The Power of Unrequited Love: The Parasocial Relationship, Trust, and Organizational Identification Between Middle-Level Managers and CEOs

Previous studies have found that CEOs manage their firms through traditional methods such as leadership and management practices. In this study, we investigate how the parasocial relationship (PSR) between middle-level managers and CEOs affects the organizational trust and the organizational identification (OI) of middle managers. We find that the PSR between middle managers and CEOs has a positive effect on the OI of middle managers, which is mediated by the organizational trust of middle managers. Purpose: Middle managers and CEOs are the key components of a firm and are crucial to firm strategies and control systems. Middle managers play a vital role in information transmission like in the organizational hierarchy while CEOs influence low-level employees through middle managers. In this study, we investigate how the PSR between middle managers and CEOs affects organizational trust and OI. Design/Methodology: In this study, the data concerning OI, integrity perception, and organizational trust are derived from a survey conducted by the internal control research group of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). The research group began the survey on September 5, 2014, for the firms listed in the A-share market, accounting firms with securities and future practice qualifications, and institutional investors through the accounting department of the CSRC, the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, and the Asset Management Association of China. The research group members surveyed 2,536 A-share firms listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange. As of October 31, 2014, 2,154 sets of questionnaires with a total of 12,551 questionnaires were received, with a response rate of 84.95%. The financial and accounting data are from the China Stock Market and Accounting Research (CSMAR) database. Findings: We find that the PSR between middle managers and CEOs has a positive effect on the OI of middle managers, which is mediated by the organizational trust of middle managers. This study extends the application of the parasocial interaction (PSI) theory, organizational trust theory, and social identity theory in listed firms. Practical Implication: There are practical implications for internal relationship management, corporate governance, and performance management. CEOs should value the influence of organizational trust and improve his/her own social and work abilities on middle-level managers as the organizational trust of middle-level managers has a significant positive impact on their sense of responsibility, ethical behavior, organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and performance. CEOs should adopt various methods to influence different managers because organizational trust mediates the relationship between the PSR and OI. Originality/Value: Our study is one of the first attempts to apply the PSI theory to the corporate world. Given the dynamics of present-day markets and changing stakeholder demands, there is little insight into how this relationship affects organizational health and functioning. Much less what a PSR between CEO and middle management looks like in practice. Our study attempts to fill the gap by investigating how CEOs might come to affect middle managers through their practices and behaviors

Bull's eye or typhoon eye? Psychological distress and associated factors in Wuhan and surrounding areas during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant psychological consequences among the public, especially for people in the epicenter. This study examined the ‘bull's eye’ model by comparing the level of psychological distress and the effect of different stressors in Wuhan (the original epicenter) with that in the surrounding areas in Hubei Province during the pandemic. Data were obtained from a cross-national survey of 10 478 respondents between the ages of 18 and 80 years in Hubei Province during the peak of the pandemic. Results of the ordinary least squares regression models showed that Wuhan residents experienced more psychological distress than those in the surrounding areas. Social and economic problems caused by the pandemic, risk exposure, perceived discrimination, and information-seeking behaviors were positively associated with distress. Social assistance was negatively associated with distress. Findings were consistent with the bull's eye model by revealing both a higher level of psychological distress and a stronger effect of stressors among the Wuhan residents than with those in low-risk areas. Thus, policymakers and psychological workers should provide adequate psychological services in high-risk areas. Lowering risk exposure, reducing discrimination against people in the epicenter, and improving information quality are essential to alleviate their psychological distress

Being natural is aesthetic: the effects of “natural” labeling on lay beliefs and the purchase intention of unattractive produce

acceptedVersionPeer reviewe

A Versatile Microparticle-Based Immunoaggregation Assay for Macromolecular Biomarker Detection and Quantification

The rapid, sensitive and low-cost detection of macromolecular biomarkers is critical in clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, research, etc. Conventional assay methods usually require bulky, expensive and designated instruments and relative long assay time. For hospitals and laboratories that lack immediate access to analytical instruments, fast and low-cost assay methods for the detection of macromolecular biomarkers are urgently needed. In this work, we developed a versatile microparticle (MP)-based immunoaggregation method for the detection and quantification of macromolecular biomarkers. Antibodies (Abs) were firstly conjugated to MP through streptavidin-biotin interaction; the addition of macromolecular biomarkers caused the aggregation of Ab-MPs, which were subsequently detected by an optical microscope or optical particle sizer. The invisible nanometer-scale macromolecular biomarkers caused detectable change of micrometer-scale particle size distributions. Goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin and human ferritin were used as model biomarkers to demonstrate MP-based immunoaggregation assay in PBS and 10% FBS to mimic real biomarker assay in the complex medium. It was found that both the number ratio and the volume ratio of Ab-MP aggregates caused by biomarker to all particles were directly correlated to the biomarker concentration. In addition, we found that the detection range could be tuned by adjusting the Ab-MP concentration. We envision that this novel MP-based immunoaggregation assay can be combined with multiple detection methods to detect and quantify macromolecular biomarkers at the nanogram per milliliter level. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.011504

