bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global–local supply chain configurations for different production strategies: a comparison between traditional and customized productions
Authors: Macchion Laura , Fornasiero Rosanna
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Supply chain (SC) configuration has gained increased acceptance as an important issue when evaluating new customization possibilities and this evidence has contributed to the strengthening of the debate between global vs local production locations. This work contributes in enrichment of this topic by studying how local or global SC location decisions influence performances by considering a SC point of view, in terms of cost and time, in traditional and customized productions.

Design/methodology/approach

A discrete event simulation approach, based on experimentation through executable configurations, was used to evaluate different SC scenarios for customized as well as traditional products within the footwear industry.

Findings

The results indicated that to identify proper SC locations, existing trade-offs between the time and cost performances should be studied, avoiding the evaluation of a single performance independently and, instead, adopting a complete SC point of view while considering these performances.

Research limitations/implications

This evidence has contributed to the reinforcement of the discussion between far-shore destinations vs near-shore production locations. Further studies are encouraged to adopt the present model, in which addition of other variables such as specific manufacturing competences to differentiate suppliers, both local and global suppliers, or the possibility of realizing special types of product customization required by final consumers can be done.

Practical implications

The paper contributes to the academic and practitioners' debate by proposing a systemic approach to assess SCs’ performances in customized contexts and to compare them to traditional collections. Results indicate that cost and time performance must find a balance that does not necessarily correspond to an exclusively local or global production.

Originality/value

This work contributes to the SC configuration issue by considering the trade-off between efficiency and effectiveness (i.e. SC costs and SC times) for customized productions by reviving and enriching it with an SC perspective in customization contexts.
Discovery behaviour and creation behaviour of Ethiopian entrepreneurs: the implications for the performance of their small tourism firms
Authors: Eyana Shiferaw Muleta , Masurel Enno , Paas Leo J.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of discovery and creation behaviour in opportunity identification on firm performance in a developing country context. By doing so, the study adds new knowledge and insights in researching the entrepreneurial behaviour types at the start-up phase and their eventual effects on firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted amongst Ethiopian tour operators (n = 118), which are formally established small tourism firms. A survey questionnaire, which is the main data gathering tool in this study, was prepared based on a distinction between discovery and creation behaviour with regard to the seven entrepreneurial actions described by Alvarez and Barney (2007). Hence, 14 multiple-item measurement scales were derived to define the entrepreneurial behaviour types. Firm performance was measured using four indicators. A regression analysis was conducted to predict the effect of entrepreneurial behaviour at the start-up phase on firm performance.

Findings

The findings of this study provide consistent support for the hypothesis that tour-operating firms in Ethiopia founded through creation behaviour instead of discovery behaviour are performing better in terms of sales, employment, profit and asset size change.

Research limitations/implications

The theoretical contribution of this study is two-fold. First, it provides a scale for measuring the extent to which discovery and/or creation opportunity identification played a role in the start-up phase of the business. Second, the study assesses the effects of discovery behaviour and creation behaviour in opportunity identification on firm performance in a developing country context.

Originality/value

The entrepreneurs' behaviour through which they identify and pursue new opportunities may have a considerable effect on the subsequent performance of their newly established firms. It is, therefore, important to understand effects, which result from differences in entrepreneurs' behaviour at the start-up phase, in terms of outcomes such as firm performance among small businesses. Nonetheless, there is little empirical research conducted in this regard, particularly in the context of developing countries. This study contributes to the literature of entrepreneurship by applying entrepreneurial behaviour types, i.e. discovery and creation, as determinants of small firms' performance in a developing country context. Furthermore, it is one of the few studies concentrating on formal instead of informal operations in an African context.
Effect of entrepreneurial orientation on radical innovation performance among manufacturing SMEs: the mediating role of absorptive capacity
Authors: Ato Sarsah Sampson , Tian Hongyun , Dogbe Courage Simon Kofi , Bamfo Bylon Abeeku , Pomegbe Wisdom Wise Kwabla
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The study explored the mediating role of potential and realized absorptive capacities in the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and radical innovation performance among manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical analysis was based on 357 manufacturing SMEs in Ghana. Various validity and reliability checks were conducted before the presentation of the actual analysis, which was conducted using ordinary least squares approach, run using SPSS (v. 20).

Findings

Findings revealed that potential and realized absorptive capacities significantly mediated the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and radical innovation performance among manufacturing SMEs. Further, it was identified that ambidexterity in absorptive capacity also had a greater effect on radical innovation performance among manufacturing SMEs.

Research limitations/implications

Since the data used were cross-sectional, the relationships measured represent only a snapshot of time. Longitudinal studies could therefore be adopted in the future to complement the cross-sectional conducted.

