bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence for rapid disc formation and reprocessing in the X-ray bright tidal disruption event candidate AT 2018fyk
Authors: Wevers T , Pasham D R , van Velzen S , Leloudas G , Schulze S , Miller-Jones J C A , Jonker P G , Gromadzki M , Kankare E , Hodgkin S T , Wyrzykowski Ł , Kostrzewa-Rutkowska Z , Moran S , Berton M , Maguire K , Onori F , Mattila S , Nicholl M
Published: July 2019

We present optical spectroscopic and Swift UVOT/XRT observations of the X-ray and UV/optical bright tidal disruption event (TDE) candidate AT 2018fyk/ASASSN–18ul discovered by ASAS–SN. The Swift light curve is atypical for a TDE, entering a plateau after ∼40 d of decline from peak. After 80 d the UV/optical light curve breaks again to decline further, while the X-ray emission becomes brighter and harder. In addition to broad H, He, and potentially O/Fe lines, narrow emission lines emerge in the optical spectra during the plateau phase. We identify both high-ionization (O iii) and low-ionization (Fe ii) lines, which are visible for ∼45 d. We similarly identify Fe ii lines in optical spectra of ASASSN–15oi 330 d after discovery, indicating that a class of Fe-rich TDEs exists. The spectral similarity between AT 2018fyk, narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies, and some extreme coronal line emitters suggests that TDEs are capable of creating similar physical conditions in the nuclei of galaxies. The Fe ii lines can be associated with the formation of a compact accretion disc, as the emergence of low-ionization emission lines requires optically thick, high-density gas. Taken together with the plateau in X-ray and UV/optical luminosity this indicates that emission from the central source is efficiently reprocessed into UV/optical wavelengths. Such a two-component light curve is very similar to that seen in the TDE candidate ASASSN–15lh, and is a natural consequence of a relativistic orbital pericentre.
Impact of Initial Antifungal Therapy on the Outcome of Patients With Candidemia and Septic Shock Admitted to Medical Wards: A Propensity Score–Adjusted Analysis
Authors: Falcone Marco , Tiseo Giusy , Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez Belen , Raponi Giammarco , Carfagna Paolo , Rosin Chiara , Luzzati Roberto , Delle Rose Diego , Andreoni Massimo , Farcomeni Alessio , Venditti Mario , Rodríguez-Baño Jesus , Menichetti Francesco ,   GISA (Italian Group for Antimicrobial Stewardship)
Published: July 2019

Background

Echinocandins are recommended as firstline therapy in patients with candidemia. However, there is debate on their efficacy in survival outcomes. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the choice of initial antifungal therapy improves mortality in patients with candidemia in relation to the presence of septic shock.

Methods

Patients with candidemia hospitalized in internal medicine wards of 5 tertiary care centers were included in the study (December 2012–December 2014). Patient characteristics, therapeutic interventions, and outcome were reviewed. Propensity score (PS) was used as a covariate of the multivariate analysis to perform a stratified analysis according to PS quartiles and to match patients receiving “echinocandins” or “azoles.”

Results

Overall, 439 patients with candidemia were included in the study. A total of 172 (39.2%) patients had septic shock. Thirty-day mortality was significantly higher in patients with septic shock (45.3%) compared with those without septic shock (31.5%; P = .003). Among patients with septic shock, the use of echinocandins in the first 48 hours, compared with azoles, did not affect 30-day mortality in the PS-adjusted Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio [HR], 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37–1.59; P = .48), the PS-stratified analysis, or the logistic regression model in matched cohorts (adjusted HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.51–1.63; P = .77).

Conclusions

Echinocandin therapy seems not to improve the outcome of non–intensive care unit patients with septic shock due to candidemia. These findings support the urgent need of further studies in this patient population.
Paediatric hyperthermia-related deaths while entrapped and unattended inside vehicles: The Canadian experience and anticipatory guidance for prevention
Authors: Ho Karen , Minhas Ripudaman , Young Elizabeth , Sgro Michael , Huber Joelene F
Published: July 2019

An average of 37 children die of hyperthermia inside parked vehicles annually in the USA. The majority of cases are due to a caregiver forgetting them (~55%), while ~13% are due to intentionally leaving children unattended and ~28% occur when children climb into unlocked vehicles. The cause of four per cent is unknown. There are no published data on incidence in Canada. Through information provided from provincial and territorial coroner’s offices, Canadian government agencies and media reports, six cases of vehicular hyperthermia deaths were confirmed since 2013. Three were attributed to children left unintentionally in vehicles; one occurred after a child climbed into an unlocked vehicle and two cases are undetermined. Attention or memory lapses are hypothesized to occur due to distraction, stress, fatigue, or routine changes. Educating caregivers about the dangers of leaving children in vehicles and providing preventative strategies through anticipatory guidance may reduce these tragedies (see graphic abstract).
Sleep and activity patterns in older patients discharged from the hospital
Authors: Kessler Riley , Knutson Kristen L , Mokhlesi Babak , Anderson Samantha L , Shah Monica , Meltzer David O , Arora Vineet M
Published: July 2019

Study Objectives

Although sleep disturbance is common in acutely ill patients during and after a hospitalization, how hospitalization affects sleep in general medicine patients has not been well characterized. We describe how sleep and activity patterns vary during and after hospitalization in a small population of older, predominately African American general medicine patients.

