bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-monotonic recruitment of ventromedial prefrontal cortex during remote memory recall
Authors: Barry Daniel N. , Chadwick Martin J. , Maguire Eleanor A.
Published: October 2017

Systems-level consolidation refers to the time-dependent reorganisation of memory traces in the neocortex, a process in which the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) has been implicated. Capturing the precise temporal evolution of this crucial process in humans has long proved elusive. Here, we used multivariate methods and a longitudinal functional MRI design to detect, with high granularity, the extent to which autobiographical memories of different ages were represented in vmPFC and how this changed over time. We observed an unexpected time-course of vmPFC recruitment during retrieval, rising and falling around an initial peak of 8-12 months, before re-engaging for older two and five year old memories. This pattern was replicated in two independent sets of memories. Moreover, it was further replicated in a follow-up study eight months later with the same participants and memories, where the individual memory representations had undergone their hypothesised strengthening or weakening over time. We conclude that the temporal engagement of vmPFC in memory retrieval seems to be non-monotonic, revealing a complex relationship between systems-level consolidation and prefrontal cortex recruitment that is unaccounted for by current theories.

Author Summary

Our past experiences are captured in autobiographical memories which allow us to recollect events from our lives long after they originally occurred. A part of the brain’s frontal lobe, called the ventromedial prefrontal cortex or vmPFC, is known to be important for supporting autobiographical memories especially as memories become more remote. The precise temporal profile of the vmPFC’s involvement is unclear, yet this information is vital if we are to understand how memories change over time and the mechanisms involved. In this study we sought to establish the time-course of vmPFC engagement in the recollection of autobiographical memories while participants recalled memories of different ages during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Using a method that detects brain activity patterns associated with individual memories, we found that memory-specific neural patterns in vmPFC became more distinct over the first few months after a memory was formed, but then this initial involvement of vmPFC subsided after one year. However, more remote memories (two years and older), appeared to re-engage vmPFC once again. This temporal profile is difficult to accommodate within any single existing theory. Consequently, our results provoke a re-think about how memories evolve over time and the role played by the vmPFC.
Base-resolution mapping reveals distinct m1A methylome in nuclear- and mitochondrial-encoded transcripts
Authors: Li Xiaoyu , Xiong Xushen , Zhang Meiling , Wang Kun , Chen Ying , Zhou Jun , Mao Yuanhui , Lv Jia , Yi Danyang , Chen Xiao-Wei , Wang Chu , Qian Shu-Bing , Yi Chengqi
Published: October 2017

Gene expression can be post-transcriptionally regulated via dynamic and reversible RNA modifications. N1-methyladenosine (m1A) is a recently identified mRNA modification; however, little is known about its precise location, regulation and function. Here, we develop a base-resolution m1A profiling method, based on m1A-induced misincorporation during reverse transcription, and report distinct classes of m1A methylome in the human transcriptome. m1A in 5’-UTR, particularly those at the first nucleotide of mRNA, associate with increased translation efficiency. A different subset of m1A exhibit a GUUCRA tRNA-like motif, are evenly distributed in the transcriptome and are dependent on the methyltransferase TRMT6/61A. Additionally, we show for the first time that m1A is prevalent in the mitochondrial-encoded transcripts. Manipulation of m1A level via TRMT61B, a mitochondria-localizing m1A methyltransferase, demonstrates that m1A in mitochondrial mRNA interferes with translation. Collectively, our approaches reveal distinct classes of m1A methylome and provide a resource for functional studies of m1A-mediated epitranscriptomic regulation.
H2S mediates interbacterial communication through the air reverting intrinsic antibiotic resistance
Authors: Thomas-Lopez Daniel , Carrilero Laura , Matrat Stephanie , Montero Natalia , Claverol Stéphane , Filipovic Milos R , Gonzalez-Zorn Bruno
Published: October 2017

Hydrogen sulfide, a gas classically considered as a by-product of cellular metabolism, is today recognized as a crucial gasotransmitter in Eukaryotes. Moreover, most bacteria harbor the eukaryotic orthologous genes for H2S synthesis, and these genes have been linked to different metabolic pathways.

Some bacteria, however, produce high amounts of H2S in their extracellular space, a characteristic classically used for identification purposes. This is the case ofSalmonellaTyphimurium, which produces H2S by itsphsABCoperon. Here we show that extracellular release of H2S byS. Typhimurium is solely dependent on itsphsABCoperon. Furthermore, we show thatS. Typhimurium and other H2S-producing bacteria can interact with physically distant bacteria through H2S production. We demonstrate how H2S can revert intrinsic cephalosporin resistance ofEnterococccus faecalisandEnterococcus faeciumto complete susceptibility. This study constitutes a significant step in the study of bacterial interplay and niche competition. Furthermore, as H2S releasing drugs have already been designed, our results open the way to future therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of infections caused by enterococci, multiresistant pathogens for which no treatments are clinically available.

