bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrative capability, business model innovation and performance
Authors: Pang Changwei , Wang Qiong , Li Yuan , Duan Guang
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how business model innovation (BMI) mediates the relationship between integrative capability, business strategy and firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review provides the model and hypotheses. Using a sample of 165 Chinese firms, the authors conduct the examination using a theoretical model and hypotheses following standard analysis methods.

Findings

The results show that BMI positively mediates the relationship between integrative capability and firm performance. Moreover, a differentiation strategy positively moderates the link between BMI and firm performance, while a cost leadership strategy presents a significantly negative moderating effect.

Research limitations/implications

First, the authors test the hypotheses using data from China; thus data from other emerging economies should be tested. Second, the authors use cross-sectional data in this study making it impossible to verify the dynamic developed in the process of BMI; a longitudinal study could provide a more comprehensive understanding. Third, the authors consider one intermediate mechanism to test the relationship of integrative capability and firm performance; additional factors may link integrative capability and firm performance.

Practical implications

The mediating effect of BMI suggests managers should pay more attention to BMI to improve firm performance, and they should understand that BMI’s role varies across different business strategies.

Originality/value

The paper is original in its investigation of the effect of integrative capability and BMI on firm performance using data from China and demonstrates the mediating effect of BMI on the relationship between integrative capability and firm performance.
Online insurance claims: when more than trust matters
Authors: Gebert-Persson Sabine , Gidhagen Mikael , Sallis James E. , Lundberg Heléne
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a theoretical framework explaining the adoption of online insurance claims characterised by infrequent interactions, inherent complexity and risk. It extends the technology acceptance model to include knowledge-related and trust-related beliefs.

Design/methodology/approach

The framework is tested with structural equation modelling using data from a survey of 292 customers who made online insurance claims. Findings are further explained through 30 telephone interviews conducted with online and offline claimants.

Findings

Previous research in financial services has shown trust to be equally or more important than perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use in forming attitudes towards adopting online insurance applications. The findings of this paper contradict this by showing, at best, a weak relationship between trusting attitude and intention to use the online service. Trust is somewhat meaningful; however, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and technology attitude are substantially more important in an online insurance claims setting.

Research limitations/implications

Contradictory results always beg further research to assure their robustness. Nevertheless, they can also point to a developing trend where trust in the internet channel,per se, is of diminishing importance. Internet and product knowledge are not as pertinent to forming intentions as usefulness and ease of use.

Practical implications

To encourage customers to adopt online applications for a trusted company, all emphasis should be on user friendliness and perceived usefulness of the online interface.

Originality/value

Compared to other channels, consumers are no longer naïve or distrustful of the online channel for interacting with a firm. If they perceive usefulness and ease of use, they will adopt the offered service.
Presentational format and financial consumers’ behaviour: an eye-tracking study
Authors: Ceravolo Maria Gabriella , Farina Vincenzo , Fattobene Lucrezia , Leonelli Lucia , Raggetti GianMario
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether financial consumers are sensitive to presentational format of financial disclosure documents and whether this influences the financial attractiveness of products.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to observe and measure consumers’ attention, the authors exploit the unobtrusive methodology of eye tracking on a sample of nonprofessional investors, applying an ecological protocol, through a cross-sectional design.

Findings

The analysis reveals that financial information processing and attention distribution are influenced by the way the information is conveyed. Moreover, some layouts induce individuals to rate the products as less financially attractive, independent of the information content. This suggests the importance of studying the neural mechanisms of investors’ behaviour in the scrutiny of financial product documents.

Practical implications

The results lead to recommend regulators and managers to study how investors respond to financial disclosure documents by exploiting neuroscientific techniques. Moreover, there is a role for the search of any benefit coming from emphasising specific sources of information inside documents.

Originality/value

This research investigates the influence of presentational format on consumers’ information processing measuring the underlying neurophysiological processes; the consequent perception of financial attractiveness is also explored.
Can gamification improve financial behavior? The moderating role of app expertise
Authors: Bayuk Julia , Altobello Suzanne Aurora
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore potential benefits of gamification (application of game-playing elements) for financial well-being and motivation to save.

Design/methodology/approach

A preliminary survey of college students explored how gamification principles incorporated into money-savings/personal finance smartphone apps could improve financial well-being. The main study utilized Mechanical Turk participants, exposing them to financial game app descriptions that emphasized social features (e.g. leaderboards and ability to share achievements) or economic features (e.g. ability to earn real money or a higher interest rate). Objective and subjective financial measures including expertise with financial apps, perceived benefits of financial apps and behavioral intentions were examined.

