bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Graph theoretic structural modeling based new measures of complexity for analysis of lean initiatives
Authors: Singh Varinder , Singru Pravin M.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose the use of graph theoretic structural modeling for assessing the possible reduction in complexity of the work flow procedures in an organization due to lean initiatives. A tool to assess the impact of lean initiative on complexity of the system at an early stage of decision making is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the permanent function-based graph theoretic structural model has been applied to understand the complex structure of a manufacturing system under consideration. The model helps by systematically breaking it into different sub-graphs that identify all the cycles of interactions among the subsystems in the organization in a systematic manner. The physical interpretation of the existing quantitative methods linked to graph theoretic methodology, namely two types of coefficients of dissimilarity, has been used to evolve the new measures of organizational complexity. The new methods have been deployed for studying the impact of different lean initiatives on complexity reduction in a case industrial organization.

Findings

The usefulness and the application of new proposed measures of complexity have been demonstrated with the help of three cases of lean initiatives in an industrial organization. The new measures of complexity have been proposed as a credible tool for studying the lean initiatives and their implications.

Research limitations/implications

The paper may lead many researchers to use the proposed tool to model different cases of lean manufacturing and pave a new direction for future research in lean manufacturing.

Practical implications

The paper demonstrates the application of new tools through cases and the tool may be used by practitioners of lean philosophy or total quality management to model and investigate their decisions.

Originality/value

The proposed measures of complexity are absolutely new addition to the tool box of graph theoretic structural modeling and have a potential to be adopted by practical decision makers to steer their organizations though such decisions before the costly interruptions in manufacturing systems are tried on ground.
The impact of screening criteria on entrepreneurship research
Authors: Murphy Gregory B. , Hill Robert
Published: January 2018

Entrepreneurship researchers use various types of screening criteria to select samples for study. In that selecting these criteria is, in effect, choosing a definition or model of entrepreneurship, the consequences are immense and have had a direct impact on the generalizability of research and theory development in our field. The purpose of this study is to help entrepreneurship researchers better understand these consequences and, thereby, improve our understanding of entrepreneurial phenomenon. Four of the most commonly used screening criteria are included in this study: firm age, firm size, firm growth, and innovation. Based on a sample of 368 manufacturing firms, the results indicate that few firms fit all or even most of the considered screening criteria and independent-dependent variable relationships vary considerably by screening criteria selection.
Utilization of problem-based learning in an entrepreneurship business planning course
Authors: Bell Joseph R.
Published: January 2018

This article demonstrates the implementation and efficacy of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in an undergraduate entrepreneurship business planning course. Throughout the course, ill-structured problems arise that require independent thinking and ongoing problem solving with students taking responsibility for their own learning. The course incorporates the latest classroom technology and how that technology is utilized to deliver self-directed learning. The PBL methodology is then evaluated in light of anonymous student survey results. The objective is to create a framework for future assessment in evaluating PBL in the business planning course.
Understanding SME intention to use the internet for managing supplier information
Authors: Celuch Kevin , Walz Anna , Saxby Carl , Ehlen Craig
Published: January 2018

There is strong consensus that the Internet has the potential to positively impact firms, and SMEs in particular; however, not all firms have realized benefits from adoption. The present study extends research in the area by addressing the need to examine the “chain” of variables explaining Internet adoption. We do this by exploring SME owner/manager Internet-related usefulness and ease-of-use cognitions and intention to use the Internet for supplier information management. We also explore the influence of behavioral norms and two broader strategic perspectives, market and learning orientation, on the Internet-related cognitions. Findings have implications for researchers and practitioners by identifying factors that contribute to effectively leveraging the Internet in an important area for SMEs.
Corporate parents, initial legitimacy, and resource acquisition in small and medium firms: An empirical examination
Authors: Murphy Gregory , Tocher Neil
Published: January 2018

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) commonly struggle to acquire needed financial, human, and technological resources. The above being stated, recent scholarly research argues that SMEs that are able to successfully navigate the legitimacy threshold are better able to gather the resources they need to survive and grow. This article provides an empirical test of that claim by examining whether the presence of a corporate parent positively influences SME resource acquisition. Results of the study show that SMEs with corporate parents, when compared to like-sized independent SMEs, have higher credit scores, have more complete management teams, use more computers, and are more likely to be on the Internet. These differences are most pronounced for very small firms and diminish in significance as firm size increases. Study implications include the notion that presence of a corporate parent likely represents a successful navigation of the legitimacy threshold, positively increasing SME resource acquisition.
Bootstrapping techniques and new venture emergence
Authors: Perry John T. , Chandler Gaylen N. , Yao Xin , Wolff James
Published: January 2018

