bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leveraging distant relatedness to quantify human mutation and gene conversion rates
Authors: Palamara Pier Francesco , Francioli Laurent , Genovese Giulio , Wilton Peter , Gusev Alexander , Finucane Hilary , Sankararaman Sriram ,   The Genome of the Netherlands Consortium, Sunyaev Shamil , de Bakker Paul I.W. , Wakeley John , Pe’er Itsik , Price Alkes L. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe rate at which human genomes mutate is a central biological parameter that has many implications for our ability to understand demographic and evolutionary phenomena. We present a method for inferring mutation and gene conversion rates using the number of sequence differences observed in identical-by-descent (IBD) segments together with a reconstructed model of recent population size history. This approach is robust to, and can quantify, the presence of substantial genotyping error, as validated in coalescent simulations. We applied the method to 498 trio-phased Dutch individuals from the Genome of the Netherlands (GoNL) project, sequenced at an average depth of 13x. We infer a point mutation rate of 1.66 ± 0.04 × 10−8per base per generation, and a rate of 1.26 ± 0.06 × 10−9for < 20 bp indels. Our estimated average genome-wide mutation rate is higher than most pedigree-based estimates reported thus far, but lower than estimates obtained using substitution rates across primates. By quantifying how estimates vary as a function of allele frequency, we infer the probability that a site is involved in non-crossover gene conversion as 5.99 ± 0.69 × 10−6, consistent with recent reports. We find that recombination does not have observable mutagenic effects after gene conversion is accounted for, and that local gene conversion rates reflect recombination rates. We detect a strong enrichment for recent deleterious variation among mismatching variants found within IBD regions, and observe summary statistics of local IBD sharing to closely match previously proposed metrics of background selection, but find no significant effects of selection on our estimates of mutation rate. We detect no evidence for strong variation of mutation rates in a number of genomic annotations obtained from several recent studies.
Sequence evidence for common ancestry of eukaryotic endomembrane coatomers
Authors: Promponas Vasilis J. , Katsani Katerina R. , Blencowe Benjamin J. , Ouzounis Christos A. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractEukaryotic cells are defined by compartments through which the trafficking of macromolecules is mediated by large complexes, such as the nuclear pore, transport vesicles and intraflagellar transport. The assembly and maintenance of these complexes is facilitated by endomembrane coatomers, long suspected to be divergently related on the basis of structural and more recently phylogenomic analysis. By performing supervised walks in sequence space across coatomer superfamilies, we uncover subtle sequence patterns that have remained elusive to date, ultimately unifying eukaryotic coatomers by divergent evolution. The conserved residues shared by 3,502 endomembrane coatomer components are mapped onto the solenoid superhelix of nucleoporin and COPII protein structures, thus determining the invariant elements of coatomer architecture. This ancient structural motif can be considered as a universal signature connecting eukaryotic coatomers involved in multiple cellular processes across cell physiology and human disease.
Signatures of Dobzhansky-Muller Incompatibilities in the Genomes of Recombinant Inbred Lines
Authors: Colomé-Tatché Maria , Johannes Frank 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTIn the construction of Recombinant Inbred Lines (RILs) from two divergent inbred parents certain genotype (or epigenotype) combinations may be functionally “incompatible” when brought together in the genomes of the progeny, thus resulting in sterility or lower fertility. Natural selection against these epistatic combinations during inbreeding can change haplotype frequencies and distort linkage disequilibrium (LD) relations between loci within and across chromosomes. These LD distortions have received increased experimental attention, because they point to genomic regions that may drive Dobzhansky-Muller-type of reproductive isolation and, ultimately, speciation in the wild. Here we study the selection signatures of two-locus epistatic incompatibility models and quantify their impact on the genetic composition of the genomes of 2-way RILs obtained by selfing. We also consider the biases introduced by breeders when trying to counteract the loss of lines by selectively propagating only viable seeds. Building on our theoretical results, we develop model-based maximum likelihood (ML) tests which can be employed in pairwise genome scans for incompatibility loci using multi-locus genotype data. We illustrate this ML approach in the context of two publishedA.thalianaRIL panels. Our work lays the theoretical foundation for studying more complex systems such as RILs obtained by sibling mating and/or from multi-parental crosses.
Variability in cellular gene expression profiles and homeostatic regulation
Authors: Mishchenko Yuriy 
Published: June 2015

