bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does experience stimulate or stifle creativity?
Authors: Tien Han-Kuang , Chang Bang-Lee , Kuo Yen-Ku
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore if experience stimulates or stifles creativity. It shows that accumulation of work experience improves an individual’s judgment and reduces divergent thinking of creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the factors influencing individual creativity, including the impact of work experience, using 509 responses to questionnaires from 500 top construction companies. The research hypothesis is evaluated using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The main factors affecting individual creativity are a positive mind-set, self-directed learning, and low self-monitoring. Self-directed learning has the greatest influence on the creativity of individuals with accumulated work experience, while low self-monitoring influences the creativity of people with less work experience.

Research limitations/implications

A better way to study individual creativity is longitudinal research, which involves long-time observation of the life cycle of creativity among organizational members, who are like products with a life cycle. Further study is necessary to show why some members are creative only for a short time (short life cycle) while some are creative for a longer (very long life cycle) period.

Originality/value

This study finds that employee creativity derives from the self-directed learning process as it helps to accumulate experience. This result indicates that construction firms can train employees to improve their self-directed learning and boost creativity. Experienced workers need more attention because they are trapped in their previous experience and it is difficult to train them.
Idea selection using innovators and early adopters
Authors: Sääksjärvi Maria , Hellén Katarina
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Development of new products is important for firm success; however, firms often struggle to identify the best ideas from multiple options. The purpose of this paper is to study how innovators and early adopters can be used for identifying the best ideas, i.e. the ideas that appeal to mass-market customers.

Design/methodology/approach

Two empirical studies were conducted. Study 1 concerned the development of a symbolic innovation, whereas Study 2 focused on a functional innovation. Each study consisted of two parts: idea generation and idea evaluation. In Study 1 there were 124 idea generators and 248 idea evaluators. In Study 2 there were 104 idea generators and 108 evaluators.

Findings

Both studies demonstrate that innovators and early adopters are able to predict the ideas that appeal to mass-market customers. Yet, it was also shown that this prediction depends on the nature of the idea. In the case of ideas for products that are predominantly symbolic in nature (Study 1), innovators and early adopters predict the buying intentions of mass-market consumers via the perceived novelty of the idea. In turn, for ideas that are predominantly functional in nature, innovators and early adopters predict the buying intentions of mass-market consumers directly via buying intentions.

Originality/value

These findings show that innovators and early adopters can be used for selecting the best ideas from a plethora of available options. This is the first time that innovators and early adopters have been empirically demonstrated to hold such a role.
Are information quality and source credibility really important for shared content on social media?
Authors: Dedeoglu Bekir Bora
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to first examine tourists’ perceptions of the source credibility and information quality of social media content to see whether they would have an impact on their perceptions of the importance of shared content on social media. The moderating role of gender in this relationship was then examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The research sample was composed of domestic and foreign tourists in Alanya, an important tourist destination in Turkey. The data in the current study were collected by the questionnaire method. The structural relationships in the research were examined using the partial least squares structural equation modeling, and the moderating effect of gender was examined via the partial least squares multiple group analysis.

Findings

According to the research findings, tourists’ perceptions of source credibility regarding social media content had a positive impact on the importance attached to non-participant shared content, whereas their perceptions of information quality had a positive impact on the importance attached to participant shared content. Furthermore, it was also observed that gender had a moderating effect on the relationship between information quality and source credibility perceptions and the importance of shared content on social media.

Originality/value

Two important predictive variables have been examined in the current research in term of customer-generated contents. It has been demonstrated that the effects of these predictive variables on different customer-generated types could be different. Furthermore, it has been determined that the effects of these influences differ according to the gender of the individuals following the content. Thus, the current study provides significant findings to understand the impacts of these variables on the basis of gender.
Addressing mass-customization trade-offs in bottom of the pyramid markets
Authors: Ahrens Fred , Dobrzykowski David , Sawaya William
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Manufacturers find bottom of the pyramid (BOP) markets challenging to serve due to low margins and highly localized needs. As such, residents in BOP markets often go without products commonly available in developed countries. Going without medical equipment may negatively affect healthcare services. This study develops a supply chain design strategy that supports the production of medical equipment by preserving variety flexibility at low volumes that stands to create new market opportunities for manufacturers and improve healthcare for residents in BOP markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors introduce a mass-customization model called options-based planning (OBP) which offers a framework to both leverage the efficiencies of high volume production models and provide products that are customized to local market needs. An empirical simulation, grounded in data collected from a large international manufacturer of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment, illustrates how an OBP production strategy will likely perform under BOP conditions and facilitate the delivery of healthcare equipment to BOP markets.

