bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the Spatial and Temporal Components of Speech Production
Authors: de Zubicaray Greig I. , Piai Vitória
Published: March 2019

The cognitive processes and neural mechanisms supporting language production have received considerably less research attention than those involved in language comprehension. This situation is partly attributable to the methodological challenges involved in acquiring electrophysiological and neuroimaging data during overt speech. However, current knowledge is increasing with the addition of lesion-symptom mapping studies in patients, and the application of novel brain-stimulation technologies. This chapter reviews findings from a range of studies investigating the spatial and temporal components of speech production in patients and healthy participants, with a particular emphasis on those employing psycholinguistic paradigms to identify and characterize core processes and components of the network involved in retrieving words from the mental lexicon.
Subcortical Contributions to Language
Authors: Copland David A. , Angwin Anthony J.
Published: March 2019

While it is well established that language processing is dependent on cortical mechanisms, the role of the subcortex in language function has been a point of contention since the initial clinical-anatomical observations of language deficits following vascular subcortical lesions. This chapter reviews both traditional proposals and recent discoveries of the functional and structural connectivity of the basal ganglia and thalamus with the cortex, suggesting that these subcortical structures are well positioned to contribute to language processing. It then examines both patient and healthy neuroimaging data implicating the thalamus and basal ganglia in various aspects of language, including lexical-semantics, verb/action processing, grammar, and sentence comprehension. While there is still considerable conjecture regarding the role of the basal ganglia in a number of these operations, there is now considerable evidence that the thalamus influences lexical-semantic processing through attentional engagement, while striatal-thalamic-cortical circuits most likely influence lexical-semantic functions, bilingual language processing, and sentence comprehension through domain-general mechanisms, including controlled selection and suppression.
Learning with Zeal
Authors: Fadde Peter J. , Jalaeian Mohammadreza
Published: March 2019

Recent theories of expertise and expert performance emphasize effort over talent. Specifically, the amount of deliberate practice that performers accumulate has been strongly correlated with their level of expertise in domains including chess, music, and sports. Indeed, it is widely accepted that becoming an expert requires an average of 10,000 hours, or 10 years, of deliberate practice—that is, activities directed by an instructor or coach that are designed to improve specific aspects of performance in measureable ways that offer timely feedback and refinement of skills through repetition. While it is easy to envision deliberate practice by aspiring athletes and musicians, however, many domains of performance do not have established cultures of practice. In particular, consciously incorporating deliberate practice during college-based professional education and deliberate performance during the career work of professionals (who typically have little time to “practice”) can accelerate the development of professionals to expert levels.
Joint Reference
Authors: Bezuidenhout Anne
Published: March 2019

This chapter argues that referring is a joint accomplishment of the interlocutors involved in a conversation. This argument is built around two assumptions. Firstly, it is not words that refer but people who refer by using words in appropriate contexts. Referring is a kind of purposive linguistic action. Secondly, it is possible to perform a purposive action jointly. Two or more agents in coordination can do their part to bring about a joint accomplishment that would not be brought about by any of the individuals acting alone. There are cases of joint referring, where two or more interlocutors do their part to produce an outcome (referring) that would not result from the efforts of any of the individuals acting alone. Furthermore, all referring is a joint accomplishment and talk of individuals as referring (either in conversation or in thought) is parasitic on the idea of joint referring.
The Iowa-Benton Approach to Neuropsychological Assessment
Authors: Anderson Steven W. , Tranel Daniel
Published: March 2019

This chapter describes the history of the Iowa-Benton approach to neuropsychological assessment. Arthur Benton established the first neuropsychology laboratory in the Department of Neurology at the University of Iowa in 1950, with a tripartite focus on teaching, research, and clinical care. Core features of Benton’s approach included a flexible, hypothesis-testing approach to each evaluation, and an emphasis on the development of standardized tests of specific cognitive functions. His data-driven approach to research and test development built on clinical observations and depended on detailed instructions for administration and scoring of tests, empirical selection of test items, collection of normative data, and test validation in groups of patients with known brain damage. Benton headed the laboratory at Iowa until 1978 and remained active in the field for many years after this. He trained several of the prominent figures in the next generation of neuropsychologists, and his tests remain in wide usage today. The Benton Laboratory of Neuropsychology at the University of Iowa Department of Neurology continues to carry on his legacy in teaching, research, and clinical care.
Music in the Margins
Authors: Colton Lisa
Published: March 2019

