bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic modelling of the C3-CAM continuum revealed the establishment of a starch/sugar-malate cycle in CAM evolution
Authors: Tay Ignacius Y. Y. , Odang Kristoforus Bryant , Cheung C. Y. Maurice
Published: December 2019

The evolution of Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) is thought to be along a C3-CAM continuum including multiple variations of CAM such as CAM cycling and CAM idling. Here, we applied large-scale constraint-based modelling to investigate the metabolism and energetics of plants operating in C3, CAM, CAM cycling and CAM idling. Our modelling results suggested that CAM cycling and CAM idling could be potential evolutionary intermediates in CAM evolution by establishing a starch/sugar-malate cycle. Our model analysis showed that by varying CO2exchange during the light period, as a proxy of stomatal conductance, there exists a C3-CAM continuum with gradual metabolic changes, supporting the notion that evolution of CAM from C3could occur solely through incremental changes in metabolic fluxes. Along the C3-CAM continuum, our model predicted changes in metabolic fluxes not only through the starch/sugar-malate cycle that is involved in CAM photosynthetic CO2fixation but also other metabolic processes including the mitochondrial electron transport chain and the tricarboxylate acid cycle at night. These predictions could guide engineering efforts in introducing CAM into C3crops for improved water use efficiency.
Physiological predictors of competitive performance in CrossFit®athletes
Authors: Martínez-Gómez Rafael , Valenzuela Pedro L. , Alejo Lidia B. , Gil-Cabrera Jaime , Montalvo-Pérez Almudena , Talavera Eduardo , Lucia Alejandro , Moral-González Susana , Barranco-Gil David
Published: December 2019

The aim of this study was to determine which physiological variables could predict performance during a CrossFit competition. Fifteen male CrossFit athletes (35 ± 9 years) participated and performed a series of tests (incremental load test for full squat and bench press, jump tests, incremental running test, and Wingate test) that were used as potential predictors of CrossFit performance. Thereafter, they performed the five Workouts of the Day (WODs) corresponding to the CrossFit Games Open 2019, and the relationship between each variable and CrossFit performance was analyzed. Overall Crossfit performance (i.e., final ranking considering all WODs) was significantly related to jump ability, mean and peak power output during the Wingate test, relative maximum strength for the full squat and the bench press, and maximum oxygen uptake and maximum speed during an incremental running test (all p<0.05, r=0.58–0.75), although the relationship of most markers varied depending on the analyzed WOD. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the combination of maximum oxygen uptake, squat jump ability, and reactive strength index accounted for 81% of the variance in overall CrossFit performance (p=0.0003). CrossFit performance seems dependent on a variety of power-, strength-, and aerobic-related markers, which reflects the complexity of this sport. Improvements in aerobic capacity may help people and athletes in CrossFit performance and well-being. Also, focus on lower body power could be the key to obtain better performance markers.
Shell Morphology, Radula and Genital Structures of New Invasive Giant African Land Snail Species, Achatina fulica Bowdich, 1822,Achatina albopicta E.A. Smith (1878) and Achatina reticulata Pfeiffer 1845 (Gastropoda:Achatinidae) in Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Odaibo Alexander B. , Olayinka Suraj O.
Published: December 2019

The aim of this study was to determine the differences in the shell, radula and genital structures of 3 new invasive species, Achatina fulica Bowdich, 1822,Achatina albopicta E.A. Smith (1878) and Achatina reticulata Pfeiffer, 1845 collected from southwestern Nigeria and to determine features that would be of importance in the identification of these invasive species in Nigeria. This is the first report of Achatina albopicta and A. reticulata in Nigeria, but Achatina fulica have since been reported in Nigeria and other African countries outside coastal East Africa. No study has described the external or internal morphology of any of the invasive species in Nigeria. Five to ten live specimens of each species, with complete shell characters, of each species were used for this study. Vernier caliper was used to obtain all shell measurements, with the shell held vertically and the aperture facing the observer. The genital structures were dissected out and fixed in 70% alcohol for 10-15 minutes and examined. The buccal mass was dissected out and digested in 7.5% sodium hydroxide for 24 hrs to free the radula from snail tissues and then examined under the compound microscope.

The shells of the 3 new species were dextral, conical with pointed spire and narrow apex. The whorls were separated by deep sutures. The parietal walls and the columella of the three species were white but columella of A. reticulata had a characteristic thick deposit of white porcelain-like material. There were dark brown markings on the whorls of the three species on dirty brown background for A. fulica and A. reticulata and dirty yellowish background for A. albopicta. The shell of A. albopicta was slightly glossy on the body whorl. The whorls of A. albopicta were much more convex than the whorls of A. fulica and A. reticulata. The columella of A. albopicta was truncate above the base of the peristome, moderately concave and slightly curved up at the base, while the columella of A. fulica was truncate sharply at the base of the peristome and straight and the columella of A. reticulata was slantly truncate at the base of the peristome and straight. The genitalia of the three species were very identical but differed slightly in the emergence of the basal vas deferens from the penis. The penes were slender and completely enclosed by the penial sheaths. The length of the penis varied from 10 to 12 mm. The vas deferens, free oviduct and the spermatheca duct were very long. The radula could be differentiated by the structure of central teeth and the first lateral tooth. The study showed that the shell morphology, radula and genital structures can be of importance in the identification of members of the family Achatinidae in Nigeria.
Nanoparticle-based targeted delivery of pentagalloyl glucose reverses elastase-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm and restores aorta to the healthy state in mice
Authors: Dhital Saphala , Vyavahare Naren R.
Published: December 2019

