bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Maternal Mental Health
Authors: Selix Nancy , Henshaw Erin , Barrera Alinne , Botcheva Luba , Huie Erin , Kaufman Gabrielle
Published: March 2017

One out of every five to seven births is affected by postpartum depression, making it the most common maternal health problem in the first year after childbirth. Early identification and treatment are essential, though screening and treatment rates are low. Factors that inhibit effective screening and treatment include lack of uniform screening policies in all maternal health settings, poor coordination of care between primary care and mental health services, inadequate coordination of community education efforts and resources, social stigma surrounding mental health treatment, and ineffective application of research and technology in the clinical setting. An interdisciplinary model that includes primary care providers, mental health professionals, community resources, policy makers, researchers, and technological innovators addresses these gaps in care and enhances screening and treatment efforts that improve overall maternal and child health. We present a promising interdisciplinary cross-organizational approach coalescing diverse perspectives from those working across policy, research, training, primary care, and mental health in various disciplines to practice collaboratively to improve perinatal mental healthcare.
IV Versus Subcutaneous Enoxaparin in Critically Ill Infants and Children: Comparison of Dosing, Anticoagulation Quality, Efficacy, and Safety Outcomes*
Authors: Diab Yaser A. , Ramakrishnan Karthik , Ferrell Brandon , Chounoune Reginald , Alfares Fahad A. , Endicott Kendal M. , Rooney Sara , Corcoran Jason , Zurakowski David , Berger John T. , Shankar Venkat , Nath Dilip S.
Published: March 2017

Objective:

Subcutaneous enoxaparin is the mainstay anticoagulant in critically ill pediatric patients although it poses several challenges in this patient population. Enoxaparin infused IV over 30 minutes represents an attractive alternative, but there is limited experience with this route of administration in children. In this study, we assess dosing, anticoagulation quality, safety, and clinical efficacy of IV enoxaparin compared to subcutaneous enoxaparin in critically ill infants and children.

Design:

Retrospective single-center study comparing dosing, anticoagulation quality, safety, and clinical efficacy of two different routes of enoxaparin administration (IV vs subcutaneous) in critically ill infants and children. Key outcome measures included dose needed to achieve target antifactor Xa levels, time required to achieve target antifactor Xa levels, proportion of patients achieving target anticoagulation levels on initial dosing, number of dose adjustments, duration spent in the target antifactor Xa range, anticoagulation-related bleeding complications, anticoagulation failure, and radiologic response to anticoagulation.

Setting:

Tertiary care pediatric hospital.

Patients:

All children admitted to the cardiac ICU, PICU, or neonatal ICU who were prescribed enoxaparin between January 2014 and March 2016 were studied.

Interventions:

One hundred ten patients were identified who had received IV or subcutaneous enoxaparin and had at least one postadministration peak antifactor Xa level documented.

Measurements and Main Results:

Of the 139 courses of enoxaparin administered, 96 were therapeutic dose courses (40 IV and 56 subcutaneous) and 43 were prophylactic dose courses (20 IV and 23 subcutaneous). Dosing, anticoagulation quality measurements, safety, and clinical efficacy were not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusions:

Our study suggests that anticoagulation with IV enoxaparin infused over 30 minutes is a safe and an equally effective alternative to subcutaneous enoxaparin in critically ill infants and children.
The genetics of phenotypic plasticity in nematode feeding structures
Authors: Sommer Ralf J. , Dardiry Mohannad , Lenuzzi Masa , Namdeo Suryesh , Renahan Tess , Sieriebriennikov Bogdan , Werner Michael S.
Published: March 2017

Phenotypic plasticity has been proposed as an ecological and evolutionary concept. Ecologically, it can help study how genes and the environment interact to produce robust phenotypes. Evolutionarily, as a facilitator it might contribute to phenotypic novelty and diversification. However, the discussion of phenotypic plasticity remains contentious in parts due to the absence of model systems and rigorous genetic studies. Here, we summarize recent work on the nematodePristionchus pacificus,which exhibits a feeding plasticity allowing predatory or bacteriovorous feeding. We show feeding plasticity to be controlled by developmental switch genes that are themselves under epigenetic control. Phylogenetic and comparative studies support phenotypic plasticity and its role as a facilitator of morphological novelty and diversity.
Kea show no evidence of inequity aversion
Authors: Heaney Megan , Gray Russell D. , Taylor Alex H.
Published: March 2017

