bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Central Food Retail: Business Expansion and Brand Architecture Strategy
Authors: Ngamcharoenmongkol Piya
Published: July 2018

The retail store market in Thailand continued to grow with more intense competition from key players expanding their operations across retail grocery market segments. Central Food Retail Company Limited (CFR) was the market leader in the supermarket segment targeting the middle to high income groups. As part of the company’s long-term strategy, CFR planned to expand the business into other retail sectors by launching new store formats to capture other customer segments, especially middle- and lowincome groups. These customer segments had been largely served by operators in the hypermarket segment. The challenges and opportunities that CFR faced and the decisions on brand extension strategy and brand architecture strategy were discussed.
Towards an Innovation Link between Dynamic Capabilities and Sustainability Strategy: Options for Emerging Market Companies
Authors: Lynch Richard
Published: July 2018

Over the last few years, there has been considerable scholarly interest in the strategic management concept of dynamic capabilities. During the same period, sustainability policies and strategies have also become a major focus for many companies. These two areas have resulted in major new innovative opportunities for companies, including those located in emerging markets. However, up to the present time, few studies have attempted to combine the growing scholarly topic of dynamic capabilities with the equally important topic of sustainability strategy in the context of emerging market companies. This paper links these two areas through the theoretical lens of innovation theory. It develops and proposes four main business options for companies, particularly those from emerging markets, from an innovation perspective. The paper contributes new knowledge by identifying and expanding on the innovation strategy links between dynamic capabilities and sustainability strategy. It offers theoretical insights into the nature of that connection in the context of companies from both developed and developing economies.
Information Systems Capabilities and Customer Capital: A Multiple Mediation Model
Authors: Baloch Muhammad Awais , Meng Fanchen , Lodhi Rab Nawaz
Published: July 2018

Many studies uphold information systems (IS) capabilities as a key factor in creating customer capital. This study explores this topic further by proposing a multiple mediation model. Hence, the study fills a conspicuous gap in the literature through its analysis of the mediating roles of green innovation product and environmental uncertainty. The study employs partial least square variance-based structural equation modeling to a sample of 425 participants from a variety of firms. From the findings of the study, we infer that green innovation performance — to a greater extent — and environmental uncertainty — to a lesser extent — play mediating roles between IS capabilities and customer capital.
Understanding a Business Incubator as a Start-Up Factory: A Value Chain Model Perspective
Authors: Brun Eric Christian
Published: July 2018

This study proposes a value chain model for business incubation. It describes both an incubated start-up’s development of its own product and business and the incubator’s development of the start-up from entrance to exit as a “product” of the incubator. The reported research is based on qualitative content analysis of 15 start-up cases in a Norwegian business incubator. The reported research enhances our theoretical understanding of start-up development processes within an incubator and provides a framework that will be useful for incubator management to guide incubatees through their venture creation process.
Characteristics of Chief Technology Officers and Radical Innovation
Authors: Chung Doohee , Kang Minhyung
Published: July 2018

This study examines how characteristics of chief technology officer (CTO) drive radical innovation of the firm. Using data of 140 firms in US manufacturing industries, this study finds that the characteristics of the CTO explains a significant proportion of a firm’s relative radicalness even after controlling for CEO and top management team (TMT) characteristics, organizational capabilities, and other firm characteristics. Specifically, a CTO’s diverse functional experience increases a firm’s radicalness. In terms of individual prior functions, marketing experience was significantly related to radical innovation. In addition, the CTO’s diverse industrial experience increases the firm’s radicalness. In contrast to the existing theories, the CTO’s education level, tenure and age showed insignificant effects. However, the number of degrees in engineering and science showed significant effect on the performance of radical innovation. These results of the analysis on firm-level radicalness provide implications for both academics and practitioners.
The Process of Innovation: An Analysis of the Cloud Computing Role in Allowing a Challenger Company to Innovate, and its Consequences to an Incumbent One
Authors: Cruzara Giovani , Segatto Andréa Paula , Freitas Matheus
Published: July 2018

In this paper we aim to identify if the cloud computing was a key component for a challenger company developing an innovation that resulted in consequences for an incumbent one. To analyze that we use a multi-phase process of innovation perspective. The results demonstrate that cloud computing had a decisive role in allowing the challenger company to develop its innovation, which resulted in consequences for the incumbent one that now tries to imitate the innovation developed to maintain its competitiveness.
Obscured Active Galactic Nuclei
Authors: Hickox Ryan C. , Alexander David M.
Published: July 2018

Active galactic nuclei (AGN) are powered by the accretion of material onto a supermassive black hole (SMBH) and are among the most luminous objects in the Universe. However, the huge radiative power of most AGN cannot be seen directly, as the accretion is hidden behind gas and dust that absorb many of the characteristic observational signatures. This obscuration presents an important challenge for uncovering the complete AGN population and understanding the cosmic evolution of SMBHs. In this review, we describe a broad range of multiwavelength techniques that are currently being employed to identify obscured AGN, and we assess the reliability and completeness of each technique. We follow with a discussion of the demographics of obscured AGN activity, explore the nature and physical scales of the obscuring material, and assess the implications of obscured AGN for observational cosmology. We conclude with an outline of the prospects for future progress from both observations and theoretical models, and we highlight some of the key outstanding questions.
Surgical reinforcement alters collagen alignment and turnover in healing myocardial infarcts
Authors: Caggiano Laura R. , Lee Jia-Jye , Holmes Jeffrey W.
Published: July 2018

