bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-range dispersal moved Francisella tularensis into Western Europe from the East
Authors: Dwibedi Chinmay , Birdsell Dawn , Lärkeryd Adrian , Myrtennäs Kerstin , Öhrman Caroline , Nilsson Elin , Karlsson Edvin , Hochhalter Christian , Rivera Andrew , Maltinsky Sara , Bayer Brittany , Keim Paul , Scholz Holger C. , Tomaso Herbert , Wittwer Matthias , Beuret Christian , Schuerch Nadia , Pilo Paola , Hernández Pérez Marta , Rodriguez-Lazaro David , Escudero Raquel , Anda Pedro , Forsman Mats , Wagner David M. , Larsson Pär , Johansson Anders
Published: December 2016

For many infections transmitting to humans from reservoirs in nature, disease dispersal patterns over space and time are largely unknown. Here, a reversed genomics approach helped us understand disease dispersal and yielded insight into evolution and biological properties of Francisella tularensis, the bacterium causing tularemia. We whole-genome sequenced 67 strains and characterized by single-nucleotide polymorphism assays 138 strains, collected from individuals infected 1947-2012 across Western Europe. We used the data for phylogenetic, population genetic and geographical network analyses. All strains (n=205) belonged to a monophyletic population of recent ancestry not found outside Western Europe. Most strains (n=195) throughout the study area were assigned to a star-like phylogenetic pattern indicating that colonization of Western Europe occurred via clonal expansion. In the East of the study area, strains were more diverse, consistent with a founder population spreading from east to west. The relationship of genetic and geographic distance within the F. tularensis population was complex and indicated multiple long-distance dispersal events. Mutation rate estimates based on year of isolation indicated null rates; in outbreak hotspots only, there was a rate of 0.4 mutations/genome/year. Patterns of nucleotide substitution showed marked AT mutational bias suggestive of genetic drift. These results demonstrate that tularemia has moved from east to west in Europe and that F. tularensis has a biology characterized by long-range geographical dispersal events and mostly slow, but variable, replication rates. The results indicate that mutation-driven evolution, a resting survival phase, genetic drift and long-distance geographical dispersal events have interacted to generate genetic diversity within this species.
mRNA destabilisation through CDS-targeting is the primary role of endogenous miRNA in the green algaChlamydomonas
Authors: Chung Betty Y-W. , Deery Michael J. , Groen Arnoud J. , Howard Julie , Baulcombe David
Published: December 2016

MicroRNAs regulate gene expression as part of the RNA-induced silencing complex, where the sequence identity of the miRNA provides the specificity to the target messenger RNA, and the result is target repression. The mode of repression can be through target cleavage, RNA destabilization and/or decreased translational efficiency. Here, we provide a comprehensive global analysis of the evolutionarily distant unicellular green algaChlamydomonas reinhardtiito quantify the effects of miRNA on protein synthesis and RNA abundance. We show that, similar to metazoan systems, miRNAs inChlamydomonasregulate gene-expression primarily by destabilizing mRNAs. However, unlike metazoan miRNA where target site utilization localizes mainly to 3’UTRs, inChlamydomonasutilized target sites lie predominantly within coding regions. These results demonstrate that destabilization of mRNA is the main evolutionarily conserved mode of action for miRNAs, but details of the mechanism diverge between plant and metazoan kingdoms.
Monozygotic twin pairs discordant for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis carry both common and unique epigenetic differences relevant to disease
Authors: Young Paul E , Kum Jew Stephen , Buckland Michael E , Pamphlett Roger , Suter Catherine M
Published: December 2016

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating late-onset neurodegenerative disorder in which only a small proportion of patients carry an identifiable causative genetic lesion. Despite high heritability estimates, a genetic etiology for most sporadic ALS remains elusive. Here we report the epigenetic profiling of five monozygotic twin pairs discordant for ALS in whom previous genome sequencing excluded a genetic basis for their disease discordance. By studying cytosine methylation patterns in peripheral blood DNA we identified thousands of large between-twin differences at individual CpGs. While the specific sites of difference were largely idiosyncratic to a twin pair, a proportion (involving GABA signalling) were common to all affected individuals. In both instances the differences occurred within genes and pathways related to neurobiological function and dysfunction. Our findings reveal widespread changes in epigenetic marks in ALS patients, consistent with an epigenetic contribution to disease. These findings may be exploited to develop blood-based biomarkers of ALS and develop further insight into disease pathogenesis. We expect that our findings will provide a useful point of reference for further large scale studies of sporadic ALS.
Mitogenomic differentiation in spinner (Stenella longirostris) and pantropical spotted dolphins (S. attenuata) from the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean
Authors: Matthew S. Leslie , Frederick I. Archer , Phillip A. Morin
Published: December 2016

Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) and spotted dolphins (S. attenuata) show high intraspecific morphological diversity and endemic subspecies in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP). Previous studies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have found low genetic differentiation among most of these groups, possibly due to demographic factors, ongoing gene flow, and/or recent divergence. These species were heavily depleted due to bycatch in the ETP yellowfin tuna fishery. Because population structure is important for accurate management of the recovery of these species, we collected whole mitochondrial genome sequences from 104 spinner and 76 spotted dolphins to test structure hypotheses at multiple hierarchical levels. Our results showed significant differences between subspecies of spotted (FST: 0.0125;P =0.0402) and spinner dolphins (FST: 0.0133;P= 0.034), but no support for the division of existing offshore stocks of spotted dolphins or Tres Marias spinner dolphins. We compare these results to previous results of genome-wide nuclear SNP data and suggest high haplotype diversity, female dispersal, male philopatry, or relative power of the two datasets explains the differences observed. Our results further support a genetic basis for biologically meaningful management units at the subspecies level, and provide a critical component to mitigating historical and continued fishery interactions.
Training qualitatively shifts the neural mechanisms that support attentional selection
Authors: Itthipuripat Sirawaj , Cha Kexin , Byers Anna , Serences John T.
Published: December 2016

Attention supports the selection of relevant sensory information from competing irrelevant sensory information. This selective processing is thought to be supported via the attentional gain amplification of sensory responses evoked by attended compared to unattended stimuli. However, recent studies in highly trained subjects suggest that attentional gain plays a relatively modest role and that other types of neural modulations – such as a reduction in neural noise – better explain attention-related changes in behavior. We hypothesized that the amount of training may alter neural mechanisms that support attentional selection in visual cortex. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the influence of training on attentional modulations of stimulus-evoked visual responses by recording electroencephalography (EEG) from humans performing a selective visuospatial attention task over the course of one month. Early in training, visuospatial attention induced a robust attentional gain amplification of sensory-evoked responses in contralateral visual cortex that emerged within ~100ms after stimulus onset, and a quantitative model based on signal detection theory (SDT) successfully linked this attentional gain amplification to attention-related improvements in behavior. However, after training, this attentional gain amplification of visual responses was almost completely eliminated and modeling suggested that noise reduction was required to link the amplitude of visual responses with attentional modulations of behavior. These findings suggest that the neural mechanisms supporting selective attention can change as a function of training and expertise, and help to bridge different results from studies carried out in different model systems that require substantially different amount of training.
Life Cycle Perspectives on Human Health Impacts of Ionic Liquids
Authors: Mehrkesh Amirhossein , Karunanithi Arunprakash T.
Published: December 2016

This study aims to develop a correlative approach to predict the non-cancer human health impacts associated with the direct environmental exposure of common ionic liquids. We assessed the human health impact of these ionic liquids through the integration of the USEtox model with toxicity data and fate and transport parameters. For the first time, we report non-cancer human health characterization factors for commonly used ionic liquids. On the one hand, literature related to environmental aspects of ionic liquids either promotes their environmentally friendly green aspects due to their negligible volatility (no air emissions). On the other hand, a great deal of literature promotes their non-green aspects due to the high toxicity values of certain ionic liquids towards living organisms. In this study, we attempt to integrate these two different diverging opinions to look at the concept of the greenness of ionic liquids from a larger point of view (i.e. from a life cycle assessment perspective).
Maximizing ecological and evolutionary insight from bisulfite sequencing data sets
Authors: Lea Amanda J. , Vilgalys Tauras P. , Durst Paul A.P. , Tung Jenny
Published: December 2016

