bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Machine Learning and Bayesian Modelling for Molecular Serotyping
Authors: Newton Richard , Wernisch Lorenz
Published: May 2017

Background

Streptococcus pneumoniaeis a human pathogen that is a major cause of infant mortality. Identifying the pneumococcal serotype is an important step in monitoring the impact of vaccines used to protect against disease. Genomic microarrays provide an effective method for molecular serotyping. Previously we developed an empirical Bayesian model for the classification of serotypes from a molecular serotyping array. With only few samples available, a model driven approach was the only option. In the meanwhile, several thousand samples have been made available to us, providing an opportunity to investigate serotype classification by machine learning methods, which could complement the Bayesian model.

Results

We compare the performance of the original Bayesian model with two machine learning algorithms: Gradient Boosting Machines and Random Forests. We present our results as an example of a generic strategy whereby a preliminary probabilistic model is complemented or replaced by a machine learning classifier once enough data are available. Despite the availability of thousands of serotyping arrays, a problem encountered when applying machine learning methods is the lack of training data containing mixtures of serotypes; due to the large number of possible combinations. Most of the available training data comprises samples with only a single serotype. To overcome the lack of training data we implemented an iterative analysis, creating artificial training data of serotype mixtures by combining raw data from single serotype arrays.

Conclusions

With the enhanced training set the machine learning algorithms out perform the original Bayesian model. However, for serotypes currently lacking sufficient training data the best performing implementation was a combination of the results of the Bayesian Model and the Gradient Boosting Machine. As well as being an effective method for classifying biological data, machine learning can also be used as an efficient method for revealing subtle biological insights, which we illustrate with an example.
Exploiting general independence criteria for network inference
Authors: Verbyla Petras , Desgranges Nina , Richardson Sylvia , Wernisch Lorenz
Published: May 2017

Inference of networks representing dependency relationships is a key tool for understanding data derived from biological systems. It has been shown that nonlinear relationships and non-Gaussian noise aid detection of directions of functional dependencies. In this study we explore how far generalised independence criteria for statistical independence proposed in the literature are better suited to the inference of networks compared to standard independence criteria based on linear relationships and Gaussian noise. We compare such criteria within the framework of the PC algorithm, a popular network inference algorithm for directed acyclic dependency graphs. We also propose and evaluate a method to apply unconditional independence criteria to assess conditional independence and a method to simulate data with desired properties from experimental data. Our main finding is that a recently proposed criterion based on distance covariance performs well compared to other independence criteria in terms of error rates, speed of computation, and need of fine-tuning parameters when applied to experimental biological datasets.
A comment on priors for Bayesian occupancy models
Authors: Northrup Joseph M. , Gerber Brian D.
Published: May 2017

Understanding patterns of species occurrence and the processes underlying these patterns is fundamental to the study of ecology. One of the more commonly used approaches to investigate species occurrence patterns is occupancy modeling, which can account for imperfect detection of a species during surveys. In recent years, there has been a proliferation of Bayesian modeling in ecology, which includes fitting Bayesian occupancy models. The Bayesian framework is appealing to ecologists for many reasons, including the ability to incorporate prior information through the specification of prior distributions on parameters. While ecologists often intend to choose priors so that they are “uninformative”; or “;vague”;, such priors can easily be unintentionally highly informative. Here we report on how the specification of a “vague” normally distributed (i.e., Gaussian) prior on coefficients in Bayesian occupancy models can unintentionally influence parameter estimation. Using both simulation and empirical examples, we illustrate how this issue likely compromises inference about species-habitat relationships. While the occurrence of this issue likely depends on the data set, researchers fitting Bayesian occupancy models should conduct sensitivity analyses to ensure intended inference, or use priors other than those most commonly used in the literature. We provide further suggestions for addressing this issue in occupancy studies, and an online tool for exploring this issue under different contexts.
Local low frequency fMRI synchrony is a proxy for the spatial extent of functional connectivity
Authors: Kirk Gregory R. , Dentico Daniela , Birn Rasmus , Adluru Nagesh , Blumensath Thomas , Taylor Bill , Michael Lauren , Casanova Manuel F. , Alexander Andrew L.
Published: May 2017

