bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green and sustainable practices in the construction industry
Authors: Shurrab Jaber , Hussain Matloub , Khan Mehmood
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to differentiate between sustainable and green construction and significantly contribute to empirical investigations related to the impact of green construction factors on sustainable performance and to test the theory of planned behavior in the construction context and empirically assess green construction factors and the performance model. The model incorporates green construction factors that link construction activities with suppliers and customers to support environmental sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected from 120 construction industry respondents were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, which identified seven green construction factors. Two conformity factor analysis models were created to test the relationship fitness of the components and measure the impact of green construction factors on the sustainable performance of the construction.

Findings

The results provide substantial evidence that shows that the adoption of green construction factors by construction firms leads to improved sustainable performance. The overall perspective of respondents within the construction industry, according to the questionnaire survey, shows that the benefits, such as an improved corporate image and sustainable competitive advantage, increase compliance with customers’ expectations within the construction industry.

Research limitations/implications

This study covered private construction companies and measured the construction industry professional’s feedback without including the clients.

Practical implications

The results of this study will support the future success of ecological sustainability and green construction initiatives, mainly on enforcement and incentives; moreover, the results of this study will ensure that regulations will cover green practices for all types of projects and will be formally monitored for compliance.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper stems from drawing boundaries between green and sustainable construction and exploring the impact of green management on the sustainable performance of the construction industry. Most of the related previous works have used the concepts of green and sustainability interchangeably, and there is a lack of studies in this regard, particularly in the construction industry.
A trading and pricing method of expansion options for BOT freeway projects in China
Authors: Sun Hui , Wang Yuning , Meng Jia
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a trading and pricing method of expansion option (EO) model to solve expansion problems of build-operate-transfer (BOT) freeway project.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes anex antemechanism through trading the EO to avoid the transaction costs. By editing the paths generated from binomial option pricing model, this paper establishes an American real option binomial lattice model and evaluates the value of EO. Data are collected from Liaoning province in China and the model is practiced in the context of a BOT freeway in Liaoning province.

Findings

Supported by empirical evidence, this study finds out that there exists a minimum price at which the government can sell the EO and a maximum price that the private sector is willing to pay. When the minimum price is negative, the government should transfer the EO to the private sector free of charge to avoid the transaction costs. Otherwise, the government should sell the EO at a reasonable price to protect public interests.

Practical implications

The study can be used for the government to reducing the transaction costs. By using the trading EO model, the government can sell its share of the EO to the private sector to manage its resources efficiently.

Originality/value

This paper builds a trading EO model to solve expansion problems instead of renegotiations. In addition to reducing the transaction costs for the whole society, trading EO can also raise the respective payoffs of both public and private sectors. An EO trading framework and algorithm is further developed. It realized an American option model, making the owner can exercise the option whenever he wants. Thus, the whole model is adapted to best fit BOT highway practice.
Aggressive tax planning and stock price synchronicity: evidence from China
Authors: Feng Hua , Habib Ahsan , Tian Gao liang
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the association between aggressive tax planning and stock price synchronicity.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing the special institutional background of China, this study constructs tax aggressiveness and stock price synchronicity measures for a large sample of Chinese stocks spanning the period 2003–2015. The authors employ OLS regression as the baseline methodology, and a fixed effect model, the Fama–Macbeth method and GMM as sensitivity checks. Matched samples and difference-in-difference analyses are used to control for endogeneity.

Findings

The authors find a significant and positive association between aggressive tax planning and stock price synchronicity. Because material information about risky tax transactions tends to be hidden in various tax accruals accounts, aggressive tax strategies make financial statements less transparent, thereby, increasing information asymmetry and decreasing stock price informativeness. The authors also find that the firms engaging in aggressive tax planning exhibit relatively high corporate opacity. In addition, the authors find that improvements in the tax enforcement regime, ownership status and high-quality auditors all constrain the adverse effects of tax aggressiveness.

Practical implications

This study has important practical implications for China’s regulators, who are striving to reduce the tax burden of enterprises. It also helps investors to consider investment decisions more appropriately from a taxation perspective.

Originality/value

First, this paper contributes to the stock price efficiency literature by identifying the effect of a hitherto unexamined factor, namely, firm-level aggressive tax planning, on the efficiency of stock prices. Second, this study provides further empirical evidence to support the agency view of tax aggressiveness, and the informational interpretation of stock price synchronicity. Third, this study helps us better understand the effects of firm-level tax policy on firm-specific information capitalization in an environment where overall country-level investor protection is relatively weak.
Characterization of the friction and wear effects of graphene nanoparticles in oil on the ring/cylinder liner of internal combustion engine
Authors: Demirtas Selman , Kaleli Hakan , Khadem Mahdi , Kim Dae-Eun
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the tribological characteristics of a Napier-type second piston ring against a cylinder liner in the presence of graphene nano-additives mixed into 5W40 fully synthetic engine oil.