Among nascent entrepreneurial ventures, are some types of bootstrapping techniques more successful than others? We compare externally oriented and internally oriented techniques with respect to the likelihood of becoming an operational venture; and we compare cash-increasing and cost-decreasing techniques with respect to becoming operational. Using data from the first Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics, we find evidence suggesting that when bootstrapping a new venture, the percentage of cash-increasing and cost-decreasing externally oriented bootstrapping techniques that a ventureʼs owners use are positive predictors of subsequent positive cash flow (one and two years later). But, internally oriented techniques are not related to subsequent cash flow.
A Gender integrative conceptualization of entrepreneurship
Authors: Muntean Susan Clark , Ozkazanc-Pan Banu
Published: January 2018

Guided by feminist perspectives, we critique existing approaches to the study of womenʼs entrepreneurship on epistemological grounds and suggest that the entrepreneurship field needs to recognize gendered assumptions in theorizing. Deploying a feminist framework, we suggest that understanding the “gender gap” in entrepreneurship requires focus on institutional and structural barriers women entrepreneurs face. Existing studies of women entrepreneurs often compare women with men without considering how gender and gender relations impact the very concepts and ideas of entrepreneurship. We propose, therefore, a conceptualization of entrepreneurship that illuminates gender bias and calls attention to the interrelated individual, institutional, and structural barriers in the entrepreneurial process that arrive out of societal and cultural gender norms. Through praxis or engaged practice, we redirect scholarship in the entrepreneurship field, while proposing ways that can promote gender equality in entrepreneurial activities. In all, our gender integrative conceptualization of entrepreneurship contributes to the entrepreneurship field by recognizing and addressing a more expansive realm of influential factors within the entrepreneurial ecosystem that have previously been researched separately.
An entrepreneurial context for the theory of the firm: Exploring assumptions and consequences
Authors: Osorio Arturo E. , Ozkazanc-Pan Banu , Donnelly Paul F.
Published: January 2018

While entrepreneurship may be driven by personal interests and lifestyle choices, entrepreneurial actions are not only economically driven opportunity-searching processes but also enactments of social transformation that may or may not lead to socioeconomic benefits. We advance that exploring these entrepreneurial processes can inform a theory of the firm that may explain how socioeconomic processes shape the socioeconomic environment of communities while serving individuals. This article discusses several understandings of the firm, as theorized in extant literature. Guided by these different conceptualizations, we present a case study of an artist and artisan cluster in Western Massachusetts to demonstrate various understandings of entrepreneurial processes. By way of conclusion, we develop the idea of the firm as a geographically embedded relational understanding aiding entrepreneurs to achieve personal goals while coconstructing their local environment.
What℉s in it for me? Reciprocal exchanges between underwriters and venture capitalists
Authors: Miller Douglas R. , Galloway Tera L. , Smith Dustin B.
Published: January 2018

In this article, we examine the impact of repeat interactions between VCs and underwriters. Past research has suggested that such interactions build trust and may contribute to more equitable treatment of issuing firms. We adopt an alternative perspective and suggest that these repeat interactions are characterized by reciprocal exchanges facilitated by opportunistic behavior from the VC. Our analysis demonstrates that VCs and underwriters interact in order to appropriate greater value from the IPO. This article provides a more complete understanding of repeat interactions between the VC and the underwriter by identifying characteristics of the relationship that have an impact on the value of the IPO.
The differing impact of household income on firm emergence by heterogeneous start-up configuration
Authors: Nunez Enrique
Published: January 2018

Using the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics II dataset, we examine the role that household income plays in the emergence of consumer-oriented start-ups by individual (solo), family-based (family), and non-family based start-ups (team). In particular, we address the research question: Does household income impact firm emergence, and if so, is emergence impacted differently based on start-up configuration? Our results indicate that household income does have a significant impact on average firm emergence, as well as on emergence growth rates for solo and family firms, playing an especially significant role for family firms. Furthermore, we found that household income is not a significant predictor of start-up activity completion for teams. Results from our study reinforce the extant literature on the benefits of starting a firm with teams, and suggests that these enterprise types may provide a more stable platform on which to launch a start-up. Implications of these findings and opportunities for future research are offered.
An examination of job opportunities, candidates, and salaries in the field of entrepreneurship
Authors: Finkle Todd A.
Published: January 2018

This article examines whether the field of entrepreneurship is becoming increasingly institutionalized by examining market trends, AACSB jobs, and salaries. The findings indicate that the field is becoming increasingly institutionalized through market trends. During 2014/15, there were 471 advertised positions and 163 candidates in Schools of Business and Management. The number of tenure track positions (261) was significantly higher than the number of tenure track candidates (161) for a ratio of 1.62. This is the highest ratio of tenure track positions to candidates since 2005/06 (2.1). Out of the 261 tenure track positions, 174 were at AACSB institutions.The ratio of tenure track positions at AACSB schools per tenure track candidate was 1.08. The study also looked at average salaries at AACSB schools and found them to be competitive with other mainstream areas. Average salaries were: full professors ($162,000), associate professor ($131,400), assistant professor ($113,600), instructor ($85,800), and new doctorates ($97,800).
The effect of entrepreneurial orientation on SMEs growth and export in Israeli peripheral regions
Authors: Farja Yanay , Gimmon Eli , Greenberg Zeevik
Published: January 2018