This chapter examines the prominence of “queerness” in music-related images in devotional books of the period 1200–1500. Musical and sexualized images in the physical margins of medieval books blurred the divinely ordained categories of society, reveling in the queering of traditional hierarchies by music and the sounding sexual body. The chapter first considers notions of queerness in music in the Middle Ages, particularly as it pertains to music’s conception, representation, and performance. It then explores the concept of queerness and sexuality before 1500 by referencing Christian legal texts and musical behaviors and practices that might have been construed as acts of transgression, and the distinct overlap of discourses relating to musical and erotic pleasures. It concludes with a discussion of clerics’ sexual identity, showing that the increased focus on celibacy threatened the distinction between men and women, and sparking a crisis in clerical identity in which masculinity figured significantly.
The role of implementation science in improving distress assessment and management in oncology: a commentary on “Screening for psychosocial distress among patients with cancer: implications for clinical practice, healthcare policy, and dissemination to enhance cancer survivorship”
Authors: Jacobsen Paul B , Norton Wynne E
Published: March 2019

Despite considerable evidence that psychosocial interventions can effectively relieve distress in patients with cancer, many individuals who could benefit from these interventions do not receive them. A proposed solution to this problem is the establishment of programs in oncology settings that routinely screen for distress and refer patients for appropriate psychosocial care. This commentary addresses a review by Ehlers et al. that describes policies and procedures related to distress screening, summarizes prior research on this topic, and identifies key areas for future research. Among their major conclusions is the need for research to fill the gap in knowledge about how best to implement new distress screening programs as well as optimize the use and efficiency of existing programs. This commentary focuses on how the types of study methods, designs, and outcomes that are commonplace in implementation science to facilitate the integration of research into practice can be applied to distress screening programs. Priorities identified include designing and conducting pragmatic clinical trials, evaluating multilevel interventions, and using hybrid designs to simultaneously evaluate clinical effectiveness and barriers and facilitators of implementation. Use of these approaches holds considerable potential for developing an evidence base that can promote more widespread adoption of effective distress screening programs and inform further development of standards and policies related to the psychosocial care of patients with cancer.
Speech Envelope Enhancement Instantaneously Effaces Atypical Speech Perception in Dyslexia
Authors: Van Hirtum Tilde , Moncada-Torres Arturo , Ghesquière Pol , Wouters Jan
Published: March 2019

Objectives:

Increasing evidence exists that poor speech perception abilities precede the phonological deficits typically observed in dyslexia, a developmental disorder in learning to read. Impaired processing of dynamic features of speech, such as slow amplitude fluctuations and transient acoustic cues, disrupts effortless tracking of the speech envelope and constrains the development of adequate phonological skills. In this study, a speech envelope enhancement (EE) strategy was implemented to reduce speech perception deficits by students with dyslexia. The EE emphasizes onset cues and reinforces the temporal structure of the speech envelope specifically.

Design:

Speech perception was assessed in 42 students with and without dyslexia using a sentence repetition task in a speech-weighted background noise. Both natural and vocoded speech were used to assess the contribution of the temporal envelope on the speech perception deficit. Their envelope-enhanced counterparts were added to each baseline condition to administer the effect of the EE algorithm. In addition to speech-in-noise perception, general cognitive abilities were assessed.

Results:

Results demonstrated that students with dyslexia not only benefit from EE but benefit more from it than typical readers. Hence, EE completely normalized speech reception thresholds for students with dyslexia under adverse listening conditions. In addition, a correlation between speech perception deficits and phonological processing was found for students with dyslexia, further supporting the relation between speech perception abilities and reading skills. Similar results and relations were found for conditions with natural and vocoded speech, providing evidence that speech perception deficits in dyslexia stem from difficulties in processing the temporal envelope.

Conclusions:

Using speech EE, speech perception skills in students with dyslexia were improved passively and instantaneously, without requiring any explicit learning. In addition, the observed positive relationship between speech processing and advanced phonological skills opens new avenues for specific intervention strategies that directly target the potential core deficit in dyslexia.
Superior Canal Dehiscence Syndrome: Relating Clinical Findings With Vestibular Neural Responses From a Guinea Pig Model
Authors: Dlugaiczyk Julia , Burgess Ann M. , Goonetilleke Samanthi C. , Sokolic Ljiljana , Curthoys Ian S.
Published: March 2019

Hypothesis:

In superior canal dehiscence (SCD), fluid displacement of the endolymph activates type I vestibular hair cells in the crista of the affected canal and thus irregular superior canal (SC) neurons in Scarpa's ganglion, which provides the neurophysiological basis for the clinical presentation of SCD.

Background:

Patients with SCD display sound- and vibration-induced vertigo/nystagmus and increased amplitudes of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials.

Methods:

Extracellular recordings from n = 25 primary vestibular neurons of 16 female guinea pigs were analyzed. We recorded from the same vestibular neuron before, during and after creating the dehiscence and after closing the dehiscence. Neurobiotin labeling was employed in n = 11 neurons.

