bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does network governance based on banks’ e-commerce platform facilitate supply chain financing?
Authors: Chen Zhixin , Chen Jian , Zhang Zhonggen , Zhi Xiaojuan
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework to illustrate how network governance based on banks’ e-commerce platform reduces loan risks and mitigates credit rationing in supply chain financing (SCF).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conceptualize network governance in terms of authority structure and interorganizational mechanism dimensions, and derive the model of its determinants through arguments drawn from the existing literature. Structural equation modeling is employed to test the theoretical model on data collected from a sample of 271 independent supply chain trading partners in rural China.

Findings

The findings indicate that network governance based on banks’ e-commerce platform could integrate the operations and finances in supply chain management to solve the problems of information asymmetry, costly monitoring, insufficient qualified collaterals and mitigate farmers’ credit rationing. The collaborative credit-granting mechanism and collaborative debt enforcement mechanism formed by the authority structure and interorganizational mechanisms are the key factors to realize the complete compatibility of incentives. The bank e-commerce platform can provide a foundation for the authority structure and interorganizational mechanisms to enhance the predictability of applicants’ transaction and then safeguard the financial exchanges in supply chain.

Practical implications

The research results indicate that it is important to support farmers to establish long-term transaction relationships with leading enterprises through organizational innovation in the development of agricultural industrialization and build a visualization platform for SCF through technological innovation.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the limited knowledge about network governance mechanisms in SCF by illustrating the model of network governance based on banks’ e-commerce platform and its determinants.
Fat-tailed stochastic volatility model and the stock market returns in China
Authors: Ma Donglian , Tanizaki Hisashi
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the selection of return distribution impacts estimated volatility in China’s stock market.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a Bayesian analysis of fat-tailed stochastic volatility (SV) model with Student’st-distribution, and conduct an out-of-sample test with realized volatility.

Findings

Empirical analysis results indicate that fat-tailed SV model performs better in capturing the dynamics of daily returns. The authors find that asymmetry, holiday and day of the week effects are detected in estimated volatility. However, the out-of-sample comparison shows that fat-tailed SV models fail to outperform SV models with normal distribution in fitting and predicting realized volatility.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper to existing literature is twofold. First, it proves that fat-tailed SV models with Student’st-distribution perform better than normally distributed SV models in fitting daily returns of China’s stock market. Second, this paper takes asymmetry, holiday and day of the week effects into consideration at the same time in the fat-tailed SV model.
Iron loss simulation using a local material model
Authors: Groschup Benedikt , Elfgen Silas , Hameyer Kay
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The cutting process of the electric machine laminations causes residual mechanical stress in the soft magnetic material. A local magnetic deterioration can be observed and the resulting local and global iron losses increase. A continuous local material model for the consideration of the changing magnetization properties has been introduced in a previous work as well as an a priori assessment of iron losses. A local iron loss calculation considering both a local magnetization and local loss parameters misses yet. The purpose of this study is to introduce a local iron loss calculation model considering both a local magnetization and local loss parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, an approach for local iron loss simulation is developed and a comparison to the cut-edge length-dependent loss model is given. The comparison includes local loss distribution in the lamination as well as the impact on the overall motor efficiency and vehicle range in an electric vehicle driving cycle.

Findings

For an analysis of the resulting local iron loss components, both the local magnetization and iron loss parameters must be considered using physically based models. Consistently, a local iron loss model is presented in the work. The developed model can be used to gain detailed information of the local loss distribution inside the machine. The comparability of this local iron loss with the cut-edge length approach for overall system characteristics, e.g. efficiency or driving range, is shown.

Originality/value

A local iron loss simulation approach is a physical accurate model to describe the influence of cutting techniques on electric machine characteristics. A comparison with the less complicated a priori assessment gives detailed information about the necessity of the local model under consideration of the given problem.
Uncertain nonlinear system control using hybrid fuzzy LQR-sliding mode technique optimized with evolutionary algorithm
Authors: Son Nguyen Ngoc , Kien Cao Van , Anh Ho Pham Huy
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an advanced tracking control of the uncertain nonlinear dynamic system using a novel hybrid fuzzy linear quadratic regulator (LQR)-proportional-integral-derivative (PID) sliding mode control (SMC) optimized by differential evolution (DE) algorithm.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a swing-up and balancing control is presented for an experimental uncertain nonlinear Pendubot system perturbed with friction. The DE-based optimal SMC scheme is used to optimally swing up the Pendubot system to the top equilibrium position. Then the novel hybrid fuzzy-based on LQR fusion function and PID controller optimized by DE algorithm is innovatively applied for balancing and control the position of the first link of the Pendubot in the down-right position with tracking sinusoidal signal reference.

