bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Searching through the jungle of innovation conceptualisations
Authors: Russo-Spena Tiziana , Tregua Marco , Bifulco Francesco
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the interdisciplinary debate promoted by service research community by establishing the conceptual frame within which different perspectives addressing systemic and multifaceted approaches to innovation are framed. Growing research interest in innovation has led to different definitions, which are referred to here as “innovation system(s)”, “innovation network(s)” and “innovation ecosystem(s)”. The paper examines the theoretical foundations, outcomes, and patterns of contributions to which each innovation perspectives is tied and proposed a subject and the framework allowing an exploration of an interdisciplinary dialogue between the different research positions.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review was conducted to discern differences in concepts and their meanings. An overview obtained using Web of Knowledge leads to a focus on studies, followed by a content analysis using NVivo, which enables identification of key concepts and their definitions. By highlighting relationships among terms, the paper establishes a framework of the ontological assumptions of different innovation discourses and explores their contribution to the interdisciplinary dialogue promoted by service research perspective on innovation.

Findings

A comparison among the three innovation perspectives leads us to focus on innovation itself, alongside context, actors, enablers, and governance, which are useful to mark the commonalities and differences among the three research approaches. The framework is helpful to break down the fragmented and sometimes overlapping points of view of innovation and provides a more integrative stance from which to address the emergence of the service ecosystems approach on innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The investigation focuses on three innovation perspectives and on top-cited articles alone; hence, it can be complemented with a full analysis through a bibliometric approach to test whether the features highlighted are linked to other elements. Moreover, the different approaches grouped on “innovation ecosystems” perspective suggest the possibility to enhance service ecosystems discourse on innovation by looking at different knowledge and contributions that are rapidly growing in this area.

Social implications

The central idea this work puts forward is that after some decades of separation, there is a need to move towards an increasing convergence of economics, business and service based on the milestones of innovation systems, innovation networks, and innovation ecosystems thoughts.

Originality/value

This research sheds light on the different ways innovation, in multi-actor and the interconnected setting, is theoretically framed and described. By capturing established thinking in different innovation perspectives, the paper provides an integrated framework to making sense of the full picture of economies and societies seen as complex networks and systems of service systems.
Conditional forecasts of tourism exports and tourism export prices of the EU-15 within a global vector autoregression framework
Authors: Gunter Ulrich
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze theex anteprojected future trajectories of real tourism exports and relative tourism export prices of the EU-15, conditional on expert real gross domestic product growth forecasts for the global economy provided by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development for the years 2013-2017.

Design/methodology/approach

To this end, the global vector autoregression (GVAR) framework is applied to a comprehensive panel data set ranging from 1994Q1 to 2013Q3 for a cross-section of 45 countries. This approach allows for interdependencies between countries that are assumed to be equally affected by common global developments.

Findings

In line with economic theory, growing global tourist income combined with decreasing relative destination price ensures, in general, increasing tourism demand for the politically and macroeconomically distressed EU-15. However, the conditional forecast increases in tourism demand are under-proportional for some EU-15 member countries.

Practical implications

Rather than simply relying on increases in tourist income, the low price competitiveness of the EU-15 member countries should also be addressed by tourism planners and developers in order to counter the rising competition for global market shares and ensure future tourism export earnings.

Originality/value

One major contribution of this research is that it applies the novel GVAR framework to a research question in tourism demand analysis and forecasting. Furthermore, the analysis of theex anteconditionally projected future trajectories of real tourism exports and relative tourism export prices of the EU-15 is a novel aspect in the tourism literature since conditional forecasting has rarely been performed in this discipline to date, in particular, in combination withex anteforecasting.
Transparency among S&P 500 companies: an analysis of ESG disclosure scores
Authors: Tamimi Nabil , Sebastianelli Rose
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the state of S&P 500 companies’ transparency by analyzing their Bloomberg ESG (Environmental-Social-Governance) disclosure scores. Additionally, the effects of industry sector, firm size, and governance practices on transparency are examined.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were retrieved from Bloomberg using the financial analysis environmental, social and governance function for companies comprising the S&P 500 index. Descriptive statistics are provided on each of the three components separately (ESG). Nonparametric procedures are used to test for significant differences in transparency within each of these three areas based on industry sector. Additionally, nonparametric tests are used to determine the impact of firm size (market capitalization) and governance factors (board size, board gender diversity, chief executive officer (CEO) duality, and linking executive compensation to ESG disclosure) on the composite ESG score.

Findings

Descriptive statistics reveal that S&P 500 companies differ in their level of disclosure across the three areas (ESG). The highest level of transparency is found on Governance and the lowest on Environmental. Moreover, there is much variability in the percentage of S&P 500 companies disclosing information about specific Social policies (e.g. child labor). Significant differences in transparency on both the Social and Governance dimensions are found between certain industry sectors. The results also reveal that large-cap companies have significantly higher ESG disclosure scores than mid-cap companies and that governance factors impact ESG disclosure. Significantly, higher ESG disclosure scores are observed for S&P 500 firms with larger boards of directors, with boards that are more gender diverse, that allow CEO duality, and that link executive compensation to ESG scores.

