bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerically enhanced adaptive optics-based 3D STED microscopy for deep-tissue super-resolved imaging
Authors: Zdankowski Piotr , Trusiak Maciej , McGloin David , Swedlow Jason R.
Published: May 2019

In stimulated emission depletion (STED) nanoscopy, the major origin of decreased signal-to-noise ratio within images can be attributed to sample photobleaching and strong optical aberrations. This is due to STED utilising both a high power depletion laser (increasing risk of photodamage), while the depletion beam is very sensitive to sample-induced aberrations. Here we demonstrate a custom-built 3D STED microscope with automated aberration correction that is capable of 3D super-resolution imaging through thick, highly aberrating, tissue. We introduce and investigate image denoising by block-matching and collaborative filtering (BM3D) to numerically enhance fine object details otherwise mixed with noise. Numerical denoising provides an increase in the final effective resolution of the STED imaging of 31% using the well-established Fourier ring correlation metric. Experimental validation of the proposed method is achieved through super-resolved 3D imaging of axons in differentiated induced pluripotent stem cells growing under a 80µm thick layer of tissue with lateral and axial resolution of 256nm and 300nm, respectively.
MCH4is a multicopy suppressor of glycine toxicity inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Melnykov Artem V. , Elson Elliot L.
Published: May 2019

Saccharomyces cerevisiaecan either import amino acids from the surrounding or synthesize inside the cell, and both processes are tightly regulated. Disruption of such regulation can result in amino acid toxicity to the cell through mechanisms that are poorly understood. In this study we make use of a mutant strain with deregulated general amino acid permease gene whose growth is inhibited by low concentrations of several amino acids. We carry out multicopy suppression screen with several toxic amino acids and identifyMCH4as a gene that suppresses inhibitory effects of glycine. We find that expression ofMCH4is regulated by osmotic shock but not other kinds of stress. These findings are discussed in the context of possible mechanisms of amino acid toxicity.
c-Jun Overexpressing CAR-T Cells are Exhaustion-Resistant and Mediate Enhanced Antitumor Activity
Authors: Lynn Rachel C. , Weber Evan W. , Gennert David , Sotillo Elena , Xu Peng , Good Zinaida , Anbunathan Hima , Jones Robert , Tieu Victor , Granja Jeffrey , DeBourcy Charles , Majzner Robbie , Satpathy Ansuman T. , Quake Stephen R. , Chang Howard , Mackall Crystal L.
Published: May 2019

CAR T cells mediate antitumor effects in a small subset of cancer patients, but dysfunction due to T cell exhaustion is an important barrier to progress. To investigate the biology of exhaustion in human T cells expressing CAR receptors, we used a model system employing a tonically signaling CAR, which induces hallmarks of exhaustion described in other settings. Exhaustion was associated with a profound defect in IL-2 production alongside increased chromatin accessibility of AP-1 transcription factor motifs, and overexpression of numerous bZIP and IRF transcription factors that have been implicated in inhibitory activity. Here we demonstrate that engineering CAR T cells to overexpress c-Jun, a canonical AP-1 factor, enhanced expansion potential, increased functional capacity, diminished terminal differentiation and improved antitumor potency in numerous in vivo tumor models. We conclude that a functional deficiency in c-Jun mediates dysfunction in exhausted human T cells and that engineering CAR T cells to overexpress c-Jun renders them exhaustion-resistant, thereby addressing a major barrier to progress for this emerging class of therapeutics.
Quantifying cell line specific proliferation and migration rates in glioblastoma cells
Authors: Rosén Emil , Gerlee Philip , Nelander Sven
Published: May 2019

We have characterised the migration and proliferation rates of a large number of patient-derived glioblastoma cell lines using an individual-based model coupled to an Approximate Bayesian Computation algorithm. We found that the cell lines exhibited a negative correlation between the rate of migration and rate of division. This observation agrees with the Go or Grow hypothesis and highlights patient-specific differences in migration and proliferation.
Systems analysis reveals complex biological processes during virus infection fate decisions
Authors: Argilaguet Jordi , Pedragosa Mireia , Esteve-Codina Anna , Riera Graciela , Vidal Enric , Peligero-Cruz Cristina , Casella Valentina , Andreu David , Kaisho Tsuneyasu , Bocharov Gennady , Ludewig Burkhard , Heath Simon , Meyerhans Andreas
Published: May 2019