Results:

After SCD, previously unresponsive irregular SC neurons displayed a stimulus-locked increase in discharge during application of air-conducted sound (ACS) or bone-conducted vibration (BCV) for a broad range of frequencies (ACS: 200–4000 Hz; BCV: 500–1500 Hz). This typical response was only observed for irregular SC neurons (n = 19), but not regular SC neurons, or irregular/regular horizontal canal neurons (n = 2 each), and was abolished after closing the dehiscence. Eleven irregular SC neurons responsive to ACS and/or BCV were traced back to calyx synapses in the central crista of the affected superior canal by neurobiotin labeling.

Conclusions:

Stimulus-locked activation of irregular SC neurons by ACS and BCV is the neurophysiological basis for sound- and vibration-induced vertigo/nystagmus and increased VEMP amplitudes in SCD. The results of the present study help to improve vestibular diagnostics in patients with suspected SCD.
The Prevalence of Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence in Patients With Mastoid Encephalocele or Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea
Authors: Oh Melissa S. , Vivas Esther X. , Hudgins Patricia A. , Mattox Douglas E.
Published: March 2019

Objective:

To evaluate the association between mastoid encephalocele or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea and concurrent superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD).

Study Design:

Retrospective case-control study with chart and imaging review.

Setting:

University-affiliated tertiary referral center.

Patients:

A chart review was conducted of all patients greater than 18 years of age who had primary surgery for CSF otorrhea or encephalocele at our university-affiliated tertiary center from 2000 to 2016. Eighty-three patients matched inclusion criteria for case subjects, and 100 patients without CSF otorrhea or encephalocele were included for controls.

Main Outcome Measure:

High-resolution computed tomography (CT) scans were reviewed to assess superior semicircular canal roof integrity. Student's t test was used to determine significance of continuous variables. Odds ratio (OR) and χ2 test was used to determine the association between SSCD and concurrent mastoid encephalocele or CSF otorrhea compared with the control population.

Results:

The mean age of the 83 case subjects was 54 years, and 73% were women. In patients with confirmed encephalocele and CSF otorrhea, the prevalence of SSCD was 35%, which was significantly greater than controls (2%) (OR = 26.1, p < 0.001). In patients with only CSF otorrhea, 21% had concurrent SSCD (OR = 10.3, p = 0.001). In patients with SSCD, 46% had bilateral canal dehiscence.

Conclusions:

This is the largest study to evaluate the prevalence of SSCD in patients with concurrent mastoid encephalocele. This study showed a significant association between SSCD and the presence of both mastoid encephalocele and CSF otorrhea. This data suggests that surgeons should have a high suspicion for SSCD in patients presenting with encephalocele or CSF otorrhea.
Prolonged Air Leak After Pulmonary Resection Increases Risk of Noncardiac Complications, Readmission, and Delayed Hospital Discharge
Authors: Attaar Adam , Luketich James D. , Schuchert Matthew J. , Winger Daniel G. , Sarkaria Inderpal S. , Nason Katie S.
Published: March 2019

Objective:

The aim of the study was to determine whether prolonged air leak (PAL) is associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality following pulmonary resection after adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics using propensity score analysis.

Summary Background Data:

Patients with PAL after lung resection have worse outcomes than those without PAL. However, adverse postoperative outcomes may also be secondary to baseline risk factors, such as poor lung function.

Methods:

Patients who underwent pulmonary resection for lung cancer/nodules (1/2009–6/2014) were stratified by the presence of PAL [n= 183 with/1950 without; defined as >5 d postoperative air leak;n= 189 (8.3%)]; probability estimates for propensity for PAL from 31 pretreatment/intraoperative variables were generated. Inverse probability-of-treatment weights were applied and outcomes assessed with logistic regression.

Results:

Standardized bias between groups was significantly reduced after propensity weighting (mean = 0.18 before vs 0.08 after,P< 0.01). After propensity weighting, PAL was associated with increased odds of empyema (OR = 8.5;P< 0.001), requirement for additional chest tubes for pneumothorax (OR = 7.5;P< 0.001), blood transfusion (OR = 2;P= 0.03), pulmonary complications (OR = 4;P< 0.001), unexpected return to operating room (OR = 4;P< 0.001), and 30-day readmission (OR = 2;P= 0.009). Among other complications, odds of cardiac complications (P= 0.493), unexpected ICU admission (P= 0.156), and 30-day mortality (P= 0.270) did not differ. Length of hospital stay was prolonged (5.04 d relative effect, 95% confidence interval, 3.77–6.30;P< 0.001).