Author Summary

It has been known for decades that bacteria can communicate with each other through the diffusion of metabolites in the media. However, the capacity of a bacterium to interact with other physically distant cell is a recent discovery of the 21stcentury. In this work we show how some well-studied bacteria, as it isSalmonellaspp., interacts with other bacteria thanks to the compound hydrogen sulfide (H2S) that they produce and release to the environment.

In our study we have designed novel techniques that allow us to study the interaction between two bacteria, and we have seen thatSalmonellais able to affect other species that is even 1 cm away,i.e., a distance corresponding to 10.0000 times its own size.

What is more astonishing is thatEnterococcus, when exposed to the H2S, is dramatically becomes susceptible to many antibiotics, to which it is supposed to be naturally resistant.Enterococcusspp. are responsible for life-threatening infections in hospitals worldwide. Thus, our observations reveal that bacteria can communicate through the air with H2S, and that this molecule can make bacteria that are highly resistant to antibiotics susceptible to antibiotics, making untreatable infections treatable with current antibiotics.
Plasmodium falciparum dipeptidyl aminopeptidase 3 activity is important for efficient erythrocyte invasion by the malaria parasite
Authors: Lehmann Christine , Tan Michele Ser Ying , Vries Laura E. de , Russo Ilaria , Sanchez Mateo Isidrio , Goldberg Dan E. , Deu Edgar
Published: October 2017

Parasite egress from infected erythrocytes and invasion of new erythrocytes are essential for the exponential asexual replication of the malaria parasite, and both processes are regulated and mediated by proteases. The putative cysteine protease dipeptidyl aminopeptidase 3 (DPAP3) was previously suggested to be essential for parasite egress, but little is known about its biological function. Here, we demonstrate that DPAP3 has proteolytic activity, but contrary to previously studied DPAPs, removal of its prodomain is not required for activation. Interestingly, P. falciparum DPAP3 localizes to merozoite apical organelles from which it is secreted immediately before egress. Using a conditional knock out approach coupled to complementation studies with wild type or mutant DPAP3, we show that DPAP3 activity is critical for efficient RBC invasion and overall parasite replication, and demonstrate that it does not play a role in parasite egress. Overall, this study establishes DPAP3 as a key regulator of erythrocyte invasion.
Extensive non-canonical phosphorylation in human cells revealed using strong-anion exchange-mediated phosphoproteomics
Authors: Hardman Gemma , Perkins Simon , Ruan Zheng , Kannan Natarajan , Brownridge Philip , Byrne Dominic P , Eyers Patrick A , Jones Andrew R , Eyers Claire E
Published: October 2017

Protein phosphorylation is a ubiquitous post-translational modification (PTM) that regulates all aspects of life. To date, investigation of human cell signalling has focussed on canonical phosphorylation of serine (Ser), threonine (Thr) and tyrosine (Tyr) residues. However, mounting evidence suggests that phosphorylation of histidine also plays a central role in regulating cell biology. Phosphoproteomics workflows rely on acidic conditions for phosphopeptide enrichment, which are incompatible with the analysis of acid-labile phosphorylation such as histidine. Consequently, the extent of non-canonical phosphorylation is likely to be under-estimated.
We report an Unbiased Phosphopeptide enrichment strategy based on Strong Anion Exchange (SAX) chromatography (UPAX), which permits enrichment of acid-labile phosphopeptides for characterisation by mass spectrometry. Using this approach, we identify extensive and positional phosphorylation patterns on histidine, arginine, lysine, aspartate and glutamate in human cell extracts, including 310 phosphohistidine and >1000 phospholysine sites of protein modification. Remarkably, the extent of phosphorylation on individual non-canonical residues vastly exceeds that of basal phosphotyrosine. Our study reveals the previously unappreciated diversity of protein phosphorylation in human cells, and opens up avenues for exploring roles of acid-labile phosphorylation in any proteome using mass spectrometry.
HYPO: A database of hypothetical human proteins
Authors: Sundararajan Vijayaraghava Seshadri , Malik Girik , Ijaq Johny , Kumar Anuj , Das Partha Sarathi , P.R Shidhi , Nair Achuthsankar S , Suravajhala Prashanth , Dhar Pawan K
Published: October 2017