Methods

Patients wore a wrist accelerometer during hospitalization and post-discharge to provide objective measurements of sleep duration, efficiency, and physical activity. Random effects linear regression models clustered by subject were used to test associations between sleep and activity parameters across study days from hospitalization through post-discharge.

Results

We recorded 404 nights and 384 days from 54 patients. Neither nighttime sleep duration nor sleep efficiency increased from hospitalization through post-discharge (320.2 vs. 320.2 min, p = 0.99; 74.0% vs. 71.7%, p = 0.24). Daytime sleep duration also showed no significant change (26.3 vs. 25.8 min/day, p = 0.5). Daytime physical activity was significantly less in-hospital compared to post-discharge (128.6 vs. 173.2 counts/min, p < 0.01) and increased 23.3 counts/min (95% CI = 16.5 to 30.6, p < 0.01) per hospital day. A study day and post-discharge period interaction was observed demonstrating slowed recovery of activity post-discharge (β 3 = −20.8, 95% CI = −28.8 to −12.8, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Nighttime sleep duration and efficiency and daytime sleep duration were similar in-hospital and post-discharge. Daytime physical activity, however, was greater post-discharge and increased more rapidly during hospitalization than post-discharge. Interventions, both in hospital and at home, to restore patient sleep and sustain activity improvements may improve patient recovery from illness.
Dry eye and sleep quality: a large community-based study in Hangzhou
Authors: Yu Xiaoning , Guo Huilan , Liu Xin , Wang Guowei , Min Yan , Chen Shih-Hua Sarah , Han Summer S , Chang Robert T , Zhao Xueyin , Hsing Ann , Zhu Shankuan , Yao Ke
Published: July 2019

Study Objectives

To investigate the relationship between dry eye and sleep quality in a large community-based Chinese population.

Methods

A total of 3,070 participants aged 18–80 were recruited from a community-based study in Hangzhou, China during 2016–2017. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (CPSQI), and dry eye was evaluated using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression and logistic regression models were used to investigate the associations, adjusting for age, smoking, drinking, season, and other potential confounders.

Results

Overall, CPSQI score and sleep dysfunction were significantly associated with mild, moderate, and severe dry eye (ORs for CPSQI score: 1.07, 1.13, 1.14, all p < 0.001; for sleep dysfunction: 1.31, 1.73, 1.66, all p < 0.05). Furthermore, worse OSDI score was presented in participants with worse CPSQI score or sleep dysfunction (CPSQI score > 7) (β: 0.13, 0.54; all p < 0.001). In addition, six of the seven components of CPSQI showed significant associations with dry eye (all p < 0.001), except for the component of sleep medication use. Moreover, we observed significant associations of dry eye in all three subscales of OSDI with CPSQI score and sleep dysfunction.

Conclusion

Our large, community-based study showed a strong association between poor sleep quality and an increased severity of dry eye, suggesting that preventing either one of the discomforts might alleviate the other.
Activity and rumination of Holstein and crossbred cows in an organic grazing and low-input conventional dairy herd
Authors: Pereira Glenda M , Heins Bradley J
Published: July 2019

