bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HSB-1 inhibition and HSF-1 overexpression trigger overlapping transcriptional changes to promote longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Sural Surojit , Lu Tzu-Chiao , Jung Seung Ah , Hsu Ao-Lin 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTHeat shock factor 1 (HSF-1) is a component of the heat shock response pathway that is induced by cytoplasmic proteotoxic stress. In addition to its role in stress response, HSF-1 also acts as a key regulator of the rate of organismal aging. Overexpression of HSF-1 promotes longevity in C. elegans via mechanisms that remain less understood. Moreover, genetic ablation of a negative regulator of HSF-1, termed as heat shock factor binding protein 1 (HSB-1), results in hsf-1-dependent life span extension in animals. Here we show that in the absence of HSB-1, HSF-1 acquires increased DNA binding activity to its genomic target sequence. Using RNA-Seq to compare the gene expression profiles of the hsb-1 mutant and hsf-1 overexpression strains, we found that while more than 1,500 transcripts show ≥1.5-fold upregulation due to HSF-1 overexpression, HSB-1 inhibition alters the expression of less than 500 genes in C. elegans. Roughly half of the differentially regulated transcripts in the hsb-1 mutant have altered expression also in hsf-1 overexpressing animals, with a strongly correlated fold-expression pattern between the two strains. In addition, genes that are upregulated via both HSB-1 inhibition and HSF-1 overexpression include numerous DAF-16 targets that have known functions in longevity regulation. This study identifies how HSB-1 acts as a specific regulator of the transactivation potential of HSF-1 in non-stressed conditions, thus providing a detailed understanding of the role of HSB-1/HSF-1 signaling pathway in transcriptional regulation and longevity in C. elegans.
A fuzzy logic apparel size decision methodology for online marketing
Authors: Nasibov Efendi , Demir Murat , Vahaplar Alper 
Published: January 2019

Purpose
Beside the development of technology and accessibility, ease of use, ability to reach various products and compare many products at the same time make online shopping even more popular. Despite the great advantages provided by online shopping for either consumers or retailers, there are certain issues that must be solved to improve online shopping advantages. Finding right size is one of the biggest barriers against apparel online retailing. Since the use of apparels is directly related with fitting, choosing right size is becoming more critical for retailers and consumers. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the solution of the problem.

Design/methodology/approach
For the study, the specific size measurements of male shirts (collar, shoulder, chest, waist, arm length in cm) from four different sizes (small, medium, large, x-large) and from eight different brands were collected and stored in a database. Totally, weight, height and body measurements (collar, shoulder, chest, waist and arm length in cm) of 80 male candidates, between the ages of 18 and 35, were measured individually. These data were then used for experiments.

Findings
Any product with known measurements can be compared with users’ body measurement based on fuzzy logic rule and the best-fitted size can be selected for users. Similarly, using the proposed web design, users are able to see desired products on users with similar body type.

Originality/value
In this study, a new mathematical method based on fuzzy relations for apparel size finder is proposed. Beside, this method can group users based on body measurements in order to find people with similar size.
Dimensions of organisational innovativeness and company financial performance in the biotechnology sector
Authors: Jaakson Krista , Aljaste Hannele-Marianne , Uusi-Kakkuri Piia 
Published: January 2019

Purpose
The relationship between organisational innovativeness (OI) and company performance has been studied extensively, and the associations found have mostly been positive. However, as OI is a multidimensional concept, more nuanced research is needed to identify which dimensions of innovativeness companies should focus on. The purpose of this paper is to longitudinally investigate the links between dimensions of OI and company financial performance, based on a sample of Finnish and Estonian pharmaceutical biotechnology companies.

Design/methodology/approach
Interviews inquiring about OI were conducted in 26 biotechnology companies and then their performance was measured over three subsequent years using objective financial data. Due to limited sample size, qualitative comparative analysis is employed in addition to non-parametric statistical tests.

Findings
Overall, OI did not decisively influence financial performance in the studied sector. There were, however, dimensions related to human resource policies that appeared to have more potential to positively impact financial performance, whereas the strategic dimension was actually aversive to certain performance indicators.

Research limitations/implications
The study limitations are a small sample, possible managerial bias in the assessment of OI, and focus on financial measures only.

Practical implications
The study demonstrates that OI is a multidimensional construct and not all dimensions play an equal role in financial performance. Innovation-supportive human resource policies and strategic flexibility contributes to financial performance in the pharmaceutical biotechnology sector.

