bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Context-dependent limb movement encoding in neuronal populations of motor cortex
Authors: Omlor Wolfgang , Sipilä Pia , Wahl Anna-Sophia , Lütcke Henry , Laurenczy Balazs , Chen I-Wen , Sumanovski Lazar T. , ’t Hoff Marcel van , Bethge Philipp , Voigt Fabian F. , Schwab Martin E. , Helmchen Fritjof
Published: March 2019

Neuronal networks of the mammalian motor cortex (M1) are important for dexterous control of limb joints. Yet it remains unclear how encoding of joint movement in M1 networks depends on varying environmental contexts. Using calcium imaging we measured neuronal activity in layer 2/3 of the mouse M1 forelimb region while mice grasped either regularly or irregularly spaced ladder rungs during locomotion. We found that population coding of forelimb joint movements is sparse and varies according to the flexibility demanded from them in the regular and irregular context, even for equivalent grasping actions across conditions. This context-dependence of M1 network encoding emerged during learning of the locomotion task, fostered more precise grasping actions, but broke apart upon silencing of projections from secondary motor cortex (M2). These findings suggest that M2 reconfigures M1 neuronal circuits to adapt joint processing to the flexibility demands in specific familiar contexts, thereby increasing the accuracy of motor output.
Mouse vendor influence on the bacterial and viral gut composition exceeds the effect of diet
Authors: Rasmussen Torben Sølbeck , de Vries Liv , Kot Witold , Hansen Lars Hestbjerg , Castro-Mejía Josué L. , Vogensen Finn Kvist , Hansen Axel Kornerup , Nielsen Dennis Sandris
Published: March 2019

Often physiological studiess using mice from one vendor show different outcome when being reproduced using mice from another vendor. These divergent phenotypes between similar mouse strains from different vendors have been assigned to differences in the gut microbiome. During recent years, evidence has mounted that the gut viral community plays a key role in shaping the gut microbiome and may thus also influence mouse phenotype. However, to date inter-vendor variation in the murine gut virome has not been studied. Using a metavirome approach, combined with 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we here compare the composition of the viral and bacterial gut community of C57BL/6N mice from three different vendors exposed to either a chow-based low-fat diet or high-fat diet. Interestingly, both the bacterial and the viral component of the gut community differed significantly between vendors. The different diets also strongly influenced both the viral and bacterial gut community, but surprisingly the effect of vendor exceeded the effect of diet. In conclusion, the vendor effect is substantial on not only the gut bacterial community, but also strongly influences viral community composition. Given the effect of GM on mice phenotype this is essential to consider, for increasing reproducibility of mouse studies.
Predicting Drug Protein Interaction using Quasi-Visual Question Answering System
Authors: Zheng Shuangjia , Li Yongjian , Chen Sheng , Xu Jun , Yang Yuedong
Published: March 2019

Identifying novel drug-protein interactions is crucial for drug discovery. For this purpose, many machine learning-based methods have been developed based on drug descriptors and one-dimensional (1D) protein sequences. However, protein sequence can’t accurately reflect the interactions in 3D space. On the other hand, a direct input of 3D structure is of low efficiency due to the sparse 3D matrix, and is also prevented by limited number of co-crystal structures available for training. In this work, we propose an end-to-end deep learning framework to predict the interactions by representing proteins with 2D distance map from monomer structures (Image), and drugs with molecular linear notation (String), following the Visual Question Answering mode. For an efficient training of the system, we introduced a dynamic attentive convolutional neural network to learn fixed-size representations from the variable-length distance maps and a self-attentional sequential model to automatically extract semantic features from the linear notations. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our model obtains competitive performance against state-of-the-art baselines on the DUD-E, Human and BindingDB benchmark datasets. Further attention visualization provides biological interpretation to depict highlighted regions of both protein and drug molecules.
The SSVEP tool as a marker of subjective visibility
Authors: de Heering Adélaïde , Beauny Arnaud , Vuillaume Laurène , Salvesen Leila , Cleeremans Axel
Published: March 2019

This study is part of a larger attempt to explore how the brain produces conscious experience. Our main objective here was to take advantage of a neural signature conveyed by the steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP) technique (1) to explore the extent to which complex visual images can be processed in the absence of consciousness and (2) to determine whether this tool can be used to shed light on participants’ phenomenal experience of these images. To this end, we embedded faces within sequences of non-face stimuli and manipulated their contrast to create a subliminal condition. Our results were threefold. First, we show that a significant brain activation can be delineated with the SSVEP tool even when participants report being unable to see the stimuli. In this subliminal condition, the brain response was confined to the back of the scalp. Second, we observe that the face signal increases in magnitude and propagates bilaterally along a posterior-to-anterior axis as image contrast increases. Third, we suggest that SSVEP could be used as a novel instance of a no-report paradigm because it requires no overt behavioural response, and because at some contrast levels and electrodes, its outputs (signal magnitude and scalp topography) predict people’s self-reported phenomenal experience.
Characterization of pathology-inducing α-synuclein species from human diseased brain tissue
Authors: Graef John D. , Hoque Nina , Polson Craig , Yang Ling , Iben Lawrence , Cao Yang , Devidze Nino , Ahlijanian Michael K. , Meredith Jere E.
Published: March 2019

