bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The circadian hippocampus and its reprogramming in epilepsy: impact for chronotherapeutics
Authors: Debski K. J. , Ceglia N. , Ghestem A. , Ivanov A. I. , Brancati G. E. , Bröer S. , Bot A. M. , Müller J. A. , Schoch S. , Becker A. , Löscher W. , Guye M. , Sassone-Corsi P. , Lukasiuk K. , Baldi P. , Bernard C.
Published: October 2017

Gene and protein expression displays circadian oscillations in numerous body organs. These oscillations can be disrupted in diseases, thus contributing to the disease pathology. Whether the molecular architecture of cortical brain regions oscillates daily and whether these oscillations are modified in brain disorders is less understood. We identified 1200 daily oscillating transcripts in the hippocampus of control mice. More transcripts (1600) were oscillating in experimental epilepsy, with only one fourth oscillating in both conditions. Proteomics confirmed these results. Metabolic activity and targets of antiepileptic drugs displayed different circadian regulation in control and epilepsy. Hence, the hippocampus, and perhaps other cortical regions, shows a daily remapping of its molecular landscape, which would enable different functioning modes during the night/day cycle. The impact of this remapping in brain pathologies needs to be taken into account not only to study their mechanisms, but also to design drug treatments and time their delivery.
Expectation-induced modulation of metastable activity underlies faster coding of sensory stimuli
Authors: Mazzucato L. , La Camera G. , Fontanini A. , Alfredo Fontanini , Giancarlo La Camera
Published: October 2017

Sensory stimuli can be recognized more rapidly when they are expected. This phenomenon depends on expectation affecting the cortical processing of sensory information. However, virtually nothing is known on the mechanisms responsible for the effects of expectation on sensory networks. Here, we report a novel computational mechanism underlying the expectation-dependent acceleration of coding observed in the gustatory cortex (GC) of alert rats. We use a recurrent spiking network model with a clustered architecture capturing essential features of cortical activity, including the metastable activity observed in GC before and after gustatory stimulation. Relying both on network theory and computer simulations, we propose that expectation exerts its function by modulating the intrinsically generated dynamics preceding taste delivery. Our model, whose predictions are confirmed in the experimental data, demonstrates how the modulation of intrinsic metastable activity can shape sensory coding and mediate cognitive processes such as the expectation of relevant events. Altogether, these results provide a biologically plausible theory of expectation and ascribe a new functional role to intrinsically generated, metastable activity.
Linked dimensions of psychopathology and connectivity in functional brain networks
Authors: Xia Cedric Huchuan , Ma Zongming , Ciric Rastko , Gu Shi , Betzel Richard F. , Kaczkurkin Antonia N. , Calkins Monica E. , Cook Philip A. , la Garza Angel Garcia de , Vandekar Simon , Moore Tyler M. , Roalf David R. , Ruparel Kosha , Wolf Daniel H. , Davatzikos Christos , Gur Ruben C. , Gur Raquel E. , Shinohara Russell T. , Bassett Danielle S. , Satterthwaite Theodore D.
Published: October 2017

Neurobiological abnormalities associated with psychiatric disorders do not map well to existing diagnostic categories. High co-morbidity and overlapping symptom domains suggest dimensional circuit-level abnormalities that cut across clinical diagnoses. Here we sought to identify brain-based dimensions of psychopathology using multivariate sparse canonical correlation analysis (sCCA) in a sample of 663 youths imaged as part of the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort. This analysis revealed highly correlated patterns of functional connectivity and psychiatric symptoms. We found that four dimensions of psychopathology — mood, psychosis, fear, and externalizing behavior — were highly associated (r=0.68-0.71) with distinct patterns of functional dysconnectivity. Loss of network segregation between the default mode network and executive networks (e.g. fronto-parietal and salience) emerged as a common feature across all dimensions. Connectivity patterns linked to mood and psychosis became more prominent with development, and significant sex differences were present for connectivity patterns related to mood and fear. Critically, findings replicated in an independent dataset (n=336). These results delineate connectivity-guided dimensions of psychopathology that cut across traditional diagnostic categories, which could serve as a foundation for developing network-based biomarkers in psychiatry.
Requirement of the Dynein-adaptor Spindly for mitotic and post-mitotic functions inDrosophila
Authors: Clemente Giuliana D. , Hannaford Matthew R. , Januschke Jens , Griffis Eric R. , Muller Hans-Arno J.
Published: October 2017

