bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decision and intuition during organizational change
Authors: Talat Usman , Chang Kirk , Nguyen Bang
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review intuition in the context of organizational change. The authors argue that intuition as a concept requires attention and its formulation is necessary prior to its application in organizations. The paper provides a critique of dual process theory and highlights shortcomings in organization theorizing of intuition.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is conceptual and provides in-depth theoretical discussions by drawing from the literature on decision and intuition in the context of organizational change.

Findings

Investigating whether dual process theory is sufficiently clear, the authors found ambiguity. Specifically, the current definition provided by Dane and Pratt is not clear in terms of its four sections: the consciousness of non-conscious processing, involving holistic associations, that are produced rapidly, which result in affectively charged judgments. Finally, the authors note that the evolutionary perspective is missing and they provide foundational concepts for such a perspective, including the discussion of information templates, memes and genes, as argued by research, condition intuition.

Originality/value

The paper finds that an evolutionary perspective develops a picture of intuition as an adaptive resource. This evolutionary perspective is currently absent in research and the authors provide foundational concepts for such a perspective. They propose specific arguments to highlight the evolutionary perspective.
Rethinking Bernstein communication wheel
Authors: Siano Alfonso , Palazzo Maria , Foroudi Pantea , Vollero Agostino
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The aim of this conceptual paper is to review Bernstein’s communication wheel to make it a tool that can be used in the selection of a corporate communication mix.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical analysis of Bernstein’s communication wheel shows it to be a checklist, a starting point in the examination of corporate communication mix, but it is not as such of great help to the decision maker.

Findings

The findings of reviewing literature highlight that the principle of a clear distinction between strategic decisions and operational decisions is applicable also in the field of corporate communication. For each stakeholder relationship, the authors’ framework suggests typical combinations of activities and means to be used. These combinations are useful to experiment with expert systems which are functional to the choices of corporate communication mix.

Practical implications

The analysis of communication gaps gives directions for formulating strategic decisions. In this framework, tactical decisions concern the components of the communication mix architecture (or communication chain): activities, means and vehicles of communication. On the contrary, Bernstein’s communication wheel includes only generic channels (or media) and gives no indications as to the architecture of the communication mix.

Originality/value

This study illustrates the hierarchy of decisions relating to corporate communication mix, the communication wheel could also be useful in communication planning. If this assumption is held to be true it then becomes possible to lay out a framework for a progressive decision-making path that means making sequential choices (first strategic, then tactical). In the stakeholder approach, the aim of strategic decisions is to choose the stakeholder groups on which a firm has to focus its corporate communication activities.
The value and significance of corporate community relations: an Italian SME perspective
Authors: Palazzo Maria , Foroudi Pantea , Siano Alfonso , Kitchen Philip J.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the link between community of place and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Lombard industrial districts in Italy.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief literature review of international authors from the stakeholder approach and Corporate Community Relations (CCRs) field is presented. This paper refers to a survey of Lombard industrial districts conducted by ALTIS. The data were collected via a telephone survey from 834 firms.

Findings

The main finding is that managing CCRs is of major importance for company success. The results of the survey show that there are some tools and actions that Italian industrial district SMEs use to interact with their particular communities of place to develop effective and coherent relationships with their stakeholder groups. Moreover, although the survey shows that though SMEs do implement different CCR activities, they are not able to communicate these effectively through systematic communication strategies. However, the narrow sample includes only a sample of some Lombard districts. Nonetheless, the findings indicate that effective CCR seems to confer competitive advantage based on stakeholder responses and rewards sought.

Research limitations/implications

The framework could assist in supporting CCR developments between industrial districts as various players would know how to improve CCR activities. One further suggestion is that University and Research Centers could have a role to play in creating and communicating codified knowledge concerning community relations in industrial districts, while other public players still have to develop specific tasks in improving infrastructures.

Originality/value

This study is in line with the main focus of CCR, which is in striving to meet stakeholder and societal needs. However, industrial district SMEs have to learn how to communicate their CCR activities from the examples set by large Italian companies. The paper links the notion of CCR with tools and actions to develop meaningful relationships with both community of place and interest. Moreover, considering the survey results, a new framework for local player roles is proposed.
Information technology directors’ efforts on innovation, integrated marketing communications and brand equity
Authors: Seyyed Amiri Nader , Dastourian Banafsheh , Foroudi Pantea , Nankali Alireza
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to examine information directors in the area of communication activities related to innovation and marketing decisions in branding.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is quantitative and utilized structural equation modeling technique with the approach of minimum trivial squares for analyzing the data. In all, 130 questionnaires were distributed among information technology directors in Tehran and they form the statistical population for the research.

