bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Possible Involvement of Nitric Oxide in Enhanced Liver Injury and Fibrogenesis during Cholestasis in Cytoglobin-deficient Mice
Authors: Van Thuy Tuong Thi , Thuy Le Thi Thanh , Yoshizato Katsutoshi , Kawada Norifumi
Published: February 2017

This study clarified the role of Cygb, the fourth globin in mammals originally discovered in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), in cholestatic liver disease. Bile duct ligation (BDL) augmented inflammatory reactions as revealed by increased infiltrating neutrophils, CD68+-macrophages, and chemokine expression in Cygb−/− mice. In these mice, impairment of bile canalicular indicated by the loss of CD10 expression, down-regulation of bile salt transporters, increased total bile acid, and massive apoptotic and necrotic hepatocytes occurred with the release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase 3, resulting in reduced animal survival compared to wild-type mice. In Cygb−/− mouse liver, all of NO metabolites and oxidative stress were increased. Treatment with NO inhibitor restrained all above phenotypes and restored CD10 expression in BDL Cygb−/− mice, while administration of NO donor aggravated liver damage in BDL-wild type mice to the same extent of BDL-Cygb−/− mice. N-acetylcysteine administration had a negligible effect in all groups. In mice of BDL for 1–3 weeks, expression of all fibrosis-related markers was significantly increased in Cygb−/− mice compared with wild-type mice. Thus, Cygb deficiency in HSCs enhances hepatocyte damage and inflammation in early phase and fibrosis development in late phase in mice subjected to BDL, presumably via altered NO metabolism.
WNT/β-Catenin signaling pathway regulates non-tumorigenesis of human embryonic stem cells co-cultured with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Chang Yu-Hsun , Chu Tang-Yuan , Ding Dah-Ching
Published: February 2017

Human pluripotent stem cells harbor hope in regenerative medicine, but have limited application in treating clinical diseases due to teratoma formation. Our previous study has indicated that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSC) can be adopted as non-teratogenenic feeders for human embryonic stem cells (hESC). This work describes the mechanism of non-tumorigenesis of that feeder system. In contrast with the mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeder, HUCMSC down-regulates the WNT/β-catenin/c-myc signaling in hESC. Thus, adding β-catenin antagonist (FH535 or DKK1) down-regulates β-catenin and c-myc expressions, and suppresses tumorigenesis (3/14 vs. 4/4, p = 0.01) in hESC fed with MEF, while adding the β-catenin enhancer (LiCl or 6-bromoindirubin-3′-oxime) up-regulates the expressions, and has a trend (p = 0.056) to promote tumorigenesis (2/7 vs. 0/21) in hESC fed with HUCMSC. Furthermore, FH535 supplement does not alter the pluripotency of hESC when fed with MEF, as indicated by the differentiation capabilities of the three germ layers. Taken together, this investigation concludes that WNT/β-catenin/c-myc pathway causes the tumorigenesis of hESC on MEF feeder, and β-catenin antagonist may be adopted as a tumor suppressor.
Subregional structural and connectivity damage in the visual cortex in neuromyelitis optica
Authors: Cai Huanhuan , Zhu Jiajia , Zhang Ningnannan , Wang Qiuhui , Zhang Chao , Yang Chunsheng , Sun Jie , Sun Xianting , Yang Li , Yu Chunshui
Published: February 2017

Patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) have shown structural and functional impairments in the visual cortex. We aimed to characterize subregional grey matter volume (GMV) and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) changes in the visual cortex in NMO. Thirty-seven NMO patients and forty-two controls underwent structural and functional MRI scans. The GMV and rsFC of each visual subregion were compared between the groups. Compared with controls, NMO patients had GMV reductions in the bilateral V1, V2, V3d, VP, and LO and in the left V3A. In canonical visual pathways, the relatively low-level subregions showed more significant GMV reductions than did the high-level ones. Regardless of GMV correction, NMO patients showed reduced rsFC in the bilateral LO and V4v and in the left V2. The GMVs of the bilateral V1 and LO and of the left V2 and V3d were negatively correlated with clinical disability in NMO patients; these correlation coefficients were associated with hierarchical positions in the visual pathways. These findings suggest that in NMO, the low-level visual subregions have more severe structural damage; structural damage is not the only factor affecting rsFC alterations of visual subregions; GMV reduction in the low-level visual subregions has the highest predictive value for clinical disability.
Mapping the distribution of specific antibody interaction forces on individual red blood cells
Authors: Yeow Natasha , Tabor Rico F. , Garnier Gil
Published: February 2017

