bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What’s best for whom? The effect of product gender depends on positioning
Authors: Schnurr Benedikt
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how product positioning affects the influence of product gender on consumers’ product evaluations.

Design/methodology/approach

Using experimental designs, this research investigates how hedonic versus functional consumption goals affect consumers’ choice between feminine and masculine products (Study 1) and how positioning products as either hedonic or functional influences consumers’ evaluations of feminine and masculine products (Studies 2 and 3).

Findings

When pursuing hedonic consumption goals, consumers are more likely to choose feminine (vs masculine) products, whereas when pursuing functional consumption goals, consumers are more likely to choose masculine (vs feminine) products. Further, consumers evaluate feminine products more favorably when the products are hedonically (vs functionally) positioned, whereas they evaluate masculine products more favorably when the products are functionally (vs hedonically) positioned. Perceptions of product credibility mediate this effect.

Research limitations/implications

Connecting theories of gender identity, product positioning and congruity, this study extends previous literature by demonstrating that the effects of product gender are context-dependent.

Practical implications

Many companies use visual design cues (e.g. shape, color) to promote their products’ gender. The findings of this study suggest that companies promoting their products as feminine should highlight the products’ hedonic benefits, whereas companies promoting their products as masculine should highlight the products’ functional benefits.

Originality/value

Applying a conceptual congruity approach, this research is the first to demonstrate that the effects of product gender on consumers’ product evaluations depend on the product’s positioning.
Internalizing the spirit of entrepreneurship in early childhood education through traditional games
Authors: Jufri Muhammad , Wirawan Hillman
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop entrepreneurship games for early childhood education (ECE) and to develop a module using a number of systematic approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

There were two studies conducted. Study 1 focused on developing guidelines for traditional games. The games were collected and selected based on their entrepreneurial characteristics. In study 2, the authors selected eight relevant traditional games and then examined their effectiveness at internalizing the spirit of entrepreneurship. For the assessment, the authors trained 40 expert raters from the fields of psychology, ECE, and entrepreneurship studies.

Findings

The results showed that two groups of raters agreed (k=0.64) that the games were effective for internalizing the spirit of entrepreneurship in ECE. In the second part of the study, the authors intended to develop a set of multimedia digital instructions and guidelines for users (e.g. teachers and instructors) as the traditional games provided no written instructions. This study produced the multimedia digital instructions and constructed a set of assessment tools for the teachers to test the effectiveness of the games.

Research limitations/implications

This study focused on developing traditional games into a structured guideline for teachers. However, further investigation is still necessary to gather evidence regarding the validity of the game manual. Future study should focus on testing the effect of the games on ECE as well as students’ entrepreneurial traits.

Originality/value

This study created a new approach by considering local values in developing an entrepreneurship intervention.
Team trust and control in new venture emergence
Authors: Williams Middleton Karen , Nowell Pamela
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Effective internal dynamics of new venture teams is seen as a key contributor to venture success. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ways in which new venture teams consisting of nascent entrepreneurs initiate trust and control during venture emergence.

Design/methodology/approach

Dimensions of trust and control are developed into an analytical framework applied to documented team norms. Coding detects frequency of trust and control dimensions. Supplementary data triangulate findings and explore follow-on effects in team dynamics and venture emergence.

Findings

Frequency of coded dimensions generates a venture team profile. Teams prime their dynamics through use of trust and/or control language in documented norms. Priming is seen to influence entrepreneurial perseverance during venture emergence, stemming either directly from team dynamics, or indirectly from key shareholder relationships or environmental conditions.

Research limitations/implications

Data are bounded to a specific contextual setting representing incubation and education, where the nascent entrepreneurs are simultaneously students. The complexity of venture emergence means that multiple factors influencing new venture teams may influence trust and control in ways currently unaccounted for.

Practical implications

Exploration of trust and control during venture emergence emphasizes soft-skills critical to entrepreneurial perseverance and venture success. Team norms can be designed to prime toward trust or control, and can be indicative of teams’ sensitivity to external factors, enabling evidence for intervention.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates ways in which trust and control influence team dynamics during venture emergence.
Assessing the efficiency of environmental regulations of large-scale enterprises based on extended fuzzy data envelopment analysis
Authors: Wang Shuhong , Yu Hui , Song Malin
Published: January 2018

Purpose

As the functions of environmental regulations cannot be quantified while assessing their environmental efficiency, there has been no comprehensive evaluation of environmental efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate environmental regulations based on triangular and trapezoidal fuzzy numbers.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses L-R fuzzy numbers to transform the evaluation language into triangular fuzzy numbers, and adopts an α-level flexible slacks-based measurement model to evaluate the performance of these regulations. Trapezoidal fuzzy numbers are combined with a data envelopment analysis model, and an α-slack-based measurement (SBM) model is used to evaluate the environmental efficiency. The α-SBM model is confirmed to be stable and sustainable.

