bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying the influencing factors on the quality of China’s forestry exports
Authors: Cheng Baodong , Liu Sitong , Xiong Lichun , Wang Fengting , Qin Guangyuan , Yue Danmeng , Zhang Huaxing , Yu Chang
Published: July 2019

Purpose

China is not only the biggest importing country of the raw materials of forest products, but also the biggest exporting country of intermediate and final forest products. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the Khandelwal (2010) method and trade data from 2000 to 2014 of bilateral forest products between China and ten main developed countries to evaluate the quality of China’s forestry imports and exports. Subsequently, the influencing factors of product quality are analyzed.

Findings

The results show that the current export quality of plywood and fiberboard is decreasing, and the export quality of particleboard and paper products is on the rise. A further study finds that several factors have the positive effects on the quality of forestry exports, including gross domestic product of the importing country, forestry export value of the importing country as well as the number of forestry higher education graduates of the exporting country. Moreover, the study also finds that the status of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member has a negative effect on the quality of forestry exports, while the distance cost has a negative influence on fiberboard, paper and paperboard.

Practical implications

The study suggests that China needs to strengthen the research and development investment on forest products, and improve the quality of forest products to promote the trade development of forestry exports.

Originality/value

The existing literature has not shown much research regarding the quality of China’s forestry exports through econometric analysis. Therefore, the research results provide new perspective about the influencing factors on China’s forestry trade activities.
Drivers and outcomes of consumer engagement
Authors: Glavee-Geo Richard , Shaikh Aijaz A. , Karjaluoto Heikki , Hinson Robert Ebo
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the drivers of consumer engagement and its consequences via the experiences of mobile money services’ users in Ghana and to discuss its implications for the society, financial service innovation, delivery and operations.

Design/methodology/approach

A pre-tested survey instrument was used with a sample of 595 mobile money services users in Ghana. SmartPLS application was used to analyze the data and report findings.

Findings

The study shows that perceived risk, consumer empowerment, subjective norm, performance expectancy and effort expectancy influence the affect component of consumer engagement and explain around half of its variance. The effect of perceived risk on consumer engagement was counterintuitive. Perceived risk was significant and positive for cognitive processing, whereas the effect was significant but negative for affect. The authors found support for the positive effect of cognitive processing on advocacy intention but no support for its effect on continuous usage. By contrast, affect strongly influenced both advocacy intention and continuous usage of mobile money services.

Practical implications

The authors highlight the implications of mobile money services to business and marketing/service managers, policy makers, non-banking entities (such as telecoms and financial technology firms) and to the society in general. The authors provide important insights into how service providers can manage consumer engagement process and formulate marketing strategies to target and promote this simple, but innovative service to consumers. Moreover, the authors discuss the societal implications of the study in Ghana, a developing country. The authors recommend several options for future studies in order to stimulate the research agenda on mobile financial services in general.

Originality/value

The present study shows that although mobile money was initially introduced to help consumers who hitherto have no access to formal banking services, this form of banking has become increasingly popular among various consumer segments as its usage and adoption has increased multifold largely in emerging and developing countries. The main contribution of this study is the development and testing of the “mobile money customer engagement model.” Moreover, this study shows the key factors that influence the engagement process and the effects of these factors as analyzed within the context of a developing country.
Service quality in a post-crisis context: emotional effects and behaviours
Authors: Arguello Manuel Idrovo , Monferrer Tirado Diego , Estrada Guillén Marta
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the influence of service quality dimensions as determinants of the emotional and relational behaviours experienced by the client in bank branches in the post-crisis context experienced by Spanish financial institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

Data taken from a total of 1,125 customers were analysed through structural equations modelling (EQS6.1) to test the relationships of the proposed model’s variables.

Findings

The results support the hypotheses stated, with the exception of the influence of a service quality dimension (servicescape) on emotions during the service. In fact, the dimensions of the service quality of an intangible nature (personnel, outcome and social) are determinants of the positive emotions and relational behaviours of clients around the service provided by the branches. For its part, servicescape quality, of a more tangible nature, exerts indirect influence on the other dimensions that compose the quality of service.

Practical implications

This paper provides senior bank executives established evidence on the degree of influence of the different dimensions in relation to the quality of service in the bank branch. Furthermore, it emphasises the importance of emotional factors during service as essential elements in strengthening customer–staff relationships under a non-transactional dynamic.

