bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment Patterns and Survival of Elderly Patients With Breast Cancer Brain Metastases
Authors: Leone José P. , Haraldsson Bjarni , Mott Sarah L. , McDowell Bradley D. , Chrischilles Elizabeth A.
Published: July 2018

Objectives:

The main objective of this study was to analyze treatment patterns of elderly patients with breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM), evaluate characteristics associated with treatment selection, and to analyze trends in overall survival (OS) over time.

Materials and Methods:

We included women with BCBM reported to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Medicare Program from 1992 to 2012. Treatments were recorded from Medicare claims from the date of brain metastases diagnosis until 60 days after. Treatments included resection, radiation, and chemotherapy. Cochran-Armitage tests were used for analysis of treatment patterns. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to determine factors associated with treatment selection. Cox regression modelled OS trends within each treatment modality across time.

Results:

Among 5969 patients included, treatment rates increased from 50% in 1992 to 64.1% in 2012 (P<0.01). Therapy combining radiation, resection, and/or chemotherapy also increased from 8.8% to 18% over the same period (P<0.01). Combined therapy was significantly more likely among patients with extracranial metastases, those with estrogen-negative tumors, younger age at diagnosis, no comorbidities and more recently diagnosed brain metastases. OS improved over time for patients who received a combination of ≥2 treatments (hazard ratio, 0.89 per every 5 more recent diagnosis years; P<0.05). Older patients, those with extracranial metastases, or estrogen/progesterone-negative tumors showed significantly shorter OS.

Conclusions:

We observed substantial changes in treatment patterns and OS over time in patients with BCBM. We identified several factors associated with specific treatment use. Patients who underwent a combination of ≥2 treatments experienced a significant improvement in OS over time.
Visualizing aggregate movement in cities
Authors: Batty Michael
Published: July 2018

We argue here that despite the focus in cities on location and place, it is increasingly clear that a requisite understanding of how cities evolve and change depends on a thorough understanding of human movements at aggregate scales where we can observe emergent patterns in networks and flow systems. We argue that the location of activities must be understood as summations or syntheses of movements or flows, with a much clearer link between flows, activities and the networks that carry and support them. To this end, we introduce a generic class of models that enable aggregated flows of many different kinds of social and economic activity, ranging from the journey to work to email traffic, to be predicted using ideas from discrete choice theory in economics which has analogies to gravitation. We also argue that visualization is an essential construct in making sense of flows but that there are important limitations to illustrating pictorially systems with millions of component parts. To demonstrate these, we introduce a class of generic spatial interaction models and present two illustrations. Our first application is based on transit flows within the high-frequency city over very short time periods of minutes and hours for data from the London Underground. Our second application scales up these models from districts and cities to the nation, and we demonstrate how flows of people from home to work and vice versa define cities and related settlements at much coarser scales. We contrast this approach with more disaggregate, individual studies of flow systems in cities that we consider an essential complement to the ideas presented here.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Interdisciplinary approaches for uncovering the impacts of architecture on collective behaviour’.
Can we identify general architectural principles that impact the collective behaviour of both human and animal systems?
Authors: Penn Alan , Turner J. Scott
Published: July 2018

The search for general common principles that unify disciplines is a longstanding challenge for interdisciplinary research. Architecture has always been an interdisciplinary pursuit, combining engineering, art and culture. The rise of biomimetic architecture adds to the interdisciplinary span. We discuss the similarities and differences among human and animal societies in how architecture influences their collective behaviour. We argue that the emergence of a fully biomimetic architecture involves breaking down what we call ‘pernicious dualities’ that have permeated our discourse for decades, artificial divisions between species, between organism and environment, between genotype and phenotype, and in the case of architecture, the supposed duality between the built environment and its builders. We suggest that niche construction theory may serve as a starting point for unifying our thinking across disciplines, taxa and spatial scales.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Interdisciplinary approaches for uncovering the impacts of architecture on collective behaviour’.
Teachers’ approaches to genetics teaching mirror their choice of content and avoidance of sensitive issues
Authors: Aivelo Tuomas , Uitto Anna
Published: July 2018

The skills required to understand genetic phenomena and transfer knowledge to real world situations are an important part of 21st century scientific literacy. While socio-scientific issues (SSI) are increasingly emphasised in science curricula, teachers have low interest in adopting SSI in teaching. Little is known about how teachers choose content for their teaching, although this process translates curricula to teaching practice. We explored how teachers choose content and contexts for biology courses on cells, heredity, and biotechnology by interviewing ten Finnish upper-secondary school teachers. We studied how the teachers described teaching on genetically modified organisms, hereditary disorders, and human traits. Teachers’ perceptions on genetics teaching were classified to Developmental, Structural and Hereditary approaches. The approaches were connected not only to the teachers’ perceptions of the more important content, but also teacher inclinations towards teaching genetics in the human context and perceptions of students’ interest in different topics. Teachers’ justified their choices by national, local school, and teacher’s personal-level factors. While teachers mentioned that SSI are important, they were never mentioned among the important contexts. Nevertheless, some teachers embraced teaching genetics in the human context while others avoided them. Teachers justified their avoidance for personal and pedagogical factors, such as their competence in dealing with these contexts. Experience played a part in the approach that teachers had, and contrary to the results of previous research, the less experienced teachers were more open to discussing human genetics. We conclude that curriculum development is important to encourage teachers to adopt more SSI-oriented teaching.

