bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deformation mechanism during nanoindentation creep and corrosion resistance of Zn
Authors: Dragatogiannis Dimitrios A. , Koumoulos Elias P. , Kartsonakis Ioannis A , Charitidis Costas A.
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The study of nanoindentation as a reliable method to extract creep properties as well as for fundamental understanding of deformation mechanisms at small length scales is an open interesting field. The observed creep behavior is attributed to time-dependent plastic deformation based on loading rates. There is a lot of work in the field of nanoindentation in order to understand the dynamic effects on nanomechanical properties. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The deformation mechanism is investigated under two experimental approaches (high and low loading rates, respectively) during nanoindentation. The effect of loading rate in the nanomechanical properties, during nanoindentation creep of zinc layer on hot dip galvanized (HDG) steel, is discussed through nanoindentation.

Findings

– Analysis of this research effort is emphasized on nanoindentation stress exponent, a critical parameter for the life time and reliability of nano/micro-materials and systems. The corrosion resistance was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and localized EIS.

Originality/value

– The study of nanoindentation as a reliable method to extract creep properties as well as for fundamental understanding of deformation mechanisms at small length scales is an open interesting field. The observed creep behavior is attributed to time-dependent plastic deformation based on loading rates. The deformation mechanism is investigated under two experimental approaches (high and low loading rates, respectively) during nanoindentation. The effect of loading rate in the nanomechanical properties, during nanoindentation creep of zinc layer on HDGsteel, is discussed through nanoindentation. Analysis of this research effort is emphasized on nanoindentation stress exponent, a critical parameter for the life time and reliability of nano/micro- materials and systems. The corrosion resistance was studied by EIS and localized EIS.
A regularized approach to linear regression of fatigue life measurements
Authors: Faghidian S. Ali
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The linear regression technique is widely used to determine empirical parameters of fatigue life profile while the results may not continuously depend on experimental data. Thus Tikhonov-Morozov method is utilized here to regularize the linear regression results and consequently reduces the influence of measurement noise without notably distorting the fatigue life distribution. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Tikhonov-Morozov regularization method would be shown to effectively reduce the influences of measurement noise without distorting the fatigue life distribution. Moreover since iterative regularization methods are known to be an attractive alternative to Tikhonov regularization, four gradient iterative methods called as simple iteration, minimum error, steepest descent and conjugate gradient methods are examined with an appropriate initial guess of regularized coefficients.

Findings

– It has been shown that in case of sparse fatigue life measurements, linear regression results may not have continuous dependence on experimental data and measurement error could lead to misinterpretations of the solution. Therefore from engineering safety point of view, utilizing regularization method could successfully reduce the influence of measurement noise without significantly distorting the fatigue life distribution.

Originality/value

– An excellent initial guess for mixed iterative-direct algorithm is introduced and it has been shown that the combination of Newton iterative approach and Morozov discrepancy principle is one of the interesting strategies for determination of regularization parameter having an excellent rate of convergence. Moreover since iterative methods are known to be an attractive alternative to Tikhonov regularization, four gradient descend methods are examined here for regularization of the linear regression problem. It has been found that all of gradient decent methods with an appropriate initial guess of regularized coefficients have an excellent convergence to Tikhonov-Morozov regularization results.
Stakeholder management: a case of its related capability and performance
Authors: Loi Teck Hui
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– A central claim of stakeholder theory is that the purpose of business is to create value for various stakeholders. However, managing diverse interests of stakeholders can be challenging in a business environment entrenched with different value systems. Lacking of qualitative narratives and complicated nature of corporate governance perhaps have impeded the stakeholder theory to become a major theory of strategic management and organizational ethics on its own. The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the strategic values of stakeholder management.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three stakeholder management case studies, taken in the context of a large corporatized public organization, were conducted in attempting to amplify the underpinning theories of stakeholder identified by Laplumeet al.(2008). Tape-recorded semi-structured interviews were transcribed into texts. To reduce retrospective bias, some typical secondary records were examined.

Findings

– Stakeholder management can be a core competence that draws resource capabilities throughout a firm for generating desirable triple bottom line results, which also eases the tensions between shareholders and stakeholders of the firm.