Originality/value

This paper has adopted an analytical holistic, theoretical and empirical perspective on the impact of the different dimensions of service quality (servicescape, personnel, outcome and social) as well as to the emotions experienced by banking customers during services and its lasting effect on customer engagement and customer advocacy.
When and how cognitive conflict benefits cross-functional project team innovation
Authors: Guo Haiyan , Zhang Lianying , Huo Xiaoyan , Xi Guannan
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This research aims to comprehensively investigate when and how cognitive conflict benefits team innovation in cross-functional project teams (CFPTs), by exploring the moderating role of knowledge leadership and dual mediation mechanisms of elaboration of task-related information/knowledge and affective conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

All hypotheses have been empirically tested by using structural equation model to analyze the quantitative data from a questionnaire survey covering 73 CFPTs in China.

Findings

Results indicate that knowledge leadership positively moderates the relationship between cognitive conflict and CFPT innovation. This moderating effect is directly or indirectly revealed by the dual mediating roles of task-related information/knowledge elaboration and affective conflict, which are two processes manifesting whether cognitive conflict can or cannot be incorporated into team innovation.

Research limitations/implications

Despite the external validity of results limited by convenient sampling method, the findings offer implications for promoting CFPT innovation. This can be achieved by developing competent knowledge leadership into team sensegiver, dissent reconciler and facilitator to accentuate benefits of cognitive conflict in information/knowledge elaboration and attenuate the likelihood of escalating to affective conflict.

Originality/value

This study advances the understanding of why cognitive conflict has an equivocal effect on team innovation in the context of CFPT by originally revealing how leaders’ role in information/knowledge management acts as a contingency and suggesting the dual mediating mechanisms that reflect the contingent impact. Project-based teams or organizations, characterized by cognitive clashes, can enhance innovation performance by shaping the meaningfulness of information/knowledge activities triggered by cognitive conflict.
Talent without power
Authors: Mittal Shashank
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This study aims to look at the interaction dynamics among engineering professionals from the lens of status hierarchies and derive on the role of intragroup conflicts prevalent in engineering teams. It develops and tests a comprehensive moderated-mediation model combining interpersonal status dynamics (of talent and conflicts prevalent within the team) with team external power dynamics (with other teams) and their resultant effect on team performance through the intragroup conflicts.

Design/methodology/approach

Data at team level from 1,265 members belonging to 218 engineering teams were used for hypothesis testing.

Findings

Process and status conflicts fully explain the negative effect of having more talented members in teams on team performance. High talented teams have lower levels of process and status conflicts and higher levels of performance when they have high power.

Research limitations/implications

This paper contributes to the literature on engineering teams, team status, power and conflicts.

Practical implications

This paper advises manager on where to exactly look for problems in the internal working of talented teams and conditions that could negatively impact their performance.

Originality/value

Research on teams’ internal composition and team performance link remains inconclusive. The established pattern of thinking in both practice and research is that having more talented members in the engineering teams is attached to superior performance. Whereas it is often the case that even after having multiple talented members, teams are not able to perform well. With some exceptions, studies have not paid attention to the dynamics of having more talented members and its flip side on team performance.
Do ethical work climates influence supplier selection decisions in public organizations? The moderating roles of party politics and personal values
Authors: Essien Eyo Emmanuel , Kostopoulos Ioannis , Konstantopoulou Anastasia , Lodorfos George
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between ethical work climates (EWCs) and supplier selection decisions (SSDs), and the moderating roles of party politics and personal values on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 600 senior-level personnel from 40 Nigerian public organizations were surveyed using structured questionnaires. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses developed for the study after assessing construct reliability and validity.

Findings

Results show that both high and low levels of external political pressures significantly reduce the perception that organizational SSDs are ruled based and pro-social in nature. Furthermore, regardless of the level of perception of instrumental personal values by employees, instrumental ethical climates significantly determine SSDs; principled/cosmopolitan climate and benevolent/cosmopolitan climate only become significant perceptible determinants when there is less room for the accommodation of personal goals during SSD processes.

Research limitations/implications

This study only examined the relationship between ethical climate perceptions and SSDs without controlling for the effects of some important possible intervening variables on this relationship. Therefore, the study encouraged future researcher to enhance the generalizability of the findings by incorporate relevant control variables in the model, as well as examining other decision phases in the public buying process.

Originality/value

This study is original to the extent that only a few studies in the literature are devoted to perceptions of EWCs in African organizations, and no previous studies have examined this phenomenon in relation to SSDs in Nigerian public firms.
Ramadan’s impact on the optimism of analysts’ recommendations
Authors: Satt Harit , Nechbaoui Sarah , Hassan M. Kabir , Izadi Selma
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to document the impact of Ramadan on the optimism of analysts’ recommendations taking as a sample the countries of the MENA region during the period between 2004 and 2015. The choice of these countries can be explained by the fact that their population is predominantly of a Muslim faith (The Future of World Religions: Population Growth Projections, 2010-2050, 2015).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used univariate and multivariate regression models to highlight the existence of the Ramadan effect on the optimism of analysts. They have found that pre-holiday optimism is significantly lower than post-holiday optimism.

