bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stochastic evaluation of mortgage default losses resulting from flood damages and different mortgage arrangements for post-Katrina Louisiana houses
Authors: Ataei Hossein , Taherkhani Farnaz
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the total number of mortgage default occurrence possibilities and monetary damage amounts to the sampled properties due to the excessive flooding caused by natural disasters. Mortgage default loss assessments due to natural catastrophic events are of great interest to lenders, insurance firms, forensic engineering professionals, inspecting agencies and the federal and state government planning officials and risk-mitigating teams.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this study, a stochastic methodology is used to address the risk of mortgage default losses and the homeowners’ investment returns, given: damage severity levels of hurricane floods and the mortgage types and arrangements on selected properties. Nine different houses, with various mortgage arrangements, located in different flood damage zones were investigated three years after Hurricane Katrina. To quantify the flood damage risk values which are compared with exceeding damage probabilities, the Poisson’s distribution is used through performing random variable analysis walks for each property during each house’s mortgage life cycle.

Findings

– Henceforth, through introduction and constructing the “Zonal Damage Matrix” for the investigated houses, the total number of mortgage default occurrence possibilities and monetary damage amounts to the properties are calculated for each exceeding flood. Thereafter, the homeowners’ net equity values and the investment returns are estimated for risk identification and evaluation purposes.

Originality/value

– For each of the sampled houses, the probability of mortgage defaults and the homeowners’ net equity values are estimated using Poisson’s distribution based on 60,000 randomly generated numbers to construct ten different hazard-related default scenarios for each property over the 30-year mortgage life cycle. The investment returns are therefore estimated for risk identification and evaluation purposes.
How knowledge affects resource acquisition
Authors: Zhao Wenhong , Wang Lingling
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This study aims to examine how the interactions between the entrepreneur’s technical and market knowledge and the intra- and extra-industry ties affect resources acquisition.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors made a questionnaire from a sample of 300 high-technology companies located in the incubator in Xi’an, of which 165 were usable, and the final response rate was 55 per cent, the authors used optimal scaling regression analyses to analyze the data and test the hypotheses.

Findings

– There is a positive relationship between the entrepreneurs’ knowledge and the resources acquisition. The effects of the technical knowledge and the market knowledge are contingent on the intra-industry ties and the extra-industry ties in different ways. In particular, an entrepreneur with technical knowledge has an easier access to required resources from the intra-industry ties than extra-industry ties. In contrast, an entrepreneur with market knowledge can obtain more easily the needed resources from the extra-industry ties than the intra-industry ties.

Originality/value

– The paper conducted an empirical test of how the interactions between the entrepreneurs’ knowledge and industry ties affect the resources acquisition in the context of China’s emerging economy, which has not been studied in the current literature. This paper provides implications for entrepreneurs with technical and market knowledge in finding the right way to obtain needed resources through their industry ties.
Linking psychological ownership to employee extra-role behaviours in small overseas Chinese family businesses
Authors: Mustafa Michael , Ramos Hazel Melanie , Man Thomas Wing Yan
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of psychological ownership (both job and organisational based) on extra-role behaviours among family and non-family employees in small overseas Chinese family businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

– Empirical evidence was drawn from a survey of 80 family owners/managers and non-family employees from 40 small overseas Chinese family businesses from the transport industry in Malaysia. All proposed hypothesis were tested using hierarchical moderated regression analyses.

Findings

– Job-based psychological ownership was found to significantly predict both types of extra-role behaviours. Organisational-based psychological ownership, however, was only a significant predictor of voice extra-role behaviour. Interestingly enough, no significant moderating effects on the relationships between the two dimensions of psychological ownership and two types of extra-role behaviour were found.

Originality/value

– Having a dedicated workforce of both family and non-family employees who are willing to display extra-role behaviours may be considered as an essential component of business success and long-term continuity for many family firms around the world. This particular paper represents one of the few empirical efforts to examine the extra-role behaviours of employees in family firms from emerging economies.
Marketing and consuming flowers in the Ottoman Empire
Authors: Karababa Eminegül
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the marketing and consumption of flowers as a commodity from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century in the Ottoman context, a non-Western context, and to identify the specificities and similarities to the wider regional context with which it interacts.

Design/methodology/approach

– Through utilising secondary historical data a two-level analysis is conducted. The first level provides information on the institutional actors such as flower merchants, the state, the flower research institutes, market channels and popular culture and their practices. The second level of analysis concerns the flower consumer.

Findings

– The paper shows that flower consumption and marketing in an early modern non-Western context was not totally divergent from its “Western” counterparts which share the same regional context, i.e. the Mediterranean. As part of the late Renaissance Mediterranean world, the flower cultivator as a leisure-time consumer is reminiscent of the “Renaissance man”, characterised as someone who consumes science, aesthetics and writing in his leisure time. However, Ottoman markets diverge from their counterparts through the formation of an institution, similar to a modern-day accreditation institution, which had an active role in generating standards, brands and norms for the flower market.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper is mainly focussed on Istanbul, the capital of the empire and a large city by contemporary standards. Generalisation to the Ottoman context would require further studies.

