bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Trial of an Anamnesis‐based Score Applied as a Diagnostic Tool for Cow's Milk Protein Allergy in Children
Authors: Muñoz‐Urribarri Ana , Sabrá Aderbal , Sabrá Selmá , Condorhuamán Yovani M.
Published: December 2020

This study presents an anamnesis‐based questionnaire as a diagnostic tool for cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) in children. We applied 24 dichotomous yes/no questions to 51 cases diagnosed by oral challenge and 31 controls. All patients were recruited at the pediatric gastroenterologist outpatient practice. Patients with CMPA presented with a family history of atopy/autoimmunity, cesarean delivery, use and/or change of formulas, use of antacids/antibiotics in the first 6 months of life, an overly clean caregiver, multisystem clinical presentation, and the absence of seasonal symptoms. The CMPA group had an average score of 10.4 versus 3.2 for the control group. We identified a cut‐off score of 7, which had 94.4% sensitivity and 96.9% specificity to distinguish CMPA from the control population. Cases were younger and showed different symptoms than controls. This study shows the usefulness of an anamnesis‐based clinical score to guide the diagnosis of CMPA in children.
Acute Fluctuant Neurological Symptoms in Stable Chronic Cryptococcus gattii Cryptococcomas
Authors: Lennon Matthew , Tudehope Fiona , McCready Michael , Jude Martin
Published: December 2020

Background:

Cryptococcus, a yeast-like fungus, is the most common cause of fungal meningitis worldwide. The Cryptococcus gattii variety is concentrated in Australia has a greater propensity to infect immunocompetent hosts, cause meningitis and form crytococcomas. This case presents a novel disease complication, that is, acute neurological symptoms without seizures, disease progression or reactivation.

Case Presentation:

A 58-year-old immunocompetent male was brought to the emergency department with dysarthria and right arm paraesthesias. Computed tomography of the brain brain and magnetic resonance imaging revealed no stroke but found several previously identified crytococcomas that demonstrated no interval change. Blood tests and lumbar puncture found only a low cryptococcal antigen complex titer (CRAG) (1:10) and a negative cell culture. He had remained compliant on his maintenance fluconazole therapy and had no immunocompromise or seizure activity. He was initially treated as a relapse of cryptococcal disease and restarted on induction therapy but after the cell culture returned negative and the symptoms resolved over the following days he was reverted back to maintenance therapy.

Discussion and Conclusions:

Central nervous system cryptococcomas are difficult to treat, chronic infections, that in our patient had lasted over 10 years despite treatment compliance. A true cryptococcal meningitis relapse is indicated by positive cell cultures in previously sterile fluid but cryptococcoma progression is measured by serial magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scans. In the case of progression or relapse induction and consolidation therapy should be restarted. Our patient demonstrated neither relapse nor progression but presented with a novel disease complication of acute fluctuating neurology in chronic stable cryptococcomas.
Predictors of Good Outcomes in Stroke Thrombolysis Guided by Tissue-Window
Authors: Zhang Xianxian , Wang Dapeng , Wang Hui , Cai Xiuying , Shi Haicun , Fang Qi
Published: December 2020

Background:

Recently studies suggested that assessment of tissue-window can effectively guide thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke patients with unknown time of onset or late presenting. This study aimed to evaluate predictors of good outcomes from thrombolysis in these patients.

Methods:

Acute ischemic stroke patients received thrombolysis guided by computed tomography perfusion (CTP) from October 2018 to August 2019 were reviewed. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were collected. Good outcomes were defined as modified Rankin scale scores of 0 to 2 at 90 days. Logistic regression analysis was performed and the receiver operating characteristics analysis was used to determine cut-off values for the predictors of outcomes.

Results:

Sixty-three patients were enrolled. The median age was 64 (interquartile range 57.75 to 72.5) years. The median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 8 (interquartile range 3 to 13) and 41 (65.1%) patients had a good outcome at 90 days. Multivariate regression analysis showed smaller perfusion lesion (the sum of ischemic penumbra and infarcted core) (odds ratio: 0.961; 95% confidence interval, 0.931-0.992; P=0.013) and lower baseline NIHSS score (odds ratio: 0.759; 95% confidence interval, 0.644-0.895; P=0.001) were significant predictors for good outcomes. Receiver operating characteristics analysis was utilized to define optimal cut-off values for perfusion lesion [cut-off, 59 mL; area under curve (AUC), 0.761; sensitivity, 0.57; specificity, 0.93; P=0.001], ischemic penumbra (cut-off, 43.5 mL; AUC, 0.761; sensitivity, 0.62; specificity, 0.90; P=0.001), infarcted core (cut-off, 9.5 mL; AUC, 0.665; sensitivity, 0.43; specificity, 0.93; P=0.035), and baseline NIHSS score (cut-off, 8.5; AUC, 0.880; sensitivity, 0.81; specificity, 0.88; P<0.001).

