bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alternative splicing QTLs in European and African populations using Altrans, a novel method for splice junction quantification
Authors: Ongen Halit , Dermitzakis Emmanouil T. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWith the advent of RNA-sequencing technology we now have the power to detect different types of alternative splicing and how DNA variation affects splicing. However, given the short read lengths used in most population based RNA-sequencing experiments, quantifying transcripts accurately remains a challenge. Here we present a novel method, Altrans, for discovery of alternative splicing quantitative trait loci (asQTLs). To assess the performance of Altrans we compared it to Cufflinks, a well-established transcript quantification method. Simulations show that in the presence of transcripts absent from the annotation, Altrans performs better in quantifications than Cufflinks. We have applied Altrans and Cufflinks to the Geuvadis dataset, which comprises samples from European and African populations, and discovered (FDR = 1%) 1806 and 243 asQTLs with Altrans, and 1596 and 288 asQTLs with Cufflinks for Europeans and Africans, respectively. Although Cufflinks results replicated better across the two populations, this likely due to the increased sensitivity of Altrans in detecting harder to detect associations. We show that, by discovering a set of asQTLs in a smaller subset of European samples and replicating these in the remaining larger subset of Europeans, both methods achieve similar replication levels (94% and 98% replication in Altrans and Cufflinks, respectively). We find that method specific asQTLs are largely due to different types of alternative splicing events detected by each method. We overlapped the asQTLs with biochemically active regions of the genome and observed significant enrichments for many functional marks and variants in splicing regions, highlighting the biological relevance of the asQTLs identified. All together, we present a novel approach for discovering asQTLs that is a more direct assessment of splicing compared to other methods and is complementary to other transcript quantification methods.
Revisiting Demand Rules for Gene Regulation
Authors: Prajapat Mahendra Kumar , Jain Kirti , Choudhury Debika , Choudhary Gauri S. , Saini Supreet 
Published: January 2015

AbstractStarting with Savageau’s pioneering work from 1970s, here, we choose the simplest transcription network and ask: How does the cell choose a regulatory topology from the different available possibilities? We study the natural distribution of topologies at genome, systems, and micro-level inE. coliand perform stochastic simulations to help explain the differences in natural distributions. Analyzing regulation of amino acid biosynthesis and carbon utilization inE. coliandB. subtilis, we observe many deviations from the demand rules, and observe an alternate pattern emerging. Overall, our results indicate that choice of topology is drawn randomly from a pool of all networks which satisfy the kinetic requirements of the cell, as dictated by physiology. In short, simply, the cell picks “whatever works”.
Crystal structures and conformations of two Diels–Alder adduct derivatives: 1,8-bis(thiophen-2-yl)-14-oxatetracyclo[6.5.1.02,7.09,13]tetradeca-2(7),3,5-trien-10-one and 1,8-diphenyl-14-oxatetracyclo[6.5.1.02,7.09,13] tetradeca-2,4,6-trien-10-one
Authors: Gopinath S. , Narayanan P. , Sethusankar K. , Nandakumar Meganathan , Mohanakrishnan Arasambattu K. 
Published: January 2015

The title compounds, C21H16O2S2(I) and C25H20O2(II), are products of a tandem `pincer' Diels–Alder reaction consisting of [2 + 2] cycloadditions between benzo[c]furan and cyclopentanone. Each comprises a fused tetracyclic ring system containing two five-membered rings (inenvelopeconformations with the O atom as the flap) and six-membered rings (inboatconformations). In addition, two thiophene rings in (I) and two phenyl rings in (II) are attached to the tetracyclic ring system. The cyclopentanone ring adopts atwistedconformation in (I) and anenvelopeconformation in (II). In (I), the thiophene rings are positionally disordered over two sets of sites, with occupancy ratios of 0.901 (2):0.099 (2) and 0.666 (2):0.334 (2). In (II), the oxygen atom of the cyclopentanone ring is rotationally disordered over two sites with an occupancy ratio of 0.579 (4):0.421 (4). The molecular structure of (I) is stabilized by an intramolecular C—H...O hydrogen bond, which generates anS(7) ring motif. In the crystal, the molecules are linkedviaweak C—H...O hydrogen bonds, which generateR22(16) ring motifs in (I) andC(8) chains in (II). In both structures, the crystal packing also features C—H...π interactions. The crystal studied of compound (I) was twinned by non-merohedry. The twin component is related by the twin law [−1 0 0 −0.101 1 −0.484 0 0 −1] operated by a twofold rotation axis parallel to thebaxis. The structure of (I) was refined with a twin scale factor of 0.275 (2).
Power distance and its moderating role in the relationship between situational job characteristics and job satisfaction
Authors: Hauff Sven , Richter Nicole 
Published: January 2015