Disclosure statement

Tuomas Aivelo has participated in writing biology textbooks for upper-secondary school biology for eOppi Oy. None of the teachers involved in this study used biology textbooks from eOppi Oy.
Hydra Bcl-2 and TMBIMP family proteins display anti-apoptotic functions
Authors: Motamedi Mina , Lindenthal Laura , Wagner Anita , Kemper Margherita , Moneer Jasmin , Steichele Mona , Klimovich Alexander , Wittlieb Jörg , Jenewein Marcell , Böttger Angelika
Published: July 2018

Background

Mechanisms of programmed cell death differ considerably between animals, plants and fungi. In animals they depend on caspases and Bcl-2 family proteins and this kind of cell death is called apoptosis. Most gene families encoding proteins involved in apoptosis are found in multicellular animals already in the eldest phyla but their functional conservation is still being studied. Much older protein families have cytoprotective functions across all kingdoms of life. This includes the TMBIMP-family, the presence and function of which in early metazoans has not been investigated yet.

Methods

We quantified apoptosis in transgenic Hydra overexpressing HyBcl-2-like 4. Moreover, we investigated putative TMBIMP-family members in Hydra by sequence comparison. By overexpression of TMBIMP-family members in Hydra and human HEK cells we analysed their subcellular localisation and in one case their capacity to protect cells from camptothecin induced apoptosis.

Results

HyBcl-2-like 4, as previously shown in a heterologous system, was localised to mitochondria and able to protect Hydra epithelial cells from apoptosis. The TMBIMP-family in Hydra includes HyBax-Inhibitor-1, HyLifeguard-1a and -1b and HyLifeguard 4 proteins. HyBax-inhibitor-1 protein was found localised to ER-membranes, HyLifeguard-family members were found at the plasma membrane and in Golgi-vesicles. Moreover, HyBax-inhibitor-1 protected human cells from apoptosis.

Conclusion

This work provides the first functional study to support an anti-apoptotic function of Bcl-2 like proteins in pre-bilaterians within a physiological context. Furthermore it illustrates that genes that were “inherited” from non-animal ancestors, like the TMBIMP-family, were recruited to carry out cell protective anti-apoptotic functions already in early metazoans.
Lack of signal for the impact of venom gene diversity on speciation rates in cone snails
Authors: Phuong Mark A , Alfaro Michael E , Mahardika Gusti N , Marwoto Ristiyanti M , Prabowo Romanus Edy , von Rintelen Thomas , Vogt Philipp WH , Hendricks Jonathan R , Puillandre Nicolas
Published: July 2018

Understanding why some groups of organisms are more diverse than others is a central goal in macroevolution. Evolvability, or lineages’ intrinsic capacity for evolutionary change, is thought to influence disparities in species diversity across taxa. Over macroevolutionary time scales, clades that exhibit high evolvability are expected to have higher speciation rates. Cone snails (family: Conidae, >900 spp.) provide a unique opportunity to test this prediction because their venom genes can be used to characterize differences in evolvability between clades. Cone snails are carnivorous, use prey-specific venom (conotoxins) to capture prey, and the genes that encode venom are known and diversify through gene duplication. Theory predicts that higher gene diversity confers a greater potential to generate novel phenotypes for specialization and adaptation. Therefore, if conotoxin gene diversity gives rise to varying levels of evolvability, conotoxin gene diversity should be coupled with macroevolutionary speciation rates. We applied exon capture techniques to recover phylogenetic markers and conotoxin loci across 314 species, the largest venom discovery effort in a single study. We paired a reconstructed timetree using 12 fossil calibrations with species-specific estimates of conotoxin gene diversity and used trait-dependent diversification methods to test the impact of evolvability on diversification patterns. Surprisingly, did not detect any signal for the relationship between conotoxin gene diversity and speciation rates, suggesting that venom evolution may not be the rate-limiting factor controlling diversification dynamics in Conidae. Comparative analyses showed some signal for the impact of diet and larval dispersal strategy on diversification patterns, though whether or not we detected a signal depended on the dataset and the method. If our results remain true with increased sampling in future studies, they suggest that the rapid evolution of Conidae venom may cause other factors to become more critical to diversification, such as ecological opportunity or traits that promote isolation among lineages.
A total synthetic approach to CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing and homology directed repair
Authors: DiNapoli Sara E. , Martinez-McFaline Raul , Gribbin Caitlin K. , Wrighton Paul , Balgobin Courtney A. , Nelson Isabel , Leonard Abigail , Maskin Carolyn R. , Shwartz Arkadi , Quenzer Eleanor D. , Mailhiot Darya , Kao Clara , McConnell Sean C. , de Jong Jill L.O. , Goessling Wolfram , Houvras Yariv
Published: July 2018