Conclusions:

Pulmonary complications, readmission, and delayed hospital discharge are directly attributable to having a PAL, whereas cardiac complications, unexpected admission to the ICU, and 30-day mortality are not after propensity score adjustment.
Distortion analysis of crystalline and locally quasicrystalline 2D photonic structures with grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering
Authors: Pflüger Mika , Soltwisch Victor , Xavier Jolly , Probst Jürgen , Scholze Frank , Becker Christiane , Krumrey Michael
Published: March 2019

In this study, grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) is used to collect statistical information on dimensional parameters in an area of 20 × 15 mm on photonic structures produced by nanoimprint lithography. The photonic structures are composed of crystalline and locally quasicrystalline two-dimensional patterns with structure sizes between about 100 nm and 10 µm to enable broadband visible light absorption for use in solar-energy harvesting. These first GISAXS measurements on locally quasicrystalline samples demonstrate that GISAXS is capable of showing the locally quasicrystalline nature of the samples while at the same time revealing the long-range periodicity introduced by the lattice design. The scattering is described qualitatively in the framework of the distorted-wave Born approximation using a hierarchical model mirroring the sample design, which consists of a rectangular and locally quasicrystalline supercell that is repeated periodically to fill the whole surface. The nanoimprinted samples are compared with a sample manufactured using electron-beam lithography and the distortions of the periodic and locally quasiperiodic samples are quantified statistically. Owing to the high sensitivity of GISAXS to deviations from the perfect lattice, the misalignment of the crystallographic axes was measured with a resolution of 0.015°, showing distortions of up to ±0.15° in the investigated samples.
Understanding of stress and its correlation with microstructure near the layer continuous limit in nano-scaled multilayers
Authors: Majhi A. , Pradhan P. C. , Jena S. , Singh M. N. , Nayak M. , Rai S. K. , Udupa D. V.
Published: March 2019

The evolution of residual stress and its correlation with microstructure are investigated systematically in nano-scaled periodic W/B4C multilayers (MLs) as a function of individual layer thicknesses at the ultra-thin limit (∼0.4–3 nm). Details of the microstructure are accessed through hard X-ray reflectivity and X-ray diffuse scattering (rocking scan) measurements. To understand the contributions of stresses in the layers of each type of material to the total stress in ML films, both the total stress in MLs and the stress in nanocrystalline W layers are analyzed and correlated. It is observed that the physical properties of the materials as well as their interfacial morphology undergo significant modification as the layer thickness varies from the continuous to the quasi-discontinuous regime. A non-monotonic variation of compressive total residual stress in the MLs is observed as a function of thicknesses of W and B4C and explained using a model of the mechanism of film growth. The observed value of in-plane total compressive residual stress of W/B4C MLs is less than the residual stress in W layers in the MLs, which indicates that the net combined stress from B4C layers and interfaces is tensile in nature. The observed compressive stress and the increase of lattice spacing with respect to the stress-free structure in W layers provide evidence of a peening effect. The observed higher surface density of grains with smaller average size and phase formation also provide high compressive stress in W layers.
Diffusion of innovation through individual and collective entrepreneurship
Authors: Makhdoom Habib ur Rehman , Li Cai , Asim Shoaib
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to develop an original framework of innovation and to explore the complexity of association between individual and collective (team-based) entrepreneurship, and their simultaneous impacts on innovation in context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

An integral theoretical framework is developed to encourage innovation and the hypothetical relations are tested with the help of structural equation modeling (SEM) through AMOS. Data were gathered through survey technique and the questioners were distributed through email among 700 entrepreneurs from SMEs operating in five major industrial cities of Punjab province Pakistan.

Findings

The results of SEM analyses confirm that both the individual entrepreneur and the collective efforts of all the business members contribute to innovation in SMEs. Entrepreneur’s personality traits have a direct positive impact on innovation while the centralized decision-making by entrepreneur is not associated with innovation. Centralized decision-making is found to be negatively associated with communication and have insignificant positive association with collaboration. Factors associated with the team-based entrepreneurship like communication and collaboration among members of the SME’s contribute to the entrepreneurial orientation and collective entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial orientation and collective entrepreneurship have direct positive impact on innovation in SMEs.

Practical implications

It is imperative for SMEs to encourage decentralized organizational culture and participative leadership to bring innovation into their products and processes and further to improve their competitive advantage.

