bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lymphangiogenic and Chemotactic Factors in Conjunctival Melanoma
Authors: Briceño César A. , Elner Victor M. , Demirci Hakan
Published: October 2015

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to evaluate expression patterns of known lymphangiogenic growth factors and chemokines in conjunctival melanoma, and to describe patterns of lymphatic vessel growth in these tumors.

Methods:

This was a retrospective chart review comprising 5 participants (6 tumor specimens) and the main outcome measures were expression of growth factors, chemokines, and their receptors known to be important in tumor lymphangiogenesis as well as patterns of lymphatic vessel growth on immunohistochemical sections.

Results:

Tumor cells in all specimens expressed lymphangiogenic growth factors VEGFC, VEGFD, and their receptor VEGFR3. Chemotactic factors CXCL12 and CCL21 and their receptors, CXCR4 and CCL21, were also expressed in tumor cells and lymphatic endothelial cells. Staining was most intense for these proteins at the invasive tumor edge, suggesting increased lymphangiogenic activity at this location. In addition, lymphatic vessels clustered near the invasive edge of the tumors.

Conclusions:

VEGFC, VEGFD, and VEGR3 are diffusely expressed by conjunctival melanoma cells, most intensely at the invasive tumor edge. CXCL12, CXCR4, CCL21, and CCR7 were also most intensely expressed at the invasive edge, where the highest density of lymphatic vessels was also observed. These expression patterns suggest that these mediators of tumor-associated lymphangiogenesis warrant further investigation as potential therapeutic targets in conjunctival melanoma.
Betting strategies on fluctuations in the transient response of greenhouse warming
Authors: Risbey James S. , Lewandowsky Stephan , Hunter John R. , Monselesan Didier P.
Published: October 2015

We examine a series of betting strategies on the transient response of greenhouse warming, expressed by changes in 15-year mean global surface temperature from one 15-year period to the next. Over the last century, these bets are increasingly dominated by positive changes (warming), reflecting increasing greenhouse forcing and its rising contribution to temperature changes on this time scale. The greenhouse contribution to 15-year trends is now of a similar magnitude to typical naturally occurring 15-year trends. Negative 15-year changes (decreases) have not occurred since about 1970, and are still possible, but now rely on large, and therefore infrequent, natural variations. Model projections for even intermediate warming scenarios show very low likelihoods of obtaining negative 15-year changes over the coming century. Betting against greenhouse warming, even on these short time scales, is no longer a rational proposition.
When, not if: the inescapability of an uncertain climate future
Authors: Ballard Timothy , Lewandowsky Stephan
Published: October 2015

Climate change projections necessarily involve uncertainty. Analysis of the physics and mathematics of the climate system reveals that greater uncertainty about future temperature increases is nearly always associated with greater expected damages from climate change. In contrast to those normative constraints, uncertainty is frequently cited in public discourse as a reason to delay mitigative action. This failure to understand the actual implications of uncertainty may incur notable future costs. It is therefore important to communicate uncertainty in a way that improves people’s understanding of climate change risks. We examined whether responses to projections were influenced by whether the projection emphasized uncertainty in the outcome or in its time of arrival. We presented participants with statements and graphs indicating projected increases in temperature, sea levels, ocean acidification and a decrease in arctic sea ice. In the uncertain-outcome condition, statements reported the upper and lower confidence bounds of the projected outcome at a fixed time point. In the uncertain time-of-arrival condition, statements reported the upper and lower confidence bounds of the projected time of arrival for a fixed outcome. Results suggested that people perceived the threat as more serious and were more likely to encourage mitigative action in the time-uncertain condition than in the outcome-uncertain condition. This finding has implications for effectively communicating the climate change risks to policy-makers and the general public.
Better predictions, better allocations: scientific advances and adaptation to climate change
Authors: Freeman Mark C. , Groom Ben , Zeckhauser Richard J.
Published: October 2015

Climate science initially aspired to improve understanding of what the future would bring, and thereby produce appropriate public policies and effective international climate agreements. If that hope is dashed, as now seems probable, effective policies for adapting to climate change become critical. Climate science assumes new responsibilities by helping to foster more appropriate adaptation measures, which might include shifting modes or locales of production. This theoretical article focuses on two broader tools: consumption smoothing in response to the risk of future losses, and physical adaptation measures to reduce potential damages. It shows that informative signals on the effects of climate change facilitate better decisions on the use of each tool, thereby increasing social welfare.
Chloroquine inhibited Ebola virus replication in vitro but failed to protect against infection and disease in the in vivo guinea pig model
Authors: Dowall Stuart D. , Bosworth Andrew , Watson Robert , Bewley Kevin , Taylor Irene , Rayner Emma , Hunter Laura , Pearson Geoff , Easterbrook Linda , Pitman James , Hewson Roger , Carroll Miles W.
Published: October 2015