Originality/value

– The paper is original because marketing and consumption in non-Western histories, such as the Ottoman context, have been a neglected area, mainly because of a tendency to locate progress and modernisation in early modern west.
The development of consumer privacy protection policy in China: a historical review
Authors: Gao Zhihong , O’Sullivan-Gavin Susan
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– Given the unique cultural-political context of China, this paper aims to investigate two research questions: What has been the development trajectory of policy-making on consumer privacy protection in China, and what factors have shaped its development over the years?

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper adopts a historical approach and examines the development of Chinese consumer privacy policy during four periods: 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and 2010-present.

Findings

– Chinese policy-making on consumer privacy protection has made steady advancement in the past few decades due to factors such as technological development, elite advocacy and emulation of other markets; however, the effects of these factors are conditioned by local forces.

Originality/value

– To date, most studies of consumer privacy issues have focused on Western countries, especially the European Union and the USA. A better understanding of how consumer privacy policy has developed in China provides important lessons on the promotion of consumer privacy protection in other developing countries.
Advertising in Russian periodicals at the turn of the communist era
Authors: Sheresheva Marina Y. , Antonov-Ovseenko Anton A.
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to document and analyze the development of Russian print advertising at the turn of the Communist era. It provides an overview of Russian print advertising in 1917 as compared with the previous decades of the “Russian economic miracle”.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study uses a historical method based on archival research. Analysis of primary sources in this paper is used in conjunction with secondary sources available.

Findings

– The amount and quality of advertising in Russian newspapers in 1917 is described. The decline of the “Russian economic miracle” print advertising is confirmed. The findings in this paper also change the previous perception of events in Russia in 1917, as well as in the history of Russian advertising.

Originality/value

– There has been little research on Russian advertising between the end of the Russian Empire and the early Soviet era, and there is no written history of advertising in Russian periodicals in 1917. Therefore, this paper adds to the literature on the history of advertising at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Does the market reward for going green?
Authors: Puopolo Giovanni Walter , Teti Emanuele , Milani Veronica
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of the application of green standards on the companies’ financial returns. It aims at answering the following question: does the market reward or penalize the players that carry out responsible management policies toward environment?

Design/methodology/approach

– Using US data from 2009 to mid-2014 and employing two financial models, that is Capital Asset Pricing Model and Fama-French three-factor model, the authors first estimate the extra remuneration provided to investors. Then, the authors link this extra return to a green-based factor. The green-factor data are taken fromNewsweek Green Rankings, which annually publishes an environmental ranking of the 500 biggest publicly traded companies in the USA.

Findings

– The analysis demonstrates that there exists no linear relationship between the adoption of green standards and financial returns, i.e. the “green-behavior” does not affect the remuneration required by investors. These results could be justified by the fact that the implementation of environmentally friendly standards is quite a new one.

Research limitations/implications

– The results could be subject to major changes in next few years, due to the increasing attention over environmental issues.

Originality/value

– The paper investigates the financial profitability and the creation of economic value of a topical managerial issue, in light of the increasing importance of social responsible behavior for the companies. To the authors knowledge, this is the first paper that examines this topic.
Managing complexity via the Competing Values Framework
Authors: Tong Yew Kwan , Arvey Richard D
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– While advancements in theory have helped illumine the complex workings of today’s organization, little is said on the practical implications for managers in terms of their role and behavioral style. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how a behavioral diagnostic tool – the Competing Values Framework (CVF; Quinn and Rohrbaugh, 1983) – can be utilized to develop managers in the behavioral skills needed to stay relevant and effective amid new organizational realities.

Design/methodology/approach

– The conceptual anchor of this paper is in complexity theory. The authors conducted a literature search for articles on complexity theory in selective management journals, and reviewed them to extract key lessons for effective managerial behavior.

Findings

– Three behaviors found to be central to managing complexity were: enabling, sensemaking, and facilitating shared leadership. It is suggested that the CVF is a useful tool for helping managers develop their behavioral repertoire and hence their skills for enacting these behaviors.

Originality/value

– The paper synthesizes a guiding frame for developing managers in some of the behavioral skills needed to handle complexity at the workplace. Toward this end, useful tips are offered for putting together a short training workshop where the CVF is rediscovered as a unique developmental tool.
Interaction despite of diversity: is it possible?
Authors: Caiazza Rosa , Volpe Tiziana
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– Italy is traditionally one of Egypt’s main trading partners, ranking first both as import and export partner. However, Italian firms face several cultural problems in Egypt. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of cross-cultural differences faced by Italian firms’ operating in Egypt. The investigation of cross-cultural differences is facilitated by the examination of interaction between Italian and Egyptian culture using Hofstede and GLOBE’s cultural attributes and dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

– The qualitative analysis has been conducted through face to face interviews of individuals working for Italian firms operating in Egypt. These interviews were structured to specifically identify the impact of cultural differences on the interaction between Italian and Egyptian firms.

