bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic characterization of Shigella spp. isolated from diarrhoeal and asymptomatic children
Authors: Ghosh Santanu , Pazhani Gururaja P. , Niyogi Swapan Kumar , Nataro James P. , Ramamurthy Thandavarayan
Published: May 2014

Phenotypic and genetic characteristics ofShigellaspp. isolated from diarrhoeal and asymptomatic children aged up to 5 years were analysed in this study. In total, 91 and 17 isolates were identified from diarrhoeal (case) and asymptomatic (control) children, respectively. All the isolates were tested for antimicrobial resistance, the presence of integrons, plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR), virulence-associated genes andShigellapathogenicity island (SH-PAI). The majority of theShigellaspp. from cases (68.1 %) and controls (82.3 %) were found to be resistant to fluoroquinolones. Integron carriage was detected more in cases (76.9 %) than in controls (35.5 %). Atypical class 1 integron was detected exclusively inShigellaflexnerifrom cases but not from the controls. PMQR genes such asaac(6′)-Ib-crandqnrS1were detected in 82.4  and 14.3 % of the isolates from cases and in 53 and 17.6 % in controls, respectively.Shigellaisolates from cases as well as from controls were positive for the invasive plasmid antigen H-encoding geneipaH. The other virulence genes such asvirF,sat,setA,setB,senandialwere detected inShigellaisolates in 80.2, 49.4, 27.4, 27.4, 80.2 and 79.1 % of cases and in 64.7, 52.9, 17.6, 17.6, 64.7 and 64.7 % of controls, respectively. The entire SH-PAI was detected inS. flexneriserotype 2a from cases and controls. In an isolate from a control child, the SH-PAI was truncated. Integrons, PMQR and virulence-encoding genes were detected more frequently in cases than in controls. In diarrhoea endemic areas, asymptomatic carriers may play a crucial role in the transmission of multidrug-resistantShigellaspp. with all the putative virulence genes.
Synergistic mechanism for tetrandrine on fluconazole against Candida albicans through the mitochondrial aerobic respiratory metabolism pathway
Authors: Guo Hui , Xie Si Ming , Li Shui Xiu , Song Yan Jun , Lv Xia Lin , Zhang Hong
Published: May 2014

We found that tetrandrine (TET) can reverse the resistance of Candida albicans to fluconazole (FLC) and that this interaction is associated with the inhibition of drug efflux pumps. Mitochondrial aerobic respiration, which plays a major role in C. albicans metabolism, is the primary source of ATP for cellular processes, including the activation of efflux pumps. However, it was unclear if TET exerts its synergistic action against C. albicans via its impact on the mitochondrial aerobic respiratory metabolism. To investigate this mechanism, we examined the impact of FLC in the presence or absence of TET on two C. albicans strains obtained from a single parental source (FLC-sensitive strain CA-1 and FLC-resistant strain CA-16). We analysed key measures of energy generation and conversion, including the activity of respiration chain complexes I and III (CI and CIII), ATP synthase (CV) activity, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and studied intracellular ATP levels and the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), which has a critical impact on energy transport. Mitochondrial morphology was observed by confocal microscopy. Our functional analyses revealed that, compared with strains treated only with FLC, TET+FLC increased the ATP levels and decreased ΔΨm in CA-1, but decreased ATP levels and increased ΔΨm in CA-16 (P<0.05). Additionally, CI, CIII and CV activity decreased by 23–48 %. The production of ROS increased by two- to threefold and mitochondrial morphology was altered in both strains. Our data suggested that TET impacted mitochondrial aerobic respiratory metabolism by influencing the generation and transport of ATP, reducing the utilization of ATP, and resulting in the inhibition of drug efflux pump activity. This activity contributed to the synergistic action of TET on FLC against C. albicans.
An integrative analysis of colon cancer identifies an essential function for PRPF6 in tumor growth
Authors: Adler Adam S. , McCleland Mark L. , Yee Sharon , Yaylaoglu Murat , Hussain Sofia , Cosino Ely , Quinones Gabriel , Modrusan Zora , Seshagiri Somasekar , Torres Eric , Chopra Vivek S. , Haley Benjamin , Zhang Zemin , Blackwood Elizabeth M. , Singh Mallika , Junttila Melissa , Stephan Jean-Philippe , Liu Jinfeng , Pau Gregoire , Fearon Eric R. , Jiang Zhaoshi , Firestein Ron
Published: May 2014

The spliceosome machinery is composed of multimeric protein complexes that generate a diverse repertoire of mRNA through coordinated splicing of heteronuclear RNAs. While somatic mutations in spliceosome components have been discovered in several cancer types, the molecular bases and consequences of spliceosome aberrations in cancer are poorly understood. Here we report for the first time that PRPF6, a member of the tri-snRNP (small ribonucleoprotein) spliceosome complex, drives cancer proliferation by preferential splicing of genes associated with growth regulation. Inhibition of PRPF6 and other tri-snRNP complex proteins, but not other snRNP spliceosome complexes, selectively abrogated growth in cancer cells with high tri-snRNP levels. High-resolution transcriptome analyses revealed that reduced PRPF6 alters the constitutive and alternative splicing of a discrete number of genes, including an oncogenic isoform of the ZAK kinase. These findings implicate an essential role for PRPF6 in cancer via splicing of distinct growth-related gene products.
Global microRNA depletion suppresses tumor angiogenesis
Authors: Chen Sidi , Xue Yuan , Wu Xuebing , Le Cong , Bhutkar Arjun , Bell Eric L. , Zhang Feng , Langer Robert , Sharp Phillip A.
Published: May 2014