Ebola virus (EBOV) is highly pathogenic, with a predisposition to cause outbreaks in human populations accompanied by significant mortality. Owing to the lack of approved therapies, screening programmes of potentially efficacious drugs have been undertaken. One of these studies has demonstrated the possible utility of chloroquine against EBOV using pseudotyped assays. In mouse models of EBOV disease there are conflicting reports of the therapeutic effects of chloroquine. There are currently no reports of its efficacy using the larger and more stringent guinea pig model of infection. In this study we have shown that replication of live EBOV is impaired by chloroquine in vitro. However, no protective effects were observed in vivo when EBOV-infected guinea pigs were treated with chloroquine. These results advocate that chloroquine should not be considered as a treatment strategy for EBOV.
Applications of principal component analysis to pair distribution function data
Authors: Chapman Karena W. , Lapidus Saul H. , Chupas Peter J.
Published: October 2015

Developments in X-ray scattering instruments have led to unprecedented access toin situand parametric X-ray scattering data. Deriving scientific insights and understanding from these large volumes of data has become a rate-limiting step. While formerly a data-limited technique, pair distribution function (PDF) measurement capacity has expanded to the point that the method is rarely limited by access to quantitative data or material characteristics – analysis and interpretation of the data can be a more severe impediment. This paper shows that multivariate analyses offer a broadly applicable and efficient approach to help analyse series of PDF data from high-throughput andin situexperiments. Specifically, principal component analysis is used to separate features from atom–atom pairs that are correlated – changing concentration and/or distance in concert – allowing evaluation of how they vary with material composition, reaction state or environmental variable. Without requiring prior knowledge of the material structure, this can allow the PDF from constituents of a material to be isolated and its structure more readily identified and modelled; it allows one to evaluate reactions or transitions to quantify variations in species concentration and identify intermediate species; and it allows one to identify the length scale and mechanism relevant to structural transformations.
Visualizing patterned thin films by grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering coupled with computed tomography
Authors: Ogawa Hiroki , Nishikawa Yukihiro , Fujiwara Akihiko , Takenaka Mikihito , Wang Yi-Chin , Kanaya Toshiji , Takata Masaki
Published: October 2015

Images of the spatial distribution of nanostructures in thin films were successfully reconstructed by grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) coupled with computed tomography (CT) measurements. As a model sample of inhomogeneous thin films, a thin film was patterned with four characters (F, B, S and L) consisting of nanoparticles of gold (Au), platinum (Pt), Au/Pt and Pt/Au, respectively, on a silicon substrate. The characters each produced respective two-dimensional GISAXS images which reflect the nanoparticle structures and their correlations in the thin film. The application of the GISAXS-CT technique to the characteristic scattering GISAXS intensity of each component enables one to reconstruct the images of each character independently. Moreover, it was found that the patterned images could be reconstructed even from very weak scattered intensities at higherqpositions and the diffuse intensities. These results indicate that the GISAXS-CT method is a powerful tool to obtain distinct reconstruction images detailing the particle size, shape and surface roughness.
An investigation of the electron density of a Jahn–Teller-distorted CrIIcation: the crystal structure and charge density of hexakis(acetonitrile-κN)chromium(II) bis(tetraphenylborate) acetonitrile disolvate
Authors: Thangavel Arumugam , Wieliczko Marika , Scarborough Christopher , Dittrich Birger , Bacsa John
Published: October 2015

In the crystal structure of the title homoleptic CrIIcomplex, [Cr(CH3CN)6](C24H20B)2·CH3CN, the [Cr(CH3CN)6]2+cation is a high-spind4complex with strong static, rather than dynamic, Jahn–Teller distortion. The electron density of the cation was determined by single-crystal X-ray refinements using aspherical structure factors from wavefunction calculations. The detailed picture of the electronic density allowed us to assess the extent and directionality of the Jahn–Teller distortion of the CrIIcation away from idealized octahedral symmetry. The topological analysis of the asphericald-electron density about the CrIIcation showed that there are significant valence charge concentrations along the axial Cr—N axes. Likewise, there were significant valence charge depletions about the CrIIcation along the equatorial Cr—N bonds. These charge concentrations are in accordance with a Jahn–Teller-distorted six-coordinate complex.
Hirshfeld surface analysis of sulfameter (polymorph III), sulfameter dioxane monosolvate and sulfameter tetrahydrofuran monosolvate, all at 296 K
Authors: Tailor Sanjay M. , Patel Urmila H.
Published: October 2015

The ability of the antibacterial agent sulfameter (SMT) to form solvates is investigated. The X-ray crystal structures of sulfameter solvates have been determined to be conformational polymorphs. Both 1,4-dioxane and tetrahydrofuran form solvates with sulfameter in a 1:1 molar ratio. 4-Amino-N-(5-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide (polymorph III), C11H12N4O3S, (1), has two molecules of sulfameter in the asymmetric unit cell. 4-Amino-N-(5-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide 1,4-dioxane monosolvate, C11H12N4O3S·C4H8O2, (2), and 4-amino-N-(5-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide tetrahydrofuran monosolvate, C11H12N4O3S·C4H8O, (3), crystallize in the imide form. Hirshfeld surface analyses and fingerprint analyses were performed to study the nature of the interactions and their quantitative contributions towards the crystal packing. Finally, Hirshfeld surfaces, fingerprint plots and structural overlays were employed for a comparison of the two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit of (1), and also for a comparison of (2) and (3) in the monoclinic crystal system. A three-dimensional hydrogen-bonding network exists in all three structures, involving one of the sulfone O atoms and the aniline N atom. All three structures are stabilized by strong intermolecular N—H...N interactions. The tetrahydrofuran solvent molecule also takes part in forming significant intermolecular C—H...O interactions in the crystal structure of (3), contributing to the stability of the crystal packing.
Synthesis and structures of ruthenium di- and tricarbonyl complexes derived from 4,5-diazafluoren-9-one
Authors: Jimenez Jorge , Chakraborty Indranil , Mascharak Pradip
Published: October 2015