Functional connectivity Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fcMRI) has assumed a central role in neuroimaging efforts to understand the changes underlying brain disorders. Current models of the spatial and temporal structure of fcMRI based connectivity contain strong a priori assumptions. We report that low temporal frequency fMRI signal synchrony within the local (3 mm radius) neighborhood of a location on the cortical surface strongly predicts the scale of its global functional connectivity. This relationship is tested vertex-wise across the cortex using Spearman’s rank order correlation on an individual subject basis. Furthermore, this relationship is shown to be dynamically preserved across repeated within session scans. These results provide a model free data driven method to visualize and quantitatively analyze patterns of connectivity at the imaging voxel resolution across the entire cortex on an individual subject basis. The procedure thus provides a tool to check directly the validity of spatial and temporal prior assumptions incorporated in the analysis of fcMRI data.
On growth and form of the distal air exchange surfaces within the lung
Authors: Warburton David , Wigfall Clarence , Pollack Harvey , Koos David , AlAlam Denise , Shi Wei , Fraser Scott , Moats Rex
Published: May 2017

Summary statement

Employing novel imaging and computational approaches we here deduce some new concepts as to how the distal shaping of airway lineage stem and progenitor cells may contribute to the growth and form of the air exchange surface (AES) of the lung, distal to the bronchoalveolar duct junction (BADJ). We then propose that the AES extrudes from the sides and tips of distinct families of small ducts, apparently by buckling of the thinning luminal epithelium into the surrounding mesenchyme, stabilized firstly by rings of elastin and later by rings of collagen and elastin fibers, that surround the mouth of each distal unit of the AES. We propose this mechanism as a parsimonious solution to achieving the optimum form, packing density and functional efficiency of the AES, while allowing sufficient space between for the plumbing of conducting airways, pulsatile capillary blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves and other key matrix and cellular components within the interstitial mesenchyme.

Herein we show, using several novel imaging and computational approaches, how the air exchange units (AEUs) of the lung develop from the tips and sides of distinct families of tortuous ducts, that themselves ramify as distinct families distal to the bronchoalveolar duct junctions (BADJs), prenatally in humans but postnatally in mice. The mature AEUs thus consist of indented spheroids tightly packed between quite regularly spaced distal ducts. Since the diameter of the BADJs and the distal ducts increases rather than decreasing during the formation of AEUs, we further deduce that the AEUs must form by circular epithelial precursor buckling at their mouths with reulsting extrusion of their lumen into the surrounding mesenchyme, stabilized firstly by interlocking rings of elastin and later by rings of elastin and collagen fibers surrounding the mouth of each of the prospective AEUs. Furthermore, we show that the surface of each of the AEUs is highly rugose, being indented by the capillary network that lies close beneath the AES membranes. We propose that, the kissing theorem proposed of Newton tha expresses the number of times billiard balls may touch within their frame is a parsimonious solution to achieving optimum packing of the distal AES unit spaces, while allowing sufficient space between them to allow for conducting airways, closely applied pulsatile capillary blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves and other key components of the interstitial mesenchyme.
Environmental influences on the mating system of the common morning glory
Authors: Alvarado-Serrano D. F. , Chang S-M. , Baucom R. S
Published: May 2017

The balance between selfing and outcrossing is a life history trait of major concern with deep evolutionary consequences in mixed mating species. Yet, our current understanding of the proximate and ultimate determinants of species’ mating system is still unsatisfactory and largely theoretical. Indeed, evolutionary biologists are still puzzled by the often dramatic variation of mating strategies within single species. Of particular concern is the extent to which environmental conditions shape patterns of variation and covariation of mating system components within species. Here, we address this concern in the common morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea) by taking advantage of an extensive dataset of floral traits, genetic estimates of selfing and inbreeding, and relevant environmental factors compiled for 22 populations of this species distributed along a disparate set of environments along Southeast and Midwest USA. Combining a powerful array of parametric and model-free statistical approaches, we robustly identify a set of natural and anthropogenic environmental factors underlying population-level variation in selfing, inbreeding, and flower morphology. Remarkably, individual mating system components are found to be associated with different environmental factors and only loosely associated with each other, and thus potentially under multiple different selective pressures. These results not only corroborate theoretical expectations of the significant role the environment plays in the local determination of mating systems, but also provide compelling evidence of complex underlying interactions between multiple evolutionary processes.
An aphrodisiac produced byVibrio fischeristimulates mating in the closest living relatives of animals
Authors: Woznica Arielle , Gerdt Joseph P , Hulett Ryan E. , Clardy Jon , King Nicole
Published: May 2017