MicroRNAs delicately regulate the balance of angiogenesis. Here we show that depletion of all microRNAs suppresses tumor angiogenesis. We generated microRNA-deficient tumors by knocking out Dicer1. These tumors are highly hypoxic but poorly vascularized, suggestive of deficient angiogenesis signaling. Expression profiling revealed that angiogenesis genes were significantly down-regulated as a result of the microRNA deficiency. Factor inhibiting hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), FIH1, is derepressed under these conditions and suppresses HIF transcription. Knocking out FIH1 using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome engineering reversed the phenotypes of microRNA-deficient cells in HIF transcriptional activity, VEGF production, tumor hypoxia, and tumor angiogenesis. Using multiplexed CRISPR/Cas9, we deleted regions in FIH1 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) that contain microRNA-binding sites, which derepresses FIH1 protein and represses hypoxia response. These data suggest that microRNAs promote tumor responses to hypoxia and angiogenesis by repressing FIH1.
Hemoglobin Control of Cell Survival/Death Decision Regulates in Vitro Plant Embryogenesis
Authors: Huang Shuanglong , Hill Robert D. , Wally Owen S.D. , Dionisio Giuseppe , Ayele Belay T. , Jami Sravan Kumar , Stasolla Claudio
Published: May 2014

Programmed cell death (PCD) in multicellular organisms is a vital process in growth, development, and stress responses that contributes to the formation of tissues and organs. Although numerous studies have defined the molecular participants in apoptotic and PCD cascades, successful identification of early master regulators that target specific cells to live or die is limited. Using Zea mays somatic embryogenesis as a model system, we report that the expressions of two plant hemoglobin (Hb) genes (ZmHb1 and ZmHb2) regulate the cell survival/death decision that influences somatic embryogenesis through their cell-specific localization patterns. Suppression of either of the two ZmHbs is sufficient to induce PCD through a pathway initiated by elevated NO and Zn2+ levels and mediated by production of reactive oxygen species. The effect of the death program on the fate of the developing embryos is dependent on the localization patterns of the two ZmHbs. During somatic embryogenesis, ZmHb2 transcripts are restricted to a few cells anchoring the embryos to the subtending embryogenic tissue, whereas ZmHb1 transcripts extend to several embryonic domains. Suppression of ZmHb2 induces PCD in the anchoring cells, allowing the embryos to develop further, whereas suppression of ZmHb1 results in massive PCD, leading to abortion. We conclude that regulation of the expression of these ZmHbs has the capability to determine the developmental fate of the embryogenic tissue during somatic embryogenesis through their effect on PCD. This unique regulation might have implications for development and differentiation in other species.
(5E)-1-Benzyl-5-(3,3,3-trichloro-2-oxopropylidene)pyrrolidin-2-one
Authors: Fabiani Claro Flores Alex , Correia Flores Darlene , Rosa de Menezes Vicenti Juliano , Pizzuti Lucas , Teixeira Campos Patrick
Published: May 2014

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C14H12Cl3NO2, no classical hydrogen-bonding interactions are observed. The methylene fragments of the benzyl groups participate in non-classic hydrogen-bond interactions with the carbonyl O atoms of neighboring molecules, generating co-operative centrosymmetric dimers withR55(10) ring motifs. The overall molecular arrangement in the unit cell seems to be highly influenced by secondary non-covalent weak C—Cl...π [Cl...Cg(phenyl ring) = 3.732 (2) Å] and C—O...π [O...Cg(pyrrolidine ring) = 2.985 (2) Å] contacts.
N′-[(E)-2-Chlorobenzylidene]-2-(6-methoxynaphthalen-2-yl)propanohydrazide
Authors: Mague Joel T. , Mohamed Shaaban K. , Akkurt Mehmet , Potgieter Herman , Albayati Mustafa R.
Published: May 2014

In the title compound, C21H19ClN2O2, the benzene ring and the naphthalene ring system are oriented at a dihedral angle of 65.24 (10)°. In the crystal, N—H...O, C—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules, forming chains along theb-axis direction. Further C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the chains, forming corrugated sheets lying parallel to (10-1).
α-NH4Fe(HAsO4)2
Authors: Ouerfelli Najoua , Souilem Amira , Zid Mohamed Faouzi , Driss Ahmed
Published: May 2014

