bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Motivations for adopting unsolicited proposals for public-private partnership project implementation
Authors: Osei-Kyei Robert , Chan Albert P.C. , Dansoh Ayirebi , Ofori-Kuragu Joseph Kwame , Owusu Emmanuel Kingsford
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the motivations of governments for adopting unsolicited proposals for public–private partnership (PPP) project implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive review of literature was conducted to derive a list of motivations for adopting unsolicited PPPs. Subsequently, an empirical questionnaire survey was conducted with international PPP experts. Inter-rater agreement analysis, mean significance index and independent two-samplet-test were used for data analysis.

Findings

Results reveal four very critical motivations for governments’ interest in unsolicited PPPs; these include: “enhanced private sector innovation and creativity in PPPs”; “lack of public sector capacity to identify, prioritise and procure projects”; “lack of private investors’/developers’ interest in projects at remote areas”; and “rapid implementation of PPP projects”. Further analysis shows that developing and developed countries view the significance of three motivations differently.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation lies in the fact that this study only focused on the general motivations/rationale for using unsolicited PPP proposals and did not thoroughly examine and consider the inherent property of motivations (i.e. push and pull theories). Therefore, future studies should explore the “pull and push” motivations for adopting unsolicited PPPs within a specific country or region.

Originality/value

The research outputs inform international private developers of the key expectations of governments/public departments when submitting unsolicited PPP proposals for consideration by the public sector. Furthermore, the outputs will enable governments/public departments and private proponents to derive performance objectives and standards for unsolicited PPP projects.
Post-disaster transportation of seriously injured people to hospitals
Authors: Shavarani Seyed Mahdi , Vizvari Bela
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deal with the transportation of a high number of injured people after a disaster in a highly populated large area. Each patient should be delivered to the hospital before the specific deadline to survive. The objective of the study is to maximize the survival rate of patients by proper assignment of existing emergency vehicles to hospitals and efficient generation of vehicle routes.

Design/methodology/approach

The concepts of non-fixed multiple depot pickup and delivery vehicle routing problem (MDPDVRP) is utilized to capture an image of the problem encountered in real life. Due to NP-hardness of the problem, a hybrid genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed as the solution method. The performance of the developed algorithm is investigated through a case study.

Findings

The proposed hybrid model outperforms the traditional GA and also is significantly superior compared to the nearest neighbor assignment. The required time for running the algorithm on a large-scale problem fits well into emergency distribution and the promptness required for humanitarian relief systems.

Originality/value

This paper investigates the efficient assignment of emergency vehicles to patients and their routing in a way that is most appropriate for the problem at hand.
A unique regional family interventions training programme
Authors: Burbach Frank R. , Sherbersky Hannah , Whitlock Ragni , Rapsey Estelle H. , Wright Kim A. , Handley Rachel V.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the University of Exeter Family Interventions (FIs) training programme for the South West region which was commissioned as part of the NHS England Access and Waiting Times standards (A&WTS) initiative for early psychosis. This programme (10 taught days and 6 months of supervised practice) is designed to maximise implementation in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The programme introduces students to a flexible, widely applicable FI approach which integrates cognitive behavioural/psycho-educational and systemic approaches. It refreshes and develops CBT-based psycho-social intervention skills, so that clinicians feel confident to use them in family sessions and integrate these with foundation level family therapy skills. The approach facilitates engagement, and it is designed so that every session is a “mini intervention”. This enables clinicians to offer standard NICE-concordant FI or a briefer intervention if this is sufficient to meet the particular needs of a family.

Findings

This paper provides details of the regional training programme and evaluates the first four training courses delivered to nine early intervention in psychosis teams. It considers how a combination of training a critical mass of staff in each service, ongoing supervision, regional events to maintain skills and motivation to deliver FI, and the national and regional auditing of FI as part of the A&WTS all contribute to clinical implementation.

Originality/value

The unique design of this programme maximises implementation in practice by virtue of its widely applicable integrated FI approach, the focus on ongoing skills development and by embedding it within regional and local service support structures.
Uncommoditizing strategies by emerging market firms
Authors: Cuervo-Cazurra Alvaro , Carneiro Jorge , Finchelstein Diego , Duran Patricio , Gonzalez-Perez Maria Alejandra , Montoya Miguel A. , Borda Reyes Armando , Fleury Maria Tereza Leme , Newburry William
Published: August 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze how emerging market firms upgrade their capabilities by focusing on “uncommoditizing strategies” that enable them to achieve levels of international competitiveness beyond the comparative advantages of their home countries and serve markets with premium pricing, quality and reputation of products.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors studied 18 Latin American companies across six countries. Latin America represents an ideal setting because many of these countries have traditionally developed using natural resource endowments, and their firms have tended to rely on these in their internationalization. To facilitate the analysis of each case and the comparisons across cases, the authors used the same analytical framework for the companies, identifying the sources of differentiation and cost efficiency strategies that enabled these firms to upgrade their capabilities and compete on the basis of premium pricing, quality and reputation.