Findings

Experimental results demonstrate the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed approach in balancing control for an uncertain nonlinear Pendubot system perturbed with internal friction.

Originality/value

This manuscript is an original research paper and has never been submitted to any other journal.
Efficient analysis of shear wall-frame structural systems
Authors: Xia Guiyun , Shu Wenya , Stanciulescu Ilinca
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an efficient method to conduct the preliminary analyses of medium or high-rise wall-frame structural systems with vertically varying properties. To this end, a finite element is formulated to take the shear deformation of the shear wall and the constrained moment of the link beam.

Design/methodology/approach

The differential equation of the structure is derived from the total potential energy. Its homogenous solutions are functions of initial parameters (deflections and inner forces). To solve the structure with vertically non-uniform properties, the authors first use the classical Timoshenko beam element and then heuristically propose a finite element that uses the initial parameter solutions as shape functions and is easier to implement. A post-processing method to compute the shear force in the frame and shear wall is developed. Modal analysis using the consistent mass matrix is also incorporated. Numerical examples demonstrate the accuracy and mesh independency of the proposed element.

Findings

The shear deformation of the shear wall and the constrained moment of the link beam significantly influence the static response of the structure. Taking into account the shear deformation can eliminate the misleading result of zero-base shear force of the frame and give much better predictions of the system natural frequencies.

Originality/value

The proposed method achieves higher accuracy than the classical approach most often used. The finite element formulation derived from transformations of the initial parameter solutions is simple and has superior numerical performance. The post-processing method allows for a fast determination of the shear force distributions in the shear wall and frame.
How does P2P lending platform reputation affect lenders’ decision in China?
Authors: Shi Xiaokun , Wu Junjie , Hollingsworth Jane
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the impact of Chinese peer-to-peer (P2P) platform reputation directly and indirectly (mediate effect) affects investors’ (lenders) investment choices.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data collected from 478 P2P platforms, this paper calculates platform reputation via a β function after establishing a reputation mechanism by game analysis. This is followed by testing both the direct effect of platform reputation on investors’ investment choices (proxying by transaction volume) and the indirect effect through credit-enhancing information using three regression models (median regression, OLS regression and random effect OLS regression). A robustness test by adding instrument variables is conducted to confirm the findings from the main regressions.

Findings

In China, P2P lending platform reputations have played both a direct and indirect (through credit-enhancing information) role on investors’ investment choices.

Originality/value

This paper expands the boundary of P2P online lending research by not only examining the direct, but also, importantly, the indirect effects of platform reputations.
Proposed models for unit trust waqf and the parameters for their application
Authors: Sulaiman Syahnaz , Hasan Aznan , Mohd Noor Azman , Ismail Muhd Issyam , Noordin Nazrul Hazizi
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to present the viability of unit trust waqf (Islamic endowment) as an alternative asset class for waqf creation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper starts with the conceptual exploration of the literature in the areas of waqf. The sources of the literature cover authentic sources of the Qurʾān and ḥadīth, as well as secondary sources such as books, journal articles and online resources.

Findings

This paper provides the conceptual framework of five models of unit trust waqf and their investment management parameters.

Originality/value

The novelty of this paper lies in its attempt to highlight the importance of waqf investment strategy in ensuring sustainable returns for waqf. It does so by introducing the conceptual models of unit trust waqf as viable mechanisms to pool more cash waqf from individual investors. The sustainability of the capital waqf assets in the form of unit trusts is maintained through the parameters for its application proposed towards the end of the paper.
Global research landscape of sustainability curricula implementation in higher education
Authors: Weiss Marie , Barth Matthias
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to outline the global research landscape of sustainability curricula implementation processes in higher education. The focus is twofold and investigates where research that aims at integrating sustainability into the curriculum is happening and how the research area of curriculum change for sustainability is developing.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review of peer-reviewed case studies published in English in selected journals and edited volumes between 1990 and 2017 was carried out. Data (n = 270 publications) were analyzed via descriptive statistics and bibliometric analysis.

Findings

The study demonstrates that research on sustainability curricula implementation processes in higher education has produced a growing output in a broad range of journals. Nevertheless, the cross-country distribution is imbalanced, with most cases coming from the USA, Europe and Asia, but with the relatively highest density in Oceania. A citation network analysis revealed that the “Western world” is quite well interlinked, whereas other countries are not, indicating that sharing information between and learning from other cases is limited.

Research limitations/implications

The exclusion of non-English publications likely skewed the global distribution of the research landscape included in this study.