AbstractOne of surprising recent discoveries in biology is that the gene and protein expression profiles in cells with identical genetic and environmental makeup can exhibit large variability. The nature and the significance of this variability had been posed as one of the current fundamental questions of biology. In this letter, we argue that the observed variability in cellular gene and protein expression can be understood as an outcome of homeostatic regulation mechanisms controlling the gene and protein expression profiles.
The role of prosocial and intrinsic motivation in employees’ citizenship behaviour
Authors: Lazauskaite-Zabielske Jurgita , Urbanaviciute Ieva , Bagdziuniene Dalia 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of prosocial and intrinsic motivation and their interaction in predicting employees’ organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and its dimensions.Design/methodology/approach– In total, 884 employees from Lithuanian public sector were surveyed. The hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regression and moderation analyses.Findings– The results revealed that prosocial and intrinsic motivations predicted OCB and its dimensions. Moreover, intrinsic motivation was found to moderate the relationship between prosocial motivation and OCB and four of its dimensions, i.e. intrinsic motivation strengthened the relationship between prosocial motivation and OCB and its dimensions of altruism, courtesy, conscientiousness, and initiative.Research limitations/implications– The correlational design of the study does not allow making causal statements. In addition, the sample consisted of public sector employees only; therefore, caution should be made when applying the results to private sector employees. Finally, since all measures were self-reported, the data may suffer from common method bias.Originality/value– This study contributes to investigation of motivational antecedents of OCB by revealing the importance of prosocial and intrinsic motivation in predicting employees’ citizenship behaviour.
International banks’ CSR disclosures after the 2008 crisis
Authors: Laidroo Laivi , Sokolova Maia 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to determine the corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure level of 35 international banks across the world at the end of 2013 and analyse the changes in their disclosure patterns compared to 2005 from the institutional perspective.

Design/methodology/approach
– Content analysis of international banks’ web-sites and CSR reports.

Findings
– As expected, CSR disclosure scores of international banks in 2013 were significantly larger than in 2005. Despite addressing the legitimacy gap after the 2008 crisis, significant room for improvements remained in the context of sustainable products, implementation of environmental management policies and introduction of CSR initiatives (the latter especially for Northern American banks). Although the transnational context had contributed to the gradual convergence of CSR disclosure scores, the existence of differing national and organisational contexts had maintained some of the diversity across banks.

Research limitations/implications
– Content analysis approach used limits the possibilities to objectively grasp the depth of CSR and the sample remains biased towards larger international banks headquartered in Europe.

Practical implications
– Stakeholders should remain vary of “window-dressing” attempts and reward only those banks that actually contribute to the society.

Social implications
– Intergovernmental organisations should continue to develop both new and already existing financial sector CSR initiatives to improve the stability of the global financial sector.

Originality/value
– Previous studies have not investigated international banks’ CSR disclosures on broader global samples during the post-2008-crisis period and have not considered the institutional context of their CSR.
Mode I fracture characterization of human bone using the DCB test
Authors: Silva F.G.A. , de Moura M.F.S.F. , Dourado N , Pereira F. A. M. , Morais J.J.L. , Dias M. I. R. , Lourenço Paulo J. , Judas Fernando M. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– Fracture characterization of human cortical bone under pure mode I loading was performed in this work. The purpose of this paper is to validate the proposed test and procedure concerning fracture characterization of human cortical bone under pure mode I loading.

Design/methodology/approach
– A miniaturized version of the double cantilever beam (DCB) test was used for the experimental tests. A data reduction scheme based on crack equivalent concept and Timoshenko beam theory is proposed to overcome difficulties inherent to crack length monitoring during the test. The application of the method propitiates an easy determination of the Resistance-curves (R-curves) that allow to define the fracture energy under mode I loading from the plateau region. The average value of fracture energy was subsequently used in a numerical analysis with element method involving cohesive zone modelling.

Findings
– The excellent agreement obtained reveals that the proposed test and associated methodology is quite effective concerning fracture characterization of human cortical bone under pure mode I loading.

Originality/value
– A miniaturized version of traditional DCB test was proposed for cortical human bone fracture characterization under mode I loading owing to size restrictions imposed by human femur. In fact, DCB specimen propitiates a longer length for self-similar crack propagation without undertaking spurious effects. As a consequence, a R-curve was obtained allowing an adequate characterization of cortical bone fracture under mode I loading.
“When we say ‘urgent’ it means now …”
Authors: Griffith Laura , Glasby Jon 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to describe the perceptions which senior health and social care leaders have of their own organisations and of partner agencies, illustrating a possible method for beginning to think and talk about organisational and professional culture in settings.