Findings

Financial worry, financial literacy, subjective knowledge and expertise with money-savings/financial applications predicted financial well-being. Additionally, consumers varied in their preferences for certain financial game app features based on past financial app experience. Those who already used a financial app tend to exhibit higher subjective (though not objective) knowledge, and want both “social” and “economic” features of financial applications, whereas those with no experience are more motivated by economic features.

Practical implications

These results could be used to guide game designers regarding which features may be more attractive to consumers depending on their prior expertise with financial smartphone applications. Financial services marketing would benefit from further research into whether smartphone financial applications that emphasize social features have benefits for consumers’ motivation and financial well-being.

Originality/value

Examining college students about to enter the real world and the general population, this project contributes to research to improve understanding of financial well-being by examining how already having a financial gamification application impacts perceptions of knowledge and expertise, as well as intentions to save given a more socially focused vs economically focused savings app. Additional research needs to further explore gamification as an experimental intervention to ultimately improve both subjective financial well-being and objective financial behaviors, especially for consumers with lower expertise and high risk of financial vulnerability.
Referral reward programs with scarcity messages on bank credit card adoption
Authors: Song Chanho , Wang Tuo , Hu Michael Y.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how referral reward programs (RRPs) with scarcity messages influence consumer’ recommendation behavioral intentions about a bank credit card.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 1,599 consumers are accessed through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk worker panel. The authors use general linear models, analysis of variance and analysis of covariance to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed that offering RRPs with scarcity messages increases a consumer’s behavioral intentions to recommend. The limited-quantity message in RRPs has the highest positive impact on consumers’ behavioral intentions.

Originality/value

No prior studies have addressed the relationship between referral rewards and scarcity messages in the bank credit card context. The study contributes to the understanding of the effectiveness of RRPs with scarcity message in improving consumer’s referral.
Teachers’ goals predict computational thinking gains in robotics
Authors: Witherspoon Eben B. , Schunn Christian D.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Computational thinking (CT) is widely considered to be an important component of teaching generalizable computer science skills to all students in a range of learning environments, including robotics. However, despite advances in the design of robotics curricula that can teach CT, actual enactment in classrooms may often fail to reach this target. This study aims to understand whether the various instructional goals teachers’ hold when using these curricula may offer one potential explanation for disparities in outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors examine results from N = 206 middle-school students’ pre- and post-tests of CT, attitudinal surveys and surveys of their teacher’s instructional goals to determine if student attitudes and learning gains in CT are related to the instructional goals their teachers endorsed while implementing a shared robotics programming curriculum.

Findings

The findings provide evidence that despite using the same curriculum, students showed differential learning gains on the CT assessment when in classrooms with teachers who rated CT as a more important instructional goal; these effects were particularly strong for women. Students in classroom with teachers who rated CT more highly also showed greater maintenance of positive attitudes toward programming.

Originality/value

While there is a growing body of literature regarding curricular interventions that provide CT learning opportunities, this study provides a critical insight into the role that teachers may play as a potential support or barrier to the success of these curricula. Implications for the design of professional development and teacher educative materials that attend to teachers’ instructional goals are discussed.
Fraud and guilt: rationalization strategies and the relevance of Kierkegaardian life-views
Authors: Dion Michel
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use Kierkegaard’s life-views (aesthetical, ethicist and religious life-views) for better understanding the way fraudsters are dealing with their ontic-existentiell guilt, while developing rationalization tactics.

Design/methodology/approach

Rationalization tactics make possible to neutralize moral discomfort about fraudulent practices. Endorsing Kierkegaard life-views actually unveils three basic patterns fraudsters could agree with (consciously or not): the focus for individualization processes, the ontic-existentiell quest and the attitude towards guilt. Each Kierkegaardian life-view has deepened this threefold pattern in a very different way.

Findings

The aesthetician life-view is so emphasizing immediacy and pleasure that it strengthens an amoral perspective. Fraudsters could easily adopt such life-view. The ethicist is so basically concerned with morality (distinction between good and evil) that he/she cannot consciously favour fraudulent practices. At best, fraudsters may be “would-be ethicists”. As long as they are unable to feel repentance, fraudsters will not be able to fully embrace the religious life-view. At best, they may be “would-be religious”.

Research limitations/implications

The way Kierkegaard’s life-views could put light on fraudsters’ rationalization tactics has not been empirically assessed. Empirical studies that would be focussed on such topics should deepen the relevance and meaning of fraudsters’ psychological, sociological, cultural and religious/spiritual traits.

