bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How can noise alter neurophysiology in order to improve human behaviour? A combined tRNS and EEG study
Authors: Sheffield James G. , Raz Gal , Sella Francesco , Kadosh Roi Cohen
Published: January 2020

Random noise has been shown to improve the detection of suboptimal signals in humans and machines. Based on that, transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) has aimed to improve human behaviour by targeting neuronal activity. To uncover the poorly understood mechanistic underpinnings of tRNS, we recorded electroencephalography data during arithmetic training while delivering active or sham tRNS above the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). By successfully removing the tRNS artefact in the time and frequency domains, we examined the mechanisms that underlie its behavioural improvement. We found that active tRNS improved arithmetic performance and impacts specific ERPs components that are associated with attentional mechanisms. Furthermore, the tRNS effect was maximal in individuals with suboptimal arithmetic ability and neurophysiological measures of top-down control and excitation/inhibition ratio. These results providing a novel mechanistic explanation for the effect of tRNS on human behaviour and highlight how suboptimal task-specific behaviour and neurophysiology predicts its effect.
ADAM17-triggered TNF signalling protects the ageing Drosophila retina from lipid droplet mediated degeneration
Authors: Muliyil Sonia , Levet Clémence , Düsterhöft Stefan , Dulloo Iqbal , Cowley Sally , Freeman Matthew
Published: January 2020

Animals have evolved multiple mechanisms to protect themselves from the cumulative effects of age-related cellular damage. Here we reveal an unexpected link between the TNF (tumour necrosis factor) inflammatory pathway, triggered by the metalloprotease ADAM17/TACE, and a lipid droplet (LD)-mediated mechanism of protecting retinal cells from age related degeneration. Loss of ADAM17, TNF and the TNF receptor Grindelwald in pigmented glial cells of theDrosophilaretina leads to age related degeneration of both glia and neurons, preceded by an abnormal accumulation of glial LDs. We show that the glial LDs initially buffer the cells against damage caused by neuronally generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), but that in later life the LDs dissipate, leading to the release of toxic peroxidated lipids. Finally, we demonstrate the existence of a conserved pathway in human iPS-derived microglia-like cells, which are central players in neurodegeneration. Overall, we have discovered a pathway mediated by TNF signalling acting not as a trigger of inflammation, but as a cytoprotective factor in the retina.
Mechanisms of Interaction of Staphylococcus Aureus With Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Differentiated Phenotypes
Authors: Khamees Nibras , Hill Darryl J. , Kafienah Wael
Published: January 2020

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells commonly derived from the bone marrow, adipose tissue and placenta. Human bone marrow derived MSCs migrate to a site of injury, release proinflammatory cytokines and modulate T-cell proliferation. At sites of injury, MSCs may well encounter bacterial pathogens most commonly the Gram positive pathogenStaphylococcus aureus. However, the precise molecular mechanism(s) of this interaction remain to be elucidated. In the present study we aim to show if a direct interaction occurs betweenS. aureusand bone marrow derived MSCs and identify if MSCRAMMs have a role in this interaction. We further aim to compareS. aureusinteraction with cells that differentiate from MSCs, namely; osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondrocytes, since MSCs co-exist in the niche of these cells. Our results showed that S. aureus is able to interact with MSCs in the form of adhesion and invasion to the cells, and that this interaction is largely dependent on the expression of fibronecting-binding protein (FnBP) by S. aureus. We also showed that the same mechanism of interaction to osteoblasts, adipocytes and chondrocytes that are directly differentiated from the same MSCs. Finally, we have found that the presence of 10% FBS in the infection medium is essential as it helps in achieving the best specific bacterial-cell association with the least background association. The results reveals a mechanism of interaction betweenS. aureusand MSCs that could pave the way for therapeutic intervention that minimises the burden of infection in inflammatory diseases.
Trial-by-trial predictions of subjective time from human brain activity
Authors: Sherman Maxine T. , Fountas Zafeirios , Seth Anil K. , Roseboom Warrick
Published: January 2020

Human experience of time exhibits systematic, context-dependent deviations from veridical clock time; for example, time is experienced differently at work than on holiday. Here we test the proposal that differences from clock time in subjective experience of time arise because time estimates are constructed by accumulating the same quantity that guides perception: salient events. Healthy human participants watched naturalistic, silent videos of up to ∼1 minute in duration and estimated their duration while fMRI was acquired. We were able to reconstruct trial-by-trial biases in participants’ duration reports, which reflect subjective experience of time (rather than veridical clock time), purely from salient events in their visual cortex BOLD activity. This was not the case for control regions in auditory and somatosensory cortex, despite being able to predict clock time from all three brain areas. Our results reveal that the information arising during sensory processing of our dynamic environment provides a sufficient basis for reconstructing human subjective time estimates.
Two synthetic 18-way outcrossed populations of diploid budding yeast with utility for complex trait dissection
Authors: Linder Robert A. , Majumder Arundhati , Chakraborty Mahul , Long Anthony
Published: January 2020

