bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rhizobium ecuadorense sp. nov., an indigenous N2-fixing symbiont of the Ecuadorian common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genetic pool
Authors: Ribeiro Renan Augusto , Martins Talita Busulini , Ormeño-Orrillo Ernesto , Marçon Delamuta Jakeline Renata , Rogel Marco Antonio , Martínez-Romero Esperanza , Hungria Mariangela
Published: June 2015

There are two major centres of genetic diversification of common bean (Phaseolus vilgaris L.), the Mesoamerican and the Andean, and the legume is capable of establishing nitrogen-fixing symbioses with several rhizobia; Rhizobium etli seems to be the dominant species in both centres. Another genetic pool of common bean, in Peru and Ecuador, is receiving increasing attention, and studies of microsymbionts from the region can help to increase our knowledge about coevolution of this symbiosis. We have previously reported several putative new lineages from this region and here present data indicating that strains belonging to one of them, PEL4, represent a novel species. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogeny, PEL4 strains are positioned in the Rhizobium phaseoli/R. etli/Rhizobium leguminosarum clade, but show unique properties in several morphological, physiological and biochemical analyses, as well as in BOX-PCR profiles ( < 75 % similarity with related species). PEL4 strains also differed from related species based on multilocus sequence analysis of three housekeeping genes (glnII, gyrB and recA). Nucleotide identities of the three concatenated genes between PEL4 strains and related species ranged from 91.8 to 94.2 %, being highest with Rhizobium fabae. DNA–DNA hybridization ( < 47 % DNA relatedness) and average nucleotide identity values of the whole genomes ( < 90.2 %) also supported the novel species status. The PEL4 strains were effective in nodulating and fixing N2 with common beans. The data supported the view that PEL4 strains represent a novel species, Rhizobium ecuadorense sp. nov. The type strain is CNPSo 671T ( = UMR 1450T = PIMAMPIRS I 5T = LMG 27578T).
Taxonomic description and genome sequence of Bacillus campisalis sp. nov., a member of the genus Bacillus isolated from a solar saltern
Authors: Kumar Rajendran Mathan , Kaur Gurwinder , Kumar Anand , Bala Monu , Singh Nitin Kumar , Kaur Navjot , Kumar Narender , Mayilraj Shanmugam
Published: June 2015

The taxonomic position of a Gram-stain positive bacterium isolated from a solar saltern sample collected from Kanyakumari, coastal region of the Bay of Bengal, India, was analysed by using a polyphasic approach. The isolated strain, designated SA2-6T, had phenotypic characteristics that matched those of the genus Bacillus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence (1493 bases) of the novel strain was compared with those of previously studied Bacillus type strains and confirmed that the strain belongs to the genus Bacillus and was moderately closely related to the type strain of Bacillus foraminis at 97.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, followed by those of Bacillus thioparans (96.9 %), Bacillus subterraneus (96.8 %), Bacillus jeotgali (96.6 %), Bacillus selenatarsenatis (96.6 %) and Bacillus boroniphilus (96.6 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain SA2-6T differs from all other species of the genus Bacillus by at least 2.5 %. It contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone, meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid, and iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0 as major fatty acids. Major lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Based on data from this polyphasic study, strain SA2-6T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus campisalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SA2-6T ( = MTCC 11848T = DSM 28801T). The draft genome of strain SA2-6T consisted of 5 183 363 bp with G+C content of 45.44 mol%, 5352 predicted coding sequences, 191 RNAs and 479 subsystems.
Algimonas arctica sp. nov., isolated from intertidal sand, and emended description of the genus Algimonas
Authors: Liu Chang , Zhang Xi-Ying , Song Xiao-Yan , Su Hai-Nan , Qin Qi-Long , Xie Bin-Bin , Chen Xiu-Lan , Zhang Yu-Zhong , Shi Mei
Published: June 2015

