bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The working capital management based on vendor relationship – “icing on the cake” or “timely help”
Authors: Wang Zhenjie , Wang Zhuquan
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Under the guidance of Professor Wang Zhuquan’s channel-based working capital management concept, this paper, using a sample of A-listed companies from 2007 to 2013, aims to explore the possibility of measuring vendor relationships from the supply chain (channel) perspective for the first time, making universal testing for working capital management based on vendor relationships. Through systematically answering the question of who is the biggest beneficiary of working capital management based on vendor relationships and to discuss whether suppliers are more willing to provide “timely help” to weak enterprises or to exert an “icing on the cake” effect on strong enterprises, this paper provides a systematic explanation of the causes and economic consequences of working capital management based on vendor relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors constructed three models to test the hypotheses of this study. Model (1) explores the cause of working capital management based on vendor relationship from three angles: market position, industry competition degree and property right. Models (2) and (3) examine the economic consequences of working capital management based on vendor relationship from the two aspects of alleviating financing constraints and improving enterprises’ sustained growth capability.

Findings

Working capital management based on vendor relationships has a more significant “timely help” effect on weak companies, which was proved by the inclination of companies with lower market positions, higher industrial competition and private ownerships to adopt working capital management based on vendor relationships. From the perspective of economic consequences, while China’s listed companies benefit generally from working capital management based on vendor relationships, the weak enterprises are the biggest beneficiaries. Based on vendor relationships, the weak enterprises can relieve financing constraints and improve continuous growth capacity. It provides further evidence that suppliers could provide “timely help” to weak enterprises.

Originality/value

The results of this study find that the competition between supply chains replaces the competition among enterprises, and suppliers are more willing to provide “timely help” to weak enterprises rather than to exert an “icing on the cake” effect on strong enterprises. In addition, the working capital management based on vendor relationships facilitates the cooperation of enterprises and suppliers and improves the overall efficiency of the supply chain.
The role of online communication in avoiding perceived restrictiveness of shopping websites
Authors: Lu Yunfan , Guo Chengqi , Lu Yaobin , Gupta Sumeet
Published: April 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine and highlight the influence of perceived restrictiveness on online communication, and in relation, the reduction of uncertainty in purchasing decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

By testing statistical associations between such variables as uncertainty, perceived restrictiveness and online communications, the authors are to establish the prevalence of a phenomenon with quantitative methods that collect survey data from more than 500 real customers of a popular Chinese e-commerce site – Taobao.com.

Findings

The findings show that the perceived restrictiveness of a shopping website has a significantly role in motivating individuals to engage with each other by initiating online communication that leads to information acquirement and exchange. In addition, online communication that takes place between buyers and sellers, or among buyers, is found to be an important factor in the process of making purchasing decisions by customers.

Originality/value

This paper adds significance to the extant academic literature as well as assists the appropriate e-commerce vendors in assessing the determinants of customer’s purchasing behavior in the context where online shopping platforms do not support buyers’ desired decision options. It further reconciles and supplements the findings of the previous e-commerce-related studies that focus on the website characteristics only without bringing in the role of customer’s perceived restrictiveness.
Do School Principals Respond to Increased Public Scrutiny? New Survey Evidence from Australia
Authors: Coelli Michael , Foster Gigi , Leigh Andrew
Published: April 2018

We explore responses of Australian school principals to the introduction of test score reporting via the My School website in 2010. Theory suggests that heightened public scrutiny should motivate principals to adopt best practices for improving their schools' test results. We use responses from both public and private schools to a custom‐built questionnaire administered to principals before (2009) and after (2012) the My School website launch. We find scarce evidence of meaningful adjustments over time, but we do find evidence of significantly different policies and practices across school groups.
Evaluation of Total Nitrite Pattern Visualization as an Improved Method for Gunshot Residue Detection and its Application to Casework Samples
Authors: Berger Jason , Upton Colin , Springer Elyah
Published: April 2018

Visualization of nitrite residues is essential in gunshot distance determination. Current protocols for the detection of nitrites include, among other tests, the Modified Griess Test (MGT). This method is limited as nitrite residues are unstable in the environment and limited to partially burned gunpowder. Previous research demonstrated the ability of alkaline hydrolysis to convert nitrates to nitrites, allowing visualization of unburned gunpowder particles using the MGT. This is referred to as Total Nitrite Pattern Visualization (TNV). TNV techniques were modified and a study conducted to streamline the procedure outlined in the literature to maximize the efficacy of the TNV in casework, while reducing the required time from 1 h to 5 min, and enhancing effectiveness on blood‐soiled samples. The TNV method was found to provide significant improvement in the ability to detect significant nitrite residues, without sacrificing efficiency, that would allow for the determination of the muzzle‐to‐target distance.
What helps? Women engineers' accounts of staying on
Authors: Fernando Dulini , Cohen Laurie , Duberley Joanne
Published: April 2018