This research explores the influence of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on SMEs located at core and peripheral regions, by focusing on a single dimension of EO: proactiveness. We conducted a quantitative study of 626 Israeli SMEs. Business growth, as measured by the rate of change in number of employees, was found to be significantly higher in the core region. As expected, proactiveness was found to strongly affect SME growth as well as firm expansion to international markets. Our analysis shows that the difference in business growth between regions can be attributed also to a lower level of ownersʼ proactiveness in peripheral regions since it was found to mediate the effect of peripheral location on firm growth. Differences in proactiveness levels may be explained by the historical development of peripheral regions. Our results have useful implications for policies that aim to promote growth and development in peripheral regions.
The maturing of entrepreneurial firms: Entrepreneurial orientation, firm performance, and administrative heritage
Authors: Cowden Birton J. , Tang Jintong , Bendickson Josh
Published: January 2018

A large body of research has exhibited the positive effect of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on firm performance. However, research that attempts to explore what happens to high EO firms when they mature is sorely needed. Every firm establishes a heritage over time that impacts future capabilities. In the current research, we build on the international business literature to examine how a firmʼs administrative heritage moderates the long-term effects of the EO-performance relationship, examined through the firmʼs asset specificity, founder tenure, and home culture embeddedness. From this, implications are derived for EO retention and the firmʼs awareness of administrative heritage and how to shape it to their advantage.
The Effect of Government Involvement on Chinese Firms' Corporate Entrepreneurial Activities: The Case of Chinese Automobile Industry
Authors: Guo Grace Chun , Jiang Crystal X. , Yang Qin
Published: January 2018

In recent decades many emerging markets (EMFs) have undertaken entrepreneurial transformations to adapt to institutional transition and industrial change. Corporate entrepreneurship (CE) provided EMFs viable ways to revitalize, reconfigure, and transform successfully with the dynamic environment. Although previous research examined government roles on EMFs' CE activities, little is known about the mechanisms of how government exerts influence on CE activities. To fully understand CE of EMFs, we propose a stage model to explore specific roles governments play that affect CE activities over time. In particular, we investigate how governments' grabbing hand, helping hand, and invisible hand roles affected Chinese auto firms' CE activities at different stages from 1980 to 2016. Government involvement is summarized and the advantages and disadvantages of these roles are analyzed.
A study on the effect of electromigration on solder alloy joint on copper with nickel surface finish
Authors: Mhd Noor Ervina Efzan , R. Baaljinder , J. Emerson
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of electromigration (EM) on solder alloy joint on copper with nickel surface finish. Sn-Bi solder alloy has been used in this research.

Design/methodology/approach

The EM process was completed with the duration of 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h under direct current (DC) of 1,000 mA. Tensile stress on the substrates was assessed after EM at a tension rate of 0.1 mm/min. Microscopy was used to observe the formation and size of voids and conduct an analysis between copper and nickel substrates.

Findings

Four types of intermetallic compounds (IMCs), namely, Cu-Sn, Cu3Sn, Cu6Sn5, and Sn-Bi, were detected between the Sn-Bi/Co solder joint. Voids appear to be at the anode and the cathode for 96 h of EM for Sn-Bi/Ni solder join; however, there seem to be more voids at the cathode.

Originality/value

EM is one of the crucial keys to produce a good integrated circuit (IC). When the current density is extremely high and will cause the metal ions to move into the electron direction flow, it will be characterised based on the ion flux density. In this research, the effect of EM on the Sn-Bi solder alloy joint on copper with nickel surface finish was studied.
Cognate effects and cognitive control in patients with parallel and differential bilingual aphasia
Authors: Van der Linden Lize , Verreyt Nele , De Letter Miet , Hemelsoet Dimitri , Mariën Peter , Santens Patrick , Stevens Michaël , Szmalec Arnaud , Duyck Wouter
Published: January 2018

Background

Until today, there is no satisfying explanation for why one language may recover worse than another in differential bilingual aphasia. One potential explanation that has been largely unexplored is that differential aphasia is the consequence of a loss of language control rather than a loss of linguistic representations. Language control is part of a general control mechanism that also manages non‐linguistic cognitive control. If this system is impaired, patients with differential aphasia could still show bilingual language activation, but they may be unable to manage activation in non‐target languages, so that performance in another language is hindered.

Aims

To investigate whether a loss of cognitive control, rather than the loss of word representations in a particular language, might underlie differential aphasia symptoms.

Methods & Procedures

We compared the performance of seven bilinguals with differential and eight bilinguals with parallel aphasia with 19 control bilinguals in a lexical decision and a flanker task to assess bilingual language co‐activation and non‐linguistic control respectively.

