bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent development of anti-money laundering law in Jordan
Authors: Abdalla Abu Olaim Ahmad Mohammad , Rahman Aspalella A.
Published: November 2016

Purpose

We are living in a time when there is a stronger requirement for co-operation to fight organized crimes and the resulting flow of illicit funds. This is due to the globalization and interconnection between world economies and financial systems, as well as with the new technologies that allow rapid movement of funds around the globe. From the early beginning, Jordan realized the importance of providing anti-money laundering technical assistance, especially at the international level. The reason for this comes from Jordan’s strong belief that money laundering crimes can be fought domestically as well as internationally, particularly by combining efforts between Jordan and other countries. The purpose of this paper is to examine the development that Jordan has witnessed in the fighting of money laundering.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper relies on various laws that tackle organized anti-money laundering in Jordan before 2007, with the Jordanian Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing Law for 2007 as the primary source of information.

Findings

Before 2007, Jordan fought money laundering through a group of laws that are indirectly concerned with combating money laundering. While these laws govern certain crimes, they managed to fight money laundering indirectly. By the year 2007, the Jordanian Anti-Money Laundering Law was passed and published on the official gazette on June 17, 2007. This law became effective after 30 days from that date. The Jordanian Anti-Money Laundering Law is one of the needed laws to keep a safe financial environment. Jordan’s obligation in accordance to the international conventions has made the country join and ratify the efforts, resulting in the issuing of the law. Since then, this law has become concerned with anti-money laundering in Jordan.

Originality/value

This paper provides an examination of the system in Jordan to combat money laundering before and after 2007. It is hoped that the content of this paper can provide some insight into this particular area for practitioners, academics, policy makers and legal advisers, not only in Jordan but also elsewhere. There will be significant interest in how Jordan has been developing the anti-money laundering system because of the international nature of the crime and its seriousness.
Consumer additive manufacturing or 3D printing adoption: an exploratory study
Authors: Steenhuis Harm-Jan , Pretorius Leon
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore what underlies the development of the consumer 3D printing industry and gain insight into future developments and its potentially disruptive impact on the existing manufacturing industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of approaches was followed. Initially a consumer 3D printer was purchased to gain first-hand experience as part of a practical research case study. Results were discussed with manufacturers and additional information was sought, and triangulated, via a survey and an exploratory bibliometric study.

Findings

Many characteristics are in place to identify consumer 3D printing as a potential disruptive technology for the manufacturing industry. For example, the cost of consumer 3D printing is lower than for traditional manufacturing. However, the current adoption rate is low and the user friendliness and technological capabilities need to improve.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation is the exploratory nature of the study which does not allow generalizations.

Practical implications

If developments and adoption patterns continue, then traditional manufacturing industries, distribution channels and the transportation sector may become threatened.

Social implications

Technological advances in consumer manufacturing can potentially threaten several economic sectors, which can lead to loss of jobs and affect budgets of states of countries that depend on sales tax.

Originality/value

One of the first studies to employ experiments in combination with other methods to gain insight into adoption patterns and the disruptive nature of consumer 3D printers specifically, rather than industrial 3D printers or new business models as a result of 3D printing technology.
Selecting parts for additive manufacturing in service logistics
Authors: Knofius Nils , van der Heijden Matthieu C. , Zijm W.H.M.
Published: November 2016

Purpose

For more than ten years, the value of additive manufacturing (AM) for after-sales service logistics has been propagated. Today, however, only few applications are observed in practice. The purpose of this paper is to discuss possible reasons for this discrepancy and to develop a method to simplify the identification of economically valuable and technologically feasible business cases.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is based on the analytic hierarchy process and relies on spare part information, that is easily retrievable from the company databases. This has two advantages: first, the approach can be customized toward specific company characteristics, and second, a very large number of spare parts may be assessed simultaneously. A field study is discussed in order to demonstrate and validate the approach in practice. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses are performed to evaluate the robustness of the method.

Findings

Results provide evidence that the method allows a valid prioritization of a large spare part assortment. Also, sensitivity analyses clarify the robustness of the approach and illustrate the flexibility of applying the method in practice. More than 1,000 positive business cases of AM for after-sales service logistics have been identified based on the method.

Originality/value

The developed method enables companies to rank spare parts according to their potential value when produced with AM. As a result, companies can evaluate the most promising spare parts first. This increases the effectiveness and efficiency of identifying business cases and thus may support the adoption of AM in after-sales service supply chains.
Impact of additive manufacturing technology adoption on supply chain management processes and components
Authors: Oettmeier Katrin , Hofmann Erik
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic analysis about the effects of additive manufacturing (AM) technology adoption on supply chain management (SCM) processes and SCM components in an engineer-to-order environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on two explorative case studies from the hearing systems industry, the impact of AM technology adoption on SCM processes and SCM components is investigated. General systems theory and the contingency approach serve as theoretical underpinning.

