bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utility of Shrimp andDer p 10specific IgE for Shrimp Allergy Diagnosis in Non-House Dust Mite Sensitized Patients
Authors: Tuano Karen Thursday S. , Anvari Sara , Hanson Imelda Celine , Hajjar Joud , Seeborg Filiz , Noroski Lenora M. , Guffey Danielle , Kang Grace , Orange Jordan Scott , Davis Carla M.
Published: October 2017

Background

There are no set specific IgE (sIgE) to predict shrimp allergy as cross-reactivity with other arthropods play a role in shrimp sensitization.

Objective

This study identifies the allergens associated with shrimp allergy in house dust mite (HDM) and non-HDM sensitized patients.

Methods

Patients with shrimp sensitization (positive skin prick test [SPT] and/or sIgE) with/without history of clinical reaction were recruited. Allergy was confirmed by oral food challenge (OFC) except for patients with history of anaphylaxis. Shrimp allergic (SA) and shrimp tolerant (ST) patients were further classified based on HDM sensitivity. The sIgE to shrimp, shrimp and HDM components were performed. Fisher’s exact test, Wilcoxon sum rank test and receiver operating characteristics analyses were done.

Results

Of 79 patients recruited, 12 SA (7 positive OFC and 5 with history of anaphylaxis), 18 ST and 10 non-shrimp sensitized controls (NC) were enrolled. In non-HDM sensitized patients, sIgE to shrimp (10.5 kUA/L, p=0.012) andDer p 10(4.09 kUA/L, p=0.035) were higher in SA patients. Shrimp sIgE ≥3.55 kUA/L had 100% sensitivity and 85.71% specificity (ROC=0.94[0.81, 1.0]).Der p 10sIgE ≥3.98 kUA/L had sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 100% (ROC=0.86[0.57, 1.0]).rPen a1 ≥1.1 kUA/L had sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 85.7% (ROC=0.80[0.47,1.0]).

Conclusions

In non-HDM sensitized patients, shrimp sIgE ≥3.55 kUA/L and Der p 10 sIgE≥3.98 kUA/L give 100% sensitivity and specificity, respectively, to diagnose shrimp allergy. HDM sensitivity can influence sIgE levels to shrimp and shrimp/HDM components due to cross-reactivity.
Sub-Confluent Culture of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell-derived Ventricular Cardiomyocytes On & In Gels - Enhancement of Maturation Phenotype Relative to Tissue Culture Polystyrene via Enabling of Auxotonic Contraction
Authors: Mittal Nikhil , Atmanli Ayhan , Hu Dongjian , Groeneweg Daniel , Kausel Eduardo , Domian Ibrahim J
Published: October 2017

Cardiac myocytes (CMs) obtained by differentiating embryonic stem cells (ES-CMs) have an immature phenotype and promoting the maturation of such PSC-derived cardiomyocytes remains a major limitation in the development of stem cell models of human cardiovascular disease. We cultured murine ES-CMs in a collagen gel (3D) at a low density, or on collagen-coated polystyrene (2D) and found that 3D culture results in dramatic improvement of the maturation rate and end-state gene expression of ES-CMs. There are two main differences between CMs cultured in 3D versus 2D; in 3D the mechanical stiffness of the environment is lower, enabling auxotonic instead of isometric contraction; and, in 3D the amount of cell-cell interaction is higher. To isolate the contributions, we first cultured ES-CMsongels (2D substrates) that are softer than tissue culture plastic, enabling auxotonic contraction, while controlling for dimensionality and cell interaction. This indeed promoted a mature gene expression profile, while also enabling the maintenance of sarcomeres. Next, we determined that increased cell-cell interaction inhibits the mature gene expression of ES-CMs. Thus, auxotonic contraction is the likely mechanism for improved gene expression in sub-confluent 3D culture. However, 2D auxotonic contraction may offer a suitable compromise between obtaining enhanced gene expression and morphology. After 6 weeks of culture on gels, via Di-8-ANEPPs and WGA staining we also detected CMs forming a t-tubule network. Collectively these results demonstrate that 3D and 2D cultures that enable auxotonic contraction enhance aspects of the maturation of ES-CMs.
Behavioral and biochemical effects of ethanol withdrawal in zebrafish
Authors: da Silva Chaves Suianny Nayara , Rocha Gabriel Felício , Costa Bruna Patrícia Dutra , de Oliveira Witallo Etevaldo Araújo , Lima Monica Gomes , de Siqueira Silva Diógenes Henrique , Maximino Caio
Published: October 2017