Spindly is a mitotic checkpoint protein originally identified as a specific regulator of Dynein activity at the kinetochore. In metaphase, Spindly recruits the Dynein/Dynactin complex, promoting the establishment of stable kinetochore-microtubule interactions and progression into anaphase. While details of Spindly function in mitosis have been worked out in cultured human cells and in theC. eleganszygote, the function of Spindly within the context of an organism has not yet been addressed. Here we present loss- and gain-of-function studies of Spindly inDrosophila. We investigated the requirements of distinct protein domains for the localisation and function of Spindly. We find that knock-down of Spindly results in a range of mitotic defects in the female germ line and during cleavage divisions in embryogenesis. Overexpression of Spindly in the female germ line is embryonic lethal and results in altered egg morphology. To determine whether Spindly plays a role in post-mitotic cells we altered Spindly protein levels in migrating cells and found that ovarian border cell migration is sensitive to the levels of Spindly protein. Our study uncovers novel functions of the mitotic checkpoint protein Spindly inDrosophila.
Egg viability decreases rapidly with time since ovulation in the rainbow darter: implications for the costs of choosiness
Authors: Moran Rachel L. , Soukup Rachel M. , Zhou Muchu , Fuller Rebecca C.
Published: October 2017

Egg viability in the rainbow darterEtheostoma caeruleum, a fish apparently lacking female mate choice, was found to decline rapidly after ovulation. We observed that the majority of a female’s clutch may fail to hatch if she is prevented from mating for as little as six hours. These data suggest that exercising female mate preferences may be selectively disfavoured inE. caeruleumdue to the high cost of delaying mating.
Clinical and genomic crosstalk between glucocorticoid receptor and estrogen receptor α in endometrial cancer
Authors: Vahrenkamp Jeffery M. , Yang Chieh-Hsiang , Rodriguez Adriana C. , Almomen Aliyah , Berrett Kristofer C. , Trujillo Alexis N. , Guillen Katrin P. , Welm Bryan E. , Jarboe Elke A. , Janat-Amsbury Margit M. , Gertz Jason
Published: October 2017

Steroid hormone receptors are simultaneously active in many tissues and are capable of altering each other’s function. Estrogen receptor α (ER) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) are expressed in the uterus and their ligands have opposing effects on uterine growth. In endometrial tumors with high ER expression, we surprisingly found that expression of GR is associated with poor prognosis. Dexamethasone reduced normal uterine growthin vivo; however, this growth inhibition was abolished in estrogen-induced endometrial hyperplasia. We observed low genomic binding site overlap when ER and GR are induced with their respective ligands; however, upon simultaneous induction they co-occupy more sites. GR binding is significantly altered by estradiol with GR recruited to ER bound loci that become more accessible upon estradiol induction. Gene expression responses to co-treatment were more similar to estradiol, but with novel regulated genes. Our results suggest phenotypic and molecular interplay between ER and GR in endometrial cancer.
Electron microscopic evidence that Aip1 disintegrates cofilin-saturated F-actin domains in the presence of coronin
Authors: Tang Vivian W. , Nadkarni Ambika V. , Brieher William M.
Published: October 2017

Cofilin is an essential actin filament severing protein necessary for fast actin turnover dynamics. Segments of actin bound to cofilin adapt an alternative twist. This configuration is stable, but boundaries between cofilin occupied and unoccupied polymer are weak and fragment. Coronin and Aip1 are two factors that promote cofilin mediated actin filament disassembly, but whether they simply accelerate the basic cofilin severing mechanism or alter the mode of filament disassembly is still being investigated. Using electron microscopy and spectroscopy, we show that coronin accelerates phosphate release from F-actin to stimulate highly cooperative cofilin binding on to the polymer creating long stretches with a hypertwisted morphology. We find that Aip1 attacks these hypertwisted regions along their length, not just the boundaries, causing sections to disintegrate into monomers. Therefore, coronin promotes cofilin binding to F-actin to generate longer segments of polymer that are themselves the substrates for Aip1 mediated disintegration, as opposed to simply creating more heterotypic junctions that would sever. The morphological characteristics of the disassembling filaments along with spectroscopic data showing the rapid liberation of actin monomers suggest that the combination of cofilin, coronin, and Aip1 might be triggering a more catastrophic mode of filament disassembly than severing.
Attractor dynamics in networks with learning rules inferred fromin vivodata
Authors: Pereira Ulises , Brunel Nicolas
Published: October 2017

The attractor neural network scenario is a popular scenario for memory storage in association cortex, but there is still a large gap between models based on this scenario and experimental data. We study a recurrent network model in which both learning rules and distribution of stored patterns are inferred from distributions of visual responses for novel and familiar images in inferior temporal cortex (ITC). Unlike classical attractor neural network models, our model exhibits graded activity in retrieval states, with distributions of firing rates that are close to lognormal. Inferred learning rules are close to maximizing the number of stored patterns within a family of unsupervised Hebbian learning rules, suggesting learning rules in ITC are optimized to store a large number of attractor states. Finally, we show that there exists two types of retrieval states: one in which firing rates are constant in time, another in which firing rates fluctuate chaotically.
The cell cycle gene regulatory DREAM complex is disrupted by high expression of oncogenic B-Myb
Authors: Iness Audra N. , Felthousen Jessica , Ananthapadmanabhan Varsha , Guiley Keelan Z. , Dozmorov Mikhail , Rubin Seth M. , Litovchick Larisa
Published: October 2017