CRISPR/Cas9 has become a powerful tool for genome editing in zebrafish that permits the rapid generation of loss of function mutations and the knock-in of specific alleles using DNA templates and homology directed repair (HDR). We compared synthetic, chemically modified sgRNAs to in vitro transcribed sgRNAs and demonstrate the increased activity of synthetic sgRNAs in combination with recombinant Cas9 protein. We developed an in vivo genetic assay to measure HDR efficiency and we utilized this assay to optimize the design of synthetic DNA templates to promote HDR. Utilizing these principles, we successfully performed knock-in of fluorophores at multiple genomic loci and demonstrate transmission through the germline at high efficiency. We demonstrate that synthetic HDR templates can be used to knock-in bacterial nitroreductase (ntr) to facilitate lineage ablation of specific cell types. Collectively, our data demonstrate the utility of combining synthetic sgRNAs and dsDNA templates to perform homology directed repair and genome editing in vivo.
Low genomic divergence and high gene flow between locally adapted populations of the swamp sparrow
Authors: Deane-Coe P. , Greenberg R. , Lovette I. J. , Harrison R. G.
Published: July 2018

Populations that have recently diverged across sharp environmental gradients provide an opportunity to study the mechanisms by which natural selection drives adaptive divergence. Inland and coastal populations of the North American swamp sparrow have become an emerging model system for studies of natural selection because they are morphologically and behaviourally distinct despite a very recent divergence time (<15,000 years), yet common garden experiments have demonstrated a genetic basis for their phenotypic differences. We characterized genomic patterns of variation within and between inland and coastal swamp sparrows via reduced representation sequencing in order to reconstruct the contributions of demography, gene flow and selection to this case of recent adaptive divergence. Compared to inland swamp sparrows, coastal swamp sparrows exhibited fewer polymorphic sites and reduced nucleotide diversity at those sites, indicating that a bottleneck and/or recent selective sweeps occurred in that population during coastal colonization and local adaptation. Estimates of genome-wide differentiation (FST=0.02) and sequence divergence (ΦST=0.05) between inland and coastal populations were very low, consistent with postglacial divergence. A small number of SNPs were strongly differentiated (max FST=0.8) suggesting selection at linked sites. Swamp sparrows sampled from breeding sites at the habitat transition between freshwater and brackish marshes exhibited high levels of genetic admixture. Such evidence of active contemporary gene flow makes the evolution and maintenance of local adaptation in these two populations even more notable. We summarize several features of the swamp sparrow system that may facilitate the maintenance of adaptive diversity despite gene flow, including the presence of a magic trait.
Nanoscale Polarization of the Vaccinia Virus Entry Fusion Complex Drives Efficient Fusion
Authors: Gray Robert D. M. , Albrecht David , Beerli Corina , Cohen Gary H. , Henriques Ricardo , Mercer Jason
Published: July 2018

The spatial distribution of binding and fusion proteins on most viruses and the functional relevance of this organization remains largely unexplored. Employing super-resolution microscopy we define the nanoscale membrane architecture of the prototypic poxvirus, vaccinia. We show that binding and entry fusion complex (EFC) proteins are organized into distinct functional domains with fusion proteins polarized to the tips of virions. Repression of individual EFC components disrupted fusion protein polarization, correlating with a loss of fusion activity. Repression of vaccinia A27, a non-EFC protein implicated in fusion, revealed that disruption of EFC localization impacts virus fusion pore formation. We propose that the polarized distribution of EFCs is essential for poxvirus fusion efficiency.
LEAFYmaintains apical stem cell activity during shoot development in the fernCeratopteris richardii
Authors: Plackett Andrew R.G. , Conway Stephanie J. , Hewett Hazelton Kristen D. , Rabbinowitsch Ester H. , Langdale Jane. A. , Di Stilio Verónica S.
Published: July 2018