Findings

Relevant index data from 16,375 enterprises were collected to test the proposed model, and models corresponding to triangular fuzzy numbers and trapezoidal fuzzy numbers were used to evaluate their environmental efficiency. Comparative results showed that the proposed model is feasible and stable.

Originality/value

The main contributions of this study are twofold. First, this paper provides a valuable evaluation method for environmental regulation. Second, our research improves the practical performance of trapezoidal fuzzy data envelopment analysis and enhances its feasibility and stability.
Islam, communication and accounting
Authors: Husein UmmeSalma Mujtaba
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the notion of communication in accounting and in doing so elucidates the wider connotation of accounting frontiers offered in the Islamic philosophy, reflecting upon the Islamic doctrines that are indicative towards and offer a variety of implications for communication and accounting.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from the Islamic sources – Quran and other key texts – and other relevant preceding literature, the paper deliberates key Islam principles of significance and outline what they suggest for communication in accounting.

Findings

Islam has a profoundly embedded concern of the communicative aspect from a holistic viewpoint that is clear within its accounting implications as well. This paper illustrates the social aspects of Islamic accounting through its stance on communication, thereby opening up the more enabling potentials of Islamic accounting informed by wider and more facilitating dimensions of Islam’s teachings: Islam’s holistic approach to life; its attentiveness on society and its various groups; and its emphasis on behavioural conduct and emotional aspects. Consideration on these principles throws into questions the Western ways, develops and hones the existing stand of hegemonic positions and submits new ways forward.

Research limitations/implications

Aspiring organisations and larger entities such as nations who encourage the development of Islamic economy can benefit from the added accountability of entities to encompass the social and ethical responsibilities.

Practical/implications

The paper highlights Islamic doctrines as a basis of just and responsible accounting communication via incorporating the macro-societal elements and the behavioural communicative aspects.

Originality/value

The Islamic communication principles open up the inclusion of the missing behavioural aspect from accounting communication. This paper provides the necessary theoretical framework on how to include the humane side within accounting communication.
Selective intercultural sensitivity to different sources of cultural identity
Authors: Tabatadze Shalva , Gorgadze Natia
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the intercultural sensitivity of students in teacher educational programs at higher education institutes (HEIs) in Georgia.

Design/methodology/approach

This research explored the intercultural sensitivity among 355 randomly selected students in teacher education programs at higher education institutions in Georgia. A questionnaire based on the Development Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) and Cushner et al. (2006) model of sources of cultural identity was developed as a research instrument and adjusted to the Georgian context to measure the students’ intercultural sensitivity.

Findings

The results showed that a majority of the students were in the ethnocentric phase of intercultural sensitivity, as defined by Bennett (1993); students in teachers’ educational programs were selectively sensitive to different sources of cultural identity; students were selectively tolerant to different groups in the population with the same source of cultural identity and the level of educational attainment, as well as the location of the higher education institution affected students’ level of intercultural sensitivity.

Practical implications

The findings of this study carry valuable practical importance as they can be used to improve teacher education programs at higher education institutions in Georgia.

Originality/value

The study has scientific value in that the instrument used to assess intercultural sensitivity was developed for the Georgian context, and students’ intercultural sensitivity to 12 different sources of cultural identity was investigated.
Overcoming disintermediation: a call for librarians to learn to use web service APIs
Authors: Adams Jr Richard Manly
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue that academic librarians must learn to use web service APIs and to introduce APIs to a non-technical audience.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a viewpoint that argues for the importance of APIs by identifying the shifting paradigms of libraries in the digital age. Showing that the primary function of librarians will be to share and curate digital content, the paper shows that APIs empower a librarian to do that.

Findings

The implementation of web service APIs is within the reach of librarians who are not trained as software developers. Online documentation and free courses offer sufficient training for librarians to learn these new ways of sharing and curating digital content.

Research limitations/implications

The argument of this paper depends upon an assumption of a shift in the paradigm of libraries away from collections of materials to access points of information. The need for libraries to learn APIs depends upon a new role for librarians that anecdotal evidence supports is rising.

Practical implications

By learning a few technical skills, librarians can help patrons find relevant information within a world of proliferating information sources.