Advanced generation multi-parent populations (MPPs) are a valuable tool for dissecting complex traits, having more power than GWAS to detect rare variants, and higher resolution than F2linkage mapping. To extend the advantages of MPPs in budding yeast, we describe the creation and characterization of two outbred MPPs derived from eighteen genetically diverse founding strains. We carried outde novoassemblies of the genomes of the eighteen founder strains, such that virtually all variation segregating between these strains is known and represent those assemblies as Santa Cruz Genome Browser tracks. We discover complex patterns of structural variation segregating amongst the founders, including a large deletion within the vacuolar ATPaseVMA1, several different deletions within the osmosensorMSB2, a series of deletions and insertions atPRM7and the adjacentBSC1, as well as copy number variation at the dehydrogenaseALD2. Resequenced haploid recombinant clones from the two MPPs have a median unrecombined block size of 66kb, demonstrating the population are highly recombined. We pool sequenced the two MPPs to 3270X and 2226X coverage and demonstrate that we can accurately estimate local haplotype frequencies using pooled data. We further down-sampled the poolseq data to ~20-40X and show that local haplotype frequency estimates remain accurate, with median error rate 0.8% and 0.6% at 20X and 40X, respectively. Haplotypes frequencies are estimated much more accurately than SNP frequencies obtained directly from the same data. Deep sequencing of the two populations revealed that ten or more founders are present at a detectable frequency for over 98% of the genome, validating the utility of this resource for the exploration of the role of standing variation in the architecture of complex traits.
Response ofPseudomonas aeruginosato the innate immune system-derived oxidants hypochlorous acid and hypothiocyanous acid
Authors: Farrant Katie V. , Spiga Livia , Davies Jane C. , Williams Huw D.
Published: January 2020

Pseudomonas aeruginosais a significant nosocomial pathogen and associated with lung infections in cystic fibrosis (CF). Once established,P. aeruginosainfections persist and are rarely eradicated despite the host immune cells producing antimicrobial oxidants, including hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN). There is limited knowledge as to howP. aeruginosasenses, responds to, and survives attack from HOCl and HOSCN, and the contribution of such responses to its success as a CF pathogen. We investigated theP. aeruginosaresponse to these oxidants by screening 707 transposon mutants, with mutations in regulatory genes, for altered growth following HOCl exposure. We identified regulators involved in antibiotic resistance, methionine biosynthesis and catabolite repression, and PA14_07340, the homologue of theEscherichia coliHOCl-sensor RclR (30% identical), that were required for HOCl survival. We have shown that RclR (PA14_07340) protects specifically against HOCl and HOSCN stress, and responds to both oxidants by upregulating expression of a putative peroxiredoxin,rclX(PA14_07355). While there was specificity in the transcriptional response to HOCl (231 genes upregulated) and HOSCN (105 genes upregulated) there was considerable overlap, with 74 genes upregulated by both oxidants. These included genes encoding the type III secretion system (T3SS), sulphur and taurine transport, and the MexEF-OprN efflux pump. RclR coordinated the transcriptional response to HOCl and HOSCN, including upregulation of pyocyanin biosynthesis genes, and in response to HOSCN alone RclR downregulated chaperone genes. These data indicate that theP. aeruginosaresponse to HOCl and HOSCN is multifaceted, with RclR playing an essential role.
MicroRNA-574 Regulates FAM210A Expression and Influences Pathological Cardiac Remodeling
Authors: Wu Jiangbin , Subbaiah Kadiam C Venkata , Jiang Feng , Hadaya Omar , Mohan Amy , Yang Tingting , Welle Kevin , Ghaemmaghami Sina , Tang Wai Hong Wilson , Small Eric , Yan Chen , Yao Peng
Published: January 2020

