bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Managerial ties and open innovation: examining the role of absorptive capacity
Authors: Naqshbandi M. Muzamil 
Published: October 2016

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop and test an integrated model to examine the relationship between managerial ties and two types of open innovation (OI). It takes into account the mediating role of realized absorptive capacity and explains how a firm’s ability to recognize the value of new information, assimilate it and apply it to commercial ends can facilitate OI.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 259 middle and top managers working across different sectors in the United Arab Emirates.FindingsResults obtained using structural equation modeling show that managerial ties facilitate both in-bound and out-bound OI. Results also establish the mediating role of realized absorptive capacity in these relationships.Research limitations/implicationsUse of cross-sectional data as was done in this study has been criticized for being inappropriate to test causal models. Besides the findings may not be generalizable to different industries/cultures/regions.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that managerial ties act to support OI in firms thus giving the insight that managers should be appreciated to build ties with managers of other firms, universities and government officials. Doing so can help firms achieve better OI outcomes. Firms should arrange means of interaction of their managers with these external knowledge sources such as events and occasions where managers of different firms can interact with each other to foster strong ties among them.Originality/valueThe above findings contribute theoretically to OI and managerial ties literature while providing insights for practitioners on how to succeed or avoid failure in their OI initiatives. These insights are novel and are new to the OI and managerial ties theory.
Social media’s impact on organizational performance and entrepreneurial orientation in organizations
Authors: Parveen Farzana , Jaafar Noor Ismawati , Ainin Sulaiman 
Published: October 2016

Purpose
Based on the system of value chain theory, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of social media usage on the performance and the entrepreneurial orientation of the organizations.

Design/methodology/approach
A total of 174 organizations responded to the survey.

Findings
The result of the study showed that social media usage has a very strong positive impact on organizations’ performance, in terms of cost reduction, improved customer relations, and enhanced information accessibility.

Research limitations/implications
In the study, social media usage was categorized into three sub-constructs such as social media usage for marketing, social media usage for building customer relations, and social media usage for information search. This study investigated the usage of social media and its impact as a whole, considering all social media tools together. Finally, this study used a cross-sectional sample to collect data.

Practical implications
The result of the study benefits the managers to understand the various areas of organizational performance that can be improved by social media usage.

Social implications
The study also provided evidence that social media usage has strong positive influences on enhancing the entrepreneurial orientation of the organizations.

Originality/value
This study provides a clearer idea on the real importance of social media and its benefits. This study demonstrated the various areas of organizational performance that can be improved through social media usage.
A problem of thick circular plate in modified couple stress thermoelastic diffusion with phase-lags
Authors: Kumar Rajneesh , Devi Shaloo , Sharma Veena 
Published: October 2016

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the two-dimensional axisymmetric problem in a homogeneous, isotropic modified couple stress thermoelastic diffusion (TD) medium in the context of dual-phase-lag model.

Design/methodology/approach
The Laplace and Hankel transforms have been applied to find the general solution to the field equations. The components of displacement, stresses, temperature change and chemical potential are obtained in the transformed domain. The resulting quantities are obtained in the physical domain by using numerical inversion technique.

Findings
The components of normal stress, tangential stress, tangential couple stress, temperature change and chemical potential are obtained numerically and depicted graphically to see the effect of dual-phase-lag diffusion (DLD), dual-phase-lag heat transfer (DLT) and TD models in the absence and presence of couple stress parameter.

Originality/value
Comparisons are made in the absence and presence of couple stress DLD, DLT and TD models.
Response surface modelling of the pharmacodynamic interaction between propofol and remifentanil in patients undergoing anaesthesia
Authors: Choe SangMin , Choi Byung‐Moon , Lee Yong‐Hun , Lee Soo‐Han , Lee Eun‐Kyung , Kim Ki‐Seong , Noh Gyu‐Jeong 
Published: October 2016

