bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TheSalixSmSPR1 Involved in Light-Regulated Cell Expansion by Modulating Microtubule Arrangement
Authors: Xiaoxia Liu , Jianguo Zhang , Jinkai Sui , Ying Luo , Guodong Rao
Published: June 2019

Light signaling and cortical microtubule (MT) arrays are essential to the anisotropic growth of plant cells. Microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) function as regulators that mediate plant cell expansion or elongation by altering the arrangements of the MT arrays. However, current understanding of the molecular mechanism of MAPs in relation to light to regulate cell expansion or elongation is limited. Here, we show that the microtubule-associated protein SPR1 is involved in light-regulated directional cell expansion by modulating microtubule elongation inSalix matsudana. Overexpression ofSmSPR1in Arabidopsis results in right-handed helical orientation of hypocotyls in dark-grown etiolated seedlings, whereas the phenotype of transgenic plants was indistinguishable from those of wild-type plants under light conditions. Phenotypic characterization of the transgenic plants showed reduced anisotropic growth and left-handed helical MT arrays in etiolated hypocotyl cells. Protein interaction assays revealed that SPR1, CSN5A (subunits of COP9 signalosome, a negative regulator of photomorphogenesis), and ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5, a transcription factor that promotes photomorphogenesis) interacted with each otherin vivo. The phenotype of ArabidopsisAtSPR1-overexpressing transgenic lines was similar to that ofSmSPR1-overexpressing transgenic plants, and overexpression ofSalix SmSPR1can rescue thespr1mutant phenotype, thereby revealing the function of SPR1 in plants.

Highlight

Function of microtubule-associated protein SPR1 is directly related to light, and crucial to the balance of tubulin polymerization
Mass evacuation and increases in long-term care benefits: lessons from the Fukushima nuclear disaster
Authors: Morita Tomohiro , Ando Michihito , Ohtsu Yui
Published: June 2019

Background

Though mass evacuation may increase the need for long-term care (LTC) services, how the need for LTC services increases and how the public LTC system affects it is not well understood. We evaluated changes in public LTC benefits for the people living in the mandatory evacuation areas established after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and examined the roles of the universal LTC insurance system in Japan.

Methods

In order to evaluate the effect of the mandatory evacuation on LTC benefits, we examined the trends of LTC benefits in the Fukushima evacuation group and the nationwide non-evacuation group. We first decomposed per-elderly-individual benefits at the municipality level into the LTC certification rate and per-certified-individual benefits, and then implemented difference-in-differences analysis using these variables as outcomes.

Results

Per-elderly-individual benefits significantly increased from 2012 onward in the evacuation group, and this was explained by an increase in the certification rate rather than in per-certified-individual benefits. Increases in per-elderly-individual benefits and the certification rate in the post-disaster period were observed in all but the highest care level, and the corresponding outcomes for the highest care level decreased immediately after the disaster. We also found that the increase in the certification rate had been mostly realized by an increase in the number of certified individuals.

Conclusions

The increase in LTC benefits can be associated with the impact of the increase in the number of people newly certified to receive LTC benefits after the mandatory evacuation. In order to cope with the increase in utilization of long-term care and associated costs after disasters in aging societies, both formal long-term care services and social support for informal care for evacuees should be considered important.
An unexpected alternative splicing of SKU5-Similar3 in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhou Ke
Published: June 2019

Alternative splicing largely enhanced the diversity of transcriptome and proteome in eukaryas. Along with technical development, more and more alternatively splicing was demonstrated. Here, we report an unexpected alternative splicing of SKU5-Similar 3 (SKS3) within a special splicing site in Arabidopsis. Based on bioinformatics database, SKS3 was predicted to be alternatively transcribed into two variants, SKS3.1 and SKS3.2, which encoded a GPI-anchored protein and a soluble secretory protein respectively. But, instead of SKS3.2, a novel variant, SKS3.3, which encoded a protein with transmembrane region at its C-terminus, was demonstrated based on our experimental data. Interestingly, it exhibited a different organ-specific expression pattern from SKS3.1, and its intron splicing site did not follow ‘GT-AG’ rule or any reported rules.
PRR14 Overexpression Promotes Cell Growth, Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Metastasis of Colon Cancer via the AKT Pathway
Authors: Li Fangfang , Zhang Chundong , Fu Lijuan
Published: June 2019

Background

PRR14 (Proline rich protein 14) was firstly identified for its ability to specify and localize heterochromatin during cell cycle progression. Aberrant expression of PRR14 is associated with the tumorigenesis and progression of lung cancer. However, its involvement in colon cancer remains unknown. Herein, we report the role of PRR14 in colon cancer.

