bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Channelling the future? The use of seasonal climate forecasts in climate adaptation.
Authors: Rickards L. , Howden M. , Crimp S.
Published: July 2014

This chapter contributes to understanding the context of risk management by bringing together a diversity of literatures pertinent to the use of seasonal climate forecasts (SCFs). In particular, it examines the role of such forecasts in assisting agricultural producers to adapt to climate variability and change. SCFs are projections of the trajectory of major climatic variables (notably precipitation) over a timescale of weeks to months. They allow some revision of the probability of occurrence of specific climate conditions when compared with historic experience (i.e. climatology). The chapter critically appraises the perceived benefi t of SCFs for climate change adaptation. Focused on a discussion of agricultural production in developed countries, the chapter speculates about the potential disadvantages of producers relying overly strongly on SCFs.
What are the factors that dictate the choice of coping strategies for extreme climate events? The case of farmers in the Nile basin of Ethiopia.
Authors: Deressa T. T.
Published: July 2014

This chapter argues that it is the differences in households' socioeconomic and environmental characteristics that affect the choice of coping strategies rather than the type of extreme event. In other words, a household employs what is at its disposal to cope with an extreme climate event, whether that extreme might be, drought, flood or hail storm. This chapter identifies and analyses the factors affecting farmers' choice of coping mechanisms for extreme climate events in Ethiopia's Nile Basin without differentiating between coping strategies adopted by farmers against a particular event like drought, flood or hail storm. In doing so, it argues that knowledge of the factors dictating farmers' selection of a particular coping method can assist in government policy interventions to reduce the harmful impacts of climate extremes.
Why some clades have low bootstrap frequencies and high Bayesian posterior probabilities
Authors: García-Sandoval Ricardo
Published: July 2014

Bayesian posterior probabilities are wrongly considered by many systematists as indicative of character support, and equivalent to non-parametric bootstrap frequencies. Here I argue against this view. Non-parametric bootstrap is indicative of the amount of evidence in a data matrix supporting each clade in the tree, while Bayesian posterior probabilities are not intended to represent that property. Clades with high posterior probability may not have a large amount of characters favouring them, and their frequencies are the result of the particular sampling procedure of the Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo method, which tends to sample very similar topologies according to their posterior probabilities. Both metrics may relate to the notion of confidence, but depict different properties.
Effects of high‐intensity intermittent running exercise in overweight children
Authors: Lau Patrick W. C. , Wong Del P. , Ngo Jake K. , Liang Y. , Kim C. G. , Kim H. S.
Published: July 2014

This study examined the effects of a 6‐week intermittent exercise training, at different intensities, on body composition, functional walking and aerobic endurance in overweight children. Forty‐eight overweight children (age: 10.4 ± 0.9 years) were randomly assigned to either intervention or control group. Lower and higher intensity intermittent exercise groups (LIIE and HIIE) performed intermittent running three times a week. LIIE performed more intervals at a lower intensity [16 intervals at 100% of individual maximal aerobic speed (MAS), 8 minutes in total], and HIIE performed fewer intervals at a higher intensity (12 intervals at 120% of MAS, 6 minutes in total). Each interval consisted of a 15‐second run at the required speed, followed by a 15‐second passive recovery. After 6 weeks, HIIE had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher percentage reduction in sum of skinfolds (i.e. calf and triceps), and significantly (p < 0.05) fewer steps during the functional obstacle performance, as compared with LIIE and control group. Significant improvement (p < 0.05) was found in intermittent aerobic endurance for HIIE as compared to the control group. Higher intensity intermittent training is an effective and time‐efficient intervention for improving body composition, functional walking and aerobic endurance in overweight children.
Fruit over sunbed: Carotenoid skin colouration is found more attractive than melanin colouration
Authors: Lefevre Carmen E. , Perrett David I.
Published: July 2014

Skin colouration appears to play a pivotal part in facial attractiveness. Skin yellowness contributes to an attractive appearance and is influenced both by dietary carotenoids and by melanin. While both increased carotenoid colouration and increased melanin colouration enhance apparent health in Caucasian faces by increasing skin yellowness, it remains unclear, firstly, whether both pigments contribute to attractiveness judgements, secondly, whether one pigment is clearly preferred over the other, and thirdly, whether these effects depend on the sex of the face. Here, in three studies, we examine these questions using controlled facial stimuli transformed to be either high or low in (a) carotenoid colouration, or (b) melanin colouration. We show, firstly, that both increased carotenoid colouration and increased melanin colouration are found attractive compared to lower levels of these pigments. Secondly, we show that carotenoid colouration is consistently preferred over melanin colouration when levels of colouration are matched. In addition, we find an effect of the sex of stimuli with stronger preferences for carotenoids over melanin in female compared to male faces, irrespective of the sex of the observer. These results are interpreted as reflecting preferences for sex-typical skin colouration: men have darker skin than women and high melanization in male faces may further enhance this masculine trait, thus carotenoid colouration is not less desirable, but melanin colouration is relatively more desirable in males compared to females. Taken together, our findings provide further support for a carotenoid-linked health-signalling system that is highly important in mate choice.
Understanding convergence and divergence: old and new cleavages in the politics of minimum income schemes in Italy and Poland
Authors: Jessoula Matteo , Kubisa Julia , Madama Ilaria , Zielenska Marianna
Published: July 2014

