bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incentive mechanisms, loan decisions and policy rationing
Authors: Cao Ying (Jessica) , Turvey Calum , Ma Jiujie , Kong Rong , He Guangwen , Yan Jubo
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether negative incentives in the pay-for-performance mechanism would trigger loan officers to strategically reject potentially good loans. If so, what is the feasible solution to alleviate the problem.

Design/methodology/approach

A framed field experiment was conducted to test loan decision behaviors using loan officers from Rural Credit Cooperatives in Shandong, China. A 2 by 2 between-subject design was adopted to generate variation in incentives and prior information about credit risks.

Findings

Results showed that loan officers did ration credit by rejecting more loans when facing risks of personal income loss. However, providing risk information about the application pool boosted the approval rate and offset the behavioral responses by a roughly same magnitude.

Research limitations/implications

Findings in this study suggest that certain institutional settings can result in credit rationing via strategic loan misclassification. Further, information sometimes generates similar effects as those costly incentives or mechanisms that are not implementable in practice.

Originality/value

This study adopted an innovative monetized experimental design that allows researchers to examine the (otherwise unobservable) trade-offs between Type I and Type II error in loan misclassification as incentives change. In addition, an anchoring prior information treatment is used to solicit the relative power of almost costless information and costly monetary incentives, and to point out a potentially feasible solution.
The implementation of a behavioural support programme
Authors: Ingemarson Maria , Bodin Maria , Rubenson Birgitta , Guldbrandsson Karin
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how teachers received and perceived the school programme Prevention in School (PS), a positive behavioural support programme; how did the teachers perceive the programme characteristics and themselves as providers; and how did this affect programme implementation?

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative methods with semi-structured interviews with 13 teachers and thematic content analysis were used.

Findings

The teachers were heterogeneous in their views, with professional identity, programme understanding and experiencing change being important factors for the implementation. Ambiguities regarding the boundaries of the social assignment, opposition against the theoretical underpinnings and an unclear nomenclature in a core component affected the implementation negatively. Among the perceived benefits were instant rewards in the form of aha moments and increased self-awareness. The nature of the implementation barriers indicates that PS is in need of further development.

Practical implications

Compatibility with teachers’ ideologies, clarification of the social assignment and enough time to consider programme adoption are vital when implementing a programme like PS.

Originality/value

The study provides context-specific understanding of teachers’ perceptions of a behavioural support programme and of their role when trying to implement it. It is known that providers’ perceptions affect the implementation and this study contributes to the field of implementation research, with particular respect to the school setting and comprehensive programmes like PS.
Model-driven framework to support evolution of mobile applications in multi-cloud environments
Authors: Chondamrongkul Nacha
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The development of mobile applications in multiple clouds environment is a complex task because of the lack of platform standards in cloud computing and mobile computing. The source code involves various proprietary programming libraries for different platforms. However, functionalities are inevitably changed over time, as well as the platform. Therefore, a great deal of development effort is required, when changes need to be made at functional and platform level. This paper aims to propose SIMON, a framework that eases complexity of the development to support software evolution.

Design/methodology/approach

SIMON shields the developer from the complexity of mobile and cloud platforms in the development of mobile applications in multiple clouds environment. The framework uses model of application design to automate the development and support execution of mobile applications in system environment that needs integration to the number of data sources located on multiple clouds. The framework is composed of prefabricated components that support function changeability and platform adaptability.

Findings

The framework is examined with the development of a sample application. After it is evaluated with scenarios that involve changing at functional and platform levels, the result shows significant reducing of the development effort by comparing with the other approaches.

Originality/value

The framework facilitates the implementation of mobile applications in the software system that involves integration to multiple clouds, and it supports software evolution with lesser development effort.
Achieving protection against man-in-the-middle attack in HB family protocols implemented in RFID tags
Authors: Aseeri Aisha , Bamasag Omaimah
Published: September 2016

Purpose

In the past few years, HB-like protocols have gained much attention in the field of lightweight authentication protocols due to their efficient functioning and large potential applications in low-cost radio frequency identification tags, which are on the other side spreading so fast. However, most published HB protocols are vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks such as GRS or OOV attacks. The purpose of this research is to investigate security issues pertaining to HB-like protocols with an aim of improving their security and efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a new and secure variant of HB family protocols named HB-MP* is proposed and designed, using the techniques of random rotation. The security of the proposed protocol is proven using formal proofs. Also, a prototype of the protocol is implemented to check its applicability, test the security in implementation and to compare its performance with the most related protocol.

