bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grey seals use anthropogenic signals from acoustic tags to locate fish: evidence from a simulated foraging task
Authors: Stansbury Amanda L. , Götz Thomas , Deecke Volker B. , Janik Vincent M.
Published: November 2014

Anthropogenic noise can have negative effects on animal behaviour and physiology. However, noise is often introduced systematically and potentially provides information for navigation or prey detection. Here, we show that grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) learn to use sounds from acoustic fish tags as an indicator of food location. In 20 randomized trials each, 10 grey seals individually explored 20 foraging boxes, with one box containing a tagged fish, one containing an untagged fish and all other boxes being empty. The tagged box was found after significantly fewer non-tag box visits across trials, and seals revisited boxes containing the tag more often than any other box. The time and number of boxes needed to find both fish decreased significantly throughout consecutive trials. Two additional controls were conducted to investigate the role of the acoustic signal: (i) tags were placed in one box, with no fish present in any boxes and (ii) additional pieces of fish, inaccessible to the seal, were placed in the previously empty 18 boxes, making possible alternative chemosensory cues less reliable. During these controls, the acoustically tagged box was generally found significantly faster than the control box. Our results show that animals learn to use information provided by anthropogenic signals to enhance foraging success.
Factors determining the most efficient spray distribution for marine cloud brightening
Authors: Connolly P. J. , McFiggans G. B. , Wood R. , Tsiamis A.
Published: November 2014

We investigate the sensitivity of marine cloud brightening to the properties of the added salt particle distribution using a cloud parcel model, with an aim to address the question of, ‘what is the most efficient particle size distribution that will produce a desired cooling effect?’ We examine the effect that altering the aerosol particle size distribution has on the activation and growth of drops, i.e. the Twomey effect alone, and do not consider macrophysical cloud responses that may enhance or mitigate the Twomey effect. For all four spray generation methods considered,
Rayleigh jet
;
Taylor cone jet
;
supercritical fluid
; and
effervescent spray
, salt particles within the median dry diameter range
D
m
=30–100 nm are the most effective range of sizes. The
Rayleigh jet
method is also the most energy efficient overall. We also find that care needs to be taken when using droplet activation parametrizations: for the concentrations considered, Aitken particles do not result in a decrease in the total albedo, as was found in a recent study, and such findings are likely to be a result of the parametrizations' inability to simulate the effect of swollen aerosol particles. Our findings suggest that interstitial aerosol particles play a role in controlling the albedo rather than just the activated cloud drops, which is an effect that the parametrization methods do not consider.
Geoengineering, climate change scepticism and the ‘moral hazard’ argument: an experimental study of UK public perceptions
Authors: Corner Adam , Pidgeon Nick
Published: November 2014

Many commentators have expressed concerns that researching and/or developing geoengineering technologies may undermine support for existing climate policies—the so-called moral hazard argument. This argument plays a central role in policy debates about geoengineering. However, there has not yet been a systematic investigation of how members of the public view the moral hazard argument, or whether it impacts on people's beliefs about geoengineering and climate change. In this paper, we describe an online experiment with a representative sample of the UK public, in which participants read one of two arguments (either endorsing or rejecting the idea that geoengineering poses a moral hazard). The argument endorsing the idea of geoengineering as a moral hazard was perceived as more convincing overall. However, people with more sceptical views and those who endorsed ‘self-enhancing’ values were more likely to agree that the prospect of geoengineering would reduce their motivation to make changes in their own behaviour in response to climate change. The findings suggest that geoengineering is likely to pose a moral hazard for
some
people more than others, and the implications for engaging the public are discussed.
Cirrus cloud seeding: a climate engineering mechanism with reduced side effects?
Authors: Storelvmo T. , Boos W. R. , Herger N.
Published: November 2014

Climate engineering, the intentional alteration of Earth's climate, is a multifaceted and controversial topic. Numerous climate engineering mechanisms (CEMs) have been proposed, and the efficacies and potential undesired consequences of some of them have been studied in the safe environments of numerical models. Here, we present a global modelling study of a so far understudied CEM, namely the seeding of cirrus clouds to reduce their lifetimes in the upper troposphere, and hence their greenhouse effect. Different from most CEMs, the intention of cirrus seeding is not to reduce the amount of solar radiation reaching Earth's surface. This particular CEM rather targets the greenhouse effect, by reducing the trapping of infrared radiation by high clouds. This avoids some of the caveats that have been identified for solar radiation management, for example, the delayed recovery of stratospheric ozone or drastic changes to Earth's hydrological cycle. We find that seeding of mid- and high-latitude cirrus clouds has the potential to cool the planet by about 1.4 K, and that this cooling is accompanied by only a modest reduction in rainfall. Intriguingly, seeding of the 15% of the globe with the highest solar noon zenith angles at any given time yields the same global mean cooling as a seeding strategy that involves 45% of the globe. In either case, the cooling is strongest at high latitudes, and could therefore serve to prevent Arctic sea ice loss. With the caveat that there are still significant uncertainties associated with ice nucleation in cirrus clouds and its representation in climate models, cirrus seeding appears to represent a powerful CEM with reduced side effects.
Field experiments on solar geoengineering: report of a workshop exploring a representative research portfolio
Authors: Keith David W. , Duren Riley , MacMartin Douglas G.
Published: November 2014