Aim

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is a life-threatening weakening and expansion of the abdominal aorta due to inflammatory cell infiltration and gradual degeneration of extracellular matrix (ECM). There are no pharmacological therapies to treat AAA. We tested the hypothesis that nanoparticle (NP) therapy that targets degraded elastin and delivers anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and ECM stabilizing agent, pentagalloyl glucose (PGG) will reverse advance stage aneurysm in an elastase-induced mouse model of AAA.

Method and Results

Porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) was applied periadventitially to the infrarenal aorta in mice and AAA was allowed to develop for 14 days. Nanoparticles loaded with PGG (EL-PGG-NPs) were then delivered via IV route at 14-day and 21-day (10 mg/kg of body weight). A control group of mice received no therapy. The targeting of NPs to the AAA site was confirmed with fluorescent dye marked NPs and gold NPs. Animals were sacrificed at 28-d. We found that targeted PGG therapy reversed the AAA by decreasing matrix metalloproteinases MMP-9 and MMP-2, and the infiltration of macrophages in the medial layer. The increase in diameter of the aorta was reversed to healthy controls. Moreover, PGG treatment restored degraded elastic lamina and increased the circumferential strain of aneurysmal aorta to the healthy levels.

Conclusion

Our results support that site-specific delivery of PGG with targeted nanoparticles can be used to treat already developed AAA. Such therapy can reverse inflammatory markers and restore arterial homeostasis.
Nanoscopic X-ray imaging and quantification of the iron cellular architecture within single fibroblasts of Friedreich's ataxia patients
Authors: De Samber Björn , Vanden Berghe Tom , Meul Eline , Bauters Stephen , Seyrich Martin , Smet Joél , De Paepe Boel , da Silva Julio Cesar , Bohic Sylvain , Cloetens Peter , Van Coster Rudy , Vandenabeele Peter , Vincze Laszlo
Published: December 2019

Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by an increase in intracytoplasmic iron concentration. Here the nanoscale iron distribution within single fibroblasts from FRDA patients was investigated using synchrotron-radiation-based nanoscopic X-ray fluorescence and X-ray in-line holography at the ID16A nano-imaging beamline of the ESRF. This unique probe was deployed to uncover the iron cellular two-dimensional architecture of freeze-dried FRDA fibroblasts. An unsurpassed absolute detection capability of 180 iron atoms within a 30 nm × 50 nm nanoscopic X-ray beam footprint was obtained using state-of-the-art X-ray focusing optics and a large-solid-angle detection system. Various micrometre-sized iron-rich organelles could be revealed for the first time, tentatively identified as endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and lysosomes. Also a multitude of nanoscopic iron hot-spots were observed in the cytosol, interpreted as chaperoned iron within the fibroblast's labile iron pool. These observations enable new hypotheses on the storage and trafficking of iron in the cell and ultimately to a better understanding of iron-storage diseases such as Friedreich's ataxia.
1,1,3,3-Tetraethyl-5-nitroisoindoline
Authors: Tapmeyer Lukas , Beske Maurice , Plackmeyer Jörn
Published: December 2019

The title compound, C16H24N2O2, previously obtained as a yellow oil, exhibits a rather low melting point close to room temperature 297–298 K). In the molecule, the isoindoline ring system is approximately planar and coplanar to the nitro group, forming a dihedral angle of 5.63 (15)°. In the crystal, only weak N—H...O and C—H...π interactions are observed, linking molecules into chains parallel to the [101] direction.
The boundary of sustainability reporting: evidence from the FTSE100
Authors: Miles Samantha , Ringham Kate
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use a multi-disciplinary theoretical understanding of boundary setting to develop a quadripartite model in which sustainability reporting boundaries are classified as “Reputation Management”, “Ownership and Control”, “Accountability”; and, “Stakeholder Engagement”. Content analysis is then used to empirically test the model.

Design/methodology/approach

Using impression management theory, rationalism, systems and contingency theory, and network theory, a model is created which classifies sustainability reporting boundaries. Content analysis is used to empirically test boundaries across the disclosure of 49 GRI topics by the FTSE100.

Findings

Sustainability reporting fails to discharge accountability due to adoption of narrow “Reputation Management” boundaries. Boundaries are significantly (p<0.0001) narrower than previous research suggests. Findings support impression management theory as the strongest theory to predict reporting content. An ownership and control boundary, although widely criticized, represents the boundary of progressive reporters, lending marginal support for economic theories. Accountability boundaries are scarce. No evidence was found for stakeholder engagement boundaries.

