bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visually driven neuropil activity and information encoding in mouse area V1
Authors: Lee Sangkyun , Meyer Jochen F. , Smirnakis Stelios M.
Published: March 2017

Spontaneous calcium fluorescence recorded from large cortical neuropil patches strongly correlates with the electro-corticogram, and is thought to arguably reflect primarily pre-synaptic inputs. Here we used in vivo 2-photon imaging with Oregon Green Bapta (OGB) to study neuropil visual responses to moving gratings in layer 2/3 of mouse area V1. We found neuropil responses to be more reliable and more strongly modulated than neighboring somatic activity. Furthermore, stimulus independent modulations in neuropil activity, i.e. noise correlations, were highly coherent across the cortical surface, up to distances of at least 200 μm. Pairwise neuropil-to-neuropil-patch noise correlation strength was much higher than cell-to-cell noise correlation strength and depended strongly on brain state, decreasing in quiet wakefulness relative to light anesthesia. The profile of neuropil noise correlation strength decreased gently with distance, dropping by ~12% at a distance of 200 μm. This was comparatively slower than the profile of cell-to-cell noise correlations, which dropped by ~30% at 200 μm. Interestingly, in spite of the “salt & pepper” organization of orientation and direction encoding across mouse V1 neurons, populations of neuropil patches, even of moderately large size (radius ~100μm), showed high accuracy for discriminating perpendicularly moving gratings commensurate to the accuracy of corresponding cell populations. These observations underscore the dynamic nature of the functional organization of neuropil activity.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
Effect of vaccinating health care workers to control Ebola virus disease: a modelling analysis of outbreak data
Authors: Robert Alexis , Camacho Anton , Edmunds W. John , Baguelin Marc , Tamfum Jean-Jacques Muyembe , Rosello Alicia , Kéïta Sakoba , Eggo Rosalind M.
Published: March 2017

Background

Health care workers (HCW) are at risk of infection during Ebola virus disease outbreaks and therefore may be targeted for vaccination before or during outbreaks. The effect of these strategies depends on the role of HCW in transmission which is understudied.

Methods

To evaluate the effect of HCW-targeted or community vaccination strategies, we used a transmission model to explore the relative contribution of HCW and the community to transmission. We calibrated the model to data from multiple Ebola outbreaks. We quantified the impact of ahead-of-time HCW-targeted strategies, and reactive HCW and community vaccination.

Results

We found that for some outbreaks (we call “type 1”) HCW amplified transmission both to other HCW and the community, and in these outbreaks prophylactic vaccination of HCW decreased outbreak size. Reactive vaccination strategies had little effect because type 1 outbreaks ended quickly. However, in outbreaks with longer time courses (“type 2 outbreaks”), reactive community vaccination decreased the number of cases, with or without prophylactic HCW-targeted vaccination. For both outbreak types, we found that ahead-of-time HCW-targeted strategies had an impact at coverage of 30%.

Conclusions

The optimal vaccine strategy depends on the dynamics of the outbreak and the impact of other interventions on transmission. Although we will not know the characteristics of a new outbreak, ahead-of-time HCW-targeted vaccination can decrease the total outbreak size, even at low vaccine coverage.

summary

Targeting health care workers for Ebola virus disease vaccination can decrease the size of outbreaks, and the number of health care workers infected. The impact of these strategies decrease depends on timing, coverage, and the dynamics of the outbreak.
Association between Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number and Sudden Cardiac Death: Findings from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC)
Authors: Zhang Yiyi , Guallar Eliseo , Ashar Foram N. , Longchamps Ryan J. , Castellani Christina A. , Lane John , Grove Megan L. , Coresh Josef , Sotoodehnia Nona , Ilkhanoff Leonard , Boerwinkle Eric , Pankratz Nathan , Arking Dan E.
Published: March 2017

Aims

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major public health burden. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in a wide range of cardiovascular diseases including cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and arrhythmias, but it is unknown if it also contributes to SCD risk. We sought to examine the prospective association between mtDNA copy number (mtDNA-CN), a surrogate marker of mitochondrial function, and SCD risk.

Methods and Results

We measured baseline mtDNA-CN in 11,093 participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. mtDNA-CN was calculated from probe intensities of mitochondrial single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on the Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0. SCD was defined as a sudden pulseless condition presumed due to a ventricular tachyarrhythmia in a previously stable individual without evidence of a non-cardiac cause of cardiac arrest. SCD cases were reviewed and adjudicated by an expert committee. During a median follow-up of 20.4 years, we observed 361 SCD cases. After adjusting for age, race, sex, and center, the hazard ratio (HR) for SCD comparing the 1stto the 5thquintiles of mtDNA-CN was 2.24 (95% CI 1.58 to 3.19; p-trend <0.001). When further adjusting for traditional CVD risk factors, prevalent CHD, heart rate, and QT interval duration, the association remained statistically significant. Spline regression models showed that the association was approximately linear over the range of mtDNA-CN values. No apparent interaction by race or by sex was detected.