Current blood typing methods rely on the agglutination of red blood cells (RBCs) to macroscopically indicate a positive result. An indirect agglutination mechanism is required when blood typing with IgG forms of antibodies. To date, the interaction forces between anti-IgG and IgG antibodies have been poorly quantified, and blood group related antigens have never been quantified with the atomic force microscope (AFM). Instead, the total intensity resulting from fluorescent-tagged antibodies adsorbed on RBC has been measured to calculate an average antigen density on a series of RBCs. In this study we mapped specific antibody interaction forces on the RBC surface. AFM cantilever tips functionalized with anti-IgG were used to probe RBCs incubated with specific IgG antibodies. This work provides unique insight into antibody-antigen interactions in their native cell-bound location, and crucially, on a per-cell basis rather than an ensemble average set of properties. Force profiles obtained from the AFM directly provide not only the anti-IgG – IgG antibody interaction force, but also the spatial distribution and density of antigens over a single cell. This new understanding might be translated into the development of very selective and quantitative interactions that underpin the action of drugs in the treatment of frontier illnesses.
Effect of polarization on HIV-1protease and fluoro-substituted inhibitors binding energies by large scale molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Duan Li L. , Zhu T. , Li Yu C. , Zhang Qing G. , Zhang John Z. H.
Published: February 2017

Molecular dynamics simulations in explicit water are carried out to study the binding of six inhibitors to HIV-1 protease (PR) for up to 700 ns using the standard AMBER force field and polarized protein-specific charge (PPC). PPC is derived from quantum mechanical calculation for protein in solution and therefore it includes electronic polarization effect. Our results show that in all six systems, the bridging water W301 drifts away from the binding pocket in AMBER simulation. However, it is very stable in all six complexes systems using PPC. Especially, intra-protease, protease-inhibitor hydrogen bonds are dynamic stabilized in MD simulation. The computed binding free energies of six complexes have a significantly linear correlation with those experiment values and the correlation coefficient is found to be 0.91 in PPC simulation. However, the result from AMBER simulation shows a weaker correlation with the correlation coefficient of −0.51 due to the lack of polarization effect. Detailed binding interactions of W301, inhibitors with PR are further analyzed and discussed. The present study provides important information to quantitative understanding the interaction mechanism of PR-inhibitor and PR-W301 and these data also emphasizes the importance of both the electronic polarization and the bridging water molecule in predicting precisely binding affinities.
Single-molecule magnet behaviour in a tetranuclear DyIII complex formed from a novel tetrazine-centered hydrazone Schiff base ligand
Authors: Lacelle T. , Brunet G. , Pialat A. , Holmberg R. J. , Lan Y. , Gabidullin B. , Korobkov I. , Wernsdorfer W. , Murugesu M.
Published: February 2017

A tetranuclear dysprosium complex, bridged by a novel tetrazine-centered Schiff base ligand, exhibits ferromagnetic exchange coupling and a large anisotropic barrier.
CuBr/TBHP-mediated synthesis of N-acyl sulfonimidamides via the oxidative cross-coupling of sulfonimidamides and aldehydes
Authors: Nandi Ganesh Chandra , Raju Cijil
Published: February 2017

N-Acyl sulfonimidamides were synthesized via a Cu-catalyzed double C–H/N–H activation protocol.
Synthesis of alkynyl furoxans. Rare carbon–carbon bond-forming reaction on a furoxan ring
Authors: Matsubara Ryosuke , Eguchi Shuhei , Ando Akihiro , Hayashi Masahiko
Published: February 2017

A novel C–C bond-forming reaction, alkynylation, on a furoxan ring is described.
Performance investigation of hetero material (InAs/Si)‐based charge plasma TFET
Authors: Yadav Dharmendra Singh , Sharma Dheeraj , Kumar Ashish , Rathor Deepak , Agrawal Rahul , Tirkey Sukeshni , Raad Bhagwan Ram , Bajaj Varun
Published: February 2017

The charge plasma‐based tunnel field‐effect transistor (TFET) has been seen as the potential candidate to replace the conventional TFET as it offers fabrication simplicity and its proficiency to be used for ultra‐low‐power applications. A charge plasma TFET (CPTFET) with hetero materials for enhancement of device performance is presented. For this, a narrow bandgap material (InAs) is used instead of silicon in source region for reducing the lateral tunnelling distance at the source/channel interface. The reduced tunnelling width at the source/channel junction enables higher band‐to‐band tunnelling generation rate, thus the device offers higher ON‐state current. In this context, a comparative study of CPTFET and hetero junction charge plasma TFET (H‐CPTFET) has been performed in terms of transfer characteristic (Ids–Vgs), transconductance (gm), gate‐to‐drain capacitance (Cgd), cut‐off frequency (fT) and gain‐bandwidth product. In addition to this, the effect of variation in channel length (Lg) and drain to source voltage (Vds) on the DC and analogue/radio frequency performance of H‐CPTFET is also analysed.
Enhanced performance of large‐area vertical light‐emitting diodes treated by laser irradiation
Authors: Li Yang , Wu Qun , Meng Fan‐Yi , Sung Ho‐Kun , Yao Zhao , Sun Run‐Yuan , Wang Cong
Published: February 2017