Findings

– The results show that Italy is one of the most important commercial partners of Egypt. However, cultural diversity results in Italian small and medium enterprises facing risks when operating in Egypt. Cultural distance is a problem for Italian firms investing in Egypt. Thus, interaction between Italian and Egyptian firms requires a common understanding of cultural diversity. Italian firms must develop an understanding of Egyptian culture if they are to avoid cultural clash. Egyptian policy-makers must adopt policies that open national culture to international interactions.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper is based on a sub-set of the cultural attributes identified in Hofstede and GLOBE’s study. The results presented in this paper may be complimented through a future quantitative analysis, evaluating the relationship between religious values and other cultural dimensions.

Originality/value

– This paper provides an insight into the interaction between Italian and Egyptian culture. It contributes to the extant literature by filling a gap in the existing literature on cross-cultural diversity and interaction between Europe and Middle East.
Managerial creative problem solving and the Big Five personality traits
Authors: Myszkowski Nils , Storme Martin , Davila Andrés , Lubart Todd
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide new elements to understand, measure and predict managerial creativity. More specifically, based on new approaches to creative potential (Lubartet al., 2011), this study proposes to distinguish two aspects of managerial creative problem solving: divergent-exploratory thinking, in which managers try to generate several new solutions to a problem; and convergent-integrative thinking, in which managers select and elaborate one creative solution.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this study, personality is examined as a predictor of managerial creative problem solving: On one hand, based on previous research on general divergent thinking (e.g. Ma, 2009), it is hypothesized that managerial divergent thinking is predicted by high openness to experience and low agreeableness. On the other hand, because efficient people management involves generating satisfying and trustful social interactions, it is hypothesized that convergent-integrative thinking ability is predicted by high agreeableness. In all, 137 adult participants completed two divergent-exploratory thinking managerial tasks and two convergent-integrative thinking managerial task and the Big Five Inventory (John and Srivastava, 1999).

Findings

– As expected, divergent-exploratory thinking was predicted by openness to experience (r=0.21;p<0.05) and agreeableness (r=−0.22;p<0.05) and the convergent-integrative thinking part of managerial creative problem solving was predicted by agreeableness (r=0.28;p<0.001).

Originality/value

– Contrary to most research on managerial creativity (e.g. Scratchley and Hakstian, 2001), the study focuses (and provides measure guidelines) on both divergent and convergent thinking dimensions of creative potential. This study replicates and extends previous results regarding the link between personality (especially agreeableness) and managerial creativity.
Retaining talent by enhancing organizational prestige
Authors: Rathi Neerpal , Lee Kidong
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of perceived external prestige on turnover intentions among retail employees in India. Moreover, this study aims to explore the mediating effect of affective commitment on the relationship between perceived external prestige and turnover intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is quantitative in nature. The data for the present study were collected from 186 employees working in various retail stores. Existing, established scales were used to measure the research constructs.

Findings

– The results of the study indicate a negative relationship between perceived external prestige and turnover intentions. A negative relationship was observed between affective commitment and turnover intentions. Moreover, affective commitment was observed to partially mediate the relationship between perceived external prestige and turnover intentions.

Practical implications

– This study provides valuable insights into understanding the significance of perceived external prestige in retaining employees working in the retail sector. Findings of the study indicate that adoption of non-conventional human resource strategies, like a focus on enhancing external prestige of the organization may be one of the ways to enhance employee commitment and reduce turnover intentions, and thus to retain employees in economies with highly mobile workforce.

Originality/value

– This research has investigated the significance of perceived external prestige in retaining employees in a context which is different, in several ways, from contexts where most of the previous research has been conducted. It, thus, contributes to current theoretical understanding about perceived external prestige and it impact on work attitudes.
Slowing work down by teleworking periodically in rural settings?
Authors: Vesala Hanne , Tuomivaara Seppo
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– The rise of knowledge work has entailed controversial characteristics for well-being at work. Increased intensification, discontinuities and interruptions at work have been reported. However, knowledge workers have the opportunity to flexibly adjust their work arrangements to support their concentration, inspiration or recuperation. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the experienced well-being of 46 knowledge workers was subject to changes during and after a retreat type telework period in rural archipelago environment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted a longitudinal survey among the participants at three points in time: one to three weeks before, during, and two to eight weeks after the period. The authors analyzed the experienced changes in psychosocial work environment and well-being at work by the measurement period by means of repeated measures variance analysis. In the next step the authors included the group variable of occupational position to the model.