Social implications

These findings demonstrate the need for more research and funding for case studies in countries that have not yet been adequately examined.

Originality/value

This study offers the first systematic reflection on the current global research landscape in sustainability curricula implementation and can guide further research endeavors.
Determining nodal capacities for military distribution problems
Authors: Longhorn Dave C. , Muckensturm Joshua R.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a new mixed integer programming formulation and associated heuristic algorithm to solve the Military Nodal Capacity Problem, which is a type of supply chain network design problem that involves determining the amount of capacity expansion required at theater nodes to ensure the on-time delivery of military cargo.

Design/methodology/approach

Supply chain network design, mixed integer programs, heuristics and regression are used in this paper.

Findings

This work helps analysts at the United States Transportation Command identify what levels of throughput capacities, such as daily processing rates of trucks and railcars, are needed at theater distribution nodes to meet warfighter cargo delivery requirements.

Research limitations/implications

This research assumes all problem data are deterministic, and so it does not capture the variations in cargo requirements, transit times or asset payloads.

Practical implications

This work gives military analysts and decision makers prescriptive details about nodal capacities needed to meet demands. Prior to this work, insights for this type of problem were generated using multiple time-consuming simulations often involving trial-and-error to explore the trade space.

Originality/value

This work merges research of supply chain network design with military theater distribution problems to prescribe the optimal, or near-optimal, throughput capacities at theater nodes. The capacity levels must meet delivery requirements while adhering to constraints on the proportion of cargo transported by mode and the expected payloads for assets.
Analysis of government-supported health-care supply chain enablers: a case study
Authors: Dixit Anuj , Routroy Srikanta , Dubey Sunil Kumar
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify, analyze and classify (i.e. driving and dependence power) the government-supported health-care supply chain enablers (GHSCEs) in rural areas of India for enhancing availability and minimizing wastage of generic medicines.

Design/methodology/approach

A methodology is proposed using interpretive structural modeling (ISM) – fuzzy matriced impacts croises multiplication appliqueeaun classement (Fuzzy MICMAC) analysis to analyze the GHSCEs on the basis of inputs collected from various stakeholders about their driving and dependence power.

Findings

The performance measurement system, employee recognition and reward, technology adoption, training cell and inbuilt analytical tool for IT system were found to be the appropriate GHSCEs where efforts and resources should be put for enhancing availability and minimizing wastage.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed approach provides a platform for the both researchers and academicians to understand the GHSCEs and their relationships. It also provides the direction to the government for optimally allocating the efforts and resources to enhance the current performance level of generic drug distribution.

Originality/value

Although many issues related to health-care supply chain have been widely researched and reported, no literature has been found for analysis of GHSCEs to choose the appropriate set of GHSCEs for supply chain performance improvement in general and developing country like India in specific.
Retaining health carers: the role of personal and organisation job resources
Authors: Almeida Shamika , Fernando Mario , Munoz Albert , Cartwright Susan
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify key personal and organisational resources that influence the engagement, well-being and job satisfaction of healthcare professionals working in Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the job demands–resources model, this study investigates how employee resources and organisation resources influence engagement, well-being and job satisfaction of health professionals in Australian hospitals. The authors collected survey data from a sample of healthcare professionals (n=217) working in three hospitals in New South Wales, Australia.

Findings

The results confirm the importance of the emotional health of employees on their well-being. The results concur with existing research that employees with higher levels of emotional health have more positive emotional and social interactions, and thus exhibit higher levels of well-being at work. The study also uncovers certain aspects of emotional health that can influence a range of employee outcomes.

Practical implications

The findings link human resource management practices to unique motivators of healthcare professionals which, in turn, are likely to improve engagement, well-being and job satisfaction.

Originality/value

The study highlights specific resources that support greater levels of well-being, engagement and job satisfaction in Australian hospitals.
The mediating effect of interactional justice on human resource practices and organizational support in a healthcare organization
Authors: Lee Helena , Chui Joulyn
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating factor of interactional justice (IJ) between the specific types of human resource (HR) practices: training and development (TD), compensation and benefits (CB), work process (WP), and perceived organizational support (POS). There has been scant attention paid in the past studies in examining the specific components of HR practices on organizational support and IJ.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted in a healthcare organization, and employed quantitative analysis based on surveys and interviews conducted with 150 nurses. Confirmatory factor analysis and regression analysis were generated to examine the relationships among TD, CB, WP and IJ and POS.