Originality/value

The literature on APIs is highly technical and overwhelming for those without training in software development. This paper translates technical language for those who have not programmed before.
Debt of high-income consumers may reflect leverage rather than poor cognitive reflection
Authors: Da Silva Sergio , Da Costa Jr Newton , Matsushita Raul , Vieira Cristiana , Correa Ana , De Faveri Dinorá
Published: January 2018

Purpose

A recent population-wide study for Germany, where credit lines on current accounts are available to 80 percent of the population, finds that overdraft debt is more likely for people who give intuitive but incorrect answers on a cognitive reflection test. This suggests that those consumers in debt have poorer cognitive reflection and, thus, lack of self-control. The Germany study finds that “surprisingly, the level of income does not play a central role.” The purpose of this paper is to discriminate the consumers in terms of their income by considering two experiments.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first (pilot) experiment, the authors do not discriminate consumers in terms of income and, as result, replicate the Germany study. In a follow-up experiment, which assembles a high-quality sample of high-income consumers, the authors find debt can no longer be explained by poor cognitive reflection.

Findings

Apparently, high-income consumers treat debt as mere leverage, as companies do.

Originality/value

Not all consumer indebtedness can be caused by lack of self-control. High-income consumers are likely to contract debt as leverage. This resembles rational risk taking.
iPad applications that required a range of motor skills promoted motor coordination in children commencing primary school
Authors: Axford Caitlin , Joosten Annette V. , Harris Courtenay
Published: January 2018

Background/aim

Children are reported to spend less time engaged in outdoor activity and object‐related play than in the past. The increased use and mobility of technology, and the ease of use of tablet devices are some of the factors that have contributed to these changes. Concern has been raised that the use of such screen and surface devices in very young children is reducing their fine motor skill development. We examined the effectiveness of iPad applications that required specific motor skills designed to improve fine motor skills.

Method

We conducted a two‐group non‐randomised controlled trial with two pre‐primary classrooms (53 children; 5–6 years) in an Australian co‐educational school, using a pre‐ and post‐test design. The effectiveness of 30 minutes daily use of specific iPad applications for 9 weeks was compared with a control class. Children completed the Beery Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration (VMI) and observation checklist, the Shore Handwriting Screen, and self‐care items from the Hawaii Early Learning Profile.

Results

On post testing, the experimental group made a statistically and clinically significant improvement on the VMI motor coordination standard scores with a moderate clinical effect size (P < 0.001; d = 0.67). Children's occupational performance in daily tasks also improved.

Conclusion

Preliminary evidence was gained for using the iPad, with these motor skill‐specific applications as an intervention in occupational therapy practice and as part of at home or school play.
Effect of the Prevent Alcohol and Risk‐Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y.) Program among senior school students
Authors: Gunn Anna , McLeod Janet , Chapman Rebecca , Ball Hayley , Fitzgerald Mark , Howard Teresa , Cameron Peter , Mitra Biswadev
Published: January 2018

Objective

The Prevent Alcohol and Risk‐Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y.) Program at The Alfred uses vivid clinical reality to build resilience and prevent injury by following a trauma patient's journey through hospital. The present study aims to analyse the effect of P.A.R.T.Y. on safety perceptions of driving after alcohol, seat belt use and risk‐taking activities.

Methods

Pre‐programme, immediately post‐programme and 3–5 months post‐programme surveys with questions focused on the programme aims were distributed to all consented participants.

Results

There were 2502 participants during the study period and 1315 (53%) responses were received. The mean age was 16.2 (SD 0.8) years, 724 (56%) were women and 892 (68%) possessed a learner's permit for driving. Pre‐programme, 1130 (86%) participants reported ‘definitely not’ likely to drive after drinking alcohol, that improved to 1231 (94%) immediately post‐programme and 1215 (93%) at 3–5 months post‐programme (P < 0.01). Designating a safe driver after drinking was reported by 1275 (97%) pre‐programme, 1295 (98%) immediately post‐programme and 1286 (98.2%) 3–5 months post‐programme (P = 0.02). The perception of sustaining ‘definite’ injury after a motor vehicle crash without a seat belt increased from 780 (60%) pre‐programme to 1051 (80%) immediately post‐programme and 886 (69%) 3–5 months post‐programme (P < 0.01). The possibility of sustaining ‘definite’ injury after risk‐taking activities was reported by 158 (12%) pre‐programme, 467 (36%) post‐programme and 306 (23%) 3–5 months post‐programme (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The P.A.R.T.Y. Program at The Alfred engaged substantial numbers of youths and achieved significant improvements among key outcome measures. Objectives were sustained at 3–5 months post‐programme, but demonstrated decay, highlighting the importance of continual reinforcement.
The impact of EU trade preferences on the extensive and intensive margins of agricultural and food products
Authors: Scoppola Margherita , Raimondi Valentina , Olper Alessandro
Published: January 2018

In this article, we study the trade creation effects of EU preferential trade agreements (PTAs) in the agriculture and food sectors for a large sample of developing countries in the period 1990–2006. We investigate the extent to which the PTAs affect trade through the extensive margin—number of exported products—or the intensive margin—volume of existing products. We use a gravity framework in a panel data setting, and different estimators to deal with the issues of zero trade flows and the presence of an upper bound in the dependent variable. The results show that EU PTAs positively affect the extensive margin in agricultural trade, but not in processed foods. As regards the intensive margin, the effect is driven by the role of tariffs alone, whereas the other provisions of PTAs do not exert any other significant impact on agricultural or food products.
Is ultrasound measured fetal biometry predictive of intrapartum caesarean section for failure to progress?
Authors: Yang Jenny M. , Hyett Jon A. , Mcgeechan Kevin , Phipps Hala , de Vries Bradley S.
Published: January 2018

Background

There are global concerns regarding excessive caesarean rates, which could be reduced by identification of risk factors leading to preventative measures such as induction of labour.