It has been suggested that inequity aversion is a mechanism that evolved in humans to maximize the pay-offs from engaging in cooperative tasks and to foster long-term cooperative relationships between unrelated individuals. In support of this, evidence of inequity aversion in nonhuman animals has typically been found in species that, like humans, live in complex social groups and demonstrate cooperative behaviours. We examined inequity aversion in the kea (
Nestor notabilis
), which lives in social groups but does not appear to demonstrate wild cooperative behaviours, using a classic token exchange paradigm. We compared the number of successful exchanges and the number of abandoned trials in each condition and found no evidence of an aversion to inequitable outcomes when there was a difference between reward quality or working effort required between actor and partner. We also found no evidence of inequity aversion when the subject received no reward while their partner received a low-value reward.
Multimodal communication in courting fiddler crabs reveals male performance capacities
Authors: Mowles Sophie L. , Jennions Michael , Backwell Patricia R. Y.
Published: March 2017

Courting males often perform different behavioural displays that demonstrate aspects of their quality. Male fiddler crabs,
Uca
sp., are well known for their repetitive claw-waving display during courtship. However, in some species, males produce an additional signal by rapidly stridulating their claw, creating a ‘drumming’ vibrational signal through the substrate as a female approaches, and even continue to drum once inside their burrow. Here, we show that the switch from waving to drumming might provide additional information to the female about the quality of a male, and the properties of his burrow (multiple message hypothesis). Across males there was, however, a strong positive relationship between aspects of their waving and drumming displays, suggesting that drumming adheres to some predictions of the redundant signal hypothesis for multimodal signalling. In field experiments, we show that recent courtship is associated with a significant reduction in male sprint speed, which is commensurate with an oxygen debt. Even so, males that wave and drum more vigorously than their counterparts have a higher sprint speed. Drumming appears to be an energetically costly multimodal display of quality that females should attend to when making their mate choice decisions.
Absence of population structure across elevational gradients despite large phenotypic variation in mountain chickadees (Poecile gambeli)
Authors: Branch Carrie L. , Jahner Joshua P. , Kozlovsky Dovid Y. , Parchman Thomas L. , Pravosudov Vladimir V.
Published: March 2017

Montane habitats are characterized by predictably rapid heterogeneity along elevational gradients and are useful for investigating the consequences of environmental heterogeneity for local adaptation and population genetic structure. Food-caching mountain chickadees inhabit a continuous elevation gradient in the Sierra Nevada, and birds living at harsher, high elevations have better spatial memory ability and exhibit differences in male song structure and female mate preference compared to birds inhabiting milder, low elevations. While high elevation birds breed, on average, two weeks later than low elevation birds, the extent of gene flow between elevations is unknown. Despite phenotypic variation and indirect evidence for local adaptation, population genetic analyses based on 18 073 single nucleotide polymorphisms across three transects of high and low elevation populations provided no evidence for genetic differentiation. Analyses based on individual genotypes revealed no patterns of clustering, pairwise estimates of genetic differentiation (FST, Nei's D) were very low, and AMOVA revealed no evidence for genetic variation structured by transect or by low and high elevation sites within transects. In addition, we found no consistent evidence for strong parallel allele frequency divergence between low and high elevation sites within the three transects. Large elevation-related phenotypic variation may be maintained by strong selection despite gene flow and future work should focus on the mechanisms underlying such variation.
The cross-over to magnetostrophic convection in planetary dynamo systems
Authors: Aurnou J. M. , King E. M.
Published: March 2017

Global scale magnetostrophic balance, in which Lorentz and Coriolis forces comprise the leading-order force balance, has long been thought to describe the natural state of planetary dynamo systems. This argument arises from consideration of the linear theory of rotating magnetoconvection. Here we test this long-held tenet by directly comparing linear predictions against dynamo modelling results. This comparison shows that dynamo modelling results are not typically in the global magnetostrophic state predicted by linear theory. Then, in order to estimate at what scale (if any) magnetostrophic balance will arise in nonlinear dynamo systems, we carry out a simple scaling analysis of the Elsasser number
Λ
, yielding an improved estimate of the ratio of Lorentz and Coriolis forces. From this, we deduce that there is a magnetostrophic cross-over length scale,

L

X

≈
(

Λ
o
2

/

R

m
o

)
D

, where
Λ

o

is the linear (or traditional) Elsasser number,
Rm

o

is the system scale magnetic Reynolds number and
D
is the length scale of the system. On scales well above

L

X

, magnetostrophic convection dynamics should not be possible. Only on scales smaller than

L

X

should it be possible for the convective behaviours to follow the predictions for the magnetostrophic branch of convection. Because

L

X

is significantly smaller than the system scale in most dynamo models, their large-scale flows should be quasi-geostrophic, as is confirmed in many dynamo simulations. Estimating
Λ

o

≃1 and
Rm

o

≃10
3
in Earth’s core, the cross-over scale is approximately 1/1000 that of the system scale, suggesting that magnetostrophic convection dynamics exists in the core only on small scales below those that can be characterized by geomagnetic observations.
Comment on ‘Are some people suffering as a result of increasing mass exposure of the public to ultrasound in air?’
Authors: Leighton T. G.
Published: March 2017

