bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Joint effects of creative self-efficacy, positive and negative affect on creative performance
Authors: Thundiyil Tomas G. , Chiaburu Dan S. , Li Ning , Wagner Dave T.
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test a model connecting Chinese employees’ positive and negative affect and creative self-efficacy with supervisor-rated creative performance in Chinese business. Building on the cognitive tuning theory, this paper answers several calls for research to examine the joint effects of positive and negative affects on creative performance in the China business environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The participants were drawn from one of the largest petrochemical companies in China. We drew 459 leader-subordinate dyads across different jobs situated in multiple divisions to complete our surveys. The authors used hierarchical linear modeling to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings suggest that creative self-efficacy has a positive influence on creative performance during low PA scenarios. The authors also demonstrated that for employees in China, creative self-efficacy has a positive influence on creativity when employees experience both low levels of positive affect and high levels of negative affect.

Originality/value

As the findings suggest, Chinese employees who experience positive affect may engage in heuristic, top-down cognitive processes. Furthermore, findings from the present study also serve to extend the scope of the cognitive tuning model by testing the informational roles of positive and negative affects in self-regulatory processes rather than focusing directly on the main effects of employee affect. An important finding in this study is the three-way interaction indicating that individuals experiencing low positive affect and high negative affect will see a strong connection between creative self-efficacy and creative performance.
The resource evolution of standard alliance by technology standardization
Authors: Daoping Wang , Xiaoyan Wei , Fang Fang
Published: November 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the evolution mechanism of resources in a standard alliance that are matched with resources required at different standardization stages from the viewpoint of dynamic matching. How core enterprises in an alliance allocate resources, select member enterprises and maintain the normal operation of an alliance, according to the resource evolution of a standard alliance, is an important issue when dealing with the implementation of technology standardization.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have chosen the Intelligent Grouping and Resource Sharing (IGRS) standard alliance of computer companies in China as the object of this study. The authors have built indices to identify core enterprises in the alliance from the viewpoint of network organization. The authors also collected data from authoritative news websites concerning patents and cooperative projects undertaken by 216 enterprises in the IGRS alliance during the period from 2002 to 2016, and they have computed and analyzed these data by using UCINET 6.0 software and social network analysis methodology to identify core enterprises at different standardization stages, thus revealing the evolution mechanism for resources in the standard alliance.

Findings

Technology standardization is divided into R&D, industrialization and marketization stages, and the standard alliance requires different resources to satisfy what is required at each of those different standardization stages. While technology standardization is a process during which technology systems standards are continuously being perfected and the standard product market is continuously expanding, the development of technology standardization affects the evolutionary processes of the core enterprises and affects the selection of member enterprises in the standard alliance.

Practical implications

The results obtained will assist the standard alliance to select proper member enterprises and dynamically match the alliance’s resources with the resources required at different standardization stages to speed up the implementation of independent standardization in China.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates the evolution mechanism of resources in technology standard alliances at different standardization stages by using quantitative analysis methodology, and it enriches the research on which elements are influential for technology standardization’s development in the context of China’s social, economic and cultural characteristics.
Linear quadratic-based optimal current control of BLDC motor minimizing control error and considering accurate finite element model
Authors: Bernat Jakub , Stepien Slawomir Jan , Stranz Artur , Superczynska Paulina
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Brushless DC (BLDC) motors are commonly used in the industry. The improvement of power switching electronic elements, especially integrated circuits, has led to the development and improvement of control strategies. The purpose of this paper is to apply the well-known LQR control method for the highly accurate model of the BLDC motor, which is a must for the control system to be optimal and stable.

Design/methodology/approach

The employed distributed parameter finite element motor model uses a state vector which is dependent not only on time but also on space configuration, thus enabling the end-winding effect, cogging torque or magnetic saturation to be taken into account. The adopted infinite horizon linear quadratic-based controller aims at optimally minimizing current control error considering the energy delivered to the motor. For this reason, the relationship between the quadratic forms of the performance index is investigated and the reference currents’ influence on the results was studied. The presented methodology was confirmed with the numerical analysis of the problem.

Findings

It was found how the configuration of the optimal control objective function influences the performance and the stability of the drive system subject to energy delivery minimization. An exact configuration was calculated for which the control error was reasonably small. The applicability of the infinite horizon optimal current control for the BLDC drive applications was proved.

Originality/value

The authors introduced an innovative approach to the well-known control methodology and settled their research in the newest literature coverage for this issue.
Vodafone Egypt (B), managing corporate cultural change and organizational performance
Authors: Harlow Harold Dennis
Published: November 2016

Subject area

This telecommunications international business case study is the second in a series (A, B and C) of Vodafone cases.