Findings

Significant findings demonstrated that there are no direct effects between CB and TD, and POS. The result revealed that establishment of HR practices is not synonymous to organizational support. However, WP is positively correlated to POS. Further analysis indicated that IJ mediated between all three HR practices (CB, TD and WP) and POS. The findings are aligned with the previous research relating to the absence of direct correlation between team training and POS (Aguinis and Kraiger, 2009; Koster et al., 2011). The study suggests that adopting an interactive and a fair approach HR practices is crucial in managing the perceptions of employee support and workplace fairness. The management who enact the policies and practices are seen as the representatives in facilitating the WP (Wiili-Peltola et al., 2007). CB and TD are extrinsic benefits that are significant in individual personal and career growth. Hence, these components of reward system can be employed as a HR mechanism to promote trust and support with employees.

Practical implications

The empirical evidence in this present study shows that it bodes well for an organization to understand the impact of HR practices and policies on employees’ perceptions of support and fair treatment to promote organizational effectiveness and efficiency. The study shows that HR practices can enhance the psychological well-being of the employees through the support system through an open-communication channel. Providing a clear channel of communication in how the reward and benefits systems are administered and distributed, and promoting shared goals and objectives (Lyubovnikova et al., 2018) between employer and employee can be instrumental in promoting IJ in HR practices.

Originality/value

This study has enriched the theoretical and practical implications of examining the specific components of HR practices in association with IJ and organizational support. The results shed light on the balancing act of adopting the hard and soft HR management in executing the HR practices.
Authentic leadership: the influence of work and non-work domain contextual factors
Authors: Sarkar Anita
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of both work and non-work domain contextual factors (meaningful work, mentoring support, family support and challenging life events) on authentic leadership (AL).

Design/methodology/approach

Prior to survey-based study, a qualitative interview-based research was carried out with seven senior leaders in India. In the final study, data collected from 201 senior and middle-level managers and 554 followers were used to examine the influence of each of the contextual factors on AL.

Findings

Results suggest that except mentoring support, all other factors have a significant positive influence on AL. The implications of the results for authentic leadership development are discussed.

Originality/value

This is the first study where meaningful work, mentoring support, family support and challenging life events are empirically examined in the context of AL.
Proposal readability, audit firm size and engagement success
Authors: Chang Yu-Tzu , Stone Dan N.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effects of firm size on audit proposal readability and audit proposal readability on auditor selection using readability metrics.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting the Flesch reading ease readability formula, the authors analyze the readability of 370 hand-collected audit proposals submitted by audit firms for US state and local governments’ audit service contracts.

Findings

The authors find differences in readability across audit firm size, specifically the proposals written by smaller firms are more readable than those submitted by larger firms. The results further indicate that readability metrics correlate with auditor selection, i.e. an increase in audit proposal readability from the first to third quartile improves the likelihood of a firm winning the engagement by about 6 per cent, ceteris paribus. In addition, while audit fees and an existing auditor–client relationship are associated with engagement success, proxies for audit quality (i.e. audit firm size, audit experience of lead partner) are not.

Research limitations/implications

The Flesch reading ease measure is a simple linear combination of text attributes, which assumes that readability is a single, unidimensional construct. Simple readability metrics, such as the Flesch reading ease, may confound environmental complexity with readability.

Practical implications

Readability improves audit proposal success.

Originality/value

The results provide insight to accounting stakeholders regarding the potential influence of readability on audit firm selection. In short, readability matters.
Conceptualising the psychological work states – extending the JD-R model
Authors: Marathe Gaurav Manohar , Balasubramanian Girish , Chalil Gloryson
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend the job demands-resources (JD-R) model by including the factor of “personal demands” and conceptualise experience on personal and job dimensions separately as personal thrust and job thrust. Further, different psychological work states that individuals experience through intra-dimensional balance across personal and job dimensions are proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explains various possible psychological work states experienced by a job incumbent by conceptually developing intra-dimensional fluctuations within the person and job dimensions, respectively, as the new concepts of person and job thrust.

Findings

Personal thrust and job thrust have been identified as the two dimensions which impact the work state. Complete engagement and complete disengagement have been identified as two ends of a continuum. Complete work engagement is defined as the balance across these two dimensions. Various combinations of balances and imbalances across these two dimensions results in four different states of disengagement identified as work exhaustion, work boredom, work search and work neutrality.

Research limitations/implications

This paper suggests a novel approach to using personal demand to look at work states which would significantly impact existing research in the JD-R model. This paper tries to bridge the gap between work engagement as a construct and the psychological work states as a phenomenon. Further, it is contended that the psychological work states are manifestations of the interactions between the two dimensions identified as personal and job thrust, which could further be developed into various work-related attitudes and behaviours.