Originality/value

This study focuses on corporate transparency through a granular analysis of ESG disclosure scores when most other studies have been primarily conducted at the macro level. Stakeholders, analysts, and shareholders are increasingly scrutinizing firms’ sustainability disclosures in their assessment of management quality, as it reflects on the practices/policies that are employed to improve firms’ environmental and social footprints.
A method for designing strategy maps using DEMATEL and linear programming
Authors: López-Ospina Héctor , Quezada Luis E. , Barros-Castro Ricardo A. , Gonzalez Miguel A. , Palominos Pedro I.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a quantitative methodology for the identification of the causal relationships between strategic objectives in a strategy map of a balanced scorecard. This is done to face the possible weaknesses described in the literature regarding the causal links and the difficulty in validating the relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method combines the multi-criteria decision-making method called decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and an optimization model. DEMATEL is used to establish the importance of the strategic relations between strategic objectives, and the optimization model is used to find the relations that are more “important” and should be included in the strategy map. The method was created by reviewing the existing literature, modeling the problem, and applying it in a company.

Findings

The most important results of applying this methodological design include that the proposed method maintains the BSC classical structure; it also enables the generation of several alternatives to support the decision-making process in terms of strategic objectives for a better organizational performance.

Practical implications

The method facilitates the decision-making process by presenting several alternatives of strategy maps according to different levels of organizational criteria. In fact, these alternatives help the organization in focusing on the most important aspects of the strategy map. Consequently, managers may identify where to pay more attention and resources in order to achieve the most important objectives of the company. Hence, this method, as a support for decision makers, enables (and requires) the active participation of senior managers and any kind of decision makers in creating and valuating objectives, relations, constraints, importance, and parameters of the optimization model.

Originality/value

DEMATEL has been used to design strategy maps. The contribution of the paper is the use of a linear programming model to select those relationships that should be included in the strategy map. It allows manager to focus on those strategic elements that are important from a strategic point of view. The application in a company showed that the contribution is not only theoretical but practical as well.
Does logistics influence economic growth? The European experience
Authors: D’Aleo Vittorio , Sergi Bruno S.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to set forth a new economic model that includes variables that take account the mediator effect of global competitiveness index to better identify the whole phenomenon behind the relationship between GDP and competition in Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors test the consistency of the Baron and Kenny mediator model through an explanatory linear regression model, then the authors deploy a panel analysis and a simultaneous equation system to assess the model consistency to bypass much of the endogeneity problem.

Findings

This paper’s findings show a positive influence of global competitiveness index on GDP and this effect is by far more evident when other variables (e.g. the logistics performance index) interact simultaneously.

Research limitations/implications

The GCI is a correct variable to assess growth. The study shows how the recent economic crisis has increased the importance of competitiveness for economic recovery as well as key strategic decisions aimed at strengthening growth and competitiveness.

Originality/value

This paper’s theoretical construct is a unique methodology applied to disentangle the role of a new model that takes account of global competitiveness index as a mediator variable to economic growth.
Configurational examination of successful human resources outsourcing
Authors: Nguyen Thuy Thi Thanh , Chang Man-Ling
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The causal conditions leading to successful human resources outsourcing (HRO) have until now attracted only limited research attention. To address this shortcoming, the purpose of this paper is to investigate how a firm and a HR provider should work together to ensure successful HRO.

Design/methodology/approach

By applying a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis, the authors demonstrate how combining in different ways provider quality, business understanding, trust, and closed HRO networks can lead to HRO success. In addition, this study compares the causal combinations between cases with differing levels of HR-task interdependence and IT use.

Findings

The results of this study reveal three common solutions that lead to successful HRO from both economic and relational viewpoints. The findings also indicate that, from an economic viewpoint, trust is a core condition for achieving HRO success. Moreover, HR-task interdependence and IT use alter the number of solutions and the conditions for attaining HRO success.

Practical implications

Based on the solutions proposed herein, firms can consider different ways to achieve HRO success under diverse conditions.

Originality/value

This work also contributes to building new theories regarding HRO, trust, knowledge sharing, and IT use.
Police legitimacy in context: an exploration of “soft” power in police custody in England
Authors: Skinns Layla , Rice Lindsey , Sprawson Amy , Wooff Andrew
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how police authority – in its “soft” form – is used and understood by staff and detainees in police custody in England, examining how these meanings are shaped by this unique police setting. It is argued that the nature of this setting, as fraught and uncertain, along with the large volume of citizens who come into contact with the police therein, makes police custody the ultimate “teachable moment”.

