LiCl) induced enhanced mycelial growth and inhibited fruiting body formation in C. cinerea. RNA-Seq of LiCl-treated C. cinerea resulted in a total of 14128 unigenes. There were 1210 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the LiCl-treated samples and control samples in the mycelium stage (first time point), whereas 1402 DEGs were detected at the stage when the control samples formed hyphal knots and the treatment samples were still in mycelium (second time point). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of the DEGs revealed significant associations between the enhanced mycelium growth in LiCl treated C. cinerea and metabolism pathways such as “biosynthesis of secondary metabolite” and “biosynthesis of antibiotics”. In addition, DEGs involved in cellular process pathways, including “cell cycle-yeast” and “meiosis-yeast”, were identified in C. cinerea fruiting body formation suppressed by LiCl under favorable environmental conditions. Our findings suggest that GSK3 activity is essential for fruiting body formation as it affects the expression of fruiting body induction genes and genes in cellular processes. Further functional studies of GSK3 in basidiomycetous fungi may help understand the relationships between environmental signals and fruiting body development.
Enhancement of chemical constituents in hydrosol and residual water of Aquilaria malaccensis tetraploid
Authors: A Rahman Siti Suhaila ,   Mohd. Saleh, N., Norwati, M., Namasivayam, P., Mahani, C and Kandasamy, KI
Published: December 2018

Aquilaria malaccensis is an agarwood-producing species in the family Thymeleaeceae. Agarwood is a fragrant resin used in the manufacture of incense sticks, and in pharmaceutical, perfumery and cosmetic industries. In addition to the resin, hydrosol and residual water by-products from agarwood woodchip distillation are also utilized. Hydrosol contains water-soluble fragrant chemicals used as a tonic drink, in cooking and cosmetics while the residual water is used in spas and aromatic bath treatments. The present study was conducted to identify and compare compounds present in hydrosol and residual water by-products of diploid and polyploid A. malaccensis. Four different four-month-old A. malaccensis plants were compared: soil-grown diploid seedlings (DS), in vitro-grown seedlings (DV), tissue culture-derived plantlets (DC) and artificially induced tetraploid plantlets (TC). Hydrosol water from TC leaf and root samples were found to contain higher amounts of compounds compared with other samples. The TC leaf samples were qualitatively better as key compounds of agarwood such as α- and γ-eudesmol were detected. TC stem samples also contained higher amounts of key compounds compared with other samples, while the overall amount of compounds was highest in DS stem samples. The residual water of TC stem and root samples contained key compounds not detected in other samples, while DS residual water samples contained the highest total amount of compounds. Aquilaria malaccensis tetraploids performed better than their diploid counterparts in production of compounds, and thus may be a better planting material choice for commercial plantations.
Genotype-matched Newcastle disease virus vaccine confers improved protection against genotype XII challenge: The importance of cytoplasmic tails in viral replication and vaccine design
Authors: Izquierdo-Lara Ray , Chumbe Ana , Calderón Katherine , Fernández-Díaz Manolo , Vakharia Vikram N
Published: December 2018

Although typical Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccines can prevent mortality, they are not effective preventing viral shedding. To overcome this, genotype-matched vaccines have been proposed. To date, this approach has never been tested against genotype XII strains. In this study, we generated and assessed the protection against genotype XII challenge of two chimeric NDV vaccine strains (rLS1-XII-1 and rLS1-XII-2). The rLS1-XII-1 virus has the complete fusion protein (F) and the hemmaglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) open reading frames replaced with those from genotype XII strain NDV/peacock/Peru/2011 (PP2011) in a recombinant LaSota (rLS1) backbone. For rLS1-XII-2 cytoplasmic tails of F and HN proteins were restored to those of rLS1. In vitro studies showed that rLS1-XII-2 and the parental rLS1 strains replicate at higher efficiencies than rLS1-XII-1. In the first vaccine/challenge experiment, SPF chickens vaccinated with rLS1-XII-1 virus showed only 71.3% protection, whereas, rLS1 and rLS1-XII-2 vaccinated chickens were fully protected. In a second experiment, both rLS1-XII-2 and the commercial vaccine strain LaSota induced 100% protection. However, rLS1-XII-2 virus significantly reduced viral shedding, both in the number of shedding birds and in quantity of shed virus. In conclusion, we have developed a vaccine candidate capable of fully protecting chickens against genotype XII challenges. Furthermore, we have shown the importance of cytoplasmic tails in virus replication and vaccine competence.
Cross-talk between Hippo and Wnt signalling pathways in intestinal crypts: insights from an agent-based model
Authors: Ward Daniel , Fletcher Alexander G. , Homer Martin , Marucci Lucia
Published: December 2018