All annotated genes were once hypothetical or uncharacterized. Keeping this as an epilogue, we have enhanced our former database of hypothetical proteins (HP) in human (HypoDB) with added annotation, application programming interfaces and descriptive features. The database hosts 1000+ manually curated records of the known ‘unknown’ regions in the human genome. The new updated version of HypoDB with functionalities (Blast, Match) is freely accessible at http://www.bioclues.org/hypo2.
TPXL-1 Activates Aurora A to Clear Contractile Ring Components from the Polar Cortex During Cytokinesis
Authors: Mangal Sriyash , Sacher Jennifer , Kim Taekyung , Osório Daniel Sampaio , Motegi Fumio , Carvalho Ana Xavier , Oegema Karen , Zanin Esther
Published: October 2017

During cytokinesis, a signal from the bundled microtubules that form between the separating anaphase chromosomes promotes the accumulation of contractile ring components at the cell equator, while a signal from the centrosomal microtubule asters inhibits accumulation of contractile ring components at the cell poles. However, the molecular identity of the inhibitory signal has remained unknown. To identify molecular components of the aster-based inhibitory signal, we developed a means to monitor the removal of contractile ring proteins from the polar cortex after anaphase onset. Using this assay, we show that polar clearing is an active process that requires activation of Aurora A kinase by TPXL-1. TPXL-1 concentrates on astral microtubules coincident with polar clearing in anaphase, and its ability to recruit Aurora A and activate its kinase activity are essential for clearing. In summary, our data identify Aurora A kinase as an aster-based inhibitory signal that restricts contractile ring components to the cell equator during cytokinesis.

During cytokinesis, centrosomal asters inhibit cortical contractility at the cell poles. Mangal et al. provide molecular insight into this phenomenon, showing that TPXL-1, which localizes to astral microtubules, activates Aurora A kinase to clear contractile ring proteins from the polar cortex.
Addressing confounding artifacts in reconstruction of gene co-expression networks
Authors: Parsana Princy , Ruberman Claire , Jaffe Andrew E. , Schatz Michael C. , Battle Alexis , Leek Jeffrey T.
Published: October 2017

Background

Gene co-expression networks capture diverse biological relationships between genes, and are important tools in predicting gene function and understanding disease mechanisms. Functional interactions between genes have not been fully characterized for most organisms, and therefore reconstruction of gene co-expression networks has been of common interest in a variety of settings. However, methods routinely used for reconstruction of gene co-expression networks do not account for confounding artifacts known to affect high dimensional gene expression measurements.

Results

In this study, we show that artifacts such as batch effects in gene expression data confound commonly used network reconstruction algorithms. Both theoretically and empirically, we demonstrate that removing the effects of top principal components from gene expression measurements prior to network inference can reduce false discoveries, especially when well annotated technical covariates are not available. Using expression data from the GTEx project in multiple tissues and hundreds of individuals, we show that this latent factor residualization approach often reduces false discoveries in the reconstructed networks.

Conclusion

Network reconstruction is susceptible to confounders that affect measurements of gene expression. Even controlling for major individual known technical covariates fails to fully eliminate confounding variation from the data. In studies where a wide range of annotated technical factors are measured and available, correcting gene expression data with multiple covariates can also improve network reconstruction, but such extensive annotations are not always available. Our study shows that principal component correction, which does not depend on study design or annotation of all relevant confounders, removes patterns of artifactual variation and improves network reconstruction in both simulated data, and gene expression data from GTEx project. We have implemented our PC correction approach in the Bioconductor package sva which can be used prior to network reconstruction with a range of methods.
The correspondence problem: which brain maps are significantly similar?
Authors: Alexander-Bloch Aaron , Vandekar Simon N. , Shinohara Russell T. , Liu Siyuan , Satterthwaite Theodore D. , Glahn David C. , Raznahan Armin
Published: October 2017

A critical issue in many neuroimaging studies is the comparison between brain maps. How should we test the hypothesis that two or more brain maps are partially convergent or overlap to a significant extent? This “correspondence problem” affects, for example, the interpretation of comparisons between task-based patterns of functional activation, resting-state networks or modules, and neuroanatomical landmarks. In published work, this problem has been addressed with remarkable variability in terms of methodological approaches and statistical rigor. In this paper, we address the correspondence problem using a spatial permutation framework to generate null models of overlap, by applying random rotations to spherical representations of the cortical surface. We use this approach to derive clusters of cognitive functions that are significantly similar in terms of their functional neuroatomical substrates. In addition, using publicly available data, we formally demonstrate the correspondence between maps of task-based functional activity, resting-state fMRI networks and gyral-based anatomical landmarks. We provide open-access code to implement the methods presented for two commonly-used tools for surface based cortical analysis. This spatial permutation approach constitutes a useful advance over widely-used methods for the comparison of cortical maps, and thereby opens up new possibilities for the integration of diverse neuroimaging data.
Blindfold learning of an accurate neural metric
Authors: Gardella Christophe , Marre Olivier , Mora Thierry
Published: October 2017

