bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An examination of the conditions, characteristics and strategies pertaining to the rise of emerging markets multinationals
Authors: Yeganeh Kia Hamid
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the conditions, characteristics and strategies pertaining to the rise of emerging markets’ multinationals (EMNEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper relies on both academic and professional resources to offer a holistic understanding of EMNEs by reviewing, analyzing and classifying their underlying conditions, characteristics, internationalization motivations, strategies and competitive advantages.

Findings

The analysis indicates that EMNEs ascended as a result of major socio-economic transformations in the past two decades after the Cold War; follow an accelerated path of expansion; implement flexible and decentralized organizational configurations; enjoy strong political connections; do not internationalize according to the ownership-location-internalization paradigm, rather follow the linkage-leverage-learning pattern; benefit from multiple sources of competitive advantage and adopt five main types of international strategies; are becoming more sophisticated and represent serious threats to their counterparts from advanced economies.

Research limitations/implications

As emerging markets and their multinationals are highly heterogeneous, the findings and suggestions remain context-bound.

Practical implications

The paper synthesizes the EMNEs literature, bridges theory and practice and offers an integrative outline that can be useful for international business managers.

Originality/value

The paper takes an all-inclusive approach and provides insights into multiple societal and organizational facets of EMNEs.
Impact of marketing effectiveness and capabilities, and export market orientation on export performance
Authors: Kayabasi Aydin , Mtetwa Thandiwe
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between marketing effectiveness, marketing capabilities, export market orientation and export performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The research analyses whether export market orientation, marketing effectiveness and marketing capabilities are antecedents of export performance with structural equation modelling. Data to test the model were obtained through a structured survey of 443 export companies operating in the Aegean region of Turkey. After explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis, the structural model was tested.

Findings

The findings suggest that export market orientation has a significant impact on marketing capabilities and marketing effectiveness, and that marketing effectiveness has a significant impact on export performance. This indicates that export market orientation is central to the development of marketing capabilities, while marketing effectiveness contributes to explaining export performance.

Research limitations/implications

There are several limitations of the research. The first significant limitation is that the variables had various sub-dimensions. The second limitation is about sampling of the research that it is not specific to a particular sector.

Practical implications

This paper provides useful insights to exporters on market orientation, focal dimensions of marketing effectiveness and marketing capabilities that would help them enhance their export performance.

Originality/value

Using the resource-based view, this paper contributes to the explanation for export performance by assessing the role of export market orientation behaviour on marketing capabilities and marketing effectiveness.
Tensile property of highly twisted cotton yarns under varied relative humidity
Authors: Htike Htet Htet , Kang Jian , Sukigara Sachiko
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The traditional Japanese cotton-crepe fabric chijimi has been used for summer clothing for over a century because of its good skin comfort. The high extensibility of this fabric relies on the high-twist cotton yarns used in the weft direction. The purpose of this paper is to show the effect of environmental humidity on the extensibility of highly twisted cotton yarns to help in choosing weft yarn suitable for woven fabric.

Design/methodology/approach

– Four highly twisted cotton yarns are examined under 10-90 percent RH and in 25°C water. Cyclic tensile tests are performed to obtain the tensile energy, resilience, extensibility at maximum applied load (EM), and residual strain.

Findings

– Comparing the same yarn-count samples Y1 and Y2, the EM of Y2 (2,200 T/m) is larger than that of Y1 (1,000 T/m) under all RH conditions, and the difference increases at humidity over 60 percent RH. For fabric crepe samples woven by Y1 (warp) and Y2 (weft), the extensibility (EM-1) in the weft direction is in the range 16-26 percent, which is equivalent to that of outer-knitted fabrics. The extensibility and recovery of chijimi is largely dominated by the twist of weft yarns, which is also influenced by changes in relative humidity.

Originality/value

– The skin comfort of Takashima chijimi has been of interest, but the high extensibility of this cotton fabric has not been given much attention. The results of this study show that yarn twist is key to controlling extensibility in high-humidity environments.
Comparative analysis on pneumatic compact spinning systems
Authors: Liu Xinjin , Zhang Hong , Su Xuzhong
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– Pneumatic compact spinning is the most widely used compact spinning method at present, in which the negative pressure airflow is used to condense the fiber bundle and decrease the spinning triangle. Compact spinning with perforated drum and lattice apron are mainly two kinds of pneumatic compact spinning now. The purpose of this paper is to study the comparative analysis on four kinds of pneumatic compact spinning systems, including two kinds of compact spinning with perforated drum: Rieter’s COM4 and complete condensing spinning (CCS), two kinds of compact spinning with lattice apron: Sussen’s three-line compact spinning (TLCS) and Toyota’s four-line compact spinning (FLCS).

Design/methodology/approach

– First, the basic properties of four systems were introduced and comparatively analyzed. Then, the 29.2 tex (20S), 14.6 tex (40S), 9.7 tex (60S) and 7.3 tex (80S) combed cotton yarns were spun in the four pneumatic compact spinning systems and ring spinning system, respectively. The evenness, breaking strength and hairiness of spun yarns were tested. Finally, the properties of corresponding woven fabric were tested.