Aims

This study aims to describe the association between antenatal ultrasound and emergency caesarean section for: (i) failure to progress; (ii) other indications; and (iii) any indication.

Materials and Methods

Women who had an ultrasound in pregnancy between 36(+0/7) to 38(+6/7) weeks at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital from January 2005 to June 2009 were included. Ultrasound parameters were linked to clinical parameters from the maternity database. Missing clinical data were imputed and multiple logistic regression performed.

Results

Fetal biometry data were available for 2006 pregnancies. After adjusting for maternal age, height, body mass index, parity, previous caesarean section and diabetes, caesarean section for failure to progress was associated with estimated fetal weight (odds ratio (OR) 2.24 (95% CI: 1.76–2.84) per 500 g increase); or biparietal diameter (OR 1.51 (1.16–1.97) per 5 mm increase) and abdominal circumference (OR for the 4th quartile (>75th centile) compared with the 10–25th centile group was 2.09 (1.13–3.85)).* There were also non‐linear associations between components of fetal biometry and caesarean section for fetal distress and for any indication.

Conclusions

Components of fetal biometry in the third trimester are associated with intrapartum caesarean section for failure to progress. These parameters could be incorporated into models to predict emergency caesarean section which could lead to implementation of preventative strategies. *[Corrections added on 29 January 2018, after first online publication, ‘(OR for the 4th quartile (>7th centile)’ has been changed to ‘(OR for the 4th quartile (>75th centile)’.]
Economic Voting in Latin America: Rules and Responsibility
Authors: Valdini Melody E. , Lewis‐Beck Michael S.
Published: January 2018

The impact of institutions on the economic vote stands as a well‐established proposition for the advanced democracies of Europe. We know less, however, regarding the institutional effects on the economic vote in the developing democracies of Latin America. Carrying out an analysis of presidential elections in 18 Latin American countries, we offer evidence that the usual Eurocentric conceptualization of the clarity of responsibility is not ideal for understanding the economic vote in this region. There does exist a powerful effect of institutions on the economic vote within Latin American democracies, but one uniquely associated with its presidential regimes and dynamic party systems. Rules for these elections—such as concurrence, term limits, and second‐round voting—suggest that we should reconceptualize the notion of the clarity of responsibility in Latin America, focusing more on individuals in power and their constraints, and less on the political parties from which they hail.
Laeverin protein expression in normal and preeclamptic placentas using tissue microarray analysis
Authors: Nystad Mona , Sitras Vasilis , Nordbakken Cecilie Valborg , Pedersen Mona Irene , Acharya Ganesh
Published: January 2018

Introduction

Laeverin is a placenta‐specific protein that is normally expressed in the plasma membrane of human trophoblasts. In previous studies, we showed higher expression levels of laeverin gene in preeclamptic compared with normal placentas and found that laeverin protein was ectopically expressed in the cytoplasm of the preeclamptic placentas. Our objective was to investigate laeverin protein expression in normal and preeclamptic placentas combining immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.

Material and methods

Tissue microarray analysis of 72 placentas, obtained from 33 preeclamptic and 39 uncomplicated pregnancies, was performed. Laeverin was labeled with a specific antibody for immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence studies.

Results

Immunohistochemistry showed that laeverin was expressed in syncytiotrophoblasts, cytotrophoblasts and extravillous trophoblasts in all placentas examined. In preeclamptic placentas (n = 33) compared with normal placentas (n = 39), laeverin was expressed in the cell membrane in 21 (64%) vs. 21 (54%) samples (p = 0.726), in the cytoplasm in 3 (9%) vs. 2 (5%) samples (p = 0.795) and in both the cytoplasm and membrane in 9 (27%) vs. 16 (41%) samples (p = 0.0522). All placental samples that showed cytoplasmic expression of laeverin were obtained from women who delivered before 34 weeks of gestation (early‐onset preeclampsia). Further, immunofluorescence studies showed laeverin expression in the cytoplasm of six preeclamptic (three early‐onset and three late‐onset) and one normal placenta but did not reveal any simultaneous cell membrane and cytoplasmic expression of laeverin.