Findings

This paper also documented the effect of analysts’ experience and information uncertainty on the analysts’ optimism level that allowed us to infer that low experience enhances optimism, while environment with low information uncertainty tends to decrease the level of optimism.

Originality/value

Previous research on this topic has investigated the effect of months of the year, turns of the month and days-of-the-week on the behavior of stock exchanges. Another strand of the literature also analyzed the effect of holidays on the latter. However, this is the first attempt to investigate this effect on analysts’ recommendations optimism when the holiday period is related to Islam.
Need to pioneer Islamic tourism in tourist resorts in Maldives
Authors: Muneeza Aishath , Mustapha Zakariya , Nashwa Badeeu Fathimath , Reesha Nafiz Aminath
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to formulate ways in which Maldives could pioneer Islamic tourism on a befitting framework and financing structure as a leverage to develop its tourism industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses qualitative approach whereby primary and empirical data on tourism practices as well as relevant laws and guidelines, issued in Maldives and in other Muslim jurisdictions of the Muslim, are analyzed. Doctrinal approach is used in analyzing secondary data on the subject.

Findings

The research reveals the potential of Islamic tourism in Maldives as well as the challenges that have constrained its development in the country. Certainty is needed in halal products, services and conducts. Codifying extant Maldives Halal Tourism Standards will establish legal framework for a standard Shariah-compliant tourism industry. Islamic financing structure enables mobilizing required funds and address financing constraints.

Practical implications

This research presents an insight into establishing and developing Islamic tourism industry in the Maldives. Harmonizing tourism regulations with Shariah shall bring about the required consciousness on Shariah compliance in target tourists and their desires. Private individuals can contribute in mobilizing the much needed Shariah-compliant resources to finance Islamic model resorts befitting an Islamic tourism industry.

Originality/value

The research puts forward proposal that identifies and recognizes a more viable Islamic financing alternative as well as Shariah-compliant regulations to pioneer the development of Islamic tourism in Maldives. The research recommends how to overcome related challenges helps government understand the proposed strategies for establishing Islamic tourism industry.
The integration of Shariah compliance in information system of Islamic financial institutions
Authors: Ayedh Abdullah Mohammed , Mahyudin Wan A’tirah , Abdul Samat Mohamad Subini , Muhamad Isa Harith Hamidi
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the integration of Shariah compliance in the information system of Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) in the context of Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

By applying qualitative approach in the form of in-depth/structured interview of qualified respondents within Islamic financial industries.

Findings

The result of this study indicates that information system advancement will give an increasing level of competitive advantages. Also, the result indicates that the internal control and information system played a vital role in ensuring the Shariah compliance and translating and circulating the Shariah guidelines among the IFIs’ departments and staffs. In terms of Shariah integration in information system, there is a consideration during the development of an information system. Shariah will be an element that needs to be accounted for to develop the information system for IFI.

Research limitations/implications

This includes the scope of the study which is based on Malaysian Islamic banks only. Hence, future studies are recommended to extend this endeavor to other contexts as well. Furthermore, although the initial sample was covering nine IFIs, only two IFIs accepted to participate in the interview. It is suggested that the future studies involve more participants and apply different research techniques such as focus groups or questionnaire survey.

Practical implications

Make sure employees who are in charge of performing any function related to Shariah (i.e. Shariah review, Shariah audit, Shariah research, Shariah risk management) have a basic knowledge on information technology (IT) and information system. Continuous trainings for IFIs’ employees covering the information system and internal control system issues related to the Shariah compliance. Focus on seminars and conferences on outstanding issues related to information system technology in IFIs. Promoting programs and subjects specialized in information system technology in IFIs. IFIs should allocate a budget for system development or enhancement in the financial budget ensuring that IT system is incorporated in Shariah compliance. IFIs should consider enhancement of Shariah compliance encompass and the alignment into the IT system as continuous process, as well as one of their strategic plan aspects. Bank Negara Malaysia as a regulatory body of IFIs should emphasize on regulating the Shariah aspects with regard to the IT system.