Findings

The results suggested that innovation in integrated marketing communications has positively significant effect. In addition, both the variables of innovation and integrated marketing communications positively and significantly affect the three components of brand equity (namely, brand image, the perceived quality and brand loyalty).

Originality/value

Despite the growing acknowledgment, the importance of innovation, integrated marketing communications and brand equity, however, there are few studies on the role and importance of information technology directors’ efforts on innovation, integrated marketing communications and brand equity.
Corporate e-communication
Authors: Foroudi Pantea , Montes Elisa
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of corporate logo in organisations’ development of corporate e-communication.

Design/methodology/approach

This research model was designed based on previous studies on corporate logo, its antecedents on e-communication, corporate image and corporate reputation. Online survey was conducted for consumers and followers of the shopping social networking platforms (Facebook and Twitter) in Colombia.

Findings

Taking into account previous corporate constructs theories, the authors propose a new conceptual framework to explain how corporate e-communication interacts within an organisation’s structure and also to show that the consumer’s interaction in corporate e-communication platforms is based on the corporate logo perception held by consumers; as a consequence, the corporate reputation is affected.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the understanding and expansion of the organisation’s structure by introducing a new corporate construct, named “corporate e-communication”, defined as the digital interaction that an organisation has with its stakeholders; it involves everything it says, shows and does. However, there are a few other areas of concern with regard to consequences related to corporate image and corporate reputation, particularly in Colombian retail setting.
A localized Newton basis functions meshless method for the numerical solution of the 2D nonlinear coupled Burgers’ equations
Authors: Saberi Zafarghandi Fahimeh , Mohammadi Maryam , Babolian Esmail , Javadi Shahnam
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a local Newton basis functions collocation method for solving the 2D nonlinear coupled Burgers’ equations. It needs less computer storage and flops than the usual global radial basis functions collocation method and also stabilizes the numerical solutions of the convection-dominated equations by using the Newton basis functions.

Design/methodology/approach

A meshless method based on spatial trial space spanned by the local Newton basis functions in the “native” Hilbert space of the reproducing kernel is presented. With the selected local sub-clusters of domain nodes, an approximation function is introduced as a sum of weighted local Newton basis functions. Then the collocation approach is used to determine weights. The method leads to a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) for the time-dependent partial differential equations (PDEs).

Findings

The method is successfully used for solving the 2D nonlinear coupled Burgers’ equations for reasonably high values of Reynolds number (Re). It is a well-known issue in the analysis of the convection-diffusion problems that the solution becomes oscillatory when the problem becomes convection-dominated if the standard methods are followed without special treatments. In the proposed method, the authors do not detect any instability near the front, hence no technique is needed. The numerical results show that the proposed method is efficient, accurate and stable for flow with reasonably high values of Re.

Originality/value

The authors used more stable basis functions than the standard basis of translated kernels for representing of kernel-based approximants for the numerical solution of partial differential equations (PDEs). The local character of the method, having a well-structured implementation including enforcing the Dirichlet and Neuman boundary conditions, and producing accurate and stable results for flow with reasonably high values of Re for the numerical solution of the 2D nonlinear coupled Burgers’ equations without any special technique are the main values of the paper.
Thermal-diffusion and diffusion-thermo effects on MHD natural convective flow through porous medium in a rotating system with ramped temperature
Authors: Sheri Siva Reddy , Ali. J. Chamkha , Suram Anjan Kumar
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the thermal-diffusion and diffusion-thermo effects on magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) natural convective flow through porous medium in a rotating system with ramped temperature.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the non-dimensional variables, the flow governing equations along with corresponding initial and boundary conditions have been transformed into non-dimensional form. These non-dimensional partial differential equations are solved by using finite element method. This method is powerful and stable. It provides excellent convergence and flexibility in providing solutions.

Findings

The effects of Soret number, Dufour number, rotation parameter, magnetic parameter, Hall current parameter, permeability parameter, thermal Grashof number, solutal Grashof number, Prandtl number, thermal radiation parameter, heat absorption parameter, Schmidt number, chemical reaction parameter and time on the fluid velocities, temperature and concentration are represented graphically in a significant way and the influence of pertinent flow governing parameters on the skin frictions and Nusselt number are presented in tabular form. On the other hand, a comparison for validation of the numerical code with previously published work is performed, and an excellent agreement is observed for the limited case existing literature.

Practical implications

A very useful source of information for researchers on the subject of MHD flow through porous medium in a rotating system with ramped temperature.

Originality/value

The problem is moderately original, as it contains many effects like thermal-diffusion (Soret) and diffusion-thermo (Dufour) effects and chemical reaction.
Vortex force of an impulsively started plate at high angle of attack
Authors: Fu Xiang , Li Gaohua , Wang Fuxin
Published: September 2017

Purpose

A quantitative study that can identify the primary aerodynamic forces and relate them to individual vortical structures is lacking. The paper aims to clarify the quantitative relationships between the aerodynamic forces and vortical structures.