Purpose– Power distance describes a central facet of national culture, because it influences the acceptance and endorsement of job characteristics related to status and power. This has major implications for international human resource management, because the importance of different situational job characteristics for employee job satisfaction should differ across cultures. The purpose of this paper is to analyse if and how national power distance levels moderate different situational job characteristics’ influence on job satisfaction.Design/methodology/approach– The authors refer to three approaches to culture: the frameworks of Hofstede and GLOBE as well as to current scores provided in a meta-analysis. The empirical findings are derived using regression analyses on a sample covering 16 nations.Findings– The results are convincing regarding the basic job satisfaction driver model not involving culture. However, the results on power distance’s impact as well as its moderating role are strongly dependent on the culture concepts utilised. The authors provide an analysis of differences along the measurements behind the different concepts.Originality/value– The authors can conclude that national differences in job satisfaction, as found in various studies, are a result of differences in situational dispositions to work life rather than a result of different cultural surroundings in terms of power distance. The question is whether this is due to power distance’s lack of impact or due to other factors, such as the difficulties of measuring culture. The authors discuss the differences which are due to different measurements. For ultimately confirming power distance’s moderating role and for advancing theorizing in this field, further research, which can build on the framework offered in this paper, is needed that directly measures the individual power distance facets in addition to the job characteristics and satisfaction values.
Volunteerism and organisational culture
Authors: Jain Ajay K. 
Published: January 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of motives for volunteerism and organizational culture on organizational commitment (OC) and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) in Indian work context.Design/methodology/approach– The data were collected from 248 middle and senior managers of a public sector organization in India. The self and other reported questionnaires were used to collect the data.Findings– Results of hierarchical regression analysis have shown that personal development dimension of volunteerism was found to be the positive predictor of OC and OCB both. However, career enhancement, empathy and community concern dimensions of volunteerism had mixed effects on both the criterion variables. Furthermore, culture had not shown a significant impact on OCB; however, it had a positive influence on affective and continuance commitment. Moreover, demographic variables (age, education and tenure) had strong impact on OC than OCB.Practical implications– OC and OCB are highly desirable forms of employees’ behavior in which motivation for volunteerism and organizational culture can play a significant role. However, both OC and OCB are differentially predicted by these antecedent variables.Originality/value– This is the first study which has explored the impact of motives for volunteerism on OC and OCB in the field of organizational behavior in a non-western work context such as India.
Conceptualising scholarship within college-based higher education
Authors: Eaton Jonathan 
Published: January 2015

Purpose
– During a period of significant crisis within HE on a global scale, there is a clear need for colleges to clearly articulate the distinct nature of their higher vocational education provision. This need is particularly acute given the current financial and political pressures impacting on a diverse HE landscape. The purpose of this paper is to argue that colleges are well placed to develop and implement an approach to scholarly activity which revitalises links with local communities.

Design/methodology/approach
– This paper provides a synthesis of recent research on scholarly activity within college-based higher education (CBHE) and the concept of a “civic university”. It also provides a brief case study of how scholarship within the college context can be utilised to promote meaningful community engagement.

Findings
– Working productively with community organisations, groups and individuals, colleges will be provoked to recast the complex relationship between teaching, research and community engagement in a manner appropriate to their immediate context rather than a national agenda. Moreover, a strengthened relationship between colleges and their local communities will recapture the rich heritage of vocational education in widening participation and raising aspirations towards education in general.

Originality/value
– This paper attempts to relocate current discussions of CBHE scholarly activity within the context of civic engagement. It will be of interest to colleagues across the higher vocational education sector, both nationally and internationally, in situating their institutional and departmental scholarly activity strategies within the context of the communities which they serve.
Scandals of abuse: policy responses in intellectual disabilities
Authors: Halladay Peter Mark , Harrington Charlene 
Published: January 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to compare two scandals related to the care of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in the USA and the UK.

Design/methodology/approach
– A descriptive case study methodology was used to conduct an in-depth qualitative analysis of the two scandals to examine the process of scandal development, and to survey the policy response against policy trends and theories of abuse in each case. The two cases were systematically analysed against a theoretical framework derived from Bonnie and Wallace (2003) theoretical framework for understanding abuse based on its sociocultural context, the social embeddedness of organisations providing care, and the individual level characteristics and interactions of subjects and carers.

Findings
– In both cases the process of scandal construction was comparable, and each case offered confirmatory support to extant theories of abuse, and to wider policy trends within I/DD.