We have considerable understanding of the obstacles that women engineers encounter and the reasons that they leave the field, but we know less about what enables them to remain. Adopting an interpretivist approach, this article examines how a group of British women engineers in two FTSE 100 companies account for “staying on” in their male‐dominated work settings. We delineate four specific forms of help that facilitate women's retention in the field. We argue that exposure to help leads to women developing a habitus that enables them to continue working in engineering. To conclude, we draw on our findings to outline HR practices that will facilitate supportive relationships in the workplace and pave the way towards developing more positive organisational climates.
Hydrogeomorphic Reference Condition and Its Relationship with Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in Southeastern U.S. Sand Hills Streams
Authors: Sefick Stephen A. , Kosnicki Ely , Paller Michael H. , Feminella Jack W.
Published: April 2018

Defining stream reference conditions is integral to providing benchmarks to ecological perturbation. We quantified channel geometry, hydrologic and environmental variables, and macroinvertebrates in 62 low‐gradient, SE United States (U.S.) Sand Hills (Level IV ecoregion) sand‐bed streams. To identify hydrogeomorphic reference condition (HGM), we clustered channel geometry deviation from expectations given watershed area (Aws), resulting in two HGM groups discriminated by area at the top of bank (Atob) residuals <0.6 m2 and >0.6 m2 predicted to be HGM reference/nonreference streams, respectively. Two independent partial least squares discriminate analyses used (1) hydrologic/environmental variables and (2) macroinvertebrate mean trait values (mT) on 10 reference/nonreference stream pairs of similar Aws for classification validation. Nonreference streams had flashier hydrographs and altered flow magnitudes, lower organic matter, coarser substrate, higher pH/specific conductivity compared with reference streams. Macroinvertebrate assemblages corresponded to HGM groupings, with mT indicative of multivoltinism, collector‐gatherer functional feeding groups, fast current‐preference taxa, and lower Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera richness and biotic integrity in nonreference streams. HGM classifications in Sand Hills, sand‐bed streams were determined from channel geometry. This easily implemented classification is indicative of contemporary hydrologic disturbance resulting in contrasting macroinvertebrate assemblages.
Chronic condition self‐management support for Aboriginal people: Adapting tools and training
Authors: Battersby Malcolm , Lawn Sharon , Kowanko Inge , Bertossa Sue , Trowbridge Coral , Liddicoat Raylene
Published: April 2018

Problem

Chronic conditions are major health problems for Australian Aboriginal people. Self‐management programs can improve health outcomes. However, few health workers are skilled in self‐management support and existing programs are not always appropriate in Australian Aboriginal contexts.

Design

The goal was to increase the capacity of the Australian health workforce to support Australian Aboriginal people to self‐manage their chronic conditions by adapting the Flinders Program of chronic condition self‐management support for Australian Aboriginal clients and develop and deliver training for health professionals to implement the program.

Strategies for change

Feedback from health professionals highlighted that the Flinders Program assessment and care planning tools needed to be adapted to suit Australian Aboriginal contexts. Through consultation with Australian Aboriginal Elders and other experts, the tools were condensed into an illustrated booklet called ‘My Health Story’. Associated training courses and resources focusing on cultural safety and effective engagement were developed.

Effects of change

A total of 825 health professionals  across Australia was trained and 61 people qualified as accredited trainers in the program, ensuring sustainability.

Lessons learnt

The capacity and skills of the Australian health workforce to engage with and support Australian Aboriginal people to self‐manage their chronic health problems significantly increased as a result of this project. The adapted tools and training were popular and appreciated by the health care organisations, health professionals and clients involved. The adapted tools have widespread appeal for cultures that do not have Western models of health care and where there are health literacy challenges. My Health Story has already been used internationally.
Pharmacological interventions for protecting renal function after cardiac surgery: a Bayesian network meta‐analysis of comparative effectiveness
Authors: Kim W. H. , Hur M. , Park S.‐K. , Jung D. E. , Kang P. , Yoo S. , Bahk J.‐H.
Published: April 2018