A novel Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic, pale-orange-pigmented bacterium, designated strain SM1216T, was isolated from Arctic intertidal sand. Cells of strain SM1216T were dimorphic rods with a single polar prostheca or flagellum. The strain grew at 4 − 30 °C (optimum at 25 °C) and with 0.5 − 6 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum with 2 − 3 %). It reduced nitrate to nitrite but did not hydrolyse gelatin, DNA or Tween 80. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SM1216T was affiliated with the genus Algimonas in the family Hyphomonadaceae, sharing 97.5 and 96.3 % similarity with Algimonas ampicilliniresistens 14A-2-7T and Algimonas porphyrae 0C-2-2T, respectively, the two known species in the genus Algimonas. However, the level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain SM1216T and the type strain of A. ampicilliniresistens, the nearest phylogenetic neighbour, was 57.9 %. The major cellular fatty acids of strain SM1216T were C18 : 1ω7c and C18 : 1 2-OH. The main polar lipids of strain SM1216T were monoglycosyldiglyceride (MGDG), glucuronopyranosyldiglyceride (GUDG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and three unidentified phospholipids (PL1–3). The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 10 (Q10). The genomic G+C content of strain SM1216T was 60.6 mol%. On the basis of the evidence from this polyphasic study, strain SM1216T represents a novel species in the genus Algimonas, for which the name Algimonas arctica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SM1216T ( = MCCC 1K00233T = KCTC 32513T). An emended description of the genus Algimonas is also given.
Bradyrhizobium subterraneum sp. nov., a symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacterium from root nodules of groundnuts
Authors: Grönemeyer Jann Lasse , Chimwamurombe Percy , Reinhold-Hurek Barbara
Published: June 2015

Seven strains of symbiotic bacteria from root nodules of local races of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea) and peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) grown on subsistence farmers' fields in the Kavango region, Namibia, were previously characterized and identified as a novel group within the genus Bradyrhizobium. To corroborate their taxonomic status, these strains were further characterized using a polyphasic approach. All strains possessed identical 16S rRNA gene sequences with Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense CCBAU 10071T being the most closely related type strain in the 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analysis, and Bradyrhizobium daqingense CCBAU 15774T in the ITS sequence analysis. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated glnII-recA-rpoB-dnaK placed the strains in a highly supported lineage distinct from named species of the genus Bradyrhizobium, most closely related to Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense CCBAU 10071T. The species status was validated by results of DNA–DNA hybridization. Phylogenetic analysis of nifH genes placed the novel strains in a group with nifH of ‘Bradyrhizobium arachidis’ CCBAU 051107 that also nodulates peanuts. The combination of phenotypic characteristics from several tests including carbon source utilization and antibiotic resistance could be used to differentiate representative strains from recognized species of the genus Bradyrhizobium. Novel strain 58 2-1T induced effective nodules on V. subterranea, Vigna unguiculata and A. hypogaea, and some strains on Lablab purpureus. Based on the data presented, we conclude that our strains represent a novel species for which the name Bradyrhizobium subterraneum sp. nov. is proposed, with 58 2-1T [ = DSM 100298T = LMG 28792T = NTCCM0016T (Windhoek)] as the type strain. The DNA G+C content of strain 58 2-1T was 64.7 mol% (T
m).
Aestuariivita atlantica sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediment
Authors: Li Guizhen , Lai Qiliang , Du Yaping , Liu Xiupian , Sun Fengqin , Shao Zongze
Published: June 2015

A novel strain, 22II-S11-z3T, was isolated from the deep-sea sediment of the Atlantic Ocean. The bacterium was aerobic, Gram-staining-negative, oxidase-positive and catalase-negative, oval- to rod-shaped, and non-motile. Growth was observed at salinities of 1–9 % NaCl and temperatures of 10–45 °C. The isolate could hydrolyse aesculin and Tweens 20, 40 and 80, but not gelatin. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain 22II-S11-z3T belonged to the genus Aestuariivita, with highest sequence similarity to Aestuariivita boseongensis KCTC 42052T (97.5 %). The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain 22II-S11-z3T and A. boseongensis KCTC 42052T were 71.5 % and 20.0 ± 2.3 %, respectively. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 65.5 mol%. The principal fatty acids (>5 %) were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c/ω6c) (35.2 %), C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (20.9 %), C16 : 0 (11.8 %), 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c (11.4 %) and C12 : 1 3-OH (9.4 %). The respiratory quinone was determined to be Q-10. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, nine unidentified phospholipids, one unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified lipids were present. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain 22II-S11-z3T represents a novel species of the genus Aestuariivita, for which the name Aestuariivita atlantica sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 22II-S11-z3T ( = KCTC 42276T = MCCC 1A09432T).
Competition against common sense
Authors: Komarova  Loureiro Yuliya , Gonzalez Laura
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into peer-to-peer (P2P) lending which has served as one important tool to mitigate financial exclusion. The main proposition of this research is that P2P platforms, which in many ways resemble auctions, naturally instill competitive mindset among lenders; furthermore, given only limited objective decision criteria, certain borrower personal characteristics fuel interpersonal competition enough to impact lending decisions in suboptimal ways. The two experiments support this proposition. As the result, while P2P lending offers unprecedented financial opportunities to some consumer groups, it may unintentionally exclude others, and even pose threat to the financial well-being of lenders.

Design/methodology/approach

– Two experiments were used to collect data and are reported here. Rigorous pretesting of manipulation stimuli preceded a pilot (exploratory) and the main experiment.