Design/methodology/approach

The present paper is based on in-depth qualitative data collected between March 2014 and May 2015 in four custody suites (in four forces). In each site, the researchers spent three to four weeks observing and then interviewed 10-15 staff (largely police officers, detention officers but also a few other criminal justice practitioners) and 10-15 detainees. In total, the paper is based on 532 hours of observing and 97 interviews (47 with staff and 50 with detainees).

Findings

One way that the staff used their authority in the custody suites in the research was softly and innocuously; this entailed for example staff communicating in a respectful manner with detainees, such as by being deliberately polite. The authors conclude that this “soft” power was a dynamic, processual matter, shaped in particular by the physical conditions of the suite, the uncertain and insecure nature of detainees’ circumstances, as well as by the sense of disempowerment they felt as a result of being deprived of their liberty and autonomy, all of which contributed to police custody being the ultimate “teachable moment”.

Originality/value

The paper draws on a range of qualitative data collected from both staff and detainees in four types of police custody suites as part the “good” police custody study. It therefore makes an original contribution to the field which has tended to rely on cross-sectional surveys of citizens not policed populations (Harkin, 2015; Worden and Mclean, 2017).
MFS-LDA: a multi-feature space tag recommendation model for cold start problem
Authors: Masood Muhammad Ali , Abbasi Rabeeh Ayaz , Maqbool Onaiza , Mushtaq Mubashar , Aljohani Naif R. , Daud Ali , Aslam Muhammad Ahtisham , Alowibdi Jalal S.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Tags are used to annotate resources on social media platforms. Most tag recommendation methods use popular tags, but in the case of new resources that are as yet untagged (the cold start problem), popularity-based tag recommendation methods fail to work. The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel model for tag recommendation called multi-feature space latent Dirichlet allocation (MFS-LDA) for cold start problem.

Design/methodology/approach

MFS-LDA is a novel latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA)-based model which exploits multiple feature spaces (title, contents, and tags) for recommending tags. Exploiting multiple feature spaces allows MFS-LDA to recommend tags even if data from a feature space is missing (the cold start problem).

Findings

Evaluation of a publicly available data set consisting of around 20,000 Wikipedia articles that are tagged on a social bookmarking website shows a significant improvement over existing LDA-based tag recommendation methods.

Originality/value

The originality of MFS-LDA lies in segregation of features for removing bias toward dominant features and in synchronization of multiple feature space for tag recommendation.
Using Twitter sentiment and emotions analysis of Google Trends for decisions making
Authors: D’Avanzo Ernesto , Pilato Giovanni , Lytras Miltiadis
Published: July 2017

Purpose

An ever-growing body of knowledge demonstrates the correlation among real-world phenomena and search query data issued on Google, as showed in the literature survey introduced in the following. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a pipeline, implemented as a web service, which, starting with recent Google Trends, allows a decision maker to monitor Twitter’s sentiment regarding these trends, enabling users to choose geographic areas for their monitors. In addition to the positive/negative sentiments about Google Trends, the pipeline offers the ability to view, on the same dashboard, the emotions that Google Trends triggers in the Twitter population. Such a set of tools, allows, as a whole, monitoring real-time on Twitter the feelings about Google Trends that would otherwise only fall into search statistics, even if useful. As a whole, the pipeline has no claim of prediction over the trends it tracks. Instead, it aims to provide a user with guidance about Google Trends, which, as the scientific literature demonstrates, is related to many real-world phenomena (e.g. epidemiology, economy, political science).

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed experimental framework allows the integration of Google search query data and Twitter social data. As new trends emerge in Google searches, the pipeline interrogates Twitter to track, also geographically, the feelings and emotions of Twitter users about new trends. The core of the pipeline is represented by a sentiment analysis framework that make use of a Bayesian machine learning device exploiting deep natural language processing modules to assign emotions and sentiment orientations to a collection of tweets geolocalized on the microblogging platform. The pipeline is accessible as a web service for any user authorized with credentials.

Findings

The employment of the pipeline for three different monitoring task (i.e. consumer electronics, healthcare, and politics) shows the plausibility of the proposed approach in order to measure social media sentiments and emotions concerning the trends emerged on Google searches.

Originality/value

The proposed approach aims to bridge the gap among Google search query data and sentiments that emerge on Twitter about these trends.
Wearable expert system development: definitions, models and challenges for the future
Authors: Sartori Fabio , Melen Riccardo
Published: July 2017

Purpose

A wearable expert system (WES) is an expert system designed and implemented to obtain input from and give outputs to wearable devices. Among its distinguishing features are the direct cooperation between domain experts and users, and the interaction with a knowledge maintenance system devoted to dynamically update the knowledge base taking care of the evolving scenario. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The WES development method is based on the Knowledge Acquisition Framework based on Knowledge Artifact (KAFKA) framework. KAFKA employs multiple knowledge artifacts, each devoted to the acquisition and management of a specific kind of knowledge. The KAFKA framework is introduced from both the conceptual and computational points of view. An example is given which demonstrates the interaction, within this framework, of taxonomies, Bayesian networks and rule-based systems. An experimental assessment of the framework usability is also given.