Aberrant synthesis of mitochondrial proteins impairs cardiac function and causes heart disease. However, the mechanism of regulation of mitochondria encoded protein expression during cardiac disease remains underexplored. Here, we have shown that multiple pathogenic cardiac stressors induce the expression of miR-574 guide and passenger strands (miR-574-5p/3p) in both humans and mice. miR-574 knockout mice exhibit severe cardiac disorder under heart disease-triggering stresses. miR-574-5p/3p mimics that are delivered systematically using nanoparticles reduce cardiac pathogenesis under disease insults. Transcriptome analysis of miR-574-null hearts uncoversFAM210Aas a common target mRNA for both strands of miR-574. The interactome capture and translational state analyses suggest that FAM210A interacts with mitochondrial translation factors and regulates the protein expression of mitochondrial encoded electron transport chain genes. Using a human cardiomyocyte cell culture system, we discover that miR-574 regulates FAM210A expression and modulates mitochondrial encoded protein expression, which influences cardiac remodeling in heart failure.
Protein Targets of Inositol Pyrophosphate (5-IP7) in the parasiteTrypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Mantilla Brian S. , Brown Nathaniel , Fiedler Dorothea , Docampo Roberto
Published: January 2020

Diphosphoinositol-5-pentakisphosphate (5-PP-P5), also known as inositol heptakisphosphate (5-IP7), has been described as a high-energy phosphate metabolite that participates in the regulation of multiple cellular processes through protein binding or serine pyrophosphorylation, a post-translational modification involving aβ-phosphoryl transfer. In this study, utilizing an immobilized 5-IP7affinity reagent, we performed pull-down experiments coupled with mass spectrometry identification, and bioinformatic analysis, to reveal 5-IP7-regulated processes in the two proliferative stages of the unicellular parasiteTrypanosoma cruzi. Our protein screen clearly defined two cohorts of putative targets either in the presence of magnesium ions or in metal-free conditions. The highest number of protein targets was detected in the absence of metal ions, with an overrepresentation of proteins involved in purine metabolism, protein phosphorylation, nucleosome assembly, cell redox homeostasis, parasite-surface components, and exocytosis, and only a 37% overlap between the two proliferative stages. In the presence of magnesium, there was a lower enrichment with the isolation of about 30 proteins with overrepresented candidates involved in tRNA amino acylation, phosphate homeostasis, lipid and glucose catabolism, and cell division, and 15% overlap between proliferative stages. To validate the pull-down results, we endogenously tagged four protein candidates and immunopurified them. Among the most interesting targets, we identified a choline/o-acetyltransferase domain-containing phosphoprotein that undergoes 5-IP7-mediated phosphorylation events at a polyserine tract (Ser578-580). We also identified a novel SPX domain-containing phosphoribosyl transferase [EC 2.7.6.1] herein termed as TcPRPS4. Our data revealed new functional roles of 5-IP7in this divergent eukaryote, and provided potential new targets for chemotherapy.
NINJA: an inducible genetic model for creating neoantigensin vivo
Authors: Damo Martina , Fitzgerald Brittany , Lu Yisi , Nader Mursal , William Ivana , Cheung Julie , Connolly Kelli A. , Foster Gena G. , Akama-Garren Elliot , Lee Da-Yae , Chang Greg P. , Gocheva Vasilena , Schmidt Leah M. , Boileve Alice , Wilson Josephine H. , Cui Can , Monroy Isabel , Gokare Prashanth , Cabeceiras Peter , Jacks Tyler , Joshi Nikhil S.
Published: January 2020

Mouse models with inducible neoantigens have been historically difficult to generate because of leaky expression of antigens in the thymus, which causes central tolerance in developing CD8 and CD4 T cells. Attempts to resolve this problem using existing genetic tools have been unsuccessful. We developed the iNversion INducible Joined neoAntigen (NINJA) mouse model that uses RNA splicing, DNA recombination, and three levels of regulation to prevent neoantigen leakiness and allow tight control over the induction of neoantigen expression. We describe the development of these genetic tools and their use for obtaining tumor cell lines with inducible neoantigen expression. Moreover, we show that the genetic regulation in NINJA mice bypasses central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms and allows for robust endogenous CD8 and CD4 T cells responses upon neoantigen induction in peripheral tissues. Thus, NINJA fills a long-standing gap in the field and will enable studies of how T cells respond to defined neoantigens in the context of peripheral tolerance, autoimmune diseases, and developing tumors.
Extensive genome-wide association analyses identify genotype-by-environment interactions of growth traits in Simmental cattle
Authors: Braz Camila U. , Rowan Troy N. , Schnabel Robert D. , Decker Jared E.
Published: January 2020

Background

Understanding the genetic basis of genotype-by-environment interactions (GxE) is crucial to understand environmental adaptation in mammals and improve the sustainability of agricultural production. In addition, GxE information could also be useful to predict the vulnerability of populations to climate change.