Findings

OBP provides a means for manufacturers to provide the customization necessary to serve fragmented BOP markets, while enabling higher production volume to make serving these markets more feasible. The empirical simulation reveals the relative benefits of OBP under conditions of forecast uncertainty, product complexity (number of design parameters) and different levels of responsiveness.

Social implications

Increased access to modern medical equipment should improve healthcare outcomes for consumers in BOP markets.

Originality/value

The MRI context in BOP markets serves to illustrate the value of the OBP model for manufacturers.
A dyadic perspective of socially responsible mechanisms for retailer-manufacturer relationship in an apparel industry
Authors: Yadlapalli Aswini , Rahman Shams , Rogers Helen
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and prioritise social responsible mechanisms in apparel supply chains to extend social responsibility from large retailers in developed countries to producers in developing nations.

Design/methodology/approach

A framework that consists of supplier qualification and supplier relational mechanisms as two socially responsible mechanisms, with five factors and 18 dimensions is proposed. To prioritise the dimensions, analytic hierarchy process is employed by using a case study methodology of a major Australian retailer sourcing from Bangladesh manufacturers.

Findings

Results indicate that at the mechanism level, both retailer and manufacturers perceive qualification of manufacturer as by far the most critical element compared to the relational mechanism. However, substantial differences exist at the factor level; namely, that the social factor is critical for the retailer, whereas the economic factor is critical for the manufacturer. Within the relational mechanism, evaluation helps retailers to enforce social responsibility, while manufacturers believe collaboration helps.

Research limitations/implications

The major limitation of this study is the generalisation of the findings. The results obtained by focusing on a particular context in the Australian retail sector importing from Bangladesh, may not be applicable to other nations.

Practical implications

By highlighting the difference of opinion, this study assists managers in developing guidelines to better understand the socially responsible mechanisms in the retailer-manufacturer dyadic relationship and to propose strategies to address the differences.

Originality/value

This study advances the literature on inter-organisational relationship to retailer-manufacturer dyad for the implementation of social responsibility by including supplier qualification along with supplier relational mechanism.
Logistics and distribution innovation in China
Authors: Amling Alan , Daugherty Patricia J.
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how two mega-trends, e-commerce and urbanization, have the potential to reshape logistics practices around the world. Primary focus is on how Chinese business practices and logistics innovations are increasingly relevant to the USA and other western countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Experience-based thought piece focusing on specific Chinese logistics innovations centering on speed, adaptability and new business models.

Findings

The Chinese economy has played a key role in providing support and enabling logistics innovations in China. Key enablers include the ubiquitous connectivity and applications availability, the dynamic low-cost labor environment and government support for the Chinese logistics industry.

Research limitations/implications

This study suggests new areas for research.

Practical implications

This study provides insights into the potential value associated with adopting innovative Chinese logistics practices.

Social implications

This study provides suggested areas of attention to help focus on logistics operations on key societal trends.

Originality/value

Our paper provides insights into the potential value associated with adopting innovative Chinese logistics practices. We believe this represents a significant contribution as little coverage of the topics have been noted to date in leading logistics/supply chain journals.
An approach to quantify integration quality using feedback on mapping results
Authors: Serrano Fernando R.S. , Fernandes Alvaro A.A. , Christodoulou Klitos
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The pay-as-you-go approach to data integration aims to reduce the time and effort required by proposing a bootstrap phase in which algorithms, rather than experts, identify semantic correspondences and generate the mappings. This highly automated bootstrap phase is likely to be of low quality, thus pay-as-you-go approaches postulate a subsequent continuous improvement phase based on user feedback assimilation to improve the quality of the integration. The purpose of this paper is to quantify the quality of a speculative integration, using one particular type of feedback, mapping results, whilst taking into account the uncertainty of user feedback provided.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose a systematic approach to quantify the quality of an integration as a conditional probability given the trustworthiness of the workers. Given a set of mappings and a set of workers of unknown trustworthiness, feedback instances are collected in the extents of the mappings that characterize the integration. Taking into account the available evidence obtained from worker feedback, the technique provides a quality quantification of the speculative integration.

Findings

Experimental results on both synthetic and real-world scenarios provide valuable empirical evidence that the technique produces a cost-effective quantification of integration quality that faithfully reflects the judgement of the workers whilst taking into account the inherent uncertainty of user feedback.

Originality/value

Current pay-as-you-go techniques provide a limited view of the integration quality as the result of feedback assimilation. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first proposal for quantifying integration quality in a systematic and principled manner using mapping results as a piece of evidence while at the same time considering the uncertainty inherited from user feedback.
Giving from the heart: exploring how ethics of care emerges in corporate social responsibility
Authors: Formentin Melanie , Bortree Denise
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine philanthropic partnerships between donor organizations and nonprofits and how ethics of care may play an important role in the quality of relationship between the partners.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 29 in-depth interviews were conducted with communications professionals at nonprofit organizations to understand how their partnerships with national sport organizations benefited their organizations and how characteristics of the sport organizations’ communication and behavior have consequence for their partners.

