bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Business and innovation resources
Authors: Löfsten Hans
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze how new technology-based firms’ (NTBF) business and innovation resources affect firm survival.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study leverages a data set comprised of 131 Swedish NTBFs located in 16 incubators. The first part of the analysis investigates the determinants of firm survival, and the second presents a statistical analysis. The business resources examined in this study consist of business planning and localization variables and four latent variables are developed. Patents at the firm start or during the firm’s first three years are considered as innovation resources.

Findings

– First, this study shows that the latent business plans variable has a significant positive connection with firm survival. Second, patent development during firms’ initial years is critical to firm survival.

Originality/value

– This study is longitudinal, with the first data collection occurring in 2005 and the second in 2014. The firms’ 2013 annual reports suggest that the firms’ survival rate is 55 percent. This longitudinal research that spans eight years shows how the development of patents is highly significant to firm survival.
Toward an innovation-based perspective on company performance
Authors: Lichtenthaler Ulrich
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to suggest an innovation-based perspective on company performance and develops a conceptual framework.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a research paper, which builds on prior theoretical and empirical management research.

Findings

– The innovation-based view is grounded in interfirm differences in innovation, and it underscores the opportunities to achieve sustainable superior firm performance by innovating internally besides the increasing trend toward open innovation. The innovation-based perspective goes beyond many firms’ focus on product innovation by examining its interdependencies with other essential first-order innovations such as service, process, business model, and management innovations. The innovation-based perspective further addresses the dynamic and intertemporal transformation of innovation activities based on second-order innovations, which provide a more realistic view of organizations’ innovation over time. This transformation affects organizational boundaries and how a firm sustains superior performance.

Originality/value

– The innovation-based view revises extant approaches to competition and firm boundaries. The new arguments help to reconcile inconsistent earlier findings, and they deepen the understanding of interfirm differences in innovation and performance.
Integrating sustainability into strategic supplier portfolio selection
Authors: Neumüller Claudia , Lasch Rainer , Kellner Florian
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a comprehensive methodology and a problem-specific model for the configuration of the optimal strategic supplier portfolio in terms of traditional, performance-related objectives and sustainability targets.

Design/methodology/approach

– To bridge the research gap, i.e., to align strategic supplier portfolio selection with corporate sustainability targets, a hybrid model of the analytic network process (ANP) and goal programming (GP) is developed. To validate the model, a case example is presented and managerial feedback is collected.

Findings

– By enabling the integration of sustainability targets into strategic supplier portfolio configuration, the hybrid ANP-GP model contributes to research in the area of sustainable supply chain management. Results indicate that simplifying the model by omitting one or more details may lead to unfortunate actions.

Research limitations/implications

– The model has been applied using a case example in the automotive industry. To strengthen the findings, it should be examined under other terms as well.

Practical implications

– Integrating economic, environmental, and social targets into strategic supplier portfolio configuration reduces supply risks and promotes the achievement of the sustainability goals of the purchasing company.

Social implications

– Strategic supplier selection counts among the decisions that have an impact on the environment and society for several years. Configuring economically rational, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible supplier bases supports worldwide efforts towards sustainable development.

Originality/value

– Although sustainable supplier selection has gained importance in recent years, this is the first time that a comprehensive model for the determination of the optimal strategic supplier portfolio in terms of performance-related objectives and sustainability targets has been proposed.
Abusive supervision and employee creativity
Authors: Liu Wenxing , Zhang Pengcheng , Liao Jianqiao , Hao Po , Mao Jianghua
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– Prior researches have indicated that leadership had an important impact on employee creativity. However, the authors know little about the link between the dark side of leadership-abusive supervision, and employee creativity, as well as its underlying mechanisms. Combining psychological safety theory and social identification theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between abusive supervision and employee creativity and the mediating role of psychological safety and organizational identification between abusive supervision and employee creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted a multi-source and time-lagged data collection. At Time 1, team members evaluated abusive supervision and psychological safety, and at Time 2, team members evaluated organization identification, and team leaders evaluated members’ creativity. Abusive supervision, psychological safety were evaluated at first stage and organizational identification, creativity were evaluated at second stage, being conducted 2-4 weeks later after the first stage. Finally 423 participants completed two waves of data collection.

Findings

– The results suggested that, abusive supervision had negative effects on psychological safety and organizational identification, and psychological safety partially mediated the relationship between abusive supervision and organizational identification, and organizational identification fully mediated the relationship between psychological safety and creativity, and the negative effect of abusive supervision on employee creativity was mediated by psychological safety and then by organizational identification.

