bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Institutions, agency, culture and control: a case study of a multinational operating company
Authors: Kapiyangoda Kumudu , Gooneratne Tharusha
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how management control systems (MCS) of an operating company (Delta Lanka) of a multinational corporation (MNC) is shaped through the interplay between external institutional influences via global prescriptions stemming from the parent company culture and localisation needs as suited to cultural context of the operating company through the agency of practice level actors.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretically, the paper draws upon institutional theory, more specifically the notions of external institutions and agency of practice level actors, while methodologically, it adopts the single-site case study approach under the qualitative tradition.

Findings

The findings suggest that given the complex setting of being encountered with multiple cultural ramifications, MCS of Delta Lanka encompasses compulsory elements instigated by the parent company, and non-compulsory elements as attuned to the realities of the local culture of the operating company. The authors show how imposed practices in the institutional environment by the parent company (homogeneity) interact with agentic aspects of actors in the operating company giving rise to practice variation (heterogeneity) in the adoption of controls at the local level.

Practical implications

The paper offers insights on how practicing managers in operating companies of MNCs could formulate control systems by striking a balance between multiple cultural considerations (of the parent and operating company). This would be a lesson for managers of other firms (especially MNCs).

Originality/value

By bringing together multitude of cultural dimensions relating to the parent company and operating company into a single study in the area of management control, this paper adds to the burgeoning literature on the interplay between external institutions, agency of actors, culture and MCS. It also contributes to the on-going debate on MCS research taking a post-Hofstede orientation while extending the use of institutional theory in management accounting research in MNCs.
Moral foundations and judgment: conceptualizing boundaries
Authors: Cowan Kirsten , Yazdanparast Atefeh
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Even though the definitions of morality may seem to provide straightforward criteria to assess the morality of individuals, moral judgments are challenging and less exact. This paper aims to advance extant work on morality and moral judgment by providing a conceptualization of boundary conditions in the relationship between moral judgments and consumer behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

An interdisciplinary literature review is conducted to integrate extant knowledge on morality, moral judgment and consumer behavior to identify and conceptualize boundary conditions affecting moral judgments and decision-making. The research draws on moral foundation theory and norm activation model, and the proposed factors and relationships are grounded in construal level theory and regulatory focus theory.

Findings

The research identifies cultural, individual and situational factors that influence moral judgments and decision-making and argues that moral judgments exhibit a similar pattern across types, but cultural factors determine the salience of each moral foundation type. Moreover, construal factors relevant to the situation (i.e. proximity vs distance) affect the extent and manner of moral judgments, and individual mindsets and their associated information processing styles (e.g. money vs time orientation and promotion vs prevention orientation) make moral judgments more malleable, adding a degree of variability to judgments within similar cultures and situations.

Originality/value

The research makes a rather unique contribution to consumer morality literature by identifying and discussing three different groups of factors with the potential to impact individuals’ judgments of, and reactions to, moral foundation violation information.
Sexual health interventions among early adolescents: an integrative review
Authors: Chokprajakchad Monrudee , Phuphaibul Rutja , Sieving Renee Evangeline
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections including HIV are important public health issues in many countries around the world. The trend is escalating among adolescents of younger ages. Many programmes aim to prevent adolescent sexual risk behaviours associated with these health outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to describe and analyse methodological and substantive features of research on interventions to delay the initiation of sexual intercourse and prevent other sexual risk behaviours among early adolescents.

Design/methodology/approach

The review includes studies published between 2006 and 2017 that appear in Thai and international databases.

Findings

A total of 33 studies met specified review criteria. Of the studies reviewed, 14 used randomized control designs, 16 used quasi-experimental designs and three used a pre-test, post-test design. Sample sizes ranged from 64 to 4,776 subjects; nearly two-thirds of the studies (n = 22) included multiple follow-up surveys. The programmes evaluated in these studies can be grouped into three categories: abstinence-based sexuality education programmes (n = 12), comprehensive sexuality education programmes (n = 13) and youth development programmes designed for early adolescents (n = 10). In total, 22 programmes reviewed were effective in changing targeted adolescent psychosocial and/or behavioural outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations encountered in this study involved the search in library databases published only in Thai and English. Due to the limitation of searching library databases included in the review that reported the effects and differences among the included studies. Moreover, the search included publications consisted of heterogeneous designs and purpose with reports of different types of outcomes made it impossible to compare effect sizes.

Practical implications

The knowledge gained can be used to design and implement effective sexual health promotion programmes for early adolescents. Moreover, the findings can be applied as a guideline for health provider working in a schools, communities and adolescent health services. Recommendations for future studies are needed to consider methodological and substantive characteristics as well as the people who are involved in youth sexual health outcomes.

Social implications

It is necessary for government to develop a policy for encouraging parents to be aware and participate in solving the problems.