Methods

Colon cancer tissue microarray was used to analyze and compare the expression of PRR14 among some clinicopathological characteristics of colon cancer. HCT116 and RKO cells were transfected with siRNA to downregulate PRR14 expression. The roles of PRR14 in proliferation, migration and invasion of the cell lines were determined using cell counting kit-8, colony formation assay, wound healing assay and transwell assays respectively. The expression of PRR14 was measured by using immunofluorescence, qRT- PCR and western blot.

Results

PRR14 was highly expressed in colon cancer tissues, and the expression level was correlated with tumor size, distant metastasis and Tumor Node Metastasis stages. Functional study revealed that downregulation of PRR14 inhibited colon cancer cells growth, migration and invasion. Furthermore, knockdown of PRR14 inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, cell cycle-associated proteins expression and p-AKT level.

Conclusion

PRR14 may promote the progression and metastasis of colon cancer, and may be a novel prognostic and therapeutic marker for the disease.
Gluten-free Fish? Marine Carnivores Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) and European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Have Different Tolerances to Dietary Wheat Gluten
Authors: Larkin Mary E.M. , Watson Aaron M. , Place Allen R.
Published: June 2019

In developing more sustainable fishmeal-free diets for a broad range of fish species, a “one-size-fits-all” approach should not be presumed. The production of more ecologically sustainable aquaculture diets has increased the incorporation of plant-based protein sources such as wheat gluten. Here we show that wheat gluten at even less than 4% inclusion in a compound feed has a negative impact on growth and survivorship in juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum). In addition, plasma factors capable of binding wheat gluten were detected in the plasma of cobia fed diets containing this ingredient but not in wild cobia with no exposure to dietary wheat gluten. Furthermore, there is evidence that supplementary taurine partially mitigates the deleterious effects provoked by wheat gluten. Based on these results, we propose that wheat gluten should be added with caution to aquaculture diets intended for juvenile cobia and potentially other marine carnivores. After observing that dietary wheat gluten can cause deleterious effects in cobia, we sought to evaluate a possible effect in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), another large, carnivorous, marine species. There were no major effects in terms of growth rate, plasma biochemical parameters, or detectable induction of plasma IgM, IgT, or factors capable of binding gliadin in response to 4% dietary wheat gluten. However, plasma levels of taurine doubled and there were considerable changes to the intestinal microbiome. There was increased diversity of predominant taxonomic orders in the pyloric caeca, anterior, middle, and posterior intestinal sections of fish consuming wheat gluten. Despite these measurable changes, the data suggest that dietary inclusion of 4% wheat gluten is well tolerated by European sea bass in feed formulations. Together these findings underscore the need to evaluate tolerance to ingredients in aquaculture formulations on a species by species basis.
The transcription factor basal regulatory network of Homo sapiens and Saccharomyces cerevisiae: uncovering the relationship between topology and phenotype
Authors: Hernández-Domínguez JL , Brass A. , Navarro-López EM
Published: June 2019

Transcription factors play a key role in controlling which proteins are made by a cell. As transcription factors are themselves proteins, they are part of a complex interconnected and self-regulated network. We define the transcription factor basal regulatory network (TFBRN) as the network formed by the interactions between transcription factors (TFs) as proteins acting on target genes which are themselves TFs. The question then becomes as to whether topological features of this network are important in determining phenotypes caused by perturbations in TFs. To explore this, we developed two simple TFBRN models; one based on data from human TFs, and the other on the budding yeast. Even from this basic model we did find some very clear correlations between local topological measures and phenotypes seen in cancer and rare genetic diseases. This strongly suggests that the local network architecture of the TFBRN provides important information around the roles of transcription factors and the impacts to an organisation of their perturbation.

