bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unifying framework for the diffusion of microscopic particles in mucus
Authors: Cobarrubia Antonio , Tall Jarod , Crispin-Smith Austin , Luque Antoni
Published: July 2020

Mucus is a fluid that protects animals against pathogens while promoting interactions with commensal microbes. Changes in the diffusivity of particles in mucus alter viruses’ infectivity, the efficiency of bacterial pathogens to invade a host, and the effectivity of drug delivery. Multiple physicochemical properties modulate the diffusion of microscopic particles in mucus, but their combined effect is unclear. Here, we analyzed the impact of particle size, charge, chemistry, anomalous diffusion exponent, and mucus composition in the diffusivity of particles from 106 published experiments. We used a time window sampling of one second to define a consistent, effective diffusion across experiments. The effective diffusion spanned seven orders of magnitude from 10−5to 102µm2/s. The anomalous exponent was the strongest predictor among all variables tested. It displayed an exponential relationship with the effective diffusion that explained 90% of the empirical data variance. We showed that the relationship and dominance of the anomalous diffusion exponent resulted from a general mathematical relationship obtained from first-principles for any subdiffusion mechanism. Our derivation demonstrated that the generalized diffusion coefficient is not a measurable physical quantity and must be replaced by the length and time scales associated with the underlying mobility mechanisms. This led us to a fundamental reformulation of the classic subdiffusion equation, which calls for a reinterpretation of anomalous diffusion in physical systems. We also discussed how our results impact the characterization of microscopic particle diffusion in mucus and other hydrogels.
Phylogenetics analysis of TP53 gene in humans and its use in biosensors for breast cancer diagnosis
Authors: da Silva Nascimento Sara , Félix Pierre Teodósio
Published: July 2020

Biosensors are small devices that use biological reactions to detect target analytes. Such devices combine a biological component with a physical transducer, which converts bio-recognition processes into measurable signals. Its use brings a number of advantages, as they are highly sensitive and selective, relatively easy in terms of development, as well as accessible and ready to use. Biosensors can be of direct detection, using a non-catalytic ligand, such as cell receptors and antibodies, or indirect detection, in which there is the use of fluorescently marked antibodies or catalytic elements, such as enzymes. They also appear as bio-affinity devices, depending only on the selective binding of the target analyte to the ligative attached to the surface (e.g., oligonucleotide probe). The objectives were to evaluate the levels of genetic diversity existing in fragments of the TP53 gene deposited in molecular databases and to study its viability as a biosensor in the detection of breast cancer. The methodology used was to recover and analyze 301 sequences of a fragment of the TP53 gene of humans from GENBANK, which, after being aligned with the MEGA software version 6.06, were tested for the phylogenetic signal using TREE-PUZZLE 5.2. Trees of maximum likelihood were generated through PAUP version 4.0b10 and the consistency of the branches was verified with the bootstrap test with 1000 pseudo-replications. After aligning, 783 of the 791 sites remained conserved. The maximum likelihood had a slight manifestation since the gamma distribution used 05 categories + G for the evolutionary rates between sites with (0.90 0.96, 1.00, 1.04 and 1.10 substitutions per site). To estimate ML values, a tree topology was automatically computed with a maximum Log of −1058,195 for this calculation. All positions containing missing gaps or data were deleted, leaving a total of 755 sites in the final dataset. The evolutionary history was represented by consensus trees generated by 500 replications, which according to neighbor-join and BioNJ algorithms set up a matrix with minimal distances between haplotypes, corroborating the high degree of conservation for the TP53 gene. GENE TP53 seems to be a strong candidate in the construction of Biosensors for breast cancer diagnosis in human populations.
Megadalton-sized dityrosine aggregates of α-synuclein retain high degrees of structural disorder and internal dynamics
Authors: Verzini Silvia , Shah Maliah , Theillet Francois-Xavier , Belsom Adam , Bieschke Jan , Wanker Erich E. , Rappsilber Juri , Binolfi Andres , Selenko Philipp
Published: July 2020