Carbon monoxide (CO) has recently been shown to impart beneficial effects in mammalian physiology and considerable research attention is now being directed toward metal–carbonyl complexes as a means of delivering CO to biological targets. Two ruthenium carbonyl complexes, namelytrans-dicarbonyldichlorido(4,5-diazafluoren-9-one-κ2N,N′)ruthenium(II), [RuCl2(C11H6N2O)(CO)2], (1), andfac-tricarbonyldichlorido(4,5-diazafluoren-9-one-κN)ruthenium(II), [RuCl2(C11H6N2O)(CO)3], (2), have been isolated and structurally characterized. In the case of complex (1), thetrans-directing effect of the CO ligands allows bidentate coordination of the 4,5-diazafluoren-9-one (dafo) ligand despite a larger bite distance between the N-donor atoms. In complex (2), thecisdisposition of two chloride ligands restricts the ability of the dafo molecule to bind ruthenium in a bidentate fashion. Both complexes exhibit well defined1H NMR spectra confirming the diamagnetic ground state of RuIIand display a strong absorption band around 300 nm in the UV.
Structure and magnetic properties of a copper(II) coordination polymer based on azide, pyridine and homophthalic acid
Authors: Ma Jie , Wang Deng-Feng , Fan Li-Qun , Zhou Kang
Published: October 2015

The azide anion is a short bridging ligand that has been used extensively to construct magnetic coordination polymers, and fundamental magneto-structural correlations have been substantiated by theoretical calculations. The copper(II) coordination polymer poly[bis(μ-azido-κ2N1:N1)(μ4-homophthalato-κ4O:O′:O′′:O′′′)bis(pyridine-κN)dicopper(II)], [Cu2(C9H6O4)(N3)2(C5H5N)2]n, was synthesized from homophthalic acid (2-carboxyphenylacetic acid), pyridine and azide (N3−) by a hydrothermal reaction. Single-crystal structure analysis indicated that it features a one-dimensional chain structure which is comprised of (μ1,1-N3−)(μ-syn–syn-COO−)2- and (μ1,1-N3−)2-bridged tetranuclear CuIIunits. Magnetic measurements revealed that the compound exhibits dominant antiferromagnetic behaviour.
The interplay of solvation, molecular conformation and supramolecular assembly in 1,1′-({[(ethane-1,2-diyl)dioxy](1,2-phenylene)}bis(methanylylidene))bis(thiosemicarbazide) and itsN,N-dimethylformamide disolvate
Authors: Mohamed Shaaban K. , Younes Sabry H. H. , Abdel-Raheem Eman M. M. , Mague Joel T. , Akkurt Mehmet , Glidewell Christopher
Published: October 2015

The wide diversity of applications of thiosemicarbazones and bis(thiosemicarbazones) has seen them used as anticancer and antitubercular agents, and as ligands in metal complexes designed to act as site-specific radiopharmaceuticals. Molecules of 1,1′-({[(ethane-1,2-diyl)dioxy](1,2-phenylene)}bis(methanylylidene))bis(thiosemicarbazide) {alternative name: 2,2′-[ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy)]dibenzaldehyde bis(thiosemicarbazide)}, C18H20N6O2S2, (I), lie across twofold rotation axes in the space groupC2/c, with an O—C—C—O torsion angle of −59.62 (13)° and atrans-planar arrangement of the thiosemicarbazide fragments relative to the adjacent aryl rings. The molecules of (I) are linked by N—H...S hydrogen bonds to form sheets containingR24(38) rings and two types ofR22(8) ring. In theN,N-dimethylformamide disolvate, C18H20N6O2S2·2C3H7NO, (II), the independent molecular components all lie in general positions, but one of the solvent molecules is disordered over two sets of atomic sites having occupancies of 0.839 (3) and 0.161 (3). The O—C—C—O torsion angle in the ArOCH2CH2OAr component is −75.91 (14)° and the independent thiosemicarbazide fragments both adopt acis-planar arrangement relative to the adjacent aryl rings. The ArOCH2CH2OAr components in (II) are linked by N—H...S hydrogen bonds to form deeply puckered sheets containingR22(8),R24(8) and two types ofR22(38) rings, and which contain cavities which accommodate all of the solvent molecules in the interior of the sheets. Comparisons are made with some related compounds.
Crystal structure of di-μ-iodido-bis{[bis(piperidin-1-yl)methane-κ2N,N′]copper(I)}
Authors: Barth Eva Rebecca , Golz Christopher , Strohmann Carsten
Published: October 2015