Previous studies have suggested that the composition and global mechanical properties of the scar tissue that forms after a myocardial infarction (MI) are key determinants of long-term survival, and emerging therapies such as biomaterial injection are designed in part to alter those mechanical properties. However, recent evidence suggests that local mechanics regulate scar formation post-MI, so that perturbing infarct mechanics could have unexpected consequences. We therefore tested the effect of changes in local mechanical environment on scar collagen turnover, accumulation, and alignment in 77 Sprague-Dawley rats at 1, 2, 3 and 6 wk post-MI by sewing a Dacron patch to the epicardium to eliminate circumferential strain while permitting continued longitudinal stretching with each heart beat. We found that collagen in healing infarcts aligned parallel to regional strain and perpendicular to the preinfarction muscle and collagen fiber direction, strongly supporting our hypothesis that mechanical environment is the primary determinant of scar collagen alignment. Mechanical reinforcement reduced levels of carboxy-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP; a biomarker for collagen synthesis) in samples collected by microdialysis significantly, particularly in the first 2 wk. Reinforcement also reduced carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP; a biomarker for collagen degradation), particularly at later time points. These alterations in collagen turnover produced no change in collagen area fraction as measured by histology but significantly reduced wall thickness in the reinforced scars compared with untreated controls. Our findings confirm the importance of regional mechanics in regulating scar formation after infarction and highlight the potential for therapies that reduce stretch to also reduce wall thickness in healing infarcts.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study shows that therapies such as surgical reinforcement, which reduce stretch in healing infarcts, can also reduce collagen synthesis and wall thickness and modify collagen alignment in postinfarction scars.
Statistical considerations in reporting cardiovascular research
Authors: Lindsey Merry L. , Gray Gillian A. , Wood Susan K. , Curran-Everett Douglas
Published: July 2018

The problem of inadequate statistical reporting is long standing and widespread in the biomedical literature, including in cardiovascular physiology. Although guidelines for reporting statistics have been available in clinical medicine for some time, there are currently no guidelines specific to cardiovascular physiology. To assess the need for guidelines, we determined the type and frequency of statistical tests and procedures currently used in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology. A PubMed search for articles published in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology between January 1, 2017, and October 6, 2017, provided a final sample of 146 articles evaluated for methods used and 38 articles for indepth analysis. The t-test and ANOVA accounted for 71% (212 of 300 articles) of the statistical tests performed. Of six categories of post hoc tests, Bonferroni and Tukey tests were used in 63% (62 of 98 articles). There was an overall lack in details provided by authors publishing in the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, and we compiled a list of recommended minimum reporting guidelines to aid authors in preparing manuscripts. Following these guidelines could substantially improve the quality of statistical reports and enhance data rigor and reproducibility.

Listen to this article’s corresponding podcast at https://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/statistical-considerations-in-reporting-cardiovascular-research/ .
Vitamin D–Binding Protein and Risk of Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Cancer Prevention Study-II Cohort
Authors: Mondul Alison M. , Weinstein Stephanie J. , Parisi Dominick , Um Caroline Y. , McCullough Marjorie L. , Albanes Demetrius
Published: July 2018

Background: Kidney cancer has several well-established risk factors, including smoking, obesity, and hypertension. These factors do not, however, completely account for its etiology. One previous study of vitamin D–binding protein (DBP) and risk of renal cell carcinoma found a striking inverse association that warranted replication.

Methods: We conducted a nested case–control study in the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study-II Nutrition Cohort to prospectively examine circulating DBP concentration and renal cell carcinoma risk. Cases (n = 87) were matched 1:1 to controls on gender, race, age (±5 years), and date of blood collection (±30 days). ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for quartiles of DBP using conditional logistic regression.

Results: There was a statistically significant inverse trend across quartiles of DBP such that participants with higher DBP had a markedly decreased risk of renal cell carcinoma (vs. Q1: Q2 OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.41–2.11; Q3 OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.15–1.15; Q4 OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.10–1.06; Ptrend = 0.03).

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate a strong inverse association between circulating DBP and risk of renal cell carcinoma, supporting the findings from previous research.