Outcomes & Results

We found similar cognate effects in the three groups, indicating similar lexical processing across groups. Additionally, we found a larger non‐linguistic control congruency effect only for the patients with differential aphasia.

Conclusions & Implications

The present data indicate preserved language co‐activation for patients with parallel as well as differential aphasia. Furthermore, the results suggest a general cognitive control dysfunction, specifically for differential aphasia. Taken together, the results of the current study provide further support for the hypothesis of impaired cognitive control abilities in patients with differential aphasia, which has both theoretical and practical implications.
Serine/threonine kinase PpkA coordinates the interplay between T6SS2 activation and quorum sensing in the marine pathogen Vibrio alginolyticus
Authors: Yang Zhen , Zhou Xiaohui , Ma Yue , Zhou Mian , Waldor Matthew K. , Zhang Yuanxing , Wang Qiyao
Published: January 2018

Type VI secretion systems (T6SS) are multiprotein secretion machines that can mediate killing of bacterial cells and thereby modify the composition of bacterial communities. The mechanisms that control the production of and secretion of these killing machines are incompletely understood, although quorum sensing (QS) and the PpkA kinase modulate T6SS activity in some organisms. Here we investigated control the T6S in the marine organism Vibrio alginolyticus EPGS, which encodes two T6SS systems (T6SS1 and T6SS2). We found that the organism principally relies on T6SS2 for interbacterial competition. We further carried out a phosphoproteomic screen to identify substrates of the T6SS2‐linked PpkA2 kinase. Substrates of PpkA2 encoded within the T6SS2 cluster as well proteins that are apparently not linked to T6SS‐related processes were identified. Similar to other organisms, PpkA2 autophosphorylation was critical for T6SS2 function. Notably, phosphorylation of a polypeptide encoded outside of the T6SS2 cluster, VtsR, was critical for T6SS2 expression and function because it augments the expression of luxR, a key regulator of QS that also promotes T6SS2 gene expression. Thus, PpkA2 controls a phosphorylation cascade that mediates a positive regulatory loop entwining T6SS and QS, thereby coordinating these pathways to enhance the competitive fitness of V. alginolyticus.
Women's education and marriage decisions: Evidence from China
Authors: Li Xue , Cheng Hua
Published: January 2018

The faster increase in education among women compared with men has been underexplored. Thus, using Chinese data, we evaluate the impacts of a plausibly exogenous increase in educational attainment on women's marriage decisions. An extra year of education does not change women's decision to marry and leads to a brief delay of 0.12 years in their marriage age on average, which is much smaller than the delay among men. Although more educated women and men both have improved labour market outcomes, which may have increased their patience, men experience larger income growth than women do. Moreover, declining physical attractiveness at least partly explains why the delay is less than 1 year. Overall, the results are more reliable after addressing the endogeneity issue.
Genetic evidence confirms severe extinction risk for critically endangered swift parrots: implications for conservation management
Authors: Stojanovic D. , Olah G. , Webb M. , Peakall R. , Heinsohn R.
Published: January 2018

Mobile species pose major challenges for conservation because of their unpredictable, large scale movements in response to fluctuating resources. If locations with critical resources overlap with threats, large proportions of a mobile population may be exposed to threats. Critically endangered and nomadic swift parrots Lathamus discolor nest wherever food is most abundant in their breeding range, but concern exists that nest predation from an introduced predator may severely affect their population. Although swift parrots nest on predator‐free offshore islands, population viability analysis indicates that is land nesting alone may be insufficient to offset extinction risk from high mainland predation rates assuming that the species is a single panmictic population. We test the assumption that swift parrots act as a single conservation unit. We undertook a population genetic analysis using seven microsatellite loci and samples obtained over 6 years from across the breeding range of swift parrots. We found no evidence of departure from Hardy–Weinberg expectations across the species and both Analysis of Molecular Variance and Bayesian Structure analyses failed to detect any evidence for genetic differentiation across the samples both spatially and temporally. These results, supported by simulations, indicate panmixia and a lack of population genetic structure in swift parrots. Unlike a sedentary or site philopatric species, the majority of the swift parrot population may be at risk of exposure to predation when unpredictable resources draw individuals away from islands. These findings support a key assumption of population viability models that predict an extreme reduction in population size for swift parrots, and address a major gap in knowledge of the species’ ecology. Our study has implications both for the development of effective conservation management strategies and for the longer‐term evolution of avoidance of predator‐infested habitat in swift parrots.
3D reconstruction of the porcine and equine pulmonary veins, supplemented with the identification of telocytes in the horse
Authors: Vandecasteele T. , Van Den Broeck W. , Tay H. , Couck L. , van Loon G. , Cornillie P.
Published: January 2018