Design/methodology/approach

Wear tests were carried out in the boundary lubrication condition using a reciprocating tribometer, and real engine tests were performed using a single spark ignition Honda GX 270 test engine for a duration of 75 h.

Findings

The experimental results of the tribometer tests revealed that the nano-additives formed a layer on the rubbed surfaces of both the piston ring and the cylinder liner. However, this layer was only formed at the top dead center of the cylinder liner during the engine tests. The accumulation of carbon (C) from the graphene was heavily detected on the rubbed surface of piston ring/cylinder liner, mixed with other additive elements such as Ca, Zn, S and P. Overall, the use of graphene nano-additives in engine oil was found to improve the frictional behavior in the boundary and mixed lubrication regimes. Abrasive wear was found to be the main mechanism occurring on the surface of both piston rings and cylinder liners.

Originality/value

Though many researchers have discussed the potential benefits of graphene as a nano-additive in oil to reduce the friction and wear in laboratory tests using tribometers, to date, no actual engine tests have been performed. In this paper, both tribometer and real engine tests were performed on a piston ring and cylinder liner using a fully formulated oil with and without graphene nano-additives in the boundary lubrication condition. It was found that a graphene nano-additive plays an active role in lowering the coefficient of friction and increasing surface protection and lubrication by forming a protective layer on the rubbing surfaces.
An institution-based view of firms’ early internationalization
Authors: Ahmed Farhad Uddin , Brennan Louis
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the differential effects of national export promotion policies (EPPs) on firms’ early internationalization using the institution-based view (IBV) as our theoretical foundation. Early or speedy internationalization is an important topic for academics, executives and policy makers. However, the effect of the regulatory dimension of institutions incorporating governmental policies on firms’ early internationalization remains unexplored in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was survey-based and the authors engaged in quantitative analysis using data drawn from the apparel industry in a least-developed country (LDC), i.e. Bangladesh. The authors employed 174 valid questionnaires in the analysis. To test the proposed hypotheses, an ordered-logistic regression modeling technique was used.

Findings

The findings reveal a positive effect of those national policies focusing on market development, guarantee-related and technical support schemes. Two individual elements of direct finance-related assistance, namely, bank loans and cash subsidy are also found to be influential.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature and extends the IBV by establishing that the industry-specific regulatory policies designed by home country governments can play a critical role in international expansion of new ventures from an LDC. In particular, the study established the critical role of national EPPs in driving firms’ early internationalization and thereby, contributing to the international marketing and international entrepreneurship (IE) literature. Least-developed countries provide different institutional environments for entrepreneurship. They thus provide an atypical context within the field of IE. By incorporating sample firms from an LDC, the authors address the knowledge gap related to those countries. The implications of the authors’ findings for national and enterprise development policies are also considered.
Application of variable neighborhood search for solving large-scale many to many hub location routing problems
Authors: Abbasi Mehdi , Mokhtari Nahid , Shahvar Hamid , Mahmoudi Amin
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to solve large-scale many-to-many hub location-routing problem (MMHLRP) using variable neighborhood search (VNS). The MMHLRP is a combination of a single allocation hub location and traveling salesman problems that are known as one of the new fields in routing problems. MMHLRP is considered NP-hard since the two sub-problems are NP-hard. To date, only the Benders decomposition (BD) algorithm and the variable neighborhood particle swarm optimization (VNPSO) algorithm have been applied to solve the MMHLRP model with ten nodes and more (up to 300 nodes), respectively. In this research, the VNS method is suggested to solve large-scale MMHLRP (up to 1,000 nodes).

Design/methodology/approach

Generated MMHLRP sample tests in the previous work were considered and were added to them. In total, 35 sample tests of MMHLRP models between 10 and 1,000 nodes were applied. Three methods (BD, VNPSO and VNS algorithms) were run by a computer to solve the generated sample tests of MMHLRP. The maximum available time for solving the sample tests was 6 h. Accuracy (value of objective function solution) and speed (CPU time consumption) were considered as two major criteria for comparing the mentioned methods.

Findings

Based on the results, the VNS algorithm was more efficient than VNPSO for solving the MMHLRP sample tests with 10–440 nodes. It had many similarities with the exact BD algorithm with ten nodes. In large-scale MMHLRP (sample tests with more than 440 nodes (up to 1,000 nodes)), the previously suggested methods were disabled to solve the problem and the VNS was the only method for solving samples after 6 h.

