bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retail strategies for rosé wines in Italy: a hedonic price analysis
Authors: Rossetto Luca , Galletto Luigi
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the market of rosé wines in Italy, to outline retail strategies and to investigate to what extent the price is affected by branding these wines.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey has been carried out on retailers by collecting data about wines as intrinsic attributes (grape variety, blending, origin, alcohol content, etc.) and extrinsic attributes (brand, price, packaging, etc.) and about outlet and retail environment. The hedonic analysis required a rearrangement of data survey, while a Box-Cox transformation allowed to control the strong heteroskedasticity detected of the data.

Findings

Results provide strategies for still, semi-sparkling and sparkling rosé market segments. Still rosé wines are strongly differentiated, while the price is affected by the appellation, grape variety, blending, brand and outlet features. Two main strategies are suggested: the first focuses on appellations endorsing consumer’s brand loyalty; the second is driven by retailers while involving weaker brands. Different pictures emerged for semi-sparkling and sparkling wines, as producers and retailers tend to follow consumer’s preferences for fresh and easy drinking wines as well as to extend the product assortment.

Research limitations/implications

Results for sparkling rosé wines cannot be generalized. The high fragmentation hinders the hedonic model performance in capturing the price effects of brands, appellations, grape variety and wine blend.

Practical implications

The hedonic analysis provides suggestions for rosé wine producers that should reinforce their brand through associations among intrinsic attributes, such as appellation, and extrinsic ones, such as price, while satisfying retailer requirements.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the knowledge base about the Italian rosé wine market, which is mostly export-oriented. Model results help to understand why the domestic consumption is stagnant with respect to other countries such as France or the USA.
The impact of perceived supervisor support on employees’ turnover intention and task performance
Authors: Afzal Sadia , Arshad Muhammad , Saleem Sharjeel , Farooq Omer
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain the mediational mechanisms in the relationship of perceived supervisor support (PSS) with turnover intention (TI) and task performance (TP).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through questionnaires from the academic staff of Pakistani universities. The theoretical model was tested using data collected from 304 respondents by using structural equation modeling technique. Mediation analysis was performed with 5,000 bootstraps samples.

Findings

The results revealed that PSS affected TI negatively through the mediation of self-efficacy. Conversely to this, PSS influenced TP positively through the mediation of self-efficacy. In addition, the results also showed the direct effect of PSS on employees’ TP.

Practical implications

The results of this study suggest that the supervisor must provide adequate support to the academic staff, which helps them to develop their self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is helpful for the employees to reduce their TI and to improve their TP.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its nature which explained the direct and indirect effects of PSS on TI and TP by using the framework of social learning theory and social exchange theory simultaneously.
Gendering multi-voiced histories of the North American space industry: the GMRD White women
Authors: Ruel Stefanie , Mills Albert J. , Helms Mills Jean
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The authors focus on “writing women into ‘history’” in this study, embracing the notion of cisgender and ethnicity in relation to the “historic turn”. As such, the authors bring forward the stories of the US Pan American Airway’s Guided Missile Range Division (GMRD) and the White women who worked there. The authors ask what has a Cold War US missile division to tell us about present and future gendered relationships in the North American space industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply Foucault’s technology of lamination, a form of critical discourse analysis, to both narrative texts and photographic images in the GMRD’s in-house newsletter, the Clipper, dating from 1964 until the end of 1967. They meld an autoethnography to this technique, providing space for the first author to share her experiences within the contemporary space industry in relation to the GMRD White women experiences.

Findings

The authors surface, in applying this combined methodology, a story about a White women’s historical, present and future cisgender social reality in the North American space industry. They are contributing then to a multi-voiced, cisgender/ethnic “historic turn” that, to date, is focused on White men alone in the US race to the moon.

Social implications

The social implication of this study lies in challenging perceptions of the masculinist-gendering of the past by bringing forward tales of, and by, women. This study also brings a White woman’s voice forward, within a contemporary North American space industry organization.

Originality/value

The authors are making a three-fold contribution to this special issue, and to an understandings of gendered/ethnic multi-voiced histories. The authors untangle the mid-Cold War phase from the essentialized Cold War era. They recreate multi-voiced histories of White women within the North American space industry while adding an important contemporary voice. They also present a novel methodology that combines the technology of lamination with autoethnography, to provide a gateway to recognizing the impact of multi-voiced histories onto contemporary and future gendered/ethnic relationships.
Operationalizing social media in upstream social marketing
Authors: Mehmet Mehmet (Michael) Ibrahim , Simmons Peter
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how upstream social marketing may benefit from social media citizensourcing and improve understanding of community preferences and attitudes to policy. Using the case of shark management in New South Wales, Australia, this paper aims to understand community attitudes toward shark management policy-making and policymakers.