During land plant evolution, determinate spore-bearing axes (retained in extant bryophytes such as mosses) were progressively transformed into indeterminate branching shoots with specialized reproductive axes that form flowers. The LEAFY transcription factor, which is required for the first zygotic cell division in mosses and primarily for floral meristem identity in flowering plants, may have facilitated developmental innovations during these transitions. Mapping the LEAFY evolutionary trajectory has been challenging, however, because there is no functional overlap between mosses and flowering plants, and no functional data from intervening lineages. Here, we report a transgenic analysis in the fernCeratopteris richardiithat reveals a role for LEAFY in maintaining cell divisions in the apical stem cells of both haploid and diploid phases of the lifecycle. These results support an evolutionary trajectory in which an ancestral LEAFY module that promotes cell proliferation was progressively co-opted, adapted and specialized as novel shoot developmental contexts emerged.
Atypical septate junctions maintain the somatic enclosure around maturing spermatids and prevent premature sperm release inDrosophilatestis
Authors: Dubey Pankaj , Kapoor Tushna , Gupta Samir , Shirolikar Seema , Ray Krishanu
Published: July 2018

Tight junctions prevent the paracellular flow and maintain cell polarity in an epithelium. These are also essential for maintaining the blood-testis-barrier involved in regulating sperm differentiation. Septate junctions are orthologous to the tight junctions in insects. InDrosophilatestis, major septate junction components co-localize at the interface of germline and somatic cells initially and then condense between the two somatic cells in a cyst after germline meiosis. Their localization is extensively remodeled in subsequent stages. We find that characteristic septate junctions are formed between the somatic cyst cells at the elongated spermatid stage. Consistent with the previous reports, knockdown of essential junctional components, Discs-large-1 and Neurexin-IV, in the somatic cyst cells, during the early stages, disrupted sperm differentiation beyond the spermatocyte stage. Somatic knockdown of these proteins during the final stages of spermatid maturation caused premature release of spermatids inside the testes, resulting in partial loss of male fertility. These results indicate the importance of maintaining mechanical integrity of the somatic enclosure during spermatid coiling and release inDrosophilatestis. It also highlights the functional similarity with the tight junction proteins during spermatogenesis in mammalian testes.

Summary statement

Dubey et al., showed that septate junctions stitch the somatic enclosure around maturing spermatids inDrosophilatestis. Maintaining the integrity of this junction is essential for proper release of spermatids.
PBHoover and CigarRoller: a method for confident haploid variant calling on Pacific Biosciences data and its application to heterogeneous population analysis
Authors: Ramirez-Busby Sarah , Elghraoui Afif , Kim Yeon Bin , Kim Kellie , Valafar Faramarz
Published: July 2018

Motivation

Single Molecule Real-Time (SMRT) sequencing has important and underutilized advantages that amplification-based platforms lack. Lack of systematic error (e.g. GC-bias), completede novoassembly (including large repetitive regions) without scaffolding, can be mentioned. SMRT sequencing, however suffers from high random error rate and low sequencing depth (older chemistries). Here, we introduce PBHoover, software that uses a heuristic calling algorithm in order to make base calls with high certainty in low coverage regions. This software is also capable of mixed population detection with high sensitivity. PBHoover’s CigarRoller attachment improves sequencing depth in low-coverage regions through CIGAR-string correction.

Results

We tested both modules on 348M.tuberculosisclinical isolates sequenced on C1 or C2 chemistries. On average, CigarRoller improved percentage of usable read count from 68.9% to 99.98% in C1 runs and from 50% to 99% in C2 runs. Using the greater depth provided by CigarRoller, PBHoover was able to make base and variant calls 99.95% concordant with Sanger calls (QV33). PBHoover also detected antibiotic-resistant subpopulations that went undetected by Sanger. Using C1 chemistry, subpopulations as small as 9% of the total colony can be detected by PBHoover. This provides the most sensitive amplification-free molecular method for heterogeneity analysis and is in line with phenotypic methods’ sensitivity. This sensitivity significantly improves with the greater depth and lower error rate of the newer chemistries.

Availability and Implementation

Executables are freely available under GNU GPL v3+ athttp://www.gitlab.com/LPCDRP/pbhooverandhttp://www.gitlab.com/LPCDRP/CigarRoller. PBHoover is also available on bioconda:https://anaconda.org/bioconda/pbhoover.