Findings

The most interesting characteristic of WESs is their capability to evolve over time, due both to the measurement of new values for input variables and to the detection of new input events, that can be used to modify, extend and maintain knowledge bases and to represent domains characterized by variability over time.

Originality/value

WES is a new and challenging concept, dealing with the possibility for a user to develop his/her own decision support systems and update them according to new events when they arise from the environment. The system fully supports domain experts and users with no particular skills in knowledge engineering methodologies, to create, maintain and exploit their expert systems, everywhere and when necessary.
Why do players purchase in mobile social network games? An examination of customer engagement and of uses and gratifications theory
Authors: Huang Taozhen , Bao Zheshi , Li Yan
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the purchase intention in mobile social network games (M-SNGs) through a new perspective and discuss how to effectively promote players’ payment.

Design/methodology/approach

The author proposed a research model by integrating customer engagement (CE) and uses and gratification theory (U&G). Three dimensions of CE and three types of U&G were analyzed, respectively to explore the direct and indirect effects on purchase intention in M-SNGs. Online questionnaires were adopted to collect data, and 354 valid samples were analyzed by structural equation modeling approach.

Findings

The findings show that hedonic gratification (entertainment) and social gratification (self-presentation) have significant indirect effects on players’ purchase intention in M-SNGs through the mediation effects of CE, whereas this mechanism is not fully applied to utilitarian gratification (flexibility). Besides, three dimensions of CE are not independent, because absorption can indirectly affect vigor through dedication.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggest that hedonic gratification (entertainment) and social gratification (self-presentation) can trigger three dimensions of CE to stimulate purchase intentions in M-SNGs, and utilitarian gratification (flexibility) can also promote players’ payment through absorption which is one dimension of CE. Some other theoretical and practical implications are also provided.

Originality/value

This study is novel in exploring players’ purchase intentions in M-SNGs by integrating CE and U&G. Meanwhile, the author also intends to reveal the relationships among the three dimensions of CE which are related to in-game purchase intention.
Human rights, the capability approach and Quality of Life: an integrated paradigm of support in the quest for social justice
Authors: De Maeyer Jessica , Vandenbussche Hanne , Claes Claudia , Reynaert Didier
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper highlights the integrative character of orthopedagogics. Quality of Life (QoL), as guiding the normative framework in orthopedagogics is explicitly connected with the framework of human rights and the capability approach (CA) in the quest for social justice and human dignity. The purpose of this paper is to question that how these three specific frameworks can cross-fertilize each other and result in the development of an integrated normative foundation for supporting people living in socially vulnerable situations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reflects on the question on how the human rights framework, the CA and the framework of QoL can be integrated in the support of people who find themselves in a socially vulnerable situation.

Findings

The core features of each framework are described.

Originality/value

To conclude the paper, commonalities and the added value of integrating these three frameworks are explored. By integrating these three frameworks, they could function as a shared agenda that gives direction to the daily actions of professionals, with attention for aspects at the micro, meso and macro levels. Each framework and their interrelatedness urge for an integrative approach of orthopedagogics where the strengths of different frameworks are recognized and used in order to support people in socially vulnerable situations to achieve a life worth living.
Environment and geographic distance differ in relative importance for determining fungal community of rhizosphere and bulk soil
Authors: Zhang Kaoping , Adams Jonathan M. , Shi Yu , Yang Teng , Sun Ruibo , He Dan , Ni Yingying , Chu Haiyan
Published: July 2017

Rhizospheric fungi play major roles in both natural and agricultural ecosystems. However, little is known about the determinants of their diversity and biogeographic patterns. Here, we compared fungal communities in rhizosphere and bulk soils of wheat fields in the North China Plain. The rhizosphere had a lower fungal diversity (observed OTUs and Chao1) than bulk soil, and a distinct fungal community structure in rhizosphere compared with bulk soil. The relative importance of environmental factors and geographic distance for fungal distribution differed between rhizosphere and bulk soil. Environmental factors were the primary cause of variations in total fungal community and major fungal phyla in bulk soil. By contrast, fungal communities in soils loosely attached to roots were predictable from both environmental factors and influences of geographic distance. Communities in soils tightly attached to roots were mainly determined by geographic distance. Our results suggest that both contemporary environment processes (present‐day abiotic and biotic environment characters) and historical processes (spatial isolation, dispersal limitation occurred in the past) dominate variations of fungal communities in wheat fields, but their relative importance of all these processes depends on the proximity of fungal community to the plant roots.
Nitrifier‐induced denitrification is an important source of soil nitrous oxide and can be inhibited by a nitrification inhibitor 3,4‐dimethylpyrazole phosphate
Authors: Shi Xiuzhen , Hu Hang‐Wei , Zhu‐Barker Xia , Hayden Helen , Wang Juntao , Suter Helen , Chen Deli , He Ji‐Zheng
Published: July 2017

