bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examination of communication processes in design-build project delivery in building construction
Authors: Tran Dai Q. , Nguyen Long Duy , Faught Allen
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Design-Build (D-B) is a project delivery method in which the owner procures both design and construction services in the same contract from a single legal entity. There is limited research on how communication among parties influences the success of D-B projects. The purpose of this paper is to examine D-B communication issues and provides effective practices on communication to improve D-B procurement processes in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology for this study includes a comprehensive review of literature, survey questionnaire, and structured interviews. A questionnaire was developed to collect data from professionals with an average of 23 years of experience related to D-B procurement. Eight structured interviews were conducted to verify and validate the survey questionnaire results.

Findings

The results showed that the communication issues vary along with each phase of the D-B process. The primary communication practices influencing the success of D-B projects are: establishing clear points of contact; providing clear and understandable information among stakeholders during the D-B process; and the timely sharing of information to all stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

The chief limitation of this research is that the primary data were mostly opinions from experts although several empirical data were collected for cross-validation. This research did not consider the relationship of relevant contract clauses and communication issues.

Practical implications

The findings from this paper will help professionals better understand the D-B procurement process.

Originality/value

This is one of the first attempts to discuss D-B communication issues in each different phase of a D-B project.
Impacts of stratospheric aerosol geoengineering strategy on Caribbean coral reefs
Authors: Zhang Zhihua , Jones Andy , Crabbe M. James C.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Currently, negotiation on global carbon emissions reduction is very difficult owing to lack of international willingness. In response, geoengineering (climate engineering) strategies are proposed to artificially cool the planet. Meanwhile, as the harbor around one-third of all described marine species, coral reefs are the most sensitive ecosystem on the planet to climate change. However, until now, there is no quantitative assessment on the impacts of geoengineering on coral reefs. This study aims to model the impacts of stratospheric aerosol geoengineering on coral reefs.

Design/methodology/approach

The HadGEM2-ES climate model is used to model and evaluate the impacts of stratospheric aerosol geoengineering on coral reefs.

Findings

This study shows that (1) stratospheric aerosol geoengineering could significantly mitigate future coral bleaching throughout the Caribbean Sea; (2) Changes in downward solar irradiation, sea level rise and sea surface temperature caused by geoengineering implementation should have very little impacts on coral reefs; (3) Although geoengineering would prolong the return period of future hurricanes, this may still be too short to ensure coral recruitment and survival after hurricane damage.

Originality/value

This is the first time internationally to quantitatively assess the impacts of geoengineering on coral reefs.
A new risk assessment model for agricultural products cold chain logistics
Authors: Zhang Hao , Qiu Bin , Zhang Keming
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a quantitative risk assessment method for agricultural products cold chain logistics to assess the condition of the fresh agricultural products cold chain process objectively and accurately.

Design/methodology/approach

A risk assessment index system of agricultural products cold chain logistics is designed on the basis of the risk identification for the process of agricultural products cold chain logistics. This paper first uses catastrophe progression method and a new maximum deviation method to build an improved catastrophe progression assessment model for agricultural products cold chain logistics. In order to verify the reliability and validity of the model, two representative enterprises are selected as the case in the study.

Findings

The results in the empirical research indicate strong support for the assessment model and coincide with the reality. The risk assessment index system can also reflect the key risk factors from agricultural products cold chain logistics scientifically. In addition, the improved catastrophe progression assessment method proposed in this paper can be scientific and reasonable to predict risk.

Research limitations/implications

This paper contributes to provide a new risk assessment model for agricultural products cold chain logistics. The new model overcomes the limitation of subjective empowerment and it increases the objectivity and scientificity in the process of cold chain logistics risk assessment. This paper also shows that practitioners involved in the field of products cold chain logistics can manage the potential risk by a set of scientific methods for assessing the risk before the accident.

Practical implications

The paper provides a practical guideline to practitioners, especially for cold chain logistics managers, relevant management departments, and cold chain logistics management consultants. It is proved that the new risk assessment method and the risk assessment index system of agricultural products cold chain logistics can help them assess the risk scientifically and reasonably.

Originality/value

Although the calculation is simple, the new model can overcome the limitation of subjective empowerment scientifically and reasonably, and thus has important practical value.
Implementing environmental practices within the Greek dairy supply chain
Authors: Ghadge Abhijeet , Kaklamanou Merilena , Choudhary Sonal , Bourlakis Michael
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Food supply chain (FSC) in Greece is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who face several challenges in adopting green practices. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key drivers and barriers influencing the environmental performance of SMEs within the Greek dairy supply chain (SC).

