bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New MSRB fair-pricing rule effective July 7, 2014
Authors: R. Anderson Scott
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– To summarize revised MSRB Rule G-30, which governs municipal bond dealer fair-pricing obligations.

Design/methodology/approach

– Discusses background of previous MSRB fair-pricing rules and interpretive guidance. Outlines the basic dealer obligations arising under revised MSRB Rule G-30. Discusses three key aspects of the new rule and recent rulemaking effort: the obligation of dealers to exercise “diligence” in assessing a municipal security’s market value and reasonableness of compensation, the distinction between fair security pricing and reasonable dealer compensation, and previous MSRB guidance that is superseded by the rule change. Also discusses similar rule changes related to fair-pricing, mark-ups, markdowns and commissions that have been proposed by FINRA that would apply to non-municipal securities if adopted.

Findings

– Revised MSRB Rule G-30 generally preserves existing municipal bond fair-pricing obligations while consolidating obligations that previously existed in multiple MSRB rules and interpretive guidance.

Practical implications

– The MSRB generally sought to preserve the substance of existing dealer fair-pricing obligations in revised MSRB Rule G-30 but dealers should evaluate their existing compliance frameworks in light of the recent revisions. The recent changes include deletion of prior MSRB Rule G-18 and superseding of certain interpretive guidance.

Originality/value

– Practical explanation by experienced financial services lawyer.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission provides new streamlined process for commodity pool operators to request no-action relief for delegating certain activities to registered CPOs
Authors: Khuri Walid , M. McLauglin Robert , S. Mitchell David , W. Selden David
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– To provide an overview of a new, streamlined process from the Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight (DSIO) of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) by which a commodity pool operator (CPO) may request expedited no-action relief for failure to register under Section 4m(1) of the Commodity Exchange Act if such CPO has designated another, registered CPO to serve as the CPO of the commodity pool.

Design/methodology/approach

– Explains the background to the CPO registration no-action relief related to CPO delegation and the streamlined process for requesting no-action relief, including the procedure for requesting relief and the applicable criteria that must be satisfied to utilize the streamlined process.

Findings

– By providing an alternative, streamlined process for requesting no-action relief from CPO registration in the context of delegation arrangements in certain circumstances, the CFTC staff is attempting to facilitate obtaining such relief, particularly since relief may be sought on behalf of multiple commodity pools by means of a single request. However, the criteria that must be fulfilled in order to utilize the streamlined process are not necessarily applicable to all CPOs and in all scenarios. Thus, certain CPOs may need to request no-action relief outside of the new, streamlined process or consider alternative fund structures.

Originality/value

– Practical guidance from experienced asset management lawyers.
Customer expectations of remote maintenance services in the medical equipment industry
Authors: Paluch Stefanie
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– Original equipment manufacturers offer maintenance services such as remote diagnostics to extend their portfolio. The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate requirements and expectations regarding remote services (RSs) for maintaining complex high-tech equipment from a users’ point of view.

Design/methodology/approach

– A qualitative interview study based on 30 interviews and observations at 11 organizations in the healthcare industry was conducted in order to get a holistic understanding of requirements and expectations of the new service technology.

Findings

– This study shows that the focus on providing high-technology services is not sufficient to increase customer's usage, soft factors such as personal interaction, integration, and individualization are main expectations for customers in the medical equipment industry. The expectations are concentrated in seven propositions.

Research limitations/implications

– The interviews were conducted only in the healthcare industry. Even though is it possible to generalize the findings and transfer them to other sectors, a large-scale empirical survey should be conducted in different industries to verify the qualitative results.

Practical implications

– A framework for manager and service provider is set up that can help to improve the service offerings according to specific customer expectations.

Originality/value

– The paper provides an original perspective on a new service technology that facilitates remote maintenance of complex high-tech equipment. Through in-depth interviews, the author generates valuable insights that help to advance RS technologies.
Strategic customer service orientation, lean manufacturing practices and performance outcomes
Authors: Hong Paul , Ga (Mark) Yang Ma , D. Dobrzykowski David
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The notion of achieving competitive advantage using a strategic customer service orientation (SCSO) has received increased research attention. The purpose of this paper is to examine the concept of SCSO in the context of rapidly changing competitive market environments. An organization-wide SCSO can be implemented through lean manufacturing practices to achieve favorable operational and business performances (BPs).

Design/methodology/approach

– This study employs survey methodology to examine a research model that theorizes eight hypotheses with respect to the relationships among SCSO, human and technical lean practices, and performance outcomes (operational and BPs). Data from 571 firms participating in the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey (IMSS) IV are analyzed using structural equation modeling (AMOS 20).