Originality/value

The paper analyzes to what extent fraudsters could feel psychological guilt, as well as ontic-existentiell guilt, as it is grounded on ontological-existential guilt (guilt as an ontological category). Taking Kierkegaard’s life-views as reference pattern, it presents the implications of being oriented towards immediacy/pleasure (avoiding guilt, at any cost), towards freedom (being aware of one’s guilt) or towards the infinite (being fully aware of one’s guilt).
Authentic leadership and internal whistleblowing intention
Authors: Anugerah Rita , Abdillah Muhammad Rasyid , Anita Rizqa
Published: February 2019

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of authentic leadership on internal whistleblowing intention through psychological safety.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypotheses, the partial least square analysis is applied to questionnaire survey data from 201 employees from State Province Government of Indonesia.

Findings

The results reveal that authentic leadership and psychological safety influence the internal whistleblowing intention. The result also indicates that authentic leadership has an indirect effect on internal whistleblowing intention through psychological safety.

Originality/value

This study has made a valuable contribution for scholars and managers to the understanding of factors that affect internal whistleblowing intention at government officers in Indonesia context.
Lawyers’ predicaments in complying with the anti-money laundering law in Malaysia
Authors: Kamaruddin Saslina , Hamin Zaiton
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide some empirical findings on the predicaments of lawyers’ anti-money laundering (AML) compliance in Malaysia and the rationales for such predicaments.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a qualitative research in which the primary data are obtained from seven case studies involving legal firms within the Klang Valley, Selangor, Malaysia, which is triangulated with the data from the Central Bank and the Malaysian Bar Council.

Findings

The authors contend that despite the vulnerability of their profession to money laundering, the level of awareness of the AML obligations amongst Malaysian legal practitioners is rather minimal. Also, the imposition of obligations upon them in policing their clients and regulating money laundering is not only onerous but also contrary to the ethics of their profession.

Originality/value

This paper fills the gap in providing the empirical evidence on lawyers’ compliance to their statutory AML obligations in Malaysia. Also, this paper could be a useful source of information for practitioners, academicians and students. It could also be a beneficial guide for policymakers for any possible future amendments to the law.
Brand hypocrisy from a consumer perspective: scale development and validation
Authors: Guèvremont Amélie
Published: February 2019

Purpose

There is increasing interest in understanding negative consumer reactions to brands and the nature of negative brand perceptions. The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize the construct of brand hypocrisy from a consumer perspective and develop a scale to measure it.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiphase scale development process involving 559 consumers was conducted. Study 1 pertains to item generation and reduction phases. Study 2 reports on scale purification and validation through confirmatory factor analyses and model comparisons. Study 3 focuses on discriminant and predictive validity, while Study 4 further investigates predictive validity using real brands with differences in brand hypocrisy.

Findings

A 12-item scale measuring four dimensions of brand hypocrisy is developed: image hypocrisy (brand failing to put words into action), mission hypocrisy (brand exerting an unacknowledged negative impact on society or consumer well-being), message hypocrisy (brand conveying unrealistic or unattainable images) and social hypocrisy (brand supporting social responsibility initiatives for strategic purposes only). Results indicate that brand hypocrisy is distinguishable from similar constructs in the literature and that it is a significant predictor of negative word-of-mouth and brand distance.

Practical implications

This conceptualization provides managers with a detailed understanding of what constitutes a hypocritical brand in the eyes of consumers as well as insights about how to prevent consumer perceptions of brand hypocrisy.

Originality/value

Findings enrich the understanding of negative consumer inferences related to brands and provide a conceptualization of an understudied but increasingly relevant form of brand judgment.
Affirming the research party reference model
Authors: Riehman-Murphy Christina , Hunter Jennifer
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence of the value of Research Parties, a new model of supplementary reference in a social environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of multiple choice and open-ended questions was administered to Research Party participants (n = 43) over the course of three semesters to discover the profiles of the undergraduate students who attended and how they heard about the event and to assess the value of the interaction to the student.

Findings

Respondents unanimously agreed that their interactions with librarians at Research Parties were helpful because their information seeking needs, including finding sources, learning how to search databases, gaining clarity into the assignment, writing and citing, were met. Respondents also mentioned attributes of the librarian’s disposition or attitude such as enthusiastic conversation, encouragement and patience. Several students reflected on their own learning process and noted that they would seek help from a librarian again.

Practical implications

The results demonstrate that Research Parties are helpful to undergraduate students and a worthwhile model for academic libraries looking to complement their traditional reference services.

Originality/value

While faculty and administrators have verbally expressed excitement about Research Parties, librarian colleagues have anecdotally reported success instituting this model at their institutions, and students have provided informal positive feedback, this is the first time the model has been evaluated more formally to capture its value.
Engaging consultants in green projects: exploring the practice in Malaysia
Authors: Zainul Abidin Nazirah , Amir Shariffuddin Nadia Alina
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the practice of engaging key project consultants for the development of green projects in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach is adopted in this research using the face-to-face semi-structured interview process with 18 respondents consisting of developers and architects of green projects that have obtained green certification by the Malaysian Green Building Index.