Chronic alcohol use induces adaptations and toxicity that can induce symptoms of anxiety, autonomic hyperarousal, and epileptic seizures when alcohol is removed (withdrawal syndrome). Zebrafish has recently gained wide attention as a behavioral model to study the neurobehavioral effects of acute and chronic alcohol use, including withdrawal. The literature, however, is very contradictory on findings regarding withdrawal effects, with some studies reporting increased anxiety, while others report no effect. A meta-analytic approach was taken to find the sources of this heterogeneity, and ethanol concentration during exposure and exposure duration were found to be the main sources of variation. A conceptual replication was also made using continuous exposure for 16 days in waterborne ethanol (0.5%) and assessing anxiety-like behavior in the light/dark test after 60 min withdrawal. Withdrawal was shown to reduce preference for darkness, consistent with decreased anxiety, but to increase risk assessment, consistent with increased anxiety. Animals were also subjected to the withdrawal protocol and injected with pilocarpine in a sub-convulsive dose to assess susceptibility to epileptic seizure-like behavior. The protocol was sufficient to increase susceptibility to epileptic seizure-like behavior in animals exposed to ethanol. Finally, withdrawal also decreased catalase activity in the brain, but not in the head kidney, suggesting mechanisms associated with the behavioral effects of ethanol withdrawal.
A machine learning approach to predicting short-term mortality risk in patients starting chemotherapy
Authors: Elfiky Aymen A. , Pany Maximilian J. , Parikh Ravi B. , Obermeyer Ziad
Published: October 2017

Background

Cancer patients who die soon after starting chemotherapy incur costs of treatment without benefits. Accurately predicting mortality risk from chemotherapy is important, but few patient data-driven tools exist. We sought to create and validate a machine learning model predicting mortality for patients starting new chemotherapy.

Methods

We obtained electronic health records for patients treated at a large cancer center (26,946 patients; 51,774 new regimens) over 2004-14, linked to Social Security data for date of death. The model was derived using 2004-11 data, and performance measured on non-overlapping 2012-14 data.

Findings

30-day mortality from chemotherapy start was 2.1%. Common cancers included breast (21.1%), colorectal (19.3%), and lung (18.0%). Model predictions were accurate for all patients (AUC 0.94). Predictions for patients starting palliative chemotherapy (46.6% of regimens), for whom prognosis is particularly important, remained highly accurate (AUC 0.92). To illustrate model discrimination, we ranked patients initiating palliative chemotherapy by model-predicted mortality risk, and calculated observed mortality by risk decile. 30-day mortality in the highest-risk decile was 22.6%; in the lowest-risk decile, no patients died. Predictions remained accurate across all primary cancers, stages, and chemotherapies—even for clinical trial regimens that first appeared in years after the model was trained (AUC 0.94). The model also performed well for prediction of 180-day mortality (AUC 0.87; mortality 74.8% in the highest risk decile vs. 0.2% in the lowest). Predictions were more accurate than data from randomized trials of individual chemotherapies, or SEER estimates.

Interpretation

A machine learning algorithm accurately predicted short-term mortality in patients starting chemotherapy using EHR data. Further research is necessary to determine generalizability and the feasibility of applying this algorithm in clinical settings.
Inter-slice motion correction using spatiotemporal interpolation for functional magnetic resonance imaging of the moving fetus
Authors: You Wonsang , Limperopoulos Catherine
Published: October 2017

Fetal motion continues to be one of the major artifacts in in-utero functional MRI; interestingly few methods have been developed to address fetal motion correction. In this study, we propose a robust method for motion correction in fetal fMRI by which both inter-slice and inter-volume motion artifacts are jointly corrected. To accomplish this, an original volume is temporally split into odd and even slices, and then voxel intensities are spatially and temporally interpolated in the process of image registration. Our experimental data demonstrate that our method was more effective in correcting fetal motion artifact compared to traditional motion correction methods.
Sexual dimorphism of complement-dependent microglial synaptic pruning and other immune pathways in the developing brain
Authors: Prilutsky Daria , Kho Alvin T. , Feiglin Ariel , Hammond Timothy , Stevens Beth , Kohane Isaac S.
Published: October 2017

Sexual dimorphism has been reported in the prevalence, onset and progression of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. We hypothesize that immunological signaling in the developing brain, notably the complement cascade underlying microglial synaptic pruning, could be one mechanism for this dimorphism. Here we show that genes differentially expressed between male and female normal cortical development are enriched for pathways associated with the activation of the innate immune system, complement cascade and phagocytic processes. Specifically, the male brain is enriched for the expression of genes associated with phagocytic function of microglia through complement-dependent synaptic pruning especially at the developmental stages before birth. Our results suggest the existence of a common regulatory module involved in both prenatal immune activation in males and postnatal immune activation in females. The activation of immune pruning pathways at different stages of normal male and female development could provide valuable insights about critical periods of plasticity and refinement in the human cortex that could explain the different vulnerabilities of males and females to neurological disorders.
An evidence-based approach to globally assess the covariate-dependent effect of MTHFR SNP rs1801133 on plasma homocysteine: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jin Huifeng , Cheng Haojie , Chen Wei , Sheng Xiaoming , Brown Mark , Tian Junqiang
Published: October 2017

Background

The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the gene Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) C677T (or rs1801133) is the most established genetic factor that increases plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) and consequently results in hyperhomocysteinemia. Yet given the limited penetrance of this genetic variant, it is necessary to individually predict the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia for a rs1801133 carrier.

