bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mesh OR Patch for Hernia on Epigastric and Umbilical Sites (MORPHEUS-Trial)
Authors: Ponten Jeroen E. H. , Leclercq Wouter K. G. , Lettinga Tanja , Heemskerk Jeroen , Konsten Joop L. M. , Bouvy Nicole D. , Nienhuijs Simon W.
Published: October 2018

Objective:

The objective of this trial was to identify a superior method for umbilical and epigastric hernia repair in terms of complications. Complications such as an extended operation duration, additional use of painkillers, reoperation, infection, seroma, extended wound care, extended hospitalization, and early recurrence were reported according to the Clavien–Dindo grading system.

Summary Background Data:

Over the years mesh repair is proven the gold standard for umbilical and epigastric hernias. The question remains, which mesh should be used?

Methods:

In this randomized controlled, multicenter trial, all patients ≥ 18 years with a single, symptomatic, and primary small umbilical or epigastric hernia qualified for inclusion. Flat preperitoneal polypropylene mesh repair was compared with patch repair (PROCEED Ventral Patch) (PVP).

Results:

A total of 352 patients were randomized; 348 patients received the intervention (n = 177 PVP vs n = 171 mesh). One out of 4 suffered from any kind of complication within 2 years postoperative (27.6%). A significant difference in complications was seen, in favor of polypropylene mesh repair (P = 0.044, 22.1% mesh vs 32.5% PVP). Reoperation was performed in 19 PVP operated patients (10.7%) versus 7 patients with polypropylene mesh repair (4.0%, P = 0.021).

No significant differences were seen in recurrences (n = 13, 8.4% PVP vs n = 6, 4.1% mesh, P = 0.127).

Conclusions:

In small epigastric and small umbilical hernia repair a flat polypropylene mesh repair was associated with a lower complication rate than PVP repair. No differences in recurrence rates were seen. Combining all complications, the preperitoneal positioned flat polypropylene mesh performed better.
Repatriation of Patients to Referral Centers and Outcomes After Kidney Transplantation: A Single-center Analysis From the United Kingdom
Authors: Khalil Khalid , Hodson James , Anderson Benjamin , Nath Jay , Sharif Adnan
Published: October 2018

Background

The aim of this study was to compare posttransplant outcomes of kidney allograft recipients between those followed up at transplant centers and those that were repatriated back to referral renal units.

Methods

We analyzed data for 1375 consecutive patients transplanted in a single center in the United Kingdom. Patients were stratified into 3 groups: (1) externally referred patients with repatriation back for external follow-up (repatriated, n = 463), (2) externally referred patients not repatriated and followed-up internally at transplant center (nonrepatriated, n = 365), and (3) internally referred patients within transplant center with continued internal transplant center follow-up (internal, n = 547). Patient and death-censored graft survival were compared between groups on both univariable and multivariable analyses.

Results

Baseline comparisons found that the nonrepatriated group had increased risk for prolonged length of stay and delayed graft function compared with repatriated patients. The nonrepatriated group had significantly shorter survival compared to the repatriated patients (90.2% vs 94.1% at 5 years, P = 0.013), which persisted after adjustment for confounders on multivariable analysis (hazard ratio, 1.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-3.28; P = 0.032). Death-censored graft survival was not found to differ significantly between the 3 groups (P = 0.192).

Conclusions

Our results provide reassurance regarding repatriation of care after kidney transplantation for the United Kingdom. Nonrepatriated patients are identified as a high-risk group for increased mortality, but further investigation is warranted to probe this heterogeneous group and validate in a non-United Kingdom cohort.
Mutation detection in thousands of acute myeloid leukemia cells using single cell RNA-sequencing
Authors: Petti Allegra A. , Williams Stephen R. , Miller Christopher A. , Fiddes Ian T. , Srivatsan Sridhar N. , Chen David Y. , Fronick Catrina C. , Fulton Robert S. , Church Deanna M. , Ley Timothy J.
Published: October 2018