Practical implications

The determination of boundary is critical to the discharge of accountability. A critical consideration of boundary setting is required, including authentic stakeholder engagement in determining boundaries and transparency of boundary adopted. The results are ranked to enable benchmarking of the FTSE100. Boundaries can be widened through regulation or “name and shame campaigns”.

Originality/value

This paper provides a theory-informed advancement in thinking on sustainability reporting boundary setting and the importance of this for advancing sustainability reporting quality.
Perceived contributions to national development
Authors: Enkhtur Ariunaa
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how Mongolian alumni of three different scholarship programs sponsored by governments of Japan and Mongolia view their role in national development after graduation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports findings from a phenomenological study (Creswell, 2007) – the first phase of an exploratory sequential mixed-methods study in a recent PhD study. Based on semi-structured interviews with 24 alumni the study aimed to understand alumni’s perspectives in their voices.

Findings

Alumni were motivated to contribute to their communities, institutions, economic, political, social and legal conditions of Mongolia. However, they faced various structural challenges including getting jobs in the public sector even when they had binding agreements with employers. The findings call for long-term support for alumni projects and hubs as well as policy frameworks that tie the scholarship programs with national development goals.

Originality/value

Despite the high mobility rate of Mongolian scholars and a long history of Japanese Official Development Assistance to develop human resources in developing countries especially in Asia, little is known about the impact of these programs on the Mongolian national development. Through the phenomenological study, this study expands the understanding of ways in which alumni contribute to their national development.
Should we be accepting self-referrals for Autism assessments?
Authors: Whitney Daniel , Stansfield Alison Jane
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The Leeds Autism Diagnostic Service (LADS) is an all IQ service accepting professional and self-referrals, from age 18, for diagnostic assessment. LADS is unusual compared to other diagnostic services in England, in that it accepts self-referrals. The purpose of this paper is to compare diagnostic outcome between self-referrals and other referral sources.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a service evaluation of all 692 referrals for diagnostic assessment into LADS, over a three year period, from 2016 to 2018. The diagnostic outcomes were compared between self-referrals and other referral sources. Secondary analysis looked at age and gender differences between these groups.

Findings

There were 98 self-referrals over three years with autism diagnosed in 65 per cent. In total, 594 other referrals were received during this time period, with autism diagnosed in 44 per cent. This showed a significant difference of 21 per cent with 95% confidence intervals of 10–31 per cent (p=0.0001) using a n−1 χ2 test. In total, 59 per cent of self-referrals were from patients identifying as female, which compared to 35 per cent identifying as female from other referrals. This was a difference of 24 per cent with 95% confidence interval of 14–34 per cent (p<0.0001) on the n−1 χ2 test.

Research limitations/implications

Factors which may influence the ability to generalise from these results are: that LADS covers a large mainly urban and suburban area with a range of ethnic and socioeconomic diversity; that LADS is an all IQ service unlike some other autism diagnostic services; historical and service-related factors unique to Leeds may be dissimilar to other locations. It was beyond the scope of this evaluation to perform a qualitative analysis to compare the referral sources, but this may be an area for further study.

Practical implications

This evaluation supports the use of a self-referral route for adult autism diagnostic services on a local level and may support its use more widely in other services.

Social implications

This evaluation, in demonstrating proportionately significantly higher autism diagnosis from self-referrals is likely to be reducing the work load of professionals who would normally make referrals. Alternatively, it may be capturing a subgroup of the autism population who would not otherwise have sought diagnosis. In either scenario, it supports and is consistent with a patient centred approach to accessing appropriate diagnostic services.

Originality/value

The authors are not aware that any previous evaluation of this nature has been conducted and feel this evaluation supports the use of a self-referral pathway in adult autism diagnostic services.
Sustainability disclosure and earnings informativeness: evidence from Sri Lanka
Authors: Swarnapali RM Nayana Chandani
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the communication that takes place through the sustainability disclosure (SD) route has an effect on earnings informativeness (EI) of firms in an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka, where SD is a new phenomenon and a voluntary reporting initiative. Regression analysis is executed on the panel data to achieve the study objective.

Findings

The result reveals a positive association between SD and EI. Sustainability reports may provide useful information that supplements merely financial data, aiding the stakeholders to interpret the financial reporting better. The finding premises that SD enhances EI, communicating value relevant information to capital market participants.

Practical implications

SD does much to reduce capital market participants’ uncertainties, thereby aiding them to assess financial information better.

Social implications

The findings of the study confirm earlier research findings that indicate a positive association between SD and EI, suggesting that capital market participants are gradually becoming aware of the value relevance of sustainability reports.

Originality/value

This is the first study investigating SD and EI association that is specific to the Sri Lankan context. Owing to the sparse studies done on the SD and EI association, this study should contribute significantly to the existing literature by broadening the geographical coverage.
Earnings persistence, earnings power, and equity valuation in consumer goods firms
Authors: Fatma Nurani , Hidayat Widi
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of earnings persistence and earnings power on equity valuation.