Findings

The analysis identified a general framework that represents an abstraction of the actions taken by these companies over time. The proposed model consists of three main elements used to pursue uncommoditizing strategies: tropicalized innovation, global efficiency and coordinated control.

Originality/value

Recent research on emerging market firms has shown interest in how these firms upgrade their capabilities. This paper contributes to this stream of research by providing an overarching framework that not only bridged previous narrower studies but also explained how firms can develop uncommoditizing strategies to upgrade their capabilities. Further, this paper helps managers by providing a comprehensive yet succinct overview of the main strategies that they can use to help their firms to achieve international competitiveness.
Lean Startup: a comprehensive historical review
Authors: Bortolini Rafael Fazzi , Nogueira Cortimiglia Marcelo , Danilevicz Angela de Moura Ferreira , Ghezzi Antonio
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The primary goal of a startup is to find a viable business model that can generate value for its customers while being effectively captured by the startup itself. This business model, however, is not easily defined, being a consequence of the application of tools involving trials, data analyses and testing. The Lean Startup (LS) methodology proposes a process for agile and iterative validation of business models. Given the popularity and importance of such methodology in professional circles, the purpose of this paper is to conduct a historical literature review of existing academic and professional literature, correlating LS concepts and activities to previous theory and alternative business model validation methods.

Design/methodology/approach

A historically oriented systematic literature review employing snowball sampling was conducted in order to identify academic and professional literature and references for iterative validation of business models. A total of 12 scholarly journals and professional magazines dealing with strategy, innovation, entrepreneurship, startups and management were used as data sources. The extensive literature review resulted in 963 exploratory readings and 118 papers fully analyzed.

Findings

The results position the LS as a practical-oriented and up-to-date implementation of strategies based on the Learning School of strategy making and the effectuation approach to entrepreneurship; the authors also identify a number of methods and tools that can complement the LS principles.

Originality/value

This paper identified and synthesized the scientific, academic and professional foundations that precede, support and complement the main concepts, processes and methods advocated by the LS methodology.
Between flexibility and discipline in new product development: expertise as a boundary condition
Authors: Robey Daniel , Hellman Karl , Monlouis Isabelle , Nations Kenneth , Johnston Wesley J.
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study two aspects of new product development (NPD) success – the impact of learning and the impact of structure – are studied.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case study method within a single setting consisting of in-depth interviews of two teams that developed successful, award-winning products and two teams that developed unsuccessful products.

Findings

Case 1: flexibility and expertise permitted learning and radical redefinition of the product mid-project and commercial success. Case 2: flexibility enabled adding expertise which was instrumental in success, iterating permitted optimizing pricing. Case 3: flexibility led to focusing on technical issues to the exclusion of commercial viability. Case 4: flexibility led to skipping market definition and partnering with a particular customer whose situation was idiosyncratic. Cross-case analysis: flexibility in teams with both technical and commercial expertise yielded success. Flexibility permitted teams consisting of narrow experts to invest development resources in products with insufficient market.

Research limitations/implications

This paper argues that the right balance between structure and flexibility is dependent on the level of expertise of the members of the NPD project teams. However, getting this balance right is not a sufficient condition for NPD success. The cases were theoretically blocked to develop theoretical insight, but additional cases are needed for a strong test of theory.

Practical implications

The more experienced team members are, the more the project benefits from flexibility. Conversely, an inexperienced team will benefit from a more structured process. Projects require iteration. The dichotomy between structure and flexibility is false: the most expert teams benefit from some structure. The most inexperienced teams must employ flexibility to learn.

Originality/value

The analysis combines the virtues of the stage-gate school and the flexibility school previously thought mutually exclusive.
Polymers containing amino bis(methylene phosphonic acid) groups for scale inhibition
Authors: Köken Nesrin
Published: August 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to prepare poly[allyl amino bis(methylene phosphonic acid)-ran-acrylic acid]s by two different routes. In the first route, poly(allyl amine-ran-acrylic acid)s were produced by radical copolymerization of a mixture of ally amine and acrylic acid, then converted into poly[allyl amino bis(methylene phosphonic acid)-ran-acrylic acid]s by the Mannich reaction with a mixture of formaldehyde and phosphonic acid. In the second route, allyl amino bis(methylene phosphonic acid) monomer was synthesized and copolymerised with acrylic acid. The aim of this work is to produce low-molecular-weight copolymer with the low amount of nitrogen and phosphorous having better scale inhibiting performance than commercial low-molecular-weight poly(acrylic acid)s.

Design/methodology/approach

Poly(allyl amine-ran-acrylic acid)s were prepared by radical copolymerisation of a mixture of ally amine and acrylic acid, and the molecular weight of copolymers was regulated by using an effective chain transfer compound and the formed copolymer was reacted with a mixture of formaldehyde and phosphorous acid. Allyl amino bis(methylene phosphonic acid) monomer was prepared and then copolymerised with acrylic acid using radical initiators.