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive research methodology attempts to prioritize the drivers and barriers for improving the environmental sustainability performance. Analytical hierarchy process and sensitivity analysis are used to understand the complex nature of the influencing factors.

Findings

The analysis identifies five barriers and six drivers for the implementation of green practices within the dairy SC. While external drivers significantly influence the market structure and logistics network, government, competitors and customers are the driving factors for improving environmental performance.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to filling the literature gap on key factors influencing the implementation of green practices within the FSC. The identified influential factors will contribute toward building a framework for improving sustainability performance within the Greek dairy SC.

Practical implications

The study is expected to benefit the Greek and European SMEs by driving their environmental practices within the perishable SC network.

Originality/value

The paper provides directions for researchers, practitioners and policy makers in understanding the challenges for implementing green practices in the dairy SC. The holistic approach followed in this paper is a building block for a conceptual framework on implementing environmental sustainability within the FSC. Apart from contributing to the current literature by extending the research horizon to SMEs’ green adoption capability, this study also provides better understanding of the pivotal role of internal and external key factors in influencing sustainability performance.
How to evaluate sustainability of supply chains? A dynamic network DEA approach
Authors: Shokri Kahi Vahid , Yousefi Saeed , Shabanpour Hadi , Farzipoor Saen Reza
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel network and dynamic data envelopment analysis (DEA) model for evaluating sustainability of supply chains. In the proposed model, all links can be considered in calculation of efficiency score.

Design/methodology/approach

A dynamic DEA model to evaluate sustainable supply chains in which networks have series structure is proposed. Nature of free links is defined and subsequently applied in calculating relative efficiency of supply chains. An additive network DEA model is developed to evaluate sustainability of supply chains in several periods. A case study demonstrates applicability of proposed approach.

Findings

This paper assists managers to identify inefficient supply chains and take proper remedial actions for performance optimization. Besides, overall efficiency scores of supply chains have less fluctuation. By utilizing the proposed model and determining dual-role factors, managers can plan their supply chains properly and more accurately.

Research limitations/implications

In real world, managers face with big data. Therefore, we need to develop an approach to deal with big data.

Practical implications

The proposed model offers useful managerial implications along with means for managers to monitor and measure efficiency of their production processes. The proposed model can be applied in real world problems in which decision makers are faced with multi-stage processes such as supply chains, production systems, etc.

Originality/value

For the first time, the authors present additive model of network-dynamic DEA. For the first time, the authors outline the links in a way that carry-overs of networks are connected in different periods and not in different stages.
Agri-fresh food supply chain quality (AFSCQ): a literature review
Authors: Siddh Man Mohan , Soni Gunjan , Jain Rakesh , Sharma Milind Kumar , Yadav Vinod
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deliver a structured literature review of existing literature on agri-fresh food supply chain quality (AFSCQ) over a period of 23 years (1994 to mid-2016) and provide a platform for practitioners and researchers trying to identify the existing state of work, gaps in current research, and future directions in the field of AFSCQ.

Design/methodology/approach

The existing literature is classified on the basis of several classes like number of publications per year, journal-wise publications, studies across various countries, growth of empirical research, data analysis methods or tool used, issues related to supply chain quality as well as performance measurement (with respect to entity of analysis, level of analysis and element of exchange).

Findings

Most of the research publications discuss issues in developed countries, while relatively lesser publications are available on issues in developing countries. Hence, larger opportunities in the field of AFSCQ are available in developing countries. Empirical research is also growing in the field of AFSCQ. Largely research publications make use of “case study” research approach and “statistical analysis” as a quantitative tool of research. The literature is also categorized under the various issues of supply chain quality such as sustainability management, information management, logistic management, collaboration and coordination management, strategic management, demand management, inventory management, food safety, performance management, supply chain integration, supplier management, quality management, etc. It was found that in the majority of articles, information management, sustainability management, and logistics management are very critical issues as far as AFSCQ is concerned. Performance measurement of agri-fresh food supply chain is also on a growing stage. It is also an integral part of AFSCQ.