Design/methodology/approach

The purposive sampling method was applied to determine the samples of selected 100 firms. This study employed secondary data obtained from the annual reports and financial statements of consumer goods firms listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange for the period 2010–2014. The analysis technique used a multiple regression analysis.

Findings

The study result shows that, partially, earnings persistence and earnings power affect equity valuation by investors. Earnings persistence has a negative influence, whereas earnings power has a positive influence on equity valuation.

Originality/value

This study throws additional lights on equity valuation specific to consumer goods industries.
The interplay of social responsibility consciousness and evaluation mode in consumers’ response toward cause-related marketing-enhanced product
Authors: Park Eun Young , Jang Jung Min
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper demonstrate that purchase intention toward a cause-related marketing (CRM)-enhanced product can be positively correlated with consumers’ social responsibility consciousness (SRC) and can be increased or decreased merely by changing the evaluation mode.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct three experimental studies with two levels of SRC (high vs low) × two evaluation modes (joint evaluation (JE) vs separate evaluation (SE)) between-subjects design. The dependent variable is purchase intent toward the CRM-enhanced product.

Findings

The results indicate that consumers with high SRC are more likely than those with low SRC to purchase a CRM-enhanced product when two products are presented side by side (JE). However, consumers’ SRC level does not impact purchase intention when they see only one product (SE) independently (Study 1). The authors confirm that the proposed effect is mediated by perceived price fairness toward the product (Studies 2 and 3).

Research limitations/implications

Future research on CRM-enhanced products should carefully consider that the impact of individuals’ SRC level was in very different directions depending on the evaluation mode. In addition, further investigation is needed to address generalizability issues regarding samples and hypothetical stimuli.

Practical implications

These findings offer recommendations to help practitioners design effective marketing communications about CRM practice for target markets.

Originality/value

To the authors best knowledge, the current study is the first attempt to explore the crucial role of SRC, presentation mode and their interaction on purchase intention toward CRM-enhanced products.
Unseen: the sexual harassment of low-income women in America
Authors: Fitzgerald Louise
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the harassment of vulnerable women whose lives and experiences remain largely unseen in the era of #MeToo.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws from the sparse empirical literature as well as the more informal accounts provided by social justice organizations, investigative journalists and legal commentary about four spheres that have largely remained invisible: women in low-income housing, agricultural workers, janitorial workers and restaurant workers. It also reviews the surprising success stories that some of these groups have achieved and invite us to ponder what we can learn from them.

Findings

Farm workers, sub-minimum wage restaurant workers, single mothers and janitorial workers are several groups that were not highlighted by the current movement.

Social implications

Highlighting the experiences of those who remain largely hidden in and from academic discourse and, more largely, the public eye enlarges the scope of knowledge and encourages further scholarly inquiry.

Originality/value

Combining the perspectives of scholar and social justice activist illuminates the depth and breadth of largely invisible classes of harassment victims and the potentially novel remedies they have initiated.
Local Development Platforms (LDP): an operational framework for business development
Authors: Marques Gastão de Jesus , Guerra Cristina Gama
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual model of business development that provides operational ways to increase the competitive presence of more micro and small ventures (both actual and new) in enlarged markets, including international ones.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a conceptual model starting from the identification of the most usual constraints limiting the SMEs and entrepreneurship development and success. After this stage, the model was built with the help of selected concepts, which represent a theoretical framework of support.

Findings

Regarding the universe of SME and entrepreneurship, the authors usually find some weaknesses: markets mainly local/regional, absence of growth, cooperative networks and/or international operations, because of several usual constraints: limited competences and resources, absence of critical mass on buying/selling and difficulty to cooperate. These shortcomings represent an economic waste when there are competitive offers and/or endogenous resources.

Research limitations/implications

The model will be applied in a Portuguese county, in this way the authors expect to make an empirical research in the near future.

Practical implications

The model surpasses the, usual, limited skills of people and organisations betting in their competitive specialisation, with the assumptions that few people can be successful entrepreneurs/managers, but quite everyone can perform something competitively. The organisation/structure – Local Development Platform (LDP) – has the responsibility to assure the competitiveness of value chains built over networks of these agents. Additionally, the LDP should provide collective resources to lower the investments and operational needs of the agents involved, provide the added value services necessary for offers and agents’ competitiveness, achieve critical mass on buying and selling and enlarge/open new markets. These resources are organised in up to five specialised platforms, to service a strategy structured along five axes of development.

Social implications

With this model, it is possible to increase the levels of employment and welfare.

Originality/value

A practical/operational integrated model able to be applied in different contexts will help private and public agents to define and implement strategies of development to enable the growth and success of SMEs and entrepreneurial initiatives in the international markets context.
The role of social media in managing supplier attractiveness
Authors: Tóth Zsófia , Liu Martin , Luo Jun , Braziotis Christos
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Managing attractiveness is a constant challenge to mobilize relationship-specific investments, especially in a business environment increasingly enhanced by social media (SM) activities. There is limited knowledge on how SM activities contribute to supplier attractiveness, so decisions about strategizing with SM and consequent resource allocations become highly uncertain. The purpose of this paper is to examine how suppliers’ SM activities influence supplier attractiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

Altogether, 57 senior managers were interviewed: 32 semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with senior managers in strategic decision-making roles regarding SM on the supplier side, along with 20 senior managers responsible for purchasing or looking after supplier development; one-to-one interviews were complemented by a focus group with 5 senior managers on the buyer side.