Author Summary

The human body is controlled by proteins whose production is coordinated by proteins known as transcription factors. These transcription factors can control multiple proteins, including other transcription factors. Does this network itself play any role in determining the properties of the transcription factors and their roles in cancer and disease? In this paper we find that there is a relationship between the local structures in the network and processes such as cancer and rare genetic diseases. We also found a similar relationship between local network characteristics and budding yeast phenotypes. This work therefore shows that simple properties of the network of interactions between transcription factors and their targets can be useful in determining the effects caused by changes in transcription factors (whether through deletion or allelic variation).
Demonstration of a picosecond Bragg switch for hard X-rays in a synchrotron-based pump–probe experiment
Authors: Sander Mathias , Bauer Roman , Kabanova Victoria , Levantino Matteo , Wulff Michael , Pfuetzenreuter Daniel , Schwarzkopf Jutta , Gaal Peter
Published: June 2019

A benchmark experiment is reported that demonstrates the shortening of hard X-ray pulses in a synchrotron-based optical pump–X-ray probe measurement. The pulse-shortening device is a photoacoustic Bragg switch that reduces the temporal resolution of an incident X-ray pulse to approximately 7.5 ps. The Bragg switch is employed to monitor propagating sound waves in nanometer thin epitaxial films. From the experimental data, the pulse duration, diffraction efficiency and switching contrast of the device can be inferred. A detailed efficiency analysis shows that the switch can deliver up to 109 photons s−1 in high-repetition-rate synchrotron experiments.
Influences of career establishment strategies on generation Y’s self-directedness career
Authors: Wong Siew Chin , Mohd Rasdi Roziah
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of generation Y’s career establishment strategies on self-directedness career and to determine the moderation effect of gender on the relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 188 full-time employees from different functional areas and departments of selected MNCs in Malaysian Electrical and Electronic Industry. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to examine the influences of establishment strategies and the moderating role of gender on self-directedness career.

Findings

Findings show that there are significant positive relationship between career strategies and self-directedness career at career establishment stages of generation Y. There is a significant difference between males and females in career establishment strategy (i.e. creating career opportunities) and self-directedness career.

Research limitations/implications

This paper explains self-directedness career based on the review of related career literatures whereby some may not specifically referring to Generation Y.

Practical implications

Such insights are useful for HRD practitioners dto develop relevant HRD interventions to assist individuals and organizations in career development.

Originality/value

This paper offers new insight into the predictors of self-directedness career and the moderating role of gender on the relationships.
The role of learning management in agile management for consensus culture
Authors: Tokel Aytac , Dagli Gokmen , Altinay Zehra , Altinay Fahriye
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the formation of a consensual culture of agile management used in schools where school administrators and teachers work.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on a qualitative research approach that highlights social phenomena and explores the environment in which they belong. In this context, five managers and seven teachers working in six vocational education institutions were asked semi-structured questions during face-to-face interviews.

Findings

The research revealed that technology has a great impact on foster learning management and the development of school culture based on consensus.

Research limitations/implications

The data of the research is limited to the participants who are Five managers and seven teachers working in six vocational education institutions within Nicosia context.

Practical implications

The school gained awareness on the uses of technology for learning and development.

Social implications

Merits of technology for consensus culture were examined in this paper.

Originality/value

The paper is original in that it gives insights for the education system on the technology and learning.
The association between nurses’ religiousness and job satisfaction
Authors: Mensah Henry Kofi , Asiamah Nestor , Azinga Samuel Awuni
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study aims to assess the effect of religiosity on the job satisfaction of nurses in response to the paucity of studies that have investigated this relationship in a health care setting. The authors also tested the moderation impact of materialism on the religiosity–satisfaction nexus.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative (correlational) research technique was applied to test hypotheses of interest. The simple random sampling method was used to select a representative sample of 458 nurses. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the factor structures of relevant constructs and to test hypotheses. The study’s ultimate CFA model produced a good fit at 5 per cent significance level [Chi-square (χ2) = 19.121; p = 0.454].

Findings

Religiosity was found to make a positive effect on job satisfaction and a negative effect on materialism. Materialism makes a negative effect on job satisfaction. Religiosity and materialism makes a significant negative interaction effect on nurses’ satisfaction after controlling for job income.

Practical implications

It is therefore concluded that religiosity is a positive behaviour that contributes to the satisfaction of nurses, but materialism must be avoided or at least reduced to maximise this impact.