Findings

The HB-MP* protocol is found secure against passive and active adversaries and is implementable within the tight resource constraints of today’s EPC-type RFID tags. Accordingly, the HB-MP* protocol provides higher security than previous HB-like protocols without sacrificing performance.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a new HB variant called HB-MP* that tries to be immune against the pre-mentioned attacks and at the same time keeping the simple structure. It will use only lightweight operations to randomize the rotation of the secret.
The launch strategy choices in China’s pharmaceutical market
Authors: Ching Gu Vicky , Burns James R.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to study the drug launch strategies and their effects on new drug performance in an intensely competitive emerging pharmaceutical market such as the one in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Data on market share, sales, related firm size and annual profit were obtained for the period, 2004-2008. Profile deviation and cluster analysis approaches were applied in this study.

Findings

There is a significant effect of an optimal launch strategy on new drug performance given the respective resource availability and the market environment situations.

Practical implications

The study suggests that multi-national corporations may prove resilient in the emerging economies through both innovative and cost-driven offerings in different therapeutic categories.

Originality/value

This research is unique in studying the drug launch strategies across both foreign firms and local firms in a competitive emerging pharmaceutical market.
A structural analysis of the enablers of u-commerce proliferation in a developing economy
Authors: Faisal Mohd. Nishat , Khan Habibullah
Published: September 2016

Purpose

U-commerce is an emerging paradigm transcending traditional e-commerce boundaries. The purpose of this paper is to highlight those issues that deserve attention in developing successful u-commerce models.

Design/methodology/approach

The interpretive structural model technique is adopted to construct a hierarchical structure, and the impact matrix cross-reference multiplication applied to a classification (MIC-MAC) approach is employed to analyze the effect and dependence among these factors.

Findings

The research shows that there exists a group of enablers having a high driving power and low dependence requiring maximum attention and of strategic importance, while another group consists of those variables that have high dependence and are the resultant actions.

Practical implications

Organizations that plans to develop a u-commerce model would be benefited from this study. They can understand the difference between the independent and dependent variables and their mutual relationships. This would help them to prioritize their budget and implement suitable strategies to cater to key variables so as to exploit the benefits of u-commerce.

Social implications

Most of the GCC countries have very similar business environment. This research can easily be adapted to other GCC nations thereby saving the duplication of time, efforts and money.

Originality/value

This research was conducted in a developing economy in a GCC country which is very fast adopter of new technology. The findings of this study would serve as a guide to the businesses who are migrating to a u-commerce model in future.
Further exploration of subjective knowledge in the wine sector
Authors: Canziani Bonnie , Hwang Jiyoung , Byrd Erick T.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss methodological issues with the measurement of subjective wine knowledge (SWK). The current study offers deeper insights into the relationship between SWK and consumer perceptions of benefits and purchase/consumption habits.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study of US winery visitors was conducted, comprising surveys using a structured self-administered written questionnaire and trained field researchers. A sample of 734 surveys was used in subsequent exploratory and confirmatory analysis of the relationships between SWK and an array of consumer perceptions and wine consumption behaviors.

Findings

The majority of respondents were older, female, more highly educated, of the professional or executive class and possessing higher incomes. Slightly over half of the sample professed no or basic knowledge of wine and grape types or wine regions and geography. In general, respondents rated personal benefits of wine consumption higher than they did symbolic or social benefits. The level of SWK, from novice to advanced, was significantly and positively associated with the frequency of visits to wineries (experience), with wine-focused published external information sources and with a majority of perceived benefits.

Originality/value

The primary value of the study is to support marketing strategy by addressing the measurement of SWK. Knowledgeable consumers recognize more types of benefits, i.e. personal, symbolic and social and, thus, can more readily attest to value in a wine offering.
Investigation to study the applicability of solid lubricants in machining for clean and green manufacturing
Authors: Makhesana Mayurkumar Ashwinbhai , Patel Kaushik M.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The quality of the surface being machined and tool life are greatly affected by heat generated during machining. Abundant use of cutting fluid leads to higher production rates and a threat for environment and worker’s health. Hence, the need is to identify eco-friendly lubricants. The purpose of the current work is to investigate the effects of solid lubricants (boric acid and molybdenum disulphide) mixed with oil during turning of EN-31 using cemented carbide tools. The concentration of solid lubricants in oil is varied to analyze output parameters such as surface roughness, process temperature, power consumption and tool wear.

Design/methodology/approach

EN 31 steel material is machined at various cutting speeds and constant feed and depth of cut to determine the effects of dry, wet and solid lubricant assisted machining.

Findings

Experimental study revealed that the solid lubricants performed better while machining and therefore it may be considered as environment friendly and cost effective way of lubrication as compared to flood cooling.

Research limitations/implications

The work can be extended to identify the effects of solid lubricants on micro hardness and cutting force.