Conclusions:

This study suggested that smaller perfusion lesion and lower baseline NIHSS score may be helpful to predict favorable prognosis of stroke patients who receive thrombolysis guided by tissue-window.
A Case Series of Acute Hemorrhagic Leukoencephalitis
Authors: Podduturi Varsha , Blessing Melissa M. , Joseph David M. , Ross Jennifer L. , Sandberg Glenn D.
Published: December 2020

Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (AHL) is an acute, hemorrhagic demyelinating disease thought to be caused by an immune-mediated process. Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis is both diagnostically challenging and fatal in the majority of cases. We present two cases of AHL unexpectedly diagnosed at autopsy. These cases demonstrate the often nonspecific and challenging nature of AHL clinical presentation, review neuropathological mimics, and emphasize the importance of considering this diagnosis in the forensic setting.
Research Priorities for U.K. Pediatric Critical Care in 2019: Healthcare Professionals’ and Parents’ Perspectives
Authors: Tume Lyvonne N. , Menzies Julie C. , Ray Samiran , Scholefield Barnaby R.
Published: December 2020

OBJECTIVES:

The Paediatric Intensive Care Society Study Group conducted a research prioritization exercise with the aim to identify and agree research priorities in Pediatric Critical Care in the United Kingdom both from a healthcare professional and parent/caregiver perspective.

DESIGN:

A modified three-round e-Delphi survey, followed by a survey of parents of the top 20 healthcare professional priorities.

SETTING:

U.K. PICUs.

PATIENTS:

U.K. PICU healthcare professionals who are members of the professional society and parents and family members of children, with experience of a U.K. PICU admission.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

Forty-nine healthcare professional submitted topics in round 1, 98 participated in round 2, and 102 in round 3. These topics were categorized into eight broad domain areas, and within these, there were 73 specific topics in round 2. At round 3, 18 topics had a mean score less than 5.5 and were removed, leaving 55 topics for ranking in round 3. Ninety-five parents and family members completed the surveys from at least 17 U.K. PICUs. Both parents and healthcare professional prioritized research topics associated with the PICU workforce. Healthcare professional research priorities reflected issues that impacted on day-to-day management and practice. Parents’ prioritized research addressing acute situations such as infection identification of and sepsis management or research addressing long-term outcomes for children and parents after critical illness. Parents prioritized research into longer term outcomes more than healthcare professional. Parental responses showed clear support for the concept of research in PICU, but few novel research questions were proposed.

CONCLUSIONS:

This is the first research prioritization exercise within U.K. PICU setting to include parents’ and families’ perspectives and compare these with healthcare professional. Results will guide both funders and future researchers.
Evaluation of Hip Pain and Management of Toxic Synovitis in the Ultrasound Era
Authors: Takundwa Prisca , Chen Lei , Malik Rabia N.
Published: December 2020

The cause of acute onset hip pain in children can be difficult to determine. Once trauma is excluded, the workup revolves around determining whether there is a hip effusion and eliminating orthopedic emergencies. Point-of-care-ultrasound can be used as an adjunct in the workup. In this article, we review (1) differential diagnosis of hip pain, with a focus on toxic synovitis; (2) the evaluation of a hip for the presence of effusion, including the point-of-care ultrasound technique; and (3) the management of toxic synovitis.
Risk Factors for Spinal Structural Damage in a Chinese Cohort With Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Kong Weiping , Jefferies Caroline , Learch Thomas J. , Gan Xiaowei , Zhu Feng , Zhang Nan , Jin Dier , Zhang Yingze , Tao Qingwen , Yan Xiaoping , Ishimori Mariko L. , Weisman Michael H.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 270 Chinese patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in order to identify potential risk factors for severity of spinal structural damage.

Methods

Two hundred seventy AS patients fulfilled the Modified New York Criteria. Computed tomography (CT) was used to scan sacroiliac and hip joints, and radiography was used to scan anteroposterior and lateral lumbar spine, as well as lateral cervical spine. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index and modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) were scored in duplicate.

Results

One hundred eighty-three patients had low mSASSS (mSASSS, <10), and 87 patients had high mSASSS (mSASSS, ≥10). Univariate analysis revealed that AS age of onset, body mass index (BMI), smoking duration, duration of symptoms, diagnostic delay, hip involvement, and sacroiliitis grade were significantly associated with the risk of having high mSASSS after adjustment (all p's < 0.05). Hip involvement interacted significantly with BMI and smoking duration in a graded manner. Particularly, relative to patients with low BMI-negative hip involvement, those with high BMI-negative hip involvement, low BMI-positive hip involvement, and high BMI-positive hip involvement had a 1.94-fold, 3.29-fold, and 5.07-fold increased risk of high mSASSS (95% confidence interval, 0.84–4.47, 1.37–7.89, and 1.97–13.06, p = 0.118, 0.008, and 0.001, respectively). Finally, a nomogram graph based on 7 significant risk factors was generated with substantial prediction accuracy (concordance index, 0.906).