Originality/value

In this study, the authors demonstrate that the positive effect of religiousness on job satisfaction can be negatively moderated by materialism so that religiousness makes less impact on satisfaction owing to the negative influence of materialism on job satisfaction.
Multi-scale surface patterning – an approach to control friction and lubricant migration in lubricated systems
Authors: Grützmacher Philipp G. , Rosenkranz Andreas , Szurdak Adam , Grüber Markus , Gachot Carsten , Hirt Gerhard , Mücklich Frank
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the possibilities to control friction in lubricated systems by surface patterning, making use of a multi-scale approach. Surface patterns inside the tribological contact zone tend to directly reduce friction, whereas surface patterns located in the close proximity of the contact area can improve the tribological performance by avoiding lubricant starvation and migration. Finally, optimized surface patterns were identified by preliminary laboratory tests and transferred to a journal bearing, thus testing them under more realistic conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Surface patterns on a large scale (depth > 10 µm) were fabricated by micro- and roller-coining, whereas surface patterns on a small scale (depth < 2 µm) were produced by direct laser interference patterning. The combination of both techniques resulted in multi-scale surface patterns. Tribologically beneficial surface patterns (verified in ball-on-disk laboratory tests) were transferred onto a journal bearing’s shaft and tested on a special test-rig. To characterize the lubricant spreading behavior, a new test-rig was designed, which allowed for the study of the lubricant’s motion on patterned surfaces under the influence of a precisely controlled temperature gradient.

Findings

All tested patterns accounted for a pronounced friction reduction and/or an increase in oil film lifetime. The results from the preliminary laboratory tests matched well, with results from the journal bearing test-rig, both tests showing a maximum friction reduction by a factor of 3-4. Numerical investigations, as well as experiments, have shown the possibility to actively guide lubricant over patterned surfaces. Smaller periodicities, as well as greater structural depths and widths, led to a more pronounced anisotropic spreading and/or greater spreading velocities. Multi-scale surfaces demonstrated the strongest effects regarding the lubricant’s spreading behavior.

Originality/value

Friction, as well as lubricant migration, can be successfully controlled by using micro-coined, laser-patterned and/or multi-scale surfaces. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study demonstrates for the first time the unique possibility to transfer results obtained in laboratory tests to a real machine component.
Disease risk and its moderating effect on the e-consultation market offline and online signals
Authors: Li Jia , Tang Jie , Yen David C. , Liu Xuan
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the moderating effect of disease risk in terms of the major signals (i.e. status, reputation and self-representation) on the e-consultation platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the proposed research hypotheses are tested using the transaction data collected from xywy.com (in Need of Therapy). In fact, xywy.com is one the leading e-consultation service websites in China that provides a platform for the interactions between the physicians and patients (Yu et al., 2016; Peng et al., 2015). Generally speaking, it has all the needed design elements and in other words, a standard e-consultation website should have such items/components as physician homepage, physician review, free consultation, paid consultation and recommendation systems.

Findings

The obtained results reveal that all attributes including status, reputation and self-representation have a positive impact on physician’s online order volume. Moreover, there is a positive moderating effect of disease risk onto the online reputation, indicating a higher effect exists for the diseases with high risk. However, the effect of offline status and online self-representation is not moderated by the disease risk, indicating market signals (online reputation) may have a stronger predictive power than seller signals (offline status and online self- representation), and therefore market signals are more effective when/if the disease risk is high.

Originality/value

E-consultation has gradually become a significant trend to provide the healthcare services, in the emerging economy such as China because of shortage of medical resources but having an adequate access in internet usage. The impacts of signals on the health care market have been validated by previous studies. However, the research focusing on the moderating effect of signaling environment in the health care industry is still lacking. As a result, the value of this research helps to bridge the aforementioned research gap.
Organizational practices as antecedents of the information security management performance
Authors: Pérez-González Daniel , Preciado Sara Trigueros , Solana-Gonzalez Pedro
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to expand current knowledge about the security organizational practices and analyze its effects on the information security management performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature review, the authors propose a research model together with hypotheses. The survey questionnaires were developed to collect data, which then validated the measurement model. The authors collected 111 responses from CEOs at manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that had already implemented security policies. The hypothesized relationships were tested using the structural equation model approach with EQS 6.1 software.

Findings

Results validate that information security knowledge sharing, information security education and information security visibility, as well as security organizational practices, have a positive effect on the information security management performance.

Research limitations/implications

The consideration of organizational aspects of information security should be taken into account by academics, practitioners and policymakers in SMEs. Besides, the work helps validate novel constructs used in recent research (information security knowledge sharing and information security visibility).

Practical implications

The authors extend previous works by analyzing how security organizational practices affect the performance of information security. The results suggest that an improved performance of information security in the industrial SMEs requires innovative practices to foster knowledge sharing among employees.

Originality/value

The literature recognizes the need to develop empirical research on information security focused on SMEs. Besides the need to identify organizational practices that improve information security, this paper empirically investigates SMEs’ organizational practices in the security of information and analyzes its effects on the performance of information security.
Extending the potential of Baumol’s entrepreneurial allocation theory
Authors: Aeeni Zeynab , Motavaseli Mahmoud , Sakhdari Kamal , Saeedikiya Mehrzad
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The underlying assumptions of Baumol’s theory of entrepreneurial allocation limits its potential to answer some key questions related to the entrepreneurship allocation. Hence, this paper aims to highlight the inherent limits of Baumol’s theory and suggest a new approach for understanding the entrepreneur-institution relationship and their functions.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper with a narrow focus on the literature.