Heterogeneous aggregates of the human protein α-synuclein (αSyn) are abundantly found in Lewy body inclusions of Parkinson’s disease patients. While structural information on classical αSyn amyloid fibrils is available, little is known about the conformational properties of disease-relevant, non-canonical aggregates. Here, we analyze the structural and dynamic properties of megadalton-sized dityrosine adducts of αSyn that form in the presence of reactive oxygen species and cytochromec, a proapoptotic peroxidase that is released from mitochondria during sustained oxidative stress. In contrast to canonical cross-β amyloids, these aggregates retain high degrees of internal dynamics, which enables their characterization by solution-state NMR spectroscopy. We find that intermolecular dityrosine crosslinks restrict αSyn motions only locally whereas large segments of concatenated molecules remain flexible and disordered. Indistinguishable aggregates form in crowdedin vitrosolutions and in complex environments of mammalian cell lysates, where relative amounts of free reactive oxygen species rather than cytochromecare rate limiting. We further establish that dityrosine adducts inhibit classical amyloid formation by maintaining αSyn in its monomeric form and that they are non-cytotoxic despite retaining basic membrane-binding properties. Our results suggest that oxidative αSyn aggregation scavenges cytochromec’s activity into the formation of amorphous, high molecular-weight structures that may contribute to aggregate diversity in Lewy body deposits.
De novodesigned transmembrane domains tune engineered receptor functions
Authors: Elazar Assaf , Chandler Nicholas J. , Davey Ashleigh S. , Weinstein Jonathan Y. , Nguyen Julie V. , Trenker Raphael , Cross Ryan S. , Jenkins Misty R. , Call Melissa J. , Call Matthew E. , Fleishman Sarel J.
Published: July 2020

De novodesigned receptor transmembrane domains (TMDs) present opportunities for precise control of cellular receptor functions. We developed ade novodesign strategy for generating programmed membrane proteins (proMPs): single-pass α-helical TMDs that self-assemble through computationally defined and crystallographically validated interfaces. We used these proMPs to program specific oligomeric interactions into a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and found that bothin vitroCAR T cell cytokine release andin vivoantitumor activity scaled linearly with the oligomeric state encoded by the receptor TMD, from monomers up to tetramers. All programmed CARs (proCARs) stimulated substantially lower T cell cytokine release relative to the commonly used CD28 TMD, which we show elevated cytokine release through lateral recruitment of the endogenous T cell costimulatory receptor CD28. Precise design using orthogonal and modular TMDs thus provides a new way to program receptor structure and predictably tune activity for basic or applied synthetic biology.
A comparison of dopaminergic and cholinergic populations reveals unique contributions of VTA dopamine neurons to short-term memory
Authors: Choi Jung Yoon , Jang Heejae , Ornelas Sharon , Fleming Weston , Fürth Daniel , Au Jennifer , Bandi Akhil , Witten Ilana B.
Published: July 2020

We systematically compared the contribution of two dopaminergic and two cholinergic ascending populations to a spatial short-term memory task in rats. In ventral tegmental area dopamine (VTA-DA) and nucleus basalis cholinergic (NB-ChAT) populations, trial-by-trial fluctuations in activity during the delay period related to performance with an inverted-U, despite the fact that both populations had low activity during that time. Transient manipulations revealed that only VTA-DA neurons, and not the other three populations we examined, contributed causally and selectively to short-term memory. This contribution was most significant during the delay period, when both increases or decreases in VTA-DA activity impaired short-term memory. Our results reveal a surprising dissociation between when VTA-DA neurons are most active and when they have the biggest causal contribution to short-term memory, while also providing new types of support for classic ideas about an inverted-U relationship between neuromodulation and cognition.
Quorum Sensing Regulates ‘swim-or-stick’ Lifestyle in the Phycosphere
Authors: Fei Cong , Ochsenkühn Michael A. , Shibl Ahmed A. , Isaac Ashley , Wang Changhai , Amin Shady A.
Published: July 2020

Originality-significance statement

Motility and biofilm formation are processes regulated by quorum sensing (QS) in bacteria. Both functions are believed to play an important role in interactions between bacteria and phytoplankton. Here, we show that two bacterial symbionts from the microbial community associated with a ubiquitous diatom switch their motile lifestyle to attached cells while an opportunist bacterium from the same community is incapable of attachment, despite possessing the genetic machinery to do so. Further work indicated that the opportunist lacks QS signal synthases while the symbionts produce three QS signals, one of which is mainly responsible for regulating symbiont colonization of the diatom microenvironment. These findings suggest that QS regulates colonization of diatom surfaces and further work on these model systems will inform our understanding of particle aggregation and bacterial attachment to marine snow and how these processes influence the global carbon cycle.

Interactions between phytoplankton and bacteria play major roles in global biogeochemical cycles and oceanic nutrient fluxes. These interactions occur in the microenvironment surrounding phytoplankton cells, known as the phycosphere. Bacteria in the phycosphere use either chemotaxis or attachment to benefit from algal excretions. Both processes are regulated by quorum sensing (QS), a cell-cell signaling mechanism that uses small infochemicals to coordinate bacterial gene expression. However, the role of QS in regulating bacterial attachment in the phycosphere is not clear. Here, we isolated aSulfitobacter pseudonitzschiaeF5 and aPhaeobactersp. F10 belonging to the marineRoseobactergroup and anAlteromonas macleodiiF12 belonging to Alteromonadaceae, from the microbial community of the ubiquitous diatomAsterionellopsis glacialis.We show that only theRoseobactergroup isolates (diatom symbionts) can attach to diatom transparent exopolymeric particles. Despite all three bacteria possessing genes involved in motility, chemotaxis, and attachment, onlyS. pseudonitzschiaeF5 andPhaeobactersp. F10 possessed complete QS systems and could synthesize QS signals. Using UHPLC-MS/MS, we identified three QS molecules produced by both bacteria of which only 3-oxo-C16:1-HSL strongly inhibited bacterial motility and stimulated attachment in the phycosphere. These findings suggest that QS signals enable colonization of the phycosphere by algal symbionts.
Suppression of established invasivePhragmites australisleads to secondary invasion
Authors: Robichaud C.D. , Rooney R.C.
Published: July 2020