We summarize a portfolio of possible field experiments on solar radiation management (SRM) and related technologies. The portfolio is intended to support analysis of potential field research related to SRM including discussions about the overall merit and risk of such research as well as mechanisms for governing such research and assessments of observational needs. The proposals were generated with contributions from leading researchers at a workshop held in March 2014 at which the proposals were critically reviewed. The proposed research dealt with three major classes of SRM proposals: marine cloud brightening, stratospheric aerosols and cirrus cloud manipulation. The proposals are summarized here along with an analysis exploring variables such as space and time scale, risk and radiative forcing. Possible gaps, biases and cross-cutting considerations are discussed. Finally, suggestions for plausible next steps in the development of a systematic research programme are presented.
Ammoniibacillus agariperforans gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermophilic, agar-degrading bacterium isolated from compost
Authors: Sakai Masao , Deguchi Daigo , Hosoda Akifumi , Kawauchi Tomohiro , Ikenaga Makoto
Published: November 2014

A thermophilic, agar-degrading bacterium, strain FAB2T, was isolated from sewage sludge compost. According to phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain FAB2T belonged to the family

Paenibacillaceae

within the phylum

Firmicutes

. However, FAB2T was different enough at the genus level from closely related species. The percentages of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with related organisms were 90.4 % for

Thermobacillus xylanilyticus

, 91.8 % for

Paenibacillus barengoltzii

, 89.4 % for

Cohnella lupini

, 90.1 % for

Fontibacillus aquaticus

, and 89.0 % for

Saccharibacillus sacchari

. Morphological and physiological analyses revealed that the strain was motile, rod-shaped, Gram-stain-positive, aerobic and able to form oval endospores in swollen sporangia. Ammonium was required as a nitrogen source while nitrate, nitrite, urea and glutamate were not utilized. Catalase and oxidase activities were weakly positive and positive, respectively. The bacterium grew in the temperature range of 50–65 °C and in media with pH 7.5 to 9.0. Optimal growth occurred at 60 °C and pH 8.0–8.6. Growth was inhibited at pH≤7.0 and NaCl concentrations ≥2.5 % (w/v). In chemotaxonomic characterization, MK-7 was identified as the dominant menaquinone. Major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0. Dominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Phosphatidylcholine was present in a moderate amount. The diamino acid in the cell wall was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 49.5 mol% in a nucleic acid study. On the basis of genetic and phenotypic characteristics, strain FAB2T ( = NBRC 109510T = KCTC 33130T) showed characteristics suitable for classification as the type strain of a novel species of a new genus in the family

Paenibacillaceae

, for which the name Ammoniibacillus agariperforans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed.
Gene discovery and functional assessment of rare copy-number variants in neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Iyer Janani , Girirajan Santhosh
Published: November 2014

Rare copy-number variants (CNVs) are a significant cause of neurodevelopmental disorders. The sequence architecture of the human genome predisposes certain individuals to deletions and duplications within specific genomic regions. While assessment of individuals with different breakpoints has identified causal genes for certain rare CNVs, deriving gene-phenotype correlations for rare CNVs with similar breakpoints has been challenging. We present a comprehensive review of the literature related to genetic architecture that is predisposed to recurrent rearrangements, and functional evaluation of deletions, duplications, and candidate genes within rare CNV intervals using mouse, zebrafish, and fruit fly models. It is clear that phenotypic assessment and complete genetic evaluation of large cohorts of individuals carrying specific CNVs and functional evaluation using multiple animal models are necessary to understand the molecular genetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorders.
Enhanced AMPA receptor function promotes cerebellar long-term depression rather than potentiation
Authors: van Beugen Boeke J. , Qiao Xin , Simmons Dana H. , De Zeeuw Chris I. , Hansel Christian
Published: November 2014