Originality/value

Most of the prior reviews are concentrated on a particular issue as production and distribution planning for agri-foods, temperature monitoring, corporate and consumer social responsibility, traceability system and ignore the wider perception. There exists a necessity of having a detailed review to cover up all the issues in AFSCQ. This review fills this gap in the extant AFSCQ literature.
Using customer-related data to enhance e-grocery home delivery
Authors: Pan Shenle , Giannikas Vaggelis , Han Yufei , Grover-Silva Etta , Qiao Bin
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The development of e-grocery allows people to purchase food online and benefit from home delivery service. Nevertheless, a high rate of failed deliveries due to the customer’s absence causes significant loss of logistics efficiency, especially for perishable food. The purpose of this paper is to propose an innovative approach to use customer-related data to optimize e-grocery home delivery. The approach estimates the absence probability of a customer by mining electricity consumption data, in order to improve the success rate of delivery and optimize transportation.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological approach consists of two stages: a data mining stage that estimates absence probabilities, and an optimization stage to optimize transportation.

Findings

Computational experiments reveal that the proposed approach could reduce the total travel distance by 3-20 percent, and theoretically increase the success rate of first-round delivery approximately by18-26 percent.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed approach combines two attractive research streams on data mining and transportation planning to provide a solution for e-commerce logistics.

Practical implications

This study gives an insight to e-grocery retailers and carriers on how to use customer-related data to improve home delivery effectiveness and efficiency.

Social implications

The proposed approach can be used to reduce environmental footprint generated by freight distribution in a city, and to improve customers’ experience on online shopping.

Originality/value

Being an experimental study, this work demonstrates the effectiveness of data-driven innovative solutions to e-grocery home delivery problem. The paper also provides a methodological approach to this line of research.
Traffic flow routing and scheduling in a food supply network
Authors: Bocewicz Grzegorz , Janardhanan Mukund Nilakantan , Krenczyk Damian , Banaszak Zbigniew
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the reference model of a grid-like supply network that enables formulation of delivery routing and scheduling problems in the context of the periodic vehicle routing problem.

Design/methodology/approach

The conditions for seamless (collision-free) synchronization of periodically executed local transport processes presented in this paper guarantee cyclic execution of supply processes, thereby preventing traffic flow congestion.

Findings

Systems that satisfy this characteristic, cyclic deliveries executed along supply chains are given and what is sought is the number of vehicles needed to operate the local transport processes in order to ensure delivery from and to specific loading/unloading points on given dates. Determination of sufficient conditions guaranteeing the existence of feasible solutions that satisfy these constraints makes it possible to solve the considered class of problems online.

Practical implications

The computer experiments reported in this paper show the possibilities of practical application of the proposed approach in the construction of decision support systems for food supply chain management.

Originality/value

The aim of the present work is to develop a methodology for the synthesis of regularly structured supply networks that would ensure fixed cyclic execution of local transport processes. The proposed methodology, which implements sufficient conditions for the synchronization of local cyclic processes, allows one to develop a method for rapid prototyping of supply processes that satisfies the time windows constraints given.
Structure and patterns of cross-national Big Data research collaborations
Authors: Hu Jiming , Zhang Yin
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal the structure and patterns of cross-national collaborations in Big Data research through application of various social network analysis and geographical visualization methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample includes articles containing Big Data research, covering all years, in the Web of Science Core Collection as of December 2015. First, co-occurrence data representing collaborations among nations were extracted from author affiliations. Second, the descriptive statistics, network indicators of collaborations, and research communities were calculated. Third, topological network maps, geographical maps integrated with topological network projections, and proportional maps were produced for visualization.

Findings

The results show that the scope of international collaborations in Big Data research is broad, but the distribution among nations is unbalanced and fragmented. The USA, China, and the UK were identified as the major contributors to this research area. Five research communities are identified, led by the USA, China, Italy, South Korea, and Brazil. Collaborations within each community vary, reflecting different levels of research development. The visualizations show that nations advance in Big Data research are centralized in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

Originality/value

This study applied various informetric methods and tools to reveal the collaboration structure and patterns among nations in Big Data research. Visualized maps help shed new light on global research efforts.
A systematic review of sports sponsorship for public health and social marketing
Authors: Kubacki Krzysztof , Hurley Erin , Rundle-Thiele Sharyn Robyn
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a systematic review of evaluations of public health and social marketing campaigns reporting the use of sports sponsorship. Sports sponsorship is a key health promotion strategy, yet academic literature on the use of sponsorship in social marketing and public health is surprisingly limited.

Design/methodology/approach

Seventeen studies were identified following systematic literature review procedures.

Findings

Coupling of social marketing and public health sponsorship with changes in policies in sporting clubs and associations offers an effective means to achieve desired outcomes, e.g. behaviour change.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis presented in this review included information that was reported in the identified studies, which might be an incomplete representation of work undertaken but not reported. All of the studies identified in this review were conducted in English-speaking countries. Considerable opportunity for future research is apparent, and areas for future research are outlined.