The oncogeneMYBL2(encoding B-Myb) is a poor prognostic biomarker in many cancers. B-Myb interacts with the MuvB core of five proteins (LIN9, LIN37, LIN52, LIN53/RBBP4, and LIN54) to form the MMB (Myb-MuvB) complex and promotes expression of late cell cycle genes necessary for progression through mitosis. BothMYBL2amplification and over-expression are associated with deregulation of the cell cycle and increased cell proliferation. Alternatively, by interacting with E2F4-DP1 and p130 or p107, the MuvB core becomes part of the DREAM complex (DP, RB-like, E2F, and MuvB). The DREAM complex opposes MMB by globally repressing cell cycle genes in G0/G1, maintaining the cell in a quiescent state. However, the specific mechanism by which B-Myb alters the cell cycle is not well understood. Our analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas data revealed significant upregulation of DREAM and MMB target genes in breast and ovarian cancer withMYBL2gain. Given that most of the DREAM target genes are not directly regulated by B-Myb, we investigated the effects of B-Myb on DREAM formation. We found that depletion of B-Myb results in increased DREAM formation in human cancer cells, while its overexpression inhibits DREAM formation in the non-transformed cells. Since the MuvB core subunit LIN52 is essential for assembly of both the DREAM and MMB complexes, we tested whether B-Myb disrupts DREAM by sequestering LIN52. Overexpression of LIN52 did not increase either DREAM or MMB formation, but instead increased the turnover rate of the endogenous LIN52 protein. Interestingly, co-expression of B-Myb increased the expression of both endogenous and overexpressed LIN52 while knockdown of B-Myb had an opposite effect. We found that regulation of LIN52 occurs at the protein level, and that activity of DYRK1A kinase, the enzyme that triggers DREAM complex formation by phosphorylating LIN52, is required for this regulation. These findings are the first to implicate B-Myb in the disassembly of the DREAM complex and offer insight into the underlying mechanisms of poor prognostic value ofMYBL2amplification in cancer. We conclude that B-Myb mediates its oncogenic effects not only by increasing mitotic gene expression by the MMB complex, but also by broad disruption of cell cycle gene regulatory programs through compromised DREAM formation.
Ontology-based similarity calculations with an improved annotation model
Authors: Köhler Sebastian
Published: October 2017

A typical use case of ontologies is the calculation of similarity scores between items that are annotated with classes of the ontology. For example, in differential diagnostics and disease gene prioritisation, the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) is often used to compare a query phenotype profile against gold-standard phenotype profiles of diseases or genes. The latter have long been constructed as flat lists of ontology classes, which, as we show in this work, can be improved by exploiting existing structure and information in annotation datasets or full text disease descriptions.

We derive a study-wise annotation model of diseases and genes and show that this can improve the performance of semantic similarity measures. Inferred weights of individual annotations are one reason for this improvement, but more importantly using the study-wise structure further boosts the results of the algorithms according to precision-recall analyses. We test the study-wise annotation model for diseases annotated with classes from the HPO and for genes annotated with Gene Ontology (GO) classes. We incorporate this annotation model into similarity algorithms and show how this leads to improved performance.

This work adds weight to the need for enhancing simple list-based representations of disease or gene annotations. We show how study-wise annotations can be automatically derived from full text summaries of disease descriptions and from the annotation data provided by the GO Consortium and how semantic similarity measure can utilise this extended annotation model.
Genome analysis reveals evolutionary mechanisms of adaptation in systemic dimorphic fungi
Authors: Muñoz José F. , McEwen Juan G. , Clay Oliver K. , Cuomo Christina A.
Published: October 2017