InvasivePhragmites australis(European Common Reed) is rapidly spreading throughout North American wetlands, with negative impacts on wildlife and native plants. The removal or suppression ofP. australisis desired to provide an opportunity for native vegetation and wetland fauna to recover. In Ontario, managers applied a glyphosate-based herbicide to >400 ha ofP. australisin ecologically significant Great Lakes coastal marshes, representing the first time this tool was used over standing water to suppressP. australisin Canada. Using a replicated Before-After-Control-Impact monitoring design, we 1) evaluated the efficacy of glyphosate-based herbicide at suppressionP. australisalong a water depth gradient and 2) assessed the recovery of the vegetation community for two years after treatment in relation to local reference conditions. We found that herbicide reduced liveP. australisstem densities by over 99% the first year after treatment and about 95% the second year post-treatment. Treatment was equally effective along the entire water depth gradient (10 – 48 cm). The initial ‘suppression’ focused management was successful, but sustained monitoring and ‘containment’ focused follow-up treatment will be required to prevent reinvasion. Two years after treatment, the vegetation community does not resemble reference conditions. Although some treated plots initially increased in similarity to the vegetation communities typical of reference areas, many plots whereP. australiswas suppressed are on a novel trajectory comprising a vegetation community dominated by non-nativeHydrocharis morsus-ranae. Secondary invasions represent a major challenge to effective recovery of native vegetation afterP. australiscontrol.
Dorsal raphe stimulation relays a reward signal to the ventral tegmental area via GluN2C NMDA receptors
Authors: Hernandez Giovanni , Kouwenhoven Willemieke M , Emmanuelle Poirier , Karim Lebied , Lévesque Daniel , Rompré Pierre-Paul
Published: July 2020

Background

Glutamate relays a reward signal from the dorsal raphe (DR) to the ventral tegmental area (VTA). However, the role of the different subtypes of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors is complex and not clearly understood. Therefore, we measured NMDA receptors subunits expression in limbic brain areas. In addition, we studied the effects of VTA down-regulation of GluN2C NMDA receptor on the reward signal that arises from DR electrical stimulation.

Methods

Using qPCR, we identified the relative composition of the different Grin2a-d subunits of the NMDA receptors in several brain areas. Then, we used fluorescentin situhybridization (FISH) to evaluate the colocalization of Grin2c and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA in VTA neurons. To assess the role of GluN2C in brain stimulation reward; we downregulated this receptor using small interfering RNA (siRNA) in rats self-stimulating for electrical pulses delivered to the DR. To delineate further the specific role of GluN2C in relaying the reward signal, we pharmacologically altered the function of VTA NMDA receptors by bilaterally microinjecting the NMDA receptor antagonist PPPA.

Results

We identified GluN2C as the most abundant subunit of the NMDA receptor expressed in the VTA. FISH revealed that about 50% of TH-positive neurons colocalize with Grin2c transcript. siRNA manipulation produced a selective down-regulation of the GluN2C protein subunit and a significant reduction in brain stimulation reward. Interestingly, PPPA enhanced brain stimulation reward, but only in rats that received the nonactive RNA sequence.

Conclusion

The present results suggest that VTA glutamate neurotransmission relays a reward signal initiated by DR stimulation by acting on GluN2C NMDA receptors.

Highlights

With the use of qpCR we identified the NMDA receptor composition in different brain areas

Using Double-fluorescent in situ hybridization we demonstrated that TH+ cells contain the NMDA Glun2C subunit

Using deep brain stimulation of the dorsal raphe and small interfering RNA we demonstrate that the reward signal is carried to VTA neurons through activation of Glun2C NMDA receptors.
Regular Tai Chi Practice Is Associated with Improved Memory as well as Structural and Functional Integrity of the Hippocampal Formation in the Elderly
Authors: Yue Chunlin , Yu Qian , Zhang Yanjie , Herold Fabian , Mei Jian , Kong Zhaowei , Perrey Stephane , Liu Jiao , Müller Notger G. , Zhang Zonghao , Tao Yuliu , Kramer Arthur , Becker Benjamin , Zou Liye
Published: July 2020

Objective

The current study aimed at determining effects of Tai Chi as an example of a combined motor-cognitive exercise relative to regular walking as an example of an exercise without cognitive demands on cognitive functioning and the functional and structural integrity of the brain in the elderly.