The title compound, [Cu2I2(C11H22N2)2], crystallizes as a symmetric dimer with one quarter of the molecule in the asymmetric unit. The copper(I) atom, the iodine atom and the central methylene C atom of the di(piperidin-1-yl)methane ligand lie on a mirror plane and the complete molecule exhibits point group symmetry 2/m. To the best of our knowledge it is the first diamine copper(I) complex containing a four-membered chelate ring. Compared to other diamine copper(I) iodide dimers, the title compound has a short Cu...Cu distance of 2.5137 (11) Å, but a long Cu—N bond length of 2.213 (3) Å. The I—Cu—I angle [121.84 (2)°] is large, and the N—Cu—N angle = 66.61 (13)° is the smallest one found for copper(I) diamine complexes. As a result of the four-membered ring, the ligands around the copper(I) atom have an extremely distorted tetrahedral arrangement. In the crystal, there are no significant intermolecular interactions present.
Crystal structure of 2,4,6-tris(cyclohexyloxy)-1,3,5-triazine
Authors: Sankolli Ravish , Hauser Jürg , Row T. N. Guru , Hulliger Jürg
Published: October 2015

The title compound, C21H33N3O3, is a tri-substituted cyclohexyloxy triazine. In the crystal, the triazine rings form (C3i-PU) Piedfort units. The inter-centroid distance of the π–π interaction involving the triazine rings is 3.3914 (10) Å. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming ribbons propagating along [1-10]. There are also weak C—H...N and C—H...O contacts present, linking inversion-related ribbons, forming a three-dimensional structure.
Crystal structure of 2-(2,3-dimethoxynaphthalen-1-yl)-3-hydroxy-6-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one
Authors: Ahn Seunghyun , Lim Yoongho , Koh Dongsoo
Published: October 2015

In the title compound, C22H18O6, the dimethoxy-substituted naphthalene ring system is twisted relative to the 4H-chromenon skeleton by 88.96 (3)°. The two methoxy substituents are tilted from the naphthalene ring system by 1.4 (4) and 113.0 (2)°, respectively. An intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond closes anS(5) ring motif. In the crystal, pairs of O—H...O hydrogen bonds form inversion dimers withR22(10) loops and C—H...O interactions connect the dimers into [010] chains.
Crystal structure ofN-(2-amino-5-cyano-4-methylsulfanyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyrimidin-1-yl)-4-bromobenzenesulfonamide dimethylformamide monosolvate
Authors: Elgemeie Galal H. , Mohamed Reham A. , Hussein Hoda A. , Jones Peter G.
Published: October 2015

The title compound, C12H10BrN5O3S2·C3H7NO, displays an almost planar amine group. The interplanar angle between the rings is 31.72 (6)°. The residues are associated into ribbons parallel to [110] by three classical hydrogen bonds; one from each amine Hamineto ODMFand one from NHamideto Ooxo. Adjacent ribbons are connected by translation parallel to thecaxis by a `weak' hydrogen bond Hmethyl...Osulfonylto form a layer structure parallel to (1-10), while a further contact Hbromophenyl...Osulfonylconnects the residues in the third dimension.
The Competitive Advantage of Nations 25 years – opening up new perspectives on competitiveness
Authors: Sölvell Örjan
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to analyze how The Competitive Advantage of Nations project led by Professor Michael E. Porter has opened up new perspectives on competitiveness of nations and firms for scholars, practitioners and policymakers. With the publication ofThe Competitive Advantage of Nations(CAON) book in 1990, Professor Michael E. Porter opened up a whole new perspective on competitiveness and clusters, including both new research avenues and new perspectives for practitioners and politicians. By questioning the traditional, more static and macroeconomic, views on competitiveness, he opened up for a new model of microeconomic drivers of long-run firm competitiveness. The new conceptual model, the Diamond model, pointed to the importance of healthy rivalry and dynamic clusters, in the proximate firm environment, as central to our understanding of how firms build sustainable competitive advantages in global markets.

Design/methodology/approach

– Literature review and conceptual.

Findings

– To distinguish between short-term, more static, and long-term, more dynamic competitiveness of firms, and the competitiveness of nations and regions, the paper proposes a conceptualization into three interrelated concepts: competitiveness and innovativeness of firms, and attractiveness of nations and regions.

Originality/value

– This paper summarizes 40 years of Professor Porter’s seminal research with a focus on the CAON project that began with the 1990 book onThe Competitive Advantage of Nations. The paper proposes three interrelated concepts to cover issues of competitiveness: competitiveness (firm’s static advantages), innovativeness (firm’s dynamic advantages) and attractiveness (national/regional advantages).
Developing an evaluation tool for disaster risk messages
Authors: Bergeron Caroline D , Friedman Daniela B
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– Risk communication is a critical component of individual health decision making and behavior. In disaster situations, it is crucial that risk-related messages are communicated accurately and that they reach and inform target audiences about the steps they can take to protect their health. Despite a global recognition of the importance of risk communication in responding to disasters, there remains a dearth of evidence on how to evaluate the effectiveness of risk communication messages. The purpose of this paper is to develop and assess a pilot tool to evaluate the effectiveness of disaster risk messages.

