bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating the national logistics outsourcing market size: a multi-method approach and an application to the Italian context
Authors: Prataviera Lorenzo Bruno , Tappia Elena , Perotti Sara , Perego Alessandro
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Today logistics is an ever-growing multi-billion-dollar business, and logistics operations have been increasingly outsourced to specialised players. The intended aim of this paper is to offer a multi-method approach for estimating the size of the national logistics outsourcing market by building upon financial-reporting data of logistics service providers (LSPs).

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed approach is structured into four steps, clustered around two main stages: framework setting and data collection, and processing. A combination of methods is offered, including a review of academic literature and secondary sources, focus groups, interviews and data extractions from national databases.

Findings

The proposed approach is meant to be replicable in different countries, thus allowing for comparison amongst markets. With reference to a specific country and year, the following outputs are provided: market size in terms of the number of players and generated turnover – total and split by LSPs type – and market concentration measures. A practical application of the proposed approach to a specific context, i.e. Italy is finally offered.

Originality/value

The study focusses on the logistics outsourcing market and considers financial-reporting data from LSPs, avoiding the need for introducing assumptions about the value of logistics operations for shippers. The proposed approach can contribute to strengthening the accuracy of LSPs' market analyses, and supporting the development of national policies by local governments. The adoption of multiple methods brings rigour and reliability to the study. Finally, high flexibility is ensured, as the method may be adaptable over time to cope with future changes in the logistics landscape.
What influences success of small local government amalgamations: a comparison of cases in Thailand and the United States
Authors: Lowatcharin Grichawat , Crumpton Charles , Menifield Charles E. , Promsorn Pummin
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Municipal amalgamation (or merger or consolidation) is commonly employed in countries around the world to improve efficiency in public service. While mergers occur among jurisdictions of all sizes, the municipal amalgamation discourse is typically limited to one national setting and a focus on mergers of larger local jurisdictions. The existing municipal amalgamation literature pays little attention to predicate conditions for successful mergers. This study seeks to address these deficiencies by examining the premerger conditions and effects of municipal amalgamations that recently took place in four small jurisdictions of similar size in Thailand and the United States.

Design/methodology/approach

A holistic multiple case study approach was employed. These two cases share a geographical attribute: one municipal jurisdiction encircled by another.

Findings

The evidence indicates that factors associated with what the researchers refer to as “familiarity” facilitated both successful approval of and outcomes resulting from the amalgamation actions. While the study's findings align with international research regarding the potential for reducing administrative support costs through consolidation, its findings diverge from existing international evidence in that the evidence indicates operating effectiveness and efficiency improvements. Economies of scope and marginal economies of scale are in evidence. Although findings from this study indicate that there might be problematic effects regarding political representation and participation, in that the consolidated jurisdictions remain small in size, negative citizen engagement and participation consequences may be less than that evidenced in larger consolidated jurisdictions.

Originality/value

The study introduces the “familiarity” theorem as a theoretical lens to assist in understanding the cases.
Exploring donor's intention in charitable crowdfunding: intrinsic and extrinsic motivations
Authors: Chen Yuangao , Dai Ruyi , Wang Lu , Yang Shuiqing , Li Yixiao , Wei June
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study adopts self-determination theory and stimulus-organism-response framework to develop a model that explores the motivations of such donors by considering their self-determination needs and extrinsic and intrinsic motivations.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on online survey data collected from 436 crowdfunding donors in China, this study follows a structural equation modeling analysis to test hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that perceived ease of use, perceived self-efficacy and social connection have positive effects on the donation intentions of backers through a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic motivations.

Originality/value

The findings shed light on various extrinsic and intrinsic motivations advancing knowledge of individual fund motivation in donation-based crowdfunding and provide guidelines for the development of donation-based crowdfunding theory and practice.
Green talent management and turnover intention: the roles of leader STARA competence and digital task interdependence
Authors: Ogbeibu Samuel , Chiappetta Jabbour Charbel Jose , Burgess John , Gaskin James , Renwick Douglas W.S.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Congruent with the world-wide call to combat global warming concerns within the context of advancements in smart technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, algorithms (STARA), and digitalisation, organisational leaders are being pressured to ensure that talented employees are effectively managed (nurtured and retained) to curb the potential risk of staff turnover. By managing such talent(s), organisations may be able to not only retain them, but consequently foster environmental sustainability too. Equally, recent debates encourage the need for teams to work digitally and interdependently on set tasks, and for leaders to cultivate competencies fundamental to STARA, as this may further help reduce staff turnover intention and catalyse green initiatives. However, it is unclear how such turnover intention may be impacted by these actions. This paper therefore, seeks to investigate the predictive roles of green hard and soft talent management (TM), leader STARA competence (LSC) and digital task interdependence (DTI) on turnover intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a cross-sectional data collection technique to obtain 372 useable samples from 49 manufacturing organisations in Nigeria.