Findings

– The findings suggest that firms with a SCSO implement both human and technical aspects of lean manufacturing practices leading to better performance results. The findings also indicate that performance outcomes are indirectly influenced through the combined efforts of technical and human lean manufacturing practices.

Research limitations/implications

– Generalizations here are limited to manufacturing firms. SCSO beyond manufacturing firms like healthcare or high-tech organizations that implement lean practices in response to a SCSO have yet to be examined and provide fertile opportunities for future research.

Practical implications

– These findings suggest practical insight into how to integrate service-driven value creation and delivery for achieving both cost effectiveness and quality performance outcomes.

Originality/value

– The examination of the consequences of SCSO in manufacturing firms from multiple countries is a novel contribution in the field, as is the examination of technical and human lean practices. It comes at a time when manufacturing firms increasingly recognize the value of services for global competitiveness.
Tangibilizing services through visual tangible cues in corporate Web sites: a six-country cross-cultural analysis
Authors: An Daechun
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine cross-cultural differences in the use of visual tangible cues in local corporate Web sites of six nations.

Design/methodology/approach

– A quantitative content analysis was used to obtain a numerically based summary of visual tangible cues utilized in 207 Web sites of global service corporations.

Findings

– A clear pattern of differences was observed in the major visual functions (literal vs symbolic), the use of photographs vs illustrations and the utilization of interactive elements between two groups of nations. Eastern visuals tend to rely more on symbolic visuals performing association function, mixed use of photographs and illustrations and customer endorsement, whereas Western visuals are more likely to perform literal functions, use photographs and feature customer–employee interactions.

Practical implications

– International services marketers who are planning a global campaign on the Web can benefit by using differentiated visual strategies, which reflect unique cultural characteristics of a target market.

Originality/value

– This study adds a new contribution to an international account of Web services advertising in maintaining a comprehensive understanding of contemporary use of visual tangibles cues. It could benefit global services advertisers with both practical and theoretical implications, for no systematic studies have ever touched the visualization strategies on the Web.
Franchisees’ perceptions of relationship development in franchise partnerships
Authors: Altinay Levent , Brookes Maureen , Yeung Ruth , Aktas Gurhan
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to evaluate the antecedents of franchise relationship development from the perspective of a sample of Chinese and Turkish franchisees.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study explores relationship development through semi-structured interviews with Chinese and Turkish franchisees.

Findings

– The findings of the study demonstrated that both the culturally adapted role performance of franchisors and communication geared towards knowledge transfer contribute to relationship development with franchisees.

Research limitations/implications

– This exploratory study evaluated the influence of role performance and communication as factors influencing relationship development. Further research could explore other factors in other countries and industries.

Practical implications

– To build and develop long-term relationships with franchisees, franchisors need to invest in continuously improving their franchise infrastructures and enhancing their brand reputations. Communication and knowledge transfer between the franchisors and the franchisees are crucial for the management of dynamic relationships.

Originality/value

– This paper advances franchising literature by offering a combined and complementary theoretical perspective to our understanding of the influence of power and social investments in relationship development between franchisees and franchisors. In particular, the study identifies role performance of franchisor and communication with franchisees as the key antecedents of relationship development.
Use of information technology and services by medical students: a case study
Authors: Mannan Khan Abdul , Siddiqui Mehnaz
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine users’ attitude toward the implementation of information technology (IT) on the library of Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS). The paper also aims to explore the hindrances and recommendations for IT-enabled services and find out the present status of automation in the library of SGPGIMS.

Design/methodology/approach

– A well-structured questionnaire was designed to collect the data for the present study. A thorough survey of the literature was done to examine the findings of the earlier relevant studies.

Findings

– The results of the survey provide the important information regarding the state-of-the-art of the users of mentioned library. It also finds the barriers due to which overall implication of IT is being delayed. The findings of the study bequeath measures to eradicate the barriers and get the fully automated medical library.

Originality/value

– The study will have important implications on policymakers, librarians and other higher authorities of SGPGIMS to improve the IT status of their library. It evaluates the users need and points out the measures which can improve the IT status of these libraries.
How a self-publishing lab created a new literary community
Authors: Perry Sue
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The article aims to convey the experiences of installing an Espresso Book Machine (tm) into Windsor Public Library. It relates how an extremely high-tech, mechanical and new process was received in a very traditional field.

Design/methodology/approach

– Windsor Public Library acquired an Espresso Book Machine, and built around it a Self-Publishing Centre which included iMacs loaded with software, a scanner, a comfortable area and a dedicated staff member.

Findings

– The creativity that arose from the Self-Publishing Centre was not limited only to individual, solitary authors who wanted just to produce their own works. A network of like-minded people formed to give encouragement and support developed, increasing the opportunities for elevating literacy in our community.