Findings

– It is shown that comparing to compact spinning with lattice apron, the disposable input cost of compact spinning with perforated drum is higher, but the maintenance cost is lower. Comparing to compact spinning with lattice apron, the evenness of yarn spun by compact spinning with perforated drum is improved whereas the breaking strength is decreased. Furthermore, although harmful long hairiness (=3 mm) of yarn spun by CCS is a little more, the beneficial short hairiness (1-2 mm) is also more, which can make the fabric fullness and have better comfortable feeling.

Originality/value

– In the paper, comparative analysis on four kinds of pneumatic compact spinning systems, compact spinning with perforated drum: Rieter’s COM4 and CCS, and compact spinning with lattice apron: Sussen’s TLCS and Toyota’s FLCS, were studied. The basic properties, spun yarn qualities and properties of corresponding woven fabric of four systems were analyzed comparatively.
Detection of varied defects in diverse fabric images via modified RPCA with noise term and defect prior
Authors: Cao Junjie , Wang Nannan , Zhang Jie , Wen Zhijie , Li Bo , Liu Xiuping
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a novel method for fabric defect detection.

Design/methodology/approach

– The method based on joint low-rank and spare matrix recovery, since patterned fabric is manufactured by a set of predefined symmetry rules, and it can be seen as the superposition of sparse defective regions and low-rank defect-free regions. A robust principal component analysis model with a noise term is designed to handle fabric images with diverse patterns robustly. The authors also estimate a defect prior and use it to guide the matrix recovery process for accurate extraction of various fabric defects.

Findings

– Experiments on plain and twill, dot-, box- and star-patterned fabric images with various defects demonstrate that the method is more efficient and robust than previous methods.

Originality/value

– The authors present a RPCA-based model for fabric defects detection, and show how to incorporate defect prior to improve the detection results. The authors also show that more robust detection and less running time can be obtained by introducing a noise term into the model.
An integrative adoption model of video-based learning
Authors: Mikalef Patrick , Pappas Ilias O. , Giannakos Michail
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– Video-based learning (VBL) is gaining increased attention as an educational means in settings such as the flipped classroom and massive open online courses. The value of VBL has been recognized in a range of contexts due to the ability to extend opportunities for life-long education for all socio-economic levels, removing geographical boundaries while at the same time alleviating time constraints. Yet, despite the advantages featured by VBL and some promising early outcomes regarding its effectiveness, little is known about what influences individuals to adopt VBL systems and technologies. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– Building on behavioral and adoption-acceptance theories as well as on past empirical studies on e-learning, a conceptual model of VBL adoption is proposed. By analyzing survey data from 260 VBL learners, the conceptual model is put to test by means of structural equation modeling.

Findings

– Outcomes indicate that performance expectancy (PE) and computer self-efficacy (CSEF) have a positive direct effect on behavioral intention to adopt VBL. In addition, effort expectancy (EE) and social influence positively impact PE, while CSEF is found to enhance EE and perceived behavioral control.

Originality/value

– This study integrates several theoretical perspectives that are applied to adoption of novel information technologies and in addition builds on findings of past empirical research on learning technologies. In effect, the conceptual model along with outcomes provide an integrative perspective of adoption determinants.
A taxonomy of planning and scheduling methods to support their more efficient use in construction project management
Authors: Al Nasseri Hammad Abdullah , Widen Kristian , Aulin Radhlinah
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The implementation and control processes of project planning and scheduling involve a wide range of methods and tools. Despite the development and modification and integration of the project management theory with newer scheduling approaches in particular, practitioners’ views on the efficiency and effectiveness of these methods and tools differ. This situation can be attributed in part to a lack of understanding of the most appropriate basis for implementing these methods and tools. This study, therefore, aims to overcome this deficiency by conceptualizing and adopting a taxonomy of planning and scheduling methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a review and discourse analysis of the literature covering a large number of theoretical and empirical studies. The underlying theories of various planning and scheduling methods were analyzed with respect to the taxonomy criteria adopted in the study.

Findings

Using the taxonomy, the key characteristics of planning and scheduling methods considered in this study were identified and interpreted. These included concepts and theories; key features; suitability and usability; and benefits and limitations. Overall, the findings suggest that project managers should consider taxonomy as a support tool for selecting and prioritizing the most appropriate method or combination of methods for managing their projects. Recommendations include the need for more advanced or multi-dimensional taxonomies to cope with the diversity of project type and size.

Originality/value

The results of the study allow project managers to improve their current practices by utilizing taxonomy when considering the implementation of planning and scheduling methods. Moreover, taxonomy can be considered as a tool to promote learning on the part of those less experienced in planning and scheduling. Taxonomy can be considered as an initial platform for further research in this area.
Risk of money laundering in the US: HSBC case study
Authors: Naheem Mohammed Ahmad
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper uses a case study approach using the Permanent Sub Committee on Investigations (PSI) report on HBUS to determine where gaps in anti-money laundering (AML) regulation and compliance are within the banking sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The PSI highlighted five areas of serious weakness and fundamental flaws in the HBUS AML risk assessment. This paper examines the governance response that led to these weaknesses and applies a rationale decision-making theoretical framework to explain it.