Design/methodology/approach

The various contributions to the aerodynamic forces on the two-dimensional impulsively started plate are investigated from the perspective of the vorticity moment theorem. The angles of attacks are set to 45°, 58.5° and 72°, while the Reynolds number is 10,000 based on the chord length. Compared with the traditional pressure force analysis, this theorem not only tells us the total aerodynamic force during the motion, but also enables us to quantify the forces contributed from the fluid elements with non-zero vorticity.

Findings

It is found that the time-dependent force behaviors are dominated by the formations and evolutions of these vortical structures. The analysis of the time-averaged forces demonstrates that the lift contributed from the leading edge vortex (LEV) is nearly four times larger than the total lift and the drag contributed from the starting vortex (SV) is almost equal to the total drag when the angle of attack (AoA) increases to 72°, which means the LEV is “lift structure” whereas the SV is “drag structure”.

Practical implications

The present method provides a better perspective for flow control and drag reduction by relating the forces directly to the individual vorticity structures.

Originality/value

In this paper, the Vorticity Moment Theory is first used to study the quantitative relationships between the aerodynamic forces and the vortices.
Displacement and climate change: improving planning policy and increasing community resilience
Authors: Crnčević Tijana , Orlović Lovren Violeta
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the major gaps in the field of planning policy and its implementation regarding climate change and disaster risk reduction (DRR), with special reference to the displacement of people, together with the knowledge needed to increase community resilience. The researched relations are illustrated by the example of Serbia. The Republic of Serbia has been faced with increasingly visible impacts of climate change in recent years – floods, heat waves, droughts and others. During the floods that hit Serbia in 2014, over 30,000 people experienced displacement. These events have triggered numerous efforts, both to repair the incurred damage and to analyze opportunities for prevention.

Design/methodology/approach

This research has used document analysis to investigate contemporary approaches defined by policies, programs and research reports regarding climate change and DRR, with special reference to the displacement of people. An analytical framework has been used to evaluate to what extent the planning policy framework in Serbia addresses these issues in the context of achieving resilient development. Secondary analysis of research data has been used to recognize the gaps and identify needs for increasing community resilience.

Findings

Based on the growing trends in projections of climate change as a result of induced natural disasters for the region in the future and international trends in coping with these issues, this paper argues that it is necessary to improve the implementation of the planning policy framework and the capacities of professionals and citizens, to reduce future displacement and increase community resilience to climate change. The key weaknesses found within DRR and the emergency management system in Serbia were the lack of an appropriate information base of the cadastre of risk zones and the lack of information and coordination of actors on the local to the national level. During the “pre-disaster” period, findings stress a weak partnership and capacity development practice at the local level, as well as between local responsible bodies and regional/national entities in charge of emergency management and DRR. The paper singles out the main preconditions for achieving effective resilient planning, so that such a plan can move “people away from marginal areas” and provide living conditions that are resilient.

Originality/value

This paper provides a comprehensive insight analysis of the relations between climate change and DRR, with special reference to the planning policy. Using the lessons learned from the recent climate-induced disaster with its implications on displacement, the paper identifies needs for strengthening capacities to establish more resilient communities in Serbia. The gaps and needs identified, as well as the recommendations provided, may be of value for neighboring countries as well, who face similar challenges in climate change adaptation and who need to increase disaster risk resilience.
Meteorological drought assessment in north east highlands of Ethiopia
Authors: Mohammed Yimer , Yimer Fantaw , Tadesse Menfese , Tesfaye Kindie
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the patterns and trends of drought incidence in north east highlands of Ethiopia using monthly rainfall record for the period 1984-2014.

Design/methodology/approach

Standard precipitation index and Mann – Kendal test were used to analyze drought incident and trends of drought occurrences, respectively. The spatial extent of droughts in the study area has been interpolated by inverse distance weighted method using the spatial analyst tool of ArcGIS.

Findings

Most of the studied stations experienced drought episodes in 1984, 1987/1988, 1992/1993, 1999, 2003/2004 and 2007/2008 which were among the worst drought years in the history of Ethiopia. The year 1984 was the most drastic and distinct-wide extreme drought episode in all studied stations. The Mann–Kendal test shows an increasing tendencies of drought at three-month (spring) timescale at all stations though significant (p < 0.05) only at Mekaneselam and decreasing tendencies at three-month (summer) and 12-month timescales at all stations. The frequency of total drought was the highest in central and north parts of the region in all study seasons.