Findings

Not only the internal processes and management activities, e.g. in manufacturing and order fulfillment, of producers are affected by a changeover to AM, but also the SCM processes and components relating to the supply and demand side of a firm’s supply chain. Endogenous and AM technology-related factors are contingency factors that help to explain differing effects of AM technology adoption on SCM processes and SCM components.

Research limitations/implications

It is proposed that AM’s ability to economically build custom products provides the potential to alleviate the common dilemma between product variety and scale economies.

Practical implications

Manufacturing firms are encouraged to consider the potential effects of AM on SCM processes and SCM components when deciding whether to adopt AM technologies in the production of industrial parts.

Originality/value

The research adds to the widely unexplored effects that AM technology usage in customized parts production has on SCM processes and components. Moreover, the general lack of case studies analyzing the implications of AM technology adoption from a supply chain perspective is addressed. The resulting propositions may serve as a starting point for further research on the impact of AM in engineer-to-order supply chains.
The adoption process and impact of additive manufacturing on manufacturing systems
Authors: Rylands Brogan , Böhme Tillmann , Gorkin Robert , Fan Joshua , Birtchnell Thomas
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Company pressure for manufacturers is mounting from two angles: increasing pressure of global competition, and rapid advancements in technology such as additive manufacturing (AM) that are altering the way that goods are manufactured. The purpose of this paper is to explore the adoption process of AM within a manufacturing system and its business impact.

Design/methodology/approach

Research was conducted to collect empirical data at two manufacturing case companies in the North West England. Both cases are located in areas of industrial recovery using AM engineering innovation for value creation.

Findings

Early findings showed that the implementation of AM caused a shift in value propositions and the creation of additional value streams (VSs) for the case study companies. AM was shown to compliment and strengthen traditional manufacturing VSs rather than replacing them.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include the generalizability due to the number and location of case companies included in this research.

Practical implications

It is worthwhile to explore the opportunities that AM brings with the existing customer base as it has the potential to add unexplored and untapped value. However, managers need to be mindful of the capability and resources required to put the VS into practice.

Social implications

Both cases resulted in skill retainment and development due to the implementation of AM. Hence, the innovation contributed to regional economic recovery and business survival.

Originality/value

This empirical research is one of the early field explorations focussing on the impact of AM on VS structures. Hence, this paper contributes to the area of technology enhanced manufacturing systems.
Influence of performance expectancy on commercial farmers’ intention to use mobile-based communication technologies for agricultural market information dissemination in Uganda
Authors: Engotoit Benard , Kituyi Geoffrey Mayoka , Moya Musa Bukoma
Published: November 2016

Purpose

This paper to examine the relationship between performance expectancy and behavioural intention to use mobile-based communication technologies for agricultural market information dissemination in Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive field survey method was adopted. A total of 302 commercial farmers and agribusiness traders in Eastern Uganda participated in the study from whom data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, correlation and regression analyses were used in the study.

Findings

The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between performance expectancy and behavioural intentions to use mobile-based communication technologies for agricultural information access and dissemination. This implies that, commercial farmers’ behavioural intentions to use mobile-based communication technologies for agricultural market information dissemination and access will be influenced if they anticipate mobile-based communication technologies to offer greater performance in their daily transactions.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted in the context of resource constrained countries particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, however reflecting knowledge from other contexts. The study was conducted with a structured questionnaire being the main data collection tool, and this limited the study from collecting views outside the questions asked in the questionnaire. The variables studied could not be analysed for a long time, given that the study was cross-sectional in nature.

Practical implications

The study provides recommendations on how to further boost farmers’ behavioural intentions to use mobile-based communication technologies for agricultural information dissemination. Policy makers need to ensure that policies are put in place that encourage third party software developers and telecommunication companies to provide software products and solutions that are beneficial to the commercial farmers and can enable them complete their agricultural transactions in time.

Social implications

The study provides critical literature on the influence of performance expectancy on commercial farmers’ behavioural intentions to use mobile-based communication technologies for agricultural market information access and dissemination in resource constrained settings.

Originality/value

It is noted that farmers in Uganda are slowly progressing to newer mobile information and communication technology tools for market information access and dissemination; however, little is known as to why there is slow adoption of these mobile technologies for agricultural purposes; yet policy makers need to come up with proper strategies to encourage wide scale use of mobile technologies for agricultural market purposes.
A study on the rationality of expensing of Taiwan employee stock bonuses
Authors: Lee Kuo-Jung , Huang Jen-tsung , Wu Mei-chun
Published: November 2016

Purpose

In order to follow the international trend of increasing transparency in financial statements, Taiwan began to implement regulations on expensing employee bonuses in 2008, a process that involves the use of specific dates as the basis for issuing the bonuses but which may also have the drawback of resulting in some degree of unfairness. The purpose of this paper is to study and solve the above problem.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study used Markov regime-switching models to obtain durations of different states, thereby obtaining average stock durations for use as the basis to calculate the number of shares to be distributed.

