bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To be or not to be: an investigation of accounting students’ career intentions
Authors: Ahmad Zauwiyah , Ismail Hishamuddin , Anantharaman R. N.
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study accounting students’ intentions to pursue their careers as accountants and modelling this within the context of Malaysian accounting education.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were gathered via a questionnaire survey involving undergraduate accounting students. Factor analysis, independent sample t-tests, and multiple regressions were employed.

Findings

– In total, four findings were derived from this study. First, within the undergraduate accounting programmes, non-commitment towards the accounting profession can still exist. Second, intrinsic interest is a significant predictor of career intentions. Third, the influence of anticipated conflict provides a new finding in relation to accounting students’ career intentions. The last finding is concerned with the influence of internship experience on students’ career intentions.

Research limitations/implications

– It was assumed that differences detected between the accounting student cohorts reflect changes over time in students’ intentions.

Practical implications

– Suggestions that have been previously put forward in efforts to market the accounting profession were mainly focused on promoting the extrinsic rewards. However, findings from this study suggested that sole focus on extrinsic rewards is not enough to warrant commitment towards the profession. Instead, marketing efforts should also focus on intrinsic values of the profession.

Originality/value

– The study has provided evidence that anticipated conflict should be given more attention by accounting researchers. Although students’ career intentions seemed to become clearer and more uniform as they progressed with their studies, two issues remain to be addressed by education institutions and accounting professional bodies, namely anticipated conflict and the conduct of internship programme.
A confirmatory factor analysis for SERVPERF instrument based on a sample of students from Syrian universities
Authors: Mahmoud Ali Bassam , Khalifa Bayan
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to confirm the factorial structure of SERVPERF based on an exploration of its dimensionality among Syrian universities’ students. It also aimed at assessing the perceived service quality offered at these universities.

Design/methodology/approach

– A cross-sectional survey was conducted targeting students at Syrian universities. Using a pilot sample of 40 students, the authors developed their hypotheses. Thereafter, based on a sample of 259 students, the hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling and one-sample t-test.

Findings

– The findings revealed that SERVPERF in the Syrian universities’ context was a three-factor instrument consisting of the three dimensions: faculty-individualized attention, support staff helpfulness, and support staff empathy. Moreover, the findings showed that students at Syrian universities hold negative perceptions toward all of the three service quality dimensions provided by their universities.

Practical implications

– Given the imperative need for universities to monitor and improve the quality of their services, this study can help Syrian universities’ administrations understand the perceptions of their students toward services offered, which can help them formulate effective marketing strategies.

Originality/value

– This paper came to be one of the first studies that attempted to assess the perceived quality of services offered through the Syrian higher education system. Additionally, this study pioneered through drawing a factorial picture for SERVPERF at the Syrian Arab context.
Simplified GPS model for UAV fault tolerant control laws design
Authors: Al-Sinbol Ghassan , Perhinschi Mario G , Wilburn Brenton K
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– A simplified global positioning system (GPS) error model including models for a variety of abnormal operational conditions and failures is developed to provide simulation tools for the design, testing, and evaluation of autonomous flight fault tolerant control laws. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Analysis and experimental data are used to build simplified models for GPS position and velocity errors on all three channels. The GPS model is interfaced with West Virginia University unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) simulation environment and its utility demonstrated through simulation for several autonomous flight scenarios including GPS abnormal operation.

Findings

– The proposed simplified GPS model achieves desirable levels of accuracy and realism for all components for the purpose of general UAV dynamic simulation and development of fault tolerant autonomous flight control laws.

Research limitations/implications

– The simplified GPS model allows investigating GPS malfunction effects on the performance of autonomous UAVs and designing trajectory tracking algorithms with advanced fault tolerant capabilities.

Practical implications

– The simplified GPS model has proved to be a flexible and useful tool for UAV simulation and design of autonomous flight control laws at normal and abnormal conditions.

Originality/value

– The outcomes of this research effort achieve a level of detail never attempted before in modeling GPS operation at normal and abnormal conditions for UAV simulation and autonomous flight control laws design using a simplified framework.
Implementation of initial passive stability in insect-mimicking flapping-wing micro air vehicle
Authors: Phan Hoang Vu , Truong Quang-Tri , Park Hoon-Cheol
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the uncontrolled vertical takeoff of an insect-mimicking flapping-wing micro air vehicle (FW-MAV) of 12.5 cm wing span with a body weight of 7.36 g after installing batteries and power control.

Design/methodology/approach

– The forces were measured using a load cell and estimated by the unsteady blade element theory (UBET), which is based on full three-dimensional wing kinematics. In addition, the mean aerodynamic force center (AC) was determined based on the UBET calculations using the measured wing kinematics.