Dimorphic fungal pathogens cause a significant human disease burden and unlike most fungal pathogens affect immunocompetent hosts. To examine the origin of virulence of these fungal pathogens, we compared genomes of classic systemic, opportunistic, and non-pathogenic species, includingEmmonsiaand two basal branching, non-pathogenic species in the Ajellomycetaceae,Helicocarpus griseusandPolytolypa hystricis. We found that gene families related to plant degradation, secondary metabolites synthesis, and amino acid and lipid metabolism are retained inH. griseusandP. hystricis. While genes involved in the virulence of dimorphic pathogenic fungi are conserved in saprophytes, changes in the copy number of proteases, kinases and transcription factors in systemic dimorphic relative to non-dimorphic species may have aided the evolution of specialized gene regulatory programs to rapidly adapt to higher temperatures and new nutritional environments. Notably, both of the basal branching, non-pathogenic species appear homothallic, with both mating type locus idiomorphs fused at a single locus, whereas all related pathogenic species are heterothallic. These differences revealed that independent changes in nutrient acquisition capacity have occurred in the Onygenaceae and Ajellomycetaceae, and underlie how the dimorphic pathogens have adapted to the human host and decreased their capacity for growth in environmental niches.
Altered hydroxymethylation is seen at regulatory regions in pancreatic cancer and regulates oncogenic pathways
Authors: Bhattacharyya Sanchari , Pradhan Kith , Campbell Nathaniel , Mazdo Jozef , Vasantkumar Aparna , Maqbool Shahina , Bhagat Tushar D. , Gupta Sonal , Suzuki Masako , Yu Yiting , Greally John M. , Steidl Ulrich , Bradner James , Dawlaty Meelad , Godley Lucy , Maitra Anirban , Verma Amit
Published: October 2017

Transcriptional deregulation of oncogenic pathways is a hallmark of cancer and can be due to epigenetic alterations. 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) is an epigenetic modification that has not been studied in pancreatic cancer. Genome-wide analysis of 5-hmC-enriched loci with hmC-seal was conducted in a cohort of low-passage pancreatic cancer cell lines, primary patient-derived xenografts, and pancreatic controls and revealed strikingly altered patterns in neoplastic tissues. Differentially hydroxymethylated regions preferentially affected known regulatory regions of the genome, specifically overlapping with known H3K4me1 enhancers. Furthermore, base pair resolution analysis of cytosine methylation and hydroxymethylation with oxidative bisulfite sequencing was conducted and correlated with chromatin accessibility by ATAC-seq and gene expression by RNA-seq in pancreatic cancer and control samples. 5-hmC was specifically enriched at open regions of chromatin, and gain of 5-hmC was correlated with up-regulation of the cognate transcripts, including many oncogenic pathways implicated in pancreatic neoplasia, such asMYC,KRAS,VEGFA, andBRD4. Specifically,BRD4was overexpressed and acquired 5-hmC at enhancer regions in the majority of neoplastic samples. Functionally, acquisition of 5-hmC atBRD4promoter was associated with increase in transcript expression in reporter assays and primary samples. Furthermore, blockade of BRD4 inhibited pancreatic cancer growth in vivo. In summary, redistribution of 5-hmC and preferential enrichment at oncogenic enhancers is a novel regulatory mechanism in human pancreatic cancer.
Utilizing country image and well-known products for less-known products
Authors: Woo Hongjoo , Jin Byoungho , Ramkumar Bharath
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Country image determines consumers’ beliefs toward the country’s products, through halo effect. While the relevant literature is predominantly focused on the context of well-known products from traditionally leading exporters, the purpose of this paper is to examine the two levels of halo effect (i.e. country image as halo and a well-known product category as halo) on a less-known product category from a recently developed country.

Design/methodology/approach

The purpose of study was carried out by using a quantitative approach. Survey responses were collected from 253 US consumers who are aged between 18 and 67 years. This study only examined South Korea and used the two selected product categories (i.e. cell phones and apparel) as samples for the study.

Findings

The results of a series of regression analyses confirmed that the positive images of South Korea and Korean cell phones served as halo, thereby enhancing the respondents’ beliefs toward Korean apparel, which is a less-known product category that they have not yet experienced. Further, the respondents’ positive beliefs toward both cell phones and apparel increased their purchase intentions of those two products.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study imply that the general country image and the country’s well-known product images are critical in introducing the country’s less-known product to foreign markets.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in its unique focus on relatively less-known product category of a recently developed country (i.e. Korean apparel), which received limited attention in the past research. This study is also one of the few attempts to examine the role of a country’s well-known products on the country’s less-known products, another level of halo effect in country image.
A consumer satisfaction model based on the integration of EDT and TAM
Authors: Cho Yunjin
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the process of consumer satisfaction formation for e-commerce. The study also predicts that the satisfaction formation model of e-commerce will differ between the US and Korean consumers due to differences in cultural background.

Design/methodology/approach

The study integrates the expectation disconfirmation theory (EDT) and the technology acceptance model (TAM). The hypotheses are examined by analyzing a structural equation model for consumers in the USA and Korea.

Findings

The results show that the model demonstrates good fit for both groups. For consumers in both countries, when purchasing fashion products on a new e-commerce site, the performance of the site’s usefulness was found to be a crucial variable in their satisfaction and intention to use the site. While there was no significant difference in the multiple group measurement model invariance test, the findings are meaningful because the slight differences in the standard coefficients of the two groups are considered.