Practical implications

From the findings of the work, solid lubricants may be considered as suitable choice as compared to fluid cooling because it improves process performance without much affecting the environment and worker’s health.

Originality/value

So far the use of solid lubricants in machining is limited. The results of the work will be useful to explore various efficient way to apply solid lubricants.
Numerical analysis on the static performance of a new piezoelectric membrane restrictor
Authors: Liu Zichao , Pan Wei , Lu Changhou , Zhang Yongtao
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to establish an accurate mathematical model of a piezoelectric membrane restrictor that can be applied to control the shaft’s centerline orbit.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology uses three coupled equations to establish a mathematical model of the piezoelectric membrane restrictor – Reynolds equation, the membrane deformation equation and the flow rate equation. A data identification method is used to propose the flow rate formulas for the piezoelectric membrane restrictor.

Findings

It has been found that the structural parameters, the membrane center deformation and the inlet and outlet pressures of the piezoelectric membrane restrictor have an effect on the static performance of the restrictor. The identified flow rate result of the piezoelectric membrane restrictor is consistent with the models.

Originality/value

The paper provides an accurate mathematical model of the piezoelectric membrane restrictor which can also be applied to other membrane restrictors.
Development of special lubricant for the copper belt cold rolling
Authors: Huang Fuchuan , Deng Fukang , Li Kang-Chun , Qin Ke
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Aiming at the high temperature, high speed, high precision and high surface quality of the copper belt cold rolling, the purpose of this paper is to develop a new type of lubricant for cold rolled copper belt.

Design/methodology/approach

The component of the developed oil was determined based on the physical and chemical properties of the base oil and the tribological properties, the oxidation resistance properties, the rust resistance properties, the anti-foam properties, the demulsibility and the other properties of the additives. The orthogonal experiment method was used to determine the optimum adding amount of the additives; finally, the developed oil formulation was determined.

Findings

The physical and chemical experiment results show that the developed oil has a good performance of oil film bearing capacity and oxidation resistance. The simulation of rolling experiment found that the developed oil can significantly reduce rolling pressure and effectively reduce the friction in the process of rolling.

Originality/value

The experimental results show that the developed oil has excellent performance and can meet the requirement of lubrication in the process of cold rolling copper belt.
Biotribological behaviour of Vitamin E-blended highly cross-linked UHMWPE in a hip joint simulator
Authors: Chen Guomei , Ni Zifeng , Qian Shanhua , Zhao Yongwu
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purposes of this paper are to investigate the biotribological behaviour of Vitamin E-blended highly cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (HXL-UHMWPE) under multi-directional motion by using a CUMT II artificial joint hip simulator and compare it with HXL-UHMWPE and conventional UHMWPE.

Design/methodology/approach

The biotribological behaviour of conventional, highly cross-linked and Vitamin E-blended highly cross-linked UHMWPE acetabular cups counterfaced with CoCrMo alloy femoral head under multi-directional motion were investigated by using CUMT-II artificial hip joint simulator for one-million walking cycles. The test environment was at 36.5 ± 0.5°C and 25 per cent bovine serum was used as lubricant. A Paul cycle load with a peak of 784 N was applied; the motion and loading were synchronized at 1 Hz.

Findings

The wear resistance of Vitamin E-blended highly cross-linked UHMWPE was significantly higher than that of highly cross-linked and conventional UHMWPE. The wear marks observed from the worn surface of UHMWPE were multi-directional, with no dominant wear direction. Only abrasion occurred on the surface of Vitamin E-blended highly cross-linked UHMWPE, while yielding and accumulated plastic flow processes occurred on the surface of conventional UHMWPE and flaking-like facture and abrasion occurred on the surface of highly cross-linked UHMWPE.

Originality/value

Besides the prevention of oxidative degradation, blending with Vitamin E can also reduce the incidence of fatigue crack occurred in the surface layer of HXL-UHMWPE samples. Therefore, the wear resistance of HXL-UHMWPE under multi-directional motion can be further enhanced by blending with Vitamin E.
Web-based and face-to-face classes: are there unintended outcomes?
Authors: Burch Gerald , Heller Jacob A. , Burch Jana J. , Heller Nathan A.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Empirical research has demonstrated that web-based classes offer similar learning outcomes as face-to-face classes. The purpose of this paper is to examine the unintended effects of delivery method (web-based or face-to-face) on student learning, competency development, and student engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Exam grades and a survey were collected from 180 undergraduate business students at a public university in the Southern USA. All students were enrolled in the same course, taught by three instructors.