Impact: This is only the second study to examine DBP and risk of kidney cancer, and one of only a handful of studies to examine circulating DBP and risk of cancer at any site. Our findings support emerging evidence for an etiologic role of DBP in cancer and may provide insights into the etiology of kidney and other cancers. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(10); 1203–7. ©2018 AACR.
Glycine Protects the Liver from Reperfusion Injury following Pneumoperitoneum
Authors: Al-Saeedi Mohammed , Nickkholgh Arash , Schultze Daniel , Flechtenmacher Christa , Zorn Markus , Liang Rui , Gutt Carsten N. , Schemmer Peter
Published: July 2018

Background: Experimental pneumoperitoneum induces ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) in the liver, most likely via Kupffer cell (KC)-dependent mechanisms. Glycine has been shown to ameliorate IRI in various animal models. Thus, this study was performed to assess the effects of glycine on the liver after pneumoperitoneum. Materials and Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (220–250 g in weight) underwent CO2 pneumoperitoneum (12 mm Hg) for 90 min. Some rats received i.v. glycine (1.5 mL, 300 mM) 10 min before pneumoperitoneum. Controls were given the same volume of Ringer’s solution. Transaminases, hepatic microcirculation, and phagocytosis of latex beads indexing both liver injury and KC activation were examined following pneumoperitoneum. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), plus a subsequent t test or χ2 test (or Fisher’s exact test) were carried out as appropriate. Results are presented as mean ± SEM. Results: Glycine significantly decreased lactate dehydrogenase at 1 h and both aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase at 2 h after pneumoperitoneum from 477 ± 43, 154 ± 17, and 60 ± 6 U/L in controls to 348 ± 25, 101 ± 11, and 34 ± 3 U/L, respectively (p < 0.05). In parallel, glycine significantly decreased both the rate of permanent adherence of leukocytes to the endothelium by up to 35% and the rate of phagocytosis by > 50% compared to the control group. Conclusion: Glycine decreased IRI after pneumoperitoneum, most likely via KC-dependent mechanisms.
Mutant MAPK7-Induced Idiopathic Scoliosis is Linked to Impaired Osteogenesis
Authors: Zhou Taifeng , Chen Chong , Xu Caixia , Zhou Hang , Gao Bo , Su Deying , Liao Zhiheng , Li Yongyong , Yang Shulan , Su Peiqiang
Published: July 2018

Background/Aims: Three rare MAPK7 variants that predispose individuals to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis have previously been identified. However, the mechanism underlying the effects of the mutations remain unknown. Methods: Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were isolated from both patients and healthy volunteer donors, and MAPK7 expression was detected by western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Zebrafish embryos were injected with mapk7 morpholinos or co-injected with morpholinos and wild-type (WT) MAPK7 messenger RNA (mRNA) at the one-cell stage, followed by calcein staining to evaluate bone formation. hMSCs were transfected with MAPK7 small interfering RNAs and osteogenesis was induced for 14 days. Alizarin red staining was performed and osteoblast markers were detected by western blotting and RT-qPCR. Since RPS6KA3 is a downstream target of MAPK7 and plays an important role in the osteogenesis, zebrafish embryos were then injected with rps6ka3 morpholinos, or co-injected with rps6ka3 or mapk7 morpholinos and WT RPS6KA3 mRNA at the one-cell stage. Results: MAPK7 expression in the patient group was much lower than in the control group. Morpholino-induced mapk7 knockdown in zebrafish embryos led to body curvature, which was significantly reversed by WT MAPK7 mRNA. Calcein staining revealed that mapk7-knockdown delayed the ossification of the vertebrae. MAPK7 silencing in hMSCs impaired osteogenesis and downregulated osteoblast marker expression. Morpholino-induced rps6ka3-knockdown in zebrafish embryos led to body curvature, which was reversed by WT RPS6KA3 mRNA. Interestingly, RPS6KA3 mRNA also partially reversed the phenotype induced by mapk7 morpholinos. Conclusion: Impaired osteogenesis is linked to mutant MAPK7-induced idiopathic scoliosis , and RPS6KA3 may play an important role in this process.
Взаємозв’язок між інтенсивністю карієсу, структурно-функціональною резистентністю емалі та гігієною порожнини рота у дітей із карієсом оклюзійної поверхні жувальної групи зубів
Authors: Shpotyuk O. O.
Published: July 2018

Summary. The article describes the relationship between caries intensity, oral hygiene and enamel resistance during the period of secondary mineralization of teeth is an actual task, the solution of which will be the basis for the justification of caries prevention.The aim of the study – to assess the relationship between caries intensity, oral hygiene and enamel resistance during the period of secondary mineralization of the teeth.Materials and Methods. 156 children were examined, among them 76 were between 12 and 15 years of age and 80 children aged 16 to 18 years. To assess the odor of caries of chewing teeth, the intensity of the KPV index and intensity levels according criteria were determined. The condition of hygiene of the oral cavity was estimated using the hygienic index Green-Vermilion. Structural-functional resistance was determined by the TER-test Okushko V. R., Kosareva L. I. (1983).Results and Discussion. As a result of our research, we found that with an increase in the intensity of the carious process in children of both groups of the study deterioration of the hygienic state of the oral cavity according to the OHI-S index. Also between this index and TER-test there is a strong correlation relationship. When TER-test increases the value of OHI-S index enlarges.Conclusions. Unsatisfactory level of hygiene of the oral cavity, especially during the period of active mineralization of the enamel, contributes to reducing the resistance of the enamel, which plays a significant role in the development of caries in children of the study group.
π-пластина як найкраща пластина для остеосинтезу ангулярного перелому нижньої щелепи
Authors: Hudymenko O. O. , Kuzenko Ye. V. , Karpenko L. I. , Skydanenko M. S. , Sikora V. V.
Published: July 2018