Intestinal crypts are responsible for the total cell renewal of the lining of the intestines; this turnover is governed by the interplay between signalling pathways and the cell cycle. The role of Wnt signalling in governing cell proliferation and differentiation in the intestinal crypt has been extensively studied, with increased signalling found towards the lower regions of the crypt. Recent studies have shown that the Wnt signalling gradient found within the crypt may arise as a result of division-based spreading from a Wnt ‘reservoir’ at the crypt base. The discovery of the Hippo pathway’s involvement in maintaining crypt homeostasis is more recent; a mechanistic understanding of Hippo pathway dynamics, and its possible cross-talk with the Wnt pathway, remains lacking. To explore how the interplay between these pathways may control crypt homeostasis, we extended an ordinary differential equation model of the Wnt signalling to include a phenomenological description of Hippo signalling in single cells, and then coupled it to a cell-based description of cell movement, proliferation and contact inhibition in agent-based simulations. Furthermore, we compared an imposed Wnt gradient with a division-based Wnt gradient model. Our results suggest that Hippo signalling affects the Wnt pathway by reducing the presence of free cytoplasmic β-catenin, causing cell cycle arrest. We also show that a division-based spreading of Wnt can form a Wnt gradient, resulting in proliferative dynamics comparable to imposed-gradient models. Finally, a simulated APC double mutant, with misregulated Wnt and Hippo signalling activity, is predicted to cause monoclonal conversion of the crypt.
Animal virus ecology and evolution are shaped by the virus host-body infiltration and colonization pattern.
Authors: Slingenbergh Jan
Published: December 2018

Abstract
The current classification of animal viruses primarily relates to the virus molecular world, the genomic architecture and the corresponding host-cell infection cycle. This virus centered perspective does not make allowance for the precept that virus fitness hinges on the virus transmission success. Virus transmission reflects the infection-shedding-transmission dynamics and, with it, the organ system involvement and other, macroscopic dimensions of the host environment. This study examines the transmission ecology of the world main livestock viruses, 36 in total, belonging to eleven different families, and a mix of RNA, DNA and retroviruses. Viruses are virtually ranked in an outer- to inner-body fashion, based on the shifting organ system involvement and associated infection-shedding-transmission dynamics. As a next step, this ranking is disentangled with the aim to contrast two main host ecologies, poultry plus pig production and ruminant plus equine husbandry, as well as to create a distinction among the RNA, DNA and retroviruses, also ranked in an outer- to inner-body fashion. Spearman correlation reveals the matches among these various virus traits, as pertaining to the two host-ecologies, four infection-shedding-transmission related variables, and the three virus genomes. The collective results reveal the outer- to inner-body shifts in the interplay of host environment, virus-host interactions, and nature of the virus. Two opposing virus evolution pathways emerge, respectively for generalist type, outer-body and for specialist type, inner-body viruses. The ecological virus classification here presented is broadly consistent with the current virus classification system and offers the advantage of bringing substance and cohesion to the interrelationships among viruses and virus families.
Role of pre and post interventions on cervical cancer knowledge levels among women students at the University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
Authors: Indracanti Meera , Berhane Nega , Minyamer Tigist
Published: December 2018