Practical implications

Instead of only relying on the engagement/disengagement dichotomy to plan interventions, managers can plan the appropriate interventions depending on the specific disengagement state analysed through personal and job thrust.

Originality/value

The newly developed model of work states explains the fluctuation of an individual across different work states and links the personal and job-related demand–resource balance at the workplace with distal work-related outcomes, thereby significantly extending the JD-R model.
The impact of readability of corporate social responsibility information on credibility as perceived by generalist versus specialist readers
Authors: Hoozée Sophie , Maussen Sophie , Vangronsveld Perry
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to study the impact of readability of corporate social responsibility (CSR) information on its credibility as perceived by generalist versus specialist readers. It is hypothesized that the readability-credibility effect will be contingent on reader specialization.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypothesis, a quasi-experiment with a 2 (readability) × 2 (reader specialization) design was conducted.

Findings

Overall, the results lead to the conclusion that using plain language in CSR disclosures may be beneficial for their credibility as perceived by generalist readers thanks to their higher perceived truthfulness (one specific sub-dimension of credibility). Specialist readers’ perceived credibility, on the other hand, is not influenced by the enhanced readability resulting from plain language.

Research limitations/implications

Student participants were used. The results may not be generalizable to practitioners with different levels of exposure to, familiarity with, and understanding of CSR disclosures.

Practical implications

Given the lack of credibility of CSR disclosures, insight into perceived credibility antecedents is important. This study may be considered as a first step toward informing reporting standards regarding the inclusion of more detailed guidance on how corporations should formulate their CSR information to increase its perceived credibility.

Originality/value

The results suggest that enhanced readability may improve the potential of CSR reports as legitimacy tools for generalist readers. The direct examination of readers complements prior studies on CSR reporting quality and the language used in CSR disclosures.
Comprehensive supply chain management model
Authors: Green Kenneth W. , Inman R. Anthony , Sower Victor E. , Zelbst Pamela J.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and empirically assess a comprehensive operations and supply chain management (SCM) model. The theorized model incorporates supply chain market orientation, Just-in-Time (JIT) and Total Quality Management (TQM) as antecedents and agile production (AP) and green SCM (GSCM) practices as consequences.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from a sample of 136 US manufacturing managers were collected via an on-line survey firm. A partial least squares structural equation modeling is used to assess the efficacy of the theorized model.

Findings

Generally, market orientation supports the implementation of JIT and TQM, JIT and TQM support implementation of SCM, SCM supports implementation of AP and green supply chain management practices (GSCMP) and AP and GSCMP positively impact organizational performance.

Research limitations/implications

The model tested reflects the synergy created though the implementation of management improvement programs that support the six strategic imperatives of customer focus, efficiency, effectiveness, integration with supply chain partners, responsiveness, and environmental sustainability and the effects of those programs on the marketing and financial performance of manufacturing organizations.

Practical implications

The theorized model and results provide practicing managers with a blueprint for the systematic implementation of the improvement programs.

Originality/value

A comprehensive operations and SCM model is proposed and empirically assessed. The results of this investigation support the proposition that market orientation, JIT, TQM, SCM, AP and GSCMPs combine to positively affect organizational performance. The central role of the SCM construct is emphasized.
Study of the metrological characteristics of the hydrostatic pressure sensor
Authors: Nadezhdin Igor S. , Goryunov Aleksey G. , Svinolupov Yuri G. , Zadorozhnaya Olga J.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a digital hydrostatic pressure sensor with the required metrological and operational characteristics. The developed sensor is designed to control hydrostatic pressure in wells during various geophysical works and studies.

Design/methodology/approach

To obtain the required metrological and operational characteristics of the sensor, a method was developed and applied to reduce the measurement error based on the calibration algorithm and the sensor model.

Findings

By using the developed calibration algorithm and the mathematical model of the sensor, it was possible to compensate for the measurement errors of the hydrostatic pressure sensor.

Originality/value

In the course of this research, tests of the developed sensor were carried and the maximum/minimum of measurement result errors was determined.
Corporate social responsibility, reputation and visitors’ commitment as resources for public policies’ design for protected areas for tourism sustainable exploitation
Authors: Alvarado-Herrera Alejandro , Rodríguez-Soberanis Leonel Jesús , Herrera-Medina Heyden Rubén
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the influences of perceived corporate social responsibility (pCSR) over the brand reputation (BR) and the visitor commitment of protected areas (PAs) of Quintana Roo visitors, to create useful resources for the design of public policies in accordance to the expectations of the stakeholders from a sustainable development (SD) approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional causal multistage research was conducted. First, a literature review was performed to develop the hypotheses and the theoretical model on the basis of the paradigm of “sustaincentrism.” Afterwards, the model was empirically contrasted with data gathered from a representative sample of 440 real visitors of three Mexican PAs. The data covariance structures were examined through confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results of the study undercover the direct and indirect effects that pCSR has over the BR and the commitment of PA’s visitors, evidencing their relevance as valuable resources for the design of public policies.