Design/methodology/approach

– A pilot evaluation tool was developed using the existing risk communication literature. An expert assessment of the tool was conducted using an open-ended survey and a focus group discussion with 18 experts at the Public Health Agency of Canada in February 2013.

Findings

– The tool measures content, reach, and comprehension of the message. It is intended to be a quick, internal evaluation tool for use during a disaster or emergency. The experts acknowledged the practicality of the tool, while also recognizing evaluation challenges.

Research limitations/implications

– This pilot exploratory tool was assessed using a relatively small sample of experts.

Practical implications

– This tool offers public health and disaster preparedness practitioners a promising approach for evaluating and improving the communication and management of future public health emergencies.

Originality/value

– This is the first practical tool developed to evaluate risk communication messages in disaster situations.
Real Sound Lab: issuing a €300,000 bond
Authors: Tarvid Alexander
Published: October 2015

Subject area

Financial Management.

Study level/applicability

Masters, Bachelors.

Case overview

In 2011, Real Sound Lab (RSL), an innovative audio technology company headquartered in Latvia, issued a bond to finance its needs. The face value of the issue was much smaller than what was typically encountered in the local market. The case describes how Viesturs Sosars, Chief Executive Officer of RSL, made this financing decision and how the difficulties at maturity were overcome.

Expected learning outcomes

Learn about financing options available for an small- or medium-sized enterprise in the case of inability to issue additional equity combined with an already high debt ratio. Learn about important considerations that should be made when deciding on the details of the bond issue and how these might impact the possible actions of the issuing company in case of being unable to repay the principal at maturity.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Political entrepreneurship: Jefferson, Bayard, and the election of 1800
Authors: Campbell Noel , Witcher Marcus
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that an implication of Holcombe’s (2002) model is a “revolution trap.” This paper extends Holcombe’s model adding Klein’s concept of entrepreneurship as judgment concerning the use of heterogeneous political capital. The authors use the case of the USA presidential election of 1800 to demonstrate the utility of the extension, and to discuss how political entrepreneurship served to prevent a revolution trap. The political entrepreneurship of 1800 established the precedent of peaceful transition of power in the USA, which opened the door to the rapid economic development of the early nineteenth century.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a historical case study using letters, newspapers, pamphlets, and other pieces of empirical evidence to highlight an important moment of political entrepreneurship.

Findings

– Many contemporary observers predicted that the USA would devolve into continuous revolution, which the authors argue Holcombe’s (2002) model predicts. However, political entrepreneurship ended the revolutionary period in the former British North America. Moreover, the political entrepreneurship ending the election crisis established the precedent of peaceful political succession. This precedent comparatively elevated the returns of productive, market entrepreneurship (Baumol, 1990). As a result, the USA experiences a prolonged period of entrepreneurially driven economic growth.

Originality/value

– To the authors knowledge, no one has developed the implication of a “revolution trap” from Holcombe’s (2002) model, nor has anyone applied Klein’s (2008) model to extend Holcombe’s model of political entrepreneurship. Although the disputed presidential election of 1800 has been extensively researched, no one has analyzed the election and its resolution from the perspective of political entrepreneurship.
Key factors for a successful implementation of a customer relationship management technology in the Tunisian hotel sector
Authors: Bahri-Ammari Nedra , Nusair Khaldoon
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to show the contribution of the determinants of customer relationship management (CRM), namely, customer-centric organizational culture and customer-centric management system, in explaining CRM performance. The moderating role of employee support has also been examined.

Design/methodology/approach

– A questionnaire was administered to 406 CRM users in 15 four- and five-star hotels in Tunisia. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

– The results show that a consumer-centric managerial system positively affects CRM technology. Managerial system contributes to have an efficient CRM technology implemented that provides sales force with customer information, competitor information, leads for cross-sell/up-sell opportunities, tracks product availability and measures customer loyalty. These dimensions are negatively affected by a consumer-centric organizational culture. CRM technology once implemented with an adapted consumer-centric vision will enhance the CRM performance. Moreover, the use of CRM technology by employees leads to higher performance. CRM performance can improve when different CRM components are used and supported by employee. Exchange of relevant information that provides technology can improve in regaining lost customers, in acquiring customers and in improving the total return per customer and reducing customer migration.

Practical implications

– The findings help managers to consider adopting a customer-oriented CRM strategy that considers all the variables that may affect the performance of this technology (initiation, maintenance and retention). Companies will be able to reconsider some notions related to CRM strategies: restructuring the human factor, disseminating information, changing hotel culture and training of users.