Study level/applicability

This case is intended to be used in MBA graduate and undergraduate business courses in strategy, cross-cultural management and human resources.

Case overview

This case examined organizational structures and human resource operating strategies of Vodafone Egypt from 2002 until 2007. Vodafone’s business model, how Vodafone addressed the differences in national culture between Britain and Egypt and how Vodafone fostered adoption of the Vodafone corporate culture are the main themes of this case. Further, this case examined business issues, products, processes and people systems that challenged Vodafone to grow quickly from zero local operations in 1998 to 4,000 employees and national mobile coverage in 2007.

Expected learning outcomes

The students who have used this case in the author’s classes have gained a clearer understanding of how international managers often have to develop a change culture and structure as a catalyst for firm growth in emerging markets. Adaptation to the local culture may not be an option for fast growth technology firms and may be ill-suited to meet corporate objectives.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 5: International Business.
Disaster restoration project management: leadership education and methods
Authors: Baroudi Bassam , Rapp Randy
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Disaster restoration concerns the mitigation and repair of buildings and property resulting from natural and man-made disasters. This paper aims to investigate current attitudes with respect to disaster restoration project management leadership and its associated education.

Design/methodology/approach

Relevant literature is presented to provide some background with respect to disaster restoration projects, project management and leadership education. This is followed by a questionnaire survey that seeks opinion from appropriately qualified industry practitioners on a series of important issues with respect to the topic.

Findings

The results provide some insight into disaster restoration leadership education and methods. It was found that varied degrees of support existed on issues involving knowledge, teaching approaches and delivery modes.

Research limitations/implications

This research focuses on leadership and education as it pertains to the restoration of buildings post disaster. It does not delve into leadership education with respect to disaster management in general.

Practical implications

Appropriate education and training of industry participants needs to take place to ensure that qualified people undertake restoration projects. This study informs disaster restoration educators and industry with respect to leadership education and methods.

Originality/value

There have been many studies on leadership and education. However, this study has a specific focus on how disaster restoration practitioners view leadership and its associated education within their field.
Development of building inventory for northern Pakistan for seismic risk reduction
Authors: Rafi Muhammad Masood , Lodi Sarosh Hashmat , Ahmed Muhammad , Kumar Amit , Verjee Firoz
Published: November 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to present the studies which were carried out to determine building typology in Northern Pakistan, which is a seismically active region.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 41 towns and cities were surveyed to collect the data of building types. Help was also taken from global positioning system and satellite imagery.

Findings

In total, 14 different types of buildings were identified in the region based on the structural system and combination of wall and roof materials; each of them was assigned an appropriate designation. The walls in these buildings were made of block, stone or brick, whereas the roof consisted of corrugated galvanised iron sheet, thatched roof, precast concrete planks or reinforced concrete (RC). Only 6 per cent buildings were found to be engineered RC buildings; this indicates a significance proportion of non-engineered building stock in Northern Pakistan.

Research limitations/implications

The surveys were conducted in some of the selected areas. Other areas are beyond the scope of this work.

Practical implications

The presence of a huge deficient building stock in Pakistan indicates a major seismic risk. The seismic losses are largely dependent on the earthquake resistance of existing buildings and building stock. An inventory of existing buildings and their types can help in assessing seismic vulnerability of the built environment, which may lead to the development of policies for seismic risk reduction.

Originality/value

Presently, housing encyclopaedia does not exist in Pakistan. As a result, housing typology in the country is not known. The presented study addresses this gap in part. Housing typology surveys were conducted to study the typical construction practices in the selected areas and to determine the proportions of different building types in the overall building stock.
Impact of workplace characteristics on work-family conflict of dual-career couples
Authors: Kundu Subhash C. , Phogat Rina S. , Datta Saroj Kumar , Gahlawat Neha
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the effects of various workplace characteristics on work-family conflict among dual-career couples in India.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data based on 393 employees belonging to dual-career couples were analyzed. Using multiple regression analysis, the study has attempted to find out the effects of workplace characteristics on work-family conflict in dual-career couples.

Findings

The findings indicate that not all workplace characteristics effect work-family conflict in dual-career couples. Out of 13 characteristics, 8 workplace characteristics, namely, development and flexibility, co-worker support, supervisory support, job competence, self-employee control, practicing overtime, flexibility and discrimination, are found to have significant effects on work-family conflict in dual-career couples.

Research limitations/implications

As this study is limited to the dual-career couples employed mainly in organizations operating in India, these results may not be generalized to other areas such as traditional career couples, self-employed member of couples and in other national contexts.