Findings

The study reveals an inverse U-shaped relationship between the intensity of the supplier’s SM activity and its attractiveness and offers a set of propositions about the influence of SM on supplier attractiveness, with special regard to the perceived risks of increased transparency and becoming “too social” on SM.

Practical implications

The study highlights SM management results for supplier attractiveness and their impact areas on business growth and supply chain development.

Originality/value

This paper provides in-depth insights into the role of SM in managing supplier attractiveness. Various effects of SM activities are identified that aim to contribute to the body of literature on supplier attractiveness as well as SM management in buyer–supplier relationships.
Environmental pollution and economic growth elasticities of maritime and air transportations in Iran
Authors: Mohamad Taghvaee Vahid , Agheli Lotfali , Assari Arani Abbas , Nodehi Mehrab , Khodaparast Shirazi Jalil
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of maritime and air transportation on the environment and economy of Iran. The authors specify two dynamic models of the environmental pollution and the economic growth. Then, the authors estimate the environmental and economic elasticities of maritime and air transportation in short run and long run in Iran during 1978–2012.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors estimate the environmental and economic elasticities of maritime elasticities in short and long run, using simultaneous equations system.

Findings

The findings indicate that the short- and long-run environmental pollution elasticities of maritime transportation are higher than those of the air ones. In addition, the economic growth elasticities are greater in the air transportation compared to maritime one. As a result, the maritime transportation is more pollutant and less productive in Iran in comparison with the air transportation.

Originality/value

The policymakers are advised to improve the infrastructure of maritime transportation from both the environmental and economic point of views. Consequently, the air transportation is considered as a cleaner and more beneficial transportation mode in Iran, where geographical position limits the maritime transport as a widespread transportation mode.
Thermal performance of fully wet longitudinal porous fin with temperature-dependent thermal conductivity, surface emissivity and heat transfer coefficient
Authors: Sowmya G. , Gireesha B.J. , Makinde O.D.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the thermal behaviour of a fully wet porous fin of longitudinal profile. The significance of radiative and convective heat transfer has been scrutinised along with the simultaneous variation of surface emissivity, heat transfer coefficient and thermal conductivity with temperature. The emissivity of the surface and the thermal conductivity are considered as linear functions of the local temperature between fin and the ambient. Darcy’s model was considered to formulate the heat transfer equation. According to this, the porous fin permits the flow to penetrate through it and solid–fluid interaction occurs.

Design/methodology/approach

Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg fourth–fifth-order method has been used to solve the reduced non-dimensionalized ordinary differential equation involving highly nonlinear terms.

Findings

The impact of pertinent parameters, such as convective parameter, radiative parameter, conductivity parameter, emissivity parameter, wet porous parameter, etc., on the temperature profiles were elaborated mathematically with the plotted graphs. The heat transfer from the fin enhances with the rise in convective parameter.

Originality/value

The wet nature of the fin enhances heat transfer and in many practical applications the parameters, such as thermal conductivity, heat transfer coefficient as well as surface emissivity, vary with temperature. Hence, the main objective of the current study is to depict the significance of simultaneous variation in surface emissivity, heat transfer coefficient and thermal conductivity with respect to temperature under natural convection and radiation condition in a totally wetted longitudinal porous fin.
Effect of middle managers’ cultural intelligence on firms’ innovation performance
Authors: Berraies Sarra
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of the metacognitive, cognitive, motivational and behavioral dimensions of the middle managers’ cultural intelligence (CQ) on firms’ innovation performance in a context of cultural diversity and the mediating role of knowledge sharing in this relationship. The author deepens the analysis by exploring the moderating role of collaborative climate (CC) on the link between CQ and KS.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted on 186 foreign middle managers working in Tunisian firms. The data analysis was performed via the partial least square method.

Findings

The results revealed that middle managers’ metacognitive CQ has a positive effect on KS, which in turn enhances firms’ innovation performance. In this line, KS partially mediates the relationship between metacogntive CQ and innovation performance. Findings also indicate that CC moderates the link between three dimensions of CQ, namely metacognitive, behavioral and motivational CQs and KS.