Italy and Poland present similarly weak minimum income protection models, yet this results from two different policy trajectories in the last 15 years: both countries actually introduced a minimum income scheme (MIS) between the late 1990s (Italy) and the early 2000s (Poland), but later developments were characterized by policy reversal in the Italian case vis-à-vis institutionalization in Poland. The paper therefore addresses two intertwined puzzles. First, in the light of very different background conditions, which factors help understand the convergent process towards the introduction of MIS? Second, what explains remarkable divergence in the subsequent phase? Challenging previous claims about the limited scope of political competition dynamics in the field of social assistance, due to generally narrow constituencies and limited political mobilization, we contend that political competition dynamics are key factors in order to make sense of both convergent and divergent trajectories in the two diverse phases.
repfdr: a tool for replicability analysis for genome-wide association studies
Authors: Heller Ruth , Yaacoby Shay , Yekutieli Daniel
Published: July 2014

Motivation: Identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms that are associated with a phenotype in more than one study is of great scientific interest in the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) research. The empirical Bayes approach for discovering whether results have been replicated across studies was shown to be a reliable method, and close to optimal in terms of power.

Results: The R package repfdr provides a flexible implementation of the empirical Bayes approach for replicability analysis and meta-analysis, to be used when several studies examine the same set of null hypotheses. The usefulness of the package for the GWAS community is discussed.

Availability and implementation: The R package repfdr can be downloaded from CRAN.

Contact:  ruheller@gmail.com

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Withdrawn as Duplicate: Two Human Challenge Studies Confirm High Infectivity of Norwalk Virus
Authors: Kirby Amy E , Teunis Peter F , Moe Christine L
Published: July 2014

This article has been withdrawn, as it is a duplicate which was erroneously accepted and published by OUP of an article previously published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases. The content available here has been published in its final form at https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiu385. The publisher apologizes for any inconvenience.
Solar system chemical abundances corrected for systematics
Authors: Gonzalez Guillermo
Published: July 2014

The relative chemical abundances between CI meteorites and the solar photosphere exhibit a significant trend with condensation temperature. A trend with condensation temperature is also seen when the solar photospheric abundances are compared to those of nearby solar twins. We use both these trends to determine the alteration of the elemental abundances of the meteorites and the photosphere by fractionation and calculate a new set of primordial Solar system abundances.
Dilated Intercellular Spaces in Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Authors: Ravelli Alberto , Villanacci Vincenzo , Cadei Moris , Fuoti Maurizio , Gennati Giada , Salemme Marianna
Published: July 2014

Objectives:

Dilated intercellular spaces (DIS) in the esophageal epithelium can be induced by acid and reduced by proton pump inhibitors (PPI), and are thus considered a marker of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Over the years, however, DIS have also been reported in esophagitis unrelated to GERD. Because DIS have never been formally measured in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), we aimed at detecting and measuring DIS in EoE before and after nutritional or pharmacological therapy.

Methods:

In 22 children with EoE, DIS were measured by morphometry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), before and after treatment with topical steroids (n = 16) and/or exclusion diet (n = 13). A total of 30 children undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy for nonesophageal disorders acted as controls.

Results:

In controls, the mean (±standard deviation [SD]) number of esophageal eosinophils was 0.91 (±0.47) and the mean DIS values were 0.62 (±0.08) μm at morphometry and 0.33 (±0.24) μm at TEM. In patients with EoE, the mean (±SD) number of esophageal eosinophils decreased from 31.8 (±6.96) to 6.64 (±5.01) (P < 0.0001), and the mean DIS values decreased from 2.26 (±0.21) to 1.23 (±0.20) μm at morphometry (P < 0.0001), and from 2.24 (±0.28) to 0.98 (±0.19) μm at TEM (P < 0.0001), respectively, before and after treatment.

Conclusions:

DIS are a prominent morphological feature of EoE, in which they can be significantly reduced by an appropriate non‐PPI therapy.
IL‐6 572 C/G, 190 C/T, and 174 G/C Gene Polymorphisms in Children's Malnutrition
Authors: Marginean Cristina O. , Banescu Claudia , Voidazan Septimiu , Duicu Carmen
Published: July 2014

Objectives:

The aim of the present study was to establish the correlations between the polymorphisms of the genes interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) 572, 190, and 174 in children's malnutrition.