Findings

Findings indicate that green hard and soft TM and LSC positively predict turnover intention. While LSC amplifies the negative influence of green soft TM on turnover intention, LSC and DTI dampen the positive influence of green hard TM on turnover intention.

Originality/value

Our study offers novel insights into how emerging concepts like LSC, DTI, and green hard and soft TM simultaneously act to predict turnover intention.
Intellectual capital reporting and mandatory adoption of post-IFRS – An empirical analysis using computational linguistic tools
Authors: Kulshrestha Ankur , Patro Archana
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The study aims to report empirical evidence on the impact of mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in India on the voluntary intellectual capital reporting (ICR) and its value relevance. The study also tests the effect of term-weighting schemes used for information retrieval studies in the domain area of ICR.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses computational linguistics tools to measure ICR by Indian firms in the period 2014–2019. The study developed term frequencies for 23 ICR attributes using bag-of-words methodology from the annual reports. The word counts were used to construct two distinct measures of ICR, quantity and quality, deploying different term-weighting schemes, equal weighting and the term frequency-inverted document frequency (TF-IDF) weighting, respectively. A combination of parametric and non-parametric tests has been employed to examine the different hypothesis.

Findings

The quantity of ICR was found to have increased post-IFRS adoption. However, the quality of ICR had fallen significantly, which resulted in the loss of value relevance of ICR. Firms making higher disclosures but of inferior quality experienced suboptimal market returns. Variation in inter-firm ICR has reduced. Size effect and sector effect continue but have attenuated. The study acknowledges the enormous impact of term-weighting schemes, used for information retrieval studies, in the domain area of ICR.

Practical implications

The study strongly adds to the momentum in favour of a formal ICR standard to improve its quality, restore its value relevance and facilitate more effective decision-making where the valuation of a firm is a critical input. The study presages the firms not to make poor-quality disclosures to avoid suboptimal stock performance.

Originality/value

The study sheds light on the impact of the adoption of post-IFRS on ICR in India. The study establishes the effect of term-weighting schemes, used for linguistic studies, in the domain area of ICR and adds to the literature by explaining one of the critical reasons for the dichotomy in ICR trends.
When does benevolent leadership inhibit silence? The joint moderating roles of perceived employee agreement and cultural value orientations
Authors: Li Xiaobei , Xing Lu
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study's purpose is to examine benevolent leadership's effect on employee silence, as moderated by perceived employee agreement on leader behaviors and cultural value orientations.

Design/methodology/approach

Two-wave survey data were collected from 240 Chinese employees working in various industries. Hierarchical regression and simple slope analysis were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Benevolent leadership was negatively related to employee silence. When perceived employee agreement on leader behaviors was high, employees with high power-distance orientation or low vertical individualism were more sensitive to benevolent leadership and engaged in less silence.

Practical implications

Managers are advised to exhibit benevolent behaviors to mitigate employees' tendency to remain silence. Organizations and managers can also design interventions to encourage employees with low power distance or high vertical individualism to speak up.

Originality/value

This study advances the understanding of the relationship between benevolent leadership and employee silence. By highlighting the moderating role of employees' perception of leader behaviors and their cultural value orientations, this study helps explain the conditions that when employees choose to keep silence or not.
Factors influencing the behavior of multi-modal information search
Authors: Li Zhiyi , Zhu Jiayu , Li Xiaolin
Published: April 2021

Purpose

With the increasing abundance of network resources and big data, multi-modal information search (MMIS) has been paid more and more attention, but the research results of MMIS are relatively few. This paper attempts to put forward constructive suggestions for the design of multi-modal information system, so that the system can have a better user experience, help users improve the efficiency of obtaining information and optimize the information service mode.

Design/methodology/approach

A research model of influencing factors is established by using the TAM (technology acceptance model) theory. The influencing factors of users' multi-modal information search behavior (MMISB) are analyzed by using questionnaire, experiment and the structural equation model. On the basis of this, some suggestions are put forward to build the multi-modal search (MMS) system and improve the efficiency of MMIS.

Findings

The research shows that users' MMISB is directly related to their search intention, and the search intention can influence users' cognition of the usefulness and ease of MMIS through their own information search ability and system characteristics. The user's MMIS ability is affected by the demand expression ability and retrieval ability cognition; the user's cognition of system characteristics is affected by the system function and information quality. This shows that the user's MMISB is closely related to the user's cognitive situation, but due to the author's limited time and research ability, only the questionnaire survey method cannot be used to in-depth research and explore the influencing factors of MMIS. Therefore, in the future research, we should combine the interview method to further track the user's emotional factors and scene factors.

Originality/value

For the first time, TAM theory is combined with cross-modal retrieval behavior and the paper explores the influencing factors and evaluation indexes of users' MMISB. The second, the questionnaire was compiled to investigate the influencing factors of the MMISB of the university group, and the reliability analysis, validity analysis, correlation analysis and structural equation model analysis of the survey data are carried out . The survey data and analysis results are original, which can provide a theoretical basis for improving the service level of MMIS.
Arnetta technologies: minimum viable product
Authors: Singh Puran , Sinha Ray Suryani
Published: April 2021

Theoretical basis

The case fosters discussions on basic concepts of entrepreneurship that include building a minimum viable product before launching a finished product, the importance of doing market research for early-stage startups, challenges in understanding an unfamiliar domain or industry and understanding the dynamics of business to business market.