Originality/value

This paper’s contributions lies in the enhancement of the development of the Shariah compliance literature, as well in the integration of Shariah compliance and information system in IFIs.
Governing the “good citizen” and shaping the “model city” to tackle climate change
Authors: Berquier Roger , Gibassier Delphine
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Cities are key actors in the fight against climate change. They have developed integrated strategies harnessing the power of information and communication technologies (ICT) as part of the move towards smart(er) cities. In spite of our knowledge of the role of technological infrastructure in tackling climate change, the role of governance mechanisms to actively pursue environmental sustainability is often understated. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to analyse governmentality mechanisms developed by a small town in Europe to render energy savings and new energy sources visible and to create new identities with which the citizen and other cities could then identify with, thereby participating in the fight against climate change.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered through non-participant observation, interviews and access to internal data from the city’s energy control project.

Findings

The outcome of these governmentality mechanisms was to create two new identities: the “good citizen”, responsible to lower his impact on climate change, and the “model city”, a laboratory that would serve as a guide for future policies to tackle climate change at the city level. While the “model city” was successful and identification happened with other small cities taking example from it, the “good citizen” failed and inhabitants did not identify with this role model that was defined for them as a way to participate in the fight against climate change.

Practical implications

This case study is a concrete example, based on a longitudinal study, of a city’s strategy and actions on climate change. Other small cities will be able to use this case study to gauge their possibilities for action on climate change. Notably, it is an example of how a network of mechanisms can achieve results in CO2 emissions reduction. It also demonstrates the difficulty to enrol citizens into an environmental sustainability scheme.

Social implications

This paper has implications for how climate change can be tackled in rural areas by small cities. While the role of organizations and large cities (e.g. C40 city network) has been acknowledged, there is a possibility for smaller local actors to act upon grand challenges with local strategies and their own governmentality mechanisms.

Originality/value

The case study contributes to the literature on cities, bringing new insights into how they can become actors of climate change beyond acting on internal controls, and the literature on governmentality by demonstrating how mechanisms can act upon a population without being calculative.
Brand it green: young consumers’ brand attitudes and purchase intentions toward green brand advertising appeals
Authors: Gahlot Sarkar Juhi , Sarkar Abhigyan , Yadav Rambalak
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the impacts of distinct advertising appeals on brand attitudes and purchase intentions toward green brands across two different product categories (technology-intensive and technology non-intensive) among the young adult consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of focus group discussion, recyclable shopping bags (technology non-intensive) and hybrid cars (technology intensive) were identified as two product categories for the final study. A total of eight advertisement copies were developed (three in each product class + two control group ads) and distributed across 240 young consumers. A 4 (three advertising appeals + one control group) × 2 (product classes) between group experimental design was used to test the hypotheses formulated.

Findings

The study findings show that all the three advertisement appeals significantly influence attitudes and purchase intentions toward green brands across both the product categories. However, it was also found that functional appeal generated significantly lower mean scores for brand attitude and purchase intention for recyclable shopping bags compared to hybrid cars, whereas emotional appeal generated significantly lower mean scores for brand attitude, as well as purchase intention for hybrid cars compared to bags. This implies that functional green ad appeal would be more effective for technology-intensive products and emotional green ad appeal would be more effective for technology non-intensive products. Self-expressive green ad appeal was found to be equally effective in impacting brand attitudes and purchase intentions across both product categories.

Originality/value

The value of this research lies in investigating how the effects of distinct green brand advertising appeals on brand attitude and purchase intention can vary across technology-intensive and technology non-intensive products.
Wavelet transform‐based seismic facies classification and modelling: application to a geothermal target horizon in the NE German Basin
Authors: Bauer Klaus , Norden Ben , Ivanova Alexandra , Stiller Manfred , Krawczyk Charlotte M.
Published: July 2019

At the geothermal test site near Groß Schönebeck (NE German Basin), a new 3D seismic reflection survey was conducted to study geothermal target layers at around 4 km depth and 150°C. We present a workflow for seismic facies classification and modelling which is applied to a prospective sandstone horizon within the Rotliegend formation. Signal attributes are calculated along the horizon using the continuous Morlet wavelet transform. We use a short mother wavelet to allow for the temporal resolution of the relatively short reflection signals to be analysed. Time‐frequency domain data patterns form the input of a neural network clustering using self‐organizing maps. Neural model patterns are adopted during iterative learning to simulate the information inherent in the input data. After training we determine a gradient function across the self‐organizing maps and apply an image processing technique called watershed segmentation. The result is a pattern clustering based on similarities in wavelet transform characteristics. Three different types of wavelet transform patterns were found for the sandstone horizon. We apply seismic waveform modelling to improve the understanding of the classification results. The modelling tests indicate that thickness variations have a much stronger influence on the wavelet transform response of the sandstone horizon compared with reasonable variations of seismic attenuation. In our interpretation, the assumed thickness variations could be a result of variable paleo‐topography during deposition of predominantly fluvial sediments. A distinct seismic facies distribution is interpreted as a system of thicker paleo‐channels deposited within a deepened landscape. The results provide constraints for the ongoing development of the geothermal test site.
High‐resolution seismic imaging of crooked two‐dimensional profiles in greenstone belts of the Canadian shield: results from the Swayze area, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Cheraghi Saeid , Naghizadeh Mostafa , Snyder David , Haugaard Rasmus , Gemmell Thomas
Published: July 2019