Summary. An angular fracture occurs most often in the fracture of the mandible. The frequency of complications after osteosynthesis with high-quality titanium plates of known configurations remains rather high.The aim of the study – to determine the most optimal form of the titanium plate among the most commonly used with the help of numerical simulation which takes into account the direction and value of the force of chewing muscles.Materials and Methods. To determine the optimal configuration of the plate not only the value of the pressure and plate area were used but also the relative displacement of the mandible fractures. A computer tomography was used to obtain a three-dimensional computational model, which was exported to the Ansys Workbench software suite.Results and Discussion. As a result of our research, we found that in the osteosynthesis of the angular mandible fracture accomplished with our π-plate, the largest displacement of the fragments relative to each other was 0.14 mm. That means this plate provides reliable fixation of fragments. The greatest pressure that arose in the π-plate was 364 MPa. This pressure is less than the yield point therefore when the load is removed the plate returns to its original position. It should be noted that the installation of the plate in the other direction gives an excess of the material’s yield point.
Післяін’єкційна медикаментозна гранульома
Authors: Gorolyuk A. Yu. , Botvinnikov D. Yu.
Published: July 2018

Мета роботи: вказати на рідкісний випадок появи великих розмірів гранульоми в ділянці ін’єкцій медикаментів та ефективність радикального хірургічного лікування.
Прояви семіотики гострого апендициту залежно від його розташування та триместру у вагітних
Authors: Stets M. M. , Chernenko V. M.
Published: July 2018

Мета роботи: провести аналіз клінічного перебігу гострого апендициту та лабораторних показників запалення у вагітних залежно від розташування апендиксу та триместру вагітності для визначення тактики лікування та попередження ускладнень при вагітності.Матеріали і методи. Оцінено клінічний перебіг та параклінічні показники у 258 вагітних із гострим апендицитом, що перебували на лікуванні в клінічних лікарнях міста Києва та 391 вагітна без гострої хірургічної патології, що склали групу порівняння. Серед біохімічних даних досліджено рівень імуноглобулінів M, G, A, E, циркулюючих імунних комплексів, фактора некрозу пухлин, кріоглобулінів, прокальцитоніну, інтерлейкіну-1, 2, а також показників неспецифічної резистентності організму та адаптаційного імунітету.Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Раптовий початок болю спостерігали в І триместрі в 68,57 % пацієнток, в ІІ – 63,68 % та 69,7 % в третьому. Поєднання з нудотою та одно- або дворазовим блюванням встановлено в 77,14 %, 47,89 % та 36,36 %, відповідно. Ознаки ендогенної інтоксикації встановлено у 20,0 %, 45,26 %, 57,58 % вагітних у трьох триместрах відповідно. В ІІ та ІІІ триместрах вагітності визначення болючості в точках Мак-Бурнея, Ланца було неефективне в 90 % випадків. Серед біохімічних показників встановлено підвищення вмісту прокальцитоніну в 4 рази, концентрації ФНП – 2,74 раза, вмісту Іл-1 в 1,6 раза, вмісту ЦІК в 1,46 та рівнів IgM і IgG (в 2,11 раза та 1,37 раза, відповідно) щодо показників контрольної групи.
Preoperative Predictors of Death and Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia After Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Patients With Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot Enrolled in the INDICATOR Cohort
Authors: Geva Tal , Mulder Barbara , Gauvreau Kimberlee , Babu-Narayan Sonya V. , Wald Rachel M. , Hickey Kelsey , Powell Andrew J. , Gatzoulis Michael A. , Valente Anne Marie
Published: July 2018

Background:

Risk factors for adverse clinical outcomes have been identified in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot before pulmonary valve replacement (PVR). However, pre-PVR predictors for post-PVR sustained ventricular tachycardia and death have not been identified.

Methods:

Patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot enrolled in the INDICATOR cohort (International Multicenter TOF Registry), a 4-center international cohort study, who had a comprehensive preoperative evaluation and subsequently underwent PVR were included. Preprocedural clinical, ECG, cardiovascular magnetic resonance, and postoperative outcome data were analyzed. Cox proportional hazards multivariable regression analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with time from pre-PVR cardiovascular magnetic resonance until the primary outcome: death, aborted sudden cardiac death, or sustained ventricular tachycardia.

Results:

Of the 452 eligible patients (median age at PVR, 25.8 years), 36 (8%) reached the primary outcome (27 deaths, 2 resuscitated death, and 7 sustained ventricular tachycardia) at a median time after PVR of 6.5 years. Cox proportional hazards regression identified pre-PVR right ventricular ejection fraction <40% (hazard ratio, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.18–4.85;
P
=0.02), right ventricular mass-to-volume ratio ≥0.45 g/mL (hazard ratio, 4.08; 95% CI, 1.57–10.6;
P
=0.004), and age at PVR ≥28 years (hazard ratio, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.42–6.78;
P
=0.005) as outcome predictors. In a subgroup analysis of 230 patients with Doppler data, predicted right ventricular systolic pressure ≥40 mm Hg was associated with the primary outcome (hazard ratio, 3.42; 95% CI, 1.09–10.7;
P
=0.04). Preoperative predictors of a composite secondary outcome, postoperative arrhythmias and heart failure, included older age at PVR, pre-PVR atrial tachyarrhythmias, and a higher left ventricular end-systolic volume index.