Practical implications

It would be beneficial for organizations to understand and implicate that adoption of certain workplace characteristics provide appropriate choices, freedom and environment for dual-career employees, which further encourage them to build effective amalgamation of work and family roles suiting their individual circumstances.

Originality/value

This study is an important and almost first study on dual-career couples in India on such issues. As a very scant number of researches have examined the impact of workplace characteristics on work-family conflict on such extensive basis, it definitely contributes to HR literature.
Human resource management executive presence in top management
Authors: Reutzel Christopher R. , Belsito Carrie A. , Collins Jamie D.
Published: November 2016

Purpose

This study aims to draw upon research from strategic human resource management (HRM) and strategic management to examine how HRM demands influence the likelihood that chief executive officers (CEOs) will staff top management with a human resource (HR) executive.

Design/methodology/approach

The theory and hypotheses developed in this study are tested on a sample of US initial public offering firms from the calendar year 2007, using logistic regression.

Findings

The results of hypothesis tests suggest that HR executive presence in top management is positively related to the HRM demands faced by a CEO stemming from product/service innovation strategies, the number of HRs employed by the firm and CEO’s financial orientation.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study may not generalize to other settings. This study does not simultaneously consider the role of other structural forms which may increase or reduce the degree of HRM demands faced by the CEO. This study extends prior research on executive job demands by expanding the understanding of factors which give rise to HRM sources of executive job demands. Study results suggest that CEOs with financial orientations are more likely to staff their top management teams with an HR executive, which suggests that in the face of executive job demands stemming from a particular functional area, CEOs delegate responsibility for that function to another member of top management. This finding suggests that CEOs can, and in fact do, recognize the limitations engendered by their experiences and that when confronted with a specific type of executive job demand that does not align with their expertise, they take steps to address their individual limitations by appointing others that are more capable of addressing the particular source of executive job demand.

Practical implications

Study results suggest that product/service innovation strategies, CEO’s financial background and the number of HRs employed by the firm increase the likelihood of HR functional representation in top management.

Originality/value

The theory and results of this study extend the focus of extant research on factors giving rise to HRM’s functional representation in top management. Although prior research has emphasized the role of ownership characteristics and risk preferences in the adoption of this structural form, this study examines the role of CEO HRM demands. This approach allows for the integration of the upper echelons theory with the strategic HRM literature and provides an empirical examination of CEO job demands arising from the HRM function.
Expatriate managers decision-making practices within the UAE: a qualitative study
Authors: AlMazrouei Hanan , Zacca Robert , Bilney Chris , Antoine Giselle
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Managing across cultures is vital for international business success. Leaders need to make decisions in a way that suits the new culture in which they are placed. This paper aims to explore how expatriate managers in the UAE make decisions in respect to their contextual environment. Additionally, the study investigates the approaches expatriate managers use to adjust their decision-making and how they manage local staff in contrast to home country staff. Finally, the study investigates the factors that contribute to the situation-specific environment of the expatriate leaders’ experience.

Design/methodology/approach

Structured personal interviews of expatriates drawn from stratified sampling were used to discover the styles of decision-making that were effective in the UAE.

Findings

The consultative management style of management enhanced by a hybrid approach of melding the strongest aspects of the expatriates’ decision-making style with the strongest aspects of the local decision-making style met with much success managing in the UAE. Additionally, the expatriate managers’ expression of appreciation towards local staff provided motivation and encouraged cooperation. Moreover, it was found that expatriates can face difficulties in expressing their wishes and requirements accurately to local staff because of their unfamiliarity with the Arabic language.

Practical implications

This research provides practical guidance for expatriate managers charged with successfully leading organizations in UAE. It also offers guidance for employers seeking to recruit or employ appropriate management talent to UAE.

Originality/value

The paper concentrates on expatriate managers’ decision-making practices within the UAE.
It takes a village to raise an ECR
Authors: Browning Lynette , Thompson Kirrilly , Dawson Drew
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe organisational strategies that support early career researchers in building a successful track record which can lead to a successful academic research career.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on more than a decade of experience designing, implementing and evaluating professional development programmes for early career researchers in universities.

Findings

If an early career researcher is to achieve long-term success, the first five years after graduating with a doctorate are critical in establishing long-term career success. Professional development programmes for early career researchers are more successful if they are supported by organisational strategies around workload, performance management and accountability.