Originality/value

This research manifests the capacity to benefit from the studied variables as resources for the design and implementation of public policies that incorporate the development and execution of SD-attuned CSR programs able to create competitive advantages required by PA to their sustainable tourism exploitation.
Seismic depth imaging of iron‐oxide deposits and their host rocks in the Ludvika mining area of central Sweden
Authors: Bräunig Lena , Buske Stefan , Malehmir Alireza , Bäckström Emma , Schön Monica , Marsden Paul
Published: June 2019

The development of cost‐effective and environmentally acceptable geophysical methods for the exploration of mineral resources is a challenging task. Seismic methods have the potential to delineate the mineral deposits at greater depths with sufficiently high resolution. In hardrock environments, which typically host the majority of metallic mineral deposits, seismic depth‐imaging workflows are challenged by steeply dipping structures, strong heterogeneity and the related wavefield scattering in the overburden as well as the often limited signal‐to‐noise ratio of the acquired data. In this study, we have developed a workflow for imaging a major iron‐oxide deposit at its accurate position in depth domain while simultaneously characterizing the near‐surface glacial overburden including surrounding structures like crossing faults at high resolution. Our workflow has successfully been showcased on a 2D surface seismic legacy data set from the Ludvika mining area in central Sweden acquired in 2016. We applied focusing prestack depth‐imaging techniques to obtain a clear and well‐resolved image of the mineralization down to over 1000 m depth. In order to account for the shallow low‐velocity layer within the depth‐imaging algorithm, we carefully derived a migration velocity model through an integrative approach. This comprised the incorporation of the tomographic near‐surface model, the extension of the velocities down to the main reflectors based on borehole information and conventional semblance analysis. In the final step, the evaluation and update of the velocities by investigation of common image gathers for the main target reflectors were used. Although for our data set the reflections from the mineralization show a strong coherency and continuity in the seismic section, reflective structures in a hardrock environment are typically less continuous. In order to image the internal structure of the mineralization and decipher the surrounding structures, we applied the concept of reflection image spectroscopy to the data, which allows the imaging of wavelength‐specific characteristics within the reflective body. As a result, conjugate crossing faults around the mineralization can directly be imaged in a low‐frequency band while the internal structure was obtained within the high‐frequency bands.
Heavy Metal Residues in Some Fishes from Manzala Lake, Egypt, and Their Health‐Risk Assessment
Authors: Sallam Khalid Ibrahim , Abd‐Elghany Samir Mohammed , Mohammed Mahmoud Ahmed
Published: June 2019

A total of 600 freshly caught fish samples (200 each of Nile tilapia, flathead grey mullet, and African catfish) were collected from Manzala Lake, Egypt, and analyzed for determination of heavy metal residues using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Metal concentrations (µg/g wet weight) were detected in all examined samples in quantities of 0.045, 0.0145, and 0.017 µg/g for Hg; 0.511, 0.621, and 0.568 µg/g for As; 0.704, 0.635, and 0.64 µg/g for Pb; and 0.024, 0.006, and 0.020 µg/g for Cd in Nile tilapia, flathead grey mullet, and African catfish, respectively. The mean concentrations of Hg, Pb, and Cd among the three fish species tested followed the order Nile tilapia > African catfish > flathead grey mullet; meanwhile, As concentration followed the order flathead grey mullet > African catfish > Nile tilapia. The contamination levels of Hg and Cd showed significant differences between summer and winter in the three different fish species examined. Both the mullet and catfish tested revealed significant negative correlations between fish size and their residual levels of Hg, Pb, and Cd. Health‐risk assessment indices suggesting that consuming such fishes from Manzala Lake could have a potential health hazard to consumers.
Understanding why youth in remote Australia use alcohol in the ways that they do
Authors: Carey Timothy A. , MacGregor Margo
Published: June 2019

Objective

The objective of this research was to answer the question “In Alice Springs and Tennant Creek, why do young people aged between 18 and 25 use alcohol the way that they do?”

Design

A qualitative design incorporating semi‐structured interviews and focus groups was used.

Setting

The focus groups and most individual interviews were conducted at various locations in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek according to the preferences of the participants.

Participants

Twenty young people aged between 18 and 25 years participated in the project. Eleven of the 20 participants were women and both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non‐Indigenous youth were included.