Findings

Poly[allyl amino bis(methylene phosphonic acid)-ran-acrylic acid] produced with both routes, especially low-molecular weight ones have better anti-scaling performance than low-molecular-weight commercial poly(acrylic acid).

Research limitations/implications

By using an excess of formaldehyde and phosphonic acid, a limited increase in the conversion of amine groups of poly(allyl amine-ran-acrylic acid) to amino methylene phosphonic acid groups was achieved, so unreacted amine groups were always present in the structure of the final copolymers.

Practical implications

The low-molecular-weight poly[allyl amino bis(methylene phosphonic acid)-ran-acrylic acid] may be used as a better anti-scaling polymer in industry.

Social implications

The low-molecular-weight poly[allyl amino bis(methylene phosphonic acid)-ran-acrylic acid] is an alternative polymer for scale inhibition in the water boilers.

Originality/value

The low-molecular-weight poly[allyl amino bis(methylene phosphonic acid)-ran-acrylic acid] copolymers containing both carboxylic acid and amino bis(methylene phosphonic acid) are more effective anti-scaling additives than poly(acrylic acid)s in water boilers.
Multiplanar reconstruction technique for difficult computed tomography‐guided lung biopsy: Improved accuracy and safety
Authors: Huang Wei‐Ming , Chen Chia‐Hung , Liang Shih‐Hsuan , Huang Chung‐Yao , Cheng She‐Meng , Sheu Chin‐Yin , Huang Chun‐Chao
Published: August 2018

We assessed the value of the multiplanar reconstruction technique (MRT) for computed tomography‐guided lung biopsy. We evaluated 72 difficult biopsy cases (traditional method = 44; MRT = 28) to compare patient and lesion characteristics, diagnostic accuracy, complications, radiation dose, and procedure duration. Diagnostic accuracy was significantly higher using MRT than the traditional method (100% vs. 84.1%, respectively; P = 0.038). There were no severe complications in the MRT group, but one case each of severe pneumothorax and fatal hemothorax in the traditional method group. The dose‐length product rate was lower and the procedure duration slightly higher in the MRT than in the traditional group (336.83 vs. 479.64 and 33.39 vs. 25.93 minutes, respectively). MRT using computed tomography‐guided lung biopsy could improve diagnostic accuracy and avoid severe complications compared to the traditional method.
The role of prehabilitation in frail surgical patients: A systematic review
Authors: Milder David A. , Pillinger Neil L. , Kam Peter C. A.
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Increasing emphasis is being placed on the detection of frailty in the pre‐operative setting given its association with surgical morbidity and mortality. Prehabilitation seeks to increase the physiological reserve of frail patients, attenuating the risk of irreversible functional decline following surgery.

Aim/Hypothesis

This systematic review appraises the evidence available for prehabilitation in frail surgical patients. We proposed that exercise prehabilitation would especially benefit frail patients, with improvements in pre‐operative functional capacity, and reductions in complications and length of hospital stay.

Methods

A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed and CINAHL databases. Studies were included if they consisted of a prehabilitation intervention in frail patients undergoing surgery and specified a frailty model/index. Eight studies were included for analysis, 2 of which are ongoing studies.

Results

In 3 studies, prehabilitation consisted of an exercise intervention alone. There was a high feasibility of prehabilitation and a trend to improved pre‐operative function, however, no evidence of improved post‐operative functional recovery was there. In 2 studies, prehabilitation consisted of both exercise and nutritional interventions. Reductions in mortality and duration of hospital stay were reported, but the quality of evidence was judged to be very low. There was a lack of evidence of improved outcomes following pre‐operative inspiratory muscle training in frail patients.

Discussion

This systematic review focuses on prehabilitation in frail surgical patients and reports that evidence supporting any outcome is limited, despite high feasibility and acceptability. There is a need for large randomised controlled trials to better establish the effects of prehabilitation in frail patients.
A Chronotope of Containment Development: Europe's Migrant Crisis and Africa's Reterritorialisation
Authors: Landau Loren B.
Published: August 2018

Europe has taken unprecedented levels of peacetime defensive actions against the perceived demands by African migrants for “absolute hospitality”. In collaboration with politicians across the Mediterranean, European political leaders are authoring a chronotope that removes Africa and Africans from global time. This discursive vision rests on an epistemological reorientation coding all Africans as potential migrants capable of threatening European and African sovereignty and security. This conceptual realignment has seeded a defensive assemblage of coercive controls, sociologies of knowledge, and a campaign to generate sedentary African subjects. Ultimately it is engendering “containment development” aimed at geographically localising Africans’ desires and imaginations. In an era of planetary entanglement and exchange, this discursively and materially excludes Africans from what it means to be fully human.
Letter: significant burden of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with advanced fibrosis in the USA: a cross‐sectional analysis of 2011‐2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey – author's reply
Authors: Wong R. J.
Published: August 2018