There was an increase in overall awareness about cervical cancer (symptoms, risk factors, screening methods, and vaccination) in all post intervened students compared to baseline knowledge levels (before education intervention) statistically at p<0.001 significance level. The mean age of the study participants was 20.86 years (SD, 1.86). Out of total 283 women student participants, overall baseline awareness about cervical cancer symptoms (81.6%, p<0.002), risk factors (94.8%, p<0.001), HPV (60.6%, p<0.001), screening (84.3%, p<0.001) and HPV vaccines (42.1%, p<0.001) was more in 4th year and above over other respondents. After the intervention, knowledge levels increased in students 3rd and above years over 1st and 2nd-year students irrespective of the branch they belong. Initial awareness on various broad issues was 8.77 and after education intervention, it was 30.39 with mean overall knowledge increase of 21.62. However, baseline awareness was better on risk factors and poor on vaccination. After education intervention, an increase of 246% in overall knowledge about cervical cancer including symptoms, risk factors, HPV, screening and vaccination. Age, year of study, branch of study and family income were the explanatory variables significant on overall baseline knowledge levels and after education intervention, year of study was the only independent variable significant for the overall increase in knowledge levels.
Conclusion
The present study suggests that educational intervention as the primary preventive method is effective and young trained women volunteers belong both rural and urban areas will be important stakeholder to increase positive attitude to reduce the cervical cancer burden in Ethiopia.
From consumer to prosumer: a supply chain revolution in 3D printing
Authors: Halassi Sam , Semeijn Janjaap , Kiratli Nadine
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Recent technological advances in three-dimensional printing (3DP) may disrupt traditional manufacturing and logistics processes. Because the increasing availability of 3DP service centers, affordable 3D printers, and online platforms empower consumers to design and print objects at home, companies must determine the motives that lead consumers to become prosumers so that they can establish appropriate business models and supply chains. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to identify factors that drive consumer acceptance and use of 3DP technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

The explanatory conceptual framework, based on the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, undergoes empirical testing with a sample of 196 3DP consumers who participated in an online survey.

Findings

Facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation and a do-it-yourself mentality are key determinants of consumer acceptance and use intention of 3DP technology.

Practical implications

Companies can use these insights about consumers’ motivation to determine whether their use of 3DP technology threatens current business models or supply chains. In turn, they can develop new ideas about how to adapt these features, as well as identify opportunities for new revenue streams.

Originality/value

Unlike most extant literature on 3DP in manufacturing and logistics domains, this study takes consumers’ point of view to shed light on an issue typically investigated from an operations management perspective.
The long arm of the job – work characteristics and recovery windows in social welfare work
Authors: Aronsson Gunnar , Nylén Eva Charlotta , Ishall Lars , Lindfors Petra , Sverke Magnus
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Social welfare work contains elements that may be difficult for employees to put out of their minds when the working day ends, which may affect the recovery. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the length of recovery in relation to different work characteristics and to two types of welfare work.

Design/methodology/approach

All 1,365 employees, excluding managers, of two municipality administrations were invited to a survey study. Of these, 673 (49 percent) responded. After adjusting for partial missing, the effective sample included 580 employees (43 percent). Retrospective ratings of four recovery windows were analyzed: recovery after one night’s sleep, weekends, shorter holidays and vacations.

Findings

Employees with a university education were less recovered than those with a shorter education. For those with a university education, the long arm of the job mainly involved failures regarding qualitative job demands (task difficulty). For those with a shorter education, quantitative job demands (too much to do) were most prominent for their prolonged recovery. Feedback from managers had consistent and positive associations with all four recovery windows among employees with a university education, but not among those with a shorter education for whom instead having too much to do and social support had significant spillover effects.

Originality/value

The identified differences may relate to employees with a university education having more problem-solving tasks, which may result in a higher need of work-related feedback but also in difficulties detaching from work. Thus, education and job characteristics have differential associations with self-rated recovery.
OntoGenesis: an architecture for automatic semantic enhancement of data services
Authors: Oliveira Bruno C.N. , Huf Alexis , Salvadori Ivan Luiz , Siqueira Frank
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper describes a software architecture that automatically adds semantic capabilities to data services. The proposed architecture, called OntoGenesis, is able to semantically enrich data services, so that they can dynamically provide both semantic descriptions and data representations.