Originality/value

The computational results indicated that the VNS algorithm has a notable efficiency in comparison to the rival algorithm (VNPSO) in order to solve large-scale MMHLRP. According to the computational results, in the situation that the problems were solved for 6 h using both VNS and VNPSO, VNS solved the problems with more accuracy and speed. Additionally, VNS can only solve large-scale MMHLRPs with more than 440 nodes (up to 1,000 nodes) during 6 h.
A content analysis of organic product package designs
Authors: Chrysochou Polymeros , Festila Alexandra
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Do the package designs of organic products differ from those of conventional products and which package design elements are used more systematically in organic products? This paper aims to address this question by exploring the package design elements of organic products. The proposition is that in addition to package design elements that explicitly communicate and position a product as organic (i.e. organic labels and claims), other package design elements that implicitly convey an organic image are used.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct a content analysis of the package designs from new product launches in four product categories (butter, cereals, fruit juice and milk) and across four markets (Austria, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland).

Findings

The results show that the package designs of organic products differ from those of conventional products based on the presence of more paper material, white and green colours and images displaying nature.

Research limitations/implications

The findings support the notion that in addition to organic labels and claims, package design elements that implicitly communicate values associated with organic products, such as environmental friendliness and sustainability are used.

Originality/value

This study is among the few to explore package design elements for organic products. Understanding how the package designs of organic products are constructed can support managerial decisions on the use of the package as a means to better communicate and position organic products.
A systematic review and thematic synthesis of research on school leadership in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Murphy Gavin
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review and generate themes evident in research on primary and post-primary (secondary) school leadership in the Republic of Ireland (Ireland) from 2008 to 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper follows the steps of a systematic review and thematic synthesis.

Findings

Following the review, six themes are identified and described, summarising the most current school leadership research in Ireland.

Practical implications

Potential future directions of research are identified.

Originality/value

No review of research on school leadership in Ireland is currently available and this is timely given the policy context’s recent focus on school leadership. The steps taken to conduct the review are clearly outlined.
Materialism, television and social media – analysis of the transformation of post-colonial Indian market
Authors: Selvanayagam Karthik , Rehman Varisha
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to, first, analyze the transformation of the Indian market by extending Sreekumar and Varman’s (2016) work on history of marketing in India into the post-colonial era; second, trace the emergence and adoption of various media technologies in the post-colonial Indian market; third, identify the evolving trends in marketing practices alongside the penetration of these media technologies in the market; and finally, argue the need for mindful adoption of marketing practices in the Indian market, rather than direct replication of Western practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The historical perspective on the post-colonial Indian market is done through extant literature review and analysis of marketing practices by iconic brands in the Indian market.

Findings

This research reveals that the adoption of Western marketing practices by brands in the Indian market has led to increasing materialistic consumption patterns among consumers. Furthermore, such practices in the social media technology era impose individualistic values in the Indian consumers, contrary to the cultural values of the country. Therefore, this research posits the need for mindful marketing practices to be adopted for the Indian market.

Social implications

This research shows warning signs of growing materialistic values among Indian consumers and the implications of marketing strategies on the society as a whole.

Originality/value

This study is a first of its kind in highlighting the transformation of the post-colonial Indian market by integrating actual marketing campaigns over this period with literature to present the various issues in the current state of the market.
Hijri calendar effect in Borsa Istanbul gold market and Turkey’s foreign exchange market
Authors: Ozkan Nasif
Published: May 2019

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the Hijri calendar effect in Borsa Istanbul (BIST) precious metal market and foreign exchange market (Dollar and Euro market) of Turkey.

Design/methodology/approach

The data of BIST gold market index and foreign exchange market are used for the period of 4 March 2003-30 September 2016 (1 Muharram 1424 – 28 Dhu al-Hijja 1437) in the study. These data are analyzed by using the dummy variable regression model and Kruskal–Wallis (KW) test.

Findings

The results of the regression models and KW test indicate that there is a Ramadan effect in the gold market and after-Ramadan effect in the Euro market. On the other hand, the Hijri month effect does not exist in the Dollar market.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that investigates the Hijri calendar effect in gold and foreign exchange markets of Turkey other than the stock market.
Italian halal food market development: drivers and obstacles from experts’ opinions
Authors: De Boni Annalisa , Forleo Maria Bonaventura
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the trends and prospects for the development of the halal market for Italian foods, with a focus on pasta production as one of the most valued products of the Made in Italy brand. The analysis takes into consideration drivers and obstacles for developing halal orientation strategies in world and internal markets and opportunities and threats for Italian food firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Market dynamics were investigated by a forecasting tool, the Delphi method, which aims to explore future market trends and give suggestions for firm strategies and policy intervention. Besides firms, other experts involved in the Italian halal food sector were interviewed. Answers were organised according to the level of importance given to the different issues and to the level of agreement between the opinions of the experts. These findings were then discussed in relation to the contexts, both external and internal to companies, that had given rise to such opinions.