Findings

The engagement of consultants is divided into three stages: engagement method; consultant selection method; and evaluation process. The engagement method can be initiated by the client or through the architect. The direct selection is the preferred strategy in engaging architects, while open strategy is commonly adopted for engaging other key consultants. The evaluation process consists of request for proposal evaluation and negotiation before appointment is awarded. In addition, there are four main criteria in selecting the consultants: client’s preference, fee flexibility, green project requirement and consultant firm’s internal strengths.

Research limitations/implications

The study is based on the Malaysian context and based on the engagement of main consultants in green development projects and, thus, cannot be generalised to other consultants’ engagement in conventional projects.

Practical implications

This research presents the process that can contribute to better planning, controlling and management of the consultants’ engagement process. The selection criteria shall form a reference in selecting the most suitable consultants for the project.

Originality/value

This study attempts to understand how consultants are engaged in green projects, an important management stage in project initiation, but has received little attention in the past.
Guttation capsules containing hydrogen peroxide: an evolutionarily conserved NADPH oxidase gains a role in wars between related fungi
Authors: Zhang Jian , Miao Youzhi , Rahimi Mohammad Javad , Zhu Hong , Steindorff Andrei , Schiessler Sabine , Cai Feng , Pang Guan , Chenthamara Komal , Xu Yu , Kubicek Christian P. , Shen Qirong , Druzhinina Irina S.
Published: February 2019

When resources are limited, the hypocrealean fungus Trichoderma guizhouense can overgrow another hypocrealean fungus Fusarium oxysporum, cause sporadic cell death and arrest growth. A transcriptomic analysis of this interaction shows that T. guizhouense undergoes a succession of metabolic stresses while F. oxysporum responded relatively neutrally but used the constitutive expression of several toxin‐encoding genes as a protective strategy. Because of these toxins, T. guizhouense cannot approach it is potential host on the substrate surface and attacks F. oxysporum from above. The success of T. guizhouense is secured by the excessive production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is stored in microscopic bag‐like guttation droplets hanging on the contacting hyphae. The deletion of NADPH oxidase nox1 and its regulator, nor1 in T. guizhouense led to a substantial decrease in H2O2 formation with concomitant loss of antagonistic activity. We envision the role of NOX proteins in the antagonism of T. guizhouense as an example of metabolic exaptation evolved in this fungus because the primary function of these ancient proteins was probably not linked to interfungal relationships. In support of this, F. oxysporum showed almost no transcriptional response to T. guizhouense Δnox1 strain indicating the role of NOX/H2O2 in signalling and fungal communication.
Widespread detection of Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis, a polyphosphate‐accumulating organism, in sediments of the Columbia River estuary
Authors: Watson Sheree J. , Needoba Joseph A. , Peterson Tawnya D.
Published: February 2019

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) exploits the metabolism of polyphosphate‐accumulating organisms (PAOs) to remove excess phosphorus (P) from wastewater treatment. Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis (Accumulibacter) is the most abundant and well‐studied PAO in EBPR systems. In a previous study, we detected polyphosphates throughout peripheral bay sediments, and hypothesized that an estuary is an ideal setting to evaluate PAOs in a natural system, given that estuaries are characterized by dynamic dissolved oxygen fluctuations that potentially favour PAO metabolism. We detected nucleotide sequences attributable to Accumulibacter (16S rRNA, ppk1) in sediments within three peripheral bays of the Columbia River estuary at abundances rivalling those observed in conventional wastewater treatment plants (0.01%–2.6%). Most of the sequences attributable to Accumulibacter were Type I rather than Type II, despite the fact that the estuary does not have particularly high nutrient concentrations. The highest diversity of Accumulibacter was observed in oligohaline peripheral bays, while the greatest abundances were observed at the mouth of the estuary in mesohaline sediments in the spring and summer. In addition, an approximately 70% increase in polyphosphate concentrations observed at one of the sites between dawn and dusk suggests that PAOs may play an important role in P cycling in estuary sediments.
How Much Have Lending Standards Constrained US Recovery After the Financial Crisis?
Authors: Fukač Martin
Published: February 2019

This article uses a stylised vector autoregression to estimate the impact of shocks to lending standards on the depth of US recession and duration of recovery from the 2007−2008 financial crisis. It estimates that the US economic activity was about 0.5 percentage points lower every quarter than in the case when banks’ lending standards had not tightened beyond the levels warranted by economic fundamentals. The article further shows empirical evidence that the economic contraction of 2008−2009 would have been 2 percentage points of GDP milder in the absence of the shocks to lending standards sentiment. Finally, the lending sentiment seemed to switch to a loosening bias when GDP recovered to its pre‐recession levels in 2012.
Chinese Family and Society Dynamics Using the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) Household Panel
Authors: Kong Sherry Tao , Wu Qiong
Published: February 2019