Research methodology

Team Arnetta’s founders were interviewed in relation to the case. After the initial round of interviews, a product demonstration was given by Arnetta. Follow up interviews were conducted to delve-deeper into the problem while secondary research was conducted to understand the market dynamics and competitive landscape at the point in time in the case.

Case overview/synopsis

The four founders of Arnetta Technologies debate go-to-market timing for Integrated Breeding and Research Management Software, a data handling software for the R&D process followed by seed enterprises in India. The founders had spent over US$75,000 on the product development on which they had been working for more than one year. Two of the founders had given up their full-time jobs to work dedicatedly on the venture. The product was being customized to the requirements of their only client. Product development was taking longer than anticipated. To add to the challenges, international competitors had started capturing the Indian market. The founders had two options. First, they could wait and finish the product development before reaching out to their prospective clients – leading to delays and losing out on the market. Second, they could reach out to prospective clients and convince them to use the work-in-progress version of the product – which could turn out to be a deal breaker. The founders had to come to a consensus soon.

Complexity academic Level

The case is intended for students in undergraduate or graduate-level courses related to entrepreneurship, new venture creation, innovation management and business management.
Symposium, Cannabis—Legal, Ethical, and Compliance Issues: Introduction
Authors: Mark Gideon , Lucas Laurie A.
Published: April 2021

This introduction reviews six articles presented at the 2020 symposium, “Legal, Ethical, and Compliance Issues in Emerging Markets: Cannabis in the States.” Scholars from across the United States and Canada presented research using the lens of law and strategy, ethics, and compliance to focus on the U.S. cannabis industry. The articles are discussed within the framework of institutional voids common to emerging markets, which may include a lack of a fully developed regulatory system and issues related to financial markets. These institutional problems create complexity for consumers, producers, municipalities, and state governments in this industry, and make success for this market segment more challenging. The introduction contributes to the discussion by reviewing securities litigation involving the cannabis industry generally and specifically in light of some of the issues identified by authors in the special issue.
Free Agency for the Front Office: How Data Analytics and Noncompete Agreements Threaten to Disrupt Competitive Balance in U.S. Professional Sports Leagues
Authors: Grow Nathaniel
Published: April 2021

U.S. professional sports teams are increasingly relying on sophisticated forms of data analysis to identify potential areas of competitive advantage over their league rivals. Indeed, emerging evidence suggests that the most sophisticated teams in this area are using the insights that they derive from data analytics to establish durable and significant gains over their competition on the playing field. At the same time, sports franchises frequently utilize noncompete agreements to protect the resulting, proprietary information that their data analysis yields. Unfortunately, recent academic research suggests that this reliance on covenants not to compete can decrease the rate of knowledge diffusion within an industry, making it more difficult for teams to catch up to early adopters of data analytics. Thus, teams’ growing reliance on data analytics—and their use of noncompete agreements to protect their resulting findings—could have significant, but heretofore unrecognized, ramifications for league efforts to maintain an adequate level of competitive balance amongst their franchises. This article explores this state of affairs, as well as the implications it presents for the governance of U.S. professional sports leagues.
Contextual factors associated with high‐intensity drinking events among young adults: A qualitative inquiry
Authors: Merrill Jennifer E. , Boyle Holly K. , López Gabriela , Miller Mary Beth , Barnett Nancy P. , Jackson Kristina M. , Carey Kate B.
Published: April 2021

Background

Much of the prior research addressing risky drinking among young adults has focused on heavy episodic drinking (4+/5+ drinks in a single sitting for females/males). However, 1 in 3 young adults engaged in past‐year high‐intensity drinking (HID, 8+/10+ drinks in a single sitting for females/males). Consuming such large amounts of alcohol is associated with serious acute consequences (e.g., severe injury, overdose) and the development of alcohol use disorder. This qualitative study aimed to gain an in‐depth understanding of contextual influences on HID from drinkers’ perspectives.

Methods

We conducted individual interviews of 28 young adults (57% female, aged 20 to 25 years old) who engage in HID to assess the role of context in the prediction of HID (relative to non‐HID events). Two authors coded each interview following a structured codebook and thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data.

Results

Based on identified themes, factors that may increase HID likelihood include being in larger groups or in social contexts where others are drinking heavily, having close relationships with others who are present, on special occasions, when feeling safe, being comfortable in a given situation, and experiencing intense affective states (especially positive ones). Noted deterrents for HID included friends’ extreme intoxication, perceptions that heavy drinking is less acceptable in certain contexts (i.e., at work, family events) or among others present, cost/financial constraints, next‐day responsibilities, and needing to drive.