Conclusion

Laeverin is expressed in all trophoblast cell types of normal and preeclamptic placentas. Expression pattern of laeverin in trophoblast cells is heterogeneous and not necessarily membrane‐bound.
Icon arrays help younger children's proportional reasoning
Authors: Ruggeri Azzurra , Vagharchakian Laurianne , Xu Fei
Published: January 2018

We investigated the effects of two context variables, presentation format (icon arrays or numerical frequencies) and time limitation (limited or unlimited time), on the proportional reasoning abilities of children aged 7 and 10 years, as well as adults. Participants had to select, between two sets of tokens, the one that offered the highest likelihood of drawing a gold token, that is, the set of elements with the greater proportion of gold tokens. Results show that participants performed better in the unlimited time condition. Moreover, besides a general developmental improvement in accuracy, our results show that younger children performed better when proportions were presented as icon arrays, whereas older children and adults were similarly accurate in the two presentation format conditions.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

There is a developmental improvement in proportional reasoning accuracy.

Icon arrays facilitate reasoning in adults with low numeracy.

What does this study add?

Participants were more accurate when they were given more time to make the proportional judgement.

Younger children's proportional reasoning was more accurate when they were presented with icon arrays.

Proportional reasoning abilities correlate with working memory, approximate number system, and subitizing skills.
Appearance‐based interventions to reduce UV exposure: A systematic review
Authors: Persson Sofia , Benn Yael , Dhingra Katie , Clark‐Carter David , Owen Alison L. , Grogan Sarah
Published: January 2018

Purpose

As a majority of skin cancer cases are behaviourally preventable, it is crucial to develop effective strategies to reduce UV exposure. Health‐focused interventions have not proved to be sufficiently effective, and it has been suggested that people might be more susceptible to information about the negative effects of the sun on their appearance.

Method

This systematic review of 30 separate papers, reporting 33 individual studies published between 2005 and 2017, assesses the overall effectiveness of appearance interventions on participants' UV exposure and sun protection behaviour.

Results

Appearance‐based interventions have positive effects on sun exposure and sun protection, immediately after the intervention as well as up to 12 months afterwards. The meta‐analysis found a medium effect size on sun protection intentions for interventions which combined UV photography and photoageing information: r+ = .424; k = 3, N = 319, CI = 0.279–0.568, p = .023.

Conclusions

This review provides a current perspective on the effectiveness of appearance‐based interventions to reduce UV exposure, and also highlights methodological issues. It recommends that practitioners administer a UV photo intervention in combination with photoageing information to reduce UV exposure. Furthermore, the review specifically recommends that future research focuses on the use of theoretical constructs to enhance photoageing information and is conducted with older participants and in countries where people have less opportunity for sun exposure.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Appearance‐focused interventions may in some cases be more effective than health‐focused interventions in reducing UV exposure, as the underlying motivations for tanning are associated with appearance concerns.

Previous reviews and meta‐analyses have indicated that appearance‐focused interventions such as photoageing and UV photo are associated with positive effects in reducing UV exposure and/or increasing sun protection.

Previous reviews identified methodological issues with research on this topic, which included limited a priori power calculations and a general lack of long‐term follow‐ups.

What does this study add?

This review concludes that photoageing information in combination with UV photo is associated with a medium positive effect size on sun protection intentions. Photoageing can be manipulated according to theoretical constructs (e.g., Theory of Alternative Behaviours), which may contribute to its effectiveness.

Issues such as homogeneity of settings and participants and limited a priori power calculations in the included studies have been identified.

This review specifically recommends that future research is conducted in locations with less overall sun exposure, and with a more diverse participant range (e.g., more males and older participants).
Public Perception and Expectations of Biomimetics Technology: Empirical Survey of Museum Visitors in Japan
Authors: Kohsaka Ryo , Fujihira Yoshinori , Uchiyama Yuta , Kajima Shuichiro , Nomura Shuhei , Ebinger Frank
Published: January 2018

Biomimetic is proposed as an existing or potential future technology that motivates conservation of biodiversity and environment in existing literature. However, empirical analysis is absent. To identify the public perception and expectations of biomimetics technology, questionnaire survey of museum visitors was conducted in the National Museum of Nature and Science in Japan, where the exhibition of biomimetics was held. This research identified that expectations of biomimetics were high generally for the medical applications. The expectation varies with age groups and the age over thirties tended to expect higher in the field related to environmental protection. The expectations of biomimetics were higher for all the age groups after visiting the exhibitions for both commercial use and drivers for life style changes. The results of this study provide basis of expectations and trends with different age groups which will serve as basis to understand and explore implementation of biomimetic related technology for sustainable society.
The Museum Studies Literature: Revisiting Traditional Methods of Discovery and Access, Exploring Alternatives, and Leveraging Open Access to Advance the Field
Authors: Teasdale Rebecca M. , Fruin Christine
Published: January 2018