In 2017, the Metal Earth multi‐disciplinary exploration project acquired a total of 921 km of regional deep seismic reflection profiles and 184 km of high‐resolution seismic reflection profiles in the Abitibi and Wabigoon greenstone belts of the Superior province of Canada. The Abitibi belt hosts several world‐class mineral deposits, whereas the Wabigoon has sparse economic mineral deposits. Two high‐resolution surveys in the Swayze area, a poorly endowed part of the western Abitibi greenstone belt, served as pioneer surveys with which to better understand subsurface geology and design a strategy to process other surveys in the near future. Swayze seismic data were acquired with crooked survey geometries along roads. Designing an effective seismic processing flow to address these geometries and complex geology required straight common midpoint lines along which both two‐dimensional prestack dip‐moveout correction and poststack migration processing were applied. The resulting seismic sections revealed steeply dipping and subhorizontal reflections; some correlate with folded surface rocks. An interpreted fault/deformation zone imaged in Swayze north would be a target for metal endowment if it extends the Porcupine–Destor structure. Because of the crooked line geometry of the surveys, two‐dimensional /three‐dimensional prestack time migration and swath three‐dimensional processing were tested. The prestack time migration algorithm confirmed reflections at the interpreted base of the Abitibi greenstone belt. The swath three‐dimensional images provided additional spatial details about the geometries of some reflections, but also had less resolution and did not detect many reflectors observed in two dimensions. Geological contacts between felsic, mafic and ultramafic greenstone rock layers are thought the main cause of reflectivity in the Swayze area.
An asymmetric partisanship effect: House price fluctuations and party positions
Authors: BECKMANN PAUL
Published: July 2019

Political economy arguments on party behaviour usually address parties of the left and the right. This article introduces a novel argument that portrays house price changes as an economic signal that right‐wing parties disproportionately respond to in their programmatic positioning. This asymmetric partisanship effect is driven by homeowners’ importance for right‐wing parties as a core voter group. Increasing house prices improve homeowners’ economic prospects. Right‐wing parties thus have some flexibility to reach out to undecided voters by targeting the centre of the political spectrum. Falling house prices, however, signal worsening economic outlooks for homeowners. Right‐wing parties thus have a strong incentive to send out signals of reassurance and prioritise their core voters. For a sample of Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries from 1970 to 2014, the findings support this argument. Right‐wing parties move programmatically leftwards with booming house prices and rightwards when house prices fall, while parties of the left do not respond systematically.
How to better estimate leaf area index and leaf angle distribution from digital hemispherical photography? Switching to a binary nonlinear regression paradigm
Authors: Zhao Kaiguang , Ryu Youngryel , Hu Tongxi , Garcia Mariano , Li Yang , Liu Zhen , Londo Alexis , Wang Chao
Published: July 2019

Probabilistic modelling of gaps for light–canopy interactions has long served as a theoretical basis to estimate vegetation structural parameters—leaf area index (LAI) and leaf angle distribution (LAD)—from optical measurements such as hemispherical photos. Direct inversion of such probabilistic models provides a reliable statistical algorithm for parameter estimation, but this inferential paradigm has been seldom explored. Even worse, many classical LAI algorithms implicitly assume “wrong” statistical models inconsistent with the underlying probabilistic gap models—a subtle issue not articulated before but known to cause practical issues.

Here, we clarified how to improve LAI and LAD estimation by directly inverting binary gap/non‐gap data of hemispherical photos via binary nonlinear regression (BNR). We implemented the new BNR method and some classical algorithms in an R package “hemiphoto2LAI”, comprising a total of 135 models for LAI estimation.

Compared to classical algorithms, BNR features many theoretical advantages and allows estimating LAI and LAD simultaneously. BNR can address questions difficult to answer by classical algorithms (e.g. how better is one LAD than another?). We demonstrated the utility of the BNR paradigm based on both synthetic and real data.