The role of DNA methylation in development, divergence, and the response to environmental stimuli is of substantial interest in ecology and evolutionary biology. Measuring genome-wide DNA methylation is increasingly feasible using sodium bisulfite sequencing. Here, we analyze simulated and published data sets to demonstrate how effect size, kinship/population structure, taxonomic differences, and cell type heterogeneity influence the power to detect differential methylation in bisulfite sequencing data sets. Our results reveal that the effect sizes typical of evolutionary and ecological studies are modest, and will thus require data sets larger than those currently in common use. Additionally, our findings emphasize that statistical approaches that ignore the properties of bisulfite sequencing data (e.g., its count-based nature) or key sources of variance in natural populations (e.g., population structure or cell type heterogeneity) often produce false negatives or false positives, thus leading to incorrect biological conclusions. Finally, we provide recommendations for handling common issues that arise in bisulfite sequencing analyses and a freely available R Shiny application for simulating and performing power analyses on bisulfite sequencing data. This app, available atwww.tung-lab.org/protocols-and-software.html, allows users to explore the effects of sequencing depth, sample size, population structure, and expected effect size, tailored to their own system.
Prototyping a valinomycin biosynthesis pathway within a cell-free transcription-translation (TX-TL) system
Authors: Zhou Tiffany
Published: December 2016

1

Many natural metabolites have antibacterial, antiviral, or anticancer effects and can be developed into new drugs. However, working with the microorganisms that produce these products can be challenging since they are not as well characterized as a model organism likeEscherichia coli. In this paper, we investigate the potential for a cell-free transcription-translation (TX-TL) system to provide a rapid prototyping platform for characterizing new genetic pathways. We use the valinomycin biosynthesis pathway as a test case, and we show successful heterologous expression of the heterodimeric valinomycin synthetase (VlmSyn, Vlm1: 374 kDa and Vlm2: 284 kDa) fromStrep-tomyces tsusimaensiswithin the TX-TL system. Using LC-MS analysis, we find that valinomycin is produced at low but detectable levels, even when only one out of the three basic precursors is fed into the system. Our work represents another step towards applying cell-free biosynthesis to the discovery and characterization of new natural products.
Differential Adaptation to a Harsh Granite Outcrop Habitat between SympatricMimulusSpecies
Authors: Ferris Kathleen G. , Willis John H.
Published: December 2016

A primary goal in evolutionary biology is to understand which environmental variables and traits drive adaptation to harsh environments. This is difficult since many traits evolve simultaneously as populations or species diverge. Here we investigate the ecological variables and traits that underlieMimulus laciniatus’ adaptation to granite outcrops compared to its sympatric, mesic-adapted progenitorM. guttatus. We use fine scale measurements of soil moisture and herbivory to examine differences in selective forces between the species’ habitats, and measure selection on flowering time, flower size, plant height, and leaf shape in a reciprocal transplant usingM. laciniatus x M. guttatusF4hybrids. We find that differences in drought & herbivory drive survival differences between habitats, thatM. laciniatusandM. guttatusare each better adapted to their native habitat, and differential habitat selection on flowering time, plant stature, and leaf shape. We conclude that while early flowering time, small stature, and lobed leaf shape underlie plant fitness inM. laciniatus’ seasonally dry environment, increased plant size is advantageous in a competitive mesic environment replete with herbivores likeM. guttatus’.
Heterogeneous Firing Responses Predict Diverse Couplings to Presynaptic Activity in mice Layer V Pyramidal Neurons
Authors: Zerlaut Yann , Destexhe Alain
Published: December 2016

In this study, we present a theoretical framework combining experimental characterizations and analytical calculus to capture the firing rate input-output properties of single neurons in the fluctuation-driven regime. Our framework consists of a two-step procedure to treat independently how the dendritic input translates into somatic fluctuation variables, and how the latter determine action potential firing. We use this framework to investigate the functional impact of the heterogeneity in firing responses found experimentally in young mice layer V pyramidal cells. We first design and calibratein vitroa simplified morphological model of layer V pyramidal neurons with a dendritic tree following Rall's branching rule. Then, we propose an analytical derivation for the membrane potential fluctuations at the soma as a function of the properties of the synaptic input in dendrites. This mathematical description allows us to easily emulate various forms of synaptic input: either balanced, unbalanced, synchronized, purely proximal or purely distal synaptic activity. We find that those different forms of input activity lead to various impact on the membrane potential fluctuations properties, thus raising the possibility that individual neurons will differentially couple to specific forms of activity as a result of their different firing response. We indeed found such a heterogeneous coupling between synaptic input and firing response for all types of presynaptic activity. This heterogeneity can be explained by different levels of cellular excitability in the case of the balanced, unbalanced, synchronized and purely distal activity. A notable exception appears for proximal dendritic inputs: increasing the input level can either promote firing response in some cells, or suppress it in some other cells whatever their individual excitability. This behavior can be explained by different sensitivities to the speed of the fluctuations, which was previously associated to different levels of sodium channel inactivation and density. Because local network connectivity rather targets proximal dendrites, our results suggest that this aspect of biophysical heterogeneity might be relevant to neocortical processing by controlling how individual neurons couple to local network activity.
SiFit: A Method for Inferring Tumor Trees from Single-Cell Sequencing Data under Finite-site Models
Authors: Zafar Hamim , Tzen Anthony , Navin Nicholas , Chen Ken , Nakhleh Luay
Published: December 2016