Originality/value

– This study is the first to explain CRM performance in Tunisian hotels. It helps to highlight the importance of the visitors’ behavior in hotels, which explains, among other things, the difficulty of maintaining long-lasting relationship with hotel guests, despite a good system management and a good customer-centric culture.
The impact of customer’s perceived service innovativeness on image congruence, satisfaction and behavioral outcomes
Authors: S Sreejesh , Mitra Amarnath , Sahoo Debjani
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide empirical evidence of relationship between perceived service innovativeness, image-congruence, satisfaction and behavioral outcomes at the customer level. It hypothesizes a moderated mediation model, denoting that perceived service innovativeness relates to image-congruity dimensions, which, in turn, will promote satisfaction at cognitive and affective level, thereby creating strong behavioral outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected through online surveys. The survey aimed at measuring the hypothesized constructs and other study-relevant information. Hypotheses were tested using the structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

– This paper validates the role of perceived service innovativeness as a mechanism facilitating development and transfer of customer’s image-congruence toward a service firm. It also finds that the image-congruity dimensions fully mediate the relationship between perceived innovativeness and satisfaction. The resultant customer satisfaction leads to the development of behavioral outcomes. Further, the study finds that perceived innovativeness have varying effects on image-congruence dimensions depending upon customer’s prior experience.

Practical implications

– The study provides evidence to managers that the customer-centric value creation through image-congruence requires development of positive perceived service innovativeness, which will result in customer satisfaction and their behavioral outcomes.

Originality/value

– The study is the first attempt to find empirical support for the role of perceived service innovativeness to create customer’s image congruity with a service firm. Further, analyzing how perceived service innovativeness, image-congruence, customer satisfaction and behavioral outcomes are related to each other is also an important contribution.
Polyphonic sound montages
Authors: Arnfred Morten
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the methodological aspects of analyzing and editing recorded qualitative interviews into polyphonic sound montages, which can then be played in a workshop and facilitate reflection, discussion and co-analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper outlines the two elements of the method: editing and co-analysis. It uses empirical examples from a specific project where polyphonic sound montages were edited from interviews with patients at a cardiology department and played in a workshop for a multidisciplinary group of doctors, nurses, technicians, secretaries and managers.

Findings

– It is argued that working with polyphonic sound montages is an engaging and fruitful way to present qualitative findings enabling the researcher to include more people in the analysis of the material.

Originality/value

– The crafting of polyphonic sound montages and the process of co-analysis, as described in this paper, is a new approach to ethnographic representation and qualitative analysis. The paper may inspire researchers or consultants who want to experiment with a new way of involving user perspectives.
Retired men and Men’s Sheds in Australia
Authors: Southcombe Amie , Cavanagh Jillian , Bartram Timothy
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of charismatic leadership style and value congruence on the social connectedness of retired men in Australian Men’s Sheds. This study also explores the impact of social connectedness on well-being outcomes, such as employment and training, improved family relationships and access to health and welfare services.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology is a qualitative approach using focus groups (yarning circles) and semi-structured interviews with Shed leaders, men members and healthcare workers.

Findings

– The findings suggest that a charismatic leader enhances the value congruence between leaders and their members through empowering, envisioning and empathy, which also contributes to the social connectedness of members and enhances well-being of retired men.

Originality/value

– The study provides insights into the factors that contribute to successful leadership, participatory and leadership practices in the Groups/Sheds, and addresses a gap in the literature in the area of leadership and Men’s Sheds.
Communication challenges facing management teams
Authors: Hedman Eerika , Valo Maarit
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore what kinds of communication challenges management teams (MTs) experience and to suggest ideas for developing competent communication practices.

Design/methodology/approach

– Working according to the principles of qualitative research, a total of seven MT members from seven different international companies were interviewed. The thematic in-depth interviews were analyzed by first looking at all references of communication challenges, and then grouping them into six different dimensions.

Findings

– Most of the communication challenges facing MTs are related to the teams’ meetings, where issues of leadership, decision making and participation may well be intensified. The meetings were experienced as formal communication forums, where MT members do not always express their true opinions either because other team members prevent it or because they are unable to do so. Informal communication plays a pivotal role in facilitating trust and competent communication practices.

Practical implications

– MTs need to be mindful of how they communicate and develop a reflective practice in order to develop competent communication practices.

Originality/value

– The study illustrates the essential themes that the MT members experience and perceive as central in MT communication and teamwork. Studying MTs from a communication perspective adds a valuable contribution to MT research.
Dermoscopy in differential diagnosis of palmar psoriasis and chronic hand eczema
Authors: Errichetti Enzo , Stinco Giuseppe
Published: October 2015

Clinical differentiation between palmar psoriasis and chronic hand eczema may sometimes be a diagnostic challenge; in such cases histopathological analysis helps to differentiate the two conditions. In the present study, palmar psoriasis and chronic hand eczema were investigated using dermoscopy and the significance of specific dermoscopic features was assessed in order to improve their non‐invasive differentiation. Ten patients with biopsy‐proven palmar psoriasis and 11 patients with biopsy‐proven chronic hand eczema were included in the study. We found that the presence of diffuse white scales was significant in palmar psoriasis whereas the presence of yellowish scales, brownish‐orange dots/globules and yellowish‐orange crusts was significant in chronic hand eczema.
The Impacts of Intergovernmental Transfers on Local Governments’ Fiscal Behavior in China: A Cross‐County Analysis (政府间转移支付对中国地方政府财政行为的影响：一项跨县分析)
Authors: Zhang (厦门大学) Guang
Published: October 2015