Originality/value

To the best of author knowledge, present study is a first attempt that explores the complex association between individual and team-based entrepreneurship and further, empirically investigate the simultaneous impacts of these variables on innovation in context of SMEs.
Intangible investments and voluntary delisting
Authors: Agyei-Boapeah Henry , Wang Yuan , Tunyi Abongeh A. , Machokoto Michael , Zhang Fan
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Drawing on a cost–benefit perspective, this paper aims to explore the relation between information asymmetry and the decision to delist from stock exchanges during periods of uncertainty. Specifically, it investigates the role of firms’ intangible investments and the availability of alternative sources of finance on the decision to delist from foreign stock markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The study takes advantage of a natural experiment in which cross-listed Chinese firms facing uncertainty in US markets because of widespread allegations of accounting fraud decide on whether to remain listed or voluntarily delist. The decision to delist is modelled as a function of the level of information asymmetry between firms and their stakeholders and the availability of alternative financing, while controlling for other drivers of firms’ delisting decision. The data used in the empirical analyses cover a hand-collected sample of 91 Chinese firms voluntarily delisting from US stock markets between 2010 and 2016. This sample is matched with an equal sample of Chinese firms, which remained listed in US stock markets during the same period. A probit regression model accounting for fixed effects is used.

Findings

There is a significant positive relationship between investments in intangible assets and firms’ decision to delist. Moreover, the positive intangibles−delisting nexus is accentuated by the availability of alternative sources of financing. Collectively, the results are consistent with the theoretical argument that the higher information asymmetry associated with intangible assets may increase the cost of staying listed on stock exchanges, particularly in periods of uncertainty (captured in this study by accounting fraud allegations targeting cross-listed firms). The results have important implications for corporate managers, capital market participants and policymakers.

Practical implications

Policymakers and standard setters must continue to work to improve the accounting regulations of intangible assets and to promote the adoption of global accounting standard across both emerging and advanced economies.

Originality/value

The study exploits a unique natural experimental setting to explore why cross-listed firms delist. The underlying theoretical framework to explain delisting is new. This framework captures the role of information asymmetry, uncertainty and alternative financing in explaining the cost and benefits of remaining listed on a foreign market.
Factors affecting Palestinian customers’ use of online banking services
Authors: Salem Mohammed Z. , Baidoun Samir , Walsh Grace
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine factors that affect Palestinian customers’ use of online banking services.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study was conducted using a questionnaire in order to test the hypotheses. The questionnaire was distributed to 500 respondents selected by the participating banks. A total of 369 complete questionnaires were returned. The study’s independent variables include technology adoption propensity, customers’ value for online personalization, customers’ privacy concern, e-trust, technological leadership and loyalty. Palestinian customers’ usage of online banking services is the dependent variable.

Findings

The results of the model tested clearly suggest that the use of online banking services is influenced, respectively, by the technological leadership, e-trust, e-loyalty, customers’ value for online personalization, customers’ concern for privacy and propensity of technology adoption. Finally, this paper suggests that policy makers should develop a prioritized hierarchy of actions in developing the effective use of bank’s online services, based on thet- andp-values of the latter mentioned factors.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation of the study is relying on self-reported cross-sectional data collection, rather than longitudinal surveying. Despite such limitation, the study provides the Palestinian banking sector with recommendations to promote online banking services based on the empirically identified factors affecting such service adoption.

Practical implications

Palestinian banks should promote the adoption of online banking services by supporting personalization of services, privacy and trust. Customers should always be informed that their bank is among the first banks to introduce the latest state-of-the-art online services. Technology innovative and diverse online services should be offered by banks to attract customers.

Originality/value

Although numerous research studies have studied the factors affecting customers in using electronic and online banking services, few studies have considered such usage in the developing countries, such as Arab countries in general and Palestine in particular. This is the first study to examine the factors affecting the adoption of online banking services in Palestine. This study provides empirical evidence to fill in the gap by providing a deeper understanding of the factors affecting the usage of online banking services in the country. The findings of this study can help decision makers in the Palestinian banks to develop practical plans that might accelerate and expand the adoption of online banking emphasizing personalized and trusted services offered with high level of security and privacy.
Housing prices in peninsular Malaysia: supported by income, foreign inflow or speculation?
Authors: Wong Wang Li , Lee Chin , Koong Seow Shin
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper is motivated by a concern about the ability of the average Malaysian income to catch up with the rapidly increasing house prices in Peninsular Malaysia. Financial innovation in financial system now regards houses as a financial asset and speculation vehicle. Therefore, a house purchase is made to acquire not merely a necessity but also a financial asset which can generate future returns. Given the problems in the housing market, this paper aims to examine the determinants of house prices in Malaysia, including those such as income, population, foreign inflow and speculation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts panel data analyses, namely, the fixed effect model (FEM) and the pooled mean group (PMG), and uses data at state level in quarterly frequency, spanning from 2005Q1 to 2013Q4.

Findings

Based on the results of FEM, these determinants influence house prices significantly. Moreover, the PMG results suggest that there is convergence in the model, which are indicated by the significant and negative sign of the error correction term. In conclusion, the rapidly increasing house price is not caused by speculation activities in the housing market. More precisely, Malaysian income is capable of catching up with the increasing house prices.