Many drugs have been investigated as potentially protective of renal function after cardiac surgery. However, their comparative effectiveness has not been established. We performed an arm‐based hierarchical Bayesian network meta‐analysis including 95 randomised controlled trials with 28,833 participants, which allowed us to compare some agents not previously compared directly. Renal outcomes, including: the incidence of postoperative renal dysfunction and haemodialysis; serum creatinine level at 24 hours postoperatively; all‐cause mortality; and length of hospital and ICU stay, were compared. Exploratory meta‐regression was conducted for potential effect modifiers. A random effects model was selected according to the evaluation of model fit by deviance information criteria. Atrial natriuretic peptide (odds ratio (95%CrI) 0.28 (0.17–0.48); moderate‐quality evidence), B‐type natriuretic peptide, dexmedetomidine, levosimendan and N‐acetyl cysteine significantly decreased the rate of postoperative renal dysfunction compared with placebo. Atrial natriuretic peptide (OR (95%CrI) 0.24 (0.10–0.58); low‐quality evidence), B‐type natriuretic peptide, and dexamethasone significantly decreased the need for haemodialysis. Levosimendan significantly decreased mortality, OR (95%CrI) 0.49 (0.27–0.91); low‐quality evidence). The benefit of atrial natriuretic peptide was still apparent when baseline renal function was normal. None of the potential effect modifiers were significantly correlated with our renal outcomes. Atrial natriuretic peptide was ranked best regarding renal dysfunction, haemodialysis and length of hospital stay. Levosimendan was ranked best regarding mortality and ICU stay. However, our results should be interpreted cautiously given the assumptions made about transitivity and consistency.
Cataract frequency and subtypes involved in workers assessed for their solar radiation exposure: a systematic review
Authors: Modenese Alberto , Gobba Fabriziomaria
Published: April 2018

Cataract is currently the primary cause of blindness worldwide, and one of its main risk factors is solar ultraviolet radiation exposure. According to the localization of lens opacities, three main subtypes of cataract are recognized: nuclear, cortical and posterior subcapsular cataract. One of the main determinants of individual long‐term solar radiation exposure is outdoor work. We systematically reviewed scientific literature from the last 20 years to update the recent development of research on the risk of cataract in outdoor workers and on the specific subtypes involved, also investigating the methods applied to evaluate the occupational risk. A total of 15 studies were included in the review, of which 12 showed a positive association. The studies confirm the relationship of long‐term occupational solar radiation exposure with cortical cataract and give new support for nuclear cataract, although no substantial new data were available to support a relation with the posterior subcapsular subtype. In most of the studies, the exposure assessment was not adequate to support a representative evaluation of the ocular risk; however, outdoor work is clearly a relevant risk factor for cataract. Further research providing a better evaluation of the relation between solar radiation exposure levels and lens damage in workers is needed and aimed to establish adequate occupational exposure limits and better preventive measures, studying also their effectiveness.
Mineralogical–Geochemical Characterization and Provenance of the Stones Used at the Pasargadae Complex in Iran: A New Perspective
Authors: Emami M. , Eslami M. , Fadaei H. , Karami H. R. , Ahmadi K.
Published: April 2018

The stone monuments of Pasargadae (c.550 to 330 bce), Iran, represent a unique example of an advanced construction system that used stones as building materials. This study characterizes the mineralogical and chemical composition of these stones and determines their provenance. Five samples were obtained from buildings at Pasargadae and studied using optical microscopy (OM), X‐ray powder diffraction (QXRD), inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF). Their chemical and mineralogical composition was determined using the Sr/Fe ratio and the amount of Ce, Dy, Er, Eu, Gd, La, Nd, Pr, Sm, Tb, Tm, Yb and Lu in order to investigate the provenance of the building materials. Seven additional samples were obtained from rock outcrops suspected of being the source of the rock and studied using the same techniques. A statistical principal component analysis (PCA) exhibited correlations between each data set. The data suggest that Abolverdi quarry west of Pasargadae served as the source for the light limestone used in the construction of the buildings, particularly the Tomb of Cyrus the Great. The Ahmad‐Beigi and Sarpaniran outcrops to the north‐east and south‐east are suggested as the sources of the dark limestone. The Sr/Fe ratio and the amount of rare‐earth elements distinguish the samples by means of different geneses.
Significance and Limitations of Stable Oxygen Isotope Ratios in the Apatite Phosphate of Archaeological Vertebrate Finds for Provenance Analysis in an Alpine Reference Region
Authors: Mauder M. , Ntoutsi E. , Kröger P. , Mayr C. , Toncala A. , Hölzl S. , Grupe G.
Published: April 2018

A multi‐isotope fingerprint consisting of δ18Ophosphate, 87Sr/86Sr, 208Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, 206Pb/204Pb, 208Pb/207Pb and 206Pb/207Pb was established in the bioapatite of 219 individual archaeofaunal remains (cattle, pig, red deer) excavated from sites located along a specific transect of the European Alps, namely the Inn–Eisack–Adige–Brenner Passage, that has been of eminent importance since European prehistory. This reference area is vertically stratified, and since δ18O in the skeleton is influenced by climate, water source, physiology and even culture, we tested the relative contribution and importance of δ18O as a component of the multi‐isotope fingerprint for provenance analysis in this alpine region by a novel mathematical approach. In particular, we adapted a supervised learning approach through expectation–maximization (EM) clustering for fingerprint extraction and evaluated the contribution of each isotopic ratio to the data structure. While an altitude effect was evident in δ18O, its overall structural importance in the complete isotopic fingerprint was rather low. Therefore, provenance analysis of bioarchaeological finds in this region is possible by measuring stable Sr and Pb ratios alone, which is of considerable importance when δ18O values are not available, e.g., in cremated finds, although some information is lost. Whether this is tolerable depends on the scientific question to be solved.
Informed consent and secondary data: Reflections on the use of mothers’ blogs in social media research
Authors: von Benzon Nadia
Published: April 2018

