bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genomic ancestry and ethnoracial self-classification based on 5,871 community-dwelling Brazilians (The Epigen Initiative)
Authors: Lima-Costa M. Fernanda , Rodrigues Laura C. , Barreto Maurício L. , Gouveia Mateus , Horta Bernardo L. , Mambrini Juliana , Kehdy Fernanda S. G. , Pereira Alexandre , Rodrigues-Soares Fernanda , Victora Cesar G. , Tarazona-Santos Eduardo ,   Epigen-Brazil group, Cesar Cibele C. , Conceição Jackson S. , Costa Gustavo N.O. , Esteban Nubia , Fiaccone Rosemeire L. , Figueiredo Camila A. , Firmo Josélia O.A. , Horimoto Andrea R.V.R. , Leal Thiago P. , Machado Moara , Magalhães Wagner C.S. , de Oliveira Isabel Oliveira , Peixoto Sérgio V. , Rodrigues Maíra R. , Santos Hadassa C. , Silva Thiago M. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBrazil never had segregation laws defining membership of an ethnoracial group. Thus, the composition of the Brazilian population is mixed and its ethnoracial classification is complex. Previous studies showed conflicting results on the correlation between genome ancestry and ethnoracial classification in Brazilians. We used 370,539 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms to quantify this correlation in 5,851 community-dwelling individuals in the South (Pelotas), Southeast (Bambui) and Northeast (Salvador) Brazil. European ancestry was predominant in Pelotas and Bambui (median = 85.3% and 83.8%, respectively). African ancestry was highest in Salvador (median = 50.5%). The strength of the association between the phenotype and median proportion of African ancestry varied largely across populations, with pseudo R2 values of 0.50 in Pelotas, 0.22 in Bambui and 0.13 in Salvador. The continuous proportion of African genomic ancestry showed a significant S-shape positive association with self-reported Blacks in the three sites and the reverse trend was found for self reported Whites, with most consistent classifications in the extremes of the high and low proportion of African ancestry. In self-classified Mixed individuals, the predicted probability of having African ancestry was bell-shaped. Our results support the view that ethnoracial self-classification is affected by both genome ancestry and non-biological factors.
Human exonuclease 1 (EXO1) activity characterization and its function on flap structures
Authors: Keijzers Guido , Bohr Vilhelm A. , Rasmussen Lene Juel 
Published: April 2015

Human exonuclease 1 (EXO1) is involved in multiple DNA metabolism processes, including DNA repair and replication. Most of the fundamental roles of EXO1 have been described in yeast. Here, we report a biochemical characterization of human full-length EXO1. Prior to assay EXO1 on different DNA flap structures, we determined factors essential for the thermodynamic stability of EXO1. We show that enzymatic activity and stability of EXO1 on DNA is modulated by temperature. By characterization of EXO1 flap activity using various DNA flap substrates, we show that EXO1 has a strong capacity for degrading double stranded DNA and has a modest endonuclease or 5′ flap activity. Furthermore, we report novel mechanistic insights into the processing of flap structures, showing that EXO1 preferentially cleaves one nucleotide inwards in a double stranded region of a forked and nicked DNA flap substrates, suggesting a possible role of EXO1 in strand displacement.
Practical implementation of stripmap Doppler imaging
Authors: Garry Joseph Landon , Smith Graeme Edward , Baker Christopher John 
Published: April 2015