Research limitations/implications

– Limitations are obviously that we are one small community enjoying the benefits of this machine. It is impossible to predict if other communities and geographic locations would enjoy the same success.

Practical implications

– Practical implications are that even with the advancing tide of ebooks and non-print matter, patrons are still very eager to consume and produce printed materials.

Social implications

– The technological marvels of the high-tech gear that have been installed would be lost without the people forming communities around the technology.

Originality/value

– The results of installing the Self-Publishing Centre were very different from what we anticipated. The products and community established here are as awe-inspiring as the machine at the heart of the Centre.
Should I throw out these old COBOL books?
Authors: Brush Denise
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide guidance to librarians about whether to keep or withdraw books on pre-Internet computer programming languages.

Design/methodology/approach

– For each of the programming languages considered, this article provides historical background and an assessment of current academic library collection needs.

Findings

– Many older languages (COBOL, FORTRAN, C, Lisp, Prolog, and Ada) are still in use and need reliable sources available for reference. Additionally, books about obsolete languages have educational value due to their influence on the development on newer languages such as C++ and Java.

Practical applications

– This information will be useful to academic librarians who want to make the best choices about keeping or withdrawing computer programming books.

Originality/value

– Most librarians responsible for managing computer science collections do not have a computer programming background, so they do not know which older languages are still important.
Financial decision-making in a high-growth company: the case of Apple incorporated
Authors: Nicolás Marín Ximénez J. , J. Sanz Luis
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop conceptual knowledge and skills in making financial policy decisions in a rapidly growing and profitable enterprise.

Design/methodology/approach

– This teaching case was written by documenting and analyzing published information available to the public about Apple. It presents Apple's situation at the end of April 2012. The company reported net profits of US$11.6 billion and income from sales of US$39.186 billion both for the January-March 2012 quarter. Given this highly successful situation, students should assume the role of the company's chief financial officer, Peter Oppenheimer, and make recommendations to the board of directors about what to do with what appears to be a huge cash surplus that the company has accumulated through the years.

Findings

– Students/participants are usually surprised by the fact that accumulating excess cash could become a problem for any company. Through several discussions of the case the authors have found that answers to this central dilemma depend on students/participants’ experiences. Executive education participants try to maintain the cash and find possible investments, while the less experienced (MBA students) worry about the negative effects of the excess liquidity on value creation. While the former group might be influenced by cash constraints situations frequent in Latin America, the latter group approaches the problem from a theoretical perspective.

Research limitations/implications

– Since the case was written using public data, therefore it does not take into account the actual opinions and actions of Apple's management team except for those reported by the press.

Practical implications

– The case points toward an overall discussion on conceptual topics such as dividend policies, share buybacks, and stock splits. It frames this discussion in terms of a financial strategy matrix developed by Hawawini and Viallet. According to this matrix, the company is creating value with excess liquidity, and this context helps practitioners to determine the optimal solution and provides executives with a clear guideline. The management's problem, in this case, is to find ways to invest surplus liquidity productively, or failing that, to define the best way to return it to shareholders.

Originality/value

– This teaching case provides students and practitioners with a practical application of the Hawawini and Viallet framework to the solution of the financial problem faced by successful companies like Apple. Moreover, it shares the teaching experiences of the authors in both MBA and executive education programs.
Internationalizing concept or product? H. Stern Jewelers in Asia
Authors: Carneiro Jorge , Tonoli Geraldine , Barbosa Matos Peixoto Talita , Magalhães Costa Rafael , de Matos Domingues Fábio , Falcão Maranhão Carlos , David Tostes dos Santos Paulo
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to offer instructors a real managerial dilemma faced by a prestigious Brazilian jewelry company as it decides how it should expand into two Asian countries: China and South Korea.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors followed guidelines for developing teaching cases as those suggested by Gill's (2011) seminal contribution, Informing with the Case Method.

Findings

– Since this is a teaching case, there are no “findings” in the usual sense of the word related to traditional empirical studies.

Research limitations/implications

– Data for the case came mainly from the stated visions and opinions of the firm's spokesperson and may reflect his own particular (though influential) views. The authors also used public secondary data from consulting companies, market research firms and business magazines. Although these accounts may be partial, this is not a severe limitation since a teaching case is expected to provide some information, but not a full set of information, in order to better reflect real managerial situations.

Practical implications

– This case study may help students understand and “live trough” a real managerial dilemma, related to international expansion to a rather distinct environment from those the firm has been accustomed to.