Conclusions:

In this observational investigation of patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot, an older age at PVR and pre-PVR right ventricular hypertrophy and dysfunction were predictive of a shorter time to postoperative death and sustained ventricular tachycardia. These findings may inform the timing of PVR if confirmed by prospective clinical trials.
A Concept without Consensus: Conceptualisation of the ‘Situation’ Notion in the Rome Statute
Authors: Zakerhossein Mohammad Hadi
Published: July 2018

In response to quelling Libya’s popular uprising against the authoritarian rule of Gaddafi, the United Nations Security Council referred the situation in Libya to the International Criminal Court. Subsequently, the Office of the Prosecutor brought four cases against the most responsible seniors for attacking civilians protesting the Gaddafi regime in 2011. Later, the Prosecutor went behind the borders of the original situation by prosecuting Al-Werfalli, who was accused of crimes taking place in the summer 2017, when there was no repressive apparatus against Gaddafi’s opponents. This recent case may pose a jurisdictional challenge that leads to a conceptual question: what does the concept of a ‘situation’ mean? The Court’s jurisdiction limits the contours of a situation. The main constituent element of a situation is a concrete crisis that differentiates the situation from others. This contextual element will be discussed in this article.
New species of Mycena (Mycenaceae, Agaricales) with colored lamellae and three new species records from China
Authors: NA QIN , BAU TOLGOR
Published: July 2018

Four species of Mycena possessing a colored lamellar are reported. Of these, Mycena entolomoides is described as new and is distinguished by an incarnate color of the whole lamellae, and M. citrinomarginata, M. purpureofusca, and M. strobilinoidea are recorded for the first time in China. A complete description, drawings and photographs of the morphological characters of M. entolomoides sp. nov. are accompanied by comparisons with closely related taxa. The three species newly recorded in China are considered in agreement with those species in Europe and North America. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences showed that M. entolomoides sp. nov. forms a monophyletic clade, well supported by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference.
The upper Miocene chitons of northwest France (Mollusca: Polyplacophora)
Authors: DELL’ANGELO BRUNO , LANDAU BERNARD M. , VAN DINGENEN FRANK , CEULEMANS LUC
Published: July 2018

This study describes the chiton fauna (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) from the upper Miocene Tortonian deposits of northwest France previously known as the ‘Redonian’. Twenty-two species were identified (represented by 9,380 valves), of which seven were already known, one is assigned at generic level (Leptochiton sp.) and 14 are described as new (Lepidopleurus pseudobenoisti sp. nov., L. gallicus sp. nov., Leptochiton parvus sp. nov., Leptochiton lateropustulosus sp. nov., Leptochiton renauleauensis sp. nov., Hanleya sancticlementensis sp. nov., H. sossoi sp. nov., Ischnochiton nitidum sp. nov., Callochiton pouweri sp. nov., Rhyssoplax assurrectum sp. nov., Tonicella redoniensis sp. nov., Acanthochitona globosa sp. nov., A. andegavensis sp. nov. and A. chauvereauensis sp. nov.). Regarding the stratigraphic distribution of the 21 taxa identified, 15 are restricted to the Miocene, the remaining six are extant and are distributed in the Atlantic and Mediterranean (Lepidopleurus cajetanus, Leptochiton algesirensis, Hanleya hanleyi, Ischnochiton rissoi, Callochiton doriae and Rhyssoplax corallinus. The number of new species is high (14 out of 22), possibly explained in part by the fact that this is the first description of the northwestern French upper Miocene chiton fauna - true endemicity is less likely in the light of scarce sampling.
Drivers of the Low-Cloud Response to Poleward Jet Shifts in the North Pacific in Observations and Models
Authors: Zelinka Mark D. , Grise Kevin M. , Klein Stephen A. , Zhou Chen , DeAngelis Anthony M. , Christensen Matthew W.
Published: July 2018

The long-standing expectation that poleward shifts of the midlatitude jet under global warming will lead to poleward shifts of clouds and a positive radiative feedback on the climate system has been shown to be misguided by several recent studies. On interannual time scales, free-tropospheric clouds are observed to shift along with the jet, but low clouds increase across a broad expanse of the North Pacific Ocean basin, resulting in negligible changes in total cloud fraction and top-of-atmosphere radiation. Here it is shown that this low-cloud response is consistent across eight independent satellite-derived cloud products. Using multiple linear regression, it is demonstrated that the spatial pattern and magnitude of the low-cloud-coverage response is primarily driven by anomalous surface temperature advection. In the eastern North Pacific, anomalous cold advection by anomalous northerly surface winds enhances sensible and latent heat fluxes from the ocean into the boundary layer, resulting in large increases in low-cloud coverage. Local increases in low-level stability make a smaller contribution to this low-cloud increase. Despite closely capturing the observed response of large-scale meteorology to jet shifts, global climate models largely fail to capture the observed response of clouds and radiation to interannual jet shifts because they systematically underestimate how sensitive low clouds are to surface temperature advection, and to a lesser extent, low-level stability. More realistic model simulations of cloud–radiation–jet interactions require that parameterizations more accurately capture the sensitivity of low clouds to surface temperature advection.
Waiting for the Right One: The Role of Social Proximity and Location in the Decision to Use Cannabis for the First Time
Authors: Bouchard Martin , Dawson Krysta L. , Anamali Morena
Published: July 2018