Findings

– The wing flapping frequency can reach to 43 Hz at the flapping angle of 150°. By flapping wings at a frequency of 34 Hz, the FW-MAV can produce enough thrust to over its own weight. For this condition, the difference between the estimated and average measured vertical forces was about 7.3 percent with respect to the estimated force. All parts for the FW-MAV were integrated such that the distance between the mean AC and the center of gravity is close to zero. In this manner, pitching moment generation was prevented to facilitate stable vertical takeoff. An uncontrolled takeoff test successfully demonstrated that the FW-MAV possesses initial pitching stability for takeoff.

Originality/value

– This work has successfully demonstrated an insect-mimicking flapping-wing MAV that can stably takeoff with initial stability.
Applying modern accounting techniques in complex manufacturing
Authors: Myrelid Andreas , Olhager Jan
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze the applicability of lean accounting and throughput accounting in a company with considerable investments in advanced manufacturing technology (AMT).

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper compares lean accounting and throughput accounting with the traditional accounting system the company is using today. The authors investigate the differences between the three alternative approaches and use a case study approach to illustrate the effects of applying different modern accounting approaches in a complex manufacturing setting.

Findings

– Pair-wise comparisons of the three approaches provide some interesting cost information as to the role of bottlenecks and value streams.

Research limitations/implications

– The specific results of this study are limited to the case company, but can hopefully contribute to further research on how to combine lean and throughput accounting for mixed manufacturing environments, involving both value streams and bottlenecks.

Practical implications

– Lean and throughput accounting provide other perspectives on cost information to traditional accounting, and can therefore be used in combination. The authors identify some issues and challenges involved in using lean accounting and throughput accounting in an AMT company.

Originality/value

– This paper contributes with a comparison of traditional, lean, and throughput accounting in a specific industrial setting characterized by AMT and complex manufacturing.
Islamic human resource practices and organizational performance
Authors: Abdul Ghani Azmi Ilhaamie
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to assess the relationship between Islamic human resource practices and organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The simple random technique on 300 Islamic organizations in Malaysia was used. In all, 120 completed questionnaires were returned, but only 114 were usable.

Findings

– There are some positive and significant relationships between Islamic human resource practices and organizational performance. Basically, there is only one Islamic human resource practice, namely, training and development practice, that is positively and significantly related to organizational performance.

Research limitations/implications

– This study is only limited to the Islamic organizations that are implementing Islamic human resource practices in total. Thus, the findings could only be generalized to this type of institution.

Practical implications

– Thus, the Islamic organizations should emphasize on this practice to obtain higher organizational performance.

Social implications

– Islamic human resource practices emphasize on the instillation of Islamic values in the practices that are universal in this world. Thus, through its implementation, the betterment of the society will be obtained in terms of psychology, moral and spiritual aspects. Cooperation, teamwork and harmony could also be steadfast not only in the organizations but also in the society.

Originality/value

– There are few studies done on finding the relationship of Islamic human resource practices and organizational performance. Thus, this paper provides some empirical findings on this matter.
The quality of earnings in Shariah-compliant companies: evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Wan Ismail Wan Adibah , Kamarudin Khairul Anuar , Sarman Siti Rahayu
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to examine the quality of reported earnings in the corporate reports of Shariah-compliant companies listed on Bursa Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study hypothesises that companies with Shariah compliance status have higher quality of earnings because of greater demand for and supply of high-quality financial reports. The quality of reported earnings is measured using the cross-sectional Dechow and Dichev (2002) accrual quality model. The study uses a balanced panel data of 3,048 observations from 508 companies during a six-year period of 2003-2008.

Findings

– This paper finds robust evidence that Shariah-compliant companies have significantly higher earnings quality compared to other firms. The results provide support for the arguments that Shariah-compliant companies supply a higher quality of reported earnings to attract foreign investment, have greater demand for high-quality financial reporting because of their Shariah status and are subject to greater scrutiny by regulators and institutional investors.

Research limitations/implications

– This study contributes to the existing literature on Islamic capital market, business ethics, firms’ governance and financial reporting quality. The study would give a better understanding on issues relating to earnings quality of Shariah-compliant companies and would be especially useful for financial statement users, including investment analysts.

Originality/value

– This paper provides evidence on the quality of earnings in Shariah-compliant companies and offers new arguments that explain why such companies possess higher quality of earnings compared to their counterparts.
Local agricultural financing and Islamic banks: is Qard-al-Hassan a possible solution?
Authors: saqib Lutfullah , Zafar Mueen Aizaz , Khan Khurram , Roberts Kellie W. , Zafar Aliya Mueen
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to study Qard-al-Hasan (QH) (good loan) from the stand point of its possible application to agricultural farming with a view to augmenting the sources of Riba (interest)-free agricultural financing for Muslim farmers of Islamic countries like Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is a study of QH (good loan) from the stand point of its possible application to agricultural farming with a view to augmenting the sources of Riba (interest)-free agricultural financing for Muslim farmers of Islamic countries like Pakistan.