Findings

One-way analysis of variance of the mean showed that declarative and procedural knowledge attained was not statistically significantly different for web-based or face-to-face instruction. However, students in the face-to-face sections reported higher attainment of cognitive intelligence competencies, social intelligence competencies, overall student engagement, emotional engagement, cognitive engagement in class, and cognitive engagement out of class although these outcomes were not specifically targeted as learning outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

Research participants all came from one course, at one university.

Practical implications

There are potentially beneficial, unintended outcomes associated with face-to-face courses. Web-based learning courses may require a redesigned approach that addresses these benefits by adding course elements and tasks that increase student engagement and creates opportunities for development of cognitive and social intelligence competencies.

Originality/value

Little research has been conducted on unintended learning outcomes such as competency development and student engagement. Therefore, this study demonstrates that educators should consider factors beyond learning assessment when comparing web-based to face-to-face courses.
The role of vision in organizational readiness for change and growth
Authors: Haque MD , TitiAmayah Angela , Liu Lu
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use path analysis to test a model that posits that vision will have both direct relationships with organizational growth and indirect relationships to organizational growth through the mediating effects of organizational readiness for change.

Design/methodology/approach

The population of the study consisted of 104 fully or partially employed business students from a higher education institution located in Southern California. The data were gathered by questionnaires and analyzed by path analysis to test the hypothesized model.

Findings

The results suggested that perceived readiness for change mediates the relationship between vision attributes and organizational growth. Also, there was a direct impact of vision content (VC) on organizational growth. Perceived readiness for change did not mediate the relationship between VC and organizational growth or the relationship between vision communication and organizational growth.

Practical implications

The study makes contributions to both theory and practice. From a theoretical point of view, examining the relationship between organizational vision and perceived organizational readiness for change enriches the understanding of the organizational change process, and in turn enhances organizational performance and growth. In addition, the authors add to existing knowledge by empirically investigating the important role that vision and employees’ readiness for change play in organizational success.

Originality/value

Despite many scholars emphasizing the significance of a vision on organizational readiness for change and organizational growth, there is little empirical research that substantiates this assumption. Therefore, this empirical study appears to be the first to explore the idea.
From creative process engagement to performance: bidirectional support
Authors: Du Yana , Zhang Li , Chen Yanhong
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of creative process engagement on employees’ in-role performance, and does so by considering the support that employees received from and given to their supervisors.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from 540 questionnaires collected in China, this paper conducts a hierarchical regression analysis to test the proposed model.

Findings

Creative process engagement positively affects employees’ in-role performance. However, the moderating effect of receiving support on the above relationship is not significant. Instead, it is the interaction of receiving support from and giving it to supervisors that moderates the relationship between creative process engagement and in-role performance.

Research limitations/implications

The study has some contributions to the conservation of resource (COR) theory. The authors find that acquiring new resources such as receiving support from supervisors is not always effective. The acquisition process of resources should be considered with the investment process of resources. According to the COR theory, people invest resources to gain resources and protect themselves from losing resources or to recover from resource loss (Halbeslebenet al., 2014). The findings of the study show that employees investing resources is not just for gaining resources. Sometimes, they invest resources such as giving support to supervisors to remain a relatively balanced relationship.

Practical implications

Companies can encourage employees to place more attention on creative process engagement to improve in-role performance. In addition, when offering support to employees, managers should consider whether the employees are able to give it back in response to the received support, and distribute their support to employees accordingly.

Originality/value

This paper explored employee’s engagement at creative process in a more novel way and clarified the relative effect of creative process engagement on in-role performance. Also, this paper was the first to pay attention to the bidirectional nature of supervisor support.
Supervisory servant leadership and employee’s work role performance
Authors: Otero-Neira Carmen , Varela-Neira Concepción , Bande Belén
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore whether employee’s perceived organizational support and organizational identification (OID) have a mediating role in the relationship between supervisor’s servant leadership and employee’s organization member performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample used in this study consists of 181 salespeople and 83 sales managers. The model entails a cross-level mediation process that was tested using dyadic data and multilevel structural equation modeling.

Findings

Findings show that sales managers’ servant leadership is directly and positively related to salespeople’s organization member performance. In addition, sales managers’ servant leadership is indirectly related to salespeople’s organization member performance through the salespeople’s perceived organizational support – salespeople’s OID chain.

Practical implications

In order to increase employee’s organizational member performance, employees with a “we” mentality and who feel the need to serve should be selected for and promoted to supervisors. To enhance employees’ perceived organizational support and OID is also important, as these factors will encourage employees to behave in the best interest of the organization.