SummaryThis study describes the pharmacodynamic interaction between propofol and remifentanil. Sixty patients who were scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia (30 males/30 females) were enrolled. Patients were randomly allocated to receive one of 15 combinations of drug levels. Baseline electroencephalograms (EEGs) were recorded for 5 minutes prior to administering the drugs. Patients received a target‐controlled infusion at one of four predefined doses of propofol (high, 3 μg/mL; medium, 1.5 μg/mL; low, 0.5 μg/mL; or no drug) and of remifentanil (high, 6 or 8 ng/mL; medium, 4 ng/mL; low, 2 ng/mL; or no drug). The occurrence of muscle rigidity, apnoea, and loss of consciousness (LOC) was monitored, and EEGs were recorded during the drug administration phase. Electroencephalographic approximate entropy (ApEn) and temporal linear mode complexity (TLMC) parameters at baseline and under steady state conditions were calculated off‐line. Response surfaces were developed to map the interaction between propofol and remifentanil to the probability of occurrence for quantal responses (muscle rigidity, apnoea, LOC) and ApEn and TLMC measurements. Model parameters were estimated using non‐linear mixed effects modelling. The response surface revealed infra‐additive and synergistic effects for muscle rigidity and apnoea, respectively. The effects of the combined drugs on LOC and EEG parameters (eg, ApEn and TLMC) were additive. The C50 estimates of remifentanil (ng/mL) and propofol (μg/mL) were 9.11 and 130 000 for muscle rigidity, 8.99 and 6.26 for apnoea, 13.9 and 3.04 for LOC, 23.4 and 10.4 for ApEn, and 14.8 and 6.51 for TLMC, respectively. The probability of occurrence for muscle rigidity declined when propofol was combined with remifentanil.
Acidification and warming affect prominent bacteria in two seasonal phytoplankton bloom mesocosms
Authors: Bergen Benjamin , Endres Sonja , Engel Anja , Zark Maren , Dittmar Thorsten , Sommer Ulrich , Jürgens Klaus 
Published: October 2016

SummaryIn contrast to clear stimulatory effects of rising temperature, recent studies of the effects of CO2 on planktonic bacteria have reported conflicting results. To better understand the potential impact of predicted climate scenarios on the development and performance of bacterial communities, we performed bifactorial mesocosm experiments (pCO2 and temperature) with Baltic Sea water, during a diatom dominated bloom in autumn and a mixed phytoplankton bloom in summer. The development of bacterial community composition (BCC) followed well‐known algal bloom dynamics. A principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) of bacterial OTUs (operational taxonomic units) revealed that phytoplankton succession and temperature were the major variables structuring the bacterial community whereas the impact of pCO2 was weak. Prokaryotic abundance and carbon production, and organic matter concentration and composition were partly affected by temperature but not by increased pCO2. However, pCO2 did have significant and potentially direct effects on the relative abundance of several dominant OTUs; in some cases, these effects were accompanied by an antagonistic impact of temperature. Our results suggest the necessity of high‐resolution BCC analyses and statistical analyses at the OTU level to detect the strong impact of CO2 on specific bacterial groups, which in turn might also influence specific organic matter degradation processes.
Persistence of a dominant bovine lineage of group BStreptococcus reveals genomic signatures of host adaptation
Authors: Almeida Alexandre , Alves‐Barroco Cinthia , Sauvage Elisabeth , Bexiga Ricardo , Albuquerque Pedro , Tavares Fernando , Santos‐Sanches Ilda , Glaser Philippe 
Published: October 2016

SummaryGroup B Streptococcus (GBS) is a host‐generalist species, most notably causing disease in humans and cattle. However, the differential adaptation of GBS to its two main hosts, and the risk of animal to human infection remain poorly understood. Despite improvements in control measures across Europe, GBS is still one of the main causative agents of bovine mastitis in Portugal. Here, by whole‐genome analysis of 150 bovine GBS isolates we discovered that a single CC61 clone is spreading throughout Portuguese herds since at least the early 1990s, having virtually replaced the previous GBS population. Mutations within an iron/manganese transporter were independently acquired by all of the CC61 isolates, underlining a key adaptive strategy to persist in the bovine host. Lateral transfer of bacteriocin production and antibiotic resistance genes also underscored the contribution of the microbial ecology and genetic pool within the bovine udder environment to the success of this clone. Compared to strains of human origin, GBS evolves twice as fast in bovines and undergoes recurrent pseudogenizations of human‐adapted traits. Our work provides new insights into the potentially irreversible adaptation of GBS to the bovine environment.
Functional analysis of Escherichia coliYad fimbriae reveals their potential role in environmental persistence
Authors: Larsonneur Fanny , Martin Fernando A. , Mallet Adeline , Martinez‐Gil Marta , Semetey Vincent , Ghigo Jean‐Marc , Beloin Christophe 
Published: October 2016