Doppler imaging is a technique that can generate fine two‐dimensional (2D) imagery in the absence of large bandwidths. Radar imaging has traditionally consisted of combining wide bandwidth waveforms with aperture synthesis. Wide bandwidth waveforms provide high resolution in down‐range (line‐of‐sight), whereas aperture synthesis enables high resolution in the orthogonal direction. However, in today’s increasingly congested spectral environment, using wide bandwidths waveforms is becoming less and less attractive. Consequently, imaging techniques that require only narrow bandwidth waveforms offer very attractive and practical advantages. An approach, examined here, is to use phase in conjunction with aperture synthesis to achieve high resolution in down‐range while using narrowband waveforms. This method has the added benefit of using the same collection geometry as traditional stripmap synthetic aperture radar imaging. Therefore Doppler imaging is compatible with use in spectrally congested environments where wide bandwidth waveforms might be prohibited. In this study, the basic Doppler imaging concept is explained, a simple framework for its operation is introduced and resolution limits are examined. Results are presented from both simulations and full‐scale experiments, which demonstrate range resolutions as fine as 23 cm using an 8.9 GHz CW waveform and 2 m long synthetic aperture.
Environmentally mediated trends in otolith composition of juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
Authors: Stanley Ryan R. E. , Bradbury Ian R. , DiBacco Claudio , Snelgrove Paul V. R. , Thorrold Simon R. , Killen Shaun S. 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
We evaluated the influence of environmental exposure of juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) to inform interpretations of natal origins and movement patterns using otolith geochemistry. Laboratory rearing experiments were conducted with a variety of temperature (∼5, 8.5, and 12°C) and salinity (∼25, 28.5, and 32 PSU) combinations. We measured magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), strontium (Sr), and barium (Ba), expressed as a ratio to calcium (Ca), using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotopes using isotope ratio monitoring mass spectrometry. Temperature and salinity significantly affected all elements and isotopes measured, except salinity on Mg:Ca. We detected significant interactions among temperature and salinity for Mn:Ca and Ba:Ca partition coefficients (ratio of otolith chemistry to water chemistry), with significant temperature effects only detected in the 32 and 28.5 PSU salinity treatments. Similarly, we detected a significant interaction between temperature and salinity in incorporation of δ13C, with a significant temperature effect except at intermediate salinity. These results support the contention that environmental mediation of otolith composition varies among species, thus limiting the ability of generalized models to infer life history patterns from chemistry. Our results provide essential baseline information detailing environmental influence on juvenile Atlantic cod otolith composition, punctuating the importance of laboratory validations to translate species-specific otolith composition when inferring in situ life histories and movements.
Pluripotency Conversion of Gene Studied from Quantum Folding Theory
Authors: Luo Liaofu 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe chemically and physically induced pluripotency in a stem cell is studied from the point of quantum transition between differentiation and pluripotency states in genes. The quantum folding theory of a macromolecule is briefly reviewed. The relation of protein folding rate with the number N of torsion modes participating in the quantum transition (coherence degree) is discussed and a simple statistical relationship is obtained. As a unifying approach to conformational quantum transition the folding rate formula can be generalized from protein to nucleic acid. It is found that the formula of folding rate versus N well fits RNA folding data. Then the quantum folding theory is applied to study the pluripotency conversion in stem cell. We proved that the acquisition of pluripotency is essentially a quantum-stochastic event of small-probability through the comparison of the rate with protein folding. Due to the large coherence degree of DNA and the uphill nature of torsion transition the pluripotency-acquisition rate should be small. By establishing the reaction network of the conformational change of the pluripotency genes the characteristic time of the chemical reprogramming is calculated and the result is consistent with experiments. The dependence of the transition rate on physical factors such as temperature, PH value and the volume and shape of the coherent domain of the gene is analyzed from the rate equation. Based on these studies an approach to the physically induced pluripotency with higher rate is proposed.
Women directors and IPO underpricing: evidence from Indian markets
Authors: Handa Rekha , Singh Balwinder 
Published: April 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to fill the gap of the relatively under-researched impact of women directors on initial public offering (IPO) underpricing in developing countries. Gender diversity is an important emerging issue within the corporate governance literature. Recently, there has been a growing thrust on gender-diverse boards. However, their proportion on corporate boards is low worldwide. The paper examines the influence of women directors on the underpricing phenomenon pervasive in the IPO context.Design/methodology/approach– Gender diversity is an important emerging issue within the corporate governance literature. Recently, there has been a growing thrust on gender diverse boards. However, their proportion on corporate boards is low worldwide. The impact of women directors on IPO underpricing in developing countries remains relatively under-researched. This paper aims to fill this gap in research. The paper examines the influence of women directors on the underpricing phenomenon pervasive in the IPO context.Findings– The results suggest that the subscription ratio, listing delay and block holder ownership positively influence raw returns and market-adjusted excess returns. The proportion of women directors showed negative non-significant impact on both type of returns. We did not find evidence of the other explanatory variables included in the model.Research limitations/implications– The relatively low proportion of female directors may be the reason for some of the non-significant findings. Future research with a good gender balance on boards is likely to help generalising the findings. Other confounding factors also need to be included in the model for deeper explanations of the phenomenon.Practical implications– The study highlights the existence of a “glass ceiling” in Indian corporate settings, where women have to make a tough fight. This barrier must be removed to unleash the real talent of women as directors and see this talent reflected in returns.Social implications– The paper highlights both the need to better manage the gender balance in corporate board rooms and the need to incorporate women’s talents in corporate and investment decisions.Originality/value– The paper highlights the significant gender gap in IPO directorial positions in developing countries such as India. It explores female directors’ contributions in initial pricing performance, which remain unaddressed in this part of the world. Insights into this sensitive issue in an emerging economy such as India can provide important inputs.
Understanding China’s global energy strategy
Authors: Smith Stegen Karen 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– As China’s economy has expanded, so has its need for energy. Consequently, China has increased its domestic energy capacities and developed import strategies for oil and gas. In its international energy activities, China has progressed through a series of stages. The purpose of this paper is to focus on China’s latest stage: creating an overland energy network, supplied primarily by Central Asia’s Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and becoming the energy hub of an integrated Asian market – China’s recent “Silk Road” proposal. This paper also examines the impact of Chinese energy investments on the prospects of Central Asian energy producers transitioning to emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach
– The author delineate four stages of China’s international engagement and introduce the concept of the Chinese energy cooperation model: capital-intensive energy investments combined with the opening of local markets to Chinese goods. To assess the impact of this model on Central Asia, the author apply insights gained from analyzing the experience of resource-exporters in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Findings
– The author findings are twofold: China has secured the energy resources of several Central Asian states for its “Silk Road” plan; and the Chinese energy cooperation model brings rapid growth, but has effects deleterious to the attainment of emerging market status.