Originality/value

– This study identifies and examines the mechanism underlying the effect of abusive supervision, and suggests that psychological safety and organizational identification are two important mediators of the complex relationship between abusive supervision and employee creativity. Therefore, this study not only re-examines the inconsistent effect of abusive supervision on employee creativity, but also represents the first attempt at integrating the psychological safety perspective and social identification theory to study employee creativity and offers important implications for theory development.
Spillover effects of marketing expertise on market performance of domestic firms and MNEs in emerging markets
Authors: Lu Qiang (Steven) , Pattnaik Chinmay , Shi Mengze
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the spillover effects of marketing expertise on the market performance of domestic firms and multinational enterprises (MNEs). Specifically, this study examines how the adoption of frequency loyalty programs by a domestic firm following an MNE affects the competitive dynamics and the market performance of both firms in a Chinese retail gasoline market.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is based on empirical data that were obtained from a quasi-field experiment in which the MNE entered the market with a frequency loyalty program and the domestic firm later responded with a similar loyalty program. The authors measured the impact of the adoption of a frequency loyalty program by the domestic firm on the market performance of both the domestic firm and the MNE.

Findings

– The authors find that the domestic firm’s adoption of a similar loyalty program significantly increased its market share in the regular gasoline market. The domestic firm’s adoption of a loyalty program also increased the market performance of the MNE in the premium gasoline market.

Originality/value

– This study explicitly demonstrates the spillover benefits through demonstration effects and provides empirical evidence on specific spillover benefits to domestic firms and MNEs based on their competencies in distinct market segments where they compete.
Ambidextrous supply chain as a dynamic capability: building a resilient supply chain
Authors: Lee Sang M , Rha Jin Sung
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– Developing ambidexterity as a dynamic capability is important for firms to sustain their competitive advantage. Moreover, this capability allows firms to build the resiliency to mitigate enterprise risks. The purpose of this paper is to apply two main theoretical frames from the strategy literature, dynamic capabilities, and organizational ambidexterity, to supply chain management (SCM) to examine mitigation strategies for supply chain (SC) disruptions. The authors empirically investigated how the firm’s SC ambidexterity is developed through a dynamic capability-building process and how this, in turn, can mitigate the negative impact of SC disruptions and improve business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study conducted a field survey to answer the research questions as there exists no archival database with detailed information on ambidextrous SC strategies and dynamic capability. A total of 316 usable responses were received from managers working in the SC area. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were run on SPSS (version 16.0) and AMOS (version 18.0) to test the hypotheses to answer research questions.

Findings

– Overall, the results of the study confirmed that a dynamic SC capability-building process is an antecedent of SC ambidexterity, and that SC ambidexterity is important to firms as it mitigate the negative impact of SC disruptions and enhance business performance. To take advantage of an ambidextrous SC, through minimizing the negative impact of SC disruptions and maximizing firm performance, firms should continually search for creative ways to satisfy new market needs and adapt to the fast changing business environment.

Originality/value

– This study applied a dynamic capability-building process and ambidexterity to SCM. From the resilient SC perspective, the study found that the ability to effectively utilize existing resources and create novel strategies for problem solving plays a critical role in addressing SC disruptions.
Fused deposition modelling based rapid patterns for investment casting applications: a review
Authors: Singh Sunpreet , Singh Rupinder
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to review the industrial and biomedical applications of state-of-the-art fused deposition modelling (FDM)-assisted investment casting (FDMAIC). Brief literature survey of methodologies, ideas, techniques and approaches used by various researchers is highlighted and use of hybrid feedstock filament-based pattern to produce metal matrix composite is duly discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

– Pattern replica required for investment casting (IC) of biomedical implant, machine parts, dentistry and other industrial components can be directly produced by using FDM process is presented. Relevant studies and examples explaining the suitability of FDMAIC for various applications are also presented.

Findings

– Researches to optimize the conventional IC with FDM solutions and develop new hybrid feedstock filament of FDM done by researchers worldwide are also discussed. The review highlights the benefit of FDMAIC to surgeons, engineers and manufacturing organizations.

Research limitations/implications

– The research related to this survey is limited to the suitability and applicability of FDMAIC.

Originality/value

– This review presents the information regarding potential IC application, which facilitates the society, engineers and manufacturing organizations by providing variety of components for assisting FDM. The information reported in this paper will serve doctors, researchers, organizations and academicians to explore the new options in the field of FDMAIC.
Research on the redesign of precision tools and their manufacturing process based on selective laser melting (SLM)
Authors: Wang Di , Song Changhui , Yang Yongqiang , Liu Ruicheng , Ye Ziheng , Xiao Dongming , Liu Yang
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to verify that additive manufacturing technology could be used for the redesign and rapid manufacturing of tools and determine whether the mechanical performance of such tools can satisfy the practical operating requirements.

