bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of PRINCE2 standard on customer satisfaction in information technology outsourcing: an investigation of a mediated moderation model
Authors: Wang Jian-Jun , Sasanipoor Negin , Wang Meng-Meng 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of PRINCE2 (PRoject IN Controlled Environments 2) standard on customer satisfaction jointly with vendor relationship management capability in the information technology outsourcing (ITO) context. This paper further tries to explore the above underlying mechanism by studying the mediating effect of deliverable quality.Design/methodology/approachThis paper develops a mediated moderation model to explain the underlying influence processes of PRINCE2 standard, vendor relationship management capability and deliverable quality on ITO customer satisfaction. By conducting a pair-wise survey of 260 project managers in seven Iranian firms, the model and hypotheses are empirically tested with the partial least squares method.FindingsOur results suggest that firms benefit more in terms of IT costs reduction when they have a higher level of complementary investment in an external standard, especially through an interplay effect of the external standard and internal relational aspect. Firms can make business processes more amenable to outsourcing and facilitate monitoring of vendor performance and effective coordination with vendors. More interestingly, we find that this interactive effect is fully mediated by deliverable quality, which, in turn, directly increases ITO customer satisfaction.Originality/valueThis study adds some new knowledge and provides new views to study ITO customer satisfaction by addressing the importance of PRINCE2 standard. This study further enhances our understanding in terms of the underlying pathway through which the PRINCE2 standard jointly affects customer satisfaction with vendor relationship management capability and deliverable quality. With the effort of explicitly explaining the complex mechanisms, this study helps ITO managers proactively escort outsourcing activities and projects.
Antecedents of customer brand advocacy: a meta-analysis of the empirical evidence
Authors: Bhati Ragini , Verma Harsh V. 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to find out the antecedents of customer brand advocacy (CBA) on the basis of synthesis of the CBA literature. A summarisation of the results of the empirical CBA studies containing CBA as a measured variable is carried out. The antecedents’ strengths of association with CBA are compared.Design/methodology/approachThe literature is synthesised using the technique of meta-analysis (Hedges and Olkin, 1985). A total of 63 empirical research papers containing 66 data sets, published between 1988 and 2019, are analysed. For each antecedent – CBA relationship, the statistics calculated include point estimate of the reliability adjusted correlation coefficient (ρ), 95% confidence interval of the computed effect size, Cochran’s Q statistic and fail safe-N. The effect of study context as a possible moderator is assessed.FindingsThe major antecedents of CBA, identified in the study, are categorised into personal factor (opinion leadership), relational factors (brand trust, customer satisfaction, brand identification, customer-based brand equity, affective commitment and normative commitment) and social factor (normative influence). Significant heterogeneity was found across studies for the paired relationships, pointing towards the presence of theoretical and/or methodological moderators.Originality/valueThe nascent CBA literature reports mixed findings. This creates confusion. This synthesis study contributes to the present body of knowledge of the concept of CBA. It is the only study that uses the technique of meta-analysis to the CBA literature.