Methods:

We assessed 283 hospitalized children and divided them into 2 groups: group I (control) included 110 patients with normal nutritional status, median (range) age 10.90 (1–18) years; and group II consisted of 173 malnourished patients, median (range) age 10.70 (1–18) years.

Results:

The 2 groups underwent IL‐6 572 cytosine allele (C)/guanine allele (G), 190 C/thymine allele (T), and 174 G/C polymorphism testing, measurement of anthropometric indicators (mid‐upper arm circumference and tricipital skinfold thickness [TST]), and paraclinical evaluation (protein, albumin). We observed that the GG and CG genotypes were more frequent in malnourished children for the IL‐6 174 gene (P = 0.0001), whereas the CT heterozygous genotype was more frequent in the malnourished group for the IL‐6 190 gene (P = 0.003). Body mass index (BMI), middle upper arm circumference (MUAC), TST, and low serum albumin levels correlated with the GG and CG genotypes of the IL‐6 572 and IL‐6 174 genes, and with the CT genotype of the IL‐6 190 gene, in children with malnutrition, whereas the IL‐6 190 TT genotype was a protective factor for malnutrition (P = 0.0001).

Conclusions:

Malnutrition is more frequently associated in children with IL‐6 174 G allele carriers (GG and CG genotypes), whereas IL‐6 190 TT genotype has a protective function. In malnourished children, the IL‐6 572/190/174 GG/CT/CG, GG/CT/GG, GG/CC/GG, and GG/CC/CG combined genotypes are more frequent.
Utility of Gastrointestinal Fluoroscopic Studies in Detecting Stricture After Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Authors: Wiland Emily L. , South Andrew P. , Kraus Steven J. , Meinzen‐Derr Jareen
Published: July 2014

Objectives:

We report our institution's 5‐year experience with upper gastrointestinal study with small bowel follow‐through (UGI‐SBFT) and contrast enema (CE) for the diagnosis of a post–necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) stricture. We hypothesized that sensitivity and specificity of UGI‐SBFT and CE were <85% in diagnosing a post‐NEC stricture.

Methods:

A retrospective observational cohort study was performed. Included patients were neonates diagnosed as having Bell's modified stage 2 or 3 NEC who had undergone UGI‐SBFT and/or CE to evaluate for a stricture. Exploratory laparotomy was used to definitively determine the stricture presence, which was confirmed by pathology. An infant was categorized as having no stricture if no surgical intervention occurred or if no stricture was reported on pathology following surgical resection.

Results:

A total of 56 patients met inclusion criteria, with 51 UGI‐SBFT and 85 CE performed. A total of 25 patients were diagnosed as having a stricture. For small bowel (SB) strictures, CE compared with UGI‐SBFT has a higher sensitivity (0.667 vs 0.00) and a similar specificity (0.857 vs 0.833). For SB and/or colonic strictures, CE has a sensitivity of 0.667 and a specificity of 0.951. Strictures were more likely to be found on imaging in symptomatic infants compared with those in asymptomatic infants (28% vs 8%, P = 0.002).

Conclusions:

CE should be the initial study in the diagnostic workup for a post‐NEC stricture because this test has a higher likelihood of detecting a stricture if it is present. As a result of low sensitivity of UGI‐SBFT and/or CE in the diagnosis of a post‐NEC stricture, a negative study should not rule out the diagnosis of a stricture in persistently symptomatic patients.
ESPGHAN Position Paper on Management of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Heuschkel R.B. , Gottrand F. , Devarajan K. , Poole H. , Callan J. , Dias J.A. , Karkelis S. , Papadopoulou A. , Husby S. , Ruemmele F. , Schäppi M.G. , Wilschanski M. , Lionetti P. , Orel R. , Tovar J. , Thapar N. , Vandenplas Y.
Published: July 2014

Objectives:

This European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) position statement provides a comprehensive guide for health care providers to manage percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes in a safe, effective, and appropriate way.

Methods:

Relevant literature from searches of PubMed, CINAHL, and recent guidelines was reviewed. In the absence of evidence, recommendations reflect the expert opinion of the authors. Final consensus was obtained by multiple e‐mail exchange and during 3 face‐to‐face meetings of the gastroenterology committee of the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.

Results:

Endoscopically placed gastrostomy devices are essential in the management of children with feeding and nutritional problems. The article focuses on practical issues such as indications and contraindications.