Design/methodology/approach

– A special key was selected as the research object in this paper. The special key was innovatively redesigned and manufactured directly using selective laser melting (SLM). The function and critical geometries of the special key were first analysed, which was followed by discussions on the geometrical constraints in the manufacturing of typical geometrical features using SLM technology. Next, the special key was redesigned based on the SLM geometrical constraints and the functional requirements. Finally, the key was manufactured using SLM, and the mechanical performance characteristics of the key were determined.

Findings

– The minimal geometrical feature was 0.2 mm when manufacturing thin walls using SLM. The reliable building angle of an overhanging surface was 40°. The top surface quality of the part could be greatly improved through laser surface re-melting. The volume of the redesigned special key based on the SLM process was only one-third to one-fourth of the original key. The mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and micro-hardness, of the samples manufactured using SLM were able to reach the practical operating requirements.

Originality/value

– It is completely feasible to redesign and manufacture precision tools based on the innovative approach of SLM. The advantages of the redesigned tools includes the lack of design restrictions that hinder traditional manufacturing methods, material savings, ability to produce tools that cannot be easily copied and rapid production speed for a small number of tools.
CAD and AM-fabricated moulds for fast cranio-maxillofacial implants manufacture
Authors: Ruiz-Huerta Leopoldo , Almanza-Arjona Yara Cecilia , Caballero-Ruiz Alberto , Castro-Espinosa Homero Alberto , Díaz-Aguirre Celia Minerva , Echevarría y Pérez Enrique
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to suggest the joint use of computer-aided design (CAD) and additive manufacturing (AM) technology for the fabrication of custom-made moulds, designed for the manufacture of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) implants for cranio-maxillofacial reconstruction to reduce their fabrication time. Even though tailor-made skull prostheses with a high technological level and state-of-the-art materials are available in the market, they are not always accessible to the general population in developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

– Computed tomography data were handled to create a three-dimensional (3D) model of the injury of the patient, by reconstructing Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) images into an Standard Tessellation Language (STL) file that was further used to design the corresponding implant using CAD software. Accordingly, a two-piece core and cavity moulds that replicated the implant geometry was also CAD designed. The 3D-CAD data were sent to an AM machine (fused deposition modelling) and the moulds were fabricated using polycarbonate as thermoplastic material. A reacting mixture to produce PMMA was poured directly into the fabricated moulds, and left to polymerise until cure. Finally, a clear bubble-free case of study PMMA implant was obtained.

Findings

– The fabrication of CAD-designed moulds with AM, replacing the production of the injury model, resulted in the reduction of the lead-time in the manufacturing of PMMA around 45 per cent. Additionally, the implant showed better fit than the one produced by conventional process. The use of AM moulds for the fabrication of PMMA implants has demonstrated the reduction in lead-time, which potentially can reduce the waiting time for patients.

Social implications

– Currently, the demand of cranio-maxillofacial implants at only the Hospital General de México “Dr Eduardo Liceaga” (HGM) is 4,000 implants per year, and the average waiting time for each patient is between 5 and 10 weeks, including third-party services’ delays and the time needed to obtain the economical resources by the patient. Public hospitals in Mexico lack manufacturing facilities, so patients have to make use of laboratories abroad and most of the population have no access to them. The implementation of this suggested procedure in public hospitals may improve the accuracy of the implant, increase the number of patients attended per year (up to 83 per cent) and the reduction in waiting time can also reduce mortality and infection rates.

Originality/value

– The authors of this paper suggest the joint use of CAD and AM technologies to significantly reduce the production time of PMMA implants by producing moulds rather than the injury model, maintaining the general terms and known steps of the process already established for PMMA implants.
Development of novel additive manufacturing technology: an investigation of a selective composite formation process
Authors: Cunico Marlon Wesley Machado , Carvalho Jonas de
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to present a novel additive manufacturing (AM) technology which is based on selective formation of cellulose-acrylate composite. Besides proposing a process that combines the benefits of fibres and photopolymers, this paper reports the development of material, characterisation of a straight line composite formation, adherence between layers and functional feasibility of the proposed concept.

Design/methodology/approach

– For the preliminary evaluation of the proposed process, a composite material based on cellulose-photopolymer was developed, while a multi-objective optimisation study indicated the formulation which results in the maximum values of layer adherence, tensile strength of composite and the effect of the water on the mechanical strength of material. For the characterisation of the process, three main subjects were analysed: the characterisation of straight line composite formation, the effect of composite formation process on previous layers and the functional feasibility of technology.