Findings

The paper argues that Baumol’s adherence to neoclassic economics assumptions about entrepreneur and institution, such as entrepreneurs as rational choice taker with predetermined goals or institutions as exogenous, limits the potential of his theoretical framework to explain productive entrepreneurship in weak institutional settings. As such, underlying on Austrian economics assumptions about entrepreneur and his/her agency, this paper proposes a reconceptualization of productive entrepreneurship as an outcome of the interaction between entrepreneur and context.

Practical implications

Going beyond Baumol’s main proposition of one-sided influence of institutions on entrepreneurship allocation, this research highlights the influence of individual factors and entrepreneurial action on choosing entrepreneurial paths by entrepreneurs. So, future policies to stimulate productive entrepreneurship should consider these factors and go beyond Baumol’s mere focus on institutional improvement.

Originality/value

Going beyond one-sided influence of institutions on entrepreneurship allocation, this paper suggests an interaction centric approach which considers the role of actors and institutions as the co-creator of each other in the social process and argues that any effort for explaining the entrepreneurship should consider the co-creative nature of the actors and institutions as well as the endogenous nature of institutions. The proposed approach will help expanding entrepreneurship literature through finding answers to some key under-examined questions in the promising research stream of entrepreneurship allocation.
Conversation Analysis (CA) as a tool for exploring interaction in an online video-conferencing based support service
Authors: Chatwin John , McEvoy Phil
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Around 60 per cent of people with dementia in the UK live at home. The experience of caring for a family member with dementia can be rewarding and positive, but it can also be significantly stressful. Current healthcare policy is encouraging greater provision to support family carers. Along with respite-care, day-care and support group-based initiatives, there has also been a focus on developing dementia-specific communication training. The paper discusses this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors outline a new initiative “Empowered Carers” which is being piloted in the North of England. Empowered Carers is an online support and communication training service for family carers who are caring for someone with dementia at home. It utilises online video conference-calling technology to connect carers with support workers, and also allows for simultaneous interactions involving other family members. A central tenet of the approach is a theoretically grounded support model, based on the concept of mentalisation.

Findings

The authors describe the background to Empowered Carers, and how a conventional evaluation strategy for the initiative is being used alongside a socio-linguistic approach (Conversation Analysis – CA). This aims to provide empirical evidence about how the assimilation of mentalisation is reflected in the structuring of speech patterns in carers during support sessions.

Originality/value

The authors explain the CA method, how it has been applied to similar talk-based therapeutic settings, and why its ability to explore sequential linguistic patterns across extremely large data-sets is particularly suited to studying interaction in emerging online arenas.
Exchange rate volatility and exports from India: a commodity-level panel data analysis
Authors: Sharma Chandan
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between exchange rate risk and export at commodity level for the Indian case.

Design/methodology/approach

The monthly panel data used for analysis are at a disaggregated level, which cover around 100 products, encompassing all merchandize sectors for the period spanning from 2012:12 to 2017:11. To measure the exchange rate volatility, the authors use real as well as nominal exchange rate concepts and predict the volatility of exchange rate using the autoregressive conditional heteroscedastic-based model. They use pooled mean group, mean group and common correlated effects mean group estimator that is suitable for the objectives and data frequency.

Findings

The empirical analysis indicates both short- and long-term negative effects of exchange rate variations on exporting. Specifically, in the long run, real exchange rate as well as nominal exchange rate volatility has significant effects on export performance, yet, the effects of uncertainty of nominal exchange rate is much severe and intense. In the short run, it is the nominal exchange rate uncertainty that hurts exports from India. Nevertheless, the short-run effect is much lesser than the long-run, supporting the argument that the short-term exchange rate risk can be hedged, at least partially, through financial instruments; however, uncertainty of the long-term horizon cannot be hedged easily and cost-effectively.

Practical implications

Reducing uncertainty and attaining stability in exchange rate and price level should be an important policy objective in developing countries such as India to achieve higher export growth, both in the short and long run.