This paper seeks to extend debate on the use of blogs as qualitative data, specifically focusing on the issue of consent in research that uses publicly available but personal content. Typically the argument has been made for the need to protect individual writers and engage with these documents in a considered manner that recognises the inherent vulnerability of amateur authors. This paper will argue that a framing of these writers that foregrounds their potential vulnerability, naivety and even ignorance is in fact highly paternalistic, and therefore counter to an ethical approach to research. In seeking to protect authors from harm, we deny their agency and diminish the act of online publication. Further, this approach, prevalent in academia, is at odds with the legal position, and arguably, the weight of social understanding. A reframing of amateur online authors as informed agents not only increases the accessibility of these data to researchers and subsequently policy makers, but also alludes to a need to credit the contribution of authors without the need to seek permission. Ultimately, this paper argues for a presumption of accountability, unless otherwise proven, and an approach to the use of self‐published online material that mirrors the use of other sorts of secondary data with perceived “professional” authors, such as magazine articles, newspaper columns or organisational literature.
Effects of stocking density on growth performance, meat quality and tibia development of Pekin ducks
Authors: Zhang Ya Ru , Zhang Lu Shuang , Wang Zhong , Liu Yang , Li Fu Huang , Yuan Jian Min , Xia Zhao Fei
Published: April 2018

This study was performed to investigate the effects of stocking density on performance, meat quality and tibia development in Pekin ducks reared on a plastic wire floor. A total of 372 healthy, 21‐day‐old, male ducks with similar body weight (BW) were randomly allotted to stocking densities of five (low), eight (medium) and 11 (high) birds/m2. Each group had six replicates. Results showed that compared with the low density group, medium and high stocking density caused a decrease in final BW at 42 days old, and in average daily gain, European performance index (p < .01) and meat pH at 45 min postmortem (p < .001), and an increase of meat drip loss (p < .01). High stocking density resulted in an increase of feed/gain ratio (p < .001), but a decrease of tibia calcium (p < .01) and phosphorus content (p < .05). Meat color, shear force values, tibia size (weight, length, and width) and breaking strength were not significantly influenced by stocking density. In conclusion, stocking density over eight birds/m2 negatively affects growth performance, but meat quality and tibia development are not dramatically influenced. Based on this study, the stocking density of male Pekin ducks should be adjusted between five and eight birds/m2.
GROWTH IN THE SHADOWS: EFFECT OF THE SHADOW ECONOMY ON U.S. ECONOMIC GROWTH OVER MORE THAN A CENTURY
Authors: Goel Rajeev K. , Saunoris James W. , Schneider Friedrich
Published: April 2018

Taking a long‐term look at U.S. economic growth over 1870–2014, this paper focuses on the spillovers from the shadow or the unofficial economy to growth in the official sector. Shadow activities might spur or retard economic growth depending on their interactions with the formal sector and impacts on the provision of public goods. Nesting the analysis in a standard neoclassical growth model, we use a relatively new time series technique to estimate the short‐run dynamics and long‐run relationship between economic growth and its determinants. Results suggest that prior to World War II (WWII) the shadow economy had a negative effect on economic growth; however, post‐WWII the shadow economy was beneficial for growth. The sanding effect of the shadow economy in the earlier period is especially robust to alternate considerations of possible endogeneity and an alternate set of growth determinants. (JELE26, O43, O51, K42)
Power Relations and Upgrading in the Cashew Value Chain of Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Bassett Thomas J. , Koné Moussa , Pavlovic Nathan R.
Published: April 2018

Development organizations are increasingly adopting market‐based approaches to reducing rural poverty and food insecurity in the global South. The value chain approach is particularly popular. Aid donors, governments and non‐governmental organizations are applying value chain concepts originally designed for promoting industrial production to smallholder agricultural production. Cashew development in Côte d'Ivoire illustrates this new approach to rural development in which ‘upgrading’ the production and processing links are top priorities. A core assumption informing this approach is that improvements in product quality at the producer level will yield higher producer prices and incomes. This article examines this assumed quality–price relationship through a comparative analysis of cashew quality and prices in Côte d'Ivoire. The research reveals a disconnect between nut quality and producer prices. The case study demonstrates that power relations are more important than quality in setting producer prices for raw cashew nuts.
Pragmatic and Paradoxical Philanthropy: Tatas’ Gift Giving and Scientific Development in India
Authors: Kumar Arun
Published: April 2018