Design/methodology/approach

In February 2017, more than 11,200 comments were sourced from Facebook and Twitter using Netvizz, a data extraction tool. To analyze these comments, the study used an abductive framework using social marketing, wildlife and coexistence and policy literature, to determine context, themes and sub-themes. This was combined with Appraisal, a systemic functional linguistics framework, advocating a social reference for coding and analyzing community attitudes and preference.

Findings

Preferences for non-lethal measures over lethal or potentially lethal measures were noted, with new technologies highly favored. The online communities wanted a policy that was respectful of human and marine life and focused on patrolled or popular beaches. The main negative comments made related to perceived knee-jerk reactions and poor communication surrounding decision-making. People held little confidence in politicians’ skills and abilities to solve complex and multi-faceted problems, demanding less top-down decision-making and greater community input into policy formation.

Practical implications

This approach could assist upstream social marketers better understand social and community attitudes and preferences toward policy.

Originality/value

The study demonstrated that listening to community through digital channels can assist upstream social marketing understand community preferences and attitudes to policies and the policy-making process. Using abduction further broadens the perspective of the researchers in assigning meaning to commentary.
Declare or dispose: protecting New Zealand’s border with behaviour change
Authors: Sherring Phill
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the case study of the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) Border Compliance Social Marketing programme. This programme aims to change the behaviour of international visitors to New Zealand. This is to protect New Zealand’s important horticultural and agricultural industries and environment from harmful pests and diseases. The programme encourages travellers to leave potential biosecurity risk items at home, or at least declare them to border staff or dispose of in special amnesty bins at New Zealand’s airports on arrival. It also influences local communities to advocate to friends and family overseas on MPI’s behalf.

Design/methodology/approach

Aimed at visitors with the highest identified risk, the programme uses a range of interventions in the pre-travel, in-journey and upon-arrival stages of travel. It is underpinned by social marketing theory and models, qualitative and ethnographic research and an understanding of the passenger journey.

Findings

The programme has delivered a significant reduction in the number of passengers being caught with prohibited items and has influenced behaviours in packing bags before travel and declaring items for inspection on arrival in New Zealand.

Originality/value

The programme contributes to the New Zealand biosecurity system, which protects the country’s key horticultural and agricultural industries. For example, the horticultural industry contributes $5.6bn annually to the New Zealand economy. It also protects native flora and fauna, which is a large attraction to overseas visitors, and contributes to the $12.9bn tourism industry.
Information systems strategy in SMEs: critical factors of strategic planning in logistics
Authors: Kitsios Fotis , Kamariotou Maria , Madas Michael A. , Fouskas Konstantinos , Manthou Vicky
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that managers have to take into consideration when they implement the strategic information systems planning (SISP) process to develop information systems (IS) in the logistics sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using questionnaires to IS executives in Greek small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the logistics sector. Factor analysis is performed on the detailed items of the SISP process constructs.

Findings

The results of this paper indicate that IS executives do not focus on defining goals, which will be used to improve the operations of the supply chain for the IS development. Both IS executives and managers from the logistics department of each organization should participate in the process of information technology (IT) strategy formulation and implementation. Executives from the logistics department of each organization should be aware of implementing environmental and organizational analysis with greater meticulousness, to identify IT opportunities and apply IT strategy with greater agility rather than now.

Practical implications

A strategic planning process for IS development in the logistics sector is required to achieve the consistently IS planning objectives. This is an important challenge for executives in SMEs who do not concentrate on implementing a strategic planning process for IS development.

Originality/value

This paper examines the factors that influence the strategic development of IS in the logistics sector and improve the effectiveness of decision-making regarding the supply chain’s operation.
Analysis of China’s coastal zone management reform based on land-sea integration
Authors: Liu Dahai , Xing Wenxiu
Published: June 2019

Purpose

After the 19th CPC national congress, Chinese Communist Party and the government put forward higher requirements for the development of coastal zones, and it is urgent to establish an integrated coastal zone management system, so as to better guarantee the construction of maritime powers and regional coordinated development. The purpose of this paper is to aim at re-examining and positioning China’s integrated coastal zone management.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper sorts out the current situation of coastal zone resources and environment, summarizes prominent problems and clarifies the path of comprehensive management of coastal zone based on the typicality and comprehensiveness of coastal ecosystem.

Findings

Coastal zone is a typical area of “life community shared among mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes and grass.” However, there are three prominent problems at present, namely, separation between land and sea, separation among industry sectors and separation among administrative jurisdictions. Coastal zone planning and legislation are important measures to realize the comprehensive management of coastal zone.

Originality/value

This paper puts forward some suggestions on the reform of coastal zone management from the perspective of planning and legislation.
Trust, knowledge sharing and organizational commitment in SMEs
Authors: Curado Carla , Vieira Sílvia
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend the knowledge on the underlying relation between trust, knowledge sharing (KS) and organizational commitment (OC) in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by testing the mediator role of KS between trust and OC dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper addresses a sample of 582 top exporting Portuguese SMEs and it tests an original model using structural equation modeling following a partial least square approach.

