bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study on effect of entrepreneurship on entrepreneurial intention
Authors: Park Cheolwoo
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to show effect of entrepreneurship on entrepreneurial intention. Currently, the long-term global economic crisis is accelerating, and the concerns for future uncertainties are spreading throughout our society. The ICT majors in Busan region are no exception so that business start-up is being considered as a new alternative to survive and grow in such uncertain environments at home or abroad. That is, business start-ups and entrepreneurship are being emphasized as a strategy that individuals can change not only one’s own life but also the fate of a region and even the destiny of a country.

Design/methodology/approach

For this reason, the youth start-ups based on social networks and leadership have become the focus of our social concern along with the entrepreneurship that can actively cope with the ever-changing global environments. Thus, some of the major factors (i.e. innovation, enterprise and risk-taking) which should be considered when promoting the entrepreneurial intention of the ICT majors in Busan region have been researched, as well as the concept of entrepreneurship itself.

Findings

This demonstrates that young people will be able to successfully lead their start-up companies through their enterprising spirit, networks and leadership and learning with firm determination. Therefore, it is important to make such a network and leadership-based entrepreneurship become foundational in overcoming the long-term Korean economic depression; surviving in such an opaque situation; leading the growth and development of Busan region; and becoming the driving force for national growth, by developing the unique characteristics and strength of the students.

Originality/value

In this regard, this study will be useful for understanding the entrepreneurship of the ICT majors in Busan region more while contributing to the invigoration of a creative economy by studying the factors essential for the entrepreneurship and development of networks and leadership.
An exploratory study of innovation strategies of the internet of things SMEs in South Korea
Authors: Shin Dong-Il
Published: August 2017

Purpose

This study aims to suggest directions for innovation-driving paths for sustainable growth through an in-depth case analysis of a successful Internet of Things (IoT) in small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) in South Korea. IoT is expected to play a significant role in the future industry 4.0 platform. Yet, little is known about how SMEs in the IoT industry (IoT-SMEs hereafter) pursue innovation in alignment with attributes inherent in the IoT.

Design/methodology/approach

This study addresses relatively unexplored key research questions on innovation strategies of IoT-SMEs. To do so, we employ an exploratory research methodology, along with an extensive review of the literature in the areas of the IoT, SMEs innovation and sustainable growth strategy. Specifically, we conduct intensive individual interviews to find IoT inherent innovation attributes and a case study to explore the process of linking these attributes to innovation-driving paths.

Findings

The analysis results reveal that there exist disruptive and open innovation attributes in the IoT industry that enable IoT-SMEs to enhance their structure and process related capabilities, to create business models for products and services and to collaborate with external parties in marketing to enter the market. We excavate practical insights into driving innovation based on IoT attributes and suggest enabling paths for pursuing innovation and entering overseas markets for IoT-SMEs.

Originality/value

This study investigates an underexplored significant area of research on the relationship between IoT attributes and innovation paths. The findings provide profound theoretical and practical implications. To the best of the author’s knowledge, it is the first attempt to link disruptive and open IoT attributes to innovation paths of IoT-SMEs. The results provide directions for pursuing effective innovation in responding to the IoT market for sustainable growth.
Challenges and factors influencing initial trust and behavioral intention to use mobile banking services in the Philippines
Authors: Chiu Jason Lim , Bool Nelson C. , Chiu Candy Lim
Published: August 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the direct effects of antecedents of initial trust, the mediating effect of trust and the moderating effect of demographic variables on non-adopters’ behavioral intention to use mobile banking.

Design/methodology/approach

The study tested the models of theory of reasoned action and theory of planned behavior to evaluate potential antecedents of trust (diffusion of trust, infrastructure quality, perceived costs, privacy and security) moderators (demographic variables) and mediators (initial trust) that will influence behavioral intention to use mobile banking. The Hayes’ Process Macro developed by Andrew F. Hayes (2013) was used as a statistical analysis in SPSS to estimates the path coefficients using multiple regression. The tool provides insights on the direct and indirect effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable through the existence of moderating variables and mediation variables.

Findings

The results show that the non-adopters of mobile banking asserted that the antecedents of initial trust played a significant influence on behavioral intention to use online banking services.

Originality/value

There is a dearth of literature addressing mobile banking in the Philippines. The first initial trust formation in internet banking using computer workstations and laptops in the Philippines was conducted by Chiu et al. (2016). This research fills in the gap by expanding and formulating a deeper understanding of the antecedents of initial trust that influence consumer behavioral intention that might be responsible for the slow diffusion of mobile banking services in the country. The results from this study will help financial institutions create a beneficial connection with consumers while alleviating the fears of non-adopters and enhancing their understanding of the benefits of mobile banking.
Discovery and classification of user interests on social media
Authors: Shahzad Basit , Lali Ikramullah , Nawaz M. Saqib , Aslam Waqar , Mustafa Raza , Mashkoor Atif
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Twitter users’ generated data, known as tweets, are now not only used for communication and opinion sharing, but they are considered an important source of trendsetting, future prediction, recommendation systems and marketing. Using network features in tweet modeling and applying data mining and deep learning techniques on tweets is gaining more and more interest.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, user interests are discovered from Twitter Trends using a modeling approach that uses network-based text data (tweets). First, the popular trends are collected and stored in separate documents. These data are then pre-processed, followed by their labeling in respective categories. Data are then modeled and user interest for each Trending topic is calculated by considering positive tweets in that trend, average retweet and favorite count.