Originality/value

This detail drought characterization can be used as bench mark to take comprehensive drought management measures such as early warning system, preparation and contingency planning, climate change adaptation programs.
Factors influencing prescribing decisions among physicians: an empirical study on generic drugs
Authors: Sanyal Shamindra Nath , Datta Saroj Kumar , Banerjee Asok Kumar
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the physicians’ attitude toward branded generic drugs in prescribing those drugs in some selective medical conditions and to identify the factors that influence physicians’ behavior toward prescribing branded generic drugs in the said selective medical conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was carried out across six major cities in eastern India with 301 physicians. The current study introduced some significant elements into the modified technology acceptance model (TAM) with title the extended tam for product usage (TETPU) to analyze the prescribing factors that influence physicians in five common yet serious medical conditions in India. Out of nine factors considered here, seven were selected from the previous literature studies of different product segments and two were proposed by the authors. Demographic factor was proposed as the confounding variable.

Findings

The results indicated that apart from the factors “perceived no need” and “physicians’ perception and need achievement” rest of the factors showed satisfactory to excellent results.

Practical implications

The current study findings may enable the pharmaceutical managers to revise or modify their current marketing communication and other brand-building strategies so as to achieve a superior performance that offers them a competitive advantage.

Originality/value

The paper fulfils a need for advancing the knowledge on the physician’s prescription influencing factors by introducing the newer aspects of the concept and offers a theoretical framework for the academia and practical framework for the managers who desire to implement the strategies to achieve competitive advantage.
The effects of advertising skepticism in consumer prescription drug advertising
Authors: Ju Ilwoo
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of consumers’ prescription drug advertising (DTCA) skepticism on their advertising evaluation. In addition, the study investigates the moderating role of health risk information location in DTCA and the mediating role of perceived message effectiveness to address when and how the skepticism effects are maximized or minimized.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a controlled lab experiment to enhance internal validity.

Findings

This study found that when risk information was presented earlier in a more prominent manner, it appeared to reduce the DTCA skepticism effects. In contrast, the DTCA skepticism effects remained considerable when benefit information was presented earlier.

Research limitations/implications

The artificial nature of the controlled lab setting suggests conducting future research in a more natural setting using various therapeutic and product categories to enhance ecological and external validity.

Practical implications

Pharmaceutical marketers could reduce consumers’ DTCA skepticism effects on their advertising evaluation by using situational message strategies. The prominence of health risk disclosure could be one of such strategies.

Social implications

The FDA’s industry guidance for DTCA risk communication suggests that the location of risk information in the ad may play an important role in determining its prominence. However, little is known about how complying with the FDA’s risk communication guidance by presenting a more prominent risk disclosure can affect consumers’ ad evaluation by affecting the DTCA skepticism effects. The current study provides empirical evidence for the importance of the health risk disclosure prominence.

Originality/value

Because the FDA’s release of the DTCA risk communication guidance, little empirical research has been conducted to examine a wide range of situational message factors that may affect consumers’ response to DTCA risk communication. The current study filled the gap in the literature by addressing the interplay between consumer and message factors in the DTCA context.
‘Burglar alarms’ and the making of social risks
Authors: Chan Chi Kit
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This paper explicates news making process of social risks in the midst of inconclusive social facts and contested interpretation of social consequences. Specifically, the author aims to investigate how journalists perform the normative role of “Burglar Alarms” – raising social concern to risks and problems amid uncertainties stemming from risk society. Shedding light on the controversies of “tourism capacity” in Hong Kong, this study unravels how news discourses represented the social risks of “outnumbered” Chinese tourists amid ambiguous facts and questionable credibility of news sources. Content analysis of news discourses and interviews with journalists showed that there are emerging journalistic practices – namely, witnessing performativity and opinionated objectivity – to construct social risks in view of less credible news sources, volatile public opinion and highly speculative news events.

Design/methodology/approach

Content analysis of news discourses was represented in the press and in-depth interviews with journalists.

Findings

Content analysis of news discourses and interviews with journalists showed that there are emerging journalistic practices – namely, witnessing performativity and opinionated objectivity – to construct social risks in view of less credible news sources, volatile public opinion and highly speculative news events.