Originality/value

– This teaching case brings relevant material for in-class discussion of a successful emerging market firm that has successfully paved its way into developed Western markets and now seeks to expand into Eastern lands. Decisions related to strategic positioning and international marketing make the core of the managerial dilemmas that the firm has to face.
Combating fiscal constraints for PPP development
Authors: Grubišić Šeba Mihaela , Jurlina Alibegović Dubravka , Slijepčević Sunčana
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– Public-private partnership (PPP) growth is often related to infrastructure development needs and public debt increase. Despite huge infrastructure (re)construction needs, the number of PPP projects in Croatia has been rather small so far. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the prospects for PPP projects development in Croatia in the near future. It is examined whether the stance of local authorities towards implementing PPP projects depends more on the necessity of developing infrastructure needs of local citizens or on the available funds for capital investments in local budgets, which are, after covering all operational expenditures, scarce.

Design/methodology/approach

– The Municipal Assemblies in European Local Governance (MAELG) survey data for Croatia are combined with available secondary data on local budgets’ revenues and expenditures in the period from 2008 to 2010 for the surveyed local government units. The differences between the answers of local representatives were tested for statistical significance by Pearsonχ2 test, while ANOVA is used for testing statistical significance of budgetary data comparison. Some descriptive statistics’ results are also used. Apart from the quantitative data, qualitative research on PPPs, especially for fiscally constraint governments is used throughout the paper.

Findings

– The main findings of the paper are that most Croatian local units are severely fiscally constraint to implement any capital projects. Their public revenues are often reserved for covering operational expenditures only. Since local representatives are mostly affirmative towards private sector involvement in providing public services, there is a room for PPP projects in Croatia. Due to the fact that every PPP contract requires active participation of the public partner, two possible solutions are proposed: pooled financing with a possible option of project’ bonds issuance to institutional investors and engaging publicly owned assets into infrastructure projects’ development.

Originality/value

– The value of this paper is that it showed that there is little room for financing infrastructure development in Croatia if budgetary rules are followed straightforward. The paper aims to show fiscally constraint local governments a possible way for financing capital projects and rendering public services to their citizens. These solutions may also be applied in other indebted countries, especially if they own a significant portion of public assets.
The collective consumption network
Authors: Närvänen Elina , Gummesson Evert , Kuusela Hannu
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to introduce a network perspective to the study of collective consumption. The authors examine the characteristics of heterogeneous consumption collectives formed around a Finnish footwear brand. The case is both theoretically and practically relevant. It differs from previous research by featuring consumer grassroot activities, face-to-face interaction and strong pre-existing social relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

– Qualitative case study research was conducted with different methods of data generation including interviews, participant observation and cultural materials such as newspaper articles and photos.

Findings

– A new concept of collective consumption network is introduced. Five kinds of consumption collectives are identified, including place focussed, brand focussed, activity focussed, idea focussed and social relations focussed consumption collectives. The strength of ties as well as the role of the brand varies within the collectives.

Practical implications

– Suppliers should find an appropriate network position, where they can enable and support shared value creation. Developing skills to identify and cultivate weak links as well as mobilize resources are important.

Originality/value

– The findings illustrate the heterogeneity and complexity of collective consumption. In particular, the paper discusses the way self-organizing and emergent consumption collectives and the supplier interact and integrate resources within the network.
Research traditions of innovation
Authors: Mele Cristina , Colurcio Maria , Russo-Spena Tiziana
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to offer a fresh framing of innovation, as service innovation/value innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

– By examining the visions, patterns and outcomes of three different research approaches to understanding innovation – goods-dominant (G-D) logic, the resource-based approach and service-dominant (S-D) logic – the authors strive to outline the contribution of each to the debate on innovation. This investigation involves a comprehensive literature review. Scrutiny of a case company provides a means of identifying and illustrating how these approaches play out in a real business context.

Findings

– A framework for innovation builds on the comparison of the three research approaches. G-D logic, when analysed in terms of new product development and new service development, positions innovation as an output (a new good or service) of a business's internal processes, with the firm as the main actor. The resource-based approach establishes the drivers of innovation as knowledge, capabilities and relationships, but the firm is still the main innovator. S-D logic addresses “open” innovation processes in which all actors in the network can mobilize and integrate their resources to become value co-innovators.

Research limitations/implications

– This study builds on the literature review by offering a more systematic way of dealing with the different research traditions in innovation debate.

Practical implications

– This study spurs managers to question the validity of dominant logic and how it affects the decision-making process. The conceptualization of innovation within S-D logic provides new avenues for decision makers and practitioners to tackle topical challenges of global competition.

Originality/value

– The value of this paper lies in defending the premise that S-D logic is better suited than the other two research traditions to frame current innovation within the context of global competition because it moves innovation beyond mainstream conceptualization: from “products and services” to “service and value”, from “buyer-seller dyads” to “ecosystem relationships”, and from “closed/linear process” to “open/co-created process”.
Positive feedback trading: a review
Authors: Koutmos Gregory
Published: October 2014

Purpose

– The literature on positive feedback trading has grown considerably in recent years. The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the theoretical and empirical literature on positive feedback trading and especially the literature related to the Sentana and Wadhwani (1992) model.