Synucleinopathies are a group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the presence of pathological accumulations of misfolded, phosphorylated α-synuclein (αSyn) protein. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that synucleinopathy disease progression is driven by a prion-like process of transmission of a pathologic form of αSyn. One potential therapeutic approach to prevent cell-to-cell propagation is to target this transmissible species with selective antibodies. In this study, a rodent primary neuronal culture reporter system was developed to monitor induction of detergent-insoluble, phosphorylated (pS129) aggregates of αSyn. Induction of pS129 αSyn pathology was observed with both synthetic αSyn fibrils (PFFs) and brain lysates from multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients but not αSyn monomers or human brain lysate controls. The induction-competent species in MSA lysates could be enriched by high-speed centrifugation suggesting that it is present as a high molecular weight aggregate. Furthermore, samples derived from brain lysates from Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) patients also induced pS129 αSyn pathology, but required longer incubation times. Lastly, the potential of αSyn selective antibodies to immunodeplete induction-competent forms of αSyn from both PFF and synucleinopathy brain samples is described. The results demonstrate that antibodies targeting the C-terminal of αSyn are most effective for immunodepletion of pathology-inducing forms of αSyn from samples derived from human synucleinopathy brains. Furthermore, the data support the hypothesis that antibodies that recognize a C-terminal epitope and exhibit selectivity for oligomeric forms over monomeric forms of αSyn represent a desirable target for immunotherapy for synucleinopathy patients.
The role of genetic constraints and social environment in explaining female extra-pair mating
Authors: Wang Daiping , Forstmeier Wolfgang , Martin Katrin , Wilson Alastair , Kempenaers Bart
Published: March 2019

Why females of socially monogamous species copulate with males other than their partner has been a long-standing, unresolved puzzle. We previously reported that female promiscuity appears to be a genetic corollary of male promiscuity (intersexual pleiotropy hypothesis). Here we put this earlier finding to a critical test using the same population of zebra finches Taeniopygia guttata. After three generations of artificial selection on male courtship rate, a correlate of extra-pair mating, we assess whether female promiscuity changed by indirect selection and we re-examine the crucial genetic correlations. Our new analyses with substantially increased statistical power clearly reject the hypothesis that male and female promiscuity are genetically homologous traits. Our study highlights that individual females show low repeatability in extra-pair mating behavior across different social environments. This emphasizes the potential importance of pair bond strength and the availability of favored extra-pair males as factors explaining variation in patterns of female promiscuity.
HIV-malaria co-infection and its determinants among patients attending antiretroviral treatment clinic in Zaria, North-Western Nigeria
Authors: Gumel Shafi’u Dahiru , Ibrahim Abdulrasul , Olayinka Adebola Tolulope , Ibrahim Muhammed S. , Balogun Muhammad Shakir , Dahiru Afara , Ajayi Ikeoluwapo , Ajumobi Olufemi , Ahmadu Isiyaku , Song Abubakar , Maifada Asma’u Ibrahim , Abdullahi Habibu
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Malaria and HIV are two important global public health problems. Together, they cause more than two million deaths each year. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, more than 29 million people are living with HIV/AIDS and about 70% of population is at risk to malaria infection. Nigeria accounts for about a quarter of the global malaria cases and tenth of the global HIV cases. Recent theories suggested possibilities of high occurrence of HIV-malaria co-infection wherever there is geographical overlap of the two diseases. We therefore conducted this study to determine the prevalence of HIV-malaria co-infection and its determinants in a malaria endemic setting.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study. Two hundred and sixty-two clients attending antiretroviral treatment (ART) clinic in Zaria, Kaduna State were enrolled between February and April 2018 using systematic sampling technique. Questionnaires were administered to collect information on respondents’ personal characteristics as well as their knowledge, perception and practices on malaria prevention. Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for malaria parasite, viral load, CD4, and FBC using Giemsa stained light microscopy, COBAS TaqMan equipment, BD FACS™ flow cytometer, and Sysmex haematology analyser respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed, predictors of HIV-malaria co-infection were ascertained at multivariate analysis.