Findings

– The study reports that Riba-free financing is essentially needed by poor Muslim farmers who, owing to prohibition of Riba, do not rely on interest (Riba)-based financing. The study also shows that QH is a viable option for fulfilling this need and is beneficial for the farmers as well as for the Islamic banks or financial institutions.

Research limitations/implications

– The case of QH as a potential mode of agricultural financing, as presented in this paper, is based on a theoretical or conceptual framework. The findings need to be further substantiated with empirical evidence. A future study, based on reliable empirical data would certainly add value to the subject.

Originality/value

– Islamic banks and financial institutions typically rely on Musharakah (partnership), Murabaha (sale with profit), Ijarah (leasing), Salam (advance payment sale), Istisna’ (manufacturing contract), etc., and they rarely use QH as a mode of financing. Despite its huge utility, QH is practically non-existent in its application as an agricultural financing instrument. This paper presents a case for QH that can be adopted by Islamic banks or financial institutions for provision of the much needed financing for the small farmers of Islamic countries, as well as those living in non-Islamic countries.
Gambling-free lottery, a new Islamic lending ticket
Authors: Hassanat Ahmad B , Al tarawneh Ghada Awad
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to present a new Islamic product called gambling-free lottery, which is inspired by ideas of Musharakah, Takaful and Al-qard Al-hasan, where the winner of the lottery receives the prize as an interest-free loan, and buyers of tickets get their money back after the winner’s repayment of the loan.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper reports the religious opinions of three Islamic scholars who were interviewed for the purpose of this study. The results of a questionnaire to survey the mood of 430 persons about the new product are also reported.

Findings

– The paper concludes that although the proposed product is still at an exploratory stage and not a definitive product acceptable to all Muslim society, it could be a successful Islamic financial product, provided that it was put into practice with some modifications to accommodate all Islamic views.

Research limitations/implications

– Main limitations of this study are the number of Islamic scholars interviewed does not reflect all the Islamic views regarding the new product and the lack of more information about the religious side of this type of product.

Originality/value

– By introducing such a product, the gambling-free lottery could become not only a means of credit provision but also a new method of playing a “game” while lending money to someone who is more likely to be poor. Converting the poor into the rich could overcome many problems, particularly in poor countries.
Government policy implications of intellectual capital: an Australian manufacturing case study
Authors: Roos Göran , O'Connor Allan
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report on an industry policy implementation case involving around 30 manufacturing firms, where the intellectual capital (IC) lens, and especially the intellectual capital navigator (ICN) approach, was found to be very useful for evaluating alternative servitisation strategies. Servitisation is a form of business model innovation and as such involves restructuring the firm’s resource deployment system including its IC resources.

Design/methodology/approach

– The ICN was one of several methods and themes used by a sample of manufacturing firms during a 12 month period. Data capture were through video filming, observation, and formal interviewing during and after the interventions.

Findings

– The ICN is considered to be the third most valuable theme in a strategic and operational servitisation programme for manufacturing firms, primarily in the domain of effectiveness evaluation of alternative resource deployment strategies and as such should be one of the key dimensions in a business model template for manufacturing firms that aim to servitize. This research also illustrates the usefulness of the intellectual capital lens in the policy implementation process.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings of this study is limited to the servitization process of SME manufacturing firms in an Anglo-Saxon operating environment which very rapidly have gone from low to high cost.

Originality/value

– The development of service-oriented business models for manufacturing firms suffers due to traditional business model frameworks not having a high relevance for servitising manufacturing firm. Consequently it is important to understand the potential contribution that the IC lens through the ICN can make in the servitisation process.
New frontiers in the use of intellectual capital in the public sector
Authors: Guthrie James , Dumay John
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the articles presented in this special issue. The Special Issue is inspired by our recent review of the intellectual capital (IC) literature in Guthrie et al. (2012, p. 74), in which the authors found that the public sector is one of the least addressed areas of IC research.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is based on a literature and published document review, experiential reflections and argument.

Findings

– The paper reveals that interest in public sector and IC is alive and well and the major difference between public sector and mainstream IC research is a complete lack of normative research. The papers in this Journal of Intellectual Capital (JIC) Special Issue continue that tradition.

Research limitations/implications

– The authors call on public sector IC researchers to continue the third stage and fourth stage IC research tradition encouraging them to explore emerging issues alongside the changes in the social, political and economic realities impacting public sector IC in the future. Doing so will ensure that public sector IC research is timely, relevant, impactful and contributes to future practice, research, policy and above all, benefits the citizens who need and consume public services.

Originality/value

– The paper presents a précise of current public sector research and encourages public sector researchers to continue developing research into how IC works.
The Free State University integrated reporting: a critical consideration
Authors: Veltri Stefania , Silvestri Antonella
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the integrated report (IR) of a South African public university (UFS), by comparing it with the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) framework, to verify whether UFS IR matches the IIRC framework main aims, which is integrating IC and non-IC information into a single report for stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper employs the case study approach, which is appropriate when a researcher needs to conduct a holistic and in-depth analysis of a complex phenomenon in its real-life context. As such, this method is particularly suitable for exploring intellectual and social capitals, which is complex and context-dependent by nature.