Originality/value

The review indicated that the positive effects of parental involvement and technology media as a programme material on the psychosocial and behavioural outcomes.
Effects of leader–member exchange and workload on presenteeism
Authors: Wang Yanxia , Chen Chih-Chieh , Lu Luo , Eisenberger Robert , Fosh Patricia
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to promote a wider understanding of the importance of distinguishing between presenteeism behavior and its motivation and between the avoidance and approach dimensions of motivation, and to rectify the neglect of presenteeism’s antecedents (in particular, situational ones). It develops a theoretical model that explains how situational antecedents affect presenteeism – conventionally defined as attending work while ill.

Design/methodology/approach

An ordinary least-squares regression-based path analysis is employed to analyze the findings of a sample of 277 employees in service organizations in southwestern China.

Findings

Findings demonstrate that the situational factor, leader–member exchange (LMX), is positively related to the approach dimension of presenteeism motivation and that of workload moderates the positive link between presenteeism motivation and behavior, such that employees who experience higher workload more frequently display presenteeism behavior.

Practical implications

Findings suggest that managers should be prudent when developing relationships with their subordinates and consider the ways in which they may most effectively encourage employees to support their organization.

Originality/value

This is the first study to consider LMX and workload as situational antecedents of presenteeism motivation and behavior.
Of countries, places and product/brand place associations: an inventory of dispositions and issues relating to place image and its effects
Authors: Papadopoulos Nicolas , Cleveland Mark , Bartikowski Boris , Yaprak Attila
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This study focuses on an inventory and typology of consumer dispositions towards “place” and relates it to the underlying theories, inputs and outcomes of place images and attitudes, aiming to unclutter a crowded research landscape by providing a holistic perspective of product/brand place associations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on extant literature to identify, analyze and discuss the consumer dispositions, theories and other elements related to place.

Findings

In total, 32 dispositions, 10 inputs to image formation, 28 permutations that complicate the understanding of place images, and 18 outcomes are discussed, providing a comprehensive perspective of the images of, and behaviours towards, various types of places from neighbourhoods to countries and beyond.

Research limitations/implications

Of the large number of constructs and combinations among them that are discussed, some have been studied fairly extensively, but most comprise “the road(s) less travelled”. The paper identifies relevant research gaps and numerous opportunities for new research.

Practical implications

Managers are aware and act upon some of the inventoried dispositions but can benefit by considering the complete array of constructs and concepts that are discussed.

Social implications

Individuals’ dispositions towards various places help to shape their self and social identities and are important in their daily life and consumption behaviour.

Originality/value

The study brings together for the first time a complete inventory of place-related dispositions alongside a wide range of related theories and concepts, thus advancing our knowledge of the nature and role of the country and other place-related images of products and brands.
The predictive power of log-likelihood of GARCH volatility
Authors: Handika Rangga , Chalid Dony Abdul
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether the best statistical model also corresponds to the best empirical performance in the volatility modeling of financialized commodity markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use various p and q values in Value-at-Risk (VaR) GARCH(p, q) estimation and perform backtesting at different confidence levels, different out-of-sample periods and different data frequencies for eight financialized commodities.

Findings

They find that the best fitted GARCH(p,q) model tends to generate the best empirical performance for most financialized commodities. Their findings are consistent at different confidence levels and different out-of-sample periods. However, the strong results occur for both daily and weekly returns series. They obtain weak results for the monthly series.

Research limitations/implications

Their research method is limited to the GARCH(p,q) model and the eight discussed financialized commodities.

Practical implications

They conclude that they should continue to rely on the log-likelihood statistical criteria for choosing a GARCH(p,q) model in financialized commodity markets for daily and weekly forecasting horizons.

Social implications

The log-likelihood statistical criterion has strong predictive power in GARCH high-frequency data series (daily and weekly). This finding justifies the importance of using statistical criterion in financial market modeling.

Originality/value

First, this paper investigates whether the best statistical model corresponds to the best empirical performance. Second, this paper provides an indirect test for evaluating the accuracy of volatility modeling by using the VaR approach.
Factors affecting consumers’ willingness to buy private label brands (PLBs)
Authors: Mostafa Rasha H.A. , Elseidi Reham I.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The aim of this research is to investigate the factors affecting consumers’ willingness to buy private label brands (PLBs). The relationships among store image, familiarity with PLBs, consumers’ perceptions of PLB quality, risk, price consciousness and attitude towards PLBs are examined. Finally, the relationship between attitude towards, and willingness to buy PLB is explored.

Design/methodology/approach

Self-administered questionnaire was distributed to shoppers at Carrefour operating in Cairo, Egypt. The data obtained from 265 respondents were examined using structural equation modelling (analysis of moment structures) version 22, which empirically test the hypothesised relations established in the research conceptual model.

Findings

With the exception of perceived risk, the results suggest that all consumers’ perceptual and attitudinal factors affect directly or indirectly consumers’ willingness to buy PLB.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to international hypermarket/supermarket operating in Egypt. So the findings should be exercised with cautious while attempting to generalise the research results.