Conclusion

In this community-based prospective study, mtDNA-CN in peripheral blood was inversely associated with the risk of SCD.
Sensory tuning does not match behavioral relevance of communication signals in free-living weakly electric fish
Authors: Henninger Jörg , Krahe Rüdiger , Kirschbaum Frank , Grewe Jan , Benda Jan
Published: March 2017

Sensory systems evolve in the ecological niches each species is occupying. Accordingly, the tuning of sensory neurons is expected to be adapted to the statistics of natural stimuli. For an unbiased quantification of sensory scenes we tracked natural communication behavior of the weakly electric fishApteronotus rostratusin their Neotropical rainforest habitat with high spatio-temporal resolution over several days. In the context of courtship and aggression we observed large quantities of electrocommunication signals. Echo responses and acknowledgment signals clearly demonstrated the behavioral relevance of these signals. The known tuning properties of peripheral electrosensory neurons suggest, however, that they are barely activated by these obviously relevant signals. Frequencies of courtship signals are clearly mismatched with the frequency tuning of neuronal population activity. Our results emphasize the importance of quantifying sensory scenes derived from freely behaving animals in their natural habitats for understanding the evolution and function of neural systems.
Sublethal effects of the neonicotinoid insecticide thiamethoxam on the transcriptome of the honeybee (Apis mellifera)
Authors: Shi Teng-Fei , Wang Yu-Fei , Qi Lei , Liu Fang , Yu Lin-Sheng
Published: March 2017

Neonicotinoid insecticides are now the most widely used insecticides in the world. Previous studies have indicated that sublethal doses of neonicotinoids impair learning, memory capacity, foraging and immunocompetence in honeybees (Apis mellifera). Despite this, few studies have been carried out on the molecular effects of neonicotinoids. In this study, we focus on the second-generation neonicotinoid thiamethoxam, which is currently widely used in agriculture to protect crops. Using high-throughput RNA-Seq, we investigated the transcriptome profile of honeybees after subchronic exposure to thiamethoxam (10 ppb) over 10 days. In total, 609 differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, of which 225 were up-regulated and 384 were down-regulated. The functions of some DEGs were identified, and GO enrichment analysis showed that the enriched DEGs were mainly linked to metabolism, biosynthesis and translation. KEGG pathway analysis showed that thiamethoxam affected biological processes including ribosomes, the oxidative phosphorylation pathway, tyrosine metabolism pathway, pentose and glucuronate interconversions and drug metabolism. Overall, our results provide a basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms of the complex interactions between neonicotinoid insecticides and honeybees.

Summary statement

NR1, Cyp6as5, nAChRa9andnAChRβ2were up-regulated in honeybees exposed to thiamethoxam, whileCSP3, Obp21, defensin-1, Mrjp1, Mrjp3andMrjp4were down-regulated.
Natural Colonization of Laboratory Mice withStaphylococcus aureusPrimes a Systemic Immune Response
Authors: Schulz Daniel , Grumann Dorothee , Trübe Patricia , Pritchett-Corning Kathleen , Johnson Sarah , Reppschläger Kevin , Gumz Janine , Sundaramoorthy Nandakumar , Michalik Stephan , Berg Sabine , van den Brandt Jens , Fister Richard , Monecke Stefan , Uy Benedict , Schmidt Frank , Bröker Barbara M. , Wiles Siouxsie , Holtfreter Silva
Published: March 2017

Background

Whether mice are an appropriate model forS.aureusinfection and vaccination studies is a matter of debate, because they are not considered as natural hosts ofS. aureus.Sparked by an outbreak of S.aureusinfections in laboratory mice, we investigated whether laboratory mice are commonly colonized with S.aureusand whether this might impact on infection experiments.

Methods

We characterized 99S. aureusisolates from laboratory mice (spatyping, virulence gene PCR), and quantified murine antibodies using FlexMap technology.

Results

Specific-pathogen-free mice from various vendors were frequently colonized withS. aureus(0-21%).S. aureuswas readily transmitted from murine parents to offspring, which became persistently colonized. Most murine isolates belonged to the lineage CC88 (54%). Murine strains showed features of host adaptation, such as absence ofhlb-converting phages and superantigen genes, as well as enhanced coagulation of murine plasma. Importantly,S. aureuscolonization induced a systemic IgG response specific for numerousS. aureusproteins, including several vaccine candidates.