A number of queries regarding the paper ‘Are some people suffering as a result of increasing mass exposure of the public to ultrasound in air?’ (Leighton 2016
Proc. R. Soc. A
472
, 20150624 (
doi:10.1098/rspa.2015.0624
)) have been sent in from readers, almost all based around some or all of a small set of questions. These can be grouped into issues of engineering, human factors and timeliness. Those issues (represented by the most typical wording used in queries) and my responses are summarized in this comment.
The assembly of ant-farmed gardens: mutualism specialization following host broadening
Authors: Chomicki Guillaume , Janda Milan , Renner Susanne S.
Published: March 2017

Ant-gardens (AGs) are ant/plant mutualisms in which ants farm epiphytes in return for nest space and food rewards. They occur in the Neotropics and Australasia, but not in Africa, and their evolutionary assembly remains unclear. We here use phylogenetic frameworks for important AG lineages in Australasia, namely the ant genusPhilidrisand domatium-bearing ferns (Lecanopteris) and flowering plants in the Apocynaceae (HoyaandDischidia) and Rubiaceae (Myrmecodia,Hydnophytum,Anthorrhiza,MyrmephytumandSquamellaria). Our analyses revealed that in these clades, diaspore dispersal by ants evolved at least 13 times, five times in the Late Miocene and Pliocene in Australasia and seven times during the Pliocene in Southeast Asia, afterPhilidrisants had arrived there, with subsequent dispersal between these two areas. A uniquely specialized AG system evolved in Fiji at the onset of the Quaternary. The farming in the same AG of epiphytes that do not offer nest spaces suggests that a broadening of the ants' plant host spectrum drove the evolution of additional domatium-bearing AG-epiphytes by selecting on pre-adapted morphological traits. Consistent with this, we found a statistical correlation between the evolution of diaspore dispersal by ants and domatia in all three lineages. Our study highlights how host broadening by a symbiont has led to new farming mutualisms.
Genome Graphs and the Evolution of Genome Inference
Authors: Paten Benedict , Novak Adam M. , Eizenga Jordan M. , Erik Garrison
Published: March 2017

The human reference genome is part of the foundation of modern human biology, and a monumental scientific achievement. However, because it excludes a great deal of common human variation, it introduces a pervasive reference bias into the field of human genomics. To reduce this bias, it makes sense to draw on representative collections of human genomes, brought together into reference cohorts. There are a number of techniques to represent and organize data gleaned from these cohorts, many using ideas implicitly or explicitly borrowed from graph based models. Here, we survey various projects underway to build and apply these graph based structures—which we collectively refer to as genome graphs—and discuss the improvements in read mapping, variant calling, and haplotype determination that genome graphs are expected to produce.
Dynamic response to initial stage blindness in visual system development
Authors: Long Erping , Zhang Xiayin , Liu Zhenzhen , Wu Xiaohang , Tan Xuhua , Lin Duoru , Cao Qianzhong , Chen Jingjing , Lin Zhuoling , Wang Dongni , Li Xiaoyan , Li Jing , Wang Jinghui , Li Wangting , Lin Haotian , Chen Weirong , Liu Yizhi
Published: March 2017

Sensitive periods and experience-dependent plasticity have become core issues in visual system development. Converging evidence indicates that visual experience is an indispensable factor in establishing mature visual system circuitry during sensitive periods and the visual system exhibits substantial plasticity when facing deprivation. The mechanisms that underlie the environmental regulation of visual system development and plasticity are of great interest but need further exploration. Here, we investigated a unique sample of human infants who experienced initial stage blindness (beginning at birth and lasting 2 to 8 months) before the removal of bilateral cataracts. Retinal thickness, axial length, refractive status, visual grating acuity and genetic integrity were recorded during the preoperative period or at surgery, and then during follow-up. The results showed that the development of the retina is malleable and associated with external environment influences. Our work supported that the retina might play critical roles in the development of the experience-dependent visual system and its malleability might partly contribute to the sensitive period plasticity.

SUMMARY STATEMENT

The follow-up investigation of a group of human infants, who experienced initial stage blindness before the removal of bilateral cataracts, revealed that retinal development is associated with environment influences and its malleability might be a potential basis of plasticity.
Genome-wide association study of alcohol consumption and genetic overlap with other health-related traits in UK Biobank (N=112,117)
Authors: Clarke Toni-Kim , Adams Mark J. , Davies Gail , Howard David M. , Hall Lynsey S. , Padmanabhan Sandosh , Murray Alison D. , Smith Blair H. , Campbell Archie , Hayward Caroline , Porteous David J. , Deary Ian J. , McIntosh Andrew M.
Published: March 2017