Practical implications

Retail managers should focus on the enhancement of both store image and familiarity with PLBs to leverage consumers’ perceptions with respect to PLBs quality and risk to achieve differentiation and to increase sales.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies that investigate the role of familiarity with PLBs in a developing context. In doing so, it proposes that familiarity with PLBs directly affects consumers’ perceived quality and perceived risk, while it indirectly influences consumers’ willingness to buy PLBs.
Understanding lovemark brands
Authors: Giovanis Apostolos , Athanasopoulou Pinelopi
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop and empirically test a lovemark measure that can be used to identify how brands of wireless-enabled computing devices are classified based on customers’ respect and love toward them.

Design/methodology/approach

On evidence drawn from 1,016 consumers of wireless-enabled computing devices (e.g. netbooks and tablets) in Greece, partial least squares method is used to test the validity of the proposed hierarchical model.

Findings

Results show that a lovemark measure can be conceptualized as a third-order reflective construct having respect and love as its second-order dimensions. In turn, respect reflects on brand performance, trust and reputation, and love reflects on brand commitment, intimacy and passion. The proposed measure presents a very good external validity as it can explain big portions of variance in consumer responses including repurchase intentions, positive WOM and willingness to pay a price premium. Finally, the proposed measure is used to classify eight well-known devices as products, fads, brands and lovemarks and identify the love styles associated with brand relationships.

Originality/value

This paper provides empirical evidence for measuring and identifying lovemarks using a hierarchical model, which can be further used to develop a more effective strategy for managing the functional and emotional aspects of brands to strengthen consumer-brand relationships.
Cost innovation – a value-creation strategy to transform over-priced industries
Authors: Leavy Brian
Published: November 2018

Purpose

This masterclass examines how two important new books propose to achieve cost innovation, a value creation strategy that can transform an over-priced industry.

Design/methodology/approach

In their book, marketing gurus Stephen Wunker and Jennifer Luo Law highlight the potential of cost innovation in helping to create new market demand and transform the competitive dynamics in any industry sector, and they offer guidance on how to develop such a strategy. In their study of transformation by value creation, Professors Vijay Govindarajan and Ravi Ramamurti highlight the potential for cost innovations in emerging markets to help transform health care delivery in the West.

Findings

The authors showcased in this masterclass demonstrate how the value-based principles highlighted by Porter and Christensen and Kim and Mauborge are key to transforming any industry to make it more reliable, accessible and affordable.

Practical implications

Cost innovation involves taking a fresh approach to the conventional way of delivering value in any given industry and looking for ways to reimagine it.

Originality/value

The notion of cost as a potential target for breakthrough innovation in its own right is still not widely recognized. As marketing consultants Wunker and Luo Law point out in Costovation: innovation and cost are still most often seen as “magnetic opposites,” the one in natural tension with the other. They set out to challenge this assumption and show how “innovation and cost-cutting” can become “a powerful duo, capable of reshaping markets and creating long-term competitive advantages.”
Conducting evaluations with older populations in supported housing
Authors: Yap Jade , Breedvelt J.J.F. , Goodman Jolie , Kousoulis Antonis A.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the challenges and learnings of evaluating a public mental health programme with older people: Standing Together, which delivered weekly facilitated self-help groups for older people in extra care housing. Following evaluation, a list of practical recommendations was developed to inform future evaluations of similar programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper resulted from our reflections as evaluators or practitioners on Standing Together. The evaluation followed a mixed-methods design. It reflects on findings from the Standing Together evaluation, which employed quantitative and qualitative research methods to determine the project’s impact on key outcome areas. Quantitative questionnaires were completed by tenants at baseline and towards the end of the project. Focus groups were held with tenants and interviews were undertaken with multiple stakeholders.

Findings

There were challenges in evaluating Standing Together that were unique to the older population group. Recommendations cover the full spectrum of the role of practitioners, evaluators, setting and methodology. Co-production was found to be an overarching theme linking together the recommendations, and most of the challenges encountered can, in principle, be alleviated with greater focus on co-production during the evaluation design stage.

Originality/value

The recommendations in the paper have practical relevance to those involved in evaluations of public health programmes or interventions. Incorporating these recommendations when conducting similar evaluations with older populations in housing settings will ensure more accurate reporting of outcomes.
Predicting the Potential Distribution of an Invasive Species, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), under Climate Change using Species Distribution Models
Authors: Sung Sunyong , Kwon Yong‐Su , Lee Dong Kun , Cho Youngho
Published: November 2018