Findings

Empirical results show that replacing share prices on specific dates with those of average durations when issuing employee bonuses could better reflect employee-deserved real wages while keeping a company’s managers and management teams from being motivated to manage real earnings and manipulate share prices. When stock prices are higher, companies will tend to issue cash rather than stock bonuses, and vice versa when the prices are lower.

Originality/value

This study proposes a different point of view with regards to the basis for the allotted number of shares for employee bonuses under current laws and regulations, and suggests using the concept of average stock prices in place of the single-price concept implemented under the current system in order to avoid incentives to manipulate by people, so as to fairly express the true state of the enterprise.
Research on methods of IPO earnings management: case of Guirenniao
Authors: Liu Ye , Lyu Changjiang
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The performance of the first batch of listed companies since the restart of new initial public offerings (IPOs) in January 2014 and their accounting information face repeated and volatile questioning from different sides. This paper aims to take Guirenniao (China) Co. Ltd. (GRN for short), one of the first batch of listed companies in 2014 that suffered performance decline, as an example to analyze how it managed earnings before IPO.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines earnings management signs that exist in GRN through analysis of its financial statements compared to those of its industry peers. This paper then uses the modified Jones model to detect its accrual earnings management and build three models, which are abnormal levels of cash flows from operations, abnormal production costs and abnormal discretionary expenses, to detect real earnings management.

Findings

This paper finds that GRN managed earnings through accrual and real activities in 2012 and 2013. Finally, this paper provides evidence on the specific methods of earnings management, which are easing credit policy to recognize revenue in advance, abnormal expansion, decreasing costs and connected transactions.

Originality/value

This paper examines earnings management signs exist in GRN through analysis of its financial statements comparing to those of its industry peers. This paper then uses the modified Jones Model to detect its accrual earnings management and build three models which are abnormal levels of cash flows from operations, abnormal production costs and abnormal discretionary expenses to detect real earnings management.
Inbound tourism and the marketization of China’s institutions
Authors: Ma Jing , Liu Shuo
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the institutions play a role in tourism development and international recognition, specifically the influence of marketization on the international tourists’ inbound arrivals in different Chinese provinces.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper constructs a demand model of tourism and empirically analyzes the relationship between marketization and inbound tourism demand with the panel data of the provinces of China and NERI Index of Marketization.

Findings

Marketization does have an influence on inbound tourism demand of China. Specially, the relationship between government and market, the development of product market, the market intermediary organizations and the legal system environment can increase the demand of the foreign tourists to visit China, although the magnitudes are different.

Practical implications

This paper argues that the qualities of marketization intuitions are important in increasing inbound tourism, given that it can bring better tourism experience and improve the international recognition. Strengthening the legislation and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of consumers can attract more international travelers to China. Market distribution of competitive economic resources, reducing political intervention into corporate activities and relieving tax burdens of enterprises can improve the competitiveness and the service qualities of Chinese domestic tourism firms.

Originality/value

This paper leads the discussions of institutions and tourism. It combines the consumer theory and uses static and dynamic panel data models to analyze the influencing factors of Chinese tourism. It argues that Chinese inbound tourism shall develop with the systemic marketization progress in China.
Landscape impacts on pollinator communities in temperate systems: evidence and knowledge gaps
Authors: Senapathi Deepa , Goddard Mark A. , Kunin William E. , Baldock Katherine C. R.
Published: November 2016

This review assesses current knowledge about the interplay between landscape and pollinator communities. Our primary aim is to provide an evidence base, identify key gaps in knowledge and highlight initiatives that will help develop and improve strategies for pollinator conservation.

Human‐dominated landscapes (such as arable land and urban environments) can have detrimental impacts on pollinator communities but these negative effects can be ameliorated by proximity to semi‐natural habitat and habitat corridors. There is also evidence to suggest that increased landscape heterogeneity and landscape configuration can play an important role in the maintenance of diverse pollinator communities.

Landscape characteristics have direct impacts on pollinator communities, but can also influence abundance and richness through interaction with other drivers such as changing climate or increased chemical inputs in land management.

The majority of existing literature focuses on specific hymenopteran groups, but there is a lack of information on the impact of landscape changes on non‐bee taxa. Research is also needed on the effectiveness of management interventions for pollinators and multiple year observations are required for both urban and rural initiatives.