Methods

Healthy elderly women with at least 6 years of regular Tai Chi or brisk walking exercise were recruited and underwent cognitive assessment via the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and brain structural and resting state functional MRI assessments.

Results

Episodic memory in Tai Chi group was superior to that of the walking group; (2) higher gray matter density in inferior and medial temporal regions, including the hippocampal formation; (3) higher ReHo in temporal regions, specifically the fusiform gyrus and hippocampal formation (4) significant partial correlations were found between the gray matter density of the left hippocampus and episodic memory in the whole sample (5) significant partial correlations were observed between the ReHo in left hippocampus, left parahippocampal, left fusiform and delayed memory task was observed among all subjects.

Conclusion

The present study suggest that long-term Tai Chi practice may improve memory performance via remodeling structure and the function of the hippocampal formation.
Pathogenic mutations in LRRK2 sequester Rab8a to damaged lysosomes and regulate transferrin-mediated iron uptake in microglia
Authors: Mamais Adamantios , Landeck Natalie , Langston Rebekah G. , Bonet-Ponce Luis , Smith Nathan , Beilina Alexandra , Kaganovich Alice , Ghosh Manik C. , Pellegrini Laura , Kluss Jillian H. , Kumaran Ravindran , Papazoglou Ioannis , Maio Nunziata , Kim Changyoun , Gershlick David C. , Cookson Mark R.
Published: July 2020

Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) cause autosomal dominant Parkinson’s disease (PD) while polymorphic LRRK2 variants are associated with sporadic PD. PD-linked mutations increase LRRK2 kinase activity and induce neurotoxicityin vitroandin vivo. The small GTPase Rab8a is a LRRK2 kinase substrate and is involved in receptor-mediated recycling and endocytic trafficking of transferrin, but the effect of PD-linked LRRK2 mutations on the function of Rab8a are poorly understood. Here, we show that gain-of-function mutations in LRRK2 induce sequestration of endogenous Rab8a into lysosomes in cells while pharmacological inhibition of LRRK2 kinase activity reverses this phenotype. Furthermore, we show that LRRK2 mutations drive accumulation of endocytosed transferrin into Rab8a-positive lysosomes leading to a dysregulation of iron transport. LRRK2 has been nominated as an integral part of cellular responses downstream of proinflammatory signals and is activated in microglia in post-mortem PD tissue. Here, we show that iPSC-derived microglia from patients carrying the most common LRRK2 mutation, G2019S, mistraffic transferrin to lysosomes proximal to the nucleus in proinflammatory conditions. Furthermore, G2019S knock-in mice show significant increase in iron deposition in microglia following intrastriatal LPS injection compared to wild type mice, accompanied by striatal accumulation of ferritin. Our data support a role of LRRK2 in modulating iron uptake and storage in response to proinflammatory stimuli in microglia.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of phenyl(5,7,8a-triphenyl-1,2,3,7,8,8a-hexahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-6-yl)methanone with an unknown solvent
Authors: Naghiyev Farid N. , Mammadova Gunay Z. , Mamedov Ibrahim G. , Huseynova Afet T. , Çelikesir Sevim Türktekin , Akkurt Mehmet , Akobirshoeva Anzurat A.
Published: July 2020

In the title compound, C32H28N2O, the imidazolidine and pyridine rings of the central hexahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine ring system adopt envelope and screw-boat conformations, respectively. The molecule exhibits two weak intramolecular π–π interactions between phenyl rings. In the crystal, molecules are linked via pairs of C—H... O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers. The dimers are further linked by pairs of C—H...π interactions, forming infinite chains along the c-axis direction. A Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the most important contributions to the crystal packing are from H...H (73.4%), C...H/H...C (18.8%) and O...H/H...O (5.7%) contacts. The contribution of some disordered solvent to the scattering was removed using the SQUEEZE routine [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9–18] in PLATON. The solvent contribution was not included in the reported molecular weight and density.
Fragment-based determination of a proteinase K structure from MicroED data using ARCIMBOLDO_SHREDDER
Authors: Richards Logan S. , Millán Claudia , Miao Jennifer , Martynowycz Michael W. , Sawaya Michael R. , Gonen Tamir , Borges Rafael J. , Usón Isabel , Rodriguez Jose A.
Published: July 2020

