bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptomic analyses revealed the effect ofFunneliformis mosseae on differentially expressed genes inFusarium oxysporum
Authors: Zhang Xue-Qi , Bai Li , Guo Na , Cai Bai-Yan
Published: May 2020

Soybean root rot is a typical soil-borne disease that severely affects the yield of soybean, andF. mosseae, the dominant strain of AMF in continuous cropping of soybean. The aim of this study was to providing an experimental basis for the study of the molecular mechanism underlying the alleviation of the obstacles associated with the continuous cropping of soybean by AMF. In this study,F. mosseaewas inoculated in soil planted with soybean infected withF. oxysporum. The results showed that the incidence of soybean root rot was significantly reduced after inoculation withF. mosseae. The significantly upregulated genes encoded the ABC transporter, ATP-binding/permease protein and the ABC transporter, ATP-binding protein. The significantly downregulated genes encoded chitin-binding domain proteins; key enzymes involved in metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, including class II fructose-bisphosphate aldolase and NAD-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycoside hydrolase family 61 protein, which hydrolyse cellulose and hemicellulose; actin and other major components of the cytoskeleton. The DEGs were enriched in antigen processing and presentation, carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, the MAPK signalling pathway, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and RNA degradation. Inoculation withF. mosseaecould promote the growth and development of soybean and improve disease resistance. This study provides an experimental basis for further research on the molecular mechanism underlying the alleviation of challenges associated with the continuous cropping of soybean by AMF.
Characterization of Components of Resistance to Corn Stunt Disease
Authors: Oleszczuk José D. , Catalano María I. , Dalaisón Lucía , Di Rienzo Julio A. , Giménez Pecci María P. , Carpane Pablo D.
Published: May 2020

Considering the occasional but increasing presence of corn stunt disease in the subtropical region of Argentina, the objective of this research was to devise an effective strategy to screen disease-resistant genotypes in the absence of high and constant natural pressures. To do so, the presence of antixenosis and antibiosis as components of resistance to vectorDalbulus maidis(DeLong 1923) as well as resistance to the pathogenSpiroplasma kunkelii(Whitcomb et al. 1986) under artificial inoculation conditions were investigated in four widely-distributed maize hybrids in Argentina. The hybrids shown differences in the levels of resistance and target organisms (either the insect vector or the pathogen). Antixenosis and antibiosis toD. maidiswere observed in DK72-10. Resistance of DK79-10 toS. kunkeliiwas evidenced by a delayed onset of symptoms, and DKB390 was antixenotic toD. maidisand highly resistant toS. kunkelii. A good association was found between symptom severity and yield, but not between symptom severity and accumulation of pathogenS. kunkelii. In conclusion, the proposed methodology was efficacious and can aid the screening of resistant genotypes in breeding programs to reduce the impact of corn stunt disease, ensuring that hybrids with good resistance level will be planted by farmers whenever disease occurs.
Live imaging of hair bundle polarity acquisition in the mouse utricle demonstrates a critical timeline for transcription factor Emx2
Authors: Tona Yosuke , Wu Doris K.
Published: May 2020

The asymmetric hair bundle on top of hair cells (HCs), comprises a kinocilium and stereocilia staircase, dictates HC directional sensitivity. The mother centriole (MC) forms the base of the kinocilium, where stereocilia are subsequently built next to it. Previously we showed that transcription factor Emx2 reverses hair bundle orientation and its expression in the mouse vestibular utricle is restricted, resulting in two regions of opposite bundle orientation (Jiang et al, 2017). Here, we investigated establishment of opposite bundle orientation in embryonic utricles by live-imaging GFP-labeled centrioles in HCs. The daughter centriole invariably migrated ahead of the MC from the center to their respective peripheral locations in HCs. Comparing HCs between utricular regions, centriole trajectories were similar but they migrated towards opposite directions, suggesting that Emx2 pre-patterned HCs prior to centriole migration. Ectopic Emx2, however, reversed centriole trajectory within hours during a critical time-window when centriole trajectory was responsive to Emx2.
Single Cell Deconstruction of Muscle Stem Cell Heterogeneity During Aging Reveals Sensitivity to the Neuromuscular Junction
Authors: Ulintz Peter J. , Larouche Jacqueline , Mohiuddin Mahir , Macias Jesus Castor , Kurpiers Sarah J. , Liu Wenxuan , Choi Jeongmoon J. , Brown Lemuel A. , Markworth James F. , de Silva Kanishka , Levi Benjamin D. , Merajver Sofia D. , Chakkalakal Joe V. , Jang Young C. , Brooks Susan V. , Aguilar Carlos A.
Published: May 2020