Linked Content

This article is linked to Wong et al and Liu et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14327 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14850.
Subclinical cardiovascular damage in patients with HCV cirrhosis before and after treatment with direct antiviral agents: a prospective study
Authors: Novo Giuseppina , Macaione Francesca , Giannitrapani Lydia , Minissale Maria Giovanna , Bonomo Vito , Indovina Francesco , Petta Salvatore , Soresi Maurizio , Montalto Giuseppe , Novo Salvatore , Craxi Antonio , Licata Anna
Published: August 2018

Background

Cirrhosis is associated with morpho‐functional cardiovascular alterations.

Aims

To detect early features of cardiovascular damage in HCV‐compensated cirrhotic patients using myocardial deformation indices and carotid arterial stiffness, and, further, to evaluate their short‐term behaviour after HCV eradication with direct antiviral agents (DAAs).

Methods

Thirty‐nine consecutive patients with HCV cirrhosis, without previous cardiovascular events, were studied and matched for age, gender and cardiovascular risk factors to 39 controls without liver or cardiovascular disease. Patients and controls underwent a baseline echocardiographic evaluation including global longitudinal strain and ultrasound scan of carotid arteries. HCV‐cirrhotics were reassessed by echocardiography and carotid ultrasound after obtaining sustained virological response (SVR) on DAAs.

Results

HCV‐cirrhotics showed at baseline a significantly reduced global longitudinal strain compared to controls −18.1 (16.3‐20.5) vs −21.2 (20.4‐22.3), P < 0.001. They also had a significantly higher pulse wave velocity 8.6 (7.7‐9.1) m/s vs 6.6 (6.0‐7.1) m/s, P = 0.0001, and β‐stiffness index 12.4 (11.1‐13.5) vs 8.6 (8.0‐9.2) P = 0.0001. At multiple regression analysis, diabetes and HCV cirrhosis were independent predictors of global longitudinal strain. All HCV‐cirrhotic patients had SVR on DAAs. Follow‐up available in 32 of 39 (82%) at 9 (8‐10) months showed a significant improvement of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (P = 0.01) and lateral E’ velocity compared to baseline (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

HCV‐cirrhotics show a significant rate of subclinical cardiac and vascular abnormalities. At a time when their survival is less linked to progression of liver disease, due to viral eradication on DAAs, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality may take a significant role.
Projected Field Similarity for Comparative Visualization of Multi‐Run Multi‐Field Time‐Varying Spatial Data
Authors: Fofonov A. , Linsen L.
Published: August 2018

The purpose of multi‐run simulations is often to capture the variability of the output with respect to different initial settings. Comparative analysis of multi‐run spatio‐temporal simulation data requires us to investigate the differences in the dynamics of the simulations' changes over time. To capture the changes and differences, aggregated statistical information may often be insufficient, and it is desirable to capture the local differences between spatial data fields at different times and between different runs. To calculate the pairwise similarity between data fields, we generalize the concept of isosurface similarity from individual surfaces to entire fields and propose efficient computation strategies. The described approach can be applied considering a single scalar field for all simulation runs or can be generalized to a similarity measure capturing all data fields of a multi‐field data set simultaneously. Given the field similarity, we use multi‐dimensional scaling approaches to visualize the similarity in two‐dimensional or three‐dimensional projected views as well as plotting one‐dimensional similarity projections over time. Each simulation run is depicted as a polyline within the similarity maps. The overall visual analysis concept can be applied using our proposed field similarity or any other existing measure for field similarity. We evaluate our measure in comparison to popular existing measures for different configurations and discuss their advantages and limitations. We apply them to generate similarity maps for real‐world data sets within the overall concept for comparative visualization of multi‐run spatio‐temporal data and discuss the results.
“Maximum support” = 100% BS
Authors: Brower Andrew V. Z.
Published: August 2018

Bootstrap and other percentage‐based measures of nodal “support” cannot distinguish between strong support and very strong support. Clearly, if there is no upper bound to the number of potential characters, there should be no upper bound to measures of support.
Origin and Development of Medical Museum in Padua
Authors: Zanatta Alberto , Zampieri Fabio
Published: August 2018

The scientific museology began in Padua with the Museum of Natural Philosophy of Vallisneri. The purpose of this museum was to educate students and demonstrate what Vallisneri called “philosophical curiosity.” The Padua medical museology started with the anatomical museum of Morgagni in 1756. Morgagni planned the creation of a museum of anatomical and pathological specimens. The cabinets of obstetrics made by Calza in the 1760s was composed by a series of anatomic models in wax and clay, used for Calza's practical teaching to the pupils. These models represented the physiology and the pathology of the pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. There are reports of a “pathological cabinet” in Padua from the early years of the XIX century: Caldani, Fanzago and Cortese collected pathological specimens in different part of the university. However, the final passage from Cabinet collection to pathological Museum took place in the early 1870s, thanks to Lodovico Brunetti.
Old and Young Politicians
Authors: Alesina Alberto , Cassidy Traviss , Troiano Ugo
Published: August 2018