Conclusion

Laboratory mice are natural hosts ofS. aureusand, therefore, provide better infection models than previously assumed. Pre-exposure to S.aureusis a possible confounder inS. aureusinfection and vaccination studies.
Connexin43 controls N-cadherin transcription during collective cell migration
Authors: Kotini Maria , Barriga Elias H. , Leslie Jonathan , Gentzel Marc , Schambony Alexandra , Mayor Roberto
Published: March 2017

Connexins are the primary components of gap junctions, providing direct links between cells in many physiological processes, including cell migration and cancer metastasis. Exactly how cell migration is controlled by gap junctions remains a mystery. To shed light on this, we investigated the role of Connexin43 in collective cell migration during embryo development using the neural crest, an embryonic cell population whose migratory behavior has been likened to cancer invasion. We discovered that Connexin43 is required for contact inhibition of locomotion by directly regulating the transcription of N-cadherin. For this function, the Connexin43 carboxy tail interacts with Basic Transcription Factor 3, which mediates its translocation to the nucleus. Together, they bind to the n-cad promotor regulating n-cad transcription. Thus, we uncover an unexpected, gap junction-independent role for Connexin43 in collective migration that illustrates the possibility that connexins, in general, may be important for a wide variety of cellular processes that we are only beginning to understand.

Highlights

Cx43 regulates collective directional migration of neural crest cells

Cx43 carboxy tail controls cell polarity via n-cad regulation

Cx43 carboxy tail localises at the nucleus and that depends on BTF3

BTF3 and Cx43 carboxy tail directly interact to bind and regulate n-cad promoter activity
Nanotube-mediated cross-feeding couples the metabolism of interacting bacterial cells
Authors: Shitut Shraddha , Ahsendorf Tobias , Pande Samay , Egbert Matthew , Kost Christian
Published: March 2017

Bacteria frequently engage in cross-feeding interactions that involve an exchange of metabolites with other micro- or macroorganisms. The often obligate nature of these associations, however, hampers manipulative experiments, thus limiting our mechanistic understanding of the ecophysiological consequences that result for the organisms involved. Here we address this issue by taking advantage of a well-characterised experimental model system, in which auxotrophic genotypes ofE. coliderive essential amino acid from prototrophic donor cells using intercellular nanotubes. Surprisingly, donor-recipient cocultures revealed that the mere presence of auxotrophic genotypes in coculture was sufficient to increase amino acid production levels in donor cells. Subsequent experiments unravelled that this effect was due to the depletion of amino acid concentrations in the cytoplasm of donor cells, which delayed feedback inhibition of the corresponding amino acid biosynthetic pathway. This finding indicates that in newly established mutualistic associations, an intercellular regulation of exchanged metabolites can simply emerge from the architecture of the underlying biosynthetic pathways, rather than through the evolution of new regulatory mechanisms. Taken together, our results show that a single loss-of-function mutation can physiologically couple the metabolism of two cross-feeding cells in a source-sink-like relationship.
Cbx3 maintains lineage specificity during neural differentiation
Authors: Huang Chengyang , Su Trent , Xue Yong , Cheng Chen , Lay Fides D. , McKee Robin A. , Li Meiyang , Vashisht Ajay , Wohlschlegel James , Novitch Bennett G. , Plath Kathrin , Kurdistani Siavash K. , Carey Michael
Published: March 2017

Chromobox homolog 3 (Cbx3/heterochromatin protein 1γ [HP1γ]) stimulates cell differentiation, but its mechanism is unknown. We found that Cbx3 binds to gene promoters upon differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs) to neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and recruits the Mediator subunit Med26. RNAi knockdown of either Cbx3 or Med26 inhibits neural differentiation while up-regulating genes involved in mesodermal lineage decisions. Thus, Cbx3 and Med26 together ensure the fidelity of lineage specification by enhancing the expression of neural genes and down-regulating genes specific to alternative fates.
Three-dimensional texture visualization approaches: theoretical analysis and examples
Authors: Callahan Patrick G. , Echlin McLean , Pollock Tresa M. , Singh Saransh , De Graef Marc
Published: March 2017

Crystallographic textures are commonly represented in terms of Euler angle triplets and contour plots of planar sections through Euler space. In this paper, the basic theory is provided for the creation of alternative orientation representations using three-dimensional visualizations. The use of homochoric, cubochoric, Rodrigues and stereographic orientation representations is discussed, and illustrations are provided of fundamental zones for all rotational point-group symmetries. A connection is made to the more traditional Euler space representations. An extensive set of three-dimensional visualizations in both standard and anaglyph movies is available.
Application of combined multivariate techniques for the description of time-resolved powder X-ray diffraction data
Authors: Taris Alessandra , Grosso Massimiliano , Brundu Mariarosa , Guida Vincenzo , Viani Alberto
Published: March 2017