Ampakines are allosteric modulators of AMPA receptors that facilitate hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and learning, and have been considered for the treatment of cognition and memory deficits. Here, we show that the ampakine CX546 raises the amplitude and slows the decay time of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) at cerebellar parallel fiber (PF) to Purkinje cell synapses, thus resembling CX546 effects described at hippocampal synapses. Using the fluorescent calcium indicator dye Oregon Green BAPTA-2 and an ultra-high-speed CCD camera, we also monitored calcium transients in Purkinje cell dendrites. In the presence of CX546 in the bath, PF-evoked calcium transients were enhanced and prolonged, suggesting that CX546 not only enhances synaptic transmission, but also boosts dendritic calcium signaling at cerebellar synapses. In contrast to previous observations in the hippocampus, however, CX546 applied during cerebellar recordings facilitates long-term depression (LTD) rather than LTP at PF synapses. These findings show that ampakines selectively modify the LTP–LTD balance depending on the brain area and type of synapse, and may provide tools for the targeted regulation of synaptic memories.
Duration of the unconditioned stimulus in appetitive conditioning of honeybees differentially impacts learning, long-term memory strength, and the underlying protein synthesis
Authors: Marter Kathrin , Grauel M. Katharina , Lewa Carmen , Morgenstern Laura , Buckemüller Christina , Heufelder Karin , Ganz Marion , Eisenhardt Dorothea
Published: November 2014

This study examines the role of stimulus duration in learning and memory formation of honeybees (Apis mellifera). In classical appetitive conditioning honeybees learn the association between an initially neutral, conditioned stimulus (CS) and the occurrence of a meaningful stimulus, the unconditioned stimulus (US). Thereby the CS becomes a predictor for the US eliciting a conditioned response (CR). Here we study the role of US duration in classical conditioning by examining honeybees conditioned with different US durations. We quantify the CR during acquisition, memory retention, and extinction of the early long-term memory (eLTM), and examine the molecular mechanisms of eLTM by interfering with protein synthesis. We find that the US duration affects neither the probability nor the strength of the CR during acquisition, eLTM retention, and extinction 24 h after conditioning. However, we find that the resistance to extinction 24 h after conditioning is susceptible to protein synthesis inhibition depending on the US duration. We conclude that the US duration does not affect the predictability of the US but modulates the protein synthesis underlying the eLTM's strength. Thus, the US duration differentially impacts learning, eLTM strength, and its underlying protein synthesis.
Cerebellar secretin modulates eyeblink classical conditioning
Authors: Fuchs Jason R. , Robinson Gain M. , Dean Aaron M. , Schoenberg Heidi E. , Williams Michael R. , Morielli Anthony D. , Green John T.
Published: November 2014

We have previously shown that intracerebellar infusion of the neuropeptide secretin enhances the acquisition phase of eyeblink conditioning (EBC). Here, we sought to test whether endogenous secretin also regulates EBC and to test whether the effect of exogenous and endogenous secretin is specific to acquisition. In Experiment 1, rats received intracerebellar infusions of the secretin receptor antagonist 5-27 secretin or vehicle into the lobulus simplex of cerebellar cortex immediately prior to sessions 1–3 of acquisition. Antagonist-infused rats showed a reduction in the percentage of eyeblink CRs compared with vehicle-infused rats. In Experiment 2, rats received intracerebellar infusions of secretin or vehicle immediately prior to sessions 1–2 of extinction. Secretin did not significantly affect extinction performance. In Experiment 3, rats received intracerebellar infusions of 5-27 secretin or vehicle immediately prior to sessions 1–2 of extinction. The secretin antagonist did not significantly affect extinction performance. Together, our current and previous results indicate that both exogenous and endogenous cerebellar secretin modulate acquisition, but not extinction, of EBC. We have previously shown that (1) secretin reduces surface expression of the voltage-gated potassium channel α-subunit Kv1.2 in cerebellar cortex and (2) intracerebellar infusions of a Kv1.2 blocker enhance EBC acquisition, much like secretin. Kv1.2 is almost exclusively expressed in cerebellar cortex at basket cell–Purkinje cell pinceaus and Purkinje cell dendrites; we propose that EBC-induced secretin release from PCs modulates EBC acquisition by reducing surface expression of Kv1.2 at one or both of these sites.
Pharmacological enhancement of mGluR5 facilitates contextual fear memory extinction
Authors: Sethna Ferzin , Wang Hongbing
Published: November 2014

Behavioral exposure therapy, which involves extinction of the previously acquired fear, has been used to treat anxiety-related symptoms such as post-traumatic stress disorder. It has been hypothesized that proextinction pharmacotherapeutics may enhance the efficacy of exposure therapy. Systemic administration of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5)-positive allosteric modulator 3-cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide (CDPPB) facilitated the extinction of contextual fear memory. Notably, CDPPB also enhanced the initial fear memory formation, and had no effect on memory retrieval. Our data suggest that positive regulation of mGluR5 may offer a new method to enhance exposure therapy through facilitating extinction without adversely affecting other aspects of memory process.
Crystal structure of fenpropathrin
Authors: Kang Gihaeng , Jeon Youngeun , Lee Sangjin , Kim Tae Ho
Published: November 2014