Originality/value

Unlike previous studies, this paper tests the relationship using micro-level data and uses advanced econometric techniques that are likely to provide more precise information regarding the association between exchange rate volatility and trade flows.
Can brands deviate from their brand aesthetic? Brand luxury status as a moderator
Authors: Seifert Christin , Cui Tianyu , Chattaraman Veena
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of brand design consistency (BDC) on consumers’ aesthetic judgment and purchase intention; and whether this effect of BDC is moderated by a brand’s luxury status.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-factorial experimental design that manipulated the BDC of handbags (prototypical/high/low) and brand luxury status (luxury/non-luxury) was conducted among 311 female participants to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

Results obtained fromt-tests and repeated measures ANCOVA demonstrate that prototypical brand designs, followed by high, and then low BDC products, evoked the most positive consumer responses. Additionally, brand luxury status moderated the effect of BDC on consumer response, such that the effect was more salient for non-luxury than luxury brands.

Practical implications

Luxury brands are able to leverage the halo effect, as perceived brand design inconsistency has a lesser impact on consumers’ purchase intentions than for non-luxury brands. Non-luxury brands have less latitude to deviate from their brand aesthetic, and maintaining BDC in new products is imperative for these brands.

Originality/value

Designers constantly navigate the thresholds of their brand’s aesthetic in design decisions; however, few studies have investigated consumer responses to deviations from brand aesthetics. To the authors’ knowledge, no studies have examined this phenomenon in relation to a brand’s luxury status, a factor that critically impacts consumers’ design expectations.
Impact of training and professional development on health management and leadership competence
Authors: Ayeleke Reuben Olugbenga , North Nicola Henri , Dunham Annette , Wallis Katharine Ann
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Training to improve health management and leadership competence is recommended. However, there is limited evidence showing the impact of training on competence. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the evidence for the impact of training and professional development on health management and leadership competence.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review was conducted using a mixed-methods design. Studies using qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods design were included. The following electronic databases were searched to October 2018: CENTRAL, CINAHL, EMBASE, ERIC, NEDLINE and PsycINFO. Study eligibility and methodological quality were assessed independently by two review authors. Data from qualitative studies were synthesised using thematic analysis. For quantitative studies, odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for each intervention. Where appropriate, qualitative and quantitative data were integrated into a single synthesis using Bayesian methods.

Findings

In total, 19 studies were identified for inclusion in the review. Training and professional development interventions using flexible, multiple training techniques tailored to organisational contexts can improve individual competence and performance. Such training is typified by a leadership development programme. There was insufficient evidence to determine the effects of interventions on organisational performance.

Originality/value

This is the first systematic review evaluating the impact of training and professional development interventions on health management and leadership competence.
The antecedents and consequences of online relationship quality in internet purchases
Authors: Kousheshi Mohammad Reza , Aali Samad , Bafandeh Zendeh Ali Reza , Iranzadeh Soleyman
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to suggest a model for predicting antecedents and consequences of relationship quality in online purchase of physical goods.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 462 online buyers in Iran participated in the research by completing questionnaires. The research hypotheses were tested using structural modeling technique.

Findings

The results showed that website quality, online relationship bonds and reputation of seller have positive effect on online relationship quality. The results also showed that online relationship quality has positive effect on electronic word of mouth, online customer share, online customer loyalty and online customer reviews.

Research limitations/implications

In this research, online relationship quality was considered as a higher-order construct including trust, commitment and satisfaction with the relationship. However, to achieve more accurate results, future researchers can investigate the separate impact of each of the relationship quality dimensions (commitment, trust and satisfaction) on the consequences of online relationship quality.

Practical implications

This research provides a wide series of antecedents and consequences of online relationship quality for online stores community so that, through being aware of them, internet stores could choose a suitable guideline to sustain their relationship with online customers and, ultimately, obtain customers’ participation in creating value and strengthening their competitive status.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a more comprehensive model of the antecedents and consequences of relationship quality in online purchases for the first time, and it demonstrates which factors strengthen online relationship quality as well as indicates which customer reactions online relationship quality can reinforce and which consequences it can provide for internet shops.
Islamic venture capital investment style – opportunities and challenges
Authors: Anwer Zaheer
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study aims to explore how Islamic venture capital (IVC) structure can be established by introducing modifications in traditional venture capital (VC) structure. The motivation stems from the criticism on the existing Islamic finance products, that are said to beShariah-compliant in form but do not fulfil objectives ofShariahwhereas IVC is portrayed by existing literature as an ideal risk sharing based product.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a questionnaire method to understand IVC philosophy, structure and operational approach and asked the respondents to identify how IVC differs in respect of these traits from conventional VC. The authors collected 50 questionnaires from IVC practitioners, regulators, academicians and Islamic finance (IF) consultants in three countries, namely, Malaysia, Pakistan and Turkey.