Findings

Results show that trust positively and significantly influences KS and affective and normative OCs. KS partially mediates the relation between trust and affective OC.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to both the knowledge management and human resource development literatures, showing the relationship between variables from both bodies of literature. Some limitations apply, the study uses cross-sectional data that limit the conclusions about causality and some restrictions on the generalization of the results also apply due to the used sample.

Practical implications

Results show the importance of encouraging a trustful environment in SMEs on behalf of KS and OC dimensions. Human resource managers could profit from stimulating KS among employees that results in affective OC.

Originality/value

Findings show the relevancy of trust in SMEs and the role of KS that contributes to OC.
Social media snooping on job applicants
Authors: Becton John Bret , Walker H. Jack , Gilstrap J. Bruce , Schwager Paul H.
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how HR professionals use social networking website information to evaluate applicants’ propensity to engage in counterproductive work behaviors and suitability for hire.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an experimental design, 354 HR professionals participated in a two-part study. In part 1, participants viewed a fictitious resume and rated the applicant’s likelihood to engage in counterproductive work behavior as well as likelihood of a hiring recommendation. In part 2, participants viewed a fictitious social networking website profile for the applicant and repeated the ratings from part 1. The authors analyzed their responses to determine the effect viewing a social network website (SNW) profile had on ratings of the applicant.

Findings

Unprofessional SNW information negatively affected ratings of applicants regardless of applicants’ qualifications, while professional SNW profile information failed to improve evaluations regardless of qualifications.

Originality/value

Anecdotal reports suggest that many employers use SNW information to eliminate job applicants from consideration despite an absence of empirical research that has examined how SNW content influences HR recruiters’ evaluation of job applicants. This study represents one of the first attempts to understand how HR professionals use such information in screening applicants. The findings suggest that unprofessional SNW profiles negatively influence recruiter evaluations while professional SNW profile content has little to no effect on evaluations.
MLK3 silence induces cervical cancer cell apoptosis via the Notch‐1/autophagy network
Authors: Ma Liya , Cheng Yongchong , Zeng Jingjie
Published: June 2019

Mixed‐lineage kinase 3 (MLK3), the mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K), has been recognized as a player in tumorigenesis and oncogenic signalling, yet its detailed functions and signalling in cervical cancer have not been fully elucidated. Here, we identify that cervical cancer cells display higher mRNA and protein levels of MLK3 than normal cervical epithelial squamous cells. In HeLa and SiHa cell, MLK3 knockdown using siRNA remarkably suppressed cell survival and promoted cell apoptosis, with increased expression of the apoptosis‐related protein Bax and reduced Bcl‐2. Moreover, MLK3 knockdown promoted cell autophagy, demonstrated by increased ratio of autophagy‐related proteins LC3II/LC3I and decreased p62 expression in MLK3 depletion cells. Furthermore, MLK3 knockdown remarkably abolished Notch‐1 expression in cervical cancer cells. By co‐treating Hela cells with MLK3 specific siRNA and pcDNA3.1‐Notch‐1 overexpression plasmid or autophagy inhibitor 3‐MA, we found that MLK3 played its role in cervical cancer cells via the Notch‐1/autophagy network. Our results demonstrate the importance of MLK3 in cervical cancer progression via modulating the Notch‐1/autophagy network, and suggest that MLK3 is a promising therapeutic target for cervical cancer.
Trends of emergency department presentations with a mental health diagnosis by age, Australia, 2004–05 to 2016–17: A secondary data analysis
Authors: Tran Quang Nhat , Lambeth Leonard G , Sanderson Kristy , de Graaff Barbara , Breslin Monique , Tran Viet , Huckerby Emma J , Neil Amanda L
Published: June 2019

Objectives

The present study aims to explore for Australia: (i) the trends of ED presentations with a mental health (MH) diagnosis by age group; and (ii) whether those trends differ from all ED presentations.

Methods

ED presentations to Australian public hospitals, 2004–05 to 2016–17 were captured in the National Non‐Admitted Patient Emergency Department Care Database. We assessed total change and annual rate of change in the number and rates of presentations per 10 000 population for all presentations and those with a MH principal diagnosis (ICD‐10‐AM F00 to F99, MHdx). Multivariable regression was used to assess the trend of the proportion of MHdx presentations.

Results

Between 2004–05 and 2016–17, children (0–14 years), followed by older persons (≥65 years) had the highest ED utilisation; while youth (15–24 years) and younger adults (25–34 years) predominated for MHdx presentations. As a proportion of all presentations, MHdx presentations were lowest in children, and highest in people 35–44 years (13.2‐times higher than for children). The rate of increase in MHdx presentations was higher than for all presentations in all age groups, reaching almost four times higher for children.