Practical implications

Limited evidence was available, and additional research examining the effectiveness of sponsorship in attaining behavioural change is urgently needed. Future studies should assess the role, scope of involvement in, aims and benefits of non-government sponsors of public health and social marketing campaigns; use methods that do not rely on self-reporting, such as observations; and explore the influence of health sponsorship on attitudes, social norms and behaviours.

Originality/value

This is the first study to provide a systematic review of the use of sports sponsorship in public health and social marketing.
Insurance effect on economic growth – among economies in various phases of development
Authors: Mohy ul din Sajid , Regupathi Angappan , Abu-Bakar Arpah
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between insurance and economic growth for six (developed, emerging and developing) countries over the period of 1980 to 2015.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies panel auto-regressive distributed lagged (PMG/ARDL) method to examine long-term and short-term relationship between insurance and economic growth for the USA, the UK, China, India, Malaysia and Pakistan.

Findings

The authors concluded that there exists a positive and significant relationship between life insurance, non-life insurance, trade openness, stock-market development and economic growth in the long run as p-value is less than 5 per cent. This study also found a significant relationship between employment rate, banking development and economic growth for the long run but the direction is negative. Foreign direct investment shows an insignificant relationship with economic growth in the long run. The results highlighted a significant and positive relationship between non-life insurance and economic growth in the short-run for the USA, the UK, China, India, Malaysia and Pakistan. Moreover, the relationship between life insurance and economic growth is positive and significant for India, Pakistan and the UK. Results reveal a significant but a negative relationship between life insurance and economic growth for the USA, China and Malaysia.

Research limitations/implications

Analysis is performed for only six countries and results of these six might not represent the whole world.

Practical implications

This research would help policymaker to consider wider aspects of insurance rather than considering it complementary service industry.

Social implications

Every individual, today, spends a huge amount of funds to purchase insurance. He or she should be aware of the wider social impact of their spending apart from risk transferring.

Originality/value

Researchers recently shifted their focus to investigate the relationship between insurance and economic growth but the topic is still lacking sufficient literature and various knowledge gaps. The study is an attempt to contribute in terms of refinement of the already existing body of knowledge and to fill literature gap. In addition, apart from the insurance–economy relationship, very few empirical studies used financial, banking and stock market along with insurance, proxies to measure accurate insurance contribution. Another element of originality lies in the comparative analysis of developed, emerging and developing countries.
The relationship between access to finance and growth of SMEs in developing economies
Authors: Okello Candiya Bongomin George , Mpeera Ntayi Joseph , Munene John C. , Akol Malinga Charles
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish the moderating effect of financial literacy in the relationship between access to finance and growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies. Thus, this study seeks to establish whether financial literacy moderates the relationship between access to finance and growth of SMEs in a developing economy like Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional research design was used in the study and data were collected from 169 SMEs located in Jinja and Iganga central markets. ModGraph (excel programme) was used to test for the moderating effect of financial literacy in the relationship between access to finance and growth of SMEs in developing economies.

Findings

The findings reveal a positive and significant moderating effect of financial literacy in the relationship between access to finance and growth of SMEs in developing economies. In addition, financial literacy and access to finance also have significant and positive effects on growth of SMEs in developing economies.

Research limitations/implications

The study collected data from only SMEs located in Uganda, and there is an opportunity to test this finding in other developing economies. Furthermore, the findings from the study are based on quantitative data collected through use of semi-structured questionnaires. Besides, the study was purely cross-sectional; hence, it ignores the characteristics of SMEs, which could be investigated using a longitudinal study design.

Practical implications

The study highlights the importance of financial literacy in promoting access to finance, which is necessary for the growth of SMEs in developing economies. Owners of SMEs could attend financial literacy programmes provided by entrepreneurial skill development organizations to enable them to acquire financial knowledge and skills to make wise and better financial decisions and choices.

Originality/value

The study contributes to existing international entrepreneurship literature by indicating the moderating effect of financial literacy in the relationship between access to finance and growth of SMEs in developing economies. The study shows that for SMEs to access finance to grow there is a need for financial literacy that promotes effective and efficient use of loans/credits. SMEs in developing economies need financial literacy, which helps them make wise financial decisions and choices before accessing financial services like loans.
Does the country of origin of a halal logo matter? The case of packaged food purchases
Authors: Muhamad Nazlida , Leong Vai Shiem , Md Isa Normalisa
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to model consumers’ decision to use halal logo on packaged food products. The model primarily tests the importance of country of origin (COO) of a halal logo as an indicator for assessing credibility of a halal logo, and its relevance in consumers’ decision to use the logo in packaged food purchase.