Research limitations/implications

– Stakeholder management is an organizational mechanism tightly embedded in the firms’ strategic organizing and strategizing routines. It is vital for generating desirable triple bottom line results. This conjures up potential linkages between the stakeholder theory and the resource-based view (RBV) theory as pursuing stakeholder management can be a hard-to-emulate strategic asset within the framework of the RBV theory.

Originality/value

– There is relatively scant literature that pays attention on amplifying stakeholder management theory in the public sector organizations. Through the unlocking of some valuable public sector data sets, this research can make a positive contribution in the areas.
A multilevel study of structural resilience in interfirm collaboration
Authors: Randolph Robert Van de Graaff
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop the concept of a high performance alliance macro-culture as a multilevel construct reflective of resilient collaborative systems of exchange within strategic alliances and explores the distinct capabilities of this multilevel approach in predicting alliance outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

– The hypotheses developed in this study are tested using primary data collected from 650 members of 15 non-profit organizations in two multi-organizational collaborative networks. Considering the multilevel nature of the study the structural hypotheses are tested using a multilevel confirmatory factor analysis and the predictive hypotheses are tested using multilevel structural equation modeling.

Findings

– All but one structural hypothesis are supported and all predictive hypotheses are supported suggesting that a multilevel macro-cultural conceptualization is effective in exploring the relationship between collaborative exchange systems and their outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

– Limitations stem from the generalizability of the data collected as the alliances formed by non-profit firms may not be wholly reflective of the alliance structures and goals of other firm types.

Originality/value

– This study primarily contributes to multilevel study of strategic alliances and the study of collaborative norms and structures of allied groupings. The results of this study lend support to the importance of taking a network governance perspective and illustrate the limitations of traditional single-level approaches when studying interfirm collaborative networks and structural resilience therein.
Exploring transparency: a new framework for responsible business management
Authors: Parris Denise Linda , Dapko Jennifer L. , Arnold Richard Wade , Arnold Danny
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to critically review the relevant literature on transparency, provide a comprehensive definition of transparency, and present a new framework for facilitating the adoption of transparency as an ethical cornerstone and pragmatic strategy for organizational responsible business management.

Design/methodology/approach

– A systematic literature review – a methodology adopted from medical sciences to eliminate research bias – was conducted. In doing so, the definitions, antecedents, and consequences of transparency are accessed and synthesized.

Findings

– Based upon this process transparency is defined as the extent to which a stakeholder perceives an organization provides learning opportunities about itself. A conceptual framework emerged from the data. It describes when transparency is especially important, what organizations can do to be more transparent, and the potential benefits of transparency.

Practical implications

– The transparency framework can be used as a guide for organizations attempting to change their behavior, image, and performance by adopting transparency as a value in their organization. In addition, the framework can be used to create and adopt a universal (i.e. industry-wide or even societal-wide) code of conduct. Furthermore, this review, definition, and framework provide a template for academics to advance transparency theory, and empirically test the construct’s application.

Originality/value

– As a new research field, transparency has lacked a concise definition as well as a conceptual framework. This is the first comprehensive summary of transparency. In addition, this study contributes to the methodology of evaluating construct definitions to advance empirical research.
The value of institutional shareholders
Authors: Zhou Jing , Lan Wei , Tang Yingkai
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– By integrating agency theory with the institution-based view, the purpose of this paper is to examine whether-and if so, how-the likelihood of completion of cross-border acquisitions (CBAs) is influenced by institutional shareholders, in interaction with institutional quality and constraints both at the country and firm levels.

Design/methodology/approach

– After controlling for endogeneity by the latent instrumental variable (LIV) approach, the authors test the hypotheses using a sample of CBAs undertaken by Chinese listed firms during the period 2002-2012.

Findings

– The authors find that as institutional shareholders tend to enhance the quality of corporate governance, an overseas acquisition attempt undertaken by acquiring firm with greater institutional ownership is more likely to be completed. This relation is more prominent when the acquisition is exposed to inferior institutional context, such as when the target firm is domiciled in countries with weaker institutional quality, the acquiring firm is state-controlled, or the target is publicly traded in stock markets.

Research limitations/implications

– An additional focus on the share-price reaction to the announcement or long-term alliance performance of such CBAs may reveal the relative importance of institutional shareholders in CBAs. The potential varying effects between domestic and foreign institutional investors deserve to be tested. Other factors, for instance antitrust laws, could be further studied.