SummaryInitial adhesion of bacterial cells to surfaces or host tissues is a key step in colonisation and biofilm formation processes, and is mediated by cell surface appendages. It was previously demonstrated that Escherichia coli K‐12 possesses an arsenal of silenced chaperone‐usher fimbriae that were functional when constitutively expressed. Among them, production of prevalent Yad fimbriae induces adhesion to abiotic surfaces. Functional characterisation of Yad fimbriae were undertook, and YadN was identified as the most abundant and potential major pilin, and YadC as the potential tip‐protein of Yad fimbriae. It was showed that Yad production participates to binding of E. coli K‐12 to human eukaryotic cells (Caco‐2) and inhibits macrophage phagocytosis, but also enhances E. coli K‐12 binding to xylose, a major component of the plant cell wall, through its tip‐lectin YadC. Consistently, it was demonstrated that Yad production provides E. coli with a competitive advantage in colonising corn seed rhizospheres. The latter phenotype is correlated with induction of Yad expression at temperatures below 37°C, and under anaerobic conditions, through a complex regulatory network. Taken together, these results suggest that Yad fimbriae are versatile adhesins that beyond potential capacities to modulate host–pathogen interactions might contribute to E. coli environmental persistence.
Growth of Pseudomonas taiwanensisVLB120∆C biofilms in the presence of n‐butanol
Authors: Halan Babu , Vassilev Igor , Lang Karsten , Schmid Andreas , Buehler Katja 
Published: October 2016

SummaryBiocatalytic processes often encounter problems due to toxic reactants and products, which reduce biocatalyst viability. Thus, robust organisms capable of tolerating or adapting towards such compounds are of high importance. This study systematically investigated the physiological response of Pseudomonas taiwanensis VLB120∆C biofilms when exposed to n‐butanol, one of the potential next generation biofuels as well as a toxic substance using microscopic and biochemical methods. Initially P. taiwanensis VLB120∆C biofilms did not show any observable growth in the presence of 3% butanol. Prolonged cultivation of 10 days led to biofilm adaptation, glucose and oxygen uptake doubled and consequently it was possible to quantify biomass. Complementing the medium with yeast extract and presumably reducing the metabolic burden caused by butanol exposure further increased the biomass yield. In course of cultivation cells reduced their size in the presence of n‐butanol which results in an enlarged surface‐to‐volume ratio and thus increased nutrient uptake. Finally, biofilm enhanced its extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production when exposed to n‐butanol. The predominant response of these biofilms under n‐butanol stress are higher energy demand, increased biomass yield upon medium complements, larger surface‐to‐volume ratio and enhanced EPS production. Although we observed a distinct increase in biomass in the presence of 3% butanol it was not possible to cultivate P. taiwanensis VLB120∆C biofilms at higher n‐butanol concentrations. Thereby this study shows that biofilms are not per se tolerant against solvents, and need to adapt to toxic n‐butanol concentrations.
Laccase: a multi‐purpose biocatalyst at the forefront of biotechnology
Authors: Mate Diana M. , Alcalde Miguel 
Published: October 2016