Originality/value

If implemented, these organisational strategies can assist early career researchers to build a successful track record, which can lead to a successful research career and contribute towards increasing aggregate institutional research performance for universities.
Consumption values, destination cues and nostalgia on the attitude in the selection of destination for educational tourism: the mediating role of destination image
Authors: Rahman Muhammad Sabbir , Osmangani AAhad M. , Hassan Hasliza , Anwar Md. Aftab , Fattah Fadi Abdel Muniem Abdel
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between consumption values (CV), destination cues (DC), nostalgia and attitude in the selection of destination for educational tourism, and the mediating effect of destination image (DI).

Design/methodology/approach

The research applied descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling techniques. The study tested the reliability and validity of the measurement model through CFA, Cronbach’s α and inter-correlation analyses. This research applied the structural equation model to examine the relationship between the research variables using 250 foreign students.

Findings

The results of data analysis support the stated hypotheses. All the direct relationships were significant and positive. However, DI found a partial mediating role among the relationships. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.

Research limitations/implications

From this research the tourism researchers, policymakers and managers of the respective higher learning institution may develop a complete understanding of the antecedents of attitude formation of the edu-tourists which were not even studied before from the perspective of educational tourism.

Originality/value

To date, there have been few empirical studies examining the attitude of the edu-tourists in the selection of a destination for educational tourism. Therefore, understanding the purpose of CV, DC and nostalgia in a tourist’s decision-making operation, and their theoretical relationship, will make both scientific and practical contributions.
Understanding the motivations and emotions of visitors at Tuol Sleng Genocide Prison Museum (S-21) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Authors: Isaac Rami K. , Çakmak Erdinç
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the motives and emotions of Western tourists visiting Tuol Sleng Genocide Prison Museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and further contribute to a deeper understanding of the dark tourism consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from popular travel blog sites. This study employs various qualitative and quantitative methods, such as netnography, semantic network analysis and critical content analysis in order to gain a deeper insight into the visitors’ emotions and motivations.

Findings

This study reveals that people visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum mainly for “remembrance”, “worth visiting”, “learning and understanding”, “paying respect” and a “must visit” attraction. Emotions revealed in this study were “shocking“, “sadness“, “horror” and “depressive”.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is limited to the analyses of travel blogs sites. Further research could include interviews with Western visitors, and professionals managing the site.

Originality/value

To the best of the knowledge, this is the first study to examine the emotions of visitors in Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.
A different “we” in urban sustainability: how the city of Chattanooga, TN, community defined their own sustainability path
Authors: Kitheka Bernard M. , Baldwin Elizabeth D. , White David L. , Harding Daniel N.
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to try to understand the process of community building that helped transform the City of Chattanooga to become one of the greenest cities in the country and why the sustainability program worked for Chattanooga.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 30 key informants, identified through snowball sampling, were interviewed. To corroborate the interview data, numerous documents were reviewed and repeat field visits to Chattanooga and surrounding area conducted over a period of three-and-a-half years. Interview data were analyzed using MAXQDA qualitative data analysis software.

Findings

Findings show that the transformation process from “the dirtiest city in America” to “green city” was mainly a community agenda. Led by concerned private citizens and visionaries, Chattanooga went through aggressive community mobilization, citizen empowerment and participation in environmental improvement, building of social capital and economic revitalization.

Research limitations/implications

Research limitations include under coverage and researcher bias.

Practical implications

Lessons for cities that share the same industrial history as Chattanooga.

Social implications

Community-building and community participation can work in a collectivist culture.

Originality/value

The lead author collected the data, conducted analysis and did all the writing with mentoring from the co-authors.
The sustainable company: looking at goals for people, planet and profits
Authors: Palmer Timothy B. , Flanagan David J.
Published: November 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the landscape of sustainability goals set by large firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Sustainability reports were content analyzed using the triple bottom line framework.

Findings

This study identified 389 goals among 22 firms. The most common goals focused on the natural environment. On average, the firms list 18 sustainability goals. These included an average of eight “planet” goals, seven “people” goals and three “overarching” goals.

Practical implications

This research should be useful to sustainability professionals who are setting goals for their firms and seek to understand the current landscape of goals set by large firms.

Originality/value

Although previous research has analyzed the content of sustainability reports, this is the first paper to explore sustainability goals. Given the importance of goal setting in strategic management, this paper fills an important gap in the intersection between sustainability and strategy.
The prevalence, nature, and impact of intrafamilial child sexual abuse: findings from a rapid evidence assessment
Authors: Gekoski Anna , Davidson Julia C. , Horvath Miranda A.H.
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings from a study commissioned by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) in England, concerning intrafamilial child sexual abuse (IFCSA)/incest. Specifically, it aims to explore what is known about the prevalence, nature, and impact of IFCSA and where the gaps in knowledge lie.