The title compound α-ammonium iron(III) bis[hydrogen arsenate(V)], α-NH4Fe(HAsO4)2(or poly[ammonium bis(μ-hydrogen arsenato)ferrate(III)], {NH4[Fe(HAsO4)2]}n), synthesized hydrothermally, is isostructural with NH4Fe(HPO4)2. Condensation of the hydrogen arsenate groups with FeO6coordination octahedraviacommon corners results in an overall three-dimensional framework containing interconnected channels parallel to thea-,b-andc-axis directions. The NH4+cations are located in three intersecting tunnels, which is promising as an ion exchange. Hydrogen bonding of the types O—H...O and N—H...O consolidates the packing of the structure. The distortion of the coordination polyhedra is analyzed by means of the effective coordination number and distortion indices. Structural relationships with other compounds of general formulaMIMIII[HXO4)]2(X= P, As) are discussed.
Poly[[diaqua[μ-1,4-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)piperazine-κ2N:N′]{μ-2,2′-[(1,4-phenylene)bis(oxy)]diacetato-κ2O:O′}cobalt(II)] pentahydrate]
Authors: Sample Alexander D. , LaDuca Robert L.
Published: May 2014

In the title compound, {[Co(C10H8O6)(C16H20N4)(H2O)2]·5H2O}n, octahedrally coordinated CoIIions on crystallographic inversion centres are bound bytransO atoms belonging to two hydroquinone-O,O′-diacetate (hqda) anions {systematic name: 2,2′-[(1,4-phenylene)bis(oxy)]diacetate}, twotrans-pyridine N-donor atoms from two bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)piperazine (4-bpmp) ligands, and twotransaqua ligands. The exobidentate hqda and 4-bpmp ligands form [Co(hqda)(4-bpmp)(H2O)2]ncoordination polymer layers parallel to (110) that are anchored into the full crystal structure by O—H...O hydrogen bonding between aqua ligands and ligated hqda O atoms. Disordered water molecules of crystallization occupy incipient channels along [100]. However, these could not modeled reliably and so they were treated with SQUEEZE inPLATON[Spek (2009).Acta Cryst. D65, 148–155]; the crystal data take the presence of these molecules into account. The crystal under investigation was twinned by non-merohedry, the twin fraction of the components being 53.3% and 46.7%. Only data from the major twin component were used in the refinement.
Dichlorido(N,N-diethyl-4-{[(quinolin-2-yl)methylidene]amino-κ2N,N′}aniline)mercury(II)
Authors: Faizi Md. Serajul Haque , Hussain Sahid
Published: May 2014

In the mononuclear title complex, [HgCl2(C20H21N3)], synthesized from the quinoline-derived Schiff baseN1,N1-diethyl-N4-(quinolin-2-ylmethylidene)benzene-1,4-diamine (QMBD), the coordination geometry around the Hg2+atom is distorted tetrahedral, comprising two Cl atoms [Hg—Cl = 2.3654 (19) and 2.4394 (18) Å] and two N-atom donors from the QMBD ligand,viz.one imine and quinoline [Hg—N = 2.334 (5) and 2.340 (5) Å, respectively]. In the crystal, weak C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds and weak π–π aromatic ring stacking interactions [minimum ring-centroid separation = 3.680 (4) Å] give an overall three-dimensional network.
catena-Poly[[bis(pyridine-κN)nickel(II)]-di-μ-thiocyanato-κ2N:S;κ2S:N]
Authors: Neumann Tristan , Jess Inke , Näther Christian
Published: May 2014

In the title compound, [Ni(NCS)2(C5H5N)2]n, the Ni2+cation is coordinated by four thiocyanate anions (μ-1,3) and two pyridine ligands within a slightly distorted octahedral configuration. The Ni—N bond lengths to the pyridine rings are 2.1189 (17) and 2.1241 (17) Å, whereas those to the thiocyanate anions are 2.0299 (18) and 2.0359 Å. The Ni—S bond lengths are 2.5357 (6) and 2.5568 (6) Å. The Ni2+cations are linked byN:S-bridging thiocyanate ligands into chains extending along [010]. The Ni...Ni distance within the chains is 5.5820 (5) Å. The asymmetric unit contains two Ni2+cations of which one is located on a centre of inversion, whereas the second is located on a general position.
Buprenorphine
Authors: Mazurek Jaroslaw , Hoffmann Marcel , Fernandez Casares Anna , Cox Phillip D. , Minardi Mathew D.
Published: May 2014

In the crystal structure of a semi-synthetic opioid drug buprenorphine, C29H41NO4{systematic name: (2S)-2-[(5R,6R,7R,14S)-9α-cyclopropylmethyl-3-hydroxy-6-methoxy-4,5-epoxy-6,14-ethanomorphinan-7-yl]-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-ol}, the cyclopropylmethyl group is disordered over two sites with an occupancy factor of 0.611 (3) for the major component. One of the hydroxy groups is involved in intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond. The other hydroxy group acts as a proton donor in an intermolecular O—H...O interaction that connects molecules into a zigzag chain along thebaxis.
2,3-Diphenyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyrido[3,2-e][1,3]thiazin-4-one
Authors: Yennawar Hemant P. , Singh Harnoor , Silverberg Lee J.
Published: May 2014