The brain has no direct access to physical stimuli, but only to the spiking activity evoked in sensory organs. It is unclear how the brain can structure its representation of the world based on differences between those noisy, correlated responses alone. Here we show how to build a distance map of responses from the structure of the population activity of retinal ganglion cells, allowing for the accurate discrimination of distinct visual stimuli from the retinal response. We introduce the Temporal Restricted Boltzmann Machine to learn the spatiotemporal structure of the population activity, and use this model to define a distance between spike trains. We show that this metric outperforms existing neural distances at discriminating pairs of stimuli that are barely distinguishable. The proposed method provides a generic and biologically plausible way to learn to associate similar stimuli based on their spiking responses, without any other knowledge of these stimuli.
High-throughput single-cell DNA sequencing of AML tumors with droplet microfluidics
Authors: Pellegrino Maurizio , Sciambi Adam , Treusch Sebastian , Durruthy-Durruthy Robert , Gokhale Kaustubh , Jacob Jose , Chen Tina X. , Oldham William , Matthews Jairo , Kantarjian Hagop , Futreal P. Andrew , Patel Keyur , Jones Keith W. , Takahashi Koichi , Eastburn Dennis J.
Published: October 2017

To enable the characterization of genetic heterogeneity in tumor cell populations, we developed a novel microfluidic approach that barcodes amplified genomic DNA from thousands of individual cancer cells confined to droplets. The barcodes are then used to reassemble the genetic profiles of cells from next generation sequencing data. Using this approach, we sequenced longitudinally collected AML tumor populations from two patients and genotyped up to 62 disease relevant loci across more than 16,000 individual cells. Targeted single-cell sequencing was able to sensitively identify tumor cells during complete remission and uncovered complex clonal evolution within AML tumors that was not observable with bulk sequencing. We anticipate that this approach will make feasible the routine analysis of heterogeneity in AML leading to improved stratification and therapy selection for the disease.
Single-cell sequencing data reveal widespread recurrence and loss of mutational hits in the life histories of tumors
Authors: Kuipers Jack , Jahn Katharina , Raphael Benjamin J. , Beerenwinkel Niko
Published: October 2017

Intra-tumor heterogeneity poses substantial challenges for cancer treatment. A tumor's composition can be deduced by reconstructing its mutational history. Central to current approaches is the infinite sites assumption that every genomic position can only mutate once over the lifetime of a tumor. The validity of this assumption has never been quantitatively assessed. We developed a rigorous statistical framework to test the infinite sites assumption with single-cell sequencing data. Our framework accounts for the high noise and contamination present in such data. We found strong evidence for the same genomic position being mutationally affected multiple times in individual tumors for 11 of 12 single-cell sequencing data sets from a variety of human cancers. Seven cases involved the loss of earlier mutations, five of which occurred at sites unaffected by large-scale genomic deletions. Four cases exhibited a parallel mutation, potentially indicating convergent evolution at the base pair level. Our results refute the general validity of the infinite sites assumption and indicate that more complex models are needed to adequately quantify intra-tumor heterogeneity for more effective cancer treatment.
Assessing the reliability of spike-in normalization for analyses of single-cell RNA sequencing data
Authors: Lun Aaron T.L. , Calero-Nieto Fernando J. , Haim-Vilmovsky Liora , Göttgens Berthold , Marioni John C.
Published: October 2017

By profiling the transcriptomes of individual cells, single-cell RNA sequencing provides unparalleled resolution to study cellular heterogeneity. However, this comes at the cost of high technical noise, including cell-specific biases in capture efficiency and library generation. One strategy for removing these biases is to add a constant amount of spike-in RNA to each cell and to scale the observed expression values so that the coverage of spike-in transcripts is constant across cells. This approach has previously been criticized as its accuracy depends on the precise addition of spike-in RNA to each sample. Here, we perform mixture experiments using two different sets of spike-in RNA to quantify the variance in the amount of spike-in RNA added to each well in a plate-based protocol. We also obtain an upper bound on the variance due to differences in behavior between the two spike-in sets. We demonstrate that both factors are small contributors to the total technical variance and have only minor effects on downstream analyses, such as detection of highly variable genes and clustering. Our results suggest that scaling normalization using spike-in transcripts is reliable enough for routine use in single-cell RNA sequencing data analyses.
Single-cell gene expression analysis reveals regulators of distinct cell subpopulations among developing human neurons
Authors: Wang Jiaxu , Jenjaroenpun Piroon , Bhinge Akshay , Angarica Vladimir Espinosa , Del Sol Antonio , Nookaew Intawat , Kuznetsov Vladimir A. , Stanton Lawrence W.
Published: October 2017