Single-cell sequencing (SCS) enables the inference of tumor phylogenies that provide insights on intra-tumor heterogeneity and evolutionary trajectories. Recently introduced methods perform this task under the infinite-sites assumption, violations of which, due to chromosomal deletions and loss of heterozygosity, necessitate the development of inference methods that utilize finite-site models. We propose a statistical inference method for tumor phylogenies from noisy SCS data under a finite-sites model. The performance of our method on synthetic and experimental datasets from two colorectal cancer patients to trace evolutionary lineages in primary and metastatic tumors suggest that employing a finite-sites model leads to improved inference of tumor phylogenies.
Inertia and discounting in the selection of socially responsible investments
Authors: Auger Pat , Devinney Timothy , Dowling Grahame , Eckert Christine
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Socially responsible investment (SRI) funds have grown dramatically as an investment alternative in most of the developed world. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a structured experimental approach to determine if the decision-making process of investors to invest in SRIs is consistent with the process used for conventional investments. The theoretical framework draws on two widely studied concepts in the decision making and investment literature, namely, inertia and discounting.

Findings

The authors find that inertia plays a significant role in the selection of SRI funds and that investors systemically discount the value of SRIs.

Research limitations/implications

The results suggest that SRIs need to be designed to cater to the risk/return profiles of investors and that these investors need to be better informed about the performance of SRIs vs conventional investments to reduce their systematic discounting.

Originality/value

Unique experimental approach applied to investment alternatives in a manner that captures individual level variation.
The EU health claims regulation: implications for innovation in the EU food sector
Authors: Khedkar Sukhada , Ciliberti Stefano , Bröring Stefanie
Published: December 2016

Purpose

One of the objectives of the Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006 (NHCR) is protection and promotion of innovation in the food industry. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the NHCR on both innovation and the sourcing of external knowledge in the European Union (EU) food sector.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted which resulted in a sample of 105 EU companies for the study. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the nature of relationships that existed among the challenges related to the implementation of the NHCR, external sources of knowledge and innovation.

Findings

Challenges related to the NHCR are currently found to have a negative direct impact on product innovation. However, they have a positive indirect effect on product innovation, especially in the case of small and medium-sized enterprises. They also seem to positively affect external knowledge sourcing. Additionally, sources of external knowledge are found to have a positive effect on product and process innovations.

Practical implications

This study provides insights to different stakeholders in the food industry who might wish to work jointly and address the various issues related to the requirements of the NHCR and facilitate compliance with the regulation.

Originality/value

Understanding the impact of the NHCR on innovation seems pivotal because innovation plays an important role in the EU food sector. To this purpose, the paper delivers insights into some main compliance challenges and their effect on innovation.
What matters to promote consumers’ intention to patronize sustainable business-and-industry (B&I) food services?
Authors: Kim So-young , Yoon Jihyun , Choi Injoo
Published: December 2016

Purpose

To gain strategic insights for promoting sustainable food services, especially in a business and industry (B&I) setting, the purpose of this paper is to investigate decisional factors affecting consumers’ patronage intention based on the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) including two additional constructs of perceived quality and personal moral norm.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was employed. Out of 978 responses, 548 (70 percent) responses which reported to have visited B&I food services more than five times a month on an average were analyzed by using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The study results revealed that consumers’ patronage intention toward sustainable B&I food services was well explained by the alternative extended TPB adding a new path from subjective norm to perceived behavioral control. The impact of personal moral norm on consumers’ patronage intention was the highest followed by subjective norm, attitude, and perceived behavioral control.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few attempts to clarify the underlying motives for patronizing sustainable food services. The study results may give insights into the mechanisms of consumers’ patronage intention formation toward sustainable B&I food services and provide useful implications for strategic measures to promote sustainable B&I food services in Korea as well as other countries sharing similar concerns and interests.
Beyond food insecurity
Authors: Chiu Chung-Yi , Brooks Jessica , An Ruopeng
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to inquiry dietary behavior and the physical and mental health status of food pantry users to better understand issues related to food insecurity and to explore predictors of intentions for self-sufficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors randomly surveyed 12 food pantries (151 consumers) sponsored by the North Texas Food Bank in USA, regarding dietary behavior, health status, reasons for food pantry use, satisfaction with services provided, and self-sufficient behavior and support.