Conclusions

Young adults identified a number of social and psychological factors that they perceived influenced their likelihood of engaging in HID. However, they also generated a number of factors that constrained this style of drinking. Understanding the contexts in which HID is most likely to occur will inform interventions that aim to reduce this high‐risk behavior.
18F‐2‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose‐positron emission tomography metabolic pattern assessment in the brain of betel quid dependent individuals
Authors: Yuan Fulai , Yu Jie , Liao Guang , Li Jian , Long Tingting , Li Yulai , Chen Dengming , Dai Qionghai , Zhu Xueling , Hu Shuo , Qian Zhaoxin
Published: April 2021

The primary objective of this study was to identify the metabolic pattern in the brains of betel quid dependent (BQD) individuals using 18F‐2‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose‐positron emission tomography (18F‐FDG‐PET). A total of 42 individuals (16 BQD individuals and 26 healthy controls, HCs) enrolled at the Department of Nuclear Medicine of Xiangya Hospital underwent brain 18F‐FDG‐PET. Group comparisons using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) were performed to identify the 18F‐FDG‐PET patterns. Standardized uptake value ratios of anterior cingulate, frontal, thalamus, parietal, occipital, temporal and cerebellum were calculated by SPM. The characteristics of abnormal metabolism in brain regions were quantified using the xjView toolbox, and a 3‐D brain map was drawn using BrainNet Viewer. We found significant metabolic reduction in the bilateral middle prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the left orbital frontal gyrus (OFC). In contrast, hypermetabolism was observed in the inferior cerebellum, fusiform, superior cerebellum, parahippocampal, vermis, lingual and thalamus. However, we found no significant difference between the BQD and HC group in the anterior cingulate, thalamus, cerebellum and frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital lobes. In summary, we found abnormal 18F‐FDG‐PET metabolic pattern in BQD individuals, and this pattern may help the treatment of BQD.
Life stages of the non‐native Ommatoiulus moreleti (Lucas, 1860) (Julida, Julidae) in Australian small grain systems
Authors: Heddle Thomas , Umina Paul A. , van Helden Maarten , Alhwash Lamyaa , Cheng Xuan , Binns Matthew , Hoffmann Ary A.
Published: April 2021

The Portuguese millipede, Ommatoiulus moreleti (Lucas, 1860), is increasingly a pest of grains crops in Australian agricultural ecosystems. With the rapid uptake of minimum‐tillage practices, habitat quality has been enhanced for several species of soil dwelling invertebrates, in particular O. moreleti.

To understand the population dynamics of O. moreleti in Australian grains crops, populations were sampled at multiple sites for more than 2 years using pitfall traps and cardboard roll traps. Specimens were dissected to investigate reproductive status and developmental stage.

Millipede trapping rates varied between sites and across the year, and tended to be lower when soil water content (m3/m3) was high. Both sexes were active year round, however females were relatively more abundant when ground temperatures were higher.

Males in a copulatory state and females with mature eggs were collected year round although females lacking mature eggs were more common when ground temperatures were higher and the soil was drier, and female egg load was higher under cooler conditions. Females at a stadium 9 or later carried mature eggs and copulatory males tended to be from stadium 8 or later. Different developmental stages could be recovered at all times of the year.

These findings indicate persistent populations of O. moreleti across fields throughout the year, with a key breeding period in autumn but likely opportunistic breeding all year. Control of millipedes will need to focus on increasing the impact of biological agents, decreasing suitable habitat for millipede breeding and intensive control at susceptible crop periods.
Development and Feasibility Study of an Addiction‐Focused Phenotyping Assessment Battery
Authors: Keyser‐Marcus Lori A. , Ramey Tatiana , Bjork James , Adams Amanda , Moeller F. Gerard
Published: April 2021

Background and Objectives

Current methods of classifying individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) result in vast heterogeneity among persons within a given diagnosis. These approaches, while clinically allowing for distinctions between patient groups, are less than ideal when attempting to recruit a neurobehaviorally defined subset of subjects into clinical trials. To address this gap, alternative strategies have been proposed, including behavioral phenotyping. The NIDA Phenotyping Assessment Battery (PhAB) is a modular package of assessments and neurocognitive tasks that was developed for use in clinical trials. The goal of the present study is to assess the feasibility of the NIDA PhAB with regard to ease of administration and time burden.

Methods

Healthy controls, persons with cocaine use disorder (CocUD), opioid use disorder (OUD), cannabis use disorder (CanUD), and combined opioid and cocaine use disorder (OCUD) were recruited from various sources (N = 595). Participants completed screening and one to three assessment visits. Time to complete the measures was recorded and a satisfaction interview was administered.

Results

Of the participants enrolled, 381 were deemed eligible. The majority of eligible participants (83%) completed all assessments. The average completion time was 3 hours. High participant satisfaction ratings were noted, with over 90% of participants endorsing a willingness to participate in a similar study and recommend the study to others.

