bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Voltage- and Branch-specific Climbing Fiber Responses in Purkinje Cells
Authors: Zang Yunliang , Dieudonné Stéphane , De Schutter Erik 
Published: March 2018

SummaryClimbing fibers (CFs) provide instructive signals driving cerebellar learning. However, conflicting experimental studies have been reported about the reliability of CF mediated Ca2+ influx in Purkinje cell (PC) distal dendrites. Mechanisms causing the wide variation in duration and spikelet numbers of complex spikes (CSs) have not been explored systematically. Using a new experimentally validated PC model, we describe the full range of modifiability of CF responses to explain the experimental data and make new predictions. We find voltage state gates the initiation and propagation of dendritic spikes. PC dendrites exhibit inhomogeneous excitability with individual branches as computational units for CF input. Somatic CSs are regulated by voltage state, CF activation phase and instantaneous CF firing rate. Concurrent synaptic inputs can affect CSs by modulating dendritic responses in a spatially precise way. These voltage- and branch-specific CF responses will increase dendritic computational capacity and give PCs an active role in integrating CF signals.
Structures reveal opening of the store-operated calcium channel Orai
Authors: Hou Xiaowei , Burstein Shana R. , Long Stephen B. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe store-operated calcium (Ca2+) channel Orai governs Ca2+ influx through the plasma membrane of many non-excitable cells in metazoans. The channel opens in response to depletion of Ca2+ within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Loss- and gain-of-function mutants of Orai cause disease. Our previous work revealed the structure of Orai with a closed pore. Here, using a gain-of-function mutation that constitutively activates the channel, we present an X-ray structure of Drosophila melanogaster Orai in an open conformation. Well-defined electron density maps reveal that the open pore is dramatically dilated on its cytosolic side in comparison to the slender closed pore. Cations and anions bind in different regions of the open pore, informing mechanisms for ion permeation and the exquisite selectivity of the channel for Ca2+. Opening of the pore requires the release of cytosolic latches. Together with additional X-ray structures of an unlatched-but-closed intermediate, we propose a sequence for store-operated activation.
Axonal transport and active zone proteins regulate volume transmitting dopaminergic synapse formation
Authors: Lipton David M. , Maeder Celine I. , Shen Kang 
Published: March 2018

SummaryAt a typical synapse, the precise juxtaposition between the active zone and postsynaptic receptors ensures local and precise neurotransmitter release and detection. Dopamine neurons release neurotransmitter more diffusely using volume-transmission, where precise pre- and post-synaptic alignment is lacking. It is unknown whether Dopaminergic presynaptic terminals have typical active zone structures and how they develop. Here we show that presynaptic terminals of the C. elegans dopaminergic neuron PDE contain bona fide AZ proteins, including SYD-2/Liprin-ʡ, ELKS-1, UNC-10/RIM and CLA-1/Piccolo. During development, synaptic vesicles (SVs) and active zone proteins (AZs) coalesce within minutes behind the advancing growth cone. Precise regulation of UNC-104/Kinesin-3-mediated SV transport through kinesin autoinhibition is required to pause transported SVs at synapses. SYD-1 and SYD-2 recruit and cluster the transiting SVs, while ELKS-1 aggregates through a distinct mechanism.
A barcoding approach to phylogenetic classification of Aedini mosquitoes (Aedes, Ochlerotatus)
Authors: Glass H. , Carroll E. , Curley D. , Kienzle H. , Yee D. A. , Vamosi S. M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTraditionally, entomologists have used morphological characteristics for mosquito taxonomy and systematics. However, this approach does not take into consideration the genetic relatedness of species. In 2000, the Aedes genus of mosquitoes in the tribe Aedini was split into two genera (Aedes and Ochlerotatus), thereby elevating Ochlerotatus from subgenus to genus rank, strictly based on morphology of adults. Herein, we use the genetic barcoding marker COI to generate a phylogeny of 65 species of Aedes, Ochlerotatus, and Anopheles outgroup from almost 900 sequences downloaded from BOLD systems. Our results reveal evidence of non-random, but polyphyletic clustering of Aedes and Ochlerotatus species, with a monophyletic outgroup. We do find support for the validity of Ochlerotatus as an evolutionary unit, although we find insufficient evidence to support its retention as a genus. We suggest that mosquito phylogenetic analyses incorporate a greater number of genetic markers to help clarify our understanding of Aedini species classifications, but caution that recent assessments based solely on morphology may be insufficient.
Systematic Optimization of Whole Plant Carbon Nitrogen Interaction (WACNI) to Support Crop Design for Greater Yield
Authors: Chang Tian-Gen , Zhu Xin-Guang 
Published: March 2018