Alcohol consumption has been linked to over 200 diseases and is responsible for over 5% of the global disease burden. Well known genetic variants in alcohol metabolizing genes, e.g.ALDH2, ADH1B,are strongly associated with alcohol consumption but have limited impact in European populations where they are found at low frequency. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of self-reported alcohol consumption in 112,117 individuals in the UK Biobank (UKB) sample of white British individuals. We report significant genome-wide associations at 8 independent loci. These include SNPs in alcohol metabolizing genes (ADH1B/ADH1C/ADH5) and 2 loci inKLB,a gene recently associated with alcohol consumption. We also identify SNPs at novel loci includingGCKR, PXDN, CADM2andTNFRSF11A.Gene-based analyses found significant associations with genes implicated in the neurobiology of substance use (CRHR1, DRD2), and genes previously associated with alcohol consumption (AUTS2). GCTA-GREML analyses found a significant SNP-based heritability of self-reported alcohol consumption of 13% (S.E.=0.01). Sex-specific analyses found largely overlapping GWAS loci and the genetic correlation between male and female alcohol consumption was 0.73 (S.E.=0.09, p-value = 1.37 x 10−16). Using LD score regression, genetic overlap was found between alcohol consumption and schizophrenia (rG=0.13, S.E=0.04), HDL cholesterol (rG=0.21, S.E=0.05), smoking (rG=0.49, S.E=0.06) and various anthropometric traits (e.g. Overweight, rG=-0.19, S.E.=0.05). This study replicates the association between alcohol consumption and alcohol metabolizing genes andKLB, and identifies 4 novel gene associations that should be the focus of future studies investigating the neurobiology of alcohol consumption.
Evolution of Animal Neural Systems
Authors: Liebeskind Benjamin J. , Hofmann Hans A. , Hillis David M. , Zakon Harold H.
Published: March 2017

Nervous systems are one of the most spectacular products of evolution. Their provenance and evolution have been an area of interest and often intense debate since the late 19th century. The genomics era has provided researchers with a new set of tools with which to study the early evolution of neurons, and recent progress on the molecular evolution of the first neurons has been both exciting and frustrating. It has become increasingly obvious that genomic data is often insufficient to reconstruct complex phenotypes in deep evolutionary time. We review this recent progress and its attendant challenges, and suggest ways forward.
Reconstructing regulatory pathways by systematically mapping protein localization interdependency networks
Authors: Dodgson James , Chessel Anatole , Vaggi Federico , Giordan Marco , Yamamoto Miki , Arai Kunio , Madrid Marisa , Geymonat Marco , Abenza Juan Francisco , Cansado José , Sato Masamitsu , Csikasz-Nagy Attila , Carazo Salas Rafael Edgardo
Published: March 2017

A key goal of functional genomics is to elucidate how genes and proteins act together in space and time, wired as pathways, to control specific aspects of cell biological function. Here, we develop a method to quantitatively determine proteins’ localization interdependencies at high throughput. We show that this method can be used to systematically obtain weighted, signed and directional pathway relationships, and hence to reconstruct a detailed pathway wiring. As proof-of-principle, we focus on 42 factors that control cell polarity in fission yeast(Schizosaccharomyces pombe)and use high-throughput confocal microscopy and quantitative image analysis to reconstruct their Localization Interdependency Network (LIN). Through this approach we identify 554 pairwise interactions across the factors, including 98% putative new directed links. Validation of an unexpected interaction between two polarity factor subgroups - the polarity landmark proteins and the cell integrity pathway components - by orthogonal phenotyping demonstrates the power of the LIN approach in detecting subtle, systems-level causal connections.
Reconciling Conflicting Models for Global Control of Cell-Cycle Transcription
Authors: Cho Chun-Yi , Motta Francis C. , Kelliher Christina M. , Deckard Anastasia , Haase Steven B.
Published: March 2017

How the program of periodic cell-cycle transcription is controlled has been debated for several years. Models have ranged from control by a CDK-APC/C oscillator, by a transcription factor (TF) network, or by coupled CDK-APC/C and TF networks. In contrast to current models, a recent study concluded that the cell-cycle transcriptional program is primarily controlled by a CDK-APC/C oscillator with little input from the TF network. This conclusion was largely based on an assumption that substantial drops in transcript levels of network TFs would render them unable to regulate their targets. By combining quantitative modeling and an unbiased analysis of the RNA-seq data, we demonstrate that the data from this recent study are completely consistent with previous reports indicating a critical role of a TF network. Moreover, we report substantial transcript dynamics in cells arrested with intermediate levels of B-cyclins, further supporting the model in which oscillating CDK activity is not required to produce phase-specific transcription.
Base Composition, Speciation, and Why the Mitochondrial Barcode Precisely Classifies
Authors: Forsdyke Donald R.
Published: March 2017