During aging and neuromuscular diseases, there is a progressive loss of skeletal muscle volume and function in that impacts mobility and quality of life. Muscle loss is often associated with denervation and a loss of resident muscle stem cells (satellite cells or MuSCs), but the relationship between MuSCs and neural control has not been established. Herein, using a combination of single-cell transcriptomic analysis, high-resolution immunofluorescence imaging and transgenic young and aged mice as well as from mice with neuromuscular degeneration (Sod1-/-), a compensatory neuro-responsive function for a subset of MuSCs was identified. Genetic rescue of motor neurons in Sod1-/-mice reduced this subset of MuSCs and restored integrity of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in a manner akin to young muscle. Administration of severe neuromuscular trauma induced young MuSCs to specifically engraft in a position proximal to the NMJ but in aging, this behavior was abolished. Contrasting the expression programs of young and aged MuSCs after muscle injury at the single cell level, we observed distinctive gene expression programs between responses to neuro-muscular degeneration and muscle trauma. Collectively, these data reveal MuSCs sense synaptic perturbations during aging and neuro-muscular deterioration, and can exert support for the NMJ, particularly in young muscle.

Highlights

Transcriptional landscapes of single satellite cells from different ages before and after injury as well as neurodegenerative models before and after nervous rescue

A population of satellite cells reside in close proximity to neuromuscular synapse, which are lost with age

Denervation promotes satellite cell engraftment into post-synaptic regions of young as opposed to aged muscle
Developmental Expression of Transforming Growth Factor Induced Protein Promotes NF-Kappa-B Mediated Angiogenesis During Postnatal Lung Development
Authors: Liu Min , Iosef Cristiana , Rao Shailaja , Domingo-Gonzalez Racquel , Fu Sha , Snider Paige , Conway Simon J. , Umbach Gray S. , Heilshorn Sarah C. , Dewi Ruby E. , Dahl Mar J. , Null Donald M. , Albertine Kurt H. , Alvira Cristina M.
Published: May 2020

Rationale

Pulmonary angiogenesis is a key driver of alveolarization. Our prior studies showed that nuclear factor kappa-B (NFκB) promotes pulmonary angiogenesis during early alveolarization. However, the mechanisms regulating temporal-specific NFκB activation in the pulmonary vasculature are unknown.

Objectives

To identify mechanisms that activate pro-angiogenic NFκB signaling in the developing pulmonary vasculature.

Methods

Proteomic analysis of the lung secretome was performed using 2D-DIGE. NFκB activation and angiogenic function was assessed in primary pulmonary endothelial cells (PEC) and TGFBI-regulated genes identified using RNA-sequencing. Alveolarization and pulmonary angiogenesis was assessed in WT and TGFBI null mice exposed to normoxia or hyperoxia. Lung TGFBI expression was determined in premature lambs supported by invasive and noninvasive respiratory support.

Measurements and Main Results

Secreted factors from the early alveolar, but not the late alveolar or adult lung, promoted proliferation and migration in quiescent, adult PEC. Proteomic analysis identified transforming growth factor beta-induced protein (TGFBI) as a protein highly expressed by myofibroblasts in the early alveolar lung that promoted PEC migration by activating NFκB via αvβ3 integrins. RNA-sequencing identifiedCsf3as a TGFBI-regulated gene that enhances nitric oxide production in PEC. Loss of TGFBI in mice exaggerated the impaired pulmonary angiogenesis induced by chronic hyperoxia, and TGFBI expression was disrupted in premature lambs with impaired alveolarization.

Conclusions

Our studies identify TGFBI as a developmentally-regulated protein that promotes NFκB-mediated angiogenesis during early alveolarization by enhancing nitric oxide production. We speculate that dysregulation of TGFBI expression may contribute to diseases marked by impaired alveolar and vascular growth.
Beyond rates: Time-varying dynamics of high frequency oscillations as a biomarker of the seizure onset zone
Authors: Nunez Michael D. , Charupanit Krit , Sen-Gupta Indranil , Lopour Beth A. , Lin Jack J.
Published: May 2020

Objective

High frequency oscillations (HFOs) recorded by intracranial electrodes have generated excitement for their potential to help localize epileptic tissue for surgical resection. However, the number of HFOs per minute (i.e. the HFO “rate”) is not stable over the duration of intracranial recordings; for example, the rate of HFOs increases during periods of slow-wave sleep. Moreover, HFOs that are predictive of epileptic tissue may occur in oscillatory patterns due to phase coupling with lower frequencies. Therefore, we sought to further characterize between-seizure (i.e. “interictal”) HFO dynamics both within and outside the seizure onset zone (SOZ).

Approach

Using long-term intracranial EEG (mean duration 10.3 hours) from 16 patients, we automatically detected HFOs using a new algorithm. We then fit a hierarchical Negative Binomial model to the HFO counts. To account for differences in HFO dynamics and rates between sleep and wakefulness, we also fit a mixture model to the same data that included the ability to switch between two discrete brain states that were automatically determined during the fitting process. The ability to predict the SOZ by model parameters describing HFO dynamics (i.e. clumping coefficients and coefficients of variation) was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves.

