bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attracting doctoral students: case of Baltic universities
Authors: Tarvid Alexander
Published: July 2017

Purpose

In the context of falling demand for higher education and, in particular, doctoral studies, it is important to understand how to attract new students. The purpose of this paper is to present an analysis of the decision-making process the PhD students of Baltic universities followed when choosing whether to continue their education at doctoral level and in which institution to do it.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses the data gathered in 2014 from all major Baltic universities providing access to higher education at doctoral level.

Findings

At macro-level, the three Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) are rather different in the supply of doctoral programmes and the level and dynamics of the popularity of doctoral-level studies in the population. Besides, strong country-specific effects on the goals students pursued when they enrolled in a doctoral programme and the information about the university or the programme they found useful are observed at micro-level. The main result is related to systematic differences in the perceptions students have about the benefits they will get from a doctoral degree across the current (at doctoral level) and previous (at Bachelor’s and Master’s levels) fields of study, as well as depending on labour-market experience and family and social circle.

Practical implications

These findings suggest that Baltic higher education institutions should employ different marketing communication strategies when attracting new doctoral students, depending on the field of study and the country they operate in.

Originality/value

This is the first comprehensive study on the motivation of enrolment at doctoral level in the Baltic countries. It gives the management of Baltic universities a general picture of the motivation to get a PhD degree and factors affecting the choice of university, which can be readily incorporated into universities’ strategy.
Collaborative inquiry and the shared workspace of professional learning communities
Authors: Carpenter Daniel
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore educator collaborative inquiry in the shared workspace in professional learning communities (PLCs). Specifically, this investigation was part of an ongoing investigation of well-established PLC collaborative interactions and self-directed learning of educators as part of the shared workspace as a component of school improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative design was used for this investigation. Participants were purposefully selected to provide qualitative data on existent, well-established PLCs and their practice as educators in the shared workspace. Qualitative data were collected about participant perception. Data were collected from each participant by conducting semi-structured interviews, observations, and the collection of document and artifacts.

Findings

Findings from this ongoing investigation point to positive collaborative physical interactions and intellectual discourse that lead to educator learning through the collaborative inquiry process.

Originality/value

Theories on PLCs and educator job-embedded professional learning are unique in this paper. The concepts of PLCs and the collaborative inquiry process have been well developed but not in the context of the shared workspace. Recent literature on effective collaborative inquiry educators undergo in PLCs as a continuing professional development model provides a foundation for the work done in this ongoing case study. Sustained collaboration and continued professional development of teaching innovations as a product of the collaborative inquiry process in the shared workspace are underdeveloped as yet but further developed in this paper.
Is innovation the future of quality management?
Authors: Lilja Johan , Hansen David , Fredrikson Johan , Richardsson Daniel
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Upcoming as well as mature industries are facing pressure as regards successfully managing operational excellence, and, at the same time, driving and managing innovation. Quality management concepts and practices’ ability to tackle this challenge have been questioned. It has even been suggested that there is a need to provide and promote an updated/changed, and even re-branded, version of Total Quality Management, merging quality management (QM) and innovation management (IM). Can such a shift then actually be spotted? The purpose of this paper is to explore and see if there are any signs suggesting that QM and IM actually are about to merge.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on literature reviews, document studies and interviews.

Findings

The paper highlights three signs indicating that QM and IM indeed are approaching each other, and that it is a movement driven from both sectors, e.g., in the work with new ISO-standards and the Toyota Kata framework.

Originality/value

The indicated development has fundamental and extensive practical implications. It will for example have to be followed by a similar merging of the two fields in the educational system, and in the competences of future managers.
Perceptions of justice and organisational commitment in international mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Gomes Emanuel , Mellahi Kamel , Sahadev Sunil , Harvey Amy
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Although there is substantial and accumulating evidence on the link between market entry modes and performance, evidence regarding their impact on employee’s perceptions and thereby their commitment is scarce. This is more so in mergers and acquisitions (M&As) where employee’s commitment has a significant impact on post-entry performance. The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between perceptions of justice and organisational commitment in cross-border M&As.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on market entry and M&As’ literature and studies on the link between perception of justice and commitment to develop the hypotheses. The authors test the hypotheses with survey data from a merger of two culturally different partners – British and Japanese. A total of 128 responses were received, out of a sample of 151 non-managerial employees within the firm.

Findings

The results show a strong association between employees’ perceptions of justice during the merger and commitment to the new organisation. Surprisingly, the results do not support the widely reported interaction effects between different organisational justices and employees’ commitment.

Research limitations/implications

Obtaining data from a single M&A is a potential limitation of this study.

Practical implications

The study underscores the importance of post-market entry. The results suggest that particular attention needs to be paid to the way employees of the acquired firm are treated during their interactions with their counterparts.