Originality/value

This is the first study to provide evidence for the relationship between servant leadership and organization member performance, as well as the mediating roles of employee’s perceived organizational support and OID on this relationship.
Assessment centers vs situational judgment tests: longitudinal predictors of success
Authors: Blair Carrie A. , Hoffman Brian J. , Ladd Robert T.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an empirical comparison of a high-fidelity managerial simulation, assessment center (AC) ratings, to that of a lower fidelity managerial simulation, a video situational judgment test (SJT) in the prediction of manager career success.

Design/methodology/approach

Archival data were collected from a large utility company. A measure of general mental ability (GMA), an SJT, and an AC were examined as predictors of career success as measured by increases in salary.

Findings

The AC and the video SJT used in this study appeared to assess different constructs, extending previous findings that ACs and written SJTs measure distinct constructs. Furthermore, the AC dimensions and the SJT remained valid predictors of salary over a six year span following the test administration. In addition, the AC explained significant incremental variance beyond GMA and SJTs in career success six years after the assessment.

Research limitations/implications

The SJTs and AC used in this study are similar in psychological fidelity, yet the ACs remained a more valid predictor over time. The recommendation is that lower fidelity simulations should not be used as prerequisites for higher fidelity simulations.

Practical implications

The results lend general support to the value of high-fidelity instruments in predicting longitudinal success.

Originality/value

The paper offers a comparison of the validity of ACs and video SJTs.
Why does leader attention scope matter for innovation ambidexterity? The mediating role of transformational leadership
Authors: Zheng Xiaofeng , Liu Zhiying , Gong Xiuyuan
Published: September 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role leader attention plays in the nurture of transformational leadership (TL) behavior, as well as the mechanism by which TL affects innovation ambidexterity, this research empirically studied the relationship between leader attention scope (LAS) and innovation ambidexterity (exploratory innovation and exploitative innovation) through the mediating role of TL. Further, the moderating effect of environmental dynamism (ED) on the relationship between TL and innovation ambidexterity was examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical study was adopted by distributing questionnaires to high echelon leaders in mainland China to assess related variables. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationships of the variables based on the 188 returned questionnaires.

Findings

The results show that LAS had a positive effect on innovation ambidexterity, and the relationship was partially mediated by TL. ED negatively moderated the relationship between TL and innovation ambidexterity.

Practical implications

The results suggest that upper echelon leaders receive more unfamiliar, outward-oriented, and source-diverse information to broaden their attention scope. The broad outlook they get obliges them to engage in TL behavior which is beneficial for innovation ambidexterity.

Originality/value

Based on upper echelons theory, this research reveals the realization mechanism of innovation ambidexterity from the perspectives of leader attention and leadership behavior. This paper avoids the previous research limitation of prevalently employing demographic measurements to substitute for leaders’ psychological processes. The study of LAS also explains the formation mechanism of TL. ED is considered to examine the effectiveness of TL.
Putting a band-aid on a wooden leg
Authors: Vermeerbergen Lander , Van Hootegem Geert , Benders Jos
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Decentralisation attempts that aim to increase job autonomy do not always succeed. This paper aims to study to what extent the tendency to maintain existing operational task divisions is an important explanation for this lack of success.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 456 employees in 25 organisations participated in a cross-sectional intervention study. Each employee filled out a questionnaire on job autonomy both before and after the decentralisation process, in which all organisations shifted regulatory, preparatory and supportive tasks to the lowest organisational level.

Findings

This study found small, but significant, effects of decentralisation attempts on job autonomy. The size of the effects, however, depended on the way the way in which the operational tasks were divided. Simultaneously, larger effects were found for organisations which decentralised tasks and changed the way operational tasks were divided. Both findings reached the conclusion that although decentralisation attempts seemed important for increasing job autonomy, the way in which the operational tasks were divided and even changed, was at least as important for a successful decentralisation process.

Originality/value

After decades of research on modern sociotechnical theory, this study is the first to show that decentralisation attempts do not merely increase job autonomy. The effect of such attempts depends on the way in which operational tasks are divided in organisations.
‘Sometimes, it's easier to write the prescription’: physician and patient accounts of the reluctant medicalisation of sleeplessness
Authors: Moloney Mairead Eastin
Published: September 2016

The medicalisation of sleep is a rich and growing area of sociological interest. Previous research suggests that medicalisation is occurring within the context of physician office visits, but the inner workings remain unclear. This study is the first to provide perspectives on the office visit interaction from both sleepless patients (n = 27) and the physicians (n = 8) who treat them. Analyses of semi‐structured qualitative interviews reveal that sleep‐related conversations are typically patient‐initiated in routine office visits. Physicians and patients conceptualised insomnia as a symptom of another issue (depression), an everyday problem of living (stress) or the result of a natural life process (aging). Lack of sleep was not necessarily linked to daytime impairment. Even though sleep aids were routinely requested and prescribed, patients and physicians consistently expressed attitudes of reluctance toward the use of sedative hypnotics. I call this a case of ‘reluctant medicalisation’ and highlight the liminal space between pathology and normalcy inhabited by patients and physicians. I also build on recent work acknowledging the dynamics between macro and micro levels of medicalisation and illustrate the influence of multilevel ‘engines’ (consumerism, biotechnology, managed care and physicians) in patients’ and physicians’ accounts.