In the title compound [systematic name: cyano(3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl 2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxylate], C22H23NO3, which is the pyrethroid insecticide fenpropathrin, the dihedral angle between the cyclopropane ring plane and the carboxylate group plane is 88.25 (11)°. The dihedral angle between the benzene and phenyl rings in the phenoxybenzyl group is 82.99 (4)°. In the crystal, C—H...N hydrogen bonds and weak C—H...π interactions link adjacent molecules, forming loop chains along theb-axis direction.
Time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction with milligram samples: the crystal structures of NaCoF3and NaNiF3post-perovskites
Authors: Lindsay-Scott Alex , Dobson David , Nestola Fabrizio , Alvaro Matteo , Casati Nicola , Liebske Christian , Knight Kevin S. , Smith Ronald I. , Wood Ian G.
Published: November 2014

Using the recently upgraded Polaris diffractometer at the ISIS Spallation Neutron Source (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory), the crystal structures of the post-perovskite polymorphs of NaCoF3and NaNiF3have been determined by time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction from samples, of mass 56 and 16 mg, respectively, recovered after synthesis at ∼20 GPa in a multi-anvil press. The structure of post-perovskite NaNiF3has also been determined by single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction for comparison. All measurements were made at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. Despite the extremely small sample size in the neutron diffraction study, there is very good agreement between the positional parameters for NaNiF3obtained from the refinements of the X-ray and neutron data. Relative to the commonly used oxide post-perovskite analogue phases having calcium as theAcation, the axial ratios and derived structural parameters of these fluoride post-perovskites are more consistent with those of Mg0.91Fe0.09SiO3at high pressure and temperature. The structures of NaCoF3and NaNiF3are very similar, but the unit-cell and CoF6octahedral volumes of NaCoF3are larger than the corresponding quantities in NaNiF3, which supports the hypothesis that the Co2+ion has a high-spin state in this compound. The anisotropic atomic displacement parameters of the Na ions in NaNiF3post-perovskite are of similar magnitude to those of the F ions. The probability ellipsoid of the F1 ion is a prolate spheroid with its largest component parallel to thebaxis of the unit cell, corresponding to rotational motion of the NiF6octahedra about theaaxis of the crystal. Although they must be synthesized at pressures above about 18 GPa, theseABF3compounds are strongly metastable at atmospheric pressure and room temperature and so are highly suitable for use as analogues for (Mg,Fe)SiO3post-perovskite in the deep Earth, with significant advantages over oxides such as CaIrO3or CaPtO3.
Large- and small-angle grain boundaries in multi-crystalline silicon and implications for the evolution of grain boundaries during crystal growth
Authors: Carl Eva-Regine , Danilewsky Andreas , Meissner Elke , Geiger Tobias
Published: November 2014

A detailed study of twin-, large-angle and small-angle grain boundaries over a small volume of multi-crystalline silicon is presented on the basis of electron backscatter diffraction and synchrotron X-ray topography (SXRT) measurements. Identical areas (ca6 mm2) of two nearest neighbour wafers from a directional solidified Si column were analysed in order to gain information about the evolution of grain boundaries during the crystal growth process. Therefore, the emphasis was placed on the evolution of one particular grain and its neighbouring grains. In the case of `straight line' Σ3 grain boundaries, no change is observed if the twin plane corresponds to a {211} plane. Significant changes are found for non-straight line boundaries: while curved Σ3 grain boundaries are formed and eliminated very frequently, the Σ9 and Σ27agrain boundaries undergo only minor changes. By means of SXRT imaging, it is shown that the microstructure of the analysed grain exhibits numerous small-angle grain boundaries with angles in the range between 0.003 and 0.02°, corresponding to a theoretical dislocation density of the order of 107–108 cm−2. The experiments give evidence that the small-angle grain boundaries with the larger angles extend, while those with smaller angles vanish during growth.
In situserial Laue diffraction on a microfluidic crystallization device
Authors: Perry Sarah L. , Guha Sudipto , Pawate Ashtamurthy S. , Henning Robert , Kosheleva Irina , Srajer Vukica , Kenis Paul J. A. , Ren Zhong
Published: November 2014

Renewed interest in room-temperature diffraction has been prompted by the desire to observe structural dynamics of proteins as they function. Serial crystallography, an experimental strategy that aggregates small pieces of data from a large uniform pool of crystals, has been demonstrated at synchrotrons and X-ray free-electron lasers. This work utilizes a microfluidic crystallization platform for serial Laue diffraction from macroscopic crystals and proposes that a collection of small slices of Laue data from many individual crystals is a realistic solution to the difficulties in dynamic studies of irreversible biochemical reactions.
Political behavior, trustworthiness, job satisfaction, and commitment
Authors: Olson Bradley , Bao Yongjian , Parayitam Satyanarayana
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects trustworthiness can have on the perception of organizational politics and organizational outcomes. Most studies on organizational politics examine the negative effects of organizational politics on organizational outcomes such as organizational commitment. This study focuses on moderators that can decrease these negative effects.