Results

Here, we present an extensive study investigating the interaction of genome-wide SNP markers with a vast assortment of environmental variables and searching for SNPs controlling phenotypic variance (vQTL) using a large beef cattle dataset. We showed that GxE contribute 10%, 4%, and 3% of the phenotypic variance of birth weight, weaning weight, and yearling weight, respectively. GxE genome-wide association analysis (GWAA) detected a large number of GxE loci affecting growth traits, which the traditional GWAA did not detect, showing that functional loci may have non-additive genetic effects between genotype classes regardless of differences in genotypic means. We also showed that variance-heterogeneity GWAA can detect loci enriched with GxE effects without requiring prior knowledge of the interacting environmental factors. Functional annotation and pathway analysis of GxE genes revealed biological mechanisms by which cattle respond to changes in their environment, such as neural signaling, metabolic, hypoxia-induced, and immune system pathways. Knowledge of these pathways will be important as climate change becomes a burden on animal health and productivity. In addition, ecoregion-specific GxE SNPs detected in this study may play a crucial role in identifying resilient and adapted beef cattle across divergent environments.

Conclusions

We detected novel trait associations with large GxE effects for birth weight, weaning weight, and yearling weight. Functional annotation and pathway analysis uncovered genomic regions involved in response to environmental stimuli. We unraveled the relevance and complexity of the genetic basis of GxE underlying growth traits, providing new insights into how different environmental conditions interact with specific genes influencing adaptation and productivity in beef cattle and potentially across mammals
Genetic ablation ofSOD1G37Rselectively from corticofugal projection neurons protects corticospinal neurons from degeneration without affecting ALS onset and progression
Authors: Scekic-Zahirovic Jelena , Fischer Mathieu , Lopez Geoffrey Stuart , Burg Thibaut , Birling Marie-Christine , Kessler Pascal , Rouaux Caroline
Published: January 2020

While clinical evidence of combined degeneration of the bulbar and spinal motor neurons (MN) together with the corticospinal neurons (CSN) is required to diagnose Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), preclinical studies have mostly concentrated on MN, leaving aside the CSN and their contribution to ALS onset and progression. Recent studies carried on ALS patients suggest that the disease may initiate in the motor cortex and spread to its projection targets, along the corticofugal axonal projections (including CSN), either via altered neuronal excitability and subsequent excitotoxicity, or via prion-like propagation of misfolded proteins. We recently provided first experimental arguments in favour of the corticofugal hypothesis of ALS, demonstrating that CSN and other subcerebral projection neurons were toxic in a context of ALS. Here, we aimed to determine how CSN may be detrimental to their downstream targets, and what governs their degeneration. To answer these questions, we took advantage of theFloxedSOD1G37Rmouse model of ALS that allows genetic ablation of the mutant transgene in selected cells upon Cre-mediated recombination, and crossed it to theCrymCreERT2mouse line that we purposely designed to genetically target CSN and other corticofugal projection neurons (CFuPN) populations. We demonstrate that excision of the mutantSOD1G37Rtransgene from the CSN is sufficient to prevent their death, suggesting that CSN degeneration mostly relies on cell-intrinsic mechanisms. However, genetic ablation ofSOD1G37Rtransgene from the corticofugal neurons had no effect on disease onset and survival. The data thus indicate that the toxicity of CFuPN in the context of ALS, and corticofugal propagation of the disease, are not mediated by the presence of misfolded mutant proteins, but more likely by other aspects of the cortical pathology, possibly hyperexcitability.
Hypercholesterolemia risk associated GPR146 is an orphan G-protein coupled receptor that regulates blood cholesterol level in human and mouse
Authors: Han Fangfang , Liu Xiao , Chen Chuanfang , Liu Yinan , Du Mingkun , Guan Yangyang , Zhang Yiliang , Wang Dehe , Ahmed Musaddeque , Li Xuedan , Liu Xiaomin , Wu Yuxian , Zhou Yu , Liu Yong , Song Bao-Liang , He Housheng Hansen , Wang Yan
Published: January 2020

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified hundreds of genetic variants associated with dyslipidemia. However, about 95% of of these variants are located in genome noncoding regions and cluster in different loci. The disease-causing variant for each locus and underline mechanism remain largely unknown. We systematically analyzed these noncoding variants and found that rs1997243 is the disease-causing variant in locus 7p22, which is strongly associated with hypercholesterolemia. The rs1997243 risk allele is associated with increased expression ofGPR146in human and targeted activation of the rs1997243 site specifically up regulatesGPR146expression in cultured cells. GPR146 is an orphan G-protein coupled receptor that is located on plasma membrane and responses to stimulation of heat-inactivated serum. Disruptinggpr146specifically in the liver decreases the blood cholesterol level and prevents high-fat or high-fat high-cholesterol diets induced hypercholesterolemia in mice. Thus we uncovered a novel G-protein coupled receptor that regulates blood cholesterol level in both human and mouse. Our results also suggest that antagonizing GPR146 function will be an effective strategy to treat hypercholesterolemia.
Colocalization highlights genes in hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis as potentially mediating polycystic ovary syndrome risk
Authors: Censin Jenny C , Bovijn Jonas , Holmes Michael V , Lindgren Cecilia M
Published: January 2020

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disease in women with consequences for reproductive, metabolic and psychological health. Women with PCOS have disrupted signalling in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and studies have indicated that the disease has a large genetic component. While a recent genome-wide association study of PCOS performed in up to 10,074 cases and 103,164 controls of European decent identified 14 PCOS-associated regions, much of the disease pathophysiology remains unclear.