Conclusion

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare should consider expanding the breadth of MH diagnoses they report to better identify the impact of MH on ED presentations. Between 2004–05 and 2016–17, high ED utilisation by children and older persons, and the increasing burden of MHdx presentations for youth, younger adults and children suggest that healthcare planning strategies for urgent and emergency care cannot afford to overlook the growing impact of these sub‐groups.
By‐Elections and Political Change in a Local Context: The Case of the 1973 Dundee East By‐Election and the SNP
Authors: Stewart Thomas A.W.
Published: June 2019

With their unpredictability and occurrence in between nationwide elections, by‐elections have attracted a degree of scholarly interest. However, this has focused almost exclusively on how the contests have affected, or failed to affect, the direction of national politics. This article seeks to, instead, explore their influence upon the locality in which they are fought. It will achieve this through an analysis of the 1973 Dundee East by‐election and its consequences for the development of the local Scottish National Party (SNP). Prior to the by‐election, the party had not been particularly strong in Dundee. Yet the contest provided a setting in which it was able to transform itself into one of the most effective Nationalist organisations in Scotland, capable of cementing an SNP MP in the constituency from 1974 until 1987, holding firm against the collapse in the party's support across the country in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The article will examine the extent to which this resistance to the national swing was facilitated by the legacies of the by‐election and the extent to which its wider footprint contributed towards the development of an enduring party tradition that has persisted for decades.
Video‐Cued Ethnographic Data Collection as a Tool Toward Participant Voice
Authors: Adair Jennifer Keys , Kurban Fikriye
Published: June 2019

In this article, we describe the purpose and the process of video‐cued ethnography. Using examples primarily from the Children Crossing Borders study, we outline six basic elements of video‐cued ethnography including site selection, participant‐observation, filming, editing, focus group interviews, and comparative analysis. We detail some of the challenges and tensions that accompany video‐cued ethnographic work and demonstrate how video‐cued ethnography can be used to elicit participant voices in deep and thoughtful ways. Through examples and detail, we hope to illustrate the potential and applicability of video‐cued ethnography in a wide range of educational spaces.
Genetic history of the population of Crete
Authors: Drineas Petros , Tsetsos Fotis , Plantinga Anna , Lazaridis Iosif , Yannaki Evangelia , Razou Anna , Kanaki Katerina , Michalodimitrakis Manolis , Perez‐Jimenez Francisco , De Silvestro Giustina , Renda Maria C. , Stamatoyannopoulos John A. , Kidd Kenneth K , Browning Brian L. , Paschou Peristera , Stamatoyannopoulos George
Published: June 2019

The medieval history of several populations often suffers from scarcity of contemporary records resulting in contradictory and sometimes biased interpretations by historians. This is the situation with the population of the island of Crete, which remained relatively undisturbed until the Middle Ages when multiple wars, invasions, and occupations by foreigners took place. Historians have considered the effects of the occupation of Crete by the Arabs (in the 9th and 10th centuries C.E.) and the Venetians (in the 13th to the 17th centuries C.E.) to the local population. To obtain insights on such effects from a genetic perspective, we studied representative samples from 17 Cretan districts using the Illumina 1 million or 2.5 million arrays and compared the Cretans to the populations of origin of the medieval conquerors and settlers. Highlights of our findings include (1) small genetic contributions from the Arab occupation to the extant Cretan population, (2) low genetic contribution of the Venetians to the extant Cretan population, and (3) evidence of a genetic relationship among the Cretans and Central, Northern, and Eastern Europeans, which could be explained by the settlement in the island of northern origin tribes during the medieval period. Our results show how the interaction between genetics and the historical record can help shed light on the historical record.
Accumulations of von Willebrand factor within ECMO oxygenators: Potential indicator of coagulation abnormalities in critically ill patients?
Authors: Steiger Tamara , Foltan Maik , Philipp Alois , Mueller Thomas , Gruber Michael , Bredthauer Andre , Krenkel Lars , Birkenmaier Clemens , Lehle Karla
Published: June 2019