Findings

The four dimensions of ethics of care (building trust, showing mutual concern, promoting human flourishing and responsiveness to needs) clearly emerged as the most beneficial ways sport organizations engage with their nonprofit partners.

Research limitations/implications

This study introduces the concept of ethic of care into the CSR literature and suggests that ethics of care may play an important role in relationship management with key publics.

Practical implications

Practically, this study offers insights for corporate partners about the way their communication and behavior influence nonprofits, and it suggests ways that corporations can improve their work with partners to create a more productive relationship.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to use ethics of care to examine the relationship of CSR partnerships and the first to conduct a study with sport organizations.
A bibliometric analysis of research on Big Data analytics for business and management
Authors: Ardito Lorenzo , Scuotto Veronica , Del Giudice Manlio , Petruzzelli Antonio Messeni
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to scrutinize and classify the literature linking Big Data analytics and management phenomena.

Design/methodology/approach

An objective bibliometric analysis is conducted, supported by subjective assessments based on the studies focused on the intertwining of Big Data analytics and management fields. Specifically, deeper descriptive statistics and document co-citation analysis are provided.

Findings

From the document co-citation analysis and its evaluation, four clusters depicting literature linking Big Data analytics and management phenomena are revealed: theoretical development of Big Data analytics; management transition to Big Data analytics; Big Data analytics and firm resources, capabilities and performance; and Big Data analytics for supply chain management.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first attempts to comprehend the research streams which, over time, have paved the way to the intersection between Big Data analytics and management fields.
Does the threshold matter? The impact of the monitoring activity on non-performing loans
Authors: Piatti Domenico , Cincinelli Peter
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the quality of the credit process is sensitive to reaching a particular threshold level of non-performing loans (NPLs) and, more importantly, whether higher NPLs ratios could make the monitoring activity ineffective.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical design is composed of two steps: in the first step, the authors introduce a monitoring performance indicator (MPI) of the credit process by combining the non-parametric technique Data Envelopment Analysis with some financial ratios adopted as input and output variables. As second step, the authors apply a threshold panel regression model to a sample of 298 Italian banks, over the time period 2006–2014, and the authors investigate whether the quality of the credit process is sensitive to reaching a particular threshold level of NPLs.

Findings

This paper finds that, first, when the NPLs ratio remains below the threshold value estimated endogenously, an increase in the quality of monitoring has a positive impact on the NPLs ratio. Second, if the NPLs ratio exceeds the estimated threshold, the relationship between the NPLs ratio and quality of monitoring assumes a positive value and is statistically significant.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the lack of data, the investigation of NPLs in the Italian industry across loan types combined with the monitoring effort by banks management was not possible. The authors plan to investigate this topic in future studies.

Practical implications

The identification of the threshold has a double operational valence. The first regards the Supervisory Authority, the threshold approach could be used as an early warning in order to introduce active control strategies based on the additional information requested or by on-site inspections. The second implication is highlighted in relation to the individual banks, the monitoring of credit control quality, if objective and comparable, could facilitate the emergence of best practices among banks.

Social implications

A high NPLs ratio requires greater loan provisions, which reduces capital resources available for lending, and dents bank profitability. Moreover, structural weaknesses on banks’ balance sheets still persist particularly in relation to the inadequate internal governance structures. This means that bank management must able to recognise in advance early warning signals by providing prudent measurement together with an in-depth valuation of loans portfolio.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper is twofold: the authors introduce a new proxy of credit monitoring, called MPI; the authors provide an empirical proof of the Diamond’s (1991) economic intuition: for riskier borrowers, the monitoring activity is an inappropriate instrument depending on the bad reputational quality of borrowers.
Financial crisis solutions in the commercial paper market
Authors: Fairbanks Joshua , Griffiths Mark , Winters Drew
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine programs designed to support the commercial paper market during the financial crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzes the participants in the two programs to determine why domestic financial institutions chose one program over the other.

Findings

Domestic financial institutions chose the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program over the Commercial Paper Funding Facility (CPFF) while foreign financial institutions chose the CPFF.

Practical implications

The analysis is intended to support future policy debate on how to address a liquidity crisis in the money markets.