Soil ecosystem represents the largest contributor to global nitrous oxide (N2O) production, which is regulated by a wide variety of microbial communities in multiple biological pathways. A mechanistic understanding of these N2O production biological pathways in complex soil environment is essential for improving model performance and developing innovative mitigation strategies. Here, combined approaches of the 15N‐18O labelling technique, transcriptome analysis, and Illumina MiSeq sequencing were used to identify the relative contributions of four N2O pathways including nitrification, nitrifier‐induced denitrification (nitrifier denitrification and nitrification‐coupled denitrification) and heterotrophic denitrification in six soils (alkaline vs. acid soils). In alkaline soils, nitrification and nitrifier‐induced denitrification were the dominant pathways of N2O production, and application of the nitrification inhibitor 3,4‐dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) significantly reduced the N2O production from these pathways; this is probably due to the observed reduction in the expression of the amoA gene in ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in the DMPP‐amended treatments. In acid soils, however, heterotrophic denitrification was the main source for N2O production, and was not impacted by the application of DMPP. Our results provide robust evidence that the nitrification inhibitor DMPP can inhibit the N2O production from nitrifier‐induced denitrification, a potential significant source of N2O production in agricultural soils.
Seabirds (Laridae) as a source of Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp. and antimicrobial resistance in South Africa
Authors: Moré Elisabet , Ayats Teresa , Ryan Peter G. , Naicker Preneshni R. , Keddy Karen H. , Gaglio Davide , Witteveen Minke , Cerdà‐Cuéllar Marta
Published: July 2017

Zoonotic thermophilic Campylobacter and nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica are a major cause of foodborne human gastroenteritis worldwide. There is little information about reservoirs of these zoonotic agents in Africa. Thus, chicks of kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus, n = 129) and greater crested terns (Thalasseus bergii, n = 100) were studied at five colonies on the Western Cape coast (South Africa) during summer 2013/2014. Campylobacter spp. occurrence was 14.0% (CI95%: 9.9–19.3), with C. jejuni the most frequently isolated species, whilst that of Salmonella was 27.5% (CI95%: 21.9–33.9) overall, with a higher prevalence in gulls (43.0%, CI95%: 34.8–52.4) than terns (7.0%, CI95%: 3.1–14.4). Among the 16 different S. enterica serovars found, Anatum, Enteritidis and Hadar were the most frequent. The same or highly similar pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis genotype was found in some Salmonella isolates from seabirds and humans presenting with salmonellosis in Cape Town hospitals. Both Campylobacter and Salmonella isolates exhibited antimicrobial resistance to several agents, including critically important antimicrobials (quinolones, tetracyclines and β‐lactams) and multidrug resistance in Salmonella serovars from kelp gulls. Our results highlight the importance of seabirds as reservoirs of Campylobacter and Salmonella resistant strains and their role in the maintenance and transmission of these bacteria in the environment, with implications for public health.
Evidence of microbial rhodopsins in Antarctic Dry Valley edaphic systems
Authors: Guerrero Leandro D. , Vikram Surendra , Makhalanyane Thulani P. , Cowan Don A.
Published: July 2017

Microorganisms able to synthesize rhodopsins have the capacity to translocate ions through their membranes, using solar energy to generate a proton motive force. Rhodopsins are the most abundant phototrophic proteins in oceanic surface waters and are key constituents in marine bacterial ecology. However, it remains unclear how rhodopsins are used in most microorganisms. Despite their abundance in marine and fresh‐water systems, the presence of functional rhodopsin systems in edaphic habitats has never been reported. Here, we show the presence of several new putative H+, Na+ and Cl+ pumping rhodopsins identified by metagenomic analysis of Antarctic desert hypolithic communities. Reconstruction of two Proteobacteria genomes harboring xanthorhodopsin‐like proteins and one Bacteroidetes genome with a Na‐pumping‐like rhodopsin indicated that these bacteria were aerobic heterotrophs possessing the apparent capacity for the functional expression of rhodopsins. The existence of these protein systems in hypolithic bacteria expands the known role of rhodopsins to include terrestrial environments and suggests a possible predominant function as heterotrophic energy supply proteins, a feasible microbial adaptation to the harsh conditions prevalent in Antarctic edaphic systems.
Foreign Competition and Innovation: The Mediating Role of Imitation
Authors: Xia Tianjiao , Liu Xiaohui
Published: July 2017