Clot formation within membrane oxygenators (MOs) remains a critical problem during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The composition of the clots—in particular, the presence of von Willebrand factor (vWF)—may be an indicator for prevalent nonphysiological flow conditions, foreign body reactions, or coagulation abnormalities in critically ill patients. Mats of interwoven gas exchange fibers from randomly collected MOs (PLS, Maquet, Rastatt, Germany) of 21 patients were stained with antibodies (anti‐vWF and anti‐P‐selectin) and counterstained with 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole. The extent of vWF‐loading was correlated with patient and technical data. While 12 MOs showed low vWF‐loadings, 9 MOs showed high vWF‐loading with highest accumulations close to crossing points of adjacent gas fibers. The presence and the extent of vWF‐fibers/“cobwebs,” leukocytes, platelet–leukocyte aggregates (PLAs), and P‐selectin‐positive platelet aggregates were independent of the extent of vWF‐loading. However, the highly loaded MOs were obtained from patients with a significantly elevated SOFA score, severe thrombocytopenia, and persistent liver dysfunction. The coagulation abnormalities of these critically ill patients may cause an accumulation of the highly thrombogenic and elongated high‐molecular‐weight vWF multimers in the plasma which will be trapped in the MOs during the ECMO therapy.
Changes in oral health behaviours between childhood and adolescence: Findings from a UK cohort study
Authors: Leary Sam D. , Do Loc Giang
Published: June 2019

Objective

Oral health is an important part of general health and well‐being. Health behaviours may change throughout a person's life, but the stage from childhood to adolescence is critical because influences from peers increase while those from parents and other family members decrease. The objective of this study was to identify changes in oral health behaviours between childhood and adolescence, and investigate whether changes differed by sex.

Methods

This study used data on 1860 participants from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) who completed dental questionnaires at ages 7.5, 10.5 and 17.5 years. Associations between age and oral health behaviours were assessed using random effects logistic regression models. Males and females were analysed together or separately, depending on evidence for sex‐age interactions.

Results

At age 7.5, 83% brushed their teeth frequently, 98% visited the dentist frequently and 90% drank fizzy drinks. The percentage who brushed their teeth at least twice a day decreased with age for males (odds ratio 0.96 [95% confidence interval 0.94, 0.99] per year of age) and increased with age for females (1.03 [1.01, 1.06]). Electric toothbrush usage decreased with age, with a slightly larger decrease in females (0.82 [0.80, 0.85]) than in males (0.87 [0.84, 0.90]). The percentage visiting the dentist at least once a year decreased with age (0.77 [0.73, 0.81]); the decrease was greatest between the older ages. Fizzy drink and juice consumption increased with age (1.38 [1.23, 1.57] and 1.33 [1.24, 1.44] respectively), whereas there was no change in water consumption (1.00 [0.91, 1.09]); these data were available only for the younger two ages.

Conclusions

Unfavourable changes in oral health behaviours, some of which were sex‐specific, have been demonstrated in this cohort. Hence, childhood to adulthood may be an important intervening time to prevent early deterioration of oral health.
Analysis of keratin films as screening tools for predicting the efficacy of potential hair dyes
Authors: Williams Tova N. , Freeman Harold S.
Published: June 2019

The technology for generating high quality keratin films has recently advanced and led to their implementation in a variety of applications. As an initial step toward investigating the films as a screening tool for predicting the efficacy of potential hair dyes, CI Acid Orange 7 was applied to a set of opaque and translucent films. Overlaid time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry images arising from protein and dye fragments revealed that dye uniformly penetrated both film types. Results also showed that the relative concentration of dye in each film complemented outcomes from ultraviolet‐visible analysis and revealed that the translucent film contained a higher dye concentration. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of film morphology suggested that the observed difference was due to the higher porosity of the opaque film, which facilitated dye desorption during the rinsing step. Consequently, the translucent film was judged to be a better substrate for screening potential new hair dyes.
Perspectives on implementing mobile health technology for living kidney donor follow‐up: In‐depth interviews with transplant providers
Authors: Eno Ann K. , Ruck Jessica M. , Van Pilsum Rasmussen Sarah E. , Waldram Madeleine M. , Thomas Alvin G. , Purnell Tanjala S. , Garonzik Wang Jacqueline M. , Massie Allan B. , Al Almmary Fawaz , Cooper Lisa M. , Segev Dorry L. , Levan Michael A. , Henderson Macey L.
Published: June 2019

Background

United States transplant centers are required to report follow‐up data for living kidney donors for 2 years post‐donation. However, living kidney donor (LKD) follow‐up is often incomplete. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies could ease data collection burden but have not yet been explored in this context.

Methods

We conducted semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with a convenience sample of 21 transplant providers and thought leaders about challenges in LKD follow‐up, and the potential role of mHealth in overcoming these challenges.

Results

Participants reported challenges conveying the importance of follow‐up to LKDs, limited data from international/out‐of‐town LKDs, and inadequate staffing. They believed the 2‐year requirement was insufficient, but expressed difficulty engaging LKDs for even this short time and inadequate resources for longer‐term follow‐up. Participants believed an mHealth system for post‐donation follow‐up could benefit LKDs (by simplifying communication/tasks and improving donor engagement) and transplant centers (by streamlining communication and decreasing workforce burden). Concerns included cost, learning curves, security/privacy, patient language/socioeconomic barriers, and older donor comfort with mHealth technology.