Design/methodology/approach

– This literature review covers theoretical and empirical work in this area and it points out shortcomings and potential extensions of the basic feedback model.

Findings

– The evidence so far points in the direction of positive feedback trading being present in aggregate stock market indices, index futures, bond markets, foreign exchange markets and individual stocks. There are some important issues that require further investigation. For example, it is likely that feedback trading is a function of longer lags of past return. Likewise, asymmetric behavior during up and down markets appears to be the rule rather than the exception. More importantly, the models should allow for positive as well as negative feedback and be general enough to investigate feedback trading behavior in individual assets and not just the aggregate market.

Research limitations/implications

– The discussion points out theoretical and empirical limitations and shortcomings of the extant literature.

Originality/value

– This is the first paper to review positive feedback trading, implications, limitations and need for future research.
A Proteome Quality Index
Authors: Zaucha Jan , Stahlhacke Jonathan , Oates Matt E. , Thurlby Natalie , Rackham Owen J. L. , Fang Hai , Smithers Ben , Gough Julian
Published: October 2014

We present the Proteome Quality Index (PQI; http://pqi‐list.org), a much‐needed resource for users of bacterial and eukaryotic proteomes. Completely sequenced genomes for which there is an available set of protein sequences (the proteome) are given a one‐ to five‐star rating supported by 11 different metrics of quality. The database indexes over 3000 proteomes at the time of writing and is provided via a website for browsing, filtering and downloading. Previous to this work, there was no systematic way to account for the large variability in quality of the thousands of proteomes, and this is likely to have profoundly influenced the outcome of many published studies, in particular large‐scale comparative analyses. The lack of a measure of proteome quality is likely due to the difficulty in producing one, a problem that we have approached by integrating multiple metrics. The continued development and improvement of the index will require the contribution of additional metrics by us and by others; the PQI provides a useful point of reference for the scientific community, but it is only the first step towards a ‘standard’ for the field.
Repeated Protection for Sale
Authors: Tung Chris Y. , Yang C. C.
Published: October 2014

This paper addresses whether the efficient equilibria characterized by Grossman and Helpman's one‐shot protection‐for‐sale game are renegotiation‐proof in an infinitely repeated setting. We propose a simple strategy profile that can support the efficient, truthful equilibrium in each period as a strongly renegotiation‐proof subgame perfect equilibrium. This result provides another plausible reason to explain why the truthful equilibrium may be focal in the game of protection‐for‐sale. In addition, when the timing of the contributions is specified explicitly, the special interest groups should minimize the upfront payment to the government before policy implementation to reduce the possibility of the collapse of such relational contracts.
Global sport mega‐events and the politics of mobility: the case of theLondon 2012Olympics
Authors: Giulianotti Richard , Armstrong Gary , Hales Gavin , Hobbs Dick
Published: October 2014

This paper examines the politics of mobility which surrounded theLondon 2012Olympics. We provide a critical discussion of the mobility conflicts, problems and criticisms which emerged from our research with local people in theStratford and widerNewham areas ofLondon, where mostOlympic events were located. The paper is divided into four broad parts. First, we identify and discuss the relevant components of the ‘mobilities paradigm’ in social science which underpin our analysis. Second, we briefly outline our research methods, centring particularly on fieldwork and interviews with different social groups. Third, we examine in detail the six main themes of mobility politics which were evident atLondon 2012, relating to social context, event construction, event mobility systems, commercial mobilities, the mobile politics of exclusion, and contested modes of mobility. In doing so, we seek to extend the mobilities paradigm by introducing various concepts and keywords – notably on the three‐speed city, entryability, mobility panics, instrumental mobility, and corporate kettling – which may be utilized by social scientists to examine mobility systems in other social contexts. We conclude by reaffirming the significance of mobility‐focused research at sport and other mega‐events, and by indicating future lines of inquiry for social scientists.
Long‐term influence of fallen logs on patch formation and their effects under contrasting grazing regimes
Authors: Bowman Alexandra S. , Facelli José M. , Sinclair Russell
Published: October 2014