Originality/value
The contribution of the study is the analysis of a specific sector with a longitudinal approach by bridging quantitative and qualitative approach.
Examining the impact of a university mentorship program on student outcomes
Authors: Hamilton Leah K. , Boman Jennifer , Rubin Harris , Sahota Balreen K. 
Published: January 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the outcomes of a formal university mentorship program that paired junior and senior (third and fourth year) undergraduate student mentees with mentors from industry. Specifically, the researchers examined the effects of mentorship on mentees’ psychological sense of community at the university, and job search self-efficacy (confidence).

Design/methodology/approach
The researchers used a mixed-methods design that incorporated survey data and qualitative data from interviews and focus groups. Where relevant, mentees were compared to a control group of students who did not participate in the mentorship program.

Findings
The results demonstrate that the mentees accrued several benefits from participating in the mentorship program. For mentees (but not the control group), job search self-efficacy increased over time as a result of participating in the program. Mentees valued receiving practical career-related support such as opportunities for networking, resume development and job interviewing skills. Mentees also gained a more realistic view about the workplace and their potential career options, and received important psychosocial support from their mentor.

Originality/value
Results suggest that junior and senior undergraduate student mentees gained professional and career-related benefits including increased job search self-efficacy from participation in a mentorship program that paired them with mentors from industry. In addition, the qualitative results indicate that mentees reported psychosocial benefits including an increased sense of connection to the university. Altogether, results indicate that undergraduate students experience positive outcomes from participating in mentorship programs designed to prepare them for the transition from university to the workplace.
E-Governance in educational settings
Authors: Sideri Maria , Kitsiou Angeliki , Filippopoulou Ariadni , Kalloniatis Christos , Gritzalis Stefanos 
Published: January 2019

PurposeEven though social media are nowadays used in the frame of public governance to ensure citizens’ major participation, enhance e-dialogue and e-democracy consequently, this utilization has not been expanded yet in the field of education, whose key role focuses on the cultivation of active citizenship, as it is promoted through participation. The purpose of this paper is to examine leadership’s views of Greek Secondary and Tertiary Education on the potential use of social media for participatory decision-making processes in order to identify if the e-participation model could be implemented in the Greek education field as in other public domains.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory research was elaborated, employing a survey design of quantitative method in order to explore Greek educational organizations leadership’s perspectives toward social media usage in participatory decision-making processes.FindingsThe research reveals Greek educational leadership’s positive view on the potential effects of social media usage in participatory decision-making processes and highlights anticipated benefits as well as problems to be faced, indicating the foundation for Greek leaders to implement social media in their leadership practices and exploit their affordances as in e-governance shifts.Practical implicationsBringing the concept of e-participation and crowd sourcing model – key features in e-governance initiatives through social media usage – in education field, Greek educational leadership is informed to consider social media utilization more methodically in the context of participatory decision-making processes, updating simultaneously existing leadership practices.Originality/valueUp till now, social media usage in participatory decision-making processes in educational settings has hardly received attention.
An intervariable approach to customer satisfaction and loyalty in the internet service market
Authors: Akroush Mamoun N. , Mahadin Bushra K. 
Published: January 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine a multidimensional model of customer perceived value (CPV), customer satisfaction (CS) and loyalty from internet subscribers’ perspectives.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 1,297 out of 2,000 online surveys were valid for the analysis. Confirmatory factor analyses were performed to assess the research constructs’ unidimensionality, validity and composite reliability. Structural path analysis was used to test the hypothesized relationships of the research model.FindingsCPV positively affects functional and technical satisfaction as well as cognitive loyalty. Functional satisfaction positively affects technical satisfaction and attitudinal loyalty. Attitudinal loyalty positively affects cognitive and behavioral loyalty, and the latter positively affects cognitive loyalty. In total, 53 percent of variation in cognitive loyalty was caused by behavioral, attitudinal loyalty and perceived value path.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research could investigate other outcomes of CS dimensions, such as customer lifetime value, customer retention, profitability, return on investment and market share, and their effects on customer loyalty (CL). Future research can also examine the effect of other dimensions of perceived customer value on CS and loyalty dimensions simultaneously. Other future research areas are also outlined.Practical implicationsCPV acts as a cornerstone to developing a successful multidimensional program of CL through functional and technical satisfactions. Marketing directors need to focus on building CL schemes and strategies that should take into consideration the long-term and short-term loyalty.Originality/valueTheoretically, using an intervariable perspective, this paper has responded to important calls for conducting research on the chain of perceived value, CS and loyalty chain. Practically, this paper is the first empirical research devoted to developing an intervariable approach to the chain of perceived value, CS and loyalty in the internet service market.
A model for evaluating the paradoxical impacts of organizational members’ social use of SNSs on destructive voice
Authors: Tabarsa Gholam ali , Olfat Mohammad , Shokouhyar Sajjad 
Published: January 2019