Current policies and monitoring schemes could contribute data that will plug gaps in knowledge, thus enabling greater understanding of relationships between landscapes and pollinator populations. This would in turn help design mitigation and adaptation strategies for pollinator conservation.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Transient electromagnetic surveys with unimodal transverse magnetic field: ideas and results
Authors: Mogilatov Vladimir S. , Zlobinskiy Arkadiy V. , Balashov Boris P.
Published: November 2016

The theory behind transient electromagnetic surveys can be well described in terms of transverse magnetic and transverse electric modes. Soundings using transverse magnetic and transverse electric modes require different source configurations. In this study, we consider an alternating transverse magnetic field excitation by a circular electric dipole. The circular electric dipole transmitter is a horizontal analogue of the vertical electric dipole. Offshore surveys using circular electric dipole might represent an alternative to the conventional marine controlled‐source electromagnetic method at shallow sea and/or for exploring relatively small targets. Field acquisition is carried out by recording either electric or magnetic responses. Electric responses bear information on the 1D structure of a layered earth and successfully resolve high‐resistivity targets in marine surveys. Land‐based circular electric dipole soundings are affected by induced polarisation. On the contrary, magnetic responses are absent on the surface of a 1D earth, and as a result, they are very sensitive to any and even very small 3D conductivity perturbations. In addition, they are sensitive to induced polarisation or some other polarisation effects in the subsurface. At present, circular electric dipole transmitters and magnetic receivers are successfully used in on‐land mineral and petroleum exploration.
Inferences of ocean currents from seismic streamer position data
Authors: Grant Timothy J.
Published: November 2016

This paper describes the first attempt to infer ocean currents from the shapes of seismic streamers using real data. It demonstrates that it is feasible to infer the ocean currents, using a total least‐squares solution at each shotpoint, when there is no lateral steering. There are some artefacts in the inferred currents when there is lateral steering; this is believed to be caused by errors in estimating the streamer velocity. This paper describes the residual equations that form the cost function and discusses how to choose weights in the cost function based on physical criteria. Correctly choosing weights is something of an art and requires further research to make automatic and robust.
Seal mothers expend more on offspring under favourable conditions and less when resources are limited
Authors: McMahon Clive R. , Harcourt Robert G. , Burton Harry R. , Daniel Owen , Hindell Mark A.
Published: November 2016

In mammals, maternal expenditure on offspring is a complex mix of several factors including the species’ mating system, offspring sex and the condition and age of the mother. While theory suggests that in polygynous species mothers should wean larger male offspring than females when resources and maternal conditions allow, the evidence for this remains equivocal.

Southern elephant seals are highly dimorphic, polygynous capital breeders existing in an environment with highly variable resources and should therefore provide clear evidence to support the theoretical expectations of differential maternal expenditure in male and female pups.

We quantified maternal size (mass and length) and pup size at birth and weaning for 342 elephant seal mothers at Macquarie Island. The study was conducted over 11 years of contrasting sea‐ice and Southern Annular Mode values, both indices of maternal prey resources.

Overall, large females weaned male pups that weighed 17 kg (15·5%) more than female pups. Maternal condition varied by as much as 59 kg among years, and was positively related to Southern Annular Mode, and negatively to maximum sea‐ice extent. Smaller mothers weaned relatively larger male pups under favourable conditions, this effect was less apparent for larger mothers.

We developed a simple model linking environmental variation to maternal masses post‐partum, followed by maternal masses post‐partum to weaning masses and then weaning masses to pup survival and demonstrated that environmental conditions affected predicted survival so that the pups of small mothers had an estimated 7% increase in first year survival in ‘good’ vs. ‘bad’ years compared to 1% for female pups of large mothers.

Co‐occurrence of environmental quality and conservative reproductive tactics suggests that mothers retain substantial plasticity in maternal care, enhancing their lifetime reproductive success by adjusting reproductive expenditure relative to both prevailing environmental conditions and their own capabilities.
Mandatory Statewide Medicaid Managed Care in Florida and Hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions
Authors: Hu Tianyan , Mortensen Karoline
Published: November 2016

Objective

To investigate the impact of implementation of the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) program in Florida on access to and quality of primary care for Medicaid enrollees, measured by hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs).

Data Sources

We examine inpatient data obtained from the Agency for Health Care Administration for 285 hospitals in Florida from January 2010 to June 2015. The analysis includes 3,645,515 discharges for Florida residents between the ages 18 and 64 with a primary payer of Medicaid or private insurance.

Study Design

We use a difference‐in‐differences approach, comparing the change in the incidence of ACSC‐related inpatient visits among Medicaid patients before and after the implementation of SMMC, relative to the change among the privately insured.

Principal Findings

After implementation of SMMC, Medicaid patients experienced a 0.35 percentage point slower growth in overall ACSC‐related inpatient visits, and a 0.21 percentage point slower growth in chronic ACSC‐related inpatient visits. The effects were significant in counties with above median Medicaid managed care penetration rates.