Findings

– The analysis showed a decrease in the following measures: experienced time pressure, interruptions, negative feelings at work, exhaustiveness of work as well as stress and an increase in work satisfaction. There were no changes in experienced job influence, clarity of work goals and work engagement. Occupational position had some effect to the changes. Private entrepreneurs and supervisors experienced more remarkable effects of improvement in work-related well-being than subordinates. However, the effects were less sustainable for the supervisors than the other two groups.

Originality/value

– This paper provides insights into how work and well-being are affected by the immediate work environment and how well-being at work can be supported by retreat type telework arrangements.
I can see clearly now
Authors: Newman Alexander , Allen Belinda , Miao Qing
Published: May 2015

Purpose

– Although there is growing research on the relationship between ethical leadership and subordinate work behaviors, limited research has examined the boundary conditions under which ethical leadership is more or less effective. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether subordinate perceptions of role clarity in their job role influence the relationship between ethical leadership and subordinate work behaviors. Drawing on both social exchange and social learning theories, the authors predict that in contexts where subordinates perceive low levels of role clarity, the relationship between ethical leadership behavior and subordinate helping and deviant behaviors will be weaker.

Design/methodology/approach

– In total, 239 employees in the Chinese public sector completed surveys across three separate time points. Confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were used to analyze the data.

Findings

– Analyses provided support for the hypothesized relationships. When subordinates perceived higher levels of role clarity the positive relationship between ethical leadership and helping behavior was stronger, and the negative relationship between ethical leadership and deviant behavior was stronger.

Research limitations/implications

– As with all research the findings of this study need to be viewed in light of its limitations. First, the use of data from a single set of respondents opens up the possibility of common method bias. Second, given the study used of a sample of public sector employees from one part of China, there would be value in future research examining whether the findings from the present study are generalizable to other industrial and cultural contexts.

Practical implications

– This research has a number of practical implications. Given that the authors found a significant positive relationship between ethical leadership and helping behavior, and a significant negative relationship between ethical leadership and deviant behavior, it is crucial for organizations to include ethical training as an essential part of leadership development programs. However, the findings also suggest at the same time as facilitating the development of ethical leadership behaviors amongst supervisory employees, it is important for organizations to also provide employees with clarity over what is expected of them in their jobs, and the means they should employ to facilitate goal achievement.

Originality/value

– This study responds to recent calls for more research to identify factors which may strengthen or mitigate the influence of ethical leadership in the workplace.
Rearing and foraging affects bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) gut microbiota
Authors: Newbold Lindsay K. , Oliver Anna E. , Cuthbertson Leah , Walkington Sarah E. , Gweon Hyun S. , Heard Matthew S. , van der Gast Christopher J.
Published: May 2015

Bumblebees are ecologically and economically important as pollinators of crop and wild plants, especially in temperate systems. Species, such as the buff‐tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), are reared commercially to pollinate high‐value crops. Their highly specific gut microbiota, characterized by low diversity, may affect nutrition and immunity and are likely to be important for fitness and colony health. However, little is known about how environmental factors affect bacterial community structure. We analysed the gut microbiota from three groups of worker bumblebees (B. terrestris) from distinct colonies that varied in rearing and foraging characteristics: commercially reared with restricted foraging (RR); commercially reared with outside foraging (RF); and wild‐caught workers (W). Contrary to previous studies, which indicate that bacterial communities are highly conserved across workers, we found that RF individuals had an intermediate community structure compared with RR and W types. Further, this was shaped by differences in the abundances of common operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and the diversity of rare OTUs present, which we propose results from an increase in the variety of carbohydrates obtained through foraging.
Use of Mobile Apps: A Patient‐centered Approach
Authors: VonHoltz Lauren A. Houdek , Hypolite Kendra A. , Carr Brendan G. , Shofer Frances S. , Winston Flaura K. , Hanson C. William , Merchant Raina M.
Published: May 2015

Objectives

This study explored what smartphone health applications (apps) are used by patients, how they learn about health apps, and how information about health apps is shared.

Methods

Patients seeking care in an academic ED were surveyed about the following regarding their health apps: use, knowledge, sharing, and desired app features. Demographics and health information were characterized by summary statistics.

Results

Of 300 participants, 212 (71%) owned smartphones, 201 (95%) had apps, and 94 (44%) had health apps. The most frequently downloaded health apps categories were exercise 46 (49%), brain teasers 30 (32%), and diet 23 (24%). The frequency of use of apps varied as six (6%) of health apps were downloaded but never used, 37 (39%) apps were used only a few times, and 40 (43%) health apps were used once per month. Only five apps (2%) were suggested to participants by health care providers, and many participants used health apps intermittently (55% of apps ≤ once a month). Participants indicated sharing information from 64 (59%) health apps, mostly within social networks (27 apps, 29%) and less often with health care providers (16 apps, 17%).