Results

Median age of the respondents was 33 years, 52% were females, 65% were married, 65% were employed, 57% lived in urban residence, and 34% had tertiary education. The prevalence of malaria co-infection among HIV patients was found to be 22.9%. Significant risk factors for the co-infection were high HIV viral load (aOR= 3.30, C.I = 1.15-9.45), being co-infected with TB (aOR= 5.60, C.I = 1.34-23.33), poor knowledge of malaria infection (aOR= 3.12, C.I = 1.27-7.72) and poor practice of malaria prevention (aOR= 13.30, C.I = 4.88-36.23).

Conclusion

The level of occurrence of malaria among HIV infected patients in this setting calls for attention. We recommended that health education on malaria should be a priority in malaria control programme; the programmes for control of HIV, malaria and TB should collaborate to ensure integrated service delivery and that people living with HIV/AIDS should be given special consideration for malaria prevention.
Polymorphisms in the vitamin D system and mortality - The Tromsø study
Authors: Jorde Rolf , Wilsgaard Tom , Grimnes Guri
Published: March 2019

Background and objective

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with diabetes, cancer, immunological and cardiovascular diseases as well as increased mortality. It has, however, been difficult to show a causal relation in randomized, controlled trials. Mendelian randomization studies provide another option for testing causality, and results indicate relations between the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level and some diseases, including mortality. We have from the Tromsø Study in 2012 published non-significant relations been vitamin D related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and mortality, but have since then genotyped additional subjects, the observation time is longer and new SNPs have been included.

Methods

Genotyping was performed for SNPs in theNADSYN1,CYP2R1,VDR, CUBILINandMEGALINgenes in 11 897 subjects who participated in the fourth survey of the Tromsø Study in 1994-1995. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured in 6733 of these subjects. A genotype score based on SNPs in theNADSYN1andCYP2R1genes (related to the serum 25(OH)D level) and serum 25(OH)D percentile groups were created. Mortality data was updated till end of March 2017 and survival analysed with Cox regression adjusted for sex and age.

Results

During the observation period 5491 subjects died. The genotype score and the serum 25(OH)D percentile groups were (without Bonferroni correction) significantly related to mortality in favour of high serum 25(OH)D. None of the SNPs in theVDRorMEGALINgenes were related to mortality. However, for the rs12766939 in theCUBILINgene with the major homozygote as reference, the hazard ratio for mortality for the minor homozygote genotype was 1.17 (1.06 – 1.29), P < 0.002. This should be viewed with caution, as rs12766939 was not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Conclusion

Our study confirms a probable causal but weak relation between serum 25(OH)D level and mortality. The relation between rs12766939 and mortality needs confirmation in more homogenous cohorts.
An high dose of a conjugated linoleic acid increases fatty liver and insulin resistance in lactating mice
Authors: Pang Kun , Zhu Song bo , Han Liqiang
Published: March 2019

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a high dose of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on lactating mice. In experiment one, KUNMING mice were separated into four groups (n = 6 per group); the control (CON) group received 3.0% linoleic acid oil (LA), the L-CLA group received 1.0% LA and 2.0% CLA mixture, the M-CLA group received 2.0% LA and 1.0% CLA mixture, and the H-CLA group received 3.0% CLA mixture. Feeding proceeded from day 4 to day 10 during lactation. In experiment two, the CON group received 2.0% LA and the H-CLA group received 2.0% CLA. Blood parameters were analysed for all groups, and insulin tolerance tests (ITTs) were conducted. CLA treatment did not affect the dam weight, but it significantly decreased the food intake of dams. Furthermore, CLA decreased the weight of pups, which was attributed to lower milk fat. H-CLA group mice displayed increased liver weight and liver triglyceride content, as well as a higher TG content and γ-GT activity in blood. Moreover, a high dose of CLA resulted in insulin resistance, possibly affecting the RBC and HCB of blood. In conclusion, lactating mice receiving a high dose of CLA led to fatty liver, insulin resistance, and impaired lactation performance.
Brown rat demography reveals pre-commensal structure in eastern Asia before expansion into Southeast Asia
Authors: Puckett Emily E. , Munshi-South Jason
Published: March 2019