The red imported fire ant is considered one of the most notorious invasive species because of its adverse impact on both humans and ecosystems. Public concern regarding red imported fire ants has been increasing, as they have been found seven times in South Korea. Even if red imported fire ants are not yet colonized in South Korea, a proper quarantine plan is necessary to prevent their widespread distribution. As a basis for quarantine planning, we modeled the potential distribution of the red imported fire ant under current climate conditions using six different species distribution models (SDMs) and then selected the random forest (RF) model for modeling the potential distribution under climate change. We acquired occurrence data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and bioclimatic data from WorldClim. We modeled at the global scale to project the potential distribution under the current climate and then applied models at the local scale to project the potential distribution of the red imported fire ant under climate change. Modeled results successfully represent the current distribution of red imported fire ants. The potential distribution area for red imported fire ants increased to include major harbors and airports in South Korea under the climate change scenario (RCP 8.5). Thus, we are able to provide a potential distribution of red imported fire ant that is necessary to establish a proper quarantine plan for their management to minimize adverse impacts of climate change.
Population genetic analyses of seven Chinese indigenous chicken breeds in a context of global breeds
Authors: Chen L. , Wang X. , Cheng D. , Chen K. , Fan Y. , Wu G. , You J. , Liu S. , Mao H. , Ren J.
Published: November 2018

Jiangxi province in China is rich in indigenous chicken breeds, which have diverse phenotypes and represent a valuable genetic resource for further genetic improvement of modern breeds. Here, we conducted a series of analyses to reveal genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationships and population structure of seven chicken breeds in Jiangxi province in the context of nine non‐local chicken breeds, using 600K SNP data. We show that Jiangxi indigenous breeds have more abundant nucleotide diversity than do European local and commercial breeds. Among Jiangxi breeds, Dongxiang Blue‐eggshell (DX) and Chongren Partride (CR) display remarkably reduced genetic diversity, as the two breeds exhibit increased inbreeding coefficients, runs of homozygosity, extent of linkage disequilibrium and reduced expected heterozygosity. DX, CR and Taihe Silkie (TH) represent three ancestral lineages of the Jiangxi chicken and display genetic differentiation from the other four Jiangxi breeds, which show a signature of admixture with European commercial breeds. These findings provide insight for the establishment of an efficient conservation program for Jiangxi chicken breeds. Considering the current status of genetic diversity and ancestral representativeness, particular attention should be paid to DX, CR and TH chickens.
Comprehensive analysis of the mitochondrial DNA diversity in Chinese cattle
Authors: Xia X. , Qu K. , Zhang G. , Jia Y. , Ma Z. , Zhao X. , Huang Y. , Chen H. , Huang B. , Lei C.
Published: November 2018

Complete mitochondrial DNA D‐loop sequences of 1105 individuals were used to assess the diversity of maternal lineages of cattle populations in China. In total, 250 taurine and 88 zebu haplotypes were identified. Five main haplogroups—T1a, T2, T3, T4 and T5—were identified in Bos taurus, whereas Bos indicus harbored two haplogroups—I1 and I2. Our results suggest that the distribution of T1a in Asia was concentrated mainly in the northeast region (northeast China, Korea and Japan); haplogroups T2, T3 and T4 were predominant in Chinese cattle; and T5 was sporadically detected in Mongolian and Pingwu cattle. In contrast to the widespread presence of I1, I2 was distributed only in southwestern China (Yunnan‐Guizhou Plateau and the Tibet Autonomous Region) and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This is the first time that all five taurine haplogroups and two zebu haplogroups have been found in Mongolian cattle. In addition, eight individuals in Tibetan cattle carried the Bos grunniens mtDNA type. The high mtDNA diversity (H = 0.904 ± 0.008) and the weak genetic structure among the 57 Chinese cattle breeds/populations are consistent with their complex historical background, migration route and ecological environment.
Examining the interface of sustainability programmes and livelihoods in the Semendo highlands of Indonesia
Authors: Bray Joshua , Neilson Jeffrey
Published: November 2018

Voluntary sustainability standards are used as both a means of securing coffee supply by large coffee firms and a development intervention to address rural poverty and environmental management in the Global South. Using a case‐study approach, we have examined the interface between a value‐chain sustainability programme and the livelihood trajectories of smallholder producers in upland Sumatra. Our research found the programme has had minimal impacts for coffee producers to date. The level of commitment required of producers appears incompatible with the particular way that coffee is currently embedded within local landscapes, livelihoods and poverty alleviation pathways. Various sustainability standards articulate a narrative of rural development underpinned by an assumption that agricultural modernisation is the preferred pathway out of poverty for rural households. As a result, there is some risk that sustainability programmes may be inadvertently attempting to encourage household investment in a particular kind of agriculture, which is intended to assist sustainability of supply, but is poorly aligned with prevailing processes of poverty alleviation. These observations are based on a detailed study of agrarian change among the Semendo people of South Sumatra province, where processes of rural development are far more complex than assumptions presented by mainstream sustainability standards.
Insulin glargine/lixisenatide fixed‐ratio combination improves glycaemic variability and control without increasing hypoglycaemia
Authors: Aronson Ronnie , Umpierrez Guillermo , Stager William , Kovatchev Boris
Published: November 2018