Research limitations/implications
– The study examines only the short-term policy responses to the scandals in two countries, based on published material only.

Originality/value
– This paper contributes an international comparison of the similarities and differences in the social construction of scandal and the policy responses to abuse and neglect of a vulnerable population using systematic analytical frameworks.
Science mapping in industrial marketing
Authors: Vieira Francisco , Brito Carlos 
Published: January 2015

Purpose– This study aims to map scientific knowledge in industrial marketing.Design/methodology/approach– The research was conducted on the basis of a quantitative and descriptive research using scientometric analysis based on scientific records. It analyzes more than 14,000 scientific records on theScopusdatabase from 1956 to 2009. The sample fits Bradford’s and Lotka’s power laws of distribution of science in use.Findings– The study reveals the existence of four stages: the genesis of this stream of research (1956-1984), the early development (1985-1995), the consolidation of production (1996-2003) and the phase of scientific maturity (from 2004) with an increasing number of records in recent years. Regarding authorship, there is a clear predominance of single authorship and an average increase in the number of authors per record from one to two authors for recent years. The main sources of knowledge are theJournal of Business & Industrial Marketingand theIndustrial Marketing Managementjournal. A statistical significance is shown between the number of records and the number of papers per journal, highlighting that Management Science and Industrial Marketing Management journals are the most cited sources.Practical implications– Practitioners find in this paper a sound basis for a wide perspective of the key issues addressed by researchers on industrial marketing over the past decades, as well as good insights in terms of the main challenges faced by companies in this field.Originality/value– Evidence was found of the existence of a long tail behavior in scientific literature of industrial marketing regarding chronology, sources, number of records with a single author and number of records cited.
Motivations of small firms to develop relationships with banks
Authors: Scarpi Daniele , Visentin Marco 
Published: January 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to investigate what drives the decision of small non-food store retailers to develop a relationship with the bank financing them. The analysis addresses the banking industry and quantifies the extent to which a decision to develop a relationship is influenced by satisfaction, trust and by two different kinds of values, namely, monadic and dyadic.Design/methodology/approach– The analysis is based on data collected from more than 400 small business by means of a questionnaire, and develops a structural equation model to estimate the impact of satisfaction, trust and value constructs on the intention to develop the relationship.Findings– The results show that satisfaction and trust do not exert a direct effect on the decision to develop the relationship that is directly determined by dyadic value (i.e. the comparison between the cumulated value given through time and the cumulated efforts sustained by the partner). In turn, dyadic value stems from monadic value (i.e. the self-centred comparison of the costs and benefits experienced within the relationship). In a nutshell, considering value perceptions by the business partner and the relational dimension of value provides a better understanding of the intention of small firms to develop their relationship with a financing bank.Originality/value– This study contributes to shaping a picture of the motivations that lead small firms to develop a relationship with their financing bank. Drawing from a heterogeneous literature and considering individual-level variables, a theoretical model is developed to include the relational dimension of value and value perceptions by the business partner in the relationship. The empirical analysis provides useful indications to practitioners to understand and effectively manage the partner’s decision to develop the relationship, suggesting where to intervene.
Top management commitment and involvement and their link to key account management effectiveness
Authors: Tzempelikos Nektarios 
Published: January 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of the study is to examine the role of top management in effective key account management (KAM) relationships, making a distinction between top management commitment and top management involvement.

Design/methodology/approach
– The study uses data from 304 suppliers from different sectors to test the research model and hypotheses developed. Data were collected by means of personal interviews. The survey instrument was a structured questionnaire.

Findings
– Results show that top management commitment positively affects top management involvement. In addition, top management involvement totally mediates the relationship between top management commitment and relationship quality. Finally, relationship quality positively relates to financial performance.

Research limitations/implications
– The study focuses on the role of top management in KAM. Future research that considers the top management’s role simultaneously with other internal or external factors would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the antecedents of effective KAM. Future studies can also examine the potential detrimental impact of top management involvement in KAM.

Practical implications
– Top managers should get actively involved in KAM. The study provides managers with guidance concerning how top management can have the greatest effect on KAM effectiveness.