Design/methodology/approach

A data set from a survey of 559 respondents from two countries was used to test eight hypotheses that were developed based on a modified theory of planned behaviour framework, using partial least squares procedures.

Findings

Halal certification logo was found to have COO effect on consumers’ evaluation during purchase decision of food items. Consumer uses information on the COO of a halal logo to assess the logo’s credibility in delivering the halal food standard. The construct, along with the constructs of religiosity and its interaction terms, subjective norms and attitude, explains consumers’ intention to consider the halal logo during packaged food purchase.

Research limitations/implications

Generalization of the findings is limited to the packaged food industry and to the consumer groups surveyed in the two countries.

Practical implications

There is a need for marketers to recognize Muslim consumers’ sensitivity towards the origin of a halal logo in choosing the right logo for their products. Logo certifiers may want to consider adopting marketing strategies to market their certification as a credible marker of a halal food standard.

Originality/value

The effect of COO of halal logo and its influence on consumers’ decision to use the logo in purchase decision are new to the literature.
Does organizational politics kill company growth?
Authors: Garbuio Massimo , Lovallo Dan
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Whether an organization’s political behaviour is positively related to its performance has been a long-standing question. Most studies elaborating on this issue, although rich in detail, primarily have been limited to case studies, apart from a niche set of studies in international business. This study aims to explore this question through a survey study of managers and executives from around the world, across a range of industries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study explores the link between politics, the ability of a firm to speedily reach the market and its growth rate through a study of 382 executives from across the world. It also investigates alternative explanations of slow speed to market due to power centralization, decision-making layers and conflict.

Findings

The results show that politics – the observable but often covert actions through which executives influence internal decisions – has a direct negative effect on a firm’s ability to reach the market first and on its growth rate. That is, not only is politics time-consuming but it may also have a detrimental impact on the selection of the best growth opportunities.

Originality/value

Politics does have a negative impact on growth; it slows down a firm’s growth and its ability to reach the market. This study eliminates possible alternative explanations of a slow pace to market: slower companies are not so because they have too many decision-making layers but because they use consultative processes in resource-allocation decisions, or because of conflict.
Multi-technology sensors are being developed for medical, manufacturing, personal health and other applications not previously possible with historic single-technology sensors
Authors: Bloss Richard
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the advancements in new multi-technology sensor products being developed or already serving the market and to explore such applications. The paper also addresses some hacking problems which may arise.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a review of published information and papers on multi-technology sensor research as well as contact and discussions with multi-technology sensor researchers and suppliers in this field.

Findings

Microelectronics and electrochemical technologies have been major factors in the multi-sensor technology advancements of sensors for a wide range of applications. Sensors are becoming much smarter; solving application problems better than has been previously possible with single-technology sensors. Multi-technology sensors in many cases may offer better resolution and are much more sensitive than single technology sensors in the past.

Practical implications

Readers may be very excited to learn of the many advances in multi-technology sensors which are coming to the sensor field. Applications that were previously served with more than one sensor or were not possible before are now being served by multi-technology sensors. One such application which many readers may not be aware of but may be using is the wearable individual exercise sensor. One such device is the Apple Watch which will be reviewed in some detail later in this paper.

Originality/value

No previous review of multi-technology sensing has been observed.
BRDF of human skin in the visible spectrum
Authors: Sohaib Ali , Broadbent Laurence , Farooq Abdul Rehman , Smith Lyndon Neal , Smith Melvyn Lionel
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Significant research has been carried out in terms of development of new bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) instruments; however, there is still little research available regarding spectral BRDF measurements of human skin. This study aims to investigate the variation in human skin reflectance using a new fibre optic-based spectral-BRDF measurement device.

Design/methodology/approach

Design of this system mainly involves use of multiple fibre optics to illuminate and detect light reflected from a sample, whereas a hemispherical dome was 3D printed to mount the fibres at various slant/tilt angles. To investigate the spectral differences in BRDF of human skin, 3 narrowband filters in the visible spectrum were used, whereas measurements were taken from the back of the hand for Caucasian and Asian skin types.

Findings

The experiments demonstrate that the BRDF of human skin varies with wavelengths in the visible spectrum and it is also different for Caucasian and Asian skin types. Both skin types exhibit off-specular reflection with increase in angle of incidence and show less variation with respect to viewing angles when the angle of incidence is normal to the surface.