Originality/value
– This paper contributes to the limited knowledge on China’s “Silk Road” plan and on China’s impact on resource-rich developing countries and is useful for researchers, academics and policymakers.
Strategic transformation in the value-added wood products companies
Authors: Wan Minli , Lähtinen Katja , Toppinen Anne 
Published: April 2015

Purpose– China is a leading country in the production, consumption and exports of value-added wood products. Despite this fact, the sources of competitiveness and the existing strategies in the Chinese wood products companies have not been profoundly studied in an international context. The purpose of this paper is to fill these gaps by exploring managerial perceptions of these issues.Design/methodology/approach– The theoretical ingredients originating from the value chain theory, functional upgrading, the dynamic capability perspective and the natural resource-based view were combined to explore the shift of business functions and sources of the firm-level competitiveness in the Chinese wood products companies. In the empirical part, data from qualitative semi-structured interviews made with 28 managers of seven companies in China based on the case study method were used.Findings– Our results indicate a transition from non-branded manufacturing to original equipment manufacturing to original brand manufacturing business model. With this strategic transformation, the amount of resources and the relative importance of intangible resources increased and the nature of tangible resources also changed.Practical implications– Chinese companies tend to shift from low-value-added to high-value-added products production. Our results are not only informative about the current situation of the Chinese wood products companies, but also can be used as a background for assessing the impact of China’s increasing competitiveness on the future international wood products market.Originality/value– The dynamic capability perspective was incorporated in a new empirical approach to study the strategic management of woodworking industries, and our results provide new information on the importance of intangible resources for firm competitiveness.
Goal diversity and resource development in an inter-organisational project
Authors: Lind Frida 
Published: April 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to discuss the role of goal diversity for resource development organized in an inter-organizational project.Design/Methodology/Approach– The paper builds on a case study of an inter-organizational research project in the field of plant biotechnology in Sweden. The project had four members with differing goals: two research departments, one firm and one co-operative.Findings– This particular project shows a diversity of goals and seeks to explain how actors with very different goals and resources involve in inter-organizational collaboration. The case illustrates how the goals are nested in different ways and how the goals are and become related with the resources developed during the project. The explanation found is that the involved actors manage to match their goals and resources.Research limitations/implications– The paper identifies goal-and-resource-matching processes as an explanation behind resource development in collaboration between actors with diverse goals.Practical implications– Designing projects with actors who have diverse sets of resources have enormous potential, but such projects need to ensure that the goals are resources become matched, processes which can emerge during the course of the project.Originality/value– Few studies have focused on the interplay between diverse goals and resources in inter-organizational projects.
Innovation network trajectories: the role of time and history
Authors: Olaru Doina , Purchase Sharon 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– This article aims to describe patterns of change in innovation networks and to clarify the roles of time and history in shaping network trajectories. The authors test seven predictor variables and their interactions to examine their influences on network performance over time.