Fossil evidence indicates that the globally distributed brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) originated in northern China and Mongolia. Historical records report the human-mediated invasion of rats into Europe in the 1500s, followed by global spread because of European imperialist activity during the 1600s–1800s. We analyzed 14 genomes representing seven previously identified evolutionary clusters, and tested alternative demographic models to infer patterns of range expansion, divergence times, and changes in effective population (Ne) size for this globally important pest species. We observed three range expansions from the ancestral population that produced the Pacific (diverged ∼16.1 kya), eastern China (∼17.5 kya), and Southeast (SE) Asia (∼0.86 kya) lineages. Our model shows a rapid range expansion from SE Asia into the Middle East and then continued expansion into central Europe 788 yr ago (1227 AD). We observed decliningNewithin all brown rat lineages from 150–1 kya, reflecting population contractions during glacial cycles.Neincreased since 1 kya in Asian and European, but not in Pacific, evolutionary clusters. Our results support the hypothesis that northern Asia was the ancestral range for brown rats. We suggest that southward human migration across China between the 800s–1550s AD resulted in the introduction of rats to SE Asia, from which they rapidly expanded via existing maritime trade routes. Finally, we discovered that North America was colonized separately on both the Atlantic and Pacific seaboards, by evolutionary clusters of vastly different ages and genomic diversity levels. Our results should stimulate discussions among historians and zooarcheologists regarding the relationship between humans and rats.
Estimation of equivalent permeability tensor for fractured porous rock masses using a coupled RPIM-FEM method
Authors: Zhang Wei , Cong Peitong , Bian Kang , Yuan Wei-Hai , Jia Xichun
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Understanding the fluid flow through rock masses, which commonly consist of rock matrix and fractures, is a fundamental issue in many application areas of rock engineering. As the equivalent porous medium approach is the dominant approach for engineering applications, it is of great significance to estimate the equivalent permeability tensor of rock masses. This study aims to develop a novel numerical approach to estimate the equivalent permeability tensor for fractured porous rock masses.

Design/methodology/approach

The radial point interpolation method (RPIM) and finite element method (FEM) are coupled to simulate the seepage flow in fractured porous rock masses. The rock matrix is modeled by the RPIM, and the fractures are modeled explicitly by the FEM. A procedure for numerical experiments is then designed to determinate the equivalent permeability tensor directly on the basis of Darcy’s law.

Findings

The coupled RPIM-FEM method is a reliable numerical method to analyze the seepage flow in fractured porous rock masses, which can consider simultaneously the influences of fractures and rock matrix. As the meshes of rock matrix and fracture network are generated separately without considering the topology relationship between them, the mesh generation process can be greatly facilitated. Using the proposed procedure for numerical experiments, which is designed directly on the basis of Darcy’s law, the representative elementary volume and equivalent permeability tensor of fractured porous rock masses can be identified conveniently.

Originality/value

A novel numerical approach to estimate the equivalent permeability tensor for fractured porous rock masses is proposed. In the approach, the RPIM and FEM are coupled to simulate the seepage flow in fractured porous rock masses, and then a numerical experiment procedure directly based on Darcy’s law is introduced to estimate the equivalent permeability tensor.
The multi-objective optimization of a non-pneumatic wheel based on its life prediction
Authors: Xiao Zhen , Zhao Youqun , Lin Fen , Zhu Mingmin , Deng Yaoji , Zang Liguo
Published: March 2019

Purpose

A novel non-pneumatic safety tire, namely mechanical elastic wheel (ME-Wheel), has been developed recently to solve problems, including tire bursting and flat tire, of typical pneumatic tires. This paper aims to predict the life of the ME-Wheel accurately and settle the problem of lower lifespan.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes a new method to establish a novel model of virtual proving ground based on finite element analysis, and by combining with the random vibration damage analysis method, the life of an ME-Wheel is predicted precisely. Next, the weak parts and infinite life parts of the ME-Wheel are investigated from the perspective of constant life design, and an approximate response surface model is developed, which is suitable for the ME-Wheel. Then, the optimal results of the ME-Wheel are obtained, including tire modal, mass and its lifetime.

Findings

It is found that the proposed methods can provide a reliable theoretical basis for further improving the structural design and material selection of ME-Wheel parts. The results show that the improved ME-Wheel can reduce the weight and greatly improve the ability of anti-resonance, and the lifetime of ME-Wheel has significantly improved.

Originality/value

A new type of non-pneumatic tire (ME-Wheel) has been developed to avoid problems with traditional tires, such as tire leaking or puncture. A new method to establish a novel model of virtual proving ground based on finite element analysis has been proposed. The weakest key component of the ME-Wheel is determined. The life, mass and modal of the ME-Wheel are optimized.
A lower confidence bounding approach based on the coefficient of variation for expensive global design optimization
Authors: Cheng Ji , Jiang Ping , Zhou Qi , Hu Jiexiang , Yu Tao , Shu Leshi , Shao Xinyu
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Engineering design optimization involving computational simulations is usually a time-consuming, even computationally prohibitive process. To relieve the computational burden, the adaptive metamodel-based design optimization (AMBDO) approaches have been widely used. This paper aims to develop an AMBDO approach, a lower confidence bounding approach based on the coefficient of variation (CV-LCB) approach, to balance the exploration and exploitation objectively for obtaining a global optimum under limited computational budget.