Findings

IVC can be incorporated by introducing some modifications in traditional VC structure. They need to appoint a full-timeShariahscholar, to ensure compliance toShariahprinciples. IVCs should refrain from dealing in impermissible business activities. They can choose any prevailing method for valuation and investment mode, provided it follows principles ofShariah. IVCs are exposed to unique risks such asShariahnon-compliance risk and equity investment risk and they need additional measures to safeguard against these risks. They can adopt any exit strategy, provided funds are procured from halal sources. Finally, IVC is found to hold the potential to achieve the desired objectives of IF.

Originality/value

This study fills the gap in the existing literature related to IVC investments as no study, to the best of the author’s knowledge, has evaluated the dynamics of IVC by using responses from industry, academia and regulators.
Personal intrinsic religiosity and product knowledge on halal product purchase intention
Authors: Nurhayati Tatiek , Hendar Hendar
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to increase knowledge about awareness and intention to choose the halal products. This study assessed the effect of intrinsic religiosity and knowledge of halal products on the awareness and purchase intention of halal products. This study also investigated and examined the role of halal product awareness (HPA) in mediating the relationship between personal intrinsic religiosity (PIR) and halal product knowledge (HPK) with halal product intention (HPI). This knowledge will be very meaningful because there are still many types of products that are not halal certified circulating in the Muslim market segment.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a self-administered questionnaire with closed questions. As many as 238 Muslim consumers in Indonesia over 17 years old were selected to be tested for regressive relationships from the four constructs. The Sobel test is then used to explain the mediating role of HPA.

Findings

This study shows that there is a relationship between PIR and HPK to HPA and HPI, and HPA to HPI. This study found that HPA was truly a partial mediation in the relationship between PIR and HPK with HPI.

Research limitations/implications

This study is conducted in the halal food sector in Indonesia and in certain cultural contexts so that the application of the same model in various sectors and countries can get various results. In addition, the respondents of this study were halal food customers; it would be very interesting to obtain data from other stakeholders such as halal food producers or retailers.

Originality/value

As per the authors’ knowledge, this study becomes the first study in Indonesia to examine the mediating role of HPA in the relationship of PIR and HPK with HPI. Conceptual discussion and results of empirical studies extend previous research on consumer behavior in the halal product market segment. An in-depth study of this phenomenon is expected to contribute in the development of science, especially Islamic marketing and customer behavior.
Data-driven failure analysis of emergency shutdown systems in oil and gas industry
Authors: Zhu Pengyu , Liyanage Jayantha , Jeeves Simon
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Emergency shutdown (ESD) systems play a critical role in ensuring safety and availability of oil and gas production. The systems are operated in on-demand mode, and the detection and prediction of their failures is deemed challenging. The purpose of this paper is to develop a logical data-driven approach to enhance the understanding and detectability of ESD system failures.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted in close collaboration with the Norwegian oil and gas industry. The study and analyses were supported by industrial data, failure data generated in a test facility in Norway and domain experts.

Findings

The paper demonstrated that there is a considerable potential to improve the decision process and to reduce the workload related to ESD systems by means of a logical data-driven approach. The results showed that the failure analysis process can be executed with more clarity and efficiency. Common cause failures could also be identified based on the suggested approach. The study further underlined the requirements regarding relevant data, new competence and technical supports in order to improve the current practice.

Originality/value

The paper leveraged the value of real-time data in identifying failures through mapping of the interrelationships between data, failure mechanisms and decisions. The failure analysis process was re-designed, and the understanding and decision making related to the system was improved as a result. The process developed for ESDs can further be adapted as a common practice for other low-demand systems.
Sex‐specific effects of fisheries and climate on the demography of sexually dimorphic seabirds
Authors: Gianuca Dimas , Votier Stephen C. , Pardo Deborah , Wood Andrew G. , Sherley Richard B. , Ireland Louise , Choquet Remi , Pradel Roger , Townley Stuart , Forcada Jaume , Tuck Geoffrey N. , Phillips Richard A.
Published: June 2019

Many animal taxa exhibit sex‐specific variation in ecological traits, such as foraging and distribution. These differences could result in sex‐specific responses to change, but such demographic effects are poorly understood.