Conclusion and Scientific Significance

These findings corroborate the ease with which the PhAB may be easily incorporated into a study assessment visit without undue participant burden. The PhAB is an efficient method for behavioral phenotyping in addiction clinical trials. (Am J Addict 2021;00:00–00)
Modeling acid‐base balance for in‐series extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal and continuous venovenous hemofiltration devices
Authors: Leypoldt John K. , Kurz Jörg , Echeverri Jorge , Storr Markus , Harenski Kai
Published: April 2021

Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute kidney injury (AKI) treated by kidney replacement therapy may also require treatment with extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) devices to permit protective or ultraprotective mechanical ventilation. We developed a mathematical model of acid‐base balance during extracorporeal therapy using ECCO2R and continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) devices applied in series for the treatment of mechanically ventilated AKI patients. Published data from clinical studies of mechanically ventilated AKI patients treated by CVVH at known infusion rates of substitution fluid without ECCO2R were used to adjust the model parameters to fit plasma levels of arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), arterial plasma bicarbonate concentration ([HCO3]), and plasma pH (as well as certain other unmeasured physiological variables). The effects of applying ECCO2R at an unchanged and a reduced tidal volume on PaCO2, [HCO3] and plasma pH were then simulated assuming carbon dioxide removal rates from the ECCO2R device measured in the clinical studies. Agreement of such model predictions with clinical data was good whether the ECCO2R device was positioned proximal or distal to the CVVH device in the extracorporeal circuit. Although carbon dioxide removal rates from the ECCO2R device measured in one previous clinical study were higher when it was placed proximal to the CVVH device, suggesting that such in‐series positioning was optimal, the current mathematical model demonstrates that proximal positioning of the ECCO2R device also results in lower bicarbonate (and, therefore, total carbon dioxide) removal from the distal CVVH device. Thus, the removal of total carbon dioxide by such extracorporeal circuits is relatively independent of the position of the in‐series devices. It is concluded that the described mathematical model has quantitative accuracy; these results suggest that the overall acid‐base balance when using ECCO2R and CVVH devices in a single extracorporeal circuit will be similar, independent of their in‐series position.
Hypothermic oxygenated perfusion with defatting cocktail further improves steatotic liver grafts in a transplantation rat model
Authors: Lin Fan , Zhen Fu , Yan Xiong , Shaojun Ye , Guizhu Peng , Yanfeng Wang , Qifa Ye
Published: April 2021

In this study, we evaluated the restoring and defatting effect of hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) on severe steatotic liver grafts with a defatting cocktail (DF) in a rat model. Severe (≥60%) hepatic macrosteatosis was induced by a high‐fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks, after which the rats were randomly divided into four following groups: Control group, with lean livers being preserved in static cold storage (SCS) at 0°C‐4°C for 45 minutes; SCS group, with a steatotic liver graft (SLG) being preserved in SCS at 0°C‐4°C for 4 hours; HOPE group, where SLG was perfused with 3‐hours HOPE followed by 1‐hours SCS; and HOPE + DF group, HOPE with the addition of DF. Graft function after orthotopic liver transplantation was assessed in terms of mitochondrial function (adenosine triphosphate [ATP], Glycogen), endoplasmic reticulum stress (PPY, GRP78, CHOP, and ATF‐6), cell apoptosis (Tunel assay, Caspase‐3), inflammatory level (HMGB1, TLR4, IL‐1β, IL‐6. TNF‐α, Factor V), and posttransplantation survival. HOPE protected steatotic liver grafts from microcirculation disturbance and endoplasmic reticulum stress and then promoted ATP and glycogen synthesis that improved mitochondrial function. Meanwhile, under conditions of ischemia‐reperfusion injury, it prevented nuclear injury and endothelial damage by suppressing the release of an inflammatory mediator. The high efficacy of HOPE was enhanced after the addition of the DF. DF agents cannot promote the lipid decomposition of the steatotic liver graft at 0°C‐4°C, but they can further improve steatotic liver and postoperative survival compared to the HOPE. The defatted steatotic liver grafts can be safely used in rat orthotopic liver transplantation.
Association of lactation with maternal risk of type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Pinho‐Gomes Ana‐Catarina , Morelli Georgia , Jones Alexandra , Woodward Mark
Published: April 2021

Aim

To investigate the association between lactation and maternal risk of type 2 diabetes, including a potential graded association according to lactation duration.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies that investigated the reported association between lactation (irrespective of duration, intensity or mode) and maternal risk of type 2 diabetes was conducted.

Results

A total of 22 studies (17 cohort studies and five cross‐sectional studies) were included in this systematic review, and 16 contributed to the meta‐analysis. Studies that investigated the association of lactation with risk of type 2 diabetes in the first months after birth in women with gestational diabetes reported conflicting results. Studies with a longer follow‐up showed a graded protective association for lactation and the risk of type 2 diabetes, with a potentially larger risk reduction in women with gestational diabetes than in those without gestational diabetes. Overall, ever versus never lactation was associated with a 27% lower risk of type 2 diabetes (RR 0.73, 95% CI [0.65, 0.83]). Each additional month of lactation was associated with a 1% lower risk of type 2 diabetes (RR 0.99, 95% CI [0.98, 0.99]). However, the overall quality of the studies was modest.