We consider the role of a politician's age in Italian municipal governments. When the term limit is not binding, younger mayors engage in political budget cycles more often than older mayors. Thus younger politicians behave more strategically in response to electoral incentives, probably because they expect to have a longer political career and stronger career concerns. We discuss and rule out several alternative interpretations.
What is hope?
Authors: Kwong Jack M. C.
Published: August 2018

According to the standard account, to hope for an outcome is to desire it and to believe that its realization is possible, though not inevitable. This account, however, faces certain difficulties: It cannot explain how people can display differing strengths in hope; it cannot distinguish hope from despair; and it cannot explain substantial hopes. This paper proposes an account of hope that can meet these deficiencies. Briefly, it argues that in addition to possessing the relevant belief–desire structure as allowed in the standard account, a hopeful person must also be able to see a way in which the desired outcome can come about and to see such a way to the outcome as a genuine possibility.
Prevalence and predictors of co‐occurring diabetes and hypertension in community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Sims Omar T. , Oh Hyejung , Noh Hyunjin , Melton Pamela A. , Sheffield Samantha , Ingram Kacey , Sawyer Patricia
Published: August 2018

Aim

The objectives of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of co‐occurring diabetes and hypertension among older adults, examine predictors of co‐occurring diabetes and hypertension, and ascertain whether predictors varied by race.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was carried out using a statewide survey of Alabama community‐dwelling older adults (n = 1204). Measures of central tendency and frequency distributions were used for univariate analysis. Logistic regression was used to predict co‐occurring diabetes and hypertension.

Results

The prevalence of co‐occurring diabetes and hypertension among older adults was 17%. African American race (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.596–3.255), body mass index ≥30 (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.732–3.463), heart disease (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.355–2.756) and eye disease (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.018–2.024) were associated positively with co‐occurring diabetes and hypertension.

Conclusions

The prevalence of co‐occurring diabetes and hypertension among older adults was alarmingly high. The notable difference in the likelihood of co‐occurring diabetes and hypertension is representative of a racial health disparity that largely disfavors African American older adults. Findings from the present study highlight a need for identification of older adults who have and who are at risk of co‐occurring diabetes and hypertension in the general population and in clinical settings, and the development and implementation of suitable interventions, particularly targeting older African American adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1356–1360.
Association between dynapenia and decline in higher‐level functional capacity in older men with diabetes
Authors: Ida Satoshi , Murata Kazuya , Nakadachi Daiki , Ishihara Yuki , Imataka Kanako , Uchida Akihiro , Monguchi Kou , Kaneko Ryutaro , Fujiwara Ryoko , Takahashi Hiroka
Published: August 2018

Aim

The present study aimed to investigate an association between dynapenia or sarcopenia and higher‐level functional capacity in older diabetes patients.

Methods

Diabetes outpatients aged ≥65 years were prospectively enrolled. Dynapenia and sarcopenia were defined by criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia, and higher‐level functional capacity was assessed using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG‐IC). Multiple regression analysis included TMIG‐IC scores as the dependent variable and dynapenia or sarcopenia as the explanatory variables.

Results

The present study included 204 patients. The regression coefficient of the relationship between dynapenia and covariance‐adjusted TMIG‐IC in men was −1.26 (95% confidence interval −2.35 to −0.17, P = 0.024), and that of sarcopenia and TMIG‐CI adjusted for covariates was 0.65 (95% confidence interval −1.26 to 2.58, P = 0.500). We observed no significant correlation between TMIG‐IC scores and dynapenia or sarcopenia in women.

Conclusions

A statistically significant association was found between dynapenia and decline of higher‐level functional capacity in older men with diabetes. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1393–1397.
The relationship between latitude, migration and the evolution of bird song complexity
Authors: Najar Nadje , Benedict Lauryn
Published: August 2018

For the past several decades it has been proposed that birds show latitudinal variation in song complexity. How universal this variation may be and what factors generate it, however, are still largely unknown. Furthermore, while migration is confounded with latitude, migratory behaviour alone may also be associated with variation in song complexity. In this paper we review the literature to assess current ideas on how latitude and migratory behaviour may drive large‐scale geographical patterns of song complexity. At least seven distinct hypotheses have been proposed in 29 studies of the topic. Four of these hypotheses posit that sexual selection pressures co‐vary with latitude and/or migration, resulting in concordant changes in song. Other hypotheses suggest that mechanisms other than sexual selection, such as large‐scale changes in environmental sound transmission properties, may be at play. Sixteen studies found support for increased song complexity with increased latitude and/or migration, whereas 13 did not. Relatively few studies exist on this topic, and methodological differences between them and variable definitions of ‘complexity’ make it difficult to determine whether results are comparable and concordant. At a minimum, it is possible to conclude there is no strong evidence that song complexity increases with latitude and/or migration in all birds. Future work should focus on examining multiple hypotheses at once to further advance our understanding of how latitude, migration and song complexity may or may not be related.
Entrance requirements to the audit profession within the EU and audit quality
Authors: Van Linden Christophe , Hardies Kris
Published: August 2018