In this work, multivariate statistical techniques are employed to determine patterns and conversion curves from time-resolved X-ray powder diffraction data. For these purposes, time-window statistical total correlation spectroscopy is introduced for the pattern matching of the crystalline phase and is shown to be effective even in the case of overlapping peaks. When combined with evolving factor analysis and multivariate curve resolution–alternating least squares, this technique allows a definite estimation of patterns and conversion curves. The procedure is applied to in situ synchrotron powder diffraction patterns to monitor the setting reaction of magnesium potassium phosphate ceramic (MKP) from magnesia (MgO) and potassium dihydrogen phosphate. It is shown that the phases involved in the reaction are clearly distinguished and their evolution is correctly described. The conversion curves estimated with the proposed procedure are compared with the ones determined with the peak integration method, leading to an excellent agreement (Pearson's correlation coefficient equal to 0.9995 and 0.9998 for MgO and MKP, respectively). The approach also allows for the detection and description of the evolution of amorphous phases that cannot be described through conventional analysis of powder diffraction data.
A quartet of poems
Authors: Maddock Lelys
Published: March 2017

Purpose

These texts form part of a quartet, the purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the destruction of our planet by presenting the elements as deities of nature: in Agitation the god is earth, in Burning the boy-god is fire, and in Mater Lachrymosa the mother-goddess is air (the first poem’s persona is the goddess of water/rain. Titled Heat, it is published in Volume 29 Issue 5 of AAAJ). The inspiration for these poems was Mervyn King’s statement that “Effective integrated reporting requires careful collection and co-ordination of different types of data for analysis by multi-disciplinary teams”. (King III, 2009) and his thought-provoking advocacy of the idea that “the board should provide effective leadership based on an ethical foundation” (King III, 2009).

Design/methodology/approach

These poems are written in free verse (which mimics the nuances and cadences of spoken English).

Findings

Frequent media coverage of global warming, corporate social responsibility policies, integrated reporting and dwindling resources have become fashionable clichés. We need to empower the message. CSR and the integrated report have no value if they become tick-the-box exercises.

Originality/value

Poetry is not generally associated with accountancy, finance, environmental law or geography so these texts are unusual in their genre and approach. The underlying concept is the interconnectedness of the themes and looking at issues with new eyes.
Performance optimization of aircraft in frontline squadrons
Authors: Subash K. , Vijayaraja K.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to indicate the increase in operational efficiency of the aircraft in frontline squadrons by implementation of effective condition-based predictive maintenance (CBPM) philosophy using data link data transfer in real-time operational environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Real-time data transfer from the aircraft to the maintenance hub using data link is used as the key feature behind achieving an increase in the operational efficiency.

Findings

Considerable amount of increase in the operational efficiency and decrease in down time could be achieved on utilization of real-time aircraft parameters in the decision-making process of CBPM.

Practical implications

Incorporation of this methodology in frontline operating environment would result in achieving maintenance optimization, thereby reducing the downtime of the aircraft.

Social implications

Helps in achieving performance optimization with comparatively reduced downtime.

Originality/value

Up to 20 per cent of reduction in downtime could be achieved if real-time data transfer using data link is used parameters in the decision-making process of CBPM.
Improvement of aircraft crashworthy performance using inversion failure strut system
Authors: Ren Yiru , Xiang Jinwu
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the crashworthiness of aircraft by using the strut system as an energy absorption device without redesigning other components.

Design/methodology/approach

The novel strut system consists of metal stepped thin-walled tubes and articulated connecting hinges. The strut is suffering axial load during impact process for rotating of hinges, and the metal stepped tube has an inversion failure behaviour.

Findings

The metal stepped tube has lower initial impact load and more stable failure behaviour. The geometrical factors have a great influence on the impact load and energy absorption efficiency. The best length ratio between upper and lower sections is about 2:1 and 1:1 for the metal stepped circular and square tubes, respectively.

Practical implications

The metal stepped tube with inversion mechanism is suitable for aircraft strut system to improve crashworthiness performance.

Originality/value

A new strut system is provided using metal inversion failure stepped tubes and articulated connecting hinges to improve crash worthiness of aircraft.
Religious differentials in morbidity prevalence and health care seeking behaviours among older persons in India
Authors: Agrawal Gopal , Patel Sangram Kishor
Published: March 2017

Purpose

A plethora of studies have documented evidence on morbidity patterns and treatment-seeking behaviour among older persons in India. However, so far no attempt has been made to understand differences in the morbidity prevalence rates and utilization of health care services among older adults between religion groups in India. The purpose of this paper is to make an effort in this direction.

Design/methodology/approach

Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to examine the association between socio-demographic conditions and morbidity prevalence and health care-seeking behaviours among the two religion groups: Hindu and Muslim. Data from the 60th round of the National Sample Survey in 2004 were used.