We serendipitously discovered that the marine bacteriumVibrio fischeriinduces sexual reproduction in one of the closest living relatives of animals, the choanoflagellateSalpingoeca rosetta. Although bacteria influence everything from nutrition and metabolism to cell biology and development in eukaryotes, bacterial regulation of eukaryotic mating was unexpected. Here we show that a singleV. fischeriprotein, the previously uncharacterized EroS, fully recapitulates the aphrodisiac activity of liveV. fischeri. EroS is a chondroitin lyase; although its substrate, chondroitin sulfate, was previously thought to be an animal synapomorphy, we demonstrate thatS. rosettaproduces chondroitin sulfate and thus extend the ancestry of this important glycosaminoglycan to the premetazoan era. Finally, we show thatV. fischeri, purified EroS, and other bacterial chondroitin lyases induceS. rosettamating at environmentally-relevant concentrations suggesting that bacterially-produced aphrodisiacs likely regulate choanoflagellate mating in nature.
Untargeted metabolomic analysis in naturally occurring canine diabetes mellitus identifies similarities to human Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: O’Kell Allison L. , Garrett Timothy J. , Wasserfall Clive , Atkinson Mark A.
Published: May 2017

While predominant as a disease entity, knowledge voids exist regarding the pathogenesis of canine diabetes. To test the hypothesis that diabetic dogs have similar metabolomic perturbations to humans with type 1 diabetes (T1D), we analyzed serum metabolomic profiles of breed- and body weight-matched, diabetic (n=6) and healthy (n=6) dogs by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) profiling. We report distinct clustering of diabetic and control groups based on heat map analysis of known and unknown metabolites. Random forest classification identified 5/6 dogs per group correctly with overall out of bag error rate=16.7%. Diabetic dogs demonstrated significant upregulation of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis intermediates (e.g., glucose/fructose, C6H12O6, keto-hexose, deoxy-hexose, (P<0.01)), with significant downregulation of tryptophan metabolism metabolites (e.g., picolinic acid, indoxyl sulfate, anthranilate, (P<0.01)). Multiple amino acids (AA), AA metabolites, and bile acids were also significantly lower in diabetic versus healthy dogs (P<0.05) with the exception of the branched chain AA valine, which was elevated in diabetic animals (P<0.05). Metabolomic profiles in diabetic versus healthy dogs shared similarities with those reported in human T1D (e.g., alterations in glycolysis/gluconeogensis metabolites, bile acids, and elevated branched chain AA). Further studies are warranted to evaluate the utility of canine diabetes to provide novel mechanistic insights to the human disorder.

Abbreviations

AA

(amino acid)

AAb

(autoantibody)

FA

(fatty acid)

HILIC

(hydrophilic interaction liquid interaction chromatography)

LC-MS

(liquid chromatography mass spectrometry)

OOB

(out of bag)

T1D

(type 1 diabetes)

T2D

(type 2 diabetes)

UF

(University of Florida)
The cerebellum does more than sensory-prediction-error-based learning in sensorimotor adaptation tasks
Authors: Butcher Peter A. , Ivry Richard B. , Kuo Sheng-Han , Rydz David , Krakauer John W. , Taylor Jordan A.
Published: May 2017

Individuals with damage to the cerebellum perform poorly in sensorimotor adaptation paradigms. This deficit has been attributed to impairment in sensory-prediction-error-based updating of an internal forward model, a form of implicit learning. These individuals can, however, successfully counter a perturbation when instructed with an explicit aiming strategy. This successful use of an instructed aiming strategy presents a paradox: In adaptation tasks, why don’t individuals with cerebellar damage come up with an aiming solution on their own to compensate for their implicit learning deficit? To explore this question, we employed a variant of a visuomotor rotation task in which, prior to executing a movement on each trial, the participants verbally reported their intended aiming location. Compared to healthy controls, participants with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) displayed impairments in both implicit learning and aiming. This was observed when the visuomotor rotation was introduced abruptly (Exp. 1) or gradually (Exp. 2). This dual deficit does not appear to be related to the increased movement variance associated with ataxia: Healthy undergraduates showed little change in implicit learning or aiming when their movement feedback was artificially manipulated to produce similar levels of variability (Exp. 3). Taken together the results indicate that a consequence of cerebellar dysfunction is not only impaired sensory-prediction-error-based learning, but also a difficulty in developing and/or maintaining an aiming solution in response to a visuomotor perturbation. We suggest that this dual deficit can be explained by the cerebellum forming part of a network that learns and maintains action-outcome associations across trials.