In the racemic title compound, C19H14N2OS, the two phenyl substituents on the 1,3-thiazine ring are almost perpendicular to the pyridine ring which is fused to the thiazine ring [inter-ring dihedral angles = 87.90 (8) and 85.54 (7)°]. The dihedral angle between the two phenyl rings is 75.11 (7)°. The six-membered thiazine ring has an envelope conformation with theortho-related C atom forming the flap. The crystals exhibit face-to-edge aromatic-ring interactions with the nearest C—H...C distance equal to 3.676 (3) Å.
N-(1,5-Dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)acetamide
Authors: Kaur Manpreet , Jasinski Jerry P. , Yathirajan H. S. , Narayana B. , Byrappa K.
Published: May 2014

In the title compound, C19H18N4O4, the nitrophenyl and phenyl rings are twisted by 67.0 (6) and 37.4 (4)°, respectively, with respect to the pyrazole ring plane [maximum deviation = 0.0042 (16) Å]. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the phenyl rings is 59.3 (3)°. The amide group, with a C—N—C—C torsion angle of 177.54 (13)°, is twisted away from the plane of the pyrazole ring in an antiperiplanar conformation. In the crystal, N—H...O hydrogen bonds involving the carbonyl group on the pyrazole ring and the amide group, together with weak C—H...O interactions formingR22(10) graph-set motifs, link the molecules into chains along [100]. Additional weak C—H...O interactions involving the nitrophenyl rings further link the molecules along [001], also formingR22(10) graph-set motifs, thereby generating (010) layers.
A new interactive guiding system with social networking services at exhibitions
Authors: Lin Hsien-Tang , W. Lan Lawrence
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper was to develop a new interactive guiding system allowing people to use their own smart mobile devices, such as smart phones or tablet PCs, to activate the guiding services at the art gallery. The system provided interactions between visitors and exhibit items. It focused on the highly interactive functions between visitors and artworks authors as well as among visitors at both exhibition sites and social network sites (SNSs).

Design/methodology/approach

– The system used quick response (QR) codes as the context aware elements, Facebook as the platform of SNSs, and smart mobile devices as the human-machine interfaces. Visitors carrying their own smart phones or tablet PCs can activate the guiding services by scanning the QR codes of the interested exhibit items. A system usability scale (SUS) survey was conducted to understand the visitors' perceptions on system usability. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect the visitors' and authors' attitudes on releasing messages through Facebook.

Findings

– The system was implemented at an art centre where lacquer artworks were on display. The SUS survey showed that 94 per cent of the participated visitors have satisfactorily rated this new guiding system, indicating rather high usability of the system. Most participated visitors agreed on Facebook as an ideal channel to release messages and they would pay more attention to the highly-recommended exhibit items. All the artworks authors consented to this new guiding system with potential power to disseminate their works over the cyberspace.

Originality/value

– This new system possesses some important features in blending real world and cyberspace activities. Visitors at exhibit sites can become more informed and captivated because the interactive guiding system enables them to share knowledge and commentary opinions with others who were, are or will be at the same exhibition. It also allows people to share with their cyberspace friends who may have no times or opportunities to visit the exhibition. Most importantly, the new system may immensely expand the number of potential visitors in ways to make the authors and their artworks rapidly recognized.
Capital market supply and REITs’ financing and investment decisions
Authors: Bai Qing , Chang Qingqing , Devine Avis
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– In the wake of the recent financial crisis, there has been extensive commentary regarding the rise and fall of REIT leverage, how much debt REITs should use, and the trendy “deleveraging” practice among REIT managers. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Identifying the late 2000s credit crunch as a supply shock, the paper uses difference-in-difference methodology to isolate alternative firm financing strategies and investment decision responses to the shock.

Findings

– Consistent with corporate survey results, this empirical analysis suggests that changes in capital structure are largely supply driven, and REIT managers “time” the debt market in response to credit conditions.

Originality/value

– This research clarifies the causes of the documented leverage pattern and provides fresh insights about REIT capital structure.
Top management support, inter-organizational relationships and external involvement
Authors: Feng Taiwen , Zhao Gang
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of top management support (TMS) and inter-organizational relationships (IORs) on external involvement (EI), and their differences across different ownerships.

Design/methodology/approach

– To test the research hypotheses, structural equation modeling was conducted using data from 176 Chinese manufacturing firms.

Findings

– TMS enhances relationship with customers and relationship with suppliers. Relationship with customers increases the degree of customer involvement, while relationship with suppliers increases the degree of supplier involvement. In addition, TMS improves customer involvement while does not improve supplier involvement directly. A further analysis reveals that the relationship between TMS and supplier involvement is partially mediated by relationship with suppliers in Chinese-controlled firms, whereas it is completely mediated by relationship with suppliers in foreign-controlled firms. Moreover, the effect of relationship with suppliers on supplier involvement is stronger in foreign-controlled firms than in Chinese-controlled firms.

Research limitations/implications

– This study employed perceptual data from a single respondent in each firm. In addition, the data used in this study were collected from one side of the dyad: the manufacturers.