Main results

Parameters that described HFO dynamics were predictive of SOZ. In fact, these parameters were found to be more consistently predictive than HFO rate. Using concurrent scalp EEG in two patients, we show that the model-found brain states corresponded to (1) non-REM sleep and (2) awake and rapid eye movement sleep. However the brain state most likely corresponding to slowwave sleep in the second model improved SOZ prediction compared to the first model for only some patients.

Significance

This work suggests that delineation of seizure onset zone with interictal data can be improved by the inclusion of time-varying HFO dynamics.

1.

Novelty & Significance

The rate of high frequency oscillations (HFOs), measured as number per minute, is a biomarker of the seizure onset zone (SOZ) in epilepsy patients. However, the rate changes over time and HFO occurrence can be phase-coupled to slow oscillations. Here we show, through novel application of negative binomial models to HFO count data, that HFO temporal dynamics are a biomarker of the SOZ and are superior to HFO rate. Specifically, more random occurrence of HFOs predicted SOZ, as opposed to events clustered in time. This suggests that consideration of HFO temporal dynamics can improve SOZ localization for epilepsy surgery.
MR Imaging Distinguishes Tumor Hypoxia Levels of Different Prognostic and Biological Significance in Cervical Cancer
Authors: Hillestad Tiril , Hompland Tord , Fjeldbo Christina S. , Skingen Vilde E. , Salberg Unn Beate , Aarnes Eva-Katrine , Nilsen Anja , Lund Kjersti V. , Evensen Tina S. , Kristensen Gunnar B. , Stokke Trond , Lyng Heidi
Published: May 2020

Tumor hypoxia levels range from mild to severe and have different biological and therapeutical consequences, but are not easily assessable in patients. We present a method based on diagnostic dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that visualizes a continuous range of hypoxia levels in tumors of cervical cancer patients. Hypoxia images were generated using an established approach based on pixel-wise combination of the DCE-MRI parametersνeandKtrans, reflecting oxygen consumption and supply, respectively. An algorithm to retrieve hypoxia levels from the images was developed and validated in 28 xenograft tumors, by comparing the MRI-defined levels with hypoxia levels derived from pimonidazole stained histological sections. We further established an indicator of hypoxia levels in patient tumors based on expression of nine hypoxia responsive genes. A strong correlation was found between these indicator values and the MRI-defined hypoxia levels in 63 patients. Chemoradiotherapy outcome of 74 patients was most strongly predicted by moderate hypoxia levels, whereas more severe or milder levels were less predictive. By combining gene expression profiles and MRI-defined hypoxia levels in cancer hallmark analysis, we identified a distribution of levels associated with each hallmark; oxidative phosphorylation and G2/M checkpoint were associated with moderate hypoxia, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and inflammatory responses with significantly more severe levels. At the mildest levels, interferon response hallmarks, together with stabilization of HIF1A protein by immunohistochemistry, appearred significant. Thus, our method visualizes the distribution of hypoxia levels within patient tumors and has potential to distinguish levels of different prognostic and biological significance.
Novel role of AGT gene in aplastic anaemia among paediatric patients based on gene expression profiling
Authors: Adhikari Sarmistha , Mandal Paramita
Published: May 2020

Objectives

Severe aplastic anemia is characterized by a hypocellular bone marrow and peripheral cytopenia. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play a crucial role in haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) development and the microenvironment suitable for haematopoiesis. Investigation of the therapeutic targets by paediatric patient-specific gene expression analysis of the MSCs can be important for diagnosis.

Methods

The study was based on freely available miRNA and host gene expression in NCBI GEO dataset. Microarray based gene expression profiles (GSE33812) of MSCs for five paediatric aplastic anaemia patients and healthy controls were generated using Agilent-014850 platform and the data was downloaded from the database.

Results

MSCs gene expression profiling distinguished between healthy controls, children with aplastic anemia. Angioteninogen (AGT) gene involved in ERK1/ERK2 cascade, cyotokine secretion, metabolic processes was strongly down-regulated among all the patients with aplastic anemia. Emerging role of various transcription factors binding to this gene was identified as a new avenue of therapeutic application.

Conclusions

As a potential diagnostic tool, patient-specific gene expression profiling of MSCs made it possible to make the difficult diagnosis of most patients with aplastic anemia.
Pattern-matching indexing of Laue and monochromatic serial crystallography data for applications in materials science
Authors: Dejoie Catherine , Tamura Nobumichi
Published: May 2020