New and noteworthy

Individuals with cerebellar pathology are impaired in sensorimotor adaptation. This deficit has been attributed to an impairment in error-based learning, specifically, from a deficit in using sensory prediction errors to update an internal model. Here, we show that these individuals also have difficulty in discovering an aiming solution to overcome their adaptation deficit, suggesting a new role for the cerebellum in sensorimotor adaptation tasks.
The mu-opioid receptor gene OPRM1 as a genetic marker for placebo analgesia
Authors: Aslaksen Per , Forsberg June Thorvaldsen , Gjerstad Johannes
Published: May 2017

The aim of the present study was to examine if genetic factors associated with pain perception could predict the placebo analgesic response in healthy volunteers. 296 participants (182 women) were randomized to either a placebo group receiving placebo cream with information that the cream was an effective painkiller, or to a natural history group receiving no treatment. Pain was induced by contact heat stimuli. Genotyping for the mu-opioid receptor gene OPRM1, the serotonin transporter gene 5-HTT, and the dopamine-metabolizing gene COMT was performed. Individuals with the OPRM1 A/A genotype reported significantly higher placebo responses compared to individuals with the */G variant. No clear effect of the 5-HTT or COMT was observed. The OPRM1 A/A had a predictive accuracy of 92.5% in identification of placebo responders. Our data indicate that the OPRM1 rsl799971 A/A genotype can be used as a reliable identification marker for placebo analgesia.
Insight into growth of Au–Pt bimetallic nanoparticles: an in situ XAS study
Authors: Nayak Chandrani , Bhattacharyya D. , Bhattacharyya K. , Tripathi A. K. , Bapat R. D. , Jha S. N. , Sahoo N. K.
Published: May 2017

Au–Pt bimetallic nanoparticles have been synthesized through a one-pot synthesis route from their respective chloride precursors using block copolymer as a stabilizer. Growth of the nanoparticles has been studied by simultaneous in situ measurement of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and UV–Vis spectroscopy at the energy-dispersive EXAFS beamline (BL-08) at Indus-2 SRS at RRCAT, Indore, India. In situ XAS spectra, comprising both X-ray near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) parts, have been measured simultaneously at the Au and Pt L
3-edges. While the XANES spectra of the precursors provide real-time information on the reduction process, the EXAFS spectra reveal the structure of the clusters formed in the intermediate stages of growth. This insight into the formation process throws light on how the difference in the reduction potential of the two precursors could be used to obtain the core–shell-type configuration of a bimetallic alloy in a one-pot synthesis method. The core–shell-type structure of the nanoparticles has also been confirmed by ex situ energy-dispersive spectroscopy line-scan and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements with in situ ion etching on fully formed nanoparticles.
Identification and analysis of employee branding typology using fuzzy c-means clustering
Authors: Natarajan Thamaraiselvan , Periaiya Sridevi , Balasubramaniam Senthil Arasu , Srinivasan Thushara
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyse the typology of employee branding in an airline company using fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering to improve the quality of employee brand (EB).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from employees of Air India, Chennai division, using a questionnaire and analysed using FCM to find the optimum cluster number. The nature of each cluster was analysed to know its type.

Findings

The results prove the presence of four types of EB, namely, all-stars, injured reserves, rookies and strike-out kings in the aviation company. It is proven that employees in all-star have high level of knowledge of the desired brand (KDB) and psychological contract (PC), those in injured reserves have high KDB and low PC, rookies have low KDB and high PC and strike-out kings have low KDB and PC.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study are limited to the Air India employees. This study contributes to employee branding by empirically substantiating the proposed typology using FCM. It proposes the need to analyse organisations individually before comparisons.

Practical implications

The management must focus on the quality of training and development programmes to enhance the position of rookies and strike-out kings. It must also receive regular feedback from injured reserves and strike-out kings to evaluate their perception of PC.

Originality/value

This is the first paper to empirically prove the typology of employee branding and to implement FCM in clustering employees for enhancing the EB’s quality.
Design chain visibility
Authors: Caridi Maria , Pero Margherita , Sianesi Andrea
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Researchers ascertain that the more the activities of new product development (NPD) process are outsourced to partners, the higher the need for integration. The purpose of this paper is to study: the extent to which the amount of information shared with the partners during NPD projects (DC visibility) depends on the degree of outsourcing (DC virtuality), and what are the context variables (product features and business relationship features) that influence this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides two sets of quantitative indexes to measure: the relevance of the activities outsourced during the NPD project (i.e. virtuality), in terms of the spread of the outsourced technological knowledge, and in terms of outsourced workload; and the amount of information that a focal company shares with product development partners (i.e. visibility). Seven NPD projects in different companies have been analyzed to investigate visibility, virtuality, and the implications of contingencies.

Findings

The cross-case analysis shows that the amount of information shared with the partners during the NPD project varies with the relevance of outsourced activities. In particular, the higher the relevance, the higher the amount of information shared with the partner. Partner location and integration, trust, and ICT support have a role in determining the amount of information shared with each single partner.