Conclusions

We have identified 7 potential risk factors for the severity of spinal structural damage in Chinese AS patients. Importantly, positive hip involvement, combined with high BMI or long smoking duration, was associated with a remarkably increased risk of having severe spinal structural damage.
Control of malaria-transmitting mosquitoes using gene drives
Authors: Nolan Tony
Published: December 2020

Gene drives are selfish genetic elements that can be re-designed to invade a population and they hold tremendous potential for the control of mosquitoes that transmit disease. Much progress has been made recently in demonstrating proof of principle for gene drives able to suppress populations of malarial mosquitoes, or to make them refractory to the
Plasmodium
parasites they transmit. This has been achieved using CRISPR-based gene drives. In this article, I will discuss the relative merits of this type of gene drive, as well as barriers to its technical development and to its deployment in the field as malaria control.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Novel control strategies for mosquito-borne diseases'.
Genetic pest management and the background genetics of release strains
Authors: Leftwich Philip T. , Spurgin Lewis G. , Harvey-Samuel Tim , Thomas Callum J. E. , Paladino Leonela Carabajal , Edgington Matthew P. , Alphey Luke
Published: December 2020

Genetic pest management (GPM) methods involve releasing modified versions of a pest species to mate with wild pests in the target area. Proposed for a wide range of applications in public health, agriculture and conservation, most progress has been made with pest insects. Offspring of the released modified insects and wild pests carry the modification—which might be transgenes, artificially introduced
Wolbachia
or genetic damage from radiation, for example—but they also carry a complete haploid genome from their laboratory-reared parent, as well as one from their wild parent. Unless these F
1
hybrids are completely unable to reproduce, further mating will lead to introgression of DNA sequences from the release strain into the wild population. We discuss issues around strain selection and the potential consequences of such introgression. We conclude that such introgression is probably harmless in almost all circumstances, and could, in theory, provide specific additional benefits to the release programme. We outline population monitoring approaches that could be used, going forward, to determine how background genetics may affect GPM.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Novel control strategies for mosquito-borne diseases’.
Authentication of In Situ Measurements for Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms in Mice
Authors: Ohno-Urabe Satoko , Kukida Masayoshi , Franklin Michael K. , Katsumata Yuriko , Su Wen , Gong Ming C. , Lu Hong S. , Daugherty Alan , Sawada Hisashi
Published: December 2020

Aortic diameter is a standard parameter for defining disease severity of thoracic aortic aneurysms. In mouse studies, aortic diameters can be measured in situ directly, but this approach has a potential confounder of underestimation due to the absence of physiological arterial blood pressure. In the present study, we developed an in situ approach for authentic aortic measurements. Thoracic aortic aneurysms were induced by beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN, 0.5% wt/vol) administration in 4-week-old male C57BL/6J mice. Ultrasonography was performed to examine aortic dimensions, and mice with thoracic aortic dilatations were terminated subsequently. After saline perfusion through the left ventricle, periaortic tissues were removed to expose thoracic aortas. Optimal cutting temperature (OCT) compound was injected via the left ventricle to maintain aortic patency. In situ aortic images were captured pre- and post-OCT injection. In mice with severe thoracic aortic aneurysms, smaller aortic diameters were observed prior to OCT injection compared to ultrasound measurements, while aortic diameters in situ after OCT were comparable to diameters measured using ultrasound. A telemetry system demonstrated that maximal luminal pressures during 150 ul of OCT injection were 90 mmHg. Immunostaining for CD31 revealed that endothelial cells were preserved in the intima after OCT injection. These results indicate that OCT injection does not cause aortic damages due to excess pressures. In conclusion, in situ imaging with OCT injection provides authentic aortic measurements without overt aortic damage in mice with thoracic aortic aneurysms.
Characterization of aRAD51C-Silenced High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Model During PARP Inhibitor Resistance Development
Authors: Hurley Rachel M. , McGehee Cordelia D. , Nesic Ksenija , Correia Cristina , Weiskittel Taylor M. , Kelly Rebecca L. , Venkatachalam Annapoorna , Hou Xiaonan , Pathoulas Nicholas M. , Meng X. Wei , Kondrashova Olga , Radke Marc R. , Schneider Paula A. , Flatten Karen S. , Peterson Kevin L. , Dobrovic Alexander , Lin Kevin K. , Harding Thomas C , McNeish Iain A. , Ross Christian A. , Wagner Jill M. , Wakefield Matthew J. , Scott Clare L. , Haluska Paul , Wahner Hendrickson Andrea E. , Karnitz Larry M. , Swisher Elizabeth M. , Li Hu , Weroha S. John , Kaufmann Scott H.
Published: December 2020