In this work, a comparative analysis of vertical light‐emitting diodes (VLEDs) examining the device properties is performed with different surface treatment schemes. The VLEDs on graphite substrate are fabricated by the laser lift‐off and the wafer bonding processes. The significance of KrF laser irradiation to form protrusions on the surfaces of undoped gallium nitride (u‐GaN) and n‐GaN is analysed in detail. The light output power of the fabricated VLEDs is significantly increased through the formation of micro‐sized protrusions by the laser irradiation. For VLED irradiated with an energy density of 600 mJ/cm2 on n‐GaN surface with a thin u‐GaN layer, the light output power is improved by 24.8% at 350 mA without degradation of electrical properties compared with that of the conventional VLED.
Automated electrotransformation of Escherichia coli on a digital microfluidic platform using bioactivated magnetic beads
Authors: Moore J. A. , Nemat-Gorgani M. , Madison A. C. , Sandahl M. A. , Punnamaraju S. , Eckhardt A. E. , Pollack M. G. , Vigneault F. , Church G. M. , Fair R. B. , Horowitz M. A. , Griffin P. B.
Published: February 2017

This paper reports on the use of a digital microfluidic platform to perform multiplex automated genetic engineering (MAGE) cycles on droplets containing Escherichia coli cells. Bioactivated magnetic beads were employed for cell binding, washing, and media exchange in the preparation of electrocompetent cells in the electrowetting-on-dieletric (EWoD) platform. On-cartridge electroporation was used to deliver oligonucleotides into the cells. In addition to the optimization of a magnetic bead-based benchtop protocol for generating and transforming electrocompetent E. coli cells, we report on the implementation of this protocol in a fully automated digital microfluidic platform. Bead-based media exchange and electroporation pulse conditions were optimized on benchtop for transformation frequency to provide initial parameters for microfluidic device trials. Benchtop experiments comparing electrotransformation of free and bead-bound cells are presented. Our results suggest that dielectric shielding intrinsic to bead-bound cells significantly reduces electroporation field exposure efficiency. However, high transformation frequency can be maintained in the presence of magnetic beads through the application of more intense electroporation pulses. As a proof of concept, MAGE cycles were successfully performed on a commercial EWoD cartridge using variations of the optimal magnetic bead-based preparation procedure and pulse conditions determined by the benchtop results. Transformation frequencies up to 22% were achieved on benchtop; this frequency was matched within 1% (21%) by MAGE cycles on the microfluidic device. However, typical frequencies on the device remain lower, averaging 9% with a standard deviation of 9%. The presented results demonstrate the potential of digital microfluidics to perform complex and automated genetic engineering protocols.
A preliminary study of the movement patterns of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) in coastal and pelagic waters of the Northern Territory, Australia
Authors: Palmer Carol , Baird Robin W. , Webster Daniel L. , Edwards Andrew C. , Patterson Ruth , Withers Alan , Withers Emma , Groom Rachel , Woinarski John C. Z.
Published: February 2017

The false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) is regarded as Data Deficient globally and in Australia. In most parts of its range, there is little information on its social behaviour, dispersal or ecology. The present study is the first assessment of its movement patterns in Australian waters, on the basis of satellite tracking of four individuals, in the Arafura and Timor Seas from late March to early July 2014. When initially tagged, the four individuals occurred in a single group; they then showed generally similar movement patterns and regularly re-associated. Total distance travelled by tagged individuals ranged from 5161km (over a 54-day period) to 7577km (104 days). Distance from land varied from 100m to 188km (median distance 24km). Individual minimum convex polygons covered an area of 72368 to 86252km2, with a total overlap of 64038km2. Water depths varied from 0.3 to 118m (median 36m). In total, 15% of records were in waters shallower than 10m, and 26% of records were within 10km of land. The present study indicated that false killer whales appear to regularly use coastal and pelagic waters in this region and, hence, should be afforded more conservation attention.
Long-term Neurological Outcome and Quality of Life after World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Grades IV and V Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in an Interdisciplinary Treatment Concept
Authors: Schwartz Christoph , Pfefferkorn Thomas , Ebrahimi Caroline , Ottomeyer Caroline , Fesl Gunther , Bender Andreas , Straube Andreas , Pfister Hans-Walter , Heck Suzette , Tonn Jörg-Christian , Schichor Christian
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND: Detailed data on long-term functional outcome of patients with World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grades IV and V aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages (aSAH) are still scarce.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of long-term outcome of WFNS IV and V aSAH patients.

METHODS: Functional outcome and quality of life were assessed by the modified Rankin scale (mRS) and the 36-item short-form health survey in consecutively treated aSAH WFNS IV and V patients between 2005 and 2010. Scores from the 36-item short-form health survey were compared to a healthy German population. Prognostic factors were analyzed by uni- and multivariate models.