Patchiness is a critical functional feature of arid lands, increasing productivity and diversity, but there is little information on the long‐term dynamics of patch formation. While plant‐created heterogeneity is widespread, grazing reduces plant density, hence removing patchiness. Patchiness is also associated with fallen logs and it is particularly important to assess this association in grazed areas, as there are few patches which are not created by living plants. We studied differences in soil nutrient content and soil seed bank associated with the presence of logs in the long ungrazed Koonamore Vegetation Reserve and an adjacent heavily grazed paddock in chenopod shrublands of South Australia. We studied soil properties associated with fallen logs of unknown age, and others known to have persisted for up to 78 years. Logs acted as traps for soil nutrients and seeds. Organic carbon was higher in soils associated with logs, and also higher inside the reserve than in the grazed paddock. Propagule number and species richness were higher next to logs than in open spaces and viable seeds were in much higher abundance next to logs in the grazed paddock than any other site. Increased time in situ of a log had a relatively small effect on soil organic carbon and total nitrogen. Logs act as resource traps which may enhance the diversity of the system, and may be particularly important for maintaining patches of resources in areas of severe grazing damage. Hence, their preservation should be incorporated into management schemes. [Correction added on 3 March 2015, after online publication: The following parts in the abstract have been edited. ‘Organic carbon and total nitrogen were higher in soils associated with logs’ has been corrected to ‘Organic carbon was higher in soils associated with logs’, and ‘had a relatively small effect on soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and available potassium’ has been corrected to ‘had a relatively small effect on soil organic carbon and total nitrogen’.]
Women's beliefs about the duration of pregnancy and the earliest gestational age to safely give birth
Authors: Zhang Lillian Y. , Todd Angela L. , Khambalia Amina , Roberts Christine L.
Published: October 2014

Background

American evidence suggests women are not well informed about the optimal duration of pregnancy or the earliest time for safe birth. Similar evidence does not exist in Australia.

Aims

To explore pregnant women's beliefs about the duration of pregnancy and the earliest time for safe birth, and to compare the results with US data.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at four public hospitals in Sydney, Australia, included information on maternal and pregnancy characteristics, and two questions exploring women's beliefs about the duration of pregnancy, and the earliest time for safe birth. Responses were grouped as: late preterm (34–36 weeks), early term (37–38 weeks) and full term (39–40 weeks).

Results

Of the 784 surveyed women, 52% chose 39–40 weeks as the duration of a full‐term pregnancy, while for the earliest time for safe birth, 10% chose 39–40 weeks and 57% chose 37–38 weeks. Some maternal characteristics were associated with women's beliefs, including having a medical and/or pregnancy complication, country of birth, level of education, employment status and attending a tertiary hospital. The associations were different for each question. In comparison with US studies, Australian women were more likely to choose later gestations for both the duration of pregnancy and the earliest time for safe birth.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of women believe that full‐term pregnancy and earliest time for safe birth occur before 39 weeks, suggesting opportunities for better communication about the benefits and risks of birthing at different gestations.
Worries surrounding the first ultrasound do not bias the screening for depressive and anxiety symptoms during pregnancy
Authors: Quispel Chantal , Bonsel Gouke J. , Hoogendijk Witte J.G. , Lambregtse‐van den Berg Mijke P.
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Antenatal screening for depressive/anxiety symptoms could be biased by worries surrounding the first ultrasound (US). Therefore, we examined the potential influence of worries surrounding the first US on systematic screening for depressive/anxiety symptoms during pregnancy.

Materials and Methods

We obtained data from 573 women screened consecutively in midwifery practices and hospitals in the Netherlands. Data included the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS), having had an US, and its perceived influence on women's worries.

Results

In total, 18% had EDS scores ≥10 (n = 105). Among 392 women who underwent an US, currently existing worries, introduced or unaltered by the US, predicted depressive/anxiety symptoms (aOR: 3.41, P < 0.001). Among 181 women who did not undergo an US, expected continuation of existing worries after the US predicted depressive/anxiety symptoms (aOR: 18.84, P = 0.046), in contrast to worries which were expected to subside.

Discussion

In our cohort, depressive and/or anxiety symptoms were not associated with transient worries, reduced by a first US, suggesting no bias. If true, antenatal screening for anxiety/depressive symptoms should not depend on the timing of this US examination.
Effect of netazepide, a gastrin/CCK2 receptor antagonist, on gastric acid secretion and rabeprazole‐induced hypergastrinaemia in healthy subjects
Authors: Boyce Malcolm , Dowen Sally , Turnbull Gillian , van den Berg Frans , Zhao Chun‐Mei , Chen Duan , Black James
Published: October 2014

Aims

To compare gastric acid suppression by netazepide, a gastrin/CCK2 receptor antagonist, with that by a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), and to determine if netazepide can prevent the trophic effects of PPI‐induced hypergastrinaemia.

Methods

Thirty healthy subjects completed a double‐blind, randomized, parallel group trial of oral netazepide and rabeprazole, alone and combined, once daily for 6 weeks. Primary end points were: basal and pentagastrin‐stimulated gastric acid and 24 h circulating gastrin and chromogranin A (CgA) at baseline, start and end of treatment, gastric biopsies at baseline and end of treatment and basal and pentagastrin‐stimulated gastric acid and dyspepsia questionnaire after treatment withdrawal.