This study examines the extent to which foreign competition affects the innovation performance of domestic firms through imitation, given firms’ absorptive capacity. In analysing longitudinal firm‐level data from the UK, we find a mediating effect of imitation on the relationship between foreign competition and local firms’ innovation performance, and an inverted U‐shaped relationship between imitation and the innovation performance of local firms. Our findings further reveal that absorptive capacity moderates the mediating effect of imitation, diminishing innovation gains at moderate levels of imitation and mitigating the diminishing innovation performance at high levels of imitation.
Re‐examining the Glass Cliff Hypothesis using Survival Analysis: The Case of Female CEO Tenure
Authors: Elsaid Eahab , Ursel Nancy D.
Published: July 2017

We use the glass cliff to study the appointment and employment duration of 193 female CEOs between 1992 and 2014 in a sample of large, small and mid‐size North American firms. Consistent with the glass cliff, we find that women are appointed as CEOs in precarious situations. However, we find female CEOs are 40% less likely to face turnover at any point after appointment than male CEOs. This conflicts with an implication of the glass cliff and differs significantly from existing research which shows that female CEOs have only a slightly lower risk of turnover than male CEOs. Our larger, more recent sample captures changes in the labour market that explain the departure from the results of earlier studies. We find evidence that the lower turnover rate of female CEOs is related to firms’ desire to avoid the negative publicity that would accompany their termination, and we also show that greater education has a positive impact on CEO job security.
Implicit prosody and parsing in silent reading
Authors: Webman‐Shafran Ronit
Published: July 2017

Background

The current study explored the effect of implicit prosody on syntactic parsing in the silent reading of an ambiguous double prepositional phrase (PP) construction in Hebrew by employing the Implicit Prosody Hypothesis test (Fodor, ).

Method

The parsing preferences of the construction in silent reading were tested and compared to those in a reading aloud study (Webman‐Shafran & Fodor, ) containing the same experimental material.

Results

The parsing results were remarkably similar.

Conclusions

It is suggested that implicit prosody was responsible for syntactic ambiguity resolution preferences in silent reading in the current study in the same way as overt prosody in reading aloud in Webman‐Shafran and Fodor (). This study supports the assumption that reading prosody is projected in silent reading and affects comprehension.

Implications

The contribution of implicit prosody to the reading process may have important implications for reading instruction in FLA, SLA and reading disorder intervention programs.
Salvianolic Acid B Inhibits High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Inflammation by Activating the Nrf2 Pathway
Authors: Wang Bin , Sun Jin , Shi Yonghui , Le Guowei
Published: July 2017

Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) is a major water‐soluble bioactive component of Salvia miltiorrhiza, which is a traditional Chinese medicine. We investigated the ways in which Sal B affects high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced immunological function disorder remission using a C57BL/6 mouse model. We gave groups of C57BL/6 mice a normal diet (Control), a normal diet supplemented with Sal B (Control + Sal B), a high‐fat diet (HF), and a high‐fat diet supplemented with Sal B (HF + Sal B) for 10 wk. Sal B supplementation decreased the body weight and plasma lipids, increased the fecal excretion of lipids, prevented the accumulation of chronic oxidative stress, and reversed the disproportionality of CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes compared to HFD. We found an increase in IL‐6 and TNF‐α, while IL‐10 decreased in plasma after the HFD and Sal B reversed the deregulation of the Thl/Th2 ratio. In addition, HFD‐induced inflammation was stopped by Sal B through the downregulation of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), and inducible NO synthesis (iNOS), and the upregulation of nuclear factor‐erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2)‐regulated genes. These findings demonstrated that Sal B could effectively attenuate inflammation by activating the Nrf2‐mediated antioxidant defense system.
Enrichment of Bread with Nutraceutical‐Rich Mushrooms: Impact of Auricularia auricula (Mushroom) Flour Upon Quality Attributes of Wheat Dough and Bread
Authors: Yuan Biao , Zhao Liyan , Yang Wenjian , McClements David Julian , Hu Qiuhui
Published: July 2017

Edible mushrooms contain a variety of bioactive molecules that may enhance human health and wellbeing. Consequently, there is increasing interest in fortifying functional foods with these nutraceutical‐rich substances. However, incorporation of mushroom‐based ingredients into foods should not adversely affect the quality attributes of the final product. In this study, the impact of incorporating powdered Auricularia auricula, a widely consumed edible mushroom, into bread products was examined. The rheological and structural properties of wheat dough and bread supplemented with 0% to 10% (w/w) A. auricula flour were measured. Supplementation of wheat doughs with A. auricula flour increased the peak viscosity and enhanced their water holding capacity. Rapid viscosity analysis showed that peak and final viscosities of the blended flour (wheat flour with A. auricula flour) were higher than wheat flour alone. However, dough stability and elastic modulus were reduced by blending wheat flour with A. auricula flour. SEM observation showed that doughs with up to 5% (w/w) A. auricula flour had acceptable gluten network microstructure. Characterization of the quality attributes of bread indicated that incorporation of A. auricula flour at levels >5% negatively impacted bread volume, height, texture, and appearance.
Expert Perceptions of Approaches to Protecting Isolated Wetlands in the Northeastern United States
Authors: Floress Kristin , Kolozsvary Mary Beth , Mangun Jean
Published: July 2017