Here, we use a Bayesian colocalization approach to highlight genes that may have a potential role in PCOS pathophysiology and thus are of particular interest for further functional follow-up. We evaluated the posterior probabilities of shared causal variants between PCOS genetic risk loci and intermediate cellular phenotypes in one protein and two expression quantitative trait locus datasets, respectively. Sample sizes ranged from 80 to 31,684. In total, we identified seven proteins or genes with evidence of a shared causal variant for almost a third of PCOS signals, including follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and the genesERBB3,IKZF4,RPS26,SUOX,ZFP36L2, andC8orf49. Several of these genes and proteins have been implicated in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal signalling pathway.

In summary, our results suggest potential effector proteins and genes for PCOS association signals. This highlights genes for functional follow-up in order to demonstrate a causal role in PCOS pathophysiology.
Competitive interactions between motor and episodic memory systems during interleaved learning
Authors: Kim Sungshin
Published: January 2020

Distinct motor and episodic memory systems are widely thought to compete during memory consolidation and retrieval, yet the nature of their interactions during learning is less clear. Motor learning is thought to depend on contributions from both systems, with the episodic system supporting rapid updating and the motor system supporting gradual tuning of responses by feedback. However, this competition has been identified when both systems are engaged in learning the same material (motor information), and so competition might be emphasized. We tested whether such competition also occurs when learning involved separate episodic-memory and motor information presented distinctly but yet in close temporal proximity. We measured behavioral and brain-activity correlates of motor-episodic competition during learning using a novel task with interleaved motor-adaptation and episodic-learning demands. Despite unrelated motor versus episodic information and temporal segregation, motor learning interfered with episodic learning and episodic learning interfered with motor learning. This reciprocal competition was tightly coupled to corresponding reductions of fMRI activity in motor versus episodic learning systems. These findings suggest that distinct motor and episodic learning systems compete even when they are engaged by system-specific demands in close temporal proximity during memory formation.
How can universities contribute to regional competitiveness policy-making?
Authors: Aranguren Mari Jose , Magro Edurne
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to understanding regional competitiveness policy-making and the role academic organisations can play in that process. Competitiveness policies have evolved in the past decades from a single to a multiple-domain field, which has made the policy-making process more complex by adding more actors with their particular experience and view. This complexity, together with the relevance of overcoming traditional policy implementation failures, pleads for a new approach to competitiveness policy-making, in which academic organisations can act as “anchor institutions”. This framework is based on the adaptive implementation concept.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses the Basque case to analyse the role of universities in competitiveness policy-making and focuses on a specific academic organisation, which has contributed through different projects to regional policy-making. Evidences from those projects through different policy phases are included in the case.

Findings

The case shows how academic organisations might play a key role in fostering an adaptive implementation approach in competitiveness policy-making at the regional level and which specific characteristics these organisations should develop to fulfil this role.

Originality/value

This paper brings together two important issues for regional competitiveness: the importance of policy implementation and the particular role of engaged universities in such a process.
Analysis of competitiveness in Colombian family businesses
Authors: Moreno-Gómez Jorge , Lafuente Esteban
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Building on the resource-based view and the configuration theory, the purpose of this study uses a systemic and multidimensional competitiveness index (CI) i.e. that incorporates system constraints among the 10 competitive pillars that form the index to assess the competitiveness level and the connection between competitiveness and economic performance [return on assets (ROA)] in family businesses (FBs).

Design/methodology/approach

For the empirical application, the use a unique primary data set drawn from the global competitiveness project (www.gcp.org) that includes information for 77 Colombian FBs for 2017. Cluster analysis is used to evaluate the potential relationship between competitiveness, the configuration of competitive pillars and economic performance (ROA).

Findings

The results for the CI show that the main competitive strengths of the analysed firms are related to the introduction of product innovations and networks (suppliers and customers), while the limited use of technologies in their operations and the low online presence are the main competitive weaknesses of these firms. Additionally, the findings of the cluster analysis reveal that different configurations of competitiveness pillars are associated with different performance levels. Therefore, the results contribute to identifying how specific strategies aimed at improving different resources or capabilities contribute to enhance business competitiveness, and ultimately, performance.

