bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How does TMT transactive memory system drive innovation ambidexterity?
Authors: Chen Qian , Liu Zhiying
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Although prior studies have found that transactive memory system (TMS) in top management team (TMT) can enable innovation ambidexterity, works that focus on only the direct role of TMS and neglect the question of how the differentiated knowledge of the TMS are integrated. The purpose of this paper is to further elucidate how a TMS promotes ambidexterity and examine both its mechanism process and the conditions influencing the process.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a questionnaire survey of 94 high-tech enterprises in China.

Findings

The findings show that the positive relationship between TMS usage and innovation ambidexterity is mediated by TMT shared leadership, which refers to collective decision-making behaviors and can integrate the heterogeneous knowledge of the TMS into coherent strategic forms. The authors also found that having a TMS was more positively related to innovation ambidexterity via shared leadership when top managers have high team learning goal orientation or high team performance approach goal orientation.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the literature on the antecedents of innovation ambidexterity by showing the effects of TMS and TMT shared leadership, responding to the call to explore how TMT cognitive structures interact with behavioral processes to shape ambidexterity. This study also contributes to TMS research by taking team goal orientations into consideration, which promotes understanding of the effectiveness of TMS in an achievement context. In addition, the authors bring distributed cognition to the fore as a novel fuel for understanding how shared leadership forms.
Welcome to the jungle! The neuromarketing literature through the eyes of a newcomer
Authors: Lee Nick , Chamberlain Laura , Brandes Leif
Published: February 2018

Purpose

To grow, any field of research must both encourage newcomers to work within its boundaries, and help them learn to conduct excellent research within the field’s parameters. This paper aims to examine whether the existing body of neuromarketing literature can support such growth. Specifically, the authors attempt to replicate how a newcomer to the field of neuromarketing would go about orienting themselves to the field and learn how to conduct excellent neuromarketing research.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 131 papers, published in the areas of “neuromarketing” and “consumer neuroscience” were downloaded and then identified as conceptual or empirical in nature. A separate database was created for each type of research paper and information was recorded. For both conceptual and empirical papers, the citation details, notably year of publication, journal, journal ranking and impact factor were recorded. Papers were then descriptively analysed with regards to number of publications over the years, content and journal quality.

Findings

It is found that interest in the field is growing, with a greater variety of topics and methods appearing year on year. However, the authors also identify some issues of concern for the field if it wishes to sustain this growth. First, the highly fragmented literature and the lack of signposting makes it very difficult for newcomers to find the relevant work and journal outlets. Second, there is a lack of high-quality, user-oriented methodological primers that a newcomer would come across. Finally, neuromarketing as it appears to a newcomer suffers from a lack of clear guidance on what defines good vs bad neuromarketing research. As a large majority of the reviewed papers have appeared in lower-ranked journals, newcomers might get a biased view on the acceptable research standards in the field.

Originality/value

The insights from the analysis inform a tentative agenda for future work which gives neuromarketing itself greater scientific purpose, and the potential to grow into a better-established field of study within marketing as a whole.
To buy for whom? The effects of money’s pride and surprise tag on spending behaviors
Authors: Liu Cong , Choi Nak Hwan , Li Baoku
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the interesting but largely unexamined effects of pride-tagged money and surprise-tagged money on consumers’ spending and product-choosing behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

The present research utilizes experimental design and survey methods to collect data and the ANOVA and bootstrap analysis methods to verify the assumed hypotheses.

Findings

Study 1 shows that people with pride-tagged (vs surprise-tagged) money are more likely to spend the money for themselves (vs others) and the personal achievement-expression motive plays a mediating role between the pride-tagged money and self-spending behavior. Study 2 replicates the findings of Study 1 and suggests that people with pride-tagged money are less likely to spend the money for others (e.g. donating). Study 3 shows that people with pride-tagged (surprise-tagged) money are more likely to purchase a self-relevant (other-relevant) product than those with surprise-tagged (pride-tagged) money.

Practical implications

The current research has classified products into self-relevant products (e.g. fitness card, supermarket gift card and mobile game equipment) and other-relevant products (e.g. restaurant set meal, pizza, movie ticket and hot pot) on the basis of perceived self-relevance on the products. Therefore, marketers could frame certain conditions that elicit self-relevant versus other-relevant choices and manipulate self-relevant versus other-relevant primes to shift preferences in favor of certain options. For example, around graduation time, graduates often feel proud of their accomplishments. In this case, marketers could take advantage of that feeling with a message like “treat yourself”, which could prompt them to spend more money for themselves. In addition, the marketers selling other-relevant products (e.g. pizza and hot pot) might develop and promote advertisements that deliver information about “sharing with your friends”. For example, in 2016, Pizza Hut began to use its new slogan of “love to share” to convey the idea of “double happiness as a result of sharing”.