Virtually all tumors are genetically heterogeneous, containing subclonal populations of cells that are defined by distinct mutations1. Subclones can have unique phenotypes that influence disease progression2, but these phenotypes are difficult to characterize: subclones usually cannot be physically purified, and bulk gene expression measurements obscure interclonal differences. Single-cell RNA-sequencing has revealed transcriptional heterogeneity within a variety of tumor types, but it is unclear how this expression heterogeneity relates to subclonal genetic events – for example, whether particular expression clusters correspond to mutationally defined subclones3,4,5,6-9. To address this question, we developed an approach that integrates enhanced whole genome sequencing (eWGS) with the 10x Genomics Chromium Single Cell 5’ Gene Expression workflow (scRNA-seq) to directly link expressed mutations with transcriptional profiles at single cell resolution. Using bone marrow samples from five cases of primary human Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), we generated WGS and scRNA-seq data for each case. Duplicate single cell libraries representing a median of 20,474 cells per case were generated from the bone marrow of each patient. Although the libraries were 5’ biased, we detected expressed mutations in cDNAs at distances up to 10 kbp from the 5’ ends of well-expressed genes, allowing us to identify hundreds to thousands of cells with AML-specific somatic mutations in every case. This data made it possible to distinguish AML cells (including normal-karyotype AML cells) from surrounding normal cells, to study tumor differentiation and intratumoral expression heterogeneity, to identify expression signatures associated with subclonal mutations, and to find cell surface markers that could be used to purify subclones for further study. The data also revealed transcriptional heterogeneity that occurred independently of subclonal mutations, suggesting that additional factors drive epigenetic heterogeneity. This integrative approach for connecting genotype to phenotype in AML cells is broadly applicable for analysis of any sample that is phenotypically and genetically heterogeneous.
Variably methylated regions in the newborn epigenome: environmental, genetic and combined influences
Authors: Czamara Darina , Eraslan Gökçen , Lahti Jari , Page Christian M. , Lahti-Pulkkinen Marius , Hämäläinen Esa , Kajantie Eero , Laivuori Hannele , Villa Pia M , Reynolds Rebecca M. , Nystad Wenche , Håberg Siri E , London Stephanie J , O’Donnell Kieran J , Garg Elika , Meaney Michael J , Entringer Sonja , Wadhwa Pathik D , Buss Claudia , Jones Meaghan J , Lin David TS , MacIsaac Julie L , Kobor Michael S , Koen Nastassja , Zar Heather J , Koenen Karestan C , Dalvie Shareefa , Stein Dan J , Kondofersky Ivan , Müller Nikola S , Theis Fabian J ,   Major Depressive Disorder Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, Räikkönen Katri , Binder* Elisabeth B
Published: October 2018

Background

Epigenetic processes, including DNA methylation (DNAm), are among the mechanisms allowing integration of genetic and environmental factors to shape cellular function. While many studies have investigated either environmental or genetic contributions to DNAm, few have assessed their integrated effects. We examined the relative contributions of prenatal environmental factors and genotype on DNA methylation in neonatal blood at variably methylated regions (VMRs), defined as consecutive CpGs showing the highest variability of DNAm in 4 independent cohorts (PREDO, DCHS, UCI, MoBa, N=2,934).

Results

We used Akaike’s information criterion to test which factors best explained variability of methylation in the cohort-specific VMRs: several prenatal environmental factors (E) including maternal demographic, psychosocial and metabolism related phenotypes, genotypes in cis (G), or their additive (G+E) or interaction (GxE) effects. G+E and GxE models consistently best explained variability in DNAm of VMRs across the cohorts, with G explaining the remaining sites best. VMRs best explained by G, GxE or G+E, as well as their associated functional genetic variants (predicted using deep learning algorithms), were located in distinct genomic regions, with different enrichments for transcription and enhancer marks. Genetic variants of not only G and G+E models, but also of variants in GxE models were significantly enriched in genome wide association studies (GWAS) for complex disorders.

Conclusion

Genetic and environmental factors in combination best explain DNAm at VMRs. The CpGs best explained by G, G+E or GxE are functionally distinct. The enrichment of GxE variants in GWAS for complex disorders supports their importance for disease risk.
Decoding locomotion from population neural activity in moving C. elegans
Authors: Hallinen Kelsey M. , Dempsey Ross , Scholz Monika , Yu Xinwei , Linder Ashley , Randi Francesco , Sharma Anuj , Shaevitz Joshua W. , Leifer Andrew M.
Published: October 2018

The activity of an animal’s brain contains information about that animal’s actions and movements. We investigated the neural representation of locomotion in the nematode C. elegans by recording population calcium activity during unrestrained movement. We report that a neural population more accurately decodes locomotion than any single neuron. Relevant signals are distributed across neurons with diverse tunings to locomotion. Two distinct subpopulations are informative for decoding velocity and body curvature, and different neurons’ activities contribute features relevant for different instances of behavioral motifs. We labeled neurons AVAL and AVAR and found their activity was highly correlated with one another. They exhibited expected transients during backward locomotion, although they were not always the most informative neurons for decoding velocity. Finally, we compared population neural activity during movement and immobilization. Immobilization alters the correlation structure of neural activity and its dynamics. Some neurons previously correlated with AVA become anti-correlated and vice versa.