Design/methodology/approach
– This is a practical case study, with a group of senior leaders from across the health and social care system.

Findings
– Different groups were often more critical of their own organisations than of others, but could still identify certain characteristics that they associated with partner agencies. While there is much that we admire about ourself and others, we seldom get chance to share this positive feedback. Equally, we rarely have the scope to give each other more challenging feedback and this – when carefully facilitated – can help build stronger relationships in the longer term.

Research limitations/implications
– Inter-agency working is often influenced by the implicit assumptions and stereotypes we hold about each other’s professional culture. Surfacing these in a safe, facilitated setting can help to explore and challenge such assumptions (where appropriate), reflect on how we see others and better understand how others see us.

Originality/value
– Policy debates about integrated care too often focus on structural “solutions” and arguably pay insufficient attention to the importance of culture. While work with front-line practitioners often tries to explore different perceptions of each other, it is less common for such an approach to be attempted with senior leaders.
Exploring the use of authentic learning strategies in designing blended learning environments
Authors: Tan Heidi, Yeen-Ju , Neo Mai 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– The aims of this study is to use authentic learning principles outlined by Herrington and Kervin (2007) as an innovative approach towards the development of a blended learning environment in a Malaysian classroom at the tertiary level and students’ perception towards this learning environment was studied.

Design/methodology/approach
– This study was conducted using a mixed-method approach and consisted of two parts. Part A: the learning environment was designed to be student-centred, supported by multimedia and web technologies, consisting of online learning modules, blogs and social media, as well as being driven by a class project. Part B: qualitative and quantitative data were collected to solicit student feedback on the learning environment.

Findings
– Results of the study indicated that students responded positively towards the authentic blended learning environment, as it was found to be relevant to their learning. In an authentic blended learning environment, students became more engaged with the content and actively involved in their learning process. These results show strong and encouraging support for the use of authentic learning principles in the development of blended learning environments.

Originality/value
– Universities in Malaysia are only beginning to move towards a more blended approach in designing learning environments. This paper provides some insights to one possible way of designing a blended learning environment in a Malaysian tertiary setting.
Critical factors inhibiting Electronic Commerce (EC) adoption in Nigeria
Authors: Awa Hart Okorie , Awara Nsobiari Festus , Lebari Eeba Dumka 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– This study aims to develop adoption barriers model that captures location factors and non-transparency in government support programs, and attempted to unveil why certain locations offer more adoption opportunities than others.Design/methodology/approach– The opinions of small and medium enterprise (SME) owners/managers in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria were purposefully sampled. Two major cities (the commercial nerve center and a state capital) in each zone were chosen for the study and the data were analyzed using multiple regressions.Findings– Irrespective of the need to enhance operations through real-time knowledge sharing and network externalities; evidence from the study shows that SMEs in Nigeria are yet to exploit the full potentials of e-commerce solutions. This is evidenced by non-transparency in government support programs, location factors, weak finances, firm’s size, confidentiality of information, infrastructural inadequacy and lack openness and business integration.Research limitations/implications– Sampling the opinions of SMEs in Nigeria limits the power of generalization. Therefore, extended data and measures are required to replicate the study to improve external validity and reliability, and possibly build theories. Also, some errors seem unavoidable in the course of converting data just as all the measures used appear subjective and prone to common method bias.Originality/value– Though e-commerce adoption draw-backs enjoy huge literature, location factors and non-transparency in government support programs as critical inhibitors seem least studied. Therefore, this paper complements literature, stimulates future research and advises policymakers on promulgating, and real implementation of, appropriate policy frameworks to create information, communication, technology (ICT)-friendly environment within which e-commerce diffuse amongst SMEs.
An exploration of teaching methods used to develop leaders
Authors: Hartman Nathan S , Allen Scott J , Miguel Rosanna F 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to explore how educators can benefit from data on teaching methods or sources of learning used for the leader development of undergraduate students. To advance the field, the authors contend that programs for leader development need to clearly identify what area of development is being improved (e.g. conceptual understanding, personal growth, skill building, feedback), intentionally build connections toward those objectives for development, and incorporate experience within the structure of undergraduate education to facilitate better outcomes.Design/methodology/approach– Ratings on the teaching methods used by participants with experience facilitating leader development activities for undergraduate students were solicited in an online survey. Each participant (n=66) responded to questions about 25 sources of learning for leader development. Questions asked the degree to which each source of learning provided the learning outcomes of conceptual understanding, feedback, skill building, and/or personal growth to undergraduate students.Findings– Participants perceived small group discussion, and film/television clips to promote conceptual understanding, while internships and 360-degree feedback did so to a lesser degree. Sources of learning perceived to facilitate skill building were group projects, and giving presentations. Conversely, completing case studies and listening to lectures were rated as unlikely to foster personal growth.Originality/value– The results can help educators make a more informed decision about the adoption of teaching methods for leader development. Hopefully, this practice will create standardization in undergraduate leader development that researchers have asked for and serve as a platform for recommending timetables and sources of learning that better define the what and how of leader development. Likewise, these findings benefit industry, because strong parallels to both the content and techniques used in industry and by universities exist.
Anti-harassment policy, manager integrity and intention to report customer sexual harassment
Authors: Tseng Lu-Ming , Kang Yue-Min 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– Prior research showed that sexual harassment by customers is a widespread and serious problem for service workers. However, some of the service workers may be unwilling to report this problem to their managers because customers are important for them and for the interests of the organization. Moreover, reporting customer sexual harassment could be embarrassing and may prompt retaliation against those service workers. The purpose of this paper is to focus on salespeople’s intention to report customer sexual harassment to their immediate managers, and how the whistle-blowing intention is affected by the salespeople’s perception of anti-harassment policy, manager integrity and risks of blowing the whistle.