Objective

We hypothesized that variability of this genetic risk is largely due to the presence of factors (covariates) that serve as effect modifiers and/or confounders, such as folic acid (FA) intake, and aimed to assess this risk in the complex context of these covariates.

Design

We systematically extracted from published studies the data of tHcy, rs1801133, and any previously reported rs1801133 covariates. The resulting meta-dataset was first used to analyze the covariates’ modifying effect by meta regression and other statistical means. Subsequently, we stratified tHcy data by the rs1801133 genotypes and analyzed under each genotype the variability of the risk resulted from the covariates’ confounding.

Results

The dataset contains data of 36 rs1801133 covariates that were collected from 114,448 subjects and 249 qualified studies, among which 6 covariates (sex, age, race, FA intake, smoking, and alcohol consumption) are the most frequently informed and therefore included for statistical analysis. The effect of rs1801133 on tHcy exhibits significant variability that can be attributed to effect modification and, to a larger degree, confounding by these covariates. Via statistical modeling, we predicted the covariate-dependent risk of tHcy elevation and hyperhomocysteinemia in a systematic manner.

Conclusions

we demonstrated an evidence-based approach that globally assesses the covariate-dependent effect of rs1801133 on tHcy. The results should assist clinicians in interpreting the rs1801133 data from genetic testing for their patients. Such information is also important for the public that increasingly receives genetic data from commercial services without interpretation of its clinical relevance.
Deep Learning for Multi-task Plant Phenotyping
Authors: Pound Michael P. , Atkinson Jonathan A. , Wells Darren M. , Pridmore Tony P. , French Andrew P.
Published: October 2017

Plant phenotyping has continued to pose a challenge to computer vision for many years. There is a particular demand to accurately quantify images of crops, and the natural variability and structure of these plants presents unique difficulties. Recently, machine learning approaches have shown impressive results in many areas of computer vision, but these rely on large datasets that are at present not available for crops. We present a new dataset, called ACID, that provides hundreds of accurately annotated images of wheat spikes and spikelets, along with image level class annotation. We then present a deep learning approach capable of accurately localising wheat spikes and spikelets, despite the varied nature of this dataset. As well as locating features, our network offers near perfect counting accuracy for spikes (95.91%) and spikelets (99.66%). We also extend the network to perform simultaneous classification of images, demonstrating the power of multi-task deep architectures for plant phenotyping. We hope that our dataset will be useful to researchers in continued improvement of plant and crop phenotyping. With this in mind, alongside the dataset we will make all code and trained models available online.
Ethylene signaling induces gelatinous layers with typical features of tension wood in hybrid aspen
Authors: Felten Judith , Vahala Jorma , Love Jonathan , Gorzsás András , Rüggeberg Markus , Delhomme Nicolas , Leśniewska Joanna , Kangasjärvi Jaakko , Hvidsten Torgeir R. , Mellerowicz Ewa J. , Sundberg Björn
Published: October 2017

Research conducted

The phytohormone ethylene impacts secondary stem growth in plants by stimulating cambial activity, xylem development and fiber over vessel formation. Here we report the effect of ethylene on secondary cell wall formation and the molecular connection between ethylene signaling and wood formation.

Methods

We applied exogenous ethylene or its precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) to wild type and ethylene insensitive hybrid aspen trees(Populus tremula x tremuloides)and studied secondary cell wall anatomy, chemistry and ultrastructure. We furthermore analyzed the transcriptome (RNA Seq) after ACC application to wild type and ethylene insensitive trees.

Key results

We demonstrate that ACC and ethylene induce gelatinous-layers (G-layers) and alter the fiber cell wall cellulose microfibril angle. G-layers are tertiary wall layers rich in cellulose, typically found in tension wood of aspen trees. A vast majority of transcripts affected by ACC are downstream of ethylene perception and include a large number of transcription factors (TFs). Motif-analyses reveal potential connections between ethylene TFs (ERFs, EIN3/EIL1) and wood formation.

Conclusion

G-layer formation upon ethylene application suggests that the increase in ethylene biosynthesis observed during tension wood formation is important for its formation. Ethylene-regulated TFs of the ERF and EIN3/EIL1 type could transmit the ethylene signal.
Micro-encapsulation extends mycelial viability of Streptomyces lividans 66 and increases enzyme production
Authors: Zacchetti Boris , Andrianos Agathoklis , van Dissel Dino , de Ruiter Evelien , van Wezel Gilles P. , Claessen Dennis
Published: October 2017

Background

Filamentous bacteria of the genus Streptomyces produce a large arsenal of industrially relevant antibiotics and enzymes. The industrial production of these molecules occurs in large fermenters, where many streptomycetes form dense mycelial networks called pellets. Pellets are characterized by slow growth and inefficient nutrient transfer and therefore regarded as undesirable from the perspective of productivity. Although non-pelleting strains have increased growth rates, their morphology also leads to a dramatic increase in the viscosity of the culture broth, which negatively impacts the process dynamics.