Conclusions

Implementing mandatory managed care in Medicaid in Florida leads to slower growth in inpatient visits for conditions that can potentially be prevented with improved access to outpatient care.
Does Spatial Access to Primary Care Affect Emergency Department Utilization for Nonemergent Conditions?
Authors: Fishman Jamie , McLafferty Sara , Galanter William
Published: November 2016

Objective

To examine the contributions of individual‐ and neighborhood‐level spatial access to care to the utilization of emergency departments (EDs) for preventable conditions through implementation of novel local spatial access measures.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Emergency department admissions data are from four HealthLNK member hospitals in Chicago from 2007 to 2011. Primary care physician office and clinic locations were obtained from the American Medical Association and the City of Chicago.

Study Design

Multilevel logit regression was used to model the relationship between individual‐ and neighborhood‐level attributes and preventable ED use.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Emergency department admissions data were classified based on the primary diagnosis for each encounter. Spatial access to care indices were generated in ArcGIS, and values were extracted at each ZIP code centroid to match patients' ZIP codes.

Principal Findings

Beyond sociodemographic factors such as gender and race, patients living in medically underserved areas (MUAs) and areas with lower spatial access to primary care clinics had higher odds of preventable ED use.

Conclusions

Preventable ED use can be associated with sociodemographic characteristics, as well as spatial access to primary care services. This study reveals potential for using local measures of spatial accessibility for preventable ED analyses.
Short‐ and long‐term perinatal outcome in twin pregnancies affected by weight discordance
Authors: Vedel Cathrine , Oldenburg Anna , Worda Katharina , Larsen Helle , Holmskov Anni , Andreasen Kirsten R. , Uldbjerg Niels , Ramb Jan , Bødker Birgit , Skibsted Lillian , Sperling Lene , Hinterberger Stefan , Krebs Lone , Zingenberg Helle , Weiss Eva‐Christine , Strobl Isolde , Laursen Lone , Christensen Jeanette T. , Ersbak Vibeke , Stornes Inger , Krampl‐Bettelheim Elisabeth , Tabor Ann , Rode Line
Published: November 2016

Introduction

The objective was to investigate the association between chorionicity‐specific intertwin birthweight discordance and adverse outcomes including long‐term follow up at 6, 18, and 48–60 months after term via Ages and Stages Questionnaire.

Material and methods

In this secondary analysis of a cohort study (Oldenburg et al., n = 1688) and a randomized controlled trial (PREDICT study, n = 1045) twin pairs were divided into three groups according to chorionicity‐specific birthweight discordance: <75th percentile, 75th–90th percentile and >90th percentile. Information on infant mortality, admittance to neonatal intensive care units, and gestational age at delivery was available for all pairs. Detailed neonatal outcomes were available for 656 pairs from PREDICT, of which 567 pairs had at least one Ages and Stages Questionnair follow‐up. Logistic regression models were used for dichotomous outcomes. Ages and Stages Questionnair scores were compared using the method of generalized estimating equation to account for the correlation within twins.

Results

The 75th and 90th percentiles for birthweight discordance were 14.8 and 21.4% for monochorionic and 16.0 and 23.8% for dichorionic twins. After adjustment for small for gestational age and gender, birthweight discordance >75th and >90th percentile was associated with induced delivery <34 weeks [odds ratio 1.71 (95% confidence interval 1.11–2.65) and odds ratio 2.83 (95% confidence interval 1.73–4.64), respectively]. Discordance >75th‐percentile was associated with an increased risk of infant mortality after 28 days [odds ratio 4.69 (95% confidence interval 1.07–20.45)] but not with major neonatal complications or with low mean Ages and Stages Questionnair scores at 6, 18, and 48–60 months after term.

Conclusion

Chorionicity‐specific intertwin birthweight discordance is a risk factor for induced preterm delivery and infant mortality, but not for lower scores for neurophysiological development at 6, 18, and 48–60 months.
Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) is a potential biomarker of angiogenesis in proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Abu El‐Asrar Ahmed M. , Ahmad Ajmal , Alam Kaiser , Siddiquei Mohammad Mairaj , Mohammad Ghulam , Hertogh Gert De , Mousa Ahmed , Opdenakker Ghislain
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) promotes angiogenesis through matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production. We investigated the expression levels of EMMPRIN and correlated these levels with VEGF, MMP‐1 and MMP‐9 in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). In addition, we examined the expression of EMMPRIN in the retinas of diabetic rats and the effect of EMMPRIN on the induction of angiogenesis regulatory factors in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs).

Methods

Vitreous samples from 40 PDR and 19 non‐diabetic patients, epiretinal membranes from 12 patients with PDR, retinas of rats and HRMECs were studied by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, zymography analysis and RT‐PCR.