Conclusions:

The decision to place an endoscopic gastrostomy has to be made by an appropriate multidisciplinary team, which then provides active follow‐up and care for the child and the device.
Bradyrhizobium ingae sp. nov., isolated from effective nodules of Inga laurina grown in Cerrado soil
Authors: da Silva Krisle , De Meyer Sofie E. , Rouws Luc F. M. , Farias Eliane N. C. , dos Santos Marco A. O. , O’Hara Graham , Ardley Julie K. , Willems Anne , Pitard Rosa Maria , Zilli Jerri E.
Published: July 2014

Root-nodule bacteria were isolated from Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd. growing in the Cerrado Amazon region, State of Roraima, Brazil. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of six strains (BR 10250T, BR 10248, BR 10249, BR 10251, BR 10252 and BR 10253) showed low similarities with currently described species of the genus

Bradyrhizobium

. Phylogenetic analyses of sequences of five housekeeping genes (dnaK, glnII, gyrB, recA and rpoB) revealed

Bradyrhizobium iriomotense

EK05T to be the closest type strain (97.4 % sequence similarity or less). Chemotaxonomic data, including fatty acid profiles [with the major components C16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω6c/C18 : 1ω7c)], the slow growth rate and carbon compound utilization patterns supported the assignment of our strains to the genus

Bradyrhizobium

. Results from DNA–DNA hybridizations and physiological traits differentiated our strains from the closest related species of the genus

Bradyrhizobium

with validly published names. Sequences of symbiosis-related genes for nodulation (nodC) and nitrogen fixation (nifH) grouped together with those of

B. iriomotense

EK05T and

Bradyrhizobium

sp. strains BR 6610 (used as a commercial inoculant for Inga marginata in Brazil) and TUXTLAS-10 (previously observed in Central America). Based on these data, the six strains represent a novel species, for which the name Bradyrhizobium ingae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BR 10250T ( = HAMBI 3600T).
Description of Symbiobacterium ostreiconchae sp. nov., Symbiobacterium turbinis sp. nov. and Symbiobacterium terraclitae sp. nov., isolated from shellfish, emended description of the genus Symbiobacterium and proposal of Symbiobacteriaceae fam. nov.
Authors: Shiratori-Takano Hatsumi , Akita Kae , Yamada Kazune , Itoh Takashi , Sugihara Takafumi , Beppu Teruhiko , Ueda Kenji
Published: July 2014

Three novel moderately anaerobic, thermophilic, rod-shaped bacterial strains, KY38T, KY46Tand KA13T, were isolated from shellfish collected on the Pacific coastline of Enoshima, Japan. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these bacteria belong to the genusSymbiobacterium, sharing sequence similarities of 97.8 % (KY38T), 96.4 % (KY46T) and 93.3 % (KA13T) with the type strain ofSymbiobacterium thermophilum, the only species of the genus with a validly published name. These isolates reduced nitrate and grew optimally at 55–60 °C. Strains KY38Tand KA13Tformed endospore-like structures in the terminal or subterminal part of their cells at low frequencies. Genomic DNA G+C contents were 68.8 (KY38T), 67.2 (KY46T) and 67.1 (KA13T) mol%. The isolates all presented the predominant menaquinone MK-6, major fatty acids iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0and iso-C17 : 0and the major polar lipids phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and unknown glycol-containing phospholipids. On the basis of their morphological, physiological and phylogenetic properties, strains KY38T, KY46Tand KA13Trepresent three novel species, for which the namesSymbiobacterium ostreiconchaesp. nov. (type strain KY38T = DSM 27624T = KCTC 4567T = JCM 15048T),Symbiobacterium turbinissp. nov. (type strain KY46T = DSM 27625T = KCTC 4568T = JCM 15996T) andSymbiobacterium terraclitaesp. nov. (type strain KA13T = DSM 27138T = KCTC 4569T = JCM 15997T) are proposed. An emended description of the genusSymbiobacteriumis also presented. The phylogenetic distinctiveness of the genusSymbiobacteriumindicates its affiliation with a novel family, for which the nameSymbiobacteriaceaefam. nov. is proposed.
Production of acylated homoserine lactone by a novel marine strain of Proteus vulgaris and inhibition of its swarming by phytochemicals
Authors: Biswa Pramal , Doble Mukesh
Published: July 2014

A marine strain ofProteus vulgariscapable of activating multiple acylated homoserine lactone (AHL)-based reporter cultures was isolated. The cognate signal molecule was characterized as octanoyl homoserine lactone (OHL) and its production was observed to be growth dependent, with maximum production (5.675 µg l−1) at 24 h growth. The strain exhibited swarming, but its motility was not affected upon addition of pure OHL or culture supernatant. Phytochemicals such as quercitin and berberine chloride inhibited OHL production and reduced swarming. FliA, the predominantly upregulated protein during swarming, was considered as a possible target for these inhibitors, and docking of the two most active and two least active inhibitors to this protein suggested preferential binding of the former set of compounds. Apart from adding new evidence to AHL production inProteus vulgaris, active inhibitors shortlisted from this study could help in identifying lead compounds to act against this opportunistic pathogen of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract.
Acute hantavirus infection induces galectin-3-binding protein
Authors: Hepojoki Jussi , Strandin Tomas , Hetzel Udo , Sironen Tarja , Klingström Jonas , Sane Jussi , Mäkelä Satu , Mustonen Jukka , Meri Seppo , Lundkvist Åke , Vapalahti Olli , Lankinen Hilkka , Vaheri Antti
Published: July 2014