Findings

About 37 percent of survey participants would expect to continue using food pantry services for one or more years. Reasons for food pantry use included low job earnings, unemployment, poor health, and disability. Over 83 percent of them were either overweight or obese, and over half (57 percent) of them had moderate or severe mental disorder symptoms that warrant examination by healthcare practitioners. On average, their health-related quality of life was lower than the general population. Participants’ physical health was significantly correlated with work intention. The hierarchical regression model predicting work intention had a large effect size.

Research limitations/implications

This research has highlighted the importance of improving food pantry consumers’ health and self-sufficiency in order to live sufficiently and healthily.

Practical implications

Community health practitioners need to help food banks address the needs beyond hunger to focus on the larger ramification of food insecurity such as self-sufficiency and health-related quality of life.

Originality/value

This work extends the existing studies focused on food insecurity, and it will enable the collaborations among food banks, social workers, vocational rehabilitation counselors, and public health practitioners.
Estimating the business potential for operators in a local food supply chain
Authors: Niemi Petri , Pekkanen Petra
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Estimating the business potential for local food intermediary businesses, like wholesales and retailing, can be extremely difficult. The purpose of this paper is to present an approach at finding out the possibilities of estimating the business potential of a business idea in advance.

Design/methodology/approach

In the approach, a model is built based on two data sources. Statistical data on the food expenditure of households and average division of the revenues and margins of the local food supply chain are divided to production, intermediate level (wholesales/distribution) and retailing stages. To estimate the regional local food business potential as a whole, the market share estimations have been made by local food experts.

Findings

The approach was tested and utilized in evaluating the feasibility of a local food wholesale business in South-East Finland. It produced a credible overview of the business potential and pinpointed the challenges of the local food wholesales. The study indicated also that expressing the feasibility in terms of the required market share for employee count is an easy-to-understand way to depict the feasibility of a business.

Research limitations/implications

The model gives indicative, industry average-based results: the results of the model should be refined with analyses on the particular business model, especially its cost efficiency and other competitive parameters compared to more traditional way of doing business.

Practical implications

The model helps local food entrepreneurs and firms as well as their financiers to get a realistic picture of the business potential and the economic feasibility of the targeted business.

Originality/value

The study introduces a novel approach combining quantitative data and expert evaluation for evaluating the market potential and economic prerequisites of a regional food supply chain operator.
Specialty food retailing
Authors: Calvo-Porral Cristina , Levy-Mangin Jean-Pierre
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the following question: “Does purchase frequency influence consumer behaviour in the specialty food retailing setting?”, since purchase frequency is a consumer-based undertaken variable. For this purpose, the authors provide and empirically test a conceptual model focussed on specialty food retailing.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a structured questionnaire in the USA, gathering 592 valid responses and analysis was developed through structural equation modelling.

Findings

Findings indicate that satisfaction and loyalty towards specialty food stores are strongly influenced by consumers’ purchase frequency of specialty food products. Additionally, the findings support the moderating role of purchase frequency on the relationship between store service and satisfaction, as well as on the link store environment satisfaction.

Originality/value

Specialty food retailers should carry out marketing strategies focussing on consumer behaviour and segmentation could be developed considering purchase frequency.
Analysis of the content, colourants, fats, nitrate and nitrite in advertised foods and biological fluids of Egyptian children
Authors: Abdel-Moemin Aly R.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the content and some synthetic food colourants, total fats, nitrate and nitrite in both advertised foods (AF) and serum and urine samples of children (8 to 12 years) and their impact on childrens’ diet and health.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of the content of the AF was done by watching the three Egyptian children’s channels (ECC) for 38 hours. Amaranth, Indigo Carmine, Tartrazine, nitrate and nitrite were analysed in all AF and in serum and urine specimens of children. However, total fats were only analysed in the advertised processed meats and in the restaurant dishes. Lipid profile was also estimated in children.