While its mechanism and biological significance are unknown, the utility of a short mitochondrial DNA sequence as a “barcode” providing accurate species identification has revolutionized the classification of organisms. Since highest accuracy was achieved with recently diverged species, hopes were raised that barcodes would throw light on the speciation process. Indeed, a failure of a maternally-donated, rapidly mutating, mitochondrial genome to coadapt its gene products with those of a paternally-donated nuclear genome could result in developmental failure, thus creating a post-zygotic barrier leading to reproductive isolation and sympatric branching into independent species. However, the barcode itself encodes a highly conserved, species-invariant, protein, and the discriminatory power resides in the non-amino acid specific bases of synonymous codons. It is here shown how the latter could register changes in the oligonucleotide frequencies of nuclear DNA that, when they fail to match in pairing meiotic chromosomes, could reproductively isolate the parents (whose hybrid is sterile) so launching a primary divergence into two species. It is proposed that, while not itself contributing to speciation, the barcode sequence provides an index of the nuclear DNA oligonucleotide frequencies that drive speciation.
Quantitating Translational Control: mRNA Abundance-Dependent and Independent Contributions and the mRNA Sequences That Specify Them
Authors: Li Jingyi Jessica , Chew Guo-Liang , Biggin Mark D.
Published: March 2017

Translation rate per mRNA molecule correlates positively with mRNA abundance. As a result, protein levels do not scale linearly with mRNA levels, but instead scale with the abundance of mRNA raised to the power of an “amplification exponent”. Here we show that to quantitate translational control, the translation rate must be decomposed into two components. One, TRmD, depends on the mRNA level and defines the amplification exponent. The other, TRmIND, is independent of mRNA amount and impacts the correlation coefficient between protein and mRNA levels. We show that inS. cerevisiaeTRmDrepresents ∼20% of the variance in translation and directs an amplification exponent of 1.20 with a 95% confidence interval [1.14, 1.26]. TRmINDconstitutes the remaining ∼80% of the variance in translation and explains ∼5% of the variance in protein expression. We also find that TRmDand TRmINDare preferentially determined by different mRNA sequence features: TRmINDby the length of the open reading frame and TRmDboth by a ∼60 nucleotide element that spans the initiating AUG and by codon and amino acid frequency. Our work provides more appropriate estimates of translational control and implies that TRmINDis under different evolutionary selective pressures than TRmD.
Experimental study on under-deposit corrosion and its inhibition using electrochemical methods and electronic coupon technique
Authors: Xu Yunze , Huang Yi , He Limin , Yang Fei , Wang Xiaona
Published: March 2017

Purpose

In this study the aim was to investigate under-deposit corrosion (UDC) behavior and the action effects of amino trimethylene phosphonic acid (ATMP) in the oxygen-contained solution.

Design/methodology/approach

Electrochemical methods and wire beam electrode techniques were used for the study of ATMP action effect for X65 steel under silica sand and CaCO3 particle deposit. Electronic coupon technique was used for the study of galvanic effect caused by the deposits and the action effect of ATMP.

Findings

ATMP would cause localized corrosion for the silica sand-covered steel. However, it could inhibit the localized corrosion of the steel beneath CaCO3 particle deposit. Galvanic effect test showed that the galvanic effect caused by the deposits was an important factor for the acceleration of UDC. ATMP had an obvious promotion effect for the galvanic current between bare coupon and silica sand covered coupon and different degrees of localized corrosion were observed beneath both deposits.

Originality/value

The authors believe that the paper may be of particular interest to the readers of the journal as the measurement methods for the UDC of X65 pipeline steel. The experiment they did in the laboratory found that the inhibitor ATMP has a good inhibition effect for bare steel, but it would accelerate the UDC. Different kinds of deposits would have different influences for the UDC behavior with inhibitor added.
Measurement scales for technology-generated customer contact
Authors: Rudran Raghunath , Kumar J. Ajith
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop measurement scales for customer contact in a technology-generated context.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adapted the scales of Froehle and Roth (2004), by following a systematic scale adaptation and development process. The adapted scales were tested for psychometric properties and refined by building measurement models using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

The authors found it necessary to revise Froehle and Roth’s (2004) original items in most of the scales. After testing, the “attitude towards the episode” scale was dropped and remaining nine scales were retained.

Research limitations/implications

The scales will be useful to future researchers on online shopping to advance their research. The scales can be tested and validated with data from multiple empirical contexts and adapted to those contexts as necessary. Future studies must examine path relationships between belief, attitude, and intention constructs.

Practical implications

The adapted scales can be useful to practitioners in the domain of online shopping to measure the beliefs, attitudes, and intentions of their customers. Potential beneficiaries include service providers, service designers, industry associations as well as regulators in the government.