AbstractOn the face of the rapid advances in genome editing technology and greatly expanded knowledge on plant genome and genes, there is a strong demand to develop an effective tool to guide designing crops for higher yields. Here we developed a highly mechanistic model of Whole plAnt Carbon Nitrogen Interaction (WACNI), which predicts crop yield based on major metabolic and biophysical processes in source, sink and transport tissues. WACNI accurately predicted the yield responses of so far reported source, sink and transport related genetic manipulations on rice grain yields. Systematic sensitivity analysis with WACNI was used to classify the source, sink and transport related molecular processes into four categories, i.e. universal yield enhancers, universal yield inhibitors, conditional yield enhancers and weak yield regulators. Simulations using WACNI further show that even without a major change in leaf photosynthetic properties, 54.6% to 73% grain yield increase can be potentially achieved by optimizing these molecular processes during the rice grain filling period while simply combining all the ‘superior’ molecular modules together cannot achieve the optimal yield level. A common macroscopic feature in all these designed high-yield lines is that they all show ‘a sustained and steady growth of grain sink’, which might be used as a generic selection criteria in high-yield rice breeding. Overall, WACNI can serve as a tool to facilitate plant source sink interaction research and guide future crops breeding by design.One sentence summaryA mechanistic model of source, sink flow model is developed and used to demonstrate that optimization of the whole plant carbon nitrogen metabolism can dramatically increase crop yield potential.
Job embeddedness and employee enactment of innovation-related work behaviours
Authors: Coetzer Alan , Inma Chutarat , Poisat Paul , Redmond Janice , Standing Craig 
Published: March 2018

PurposeIn a highly competitive globalised environment, the innovation behaviour of employees plays a key role in the economic viability and competitive advantage of organisations. In this context, developing the understanding of innovation work behaviour is important for the field of individual innovation and this is the focus of the study. The paper aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approachData were collected using a survey from 549 employees in organisations operating in four major business centres in South Africa.FindingsOn-the-job embeddedness was positively and significantly related to innovation behaviours by employees in organisations operating in diverse industries. Consistent with the view that small organisations have a “behavioural” innovation advantage over larger organisations, the size of the organisation moderated the positive relationship between on-the-job embeddedness and innovation behaviours. On-the-job embeddedness was more positively related to innovation behaviours in small organisations than in larger organisations.Practical implicationsEmployees who are highly embedded in their jobs (but not necessarily their communities) are more likely to enact innovation behaviours than employees who are not similarly embedded. Human resource management professionals and line managers can potentially foster employee innovation behaviours through adopting strategies aimed at positively influencing the fit, links and sacrifice dimensions of on-the-job embeddedness.Originality/valueThe study contributes to theoretical and empirical expansion of job embeddedness (JE) by examining: how work and non-work forces that attach employees to their organisations influence their propensity to enact innovation behaviours; and how organisation size moderates the relationship between JE and innovation behaviours. The results will help managers who wish to foster innovation.
Workers’ compensation insurance prices: evidence from Portugal
Authors: Garcia Maria Teresa Medeiros , Cortegano Joana Teresa Silva 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the determinants of workers’ compensation insurance prices in Portugal.

Design/methodology/approach
Multiple regression analysis was used to study the insurance price determinants. The independent variables considered are: payroll, number of employees, and incidence rate. In addition, three categorical variables were used: region, classification of economic activities, and enterprise size. A cross-firm panel data sample from the SABI database of 1,435 firms was considered, over a time horizon from 2010 to 2012. Furthermore, the sample split criterion was the enterprise size.

Findings
As expected, the results suggest that payroll and number of employees are related with workers’ compensation insurance prices. Furthermore, incidence rate, region, type of economic activities, and enterprise size have a positive and significant influence on premiums.

Research limitations/implications
More panel data are needed to allow a greater focus on the impacts of GDP fluctuations and sectoral consolidation on insurance pricing. Further research could also include the impact of capital/reserving cycles, which can be driven both by economic shocks and the competition cycle. It is well known that insurers tend to reduce reserving standards when under pressure, and this can result in inadequate pricing.

Practical implications
The process of workers’ compensation insurance price formation is disentangled. The results suggest that the workers’ compensation insurance premiums behave as expected, especially under periods of economic strain. Therefore, workers’ compensation rate regulation should take this evidence into account, specifically through the establishment of minimum rates, which will protect the insurer, the employer, and the employees alike.