Originality/value

It is meaningful to apply EDT and the TAM to the daily deal site environment. The influence of related variables can be reconfirmed and new consumer behaviors can be better understood. The research provides fresh insights into consumer behavior that can benefit managers when they make decisions in the e-commerce field.
Nonlinear antecedents of customer satisfaction and loyalty in third-party logistics services (3PL)
Authors: Tontini Gerson , Söilen Klaus Solberg , Zanchett Ricardo
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the nonlinear impact of quality dimensions of third-party logistics (3PL) services on customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

By interviewing 167 small-size companies, and using penalty and reward contrast analysis, the paper explores the nonlinear impact of seven dimensions of 3PL services (safety, fault’s recovery, reliability, speed, flexibility, communication, and friendliness) on customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Findings

The results confirm the existence of the dimensions’ nonlinear impact on customer satisfaction. It also shows that some quality dimensions have a direct and nonlinear impact on loyalty. The dimension “friendliness” has a direct impact on loyalty if the company has a below market average performance, which may lead customers to switch service providers. “Flexibility on collection and delivery” has a direct impact if the company has a higher performance, contributing to customers’ intention to continue using the service. Another finding is that, if the company delivers good service recovery after the customer found faults in the service, and if customers trust the company service, they say they intend to continue to work with the company.

Research limitations/implications

The present research focused only on small companies in one country (Brazil). Further studies should be carried out to explore different countries, with different realities, and different size of companies.

Practical implications

3PL companies should not only deal with customers’ satisfaction, but also with other quality aspects that directly affect customer intention to continue doing business with the 3PL service provider. These are friendliness, flexibility regarding time and frequency of collection and delivery and faults’ recovery.

Originality/value

The present research confirms that the personal relationship is a crucial aspect to be managed in order to keep customers in the long term. In addition, as opposed to most research looking for the antecedents of satisfaction and loyalty of 3PL customers, the present research shows that there is a direct nonlinear impact of the dimensions’ performance on customers’ loyalty, what should be taken in consideration by 3PL managers. It also shows how penalty-reward contrast analysis may reveal nonlinear antecedents that could be used for better understandings companies’ success in the long term.
Consumer perspectives on the ethics of an array of technology-based marketing strategies
Authors: Fullerton Sam , Brooksbank Roger , Neale Larry
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Technology-based initiatives are now being routinely incorporated within most companies’ marketing strategies. The purpose of this paper is to explore consumer perspectives on the ethics of these initiatives. It also seeks to identify underlying dimensions within the technology-based strategic environment with the intent of generating advances for both academicians and practitioners alike.

Design/methodology/approach

The enquiry is based on a survey featuring a cross-section of 20 technology-based initiatives. A sample of 967 adult residents of the USA provided their views of the extent to which each initiative/scenario conformed to their perception of society’s norms regarding ethical acceptability.

Findings

In total, 13 of the 20 initiatives were deemed unacceptable with the greatest disdain exhibited for a company posting bogus online reviews. Most acceptable were self-service checkouts. Three sub-dimensions of the ethicality construct as it relates to technology-based marketing initiatives were identified and validated as measurement scales for use in future research: involvement, communication, and privacy.

Research limitations/implications

The generalization of findings may be limited because younger and older segments of the population were slightly under- and over-represented, respectively.

Practical implications

Marketers should recognize that consumers are much more accepting of any initiative from which they will derive some benefit. They should also recognize that within this arena, ethical acceptability is a multi-dimensional phenomenon, necessitating that they strategize accordingly.

Originality/value

Although previous research has garnered insights with respect to a particular technology-based marketing initiative, none have explored the relativities of consumer perceived ethicality across an array of different initiatives or examined any latent sub-dimensions of the construct in this arena. This study addresses these deficiencies.
Impact of service quality and trust on repurchase intentions – the case of Pakistan airline industry
Authors: Saleem Muhammad Abid , Zahra Sadaf , Yaseen Asif
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the antecedents of repurchase intentions in the Pakistani airline industry. Though research on repurchase intentions has traditionally focused on service quality and satisfaction, recently scholars have proposed that word of mouth (WOM) and thin Pakistan’s airline industr trust also play a vital role in driving repurchase intentions for all services businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs structural equation modeling to examine the hypothesized relationships among antecedents of repurchase intention drawing on a data set of 383 customers listed as “frequent flyer members” within Pakistan’s airline industry.

Findings

The results revealed that service quality and trust are directly associated with repurchase intentions as well as through the mediator of customer satisfaction. The findings hold important implications for marketers and academics.