A Versatile Microparticle-Based Immunoaggregation Assay for Macromolecular Biomarker Detection and Quantification

The rapid, sensitive and low-cost detection of macromolecular biomarkers is critical in clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, research, etc. Conventional assay methods usually require bulky, expensive and designated instruments and relative long assay time. For hospitals and laboratories that lack immediate access to analytical instruments, fast and low-cost assay methods for the detection of macromolecular biomarkers are urgently needed. In this work, we developed a versatile microparticle (MP)-based immunoaggregation method for the detection and quantification of macromolecular biomarkers. Antibodies (Abs) were firstly conjugated to MP through streptavidin-biotin interaction; the addition of macromolecular biomarkers caused the aggregation of Ab-MPs, which were subsequently detected by an optical microscope or optical particle sizer. The invisible nanometer-scale macromolecular biomarkers caused detectable change of micrometer-scale particle size distributions. Goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin and human ferritin were used as model biomarkers to demonstrate MP-based immunoaggregation assay in PBS and 10% FBS to mimic real biomarker assay in the complex medium. It was found that both the number ratio and the volume ratio of Ab-MP aggregates caused by biomarker to all particles were directly correlated to the biomarker concentration. In addition, we found that the detection range could be tuned by adjusting the Ab-MP concentration. We envision that this novel MP-based immunoaggregation assay can be combined with multiple detection methods to detect and quantify macromolecular biomarkers at the nanogram per milliliter level

Primerjalna študija genetske raznovrstnosti talnih bakterij in gliv v različnih sukcesijah vegetacije na krasu v provinci Guizhou, Kitajska

To study the soil genetic diversity of bacteria and fungi in different vegetation successions (grassland, shrubbery, primary forest and secondary forest) from the karst area, the Polymerase Chain Reaction-Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) technology was applied. The results showed that: (1) the diversity of bacterial communities and the fungal communities in karst area were higher than non karst area in each vegetation succession. Compared with the survey from bacterial (the Shannon index was 2.97 in primary forest, 2.91 in secondary forest, 3.18 in shrubbery, 3.14 in grassland and 2.68 in non karst), fungal diversity between karst areas (the Shannon index was 3.56 in primary forest, 3.78 in secondary forest, 3.73 in shrubbery and 3.70 in grassland) and non karst areas (the Shannon index was 3.08) was more evident, which may be related to the alterations of the composition of plant community and the source of carbon in soil with the vegetation succession of karst ecosystem; (2) The comparation of bacterial diversity index and the richness comprehensively evaluated as follows: shrubbery > grassland > primary forest > nsecondary forest. The diversity index and the richness of fungal communities was as follows: secondary forest > shrubbery > grassland > primary forest. The results suggest that the fungal communities have been greatly changed via vegetation successions, but the diversity index and the richness of the bacterial communities have not been seriously affected. The results provide scientific basis for understanding karst surface ecosystem, which contributes to the future aim of protecting the karst from desertification.Za proučevanje genetske pestrosti talnih bakterij in gliv v različnih sukcesijah vegetacije (travišče, grmičevje, primarni gozd in sekundarni gozd) na krasu je bila uporabljena tehnologija verižne reakcije s polimerazo-denaturirajoča gradientna gelska elektroforeza (PCR-DGGE). Rezultati raziskave so pokazali, da: (1) je bila v vsaki sukcesiji vegetacije pestrost bakterijskih in glivnih združb na kraškem območju višja kot na nekraškem. V primerjavi z bakterijsko raznovrstnostjo (Shannonov indeks je bil 2,97 v primarnem gozdu, 2,91 v sekundarnem gozdu, 3,18 v tleh grmičevja, 3,14 v tleh travišč in 2,68 v nekraškem območju) je bila raznovrstnost gliv med kraškimi območji (Shannonov indeks je bil v primarnem gozdu 3,56, 3,78 v sekundarnem gozdu, 3,73 v tleh grmičevja in 3,70 v tleh travišč) in nekraškimi (Shannonov indeks je bil 3,08) jasneje izražena. To je lahko povezano s spremembami v sestavi rastlinske združbe in vira ogljika v tleh glede na stanje sukcesije v vegetaciji kraškega ekosistema. (2) Primerjava kazalnikov bakterijske raznovrstnosti in abundance je bila celostno ovrednotena in sledi takole: grmičevje > travišče > primarni gozd > sekundarni gozd. Kazalnika raznovrstnosti in abundance glivnih združb kažeta sledeči trend: sekundarni gozd > grmičevje > travišče > primarni gozd. Rezultati izkazujejo, da so se glivne združbe precej spremenile zaradi sukcesije v vegetaciji, vendar pa na drugi strani ni bilo bistvenega vpliva na kazalnika bakterijske raznovrstnosti in abundance. Rezultati med drugim dajejo tudi znanstveno podlago za razumevanje delovanja kraškega površinskega ekosistema, kar ključno prispeva k cilju zaščite krasa pred dezertifikacijo (širjenjem puščav)