Results

We showed a significant increase in the expression of EMMPRIN, VEGF, MMP‐1 and MMP‐9 in vitreous samples from PDR patients compared with non‐diabetic controls (p < 0.0001; p = 0.001; p = 0.009; p < 0.0001, respectively). Significant positive correlations were found between the levels of EMMPRIN and the levels of VEGF (r = 0.38; p = 0.003), MMP‐1 (r = 0.36; p = 0.005) and MMP‐9 (r = 0.46; p = 0.003). In epiretinal membranes, EMMPRIN was expressed in vascular endothelial cells and stromal cells. Significant increase of EMMPRIN mRNA was detected in rat retinas after induction of diabetes. EMMPRIN induced hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α, VEGF and MMP‐1 expression in HRMEC.

Conclusions

These results suggest that EMMPRIN/MMPs/VEGF pathway is involved in PDR angiogenesis.
Primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment – surgical methods and anatomical outcome
Authors: Haugstad Marta , Moosmayer Stefan , Bragadόttir Ragnheiður
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate the anatomical success of surgical management of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and to compare the anatomical outcomes from different surgical techniques.

Methods

During 2012, 517 consecutive eyes (514 patients) were operated by 11 surgeons at the Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital. Patient records were retrospectively analysed with no exclusions. Main outcome measures were primary and final anatomical success. Primary anatomical success was defined as retinal reattachment 6 months after primary surgery with reoperations excluded. Final anatomical success was defined as retinal reattachment 6 months after primary surgery with reoperations included.

Results

Incidence of RRD was 18.6 eyes per 100 000 person‐years. The macula was detached in 50.5% of the eyes at baseline. Of 517 operated eyes, 317 (61.3%) underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), 23 (4.5%) pars plana vitrectomy together with a scleral buckle (PPV‐SB), 175 (33.9%) scleral buckle (SB) surgery and two (0.4%) pneumatic retinopexy (PR). Primary anatomical success was 89.0% in the PPV group, 87.0% in the PPV‐SB group and 85.7% in the SB group. Final anatomical success was 98.1% in the PPV group, 100% in the PPV‐SB group and 99.4% in the SB group. Factors which were correlated to the redetachment were detachment of more than 6 clock hours (p = 0.003) and visual acuity (VA) on Snellen chart <0.5 (p = 0.02) at baseline.

Conclusion

This study showed no significant differences in the surgical success rates in the treatment of RRD between pars plana vitrectomy, scleral buckle or the combined procedure of vitrectomy and buckle. Factors which were found to be correlated to the redetachment of the retina were large detachment and low VA.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver diseases and risk of colorectal neoplasia
Authors: Ahn J. S. , Sinn D. H. , Min Y. W. , Hong S. N. , Kim H. S. , Jung S.‐H. , Gu S. , Rhee P.‐L. , Paik S. W. , Son H. J. , Gwak G.‐Y.
Published: November 2016

Background

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with colorectal neoplasia. Yet, NAFLD ranges from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis with advanced fibrosis.

Aim

To investigate the risk of colorectal neoplasia according to the presence and severity of NAFLD.

Methods

A total of 26 540 asymptomatic adults who underwent same day first‐time colonoscopy and abdominal ultrasonography as a health check‐up programme were analysed. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultrasonography. Advanced colorectal neoplasia was defined as an invasive cancer or adenoma that was at least 10 mm in diameter, had high‐grade dysplasia, or had villous histological characteristics or any combination thereof.

Results

NAFLD patients had a higher prevalence of any colorectal neoplasia (38.0% vs. 28.9%) and advanced colorectal neoplasia (2.8% vs. 1.9%) compared to those without NAFLD. In a multivariable model adjusted for age, sex, smoking, alcohol, body mass index, first‐degree family history of colorectal cancer, aspirin use and metabolic factors, the odd ratios comparing patients with NAFLD to those without were 1.10 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–1.17] for any colorectal neoplasia and 1.21 (95% CI: 0.99–1.47) for advanced colorectal neoplasia. When NAFLD patients were further stratified according to the non‐invasive parameters of liver disease severity, the risk of any colorectal neoplasia or advanced colorectal neoplasia was higher for those with severe liver diseases than those with mild liver diseases.