Conclusions

Transplant providers felt that mHealth technology could improve LKD follow‐up and help centers meet reporting thresholds. However, designing a secure, easy to use, and cost‐effective system remains challenging.
Digital soil mapping based on empirical mode decomposition components of environmental covariates
Authors: Sun Xiao‐Lin , Wang Yidong , Wang Hui‐Li , Zhang Chaosheng , Wang Zhong‐Liang
Published: June 2019

In digital soil mapping (DSM) there is an increasing interest in incorporating multiscale variations of soil and environmental covariates to improve mapping accuracy. Empirical mode decomposition (EMD) is a frequently used method for multiscale analysis but has been rarely applied to DSM. This study examines if DSM with EMD covariates results in a more accurate map of a test area than DSM with original covariates. First, EMD was used to decompose terrain attributes of an area. These EMD components were then used to map soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration, pH, clay content and cation exchange capacity (CEC) by two DSM methods: multiple linear regression (MLR) and regression kriging (RK). The same two DSM methods were used with original covariates; in addition, ordinary kriging (OK) maps were produced without covariates. The resulting maps were compared by various accuracy measures. The use of EMD components for DSM improved correlations between soil properties and terrain attributes, and improved the goodness‐of‐fit of MLR models significantly and prediction accuracies by 2.5–18% of root mean square error (RMSE) for SOC, clay and CEC. By contrast, the use of EMD components for pH increased the goodness‐of‐fit of the MLR model slightly and decreased the prediction accuracy by 30% of RMSE. This study concluded that the use of EMD components for DSM improved mapping accuracies if the goodness‐of‐fit of the MLR models was significantly improved by EMD components. It is possible that sampling based on EMD components may provide a sample set that would improve mapping accuracy further.

Highlights

Empirical mode decomposition (EMD) components of terrain attributes were applied to soil mapping.

EMD components improved correlations between soil properties and terrain attributes.

EMD components improved the goodness‐of‐fit of multiple linear regression (MLR).

Significant improved goodness‐of‐fit of MLR resulted in improved mapping accuracies.
Knock‐on community impacts of a novel vector: spillover of emerging DWV‐B from Varroa‐infested honeybees to wild bumblebees
Authors: Manley Robyn , Temperton Ben , Doyle Toby , Gates Daisy , Hedges Sophie , Boots Michael , Wilfert Lena
Published: June 2019

Novel transmission routes can directly impact the evolutionary ecology of infectious diseases, with potentially dramatic effect on host populations and knock‐on effects on the wider host community. The invasion of Varroa destructor, an ectoparasitic viral vector in Western honeybees, provides a unique opportunity to examine how a novel vector affects disease epidemiology in a host community. This specialist honeybee mite vectors deformed wing virus (DWV), an important re‐emerging honeybee pathogen that also infects wild bumblebees. Comparing island honeybee and wild bumblebee populations with and without V. destructor, we show that V. destructor drives DWV prevalence and titre in honeybees and sympatric bumblebees. Viral genotypes are shared across hosts, with the potentially more virulent DWV‐B overtaking DWV‐A in prevalence in a current epidemic. This demonstrates disease emergence across a host community driven by the acquisition of a specialist novel transmission route in one host, with dramatic community level knock‐on effects.
Disentangling density‐dependent effects on egg production and survival from egg to recruitment in fish
Authors: Takasuka Akinori , Yoneda Michio , Oozeki Yoshioki
Published: June 2019

Understanding of density‐dependent effects is key to achieving sustainable management of self‐regulating biological resources such as fish stocks. Traditionally, density‐dependent effects on population abundance in fish have been considered to occur from hatching to recruitment, based on the paradigm of proportionality between spawning stock biomass and total egg production. Here, we demonstrate how the existence of intraspecific and interspecific density dependence in egg production changes the current understanding of density‐dependent processes in the life history of fish, by disentangling density‐dependent effects on egg production and survival from egg to recruitment, using sardine (Sardinops melanostictus, Clupeidae) and anchovy (Engraulis japonicus, Engraulidae) as model species. For sardine, strong intraspecific density‐dependent effects occurred in egg production, but no density‐dependent effects occurred or if any they were weak enough to be masked by environmental factors from hatching to recruitment. In contrast, for anchovy, interspecific density‐dependent effects occurred in egg production. In the survival after hatching, anchovy experienced stronger intraspecific density‐dependent effects than currently recognized. This analysis could overturn the current understanding of density‐dependent effects in the life history, highlighting contrasts between the effects on individual quality and population abundance and between the model species. We propose to reconsider the basis of fisheries management and recruitment studies based on the revised understanding of density‐dependent effects in the life history of the respective species.
Towards a decision aid for self‐tests: Users’ experiences in The Netherlands
Authors: den Oudendammer Willemijn M. , Broerse Jacqueline E. W.
Published: June 2019

Background

Self‐tests enable the identification of (risk factors for) diseases and are carried out on the user's initiative without medical indication or advice and often unaided by a health professional. They are frequently used, and their availability and usage are expected to grow. Self‐testing has both advantages and disadvantages. Making a well‐informed decision about whether to self‐test and which self‐test to use is of major importance.