Results

All treatments similarly inhibited pentagastrin‐stimulated gastric acid secretion. All treatments increased serum gastrin, but the combination and rabeprazole did so more than netazepide alone. The combination also reduced basal acid secretion.

Rabeprazole increased plasma CgA, whereas netazepide and the combination reduced it. None of the biopsies showed enterochromaffin‐like (ECL) cell hyperplasia. Withdrawal of treatments led neither to rebound hyperacidity nor dyspepsia.

Conclusions

Netazepide suppressed pentagastrin‐stimulated gastric acid secretion as effectively as did rabeprazole. The reduction in basal acid secretion and greater increase in serum gastrin by the combination is consistent with more effective acid suppression. Despite our failure to show rabeprazole‐induced ECL cell hyperplasia and rebound hyperacidity, the increase in plasma CgA after rabeprazole is consistent with a trophic effect on ECL cells, which netazepide prevented. Thus, netazepide is a potential treatment for the trophic effects of hypergastrinaemia and, with or without a PPI, is a potential treatment for acid‐related conditions.
Species-specific engagement of human nucleotide oligomerization domain 2 (NOD)2 and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signalling upon intracellular bacterial infection: role of Crohn's associated NOD2 gene variants
Authors: Salem M , Seidelin J B , Eickhardt S , Alhede M , Rogler G , Nielsen O H
Published: October 2014

Recognition of bacterial peptidoglycan-derived muramyl-dipeptide (MDP) by nucleotide oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) induces crucial innate immune responses. Most bacteria carry the N-acetylated form of MDP (A-MDP) in their cell membranes, whereas N-glycolyl MDP (G-MDP) is typical for mycobacteria. Experimental murine studies have reported G-MDP to have a greater NOD2-stimulating capacity than A-MDP. As NOD2 polymorphisms are associated with Crohn's disease (CD), a link has been suggested between mycobacterial infections and CD. Thus, the aim was to investigate if NOD2 responses are dependent upon type of MDP and further to determine the role of NOD2 gene variants for the bacterial recognition in CD. The response pattern to A-MDP, G-MDP, Mycobacterium segmatis (expressing mainly G-MDP) and M. segmatisΔnamH (expressing A-MDP), Listeria monocytogenes (LM) (an A-MDP-containing bacteria) and M. avium paratuberculosis (MAP) (a G-MDP-containing bacteria associated with CD) was investigated in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). A-MDP and M. segmatisΔnamH induced significantly higher tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α protein levels in healthy wild-type NOD2 PBMCs compared with G-MDP and M. segmatis. NOD2 mutations resulted in a low tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α protein secretion following stimulation with LM. Contrary to this, TNF-α levels were unchanged upon MAP stimulation regardless of NOD2 genotype and MAP solely activated NOD2- and Toll-like receptor (TLRs)-pathway with an enhanced production of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10. In conclusion, the results indicate that CD-associated NOD2 deficiencies might affect the response towards a broader array of commensal and pathogenic bacteria expressing A-MDP, whereas they attenuate the role of mycobacteria in the pathogenesis of CD.
Thinning factors influence on custom‐made mouthguards thermoforming
Authors: Kojima Ichiro , Takeda Tomotaka , Nakajima Kazunori , Narimatsu Keishiro , Konno Michiyo , Ozawa Takamitsu , Ishigami Keiichi
Published: October 2014

The aim of this study was to clarify and quantify factors influencing thinning during a thermoforming using a special simulation model that has three different flat surfaces such as 0 degree, 45 degree and 90 degree against a pressurizing force. Air pressure type samples were made by EVA and acrylic resin blank. Vacuum type samples were also made by EVA. Thickness gauge was employed to measure the thickness. As results, pressure forming showed significantly larger thinning at 45 and 90 degree surfaces and smaller thinning at 0 degree surface, 36% in thinning rate by vacuum forming and 66% by the pressure forming at 90 degree surface, and 17% and 20% at 45 degree surface, and 11% and 2% at 0 degree surfaces. Thinning was increased with the increase in distance from the centre in 0 degree surface and increased with the decrease in height in the vertical surface significantly. The air pressure, the material thickness in EVA (Drufosoft) and difference in material colour did not affect thinning rate. An acrylic resin material showed approximately 10% smaller thinning than EVA (Drufosoft). To retain enough thickness of 3 mm on 90 degree surface corresponding to an incisal labial aspect for pressure laminate type, over 55% reduction is taken into consideration and at least two 3‐mm‐thickness materials should be laminated. 0 degree surface showed at most 2 % reduction in pressure lamination; post thermoforming occlusal thickness became almost 6 mm with a usual 3 mm plus 3 mm lamination. Therefore, careful occlusal adjustment in an actual mouthguard fabrication to achieve an appropriate 2 mm thickness on this surface should be requested.
Fatty acid signatures and stomach contents of four sympatricLakeTrout: assessment of trophic patterns among morphotypes inGreatBearLake
Authors: Chavarie Louise , Howland Kimberly , Gallagher Colin , Tonn William
Published: October 2014