Maintaining optimal glycaemic control reduces the risk of micro‐ and macrovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes. Typically, glycaemic control is based on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) as a measure of mean glucose concentration; however, this marker does not accurately reflect glycaemic variability (GV), which is characterized by the amplitude, frequency and duration of hypo‐ and hyperglycaemic fluctuations. In the present study, we analysed data from the LixiLan‐O trial, which compared iGlarLixi, a titratable fixed‐ratio combination of the glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist lixisenatide (Lixi) and long‐acting basal insulin glargine 100 units/mL (iGlar), with its individual components, and the LixiLan‐L trial, which compared iGlarLixi with iGlar. The GV features that were measured were mean and SD of self‐measured plasma glucose (SMPG), high blood glucose index (HBGI) and low blood glucose index, area under the SMPG curve for each patient (AUCn), mean absolute glucose (MAG) and mean amplitude of glycaemic excursions (MAGE). By week 30, iGlarLixi improved all GV markers from baseline, with no increased hypoglycaemia risk. Significant improvements were observed in SMPG, SD of SMPG, HBGI, AUCn, MAG and MAGE compared with iGlar, and in SMPG, HBGI and AUCn, compared with Lixi.
Depauperation and divergence of plant‐specialist herbivore assemblages in a fragmented tropical landscape
Authors: Souza Danielle G. , Sfair Julia C. , Arroyo‐Rodríguez Víctor , Santos Jean C. , Tabarelli Marcelo
Published: November 2018

1. Our understanding of the structure and spatial organisation of biological assemblages in human‐modified tropical landscapes has critical importance to improve conservation actions. Investigations on this topic have focused on local (α) diversity patterns, overlooking the changes in species turnover (β diversity) between sites, and its consequences on total (γ) diversity.

2. This study assessed the differences in α, β and γ diversities of galling insects and their host plants (saplings) in a fragmented Atlantic forest landscape in northeast Brazil. Both assemblages were recorded in 30 plots (total of 0.1 ha for each forest type) located in the interior and on the edges of a large fragment and small forest fragments (10 plots per forest type).

3. α diversity of host plants and galling insect assemblages was significantly higher in interior (reference) plots than in edge and fragment plots. Yet, both assemblages showed higher β diversity in fragment and edge plots than in reference plots – a finding potentially associated with the hyperdynamism of fragmented forests and consistent with the landscape divergence hypothesis.

4. However, biotic differentiation of host plant and galling insects was not great enough to compensate the loss of α diversity, and thus γ diversity, because most host plant and galling insect species in forest fragments were also registered in reference plots. Our findings indicate that, despite each small forest fragment being very dissimilar from each other, they have low importance for the conservation of plant assemblages and their specialized herbivores at landscape scale.
Inhibition of calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK) exacerbates impairment of endothelial cell and blood–brain barrier after stroke
Authors: Sun Ping , Bu Fan , Min Jia‐Wei , Munshi Yashasvee , Howe Matthew D. , Liu Lin , Koellhoffer Edward C. , Qi Li , McCullough Louise D. , Li Jun
Published: November 2018

Brain microvascular endothelial cells play an essential role in maintaining blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity, and disruption of the BBB aggravates the ischemic injury. CaMKK (α and β) is a major kinase activated by elevated intracellular calcium. Previously, we demonstrated that inhibition of CaMKK exacerbated outcomes, conversely, overexpression reduced brain injury after stroke in mice. Interestingly, CaMKK has been shown to activate a key endothelial protector, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). We hypothesized that CaMKK protects brain endothelial cells via SIRT1 activation after stroke. In this study, Oxygen‐Glucose Deprivation (OGD) was performed in human brain microvascular endothelial cells. Stroke was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in male mice. Knockdown of CaMKK β using siRNA increased cell death following OGD. Inhibition of CaMKK β by STO‐609 significantly and selectively down‐regulated levels of phosphorylated SIRT1 after OGD. Changes in the downstream targets of SIRT1 were observed following STO‐609 treatment. The effect of STO‐609 on cell viability after OGD was absent, when SIRT1 was concurrently inhibited. We also demonstrated that STO‐609 increased endothelial expression of the pro‐inflammatory proteins ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 and inhibition of CaMKK exacerbated OGD‐induced leukocyte‐endothelial adhesion. Finally, intracerebroventricular injection of STO‐609 exacerbated endothelial apoptosis and reduced BBB integrity after 24‐hr reperfusion following MCAO in vivo. Collectively, these results demonstrated that CaMKK inhibition reduced endothelial cell viability, exacerbated inflammatory responses and aggravated BBB impairment after ischemia. CaMKK activation may attenuate ischemic brain injury via protection of the microvascular system and a reduction in the infiltration of pro‐inflammatory factors.
Order anticipation around predictable trades
Authors: Sağlam Mehmet
Published: November 2018