The myocardial sleeve of the porcine and equine pulmonary veins were histologically investigated and reconstructed three dimensionally. Moreover, the localization of neuron cell bodies at the veno‐atrial junction and alongside the myocardial sleeve was light microscopically visualized to depict the organization of nerve, myocardial and fat tissue. Finally, the presence of telocytes inside the equine pulmonary veins was demonstrated by use of transmission electron microscopy. These structures are thought to play a role in the induction of atrial fibrillation, which is frequently seen in horses, while pigs are often used as a cardiovascular model in this context. This data fills in remaining gaps in the literature concerning the histological build‐up of the pulmonary veins wall in pigs and horses. In‐depth knowledge on the myocardial sleeve and its surrounding cell types are important to understand the possible outcome of an ablation therapy as an atrial fibrillation treatment. In pigs and horses, the layout of the pulmonary veins wall concerning these structures is comparable to humans. However, neuron cell bodies were recovered at the veno‐atrial junction in both species but not alongside the myocardial sleeve in horses.
Sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir with or without ribavirin in 551 patients with hepatitis C‐related cirrhosis, genotype 4
Authors: El‐Khayat H. , Fouad Y. , Mohamed H. I. , El‐Amin H. , Kamal E. M. , Maher M. , Risk A.
Published: January 2018

Background

The Daclatasvir and Sofosbuvir combination therapy (SOF/DCV) has shown efficacy in patients with chronic hepatitis C in clinical trials.

Aim

To investigate the efficacy and safety of SOF/DCV for treatment of patients with hepatitis C‐related liver cirrhosis genotype 4.

Methods

Multicentre study involving 551 patients with liver cirrhosis genotype 4; 432 naïve patients and 119 treatment‐experienced patients. All patients received SOF (400 mg) and DCV (60 mg) daily in addition to weight‐based ribavirin (RBV) for 12 weeks and when RBV is contraindicated the treatment duration was extended to 24 weeks.

Results

Sustained virological response at 12 weeks after end of treatment (SVR12) rate was 92% in naïve cirrhotic patients and 87% in previous treated patients (by ITT analysis). Virological failure was infrequent, occurring in 42 patients (8%) overall. Thirty‐two (6%) were non responders; and 10 (2%) cases were relapsers, 31 patients (7%) were CTP‐A and 11 (13.3%) patients were CTP‐B (by ITT analysis). The most common adverse events were anaemia, fatigue, headache, pruritus. Serious side effects were recorded mainly in CTP‐B cirrhotic patients including HCC and hepatic encephalopathy.

Conclusions

The SOF/DCV combination therapy has proven efficacy and safety in treating patients with hepatitis C‐related liver cirrhosis genotype 4 in a large cohort of patients in the real world.
Comparative histology of the digestive tract in three new world marsupials
Authors: Andrini Laura Beatríz , García Marcela Nilda , Inda Ana María , Errecalde Ana Lía , Goin Francisco J , Carlini Alfredo Armando , Scarano Alejo Carlos , Martin Gabriel , de los Reyes Martín
Published: January 2018

We compare the main histological features of the digestive tract of three selected New World didelphid marsupials (Mammalia, Metatheria, Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae): the White‐eared Opossum Didelphis albiventris Lund, 1840, the Short‐tailed Opossum Monodelphis dimidiata Wagner, 1847, and the Patagonian Opossum Lestodelphys halli Thomas, 1921. The three species have a geographic distribution restricted to south‐eastern and southern South America, and have quite distinct body masses, adaptations and life histories. Our observations include the following: (i) submucosal glands are present throughout the oesophagus of D. albiventris, only in its first third in M. dimidiata, and are lacking in L. halli; (ii) in the stomach and duodenum, the serus coat coat in D. albiventris is cuboidal (simple, squamous mesothelial layer in the other two species); (iii) the duodenum in L. halli has large folds, short crypts and Brunner's glands (the other species lack folds and Brunner's glands); (iv) the colon's mucous membrane has short, scarce villi in D. albiventris (villi absent in the remaining species). Some of the observed differences can be due to ecological adaptations, especially in the relatively large‐sized, extremely omnivorous D. albiventris (e.g., colon villi).
Assessment of cognitive functions in bipolar I disorder: A 1‐year naturalistic follow‐up study
Authors: Sagar Rajesh , Sahu Anamika , Pattanayak Raman Deep , Chatterjee Biswadip
Published: January 2018

Objective

Available findings from cross‐sectional studies have demonstrated cognitive impairments in bipolar I disorder (BD‐I) during various phases of illness. However, very little is known about the longitudinal course of these cognitive impairments. The purpose of the study was to explore the longitudinal pattern of changes in cognitive functioning of BD‐I patients.

Methods

A total of 129 BD‐I subjects (manic, depressed and euthymic groups) and 49 healthy controls were recruited using predefined selection criteria. All four study groups were assessed on various clinical and cognitive parameters (for attention, memory, executive functions and working memory) at study intake and at 3‐monthly intervals over the next year.