Findings

The proposed approach can be used to infer users’ topics of interest on Twitter and to categorize them. Support vector machine can be used for training and validation purposes. Positive tweets can be further analyzed to find user posting patterns. There is a positive correlation between tweets and Google data.

Practical implications

The results can be used in the development of information filtering and prediction systems, especially in personalized recommendation systems.

Social implications

Twitter microblogging platform offers content posting and sharing to billions of internet users worldwide. Therefore, this work has significant socioeconomic impacts.

Originality/value

This study guides on how Twitter network structure features can be exploited in discovering user interests using tweets. Further, positive correlation of Twitter Trends with Google Trends is reported, which validates the correctness of the authors’ approach.
Spatio-temporal dynamics of web pages diffused in WeChat
Authors: Liu Liang , Chen Bin , Jiang Wangchun , He Lingnan , Qiu Xiaogang
Published: August 2017

Purpose

WeChat is the largest acquaintance social networking platform in China, in which users can view and reshare web pages shared by friends. This paper aims to analyze the spatio-temporal dynamics of web pages diffused in WeChat and advice on commercials.

Design/methodology/approach

A large number of web pages diffused in WeChat are collected and exclusively divided into four categories according to their titles, including advertisements, news bulletins, holiday greetings and emotional essays. For each web page, an information cascade (tree structure) is constructed to describe the diffusion trace. Based on the categories, the spatio-temporal popularity is characterized; the topological, temporal and spatial properties are examined; and the spatio-temporal diffusion velocity is explored.

Findings

Through comparative analysis, different categories of pages show diversity. For spatio-temporal popularity, there is no significant difference in cascade size; holiday greetings usually last for a relatively short time on average; emotional essays are more likely to spread to more provinces. For topological, temporal and spatial characteristics, the diffusion process of advertisements is more likely to be broadcasting than other categories; news bulletins and holiday greetings have an obvious bursty; the number of viewing behavior decreases from east to west in general. For spatio-temporal diffusion velocity, emotional essays diffuse the fastest in topological and spatio-temporal dimensions.

Originality/value

These findings contribute to promoting products and providing support for data driven modeling of information diffusion and human activity in spatio-temporal dimensions.
Analysis of Tinto’s student integration theory in first-year undergraduate computing students of a UK higher education institution
Authors: Chrysikos Alexandros , Ahmed Ejaz , Ward Rupert
Published: August 2017

Purpose

Retention is one of the key performance indicators in university quality assurance processes. The purpose of this paper is to identify the causes leading to low retention rates for first-year undergraduate computing students in a UK higher education institution (HEI).

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies Tinto’s student integration theory, and connects it with the behavioural patterns of students. Data were collected from 901 students using Pascarella and Terenzini’s questionnaire (integration scales). This data were combined with student enrolment information and analysed using the structural equation modelling technique.

Findings

The study results indicate that Tinto’s student integration theory is useful in analysing student retention, but this accounts for only a modest amount of variance in retention. Nevertheless, important relationships amongst student’s initial and later academic goals and commitments have been identified through this new approach to analysing retention. The largest direct effect on retention was accounted for by initial goals and institutional commitments, followed by later goals and institutional commitments. In addition, the results show that academic and social integration constructs can have an influence on the student retention processes. When all, or some, of these relationships are operating towards students’ benefits, appropriate services or programmes, such as student support systems, can have their maximum benefits.

Originality/value

The authors mapped behavioural-related retention factors using a learning community lens. The study explored students’ social and learning experiences within the context of a UK HEI by employing Tinto’s model. This is the first time the model has been tested in this context.
Web-based tools for collaborative research
Authors: Brody Stacy
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to profile various types of Web-based tools to facilitate research collaboration within and across institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

Various Web-based tools were tested by the author. Additionally, tutorial videos and guides were reviewed.

Findings

There are various free and low-cost tools available to assist in the collaborative research process, and librarians are well-positioned to facilitate their usage.

Practical implications

Librarians and researchers will learn about various types of tools available at free or at low cost to fulfill needs of the collaborative research process.

Social implications

As the tools highlighted are either free or of low cost, they are also valuable to start-ups and can be recommended for entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

As the realm of Web-based collaborative tools continues to evolve, the options must be continually revisited and reviewed for currency.
Leader psychological capital and employee work engagement
Authors: Xu Jia , Liu Yan , Chung Beth
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between leader psychological capital and employee work engagement. Drawing on conservation of resources theory, the authors hypothesize that leader psychological capital is associated with employee work engagement through employee psychological capital. The authors further hypothesize that team collectivism moderates the relationship between leader psychological capital and employee psychological capital.