Design/methodology/approach

– The organization landscape consists of Chinese organizations, with a total of 249 employees who were surveyed in 2009. Multiple and moderated hierarchical regression were used in the analyses.

Findings

– The results show that trustworthiness moderates the negative effects of organizational politics on job satisfaction, affective commitment and normative commitment. These findings support the importance of combating the negative effects that are in most, if not all, organizations.

Originality/value

– This study uses as its sample an Asian culture that has been under-represented in organizational politics studies, as the majority of these studies are conducted in North America. Yet, organizational politics likely occurs in organizations worldwide.
Ownership governance, institutional pressures and circular economy accounting information disclosure
Authors: Wang PuCha , Che Fei , Fan ShanShan , Gu Chen
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore the determinants of circular economy accounting information disclosure quality, and also to make empirical analysis on the relationship between circular economy accounting information disclosure quality and corporate ownership governance and institutional pressures according to institutional theory and corporate governance theory. Finally, this paper provides some corresponding suggestions for heightening circular economy accounting information disclosure quality.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper constructs enterprise circular economy accounting information disclosure model with Chinese characteristics. First, it takes disclosure index method to measure enterprise circular economy accounting information disclosure quality, followed by the hypotheses of this study. Then, this study employs a statistical analysis technique to empirically study the relationship between enterprise circular economy accounting information disclosure quality and ownership governance and institutional pressures, to study the ways to heighten enterprise circular economy accounting information disclosure quality in Chinese background.

Findings

– Ownership governance and institutional pressures mainly determine quality of circular economy accounting information disclosure. This paper draws the following conclusions: Chinese listed companies have heightened their circular economy accounting information disclosure quality due to ownership concentration, shareholding of institutional investors, mandatory disclosure, capital structure and assets size. However, the circular economy accounting information disclosure quality has low correlation with the profitability and the location of listed companies.

Originality/value

– Both in China and the West, few scholars or experts adopt empirical research to study the determinants of circular economy accounting information disclosure quality in an institutional theory and corporate governance theory perspective based on China’s supervisory system background. This paper makes a thorough analysis of the factors that affect listed companies’ circular economy accounting information disclosure quality, and provides some corresponding suggestions relevant for heightening circular economy accounting information disclosure quality.
Store managers – the seismographs in shopping centres
Authors: Teller Christoph , Alexander Andrew
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to investigate the link between store managers’ evaluation of how customers assess a shopping centre and their own evaluation of the centre and, based on that, the relevance of store managers in reflecting on and informing the management and marketing practices of the local shopping centre management.

Design/methodology/approach

– A conceptual model is developed based on the network and boundary-spanning theories. The model is tested using a Web-based survey of 217 managers, representing stores located in shopping malls, and by applying covariance-based structural equation modelling.

Findings

– The study reveals store managers to be engaging in a significant information-processing pathway, from customers’ evaluation of the shopping centre (as perceived by the store manager) to their own evaluation of the centre in terms of managerial satisfaction and loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

– The empirical study focuses exclusively on shopping malls and thus does not consider other shopping centre forms such as town centres and retail parks.

Practical implications

– This paper concludes that store managers have the potential to be informational boundary spanners and, thus, valuable resources to inform and give feedback to shopping centre management.

Originality/value

– The contribution of this paper is to provide a more complete understanding of the role of the store manager as an integral actor in the shopping centre in terms of informational boundary spanning between the retail organisation, the customers and local shopping centre management.
Publicity and advertising: what matter most for sales?
Authors: E. Spotts Harlan , G. Weinberger Marc , F. Weinberger Michelle
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this research is to understand the relationship between publicity, advertising activity and corporate sales in the context of a company’s existing reputation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study brings together four unique industry datasets and uses discriminant analysis and multiple regression methods to examine the relationship between existing corporate reputation, publicity, advertising activity and sales levels for major multi-national companies in the technology products sector.

Findings

– Positive publicity is most important in distinguishing between firms with higher and lower sales. The effects of negative publicity and advertising are dependent on a firm’s existing reputation. For companies with weaker reputations, positive publicity in tandem with business-to-consumer (B2C) advertising is most highly associated with higher company sales. Conversely, for firms with stronger existing reputations, advertising has a significantly diminished role; positive and even negative publicity are most crucial in distinguishing between companies with high and low sales. Negative publicity can be harmful to these firms though if it is not balanced by more positive publicity. Finally, the topic of news coverage is related to sales. Generally, stories that are positive reporting on business outcomes, leadership and business future and marketing practices are most important in discriminating between firms with stronger vs weaker sales.

Practical implications

– For this set of technology product firms, publicity and advertising are relevant for sales. Firms with higher levels of sales have both more positive and negative publicity, but the volume of positive stories is much higher. Attracting negative publicity is common for firms that achieve higher sales, but it is offset by a greater number of positive stories, an aspect that public relations efforts can influence. B2C advertising spending meanwhile matters more for firms with weaker rather than stronger existing corporate reputations. It is most effective for firms with weaker existing reputations to maximize the positive signals in the marketplace as exemplified by positive publicity and B2C advertising efforts.

