bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of hollow iron/halloysite nanocomposites with enhanced electromagnetic performances
Authors: Chen Xue-Gang , Li Ru-Chang , Zhang Ao-Bo , Lyu Shuang-Shuang , Liu Shu-Ting , Yan Kang-Kang , Duan Wei , Ye Ying
Published: January 2018

Nanostructures loaded on halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) have attracted global interest, because the nanotubular HNTs could extend the range of their potential applications. In this study, we fabricated a novel nanocomposite with hollow iron nanoparticles loaded on the surface of HNTs. The structure of the iron nanoparticles can be adjusted by ageing time. Owing to the increased remnant magnetization and coercivity values, the nanocomposites loaded with hollow iron nanoparticles showed better electromagnetic performance than that with solid iron nanoparticles. This study opens a new pathway to fabricate halloysite nanotubular nanocomposites that may gain applications in the catalytic degradation of organic pollutants and electromagnetic wave absorption.
The flashing Brownian ratchet and Parrondo’s paradox
Authors: Ethier S. N. , Lee Jiyeon
Published: January 2018

A Brownian ratchet is a one-dimensional diffusion process that drifts towards a minimum of a periodic asymmetric sawtooth potential. A flashing Brownian ratchet is a process that alternates between two regimes, a one-dimensional Brownian motion and a Brownian ratchet, producing directed motion. These processes have been of interest to physicists and biologists for nearly 25 years. The flashing Brownian ratchet is the process that motivated Parrondo’s paradox, in which two fair games of chance, when alternated, produce a winning game. Parrondo’s games are relatively simple, being discrete in time and space. The flashing Brownian ratchet is rather more complicated. We show how one can study the latter process numerically using a random walk approximation.
The chronology of reindeer hunting on Norway's highest ice patches
Authors: Pilø Lars , Finstad Espen , Ramsey Christopher Bronk , Martinsen Julian Robert Post , Nesje Atle , Solli Brit , Wangen Vivian , Callanan Martin , Barrett James H.
Published: January 2018

The melting of perennial ice patches globally is uncovering a fragile record of alpine activity, especially hunting and the use of mountain passes. When rescued by systematic fieldwork (glacial archaeology), this evidence opens an unprecedented window on the chronology of high-elevation activity. Recent research in Jotunheimen and surrounding mountain areas of Norway has recovered over 2000 finds—many associated with reindeer hunting (e.g. arrows). We report the radiocarbon dates of 153 objects and use a kernel density estimation (KDE) method to determine the distribution of dated events fromca4000 BCE to the present. Interpreted in light of shifting environmental, preservation and socio-economic factors, these new data show counterintuitive trends in the intensity of reindeer hunting and other high-elevation activity. Cold temperatures may sometimes have kept humans from Norway's highest elevations, as expected based on accessibility, exposure and reindeer distributions. In times of increasing demand for mountain resources, however, activity probably continued in the face of adverse or variable climatic conditions. The use of KDE modelling makes it possible to observe this patterning without the spurious effects of noise introduced by the discrete nature of the finds and the radiocarbon calibration process.
Biological growth in bodies with incoherent interfaces
Authors: Swain Digendranath , Gupta Anurag
Published: January 2018

A general theory of thermodynamically consistent biomechanical–biochemical growth in a body, considering mass addition in the bulk and at an incoherent interface, is developed. The incoherency arises due to incompatibility of growth and elastic distortion tensors at the interface. The incoherent interface therefore acts as an additional source of internal stress besides allowing for rich growth kinematics. All the biochemicals in the model are essentially represented in terms of nutrient concentration fields, in the bulk and at the interface. A nutrient balance law is postulated which, combined with mechanical balances and kinetic laws, yields an initial-boundary-value problem coupling the evolution of bulk and interfacial growth, on the one hand, and the evolution of growth and nutrient concentration on the other. The problem is solved, and discussed in detail, for two distinct examples: annual ring formation during tree growth and healing of cutaneous wounds in animals.
Species delimitation for the molecular taxonomy and ecology of the widely distributed microbial eukaryote genus
Euplotes
(Alveolata, Ciliophora)
Authors: Zhao Yan , Yi Zhenzhen , Warren Alan , Song Weibo B.
Published: January 2018

Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing and metabarcoding technologies are revolutionizing our understanding of the diversity and ecology of microbial eukaryotes (protists). The interpretation of protist diversity and the elucidation of their ecosystem function are, however, impeded by problems with species delimitation, especially as it applies to molecular taxonomy. Here, using the ciliate
Euplotes
as an example, we describe approaches for species delimitation based on integrative taxonomy by using evolutionary and ecological perspectives and selecting the most appropriate metabarcoding gene markers as proxies for species units. Our analyses show that:
Euplotes
(
sensu lato
) comprises six distinct clades, mainly as result of ecological speciation; the validity of the genera
Euplotes
(
sensu stricto
),
Euplotoides
,
Euplotopsis
and
Moneuplotes
are not supported; the
vannus
-type group, which includes species without distinct morphological differences, seems to be undergoing incipient speciation and contains cryptic species; the hypervariable V4 region of the small subunit rDNA and D1–D2 region of the large subunit rDNA are the promising candidates for general species delimitation in
Euplotes
.
Simpler grammar, larger vocabulary: How population size affects language
Authors: Reali Florencia , Chater Nick , Christiansen Morten H.
Published: January 2018

Languages with many speakers tend to be structurally simple while small communities sometimes develop languages with great structural complexity. Paradoxically, the opposite pattern appears to be observed for non-structural properties of language such as vocabulary size. These apparently opposite patterns pose a challenge for theories of language change and evolution. We use computational simulations to show that this inverse pattern can depend on a single factor: ease of diffusion through the population. A population of interacting agents was arranged on a network, passing linguistic conventions to one another along network links. Agents can invent new conventions, or replicate conventions that they have previously generated themselves or learned from other agents. Linguistic conventions are eitherEasyorHardto diffuse, depending on how many times an agent needs to encounter a convention to learn it. In large groups, only linguistic conventions that are easy to learn, such as words, tend to proliferate, whereas small groups where everyone talks to everyone else allow for more complex conventions, like grammatical regularities, to be maintained. Our simulations thus suggest that language, and possibly other aspects of culture, may become simpler at the structural level as our world becomes increasingly interconnected.
Whole-body photoreceptor networks are independent of ‘lenses’ in brittle stars
Authors: Sumner-Rooney Lauren , Rahman Imran A. , Sigwart Julia D. , Ullrich-Lüter Esther
Published: January 2018

Photoreception and vision are fundamental aspects of animal sensory biology and ecology, but important gaps remain in our understanding of these processes in many species. The colour-changing brittle starOphiocoma wendtiiis iconic in vision research, speculatively possessing a unique whole-body visual system that incorporates information from nerve bundles underlying thousands of crystalline ‘microlenses’. The hypothesis that these might form a sophisticated compound eye-like system regulated by chromatophores has been extensively reiterated, with investigations into biomimetic optics and similar supposedly ‘visual’ structures in living and fossil taxa. However, no photoreceptors or visual behaviours have ever been identified. We present the first evidence of photoreceptor networks in threeOphiocomaspecies, both with and without microlenses and colour-changing behaviour. High-resolution microscopy, immunohistochemistry and synchrotron tomography demonstrate that putative photoreceptors cover the animals' oral, lateral and aboral surfaces, but are absent at the hypothesized focal points of the microlenses. The structural optics of these crystal ‘lenses’ are an exaptation and do not fulfil any apparent visual role. This contradicts previous studies, yet the photoreceptor network inOphiocomaappears even more widespread than previously anticipated, both taxonomically and anatomically.
Dynamic compensation and homeostasis: a feedback control perspective
Authors: Fliess Michel , Join Cédric
Published: January 2018

“Dynamic compensation” is a robustness property where a perturbed biological circuit maintains a suitable output [Karin O., Swisa A., Glaser B., Dor Y., Alon U. (2016). Mol. Syst. Biol., 12: 886]. In spite of several attempts, no fully convincing analysis seems now to be on hand. This communication suggests an explanation via “model-free control” and the corresponding “intelligent” controllers [Fliess M., Join C. (2013). Int. J. Contr., 86, 2228-2252], which are already successfully applied in many concrete situations. As a byproduct this setting provides also a slightly different presentation of homeostasis, or “exact adaptation,” where the working conditions are assumed to be “mild.” Several convincing, but academic, computer simulations are provided and discussed.
Rhythmic neural spiking and attentional sampling arising from cortical receptive field interactions
Authors: Kienitz Ricardo , Schmiedt Joscha T. , Shapcott Katharine A. , Kouroupaki Kleopatra , Saunders Richard C. , Schmid Michael C.
Published: January 2018

Growing evidence suggests that distributed spatial attention may invoke theta (3-9 Hz) rhythmic sampling processes. The neuronal basis of such attentional sampling is however not fully understood. Here we show using array recordings in visual cortical area V4 of two awake macaques that presenting separate visual stimuli to the excitatory center and suppressive surround of neuronal receptive fields elicits rhythmic multi-unit activity (MUA) at 3-6 Hz. This neuronal rhythm did not depend on small fixational eye movements. In the context of a distributed spatial attention task, during which the monkeys detected a spatially and temporally uncertain target, reaction times (RT) exhibited similar rhythmic fluctuations. RTs were fast or slow depending on the target occurrence during high or low MUA, resulting in rhythmic MUA-RT cross-correlations at at theta frequencies. These findings suggest that theta-rhythmic neuronal activity arises from competitive receptive field interactions and that this rhythm may subserve attentional sampling.