Originality/value

The authors are the first paper to examine the participants in these two programs. The value is the policy implications of this study.
Expected range of the output response for the optimum input parameters utilizing the modified Taguchi approach
Authors: K. Rajyalakshmi , Boggarapu Nageswara Rao
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Scatter in the outcome of repeated experiments is unavoidable due to measurement errors in addition to the non-linear nature of the output responses with unknown influential input parameters. It is a standard practice to select an orthogonal array in the Taguchi approach for tracing optimum input parameters by conducting a few number of experiments and confirm them through additional experimentation (if necessary). The purpose of this paper is to present a simple methodology and its validation with existing test results in finding the expected range of the output response by suggesting modifications in the Taguchi method.

Design/methodology/approach

The modified Taguchi approach is proposed to find the optimum process parameters and the expected range of the output response.

Findings

This paper presents a simple methodology and its validation with existing test results in finding the expected range of the output response by suggesting modifications in the Taguchi method.

Research limitations/implications

Adequacy of this methodology should be examined by considering the test data on different materials and structures.

Originality/value

The introduction of Chauvenet’s criterion and opposing the signal-to-noise ratio transformation on repeated experiments of each test run will provide fruitful results and less computation burden.
Processing windows for Ti-6Al-4V fabricated by selective electron beam melting with improved beam focus and different scan line spacings
Authors: Pobel Christoph R. , Osmanlic Fuad , Lodes Matthias A. , Wachter Sebastian , Körner Carolin
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Selective electron beam melting (SEBM) is a highly versatile powder bed fusion additive manufacturing method. SEBM is characterized by high energy densities which can be applied with nearly inertia free beam deflection at high speeds (<8.000 m/s). This paper aims to determine processing maps for Ti-6Al-4V on an Arcam Q10 machine with LaB6 cathode design.

Design/methodology/approach

Scan line spacings of 100, 50 and 20 µm in a broad parameter range, focusing on high deflection and build speeds are investigated.

Findings

There are broad processing windows for dense parts without surface flaws for all scan line spacings which are defined by the total energy input and the area melting velocity.

Originality/value

The differences and limitations are discussed taking into account the beam properties at high beam energy and velocity as well as evaporation related loss of alloying components.
Information sharing in supply chains: a review of risks and opportunities using the systematic literature network analysis (SLNA)
Authors: Colicchia Claudia , Creazza Alessandro , Noè Carlo , Strozzi Fernanda
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss the most important research areas on information sharing in supply chains and related risks, taking into account their evolution over time. This paper sheds light on what is happening today and what the trajectories for the future are, with particular respect to the implications for supply chain management.

Design/methodology/approach

The dynamic literature review method called Systematic Literature Network Analysis (SLNA) was adopted. It combines the Systematic Literature Review approach and bibliographic network analyses, and it relies on objective measures and algorithms to perform quantitative literature-based detection of emerging topics.

Findings

The focus of the literature seems to be on threats that are internal to the extended supply chain rather than on external attacks, such as viruses, traditionally related to information technology (IT). The main arising risk appears to be the intentional or non-intentional leakage of information. Also, papers analyze the implications for information sharing coming from “soft” factors such as trust and collaboration among supply chain partners. Opportunities are also highlighted and include how information sharing can be leveraged to confront disruptions and increase resilience.

Research limitations/implications

The adopted methodology allows for providing an original perspective on the investigated topic, that is, how information sharing in supply chains and related risks are evolving over time because of the turbulent advances in technology.

Practical implications

Emergent and highly critical risks related to information sharing are highlighted to support the design of supply chain risks strategies. Also, critical areas to the development of “beyond-the-dyad” initiatives to manage information sharing risks emerge. Opportunities coming from information sharing that are less known and exploited by companies are provided.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on the supply chain perspective rather than the traditional IT-based view of information sharing. According to this perspective, this paper provides a dynamic representation of the literature on the investigated topic. This is an important contribution to the topic of information sharing in supply chains is continuously evolving and shaping new supply chain models.
A multilevel model of organizational learning
Authors: Chou Shih Yung , Ramser Charles
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Organizational learning has long been recognized as an important determinant of organizational performance and sustainability. Existing research, however, has commonly viewed organizational learning as a single-level, top-down and organized organizational event initiated by the leader. This particular perspective may fall short of explaining the effect of employee spontaneous workplace behaviors on organizational learning. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to develop a multilevel theoretical model exploring how an employee’s upward helping and voice behavior foster organizational learning through developing leadership capital.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual analysis was conducted by incorporating relevant research.

Findings

This paper proposes the following. First, an employee’s upward helping increases a leader’s human capital and social capital. Second, the leader’s human capital and social capital enhance the employee’s psychological empowerment and knowledge leadership. Third, the employee’s psychological empowerment leads to employee voice behavior. Fourth, employee voice behavior strengthens knowledge leadership. Finally, knowledge leadership promotes organizational learning.