Big data analytics for predictive maintenance in maintenance management
Authors: Razali Muhammad Najib , Jamaluddin Ain Farhana , Abdul Jalil Rohaya , Nguyen Thi Kim 
Published: June 2020

PurposeThis research attempts to highlight the concept of big data analytics in predictive maintenance for maintenance management of government buildings in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses several empirical analyses such as vector autoregression (VAR), vector error correction model (VECM), ARMA model and Granger causality to analyse predictive maintenance by using big data analytics concept.FindingsThe results indicate that there are strong correlations among these variables, which indicate reciprocal predictive maintenance of maintenance management job function. The findings also showed that there are significant needs of application of big data analytics for maintenance management in Putrajaya, Malaysia, to ensure the efficient maintenance of government buildings.Originality/valueThe conducted case study has demonstrated the empirical perspective which streamlines with the big data analytics' concept in maintenance, especially for analytics' support with appropriate empirical methodology
Nitric oxide regulates ganoderic acid biosynthesis by the S‐nitrosylation of aconitase under heat stress in Ganoderma lucidum
Authors: Liu Rui , Zhu Ting , Yang Tao , Yang Zhengyan , Ren Ang , Shi Liang , Zhu Jing , Yu Hanshou , Zhao Mingwen 
Published: June 2020

SummaryNitric oxide (NO) is an important signalling molecule in stress response of organisms. We previously reported that NO decreases heat stress (HS)‐induced ganoderic acid (GA) accumulation in Ganoderma lucidum. To explore the mechanisms by which NO modulates GA biosynthesis under HS, the effect of NO on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content was examined. The results showed that NO decreased the production of mitochondrial ROS (mitROS) by 60% under HS. Further research revealed that NO reduced the mitROS content by inhibiting aconitase (Acon) activity. The GA content in Acon‐silenced (Aconi) strains treated with NO donor did not differ significantly from that in untreated Aconi strains. To study the mechanism by which Acon activity is inhibited, the S‐nitrosylation level of Acon was determined. Biotin‐switch technology and mass spectrometry analysis were used to show that Acon is S‐nitrosylated at the Cys‐594 amino acid residue. Substitution of Cys‐594 with a Ser, which cannot be S‐nitrosylated, abolished the responsiveness of Acon to the NO‐induced reduction in its enzymatic activity. These findings demonstrate that NO inhibits Acon activity through S‐nitrosylation at Cys‐594. In summary, these findings describe mechanism by which NO regulates GA biosynthesis via S‐nitrosylation of Acon under HS condition in G. lucidum.
Lineage‐specific evolution and gene flow in Listeria monocytogenes are independent of bacteriophages
Authors: Zamudio Roxana , Haigh Richard D. , Ralph Joseph D. , De Ste Croix Megan , Tasara Taurai , Zurfluh Katrin , Kwun Min Jung , Millard Andrew D. , Bentley Stephen D. , Croucher Nicholas J. , Stephan Roger , Oggioni Marco R. 
Published: June 2020

SummaryListeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen causing systemic infection with high mortality. To allow efficient tracking of outbreaks a clear definition of the genomic signature of a cluster of related isolates is required, but lineage‐specific characteristics call for a more detailed understanding of evolution. In our work, we used core genome MLST (cgMLST) to identify new outbreaks combined to core genome SNP analysis to characterize the population structure and gene flow between lineages. Whilst analysing differences between the four lineages of L. monocytogenes we have detected differences in the recombination rate, and interestingly also divergence in the SNP differences between sub‐lineages. In addition, the exchange of core genome variation between the lineages exhibited a distinct pattern, with lineage III being the best donor for horizontal gene transfer. Whilst attempting to link bacteriophage‐mediated transduction to observed gene transfer, we found an inverse correlation between phage presence in a lineage and the extent of recombination. Irrespective of the profound differences in recombination rates observed between sub‐lineages and lineages, we found that the previously proposed cut‐off of 10 allelic differences in cgMLST can be still considered valid for the definition of a foodborne outbreak cluster of L. monocytogenes.
Agricultural capitalism, climatology and the “stabilization” of climate in the United States, 1850–1920
Authors: Baker Zeke 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDrawing from theory on the “co‐production” of science and society, this paper provides an account of trajectories in US climatology, roughly from the 1850s to 1920, the period during which climatology emerged as an organized branch of meteorology and government administration. The historical narrative traces the development of climatology both as a professional/institutional project and as a component of a larger governmental logic. Historical analysis of climatologists' scientific texts, maps, and social organization within government provides a sociological explanation for the emergent “stabilization” of climate as a geographic‐statistical category. Climatic stability, defined by the view that climate is unchanging, was advanced over this period in a way that linked the interests and practices of climatologists to actors invested in facilitating and administrating commercial agriculture and trade. I position the logic of climatology and the discourse of climatic stability historically, with reference to prior concern with climate change and, in recent decades, efforts to govern global warming through geoengineering climatic stability.