Originality/value

From a theoretical standpoint, first, this research contributes to the emotional accounting research by advancing the notion that money associated with different positive feelings could influence consumers’ spending behaviors in different ways. Second, the research distinguishes self-relevant products from other-relevant products. Third, it shows that people with pride-tagged money and those with surprise-tagged money have different preferences for products. Self-relevant products, such as fitness card, supermarket gift card and mobile game equipment, that represent a certain degree of independence are more used and/or consumed by consumers with pride-tagged money, whereas other-relevant products, such as restaurant set meal, pizza, movie ticket and hot pot, that involve the perceptions of interdependence are more bought by consumers with surprise-tagged money to share with others.
The influence of experiential augmentation on product evaluation
Authors: Creusen Mariëlle E.H. , Gemser Gerda , Candi Marina
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of experiential augmentation on product evaluation by consumers. An important distinction is made between product-related experiential augmentation and experiential augmentation of the environment. Furthermore, the research examines how brand familiarity moderates the effect of experiential augmentation.

Design/methodology/approach

In two experiments (N= 210 andN= 70), both product-related and environmental experiential augmentation were varied. Participants tasted and evaluated a new coffee product from either a well-known or a fictitious brand.

Findings

The findings of the first experiment indicate that product-related experiential augmentation contributes positively to product evaluation for both an unfamiliar and a familiar brand. Experiential augmentation of the environment influences product evaluation negatively, but only in the absence of product-related experiential augmentation. The second experiment tests some possible explanations for this negative effect and shows that it occurs only in the case of a familiar brand.

Practical implications

The findings offer implications for marketing managers seeking to positively influence consumer product evaluations through experiential augmentation. First, marketing managers are advised to make a distinction between product-related experiential augmentation and experiential augmentation of the evaluation environment, and, second, they should take brand familiarity into account when employing experiential augmentation of the environment.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the literature by showing that product-related experiential augmentation and experiential augmentation of the environment differ in the impact they have on product evaluation and providing insight into the relationship between brand familiarity and experiential augmentation.
Using attribution to foster public support for alternative policies to combat obesity
Authors: Garbarino Ellen , Henry Paul , Kerfoot Sally
Published: February 2018

Purpose

An increasing array of policies have been suggested to combat rising obesity. Regardless of the policy intervention that is selected each comes with a cost in the form of imposition on the public purse, or regulative restrictions on business or individuals. Consequently, potential opposition makes it critical to garner sufficient public support for whichever policy is selected. The purpose of this paper is to explore the ability of attributional framing for the causes of obesity (framed around locus of control and controllability) to increase support for a range of policy interventions designed to reduce obesity.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an online panel, the authors manipulate the perceived cause of obesity along the internal/external locus and controllability/uncontrollability dimensions to assess whether attribution of causes of obesity can influence support for policy interventions that either encourage positive behaviour or discourage negative behaviour.

Findings

The authors find that framing the causes of obesity to emphasise internal/external locus and controllability/uncontrollability has significant and predictable effects on policy support for men but not for women. In this American study, they show that men are more open to persuasion because their views on the causes of obesity are less firmly held than women.

Practical implications

Highlighting the external and controllable causes of obesity was the most effective, suggesting that emphasising the role of the food industry in obesity can garner public support amongst males for a broad range of policy types. The limited effectiveness with women suggests that media focus be directed at male-oriented channels and outlets.

Originality/value

The authors show that, at least amongst men, attribution framing can be used as a tool to increase support for policy interventions to prevent obesity.
Risk factors contributing to truck drivers’ non-driving occupational accidents
Authors: Reiman Arto , Forsman Mikael , Målqvist Ingela , Parmsund Marianne , Lindahl Norberg Annika
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify various individual factors and combinations thereof that can contribute to truck drivers’ occupational accidents, particularly connected to work performed outside the cab in various work environments.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 74 accidents were analysed through in-depth interviews with truck drivers. These interviews were conducted employing the critical incident technique, and analysed utilising a qualitative content analysis approach.

Findings

The contributing factors identified were categorised into 14 categories. In all, 13 of these were grouped into four sections reflecting the drivers’ work outside the cab: “Goods and equipment”, “Loading/unloading area”, “Loading/unloading tasks”, and “Organisation”. A single risk factor was associated with 40 accidents while the other 34 involved combinations of factors.

Research limitations/implications

Although the tasks performed by truck drivers in different countries are probably similar, one limitation might be that all the accidents characterised occurred in one country: Sweden.