Results

Here, we applied immobilization of Streptomyces lividans 66 using alginate as semi-solid matrix. This alginate-mediated micro-encapsulation increased the production of the extracellular enzyme tyrosinase more than three-fold. The increased production was accompanied by extended viability of the mycelium and a dramatic reduction in the release of intracellular proteins into the culture broth.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate the utility of microencapsulation as a powerful technique to achieve higher yields and lower downstream-processing costs of streptomycetes.
Conservation of differentiation but transformation of initiation in hippocampal neurogenesis
Authors: Hochgerner Hannah , Zeisel Amit , Lönnerberg Peter , Linnarsson Sten
Published: October 2017

The dentate gyrus in the hippocampal formation is one of few regions in the brain where neurogenesis persists in the adult, and is therefore studied in the context of neurodevelopment and regenerative medicine. However, the relationship between developmental and adult neurogenesis has not been studied in detail. Here, we used extensive and unbiased single-cell RNA-seq to reveal the molecular dynamics and diversity of cell types in perinatal, juvenile and adult mice. We found clearly distinct quiescent and proliferating progenitor cell types, linked by transient intermediate states to neuroblast stages and fully mature granule cells. The molecular identity of quiescent and proliferating radial glia shifted after postnatal day 5, and was then maintained through postnatal and adult stages. A similar shift was observed for granule cells at P20. In contrast, intermediate progenitor cells, neuroblasts and immature granule cells were nearly indistinguishable at all ages. These findings demonstrate the fundamental continunity of postnatal and adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus, and pinpoint the early postnatal transformation of radial glia from embryonic progenitors to adult quiescent stem cells.
KaryoScan: abnormal karyotype detection from whole-exome sequence
Authors: Maxwell Evan K. , Gonzaga-Jauregui Claudia , McCarthy Shane E. , O’Dushlaine Colm , Staples Jeffrey , Lopez Alexander E. , Bai Xiaodong , Penn John , Ulloa Rick , Gottesman Omri , Baras Aris , Dewey Frederick E. , Staples Jeffrey , Overton John D. , Puffenberger Erik , Habegger Lukas , Reid Jeffrey G.
Published: October 2017

Motivation

Detection of abnormal karyotypes from whole-exome sequencing has significant clinical potential, enabling a primary screen for chromosomal anomalies among samples undergoing short-read sequencing for nucleotide resolution genomic characterization.

Results

We present KaryoScan, a high-throughput method for detecting chromosomal anomalies within large cohort exome sequencing studies. We detect and validate autosomal and sex chromosomal aneuploidies in a large exome sequencing cohort, and demonstrate detection of smaller and complex events (partial chromosome, mosaic, copy neutral, and complex rearrangements), representing the range of anomalies that can be uncovered from the exome.

Availability

https://github.com/rgcgithub/karyoscan
Fluorescence polarization control for on-off switching of single molecules at cryogenic temperatures
Authors: Hulleman Christiaan , Huisman Max , Moerland Robert , Grunwald David , Stallinga Sjoerd , Rieger Bernd
Published: October 2017

Light microscopy allowing sub-diffraction limited resolution has been among the fastest developing techniques at the interface of biology, chemistry and physics. Intriguingly no theoretical limit exists on how far the underlying measurement uncertainty can be lowered. In particular data fusion of large amounts of images can reduce the measurement error to match the resolution of structural methods like cryo-electron microscopy. Fluorescence, although reliant on a reporter molecule and therefore not the first choice to obtain ultra resolution structures, brings highly specific labeling of molecules in a large assemble to the table and inherently allows the detection of multiple colors, which enable the interrogation of multiple molecular species at the same time in the same sample. Here we discuss the problems to be solved in the coming years to aim for higher resolution and describe what polarization depletion of fluorescence at cryogenic temperatures can contribute for fluorescence imaging of biological samples like whole cells.
Errors in action timing and inhibition facilitate learning by tuning distinct mechanisms in the underlying decision process
Authors: Dunovan Kyle , Verstynen Timothy
Published: October 2017