Practical implications

As income remains to be one of the major drivers in influencing Malaysian house price, Malaysian Government shall continue the policies of supply low cost houses to the low-income groups and My First Home Scheme (SRP) by offering less stringent rules in applying house loan for the first-time house buyers.

Originality/value

This study used the actual data of foreign housing purchase obtained from Malaysia Valuation and Property Services Department to represent foreign inflow; therefore, the results will reflect the impact of foreign inflow in a better manner.
Developing a consensus-based measures for housing delivery in Dammam Metropolitan Area, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alqahtany Ali
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to formulate a number of housing policies to address these two issues and meet the needs of Saudi families, in accordance with their social and economic characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first provides a review of the housing policies in Saudi Arabia, highlights some of the global experiences in the field of housing and reviews the best lessons learned from those experiences. Then, the paper analyses the reality of the housing sector in Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA) and discusses the most important results reached.

Findings

Finally, and based on the main findings, the paper puts forward a set of policies and actions recommended to improve housing sector in DMA.

Originality/value

The paper analyses the reality of the housing in DMA.
Logistics IS resources, organizational factors, and operational performance
Authors: Pan Xiaodan , Dresner Martin , Xie Yurong
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Drawing on the resource-based view and resource complementarity theory, the purpose of this paper is to investigate two research questions: To what extent are logistics information system (IS) resources associated with improved operational performance? And to what extent are these relationships contingent on organizational factors?

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model with a nested structure is presented to link logistics IS resources and organizational factors with operational performance. The findings are validated using a cross-sectional sample of secondary data from domestic logistics firms in China.

Findings

This paper extends existing operational-level measures for logistics IS resources into a three-tier tactical-level typology: inside-out resources (operation-focused IS, decision-focused IS and IS development capability); outside-in resources (relation-focused IS and market-focused IS); and spanning resources (IS integration capability and IS management capability). Though logistics IS resources, in general, are positively related to operational performance, inside-out IS resources have the most significant impact. Organizational factors, such as firm size, firm age and firm ownership, may enhance or suppress the effects of logistics IS resources on performance.

Practical implications

The findings are valuable to both logistics firms and buyer firms in an emerging market, as logistics IS resources may affect costs and quality of logistics service. The tactical-level typology allows logistics firms to better plan for and manage emerging IS resources in a competitive environment.

Originality/value

This paper extends prior work regarding the complementary effects of logistics IS resources and organizational factors on operational performance. Logistics firms should carefully manage the three types of tactical-level IS resources according to their organizational environment to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage.
Structural-probabilistic modeling of fatigue failure under elastic-plastic deformation
Authors: Babich Dmytro , Bastun Volodymir , Dorodnykh Tatiana
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider an approximate model of accumulation of microdefects in a material under repeated loading which makes it possible to define theoretical parameters of the fatigue failure (durability, fatigue limit, etc.). The model is involving the relevant law of distribution of ultimate (yield) stresses in the material of these members in combination with the basic characteristics of main mechanical properties of a material (ultimate and yield stresses and associated standard deviations).

Design/methodology/approach

The model of fatigue failure of brittle and elastoplastic materials based on the use of the structural-probabilistic approach and up-to-date ideas on the mechanism of material fracture is proposed. The model combines statistical fracture criteria, which are expressed in terms of damage concentrations, with the approximate model of microcrack accumulation under repeating loading of the same level. According to these criteria, the fatigue failure begins with the accumulation of separation- or shear-type microdefects up to the level of critical values of their density.

Findings

The failure mechanism is associated with the accumulation of dispersed microdamages under repeated loading. The critical value of the density of the microdamages, which are identified with those formed either by separation or shear under static loading in consequence of simple tension, compression or shear, is accepted as the criterion of the onset of fatigue failure. The fatigue being low-cycle or high-cycle is attributed to accumulation of shear microdamages in the region of plastic deformation in the former case and microdamages produced by separation under elastic deformation in the latter one.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper consists in the following. The authors theoretically define parameters of the fatigue failure (durability, fatigue limit, etc.) using the model in combination with the statistical failure (yield) criteria appearing in the damage measures. The constructed fatigue diagram has discontinuities on the conditional boundary dividing domains with the shear-type and separation-type fractures of structural elements. Such results are supported by the experimental results.
Effectiveness of e-learning portal from students’ perspective
Authors: Chopra Gaurav , Madan Pankaj , Jaisingh Piyush , Bhaskar Preeti
Published: March 2019

Purpose

E-learning has become an increasingly prevalent learning approach in higher educational institutions due to the fast growth of internet technologies in India. This paper aims to mainly focus on evaluating the effectiveness of the e-learning experience from students’ perceptive.