Design/methodology/approach
– To test the relationships among the variables, the data acquisition procedure yielded the responses of 251 full-time life insurance salespeople in Taiwan.

Findings
– The findings showed that salesperson perception of anti-harassment policy and manager integrity were positively associated with the salespeople’s whistle-blowing intention. Gender, age and personal experience of being sexually harassed by customers also related to the whistle-blowing intention.

Originality/value
– Customer sexual harassment has seldom been discussed in the relevant literature. The potential impacts of manager integrity on the prevention of customer sexual harassment in service work have also been less mentioned.
Ultrasound assisted organic pigment dispersion: advantages of ultrasound method over conventional method
Authors: Badgujar N.P. , Bhoge Y.E. , Deshpande T.D. , Bhanvase B.A. , Gogate P.R. , Sonawane S.H. , Kulkarni R.D. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose
– The present work aims to deal with ultrasound-assisted organic pigment (phthalocyanine blue and green) dispersion and its comparison with the conventional approach.

Design/methodology/approach
– Ultrasound is expected to give beneficial results based on the strong shear forces generated by cavitational effects. The dispersion quality for preparation using an ultrasound-based method has been compared with dispersion obtained using high-speed dispersion mill. Effects of different operating parameters such as probe diameter and use of surfactants on the physical properties of dispersion and the colour strength have been investigated. Calculations for the energy requirement for two approaches have also been presented.

Findings
– The use of sodium dodecyl sulphate and Tween 80 surfactants shows better performance in terms of the colour properties of dispersion prepared in water and organic solvent, respectively. Ultrasound gives better dispersion quality as compared to the conventional approach.

Originality/value
– The present work presents a new approach of ultrasound-assisted dispersion of phthalocyanine blue and green pigments. Understanding into the effect of surfactants and type of solvent also presents new important design-related information.
The influence of paper whiteness, roughness and gloss on the optical density of colour digital printing
Authors: Ataeefard Maryam 
Published: June 2015

Purpose– This paper aims to investigate the effect of paper properties (whiteness, gloss and roughness) on colour laser printing quality. Paper characteristics have a significant influence on print quality and are crucial variables for predicting and reproducing colour.Design/methodology/approach– Six kinds of paper with different properties were selected and the effects of the paper characteristics on the printed paper were studied. Samples were printed with cyan, magenta and yellow toner with a laser printer under identical conditions. The papers and printed papers were evaluated with atomic force microscope, scanning electron microscope, gloss-meter, spectrophotometer and densitometer.Findings– Results showed that print quality is statistically dependent on paper type, and the average optical density of printed paper varied for different papers. Furthermore, the increase in the roughness and gloss of the papers in comparison to whiteness more significantly affected the optical density of paper by reducing it.Practical implications– To achieve high-quality print, laser printing paper and toner require controlled characteristics.Originality/value– For the first time, the present study evaluated the influence of paper properties on the quality of colour laser printing.