Structure determination of novel biological macromolecules by X-ray crystallography can be facilitated by the use of small structural fragments, some of only a few residues in length, as effective search models for molecular replacement to overcome the phase problem. Independence from the need for a complete pre-existing model with sequence similarity to the crystallized molecule is the primary appeal of ARCIMBOLDO, a suite of programs which employs this ab initio algorithm for phase determination. Here, the use of ARCIMBOLDO is investigated to overcome the phase problem with the electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM) method known as microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED). The results support the use of the ARCIMBOLDO_SHREDDER pipeline to provide phasing solutions for a structure of proteinase K from 1.6 Å resolution data using model fragments derived from the structures of proteins sharing a sequence identity of as low as 20%. ARCIMBOLDO_SHREDDER identified the most accurate polyalanine fragments from a set of distantly related sequence homologues. Alternatively, such templates were extracted in spherical volumes and given internal degrees of freedom to refine towards the target structure. Both modes relied on the rotation function in Phaser to identify or refine fragment models and its translation function to place them. Model completion from the placed fragments proceeded through phase combination of partial solutions and/or density modification and main-chain autotracing using SHELXE. The combined set of fragments was sufficient to arrive at a solution that resembled that determined by conventional molecular replacement using the known target structure as a search model. This approach obviates the need for a single, complete and highly accurate search model when phasing MicroED data, and permits the evaluation of large fragment libraries for this purpose.
Evaluating crystallographic likelihood functions using numerical quadratures
Authors: Zwart Petrus H. , Perryman Elliott D.
Published: July 2020

Intensity-based likelihood functions in crystallographic applications have the potential to enhance the quality of structures derived from marginal diffraction data. Their usage, however, is complicated by the ability to efficiently compute these target functions. Here, a numerical quadrature is developed that allows the rapid evaluation of intensity-based likelihood functions in crystallographic applications. By using a sequence of change-of-variable transformations, including a nonlinear domain-compression operation, an accurate, robust and efficient quadrature is constructed. The approach is flexible and can incorporate different noise models with relative ease.
Impact of total quality management, organisational excellence and entrepreneurial orientation on organisational performance: empirical evidence from the public sector in UAE
Authors: Al-Dhaafri Hassan Saleh , Alosani Mohammed Saleh
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Drawing upon the resource-based view, the authors examined empirically the total effect of total quality management (TQM), organisational excellence and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on organisational performance

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses were formed to be tested using primary data collected through a survey questionnaire. The data were collected from the Dubai police organisation as a field of study. Out of the 500 distributed questionnaires, 280 questionnaires were returned. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the data for measurement and structural models.

Findings

The statistical results that were extracted using PLS-SEM confirmed the positive and significant effect of TQM, organisational excellence and EO on organisational performance.

Practical implications

In this study, many valuable implications were found from the results. The outcomes of this study can help managers, decision makers and practitioners in considering the importance of implementing practices, such as TQM, excellence and EO in their organisations. Therefore, the outcomes can help in achieving the best desired performance.

Originality/value

The present study is one of the most important empirical research studies that examine the total effect of TQM, organisational excellence and EO on performance relationships.
JSW Steel's Ispat Acquisition(A): The Opportunity
Authors: Sharma Sunil , Mukherjee Saral , Gupta Parvinder
Published: July 2020

The three cases (Case A: JSW Steel's Ispat Acquisition: The Opportunity; Case B: JSW Steel's Ispat Acqusition: The Setback & Case C: JSW Steel's Ispat Acquisition: The Turnaround Strategy) describe the business situation leading to acquisition of Ispat by JSW, the acquirer company's failure to realize synergies post-acquisition, and the subsequent turnaround initiatives to salvage the situation. In 2010, JSW Steel, a 14 mtpa Indian steel company acquired Ispat Steel with annual production capacity of 3 mtpa. The acquisition was part of JSW's multipronged strategy to realize its aspiration of being a 40 mtpa firm. At the time of acquisition, Ispat had huge debts, a long pipeline of unfinished projects, high production costs and unpredictable cash flows. Its main plant, Dolvi was shutdown for 45 days. However, the plant also had numerous advantages. It was located near the seashore and was technologically very advanced. Case A describes the events leading to acquisition of Ispat by JSW. It captures the facts, opinions and inferences around the acquisition decision, which were used as inputs in the due diligence process to assess synergies between JSW and Ispat. The case describes the economic, competitive, and industry factors prevailing in 2010 when JSW was thinking of acquiring Ispat.
JSW Steel's Ispat Acquisition(B): The Setback
Authors: Sharma Sunil , Mukherjee Saral , Gupta Parvinder
Published: July 2020

The three cases (Case A: JSW Steel's Ispat Acquisition: The Opportunity; Case B: JSW Steel's Ispat Acqusition: The Setback & Case C: JSW Steel's Ispat Acquisition: The Turnaround Strategy) describe the business situation leading to acquisition of Ispat by JSW, the acquirer company's failure to realize synergies post-acquisition, and the subsequent turnaround initiatives to salvage the situation. The Case A provides the details of the potential synergies between the two firms. After an elaborate due diligence process, JSW acquired Ispat. However, the JSW team failed to realize synergies anticipated at the time of acquisition. This was a big setback for the company because Ispat was acquired based on certain assumptions on synergies between the two companies. Case B captures the setbacks after Ispat's acquisition, i.e., JSW's failure to realize anticipated synergies.
Rotary Club of Madras: Open Defecation Free Communities Project
Authors: Parmar Ashis Jalote , Raghuram G.
Published: July 2020