Originality/value

This study adopts an original network perspective in that the whole set of partners involved in the NPD process is analyzed. New quantitative indexes of visibility and virtuality of NPD projects are proposed, along with original insights about the impact of context variables. The quantitative indexes also provide a useful managerial tool to evaluate whether a focal company has the possibility to build competitive advantages that exploit unique resources beyond the boundaries of the company.
Road map for the implementation of green manufacturing practices in Indian manufacturing industries
Authors: Digalwar Abhijeet K. , Mundra Nidhi , Tagalpallewar Ashok R. , Sunnapwar Vivek K.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Green manufacturing (GM) has received growing attention in the last few years. As today’s business environment is highly competitive, dynamic and volatile in nature, GM is seen as the winning strategy to be adopted by manufacturers. In this scenario, successful implementation of GM by manufacturers can give them an edge over their competitors. The purpose of this paper is to identify and develop the structural relationship among different factors for the successful implementation of GM.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire-based survey and interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approach has been applied in this study. In this research, 12 factors have been identified, such as top management commitment, supplier and materials management, green product and process design, employee training and empowerment, etc. On the basis of survey results and opinions of experts from industry and academia, a structural relationship model has been developed through an ISM approach.

Findings

Top management commitment has the highest driving power for the implementation of GM. Effective implementation of GM will improve organization performance in terms of product cost and quality. For effective implementation of GM, management should not ignore development of people, product and processes.

Practical implications

The developed model will be useful to managers, decision makers and practitioners of GM in prioritizing their resources more effectively.

Originality/value

Critical success factor play a pivotal role for the assessment and implementation of GM practices. Identification of key success factors and their mutual relationship can help in implementation of GM practices in various organizations. It is probably one of the leading attempts to provide road map to the implementation of GM practices in Indian manufacturing industries.
A fuzzy goal programming approach for selecting sustainable suppliers
Authors: Pandey Peeyush , Shah Bhavin J. , Gajjar Hasmukh
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Due to the ever increasing concern toward sustainability, suppliers nowadays are evaluated on the basis of environmental performances. The data on supplier’s performance are not always available in quantitative form and evaluating supplier on the basis of qualitative data is a challenging task. The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for the selection of suppliers by evaluating them on the basis of both quantitative and qualitative data.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature on sustainability, green supply chain and lean practices related to supplier selection is critically reviewed. Based on this, a two phase fuzzy goal programming approach integrating hyperbolic membership function is proposed to solve the complex supplier selection problem.

Findings

Results obtained through the proposed approach are compared to the traditional models (Jadidi et al., 2014; Ozkok and Tiryaki, 2011; Zimmermann, 1978) of supplier selection and were found to be optimal as it achieves higher aspiration level.

Practical implications

The proposed model is adaptive to solve real world problems of supplier selection as all criteria do not possess the same weights, so the managers can change the criteria and their weights according to their requirement.

Originality/value

This paper provides the decision makers a robust framework to evaluate and select sustainable supplier based on both quantitative and qualitative data. The results obtained through the proposed model achieve greater satisfaction level as compared to those achieved by traditional methods.
DEA and Monte Carlo simulation approach towards green car selection
Authors: Prakash Anand , Mohanty Rajendra P.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Automakers are engaged in manufacturing both efficient and inefficient green cars. The purpose of this paper is to categorize efficient green cars and inefficient green cars followed by improving efficiencies of identified inefficient green cars for distribution fitting.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have used 2014 edition of secondary data published by the Automotive Research Centre of the Automobile Club of Southern California. The paper provides the methodology of applying data envelopment analysis (DEA) consisting of 50 decision-making units (DMUs) of green cars with six input indices (emission, braking, ride quality, acceleration, turning circle, and luggage capacity) and two output indices (miles per gallon and torque) integrated with Monte Carlo simulation for drawing significant statistical inferences graphically.

Findings

The findings of this study showed that there are 27 efficient and 23 inefficient DMUs along with improvement matrix. Additionally, the study highlighted the best distribution fitting of improved efficient green cars for respective indices.

Research limitations/implications

This study suffers from limitations associated with 2014 edition of secondary data used in this research.

Practical implications

This study may be useful for motorists with efficient listing of green cars, whereas automakers can be benefitted with distribution fitting of improved efficient green cars using Monte Carlo simulation for calibration.