Design/methodology/approach

The enrichment approach is designed to intercept the requests from data services. Therefore, a domain ontology is constructed and evolved in accordance with the syntactic representations provided by such services in order to define the data concepts. In addition, a property matching mechanism is proposed to exploit the potential data intersection observed in data service representations and external data sources so as to enhance the domain ontology with new equivalences triples. Finally, the enrichment approach is capable of deriving on demand a semantic description and data representations that link to the domain ontology concepts.

Findings

Experiments were performed using real-world datasets, such as DBpedia, GeoNames as well as open government data. The obtained results show the applicability of the proposed architecture and that it can boost the development of semantic data services. Moreover, the matching approach achieved better performance when compared with other existing approaches found in the literature.

Research limitations/implications

This work only considers services designed as data providers, i.e., services that provide an interface for accessing data sources. In addition, our approach assumes that both data services and external sources – used to enhance the domain ontology – have some potential of data intersection. Such assumption only requires that services and external sources share particular property values.

Originality/value

Unlike most of the approaches found in the literature, the architecture proposed in this paper is meant to semantically enrich data services in such way that human intervention is minimal. Furthermore, an automata-based index is also presented as a novel method that significantly improves the performance of the property matching mechanism.
Understanding changes within business networks: evidences from the international expansion of fashion firms
Authors: Guercini Simone , Milanesi Matilde
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the topic of business network dynamics and identify different relational paths, as forms of change in business relationships and related types of network change. The paper contributes to the literature on business network dynamics by providing an understanding of relational paths in the context of firms’ internationalization and shading light on different forms of change in business relationships and types of network change. The paper also contributes to the understanding of liabilities in internationalization that has to do with business networks, namely the liability of outsidership.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on qualitative research following the multiple case study research approach. The authors propose three cases of internationalizing firms in the fashion industry that follows relational paths corresponding to different forms of change in business relationships that imply different types of network change.

Findings

Changes to a firm’s business network may be addressed through relational paths, namely creation of new business relationships (activation), maintenance of existing relationships (integration) and ending of existing relationships (substitution). These relational paths can be considered forms of incremental (integration) and radical (activation and substitution) change in business relationships and lead to different types of network change for business network dynamics that coexist and influence each other within the same firm.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to a better understanding of business network dynamics by showing how firms change their business relationships following different relational paths as the best way to respond to the challenges and new opportunities offered especially by international markets. The present paper has relevant managerial implications since coping with change in business relationships is perhaps one of the most critical and difficult tasks for management, even more critical if compared to the increasing complexity of doing business internationally and the liabilities that firms face in their internationalization process, especially the liability of outsidership.
Self-justification for opportunistic purchasing behavior in strategic supplier relationships
Authors: Gelderman Cees J. , Mampaey Jelle , Semeijn Janjaap , Verhappen Mark
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This study aims to get a deeper understanding of one of the antecedents of opportunistic behavior in strategic supplier relationships at the individual level of analysis. The authors specifically focus on self-justification, which could be seen as a mechanism that relaxes the moral scruples of purchasing professionals and, hence, facilitates actual opportunistic behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The critical incident technique was deployed to interview purchasing professionals in the Netherlands about their personal opportunistic behavior in strategic supplier relationships. This resulted in rich autobiographical accounts of 29 critical incidents of opportunistic behavior. The data were analyzed through the lens of the self-justification theory.

Findings

The study identified a set of self-justification strategies underlying opportunistic purchasing behavior in strategic supplier relationships. Opportunistic professionals tended to deploy six strategies: acknowledgement, denial, rationalization, attributional egotism, sense of entitlement and ego aggrandizement.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to Dutch industrial purchasers and was exploratory by nature. Future research could extend the perspective to other sectors, cultures and professional roles.

Practical implications

The study draws attention to radically new interventions at the individual level of analysis. To understand and minimize opportunistic behavior in strategic supplier relationships, organizations should acknowledge and address the important issue of self-justifications of purchasing professionals.