Originality/value

The link between market entry and performance is well documented. However, little progress has been made in understanding the antecedents/factors that influence commitment in foreign market entry and in particular cross-border M&As. This study helps close this gap.
The impact of workplaces and self-management practices on the productivity of knowledge workers
Authors: Palvalin Miikka , van der Voordt Theo , Jylhä Tuuli
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the impact of workplaces, which support concentration and communication, and self-management practices on individual and team productivity. The underlying hypothesis is that the impact of these variables on the two levels of productivity (individual and team) and the two dimensions of productivity (quantity and quality) may be different.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on survey data from 998 Finnish knowledge workers. Factor analysis was used to test the dimensions of the conceptual model. Insights into the impact of workplaces for concentration and communications and self-management practices on productivity were obtained by multiple-regression analyses.

Findings

The findings show that self-management practices have a larger impact on the quality and quantity of individual output and the quantity of team output than workplaces for communication and concentration. Improving self-management skills is key to increase all productivity dimensions and in particular the quality of the output.

Practical implications

This paper contributes to a better understanding of the impact of workplace characteristics and self-management practices on different levels and dimensions of productivity. It offers valuable lessons for managers, as they are able to recognize how productivity can be approached from several perspectives. Different dimensions can be enhanced using different workplace settings. For example, the quantitative output of employees can be increased by adding more space for concentration, while quantitative team productivity can be increased by providing appropriate space for collaboration. An important means to enhance a higher quality of the output is to improve self-management skills. The findings also suggest that collaboration between different disciplines – corporate management, corporate real estate management, human resource management and IT – is needed to optimize individual and team productivity.

Originality/value

This paper explores work environment experiences of Finnish office workers and connects both workplace appraisal and work practices to perceived productivity support, on individual level and team level. It also adds insights into the different impacts on quantity and quality.
Positioning the facilities manager’s role throughout the building lifecycle
Authors: Pilanawithana Nethmin Malshani , Sandanayake Y.G.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Facilities Management (FM) is a dynamic profession, which supports core business functions by creating cost-effective and risk-free built environment aligned with the strategic business directives throughout the building life cycle. This study aims to investigate and position the Facilities Manager’s role during building life cycle based on the stages of RIBA Plan of Work 2013.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature survey and in-depth interviews with experts were used to investigate the role of a Facilities Manager at the different stages of RIBA Plan of Work 2013. The gathered data were analysed using content analysis technique to explore the role of a Facilities Manager.

Findings

Research findings assert that advising the Client on cost-effective building expansion options as a vital role of a Facilities Manager at Strategic Definition stage. Further, briefing the Client’s requirement is a foremost undertaking of a Facilities Manager at Preparation and Brief stage. During the Concept Design and Developed Design stages, Facilities Manager plays a key role in value engineering exercises to ensure value for client?s money and also prepares operations and maintenance strategies to be used at the In Use stage. Moreover, Facilities Manager must have a technical training on buildings, services and systems at Handover stage to manage them at the In Use stages.

Originality/value

The role of a Facilities Manager identified in this study can be used as a guide by the Clients and project teams in obtaining their services during the building life cycle to enhance building performance.
Green purchase behavior: mitigating barriers in developing countries
Authors: Nguyen The Ninh , Phan Thi Thu Hoai , Cao Tuan Khanh , Nguyen Hoang Viet
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the key barriers preventing the consumer purchase of eco-friendly products in developing countries and later suggests intervention strategies to mitigate such barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the authors’ viewpoint on strategies aimed at promoting green purchases.

Findings

Key barriers to purchasing green products include their high price, scarce product availability, low level of credibility of eco-labels, and inadequate information. Mitigating these obstacles requires effective government leadership, social initiatives, and marketing strategies, some of which are discussed in this paper.

Originality/value

This paper would be of interest to key stakeholders including policymakers, marketers, and social-environmental organizations in the development of more effective green strategies.
Influence of timing of delayed hard palate closure on articulation skills in 3‐year‐old Danish children with unilateral cleft lip and palate
Authors: Willadsen Elisabeth , Boers Maria , Schöps Antje , Kisling‐Møller Mia , Nielsen Joan Bogh , Jørgensen Line Dahl , Andersen Mikael , Bolund Stig , Andersen Helene Søgaard
Published: July 2017

Background

Differing results regarding articulation skills in young children with cleft palate (CP) have been reported and often interpreted as a consequence of different surgical protocols.

Aims

To assess the influence of different timing of hard palate closure in a two‐stage procedure on articulation skills in 3‐year‐olds born with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Secondary aims were to compare results with peers without CP, and to investigate if there are gender differences in articulation skills. Furthermore, burden of treatment was to be estimated in terms of secondary surgery, hearing and speech therapy.