Findings

The halal food market represents a good opportunity for enlarging the overseas markets for Italian products and producers. Several external and internal factors related to the demographic, the institutional, the market and the firm contexts, emerged. The challenges that non-Islamic countries, markets and firms face in the adoption of halal strategies are mainly due to the institutional context, to the scarce awareness of halal principles and practices, and to some suspicion of Islamic food and culture that does not yet seem well-known and accepted on the domestic market.

Originality/value

The Islamic food market has still to be fully explored in Italy, this is despite strongly emerging demand and a growing number of firms showing interest in implementing halal certification and entering new Islamic markets. The paper findings contribute to the scarce empirical literature about the halal market in Italy and give some recommendations both for supporting further studies, identifying preliminary implications and suggesting policy measures.
Towards a shared understanding of the service experience – a hospitality stakeholder approach
Authors: King Ceridwyn , Murillo Enrique , Wei Wei , Madera Juan , Tews Michael J. , Israeli Aviad A. , Kong Lu
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to start a conversation on achieving a shared understanding among hospitality service co-creation participants. Adopting a stakeholder and service eco-systems approach, attention is drawn to the necessity for all service experience participants to have a shared understanding of the service experience and their role within it, for a sustained competitive advantage to be realized. Informed by community of practice (CoP) thinking, a road map of research questions is advanced encouraging insight into a macro level phenomenon that, traditionally, is only ever considered at the micro service encounter level.

Design/methodology/approach

A thorough multidisciplinary review of the literature was undertaken, providing an opportunity to present a viewpoint on the strategic implications of providing a sustainable competitive advantage via the hospitality service experience.

Findings

To achieve a shared understanding across the Hospitality Service Experience Eco-System, potential tensions among stakeholders are highlighted. Accounting for such barriers, institutional arrangements, combining organizational CoPs that are bridged by designated boundary objects, is advanced. Given the novel approach of applying a traditionally organizational phenomenon at a macro multi-stakeholder level, several research questions are proposed to inform thinking about this neglected perspective.

Originality/value

Acknowledging the innovation, agility and resources required to maintain a competitive service experience, the paper emphasizes the importance of adopting a macro perspective to effective service management. The hope is to stimulate academic interest to inform understanding as to how to build this capability as well as enhance practitioner interest in promoting stakeholders’ CoP for the benefit of the entire Hospitality Service Experience Eco-System.
Confessions of a faculty advisor
Authors: Oldford Erin
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how a student-managed investment fund (SMIF) moved from an idea to an operational program over the period of a year at Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada. The aim is to provide insight to other institutions on how to build capacity when developing their own SMIF.

Design/methodology/approach

I summarize the choices made with respect to funding source, governance structure, faculty involvement, recruitment, investment activities and integration into curriculum.

Findings

Underlying these choices were challenges pertaining to capacity, student competencies, the existing finance program and ties to industry. Through the development of the SMIF, efforts ensured that capacity was suitably developed in each of these areas.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides insight to other institutions on how to build capacity while developing their own SMIF.

Practical implications

This account provides the field with a unique perspective. It is written following a year spent developing a SMIF that is about to launch.

Originality/value

This account provides the field with a unique perspective. It is written by a new faculty member following a year spent developing a SMIF that is about to launch.
Combining motivational forces to deliver team performance and a positive ROI
Authors: Phillips Patti P. , Phillips Jack J.
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to illustrate how a combination of three motivational forces can deliver superior team performance in an unlikely setting. Because motivation is the key to the success of talent, exploring ways to motivate employees and teams has been at the forefront of behavioral research.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper focuses on the combination of three approaches: the use of an improved engagement system, enhanced team development and cohesiveness and the use of monetary incentives for recognition and achievement.

Findings

This combination of concepts delivered superior team performance in an unlikely setting.

Originality/value

This paper presents a program uniquely designed to motivate a team of employees using multiple approaches. The program delivered outcomes benefiting the organization’s bottom line while also rewarding employees and enhancing the team’s engagement.
Crowd pleasers: media characters in food company websites and apps for children
Authors: Hurwitz Lisa B. , Montague Heather , Lauricella Alexis R. , Alvarez Aubry L. , Pietrantonio Francesca , Ford Meredith L. , Wartella Ellen
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Social cognitive theory suggests that children may have more favorable attitudes toward food products promoted by media characters who are similar to them, in terms of factors such as age, gender and race-ethnicity. This paper aims to profile the characters in food and beverage websites and apps for children and examine whether the healthfulness of promoted products varies as a function of character background.

Design/methodology/approach

This study includes two parallel content analyses focused on websites and apps that were produced by America’s top selling food and beverage companies.

Findings

There were very few child-targeted websites and apps, but those that existed were replete with media characters. These websites/apps tended to feature media characters with diverse gender, age and racial–ethnic backgrounds. However, marketing featuring adult and male characters promoted particularly unhealthy foods.