Practical implications

The findings reveal that complex combinations of risk factors often contribute to accidents. In addition to the transportation company itself, other stakeholders, such as clients, and designers and manufacturers of technology, may influence the occupational safety of truck drivers. Different stakeholders who could contribute to managerial decision making that is designed to prevent accidents are identified and discussed.

Originality/value

This investigation contributes to an in-depth understanding of the causes of accidents in the transportation industry. The findings are discussed from the perspective of the stakeholders and safety management in an attempt to identify key stakeholders who can improve accident prevention.
Overcoming skepticism toward cause-related marketing claims: the role of consumers’ attributions and a temporary state of skepticism
Authors: Bae Mikyeung
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to clarify a situational factor that might interfere with the intended outcome of a cause-related marketing (CRM) ad on social network sites (SNSs): statements about the motivation of the sponsoring company for supporting a social cause. This study also aims to explore how highly skeptical consumers and consumers with lower levels of skepticism differ in their responses to CRM ads.

Design/methodology/approach

In Study 1, a total of 409 college students took part in an online experiment through Qualtrics. The online experiment followed a 2 (statement of motivations: both of firm and public benefits vs public benefit only) × 2 (skepticism: high vs low) between-subjects design. Skepticism was determined post hoc as a two-category variable to analyze its effect on the relationship between the statement of motivations and attribution. In Study 2, a total of 533 adults took part in an online experiment. Multigroup analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

This study found that firm’s acknowledgments of firm-serving motivation, as well as of public-serving motivation, could be an effective marketing strategy to reduce consumer skepticism about the firm’s motives. The procedure by which a consumer perceived and evaluated the motives of a company determined the effectiveness of the company’s CRM ads. Temporary state of skepticism induced by an attributional thinking process is found to play a significant role in diminishing perceived corporate credibility. Finally, a consumer’s perception of a company’s credibility has a great impact on their intention to join that company’s brand page.

Research limitations/implications

This study advances theories about consumers’ defensive mechanisms that can help predict their favorable responses to the brand pages featuring CRM on SNSs.

Originality/value

This study extends previous literature by directing academic attention to consumers’ perceived attribution as a theoretical mechanism that can help predict consumers’ favorable responses to brand pages featuring CRM on SNSs. This study also extends previous research on skepticism by showing that consumer skepticism can be either an enduring trait or a temporary state. The findings suggest that marketers may be able to inhibit the development of consumer skepticism by publicly stating the potential firm-serving benefits of its actions.
When age meets culture: an investigation of children’s package design preferences
Authors: Zhang Dan
Published: February 2018

Purpose

This research aims to investigate whether and how differences may exist in children’s preferences of package design across cultures, with a focus on three aspects of package design: curvilinearity, figurativeness and complexity.

Design/methodology/approach

A large-scale questionnaire survey has been conducted in a face-to-face setting in the USA and China, generating valid responses from 763 American children and 837 Chinese children of age 3-12 years.

Findings

Unlike previous findings among adults, children from both cultures were found to unanimously prefer curved package design. Nevertheless, Chinese children showed greater preferences for figurative and complex package design than American children; these tendencies increased with age, suggesting significant age–culture interactions.

Research limitations/implications

The surprising finding of the lack of cultural difference in children’s preferences of curved package design suggests that such cultural preferences established in studies of adults may not emerge through time via cultural/social learning until after age 12. The limited cultures, stimuli and factors included in the study call for replications of the study in more realistic and broader settings.

Practical implications

The findings provide package design guidelines for consumer product marketers and designers/innovators targeting the Chinese and American children’s markets. Curved package designs are preferred by children from both cultures. Nevertheless, marketers should choose figurative and complex package design in accordance with the target children’s age and cultural background.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the limited empirical consumer behavior research on package design, especially that of children’s products. It also extends the literature on cultural psychology, experimental aesthetics and developmental psychology.
Product packaging and consumers’ emotional response. Does spatial representation influence product evaluation and choice?
Authors: Vergura Donata Tania , Luceri Beatrice
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of different spatial representations (foreground and background) of a product image on the package on the consumer emotional state and intention to buy the product, drawing upon the construal level theory (CLT).

Design/methodology/approach

Two between-subjects experimental designs were conducted. A face-reading software was used to measure the emotional reactions of participants while watching the stimuli.

Findings

Empirical results showed that the foreground representation of the product, triggered by a lower perceived psychological distance between the subject and the product, generates more positive emotional responses compared to the background representation. However, the purchase intention did not significantly differ between the foreground condition and the background condition.