Conclusions

While mobile health has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years, use of health apps among our sample was low. The most commonly used apps were those that had broad functionality, while the most frequently used health apps encompassed the topics of exercise, diet, and brain teasers. While participants most often shared information about health apps within their social networks, information was less frequently shared with providers, and physician recommendation played a small role in influencing patient use of health apps.
Trends in Advanced Computed Tomography Use for Injured Patients in United States Emergency Departments: 2007–2010
Authors: Hussein Waleed , Mullins Peter M. , Alghamdi Khaled , Sarani Babak , Pines Jesse M.
Published: May 2015

Objectives

Studies have documented increased advanced radiography use in U.S. emergency departments (EDs) for injured patients over the past decade. The authors explored trends in recent years (2007 through 2010) in advanced radiography use, specifically head computed tomography (CT) and nonhead CT scans.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of ED visits conducted using data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS), a representative sample of the U.S. ED visits from 2007 through 2010. All patients designated by the NHAMCS as “related to injury” were included in analyses. CT use was examined by head and nonhead use. Trends, predictors of utilization, and diagnostic yield for head and nonhead CT scans in injured ED patients were analyzed using survey‐weighted logistic regression. Diagnostic yield was defined as the proportion of injury‐related visits where patients imaged with CT received International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD‐9), code diagnoses of a severe head or nonhead injury.

Results

Among injured ED patients, head CT use increased from 9.6% in 2007 to 11.6%, a relative increase of 20.8% (p < 0.001), and nonhead CT from 5.5% to 7.3%, a relative increase of 47.3% (p < 0.001). Diagnostic yield for head CT was unchanged (4.9% in 2007 vs. 3.4% in 2010, p = 0.093), but fell for nonhead CT from 6.4% in 2007 to 3.3% in 2010 (p = 0.04.

Conclusions

Advanced radiography use has continued to increase since 2007 in injured patients, and diagnostic yield for nonhead CT has continued to fall. Head CT is more common than CTs of other body areas and may represent an opportunity for reduction given validated clinical decision rules.
Performance of manual ventilation: how to define its efficiency in bench studies? A review of the literature
Authors: Khoury A. , De Luca A. , Sall F. S. , Pazart L. , Capellier G.
Published: May 2015

Bench studies have become the preferred way to evaluate the performance of airway equipment, since clinical trials are not specifically required before marketing these devices. However, it is difficult to assess the efficiency of ventilation without recording physiological data. This review analyses how efficiency of manual ventilation has been defined in recent studies, and how their results may be affected. We searched electronic databases from 2000 to April 2014. The main inclusion criterion was the analysis of performance of ventilation. Nine relevant articles were selected from 53 eligible publications. Most studies used the same parameters; tidal volume and ventilation rate. However, there were significant differences between the definitions of performance of ventilation, both in terms of criteria of judgement and methods of analysis. None of these approaches is able to provide a clear understanding of variability of ventilation during a given period. A new definition may increase the relevance of bench studies to clinical medicine, by more appropriately assessing the performance of ventilation.
Clinical Outcomes of Patients Treated With Pulmonary Vasodilators Early and in High Dose After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation
Authors: Critoph Christopher , Green Gillian , Hayes Helen , Baumwol Jay , Lam Kaitlyn , Larbalestier Robert , Chih Sharon
Published: May 2015

Right ventricular failure (RVF) is common after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation and a major determinant of adverse outcomes. Optimal perioperative right ventricular (RV) management is not well defined. We evaluated the use of pulmonary vasodilator therapy during LVAD implantation. We performed a retrospective analysis of continuous‐flow LVAD implants and pulmonary vasodilator use at our institution between September 2004 and June 2013. Preoperative RVF risk was assessed using recognized variables. Sixty‐five patients (80% men, 50 ± 14 years) were included: 52% HeartWare ventricular assist device (HVAD), 11% HeartMate II (HMII), 17% VentrAssist, 20% Jarvik. Predicted RVF risk was comparable with contemporary LVAD populations: 8% ventilated, 14% mechanical support, 86% inotropes, 25% BUN >39 mg/dL, 23% bilirubin ≥2 mg/dL, 31% RV : LV (left ventricular) diameter ≥0.75, 27% RA : PCWP (right atrium : pulmonary capillary wedge pressure) >0.63, 36% RV stroke work index <6 gm‐m/m2/beat. The majority (91%) received pulmonary vasodilators early and in high dose: 72% nitric oxide, 77% sildenafil (max 200 ± 79 mg/day), 66% iloprost (max 126 ± 37 μg/day). Median hospital stay was 26 (21) days. No patient required RV mechanical support. Of six (9%) patients meeting RVF criteria based on prolonged need for inotropes, four were transplanted, one is alive with an LVAD at 3 years, and one died on day 35 of intracranial hemorrhage. Two‐year survival was 77% (92% for HMII/HVAD): transplanted 54%, alive with LVAD 21%, recovery/explanted 2%. A low incidence of RVF and excellent outcomes were observed for patients treated early during LVAD implantation with combination, high‐dose pulmonary vasodilators. The results warrant further investigation in a randomized controlled study.
Changes in Spirometry After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation
Authors: Mohamedali Burhan , Bhat Geetha , Yost Gardner , Tatooles Antone
Published: May 2015