Findings

– UFS IR includes the content elements of the IIRC framework as labels, but it does not deepen their meaning. As regards the IIRC guidelines principles, the analysis of the UFS IR shows that it does not seem to follow them. Briefly, the data do not have an outlook orientation, the information is not interconnected, the stakeholder relationships are not highlighted and the organisational ability to create value is not disclosed.

Research limitations/implications

– The implications based on the “bad” experience of UFS IR aims to extend the findings of the case study by shedding light on the levers and the barriers that managers have to face when implementing an IRing project in their organisations.

Originality/value

– To the best of the knowledge the research is the first investigating the IR theme in the public sector, specifically the higher education sector, dealing with disclosing IC (and non-IC) information within a new reporting mode: the IR.
International relocation mobility readiness and its antecedents
Authors: Andresen Maike , Margenfeld Jil
Published: April 2015

Purpose

– International relocation for work reasons implies uncertainty and stress, resulting in high expatriate failure rates. Hence, organizations should consider employee’s international relocation mobility readiness (IRMR) in selection processes. The purpose of this paper is to identify personal as well as social antecedents of IRMR.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were gathered by an online survey (n=273 German employees) and analyzed using SEM.

Findings

– SEM results indicate that attitudinal (boundaryless mindset), biographical (previous international work experience) and social variables (the perceived social endorsement of international relocation mobility) are positively related to IRMR. The positive relationship between personality variables (uncertainty tolerance, proactive personality) and IRMR is mediated by boundaryless mindset.

Research limitations/implications

– The sampling method applied limits the generalization of the results.

Practical implications

– Results can be applied in personnel selection to find employees with a strong IRMR. Thus, expatriate failure rates could be reduced.

Originality/value

– This is the first study that addressed personal as well as social antecedents of IRMR.
Fungal symbionts maintain a rare plant population but demographic advantage drives the dominance of a common host
Authors: Chung Y. Anny , Miller Tom E. X. , Rudgers Jennifer A.
Published: April 2015

A potential driver of species abundance that remains understudied is the interaction between host species and their microbial symbionts. Beneficial symbionts could promote the dominance of common host species by increasing their population growth rates more than they do for rare species, and symbiont benefits could be important for maintaining rare species in communities. Alternatively, intrinsic differences in demography, independent of interactions with symbionts, could be the main driver of species’ relative abundances.

Here, we used demographic modelling with 5 years of data from experimental host populations to compare how symbiotic fungal endophytes, which are vertically transmitted from parent plant to offspring, influenced the population dynamics of one pair of co‐occurring, congeneric rare versus common host grasses (genusPoa).

The common plant species achieved higher population growth than the rare species. Endophyte symbiosis increased the geometric population growth rate (λ) of rare and common species by 18% and 32%, respectively, but only the rare species was predicted to decline (λ < 1) in the absence of the endophyte, demonstrating that symbiosis was essential to maintain this species in the community.

Endophyte symbiosis differentially affected the demographic transitions of the two hosts, increasing survival and growth for the common host,Poa sylvestris, and increasing survival but decreasing the probability of flowering for the rare host,Poa alsodes. The total contribution of the endophyte effects on host demographic rates to the overall difference in population growth between host species was small compared to the plants’ intrinsic differences in demography. However, low rates of vertical transmission inP. sylvestrislessened its advantage in intrinsic demography overP. alsodesand thus decreased the projected difference in population growth between host plants.

Synthesis. Our results highlight the importance of plant–symbiont interactions in the persistence of a rare plant population, as well as the utility of demographic models in teasing apart the relative importance of plant demographic rates versus host–symbiont interactions on the regional abundance of rare and common host plant species.
Dichorionic triplet pregnancies: risk of miscarriage and severe preterm delivery with fetal reduction versus expectant management. Outcomes of a cohort study and systematic review
Authors: Morlando M , Ferrara L , D'Antonio F , Lawin‐O'Brien A , Sankaran S , Pasupathy D , Khalil A , Papageorghiou A , Kyle P , Lees C , Thilaganathan B , Bhide A
Published: April 2015

Background

In trichorionic pregnancies, fetal reduction from three to two lowers the risk of severe preterm delivery, but provides no advantage in survival. Similar data for dichorionic triamniotic (DCTA) triplets is not readily available.

Objectives

To document the natural history of DCTA triplets and the effect of reduction on the risk of miscarriage and severe preterm delivery, compared with expectant management.

Search strategy

Systematic search on MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library.

Selection criteria

DCTA triplets with three live fetuses at 8–14 weeks of gestation, outcome data with expectant management and/or reduction, miscarriage before 24 weeks of gestation and/or severe preterm delivery before 32–33 weeks of gestation.