Originality/value

– Little research has examined the relationship between different forms of corporate communications and sales; this study is a rare examination using publicity, advertising spending, existing reputation and sales in a durable goods and services context where there has been a particular dearth of even basic advertising studies. Beyond understanding the relative importance of publicity v. advertising, it also uniquely focuses on the individual topics of news publicity.
The effect of service employees’ accent on customer reactions
Authors: Tombs Alastair , Rao Hill Sally
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The primary objective of this article is to investigate customer reactions to service employees with accents that differ from a non-native accent taking into account customer emotions.

Design/methodology/approach

– This article reports on a study with a 2 (accent of service employee: Australian or Indian) × 2 (service employee’s competency: competent or incompetent) × 2 (customer’s affective state: positive or negative) between-subject experimental design to uncover the effects of service employees’ accent on customers’ reactions.

Findings

– The findings revealed that hearing a service employee with a foreign accent was not enough on its own to influence customer responses. However, when the service employee is incompetent or the customer was in a negative affective state, a foreign accent appeared to exacerbate the situation.

Research limitations/implications

– While the findings indicate that accents are used a cue for customers to evaluate service employees, further research should also take service types, service outcomes, customer-service employee relationships, customers’ ethnic affiliation and ethnocentrism into consideration when examining the effect of accents.

Practical implications

– Service managers need to be aware that accents will exacerbate perceptions of already difficult service situations. Providing competent service will help breakdown stereotypes and improve the acceptance of diversity at the customer–employee interface.

Originality/value

– This article contributes to the service literature about service attributes and is particularly relevant to economies such as the USA, Canada, the UK, New Zealand and Australia where immigrants are a large part of the service work force.
The impact of text product reviews on sales
Authors: Moon Sangkil , Park Yoonseo , Seog Kim Yong
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this research is to theorize and demonstrate that analyzing consumers’ text product reviews using text mining can enhance the explanatory power of a product sales model, particularly for hedonic products, which tend to generate emotional and subjective product evaluations. Previous research in this area has been more focused on utilitarian products.

Design/methodology/approach

– Our text clustering-based procedure segments text reviews into multiple clusters in association with consumers’ numeric ratings to address consumer heterogeneity in taste preferences and quality valuations and the J-distribution of numeric product ratings. This approach is novel in terms of combining text clustering with numeric product ratings to address consumers’ subjective product evaluations.

Findings

– Using the movie industry as our empirical application, we find that our approach of making use of product text reviews can improve the explanatory power and predictive validity of the box-office sales model.

Research limitations/implications

– Marketing scholars have actively investigated the impact of consumers’ online product reviews on product sales, primarily focusing on consumers’ numeric product ratings. Recently, studies have also examined user-generated content. Similarly, this study looks into users’ textual product reviews to explain product sales. It remains to be seen how generalizable our empirical results are beyond our movie application.

Practical implications

– Whereas numeric ratings can indicate how much viewers liked products, consumers’ reviews can convey why viewers liked or disliked them. Therefore, our review analysis can help marketers understand what factors make new products succeed or fail.

Originality/value

– Primarily our approach is suitable to products subjectively evaluated, mostly, hedonic products. In doing so, we consider consumer heterogeneity contained in reviews through our review clusters based on their divergent impacts on sales.
Developing a conceptual model for examining the supply chain relationships between behavioural antecedents of collaboration, integration and performance
Authors: S. Tsanos Christos , G. Zografos Konstantinos , Harrison Alan
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, review the literature on the topic of behavioural antecedents of collaboration and their impact on supply chain integration and performance; second, lay the theoretical foundations and develop a conceptual model linking behavioural antecedents of collaboration, information integration, coordination of operational decisions and supply chain performance; and third, set out operationalisation considerations.

Design/methodology/approach

– A conceptual model with theoretical basis on Relational Exchange Theory (RET) and extant supply chain theory is developed as a causal model that can be operationalised using structural equations modelling (partial least squares) and a “single key informant” approach.

Findings

– Positive relationships between behavioural antecedents of collaboration (trust, commitment, mutuality/reciprocity), information integration, coordination of operational decisions and supply chain performance (efficiency, effectiveness) are hypothesised. RET provides adequate theoretical background that leads to the theoretical establishment of hypotheses between behavioural antecedents, supply chain integration and performance, which are worth testing empirically.

Research limitations/implications

– The ideas presented in this paper enrich the study of behavioural factors in supply chain management and their impact on supply chain performance, and may benefit researchers in the field. The paper also sets the scene (experimental design, measurement items) for the upcoming field research. The empirical part of the work will provide the necessary evidence for the validation of the established hypotheses.