RESULTS: One hundred and seven eligible patients (median age: 53.0 years) were identified. After interdisciplinary consensus on optimal treatment, aneurysms were obliterated either by clipping (n = 35) or by coiling (n = 72). Ten patients were lost to long-term follow-up; the median clinical follow-up period was 3.2 years for the remaining 97 cases. Twenty-five of 97 died during the acute hospital phase and another 10 patients over the follow-up period leaving 62 long-term survivors. At the end of clinical follow-up, 40/97 patients, including 40/62 of long-term survivors, reached functional independence (mRS ≤ 2). Twelve of 97 patients were moderately (mRS = 3), 10/97 patients were severely disabled (mRS ≥ 4). Younger age (≤ 53 years; P = .001) and radiological absence of cerebral infarction (P = .03) were the strongest predictors for favorable outcome. Quality of life was perceived to be only moderately reduced compared to the healthy control group.

CONCLUSION: Poor-grade aSAH is not necessarily associated with poor long-term functional outcome; after aneurysm repair ∼60% of patients survived and among long-term survivors ∼ 60% regained functional independence.
Real-time Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Biopsy Using SmartFrame® Stereotaxis in the Setting of a Conventional Diagnostic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Suite
Authors: Scheer Justin K. , Hamelin Thomas , Chang Leon , Lemkuil Brian , Carter Bob S. , Chen Clark C.
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND: Real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visualization during stereotactic needle biopsies affords several valuable benefits to the neurosurgeon, including the opportunity to visually confirm the biopsy site at the time of surgery. Until now, reported experiences with this technique have been limited to the setting of intraoperative MRI or dedicated procedural MRI suites with modified ventilation systems.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with 11 consecutive patients who underwent real-time MRI-guided biopsy performed using SmartFrame® stereotaxis (MRI Interventions, Irvine, California) in the setting of a conventional diagnostic MRI suite.

METHODS: This is a case series of patients that underwent real-time MRI-guided biopsy at a single institution.

RESULTS: Four of the 11 lesions were previously biopsied by experienced neurosurgeons, yielding tissues that were nondiagnostic. Six of these lesions were sub-cubic centimeter in volume. One lesion was associated with aberrant venous anatomy. Two patients underwent laser thermal ablation in the same setting. There were no perioperative complications or unplanned 30-day readmission. All patients were discharged on postoperative day 1 to home. The operative time for the biopsy averaged 165 ± 24 min. Illustrative examples are reviewed.

CONCLUSION: Real-time MRI-guided needle biopsy can be safely performed in the setting of a conventional diagnostic MRI suite. This technique provides neurosurgeons with the opportunity to visualize and confirm the biopsy site and allows for real-time adjustments in surgical maneuvers.
EPIDEMIOLOGIC ANALYSIS OF A REPORTED CANCER CLUSTER IN A SMALL RURAL POPULATION
Authors: OSBORNE J. SCOTT , SHY CARL M. , KAPLAN BERTON H.
Published: February 2017

This study investigated a reported cluster of cancer deaths in the small rural community of Bynum, North Carolina. Residents felt the proportion of deaths involving cancer had been increasing since the mid-1960s. To address this concern, cancer mortality was investigated from 1947 to 1985 to determine 1) if the proportion of cancer deaths had increased since the mid-1960s, 2) if it differed from what should be expected based on comparison with the reference population of the state of North Carolina, and 3) if observed mortality was within the bounds of statistical probability. Results indicated that the proportion of cancer deaths remained relatively constant from 1947 to 1964 (ranging from 9% to 14%) but increased steadily after 1965 to a high of 58% (1980–1985). Standardized proportionate mortality ratios adjusted for age, sex, race, and calendar time Indicated that from 1975 to 1985 cancer deaths were 2.4 to 2.6 times greater than expected. Cancer mortality exceeded the upper limit of 95 percent Polsson confidence intervals from 1975 to 1985, which suggested that the excess proportion of cancer deaths was not likely to represent random case clustering. These findings serve to illustrate the feasibility of and a methodology for assessing reports of clusters in small populations.
Music-induced analgesia in chronic pain conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Garza-Villarreal Eduardo A. , Pando Victor , Vuust Peter , Parsons Christine
Published: February 2017

Music is increasingly used as an adjuvant for chronic pain management as it is not invasive, inexpensive, and patients usually report positive experiences with it. However, little is known about its clinical efficacy in chronic pain patients. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigated randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of adult patients that reported any type of music intervention for chronic pain, chosen by the researcher or patient, lasting for any duration. Searches were performed using PsycINFO, Scopus and PubMed for RTCs published until the end of May 2016. The primary outcome was reduction in self-reported pain using a standardized pain measurement instrument reported post-intervention. The secondary outcomes were: quality of life measures, depression and anxiety measures, among others. The study was pre-registered with PROSPERO (CRD42016039837) and the meta-analysis was done using RevMan. We identified 768 titles and abstracts, and we included 14 RTCs that fulfilled our criteria. The sample size of the studies varied between 25 and 200 participants. We found that music reduced chronic pain, and depression, with higher effect size on pain and depression. We also found music had a higher effect when the participant chose the music in contrast with researcher-chosen music. The sample size of RCTs was small and sometimes with different outcome measures. Our analysis suggests that music may be beneficial as an adjuvant for chronic pain patients, as it reduces self-reported pain and its common co-morbidities. Importantly, the analgesic effect of music appears higher with self-chosen over researcher-chosen music.
Metaviz: interactive statistical and visual analysis of metagenomic data
Authors: Wagner Justin , Chelaru Florin , Kancherla Jayaram , Paulson Joseph N. , Felix Victor , Mahurkar Anup , Bravo Héctor Corrada
Published: February 2017