Originality/value

This paper provides a theoretical framework for future research attempting to understand organizational learning from a multilevel, bottom-up perspective. Practically, this paper offers several implications that help promote organizational learning through encouraging employee upward helping and voice behavior.
Hydromorphine postconditioning protects isolated rat heart against ischemia‐reperfusion injury via activating P13K/Akt/eNOS signaling
Authors: Liu Qing , Li Zhengfen , Liu Yuexin , Xiao Qiuxia , Peng Xuan , Chen Qi , Deng Rui , Gao Zhiwei , Yu Fengxu , Zhang Ying
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (myocardial I/R injury) has a high disability rate and mortality. Novel treatments for myocardial I/R injury are necessary.

Aim

In order to explore the protective effect of hydromorphine on myocardial I/R injury, we illuminate the underlying mechanism of the protective effect.

Results

Hydromorphine significantly reduced myocardial infarct size (IFN/AAR), CKMB (Creatine Kinase MB) and TN‐T (Troponin T) release, and improved cardiac function compared with I/R group. However, these advantageous effects were partly suppressed in the presence of hydromorphine. Myocardial I/R injury significantly decreased the phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS, and down‐regulated total nitric oxide and nitrotyrosine content, while these inhibitory effects were partly abolished by hydromorphine. Conversely, the activated effects of hydromorphine on the phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS, and NO release were totally reversed by LY294002, which, used individually, show the same influence on reperfusion injury.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that hydromorphine postconditioning may protect isolated rat heart against reperfusion injury via activating P13K/Akt/eNOS signaling.
Increasing potency and price of cannabis in Europe, 2006–16
Authors: Freeman Tom P. , Groshkova Teodora , Cunningham Andrew , Sedefov Roumen , Griffiths Paul , Lynskey Michael T.
Published: December 2018

Aims

To quantify changes in (i) potency (concentration of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol; %THC), (ii) price (euros/g of cannabis) and (iii) value (mg THC/euro) of cannabis resin and herbal cannabis in Europe.

Design

Repeated cross‐sectional study.

Setting and participants

Data collected from 28 European Union (EU) member states, Norway and Turkey by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

Measurements

Outcome variables were potency, price and value for cannabis resin and herbal cannabis in Europe, 2006–16. Inflation was estimated using the Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices. Mixed‐effects linear regression models were used to estimate linear and quadratic time trends, with a random intercept and slope fitted to account for variation across countries.

Findings

Resin potency increased from a mean [95% confidence interval (CI)] of 8.14% THC (6.89, 9.49) in 2006 to 17.22 (15.23, 19.25) in 2016. Resin price increased from 8.21 euros/g (7.54, 8.97) to 12.27 (10.62, 14.16). Resin increased in value, from 11.00 mg THC per euro (8.60, 13.62) to 16.39 (13.68, 19.05). Quadratic time trends for resin potency and value indicated minimal change from 2006 to 2011, followed by marked increases from 2011 to 2016. Herbal cannabis potency increased from 5.00% THC (3.91, 6.23) to 10.22 (9.01, 11.47). Herbal price increased from 7.36 euros/g (6.22, 8.53) to 12.22 (10.59, 14.03). The value of herbal cannabis did not change from 12.65 mg of THC per euro (10.18, 15.34) to 12.72 (10.73, 14.73). All price trends persisted after adjusting for inflation.

Conclusions

European cannabis resin and herbal cannabis increased in potency and price from 2006 to 2016. Cannabis resin (but not herbal cannabis) increased in the quantity of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol per euro spent. Marked increases in resin potency and value from 2011 to 2016 are consistent with the emergence of new resin production techniques in European and neighbouring drug markets.
Proteasuria—The impact of active urinary proteases on sodium retention in nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Artunc Ferruh , Wörn Matthias , Schork Anja , Bohnert Bernhard N.
Published: December 2018

Sodium retention and extracellular volume expansion are typical features of patients with nephrotic syndrome. In recent years, from in vitro data, endoluminal activation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) by aberrantly filtered serine proteases has been proposed as an underlying mechanism. Recently, this concept was supported in vivo in nephrotic mice that were protected from proteolytic ENaC activation and sodium retention by the use of aprotinin for the pharmacological inhibition of urinary serine protease activity. These and other findings from studies in both rodents and humans highlight the impact of active proteases in the urine, or proteasuria, on ENaC‐mediated sodium retention and edema formation in nephrotic syndrome. Targeting proteasuria could become a therapeutic approach to treat patients with nephrotic syndrome. However, pathophysiologically relevant proteases remain to be identified. In this review, we introduce the concept of proteasuria to explain tubular sodium avidity and conclude that proteasuria can be considered as a key mechanism of sodium retention in patients with nephrotic syndrome.
Systematic external evaluation of published population pharmacokinetic models of mycophenolate mofetil in adult kidney transplant recipients co‐administered with tacrolimus
Authors: Zhang Huan‐Xi , Sheng Chang‐Cheng , Liu Long‐Shan , Luo Bi , Fu Qian , Zhao Qun , Li Jun , Liu Yan‐Feng , Deng Rong‐Hai , Jiao Zheng , Wang Chang‐Xi
Published: December 2018