Findings

– In the material development, the tensile strength of dry composite was identified between 20 and 30 MPa, while the tensile strength of wet composite was between 5 and 12 MPa. It is important to note that the dry and wet cellulose presented tensile strength, respectively, equal to 15 and 1 MPa, indicating the possibility of residual material removal only with the use of water or other soft solvent. The values of adherence between layers (peeling test) were found to be between 0.12 and 0.15 kgf, and the photopolymer formulation which resulted in the maximum adherence has monomer/oligomer ratio equal to 1.5 and 2 per cent wt of photoinitiator percentual. As result of the optimisation study, the material formulation was compounded by monomer – 10 ml, oligomer – 4.5 ml and photoinitiator – 2 per cent, being found suitable to characterise and evaluate the proposed process. The study of composite formation along a straight line showed values of line width between 1,400 and 3,500 μm in accordance with light power, laser velocity and laser beam diameter. On the other hand, the number of previous layers affected by the composite formation varied from 0 to 4, indicating a potential process limit. In the functional feasibility study, a feasible process window which resulted in the maximum dimensional deviation equal to 0.5 mm was identified. In addition, the mean mechanical tensile strength was found to be around 30 MPa for longitudinal laser trajectory (90°) and 15 MPa for transversal laser trajectory (0°), highlighting the anisotropic behaviour of final parts according to the manufacturing strategy.

Originality/value

– This paper proposed a novel AM technology and also described studies related to the characterisation of this concept. This work might also be useful to the development of other AM processes and applications.
Efficient volumetric error compensation technique for additive manufacturing machines
Authors: Cajal Carlos , Santolaria Jorge , Samper David , Velazquez Jesus
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to present a methodology for volumetric error compensation. This technique is applied to an Objet Eden350V 3D printer and involves a custom measurement strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

– The kinematic model of the printer is explained, and its error model is simplified to 18 independent error functions. Each error function is defined by a cubic Legendre polynomial. The coefficients of the polynomials are obtained through a Levenberg–Marquardt optimization process. This optimization process compares, in an iterative algorithm, nominal coordinates with actual values of the cloud of points. The points are built in the faces of a gauge artefact as conical sockets defining one unique point for each socket. These points are measured by a coordinate measuring machine self-centring measurement process.

Findings

– Most of the errors of the 3D printer are systematic. It is possible to obtain an improvement of 70 per cent in terms of global mean error reduction in single points within a volume of 120 × 120 × 40 mm. The forecast of the final error compensation fully matches the actual final error.

Practical implications

– This methodology can be used for accuracy improvement in additive manufacturing machines.

Originality/value

– Unlike the calculation of geometric errors, the proposed parametric determination through optimization of the error model allows global error reduction, which decreases all sort of systematic errors concurrently. The proposed measurement strategy allows high reliability, high speed and operator independence in the measurement process, which increases efficiency and reduces the cost. The proposed methodology is easily translated to other rapid prototyping machines and allows scalability when replicating artefacts covering any working volume.
Fabrication of conductive paths on a fused deposition modeling substrate using inkjet deposition
Authors: Zhou Wenchao , List Frederick A , Duty Chad E , Babu Sudarsanam S
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the possibility of integrating inkjet printed circuitry with fused deposition modeling (FDM) structures to produce embedded electronics and smart structures. Several of the challenges of combining these technologies are identified, and potential solutions are developed.

Design/methodology/approach

– An experimental approach is taken to investigate some of the relevant physical processes for integrating FDM and inkjet deposition, including the printing, drying and sintering processes. Experimental data are collected to assist understanding of the problems, and engineering solutions are proposed and implemented based on the gained understanding of the problems.

Findings

– Three challenges have been identified, including the discontinuity of the printed lines resulting from the irregular surface of the FDM substrate, the non-conductivity of the printed lines due to the particle segregation during the droplet drying process and the slow drying process caused by the “skinning effect”. Two engineering solutions are developed for the discontinuity problem. The non-conductivity issue and the slow drying process are attributed to the motion of the nanoparticles caused by the evaporation flow. The thermally activated drying process for the Cabot ink suggests that the proposed solution is effective. Timescale analysis and experimental data show that the printing conditions do not have a clear influence on the conductivity of the printed lines, and drying and sintering processes are more important.

Research limitations/implications

– No quantitative model has yet been developed for simulating the printing, drying and sintering processes associated with inkjet printing on FDM substrates. Quantitative models can be extremely valuable for improvement in understanding the problems, optimizing the proposed solutions and coming up with better solutions.