Goal-directed behavior requires integrating action selection processes with learning systems that adapt control using environmental feedback. These functions intersect in the basal ganglia (BG), which has at least two targets of plasticity: a dopaminergic modulation of striatal pathways and cortical modulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN). Dual learning mechanisms suggests that feedback signals have a multifaceted impact on BG-dependent decisions. Using a hybrid of accumulation-to-bound decision models and reinforcement learning, we modeled the performance of humans in a stop-signal task where participants (N=75) learned the prior distribution of the timing of a stop signal through trial-and-error feedback. Changes in the drift-rate of the action execution process were driven by errors in action timing, whereas adaptation in the boundary height served to increase caution following failed stops. These findings highlight two interactive learning mechanisms for adapting the control of goal-directed actions based on dissociable dimensions of feedback error.
Programmed hierarchical patterning of bacterial populations
Authors: Boehm Christian R. , Grant Paul K. , Haseloff Jim
Published: October 2017

Modern genetic tools allow the dissection and emulation of fundamental mechanisms shaping morphogenesis in multicellular organisms. Several synthetic genetic circuits for control of multicellular patterning have been reported to date. However, hierarchical induction of gene expression domains has received little attention from synthetic biologists, despite its importance in biological self-organization. We report the first synthetic genetic system implementing population-based AND logic for programmed autonomous induction of bacterial gene expression domains. We develop a ratiometric assay for bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase activity and use it to systematically characterize different intact and split enzyme variants. We then utilize the best-performing variant to build a three-color patterning system responsive to two different homoserine lactones. We validate the AND gate-like behavior of this system both in cell suspension and in surface culture. Finally, we use the synthetic circuit in a membrane-based spatial assay to demonstrate programmed hierarchical patterning of gene expression across bacterial populations.

Abbreviations

3OC6HSL

N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone

3OC12HSL

N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone

CFP

cyan fluorescent protein

IPTG

isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside

Parts Registry

MIT Registry of Standard Biological Parts

PI

positional information

RD

reaction-diffusion

RFP

red fluorescent protein

RFU

relative fluorescence units

s.d.

standard deviation

T7RNAP

bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase

YFP

yellow fluorescent protein
Storage Compartments for Capillary Water Rarely Refill in an Intact Woody Plant
Authors: Knipfer Thorsten , Cuneo Italo F. , Earles J. Mason , Reyes Clarissa , Brodersen Craig R. , McElrone Andrew J.
Published: October 2017

Water storage is thought to play an integral role in the maintenance of whole-plant water balance. The contribution of both living and dead cells to water storage can be derived from rehydration and water-release curves on excised plant material, but the underlying tissue-specific emptying/refilling dynamics remain unclear. Here, we used x-ray computed microtomography to characterize the refilling of xylem fibers, pith cells, and vessels under both excised and in vivo conditions in Laurus nobilis. In excised stems supplied with water, water uptake exhibited a biphasic response curve, and x-ray computed microtomography images showed that high water storage capacitance was associated with fiber and pith refilling as driven by capillary forces: fibers refilled more rapidly than pith cells, while vessel refilling was minimal. In excised stems that were sealed, fiber and pith refilling was associated with vessel emptying, indicating a link between tissue connectivity and water storage. In contrast, refilling of fibers, pith cells, and vessels was negligible in intact saplings over two time scales, 24 h and 3 weeks. However, those compartments did refill slowly when the shoot was covered to prevent transpiration. Collectively, our data (1) provide direct evidence that storage compartments for capillary water refill in excised stems but rarely under in vivo conditions, (2) highlight that estimates of capacitance from excised samples should be interpreted with caution, as certain storage compartments may not be utilized in the intact plant, and (3) question the paradigm that fibers play a substantial role in daily discharge/recharge of stem capacitance in an intact tree.
When does “liking” a charity lead to donation behaviour?
Authors: Wallace Elaine , Buil Isabel , de Chernatony Leslie
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between young people’s Conspicuous Donation Behaviour (CDB) on social media platforms and their offline donation behaviour, specifically intentions to donate and volunteer time. It also explores materialism, self-esteem and self-monitoring as CDB trait antecedents, as a form of conspicuous consumption on social media. Finally, it considers the influence of altruism on these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted of regular Facebook users mentioning a charity brand on Facebook in the past year. Data from 234 participants were analysed and hypotheses tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results confirm two forms of CDB – self and other-oriented. Materialistic consumers are more likely to engage in both forms of CDB on Facebook. High self-esteem increases self-oriented CDB; high self-monitoring increases other-oriented CDB. Self-oriented CDB is positively associated with donation intentions, but other-oriented CDB is negatively associated. Findings reveal how altruism moderates this model.

Research limitations/implications

Findings show how personality traits influence CDB and reveal the relationship between CDB, as virtual conspicuous consumption on social media platforms, and donation behaviour.

Practical implications

The study provides implications for managers about enhancing charitable donations through social media.

Originality/value

This is the first study to explore donation behaviour as a form of conspicuous consumption on social media, where virtual conspicuous consumption (i) does not require any offline consumption and (ii) may achieve the desired recognition, without any charitable act. It provides new insights into CDB, its antecedents and influence on donation behaviour.
Can political cookies leave a bad taste in one’s mouth?
Authors: Tal Aner , Gvili Yaniv , Amar Moty , Wansink Brian
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether companies’ donations to political parties can impact product experience, specifically taste.