Design/methodology/approach

In the proposed CV-LCB approach, the coefficient of variation (CV) of predicted values is introduced to indicate the degree of dispersion of objective function values, while the CV of predicting errors is introduced to represent the accuracy of the established metamodel. Then, a weighted formula, which takes the degree of dispersion and the prediction accuracy into consideration, is defined based on the already-acquired CV information to adaptively update the metamodel during the optimization process.

Findings

Ten numerical examples with different degrees of complexity and an AIAA aerodynamic design optimization problem are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed CV-LCB approach. The comparisons between the proposed approach and four existing approaches regarding the computational efficiency and robustness are made. Results illustrate the merits of the proposed CV-LCB approach in computational efficiency and robustness.

Practical implications

The proposed approach exhibits high efficiency and robustness in engineering design optimization involving computational simulations.

Originality/value

CV-LCB approach can balance the exploration and exploitation objectively.
Role of HR interventions in enhancing employee creativity and organizational innovation: an empirical study
Authors: Chaubey Akriti , Sahoo Chandan Kumar
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of HR interventions (rewards and incentives, training, organisational learning) on employee creativity to enhance organisational innovation in connection to the Indian automobile industries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study examined 258 valid responses of middle-level and top-level executives working in four wheeler automobile manufacturing units, and research and development units constituted in Southern India. The hypothesised model’s validity was tested through structural equation modelling (SEM). The confirmatory factor analysis established the reliability and validity of the dimensions and the related hypotheses were tested by using SEM.

Findings

The findings illustrate that HR interventions have an impact on employee creativity which helps in enhancing organisational innovation.

Originality/value

The research is unique in its attempt to measure the creativity of an individual for organisational innovation by combining the existing scales of employee creativity. The paper contributes to the HR literature by incorporating HR interventions and employee creativity into a research model that enhances organisational innovation.
An examination of undergraduates’ perceptions on faculty members’ and institutional support and its effects on their appreciation of scientific skills and research endeavors
Authors: Magaña Medina Deneb Elí , Aguilar Morales Norma , Valdés Cuervo Ángel Alberto , Parra-Pérez Lizeth G.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship among undergraduate students’ perception of faculty members’ and institutional support, undergraduate students’ appreciation of scientific skills and undergraduate students’ research endeavors.

Design/methodology/approach

A structural model was calculated to relate the variables. The sample included 1,882 undergraduate students from a State University located in the Southeast of Mexico. Undergraduate students came from different fields, and all of them that had taken at least 60 percent of their curricular credits.

Findings

The structural model suggests that faculty members’ and institutional support are positively related to undergraduate students’ appreciation of scientific skills and undergraduate students’ research endeavors. The findings suggest faculty members’ and institutional support are key factors to develop scientific research in undergraduate students. Therefore, the researchers argue that science programs taught in Mexican colleges and universities must endorse supportive practices among faculty members and institutions.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional design does not allow to set clear causal relationships among the explored variables. In addition, the sample included only one public university. Thus, further empirical research with research participants from different universities across the country is suggested. These improvements may enhance the strength of the proposed theoretical model.

Practical implications

Currently, there are a plethora of studies looking at students’ attitudes toward science. Those studies have also discussed the conditions and contexts that influence research practice among undergraduate students. Nonetheless, there are no studies known by the authors that include the set of variables and relationships considered in the present study.

Originality/value

Despite the plethora of studies looking at several conditions and contexts influencing undergraduate students’ attitudes toward science, no studies known by the authors have included the set of variables and relationships considered in the present study.
Contemporary issues of form and substance: an Islamic law perspective
Authors: Hamour Mohamed , Shakil Mohammad Hassan , Akinlaso Ishaq Mustapha , Tasnia Mashiyat
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the concept of form over substance and introduces the term substance gap to the literature. The substance gap is defined as the difference between the way a concept is expressed and its intended result. Besides, the study investigates the issue from both classical and contemporary viewpoints.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted in this paper is descriptive research.

Findings

This paper has depicted the substance gap in contemporary contracts and found that form is equally important as substance in Islamic finance contracts. This paper offers a fresh outlook on form and substance to highlight the importance of the issue and its significance. The findings of the study will help researchers address the issue at its roots and help them to bridge the gap between the form and substance of Islamic finance contracts.