Asymmetric information and personal affiliations in brokered housing transactions
Authors: Lopez Luis Arturo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis research provides evidence on the role of information asymmetry and personal affiliations in housing transactions using a novel dataset that allows observation of detailed information about the property, broker, and seller. Sellers holding a real estate license are found to obtain about 1.6% (or $3,200) more for their properties than unlicensed sellers, and sellers personally affiliated to a real estate licensee (e.g., spouses, siblings, parents) also obtain a premium of about the same size, all else equal. There is evidence from appraisal training that knowledge of property valuation further increases the price disparities, while informative public property records reduce price disparities. Agents and personal affiliates of agents appear to use information advantages to time the market and capture capital gains. These new findings provide insights into the behaviors of market participants in asymmetric information environments.
Implications of potential biome boundary shifts for small mammal assemblages in the arid zone of South Africa
Authors: Piers Laetitia , Samuels Igshaan , Masubelele Mmoto , Engelbrecht Adriaan 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDesertification deteriorates the landscape functionality of rangelands, affecting the resilience of biome boundaries and this has a cascading effect on vegetation and animal communities. This study aimed to assess landscape functionality along the biome boundary of two arid biomes and its relationship to small mammal assemblages. The study further aimed to provide a landscape perspective of the current desertification process and projected expansion of the Desert biome in South Africa. Three Desert biome, ecotone and Succulent Karoo biome sites were selected to assess landscape functionality and small mammal assemblages over a one‐year period. The difference in landscape functionality between the three areas was assessed to determine the resilience of the biome boundary to desertification. Our results showed that the vegetation of the ecotone had higher desert‐like affinities while the soils seemed resilient and remained closely related to the Succulent Karoo biome. High livestock grazing pressure, as evident in the pastoral rangeland, may further deteriorate vegetation parameters and expose the soil to erosion, thereby advancing desertification. During both winter and summer, small mammal surveys using live Sherman traps were conducted and over the total 3204 trapping nights, 119 small mammal captures were recorded from three species. Desmodillus auricularis, Elephantulus rupestris and Gerbillurus paeba all had significantly higher densities in the Succulent Karoo biome. Our study supports the view that G. paeba would be the only species able to thrive in the less diverse Desert biome. This might have implications for the ecosystem services provided by the other two small mammal species in the landscape. As the trajectory for projected desertification appears to be on track, concerted efforts in improving rangeland management are required to maintain landscape functionality and stabilise small mammal assemblages.
Carrier frequency of CFTR variants in the non‐Caucasian populations by genome aggregation database (gnomAD)‐based analysis
Authors: Nappo Stefania , Mannucci Liliana , Novelli Giuseppe , Sangiuolo Federica , D'Apice Maria Rosaria , Botta Annalisa 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe complexity in the molecular diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) also depends on the variable prevalence/incidence of the disease associated with the wide CFTR allelic heterogeneity among different populations. In fact, CF incidence in Asian and African countries is underestimated and the few patients reported so far have rare or unique CFTR pathogenic variants. To obtain insights into CF variants profile and frequency, we used the large population sequencing data in the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD). We selected 207 CF‐causing/varying clinical consequence variants from CFTR2 database and additional 15 variants submitted to the ClinVar database. Only 14 of these variants were found in the East‐Asian population, while for South‐Asian and African populations we identified 43 and 52 variants, respectively, confirming the peculiarity of the CFTR allelic spectrum with only few population‐specific variants. These data could be used to optimize CFTR carrier screening in non‐Caucasian subjects, choosing between the full gene sequencing and cost and time‐effective targeted panels.
A case of cutaneous extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma clinically and histopathologically mimicking interface dermatitis
Authors: Choi Myoung Eun , Yang Hee Joo , Lee Woo Jin , Won Chong Hyun , Chang Sung Eun , Choi Jee Ho , Lee Mi Woo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractExtranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is a rare but aggressive cancer characterised by angiocentric and angiodestructive infiltration by NK‐cells, or cytotoxic T‐cell types. Histopathologically, ENKTL shows a multinodular or diffuse infiltration localised to vascular structures, resulting in angiodestruction and necrosis. We present a patient with an initially suspected diagnosis of benign interface dermatitis with a differential diagnosis of mycosis fungoides that was later found to be an aggressive extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma of a nasal type and with a dismal prognosis.