The study examines the social context of a cannabis offer, an outcome rarely examined in research on substance use. Drawing from a survey conducted among 15-year-old students in a mid-sized Canadian city, we examine (a) the differences between three types of users (immediate, late, and nonusers) and (b) the factors associated with accepting a cannabis offer more quickly. The findings show that 40% of the sample received an offer, that 25% of those who accept an offer do so on the first occasion, and that among the others, it takes up to seven offers before accepting. The social context of the offer distinguishes between the types of users, and offers are accepted more quickly when adolescents are first offered by a close social contact, and when the offer occurs in familiar settings. The study also identifies a type of nonuser, those who are exposed to drugs but decide not to participate.
Moral Judgment and Empathic/Deontological Guilt
Authors: Migliore Simone , D’Aurizio Giulia , Parisi Francesca , Maffi Sabrina , Squitieri Barbara , Curcio Giuseppe , Mancini Francesco
Published: July 2018

Background

People often make complicated decisions to help or to punish perfect strangers. Harming someone or breaking some moral imperative is usually linked to feeling guilt, and several researches suggested the existence of two different kinds of guilt: altruistic/empathic and deontological.

Aim

Our study aimed to investigate the decision-making processes in moral and nonmoral judgments and assess how specific situations in which the subject is close to the victim or flanked by an authority can influence his decisions.

Methods

We used three different moral conditions: Empathic Moral (the decision has made while physically close to the potential victims), Deontological Moral (the decision has made while flanked by an “authority”), and Standard Moral (without any influence); a fourth condition is represented by Nonmoral dilemmas (the subject must make a choice between two different things and this does not cause any harm or victims). Previously, a pilot study was carried out for validating the experimental stories to be used in the main study.

Results

We observed a higher number of utilitarian/positive responses when individuals had to respond to Empathic Moral condition, with respect to Deontological Moral and Nonmoral dilemmas. Moreover, looking at the time needed to read the dilemma, under empathic guilt condition, people tended to be slower in reading the dilemmas than in other conditions and this both in case of positive and negative responses. No significant differences in time needed to effectively respond emerged.

Conclusions

These findings suggested that be physically close to potential victims or be flanked by an “authority” differentially influence the decision-making processes in moral judgment, inducing slower decisions and more utilitarian answers, particularly in the scenario of physical proximity.
Policing Blacks in Guangzhou: How Public Security Constructs Africans as Sanfei
Authors: Huang Guangzhi
Published: July 2018

This article looks at the role of Guangzhou’s Public Security Bureau in constructing Africans in the city as “triple illegal,” or sanfei 三非. The term refers to those who enter, stay, and work in China illegally. While many scholars have written about the racial profiling of Africans by the Chinese police, little is known about how police officers on the ground enforce the law and why they act the way they do. Failure to tackle these questions, combined with a more or less exclusive focus on Africans’ strategies of survival, not only undermines the effectiveness of criticizing the emerging institutional racism in China but also risks reinforcing the negative image of Africans as lawbreakers. This article attempts to fill this gap by approaching the topic from the perspective of police officers. It argues that the way the police system is set up makes Africans vulnerable targets of police officers, who are under great pressure to improve performance statistics and are motivated by monetary incentives.
When Forgiveness Signals Power: Effects of Forgiveness Expression and Forgiver Gender
Authors: Yao Donna Jingdan , Chao Melody M.
Published: July 2018

Forgiveness has been regarded as a sign of power, yet empirical evidence is mixed. This research seeks to resolve this inconsistency by looking into how and from whom forgiveness is expressed. Integrating theories on forgiveness, communication, and gender role, we hypothesized and found, in two experiments, that a third party’s perception of forgiver power is jointly influenced by forgiveness expression (explicit vs. implicit) and forgiver gender. Female forgivers were perceived as less powerful than their male counterparts when forgivers expressed implicit forgiveness, whereas this gender difference was not found when forgivers expressed explicit forgiveness. Perceived forgiver power, in turn, positively influenced third parties’ cooperation with the forgiver in subsequent interaction. This research represents an initial step to understanding forgiveness from a communication perspective. It demonstrates the social implications of forgiveness on uninvolved third parties. Our findings also resonate with several others in showing that forgiveness does not always yield interpersonal benefits.
What is Economic Theology? A New Governmental-Political Paradigm?
Authors: Dean Mitchell
Published: July 2018