Findings

The report found that corporate culture and attitude at the governance level were key factors in the difficulties that HBUS faced.

Research limitations/implications

This paper focuses on one case, albeit one of the largest banks in the global banking sector. Although generalisations are limited, the report does highlight areas to consider with all banks.

Practical implications

The implications that are identified are aimed at banks and auditing firms that have to work alongside governance structure within banks. The role of internal audit is raised and has future implications for how risk assessment is undertaken and how AML compliance frameworks are devised and reported on.

Social implications

A stronger social corporate responsibility attitude is suggested that considers the wider social impacts of supporting criminal transactions, even inadvertently, by inappropriate and under-resourced AML risk-assessment frameworks.

Originality/value

The detailed analysis of one case that considers the governance response to AML regulation is new in this paper, and the detailed recommendations for improving and developing stronger AML risk-assessment frameworks apply to the banking, financial services and auditing professions.
Research on money laundering risk assessment of customers – based on the empirical research of China
Authors: Xue Yao-Wen , Zhang Yan-Hua
Published: July 2016

Purpose

To implement a risk-based regulatory approach, this paper aims to make an assessment on customers' money laundering risk and conducts some applications.

Design/methodology/approach

During the transition of a regulatory approach from “rule-based” to “risk-based”, this paper considers that the area of a customer, types of business and the industries to which the customer belongs are the main indicators to judge money laundering risk of a customer. Based on the statistical analysis of 221 typical money laundering cases, first-class index weights are given by using the entropy weight method and then by combining with the membership function, this paper determines a customer’s money laundering risk levels. On the basis of the entropy weight method, this paper uses the C5.0 algorithm to construct a decision tree model and then carries out application research on customer money laundering risk assessment to verify the effectiveness of the entropy weight method and the decision tree model.

Findings

This empirical research found the weights of three key money laundering indicators: customer areas, business types and corresponding industries.

Originality/value

Asserting that current money laundering risk assessments of customers are marginal at best, this paper contends from the perspective of practice, and applies the entropy weight method and the decision tree model for money laundering risk assessment of customers.
“I Broke My Ankle”: Access to Orthopedic Follow‐up Care by Insurance Status
Authors: Medford‐Davis Laura N. , Lin Fred , Greenstein Alexandra , Rhodes Karin V.
Published: July 2016

Objectives

While the Affordable Care Act seeks to reduce emergency department (ED) visits for outpatient‐treatable conditions, it remains unclear whether Medicaid patients or the uninsured have adequate access to follow‐up care. The goal of this study was to determine the availability of follow‐up orthopedic care by insurance status.

Methods

Using simulated patient methodology, all 102 eligible general orthopedic practices in Dallas‐Fort Worth, Texas, were contacted twice by a caller requesting follow‐up for an ankle fracture diagnosed in a local ED using a standardized script that differed by insurance status. Practices were randomly assigned to paired private and uninsured or Medicaid and uninsured scenarios.

Results

We completed 204 calls: 59 private, 43 Medicaid, and 102 uninsured. Appointment success rate was 83.1% for privately insured (95% confidence interval [CI] = 73.2% to 92.9%), 81.4% for uninsured (95% CI = 73.7% to 89.1%), and 14.0% for Medicaid callers (95% CI = 3.2% to 24.7%). Controlling for paired calls to the same practice, an uninsured caller had 5.7 times higher odds (95% CI = 2.74 to 11.71) of receiving an appointment than a Medicaid caller (p < 0.001), but the same odds as a privately insured caller (odds ratio = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.19 to 5.37, p = 1.0). Uninsured patients had to bring a median of $350 (interquartile range = $250 to $400) to their appointment to be seen, and only two uninsured patients were able to obtain an appointment for $100 or less up front. In comparison, typical total payments collected for privately insured patients were $236 and for Medicaid patients $128. When asked where else they could go, 49 (48%) uninsured callers and one Medicaid caller (2%) were directed to local public hospital EDs as alternative sources of care. Of the practices that appeared on Medicaid's published list of orthopedic providers accepting new patients, 15 told callers that they did not accept Medicaid, 11 did not treat ankles, nine listed nonworking phone numbers, and only three actually scheduled an appointment for the Medicaid caller.