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the influence of organizational members’ social use of social networking sites (SNSs) on employees’ destructive voice directly and considering the mediating role of job satisfaction and affective commitment to the organization.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 240 employees of Asia-tech Company have participated in this study. To test the hypotheses, the researchers have used the partial least squares (PLS) method with the help of smart PLS software (version 2.0).FindingsThe results showed that organizational members’ social use of SNSs has a positive effect on destructive voice directly and considering job satisfaction as a mediator. However, social use of SNSs in the workplace considering the mediating role of affective commitment has a negative effect on destructive voice.Practical/implicationsThe results of the study edify managers on how social use of SNSs in the workplace has paradoxical effects on destructive voice directly and regarding affective commitment as a mediating variable. Thus, the main contribution of this study is the fact that although social use of SNSs has many advantages such as promotion of job satisfaction and affective commitment in the workplace, it might have some detrimental effect such as reinforcement of destructive voice.Originality/valueThe model presented in this study is totally unique. Moreover, the investigations showed that there is no documented study regarding the examination of the effect of social use of SNSs on destructive voice directly and considering the mediating role of job satisfaction and affective commitment.
Trends in turnaround maintenance planning: literature review
Authors: Al-Turki Umar , Duffuaa Salih , Bendaya M. 
Published: January 2019

PurposeTurnaround maintenance (TAM) is a planned stoppage of production for conducting a comprehensive maintenance of equipment or plant with the purpose of improving plant availability and performance. The purpose of this paper is to investigate trends in the operation and management of TAM, as reported in the literature, and identify gaps, in the context of a system approach that views a plant as part of a network of a supply chain.Design/methodology/approachThis literature review is based on over 80 subject-relevant papers and uses content analysis. The literature subjects are classified into several managerial areas that include organization, planning, scope and risk analysis, execution, performance measurement and learning. The gap in the literature is identified in light of the proposed system view for TAM.FindingsThe system view of TAM opens new opportunities for new research areas for improving the operation and management of TAM. These areas include optimizing TAM scheduling and developing methods for managing risks along the entire business supply chain. In addition, new approaches for collaboration, sharing knowledge, best practices and expertise within the supply chain become necessary for effective TAM planning and control.Originality/valueThis paper reviews the literature and provides a new classification of TAM. It adopts the system view for TAM that has brought new insights in the operation and management of TAM. New trends for research in the area of TAM are identified.
Environmental considerations in the purchase decisions of Ghanaian consumers
Authors: Opoku Robert , Famiyeh Samuel , Kwarteng Amoako 
Published: January 2019

PurposeBy relying on the Theory of Planned Behavior, this paper aims to understand the relative importance of attitude, subjective norm (SN), behavioral control, self-identity (SI) and past behavior in the prediction of green purchase behavior among Ghanaian consumers.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 306 graduate students were surveyed on the environmental considerations in their purchase behavior using hierarchical multiple regression analysis.FindingsThe results of the study indicate that, in general, attitude and SI are more important than SN in influencing green purchase intention in a collectivistic country, such as Ghana. Yet, most respondents were neutral in their responses to questions as to whether they are green consumers and/or if they consider themselves to be concerned about environmental issues.Originality/valueThis is the first attempt to study environmental consideration in purchase decisions in Ghana, a resource-rich, emerging and one of the strongest economies in sub-Saharan Africa.
Differences in the response to periarterial nerve stimulation or exogenous noradrenaline infusion in the mesenteric vascular bed with the intestinal tract harvested from commonly used rat models of hypertension
Authors: Gamoh Shuji , Shiba Tatsuo , DiPette Donald J. , Yamamoto Ryuichi 
Published: January 2019