Serial crystallography data can be challenging to index, as each frame is processed individually, rather than being processed as a whole like in conventional X-ray single-crystal crystallography. An algorithm has been developed to index still diffraction patterns arising from small-unit-cell samples. The algorithm is based on the matching of reciprocal-lattice vector pairs, as developed for Laue microdiffraction data indexing, combined with three-dimensional pattern matching using a nearest-neighbors approach. As a result, large-bandpass data (e.g. 5–24 keV energy range) and monochromatic data can be processed, the main requirement being prior knowledge of the unit cell. Angles calculated in the vicinity of a few theoretical and experimental reciprocal-lattice vectors are compared, and only vectors with the highest number of common angles are selected as candidates to obtain the orientation matrix. Global matching on the entire pattern is then checked. Four indexing options are available, two for the ranking of the theoretical reciprocal-lattice vectors and two for reducing the number of possible candidates. The algorithm has been used to index several data sets collected under different experimental conditions on a series of model samples. Knowing the crystallographic structure of the sample and using this information to rank the theoretical reflections based on the structure factors helps the indexing of large-bandpass data for the largest-unit-cell samples. For small-bandpass data, shortening the candidate list to determine the orientation matrix should be based on matching pairs of reciprocal-lattice vectors instead of triplet matching.
Hydrogen/deuterium exchange behavior in tetragonal hen egg-white lysozyme crystals affected by solution state
Authors: Kita Akiko , Morimoto Yukio
Published: May 2020

Neutron diffraction studies of hydrogen/deuterium-exchanged hen egg-white lysozyme were performed by a joint X-ray and neutron refinement to elucidate the hydrogen/deuterium exchange behavior. Large crystals for neutron work, consisting of molecules that were exchanged before crystallization, were obtained by repeatedly adding protein solution to the crystal batch using deuterated precipitant reagent. There are differences in hydrogen/deuterium exchange behavior compared with previous crystallographic or NMR studies, which could be due to intermolecular interactions in the crystal or to different lengths of exchange period.
Ptychographic X-ray speckle tracking
Authors: Morgan Andrew J. , Quiney Harry M. , Bajt Saša , Chapman Henry N.
Published: May 2020

A method is presented for the measurement of the phase gradient of a wavefront by tracking the relative motion of speckles in projection holograms as a sample is scanned across the wavefront. By removing the need to obtain an undistorted reference image of the sample, this method is suitable for the metrology of highly divergent wavefields. Such wavefields allow for large magnification factors that, according to current imaging capabilities, will allow for nanoradian angular sensitivity and nanoscale sample projection imaging. Both the reconstruction algorithm and the imaging geometry are nearly identical to that of ptychography, except that the sample is placed downstream of the beam focus and that no coherent propagation is explicitly accounted for. Like other X-ray speckle tracking methods, it is robust to low-coherence X-ray sources, making it suitable for laboratory-based X-ray sources. Likewise, it is robust to errors in the registered sample positions, making it suitable for X-ray free-electron laser facilities, where beam-pointing fluctuations can be problematic for wavefront metrology. A modified form of the speckle tracking approximation is also presented, based on a second-order local expansion of the Fresnel integral. This result extends the validity of the speckle tracking approximation and may be useful for similar approaches in the field.
Crystal structures of [Li7(i-PrO)3(C4H10NO)3]2O and [Na(i-PrOH)2(C8H18NO2)]2
Authors: Scheel Rebecca , Louven Kathrin , Strohmann Carsten
Published: May 2020

The title compounds, hexakis[μ3-2-(dimethylamino)ethanolato]hexa-μ2-isopropanolato-μ4-oxido-tetradecalithium(I), [Li7(i-PrO)3(C4H10NO)3]2O (1), and {3-[(2-methoxyethyl)(methyl)amino]-1,1-dimethylpropanolato}diisopropanolsodium(I), [Na(i-PrOH)2(C8H18NO2)] (2), were crystallized in the presence of 2-propanol (i-PrOH, C3H7OH). The structure 1 has monoclinic symmetry (C2/c) and the asymmetric unit contains half of the compound. Title compound 2 has triclinic symmetry (P\overline{1}) and the asymmetric unit is half of an inversion-symmetric aggregate. Both compounds consist of an alkali metal, an aminoalkoxide and a 2-propanol compound. Furthermore, the dimeric sodium aggregate 2 is build up by hydrogen bonding through the 2-propanol and the alkoxides. Compound 1 does not exhibit hydrogen bonding, due to the fact that the 2-propanol is deprotonated. In compound 1, benzene appeared as co-crystallate, but was suppressed by solvent masking because of strong disorder. The formula mass and density do not take account of the solvent.
Dichloridobis[2-(pyridin-2-yl-κN)-1H-benzimidazole-κN
3]nickel(II) monohydrate. Corrigendum
Authors: MacNeil Connor S. , Ogweno Aloice O. , Ojwach Stephen O. , Hayes Paul G.
Published: May 2020

In the paper by MacNeil et al. [IUCrData, (2020), 5, x200040], the address of the second author is incorrect.
The eve of the 1896 revolution: experiencing Philippine history through immersive and gamified learning
Authors: Moscoso Mildred O. , de Jesus Ana Katrina P. , Abagat Renz Frances D. , Centeno Edmund G. , Custodio Rhodora Ramonette D.V. , Embate John Mervin L. , Pine Elijah Jesse Mendoza , Belano Zoilo D. , Crudo Eugene Raymond P. , Lopega Diosdado B. , Mangubat Lexter J.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Katipuneros RPG: Bisperas ng Himagsikan (Katipuneros RPG: The Eve of the Revolution) is an immersive and gamified theater that engages its “audiences” in the initiation rites of a secret revolutionary movement in the Philippines in 1896. This descriptive qualitative research evaluates such experiential approach to learning history by investigating the experiences and insights of a group of students from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), who participated in Katipuneros RPG.