Research implications

A database of spectral BRDF measurements of human skin will help not only in creating realistic skin renderings but also in development of novel skin reflectance models for biomedical and machine vision applications. The measurements would also provide means to validate the predictions from existing light transport/spectral simulation models for human skin and will ultimately help in the accurate diagnosis and simulation of various skin disorders.

Originality/value

The proposed system provides fast scatter measurements by utilising multiple fibres to detect light simultaneously at different angles while also allowing easy switching between incident light directions. Due to its flexible design and contact-based measurements, the device is independent of errors due to sample movements and does not require any image registration. Also, measurements taken from the device show that the BRDF of skin varies significantly in the visible spectrum and it is different for Caucasian and Asian skin types.
Temporary organizational forms and coopetition in cycling
Authors: Scelles Nicolas , Mignot Jean-François , Cabaud Benjamin , François Aurélien
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of breakaway success in road cycling races.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive statistics were computed, and a logit model of breakaway success was estimated based on a new kind of statistical data describing the development of each of the 268 breakaways that occurred in the 76 regular stages of the Tour de France 2013 to 2016.

Findings

Breakaway success partly depends on the physics of cycling: breakaways are more successful when the stage is hilly or in mountain than flat. In addition, the likelihood of breakaway success depends on strategic moves such as attack timing and the percentage of riders with a teammate in the breakaway.

Research limitations/implications

Understanding why certain breakaways succeed and others do not is useful to comprehend cycling performance and to help coopetitive temporary organizational forms such as breakaways optimize their strategic behavior. A limitation is the focus on the Tour de France only.

Originality/value

The present study adds to the literature on temporary organizational forms, coopetition and cycling performance by analyzing within-stage data in cycling and, as such, enabling to capture its strategic dimension.
Declining growth of deciduous shrubs in the warming climate of continental western Greenland
Authors: Gamm Cassandra M. , Sullivan Patrick F. , Buchwal Agata , Dial Roman J. , Young Amanda B. , Watts David A. , Cahoon Sean M. P. , Welker Jeffrey M. , Post Eric
Published: October 2017

Observational and experimental studies have generally shown that warming is associated with greater growth and abundance of deciduous shrubs in arctic ecosystems. It is uncertain, however, if this trend will persist in the future.

Our study examined growth responses of deciduous shrubs to climate change over the late 20th and early 21st centuries near Kangerlussuaq in western Greenland. We combined shrub dendrochronology, stable isotope analysis and weekly measurements of leaf gas exchange to examine the drivers of secondary growth in two widespread and dominant deciduous shrub species: Salix glauca and Betula nana.

Betula showed a dramatic growth decline beginning in the early 1990s, when correlations between growing season air temperature and growth shifted from neutral to strongly negative. Salix also showed a growth decline, but it began slightly later and was more pronounced among older stems. May–August mean air temperature of c. 7°C appeared to be an important threshold.

Carbon isotope discrimination (∆13C) in α‐cellulose of Salix growth rings declined strongly during the period of reduced growth, suggesting drought‐induced stomatal closure as a possible cause. Leaf gas exchange of Salix was also highly sensitive to seasonal variation in moisture availability. Betula growth declined more dramatically than Salix, but leaf gas exchange was less sensitive to moisture availability and there was less evidence of a ∆13C trend. We hypothesize that the dramatic Betula growth decline might reflect the combined effects of increasing moisture limitation, repeated defoliation during recent moth outbreaks and greater browsing by a growing muskoxen population.

Synthesis. Our findings contrast with widespread observations of increasing shrub growth in the Arctic and instead point to a potential decline in the flux of carbon into a pool with a long mean residence time (wood). While our study area is warmer and drier than much of the Arctic, our results may serve as an early indicator of potential effects of rising temperature in other arctic ecosystems.
Validation of subjective rating scales for assessment of surgical workspace during laparoscopy
Authors: Nervil G. G. , Medici R. , Thomsen J. L. D. , Staehr‐Rye A. K. , Asadzadeh S. , Rosenberg J. , Gätke M. R. , Madsen M. V.
Published: October 2017

Background

Recently, studies have focused on how to optimize laparoscopic surgical workspace by changes in intra‐abdominal pressure, level of muscle relaxation or body position, typically evaluated by surgeons using subjective rating scales. We aimed to validate two rating scales by having surgeons assess surgical workspace in video sequences recorded during laparoscopic surgery.