The activity of an animal’s brain contains information about that animal’s actions and movements. We investigated the neural representation of locomotion in the nematode C. elegans by recording brain-wide neural dynamics in freely moving animals. We report that a population of neurons more accurately decodes the animal’s locomotion than any single neuron. Neural signals are distributed across neurons in the population with a diversity of tuning to locomotion. Two distinct subpopulations are most informative for decoding velocity and body curvature, and different neurons’ activities contribute features relevant for different instances of behavioral motifs within these subpopulations. We additionally labeled the AVA neurons within our population recordings. AVAL and AVAR exhibit activity that is highly correlated with one another, and they exhibit the expected responses to locomotion, although we find that AVA is not always the most informative neuron for decoding velocity. Finally, we compared brain-wide neural activity during movement and immobilization and observe that immobilization alters the correlation structure of neural activity and its dynamics. Some neurons that were previously correlated with AVA become anti-correlated and vice versa during immobilization. We conclude that neural population codes are important for understanding neural dynamics of behavior in moving animals.
Comparative genetic architectures of schizophrenia in East Asian and European populations
Authors: Lam Max , Chen Chia-Yen , Li Zhiqiang , Martin Alicia R. , Bryois Julien , Ma Xixian , Gaspar Helena , Ikeda Masashi , Benyamin Beben , Brown Brielin C. , Liu Ruize , Zhou Wei , Guan Lili , Kamatani Yoichiro , Kim Sung-Wan , Kubo Michiaki , Kusumawardhani Agung , Liu Chih-Min , Ma Hong , Periyasamy Sathish , Takahashi Atsushi , Wang Qiang , Xu Zhida , Yu Hao , Zhu Feng ,   Psychiatric Genomics Consortium - Schizophrenia Working Group,   Indonesia Schizophrenia Consortium,   Genetic REsearch on schizophreniA neTwork-China and Netherland (GREAT-CN), Chen Wei J. , Faraone Stephen , Glatt Stephen J. , He Lin , Hyman Steven E. , Hwu Hai-Gwo , Li Tao , McCarroll Steven , Neale Benjamin M. , Sklar Pamela , Wildenauer Dieter , Yu Xin , Zhang Dai , Mowry Bryan , Lee Jimmy , Holmans Peter , Xu Shuhua , Sullivan Patrick F. , Ripke Stephan , O’Donovan Michael , Daly Mark J. , Qin Shengying , Sham Pak , Iwata Nakao , Hong Kyung S. , Schwab Sibylle G. , Yue Weihua , Tsuang Ming , Liu Jianjun , Ma Xiancang , Kahn René S. , Shi Yongyong , Huang Hailiang
Published: October 2018

Author summary

Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder with a lifetime risk of about 1% world-wide. Most large schizophrenia genetic studies have studied people of primarily European ancestry, potentially missing important biological insights. Here we present a study of East Asian participants (22,778 schizophrenia cases and 35,362 controls), identifying 21 genome-wide significant schizophrenia associations in 19 genetic loci. Over the genome, the common genetic variants that confer risk for schizophrenia have highly similar effects in those of East Asian and European ancestry (rg=0.98), indicating for the first time that the genetic basis of schizophrenia and its biology are broadly shared across these world populations. A fixed-effect meta-analysis including individuals from East Asian and European ancestries revealed 208 genome-wide significant schizophrenia associations in 176 genetic loci (53 novel). Trans-ancestry fine-mapping more precisely isolated schizophrenia causal alleles in 70% of these loci. Despite consistent genetic effects across populations, polygenic risk models trained in one population have reduced performance in the other, highlighting the importance of including all major ancestral groups with sufficient sample size to ensure the findings have maximum relevance for all populations.
An empirical evaluation of multivariate lesion behaviour mapping using support vector regression
Authors: Sperber Christoph , Wiesen Daniel , Karnath Hans-Otto
Published: October 2018

Multivariate lesion behaviour mapping based on machine learning algorithms has recently been suggested to complement the methods of anatomo-behavioural approaches in cognitive neuroscience. Several studies applied and validated support vector regression-based lesion symptom mapping (SVR-LSM) to map anatomo-behavioural relations. However, this promising method, as well as the multivariate approach per se, still bears many open questions. By using large lesion samples in three simulation experiments, the present study empirically tested the validity of several methodological aspects. We found that i) correction for multiple comparisons is required in the current implementation of SVR-LSM, ii) that sample sizes of at least 100 to 120 subjects are required to optimally model voxel-wise lesion location in SVR-LSM, and iii) that SVR-LSM is susceptible to misplacement of statistical topographies along the brain’s vasculature to a similar extent as mass-univariate analyses.
MurineMPDZ-Linked Hydrocephalus is Caused by Hyperpermeability of the Choroid Plexus
Authors: Yang Junning , Simonneau Claire , Kilker Robert , Oakley Laura , Byrne Matthew , Nichtova Zuzana , Stefanescu Ioana , Pardeep-Kumar Fnu , Tripathi Sushil , Londin Eric , Saugier-Veber Pascale , Willard Belinda , Thakur Mathew , Pickup Stephen , Smeyne Richard , Horowitz Arie
Published: October 2018