Originality/value

This paper investigates the substance gap in contemporary contracts that exists between the fiqh rules and conditions of an Islamic contract, and their development and construction. Further, the gap could also be attributed to the pressure to cope with a complicated modern finance environment.
Strategy and business models: why winning companies need both
Authors: Braun Michael , Latham Scott , Cannatelli Benedetto
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight the importance of addressing both competitive strategy and business model for the long-term success of a company. The paper builds a prescriptive framework to help managers assess their companies’ positions based on the extent to which they attend to their strategies and business models simultaneously. In doing so, the paper offers four possible outcomes – idling, faceoff, breakdown and traction – providing examples to capture each scenario and managerial prescription.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework of this study is based on academic research in strategy and business model design, the authors’ scholarly work on innovation and their combined experiences and observations in the industry. The framework uses examples of well-known companies to make the case for why managers need to pay heed to both business models and strategies simultaneously to achieve long-term competitive profitability.

Findings

This study’s framework suggests that the delicate balance between strategy and business model design determines the long-term competitive advantage and profitability of a company. Focusing on strategy without paying heed to the business model can cause companies to lose sight of changing customer behaviors. Alternatively, managerial attention to business models at the exclusion of its strategy leaves the company vulnerable to competition. The framework points at the delicate strategy–business model balance required to manage winning companies.

Originality/value

Business models and strategies represent two separate yet inextricably linked domains under the purview of management. However, companies can be weakened because of an overemphasis on one at the expense of the other. This paper’s framework offers a simple yet effective guide to assist managers in assessing their organizations’ current positions while also providing direction toward addressing any shortcomings.
Daring to tap external strategic resources: competitive advantage in global industries
Authors: Orr Stuart
Published: March 2019

Purpose

In addition to their internal resources, companies in most industries rely upon external strategic resources to maintain and improve their performance. External strategic resources have a similar effect on competitiveness but are located in the company’s networks or even in unrelated industries. Some companies underuse these resources, while other companies focus too strongly on accessing external resources in their own industry, which results in hyper-competition. This paper aims to explain how different industries use external resources and describes the criteria for a balanced approach which leads to knowledge transfer, diversity and supports the development of new business.

Design/methodology/approach

Examples and evidence from four different industries are used to identify the different approaches for accessing external strategic resources.

Findings

Valuable external strategic resources are non-transferable, located in a complementary product organisation, knowledge-oriented, located in a different country, preferably not part of the organisation’s primary external focus (e.g. supply chain), able to introduce diversity and innovation and are compatible with network behaviours.

Practical implications

External strategic resources are frequently found within the organisation’s supply chain, however, use of these resources should be balanced by external resources from non-related industries to increase diversity and reduce the likelihood of hyper-competition.

Originality/value

This paper explains why external strategic resources are valuable, identifies the different approaches to accessing them, describes the benefits and drawbacks associated with each approach and provides the key criteria for identifying a valuable external strategic resource.
Moral foundations and credence attributes in livestock production: Canada
Authors: Goddard Ellen , Muringai Violet , Boaitey Albert
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the differences in individual purchasing and voting decisions for livestock products, produced with lower levels of antibiotic use or higher levels of environmental sustainability, by consumers with different degrees of agreement with moral foundation statements.

Design/methodology/approach

Data are collected from two national online surveys that were conducted in Canada in 2016 and 2017, including socio-demographic, attitude, belief and stated choice questions. Data are analysed using hierarchical cluster analysis and ordered probit regressions.

Findings

Respondents who strongly agree with the individualizing moral foundation statements are more likely to buy more environmentally sustainable milk/yogurt and pork from pigs that are raised with reduced antibiotic use, as compared to respondents who have weaker agreement with the statements. Respondents with stronger agreement with the moral foundation statements are also more likely to vote in favour of stricter livestock environmental standards and disease protocols.

Research limitations/implications

Monitoring people’s moral concerns might help in predicting consumers’ responses to new or different production practices.

Originality/value

Although moral foundations have been linked to other purchase decisions, in this study, the focus is on specific aspects of environmental sustainability and antibiotic use in livestock production. Both of these challenging issues are controversial and facing either regulatory changes (antibiotic use in livestock) or significant livestock production changes (responding to concerns that livestock production is less sustainable than plant production) in most developed countries. Understanding the linkages between fundamental beliefs and probable consumer behaviour will assist in predicting negative or positive outcomes to the regulatory or industry-based changes to livestock production. Differences between an individual’s desire to be able to identify products with certain attributes for purchase vs an individual’s desire to have government regulate industries to higher standards, in both contexts, will also be linked to the individual’s level of moral foundation beliefs.
What’s yours is mine: exploring customer voice on Airbnb using text-mining approaches
Authors: Zhang Jurui
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate customers’ experiences with Airbnb by text-mining customer reviews posted on the platform and comparing the extracted topics from online reviews between Airbnb and the traditional hotel industry using topic modeling.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses text-mining approaches, including content analysis and topic modeling (latent Dirichlet allocation method), to examine 1,026,988 Airbnb guest reviews of 50,933 listings in seven cities in the USA.