The processes and mechanisms of virus infection fate decisions that are the result of a dynamic virus-immune system interaction with either an efficient effector response and virus elimination or an alleviated immune response and chronic infection are poorly understood. Here, we characterized the host response to acute and chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infections by gene coexpression network analysis of time-resolved splenic transcriptomes. First, we found an early attenuation of inflammatory monocyte/macrophage prior to the onset of T cell exhaustion, and second, a critical role of the XCL1-XCR1 communication axis during the functional adaptation of the T cell response to the chronic infection state. These findings not only reveal an important feedback mechanism that couples T cell exhaustion with the maintenance of a lower level of effector T cell response but also suggest therapy options to better control virus levels during the chronic infection phase.
Direct care staff knowledge about medication for individuals with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Sawyer Amanda , Lake Johanna , Lunsky Yona
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The majority of adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) are prescribed at least one, if not multiple medications, with psychotropic medications being the most commonly prescribed. Direct care staff play an important role in psychotropic medication administration and monitoring, yet little is known about their knowledge and comfort with medication. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

A 15-item survey, focusing on self-reported knowledge and comfort with psychotropic medication, was completed by 152 direct care staff employed at three agencies providing residential services for individuals with ID across Ontario.

Findings

In total, 62 per cent of staff respondents reported that psychotropic medications were among the top medications regularly taken by the individuals they support, with behaviour listed as the most commonly reported reason for taking this medication. The majority of staff reported monitoring medication, however, the frequency of monitoring varied considerably. Generally, staff reported feeling comfortable and knowledgeable about medication use, but, most reported a desire for additional medication training.

Originality/value

This is the first Canadian study to examine staff knowledge and comfort regarding medication use, and the first study to assess PRN (“as needed”) as well as regularly administered medications.
Redesigning a community-based challenging behaviour intensive support service
Authors: White Jasmin , Symes Matt , Pearce Carrie
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss outcomes of a service redesign, involving an Intensive Support Team (IST) for adults with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour, working in conjunction with a Community Learning Disability Service (CLDS).

Design/methodology/approach

Two IST staff were physically based as “Inreach workers” within a CLDS for six months. Inreach workers provided support with existing resources and consultation for specific clients presenting with challenging behaviour. CLDS staff confidence, understanding and implementation of existing challenging behaviour resources was evaluated before and after service redesign. An online questionnaire was used to gather further data relating to experiences of the Inreach project.

Findings

CLDS staff confidence, understanding and implementation of existing challenging behaviour resources increased over the six-month inreach period. Questionnaire results indicated CLDS staff found Inreach support to be beneficial, having a perceived positive impact for clients, and providing clarity on the skills and resources provided by the IST.

Research limitations/implications

The long-term effects of this pilot have yet to be established. Consideration is given to how demand characteristics may have influenced CLDS responses.

Practical implications

Careful consideration should be given in terms of how ISTs interface with CLDSs. ISTs may consider being based physically within CLDSs, to provide more readily accessible support.

Originality/value

Providing CLDS staff with more accessible support from ISTs may increase the effective implementation of available resources for adults with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour.
Management competencies, complexities and performance in engineering infrastructure projects of Pakistan
Authors: Khattak Muhammad Sajid , Mustafa Usman
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The complexity of projects has become a serious issue and obstacle in their successful completion. In order to overcome these complexities, it has become imperative to identify the relevant management competencies of project managers. The purpose of this paper is to address the problem of cost, time and scope in engineering infrastructure projects due to their complexities through management competencies.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first phase of the study, 32 experts were interviewed through semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire. In this phase, essential elements of complexities were identified initially. This was followed by finding required dimensions of competencies to counter these complexities and to acquire improved performance. In the final stage, required levels of competencies for specific elements of complexity were identified. In the second phase, 85 “project managers” were also approached to get feedback about their recently completed public sector engineering infrastructure projects in Pakistan.

Findings

The study identified additional dimensions, i.e. honesty, enthusiasm and dedication, in the case of competencies and adverse law and order situation, political instability, land issues, energy crisis and weak authorization of project managers in the case of complexities. Leadership, management skill, communication skill, effectiveness and result orientation were identified as top quality traits required. The study concluded that there is a significant impact of management competencies and complexities on project performance.