Design/methodology/approach

Multi-source data came from 44 team leaders and 307 employees in Mainland China.

Findings

The results suggest a trickle-down relationship between leader psychological capital and employee psychological capital, which in turn is linked to employee engagement. In addition, the relationship between leader psychological capital and employee psychological capital is stronger (weaker) when team collectivism is lower (higher).

Practical implications

By paying attention to the psychological capital of both employees and their leaders, organizations can increase employee engagement which is an important work outcome.

Originality/value

Work engagement is important in the workplace because it is related to a variety of employee work and life outcomes. Prior research has examined the antecedents of work engagement, but little is known about the role of leader psychological capital, a positive psychological state, in shaping employee work engagement. This research applied a resource conservation process model of leader positivity on employee engagement that is mediated by employee psychological capital. This study contributes to a better understanding of the theoretical foundation of leader psychological capital.
Top management teams’ managerial resources and international diversification
Authors: Li Peng-Yu , Lo Fang-Yi
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to incorporate the resource-based perspective with upper echelon theory to examine the effect of top management teams’ (TMTs) managerial resources on international diversification.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors sampled 360 listed companies in the USA that operated in the information technology industry in 2009, the year after the financial crisis.

Findings

The findings show that TMTs’ tenure has a negative impact on international diversification but international experience exerts a positive impact on international diversification. Furthermore, TMTs’ educational background diversity and international experience contribute to a reduction in the negative effect of tenure on international diversification.

Originality/value

Prior studies have investigated the role of TMT in international diversification, but they pay less attention to the interactive effect of the variety of managerial resources on international diversification. In particular, the authors examined the effect of a variety of management resources on the level of international diversification under the uncertain environment.
C:N:P stoichiometry in China's forests: From organs to ecosystems
Authors: Zhang Jiahui , Zhao Ning , Liu Congcong , Yang Hao , Li Meiling , Yu Guirui , Wilcox Kevin , Yu Qiang , He Nianpeng
Published: August 2017

Ecological stoichiometry connects different levels of biology, from the gene to the globe, by scaling up elemental ratios (e.g. carbon [C], nitrogen [N] and phosphorus [P]). Thus, ecological stoichiometry could be a powerful tool for revealing certain physiological processes of plants. However, C:N:P stoichiometry remains unclear at the community and ecosystem levels, despite it being potentially important for primary productivity.

In this study, we measured the C, N and P contents of different plant organs, litter and soil in nine natural forest ecosystems (from cold‐temperate to tropical forests along a 3,700‐km transect in China) to explore C:N:P stoichiometry and the main influencing factors. C:N:P stoichiometry was evaluated for different components in the forest ecosystems (plant community, soil, litter and ecosystem) and, at the community level, for different organs (leaves, branches, trunks and roots) from 803 plant species.

The ratios of C:P and N:P decreased with increasing latitude, with spatial patterns being primarily regulated by climate. Interestingly, the homeostasis of N, P and N:P was highest in leaves, followed by branches, roots and trunks, supporting the hypothesis that more active organs have a higher capacity to maintain relatively stable element content and ratios. At the community level, the leaf N:P ratio indicated increasing P limitation in forests of lower latitude (i.e. more southerly) in China's forests.

Our findings demonstrate the spatial patterns of C:N:P stoichiometry and the strategies of element distribution among different organs in a plant community, providing important data on C:N:P to improve the parameterization of future ecological models.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Leaf litter diversity and structure of microbial decomposer communities modulate litter decomposition in aquatic systems
Authors: Santschi Fabienne , Gounand Isabelle , Harvey Eric , Altermatt Florian
Published: August 2017

Leaf litter decomposition is a major ecosystem process that can link aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems by flows of nutrients. Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning research hypothesizes that the global loss of species leads to impaired decomposition rates and thus to slower recycling of nutrients. Especially in aquatic systems, an understanding of diversity effects on litter decomposition is still incomplete.

Here we conducted an experiment to test two main factors associated with global species loss that might influence leaf litter decomposition. First, we tested whether mixing different leaf species alters litter decomposition rates compared to decomposition of these species in monoculture. Second, we tested the effect of the size structure of a lotic decomposer community on decomposition rates.

Overall, leaf litter identity strongly affected decomposition rates, and the observed decomposition rates matched measures of metabolic activity and microbial abundances. While we found some evidence of a positive leaf litter diversity effect on decomposition, this effect was not coherent across all litter combinations and the effect was generally additive and not synergistic.

Microbial communities, with a reduced functional and trophic complexity, showed a small but significant overall reduction in decomposition rates compared to communities with the naturally complete functional and trophic complexity, highlighting the importance of a complete microbial community on ecosystem functioning.