Research limitations/implications

The study enriches the literature on CLT and provides some guidance to manufacturers and product managers for the understanding of the role of packaging in influencing consumer behaviour.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the research on the presence of the product imagery on the package. The focus is shifted from the presence/absence of the picture to its position (proximal or distal). This aspect has been neglected in previous studies. Moreover, it is the first application of face reading to support CLT basic assumption and enrich extant marketing research on packaging.
Competitiveness of Electronics manufacturing industry in India: an ISM–fuzzy MICMAC and AHP approach
Authors: Singh Manoj Kumar , Kumar Harish , Gupta M.P. , Madaan Jitendra
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and build a hierarchy of the factors influencing competitiveness of electronics manufacturing industry (EMI) at the industry level and apply the interpretive structural modeling, fuzzy Matriced’ Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée á UN Classement (i.e. the cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification; MICMAC) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approaches. These factors have been explained with respect to managerial and government policymakers’ standpoint in Indian context.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a hierarchy and weight-based model that demonstrates mutual relationships among the significant factors of competitiveness of the Indian EMI.

Findings

This study covers a wide variety of factors that form the bedrock of the competitiveness of the EMI. Interpretive structural modeling and fuzzy MICMAC are used to cluster the influential factors of competitiveness considering the driving and dependence power. AHP is used to rank the factors on the basis of weights. Results show that the “government role” and “foreign exchange market” have a significantly high driving power. On the other hand, the “capital resource availability” and “productivity measures” come at the top of the interpretive structural modeling hierarchy, implying high dependence power.

Research limitations/implications

The study has strong practical implications for both the manufacturers and the policymakers. The manufacturers need to focus on the factors of competitiveness to improve performance, and at the same time, the government should come forward to build a suitable environment for business in light of the huge demand and frame suitable policies.

Practical implications

The lackluster performance of the industry is because of the existing electronics policies and environmental conditions. The proposed interpretive structural modeling and fuzzy MICMAC and AHP frameworks suggest a better understanding of the key factors and their mutual relationship to analyze competitiveness of the electronics manufacturing industry in view of the Indian Government’s “Make in India” initiatives.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the industry level competitiveness and dynamics of multi-factors approach and utilize the ISM–fuzzy MICMAC and AHP management decision tool in the identification and ranking of factors that influence the competitiveness of the EMI in the country.
Fostering excellence in business model management in arts and cultural organisations: insights from focus group research across Europe
Authors: Carlucci Daniela
Published: February 2018

Purpose

In today’s business landscape, arts and cultural organisations are challenged to search for excellence of their business model management to create and deliver value in a more sustainable way. This study develops exploratory focus groups aimed to capture insights into the practical challenges, wants and needs that arts and cultural organisations across Europe address and face in managing and developing their business models.

Design/methodology/approach

The focus groups method has been applied. The methodology included seven focus groups involving arts and cultural organisations operating in different European countries.

Findings

The overall feeling emerging from focus groups is that there is an increasing pressure to prove the value of culture, e.g. economic, social and civic, progressively more in quantitative figures. Arts and cultural organisations are greatly concerned about their financial health, and their ability to continue creating and presenting great arts and cultural events. At the same time, there is an acceptance that gaining financial resilience and sustainability can no longer be put off. Organisations are conscious that it is crucial to rethink their way of operating and to improve their value creation mechanisms to get sustainability. Nevertheless, the challenges to face and issues of change to get a more effective business model management are numerous and various.

Originality/value

The study sheds more light on “business dimensions” perceived by arts and cultural organisations across Europe, as particularly crucial for their survival and requiring proper management attention. In doing this, it offers fresh and valuable knowledge about aspects, factors and dimensions to take into account in the managing business model.
The virome of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Gigaspora margarita reveals the first report of DNA fragments corresponding to replicating non‐retroviral RNA viruses in fungi
Authors: Turina Massimo , Ghignone Stefano , Astolfi Nausicaa , Silvestri Alessandro , Bonfante Paola , Lanfranco Luisa
Published: February 2018

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are key components of the plant microbiota. AMF genetic complexity is increased by the presence of endobacteria, which live inside many species. A further component of such complexity is the virome associated to AMF, whose knowledge is still very limited. Here, by exploiting transcriptomic data we describe the virome of Gigaspora margarita. A BLAST search for viral RNA‐dependent RNA polymerases sequences allowed the identification of four mitoviruses, one Ourmia‐like narnavirus, one Giardia‐like virus, and two sequences related to Fusarium graminearum mycoviruses. Northern blot and RT‐PCR confirmed the authenticity of all the sequences with the exception of the F. graminearum‐related ones. All the mitoviruses are replicative and functional since both positive strand and negative strand RNA are present. The abundance of the viral RNA molecules is not regulated by the presence or absence of Candidatus Glomeribacter gigasporarum, the endobacterium hosted by G. margarita, with the exception of the Ourmia‐like sequence which is absent in bacteria‐cured spores. In addition, we report, for the first time, DNA fragments corresponding to mitovirus sequences associated to the presence of viral RNA. These sequences are not integrated in the mitochondrial DNA and preliminary evidence seems to exclude integration in the nuclear genome.
Capturing Value from Innovation in Knowledge‐Intensive Business Service Firms: The Role of Competitive Strategy
Authors: Desyllas Panos , Miozzo Marcela , Lee Hsing‐fen , Miles Ian
Published: February 2018