Design/methodology/approach

Research design consists of four studies; three online, one in person. Participants were shown a cookie (Studies 1-3) or cereal (Study 4) and told that the producing company donated to either the Republican Party or the Democratic Party (Studies 1-3) or an unspecified party (Study 4).

Findings

Participants rated food products as less tasty if told they came from a company that donated to a party they object to. These effects were shown to be mediated by moral disgust (Study 3). Effects were restricted to taste and willingness to buy (Study 4), with no effects on other positive product dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

The studies provide a first piece of evidence that political donations by companies can negatively impact product experience. This can translate to purchase decisions through an emotional, rather than calculated, route.

Practical implications

Companies should be careful about making donations some of their consumers may find objectionable. This might impact both purchase and consumption decisions, as well as post-consumption word-of-mouth.

Originality/value

Companies’ political involvement can negatively impact subjective product experience, even though such information has no bearing on product quality. The current findings demonstrate that alterations in subjective product quality may underlie alterations in consumer decision-making because of ideologically tinged information, and reveals moral disgust as the mechanism underlying these effects. In this, it provides a first demonstration that even mild ideological information that is not globally bad or inherently immoral can generate moral disgust, and that such effects depend on consumers’ own attitudes.
Diagnostic and prescriptive benefits of consumer participation in virtual communities of personal challenge
Authors: Lowe Ben , Johnson Devon
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show how active participants within personal challenge virtual communities (e.g. virtual health communities, online legal forums, etc.) derive learning benefits from their involvement within the community. In doing so, the research conceptualises and tests a model of engagement within such virtual communities.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was conducted through the design of a survey administered to an online panel of active participants from several virtual health communities. Structural equation modelling was used to test the conceptual model.

Findings

Along with well-researched concepts such as social identification, this research identifies diagnostic and prescriptive benefits as key learning benefits associated with active participation within personal challenge communities. These benefits drive social support which individuals attain from these virtual communities, which, in turn, drives engagement within the community. It is also found that anticipated negative emotions from leaving the community mediate social support and engagement.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to develop a model of consumer engagement with personal challenge virtual communities. The findings make a contribution to the field of online communities by showing how learning benefits (diagnostic and prescriptive) transpire within these communities and how these benefits lead to greater community engagement.
The asymmetric impact of other-blame regret versus self-blame regret on negative word of mouth
Authors: Wu Ruijuan , Wang Cheng Lu
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to distinguish two regret conditions, other-blame regret (O-regret) and self-blame regret (S-regret), and investigate the underlying mechanism and boundary conditions of the relationship between regret and negative word of mouth (NWOM).

Design/methodology/approach

Four experiments and one survey study test hypotheses regarding how O-regret and S-regret influence NWOM through mediating mechanism of anger and sadness and how the impact of regret on NWOM is moderated by boundary conditions.

Findings

The results show that consumers who experience O-regret transmit more NWOM than those who experience S-regret. Anger is a dominant emotion when consumers experience O-regret and mediates the impact of regret on NWOM, and sadness is a dominant emotion when consumers experience S-regret and mediates the impact of regret on NWOM. In addition, purchased price (full vs discount price), regret context (private vs public context) and return policy (strict vs lenient policy) are found to moderate the effect of regret on NWOM.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted in China, which has a unique business environment that may differ from other countries. Therefore, this research opens a new avenue to further examine such a phenomenon in countries where a more lenient return policy is a standard business practice. Cross-nation studies comparing how different return policies and other business environment conditions are warranted in future research.

Practical implications

The study provides several insights for marketers considering the management of NWOM by understanding consumer O-regret and S-regret in either online or offline retailing situations.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the extant literature by distinguishing different outcome regrets. The theoretical conceptualization and empirical findings shed further lights on the relationship between regret and other negative emotions and how O-regret and S-regret lead to different impacts on NWOM through different paths of mediation mechanism.
Corporate heritage brands, augmented role identity and customer satisfaction
Authors: Balmer John M.T. , Chen Weifeng
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The study aims to explore customer satisfaction towards the celebrated Tong Ren Tang (TRT) Chinese corporate heritage brand (established in 1669). This paper examines the multiple role identities of the corporate brand and, in particular, the enduring imperial identity (role identity) of the corporate brand. The study examines whether the corporate heritage brand’s imperial associations are still meaningful.

Design/methodology/approach

A indicative, survey-based case study methodology undertaken with Chinese customers informs this research.

Findings

TRT’s corporate heritage brand identity and, moreover, its imperial role identity were salient in terms of customer satisfaction. TRT’s augmented imperial role identity not only was highly salient but also, moreover, meaningfully enhanced the organisation’s corporate reputation in terms of customer satisfaction.