Originality/value

The paper uses DEA to empirically examine classification of green cars and applies Monte Carlo simulation for distribution fitting to improved efficient green cars to decide appropriate range of their attributes for calibration.
Linking intangible resources and export performance
Authors: Monteiro Albertina Paula , Soares Ana Maria , Rua Orlando Lima
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This research draws upon the resource-based view and the dynamic capabilities view’s premise that a firm’s resources and capabilities determine competitive advantage. Specifically, the purpose of this paper is to develop and test a model entailing simultaneously the impact of intangible resources; and dynamic capabilities and entrepreneurial orientation on export performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Therefore, the authors developed a study based on a survey of 265 Portuguese exporting companies. Data were submitted to a multivariate statistical analysis and a linear regression model was applied in order to predict the influence of the intangible resources on export performance. The structural equations model was used for this purpose.

Findings

The results show that export performance is directly impacted by dynamic capabilities and entrepreneurial orientation. However, intangible resources do not have a significant direct impact on entrepreneurial orientation; they do have an indirect effect through the mediation of dynamic capabilities. These findings highlight the catalyst role of dynamic capabilities and entrepreneurial orientation, leveraging the role of intangible resources as antecedents of export performance. These findings are valuable inputs for exporting managers and public entities.

Originality/value

While previous authors have attempted to analyse certain aspects of this process (linkage between intangible resources and export performance), this research developed a framework that combines these ones with entrepreneurial orientation and dynamic capabilities.
Do you feel younger enough to choose nostalgic products? Exploring the role of age identity in nostalgic purchasing behavior
Authors: Kazlauske Dovile , Gineikiene Justina
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the links between consumer age identity, nostalgia and preferences for nostalgic products.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical framework is proposed based on integrating nostalgia and age identity as parts of an individual’s self-concept. Research results are obtained from the empirical study of a sample of 313 consumers in Lithuania and five interviews with experts in marketing industry.

Findings

Employing structural equation modeling analysis, the current study provides initial evidence that the bigger the discrepancy between one’s chronological and cognitive age, the more nostalgic products one buys. Furthermore, age identity acts as a better predictor for purchasing nostalgic products than nostalgia.

Originality/value

The current paper explores the impact of nostalgia and age identity on consumer purchasing behavior which is not addressed in literature before. By evaluating the role of nostalgia and age identity, the study offers a deeper understanding of consumer behavior in nostalgia contexts. Moreover, unlike in most previous studies on nostalgia and age identity, it is focused on actual rather than intended behavior. The present study is also relevant for current marketers as the findings provide additional information and recommendations for choosing appropriate marketing and communication strategies.
Relation between start-ups’ online social media presence and fundraising
Authors: Yang Song , Berger Ron
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the emergences of social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have changed the way human beings communicate and interact. In the past few years, this has become crucial in the context of business, especially in start-up fund raising. Access to venture capital financing is a crucial issue in the entrepreneurial finance literature. To further explore the use of social media for entrepreneurs, the authors have explored how entrepreneurs use social media for fund-raising purposes. The authors have used Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to collect entrepreneurs’ funding data from Crunchbase and entrepreneurs’ social media data from Facebook and Twitter. The results show that social media is significant for start-ups in their success or failure in fund raising. Investing energy into utilizing online social media and exhausting these platforms consciously contributes to the financial success of start-ups. Therefore, start-ups which are popular among online fans and followers can manage to raise larger amounts of funding in the early stages.

Design/methodology/approach

This research relies on a wide range of quantitative data, which was obtained from three different online sources which includes Facebook, Twitter and CrunchBase. The use of a variety of internet technologies have been linked to increases in individuals’ social network diversity, which likely increases access to social capital at the individual level (Hampton and Wellman, 2003). The dataset was retrieved by using APIs, which enables the collection of novel metrics, from various sources that provide a well-structured dataset (Priem and Hemminger, 2010). Hypotheses were tested on a longitudinal dataset from 2000 to 2013, comprising general and investment data and social media metrics of start-ups. First, a sample from the database was selected to ensure data availability and reliability. After sampling, all the selected companies’ Twitter and Facebook activities were observed and metrics were analysed. SPSS was used to conduct correlation and regression analyses.

Findings

This study analysed whether start-ups’ social media convention is able to influence investors’ choices, especially the amount of total funding given. The paper showed that innovative start-up companies were able to benefit from communicating on social media platforms. Start-ups, which were using Facebook and Twitter effectively, focusing on valuable social media metrics, received larger amount of funding in total. Furthermore, it was observed that as their business grew, they intended to put more effort into online social networking. It confirmed the idea that businesses are using social media consciously.

Originality/value

This is the only paper that the authors could find that examines the relationship between fundraising and activity on social networks.
Evaluating Saudi cement companies’ market share
Authors: Alsultanny Yas , AlZuhair Sara
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the Saudi cement companies’ market share.

Design/methodology/approach

The data collected from the annual reports and financial statements of 12 companies.