Though congenital hydrocephalus is heritable, it has been linked only to eight genes, one of which isMPDZ. Humans and mice that carry a truncated version of MPDZ incur severe hydrocephalus resulting in acute morbidity and lethality. We show by magnetic resonance imaging that contrast-medium penetrates into the brain ventricles of mice carrying aMpdzloss-of-function mutation, whereas none is detected in the ventricles of normal mice, implying that the permeability of the choroid plexus epithelial cell monolayer is abnormally high. Comparative proteomic analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid of normal and hydrocephalic mice revealed up to a 53-fold increase in protein concentration, suggesting that transcytosis through the choroid plexus epithelial cells ofMpdzKO mice is substantially higher than in normal mice. These conclusions are supported by ultrastructural evidence, and by immunohistochemistry and cytology data. Our results provide a straight-forward and concise explanation for the pathophysiology ofMpdz-linked hydrocephalus.
Functional Morphology of Endurance Swimming Performance and Gait Transition Strategies in Balistoid Fishes
Authors: George Andrew B. , Westneat Mark W.
Published: October 2018

Triggerfishes and filefishes (Balistoidea) use balistiform locomotion to power slow steady swimming with their dorsal and anal fins and transition to a gait dominated by body and caudal fin (BCF) kinematics at high speeds. Fin and body shapes are predicted to be strong determinants of swimming performance and the biomechanics of gait transitions. The goal of this study was to combine morphometrics and critical swimming tests to explore relationships between balistoid fin and body shapes and swimming performance in a phylogenetic context in order to understand the evolution and diversification of the balistiform swimming mode. Among the 13 species of balistoid fishes examined, fishes with high aspect ratio fins tended to achieve higher critical swimming speeds than fishes with low aspect ratio fins. Species with long, large median fins and wide caudal peduncles tended to use the balistiform gait alone for a larger percentage of their total critical swimming speed than fishes with short, small median fins and narrow caudal peduncles. Fishes on both ends of the aspect ratio spectrum achieved higher swimming speeds using the balistiform gait alone than fishes with median fins of intermediate aspect ratios. Each species is specialized for taking advantage of one gait, with balistiform specialists possessing long, large median fins capable of the large power requirements of swimming at high speeds using the median fins alone, while BCF specialists possess short, small median fins, ill-suited for powering high-speed balistiform locomotion, but narrow caudal peduncles capable of efficient caudal fin oscillations to power high-speed locomotion.

Summary Statement:

Geometric morphometrics reveal that fin and body shapes are good predictors of endurance swimming performance and gait transition strategies of triggerfishes and filefishes.
Passive control of cavity acoustics via the use of surface waviness at subsonic flow
Authors: Abderrahmane Belkallouche , Rezoug Tahar , Dala Laurent
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Aircraft noise is dominant for residents near airports when planes fly at low altitudes such as during departure and landing. Flaps, wings, landing gear contribute significantly to the total sound emission. This paper aims to present a passive flow control (in the sense that there is no power input) to reduce the noise radiation induced by the flow over the cavity of the landing gear during take-off and landing.

Design/methodology/approach

The understanding of the noise source mechanism is normally caused by the unsteady interactions between the cavity surface and the turbulent flows as well as some studies that have shown tonal noise because of cavity resonances; this tonal noise is dependent on cavity geometry and incoming flow that lead us to use of a sinusoidal surface modification application upstream of a cavity as a passive acoustics control device in approach conditions.

Findings

It is demonstrated that the proposed surface waviness showed a potential reduction in cavity resonance and in the overall sound pressure level at the majority of the points investigated in the low Mach number. Furthermore, optimum sinusoidal amplitude and frequency were determined by the means of a two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics analysis for a cavity with a length to depth ratio of four.

Research limitations/implications

The noise control by surface waviness has not implemented in real flight test yet, as all the tests are conducted in the credible numerical simulation.

Practical implications

The application of passive control method on the cavity requires a global aerodynamic study of the air frame is a matter of ongoing debate between aerodynamicists and acousticians. The latter is aimed at the reduction of the noise, whereas the former fears a corruption of flow conditions. To balance aerodynamic performance and acoustics, the use of the surface waviness in cavity leading edge is the most optimal solution.

Social implications

The proposed leading-edge modification it has important theoretical basis and reference value for engineering application it can meet the demands of engineering practice. Particularly, to contribute to the reduce the aircraft noise adopted by the “European Visions 2020”.

Originality/value

The investigate cavity noise with and without surface waviness generation and propagation by using a hybrid approach, the computation of flow based on the large-eddy simulation method, is decoupled from the computation of sound, which can be performed during a post-processing based on Curle’s acoustic analogy as implemented in OpenFOAM.
Luxury craftsmanship – the emergent luxury beer market
Authors: Williams Alistair , Atwal Glyn , Bryson Douglas
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the design of experiential marketing strategies within the luxury beer category.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is exploratory in order to provide a broad, grounded starting point within the context of a changing luxury landscape.