The China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) is a large‐scale multidisciplinary social survey started in 2010 and followed‐up every two years since, covering 25 provinces, representing 95 per cent of the Chinese population. Through tracking of individuals, families and communities over time, the CFPS provides high‐quality longitudinal data for academic/scientific investigation and policy research in important areas such as Chinese society, economy, population, education and health. This article outlines the structure and components of the CFPS, with a focus on the recent changes in survey mode, questionnaire design and data dissemination.
Modelling the Socialist Kindergarten in the Early Soviet Picture Book
Authors: SADDINGTON FRANCES
Published: February 2019

After the October Revolution, the Bolsheviks aimed to create a modern socialist society which would be populated by a new Soviet man, who would take control of his own destiny and build a communist future. The first generation of Soviet children were perfect modelling material for this new type of citizen and the kindergarten was marked out as one of the institutions which would foster revolutionary transformation. Picture books for young children which featured the kindergarten acted as a guidebook for the rational, socialist education which was envisaged by progressive educators. Story book kindergartens were exemplary institutions where children engaged in a collective daily routine. Stories taught the reader how play was training for work and that pre‐schoolers were capable of learning to work for the good of the group. They modelled political activism with children taking part in communist festivals and spending time with Pioneers. Authors and illustrators also realized that children were still children and embedded even the most political picture books with humour, brightly coloured pictures and easy‐to‐grasp imagery.
Patient‐centered communication in type 2 diabetes: The facilitating and constraining factors in clinical encounters
Authors: Paiva Dagmara , Abreu Liliana , Azevedo Ana , Silva Susana
Published: February 2019

Objective

To explore the perceptions of the constraining and facilitating factors to patient‐centered communication in clinical encounters of patients with type 2 diabetes and the providers involved in their care.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Patients (n = 12) and providers (n = 33) involved in diabetes care in northern Portugal.

Study Design

Seven focus groups.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Grounded theory, using open, axial, and selective coding.

Principal Findings

Patients focused on the patient‐provider relationship, while providers emphasized the constraining factors when exchanging information and the facilitating factors regarding disease and treatment‐related behavior. Patients and providers both agreed on some constraints (power imbalance, avoidance of criticism, disease minimization, use of jargon, and insufficient competencies and consistency among providers) and facilitators (seeing patients as persons, providing tailored information in plain language, and recognizing the “wake‐up call”). Patients perceived an aggressive attitude as a barrier to communication, but providers perceived it as a facilitator. Patients included issues related to trust, respect, and psychosocial support as important factors to them. Only providers mentioned the influence of macro‐level interventions and patients’ socioeconomic position as essential factors.

Conclusions

Improvements in patient‐centered communication depend on fostering the patient‐provider relationship, patients’ participation and involvement, and training providers’ communication skills.
Applications of Light Stable Isotopes (C, O, H) in the Study of Sandstone Diagenesis: A Review
Authors: XI Kelai , CAO Yingchang , LIN Miruo , LIU Keyu , WU Songtao , YUAN Guanghui , YANG Tian
Published: February 2019

This article reviews the applications of light stable isotope, including carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, in the studies on origin and formation temperature of authigenic carbonate, quartz and clay minerals. Theoretical knowledge and analytical methods for major light stable isotopes are introduced in detail. Negative and positive δ13C values indicate significant differences on the origin of carbonate cements. The δ18O value is an effective palaeotemperature scale for authigenic minerals formation. Various fractionation equations between δ18O and temperature are proposed for carbonate cements, quartz cements and clay minerals, whose merit and demerit, applicable conditions are clarified clearly. Clumped isotope analysis can reconstruct the temperature of carbonate precipitation with no requirement on the δ18O of initial waters, which makes temperature calculation of carbonate cements formation more convenient and accurate. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopes mainly reflect the origin of diagenetic fluid for clay mineral formation, providing reliable evidence for diagenetic environment analysis. This work aims at helping researchers for better understanding the applications of light stable isotope in sandstone diagenesis.
Sedimentary Evolution and Transgressions of the Western Subei Basin in Eastern China since the Late Pliocene
Authors: CHENG Yu , LI Xiangqian , SHU Junwu , BAI Shibiao , ZHAO Zengyu , ZHANG Xiangyun , GUO Gang , ZHANG Ping , LIN Jingxing
Published: February 2019