Method

Video sequences were obtained from laparoscopic procedures. Eight experienced surgeons assessed the video sequences on a categorical 5‐point scale and a numerical 10‐point rating scale. Intraclass correlations coefficients (ICC) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for intra‐ and inter‐rater reliability.

Results

The 5‐point rating scale had an intra‐rater ICC of 0.76 (0.69; 0.83) and an inter‐rater ICC of 0.57 (0.45; 0.68), corresponding to excellent and fair reliability, respectively. The 10‐point scale had an intra‐rater ICC of 0.86 (0.82; 0.89) and an inter‐rater ICC of 0.54 (0.39; 0.68), corresponding to excellent and fair as well. All surgeons used the full range of the 5‐point scale, but only one surgeon used the full range of the 10‐point scale.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both scales showed excellent intra‐rater and fair inter‐rater reliability for assessing surgical workspace in laparoscopy. The 5‐point surgical rating scale had all categories employed by all surgeons.
Excited Delirium: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gonin Philippe , Beysard Nicolas , Yersin Bertrand , Carron Pierre‐Nicolas
Published: October 2017

Objective

We aimed to clarify the definition, epidemiology, and pathophysiology of excited delirium syndrome (ExDS) and to summarize evidence‐based treatment recommendations.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search of MEDLINE, Ovid, Web of Knowledge, and Cochrane Library for articles published to March 18, 2017. We also searched the gray literature (Google Scholar) and official police or medical expert reports to complete specific epidemiologic data. Search results and full‐text articles were independently assessed by two investigators and agreements between reviewers assessed with K statistics. We classified articles by study type, setting, and evidence level.

Results

After reviewing the title and abstract of 3,604 references, we fully reviewed 284 potentially relevant references, from which 66 were selected for final review. Six contributed to the definition of ExDS, 24 to its epidemiology, 38 to its pathophysiology, and 27 to its management. The incidence of ExDS varies widely with medical or medicolegal context. Mortality is estimated to be as much as 8.3% to 16.5%. Patients are predominantly male. Male sex, young age, African‐American race, and being overweight are independent risk factors. Pathophysiology hypotheses mostly implicate dopaminergic pathways. Most cases occur with psychostimulant use or among psychiatric patients or both. Proposed treatments are symptomatic, often with rapid sedation with benzodiazepines or antipsychotic agents. Ketamine is suggested as an alternative.

Conclusion

The overall quality of studies was poor. A universally recognized definition is lacking, remaining mostly syndromic and based on clinical subjective criteria. High mortality rate may be due to definition inconsistency and reporting bias. Our results suggest that ExDS is a real clinical entity that still kills people and that has probably specific mechanisms and risk factors. No comparative study has been performed to conclude whether one treatment approach is preferable to another in the case of ExDS.
A Single Session of Attentional Bias Modification Reduces Alcohol Craving and Implicit Measures of Alcohol Bias in Young Adult Drinkers
Authors: Luehring‐Jones Peter , Louis Courtney , Dennis‐Tiwary Tracy A. , Erblich Joel
Published: October 2017

Background

Attentional bias modification (ABM) techniques for reducing problematic alcohol consumption hold promise as highly accessible and cost‐effective treatment approaches. A growing body of literature has examined ABM as a potentially efficacious intervention for reducing drinking and drinking‐related cognitions in alcohol‐dependent individuals as well as those at‐risk of developing problem drinking habits.

Methods

This study tested the effectiveness of a single session of visual probe‐based ABM training in a cohort of 60 non‐treatment‐seeking young adult drinkers, with a focus on examining mechanisms underlying training efficacy. Participants were randomly assigned to a single session of active ABM training or a sham training condition in a laboratory setting. Measures of implicit drinking‐related cognitions (alcohol Stroop and an Implicit Association Task) and attentional bias (AB; alcohol visual probe) were administered, and subjective alcohol craving was reported in response to in vivo alcohol cues.

Results

Results showed that active ABM training, relative to sham, resulted in significant differences in measures of implicit alcohol‐related cognition, alcohol‐related AB, and self‐reports of alcohol craving. Mediation analysis showed that reductions in craving were fully mediated by ABM‐related reductions in alcohol‐Stroop interference scores, suggesting a previously undocumented relationship between the 2 measures.