Design/methodology/approach

“Survey” method has been used to collect the data with the help of a structured questionnaire from the students who have registered on COURSERA (www.coursera.org/) website for e-learning. The questionnaire consisted of two sections e-learning system and e-learning effectiveness. E-learning system included items related to system quality, information quality and service quality. E-learning effectiveness dimension included user satisfaction and net benefits. The items in this section were measured on a five-point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagrees to strongly agree. The data collected have been analyzed using the SPSS version 17.0 and AMOS version 21.0.

Findings

Results show that system quality and service quality contribute more in e-learning system compared to information quality. Students perception may be that information available on the website may not be very useful as it’s a one-way mode of communication. The researcher also found that the three dimensions (system quality, service quality and information quality) of e-learning system contributes to user satisfaction and net benefits. Students are satisfied with e-learning websites and intent to continue to use it in future as well. They also found it beneficial as it helps them in career growth and making them employable.

Originality/value

This paper proposed a second-order model of e-learning system and a second-order model e-learning effectiveness. E-learning system has been defined by three first-order constructs: a system quality, service quality and information quality. E-learning effectiveness has been defined by two first-order constructs: a user satisfaction and net benefits. The predictability of the proposed model is high to explain the impact of e-learning system on e-learning effectiveness.
Effect of demographic characteristics on service quality perception
Authors: Ojekalu Samson Oluseun , Ojo Olatoye , Oladokun Timothy Tunde , Olabisi Sumoila Aremu
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Although a substantial amount of research on the effect of demographics on service quality perception can be found in the extant literature, practitioners and researchers in the built environment, especially property managers, know little or nothing about the influence of demographic characteristics on service quality in Nigeria. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of demographic variables of the occupiers of shopping complexes on the perception of service quality of property managers.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were used for the study through questionnaire administration. Ibadan was stratified into five axes using existing major roads where shopping complexes were highly concentrated. Based on the Oyo State Ministry of Land, Housing and Survey (2017) database, there were 33, 65, 48, 64 and 66 shopping complexes on each identified major road. A systematic sampling technique was adopted to select 57 (20 per cent) out of 276 shopping complexes and 192 (10 per cent) out of 1,919 occupiers of the shopping complexes in the study area. In total, 157 occupiers responded to the questionnaire, and data were analysed using mean, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA.

Findings

The study found that the gender and education of the occupiers significantly influenced service quality perception, whereas the age of the respondents was insignificant. Specifically, female occupiers rated the service quality of property managers better than their male counterparts. Through η2, the effect size of gender on service quality perception was small (17 per cent) and effect size on the level education of the occupiers was also small (13 per cent). The age of occupiers did not significantly influence service quality perception. It is expected that the findings of this study will help property managers to understand the effect of various demographic variables on service quality perception for enhanced property management practice.

Practical implications

The findings suggested that the property managers of shopping complex should structure their services to best accommodate occupiers’ demographics. Moreover, property managers can use the findings to guide demographic-driven marketing strategy to target and attract more tenants efficiently.

Originality/value

The study is one of the few studies that examined the effect of the demographic characteristics of occupiers on service quality perception that could enhance given individualised attention to occupiers.
The different morphologies of yeast and filamentous fungi trigger distinct killing and feeding mechanisms in a fungivorous amoeba
Authors: Radosa Silvia , Ferling Iuliia , Sprague Jakob L. , Westermann Martin , Hillmann Falk
Published: March 2019

Size and diverse morphologies pose a primary challenge for phagocytes such as innate immune cells and predatory amoebae when encountering fungal prey. Although filamentous fungi can escape phagocytic killing by pure physical constraints, unicellular spores and yeasts can mask molecular surface patterns or arrest phagocytic processing. Here, we show that the fungivorous amoeba Protostelium aurantium was able to adjust its killing and feeding mechanisms to these different cell shapes. Yeast‐like fungi from the major fungal groups of basidiomycetes and ascomycetes were readily internalized by phagocytosis, except for the human pathogen Candida albicans whose mannoprotein coat was essential to escape recognition by the amoeba. Dormant spores of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus also remained unrecognized, but swelling and the onset of germination induced internalization and intracellular killing by the amoeba. Mature hyphae of A. fumigatus were mostly attacked from the hyphal tip and killed by an actin‐mediated invasion of fungal filaments. Our results demonstrate that predatory pressure imposed by amoebae in natural environments selects for distinct survival strategies in yeast and filamentous fungi but commonly targets the fungal cell wall as a crucial molecular pattern associated to prey and pathogens.
Telemedicine for medical abortion: a systematic review
Authors: Endler M , Lavelanet A , Cleeve A , Ganatra B , Gomperts R , Gemzell‐Danielsson K
Published: March 2019

Background

Telemedicine is increasingly being used to access abortion services.