Highlights

Center-surround interactions induce theta-rhythmic MUA of visual cortex neurons

The MUA rhythm does not depend on small fixational eye movements

Reaction time fluctuations lock to the neuronal rhythm under distributed attention
Cellular tolerance at the μ-opioid receptor is phosphorylation dependent
Authors: Arttamangkul Seksiri , Heinze Daniel A , Bunzow James R , Song Xianqiang , Williams John T
Published: January 2018

The role of phosphorylation of the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) in desensitization, internalization and long-term tolerance was examined in locus coeruleus (LC) neurons. Viral expression of wild type (exWT) and mutant MORs, where all phosphorylation sites on the C-terminus (Total Phosphorylation Deficient (TPD)) were mutated to alanine, were examined in a MOR knockout rat. Both expressed receptors acutely activate potassium conductance similar to endogenous receptors in wild type animals. The exWT receptors, like endogenous receptors, displayed signs of tolerance after chronic morphine treatment. There was however a loss of agonist-induced desensitization and internalization in experiments with the TPD receptors. In addition the development of tolerance was not observed in the TPD receptors following chronic morphine treatment. The results indicate a key role of C-terminal phosphorylation in the expression of acute desensitization, trafficking and long-term tolerance to morphine.
Normative age modelling of cortical thickness in autistic males
Authors: Bethlehem Richard A. I , Seidlitz Jakob , Romero-Garcia Rafael , Dumas Guillaume , Lombardo Michael V.
Published: January 2018

Understanding heterogeneity in neural phenotypes is an important goal on the path to precision medicine for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Age is a critically important variable in normal structural brain development and examining structural features with respect to age-related norms could help to explain ASD heterogeneity in neural phenotypes. Here we examined how cortical thickness (CT) in ASD can be parameterized as an individualized metric of deviance relative to typically-developing (TD) age-related norms. Across a large sample (n=870 per group) and wide age range (5-40 years), we applied a normative modelling approach that provides individualized whole-brain maps of age-related CT deviance in ASD. This approach isolates a subgroup of ASD individuals with highly age-deviant CT. The median prevalence of this ASD subgroup across all brain regions is 7.6%, and can reach as high as 10% for some brain regions. This work showcases an individualized approach for understanding ASD heterogeneity that could potentially further prioritize work on a subset of individuals with significant cortical pathophysiology represented in age-related CT deviance. Rather than cortical thickness pathology being a widespread characteristic of most ASD patients, only a small subset of ASD individuals are actually highly deviant relative to age-norms. These individuals drive small on-average effects from case-control comparisons. Rather than sticking to the diagnostic label of autism, future research should pivot to focus on isolating subsets of autism patients with highly deviant phenotypes and better understand the underlying mechanisms that drive those phenotypes.
Microtubule acetylation is required for mechanosensation inDrosophila
Authors: Yan Connie , Wang Fei , Peng Yun , Williams Claire R. , Jenkins Brian , Wildonger Jill , Tuthill John C. , Xiang Yang , Rogers Stephen L. , Parrish Jay Z.
Published: January 2018

At the cellular level, α-tubulin acetylation alters the structure of microtubules to render them mechanically resistant to compressive forces. How this biochemical property of microtubule acetylation relates to mechanosensation remains unknown, though prior studies have shown that microtubule acetylation plays a role in touch perception. Here, we identify the majorDrosophilaα-tubulin acetylase (dTAT) and show that it plays key roles in several forms of mechanosensation while exerting little effect on other sensory modalities. dTAT is highly expressed in neurons of the larval peripheral nervous system (PNS), but is not required for normal neuronal morphogenesis. We show that mutation of the acetylase gene or the K40 acetylation site in α-tubulin impairs mechanical sensitivity in sensory neurons and behavioral responses to gentle touch, harsh touch, gravity, and sound stimulus, but not thermal stimulus. Finally, we show that dTAT is required for mechanically-induced activation of NOMPC, a microtubule-associated transient receptor potential channel, and functions to maintain integrity of the microtubule cytoskeleton in response to mechanical stimulation.
A semi-automatic approach to implement rapid non-immersive virtual maintenance simulation
Authors: Geng Jie , Peng Xu , Li Ying , Lv Chuan , Wang Zili , Zhou Dong
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Current virtual simulation platforms provide various tools to generate non-immersive simulation processes purposefully in different domains. The generated simulation processes are adopted for analysis, presentation, demonstration and verification. In the virtual maintenance domain, this intuitive and visual method has benefitted product maintainability design and improvement. Generating an ideal and reasonable non-immersive virtual maintenance simulation is always time-consuming because of the complicated human operations and logical relationships involved. This study aims to propose a semiautomatic approach to increase efficiency in non-immersive virtual maintenance simulation implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology analyzes the general catalogs of common maintenance tasks and explores the corresponding secondary development approaches of simulation tools that can achieve motion simulation in virtual environments, by focusing on the diversity, complexity and uncertainty in non-immersive virtual simulation process generation. Afterward, a single virtual human motion can be generated by controlling the parameters and indices of the simulation tools. Subsequently, all of the generated single motions are connected logically to simulate the entire maintenance process.