Conclusions

Less than one in seven Medicaid patients could obtain orthopedic follow‐up after an ED visit for a fracture, and prices quoted to the uninsured were 30% higher than typical negotiated rates paid by the privately insured. High up‐front costs for uninsured patients and low appointment availability for Medicaid patients may leave these patients with no other option than the ED for necessary care.
Nucleus incertus corticotrophin‐releasing factor 1 receptor signalling regulates alcohol seeking in rats
Authors: Walker Leigh C. , Kastman Hanna E. , Koeleman Jan A. , Smith Craig M. , Perry Christina J. , Krstew Elena V. , Gundlach Andrew L. , Lawrence Andrew J.
Published: July 2016

Alcoholism is a chronic relapsing disorder, and stress is a key precipitant of relapse. The nucleus incertus (NI) is highly responsive to corticotrophin‐releasing factor (CRF) and psychological stressors, receives a CRF innervation and expresses CRF1 and CRF2 receptor mRNA. Furthermore, the ascending NI relaxin‐3 system is implicated in alcohol seeking in rats. Therefore, in alcohol‐preferring rats, we examined the effect of bilateral injections into the NI of the CRF1 receptor antagonist, CP376395 or the CRF2 receptor antagonist, astressin‐2B on yohimbine‐induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking. Using quantitative PCR analysis of NI micropunches, we assessed the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on gene expression profiles for components of the relaxin‐3 and CRF systems. Bilateral intra‐NI injections of CP376395 (500 ng/0.25 µl) attenuated yohimbine‐induced reinstatement of alcohol seeking. In contrast, intra‐NI injections of astressin‐2B (200 ng/0.25 µl) had no significant effect. In line with these data, CRF1, but not CRF2, receptor mRNA was upregulated in the NI following chronic ethanol intake. Relaxin family peptide 3 receptor mRNA was also increased in the NI following chronic ethanol. Our quantitative PCR analysis also identified CRF mRNA within the rat NI, and the existence of a newly identified population of CRF‐containing neurons was subsequently confirmed by detection of CRF immunoreactivity in rat and mouse NI. These data suggest that NI neurons contribute to reinstatement of alcohol seeking, via an involvement of CRF1 signalling. Furthermore, chronic ethanol intake leads to neuroadaptive changes in CRF and relaxin‐3 systems within rat NI.
Gingival granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis) as a primary manifestation of the disease
Authors: Fonseca FP , Benites BM , Ferrari ALV , Sachetto Z , de Campos GV , de Almeida OP , Fregnani ER
Published: July 2016

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a potentially lethal disease characterized by systemic necrotizing vasculitis, which affects small‐ and medium‐sized blood vessels and is often associated with serum cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody. The upper and lower respiratory tract and kidney are the most involved sites, but oral lesions can be identified in 6–13% of the cases, whereas in only 2% of the cases, oral manifestations represent the first signal of the disease usually as gingival swellings or unspecific ulcerations. Without treatment, the mainstay of which is the combination of immunosuppressants and systemic corticosteroids, GPA may run a fatal course. In this report we describe an original case of GPA affecting a 75‐year‐old female patient referred to our service due to a gingival swelling with 3‐month duration. Although the patient was correctly diagnosed and promptly treated, she died 3 months after the initial diagnosis.
Predictors of early dropout in outpatient buprenorphine/naloxone treatment
Authors: Marcovitz David E. , McHugh R. Kathryn , Volpe Julie , Votaw Victoria , Connery Hilary S.
Published: July 2016

Background and Objectives

Identifying predictors of early drop out from outpatient treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) with buprenorphine/naloxone (BN) may improve care for subgroups requiring more intensive engagement to achieve stabilization. However, previous research on predictors of dropout among this population has yielded mixed results. The aim of the present study was to elucidate these mixed findings by simultaneously evaluating a range of putative risk factors that may predict dropout in BN maintenance treatment.

Methods

Outpatient medical records and weekly supervised urine toxicology results were retrospectively reviewed for patients at two community psychiatric clinics (n = 202): a private hospital clinic (n = 84) and a federally qualified health center (n = 118). A forward stepwise logistic regression was utilized to investigate the association between early dropout (i.e., discontinuing treatment or buprenorphine non‐adherence within the first 3 months of clinic entry) and extracted sociodemographic, clinical, substance use, and treatment history variables.

Results

Overall, 56 of 202 participants (27.7%) dropped out of treatment. The multivariable analysis indicated that age under 25 (B = 1.47, SEB = .52, p < .01) and opioid use in month 1 (B = 1.50, SEB = .41, p < .001) were significantly associated with early dropout; those with a history of suicide attempt were significantly less likely to drop out (B = −1.44, SEB = .67, p < .05).

Conclusions and Scientific Significance

Consistent with previous research, younger age and use of opioids during the first month of treatment predicted early dropout. Having a history of prior suicide attempt was associated with 3‐month BN treatment retention, which has not been previously reported. (Am J Addict 2016;25:472–477)
Generation R birth cohort study shows that specific enamel defects were not associated with elevated serum transglutaminase type 2 antibodies
Authors: Beth Sytske A. , Jansen Michelle A. E. , Elfrink Maria E. C. , Kiefte‐de Jong Jessica C. , Wolvius Eppo B. , Jaddoe Vincent W. V. , van Zelm Menno C. , Moll Henriëtte A.
Published: July 2016

Aim

Coeliac disease can induce specific enamel defects (SED), but little is known about the consequences of antitissue transglutaminase (TG2A) autoimmunity. We investigated whether TG2A positivity in children and their mothers was associated with SED in the primary dentition.