Findings

Consumer responses to the craft beer consumption experience can be applied to the four dimensions of experiential value as defined by Mathwick et al. (2001): consumer return on investment; perceived excellence value; perceived playfulness; and perceived aesthetic value.

Practical implications

This analysis suggests that the degree to which a luxury beer brand is able to deliver experiential value will largely determine its market success.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to study experiential marketing within the context of the luxury beer category.
Family business, transgenerational succession and diversification strategy
Authors: Shen Na
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to enhance the existing socioemotional wealth (SEW) theory. Particularly, the current research proposes a dynamic SEW model using insights from prospect theory. The application of the proposed dynamic SEW model leads to several propositions that will reveal the relationship amongst family business, transgenerational succession, business risks and diversification strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is mainly a theoretical research. A dynamic SEW model is proposed in which the SEW is not static and can be increasing or decreasing. SEW is framed as a gain or loss under different scenarios, and the shift in reference point will change the framing or value of SEW.

Findings

The current research presents several interesting propositions based on the dynamic SEW model. Generally, family firms are less likely to diversify than non-family firms. However, when family firms face business risks, they are more likely to diversify than those that do not face business risks. Family firms with second generation involvement in management are more likely to diversify than those without second generation involvement. The dynamic SEW model can also be applied to analyse R&D and IPO underpricing for family firms.

Originality/value

This study builds a dynamic SEW model, which is totally new to the literature. The conceptual framework that reveals the relationships amongst family business, transgenerational succession, business risks and diversification strategy also contributes to the literature and has empirical implications to researchers, policy makers and family business owners.
An investigation into the core appeals for nation branding to attract and retain talent to enhance a country’s competitiveness
Authors: Silvanto Sari , Ryan Jason
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to empirically examine the most common appeals recommended for use in nation branding campaigns to attract and retain skilled professionals from abroad to enhance a country’s economic competitiveness. To assess this, the authors examine how the image and reputation of a country as a destination and location for talent compare to its actual performance in terms of attracting and retaining skilled professionals. This comparison provides useful insights into the aspects of a country’s reputation that matter most for attracting the talent it needs to enhance its competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a multivariate analysis to examine a sample of 122 countries using secondary data from the World Economic Forum, the World Bank, the UNDP and other non-governmental sources, such as the Martin Prosperity Institute at the University of Toronto. It then tests the results using a sample of 35 OECD countries to assess whether they apply to all types of countries equally.

Findings

The study finds that the two most important factors for ensuring that a country is maximizing its potential to attract skilled professionals are the availability of employment and the degree of ethnic and cultural diversity within the host country. The most important factor for ensuring that a country is maximizing its potential to retain talent, the study finds, is the availability of employment. This does not mean that other factors do not matter, but employment and diversity are crucial for attracting talent from abroad.

Research limitations/implications

The study also tests the overall results of the study by using a smaller sample of 35 OECD countries. It finds that the availability of employment and high levels of GDP per capita (i.e. wealth) is important for attracting and retaining skilled professionals in more industrially developed countries.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the few empirical studies to examine nation branding to attract and retain talent from abroad to enhance national competitiveness. Its findings suggest that a multifaceted and holistic framework-based approach to nation branding to attract talent, such as that recommended by Silvanto and Ryan (2014), is less likely to work in the short term than an approach which primarily emphasizes employment and diversity.
Spiritual abuse in Christian faith settings: definition, policy and practice guidance
Authors: Oakley Lisa , Kinmond Kathryn , Humphreys Justin
Published: October 2018

Purpose

A previous publication in this journal reported the findings of a 2013 survey into people’s experiences of membership of a Christian church in the UK (author citation removed for the purposes of review). A major finding of this survey was that many people said they had been “harmed” by their experience with some labelling it as “Spiritual Abuse” (SA). Respondents in the 2013 study also stressed the importance of developing safeguarding policy and practice in this area. The purpose of this paper is to explore the findings of a more extensive survey conducted in 2017 which aims to identify people’s understanding of SA some four years after the initial work and within a context of some discussion and uncertainty around the term itself. The study also aims to assess the current status of safeguarding policy and practice in SA perpetrated against individuals in the Christian church in the UK. A secondary aim of the study is to ascertain how far understandings, policy and practice have developed since the initial survey was conducted. It is emphasised that the authors do not assert that SA is perpetrated solely in the Christian church. However, as this is their personal religious background it is the focus of this work.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods online survey of Christians, Church attendees and members of Christian organisations was conducted in 2017. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, inductive thematic and content analysis.