Originality/value

The study contributes to a better understanding of how to improve performance in complex engineering infrastructure projects through adopting management competencies. It also empirically illustrates the relations among project management competencies, complexities and project performance. Although the research is grounded on public sector infrastructure projects, its findings may also be helpful for practices in project management of other sectors.
Teaching1984in the surveillance culture of schools
Authors: Gilbert Francis Jonathan , Pitfield Margaret
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This paper focuses on the affordances of and issues surrounding the teaching of George Orwell’s novel1984(1949) as a set text for General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) English and English Literature in an examination-obsessed and heavily surveilled school system. It considers this by focussing on the classroom practice of a beginning teacher tackling the teaching of this novel for the first time and the newly appointed university tutor who is required to assess her teaching against a prescribed set of national Teachers’ Standards.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study design is used, drawing on data from classroom observation, records of conversations and textual study. These data are analysed with reference to Perrymanet al.’s (2018) re-evaluation of Foucault’s Panopticon (1995), a concept which explains how institutions set up surveillance systems in which people’s behaviour is shaped by their feelings of being watched.

Findings

In the context of her practicum school the beginning teacher adopts a particular approach to language study as a vehicle for teaching the novel1984. This paper argues that such an approach, which finely focuses on the micro-detail of language, prevents teachers and students from seeing the big picture in Orwell’s novel and is therefore contrary to the spirit of his writing. It also restricts teachers from approaching the novel in ways which draw on students’ lived experiences as participants in the highly surveilled education system.

Practical implications

The push for performativity in the current era of schooling ensures that, for English teachers, fear of failing to comply with imposed and implied norms contributes to a prevailing sense of unease about their subject. Thus, persistent pressures of exam preparation and inspection-readiness drive a wedge between their subject knowledge/expertise and the classroom practices prevalent in English teaching.

Social implications

English teachers and teacher-educators are subject to a plethora of “guidelines” which filter through at every level of education and operate in a similar way to the totalitarian figurehead of Big Brother, Orwell’s fictional dictator who dominates1984. This paper argues that away from Big Brother’s all-seeing eye there are still, however, opportunities for those professional practices that do not fit within such parameters to be discussed, explored and shared.

Originality/value

This paper offers a unique perspective on the teaching of George Orwell at the levels of school student, beginning teacher and teacher-educator. The Big Brother of this paper is not the Stalinist dictator of Orwell’s dystopia, instead manifesting in many different education-related personas. This Big Brother demands compliance with his fuzzy norms (Courtney, 2016; Perryman et al., 2018), rules which are deliberately vague and shifting and if contravened have far-reaching consequences for all concerned in the teaching and learning of English.
Bankruptcy protection duration and outcome of Canadian public firms
Authors: Ayadi Mohamed A. , Lazrak Skander , Xing Dan
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of bankruptcy protection duration of Canadian public firms, and also investigate the duration for various bankruptcy outcomes including the liquidation and re-emergence of bankrupt firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses data on all Canadian public firms that applied for bankruptcy protection over the period 1992–2014. The authors mainly apply duration and survival analyses to draw the main conclusions.

Findings

The authors find that larger and older firms with more complicated structures and issues to settle tend to remain under protection from creditors longer, and also ascertain that the fate of relatively successful companies is determined faster. Moreover, the authors report that it takes less time to achieve a final solution for firms under bankruptcy protection when interest rates are increasing and the term spread is high. Finally, firms that file for protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) spend longer restructuring than firms that file under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.

Research limitations/implications

The paper investigates only publicly listed firms. The data on private firms that are required to conduct the research are not available.

Practical implications

Various stakeholders including regulators can predict the bankruptcy protection period using the paper’s findings. Depending on the desired outcomes (reduce uncertainly, safeguard jobs or protect creditors’ rights), specific rules can be followed.

Originality/value

To the authors; knowledge, this is the first paper that investigates the Canadian bankruptcy protection duration. It uses the unique Canadian framework to infer the determinants of bankruptcy protection duration and bankrupt firms’ outcomes.
Assessing the individual and synergistic effects of quality management practices on operations performance
Authors: Wu Sarah Jinhui
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Quality management (QM) practices have long been suggested as a package to improve the quality performance of a company. Yet, empirical studies offered little support of this perspective as only a small set of QM practices were found to be conductive to quality improvement. By taking a new approach, the purpose of this paper is simultaneously evaluate the individual and synergistic effects of several key quality practices on operations performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected and used to test the proposed hypotheses. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed to assess the magnitude of synergistic effects and individual effects.