Practical implications

While managers of manufacturing SMEs seek to achieve higher radical innovation performance through entrepreneurial orientation, it should also be noted that both potential and realized absorptive capacities have a significant role to play in this relationship. Managers must therefore also seek to invest time to build both potential and realized absorptive capacities, as they define greater innovation success.

Originality/value

Some past studies have considered absorptive capacity as composite variable, therefore added both potential and realized absorptive capacities to form a single variable. Others also presented potential and realized absorptive capacities individually. This current study extends the body of knowledge by presenting an ambidexterity position between potential and realized absorptive capacities.
Does leader integrity facilitate employee voice? A moderated mediation model of perceived risk and leader consultation
Authors: Duan Jinyun , Guo Zhaojun , Brinsfield Chad
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study draws on uncertainty management theory to advance our understanding of the relationship between leader integrity and employee voice.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data in China by surveying 274 supervisor-subordinate dyads at two different points in time. In addition to the direct relationship between leader integrity and employee voice, they also examined the moderating effect of leader consultation and the mediating effect of perceived risk of voice.

Findings

The authors found that leader integrity had a positive effect on employee voice, and perceived risk of voice mediated this relationship. They also found that leader consultation moderated the relationship between leader integrity and employee voice, as well as moderating the mediating role of perceived risk of voice.

Originality/value

Although prior research has examined the relationship between leadership and voice, it has not clearly explicated the effects of leader integrity on voice. In addition, the findings of this study regarding the moderating role of leader consultation, and the mediating role of perceived risk of voice, offer novel insights regarding the nature of the relationship between leader integrity and employee voice.
Dynamic dielectric properties characterization of tapered dielectrophoresis microelectrodes for selective detection and rapid manipulation of cells
Authors: Buyong Muhamad Ramdzan , Larki Farhad , Caille Celine Elie , Abd Aziz Norazreen , Ismail Ahamad Ghadafi , Hamzah Azrul Azlan , Yeop Majlis Burhanuddin
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to present the dielectrophoresis (DEP) force (FDEP), defined as microelectrofluidics mechanism capabilities in performing selective detection and rapid manipulation of blood components such as red blood cells (RBC) and platelets. The purpose of this investigation is to understand FDEP correlation to the variation of dynamic dielectric properties of cells under an applied voltage bias.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, tapered design DEP microelectrodes are used and explained. To perform the characterization and optimization by analysing the DEP polarization factor, the change in dynamic dielectric properties of blood components are observed according to the crossover frequency (fxo) and adjustment frequency (fadj) variation for selective detection and rapid manipulation.

Findings

Experimental observation of dynamic dielectric properties change shows clear correlation to DEP polarization factor when performing selective detection and rapid manipulation. These tapered DEP microelectrodes demonstrate an in situ DEP patterning efficiency more than 95%.

Research limitations/implications

The capabilities of tapered DEP microelectrode devices are introduced in this paper. However, they are not yet mature in medical research studies for various purposes such as identifying cells and bio-molecules for detection, isolation and manipulation application. This is because of biological property variations that require further DEP characterization and optimization.

Practical implications

The introduction of microelectrofluidics using DEP microelectrodes operate by selective detecting and rapid manipulating via lateral and vertical forces. This can be implemented on precision health-care development for lab-on-a-chip application in microfluidic diagnostic and prognostic devices.

Originality/value

This study introduces a new concept to understand the dynamic dielectric properties change. This is useful for rapid, label free and precise methods to conduct selective detection and rapid manipulation of mixtures of RBC and platelets. Further, potential applications that can be considered are for protein, toxin, cancer cell and bacteria detections and manipulation. Implementation of tapered DEP microelectrodes can be used based on the understanding of dynamic dielectric properties of polarization factor analysis.
Public police’s philanthropy and Twitter communications in Canada
Authors: Walby Kevin , Gumieny Crystal
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Police services, police associations and police foundations now engage in philanthropy and these efforts are communicated using social media. This paper examines social media framing of the philanthropic and charitable work of police in Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from discourse and semiotic analyses, the authors examined the ways that police communications frame contributions to charity and community’s well-being. Tweets were analyzed for themes, hashtags and images that conveyed the philanthropic work of police services, police associations as well as police foundations.

Findings

The authors discovered four main forms of framing in these social media communications, focusing on community, diversity, youth and crime prevention. The authors argue that police used these communications as mechanisms to flaunt social capital and to boost perceptions of legitimacy and benevolence.

Research limitations/implications

More analyses are needed to examine such representations over time and in multiple jurisdictions.

Practical implications

Examining police communications about philanthropy not only reveals insights about the politics of giving but also the political use of social media by police.