Originality/value

Informed by the theory of risk society, this paper explores how journalists set out the “Burglar Alarms” of social risks by constructing social facts in the midst of questionable authorities and limited expert advice. Instead of relying on authoritative interpretation of social risks, journalists performed as the witnesses to the “reality” of social risks and problems, however selective and interpretative, to the audience. They also articulated to the general will of the people and selective representation of everyday life experience so as to justify their opinionated news angle and the pledge to news objectivity.
Synergistic effects of interferon‐beta and nivolumab in oral mucosal melanoma
Authors: Fusumae Takayuki , Kamiya Koji , Chiang Binluen , Okada Hirofumi , Nakano Naomi , Maekawa Takeo , Komine Mayumi , Murata Satoru , Ohtsuki Mamitaro
Published: September 2017

Mucosal melanoma is a rare aggressive cancer with a very poor prognosis. Clinical and pathological characteristics of mucosal melanoma differ from those of cutaneous melanoma and there are no established management guidelines for mucosal melanoma. Complete surgical excision is one of the most effective treatments for localized lesions, while targeted therapies and immunotherapies, such as monoclonal antibodies that target cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated molecule‐4, and the programmed death (PD)‐1/PD‐ligand 1 pathway inhibitors, are treatment options for unresectable or metastatic lesions. Here, we describe the case of a patient with oral mucosal melanoma with multiple metastases. In our case, local injection of interferon (IFN)‐β with dacarbazine–nimustine–vincristine therapy provided antitumor effects on an invasive tumor on the upper gingiva. Nivolumab therapy produced complete remission of lymph node and bone metastases. In contrast, the remaining in situ portion of oral mucosal melanoma on the hard palate was refractory to IFN‐β monotherapy and nivolumab therapy. However, after administration of nivolumab, peritumoral injection of IFN‐β showed rapid therapeutic effects. Our case suggested that nivolumab upregulated the antitumor effects of IFN‐β, which induced the recruitment of CD8+ T cells into the tumor microenvironment contributing to the deletion of tumor cells. Combination therapy of IFN‐β and nivolumab may be a potential treatment option for patients with oral mucosal melanoma.
Testing the stability of behavioural coping style across stress contexts in the Trinidadian guppy
Authors: Houslay Thomas M. , Vierbuchen Maddalena , Grimmer Andrew J. , Young Andrew J. , Wilson Alastair J.
Published: September 2017

Within populations, individuals can vary in stress response, a multivariate phenomenon comprising neuroendocrine, physiological and behavioural traits.

Verbal models of individual stress “coping style” have proposed that the behavioural component of this variation can be described as a single axis, with each individual's coping style being consistent across time and stress contexts.

Focusing on this behavioural component of stress response and combining repeated measures of multiple traits with a novel multivariate modelling framework, we test for the existence of coping style variation and assess its stability across contexts in the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata).

Specifically, we test the following hypotheses: (1) there exists repeatable among‐individual behavioural (co)variation (“personality”) within a mild stress context consistent with a risk‐averse–risk‐prone continuum of behavioural coping style, (2) there is population‐level plasticity in behaviour as a function of stressor severity, (3) there is among‐individual variation in plasticity (i.e. IxE), and (4) the presence of IxE reduces cross‐context stability of behavioural coping style.

We found significant repeatable among‐individual behavioural (co)variation in the mild stress context (open field trial), represented as an I matrix. However, I was not readily described by a simple risk‐averse–risk‐prone continuum as posited by the original coping style model. We also found strong evidence for population‐level changes in mean behaviour with increasing stressor severity (simulated avian and piscine predation risks).

Single‐trait analyses did show the presence of individual‐by‐environment interactions (IxE), as among‐individual cross‐context correlations were significantly less than +1. However, multitrait analysis revealed the consequences of this plasticity variation were minimal. Specifically, we found little evidence for changes in the structure of I between mild and moderate stress contexts overall, and only minor changes between the two moderate contexts (avian vs. piscine predator).

We show that a multivariate approach to assessing changes in among‐individual (co)variance across contexts can prevent the over‐interpretation of statistically significant, but small, individual‐by‐environment effects. While behavioural flexibility enables populations (and individuals) to respond rapidly to changes in the environment, multivariate personality structure can be conserved strongly across such contexts.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Co‐ingestion of aspirin and acetaminophen promoting fulminant liver failure: A critical review of Reye syndrome in the current perspective at the dawn of the 21st century
Authors: Dinakaran Deepak , Sergi Consolato M
Published: September 2017

In the paediatric population, there is some evidence of possible interaction, synergism, and co‐toxicity of aspirin and acetaminophen. The toxicity of salicylates such as aspirin in this population is well known and documented, specifically in the form of Reye syndrome. The possible toxic synergism with aspirin and acetaminophen, however, is not previously described; though case reports suggest such co‐toxicities with low levels of aspirin and other compounds can exist. In vitro studies into mechanistic processes of salicylate toxicity propose that there is a bi‐directional link and potentiation with glutathione (GSH) depletion and salicylate toxicity. Data may suggest a plausible explanation for salicylate and acetaminophen toxic synergism. Further studies investigating this potential toxic synergism are warranted. Given the lack of awareness in the clinical community about potential toxic synergism between these relatively common medications, caution is advised in the co‐administration of these drugs, particularly in communities using natural or alternative therapy.
Achieving environmental flows where buyback is constrained
Authors: Adamson David , Loch Adam
Published: September 2017