Findings

The analysis of the production indicators showed that seven Saudi companies had a steady state of production capacity, while the other five companies had an increase in their production capacity.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to the Saudi cement companies.

Practical implications

The Saudi cement companies add expenditures annually to update their managerial technologies, production equipment and machinery in plants and processes.

Originality/value

The Saudi cement companies must be creating more competition between the cement companies through the opportunity of developing or acquiring new technologies.
“Through the looking glass”: present and future tools for writing
Authors: Fernandez Peter
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Humans use the written language to tell stories and exchange ideas across time and space, and it is the core innovation on which libraries are founded.

Design/methodology/approach

Even as the transmission of writing has evolved from hand-written scrolls to mass printing to digital distribution, it has remained one of primary communication methods in the world. Through websites, e-mails, news articles, Facebook posts and more, writing is core to how humans interact. Writing well is also an activity that many people find arduous.

Findings

This paper will explore some of the current technologies and emerging trends that are designed to assist with the writing process.

Originality/value

Along the way, the paper will highlight some specific applications that can be used now. Examining these technologies, many of which only currently serve niche audiences, serves another purpose as well, as they point the way to what the future of writing will look like.
Exploring the impact of geographical traits on the occurrence of supply chain failures
Authors: Durach Christian F. , Wiengarten Frank
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This research aims to explore the impact of geographical traits on the occurrence of on-time or the risk of late deliveries – one vital category of supply chain failures. Specifically, the regulatory environment framework and national and organizational culture are explored as potential contingency factors affecting these supply chain failures. Furthermore, the authors assess whether or not potential negative cultural characteristics at the national level can be addressed through specific organizational culture at the organizational level of practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This study combines primary survey data from 647 plants in 12 countries collected through the Global Manufacturing Research Group with secondary national data from the World Economic Forum and Hofstede’s national culture dimensions to test the six hypotheses.

Findings

Results indicate that firms situated in a regulatory national environment that is conducive to trade experience fewer late deliveries; a national infrastructure that has continuously been neglected leads to more late deliveries. Firms situated in countries with low levels of national uncertainty avoidance experience fewer late deliveries. Supplier communication should be practiced at an organizational level to excel in these countries.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the ongoing discusses about the importance of contingency factors at the country level (i.e. institutional and cultural factors), which need to be considered when setting up global supply chains. It also contributes important empirical insights to the convergence/divergence discussion.
Bilateral breast keloids in an elderly woman associated with bilateral breast cancers and high concentration of serum tumor growth factor‐β
Authors: Sakaguchi Masanobu , Fukumoto Takeshi , Fujishima Fumiyoshi , Fukuda Kaori , Kozaru Takeshi , Ban Masao , Oka Masahiro
Published: May 2017

We report a case of bilateral annular breast keloids in a 72‐year‐old woman who had been suffering from bilateral breast cancers. Histopathologically, the keloids showed unique distribution of α‐SMA+, CD34− myofibroblasts and α‐SMA−, CD34+ fibroblasts depending on the region. High serum levels of tumor growth factor‐β were detected at 6 months after the development of the breast keloids, but not at 10 months. CD163‐positive cells were abundantly detected in the skin of the elevated portion of the keloids. In contrast, these cells were considerably less numerous in the skin of the central healing portion compared with the skin of the elevated expanding portion. One interesting idea based on these results is that high levels of tumor growth factor‐β released from CD163‐positive cells played a crucial role in the formation of breast keloids through active induction of fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts. The present case strongly supports the previously proposed idea that keloids can form as a paraneoplastic phenomenon in breast cancer patients with keloid constitution.
Scientific Partisanship: The Social Geometry of Intellectual Support
Authors: Michalski Joseph
Published: May 2017

The article applies D. Black's pure sociology paradigm to examine the degree to which scientific evidence supports ideas deduced from the perspective. The main argument suggests that the empirical support for pure sociology varies inversely with the social distance separating scholars in social space. Moreover, the nature of the evidence adduced and the use of qualitative or quantitative methodologies predictably vary with social distance as well, increasing the likelihood of finding confirming or disconfirming evidence. The study tests these ideas by examining the full range of refereed journal articles (n= 191) published from 1976 to 2015 with pure sociology as the main focus.