The stochastic dynamics and regulatory mechanisms that govern differentiation of individual human neural precursor cells (NPC) into mature neurons are currently not fully understood. Here, we used single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) of developing neurons to dissect/identify NPC subtypes and critical developmental stages of alternative lineage specifications. This study comprises an unsupervised, high-resolution strategy for identifying cell developmental bifurcations, tracking the stochastic transcript kinetics of the subpopulations, elucidating regulatory networks, and finding key regulators. Our data revealed the bifurcation and developmental tracks of the two NPC subpopulations, and we captured an early (24 h) transition phase that leads to alternative neuronal specifications. The consequent up-regulation and down-regulation of stage- and subpopulation-specific gene groups during the course of maturation revealed biological insights with regard to key regulatory transcription factors and lincRNAs that control cellular programs in the identified neuronal subpopulations.
Residential placement and quality of life for adults with severe autism spectrum disorders and severe-to-profound intellectual disabilities
Authors: Galli Carminati Giuliana , Carminati Federico , Lehotkay Rachel , Lorincz Erica Nora , Subirade-Jacopit Viviane , Rondini Elisa , Bertelli Marco O.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between some main characteristics of different living arrangements and the quality of life (QoL) of their users with severe intellectual disability and low-functioning autism spectrum disorders.

Design/methodology/approach

Study participants were assessed for ASD severity through the Childhood Autism Rating Scale or the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS): for behavioral problems with the aberrant behavior checklist (ABC); for perception of efficacy and satisfaction with care, through an adapted Visual Analogue Scale; and for QoL with the QoL inventory in residential environments (validated in French as Inventaire de la Qualité de Vie en Milieu Résidentiel). Because the goal was to define a “residential profile (RP),” the authors evaluated each participating residence with the Working Methods Scale and the questionnaire on residential parameters.

Findings

The RP allowed for the classification of the residences into three clusters. The authors found no clear relationship between QoL and the RP clusters, but the authors found the RP clusters to be significantly correlated with ABC factors F1 (irritability, agitation, crying) and F2 (lethargy, social withdrawal), and VABS scores for living, socialization, and motor skills.

Originality/value

RPs were more strongly correlated with ABC items and the ability to cope with everyday life than with QoL. The authors hypothesize that RP is correlated with both aberrant behavior and the autonomy of residents and that QoL remains relatively stable. Therefore, RP is correlated with the status of the residents; however, this appears not to be correlated with their QoL.
Using push-pull winescape attributes to model Australian wine tourist segmentation
Authors: Quintal Vanessa , Thomas Ben , Phau Ian , Soldat Zorana
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The study aims to introduce a comprehensive segmentation instrument that incorporates the push–pull winescape attributes, providing a new perspective of the wine tourist profile and explaining their behavioural intentions in the Australian winescape.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review, focus groups and expert panels generated an extensive list of push–pull winescape attributes. Pen-and-paper surveys conveniently sampled 739 wine tourists at three wineries across three wine regions in Australia. Adopting push–pull winescape attributes as the segmentation base, cluster analysis identified four segments, namely, inspireds, self-drivens, market-drivens and inerts, and their behavioural intentions were examined.

Findings

Inspireds demonstrate both self- and market-motivation. Self-drivens exhibit self-motivation but limited market-motivation, whereas Market-drivens characterise market-motivation but limited self-motivation. Inerts are limited in both market- and self-motivations. At the Swan Valley, all four segments were identified, with Inspireds being the most willing to revisit and recommend to others and Inerts, the least willing. At the Barossa Valley, only two segments emerged. Again, Inspireds and Inerts were the most and least willing to revisit and recommend to others respectively. Finally, at the Yarra Valley, three segments were identified. Market-drivens were most willing to revisit and recommend to others, followed by self-drivens and lastly, by inerts.

Research limitations/implications

A comprehensive push–pull winescape segmentation base of wine tourists is introduced, which provides a more sophisticated profile of wine tourist segments than otherwise would be attained with conventional measures.

Practical implications

New insights into who the wine tourist is and what it is they seek from the winescape are vital to smaller wine producers whose best access to the domestic retail and export markets is through direct selling at the cellar door.

Originality/value

The empirically tested 18-item push–pull winescape instrument presents a comprehensive segmentation approach, which profiles wine tourists and predicts their behavioural intentions based on an extensive investigation of push–pull winescape attributes.
Strategic profiling and the value of wine & tourism initiatives
Authors: Dressler Marc
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to the growing body of literature on wine and tourism, as it explores the value contribution of tourism in the context of strategic grouping of wineries.