Social implications

American food companies, many of whom signed voluntary self-regulatory pledges through the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative, should make a more concerted effort to refrain from featuring appealing media characters in child-directed new media marketing. Whether conscious or not, it seems as if food marketers may be leveraging characters to appeal to a wide audience of children of varied demographic backgrounds.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this manuscript is the only research to focus specifically on the demographic profiles (i.e. gender, age and race-ethnicity) of characters in food websites and the nutritional quality of the products they promote. It is also the first to systematically examine media characters in food apps in any capacity.
Psoriatic patients have a distinct structural and functional fecal microbiota compared with controls
Authors: Shapiro Jonathan , Cohen Nathaniel A. , Shalev Varda , Uzan Atara , Koren Omry , Maharshak Nitsan
Published: May 2019

Alterations in the gut microbiome have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases such as psoriatic arthritis. This work aimed to characterize the gut microbial signature of patients with active psoriasis as compared with age‐, body mass index‐ and comorbidity‐matched non‐psoriatic controls and to correlate them with differential expression of metabolic pathways. Fecal samples were processed and 16S rRNA was sequenced. PICRUSt was used to perform an analysis of metabolic pathways. Of the 46 participants, 52% (n = 24) suffered from psoriasis. There was a significant difference in β‐diversity between the two groups. Psoriatic patients had a significant increase in the Firmicutes and Actinobacteria phyla as compared with matched controls. At the genus level, psoriatic patients had a unique bacterial composition. At the species level, the psoriatic patients showed significant increases in the relative proportions of (false discovery rate, <0.05) in Ruminoccocus gnavus, Dorea formicigenerans and Collinsella aerofaciens, while Prevotella copri and Parabacteroides distasonis were significantly decreased as compared with controls. PICRUSt analysis revealed increases in metabolic pathways related to lipopolysaccharide function in the psoriatic cohort. These data demonstrate unique fecal microbial and metabolic signatures in psoriatic patients.
Profile of Phenolic Compounds Released from Rice Bran by Rhizopus oryzae and Trichoderma reesei: Their Relation with Hydrolases Activity
Authors: Denardi de Souza Taiana , Leal Chiara Alves , Massarolo Kelly Cristina , Badiale‐Fulong Eliana
Published: May 2019

Evolution of Rhizopus oryzae and Trichoderma reesei biomass in rice bran, their enzyme activity, and the profile of phenolic compounds released from the lignocellulosic matrices were determined and correlated by principal component analysis (PCA). PCA analysis confirms that cultivation of rice bran affected the release of methanol‐soluble phenolic compounds (MSPC), ethanol‐soluble phenolic compounds (ESPC), and bound phenolic compounds (BPC) positively, due to their enzymatic activity. The release of MSPC was influenced by the activity of cellulase and endoglucanase, which increased 110.6% and 136.3%, respectively, for Rhizopus oryzae and Trichoderma reesei. Gallic acid was the main component in the MSPC and ESPC compound fractions. Ferulic and syringic acids were found in its bound (BPC) form in the biomass. This study showed that bioactive compounds be released from lignocellulosic materials by fungus action and this process can be conducted to obtain specific phenolic compounds.

Practical Application

Due the demand by natural compounds with biological activity, such as phenolic compounds, it is interesting to purpose alternatives to enhance their yield, like for instance, by fungal fermentation of lignocellulosic material. Therefore, understanding the relations among different phenolic compounds released and the production of fungal hydrolases during growth of Rhizopus oryzae and Trichoderma reesei in solid state cultivation using rice bran as a substrate is fundamental to control the process. This knowledge gets viable scale up to apply the phenolic compounds as preservative in food chain, because this becomes possible directing the process to obtain specific bioactive compounds in less time of cultivation and with low cost.
Pretreatment of Miscanthus with biomass‐degrading bacteria for increasing delignification and enzymatic hydrolysability
Authors: Guo Haipeng , Zhao Yueji , Chen Xuantong , Shao Qianjun , Qin Wensheng
Published: May 2019