I study the presence of order anticipation strategies by examining predictable patterns in large order trades. I construct three simple signals based on child‐order execution patterns and find empirical evidence that stronger signals are correlated with higher execution costs. I use the SEC's (Securities and Exchange Commission's) ban on unfiltered access and increase in noise trading as shocks to order anticipatory activities of algorithmic traders and find that the price impact of predictability is smaller when order anticipation becomes difficult. The empirical findings are mostly consistent with the back‐running theory that predicts delayed price impact as strategic traders learn about large orders gradually.
Effect of 64S bioglass addition on sintering kinetic, flexural strength and osteoblast cell response of yttria‐partially stabilized zirconia ceramics
Authors: Stábile Matías F. , Soubelet Clara G. , Albano María P. , Rosa Adalberto L. , Moreira Spinola de Castro‐Raucci Larissa , Tambasco de Oliveira Paulo
Published: November 2018

A quantity of 3 mol% yttria‐partially stabilized zirconia (Y‐TZP) with 10.5 and 19.9 vol% 64S bioglass compacts was sintered at different temperatures up to 1500°C. The influence of 64S glass addition on the sintering kinetic, flexural strength, and osteoblast cell response of Y‐TZP ceramics was investigated. The addition of 64S glass increased the initial sintering rate through the decrease in the activation energy and the increase on the order of diffusion with respect to those previously reported for Y‐TZP. Y‐TZP at 1500°C exhibited the highest flexural strength. Within Y‐TZP ceramics with 64S additions, a maximum flexural strength occurred for 10.5 vol% 64S at 1400°C, its flexural strength was able to approach that of Y‐TZP at 1500°C. The polished sintered surfaces became rougher as the 64S content increased. Cell viability experiments on the less nanoroughness Y‐TZP and Y‐TZP with 10.5 vol% 64S surfaces revealed their good biocompatibility; on the contrary, the high level of nanoroughness of Y‐TZP with 19.9 vol% 64S significantly reduced cell survival. However, the matrix mineralization was not adversely affected by the surface roughness; larger amounts of calcium phosphate phases on Y‐TZP‐19.9 vol% 64S surfaces appeared to promote the osteogenic potential of UMR‐106 cells.
The ABCs of CRISPR in Tephritidae: developing methods for inducing heritable mutations in the genera Anastrepha, Bactrocera and Ceratitis
Authors: Sim S. B. , Kauwe A. N. , Ruano R. E. Y. , Rendon P. , Geib S. M.
Published: November 2018

Tephritid fruit flies are destructive agricultural pests that are the targets of expensive population eradication and suppression efforts. Genetic pest management is one of the strategies for reducing or eliminating tephritid populations, relying upon the genetic manipulation of insects to render them sterile or capable of transmitting deleterious traits through gene drive. Currently, radiation, chemical mutagenesis, and transgenic techniques are employed to generate agents for genetic pest management, but new methods must be explored and developed for all tephritid pest species. Targeted mutagenesis induced by nonhomologous end join repair of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and the CRISPR associated protein 9 (Cas9) (commonly known as CRISPR/Cas9) has been demonstrated to be an efficient method for creating knock‐out mutants and can be utilized to create germline mutations in Tephritidae. In this paper, we describe detailed methods to knockout the white gene in three tephritid species in the genera Anastrepha, Bactrocera and Ceratitis, including the first demonstration of CRISPR/Cas9 induced mutations in the genus Anastrepha. Lastly, we discuss the variables in tephritid systems that directed method development as well as recommendations for performing injections in remote containment facilities with little molecular biology capabilities. These methods and recommendations combined can serve as a guide for others to use in pursuit of developing CRISPR/Cas9 methods in tephritid systems.
The 1918 influenza pandemic in Montevideo: The southernmost capital city in the Americas
Authors: Cristina Juan , Pollero Raquel , Pellegrino Adela
Published: November 2018

Background

Few studies have addressed the impact and dynamics of the 1918‐1919 influenza pandemic in temperate regions of South America.

Objective

To identify key factors for influenza onset, spread, and mortality in Montevideo and Uruguay in 1918‐1919.

Methods

An analysis of official national records of the public health system of Uruguay was performed.

Results

From November to December of 1918 (spring), a total of 131 deaths due to influenza occurred in Montevideo and a total of 296 deaths accounted from July to September of 1919 (winter) in the same city. The total deaths attributed to influenza in Uruguay in 1918 and 1919 were 926 and 1089, respectively. In contrast, the mean annual mortality attributed to influenza in Uruguay from 1908 to 1917 was 50.9. A pattern of age‐shift in mortality in the two pandemic waves studied was observed.