Findings

It is found in this study that the synergistic effects across QM practices are substantial in enhancing all operations performance dimensions whereas individual effect varies for different performance goals.

Originality/value

This study makes theoretical contributes to the field of QM by providing empirical support of the interdependence assumption of QM practices and resolving the inconsistent findings. Practically, the results suggest that in-depth implementation of various QM practices simultaneously can be highly effective to achieve performance improvement on all accounts. In addition, the positive additional individual effects also open up a firm’s strategic choices of where to focus the resource investment in the adoption process as long as the strategic focus can justify its contribution toward the desired performance goals.
Coupled heat transfer characteristics in a spiral groove mechanical seal lubricated by magnetic fluid
Authors: Zhang Penggao , Gu Boqin , Zhou Jianfeng , Wei Long
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the heat transfer characteristics in a spiral groove mechanical seal lubricated by magnetic fluid.

Design/methodology/approach

The viscosity relationship of magnetic fluid in external electromagnetic field was deduced. The temperature distribution of sealing ring was calculated by the method of separation variables.

Findings

It has been found that the rotating ring absorbs most friction heat. The temperatures on the end faces of rotating ring and stationary ring decrease from inner radius to outer radius, the temperature of magnetic fluid film decreases from rotating ring to stationary ring and the highest temperature of the sealing system is at the junction of the inner radius and the end face of rotating ring.

Originality/value

Selecting the sealing rings with higher thermal conductivity and reducing the volume fraction of solid particles in magnetic fluid can reduce the temperature of sealing system effectively.
Temporal dynamism in country of origin effect
Authors: Amatulli Cesare , De Angelis Matteo , Halliday Sue Vaux , Morris Jonathan , Mulazzi Floriana
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enrich country of origin (COO) effect in international marketing theory by adding the understanding of temporal dynamism into COO research.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilizing a qualitative and interdisciplinary phenomenological approach, this paper analyses historical and contemporary sources triangulated with contemporary primary interview data. The example of how perceptions of Italians about the values typical of the British Sixties varied over time periods is presented.

Findings

COO perceptions are both malleable and in evolution. Results show that values from earlier peak periods of appeal can be combined and recombined differently over time due to the varying historical and contemporary resonances of COO values.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on COO applied to two product areas, fashion and music, over a limited time period, in a two-country study and so the findings are not fully generalizable, but rather are transferable to similar contexts.

Practical implications

The fact that COO is neither static nor atemporal facilitates a segmented approach for international marketing managers to review and renew international brands. This enriched COO theory provides a rich and variable resource for developing and revitalizing brands.

Originality/value

The major contribution of this paper is that temporal dynamism, never before discussed in international marketing theory, renders COO theory more timeless; this addresses some critiques recently made about its relevance and practicality. The second contribution is the original research design that models interdisciplinary scholarship, enabling a thorough historical look at international marketing.
Eurocentric influence on the Brazilian consumer defense code
Authors: Hemais Marcus Wilcox
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Based on a decolonial perspective from Latin America, this paper aims to offer a different history of the creation of Brazil’s Consumer Defense Code (CDC), analyzing the process through which Eurocentric influences, especially coming from Consumers International (CI), became present in the development of the code.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative historical research was developed using marketing amnesia and decolonialism as its theoretical backdrop. Primary and secondary data are used as source of information. Primary data were obtained through interviews with two authors of the CDC. Secondary data were collected from academic articles and books, reports, magazines and consumer organization websites, as well as journalistic articles.

Findings

During the drafting of the CDC and after its promulgation, the presence of Eurocentric forces was constant, given the interests of CI and other agents in influencing Brazil’s consumer practices, subordinating them to those of the Global North. This Eurocentric presence was accepted by the Brazilian jurists that drafted the CDC, which led to the incorporation of both laws and bills from Eurocentric countries and the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection into the code.

Originality/value

Such discussions are scarce in marketing, due to the area’s amnestic state regarding the past. While selectively forgetting certain pasts, marketing fails to both acknowledge its tendency to subordinate consumerist actions to those accepted by the Eurocentric world, and to establish analyses that deal with mimetic processes, to minimize asymmetries between companies and consumers, especially in emerging economies, and, even more, dichotomies between the Global North and the Global South.
My journey through marketingland
Authors: Gummesson Evert
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this viewpoint is to analyze and interpret the author’s career as a researcher in marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

This viewpoint applies case theory (Gummesson, 2017a), in which the author is the case.