Our results suggest that top‐down diversity effects of the decomposer community on litter decomposition in aquatic systems are of comparable importance as bottom‐up diversity effects of primary producers.

Aplain language summaryis available for this article.
Quantifying the attractiveness of broad‐spectrum street lights to aerial nocturnal insects
Authors: Wakefield Andrew , Broyles Moth , Stone Emma L. , Harris Stephen , Jones Gareth
Published: August 2017

Sodium street lights, dominated by long wavelengths of light, are being replaced by broad‐spectrum, white lights globally, in particular light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). These white lights typically require less energy to operate and are therefore considered “eco‐friendly”. However, little attention has been paid to the impacts white lights may have upon local wildlife populations.

We compared insect attraction to orange (high‐pressure sodium, HPS) and white (metal halide, MH and LED) street lights experimentally using portable street lights and custom‐made flight intercept traps.

Significantly more (greater than five times as many) insects were attracted to white MH street lights than white (4,250 K) LED and HPS lights. There was no statistical difference in the numbers of insects attracted to LED and HPS lights for most taxa caught. However, rarefaction shows a greater diversity of insects caught at LED than HPS lights.

Policy implications. With the current, large‐scale conversion to white light‐emitting diode (LED) lighting, our results give insight into how changes to street light technology may affect wildlife populations and communities. We recommend avoiding metal halide light installations as they attract many more insects than competing technologies. We highlight the need to tailor LED lighting to prevent disturbances across multiple insect taxa.
Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on above‐ground tri‐trophic interactions are contingent upon plant genetic effects of cross type in the perennial herb Ruellia nudiflora
Authors: Mejia‐Alva Blanca , Ramos‐Zapata José , Abdala‐Roberts Luis , Parra‐Tabla Víctor
Published: August 2017

Recent work has improved our understanding of the linkages between above‐ and below‐ground interactions mediated by plants. However, relatively few of the studies conducted thus far have focused on multi‐trophic interactions (i.e. beyond two trophic levels) and the influence of plant genetic intraspecific variation on these dynamics has rarely been addressed.

We tested the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on above‐ground tri‐trophic interactions associated with the canopy of the perennial herb Ruellia nudiflora, and further determined whether genetic effects due to cross type (i.e. whether a plant originated from self‐ or cross‐pollination) influenced these interactions.

We propagated plants originating from self‐ or cross‐pollination, and within each category inoculated half of the plants with AMF. We subsequently established a common garden where plants were exposed to naturally occurring seed‐eating caterpillars and their parasitoids. We measured plant growth, fruit output, calculated the proportion of attacked fruits by the caterpillar and the proportion of parasitized caterpillars, and also estimated the proportion of “rescued” seeds by parasitoids representing an indirect positive effect of the third trophic level on the plant by reducing caterpillar consumption.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi drove 18% and 15% increases in plant growth and fruit output respectively, and drove a 25% reduction in caterpillar fruit attack, but did not influence parasitism or parasitoid seed “rescue.” In contrast, cross type did not influence growth, fruit number, herbivore attack, parasitism or seed rescue. More importantly, however, we found a significant AMF by cross type interaction on caterpillar attack, where AMF significantly reduced fruit attack (by 30%) in progeny from cross‐pollination but did not influence herbivory in progeny from self‐pollination.

Synthesis. Results indicate that effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on above‐ground interactions are contingent upon plant intraspecific variation originating from cross type, which is likely a common source of variation in associated interactions for plants with mixed mating systems. Further studies examining plant‐mediated below‐ and above‐ground interactions should consider the influence of specific sources of plant genetic variation, as well as address the consequences of such dynamics for interactions beyond two trophic levels.
Transcriptomic and physiological analyses of the dinoflagellate Karenia mikimotoi reveal non‐alkaline phosphatase‐based molecular machinery of ATP utilisation
Authors: Luo Hao , Lin Xin , Li Ling , Lin Lingxiao , Zhang Chao , Lin Senjie
Published: August 2017

The ability to utilize dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) is important for phytoplankton to survive the scarcity of dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), and alkaline phosphatase (AP) has been the major research focus as a facilitating mechanism. Here, we employed a unique molecular ecological approach and conducted a broader search for underpinning molecular mechanisms of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) utilisation. Cultures of the dinoflagellate Karenia mikimotoi were set up in L1 medium (+P), DIP‐depleted L1 medium (–P) and ATP‐replacing‐DIP medium (ATP). Differential gene expression was profiled for ATP and +P cultures using suppression subtractive hybridisation (SSH) followed by 454 pyrosequencing, and RT‐qPCR methods. We found that ATP supported a similar growth rate and cell yield as L1 medium and observed DIP release from ATP into the medium, suggesting that K. mikimotoi cells were expressing extracellular hydrolases to hydrolyse ATP. However, our SSH, qPCR and enzymatic activity assays indicated that 5′‐nucleotidase (5NT), rather than AP, was responsible for ATP hydrolysis. Further gene expression analyses uncovered that intercellular purine metabolism was significantly changed following the utilisation of ATP. Our findings reveal a multi‐faceted machinery regulating ATP utilisation and P metabolism in K. mikimotoi, and underscore AP activity is not the exclusive indicator of DOP utilisation.
Lifestyle‐determining extrachromosomal replicon pAMV1 and its contribution to the carbon metabolism of the methylotrophic bacterium Paracoccus aminovorans JCM 7685
Authors: Czarnecki Jakub , Dziewit Lukasz , Puzyna Maria , Prochwicz Emilia , Tudek Agnieszka , Wibberg Daniel , Schlüter Andreas , Pühler Alfred , Bartosik Dariusz
Published: August 2017