Chinese Expert Consensus on Critical Care Ultrasound Applications at COVID-19 Pandemic

The spread of new coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) follows a different pattern than previous respiratory viruses, posing a serious public health risk worldwide. World Health Organization (WHO) named the disease as COVID-19 and declared it a pandemic. COVID-19 is characterized by highly contagious nature, rapid transmission, swift clinical course, profound worldwide impact, and high mortality among critically ill patients. Chest X-ray, computerized tomography (CT), and ultrasound are commonly used imaging modalities. Among them, ultrasound, due to its portability and non-invasiveness, can be easily moved to the bedside for examination at any time. In addition, with use of 4G or 5G networks, remote ultrasound consultation can also be performed, which allows ultrasound to be used in isolated medial areas. Besides, the contact surface of ultrasound probe with patients is small and easy to be disinfected. Therefore, ultrasound has gotten lots of positive feedbacks from the frontline healthcare workers, and it has played an indispensable role in the course of COVID-19 diagnosis and follow up

Research on the Comparison Analyses of Three-Phase Discrete and Integrated LC Filters in Three-Phase PV Inverter

In three-phase photovoltaic (PV) system, three-phase filter inductors are important part for the output electrical power quality. The comparison analyses of three-phase discrete filter inductors and two kinds of three-phase integrated filter inductors in three-phase PV inverter are proposed. Firstly, the three-phase PV inverter operation with discrete filter inductors is analyzed, and the design of discrete filter inductors is given; then operation of the three-phase PV inverter with three-phase integrated five-limb magnetic core filter inductors is analyzed, the design of integrated filter inductors with five-limb magnetic core is given, then the operation of three-phase PV inverter with three-phase integrated three-limb magnetic core filter inductors is analyzed, and the design of integrated filter inductors with three limbs magnetic core is given. The conclusion of comparison between three-phase discrete filter inductors and two kinds of three-phase integrated filter inductors is done; it means that the three-phase discrete filter inductors can achieve better output electrical power quality with lower power density and three-phase integrated filter inductors can achieve higher power density with lower output electrical power quality. Finally, the experiment results are given to compare the volume and filter effect of three kinds of filter inductors in three-phase PV inverter

Fatty liver is a risk factor for liver metastasis in Chinese patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Background The hepatic microenvironment, which may include chronic inflammation and fibrosis, is considered to contribute to the development of liver metastases. Hepatic steatosis (HS) might cause liver inflammation and fibrosis. However, to date, no studies have investigated the impact of HS on liver metastasis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed on patients who received NSCLC treatment at two hospitals affiliated with the Southern Medical University from January 2005 to December 2015. The patients were grouped according to the presence of HS. The clinicopathological features of patients between the two groups were compared. The effect of HS on liver metastasis and overall metastasis was evaluated, adjusting for other confounders using Cox regression analyses. Results In total, 1,873 patients with NSCLC with no distant metastases were included in this study, and 408 (21.8%) patients were diagnosed with HS (at the time of diagnosis or before diagnosis). Liver metastases occurred in 166 (8.9%) patients. Liver metastasis-free survival was significantly worse in the study (HS) group (hazard ratio (HR) 1.42; (95% CI [1.03–1.96]); P = 0.031). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that HS was an independent risk factor for liver metastasis (HR 1.43; 95% CI [1.02–2.01]; P = 0.039). However, HS was not associated with overall metastasis of NSCLC (HR 0.99; 95% CI [0.84–1.17]; P = 0.895). Conclusion Hepatic steatosis was an independent predictor of liver metastasis from in patients with NSCLC