Practical implications

– The research findings in this work have great implications in implementing a hybrid FDM-inkjet deposition machine for fabricating embedded electronics and smart structures. All the proposed engineering solutions for the identified problems can be potentially integrated into one machine.

Social implications

– The success of the integration of the FDM and inkjet deposition process will enable the design of compact electro-mechanical structures to replace the large heavy electro-mechanical systems.

Originality/value

– This work represents one of the first attempts for integrating inkjet deposition of silver nanoparticle inks with the FDM process for making compact electro-mechanical structures. Three critical challenges are identified, and corresponding engineering solutions are proposed and implemented based on analysis of the relevant physical processes, including the printing, drying and sintering processes, which has laid the foundation for integrating the FDM and inkjet deposition processes.
Porosity content control of CoCrMo and titanium parts by Taguchi method applied to selective laser melting process parameter
Authors: Joguet David , Costil Sophie , Liao Hanlin , Danlos Yoann
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper consists in the optimization and understanding of the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) manufacturing process of biomaterials, such as T40 and CoCrMo, as scaffolds. Moreover, process optimization is also challenging, with regards to the huge number of parameters and their influence on the finished product.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper opted for an exploratory study using Taguchi analysis method to precisely identify the most relevant parameters and justify the energy estimation.

Findings

– The study showed that SLM fits perfectly with the T40 and CoCrMo part manufacturing. This method allowed to have a complete overview of all the potential applications of SLM for implant manufacturing.

Originality/value

– With this research approach, the results may be generalized to other material and showed a good theoretical approach.
Herbivore release drives parallel patterns of evolutionary divergence in invasive plant phenotypes
Authors: Uesugi Akane , Kessler André
Published: January 2016

Herbivory can drive rapid evolution of plant chemical traits mediating defensive and competitive ability. At a geographic scale, plant populations that escape selection from their ancestral herbivores may evolve decreased defence and increased competitiveness. While contrasts between native and invasive populations of plants lend support to this hypothesis, such experiments cannot establish causal links between herbivory and evolved invasive phenotypes.

Here, we conducted geographic contrasts, and coupled these with long‐term selection experiments that directly test for evolutionary responses to herbivore exclusion. In common gardens, we contrasted Solidago altissima genotypes that were historically exposed or protected from herbivory across two experimental time‐scales: (i) a natural experiment where plant populations evolved either with native herbivory (in Minnesota and New York) or evolved relatively free from herbivory for ˜100 years in Japan, and (ii) a 12‐year manipulative experiment where plants were either exposed to ambient herbivory or treated with insecticide.

In both experiments, plant populations responded to herbivore release by evolving increased production of root allelochemicals and interspecific competitive ability against Poa pratensis. While plant resistance to a beetle herbivore did not diverge between plant origins, we still observed parallel evolutionary shifts in leaf secondary metabolite and protease inhibitor production, which may confer resistance to diverse herbivore species.

Synthesis. Observed evolutionary convergence for multiple plant traits, between the natural and manipulative experiments, emphasizes the role of insect herbivores as key drivers of plant adaptation and geographic differentiation.
Disentangling the effect of competition, CO2 and climate on intrinsic water‐use efficiency and tree growth
Authors: Fernández‐de‐Uña Laura , McDowell Nate G. , Cañellas Isabel , Gea‐Izquierdo Guillermo
Published: January 2016

Climate change scenarios forecast rising temperatures for the Mediterranean region, which could enhance the vulnerability to drought stress in forest ecosystems. The long‐term effects of climate forcing on tree performance can be, however, modulated by other environmental factors, such as competition and rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations.

We assessed the concomitant effect of competition, climate and CO2 concentrations on the tree‐ring δ13C‐derived intrinsic water‐use efficiency (iWUE) and basal area increments (BAI) of species with different drought tolerance: two Mediterranean deciduous species (Quercus faginea Lam. and Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) and one conifer (Pinus sylvestris L.). Additionally, given that competition may be managed to mitigate the effect of increasing drought stress, we further examined the influence of this variable on iWUE and growth using data compiled from the literature, providing the first review on the response of iWUE to competition.

Competition had no significant effect on iWUE in any of the three species studied, whereas, as expected, growth rates were significantly higher under low‐competition levels. This was consistent with the literature review, which showed that shifts in iWUE with competition changes are rare; supporting the hypothesis that leaf‐level gas exchange tends to be a homeostatic trait. In the long term, the three species exhibited a significant increasing trend in iWUE due to the combined effect of increased CO2 concentration, climate and age. Growth, however, was mostly affected by competition and climate and in most cases was not enhanced as a result of the increase in iWUE.