Building on a problem‐solving perspective to value creation and capture, and on the business strategy literature, we argue that the actions that knowledge‐intensive business service (KIBS) firms take to identify, select and solve client problems will affect their approach to capturing value from innovation. We apply regression analysis to data from an original survey involving a sample of 230 innovations introduced by 150 publicly traded UK and US KIBS firms. Distinguishing between cost‐ and differentiation‐oriented KIBS firms, we find that cost‐oriented firms tend to place more importance on all appropriability mechanisms than do differentiation‐oriented firms. Furthermore, the perceived importance of formal appropriability mechanisms, relative to that of all appropriability mechanisms, tends to be higher for cost‐oriented than for differentiation‐oriented firms. This association is stronger for the case of the introduction of process (rather than product) innovation. These findings contribute to the strategy and service innovation literatures, by showing that KIBS firms’ competitive strategies influence value capture, over and above the role of the innovation‐, industry‐ and institutional‐level factors examined in earlier studies.
The collective roots and rewards of upward educational mobility
Authors: Shahrokni Shirin
Published: February 2018

Drawing on in‐depth interviews with descendants of North African working‐class immigrants admitted to elite higher institutions in France, this paper investigates the under‐researched role of family dynamics in facilitating upward educational mobility and informing the experience of social ascension. It shows that concrete mobility strategies, such as authoritative parenting and close mentorship from older siblings, have been deployed to enable the respondents’ educational attainment. Moreover, a set of moral resources transmitted through stories about family‐rooted aspirations and stories about post‐migration hardships and sacrifices have contributed to forging strong motivational dispositions that have facilitated school success among the respondents. These resources have further shaped the symbolic significance the interviewees associate with mobility. In contrast with the dominant individual‐centred narrative of success, for second‐generation North African immigrants, mobility represents a powerful way of ‘giving back’ to former‐generation migrants whose mobility dreams often had to be relinquished. The respondents also position themselves as role‐models for other youths of racially and socially disadvantaged backgrounds: their mobility pathways are described as vital for collective advancements particularly through the sense of minority empowerment these generate.
Clinically relevant improvements achieved from a facilitated implementation of a gestational diabetes model of care
Authors: Wilkinson Shelley A. , McCray Sally J. , Kempe Alison , Sellwood Bernadette
Published: February 2018

Aim

Medical nutrition therapy is a cornerstone treatment in gestational diabetes; however, most Australian women diagnosed with gestational diabetes do not receive this. The project evaluated adaptation of a successful evidence‐based gestational diabetes model of care implementation from a tertiary centre into regional sites with varied demographics, population size and service capacity.

Methods

The project used a hub (project team)‐spoke (sites) model in Far North Queensland (Site 1) and regional South‐East Queensland (Site 2). Sites selected demonstrated strong gestational diabetes team cohesiveness and project commitment. The project phases were consultation, baseline, transition and implementation. A best practice decision tree tool was provided to assess/manage barriers to the model of care and clinical outcomes captured through a project database.

Results

Role clarification of site members, management engagement, site visits, decision tree and database refinement were completed in the project's first phase. Unexpected organisational and team barriers prevented timeline implementation as planned. Sites negotiated relevant reallocation of resources to achieve project deliverables. The proportion of women seen according to best practice increased from 3.5 to 87.8% (P < 0.001) (Site 1) and nil to 4.8% (P = 0.09) (Site 2), and those on medication dropped by 3.4 (Site 1) and 9.1% (Site 2).