Practical implications

– The proposed linkages may stimulate the interest of supply chain strategists towards more collaborative relationship management and affect their decisions on the behavioural antecedents of relationship formation and management. Moreover, the proposed model may help clarify how the integration of critical operational contingencies – information, operational decisions – can help achieve superior supply chain performance.

Originality/value

– The paper establishes a causal relationship between constructs which have not been researched (mutuality/reciprocity, coordination of operational decisions) or have been researched individually or in combination (impact of integration on performance, impact of collaboration on performance) but not in the proposed integrated way. It also addresses the challenge of lack of theoretical justification on the development of knowledge that will assist decision making in SCM/logistics and its integration into models, processes and tasks. Finally, by using RET in selecting of behavioural factors and establishing hypotheses, it adds to the body of knowledge concerning the use of interorganisational theories in supply chain relationships.
Beyond the negative relation between return and conditional volatility in the wine market
Authors: I. Bouri Elie
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine fine wine’s safe-haven status with respect to US equity movements.

Design/methodology/approach

– We use a generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity model and its variant to measure the asymmetric reaction to positive and negative shocks.

Findings

– Our empirical results show an inverted asymmetric volatility in the wine market; positive shocks increase the conditional volatility more than negative shocks. That is the opposite reaction in the volatility of equity returns occurs in the wine market. As leverage effect and volatility feedback effect do not adequately explain this reaction, we follow the work of Baur (2012) and propose the safe haven effect. Several robustness tests largely confirm the empirical findings, with major implications for wine investors. Finally, we provide further evidence on the benefits of adding wine investments to an equity portfolio through an increase in risk reduction effectiveness.

Research limitations/implications

– Based on the results of the robustness analysis, the recommendations in terms of including fine wines in portfolios must be issued with caution.

Practical implications

– Our findings are crucial to the needs of market participants who are interested in including wine assets in their equity portfolio.

Originality/value

– No previous study investigates the safe haven property of fine wine return, and accounts for risk reduction effectiveness when adding wine assets to a portfolio of US equities.
The plan behind the scan: using QR codes as a service and marketing tool
Authors: Berndt-Morris Elizabeth , Chrenka Kari
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to describe the approach of using quick response (QR) codes in a large US research university library. It describes the reasoning behind the numerous decisions that were made throughout the process.

Design/methodology/approach

– This project was carefully planned to keep detailed organized statistics, effective and clear signage and low expenditures. After one year, the patrons were surveyed regarding library QR use and those results were compared with scan statistics.

Findings

– This preliminary research into the use of QR codes in a large research library validates that the codes effectively demonstrate the Library’s willingness to reach patrons in innovative ways. It also confirmed the need to promote the usefulness of scanning the codes.

Practical implications

– Some patrons stated they did not own a smartphone or have an application (app) on their phone that could scan QR codes; therefore, alternate methods of accessing the information should be provided.

Social implications

– The survey established that not all patrons recognize what QR codes are by name and/or by function, and libraries should recognize this need for education when imploring new technologies.

Originality/value

– This paper looks at the opportunities provided to libraries through the use of QR codes, including the benefits of using them as a point of need service tool and marketing device.
Suicide risk in the UK trans population and the role of gender transition in decreasing suicidal ideation and suicide attempt
Authors: Bailey Louis , J. Ellis Sonja , McNeil Jay
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present findings from the Trans Mental Health Study (McNeil et al., 2012) – the largest survey of the UK trans population to date and the first to explore trans mental health and well-being within a UK context. Findings around suicidal ideation and suicide attempt are presented and the impact of gender dysphoria, minority stress and medical delay, in particular, are highlighted.

Design/methodology/approach

– This represents a narrative analysis of qualitative sections of a survey that utilised both open and closed questions. The study drew on a non-random sample (n=889), obtained via a range of UK-based support organisations and services.

Findings

– The study revealed high rates of suicidal ideation (84 per cent lifetime prevalence) and attempted suicide (48 per cent lifetime prevalence) within this sample. A supportive environment for social transition and timely access to gender reassignment, for those who required it, emerged as key protective factors. Subsequently, gender dysphoria, confusion/denial about gender, fears around transitioning, gender reassignment treatment delays and refusals, and social stigma increased suicide risk within this sample.

Research limitations/implications

– Due to the limitations of undertaking research with this population, the research is not demographically representative.

Practical implications

– The study found that trans people are most at risk prior to social and/or medical transition and that, in many cases, trans people who require access to hormones and surgery can be left unsupported for dangerously long periods of time. The paper highlights the devastating impact that delaying or denying gender reassignment treatment can have and urges commissioners and practitioners to prioritise timely intervention and support.