Acquired PARP inhibitor (PARPi) resistance inBRCA1- orBRCA2-mutant ovarian cancer often results from secondary mutations that restore expression of functional protein.RAD51Cis a less commonly studied ovarian cancer susceptibility gene whose promoter is sometimes methylated in the tumor, leading to homologous recombination deficiency and PARPi sensitivity. For this study, the PARPi-sensitive patient-derived xenograft PH039, which lacks demonstrable repair gene mutations but harborsRAD51Cpromoter methylation, was selected for PARPi resistance by repeated 21-day niraparib treatmentsin vivo. PH039 acquired PARPi resistance by the third cycle of treatment and demonstrated unimpeded growth during subsequent exposure to either niraparib or rucaparib. Transcriptional profiling throughout the time course of resistance development showed widespread pathway level changes along with a marked increase inRAD51CmRNA, which reflected loss ofRAD51Cpromoter methylation. Analysis ofRAD51Cmethylation in patient tumor samples from the ARIEL2 Part 1 clinical trial of rucaparib monotherapy likewise indicated that loss ofRAD51Cmethylation prior to on-study biopsy was associated with limited response. Interestingly, the PARPi resistant PH039 model remained platinum sensitive. Collectively, these results not only indicate that PARPi treatment pressure can reverseRAD51Cmethylation and restore RAD51C expression, but also provide an important model for studying the clinical observation that PARPi and platinum sensitivity are sometimes dissociated.
Lipid-based, protein-based, and steric interactions synergize to facilitate transmembrane signaling stimulated by antigen-clustering of IgE receptors
Authors: Bag Nirmalya , Wagenknecht-Wiesner Alice , Lee Allan , Shi Sophia , Holowka David A. , Baird Barbara A.
Published: December 2020

Antigen (Ag) crosslinking of immunoglobulin E-receptor (IgE-FcεRI) complexes in mast cells stimulates transmembrane (TM) signaling, requiring phosphorylation of the clustered FcεRI by lipid-anchored Lyn tyrosine kinase. Previous studies showed that this stimulated coupling between Lyn and FcεRI occurs in liquid ordered (Lo)-like nanodomains of the plasma membrane and that Lyn binds directly to cytosolic segments of FcεRI that it initially phosphorylates for amplified activity. Net phosphorylation above a non-functional threshold is achieved in the stimulated state, but not in the resting state, and current evidence supports the hypothesis that this relies on disruption by Ag-crosslinking of a balance between Lyn and tyrosine phosphatase activities. However, the structural interactions that underlie the stimulation process remain poorly defined. This study evaluates the relative contributions and functional importance of different types of interactions leading to supra-threshold phosphorylation of Ag-crosslinked IgE-FcεRI in live rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) mast cells. Our high-precision diffusion measurements by Imaging Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (ImFCS) on multiple structural variants of Lyn and other lipid-anchored probes confirm subtle, stimulated stabilization of the Lo-like nanodomains and concomitant sharpening of segregation from liquid-disordered (Ld)-like regions. With other structural variants we determine that lipid-based interactions are essential for access by Lyn leading to phosphorylation of and protein-based binding to clustered FcεRI. By contrast, TM tyrosine phosphatase, PTPα, is excluded from these regions by steric repulsion of TM segments and preference for Ld-like regions. Overall, we establish a synergy of lipid-based, protein-based, and steric interactions underlying functional TM signaling in mast cells.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Lipid organization of the plasma membrane is known to be important for facilitating protein interactions in transmembrane signaling. However, the orchestration of these interactions in live cells has been elusive. We employed ImFCS to systemically investigate the interplay of lipids and proteins during signaling in mast cells, initiated as phosphorylation of Ag-crosslinked IgE-FcεRI by lipid-anchored Lyn kinase. We find lipid-based interactions are first required for protein-based phosphorylation of the clustered FcεRI within Lo-like nanodomains. Transmembrane phosphatases must be excluded from these regions, and we find this is mediated by their preference for Ld-like regions and by steric exclusion from the clustered FcεRI proteins. ImFCS provides quantitative characterization of the functional link between features of plasma membrane organization and transmembrane signaling.
Matrix stiffness and blood pressure together regulate vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype switching
Authors: Swiatlowska Pamela , Sit Brian , Feng Zhen , Marhuenda Emilie , Xanthis Ioannis , Zingaro Simona , Ward Matthew , Zhou Xinmiao , Xiao Qingzhong , Shanahan Cathy , Jones Gareth E , Yu Cheng-han , Iskratsch Thomas
Published: December 2020