Findings

A clear definition of SA is required. There is an ongoing need to develop policy and practice in the area of SA in order to respond effectively to those who have these harmful experiences.

Research limitations/implications

This work has been conducted within the Christian faith community and thus, represents only this faith context. Accordingly, it is research with a specific group. The work would usefully be expanded to other faith contexts.

Practical implications

People are still being harmed by experiences in the Christian church. Safeguarding policy and practice in the area of spiritual abuse needs to be developed in the immediate future.

Social implications

Those working in statutory agencies, faith and community contexts need to develop an understanding of SA.

Originality/value

This is the largest survey conducted on the topic of SA in the Christian faith to date in the UK.
Changing representations of activists and activism in public relations textbooks
Authors: Mules Philippa (Pip)
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to respond to Coombs and Holladay’s (2012a) concern that textbooks have had a powerful and negative influence on public relations’ curricula because they have positioned public relations as a function of business, rather than as a field of knowledge and practice that plays an emancipatory role in society.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is a diachronic, thematic analysis of public relations textbooks dating from 1981 to 2017. This methodology is valid because textbooks not only disseminate the knowledge base associated with a community of practice, but they are also influential legitimisers of curricula and bodies of knowledge.

Findings

The findings show that public relations textbooks are slowly evolving to include activist studies as a content area from both a strategic business perspective and a critical perspective.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size is small but sufficient to indicate the beginnings of a trend. While the influence of textbooks on curricula is waning as students look beyond prescribed texts to a wider array of readings, they remain the most influential educational medium worldwide (Fuchs and Bock, 2018).

Practical implications

The paper calls for a greater inclusion of activist studies in contemporary public relations curricula to prepare practitioners for changes to the communications environment, as well as an opportunity for public relations to reposition itself as an emancipatory field of knowledge and practice.

Social implications

Activism studies, as a curriculum field, provide a foundation for positioning public relations as an emancipatory practice.

Originality/value

The paper proposes that incorporating activism studies into public relations curricula is a way for public relations to reframe itself as a field of knowledge and practice that plays an emancipatory role in society.
On how business students’ personal values and sustainability conceptions impact their sustainability management orientation
Authors: Seidel Jan , Sundermann Anna , Brieger Steven A. , Strathoff Pepe , Jacob Gabriel H. , Antonio Tony , Utami Christina W.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to develop and empirically test a framework on how personal values and sustainability conceptions affect students’ sustainability management orientation (SMO). An understanding of this connection gives insight into the question whether students are likely to engage in sustainable business practices in their future work.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional and comparative research design is used, using survey data of business students from Germany, Indonesia and the USA (N = 475). The proposed mediation models are tested by bootstrap procedures using Hayes’s (2013) PROCESS macro for SPSS.

Findings

Self-transcendence values translate into more nuanced sustainability conceptions since individuals with self-transcendence values are more likely to conceptualize sustainability beyond their own (narrow) self-interests. In turn, the stronger individuals’ sustainability conceptions, the higher the likelihood that they prefer sustainable management practices in their future professional working field.

Research limitations/implications

Implications arise for researchers to investigate the engagement of future managers with different personal value types in sustainability practices and to gain insights into values and sustainability conceptions as a learning outcome. Limitations of this research – for instance, arising from potential common method bias – are discussed.

Practical implications

The findings point to the need to (re-)design appointment processes for management positions in a way that allows taking into account individuals’ personal values and sustainability conceptions. This research may also help firms and higher education institutions to empower their workforce/students to develop more integrated perspectives on sustainability challenges as well as teaching methods that address students’ effective learning outcomes, e.g. their values.

Originality/value

The paper offers a new framework and a cross-country perspective on psychological antecedents of individuals’ SMO as an important prerequisite for responsible behavior in the business context.
Charity’s dilemmas: an ethnography of gift-giving and social class in Croatia
Authors: Doolan Karin , Cepić Dražen , Walton Jeremy F.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore charitable giving and receiving as a site of social class interaction in Croatia today, particularly in relation to the country’s socialist past and capitalist present.

Design/methodology/approach

Ethnographic fieldwork was conducted in three charity organisations in Croatia. The reported material is based on participant observation, interviews and informal conversations with organisation members, activists, employees and end users.

Findings

The authors find that charity activists and recipients of aid occupy distinct but overlapping moral economies in relation to questions of poverty, charity and the role of the state.

Originality/value

The authors develop a unique perspective on charitable giving and receiving in a context in which memories of socialism shape understandings of the role of the state today vis-à-vis poverty relief.
Experiences that develop leadership capabilities
Authors: Boak George , Crabbe Sarah
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to answer the research question: what recent experiences – other than undertaking training and development programmes – do mature managers and professionals regard as important for their development as leaders?