Plasmids play an important role in the adaptation of bacteria to changeable environmental conditions. As the main vectors of horizontal gene transfer, they can spread genetic information among bacteria, sometimes even across taxonomic boundaries. Some plasmids carry genes involved in the utilization of particular carbon compounds, which can provide a competitive advantage to their hosts in particular ecological niches. Analysis of the multireplicon genome of the soil bacterium P. aminovorans JCM 7685 revealed the presence of an extrachromosomal replicon pAMV1 (185 kb) with a unique structure and properties. This lifestyle‐determining plasmid carries genes facilitating the metabolism of many different carbon compounds including sugars, short‐chain organic acids and C1 compounds. Plasmid pAMV1 contains a large methylotrophy island (MEI) that is essential not only for the utilization of particular C1 compounds but also for the central methylotrophic metabolism required for the assimilation of C1 units (serine cycle). We demonstrate that the expression of the main serine cycle genes is induced in the presence of C1 compounds by the transcriptional regulator ScyR. The extrachromosomal localization of the MEI and the distribution of related genes in Paracoccus spp. indicate that it could have been acquired by HGT by an ancestor of P. aminovorans.
Oral histories and the impact of archaeological fieldwork in contact encounters: meeting Socrates on the Omo
Authors: Clack Timothy , Brittain Marcus , Turton David
Published: August 2017

Whilst there is growing concern within archaeology about the wider impact of archaeological research in general, only limited attention has so far been paid to the impact fieldwork has on local communities. Here, using examples from fieldwork with an agro‐pastoral Mursi community in Ethiopia's Lower Omo Valley, we present a case in which local oral traditions are modified in response to archaeological discoveries. This illustrates a particular example of the impact of fieldwork during and after its completion; and the enduring traces of contact upon fieldwork participants. We argue that in employing an attitude of impact practice within fieldwork that foregrounds the Socratic notion of dialogue, the resulting focus highlights the value and significance of archaeology to local communities.
Union means strength: Building city resilience through multistakeholder collaboration
Authors: Gimenez Raquel , Labaka Leire , Hernantes Josune
Published: August 2017

A resilience‐focused approach requires the collaboration of a variety of stakeholders including the local government, emergency services, citizens, and companies in adapting to disasters. Currently however, governments fail to encourage stakeholders to take part in the resilience‐building process. To address this challenge, this study presents a maturity model (MM) that provides local governments with a sequence of stages and policies to improve the collaboration with stakeholders. The MM was developed in close collaboration with six European cities and was put into practice through a case study in a UK city. The MM made it possible to assess the current stage of the city under study and to implement policies for engaging stakeholders in the resilience‐building process. Finally, challenges associated with the involvement of stakeholders encountered in the city under study are discussed.
Efficacy and safety of very early medical termination of pregnancy: a cohort study
Authors: Bizjak I , Fiala C , Berggren L , Hognert H , Sääv I , Bring J , Gemzell‐Danielsson K
Published: August 2017

Objective

To assess the efficacy and safety of medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP) when no intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) is confirmed on ultrasound.

Design

Retrospective case‐note review.

Setting

Two gynaecological clinics in Vienna, Austria, and Gothenburg, Sweden.

Population

All women with gestations of ≤49 days undergoing an MTOP during 2004–14 (Vienna) and 2012–15 (Gothenburg).

Methods

Two study cohorts were created: women with and women without a confirmed IUP. An IUP was defined as the intrauterine location of a yolk sac or fetal structure visible by ultrasound. Women with an IUP were selected randomly and included in the IUP cohort.

Main outcome measures

Efficacy of MTOP, defined as no continuing pregnancy and with no need of surgery for incomplete TOP.

Results

After excluding 11 women diagnosed with an extra‐uterine or molar pregnancy, 2643 cases were included in the final analysis; 1120 (98.2%) had a successful TOP in the no‐IUP group, compared with 1458 (97.1%) in the IUP group, with a risk difference of 1.09% (95% confidence interval, 95% CI, −0.14, 2.32%; P = 0.077). Significantly more women with confirmed IUP were diagnosed with incomplete TOP, and were treated with either surgery or additional medical treatment of misoprostol [64 (4.3%) versus 21 (1.8%); risk difference −2.42%; 95% CI −3.9, −1.1%; P < 0.001].