Research limitations/implication

This study lends further support for the utility of the notion of corporate heritage/corporate heritage brands and in particular the saliency of the theoretical notion of augmented role identity within the corporate heritage marketing field.

Practical implication

Corporate heritage brand managers should be appraised of which corporate role identities are meaningful for customers. At a practical level, senior corporate marketing managers of corporate heritage organisations should accorded importance to the additional P of Provenance apropos the corporate marketing mix.

Social implication

At a time, when China is reappraising its relationship with its past – including its imperial past (of which much has been destroyed) – this paper’s focus on TRT’s unsurpassed augmented role identity is pertinent and propitious. Seemingly, this corporate heritage brand’s imperial association provides a living and tangible link with China’s long and momentous imperial provenance and erstwhile imperial polity. In short, the corporate heritage brand is part of China’s patrimony and enjoys a unique place in this regard.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first empirical studies examining a Chinese corporate heritage brand entity. The study marks new ground in examining customer satisfaction from the theoretical perspectives of corporate heritage brand and augmented role identity. It is believed that this is the first study to consider corporate heritage in the pharmaceutical sector and marks new ground in considering the saliency of China’s imperial legacy on an extant, highly successful and high profile-Chinese corporate heritage brand.
Differences in symbolic self-completion and self-retention across role-identity cultivation stages
Authors: Kleine Robert E. , Kleine Susan Schultz , Ewing Douglas R.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to provide evidence that theory-based effects of role-identity cultivation stages on self-symbolizing consumption activities do exist.

Design/methodology/approach

Specific focus is placed upon differing motives between rookie versus veteran role-identity actors and how these differences lead to symbolic self-completion and self-retention behaviors. Effects of these motives are examined in the context of college student identity transitions.

Findings

Evidence is found for a pattern, whereby role-identity rookies with fewer role-identity-related possessions are more likely to self-symbolize the role-identity outwardly than veteran consumers having more role-identity-related resources, such as possessions. Self-retention via possessions is also more evident with rookies making the transition from one role-identity to the next, replacement role-identity. Findings are replicated for both readily available and favorite possessions related to a role-identity.

Research limitations/implications

Future role-identity research in marketing may miss unique and important insights without accounting for role-identity cultivation stage.

Practical implications

Current evidence highlights the importance of identity cultivation stage, symbolic self-completion and self-retention as factors to consider in understanding market segments associated with respective role-identities.

Originality/value

Extant research does not yet account for how consumption activities serving both symbolic and functional purposes support role-identity transitions. This inquiry is directed at contributing to this need.
Reflections on a decade of EJM and marketing scholarship: the good, the bad, and the future
Authors: Lee Nick
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the author’s decade-long tenure as the Editor of theEuropean Journal of Marketing(EJM). The paper presents his thoughts on the past 10 years of marketing scholarship, his views on future directions and some advice for those looking to publish their research in academic journals.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes a reflective, discursive approach, and also reviews a wide range of topics relevant to marketing researchers.

Findings

The author finds thatEJMhas grown substantially on many levels in the past decade. He also finds that there are some concerns around marketing research, and social scientific scholarship in general, that marketing scholars may wish to consider and take into account in their ongoing work.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is partly a personal view, and does not rely on any empirical research. However, the views espoused are justified by theoretical review and conceptual argument.

Practical implications

The implications of this paper are relevant to marketing scholars, journal reviewers, readers of research, as well as those who manage scholarship (e.g. university administrators). The author suggests a number of directions that the research, publication and reward process could move in to improve practice.

Originality/value

The paper brings together a large number of different views and concepts relevant to further development of marketing research, and provides original summaries and extensions.
High-fit charitable initiatives increase hedonic consumption through guilt reduction
Authors: Baghi Ilaria , Antonetti Paolo
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Past research on cause-related marketing (CRM) suggests that these socially beneficial initiatives are more effective when linked with hedonic than utilitarian products. Little is known, however, about the process underpinning this effect. This paper aims to investigate why and under what circumstances CRM enhances the appeal of hedonic products by testing the mediation of guilt and introducing the moderating role of cause-product fit.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors test a model of moderated mediation in two studies. Study 1 shows that the effectiveness of combining CRM with hedonic consumption is explained by the mediating role of feelings of guilt. Study 2 demonstrates that this mediation depends on the level of fit or congruency between the cause and the product.

Findings

Results suggest that CRM campaigns offer the opportunity to improve the consumption experiences of hedonic products by reducing the feelings of guilt intrinsically connected with these options. Moreover, fit moderates the emotional processes activated by CRM initiatives. When fit is high, CRM reduces guilt and improves consumers’ experiences when purchasing hedonic alternatives.