Design/methodology/approach

Textual data obtained from the participants' reflection papers and focus group discussion transcripts were analyzed using open and axial coding.

Findings

Three key themes summarized the participants' learning experiences as they went through the play, as follows: (1) Katipuneros RPG as an immersive, interactive and intrinsically motivating medium for learning history; (2) the knowledge, values and skills that served as facilitating factors for their learning and (3) the insights the participants gained about history and life in general.

Practical implications

The research argues that in Katipuneros RPG, learners take on a more active role in studying history as the “teacher” vanishes in lieu of a learning system the allows students to think critically, reflect and collaborate. The approach integrates elements of development theater, immersive play and gamified learning, as well as the principles of constructivist, play-based and multi-sensorial learning.

Social implications

As an innovative learning tool, it is a viable medium to teach history in the current socio-political context of the Philippines.

Originality/value

The study hopes to contribute to literature on pedagogical approaches for teaching and learning history through immersive environments.
Rough MCDM model for green supplier selection in Iran: a case of university construction project
Authors: Shojaei Payam , bolvardizadeh Ana
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The construction industry has a significant function in improving the quality of life in the urban environment; meanwhile, greening the supply chain is becoming a seriously pressing issue in the construction industry. This paper seeks to select green suppliers in construction projects implemented at Iranian state universities via multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) models through rough set theory.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methodology design was conducted through a literature review of studies concerned with green suppliers to identify the related criteria and the rough MCDM techniques. As such, 15 criteria were finalized through content validity ratio (introduced by Lawshe, 1975). The weights of the criteria were calculated through the rough AHP and the suppliers were prioritized using the rough TOPSIS to contribute to the Construction Department.

Findings

The study proposed a hierarchical structure of the decision process for green supplier selection in construction projects. According to the weighting results, environmental awareness, green social responsibility and the environmental management system were the most important criteria.

Research limitations/implications

Because the scope of the study was limited to state universities and the methods worked according to the experts' views, the results should be generalized with more caution. The validity of the results should be examined by applying the model to similar contexts.

Originality/value

The study conceptualizes green supplier selection in construction projects at state universities. Furthermore, the method used makes it possible to deal with the uncertainty arising from experts' limited awareness of only part of the problem rather than the whole system under investigation.
The growing complexity of customer engagement: a systematic review
Authors: Rosado-Pinto Filipa , Loureiro Sandra Maria Correia
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The topic of customer engagement has been growing in relevance and complexity in the last decade. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to systematically review and critically analyse the research about customer engagement and address the research question: “What marketing research has been conducted on customer engagement until now and what could be future avenues for research?”

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review of the existing literature is performed based on the Web of Science and Scopus electronic databases. A total of 144 articles are included in the final analysis.

Findings

Customer engagement is perceived as a multidimensional concept with different definitions and sub-forms associated. There is an increasing number of authors studying the concept in different industries and geographies, with empirical studies being widely used. The concept emerges from specific theoretical pillars. Different constructs are associated with customer engagement, being studied as antecedents and/or outcomes. This study presents 8 major paths for future research.

Research limitations/implications

This type of approach has a certain level of subjectivity, associated to the methodological process for choosing the articles to be included in the final analysis and the applied filters.

Originality/value

Through this study, readers become aware of the state of the art on customer engagement and associated constructs, the gaps found in past research, the research contexts and also have a glimpse about what can be the future of this field of research, as well as research questions to be addressed.
Developing healthy cities with urban facility management
Authors: Nijkamp Jeannette E. , Mobach Mark P.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Most people live in cities and work in offices, two contexts offering many lifestyle-related and environmental health risks. To advance their health, this paper aims to introduce an analogy between urban design and facility design to explore whether health-directed design interventions in cities and facilities are related and to look for applicable cross-overs and opportunities to develop the facility management (FM) profession on the urban level.

Design/methodology/approach

The principles of abductive reasoning as a first phase of scientific investigation were followed, by introducing a new idea and attentively observing phenomena in the communities of FM and urban design. The method was desk research, in the context of discovery.

Findings

Many possible cross-overs exist which offer opportunities for urban planners and facility managers to reinforce each other and interesting market opportunities for the further development of urban FM. However, more systematic research is needed on efficacious and effective interventions. Furthermore, experiences and capacities of the FM sector should be unlocked and applied within a city context, as the knowledge and experiences of facility managers and urban planners can create synergy.