Data collection and analysis

Five studies were included. Data from these were combined with data from three centres.

Main results

There were 331 DCTA triplets. The miscarriage rate was 8.9% (95% CI 5.8–13.3%) and the severe preterm delivery rate was 33.3% (95% CI 27.5–39.7%), with expectant management. The miscarriage rate was 14.5% (95% CI 7.6–26.2%) with a reduction of the monochorionic pair, 8.8% (95% CI 3.0–23.0%) with a reduction of one fetus of the monochorionic pair, and 23.5% (9.6–47.3%) with a reduction of the fetus with a separate placenta. Severe preterm delivery rates were 5.5% (95% CI 1.9–14‐9%), 11.8% (95% CI 4.7–26.6%), and 17.6% (95% CI 6.2–41.0%), respectively.

Conclusions

In DCTA triplets, expectant management is a reasonable choice when the top priority is a liveborn infant. Where the priority is to minimise severe preterm delivery, the most advisable option is fetal reduction. Further studies are needed to clarify which particular technique is advisable to optimise the outcome.
Deviant early pregnancy maternal triglyceride levels and increased risk of congenital anomalies: a prospective community‐based cohort study
Authors: Nederlof M , de Walle HEK , van Poppel MNM , Vrijkotte TGM , Gademan MGJ
Published: April 2015

Objective

The maternal lipid profile could be of importance in congenital anomaly development. This study therefore investigates whether the maternal lipid profile during early pregnancy is associated with major nonsyndromic congenital anomalies (MNCA).

Design

Prospective community‐based cohort study.

Setting

Amsterdam Born Children and their Development (ABCD) study.

Population

A cohort of 3074 pregnant women recruited in 2003–2004 and their offspring.

Methods

Non‐fasting blood samples from pregnant women participating in the ABCD‐study (median 12.9 weeks of gestation) were analysed for triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (TC), free fatty acids (FFA), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), and apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA) (n = 3074). The perinatal outcome (MNCA) was obtained from the Youth Health Care Registration and two questionnaires. Adjustment was made for ethnicity.

Main outcome measure

MNCA prevalence.

Results

The prevalence of MNCA was 2.2% (n = 68: 20 cardiovascular, 25 bone and muscle, and 23 other single anomalies). A nonlinear association was found between maternal TG levels and MNCA prevalence. With a lower or higher level of maternal TG, the estimated probability increased: a TG level of 0.73 mmol/l (5th percentile), of 1.28 mmol/l (50th percentile), and of 2.35 mmol/l (95th percentile) corresponded with an estimated probability of 3.6, 2.1, and 2.9%, respectively. Unadjusted subgroup analyses showed that the U‐shaped association was most prominent for cardiovascular congenital anomalies. Other lipids were not associated with MNCA.

Conclusions

Both low and high maternal TG levels during early pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of MNCA in offspring. This suggests that an attempt should be made to normalise TG levels before or during early pregnancy; however, replication of our results is necessary before clinical practice recommendations can be made.

Tweetable abstract

Both low and high maternal TG levels during early pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of MNCA in offspring. This suggests that an attempt should be made to normalise TG levels before or during early pregnancy; however, replication of our results is necessary before clinical practice recommendations can be made.
Maternal and neonatal outcomes after implementation of a hospital policy to limit low‐risk planned caesarean deliveries before 39 weeks of gestation: an interrupted time‐series analysis
Authors: Hutcheon JA , Strumpf EC , Harper S , Giesbrecht E
Published: April 2015

Objective

To evaluate the extent to which implementing a hospital policy to limit planned caesarean deliveries before 39 weeks of gestation improved neonatal health, maternal health, and healthcare costs.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

British Columbia Women's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada, in the period 2005–2012.

Population

Women with a low‐risk planned repeat caesarean delivery.

Methods

An interrupted time series design was used to evaluate the policy to limit planned caesarean deliveries before 39 weeks of gestation, introduced on 1 April 2008.

Main outcome measures

Composite adverse neonatal health outcome (respiratory morbidity, 5‐minute Apgar score of <7, neonatal intensive care unit admission, mortality), postpartum haemorrhage, obstetrical wound infection, out‐of‐hour deliveries, length of stay, and healthcare costs.

Results

Between 2005 and 2008, 60% (1204/2021) of low‐risk planned caesarean deliveries were performed before 39 weeks of gestation. After the introduction of the policy, the proportion of planned caesareans dropped by 20 percentage points (adjusted risk difference of 20 fewer cases per 100 deliveries; 95% CI −25.8, −14.3) to 41% (1033/2518). The policy had no detectable impact on adverse neonatal outcomes (2.2 excess cases per 100; 95% CI −0.4, 4.8), maternal complications, or healthcare costs, but increased the risk of out‐of‐hours delivery from 16.2 to 21.1% (adjusted risk difference 6.3 per 100; 95% CI 1.6, 10.9).