This paper examines the relation between the stringency of entrance requirements to the audit profession within the EU and audit quality. Regulators and standard setters generally believe that such entrance requirements have beneficial effects by increasing audit quality. Whether this is indeed the case, however, is an empirical question given that regulations governing the entry to the audit profession are not the product of competitive market forces. We argue that a higher educational degree and longer traineeship period will result in higher audit quality. We also hypothesize that a professional oath will be positively associated with audit quality. Based on a sample of 3,782 firms from 20 different EU member states, we assess the relation between these requirements and abnormal working capital accruals. Our findings indicate that the requirement of a master's degree compared with a bachelor's degree is significantly associated with better accruals quality of audited financial statements. Second, we find that abnormal working capital accruals are lower in countries that require a traineeship period of at least 3 years. Finally, we find mixed evidence for the effect of a professional oath as part of the entrance requirements on audit quality.
Auditor–client negotiations over disputed accounting issues: Evidence from one of the Norwegian Big 4 firms
Authors: Kulset Ellen , Stuart Iris
Published: August 2018

In this study we investigate data collected in an experiential survey from partners at one of the Norwegian Big 4 audit firms concerning 79 disputed accounting issues resolved by auditor–client negotiations. The study is designed to complement prior experimental findings on the auditors' use of negotiation strategies using a different research method (survey‐based retrospective recall). We first investigate which negotiation strategies and tactics audit partners use. We then test three hypotheses (one new and two others that extend prior findings) and find (i) the more precise the relevant accounting standard, (ii) the more general audit experience or task‐specific negotiation experience the auditor has, and (iii) the less positive the auditor–client relationship is that the more auditors agree that contending tactics were used in their own negotiation strategies. Finally, we test the relative importance of different context variables to the auditor's use of the contending strategy and the negotiated accounting outcome.
Auditor‐provided nonaudit services: Post‐EU‐regulation evidence from Denmark
Authors: van Liempd Dennis , Quick Reiner , Warming‐Rasmussen Bent
Published: August 2018

This survey study focuses on the relationship between the simultaneous provision of audit and nonaudit services and auditor independence‐in‐appearance as perceived by Danish stakeholders. Thereby, the perceived usefulness of the new EU public‐interest entity regulation and audit directive is evaluated.

Our findings indicate that the joint provision of nonaudit and audit services is negatively associated with perceived auditor independence. However, this differs according to the type of stakeholder group. Many individual services, even those not on the EU blacklist, are regarded as problematic. Nevertheless, the relation to independence‐in‐appearance differs by type of service. The EU cap on nonaudit services fees seems to be too high. The separation between audit firms' staff that provides auditing services and staff that provides nonaudit services, and an approval of nonaudit services by the audit committee, are not regarded as helpful in enhancing auditor independence. Finally, respondents see a need to expand the strict EU regulations for audits of public‐interest entities to audits of large non‐public‐interest entities.
Association between high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 and carotid atherosclerosis: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Liu Huamin , Yao Yan , Wang Youxin , Ji Long , Zhu Kai , Hu Haitao , Chen Jianxin , Yang Jichun , Cui Qinghua , Geng Bin , Liu Qing , Li Dong , Zhou Yong
Published: August 2018

High‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) and lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 (Lp‐PLA2) have been reported to be independent predictors of atherosclerosis. However, whether the combination of these two markers can improve the prediction of atherosclerosis is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the association between combining hs‐CRP and Lp‐PLA2 and predicting carotid atherosclerosis. A total of 1982 participants aged ≥40 years were included in this study. Hs‐CRP and Lp‐PLA2 were measured by a high‐sensitivity nephelometry assay and quantitative sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Ultrasonography was performed on the bilateral carotid arteries to evaluate stenosis and plaques. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyse the association between the combination of the hs‐CRP and Lp‐PLA2 levels and carotid plaques and stenosis. A total of 1579 (79.7%) and 181 (9.1%) subjects had carotid plaques and carotid stenosis, respectively. The group with high hs‐CRP and Lp‐PLA2 levels had the highest prevalence of carotid plaques (90.6%) and stenosis (20.8%). A significant association was found between high hs‐CRP and Lp‐PLA2 levels and carotid stenosis (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13‐5.09), but this combination was not associated with carotid plaques (OR: 2.62, 95% CI: 0.93‐7.38). The results suggested that the combination of hs‐CRP and Lp‐PLA2 were better predictors than either protein alone with regard to carotid atherosclerosis.
Reply to: Use of Antiepileptic Drugs and Dementia Risk—an Analysis of Finnish Health Register and German Health Insurance Data
Authors: Taipale Heidi , Gomm Willy , Broich Karl , Maier Wolfgang , Tolppanen Anna‐Maija , Hartikainen Sirpa , Haenisch Britta
Published: August 2018