Biomass recalcitrance is still a main challenge for the production of biofuels and high‐value products. Here, an alternative Miscanthus pretreatment method by using lignin‐degrading bacteria was developed. Six efficient Miscanthus‐degrading bacteria were first cultured to produce laccase by using 0.5% Miscanthus biomass as carbon source. After 1–5 days of incubation, the maximum laccase activities induced by Miscanthus in the six strains were ranged from 103 to 8091 U l−1. Then, the crude enzymes were directly diluted by equal volumes of citrate buffer and added Miscanthus biomass to a solid concentration at 4% (w/v). The results showed that all bacterial pretreatments significantly decreased the lignin content, especially in the presence of two laccase mediators (ABTS and HBT). The lignin removal directly correlated with increases in total sugar and glucose yields after enzymatic hydrolysis. When ABTS was used as a mediator, the best lignin‐degrading bacteria (Pseudomonas sp. AS1) can remove up to 50.1% lignin of Miscanthus by obtaining 2.2‐fold glucose yield, compared with that of untreated biomass. Therefore, this study provided an effective Miscanthus pretreatment method by using lignin‐degrading bacteria, which may be potentially used in improving enzymatic hydrolysability of biomass.
An Epworth Sleep Score ≥11 is associated with emergency operative birth and poor neonatal composite outcome at term
Authors: Robertson Nicole , Flatley Christopher , Kumar Sailesh
Published: May 2019

Background

During pregnancy, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale can be used as a surrogate marker for maternal sleep‐disordered breathing, a condition that is becoming increasingly prevalent in obstetric populations and is associated with a multitude of pregnancy complications.

Aims

The aim of this observational study was to investigate the relationship between the Epworth Sleepiness Scale score and indication and mode of delivery during pregnancy.

Materials and Methods

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale was completed by 178 women at Mater Mothers’ Hospital, Brisbane, Australia.

Results

Women with a score ≥11 were less likely to achieve a spontaneous vaginal delivery (aOR 0.43, 95% CI 0.21–0.88, P = 0.02), and were more likely to have an instrumental (aOR 2.81, 95% CI 1.30–6.08, P = 0.01) or any operative birth (instrumental and caesarean section aOR 2.32, 95% CI 1.14–4.71, P = 0.02). These women were also more likely to have an operative birth for intrapartum fetal compromise (aOR 2.62, 95% CI 1.21–5.69, P = 0.015), as well as an infant with poor neonatal outcomes (aOR 2.77, 95% CI 1.09–7.03, P = 0.03).

Conclusions

These results show that symptoms of sleep‐disordered breathing are associated with emergency operative birth, particularly when the indication for operative birth was intrapartum fetal compromise.
The association between gestational diabetes mellitus, antipsychotics and severe mental illness in pregnancy: A multicentre study
Authors: Galbally Megan , Frayne Jacqueline , Watson Stuart J. , Morgan Vera , Snellen Martien
Published: May 2019

Background

There have been conflicting findings for severe mental illnesses and the risk for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Outside of pregnancy, both severe mental illnesses and specific antipsychotic medications have been associated with an elevated risk for metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aim

This study examined the risk of developing GDM in relation to mental disorder, psychotropic treatment and comorbid risk factors.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study of 539 pregnant women with mental disorders was carried out. Measures included GDM diagnosis, mental health diagnosis, psychotropic medication, body mass index, age, smoking, alcohol and illicit substance use.

Results

This study found that women with psychotic disorders had a significantly elevated risk for GDM (20.9%) compared with women with non‐psychotic severe mental illnesses during pregnancy (P = 0.023), and nearly threefold the expected population rate (8.3%). Furthermore, women using specific antipsychotic agents – risperidone (P = 0.016), clozapine (P < 0.001) and higher‐dose quetiapine (P = 0.029) – also had a higher risk of developing GDM. After adjusting for maternal age and body mass index, women taking these specific agents continued to have a fourfold risk of having GDM compared with women not taking these agents. Smoking, alcohol consumption and illicit drug use were not associated with elevated GDM rate in women with mental disorders.

Conclusions

These findings support the need for early screening and closer surveillance of metabolic risk in pregnancy for women with psychotic disorders and those taking specific atypical antipsychotic agents.
Ventricular fibrillation in a patient with Wolff‐Parkinson‐White syndrome unrelated to pre‐excited atrial fibrillation
Authors: Aranyo Julia , Bazan Victor , Rueda Ferran , Sarrias Axel , Bisbal Felipe , Villuendas Roger
Published: May 2019

A 52‐year‐old man was admitted due to out‐hospital cardiac arrest. Recurrent ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred under therapeutic hypothermia thereafter. Previously inadverted full pre‐excitation was documented exclusively and immediately prior to 4 out of the 5 VF relapses. Coronary vasospasm and early repolarization were also documented. An electrophysiological study demonstrated poor anterograde conduction over a left‐sided accessory pathway. We theorize that maximum pre‐excitation favored in‐hospital VF by augmenting the repolarization vulnerability induced by therapeutic hypothermia, with coronary vasospasm accounting as the probable cause of out‐hospital VF. A plausible VF mechanism in WPW syndrome unrelated to pre‐excited atrial fibrillation is discussed.
Performance analysis of the transcatheter aortic valve implantation on blood flow hemodynamics: An optical imaging‐based in vitro study
Authors: Gülan Utku , Appa Harish , Corso Pascal , Templin Christian , Bezuidenhout Deon , Zilla Peter , Duru Firat , Holzner Markus
Published: May 2019