SummaryLaccases are multicopper containing enzymes capable of performing one electron oxidation of a broad range of substrates. Using molecular oxygen as the final electron acceptor, they release only water as a by‐product, and as such, laccases are eco‐friendly, versatile biocatalysts that have generated an enormous biotechnological interest. Indeed, this group of enzymes has been used in different industrial fields for very diverse purposes, from food additive and beverage processing to biomedical diagnosis, and as cross‐linking agents for furniture construction or in the production of biofuels. Laccases have also been studied intensely in nanobiotechnology for the development of implantable biosensors and biofuel cells. Moreover, their capacity to transform complex xenobiotics makes them useful biocatalysts in enzymatic bioremediation. This review summarizes the most significant recent advances in the use of laccases and their future perspectives in biotechnology.
A preliminary test of catabolic nutrients in explanation of the puzzling treelessness of grassland in mesic Australia
Authors: Mills Anthony J. , Milewski Antoni V. , Sirami Clélia 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe puzzling exclusion of native trees from grassland under mesic climates can hypothetically be explained by nutritional regimes that make grasses competitively superior to trees. One hypothesis holds that where nutrient concentrations in soils allow catabolism to be as rapid as anabolism at the scale of the whole plant, photosynthates are respired instead of being allocated to stems, resulting in dominance of herbaceous over woody growth‐forms. This matching of catabolic and anabolic rates would depend on the ratios of catabolic to anabolic nutrient elements in soils at a particular site. We consequently investigated elemental concentrations of soils near boundaries between treeless grassland and eucalypt woodland in New South Wales, Australia. Soils were analysed for Be, Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Mo, Cd, Ba and Pb. Based on our preliminary classification of nutrients as mainly catabolic (e.g. Cu) or mainly anabolic (e.g. Mn), the results showed that, relative to adjacent woodland, the soils under treeless grassland were naturally enriched in anabolic nutrients, but even more so in catabolic nutrients. Furthermore, the greater concentration of Mo – which can induce deficiency of the catabolic nutrient Cu – in soils under woodland than in soils under treeless grassland suggests that catabolic dystrophy allows eucalypt seedlings to prevail in competition with grasses. The results support the theory that where ratios of catabolic to anabolic nutrients are sufficient grasses will achieve competitive superiority over woody seedlings. Our study indicates that soil nutrient concentrations may partly explain the incidence of natural patches of treeless grassland in Australian landscapes otherwise dominated by woody plants.
An early innate response underlies severe influenza‐induced exacerbations of asthma in a novel steroid‐insensitive and anti‐IL‐5‐responsive mouse model
Authors: Ravanetti L. , Dijkhuis A. , Sabogal Pineros Y. S. , Bal S. M. , Dierdorp B. S. , Dekker T. , Logiantara A. , Adcock I. M. , Rao N. L. , Boon L. , Villetti G. , Sterk P. J. , Facchinetti F. , Lutter R. ,   for the U‐BIOPRED Study Group
Published: October 2016

AbstractBackgroundAcute worsening of asthma symptoms (exacerbation) is predominantly triggered by respiratory viruses, with influenza causing the most severe exacerbations. The lack of an adequate animal model hampers mechanistic insight and the development of new therapeutics.AimWe developed and characterized a robust, consistent, and reproducible mouse model of severe exacerbation of chronic allergic asthma.MethodsChronic allergic airway inflammation was induced following a house dust mite (HDM) sensitization protocol. HDM‐sensitized mice and controls were infected with influenza virus A/X31 H3N2 and either or not treated with inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP), systemic corticosteroids (Pred), or anti‐IL‐5. Mice were killed at different time points after infection: Cellular accumulation and cytokines levels in the airways, PenH as a measure of airway hyper‐responsiveness (AHR), and lung histology and viral replication were assessed.ResultsInfection with low‐dose A/X31 H3N2 led to prolonged deterioration of lung function, aggravated mucus production, peri‐vascular, peri‐bronchial, and allergic inflammation that was unresponsive to inhaled corticosteroids, but responsive to systemic corticosteroids. The exacerbation was preceded at 14 h after virus exposure by a marked innate, but no Th2 and Th1 response subsequently followed by enhanced numbers of eosinophils, neutrophils, dendritic, and T cells into the lung lumen, parenchyma, and draining lymph nodes in HDM‐sensitized mice. Anti‐IL‐5 treatment attenuated eosinophils and prevented the X31‐induced exacerbation.ConclusionsTogether, these findings indicate that an early innate response that involves eosinophils underlies the exacerbation. This model recapitulates all major features of severe asthma exacerbations and can serve to discern driving mechanisms and promote the development of novel therapeutics.
Participation of protein kinases and phosphatases in the progesterone‐induced acrosome reaction and calcium influx in human spermatozoa
Authors: Barón L. , Fara K. , Zapata‐Carmona H. , Zuñiga L. , Kong M. , Signorelli J. , Díaz E. S. , Morales P. 
Published: October 2016