Conclusions

This project demonstrates a successful implementation using a facilitated and rigorous approach. Support, engagement and tools at many levels were keys to success at both sites. The present study illustrates the opportunities and challenges of conducting implementation research within routine clinical care, particularly in resource‐challenged sites.
The perceived fairness of work–life balance policies: AUKcase study of solo‐living managers and professionals without children
Authors: Wilkinson Krystal , Tomlinson Jennifer , Gardiner Jean
Published: February 2018

The ability to reconcile work and private life is a matter relevant to all employees, though not all may seek “balance.” Research indicates that organisational work–life balance policies and flexible working arrangements often focus on the needs of working parents, with one potential outcome being “family‐friendly backlash,” or counterproductive work behaviour from those without caring responsibilities. This paper analyses data from 36 interviews with childless solo‐living managers and professionals, exploring perceptions of fairness in relation to these policies. In contrast to previous studies, despite recognising a strong family‐care orientation in employer provisions, perceptions of unfair treatment or injustice were not pronounced in most cases, and thus there was little evidence of backlash/counterproductive work behaviour. The paper uses and develops organisational justice theory to explain the findings, emphasising the importance of situating individual justice orientations within perceived organisational policy and wider regulatory contexts. It also emphasises the importance of evaluating fairness of work–life balance policies and flexible working arrangements in relation to other aspects of the employment relationship, notably opportunities for career development and progression.
Case Study Comparing Multiple Irrigated Land Datasets in Arizona and Colorado, USA
Authors: Shi Hua , Auch Roger F. , Vogelmann James E. , Feng Min , Rigge Matthew , Senay Gabriel , Verdin James P.
Published: February 2018

While there are currently a number of irrigated land datasets available for the western United States (U.S.), there is uncertainty regarding in how they relate to each other. To help understand the characteristics of available irrigated datasets, we compared (1) the Cropland Data Layer (CDL), (2) Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer Irrigated Agriculture Dataset (IAD), (3) Digitized Irrigated Land (DIL), and (4) Consumptive Use for Irrigation (CUI) data in Arizona and Colorado, U.S. These datasets were derived from multiple sources at various spatial resolutions and temporal scales. We found spatial and temporal trends among all of them. The datasets showed decreases in irrigated land area in Arizona during the 2000–2010 time period. The change ranges and ratios were similar in all Arizona datasets. Irrigated land in Colorado decreased in DIL and CUI but increased in IAD and CDL. The agreement within the same type of dataset during different time periods was from 60% to 80% (R2from 0.35 to 0.72) in Arizona and from 50% to 80% (R2from 0.23 to 0.68) in Colorado. DIL had the highest agreement (80%) in both states. The agreement among different datasets acquired at approximately the same time frame ranged from 51% to 63% (R2from 0.14 to 0.31) in Arizona and from 47% to 69% (R2from 0.32 to 0.40) in Colorado. The results from this study support a greater understanding of the multiresolution and multitemporal nature of these datasets for various applications.
Integrative conservation genetics: Prioritizing populations using climate predictions, adaptive potential and habitat connectivity
Authors: Hoban Sean
Published: February 2018

Conservation decisions often involve allocation of scarce resources among many areas of need. Various approaches exist to help prioritize species and populations for conservation. Past efforts have often used relatively narrow, one‐dimensional criteria, such as genetic resource value or exposure to threats. What is lacking is a refined, comprehensive prioritization approach including ecological and evolutionary aspects, informed by rich and reliable data. In this issue of Molecular Ecology Resources, Razgour et al. () present a new prioritization framework that coherently integrates three dimensions of population vulnerability: exposure to change, sensitivity to change and range shift potential. They measure these dimensions for 10 populations of a European bat using a suite of advanced analysis methods that leverage genomic, environmental and occurrence data. Explicitly recognizing and quantifying the multidimensional nature of conservation priorities is a key advance because it enables a nuanced assessment of each population and identification of populations of high concern along all three dimensions. With some caveats and modifications, this framework could be a major step for conservation prioritization and intervention that is proactive and informed by evolutionary principles.
Population structure and antimicrobial susceptibility of Paenibacillus larvae isolates from American foulbrood cases in Apis mellifera in Japan
Authors: Ueno Yuichi , Yoshida Emi , Misumi Wakako , Watando Eri , Suzuki Kenta , Hirai Yuko , Okura Masatoshi , Osaki Makoto , Katsuda Ken , Takamatsu Daisuke
Published: February 2018

Paenibacillus larvae is the causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB), the most destructive disease of the honey bee brood. In this study, we investigated the population structure and antimicrobial susceptibility of Japanese P. larvae using 100 isolates isolated between 1993 and 2017 in 17 prefectures. Using repetitive‐element PCR and multilocus sequence typing, isolates from diverse origins were classified into six genotypes, including the novel genotype ERIC II‐ST24. Among these genotypes, ERIC I‐ST15 is the most common in Japan, while ERIC II‐ST10 isolates were found to be increasing during the 2010s. Regardless of genotype or origin, all isolates were susceptible to the major antimicrobials used in the control of AFB, including mirosamicin and tylosin, which were approved for the prevention of AFB in Japan in 1999 and 2017 respectively. Despite nearly 20 years of use, mirosamicin is still effective against Japanese P. larvae in vitro; however, the development of AFB in honey bee colonies may not always be suppressed by this drug. The case information collected in this study provides insight into the conditions under which prophylactic medicine may not exert sufficient preventive effects in vivo.
Regulation of Transforming Growth Factor‐β/Smad‐mediated Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition by Celastrol Provides Protection against Bleomycin‐induced Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Divya Thomas , Velavan Bakthavatchalam , Sudhandiran Ganapasam
Published: February 2018