Originality/value

The paper sheds lights on the contribution of middle managers’ CQ and the CC within firms to the KS and innovation performance in a context of cultural diversity. At the best of the author’s knowledge, the links among these variables had not been empirically examined, especially involving samples of middle managers. This study offers important insights for managers by providing them with tools to improve KS and firms’ innovation.
Scattering pattern analysis and true‐amplitude generalized Radon transform migration for acoustic transversely isotropic media with a vertical axis of symmetry
Authors: Liang Quan , Ouyang Wei , Mao Weijian , Cheng Shijun
Published: December 2019

In multi‐parameter ray‐based anisotropic migration/inversion, it is essential that we have an understanding of the scattering mechanism corresponding to parameter perturbations. Because the complex nonlinearity in the anisotropic inversion problem is intractable, the construction of true‐amplitude linearized migration/inversion procedures is needed and important. By using the acoustic medium assumption for transversely isotropic media with a vertical axis of symmetry and representing the anisotropy with P‐wave normal moveout velocity, Thomsen parameter δ and anelliptic parameter η, we formalize the linearized inverse scattering problem for three‐dimensional pseudo‐acoustic equations. Deploying the single‐scattering approximation and an elliptically anisotropic background introduces a new linear integral operator that connects the discontinuous perturbation parameters with the multi‐shot/multi‐offset P‐wave scattered data. We further apply the high‐frequency asymptotic Green's function and its derivatives to the integral operator, and then the scattering pattern of each perturbation parameter can be explicitly presented. By naturally establishing a connection to generalized Radon transform, the pseudo‐inverse of the integral operator can be solved by the generalized Radon transform inversion. In consideration of the structure of this pseudo‐inverse operator, the computational implementation is done pointwise by shooting a fan of rays from the target imaging area towards the acquisition system. Results from two‐dimensional numerical tests show amplitude‐preserving images with high quality.
Blockade of 5‐HT2 receptors with sarpogrelate uncovers 5‐HT7 receptors inhibiting the tachycardic sympathetic drive in pithed rats
Authors: Hernández‐Abreu Oswaldo I. , García‐Pedraza José Á. , Rivera‐Mancilla Eduardo , Villanueva‐Castillo Belinda , Morán Asunción , García‐Domingo Mónica , Manrique‐Maldonado Guadalupe , Altamirano‐Espinoza Alain H. , Villalón Carlos M.
Published: December 2019

Our group has previously shown in pithed rats that the cardiac sympathetic drive, which produces tachycardic responses, is inhibited by 5‐HT via the activation of prejunctional 5‐HT1B/1D/5 receptors. Interestingly, when 5‐HT2 receptors are chronically blocked with sarpogrelate, the additional role of cardiac sympatho‐inhibitory 5‐HT1F receptors is unmasked. Although 5‐HT2 receptors mediate tachycardia in rats, and the chronic blockade of 5‐HT2 receptors unmasked 5‐HT7 receptors mediating cardiac vagal inhibition, the role of 5‐HT7 receptors in the modulation of the cardiac sympathetic tone remains virtually unexplored. On this basis, male Wistar rats were pretreated during 14 days with sarpogrelate (a 5‐HT2 receptor antagonist) in drinking water (30 mg/kg/day; sarpogrelate‐pretreated group) or equivalent volumes of drinking water (control group). Subsequently, the rats were pithed to produce increases in heart rate by either electrical preganglionic spinal (C7‐T1) stimulation of the cardiac sympathetic drive or iv administration of exogenous noradrenaline. The iv continuous infusion of AS‐19 (a 5‐HT7 receptor agonist; 10 µg/kg/min) (i) inhibited the tachycardic responses to sympathetic stimulation, but not those to exogenous noradrenaline only in sarpogrelate‐pretreated rats. This inhibition was completely reversed by SB258719 (a selective 5‐HT7 receptor antagonist; 1 mg/kg, iv) or glibenclamide (an ATP‐sensitive K+ channel blocker; 20 mg/kg, iv). These results suggest that chronic 5‐HT2 receptor blockade uncovers a cardiac sympatho‐inhibitory mechanism mediated by 5‐HT7 receptors, involving a hyperpolarization due to the opening of ATP‐sensitive K+ channels. Thus, these findings support the role of 5‐HT7 receptors in the modulation of the cardiac sympathetic neurotransmission.
Risk variables associated with abnormal calcium, magnesium and phosphate levels among emergency department patients
Authors: Taylor David McD , Date Patrick A , Ugoni Antony , Smith Jesse L , Spencer William S , de Tonnerre Erik J , Yeoh Michael J
Published: December 2019

Objective

The utility of calcium, magnesium and phosphate measurement in the ED is limited. We aimed to determine clinical risk variables for abnormal levels of these electrolytes in order to inform the development of an ordering guideline.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, observational study of patients who presented to a tertiary referral ED between January and June 2017. Adult patients who had serum calcium, magnesium or phosphate tests completed during their ED stay were included. Presenting symptoms and signs, comorbidities, medication use and laboratory values were extracted from the medical record. Patients with missing data items were excluded. Logistic regression models determined clinical risk variables associated with low and high levels of each electrolyte.

Results

A total of 33 120 adults presented during the study period. Of the 1679 calcium, 1576 magnesium and 1511 phosphate tests, 228 (13.6%), 158 (10.0%) and 387 (25.6%) were abnormal, respectively. Significant risk variables (P < 0.05) for abnormal levels were: hypocalcaemia – vomiting, perioral numbness, hand/foot spasm, calcium and phosphate supplements and chemotherapy (odds ratio [OR] range 5.9–17.3); hypercalcaemia – female sex, vomiting, polyuria, confusion, hyperparathyroidism, cancer and type 1 diabetes (OR range 2.3–9.7); hypomagnesemia – female sex, proton pump inhibitor use, tacrolimus use, alcohol abuse and type 2 diabetes (OR range 2.2–13.1); hypermagnesemia – lethargy, thiazide use and chronic kidney disease (OR range 4.3–4.5); hypophosphatemia – nausea, seizure and glucocorticoid use (OR range 1.7–2.1); and hyperphosphataemia – polyuria, diuretics and chronic kidney disease (OR range 1.9–5.0).