SummaryIn human spermatozoa, protein kinases have a role in the acrosome reaction (AR) induced by a variety of stimuli. However, there is disagreement or a lack of information regarding the role of protein kinases and phosphatases in the progesterone (P)‐induced increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). In addition, there are no studies regarding the role of Ser/Thr and Tyr phosphatases and there are contradictory results regarding the role of Tyr kinases in the P‐induced acrosome reaction. Here, we performed a simultaneous evaluation of the involvement of protein kinases and phosphatases in the P‐induced acrosome reaction and in the P‐induced calcium influx. Motile spermatozoa were capacitated for 18 h and different aliquots were allocated to treated or control groups and then evaluated for their ability to undergo the acrosome reaction and to increase [Ca2+]i in response to P. The acrosome reaction was evaluated using Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA)‐FITC, and [Ca2+]i was evaluated using fura 2AM. At all of the concentrations tested, PKA inhibitors significantly reduced the percentage of the P‐induced acrosome reaction (p < 0.001). However, only the highest concentrations of PKA inhibitors reduced the P‐induced calcium influx; lower concentrations of PKA inhibitors did not affect it. Similar results were apparent for PKC inhibitors and for tyrosine kinase inhibitors. None of the Ser/Thr phosphatase inhibitors affected the P‐induced acrosome reaction or the P‐induced calcium influx, except for the PP2B inhibitors that significantly reduced the P‐induced acrosome reaction without affecting calcium influx. Finally, the protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors significantly blocked the P‐induced acrosome reaction and reduced the amplitude of the P‐induced calcium transient (p < 0.001) as well as the amplitude of the plateau phase (p < 0.01). The data suggest that protein kinases and possibly PP2B have a role on the acrosome reaction at some point downstream of calcium entry and that Tyr phosphatases have a role on the acrosome reaction upstream of calcium entry.
Velamentous or marginal cord insertion and the risk of spontaneous preterm birth, prelabor rupture of the membranes, and anomalous cord length, a population‐based study
Authors: Ebbing Cathrine , Johnsen Synnøve L. , Albrechtsen Susanne , Sunde Ingvild D. , Vekseth Christina , Rasmussen Svein 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIntroductionAnomalous cord insertion is associated with increased risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcome. Our aim was to study whether anomalous cord insertion is associated with prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM), preterm PROM (pPROM), long or short umbilical cord, and time trend of spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) and anomalous cord insertion.Material and methodsA population‐based register study using data from the Medical Birth Register of Norway including all singleton births (gestational age >16 weeks and <45 weeks) during 1999–2013 (n = 860 465) to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for PROM, pPROM, SPTB, and cord length (>95th or <5th centile) according to the cord insertion site by logistic regression with adjustment for possible confounders. We also assessed time trends of SPTB and anomalous cord insertion.ResultsVelamentous insertion of the cord was associated with an increased risk of PROM (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.5–1.7), pPROM (OR 2.7, 95% CI 2.4–3.0), SPTB (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.9–2.2), and a short cord (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5–1.8). Marginal insertion was to a lesser extent associated with these complications. Occurrences of SPTB and anomalous insertion declined. The decline in SPTB persisted after including an interaction term between anomalous insertion and time.ConclusionsVelamentous and, to a lesser extent, marginal cord insertions were associated with increased risk of PROM, pPROM, SPTB, and short cord. This suggests a common pathogenesis behind altered function of the membranes, cord, and placenta. The decline in SPTB could not be explained by the reduction in the occurrence of anomalous cord insertion.