Methods

Maternal and child serum immunoglobulin A‐TG2A levels were measured as part of the Generation R prospective cohort study. Clinical oral photographs of the primary dentition were taken, and SED and caries were recorded. We performed logistic regression analysis.

Results

We analysed data on 4775 mothers and 4233 children (median age of 6.2 ± 0.5 years). SED and caries were not associated with maternal TG2A levels. The 59 TG2A‐positive children tended to have more SED, particularly the 31 in the strongly positive subgroup, with odds ratio of 1.72 and 2.29, respectively. A positive linear trend was observed between higher TG2A levels and paediatric SED (p = 0.04), but this became nonsignificant after adjusting for ethnic and socio‐economic background. No difference in caries was found between the groups.

Conclusion

TG2A did not play an independent role on SED in the primary dentition during pregnancy and childhood, and the relationship may be explained by ethnic and socio‐economic background.
Online professional development embedded with mobile learning: An examination of teachers' attitudes, engagement and dispositions
Authors: Gunter Glenda A. , Reeves Jennifer L.
Published: July 2016

Educators are eager to understand how technology is being used in PK‐12 classrooms in the US. Administrators, in particular, are interested in determining the most effective methods for educating teachers to integrate newer technologies into their curriculums. Research supports that students learn best when the process is hands‐on, interactive and authentic. Teachers must learn not only how to use new technologies, but also how to deeply integrate them into their curriculum to meet the changing needs of their students. Would it not make sense then to assume that teachers also learn best when the process is hands‐on, interactive and authentic? While a great deal of instruction in technology appears to be included in district professional development programs, many lack assistance beyond the one‐shot, hands‐off professional development approach. Therefore, the purpose of this sequential explanatory mixed methods study was to understand teachers' dispositions toward the relative value of mobile learning and whether authentic, integrated, subject‐specific professional developments empower teachers to fully and effectively integrate mobile learning into their curriculum.
Advances in understanding the mechanisms of erythropoiesis in homeostasis and disease
Authors: Liang Raymond , Ghaffari Saghi
Published: July 2016

Anaemia or decreased blood haemoglobin is the most common blood disorder often characterized by reduced red blood cell (RBC) numbers. RBCs are produced from differentiation and commitment of haematopoietic stem cells to the erythroid lineage by a process called erythropoiesis. Coordination of erythropoietin receptor signalling with several erythroid transcription factors including GATA1 is essential for this process. A number of additional players that are critical for RBC production have been identified in recent years. Major technological advances, such as the development of RNA interference, genetically modified animals, including zebrafish, and imaging flow cytometry have led to these discoveries; the emergence of ‐omics approaches in combination with the optimization of ex vivo erythroid cultures have also produced a more comprehensive understanding of erythropoiesis. Here we summarize studies describing novel regulators of erythropoiesis that modulate erythroid cell production in the context of human erythroid disorders involving hypoxia, iron regulation, immune‐related molecules, and the transcription factor FOXO3.
Young in class: Implications for inattentive/hyperactive behaviour of Canadian boys and girls
Authors: Chen Kelly , Fortin Nicole , Phipps Shelley
Published: July 2016

Using data from the Statistics Canada National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY), this paper investigates the impact of school entry age on inattentive/hyperactive behaviours. We employ both an across‐provinces and time difference‐in‐differences approach and a within‐province regression discontinuity design. We find that being young in class causes greater inattentive/hyperactive behaviour, exacerbating any inattentive/hyperactive behaviour exhibited prior to school entry. These results also hold in sibling fixed effect models. We do not find gender differences in the effects, although since boys are more likely to be inattentive/hyperactive at school entry, they are more affected. These effects persist into early adolescence.
Retention of talented academic researchers: Evidence from a government intervention
Authors: Courty Pascal , Sim John
Published: July 2016

The Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program is designed primarily to retain academic talent in Canadian universities by providing targeted grants to outstanding researchers. Once awarded a chair at her home university, a researcher's compensation increases by 6.3% on average, with a significant decline over CRC tenure. Furthermore, the chance of the researcher changing jobs does not decrease. Although universities report spending more than half of the grant on compensation, only a small portion of the grant can be accounted for as a compensation increase. This demonstrates the difficulty in designing government interventions to have an impact on academic retention.
Prices and social behaviour: Evidence from adult smoking in Canadian Aboriginal communities
Authors: Matheson Jesse A.
Published: July 2016