Sedimentary sequences in the Subei Basin are complex and have been affected by interactions between the ocean and rivers since the Late Pliocene, including the Yellow River, Huaihe River, and the Yangtze River. This sedimentary evolution, in particular the timing of Pleistocene transgressions, has long been a matter of controversy owing to the lack of precise chronological evidence. The aim of this study is to explore the evolution of the sedimentary environment throughout the past 3.00 Ma in this region on the basis of a comprehensive analysis of particle size and foraminifera and ostracods collected in the TZK9 core from the Subei Basin combined with geochronological studies of magnetostratigraphy, AMS14C and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). The results show that fluvial facies in the sedimentary environment from 3.00 to 1.01 Ma. There were fluvial facies and reflects six sea‐level high stands from 1.01 to 0.25 Ma. The study area was affected by four large‐scale transgressions since 0.25 Ma. The four marine sedimentary layers known as DU7 (buried at 48–52 m), DU5 (buried at 35–41 m), DU3 (buried at 16–23 m), and DU1 (buried at 2–4 m) are recorded in the MIS7 (210–250 ka), MIS5, MIS3, and Holocene, respectively. The magnitude of the DU5 transgression was identical to that of the DU3 transgression, both were larger than the DU7 transgression, and the DU1 transgression was the weakest. The variation of transgression strength reflects the influence of global changes in sea level, tectonic subsidence, shell ridges, and sand dams. In the TZK9 core, we found evidence of seven sea‐level high stands from the Early–Middle Pleistocene, and the first one caused by regional rapid subsidence and could be traced back to 0.83‐0.84 Ma. The sea‐level high stands and the age of the first one recorded above was different from other cores in eastern China, this was caused by the lack of absolute age control and the differences in paleotopography during this period. This study reconstructs sedimentary evolution, determines the transgression and its age, establishes the chronology since the Late Pliocene, and provides a scientific framework for further paleoenvironmental and tectonic studies. The results of this study highlight the important role that local tectonics and global sea level play in the sedimentary evolution and transgressions that have occurred in the western Subei Basin.
Instrument contra Human End: Self‐determination as a Right to Protect Power
Authors: Chen Chia‐Ming
Published: February 2019

The paper theorizes a general political‐social condition of stateless peoples, which is particularly manifested in East Asia, where traditional empires and peoples have been broken apart by imperialism, nation‐states, Japanese invasion, communist revolutions and the Cold War. Based upon such observation, the paper develops a political account of people, self‐determination and intervention. It argues against the two current major accounts,primary righttheories andremedial right onlytheories. Both accounts fail to speak to the political‐social reality faced by stateless peoples. To develop its thesis, the paper pursues two questions: Who should be recognized as a people among stateless groups? When does such a people acquire the right of self‐determination that legitimizes intervention? For the first question, the paper draws upon Iris M. Young's concept of social group and Hannah Arendt's notion of power to elaborate a ‘power’ account of people. A right of self‐determination is understood as a people's right to international protection of their self‐protective power. The paper then expounds a Lockean condition that triggers the right of intervention to protect that power. It briefly uses the cases of the Rohingya and Hong Kong to illustrate its argument.
On the Future of Public Policy Schools, in Developing Countries
Authors: Xue Lan
Published: February 2019

Integrating public policy schools from developing countries with public policy school from the West into a global public policy school community will be a gradual and mutual learning process.
Short‐term starvation stress at young adult stages enhances meiotic activity of germ cells to maintain spermatogenesis in aged male Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Chou Wan‐Yi , Lin Yu‐Chun , Lee Ying‐Hue
Published: February 2019

To survive and reproduce, living organisms must evolve numerous mechanisms to re‐adjust their physiology when encountering adverse conditions that subject them to severe stress. We found that short‐term starvation (STS) stress in young adult male Caenorhabditis elegans can significantly improve their vitality (relative to nonstressed males) when they are aged. In addition, we found that stress‐treated aged males maintained reproductive activity equivalent to young males, whereas nonstressed aged males quickly lost reproductive ability. STS stress can preserve sperm number and quality in aged male worms. Spermatogenesis involves germ cell mitosis and meiosis. We found that germ cell meiotic activity is more sensitive to aging than mitotic activity and is declining rapidly with age. We examined the role of numerous factors important for spermatogenesis on STS‐preserved spermatogenesis during aging. Our results show that mutant strains deficient in anaphase‐promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) function fail to exhibit the STS stress‐enhanced spermatogenesis found in wild‐type N2 worms, suggesting that the mechanism underlying starvation‐induced spermatogenesis involves the APC/C complex, a conserved ubiquitin‐protein ligase E3 complex. Furthermore, transgenic expression of FZY‐1/CDC‐20, a coactivator of APC/C, ameliorated the age‐associated decline of meiosis, similar to the hormetic effect of STS.
Genetic association of DDIT3, RPL23A, SESN2 and NR4A1 genes with milk yield and composition in dairy cattle
Authors: Li Y. , Han B. , Liu L. , Zhao F. , Liang W. , Jiang J. , Yang Y. , Ma Z. , Sun D.
Published: February 2019

