Responses to co-workers receiving recognition at work

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of co-workers receiving recognition on two types of responses, namely emotions (positive and negative) and behavioral intentions (interpersonal counterproductive behavior and interpersonal citizenship behavior). Design/methodology/approach - This study is an experimental scenario study with a 2 x 2 between-subjects design with 246 employees from a local health care organization. Findings - The findings reveal that the relation between the recognition of others and positive or negative emotions was moderated by the quality of the relationship between both actors. Further, as hypothesized, the relation between the recognition of others and interpersonal counterproductive behavior was moderated by relationship quality. Contrary to the authors' expectations, relationship quality did not moderate the relation between employee recognition and interpersonal citizenship behavior. Practical implications - This study provides useful suggestions for managers to diminish undesired (i.e. negative emotions and interpersonal counterproductive behavior) and enhance desired emotions and behaviors (i.e. positive emotions and interpersonal citizenship behavior). Originality/value - This study is the first to show that employee recognition may have negative effects on the emotions of others and interpersonal behavior (i.e. interpersonal counterproductive behavior)

Detrended fluctuation analysis of gait dynamics when entraining to music and metronomes at different tempi in persons with multiple sclerosis

In persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), synchronizing walking to auditory stimuli such as to music and metronomes have been shown to be feasible, and positive clinical effects have been reported on step frequency and perception of fatigue. Yet, the dynamic interaction during the process of synchronization, such as the coupling of the steps to the beat intervals in music and metronomes, and at different tempi remain unknown. Understanding these interactions are clinically relevant, as it reflects the pattern of step intervals over time, known as gait dynamics. 28 PwMS and 29 healthy controls were instructed to walk to music and metronomes at 6 tempi (0-10% in increments of 2%). Detrended fluctuation analysis was applied to calculate the fractal statistical properties of the gait time-series to quantify gait dynamics by the outcome measure alpha. The results showed no group differences, but significantly higher alpha when walking to music compared to metronomes, and when walking to both stimuli at tempi+8,+10% compared to lower tempi. These observations suggest that the precision and adaptation gain differ during the coupling of the steps to beats in music compared to metronomes (continuous compared to discrete auditory structures) and at different tempi (different inter-beat-intervals)

STER1, a novel receptor-like kinase, functions in MAMP signalling in Arabidopsis

S. epidermidis has long been recognized as an important opportunistic pathogen accounting for the majority of nosocomial infections alongside S. aureus. However, in spite of this, our understanding of the S. epidermidis virulence mechanisms is still limited. Previous studies have emphasized various analogies in innate immunity against pathogens in plant, invertebrate and mammalian hosts. When compared to in vivo animal models, plant models are an attractive alternative and experiments using the S.aureus-Arabidopsis pathosystem have shown potential for this approach with S. epidermidis. In this study, an Arabidopsis−S.epidermidis system was established aiming to identify possible bacterial virulence traits. As S. epidermidis is not a true plant pathogen it fails to multiply in planta; however, most S. epidermidis strains tested generated a salycilic acid (SA)-dependent necrotic phenotype in Arabidopsis 5 days−post inoculation. Additionally, inoculation with boiled bacteria generated the same visual response as live cells, suggesting a pre−existent, heat stable molecule underlies the plant visual response. Taken together, this data suggests the necrotic response is a visual expression of MAMP perception. Subsequent exploitation of the Arabidopsis natural variation through QTL analysis, resulted in the isolation of the STER1 (Staphylococcus elicitor response 1) gene. This gene is essential for the visual response to S. epidermidis 18888 and encodes a membrane localized DUF26−containing receptor−like kinase. The ster1-1 mutant remained asymptomatic following inoculation with Gram−positive S. epidermidis 18888 and Gram−negative B. ambifaria, suggesting STER1’s likely role in the recognition of a common molecule. Peptidoglycan (PGN), an essential bacterial membrane component was considered a likely candidate and isolated from both species. Inoculation with B. ambifaria PGN generates a plant response that mirrores the one seen with bacterial suspensions of the same organism. By contrast, pure S. epidermidis 18888 PGN does not trigger a visual response in Arabidopsis. Instead, an S. epidermidis 18888 membrane fraction (MF), consisting of PGN, teichoic acid (TA) and an uncharacterized capsular polysaccharide (CPS), was found to generate a necrotic response similar to live cells. Treatment with S. epidermidis MF and B. ambifaria PGN triggered stereotypical defence responses, such as PR1 up−regulation and cell death in wild−type plants, but not in the ster1-1 mutant. Additionally, pre-treatment with S. epidermidis MF and B. ambifaria PGN also restricted Pst DC3000 growth in wild−type plants only, thus emphasizing a likely role for STER1 in basal resistance and PGN perception. In conclusion, the data obtained in this study implicate STER1 in PGN and possibly specialized CPS recognition, either as a receptor, co-receptor or essential signalling component.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Characterisation of the GAAP (Golgi anti-apoptotic protein) gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana

Programmed cell death (PCD) plays an essential role in eukaryotes during growth and development and in response to stress signals. GAAPs (Golgi anti-apoptotic protein) are a novel, evolutionarily conserved group of anti-apoptotic proteins. Human and viral GAAPs have been shown to inhibit apoptosis and modulate intracellular calcium fluxes. There is an apparent expansion of the GAAP gene family in plants, with five paralogous genes present in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome (AtGAAP1-5). AtGAAPs share the UPF0005 signature motif with animal and plant proteins that have been shown to function as inhibitors of cell death, including Bax inhibitor-1 and Lifeguard. AtGAAP genes show distinct expression patterns with AtGAAP4 and AtGAAP2 showing the highest overall transcript abundance based on publicly available microarray data and RT-PCR analysis. AtGAAP gene expression analysis using promoter-GUS fusions revealed overlapping expression patterns for AtGAAP1, AtGAAP2 and AtGAAP4 in floral organs, with AtGAAP2 and AtGAAP4 also highly expressed in leaf tissue. AtGAAP5 however showed floral-specific expression that was mostly distinct from the expression pattern of AtGAAP1, AtGAAP2 and AtGAAP4 in the flowers. AtGAAP3 expression was undetectable by GUS staining. Intracellular localisation of fluorescent protein-tagged AtGAAPs was studied using stable or transient expression in Arabidopsis and Nicotiana benthamiana, respectively. All AtGAAPs were confirmed to localise to the Golgi at low expression levels and AtGAAP1 and AtGAAP2 additionally localised to the tonoplast at higher expression levels. Analysis of single knock-out mutants of AtGAAPs revealed no obvious developmental or PCD-related phenotypes. Measurement of cytosolic Ca2+ rises following H2O2 or mannitol treatment in atgaap null mutants, transgenically expressing proaequorin, indicated a potential role for AtGAAPs in Ca2+ signalling, however, these data are preliminary. Several double and triple atgaap mutants have been generated, all of which display a wild-type growth habit suggesting either redundancy within the AtGAAP gene family or the existence of a subtle phenotype that is not apparent under the conditions used. Phenotypes have however been uncovered in plants overexpressing AtGAAP-YFP fusion proteins. AtGAAP1 overexpressors display a slight dwarf phenotype whereas AtGAAP2 overexpressors show severely twisted branches. AtGAAP5 overexpressors display a severe dwarf phenotype, enhanced senescence and development of spontaneous lesions in both rosette and cauline leaves. Moderate to high expression of AtGAAP5 presumably leads to lethality, as no transgenic plants that express AtGAAP5-YFP at these levels have been recovered.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Improving feedback reports: the role of procedural information and information specificity

We investigated the effects of varying two types of information in feedback reports on feedback reactions in the context of managerial skill development. We found that favorable reactions increased when a high amount of procedural information was given. Furthermore, unfavorable reactions diminished when participants received low specific information. Fifteen months after the assessment of feedback reactions, we also measured students' self-reported involvement in developmental activities and found a significant and positive relationship between favorable feedback reactions and developmental activities. These results provide useful suggestions for management educators to enhance feedback reactions in managerial skill development