Despite the growing interest in organized philanthropy from India, scholarship on the subject has remained thin. Existing literature argues that Indian philanthropy has been shaped by three, sometimes overlapping, narratives of managerialism, modernization and nationalism. Departing from such smooth and singular narratives, this article contends that modern Indian philanthropy has been shaped by colonialism, imperialism, managerialism, modernity, nationalism, nation building, neoliberalism and secularism. The particular ways in which it has been shaped can be understood as both pragmatic and paradoxical. The article draws on the history of philanthropy of the house of Tatas, India's leading corporate group, geared toward scientific development in the 20th century.
Early management of medication‐overuse headache – to remove or to add medication?
Authors: Lundqvist C.
Published: April 2018

Click here to view the accompanying paper in this volume.
What predicts anti‐Roma prejudice? Qualitative and quantitative analysis of everyday sentiments about the Roma
Authors: Orosz Gábor , Bruneau Emile , Tropp Linda R. , Sebestyén Nóra , Tóth‐Király István , Bőthe Beáta
Published: April 2018

The present research focused on two primary goals: (a) identifying the content of sentiments about the Roma to which Hungarians are exposed during everyday family conversations, and (b) determining which types of everyday sentiments about the Roma most strongly predict Hungarian respondents’ anti‐Roma prejudice. Content analyzing open‐ended responses from a representative sample of Hungarians (N = 505), we found that more than 76% of the respondents reported being exposed to negative stereotypes about the Roma, 27% to threats posed by Roma, and 16% to overt dehumanization of Roma; additionally more than 20% reported hearing no positive sentiments about the Roma in everyday family conversations. We then examined which negative and positive sentiments most strongly predicted respondents’ anti‐Roma prejudice (using measures of social distance and modern racism). Higher social distance scores were predicted by a lack of positive sentiments, whereas lower social distance scores were most strongly predicted by unambiguously positive sentiments expressed during family conversations. Higher modern racism scores were further predicted by sentiments expressing dehumanization, threat, and violence against Roma. Together, these results attest to the extremity of anti‐Roma sentiments expressed regularly by Hungarians, and suggest how exposure to specific sentiments may foster anti‐Roma hostility. Moreover, these findings provide guidance regarding the specific negative anti‐Roma sentiments that should be combated to enhance the effectiveness of anti‐prejudice interventions.
Are you talking to the future me? The moderator role of future self‐relevance on the effects of aging salience in retirement savings
Authors: Marques Sibila , Mariano João , Lima Maria Luísa , Abrams Dominic
Published: April 2018

Increasing the salience of aging has been shown to be a promising strategy to promote young adults' interest in saving for retirement. However, the processes responsible for this effect are still largely unknown. We hypothesize that increased savings choices will only occur when participants are also engaged in self‐relevant thoughts about their own future. Participants were exposed to a fictitious website advertising financial products. Study 1 (n = 78; Mage = 20.87) primed age salience and future self‐relevance orthogonally and showed that priming aging only caused increases in retirement investment decisions when self‐relevance was also high. Study 2 (n = 91; Mage = 23.40) tested whether the effects of age priming were due specifically to age or to a broader focus on the future. The study confirmed that investment decision effects are specific to exposure to the aging prime and not merely priming the future. The effects were also specific to investment in retirement funds and not just depositing money in a checking account. These findings have both theoretical and practical implications for the psychology of aging and retirement planning.
Will growth bring more good than harm to my business? The role of regulatory focus in small business growth beliefs
Authors: Prasastyoga Bramesada , van Leeuwen Esther , Harinck Fieke
Published: April 2018

The two studies presented in this paper investigated the psychological processes underlying small business growth beliefs (SBGBs) (i.e., expected consequences of small business growth) by focusing on the role of regulatory focus and perceived competence as predictors of SBGBs. We assessed participants' (students and small business owners) cognitive and emotional responses to anticipated business growth by means of online questionnaires. As predicted, individuals with a strong promotion focus expected predominantly positive consequences of small business growth, whereas individuals with a strong prevention focus expected predominantly negative consequences of small business growth. In addition, regardless of their regulatory focus, individuals who perceived themselves as competent to grow a business had positive growth beliefs, particularly growth beliefs concerning emotional consequences of business growth. These findings illuminate the importance of acknowledging individual differences in SBGBs. They also shed more light on the critical role of perceived competence, suggesting that empowerment is a key factor in promoting small business growth.
Hypertension control after an initial cardiac event among Medicare patients with diabetes mellitus: A multidisciplinary group practice observational study
Authors: Chaddha Ashish , Smith Maureen A. , Palta Mari , Johnson Heather M.
Published: April 2018