Practical implications

– Both Chinese-controlled and foreign-controlled firms should get support from top management and develop close relationship with customers and suppliers to improve EI.

Originality value

– This study extends our knowledge in the field by examining how TMS and prior history of IORs can improve the degree of EI.
Opportunity recognition and cooperation flexibility of entrepreneurial franchisees
Authors: Liu Tsung-Chi , Victor Chen Jengchung , Hsu Po-Yi
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to theoretically and empirically demonstrate the channel relationship between franchisors and franchisees. It examines four essential constructs that may lead to successful long-term franchising relationships: the competitive advantage of franchisors, operational assistance, trust, and intention to continue. Moreover, this study attempts to investigate the multi-unit initiation of franchisees and their subsequent propensity to franchise moderated by entrepreneurial opportunity recognition and cooperation flexibility of franchisors.

Design/methodology/approach

– The survey results of 234 franchisees’ responses were analyzed to test the proposed hypotheses and research model using partial least squares modeling. Data were collected in Taiwan.

Findings

– It was found that operational assistance of franchisors significantly develops the trust of franchisees and their intention to continue; and cooperation flexibility of franchisors has the positive influence of trust on the entrepreneurial propensity decision of multi-unit franchisees.

Practical implications

– Franchisors have the responsibility to develop a consistently aligned set of cues, guidelines, and processes that can define the flexibility-oriented supply culture, and then systematically monitor the achievement of the support mission. Franchisees collaborate with capable franchisors with trust, where both parties are willing to maintain flexibility in their relationship. They will require frequent changes of products and services to meet the unexpected local environment.

Originality/value

– This study combines entrepreneurial perspective into traditional franchising relationship research for better understanding the multi-unit initiation and subsequent propensity of franchisees toward the franchise system.
IT competency and the commercial success of innovation
Authors: Fernández-Mesa Anabel , Luis Ferreras-Méndez José , Alegre Joaquin , Chiva Ricardo
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of information technology competency (ITC) on internal and external learning competency and the relations among ITC, internal and external learning competency and the commercial success of innovation (CSI)

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses survey data from 186 companies. Through structural equation modeling the paper assesses the links between ITC, internal and external learning competency and the CSI.

Findings

– First, this study finds that ITC plays a critical role in internal and external learning competencies. Second, internal and external learning competencies are directly related to the CSI. Third, internal and external learning competencies mediate the relation between ITC and the CSI.

Research limitations/implications

– The research is cross-sectional, so cause-effect relation cannot be definitively inferred from the results.

Originality/value

– This study contributes to organizational learning research, identifying a key antecedent of internal and external learning competencies – ITC – and analyzing the link between internal and external learning competencies and the CSI. Moreover, this study is relevant to IT literature because it shows that ITC, on its own, is insufficient to generate and maintain a competitive advantage. Firms need complementary strategic capabilities such as learning competencies to strengthen the effect of ITC on firm performance.
Do managerial ties support or stifle open innovation?
Authors: Muzamil Naqshbandi M. , Kaur Sharan
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– Research investigating the role of factors affecting open innovation remains scarce. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of managerial ties in facilitating the two types of open innovation – in-bound and out-bound.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data are collected using the questionnaire survey method from 339 middle and top managers working in four high-tech industries in Malaysia.

Findings

– Results show that in most high-tech industries in Malaysia, managerial ties with universities and with government officials facilitate in-bound open innovation, while ties with managers at other firms do not significantly relate to it in any high-tech industry. Further, managerial ties are not found to relate significantly to out-bound open innovation in any high-tech industry except in the aerospace and electronics industries wherein ties with government officials relate negatively and positively to out-bound innovation, respectively.

Practical implications

– This study provides empirical evidence about the managerial ties practitioners should and should not forge to succeed in the open innovation paradigm.

Originality/value

– This study is probably the only study so far that gauges the impact of managerial ties on open innovation. The results of this study fill a major gap in the current open innovation theory besides providing insights for practitioners.
Understanding switching intention of information systems users
Authors: Asimakopoulos Grigorios , Asimakopoulos Stavros
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to reveal the impact of usability and switching costs on user intention to switch information systems (IS), and to examine the mediating role of switching costs on the usability-intention to switch relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using structural equation modeling, the research hypotheses tested in the context of forecasting IS using a web-based survey of 205 business forecasters.

Findings

– Results show that both perceived usability and switching costs negatively affect intention to switch; and switching costs, through specific constructs, mediate the relationship between usability and intention to switch IS.

Research limitations/implications

– Further research is needed for a more comprehensive understanding of the role of switching costs and to test the model in a longitudinal study and across different types of IS.

Originality/value

– This research contributes to a better understanding of the interplay between usability and switching costs factors and their impact on IS switching user intention. Based on the study findings, theoretical and practical implications for IS are identified and discussed.
International study of technology investment decisions at hospitals
Authors: Wernz Christian , Zhang Hui , Phusavat Kongkiti
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– Healthcare costs have increased considerably over the past decades around the world. Major contributors to this trend are expensive medical technologies. The purpose of this paper is to use a case study approach to understand how organizational and country level factors influence hospital investment behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper developed a conceptual framework based upon decision theory and institutional theory from which key questions were derived. The paper conducted semi-structured group interviews with relevant stakeholders in six hospitals located in five countries (Germany, India, Thailand, South Korea, USA).