Conclusions

We found little evidence that a hospital policy to limit planned caesareans before 39 weeks of gestation reduced adverse neonatal outcomes. Hospital administrators intending to introduce such policies should anticipate, and plan for, modest increases in out‐of‐hours and emergency‐timing.

Tweetable abstract

Implementing a policy to limit planned caesareans before 39 weeks of gestation did not improve newborn health.
Two novel sodium channel mutations associated with resistance to indoxacarb and metaflumizone in the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella
Authors: Wang Xing‐Liang , Su Wen , Zhang Jian‐Heng , Yang Yi‐Hua , Dong Ke , Wu Yi‐Dong
Published: April 2015

Indoxacarb and metaflumizone belong to a relatively new class of sodium channel blocker insecticides (SCBIs). Due to intensive use of indoxacarb, field‐evolved indoxacarb resistance has been reported in several lepidopteran pests, including the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella, a serious pest of cruciferous crops. In particular, the BY12 population of P. xylostella, collected from Baiyun, Guangdong Province of China in 2012, was 750‐fold more resistant to indoxacarb and 70‐fold more resistant to metaflumizone compared with the susceptible Roth strain. Comparison of complementary DNA sequences encoding the sodium channel genes of Roth and BY12 revealed two point mutations (F1845Y and V1848I) in the sixth segment of domain IV of the PxNav protein in the BY population. Both mutations are located within a highly conserved sequence region that is predicted to be involved in the binding sites of local anesthetics and SCBIs based on mammalian sodium channels. A significant correlation was observed among 10 field‐collected populations between the mutant allele (Y1845 or I1848) frequencies (1.7% to 52.5%) and resistance levels to both indoxacarb (34‐ to 870‐fold) and metaflumizone (1‐ to 70‐fold). The two mutations were never found to co‐exist in the same allele of PxNav, suggesting that they arose independently. This is the first time that sodium channel mutations have been associated with high levels of resistance to SCBIs. F1845Y and V1848I are molecular markers for resistance monitoring in the diamondback moth and possibly other insect pest species.
A Review of the United States' Past and Projected Water Use
Authors: Perrone Debra , Hornberger George , van Vliet Oscar , van der Velde Marijn
Published: April 2015

Good information and data on water demands are needed to perform good analyses, yet collecting and compiling spatially and temporally consistent water demand data are challenges. The objective of our work was to understand the limitations associated with water‐use estimates and projections. We performed a comprehensive literature review of national and regional United States (U.S.) water‐use estimates and projections. We explored trends in past regional projections of freshwater withdrawals and compared these values to regional estimates of freshwater withdrawals made by the U.S. Geological Survey. Our results suggest a suite of limitations exist that have the potential for influencing analyses aiming to extract explanatory variables from the data or using the data to make projections and forecasts. As we explored regional projections, we paid special attention to the two largest water demand‐side sectors — thermoelectric energy and irrigation — and found thermoelectric projections are more spread out than irrigation projections. All data related to water use have limitations, and there is no alternative to making the best use that we can of the available data; our article provides a comprehensive review of these limitations so that water managers can be more informed.
Magnetic resonance angiography or digital subtraction catheter angiography for follow‐up of coiled aneurysms: Do we need both?
Authors: Lane Annah , Vivian Philip , Coulthard Alan
Published: April 2015

Introduction

Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms is now common. Digital subtraction catheter angiography (DSA) is the gold standard for imaging follow‐up of coiled intracranial aneurysms; however, it is an invasive procedure with a risk of complications. Time‐of‐flight magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is an alternative non‐invasive imaging method. In a previous study, we found that MRA at 1.5T was comparable to DSA for detection of aneurysm recurrence in this patient group and subsequently added MRA to the routine follow‐up protocol. In the current study, we further compare MRA with DSA to determine whether MRA could safely replace DSA.

Methods

Patients who had endovascular coiling procedure for intracranial aneurysm from 10/2004 to 6/2010 were identified from our database. A radiologist and a radiology registrar compared MRA and DSA for all patients who received both modalities. DSA was considered as the reference technique. ‘Agreement’ or ‘disagreement’ between modalities was noted regarding absence or presence of aneurysm recurrence.

Results

The study group comprised 86 treatments of 80 aneurysms in 73 patients. There were 83/86 agreements between modalities and 3 disagreements. In one case, MRA identified a recurrence that was not seen on the corresponding DSA. In two cases, DSA showed a minor recurrence that was not seen on MRA.