Results

All three patient groups performed poorly compared to controls on all cognitive measures at study intake and on some cognitive measures at the 3‐, 6‐, 9‐ and 12‐month assessments. No significant time effects were observed for any cognitive test. A significant group by time interaction effect was found for executive functions (β = −44.74; P = .018) and working memory (β = 0.77; P ≤ .019) in the depressed group at 12 months; for visual memory (β = 1.21; P = .039) and working memory (β = 1.17; P ≤ .029) in the manic group at 12 months; and for working memory (β = −0.52; P ≤ .036) in the euthymic group at 12 months.

Conclusion

The patient groups showed significant impairments in all or some test domains relative to controls at all time‐points. The cognitive functions largely remained stable in all patient groups, with slight improvement over time in a few tests. Further investigation is warranted in larger samples in longitudinal studies.
L1 versus L2 online intercultural exchanges for the development of 21st century competences: The students’ perspective
Authors: Sevilla‐Pavón Ana
Published: January 2018

The myriad of possibilities brought about by the advent of Web 2.0 in terms of communication and interaction have revolutionised educational practices over the past few years. One of the most promising educational approaches resulting from this revolution is online intercultural exchange or telecollaboration, which has been reported to contribute towards the development of 21st century competences. Many of the benefits of online intercultural exchange have been extensively explored in the literature and numerous studies have been carried out. However, very few studies have looked into the differences between an L1 or mother tongue exchange and an L2 or lingua franca exchange as far as the development of 21st century competences is concerned. This paper aims at filling this gap by exploring and comparing the results of two configurations of Online Intercultural Exchange carried out over a period of 4 months with 125 participants. The results indicate that the L1 exchange was perceived as more beneficial than the L2 exchange for most of the competences studied (linguistic and communicative competences, Language for Specific Purposes learning, learner autonomy and teamwork). Meanwhile, the L2 exchange was considered as more beneficial for the development of intercultural competence. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed regarding digital literacy.
Assessment in an era of accessibility: Evaluating rules for scripting audio representation of test items
Authors: Johnstone Christopher , Higgins Jennifer , Fedorchak Gaye
Published: January 2018

Standardized, large‐scale assessment of educational outcomes has become a global phenomenon over the past three decades (Smith, ). A key challenge facing assessment designers is that standard formats may be inaccessible or may create barriers to student performance. Schwanke, Smith, and Edyburn's () A3 model describes how advocates have reacted to structural barriers by providing accommodations and, ultimately, accessibility. This paper synthesizes and evaluates three studies that attempted to improve accessibility in assessments for students who struggle with print reading through audio presentation of assessment items. Cross‐study implications for policy and practice are considered.
Impact of student agency on learning performance and learning experience in a flipped classroom
Authors: Luo Heng , Yang Tingting , Xue Jin , Zuo Mingzhang
Published: January 2018

The efficacy of the flipped classroom model largely depends on the specifications of its design and implementation, and one important specification to consider is student agency. With the purpose of prescribing the optimal level of student agency for the flipped classroom, this study conducted a repeated‐measures experimental design to compare the effects of three levels of student agency in an undergraduate flipped course with 43 students. The empirical results revealed that student agency had a significant impact on students' academic performance and perceived learning experience. Moreover, a low level of student agency appeared to induce superior performance and evaluation ratings from the students and counter the influence of personality and self‐study time. The findings are expected to inform the design and implementation of flipped courses and extend our understanding of student‐centred learning to the context of the flipped classroom.
Ovarian markers and irregular menses among women with type 1 diabetes in the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications study
Authors: Kim C. , Miller R.S. , Braffett B.H. , Pan Y. , Arends V.L. , Saenger A.K. , Barnie A. , Sarma A.V. ,   the EDIC Research Group
Published: January 2018

Objective

Women with type 1 diabetes have increased risk of infertility compared to women without diabetes even after adjustment for irregular menses, but aetiologies are incompletely understood. Our aim was to examine the prevalence of abnormalities in ovarian markers consistent with polycystic ovary syndrome in women with type 1 diabetes and associations with irregular menses and diabetes‐specific variables.

Design, Patients and Measurements

We conducted a secondary analysis of women in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Study (DCCT/EDIC), a randomized trial and observational follow‐up of intensive insulin therapy for type 1 diabetes. We included women with anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) measurements among women not using oral contraceptives (n = 187). Initial AMH and testosterone measures were performed between EDIC years 1 and 4. History of irregular menses was assessed annually.

Results

The median age of women was 35 (interquartile ratio 29, 40) years; 133 (35%) had elevated AMH and 62 (17%) reported irregular menses. Twelve per cent of women had relative elevations in total testosterone. In multivariable models, lower insulin dosages were associated with higher AMH concentrations (P = .0027), but not diabetes duration, glycemic control, body mass index or irregular menses. Neither irregular menses nor diabetes‐specific variables were associated with testosterone concentrations.