Originality/value

By using an index number that takes into account the multiple interactions between resources and capabilities, the proposed analysis not only sheds light on the drivers of competitiveness i.e. resources and capabilities, and its connection to performance but also contributes to understanding the boundaries of the businesses’ competitiveness system, as well as the strategies that can potentially enhance competitiveness, and subsequently, business performance.
Persistence of profitability in top firms: does it vary across sectors?
Authors: Bhangu Parneet Kaur
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze variations in the degree of persistence of profitability across diverse economic sectors and industry groups over the time period of 1990-2014 for a sample of top publically listed firms belonging to a selected set of developed and developing economies.

Design/methodology/approach

Degree of profit persistence has been estimated using Mueller’s (1990) autoregressive methodology. Firms were classified into different economic sectors and industry groups as per the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS). The examination of inter-sectoral variations in profit persistence has been performed by comparing mean values of estimated short-run and long-run profit persistence parameter for all firms and between firms belonging to the developed and developing countries, respectively.

Findings

Firms in consumer staples, consumer discretionary and health care enjoy persistent above the norm returns, unlike firms in traditional industries, utilities and energy sectors, which are characterized by low persistence and below the norm returns. A high degree of profit persistence is observed in health care and idea- and technology-intensive sector in the developed countries; however, in the developing countries, profits persist higher in consumer discretionary and capital-intensive telecommunication services sectors.

Originality/value

The study provides a holistic examination of inter-sectoral variations in profit persistence of top firms in developed and developing economies using a uniform methodology and data set. It can serve as an aid to the competition commissions and anti-trust regulatory authorities to formulate policies for curtailing anti-competitive activities in certain sectors.
Isogeometric independent coefficients method for fast reanalysis of structural modifications
Authors: Ding Chensen
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to provide designers/engineers, in engineering structural design and analysis, approaches to freely and accurately modify structures (geometric and/or material), and then quickly provide real-time capability to obtain the numerical solutions of the modified structures (designs).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose an isogeometric independent coefficients (IGA-IC) method for a fast reanalysis of structures with geometric and material modifications. Firstly, the authors seamlessly integrate computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) by capitalizing upon isogeometric analysis (IGA). Hence, the authors can easily modify the structural geometry only by changing the control point positions without tedious transformations between CAE and CAD models; and modify material characters simply based on knots vectors. Besides, more accurate solutions can be obtained because of the high order degree of the spline functions that are used as interpolation functions. Secondly, the authors advance the proposed independent coefficients method within IGA for fast numerical simulation of the modified designs, thereby significantly reducing the enormous time spent in repeatedly numerical evaluations.

Findings

This proposed scheme is efficient and accurate for modifying the structural geometry by simply changing the control point positions, and material characters by knots vectors. The enormous time spent in repeated full numerical simulations for reanalysis is significantly reduced. Hence, enabling quickly modifying structural geometry and material, and analyzing the modified model for practicality in design stages.

Originality/value

The authors herein advance and propose the IGA-IC scheme. Where, it provides designers to fasten and simple designs and modify structures (both geometric and material). It then can quickly in real-time obtain numerical solutions of the modified structures. It is a powerful tool in practical engineering design and analysis process for local modification. While this method is an approximation method designed for local modifications, it generally cannot provide an exact numerical solution and its effectiveness for large modification deserves further study.
The effects of social responsibility and hypocrisy on the relationship among psychological contract violation, trust and perceived betrayal
Authors: Hai-Ming Chen , Li-Chi Lan , Tao-Sheng Chiu , Chen-Ling Fang
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the impact of corporate social responsibility and hypocrisy on the relationship among psychological contract violation, trust and perceived betrayal.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used purposive sampling and selected students in Taiwan as the research participants. The theory of psychological contract violation and consumer awareness process in violation hypocrisy on psychological contract violation were used to investigate the effect of its impact on trust and perceived betrayal. Then, the moderating effect of social responsibility and hypocritical on trust, and the mediating effect of trust between psychological contract violation and perceived betrayal were analyzed.

Findings

The results indicated that hypocrisy had a significant and negative impact on psychological contract violation toward trust; hypocrisy had a significantly positive impact on psychological contract violation toward perceived betrayal; trust had a significantly negative impact on perceived betrayal; perceived betrayal had a significantly positive impact on both direct and indirect revenges; trust had a mediating effect between hypocrisy toward psychological contract violation and perceived betrayal; and higher hypocrisy would produce a stronger effect through trust on the relationships between hypocrisy toward psychological contract violation and perceived betrayal.