Conclusion

Of the two MRA ‘misses’, neither would have resulted in different management. MRA is a safe and accurate modality for follow‐up of coiled aneurysms and can replace DSA.
Analysis of plant gene expression during passion fruit–Xanthomonas axonopodisinteraction implicates lipoxygenase 2 in host defence
Authors: Munhoz C.F. , Santos A.A. , Arenhart R.A. , Santini L. , Monteiro‐Vitorello C.B. , Vieira M.L.C.
Published: April 2015

Passiflora edulisis the major species of passionflowers grown worldwide, mainly for juice production and fresh fruit, in climates ranging from cool subtropical (purple variety) to warm tropical (yellow variety). The bacterial leaf spot, caused byXanthomonas axonopodispv.passiflorae(Xap) can be a serious disease affecting passion fruit production in commercial orchards, particularly under moist field conditions. In this study we describe a first analysis of host gene expression in this pathosystem. We used suppression subtractive hybridization to construct twocDNAlibraries enriched for transcripts induced and repressed byXap, respectively, 24 h post inoculation with a highly virulent strain. High‐quality sequences were obtained resulting in 998 unisequences that were used for annotation. In accordance withBLASTXresults performed byBlast2GOtool, 86.7% of the unisequences showed similarity to other plant species' proteins related to different functional categories. Sixty‐three transcripts were similar toArabidopsis thalianadefence‐related proteins identified in thePLAZAplatform.In silicopredicted protein–protein interactions were detected on the basis of theSTRINGdatabase for 35 of the 63 defence‐related proteins. At this early stage of interaction, a set of genes was selected fromBlast2GOcategorization results and analysed by quantitative PCR (qPCR). The expression profiles changed in response to the pathogen for 76% of these genes (48/63) and the differences in expression ratios ranged from 0.51‐fold to 1.83‐fold. In later stages of interactions (5 and 9 days post inoculation) when disease‐associated symptoms were visible,qPCRanalyses were performed for 14 genes selected from both libraries. The expression profiles of all genes were found to be changed by the pathogen. The gene that responded most strongly to the pathogen attack encodes a lipoxygenase 2. In inoculated plants, its expression was induced 500‐fold and 300‐fold, 5 and 9 dpi, respectively, compared to controls, suggesting an important role of this gene in passion fruit defence. Moreover, we showed that most of the genes involved in well‐known pathogen recognition signalling pathways were repressed byXapand this lends support to the idea that the jasmonic acid signalling pathway fails to be activated during the first hours of interaction.
An investigation of the short‐ and long‐run relations between executive cash bonus payments and firm financial performance: a pitch
Authors: Beaumont Stacey J.
Published: April 2015

This letter is a discussion of the application of the pitch template developed by Faff (2015) to a financial accounting research topic. The pitch template focuses ideas into key areas, giving clear and concise direction in planning and structuring the research idea. In this instance, the template is used in a nonlinear manner to develop a research proposal to investigate the relation between cash bonus payments and firm financial performance.
Knowledge of campaign finance regulation reduces perceptions of corruption
Authors: Avkiran Necmi K. , Kanol Direnç K. , Oliver Barry
Published: April 2015

We use an experimental survey design to measure how campaign finance regulation influences perceptions of political corruption and trust in politicians when citizens are exposed to information about regulation. Unlike most observational studies, results of this experimental study suggest that knowledge of campaign finance regulation substantially reduces citizens’ perceptions of corruption but has only limited effect on trust in politicians. Findings have crucial implications for public policy. At a time when public cynicism about politics is high, a significant reduction in perceptions of political corruption through successful dissemination of campaign finance regulation would be a boost to the legitimacy of democracies.
A randomised controlled trial of radial artery cannulation guided by Doppler vs palpation vs ultrasound
Authors: Ueda K. , Bayman E. O. , Johnson C. , Odum N. J. , Lee J. JY.
Published: April 2015

We randomly allocated 749 participants to radial artery cannulation by anaesthetic trainees, guided by Doppler (244), palpation (256) or ultrasound (249). Ultrasound increased the rate of cannulation at the first attempt by 14% (95% CI 5–22%), from 39% with Doppler or palpation, p = 0.002 for both. There were no differences in the rates of cannulation 5 min after the procedure started: 147/244 (60%) with Doppler; 160/256 (63%) with palpation; and 171/249 (69%) with ultrasound, p = 0.13.
Social learning through a REDD+ ‘village agreement’: Insights from the KFCP in Indonesia
Authors: Mulyani Mari , Jepson Paul
Published: April 2015

This paper examines the process for establishing a ‘village agreement’ using the Kalimantan Forests and Climate Partnership (KFCP) as a case study. REDD+ is designed as a ‘performance‐based’ mechanism and requires a contractual agreement between the parties involved. Since its implementation will affect the life of forest‐dependent communities, it is vital that villagers have sufficient ability to negotiate their interests during the agreement process. This paper investigates the degree of ‘social learning’ essential for developing actors' capacity to negotiate rules and interests with outsiders involved in the agreement process (between KFCP and the seven villages involved) and how this meshes with notions of ‘participation’. It found that while ‘social learning’ occurred as a result of the well‐designed participatory process conducted by KFCP, villagers' ability to secure their interests was influenced by a learning experience accumulated from their previous engagement with several development/conservation projects. This finding contributes to literature by emphasising how historical context plays a significant role in the success of present learning and the efficacy or otherwise of a contractual agreement. Therefore historical aspects should be taken into account in site selection and the design of future REDD+ projects.
Bayesian nonlinear model selection for gene regulatory networks
Authors: Ni Yang , Stingo Francesco C. , Baladandayuthapani Veerabhadran
Published: April 2015