Findings

One should respect the difficulty of understanding the complex and dynamic world of marketing and not be fooled into premature generalizations and reverence to established theory.

Originality/value

The emphasis is on marketing as a revenue-generating activity through interaction in the network of complex relationships; the need for less ritualistic research methodology; and the orientation toward theory generation, decision-making, implementation and achievement of desired results.
Eric H. Shaw: reflections on an improbable academic career
Authors: Shaw Eric H.
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the author’s serendipitous career and provide some lessons that might be of value to those pursuing the academic mission: teaching, research and service.

Design/methodology/approach

The method involves primary sources; mainly the author’s CV to jog recall of events and dates, some of his articles and the teachings and writings of many others that influenced or inspired various aspects of the author’s career.

Findings

The author’s experiences affirm that to achieve any degree of success in the professoriate, in addition to having some talent it is also helpful to be lucky. There is a lot to navigate at a university. Opportunities exist at every turn, some noticed some missed. When recognized, be prepared. Being a professor is not what you do, it is who you are. Preparation for an academic career involves becoming a self-improvement project (essentially, a life-long student learning lessons). It requires developing expertise (preferably excellence) in some field of study, as well as resourcefulness, resilience and perseverance.

Originality/value

Each individual’s story is unique. The author’s path seems to have included more twists and turns than most. Consequently, he tried to highlight the experiences with lessons learned in most sections, some obvious some less so, which he expects (at least hopes) will prove valuable to future educators.
Rastin partnership accounting part I: general procedure
Authors: Bidabad Bijan , Allahyarifard Mahmoud , Sherafati Mahshid
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to explain a new system of accounting for partnership financing that applies in Rastin profit and loss sharing banking. In this system, the interest rate is not used in calculations and accounting, and instead, the “time value” of capital based on the amount and duration of the partnership is used.

Design/methodology/approach

Rastin Partnership Accounting principles have been founded on off-balance-sheet items and on the basis of the institutions’ obligations to the depositors and receivers of financial resources, and they are in compliance with the nature of the financial intermediary activity (a partnership of depositor in the yields of the fund receiver via the bank).

Findings

The distribution of profit among stakeholders (including workforce and capital owners) is accomplished according to the share of each beneficiary in the created value added. In this regard, Euler’s theorem, as the best mathematical-economic innovation for distribution of income is applied.

Research limitations/implications

This system is novel, and it is required to be more elaborated for further practical development and adjustment.

Practical implications

In this accounting system, the return of the partnership is distributed among sharers based on the amount and duration of their partnership. The penalty for delay in payment is calculated from the amount of the incurred loss due to negligence or blameworthy of the undertaker and not upon a penalty interest rate.

Social implications

Interest rate as an essential factor in conventional accounting is not usable in Islamic banking and other similar institutions that work based on partnership, such as mutual funds and saving and loan associations. The proposed system removes this shortage and is fairer than the conventional accounting.

Originality/value

Approach of this accounting system is fully different from the conventional accounting because of intrinsic characteristics of the intermediary role of financial partnership institutions and Islamic banks.
Waqf and trust: the nature, structures and socio-economic impacts
Authors: Abdullah Mohammad
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to compare and contrast the concept, mechanism and functions of the two socio-economic institutions, i.e. waqf (Islamic trust) and English trust. It endeavours to juxtapose the salient features of waqf and trust with an objective to examine the nature of similarities and dissimilarities between the two institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applies the socio-legal research methodology and uses qualitative paradigm to analyse the literature. The paper is based on a desk-based research.

Findings

This paper finds that there is nothing intrinsically rigid in the jurisprudential paradigm of waqf which might impinge upon either the efficiency or effectiveness of the waqf vis-à-vis trust. The main findings of the paper are encapsulated in underlining certain Shariah principles which essentially hold waqf from transforming into a trust-like secular institution.

Research limitations/implications

This paper compares the jurisprudential underpinnings and conceptual frameworks of waqf and trust, and it does not evaluate their efficiency or effectiveness in empirical terms. The underlying socio-economic efficiency and impacts of the two institutions can be examined empirically in separate comparative case studies.

Practical implications

This paper examines and critically analyses the different socio-economic implications that waqf and trust entail for the societies in which they function. This analysis is important for the policy recommendations towards protecting the religious identity of waqf while re-structuring its models.