Design/methodology/approach

A rapid evidence assessment (REA) was used, the function of which is to: search the literature as comprehensively as possible within given time constraints; collate descriptive outlines of the available evidence on a topic and critically appraise it; sift out studies of poor quality; and provide an overview of the evidence. Over 57,000 documents were scanned, and 296 ultimately systematically analysed.

Findings

It was found that: there is wide variation in prevalence rates between studies; girls are more likely to be victims than boys; the onset of abuse is typically school age; abuse in minority groups is under-reported; sibling abuse may be more common than that by fathers; female perpetrated abuse may be under-reported; families where abuse occurs are often dysfunctional; and IFCSA has significant adverse effects on victims.

Research limitations/implications

A REA is not a full systematic review, differing in the scope and depth of the searches and depending almost exclusively on electronic databases, not accompanied by searching journals by hand.

Practical implications

This work found numerous gaps in current knowledge about IFCSA, which the authors recommend be addressed by further research, including: the scale and nature of IFCSA in disabled victims, research on BME children’s experiences; the prevalence of abuse by stepfathers as compared to biological fathers; the experiences of male victims; the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered child victims; the short-term impact of IFCSA based on child victims’ experiences; and more widely, further research on the prevalence of abuse in clinical populations and the relationship between that and prevalence in wider society. In addition to such questions, the OCC inquiry will also investigate issues surrounding child protection and criminal justice responses to (IF)CSA and how these might be improved. The evidence base for this section of the inquiry is reported in Gekoski et al. (2016).

Originality/value

The findings of this research provide the evidence base for a new two-year inquiry into the subject of IFCSA by the OCC.
How 3D printing technology changes the rules of the game
Authors: Kothman Ivo , Faber Niels
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present several insights on how disruptive technologies potentially impact the eco-performance of entire supply chains, by providing performance improvements compared to existing technologies, enabling more efficient manufacturing methods and affecting the entire structure of the supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

To illustrate the authors’ position, a case from the construction sector is presented, for which the feasibility and impact of 3D printing technology has been studied. The empirical study focuses on the effect of the use of 3D printing technology on the building supply chain, aimed primarily at manufacturing companies in construction, but including suppliers, architects and designers as well.

Findings

3D printing of concrete potentially provides several improvements in manufacturing performance, such as a shortening of lead times, integration of functions and allowing for reduced material usage, therefore possibly turning production steps within the construction supply chain obsolete while also reducing logistical and production efforts.

Research limitations/implications

Whether disruptive technologies other than 3D printing have a similar potential is unknown. Though the case study shows the potential of disruptive technologies in impacting supply chains, the authors realize that more empirical work is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in relating disruptive technological advancements to manufacturing technologies and transitions of supply chains’ eco-performance.
A social media and crowdsourcing data mining system for crime prevention during and post-crisis situations
Authors: Domdouzis Konstantinos , Akhgar Babak , Andrews Simon , Gibson Helen , Hirsch Laurence
Published: November 2016

Purpose

A number of crisis situations, such as natural disasters, have affected the planet over the past decade. The outcomes of such disasters are catastrophic for the infrastructures of modern societies. Furthermore, after large disasters, societies come face-to-face with important issues, such as the loss of human lives, people who are missing and the increment of the criminality rate. In many occasions, they seem unprepared to face such issues. This paper aims to present an automated social media and crowdsourcing data mining system for the synchronization of the police and law enforcement agencies for the prevention of criminal activities during and post a large crisis situation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper realized qualitative research in the form of a review of the literature. This review focuses on the necessity of using social media and crowdsourcing data mining techniques in combination with advanced Web technologies for the purpose of providing solutions to problems related to criminal activities caused during and after a crisis. The paper presents the ATHENA crisis management system, which uses a number of data mining techniques to collect and analyze crisis-related data from social media for the purpose of crime prevention.

Findings

Conclusions are drawn on the significance of social media and crowdsourcing data mining techniques for the resolution of problems related to large crisis situations with emphasis to the ATHENA system.

Originality/value

The paper shows how the integrated use of social media and data mining algorithms can contribute in the resolution of problems that are developed during and after a large crisis.
Philanthropy, political connection and debt finance
Authors: Li Weian , Wang Pengcheng
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Philanthropy is taken as a strategic behavior by private enterprises to obtain financial resources from governments. This paper aims to examine the relationship between private enterprise philanthropy and the debt finance, further investigating the way by which governments exchange resources with private enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for an empirical study using a sample of 1,489 Chinese private-listed companies from 2007 to 2010. The study analyzed the relationship between philanthropy and debt finance based on the resource dependence theory and social exchange theory and tested the moderating effect of political connection.