Originality/value

Social media is used by organizations to position themselves in social networks. The increased use of social media by police, for promoting philanthropic work, is political in the sense that it aims to bolster a sense of legitimacy.
Informed short selling: evidence from economically linked firms
Authors: Hyder Fawzi , Khoshnoud Mahsa
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper examines how sophisticated and better-informed investors, such as short sellers, trade on information along the supply chain. Given the economic linkages between suppliers and customers, one would expect short sellers to trade on such information and to capitalize on investors' inattention to such economic links.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses both multivariate regression analysis and portfolio analysis where the time series averages of equally weighted monthly portfolio returns are reported to explore the abnormal returns of long-short trading strategies.

Findings

Results indicate that short interest predicts unexpected earnings news, consistent with short sellers extracting information from economic relationships. There is a strong negative relationship between short interest in the supplier firm and the one-month future stock return of the customer firm. This negative relation significantly persists for at least 12 months. One plausible channel explaining the information content of supplier (customer) firm's short interest for the customer (supplier) firms is the short sale constraints on the customer (supplier) firms.

Originality/value

The paper addresses a gap in the literature by examining whether short selling in a firm in the months leading up to a customer's (supplier's) negative shock is negatively correlated to the customer's (supplier's) future performance. Overall, the findings suggest that short sellers play an important role in the price discovery of related firms in the supply chain, which is beyond the direct effects documented in prior literature.
Effects of onion bulb processing conditions on drying characteristics, physicochemical and functional properties profile of onion (Allium cepa L.) powder
Authors: Bamba Bio Sigui Bruno , Komenan Ayemene Cedrick Ardin , Kouassi Kan Kouassi Parfait , Soro Doudjo
Published: September 2020

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is one of the most perishable consuming vegetable in the world as an aromatic seasoning and for its health promoting bioactive compounds. However, drying and blanching are two essential thermal treatments in vegetables processing which lead to considerable changes in their properties. This study investigated the effects of temperature (70, 80, and 90 °C), time (2, 4, 6, and 8 hr), and blanching (100 °C for 5 min) followed by drying at 70 °C for 8 hr on the drying kinetics, physicochemical (Ash and total polyphenol content, pH, and titratable acidity), and functional (water solubility index and particle size) properties of onion powder, as well as compared to local market powders. The variety violet of Galmi was used. The results revealed that the moisture content of non‐blanching powder was below 13 ± 0.76 g/100 g with pH under 4. In addition, total polyphenol contents were higher than 512 ± 15.06 mg GAE/100 g DM. These powder showed a small particle size (under 400 µm) and high solubility (≤81.36 ± 2.3 g/100 g DM). Blanching did not affect the powders quality. Local market powders showed a lowest total polyphenol content (386.60 ± 10.02 mg GAE/100 g DM) with large particles (≤800 µm) and a lowest solubility (65.33 ± 1.62 g/100 g DM). Drying at 80 °C for 8 hr without blanching emerge as the best compromise drying conditions resulting in optimal physico‐chemical and functional properties (10.8 ± 0.8 g/100 g, 846.6 ±15.09 mg GAE/100 g DM and 88.12 ± 2.31 g/100 g DM of moisture content, total polyphenol content, and water solubility index, respectively. These findings can contribute to reduce postharvest losses in onion and to stimulate the industrialization of onion enriched‐powder production in Africa.

Practical Application

This study provides critical information on onion properties profile during its transformation, on which processor might build on its decision to make an appropriate choice of processing parameters and tools for producing health promoting onion powder meeting modern consumer requirements. In this study, oven‐drying at 80 °C for 8 hr without blanching might be the suitable condition to deliver innovative onion powder tailored specifically to functional ingredients of many food formulations.
A new type of tomato puree with high content of bioactive compounds from 100% whole fruit
Authors: Romano Raffaele , De Luca Lucia , Manzo Nadia , Pizzolongo Fabiana , Aiello Alessandra
Published: September 2020

In this work, a new type of tomato puree was obtained from the whole fruit including seeds and skins without any waste. Currently, the food industry aims to develop products that both bring benefits to consumer health and are ecosustainable. Several efforts in fact have been carried out to revalue tomato by‐products, such as seeds and skins, for human use. The physicochemical properties of the whole tomato puree immediately after production and after 6 months of storage were investigated and compared to the properties of a traditional tomato puree. Two tomato varieties were used in this study: Villa Literno and Piccadilly. pH, dry weight, water activity, titratable acidity, reducing sugars, soluble solid, lycopene, polyphenol, and volatile organic compound contents were evaluated. Tomato puree obtained from whole fruits mainly showed higher lycopene (90 to 150 mg/kg), flavonoid (39 to 41 mg/kg), and aldehyde (in particular hexanal) contents and a greater stability over time compared to those of the traditional puree. The proposed process allowed to obtain a tomato puree with a higher content of bioactive compounds, producing no waste.