Contact

faramarz@sdsu.edu
Systems biology reveals NR2F6 and TGFB1 as key regulators of feed efficiency in beef cattle
Authors: Alexandre Pâmela A. , Naval-Sanchez Marina , Porto-Neto Laercio R. , Ferraz José Bento S. , Reverter Antonio , Fukumasu Heidge
Published: July 2018

Systems biology approaches are used as strategy to uncover tissue-specific perturbations and regulatory genes related to complex phenotypes. We applied this approach to study feed efficiency (FE) in beef cattle, an important trait both economically and environmentally. Poly-A selected RNA of five tissues (adrenal gland, hypothalamus, liver, skeletal muscle and pituitary) of eighteen young bulls, selected for high and low FE, were sequenced (100bp, pared-end). From the 17,354 expressed genes, 1,317 were prioritized by five selection categories (differentially expressed, harbouring SNPs associated with FE, tissue-specific, secreted in plasma and key regulators) and used for network construction. NR2F6 and TGFB were identified and validated by motif discovery as key regulators of hepatic inflammatory response and muscle tissue development, respectively, two biological processes demonstrated to be associated to FE. Moreover, we indicated potential biomarkers of FE which are related to hormonal control of metabolism and sexual maturity. By using robust methodologies and validation strategies, we confirmed main biological processes related to FE in Bos indicus and indicated candidate genes as regulators or biomarkers of superior animals.
Systematic assessment of GFP tag position on protein localization and growth fitness in yeast
Authors: Davidi Dan , Weill Uri , Krieger Gat , Avihou Zohar , Milo Ron , Schuldiner Maya
Published: July 2018

While protein tags are ubiquitously utilized in molecular biology, they harbor the potential to interfere with functional traits of their fusion counterparts. Systematic evaluation of the effect of protein tags on localization and function would promote accurate use of tags in experimental setups. Here we examine the effect of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) tagging at either the N or C terminus of budding yeast proteins on localization and functionality. We use a competition-based approach to decipher the relative fitness of two strains tagged on the same protein but on opposite termini and from that infer the correct, physiological localization for each protein and the optimal position for tagging. Our study provides a first of a kind systematic assessment of the effect of tags on the functionality of proteins and provides step towards broad investigation of protein fusion libraries.

Highlights

Protein tags are widely used in molecular biology although they may interfere with protein function.

The subcellular localization of hundreds of proteins in yeast is different when tagged at the N or the C terminus.

A competition based assay enables systematic deciphering of correct tagging terminus for essential proteins.

The presented approach can be used to derive physiologically relevant tagged libraries.
Preparing Whole-Cell Lysates for Immunoblotting
Authors: Litovchick Larisa
Published: July 2018

In this protocol, adherent cells are grown in tissue culture dishes until ready to be used for protein sample preparation. To analyze proteins by immunoblotting, it is necessary to bring the proteins from the sample into soluble form using the buffers, salts, and detergents compatible with the gel electrophoresis procedure. If a protein sample is being prepared for immunoblotting only, the proteins can be solubilized using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) sample loading buffer, as described in this protocol, which ensures rapid and efficient extraction of most cellular proteins because of the presence of SDS, a strong anionic detergent. SDS-PAGE sample loading buffer denatures proteins and disrupts the bonds between the proteins that interact with each other. Therefore, this lysis technique can be detrimental to the applications when the native structure of the protein is essential, including enzymatic activity assays and analysis of protein–protein interactions.
Modelling and hovering control for a coaxial unmanned helicopter using sliding mode
Authors: Chen Zhi , Wang Daobo , Zhen Ziyang
Published: July 2018

Purpose

To facilitate the nonlinear controller design, dynamic model of a novel coaxial unmanned helicopter (UH) is established and its coupling analysis is presented.

Design/methodology/approach

The chattering-free sliding mode controller (SMC) with unidirectional auxiliary surfaces (UASs) is designed and implemented for the coaxial ducted fan UH.

Findings

The coupling analysis based on the established model show severe coupling between channels. For coaxial UH’s special model structure, UAS-SMC controller is proposed to reduce the coupling characteristics between channels of the UH by setting controllers’ output calculation sequence.

Originality/value

The flight control law and control logic are successfully tested in numerical simulation and hardware in the loop (HIL) simulation. The results show best hovering performances without chattering problem, even under the bounded internal dynamics and external disturbances.
Gender and age related differences in the use of medicines for chronic diseases among undocumented migrants
Authors: Fiorini Gianfrancesco , Cerri Cesare , Rigamonti Antonello E. , Bini Silvia , Marazzi Nicoletta , Sartorio Alessandro , Cella Silvano G.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate gender-related differences in the use of drugs for chronic diseases in undocumented migrants.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed the databases of two charitable organizations providing medical help and medicines to undocumented migrants. Data were available for 9,822 patients in the period 2014–2016. The authors grouped medicines according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification. We considered the ATC group as an indicator of a group of diseases.

Findings

Both males and females needed medicines for chronic diseases in a comparable manner. When we analyzed the age distribution, The authors noticed that males showed a tendency to begin to be affected at an earlier age; however, this cumulative difference was not statistically significant. But when we looked at six groups of drugs separately (cardiovascular, respiratory, anti-thrombotic, neurologic, psychiatric, anti-diabetic), the authors found that females always needed drugs for chronic diseases at a later age, always with a significant difference (p<0.0001 for cardiovascular, antithrombotic, antidiabetic and psychoactive drugs; p<0.002 for neurologic products; p<0.04 for drugs used in chronic respiratory conditions).