Sympatric diversification inLakeTrout is generally linked to differences in habitat use (especially depth) as a result of foraging on different prey items. However, extensive sympatric divergence has taken place in the shallow waters (≤30 m) ofGreatBearLake, with multipleLakeTrout morphs varying in head and fin characteristics. To investigate diet partitioning as a potential explanatory mechanism for this diversification, we assessed trophic characteristics and relationships among four sympatric shallow‐water morphs ofLakeTrout via analyses of fatty acids and stomach contents. Fatty acids and stomach contents both identifiedLakeTrout,Cisco andMysisas key prey items inLakeTrout diets. Interestingly, terrestrial invertebrates were also seasonally important among morphs, reflecting temporal variability of available prey in this arctic lake. Some diet partitioning was observed among morphs;Morph 1 was characterised as a generalist,Morph 3 was more benthic‐oriented, andMorphs 2 and 4 were mainly pelagic feeders. Of the latter,Morph 4 was the most specialised, whereasMorph 2 exhibited alternative feeding tactics of benthic cannibalistic and pelagic piscivorous feeding. Our findings demonstrate that complementary dietary methods can elucidate habits of opportunistic feeders, a task that can often be problematic, given their complex and variable diets. Our results add new information and perspectives on the current model ofLakeTrout differentiation, demonstrating niche partitioning based on benthic versus pelagic habitat use and generalist versus specialist feeding tactics.
Early evaluation of response to sorafenib for hepatocellular carcinoma by duplex Doppler ultrasonography
Authors: Hidaka Hisashi , Nakazawa Takahide , Fujii Shigeru , Yanagihara Michiko , Minamino Tsutomu , Takada Juichi , Tanaka Yoshiaki , Okuwaki Yusuke , Shibuya Akitaka , Koizumi Wasaburo
Published: October 2014

Aim

Early evaluation of the response to sorafenib for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. This prospective study investigated the early evaluation of the efficacy of sorafenib in patients with advanced HCC using duplex Doppler ultrasonography (DDU).

Methods

Thirty‐seven Child–Pugh class‐A advanced HCC patients treated with sorafenib 400 mg b.i.d. were enrolled. Changes in portal venous area (PVA) and portal venous flow velocity (PVV) revealed by DDU before and after 2 weeks of sorafenib treatment were evaluated. The relation between the congestion index (PVA/PVV), which reflects the pathophysiological hemodynamics of the portal venous system and the tumor response, according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST), was also assessed.

Results

The median progression‐free survival and overall survival of all the patients was 2.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6–3.2) and 12.8 months (95% CI, 8.7–17.0), respectively. Overall, three patients (8%) had a partial response (PR), 15 (41%) stable disease (SD) and 17 (46%) progressive disease, according to the mRECIST, and two patients (6%) could not be evaluated because of worsened conditions. The decrease in the congestion index was significantly larger in the disease control group (PR/SD) after the sorafenib treatment (P = 0.035); furthermore, the congestion index was the only significant independent predictor of disease control (P = 0.033; hazard ratio, 8.456; 95% CI, 1.182–60.484).

Conclusion

A decrease in the congestion index revealed by DDU provides an early evaluation of response in patients taking sorafenib for advanced HCC.
Development of a methodology and a tool for the assessment of vulnerability of roadways to flood‐induced damage
Authors: Mallick R.B. , Tao M. , Daniel J.S. , Jacobs J. , Veeraragavan A.
Published: October 2014

Proper assessment of flooded pavement is very critical for reducing the risk and ensuring the safety of construction crews, department of transportation personnel and the public. The objective of this paper is to present a rational procedure for the assessment of vulnerability of asphalt pavements to flood‐induced damage. A system dynamics‐based methodology was developed to determine the critical time (Tcritical) for full saturation of the unbound base and for failure of the bound surface layer. The methodology and the web‐based simulation tool presented here will help the users to identify potentially vulnerable stretches of highway prior to flooding and either take action to improve them or monitor them closely to obtain preflood conditions which can be compared against post‐flood conditions to detect deterioration; it will help them decide whether emergency and non‐emergency vehicles can be allowed during and immediately after flooding, and in planning post‐flooding investigative actions.