Aims

Various mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) population pharmacokinetic (popPK) models have been developed to describe its PK characteristics and facilitate its optimal dosing in adult kidney transplant recipients co‐administered with tacrolimus. However, the external predictive performance has been unclear. Thus, this study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the external predictability of published MMF popPK models in such populations and investigate the potential influencing factors.

Methods

The external predictability of qualified popPK models was evaluated using an independent dataset. The evaluation included prediction‐ and simulation‐based diagnostics, and Bayesian forecasting. In addition, factors influencing model predictability, especially the impact of structural models, were investigated.

Results

Fifty full PK profiles from 45 patients were included in the evaluation dataset and 11 published popPK models were identified and evaluated. In prediction‐based diagnostics, the prediction error within ±30% was less than 50% in most published models. The prediction‐ and variability‐corrected visual predictive check and posterior predictive check showed large discrepancies between the observations and simulations in most models. Moreover, the normalized prediction distribution errors of all models did not follow a normal distribution. Bayesian forecasting demonstrated an improvement in the model predictability. Furthermore, the predictive performance of two‐compartment (2CMT) models incorporating the enterohepatic circulation (EHC) process was not superior to that of conventional 2CMT models.

Conclusions

The published models showed large variability and unsatisfactory predictive performance, which indicated that therapeutic drug monitoring was necessary for MMF clinical application. Further studies incorporating potential covariates need to be conducted to investigate the key factors influencing model predictability of MMF.
The effects of self‐ and other‐awareness on Chinese children's truth‐telling
Authors: Ding Xiao Pan , O'Connor Alison M. , Weng Mengxing , Tang Quan , Fu Genyue , Evans Angela D.
Published: December 2018

Several honesty promotion techniques have been established for children living in Western cultures; however, limited research has examined the effectiveness of these techniques among non‐Western children. Recently, inducing self‐awareness (by looking at oneself in a mirror) was found to be effective in promoting young Western children's honesty. The present investigation compared the effectiveness of this self‐awareness technique to a novel other‐awareness technique (looking at a photograph of a peer) in promoting young Chinese children's honesty. Chinese children aged 3 and 4 years (N = 121) completed a modified temptation resistance paradigm where they were requested not to peek at a toy in the experimenter's absence. Children were randomly assigned to a Self‐Awareness, Peer (other‐awareness), or Control condition. When asked whether they peeked at the toy, children in the Self‐Awareness condition were significantly more likely to tell the truth compared to those in the Control condition. No significant differences in truth‐telling emerged between the Peer and Control conditions. The present results demonstrate the cross‐cultural application of self‐awareness as an honesty promoting technique with young children.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

High rates of dishonesty persist across cultures.

Social and cultural values can shape lie‐telling behaviours.

Inducing self‐awareness promotes honesty in Western children.

What does this study add?

A tool for promoting honesty in non‐Western cultures.

Inducing self‐awareness promotes honesty in Chinese children.

Inducing other‐awareness was not effective in promoting honesty in Chinese children.
Hydrophobicity versus electrophilicity: A new protocol toward quantitative structure–toxicity relationship
Authors: Pal Ranita , Jana Gourhari , Sural Shamik , Chattaraj Pratim Kumar
Published: December 2018

QSAR/QSPR/QSTR modeling and chemical grouping approach are presented to provide information on the biological properties of various substituted benzene derivatives. A novel descriptor, viz., the square of electrophilicity index (ω2) is proposed to provide a compact correlation between the structure of the compounds and their biological properties which is marginally superior to electrophilicity index (ω) or ω3 in most of the cases, and more or less similar to that obtained from hydrophobicity (or lipophilicity). Besides the straightforward case study, neural networks (NN) are employed to ascertain the robustness of the QSAR model obtained by implementing multiple linear regression (MLR).
Dyscalculia and Typical Math Achievement Are Associated With Individual Differences in Number‐Specific Executive Function
Authors: Wilkey Eric D. , Pollack Courtney , Price Gavin R.
Published: December 2018