Research limitations/implications

This is a retrospective study based on the analysis of existing databases, but the peculiar features of this population (undocumented migrants) do not allow at the moment controlled studies.

Practical implications

Our observations could be important when planning public health strategies, especially in the field of prevention.

Originality/value

This is the first report of gender differences in the use of medicines for chronic diseases within a large sample of undocumented migrants.
Understanding how to succeed with project partnering
Authors: Nevstad Kristina , Børve Sjur , Karlsen Anniken Th , Aarseth Wenche
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present new findings to organizations that acknowledge difficulties in implementing and succeeding with project partnering.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation is based on a case study where empirical evidence has been collected via semi-structured interviews of 54 professionals within the construction industry.

Findings

Based on the research the authors were able to identify three main dimensions vital for project partnering success: 1. who related to participant selection; 2. what related to task clarification; and 3. way related to partnering means. These dimensions give rise to what the authors have termed a 3W (Who, What, Way) model on how to succeed with project partnering in practice. The third dimension, way related to partnering means, was found to consist of the four subdimensions: 3a. partnering attitude; 3b. a collaborative culture; 3c. a holistic perspective; and 3d. an accurate handover.

Originality/value

The authors found 318 papers focusing on partnering, in these only 19 focused on how to succeed with project partnering. The authors have complemented the limited research on how to succeed with project partnering with 54 interviews of professionals. The majority of the existing research has focused on challenges. This paper contributes to the research gap by presenting a 3W model on how to succeed with project partnering.
The impact of experiential augmented reality applications on fashion purchase intention
Authors: Watson Anna , Alexander Bethan , Salavati Leyla
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Utilizing the stimulus-organism-response model, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of augmented reality (AR) (specifically augmentation) on consumers’ affective and behavioral response and to assess whether consumers’ hedonic motivation for shopping moderates this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment using the manipulation of AR and no AR was conducted with 162 participants aged between 18 and 35. Participants were recruited through snowball sampling and randomly assigned to the control or stimulus group. The hypothesized associations were analyzed using linear regression with bootstrapping.

Findings

The paper demonstrates the benefit of using an experiential AR retail application (app) to positively impact purchase intention. The results show that this effect is mediated by positive affective response. Furthermore, hedonic shopping motivation moderates the relationship between augmentation and the positive affective response.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen research approach, the results may lack generalizability to other forms of augmentation. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed model using different types of AR stimuli. Furthermore, replication of the study with other populations would increase the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

Results of this study provide a valuable reference for retailers of the benefits of using AR when attempting to optimize experiential value in online environments.

Originality/value

The study contributes to experiential retail and consumer purchase behavior research by deepening the conceptualization of the impact of experiential technologies, more specifically AR apps, by considering the role of hedonic shopping motivations.
Improving service-center employees’ performance by means of a sport sponsorship
Authors: Wagner Ulrik , Hansen Kristian Rune , Kristensen Mette Lund , Josty Malene
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Sponsorships targeting an internal audience, e.g. employees, are still under-researched. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how employees perceive and evaluate a sponsorship that is designed with the purpose of improving customer services and explore how the company may benefit from the sponsorship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is anchored in critical realism and based on a single case study using multiple methods. The authors survey the impact of the sponsorship on employees’ (n=653) perceptions of their ability to communicate with customers, to perform their personal best, to engage in teamwork, as well as employee retention. The authors use individual and group interviews to qualify the analysis and the access to company data on customer satisfaction rates to provide an indication of the effect of the sponsorship.

Findings

Results indicate that close to half the employees respond that the campaign positively impacted their ability to communicate, improve personal performance and to engage in teamwork. The analysis also reveals that the commitment of the direct leader has an impact on employees’ interest and commitment to the campaign. Data on customer satisfaction show that reducing the number of dissatisfied customers and increasing the number of customers willing to recommend the company to others has been accomplished, thus indicating that the sponsorship has had a positive impact on company performance.

Originality/value

By combining sponsorship research with insights from the HRM literature, the study provides empirically based knowledge to the hitherto limited research on the internal audience of sponsorships. The study provides a plausible indication of a positive relation between a sponsorship design and company performance.
Are Islamic banks different? The application of the Radical Affinity Index
Authors: San-Jose Leire , Cuesta Jon
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend the literature on Islamic banking by examining their ethical dimension using transparency, placement of assets, guarantees and participation from Radical Affinity Index.

Design/methodology/approach

To this end, a sample of 20 Islamic banks from 13 countries (Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kuwait, Tanzania, Great Britain, Oman, Iraq, Egypt, Bangladesh and Qatar) was used.