The respiratory disease pulmonary fibrosis (PF), which is characterized by scar formation throughout the lung, imposes a serious health burden. No effective drug without side effects has been proven to prevent this fatal lung disease. In this context, this study was undertaken to elucidate the protective effect of celastrol, a quinine methide pentacyclic triterpenoid from a Chinese medicinal plant ‘thunder god vine’ against bleomycin (BLM)‐induced PF. We also attempted to study how the cytokine transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) stimulates fibrosis through the induction of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the role of celastrol in regulating EMT. TGF‐β (5 ng/ml) was administered to human alveolar epithelial adenocarcinoma A549 cells to induce fibrotic response in cells. Induction of EMT was analysed in cells through morphological analysis and expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers by Western blotting. Bleomycin at a concentration of 3 U/Kg b.w was used to induce fibrosis in adult male rat lungs. Celastrol (5 mg/kg b.w) was given to rats twice a week after BLM administration for a period of 28 days. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses were performed with lung tissue sample to find out the potential of celastrol in regulating EMT during the progression of fibrosis. TGF‐β induces EMT in A549 cells as demonstrated by changes in epithelial cell morphology and expression of epithelial and mesenchymal marker proteins. The expressions of epithelial marker proteins E‐cadherin and claudin were found to be reduced in the BLM‐induced group of rats. Expression of mesenchymal markers, such as N‐cadherin, snail, slug, vimentin and β‐catenin, was enhanced in BLM‐induced rat lungs. Celastrol reverts these cellular changes in rat lungs, and it was found that celastrol regulates EMT through the inhibition of heat shock protein 90 (HSP 90). Together, the results indicate that EMT is a crucial phenomenon for the progression of fibrosis, and celastrol provides protection against PF through the regulation of EMT.
A 5′ AMP‐Activated Protein Kinase Enzyme Activator, Compound 59, Induces Autophagy and Apoptosis in Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Weng Jing‐Ru , Dokla Eman M. E. , Bai Li‐Yuan , Chen Ching‐Shih , Chiu Shih‐Jiuan , Shieh Tzong‐Ming
Published: February 2018

5′ AMP‐activated protein kinase enzyme (AMPK), a master regulator of cellular metabolism, is recognized for its association with various metabolic diseases, inflammation and cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of compound 59, an AMPK activator, in a panel of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines. The antiproliferative effects of compound 59 were assessed by MTT assays, flow cytometry, Western blotting, confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Relative to OSCC cells, normal human oral keratinocytes were almost insensitive to compound 59 treatment. Compound 59 induced apoptosis as indicated by caspase activation and PARP cleavage. In addition, it inhibited JAK/STAT3 signalling, arrested cells in the G1 phase, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and promoted autophagy. Interestingly, pre‐treatment with a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PP2A) inhibitor, cantharidin, partially reversed compound 59‐induced down‐regulation of p‐JAK2 and p‐STAT3, thereby suggesting the involvement of a protein tyrosine phosphatase. Together, these findings substantiate the potential of compound 59 for the treatment of OSCC patients.
How trust and emotions influence policy acceptance: The case of the Irish water charges
Authors: Rodriguez‐Sanchez Carla , Schuitema Geertje , Claudy Marius , Sancho‐Esper Franco
Published: February 2018

The introduction of new policies can evoke strong emotional reactions by the public. Yet, social‐psychological research has paid little attention to affective determinants of individual‐level policy acceptance. Building on recent theoretical and empirical advances around emotions and decision‐making, we evaluate how people's trust and integral emotions function as important antecedents of cognitive evaluations, and subsequent acceptance of policies. We test our hypotheses within a sample of Irish citizens (n = 505), who were subject to the introduction of water charges in 2015. In line with our hypotheses, results show that general trust in government shapes emotions regarding water charges, which in turn, directly and via expected costs and benefits, influence policy acceptance. Additionally, we find that negative emotions have a larger direct effect on policy acceptance than positive emotions. Specifically, ‘anger’ was the main negative emotion that influenced the acceptance of the water charge. We conclude by discussing directions for future research around emotions and policy acceptance.
Anti‐inflammatory therapies in myocardial infarction: failures, hopes and challenges
Authors: Huang Shuaibo , Frangogiannis Nikolaos G
Published: February 2018