Findings

– The authors generally find a significant age bias, where ceteris paribus, younger borrowers are offered lower loan amounts as lenders most likely infer greater risk and lower likelihood to repay loans on time. However, and perhaps more interestingly, when age is not a strong indicator of experience (as in the case with 30 something), the authors repeatedly find evidence of lending decisions driven by interpersonal competition: more attractive and financially successful loan applicants of the same gender as lenders are most likely perceived as a personal threat, decreasing lenders’ confidence, which subsequently results in lower amounts being invested into loans that are possibly the most promising.

Originality/value

– To the best knowledge, this research is first to demonstrate the impact of interpersonal competition on decision making in the context of P2P lending. Furthermore, this paper contributes to better understanding of P2P lending as a tool to allay financial exclusion, while raising concerns of possible unintended exclusion of certain consumer segments due to the competitive nature of P2P platforms.
A framework for leading change in the UAE public sector
Authors: Bin Taher Nader Asaad , Krotov Vlad , Silva Leiser
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to guide managers on business process reengineering (BPR) and automation projects in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) public sector context.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper relies on a literature review and synthesis in the areas of leadership, BPR, change management, user resistance and power to propose a change management framework.

Findings

– The paper argues for attention to be paid to the power relationships among various stakeholders. Stakeholder impact analysis is recommended to understand how change will impact stakeholders and shift power balances. It proposes that leadership and communication are essential for implementing change, especially given the particular cultural conditions of the UAE. Moreover, change should be a continuous process supported by communication.

Research limitations/implications

– As power and authority are very important elements of the UAE culture, future research should further examine the role of power in implementing organizational change in the UAE context.

Practical implications

– This paper proposes a ten-step change management framework that adopts the latest thinking on change management to the UAE context.

Originality/value

– Although change management is a well-established field, the body of knowledge that concentrates on the UAE organizational context is scant. This paper translates the latest thinking on change management to the UAE context (characterized by sensitivity to power issues and stakeholder impact) and proposes a practical framework for leading change in the UAE public sector context.
Strategies for talent management: a study of select organizations in the UAE
Authors: Singh Abhilasha , Sharma Jyoti
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims at finding out strategies adopted by the organizations to reduce the employee turnover as well as to how to effectively manage human capital for competitive edge over the rivals in the UAE business environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– It was a quantitative research enquiry wherein the 255 respondents employed with over a dozen private sector organizations in the UAE were administered a questionnaire to register their responses.

Findings

– The findings of the study say that the strategies adopted by organizations in the UAE are two-pronged: short-term and long-term strategies. In the short term, the organization provides monetary benefits to their employees for their performance. In the long term, employees are more interested in the growth of their organization, because it gives them a sense of job security, as when an organization is growing, there are less chances of it cutting down on the workforce.

Practical implications

– The findings of the study are valuable to the organizations in the UAE that are engaged in designing and implementing strategies to reduce employee turnover.

Originality/value

– It has been found that the employee turnover is one of the key human resource issues faced by the organizations across the industry in the UAE, and this research inquiry tries to address those business concerns.
The right to live in the city
Authors: Krebs Melanie
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– Moral values and behavioural codes that governed the urban life and the appropriation of urban spaces changed significantly in Baku over the last two decades leading to conflicts over the right behaviour in the city and about the question who has the right to set the rules in public spaces. The purpose of this paper is to explore the current political as well as social rules that govern the public spaces in Baku and how they are discussed in order that the city should appear “European” in contrast to “oriental”.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author focuses on everyday practices of people acting in the public sphere, how they use the space and which discussions emerge around different behaviour in public places. The paper is based on observations and interviews the author made between August 2010 and May 2012.

Findings

– The paper shows new ways of appropriation of public space and dealing with social as well as official control.

Originality/value

– The paper presents new research on a quickly changing post-Soviet city.
Members’ satisfaction and continuance intention: a socio-technical perspective
Authors: Chen Minghong , Qi Xianjun
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explain how sociability and usability enhanced members’ satisfaction, and how such satisfaction in turn, influenced their continuance intention of knowledge sharing in academic virtual communities (AVCs).

Design/methodology/approach

– Drawing on social capital theory and technology acceptance model, this study proposed a theoretical socio-technical model, and the partial least squares method is used to examine the proposed model, based on data collected from 431 subjects in a well-known academic community in China (i.e. ScienceNet).

Findings

– Both sociability and usability were important to improve members’ satisfaction with knowledge sharing in AVCs. Specifically, social interaction ties, trust, reciprocity, shared vision, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are antecedents of members’ satisfaction, which in turn positively affects their continuance intention of knowledge sharing in AVCs.