Deficits in numerical magnitude perception characterize the mathematics learning disability developmental dyscalculia (DD), but recent studies suggest the relation stems from inhibitory control demands from incongruent visual cues in the nonsymbolic number comparison task. This study investigated the relation among magnitude perception during differing congruency conditions, executive function, and mathematics achievement measured longitudinally in children (n = 448) from ages 4 to 13. This relation was investigated across achievement groups and as it related to mathematics across the full range of achievement. Only performance on incongruent trials related to achievement. Findings indicate that executive function in a numerical context, beyond magnitude perception or executive function in a non‐numerical context, relates to DD and mathematics across a wide range of achievement.
The Developmental Sequence and Relations Between Gesture and Spoken Language in Toddlers With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Talbott Meagan R. , Young Gregory S. , Munson Jeff , Estes Annette , Vismara Laurie A. , Rogers Sally J.
Published: December 2018

In typical development, gestures precede and predict language development. This study examines the developmental sequence of expressive communication and relations between specific gestural and language milestones in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who demonstrate marked difficulty with gesture production and language. Communication skills across five stages (gestures, word approximations, first words, gesture‐word combinations, and two‐word combinations) were assessed monthly by blind raters for toddlers with ASD participating in an randomized control trial of parent‐mediated treatment (N = 42, 12–30 months). Findings revealed that toddlers acquired skills following a reliable (vs. idiosyncratic) sequence and the majority of toddlers combined gestures with words before combining words in speech, but in contrast to the pattern observed in typical development, a significant subset acquired pointing after first words.
Persistent acidosis after reperfusion—A prognostic indicator of increased 30‐day and in‐hospital postoperative mortality in liver transplant recipients
Authors: Kim Sang , DeMaria Samuel , Li Jiawen , Lin Hung‐Mo , Smith Natalie , Wax David , Hill Bryan , So Ashley , Tabrizian Parissa , Florman Sander , Feierman Dennis , Zerillo Jeron
Published: December 2018

During liver transplantation, the patient is at risk of developing progressive lactic acidosis. Following reperfusion, correction of acidosis may occur. In some patients, acidosis will worsen, a phenomenon referred to as persistent acidosis after reperfusion (PAAR). We compared postoperative outcomes in patients who manifested PAAR vs those that did not. All adult patients undergoing liver transplantation from 2002 to 2015 were included. PAAR is defined by the presence of a significant negative slope coefficient for base excess values measured after hepatic artery anastomosis through 72 hours postoperatively. Primary outcome was a composite of 30‐day and in‐hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included: ICU LOS, total hospital LOS, and re‐transplantation rate within 7 days. PAAR occurred in 10% of the transplant recipients. Patients with PAAR had higher MELD, BMI, and eGFR and demonstrated a longer median ICU LOS and hospital median LOS with a trend toward mortality difference. But, after propensity matching, the mortality rate difference became significantly higher in patients with PAAR compared with matched controls while the ICU LOS differences disappeared. The re‐transplantation rates were similar also between the PAAR and no PAAR groups. The cohort with PAAR had a significant 30‐day and in‐hospital increase in mortality after propensity score matching.
Spontaneous epileptiform activity in a rat model of bilateral subcortical band heterotopia
Authors: Sahu Surajit , Buhler Emmanuelle , Vermoyal Jean‐Christophe , Watrin Françoise , Represa Alfonso , Manent Jean‐Bernard
Published: December 2018

Objective

Malformations of cortical development are common causes of intellectual disability and epilepsy, yet there is a crucial lack of relevant preclinical models associating seizures and cortical malformations. Here, we describe a novel rat model with bilateral subcortical band heterotopia (SBH) and examine whether this model develops spontaneous epileptic seizures.

Methods

To generate bilateral SBH in rats, we combined RNAi‐mediated knockdown of Dcx and in utero electroporation with a tripolar electrode configuration enabling simultaneous transfection of the two brain hemispheres. To determine whether bilateral SBH leads to epileptiform activity, rats of various ages were implanted for telemetric electrocorticographic recordings and histopathological examination was carried out at the end of the recording sessions.

Results

By 2 months, rats with bilateral SBH showed nonconvulsive spontaneous seizures consisting of spike‐and‐wave discharges (SWDs) with dominant frequencies in the alpha and theta bands and secondarily in higher‐frequency bands. SWDs occurred during both the dark and the light period, but were more frequent during quiet awake state than during sleep. Also, SWDs were more frequent and lasted longer at older ages. No sex differences were found. Although frequencies and durations of SWDs were found to be uncorrelated with the size of SBH, SWDs were initiated in some occasions from brain hemispheres comprising a larger SBH. Lastly, SWDs exhibited absence‐like pharmacological properties, being temporarily alleviated by ethosuximide administration.