Holstein and crossbred dairy cows from an organic grazing and low-input conventional herd were evaluated for activity and rumination across 4 yr (January 2014 to December 2017). Data were from two herds, an organic grazing (ORG) and a low-input conventional (CONV) that were managed similarly at the University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris, MN. Breed groups and total cows across the 4-yr study in the analysis for both herds were Holstein (HO, n = 114), 1964 HO genetic line (H64, n = 83); crossbreds sired by Montbéliarde, Viking Red, and HO (MVH, n = 248), and Normande, Jersey, and Viking Red (NJV, n = 167). During the summer grazing season (May to October) ORG cows were on pasture and supplemented daily with 2.72 kg of corn per cow, and CONV cows were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) in an outdoor confinement dry-lot. During the winter season (November to April) ORG and CONV cows were fed a TMR consisting of corn silage, alfalfa haylage, corn, soybean meal, and minerals in an outwintering lot and a compost barn. Activity (reported in activity units by daily and bihourly periods) and rumination, (min/d and min/2 h) from SCR DataFlow II software, were monitored electronically using HR-LD Tags (SCR Engineers Ltd, Netanya, Israel) for the 4-yr period. Daily activity was greater for 2016 and 2017 (P < 0.05) than for 2014 and 2015 for the ORG and CONV herds. Daily rumination varied by year, and 2015 and 2016 were lower (P < 0.05) than 2014 and 2017 in both herds. The HO and crossbred cows were not different (P > 0.05) for activity in both the ORG and CONV herds. The H64 cows had lower (P < 0.05) rumination than the other breed groups in the ORG and CONV herds. For ORG primiparous cows, the H64 cows had lower rumination than MVH cows, and the ORG multiparous H64 cows had lower (P < 0.05) rumination than HO and MVH breed groups. For CONV primiparous cows, the HO cows had greater (P < 0.05) rumination the other breed groups, and the CONV multiparous HO, MVH, and NJV cows had greater (P < 0.05) rumination than the H64 cows. Results from this study suggest that activity and rumination are different between breeds in the experimental low-input dairy herds.
The global scientific research response to the public health emergency of Zika virus infection
Authors: de Oliveira Juliane Fonseca , Pescarini Julia Moreira , de Souza Rodrigues Moreno , de Araujo Almeida Bethania , Henriques Claudio Maierovitch Pessanha , Gouveia Fabio Castro , Rabello Elaine Teixeira , Matta Gustavo Correa , Barreto Mauricio L. , Sampaio Ricardo Barros
Published: July 2019

Background

Science studies have been a field of research for different knowledge areas and they have been successfully used to analyse the construction of scientific knowledge, practice and dissemination. In this study, we aimed to verify how the Zika epidemic has moulded scientific production worldwide analysing international collaboration and the knowledge landscape through time, research topics and country involvement.

Methodology

We searched the Web of Science (WoS) for studies published up to 31st December 2018 on Zika using the search terms “zika”, “zkv” or “zikv”. We analysed the scientific production regarding which countries have published the most, on which topics, as well as country level collaboration. We performed a scientometric analysis of research on Zika focusing on knowledge mapping and the scientific research path over time and space.

Findings

We found two well defined research areas divided into three subtopics accounting for six clusters. With regard to country analysis, the USA followed by Brazil were the leading countries in publications on Zika. China entered as a new player focusing on specific research areas. When we took into consideration the epidemics and reported cases, Brazil and France were the leading research countries on related topics. As for international collaboration, the USA followed by England and France stand out as the main hubs. The research areas most published included public health related topics from 2015 until the very beginning of 2016, followed by an increase in topics related to the clinical aspects of the disease in 2016 and the beginnings of laboratorial research in 2017/2018.

Conclusions

Mapping the response to Zika, a public health emergency, demonstrated a clear pattern of the participation of countries in the scientific advances. The pattern of knowledge production found in this study represented the different perspectives and interests of countries based firstly on their level of exposure to the epidemic and secondly on their financial positions with regard to science.
Consolidation of reward memory during sleep does not require dopaminergic activation
Authors: Alizadeh Asfestani M , Brechtmann V , Santiago J , Born J , Feld GB
Published: July 2019

Sleep enhances memories, especially, if they are related to future rewards. Although dopamine has been shown to be a key determinant during reward learning, the role of dopaminergic neurotransmission for amplifying reward-related memories during sleep remains unclear. In the present study, we scrutinize the idea that dopamine is needed for the preferential consolidation of rewarded information. We blocked dopaminergic neurotransmission, thereby aiming to wipe out preferential sleep-dependent consolidation of high over low rewarded memories during sleep. Following a double-blind, balanced, crossover design 20 young healthy men received the dopamine d2-like receptor blocker Sulpiride (800 mg) or placebo, after learning a Motivated Learning Task. The task required participants to memorize 80 highly and 80 lowly rewarded pictures. Half of them were presented for a short (750 ms) and a long duration (1500 ms), respectively, which enabled to dissociate effects of reward on sleep-associated consolidation from those of mere encoding depth. Retrieval was tested after a retention interval of 20 h that included 8 h of nocturnal sleep. As expected, at retrieval, highly rewarded memories were remembered better than lowly rewarded memories, under placebo. However, there was no evidence for an effect of blocking dopaminergic neurotransmission with Sulpiride during sleep on this differential retention of rewarded information. This result indicates that dopaminergic activation is not required for the preferential consolidation of reward-associated memory. Rather it appears that dopaminergic activation only tags such memories at encoding for intensified reprocessing during sleep.
Robust latent-variable interpretation ofin vivoregression models by nested resampling
Authors: Caulk Alexander W. , Janes Kevin A.
Published: July 2019