Methods & Procedures

A randomized controlled trial (RCT). Early hard palate closure (EHPC) at 12 months versus late hard palate closure (LHPC) at 36 months in a two‐stage procedure was tested in a cohort of 126 Danish‐speaking children born with non‐syndromic UCLP. All participants had the lip and soft palate closed around 4 months of age. Audio and video recordings of a naming test were available from 113 children (32 girls and 81 boys) and were transcribed phonetically. Recordings were obtained prior to hard palate closure in the LHPC group. The main outcome measures were percentage consonants correct adjusted (PCC‐A) and consonant errors from blinded assessments. Results from 36 Danish‐speaking children without CP obtained previously by Willadsen in 2012 were used for comparison.

Outcomes & Results

Children with EHPC produced significantly more target consonants correctly (83%) than children with LHPC (48%; p < .001). In addition, children with LHPC produced significantly more active cleft speech characteristics than children with EHPC (p < .001). Boys achieved significantly lower PCC‐A scores than girls (p = .04) and produced significantly more consonant errors than girls (p = .02). No significant differences were found between groups regarding burden of treatment. The control group performed significantly better than the EHPC and LHPC groups on all compared variables.
The Impact of FOXP3 Polymorphism on the Risk of Allergic Rhinitis: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Zhang Guimin , Zhang Di , Shi Wenjie , Sun Peiyong , Lin Peng
Published: July 2017

Polymorphisms of several genes were reported to be associated with the risk of allergic rhinitis. Here, we first conducted a meta‐analysis to evaluate the potential genetic association between the polymorphisms of the FOXP3 (Forkhead Box P3) gene and the susceptibility to allergic rhinitis. A total of 2671 relevant articles were initially retrieved from the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, WANFANG/CNKI and Scopus, and six eligible case‐control studies were finally enrolled in our meta‐analysis, according to our strict inclusion/exclusion criteria. Based on the extracted data, Mantel–Haenszel statistic, Cochrane's Q statistic, I2 test, subgroup meta‐analysis, Begg's test, Egger's test and sensitivity analysis were performed via Stata/SE 12.0 software. The results of the Mantel–Haenszel statistic regarding rs3761548 showed that no significant difference was observed in the allergic rhinitis case and population‐based control group under the genetic models of A versus C, AA versus CC, CA+AA versus CC, AA versus CC+CA and carrier A versus C (all P‐value of Association Test, PA > 0.05), apart from CA versus CC (PA  =  0.020). The similar results were obtained in the subgroup analysis of Asian. In addition, we did not obtain the positive result in the meta‐analysis of rs2232365 (all PA > 0.05). We also excluded the presence of large publication bias through Begg's test and Egger's test, and we confirmed the stability of data by sensitivity analysis. In summary, no significant association between rs3761548, rs2232365 polymorphisms of the FOXP3 gene, and an increased susceptibility to allergic rhinitis was identified based on the published data; however, this conclusion should be confirmed by more studies with increased sample sizes.
Have Your Cake and Eat It Too? Cointegration and Dynamic Inference from Autoregressive Distributed Lag Models
Authors: Philips Andrew Q.
Published: July 2017

Although recent articles have stressed the importance of testing for unit roots and cointegration in time‐series analysis, practitioners have been left without a straightforward procedure to implement this advice. I propose using the autoregressive distributed lag model and bounds cointegration test as an approach to dealing with some of the most commonly encountered issues in time‐series analysis. Through Monte Carlo experiments, I show that this procedure performs better than existing cointegration tests under a variety of situations. I illustrate how to implement this strategy with two step‐by‐step replication examples. To further aid users, I have designed software programs in order to test and dynamically model the results from this approach.
An evaluation of the validity of the pre‐operative oxygen uptake efficiency slope as an indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness in elderly patients scheduled for major colorectal surgery
Authors: Bongers B. C. , Berkel A. E. , Klaase J. M. , van Meeteren N. L.
Published: July 2017

This study aimed to investigate the validity of the oxygen uptake efficiency slope as an objective and submaximal indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness in elderly patients scheduled for major colorectal surgery. Patients ≥ 60 years of age, with a metabolic equivalent score using the Veterans Activity Questionnaire ≤ 7 and scheduled for major colorectal surgery participated in a pre‐operative cardiopulmonary exercise test. The oxygen uptake efficiency slope was calculated up to different exercise intensities, using 100%, 90% and 80% of the exercise data. Data from 71 patients (47 men, mean (SD) age 75.2 (6.7) years) were analysed. The efficiency slope obtained from all the data was statistically significantly different from the values when 90% (p = 0.027) and 80% (p = 0.023) of the data were used. The 90% and 80% values did not differ significantly from each other (p = 0.152). Correlations between the oxygen uptake efficiency slope and the peak oxygen uptake ranged from 0.816 to 0.825 (all p < 0.001), and correlations between oxygen uptake efficiency slope and the ventilatory anaerobic threshold ranged from 0.793 to 0.805 (all p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the oxygen uptake efficiency slope is a sensitive and specific predictor of a peak oxygen uptake ≤ 18.2 ml.kg−1.min−1, with an area under the curve (95%CI) of 0.876 (0.780–0.972, p < 0.001) and a ventilatory anaerobic threshold ≤ 11.1 ml.kg−1.min−1, with an area under the curve (95%CI) of 0.828 (0.726–0.929, p < 0.001). These correlations suggest that the oxygen uptake efficiency slope provides a valid (sub)maximal measure of cardiorespiratory fitness in these patients, and the predictive ability described indicates that it might help discriminate patients at higher risk of postoperative morbidity. However, future research should investigate the prognostic value of the oxygen uptake efficiency slope for postoperative outcomes.
Impact of functional training on geometric indices and fractal correlation property of heart rate variability in postmenopausal women
Authors: de Rezende Barbosa Marianne P. da C. , Vanderlei Luiz C. M. , Neves Lucas M. , Takahashi Carolina , Torquato Paula R. dos S. , Fortaleza Ana Claúdia de S. , Freitas Júnior Ismael F. , Sorpreso Isabel C. E. , Abreu Luiz C. , Pérez Riera Andrés R.
Published: July 2017