Practical Application

In this study, we proposed a new type of tomato puree made from the whole fruit. The whole tomato puree is richer in phenolic compounds and volatile organic compounds than the traditional puree that is made by removing skins and seeds. It can be an interesting product for the food industries because it is a source of bioactive compounds and reduces to zero the amount of waste.
Does the indoor thermal environment influence the dominant sensation in a functional beverage attribute?
Authors: Sousa Lima Rafael , Cazelatto de Medeiros Alessandra , André Bolini Helena Maria
Published: September 2020

Different thermal environments can affect human productivity with repercussions on cognitive ability and physiological changes. However, the direct effect of room temperature on the sensations of food in the mouth during consumption is not yet well established. This study aimed to investigate the effect of indoor temperature on dominant sensations during intake of a beverage containing non‐nutritive sweeteners. The temporal dominance of sensations (TDS) technique was used to evaluate seven functional beverages with different non‐nutritive sweeteners. Sixty consumers participated in the test, attending 3 days of laboratory analysis with strictly controlled indoor temperatures (20, 24, and 26 °C). The indoor temperature affected the TDS curves of four functional beverages, with emphasis on the colder environment, which accentuated the sensation of bitter taste in the samples sweetened with stevia and neohesperidin. In the warmer environment, a TDS peak of fruit flavor was observed for the sucrose‐sweetened sample, while the neotame‐sweetened sample presented lower dominance rate for sweetness. The sensory performance of the samples sweetened with non‐nutritive sweeteners, determined by the dominance rate of attributes, can change over time in different indoor temperatures.

Practical Application

Cold and warm environments can affect the consumer's decision to buy beverages, but the effect of the indoor temperature on the taste sensation of beverages has not been elucidated. The objective of this research was to evaluate whether the indoor temperature can affect the dominance of sensations during the consumption of a low‐calorie beverage. The results showed that the cold environment prolonged the sensation of bitter taste in the beverages sweetened with natural sweeteners, which can help the nonalcoholic beverage industry to choose another type of sweetener, considering a new product sensory influence facto: room temperature.
Compensatory neuroadaptation to binge drinking: Human evidence for allostasis
Authors: Correas Angeles , Cuesta Pablo , Rosen Burke Q. , Maestu Fernando , Marinkovic Ksenija
Published: September 2020

Animal studies have established that acute alcohol increases neural inhibition and that frequent intoxication episodes elicit neuroadaptive changes in the excitatory/inhibitory neurotransmission balance. To compensate for the depressant effects of alcohol, neural hyperexcitability develops in alcohol use disorder and is manifested through withdrawal symptoms. It is unclear, however, whether neuroadaptive changes can be observed in young, emerging adults at lower levels of consumption in the absence of withdrawal symptoms. Here, we used an anatomically constrained magnetoencephalography method to assess cortical excitability in two independent sets of experiments. We measured early visual activity (1) in social drinkers during alcohol intoxication versus placebo conditions and (2) in parallel cohorts of sober binge drinkers (BDs) and light drinkers (LDs). Acute alcohol intoxication attenuated early sensory activity in the visual cortex in social drinkers, confirming its inhibitory effects on neurotransmission. In contrast, sober BDs showedgreaterneural responsivity compared with a matched group of LDs. A positive correlation between alcohol consumption and neural activity in BDs is indicative of cortical hyperexcitability associated with hazardous drinking. Furthermore, neural responsivity was positively correlated with alcohol intake in social drinkers whose drinking did not reach binge levels. This study provides novel evidence of compensatory imbalance reflected in the downregulation of inhibitory and upregulation of excitatory signaling associated with binge drinking in young, emerging adults. By contrasting acute effects and a history of BD, these results support the mechanistic model of allostasis. Direct neural measures are sensitive to synaptic currents and could serve as biomarkers of neuroadaptation.
Liberal Violence and the Racial Borders of the European Union
Authors: Isakjee Arshad , Davies Thom , Obradović‐Wochnik Jelena , Augustová Karolína
Published: September 2020

This paper examines how racial violence underpins the European Union’s border regime. Drawing on two case studies, in northern France and the Balkans, we explore how border violence manifests in divergent ways: from the direct physical violence which is routine in Croatia, to more subtle forms of violence evident in the governance of migrants and refugees living informally in Calais, closer to Europe’s geopolitical centre. The use of violence against people on the move sits uncomfortably with the liberal, post‐racial self‐image of the European Union. Drawing upon the work of postcolonial scholars and theories of violence, we argue that the various violent technologies used by EU states against migrants embodies the inherent logics of liberal governance, whilst also reproducing liberalism’s tendency to overlook its racial limitations. By interrogating how and why border violence manifests we draw critical attention to the racialised ideologies within which it is predicated. This paper characterises the EU border regime as a form of “liberal violence” that seeks to elide both its violent nature and its racial underpinnings.
The Development of Clustering in Episodic Memory: A Cognitive‐Modeling Approach
Authors: Horn Sebastian S. , Bayen Ute J. , Michalkiewicz Martha
Published: September 2020