This paper provides estimates of tobacco price elasticity explicitly distinguishing between two price effects: the direct effect, reflecting individual reaction to a price change, and the indirect effect, whereby price influences the individual by changing community smoking behaviour. Canada's Aboriginal communities are small and secluded, allowing for plausible identification of reference groups on a relatively large scale. Estimates suggest a 10% increase in price decreases daily smoking by 0.91 percentage points (2.11%), occasional smoking by 1.24 percentage points (8.27%) and average smoking intensity by 0.15 cigarettes per day (2.9%). It is found that the indirect effect almost doubles the response to a change in tobacco prices over the direct effect alone.
The employment and wage impact of broadband deployment in Canada
Authors: Ivus Olena , Boland Matthew
Published: July 2016

Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent by the Canadian federal and provincial governments to subsidize broadband deployment. This paper provides the first empirical assessment of the impact of broadband on employment and wage growth in Canada. Variation in elevation explains the regional difference in broadband coverage and is used as an instrument to estimate the causal effect. We find that the deployment of broadband in 1997–2011 promoted rural employment and wage growth in service industries. Goods industries were not impacted. The findings suggest that broadband helps service industry businesses overcome geographical barriers that have traditionally hampered rural growth.
Trade and inequality in a directed search model with firm and worker heterogeneity
Authors: Ritter Moritz
Published: July 2016

This paper integrates the insight that exporting firms are typically more productive and employ higher‐skilled workers into a directed search model of the labour market. The model generates a skill premium as well as residual wage inequality among identical workers. A trade liberalization increases the skill premium and likely increases residual inequality among high‐skilled workers. The calibrated model generates results consistent with the prior literature examining the effect of the Canada‐US Free Trade Agreement on the Canadian labour market: a significant decrease in employment in manufacturing, but only a small change in unemployment and wages.
The C‐terminal sequences of porcine thrombin are active as antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Lv Xiting , Ma Qingquan , Zhu Dandan , Shao Changxuan , Lv Yinfeng , Shan Anshan
Published: July 2016

The C‐terminal sequences of porcine thrombin encode a series of peptides with the characteristics of net positive charge and hydrophobicity, suggesting antimicrobial potential. In this study, we synthesized truncated C‐terminal peptides to explore their antimicrobial potency and structure–activity relationship. The results showed that some peptides exerted antimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, with selectivity for microbial membranes. The antimicrobial potency of the peptides increased with the extension of chain length. Considering toxicity to red blood cells, the 21‐mer peptide T‐6 displayed the highest therapeutic index of 43.4, suggesting its higher cell selectivity. Typical α‐helical conformations were observed upon binding to a bacteria‐mimicking environment. The derivatives tended to interact preferentially with negatively charged vesicles compared to zwitterionic vesicles. Flow cytometry and electron microscopy revealed that the peptides targeted bacterial cell membranes and disrupted cytoplasmic membrane integrity, thereby causing the release of cellular contents leading to cell death. Peptide–membrane interaction experiments provided evidence that the peptides killed bacteria via a membrane‐mediating mechanism. In summary, the C‐terminal sequence of porcine thrombin has antimicrobial functions.
Phenotypic variability and diffuse arterial lesions in a family with Loeys–Dietz syndrome type 4
Authors: Mazzella J.‐M. , Frank M. , Collignon P. , Langeois M. , Legrand A. , Jeunemaitre X. , Albuisson J.
Published: July 2016

Syndromic thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) can suggest Marfan, vascular Ehlers–Danlos or Loeys–Dietz (LDS) syndromes. Several of the TGFβ‐pathway‐related genes predispose to different types of LDS. Heterozygous loss‐of‐function variations in TGFβ2 have been shown to be responsible for a novel form of syndromic TAAD associated with an impairment of the mitral valve and cerebrovascular disease called Loeys–Dietz syndrome type 4 (LDS4). We report the clinical characterization of a LDS4 French family with sudden deaths and diffuse vascular lesions, caused by a frameshift mutation in TGFβ2 gene: c.[995del]; p.(Leu332TrpfsTer27). Clinical characteristics include aneurysm of aortic sinus, skeletal and cutaneous features compatible with a syndromic form of TAAD (joint hypermobility, scoliosis, and easy bruises), intracranial aneurysms and rare mitral valve involvement. Iliac aneurysms, systemic medium caliber arteries dissections, and mild developmental delay were present in the family, and have not been described in LDS4. Phenotypic variability was also an important finding, including absence of clinical vascular events at advanced age in one case. Our data expand the phenotype of LDS4: we confirm that TGFβ2 mutations are responsible for true LDS syndrome with non‐specific features of connective tissue disorders and diffuse vascular lesions. Adapted vascular follow up and prevention has to be proposed for these patients.
Registration of cone beam computed tomography data and intraoral surface scans – A prerequisite for guided implant surgery with CAD/CAM drilling guides
Authors: Flügge Tabea , Derksen Wiebe , te Poel Jobine , Hassan Bassam , Nelson Katja , Wismeijer Daniel
Published: July 2016

Objectives

Guided implant surgery (GIS) is performed with drilling guides that are produced on the virtual tooth model using CAD/CAM technology. The prerequisite for this workflow is the alignment of patients cone beam computed tomography CBCT and surface scan (registration). Dental restorations may cause deteriorating imaging artifacts in CBCT data, which in turn can have an impact on the registration process. The influence of the user and the preprocessing of data and of image artifacts on the registration accuracy were examined.