Cardiac implants may have a strong influence on the hemodynamics of the circulatory system. In this study, we aimed at investigating the impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) devices on blood flow patterns that develop in the ascending aorta under physiological flow conditions in vitro. For this purpose, a noninvasive optical measurement tool, three‐dimensional particle tracking velocimetry (3D‐PTV), was used in a realistic compliant silicone aortic model. The performance and the influence of two TAVIs and one surgical valve on the aortic flow were investigated. Our results showed that valve design and materials may have a distinct influence on relevant hemodynamic properties, namely kinetic energy, production of turbulence, and shear stresses in the ascending aorta. All properties varied considerably between the different valve models. We found that the total aortic regurgitation composed of the closing volume, transvalvular and paravalvular leakages varied for the three valves investigated. Furthermore, peak mean kinetic energy (MKE) ranged from 61 to 116 J/m3, whereas peak turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) ranged from 23 to 36 J/m3. The analysis of shear showed that all the three studied devices had minimal overall risk for thrombus formation. We conclude that the characteristics and material designs of TAVI devices have strong influences on the hemodynamics in the ascending aorta.
Shared unmeasured characteristics among siblings confound the association of Apgar score with stress resilience in adolescence
Authors: Bergh Cecilia , Hiyoshi Ayako , Eriksson Mats , Fall Katja , Montgomery Scott
Published: May 2019

Aim

We investigated the association between low Apgar score, other perinatal characteristics and low stress resilience in adolescence. A within‐siblings analysis was used to tackle unmeasured shared familial confounding.

Methods

We used a national cohort of 527 763 males born in Sweden between 1973 and 1992 who undertook military conscription assessments at mean age of 18 years (17–20). Conscription examinations included a measure of stress resilience. Information on Apgar score and other perinatal characteristics was obtained through linkage with the Medical Birth Register. Analyses were conducted using ordinary least squares and fixed‐effects linear regression models adjusted for potential confounding factors.

Results

Infants with a prolonged low Apgar score at five minutes had an increased risk of low stress resilience in adolescence compared with those with highest scores at one minute, with an adjusted coefficient and 95% confidence interval of −0.26 (−0.39, −0.13). The associations were no longer statistically significant when using within‐siblings models. However, the associations with stress resilience and birthweight remained statistically significant in all analyses.

Conclusion

The association with low Apgar score seems to be explained by confounding due to shared childhood circumstances among siblings from the same family, while low birthweight is independently associated with low stress resilience.
Chemical and strontium isotope analysis of Yaozhou celadon glaze
Authors: Shen J. Y. , Ma H. , Henderson J. , Evans J. , Chenery S. , Wang F. , Wen R.
Published: May 2019

To produce useful information about the raw materials used in northern Chinese Yaozhou celadon glazes Chinese glazes (especially the source of the calcium‐bearing flux), Sr isotope analysis has been used for the first time. Yaozhou celadon is one of the most important representatives of northern Chinese greenware. The study has enhanced our understanding of the raw material sources used to make Yaozhou glazes dating from the Tang to Northern Song dynasties. It is highly likely that ‘Fuping stone’ mentioned in the historical record is not the main raw material used to make Yaozhou celadon glazes of the Tang to Northern Song dynasties. The results of 87Sr/86Sr analysis of the Yaozhou celadon glazes studied produce relatively consistent 87Sr/86Sr isotopic signatures, with a wide variation of relatively high Sr concentrations. This is firm evidence that a calcium‐bearing plant ash was the source of the calcium and of the flux in the Celedon glazes studied, and not, as some have suggested, limestone or ‘Liaojiang stone’. The study had illustrated that the present approach has great potential in providing a new way of reconstructing porcelain glaze technology.
Adjusted indirect comparisons to assess bioequivalence between generic clopidogrel products in Serbia
Authors: Pejčić Zorica , Vučićević Katarina , García‐Arieta Alfredo , Miljković Branislava
Published: May 2019

Aims

Generic products can be regarded as therapeutically equivalent and switchable with the reference product. However, switchability between generics is unknown, as direct comparisons between generics are not performed. The aim of this study was to investigate the bioequivalence between generic clopidogrel products by means of adjusted indirect comparisons (AICs).

Methods

AICs were conducted to assess bioequivalence between 4 generic clopidogrel products that are authorised in Serbia. Generics are considered equivalent to the reference if the 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for the ratios test/reference of the maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve up to the last measurable concentration (AUC0–t) fall within the acceptance range 80.00–125.00%. However, for AICs between generics, the Canadian acceptance criterion for Cmax was employed, where only the point estimate of Cmax needs to be within 80.00–125.00%.