Findings

The AF accounted for 46-54 per cent of the total advertisements presented. The advertised restaurant dishes were predominantly high in fats, 63 and 55 per cent in restaurant dishes and processed meats, respectively. Tartrazine was the only food colourant found in soft drinks and jelly powders measuring 0.2-15 µg/ml and 25-125 µg/g, respectively. The average levels of total nitrate and nitrite were higher than the acceptable daily intake of the Egyptian and WHO limits (125 mg/kg). Urinary Tartrazine and serum and urinary total nitrate and nitrite were significantly higher in the viewers’ children for the ECC and at borderline for lipid profile compared to non-viewers’ children.

Research limitations/implications

The most harmful effect of these advertisements is the cumulative effect of AF that undermines progress towards a healthy diet for children. AF may expose children to non-communicable disease in the future.

Practical implications

The local policy context requires action to set clear rules for children’s food advertising and monitor processed meat products to tackle exceeded levels of nitrate and nitrite.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to analyse colourants, fats, nitrate and nitrite in AF and in the serum and urine of children. This research shows a large number of AF (1,112) in the ECC for 38 hours with statistically significant increase of Tartrazine, nitrate and nitrite in AF (p<0.0001) and in biological fluids (p<0.05).
Motives for food choice of consumers in Central México
Authors: Espinoza-Ortega Angélica , Martínez-García Carlos Galdino , Thomé-Ortiz Humberto , Vizcarra-Bordi Ivonne
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify segments of Mexican consumers with regard to their motives for food choices.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire based on the Food Choice Questionnaire was applied to 1,202 consumers. A factor analysis and a cluster analysis were performed on the data.

Findings

Ten factors were identified: care for weight and health, social sensitivity, practicality, economic aspects, non-industrialized, hedonism, traditionality A, familiarity, traditionality B, and no added sugar. Resulting clusters were named as: traditional, healthy, conscious, and careless. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found due to gender, age, marital status, and educational level, but not for body mass index. There are signs of different consumers, but it seems that Mexican consumers in general express low sensitivity to issues of health and nutrition, even more so towards animal welfare and products that are friendly to the environment.

Research limitations/implications

The large diversity of motivations and behaviours in food consumption in Mexico are not all addressed in this study. However, this work opens a new area of research in Mexico so that in the near future studies on the diversity of Mexican consumers are undertaken, looking at the transformation of their food preferences.

Practical implications

In Europe, governments have addressed the new forms of consumption taking advantage of opportunities that benefit local producers, through the generation of added value as “Protected Designations of Origin (DOP)”, geographical indications, collective brands, ecological produce, local products of the land, among others. These proposals are promoted as a path to follow in Latin America, assuming that Latin American consumers have the same characteristics or interests as in those developed countries. But, not knowing consumers motives of preference represents a problem in the processes of valorization of food products.

Social implications

Economic development, demographic, and sociocultural changes in Latin America have promoted phenomena both in the polarization of livelihoods in their societies as well as changes of lifestyles in different social strata. Therefore, studies are needed on the effect of these changes not only in food consumption, but also on the symbolic elements when consumers choose their food.

Originality/value

In Mexico, the study of food consumption has followed diverse approaches, as a matter of policy, from an economic perspective, from anthropology, particularly focussed on indigenous cultures, from the nutrition and health field or emphasizing economic aspects. As in other developing countries, those works do not address the role of the consumer and their motivations, so that research that studies their motives in the choice of foods is needed.
Resource deployment under consideration of conflicting needs in times of river floods
Authors: Berariu Romana , Fikar Christian , Gronalt Manfred , Hirsch Patrick
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a system dynamics (SD) model that allows one to simulate resource deployment to fulfill increasing needs for commodities such as food and other consumables during disaster situations. The focus is on managing a suddenly increased demand (hoarding behavior) of an affected population under restricted transport conditions. The model aims to support decision makers by fostering comprehension of the systemic behavior and interdependencies of those complex settings.

Design/methodology/approach

Through literature review and case study analyses the SD model was established and implemented with STELLA 10.1.1.

Findings

The needs of relief units for response operations and supply of evacuees in the affected region result in conflicting needs under limited transport conditions during disaster situations. Therefore, uncertainties and dynamic parameters as, e.g., occurring delays, limited information, or delivery constraints and their influence on resource deployment under a sudden demand, have been identified and incorporated in this work. The authors found that an oscillating behavior within the system is possible to occur and is more intensified in case of regarding the additional needs of evacuees and relief units.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the high level of abstraction, it is not possible to incorporate all influencing variables in the SD model. Therefore, the authors focused on the most important ones with regard to the model objective.