Conclusions

The results of studies revealed that Montevideo was first hit by the devastating second wave of the pandemic of 1918, arriving Montevideo at the end of the spring of that year. The third wave arrived by July 1919, in the winter season, and in the capital city was as severe as the second one.
Anticancer activity of paroxetine in human colon cancer cells: Involvement of MET and ERBB3
Authors: Jang Won‐Jun , Jung Sung Keun , Vo Tam Thuy Lu , Jeong Chul‐Ho
Published: November 2018

The concept of drug repositioning has recently received considerable attention in the field of oncology. In the present study, we propose that paroxetine can be used as a potent anticancer drug. Paroxetine, one of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), has been widely prescribed for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. Recently, SSRIs have been reported to have anticancer activity in various types of cancer cells; however, the underlying mechanisms of their action are not yet known. In this study, we investigated the potential anticancer effect of paroxetine in human colorectal cancer cells, HCT116 and HT‐29. Treatment with paroxetine reduced cell viability, which was associated with marked increase in apoptosis, in both the cell lines. Also, paroxetine effectively inhibited colony formation and 3D spheroid formation. We speculated that the mode of action of paroxetine might be through the inhibition of two major receptor tyrosine kinases – MET and ERBB3 – leading to the suppression of AKT, ERK and p38 activation and induction of JNK and caspase‐3 pathways. Moreover, in vivo experiments revealed that treatment of athymic nude mice bearing HT‐29 cells with paroxetine remarkably suppressed tumour growth. In conclusion, paroxetine is a potential therapeutic option for patients with colorectal cancer.
Parallel plumage colour evolution and introgressive hybridization in wheatears
Authors: Schweizer Manuel , Warmuth Vera , Alaei Kakhki Niloofar , Aliabadian Mansour , Förschler Marc , Shirihai Hadoram , Suh Alexander , Burri Reto
Published: November 2018

Genetic and phenotypic mosaics, in which various phenotypes and different genomic regions show discordant patterns of species or population divergence, offer unique opportunities to study the role of ancestral and introgressed genetic variation in phenotypic evolution. Here, we investigated the evolution of discordant phenotypic and genetic divergence in a monophyletic clade of four songbird taxa—pied wheatear (O. pleschanka), Cyprus wheatear (Oenanthe cypriaca), and western and eastern subspecies of black‐eared wheatear (O. h. hispanica and O. h. melanoleuca). Phenotypically, black back and neck sides distinguish pied and Cyprus wheatears from the white‐backed/necked black‐eared wheatears. Meanwhile, mitochondrial variation only distinguishes western black‐eared wheatear. In the absence of nuclear genetic data, and given frequent hybridization among eastern black‐eared and pied wheatear, it remains unclear whether introgression is responsible for discordance between mitochondrial divergence patterns and phenotypic similarities, or whether plumage coloration evolved in parallel. Multispecies coalescent analyses of about 20,000 SNPs obtained from RAD data mapped to a draft genome assembly resolve the species tree, provide evidence for the parallel evolution of colour phenotypes and establish western and eastern black‐eared wheatears as independent taxa that should be recognized as full species. The presence of the entire admixture spectrum in the Iranian hybrid zone and the detection of footprints of introgression from pied into eastern black‐eared wheatear beyond the hybrid zone despite strong geographic structure of ancestry proportions furthermore suggest a potential role for introgression in parallel plumage colour evolution. Our results support the importance of standing heterospecific and/or ancestral variation in phenotypic evolution.
Comparison of endoscopic ultrasound tissue acquisition methods for genomic analysis of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Elhanafi Sherif , Mahmud Nadim , Vergara Norge , Kochman Michael L , Das Koushik K , Ginsberg Gregory G , Rajala Michael , Chandrasekhara Vinay
Published: November 2018

Background and Aim

Tumor genotyping may allow for improved prognostication and targeted therapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We aimed to compare endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) with fine needle aspiration (FNA) to fine needle biopsy (FNB) for obtaining sufficient tissue for genomic analysis and theranostic potential.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of patients that underwent EUS‐FNA or EUS‐FNB with either positive or suspicious cytology for PDAC between March 2016 and December 2017. Demographic, procedural, and cytology data were recorded. Genetic alterations were recorded, and Kaplan–Meier survival curves were calculated.

Results

The study included 167 patients: 145 patients had FNA and 22 patients underwent FNB. Overall, 117 samples (70.1%) were sufficient for targeted next‐generation sequencing. FNB resulted in a higher proportion of patients with sufficient samples compared with FNA (90.9% vs 66.9%; P = 0.02). In multivariable modeling, only FNB (odds ratio 4.95, 95% confidence interval 1.11–22.05, P = 0.04) was associated with sufficient sampling for genomic testing. FNB was more likely to obtain sufficient tissue from tumors ≤ 3 cm (100% vs 68.4%, P = 0.017) and tumors located in the head/neck of the pancreas (100% vs 63.1%, P = 0.03) compared with FNA. The most commonly identified alterations were in KRAS (88%), TP53 (68%), and SMAD4 (16%).