Findings

– The paper found that the investment decisions of the interviewed hospitals are primarily affected by the healthcare system, the socio-economic and cultural context, and the organization's mission. Most of the interviewed hospitals consider multiple criteria in their decision-making framework and share similar organizational processes.

Practical implications

– The paper identified an international best practice approach to investment decision making at one of the hospitals. The other hospitals, despite being leading institutions in their respective countries, do not have sufficiently advanced and objective assessment approaches and would benefit from a more data-driven and systematic decision process.

Originality/value

– Prior research has documented that investment decisions at hospitals are driven by organizational factors. This paper shows how, in addition, country level factors – in particular healthcare system and cultural aspects – affect hospital decision-making behavior.
The mission statement: organisational culture perspective
Authors: Babnik Katarina , Breznik Kristijan , Dermol Valerij , Trunk Širca Nada
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the understanding of mission statement contents and its function in guiding employee's behaviour from the organisational culture (OC) perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research is based on a mixed method approach. The quantitative content analysis of mission statements was performed on a sample of 222 Slovenian companies. Mission statement's keywords were analysed with exploratory factor analysis. Advanced network analytic approaches such as PathFinder algorithm were utilised to obtain better understanding of interrelatedness of underlying mission components. Three interviews with the top managers were performed as well.

Findings

– The mission statement content analysis identified five associated organisations’ orientations: concern for stakeholders, orientation towards stability, orientation towards cooperation and innovation, and development and growth. The interviews confirm missions’ role in communicating the espoused or declared OC, although different approaches to achieve employees’ commitment to the organisation's mission can be identified in regard to the size of the organisation.

Originality/value

– The cultural approach to the analysis of mission statements confirms that the mission statements incorporate basic contents of OC. The methodology applied gives new possibilities in the research of OC perspective of strategic statements.
Marketing process adaptation
Authors: A. Griffith David , S. Lee Hannah , Seob Yeo Chang , Calantone Roger
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the marketing “processes” of governing multiple export relationships under the theoretical framework of governance value analysis (GVA). Specifically, this work examines the internal exchange attributes of transaction-specific investments and psychic distance on the adaptation/standardization of relational behavior and detailed contracting and how process adaptation/standardization influences new product outcomes and jointly created value in the focal export relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was conducted of 151 US manufacturers regarding their relationship with their primary foreign buyers. Data were analyzed with partial least squares estimation.

Findings

– The results indicate that high levels of transaction-specific investments lead to the adaptation of relational behaviors whereas high levels of psychic distance lead to less adaptation of detailed contracting. The adaptation of relational behaviors and detailed contracting reflect differential direct effects on export performance. Furthermore, the results indicate that there is a significant positive interaction effect between the adaptation of relational behavior and detailed contracting on jointly created value in the focal export relationship.

Practical implications

– The findings of the study reveal that adaptation of the marketing process related to relationship governance strategies can play an important role in the export marketing process, but managers must proceed with caution in balancing relational behavior and detailed contract adaptation. The results also point to the importance of understanding the underlying source of uncertainty and adapting appropriate aspects of governance for enhancing jointly created value in the export relationship.

Originality/value

– The value of this research lies in its goal to highlight the issue of marketing process adaptation across multiple export relationships. Less attention has been paid to the marketing “processes” of governing multiple export relationships in the international marketing strategy literature relative to “program” standardization/adaptation. This is one of the first empirical studies on marketing process adaptation of governance employing the theoretical framework of GVA.
Customer relationship challenges following international acquisitions
Authors: Öberg Christina
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– An important task following international acquisitions is to coordinate customer relationships; that is, to organise customer interfaces and possibly establish new relationships between customers and the acquirer/the acquired party. Yet, such coordination may prove to be problematic, not the least since customers react to acquisitions. The purpose of this paper is to describe and discuss customer relationship coordination challenges following international acquisitions. Focus is placed on business-to-business customers in the country of the acquired party.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on three case studies representing overlapping customers, customers of an acquired party new to the acquirer, and customers new to the acquired party. Non-standardised, face-to-face interviews were the main data source, and were complemented with secondary data such as newspaper items and annual reports.

Findings

– Three main challenges are identified: internal competition and cannibalisation; customers not being interested in the new party; and the acquired party demonstrating its independence through customers.

Practical implications

– Managerially, any coordination of customer relationships needs to be weighted towards risks for customer losses. It is important to maintain ties to customers – sales and maintenance staff, the product/service, etc. – if customers are to continue with the firm. It is also important that sales and maintenance staff see the benefits of the acquisition.