Originality/value

The overarching contribution of this paper lies in developing scales pertaining to the online shopping context of technology-generated customer contact. The paper has simultaneously addressed two relatively less attended areas of research on service operations – the role of technology in customer contact and measurement of customer contact.
Service quality scales in online retail: methodological issues
Authors: Kalia Prateek
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Measuring service quality in online retail is critical. The purpose of this paper is to put in foreground key methodological issues of prevailing research related to scale development for the measurement of service quality in the context of online retail.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis of 30 research papers sourced from prestigious databases has been done to detect defects within research and sampling methods, survey administration, item generation and purification, dimensionality analysis, reliability and validity assessment. Also observations regarding dimensionality of online service quality constructs have been highlighted.

Findings

Study revealed deficiencies in sample size and composition, quantitative orientation in research methods, leniency in item generation/purification and negligent assessment of reliability and validity. It was found that e-service quality is multidimensional in nature and there is no consensus on number and nature of dimensions, although security/privacy, website design, reliability, responsiveness and information emerged as most cited dimensions. Electronic and traditional service quality dimensions displayed analogy in direct or adapted form.

Originality/value

This paper is first to highlight key methodological issues of prevailing research on e-service quality scale development in context of online retail. Implications for researchers and managers are summarized at the end of the study.
The influence of dynamic capabilities on hospital-supplier collaboration and hospital supply chain performance
Authors: Mandal Santanu
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of hospital’s visibility for sensing (VFS), learning, coordinating and integrating on hospital-supplier collaboration. Second, it explored the influence of hospital-supplier collaboration on hospital supply chain performance. The author also explored how the technology orientation of the medical chain units influences the above linkages.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a multi-unit study of different hospital supply chains. Consequently, perceptual data were gathered from seven dominant entities in a typical medical/hospital supply chain: hospitals and clinics, accommodation (i.e. hotels), chemistry and pharmaceutical, marketing/public relations/promotion, medical equipment manufacturers, food and beverage and insurance. The responses were gathered using e-mail survey and were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Based on 192 completed responses, the author found positive influences of VFS, learning and integrating on hospital-supplier collaboration and a positive impact of hospital-supplier collaboration on hospital supply chain performance. An insignificant influence of hospital’s visibility for coordinating was noted on hospital-supplier collaboration. The study argued hospitals to invest more for enriching their dynamic capabilities to diagnose the changes in the environment so as to sustain their collaborative relationships leading to positive performance implications.

Originality/value

The study is the foremost to investigate the effects of hospital’s dynamic capabilities on its collaborative efforts with its key supplier and their influence on hospital supply chain performance. Also the study is foremost in exploring the importance of technology orientation on hospital dynamic capabilities and hospital-supplier collaboration. An important contribution of the research is the conceptualization of supply chain visibility core components (visibility of sensing, visibility of learning, visibility of coordinating and visibility of integrating) in the context of hospital supply chains.
Diffusion of process improvement methods in European SMEs
Authors: McGovern Tom , Small Adrian , Hicks Christian
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the European Regions for Innovative Productivity project that established Innovative Productivity Centres (IPCs) to assist SMEs in the North Sea Region of Europe to develop a process improvement capability. A conceptual framework explains how a process improvement methodology developed for large firms was adapted and shaped to meet the needs of SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

A comparative case study of 23 SMEs within six European countries. A protocol was developed to collect financial and operational data. This was supplemented by observations, secondary data and field notes. An established research model was used to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the process improvement interventions.

Findings

The intervention context and structure of the IPCs varied by country which shaped process improvement interventions at two levels: the country and the firm. During diffusion three process improvement variants emerged that were tailored to fit the local context. Developing a process improvement capability depended upon the availability of company resources, establishing KPIs and change agent support.

Originality/value

The research contributes to knowledge and theory on diffusion and institutionalization by examining how SMEs responded to institutional pressures by implementing process improvement practices in different ways. Heterogeneity of both the IPCs and the external change agents were the drivers in shaping the improvement practices.
Buy-national campaigns: congruence determines premiums for domestic products
Authors: Insch Andrea , Mather Damien , Knight John
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate consumer willingness to pay a premium for domestically manufactured products in the context of a buy-national campaign and the role of congruity in determining that willingness.

Design/methodology/approach

A market-stall-like context was used to conduct a stated-preference choice modelling experiment in six major cities in Australia and New Zealand. Participants were asked to choose one of three country-source alternatives for each of three product categories on display (muesli bars, toilet paper and a merino wool garment) with and without “Buy Australian Made” or “Buy New Zealand Made” stickers. A total sample of 2,160 consumers participated.

Findings

Strong evidence for the existence of buy-made-in effects for the muesli bar and toilet paper categories was found at the 95 per cent confidence level. Domestically made toilet paper attracted a premium in Australia (10 per cent) but a discount in New Zealand (5 per cent). Consumers in both countries indicated their willingness to pay a 14 per cent premium for domestically made muesli bars.