In this article, we describe how protecting vernal pools was discussed by experts in the northeastern United States (U.S) within the context of a theoretical policy framework. We offer insight about characteristics of feasible vernal pool policy solutions, and identify gaps in our understanding, particularly regarding conditions in states currently lacking specific vernal pool protections. Vernal pools are geographically isolated, intermittent wetlands that provide important habitat for a variety of plants and animals. Many may not be federally protected as a result of judicial decisions over the past two decades, and the rule intended to clarify what qualifies for federal protection is currently being reviewed by the courts. Thus, state or local policy approaches may be alternatives to conserving vernal pools. We interviewed vernal pool experts in the northeastern U.S. regarding approaches to vernal pool protection and analyzed their perceptions through the lens of Kingdon's () multiple streams policy development framework. The framework denotes 13 characteristics of three processes associated with policy development: problem identification, policy solution development, and the impacts of politics. While analyzed for all 13 components, we found participants most often discussed feasibility of policy formulation and implementation, particularly with regard to protecting vernal pools of high value while also remaining within the bounds of what public opinion supports.
Risk factors and outcome of Thai patients with scleroderma renal crisis: a disease duration‐matched case control study
Authors: Wangkaew Suparaporn , Lertthanaphok Supawita , Puntana Saowanee , Noppakun Kajohnsak
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Data regarding the prevalence, risk factors and outcome of scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) in Asian patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are limited.

Objective

To determine the prevalence, risk factors and outcomes of SRC in Thai SSc patients.

Method

Medical records of all SSc patients seen at the Division of Rheumatology, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, from January 1990 to December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. For each SRC case, a disease duration (±1 year) matched control (four SSc patient without SRC for each SRC patient) was identified.

Result

Of 608 SSc patients seen during the study period, 19 SRC cases were identified, resulting in an SRC prevalence of 3.13%, with 76 matched controls. Of the 19 cases, mean ± SD age and median (interquartile range 1–3) disease duration was 56.2 ± 13.8 years and 5 (3–22) months, respectively. Seventeen patients (89.5%) had diffuse cutaneous SSc. Twelve patients (63.2%) had hypertensive renal crisis and seven (36.8%) had normotensive renal crisis. Multivariate conditional logistic regression analyses showed that digital gangrene (adjusted odd ratio [AOR] 31.41, 95% CI = 1.16–852.23, P = 0.041), current prednisolone dose ≥ 15 mg/day (AOR 31.22, 95% CI = 1.59–613.85, P = 0.024), serum albumin < 3 mg/dL (AOR 7.97, 95% CI = 1.49–42.56, P = 0.015), and cardiac involvement (AOR = 6.62, 95% CI = 1.08–40.63, P = 0.041) were independent risk factors for SRC. Fifteen SRC patients (78.9%) required dialysis and 10 (52.6%) died.

Conclusion

SRC was an uncommon complication in Thai patients with SSc, but is associated with high mortality. Digital gangrene, current prednisolone dose ≥ 15 mg/day, serum albumin < 3 mg/dL and cardiac involvement were independent risk factors for SRC.
HMGA2 regulates lung cancer proliferation and metastasis
Authors: Gao Xiaotian , Dai Ming , Li Qinglan , Wang Zhigang , Lu Yonglin , Song Zeqing
Published: July 2017

Background

This study aimed to explore the effects of HMGA2 on cell proliferation and metastases in lung cancer and its underlying mechanism.

Methods

HMGA2 expression in lung cancer tissues and its association with overall survival were analyzed based on data from a public database. The roles of HMGA2 were validated via loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function experiments in vitro. HMGA2 regulation by microRNA‐195 (miR‐195) was validated by real time‐PCR, Western blotting, and luciferase reporter assays.