Conclusions

Among women with type 1 diabetes in their thirties, abnormalities in ovarian markers are common and not associated with irregular menses and thus may partially account for decreased fecundity in women with type 1 diabetes.
Economic Integration Reconsidered*
Authors: Larue Bruno
Published: January 2018

Economic integration refers to the various types of agreements coordinating economic policies and regulations between countries. There has been a rapid increase in the number of regional trade agreements (RTAs) since the mid 1990s and appetite for deep integration was reflected in the growth of European Union (EU) membership. However, the rejection of the Trans‐Pacific Partnership by the United States and the United Kingdom's rejection of the EU common market are symptomatic of a new anti‐integration wave. In this address, I discuss the roots of anti‐integration sentiments and I review the economics of integration, the measurement and sources of the gains from trade, and trade policy. Canada has much to gain from securing RTAs with large countries like the United States, the EU, and, eventually, with Japan and China. The North American Free Trade Agreement made winners and losers, but long‐run gains more than made up for short‐run pains. Thus, there is no economic justification for maintaining interprovincial and international trade barriers in some of Canada's agri‐food industries.

L'intégration économique implique la coordination de politiques économiques et règlementations par le biais d'accords régionaux (ARs). Le nombre d'ARs a augmenté rapidement depuis le milieu des années 90 et la croissance du nombre de membres de l'Union Européenne (UE) reflète une tendance d'intégration profonde. Toutefois, le rejet du partenariat transpacifique par les États‐Unis et la sortie du Royaume‐Uni du marché commun européen sont le reflet d'une nouvelle vague anti‐intégration. Mon texte discute des facteurs qui ont contribué à cette vague et passe en revue les analyses sur l'intégration économique, la mesure et les sources des gains du commerce et les politiques commerciales. Une petite écononmie ouverte comme celle du Canada a beaucoup à gagner d'ARs avec de gros pays comme les États‐Unis, l'UE, et éventuellement, le Japon et la Chine. L'accord de libre échange nord‐américain a fait des gagnants et des perdants, mais les gains à long terme ont plus que compensé pour les pertes de court terme. Par conséquent, il n'y a pas d'argument économique justifiant le maintien de barrières aux commerces interprovincial et international dans certaines industries agroalimentaires.
Behavioral fragmentation in the D1CT‐7 mouse model of Tourette's syndrome
Authors: Santangelo Andrea , Bortolato Marco , Mosher Laura J. , Crescimanno Giuseppe , Di Giovanni Giuseppe , Cassioli Emanuele , Ricca Valdo , Casarrubea Maurizio
Published: January 2018

Aim

The transgenic D1CT‐7 mouse is one of the best‐characterized animal models of Tourette's syndrome (TS), exhibiting spontaneous tic‐like Head‐Body Twitches (HBT) and deficits in sensorimotor gating. This study is aimed at evaluating the behavioral dynamics of these mutants and their potential relevance to TS.

Methods

The behavior of D1CT‐7 and Wild Type littermates was firstly assessed by considering frequencies and durations. To detect recurrent real‐time behavioral sequences, the multivariate T‐pattern analysis was employed. Analyses of transition probabilities among behaviors further provided an overall picture of the behavioral dynamics.

Results

T‐patterns and transition matrices revealed in D1CT‐7 mice a clear‐cut hyperactivity compared to controls, with a lower behavioral organization and a marked shift from cautious sniffing toward locomotion. Moreover, the behavioral patterns of the transgenic mice were pervasively disturbed by intrusive tic‐like HBT leading to a marked fragmentation of the behavior. Novel exposure to open field provoked a transient inhibitory control over the disrupting phenotype.

Conclusion

The results of this study show that the D1CT‐7 mouse model is subjected to a behavioral fragmentation, with repercussions going beyond the simple tic‐like phenomenon. These phenotypes are strikingly akin to behavioral problems observed in patients with TS and further validate the power of this model in summarizing pivotal behavioral aspects of TS.
Transcriptome profiling of peripheral blood immune cell populations in multiple sclerosis patients before and during treatment with a sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor modulator
Authors: Angerer Ines C. , Hecker Michael , Koczan Dirk , Roch Luisa , Friess Jörg , Rüge Annelen , Fitzner Brit , Boxberger Nina , Schröder Ina , Flechtner Kristin , Thiesen Hans‐Jürgen , Winkelmann Alexander , Meister Stefanie , Zettl Uwe K.
Published: January 2018

Aims

Fingolimod is a sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator approved for the treatment of the relapsing form of multiple sclerosis (MS). It prevents the egress of lymphocyte subpopulations from lymphoid tissues into the circulation. Here, we explored the broad effects of fingolimod on gene expression in different immune cell subsets.

Methods

Utilizing 150 high‐resolution microarrays from Affymetrix, we obtained the transcriptome profiles of 5 cell populations, which were separated from the peripheral blood of MS patients prior to and following oral administration of fingolimod.