Originality/value

The study extends current understanding of how CRM can promote hedonic consumption and contributes further to research on guilt as an emotion able to promote responsible consumption decisions. Moreover, the study introduces and tests the impact of cause-product fit in predicting consumers’ ethical purchase intention. For managers of hedonic brands, the study offers important implications on how to deploy CRM campaigns to foster better customer experiences.
BIM and sensor-based data management system for construction safety monitoring
Authors: Riaz Zainab , Parn Erika A. , Edwards David J. , Arslan Muhammad , Shen Charles , Pena-Mora Feniosky
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This research aims to investigate the integration of real-time monitoring of thermal conditions within confined work environments through wireless sensor network (WSN) technology when integrated with building information modelling (BIM). A prototype system entitled confined space monitoring system (CoSMoS), which provides an opportunity to incorporate sensor data for improved visualization through new add-ins to BIM software, was then developed.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study was undertaken to compare and contrast between the performances (over a time series) of various database models to find a back-end database storage configuration that best suits the needs of CoSMoS.

Findings

Fusing BIM data with information streams derived from wireless sensors challenges traditional approaches to data management. These challenges encountered in the prototype system are reported upon and include issues such as hardware/software selection and optimization. Consequently, various database models are explored and tested to find a database storage that best suits the specific needs of this BIM-wireless sensor technology integration.

Originality value

This work represents the first tranche of research that seeks to deliver a fully integrated and advanced digital built environment solution for automating the management of health and safety issues on construction sites.
A systematic approach for enterprise systems upgrade decision-making
Authors: Feldman Gerald , Shah Hanifa , Chapman Craig , Pärn Erika A. , Edwards David J.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Enterprise systems (ES) upgrade is fundamental to maintaining a system’s continuous improvement and stability. However, while the extant literature is replete with research on ES upgrade decision-making, there is scant knowledge about how different decision processes facilitate this decision to upgrade. This paper aims to investigate and better understand these processes from an organisational perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a qualitative survey design, and used a Web-based questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to collect data from 23 large organisations. Data accrued were qualitatively analysed and manually coded to identify the various decision processes undertaken during ES upgrade decisions.

Findings

Analysis results reveal complex interrelations between the upgrade drivers, the need to evaluate the new version’s functionality and the upgrade impact. Understanding the interaction between these elements influences the upgrade decision process.

Research limitations/implications

The study proposes ES upgrade processes that support a decision to upgrade major releases. Further research is required to offer either similar or conflicting arguments on the upgrade decision-making and provide a probabilistic generalisation of the decision-making processes.

Originality/value

The research offers a comprehensive and empirically supported methodical approach that embraces an evaluation of a new version’s functionality, technical requirements and concomitant upgrade implications as intrinsic decision processes. This approach assists in the decisions to establish the upgrade need and determine the level of change, effort required, impacts and associated benefits.
Investigating status demotion in hierarchical loyalty programs
Authors: Ramaseshan B. , Ouschan Robyn
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend research on customer loyalty status and customer demotion by investigating if the effect of demotion on customer attitudinal and behavioral responses is the same for top-tier and low-tier customers in the context of airlines.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted with travelers intercepted at large airport terminals in Australia. Multivariate analyses examined group differences across status change (no change vs demoted) and status level (high status vs low status). Multi-group moderation structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis tested the moderating role of status (high status vs low status) on the effects of demotion on the relationship between customers’ attitudes and loyalty intention, and between loyalty intention and share of wallet.

Findings

This study shows that the detrimental effects of demotion on the relationship between customer satisfaction/commitment/perceived betrayal on loyalty intentions, and on the relationship between loyalty intentions and share of wallet are stronger for “high status” than “low status” customers.

Research limitations/implications

A cross-sectional design was employed to investigate customer demotion in the airline industry. Future studies could investigate different types of demotions in other industries by employing a longitudinal design.

Practical implications

The study provides new insight about the effects of status demotion and highlights that service firms could be jeopardizing the loyalty of numerous valuable customers, especially among the “high status” customer group.

Originality/value

This study reveals loyalty status moderates the effect of demotion on customer attitudinal responses and loyalty behaviors. It draws on social identity, social comparison, emotion and equity theories to explain the different effects of demotion on customers from different status level groups.
OBD-II and raspberry Pi technology to diagnose car’s machine current condition: study literature
Authors: Manalu Sonya Rapinta , Moniaga Jurike , Hadipurnawan Dionisius Andrian , Sahidi Firda
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Low-cost microcomputers such as the Raspberry Pi are common in library makerspaces. This paper aims to create an OBD-II technology to diagnose a vehicle’s condition.

Design/methodology/approach

An OBD-II scanner plugged into the OBD-II port or usually called the data link connector (DLC), sends diagnostics to the Raspberry Pi.

Findings

Compared with other microcontrollers such as Arduino, the Raspberry Pi was chosen because it sustains the application to receive real-time diagnostics, process the diagnostics and send commands to automobiles at the same time, rather than Arduino that must wait for another process finished to run another process.

Originality/value

This paper also represents the history of mobile technology and OBD-II technology, comparison between Arduino and Raspberry Pi and Node.