Conclusion

A range of demographic, comorbid, medication and clinical variables are associated with abnormal calcium, magnesium and phosphate levels. These findings will inform the development of clinical guidelines to rationalise calcium, magnesium and phosphate testing. Justification may be required for testing patients with no risk variables.
Reference intervals for serum 1,5‐anhydroglucitol of a population with normal glucose tolerance in Jiangsu Province
Authors: Chen Cheng , Wang Xiaohang , Tan Yuanyuan , Yang Jiao , Yuan Yuexing , Chen Juan , Guo Haijian , Wang Bei , Sun Ziling , Wang Yao
Published: December 2019

Background

Serum 1,5‐anhydroglucitol (1,5‐AG) is a new glycemic marker which can reflect glucose fluctuation over 3 to 7 days and is now increasingly used to monitor glucose control and to screen for diabetes. However, 1,5‐AG has not been widely used in China due to lack of epidemiological support. Our study aims to establish the reference intervals for a population with normal glucose tolerance in Jiangsu Province and to explore the determinants of these intervals.

Method

The study enrolled 646 healthy adults aged 20 to 70 years in Jiangsu Province in 2018 after oral glucose tolerance test. 1,5‐AG, fasting and 2‐hour glucose, UA, liver enzyme, serum lipid, creatinine, and glycosylated hemoglobin were measured. We calculated reference intervals using the parametric method and examined the relationship between 1,5‐AG and influence factors.

Results

The average age of the participants was 50.5 ± 9.0 years, and 69.5% of them were females. The reference intervals were 15.8 to 52.6 μg/mL for males and 14.3 to 48.0 μg/mL for females. Among females, the reference intervals were 13.9 to 45.3 and 14.6 to 49.6 μg/mL for menopausal and postmenopausal females, respectively. Males showed higher 1,5‐AG concentrations than females, and postmenopausal females had higher 1,5‐AG than menopausal females. There was a positive correlation between uric acid and 1,5‐AG in both genders. Positive correlation between 1,5‐AG and age was only observed in females.

Conclusion

We established reference intervals for 1,5‐AG in Jiangsu Province, and the level of 1,5‐AG is affected by sex, uric acid, and age.
Flagellum expression and swimming activity by the zoonotic pathogen Escherichia albertii
Authors: Murakami Koichi , Kimura Shinya , Nagafuchi Osamu , Sekizuka Tsuyoshi , Onozuka Daisuke , Mizukoshi Fuminori , Tsukagoshi Hiroyuki , Ishioka Taisei , Asai Tetsuo , Hirai Shinichiro , Musashi Manami , Suzuki Motoi , Ohnishi Makoto , Oishi Kazunori , Saruki Nobuhiro , Kimura Hirokazu , Iyoda Sunao , Kuroda Makoto , Fujimoto Shuji
Published: December 2019

Flagella are the well‐known structural appendages used by bacteria for motility. Although generally reported to be non‐motile, the enteropathogenic bacterial species Escherichia albertii produces flagella intermittently. We found that E. albertii expressed flagella under specific environmental conditions. After several generations (involving 4 to 12‐h incubations), six of the twelve strains we investigated displayed swimming motility in various aquatic environments, including pond water containing nutrients from pigeon droppings (10% suspension) as well as in 20 × −diluted tryptic soy broth. The most significant motility determinant was a temperature between 15 and 30 °C. At 20 °C in the 10% pigeon‐dropping suspension, microscopic observations revealed that some cells (1%–95% of six strains) showed swimming motility. Electron microscopy showed that the E. albertii cells expressed flagella. Lower concentrations of some substrates (including nutrients) may be of secondary importance for E. albertii flagella expression. Interestingly, the non‐motile strains (n = 6/12) contained pseudogenes corresponding to essential flagella structural proteins. After being released from its host into surface water, E. albertii may express flagella to move toward nutrient sources or new hosts.
The Effect of Fair Value Adjustments on Dividend Policy Under Mandatory International Financial Reporting Standards Adoption: Australian Evidence
Authors: Chen Xiaomeng , Hellmann Andreas , Mithani Safdar R.
Published: December 2019