Conclusions

There was no difference between the groups in efficacy of MTOP, whereas early treatment resulted in significantly fewer interventions for incomplete TOP. The risk of ectopic pregnancy needs to be considered if treatment is initiated before an IUP is confirmed, but with structured clinical protocols the possibility of the early detection of an ectopic pregnancy in an asymptomatic phase may increase.

Tweetable abstract

MTOP before confirmed intrauterine pregnancy is as effective as at later gestation with less incomplete TOP.
Healthy Competition to Support Healthy Eating? An Investigation of Fruit and Vegetable Pricing in UK Supermarkets
Authors: Lan Hao , Dobson Paul W.
Published: August 2017

Governments and public health officials are urging the public to eat more fruits and vegetables to contribute to a healthy diet. However, there is concern that a lack of effective competition amongst supermarket retailers has resulted in inflated prices for these products which are deterring consumers from eating more of these healthy foods. We investigate this by examining the nature and extent of price competition for fresh fruits and vegetables amongst UK supermarket retailers, drawing on a panel of weekly retail and corresponding wholesale market prices over a seven‐year period. We find that the extent of supermarket competition varies across the products, being quite intense on some but much weaker on others, where the retailers do not fully respond to each other's prices and where the extent of their competitive interaction varies significantly with each other.
Comparison of cauliflower–insect–fungus interactions and pesticides for cabbage root fly control
Authors: Razinger Jaka , Žerjav Metka , Zemljič‐Urbančič Meta , Modic Špela , Lutz Matthias , Schroers Hans‐Josef , Grunder Jürg , Fellous Simon , Urek Gregor
Published: August 2017

Cabbage root fly (Delia radicum L.) control represents a major challenge in brassica production, therefore different management strategies for its control were tested in conventionally managed open field cauliflower production. Strategies included treatments with low‐risk methods such as nitrogen lime, the insecticide spinosad and the Beauveria bassiana ATCC 74040‐based biopesticide Naturalis. Their effects were compared with treatments based on nonformulated fungal species Metarhizium brunneum, B. bassiana, Clonostachys solani, Trichoderma atroviride, T. koningiopsis, and T. gamsii and commercial insecticides λ‐cyhalothrin and thiamethoxam. Spinosad and thiamethoxam were pipetted to individual plants before transplanting; λ‐cyhalothrin was sprayed after transplanting; nitrogen lime was applied at first hoeing. Nonformulated fungi were delivered onto cauliflower plantlets’ roots as a single pretransplantation inoculation. The cabbage root fly population dynamics exhibited a strong spatiotemporal variation. The lowest number of cabbage root fly pupae recovered from cauliflower roots in the field experiments was recorded in plants treated with spinosad (significant reduction), followed by Naturalis and one of the tested M. brunneum strains (nonsignificant reduction). Significantly more pupae were counted in the nitrogen lime treatment. The field experiments showed that a single drench of cauliflower plantlets with spinosad offered consistent and enduring cabbage root fly control. Naturalis and nonformulated fungal isolates did not decrease cabbage root fly pressure significantly, apparently due to lack of statistical power. The implications of the substantial intra‐ and inter‐annual pest pressure variation and the benefits of using single plant treatments are discussed, and recommendations for improvement of rhizosphere‐competence utilizing biological control strategies provided.
Characterization of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Miscible Lactose‐Sugars Systems
Authors: Li Runjing , Roos Yrjö H. , Miao Song
Published: August 2017

Lactose‐sugars systems were produced by spray drying. They were lactose, lactose–glucose (4:1) mixtures, lactose–maltose (4:1) mixtures, lactose–sucrose (4:1) mixtures, lactose–trehalose (4:1) mixtures, and lactose–corn syrup solids (CSS) (4:1) mixtures. The physical characteristics, water sorption behavior, glass transition, and mechanical properties of miscible lactose‐sugars systems were investigated. Lactose–glucose mixtures had larger particle size than other lactose‐sugars systems after spray drying. The presence of glucose or sucrose in lactose‐sugars mixtures decreased the glass transition temperatures of amorphous systems, while the presence of maltose and trehalose had only minor impact on the glass transition temperatures. Moreover, glucose accelerated the crystallization of amorphous system at 0.44 aw, but its presence delayed the loss of sorbed water at higher water activities (≥0.54 aw). Mechanical property study indicated that glucose and sucrose in amorphous system could result in an increase of molecular mobility, while the presence of CSS could decrease the free volume and maintain the stiffness of the miscible systems.
Phenolics from Winemaking By‐Products Better Decrease VLDL‐Cholesterol and Triacylglycerol Levels than Those of Red Wine in Wistar Rats
Authors: de Oliveira Walkia Polliana , Biasoto Aline Camarão Telles , Marques Valquíria Fernanda , dos Santos Ieda Maria , Magalhães Kedma , Correa Luiz Claudio , Negro‐Dellacqua Melissa , Miranda Maria Spínola , de Camargo Adriano Costa , Shahidi Fereidoon
Published: August 2017