Findings

The content analysis shows that negative reviews are more authentic and credible than positive reviews on Airbnb and that the occurrence of social words is positively related to positive emotion in reviews, but negatively related to negative emotion in reviews. A comparison of reviews on Airbnb and hotel reviews shows unique topics on Airbnb, namely, “late check-in”, “patio and deck view”, “food in kitchen”, “help from host”, “door lock/key”, “sleep/bed condition” and “host response”.

Research limitations/implications

The topic modeling result suggests that Airbnb guests want to get to know and connect with the local community; thus, help from hosts on ways they can authentically experience the local community would be beneficial. In addition, the results suggest that customers emphasize their interaction with hosts; thus, to improve customer satisfaction, Airbnb hosts should interact with guests and respond to guests’ inquiries quickly.

Practical implications

Hotel managers should design marketing programs that fulfill customers’ desire for authentic and local experiences. The results also suggest that peer-to-peer accommodation platforms should improve online review systems to facilitate authentic reviews and help guests have a smooth check-in process.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to examine consumer reviews in detail in the sharing economy and compare topics from consumer reviews between Airbnb and hotels.
Dissonant cognitions: from psychological discomfort to motivation to change
Authors: Séré de Lanauze Gilles , Siadou-Martin Béatrice
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Many western consumers have become sensitive to the negative effects of their consumption levels in many product categories and those new attitudes are challenging their habitual consumption behaviors. How do dissonant attitudes influence the process toward behavioral change? How does external information reinforce those conflicting attitudes with new dissonant cognitions and foster intentions to modify behavior? This study aims to propose a conceptual model, based on cognitive dissonance theory, which introduces psychological discomfort as an important mediator toward behavioral change intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies are conducted. Using structural equation modeling under Amos, hypotheses are tested and validated in the field of meat consumption on a sample of 501 French consumers. A second study investigates the impact of the nature of the stimulus on consumers’ responses.

Findings

The results show that psychological discomfort is increased by the contact with dissonant external information and that consumers may at the same time minimize the effects of additional cognition by implementing informational strategies such as trivialization or decredibilization to defend their consumption behavior.

Research limitations/implications

Future researchers could consider the various objections to meat consumption separately and further explore the dynamics between external information, consumer cognitions and consumer consumption behavior in diverse consumption contexts.

Practical implications

The authors advise meat marketers to reduce consumer psychological discomfort by promoting the hedonic perceived value and by presenting credible counterarguments to defend the benefits of their products.

Social implications

The study may encourage advocates of lower meat consumption to provide credible information about the detrimental effects of meat consumption to influence behavioral change intentions.

Originality/value

As responsible consumption becomes a key trend in western societies, new attitudes, fostered by external critical information, are influencing consumption behavior in many product categories. This research contributes to a better understanding of the attitude–behavior gap in a context of emerging criticism toward highly consumed and traditional products.
Effects of mindfulness-based health education practice on health behaviors and quality of life among hypertensive patients
Authors: Sangprasert Pantip , Palangrit Srimuang , Tiyoa Natima , Pattaraarchachai Junya
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of mindfulness practice on health behaviors and quality of life (QOL) among hypertensive patients.

Design/methodology/approach

A quasi-experimental research was designed by before, after and a follow-up phase (i.e. on the 0th, 6th and 12th weeks). Two primary health care units (PCU) were selected as control and experiment groups. Samples included patients 35–59 years old who had been diagnosed with stage I hypertension. Both groups received treatment according to standard hypertension guidelines. The experimental group was added as a drill for the purpose of a mindfulness-based health education (MBHE) practice that would emphasize behavior skills (in diet, exercise and mental function) and instill a feeling of adaptation to everyday life.

Findings

The total mean score of the prevention and promotional hypertension behaviors (PPHB), QOL, perceived in mindfulness (MF) and self-efficacy (SE) in the experiment group showed a significant statistical difference when compared to the control group in the 6th week in PPHB and SE (p<0.001), QOL and MF (p=0.001). Similar results were found in the 12th week in PPHB, QOL, SE (p<0.001) and MF (p=0.023), respectively.

Research limitations/implications

However, finished implementation in experiment group, during the follow-up phase on the 12th week, ten participants in the control group were excluded (Figure 1). It may be no active intervention or as usual in the control group. Thus, the authors controlled missing data using intention-to-treat analysis comparison and the data distribution was successfully tested by a normality plot before the use of statistical data. Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations can be made: patients should practice in mindfulness in lifestyle modification continued for intensive skill practice over the long term in order to promote sustainability in behavior and in QOL.