Findings

Philanthropy can help private enterprises to get the debt finance, and this effect occurs mainly among the political connected private enterprises; the higher degree of credit allocation marketization is, the less philanthropy can affect the debt finance and the less influence political connection can exert on that relationship. Philanthropy contributes to debt financing mainly because it can help obtain more long-term loan, and this effect is more obvious for politically connected private enterprises in regulated industries.

Originality/value

This paper verifies the action logic of private enterprises philanthropy from the perspective of exchange behavior, which is helpful to understand the motive and influence of private enterprises philanthropy.
Examining social capital on mobile SNS: the effect of social support
Authors: Zhou Tao
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of social support on social capital in mobile social networking sites.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the 234 valid responses collected from a survey, structural equation modelling was employed to examine the research model.

Findings

The results indicated that social support, which includes informational support and emotional support, has a significant effect on social capital that consists of structural, relational and cognitive capital.

Originality/value

Although previous research has found the effect of social capital on user behaviour, it has seldom identified the determinants of social capital. Thus, how to build and develop social capital remains a question. This research examined the effect of social support on social capital.
Inhibitory effect of presenilin inhibitor LY411575 on maturation of hepatitis C virus core protein, production of the viral particle and expression of host proteins involved in pathogenicity
Authors: Otoguro Teruhime , Tanaka Tomohisa , Kasai Hirotake , Yamashita Atsuya , Moriishi Kohji
Published: November 2016

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein is responsible for the formation of infectious viral particles and induction of pathogenicity. The C‐terminal transmembrane region of the immature core protein is cleaved by signal peptide peptidase (SPP) for maturation of the core protein. SPP belongs to the family of presenilin‐like aspartic proteases. Some presenilin inhibitors are expected to suppress HCV infection and production; however, this anti‐HCV effect has not been investigated in detail. In this study, presenilin inhibitors were screened to identify anti‐HCV compounds. Of the 13 presenilin inhibitors tested, LY411575 was the most potent inhibitor of SPP‐dependent cleavage of HCV core protein. Production of intracellular core protein and supernatant infectious viral particles from HCV‐infected cells was significantly impaired by LY411575 in a dose‐dependent manner (half maximum inhibitory concentration = 0.27 μM, cytotoxic concentration of the extracts to cause death to 50% of viable cells > 10 μM). No effect of LY411575 on intracellular HCV RNA in the subgenomic replicon cells was detected. LY411575 synergistically promoted daclatasvir‐dependent inhibition of viral production, but not that of viral replication. Furthermore, LY411575 inhibited HCV‐related production of reactive oxygen species and expression of NADPH oxidases and vascular endothelial growth factor. Taken together, our data suggest that LY411575 suppresses HCV propagation through SPP inhibition and impairs host gene expressions related to HCV pathogenicity.
Individual variation in energy‐saving heterothermy affects survival and reproductive success
Authors: Dammhahn Melanie , Landry‐Cuerrier Manuelle , Réale Denis , Garant Dany , Humphries Murray M.
Published: November 2016

Given fundamental energetic trade‐offs among growth, maintenance and reproduction, individual differences in energy saving should have consequences for survival and reproductive success. Many endotherms use periodic heterothermy to reduce energy and water requirements and individual variation in heterothermy should have fitness consequences. However, attempts to disentangle individual‐ and population‐level variation in heterothermy are scarce.

Here, we quantified patterns of heterothermy of 55 free‐ranging eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus), food‐hoarding hibernators. Over five hibernation periods, we obtained a total of 7108 daily individual heterothermy indices (median: 118 per individual).

Based on an individual reaction norm approach, we found that the use of heterothermy was repeatable and varied among individuals of the same population under similar environmental conditions. This among‐individual variation had consequences for winter survival and reproductive success. Individuals using less heterothermy at the beginning of the winter had decreased survival in resource‐rich but not in resource‐poor years and higher reproductive success in the subsequent breeding season.

These results support the hypothesis that fluctuating selection maintains heterothermic diversity and suggest that individualized ecophysiology can contribute to a more thorough understanding of the evolution of energy‐saving strategies in endotherms.