Originality/value
The paper is part of a considerable literature on insurance pricing in workers’ compensation, most of which has centred on private markets in the USA. This paper is the first empirical work that employs private market data for Portugal.
Labor markets, academic performance and school dropout risk: evidence for Spain
Authors: Guio Juan , Choi Álvaro , Escardíbul Josep-Oriol 
Published: March 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of the links between labor market conditions and academic performance by disentangling the effects of unemployment. The contribution of this study is, therefore, threefold: first, it provides new evidence on the link between labor market conditions and educational decisions; second, it quantifies separately the two separate effects of unemployment on academic performance at age 15; and third, it analyses heterogeneous effects of the “family” and “local labor market” – proxied through the unemployment rate of the school community – effects.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis of the impact of unemployment on academic performance is performed through hierarchical linear regressions.FindingsThe results show that academic performance at age 15 is affected by labor market conditions, and, at the same time, previous performance determines future educational decisions. Thus, these results highlight the sensitivity of students’ educational decisions and academic performance to shifts in the labor market.Practical implicationsThis suggests that strategies aimed at reducing early school dropout rates should not be restricted solely to the education system. In other words, school failure is not only dependent on schools and, hence, on education policies.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the existing literature by providing new evidence on the relationship between short-term labor market dynamics and academic performance. More specifically, this paper represents a significant step forward in comparison to the previous literature as it has provided responses to three key questions faced by countries with high unemployment and high early school dropout.
Testing the mediation effect of person-organisation fit on the relationship between talent management and talented employees’ attitudes
Authors: Mensah James Kwame , Bawole Justice Nyigmah 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
Previous studies suggested that talent management (TM) is positively related to employee work attitudes. However, a few studies have examined the mechanisms through which TM leads to employee work attitudes. The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of person-organisation (P-O) fit on the relationship between TM and employee’s job satisfaction, and organisational citizenship behaviours (OCBs).

Design/methodology/approach
Using a sample of 232 talented employees from the Ghanaian banking sector, a partial mediation model was outlined and tested using structural equation modelling.

Findings
The results showed that TM had positive relationship with P-O fit, job satisfaction and OCBs. The findings further show that P-O fit had positive relationship between job satisfaction and OCBs and partially mediated the relationship between TM and both job satisfaction, and OCBs.

Research limitations/implications
This study used cross-sectional data; hence, conclusions regarding causality cannot be made. That is, the results must be interpreted as associations rather than causality.

Practical implications
Management should endeavour to use TM to help align talented employee’s competences, values and goals to those of their organisation.

Originality/value
This study contributed to the TM literature by providing a stronger and more plausible explanation of the relationship between TM and talented employees’ outcomes.
The role of non-formal lifelong learning at different points in the business cycle
Authors: Corrales-Herrero Helena , Rodríguez-Prado Beatriz 
Published: March 2018

PurposeDespite the widely recognised importance of lifelong learning, there are mixed results on its causal economic impact. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how economic conditions change the composition of participants in non-formal lifelong learning and whether the business cycle is relevant for the impact of non-formal lifelong learning on employability.Design/methodology/approachNon-linear decomposition techniques and matching estimators based on multidimensional covariates are applied to the Spanish sample of the European Adult Education Survey. The analysis controls for background, human capital and personal traits and draws a distinction between unemployed and employed workers.FindingsThe results show major differences in the volume and composition of participants before and during the Great Recession. In addition, there is a business cycle dependence of the effectiveness of non-formal lifelong learning that varies with the individual labour market situation. While lifelong learning proves more effective for the unemployed in recessions, for the employed the impact is greater in expansions.Originality/valueThe paper provides new evidence on the scant results of the moderating effect of the business cycle on the impact of lifelong learning. The analysis is not restricted to training implemented within public programmes, but rather extends to any kind of non-formal lifelong learning undertaken by unemployed and employed workers. In this sense, the analysis provides information about the optimal moment to invest in lifelong learning from both the policymaker and individual as well as firm perspective.
Human resources disclosures by African and Caribbean companies
Authors: Bowrin Anthony Roger 
Published: March 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which economically significant Caribbean and African firms provide human resources disclosures (HRD), and the factors related to their disclosure practices. It is motivated by the dearth of studies of HRD among firms in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachAll companies with common shares listed on the main tier of the major stock exchanges in each country examined on December 31, 2013 as well as selected state enterprises were included in the study if their annual report, sustainability report or integrated report was available online. HRD was measured using an unweighted 174-item disclosure index. The research hypotheses were examined using multiple-regression analysis.FindingsThe level of HRD in the Caribbean and Southern Africa was relatively low (M=33.7 percent, SD=25.3 percent). The amount of HRD was related to organizational culture, firm size, industry affiliation, national governance environment and foreign influence. Geographical region, gender diversity and director independence were not statistically related to the amount of HRD.Practical implicationsCaribbean and African governments may need to implement incentives for economically significant companies to participate in targeted human resources (HR) development initiatives, to provide more comprehensive HR disclosures and incorporate HR consideration in their strategic decision making.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies to compare the amount and determinants of HRD by economically significant Caribbean and African companies.
The effect of political connections on companies’ performance and value
Authors: Maaloul Anis , Chakroun Raïda , Yahyaoui Sabrine 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of companies’ political connections (PCs) on their financial and stock performance, as well as on their market values.