Results

HMGA2 was upregulated and associated with reduced overall survival in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. HMGA2 knockdown suppressed the proliferation and motility of H1299 cells, while HMGA2 ectopic expression in A549 cells increased cell proliferation and migration. HMGA2 affected cell apoptosis through caspase 3/9 and Bcl‐2, and regulated epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition by targeting Twist 1. Moreover, miR‐195 was found to directly target the 3′ untranslated region of HMGA2 messenger RNA and suppress its expression in lung cancer.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that HMGA2, regulated by miR‐195, played important roles in proliferation, metastases, and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition in lung cancer. HMGA2 might serve as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target for lung cancer treatment.
Colonial Taiwan's Financial Revolution
Authors: Olds Kelly Barton
Published: July 2017

Under imperial Japanese rule, Taiwan experienced a relatively high rate of economic growth, and this growth is often attributed to well‐planned development policies. This paper argues that Taiwan's success was primarily due to the glut of money that flowed into the Japanese Empire during World War One. Taiwanese had suffered from limited access to credit, but, during the war, the Japanese‐controlled Bank of Taiwan had to find an outlet for the huge inflow of funds and greatly expanded lending to native Taiwanese. This unscripted experiment was a success, and continued access to formal capital markets allowed Taiwanese agriculture to takeoff.
Exchange Rates and Economic Recovery in the 1930s: An Extension to Asia
Authors: Ting Chien‐Jung , Ho Tai‐Kuang
Published: July 2017

Scholars have found a positive relationship between the magnitude of currency depreciation and the extent of recovery from the Great Depression for Europe and Latin America. The relationship between currency depreciation and economic activity during the Great Depression for Asian economies has not yet been explored. This paper examines this topic using data from 13 Asian economies: China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam. We find that Asian economies responded in a similar way to currency depreciation during the Great Depression as did European and Latin American countries.
Dermoscopy of lymphangioma circumscriptum: A morphological study of 45 cases
Authors: Zaballos Pedro , del Pozo Luis Javier , Argenziano Giuseppe , Karaarslan Isil K , Landi Christian , Vera Angel , Llambrich Alex , Medina Carolina , Bañuls Jose
Published: July 2017

Background/Objectives

The dermoscopy of lymphangioma circumscriptum, also known as superficial lymphatic malformation, remains to be clarified.

Methods

Digital dermoscopic images of 45 histopathologically confirmed cases of lymphangioma circumscriptum collected from nine hospitals in Spain, Italy and Turkey were evaluated for the presence of dermoscopic structures and patterns.

Results

Our study shows that the most common structure found in lymphangioma circumscriptum was the presence of lacunae (89% of cases). The latter were red or dark‐coloured in 18 cases (45%), yellowish or whitish in 14 cases (35%) and multicoloured in eight cases (20%). The second most common dermoscopic structure was the presence of vascular structures, which were found in 82% of cases, followed by white lines (47%), the hypopyon sign or two‐tone lacunae (42%) and scales (7%).

Conclusions

Dermoscopy is useful in improving the diagnosis of lymphangioma circumscriptum with characteristic structures and patterns and could assist in elucidating the presence of blood in lymphatic channels.
EAACI guidelines on allergen immunotherapy: Hymenoptera venom allergy
Authors: Sturm G. J. , Varga E.‐M. , Roberts G. , Mosbech H. , Bilò M. B. , Akdis C. A. , Antolín‐Amérigo D. , Cichocka‐Jarosz E. , Gawlik R. , Jakob T. , Kosnik M. , Lange J. , Mingomataj E. , Mitsias D. I. , Ollert M. , Oude Elberink J. N. G. , Pfaar O. , Pitsios C. , Pravettoni V. , Ruëff F. , Sin B. A. , Agache I. , Angier E. , Arasi S. , Calderón M. A. , Fernandez‐Rivas M. , Halken S. , Jutel M. , Lau S. , Pajno G. B. , van Ree R. , Ryan D. , Spranger O. , van Wijk R. G. , Dhami S. , Zaman H. , Sheikh A. , Muraro A.
Published: July 2017

Hymenoptera venom allergy is a potentially life‐threatening allergic reaction following a honeybee, vespid, or ant sting. Systemic‐allergic sting reactions have been reported in up to 7.5% of adults and up to 3.4% of children. They can be mild and restricted to the skin or moderate to severe with a risk of life‐threatening anaphylaxis. Patients should carry an emergency kit containing an adrenaline autoinjector, H1‐antihistamines, and corticosteroids depending on the severity of their previous sting reaction(s). The only treatment to prevent further systemic sting reactions is venom immunotherapy. This guideline has been prepared by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology's (EAACI) Taskforce on Venom Immunotherapy as part of the EAACI Guidelines on Allergen Immunotherapy initiative. The guideline aims to provide evidence‐based recommendations for the use of venom immunotherapy, has been informed by a formal systematic review and meta‐analysis and produced using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) approach. The process included representation from a range of stakeholders. Venom immunotherapy is indicated in venom‐allergic children and adults to prevent further moderate‐to‐severe systemic sting reactions. Venom immunotherapy is also recommended in adults with only generalized skin reactions as it results in significant improvements in quality of life compared to carrying an adrenaline autoinjector. This guideline aims to give practical advice on performing venom immunotherapy. Key sections cover general considerations before initiating venom immunotherapy, evidence‐based clinical recommendations, risk factors for adverse events and for relapse of systemic sting reaction, and a summary of gaps in the evidence.