Originality/value

This study makes original contribution to the body of knowledge in the services marketing sector by investigating the effects of service quality and trust through the mediation of customer satisfaction and brand image, and the moderation of WOM factors on predictors of repurchase intention.
Interdependency of the critical success factors and ex-post performance indicators of PPP projects
Authors: Almarri Khalid , Boussabaine Halim
Published: October 2017

Purpose

There is lack of literature on the evaluation of PPP projects performance based on critical success factors (CSFs). Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate and establish which of the CSFs are good predictor of PPP projects performance in terms of success criteria.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was developed based on PPP performance indicators and CSFs identified through a rigorous literature review. It was administrated among experts in PPP from the UK and the UAE. The respondents were selected purely on their work experience in PPP projects. The sites for collecting data were selected based on the similarity of the procurement methods between the two countries. The data were initially analysed using descriptive statics to identify the association between CSFs and PPP performance indicators. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine which of the CSFs were significant predictor of PPP projects performance.

Findings

The results demonstrated that “project technical feasibility, social support and local financial market assessment” contribute significantly to time performance. Detailed cost/benefits assessment contributed significantly to the cost, time and quality performance. Appropriate risk allocation and multi-benefit objectives of all stakeholders were found to be significant predictors of the service performance. CSFs “social support and detailed cost/benefits assessment” contribute positively to profit and variation performances. CSFs “profit and transparent procurement” are negatively associated with the variation performance. Cost and quality were the least performance criteria that could be predicted by the factors associated with this study.

Practical implications

The findings are expected to benefit the upper management of local governments and stakeholders to make informed decisions by understanding the link between the CSFs and the generic performance success measures at the onset of the of PPP project.

Originality/value

This study expands the existing literature by using the CSFs to predict the performance success of PPP projects.
Carbon and cost critical elements: a comparative analysis of two office buildings
Authors: Victoria Michele Florencia , Perera Srinath , Davies Alan , Fernando Nirodha
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and compare cost and carbon critical elements of two office buildings, and to help achieve an optimum balance between the capital cost (CC) and embodied carbon (EC) of buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study approach was employed to study cost and carbon critical elements of two office buildings as it allows an in-depth and holistic investigation. Elemental estimates of CC and EC were prepared from BoQs of the two buildings by obtaining rates from the UK Building Blackbook. Pareto principle (80:20 rule) was used to identify carbon and cost critical elements of the two buildings, and the significance hierarchies of building elements were compared.

Findings

Substructure, frame and services were identified as both carbon and cost critical elements responsible for more than 70 per cent of the total CC and EC of both buildings. Stairs and ramps, internal doors and fittings, furnishings and equipment were identified to be the least carbon- and cost-significant elements contributing less than 2 per cent of total CC and EC in both buildings. The hierarchy of cost and carbon significance varies between buildings due to the difference in the specification and design.

Originality/value

The increasing significance of dual currency (cost and carbon) demands cost and carbon management during the early stages of projects. Hence, this paper suggests that focusing on carbon and cost-intensive building elements is a way forward to keep both cost and carbon under control during the early stages of projects.
“Hobson’s choice” servicescape: consumer anxiety and enjoyment
Authors: Bujisic Milos , Bogicevic Vanja , Yang Wan , Cobanoglu Cihan , Bilgihan Anil
Published: October 2017

Purpose

A Hobson’s choice is a free choice in which only one option is offered. The aim of this study is to examine dimensions of “Hobson’s choice” servicescape and their effect on affective responses and to understand how affective responses drive consumer decisions in “true choice” and “Hobson’s choice” servicescapes.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies have been conducted. The first study used mixed methods approach (focus groups and online survey) to examine dimensions of “Hobson’s choice” servicescape. The second study used a scenario-based experimental design to compare the effect of enjoyment and anxiety on consumer decisions in “true choice” and “Hobson’s choice” servicescapes.

Findings

Study 1 results indicate that hedonic and utilitarian servicescape attributes have a different effect on contrasting emotional responses. This study reveals a positive relationship between consumer enjoyment and hedonic stimuli in Hobson’s choice servicescape. Furthermore, inadequate utilitarian servicescape dimensions cause consumer anxiety. Study 2 results indicate that enjoyment plays a more important role in consumer decision-making in true choice settings, whereas anxiety is more important in Hobson’s choice settings.

Research limitations/implications

Hobson’s choice settings should focus on servicescape features that reduce anxiety and thus lead to affirmative consumer decisions. On the other hand, true choice settings should try to improve consumer enjoyment to create affirmative consumer decisions.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine and compare drivers of consumer’s emotions and their effect on consumer decisions in Hobson’s choice and true choice servicescapes.
Consumer decision-making for functional foods: insights from a qualitative study
Authors: Anninou Ioanna , Foxall Gordon R.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine functional foods, a relatively recent development in the food industry, from the perspective of consumer decision-making. It deals specifically with consumers’ attitudinal dispositions towards such products and seeks an overall comprehension of the elements of decision-making factors that precede their purchase.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory work methodologically uses several elements of a grounded theoretical approach, in-depth interviews with consumers (and food industry experts) and, more importantly, the constant comparative method of analysis.