Practical implications

– The results will better inform and enhance governance and internationalization strategies of Chinese firms that are expected to undertake CBAs activities in areas such as the cooperation with institutional shareholders, the choice of target domiciled location, the reform of ownership structure, and the selection of target’s types in host country. In addition, given a broadly similar pattern of legal evolution between China and many other emerging countries since the 1990s (Peng and Heath, 1996), China’s experience may also provide valuable lessons and insights for firms from other emerging economies when undertaking CBAs activities in their internationalization strategies.

Originality/value

– This study develops a theoretical link of firm-specific characteristics and country-level factors into an integrated analytical framework by applying agency theory in interaction with institution theory into literature on CBAs. This theoretical framework varies from most of extant studies often using a single theory into their analysis and would thus provide a new analytical train of thought for future studies.
Additively manufactured maxillofacial implants and guides – achieving routine use
Authors: Peel Sean , Eggbeer Dominic
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the key design process factors acting as drivers or barriers to routine health service adoption of additively manufactured (AM) patient-specific devices. The technical efficacy of, and clinical benefits from, using computer-aided design (CAD) and AM in the production of such devices (implants and guides) has been established. Despite this, they are still not commonplace. With AM equipment and CAD tool costs largely outside of the clinician’s or designer’s control, the opportunity exists to explore design process improvement routes to facilitate routine health service implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

– A literature review, new data from three separate clinical case studies and experience from an institute working on collaborative research and commercial application of CAD/AM in the maxillofacial specialty, were analysed to extract a list and formulate models of design process factors.

Findings

– A semi-digital design and fabrication process is currently the lowest cost and shortest duration for cranioplasty implant production. The key design process factor to address is the fidelity of the device design specification.

Research limitations/implications

– Further research into the relative values of, and best methods to address the key factors is required; to work towards the development of new design tools. A wider range of benchmarked case studies is required to assess costs and timings beyond one implant type.

Originality/value

– Design process factors are identified (building on previous work largely restricted to technical and clinical efficacy). Additionally, three implant design and fabrication workflows are directly compared for costs and time. Unusually, a design process failure is detailed. A new model is proposed – describing design process factor relationships and the desired impact of future design tools.
Fabrication of high porosity Cu-based structure using direct laser sintering
Authors: Fang Ming , Chen Baijin
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report the investigation on obtaining a high-porosity Cu-based structure which was sintered successfully using direct laser sintering and to reveal the mechanisms of obtaining high porosity and acceptable strength simultaneously as well as the effect of NaCl content on characteristics of the sintered samples.

Design/methodology/approach

– Experimental study has been performed. The powder mixture utilized in this experiment includes metal powder (Cu and Cu3P mixture) and porogen [sodium chloride (NaCl)]. Scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and the Archimedes density measurement were used to detect the characteristics of the sintered sample and to reveal the mechanism of forming high porosity and strength structure.

Findings

– More than 57 per cent porosity can be achieved while the structural strength is acceptable, and the infiltrated experiment verifies the pores in the structure are inter-connected. During laser sintering, NaCl powder melts and brings a larger amount of liquid phase, inducing large rearrange force and fast rearrangement of Cu particles. Therefore, after NaCl is removed, the dense and strong longer-bar shape tracks with larger amount of pores in the microstructure can be obtained. The size of pores as well as the porosity of the sintered sample increase with the NaCl content in the powder mixture.

Originality/value

– The mechanism of obtaining high porosity and acceptable strength simultaneously was revealed. The effect of NaCl content on characteristics of the sintered samples was also disclosed.
Parametric analysis of SLM using comprehensive optical monitoring
Authors: Doubenskaia Maria , Grigoriev Sergey , Zhirnov Ivan , Smurov Igor
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to propose methods for on-line monitoring and process quality assurance of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology as a competitive advantage to enhance its implementation into modern manufacturing industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– Monitoring of thermal emission from the laser impact zone was carried out by an originally developed pyrometer and a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera which were integrated with the optical system of the PHENIX PM-100 machine. Experiments are performed with variation of the basic process parameters such as powder layer thickness (0-120 μm), hatch distance (60-1,000 μm) and fabrication strategy (the so-called “one-zone” and “two-zone”).

Findings

– The pyrometer signal from the laser impact zone and the 2D temperature mapping from HAZ are rather sensible to variation of high-temperature phenomena during powder consolidation imposed by variation of the operational parameters.