Previously, we identified by RNA sequencing that DDIT3, RPL23A, SESN2 and NR4A1 genes were significantly differentially expressed between the mammary glands of lactating Holstein cows with extremely high and low milk protein and fat percentages; thus, these four genes are considered as promising candidates potentially affecting milk yield and composition traits in dairy cattle. In the present study, we further verified whether these genes have genetic effects on milk traits in a Chinese Holstein population. By re‐sequencing part of the non‐coding and the entire coding regions of the DDIT3, RPL23A, SESN2 and NR4A1 genes, a total of 35 SNPs and three insertions/deletions were identified, of which three were found in DDIT3, 12 in RPL23A, 16 in SESN2 and seven in NR4A1. Moreover, two of the insertions/deletions—g.125714860_125714872del and g.125714806delinsCCCC in SESN2—were novel and have not been reported previously. Subsequent single SNP analyses revealed multiple significant association with all 35 SNPs and three indels regressed against the dairy production traits (P‐value = <0.0001–0.0493). In addition, with a linkage disequilibrium analysis, we found one, one, three, and one haplotype blocks in the DDIT3, RPL23A, SESN2 and NR4A1 genes respectively. Haplotype‐based association analyses revealed that some haplotypes were also significantly associated with milk production traits (P‐value = <0.0001–0.0461). We also found that 12 SNPs and two indels (two in DDIT3, two in RPL23A, nine in SESN2 and one in NR4A1) altered the specific transcription factor binding sites in the promoter, thereby regulating promoter activity, suggesting that they might be promising potential functional variants for milk traits. In summary, our findings first determined the genetic associations of DDIT3, RPL23A, SESN2 and NR4A1 with milk yield and composition traits in dairy cattle and also suggested potentially causal variants, which require in‐depth validation.
How and for Whom Time Control Matter for Innovation? The Role of Positive Affect and Problem‐Solving Demands
Authors: Madrid Hector P. , Patterson Malcolm G.
Published: February 2019

Job resources are essential for higher performance. Focusing on innovation, we examine how and for whom the job resource of time control is related to the implementation of novel ideas in the workplace. Drawing on the job demands‐resources model and affect‐as‐information theory, we propose that positive affect explains how the association of time control with innovation unfolds and how this psychological process depends on the extent to which employees work under problem‐solving demands. Using a survey study, conducted with 198 employees from diverse organisations, we supported a mediation mechanism in which time control was positively associated with positive affect, which is turn was positively related to innovation. Furthermore, the strength of this mediation process depended on problem‐solving demands, such that positive affect and innovation resulting from time control was stronger for those working in complex environments. These results corroborate and expand knowledge on the job demands‐resources, affect and innovation literatures, showing that job resources matter for performance, particularly in conjunction with job complexity denoting challenging performance. Thus, organisations should be aware of opportunities to manage the degree of job control and complexity if they aim to foster employee innovation.
Editorial: ascitic cholesterol—is it superior to serum‐ascites albumin gradient?
Authors: Patel Samarth Siddharth , Siddiqui Mohammad Shadab
Published: February 2019

Linked Content

This article is linked to Du et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15042 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15105.
Editorial: infliximab de‐escalation in inflammatory bowel disease using a therapeutic drug monitoring strategy—early promise but more data needed
Authors: Gibson David J. , Ward Mark G.
Published: February 2019

Linked Content

This article is linked to Lucidarme et al and Bouguen and Siproudhis papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15046 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15151.
Editorial: infliximab de‐escalation in inflammatory bowel disease using a therapeutic drug monitoring strategy – early promise but more data needed. Authors’ reply
Authors: Bouguen Guillaume , Siproudhis Laurent
Published: February 2019

Linked Content

This article is linked to Lucidarme et al and Gibson and Ward papers.
To view these articles, https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15046 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15081.
Letter: put on your thinking cap – tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for the prevention of vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus. Author’s reply
Authors: Pan Calvin Q.
Published: February 2019

Linked Content

This article is linked to Wang et al and Vyas and Jindal papers. To
view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15064 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15123.
Illusory perception of auditory filled duration is task‐ and context‐dependent
Authors: Zheng Wanting , Chen Lihan
Published: February 2019