Findings

Instead of selecting various tools, such as that in a traditional method, the proposed methodology analyzes and integrates the necessary basic parameters considering the characteristics of virtual maintenance simulation for a target maintenance activity.

Originality/value

The user can control the predefined parameters to generate the simulation combining several other simple operations in virtual environments. Consequently, the methodology decreases simulation tool selection and logic consideration and increases efficiency to a certain extent in non-immersive virtual maintenance simulation generation.
The impact of digitalization on business models
Authors: Bouwman Harry , Nikou Shahrokh , Molina-Castillo Francisco J. , de Reuver Mark
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how digital technologies have forced small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to reconsider and experiment with their business models (BMs) and how this contributes to their innovativeness and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study has been conducted on 338 European SMEs actively using social media and big data to innovate their BMs. Four in-depth case studies of companies involved in BM innovation have also been carried out.

Findings

Findings show that the use of social media and big data in BMI is mainly driven by strategic and innovation-related internal motives. External technology turbulence plays a role too. BMI driven by social media and big data has a positive impact on business performance. Analysis of the case studies shows that BM is driven by big data rather than by social media.

Research limitations/implications

Research into big data- and social media-driven BMs needs more insight into how components are affected and how SMEs are experimenting with adjusting their BMs, specifically in terms of human and organizational factors.

Practical implications

Findings of this study can be used by managers and top-level executives to better understand how firms experiment with BMI, what affects business model components and how implementation might affect BMI performance.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first research contributions to analyse the impact of digitalization, specifically the impact of social media and big data on a large number of European SMEs.
The optimism-pessimism ratio as predictor of employee creativity: the promise of duality
Authors: Rego Arménio , Cunha Miguel Pina e , Reis Júnior Dálcio , Anastácio Cátia , Savagnago Moriel
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study if the employees’ optimism-pessimism ratio predicts their creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 134 employees reported their optimism and pessimism, and the respective supervisors described the employees’ creativity.

Findings

The relationship between the optimism-pessimism ratio and creativity is curvilinear (inverted U-shaped); beyond a certain level of the optimism-pessimism ratio, the positive relationship between the ratio and creativity weakens, suggesting that the possible positive effects of (high) optimism may be weakened by a very low level of pessimism.

Research limitations/implications

Being cross-sectional, the study examines neither the causal links between the optimism-pessimism ratio and creativity nor other plausible causal links. The study was carried out at a single moment and did not capture the dynamics that occur over the course of time involving changes in optimism/pessimism and creativity. Future studies may adopt longitudinal or quasi-experimental designs.

Practical implications

Managers and organizations must consider that, even though positivity promotes creativity, some level of negativity may help positivity to produce creativity.

Originality/value

This study suggests that scholars who want to study the antecedents of creativity (and innovation) must be cautious in focusing only on the positive or the negative sides of individuals’ characteristics, and rather they must explore the interplay between both poles. Individuals may experience both positive and negative states/traits (Smith et al., 2016), and this both/and approach may impel them to think divergently, to challenge the status quo and to propose “out the box” and useful ideas.
Evaluations of a sequence of affective events presented simultaneously
Authors: Thomas Dominic , Olsen Douglas , Murray Kyle
Published: January 2018

Purpose

A key finding in the affect integration literature is that for a sequence of events that unfolds sequentially, individuals attend to specific aspects of these events, such as the spread, peak, end, or trend. Due to recent findings of deviations from the peak-end rule, this study closely examines the integration processes of affective events presented sequentially and simultaneously.

Design/methodology/approach

Three experimental studies were conducted. Study 1a (financial dashboard) and Study 1b (charity advertisement) examine consumers’ overall evaluation for a sequence of mixed affective events. Using eye trackers, Study 2 examines individuals’ attention to particular affective moments presented sequentially and simultaneously.

Findings

The present research provides additional support for the peak–end rule for the sequential presentation of mixed-valence affective events. However, in the simultaneous mode of presentation, the flexibility to view various affective events decreases the disproportionate weights given to specific events, a divergence from the peak–end rule.