A virtual abstract of this paper can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/7uLHOJPHF0I
Anaerobic metabolism and thermal tolerance: The importance of opine pathways on survival of a gastropod after cardiac dysfunction
Authors: HAN Guodong , ZHANG Shu , DONG Yunwei
Published: September 2016

Organisms on rocky shores are frequently exposed to high temperatures, which cause impairment of cardiac function and retard cellular oxygen delivery. However, some gastropods can survive at several degrees Celsius higher than their Arrhenius break temperature of cardiac function (ABT), indicating the importance of anaerobic metabolism for their thermal tolerance. We measured the global molecular responses to heat stress in limpet Cellana toreuma using 454 GS‐FLX to investigate the variations of genes involved in anaerobic metabolism at high temperatures. Next, the gene expression levels of 4 anaerobic enzymes and activity of alanopine dehydrogenase (AlDH), which is involved in opine pathway, were measured in response to elevated temperature. A total of 19 heat shock proteins (HSPs) were determined using real‐time PCR at different temperatures. At high temperatures, the extensive upregulation of HSP genes was an effective but energetically expensive form of protection to prevent thermal damage. The upregulation of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 alpha mRNA indicated the condition of cellular hypoxia and the high gene expression and enzyme activity of AlDH suggested that opine pathway was the main anaerobic pathway. These results implied that anaerobic metabolism was enhanced to provide energy in the face of thermal stress. Our findings highlight the ecological significance of the anaerobic metabolism of gastropods to thermal adaptation. For predicting the ecological impact of global warming on the distribution of gastropods, the role of anaerobic pathways should be evaluated.
Respiratory rates measured by a standardised clinical approach, ward staff, and a wireless device
Authors: Granholm A. , Pedersen N. E. , Lippert A. , Petersen L. F. , Rasmussen L. S.
Published: September 2016

Background

Respiratory rate is among the first vital signs to change in deteriorating patients. The aim was to investigate the agreement between respiratory rate measurements by three different methods.

Methods

This prospective observational study included acutely admitted adult patients in a medical ward. Respiratory rate was measured by three methods: a standardised approach over 60 s while patients lay still and refrained from talking, by ward staff and by a wireless electronic patch (SensiumVitals). The Bland‐Altman method was used to compare measurements and three breaths per minute (BPM) was considered a clinically relevant difference.

Results

We included 50 patients. The mean difference between the standardised approach and the electronic measurement was 0.3 (95% CI: −1.4 to 2.0) BPM; 95% limits of agreement were −11.5 (95% CI: −14.5 to −8.6) and 12.1 (95% CI: 9.2 to 15.1) BPM. Removal of three outliers with huge differences lead to a mean difference of −0.1 (95% CI: −0.7 to 0.5) BPM and 95% limits of agreement of −4.2 (95% CI: −5.3 to −3.2) BPM and 4.0 (95% CI: 2.9 to 5.0) BPM. The mean difference between staff and electronic measurements was 1.7 (95% CI: −0.5 to 3.9) BPM; 95% limits of agreement were −13.3 (95% CI: −17.2 to −9.5) BPM and 16.8 (95% CI: 13.0 to 20.6) BPM.

Conclusion

A concerning lack of agreement was found between a wireless monitoring system and a standardised clinical approach. Ward staff's measurements also seemed to be inaccurate.
Post‐operative analgesia using intermittent vs. continuous adductor canal block technique: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Thapa D. , Ahuja V. , Verma P. , Gombar S. , Gupta R. , Dhiman D.
Published: September 2016

Background and objectives

Intermittent boluses for neural blockade provide better post‐operative analgesia when compared to continuous infusion. However, these techniques of administration have not yet been compared while performing adductor canal block (ACB). We compared intermittent vs. continuous ACB for managing post‐operative pain following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The primary endpoint was total morphine consumption for 24 h post‐operatively in both the groups. Secondary outcomes included evaluation of pain scores and opioid‐related side effects.

Methods

After ethics board approval, subjects presenting for ACL reconstruction were randomized to receive either continuous ACB (n = 25) with 0.5% ropivacaine infusing at 2.5 ml/h or intermittent boluses (n = 25) of 15 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine every 6 h. Total morphine consumption 24 h following surgery was recorded in each group.