Findings

This study provided interesting evidence that, overall, the morbidity prevalence rate was higher among Muslim older persons than their Hindu counterparts by seven percentage points and Hindu scheduled caste (SC) and scheduled tribe (ST) counterpart population (compared to SCs eight percentage points, and STs 20 percentage points); income had no association with the burden of disease among Muslim older population – an older person belonging to the first income quintile was equally likely to report ill-health as an older person of the fifth income quintile. However, despite the low socio-economic status, Muslim older persons were more likely to seek treatment for ill-health compared to Hindu older persons but spent less money for treatment. Also, loss of household income due to sickness was greater among Muslim compared to Hindu older adults.

Originality/value

The findings of this study are important to support the policy makers and health care providers in identifying individuals “at risk” and could be integrated into the current programs of social, economic and health security for the older persons.
Informality: does financial development matter?
Authors: Sirisankanan Aeggarchat
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Financial development may be an alternative policy for controlling informal employment. However, there is still an ambiguous relationship between financial development and informal employment. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of financial development on informal employment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on both the occupational choice model and on the concept of financial development and economic growth which can produce either a positive or negative relationship between financial development and informal employment. Consequently, the author formulated empirical specifications and applied an econometric technique to examine the actual relationship.

Findings

The empirical results indicated that financial development can reduce informal employment. The author also found that the relationship between financial development and informal employment varies, depending on the level of economic growth and development.

Research limitations/implications

Even though there are many types of informal employment, this paper uses only informal self-employment as a proxy of informal employment. To implement it properly, all types of informal employment should also be examined.

Practical implications

Becoming informal employment depends on several factors; policy makers for each country should carefully examine the specific relationship between financial development and informal employment for their own country.

Social implications

The paper presents alternative choices for policy makers to control informal employment by increasing financial development, especially in developing countries. This policy also includes promoting microfinance which will contribute to both formality and increasing the strength of the community.

Originality/value

From the two possible impacts of financial development on informal employment, this paper affirms that financial development can reduce informal employment.
Is there such a thing as too long childcare leave?
Authors: Nieuwenhuis Rense , Need Ariana , Van der Kolk Henk
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to revisit the question whether women’s employment is negatively affected in countries with very long periods of childcare leave.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed data on 192,484 individual women, 305 country-years, and 18-countries, combined with country-level data on childcare, unemployment and service sector size.

Findings

The authors found that in countries with short periods of childcare leave the motherhood-employment gap is smaller than in countries with no childcare leave, while in countries with long periods of childcare leave the motherhood-employment gap is bigger than with short periods of leave.

Originality/value

The authors argued that to correctly answer the long-leave question – the relationship between duration of leave and employment of women should be explicitly hypothesized as being curvilinear; and childcare leave should be expected to affect only mothers, not women without children; testing the long-leave hypothesis requires the use of country-comparative data in which countries are observed repeatedly over time; and is best tested against person-level data.
Cognitive big data: survey and review on big data research and its implications. What is really “new” in big data?
Authors: Lugmayr Artur , Stockleben Björn , Scheib Christoph , Mailaparampil Mathew A.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce and define Cognitive Big Data as a concept. Furthermore, it investigates what is really “new” in Big Data, as it seems to be a hyped-up concept that has emerged during recent years. The purpose is also to broaden the discussion around Big Data far beyond the common 4V (velocity, volume, veracity and variety) model.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors established an expert think tank to discuss the notion of Big Data, identify new characteristics and re-think what really is new in the idea of Big Data, by analyzing over 60 literature resources. They identified typical baseline scenarios (traffic, business processes, retail, health and social media) as a starting point from which they explored the notion of Big Data from different perspectives.

Findings

They concluded that the idea of Big Data is simply not new and recognized the need to re-think a new approach toward Big Data. The authors also introduced a five-Trait Framework for “Cognitive Big Data”, socio-technical system, data space, data richness, knowledge management (KM)/decision-making and visualization/sensory presentation.

Research limitations/implications

The viewpoint is centered on cognitive processes as KM process.

Practical implications

Data need to be made available in an understandable form for the right application context and in the right portion size that it can be turned into knowledge and eventually wisdom. The authors need to know about data that can be ignored, data that they are not aware of (dark data) and data that can be fully utilized for analysis (light data). In the foreground is the extension of human mental capabilities and data understandability.

Social implications

Cognitive Big Data implies a socio-technological knowledge system.

Originality/value

Introduction of cognitive Big Data as concept and framework.
Facilitating knowledge management through filtered big data: SME competitiveness in an agri-food sector
Authors: O’Connor Christina , Kelly Stephen
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to critique a facilitated knowledge management (KM) process that utilises filtered big data and, specifically, the process effectiveness in overcoming barriers to small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs’) use of big data, the processes enablement of SME engagement with and use of big data and the process effect on SME competitiveness within an agri-food sector.

Design/methodology/approach

From 300 participant firms, SME owner-managers representing seven longitudinal case studies were contacted by the facilitator at least once-monthly over six months.