Research limitations/implications

– Pyrometer measurements are in arbitrary units. This limitation is due to the difficulty to integrate diagnostic tools into the optical system of a commercial SLM machine.

Practical implications

– Enhancement of SLM process stability and efficiency through comprehensive optical diagnostics and on-line control.

Originality/value

– High-temperature phenomena in SLM were monitored coaxially with the laser beam for variation of several operational parameters.
Comparative analysis of structure and hardness of cast and direct metal laser sintering produced Co-Cr alloys used for dental devices
Authors: Lapcevic Ana R. , Jevremovic Danimir P , Puskar Tatjana M , Williams Robert J. , Eggbeer Dominic
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse structure and measure hardness of Co-Cr dental alloy samples made with two different technologies, conventional casting method (CCM samples) and additive direct metal laser sintering technology (DMLS samples), and to compare the results.

Design/methodology/approach

– CCM samples were made in a conventional casting machine, using remanium 800+ Co-Cr dental alloy (Dentaurum, Ispringen, Germany). DMLS samples were fabricated out of EOS CC SP2 Co-Cr alloy (EOS, GmbH, Munich, Germany) using DMLS technology. Samples for structural analysis were plate-shaped (10 × 10 × 1.5 mm3) and for the hardness test were prismatic-shaped (55 × 10.2 × 11.2 mm3). Structure was analysed via an inverting microscope and colour metallography method.

Findings

– CCM samples have a dense, irregular dendritic mesh, which is typical for the metallic phase of the Co-Cr dental alloy. DMLS alloy has a more homogenous and more compact structure, compared to CCM. Metals, the alloy basis consists of, form semilunar stratified layers, which are characteristic for the additive manufacturing (AM) technique. Hardness values of DMLS (mean value was 439.84 HV10) were found to be higher than those of CCM (mean value was 373.76 HV10).

Originality/value

– There are several reports about possible use of AM technologies for manufacturing dental devices, and investigation of mechanical properties and biocompatibility behaviour of AM-produced dental alloys. Microstructure of Co-Cr alloy made with DMLS technology has been introduced for the first time in the present paper.
Investigation of electroless nickel plating on rapid prototyping material of acrylic resin
Authors: Rajaguru Janaka Chandraguptha , Duke Mike , Au ChiKit
Published: January 2016

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the layer of material deposited on a sample of acrylic resin by electroless nickel plating process. Acrylic resin is a popular material in rapid prototyping (RP) which uses the additive manufacturing technique to build prototypes for visual inspection, assembly, etc. Metallization of the RP materials can extend application envelop of RP techniques, as they can be used in decorative or functional applications.

Design/methodology/approach

– Unlike electroless nickel plating on a metal substrate, the plating process for an acrylic resin substrate is different, as there is no metal ion for the auto-catalytic electroless reaction. Pre-treatment processes are performed on an acrylic resin sample to initiate electroless nickel plating. The morphology, chemical composition and structure of the layer deposited on the sample are examined using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

Findings

– The investigation shows that a nickel phosphorous alloy layer is plated on to the substrate surface of the acrylic resin sample.

Originality/value

– Plating a layer of nickel phosphorous alloy layer on an acrylic resin RP material can widen the application of RP technology. An application of nickel plated acrylic resin sample to rapid tooling for low-volume production plastic parts is presented.
Anti‐Corruption Watchdog Accountability: The Limitations of Judicial Review's Ability to Guard the Guardians
Authors: Howe Sarah Withnall , Haigh Yvonne
Published: January 2016

Anti‐corruption watchdogs form an important part of integrity measures in Australia's system of government. Integrity theory places anti‐corruption watchdogs in a fourth branch of government and as a part of a national integrity system as a way of understanding how they detect and prevent corruption and promote integrity. Integrity theory claims that an important part of the oversight of watchdogs occurs through judicial review of watchdog decisions by the courts. However, it fails to recognise the unique limitations when undertaking judicial review of watchdog decisions. This article submits that it is important to recognise these limitations to properly assess the effectiveness of a national integrity system and a fourth branch of government. The article explores the unique limitations of the court's ability to hold watchdogs to account and offers suggestions for managing these limitations.
Consistent Estimation of a Censored Demand System and Welfare Analysis: The 2012 VAT Reform in Spain
Authors: García‐Enríquez Javier , Echevarría Cruz A.
Published: January 2016