Research limitations/implications

Although the tempering effect of simultaneous presentation can be concluded, further studies are required to discern how individuals process these events and develop a predictive rule.

Practical implications

The results of the present study provide clear and actionable directions for application developers and advertising agencies: when communicating information or developing an advertisement, consideration should be given to how each affective event is being communicated.

Originality/value

It is argued that in the simultaneous mode of presentation, the flexibility to view various affective events allows greater shifts in attention that increase the salience of interconnections and thereby decrease the disproportionate weights given to specific events.
Effects of the intensity of use of social media on brand equity
Authors: Stojanovic Igor , Andreu Luisa , Curras-Perez Rafael
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive research of the effects of the intensity of use of social media on destination brand equity. The authors use the schema theory and a multidimensional approach of brand equity to analyse how social media communication affects brand awareness, brand image, customer value, brand quality and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors carried out a quantitative study through a personal survey with structured questionnaire. The study population were international tourists, over 18 years of age, who were visiting the city of Valencia, Spain. Respondents were asked to take the questionnaire upon arrival in Valencia, that is, before they had any direct experience of the tourist destination and when their knowledge of the city came only from the sources of social media information they have used. The final sample size was 249 interviewees.

Findings

Findings confirm a positive effect of the intensity of social media use on brand awareness. Results also suggest that brand awareness influences other dimensions of brand equity and highlight the influence of the destination affective image on the intention to make WOM communication.

Originality/value

Its originality lies in a unique approach for data collecting and using the schema theory of cognitive psychology to understand the phenomenon of social media influence on tourist perception of destination brands. The findings contribute to the development of better social media marketing in order to manage destination brands online.
Venturing under fire
Authors: Kolade Oluwaseun
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how a new entrepreneurship education (EE) intervention offered at conflict-ridden Maiduguri, Nigeria, is having transformative impacts through new venture creation and poverty reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a single case study approach, drawing from in-depth interviews of participants, experts, and facilitators of the entrepreneurship training, in addition to relevant memos and documents.

Findings

The findings indicate that the EE programme is, by generating awareness and facilitating skill development, contributing to new venture creation, poverty reduction, and positive change in mindset. However, the impact is limited by inadequate support through venture capital and limited facilities for business incubation.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited in its focus on EE provided for university undergraduates and graduates. Further research should explore interventions aimed at less-educated youth in the region, and in other conflict contexts.

Social implications

The study suggests that EE facilitates youth empowerment through venture creation, in the process transforming them from aggrieved outsiders to active stakeholders in societal peace and national prosperity.

Originality/value

The nascent theory of transformative entrepreneuring identifies poverty reduction and conflict resolution as the main mechanisms. This paper focuses on how EE triggers new venture creation, which in turn contributes to poverty reduction and overall change in mindset of otherwise unemployed and aggrieved youths.
Field work in potential gas fields, middle ground or war zone: enhancing accountability by shining a light on difference
Authors: Holdaway Marcelle
Published: January 2018

Purpose

As a key element of corporate accountability, social and environmental accounting (SEA) has failed to yield significant results in terms of firms embracing goals other than financial profitability. Influenced by the work of critical accountants on dialogic accounting, the study rejects binary frameworks and aims to contribute to an essential element of SEA, stakeholder engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Business concerned with unconventional gas (UCG) extraction was chosen from numerous vehicles suited to examining multiple views on contested issues. The research explores perspectives expressed by community, while also including perspectives of one gas firm. Research is viewed through the lens of critical futures theory and methodology causal layered analysis (CLA) in the analysis of the interviews at the case study site in Australia. In addition, to broaden the understanding of “accountability”, participants captured their own views through images that they interpreted in the interviews. This methodology is known as photovoice.

Findings

Findings suggest that CLA enables access to multiple, complex and nuanced perspectives and various ways of knowing, some of which are less conscious.

Research limitations/implications

Accessing multiple perspectives, including marginalized voices, gives rise to the potential to then collaboratively develop a more inclusive set of solutions to critically examine, and the CLA methodology appears to provide a fuller story, address “blindness” and enable a clearer “seeing”. This suggests access to new understandings. These two potentials should be further explored through follow up research.

Practical implications

This practice-based methodology involving civil society could provide SEA accounting practitioners with a greater range of possibilities; they would therefore benefit from incorporating “CLA thinking” as a basis in developing a pluralist, democratic and transformative approach to stakeholder engagement.

Social implications

The study is an initial contribution in an ambitious task of democratizing accounting and accountability.