Conclusions

The presence and severity of NAFLD were closely associated with any colorectal neoplasia and advanced colorectal neoplasia, suggesting that clinicians should be aware of the increased risk of colorectal neoplasia in patients with NAFLD.
How to improve rural tourism development in Chinese suburban villages? Empirical findings from a quantitative analysis of eight rural tourism destinations in Beijing
Authors: Dai Linlin , Wan Li , Xu Bixia , Wu Bihu
Published: November 2016

Rural tourism has been an important engine for rural development and regeneration. In China, rural tourism is widely encouraged in the less developed regions to mitigate poverty and promote harmonious urban–rural development. Existing research literature finds that the perceptions of stakeholders towards rural tourism development are critical of the final economic and social outcomes. Nonetheless, most research focuses on the perception of a single stakeholder group. In this paper, we fill the research gap by simultaneously examining the perceptions of both the local tourism service providers and the tourists. We select eight Beijing suburban villages that typify the rural tourism development trends in Beijing, and collect sample data from 433 local service providers and 815 tourists. The questionnaire covers a wide range of perceptual variables, with particular focus on how the two stakeholder groups respond differently to the possible approaches to improve rural tourism development. The Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression method is employed to identify the key impact factors for each group. Our test shows that diversifying the tourism products and improving marketing coverage are two approaches that are favoured by both the local service providers and the tourists. However, different concerns are revealed for other approaches, such as improving service quality, increasing accommodation capacity and providing collective tourism activities. We also discover that rural tourism development may cause dramatic social and demographic changes to suburban villages, the impacts of which should be taken into account for development scheme appraisal. This research helps to clarify the policy contexts for rural tourism development and points out the possible priority areas for future research.
Blood flow evaluation using PINPOINT® in a case of incarcerated inguinal hernia: A case report
Authors: Ryu Shunjin , Yoshida Masashi , Ohdaira Hironori , Tsutsui Nobuhiro , Suzuki Norihiko , Ito Eisaku , Nakajima Keigo , Yanagisawa Satoru , Kitajima Masaki , Suzuki Yutaka
Published: November 2016

Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence for intestinal blood flow has been reported, but application during laparoscopic surgery for incarcerated inguinal hernia has not been reported. Here, we report the case of a patient with an incarcerated inguinal hernia in whom the bowel was preserved after evaluation of intestinal blood flow with ICG fluorescence using PINPOINT®, a brightfield full‐color, near‐infrared fluorescence camera. A man in his 80s was diagnosed with incarcerated inguinal hernia and underwent laparoscopic surgery. The ascending colon and mesentery showed deep red discoloration on gross evaluation. However, intravenous injection of ICG revealed uniform fluorescence of the mesentery and bowel wall, indicating the absence of irreversible ischemic changes of the bowel. As such, no resection was performed, and transabdominal preperitoneal patch plasty was completed. The patient had a good postoperative course. In this case, ICG fluorescence with the PINPOINT was useful to avoid bowel resection during laparoscopic surgery.
‘Putting music on’: everyday leisure activities, choice‐making and person‐centred planning in a supported living scheme
Authors: Hassan Nedim
Published: November 2016

Accessible summary

Essential Lifestyle Plans are a good way for people with learning disabilities and their support workers to tell people about things they like to do, such as listening to music.

These plans also tell people about the things that they need, like what medicine they may need to take.

Sometimes it is not easy to put the things we like to do at home into these plans because there are lots of things we do every day.

People need to think carefully about how the things we choose to do at home can be put into Essential Lifestyle Plans that are written for us and with us.

Background:Person‐centred planning, which commonly becomes formalised within services for people with learning disabilities through an Essential Lifestyle Plan (ELP), was intended to help place the choices of individuals at the forefront of service provision. However, beyondUKgovernment policy rhetoric, scholars have raised issues regarding the capacity of person‐centred planning to empower people with learning disabilities to make choices about various aspects of their lives. This article assesses these debates, paying attention to the relationship betweenELPs and choices made in relation to leisure activities.

Materials and Methods:To examine leisure activities and choice‐making in depth, the article draws upon ethnographic research conducted with four adults living in a supported living scheme. It focuses upon their domestic musical activities, connecting data derived from participant observation with the contents ofELPs.

Results:This study found that person‐centred planning underplayed processes involved with articulations of musical choice and also the peculiarities of the settings in which choices were made. It also found that leisure preferences expressed inELPs did not effectively convey the richness and sociocultural significance of everyday domestic musical activities within the supported living scheme.

Conclusions:Person‐centred planning should not be divorced from social context, relationships and differing degrees of dependency. Domestic leisure activities such as listening to music, while not necessarily ‘meaningful’ in the terms laid out inUKpolicy discourse, can become crucial resources for social bonding for people with learning disabilities. Thus, they should be considered carefully as part of a dynamic, socially situated and person‐centred planning process.
Cord blood Streptococcus pneumoniae-specific cellular immune responses predict early pneumococcal carriage in high-risk infants in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Francis J P , Richmond P C , Strickland D , Prescott S L , Pomat W S , Michael A , Nadal-Sims M A , Edwards-Devitt C J , Holt P G , Lehmann D , van den Biggelaar A H J
Published: November 2016