Findings

Results indicate that explicit and tacit knowledge can be enhanced when SMEs have access to a facilitated programme that analyses, packages and explains big data consumer analytics captured by a large pillar firm in a food network. Additionally, big data and knowledge are mutually exclusive unless effective KM processes are implemented. Several barriers to knowledge acquisition and application stem from SME resource limitations, strategic orientation and asymmetrical power relationships within a network.

Research limitations/implications

By using Dunnhumby data, this study captured the impact of only one form of big data, consumer analytics. However, this is a significant data set for SME agri-food businesses. Additionally, although the SMEs were based in only one UK region, Northern Ireland, there is wide scope for future research across multiple UK regions with the same Dunnhumby data set.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates the potential relevance of big data to SMEs’ activities and developments, explicitly identifying that realising this potential requires the data to be filtered and presented as market-relevant information that engages SMEs, recognises relationship dynamics and supports learning through feedback and two-way dialogue. This is the first study that empirically analyses filtered big data and SME competitiveness. The examination of relationship dynamics also overcomes existing literature limitations where SMEs’ constraints are seen as the prime factor restricting knowledge transfer.
Impact of additive manufacturing on business competitiveness: a multiple case study
Authors: Khorram Niaki Mojtaba , Nonino Fabio
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the impacts of additive manufacturing (AM) in manufacturing, business strategies and business performance and to determine the contingent factors driving performance. Accordingly, this study also clarifies the relationship between these impacts and company and product characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted an exploratory study using multiple case research methodology, sampling 16 heterogeneous companies based on the theoretical replication approach. The potential impacts of AM were identified by reviewing the previous literature. For the driving factors, the paper follows the literature on AM, as well as the theories arisen from technology management literature. The qualitative information was collected by means of semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis to measure the effectiveness of AM in these aspects.

Findings

The paper derives and provides empirical insights regarding how this technology affects the industry. This study reveals how the implementation of AM in the Rapid Manufacturing (RM) of products made of metal has boosted productivity. These findings also demonstrate an increasing competitiveness of the early adopter SMEs using RM.

Research limitations/implications

This empirical research has been conducted by means of qualitative data. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the propositions by quantitative measures.

Practical implications

The paper provides insights for the adaption of AM and its impacts on business strategies and performance.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to expanding the literature by depicting explicit links between the implementation of this revolutionary technology and business strategies and performance.
Market, entrepreneurial, and technology orientations: impact on innovation and firm performance
Authors: Kocak Akin , Carsrud Alan , Oflazoglu Sonyel
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of market, technology, and entrepreneurial orientations (EOs) on both innovation and firm performance. It analyzes the mediating effects of incremental and radical innovation within the context of entrepreneurial firms in Turkey, an emerging economy.

Design/methodology/approach

This study empirically analyses the impact of strategic orientations on firm performance through innovation with a sample of 818 small and medium enterprises in Turkey. To test the proposed model, LISREL is used.

Findings

Proactive market orientation (MO) and technology orientation (TO) lead to radical innovation, while responsive MO strongly affects incremental innovation. EO impacts performance directly and indirectly via both incremental and radical innovation.

Practical implications

Finding suggests that senior management of firms, especially in emerging economies should encourage marketing managers to focus on key trends of markets, both existing and emerging. These marketing managers should find and work with lead users to improve radical product development. This means that those managing marketing need to be well schooled in technology, and they should also possess a proactive MO.

Originality/value

The present study employs a two-part view of the MO construct (responsive and proactive MO). This conceptualization provides a greater degree of precision in the use of the MO concept which was rarely employed in prior studies. Moreover, this paper views strategic orientations as drivers of innovation and examines how radical and incremental innovation mediate the effects of MO, EO and TO on firm performance. Finally, this is one of the few studies to look at all of these factors simultaneously and to include the two-part view of MO.
Determination of China’s foreign exchange intervention: evidence from the Yuan/Dollar market
Authors: Li He , Yu Zhixiang , Zhang Chuanjie , Zhang Zhuang
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the determinants of China’s daily intervention in the foreign exchange market since the 2005 reform aimed at moving the Renminbi (RMB) exchange rate regime towards greater flexibility.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses bivariate probit models to test whether China’s intervention decision is driven by three sets of factors, comprising Model I (basic model), Model II and Model III.

Findings

Evidence from the models suggests that medium-term Chinese interventions tend to be leaning-against-the-wind, whereas long-term interventions are leaning-with-the-wind. Furthermore, by analyzing exchange rate volatility, this paper finds that intervention is used by the Chinese central bank to ensure that there are no big swings in the RMB exchange rate.