A decade ago, East (2008) examined the coverage of major museum studies journals by two major databases and one academic search engine, concluding that bibliographic control of the museum studies literature was inadequate and posed a barrier to further development of the field. In this article, we revisit the issues raised by East. We reevaluate the availability of core journals in museum studies through traditional venues and identify alternative access and discovery points, including academic citation search engines, journal content alerts, social media, and field‐specific websites. We then consider the open access movement and present five recommendations for leveraging open access to enhance discovery and access for the museum studies literature: maximize authors’ rights to their own content; publish scholarship in open access or hybrid journals; develop an open access fund for museum studies researchers and scholars; deposit work in open access repositories; and create new open access resources.
Memories of Manga: Impact and Nostalgic Recollections of Visiting a Manga Museum
Authors: Anderson David , Shimizu Hiroyuki , Iwasaki Shota
Published: January 2018

This study investigated the impact of a visit to a Manga museum in Japan through nostalgic recollections. Twenty‐five adult visitors were interviewed about their childhood memories of experiencing manga from reading books as well as watching anime on television following a visit to the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum in Takarazuka, Japan. From 76 episodic and autobiographical memories, five themes of impact emerged which speak powerfully to the significant influence and power of Osamu Tezuka's manga and anime on the visitors’ lives as children, and of the power of the museum experience to unlock distant latent memories and reconnect with their own sense of self‐identity. Moreover, the visitors’ own testimony of the impact of manga continued to manifest positively in their lives to the present day as life lessons of enjoyment, morality, and intergenerational learning.
Impacts of climate, disturbance and topography on distribution of herbaceous cover in Southern California chaparral: Insights from a remote‐sensing method
Authors: Park Isaac W. , Hooper Jennifer , Flegal James M. , Jenerette G. Darrel
Published: January 2018

Aim

While chaparral communities have historically been considered resistant to invasion and type conversion into grasslands, interacting global changes such as increased drought and anthropogenic disturbance may have reduced this resistance. Existing monitoring methods are not well‐suited to evaluate the distribution of invasive herbs and grasses within chaparral at regional scales. In this study, we determine the extent of invasions by forbs and grasses into formerly chaparral vegetation and evaluate contributions of moisture, disturbance and anthropogenic activity and topography to the distribution of herbaceous cover throughout chaparral‐dominated communities.

Location

The Angeles National Forest (ANF), California, USA.

Methods

We developed a remote‐sensing method to estimate the distribution of herbaceous cover within chaparral by leveraging intra‐annual phenological differences in normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) between herbaceous forbs and grasses and evergreen shrublands using Landsat remote‐sensing imagery. The distribution of herbaceous cover was then related to multiple spatially explicit variables describing individual and interactive effects of local moisture availability and anthropogenic disturbance.

Results

Herbaceous cover represents approximately 31% of the ANF within the elevation range typically dominated by chaparral. Disturbance‐related and anthropogenic factors explained 17% of observed variation, while differences in moisture availability explained 47% of observed variation in herbaceous cover and were associated with increased invasive cover.

Main conclusions

Landscapes historically dominated by chaparral may exhibit high degrees of herbaceous cover. While fire frequency and other anthropogenic disturbances are likely the primary catalyst for invasion of chaparral by herbaceous species, this study shows that moisture availability is a more important factor in determining which locations are successfully invaded. These results indicate that chaparral vulnerability to invasion in southern California may increase in the next century due to reduced precipitation associated with projected climate change.
Gone with the forest: Assessing global woodpecker conservation from land use patterns
Authors: Vergara‐Tabares David L. , Lammertink Martjan , Verga Ernesto G. , Schaaf Alejandro A. , Nori Javier
Published: January 2018

Aim

As a result of their ecological traits, woodpeckers (Picidae, Aves) are highly sensitive to forest cover change. We explored the current land cover in areas of high species richness of woodpeckers to determinate regions where urgent conservation actions are needed. In addition, we identified woodpecker species that are sensitive to forest loss and that have high levels of human habitat modification and low levels of protection (through protected areas) in their distribution ranges.

Location

Global.

Methods

We joined available range maps for all extant 254 woodpecker species with information of their conservation status and tolerances to human habitat modifications and generated a richness map of woodpecker species worldwide. Then, we associated this information (the richness pattern and individual species’ maps) with land cover and protected areas (PAs) maps.

Result

We found that the foremost woodpecker species richness hotspot is in Southeast Asia and is highly modified. At the second species richness hotspot in the eastern Andes, we observed a front of deforestation at its southern extreme and a greater deforested area in its northern extreme but most of its area remains with forest coverage. At the species level, 17 species that are sensitive to forest modification experience extensive deforestation and have low extents of PAs in their ranges.