Practical implications

– This study provided insights that can help AVCs’ administrators develop effective strategies that could encourage continued knowledge sharing behavior through promoting members’ satisfaction.

Originality/value

– While the socio-technical framework has mainly been used to study initial adoption and participation of knowledge sharing. This study proposed a socio-technical model to move a step forward by explaining the exact roles of sociability and usability in terms of promoting members’ satisfaction and identifying its critical effect on their continuance intention to share knowledge in AVCs, leading to a more comprehensive picture of members’ satisfaction and continuance intention of knowledge sharing in AVCs.
Manufacturing strategy in SMEs and its performance implications
Authors: Hilmola Olli-Pekka , Lorentz Harri , Hilletofth Per , Malmsten Jarmo
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– West European manufacturing has been going through challenging times after the global financial crisis of 2008-2009. Some countries (e.g. Sweden and Germany) have recovered from the crisis, while in others problems and job loss still persist. One of these problem countries is Finland. The purpose of this paper is to examine manufacturing strategy priorities and their performance implications in this country.

Design/methodology/approach

– During the spring of 2014, a web-based survey was conducted, targeting Finnish manufacturing companies. In this study we focus on small- and medium-sized (SMEs) companies and link survey responses to financial performance data, which is available in audited annual reports.

Findings

– Research results indicate that SME manufacturers in Finland put less emphasis in new product development, broadness of product line and after sales service, while showing high priority in delivery speed and punctuality. As the manufacturing strategy dimensions are connected to audited financial data, regression analyses reveal that superior quality is at central place for achieving higher revenues and profits. After sales service has a positive impact on revenues and new product development ability is connected to higher profits. Managing quality to meet specifications (minimum quality level), leads only into higher employment. Some evidence is shown in support of flexibility in terms of product changes having negative impact on revenue, while volume flexibility is connected to lower profits.

Research limitations/implications

– This research is limited to a single country, and is cross-sectional in nature. The primary data were combined with profit and loss statements in order to reduce common method bias.

Practical implications

– It is evident that SMEs may adapt their manufacturing strategy, with emphasis on superior quality together with properly managed after sales service and new product development activity. However, it is worrying that head count in manufacturing SMEs is not connected to same factors, as are revenue and profit. It is suggested that flexibility in labour contracts and other regulatory support measures are needed to support flexible manufacturing.

Originality/value

– Advanced economies and their remaining manufacturing companies have been receiving minor levels of interest in research. This is especially the case with SMEs, where this research tries to fill important research gap.
Customers as creative resources: their influence on firm freedom
Authors: Plé Loïc , Lecocq Xavier
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– Researchers and practitioners usually consider that integrating customers in firms’ business models comes with positive consequences. However, customer integration may also detrimentally influence firms by limiting their strategic and operational latitude, which, in this context, refers to the degree of freedom companies possess over their strategic and operational decisions and actions. Being aware of that would enable companies to limit this potentially harmful influence.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a conceptual paper that relies on recent business cases. It is suggested that the negative influence of customers on firms’ latitude occurs through the three dimensions of their business model, namely, resources and competences, value propositions (i.e. the firm’s offer) and the organization.

Findings

– By influencing the use of resources and competences, the design and evolution of the value proposition or the functioning of the organization, customers may constrain firms’ strategic and operational moves and thus have detrimental effects on their performance and evolution. Three ways to counterbalance this potentially negative influence are proposed.

Research limitations/implications

– A lack of prior research on the negative side effects of customer integration in firms’ business models is emphasized. Further studies are needed to help firms take these into consideration.

Practical implications

– Being aware of the potential drawbacks associated with using customers as resources, firms are invited to balance the level of their strategic and operational latitude with the importance that they grant to their customers.

Originality/value

– This paper introduces the concept of strategic and operational latitude. It is also one of the few to highlight the negative consequences of customer integration in firms’ business models.
Fit for global customers: how ALTANA mastered the journey to a customer-centric organization
Authors: Lindner Detlev , Senn Christoph
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe the implementation journey of global account management (GAM) programs. ALTANA’s case offers a good example of the challenges a supplier faces when attempting to ascend into the highest supplier league – as well as lessons on how they can be resolved.

Design/methodology/approach

– The conceptual approach for the GAM implementation is based on the results of benchmarking studies with more than 300 companies. Over the period of six years, the authors then conducted planned interventions and captured results via multiple sources on a yearly basis.

Findings

– Findings include: implementing GAM pays off (i.e. driving business in good times, protecting business in economic downturns), and implementing GAM catalyzes a company-wide transformation and creates client-focused organizational structures without expensive, often useless “integration” projects.