In filled‐duration illusion, a continuous (long) tone or an auditory sequence with multiple clicks is typically perceived as longer than the same physical duration (i.e., empty interval) enclosed by two auditory clicks. The auditory sequence is composed of multiple empty intervals. However, the individual empty interval in an auditory sequence, compared with the empty interval presented alone, could be biased in duration perception. In the current study, we implemented five experiments to reveal that the time perception of a single empty interval versus that of (mean) empty intervals in an auditory sequence depends on the task demands and contextual information. Specifically, we observed that the empty interval (140 ms) was perceived as longer than the same physical inter‐stimulus interval in a sound sequence (Experiments 1 and 3). However, the empty interval (140 ms) was perceived as shorter than a continuous beep (i.e., filled duration of 140 ms) (Experiment 2). We observed a robust compression effect, in which the target empty interval (bounded by two oddball clicks) was perceived as shorter than the other physically equivalent intervals in a sound sequence (Experiment 4). In addition to the ‘compression’, perception of the target empty interval was assimilated by the other, task‐irrelevant empty intervals in the sound sequence (Experiment 5). We explained the observed contextually modulated temporal illusions within a Bayesian inference framework.
Use of indocyanine green to minimise uretero‐enteric strictures after robotic radical cystectomy
Authors: Ahmadi Nariman , Ashrafi Akbar N. , Hartman Natalie , Shakir Aliasger , Cacciamani Giovanni E. , Freitas Daniel , Rajarubendra Nieroshan , Fay Carlos , Berger Andre , Desai Mihir M. , Gill Inderbir S. , Aron Monish
Published: February 2019

Objective

To evaluate the impact of indocyanine green (ICG) for assessing ureteric vascularity on the rate of uretero‐enteric stricture formation after robot‐assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with intracorporeal urinary diversion (ICUD).

Patients and methods

We identified 179 patients undergoing RARC and ICUD between January 2014 and May 2017, and divided the patients into two groups based on the utilisation of ICG for the assessment of ureteric vascularity (non‐ICG group and ICG group). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records to identify the length of ureter excised. Demographic, perioperative outcomes (including 90‐day complications and readmissions), and the rate of uretero‐enteric stricture were compared between the two groups. The two groups were compared using the t‐test for continuous variables and the chi‐squared test for categorical variables. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 132 and 47 patients were in the non‐ICG group and the ICG group, respectively. There were no differences in baseline characteristics and perioperative outcomes including operating time, estimated blood loss, and length of stay. The ICG group was associated with a greater length of ureter being excised during the uretero‐enteric anastomosis and a greater proportion of patients having long segment (>5 cm) ureteric resection. The median follow‐up was 14 and 12 months in the non‐ICG and ICG groups, respectively. The ICG group was associated with no uretero‐enteric strictures compared to a per‐patient stricture rate of 10.6% and a per‐ureter stricture rate of 6.6% in the non‐ICG group (P = 0.020 and P = 0.013, respectively).

Conclusion

The use of ICG fluorescence to assess distal ureteric vascularity during RARC and ICUD may reduce the risk of ischaemic uretero‐enteric strictures. The technique is simple, safe, and reproducible. Larger studies with longer follow‐up are needed to confirm our findings.
Plan S: In service or disservice to society?
Authors: Guzik Tomasz J. , Ahluwalia Amrita
Published: February 2019

The controversial plan for scientific research publications to be published in compliant Open Access Journals or on compliant Open Access Platforms is discussed. The article has been co‐published with permission in European Heart Journal and British Journal of Pharmacology. The articles are identical except for minor stylistic and spelling differences in keeping with each journal's style. Either citation can be used when citing this article.
Maternal periodontitis and preterm birth: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Manrique‐Corredor Edwar J. , Orozco‐Beltran Domingo , Lopez‐Pineda Adriana , Quesada Jose A. , Gil‐Guillen Vicente F. , Carratala‐Munuera Concepcion
Published: February 2019

Aim

To assess the association between periodontitis and preterm birth in women of childbearing age.

Materials and Methods

This review included analytical case‐control studies and prospective cohort studies evaluating the association between maternal periodontitis and preterm birth. Of the 3104 screened articles, 31 met the inclusion criteria for the review, and 20 met the quality criteria. The selected studies included a total of 10 215 women.

Results

Twenty articles contributed to the meta‐analysis; 16 used a case‐control design, and 4 were prospective cohort studies. The study heterogeneity was low (Q = 24.2464;P = 0.1869;I2 = 21.63%). A positive association between maternal periodontitis and preterm birth was found in 60% of the studies. Under the random‐effects model, meta‐analysis gave an odds ratio (OR) of 2.01 (95%CI1.71, 2.36), representing a significant positive association between the explanatory and outcome variables.

Conclusion

Pregnant mothers with periodontitis double the risk of preterm birth. There is a lack of international consensus for diagnosing maternal periodontitis.