Main conclusions

The most diverse woodpecker hotspots are mostly occupied by human‐modified landscapes, and a large portion of the species there avoids anthropogenic environments. The level of representation of woodpecker species in PAs is low as a global general pattern, although slightly better in Asia. Our global analysis of threats to woodpecker from land use patterns reiterates the urgent conservation needs for Southeast Asian forests. Finally, based on our results, we recommend a re‐evaluation for inclusion in the Red List of five woodpecker species.
Layer‐specific deformation analysis in severe aortic valve stenosis, primary mitral valve regurgitation, and healthy individuals validated against invasive hemodynamic measurements of heart function
Authors: Bakkestrøm Rine , Christensen Nicolaj L. , Wolsk Emil , Banke Ann , Dahl Jordi S. , Andersen Mads J. , Gustafsson Finn , Hassager Christian , Møller Jacob E.
Published: January 2018

Aim

Speckle tracking echocardiography is considered valuable in assessing left ventricular (LV) function. The method has been refined to assess deformation in different myocardial layers, but the effect of volume vs pressure overload on this pattern is unknown. The aim was to test whether layer‐specific myocardial strain (LSS) obtained by speckle tracking echocardiography exhibits different patterns in conditions with different loading conditions.

Methods and results

Forty patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) (AVA 0.81 ± 0.15 cm2, LV ejection fraction [LVEF] 66% ± 7%), 43 patients with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic significant primary mitral regurgitation (MR) (effective regurgitant orifice (ERO) 0.51 (IQR 0.37–0.67) cm2, LVEF 70% ± 7%), and 23 healthy individuals (LVEF 65% ± 6%) were enrolled. Echocardiography and right heart catheterization were performed in all patients. In MR, strain values in each myocardial layer (endocardial/global longitudinal strain (GLS)/epicardial) were higher (25.0% ± 3.4%/21.6% ± 2.9%/18.8% ± 2.6%) compared to healthy individuals (22.6% ± 3.2%/19.6% ± 2.9%/17.1% ± 2.6%) and AS (20.5% ± 2.8%/17.7% ± 2.5%/14.0% ± 5.6%), P < .001. All 3 groups exhibited a similar LSS pattern with highest values in the endocardial and lowest values in the epicardial layer. The epicardial‐endocardial strain ratio was lower in AS (0.72 ± 0.04) than in MR (0.75 ± 0.04, P = .04). Global longitudinal strain (GLS) correlated significantly with LV wall stress (r = .39, P = .0003) but not with LV stroke work or contractility.

Conclusion

Layer‐specific myocardial strain (LSS) patterns differed in patients with severe AS, significant MR, and healthy individuals with highest values in MR. Strain irrespective of layer assessed was associated with LV wall stress but seemed less related to contractility and unrelated to stroke work in the setting of normal LVEF.
Utilizing transesophageal echocardiography for placement of pulmonary artery catheters
Authors: Baer John , Wyatt Matthew M. , Kreisler Kenneth R.
Published: January 2018

Objective

Pulmonary artery catheters (PACs) have routinely been positioned by wedging into the pulmonary artery before pulling back 1–2 centimeters or advancing the PAC several centimeters after achieving a pulmonary artery waveform. A rare, major complication is pulmonary artery rupture. This study presents transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for PAC placement by leaving the catheter tip at the one o'clock position, upper window short‐axis view of the ascending aorta at the bifurcation of the pulmonary artery (TEE distance).

Design

Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting

Large urban academic medical center.

Participants

30 males and 30 females undergoing cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass.

Intervention

TEE was utilized to obtain an upper esophageal short‐axis view of the aorta with long‐axis view of the main and right pulmonary arteries.

Measurements and Results

The distance between TEE position and wedge position was recorded along with patients’ gender, height, and weight. A correlation was found between TEE and wedge distances (P < .0001). There were significant gender differences in TEE distance, with a mean of 43.6 cm in females and 46.5 cm in males (P = .0004). The mean wedge distance was 47.5 cm in females and 51.9 cm in males (P < .0001). The differences between distances of wedge and TEE positions (5.39 cm, males; 3.93 cm, females) were also significant (P < .0001).

Conclusions

By securing the PAC at the one o'clock TEE position, physicians are assured of a safety margin of several centimeters. This direct visualization method for PAC placement may decrease the risk for accidental wedging intraoperatively.
Heart rate as a predictor of cardiovascular risk
Authors: Tadic Marijana , Cuspidi Cesare , Grassi Guido
Published: January 2018

Background

Heart rate (HR) is a predictor of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and all‐cause mortality in the general population, as well as in patients with cardio‐ and cerebrovascular diseases. We aimed to summarize current knowledge regarding the influence of HR on cardio‐ and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality.