Along with the survey techniques of 16S rRNA amplicon and whole-metagenome shotgun sequencing, an array of tools exists for clustering, taxonomic annotation, normalization, and statistical analysis of microbiome sequencing results. Integrative and interactive visualization that enables researchers to perform exploratory analysis in this feature rich hierarchical data is an area of need. In this work, we present Metaviz, a web browser-based tool for interactive exploratory metagenomic data analysis. Metaviz can visualize abundance data served from an R session or a Python web service that queries a graph database. As metagenomic sequencing features have a hierarchy, we designed a novel navigation mechanism to explore this feature space. We visualize abundance counts with heatmaps and stacked bar plots that are dynamically updated as a user selects taxonomic features to inspect. Metaviz also supports common data exploration techniques, including PCA scatter plots to interpret variability in the dataset and alpha diversity boxplots for examining ecological community composition. The Metaviz application and documentation is hosted athttp://www.metaviz.org.
p53 binding sites in normal and cancer cells are characterized by distinct chromatin context
Authors: Bao Feifei , LoVerso Peter R. , Fisk Jeffrey N. , Zhurkin Victor B. , Cui Feng
Published: February 2017

The tumor suppressor protein p53 interacts with DNA in a sequence-dependent manner. Thousands of p53 binding sites have been mapped genome-wide in normal and cancer cells. However, the way p53 selectively binds its cognate sites in different types of cells is not fully understood. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of 25 published p53 cistromes and identified 3,551 and 6,039 ‘high-confidence’ binding sites in normal and cancer cells, respectively. Our analysis revealed two distinct epigenetic features underlying p53-DNA interactionsin vivo. First, p53 binding sites are associated with transcriptionally active histone marks (H3K4me3 and H3K36me3) in normal-cell chromatin, but with repressive histone marks (H3K27me3) in cancer-cell chromatin. Second, p53 binding sites in cancer cells are characterized by a lower level of DNA methylation than their counterparts in normal cells, probably related to global hypomethylation in cancers. Intriguingly, regardless of the cell type, p53 sites are highly enriched in the endogenous retroviral elements of the ERV1 family, highlighting the importance of this repeat family in shaping the transcriptional network of p53. Moreover, the p53 sites exhibit an unusual combination of chromatin patterns: high nucleosome occupancy and, at the same time, high sensitivity to DNase I. Our results suggest that p53 can access its target sites in a chromatin environment that is non-permissive to most DNA-binding transcription factors, which may allow p53 to act as a pioneer transcription factor in the context of chromatin.
Mendelian randomization: a novel approach for the prediction of adverse drug events and drug repurposing opportunities
Authors: Walker Venexia M , Smith George Davey , Davies Neil M , Martin Richard M
Published: February 2017

Identification of unintended drug effects, specifically drug repurposing opportunities and adverse drug events, maximizes the benefit of a drug and protects the health of patients. However, current observational research methods are subject to several biases. These include confounding by indication, reverse causality, and missing data. We propose that Mendelian randomization (MR) offers a novel approach for the prediction of unintended drug effects. In particular, we advocate the synthesis of evidence from this method and other approaches, in the spirit of triangulation, to improve causal inferences concerning drug effects. MR overcomes some of the limitations associated with the existing methods in this field. Furthermore, it can be applied either pre- or post-approval of the drug and could therefore prevent the potentially harmful exposure of patients in clinical trials and beyond. The potential of MR as a pharmacovigilance and drug repurposing tool is yet to be realized and could both help prevent adverse drug events and identify novel indications for existing drugs in the future.
Ambiguity of financial environmental information
Authors: Laine Matias , Järvinen Janne T. , Hyvönen Timo , Kantola Hannele
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Voluntary corporate social responsibility reporting has developed into an everyday activity for many commercial organizations, and scholarly interest in these practices continues to increase. This paper focusses on one subset of these disclosures, namely the figures relating to environmental expenditures and investments published by various organizations. The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the nature, role and significance of such financial environmental information. Despite their seeming accuracy and preciseness, little is known about how such financial environmental information is constructed and subsequently used in organizational settings.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a qualitative case study focussing on a Finnish energy company. The authors build the investigation primarily on 26 semi-structured interviews with employees at all organizational levels, which the authors supplement with various documentary sources. The interpretation draws on the notion of loose coupling, which the authors use as a method theory to provide a better understanding of this complex organizational practice.