Main outcome measure

The outcome of interest was the self‐reports of young people regarding the way in which they use alcohol, why they use it that way and how they came to use it in the ways that they do.

Result

Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyse the data. Two superordinate themes and six sub‐themes emerged from the data. Key findings were that: boredom and peer pressure were not key factors in alcohol use; alcohol was used as an activity to have fun with friends; and youth do not engage with current approaches to health messaging.

Conclusion

Young people in remote Australia drink for complex and sometimes contradictory social reasons. Young people should be involved in the design of any programs targeting alcohol use.
Right ventricular lead induced ventricular arrhythmia—A rare complication of cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Miśkowiec Dawid , Życiński Paweł , Qawoq Dariusz H. , Pagórek Piotr , Zając Piotr , Chudzik Michał , Wcisło Tomasz , Kasprzak Jarosław D.
Published: June 2019

Background

A 53‐year‐old male with heart failure secondary to anterior wall myocardial infarction treated with cardiac resynchronization‐defibrillator (CRT‐D) device presented with ventricular arrhythmia: repetitive incessant slow ventricular tachycardias (VT) below the CRT‐D detection zone, accelerated ventricular rhythm, and numerous premature ventricular ectopic beats (ExV), resulting in loss of biventricular pacing.

Methods and Results

Nonsustained monomorphic VT (nsVT) and ExV were observed in an electrocardiogram under biventricular stimulation. During noninvasive CRT‐D programming, ventricular bigeminy reproducibly recurred only at right ventricular (RV) pacing and its morphology was almost identical to the stimulated beats. The left ventricular (LV) pacing failed to induce ventricular ectopy or tachycardia.

Conclusions

This unusual case shows a rare phenomenon of late proarrhythmic effect due to the RV lead pacing—a new finding reported only in a few publications. Here we present our approach to CRT programming that suppressed the clinical arrhythmia without the need of catheter ablation and achieving the high biventricular pacing capture rate along with optimal hemodynamic CRT‐D performance.
Peritoneal contamination with ICG‐stained cervical secretion as surrogate for potential cervical cancer tumor cell dissemination: A proof‐of‐principle study for laparoscopic hysterectomy
Authors: Klapdor Rüdiger , Hertel Hermann , Hillemanns Peter , Röttger Marlene , Soergel Philipp , Kuehnle Elna , Jentschke Matthias
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Intracorporal colpotomy during radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer is discussed to be a risk factor for peritoneal dissemination of tumor cells. It might lead to increased recurrence rates after laparoscopic radical hysterectomy compared with abdominal hysterectomy, as shown by the recent LACC study. Data on the frequency or mechanisms of peritoneal contamination are missing. We aimed to analyze peritoneal contamination of cervical secretion during intracorporal colpotomy with a novel indocyaningreen (ICG)‐based technique.

Material and methods

In this prospective proof‐of‐principle study, patients undergoing routine laparoscopic or robot‐assisted hysterectomy were selected. ICG was specifically applied to the cervical surface and routine surgery was performed. During colpotomy, pictures under white and fluorescence light were taken to evaluate frequency of contamination.

Results

By using cervically applied ICG we were able to visualize directly peritoneal contamination with cervical secretion during intracorporal colpotomy. We detected peritoneal contamination in 9/12 (75%) patients undergoing routine laparoscopic hysterectomy. Contamination of laparoscopic instruments occurred in 60% of the patients. When contamination occurred, it was routinely detectable during all steps of colpotomy. There were no adverse effects during surgery.

Conclusions

Peritoneal contamination with cervical secretion frequently occurs during intracorporal colpotomy. This novel technique represents a promising tool for feasible and direct visualization of peritoneal contamination during colpotomy. The technique may be easily implemented in further studies on laparoscopic and abdominal hysterectomy and serve as a quality assessment tool for surgeons and surgical techniques.
A minimally invasive abdominal and left thoracic approach as a palliative treatment for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction with severe stenosis: A case report
Authors: Takeuchi Yuta , Ebihara Yuma , Nakanishi Yoshitsugu , Asano Toshimichi , Noji Takehiro , Kurashima Yo , Murakami Soichi , Nakamura Toru , Tsuchikawa Takahiro , Okamura Keisuke , Shichinohe Toshiaki , Hirano Satoshi
Published: June 2019