Simple multilinear methods, such as partial least squares regression (PLSR), are effective at interrelating dynamic, multivariate datasets of cell–molecular biology through high-dimensional arrays. However, data collectedin vivoare more difficult, because animal-to-animal variability is often high, and each time-point measured is usually a terminal endpoint for that animal. Observations are further complicated by the nesting of cells within tissues or tissue sections, which themselves are nested within animals. Here, we introduce principled resampling strategies that preserve the tissue-animal hierarchy of individual replicates and compute the uncertainty of multidimensional decompositions applied to global averages. Using molecular–phenotypic data from the mouse aorta and colon, we find that interpretation of decomposed latent variables (LVs) changes when PLSR models are resampled. Lagging LVs, which statistically improve global-average models, are unstable in resampled iterations that preserve nesting relationships, arguing that these LVs should not be mined for biological insight. Interestingly, resampling is less discriminatory for multidimensional regressions ofin vitrodata, suggesting it is unnecessary when replicate-to-replicate variance is low. Our work illustrates the challenges and opportunities in translating systems-biology approaches from cultured cells to living organisms. Nested resampling adds a straightforward quality-control step aiding the interpretability ofin vivoregression models.
orthoCapture: Facilitating Gene Capture Probe Design for Non-Model Species
Authors: Lauterbur M. Elise
Published: July 2019

In non-model species, targeted gene capture (selective enrichment of specific genomic regions of interest) applications in molecular ecology have been limited by the practicalities of capture design. Currently, the minimal requirement for designing capture probes is a transcriptome, or established reference genome for the species of interest. When an established, annotated reference genome is unavailable, one common approach is to design probes from annotated reference genomes (or transcriptomes) of related species. Unfortunately, as divergence between probes and the genome of interest increases, such as occurs during directional selection, capture performance decreases. Here I introduce orthoCapture, a tool to overcome such limitations by mining unannotated whole-genome sequence (WGS) data from non-model species and/or their close relatives to allow probe design using multiple genomic sources. orthoCapture finds orthologs in WGS data from multiple related species to create a set of exon sequences that encompasses the diversity of the exons of interest. These “design sequences” can then be used to design capture probes for the species of interest. orthoCapture thus eliminates the need for transcriptome or whole-genome sequencing for bait capture experiments, making this technique accessible for molecular ecology and conservation studies. Use of orthoCapture is via command-line interface on Unix systems, and requires the input of a gene sequence from an unrelated annotated genome and a fasta database from a target, unannotated genome (e.g., whole-genome shotgun contigs). The output, sequence templates from the nonannotated genomic data, allows probe creation by any commercial company providing gene capture services.
Estimating the heritability of psychological measures in the Human Connectome Project dataset
Authors: Han Yanting , Adolphs Ralph
Published: July 2019

The Human Connectome Project (HCP) is a large structural and functional MRI dataset with a rich array of behavioral measures and extensive family structure. This makes it a valuable resource for investigating questions about individual differences, including questions about heritability. While its MRI data have been analyzed extensively in this regard, to our knowledge a comprehensive estimation of the heritability of the behavioral dataset has never been conducted. Using a set of behavioral measures of personality, emotion and cognition, we show that it is possible to re-identify the same individual across two testing times, and identify identical twins. Using machine-learning (univariate linear model, Ridge classifier and Random Forest model) we estimated the heritability of 37 behavioral measures and compared the results to those derived from twin correlations. Correlations between the standard heritability metric and each set of model weights ranged from 0.42 to 0.67, and questionnaire-based and task-based measures did not differ significantly in their heritability. We further derived nine latent factors from the 37 measures and repeated the heritability estimation; in this case, the correlations between the standard heritability and each set of model weights were lower, ranging from 0.15 to 0.38. One specific discrepancy arose for the general intelligence factor, which all models assigned high importance, but the standard heritability calculation did not. We present an alternative method for qualitatively estimating the heritability of the behavioral measures in the HCP as a resource for other investigators, and recommend the use of machine-learning models for estimating heritability.
Co-occurrence of kdr mutations V1016I and F1534C in pyrethroid-resistant Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) populations from Costa Rica
Authors: Zardkoohi Aryana , Castañeda David , Castillo Carmen , Lol Juan C , Lopez Francisco , Rodriguez Rodrigo Marín , Padilla Norma
Published: July 2019

Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) is considered the most important mosquito vector species for several arboviruses (e.g., dengue, chikungunya, Zika) in Costa Rica. The main strategy for the control and prevention of Aedes-borne diseases relies on insecticide-based vector control. However, the emergence of insecticide resistance in the mosquito populations present a big threat for the prevention actions. The characterization of the mechanisms driving the insecticide resistance in Ae. aegypti are vital for decision making in vector control programs. Therefore, we analyzed the voltage-gated sodium channel gene for the presence of the V1016I and F1534C kdr mutations in pyrethroid-resistant Ae. aegypti populations from Puntarenas and Limon provinces, Costa Rica. The CDC bottle bioassays showed that both Costa Rican Ae. aegypti populations were resistant to permethrin and deltamethrin. In the case of kdr genotyping, results revealed the co-occurrence of V1016I and F1534C mutations in permethrin and deltamethrin-resistant populations, as well as the fixation of the 1534C allele. Therefore, our findings make an urgent call to expand the knowledge about the insecticide resistance status and mechanisms in the Costa Rican populations of Ae. aegypti which must be a priority to develop an effective resistance management plan.
Basic principles of the genetic code extension
Authors: Błażej Paweł , Wnetrzak Małgorzata , Mackiewicz Dorota , Mackiewicz Paweł
Published: July 2019

Compounds including non-canonical amino acids or other artificially designed molecules can find a lot of applications in medicine, industry and biotechnology. They can be produced thanks to the modification or extension of the standard genetic code (SGC). Such peptides or proteins including the non-canonical amino acids can be constantly delivered in a stable way by organisms with the customized genetic code. Among several methods of engineering the code, using non-canonical base pairs is especially promising, because it enables generating many new codons, which can be used to encode any new amino acid. Since even one pair of new bases can extend the SGC up to 216 codons generated by six-letter nucleotide alphabet, the extension of the SGC can be achieved in many ways. Here, we proposed a stepwise procedure of the SGC extension with one pair of non-canonical bases to minimize the consequences of point mutations. We reported relationships between codons in the framework of graph theory. All 216 codons were represented as nodes of the graph, whereas its edges were induced by all possible single nucleotide mutations occurring between codons. Therefore, every set of canonical and newly added codons induces a specific subgraph. We characterized the properties of the induced subgraphs generated by selected sets of codons. Thanks to that, we were able to describe a procedure for incremental addition of the set of meaningful codons up to the full coding system consisting of three pairs of bases. The procedure of gradual extension of the SGC makes the whole system robust to changing genetic information due to mutations and is compatible with the views assuming that codons and amino acids were added successively to the primordial SGC, which evolved to minimize harmful consequences of mutations or mistranslations of encoded proteins.
The voices of the voiceless: the Cantonese opera music community in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Cheung Ah Li
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Since Cantonese opera was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009, the Chinese government has carried out different policies to “develop” Cantonese opera in Guangzhou. Through state-initiated reforms, the local performing art was homogenized, institutionalized and nationalized in many ways. In this process, the government authorities took the lead and the Cantonese opera music community was not involved in the decision making of the future of their own tradition. This paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on intensive fieldwork conducted in 2011, the paper examines the meaning of heritage to the local music community, as the art form was recognized by UNESCO in 2009. Apart from studying the policies made by the government, this paper looks into the socio-political impact brought to the Cantonese opera music community from a bottom-up perspective.

Findings

Cantonese opera performances in Guangzhou as well as performers’ own social life changed drastically in recent years. Musicians faced a dilemma of whether to follow the government’s market-oriented plan or to preserve their traditional lifestyle with their own initiative.

Originality/value

This paper reveals the voices of the “voiceless” music community and investigates the consequences resulted by the heritagization of the art form to the music community.
The European social fund in the Visegrad countries in the 2007-2013 programming phase
Authors: Tomé Eduardo , Tracz-Krupa Katarzyna
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define the impact of the investment in training in education by the European Social Fund (ESF) in four Eastern countries, namely, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Hungary. Those countries have some political, cultural, social and economic similarities and share some common ground in the human resource development (HRD) sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the human capital theory with some extensions to analyze the context, operations and impacts of the ESF in the Visegrad four (V4) countries between 2007 and 2013. The authors use three levels of methodology to access each one of those problems.

Findings

The authors conclude that the ESF helped building the vocational training system in those countries, and to help them get near the equilibrium of high skills of the V4 Western European neighbors, and therefore, this one was a success story. However, quality issues remain to be addressed that may hinder the continuation of the success in the future.

Research limitations/implications

The research could be enlarged in time and space and deepened in terms of methodology. This is one a first clarifying step. Theoretical work should become aware of the dichotomy between absorption and scientific logic.

Practical implications

Detailed and precise evaluation practices must be implemented to guide and assess the policy.

Social implications

Precisely because funds are scarce this paper enlights the dilemma and the tension between quantity and quality in the European HRD policy, this is an important social problem.

Originality/value

The study is original because even if the HRD in those countries had already been studied (Sheehan and Buchelt, 2016), no study analyzing specifically the ESF in those countries has been carried out so far. The authors use an innovative methodology and address questions on context, operations and impact, which are also innovative and very relevant.
Does the pursuit of more complex products contribute to the productivity of exporting firms?
Authors: Varblane Uku , Bormann Sven-Kristjan
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the literature on learning by exporting by investigating whether an increase in the complexity of exported products contributes to higher productivity at the firm level.