Winemaking by‐products account for more than 30% of the grape production, but this inexpensive feedstock has not yet been fully exploited. Accordingly, we evaluated the potential biological activity of winemaking by‐products produced with Syrah grapes in comparison with those of the wine produced using the same grape cultivar. Winemaking by‐products showed higher contents of total anthocyanins, flavonols, stilbenes, and flavanols than red wine as evaluated by HPLC‐DAD‐FD (on a dry weight basis). In contrast, red wine was a better source of phenolic acids. However, the contribution of phenolic acids was minor for both samples. Furthermore, equivalent concentration of winemaking by‐products (100 mg/kg/d) showed greater biological activity by than that of red wine by decreasing the levels of VLDL‐cholesterol and triacylglycerols in Wistar rats. Therefore, this study supports the use of winemaking by‐products as an economical source of bioactive phenolics with potential use in the food and nutraceutical industries.
Metabolic and stress responses of Acinetobacter oleivorans DR1 during long‐chain alkane degradation
Authors: Park Chulwoo , Shin Bora , Jung Jaejoon , Lee Yunho , Park Woojun
Published: August 2017

Acinetobacter oleivorans DR1 can utilize C12–C30 alkanes as a sole carbon source but not short‐chain alkanes (C6, C10). Two copies of each alkB‐, almA‐ and ladA‐type alkane hydroxylase (AH) are present in the genome of DR1 cells. Expression and mutational analyses of AHs showed that alkB1 and alkB2 are the major AH‐encoding genes under C12–C30, and the roles of other almA‐ and ladA genes are negligible. Our data suggested that AlkB1 is responsible for long‐chain alkane utilization (C24–C26), and AlkB2 is important for medium‐chain alkane (C12–C16) metabolism. Phylogenetic analyses revealed large incongruities between phylogenies of 16S rRNA and each AH gene, which implies that A. oleivorans DR1 has acquired multiple alkane hydroxylases through horizontal gene transfer. Transcriptomic and qRT‐PCR analyses suggested that genes participating in the synthesis of siderophore, trehalose and poly 3‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) were expressed at much higher levels when cells used C30 than when used succinate as a carbon source. The following biochemical assays supported our gene expression analyses: (i) quantification of siderophore, (ii) measurement of trehalose and (iii) observation of PHB storage. Interestingly, highly induced both ackA gene encoding an acetate kinase A and pta gene encoding a phosphotransacetylase suggested unusual ATP synthesis during C30 alkane degradation, which was demonstrated by ATP measurement using the ΔackA mutant. Impaired growth of the ΔaceA mutant indicated that the glyoxylate shunt pathway is important when C30 alkane is utilized. Our data provide insight into long‐chain alkane degradation in soil microorganisms.
Long‐term survival following the development of heart failure in an elderly hypertensive population
Authors: Sahle Berhe W. , Owen Alice J. , Wing Lindon M.H. , Beilin Lawrence J. , Krum Henry , Reid Christopher M. ,   the Second Australian National Blood Pressure Study Management Committee
Published: August 2017

Background

Available data on the prognosis of heart failure (HF) patients are predominantly limited to patients diagnosed at time of hospitalization.

Aims

To describe the long‐term survival of incident HF patients and identify clinical characteristics associated with mortality.

Methods

The Second Australian National Blood Pressure Study (ANBP2) randomized 6083 hypertensive subjects aged 65‐84 years to angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or thiazide diuretic–based therapy and followed them for a median of 4.1 years. One hundred forty‐five participants who developed HF and 5938 who remained free from HF during the trial period were followed for a median of 6.7 years during a posttrial follow‐up.

Results

Three quarters, 110 (76%) of HF patients had died at the end of the follow‐up. The five‐ and ten‐year survival rates following HF diagnosis during the trial period were 37% and 15%, respectively, in men, compared with 60% and 33%, respectively, in women. In non–heart failure participants, the five‐ and ten‐year survival rates, following enrollment into the study, were 92% and 76%, respectively. Mortality following HF diagnosis increased with advancing age (HR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04‐1.33). In addition, male gender and preexisting diabetes were predictive of mortality, while ACE inhibitor–based therapy for the initial trial was associated with 39% decrease (HR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.41‐0.91) in mortality compared with a thiazide diuretic–based regimen.