Research limitations/implications

This research design, which aimed to achieve a high level of ecological validity, precluded direct quantitative measurement of product category-COO schema congruency in the same experiment, either before or after the choice experiments. Future studies in other countries and product categories would benefit from surveying a separate sample of the same populations to directly estimate cross-population differences in COO “extreme affect” and product-COO congruence to strengthen the untangling of possibly confounding effects.

Practical implications

Brand managers, retail sector organisations and governments may need to reconsider the rationale for participating in buy-national campaigns, given the lack of generalisability of buy-made-in price premiums.

Originality/value

This paper is a rare example of an experiment to test whether consumers are willing to pay a premium for domestically made products in the context of a buy-national campaign.
A store brand’s country-of-origin or store image: what matters to consumers?
Authors: Garrett Tony C. , Lee Sungkyu , Chu Kyounghee
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the relative importance of country-of-origin (COO) and its dimensions – country of design (COD), country of technology (COT), and country of manufacture (COM) – in comparison to store image in terms of consumer product evaluation and purchase intention of store brands. The authors also explore consumer regulatory focus effects.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical data were collected from 270 young Korean adults. Two scenarios were given using two high-involvement store brands, an electronic product and clothing product that have hedonic and utilitarian elements. Data analysis was conducted using AMOS structural equation modeling software.

Findings

COO affects product evaluation and purchase intention and store image affects purchase intention. By product, store image influences product evaluation and purchase intention (electronics). COO directly influences purchase intention (clothing). By COO dimensions, overall COD weakly affects product evaluation. COT affects electronic product evaluation but directly affects clothing purchase intention. Promotion-focused consumers use COO for product evaluation, with store image directly affecting purchase intention. Promotion-focused consumers consider COD, an affective dimension, and COM in product evaluations. Prevention-focused consumers did not consider COO, but consider store image for product evaluation. Prevention-focused consumers consider utilitarian COT and COM dimensions during product evaluation.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to consider the simultaneous effect of COO (and its dimensions) and store image on product evaluation and purchase intention. It is also the first to consider the regulatory focus theory with regards to COO and store image evaluative and purchase intention criteria.
Country of origin and ethnocentrism in the context of lateral, upward and downward migration
Authors: Zolfagharian Mohammadali , Saldivar Roberto , Braun Jakob
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of consumer ethnocentrism and country of origin across different immigrant communities.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was used to collect data from immigrants in the USA and Mexico.

Findings

For immigrants with high levels of ethnocentrism, the bias for home and host country products interacts with the country of origin effect and creates multiple scenarios where the two effects move in the same or opposite directions. For immigrants with low levels of ethnocentrism, on the other hand, the country of origin effect alone is salient.

Research limitations/implications

The authors used a modified version of CETSCALE. Future research should revisit the content and dimensionality of consumer ethnocentrism in immigrant and other multicultural settings.

Practical implications

Both scholars and practitioners should exercise caution when working with ethnocentrism and country of origin as today’s societies are increasingly multicultural, which requires major modifications to the theories and tools.

Social implications

Similar to ways in which the US Census Bureau enabled multicultural consumers to assert their mixed identities, scholarly and business circles should embrace multiculturalism and empower immigrants.

Originality/value

Previous studies of consumer ethnocentrism and country of origin in multicultural contexts have restricted themselves to only one pattern of migration: consumers who move from developing to developed countries. The paper addresses this limitation by investigating various patterns of migration (including lateral, upward and downward) in multiple first-generation immigrant communities in two countries.
The effect of mortality salience on death penalty sentencing decisions when the defendant is severely mentally ill
Authors: Bandt-Law Bryn , Krauss Daniel
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Mortality is a salient factor during capital sentencing. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role death plays in jurors’ decisions when sentencing a severely mentally ill defendant who is subject to possible discrimination in a capital trial because of that status.

Design/methodology/approach

The current experiment measured venire jurors’ (n=133) mental illness dangerousness beliefs, and then experimentally manipulated type of mortality salience (dual-focused: participants who contemplated their own mortality and were exposed to trial-related death references vs trial focused: only exposed to death references) and the type of defendant (severely mentally ill vs neutral) accused of a capital offense.

Findings

Mock jurors perceived mental illness to be an important mitigating factor when dual (i.e. self) focused mortality (DFM) salience was induced, whereas participants only exposed to trial-related death references considered mental illness to be an aggravating factor in sentencing and were more likely to evidence stereotype adherence toward the defendant.

Practical implications

The implications of the authors’ findings are problematic for the current legal system. During the majority of capital sentencing, jurors will only be exposed to trial-related death references, as individuals in the trial-focused mortality condition were. The findings suggest that these jurors are likely to engage in discriminatory stereotypes that do not consider fair process when making sentencing decisions. This research also suggests that mortality salience may be able to increase jurors’ attention to such concerns in a trial scenario even when negative mental illness stereotypes are present.