Patients with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease have a high risk of mortality and/or recurrent cardiovascular events. Hypertension control is critical for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. The objective was to determine rates and predictors of achieving hypertension control among Medicare patients with diabetes and uncontrolled hypertension after hospital discharge for an initial cardiac event. A retrospective analysis of linked electronic health record and Medicare data was performed. The primary outcome was hypertension control within 1 year after hospital discharge for an initial cardiac event. Cox proportional hazard models assessed sociodemographics, medications, utilization, and comorbidities as predictors of control. Medicare patients with diabetes were more likely to achieve hypertension control when prescribed beta‐blockers at discharge or with a history of more specialty visits. Adults ≥ 80 were more likely to achieve control with diuretics. These findings demonstrate the importance of implementing guideline‐directed multidisciplinary care in this complex and high‐risk population.
Effects of different statin types and dosages on systolic/diastolic blood pressure: Retrospective analysis of 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure database
Authors: Presta Vivianne , Figliuzzi Ilaria , Citoni Barbara , Miceli Francesca , Battistoni Allegra , Musumeci Maria Beatrice , Coluccia Roberta , De Biase Luciano , Ferrucci Andrea , Volpe Massimo , Tocci Giuliano
Published: April 2018

We previously demonstrated lower diastolic blood pressure (BP) levels under statin therapy in adult individuals who consecutively underwent 24‐hour ambulatory BP monitoring and compared their levels to untreated outpatients. Here we evaluated systolic/diastolic BP levels according to different statin types and dosages. 987 patients (47.5% female, age 66.0 ± 10.1 years, BMI 27.7 ± 4.6 kg/m2, clinic BP 146.9 ± 19.4/86.1 ± 12.1 mm Hg, 24‐hour BP 129.2 ± 14.4/74.9 ± 9.2 mm Hg) were stratified into 4 groups: 291 (29.5%) on simvastatin 10‐80 mg/d, 341 (34.5%) on atorvastatin 10‐80 mg/d, 187 (18.9%) on rosuvastatin 5‐40 mg/d, and 168 (17.0%) on other statins. There were no significant BP differences among patients treated by various statin types and dosages, except in lower clinic (P = .007) and daytime (P = .013) diastolic BP in patients treated with simvastatin and atorvastatin compared to other statins. Favorable effects of statins on systolic/diastolic BP levels seem to be independent of types or dosages, thus suggesting a potential class effect of these drugs.
Rethinking European Elections: The Importance of Regional Spillover Into the European Electoral Arena
Authors: Schakel Arjan H.
Published: April 2018

The European Union has developed into a multilevel electoral system in which elections take place at regional, national and European tiers of governance. Election scholars have taken up an interest in European and regional elections and the dominant approach to study these elections is the second‐order election model. This model has generated important insights but it also faces limitations. A multilevel party system perspective exposes several vertical and horizontal interactions between electoral arenas. An empirical analysis on second‐order effects in European elections held in 217 regions and 11 countries reveals that regional authority, regional identity and electoral timing of regional vis‐à‐vis European elections significantly alters the extent and way in which national politics flows into the European electoral arena. These results provide strong evidence that regionalization has significantly transformed European elections but this impact only comes to the fore once one adopts a multilevel party system perspective.
Enhancing antibacterial efficacy of nisin in pork by poly‐γ‐glutamic acid/poly‐l‐lysine nanoparticles encapsulation
Authors: Cui Haiying , Dai Yajie , Lin Lin
Published: April 2018

In this study, a novel method of nisin encapsulation was developed by synthesizing electrostatic self‐assembled nanoparticles using poly‐γ‐glutamic acid (γ‐PGA) and poly‐l‐lysine (PLL). The prepared nisin encapsulated γ‐PGA/PLL nanoparticles were stable. Their encapsulation efficiency, average particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential were 52.56%, 451.1 nm, 0.334, and 30.8 mV, respectively. The effect of nisin encapsulated γ‐PGA/PLL nanoparticles on microbiological parameters, total volatile basic nitrogen values, and pH changes in pork meat at different storage temperatures (4°C for 14 days and 25°C for 7 days) were evaluated. Staphylococcal enterotoxin A was significant decreased in pork meat after the application of nisin‐loaded γ‐PGA/PLL nanoparticles.

Practical applications

Nisin‐loaded poly‐γ‐glutamic acid/poly‐l‐lysine nanoparticles could effectively control the growth of Staphylococcal aureus in pork meat and does not have a negative effect on the quality of the pork meat samples. The concept in this study may be useful for the treatment of various infections caused by other bacteria and it have a broad prospect to be used in meat products preservation.
White Privilege: What's a Family Therapist To Do?
Authors: Combs Gene
Published: April 2018

Privilege is the freedom to ignore things that other people are forced to confront; dramatic things like being gunned down by a vigilante on the way home from a convenience store or less urban and visible things like having to live on secluded parcels of land that no one else wants. Most family therapists enjoy the freedom not to experience such events. Many of the people who come to us for help don't have that freedom. My intent here is to increase felt awareness of the injustice of institutional racism and to suggest some actions that White family therapists can take to bring forth a more just society in terms of education, housing, access to wealth, and basic safety.
Net Neutrality, Network Capacity, and Innovation at the Edges
Authors: Choi Jay Pil , Jeon Doh‐Shin , Kim Byung‐Cheol
Published: April 2018