Originality/value

In contrast to the existing literature at the firm level of analysis, this study sheds new light on the antecedents of buyer opportunism from an alternative theoretical perspective at the individual level of analysis. The authors do not draw on the narrow perspective of personality psychology, but rather focus on the role of self-justification as an antecedent of buyer opportunism in strategic supplier relationships.
Formal and informal scenario-planning in strategic decision-making: an assessment of corporate reasoning
Authors: Lew Charlene , Meyerowitz Danielle , Svensson Göran
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The theoretical value of scenario-planning as a strategic tool is well recognized in literature. The purpose of this study is to explore the corporate reasoning of formal and informal usage (or non-usage) of scenario-planning in strategic decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

An overview of the relevant literature on scenario-planning as a strategic decision-making tool in the context of complexity and uncertainty is presented, in combination with 15 case studies on executives in the South African context.

Findings

The findings are based on a study in the emerging market context. From the case studies reported, it is evident that industry, organizational and leadership-related factors influence the effective use or non-use of scenario-planning.

Research limitations/implications

Empirical findings are reported, contributing to an assessment framework to revisit the usage of formal and informal scenario-planning in strategic decision-making. Further research to determine which supportive tools and technologies should be used for scenario-planning across multiple contexts is needed.

Practical implications

The study expands upon previous insights into the formal and informal usage (or non-usage) of scenario-planning in strategic decision-making based on an emerging market context.

Originality/value

This study contributes to understanding the value of scenario-planning in complex contexts that require strategic adaptability and offers a hands-on toolkit and shortlist of assessment criteria to conceptualize the organizational reasoning and scholarly framing of formal, informal or non-scenario-planning in strategic decision-making.
The influence of culture on impulse buying
Authors: Cakanlar Aylin , Nguyen Tram
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This study aims to expand the understanding of impulse buying behavior by looking further into the role of culture in cross-cultural contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-cultural questionnaire was administered across three countries, namely, Sweden, Turkey and Vietnam.

Findings

Culture impacts impulse buying behavior of subjects with different cultural backgrounds. However, the findings also indicate that other factors may affect impulse buying behavior.

Originality/value

The cultural role on impulse buying was brought up by a few researchers in the literature, but Hofstede’s model of four cultural dimensions and their relationship to impulse buying behavior is tested for the first time in the literature across three different countries: Sweden, Turkey and Vietnam, which, respectively, represent northern Europe, southern Europe/a part of West Asia and South East Asia.
Valuation standards and methods: are Sweden’s (still) different?
Authors: Bellman Lina , Lind Hans
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to describe and analyse the methods and standards of valuation used by Swedish professional property valuers when appraising commercial properties and factors affecting those standards. The study builds on a 2002 comparative study of valuers in four European countries by McParland et al. (2002), but focuses specifically on property valuers in Sweden.

Design/methodology/approach

In 2010-2011, a questionnaire was used in face-to-face interviews with about half of the authorised property valuers in Sweden. Another questionnaire was emailed to all authorised property valuers in Sweden 2015 and again about half participated.

Findings

Analysis of the results shows some new trends in used and preferred standards and methods. Although Swedish valuers still rely mainly on local guidelines, they now increasingly use international standards and company guidelines, which may indicate a growing, if indirect, form of internationalisation. Swedish valuers still use discounted cash flow as their primary method, but their use of comparative methods has increased.

Originality/value

The data in this comparative study of valuation standards and methods over time used were collected from a specific group of property valuers authorised through the professional Swedish organisation Samhällsbyggarna (Swedish Professionals for the Built Environment), which contributes to an insight in the presiding of the harmonisation of valuation methods and standards.
The relationship between corporate governance and financial performance
Authors: Saidat Zaid , Silva Mauricio , Seaman Claire
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to attempt to fill a research gap in the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and financial performance of family and non-family firms’ by using a sample of non-financial firms listed on Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) for the period 2009–2015.

Design/methodology/approach

This research employs a quantitative method using data that include corporate governance mechanisms, firm characteristics and financial ratios of a sample of Jordanian listed firms in the ASE over the period 2009–2015. The sample covers all companies that have been part of the ASE during the period including both family and non-family firms, part of total of 228 companies listed on the ASE as of 31 December 2015. The study used accounting-based measures such as return on asset (ROA) and market-based measures such as Tobin’sQas proxies for corporate financial performance.