Younger children’s free recall from episodic memory is typically less organized than recall by older children. To investigate if and how repeated learning opportunities help children use organizational strategies that improve recall, the authors analyzed category clustering across four study‐test cycles. Seven‐year‐olds, 10‐year‐olds, and young adults (N = 150) studied categorically related words for a free‐recall task. The cognitive processes underlying recall and clustering were measured with a multinomial model. The modeling revealed that developmental differences emerged particularly in the rate of learning to encode words as categorical clusters. The learning curves showed a common pattern across age groups, indicating developmental invariance. Memory for individual items also contributed to developmental differences and was the only factor driving 7‐year‐olds’ moderate improvements in recall.
Racism: A Public Health Crisis
Authors: Acosta Katie L.
Published: September 2020

The impact of COVID–19 on racially minoritized communities in the United States has forced us all to look square in the face of the systemic racism that is embedded in every fabric of our society. As the number of infected people continues to rise, the racial disparities are glaringly obvious. Black and Latinx communities have been hit considerably harder by this pandemic. Both racial/ethnic groups have seen rates of infection well above their percentage in the general population and African Americans have seen rates of death from COVID–19 as high as twice their percentage in the general population. These numbers bear witness to the high cost of racism in the United States.
“I am terrified of something happening to me” The lived experience of people with obesity during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Grannell Andrew , le Roux Carel W. , McGillicuddy Deirdre
Published: September 2020

Obesity is emerging as a risk factor for COVID‐19 disease severity. The impact of the pandemic and knowledge of obesity as a risk factor on the lived experience of people with obesity is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on people living with severe obesity (BMI ≥35 kg/m2), currently engaged in multi‐modal treatment. The primary objectives were to examine the impact of the pandemic on their lived experience from a treatment and psychosocial standpoint and additionally explore their awareness of obesity as a risk factor for COVID‐19 disease severity. An in‐depth qualitative study was adopted employing semi‐structured interviews with open‐ended questions. Interpretive thematic analysis was adopted to analyse the data and identify key themes taking a grounded approach. Themes that emerged from the perspective of impact on lived experience were (a) challenge sustaining treatment and (b) psychosocial impact. There was an even split regarding awareness and lack of awareness of obesity as risk factor which itself contributes towards a negative psychosocial impact in most patients. The COVID‐19 pandemic is posing a diverse challenge to people with obesity. This has implications for their on‐going treatment. From an ethical standpoint, there is a need to fully elucidate the link between obesity and COVID‐19, disseminate this information using people friendly language and imagery in a manner that does not exacerbate a harmful psychosocial response or lead to stigmatization.
Potential feminization of Red Sea turtle hatchlings as indicated by in situ sand temperature profiles
Authors: Tanabe Lyndsey K. , Ellis Joanne , Elsadek Islam , Berumen Michael L.
Published: September 2020

Climate change poses a serious threat to species that demonstrate temperature‐dependent sex determination, including marine turtles. Increased temperatures can result in highly female‐skewed sex ratios and decreased hatching success. The pivotal temperature that delineates hatchling sex ratios is commonly considered to be 29.2°C, but whether this threshold applies to turtles in the Red Sea region has not been tested in situ. For all species of marine turtles, there is a supposed thermal range of 25–33°C in which egg incubation is successful, with prolonged temperatures above 33°C resulting in morphological abnormalities and hatchling mortality. Sand temperature data were collected from May–September 2018 from the average nesting depth of hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at five study sites. We calculated the expected sex ratio based on a maximum likelihood model. The sand temperature profile at four of the sites exceeded the pivotal temperature (29.2°C) throughout the study duration, which suggests feminization of turtles could be occurring; however, the pivotal temperature in this region still needs to be empirically confirmed. The percentage of days with sand temperature exceeding the maximum thermal threshold between June 3, and September 16, 2018, was site‐specific rather than determined by latitudinal temperature gradients, and ranged between 0 and 100% of days. Maximum temperature recordings were as high as 36.0 and 35.3°C at 30 and 50 cm depth, respectively. Nesting sites in the Red Sea region could already be exceeding the thermal limits and may be particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures. Sites with lower sand temperatures, such as Small Gobal Island, may represent priority areas for conservation efforts. Alternatively, local adaptation may be a reality under extremely warm conditions, thus, further research into the thermal tolerance of hatchlings in the region could provide insight on how they might adapt to future climate change.
Vascularized composite allotransplantation: Knowledge and attitudes of a national sample of organ procurement organization professionals
Authors: Siminoff Laura A. , Alolod Gerard P. , Davis Ellen E. , Sarwer David B. , Gardiner Heather M.
Published: September 2020