Originality/value

– While international acquisitions are a frequent means to reach new markets and customers, the problems of coordinating customer relationships following them have not been previously researched. Theoretically, the paper contributes to research through categorising and contextually explaining customer relationship coordination challenges in international acquisitions.
Comparing retail formats in an emerging market
Authors: K. Saini Gordhan , Sahay Arvind
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to examine the importance of credit and low price guarantee (LPG) on consumer purchase intention across types of retail store formats in an emerging market context.

Design/methodology/approach

– A 2 (kirana/modern retail)×2 (high/low LPG)×2 (credit/no credit) experimental design was used for this study. A sample of 200 respondents was asked about their purchase intention for a newly introduced hypothetical toothpaste brand and six hypotheses were tested.

Findings

– Findings show that credit and level of LPG determine consumer's purchase intention across store formats. The presence of credit and high LPG increases the purchase intention; however, relatively importance of these two varies by type of store. The absence of credit at kirana store definitely reduces the buying intention, while same is not true for modern retail store, where level of LPG is more important than the credit. Interestingly, buyer is likely to discount high LPG for a month's credit offered by a kirana store.

Practical implications

– The study can help practitioners and scholars to understand consumer responses to credit and LPG in buying decisions, and subsequently in designing a better product offer at a particular store format in emerging markets.

Originality/value

– Important insights are provided about the consumer behavior resulting from the presence or absence of credit and high or low levels of LPG in an emerging market context. The study also has public policy implications in a country where FDI in retail is a hotly debated topic.
MNCs in India: focus on frugal innovation
Authors: K. Ojha Abhoy
Published: May 2014

Purpose

– Frugal innovation is a term that has been used to describe the low-cost products and services, as well as the systems and processes adopted by organizations to develop them. The purpose of this paper is to examine the experience of multi-national companies (MNCs) in India as they adopt the philosophy of frugal innovation to develop products that are high in technology but low in terms of cost to meet the requirements of the market conditions in India, and similar low-income economies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The case study methodology was adopted to understand the experiences of the Indian subsidiaries of two MNCs, Bosch India and 3M India. Data were acquired through interviews with key decision makers, documents, and publicly available information.

Findings

– The two MNCs have increased research and development (R&D) in India and adopted the philosophy of frugal innovation which combines high technology with low costs. Based on the analysis, some propositions are presented indicating that MNCs will shift R&D to India if there are market opportunities; they will adopt the philosophy of frugal innovation to produce high technology products that are lost cost and low cost over product lifetime and will also expand to new-to-the-world innovation and finally contribute to global innovation.

Research limitations/implications

– The study is based on only two case studies and a large sample study may be required before the findings can be generalized.

Practical implications

– Other MNCs can learn from Bosch India and 3M India in terms of adopting frugal innovation practices to be successful in low-income economies.

Originality/value

– The field of frugal innovation is quite new and largely based on anecdotal accounts of successful low-cost innovation. This paper provides a more detailed account of the experiences of two well-known organizations to present propositions that may be used to conduct a large sample study.
Quantitative accounting for social economic indicators
Authors: McBain Darian , Alsamawi Ali
Published: May 2014

In this paper we consider the evolution of quantitative accounting of social indicators for measuring societal progress and sustainable development, with particular reference to economic analysis and social indicators. We examine the use of the System of National Accounts and introduce the concept of using input‐output analysis for the development of social indicators. The use of satellite accounts for input‐output analysis of environmental impacts and the development of environmental footprints has been well documented. The novelty of this paper is the use of a methodology frequently used to develop environmental indicators to quantify social impacts and to further the development of social footprints. We provide a case study of the use of social satellite accounts for labour, using multi‐regional input‐output analysis to develop a global inequality footprint for labour embodied in trade, and argue the case for the development of a system of social economic accounts, similar to the System of Environmental‐Economic Accounts adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission in 2012. This work contributes to the development of social valuation metrics as a means for measuring societal progress and developing sustainability indicators for use in management and decision‐making.
Late Spontaneous Nonanastomotic Transgraft Hemorrhage From Biological Material‐Impregnated Fabric Vascular Graft May Be Due to Autologous Tissue Detachment: A Clinical Hypothesis
Authors: Tomizawa Yasuko
Published: May 2014

Spontaneous nonanastomotic transgraft hemorrhage occurring several years after grafting may be a new late complication of biological material‐impregnated fabric vascular grafts (BMIFVs). Autologous connective tissue detachment may be caused by high porosity of the fabric graft and high blood pressure. Bleeding around the fiber is the first sign of development. Fabric grafts with optimal porosity and biocompatibility should be used for manufacturing BMIFVs.
Life after fire: smoke and ash as germination cues in ericads, herbs and graminoids of northern heathlands
Authors: Bargmann Tessa , Måren Inger E. , Vandvik Vigdis
Published: May 2014

Question

What is the impact of the fire cues smoke and ash on seed germination of important functional groups in the heathland system, namely ericads, herbs and graminoids? We predict that if germination from heathland seed banks is in part regulated by fire cues, there should be stronger responses to fire cue treatments in seed bank samples taken from heath that has not been recently burned in comparison with samples taken from newly burned heath, where seed banks have been exposed to the same cues in situ.

Location

Lygra, Lindås commune, western Norway.