Practical implications

The findings are directly applicable to facility and urban design practices and to FM education by involving students in city design practices.

Originality/value

Cross-overs between facilities and cities are new and can inspire both facility managers and urban planners to work together more closely for the benefit of citizens and employees.
A new service quality scale for hospital emergency rooms
Authors: Shuv-Ami Avichai , Shalom Tamar
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Service quality and patient satisfaction have a significant impact in healthcare. Health organizations have also begun to put the customer at the center and meet his or her needs. This study aims to indicate the need to develop a simple and appropriate scale for measuring quality of service in hospital emergency rooms.

Design/methodology/approach

The validity and reliability of the scale were established by three separated and independent studies that used exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and correlation analysis to test the nomological network validity of the scale. The data was collected randomly from an internet panel that comprises more than 50,000 people over the age of 18. The research is based on 1,002 Israelis who accompanied a patient to a hospital emergency room.

Findings

In total, 23 items comprised the new scale of emergency room service quality with three dimensions: “staff professionalism”, “staff caring” and “tangibles”. The internal reliability for the total scale was high with Cronbach'sαof 0.97.

Research limitations/implications

In Israel, there is a state health system, and therefore, it is necessary to check the scale elsewhere in the world.

Originality/value

The measurement of service quality for emergency room needed to be focused on the unique charters of the service provided in hospitals’ emergency room. The findings show that a client may assesses the service their loved one has received to decides whether to return to the same hospital and recommend it to his or her friends.
How multiple identities shape behavioral intention: place and team identification on spectator attendance
Authors: Lee Hyun-Woo , Cho Heetae , Newell Emily M. , Kwon Woong
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the complexity of how spectators' multiple identities influence their behavioral intention. Specifically, the authors examined the effects of spectators' place identification, team identification and an interaction effect on attendance intention using social identity complexity framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from spectators attending professional baseball games in South Korea. While 550 questionnaires were returned, 475 (86.36%) were used in the analysis after excluding incomplete responses. The research model was tested using latent moderated structural equations modeling.

Findings

Results indicated place identification only influenced attendance intentions through an interaction effect, while team identity directly affects attendance intention. Highly identified sport consumers intended to attend future games regardless of place identification, while the sense of love for the team's home region motivated low-identified sport consumers more to attend future games.

Originality/value

The findings of this research led to understanding the relationships between multiple identities and behavioral intention and provided the spectator sport industry with valuable strategies to manage their sport consumers.
The relationships of communication intensity, CEO commitment, cause fit and media reputation: evidence from Chinese marathon title sponsors
Authors: Lu Shanshan , Zhu Weiwei , Wei Jiuchang
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This research aims to explore ways to build a corporate media reputation by sponsoring a sports event (i.e. a marathon), by examining the effects of communication intensity, CEO commitment and cause fit that are most conducive to helping a sponsor gain media reputation benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study of 122 Chinese marathon title sponsorships is employed that explores the relationship between sponsorship attributes and media reputation construction from the perspective of cause-related marketing theory. Hypotheses are tested with hierarchical regression and interaction analysis.

Findings

The results show that a high level of sponsorship communication intensity, the proximity of the sponsor to a sport property, the level of CEO commitment and the level of cause fit contribute to the media reputation of enterprise sponsors. Further analysis also reveals the different interaction effects of technical fit and institutional fit in the process.

Practical implications

This research has practical implications related to sport sponsorship management for event organizers and business operators that seek to promote the healthy and dynamic operations of the sponsor market. Several suggestions for future studies and strategies to increase the media reputation benefits can be drawn from the results of this paper. Sports sponsoring is a process of system engineering and strategic planning, and the integration and coordination of various types of resources are needed.

Originality/value

This study advances the current research about the impact of sponsorship attributes on the media reputation of sports sponsors. The differentiation and exploration of the two kinds of cause fit (i.e. technical fit and institutional fit) expand the dimension of fit in the field of sponsorship. Furthermore, this research provides an in-depth understanding of the mechanism that determines the media reputation benefits that sponsors can reap from a property's activities.
Explaining the enduring deficit of public ECEC services in the south of Italy
Authors: Barillà Stefania , Martinelli Flavia , Sarlo Antonella
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This article seeks to explain why the public provision of early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in Reggio di Calabria – the largest city of the Calabria region in Southern Italy – has remained among the lowest in the country, failing to respond to the growing local demand for such services. Most of the limited formal supply of ECEC services currently available in the city is almost exclusively provided, for a fee, by private – until recently unregulated – day care centres, whereas households who cannot afford them must still rely on family care.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on original research findings, the article explains how such a supply configuration is the result of several concurrent factors – structural, institutional and cultural, on both the demand and the supply side of the service relation – and has been conditioned by both national and local specificities.