Overall, BNR is statistically more justifiable but its potential has been under‐appreciated. We encourage the community to embrace this new paradigm for reliable analyses of hemispherical photos or other gap data for canopy research.
‘Slashing the Teddy Bear's Tummy with a Carving Knife’: The Infanticidal Roots of Schizophrenia
Authors: Kahr Brett
Published: July 2019

In this article, the author explores the complex controversies surrounding the aetiology of the schizophrenic psychoses. After reviewing the historical literature, the author discusses the ongoing debate between the opposing biopathological and psychoanalytical models of causation. In particular, he examines the considerable, but often neglected, body of evidence in support of a theory of the traumatogenic origin of the severe psychoses, including not only clinical but also empirical psychopathological research, especially findings from Holocaust studies. Drawing upon his own psychoanalytical work with psychotic patients over many decades, the author proposes a theory of aetiology based on the widespread occurrence of conscious and unconscious parental death wishes in the early histories of individuals who later became diagnosed as schizophrenic. He traces the development of his concepts of ‘psychological infanticide’ and the ‘infanticidal introject’, providing clinical illustrations of the ways in which early death wishes towards babies and children impact upon the subsequent onset of psychopathology.
Mentalization in Child Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Authors: Carvalho Cibele , Goodman Geoff , Ramires Vera Regina Röhnelt
Published: July 2019

Mentalization has been considered a common factor across therapeutic processes, inherent to all effective treatment models. However, empirical findings and evidence about the presence and relevance of the construct for use in child psychodynamic psychotherapy processes are scarce. To contribute to filling this gap, the aim of this study was to analyse three children's psychotherapies in regards to the similarity of the treatments to the mentalization process prototype. This study is exploratory, longitudinal and descriptive, and is based on the systematic case studies procedure. Three school‐age children and their therapists participated. Two hundred and seventy‐three sessions were coded with the Child Psychotherapy Process Q‐Set and analysed according to their similarity to the mentalization process prototype. The results showed that it was possible to identify the presence of elements based on the mentalization approach in child psychodynamic psychotherapy. In addition, the presence of the therapist's mentalizing attitudes was associated with increased feelings of security and a greater connection of emotions to experiences. The results corroborated the propositions that enhancing mentalization is an implicit process in child psychodynamic psychotherapy, and suggested the importance of acknowledging and understanding the essential elements that compose the treatment models.
Impaired ligand‐dependent MET activation caused by an extracellular SEMA domain missense mutation in lung cancer
Authors: Miao Wenyu , Sakai Katsuya , Sato Hiroki , Imamura Ryu , Jangphattananont Nawaphat , Takagi Junichi , Nishita Michiru , Minami Yasuhiro , Matsumoto Kunio
Published: July 2019

Aberrant activation of the MET/hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor participates in the malignant behavior of cancer cells, such as invasion‐metastasis and resistance to molecular targeted drugs. Many mutations in the MET extracellular region have been reported, but their significance is largely unknown. Here, we report the dysregulation of mutant MET originally found in a lung cancer patient with Val370 to Asp370 (V370D) replacement located in the extracellular SEMA domain. MET‐knockout cells were prepared and reconstituted with WT‐MET or V370D‐MET. HGF stimulation induced MET dimerization and biological responses in cells reconstituted with WT‐MET, but HGF did not induce MET dimerization and failed to induce biological responses in V370D‐MET cells. The V370D mutation abrogated HGF‐dependent drug resistance of lung cancer cells to epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKI). Compared with WT‐MET cells, V370D‐MET cells showed different activation patterns in receptor tyrosine kinases upon exposure to survival/growth‐stressed conditions. Surface plasmon resonance analysis indicated that affinity between the extracellular region of V370D‐MET and HGF was reduced compared with that for WT‐MET. Further analysis of the association between V370D‐MET and the separate domains of HGF indicated that the SP domain of HGF was unchanged, but its association with the NK4 domain of HGF was mostly lost in V370D‐MET. These results indicate that the V370D mutation in the MET receptor impairs the functional association with HGF and is therefore a loss‐of‐function mutation. This mutation may change the dependence of cancer cell growth/survival on signaling molecules, which may promote cancer cell characteristics under certain conditions.
ZomeFab: Cost‐Effective Hybrid Fabrication with Zometools
Authors: Shen I‐Chao , Chen Ming‐Shiuan , Huang Chun‐Kai , Chen Bing‐Yu
Published: July 2019

In recent years, personalized fabrication has received considerable attention because of the widespread use of consumer‐level three‐dimensional (3D) printers. However, such 3D printers have drawbacks, such as long production time and limited output size, which hinder large‐scale rapid‐prototyping. In this paper, for the time‐ and cost‐effective fabrication of large‐scale objects, we propose a hybrid 3D fabrication method that combines 3D printing and the Zometool construction set, which is a compact, sturdy and reusable structure for infill fabrication. The proposed method significantly reduces fabrication cost and time by printing only thin 3D outer shells. In addition, we design an optimization framework to generate both a Zometol structure and printed surface partitions by optimizing several criteria, including printability, material cost and Zometool structure complexity. Moreover, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method by fabricating various large‐scale 3D models.
Lower serum interleukin‐22 and interleukin‐35 levels are associated with disease status in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders
Authors: Yang Hong , Han Lu , Zhou Yun‐Jia , Ding Jie , Cai Yu , Hong Rong‐Hua , Hao Yong , Zhu De‐Sheng , Shen Xia‐Feng , Guan Yang‐Tai
Published: July 2019