Research limitations/implications

– A limitation of the research is that it consists of a single company research study in one industry. Cross-industry validation studies would generate further insights.

Practical implications

– The described approach can serve as a blueprint for other firms and can help them to save time and costs in their own efforts.

Originality/value

– This is one of the few multi-year studies on GAM implementation. The results confirm that implementing GAM pays off, but also show that only a cautious and evolutionary approach generates sustainable success. In this respect, the findings contradict the widespread assumption that GAM programs can be implemented within 12-18 months and offer those who are charged with such a task useful lessons for their own practice.
The library as heterotopia: Michel Foucault and the experience of library space
Authors: Radford Gary P. , Radford Marie L. , Lingel Jessica
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– Using Michel Foucault’s notion of heterotopia as a guide, the purpose of this paper is to explore the implications of considering the library as place, and specifically as a place that has the “curious property of being in relation with all the other sites, but in such a way as to suspect, neutralize, or invent the set of relations that they happen to designate, mirror, or reflect” (Foucault, 1986a, p. 24).

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper draws upon a range of literary examples and from biographical accounts of authors such as Alan Bennett, Michel Foucault, and Umberto Eco to show how the library space operates as a heterotopia.

Findings

– The paper finds that drawing together the constructs of heterotopia and serendipity can enrich the understanding of how libraries are experienced as sites of play, creativity, and adventure.

Originality/value

– Foucault’s concept of heterotopia is offered as an original and useful frame that can account for the range of experiences and associations uniquely attached to the library.
Arts and humanities research evaluation: no metrics please, just data
Authors: Thelwall Mike , Delgado Maria M
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to make an explicit case for the use of data with contextual information as evidence in arts and humanities research evaluations rather than systematic metrics.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey of the strengths and limitations of citation-based indicators is combined with evidence about existing uses of wider impact data in the arts and humanities, with particular reference to the 2014 UK Research Excellence Framework.

Findings

– Data are already used as impact evidence in the arts and humanities but this practice should become more widespread.

Practical implications

– Arts and humanities researchers should be encouraged to think creatively about the kinds of data that they may be able to generate in support of the value of their research and should not rely upon standardised metrics.

Originality/value

– This paper combines practices emerging in the arts and humanities with research evaluation from a scientometric perspective to generate new recommendations.
Researching public libraries and the social web, 2006-2012
Authors: Carlsson Hanna
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to sketch out the general tendencies, gaps and opportunities within the body of research studying the social web as a new facet of public librarianship in order to delineate the findings so far and suggest directions for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

– Literature searches were conducted through the Library, Information Science and Technology Abstract database, The ISI Web of Science database and the Directory of Open Access Journals. A selection process in two steps resulted in 44 articles that were subjected to a two-stage analysis and coding process: a coding analysis based on the stated aims or research questions of each article and analysis of the articles as clusters around a shared theme.

Findings

– The articles, exhibiting a richness and diversity in research directions, are dispersed in a wide range of journals and the topics addressed cover a variety of segments within Library and Information Science. Despite this diversity, research exploring the consequences of the social web for public libraries in situ and considerations of research on the broader political economic conditions of the public library institution in late modernity is largely lacking. Furthermore, the status of librarianship and the professional expertise of librarians, in light of the social web, need to be further addressed.

Originality/value

– The rising interest and investment of library professionals into the practices, principles and technologies of the social web calls for further studies into the consequences of this ongoing development for public library services. This paper gives a preliminary overview of the research done 2006-2012 and identifies gaps in the literature that may serve as a point of departure for future research.
The credibility of refutation in two-sided anti-drug messages
Authors: Cornelis Erlinde , Cauberghe Verolien , De Pelsmacker Patrick
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to address the credibility effects of refutational versus non-refutational two-sided messages. Additionally, it aims to unravel the moderating role of issue ambivalence and argument type.

Design/methodology/approach

– A 2 × 2 × 2 between-subjects factorial experimental design (N= 853 adolescents) investigates the effect of eight anti-binge drinking and anti-marijuana messages on source and message credibility.

Findings

– The results show that refutation increases credibility compared to non-refutation. Additionally, a three-way interaction effect is found: credibility depends on the ambivalence of the issue and the argument type.

Originality/value

– First, this study clarifies the inconsistencies found in previous literature regarding (non-)refutational two-sided messages by addressing two important (and so far neglected) moderating variables. Second, we provide useful new insights for health practitioners who develop campaigns to prevent drug abuse among adolescents.
Is removing blood donation barriers a donation facilitator?
Authors: Polonsky Michael , Francis Kate , Renzaho Andre
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The aim of this study was to assess whether the removal of blood donation “barriers” facilitates blood donation intentions, using a sample of African migrants, and to identify the implications for social marketing. African migrants are currently under-represented as blood donors in Australia. Some members of the African community have unique donation needs that can only be served by this community.