Findings

The complex interplay of these factors accounts not only for the enduring absence of an adequate public provision of ECEC services in the city and its region but also for the reproduction of an “unsupported” familistic model of care, while a loosely regulated private supply answers the growing demand coming from the working women who can afford it.

Social implications

The lack of public ECEC, which was significantly aggravated by the 2008 financial crisis, represents a major constraint for women's emancipation and social justice in an already difficult socio-economic context.

Originality/value

The article provides in-depth knowledge on the enduring deficit of public ECEC services in a region and city that are little studied, together with a contextualized interpretation of its causes and implications.
Exploring the relationship between employee engagement and its antecedents: the moderating role of smartphone use
Authors: Lin Sheng-Wei , Liu Yuan-Hung , Huang Eugenia Y.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study empirically verified employee engagement (EE) as an outcome of organizational communication and confirmed that the formation of EE is strengthened when smartphone use (SU) is at a higher level.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was used in this research, whereby 408 valid samples were collected with an online survey. The hypotheses of direct effects were tested using the structural equation modeling (SEM) procedure, and the moderating effects were tested using the unconstrained product indicator method and the PROCESS macro.

Findings

The results showed that EE was significantly influenced by person–organizationvalue fit (POVF), transformational leadership (TFL) and job autonomy (JA), and the effects of POVF and TFL were moderated significantly by SU. Although the influence of social support (SS) on EE was insignificant in the full model, SU moderated the effect of SS. The evidence also showed that work–family conflict (WFC) had no negative impact on EE.

Research limitations/implications

The participants of this study were restricted to a local area.

Practical implications

Organizations should develop job designs via two-way communication to bring up EE and SU can facilitate the process.

Originality/value

Previous research has identified EE as an outcome of organizational communication, but this concept has not yet been empirically verified. This research provides evidence to verify the above-mentioned concept and additionally confirms the moderating role of SU.
Fear of terror and employees’ behaviour in terrorist-ridden areas
Authors: Soomro Shuaib Ahmed , Roques Olivier , Ali Akhtiar
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of fear of terror (FOT) on employee organizational commitment (OC) working in terror-induced areas through examining the role of rumination as a mediator and perceived organization support (POS) as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors develop a model in which the mediating role of rumination in the FOT relationship is conditional to the values of OC. Using a sample size of 268 respondents, questionnaires were used to collect data from Pakistan during a period when terrorist attacks were at a peak. Results from the hierarchical regression analyses provided support for the developed model.

Findings

Overall, the statistical model is significant (p < 0.05); the authors found negative relationships between FOT and OC. The authors found that FOT positively led to rumination, which then negatively led to OC. It was also found that POS significantly moderated FOT and OC.

Practical implications

This study revealed that FOT is a deterring factor that changed employees’ OC. It further revealed that organizations providing support to employees working in terrorist-ridden areas showed positive commitment. This paper discusses the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

Originality/value

This paper provides an examination of the relationship between FOT and employee OC. It expands our knowledge of the stress theory and terror management theory for employees working in discontinuous areas.
That’s why they didn’t let it go: exploring the roots of women entrepreneurs’ escalation of commitment
Authors: Nouri Pouria
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Escalation of commitment is one of the most important decision-making biases among entrepreneurs and may deprive them of valuable resources and even result in their eventual failure. Many entrepreneurs become escalated to their ongoing plans by allocating more resources, even after receiving negative feedbacks regarding those plans. Although the escalating behavior is an inherent part of the entrepreneurial cognition, previous studies have mostly ignored its antecedents among entrepreneurs. This dearth of studies is more severe regarding women entrepreneurs, whose biases have rarely been investigated. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the antecedents of the escalation of commitment among women entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

To explore the antecedents of the escalation of commitment in women entrepreneurs’ decisions based on their lived experiences, this paper used a narrative inquiry. The data were collected by conducting in-depth interviews with three Iranian women entrepreneurs running small businesses and analyzed by narrative data analysis.

Findings

According to the findings, bitter memories of previous failures, overconfidence and familial pressure are the main antecedents of the escalation of commitment in women entrepreneurs.

Practical implications

This study has a very important managerial implication for women entrepreneurs, who should know that while decision-making biases may occur unintentionally, they are able to reduce the harmful effects and enhance the benefits of biases by knowing their most common signs.

Originality/value

This study is a pioneer in exploring women entrepreneurs’ biases and took a novel approach by conducting a narrative analysis of women entrepreneurs’ escalation of commitment.
Race to learn: knowledge characteristics and resource structure
Authors: Acharya Chandan , Rechberg Isabel , Dong Xiaodan
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to study the impact of the interactive effect of knowledge characteristics – tacitness, specificity and availability – and resource structure – complementarily and asymmetric – on learning race behavior among international joint venture (IJV) partners in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Preliminary in-depth interviews with three IJV managers were conducted to develop and evaluate the tentatively developed questionnaire. The finalized survey questionnaire was distributed to middle and top-level managers of IJVs, resulting in a total of 124 usable surveys. The psychometric properties of data were evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha and confirmatory factor analysis and hypotheses were tested using a generalized linear model.