Design/methodology/approach

A panel of three online surveys about the strategic management of German wine estates served to analyze wine and tourism as potential strategic levers. More than 300 German wineries participated in the surveys.

Findings

Almost 50 per cent of the interviewed wineries planned to extend their tourism services. The implementation rate is high and reaches nearly the level of new product implementation. Tourism is therefore highly relevant. It can serve to profile in the market. Cost leaders and boutique wineries were two strategic groups indicating reluctance to pursue tourism-based strategic initiatives. The data illustrate a potential strategic trade-off between tourism and export management.

Research limitations/implications

The study is neither representative for the German nor for an international winery population. Data were generated in a broader context of strategic and innovation management research. Descriptive analyses dominate the explorative study.

Practical implications

Extending services to win tourists helps to differentiate and to attract new clients. For less differentiated strategies (price-value and quality-leadership), tourism can be a strategic lever to sustainably increase profits. Smaller wineries need to strategically assess their growth option. They may face a strategic dilemma whether to export their goods or to add tourism offer components. Fierce international competition and restrictions due to small size represent export barriers, favoring a strategy to exploit market potentials via tourism. Concerted wine tourism efforts require a more sensitive approach considering the individual strategic motivation of wineries. The strategic value depends on the strategic grouping.

Social implications

Wine and tourism can create regional and thereby social value. Addressing the strategic value of tourism for the individual wineries fosters tourism engagement and encourages a cluster approach.

Originality/value

Literature universally praises the synergetic value of wine and tourism. This research proposes a more sensitive approach reflecting strategic groupings and individual value contribution of tourism activities for the wine estates.
The relationship between involvement, destination emotions and place attachment in the Porto wine cellars
Authors: Santos Vasco Ribeiro , Ramos Paulo , Almeida Nuno
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to measure the role of involvement, destination emotions and place attachment in the behavioural intentions of wine tourists when visiting Porto wine cellars.

Design/methodology/approach

An interceptive survey was conducted with wine tourists during their visits to four Porto wine cellars. A convenience sample of 918 international visitors was obtained. A structural equation model using partial least squares analysis was used to test the hypothesis and the validity of the constructs and model.

Findings

The structural model results indicated that wine tourists’ personal involvement and their wine involvement have a significant and direct influence on destination emotions and place attachment in Porto wine cellars during the visits, which determines their future behavioural intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The generalizability of the results may be limited owing to the sample and the data collection method and the short time frame of the data gathering.

Practical implications

There is a growing potential for researchers and managers to achieve benefits from the proposed model that will support the efforts for wine tourism theory and practice, such as brand positioning strategies and formulation of sharper marketing strategies.

Originality/value

This is the first study to demonstrate the combined use of personal and wine involvement on destination emotions along with place attachment in a wine tourist behaviour context. This approach extends the scope into a wine tourism context because the combination of these three constructs has never been held in the area of wine tourism destinations.
Online retailers connecting to the youth segment through Facebook (A study on the influence of gender and personality type)
Authors: Mishra Oly , Ayatham Prasad
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding of the different personality types and Facebook behavior of the young Indian consumers in the context of e-tailing. With the increased popularity of Facebook, consumers and e-tailers are using it as a platform to connect better with each other. This paper makes an attempt to study the motive and online purchasing behavior of youth by examining Facebook posts and understanding their relationship with personality and gender.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted on 200 young Indian consumers who use Facebook as well as follow at least one e-tailer on Facebook. The responses to the survey were used to test the proposed conceptual model to find out the relationship of personality types and gender with Facebook behavior, type of post liked on Facebook, reason to use Facebook and motive to follow an e-tailer on Facebook using descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests.

Findings

The tests showed that gender of online consumers influences their Facebook behavior and the type of post that they like the most on Facebook. The personality type of the online consumers has a significant influence on the motive to follow an e-tailer on Facebook and the reason to use Facebook. It implies that the Facebook pages of e-tailers should plan their posts keeping the gender and personality type of their followers in mind. In this manner, Facebook can be used as a platform by the e-tailers to increase their consumer base, especially among the youth.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study are the respondents for this study are in the age group of 15-25 years only and the results of the study may vary with the change in the age group. The respondents are Indians by nationality and the results may vary for different nations.

Practical implications

This paper provides an insight to the e-tailer about attracting young consumers on their Facebook page in the context of their gender and personality type to enhance the reach and expand their business. This research paper is informative to the e-tailers who have budgets for social media marketing to know about social media usage by youth for online shopping.