Design/methodology/approach

The study implements an empirical analysis for Estonian manufacturing firms involved in exporting for the period 2008–2014, adding product complexity as an explanatory variable in the production function estimation. An increase in product complexity is interpreted as an indirect proxy for an increase in firm capabilities, capturing both tangible and intangible elements of competitiveness and reflecting the learning effects.

Findings

A relatively weak correlation between product complexity and productivity was found using a simple OLS estimation – exporters with higher product complexity have generally higher productivity levels. Somewhat surprisingly, no evidence for the learning by exporting was found among exporters, meaning that the increased complexity does not seem to be a channel for productivity upgrading. This result seems to be robust, irrespective of estimation methods and sampling preferences.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is representative of exporting firms.

Practical implications

The results show that the pursuit to more complex product does not necessarily contribute to productivity for exporting firms. The findings suggest that the firm-level upgrading due to increased export orientation is likely to take place through the other channels like moving up in global value chains and differentiating by product quality.

Originality/value

This is one of the first papers to investigate the effect of product complexity on productivity at a firm level. The results provide new insights into the learning-by-exporting hypothesis, with focus on potential learning among the existing exporters.
The hidden value of intangibles: do CEO characteristics matter?
Authors: Garcés-Galdeano Lucia , García-Olaverri Carmen
Published: July 2019

Purpose

A great deal of research has examined the relationship between a single CEO attribute and a single measure of firm performance; no attempts have been made to integrate them to create a more global vision of both. Therefore, trying to answer new calls from Wang et al. (2016) or Liu, Fisher and Chen (2018) about a more global vision of the CEO characteristics, the authors are going to take a step forward to combine different CEO characteristics with different firm performance measure in order to show that a certain managerial profile would have an impact on several variables of firm performance. This paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 1,236 small firms in high- and medium-high-technology sectors and through the Canonical Correlation Analysis, the authors are able to create different CEO’s profiles that influence on different combinations of firm performance variables.

Findings

The authors obtain different CEO’s profiles that influence on different combinations of firm performance variables. Each CEO profile will enhance or diminish one kind of performance measure. The authors found that on the one hand, young, well-educated with external experience CEO profile will enhance innovative performance and firm growth, and on the other hand, old and more internal and external experience CEO profile will enhance the exploitation of external knowledge.

Originality/value

Through this analysis, the authors will be able to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the predictions about the role of CEOs in small firms.
Age and the new lesbian earnings penalty
Authors: Martell Michael E.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to observe how the cohabiting lesbian earnings differential in the USA has changed since the early 2000s, a time period during which the lesbian, gay and bisexual rights movement has been very successful.

Design/methodology/approach

The author analyzes the 2012–2017 American Community Survey using Mincer-style income regressions.

Findings

The author finds that cohabiting lesbians earn approximately 11 percent less than married heterosexual women. The earnings penalty has emerged as a result of the disproportionately large penalty young lesbians’ experience. While older lesbians (over 45) do not experience an earnings penalty, younger lesbians appear doubly disadvantaged. They now face a lesbian wage gap of approximately 24 percent in addition to the previously documented gender wage gap.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that cohabiting lesbians earn approximately 11 percent less than married heterosexual women. The earnings penalty has emerged as a result of the disproportionately large penalty young cohabiting lesbians experience. While older cohabiting lesbians (over 45) do not experience an earnings penalty, younger cohabiting lesbians face a wage gap of approximately 24 percent.

Originality/value

The study finds, contrary to most previous research, a cohabiting lesbian earnings penalty instead of premium. The findings highlight that there is considerable heterogeneity in the economic experience of cohabiting lesbians, and that young cohabiting lesbians comprise a particularly vulnerable population.
Validation of Arnaud’s ethical climate index by public sector auditors in Malaysia
Authors: Loke Chew Har , Ismail Suhaiza , Fatima A.H.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically test Arnaud’s (2010) ethical climate index (ECI) of measuring ethical work climate (EWC) in the context of Malaysian public sector auditors (PSAs).

Design/methodology/approach

EWC is conceptualized as four main components with two sub-components. Questionnaires were distributed to the population of PSAs in the Malaysian National Audit Department (NAD). Factor analysis (principal component analysis [PCA]) was used to verify the components of EWC.

Findings

Results from PCA revealed that EWC, indeed, has four main components. Therefore, the findings of this study provide empirical evidence that validates Arnaud’s (2010) EWC model, although tested on PSAs in Malaysia.

Research limitations/implications

This paper has a limited purpose, which is to test whether the ECI could be applied to PSAs in Malaysia to derive the original four main components of Arnaud’s EWC. Thus, this study does not evaluate the EWC of PSAs or determine causal relationships between EWC and other variables; these are left to future studies.