Findings

The results show that partners in IJV have low tendencies to acquire tacit and specific knowledge, but, when the resource is complementary, it stimulates the learning race. Also, when resources are asymmetric, IJV partners engage in the learning race more aggressively, particularly for highly specific knowledge. The situation reverses for highly available knowledge.

Originality/value

The findings provide important insights for both researchers and managers on knowledge characteristics and resource structure influencing learning race behavior. This insight allows firms to leverage features of knowledge and resource conditions to prevent or facilitate the learning race for either common or private interests.
A system dynamics approach for assessing SMEs' competitiveness
Authors: Lafuente Esteban , Szerb László , Rideg András
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The analysis of the interconnectedness between resources and capabilities, and the way businesses use them as competitive weapons is a central element of the strategic management literature. Finding the appropriate configuration of competitive pillars is particularly relevant for resource-constrained small businesses. Drawing on the resource-based view and the configuration theory, this study evaluates the effect of both competitiveness and the configuration of the competitiveness system on performance.

Design/methodology/approach

An index methodology based on the configuration theory was used to compute the competitiveness index on a unique sample of 625 Hungarian small- and medium-sized firms. The study hypotheses were tested via regression analysis.

Findings

Results show that the impact of competitiveness-enhancing strategies is conditional on the configuration of the system of competencies. Low-competitive businesses benefit more from investments in the weakest competitive pillar, while strategies oriented to improve more than one competitive pillar yield higher competitiveness improvements among high-competitive businesses. Our findings also indicate that competitiveness positively impacts performance, and that the exploitation of competitive strengths leads to superior results among high-competitive businesses.

Originality/value

By employing an index methodology, our analysis contributes to unveil how competitiveness impact business performance. The proposed analysis has value for scholars and strategy makers by showing how the configuration of the business' competitive system—in terms of competitive strengths and weaknesses—conditions the generally positive impact of competitiveness enhancing actions linked to the acquisition or development of resources and capabilities.
Overconfidence and financial decision-making: a meta-analysis
Authors: Grežo Matúš
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This meta-analysis reviews and summarizes the results of 34 studies to investigate the relationship between overconfidence and financial decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

A correlation meta-analysis was conducted with three moderators of the relationship between overconfidence and financial decision-making examined: the type of overconfidence construct, the type of overconfidence measuring method and the type of financial decision-making.

Findings

It was found that the effect of overconfidence on financial decision-making was significant, but the magnitude of this effect was low. Additionally, indirect measures of overconfidence showed to have stronger effect than direct measures, and the overconfidence was mostly related to investment, followed by trading and innovativeness.

Originality/value

This was the first attempt to meta-analytically integrate results concerning the relationship between overconfidence and financial decision-making. Although overconfidence is described as a keystone for understanding financial decision-making, it was shown that it has rather limited effect on individuals' financial decisions. The findings suggest that indirect measures increase the overall effect and may cause the overvaluation of overconfidence in literature. The results call for more rigorous and consistent conceptualization of overconfidence in behavioral research.
Ecology eclipses phylogeny as a major driver of nematode parasite community structure in a graminivorous primate
Authors: Schneider‐Crease India , Beehner Jacinta C. , Bergman Thore J. , Gomery Megan A. , Koklic Lia , Lu Amy , Snyder‐Mackler Noah
Published: May 2020

Understanding how ecology and phylogeny shape parasite communities can inform parasite control and wildlife conservation initiatives while contributing to the study of host species evolution.

We tested the relative strengths of phylogeny and ecology in driving parasite community structure in a host whose ecology diverges significantly from that of its closest phylogenetic relatives.

We characterized the gastrointestinal (GI) parasite community of wild geladas Theropithecus gelada, primates that are closely related to baboons but specialized to graminovory in the Ethiopian Highlands.

Geladas exhibited very constrained GI parasite communities: only two genera (Oesophagostomum and Trichostrongylus) were identified across 305 samples. This is far below the diversity reported for baboons (Papio spp.) and at the low end of the range of domestic grazers (e.g. Bos taurus, Ovis aries) inhabiting the same region and ecological niche.

Using deep amplicon sequencing, we identified 15 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) within the two genera, seven of which matched to Oesophagostomum sp., seven to Trichostrongylus sp., and one to T. vitrinus.

Population was an important predictor of ASV richness. Geladas in the most ecologically disturbed area of the national park exhibited approximately four times higher ASV richness than geladas at a less disturbed location within the park.

In this system, ecology was a stronger predictor of parasite community structure than was phylogeny, with geladas sharing more elements of their parasite communities with other grazers in the same area than with closely related sister taxa.

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