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a central role in the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. In pre-atherosclerotic lesions, VSMCs switch from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype and subsequently remodel the microenvironment, leading to further disease progression. Ageing and associated mechanical changes of the extracellular matrix as well as hypertension are major risk of atherosclerosis. Consequently, we sought here to systematically study the impact of mechanical stimulations on VSMC phenotypic switching, by modulating both stiffness and hydrodynamic pressure. Thereby we find that hemodynamic pressure and matrix stiffness individually affect the VSMC phenotype. However, only the combination of hypertensive pressure and matrix compliance, and as such mechanical stimuli that are prevalent during atherosclerosis, lead to a full phenotypic switch including the formation of matrix degrading podosomes. We further analyse the molecular mechanism in stiffness and pressure sensing and identify a regulation through different, but overlapping pathways, culminating in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton through cofilin. Altogether, our data shows how different pathological mechanical signals combined, but through distinct pathways accelerate a phenotypic switch that will ultimately contribute to atherosclerotic disease progression.
A resource allocation framework for predisaster resilience management of interdependent infrastructure networks
Authors: Sun Jingran , Balakrishnan Srijith , Zhang Zhanmin
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Resource allocation is essential to infrastructure management. The purpose of this study is to develop a methodological framework for resource allocation that takes interdependencies among infrastructure systems into consideration to minimize the overall impact of infrastructure network disruptions due to extreme events.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking advantage of agent-based modeling techniques, the proposed methodology estimates the interdependent effects of a given infrastructure failure which are then used to optimize resource allocation such that the network-level resilience is maximized.

Findings

The findings of the study show that allocating resources with the proposed methodology, where optimal infrastructure reinforcement interventions are implemented, can improve the resilience of infrastructure networks with respect to both direct and interdependent risks of extreme events. These findings are also verified by the results of two case studies.

Practical implications

As the two case studies have shown, the proposed methodological framework can be applied to the resource allocation process in asset management practices.

Social implications

The proposed methodology improves the resilience of the infrastructure network, which can alleviate the social and economic impact of extreme events on communities.

Originality/value

Capitalizing on the combination of agent-based modeling and simulation-based optimization techniques, this study fulfills a critical gap in infrastructure asset management by incorporating infrastructure interdependence and resilience concepts into the resource allocation process.
Examining the influence of satisfaction and regret on online shoppers' post-purchase behaviour
Authors: Tata Sai Vijay , Prashar Sanjeev , Parsad Chandan
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The present research has used the expectancy–confirmation model along with the regret theory to examine the influence of six e-retailers' characteristics and confirmation on shoppers' satisfaction or regret. Further, the effect of these two cognitive constructs has been investigated on consumers' post-purchase behaviour like the intention to write reviews, repurchase intentions and brand-switching behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Extensive review of the literature was undertaken to identify the related factors. Data were collected using the survey instrument from 367 respondents. Structural equation modelling using Amos 22.0 was carried out for analysing the data.

Findings

The findings from the data collected from 367 respondents include the significant influence of price transparency, service quality and firms’ sincerity on shoppers' satisfaction.

Originality/value

Contrary to expectations, it is observed that product assortment, product quality and quality of personalisation did not have any such influence. Also, a firm's sincerity is the only factor that influenced regret. The noticeable outcome of the study pertains to the fact that online reviews are only provided by satisfied shoppers and not shoppers who regret. Rather, such regretting customers prefer switching to the alternative brand(s) and are less inclined to repurchase.
Understanding the impact of human resource practices on employee competencies: evidence from Indian food processing industry
Authors: Kaur Sukhpreet , Kaur Gurvinder
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The study aims at understanding the impact of individual and bundle of human resource practices (HRPs) on employee competencies. It also compares the impact of the bundle of HRPs with individual HRPs on employee competencies to examine the synergy effect.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypothesis, a sample of 229 respondents from the Indian food processing industry was taken. This included managerial and nonmanagerial personnel from four large scale food processing firms. The impact was analyzed through several structural equations.

Findings

The individual HRPs are positively related to employee competencies. Recruitment and selection have the least impact, and employee participation has the maximum impact on employee competencies. However, the bundle of HRPs has a positive and stronger impact on employee competencies than when they are studied individually.

Practical implications

The results of this study bring a wide array of managerial implications for the food processing industry. It recommends the management to adopt proper and well-structured HRPs for the food processing industry.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies that utilizes resource-based view (RBV) and human capital theory (HCT) for investigating the relationship between HRPs and employee competencies in the Indian context. It attempts to increase the understanding regarding an important strategic HR concept (i.e. bundle of HRPs) on employee competencies.
On being warm and friendly: the effect of socially responsible human resource management on employee fears of the threats of COVID-19
Authors: He Jie , Mao Yan , Morrison Alastair M. , Coca-Stefaniak J. Andres
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the influence of socially- responsible human resource management (SRHRM) on employee fears of external threats during the COVID-19 outbreak, based on social support and event system theories. COVID-19 caused sharp profit declines and bankruptcies of hotels, restaurants and travel agencies. In addition, employees faced threats to their health and job security. How to overcome employee anxieties and fears about the negative impacts of this crisis and promote psychological recovery is worthy of attention from researchers and practitioners. This research investigated the impacts of SRHRM on employee fears through organizational trust, with the COVID-19 pandemic playing a moderating role between SRHRM and employee fears.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses were tested through multiple linear regression analysis based on a survey of 408 employees in hospitality and tourism firms in China. Qualitative data were also gathered through interviews with selected managers.