Findings

The analysis indicates that three levels of decision-making processing form consumers’ final functional food choices in either affirmative or negative ways. At the abstract level, consumers position functional foods within their food system. A “benefit negotiation” process acts as the central route of decision-making. Finally, during the “appraising” stage, a representation of each functional food is built. This representation should not be perceived as a rigid one as it can be influenced by personal characteristics, marketing activities and, more importantly, monetary considerations.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a decision-making framework that takes choice issues into consideration. It builds on (connecting and challenging) some of the existing consumer literature on functional foods. The findings indicate the dynamic nature of consumers’ decision-making which is shaped by motivational and other personal factors. The study identifies the concept of perceived efficacy of such foods, a concept discussed widely in previous literature, as a subordinate aspect when compared to consumers’ consumption motivation, perceived importance and perceptions of pricing. The paper discusses the implications for theory, research and practice.
How the content of location-based advertisings influences consumers’ store patronage intention
Authors: Zhu Dong Hong , Sun Hui , Chang Ya Ping
Published: October 2017

Purpose

With the development of location-based services and mobile phones, local retailing stores have the opportunity to send location-based advertisings (LBAs) to consumers at a right time and right place. However, knowledge about the influence of LBAs on consumers’ store patronage is limited. The purpose of this paper is to understand how the content of LBAs influences consumers’ store patronage intention. In particular, the paper investigates the influence of perceived accuracy and transaction cost reduction from the content of LBAs on consumers’ store patronage intention through the emotional reactions of pleasure and arousal.

Design/methodology/approach

This study developed a theoretical model to examine how the content of LBAs influences the store patronage intention of consumers. Empirical data were collected from 351 undergraduate and graduate students. The partial least squares technique was used to test the research model.

Findings

Perceived accuracy and transaction cost reduction from the content of LBAs have a significant influence on the store patronage intention of consumers through pleasure and arousal. Brand image and purchase plan are control variables.

Originality/value

Knowledge about the influence of LBAs on consumer store patronage is limited. This study provides empirical evidence about how perceived accuracy and transaction cost reduction from the content of LBAs affect the emotional reactions of consumers and then determine their store patronage intention.
Striving for a “good” family visit: the facilitative role of a prison visitors’ centre
Authors: Woodall James , Kinsella Karina
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the conditions that create a “good” prison visit, focussing on the role that a dedicated third sector-run prison visitors’ centre plays in creating a supportive environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on a synthesis of empirical data gathering conducted over a decade at a voluntary sector-managed prison visitors’ centre based at a male prison in Northern England. The paper draws specifically on qualitative data gathered through four independent evaluations of the centre over a ten-year period.

Findings

An important point to emerge from the research is the unwavering importance of the prison visit in the life, well-being and regime of a prisoner. Prison visitors’ centres are shown to be an important part of creating positive visits experiences offering a space for composure and for support for families.

Originality/value

Many voluntary sector organisations are unable to commission large research and evaluation studies, but are often able to fund smaller pieces of work. Pooling qualitative evidence from smaller studies is a viable way to potentially strengthen commissioning decisions in this sector.
Observing unobservable: estimating the time-varying efficiency of intellectual capital
Authors: Parshakov Petr
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Company intellectual capital (IC) is nowadays considered as a key resource that can transform a company’s value. For this reason, the efficiency of IC is crucial for all stakeholders. Evaluating efficiency is difficult, because IC is partly unobservable and its efficiency varies across time. The aim of this study is to suggest a methodology for estimating the dynamic efficiency of a company’s intellectual resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The panel data model suggested by Kneip et al. (2012) is used to estimate dynamic efficiency. The main feature of this model is that the unobservable component has a multi-dimensional factor structure. Taking advantage of the ability of this model to control for unobserved complex heterogeneity, the authors use the results in further stochastic frontier analysis. A data set containing information about Russian companies for the period from 2001 to 2010 is used.

Findings

In this paper, the dynamic efficiency of Russian companies is estimated. It is shown that, using the traditional efficiency estimate, companies can be overestimated.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of the suggested methodology is that it is necessary to have a long panel data structure.

Practical implications

Taking advantage of time-varying efficiency, one can estimate the efficiency growth rate as a measure of performance, standard deviation as a measure of risk and autocorrelation as a measure of stability.

Originality/value

This is the first study to present clear evidence of the time-varying nature of IC efficiency. On the methodological side, the paper presents a fairly simple method capable of estimating various indicators of a company’s efficiency.
Improving the use of analytics and big data by changing the decision-making culture
Authors: Frisk Jane Elisabeth , Bannister Frank
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Evolving digital technologies continue to enable new ways to collect and analyze data and this has led some researchers to claim that skillful use of data analytics and big data can radically improve a company’s performance, but that in order to achieve such improvements managers need to change their decision-making culture and to increase the degree of collaboration in the decision-making process. The purpose of this paper is to create an increased understanding of how a decision-making culture can be changed by using a design approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an action research project in which the authors use a design approach.