Findings

The authors highlight the ambiguous and imprecise nature of the outwardly accurate figures provided by the company. The authors argue that disclosed financial environmental information is only loosely coupled with various dimensions, including the organization’s actual activities, its environmental impacts and organizational decision making.

Originality/value

The findings contrast with those of some prior research, which has considered financial environmental information highly valuable. As for broader implications, the paper discusses the accuracy of public records based on such ambiguous organizational figures.
The processes of inclusion and exclusion
Authors: Hayes Colleen , Jacobs Kerry
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to revisit the issue of the entry of women into the Anglo-Australian accounting profession in the Second World War and provide insights on the role that gender, class, and ethnicity played in mediating women’s relations with the accounting profession in that period.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on the narratives of three women from diverse social backgrounds who entered the Anglo-Australian profession during this period.

Findings

The analysis indicates that while participants had the mindset needed for accounting work, the more removed the individual’s perceived social identity was from her perception of the dominant British, white, middle-class ideology of the profession, the less likely she was to embrace the opportunity to join the accounting profession. The distance was anchored in social (ethnicity and class) and historical forces. The study also finds that the appropriation of education and credentials ameliorated disadvantages accruing from gender and working-class status.

Practical implications

This study has implications for our understanding of the accounting profession and what is required to reduce the risks of marginalization in a contemporary setting.

Originality/value

The study provides a richer understanding of how class and ethnicity shape the female experience differently. The results also demonstrate that in times of social change, the processes of inclusion and exclusion are not confined to the deliberations of the accounting profession but also the individual. Whether the women valued accounting as an occupation depended on whether or not if offered them the freedom to achieve what they valued most. At the same time, however, the freedom to realize what they valued most was a function of class and ethnicity. Finally, the results demonstrate the capacity of unique experience to shape the perceptions, aspirations and actions of women.
Personal and relational empowerment: a framework for family recovery
Authors: Buckley-Walker Kellie , Crowe Trevor P. , Caputi Peter
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Caring for a person with a substance use disorder (SUD) and/or mental health disorder (MHD) represents a significant burden for family members. The features of “carers/family members” experiences reflect trauma signatures. Consequently, working through this trauma for carers corresponds with psychological recovery, empowerment processes and intrapersonal/interpersonal needs. The purpose of this paper is to outline a framework called the “personal and relational empowerment (PRE)” framework which enables family support practitioners to help family members to be able to take control of their own lives, develop meaningful relationships and live purposeful and fulfilling lives, regardless of whether the person with the SUD and/or MHD is in recovery or not.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper critically reviews existing frameworks for carer recovery, through a systematic literature search, and proposes a “PRE” alternative to redress the shortfalls in these existing frameworks.

Findings

The PRE framework takes a multi-level needs-based approach to understand carer recovery. This framework links the concepts – psychological recovery, empowerment processes and intrapersonal/interpersonal needs.

Practical implications

The PRE framework recognises the importance of recovery support practitioners being able to balance the immediate carer crisis intervention needs responses with personal growth and well-being supporting interventions.

Originality/value

The PRE framework of family recovery attempts to answer the need to broaden the focus on the family journey to better reflect the principles and practices of contemporary SUD and/or MHD recovery-based support.
First-person experiences of recovery in co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions
Authors: Brekke Eva , Lien Lars , Davidson Larry , Biong Stian
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore and describe experiences of recovery among people with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions (co-occurring conditions) in a rural community in Norway.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth individual interviews with eight persons with co-occurring conditions were conducted, audiotaped, transcribed and analysed using a phenomenological approach. This study is part of a research project investigating recovery orientation of services in a Norwegian district.

Findings

The analysis yielded four dimensions of recovery: feeling useful and accepted; coming to love oneself; mastering life; and emerging as a person. Insecure and inadequate housing and limited solutions to financial problems were described as major obstacles to recovery.

Research limitations/implications

Further research into the facilitation of recovery as defined by persons with concurrent disorders is needed, particularly regarding the facilitation of community participation.

Practical implications

This study supports an increased focus on societal and community factors in promoting recovery for persons with co-occurring conditions, as well as service designs that allow for an integration of social services and health care, and for collaboration among services.

Social implications

The results suggest that the community can aid recovery by accepting persons with co-occurring conditions as fellow citizens and welcoming their contributions.

Originality/value

The paper provides an enhanced understanding of how persons with co-occurring conditions may experience recovery.
The effect of audit fees pressure on audit quality during the sanctions in Iran
Authors: Salehi Mahdi , Jafarzadeh Azadeh , Nourbakhshhosseiny Zeinab
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The current study aims to investigate the amount of downward pressure on audit fees and its effect on audit quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The research population includes 104 listed companies on the Tehran Stock Exchange. In this study, at first, the audit fees pressure was measured; then, by comparing it with actual audit fees, the pressure on audit costs was calculated. Finally, the hypotheses were tested using logistic regression.