Design/methodology/approach

– Interviews were conducted with 425 people from the African community in Victoria and South Australia. Factor analysis was performed on the barriers and the removal of barriers. Item groupings for both constructs differed, suggesting that barriers and their removal are not necessarily opposite constructs.

Findings

– The cultural society factor was negatively associated with blood donation intention (i.e. a barrier), whereas engagement and overcoming fear were positively associated with blood donation intention (i.e. facilitators). Cultural issues and lack of understanding were not seen to impede blood donation. Additionally, the removal of cultural barriers did not facilitate increases in blood donation intentions. Thus, the removal of barriers may not be sufficient on their own to encourage donation.

Research limitations/implications

– This only examines the issue with regards to whether the removal of barriers is a facilitator of blood donation with one group of migrants, and relationships may vary across other migrant and non-migrant groups.

Practical implications

– Policymakers often use social marketing interventions to overcome barriers as a way of facilitating blood donation. This research suggests that removing barriers is indeed important because these barriers impede people considering becoming blood donors. However, the findings also suggest that the removal of barriers is insufficient on its own to motivate blood donations (i.e. the removal of barriers is a hygiene factor). If this is the case, social marketing campaigns need to be multifaceted, removing barriers as well as leveraging facilitators, simultaneously.

Social implications

– This work identified that the impact of barriers and their removal may facilitate effective social marketing campaigns in differing ways, in the context of blood donation.

Originality/value

– How barriers and their removal impact social marketing activities (i.e. blood donation behaviour) has generally not been explored in research.
The influence of internal market orientation on external outcomes
Authors: Tortosa Edo Vicent , Llorens-Monzonís Jaume , Moliner-Tena Miguel Ángel , Sánchez-García Javier
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the possible influence of internal marketing (represented by internal market orientation (IMO)) on external customer outcomes (perceived service quality and customer satisfaction) through the mediating role of employees’ attitudes (job satisfaction, trust and commitment) that comprise relationship quality.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors employ a dyadic methodology, with 244 dyads (employee-the average of his/her three patients) at the outpatient services of five Spanish hospitals. The authors use structural equation modelling (EQS6.1) to test the relationships of the model.

Findings

– The results corroborate the hypotheses proposed in the model, with the exception of the influence of IMO on commitment. Significant differences in some relationships, depending on the experience of the employee, are also corroborated.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper analyses one service activity in the same region. Only perceptual data are used to measure the variables of the model.

Practical implications

– Service companies should consider IMO because it contributes to creating an excellent customer experience. Furthermore, managers should bear in mind their employees’ needs when taking decisions.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes to the literature by demonstrating, for the first time, the mediating role of relationship quality in the influence of IMO on external outcomes. It is also the first paper in internal marketing to analyse the differences in the consequences of IMO according to employee tenure.
Sport for development and peace snakes and ladders
Authors: Webb Andrew Joseph , Richelieu André
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to better understand the factors that may improve or hinder the impact of sport for development and peace projects. Sport for development and/or peace (SDP) has been described as an emerging, yet under-theorized research field (Schnitzeret al., 2013). As such, few authors have analyzed the conditions, best practices and processes needed for achieving impact on context through SDP. The purpose of this paper is to address this gap in current knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

– A literature review was chosen to analyze the focus and findings of the related body of work.

Findings

– A conceptual model of the dominant SDP process serves as a framework to identify and analyze concepts that may influence SDP impact on context. Moreover, this conceptual model provides insight about an apparent empirical incongruity between the theoretical and practical impact of this dominant SDP process on the ground.

Practical implications

– This paper opens a debate around the process currently deployed by SDP agencies to influence peace and/or development. Specifically, we question if indoctrinating sport-related values into child athletes, who then somehow influence their communities, is the most cost effective process for sport to contribute to development and/or peace.

Originality/value

– This paper addresses the paucity of insight about concepts that SDP agencies should implement to impact context. This contribution appears significant in a context of increased competition for funding. As growing number of SDP agencies operating in emerging markets compete for rarifying corporate funding, deploying cost-effective projects for development and peace may provide SDP agencies with a competitive advantage.
Visualization and purchase
Authors: Marchini Andrea , Diotallevi Francesco , Paffarini Chiara , Stasi Antonio , Baselice Antonio
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to present an attempt to evaluate Italian olive oil brand competition thought the analysis of consumers’ visual perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– Through the implementation of a new information technology system called “Visual Marketing REL”, which furnishes eye-tracking measures, the authors were able to produce important information relative to the layout organization of to the Italian olive oil shelf, a strategic product of the agro-food chain. The research uses the “in situ” testing of the software developed.