CXCL12 in normal and pathological pregnancies: A review
Authors: Ao Deng , Li Da‐Jin , Li Ming‐Qing 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe survival of allogeneic fetuses during pregnancy is a rather paradoxical phenomenon with a complex mechanism. Chemokine ligand12 (CXCL12) and its receptors CXC chemokine receptor (CXCR)4 and 7 are extensively found in placenta tissues and cells, including trophoblast cells, vascular endothelial cells, and decidual stromal and decidual immune cells (eg, NK cells and regulatory T cells). Evidence has illustrated that the CXClL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis could enhance the cross talk at the maternal‐fetal interface through multiple processes, such as invasion and placental angiogenesis, which appears to be critical signaling components in placentation and fetal outcome. In addition, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated that the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis also stands out for its pleiotropic roles in several pregnancy‐associated diseases (eg, recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), pre‐eclampsia (PE), and preterm labor). In the present review, the different biological properties and signaling in physiological and pathological pregnancy conditions of CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis were discussed, with the aim of obtaining a further understanding of the regulatory mechanisms and highlighting their potential as a target for therapeutic approaches.
Contemporary management of Hirschsprung disease in New Zealand
Authors: Taghavi Kiarash , Goddard Lucy , Evans Stephen M. , Hobson Andrew , Beasley Spencer W. , Sankaran Sasikumar , Kukkady Askar , Stevenson Jonathan , Stringer Mark D. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to report the contemporary management of Hirschsprung disease (HD) in New Zealand.MethodsWe undertook a national multi‐centre retrospective review of all newly diagnosed cases of HD during a 16‐year period (2000–2015). Demographics, genetic and syndromic associations, family history, radiology and histology results and surgical interventions were analysed.ResultsA total of 246 cases (males:females 4:1) were identified, an incidence of 1:3870 live births. Short‐segment disease was present in 81.7%, long‐segment disease in 8.5%, total colonic aganglionosis in 6.5% and unknown in 3.3%. HD was diagnosed by 4 weeks' corrected gestational age in 67%. Thirty cases (12%) also had Trisomy 21. Fifty‐three (21.5%) patients required a repeat rectal biopsy for definitive diagnosis. A contrast enema was performed in 55% and identified the transition zone with 69% accuracy. Primary pull‐through surgery was undertaken in 59% (65% of short‐segment cases) at a median age of 27 days; others were initially managed by a defunctioning stoma. The commonest definitive procedure was a Soave‐Boley endorectal pull‐through (79%) (or similar variant). During a median follow‐up of 7.4 years, six (2.5%) survivors underwent a redo pull‐through, 13 (5.5%) an appendicostomy, 16 (6.8%) a defunctioning stoma and 10 never had a definitive procedure. Total colonic aganglionosis was significantly more likely to be fatal (12.5% versus 0.5%, P < 0.0005) or associated with a permanent end stoma (27.5% versus 4.5%, P < 0.0005).ConclusionsMost New Zealand born infants with short‐segment HD are currently managed by primary pull‐through, usually in the first months of life.
Supervisor Reactions to Avoidance Job Crafting: The Role of Political Skill and Approach Job Crafting
Authors: Fong Christine Yin Man , Tims Maria , Khapova Svetlana N. , Beijer Susanne 
Published: June 2020

Avoidance job crafting refers to employees proactively changing work boundaries by reducing tasks and/or interactions with others. Although avoidance job crafting may help employees to address work demands, if noticed by others, specifically supervisors, it may trigger negative reactions from them. While previous research posits that job crafting is largely unnoticed by supervisors, using a dyadic supervisor‐employee study (N = 141 dyads), we found that supervisors were in fact aware of their employees’ avoidance job crafting, which related to a reduction in supervisor support. This relationship was moderated by employee political skill (but not approach job crafting), such that high avoidance job crafting in combination with high political skill resulted in fewer negative outcomes, presumably because supervisors were less likely to notice their employees’ avoidance job crafting. In a second, vignette study (N = 92 supervisors), we experimentally replicated the relation between observed avoidance job crafting and negative supervisor reactions, and found that this relation can be explained by supervisors perceiving avoidance job crafting as destructive work behavior. Our findings introduce the supervisor perspective to the job crafting literature and highlight the importance of engaging in avoidance job crafting in a skillful way that aligns with the external context.