Objective

To provide insights into the experiences of self‐test users, identifying reasons to self‐test and perceived (dis)advantages of using self‐tests and the information highlighted as relevant by self‐test users to make well‐informed decisions.

Methods

In a qualitative study, 28 users of a wide variety of self‐tests shared their experiences in focus groups and interviews.

Results

Perceived disadvantages of self‐testing included the following: a wide range of available self‐tests, lack of insights into their reliability and content, possibility of mistakes in administering them, possibility of false‐positive and false‐negative results, lack of clarity about how to interpret results and consequently what action to take and fear of not being taken seriously by a general practitioner. Self‐test aspects that were viewed as most important include informed decision making, user‐friendliness, usefulness and reliability of results.

Conclusion

A decision aid for future self‐test users can help people make a deliberate decision on whether to use a self‐test and which particular self‐test to use from the wide range available. The government, health professionals, patient organizations, consumer organizations and citizens all have a role to play in the development and implementation of a decision aid.
Microstructural evolution and kinetics analysis of aluminum borate ceramics via solid‐state reaction synthesis
Authors: Luo Han , Li Yuanbing , Xiang Ruofei , Li Shujing , Xu Nana , Chen Ruoyu , Jia Wenbao
Published: June 2019

Aluminum borate ceramics (ABCs) with a skeleton structure of rod‐like crystals were established via a solid‐state reaction synthesis. The influence of heat treatment systems on the phase composition and microstructural evolution of an anisotropic grain were firstly studied. Next, the impact of boric acid content on the activation energy of reaction, microstructure, mechanical properties, and neutron shielding capability were investigated. The results demonstrate that orthorhombic Al18B4O33 formed between 900°C and 1000°C which was the stable phase during heating treatment. In addition, increasing the boric acid content was favorable for reducing the activation energy of forming aluminum borate, resulting in increased in situ formation and growth of aluminum borate whiskers in fired samples. Next, mircropores could be generated by the decomposition of boric acid at high temperatures, which had a considerable influence on the physical properties of the sample. Furthermore, the Monte Carlo particle transport program simulation and neutron shielding experiments showed that the prepared ABCs could shield neutron effectively manifested as possessing a high neutron absorption cross‐section in the case of porous materials. Moreover, ABCs have potential application value as thermal insulation material in the nuclear energy field.
Eutectoid scaffold as a potential tissue engineer guide
Authors: Díaz-Arca Anabel , Mazón Patricia , De Aza Piedad N.
Published: June 2019

Biphasic scaffolds were prepared according to the eutectoid composition from subsystem silicocarnotite‐tricalcium phosphate by the polymeric replica method. Two polyurethane templates were used to explore the possibility of fabricating the scaffold on demand. The obtained scaffolds were characterized mineralogically by X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD), the chemical groups analyzed by Attenuated Total Reflectance‐Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR), microstructurally by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) fitted with Energy Dispersive X‐Ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and additionally by field emission SEM (FESEM) for the topography study. Finally, the mercury porosimetry analysis was performed for the microporosity study. The obtained results confirmed the possibility of controlling macro‐ and microporosity on the scaffold, which allowed their synthesis for specific needs.
Switching behavior of bulk, fast ion conducting, vitreous AgI‐Ag2O‐MoO3 solids with inert electrode
Authors: Tanujit Biswas , Varma G. Sreevidya , Asokan Sundarrajan
Published: June 2019

Developing efficient, fast performing and thermally stable Silver iodide‐based fast ion conducting solids are of great interest for resistive switching applications, but still remain a challenge. Metallization in bulk, behavior of threshold voltage profile over composition, and corrosion reactions are few of the challenges. In this work, the switching behavior of bulk, fast ion conducting, vitreous (AgI)x‐(Ag2O)25‐(MoO3)75‐x, for 60 ≤ x ≤ 40 solids, has been investigated in order to understand the switching mechanism with the inert electrodes. By using inert electrodes, the switching becomes irreversible, memory type. The switching mechanism is the electrochemical metallization process. The inert electrodes restrain ionic mass transfer but exhibit low barrier to electron transfer allowing the cathodic metallization reaction to reach Nernst equilibrium faster. Cations involved in this process transport through the free volume within the solid structure and follows Mott‐Gurney model for electric field‐driven thermally activated ion hopping conductivity model. This model along with the thermal stability profile provides a narrow region within composition with better switching performance based on swiftness to reach threshold voltage and less power loss. Traces of anionic contribution to metallization are absent. Moreover, anodic oxidation involves reactions that cause bubble formation and corrosion.
Causal Contribution in War
Authors: Beebee Helen , Kaiserman Alex
Published: June 2019