Originality/value

Presently, India has a demographic advantage and this paper contributes to understand the youth social media usage for online shopping. The e-tailers can relate the findings to develop strategies to enhance their customer base. This research paper will contribute to the existing literature on social media marketing and e-tailing.
Impact of advertising strategies on the cognitive and behavioral component of attitude of women consumers
Authors: Kaur Harminderjit , Hundal Bikramjit Singh
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to cover the gap from the previous literature with regard to the cognitive and the behavioural component of attitude of consumers. The literature was scant in examining the influence of the mostly used traits on the purchase behaviour and the switching behaviour of consumers. Therefore, this research paper examines the impact of different marketing strategies used by the advertisers on the components of the attitude of the consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the perception of the consumers towards the traits was measured by the factor analysis approach. Second, the impact of the traits on the purchase behaviour of consumers was scrutinized using regression analysis, and then descriptive statistics approach was used to analyse the switching behaviour and the most important tactic used in the advertisement.

Findings

The results indicate that repeated exposure, comparison of products and sexual appeals has a significant impact on the mind of consumers which determines the influence of advertising tactics. Further, the results evaluated that information, pricing element, image of company and sexual appeal are the other important traits influencing the cognitive attitude of consumers. The consumers switch to the advertised products which indicate the behavioural change with the impact of advertisement.

Research limitations/implications

This research paper is suffering from some limitations as the area of research is restrained to the urban population of three districts of Punjab only, i.e. Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana, because of which the results cannot be generalized for other areas. Due to the changing behaviour and the attitude, income level and media, the response of the consumers in the present study may not be relevant in the future period. The study was confined to the working women consumers only and does not represent the whole population.

Practical implications

This research paper provides an insight to the marketers. The managers can measure how by using appropriate tactics can they make their advertising more effective. In case of unfamiliar products, the attitude of consumers to accept or to avoid the product is influenced by the tactics used by the marketers. It was recommended that the marketers must use the appropriate tactics to make their products/brands more pertinent and important among the consumers.

Originality/value

This research paper examines the impact of TV advertisement of beauty products on the components of the attitude of the urban working women consumers. This study presents the influence of the various marketing strategies used in the advertisement to influence the purchase and the switching behaviour of consumers.
Utilization and factors of non-utilization of export incentives: a cross sectional empirical study of Indian exporters
Authors: Pandey Shivendra , Wali OP , Chandra Rajan
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The current study aims to evaluate the utilization of export incentives of the Indian Government. A model conceptualizing the relationships between incentive’s awareness, utilization, perception of utilization on export increase and overall performance was tested.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 107 Indian exporters from the ten major exporting sectors of the Indian economy were chosen. The exporters within the sectors were chosen on the basis of the quota sampling technique. The top-most executive of the exporting house was interviewed using both structured questionnaire and in-depth method.

Findings

Results indicated that awareness impacted availing of incentives which led to the perception of enhanced export sales. Enhanced export sales led to the perception of an enhanced overall performance of the firm. Smaller firms believed more as compared to larger firms in the effect of export incentives on export sales growth. Recommendations have been provided to remove lacunae in various incentive schemes and improve utilizations.

Research limitations/implications

The inability to extract firm-level financial data of the value of various schemes availed, exports sales increase, overall performance indicators is a limitation of the study.

Practical implications

The lack of awareness seemed to be the biggest roadblock for the Indian Government to make export incentive schemes successful. The Indian Government needs to customize the offerings of incentive schemes by incorporating the general perceptions of experts/users. Some less-used schemes can be done away with and some new schemes with less paperwork will be more useful.

Originality/value

There is scant literature in the Indian context on the study of export incentive schemes. There is even less empirical primary evidence available. This study is one of the first to provide a model for the utilization of export schemes and has great practical relevance for exporters and Indian Government alike.
Work interrupted: a closer look at work boundary permeability
Authors: Kim Sungdoo , Hollensbe Elaine
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Given the prevalence of work interrupted by home-related matters, this paper aims to increase knowledge of the antecedents of work boundary permeability by investigating both individual and situational factors; and to better understand the consequences of work boundary permeability by examining both negative and positive effects using a finer-grained measure.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained using two surveys from 308 full-time employees from an information technology firm in the Midwestern USA. Structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses.

Findings

Individual differences in segmentation preferences (whether one prefers to keep work and home separated or integrated) and situational factors such as workload and home demands were found to predict work boundary permeability. Further, the results showed that maintaining a highly permeable work boundary may be detrimental rather than beneficial. High work boundary permeability led to greater time- and strain-based home-to-work conflict, but not to affective and instrumental positive spillover.