Since the 1994 tax sharing reform, China's intergovernmental fiscal transfers have become huge in size and complicated in kind. More importantly, they have been assigned by the central government a variety of roles due to its changing policy priorities. This paper focuses on an episode, during the years 2000–2005, when substantial transfers were used by Beijing to advance the rural ‘tax and fee’ reforms. Using a cross county dataset from 2005 we estimate local governments’ responses to three major types of transfers, tax sharing or ‘tax returns’ (TRs), general purpose or fiscal capacity transfers (FCTs), and special‐purpose transfers (SPTs), either by mobilizing local tax effort (the stimulation effect) or by reducing local tax burden (the substitution effect). The results of statistical analysis reveal that TRs were highly stimulatory in all forms of local spending and revenue‐raising activities; FCTs were moderately substitutive in their effect on local budgetary spending and extra‐budgetary revenues, suggesting that the central policy of using transfers to reduce the fiscal burden imposed on peasants achieved some, though very limited, success. SPTs had a stimulation effect only on local budgetary spending, demonstrating the power of local matching requirements by the central government. Overall, central transfers tend to be stimulatory in China, an interesting result from an international comparative perspective.
Analyzing Social Safety Net and Employment Assistance Spending in Chinese Cities (对中国城市中社会保障和就业援助支出的分析)
Authors: Ho Alfred Tat‐Kei , Lang (堪萨斯大学，劳伦斯市，堪萨斯州) Tao
Published: October 2015

As social harmony and stability become increasingly important to the Chinese policymakers, how to use government spending to help the unemployed and needy population becomes a key task. Unlike many western countries, China pursues a highly decentralized policy in social safety net and employment assistance spending. This paper explores the advantages and challenges of this fiscal arrangement, and uses data of about 330 Chinese cities between 2007 and 2010 to analyze how this spending evolved during the ups and downs in the national economy. Based on various descriptive analyses and a hierarchical model, our results show that the Chinese government has indeed increased social safety net spending significantly over time. However, contrary to our prior expectation, cities with higher gross regional products per capita and cities in the richer coastal provinces spend less per non‐employed person, after controlling for the non‐employment population ratio in the cities. In general, the share of SSNEA budget in the total general budget has remained relatively stable despite economic ups and downs. From this perspective, China seems to be quite successful in maintaining a balanced approach to social assistance and has avoided the over‐expansion of welfare and pension spending that is being witnessed in many western countries.
Reducing Tensions in Australian Intergovernmental Relations through Institutional Innovation (关键词: 政府间协定、绩效、问责、伙伴关系 。 通过体制创新来减少澳大利亚政府间关系紧张)
Authors: Menzies (格里菲斯大学，政治和公共政策中心) Jennifer
Published: October 2015

Australia remains under‐institutionalised in structures to manage intergovernmental relations. Negotiation and agreement remain dependent on the ad hoc summitry of COAG with deliberations dominated by the ‘soft’ factors of partisanship, personality and the political cycle. This articles outlines the ‘soft’ factors which dominate intergovernmental relations and argues institutional innovation is needed to formalise the management of multi‐level governance in Australia.
Pariahs or Partners? Inclusion and Exclusion of Radical Right Parties and the Effects on Their Policy Positions
Authors: Akkerman Tjitske , Rooduijn Matthijs
Published: October 2015

This article investigates the effects of inclusion and exclusion on the policy agendas of radical right parties. Radical right parties face diverging political opportunity structures in Western Europe. In some countries, the prospect of office has become a realistic option since the beginning of this century; in other countries radical right parties remain ostracised by mainstream parties. Research has focused mainly on the electoral effects of inclusion and exclusion strategies. Systematic analyses of the effects on policy agendas are scarce. This article focuses on the policy positions of radical right parties with respect to the key issues of immigration and integration. The finding is that ostracised parties have not changed much over time, but there is no evidence that cordons sanitaires have a freezing effect. Contrary to expectations, non-ostracised parties have not become more moderate over time. After the turn of the millennium, non-ostracised radical right parties have become just as radical as their ostracised cousins.
Effect of interprofessional student‐led beds on emergency department performance indicators
Authors: Meek Robert , Morphet Julia , Hood Kerry , Leech Michelle , Sandry Kate
Published: October 2015

Objective

The study aims to compare ED performance indicators between patients managed by students in an inter‐professional learning (IPL) programme and comparable patients receiving usual ED care.

Methods

An IPL programme ran for five separate 2 week periods during 2012. Four student‐led beds were managed by four final year students (two medical, two nursing). Four control beds were matched for patient acuity. Data were gathered electronically from the ED information system. Comparisons of baseline characteristics and a range of ED performance indicators were made between patients managed in the student‐led and control beds. Patient satisfaction with student care was surveyed.

Results

Characteristics of the 369 study and 365 control patients were similar. Median times to being seen by a nurse and a doctor were not significantly different between student‐led and control beds, at 50 (19–103) versus 45 (20–93) min, and 84 (28–162) versus 91 (41–165) min, respectively. Median time to inpatient referral for admitted patients was significantly longer in student‐led compared with control beds, being 142 (65–249) versus 101.5 (48–200) min, respectively. Median lengths of stay were similar between the student‐led and control groups, being 263 (201–343) versus 303.5 (204–384) min for discharged patients, and 866 (571–1238) versus 745.5 (487–1168) min for inpatient ward admissions. Patients reported high levels of satisfaction with student care.