Practical implications

To focus on awareness raising is of importance for decision makers in the context of disaster management. Furthermore, the authors found that the oscillating behavior is more irregular in case of assuming a higher increase rate of the water gauge than if a low increase rate is assumed.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, none of the work already done refers to providing a flood-prone area with commodities under consideration of a sudden demand, by applying the SD approach. The presented model contributes on the generation of systemic insights of resource deployment under consideration of conflicting needs in times of a river flood to support decision makers in those situations.
“Lets talk about you …”
Authors: Gibson Terry , Wisner Ben
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on the creation of innovative methods for engaging in conversations about everyday risk.

Design/methodology/approach

A range of methods from conventional survey research to open-ended, semi-structured conversations and focus groups were used in the series of studies that serve as the subject of this meta-study. The meta-study uses participant observation, key informant interviews and project reports to narrate and evaluate the evolution of Frontline as an action planning, monitoring, advocacy and research tool.

Findings

The Views from the Frontline (VFL) methods began as the bottom-up mirror of a top-down monitoring approach used by the United Nations (Hyogo Framework for Action Monitor). Limitations of such bottom up monitoring led to creation of guidelines for formalising local knowledge resulting from actions – Action at the Frontline (AFL) and, later, Frontline, a flexible tool for eliciting experiences of everyday risk. The earlier VFL monitoring approach had shared outsiders’ assumptions about the nature of the “problem” and limited the degree to which local residents could express their own experiences and priorities.

Originality/value

Extensive use of this suite of methods has shown that civil society organisations are fully capable of conducting credible research when properly supported and motivated. Use of these methods has so far provided strong support for policy advocacy at the global scale, has had moderate success in liaison with national policy makers and slow but promising results as a learning/action tool at the local scale. Frontline has as yet untapped potential as a resource for academic research.
Overcoming challenges faced by local governments in creating a resilient built environment in cities
Authors: Malalgoda Chamindi , Amaratunga Dilanthi , Haigh Richard
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Although, a number of initiatives have been taken after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami to institutionalise disaster risk reduction (DRR), gaps still exist in the Sri Lankan local government sector. Even after ten years, local governments are still struggling to overcome a number of challenges in relation to making resilience in the built environment. DRR has not yet been properly integrated into the local government system and, as a result, poses a significant challenge. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to discover the hindrances for local governments in creating disaster resilient built environment within cities and to propose ways of overcoming the identified limitations.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted among experts from Sri Lanka who are involved in disaster management, local governments and built environment fields of study. The interviews were conducted with the intention of gaining expert knowledge pertaining to this field of study. The interviews were mainly designed to capture the current practices for instigating DRR initiatives within Sri Lanka, the role of local governments in creating a disaster resilient built environment and the associated challenges, and ways of overcoming such challenges to ensure an effective contribution to city resilience.

Findings

Primary data discovered 36 challenges along with some associated sub-challenges. The challenges were categorised under eight main themes: legal framework; lack of adequate tools, techniques and guidelines; human resource constraints; funding constraints; weaknesses in the internal systems and processes; weaknesses in the external systems; community engagement; and other challenges. The paper analyses these challenges in detail and proposes a set of recommendations to overcome the challenges in order to create disaster resilient built environments within cities.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides a descriptive analysis of how the Sri Lankan local government sector could overcome the underpinning challenges of contributing to disaster resilience in the built environment and no comparative studies were conducted with in other tsunami affected regions. Furthermore, the paper analyses partial findings of a broader research, which was aimed at developing a framework to empower local governments in creating a disaster resilient built environment.

Originality/value

The paper provides an extensive analysis of the challenges faced by local governments in contributing to the resilience of their built environment and proposes how these challenges could be overcome while making a worthwhile contribution to both theory and practice. Accordingly, the paper recommends major changes in policy and practice with respect to bringing local governments into DRR.
Lean services: a systematic review
Authors: Gupta Shradha , Sharma Monica , Sunder M. Vijaya
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of Lean methodology through an exhaustive literature review, and its implications and application in the service industry right from its initiation in 1990s till date.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper summarises the evolution of Lean in services and has systematically classified the reviewed literature in four dimensions, namely time, publisher, region and content. Further under “time” dimension, the literature is classified into Pre-Lean era, Lean awareness era, Lean Exploration era and Lean implementation era. Under the “content” dimension, the categories include theoretical foundation, frameworks/models and application/case studies.