Alay summaryis available for this article.
GRK2/β‐arrestin mediates arginine vasopressin‐induced cardiac fibroblast proliferation
Authors: Chen Yunxuan , Xu Feifei , Zhang Lingling , Wang Xiaojun , Wang Yifan , Woo Anthony Yiu‐Ho , Zhu Weizhong
Published: November 2016

Cardiac fibrosis is a pathological feature commonly found in hearts exposed to haemodynamic orneurohormonal stress. Elevated levels of arginine vasopressin (AVP) are closely associated with the progression of heart failure and could be an underlying cause of cardiac fibrosis. The aim of this study is to characterize the effect of AVP on neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (NRCFs) and to illustrate its signalling mechanism. The proliferative effect of AVP was assessed by methylthiazolyldiphenyl‐tetrazolium assay and 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay, and the amounts of cellular signalling proteins α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, MMP9, and phosphorylated ERK1/2 were determined by western blotting. AVP, in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner, promoted NRCF proliferation and the expression of MMP2 and MMP9. Inhibition of G protein‐coupled receptor kinase2 (GRK2) by the inhibitory peptide GRK2‐Ct or knock‐down of GRK2 suppressed AVP‐induced BrdU incorporation and the expression of MMP2 and α‐SMA in NRCFs. Moreover, shRNA‐mediated silencing of β‐arrestin1 or β‐arrestin 2 abolished AVP‐induced BrdU incorporation and MMP2 expression. AVP‐induced NRCF proliferation depended on the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and inhibition of GRK2 or silencing of β‐arrestins blocked AVP‐induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. The effects of AVP on NRCF proliferation and α‐SMA expression were blocked by SR45059, a vasopressin receptor type1A (V1AR) selective antagonist. In conclusion, AVP promotes NRCF proliferation through V1AR‐mediated GRK2/β‐arrestin/ERK1/2 signalling.
Behaviour of Listeria monocytogenes in Lighvan cheese following artificial contamination during making, ripening and storage in different conditions
Authors: Moosavy Mir‐Hassan , Esmaeili Saber , Mortazavian Amir Mohammad , Mostafavi Ehsan , Habibi‐Asl Bohlol , Hosseini Hedayat , Khatibi Seyed Amin
Published: November 2016

This study investigated the behaviour and fate of Listeria monocytogenes at different ripening temperatures and NaCl concentrations in traditional Lighvan cheese. L. monocytogenes was added to raw sheep's milk. After producing the cheese, they were stored in 8%, 12% and 15% NaCl at 4, 9 and 14 °C. Sampling was performed for 150 days. Different temperature and NaCl concentrations had a significant effect on the survival of L. monocytogenes (P < 0.001). The lowest growth and survival rates of L. monocytogenes were in 15% NaCl at 14 °C and 12% NaCl at 14 °C, respectively. Also, the highest growth and survival rates of the bacterium were in 8% NaCl at 4 °C.
Maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity associated with tuberculosis during pregnancy and the postpartum period: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Sobhy S , Babiker ZOE , Zamora J , Khan KS , Kunst H
Published: November 2016

Background

There is a dearth of data on the clinical features and outcomes of active tuberculosis (TB) in pregnancy. Studies have shown varied results and the relationship between TB and adverse pregnancy outcomes remains unclear.

Objectives

We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate pregnancy outcomes associated with TB.

Search strategy

Major databases were searched from inception until December 2015 without restrictions using the terms: ‘TB’, ‘pregnancy’, ‘maternal morbidity’, ‘mortality’ and ‘perinatal morbidity’, ‘mortality’.

Selection criteria

We included studies that compared the outcomes of pregnant women with and without active TB.

Data collection and analysis

We computed odds ratios for maternal and perinatal complications, and pooled them using a random effects model. We assessed for heterogeneity using chi‐squared tests and evaluated its magnitude using the I2 statistic. We used the Newcastle–Ottawa scale for quality assessment.

Main results

Thirteen studies, including 3384 pregnancies with active TB and 119 448 without TB were included. Compared with pregnant women without TB, pregnant women with active TB was associated with increased odds of maternal morbidity [odds ratio (OR) 2.8, 95% CI 1.7–4.6; I2 = 60.3%], anaemia (OR 3.9, 95% CI 2.2–6.7; I2 = 29.8%), caesarean delivery (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2–3.8; I2 = 61.1%), preterm birth (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.4; I2 = 66.5%), low birth weight (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.4; I2 = 53.7%), birth asphyxia (OR 4.6, 95% CI 2.4–8.6; I2 = 46.3), and perinatal death (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.5–11.8; I2 = 57.2%).

Author's conclusion

Active TB in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Early diagnosis of TB is important to prevent significant maternal and perinatal complications.