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly being used as life‐saving therapy in patients with end‐stage heart failure. The changes in spirometry following LVAD implantation and subsequent unloading of the left ventricle and pulmonary circulation are unknown. In this study, we explored long‐term changes in spirometry after LVAD placement. In this retrospective study, we compared baseline preoperative pulmonary function test (PFT) results to post‐LVAD spirometric measurements. Our results indicated that pulmonary function tests were significantly reduced after LVAD placement (forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1]: 1.9 vs.1.7, P = 0.016; forced vital capacity [FVC]: 2.61 vs. 2.38, P = 0.03; diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide [DLCO]: 14.75 vs. 11.01, P = 0.01). Subgroup analysis revealed greater impairment in lung function in patients receiving HeartMate II (Thoratec, Pleasanton, CA, USA) LVADs compared with those receiving HeartWare (HeartWare, Framingham, MA, USA) devices. These unexpected findings may result from restriction of left anterior hemi‐diaphragm; however, further prospective studies to validate our findings are warranted.
The alignment of agricultural and nature conservation policies in the European Union
Authors: Hodge Ian , Hauck Jennifer , Bonn Aletta
Published: May 2015

Europe is a region of relatively high population density and productive agriculture subject to substantial government intervention under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Many habitats and species of high conservation interest have been created by the maintenance of agricultural practices over long periods. These practices are often no longer profitable, and nature conservation initiatives require government support to cover the cost for them to be continued. The CAP has been reformed both to reduce production of agricultural commodities at costs in excess of world prices and to establish incentives for landholders to adopt voluntary conservation measures. A separate nature conservation policy has established an extensive series of protected sites (Natura 2000) that has, as yet, failed to halt the loss of biodiversity. Additional broader scale approaches have been advocated for conservation in the wider landscape matrix, including the alignment of agricultural and nature conservation policies, which remains a challenge. Possibilities for alignment include further shifting of funds from general support for farmers toward targeted payments for biodiversity goals at larger scales and adoption of an ecosystem approach. The European response to the competing demands for land resources may offer lessons globally as demands on rural land increase.
The use and value of procalcitonin in solid organ transplantation
Authors: Sandkovsky Uriel , Kalil Andre C. , Florescu Diana F.
Published: May 2015

Procalcitonin (PCT) has been increasingly used as a biomarker of bacterial infection and as a tool to guide antimicrobial therapy, especially in lower respiratory tract and bloodstream infections. Despite its increased use, data in patients with solid organ transplants are limited. Even without the presence of infection, PCT increases as a result of surgical procedures during transplantation, implantation of devices, and use of induction immunosuppressive therapy. The risk of infection is also higher in solid organ transplant recipients when compared to the general population. Monitoring PCT in the early post‐transplant period seems to be a promising method for early detection of infectious complications. It has been shown that elevated PCT levels after one wk of transplantation are correlated with infectious complications. PCT may be a useful adjunctive biomarker that may improve early identification and guide appropriate treatment of infection or rejection, with the potential to further improve clinical outcomes. The use of serial PCT measurements may be more reliable than single values. It is important to recognize which factors may lead to PCT increases in the post‐transplantation period, which in turn will help understand the kinetics and utility of this biomarker in this important patient population.
Risk factors for non‐melanoma skin cancer in patients with essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera
Authors: Gómez Montse , Guillem Vicent , Pereira Arturo , Ferrer‐Marín Francisca , Álvarez‐Larrán Alberto , Kerguelen Ana , Estrada Natàlia , Martínez‐López Joaquín , Angona Anna , Amat Paula , Navarro Blanca , Besses Carles , Hernández‐Boluda Juan‐Carlos
Published: May 2015

Objectives

Population‐based studies have reported an increased incidence of skin cancer in patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV). We have examined the risk factors for non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in patients diagnosed with ET or PV during 1973–2012.

Methods

A case–control study was performed to compare the clinical and treatment‐related data of 51 ET/PV patients who had NMSC with that of 401 patients who did not. We also evaluated whether polymorphisms in 12 genes involved in DNA integrity predisposed to NMSC.