Originality/value

The study addresses a gap in accounting and accountability research by applying a critical futures theory and a practice-based method.
National open data frames across Japan, The Netherlands and Saudi Arabia: role of culture
Authors: Saxena Stuti
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the national open data portals of Japan, The Netherlands and Saudi Arabia to identify the role of cultural variations in terms of their open data initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a qualitative approach, Hofstede’s cultural dimensions are probed to appreciate the extent to which the cultures of Japan, The Netherlands and Saudi Arabia are different. Thereafter, the national open data portals of the three countries are analyzed in terms of their nature and scope to underline the extent to which there is a match between the cultural characteristics and the extent of commitment and implementation of open data initiative.

Findings

There are cultural dissimilarities across the three countries and the same is reflected in the extent of commitment toward open data initiatives. Saudi Arabia, with its “collectivist” and high “power distance” score, is more reserved in implementing its open data initiative as compared with Japan or The Netherlands. Similarly, The Netherlands, which scores high in terms of “feminity” and “long-term orientation,” is more forthcoming in publishing data sets, with many government organizations taking up the initiative of publishing the data sets. Finally, with more degree of “uncertainty avoidance,” Saudi Arabia prefers to remain on the safe side by publishing only those data sets that are non-controversial, insensitive and readily available. At the same time, the open data initiatives across the three countries require the adoption of a more rigorous and committed approach to ensure that the goals of transparency and public accountability are better met and there is more reuse of the data sets by improvising the user-friendliness of the interfaces for tapping them.

Research limitations/implications

Taking examples from three countries, representative of the different cultural characteristics, it is desirable that further research be conducted by including more countries and deriving an evaluation framework for analyzing the sustainability of the open data initiatives in terms of their culture.

Practical implications

Governments are encouraged to adopt a more committed stance toward institutionalizing the open data initiatives and policymakers should ensure that the quality of data sets is sustained for maximum reuse of the data sets and for the derivation of public value.

Social implications

Citizens should engage themselves in tapping the data sets for improvising them and contribute toward the existing data sets as well.

Originality/value

Hitherto, there has been focus on the examples of open data initiatives across different countries, but the role of culture was never investigated while analyzing the open data initiatives. This is the first study where the countries’ open data initiatives are probed in terms of the cultural variations across the three countries using the cultural dimensions identified by Hofstede.
Residents’ educational attainment and preventive care utilization in China
Authors: Lee Yen-Han , Chiang Timothy , Liu Ching-Ti
Published: January 2018

Purpose

China launched a comprehensive health reform in 2009 to improve healthcare quality. Because preventive care utilization in China has not been frequently discussed, the purpose of this paper is to focus on the association between education level and preventive care before and after the initiation of the reform. Education has been referred to as the best health outcome indicator and China’s educational reform has been progressive, such as the health reform.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed data from four China Health and Nutrition Surveys (CHNS): 2004 (n=9,617); 2006 (n=9,527); 2009 (n=9,873); and 2011 (n=9,430). Variables were selected based on Andersen’s healthcare utilization model (predisposing, enabling and need factors). Multivariable logistic regression models, odds ratios (ORs) and 95 percent confidence intervals (95 percent CI) were conducted and reported.

Findings

In the adjusted multivariable logistic regression models, the authors found that general education was associated (p<0.05) with access to preventive care in 2004, 2009 and 2011, but not in 2006. Individuals with higher education had higher ORs for utilizing preventive care, compared with lower education (primary school education or none).

Practical implications

Policy implications include providing educational protocols regarding preventive care’s significance to residents educated at lower level schools, especially younger individuals.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first comparative assessment on education level and preventive care utilization before and after the implementation of the Chinese health reform.
Developing student teachers’ teaching self-efficacy through Shared Mentoring in Learning Environments (SMILE)
Authors: Chizhik Estella W. , Chizhik Alexander W. , Close Catherine , Gallego Margaret
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The researchers developed a model of mentoring student teachers, known as Shared Mentoring in Learning Environments (SMILE), to provide opportunities for classroom teachers to build shared understanding with university field supervisors. The purpose of this paper is to compare teaching efficacy of those student teachers who matriculated through the SMILE approach with mentoring student teachers who matriculated through a traditional approach to mentoring and identifying aspects of SMILE that may have contributed to the development of teacher efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 29 student teachers participated in the SMILE model of supporting student teaching, and 29 student teachers (comparison group) were provided with a traditional support structure. At the start and end of their one-year post-baccalaureate credential program, all student teachers completed a teaching efficacy questionnaire. During the last month of the teacher-credential program, all student teachers were interviewed in focus groups regarding the quality of their student-teaching mentoring. In addition, the researchers asked classroom teachers in the SMILE cohort to complete a questionnaire, identifying specific strengths and weaknesses of the SMILE model of mentoring student teachers.