Findings

The results showed that SRHRM had a negative influence on employee fears of external threats by enhancing trust in their organizations. In addition, the strength of the COVID-19 pandemic positively moderated the effect of SRHRM on employee fears. When the pandemic strength was more robust, the negative effects of SRHRM on employee fears were more significant.

Research limitations/implications

This research illustrated the contribution of SRHRM in overcoming employee fears of external threats in the context of COVID-19. It shed light on the organizational contribution of SRHRM to hospitality and tourism employee psychological recovery during the crisis.

Originality/value

This research explored strategic HRM by examining the effects of SRHRM on employee fears in the midst of a severe crisis, specifically COVID-19. The moderation effect of event strength and mediation effect of organizational trust were tested. It is of great value for hospitality and tourism firms to foster employee psychological recovery during a crisis such as COVID-19.
Relative effects of human capital, social capital and psychological capital on hotel employees’ job performance
Authors: Huang Songshan (Sam) , Yu Zhicheng , Shao Yuhong , Yu Meng , Li Zhiyong
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study examines the relative effects of human capital (HC), social capital (SC) and psychological capital (PC) on hotel employees’ job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 417 employees from seven five-star hotels in China was recruited for the study. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to confirm the quality of measurement structures. Stepwise regression was used to examine the relative effects of the three capitals on hotel employees’ job performance.

Findings

PC was found to be the strongest predictor of self-reported job performance (SJP) among the three capitals under investigation. Education and work experience in the HC domain affected SJP, whereas SC dimensions did not. However, only education and work experience in the HC domain were found to affect supervisor-rated job performance (RJP).

Practical implications

Given the impact of PC on hotel employee’s SJP, human resource managers should attend to this capital in staff recruitment, retention and training and development.

Originality/value

This study provides a holistic comparative lens to examine the relative contribution of the three capitals on hotel employees’ job performance. This will help to further clarify the roles played by each of the capitals in hotel service work, thus advancing the development of the theories underlying each of the three capitals.
Effects of customer engagement behaviors on action loyalty: moderating roles of service failure and customization
Authors: Zhang Chao , Ma Shuang , Li Songming , Singh Arjun
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate multidimensional customer engagement behaviors (CEBs) as antecedents of action loyalty in hospitality contexts and examine service conditions that inhibit and facilitate the former relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper tests a holistic framework based on transaction data from 5,855 active members of a hotel firm. The hypotheses are examined using ordinary least squares regression.

Findings

By integrating transaction-related CEBs with non-transaction-related CEBs, this paper found that three CEB constructs (i.e. feedback, mobilizing and cross-buying) contribute significantly to action loyalty in hospitality contexts. These effects vary depending on the inhibitor (service failure) and the facilitator (service customization).

Practical implications

Hotel managers should value customer engagement as a marketing tool to retain customers. When engaged customers encounter service failure and customization, managers can react differently to facilitate consumers’ action loyalty.

Originality/value

Contrary to prior studies focusing on the effects of general CEBs on attitudinal loyalty, this study examines the diverse impacts of multidimensional CEBs on customers’ action loyalty and confirms boundary conditions to coordinate the effects between CEBs from a hotel firm’s perspective.
The internationalisation of TechnoLatinas from a resource-based perspective
Authors: Arroteia Nuno , Hafeez Khalid
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates how entrepreneurs in an emerging economy in Latin America bundle resources to develop capabilities related to entering new markets whilst creating value for their firms. In particular, the paper explores how individual resources (experiential knowledge and social networks) impact on entrepreneurs' capabilities to exploit new market opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a case study approach to investigate five cases of entrepreneurs driving technology-based businesses in Brazil. Effectuation theory is used as a lens to ascertain how resources impact on the decision-making capabilities of the entrepreneurs and firms. The research adopts a longitudinal approach, capturing data from thirty interviewees over a period corresponding to domestic and international market entry of these TechnoLatinas ' businesses.

Findings

This paper builds on previous resource-based view (RBV) studies by supplementing evidence that individual and firm-level resources determine the development of capabilities to exploit new market opportunities for new firms. The presence of experiential knowledge (in particular, business planning, market analysis and experimentation) and social networks (individual resources) drives to a mix of causal and effectual heuristics; however, in the presence of firm-level resources (human and financial capital), new entrepreneurs tend to shift towards a stronger causal orientation.