Results

By multivariate logistic regression analysis, risk factors for NMSC were older age (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3–2.1, P < 0.001), male sex (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1–3.8, P = 0.023), higher cumulated hydroxycarbamide dose (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1–1.7, P = 0.017), and busulphan exposure (OR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.05–10.0, P = 0.041). On the time‐to‐event prognostic model, factors independently associated with increased cumulative incidence of NMSC were age (5% increased risk per year; P < 0.001), male sex (91% increased risk; P = 0.022), and hydroxycarbamide exposure (22% increased risk; P = 0.065). No susceptibility gene variant was identified.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the risk to develop NMSC in ET/PV patients results from the combined effect of common risk factors (age, male sex) together with cytoreductive treatment.
Effects of Grain Grading on Microstructures and Mechanical Behaviors of Pressureless Solid‐State‐Sintered SiC
Authors: Wu Haibo , Yan Yongjie , Liu Guilin , Liu Xuejian , Zhu Yunzhou , Huang Zhengren , Jiang Dongliang , Li Yinsheng
Published: May 2015

S‐SiC ceramics with >96% of densification degree were derived from 0.8‐ to 8.6‐μm graded powders for the first time after sintered at 2210°C. Grain grading generated a 21.8% increase in green density and a 40.8% decrease in sintering shrinkage (low to 12.2%). The introduction of micrometer‐sized coarse particles suppressed abnormal grain growth owing to their pinning effect, thus resulting in equiaxial grains. Dramatically improved fracture toughness peaked to 3.77 MPa·m1/2 at 50 wt% of added coarse powder. Sintering mechanism of graded powders can be deduced as the bonding of coarse SiC particle through solid‐state sintering of fine powder.
The Effects of Water Entry Postures on the Thermal Shock Behavior of Alumina
Authors: Li Dingyu , Li Weiguo , Wang Ruzhuan , Fang Daining
Published: May 2015

The effects of water entry postures on thermal shock behavior during quench tests were investigated for the first time using alumina ceramic. The differences in the crack patterns and residual strength for specimens with different water entry postures after the quench tests were shown. At the initial thermal shock temperature of 310°C, the average residual strength of the lateral posture specimens is 330.4 MPa, but the longitudinal ones' is 118.4 MPa. The results showed that water entry posture strongly affects the quenching thermal shock behavior; to better experimentally characterize the thermal shock resistance, the unified water entry posture during testing must be considered.
Ultrasound‐assisted extraction kinetics, fatty acid profile, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of green solvents' extracted passion fruit oil
Authors: Lee Sin Yee , Fu Sin Yin , Chong Gun Hean
Published: May 2015

The main objective of this current work was to evaluate the feasibility of green solvent's application on passion fruit oil extraction. In this study, the effects of green solvent on oil yield, fatty acid profile, oil physicochemical properties, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity associated with extracted oil were compared to those of conventional solvent, hexane application. Therefore, this study may provide supplementary information on previous studies that focused on oil recovery. Oilseeds' proximate composition and the influence of oilseeds‐to‐solvent (w/v) ratio on oil yield were investigated. The oilseeds contained high fibre, fat and protein. Oilseeds‐to‐solvent (w/v) ratio (1:8) provided the highest oil yield. Overall, acetone was suggested as a suitable hexane replacer due to its higher oil recovery, similar fatty acid profile and oil physicochemical properties with higher antioxidant activity. Ethanol‐extracted oil contained higher amounts of omega‐9 MUFA, which may indicate the influence of extraction solvent on final fatty acid composition and thus final oil application.
Impact of Eu3+ Dopants on Optical Spectroscopy of Ce3+: Y3Al5O12‐Embedded Transparent Glass‐Ceramics
Authors: Zhou Yang , Chen Daqin , Tian Wendong , Ji Zhenguo
Published: May 2015

Transparent glass‐ceramics containing Ce3+: Y3Al5O12 phosphors and Eu3+ ions were successfully fabricated by a low‐temperature co‐sintering technique to explore their potential application in white light‐emitting diodes (WLEDs). Microstructure of the sample was studied using a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The impact of co‐sintering temperature, Ce3+: Y3Al5O12 crystal content and Eu3+ doping content on optical properties of glass‐ceramics were systematically studied by emission, excitation spectra, and decay curves. Notably, the spatial separation of these two different activators in the present glass‐ceramics, where Ce3+ ions located in YAG crystalline phase while the Eu3+ ones stayed in glass matrix, is advantageous to the realization of both intense yellow emission assigned to Ce3+: 5d→4f transition and red luminescence originating from Eu3+: 4f→4f transitions. As a result, the quantum yield of the glass‐ceramic reached as high as 93%, and the constructed WLEDs exhibited an optimal luminous efficacy of 122 lm/W, correlated color temperature of 6532 K and color rendering index of 75.
Image Analysis and Modeling of the Orientation of Pores in a Constrained Film on a Rigid Substrate
Authors: Ni Chengsheng , Irvine John T.S.
Published: May 2015