Findings

Student teachers in the SMILE cohort improved their teaching efficacy in comparison with student teachers in a traditional model of support. SMILE student teachers appreciated critical feedback, while the comparison group participants focused on whether feedback was positive or negative. In addition, SMILE student teachers attributed their development of instructional skills to the mentoring process from classroom teachers and university supervisors, while comparison group participants attributed their development as teachers mainly to their classroom teachers who modeled effective instructional strategies. SMILE classroom teachers made reference to how particular aspects of the model (e.g. sequencing and lesson study) contributed to both student- and mentor-teacher development.

Originality/value

The SMILE approach to mentoring student teachers facilitated collaboration between university field supervisors and classroom teachers in joint mentoring of future teachers into their profession, a rare occurrence in teacher education programs. Joint mentoring led to improved teaching efficacy among student teachers.
An EWMA control chart based on the Wilcoxon rank-sum statistic using repetitive sampling
Authors: Malela-Majika Jean-Claude , Adeoti Olatunde Adebayo , Rapoo Eeva
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart based on the Wilcoxon rank-sum (WRS) statistic using repetitive sampling to improve the sensitivity of the EWMA control chart to process mean shifts regardless of the prior knowledge of the underlying process distribution.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed chart is developed without any distributional assumption of the underlying quality process for monitoring the location parameter. The authors developed formulae as well as algorithms to facilitate the design and implementation of the proposed chart. The performance of the proposed chart is investigated in terms of the average run-length, standard deviation of the run-length (RL), average sample size and percentiles of the RL distribution. Numerical examples are given as illustration of the design and implementation of the proposed chart.

Findings

The proposed control chart presents very attractive RL properties and outperforms the existing nonparametric EWMA control chart based on the WRS in the detection of the mean process shifts in many situations. However, the performance of the proposed chart relatively deteriorates for small phase I sample sizes.

Originality/value

This study develops a new control chart for monitoring the process mean using a two-sample test regardless of the nature of the underlying process distribution. The proposed control chart does not require any assumption on the type (or nature) of the process distribution. It requires a small number of subgroups in order to reach stability in the phase II performance.
Pull factors of the shopping malls: an empirical study
Authors: Calvo-Porral Cristina , Lévy-Mangín Jean-Pierre
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This study addresses the following question: “What factors attract customers to the shopping mall?”, since the commercial attraction of this major retailing format is an undertaken variable. So, the purpose of this paper is to provide an empirical analysis of the main commercial pull factors of the shopping malls in order to attract potential customers.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, the authors provide and empirically test a conceptual model considering the variables convenience, tenant variety and specialisation, internal environment, leisure and communication. Data were analysed through structural equation modelling on a sample of 253 customers.

Findings

The findings suggest that tenant variety and the internal environment of the mall – understood as an adequate tenant mix and a pleasant, attractive environment – are the main determinants of attracting customers. However, the convenience of the shopping mall and the communication activities do not show a significant influence as pull factors.

Originality/value

The results obtained suggest that marketing managers have numerous tools to influence customers’ intention to visit and patronise shopping malls.
An evaluation tool for Age-Friendly and Dementia Friendly Communities
Authors: Buckner Stefanie , Mattocks Calum , Rimmer Melanie , Lafortune Louise
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report how an evaluation tool originally developed for Age-Friendly Cities was pilot-tested in the context of the Dementia Friendly Community (DFC) initiative of the city of Sheffield/UK. It presents finding and outputs on which other communities with dementia friendly agendas can draw.

Design/methodology/approach

The original evaluation tool was adapted to a focus on dementia friendliness. Data collection involved scoping conversations, documentary analysis, interviews and group discussions. Following evidence appraisal, Sheffield’s approach to dementia friendliness was assessed. A local steering group was central to the study.

Findings

The evidence indicates areas of strength in Sheffield’s approach to dementia friendliness: involvement of older people; service provision; collaboration; monitoring and evaluation. Scope for improvement was identified around resource allocation, and use of existing guidance on dementia friendliness. Recommendations for policy and practice include enhancing pooling of resources, more detailed recording of resources allocated to dementia-related activity, and collection of evidence on how people affected by dementia have shaped the city’s DFC initiative. Key research outputs are an adaptable logic model and an emerging evaluation framework for DFCs.

Research limitations/implications

The study was a short pilot with limited resources. Its findings and outputs must be considered preliminary.

Originality/value

The findings and outputs provide a basis for further research. The study has suggested key components of an evaluation framework for DFCs. It is informing ongoing work to develop such a framework.
Developing age-friendly work in the twenty-first century: new challenges and agendas
Authors: Phillipson Christopher
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review factors influencing the development of age-friendly communities, pressures arising from context of economic austerity, and issues which need to be considered for further work.

Design/methodology/approach

A synthesis of academic literature covering both age-friendly research and other relevant studies.