Research limitations/implications

The case companies are high technology, knowledge-intensive Brazilian start-up firms sharing a similar institutional setting. Further research should include a more diverse range of cases including other sectors and other countries in Latin America adopting quantitative design to confirm and generalise these findings.

Practical implications

For policymakers and practitioners, this research provides guidelines on how entrepreneurs' know-how and social networks can be enhanced by providing access to the international market to speed up the growth of a new firm. For entrepreneurship educators, this research explains how effectual orientation (EO) or causal orientation (CO) influences the entrepreneur to exploit the available resources to maximise the growth of businesses in the international market.

Originality/value

The resource-based literature usually ignores the challenges faced by new resource-constrained firms and the individual-level resources of the entrepreneurs. This research contributes to the RBV, entrepreneurship and internationalisation debate by identifying the interplay between RBV and effectuation theory, particularly by bringing forward the impact of individual resources and capabilities of entrepreneurs to make the decision to enter a new market. Moreover, by using the effectuation theory, the research contributes to a better understanding of how resources are managed to create value and growth in new firms.
Farmer field schools for improving economic sustainability performance of Indonesian vegetable production
Authors: Mariyono Joko , Dewi Hanik Anggraeni , Daroini Putu Bagus , Latifah Evy , Hakim Arief Lukman , Luther Gregory C.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

A research and development project disseminated ecological technologies to approximately 3,250 vegetable farmers through farmer field schools (FFS) in four districts of Bali and East Java provinces of Indonesia. This article aims to assess the economic sustainability of vegetable production after FFS participation.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey randomly sampled 500 farmers, comprised of FFS participants (50%) and non-FFS participants (50%). Based on 1,000 farm operations, this analysis employed input-saving technology as the fundamental model examined using the double-difference method. Simultaneous reduction of agrochemicals and improvement of productivity represent indicators of economic sustainability.

Findings

Results indicate that pesticide use decreased without jeopardising farm productivity; moreover, vegetable production increased. These findings indicate that the ecological technologies transferred through FFS significantly improved economic sustainability performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study purposively selected farmers who grew tomato and chilli. Thus, the outcomes are not generalisable to other crops.

Practical implications

FFS continues to be an effective method for transferring agricultural technologies to farmer communities. Policymakers are recommended to use FFS for disseminating beneficial and sustainable technologies to broader agricultural communities.

Social implications

The adoption of ecological technologies provides positive economic and ecological milieus.

Originality/value

This study employs a double-differences approach to verify input-saving technological progress. Therefore, the performance of economic sustainability attributable to the project intervention is theoretically justified.
Are you traveling alone or with your device? The impact of connected mobile device usage on the travel experience
Authors: Kokkinou Alinda , Tremiliti Emma , Iwaarden Marc van , Mitas Ondrej , Straatman Sebastiaan
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how tourists use connected mobile devices such as smartphones to manage their tourist experience.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-method, cross-sectional approach was used consisting of questionnaires about tourists self-reported use of connected mobile devices and recorded observations of tourists' interaction with their devices.

Findings

Respondents who reported a more intense use of their connected mobile devices also reported a heightened tourist experience. Specifically, high users reported more intense emotions and expressed the belief that using their device improved the quality of their vacation. More extensive use of connected mobile devices was also linked to the perception that waits for attractions and restaurants were shorter.

Research limitations/implications

While the data and methods employed do not allow for testing of causality, the field research approach provides the benefit of high ecological validity, complementing previous studies on this topic.

Practical implications

Commercial service providers should explore ways to stimulate the use of devices, for instance by offering information about the attraction, or by providing an attractive setting for tourists taking photos. This contributes to shorter time perception and improved visitor evaluations.

Originality/value

Tourists' use of connected mobile devices to manage their tourist experience varies in terms of quality and intensity. Findings show that travelers know how to use their smartphones in a way that best suit their information and social needs.
Value chains of the world's top manufacturing corporations: moving from tangible to intangible activities?
Authors: Reis Cristina Fróes de Borja , Barroso de Souza André , Araujo Eliane Cristina , Blind Knut
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate if the world top manufacturing corporations' cost structures are moving from tangible to intangible activities and their impact on profitability.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical approach is interdisciplinary, combining global value chains, international manufacturing networks, cost management literatures. The empirical approach has a sample out of financial statements' data from 220 multinational corporations between 2006 and 2017, grouping them by technological intensity. It is created the “COGS-share” indicator – the ratio between the costs of goods sold and overall costs and expenses – as a proxy for the firms' expenses of tangible and intangible value chain activities. It is tested as an explanatory variable for the companies' profits through dynamic panel data econometric models.