This case describes the social cultural challenges confronted by Mr. Srikanth, President, Rotary Club, Chennai in making a village near Chennai in rural Tamil Nadu, Open Defecation Free (ODF). It highlights the role of a non-profit organization such as the Rotary Club and behavioral change consultants such as Feedback Foundation in the effective deployment of toilet construction and bringing about a social cultural change in village communities towards acceptance of ODF. The case also points to the of critical need of Swachh Bharat Mission addressing the socio cultural issues and bringing behavioural change, towards acceptance of ODF.
Investigating the influence of regulatory focus on the efficacy of online review volume versus valence
Authors: Kordrostami Elika , Liu-Thompkins Yuping , Rahmani Vahid
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Valence and volume of online reviews are generally considered to influence sales positively. However, existing findings regarding the relative influence of these two components have been inconclusive. This paper aims to explain some of these inconsistencies by examining the moderating role of regulatory focus (both as a chronic disposition and as a situational focus induced by the product category) in the relationship between online review volume/valence and consumers purchase decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies were conducted. Study 1 used a 2 (Volume: high/ low) * 3 (Valence: high/medium/low) within-subject experimental design. Study 2 analyzed real-world data from Amazon.com. Logistic and panel regression analyses were used to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The studies confirmed the hypothesized effect of regulatory focus on online review valence and volume effects. Specifically, Study 1 showed that online review valence was more impactful for consumers with a promotion focus than for consumers with a prevention focus. The opposite was true for online review volume effects, where consumers with a prevention focus were influenced more by volume in their decision-making compared to consumers with a promotion focus. Study 2 showed that the pattern of results we found in Study 1 also applied to situational regulatory focus induced by the product category. The effect of review volume on sales rank was stronger for prevention-oriented products, whereas the effect of valence was stronger for promotion-oriented products.

Research limitations/implications

In Study 1, one product category was involved in the study (Digital camera). Involving more different product categories will add reliability to the results of current research. Also, it can offer external validity to current research results. In Study 2, there was no exact measurement for sales, as Amazon.com does not share that kind of information. Instead, Sales Rank was used as a proxy variable. Future research could look into the websites that offer access to the exact sales information.

Practical implications

The current research findings suggest the need for companies to adapt their consumer review management strategy to the regulatory orientation of their target market and products. When a promotion-focused mindset is targeted, strategies for increasing the favorability of product reviews should be used, in contrast, tactics for increasing the quantity of reviews may be more suitable when a prevention-focused mindset is involved.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this research is the first to investigate the interaction between regulatory focus of consumers and products and online review components.
Turnover among young adults in the hospitality industry: examining the impact of fun in the workplace and training climate
Authors: Tews Michael J. , Hoefnagels Ankie , Jolly Phillip M. , Stafford Kathryn
Published: July 2020

Purpose

As a step toward more firmly establishing factors to promote retention among younger employees in the hospitality industry, this study aims to focuses on fun in the workplace (fun activities, manager support for fun and coworker socializing) and training climate (organizational support, manager support and job support) as potential antecedents of turnover in a European context.

Design/methodology/approach

Logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of fun and training climate on turnover with a sample of 902 employees from Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands. Data on fun and training climate were obtained through surveys, which were paired with turnover data from organizational records.

Findings

With respect to fun in the workplace, group-level manager support for fun and coworker socializing were significantly related to turnover, but not fun activities. With respect to training climate, individual-level job support was significantly related to turnover, but not organizational support and manager support.

Research limitations/implications

As the data were obtained from employees from one organization, further research would be valuable with additional samples to substantiate the generalizability of the results.

Practical implications

Given the challenge of turnover, organizations should foster informal aspects of fun in the workplace and learning opportunities to promote retention.

Originality/value

The study examined the fun–turnover relationship in a context outside of the USA where previous fun–turnover research has been conducted, and it examined fun relative to training climate, which has not been studied heretofore. This study also investigated group- and individual-level effects of both fun and training climate on turnover.
Competencies and success measured by net income among Hungarian HE graduates
Authors: Kuráth Gabriella , Sipos Norbert
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show the effects of the six competence areas of Garcia-Aracil and Van der Velden (2007) on new graduates' labor market success measured by salary.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper starts with a literature review about the role of competencies in higher education. Then the Graduate Career Tracking System (GCTS) carried out at the University of Pécs (UP) in Hungary provides a good basis to understand the competence assessment methodology better. Furthermore, GCTS is suitable for carrying out an exploratory, a confirmatory factor analysis and an OLS regression to discover the connection between competencies and level of income.