With the emergence of vascularized composite allografts (VCAs) for transplantation, donation professionals’ ability to obtain authorization for these anatomical gifts has become paramount for its continued practice. Our national study examines the experience of organ procurement organization (OPO) professionals responsible for presenting the opportunity to donate VCAs to families of deceased donor‐eligible patients. Semi‐structured telephone interviews conducted with 157 OPO staff assessed experience with VCA discussions, VCA knowledge, and comfort, confidence, and feeling prepared with discussions about different VCA types. Standard procedures were used to code and analyze the qualitative data and summarize the quantitative data. Most respondents (70.1%) never held a VCA donation discussion, but those with experience reported overall low levels of knowledge, comfort, and confidence talking with families about VCA. Although 44.4% of the sample had VCA‐related training, many felt unprepared, with most (75.0%) stating the training was insufficient. Participants without experience indicated even lower ratings of the aforementioned constructs. Findings support extant work demonstrating that no standardized procedures exist for VCA donation discussions; however, donation professionals are willing to adopt new VCA‐related skills. This report concludes that sustained and content‐specific training will elevate donation professionals’ ability to augment the supply of VCAs available for transplantation.
Perspective‐Taking Can Lead to Increased Bias: A Call for ‘Less Certain’ Positions in American Indian Contexts
Authors: Marie Mithlo Nancy , Sherman Aleksandra
Published: September 2020

This paper presents findings from research conducted by two U.S. scholars from divergent disciplinary fields (Indigenous studies, cognitive science) and backgrounds (Chiricahua Apache, first‐generation U.S. immigrant) under a National Endowment for the Arts grant (2015‐2018). Our goal was to assess perceptions of American Indian peoples reflected in verbal responses (and in the lab settings, eye gaze) to historic photographs with the aim of enhancing visual competencies and deepening cultural interpretation in museum settings. Data was drawn from museum visitors at the Autry Museum of the American West and undergraduate students in a lab setting at Occidental College, both in Los Angeles, CA. Our findings indicate that perspective‐taking methods employed across both field sites do not alter enmeshed and persistent bias for interpreting American Indian lives. Participants who took the perspective of the subject and even adequately visually described the photograph still tended to engage in conventional narratives (i.e. stereotypes) unrooted in comprehension of living Native communities. These findings starkly expose the distance that largely non‐Native institutions must travel to fully reach the equity and inclusion efforts museums aspire to. Generalized diversity efforts in museum education based on empathy or simple description (as found in Visual Thinking Strategies) are not effective means of comprehending difference as viewers are not equipped to adequately draw independent conclusions free of bias. We argue that, especially in museum settings, where emotions are heightened, educators may productively consider methods of encouraging visitors to forestall conclusion‐making and to embrace uncertainty.
The Impact of Electronic Medical Records on the Process of Care: Alignment with Complexity and Clinical Focus
Authors: Ding Xin (David) , Peng Xiaosong (David)
Published: September 2020

Although electronic medical records (EMR) have attracted significant academic and practitioner interest, findings regarding the impacts of EMR on hospital performance remain inconclusive. Drawing on organizational information processing theory, we examine whether EMR will improve the process of care to a greater extent when the complexity of hospital operations is higher. In addition, we investigate whether clinical focus complements or substitutes EMR in mitigating hospital complexity. We cluster hospitals into three stages based on their cumulative capabilities as identified by the EMR Adoption Model (EMRAM) and assemble a longitudinal database tracking hospitals’ EMR capabilities and their performance between 2005 and 2014. Our study reveals that advanced stages of EMR mitigate hospital complexity and thus improve the process of care to greater extents than lower stages of EMR. In addition, we find that clinical focus substitutes for lower stages of EMR whereas complements higher stages of EMR in mitigating the potential negative impacts of complexity on the process of care. These findings offer significant managerial implications in aligning EMR capabilities and the clinical focus strategy to mitigate complexity.
Dose‐dependent efficacy of the glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor antagonist GIP(3‐30)NH2 on GIP actions in humans
Authors: Gasbjerg Lærke Smidt , Bari Emilie J. , Stensen Signe , Hoe Bjørn , Lanng Amalie R. , Mathiesen David S. , Christensen Mikkel B. , Hartmann Bolette , Holst Jens J. , Rosenkilde Mette M. , Knop Filip Krag
Published: September 2020

The glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) fragment GIP(3‐30)NH2 is a selective, competitive GIP receptor antagonist, and doses of 800 to 1200 pmol/kg/min inhibit GIP‐induced potentiation of glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion by >80% in humans. We evaluated the effects of GIP(3‐30)NH2 across a wider dose range in eight healthy men undergoing six separate and randomized 10‐mmol/L hyperglycaemic clamps (A–F) with concomitant intravenous infusion of GIP (1.5 pmol/kg/min; A–E) or saline (F). Clamps A to E involved double‐blinded, infusions of saline (A) and GIP(3‐30)NH2 at four rates: 2 (B), 20 (C), 200 (D) and 2000 pmol/kg/min (E), respectively. Mean plasma concentrations of glucose (A–F) and GIP (A–E) were similar. GIP‐induced potentiation of glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion was reduced by 44 ± 10% and 84 ± 10% during clamps D and E, respectively. Correspondingly, the amounts of glucose required to maintain the clamp during D and E were not different from F. GIP‐induced suppression of bone resorption and increase in heart rate were lowered by clamps D and E. In conclusion, GIP(3‐30)NH2 provides extensive, dose‐dependent inhibition of the GIP receptor in humans, with most pronounced effects of the doses 200 to 2000 pmol/kg/min within the tested range.
Effect of nutrition on postprandial glucose control in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes receiving fully automated closed‐loop insulin therapy
Authors: Banholzer Nicolas , Herzig David , Piazza Camillo , Álvarez‐Martínez Mario , Nakas Christos T , Kosinski Christophe , Feuerriegel Stefan , Hovorka Roman , Bally Lia
Published: September 2020

Fully automated closed‐loop insulin delivery may offer a novel way to manage diabetes in hospital. However, postprandial glycaemic control remains challenging. We aimed to assess the effect of nutritional intake on postprandial glucose control in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes receiving fully closed‐loop insulin therapy. The effects of different meal types and macronutrient composition on sensor glucose time‐in‐target (TIT, 3.9‐10.0 mmol/L) and mean sensor glucose were assessed with hierarchical linear models using a Bayesian estimation approach. TIT was lower and the mean sensor glucose slightly higher, after breakfast compared with lunch and dinner, whereas the insulin dose was higher. Across meals, when carbohydrates were replaced by fat, or to a lesser extent by protein, postprandial glucose control improved. For breakfast, a 3.9% improvement in TIT was observed when 10% of the energy from carbohydrates was replaced by fat. Improvements were slightly lower during lunch and dinner (3.2% and 3.4%) or when carbohydrates were replaced by protein (2.2 and 2.7%, respectively). We suggest that reducing carbohydrate at the expense of fat or protein, could further improve glucose control during fully closed‐loop insulin therapy in hospital.
Foragers of the stingless bee Plebeia droryana inform nestmates about the direction, but not the distance to food sources
Authors: Peng Tianfei , Pedrosa Jéferson , Batista Jaqueline Eterna , Nascimento Fabio S. , Grüter Christoph
Published: September 2020

The tropical stingless bees have evolved intricate communication systems to recruit nestmates to food locations. Some species are able to accurately communicate the location of food, whereas others simply announce the presence of food in the environment.

Plebeia droryana is a tiny Neotropical stingless bee that, until recently, was thought to use a solitary foraging strategy, that is without the use of a recruitment communication system. However, recent research has indicated that P. droryana might be able to recruit nestmates to specific food source locations.

We tested this by studying whether foragers can guide nestmates in the direction and the distance of artificial feeders placed in the vicinity of the colony. We trained bees to a scented sucrose solution feeder at 10 m and placed different feeders either in different directions (experiment 1) or in different distances (experiment 2). We found that P. droryana directs newcomers in the right direction, but distance information does not seem to be communicated.

Moreover, we then tested whether newcomers use chemical and visual cues originating from nestmates foraging at the food source, but found no evidence for the use of these social cues provided by conspecifics.

The potential mechanism that P. droryana may use to orient recruits toward the food source, however, remains unknown and requires further study.
A Longitudinal Analysis of Doctoral Graduate Supply in the Educational Measurement Field
Authors: Randall Jennifer , Rios Joseph A. , Jung Hyun Joo
Published: September 2020

For nearly three decades, researchers have been concerned that the educational measurement field is not producing enough graduate‐level specialists to meet the growing demand driven by the increased use of educational assessments in the United States. This study examined the supply‐side aspect of the proposed labor shortage by relying on data from the National Science Foundation's Survey of Earned Doctorates collected between 1997 and 2016. Over the 20 years examined, measurement programs produced 3,124 doctoral graduates, and across this time span, the annual production of graduates nearly doubled. This supply expansion can largely be attributed to the increase in the number of international graduates, which outpaced the annual growth rate of domestic PhD recipients by 156%. Moreover, 85% of graduates were found to either self‐identify as White or Asian. Less than 10 Hispanic and no more than 20 Black graduates were produced in any of the years examined. Of the 76% of graduates that reported having a job offer or accepted a position upon graduation, most entered the academy despite the overall average starting salary ($59,484) being considerably lower than the starting salary for their counterparts entering industry ($84,918), government ($69,970), or other educational institutions ($81,428).
Serum growth differentiation factor 15 level is associated with muscle strength and lower extremity function in older patients with cardiometabolic disease
Authors: Oba Kazuhito , Ishikawa Joji , Tamura Yoshiaki , Fujita Yasunori , Ito Masafumi , Iizuka Ai , Fujiwara Yoshinori , Kodera Remi , Toba Ayumi , Toyoshima Kenji , Chiba Yuko , Mori Seijiro , Tanaka Masashi , Ito Hideki , Harada Kazumasa , Araki Atsushi
Published: September 2020