Findings

The results are robust to ethical effects. The evidence suggests that among Islamic banks, at least some of them could improve their ethical requirements of the Sharia; they obtained lower scores than ethical banks in terms of RAI variables (transparency, placement of assets, guarantees and participation).

Research limitations/implications

It is used a random sample rather than population with the limitations that entails. The variables in the index are based on ethical perspective; then, the index is applied in Islamic banking but with the ethical view limitation.

Practical implications

The Islamic banks have the option to increase their transparency including further information regarding the beneficiaries of the benevolent funds; moreover, it would offer a clearer view about their ethical and social commitment towards society.

Originality/value

Additionally, this paper broadens the scope of the literature by analysing the determinants of Islamic banking around ethical dimensions of financial entities.
International-market-information use across new-product-development stages
Authors: Dubiel Anna , Banerjee Sourindra , Ernst Holger , Subramaniam Mohan
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how firms can better manage new product development (NPD) for international markets (IMs). This is not a trivial task as, for most firms, NPD still tends to be rooted in domestic operations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes IM information (IMI) use across three stages of the NPD process (concept development, product development and commercialization) as a key driver of international NPD performance. This study also examines two antecedents of such usage: international firm experience; and international innovation culture. A conceptual framework is tested using structural equation modeling, based on data from 137 strategic business units of German firms.

Findings

The use of IMI during commercialization has a U-shaped (positive quadratic) relationship with international NPD performance, whereas curvilinear relationships in the concept and product-development stages cannot be confirmed. Having an internationally oriented innovation culture increases the level of IMI usage in all NPD process stages, while a firm’s international experience only does so in the commercialization stage. Thus, international experience does not necessarily impact access to and understanding of IMI in the early NPD stages.

Research limitations/implications

This study furthers understanding of NPD phenomena in an international context. However, future studies might consider exploring the mixed patterns of IMI use and NPD performance by looking at new forms and tools of market information management. Moreover, they may uncover more drivers of IMI use and test their frameworks in different contexts.

Practical implications

Managers should emphasize IMI use throughout the whole NPD process, even in the traditionally more R&D-focused product-development stage. Managers should strive to establish a corporate culture that views IMs as opportunities rather than liabilities.

Originality/value

This is the first study both to examine the relative impact of IMI use across all distinct NPD stages simultaneously on international NPD performance and to use quadratic effects to explain the relationship.
Commercialization behaviour in production agriculture
Authors: Yaseen Asif , Bryceson Kim , Mungai Anne Njeri
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of market orientation (MO) on the major determinants of commercialization behavior among Sub-Saharan smallholders. The study addresses the shortfalls in prior research on smallholder commercialization, which makes little difference between MO and market participation (MP).

Design/methodology/approach

The study reports on an empirical data set of 272 vegetable growers from Kiambu West District in Kenya and employs a partial least squares structural equation approach to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results evidence that MO: fosters farmers’ ability to create value within commodity markets by capitalizing on market opportunities; changes the way in which farmers perceive the role of institution and infrastructure support and; and develops a drive for adopting business approach in farming operations.

Research limitations/implications

Fostering commercialization behavior among smallholders in Kenya requires implementing a two-pronged approach: improving MO to adopt business approach in farming operations; and facilitating MP at output level. The major limitation of this study is data collected only from high value vegetable producers in Kenya, signifying a need to include other agriculture produce across different Sub-Saharan countries.

Originality/value

Research on smallholder agriculture is replete with investigating institutional and technical constraints to make smallholders more productive, however, research on MO to adopt business approach in farming operations is scant. This study emphasizes that understanding MO, as a distinct and separate concept from MP, is vital for scaling up business approach among smallholder farmers.
Power, resource dependencies and capabilities in intercultural B2B relationships
Authors: Malik Ashish , Ngo Liem Viet , Kingshott Russel P.J.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This exploratory study aims to analyse the influence of organisational resources and capabilities on relationship quality and firm performance in the context of high-technology offshore outsourcing service vendors.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative case study design, data from four offshore business process and information technology outsourcing firms were analysed.

Findings

Findings highlight that resource dependence, cultural orientation and the vendor’s resources and capabilities strengthen relationship quality and affect firm performance.

Originality/value

The distinctive contribution of this study lies in identifying key organisational mechanisms that improve relationship quality and firm performance, as well as help to understand the adverse effects of ethnocentricity and power faced by vendors and subsidiaries within diverse intercultural contexts. Study limitations and future research directions, along with implications for theory and practice, are also discussed.
Psychological entitlement, egoistic deprivation and deviant behavior among cabin crews: an attribution theory perspective
Authors: Vatankhah Sanaz , Raoofi Ali
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This study aims to report on the impact of psychological entitlement and egoistic deprivation on interpersonal and organizational deviant behavior among cabin crews. As a neglected theory in organizational research, attribution theory is used to link psychological entitlement to interpersonal and organizational deviant behavior through the mediating effect of egoistic deprivation.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was conducted in governmental and public airline companies in Iran. The survey yielded 294 effective questionnaires. Study relationships were gauged using structural equation modeling.