Results

Fifty subjects completed this study. The mean 24‐h total morphine consumption in the intermittent group, [11.36 (6.82) mg], was significantly reduced compared with the continuous group, [23.40 (10.45) mg] (P < 0.001). The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score at rest and on knee flexion was significantly reduced in the intermittent group at 4, 6, 8, and 12 h compared with the continuous group.

Conclusion

Intermittent ACB allowed significantly reduced consumption of morphine for 24 h in the post‐operative period compared with continuous ACB when identical doses of ropivacaine were used in each group.
Customised management of the third stage of labour
Authors: Springhall Edward , Wallace Euan M. , Stewart Lynne , Knight Michelle , Mockler Joanne C. , Davies‐Tuck Miranda
Published: September 2016

Background

Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) rates are increasing worldwide. The rate is particularly high in women undergoing an induced or augmented labour. In response to this, we altered our hospital's protocol for the management of the third stage of labour to recommend Syntometrine, in preference to oxytocin alone, for women being induced or augmented. We set out to assess the impact of the protocol change on the PPH rate.

Materials and methods

A random sample of 1200 women who had a singleton, term vaginal birth before and after the protocol change was taken. Exclusion criteria were then applied to match PPH risk status. Using a quasi‐experimental study design, PPH rates were compared between women who had received oxytocin or Syntometrine for third stage management.

Results

Five hundred and forty‐nine women received oxytocin prior to the protocol change and were compared with 333 women who received Syntometrine after protocol change. There was no difference in the PPH rate with respect to uterotonic used (P = 0.9). There was no evidence of an interaction between labour type, third stage uterotonic and PPH (P = 0.4). PPH rates were lowest for women who laboured spontaneously and received Syntometrine (19% oxytocin, 14% Syntometrine). The PPH rate was unchanged by uterotonic in women whose labour was augmented (34% for both). PPH was more common in women being induced who received Syntometrine (22% oxytocin, 27% Syntometrine). None of these differences were statistically significant.

Conclusion

Compared to oxytocin, Syntometrine did not reduce the rate of PPH in women with augmented or induced labour. Other approaches to reducing PPH rates are required.
Do Skill Mismatches Create a Wage Penalty? Alternative Estimates for Korea*
Authors: Kim Hong‐kyun , Park Seung‐jun
Published: September 2016

In this paper, we estimate the wage penalty of skill mismatches among young Korean workers using propensity score matching (PSM) and ordinary least squares (OLS) methods. OLS estimates suggest that a moderate wage penalty results from skill mismatches: 3.8 percent for men and 5.6 percent for women. In contrast, PSM estimates suggest a weakly significant wage penalty for men and women only when kernel matching (KM) is used, but not when nearest neighbor matching(NNM) or radius matching (RM) techniques are used. These results contradict the findings of previous studies and suggest that there may not be a substantial wage penalty associated with skill mismatches.
Multidimensional Poverty and Perceived Happiness: Evidence from China, Japan and Korea*
Authors:   Kayo Nozaki,   Takashi Oshio
Published: September 2016

We compare multidimensional poverty and its associations with perceived happiness in China, Japan and Korea. Using largely comparable nationwide survey data, we focus on multidimensional poverty in terms of income, schooling, health and social protection. We find multidimensional poverty to be more prevalent in China than in Japan or Korea; sex and age‐based differences are largest in Korea. We further confirm significant associations between multidimensional poverty and perceived happiness. For all three countries, the aggregated poverty dimensions could largely identify unhappy individuals, with both wider coverage and higher odds than is possible through unidimensional analyses.
The effect of relaxing massage on heart rate and heart rate variability in purebred Arabian racehorses
Authors: Kowalik Sylwester , Janczarek Iwona , Kędzierski Witold , Stachurska Anna , Wilk Izabela
Published: September 2016

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of relaxing massage on the heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) in young racehorses during their first racing season. In the study, 72 Purebred Arabian racehorses were included. The study was implemented during the full race season. The horses from control and experimental groups were included in regular race training 6 days a week. The horses from the experimental group were additionally subject to the relaxing massage 3 days a week during the whole study. HR and HRV were assumed as indicators of the emotional state of the horses. The measurements were taken six times, every 4‐5 weeks. The HRV parameters were measured at rest, during grooming and saddling the horse and during warm‐up walking under a rider. The changes of the parameters throughout the season suggest that the relaxing massage may be effectively used to make the racehorses more relaxed and calm. Moreover, the horses from the experimental group had better race performance records.
Fbxw7β, E3 ubiquitin ligase, negative regulation of primary myoblast differentiation, proliferation and migration
Authors: Shin Kyungshin , Hwang Sang‐Gu , Choi Ik Joon , Ko Young‐Gyu , Jeong Jaemin , Kwon Heechung
Published: September 2016