Findings

By adopting a design approach organizations can change their decision-making culture, increase the degree of collaboration and also reduce the influence of power and politics on their decision-making.

Research limitations/implications

This paper proposes a new approach to changing a decision-making culture.

Practical implications

Using data analytics and big data, a design approach can support organizations change their decision-making culture resulting in better and more effective decisions.

Originality/value

This paper bridges design and decision-making theory in a novel approach to an old problem.
The effect of strategic alignment on purchasing management
Authors: Rodríguez-Escobar Javier Alfonso , González-Benito Javier
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This research aims to establish the role of the purchasing function’s strategic alignment in the relationship between well-established practices and performance in that function. It is argued that the strategic alignment of purchasing may have effects (direct, mediating and moderating effects) on the purchasing function’s operating performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses derived from key studies about strategic and advanced purchasing practices are tested with data from 156 industrial companies using structural equation modelling methodology.

Findings

The results suggest that the effect of strategic alignment on the role of purchasing consists of mediated effects on purchasing performance through implementation of certain advanced practices. It was also concluded that strategic alignment – as well as the implementation of these advanced purchasing practices – fosters the implementation of differentiation strategies based on quality, dependability and flexibility rather than on the implementation of cost leadership strategies.

Research limitations/implications

Although it is a common practice in operations management research, the use of perceptual measures obtained from a single informant constitutes a noteworthy limitation. Future research should make an effort to combine different sources of information and to identify and use more objective indicators.

Practical implications

Top managers should take into account the need to involve the purchasing function in the firm’s strategic planning process.

Originality/value

The results not only confirm findings from previous literature as to the purchasing function’s strategic relevance but also help clarify the mechanisms that make this integration important.
Study on the role of deposition path in electron beam freeform fabrication process
Authors: Yan Wuzhu , Yue Zhufeng , Feng Jianwen
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The present work aims to reveal the effect of deposition paths on transient temperature, transient stress, residual stress and residual warping in the electron beam freeform fabrication (EBF) process.

Design/methodology/approach

Six typical deposition paths were involved in the finite element (FE) simulations of EBF process by implementing a specially written program.

Findings

The results showed that the deposition path had a remarkable influence on heat transfer and transient temperature distribution in the scanning process, resulting in different residual stress and residual warping after cooling to room temperature. The largest and smallest temperature gradients were obtained from the zigzag and alternate-line paths, respectively. Meanwhile, the temperature gradient decreased with the increase of deposited layers. The optimum deposition path, namely, the alternate-line pattern, was determined with respect to the residual stress and residual warping.

Originality/value

Although some researcher revealed the importance of deposition path through FE analysis and experimental observation, their studies were usually confined within one type of deposition pattern. A complete investigation of typical deposition paths and comparison among them are still lacking in literature. To address the aforementioned gap, the present work started by extensive FE simulations of EBF process involving six representative deposition paths, namely, the alternate-line, zigzag, raster, inside-out spiral, outside-in spiral and Hilbert. For each deposition path, the transient temperature field, residual stress and residual deformation were obtained to optimize the deposition path.
Metallographic evaluation of duplex stainless steel powders processed by selective laser melting
Authors: Davidson Karl P. , Singamneni Sarat B.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to establish the microstructures and the process-structure relationships in duplex stainless steel powders consolidated by selective laser melting (SLM).

Design/methodology/approach

A priori data on energy density levels most appropriate to consolidation of duplex stainless steel powders through SLM served as the basis to converge on the laser settings. Experimental designs with varying laser power and scan speeds and test pieces generated allowed metallographic evaluations based on optical and scanning electron microscopy and electro backscatter diffraction analyses.

Findings

Duplex stainless steel powders are established for processing by SLM. However, the dynamic point heat source and associated transient thermal fields affect the microstructures to be predominantly ferritic, with grains elongated in the build direction. Austenite precipitated either at the grain boundaries or as Widmanstätten laths, whereas the crystallographic orientations and the grain growth are affected around the cavities. Considerable CrN precipitation is also evidenced.

Originality/value

Duplex stainless steels are relatively new candidates to be brought into the additive manufacturing realm. Considering the poor machinability and other difficulties, the overarching result indicating suitability of duplex powders by SLM is of considerable value to the industry. More significantly, the metallographic evaluation and results of the current research allowed further understanding of the material consolidation aspects and pave ways for fine tuning and establishment of the process-structure-property relationships for this important process-material combination.