The nature of porosity in functional materials is often a critical parameter in determining their functionality, for example, in structure materials and fuel cell electrodes. Here, we study the development of the anisotropy of porous yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ), focusing particularly upon the contribution of pore orientation to this anisotropy. Simulation from when the ink is deposited on the surface of a rigid substrate shows that platelike pores are found tend to align along the transverse direction of the substrate. Cross‐sectional image analysis of the pores from the attendant pores of YSZ particles or pore‐forming agent (PFA) matches with the simulated modeling when materials transport is insignificant in determining the shape of pores. The anisotropy created in the densification stage is separated from that in the green body by analyzing the image of porous structures formed with spherical glassy carbon which is unable to contribute to anisotropy during green‐state processing.
Identifying alien bryophytes taking into account uncertainties: a reply to Patiño & Vanderpoorten (2015)
Authors: Essl Franz , Dullinger Stefan , Moser Dietmar , Steinbauer Klaus , Mang Thomas
Published: May 2015

Recently, Patiño & Vanderpoorten (2015,Journal of Biogeography,42, doi:10.1111/jbi.12492) commented on our manuscripts about patterns and processes of global bryophyte invasions. In particular, they argued that the criteria we have used to identify alien bryophytes (i.e. anomalous geographical distribution, preference for disturbed habitats, indirect associations with some means of human transport) are insufficient in the absence of further evidence. We fully agree with this statement. Consequently, we had used the above‐mentioned criteria only for the identification of ‘cryptogenic’ (i.e. probable alien) species and have stated this explicitly in our manuscripts. Thus, we conclude that Patiño & Vanderpoorten (2015) have drawn misleading conclusions on the way we defined aliens. Nevertheless, we acknowledge that given the excellent long‐distance dispersal capacities of bryophytes, diverging opinions between different experts on the native, alien or cryptogenic status of a particular bryophyte species in a given region do sometimes exist.
Eligibility for the Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillator in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: FRANCIA PIETRO , ADDUCI CARMEN , PALANO FRANCESCA , SEMPRINI LORENZO , SERDOZ ANDREA , MONTESANTI DALMA , SANTINI DARIA , MUSUMECI BEATRICE , SALVATI ADRIANO , VOLPE MASSIMO , AUTORE CAMILLO
Published: May 2015

S‐ICD Eligibility in Hcm Patients

Background

High‐risk hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients benefit from the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The subcutaneous ICD (S‐ICD) may provide comparable protection while avoiding the shortcomings of transvenous (TV) leads. We assessed S‐ICD eligibility according to surface ECG screening test in a cohort of high‐risk HCM patients.

Methods and Results

47 HCM patients (3 S‐ICD candidates; 41 TV‐ICD patients without pacing indication; and 3 pacemaker‐dependent TV‐ICD patients) underwent 4 screening protocols: standard (n = 44); exercise (n = 33); continuous pacing (n = 44); alternating paced/spontaneous QRS (n = 41). Of the 44 patients in the standard screening group, 41 (93%) were eligible. Max LV thickness was inversely related to the number of qualifying leads (3 leads: 21 ± 4 mm; 2 leads: 22 ± 6 mm; 1 lead: 25 ± 6 mm; no leads: 28 ± 11 mm; P = 0.07). Of the 33 patients in the exercise group, 5 were ineligible (3 after exercise). Of these, 2 became eligible after moving sternal electrodes from the left to the right parasternal line (eligibility rate: 30/33; 91%). Of the 44 patients in the continuous pacing group, 28 (64%) were eligible, 8 of which with right parasternal electrodes. In the paced/spontaneous QRS group (n = 41), 21 patients (51%) had at least 1 eligible lead during pacing and retained compatibility on the same lead during spontaneous rhythm, 5 of which with right parasternal electrodes.

Conclusions

S‐ICD screening failure is low in HCM, provided that patients with severe hypertrophy are carefully evaluated. Exercise test should be performed and right parasternal leads tested. Pacemaker patients display lower eligibility rate.
RADICALISM VERSUS GRADUALISM: AN ANALYTICAL SURVEY OF THE TRANSITION STRATEGY DEBATE
Authors: Iwasaki Ichiro , Suzuki Taku
Published: May 2015

Academic debate on a transition strategy for former socialist economies continues even a quarter century after the collapse of the communism in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. In this paper, through an analytical survey of 137 preceding studies, we present an overall picture of the debate and examine the relationship between the debate attitudes and the literature attributes in related studies. We found that the radicalists maintain a consistent debate attitude from the viewpoints of time speed and policy sequence of economic transition, while the debate attitude of the gradualists is more diversified. We also found that there is another group of researchers that stays within the framework of the radicalism‐versus‐gradualism debate while at the same time keeping at arm's length from both the radicalists and the gradualists. In addition, our regression estimation of qualitative selection models provides interesting findings on the relationship between the debate attitudes and the literature attributes.