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was issued to mature managers and professionals, asking them to rate the contribution of certain experiences to their recent development of leadership capabilities, and to provide qualitative data on the most important experiences.

Findings

The experience that was rated most highly in developing leadership capabilities was “tackling a significant challenge or challenges”, followed by “taking, or contributing to, major decisions”, and then by “taking on new responsibilities”. Controlled interventions such as coaching/mentoring, appraisal feedback, and temporary new responsibilities were awarded relatively low ratings.

Research limitations/implications

The sample was drawn from graduates of an executive master’s degree, who are likely to have positive attitudes to self-development and to learning from experience.

Practical implications

The findings can be used to help mature leaders, and those who facilitate leadership development, to identify and use experiences that may develop leadership capabilities.

Originality/value

There are few recent studies on the kinds of experiences that are perceived to develop leadership capabilities of mature managers and professionals.
Prevalence of lactose intolerance and its association with breakfast consumption in Iranian adolescents
Authors: Sharifi-Zahabi Elham , Abdollahzad Hadi , Nachvak Seyed Mostafa , Pasdar Yahya , Bagheri Amir , Sahargahi Badrieh , Mahaki Behzad
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Lactose intolerance (LI) is a disturbing gastrointestinal disorder with a high prevalence in all parts of the world, especially in Asian countries. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of LI in students from Zabol, Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on cluster random sampling method, 887 subjects were selected for the study. Of all, 54.7 per cent of the students were boys. The mean (±SD) of age, weight and body mass index (BMI) for participants were 13.27 ± 1.14 years, 42.12 ± 10.25 kg and 18.7 ± 3.9 kg/m2, respectively. LI was assessed using a validated self-administered questionnaire. After measuring the anthropometric indices, students were asked to ingest 200cc of milk. The questionnaires were completed 2 h after the ingestion of milk.

Findings

In total, 25.8 per cent of the adolescents had LI. Of all, 1, 4.6, 11, 30.2 and 53.2 per cent of affected students had severe, relatively severe, moderate, relatively mild and mild LI, respectively. The association between LI and gender, and BMI was not significant (p> 0.05 for both); however, the association between LI and the history of LI in parents (OR = 2.06; 95 per cent CI: 1.47-2.88;p< 0.001), and breakfast consumption was significant (OR = 1.49; 95 per cent CI: 1.04-2.14;p= 0.028).

Originality/value

Although the prevalence of LI is noticeable, majority of adolescents had mild and relatively mild LI. Parents’ history and breakfast consumption are related to the rate of LI prevalence. Appropriate strategies should be considered to prevent breakfast skipping.
Failure of exporting and non-exporting firms: do the financial predictors vary?
Authors: Lukason Oliver , Laitinen Erkki K.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find out whether the financial predictors of failure differ for exporting and non-exporting firms.

Design

The study is based on two samples of French manufacturing micro firms from Amadeus database. Samples of 468 exporting and 1,148 non-exporting firms were divided equally to survived and bankrupted firms. Logistic regression method was used with five financial ratios portraying liquidity, solidity, cash flow sufficiency, profitability and productivity.

Findings

The findings suggest that cash flow sufficiency and solidity were important predictors in both firm groups, although the latter was more important in case of exporters. Liquidity was important in case of non-exporters, while profitability in case of exporters. Productivity was not a significant predictor. With these variables, failure of exporters was predicted with a higher accuracy.

Originality

This paper contributes to an under-researched area in the failure prediction and international business literature, namely, it outlines whether failure predictors are the same for similar exporting and non-exporting firms. The results indicate that some predictors differ and similar ones can have different importance for exporters and non-exporters.
Influence of exposure time on energy consumption and mechanical properties of SLM fabricated parts
Authors: Peng Tao , Xu Shuangmei , Zhang Hong , Zhu Yi
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Many process parameters in selective laser melting (SLM) can be configured to optimize build time, which directly relates to energy consumption, and to achieve acceptable part quality. This study aims to investigate whether energy can be effectively reduced with acceptable mechanical properties. The influence of exposure time is primarily focused to correlate energy consumption to mechanical properties.

Design/methodology/approach

Through single-factor design and experiment result analysis, three levels of exposure time were examined in fabricating two sets of sample parts, for energy analysis and mechanical property tests. Manufacturing power profile was measured online, and four mechanical properties, tensile, flexural, torsional strengths and part density, were investigated. A graphical growth rate tendency (GRT) plot is proposed to jointly analyze multiple variables.

Findings

Energy consumption increases in fabricating a same part with the increase of exposure time in the tested range, but exposure time was found to influence build power rather than build time in the given SLM system. Mechanical properties do not increase linearly, and grow at different rates. It is found that within the tested range, increased energy consumption brought to a small improvement of part density, but a notable improvement of tensile strength and maximum torque.