Theory suggests that the development of common property increases national welfare, and consistent with this thinking Australia's Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) Plan uses a common property approach to recover environmental water rights in the national interest. Two water recovery instruments are used: purchasing water rights (buyback) from farmers, and saving water by subsidising irrigator adoption of technically efficient technology. A moratorium on buyback has focused environmental recovery on subsidised technically efficient technology adoption. Economists argue that national welfare is maximised via buyback and highlight the limitations of efficiency savings to recover sufficient environmental water. A risk is that water recovery targets may be reduced in future, limiting welfare gains from water reform. This article evaluates possible welfare trade‐offs surrounding environmental water recovery outcomes where arbitrary limits on buyback are imposed. Results suggest that, on average, strategies which attempt to obtain >1500 gigalitres (GL) of water from on‐farm efficiency investments will only provide sufficient resources to meet environmental objectives in very wet states of nature. We conclude that reliance on technically efficient irrigation infrastructure is less economically efficient relative to water buyback. Importantly, the transformation of MDB irrigation will significantly constrain irrigators' future capacity to adapt to climate change.
Feedback Loops as Dynamic Processes of Organizational Knowledge Creation in the Context of the Innovations’ Front‐end
Authors: Akbar Hammad , Baruch Yehuda , Tzokas Nikolaos
Published: September 2017

Feedback loops are instrumental in the organizational knowledge creation (OKC) process across the highly uncertain and dynamic innovation's front‐end. Therefore, managers should be aware of how these loops unfold, how to recognize meaningful patterns and how to steer them towards planned and emergent outcomes. Easy to say, difficult to practise! This empirical paper focuses on knowledge–conceptualization – the new knowledge's generation‐crystallization journey – and develops a unique model of feedback loops as dynamic processes of OKC in the context of the innovations’ front‐end. Using ten qualitatively studied innovations, the authors identify five front‐end OKC stages (generation, evaluation, expansion, refinement and crystallization) and pattern these based on their overlaps to explore the associated feedback loops. This model distinctively illustrates increasing–decreasing, diverging–converging and frequent negative‐cum‐positive loops, and illuminates the complex and rich patterns of loops not captured before.
Trends in Use of Risk‐Reducing Mastectomy in a Context of Celebrity Decisions and Media Coverage: An Observational Study in the United States and Australia
Authors: Mao Jialin , Jorm Louisa , Sedrakyan Art
Published: September 2017

Objective

To examine trends in risk‐reducing mastectomy (RRM) and immediate breast reconstruction in New York State and New South Wales, especially before and after Angelina Jolie's announcement of her surgery in 2013.

Data Source

Hospital discharge data, 2004–2014.

Study Design

Trends in procedures were assessed using Poisson regression and the Cochrane–Armitage test.

Data Extraction Methods

Extracted using procedure codes.

Principal Findings

There was an increase in RRM procedures after May 2013 in both regions, with a peak during late 2013–early 2014. The average bimonthly RRM procedures were significantly higher after Jolie's announcement than before.

Conclusions

In both countries, we found a substantial increase of RRM after Jolie's announcement, highlighting the impact of celebrity health care coverage on preventive surgical choice and the need for decision aids to assist patients.
Heterogeneity of Long‐run Technical Efficiency of German Dairy Farms: A Bayesian Approach*
Authors: Skevas Ioannis , Emvalomatis Grigorios , Brümmer Bernhard
Published: September 2017

In parametric efficiency studies, two alternative approaches exist to provide an estimate of the long‐run efficiency of firms: the dynamic stochastic frontier model and the generalised true random‐effects model. We extend the former in order to allow for heterogeneity in the long‐run technical efficiency of firms. This model is based on potential differences in firm‐specific characteristics and in firms’ inefficiency persistence. The model is applied to an unbalanced micro‐panel of German dairy farms over the period 1999 to 2009. Estimation of long‐run technical efficiency and inefficiency persistence is based on an output distance function representation of the production technology and estimated in a Bayesian framework. The results suggest that heterogeneity in long‐run technical efficiency of farms is mostly attributed to discrepancies in farm‐specific factors rather than differences in farms’ inefficiency persistence. Farm size is positively related to long‐run technical efficiency while subsidies exert a negative effect on the long‐run technical efficiency of farms. Inefficiency persistence is found to be very high, but heterogeneity in this persistence is low.
The Big Short: Short Selling Activity and Predictability in House Prices
Authors: Saffi Pedro A.C. , Vergara‐Alert Carles
Published: September 2017