Findings

Pressures on the age-friendly movement include: cuts to the budgets of local authorities; impact of urban regeneration; and high levels of deprivation in inner city communities. Responses need to consider: closer links with other urban programmes (e.g. healthy cities); prioritising the challenge of social inequality; exerting great control over urban development and regeneration; and devising new approaches to delivering age-friendly interventions at a neighbourhood level.

Originality/value

Although the age-friendly movement has many achievements to its name, economic pressures are raising question marks about its future progress. The paper identifies several options for future development. Central to these must be linking age-friendly debates to the inequalities and injustices which affect city life.
Non‐transport emergency medical service missions – a retrospective study based on medical charts
Authors: Pekanoja S. , Hoikka M. , Kyngäs H. , Elo S.
Published: January 2018

Background

In Finland, approximately 40% of emergency medical service (EMS) missions do not result in transport of the patient to a hospital by ambulance, and there is wide variability in the reasons underlying non‐transport decisions. The aim of this study was to describe the context of these EMS non‐transport missions.

Methods

The data were collected retrospectively between 3 September and 20 October 2014 by investigating non‐transport EMS charts (n = 1154). Event information and patients′ main symptoms were extracted from information found in EMS charts and quantified using content and statistical analyses.

Results

Patients′ need for EMS were explained by various reasons. One‐third of the missions were caused by organ‐specific symptoms, whereas in 30.8% of cases the reason for EMS was unspecified. Sudden onset symptoms were noted for 38.4% of the cases, whereas in 14.7% of cases the symptoms had persisted for days or weeks before EMS contact. EMS personnel offered guidance instead of treatment in 79.2% of the missions.

Conclusions

Non‐transport missions represent a significant daily work load for the EMS. Although most of the symptoms showed acute onset, the majority of these missions involved only assessment of medical necessity and/or guidance without any medical treatment. It is questionable whether this use of the EMS is cost‐effective for any healthcare system.
High‐fibre enteral feeding results in improved anthropometrics and favourable gastrointestinal tolerance in malnourished children with growth failure
Authors: Kansu Aydan , Durmaz Ugurcan Ozlem , Arslan Duran , Unalp Aycan , Celtik Coskun , Sarıoglu Aysugul Alptekin ,   the ANTK Study Group
Published: January 2018

Aim

The practical value of using fibre‐enriched enteral feeding regimens to rehabilitate malnourished children remains inconclusive. This study determined the usage patterns, gastrointestinal tolerance, anthropometrics and safety of high‐fibre enteral feeding in malnourished children with growth failure.

Methods

This Turkish observational study between February 2013 and June 2015 comprised 345 paediatric patients from 17 centres with malnutrition‐related growth failure, with a weight and height of <2 SD percentiles for their age. Changes in anthropometrics, gastrointestinal symptoms, defecation habits and safety data relating to adverse events were analysed during the six‐month follow‐up period.

Results

Most subjects (99.7%) were supplemented with enteral feeding. The absolute difference and 95% confidence interval values for the Z scores of height for age, weight for age, weight for height and body mass index for height increased significantly in four months to six months to 0.21 (0.09–0.32), 0.61 (0.51–0.70), 0.81 (0.56–1.06) and 0.70 (0.53–0.86), respectively (p < 0.001 for each). The percentage of patients with normal defecation frequency significantly increased from 70.3% to 92.8% at the four months to six months visit (p = 0.004). Adverse events occurred in 15 (4.3%) of patients.

Conclusion

Using a six‐month high‐fibre enteral feeding was associated with favourable outcomes in anthropometrics, appetite, gastrointestinal tolerance and safety in malnourished children.
How I manage patients with cold agglutinin disease
Authors: Berentsen Sigbjørn
Published: January 2018

Cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is an uncommon autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in which a well‐defined, clonal low‐grade lymphoproliferative disorder of the bone marrow results in erythrocyte destruction mediated by the classical complement pathway. The pathogenesis, clinical features and diagnostic criteria are reviewed. Although anaemia is mild in some patients, approximately one‐third of untreated patients have a haemoglobin level of ≤80 g/l, and about 50% have been considered transfusion dependent for shorter or longer periods. Therapy has improved greatly during the last 15 years. Mild disease can be managed by avoidance of cold and adequate precautions in specific situations, without drug therapy. Corticosteroids should not be used to treat CAD. Patients requiring pharmacological therapy should be considered for prospective trials. Outside clinical studies, the rituximab‐bendamustine combination or rituximab monotherapy is recommended in the first line, depending on individual patient characteristics. Second‐line options are rituximab‐fludarabine in fit patients or, although less strongly documented, a bortezomib‐based regimen. Therapies targeting the classical complement pathway are promising, and the complement C1s inhibitor, BIVV009, has shown favourable results in preliminary studies.