Originality/value

Perception of consumers would differ whenever there were failures of service recovery occurred; especially, stronger betrayal feeling would be perceived with the companies who emphasized social responsibility and did not carry out what they should do. Research results could be references for companies whom advertising and praising social responsibility.
When information about one’s counterpart matters
Authors: Giacomantonio Mauro , ten Velden Femke S. , De Cristofaro Valeria , Beersma Bianca
Published: January 2020

Purpose

To avoid (costly) conflict, it is imperative to uncover when negotiators cooperate. The previous study has shown that negotiators’ cooperative or competitive behavior is oftentimes guided by cues about their counterpart; information about his/her traits or behavior. Using regulatory focus theory, this paper aims to investigate when this is likely to happen. The authors hypothesize and test that because prevention focus (rather than promotion focus) is associated with concerns for safety and concrete surroundings, it strengthens the impact of counterpart cues.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used two scenario studies and one behavioral negotiation study to test the general hypothesis. The authors measured or manipulated participants’ regulatory focus, manipulated counterpart cues by varying the information negotiators received about their counterpart’s traits and behavior, and measured participants’ cooperative or competitive concession making behavior.

Findings

Results from the studies confirmed that under prevention focus, negotiators’ cooperative behavior depended on whether they received cooperative versus competitive counterpart cues more than under promotion focus. Furthermore, results also showed that under prevention focus, negotiators’ behavior was relatively unaffected by their own social motivation – i.e. their personal goal to obtain favorable outcomes for oneself or for both negotiation parties.

Originality/value

By showing that regulatory focus determines when counterpart cues affect negotiation behavior, this paper furthers the understanding of when contextual factors affect negotiators' behavior. In addition, it contributes to the understanding of the complex effects of prevention focus in interpersonal behavior.
Dual effect of sensory experience: engagement vs diversive exploration
Authors: Lashkova Margarita , Antón Carmen , Camarero Carmen
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the dual effect of sensory experiences on customer behaviour in the context of retailing. Based on the theoretical framework of the optimal stimulation level theory, the authors propose that sensory experiences reinforce satisfaction, engagement and loyalty, but increase customers’ diversive exploration and curiosity for other experiences and may eventually led to reduced loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administrated online questionnaire was distributed via e-mail to 1,000 households in a Spanish town, and 325 usable responses of supermarket customers were collected. The hypothesised relationships were tested using the partial least squares approach. The analysis is extended with an experiment in online fashion stores that explores whether a varied sensory experience reinforces consumers’ diversive exploration. In total, 68 students participated in the study. Hierarchical regression analysis is performed to analyse the results of the experiment.

Findings

Findings support the notion that a pleasant sensory experience increases customer satisfaction and therefore their engagement and behavioural loyalty (exclusivity) towards the retailer whilst also generating more ambitious consumer expectations vis-à-vis the shopping experience and thus encouraging them to search for new retailers and, so, to be less loyal.

Research limitations/implications

This research warns of the risk of increasing customer’s expectations and reducing their loyalty; hence satisfaction is not enough. Retailers should consider offering new experiences and surprise customers every so often, attempting to curtail the effect of satiation or the effect of over-arousal.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study is the proposal of a twofold effect of sensory experience on loyalty, a positive effect, through satisfaction, and a negative effect, through the search for new experiences.
United States paid parental leave and infant mortality
Authors: Snyder Brandy
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to synthesize findings on the effects of existing paid parental leave programs on infant mortality rates (IMR) in the USA as an attempt to aid in efforts for the development of a national paid parental leave policy.

Design/methodology/approach

Three articles were reviewed to analyze findings on the effects of existing parental leave programs on IMR in the USA.

Findings

The results from the three studies analyzed indicate that unpaid parental leave and parental leave with partial wage replacement can reduce IMR in households with college educated, working mothers.

Research limitations/implications

This review is limited due to only having three studies available to synthesize that pertained to the USA. Implications for future research are to examine the effects of fully paid parental leave programs offered by individual organizations on IMR in the USA.

Social implications

Providing a needs-based income replacement policy to mothers who wish to take parental leave after the birth of a child may be the best policy to decrease IMR for infants from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Originality/value

The findings in this review will aid in the ongoing efforts to develop a national paid parental leave policy in the USA.
Building an awareness-centered information security policy compliance model
Authors: Koohang Alex , Anderson Jonathan , Nord Jeretta Horn , Paliszkiewicz Joanna
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to build an awareness-centered information security policy (ISP) compliance model, asserting that awareness is the key to ISP compliance and that awareness depends upon several variables that influence successful ISP compliance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors built a model with seven constructs, i.e., leadership, trusting beliefs, information security issues awareness (ISIA), ISP awareness, understanding resource vulnerability, self-efficacy (SE) and intention to comply. Seven hypotheses were stated. A sample of 285 non-management employees was used from various organizations in the USA. The authors used path modeling to analyze the data.