Originality/value

The main contribution of the paper is encapsulated in the critical analysis of how the paradigms of the two institutions, i.e. waqf and trust, which appear similar in form but differ in the substance, are shaped and governed.
Does non-hard-sell content really work? Leveraging the value of branded content marketing in brand building
Authors: Lou Chen , Xie Quan , Feng Yang , Kim Wonkyung
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This study aims to test the role of branded content marketing on YouTube in brand building and explicates the mechanism through which brand content influences brand loyalty and purchase intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative, Web-based, three-step randomized intervention design and recruits YouTube users through the Amazon Mechanical Turk (n = 925).

Findings

Post-intervention results (n = 596) show that consumers’ repeated exposure to branded content facilitates their social learning processes. Consumers derive value from the relevant content and subsequently form more favorable brand attitudes, greater brand loyalty and heightened purchase intentions. Brand loyalty mediates the effect of perceived brand content value on purchase intentions.

Practical implications

This study’s findings support the advantages of investing in the creation and dissemination of valuable brand content through a brand’s own social media channel(s). While informative content and entertaining content can both drive brand loyalty, high product-involvement brands are advised to emphasize on informative content to precipitate brand–consumer attachment. Low product-involvement brands, on the other hand, are advised to feature more enticing and captivating content to stimulate consumer devotion.

Originality/value

This study reveals the positive impact of branded content marketing within social media on consumers’ brand attitudes, brand loyalty and purchase intentions. It also explicates the mechanism through which content marketing influences brand evaluation and purchase intentions by coordinating consumer learning and value derivation.
Refuting fake news on social media: nonprofits, crisis response strategies and issue involvement
Authors: Vafeiadis Michail , Bortree Denise S. , Buckley Christen , Diddi Pratiti , Xiao Anli
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The dissemination of fake news has accelerated with social media and this has important implications for both organizations and their stakeholders alike. Hence, the purpose of this study is to shed light on the effectiveness of the crisis response strategies of denial and attack in addressing rumors about consumer privacy when non-profit organizations are targeted on social media.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypotheses, a 2 (response type: denial vs attack) × 2 (privacy concerns: low vs high), between-group online experiment was conducted via Qualtrics.

Findings

The results indicated that one’s involvement level in the issue determines the effectiveness of the crisis response strategy. Data showed that attacking the source of fake news (as a crisis response) reduces the message’s credibility more than denying fake news. Furthermore, highly involved individuals are more likely to centrally process information and develop positive supportive intentions toward the affected non-profit brand. High issue involvement also predicted organizational and response credibility. Conversely, an attack rebuttal message increased the credibility of the circulated malicious rumors for low involved individuals.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggest that issue involvement plays a key role in message perceptions of false information regarding consumer privacy in social media.

Practical implications

Practically, this study offers insights for organizations that are developing response strategies in the current environment of fake news. Findings from this study suggest that organizations need to consider the degree to which audiences are currently involved in an issue before deciding how aggressively to respond to perpetrators of fake news.

Originality/value

The present study examines the intersection of fake news and crisis management in the non-profit sector, with an emphasis on various response strategies and issue involvement. This is one of the first attempts to experimentally investigate how social media strategies can defend and protect non-profit reputation in the fake news era.
Investigating the emotional appeal of fake news using artificial intelligence and human contributions
Authors: Paschen Jeannette
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The creation and dissemination of fake news can have severe consequences for a company’s brand. Researchers, policymakers and practitioners are eagerly searching for solutions to get us out of the “fake news crisis”. Here, one approach is to use automated tools, such as artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, to support managers in identifying fake news. The study in this paper demonstrates how AI with its ability to analyze vast amounts of unstructured data, can help us tell apart fake and real news content. Using an AI application, this study examines if and how the emotional appeal, i.e., sentiment valence and strength of specific emotions, in fake news content differs from that in real news content. This is important to understand, as messages with a strong emotional appeal can influence how content is consumed, processed and shared by consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyzes a data set of 150 real and fake news articles using an AI application, to test for differences in the emotional appeal in the titles and the text body between fake news and real news content.