Originality/value

– The first exploration of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt within the UK trans population revealing key findings pertaining to social and medical transition, crucial for policy makers, commissioners and practitioners working across gender identity services, mental health services and suicide prevention.
Efficacy of processing treatments on cypermethrin residues in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
Authors: Tomer Vidisha , Sangha Jasvinder Kaur , Singh Balwinder , Takkar Reenu
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to study the effect of different processing treatments to reduce cypermethrin residues in okra and judge the consumer preferences of the applied unit operations. Deliberate use of pesticides on vegetables has been frequently reported in recent past. Association of pesticides with multiple health odds in human beings necessitates its removal from diet.

Design/methodology/approach

– Cypermethrin residues were analysed using Quick Easy Cheap Effective Rugged Safe method and quantified using gas chromatography. Consumer acceptability was judged using a 9-point Hedonic scale.

Findings

– Significant reductions were observed in all treatments applied. Percentage reduction observed with different pre-treatments ranged from 36 per cent (tap water) to 89 per cent (acetic acid and potassium permanganate). All cooking methods, except microwave cooking, were found effective, as the per cent reduction varied from 91 to 98 per cent. Maximum reductions were observed with pressure cooking. However, on the basis of organoleptic scores, washing was the most preferred pre-treatment, followed by sodium bicarbonate. Least score was obtained by samples treated with potassium permanganate. Among the cooking methods, all samples were acceptable, except pressure cooking. Taking into consideration both factors, i.e. residue reduction and consumer acceptability, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and frying were found to be the best household treatments.

Originality/value

– Present study pioneered and tried to establish links between the efficacies of laboratory to the consumer level, thereby judging its utility. Further research must focus on taking this parameter of food safety to real applied research at the consumer level.
The effect of anthropogenic arsenic contamination on the earthworm microbiome
Authors: Pass Daniel Antony , Morgan Andrew John , Read Daniel S. , Field Dawn , Weightman Andrew J. , Kille Peter
Published: November 2014

Earthworms are globally distributed and perform essential roles for soil health and microbial structure. We have investigated the effect of an anthropogenic contamination gradient on the bacterial community of the keystone ecological species Lumbricus rubellus through utilizing 16S rRNA pyrosequencing for the first time to establish the microbiome of the host and surrounding soil.

The earthworm‐associated microbiome differs from the surrounding environment which appears to be a result of both filtering and stimulation likely linked to the altered environment associated with the gut micro‐habitat (neutral pH, anoxia and increased carbon substrates). We identified a core earthworm community comprising Proteobacteria (∼50%) and Actinobacteria (∼30%), with lower abundances of Bacteroidetes (∼6%) and Acidobacteria (∼3%). In addition to the known earthworm symbiont (Verminephrobacter sp.), we identified a potential host‐associated Gammaproteobacteria species (Serratia sp.) that was absent from soil yet observed in most earthworms.

Although a distinct bacterial community defines these earthworms, clear family‐ and species‐level modification were observed along an arsenic and iron contamination gradient. Several taxa observed in uncontaminated control microbiomes are suppressed by metal/metalloid field exposure, including eradication of the hereto ubiquitously associated Verminephrobacter symbiont, which raises implications to its functional role in the earthworm microbiome.
New tricks of an old enemy: isolates of Fusarium graminearum produce a type A trichothecene mycotoxin
Authors: Varga Elisabeth , Wiesenberger Gerlinde , Hametner Christian , Ward Todd J. , Dong Yanhong , Schöfbeck Denise , McCormick Susan , Broz Karen , Stückler Romana , Schuhmacher Rainer , Krska Rudolf , Kistler H. Corby , Berthiller Franz , Adam Gerhard
Published: November 2014

The ubiquitous filamentous fungus Fusarium graminearum causes the important disease Fusarium head blight on various species of cereals, leading to contamination of grains with mycotoxins. In a survey of F. graminearum (sensu stricto) on wheat in North America several novel strains were isolated, which produced none of the known trichothecene mycotoxins despite causing normal disease symptoms. In rice cultures, a new trichothecene mycotoxin (named NX‐2) was characterized by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. Nuclear magnetic resonance measurements identified NX‐2 as 3α‐acetoxy‐7α,15‐dihydroxy‐12,13‐epoxytrichothec‐9‐ene. Compared with the well‐known 3‐acetyl‐deoxynivalenol (3‐ADON), it lacks the keto group at C‐8 and hence is a type A trichothecene. Wheat ears inoculated with the isolated strains revealed a 10‐fold higher contamination with its deacetylated form, named NX‐3, (up to 540 mg kg−1) compared with NX‐2. The toxicities of the novel mycotoxins were evaluated utilizing two in vitro translation assays and the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. NX‐3 inhibits protein biosynthesis to almost the same extent as the prominent mycotoxin deoxynivalenol, while NX‐2 is far less toxic, similar to 3‐ADON. Genetic analysis revealed a different TRI1 allele in the N‐isolates, which was verified to be responsible for the difference in hydroxylation at C‐8.