Hantaviruses are zoonotic viruses that cause life-threatening diseases when transmitted to humans. Severe hantavirus infection is manifested by impairment of renal function, pulmonary oedema and capillary leakage. Both innate and adaptive immune responses contribute to the pathogenesis, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we showed that galectin-3-binding protein (Gal-3BP) was upregulated as a result of hantavirus infection bothin vitroandin vivo. Gal-3BP is a secreted glycoprotein found in human serum, and increased Gal-3BP levels have been reported in chronic viral infections and in several types of cancer. Ourin vitroexperiments showed that, whilst Vero E6 cells (an African green monkey kidney cell line) constitutively expressed and secreted Gal-3BP, this protein was detected in primary human cells only as a result of hantavirus infection. Analysis of Gal-3BP levels in serum samples of cynomolgus macaques infected experimentally with hantavirus indicated that hantavirus infection induced Gal-3BP alsoin vivo. Finally, analysis of plasma samples collected from patients hospitalized because of acute hantavirus infection showed higher Gal-3BP levels during the acute than the convalescent phase. Furthermore, the Gal-3BP levels in patients with haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome correlated with increased complement activation and with clinical variables reflecting the severity of acute hantavirus infection.
Intergenerational recruiting: the impact of sales job candidate perception of interviewer age
Authors: Allen Concha , Schetzsle Stacey , L. Mallin Michael , Bolman Pullins Ellen
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine the effects from perceptions of age disadvantageness when job candidates are interviewing with recruiters from different age groups. More specifically, the authors examine the issues of intergenerational recruiting through the lens of social identity theory (SIT) and relational demography. Using these theoretical underpinnings, problems that result from dissatisfaction with between group inequities in the recruiting process are explored.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using these theoretical underpinnings, problems that result from dissatisfaction with between group inequities in the recruiting process are explored. Results from a survey of 176 undergraduate students actively pursuing sales positions provide evidence that candidate perceptions are influenced by age of the interviewer.

Findings

– The results support that sales job candidates do indeed feel disadvantaged when interviewed by older recruiters. Compared to interviewers from a more similar age in-group interviewer, the respondents felt a greater difficulty in establishing commonality and credibility and they felt the need to establish dependability, demonstrate professionalism, energy, and enthusiasm with an older out-group interviewer. Interestingly, sales job candidates did not feel lower levels of job confidence relative to the age-group of the interviewer.

Research limitations/implications

– The study reflects the perceptions of sales job applicants sampled from only two universities in the same region of the USA. Generalizations outside of this job applicant population (i.e. major and geography) cannot be made based on this limited group of respondents. Additionally, outcomes were not explored in this paper, so there is no way to know with certainty that these feelings of disadvantageness translate to concrete differences in results, such as lower job acceptance.

Practical implications

– From a recruiting/hiring managers’ perspective, they should be mindful that younger sales job candidates may feel uncomfortable or disadvantaged relative to age/generational differences. This could potentially even impact a recruit's desire to consider a company and accept a job offer, based on perceived organizational cultural differences. Educators need to prepare college students for the interview process. They should make students aware that they may feel the need to compensate for feelings that stem from intergeneration differences.

Originality/value

– From a theory perspective, the study applies the SIT to a human resource and recruiting context to better understand possible recruiting barriers that may be particularly relevant in today's changing recruitment environment. This represents one of only a few empirical research efforts that has attempted to explain intergenerational recruiting issues relative to SIT. In addition to the use of SIT and relational demography, this paper introduces a unique context.
Feeling dissimilar and helping others? A conceptual analysis
Authors: Yung Chou Shih , Chang Tree , Han Bo
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore how perceived visible, work value, and informational dissimilarity affect an individual's helping behavior. Additionally, it investigates the moderating roles of the need for affiliation and need for achievement.

Design/methodology/approach

– A theoretical analysis was performed.

Findings

– It is proposed that perceived visible, work value, and informational dissimilarity will have a negative impact on an individual's helping behavior. Additionally, it is posited that the need for affiliation and need for achievement will positively moderate the negative relationship between perceived dissimilarity and helping behavior.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper provides additional insight into antecedents of helping behavior, and offers a theoretical basis for future research that examines the relationship between subjective diversity and discretionary behaviors in organizations.