Findings

The analysis inferred; Lean is gaining roads in services, though the research is still at nascent stage. Lean is applicable in services though transfer of Lean manufacturing principles to services has certain limitations because of the characteristics of services. The need is to focus on process difference between services and manufacturing. Respect for people and employment engagement is critical to Lean in service. The authors identified the necessity to standardise the Lean service definition, principles, and tools and to develop guidelines for structured implementation in service industry.

Research limitations/implications

Though multiple databases have been taken-up but that does not assume that the literature presented in this paper is by any means comprehensive. Development of a standard model/framework for Lean services is critical for future research. Rigorous industry-specific studies, specifically in developing nations are another area for future research. Future studies could analyse the impact of join applications and possible links between Lean service and other approaches like TQM, Six Sigma, etc., with an aim of process improvement.

Practical implications

This paper would serve as a resource for Lean practitioners as well as researchers as a fundamental platform, contributing to Lean body of knowledge.

Social implications

Service industry has special significance to the society in large. Many services including governments, public interest services, non-profit organisations, healthcare, banking, consulting, etc., has a significant share across markets. Lean being a proven methodology for successful process improvements has to be looked at from a services perspective. This paper helps in such interest.

Originality/value

Publications reviewing the adoption of Lean in services is scarce in literature. This paper serves as an excellent resource for research on the subject and will facilitate academicians and practitioners to objectively understand Lean in service sector.
Covenantal leadership and the psychological contract: moral insights for the modern leader
Authors: Caldwell Cam , Hasan Zuhair
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Research confirms that leaders continue to struggle in earning followers’ trust, commitment, and organizational citizenship. The purpose of this paper is to explain the importance of the relationship between leader and followers as a covenant and to identify five roles of the leader that are necessary to be effective in creating the required relationship with followers to earn their trust in an increasingly competitive and complex market.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach of this paper is to present a summary of the nature of psychological contracts and to identify seven testable propositions about covenantal leadership and its ability to build trust and honor duties implied in psychological contracts of employees.

Findings

The authors explain how the five roles of the covenantal leader increase trust and examine each of these roles in identifying the importance of covenantal leadership in serving the modern leader.

Research limitations/implications

This research reaffirms the importance of leaders understanding the often unarticulated perceptions of their employees in imposing moral duties and obligations on leaders and organizations.

Practical implications

The practical value of this paper lies in its insights about the importance of leaders understanding and honoring implied as well as stated duties, and in recognizing employee perceptions about their needs and the often unaddressed obligations of leaders and organizations.

Social implications

The underlying assumptions of this paper are that leaders who seek to create greater commitment and higher performance can do so by seeking out, understanding, and honoring the implicit and explicit assumptions and expectations of their employees.

Originality/value

Covenantal leadership is a relatively new leadership model introduced by Moses Pava (2003) and the five roles of covenantal leadership have rarely been addressed as a leadership perspective in the scholarly and practitioner literature.
Marketplace stigma: customers’ stigmatization of employees with hepatitis C virus
Authors: Mohamad Mohamad Saad , Mohamed Ahmed Amin
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate the first instrument to measure the source of customers’ stigmatization of employees with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

The development and validation processes unfolded as follows: an item pool was generated from focus groups and previous studies on stigma; the initial instrument was evaluated by three experts and pilot-tested; the instrument was used to collect data from 500 Egyptian consumers to determine its dimensionality; to test this structure, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on a new sample of 300 Egyptian consumers.

Findings

Exploratory factor analysis showed that the instrument captures three factors: devaluation, avoidance and pity. Results confirmed that customers’ stigmatization of employees with HCV is a multidimensional construct that is manifested in these three dimensions.

Originality/value

Despite the importance of disease stigma, management scholars have not given it sufficient attention. This paper offers new insights into the study of a particular type of workplace discrimination and ways of measuring it.
A model of workplace incivility, job burnout, turnover intentions, and job performance
Authors: Rahim Afzalur , Cosby Dana M.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the relationships among workplace incivility, job burnout, turnover intentions, and job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a dyad survey method to collect data. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the data.

Findings

Results showed that job burnout mediated the relationship between workplace incivility and turnover intention and that workplace incivility was negatively associated with job performance. In other words, participants experiencing higher levels of incivility reported greater levels of job burnout and subsequent increased turnover intention and lower levels of job performance.

Originality/value

The authors can find no other research that examines the relationship between workplace incivility and job performance.