Background

To evaluate the influence of functional training on the geometric indices of heart rate variability (HRV) and fractal correlation properties of the dynamics of heart rate in menopausal women.

Methods

Of 39 women who were in the period of menopause for more than a year and who did not practice any regular physical activity were divided into: Functional training group (FTG = 50 ± 4.5 years; 67.64 ± 11.64 kg; 1.5 ± 0.05 m) that executed the functional training (FT) and all proposals by reviews and the Control group (58.45 ± 4.8 years; 66.91 ± 13.24 kg; 1.55 ± 0.05 m) who performed all assessments but not FT. The training consisted of 18 weeks (three times a week) and the volunteers performed three sets of 11 functional exercises followed by a walk in each of the sessions. The autonomic nervous system modulation was evaluated by analysis of HRV and the indices obtained were: RR intervals, RRTRI, TINN, SD1, SD2, SD1/SD2, qualitative analysis of Poincaré plot and DFA (alfa‐1, alfa‐2 and alfa‐1/alfa‐2). The Student's t‐test for unpaired samples (normal data) or Mann‐Whitney test nonnormal data) were used to compare the differences obtained between the final moment and the initial moment of the studied groups (p < .05).

Conclusion

Were observed in the FTG: increased SD1 (CG 0.13 ± 4.00 vs. 3.60 ± 8.43), beat‐to‐beat global dispersion much greater as an increased in the dispersion of long‐term RR intervals and increased fractal properties of short‐term (α1) (CG −0.04 ± 0.13 vs. 0.07 ± 0.21). FT promoted a beneficial impact on cardiac autonomic modulation, characterized by increased parasympathetic activity and short‐term fractal properties of the dynamics of the heart rate.
Remote Ischemic Preconditioning and Clinical Outcomes in On‐Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Meta‐Analysis of 14 Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Yi Bin , Wang Jianhui , Yi Dingwu , Zhu Yanling , Jiang Yumei , Li Yi , Mo Shaoyan , Liu Yi , Rong Jian
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this article is to perform the first pooled analysis on remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) used for the improvement of clinical outcomes of patients only undergoing on‐pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A systematic search was performed using PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science to identify studies that described the effect of RIPC on postoperative mortality in patients only undergoing on‐pump CABG. The outcomes included postoperative mortality, postoperative morbidity (including incidence of myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, stroke, acute kidney injury, and renal replacement therapy), mechanical ventilation (MV), intensive care unit length of stay (ICU LOS), and hospital length of stay (HLOS). A total of 14 RCTs (2830 participants) were included. Our meta‐analysis found that RIPC failed to reduce the postoperative mortality in patients only undergoing on‐pump CABG compared with control individuals (odds ratio, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, [0.40, 1.64]; P = 0.55; I2 = 25%). Moreover, there were no differences in postoperative morbidity, ICU LOS, and HLOS between the two groups. However, MV in the RIPC group was shorter than that in control individuals (standard mean difference, −0.41; 95% confidence interval, [−0.80, −0.01]; P = 0.04; I2 = 73%). The present meta‐analysis found that RIPC failed to improve most of clinical outcomes in patients only undergoing on‐pump CABG; however, MV was reduced. Adequately powered trials are warranted to provide more evidence in the future.
Profiling the Effects of Short Time-course Cold Ischemia on Tumor Protein Phosphorylation Using a Bayesian Approach
Authors: Wu You , Gaskins Jeremy , Kong Maiying , Datta Susmita
Published: July 2017