Results

After 3 months of treatment, significant transcriptome shifts were seen in CD4+ and CD8+ cells, which is mainly attributable to the selective homing of naive T cells and central memory T cells. Although the number of B cells was greatly reduced in the blood of fingolimod‐treated MS patients, the analysis of differential expression in CD19+ cells identified only a small set of 42 genes, which indicated a slightly higher frequency of transitional B cells. The transcriptome signatures of CD14+ monocytes and CD56+ natural killer cells were not affected.

Conclusion

Our study corroborates changes in the composition of circulating immune cells in response to fingolimod and delineates the respective implications at the RNA level. Our data may be valuable for comparing the effects of novel S1P receptor modulating agents, which may be a therapeutic option for patients with secondary progressive MS as well.
Plant Collection “Half‐life:” Can Botanic Gardens Weather the Climate?
Authors: Griffith M. Patrick , Barber Gregory , Tucker Lima Joanna , Barros Michelle , Calonje Claudia , Noblick Larry R. , Calonje Michael , Magellan Tracy , Dosmann Michael , Thibault Tim , Gerlowski Neil
Published: January 2018

Botanic gardens are organized around plant collections, and climate change will affect those collections. Land loss is expected for gardens near sea level, prompting a loss of plants from the collection. Future collection development requires planning for these losses, which in turn requires assessment of the extent and rate of collection loss. We examined collection inventory change over time using records at Montgomery Botanical Center (MBC), to formulate a plant collection half‐life concept. This half‐life was used to project changes in MBC's plant collection over the next 100 years within the context of sea level changes. Comparing predicted rates of collection change with projected rates of loss due to sea level rise, we expect plant collection development to keep pace with climate change. As actively curated resources, botanic garden plant collections can adapt to environmental change faster and more deliberately than natural systems.
How do people with homelessness and alcohol dependence cope when alcohol is unaffordable? A comparison of residents of Canadian managed alcohol programs and locally recruited controls
Authors: Erickson Rebekah A. , Stockwell Tim , Pauly Bernadette (Bernie) , Chow Clifton , Roemer Audra , Zhao Jinhui , Vallance Kate , Wettlaufer Ashley
Published: January 2018

Introduction and Aims

We investigated coping strategies used by alcohol‐dependent and unstably housed people when they could not afford alcohol, and how managed alcohol program (MAP) participation influenced these. The aim of this study was to investigate potential negative unintended consequences of alcohol being unaffordable.

Design and Methods

A total of 175 MAP residents in five Canadian cities and 189 control participants from nearby shelters were interviewed about the frequency they used 10 coping strategies when unable to afford alcohol. Length of stay in a MAP was examined as a predictor of negative coping while controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, housing stability, spending money and drinks per day. Multivariate binary logistic and linear regression models were used.

Results

Most commonly reported strategies were re‐budgeting (53%), waiting for money (49%) or going without alcohol (48%). A significant proportion used illicit drugs (41%) and/or drank non‐beverage alcohol (41%). Stealing alcohol or property was less common. Long‐term MAP participants (>2 months) exhibited lower negative coping scores than controls (8.76 vs. 10.63, P < 0.001) and were less likely to use illicit drugs [odds ratio (OR) 0.50, P = 0.02], steal from liquor stores (OR 0.50, P = 0.04), re‐budget (OR 0.36, P < 0.001) or steal property (OR 0.40, P = 0.07). Long‐term MAP participants were also more likely to seek treatment (OR 1.91, P = 0.03) and less likely to go without alcohol (OR 0.47, P = 0.01).

Discussion and Conclusions

People experiencing alcohol dependence and housing instability more often reduced their alcohol consumption than used harmful coping when alcohol was unaffordable. MAP participation was associated with fewer potentially harmful coping strategies.
Relationship between metacognitive beliefs and psychosocial performance in at‐risk states of psychosis and patients with first psychotic episodes
Authors: Brüne Martin , Drommelschmidt Kim‐Alisha , Krüger‐Özgürdal Seza , Juckel Georg
Published: January 2018

Aims

Improving diagnostic batteries to identify individuals at‐risk for developing psychotic disorders as early as possible is an ongoing challenge in schizophrenia research. Here, we sought to explore whether metacognition in at‐risk of developing psychosis would differ from that of first episode psychosis and unaffected controls and whether dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs would be associated with psychosocial functioning in the clinical groups.

Methods

Twenty‐three subjects at‐risk of psychosis were compared with a group of 15 first psychotic episode patients and 21 healthy controls with regard to their metacognitive beliefs and psychosocial functioning. Metacognition was assessed using the Metacognition Questionnaire (MCQ), psychosocial functioning was rated using the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP). Depression and anxiety were also evaluated.

Results

The clinical groups differed significantly from controls in several MCQ scores, particularly the subscales “negative beliefs” and “need for control,” as well as on all PSP scales. Furthermore, significant correlations emerged between the metacognition and psychosocial functioning. A mediation analysis revealed that dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs had no direct effect on psychosocial functioning, but was mediated by depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

These results corroborate findings assigning depressive symptoms an important role in early recognition of psychosis.