We study how net neutrality regulations affect a high‐bandwidth content provider (CP)'s investment incentives to enhance its quality of services in content delivery to end users. We find that the effects crucially depend on whether the CP's entry is constrained by the Internet service provider's network capacity. If the capacity is relatively large, the prioritization reduces the investment as CP's investment and prioritization form substitutes. With limited capacity, however, they become complements and the prioritization can facilitate the entry of congestion‐sensitive content. Our analysis suggests that the optimal policy may call for potentially asymmetric regulations across mobile and fixed networks.
The Unequal Effect of India's Industrial Liberalization on Firms’ Decision to Innovate: Do Business Conditions Matter?
Authors: Bas Maria , Paunov Caroline
Published: April 2018

Product‐market competition can boost industry growth if firms invest more in innovation. Using a natural policy experiment, the removal of India's License Raj, we show that firms in liberalized industries were 9% more likely to invest in R&D than firms in non‐liberalized industries. However, the impacts were not the same across firms of different size. After the reforms, firms in the top quartile were 23% more likely to invest in R&D than those in the lowest size quartile. Both productivity differences across firms and the heterogeneous impacts of business conditions on firms explain unequal effects of India's industrial liberalization reform.
Role and mechanisms of autophagy in acetaminophen‐induced liver injury
Authors: Chao Xiaojuan , Wang Hua , Jaeschke Hartmut , Ding Wen‐Xing
Published: April 2018

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the most frequent cause of acute liver failure in the USA and many other countries. Although the metabolism and pathogenesis of APAP has been extensively investigated for decades, the mechanisms by which APAP induces liver injury are incompletely known, which hampers the development of effective therapeutic approaches to tackle this important clinical problem. Autophagy is a highly conserved intracellular degradation pathway, which aims at recycling cellular components and damaged organelles in response to adverse environmental conditions and stresses as a survival mechanism. There is accumulating evidence indicating that autophagy is activated in response to APAP overdose in specific liver zone areas, and pharmacological activation of autophagy protects against APAP‐induced liver injury. Increasing evidence also suggests that hepatic autophagy is impaired in nonalcoholic fatty livers (NAFLD), and NAFLD patients are more susceptible to APAP‐induced liver injury. Here, we summarized the current progress on the role and mechanisms of autophagy in protecting against APAP‐induced liver injury.
Neuromedia and the Epistemology of Education
Authors: Pritchard Duncan
Published: April 2018

This paper explores the implications of a technological revolution that many in the industry think is likely soon to come to pass: neuromedia. In particular, the paper is interested in how this will constitute an especially persuasive kind of extended cognition, and thereby will facilitate extended epistemic states. This will in turn have ramifications for how we understand the epistemic goals of education. The paper argues that the challenges posed by neuromedia remind us that the overarching epistemic goal of education is not orientated towards facilitating a body of knowledge (or the development of mere cognitive skills) but rather is concerned with the development of intellectual character, where this in turn essentially involves the cultivation of intellectual virtues, character traits that are not amenable to extended cognition.
An Eye on Particulars with the End in Sight: An Account of Aristotelian Phronesis
Authors: Silvia Vaccarezza Maria
Published: April 2018

This paper focuses on Aristotelian phronesis and aims at highlighting its nature as an eye on particulars with general ends in sight. More specifically, it challenges the particularistic interpretation of phronesis and Aristotelian ethics in order to argue for a “qualified generalism.” After sketching a radical Particularistic Reading (PR), the paper defends an interpretation it calls the Priority of Particulars Reading (PPR). First, it shows how PPR effectively accounts for the Aristotelian priority assigned to practical perception while at the same time counterbalancing that priority by means of two interpretive strategies. Then it offers further support to PPR by appealing to its own reading of Aristotle's phronesis. It aims to show that it is possible to defend a legitimate form of PPR without ending in holding PR, and that Aristotle's own theory and work ground the moderate reading. Finally, it draws some implications by analyzing educational practice.
Connecting Virtues: Introduction
Authors: Croce Michel , Vaccarezza Maria Silvia
Published: April 2018

This article introduces the special issue “Connecting Virtues,” which aims to advance virtue theory by bringing into a conversation works on the virtues in epistemology, ethics, and political philosophy. The collection covers several key themes within virtue theory. It includes ground‐breaking articles offering original solutions to long‐standing issues in virtue theory, such as the plausibility of different lists of virtues, the relationship between virtues and their opposing vices and the connection between moral and intellectual virtues. In addition, the collection offers insights into cutting‐edge fields of application of the topic of virtue, such as the role of intellectual virtues in an age of neuromedia, virtuous dispositions related to social epistemology, and the role of some neglected virtues for political philosophy.
A Fast Detection Method via Region‐Based Fully Convolutional Neural Networks for Shield Tunnel Lining Defects
Authors: Xue Yadong , Li Yicheng
Published: April 2018