In the infarcted heart, the damage‐associated molecular pattern proteins released by necrotic cells trigger both myocardial and systemic inflammatory responses. Induction of chemokines and cytokines and up‐regulation of endothelial adhesion molecules mediate leukocyte recruitment in the infarcted myocardium. Inflammatory cells clear the infarct of dead cells and matrix debris and activate repair by myofibroblasts and vascular cells, but may also contribute to adverse fibrotic remodelling of viable segments, accentuate cardiomyocyte apoptosis and exert arrhythmogenic actions. Excessive, prolonged and dysregulated inflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of complications and may be involved in the development of heart failure following infarction. Studies in animal models of myocardial infarction (MI) have suggested the effectiveness of pharmacological interventions targeting the inflammatory response. This article provides a brief overview of the cell biology of the post‐infarction inflammatory response and discusses the use of pharmacological interventions targeting inflammation following infarction. Therapy with broad anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents may also inhibit important repair pathways, thus exerting detrimental actions in patients with MI. Extensive experimental evidence suggests that targeting specific inflammatory signals, such as the complement cascade, chemokines, cytokines, proteases, selectins and leukocyte integrins, may hold promise. However, clinical translation has proved challenging. Targeting IL‐1 may benefit patients with exaggerated post‐MI inflammatory responses following infarction, not only by attenuating adverse remodelling but also by stabilizing the atherosclerotic plaque and by inhibiting arrhythmia generation. Identification of the therapeutic window for specific interventions and pathophysiological stratification of MI patients using inflammatory biomarkers and imaging strategies are critical for optimal therapeutic design.
Studentification and Disorder in a College Town
Authors: Woldoff Rachael A. , Weiss Karen G.
Published: February 2018

This study uses interview and focus group data to examine how residents perceive and cope with studentification, disorder, and neighbor conflict in a college town. First, we find that nonstudent residents perceive studentification as the cause of neighborhood decline, but mainly blame larger forces and local actors, such as the university, city officials, and local developers, rather than the students. Second, we find that one way that residents adapt to disorder is by using active strategies to defend their neighborhoods, but they believe this role has been forced upon them by the failure of social institutions to address the local problems. Third, given the limited effectiveness of social control efforts and given the structural barriers to fostering order, residents have come to adopt passive strategies that normalize disorder and allow them to avoid further conflict with neighbors.
Organizing pneumonia related to electronic cigarette use: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Khan Mohammad Saud , Khateeb Faisal , Akhtar Jamal , Khan Zubair , Lal Amos , Kholodovych Veronika , Hammersley Jeffrey
Published: February 2018

Background and Objective

Electronic cigarettes (e cigarettes) are battery operated devices that produce aerosol by heating a solution typically made up of nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin and flavouring agents. The use of e cigarettes has risen dramatically in recent years especially among adolescents and young adults. These devices have been marketed as safer alternatives to tobacco smoking by their manufactures despite lack of adequate safety data.

Methods

We present a case of 40‐year‐old female patient who developed significant pulmonary toxicity secondary to e cigarette use and searched existing literature relevant to the case.

Results

To our knowledge this is the second reported case of organizing pneumonia and tenth reported case of pulmonary toxicity related to e cigarette use. Our patient presented with symptoms of worsening dyspnoea and intermittent chest pain for past 1 month. She reported increased use of e cigarettes during this time period to help her quit smoking. Patient developed acute hypoxemic respiratory failure requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. She was diagnosed with organizing pneumonia on open lung biopsy and was successfully treated with steroids along with abstinence from e cigarette use.

Conclusions

As the current data on health effects of e cigarettes is limited, case reports can serve important piece of information in this regard. The use of e cigarettes has increased exponentially in recent years and continue to rise; therefore, physicians should be aware of adverse effects and toxicity related to its use.
Evictions: A Global Capitalist Phenomenon
Authors: Soederberg Susanne
Published: February 2018

Despite its reach and impact, little scholarly attention has been granted to what is becoming a silent social tsunami of our times: evictions. Tens of millions of rental households across the globe, who are too poor to own their own dwellings, are continually exposed to the violence of contemporary capitalism marked by, among other things, a dangerous mix of impoverishment, austerity, debtfarism and speculation. These factors combined have greatly shaped the everyday lives of low‐income people, whose places of survival have become increasingly transformed into places of accumulation. This article uses Matthew Desmond's Pulitzer Prize‐winning book, Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, as a platform for debate. It locates evictions within the broader political economy of capitalist development to elaborate on framings, trends and issues surrounding this dominant mode of displacement — beyond the borders of the United States.