Findings

The analyzed results, using a representative online survey based on 6,190 respondents, show that the six competence sets do exist, but that not all of them have a significant effect on salaries. With the control variables involved, 24.3% (EFA) and 23.0% (CFA) of the global competencies account for variance in salaries. The impact of methodological and the socioemotional set on salaries can be clearly seen among those with new degrees, and based on the results and the literature review, the HEIs can improve them.

Research limitations/implications

In the absence of nationwide general competence assessment, the results are limited only for the UP graduates of Hungary, even if this HEI is one of the biggest ones.

Practical implications

Based on the results, more soft-competence development courses and opportunities should be offered by the HEIs.

Originality/value

The findings of the study help us to understand the role of the institutions in tertiary education, the extra service to be provided to assist students in being successful in life. Based on the literature review, there is a need to understand better the connection between competencies and labor market success. This paper contributes to this and also presents an opportunity for further comparative research. The sample is robust to allow other researchers to use this conceptual model and apply it to other countries.
Regenerative futures
Authors: Camrass Kimberly
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how futures concepts may further existing regenerative sustainability thinking.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews existing regenerative fields, including regenerative design, regenerative development and regenerative sustainability as alternatives to conventional sustainability practice. It considers futures concepts that may deepen regenerative thinking and practice to develop a regenerative futures conceptual model.

Findings

This paper demonstrates how regenerative fields and futures studies have the capacity to reciprocally inform one another and builds upon this relationship through the development of a regenerative futures conceptual model.

Originality/value

This paper makes a number of theoretical contributions. First, it demonstrates how regenerative fields and futures thinking may reciprocally inform one another and, subsequently, enrich regenerative practice. Second, by drawing from futures thinking, it questions and ultimately lengthens notions of reality and time from a regenerative perspective. Finally, through the proposal of a regenerative futures conceptual model, it offers an alternative lens to analyse human behaviours and their associated impacts. In this way, it introduces a theoretical model that is focused on deep individual and collective transformation and a starting point for future research and refinement.
Are functional, emotional and social values interrelated? A study of traditional guesthouses in Iran
Authors: Rasoolimanesh S. Mostafa , Iranmanesh Mohmmad , Amin Muslim , Hussain Kashif , Jaafar Mastura , Ataeishad Hamid
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the interrelationships between the dimensions of perceived value, including functional, emotional and social values. The mediating role of emotional value between functional and social values and satisfaction have been hypothesized and tested. In addition, this study examines the moderating role of social value for the effect of emotional value on satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study were collected from guests staying at two traditional guesthouses in Kashan, Iran. The authors applied partial least squares structural equation modeling to analyze 316 questionnaires completed by participants and for hypotheses testing.

Findings

The authors found positive and direct effects of all dimensions of perceived value on satisfaction. Moreover, the results indicated positive and significant indirect effects for functional and social values on satisfaction through emotional value. The findings demonstrated positive and strong effects of functional and social values on emotional value. The results do not support a moderating role for social value on the relationship between emotional value and satisfaction. In addition, the findings showed a strong and positive effect for satisfaction on revisit intentions.

Originality/value

This study makes a unique theoretical contribution to the perceived value literature by investigating the interrelationships between dimensions of perceived value. Moreover, this study explores several practical implications of these findings.
Building code effectiveness grading schedule participation analysis
Authors: Simmons Kevin M. , Czajkowski Jeffrey , Kovacs Paul
Published: July 2020

Purpose

A seemingly obvious solution to improve resilience of built structures facing natural hazards is enhanced structural integrity. One program designed to achieve this is the building code effectiveness grading schedule (BCEGS) which rates communities on the strength and enforcement of local building codes. However, little is known on how well this program has fared in terms of community participation. The purpose of this study is to use the BCEGS program in Florida (a hurricane at-risk state) to provide tangible evidence of whether participatory achievement occurred and identify characteristics that predict high performance in the program.

Design/methodology/approach

Data is used from the Insurance Services Office, a division of Verisk Analytics to compare characteristics of communities with high levels of participation to communities with lower levels of participation. This is done using descriptive statistics and regression models.

Findings

Communities more likely to have high BCEGS ratings are more urban, have higher wealth and a younger, more educated population. Discussed also is the role risk exposure and public policy play in both maintaining higher ratings and overall improvement in BCEGS ratings across time.

Practical implications

Identifying what motivates communities to enhance their construction standards is a useful tool in attracting interest to enhance resilience. The results show that resilience can be improved by public policy initiatives and knowledge by communities of their risk profile.