Findings

The results show that the cost structure still is very concentrated in tangibles. Though costs of both tangible and intangible activities negatively impact profits, they affect value generation differently: the higher the share of intangible in comparison to tangible activities in overall cost and expenses, the greater the profits in most manufacturing groups, regardless of their technological intensity.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical analysis simplifies the composition of value chains per activity because financial statements data are aggregates, preventing detailed analysis by markets, business units or products. Stocks' levels are assumed to be at the desired level during the time series. The dataset does not allow value curves to be drawn because direct wages' data and more precise information on cost (especially deferred assets and wages) are missing.

Practical implications

The presented approach, particularly the COGS-share indicator, contribute to assess value generation from activities for improving corporate strategies and public policies on operations and cost management of global value chains.

Social implications

Supporting upgrading decisions that impact value production, allocation and distribution between workers, firms and countries.

Originality/value

Interdisciplinary theoretical and empirical assessment of the manufacturing companies' cost structures and profits based on financial statements data for the better understanding of value generation from tangible and intangible activities.
How to protect reader lending privacy under a cloud environment: a technical method
Authors: Wu Zongda , Shen Shigen , Lu Chenglang , Li Huxiong , Su Xinning
Published: December 2020

Purpose

In this paper, the authors propose an effective mechanism for the protection of digital library readers' lending privacy under a cloud environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The basic idea of the method is that for each literature circulation record, before being submitted to the untrusted cloud database of a digital library for storage, its reader number has to be encrypted strictly at a client, so as to make it unable for an attacker at the cloud to know the specific reader associated with each circulation record and thus protect readers' lending privacy. Moreover, the authors design an effective method for querying the encrypted literature circulation records, so as to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of each kind of database queries related to the encrypted reader number field of literature circulation records.

Findings

Finally, both theoretical analysis and experimental evaluation demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.

Originality/value

This paper presents the first study attempt to the privacy protection of readers' literature circulations, which can improve the security of readers' lending privacy in the untrusted cloud, without compromising the accuracy and efficiency of each kind of database queries in the digital library. It is of positive significance to construct a privacy-preserving digital library platform.
Enhancing creativity in organizations: the role of the need for cognition
Authors: Pan Yan , Shang Yufan , Malika Richards
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The authors explain the conditions under which positive personality traits and work environment factors either interact synergistically or yield diminishing-gains when creative individuals are in a supportive working environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained using a time-lagged design. The final sample includes 350 researchers from 64 scientific research teams.

Findings

The results indicate that the need for cognition is positively associated with individual creativity. Furthermore, this study suggests that perceived organizational support for creativity can complement an individual's need for cognition when it comes to individual creativity. This indicates a synergistic pattern. On the other hand, psychological safety can substitute for an individual's need for cognition when influencing individual creativity. Thus, a diminishing-gains pattern also exists.

Practical implications

The results suggest that when individuals are stuck in environments of low psychological safety, yet perceive higher levels of organizational support for creativity, their levels of creativity can be boosted.

Originality/value

This study is among one of the first to explore a supportive context's complementary or substitution effect on positive personality traits by demonstrating the complementary effect of perceived organizational support for creativity and the substitution effect of psychological safety. This study validates the positive effect of the need for cognition on creativity. This study also enriches the psychological safety literature by showing that psychological safety is not always necessary for individuals with a high need for cognition.
Risk of solid malignancies in bullous pemphigoid: A large‐scale population‐based cohort study
Authors: Kridin Khalaf , Hammers Christoph M. , Ludwig Ralf J. , Cohen Arnon D.
Published: December 2020

The association of bullous pemphigoid (BP) with solid malignancies (SM) is a matter of controversy, as previous studies produced inconclusive findings. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of SM among patients with BP and to evaluate whether a history of SM predisposes individuals to develop subsequent BP. A population‐based cohort study was performed comparing BP patients (n = 3924) with age‐, sex‐ and race‐matched control subjects (n = 19 280) with regard to incident cases of SM. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and adjusted odds ratios (OR) were estimated by Cox regression and logistic regression, respectively. The incidence of SM was 13.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.6–15.3) and 14.3 (95% CI, 13.5–15.1) per 1000 person‐years among patients with BP and controls, respectively. BP was not associated with an increased risk of SM (adjusted HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.77–1.05). Additionally, a history of SM was not related to the risk of subsequent BP (adjusted OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.90–1.10). In a stratified analysis, patients with BP had an increased risk of uterine cancer (adjusted HR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.39–4.72) unlike the 18 remaining analyzed types of SM. Relative to BP patients without SM, those with BP and SM were older, had a male predominance, a higher prevalence of smoking, a higher burden of comorbidities and comparable survival rates. Although patients with BP do not experience an overall increased risk of developing SM, they are more likely to have uterine cancer. Our findings argue against routine extended cancer screening for patients with incident BP, but raise the awareness of uterine cancer among females with BP.