Findings

The study found that board size both in term of Tobin’sQand ROA has a negative relationship with the performance of family firms. In non-family firms, there is no systematic relationship with corporate performance. There is a strong relationship between corporate performance and independent directors in non-family firms. In addition, the authors found some evidence for a relationship between performance and independent directors in family firms. Also, results indicated that ownership concentration has an insignificant correlation with corporate performance and in family firms has a negative and significant correlation with Tobin’sQ. There is a significant relationship between local investors’ ownership and corporate performance as measured by Tobin’sQin family and non-family firms.

Originality/value

Studies concerned with the effect of corporate governance on firm performance remains comparatively under-researched in Middle East countries and Jordan in particular (Najib, 2007; Omet, 2004; Marashdeh, 2014). Moreover, studies investigating whether the practice of corporate governance has the same impact on family firm performance are still relatively less well known than those when ownership is distributed widely (non-family firms) (Jaggi, Leung and Gul, 2009; Prencipe and Bar-Yosef, 2011). This research is seeking to fill this current gap in Jordan, which is one of the developing countries with an emerging economics that are very poorly represented in the literature.
Comparing US public university and US private sector project costs
Authors: Strong Kelly , Glick Scott , Syhail Gazala
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the factors influencing project cost at US public universities and compares them to similar projects in the US private sector. It also presents an analysis of the potential reasons for the difference or similarities in the two sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized an exploratory, comparative case study methodology performed on a small sample of public university projects and two sources of private sector cost data.

Findings

The results infer that most of the US public projects have comparable costs to that of their US private sector counterparts. The cost data from the university projects were further examined to explore if there were any possible relationships between the types of delivery methods used, sustainability certifications achieved and two project performance indexes – cost and duration.

Research limitations/implications

A more thorough analysis with a larger dataset is required to make generalizable conclusions. However, the process used in this study does provide a good overview of how facility managers could organize their own cost comparison study to evaluate their project expenditures.

Practical implications

This research provides a starting point for future research into the topic of US public sector project costs when compared to US private sector counterparts and the impact of delivery system and sustainability on cost of US public sector projects.

Originality/value

Research on this topic is scant; as such, this paper provides a starting point for future research and offers insights into the potential impacts of project delivery method and choice of following a sustainability certification option.
Network contract and internationalization: evidence from Italian firms
Authors: Rubino Michele , Vitolla Filippo , Garzoni Antonello
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the effect of the network contract (NC) on the internationalization of Italian firms to evaluate whether and how network characteristics, management perceptions and governance influence firms’ degree of internationalization (DOI).

Design/methodology/approach

By using the data from a survey of 350 Italian firms that joined a network in 2012, hierarchical regression analyses were applied to test four hypotheses.

Findings

Network size and diversity as well as management attitudes and perceptions influence firms’ exports. However, only network diversity is positively related to the number of markets in which firms operate. A positive direct effect of network diversity on network managers’ activities and a significantly indirect effect via network managers’ activities also exist.

Practical implications

Network diversity is crucial for achieving better results in foreign markets. Interacting with diverse network participants can help firms manage diversity, expressed in terms of information, resources and competencies, helping overcome the barriers that hinder the internationalization process. The presence of an efficient network manager should facilitate the achievement of firms’ internationalization objectives.

Originality/value

This research is one of the first studies to analyze the effects of an Italian NC on firms’ internationalization. From a theoretical standpoint, it adds to the literature a specific analysis that relates primarily to small firms, showing that, in this context, the results are not always consistent with those of prior studies.
cAMP/PKA signalling pathway regulates redox homeostasis essential for Sporisorium scitamineum mating/filamentation and virulence
Authors: Chang Changqing , Cai Enping , Deng Yi Zhen , Mei Dan , Qiu Shanxu , Chen Baoshan , Zhang Lian‐Hui , Jiang Zide
Published: December 2018