Findings

The results suggest that titles are a strong differentiator on emotions between fake and real news and that fake news titles are substantially more negative than real news titles. In addition, the results reveal that the text body of fake news is substantially higher in displaying specific negative emotions, such as disgust and anger, and lower in displaying positive emotions, such as joy.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study that examines the emotional appeal of fake and real news content with respect to the prevalence and strength of specific emotion dimensions, thus adding to the literature on fake news identification and marketing communications. In addition, this paper provides marketing communications professionals with a practical approach to identify fake news using AI.
Data-based decision making in developing countries: the influence of system and culture
Authors: Voogt Joke , Pieters Jules
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This contribution to the special issue integrates findings addressed by the other papers. In order to structure the insights delivered by the studies and to address the perspectives with the objectives of the special issue, the purpose of this paper is to identify two major components: system characteristics and culture.

Design/methodology/approach

These are discussed and subsequently the studies are positioned according to this framework.

Findings

The authors further discuss elements involved in increasing the power of clients of the educational system, needs for capacity building, and the need for horizontal and vertical accountability.

Originality/value

Discussion paper to a special issue on data-based decision making.
A survey on bankers’ perception of corporate social responsibility in India
Authors: Pratihari Suvendu Kumar , Uzma Shigufta Hena
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the perception of the bankers towards an integrated approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in a strategic way of achieving sustainable growth of the banking sector. The paper additionally provides insights into different CSR initiatives and their implementation process in the context of scheduled commercial banks (SCB) of India.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is exploratory and endorses the qualitative approach of primary research methodology by adopting a non-random stratified sampling method. The localist approach of the face-to-face interview has been applied to collect the data from 26 elite class respondents from 13 SCBs. The interview method was semi-structured and open-ended. The conformity, trustworthiness, credibility, transferability, dependability test of the study have ensured the quality of the data.

Findings

The study reveals that the bankers perceive CSR as a moral obligation for the benefit of the society, beyond the regular banking operations. Further, the study comprehends that the CSR initiatives play a vital role in establishing the bank's image, brand and reputation, as well as, building a strong bond of trust among the employees and the bank management. Besides, CSR activities facilitate to cultivate a better culture by improvising in the quality of customer service for achieving competitive advantages.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the study represent a significant contribution to CSR theory from the interface of banking and society. Significantly, the results confirm that CSR initiatives play a vital role in building trust and minimise the gap between the employees and the management of the bank. The banks can increase its acceptance in the society and achieve competitive advantage by integrating CSR objectives with the business objectives to strengthen the corporate personality and brand.

Practical implications

The study will help practitioners to develop the social identity of their firm to achieve competitive advantages in long-run. The bankers can channelise their limited resources while planning, designing and the implementation of different CSR activities with the overall goal of the bank in a cost-effective way. The study is confined only to public and private SCBs and limited to the geographical scope of one state in India. Therefore, further exploration may be carried out by considering other banks and geographic regions in India and different cross-cultural settings.

Originality/value

The originality of the study lies with the in-depth analysis and quality check of the data. The results can contribute significant value to the qualitative method of conducting research.
Ginseng stem‐leaf saponins in combination with selenium enhance immune responses to an attenuated pseudorabies virus vaccine
Authors: Maqbool Babar , Wang Yong , Cui Xuemei , He Shanshan , Guan Ran , Wang Shenghao , Wang Yuemin , Hu Songhua
Published: May 2019

Pseudorabies, a herpesvirus infection, is mainly controlled by using attenuated live vaccines. In this study, the effect of ginseng stem and leaf saponins (GSLS) in combination with selenium (Se; in the form of sodium selenite) on vaccination against attenuated pseudorabies virus (aPrV) was evaluated. It was found that GSLS and Se have an adjuvant effect and that a combination of GSLS and Se stimulates significantly enhanced immune responses than does GSLS or Se alone. Following oral administration of GSLS, mice immunized with an attenuated PrV vaccine diluted in Se‐containing physiological saline solution (PSS) provoked a significantly stronger gB‐specific serum antibodies response (IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a), enhanced lymphocyte proliferation and cytolytic activity of NK cells, along with higher production of cytokines (IFN‐γ, IL‐12, IL‐5 and IL‐10) by splenocytes. Notably, the combination of GSLS and Se conferred a much higher resistance to fPrV challenge after immunization of the mice with aPrV vaccine. This study offers convincing experimental evidence that an injection of Se with oral GSLS is a promising adjuvant combination that improves the efficacy of vaccination against PrV and deserves further study regarding improvement of responses to other animal vaccines.
Identification of the ryanodine receptor mutation I4743M and its contribution to diamide insecticide resistance in Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Zuo Ya‐Yun , Ma Huan‐Huan , Lu Wen‐Jie , Wang Xing‐Liang , Wu Shu‐Wen , Nauen Ralf , Wu Yi‐Dong , Yang Yi‐Hua
Published: May 2019