Findings

The results of models and hypotheses show that, as expected, during the intensification of sanctions (i.e. during 2010), compared with other years, business entities have exerted more pressure to reduce audit fees; moreover, there is a positive significant relationship between fees pressure and the rate of misstatement (reverse audit quality criterion) at 10 per cent error level during 2010, whereas in years before and after 2010, there is no significant relationship between audit fees pressure and audit quality.

Originality/value

The conducted studies in Iran so far have investigated time pressures imposed on auditors. In this study, the audit fees pressure is investigated.
Proximity as determinant of business cooperation for technological and non-technological innovations: a study of an agribusiness cluster
Authors: Geldes Cristian , Heredia Jorge , Felzensztein Christian , Mora Marcos
Published: February 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to use the proximity approach of economic geography with its spatial dimension (geographic) and their non-spatial dimensions (social, institutional, cognitive and organizational) to shed light on the determinants of business cooperation with other organizations. It is also examined whetherthis cooperation is a determining factor for business innovation (innovation networks), drawing a distinction between technological and non-technological innovations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has a quantitative approach; it analyzes the case of 312 companies in a cluster of agribusinesses in an emerging economy (Chile). The proposal model and its interrelations are tested with exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results show that cognitive-organizational proximity is a positive determinant of business cooperation with other organizations, whereas social and institutional proximity are negative determinants. It is also established that business cooperation is a positive determinant of business innovation. It is more relevant in the case of technological innovation unlike non-technological innovations. In addition, it is noted that business cooperation levels are lower in micro-enterprises, a result that differs from developed countries.

Practical implications

For business managers, it is best to cooperate with companies that are similar in terms of cognitive and organizational levels for innovation. At the same time, it is necessary develop strategies to reduce the social and institutional barriers to cooperation, especially in the agribusiness sector.

Originality/value

The contributions of the study are as follows: an in-depth quantitative examination of the relationships of various non-spatial proximities as determinants of business cooperation; an analysis of whether business cooperation with other organizations is a determining factor for business innovation, distinguishing between technological and non-technological innovation; and testing these relationships in the context of agribusiness in an emerging economy such as Chile’s because most of studies are related to high-tech sector and developed economies.
Buyer versus salesperson expectations for an initial B2B sales meeting
Authors: Kaski Timo Arvid , Hautamaki Pia , Pullins Ellen Bolman , Kock Heidi
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper to explore the value creation expectations of salespeople and buyers for initial sales meetings and to investigate how such expectations align.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors applied expectancy disconfirmation theory and conducted a qualitative study among 12 B2B service salespeople and 12 buyers. The data includes 46 in-depth interviews collected during 2 separate interview rounds.

Findings

The authors discovered that buyers’ and sellers’ expectations differ and that buyers’ expectations are not reasonably satisfied. Buyers expect more business acumen, innovativeness, future orientation, long-term relationships and responsiveness to their specific situation from sellers. As salespeople´s salespeople´s expectations to create value for customers primarily stem from the solutions they sell as well as from their personal skills and behavior, there is need for sellers to focus on the gaps indicated in this study.

Research limitations/implications

The paper introduces expectancy disconfirmation theory to the B2B buyer-seller literature.

Practical implications

Identifying where expectations are being met and where they are being negatively disconfirmed can assist in hiring and training salespeople who are better able to meet, or exceed, buyer expectations.

Originality/value

The authors believe that these findings can benefit sales organizations in how they create value with new customers and how salespeople can align their actions with customers more effectively.
Promoting or protecting my brand: the identity-expression and fear-of-imitation conflict
Authors: Thomas Veronica L. , Saenger Christina
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the conflict between consumers’ need to spread word-of-mouth about brands to express identity and the motivation to protect identity-linked brands from outside adoption that could dilute the brand’s symbolic associations. Current studies examine the interactive effects of self-brand connection (SBC) and consumer need for uniqueness (cNFU) on intentions to engage in brand-promoting and brand-protecting word-of-mouth behavior to in-group and out-group recipients.

Design/methodology/approach

Experimental scenario stimulus-based survey research was conducted, including scales measuring intentions to engage in promoting and protecting word-of-mouth, SBC and cNFU. Data for four studies were collected via online surveys and were analyzed using Hayes’ (2013) PROCESS macro and the Johnson–Neyman technique in SPSS 21.0.

Findings

The results of four studies demonstrate that the interaction between SBC and cNFU tempers intentions to engage in brand-promoting word-of-mouth and amplifies intentions to engage in brand-protecting word-of-mouth, when the recipient of the word-of-mouth communication is an out-group, but not an in-group, member.