Revisionist approaches to the ethics of war seem to imply that civilians on the unjust side of a conflict can be legitimate targets of defensive attack. In response, some authors have argued that although civilians do often causally contribute to unjustified global threats – by voting for war, writing propaganda articles, or manufacturing munitions, for example – their contributions are usually too ‘small’, or ‘remote’, to make them liable to be intentionally killed to avert the threat. What defenders of this view lack, however, is a theory of causal contribution. This article sketches and defends a theory of causal contribution. We then apply it to the kinds of situation that defenders of the view are interested in. We argue, however, that since degrees of causal contribution turn out to be sensitive to particular features of the situation that are extrinsic to the agent's action, whether an agent makes a small or a large contribution to a threat may not only be very difficult to discern but in many cases may not line up very well with the kinds of intuition about liability that defenders of the view want to uphold.
More of a Cause?
Authors: Sartorio Carolina
Published: June 2019

Does a person's liability to attack during a war depend on the nature of their individual causal contribution to the (unjust) threat posed? If so, how? The recent literature on the ethics of war has become increasingly focused on questions of this kind. According to some views on these matters, your liability hinges on the extent of your causal contribution: the larger your contribution to an unjust threat, the larger the amount of harm that we can impose on you in order to avert the threat. Some philosophers have suggested that we can ground a quite general principle of civilian immunity on this basis. But, do causal contributions really come in degrees? Can we make sense of a graded notion of causal contribution that can be relevant to debates about liability in war? I argue there is good reason to be sceptical. The appearance that causal contributions come in degrees is just an illusion that can be explained away.
Improving healthcare access for older adults with intellectual disability: What are the needs?
Authors: Navas Patricia , Llorente Sandra , García Laura , Tassé Marc J. , Havercamp Susan M.
Published: June 2019

This qualitative study was carried out in Spain with the aim of identifying the changes that the health system should make to improve healthcare access for older adults with intellectual disability. Three hundred and sixty‐nine family members and professionals expressed their opinion on how healthcare access could be improved. Participants responded to two open‐ended questions included in a general survey about the health status of older individuals with intellectual disability. Most informants were women and professionals who had known the person with intellectual disability for more than 12 months. A system of categories, which showed good inter‐rater agreement, was developed to analyse participants’ written responses. Both family members and professionals emphasized the need to improve disability training for healthcare practitioners and highlighted the urgent need for flexibility in the structure of a healthcare system that currently overlooks the specific needs of this vulnerable population.
Ethanol infusion for Marshall bundle epicardial connections in Marshall bundle‐related atrial tachycardias following atrial fibrillation ablation: The accessibility and success rate of ethanol infusion by using a femoral approach
Authors: Kitamura Takeshi , Vlachos Konstantinos , Denis Arnaud , Andre Clementine , Martin Ruairidh , Pambrun Thomas , Duchateau Josselin , Frontera Antonio , Takigawa Masateru , Thompson Nathaniel , Cheniti Ghassen , Martin Claire A , Lam Anna , Bourier Felix , Sacher Frederic , Hocini Meleze , Haissaguerre Michel , Jais Pierre , Derval Nicolas
Published: June 2019

Background

Ethanol infusion of the vein of Marshall (VOM) may be effective to treat Marshall bundle‐related atrial tachycardia (MB‐AT). However, methods and clinical results of ethanol infusion for MB‐AT have been not established.

Objective

To assess the accessibility of the VOM and the success rate of ethanol infusion using a femoral approach for MB‐AT.

Methods

A single‐center observational study included consecutive patients who had MB‐AT and in whom we attempted to treat MB‐AT during AT by ethanol infusion. When the VOM was able to be cannulated following VOM venogram using a femoral approach, we systematically performed ethanol infusion with selective balloon occlusion of the VOM. We analyzed in detail the efficacy of ethanol infusion of VOM in patients who were in MB‐AT during ethanol infusion.

Results

We enrolled 54 consecutive patients in whom we attempted to treat MB‐AT by ethanol infusion. Of those, the VOM was accessible in 92.5% of patients (50 of 54). Of the 50 patients treated by ethanol infusion during MB‐AT, AT was successfully terminated in 56% percent of the patients (28 of 50) by solo treatment of ethanol infusion without RF ablation. The remainder required additional RF application to terminate the MB‐AT. A mean of 6.2 ± 2.8 mL of ethanol was infused resulting in the low‐voltage area significantly larger than that before ethanol infusion (12.7 ± 8.3 vs 6.6 ± 5.3 cm2, P < .001).

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that the VOM was highly accessible and MB‐AT was amenable to treatment by ethanol infusion by using a femoral approach.