Conclusion

There was little difference in performance indicators between patients managed by student teams as part of an IPL programme and a similar group receiving usual ED care.
Food in the City: Urban Food Geographies and ‘Local’ Food Sourcing in Melbourne and San Diego County
Authors: Mcgirr Heather Kaye , Batterbury Simon P.J.
Published: October 2015

Perceptions of food systems and food acquisition decisions are grounded in specific socio‐economic and environmental contexts. Working in two relatively affluent urban communities in Melbourne, Australia and San Diego County, USA, this article explores the ways that individuals perceive their food systems, where they acquire food, and their definitions of ‘local’ sourcing. Surveys and interviews reveal a clear discrepancy between the ideals and the reality of food acquisition decision‐making, particularly the desire to eat ‘local food’. Survey respondents' realities do not live up to their expectations. These practices can largely be explained by the interplay between the respondents' perceived priorities, food preferences, dietary requirements, and decision‐making constraints in particular urban geographies. Further research is needed on the role of perceptions in food decision‐making in specific geographic contexts.
Telmisartan combined with probucol effectively reduces urinary protein in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled multicenter clinical study
Authors: Zhu Hanyu , Chen Xiangmei , Cai Guangyan , Zheng Ying , Liu Moyan , Liu Wenhu , Yao Hebin , Wang Yaping , Li Wenge , Wu Hua , Lun Lide , Zhang Jianrong , Guan Xiaohong , Yin Shinan , Zhuang Xiaoming , Li Jijun , Liu Yanjun , Zhou Chunhua
Published: October 2015

Background

Persistent proteinuria is an important factor contributing to the progression of diabetic nephropathy. The present randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled multicenter clinical study evaluated the efficacy and safety of telmisartan combined with the antioxidant probucol in reducing urinary protein levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

Patients with T2D and 24‐h proteinuria 0.5–3 g were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to one of two groups: a telmisartan or a probucol + telmisartan group. Both groups were given telmisartan 80 mg q.d. for 48 weeks. The probucol + telmisartan group was given probucol 500 mg b.i.d. for the first 24 weeks, with the dosage then reduced to 250 mg b.i.d. for the remaining 24 weeks. The telmisartan group was given probucol placebo.

Results

In all, 160 patients were enrolled in the present study. The 24‐h proteinuria levels were significantly reduced in the probucol + telmisartan compared with telmisartan group. For patients with baseline 24‐h proteinuria levels <1.0 g, both treatments resulted in significant reductions in 24‐h proteinuria levels after 48 weeks treatment. However, in patients with baseline 24‐h proteinuria levels ≥1.0 g, 24‐h proteinuria levels after 48 weeks treatment were only reduced in the probucol + telmisartan group. There was no significant difference between the two groups for either adverse cardiovascular or other events.

Conclusions

In patients with diabetic nephropathy, probucol combined with telmisartan more effectively reduces urinary protein levels than telmisartan alone.
Assessment of a 16S rRNA amplicon Illumina sequencing procedure for studying the microbiome of a symbiont‐rich aphid genus
Authors: Jousselin E. , Clamens A.‐L. , Galan M. , Bernard M. , Maman S. , Gschloessl B. , Duport G. , Meseguer A. S. , Calevro F. , Coeur d'acier A.
Published: October 2015

The bacterial communities inhabiting arthropods are generally dominated by a few endosymbionts that play an important role in the ecology of their hosts. Rather than comparing bacterial species richness across samples, ecological studies on arthropod endosymbionts often seek to identify the main bacterial strains associated with each specimen studied. The filtering out of contaminants from the results and the accurate taxonomic assignment of sequences are therefore crucial in arthropod microbiome studies. We aimed here to validate an Illumina 16S rRNA gene sequencing protocol and analytical pipeline for investigating endosymbiotic bacteria associated with aphids. Using replicate DNA samples from 12 species (Aphididae: Lachninae, Cinara) and several controls, we removed individual sequences not meeting a minimum threshold number of reads in each sample and carried out taxonomic assignment for the remaining sequences. With this approach, we show that (i) contaminants accounted for a negligible proportion of the bacteria identified in our samples; (ii) the taxonomic composition of our samples and the relative abundance of reads assigned to a taxon were very similar across PCR and DNA replicates for each aphid sample; in particular, bacterial DNA concentration had no impact on the results. Furthermore, by analysing the distribution of unique sequences across samples rather than aggregating them into operational taxonomic units (OTUs), we gained insight into the specificity of endosymbionts for their hosts. Our results confirm that Serratia symbiotica is often present in Cinara species, in addition to the primary symbiont, Buchnera aphidicola. Furthermore, our findings reveal new symbiotic associations with Erwinia‐ and Sodalis‐related bacteria. We conclude with suggestions for generating and analysing 16S rRNA gene sequences for arthropod‐endosymbiont studies.