Conclusions

Long‐term survival in elderly HF patients is poor, especially in men. Mortality in HF patients increased progressively with advancing age, while allocation to the ACE inhibitor–based regimen for the initial trial significantly improved HF outcome.
New Evidence of Sauropod Dinosaurs from the Early Jurassic Period of Thailand
Authors: LAOJUMPON Chalida , SUTEETHORN Varavudh , CHANTHASIT Phornphen , LAUPRASERT Komsorn , SUTEETHORN Suravech
Published: August 2017

The oldest dinosaur assemblages of Thailand deposit in continental sedimentary rocks of the Nam Phong Formation. Not onlyIsanosaurus attavipatchiwas discovered but at least two more species of basal sauropods were found. A partial skeleton from Phu Hin Tan locality refers to sauropod taxon A. It is different fromIsanosaurusand shares some characteristics with basal sauropods in the Early Jurassic. The sauropod taxon B was found in Non Sra Ard locality. Base on postcranial skeleton, sauropod taxon B shares some characteristics of the family Vulcanodontidae. Moreover, several fragments of the sauropods specimen are also found in Pha Khok Wang Yang and Phu Noi localities. All of the evidences above indicate that there are a highly diversity of sauropods in the Nam Phong Formation. At least three sauropod species (includingIsanosaurus)were found in the Nam Phong formation. The issue about the age of the Nam Phong has been debated for a long time between the Triassic and Jurassic age. All of sauropodomorphs, in this study, are more likely the Early Jurassic period dinosaurs than the Triassic period dinosaurs. And they have deposited in the upper part of Nam Phong Formation.
The Identification and Modeling of the Volcanic Weathering Crust in the Yingcheng Formation of the Xujiaweizi Fault Depression, Songliao Basin
Authors: LIU Cai , CHI Huanzhao , SHAN Xuanlong , HAO Guoli
Published: August 2017

Through the analysis of core descriptions, well‐logs, seismic data, geochemical data and structural settings of the volcanic rock of the Yingcheng Formation in the Xujiaweizi fault depression, Songliao Basin, and the geological section of the Yingcheng Formation in the southeast uplift area, this work determined the existence of volcanic weathering crust exists in the study area. The identification marks on the volcanic weathering crust can be recognized on the scale of core, logging, seismic, geochemistry, etc. In the study area, the structure of this crust is divided into clay layer, leached zone, fracture zone and host rocks, which are 5–118 m thick (averaging 27.5 m). The lithology of the weathering crust includes basalt, andesite, rhyolite and volcanic breccia, and the lithofacies are igneous effusive and extrusive facies. The volcanic weathering crusts are clustered together in the Dashen zone and the middle of the Xuzhong zone, whereas in the Shengshen zone and other parts of the Xuzhong zone, they have a relatively scattered distribution. It is a major volcanic reservoir bed, which covers an area of 2104.16 km2. According to the geotectonic setting of the Songliao Basin, the formation process of the weathering crust is complete. Combining the macroscopic and microscopic features of the weathering crust of the Yingcheng Formation in Xujiaweizi with the logging and three‐dimensional seismic sections, we established a developmental model of the paleo uplift and a developmental model of the slope belt that coexists with the sag on the Xujiaweizi volcanic weathering crust. In addition, the relationship between the volcanic weathering crust and the formation and distribution of the oil/gas reservoir is discussed.
New Data on the Age of the Yukiang (Yujiang) Formation at Liujing, Guangxi, South China
Authors: LU Jianfeng , QIE Wenkun , YU Changmin , CHEN Xiuqin
Published: August 2017

The age of the Yukiang (Yujiang) Formation has been shrouded in controversy for more than 75 years. New investigation at the Liujing section, Hengxian County, Guangxi, has revealed a conodont sequence assignable to two Early Devonian conodont zonations: theEognathodus kindlei?–Polygnathus pireneaeZone and thePolygnathus nothoperbonusZone from oldest to youngest. The Gaoling and Mahuangling members of the Nahkaoling (Nagaoling) Formation and the overlying Xiayiling Member and lower part of the Shizhou Member of the Yukiang Formation are proven to belong to the PragianEognathodus kindlei?–Polygnathus pireneaeZone. The co‐occurrence ofPolygnathus pireneaeandPol. sokoloviin the lower part of the Shizhou Member demonstrates that this interval can be approximately correlated with the uppermost part of thePolygnathus pireneaeZone. However, precise level identification of the Pragian–Emsian Boundary (PEB) in the Liujing section remains dfficult due to the scarcity of suitable limestone samples for conodont analysis from the middle and upper parts of the Shizhou Member. The Daliancun and Liujing members of the Yukiang Formation and the lower part of the overlying Moding Formation are assigned to thePolygnathus nothoperbonusZone with the nominal species of this biozone ranging from the bottom of the Daliancun Member to the lower part of the Moding Formation.
Philanthrolateralism: Private Funding and Corporate Influence in the United Nations
Authors: Seitz Karolin , Martens Jens
Published: August 2017

The United Nations (UN) is embarking on a new era of selective multilateralism, shaped by intergovernmental policy impasses and a growing reliance on corporate‐led solutions to global problems. Multiple partnerships between corporations, philanthropic foundations and the UN have been established in recent years. Private funding from corporations and philanthropic foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for UN activities has increased steadily. The changes in funding practices have deep implications for global governance. Private funding runs the risk of turning UN agencies, funds and programmes into contractors for bilateral or public‐private projects, eroding the multilateral character of the system and undermining democratic global governance.