Methods

The efficacy of smoke, charred wood, ash and heat in promoting germination has been documented in a wide range of species and systems, but relatively little work has been done on fire‐related cues in northern European heathlands under anthropogenic fire regimes. We studied fire experimentally by testing the effects of aqueous smoke solution, ash and a combination of the two treatments, on the germination of graminoids, herbs and ericads. A greenhouse germination trial compared seed banks from old heath (28 yr since the last fire) with seed banks from newly burned heath (burned the previous year), where we expected that fire‐cued germination had already occurred.

Results

We found that both ericads and graminoids responded to fire cues, whereas herbs did not. In line with our predictions, responses were stronger in the old heath than in the young heath. Further, the smoke treatment is a more effective cue than ash across all functional groups.

Conclusions

The prevalence of positive fire cue responses across functional groups underscores the importance of fire in the ecology of these heathlands, and hence of burning as a central tool for their management. The finding that the germination response is stronger in naïve seed banks than in seed banks that have already been exposed to recent fire cues through in situ fires further supports the role of fire in the successional dynamics of these heathlands.
Development and assessment of brief versions of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire and the Ruminative Response Scale
Authors: Topper Maurice , Emmelkamp Paul M. G. , Watkins Ed , Ehring Thomas
Published: May 2014

Objectives

Worry and depressive rumination have been found to be involved in the onset and maintenance of a range of psychological disorders. The development of brief screening measures for excessive worry and depressive rumination is therefore desirable to facilitate the assessment of worry and rumination in prevention and treatment settings where routine administration of full questionnaires is not practical due to time‐related constraints.

Design and methods

Using the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) and the Ruminative Response Scale (RRS) as gold standard starting points, brief versions of these measures were developed in a large sample of adolescents (N = 1,952) and results were cross‐validated in two independent samples (N = 1,954; N = 457).

Results

The brief versions demonstrated acceptable to high internal consistency (brief PSWQ: α = .84–.91; brief RRS: α = .78–.81) and correlated highly with the full questionnaires (brief PSWQ: r = .91–.94; brief RRS: r = .88–.91). In addition, they showed high sensitivity (brief PSWQ: .90–.92; brief RRS: .90–.93), and high specificity (brief PSWQ: .88–.90; brief RRS: .80–.87) to detect excessive worry and rumination. The validity of the brief measures was further supported by demonstrating that the brief measures showed similar differences in scores between males and females as the full measures as well as substantial relationships to other measures of repetitive negative thinking and symptom measures of anxiety and depression. Finally, the brief measures predicted future symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Conclusions

The brief versions of the PSWQ and RRS are time‐efficient and valid instruments for the screening of worry and depressive rumination. Their use in clinical practice is recommended to inform treatment and/or to select individuals at risk for development of psychological disorders who may benefit from preventive interventions.

Practitioner points

The newly developed brief PSWQ and brief RRS are valid, internally reliable measures that show high diagnostic efficiency to detect excessive worry and depressive rumination.

The brief PSWQ and brief RRS are time‐efficient instruments that can be used to determine whether a focus on reducing worry and depressive rumination during treatment is indicated.

The brief PSWQ and brief RRS can be used for large‐scale screening purposes to identify individuals eligible for targeted prevention programmes.

A potential limitation is that items of the brief RRS have depressive item content which may inflate the observed association with depression.

Future research is needed to assess the quality of the brief PSWQ and the brief RRS in broader community and clinical samples.
A Valsalva leak‐point pressure of >100 cmH2O is associated with greater success in AdVance™ sling placement for the treatment of post‐prostatectomy urinary incontinence
Authors: Barnard Jon , van Rij Simon , Westenberg Andre M.
Published: May 2014

Objectives

To determine if there is a Valsalva leak‐point pressure (VLPP) threshold that predicts for retro‐urethral transobturator sling (RTS) success in men with post‐prostatectomy urinary incontinence (UI).

Patients and Methods

The preoperative urodynamic parameters of all patients undergoing RTS (AdVance™) sling surgery over the last 5 years were analysed and compared with the postoperative outcomes. The sling was defined as having been successful if the patient no longer had to wear pads or merely used a pad to provide a sense of security.

Results

In all, 46 men with a mean (range) age of 65 (45–83) years, underwent AdVance™ sling surgery. 10 men had undergone holmium laser enucleation of the prostate, one a transurethral resection of the prostate and 35 radical prostatectomy. 11 men had a VLPP of ≤100 cmH2O. Of these 11 men, three had no, or minimal, improvement in their leakage and all three required a secondary procedure (artificial urinary sphincter, AUS). In the 35 men with a VLPP of >100cmH2O there were three failures. One of these was successfully salvaged with a repeat sling, another with an AUS and one with ProACT™ balloons. The hazard ratio (HR) for failure with a VLPP of ≤100 cmH20 compared with a VLPP of >100 cmH2O was 4 (95% confidence interval 0.68–23.7).

Conclusion

A VLPP of >100 cmH2O has a high degree of predictability for success for AdVance™ sling placement for men with post‐prostatectomy UI.