Practical implications

– This paper has several important implications. First, managers are recommended to implement effective educational approaches, such as role-playing, that help eliminate employees’ negative perceptions of dissimilarity and promote willingness to help co-workers. Second, managers should reinforce shared vision, values, and goals, which in turn may encourage interpersonal cooperative behaviors. Third, managers should facilitate the dissemination of knowledge and information that are crucial to individual performance. Fourth, managers are encouraged to provide employees with trainings on effective interpersonal processes such as inclusion and emotional management. Finally, managers should increase the degree of task interdependence, which may promote high levels of helping behavior.

Originality/value

– This paper is one of the very few studies that link helping behavior with subjective perceptions of dissimilarity. More importantly, this paper highlights the importance of the interaction between dissimilarity perceptions and internal driving forces.
The impact of users’ verbal/imagery cognitive styles on their Web search behavior
Authors: Hariri Nadjla , Asadi Maryam , Mansourian Yazdan
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of verbal-imagery cognitive styles of information searching behavior of users in using the Web.

Design/methodology/approach

– In all, 44 participants were recruited for this study. The participants’ cognitive styles were measured by using Riding's Cognitive Style Analysis test. Three search tasks were designed based on Kim's search task definitions. Moreover, an individual lab session was arranged and then participants’ memos were analyzed using content analysis.

Findings

– In all, 48 strategies in four categories of behaviors in searching the Web were identified. There were associations between users’ cognitive styles and their information searching behavior. The participants’ selection of the search initiation behaviors varied, so that imagers suffered from more varied initial behavior than verbalizers. The verbalizers tended to search in a narrow area, then broadening the area and following structured navigation and reading behavior to process information, while imagers tended to search in a general area, then narrowing down the search and adopting mixed navigational styles and mixed behaviors to process information. This study revealed that there was a difference in search performance of verbalizers and imagers descriptively, as verbalizers spent more time compared to imagers and imagers visited more nodes than verbalizers for the tasks completion. In addition, the task was an important variable influencing the search performance. Based on the key findings (search initiation behaviors, formulating search queries, navigational behaviors, information processing behaviors), a conceptual pattern of Web searching and cognitive styles is presented.

Research limitations/implications

– The study provides a new understanding of Web users’ information search behavior based on cognitive styles which contributes to the theoretical basis of Web search research. It also raises various questions within the context of user studies

Originality/value

– The paper adopted a mixed approach in the area of information searching on the Web. A valuable contribution lies in the methods developed.
Exploring employee perceptions of Web 2.0 virtual communities from the perspective of knowledge sharing
Authors: Yan Yalan , Zha Xianjin , Yan Ming
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– With the development of Web 2.0 virtual communities, the authors see a useful platform for knowledge sharing. However, knowledge sharing in virtual communities still remains a big challenge given the concern of knowledge quantity and quality. The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of individual differences on knowledge contributing, knowledge seeking, trust and norm of reciprocity. This study also explores the mean difference between knowledge seeking and knowledge contributing as well as the correlations between knowledge seeking, knowledge contributing, trust and reciprocity so as to provide some guidance for knowledge management practice in China.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data collected from 430 users of Web 2.0 virtual communities were used for data analysis. The independent samplest-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), paired samplest-test and correlation analysis were employed.

Findings

– The independent samplest-test and one-way ANOVA present the effect of individual differences on knowledge contributing, knowledge seeking, trust and norm of reciprocity. The paired samplest-test suggests that employees are more likely to seek knowledge from than contribute knowledge to Web 2.0 virtual communities. The correlation analysis suggests there are positive correlations between knowledge contributing, knowledge seeking, trust and reciprocity.

Practical implications

– Knowledge management initiatives in Chinese organizations are encountered relatively less frequently, compared with western countries. The authors suggest the findings of this study provide useful insights into the informal knowledge sharing in Web 2.0 virtual communities, which is helpful for guiding knowledge management practice in China.

Originality/value

– Based on knowledge quantity and knowledge quality whose significance cannot be over-emphasized in virtual communities, this study explores employee perceptions of Web 2.0 virtual communities from the perspective of knowledge sharing, which the authors think provides a new view for knowledge sharing research and practice alike in China.
Intentionality attributions and humiliation
Authors: Varela-Neira Concepción , Vázquez-Casielles Rodolfo , Iglesias Víctor
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to determine whether intentionality attributions have an effect on the customer’s complaint and switching behavior after a service failure, after accounting for the effects of the traditional dimensions of attribution (stability and controllability), and to examine whether intentionality attributions give rise to humiliation and to what degree this negative emotion enables us to understand the customer’s complaint and switching behavior after a service failure.

Design/methodology/approach

– A contribution of this investigation is that it studies real complaint and switching behaviors, as the few studies that focus on understanding customers’ complaint and defection behaviors mostly analyze customers’ intentions.