In areas where Streptococcus pneumoniae is highly endemic, infants experience very early pneumococcal colonization of the upper respiratory tract, with carriage often persisting into adulthood. We aimed to explore whether newborns in high-risk areas have pre-existing pneumococcal-specific cellular immune responses that may affect early pneumococcal acquisition. Cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) of 84 Papua New Guinean (PNG; high endemic) and 33 Australian (AUS; low endemic) newborns were stimulated in vitro with detoxified pneumolysin (dPly) or pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA; families 1 and 2) and compared for cytokine responses. Within the PNG cohort, associations between CBMC dPly and PspA-induced responses and pneumococcal colonization within the first month of life were studied. Significantly higher PspA-specific interferon (IFN)-γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-5, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-13 responses, and lower dPly-IL-6 responses were produced in CBMC cultures of PNG compared to AUS newborns. Higher CBMC PspA-IL-5 and PspA-IL-13 responses correlated with a higher proportion of cord CD4 T cells, and higher dPly-IL-6 responses with a higher frequency of cord antigen-presenting cells. In the PNG cohort, higher PspA-specific IL-5 and IL-6 CBMC responses were associated independently and significantly with increased risk of earlier pneumococcal colonization, while a significant protective effect was found for higher PspA-IL-10 CBMC responses. Pneumococcus-specific cellular immune responses differ between children born in pneumococcal high versus low endemic settings, which may contribute to the higher risk of infants in high endemic settings for early pneumococcal colonization, and hence disease.
A novel hotspot of vertebrate endemism and an evolutionary refugium in tropical Australia
Authors: Oliver Paul M. , Laver Rebecca J. , De Mello Martins Felipe , Pratt Renae C. , Hunjan Sumitha , Moritz Craig C.
Published: November 2016

Aim

In lineages or regions that are rife with morphologically cryptic taxa, hotspots of local endemism may remain overlooked when genetic data are unavailable. Here we examine the genetic diversity and evolutionary origins of lizard communities occurring in a relatively restricted, isolated and heretofore poorly surveyed region of limestone karst in northern Australia.

Location

The Devonian Reef System (DRS), an iconic range of exposed weathered limestone at the margin of the Australian Arid Zone (AAZ) and Monsoonal Tropics (AMT) in north‐west Australia, that is widely recognized for its cultural, geological and palaeontological significance.

Methods

In collaboration with local landowners, we sampled four different gecko genera at sites spanning the DRS and adjacent biomes. We then used measures of genetic divergence, neutrality tests, Bayesian dating and hierarchical approximate Bayesian computational (HABC) approaches to identify divergent lineages, test for shared biogeographic history and compare patterns of genetic differentiation in lineages with different ecologies (saxicoline, arboreal and terrestrial).

Results

Amongst saxicoline taxa, we identified 11 genetically divergent lineages that appear to be endemic to the DRS. Generalists and arboreal lineages showed no evidence of endemism in the DRS. Estimated divergence dates and patterns of distribution indicate that endemic lineages have persisted since the Plio‐Pleistocene (or even earlier). Taxa in an old endemic Australian Gondwanan radiation showed evidence of longer persistence and isolation than those in radiations with more recent immigrant origins.

Main Conclusions

The DRS is a heretofore overlooked hotspot of vertebrate endemism and persistence. Areas with distinctive underlying geology that provide microrefugia (such as karst) in tropical regions across the globe are likely important refugia for biodiversity at both ecological and evolutionary scales. They warrant further focused survey efforts (including genetics‐based assessments of diversity) and ongoing conservation attention.
When preschoolers follow their eyes and older children follow their noses: visuo‐olfactory social affective matching in childhood
Authors: Cavazzana Annachiara , Wesarg Christiane , Parish‐Morris Julia , Lundström Johan N. , Parma Valentina
Published: November 2016

Recognition of emotional facial expressions is a crucial skill for adaptive behavior that most often occurs in a multi‐sensory context. Affective matching tasks have been used across development to investigate how people integrate facial information with other senses. Given the relative affective strength of olfaction and its relevance in mediating social information since birth, we assessed olfactory–visual matching abilities in a group of 140 children between the ages of 3 and 11 years old. We presented one of three odor primes (rose, fish and no‐odor, rated as pleasant or unpleasant by individual children) before a facial choice task (happy vs. disgusted face). Children were instructed to select one of two faces. As expected, children of all ages tended to choose happy faces. Children younger than 5 years of age were biased towards choosing the happy face, irrespective of the odor smelled. After age 5, an affective matching strategy guided children's choices. Smelling a pleasant odor predicted the choice of happy faces, whereas smelling the unpleasant or fish odor predicted the choice of disgusted faces. The present study fills a gap in the developmental literature on olfactory‐visual affective strategies that affect decision‐making, and represents an important step towards understanding the underlying developmental processes that shape the typical social mind.