Aims

The exact pathogenesis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) remains unclear. A variety of cytokines are involved, but few studies have been performed to explore the novel roles of interleukin‐22 (IL‐22) and interleukin‐35 (IL‐35) in NMOSD. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate serum levels of IL‐22 and IL‐35, and their correlations with clinical and laboratory characteristics in NMOSD.

Methods

We performed a cross‐section study, 18 patients with acute NMOSD, 23 patients with remission NMOSD, and 36 healthy controls were consecutively enrolled. Serum levels of IL‐22 and IL‐35 were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlations between serum IL‐22 and IL‐35 levels and clinical and laboratory characteristics were evaluated by Spearman's rank or Pearson's correlation coefficient.

Results

The serum levels of IL‐22 and IL‐35 were significantly lower in patients with acute NMOSD and remission NMOSD than in healthy controls (IL‐22: 76.96 ± 13.62 pg/mL, 87.30 ± 12.79 pg/mL, and 94.02 ± 8.52 pg/mL, respectively, P < .0001; IL‐35: 45.52 ± 7.04 pg/mL, 57.07 ± 7.68 pg/mL, and 60.05 ± 20.181 pg/mL, respectively, P < .0001). Serum levels of IL‐35 were negatively correlated with EDSS scores and cerebrospinal fluid protein levels (r = −.5438, P = .0002 and r = −.3523, P = .0258, respectively) in all patients.

Conclusions

Lower serum levels of IL‐22 and IL‐35 are associated with disease status in NMOSD. Additionally, lower serum levels of IL‐35 are associated with disease severity in NMOSD.
Feasibility of perioperative volatile organic compound breath testing for prediction of paralytic ileus following laparoscopic colorectal resection
Authors: Francis N. K. , Curtis N. J. , Salib E. , de Lacy Costello B. , Lemm N. M. , Gould O. , Crilly L. , Allison J. , Ratcliffe N.
Published: July 2019

Background

Despite implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and laparoscopic techniques, postoperative ileus (POI) remains frequent after colorectal surgery, impacting the patient, their recovery and health‐care resources. Presently there are no tests that reliably predict or enable early POI diagnosis. Volatile organic compounds (VC) are products of human and microbiota cellular metabolism and we hypothesised that a detectable alteration occurs in POI.

Method

This was a prospective observational study of patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection within an established ERAS programme. Standardized end‐expiratory breath sampling was performed on the morning of surgery and on the first three postoperative mornings. The concentrations of VCs commonly found in intestinal gas were analysed using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry and GastroCH4ECK®. Feasibility data, bowel preparation, postoperative oral intake, POI and 30‐day morbidity were recorded.

Results

Of the 75 potentially eligible patients, 58 (77%) agreed to participate. Per‐protocol breath sampling was successfully completed in 94%. There were no analytical failures. Baseline and postoperative concentrations of VCs were broadly comparable and were not altered by bowel preparation or postoperative oral intake. POI developed in 14 (29%) patients. Preoperative ammonia concentration was higher in patients who developed POI [830 parts per billion (ppb) vs 510 ppb, P = 0.027]. There was an increase in the concentration of acetic acid detected on day 2 in patients who developed POI (99 ppb vs 171 ppb, P = 0.021).

Conclusion

Repeated VC breath sampling and analysis is feasible in the perioperative setting. An elevated ammonia concentration on the morning of surgery may be a potential predictor of POI.
A multicentre cohort study of serum and peritoneal biomarkers to predict anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer resection
Authors: Sparreboom C. L. , Komen N. , Rizopoulos D. , Verhaar A. P. , Dik W. A. , Wu Z. , van Westreenen H. L. , Doornebosch P. G. , Dekker J. W. T. , Menon A. G. , Daams F. , Lips D. , van Grevenstein W. M. U. , Karsten T. M. , Bayon Y. , Peppelenbosch M. P. , Wolthuis A. M. , D'Hoore A. , Lange J. F.
Published: July 2019

Aim

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is one of the most feared complications after rectal resection. This study aimed to assess a combination of biomarkers for early detection of AL after rectal cancer resection.