Phosphorylated proteins provide insight into tumor etiology and are used as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic markers of complex diseases. However, pre-analytic variations, such as freezing delay after biopsy acquisition, often occur in real hospital settings and potentially lead to inaccurate results. The objective of this work is to develop statistical methodology to assess the stability of phosphorylated proteins under short-time cold ischemia. We consider a hierarchical model to determine if phosphorylation abundance of a protein at a particular phosphorylation site remains constant or not during cold ischemia. When phosphorylation levels vary across time, we estimate the direction of the changes in each protein based on the maximum overall posterior probability and on the pairwise posterior probabilities, respectively. We analyze a dataset of ovarian tumor tissues that suffered cold-ischemia shock before the proteomic profiling. Gajadhar et al. (2015) applied independent clusterings for each patient because of the high heterogeneity across patients, while our proposed model shares information allowing conclusions for the entire sample population. Using the proposed model, 15 out of 32 proteins show significant changes during 1-hour cold ischemia. Through simulation studies, we conclude that our proposed methodology has a higher accuracy for detecting changes compared to an order restricted inference method. Our approach provides inference on the stability of these phosphorylated proteins, which is valuable when using these proteins as biomarkers for a disease.
Intensive cognitive therapy for post‐traumatic stress disorder in routine clinical practice: A matched comparison audit
Authors: Murray Hannah , El‐Leithy Sharif , Billings Jo
Published: July 2017

Objectives

Intensive cognitive therapy for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been shown to be as effective as weekly treatment in controlled trials. In this study, outcome data comparing standard and intensive treatments delivered in routine clinical practice were analysed.

Methods

A consecutive case series of intensive treatment cases were compared to matched control cases who had completed weekly treatment.

Results

Both groups showed significant improvements on PTSD and depression measures. The intensive group showed larger PTSD symptomatic improvement. There were differences between the groups in age and time since trauma, suggesting selection biases in who is offered, and/or who chooses intensive treatment.

Conclusions

For some individuals, an intensive format may be more effective than weekly treatment.
Violence and Vigilance: The Acute Effects of Community Violent Crime on Sleep and Cortisol
Authors: Heissel Jennifer A. , Sharkey Patrick T. , Torrats‐Espinosa Gerard , Grant Kathryn , Adam Emma K.
Published: July 2017

The data combine objectively measured sleep and thrice‐daily salivary cortisol collected from a 4‐day diary study in a large Midwestern city with location data on all violent crimes recorded during the same time period for N = 82 children (Mage = 14.90, range = 11.27–18.11). The primary empirical strategy uses a within‐person design to measure the change in sleep and cortisol from the person's typical pattern on the night/day immediately following a local violent crime. On the night following a violent crime, children have later bedtimes. Children also have disrupted cortisol patterns the following morning. Supplementary analyses using varying distances of the crime to the child's home address confirm more proximate crimes correspond to later bedtimes.
Association of combined GIF290T>C heterozygous mutation/FUT2 secretor variant with neural tube defects
Authors: Guéant‐Rodriguez R.M. , Chery C. , Caillierez‐Fofou B.‐M. , Voirin J. , Foliguet B. , Josse T. , Tramoy D. , Feillet F. , Guéant J.‐L.
Published: July 2017

Folate and vitamin B12 are needed for the proper embryo‐fetal development possibly through their interacting role in the 1‐carbon metabolism. Folate fortification reduces the prevalence of complex birth defects, and more specifically neural tube defects (NTDs). GIF and FUT2 are 2 genes associated with the uptake and blood level of vitamin B12. We evaluated GIF and FUT2 as predictors of severe birth defects, in 183 aborted fetuses compared with 375 healthy newborns. The GIF290C allele frequency was estimated to 0.4% in healthy newborns and to 8.1% in NTD fetuses (odds ratio 17.8 [95% confidence interval CI: 4.0‐77.6]). The frequency of FUT2 rs601338 secretor variant was not different among groups. The GIF 290C heterozygous/FUT2 rs601338 secretor variant combined genotype was reported in 6 of the 37 NTD fetuses, but not in other fetuses and healthy newborns (P < .0001). This GIF/FUT2 combined genotype has been previously reported in children with congenital gastric intrinsic factor (GIF) deficiency, with respective consequences on B12 binding activity and GIF secretion. In conclusion, a genotype reported in congenital GIF deficiency produces also severe forms of NTD. This suggests that vitamin B12 delivery to neural tissue by the CUBN/GIF pathway could play a role in the neural tube closure mechanisms.
HAPPY PEOPLE ARE LESS LIKELY TO BE UNEMPLOYED: PSYCHOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FROM PANEL DATA
Authors: Kesavayuth Dusanee , Zikos Vasileios
Published: July 2017

There is a large literature showing that unemployment reduces people's well‐being. Yet little is known about the reverse possibility, namely that well‐being itself may influence unemployment propensity. Understanding the potentials of human well‐being in relation to unemployment is important as many developed countries are currently facing high unemployment rates. As well‐being is likely to be endogenous, we use British panel data and implement Lewbel's novel empirical approach for identification. We show that higher well‐being implies a negative causal effect on the probability of being unemployed. The result holds for two very different well‐being measures: life satisfaction and a 12‐item scale of mental health. As such, it provides new empirical evidence on the causal link between well‐being and unemployment propensity. (JEL D03, I31)
Labour as a Transnational Actor: Alliances, Activism and the Protection of Labour Rights in the Philippines and Pakistan
Authors: Brookes Marissa
Published: July 2017