Findings

According to the results, psychological entitlement boosts cabin crews’ egoistic deprivation and interpersonal and organizational deviant behavior. Consistent with hypothesized proposition, cabin crews’ egoistic deprivation fosters interpersonal deviant behavior. Particularly, it appears that egoistic deprivation among cabin crews partially mediates the effect of psychological entitlement on interpersonal deviant behavior. Contrary to the authors’ prediction, egoistic deprivation does not act as the mediator in the relationship between psychological entitlement and organizational deviant behavior.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on relatively limited psychological entitlement literature by extending attribution theory to cabin crews’ deprivation and workplace deviant behavior.
Incidence of Stevens–Johnson syndrome following combination drug use of allopurinol, carbamazepine and phenytoin in Taiwan: A case–control study
Authors: Syu Fei‐Kai , Pan Hsiu‐Yung , Chuang Po‐Chun , Huang Yi‐Syun , Cheng Chi‐Yung , Cheng Fu‐Jen
Published: July 2018

The goal of our study was to investigate the incidence of Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS), the frequency of SJS diagnosis, and the association between SJS and prior use of allopurinol, carbamazepine or phenytoin. This case–control study utilized data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. Controls visited the emergency department of the same hospital for trauma or fractures (excluding burns) and used allopurinol, carbamazepine or phenytoin during the past 3 months. We determined whether patients were prescribed a combination of drugs in addition to allopurinol, carbamazepine or phenytoin within the last 3 months. We identified 1 853 985 controls and 7327 SJS‐diagnosed patients using the Taiwan NHIRD records for 2000–2008. Higher use of allopurinol (49.8%), carbamazepine (39.1%) or phenytoin (21.3%) was observed among patients (n = 3131) than among controls (n = 2858). The overall SJS incidence rate was 3.6/1 000 000. Drug combinations were uncommon (<10%) in patients or controls taking allopurinol. However, combination drug use exceeded 10% in patients taking carbamazepine or phenytoin. Logistic regression analysis of recent combination drug use revealed that phenobarbital, valproate, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including piroxicam and tenoxicam, and antibiotics including amoxicillin and cephalexin were strongly associated with SJS. Patients with gout or epilepsy taking allopurinol, carbamazepine or phenytoin should be evaluated carefully by physicians. Concurrent use of piroxicam, tenoxicam, phenobarbital, valproate, amoxicillin or cephalexin, in addition to carbamazepine or phenytoin, may increase the incidence of SJS.
Effect of salinity on seed germination and seedling growth of the halophyte Suaeda japonica Makino
Authors: Haraguchi Akira , Matsuda Tomoko
Published: July 2018

Seed germination and seedling growth of the annual halophyte species Suaeda japonica Makino were investigated in response to variable salinity of sediment pore water. The germination percentage of S. japonica’s soft brown seeds, which are dominant among dimorphic seeds, decreased with an increase in salinity, although germination was still observed at 1200‐mM NaCl concentration. The germination percentage and germination speed observed in April were higher than those observed in December when treated with sediment water with 400–1200 mM of NaCl concentrations. These data suggest that S. japonica seedlings could be established on sediments that experience high temperatures. Germination recovery of S. japonica seeds transferred from 600‐mM NaCl containing sediment (seawater equivalent) was lowest among 0–1200‐mM NaCl treatments, implying the low tolerance of seawater conditions of S. japonica seeds. Seeds germinated in 900‐ to 1200‐mM NaCl medium showed poor growth, but survived, in hypersaline conditions, and exhibited improvement in growth upon transfer to lower salinity.
The making of an egalitarian elite: school ethos and the production of privilege
Authors: Törnqvist Maria
Published: July 2018

Research on privilege and education often focuses on institutions that are elite in a rather traditional way, for example schools that instruct the children of the upper classes according to a reproductive logic that reinforces existing inequalities. The present article addresses the fostering of advantage from the angle of a more ambiguous case. The Global College, a municipal Swedish upper secondary school specialized in environmental issues and global justice, offers an empirical prism for discussing the cultivation of elite identification through the formative potential of an egalitarian ethos. The relation between ethics and class is examined, not only in terms of how moral stands are classed, but also by investigating into the productive capacities of such orientation. Through extensive ethnographic fieldwork, the study unfolds how a possible tension between egalitarianism and elitism resolves into a productive relation whereby the students’ incarnation of ethico‐political ideals becomes a means for developing agency, confidence, entrepreneurial skills and an overall sense of ease.