L'article utilise le paradigme de la sociologie pure de D. Black afin d'examiner à quel point les évidences scientifiques soutiennent les idées proposées par cette approche. L'argument principal suggère que le soutien empirique pour la sociologie pure varie inversement avec la distance sociale séparant les spécialistes dans l'espace social. De plus, la nature des évidences obtenues et l'utilisation de méthodes qualitatives ou quantitatives varient aussi en fonction de la distance sociale, augmentant la probabilité d'obtenir des évidences confirmant ou réfutant le paradigme. Cette recherche teste ces idées en examinant l'ensemble des articles de revues avec évaluations externes (n= 191) publiés entre 1976 et 2015 avec la sociologie pure comme focus principal.
Clinical and radiographic outcomes of immediate and delayed placement of dental implants in molar and premolar regions
Authors: Kim Joon‐Kyu , Yoon Hyun‐Joong
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine clinical and radiographic outcomes of immediate and delayed placement of dental implants in molar and premolar regions.

Materials and methods

Clinical and radiographic records of 116 patients who received implants in molar and premolar regions were included in this study. After implantation, patients were recalled for assessments at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and every year thereafter. In addition, anatomic location, type of prosthesis, gender, stage, diameter, and length of implants were analyzed.

Results

Of these 116 patients, 55 were males, and 61 were females. Their mean age was 50.9 years. They received 85 immediate implants and 147 delayed implants in molar and premolar regions. Gender, type of prosthesis, stage, implant diameter, and implant length were not significantly different between the immediate placement group and the delayed placement group, although anatomic locations were significantly different between the 2 groups. Their mean follow up time after dental implantation was 3 years (range, 6 months to 9 years). Kaplan‐Meier survival estimates showed 97.8% probability of survival up to 9 years in the delayed placement group and 100% probability of survival up to 8 years in the immediate placement group. There was no significant difference in implant survival according to the time of implantation. No significant difference in cervical bone loss (CBL) at the mesial or distal side was found between the 2 groups. CBL according to anatomic location, the type of prosthesis, or gender was not significantly different either between the 2 groups. However, CBL at distal side of 1‐stage approach was significantly (P < .05) smaller in the delayed placement group than that in the immediate placement group.

Conclusion

This study showed that immediate dental implantation in molar and premolar regions had good clinical and radiographic outcomes.
Justification, Attachments and Regret
Authors: Corbí Josep E.
Published: May 2017

Abstract: InThe View From Here, Jay Wallace emphasises that an agent's capacity to regret a past decision is conditioned by the attachments that she may have developed as a result. Those attachments shape the point of view from which she retrospectively deliberates. Wallace stresses, however, that not every normative aspect of her decision is affected by this change in perspective, because her decision will remain as unjustified as it was in the past. I will argue, however, that this approach to justification is inconsistent with the normative import that Wallace ascribes to the actual dynamics of our attachments in his defence of the rationale of regret. If I am right, Wallace's approach is caught in the following dilemma: Either he renounces a nonperspectival approach to justification or he revises his view about the normative import of the actual dynamics of our attachments.
Outcomes after medical and surgical interventions in horses with temporohyoid osteoarthropathy
Authors: Espinosa P. , Nieto J. E. , Estell K. E. , Kass P. H. , Aleman M.
Published: May 2017

Background

Temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO) is a cause of neurological disease in horses that is characterised by facial and vestibulocochlear nerve deficits. Studies reporting and comparing survival following medical or surgical treatment of THO are lacking.

Objectives

To compare survival and prognosis in horses with THO treated medically or surgically, and to report surgical complications.

Study design

Retrospective study.

Methods

The medical records of horses diagnosed with THO were retrieved, and data on signalment, clinical signs and duration, corneal ulceration and bilateral occurrence were recorded. Neurological severity was graded according to clinical signs. Preoperative radiographic and endoscopic images were graded according to the severity of changes. Factors potentially affecting survival and treatment were compared using Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

A total of 77 horses were identified as having THO during the period 1990–2014. Of these, 25 horses underwent ceratohyoid ostectomy (CHO) and eight underwent partial stylohyoid ostectomy (PSHO). Thirteen of 20, one of 25 and one of eight horses treated by medical therapy, CHO and PSHO, respectively, died or were subjected to euthanasia as a consequence of THO. Compared with CHO, medical therapy was significantly associated with nonsurvival, but there were no significant differences in survival between horses undergoing PSHO and medical therapy. The duration of clinical signs, and neurological, radiographic and endoscopic grades were not associated with survival of THO. However, the age of the horse was significantly associated with poorer survival. Survival time was significantly shorter in the medical therapy group compared with the two surgical groups combined, but did not differ significantly between the two surgical groups. No significant difference between groups was seen in the incidence of surgical complications (33.3% in the PSHO and 22.2% in the CHO group).

Main limitations

This was a nonrandomised study of treatment effects on survival and included a low number of cases.

Conclusions

The survival prognosis in horses with THO is good to excellent in those submitted to surgical intervention, and fair in those treated with medical therapy alone.