Synthesis. Regardless of their functional response to drought, trees respond to reduced competition through the structural shifts such as increased radial growth rather than leaf‐level gas exchange adjustments. CO2 and climate are, therefore, the main drivers of iWUE variability, rather than competition. Thus, if temperature‐induced drought becomes limiting, reducing competition for resources may not offset the detrimental effect of increasing drought stress on tree physiology and growth decline may occur without a CO2 fertilization effect.
Director succession planning in not‐for‐profit boards
Authors: Varhegyi Melinda Maria , Jepsen Denise Mary
Published: January 2016

Many Australian not‐for‐profit boards face a crisis in attracting suitably qualified board members who are willing and able to take on governance roles in increasingly complex not‐for‐profit business environments. These boards often do not have the expertise, time or resources to conduct the necessary succession planning. As a result, succession planning for board directors is not a widespread practice. This study investigated the attitudes of 88 directors of not‐for‐profit organisations to succession planning. Results revealed that existing board directors perceive succession planning in the two dimensions of practices and value. Directors evaluated their participation in the succession planning process depending on the referent group of CEO, management team and board of directors, and not on their level of involvement in the succession planning process. Directors recognise the positive relationship between succession planning and board effectiveness. Implications for not‐for‐profit organisations and human resources functions are addressed.
Analysis of Front‐of‐Pack labelling systems on packaged non‐alcoholic beverages for Australian consumer guidance
Authors: Yang Chun‐Shun , Liu Xiaoman , Ford Pauline , Leishman Shaneen , Schubert Lisa
Published: January 2016

Aim

Numerous Front‐of‐Pack nutrition labelling systems have been proposed in recent years to assist consumers in making healthier food choices, including reducing sugar intake. Packaged beverages represent one product category that has undergone significant diversification and has emerging new subcategories. The present study examined the implications of applying three different currently used or proposed Front‐of Pack nutrition labels to a range of pre‐packaged beverage products to descriptively assess their potential utility.

Methods

The Traffic Light System, % Daily Intake label and the Health Star Rating system were applied in accordance with established criteria and standards on 31 non‐alcoholic pre‐packaged beverages representing eight subcategories.

Results

There were often considerable differences between labelling system ratings for the same products. The Traffic Light System had similar labelling when comparing soft drinks and fruit juice and sodium content was marked as low for all tested products. Percentage Daily Intake reflected similar results for regular soft drinks and fruit juices; however, in terms of energy, liquid breakfast ranked highest followed by energy drinks, fruit juice and soft drinks. The Health Star Rating showed the fruit juice category to be healthier than other beverages, including water. Diet products scored 0.5–1 stars more than regular products.

Conclusions

The Health Star Rating system was concluded to be more suitable to label beverages based on better utility, applicability and ease of identifying healthier beverage choices; however, this system would benefit from further refinement. Labelling simplicity, health representativeness, marketplace utility and consumer comprehensiveness are important considerations for future labelling development.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Enterotoxin B‐Producing Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Food Sources: A Particular Cluster of ST188 Strains was Identified
Authors: Song Qifa , Zhu Zhenhua , Chang Yanzi , Shen Xuanyi , Gao Hong , Yang Yuanbin
Published: January 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) producing Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolated from food sources. A total of 412 S. aureus isolates were recovered from 1970 milk and dairy samples (n = 236) and 2450 meat samples (n = 176) in China from 2009 to 2014. Of the 412 isolates, 124 isolates were tested positive for 1 or more classical staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) genes using PCR, and 31 isolates were positive for seb gene and further proved to be SEB‐producing. Four SE profiles were observed among 31 SEB‐producing isolates when investigated using ELISA kit, that is, SEB (16 isolates), SEA+SEB (6 isolates), SEB+SEC (6 isolates), and SEB+SED (3 isolates). Thirteen sequence types (STs) were identified in the 31 SEB‐producing S. aureus isolates using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The 3 most detected STs were ST1 (7 isolates), ST188 (6 isolates), ST59 (3 isolates). Two distinct clusters were identified by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), each of which showed excellent consistency with ST188 and ST1 achieved by MLST, respectively.