Practical implications

The findings of this study confirm that Arnaud’s (2010) ECI is sufficiently resilient to be applied to the context of PSAs in Malaysia. Hence, future studies could use this index to measure EWC not only in the public sector but also in the private sector. Future research could also further test this index in different contexts.

Originality/value

Arnaud’s (2010) ECI was originally applied in the context of the private sector in a developed country. Hence, this study adds value by extending the ECI to the public sector in a developing country, Malaysia.
Nexus between customer preference and operation of conventional banks Islamic windows in Pakistan
Authors: Shabbir Malik Shahzad
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the nexus between preferences of customers toward operations of Islamic windows from conventional banks. However, financial institution system of any country has a dominant importance for its growth level. This study makes a comparative analysis and nexus among Islamic windows of conventional banks, Islamic and conventional banks.

Design/methodology/approach

A well-designed questionnaire has been made and distributed among three types of bank customers to get their perception and preference regarding services qualities and operations from all three types of financial institutions. This study used statistical package of social sciences software for data analysis.

Findings

The results revealed that customers from Islamic windows have serious dispute on its Shariah-compliant regulation and fifty one per cent (51 per cent) of customer did not trust on the member of Shariah board. The mid age of customers preferred the services of Islamic windows, as it has multi-dimensional options for customers. Finally, customers from almost all three types prestigious that technology has found a significant impact for better service qualities and found a positive change in customer behavior.

Originality/value

This study is a first ever attempt in its nature to investigate that the customer’s preferences and different operations exist in three types of banking system in Pakistan. This study also helps to policymakers regarding customer needs and wants to provide better services.
Three way decisions based grey incidence analysis clustering approach for panel data and its application
Authors: Liu Yong , Du Jun-liang , Zhang Ren-Shi , Forrest Jeffrey Yi-Lin
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to establish a novel three-way decisions-based grey incidence analysis clustering approach and exploit it to extract information and rules implied in panel data.

Design/methodology/approach

Because of taking on the spatiotemporal characteristics, panel data can well-describe and depict the systematic and dynamic of the decision objects. However, it is difficult for traditional panel data analysis methods to efficiently extract information and rules implied in panel data. To effectively deal with panel data clustering problem, according to the spatiotemporal characteristics of panel data, from the three dimensions of absolute amount level, increasing amount level and volatility level, the authors define the conception of the comprehensive distance between decision objects, and then construct a novel grey incidence analysis clustering approach for panel data and study its computing mechanism of threshold value by exploiting the thought and method of three-way decisions; finally, the authors take a case of the clustering problems on the regional high-tech industrialization in China to illustrate the validity and rationality of the proposed model.

Findings

The results show that the proposed model can objectively determine the threshold value of clustering and achieve the extraction of information and rules inherent in the data panel.

Practical implications

The novel model proposed in the paper can well-describe and resolve panel data clustering problem and efficiently extract information and rules implied in panel data.

Originality/value

The proposed model can deal with panel data clustering problem and realize the extraction of information and rules inherent in the data panel.
Synthesis and characterization of novel pigments derived from Red Lake C
Authors: Abdelmaksoud Wael M.A. , Aboaly Mohamed M.M. , Taleb Said M.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to prepare new pigments derived from Red Lake C (RLC) to be applied in the inks industry and to identify their chemical nature, as well as their physical properties.

Design/methodology/approach

A number of pigments that could be applied in special printing were prepared via the reactions of RLC with appropriate Ni(II) and Zn(II) salts in aqueous and ethanolic solutions. The obtained pigments were prepared as solid compounds and characterized using different instrumental analysis such as Ultraviolet-Visible, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectra and magnetic measurements. The physical properties of these pigments were investigated using “American Standard Testing Methods” (ASTM). After that, the pigments were applied in ink formulations to test their performance and open the way to their real applications in the printing inks industry.

Findings

The results of this work revealed that the performance of the new prepared pigments is closer to the performance of the commercial pigments which are already used in ink industry.

Research limitations/implications

Red lake C, as well as the new pigments, can be applied in other different industries such as coated papers, crayons, rubber and baking enamels.

Originality/value

The prepared pigments will be economically feasible and a good alternative to the original expensive commercial pigments which are already used in the inks industry.
The impact of culture, evaluation of store image and satisfaction on purchase intention at supermarkets
Authors: Watanabe Eluiza Alberto de Morais , Torres Claudio Vaz , Alfinito Solange
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the influence of culture in terms of individualism and collectivism (I-C), store image and customer satisfaction, on purchase intention at supermarkets.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to carry out the descriptive and quantitative research, the authors applied 443 questionnaires to consumers in two Brazilian supermarket chains. The authors used structured equation modeling for data analysis.