Aims

Sarcopenia is a serious problem because of its poor prognosis. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, insulin resistance and oxidative stress, which may play crucial roles for the development of sarcopenia. We aimed to examine whether serum GDF15 level is associated with muscle mass, strength and lower extremity function in older patients with cardiometabolic disease.

Methods

Serum GDF15 levels were measured in 257 patients with cardiometabolic diseases (including 133 patients with diabetes) who had visited the frailty clinic, using a latex turbidimetric immunoassay. Appendicular skeletal muscle index, handgrip strength, timed‐up‐and‐go test and gait speed were evaluated. Power, speed, balance and total scores based on the sit‐to‐stand test were calculated to assess lower extremity function.

Results

The highest tertile of serum GDF15 was independently associated with low handgrip strength, low gait speed, long timed‐up‐and‐go time and scores of lower extremity function but not an appendicular skeletal muscle index in multiple logistic regression analyses after adjustment for covariates. Patients in the highest tertile of GDF15 were at the risk of having three to nine times lower grip strength, three times lower gait speed, five to six times lower mobility and five to 11 times reduction in lower extremity function as compared with those in the lowest GDF15 tertile dependent on the models.

Conclusions

Elevated serum GDF15 level was independently associated with low muscle strength and lower extremity function in older patients with cardiometabolic disease. Serum GDF15 could be one of the biomarkers for muscle weakness and low physical performance. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 980–987.
Cut‐offs for calf circumference as a screening tool for low muscle mass: WASEDA'S Health Study
Authors: Kawakami Ryoko , Miyachi Motohiko , Sawada Susumu S. , Torii Suguru , Midorikawa Taishi , Tanisawa Kumpei , Ito Tomoko , Usui Chiyoko , Ishii Kaori , Suzuki Katsuhiko , Sakamoto Shizuo , Higuchi Mitsuru , Muraoka Isao , Oka Koichiro
Published: September 2020

Aim

To re‐evaluate the suitability of calf circumference as a surrogate marker of low muscle mass measured by both bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). We also examined the effects of obesity and age on low muscle mass screening using calf circumference.

Methods

In total, 1239 adults participated in this cross‐sectional study. We measured the maximum calf circumference in a standing position and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) using BIA and DXA. We defined low muscle mass based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 consensus.

Results

Calf circumference was positively correlated with BIA‐measured ASM/height2 (men: r = 0.81, women: r = 0.73) and DXA‐measured ASM/height2 (men: r = 0.78, women: r = 0.76). In the subgroup analyses by obesity and age, calf circumference was also positively correlated with ASM/height2. The optimal calf circumference cut‐offs for low muscle mass screening measured by BIA and DXA were 35 cm (sensitivity 91%, specificity 84%) and 36 cm (sensitivity 82%, specificity 80%) for men, and 33 cm (sensitivity 82%, specificity 84%) and 34 cm (sensitivity 85%, specificity 72%) for women, respectively.

Conclusions

Calf circumference is positively correlated with BIA‐ and DXA‐measured muscle mass regardless of obesity and age and is a simple and accurate surrogate marker of muscle mass for diagnosing sarcopenia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 943–950.
Stately home geology: the building stones of Tyntesfield Manor
Authors: Robinson Eric
Published: September 2020

Visiting a stately home open to the public can be a geological excursion in addition to a journey into social history. This is an experience akin to Darwin speculating whether his next landfall would present him with ‘igneous or metamorphic’ rocks to test his early geological knowledge, even before he had received Lyell's Principles when the Beagle reached Buenos Aires. In Britain the prospects are good when the house is Victorian or Edwardian, and we are facing the rich industrialists investing his wealth in opulent interiors within a High Gothic external architecture. In the West of England, this can be tested by a visit to Tyntesfield, a mansion acquired by the National Trust to the south of Bristol in South West England in 2002. Reputed to be little changed from being a family home, it has become a place where booking a timed visit is advised, such is public interest. It also has an added interest in that the Trust is in receipt of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund in order to carry out repairs and refurbishment of the many ancillary buildings of the landscaped estate. The work is proceeding alongside public visits, so offering insight into building conservation.