Conclusions

Lactation is associated with a significantly reduced risk of maternal type 2 diabetes over the life course, particularly in women with gestational diabetes. The protective effect seems to increase with longer duration of lactation. Further research is warranted to understand whether this association is modified by exposure to other risk factors.
Sagax animo: Jonas of Bobbio and the verse epitaph of Pope Honorius
Authors: Trout Dennis E.
Published: April 2021

The verse epitaph of Pope Honorius (625–38) inscribed at St Peter’s in Rome and the eulogy of the same pope that Jonas of Bobbio included in his Vita Columbani et discipuli eius (composed 639–42) share language and expressions sufficient to demonstrate that Jonas must have been familiar with Honorius’ epitaph at the time he composed the Vita’s obituary. This fact has implications for both Jonas’ biography and his literary methods. It also raises the possibility that Jonas was the author of the (otherwise anonymous) epitaph. Close reading of the Vatican epitaph highlights not only the epigram’s literary ambition and background but also identifies other correspondences with the lexical and poetic inclinations of Jonas. In turn, these observations undercut pessimism about the literary milieu of seventh‐century Rome and Italy.
De Excidio Patriae: civic discourse in Gildas’ Britain
Authors: Flierman Robert , Welton Megan
Published: April 2021

This article explores the use of civic discourse in Gildas’ De Excidio Britonum. It argues that such language and imagery functioned within a larger dialectical argument that exhorted readers to choose virtue over vice. Gildas assigned the Britons collective moral agency by styling them citizens (cives) of a shared homeland (patria) defined by cities (civitates). Due to the citizens’ moral failings, however, this urban landscape had been compromised: enemies had destroyed the patria’s cities, rendering it a place of desolation. Only a return to virtue could save the Britons from ruin and grant them access to heavenly Jerusalem.
Randomized trial of a photography‐aided behavioural intervention to reduce risk factors for caries and malocclusion in high‐risk infants
Authors: Pereira Marina B. B. , Pereira Vinícius B. P. , Pereira Vitor B. P. , Pereira Vanessa G. F. , Paula Viviane M. B. , Caetano Aline P. F. , Amaral Waldemar N.
Published: April 2021

Objective

To assess the efficacy of a photography‐aided behavioural intervention in reducing risk factors for dental caries and malocclusion in high‐risk infants.

Materials and methods

In this randomized trial conducted in a maternity hospital, 55 mothers of recently born infants at high risk of developing oral diseases were allocated to either the intervention (n = 28) or usual care (n = 27). The intervention arm received the same usual care plus an enhanced, behaviour‐oriented, photography‐aided, two‐stage (0 and +6 months) educational programme addressing nutritional, behavioural, lifestyle and familial factors that affect child's oral health. The primary outcome was the proportion of children classified as being at a ‘low risk’ of developing dental caries at the age of 12 months using a modified score based on the Caries‐risk Assessment Form of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Secondary outcomes included risk factors for malocclusion, such as duration of exclusive breastfeeding, pacifier use and bottle‐feeding and/or sippy cup usage.

Results

At 12 months, the proportion of children considered at low risk for dental caries was significantly higher in the intervention group compared to usual care (71% vs 15%, respectively, relative risk = 4.82, 95% confidence interval = 1.89–12.3, p < 0.001). The median duration of exclusive breastfeeding in the intervention group was 1.7 times higher than in the control arm (5 months vs 3 months, p = 0.03).

Conclusion

Altogether, our findings provide evidence that a low‐cost, two‐stage preventive strategy using photographs to deliver a stronger visual impact might significantly reduce the incidence of risk factors for dental caries and malocclusion in 12‐month‐old children.
Evaluation of parameters associated with growth retardation in children with coeliac disease
Authors: Taskin Didem G , Sursal Alihan , Dogan Ali E , Ozdener Fatih
Published: April 2021

Aims

Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder with a prevalence ≤2% that causes an immune reaction to gluten. Growth retardation (GR) generally accompanies CD due to gastrointestinal complications and should be treated as early as possible along with initiation of a gluten‐free diet. The aim of this study was to determine the indicators of GR in patients with CD.

Methods

This single‐centre retrospective study included paediatric outpatients with CD. All patients were diagnosed with CD via serological analysis and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy if necessary. Patient records were obtained from Adana City Training and Research Hospital. Patients that were diagnosed with GR accompanying CD were given oral nutritional supplements and followed‐up every 3–6 months. Statistical relationships between demographics, and anthropometric measurements, duration of breastfeeding, gluten contact time, diet duration, presenting complaints and serological findings were evaluated.