Material and Methods

CBCT data and intraoral surface scans of 36 patients were used for virtual implant planning in coDiagnostiX (Dentalwings, Montreal, Canada). CBCT data were reconstructed to a three‐dimensional anatomical model with the default settings provided by the software and also manually by four different examiners. Subsequently, the CBCT and intraoral surface models were registered by each examiner with the help of anatomical landmarks. Patients' data were subdivided into four groups (A–D) according to the number of metallic restorations: A = 0–2 restorations, B = 3–5 restorations, C = 6–8 restorations and D > 8 restorations. After registration, the distances between CBCT and dental surface models were measured. Linear regression models were used to assess the influence of the segmentation, the examiner and to the number of restorations (P < 0.05).

Results

The deviations between surface scan and CBCT models accounted to 0.54 mm (mean). The mean deviations were 0.69 mm (max. 24.8 mm) and 0.4 mm (max. 9.1 mm) for default and manual segmentation, respectively. Mean deviations of 0.36 mm (Group A), 0.43 mm (Group B), 0.67 mm (Group C) and 1.01 mm (Group D) were recorded.

The segmentation (P = 0.000), the user (P = 0.0052) and the number of restorations (P = 0.0337) had a significant influence on the registration accuracy.

Conclusions

The deviation between CBCT and surface scan model resulting from inaccurate registration is transferred to the surgical field and results in a deviation between the planned and actual implant position. The registration accuracy in commercial virtual implant planning software is significantly influenced by the preprocessing of imported data, by the user and by the number of restorations resulting in clinically non‐acceptable deviations encoded in drilling guides.
Structural constraints and excess capacity: an international comparison of manufacturing firms
Authors: Dagdeviren Hulya
Published: July 2016

Excess capacity results in real and opportunity costs as well as lower factor productivity. Conventionally, variation in capacity utilisation rates has been explained with reference to the business cycles and market imperfections. In this article, we show that these two factors do not always fully explain the causes of idle capacity. Our findings suggest that manufacturing firms in low‐income countries tend to have lower capacity utilisation (CU) rates than those in middle‐ and upper‐middle‐income groups. To explain this peculiarity, it is proposed in this article that the level of excess capacity partly depends on supply‐side conditions and institutional variables. The findings provide strong support for this view and suggest that there are gains to be made in the manufacturing industries of the lower‐income countries through improvements in the structural conditions.
PRKG1 and genetic diagnosis of early‐onset thoracic aortic disease
Authors: Gago‐Díaz Marina , Blanco‐Verea Alejandro , Teixidó Gisela , Huguet Francesca , Gut Marta , Laurie Steven , Gut Ivo , Carracedo Ángel , Evangelista Artur , Brion María
Published: July 2016

Background

The 20% of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections independent from the main connective tissue syndromes and expected to be familial has gained importance over the past years. The more frequent pattern of inheritance of these nonsyndromic cases is autosomal dominant with incomplete penetrance and variable expression. Although many candidate genes exist, unresolved familial cases suggest still unravelled genetic variation. The main purpose of this study was to establish the genetic diagnosis of one of those.

Materials and methods

To begin with, we applied a candidate gene approach based on both traditional and a customized massive parallel sequencing panel, followed by Illumina HiSeq 2000 whole exome sequencing of four family members affected by early‐onset thoracic aortic disease and two unaffected relatives. We prioritized whole exome sequencing results based on variant location, type and frequency in general population databases and performed segregation analysis in 14 family members using traditional sequencing.

Results

After the negative results we obtained with candidate gene approaches, the analysis and prioritization of whole exome sequencing results brought out the heterozygote c.530G>A:p.Arg177Gln PRKG1 variant (NM_001098512), located in one of the aortic smooth muscle cell contractile apparatus genes. This candidate variant segregated with thoracic aortic disease, as it was present in seven affected and absent in five unaffected family members, further supporting its causality.

Conclusions

This was the second time PRKG1 was associated with thoracic aortic disease, highlighting and reaffirming it as a strong candidate for gene‐based diagnosis of nonsyndromic early‐onset cases.
Evaluation of an assessment system for professionalism amongst dental students
Authors: Zijlstra‐Shaw S. , Roberts T. , Robinson P. G
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Dental professionalism is an essential requirement to practice dentistry that covers both abilities and personal qualities. Therefore, a programme of assessment that promotes personal and professional development throughout the undergraduate dental education course is needed. This study aimed to develop and validate a system to assess dental students’ professionalism based on a previously developed conceptual framework.

Methods

Using the framework, an assessment programme was designed to encourage students to reflect on and explain their observed behaviours with appropriate feedback. The programme was panel‐tested and then administered to a cohort of senior dental students. Internal reliability criterion validity and construct validity were evaluated quantitatively, whilst the usefulness of the programme was evaluated qualitatively.