The fungal pathogen Sporisorium scitamineum causes sugarcane smut disease. The formation and growth of dikaryotic hypha after sexual mating is critical for S. scitamineum pathogenicity, however regulation of S. scitimineum mating has not been studied in detail. We identified and characterized the core components of the conserved cAMP/PKA pathway in S. scitamineum by reverse genetics. Our results showed that cAMP/PKA signalling pathway is essential for proper mating and filamentation, and thus critical for S. scitamineum virulence. We further demonstrated that an elevated intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species) level promotes S. scitamineum mating‐filamentation, via transcriptional regulation of ROS catabolic enzymes, and is under regulation of the cAMP/PKA signalling pathway. Furthermore, we found that fungal cAMP/PKA signalling pathway is also involved in regulation of host ROS response. Overall, our work displayed a positive role of elevated intracellular ROS in fungal differentiation and virulence.
Applying the handicap principle to biofilms: condition‐dependent signalling inBacillus subtilismicrobial communities
Authors: Harris Keith D. , Kolodkin‐Gal Ilana
Published: December 2018

Bacteria in nature often reside in differentiated communities termed biofilms. These communities, which are composed of a number of functionally‐distinct cell types, are an interesting example of division of labour in microbes, and as such have been used as a system to study the evolution of cooperation. The structured population of the biofilm also plays a critical role in the persistence of infections, and biofouling of medical and industrial devices. Biofilm formation involves several stages of differentiation, which are mediated by extracellular factors secreted by cells composing the biofilm. The developmental model of biofilm formation describes this process mechanistically: specific subpopulations of cells synthesize signals within the biofilm, and promote the differentiation of other subpopulations. The handicap principle suggests that signals function because they provide reliable information regarding the state of the signaller; here, we apply the handicap principle to signalling among cells composingBacillus subtilisbiofilms, emphasizing the perspective of secreted factors as sources of information rather than solely as mediators of development. Such information could facilitate competition among phenotypically‐similar cells composing the biofilm, affecting local organizational patterns within defined subpopulations.
A metatranscriptomics‐based assessment of small‐scale mixing of sulfidic and oxic waters on redoxcline prokaryotic communities
Authors: Beier Sara , Holtermann Peter L. , Numberger Daniela , Schott Thomas , Umlauf Lars , Jürgens Klaus
Published: December 2018

Lateral intrusions of oxygen caused by small‐scale mixing are thought to shape microbial activity in marine redoxclines. To examine the response of prokaryotes to such mixing events we employed a shipboard mixing experiment in the euxinic central Baltic Sea: oxic, nitrate containing and sulfidic water samples without detectable oxygenized substances were incubated directly or after mixing. While nitrate, nitrite and ammonium concentrations stayed approximately constant in all incubations, we observed a decrease of sulfide after the contact with oxygen in the sulfide containing incubations. The transcription of marker genes from chemolithoauthotrophic key players including archaeal nitrifiers as well as gammaproteobacterial and campylobacterial autotrophic organisms that couple denitrification with sulfur‐oxidation were followed at four time points within 8.5 h. The temporally contrasting transcriptional profiles of gammaproteobacterial and campylobacterial denitrifiers that depend on the same inorganic substrates pointed to a niche separation. Particular archaeal and campylobacterial marker genes involved in nitrification, denitrification and sulfur oxidation, which depend on oxidized substrates, were highly upregulated in the anaerobic sulfidic samples. We suggest that, despite the absence of measurable oxygenated compounds in the sulfidic water, frequent intermittent small‐scale intrusions stimulate the permanent upregulation of genes involved in nitrification, denitrification and sulfur oxidation.
Network Embeddedness in Exploration and Exploitation of Joint R&D Projects: A Structural Approach
Authors: Arranz N. , Arroyabe M. F. , Fernandez de Arroyabe J. C.
Published: December 2018

This paper analyses how network embeddedness affects the exploration and exploitation of R&D project performance. By developing joint projects, partners and projects are linked to one another and form a network that generates social capital. We examine how the location, which determines the access to information and knowledge within a network of relationships, affects the performance of projects. We consider this question in the setup of exploration and exploitation projects, using a database built from an EU framework. We find that each of the structural embeddedness dimensions (degree, betweenness and eigenvector centrality) have a different impact on the exploration and exploitation project performance. Our empirical analysis extends to project management literature and social capital theory, by including the effect that the acquisition of external knowledge has on the performance of the project.