Tunnel lining defects are an important indicator reflecting the safety status of shield tunnels. Inspired by the state‐of‐the‐art deep learning, a method for automatic intelligent classification and detection methodology of tunnel lining defects is presented. A fully convolutional network (FCN) model for classification is proposed. Information about defects, collected using charge‐coupled device cameras, was used to train the model. The model's performance was compared to those of GoogLeNet and VGG. The best‐set accuracy of the proposed model was over 95% at a test‐time speed of 48 ms per image. For defects detection, image features were computed from large‐scale images by the FCN and then detected using a region proposal network and position‐sensitive region of interest pooling. Some indices (detection rate, detection accuracy, and detection efficiency, locating accuracy) were used to evaluate the model. The comparisons with faster R‐CNN and a traditional method were conducted. The results show that the model is very fast and efficient, allowing automatic intelligent classification and detection of tunnel lining defects.
Work engagement and its predictors in registered nurses: A cross‐sectional design
Authors: Wan Qiaoqin , Zhou Weijiao , Li Zhaoyang , Shang Shaomei , Yu Fang
Published: April 2018

Nurses are key staff members of health‐care organizations. Nurse engagement directly influences quality of care and organizational performance. The purpose of the present study was to understand the state of work engagement and explore its predictors among registered nurses in China by using a descriptive, cross‐sectional survey design (n = 1065). Work engagement was measured with the Chinese version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. The results showed that the average work engagement of Chinese nurses was 3.54 (standard deviation = 1.49), and that nurses' age (β = .16, t = 5.32), job characteristics (β = .33, t = 9.43), and practice environment (β = .23, t = 6.59) were significant predictors of work engagement. Thus, nurse leaders should be encouraged to shape motivational job characteristics and create supportive practice environment so as to increase nurses' work engagement.
Noncoding RNAs in ischemic stroke: time to translate
Authors: Kaur Harpreet , Sarmah Deepaneeta , Saraf Jackson , Vats Kanchan , Kalia Kiran , Borah Anupom , Yavagal Dileep R. , Dave Kunjan R. , Ghosh Zhumur , Bhattacharya Pallab
Published: April 2018

Stroke is devastating and a major cause of morbidity and mortality around globe. Current interventions for ischemic stroke include thrombolytics, clot retrieval devices and/or intravenous tissue plasminogen activators (tPA), the latter two becoming the first line of treatment. Owing to the limitations of tPA to elicit therapeutic benefits in a narrow time window, new pharmacological interventions are needed. Exploring noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) may be a promising option for stroke treatment. ncRNAs are endogenous molecules that play key roles in the pathophysiology of many functions and diseases, including during ischemic stroke. Small ncRNAs such as microRNAs, Piwi‐interacting RNAs, and long ncRNAs affect the genetic machinery at molecular levels. These small ncRNAs, along with their target genes and RNA transcripts, are involved in repair and recovery mechanisms after stroke. The potential of ncRNAs to regulate physiological processes highlights their potential therapeutic importance. Here, we enumerate the details and roles of different types of ncRNAs as biomarkers and targets for future stroke intervention.
Now you hear it: a predictive coding model for understanding rhythmic incongruity
Authors: Vuust Peter , Dietz Martin J. , Witek Maria , Kringelbach Morten L.
Published: April 2018

Rhythmic incongruity in the form of syncopation is a prominent feature of many contemporary musical styles. Syncopations afford incongruity between rhythmic patterns and the meter, giving rise to mental models of differently accented isochronous beats. Syncopations occur either in isolation or as part of rhythmic patterns, so‐calledgrooves. On the basis of the predictive coding framework, we discuss how brain processing of rhythm can be seen as a special case of predictive coding. We present a simple, yet powerful model for how the brain processes rhythmic incongruity: the model for predictive coding of rhythmic incongruity. Our model proposes that a given rhythm's syncopation and its metrical uncertainty (precision) is at the heart of how the brain models rhythm and meter based on priors, predictions, and prediction error. Our minimal model can explain prominent features of brain processing of syncopation: why isolated syncopations lead to stronger prediction error in the brains of musicians, as evidenced by larger event‐related potentials to rhythmic incongruity, and why we all experience a stronger urge to move to grooves with a medium level of syncopation compared with low and high levels of syncopation.
The Law: Perverse Politics: Recess Appointments, Noel Canning, and the Limits of Law
Authors: Bell Thomas R.
Published: April 2018

The U.S. Supreme Court's intervention into the recess appointments controversy during the Obama administration demonstrates how an overly legalistic conception of the Constitution's separation of powers can undermine constitutional politics. The formalistic line drawing by the Court, without attention to larger constitutional objectives, not only legitimized partisan obstruction of the Senate but also prevented the president from ensuring the proper functioning of the government based on the duly enacted laws of Congress. This article argues that political contestation between the branches—structured by legitimate constitutional claims—could have restarted a stalled deliberative process whereas legal resolution distorted the political dynamics at play, giving the illusion of an imperial presidency while providing legal cover for congressional abdication.