This article highlights how and why the dynamics of transnational labour activism are not fully captured in theories of transnational advocacy networks (TANs). The article develops a new theoretical framework for analysing labour transnationalism that takes into account the unique capacity of workers to physically disrupt production by withdrawing their labour (structural power) and the unique capacity of organized labour to invoke employment relations institutions at the national and international levels (institutional power). It demonstrates the utility of this theoretical framework through an analysis of transnational labour campaigns spearheaded by factory workers in the Philippines and Pakistan. The case studies reveal that while transnational labour alliances (TLAs) do share some characteristics in common with TANs, the mechanisms through which TLAs sustain and escalate transnational campaigns can only be understood with reference to the unique structural and institutional capacities of labour.
Argon plasma coagulation for successful fragmentation and removal of an over‐the‐scope clip
Authors: Kapadia Samir , Nagula Satish , Kumta Nikhil A.
Published: July 2017

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Efficacy and safety of lixisenatide in a predominantly Asian population with type 2 diabetes insufficiently controlled with basal insulin: The GetGoal‐L‐C randomized trial
Authors: Yang Wenying , Min Kyungwan , Zhou Zhiguang , Li Ling , Xu XiangJin , Zhu Dalong , Venkateshwar Rao A. , Murthy Laxminarayanappa Sreenivasa , Zhang Nianxian , Li Ivy , Niemoeller Elisabeth , Shang Shuhua
Published: July 2017

Aims

To assess the effects on glycaemic control of lixisenatide vs placebo as add‐on treatment to basal insulin (BI) ± metformin and effects on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) reduction in patients with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

Patients (n = 448) with inadequately controlled T2D were randomized (1:1) to lixisenatide or placebo as add‐on to BI ± metformin for 24 weeks after an 8‐week run‐in phase, during which BI was titrated to a target self‐monitored plasma glucose (SMPG; 4.4‐5.6 mmol/L). The primary endpoint was absolute change in HbA1c from baseline to week 24. Secondary efficacy endpoints included: percentage of responders; changes in 2‐hour postprandial plasma glucose (PPG); 7‐point SMPG (daily average); body weight (BW); total daily BI dose; fasting plasma glucose; and safety assessments.

Results

Baseline demographics were similar in the two treatment groups. After insulin optimization during run‐in, lixisenatide was superior to placebo in mean change from baseline (7.9% [standard deviation {s.d.}, 0.66] and 7.9% [0.70], respectively) to week 24 in HbA1c (least squares mean [standard error {s.e.}] change −0.62% [0.09] vs −0.11% [0.09]; P < .0001, respectively) and higher proportions of patients achieved HbA1c targets. Two‐hour PPG, daily mean SMPG and mean BW were reduced further and daily BI dose was lower with lixisenatide than placebo (−1.12 kg vs 0.04 kg [P < .0001]; −3.0 U vs −1.9 U [P = .0033], respectively). Treatment‐emergent adverse events were greater with lixisenatide than placebo (63.8% vs 40.8%, respectively). The incidence of symptomatic hypoglycaemia was similar (lixisenatide 15.6% vs placebo 13.5%).

Conclusions

In Asian patients insufficiently controlled on BI ± metformin, lixisenatide was superior to placebo in glycaemic control, with a tolerability profile in line with other glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists.

Clinical trial number

NCT01632163 (clinicaltrials.gov).
Teaching Chinese in K–12 Schools in the United States: What Are the Challenges?
Authors: Yue Ying
Published: July 2017

This study deepens and extends research into the challenges that Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) teachers face both in terms of classroom instruction and in their work more broadly. These challenges reflect CFL teachers’ struggles to reconcile their educational beliefs, values, and experiences as teachers and learners in China with their experiences as teachers in American schools. The conflicts between the two educational systems manifest themselves in a large number and range of difficulties, including designing curriculum; selecting appealing lesson themes and choosing classroom activities, strategies, and materials that motivate students; managing student behavior; and working with parents. Cultural differences and difficulties inherent in the Chinese language are also issues for CFL teachers. Suggestions for teacher preparation, professional development programs, and school leaders as well as directions for future studies are offered.
Teaching & Learning Tips 5: Making lectures more “active”
Authors: Ko Lauren N. , Rana Jasmine , Burgin Susan
Published: July 2017

Challenge: Although lecturing is an efficient method for the dissemination of information, it has long been criticized for learner passivity and diminished knowledge retention. Active learning strategies to engage the audience in the learning process can facilitate a bidirectional flow of ideas and content between teacher and students during a lecture to keep learners engaged and participating.
Natural antioxidants from herbs and spices improve the oxidative stability and frying performance of vegetable oils
Authors: Redondo‐Cuevas Lucía , Castellano Gloria , Raikos Vassilios
Published: July 2017