Results

Mean of student, staff and agreed grades was similar, and there were no floor or ceiling effects. All item‐total correlations were >0.6 and Cronbach's alpha = 0.95 indicating acceptable internal reliability. All items correlated significantly with global ratings indicating good criterion validity. All hypothesized correlations were significant, and grades were not related to age or gender. Qualitative data produced three themes: assessment process, educational value and suggestions for improvement.

Conclusion

The assessment programme has good internal reliability and validity and suggests that basing an assessment system around the explicit theoretical model is a valuable educational tool.
Soluble hemojuvelin in transfused and untransfused thalassaemic subjects
Authors: Ferro Elisa , Di Pietro Angela , Visalli Giuseppa , Piraino Basilia , Salpietro Carmelo , La Rosa Maria Angela
Published: July 2016

Objective

The hemojuvelin‐bone morphogenetic protein axis is the principal iron‐dependent mechanism of hepcidin regulation. The determination of soluble hemojuvelin (sHJV) levels could allow for a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of hepcidin regulation in thalassaemia.

Method

We have assessed sHJV in 45 transfused and 15 untransfused thalassaemic patients in comparison with 15 healthy subjects, evaluating its relationships with some parameters of iron overload, anaemia and erythropoiesis.

Results

Untransfused thalassaemic patients had more severe anaemia and erythropoietic activity, while in transfused patients, the transfused RBCs reduced % reticulocytes and sTfR, increased serum indices of iron overload and iron stores in the liver (low MRI T2* values). sHJV levels were higher in patients than in controls and in untransfused in comparison with transfused patients. In the transfused group, we also found that sHJV values are significantly related to serum ferritin, cardiac MRI T2* and growth differentiation factor 15 and are sensitive to hepatitis C virus infection.

Conclusion

These results suggest that sHJV synthesis seems to be affected by an erythropoietic/hypoxic signal in untransfused patients that have severe anaemia, while in regularly transfused subjects, it is influenced by iron stores.
Comparison of the behavior of skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) and bigeye (T. obesus) tuna associated with drifting FADs in the equatorial central Pacific Ocean
Authors: Matsumoto Takayuki , Satoh Keisuke , Semba Yasuko , Toyonaga Mikio
Published: July 2016

We evaluated the behavior of skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) and bigeye tuna (T. obesus) associated with drifting fish aggregating devices (FADs) in the equatorial central Pacific Ocean. A total of 30 skipjack [34.5–65.0 cm in fork length (FL)], 43 yellowfin (31.6–93.5 cm FL) and 32 bigeye tuna (33.5–85.5 cm FL) were tagged with coded transmitters and released near two drifting FADs. At one of the two FADs, we successfully monitored the behavior of all three species simultaneously. Several individuals remained around the same FAD for 10 or more days. Occasional excursions from the FAD were observed for all three species, some of which occurred concurrently for multiple individuals. The detection rate was higher during the daytime than the nighttime for all the species, and the detection rate for bigeye tuna was higher than for yellowfin or skipjack tuna. The swimming depth was deeper during the daytime than nighttime for all species. The fish usually remained shallower than 100 m, but occasionally dived to around 150 m or deeper, most often for bigeye and yellowfin tuna during the daytime. The swimming depth for skipjack tuna was shallower than that for bigeye and yellowfin tuna, although the difference was not large, and is probably not sufficient to allow the selective harvest of skipjack and yellowfin tuna by the purse seine fishery. From the detection rate of the signals, bigeye tuna is considered to be more vulnerable to the FAD sets than yellowfin and skipjack tuna.
Calcium Isotopic Compositions of Sixteen USGS Reference Materials
Authors: Feng Lan‐ping , Zhou Lian , Yang Lu , DePaolo Donald J. , Tong Shuo‐Yun , Liu Yong‐Sheng , Owens Thomas L. , Gao Shan
Published: July 2016

Calcium isotopic compositions of sixteen Ca‐bearing USGS geological reference materials including igneous and sedimentary rocks are reported. Calcium isotopic compositions were determined in two laboratories (GPMR, State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan; and CIG, Centre for Isotope Geochemistry, University of California, Berkeley) using the 42Ca‐48Ca double‐spike technique by thermal ionisation mass spectrometry. As opposed to common cation exchange resin, a micro‐column filled with Ca‐selective resin (DGA resin) was used in order to achieve high recovery (> 96%) and efficient separation of Ca from the sample matrix. The intermediate measurement precision was evaluated at 0.14‰ (2s) for δ44/40CaSRM915a at GPMR, based on replicate measurements of pure Ca reference material NIST SRM 915a, NIST SRM 915b and seawater. Overall, the measurement uncertainties in both laboratories were better than 0.15‰ at the 2s level. Result validation was carried out for all available data sets. The Ca isotopic compositions of USGS reference materials are not only in agreement between GPMR and CIG, but also in agreement with previously published data within quoted uncertainties. The comprehensive data set reported in this study serves as a reference for both quality assurance and interlaboratory comparison of high precision Ca isotopic study.