Practical implications

Mindfulness trainer should drill and faith in the value of mindfulness corporation owner with patients learning all of the times; and for health practitioner, it should add MBHE for patients.

Social implications

Education institution should add mindfulness in educational programs all of graduates.

Originality/value

The mindfulness practice-based health education training should be in counterpart with modern medicine in order to promote sound health behaviors and an improved QOL for stage I hypertensive patients and to forestall cardiovascular and blood-pressure diseases.
The mediating role of work atmosphere in the relationship between supervisor cooperation, career growth and job satisfaction
Authors: Ashraf Mohammad Ali
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the mediating role of work atmosphere which have a positive influence on job satisfaction. Specifically, it focuses on how supervisor’s cooperation and career growth affect job satisfaction mediating through work atmosphere in a private corporate entity.

Design/methodology/approach

To attain this objective, a research framework with a mediating variable of work atmosphere was formulated. Using measurement scales created to assess different aspects of job satisfaction, career growth, supervisor’s cooperation and work atmosphere, a survey instrument was developed to test the various relationships implied by the framework. Data (n= 325) were collected from the employees of a local chemical company in Bangladesh following convenience sampling procedure. The analysis has been done by bootstrapping procedure following structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The result shows that work atmosphere has a significant mediating role in linking supervisor cooperation and job satisfaction of the employees in the organization.

Research limitations/implications

As with any study, there are limitations to the study described here. One possible drawback is the use of a single company’s employees as respondents. Second, the sample size is not very large, because respondents were observed to be negligent in filling the questionnaire provided to them. If the sample size could be increased a bit more, then the authors might have better outcomes as postulated in the paper. Nevertheless, the usual cautions about over-generalizing findings from this sample, to populations for which it is not strictly representative, apply. The sample was not randomly drawn to represent a population to which findings could be generalized. Instead, it was a convenience sample, and as such, the ability to generalize the findings very far beyond the sample is limited.

Practical implications

From a practical perspective, as a cumulative body of work on job satisfaction with mediating variable of work atmosphere emerges, the authors will be better able to advise employers on the elements they need to address to increase their employee retention rate. In this study, the one area of findings that may help business and commercial organizations the most concerns work environment in the workplace. The authors found that supervisor cooperation and work atmosphere were associated with positive path value toward job satisfaction. Similarly, career growth and work atmosphere also exhibit positive path value towards job satisfaction. The implication is that employers can focus on supervisor cooperation in rightly and duly promoting the deserving employees, and in doing so, they can generate positive attitudes toward these activities.

Originality/value

This paper will add immense importance of work atmosphere to the organizational learning and behavior.
A multi-dimensional construct of perceived information pollution in the era of rife infollution
Authors: Iqbal Qaisar , Yang Shaohua , Nawaz Rashid , Iqbal Khalid
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate employee’s perception regarding information pollution and determined the factors that lead to perceived infollution. In the case of this study, a four-dimensional scale of perceived infollution is presented. In addition, this study quantified information pollution in contrast to using the measurement tools of information quality.

Design/methodology/approach

A sequential exploratory mixed-method design was used to validate the measurement scale. The population of the present study comprised of the employees who work in the operations and credit department of banking sector. In this study, a four-dimensional second-order scale of perceived information pollution with a total of 19 items or sub-dimensions managed to be developed using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

The measurement scale confirmed that perceived information pollution in the context of workplace environment consisted of four dimensions, namely, intrinsic PIP, accessible PIP, contextual PIP and representational PIP where PIP stands for Perceived Information Pollution.

Research limitations/implications

Management may use the four dimensions as a benchmark in revealing polluted information as well as enhancing information quality through information processing.

Originality/value

This is the first attempt of exploring the dimensions and validating the measurement scale of perceived infollution.
Three cases of nivolumab therapy‐failed advanced melanoma successfully controlled by ipilimumab with intensity‐modulated radiotherapy
Authors: Amagai Ryo , Fujimura Taku , Kambayashi Yumi , Sato Yota , Tanita Kayo , Hashimoto Akira , Aiba Setsuya
Published: March 2019

Anti‐programmed death 1 antibody monotherapy is a first‐line and widely used immunotherapy for the treatment of advanced melanoma. However, its efficacy rate is lower in the Japanese population compared with the Caucasian population. Ipilimumab is another immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) that activates and increases T cells, which suppress the function of regulatory T cells. Previous reports have suggested that ipilimumab is useful for treating advanced melanoma, particularly in combination with radiation therapy. In this report, we described three cases of nivolumab‐resistant melanoma successfully controlled by ipilimumab with intensity‐modulated radiotherapy, which may enhance the therapeutic effects of the sequential administration of ICI.