Findings

– The research, following up the thesis of sensorial marketing affecting choices, intends to identify an IT tool to facilitate the design of the shelf by increasing the efficiency of the retail mix. Results highlight that specific positioning could impact the differentiation effect and orientate consumers’ choices, thus increasing the efficiency of the retail mix.

Research limitations/implications

– To generalize the results would require many repetitions of different product categories. In this case, it would be possible to quantify the levels of correlation between visual information and sales.

Practical implications

– This work opens important considerations in terms of strategic management of modern distribution, leaders and minor brands competitive relationship, as well as opportunities for producers of high-quality products, which could address their strategies to differentiation and niche market in cooperation with retailers.

Social implications

– The research aims to encourage the process of consumer choice and reduce information asymmetries.

Originality/value

– The most important result is the connection among choices, visualization, differentiation strategy and positioning/ordering on the shelf. The layout management, in fact, could be used as a joint strategy of retailers as well as producers to emphasize quality and price differentiation, thereby increasing sales. Moreover, the study provides for the first time the outcomes of a brand new software “Visual Marketing REL”, highlighting its limits and positive elements.
Optical properties of laser sintered polyamide 12
Authors: Yuan Mengqi , Bourell David L.
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report selected optical properties of laser sintered polyamide 12 blank plates under different monochromatic and white light conditions and to apply these properties in production of laser sintered lithophanes.

Design/methodology/approach

– A UNICO 1201E spectrophotometer was used to measure the transmittance of laser sintered polyamide 12 plates as a function of plate thickness. Monochromatic light-emitting diodes were used to assess the wavelength dependence on the transmission and contrast as captured by a SONY DSC-W55 camera.

Findings

– The transmittance decreased with increasing plate thickness which varied significantly depending on the monochromatic wavelength. Highest transmission was observed using green light (525 nm) and poorest transmission was measured for yellow light (589 nm).

Research limitations/implications

– There is a limit to the amount of contrast obtained in polyamide lithophanes because the thickness of the plates is limited to less than about 5 mm. Greater thickness results in discernible topology on the lithophane which impairs the quality of the image.

Originality/value

– Light transmittance of polyamide 12 plates under different lighting conditions is reported and applied to optically defined laser sintered lithophanes.
Towards understanding of ultrasonic consolidation process with “process map”
Authors: Zhang Song , Yi Dalong , Zhang Hui , Zheng Lili , Zhang Yuduo , Yang Zhigang , Norfolk Mark
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the key parameters that control the bonding formation of foils by the ultrasonic consolidation (UC) process and to build the correlations among process operating conditions and key control parameters through the concept of “process map”.

Design/methodology/approach

– The concept of “process map” is proposed based on the diffusion bonding mechanism for the UC process, and numerical simulations have been applied to the UC process to predict peak temperature and plastic strain at the contact interface by considering a wide range of process operating conditions.

Findings

– This map reveals that the formation of bonding among foils by the UC process requires a good match between temperature and plastic deformation at the contact interface. This limits the process operating window to a narrow region in the strain – temperature coordinate system.

Originality/value

– This work has identified the underlying mechanism for bonding formation and the key control parameters of the UC process. The concept of “process map” for the UC process was developed, which allows the process optimization through two critical process control parameters of temperature and plastic strain at the contact interface instead of five operating conditions.
Low-energy drop weight performance of cellular sandwich panels
Authors: Yang Li , Harrysson Ola A , West II Harvey A , Cormier Denis R. , Park Chun , Peters Kara
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– The aim of this study is to perform a comparative study on sandwich structures with several types of three-dimensional (3D) reticulate cellular structural core designs for their low-energy impact absorption abilities using powder bed additive manufacturing methods. 3D reticulate cellular structures possess promising potentials in various applications with sandwich structure designs. One of the properties critical to the sandwich structures in applications, such as aerospace and automobile components, is the low-energy impact performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– Sandwich samples of various designs, including re-entrant auxetic, rhombic, hexagonal and octahedral, were designed and fabricated via selective laser sintering (SLS) process using nylon 12 as material. Low-energy drop weight test was performed to evaluate the energy absorption of various designs. Tensile coupons were also produced using the same process to provide baseline material properties. The manufacturing issues such as geometrical accuracy and anisotropy effect as well as their effects on the performance of the structures were discussed.