In summary, this study reveals that various SE profiles are observed in SEB‐producing S. aureus isolates and the great part of SEB‐producing S. aureus isolates are showed as clusters. Especially, a particular cluster of ST188 strains was observed in SEB‐producing S. aureus isolates which was associated with outbreaks of SFP and needs further attention.
Detection of Different DNA Animal Species in Commercial Candy Products
Authors: Muñoz‐Colmenero Marta , Martínez Jose Luis , Roca Agustín , Garcia‐Vazquez Eva
Published: January 2016

Candy products are consumed all across the world, but there is not much information about their composition. In this study we have used a DNA‐based approach for determining the animal species occurring in 40 commercial candies of different types. We extracted DNA and performed PCR amplification, cloning and sequencing for obtaining species‐informative DNA sequences. Eight species were identified including fish (hake and anchovy) in 22% of the products analyzed. Bovine and porcine were the most abundant appearing in 27 samples each one. Most products contained a mixture of species. Marshmallows (7), jelly‐types, and gummies (20) contained a significantly higher number of species than hard candies (9). We demonstrated the presence of DNA animal species in candy product which allow consumers to make choices and prevent allergic reaction.
Echolocation detections and digital video surveys provide reliable estimates of the relative density of harbour porpoises
Authors: Williamson Laura D. , Brookes Kate L. , Scott Beth E. , Graham Isla M. , Bradbury Gareth , Hammond Philip S. , Thompson Paul M.
Published: January 2016

Robust estimates of the density or abundance of cetaceans are required to support a wide range of ecological studies and inform management decisions. Considerable effort has been put into the development of line‐transect sampling techniques to obtain estimates of absolute density from aerial‐ and boat‐based visual surveys. Surveys of cetaceans using acoustic loggers or digital cameras provide alternative methods to estimate relative density that have the potential to reduce cost and provide a verifiable record of all detections. However, the ability of these methods to provide reliable estimates of relative density has yet to be established.

These methodologies were compared by conducting aerial visual line‐transect surveys (n = 10 days) and digital video strip‐transect surveys (n = 4 days) in the Moray Firth, Scotland. Simultaneous acoustic data were collected from moored echolocation detectors (C‐PODs) at 58 locations across the study site. Density surface modelling (DSM) of visual survey data was used to estimate spatial variation in relative harbour porpoise density on a 4 × 4 km grid.DSMwas also performed on the digital survey data, and the resulting model output compared to that from visual survey data. Estimates of relative density from visual surveys around acoustic monitoring sites were compared with several metrics previously used to characterise variation in acoustic detections of echolocation clicks.

There was a strong correlation between estimates of relative density from visual surveys and digital video surveys (Spearman's ρ = 0·85). A correction to account for animals missed on the transect line [previously calculated for visual aerial surveys of harbour porpoise in the North Sea was used to convert relative density from the visual surveys to absolute density. This allowed calculation of the first estimate of a proxy for detection probability in digital video surveys, suggesting that 61% (CV = 0·53) of harbour porpoises were detected. There was also a strong correlation between acoustic detections and density with Spearman's ρ = 0·73 for detection positive hours.

These results provide confidence in the emerging use of digital video and acoustic surveys for studying the density of small cetaceans and their responses to environmental and anthropogenic change.
An experimental comparison of three towed underwater video systems using species metrics, benthic impact and performance
Authors: Sheehan Emma V. , Vaz Sandrine , Pettifer Erin , Foster Nicola L. , Nancollas Sarah J. , Cousens Sophie , Holmes Luke , Facq Jean‐Valery , Germain Gregory , Attrill Martin J.
Published: January 2016

Managing ecological systems, which operate over large spatial scales, is inherently difficult and often requires sourcing data from different countries and organizations. The assumption might be made that data collected using similar methodologies are comparable, but this is rarely tested. Here, benthic video data recorded using different towed underwater video systems (TUVSs) were experimentally compared.

Three technically different TUVSs were compared on different seabed types (rocky, mixed ground and sandy) in Kingmere Marine Conservation Zone, off the south coast of England. For each TUVS, species metrics (forward facing camera), seabed impact (backward facing camera) and operational performance (strengths and limitations of equipment and video footage) were compared with the aim of providing recommendations on their future use and comparability of data between different systems.

Statistically significant differences between species richness, density, cover and assemblage composition were detected amongst devices and were believed to be mostly due to their optical specifications. As a result of their high image definition and large field of vision both the benthic contacting heavy and benthic tending TUVS provided good quality footage and ecological measurements. However, the heaviest TUVS proved difficult to operate on irregular ground and was found to cause the most impact to the seabed. The lightest TUVS (benthic contacting light) struggled to maintain contact with the seabed. The benthic tending TUVS was able to fly over variable seabed relief and was comparably the least destructive.

Results from this study highlight that particular care should be given to sled and optic specifications when developing a medium‐ or long‐term marine protected area monitoring programme. Furthermore, when using data gathered from multiple sources to test ecological questions, different equipment specifications may confound observed ecological differences.