Conclusions

Endoscopic ultrasonography can reliably obtain sufficient tissue from PDAC for targeted genomic sequencing for prognostication and theranostics. FNB should be considered when tumor genotyping is requested, especially for tumors ≤ 3 cm or tumors located in the head/neck of the pancreas.
Entrepreneurship, College, and Credit: The Golden Triangle
Authors: SAMANIEGO ROBERTO M. , SUN JULIANA YU
Published: November 2018

We develop a model to evaluate the aggregate impact of college finance in an environment with entrepreneurship. The calibrated model captures the stylized fact that entrepreneurs with college are more common and more profitable in the United States. The calibration indicates this is mainly because higher labor earnings allow college‐educated agents to ameliorate credit constraints if and when they eventually become entrepreneurs. Changes in financing constraints on entrepreneurs can thus affect college attendance, and changes in financing constraints on college can affect entrepreneurship rates as well.
Annual report of the committee on gynecologic oncology, the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology: Annual patients report for 2015 and annual treatment report for 2010
Authors: Nagase Satoru , Ohta Tsuyoshi , Takahashi Fumiaki , Enomoto Takayuki ,   The 2017 Committee on Gynecologic Oncology of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Published: November 2018

Aim

To provide information including the trend of gynecological malignancies in Japan, we hereby present the Annual Patient Report for 2015 and the Annual Treatment Report for 2010 on the outcomes of patients who started treatment in 2010.

Methods

The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology maintains an annual tumor registry where information on gynecological malignancies from various participating institutions is gathered. The data of patients whose treatment was initiated in 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Survival of the patients who started treatment in 2010 was analyzed by using the Kaplan–Meier, log‐rank and Wilcoxson tests.

Results

Treatment was initiated in 2015 for 7527 patients with cervical cancer, 10 119 with endometrial cancer, 6424 with ovarian cancer and 2181 with ovarian borderline tumors. This clinicopathological information was summarized as the Patient Annual Report. Prognoses were analyzed across 4309 patients with cervical cancer, 5054 with endometrial cancer and 3423 with ovarian cancer, whose treatment was initiated in 2010. The 5‐year survival rates of the patients with cervical cancer were 92.1%, 74.2%, 52.0%, and 29.8% for stages I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The 5‐year survival rates for the patients with endometrial cancer were 94.3%, 88.8%, 74.0% and 26.6% for stages I, II, III and IV, respectively. The 5‐year survival rates for the patients with ovarian cancer (surface epithelial‐stromal tumors) were 88.5%, 80.1%, 46.3% and 36.2% for stages I, II, III and IV, respectively.

Conclusion

The annual tumor report is an important survey that provides knowledge on gynecological malignancy trends in Japan.
The Development of Willingness to Sacrifice and Unmitigated Communion in Intimate Partnerships
Authors: Johnson Matthew D. , Horne Rebecca M. , Neyer Franz J.
Published: November 2018

Objective: This study examined developmental trajectories of willingness to sacrifice and unmitigated communion, or putting a partner's needs above one's own to the exclusion of the self.

Background: Willingness to sacrifice and unmitigated communion have proven important for personal and relationship well‐being, but no prior research has sought to understand their developmental trajectories or the factors that motivate growth in each. We draw from a relational developmental systems perspective to explore these questions.

Method: Latent growth curve analyses of German Family Panel data from 3,405 focal participants and their partners surveyed across seven years were used to answer the research questions.

Results: Findings revealed each construct followed a declining curvilinear pattern with much variability underlying average trajectories. Women, those with more prior partnerships, and those in longer‐term relationships were less willing to sacrifice and had lower unmitigated communion at baseline. Participants were more willing to sacrifice when participants were more committed and more insecure in their partner's love. Unmitigated communion was higher when they were more committed, when they and their partners were happier with the union, and when household income was lower.

Conclusion: Willingness to sacrifice and unmitigated communion develop in response to sociodemographics, personal history, and both partners' relationship cognitions.
Urbanisation and Agricultural Productivity: Why Did the Splendour of the Italian Cities in the Sixteenth Century Not Lead to Transition?
Authors: Chiarini Bruno , Marzano Elisabetta
Published: November 2018

In this paper, we investigate the relationships among total population, wages and the urban population in the Italian economy during the period 1320‐1870. From the late Middle Ages to the Early Modern age (the Italian Renaissance), the prevailing conditions were those of a poor, mainly agricultural economy with rudimentary technology. However, these centuries witnessed considerable growth of urban centres. The question that drives this paper is why the development of Italian cities in the sixteenth century did not lead to sustained growth. Using a vector autoregression (VAR) model, we provide a picture of a trapped economy in which urbanisation was unable to trigger a persistent process of development because migration to cities had negative consequences for rural marginal productivity. The demand for a young and healthy labour force from the urban sector was not adequately supported by the productivity of the agricultural sector, which suffered from a lack of technological innovation.