Originality/value

Research builds on existing terror management theory and offers a more nuanced perspective of how focusing on one’s own death can affect jurors’ reliance on stereotypes and lead to inappropriate decisions. Mortality salience can lead to decisions based upon procedural fairness when stereotypes and mortality salience are both present.
Cyberstalking: are we on the same (web)page? A comparison of statutes, case law, and public perception
Authors: DeMatteo David , Wagage Suraji , Fairfax-Columbo Jaymes
Published: March 2017

Purpose

As society becomes more technology oriented, cyberstalking is becoming an increasing concern. The purpose of this paper is to compare US state and federal statutory and case law to a survey of public perception of cyberstalking to examine if cyberstalking laws reflect public opinion.

Design/methodology/approach

A national sample of 303 participants ranging in age from 18 to 69 years (M=33.35, SD=10.45) completed a novel cyberstalking survey and demographic questionnaire. The survey encompassed participants’ perceptions about the scope of cyberstalking as a crime, views on punishment of cyberstalking, and behaviors they have engaged in online or experienced from others that could constitute cyberstalking.

Findings

Findings indicated numerous areas of disagreement between public perception and statutory case law, such as a public preference that cyberstalking be treated as a separate offense from stalking, that a threat of violence is not required for behavior to constitute cyberstalking, and that there should be a private civil cause of action for cyberstalking. Findings also indicated that a substantial minority of participants had engaged in or been the victim of cyber actions that could be considered cyberstalking, and that the public preferred sanctions other than incarceration for cyberstalking.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine whether cyberstalking policy in the USA reflects public perception of cyberstalking.
IFRS related party transactions disclosure and firm valuation in the United Arab Emirates emerging market
Authors: Elkelish Walaa Wahid
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between related party transactions disclosure (RPTD) and firm valuation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach

Data on study variables were obtained manually from the published financial statements of all listed companies in the stock market during the period 2008-2012. Panel regression analysis models with fixed and random effects were used to ensure reliability of results. Several robustness checks were undertaken on the study outcomes.

Findings

The empirical results show that there is a significant negative relationship betweenRPTDand firm valuation in the UAE.RPTDs for subsidiaries and associates have the most damaging impact on firm valuation. Other control variables such as corporate governance disclosure (CGD), debt to equity, asset tangibility and sales growth show significant impact on firm valuation.

Research limitations/implications

The potential difference in the understanding of what constitutes “related party” across companies may affect the extent of related party disclosure across companies. Furthermore, some variables are not controlled for such as ownership structure and cultural values.

Practical implications

This paper provides useful practical guidelines for regulatory agencies, corporate managers and other stakeholders for improving the financial reporting system.

Originality/value

RPTDwas measured according to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IAS 24) standards. Furthermore, the impact of new control variables such asCGDand product market competition was tested for financial and non-financial sectors.
The determinants of corporate voluntary disclosure policy
Authors: Kolsi Mohamed Chakib
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors affecting firm voluntary disclosure policy adopted by a sample of 25 UAE companies listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) for the period 2010-2014.

Design/methodology/approach

The author computes a weighted disclosure index (Botosan, 1997) for three-factor voluntary disclosure items and uses a multivariate regression analysis between disclosure index and a set of explanatory variables identified by previous research. The author also controls for endogeneity problem and uses panel data estimation.

Findings

It has been found that listing history, governmental sector, firm profitability and foreign listing positively affect the level of voluntary disclosure adopted by ADX listed companies. By contrast, the percentage of shares owned by block holders and industrial sector negatively affect the level of voluntary disclosure by ADX listed companies. Finally, the board and firm size, managers’ stock options and the leverage ratio do not have any impact on the level of voluntary disclosure adopted by ADX firms. The results remain unchanged to additional sensitivity checks.

Research limitations/implications

The research presents some limitations: first, the author does not take into account all voluntary disclosure items such as human resources and environmental data disclosed by ADX listed firms. Second, other voluntary disclosure determinants remain unexplored for UAE firms such as culture and tax incentives in the light of the new tax rules including corporate tax and value-added tax.

Practical implications

The study has many implications: first, it can help investors in their decision making and lead to fair allocation of resources. Second, it gives helpful directives to UAE accounting authorities to enhance the quality of financial reporting in the light of the New Commercial Company Law 2015 for mandatory adoption of IFRS by all listed companies. The paper also presents helpful directives for tax authorities planning for both company and value-added taxes. It also sheds light on factors driving corporate social responsibility disclosures as a crucial component of voluntary disclosure policy

Originality/value

The paper explores the new determinants of voluntary disclosure such as foreign listing, governmental status and block holding for an emerging relatively unexplored stock market: ADX.