Originality/value

BCEGS data is proprietary, so no study of this type has been conducted on what motivates communities to adopt higher standards in the strength and enforcement of local building codes.
The long-run effects of energy use, urbanization and financial development on carbon dioxide emissions
Authors: Kwakwa Paul Adjei
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study aims to fill the gap in existing studies that have analyzed the drivers of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The author investigate the long-run effects of energy types, urbanization, financial development and, the interaction between urbanization and financial development on CO2 emissions.

Design/methodology/approach

Stochastic impacts by regression on population, affluence and technology model served as the framework for empirical modeling. Using annual time-series data for Tunisia, autoregressive distributed lag bounds test was used to examine the cointegration of the variables. Also, the fully modified ordinary least squares was used to estimate the emission effect of the explanatory variables. Further investigations were done using the principal component analysis and variance decomposition analysis.

Findings

Income, urbanization, trade and financial development exert upward pressure on CO2 emissions. However, the interaction between urbanization and financial development reduces the emission of CO2. Furthermore, primary energy use, energy intensity, electricity consumption and fossil fuel consumption have positive effects on carbon emission, while combustible renewables and waste, and electricity production from natural gas have negative effects on carbon emission.

Practical implications

The policy implication/recommendation indicates that the financial sector’s authorities can combat carbon emission by properly regulating the development and activities of the financial sector in urban areas in Tunisia. The promotion of the development and usage of cleaner energy is recommended to help reduce carbon emission. Policymakers need to promote environmentally friendly economic growth and development agenda.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study to the environmental degradation literature is that it offers evidence from Tunisia, which has not received much empirical attention. It also examines the effect of various forms of energy usage on carbon emission. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to examine the interaction effect between urbanization and financial development on carbon emission. Also, if not the first, this study is among the earliest to use the principal component analysis as a part of the prediction of the carbon emission effect of energy variables.
School librarians online: integrated learning beyond the school walls
Authors: Burns Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore preservice school librarians’ ability to develop and deliver integrated library lessons under remote teaching and learning conditions. This study will help school library educators identify the preparation required in coursework to effectively implement blended learning practices as well as identify perceived barriers and opportunities for implementing effective remote school library practice.

Design/methodology/approach

A participatory action research approach was used to explore online teaching strategies in coursework then implement them in K-12 practice.

Findings

The findings include six criteria selected, developed lessons and the analyzed reflections of the preservice candidates. These discussed findings identify trends in developed online inquiry lessons and suggest considerations for school library educators when scaffolding instruction in preparation coursework. Future planning also explores considerations of access and technology instruction prior to practice.

Research limitations/implications

The COVID-19 crisis presented a unique challenge ideal for exploration by an educator and candidates in a school librarian preparation program. Using a revised assignment to facilitate a deliberate, authentic experience designed to blend theory and practice (Grossman, 2011), the evidence presented in the sample lessons and participant reflections documents that candidates are able to develop online learning and articulate the American Association of School Librarians Learner Competencies through work samples. According to this brief exploration, this preparation program was able to adapt the requirements of the assignment and prepare candidates to develop quality instructional lessons when online teaching pedagogy was embedded along with scaffolded instruction on collaborative teaching and instructional design. The limitation to this study is that the COVID crisis was accepted as the problem in the participatory action research model.

Practical implications

When provided instruction on embedded librarianship models and pedagogy practices of online instruction and scaffolded instruction, school library candidates successfully integrated online K-12 instruction. These instructional supports provided the integration of theory and practice necessary for effective preparation. Additional challenges remain to include considerations of access and student motivation which should be addressed in preparation coursework.

Originality/value

Never before have we seen all schools closed and instruction moved online without warning. School library preparation programs must look anew at how well they are preparing school librarians for practice across a variety of circumstances. This study looks at the preparation for online instruction K-12 schools were faced with in Spring 2020.
Understanding older adults' intention to share health information on social media: the role of health belief and information processing
Authors: Shang Lili , Zhou Junjie , Zuo Meiyun
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Social media greatly enhances public access to health information and thus attracts older adults who tend to attach more importance to their health. This study aims to identify the factors that contribute to the likelihood of older adults' health information sharing on social media.

Design/methodology/approach

By drawing on health belief (HBM) and elaboration likelihood models (ELM), a novel conceptual model integrating older adults' health belief and information processing is established to uncover the factors. Online survey data from 290 Chinese older adult users of WeChat, the most popular social media platform in China, were collected to test the research model.

Findings

As health belief-related variables, perceived susceptibility is positively associated with health information-sharing intention (HISI), while perceived severity negatively influences HISI, which is contrary to prior findings. For information processing, the positive impacts of argument quality and source credibility on HISI are fully mediated by perceived usefulness.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first studies to explore the initiative use of information and communication technology among older adults. The new theoretical perspective proposed herein considers health belief and information processing perspectives in a complementary manner and can facilitate an overall analysis of the factors influencing older adults' HISI in a social media context. This study also furthers understandings of the ELM and expands the theory of HBM to take the age of decision makers into account.