Originality/value

The paper will be of value to other researchers attempting to understand the policy of the central bank and, in particular, the factors that can lead to interventions during periods of financial crisis.
Using beta diversity to inform agricultural policies and conservation actions on Mediterranean farmland
Authors: Santana Joana , Porto Miguel , Reino Luís , Moreira Francisco , Ribeiro Paulo Flores , Santos José Lima , Rotenberry John T. , Beja Pedro
Published: March 2017

Spatial variation in species composition (β‐diversity) is an important component of farmland biodiversity, which together with local richness (α‐diversity) drives the number of species in a region (γ‐diversity). However, β‐diversity is seldom used to inform conservation, due to limited understanding of its responses to agricultural management, and lack of clear links between β‐diversity changes and conservation outcomes.

We explored the value of β‐diversity to guide conservation on farmland, by quantifying the contribution of bird α‐ and β‐diversity to γ‐diversity variation in low‐ and high‐intensity Mediterranean farmland, before (1995–1997) and after (2010–2012) the Common Agricultural Policy reform of 2003. We further related β‐diversity to landscape heterogeneity, and assessed the conservation significance of β‐diversity changes.

In 1995–1997, bird diversity was highest in low‐intensity farmland, where it further increased in 2010–2012 due to a strong positive contribution of α‐diversity to γ‐diversity. In high‐intensity farmland, diversity converged over time to much the same values of low‐intensity farmland, with strong positive contributions of both α‐ and β‐diversity. These patterns were largely consistent for total, farmland and species of European conservation concern assemblages, and less so for steppe birds.

Beta diversity increased with landscape heterogeneity, particularly related to spatial gradients from agricultural to natural habitats in low‐intensity farmland, and from annual to permanent crops (olive groves) in high‐intensity farmland. The first gradient was associated with the replacement of steppe birds of high conservation concern by more generalist species, while the second was associated with the replacement between species with lower or higher affinity for woodland and shrubland habitats.

Synthesis and applications. In low‐intensity farmland, spatial variation in species composition (β‐diversity) was largely stable over time, reflecting a positive conservation outcome related to persistence of landscape heterogeneity patterns required by endangered steppe bird species. In contrast, β‐diversity in high‐intensity farmland was favoured by increases in landscape heterogeneity driven by olive grove expansion, contributing to enhancement of total bird diversity. Overall, our results stress the value of β‐diversity to understand impacts of agricultural policies and conservation actions, but also highlight the need to evaluate β‐diversity changes against specific conservation goals.
Changes in PPARδ expression in a rat model of stress‐induced depression
Authors: Liu Keng‐Fan , Li Yingxiao , Cheng Kai Chun , Hsu Chao Chin , Cheng Juei‐Tang , Peng Wen‐Huang
Published: March 2017

Depression is a common mental disorder that has been linked to a decrease in the expression of serotonin and/or the serotonin transporter in the brain. Antidepressants that target the monoaminergic system are widely used in the clinical setting. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor δ (PPAR δ) overexpression or activation is thought to improve depression‐like behaviours in rodents. The present study was designed to characterize the changes in PPARδ expression in the hippocampus in rats with stress‐induced depression. We used an unpredictable chronic mild stress (CMS) model in rats to study the role of PPARδ in the hippocampus. Behaviour was evaluated via a forced swim test (FST), a tail suspension test (TST), and a sucrose preference test (SPT). Then, the changes in PPARδ expression and other signals were determined using Western blots. We found that PPARδ expression in the hippocampus was markedly reduced in rats with depression. Moreover, the expression of the serotonin transporter was also significantly decreased. Treatment with a PPARδ agonist enhanced the expression of PPARδ and the serotonin transporter in the hippocampus of rats with stress‐induced depression. Additionally, treatment with a PPARδ agonist increased the expression of the serotonin transporter in cultured hippocampal (H19‐7) cells, and this action was ablated in the absence of PPARδ, which was attenuated with shRNA. Taken together, we found that PPARδ plays an important role in the regulation of serotonin transporter expression and that chronic stress may lower PPARδ expression in the brain via apoptosis and may attenuate serotonin transporter expression, thus inducing depression in rats.
It's meaning making, stupid! Success of public leadership during flash crises
Authors: Helsloot Ira , Groenendaal Jelle
Published: March 2017

Boin et al. (International Review of Public Administration, 18, 2013, 79) and others propose that public crisis leadership consists of several core tasks, among which crisis decision‐making and meaning making stand out in “flash crises.” We however argue that successful leadership during a sudden crisis implies being visible and appealing to the public in need of hearing that the shattered world will be healed. When being visible and using the right rhetoric, public leaders are by and large automatically considered proficient crisis decision makers, that is “the right leader in the right place at the right time.”
Gestational age at diagnosis of early‐onset fetal growth restriction and impact on management and survival: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Monier I , Ancel P‐Y , Ego A , Guellec I , Jarreau P‐H , Kaminski M , Goffinet F , Zeitlin J ,   the EPIPAGE 2 Study Group
Published: March 2017

Objective

To investigate the impact of gestational age (GA) at diagnosis of fetal growth restriction (FGR) on obstetric management and rates of live birth and survival for very preterm infants with early‐onset FGR.