Results

The 90% CIs of the AICs demonstrated bioequivalence within 80.00–125.00% for all AUC0–t comparisons. The point estimates of Cmax in all AICs were also within this range.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that the bioavailability of these 4 generic clopidogrel products authorised in Serbia is very similar. Despite the limited power of AICs, bioequivalence was demonstrated for all 90% CIs of AUC0–t and all 90% CIs of Cmax comparisons were within or very close to the acceptance range, being able to comply with the acceptance criterion employed in Canada for Cmax. Therefore, these 4 generic clopidogrel products authorised in Serbia can be considered switchable with each other in clinical practice based on the adjusted indirect comparisons.
Analysis of factors affecting radiation exposure during percutaneous nephrolithotomy procedures
Authors: Balaji Sudharsan S. , Vijayakumar Mohankumar , Singh Abhishek G. , Ganpule Arvind P. , Sabnis Ravindra B. , Desai Mahesh R.
Published: May 2019

Objectives

To measure and analyse various factors affecting radiation exposure (RE) to surgeons during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Patients and Methods

A total of 212 patients who underwent PCNL were analysed. Informed consent was obtained from all enrolled patients. Ultrasonography/fluoroscopy guided punctures were done. The tract was dilatated and sheath placement done after which the procedure was completed in a routine fashion. A JJ or ureteric catheter or percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) tube was placed as per the merit of the case. A digitalised mobile surgical C‐arm image‐intensifier system was used in all cases. RE was determined using a pen dosimeter worn outside the lead apron of the surgeon at the level of the chest for uniformity and was recorded on a per case basis at the end of the procedure. Data were recorded for analysis with respect to relevant parameters. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify various parameters which affect RE (mSv).

Results

The parameters analysed included: age, number and size of stones, body mass index (BMI) of patients, Hounsfield unit of stone (HU), degree of hydronephrosis, number of tracts, mode of access to pelvicalyceal system (PCS), sheath size (F), operative time (min), placement of a JJ or ureteric catheter or PCN tube, and kV used for exposure. There was a significant statistical relationship between stone volume (P < 0.001), number of tracts (P < 0.001), mode of access to PCS (P = 0.001), and sheath size (P = 0.002), with RE. The HU had a negative relationship, with a decrease in HU causing increased RE (P = 0.002). BMI, number of stones, degree of hydronephrosis, operative time and placement of a JJ or ureteric catheter or PCN tube did not have any correlation with RE in our study.

Conclusion

The mean (SD) RE per procedure was 0.21 (0.11) mSv. Increasing size and low HU of stone, increasing number of tracts, fluoroscopic access to PCS, increasing sheath size and kV were found to increase RE. Although the exposure levels are within safety limits, serial monitoring and constant vigilance are mandatory to inform surgeons.
Exosomes containing ErbB2/CRK induce vascular growth in premetastatic niches and promote metastasis of bladder cancer
Authors: Yoshida Kazuhiko , Tsuda Masumi , Matsumoto Ryuji , Semba Shingo , Wang Lei , Sugino Hirokazu , Tanino Mishie , Kondo Tsunenori , Tanabe Kazunari , Tanaka Shinya
Published: May 2019

Locally advanced and metastatic invasive bladder cancer (BC) has a poor prognosis, and no advanced therapies beyond cisplatin‐based combination chemotherapy have been developed. Therefore, it is an urgent issue to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of tumor progression and metastasis of invasive BC for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Here, we clarified a novel role of exosomes containing ErbB2 and CRK in a formation of premetastatic niches and subsequent metastases. CRK adaptors were overexpressed in invasive UM‐UC‐3 BC cells. In an orthotopic xenograft model, metastases to lung, liver, and bone of UM‐UC‐3 cells were completely abolished by CRK elimination. Mass spectrometry analysis identified that ErbB2 was contained in UM‐UC‐3‐derived exosomes in a CRK‐dependent manner; the exosomes significantly increased proliferation and invasion properties of low‐grade 5637 BC cells and HUVECs through FAK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. In athymic mice educated with UM‐UC‐3‐derived exosomes, i.v. implanted UM‐UC‐3 cells were trapped with surrounding PKH67‐labeled exosomes in lung and led to development of lung metastasis with disordered vascular proliferation. In contrast, exosomes derived from CRK‐depleted BC cells failed to induce these malignant features. Taken together, we showed that CRK adaptors elevated the expression of ErbB2/3 in BC cells, and these tyrosine kinase/adaptor units were transferred from host BC cells to metastatic recipient cells by exosomes, leading to vascular leakiness and proliferation and contributing to the formation of distant metastasis. Thus, CRK intervention with ErbB2/3 blockade might be a potent therapeutic strategy for patients with ErbB2 overexpressing advanced and metastatic BC.