A benthic tending TUVS is recommended for benthic surveys over variable habitat types, particularly in sensitive areas, such as marine protected areas.
A Novel Tool for Evaluation of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Patients in the Emergency Department: Does Robotic Assessment of Neuromotor Performance Following Injury Predict the Presence of Postconcussion Symptoms at Follow‐up?
Authors: Subbian Vignesh , Ratcliff Jonathan J. , Korfhagen Joseph J. , Hart Kimberly W. , Meunier Jason M. , Shaw George J. , Lindsell Christopher J. , Beyette Fred R.
Published: January 2016

Objectives

Postconcussion symptoms (PCS) are a common complication of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Currently, there is no validated clinically available method to reliably predict at the time of injury who will subsequently develop PCS. The purpose of this study was to determine if PCS following mild TBI can be predicted during the initial presentation to an emergency department (ED) using a novel robotic‐assisted assessment of neurologic function.

Methods

All patients presenting to an urban ED with a chief complaint of head injury within the preceding 24 hours were screened for inclusion from March 2013 to April 2014. The enrollment criteria were as follows: 1) age of 18 years or greater, 2) ability and willingness to provide written informed consent, 3) blunt head trauma and clinical diagnosis of isolated mild TBI by the treating physician, and 4) blood alcohol level of <100 mg/dL. Eligible mild TBI patients were enrolled and their neuromotor function was assessed in the ED using a battery of five tests that cover a range of proprioceptive, visuomotor, visuospatial, and executive function performance metrics. At 3 weeks postinjury, participants were contacted via telephone to complete the Rivermead Post‐Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire to assess the presence of significant PCS.

Results

A total of 66 mild TBI patients were enrolled in the study with 42 of them completing both the ED assessment and the follow‐up; 40 patients were included in the analyses. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the entire test battery was 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.54 to 0.90). The AUC for tests that primarily measure visuomotor and proprioceptive performance were 0.80 (95% CI = 0.65 to 0.95) and 0.71 (95% CI = 0.53 to 0.89), respectively.

Conclusions

The robotic‐assisted test battery has the ability to discriminate between subjects who developed PCS and those who did not. Additionally, poor visuomotor and proprioceptive performance were most strongly associated with subsequent PCS.
A Model Longitudinal Observation Medicine Curriculum for an Emergency Medicine Residency
Authors: Wheatley Matthew , Baugh Christopher , Osborne Anwar , Clark Carol , Shayne Philip , Ross Michael
Published: January 2016

The role of observation services for emergency department patients has increased in recent years. Driven by changing health care practices and evolving payer policies, many hospitals in the United States currently have or are developing an observation unit (OU) and emergency physicians are most often expected to manage patients in this setting. Yet, few residency programs dedicate a portion of their clinical curriculum to observation medicine. This knowledge set should be integrated into the core training curriculum of emergency physicians. Presented here is a model observation medicine longitudinal training curriculum, which can be integrated into an emergency medicine (EM) residency. It was developed by a consensus of content experts representing the observation medicine interest group and observation medicine section, respectively, from EM's two major specialty societies: the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). The curriculum consists of didactic, clinical, and self‐directed elements. It is longitudinal, with learning objectives for each year of training, focusing initially on the basic principles of observation medicine and appropriate observation patient selection; moving to the management of various observation appropriate conditions; and then incorporating further concepts of OU management, billing, and administration. This curriculum is flexible and designed to be used in both academic and community EM training programs within the United States. Additionally, scholarly opportunities, such as elective rotations and fellowship training, are explored.
miRNA Regulation of Immune Tolerance in Early Pregnancy
Authors: Schjenken John E. , Zhang Bihong , Chan Hon Y. , Sharkey David J. , Fullston Tod , Robertson Sarah A.
Published: January 2016

To support embryo implantation, the female reproductive tract must provide a tolerogenic immune environment. Seminal fluid contact at conception contributes to activating the endometrial gene expression and immune cell changes required for robust implantation, influencing not only the quality of the ensuing pregnancy but also the health of offspring. miRNAs are small non‐coding RNAs that play important regulatory roles in biological processes, including regulation of the immune environment. miRNAs are known to contribute to gene regulation in pregnancy and are altered in pregnancy pathologies. Recent studies indicate that miRNAs participate in establishing immune tolerance at conception, and may contribute to the regulatory effects of seminal fluid in generating tolerogenic dendritic cells and T regulatory cells. This review highlights those miRNAs implicated in programming immune cells that are critical during the peri‐conception period and explores how seminal fluid may regulate female tract miRNA expression following coitus.