Here, we test for sex‐specific differences in the demography of northern (NGP, Macronectes halli) and southern (SGP, M. giganteus) giant petrels – strongly sexually size‐dimorphic birds that breed sympatrically at South Georgia, South Atlantic Ocean. Both species feed at sea or on carrion on land, but larger males (30% heavier) are more reliant on terrestrial foraging than the more pelagic females. Using multi‐event mark‐recapture models, we examine the impacts of long‐term changes in environmental conditions and commercial fishing on annual adult survival and use two‐sex matrix population models to forecast future trends.

As expected, survival of male NGP was positively affected by carrion availability, but negatively affected by zonal winds. Female survival was positively affected by meridional winds and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and negatively affected by sea ice concentration and pelagic longline effort. Survival of SGPs did not differ between sexes; however, survival of males only was positively correlated with the Southern Annular Mode (SAM).

Two‐sex population projections indicate that future environmental conditions are likely to benefit giant petrels. However, any potential increase in pelagic longline fisheries could reduce female survival and population growth.

Our study reveals that sex‐specific ecological differences can lead to divergent responses to environmental drivers (i.e. climate and fisheries). Moreover, because such effects may not be apparent when all individuals are considered together, ignoring sex differences could underestimate the relative influence of a changing environment on demography.
Fast evaluation of study designs for spatially explicit capture–recapture
Authors: Efford Murray G. , Boulanger John
Published: June 2019

Spatially explicit capture–recapture methods use data from the detection of marked animals at known points in space to estimate animal population density without bias from edge effects. Detection is by means of stationary devices such as traps, automatic cameras or DNA hair snags. Data collection is often expensive, and it is not obvious how to optimize the frequency of sampling and the spatial layout of detectors. Results from a pilot study may be extrapolated by simulation to predict the effectiveness of different configurations of multiple detectors, but simulation is slow and requires technical expertise.

Another approach for evaluating novel designs is to compute intermediate variables such as the expected number of detected individuals E(n) and expected number of recapture events E(r), and to seek relationships between these variables and quantities of interest such as precision and power.

We present formulae for the expected counts and power. For many scenarios the relative standard error (RSE) of estimated density is close to , and for maximum precision E(n) ≈ E(r). We compare the approximation for with more rigorous results from simulation.

Computation of E(n) and E(r) is deterministic and much faster than simulation, so it is readily included in interactive software for designing studies with enough power to answer ecological questions. The related approximation for is adequate for many purposes.
Optimum leaf excision increases the biomass accumulation and seed yield of maize plants under different planting patterns
Authors: Raza Muhammad A. , Feng Ling Y. , Khalid Muhammad H. B. , Iqbal Nasir , Meraj Tehseen A. , Hassan Muhammad J. , Ahmed Shoaib , Chen Yuan K. , Feng Yang , Wenyu Yang
Published: June 2019

Without developing new agronomic practices, present rates of improvement in seed yields of cereal crops globally are insufficient to fulfil the estimated increasing food demand for 2050 and beyond. Intercropping is one of the agricultural practices that can lead to greater crop yields. However, there exists leaf redundancy for maize in intercropping systems, and the top canopy leaves shade more competent leaves at middle strata of maize plants. Therefore, this work aimed to elucidate the effect of leaf excision treatments in maize to understand the optimum leaf area of maize plants under a maize–soybean relay‐intercropping system (MSR) and a sole cropping system (SM). The effects of four‐leaf excision treatments (T1, 0; T2, 2; T3, 4; T4, 6 leaves excised from the top of maize plants until 7 days after silking) on light interception, leaf area index (LAI), photosynthetic characteristics, total biomass accumulation at blistering stage (BS), dough stage (DS) and physiological maturity (PM), and seed yield of maize were investigated through field experiments for 2 years under MSR and SM. Results showed that, under MSR and SM, as compared to control (T1), optimum excision of leaves (T2) from the top of maize plants significantly improved the light interception (by 25, 18 and 16% at BS, DS and PM, respectively) to lower strata leaves and accelerated the biomass partitioning to maize seeds (by 13 and 12% at DS and PM, respectively). Importantly, plants under T2 exhibited higher green leaf area than control, that is, excision the top two leaves led to an increase in LAI at PM by 10%, suggesting that leaf senescence under T2 was delayed which enhanced the photosynthetic rate at PM by 7% in 2017 and 6% in 2018. Relative to T1, maize under T2 produced 19 and 13% higher maize yield under MSR and SM, respectively, and relay‐cropped maize had 90% of SM seed yield. These results suggest that by manipulating the canopy structure of maize plants we can enhance the biomass accumulation and seed yield of maize crops under MSR and SM.