This letter comments on the letters by Rani A. Sarkis et al and Christoph Helmstaedter et al.
Periodontal diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Komine‐Aizawa Shihoko , Aizawa Sohichi , Hayakawa Satoshi
Published: August 2018

From last decade of the 20th century, numerous epidemiological studies and intervention trials have attempted to prove the relationships between maternal periodontal diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). Periodontal diseases are considered a risk factor for APO, including preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, low birthweight, pre‐eclampsia and gestational diabetes. However, the efficacy of periodontal treatment during pregnancy is controversial. Two pathogenic mechanisms might explain the potential effect of periodontal diseases on pregnancy outcomes. First, periodontal bacteria originating in the gingival biofilm directly affect the feto‐placental unit subsequent to bacteremia. Second, inflammatory mediators secreted by the subgingival inflammatory site are carried to the feto‐placental unit, where they then cause an inflammatory response. To elucidate these mechanisms, many researchers have been investigating the use of experimental animal models and in vitro models. In the present review, we summarize the current literature on the relationship between periodontal diseases and APO from epidemiological studies, animal models studies and in vitro studies, and speculate on the possible mechanism of periodontal diseases affecting pregnancy outcomes.
Evaluation of national guidelines for bronchiolitis: AGREEments and controversies
Authors: Cavaye Diana , Roberts Daniel P , Saravanos Gemma L , Hsu Zhen Y , Miyajima Risa , Randall Louise E , Salmon Eliot DD , Tan Yi Le , Tucker Jean A , Yeoh Seng K , Britton Philip N
Published: August 2018

Aim

Bronchiolitis is a common respiratory illness and is a leading cause of hospitalisation in infancy. We aimed to appraise three recent national bronchiolitis guidelines produced by the Australasian Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the UK and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Methods

A group of final‐year medical students and one senior clinician used the AGREE II tool to appraise each guideline in two stages. First, two students appraised each guideline independently and presented their results. Second, two self‐selected students met with the senior clinicians to review all scores to ensure completeness of the appraisal and consistency of AGREE II application.

Results

The guidelines scored well overall, with particular strengths in the domains of clarity of presentation, scope and purpose and rigour of development. Comparison of the recommendations across each guideline demonstrated a high degree of consistency. Notable differences included recommendations for the role of palivizumab in prevention of bronchiolitis, the use of continuous pulse oximetry monitoring in the hospitalised patient and the value of respiratory virus testing.

Conclusions

Our appraisal of bronchiolitis guidelines from three high‐income countries demonstrated that they were of high quality, with substantial areas of agreement. Most aspects of clinical practice should be uniform for this common paediatric condition. Areas of guideline weakness were in the domains of applicability and editorial independence. We identified three areas of controversy where further research is needed to support stronger evidence‐based recommendations.
What's that spot?
Authors: Lithgow Anna , Ford Timothy , Francis Joshua
Published: August 2018

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Benzoic acid in nursery diets increases the performance from weaning to finishing by reducing diarrhoea and improving the intestinal morphology of piglets inoculated with Escherichia coli K88+
Authors: Silveira Hebert , Amaral Leticia Gomes de Morais , Garbossa Cesar Augusto Pospissil , Rodrigues Leticia Mendonça , Silva Claudia Cassimira da , Cantarelli Vínicius de Souza
Published: August 2018

A total of 224 weaned pigs (DanBred sows x PIC 337 sires) with an average body weight (BW) of 6.37 ± 0.34 kg (21 days of age) were used to evaluate how different levels of benzoic acid fed to weaning pigs orally inoculated with Escherichia coli (K88+) affected the nursing and grow‐finishing performance, the physicochemical properties of the intestine, the volatile fatty acid concentration in the caecum and the incidence of diarrhoea. Pigs were randomly allocated in an experimental design of randomized blocks in a 4 × 2 factorial design, and they were administered four levels of benzoic acid (0.00%, 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75%) and inoculated (or not) in two consecutive days with 1 ml solution containing 106 CFU/ml of E. coli (K88+). Seven replicates (pens) per treatment were used, and four animals were kept per pen. Supplementation with 0.75% benzoic acid promoted better performance (p < 0.05) in the nursery phase as well as in the subsequent phases until slaughter, and it decreased the incidence of diarrhoea in piglets (p < 0.05). In the piglets fed the benzoic acid diet, the villus height in the jejunum and ileum was greater until 42 days of life (p < 0.05), the crypt depth was decreased in the caecum (p < 0.05), and the butyric acid concentration was increased in the caecal content tendencially (p = 0.0708). In conclusion, supplementation with 0.75% benzoic acid has a positive effect on piglets by reducing diarrhoea, improving intestinal health and promoting the performance from weaning to finishing. Thus, benzoic acid can be considered a potential alternative that can replace growth‐promoting antibiotics.
Intensive Intervention for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Authors: Smith Stephen W. , Poling Daniel V. , Worth Megan R.
Published: August 2018