Insect ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are the targets of diamide insecticides. Two point mutations G4946E and I4790M (numbering according to Plutella xylostella, PxRyR) in the transmembrane domain of the insect RyRs associated with diamide resistance have so far been identified in three lepidopteran pests, P. xylostella, Tuta absoluta and Chilo suppressalis. In this study, we identified one of the known RyR target site resistance mutations (I4790M) in a field‐collected population of Spodoptera exigua. The field‐collected WF population of S. exigua exhibited 154 fold resistance to chlorantraniliprole when compared with the susceptible WH‐S strain. Sequencing the transmembrane domains of S. exigua RyR (SeRyR) revealed that the resistant WF strain was homozygous for the I4743M mutation (corresponding to I4790M in PxRyR), whereas the G4900E allele (corresponding to G4946E of PxRyR) was not detected. The 4743M allele was introgressed into the susceptible WH‐S strain by crossing WF with WH‐S, followed by three rounds of backcrossing with WH‐S. The introgressed strain 4743M was homozygous for the mutant 4743M allele and shared about 94% of its genetic background with that of the recipient WH‐S strain. Compared with WH‐S, the near‐isogenic 4743M strain showed moderate levels of resistance to chlorantraniliprole (21 fold), cyantraniliprole (25 fold) and flubendiamide (22 fold), suggesting that the I4743M mutation confers medium levels of resistance to all three diamides. Genetic analysis showed diamide resistance in the 4743M strain was inherited as an autosomal and recessive trait. Results from this study have direct implications for the design of appropriate resistance monitoring and management practices to sustainably control S. exigua.
Fragmented Conflict: Handling the Current World Disorder
Authors: Zartman I. William
Published: May 2019

The current context of increasing entropy in international politics characterizes actions and relations on many levels: internationally among leading regional states, and domestically, within states. Following a few decades of progress in conflict management after the bipolar system. Major regions of the world have seen dedicated attempts to bring conflicts under control in the current decade failing for lack of ripeness, tradeoffs, reframing, mediation and support. New structures of world order embodying high values such as the UN/World Bank sustainable peace are good to keep in mind but in the meanwhile there is a need for smaller, immediately feasible measures, procedural and structural, to build and channel interim responses until the disorder of the system can be overcome. Examples are offered here, focusing on regional conflict, coalition of the willing responses, but also on building state capacity and legitimacy.
Designed and naturalised sward response to management: I. Patterns of herbage production
Authors: Belesky David P. , Halvorson Jonathan J. , Ruckle Joyce M. , Malinowski Dariusz P. , Mata‐Padrino Domingo J.
Published: May 2019

Pastures in the Appalachian region of the United States comprise a mix of grasses, legumes and forbs that tend to differ in productivity within and among years. A high degree of spatial variability in hill‐land pasture creates microsite conditions that influence botanical composition of pasture. The variation in sward composition presents logistical challenges to livestock producers who rely on a dependable supply of herbage mass and nutritive value to meet production goals. Our objective was to determine if forage communities sown for specific functions, for example, superior dry matter productivity, resource patch exploitation or targeted seasonal production, adapted to changing growing conditions within and among years. Productivity of communities differed among years reflecting the cumulative influences of time, ontogenetic and environmental variations. Maximum productivity was influenced by the specific forage community and less so by simple clipping and fertiliser management. Naturalised swards clipped to emulate hay management tended to have sustained herbage productivity but lower nutritive value when compared to sown communities. Rankings of dry matter productivity of communities were similar for each year where bioactive composition, high productivity and warm season tended to produce the most, and stoloniferous‐rhizomatous and naturalised pasture the least. Regardless of initial sward composition, effective number of species as an index of diversity increased when frequently clipped swards were not fertilised, and when infrequently clipped swards were fertilised. Dry matter production patterns were not influenced by the effective number of species in any forage community suggesting that key species sustained productivity with volunteer species making lesser contribution to total productivity. The species composition of forage plant communities appears to be more important than clipping or fertiliser management practices as a means to sustain forage productivity.