Lipid oxidation has been identified as the major deterioration process of vegetable oils. Undesirable effects are even more profound when food processing involves high temperatures in the presence of oxygen. Natural ground herbs (black pepper, ginger, turmeric, rosemary and oregano) were assessed for their antioxidant capacity, phenolic content and ability to improve the oxidative stability of vegetable oils. The most potent herb was incorporated in vegetable oils formulations which were subjected to consecutive frying cycles. The oxidative stability of the vegetable oils, the formation of conjugated dienes/trienes and the decimation of tocopherol levels after the frying process were assessed. Rosemary powder was the most effective antioxidant among the ones tested. The oxidative stability of tocopherol‐stripped corn oil with rosemary powder (1.53 ± 0.06 h) was significantly higher than the control (0.84 ± 0.02 h) and the oil with synthetic antioxidants (1.20 ± 0.03 h). Rosemary powder effectively improved the oxidative stability of sunflower (128.91%), olive (55.61%) and rapeseed (73.20%) oil during deep‐frying and prevented CD and CT formation in rapeseed oil.
Key genes of the sex pheromone biosynthesis pathway in female moths are required for pheromone quality and possibly mediate olfactory plasticity in conspecific male moths in Spodoptera litura
Authors: Lin X. , Wang B. , Du Y.
Published: July 2017

Ninety sex pheromone biosynthesis genes in Spodoptera litura were identified in transcriptome data and were investigated and classified into the following five groups: fatty acid synthase, beta oxidase, fatty acyl‐coenzyme A (CoA) reductase, desaturase and acetyl‐CoA acetyltransferase. Fourteen female‐specific genes were identified through semi‐quantitative PCR, and 15 additional genes had expression levels that were 3‐ to 10‐fold higher in females than in males. The majority of the genes had higher expression levels in the sex pheromone glands. Injection of double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) against nine selected genes showed that down‐regulation of Desaturase 3 (Des3), Des5 or fatty acyl coenzyme A reductase 17 (FAR17) significantly changed the ratio of the four sex pheromone components (Z,E) ‐9,11‐tetradecadienyl acetate (Z9E11‐14:Ac), (Z,E)‐9,12‐Tetradecadienyl acetate(Z9E12–14:Ac), (Z)‐9‐tetradecenyl acetate (Z9‐14:Ac), (E)‐11‐Tetradecenyl acetate(E11–14:Ac). These key genes were differentially expressed in female moths collected from different geographical regions. Furthermore, field bioassays demonstrated geographical variation in the olfactory profile of male moths in response to the different sex pheromone mixtures, which therefore indicates that a significant variation in the sex pheromone components exists in the natural population. Our results suggest that a change in the expression of these key genes, Des3, Des5 and FAR17, in the sex pheromone biosynthesis pathway could change the ratio of the sex pheromone components. We surmise that the differential expression levels of the key genes of the sex pheromone biosynthesis pathway may lead to differential ratios of the sex pheromones in the field. Our field trapping experiment suggested that the change of the ratio of the sex pheromone components may have been adapted by the olfactory system and possibly mediate olfactory plasticity in conspecific male moths.
Sex‐ and age‐dependent morphology and selection on wing shape in the barn swallow Hirundo rustica
Authors: Saino Nicola , Rubolini Diego , Ambrosini Roberto , Romano Andrea , Parolini Marco , Canova Luca , Corti Margherita , Costanzo Alessandra
Published: July 2017

Wings have evolved in phylogenetically distant organisms with morphologies that depend on the combined effects of diverse, potentially contrasting selective forces. In birds, long pointed wings boost speed and energetic efficiency during cruising flight but reduce manoeuvrability. Migratory behavior is believed to lead to the evolution of more pointed wings, but selection on pointedness has never been estimated. Because annual routines of migrants are tightly scheduled, wing pointedness may be selected for because it allows for earlier arrival to the breeding grounds. In long‐distance migratory barn swallows Hirundo rustica we showed that selection via breeding date and thus annual fecundity operates on wing pointedness, but not on other wing traits, among yearling females but not among older females or males. Selection on wing pointedness specifically in yearling females may result from climatic effects, which favour earlier arrival from migration, and from yearling females being the sex‐by‐age class with the latest migration and the smallest wing pointedness. Wing morphology differed between sexes and age classes because of change in size of the outermost but not the innermost wing feathers. Hence, sex‐ and age‐specific selection on wing pointedness operates in a species with sex‐ and age‐dependent variation in phenology and wing morphology.
The Need for a Preference‐Based Multicriteria Prioritization Framework in Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment
Authors: Grubert Emily
Published: July 2017