Practical implications

Producing quality SLM parts can be energy-effective through quantitative study. The proposed GRT plot is an intuitive visual aid to compare the growth rates of different variables, which offers more information to additive manufacturing practitioners.

Originality/value

In this research, energy consumption and mechanical property are jointly analyzed for the first time to advance the knowledge of energy-effective SLM fabrication. This helps additive manufacturing technology to be truly energy-efficient and environmental-friendly.
Geometrical deviation identification and prediction method for additive manufacturing
Authors: Huang Zhicheng , Dantan Jean-Yves , Etienne Alain , Rivette Mickaël , Bonnet Nicolas
Published: October 2018

Purpose

One major problem preventing further application and benefits from additive manufacturing (AM) nowadays is that AM build parts always end up with poor geometrical quality. To help improving geometrical quality for AM, this study aims to propose geometrical deviation identification and prediction method for AM, which could be used for identifying the factors, forms and values of geometrical deviation of AM parts.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applied the skin model-based modal decomposition approach to describe the geometrical deviations of AM and decompose them into different defect modes. On that basis, the approach to propose and extend defect modes was developed. Identification and prediction of the geometrical deviations were then carried out with this method. Finally, a case study with cylinders manufactured by fused deposition modeling was introduced. Two coordinate measuring machine (CMM) machines with different measure methods were used to verify the effectiveness of the methods and modes proposed.

Findings

The case study results with two different CMM machines are very close, which shows that the method and modes proposed by this paper are very effective. Also, the results indicate that the main geometrical defects are caused by the shrinkage and machine inaccuracy-induced errors which have not been studied enough.

Originality/value

This work could be used for identifying and predicting the forms and values of AM geometrical deviation, which could help realize the improvement of AM part geometrical quality in design phase more purposefully.
Sustainable supply management practices: making a difference in a firm’s sustainability performance
Authors: Kähkönen Anni-Kaisa , Lintukangas Katrina , Hallikas Jukka
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the role of sustainable supply management (SSM) practices in a firm’s overall sustainability performance and reflect the significance of supply management in this performance. The paper uses dynamic capability view as a theoretical foundation for the research of SSM practices and differentiates between reactive and proactive practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design includes a focus group session with nine supply management professionals and survey data collected from 111 companies. The research objectives are examined by means of quantitative analyses.

Findings

The empirical results show that SSM practices represent a significant share of the firm’s sustainability performance overall. However, the significance of the practices differs depending on the strategic type and importance of the practice. SSM practices reflecting reporting and upstream SCM activities aim to ensure sustainability of the entire supply chain and have a focal role in improving firm’s sustainability performance.

Originality/value

A three-dimensional matrix for the categorization of SSM practices is proposed. This is a novel theoretical contribution to the SSM literature. Reactive practices are basic ones where the strategic importance regarding the development of new capabilities is low. Proactive practices are dynamic in nature and aim toward the development of new capabilities. Thus, proactive practices have a long-term effect and are necessary for gaining higher sustainability performance.
Programmed longevity, youthspan, and juventology
Authors: Longo Valter D.
Published: October 2018

The identification of conserved genes and pathways that regulate lifespan but also healthspan has resulted in an improved understanding of the link between nutrients, signal transduction proteins, and aging but has also provided evidence for the existence of multiple “longevity programs,” which are selected based on the availability of nutrients. Periodic fasting and other dietary restrictions can promote entry into a long‐lasting longevity program characterized by cellular protection and optimal function but can also activate regenerative processes that lead to rejuvenation, which are independent of the aging rate preceding the restricted period. Thus, a “juventology”‐based strategy can complement the traditional gerontology approach by focusing not on aging but on the longevity program affecting the life history period in which mortality is very low and organisms remain youthful, healthy, and fully functional.
Who Is for (or Against) the National Flag? Ideological and Identity‐Based Motivators of Attitudes
Authors: Satherley Nicole , Osborne Danny , Sibley Chris G.
Published: October 2018

Although national flags arguably reflect a unified nation, support for a particular flag design may vary across ideological cleavages within the electorate. Here, we examined the impact of system‐challenging and system‐justifying ideologies, as well as political party support, on support for flag‐change in a large (N = 13,559) nationally representative sample of New Zealand adults. As hypothesized, system‐justifying ideologies (e.g., conservatism, right‐wing authoritarianism, historical negation, and symbolic exclusion) correlated negatively with flag change support, whereas system‐challenging ideologies (e.g., support for multiculturalism) correlated positively with support for change. Yet, consistent with an identity politics perspective, support for the National Party—the center‐right/conservative party in New Zealand whose leader advocated change—correlated positively (rather than negatively) with support for changing the flag. These results demonstrate the countervailing effects of system‐justifying and system‐challenging ideologies on support for change, and identify a boundary condition of conservatives’ opposition to change (namely, party support).