Design/methodology/approach
A sample of non-financial companies listed on the Tunis Stock Exchange (TSE) between 2012 and 2014 was used. The accounting and financial data of these companies were obtained from their financial statements, whereas data on PCs of their officers and directors were collected manually from various sources. Correlation and multivariate regression analyses were performed to test the hypothesis of this research.

Findings
The results showed that PCs improve companies’ performance and value. These results could be explained, on the one hand, by the benefits and favors that companies can get from their political ties and, on the other hand, by investors’ tendency to invest in politically connected companies to benefit from these advantages.

Research limitations/implications
The limited number of non-financial companies listed on the TSE is a limit for this research.

Practical implications
The results show that investment in companies which are politically inter-connected may be beneficial for investors, and especially for small minority shareholders.

Social implications
The results confirm that political links are essential for business success in emerging economies, such as Tunisia. However, the positive link between politics and business might highlight the issue of corruption after the revolution.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the effect of PCs on the performance and value of Tunisian companies after the 2011 revolution.
Reading beyond the lines: themes and cultural values in corporate leaders’ communication
Authors: Ngai Cindy Sing-Bik , Singh Rita Gill 
Published: March 2018

PurposeThe unprecedented economic development and increase in the number of global corporations in the Greater China region, comprising the Chinese mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong, have led to more emphasis on corporate leader-stakeholder communication. Bilingual web-based messages posted on corporate websites, which aim to strategically cultivate positive relationships between leaders and stakeholders, have emerged as a primary mode of communication for Chinese corporations. However, a research study investigating the prominent themes and underlying cultural values depicted in leaders’ messages intended for different groups of stakeholders is lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the themes and cultural values expressed through corporate leaders’ web-based messages in a non-western context.Design/methodology/approachUsing an inductive approach, open coding and a categorization system, this study analyzed the web-based messages of leading corporations with WordSmith 6.0.FindingsSix prominent themes in leaders’ communication were identified. These themes included, in order of importance: company development, operating philosophy, company profile, business environment, performance, and products and services. It was found that leaders strategically selected certain themes such as focusing on progress and the business environment but omitted others depending on how they wanted to strategically influence their stakeholders’ attitudes. Differences between the cultural values depicted in Chinese and the corresponding English messages could be attributed to leaders’ cultural adaptation of the messages intended for non-domestic stakeholders.Originality/valueSince this study provides insights into the major themes preferred by leaders of corporations operating in Greater China, it will enable existing stakeholders to understand the main business focus of leaders and offer leaders more information about commonly accepted themes. These possibilities for enhanced knowledge on the part of stakeholders and business leaders, in turn, may potentially increase academic appreciation of the complexities involved in corporate communication. It also informs stakeholders about the variations in the values reflected in the English and Chinese messages of leaders, and, therefore, has a potential to offer value to academics and practitioners.
US Securities and Exchange Commission’s announcement of chief of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act unit signals possible anti-bribery enforcement focus on non-United States issuers
Authors: Sanders James L. , Bahr Kyle , Chan Calvin , Hewetson Charles 
Published: March 2018

Purpose
This paper explains how recent statements by the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) leadership – including the new Chief of the SEC’s Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Unit – signal the American regulator’s intent to “level the playing field” by stepping up its investigations and enforcement of companies worldwide and what non-US issuers can do to prepare.

Design/methodology/approach
Uses information included in the announcement naming Charles E. Cain as Chief of the SEC’s specialized FCPA Unit to lay out an argument that the Unit’s priorities may focus more on non-US companies than US companies.

Findings
Based on past statements and written accounts made by Mr Cain, and with the tacit support of other senior SEC officials, it can be assumed that non-US companies will experience additional scrutiny from the SEC, in the name of leveling the playing field. Furthermore, it can be assumed that the SEC will place additional pressure on anti-corruption regimes in other international jurisdictions to do their part in combatting corruption.

Originality/value
This paper is of value to personnel within non-US issuers who are responsible for creating and enforcing their organization’s anti-bribery or anti-corruption policies and internal controls. It is also of value to legal counsel interested in developing an understanding of the current priorities of the SEC as far as the FCPA is concerned.