Findings

The findings indicated that IS awareness depends on effective organizational leadership and elevated employees’ trusting beliefs. The understanding of resource vulnerability (URV) and SE are influenced by IS awareness resulting from effective leadership and elevated employees’ trusting beliefs which guide employees to comply with ISP requirements.

Practical implications

Practical implications were aimed at organizations embracing an awareness-centered information security compliance program to secure organizations’ assets against threats by implementing various security education and training awareness programs.

Originality/value

This paper asserts that awareness is central to ISP compliance. Leadership and trusting beliefs variables play significant roles in the information security awareness which in turn positively affect employees’ URV and SE variables leading employees to comply with the ISP requirements.
Workplace spirituality and nepotism-favouritism in selected ASEAN countries: the role of gender as moderator
Authors: Iqbal Qaisar , Ahmad Noor Hazlina
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Many scholars of business ethics have emphasised for new research theories and methods that make a substantial contribution to improving business ethical practices and standards globally. This study aims to explore the impact of workplace spirituality and its four dimensions-meaningful at work, transcendence, mindfulness and compassion over the nepotism-favouritism in ASEAN Region. This study also contributes to literature by investigating role of gender over the association of workplace spirituality, and its dimensions with nepotism-favouritism.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires from employees of the service sector working in Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar. SPSS and SmartPLS software were used for data analysis.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest that there is significant negative impact of workplace spirituality on the nepotism-favouritism. Four dimensions-meaningful at work, transcendence, mindfulness and compassion has significantly negative influence on nepotism/favouritism. With change of gender, impact of workplace spirituality and its three dimensions-meaningful at work, compassion and transcendence exhibit varying influence on the nepotism-favouritism, which indicates presence of moderating effect. This study concludes with no moderating impact of gender over the association of mindfulness and nepotism-favouritism.

Originality/value

This study presents empirical evidence from ASEAN region, which is useful for practitioners to abolish corruption in the context of nepotism-favouritism.
Muslim consumer perception toward advertising practices: an exploratory study
Authors: Kamassi Ahmed
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to gain knowledge about Muslim consumer’s perceptions toward advertising practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken was qualitative methodology, using phenomenological method. The qualitative data through semi-structured interviews have been collected from 20 Muslim consumers, 9 participants were women and 11 were men. The interviews lasted between 45 and 60 min. Furthermore, documentation technique was used to cast further insight into the advertising practices and to corroborate other forms of evidence.

Findings

From Muslim consumer perceptions, this qualitative research has generated factors that may be considered in advertising practices. These factors consist of social values (family, tradition and culture), Islamic ethics and rules and regulations. In addition, several practices regarding advertising production were extracted to guide marketers when targeting Muslim consumers.

Research limitations/implications

The generalizability of the findings was limited because of convenience sampling and the small sample size.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the knowledge in the field by exploring factors and practices that should be considered in advertising practices when targeting Muslim consumers.
Determinants of Islamic entrepreneurial intentions: an analysis using SEM
Authors: Ashraf Mohammad Ali
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors that affect Islamic entrepreneurial intentions. Specifically, how do prior experience, empathy, moral obligation, self-efficacy and perceived behavioral support affect entrepreneurial intentions based on Islamic principles?

Design/methodology/approach

To answer this question, three theoretical frameworks using the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the theory of bounded rational planned behavior (TBRPB) and the theory of social entrepreneurship as its basis were established. Using measurement scales created to assess different aspects of the constructs, a survey instrument was developed to test the various relationships implied by those frameworks.

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that among the five factors prior experience and self-efficacy are the most important factors to affect Islamic entrepreneurial intentions.

Research limitations/implications

From a research perspective, the study results establish the robustness of the TPB, TBRPB and the social entrepreneurial intention model for helping to explain Islamic entrepreneurial intention behavior.

Practical implications

The practical implications of these results suggest that efforts aimed at increasing Islamic entrepreneurial activity may want to consider the variables studied in this paper. Both interested policymakers and academics cherishing to encourage Islamic, as well as conventional entrepreneurial activity, can take away that Islamic entrepreneurial self-efficacy and prior experience are deemed to be the most important measures.

Social implications

The findings from this paper suggest that the organizations could tend to promote Islamic entrepreneurial intentions in society through a special emphasis on the antecedents discussed in this paper.

Originality/value

It is vital to keep in mind that the measure for Islamic entrepreneurial self-efficacy used in this study differed from the usual constructs for self-efficacy.