SummaryMany hypertensive animal models have been developed and used to elucidate the pathophysiology of hypertension and to develop antihypertensive drugs. Among them, the spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHR), deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)‐treated and high salt intake rat (DOCA‐salt), and high sodium‐fed Dahl salt‐sensitive rat (HS) models are commonly used. Multiple studies have been conducted, however, elevation in blood pressure in these models due to the reactivity of adrenergic vasoconstriction has not been well characterized in a centralized experiment. In this study, the pressor responses to periarterial nerve stimulation (PNS) or exogenous noradrenaline (NA) infusion were measured in the isolated mesenteric vascular bed with the intestinal tract to investigate the reactivity of mesenteric adrenergic vasoconstriction. The systemic arterial blood pressure of the hypertensive rat models was uniformly elevated compared with their respective controls. However, the changes in perfusion pressure in the mesenteric vascular bed in response to PNS and exogenous NA infusion were quite different depending on the model. The pressor responses to PNS in SHRs and Dahl S HS rats were significantly higher, and those in DOCA‐salt rats were significantly lower than those in the controls. The pressor responses to exogenous NA infusion in SHRs were significantly higher, and those in Dahl S HS rats were significantly lower than those in their respective controls. No difference was observed in the pressor responses to the exogenous NA between the DOCA‐salt and sham groups. These results demonstrate that the reactivity of adrenergic vasoconstriction is different for each type of experimental hypertensive model rat.
Impact of rainfall on the offspring PHA‐response and body mass in the Eurasian blue tit
Authors: Grzędzicka Emilia 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAnimals are exposed to the more frequent stressful weather events that may impact parental decisions and their investment in offspring. This study examines whether and how heavy rainfall influences the birds' incubation behavior, hatching date, food volume brought to the nests, the offspring's immune response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and their body mass during the post‐hatch period. The research was conducted on the Eurasian blue tits, Cyanistes caeruleus, living in a nest‐box area in the Niepołomice Forest (near Kraków, S Poland) during 3 years: 2009, 2010 and 2011. Rainfall did not directly affect the incubation period, but nestlings from eggs that incubated longer had a higher mass. Later hatching date was beneficial for the chicks' body mass, while earlier hatched chicks responded more efficiently to the PHA antigen. Although the intensity of rainfall did not directly affect the volume of food brought by adults to the chicks, its greater amount was beneficial for both indicators of their condition. With a more intensive rainfall, the weaker chicks responded to the PHA antigen, but achieved greater body mass. In the next years, it can be expected that heavy rainfall will become an increasingly important environmental cue, based on which birds will adapt their reproduction, and which will affect population trends, as the immune response weakened during the intensive rainfall is a survival indicator.
Leaf and stem traits variation of Stellera chamaejasme Linn. with slope aspect in alpine steppe
Authors: Li Lili , Zhang Tingjun , Zhao Chengzhang , Li Yu , Li Yuxing , Mu Cuicui 
Published: January 2019

AbstractStellera chamaejasme L. is one of the dominant poisonous plant species and has caused considerable damage to the stability of grassland ecosystems and changed the structure and function of the grassland community, leading to grassland degeneration. To examine the response of morphological features of S. chamaejasme L. populations to environmental variations, leaf and stem traits were investigated in alpine grassland along the northern slope of the Qilian Mountains in northwestern China. Additionally, the relationships between stem length and stem number and between stem length and leaf number were also determined. The environmental gradients included south‐facing and north‐facing slopes. The results showed that the S. chamaejasme L. population had greater leaf area, leaf number, stem number and stem length on north‐facing slopes than those in the population on south‐facing slopes. Significant allometric relationships were found between leaf number and stem length and between stem number and stem length. The two standardized major axis regression (SMA) slopes deviated significantly from 1, with the variation of the environmental gradients. The results showed that the two characters of the plant in SMA slopes were both steeper on the south‐facing slopes than those on the north‐facing slopes. The definition excluded that at a given stem length, ratios of stem number to stem length and leaf number to stem length were larger on south‐facing slopes ecologically than those on north‐facing slopes. These results demonstrated that S. chamaejasme L. responded to the slope aspect variations via changing leaf and stem architecture, most likely due to the more significant heat exchange of leaves and greater transporting requirements of stems on south‐facing slopes than those on north‐facing slopes.
Longitudinal and microhabitat distributions of fishes, amphibians, and reptiles and the environmental characteristics in the upper Yura River, Kyoto, Japan
Authors: Nakagawa Hikaru 
Published: January 2019

AbstractQuantitative data on the distribution of aquatic vertebrate species along environmental gradients at multiple spatial scales are useful for assessing habitat quality, understanding habitat selection, and predicting the population structures of focal species. In addition, comparable datasets for multiple species enable the examination of the interspecific differences in habitat niches and their differentiation or aggregation patterns in a stream assemblage, as well as the theory of species coexistence. The distributions of aquatic vertebrates and environmental characteristics on longitudinal and microhabitat scales were investigated at 21 sites in a temperate stream, the Yura River, Kyoto, Japan, during the day and at night from August to September 2009. The sites were located from the headwaters to about 40 km downstream along the main channel of the river. Snorkeling observations were conducted using the line‐transect method following a standardized procedure at each sampling site with a detailed description of the spatial structure of aquatic vertebrate habitats. The microhabitat environments (water depth, current velocity, substratum characteristics, and presence/absence of vegetation cover) could be determined for all observed individuals. A total of 11,724 individuals belonging to 28 fish, 2 amphibian, and 1 reptile species were observed. The data can be used to examine the spatial patterns of focal aquatic vertebrate species and assemblages, and interspecific differences in habitat use among sympatric aquatic vertebrate species at multiple spatial scales.