Results

This study included 169 paediatric outpatients between ages 1 and 18. Longer symptom duration and shorter breastfeeding duration were significantly correlated with GR accompanying CD (P = 0.007 and P = 0.029, respectively). Vomiting was the only symptom that was correlated with the presence of GR (P = 0.010). Helicobacter pylori infection was not correlated with the presence of GR (P = 0.277).

Conclusions

GR should be treated as early as possible to reduce the severity of CD and a 6 months sole breastfeeding followed by solid foods accompanied by breastfeeding for 2 years is crucial for preventing GR. Moreover, vomiting as a presenting complaint in patients with CD might be indicative of the presence of GR.
Is That a Philosophical Question? The Philosopher as Teacher
Authors: Emmerman Karen S.
Published: April 2021

In Philosophy for Children (P4C) theory there is a long‐standing commitment to democratizing the classroom. It is widely believed that to properly democratize the classroom question‐asking and question selection should be undertaken by the students rather than the adult facilitator. In practice, this commitment to democratization generates a tension. Asking and identifying philosophical questions is an acquired skill. For P4C practitioners, it is difficult to find a balance between the desire to democratize the classroom through a student‐centered P4C practice and the need to help students build philosophical skills. This paper examines theoretical approaches to question‐asking and question selection in P4C and, using examples from the classroom, considers possible solutions to the tension. The aim is a method that respects students’ epistemic authority and agency in the community of philosophical inquiry while enabling P4C practitioners to aid the students in developing the skills necessary for philosophical engagement.
The roles of conduit redundancy and connectivity in xylem hydraulic functions
Authors: Mrad Assaad , Johnson Daniel M. , Love David M. , Domec Jean‐Christophe
Published: April 2021

Wood anatomical traits shape a xylem segment’s hydraulic efficiency and resistance to embolism spread due to declining water potential. It has been known for decades that variations in conduit connectivity play a role in altering xylem hydraulics. However, evaluating the precise effect of conduit connectivity has been elusive. The objective here is to establish an analytical linkage between conduit connectivity and grouping and tissue‐scale hydraulics.

It is hypothesized that an increase in conduit connectivity brings improved resistance to embolism spread due to increased hydraulic pathway redundancy. However, an increase in conduit connectivity could also reduce resistance due to increased speed of embolism spread with respect to pressure. We elaborate on this trade‐off using graph theory, percolation theory and computational modeling of xylem. The results are validated using anatomical measurements of Acer branch xylem.

Considering only species with vessels, increases in connectivity improve resistance to embolism spread without negatively affecting hydraulic conductivity. The often measured grouping index fails to capture the totality of the effect of conduit connectivity on xylem hydraulics.

Variations in xylem network characteristics, such as conduit connectivity, might explain why hypothesized trends among woody species, such as the ‘safety‐efficiency’ trade‐off hypothesis, are weaker than expected.
The Role of Time in Risk and Risk Analysis: Implications for Resilience, Sustainability, and Management
Authors: Logan Tom M. , Aven Terje , Guikema Seth , Flage Roger
Published: April 2021

There is a persistent misconception that risk analysis is only suited for considering the immediate consequences of an event. Such a limitation would make risk analysis unsuitable for many challenges, including resilience, sustainability, and adaptation. Fortunately, there is no such limitation. However, this notion has stemmed from a lack of clarity regarding how time is considered in risk analysis and risk characterization. In this article, we discuss this issue and show that risk science provides concepts and frameworks that can appropriately address time. Ultimately, we propose an adjusted nomenclature for explicitly reflecting time in risk conceptualization and characterizations.
Racial Exclusion in the Antebellum North: An Analysis of Indiana's 1851 Vote to Ban African American Immigration
Authors: Milliman Scott
Published: April 2021

Objective

To econometrically model an Indiana referendum, held in 1851, on whether to ban African American immigration—the restriction passed easily—with a focus on identifying demographic groups that were less enthusiastic about this law.

Methods

Census data for 1850 is used in a fractional response regression model to assess the significant variation in support for this ban across Indiana's 91 counties.

Results

Support for the ban fell in counties with few African Americans; a large percentage of adult White males born in New England, New York, and Pennsylvania; Quaker meetinghouses; and Church of the Brethren and Mennonite congregations. Support increased in counties with a high availability of unimproved farmland.