Originality/value

This work exposes the conflict between identity-expression and fear-of-imitation by demonstrating that consumers’ tempered intentions to spread brand-promoting word-of-mouth and amplified intentions to spread brand-protective word-of-mouth are deliberate strategic mechanisms used to protect brand meaning. In doing so, this research exposes cNFU as a factor that influences self-brand-connected consumers to engage in a negative brand behavior and qualifies work in identity-expressive word-of-mouth that suggests that self-presentational concerns lead consumers to avoid spreading negatively valenced word-of-mouth about identity-linked brands.
Role of brand names and product types on bicultural consumers’ purchase intentions
Authors: Moriuchi Emi , Jackson Paul R.
Published: February 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of brand names and product types on bicultural’s purchasing intention. In cross-cultural marketing, a current popular position among bicultural consumer advocates that brand name that has a foreign character denotes that when an unknown brand is present, and if the unknown brand is a hedonic product, then a foreign character that has a long-standing history of delivery quality products should be mandatory.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a multidisciplinary literature review, qualitatively supported differences in bicultural consumers from a majority-minority status are reviewed and formulated as hypotheses, and a survey is used to collect quantitative data from a stratified random sample.

Findings

A 2 (cultural identity vs felt ethnicity) × 2 (English brand name vs Japanese brand name) factorial experiment, which tested this contention, revealed that, although consumers are considered biculturals, they will be more inclined to perceive products to be of higher quality when the product is written in Japanese than in English. Furthermore, the result shows that felt ethnicity has a significant impact on attitude toward brand names, whereas bicultural’s cultural identity does not. However, on the other hand, cultural identity has a significant impact on the product type considered, whereas felt ethnicity does not.

Research limitations/implications

As a starting point for understanding the bicultural consumer from a majority-minority perspective, this study is subject to exploratory research limitations.

Practical implications

The result suggests that when developing ads, managers should take into account the effect of language characters has on their target audience’s ethnicity. As it is common for ads to consist of written language, colors, images and messages, managers should not just concentrate on one, rather should consider how all these factors can come together and create a favorable ad.

Originality/value

As the number of immigrants increase in the USA, the notion of considering what a melting pot is has reached another level. Predicted by the US census, in the year 2050, the minority population will take over the mainstream population, resulting in a majority-minority status for these minority individuals. Businesses will then have to redesign their strategy in marketing to this new market segment and not fall victim to these new challenges. They can turn around and leverage them as marketplace opportunities. This study provides some early insights that can help marketers strategically and creatively think of leverage such opportunities.
Toward a spirituality mode of firm sustainability strategic planning processes
Authors: Barron Katelin , Chou Shih Yung
Published: February 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a spirituality mode of firm strategic planning processes that incorporate four basic firm spirituality elements, namely, transcendence, an inexhaustible source of will, a basic and supreme power and interconnectedness and oneness, used for promoting corporate and community sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual analysis was performed.

Findings

Drawing upon prior research, this paper suggests that there are four major spiritual elements of the firm, namely, transcendence, an inexhaustible source of will, a basic and supreme power and interconnectedness and oneness. Additionally, this paper proposes that to promote long-term sustainability and survival of the firm and community, firms can place strong emphasis on firm transcendence when establishing the vision and mission statements. Moreover, firms may need to assess environmental conditions based upon an inexhaustible source of will. Furthermore, when formulating and selecting strategic alternatives, firms can utilize a basic and supreme power. Finally, firms may implement selected strategic alternatives and strategic controls with interconnectedness and oneness mentality.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first studies that develop a spirituality mode of strategic planning processes focusing on both corporate and community sustainability.
Active synovitis in the presence of osteitis predicts residual synovitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with a clinical response to treatment
Authors: Fukae Jun , Tanimura Kazuhide , Isobe Masato , Kitano Akemi , Henmi Mihoko , Nakai Maria , Aoki Yuko , Sakamoto Fumihiko , Narita Akihiro , Ito Takeya , Mitsuzaki Akio , Matsuhashi Megumi , Shimizu Masato , Kamishima Tamotsu , Atsumi Tatsuya , Koike Takao
Published: February 2017

Aim

To clarify the relationship between active synovitis/osteitis and subsequent residual synovitis (R‐synovitis) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Three hundred and twenty finger joints of 16 patients with active RA at baseline (Disease Activity Score with 28 joints – erythrocyte sedimentation rate > 3.2) who subsequently achieved clinical low disease activity or remission afterwards were analyzed. Synovial vascularity (SV) was assessed according to a semi‐quantitative ultrasound score (grades 0–3). Active synovitis was defined by SV positivity at baseline. R‐synovitis was defined by the presence of grade > 2 SV at the 24th week. Osteitis was detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline as trabecular bone lesions with water content and indistinct margins.

Results

Ultrasonography detected active synovitis in 116 joints at baseline. Forty‐seven joints had R‐synovitis at the 24th week. MRI detected osteitis in 12 joints at baseline. The presence of active synovitis with osteitis at baseline was significantly correlated with R‐synovitis at the 24th week.

Conclusions

Active synovitis in the presence of osteitis predicted R‐synovitis regardless of whether there was a clinical improvement in RA.