Satellite cells attached to skeletal muscle fibers play a crucial role in skeletal muscle regeneration. During regeneration, the satellite cells proliferate, migrate to the damaged region, and fuse to each other. Although it is important to determine the cellular mechanisms controlling myoblast behavior, their regulators are not well understood. In this study, we evaluated the roles of Fbxw7 in primary myoblasts and determined its potential as a therapeutic target for muscle disease. We originally found that Fbxw7β, one of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Fbxw7 subtypes, negatively regulates differentiation, proliferation and migration of myoblasts and satellite cells on muscle fiber. However, these phenomena were not observed in myoblasts expressing a dominant‐negative, F‐box deleted Fbxw7β, mutant. Our results suggest that myoblast differentiation potential and muscle regeneration can be regulated by Fbxw7β.
Forskolin, a hedgehog signalling inhibitor, attenuates carbon tetrachloride‐induced liver fibrosis in rats
Authors: El‐Agroudy Nermeen N , El‐Naga Reem N , El‐Razeq Rania Abd , El‐Demerdash Ebtehal
Published: September 2016

Background and Purpose

Liver fibrosis is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide with very limited therapeutic options. Given the pivotal role of activated hepatic stellate cells in liver fibrosis, attention has been directed towards the signalling pathways underlying their activation and fibrogenic functions. Recently, the hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway has been identified as a potentially important therapeutic target in liver fibrosis. The present study was designed to explore the antifibrotic effects of the potent Hh signalling inhibitor, forskolin, and the possible molecular mechanisms underlying these effects.

Experimental Approach

Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were treated with either CCl4 and/or forskolin for 6 consecutive weeks. Serum hepatotoxicity markers were determined, and histopathological evaluation was performed. Hepatic fibrosis was assessed by measuring α‐SMA expression and collagen deposition by Masson's trichrome staining and hydroxyproline content. The effects of forskolin on oxidative stress markers (GSH, GPx, lipid peroxides), inflammatory markers (NF‐κB, TNF‐α, COX‐2, IL‐1β), TGF‐β1 and Hh signalling markers (Ptch‐1, Smo, Gli‐2) were also assessed.

Key Results

Hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl4 was significantly reduced by forskolin, as indicated by decreased α‐SMA expression and collagen deposition. Forskolin co‐treatment significantly attenuated oxidative stress and inflammation, reduced TGF‐β1 levels and down‐regulated mRNA expression of Ptch‐1, Smo and Gli‐2 through cAMP‐dependent PKA activation.

Conclusion and Implications

In our model, forskolin exerted promising antifibrotic effects which could be partly attributed to its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects, as well as to its inhibition of Hh signalling, mediated by cAMP–dependent activation of PKA.
Design and characterization of short hybrid antimicrobial peptides from pEM‐2, mastoparan‐VT1, and mastoparan‐B
Authors: Memariani Hamed , Shahbazzadeh Delavar , Ranjbar Reza , Behdani Mahdi , Memariani Mojtaba , Pooshang Bagheri Kamran
Published: September 2016

Antimicrobial peptides are considered to be excellent templates for designing novel antibiotics because of their broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity and their low prognostic to induce antibiotic resistance. In this study, for the first time, a series of short hybrid antimicrobial peptides combined by different fragments of venom‐derived alpha‐helical antimicrobial peptides pEM‐2, mastoparan‐VT1, and mastoparan‐B were designed with the intent to improve the therapeutic index of the parental peptides. Short hybrid antimicrobial peptides PV, derived from pEM‐2 and mastoparan‐VT1, was found to possess the highest antibacterial, hemolytic, and cytotoxic activity. Short hybrid antimicrobial peptides PV3, derived from pEM‐2 and three fragments of mastoparan‐VT1, showed more than threefold improvement in therapeutic index compared with parental peptides pEM‐2 and mastoparan‐VT1. PV had the highest antimicrobial activity in stability studies. Except BVP, designed based on all three parental peptides, the other short hybrid antimicrobial peptides at their minimal inhibitory concentration and 2× minimal inhibitory concentration required less than 120 and 60 min to reduce >3log10 the initial inoculum, respectively. All peptides had membrane‐disrupting activity in a time‐dependent manner. Collectively, this study highlights the potential for rational design of improved short hybrid antimicrobial peptides such as PV3 that was an ideal candidate for further assessment with the ultimate purpose of development of effective antimicrobial agents.