Conclusions

Results document the efficacy of brief ABM to reduce both implicit and explicit processes related to drinking, and highlight the potential intervention‐relevance of alcohol‐related implicit cognitions in social drinkers.
Interaction Between the μ‐Opioid Receptor Gene and the Number of Heavy‐Drinking Peers on Alcohol Use
Authors: Zaso Michelle J. , Maisto Stephen A. , Glatt Stephen J. , Belote John M. , Park Aesoon
Published: October 2017

Background

The presence of heavy‐drinking peers may trigger genetic vulnerabilities to alcohol use. Limited correlational findings, albeit mixed as a function of age, suggest that carriers of a μ‐opioid receptor (OPRM1) G allele may be more vulnerable than noncarriers to alcohol‐promoting perceived peer environments. However, research has not yet examined such genetic susceptibility to actual (rather than perceived) peer environments through an experimental, ad libitum alcohol administration design. This study examined whether OPRM1 modulates the effects of heavy‐drinking group size on alcohol consumption and explored potential mediators of such OPRM1‐based differences.

Methods

Caucasian young adult moderate to heavy drinkers (N = 116; mean age = 22 years [SD = 2.21], 49% female) were randomly assigned to consume alcohol in the presence of none, 1, or 3 heavy‐drinking peer confederates.

Results

Results showed no significant moderating effects of OPRM1 in the relationship between the number (or presence) of heavy‐drinking peers and voluntary alcohol consumption (partial η2 = 0.01). This result remained the same after controlling for sex, age, and typical drinking quantity as well as their 2‐way interactions with OPRM1 and social drinking condition. In addition, OPRM1 did not moderate the peer influence on any proposed mediating variables, including craving for alcohol and subjective responses to alcohol.

Conclusions

Findings suggest no OPRM1‐based susceptibility to the number of heavy‐drinking peers, adding to the existing mixed findings from correlational studies. Future research on OPRM1‐related susceptibility to alcohol‐promoting peer environments through meta‐analytic synthesis and both experimental and prospective, multiwave designs is needed to resolve these mixed findings.
Modulation of Th17 and regulatory T‐cell responses during murine pregnancy contributes to increased maternal susceptibility to Salmonella Typhimurium infection
Authors: Agbayani Gerard , Wachholz Kristina , Chattopadhyay Anindita , Gurnani Komal , Murphy Shawn P. , Krishnan Lakshmi
Published: October 2017

Problem

Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Tm) infection in pregnant mice results in massive placental infection, fetal loss, and exacerbated systemic infection. The Th17 host response can aid control of S. Tm infection, whereas successful pregnancy correlates to a dampened inflammatory and enhanced regulatory T‐cell (Treg) response.

Method of study

Mice were infected systemically with S. Tm and tissue bacterial burden, splenic Th17 and Treg cell numbers, and serum cytokines were analyzed. Splenic and/or placental mRNA expression of IL‐17A, RORγ‐t, IL‐10, and TNF was determined. The effects of in vivo CD25+ cell depletion and TLR4 blockade on the course of S. Tm infection and Th17 response were determined.

Results

Enhanced S. Tm burden in pregnant mice was associated with time‐dependent increased serum inflammatory cytokines. In vivo, TLR4 blockade reduced splenic S. Tm burden, suggesting detrimental TLR4‐mediated inflammation. However, the splenic and placental Th17 response was reduced in S. Tm‐infected pregnant mice relative to non‐pregnant controls. Alternatively, there was an increase in splenic Treg frequency in pregnant mice and depletion of this subset reduced bacterial burden and increased the Th17 response.

Conclusion

Downregulation of Th17 cell responses by Tregs during pregnancy potentially contributes to exacerbation of S. Tm infection in pregnant mice.
Reframing the Boundaries of Indigeneity: State‐Based Ontologies and Assertions of Distinction and Compatibility in Thailand
Authors: Morton Micah F.
Published: October 2017

In this article, I discuss the concept of Indigeneity as it is being localized in post‐2000s Thailand by a coalition of ethnic minorities. Their claim of Indigeneity is unique in purporting a state‐based ontology that identifies the rise of the modern Thai state with that of their Indigeneity, reflecting the problematic nature in Thailand of claims to first peoples’ status. The Thai state has long perceived of these yet‐to‐be‐recognized Indigenous Peoples as “illegal migrants.” Indigenous Peoples are working to assert not only their cultural distinctiveness but also their compatibility with the nation, especially via public performances of their loyalty to the Thai king. While their performances of Indigeneity are necessarily conforming to Thai nationalist expectations of ethnicity and belonging, Indigenous Peoples are reworking those expectations in a manner allowing them to get their own interpretations of history and systems of value recognized and distributed to larger audiences. [Indigeneity, performance, cunning of the unrecognized, royalist nationalism, Thailand]