Originality/value

Unlike much previous work–home research focusing on how work intrudes on time outside of work, this study focuses exclusively on how the work domain is affected by intrusions from the home domain. The findings deepen the knowledge about today’s workplace that is subject to continual interruptions and spillover from home-related matters.
Do host‐associated gut microbiota mediate the effect of an herbicide on disease risk in frogs?
Authors: Knutie Sarah A. , Gabor Caitlin R. , Kohl Kevin D. , Rohr Jason R.
Published: October 2017

Environmental stressors, such as pollutants, can increase disease risk in wildlife. For example, the herbicide atrazine affects host defences (e.g. resistance and tolerance) of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), but the mechanisms for these associations are not entirely clear. Given that pollutants can alter the gut microbiota of hosts, which in turn can affect their health and immune systems, one potential mechanism by which pollutants could increase infection risk is by influencing host‐associated microbiota.

Here, we test whether early‐life exposure to the estimated environmental concentration (EEC; 200 μg/L) of atrazine affects the gut bacterial composition of Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) tadpoles and adults and whether any atrazine‐induced change in community composition might affect host defences against Bd. We also determine whether early‐life changes in the stress hormone corticosterone affect gut microbiota by experimentally inhibiting corticosterone synthesis with metyrapone.

With the exception of changing the relative abundances of two bacterial genera in adulthood, atrazine did not affect gut bacterial diversity or community composition of tadpoles (in vivo or in vitro) or adults. Metyrapone did not significantly affect bacterial diversity of tadpoles, but significantly increased bacterial diversity of adults.

Gut bacterial diversity during Bd exposure did not predict host tolerance or resistance to Bd intensity in tadpoles or adults. However, early‐life bacterial diversity negatively predicted Bd intensity as adult frogs. Specifically, Bd intensity as adults was associated negatively with the relative abundance of phylum Fusobacteria in the guts of tadpoles.

Our results suggest that the effect of atrazine on Bd infection risk is not mediated by host‐associated microbiota because atrazine does not affect microbiota of tadpoles or adults. However, host‐associated microbes seem important in host resistance to Bd because the early‐life microbiota, during immune system development, predicted later‐life infection risk with Bd. Overall, our study suggests that increasing gut bacterial diversity and relative abundances of Fusobacteria might have lasting positive effects on amphibian health.
Inadequate safety reporting in pre‐eclampsia trials: a systematic evaluation
Authors: Duffy JMN , Hirsch M , Pealing L , Showell M , Khan KS , Ziebland S , McManus RJ ,   the International Collaboration to Harmonise Outcomes in Pre‐eclampsia (iHOPE)
Published: October 2017

Background

Randomised trials and their syntheses in meta‐analyses offer a unique opportunity to assess the frequency and severity of adverse reactions.

Objective

To assess safety reporting in pre‐eclampsia trials.

Search strategy

Systematic search using bibliographic databases, including Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and MEDLINE, from inception to August 2017.

Selection criteria

Randomised trials evaluating anticonvulsant or antihypertensive medication for pre‐eclampsia.

Data collection and analysis

Descriptive statistics appraising the adequacy of adverse reaction and toxicity reporting.

Main results

We included 60 randomised trials. Six trials (10%) were registered with the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, two registry records referred to adverse reactions, stating ‘safety and toleration’ and ‘possible side effects’ would be collected. Twenty‐six trials (43%) stated the frequency of withdrawals within each study arm, and five trials (8%) adequately reported these withdrawals. Adverse reactions were inconsistently reported across eligible trials: 24 (40%) reported no serious adverse reactions and 36 (60%) reported no mild adverse reactions. The methods of definition or measurement of adverse reactions were infrequently reported within published trial reports.

Conclusions

Pre‐eclampsia trials regularly omit critical information related to safety. Despite the paucity of reporting, randomised trials collect an enormous amount of safety data. Developing and implementing a minimum data set could help to improve safety reporting, permitting a more balanced assessment of interventions by considering the trade‐off between the benefits and harms.

Funding

National Institute for Health Research (DRF‐2014‐07‐051), UK; Maternity Forum, Royal Society of Medicine, UK.

Tweetable abstract

Developing @coreoutcomes could help to improve safety reporting in #preeclampsia trials. @NIHR_DC
Fighting Tax Evasion by Discouraging the Use of Cash?
Authors: Immordino Giovanni , Russo Francesco Flaviano
Published: October 2017

We propose a bargaining model of tax evasion with a seller that offers a price discount to a buyer in exchange for a cash payment without a receipt, which allows tax evasion. We study the effect on evasion and government revenue of two policy instruments: a tax on cash withdrawals (TCW), which imposes a cost on the buyers who pay cash, and a tax rebate conditional on having the receipt. The tax rebate reduces evasion but it is costly if tax evasion is low. The TCW reduces evasion only if it is set at a sufficiently high rate, which must be higher the larger is the mass of cash users. We also show that the implementation of a TCW, which poses several challenges, is easier if the cost of cash hoarding is high.