Originality/value
– The study adds to our understanding of the role of top management in KAM. The study provides an integrative empirical examination of the influence of top management in KAM and offer insights on which ways top management determines KAM success.
The role of listening in e-contact center customer relationship management
Authors: Park JungKun , Chung Te-Lin (Doreen) , Gunn Frances , Rutherford Brian 
Published: January 2015

Purpose– The main purpose of the study is to examine the relationships between e-listening and customers’ perceptions of interpersonal service quality and utilitarian value during e-contact center interactions.Design/methodology/approach– Participants completed an online survey about their service experiences with e-contact centers. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.Findings– This study found that e-listening is highly related to interpersonal service quality and utilitarian value. Interpersonal service quality is positively related to e-satisfaction and e-loyalty, both with e-contact centers and e-retailers.Research limitations/implications– The study utilizes general active empathetic listening (AEL) constructs identified in previous research. Although these constructs provide a way to differentiate the cognitive aspects of AEL, and therefore, a mechanism for discerning utilitarian value, further qualitative studies on nonverbal cues in online communications would develop insights into more granular, behavioral dimensions and effects of e-listening. In addition, the study is based on general e-retailing processes, and is not focused on a specific business or sector. The magnitude of the effects of e-listening on the different factors related to customer relationships may vary with different sectors.Practical implications– E-contact centers should provide interpersonal interactions that emphasize utilitarian value. The centers should be staffed by employees who are well trained in AEL and who are provided with appropriate resources. The interactions of these e-contact centers can provide significant input to e-retailers about the improvement of service quality and resulting customer e-loyalty.Originality/value– The research provides an original view of service quality in e-contact center contexts and makes a valuable contribution to understanding the evolving service offerings of multi-channel e-retailing. The study provides support for the argument that value and quality in interpersonal interactions with e-contact centers lead to satisfaction and consequently to customer loyalty.
Corporate social responsibility and customer loyalty: exploring the role of identification, satisfaction and type of company
Authors: Pérez Andrea , Rodríguez del Bosque Ignacio 
Published: January 2015

Purpose– The aim of the authors of this paper is to propose a cognitive – affective – conative sequential model to study how three dimensions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) image (society, customers and employees) impact customer affective (identification and satisfaction) and behavioural (recommendation and repurchase) responses in the banking industry. The authors also test how the type of company (savings banks vs commercial banks) moderates customer responses to these three dimensions of CSR image.Design/methodology/approach– A multi-group structural equation model is tested using information collected from 648 savings banks’ customers and 476 commercial banks’ customers in Spain.Findings– The findings demonstrate that the perceptions of customer-centric CSR initiatives positively and consistently impact customer identification with the banking institution, satisfaction, recommendation and repurchase behaviours in the savings and commercial banks’ samples. The dimensions of CSR image that concern the activities oriented to society and employees only positively impact customer responses in the savings banks’ sample.Practical implications– The findings of this study can assist scholars in creating more informative CSR-based loyalty models that take into consideration new variables (satisfaction and type of company) and better approaches to the conceptualization of CSR image (e.g. the formative approach). The findings can also assist savings and commercial banks in better designing their CSR and communication initiatives to benefit from customer affective and conative responses.Originality/value– The contributions of the paper are threefold: the authors include satisfaction as a new variable in the study of the CSR-based loyalty model; the CSR image is conceptualized as a formative construct, and this provides new justifications for the mixed results reported by previous scholars who have analysed the effects of CSR image on customer loyalty; and the authors explore the moderating role of the type of company on the CSR-based loyalty model proposed in the paper.
Thermal fluid-structure interaction of PCB configurations during the wave soldering process
Authors: Abdul Aziz M.S. , Abdullah M.Z. , Khor C.Y. 
Published: January 2015

Purpose
– This paper aims to investigate the thermal fluid–structure interactions (FSIs) of printed circuit boards (PCBs) at different component configurations during the wave soldering process and experimental validation.

Design/methodology/approach
– The thermally induced displacement and stress on the PCB and its components are the foci of this study. Finite volume solver FLUENT and finite element solver ABAQUS, coupled with a mesh-based parallel code coupling interface, were utilized to perform the analysis. A sound card PCB (138 × 85 × 1.5 mm3), consisting of a transistor, diode, capacitor, connector and integrated circuit package, was built and meshed by using computational fluid dynamics pre-processing software. The volume of fluid technique with the second-order upwind scheme was applied to track the molten solder. C language was utilized to write the user-defined functions of the thermal profile. The structural solver analyzed the temperature distribution, displacement and stress of the PCB and its components. The predicted temperature was validated by the experimental results.

Findings
– Different PCB component configurations resulted in different temperature distributions, thermally induced stresses and displacements to the PCB and its components. Results show that PCB component configurations significantly influence the PCB and yield unfavorable deformation and stress.

Practical implications
– This study provides PCB designers with a profound understanding of the thermal FSI phenomenon of the process control during wave soldering in the microelectronics industry.

Originality/value
– This study provides useful guidelines and references by extending the understanding on the thermal FSI behavior of molten solder for PCBs. This study also explores the behaviors and influences of PCB components at different configurations during the wave soldering process.