Therapeutic index of inhaled corticosteroids in asthma: A dose–response comparison on airway hyperresponsiveness and adrenal axis suppression
Authors: Daley‐Yates Peter , Brealey Noushin , Thomas Sebin , Austin Daren , Shabbir Shaila , Harrison Tim , Singh Dave , Barnes Neil 
Published: June 2020

AimsTo compare the airway potency, systemic activity and therapeutic index of three inhaled corticosteroids that differ in glucocorticoid receptor binding affinity, physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties.MethodsThis escalating‐dose, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study randomised adults with asthma to 1 or 2 treatment periods with ≥25 days washout in‐between. Each treatment period comprised five 7‐day dose escalations (μg/d): fluticasone furoate (FF; 25 → 100 → 200 → 400 → 800), fluticasone propionate (FP; 50 → 200 → 500 → 1000 → 2000), budesonide (BUD; 100 → 400 → 800 → 1600 → 3200) or placebo. Airway hyperresponsiveness to adenosine‐5'‐monophosphate (AMP PC20) was assessed on day 8. Plasma cortisol was assessed on day 1 (predose baseline) and from pre‐PM dose on day 6 to pre‐PM dose day 7 (24‐h weighted mean).ResultsFifty‐four subjects were randomised. FF showed greater airway potency than FP and BUD (AMP PC20 dose at which 50% of the maximum effect is achieved [ED50] values: 48.52, 1081.27 and 1467.36 μg/d, respectively). Systemic activity (cortisol suppression) ED50 values were 899.99, 1986.05 and 1927.42 μg/d, respectively. The therapeutic index (ED50 cortisol suppression/ED50 AMP PC20) was wider for FF (18.55) than FP (1.84) and BUD (1.31). FF 100 μg/d and 200 μg/d were both comparable in terms of airway potency with high doses of FP (≥1000 μg twice daily [BID]) and BUD (≥1500 μg/BID). The systemic activity of FF 100 μg/d and 200 μg/d (cortisol suppression: 7.41% and 14.28%, respectively) was comparable with low doses of FP (100 μg/BID and 250 μg/BID) and BUD (100 μg/BID and 200 μg/BID).ConclusionThis study provides evidence that FF can provide more protection against airway hyperresponsiveness, with less systemic activity, than FP or BUD. This suggests that all inhaled corticosteroids are not therapeutically similar and may differ in their therapeutic index. (203162; NCT02991859).
The death of dignity is greatly exaggerated: Reflections 15 years after the declaration of dignity as a useless concept
Authors: Hofmann Bjørn 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFifteen years ago, Ruth Macklin shook the medical community with her claim in the BMJ that dignity is a useless concept. Her essay provoked a storm of reactions. What have we learned from the debate? In this article I analyse the responses to her essay and the following debate to investigate whether she was right that “[d]ignity is a useless concept in medical ethics and can be eliminated without any loss of content.” While some of the commentaries misconstrued her claim and argue against strawmen, others forcefully maintained that the concept of dignity has functions beyond “respect for persons and their autonomy.” One important point that came out of the debate is that dignity is a generic concept that covers more ground than “respect for persons or their autonomy.” In particular, dignity seems to have a wide range of protective functions as well as having reciprocal, relational, and social aspects. Dignity appears more attributional and norm‐formative than respect for persons and autonomy. While the claim that dignity is unclear, vague, and can be used sloganistically seems highly relevant, it is argued that this vagueness fulfils important functions in ethics. Moreover, dismissing dignity because of its lack of clarity has implications for “respect for persons” and “autonomy,” which are also used vaguely and sloganistically. No doubt medical ethics should use as a clear concept as the context requires. Nonetheless, dignity still seems to be a widely used generic concept in ethical debates and doing as much ethical work as “respect for persons” or “respect for autonomy.” Therefore, the death of dignity seems to be greatly exaggerated.