Findings

– The results of the study indicate that intentionality attributions have an effect on the customer’s switching behavior after a service failure, in addition to the impact of the traditional dimensions of attribution. The findings also show that humiliation is the emotion that mediates the relationship between intentionality attributions and switching behavior, opposite to other emotions that may also be related to attributions. Finally, the results also support that the effect of attribution of intentionality on complaint behavior is indirect; it only exists because attribution of intentionality influences negative emotions like humiliation, which in turn influences complaint behavior.

Practical implications

– To understand what makes customers complain after a service failure or switch service providers without giving them first the possibility of recovering the failure may help managers reduce the damage caused by the failure and increase the company’s profits.

Originality/value

– This study will try to contribute to the service failure research by analyzing the role of two variables that have not been analyzed before in this context: intentionality attribution and humiliation.
Economic nationalism and cosmopolitanism
Authors: Tae Lee Kyung , Lee You-Il , Lee Richard
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to investigate the differential influences of economic nationalism (EN) and cosmopolitanism (COS) on consumer behaviour, and how the two concepts are underpinned by different (normative versus informational) interpersonal influences.

Design/methodology/approach

– Surveys took place in two countries, South Korea (n = 257) and Taiwan (n = 258). Both are rapidly developing economies with a cosmopolitan consumer base. Two products, one representing conspicuous and one representing non-conspicuous categories, were used in each country’s survey. The data were subjected to exploratory and confirmation factor analyses and fitted using structural equation modelling.

Findings

– Contrary to past studies, EN and COS were unrelated. Economic nationalism was strong and biased towards domestic products. The results also suggest that COS may be related to bias against domestic products. EN related strongly to normative influence, whereas COS rested on informational influence. The results were similar across the countries and the product types.

Research limitations/implications

– Economic nationalism and COS may coexist as consumer dispositions and their relative salience may vary across individuals. Foreign firms should not overlook consumers’ nationalistic sentiment, just as domestic firms may capitalise on it. Both foreign and domestic firms can capitalise on consumer nationalism by highlighting benefits such as domestic employment and wealth creation.

Practical implications

– EN and COS may coexist as consumer dispositions, and their relative salience may vary across individuals. When managing their brand portfolio, foreign firms would benefit from considering consumers’ nationalistic sentiment, just as domestic firms may capitalise on it. Both foreign and domestic firms can capitalise on consumer nationalism by highlighting social benefits such as domestic employment and wealth creation.

Originality/value

– This study brings research on EN and COS from a macro/country level to a micro/individual level. It provides theoretical and empirical insights on the differential influences of EN and COS on consumer behaviour and sheds light on their psychological underpinnings.
Product-agency benefits
Authors: C. Otnes Cele , A. Ruth Julie , Marie Crosby Elizabeth
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this research is to explore the product-agency benefits that emerge as consumers interact with products, and how these benefits shape consumer experiences and marketing-related outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

– Sixty-one depth interviews were conducted, and 78 written narratives were collected from informants, which explored how products had changed consumers’ lives. The authors applied the tenets of grounded theory in the analysis of their text, creating abstract categories or tropes that reflected consistent patterns in their consumers’ experiences.

Findings

– The findings support that the conceptualization of agentic benefits should be broadened. The research identifies five salient product-agency benefits: regulation, clarification, transcendence, discovery and growth.

Research limitations/implications

– Prior conceptualizations of agency in marketing focus almost solely on control, yet the authors find that multiple product-agency benefits emerge, supporting the need for a broader understanding of product-related agency. The authors also find these benefits can be anticipated or unanticipated. It is also important to note that the benefits can be paradoxical, in that while they often yield positive outcomes, at times they can produce unintended and even negative consequences.

Practical implications

– Incorporating consumers’ (vs researchers’) benefit perceptions into theory building and preference models will enhance understanding of consumer behavior and improve predictive power of preference and choice forecasts. The five salient product-agency benefits provide mechanisms for segmentation and building meaningful relationships with consumers, can propel product development and assist in creating more effective marketing–communication strategies.

Originality/value

– The paper offers a broader, more nuanced conceptualization of agency beyond control. It identifies five types of product-agency benefits that reflect a wide spectrum of consumers’ lived experiences.
Understanding how resource deployment strategies influence trade show organizers’ performance effectiveness
Authors: Tafesse Wondwesen
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine how the deployment of market-based resources influence trade show (TS) organizers’ performance effectiveness as measured with exhibitor and visitor attendance levels. To this end, the study synthesizes several market-based resources including TS longevity, TS webpage interactivity, industry association support, exhibition duration and exhibition area, and investigates how their deployments affect TS attendance levels.

Design/methodology/approach

– A cross-sectional dataset was compiled on 79 TSs by searching a variety of online sources. Organizers’ performance effectiveness was measured using TS attendance levels. The extent to which organizers deployed market-based resources was likewise quantified using hard data. A series of regression models was estimated to isolate the effect of the market-based resources on TS attendance levels.