We report a novel technique for combined laparoscopy and thoracoscopy for far‐advanced adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG). A 56‐year‐old man presented with far‐advanced AEG, and an esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a type 2 lesion that encircled the esophagogastric junction. CT revealed stenosis of the esophagogastric junction, suspected invasion into the left side of the diaphragm, and lymph node metastases in the abdomen. We diagnosed Siewert type II AEG (cT4aN1M0, cStage IIIA) according to the Japanese Classification of Gastric Carcinoma, version 14. Laparoscopic and thoracoscopic proximal gastrectomy and lower esophagectomy with double‐tract reconstruction were performed as a palliative resection via a minimally invasive abdominal and left thoracic approach. However, localized peritoneal dissemination was detected. The patient was discharged with no postoperative morbidity. Hence, a minimally invasive abdominal and left thoracic approach provides good visualization, and it is safe for lower esophageal transection and intrathoracic anastomosis in the treatment of locally advanced AEG invading the surrounding tissues.
Effects of non‐dispensing pharmacists integrated in general practice on medication‐related hospitalisations
Authors: Sloeserwij V.M. , Hazen A.C.M. , Zwart D.L.M. , Leendertse A.J. , Poldervaart J.M. , de Bont A.A. , de Gier J.J. , Bouvy M.L. , de Wit N.J.
Published: June 2019

Aims

To evaluate the effect of non‐dispensing pharmacists (NDPs) integrated in general practice on medication‐related hospitalisations, drug burden index and costs in patients at high risk of medication problems (being 65 years or older and using 5 or more chronic medications).

Methods

This was a multicentre, nonrandomised, controlled intervention study with pre–post comparison (2013 vs June 2014 to May 2015) in 25 general practices in the Netherlands, comparing NDP‐led care (intervention) with 2 current pharmaceutical care models (usual care and usual care plus). In the intervention group, 10 specially trained NDPs were employed in general practices to take integral responsibility for the pharmaceutical care. They provided a broad range of medication therapy management services both on patient level (e.g. clinical medication review) and practice level (e.g. quality improvement projects). In the control groups, pharmaceutical care was provided as usual by general practitioners and community pharmacists, or as usual plus, when pharmacists were additionally trained in performing medication reviews.

Results

Overall, 822 medication‐related hospitalisations were identified among 11 281 high‐risk patients during the intervention period. After adjustment for clustering and potential confounders, the rate ratio of medication‐related hospitalisations in the intervention group compared to usual care was 0.68 (95% confidence interval: 0.57–0.82) and 1.05 (95% confidence interval: 0.73–1.52) compared to usual care plus. No differences in drug burden index or costs were found.

Conclusions

In general practices with an integrated NDP, the rate of medication‐related hospitalisations is lower compared to usual care. No differences with usual care plus were found.
Ibudilast attenuates doxorubicin‐induced cytotoxicity by suppressing formation of TRPC3 channel and NADPH oxidase 2 protein complexes
Authors: Nishiyama Kazuhiro , Numaga‐Tomita Takuro , Fujimoto Yasuyuki , Tanaka Tomohiro , Toyama Chiemi , Nishimura Akiyuki , Yamashita Tomohiro , Matsunaga Naoya , Koyanagi Satoru , Azuma Yasu‐Taka , Ibuki Yuko , Uchida Koji , Ohdo Shigehiro , Nishida Motohiro
Published: June 2019

Background and Purpose

Doxorubicin is a highly effective anticancer agent but eventually induces cardiotoxicity associated with increased production of ROS. We previously reported that a pathological protein interaction between TRPC3 channels and NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2) contributed to doxorubicin‐induced cardiac atrophy in mice. Here we have investigated the effects of ibudilast, a drug already approved for clinical use and known to block doxorubicin‐induced cytotoxicity, on the TRPC3‐Nox2 complex. We specifically sought evidence that this drug attenuated doxorubicin‐induced systemic tissue wasting in mice.

Experimental Approach

We used the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line to screen 1,271 clinically approved chemical compounds, evaluating functional interactions between TRPC3 channels and Nox2, by measuring Nox2 protein stability and ROS production, with and without exposure to doxorubicin. In male C57BL/6 mice, samples of cardiac and gastrocnemius muscle were taken and analysed with morphometric, immunohistochemical, RT‐PCR and western blot methods. In the passive smoking model, cells were exposed to DMEM containing cigarette sidestream smoke.

Key Results

Ibudilast, an anti‐asthmatic drug, attenuated ROS‐mediated muscle toxicity induced by doxorubicin treatment or passive smoking, by inhibiting the functional interactions between TRPC3 channels and Nox2, without reducing TRPC3 channel activity.

Conclusions and Implications

These results indicate a common mechanism underlying induction of systemic tissue wasting by doxorubicin. They also suggest that ibudilast could be repurposed to prevent muscle toxicity caused by anticancer drugs or passive smoking.