Design/methodology/approach
– A fuzzy simulation of innovation networks and investigations of different network types, using two classes of growth modeling techniques, help refine understanding of innovation as an interactive, developmental process.

Findings
– Innovation network trajectories are influenced by self-reinforcing, contradictory and damaging forces. History affects network trajectory development, particularly with regard to financial resource access. The temporal processes reveal three contrasting classes of developmental trajectories for innovation networks.

Research limitations/implications
– The study methodology can account for theoretically derived factors leading to innovation, in and across types of networks and for changes over time; it moves beyond a cross-sectional approach. Although the model structure is generic, the parameters are based on a radical innovation, so the findings may not transfer directly.

Practical implications
– Managers in innovation business networks can use the identified variables to improve network performance, by facilitating processes that inject financial capital and integrating heterogeneous skills that focus on a wider variety of skills that generate both exploratory and exploitative knowledge development.

Originality/value
– This article contributes to discourses on network trajectories through an analysis of processes that influence the growth and decline of innovation business network performance. An original methodology generates and analyzes dynamic longitudinal network data.
Contracts, relationships and innovation in business-to-business exchanges
Authors: Möhring Monika Maria , Finch John 
Published: April 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to contrast two approaches to the study of contracts in business and industrial marketing: first, as a legal document in shaping at the outset exchanges and interactions, for instance in projects; and second, as relational norms in becoming integrated into a business relationship through interactions, for instance as a resource.Design/methodology/approach– The paper draws on cross-case comparison of three projects, as actors develop an engineering service for optimizing the maintenance of large-scale capital equipment by analyzing real-time data from sensors and user records. Comparison is by coding interview and observational data as micro-sequences of interactions among actors.Findings– Preparing contracts allows a project to commence and is an early form of interaction, intensifying new relationships or cutting into and recasting established ones. Relational norms augment and can supersede the early focus on the contract, thus incorporating incremental innovation and absorbing some uncertainties.Research limitations/implications– The research approach benefits from detailed comparison and captures some variety across its three cases, but the discussion is limited to theoretical generalization.Practical implications– The analysis and discussion highlights and focuses on when different approaches to understanding contracting are more apparent across durable business relationships. Transitions from a contractual document to a view of relational norms are subtle, vulnerable and not always made successfully.Originality/value– This paper’s originality is in it comparison of overlapping approaches to understanding businesses’ uses of contacts in business and industrial marketing, of contract and relational norms. It develops a valuable research proposition, in the transition from a mainly contractual to a mainly relational uses of contracts, thus identifying contract as a particular business resource, to be deployed and embedded.
An exploratory study of using 3D avatars as online salespeople
Authors: Mull Ian , Wyss Jamie , Moon Eunjung , Lee Seung-Eun 
Published: April 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine consumers’ perceptions of using different types of 3D animated avatars as salespeople based on credibility, homophily, attractiveness and intention to interact.Design/methodology/approach– Using a survey method, participants (n=120) evaluated four types of 3D animated avatars (i.e. human, fantasy, animal and humanoid) based on the supposition the avatars would represent a salesperson for an online retailer.Findings– The results show that avatar type has a significant influence on the perception of credibility, homophily, and attractiveness. Furthermore, credibility, homophily, and attractiveness significantly influence the intention to interact with the avatar. Overall, the human avatar was found to be perceived as the most credible, homophilous, attractive and was regarded as the highest in relation to intention to interact.Originality/value– The practical and theoretical implications are discussed to offer guidance to online retailers, graphic designers, and researchers in the benefits and pitfalls of utilizing 3D animated avatars as salespeople.
Impact of store attributes on consumer-based retailer equity
Authors: Das Gopal 
Published: April 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to explore the impacts of store attributes on consumer-based retailer equity (CBRE) dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach
– A mall-intercept survey was undertaken using a systematic sampling of department store shoppers of age 18 years and above in Kolkata, a metropolitan city in India. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data from busy shopping malls or retail stores located in different places of Kolkata. The impact of store attributes on CBRE dimensions was explored using stepwise regression analysis.

Findings
– Results revealed that different sets of store attributes affect various CBRE dimensions differently.

Originality/value
– This paper is probably the first to explore the link between store attributes and CBRE dimensions in an Indian and department stores contexts.