Findings

– The results demonstrate the existence of positive relationships between market-based resources and TS attendance levels which are characterized by diminishing returns. More specifically, the authors found that as the amount of the deployment of the market-based resources increases, their incremental contributions to TS attendance levels become smaller.

Practical implications

– The findings offer comprehensive managerial insights about how organizers can improve their attendance levels by carefully deploying market-based resources.

Originality/value

– The few available works that try to address the question of why some TSs are well attended while others are not rely on the opinions of exhibitors and visitors. This study attempts to address the same question from the organizers perspective, and, in so doing, it contributes to the spares literature on TS management from the organizers perspective.
Volunteer stereotypes, stigma, and relational identity projects
Authors: Ho Mary , O’Donohoe Stephanie
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to seek to enhance the understanding of non-profit marketing and consumer identities by exploring volunteering as a form of symbolic consumption. Specifically, it seeks to examine how young people – both volunteers and non-volunteers – understand and relate to volunteer stereotypes, and how they manage stigma in negotiating their social identities in relation to volunteering.

Design/methodology/approach

– Grounded in consumer culture theory, the study uses mixed qualitative methods, incorporating focus groups, paired and individual interviews and a projective drawing task.

Findings

– Five volunteering-related stereotypes were identified: the older charity shop worker, the sweet singleton, the environmental protestor, the ordinary volunteer and the non-volunteer. Participants related to positive and negative attributes of these stereotypes in different ways. This led volunteers and non-volunteers to engage in a range of impression management strategies, some of which bolstered their own identities by stigmatising other groups.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample was drawn from 39 individuals aged 16-24 years and living in Scotland.

Practical implications

– Because stereotypes are acknowledged as a major barrier to volunteering, particularly among young people, a greater understanding of how these stereotypes are understood and negotiated can assist non-profit marketers in recruiting and retaining volunteers.

Originality/value

– This paper draws on theories of consumer culture and stigma to explore volunteering as a form of symbolic consumption, examines volunteering stereotypes among both volunteers and non-volunteers and uses multiple qualitative methods to facilitate articulation of young people’s experiences in this area.
Risk as moderator of the trust-loyalty relationship
Authors: Paulssen Marcel , Roulet Raphael , Wilke Sina
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to investigate the role of perceived risk as a moderator of the key relational mediators of satisfaction and trust, and second, to test the influence of perceived product value and social bonding as antecedents of brand satisfaction and brand trust to understand their effectiveness under different risk conditions. Palmatieret al.(2006) call for the study of moderators of relational mediators, such as trust and satisfaction, which may determine the effectiveness of different relationship marketing strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study investigates business-to-consumer relationships between a car brand and its customers, applying structural equation modeling.

Findings

– Results show that perceived risk moderates the mediating role of both brand trust and brand satisfaction on relationship outcomes. When perceived risk is low, brand satisfaction alone determines brand loyalty, whereas when perceived risk is high, brand trust exclusively determines brand loyalty. Thus, the effectiveness of social bonding tactics as a prime determinant of trust is contingent on consumers’ risk perceptions.

Research limitations/implications

– A limitation of the present research is its focus on one product category. Further investigations should be conducted to expand the findings’ generalizability.

Practical implications

– The often-recommended social bonding between boundary spanner and customers is only an effective relationship marketing strategy in situations of high perceived risk.

Originality/value

– This study clarifies the role of perceived risk in marketing relationships by testing alternative models.
Exploring brand associations: an innovative methodological approach
Authors: Crawford Camiciottoli Belinda , Ranfagni Silvia , Guercini Simone
Published: July 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this exploratory study is to propose a new methodological approach to investigate brand associations. More specifically, the study aims to show how brand associations can be identified and analysed in an online community of international consumers of fashion to determine the degree of matching with company-defined brand associations.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology is two-pronged, integrating qualitative market research techniques with quantitative text mining. It was applied to determine types and perceptions of brand associations among fashion bloggers with reference to three leading Italian fashion houses. These were then compared to brand associations found in company-generated texts to measure the degree of matching.

Findings

– The results showed consistent brand associations across the three brands, as well as substantial matching with company-defined brand associations. In addition, the analysis revealed the presence of distinctive brand association themes that shed further light on how brand attributes were perceived by blog participants.

Practical implications

– The methods described can be used by managers to identify and reinforce favourable brand associations among consumers. This knowledge can then be applied towards developing and implementing effective brand strategies.

Originality/value

– The authors propose an interdisciplinary approach to investigate brand associations in online communities. It incorporates text mining and computer-assisted textual analysis as techniques borrowed from the field of linguistics which have thus far seen little application in marketing studies, but can nonetheless provide important insights for strategic brand management.