We study how investors can use financial securities to speculate on the decrease of house prices. Unlike most asset types, houses are subject to high trading frictions and cannot be sold short directly. Using U.S. equity lending data from 2006 through 2013, we find evidence that an increase in the short selling activity of real estate investment trusts (REITs) forecasts a decrease in house prices in the subsequent month. The magnitude and significance of this effect vary with the geographical location of the REITs' underlying properties and with the housing cycle.
Gene therapy with the TRF1 telomere gene rescues decreased TRF1 levels with aging and prolongs mouse health span
Authors: Derevyanko Aksinya , Whittemore Kurt , Schneider Ralph P. , Jiménez Verónica , Bosch Fàtima , Blasco Maria A.
Published: September 2017

The shelterin complex protects telomeres by preventing them from being degraded and recognized as double‐strand DNA breaks. TRF1 is an essential component of shelterin, with important roles in telomere protection and telomere replication. We previously showed that TRF1 deficiency in the context of different mouse tissues leads to loss of tissue homeostasis owing to impaired stem cell function. Here, we show that TRF1 levels decrease during organismal aging both in mice and in humans. We further show that increasing TRF1 expression in both adult (1‐year‐old) and old (2‐year‐old) mice using gene therapy can delay age‐associated pathologies. To this end, we used the nonintegrative adeno‐associated serotype 9 vector (AAV9), which transduces the majority of mouse tissues allowing for moderate and transient TRF1 overexpression. AAV9‐TRF1 gene therapy significantly prevented age‐related decline in neuromuscular function, glucose tolerance, cognitive function, maintenance of subcutaneous fat, and chronic anemia. Interestingly, although AAV9‐TRF1 treatment did not significantly affect median telomere length, we found a lower abundance of short telomeres and of telomere‐associated DNA damage in some tissues. Together, these findings suggest that rescuing naturally decreased TRF1 levels during mouse aging using AAV9‐TRF1 gene therapy results in an improved mouse health span.
Immediate autologous breast reconstruction after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for breast cancer: initial results of the first 29 patients
Authors: Grinsell Damien , Pitcher Meron , Wong Shirley , Guerrieri Mario , Nielsen Hans H. M.
Published: September 2017

Background

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy in the treatment of locally advanced breast cancer is often done in stages and before radiotherapy. We have previously published an algorithm for immediate free autologous reconstruction after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and preoperative radiotherapy. This protocol was designed to provide a shorter and simpler reconstructive path whilst improving cosmesis and maintaining oncological efficiency.

Methods

A total of 29 patients were included and underwent surgery for 30 cancers by the first author between 2010 and September 2015. Data were prospectively entered into a database and analysed for tumour size, chemotherapeutic response, lymph node involvement, surgical complications and tumour recurrence.

Results

The mean age was 55 ± 7 years. Eighty percent of patients had either a partial or complete chemotherapeutic response defined as >25% decrease in tumour size. Twenty‐eight patients had free abdominal tissue transfer. One patient was excluded due to advanced disease. There were no take‐backs due to microsurgical issues. One patient was reoperated on for a haematoma. Four patients had recurrent cancer during follow‐up, three of whom are deceased.

Conclusion

Many, but not all, breast reconstructive surgeons consider autologous reconstruction as the ‘gold’ standard in the presence of radiotherapy. Rearranging the order of radiotherapy and surgery means operating in a recently irradiated field. We believe the surgical challenges are outweighed by a shorter and simpler reconstructive journey that additionally results in a better cosmesis. It is possible to perform immediate free autologous reconstruction after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and preoperative radiotherapy with excellent results and at least equivalent oncological efficacy.
Effect of the proportion of roughage fed as rolled and baled hay on repressing wool‐biting behavior in housed sheep
Authors: Huang Chen‐Yu , Takeda Ken‐ichi
Published: September 2017

Wool‐biting behavior in housed sheep is a serious animal welfare problem and is difficult to control. Since we have found that sheep fed on rolled hay performed less post‐feeding wool‐biting than those fed on baled hay, here we mixed these two kinds of hay in four different proportions (0%, 33%, 67% and 100% of rolled hay) to test the effect of rolled hay on repressing wool‐biting behavior. We also measured the pulling force needed to remove a piece of rolled hay, baled hay, wool and fresh grass. Wool‐biting occurred most frequently in the treatment containing 0% rolled hay; however, there was no significant difference between the other three treatments. The pulling force needed to remove a piece of baled hay was significantly weaker than that for the other three objects; no other significant differences in pulling force were found. Our results suggest that the wool‐biting behavior of sheep was due to feeding frustration, which arises when they lack the appropriate oral stimulation from performing their normal foraging movement; this then redirects to the wool on their pen‐mates. Feeding sheep rolled hay, even in low quantities, can provide them with appropriate oral stimulation and was effective in repressing wool‐biting behavior.
Livestock grazing affects vernal pool specialists more than habitat generalists in montane vernal pools
Authors: Bovee Kirsten M. , Merriam Kyle E. , Gosejohan Meredith C.
Published: September 2017

Questions

Do livestock grazing and seasonal precipitation structure species composition in montane vernal pools? Which grazing and precipitation variables best predict cover of vernal pool specialists and species with broader habitat requirements? Is vernal pool species diversity correlated with livestock exclosure, and at what spatial scales?