Materials and methods

PubMed, MEDLINE, Ovid and EMBASE databases were searched for large follow‐up studies or meta‐analysis published between January 1990 and September 2017 in the English language using the following keyword “heart rate,” “resting heart rate,” “mortality,” “outcome,” “hypertension,” “heart failure,” “ischaemic heart disease,” “coronary heart disease” and “stroke.”

Results

The relationship between increased HR and cardio‐ and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality has been reported in a large number of studies, and the results regarding this association are concurrent. This connection is generally stronger in men than in women. The increase in HR usually occurs in parallel with elevation of blood pressure and metabolic disturbances (insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia). However, even after adjustment for the most important cardiovascular risk factors, HR remained an independent predictor of adverse events in global population or in patients with cardio‐ and cerebrovascular diseases.

Conclusion

HR has an important negative effect on cardio‐ and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality. Future longitudinal investigations should clarify HR significance and optimal HR reduction for primary and secondary prevention in cardio‐ and cerebrovascular events.
Assessing among‐lineage variability in phylogenetic imputation of functional trait datasets
Authors: Molina‐Venegas Rafael , Moreno‐Saiz Juan Carlos , Castro Parga Isabel , Davies T. Jonathan , Peres‐Neto Pedro R. , Rodríguez Miguel Á.
Published: January 2018

Phylogenetic imputation has recently emerged as a potentially powerful tool for predicting missing data in functional traits datasets. As such, understanding the limitations of phylogenetic modelling in predicting trait values is critical if we are to use them in subsequent analyses. Previous studies have focused on the relationship between phylogenetic signal and clade‐level prediction accuracy, yet variability in prediction accuracy among individual tips of phylogenies remains largely unexplored. Here, we used simulations of trait evolution along the branches of phylogenetic trees to show how the accuracy of phylogenetic imputations is influenced by the combined effects of 1) the amount of phylogenetic signal in the traits and 2) the branch length of the tips to be imputed. Specifically, we conducted cross‐validation trials to estimate the variability in prediction accuracy among individual tips on the phylogenies (hereafter ‘tip‐level accuracy’). We found that under a Brownian motion model of evolution (BM, Pagel't λ = 1), tip‐level accuracy rapidly decreased with increasing tip branch‐lengths, and only tips of approximately 10% or less of the total height of the trees showed consistently accurate predictions (i.e. cross‐validation R‐squared >0.75). When phylogenetic signal was weak, the effect of tip branch‐length was reduced, becoming negligible for traits simulated with λ < 0.7, where accuracy was in any case low. Our study shows that variability in prediction accuracy among individual tips of the phylogeny should be considered when evaluating the reliability of phylogenetically imputed trait values. To address this challenge, we describe a Monte Carlo‐based method that allows one to estimate the expected tip‐level accuracy of phylogenetic predictions for continuous traits. Our approach identifies gaps in functional trait datasets for which phylogenetic imputation performs poorly, and will help ecologists to design more efficient trait collection campaigns by focusing resources on lineages whose trait values are more uncertain.
Variation among European beetle taxa in patterns of distance decay of similarity suggests a major role of dispersal processes
Authors: Gómez‐Rodríguez Carola , Baselga Andrés
Published: January 2018

The decay of assemblage similarity with spatial distance can be explained by alternative mechanisms: dispersal limitation and species sorting. To understand their relative contributions, we compare the decay in faunal similarity with spatial distance and, independently, with climatic distance, of 21 beetle taxa with varying dispersal abilities and ecological niches, in southern and northern Europe. Similarity in beetle faunas was associated to spatial but not to climatic distances, pointing to the preponderance of dispersal processes rather than niche constraints. In most taxa, southern faunas were more dissimilar than northern ones: smaller initial similarity and steeper distance decay rate. Distance decay patterns in the north were relatively flat and very similar across taxa, suggesting that only good dispersers would have reached those latitudes after the glacial retreat. The difference in distance decay patterns between north and south is correlated with the taxon's slope of the distance decay pattern in the south and with its latitudinal richness difference. That is, in taxa with distance decay patterns similarly flat in the south and the north, the latitudinal richness gradient is weak. This correlation points again to differences in dispersal ability as a major determinant of biogeographic patterns in European beetles. Both dispersal and niche‐related characteristics explained north‐south slope differences, but dispersal attributes turned out to be more relevant when initial similarity and distance decay strength were considered together. Our results show that, to understand diversity patterns in Europe, closely related biological groups cannot be assumed to be surrogates and regions with different historical biogeography should be analysed separately. Paradoxically, the study of beetle faunas of southern Europe will shed light on the processes controlling the recolonization of northern latitudes.