Design

Population‐based cohort study.

Setting

All maternity units in 25 French regions in 2011.

Population

Fetuses diagnosed with FGR before 28 weeks of gestation among singleton births between 22 and 31 weeks of gestation without severe congenital anomalies.

Methods

We studied the effects of GA at diagnosis on perinatal management and outcomes. We used multivariable regression to identify antenatal factors (maternal characteristics, ultrasound measurements and sex) associated with the probability of live birth.

Main outcomes measures

Live birth and survival to discharge from neonatal care.

Results

A total of 436 of 3698 fetuses were diagnosed with FGR before 28 weeks (11.8%); 66.9% were live born and 54.4% survived to discharge. 50% were live born when diagnosis occurred before 25 weeks, 66% at 25 weeks and >90% at 26 and 27 weeks of gestation. In all, 94.1% of live births were by prelabour caesarean, principally for maternal indications before 26 weeks. Low GA at diagnosis, an estimated fetal weight or abdominal circumference below the third centile and male sex were adversely associated with live birth in adjusted models.

Conclusion

Gestational age at FGR diagnosis had an impact on the probability of live birth and survival, after consideration of other perinatal characteristics. Investigations of the outcomes of births with early‐onset FGR need to include stillbirths and information on the GA at which FGR is diagnosed.

Tweetable abstract

Evaluations of active management of pregnancies with early onset growth restriction should include stillbirths.
REDD+ in Africa: contexts and challenges
Authors: Gizachew Belachew , Astrup Rasmus , Vedeld Pål , Zahabu Eliakimu M. , Duguma Lalisa A.
Published: March 2017

REDD+, a climate change mitigation mechanism that values carbon in tropical forests, is expected to provide Africa with a range of environmental and socio‐economic benefits. Drawing on a vast array of literature and personal experiences, this review analyzed particular features and challenges that REDD+ implementation has faced on the continent. The distinct contexts and major challenges regarding governance, finance and technical capacities are discussed, and mechanisms to fill these gaps are suggested. Radical land tenure reform and a perfect safeguard mechanism that transfers forest land and carbon to the communities are unlikely. REDD+ should rather look for systems that respect local institutional arrangements, and allow forest‐based communities to participate in decision‐making and benefit sharing, particularly benefits from emerging REDD+. Finances for REDD+ infrastructure and the results‐based payment are in short supply. While negotiating for potential external sources in the short term, Africa should generate domestic financial resources and look for additional payments for ecosystem services. Africa should also negotiate for forest monitoring capacity building, while strengthening local community forest monitoring. This review contributes to an improved understanding of the contexts and challenges to consider in the capacity and policy development for REDD+ implementation.
Mitigating Nutrition and Health Deficiencies in Older Adults: A Role for Food Innovation?
Authors: Baugreet Sephora , Hamill Ruth M. , Kerry Joseph P. , McCarthy Sinéad N.
Published: March 2017

The aim of this review is to describe the factors contributing to diminished food intake, resulting in nutritional deficiencies and associated health conditions in older adults and proposes food innovation strategies to mitigate these. Research has provided convincing evidence of a link between healthy eating patterns and healthy aging. There is a need to target new food product development (NPD) with functional health benefits specifically designed to address the particular food‐related needs of older consumers. When developing foods for older adults, consideration should be given to the increased requirements for specific macro‐ and micronutrients, especially protein, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B. Changes in chemosensory acuity, chewing difficulties, and reduced or poor swallowing ability should also be considered. To compensate for the diminished appetite and reduced intake, foods should be energy dense, nutritionally adequate, and, most importantly, palatable, when targeting this cohort. This paper describes the potential of new food product development to facilitate dietary modification and address health deficiencies in older adults.
Assembly FG: An Educational Case on MRP II Integrated within ERP
Authors: Lambert Sherwood Lane , Calvasina Richard , Bee Sarah , Woodworth David
Published: March 2017

This case teaches students how discrete (job order) manufacturing companies use Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP II) within Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to plan purchase orders for direct materials and shop orders for work‐in‐process and finished goods. Students simulate MRP II integrated within ERP, using Microsoft Excel to learn MRP II's bill‐of‐materials (BOM) Explosion that plans order quantities and MRP II's scheduling logic that uses lead‐times to determine start dates for planned orders. Students explain why MRP II is most practical and effective when executed within ERP and how MRP II can reduce excess inventories, prevent inventory shortages, and help companies deliver quality products to customers on schedule. Also, students explain why BOM, inventory, and lead‐time inaccuracies can adversely affect the accuracy of MRP II‐planned replenishments and identify controls that reduce the risks of these inaccuracies.