Countering claims of its impossibility, this paper argues for economic theology as an intelligible figure of contemporary political rationality and organization, and a distinctive analytical strategy in relation to forms of liberal and neoliberal governmentality and the contemporary management of social life. As an analytical strategy, it has two arms: an institutional one, drawing upon Michel Foucault’s work on the pastorate; and a conceptual one, following from Giorgio Agamben on oikonomia, order and providence. Economic theology was the arcana of 20th-century debates on both political theology and governmentality and a condition for their emergence. It formed the horizon of Carl Schmitt’s intervention of a political theology in response to Max Weber, and, as the pastorate, it was for Foucault the historical background of the emergence of the liberal arts of government. While appearing as a new paradigm, it thus has a measure of priority over our more established ones. Furthermore, to the extent that economic theology comes to occupy the place of political rationality in contemporary liberal-democratic societies, the political becomes less a rational public sphere and more a form of public liturgy.
A skills perspective on the adoption and use of mobile money services in Uganda
Authors: Kiconco Rebecca I , Rooks Gerrit , Solano Giacomo , Matzat Uwe
Published: July 2018

Adoption rates of mobile financial services within sub-Saharan Africa still appear to be below par. The 2016 Groupe Spéciale Mobile Association report shows that over 60 per cent of the adult population in sub- Saharan Africa do not use mobile financial services. We investigate how cognitive resources, namely, mobile phone skills and English literacy, influence the use of mobile financial services. We test our hypotheses using a sample of 208 individuals from an urban location in Central Uganda. We measure actual mobile phone skill using a newly developed scale. The results show that a marginal increase in mobile phone skills has a strong effect on the odds of adopting mobile money, but a less strong effect on the extent to which the functionalities of the mobile money application are used. On the other hand, English literacy has no influence on both adoption and the magnitude of services individuals use.
The acquisition of Focus in L2 Spanish
Authors: Leal Tania , Destruel Emilie , Hoot Bradley
Published: July 2018

This paper examines the strategies used by speakers of Spanish as a second language (L2) for marking Information Focus, a phenomenon found at the syntax–discourse interface. Sorace and colleagues have proposed the Interface Hypothesis, according to which the syntax–discourse interface poses unique challenges for bilinguals (Sorace, 2011). With respect to Spanish, there exists a gap between the theoretical and empirical literatures on Focus realization; the former suggests that Focus must appear in sentence-final position, yet recent experimental work challenges this claim, showing that Focus commonly remains in situ. Using a speeded production task, we compared the response patterns of L2 Spanish speakers to that of natives in order to bring additional evidence to bear on the debate. Results revealed an asymmetry: L2 learners converged with native speakers on Subject Focus but not on Object Focus, where proficiency mediated overall divergences, indicating a change toward more nativelike Focus-marking strategies over time. We discuss our findings in light of the Interface Hypothesis and existing theories of Focus marking in Spanish.
Midregional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide, an important member of the natriuretic peptide family: potential role in diagnosis and prognosis of cardiovascular disease
Authors: Idzikowska Karolina , Zielińska Marzenna
Published: July 2018

Midregional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP), first isolated in 1981, is a novel peptide with multiple biological functions, especially within the cardiovascular system. This peptide plays an important role in many processes, including natriuresis, diuresis, and other physiological and pathophysiological pathways in the human body. Several electronic databases (PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus, and ScienceDirect) were analyzed in the present literature review. The aim of this study was to elucidate the wide roles of MR-proANP, which can be analyzed because of the development of a new sandwich immunoassay, and to determine the possible diagnostic and prognostic implications of MR-proANP on cardiovascular disease and other disorders. The studies discussed in this literature review provide valuable data on the role of ANP in the pathogenesis, diagnostic process, prognosis, and potential therapeutic strategies for disease. Although ANP is mainly associated with cardiovascular disease, it may be used as a biomarker in diabetology, neurology, and metabolic disorders.
Effects of long periods of pneumoperitoneum combined with the head-up position on heart rate-corrected QT interval during robotic gastrectomy: an observational study
Authors: Kim Na Young , Bai Sun-Joon , Kim Hyoung-Il , Hong Jung Hwa , Nam Hoon Jae , Koh Jae Chul , Kim Hyun Joo
Published: July 2018

Objective

Pneumoperitoneum and the head-up position reportedly stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, potentially increasing the risk of cardiac arrhythmia. We evaluated the effects of a long duration of pneumoperitoneum in the head-up position on the heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval during robotic gastrectomy.

Methods

This prospective observational study involved 28 patients undergoing robotic gastrectomy. The QTc interval was recorded at the following time points: before anaesthetic induction (baseline); 10 minutes after tracheal intubation; 1, 5, 30, 60, and 90 minutes after pneumoperitoneum induction in the head-up position; after pneumoperitoneum desufflation in the supine position; and at the end of surgery. The primary outcome was the QTc interval, which was measured 90 minutes after pneumoperitoneum combined with the head-up position.

Results

Compared with baseline, the QTc interval was significantly prolonged at 1 and 60 minutes after pneumoperitoneum, peaked at 90 minutes, and was sustained and notably prolonged until the end of surgery. However, no considerable haemodynamic changes developed.