Location

Montane vernal pools, northeast California, USA.

Methods

Vegetation was sampled in 20 vernal pools, including pools where livestock had been excluded for up to 20 years We compared plant species composition, functional group composition and species diversity among sites that varied in grazing history and seasonal precipitation using CCA and LMM.

Results

Although vernal pool specialists were dominant in montane vernal pools, over a third of plant cover was comprised of species that occur over a broad range of wetland or upland environments. The species composition of vernal pool plant communities was influenced by both livestock grazing and precipitation patterns, however the relative effects of these environmental variables differed by functional group. Livestock exclosures favoured perennial vernal pool specialists over annual vernal pool specialists. In contrast, the cover of habitat generalists was more strongly influenced by seasonal precipitation than livestock grazing. At small spatial scales, species richness and diversity decreased as the number of years a pool had been fenced increased, but this relationship was not significant at a larger spatial scale.

Conclusions

Both livestock grazing and seasonal precipitation structure the montane vernal pool plant community. We found that livestock grazing promotes the cover of annual vernal pool specialists, but at the expense of perennial vernal pool specialists. Wetter vernal pools, however, support higher cover of wetland generalist species regardless of whether pools are grazed.
The Combination of Valsartan and Sacubitril in the Treatment of Hypertension and Heart Failure – an Update
Authors: Nielsen Peter Munch , Grimm Daniela , Wehland Markus , Simonsen Ulf , Krüger Marcus
Published: September 2017

A novel antihypertensive drug, LCZ696 (Entresto®), has recently been introduced, which combines the action of an antagonist of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), effectively decreasing the blood pressure, with an inhibition of neprilysin, which is responsible for metabolizing natriuretic peptides exerting antihypertensive and antifibrotic effects. In this MiniReview, we describe the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, efficacy and side effects of the combined angiotensin receptor antagonist and neprilysin inhibitor LCZ696. We summarize the effect of LCZ696 treatment of patients suffering from hypertension and heart failure (HF) and further highlight the role of this new drug as a treatment option in the future. In the earlier stages of the treatment of patients with heart failure, LCZ696 was superior in lowering the blood pressure compared to olmesartan, while the effect on blood pressure at long‐term treatment was comparable for the two drugs. The numbers of adverse effects were comparable. LCZ696 was superior to enalapril in reducing mortality, hospitalizations and HF symptoms. Adverse effects were reduced with a slower up‐titrating regimen of 6 weeks. The current results are promising and suggest that LCZ696 will be a new candidate for first‐line treatment of HF. However, it needs to be explored whether LCZ696 is safe in pregnant women, what are the effects of long‐term LCZ696 treatment on survival and whether the antifibrotic effects can be of major benefit in, for example HF with preserved ejection fraction.
Evaluation of Prolonged Exposure to Varenicline in Adult Rats: Haematological, Biochemical and Anatomopathological Studies
Authors: Zaccarelli‐Magalhães Julia , Moreira Natalia , Sandini Thaísa Meira , de Abreu Gabriel Ramos , Sánchez‐Sarmiento Angélica Maria , Ricci Esther Lopes , Fukushima André Rinaldi , de Souza Spinosa Helenice
Published: September 2017

Varenicline is a synthetic chemical substance produced from the alkaloid cytisine, used for smoking treatment, which acts as a partial agonist for α4β2 and α3β4 nicotinic cholinergic receptors and as a total agonist for α7 receptor. While there are studies regarding varenicline's non‐smoking‐related effects, as in treatment for drug dependence, there are no studies in the literature evaluating the long‐term toxicity of varenicline through a physiological approach. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate possible toxicity through haematological, biochemical and anatomopathological parameters of prolonged exposure (30 days) to varenicline in rats. Three doses of varenicline were used: 0.03 (therapeutic dose for human beings), 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg orally (gavage). Body‐weight, water and food intake were measured weekly during treatment. On the 30th treatment day, blood and various organs were collected for haematological, biochemical and anatomopathological evaluations. The results show a decrease in some biochemical parameters in animals from the 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg group, although the values are within the normal range of the species. There were no changes in the other evaluations performed. Together, these data indicate that prolonged exposure of rats to different doses of varenicline was not able to alter haematological, biochemical and anatomopathological parameters.