Significance

This novel model of bilateral SBH with spontaneous epilepsy may potentially provide valuable new insights into causality between cortical malformations and seizures, and help translational research aiming at designing novel treatment strategies for epilepsy.
Genetic analyses reveal complex dynamics within a marine fish management area
Authors: Hemmer‐Hansen Jakob , Hüssy Karin , Baktoft Henrik , Huwer Bastian , Bekkevold Dorte , Haslob Holger , Herrmann Jens‐Peter , Hinrichsen Hans‐Harald , Krumme Uwe , Mosegaard Henrik , Nielsen Einar Eg , Reusch Thorsten B. H. , Storr‐Paulsen Marie , Velasco Andres , von Dewitz Burkhard , Dierking Jan , Eero Margit
Published: December 2018

Genetic data have great potential for improving fisheries management by identifying the fundamental management units—that is, the biological populations—and their mixing. However, so far, the number of practical cases of marine fisheries management using genetics has been limited. Here, we used Atlantic cod in the Baltic Sea to demonstrate the applicability of genetics to a complex management scenario involving mixing of two genetically divergent populations. Specifically, we addressed several assumptions used in the current assessment of the two populations. Through analysis of 483 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distributed across the Atlantic cod genome, we confirmed that a model of mechanical mixing, rather than hybridization and introgression, best explained the pattern of genetic differentiation. Thus, the fishery is best monitored as a mixed‐stock fishery. Next, we developed a targeted panel of 39 SNPs with high statistical power for identifying population of origin and analyzed more than 2,000 tissue samples collected between 2011 and 2015 as well as 260 otoliths collected in 2003/2004. These data provided high spatial resolution and allowed us to investigate geographical trends in mixing, to compare patterns for different life stages and to investigate temporal trends in mixing. We found similar geographical trends for the two time points represented by tissue and otolith samples and that a recently implemented geographical management separation of the two populations provided a relatively close match to their distributions. In contrast to the current assumption, we found that patterns of mixing differed between juveniles and adults, a signal likely linked to the different reproductive dynamics of the two populations. Collectively, our data confirm that genetics is an operational tool for complex fisheries management applications. We recommend focussing on developing population assessment models and fisheries management frameworks to capitalize fully on the additional information offered by genetically assisted fisheries monitoring.
Portal hypertension in hepatitis B‐related cirrhosis: Diagnostic accuracy of liver and spleen stiffness by 2‐D shear‐wave elastography
Authors: Zhu Yu‐li , Ding Hong , Fu Tian‐tian , Peng Shi‐yun , Chen Shi‐yao , Luo Jian‐jun , Wang Wen‐ping
Published: December 2018

Aim

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of liver and spleen stiffness measured by 2‐D shear‐wave elastography (SWE) in evaluation of clinically significant and severe portal hypertension (CSPH and SPH, respectively).

Methods

Clinical data of 155 hepatitis B‐related cirrhosis patients and their liver and spleen stiffness (L‐SWE and S‐SWE, respectively) were collected. The diagnostic performances of L‐SWE, S‐SWE, the liver stiffness–spleen diameter to platelet ratio score (LSPS) and portal hypertension risk score were evaluated.

Results

One hundred and four patients were eligible for analysis. Clinically significant and severe PH were detected in 84 and 74 patients, respectively. Liver and spleen stiffness were significantly correlated with hepatic venous pressure gradient in overall, CSPH, and SPH groups (rL = 0.607, 0.554, and 0.412; rS = 0.665, 0.566, and 0.467, respectively; all P < 0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves of L‐SWE, S‐SWE, LSPS, and PH risk score were 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49–0.95), 0.81 (95% CI, 0.55–0.97), 0.76 (95% CI, 0.51–0.96), and 0.73 (95% CI, 0.55–0.88) for CSPH, and 0.77 (95% CI, 0.51–0.93), 0.85 (95% CI, 0.59–0.96), 0.80 (95% CI, 0.58–0.98), and 0.80 (95% CI, 0.59–0.93) for SPH. The best cut‐off of L‐SWE for determining CSPH and SPH were 16.1 kPa (sensitivity, 78%; specificity, 72%) and 23.5 kPa (sensitivity, 81%; specificity, 79%). For S‐SWE, the best cut‐offs were 25.3 kPa (sensitivity, 85%; specificity, 79%) and 33.4 kPa (sensitivity, 74%; specificity, 70%). A cut‐off of L‐SWE <13.2 kPa or S‐SWE <23.2 kPa was able to rule out CSPH, whereas a cut‐off of L‐SWE >24.9 kPa or S‐SWE >34.2 kPa was able to rule in CSPH.

Conclusions

Liver and spleen stiffness measured by 2‐D SWE are reliable and promising non‐invasive parameters to assess CSPH and SPH.