Conclusion

White fears of land competition with Blacks may have prompted higher support for the ban. Groups that provided less support were often out of step with dominant Hoosier religious and political mores.
Appropriation, Rewriting and Alienation: A Postcolonial Critique of Mulan
Authors: Yali Cheng , Kaiju Chen
Published: April 2021

Released in September, 2020, Mulan, a live-action film starring Liu Yifei, was adapted by Disney from the Ballad of Mulan[1]. The film was produced from its animated version Mulan (1998) which hit global box office amounting to 304 million with marvelous reputation. However, the live-action movie Mulan did not continue the brilliant results of the previous work. Instead, Mulan (2020) disappointed most Chinese audience[2] because historical facts and cultural values about Mulan were excessively appropriated, rewritten and alienated. Applying theories of Postcolonialism, this essay analyzes the live-action movie Mulan revealing the ethnocentric abuse of the target culture as the “other”: arbitrary appropriation, rewriting and distortion of its historical events and traditional values. Also, theories of popular culture will be used to analyze the cultural industry strategies applied in this unsuccessful film.[1]the Ballad of Mulan (Chinese: 木兰辞; pinyin: Mù lán cí), a famous folk song of the Northern Dynasty in China.[2]The investment in the live-action film Mulan is as high as US$200 million (about 1.4 billion RMB). As a result, the global box office is less than US$70 million. Also, the score in Douban is only 5.0 points. (the full mark is 10.)Sources:https://new.qq.com/rain/a/20201102A0J6EO00,https://movie.douban.com/subject/26357307/
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Young James
Published: April 2021

International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 9, Number 3Abdul Azim Akhtar, Independent Academic & Researcher, Delhi, IndiaAmany Albert, Beni-Suef University, EgyptAnastasia Panagakos, Cosumnes River College, USAAntónio Calha, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, PortugalAurora Pestaño, University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR), PhilippinesAyşegül Sili Kalem, Necmettin Erbakan Universitesi, TurkeyBo Li, St Ambrose University, USADaniel Tia, University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny Abidjan, GRATHEL , Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)E.Ozan Aksoz, Anadolu University, TurkeyFahri ÖZSUNGUR, Adana Science and Technology University, TurkeyGülsüm Depeli, Hacettepe University, TurkeyHao Liu, Beijing Normal University, ChinaHenry Poduthas, West Texas A&M University, USAIoannis Makris, High School of Pedagogical and Technical Education, GreeceIvan Lenard, Elementary school Ladimirevci, CroatiaJibrin Ubale Yahaya, National Open University of Nigeria NOUN, NigeriaLaura Diaconu Maxim, "Alexandru Ioan Cuza University" of Iasi, RomaniaMałgorzata Haładewicz, Opole University of Technology, PolandMd. Nasir Uddin, Prime Minister’s Office, BangladeshMei-Ling Lin, National Open University, TaiwanMichael Brooks, North Carolina A&T State University, USAMohamed Mehdi Jelassi, IHEC Carthage, TunisiaNadarajah Pushparajah, University of Jaffna, Sri LankaPeriyasami Anbarasan, Indian Institute of technology Delhi, IndiaRachita Shrivastava Roy, Department of Higher Education,Chhatisgarh-India, IndiaRima Meilita Sari, STKIP Al-Washliyah, IndonesiaUğur DEMİRCİ, Turkish National Police, Turkey James YoungEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of International Journal of Social Science StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://ijsss.redfame.com
Comunión y trabajo: el ser humano al servicio de la creación
Authors: Patiño Salazar Juan David , Salas, S. J. Uriel Salomón
Published: April 2021

De cara a la crisis medioambiental en la que nos encontramos sumergidos, en gran medida debido a las acciones de explotación de los recursos naturales por parte de los seres humanos sobre el planeta, vale la pena preguntarnos, ya no solo como individuos y como ciudadanos, sino también como cristianos bautizados, hijos e hijas de una misma Iglesia, cuál es la perspectiva espiritual y teológica a la que se nos invita para mitigar y revertir, en la medida de lo posible, el daño que le hemos hecho a nuestra casa común. Es en el horizonte de esta pregunta en el cual surge el presente escrito como forma de enriquecer las reflexiones teológicas actuales en torno de la ecología y el cuidado del medio ambiente. Así, el artículo aquí propuesto presenta tres categorías teológicas que se proponen como elementos que pueden iluminar una reflexión en torno de la creación, a saber: la comunión como símbolo de la armonía de la creación; el trabajo de Dios y el trabajo del ser humano; y la centralidad del ser humano en la obra creada. Para desarrollar esta propuesta, se realiza un ejercicio dinámico y dialógico, en tres apartados que obedecen a las tres categorías sugeridas, entre los dos relatos de creación del Génesis y la contemplación para alcanzar amor de los Ejercicios Espirituales de San Ignacio de Loyola, en el que se extraen los aspectos más importantes para alimentar la comprensión de cada una de las categorías propuestas desde el aspecto bíblico y desde el aporte espiritual-cristiano. Al final se concluye que el ser humano es esencial en la creación, no como su dominador ni como su explotador desmedido, sino como el que trabaja por su cuidado desde la perspectiva de la comunión y del amor respetuoso.
BUENOS TIEMPOS PARA EL NEOCONSTITUCIONALISMO (SOBRE LA APARICIÓN DE EL EXAMEN DE PROPORCIONALIDAD EN EL DERECHO CONSTITUCIONAL)
Authors: García Jaramillo Leonardo
Published: April 2021

Laura Clérico. El examen de proporcionalidad en el derecho constitucional. 408 págs. Eudeba. Buenos Aires. (2009).