Findings

– In general, 3D reticulate cellular structures made by SLS process exhibit significantly different characteristics under low-energy drop weight impact compared to the regular extruded honeycomb sandwich panels. A hexagonal sandwich panel exhibits the largest compliance with the smallest energy absorption ability, and an octahedral sandwich panel exhibits high stiffness as well as good impact protection ability. Through a proper geometrical design, the re-entrant auxetic sandwich panels could achieve a combination of high energy absorption and low response force, making it especially attractive for low-impact protection applications.

Originality/value

– There has been little work on the comparative study of the energy absorption of various 3D reticulate cellular structures to date. This work demonstrates the potential of 3D reticulate cellular structures as sandwich cores for different purposes. This work also demonstrates the possibility of controlling the performance of this type of sandwich structures via geometrical and process design of the cellular cores with powder bed additive manufacturing systems.
Colour polymorphism torn apart by opposing positive frequency‐dependent selection, yet maintained in space
Authors: Gordon Swanne P. , Kokko Hanna , Rojas Bibiana , Nokelainen Ossi , Mappes Johanna
Published: June 2015

Polymorphic warning signals in aposematic species are enigmatic because predator learning and discrimination should select for the most common coloration, resulting in positive frequency‐dependent survival selection.

Here, we investigated whether differential mating success could create sufficiently strong negative frequency‐dependent selection for rare morphs to explain polymorphic (white and yellow) warning coloration in male wood tiger moths (Parasemia plantaginis).

We conducted an experiment in semi‐natural conditions where we estimated mating success for both white and yellow male moths under three different morph frequencies.

Contrary to expectations, mating success was positively frequency‐dependent: white morph males had high relative fitness when common, likewise yellow morph males had high relative fitness when instead they were common. We hence built a model parameterized with our data to examine whether polymorphism can be maintained despite two sources of positive frequency dependence. The model includes known spatial variation in the survival advantage enjoyed by the yellow morph and assumes that relative mating success follows our experimentally derived values. It predicts that polymorphism is possible under migration for up to approximately 20% exchange of individuals between subpopulations in each generation.

Our results suggest that differential mating success combined with spatial variation in predator communities may operate as a selection mosaic that prevents complete fixation of either morph.
Optimising emulsion stability during processing of model infant formulae using factorial statistical design
Authors: McCarthy Noel A , Gee Vivian L , O'Mahony James A , Kelly Alan L , Fenelon Mark A
Published: June 2015

This study examined the effects of total solids (TS), preheat treatment temperature, and first‐ and second‐stage homogenisation pressures on the stability of model infant formula emulsions, using factorial statistical design. Oil droplet size decreased with increasing first‐ and second‐stage homogenisation pressures. The viscosity of emulsions after homogenisation was mainly affected by TS. Spray drying altered the protein profile of the interfacial layer around oil droplets compared to that posthomogenisation, but did not alter oil droplet size. This work made it possible to select optimum conditions to produce a stable infant formula emulsion, with the use of lower homogenisation pressures.
Association Between Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme 2 and Coronary Artery Calcification in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis Therapy
Authors: Zhang Qiankun , Sun Lina , Jin Lie
Published: June 2015

While all mechanisms that contribute to the pathogenesis of coronary artery calcification (CAC) are unknown, angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) may be involved in this process in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between ACE2 and CAC in patients on MHD therapy. Ninety patients on MHD therapy were involved in this prospective study. CAC was quantified by CAC score (CACs) using the Agatston method and a multi‐slice CT scanner. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the association between ACE2 and CACs. In the univariate analysis, CACs positively correlated with ACE2 (r = 0.666, P < 0.001). After adjusting for age, sex, smoking, hypertension, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia, ACE2 levels continued to significantly and independently predict the presence of CAC. ROC curve analysis showed that the serum ACE2 level can predict the extent of CAC. These findings indicate that elevated serum ACE2 may be involved in vascular calcification in patients receiving MHD therapy.
By the Markets, of the Markets, for the Markets? Technocratic Decision Making and the Hollowing Out of Democracy
Authors: Ruser Alexander
Published: June 2015

The global financial crisis of 2007 turned into a sovereign debt crisis that placed the economies within the EU in jeopardy. Despite hastily decided rescue packages, bailouts and far‐reaching reforms of economic governance in the EU the situation still looks grim in some Southern member states. In the course of these rescue attempts technocratic decision making at the European level and within the most crisis‐ridden countries became more influential. Instead of rethinking the economic system, political accountability shifted from citizens to markets in order to ‘fix the system’. The knowledge base informing political decision making remained largely intact, allowing a dominant, international advocacy coalition to impose reforms deemed ‘necessary’. The price to pay is a decline in trust in elected representatives and the threat to fall back behind even Schumpeterian‐style democracies.