School professionals may provide behavioral support for students using a tiered framework of intervention. Students who display problem behaviors and sustained resistance to interventions within these tiers may require special education services under the category of emotional and behavioral disorders. By the time students receive special education services, they will have experienced changes in intervention intensity, such as increased behavioral reinforcement or modification of functional assessment‐informed individualized behavior plans. Yet, simply intensifying interventions quantitatively (more frequent reinforcement or progress monitoring) may not increase sufficiently students’ abilities to function successfully in school, because their needs may require behavioral and social‐emotional skills instruction. Evidence highlights the importance of skill‐based instruction that is sequenced, active, focused, and explicit. Therefore, after discussing current educational practices, we describe an intensive intervention that is responsive to student behavioral excesses and deficits through explicit skill instruction delivered through special education services, and consider research and practice implications.
Shakespeare source study in the early twenty‐first century: A resurrection?
Authors: Walter Melissa , Klann Sarah
Published: August 2018

Renewed interest in authorial and rehearsal processes, as well as new investigations of audience knowledges and experiences, are prompting a rethinking of Shakespearean source study to incorporate 21st century perspectives and to make use of the affordances of digital data processing. This article does not suggest new sources, but rather it shows that scholars are in the process of rethinking Shakespearean source study in light of current ways of thinking about authorship, memory, and audiences. An important element of current thinking is an awareness of the need to sustain an understanding of diverse early modern cultures. Because Shakespeare is such a central figure of English authorship, how Shakespearean sources, compositional processes, and cultural contexts are understood, taught, edited, and studied continues to matter. In all of these areas, digital technologies provide new opportunities and challenges.
New Light on the Mid‐Fourteenth‐Century Chace: Canons Hidden in the Tournai Manuscript
Authors: STOESSEL JASON , COLLINS DENIS
Published: August 2018

The recent discovery of two canons in the manuscript containing the famous Tournai Mass changes the history of canonic genres. This article situates the new Tournai canons within the surviving mid‐fourteenth‐century canonic repertoire from Francophone regions of Europe, especially canonic chaces in the Ivrea manuscript and the works of Machaut. To achieve this, we examine current theories of canonic techniques before setting out our own analytical framework. In a departure from the dominant view informed by the use of color and talea in tenors of the fourteenth‐century isorhythmic motet, we propose instead that the solus tenor can in part inform a better understanding of early strategies for planning and composing canons. Alternatively, some canons can be better appreciated from the basis of a ‘top‐down’ compositional approach found principally in the song repertoire of the mid fourteenth‐century ars nova. Within this analytical framework, shared principles of isoperiodicity, voice exchange, melodic permutation and melodic design across the mid‐fourteenth century French repertoire point to a common stock of techniques for composing canons. The Tournai canons provide early witnesses to these techniques, although they avoid more exuberant stylistic elements such as hocket.
Nebulous nationalism: Walker Connor in an era of rising populism
Authors: Stone John , Christodoulaki Ioanna
Published: August 2018

Walker Connor's extensive writings on nationalism covered a wide range of issues and an even wider range of societies, from North America to Western Europe, from the countries of the Communist bloc to the evolving forms of identity and affiliation throughout the postcolonial, developing world. No theme in his work is perhaps more salient than his critical distinction between state and nation, one that was so often blurred by a loose terminology that saw political units and forms of ethnic identity as synonymous. For Connor, this sin was perpetrated by both academic scholars and general writers and led to a lack of appreciation of one of the foremost forces – what he called ethno‐nationalism – shaping the contemporary world.
The validation of biomarkers of metabolic efficacy in infant nutrition
Authors: Furse S. , Richardson L. , Koulman A.
Published: August 2018

Breastfeeding is regarded as the ideal way to nourish infants. However, feeding with formula milk is also common in much of the West. Despite this, the function of the molecular components of breast and formula milks are not fully understood, less still the relationship between the composition of the milk and the infant's metabolism and how this influences the infant's development. The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council‐funded project ‘The validation of biomarkers of metabolic efficacy in infant nutrition’ aims to identify lipid biomarkers that can be used to study the effect of diet on growth and development of infants. In this work, we have been able to validate these markers. Here, we present an approach to biomarker discovery that has new depth and will inform research questions about how metabolism is governed, and which species can be used to identify situations where metabolism is becoming defective.