Method

This study was an international multicentre prospective cohort study. All patients received a pelvic drain after rectal cancer resection. On the first three postoperative days drain fluid was collected daily and C‐reactive protein (CRP) was measured. Matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP2), MMP9, glucose, lactate, interleukin 1‐beta (IL1β), IL6, IL10, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein and amylase were measured in the drain fluid. Prediction models for AL were built for each postoperative day using multivariate penalized logistic regression. Model performance was estimated by the c‐index for discrimination. The model with the best performance was visualized with a nomogram and calibration was plotted.

Results

A total of 292 patients were analysed; 38 (13.0%) patients suffered from AL, with a median interval to diagnosis of 6.0 (interquartile ratio 4.0–14.8) days. AL occurred less often after partial than after total mesorectal excision (4.9% vs 15.2%, P = 0.035). Of all patients with AL, 26 (68.4%) required reoperation. AL was more often treated by reoperation in patients without a diverting ileostomy (18/20 vs 8/18, P = 0.03). The prediction model for postoperative day 1 included MMP9, TNFα, diverting ileostomy and surgical technique (c‐index = 0.71). The prediction model for postoperative day 2 only included CRP (c‐index = 0.69). The prediction model for postoperative day 3 included CRP and MMP9 and obtained the best model performance (c‐index = 0.78).

Conclusion

The combination of serum CRP and peritoneal MMP9 may be useful for earlier prediction of AL after rectal cancer resection. In clinical practice, this combination of biomarkers should be interpreted in the clinical context as with any other diagnostic tool.
The clinical impact of preoperative body composition differs between male and female colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Tokunaga R. , Nakagawa S. , Miyamoto Y. , Ohuchi M. , Izumi D. , Kosumi K. , Taki K. , Higashi T. , Miyata T. , Yoshida N. , Baba H.
Published: July 2019

Aim

Patient body composition is an important indicator of metabolic status and is associated with cancer progression. Because body composition varies between men and women, we aimed to examine the difference in clinical impact of preoperative body composition according to sex.

Method

We used an integrated dataset of 559 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The association between preoperative body composition indices [body mass index (BMI), visceral to subcutaneous fat area ratio (VSR) and skeletal muscle index (SMI)] and patient outcome, clinicopathological factors and preoperative inflammation and nutritional status was analysed, comparing men and women.

Results

Preoperative low BMI and low SMI in men was significantly associated with unfavourable overall survival (OS) [BMI: hazard ratio (HR) 2.22, 95% CI 1.28–4.14, P = 0.004; SMI: HR 2.54, 95% CI 1.61–4.07, P < 0.001] and high VSR in women was significantly associated with unfavourable OS (HR 1.79, 95% CI 1.03–3.02, P = 0.040). Additionally, low SMI in men was significantly associated with deeper tumour invasion and greater distant metastasis and high VSR in women was significantly associated with advanced age, right‐sided tumour, lower total lymphocyte count and lower albumin levels. Interestingly, low BMI in men was significantly associated with deeper tumour invasion, but also with favourable inflammation and nutritional status (lower C‐reactive protein and higher albumin).

Conclusion

The clinical impact of preoperative body composition differed between men and women: SMI in men and VSR in women were good prognosticators. Our findings may provide a novel insight for CRC treatment strategies.
Impacts of the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems on conservation policy and practice
Authors: Bland Lucie M. , Nicholson Emily , Miller Rebecca M. , Andrade Angela , Carré Aurélien , Etter Andres , Ferrer‐Paris José Rafael , Herrera Bernal , Kontula Tytti , Lindgaard Arild , Pliscoff Patricio , Skowno Andrew , Valderrábano Marcos , Zager Irene , Keith David A.
Published: July 2019

In 2014, the International Union for Conservation of Nature adopted the Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) criteria as the global standard for assessing risks to terrestrial, marine, and freshwater ecosystems. Five years on, it is timely to ask what impact this new initiative has had on ecosystem management and conservation. In this policy perspective, we use an impact evaluation framework to distinguish the outputs, outcomes, and impacts of the RLE since its inception. To date, 2,821 ecosystems in 100 countries have been assessed following the RLE protocol. Systematic assessments are complete or underway in 21 countries and two continental regions (the Americas and Europe). Countries with established ecosystem policy infrastructure have already used the RLE to inform legislation, land‐use planning, protected area management, monitoring and reporting, and ecosystem management. Impacts are still emerging due to varying pace and commitment to implementation across different countries. In the future, RLE indices based on systematic assessments have high potential to inform global biodiversity reporting. Expanding the coverage of RLE assessments, building capacity and political will to undertake them, and establishing stronger policy instruments to manage red‐listed ecosystems will be key to maximizing conservation impacts over the coming decades.