Conclusion

A long period of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum application in a head-up position significantly prolonged the QTc interval during robotic gastrectomy. Therefore, diligent care and close monitoring are required for patients who are susceptible to developing ventricular arrhythmia. Trial Registration: Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02604979 ; Registration number NCT02604979
Pathogenic bacterial profile and drug resistance analysis of community-acquired pneumonia in older outpatients with fever
Authors: Luan Ying , Sun Yuling , Duan Shuhong , Zhao Ping , Bao Zhongying
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To study the pathogenic bacterial profile and drug resistance in older patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in outpatients with fever, and provide evidence to diagnose and treat CAP timely and accurately.

Methods

We studied older (>60 years) patients with CAP in Beijing Shijitan Hospital from 2016 to 2017. Pathogenic bacteria from sputum of patients were isolated and identified and their resistance to antibiotics was tested. Risk factors for multidrug-resistant CAP (MDR-CAP) and clinical outcomes were analyzed.

Results

A total of 5563 outpatients with fever were recruited and 391 had CAP. A total of 117 isolates of pathogenic bacteria were obtained from 176 CAP cases. The main pathogenic bacteria were Klebsiella pneumoniae (27.4%), Escherichia coli (17.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (12.0%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.3%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (9.4%). A drug sensitivity test (DST) showed that K. pneumoniae, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa had good sensitivity to imipenem, cefoperazone/sulbactam, piperacillin/tazobactam, and amikacin. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae had strong sensitivity to vancomycin, linezolid, and levofloxacin. Previous multiple antibiotic treatment was an independent risk factor for MDR-CAP.

Conclusions

Gram-negative bacteria are the main pathogenic bacteria in older patients with CAP. Identification and DSTs of pathogens could enable accurate diagnosis and treatment of CAP.
Nanog Expression and Proliferation Indices in Canine Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumors
Authors: Joselevitch Julia A. , Barra Camila N. , Vargas Thiago Henrique M. , Pulz Lidia H. , Nishiya Adriana T. , Kleeb Silvia Regina , Xavier José Guilherme , Catão-Dias José Luiz , Strefezzi Ricardo F.
Published: July 2018

Mast cell tumors are one of the most frequent skin tumors in dogs. Treatment decisions often depend on a wide range of clinical information and the main criteria for prognostic formulation are histological grade, mitotic count, Ki67 index, and KIT immunostaining pattern. NANOG is a pluripotency factor expressed by normal and cancer stem cells, which is a prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target for several human tumors. In the present study, mast cell tumor samples from 41 dogs were evaluated for NANOG and Ki67 by immunohistochemistry. All samples were positive for NANOG but its expression was not correlated with Ki67 index and no significant differences were found with respect to histopathological grades, disease-related mortality, or survival. Our results suggest that, although related to pluripotency, NANOG expression does not correlate with proliferative activity, and is not a reliable prognostic factor for canine cutaneous mast cell tumors.
Economic coercion and the problem of sanctions-proofing
Authors: Cilizoglu Menevis , Bapat Navin A
Published: July 2018

Although sanctions generate economic costs, target states may “sanctions-proof” their regime by borrowing capital from abroad. While some targets obtain interest-free capital from black knight states, others may need to borrow with interest from international credit markets. These interest rates may sometimes make borrowing cost-prohibitive, giving targets no choice but to acquiesce to the demands of the sender. However, since senders cannot observe if black knight states are assisting target states, targets have an incentive to misrepresent their source of external capital. In an effort to deter sanctions, targets that must borrow at high interest rates may signal that they have black knight support and are sanctions-proofed. We formally and empirically demonstrate that in this uncertain environment, senders are more likely to impose sanctions on targets with low credit ratings, but only do so if the target places a relatively low value on uninterrupted economic transactions with the sender.
Exploring the Process of Reading During Writing Using Eye Tracking and Keystroke Logging
Authors: de Smet Milou J. R. , Leijten Mariëlle , Van Waes Luuk
Published: July 2018

This study aims to explore the process of reading during writing. More specifically, it investigates whether a combination of keystroke logging data and eye tracking data yields a better understanding of cognitive processes underlying fluent and nonfluent text production. First, a technical procedure describes how writing process data from the keystroke logging program Inputlog are merged with reading process data from the Tobii TX300 eye tracker. Next, a theoretical schema on reading during writing is presented, which served as a basis for the observation context we created for our experiment. This schema was tested by observing 24 university students in professional communication (skilled writers) who typed short sentences that were manipulated to elicit fluent or nonfluent writing. The experimental sentences were organized into four different conditions, aiming at (a) fluent writing, (b) reflection about correct spelling of homophone verbs, (c) local revision, and (d) global revision. Results showed that it is possible to manipulate degrees of nonfluent writing in terms of time on task and percentage of nonfluent key transitions. However, reading behavior was affected only for the conditions that explicitly required revision. This suggests that nonfluent writing does not always affect the reading behavior, supporting the parallel and cascading processing hypothesis.