Tweetable abstract

Active tuberculosis in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.
Public support for coercive diplomacy: Exploring public opinion data from ten European countries
Authors: ONDERCO MICHAL
Published: November 2016

Scholarship has increasingly acknowledged the importance of public attitudes for shaping the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy. Economic sanctions emerged as one of CFSP's central tools. Yet despite the emergence of sanctions as a popular instrument in the EU foreign policy toolbox, public attitudes towards sanctions are yet to be studied in depth. This article explains public support for EU sanctions, using the empirical example of sanctions against Russia. It looks at geopolitical attitudes, economic motivations and ideational factors to explain the variation in public support for sanctions. The conclusion suggests that geopolitical factors are the most important, and that economic factors matter very little. Euroscepticism and anti‐Americanism play an important role in explaining the support for sanctions at the individual level.
Attempted Drug‐facilitated Sexual Assault—Xylazine Intoxication in a Child
Authors: Andresen‐Streichert Hilke , Iwersen‐Bergmann Stefanie , Mueller Alexander , Anders Sven
Published: November 2016

There are only a few cases of drug‐facilitated sexual assaults on children reported in the literature so far. Here, a case of a four‐year‐old boy is presented. He was unconscious, and the accompanying adults reported that the child had been at a playground on his own. Returning home, he complained of having been stung and collapsed immediately. Urine and serum samples of the child were investigated. In the toxicological analysis, xylazine, a sedative and muscle relaxant used in animals, was detected. Subsequent quantification by GC/MS after solid‐phase extraction revealed 0.053 mg/L xylazine in serum and approximately 0.63 mg/L in urine. Furthermore, the child was examined by a forensic medical specialist. Police investigations revealed that the godfather, who had been previously accused of sexual abuse of children, had injected the child with the drug, possibly in preparation for a shared bath.
gflow: software for modelling circuit theory‐based connectivity at any scale
Authors: Leonard Paul B. , Duffy Edward B. , Baldwin Robert F. , McRae Brad H. , Shah Viral B. , Mohapatra Tanmay K.
Published: November 2016

Increasing habitat connectivity is important for mitigating the effects of climate change, landscape fragmentation and habitat loss for biodiversity conservation. However, modelling connectivity at the relevant scales over which these threats occur has been limited by computational requirements.

Here, we introduce the open‐source softwaregflow, which massively parallelizes the computation of circuit theory‐based connectivity. The software is developed for high‐performance computing, but scales to consumer‐grade desktop computers running modern Linux or MacOSX operating systems.

We report high computational efficiency representing a 173× speedup over existing software using high‐performance computing and a 8·4× speedup using a desktop computer while drastically reducing memory requirements.

gflowallows large‐extent and high‐resolution connectivity problems to be calculated over many iterations and at multiple scales. We envisiongflowbeing immediately useful for large‐landscape efforts, including climate‐driven animal range shifts, multitaxa connectivity, and for the many developing use‐cases of circuit theory‐based connectivity.
Methamphetamine self‐administration reduces alcohol consumption and preference in alcohol‐preferring P rats
Authors: Winkler Madeline C. , Greager Emilee M. , Stafford Jacob , Bachtell Ryan K.
Published: November 2016

Subclinical levels of polysubstance use are a prevalent and understudied phenomenon. Alcohol is a substance commonly co‐used with other substances of other drug classes. These studies sought to determine the consumption effects of combining alcohol drinking and methamphetamine (MA) self‐administration. Male alcohol‐preferring P rats had continuous access to a two‐bottle alcohol drinking procedure in the home cage. Control rats remained alcohol naïve. Rats were also surgically implanted with intra‐jugular catheters and trained to self‐administer saline (control) or MA in daily 2‐hour sessions. We first measured the acquisition and maintenance of MA intake in alcohol‐consuming or control rats. MA intake was initially enhanced by alcohol consumption on a fixed ratio 1 schedule of reinforcement, but this effect did not prevail as the difficulty of the schedule (FR5 and progressive ratio) was increased. We next measured both alcohol consumption and preference before, during and after MA (or saline) self‐administration. MA self‐administration significantly reduced alcohol intake and preference ratios, a robust effect that persisted across several experimental variations. Interestingly, alcohol consumption rebounded following the cessation of MA self‐administration. The effects of MA self‐administration were specific to alcohol intake because it did not alter total fluid consumption or consumption of sucrose. MA self‐administration did not impact blood‐alcohol concentrations or alcohol‐induced loss of righting reflex suggesting no effect of MA intake on the alcohol metabolism or sensitivity. Together, the results suggest that MA intake disrupts alcohol consumption and preferences but not the reverse in alcohol‐preferring P rats.