Objective

To assess the success rate, safety, and acceptability for women and providers of medical abortion using telemedicine.

Search strategy

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Web of Science up until 10 November 2017.

Study criteria

We selected studies where telemedicine was used for comprehensive medical abortion services, i.e. assessment/counselling, treatment, and follow up, reporting on success rate (continuing pregnancy, complete abortion, and surgical evacuation), safety (rate of blood transfusion and hospitalisation) or acceptability (satisfaction, dissatisfaction, and recommendation of the service).

Data collection and analysis

Quantitative outcomes were summarised as a range of median rates. Qualitative data were summarised in a narrative synthesis.

Main results

Rates relevant to success rate, safety, and acceptability outcomes for women ≤10+0 weeks’ gestation (GW) ranged from 0 to 1.9% for continuing pregnancy, 93.8 to 96.4% for complete abortion, 0.9 to 19.3% for surgical evacuation, 0 to 0.7% for blood transfusion, 0.07 to 2.8% for hospitalisation, 64 to 100% for satisfaction, 0.2 to 2.3% for dissatisfaction, and 90 to 98% for recommendation of the service. Rates in studies also including women >10+0 GW ranged from 1.3 to 2.3% for continuing pregnancy, 8.5 to 20.9% for surgical evacuation, and 90 to 100% for satisfaction. Qualitative studies on acceptability showed no negative impacts for women or providers.

Conclusion

Based on a synthesis of mainly self‐reported data, medical abortion through telemedicine seems to be highly acceptable to women and providers, success rate and safety outcomes are similar to those reported in literature for in‐person abortion care, and surgical evacuation rates are higher.

Tweetable abstract

A systematic review of medical abortion through telemedicine shows outcome rates similar to in‐person care.
Ossifying chronic subperiosteal haematoma of the iliac bone
Authors: Hughes Peter , Dow David , Boyer Lucinda , Morganti Vicki
Published: March 2019

Ossifying subperiosteal haematoma is a rare finding which may mimic more aggressive pathologies. We present the case of a 17‐year‐old boy with a subperiosteal haematoma of the iliac bone and discuss the imaging features.
Texture‐modified diets in aged care facilities: Nutrition, swallow safety and mealtime experience
Authors: Miles Anna , Liang Victoria , Sekula Julia , Broadmore Sharon , Owen Paul , Braakhuis Andrea J.
Published: March 2019

Objectives

Over 35 000 people live in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in New Zealand. Texture‐modified diets (TMDs) are commonplace. They are associated with malnutrition. The aim of this study was to characteriseTMDprevalence and practice inRACFs.

Methods

Data from 35 460 residents were extracted from the interRAI™ database. Mealtime observations (including 459 residents), meal audits (IDDSI, 2018) and menu audits (Dietitians New Zealand Menu Audit Tool forRACFs 2013) were completed at 10RACFs.

Results

One‐third of residents were onTMDs. Half the residents ate full meals. Feeding assistance was more common in residents onTMDs compared to those on regular diets (P < 0.001). The majority of pureed meals metIDDSIstandards; none of soft and bite‐sized meals complied.TMDcarbohydrate and protein servings did not comply with standards.

Conclusions

Texture‐modified diets reflect 1/3 of meals produced inRACFs. This study provides insight intoTMDuse inRACFs and highlights service gaps and training opportunities.
Patterns of care for stage III non–small cell lung cancer in Australia
Authors: Parente Phillip , Chan Bryan A. , Hughes Brett G. M. , Jasas Kevin , Joshi Rohit , Kao Steven , Hegi‐Johnson Fiona , Hui Rina , McLaughlin‐Barrett Sara , Nordman Ina , Stone Emily
Published: March 2019

Stage III non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) makes up a third of all NSCLC cases and is potentially curable. Despite this 5‐year survival rates remain between 15% and 20% with chemoradiation treatment alone given with curative intent. With the recent exciting breakthroughs in immunotherapy use (durvalumab) for stage III NSCLC, further improvements in patient survival can be expected.

Most patients with stage III NSCLC present initially to their general practitioner (GP). The recommended time from GP referral to first specialist appointment is less than 14 days with treatment initiated within 42 days. Our review found that there is a shortfall in meeting these recommendations, however a number of initiatives have been established in Australia to improve timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment patterns. The lung cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) is critical to consistency of evidence‐based diagnosis and treatment and can improve patient survival. We aimed to review current patterns of care and clinical practice recommendations for stage III NSCLC across Australia and identify opportunities to improve practice in referral, diagnosis and treatment pathways.