Life cycle thinking is a valuable tool for integrated assessment of the environmental, social, and economic outcomes of human activities. The combination of the three as life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) is a powerful decision support tool, but it also presents important design challenges. Among the most important challenges is how to include subjective information necessary for defining the major elements of a decision: prospects to decide among, uncertainty, risk attitudes, and preferences. Previous work on values in life cycle methods has addressed prospects, uncertainty, and risk attitudes. This article builds on that work by arguing that given LCSA's broad scope, explicit and standardized intercategory preferences are especially important for improving its value for decision makers. Practitioners should not be solely responsible for the value judgments necessary to integrate impact categories within and across environmental life cycle assessment (E‐LCA), social LCA (S‐LCA), and life cycle costing evaluations for LCSA. Neither should this task fall entirely to decision makers, particularly as life cycle–grounded decisions are highly sensitive to value frames. Individuals are unlikely to be able to meaningfully interpret, evaluate, and determine trade‐offs without support. This article thus proposes that LCSA leverage its multiple paradigms to rigorously generate explicit, empirically grounded intercategory preference archetypes for use in evaluating decision robustness, much as cultural theory‐based archetypes are currently used to test robustness to risk attitudes. Proof‐of‐concept data from the United States illustrate this approach, named WELFARES.
Pharmacokinetics of deflazacort in rabbits after intravenous and oral administration and its interaction with erythromycin
Authors: Escudero A. I. , Marín P. , Cárceles C. M. , Escudero E.
Published: July 2017

The pharmacokinetic of deflazacort after intravenous and oral administration and the effect of erythromycin on the disposition of deflazacort in rabbits were investigated. A parallel study was carried out in twelve rabbits. The plasma concentration–time profiles of deflazacort were determined after intravenous and oral administration of single dosages of 5 mg/kg in the presence and absence (baseline) of multiple dose erythromycin regimens. Plasma concentrations of 21‐desacetyldeflazacort were determined by HPLC. Plasma concentration–time curves were analysed by compartmental pharmacokinetic and noncompartmental methods. The t½λz values following intravenous and oral administration were 3.67 and 4.96 hr, respectively. The apparent volume of distribution at steady‐state (Vss) was 4.08 ± 0.31 L/kg, this value indicates that deflazacort is widely distributed into the extravascular tissues. Moreover, bioavailability after oral administration of deflazacort (F = 87.48%) was high. Pharmacokinetic analysis after both routes of administration revealed a significant reduction in total body clearance, a significant increase in mean residence time, half‐life and plasma concentrations of the steroid in the presence of multiple dose erythromycin. The results indicated the influence of the erythromycin on deflazacort disposition, which is consistent with a pharmacokinetic‐type interaction in the elimination of the drug from the body. Moreover, this interaction should be considered to avoid adverse effects when using both drugs concomitantly.
Morphological and phylogenetic evidences unveil a novel species of Gyroporus (Gyroporaceae, Boletales) from Indian Himalaya
Authors: Das Kanad , Chakraborty Dyutiparna , Vizzini Alfredo
Published: July 2017

Repeated macrofungal forays to the east district of Sikkim followed by morphological and phylogenetic studies of collected wild mushrooms revealed an undescribed species, proposed here as Gyroporus paramjitii. This species is characterized by hemispheric to plane dark brown to brownish orange pileus, concolorous or darker stipe, snow white to pale yellow pore surface which is immutable when bruised, 2‐ to 4‐spored basidia, reniform to elliptic basidiospores, presence of pleurocystidia and cheilocystidia, absence of caulocystidia, trichoderm pattern of pileipellis and stipitipellis with encrusted erect hyphal elements and occurrence under Castanopsis sp. Macro‐ and micro‐morphological details coupled with molecular phylogenetic analyses (based on nrITS and nrLSU data) are presented for this taxon.
Amber from the Alpine Triassic of Lunz (Carnian, Austria): a classic palaeobotanical site
Authors: Fischer Thilo C. , Sonibare Oluwadayo O. , Aschauer Birgitt , Kleine‐Benne Eike , Braun Paula , Meller Barbara
Published: July 2017

Amber from the Triassic (Carnian) of Lunz, a locality which has produced a rich and famous fossil flora, was analysed using UV‐B‐fluorescence, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR) and pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (Py‐GC‐MS). The amber is classified as a class Ib resinite based on its chemical composition, which is characterized by bicyclic products derived from a regular labdatriene structure and the absence of succinic acid. The presence of diterpenoids and absence of triterpenoids is clear evidence of a gymnosperm origin for the Lunz amber, and the prevalence of sesquiterpenoids and diterpenoids point to a conifer family as a possible botanical source. In search of amber attached to identifiable floral remains we have screened new and historical collections of the macroflora from a number of localities of the Lunz area using UV‐B, and describe a striking yellow UV‐B‐fluorescence of cuticles of pteridosperms, ginkgophytes and conifers. This varies with the diagenetic state of the sediment and may be lost altogether. Detectable amounts of fluorescent compounds were observed in gymnosperm taxa, but not in any ferns and only very weakly in horsetails. This underlines that fluorescent compounds are derived from gymnosperm plants, mostly likely arising secondarily from cyclic hydrocarbons by desaturation during diagenesis as a parallel process in amber as well as in cuticles.