Using a sample of firms from the financial sector of the Australian Securities Exchange, we examine the effect of the fair value adjustments of financial instruments on firms’ dividend distributions in the context of mandatory International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption. We find a positive relationship between the fair value adjustments of financial instruments and firms’ dividend payouts, suggesting that the frequent use of fair value adjustments of financial instruments by financial firms following mandatory IFRS adoption has the potential to increase the proportion of transitory earnings in reported earnings and cause changes in dividend policies. Our results add to the ongoing debate on the unintended economic consequences of fair value accounting (FVA) and provide empirical support for regulators’ concerns that unrealized FVA gains from asset revaluation during booms may encourage the distribution of those unrealized gains.
Dentinal tubule penetration and root canal cleanliness following ultrasonic activation of intracanal‐heated sodium hypochlorite
Authors: Iandolo Alfredo , Abdellatif Dina , Amato Massimo , Pantaleo Giuseppe , Blasi Andrea , Franco Vittorio , Neelakantan Prasanna
Published: December 2019

This study investigated the effect of ultrasonic activation of intracanal‐heated sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on its dentinal tubular penetration and root canal cleanliness in vitro. In experiment 1, mandibular premolars were randomly allocated to three groups (n = 8): group A, ultrasonic activation; group B, ultrasonic activation of intracanal‐heated NaOCl and group C, syringe‐and‐needle irrigation. Penetration of the fluorescent‐labelled NaOCl was investigated using light microscopy. In experiment 2, mandibular premolars were randomly allocated to group B or C (n = 10), for histological analysis of the remaining pulp tissue and debris. Data were statistically analysed using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests (P = 0.05). The highest penetration of NaOCl was observed in group B, followed by group A (P < 0.05). Group B showed significantly less amount of debris than group C (P < 0.05). Dentinal tubule penetration of NaOCl and root canal cleanliness were significantly improved by ultrasonic activation of intracanal‐heated NaOCl.
Presentation, tumour and treatment features in immigrant women from Arabic‐speaking countries treated for breast cancer in Australia
Authors: Heilat Ghaith B. , Brennan Meagan E. , Kanesalingam Kavitha , Sriram Nina , Meybodi Farid , French James
Published: December 2019

Background

Australia has a large population of immigrant women from Arabic‐speaking countries. The aim of this study was to examine breast cancer tumour and surgical treatment features for women born in Arabic‐speaking countries and compare them to women born in Australia and other countries. Another aim was to consider how this information can inform clinical care for this multicultural population.

Methods

This is a retrospective audit of an institutional breast cancer database. Demographic, tumour and surgical treatment data were extracted for the Arab women and compared to Australian‐born women (comparison 1) and to women born in all other countries (comparison 2); chi‐squared analysis was performed to test for differences between groups.

Results

A total of 2086 cases with country of birth information were identified, of whom 139 women (6.7%) were born in Arabic‐speaking countries, 894 (42.8%) were born in Australia and 1053 (50.4%) were born in other countries (71 nations). Arab women tended to be younger (P= 0.013), more disadvantaged (P< 0.001), were more likely to have symptomatic rather than screen‐detected breast cancer (P< 0.001), had a higher rate of high grade (P= 0.021), HER2‐positive (P= 0.025) breast cancer compared to Australian‐born women or others. There was no difference in tumour (pT) stage, rate of breast conservation versus mastectomy, re‐excision and contralateral prophylactic mastectomy between groups. Australian‐born women were more likely to undergo breast reconstruction after mastectomy (P< 0.001); reconstruction rate was >29% in all groups.

Conclusion

Women born in Arabic‐speaking countries were younger, more disadvantaged and showed more aggressive tumour features. This has implications for supportive care during treatment and survivorship.
Modulation of allergic inflammation in the lung by a peptide derived from Mycobacteria tuberculosis chaperonin 60.1
Authors: Riffo‐Vasquez Yanira , Kanabar Varsha , Keir Sandra D. , e‐Lacerda Rodrigo R. , Man Francis , Jackson David J. , Corrigall Valerie , Coates Anthony R. M. , Page Clive P.
Published: December 2019

Background

We have previously demonstrated that Mycobacteria tuberculosis chaperonin 60.1 inhibits leucocyte diapedesis and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in a murine model of allergic lung inflammation.

Methods

In the present study, we have investigated the effect of a shorter peptide sequence derived from Cpn 60.1, named IRL201104, on allergic lung inflammation induced by ovalbumin (OVA) in mice and by house dust mite (HDM) in guinea pigs, as well as investigating the action of IRL201104 on human cells in vitro.

Results

Pre‐treatment of mice or guinea pigs with IRL201104 inhibits the infiltration of eosinophils to the lung, cytokine release, and in guinea pig skin, inhibits allergen‐induced vascular permeability. The protective effect of intranasal IRL201104 against OVA‐induced eosinophilia persisted for up to 20 days post‐treatment. Moreover, OVA‐sensitized mice treated intranasally with 20 ng/kg of IRL201104 show a significant increase in the expression of the anti‐inflammatory molecule ubiquitin A20 and significant inhibition of the activation of NF‐κB in lung tissue. Our results also show that A20 expression was significantly reduced in blood leucocytes and ASM obtained from patients with asthma compared to cells obtained from healthy subjects which were restored after incubation with IRL201104 in vitro, when added alone, or in combination with LPS or TNF‐α in ASM.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that a peptide derived from mycobacterial Cpn60.1 has a long‐lasting anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity which may help explain some of the protective effects of TB against allergic diseases.