Findings

Customers’ satisfaction and the evaluation of store image positively affect purchase intention; however, I-C did not show any effect. The cultural dimension slightly influenced the assessment of store image by only 2 percent. Store image positively affects consumer satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

This study used convenience sampling and omission of vertical and horizontal variations of I-C in data analyses. The authors suggested the use of probabilistic sampling and the inclusion of vertical and horizontal variations of I-C. The relationships investigated herein can still be analyzed in other contexts.

Practical implications

In order to increase satisfaction and purchase intention, it is necessary to prioritize aspects related to layout, service and products’ variety and quality. Still, managers should not worry about I-C, since it does not affect purchase intention.

Originality/value

The authors observed the relevance of the study after carrying out a literature review on the subject. There is a lack of studies that investigate the relationship between I-C, evaluation of store image, consumer satisfaction and purchase intention, either together or in the context of supermarkets.
A rapid prototyping-based methodology for patient-specific contouring of osteotomy plates
Authors: Gomari Behnam , Farahmand Farzam , Farkhondeh Hassan
Published: July 2019

Purpose

An important challenge of the osteotomy procedures, particularly in the case of large and complex corrections, is the fixation of the osteotomy site. The purpose of this study is to propose a practical and cost-effect methodology for the plate adapting problem of osteotomy surgery.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel patient-specific plate contouring methodology, based on rapid prototyping (RP) and multi-point forming (MPF) techniques, was developed and evaluated. In this methodology, a female mold is fabricated by RP, based on the geometry of the osteotomy site and estimation of the plate spring back. The mold is then used to configure a MPF die, which is then used for press forming of the factory-made locking plate. The applicability of the methodology was assessed in two case studies.

Findings

The results of implementing the methodology on a femoral and a tibial locking plate indicated very good conformity with the underlying bone, in both the frontal and sagittal planes. The surgical application of the pre-operatively contoured tibial plate facilitated the plate locating and screw inserting procedures, and provided a secure fixation for bone fragments.

Practical implications

The results are promising and provide a proof of concept for the feasibility and applicability of the proposed methodology in clinical practice, as a complementary to the existing surgical preplanning and patient-specific instrument preparations.

Originality/value

The advantageous features of RP and the MPF were used to provide a solution for the plate adapting problem of osteotomy surgery.
The brand personality of professional football teams
Authors: Papadimitriou Dimitra , Kaplanidou Kyriaki , Alexandris Kostas , Theodorakis Nikos
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the psychometric properties of the Team Brand Personality Scale by Blank et al. (2013, 2018) in the context of the professional football clubs in Greece, based on the perceptions of fans for their own team and the rival team. The brand personality team scores of the fans are also used to create a league map presenting the brand personality of the different teams of the Greek football Super League.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a quantitative research design, 724 Greek football fans completed an electronic questionnaire assessing demographics, brand personality, team identification, sport involvement, attitudinal loyalty and game attractiveness.

Findings

The results partially confirmed the psychometric properties of the brand personality scale and suggested that the notion of brand personality influences positively the attitudinal loyalty and game attractiveness of the fans. Based on the results, the personality structure for the football league was also created and discussed.

Research limitations/implications

This study was set to focus only on the brand personality perceptions of the highly identified fans of football teams, known in the literature as realized brand personality. However, a thorough understanding of the particular concept requires also the perspective of sport marketers who may perceive the brand personality in a different manner (i.e. intended brand personality), so as to build a holistic picture of brand personality of football teams.

Practical implications

This research confirms that football teams have already projected a unique personality among their highly identified fans which can be used by marketing practitioners while designing integrated communication strategies.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the broad brand personality literature by replicating Blank’s et al.’s sport team personality scale to the Greek context and the league level, involving both supporting fans and rivals.
Hip children, good mothers – children’s clothing as capital investment?
Authors: Åberg Erica , Huvila Jarna
Published: July 2019

Purpose

A growing body of sociological literature defines physical appearance as a form of capital, a convertible resource in contemporary societies. The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of consuming on children’s fashion as a part of this appearance-oriented consumer culture. We investigate if the mothers we interviewed see their children as their extended self and actually are negotiating their own aesthetic capital through their children’s clothing.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, we utilise 10 semi-structured themed interviews with Finnish mothers who were recruited from a popular Facebook group, focused on discussing children’s fashion.

Findings

Results indicate that women see their children as their extended self, and as such, they can be seen negotiating their own aesthetic capital through consuming practices for their children. Additionally, the investment in the physical appearance of children can be seen as a construction of a contemporary understanding of proper motherhood in the middle-class context.

Originality/value

Although extensive research has been carried out in expenditure on children’s fashion, this research offers a novel approach by combining research on parenting in a consumer culture with the theory of aesthetic capital to explore the materially based construction of parenting in the Finnish context.