Gene regulatory networks represent the regulatory relationships between genes and their products and are important for exploring and defining the underlying biological processes of cellular systems. We develop a novel framework to recover the structure of nonlinear gene regulatory networks using semiparametric spline‐based directed acyclic graphical models. Our use of splines allows the model to have both flexibility in capturing nonlinear dependencies as well as control of overfitting via shrinkage, using mixed model representations of penalized splines. We propose a novel discrete mixture prior on the smoothing parameter of the splines that allows for simultaneous selection of both linear and nonlinear functional relationships as well as inducing sparsity in the edge selection. Using simulation studies, we demonstrate the superior performance of our methods in comparison with several existing approaches in terms of network reconstruction and functional selection. We apply our methods to a gene expression dataset in glioblastoma multiforme, which reveals several interesting and biologically relevant nonlinear relationships.
Children's judgements of social withdrawal behaviours
Authors: Watling Dawn
Published: April 2015

Ding et al. (Brit. J. Dev. Psychol., 2015; 33, 159–173) demonstrated that Chinese children discriminate between the three subtypes of social withdrawal: Shyness, unsociability, and social avoidance. This commentary on the Ding et al.'s paper highlights the need to further explore the following: (1) children's understanding of the implications of being shy, unsociable, or socially avoidant, including assessing these which we know are associated with outcomes for socially withdrawn children; (2) what additional subtypes might exist naturally within the Chinese culture; and (3) consider the implications of social withdrawal on children's developing social skills.
A digital badging dataset focused on performance, engagement and behavior‐related variables from observations in web‐based university courses
Authors: McDaniel Rudy , Fanfarelli Joseph R.
Published: April 2015

This dataset contains participant data related to the use of badging (achievement) feedback in pedagogical design. Two sections each of web‐based graphic design and web design undergraduate courses were offered at the University of Central Florida. A badging system for achievements was included in one section of each. Performance, engagement and behavior‐related data were collected. The dataset comprises complete data from 44 undergraduate students. This paper includes a justification for data collection, methodology and preexisting usage of the data. It also discusses limitations of the dataset.
A molecular characterization of the agonist binding site of a nematode cys‐loop GABA receptor
Authors: Kaji Mark D , Kwaka Ariel , Callanan Micah K , Nusrat Humza , Desaulniers Jean‐Paul , Forrester Sean G
Published: April 2015

Background and Purpose

Cys‐loop GABA receptors represent important targets for human chemotherapeutics and insecticides and are potential targets for novel anthelmintics (nematicides). However, compared with insect and mammalian receptors, little is known regarding the pharmacological characteristics of nematode Cys‐loop GABA receptors. Here we have investigated the agonist binding site of the Cys‐loop GABA receptor UNC‐49 (Hco‐UNC‐49) from the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus.

Experimental Approach

We used two‐electrode voltage‐clamp electrophysiology to measure channel activation by classical GABA receptor agonists on Hco‐UNC‐49 expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, along with site‐directed mutagenesis and in silico homology modelling.

Key Results

The sulphonated molecules P4S and taurine had no effect on Hco‐UNC‐49. Other classical Cys‐loop GABAA receptor agonists tested on the Hco‐UNC‐49B/C heteromeric channel had a rank order efficacy of GABA > trans‐4‐aminocrotonic acid > isoguvacine > imidazole‐4‐acetic acid (IMA) > (R)‐(−)‐4‐amino‐3‐hydroxybutyric acid [R(−)‐GABOB] > (S)‐(+)‐4‐amino‐3‐hydroxybutyric acid [S(+)‐GABOB] > guanidinoacetic acid > isonipecotic acid > 5‐aminovaleric acid (DAVA) (partial agonist) > β‐alanine (partial agonist). In silico ligand docking revealed some variation in binding between agonists. Mutagenesis of a key serine residue in binding loop C to threonine had minimal effects on GABA and IMA but significantly increased the maximal response to DAVA and decreased twofold the EC50 for R(−)‐ and S(+)‐GABOB.

Conclusions and Implications

The pharmacological profile of Hco‐UNC‐49 differed from that of vertebrate Cys‐loop GABA receptors and insect resistance to dieldrin receptors, suggesting differences in the agonist binding pocket. These findings could be exploited to develop new drugs that specifically target GABA receptors of parasitic nematodes.