This paper analyses the effects that the 2012 VAT reform in Spain had on households’ welfare, focusing on a major expenditure group: food and non‐alcoholic beverages. Households’ demands are modeled as a two‐stage Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System, which is then estimated by means of a consistent two‐step estimator introduced in Tauchmann () and not previously used in studies of this type. This procedure allows consistent imposition of the traditional parameter restrictions that utility maximisation requires in the context of a censored model. Our results show that the welfare loss and the increment in the tax bill increase with income. We also show that expenditure on food and non‐alcoholic beverages grows less than proportionately with income. Consequently, households with lower income experience a greater welfare loss relative to their income levels. In short, the 2012 VAT reform in Spain, focusing on this expenditure group, can be considered as regressive.
Local Government, Spatial Spillovers and the Absorption of EU Structural Funds
Authors: Zubek Nana , Henning Christian H.C.A.
Published: January 2016

The allocation of regional policy funds varies dramatically across regions even when one controls for regional development indicators. We investigate the impact of local government performance as well as spillovers in knowledge, financial means and social relations as determinants of regional fund absorption. Government performance is derived within a Data Envelopment Analysis approach. Spillovers are investigated using a spatial Durbin model. Results show that government performance has a positive impact on fund absorption. Spillovers occur in knowledge as well as in financial means. The empirical analyses focus on Special Accession Program for Agriculture and Rural Development in Slovakia using panel data.
Do maternal dietary vitaminDintake and sunlight exposure affect the vitaminDstatus of exclusively breastfed infants?
Authors: Lovell Amy Luisa , Wall Clare Rosemary , Grant Cameron Charles
Published: January 2016

Aim

Exclusively breastfed infants are dependent upon their mothers for their vitaminDintake. InNewZealand (NZ), vitaminDsupplementation is not routinely recommended for exclusively breastfed infants. We aimed to determine the association of exogenous maternal vitaminDintake and sunlight exposure with serum 25‐hydroxyvitaminD[25(OH)D] concentration in exclusively breastfed infants aged 2–3 months.

Methods

We enrolled a convenience sample of women and their exclusively breastfed infants. Maternal dietary and supplemental vitaminDintake was determined from an interviewer‐administered semi‐quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Sunlight exposure was determined from reported time spent outdoors. Associations of vitaminDintake and sunlight exposure with infant serum 25(OH)Dconcentration at age 2–3 months were determined using multivariable linear regression.

Results

Sixty‐three mother–infant pairs, 73% of whom wereEuropean, and their exclusively breastfed infants completed the study. Mean (SD) serum 25(OH)Dconcentration was 52 nmol/L (30), with 28% of infants being vitaminDdeficient (25(OH)D< 50 nmol/L). Estimated median maternal dietary vitaminDintake from food was 158 IU/day. Thirty (48%) mothers consumed vitaminDsupplements. Non‐European ethnicity (P= 0.01) and measurement of 25(OH)Dduring winter (P< 0.001) were independently associated with infant serum 25(OH)D concentration. Maternal dietary vitaminDintake (P= 0.62), supplement use (P= 0.32) and sunlight exposure (P= 0.72) were not independently associated with infant serum 25(OH)Dconcentration.

Conclusions

Serum 25(OH)Dconcentrations in exclusively breastfed infants inNZare independent of current maternal vitaminDintake and sunlight exposure practices. Consideration needs to be given for vitaminDsupplementation of exclusively breastfed infants during winter.
Management of food incidents by Australian food regulators
Authors: Wilson Annabelle M. , McCullum Dean , Henderson Julie , Coveney John , Meyer Samantha B. , Webb Trevor , Ward Paul R.
Published: January 2016

Aim

This paper explores how food regulators respond to food incidents and the barriers and enablers associated with doing so.

Methods

Twenty‐six semi‐structured interviews lasting between 30 and 60 minutes were undertaken with Australian food regulators. Regulators worked across food policy development, implementation, enforcement and standards setting. These interviews ascertained food regulators' views on food safety and responses to real and hypothetical food incidents. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Food regulators reported that working together with other food regulators is an important part of effective food regulation and response to food incidents. Strategies for working together included clarifying expectations and developing formal documents such as a memorandum of understanding. However, challenges in working together were reported, including different risk thresholds, different political agendas and a lack of clarity on regulators' roles.

Conclusions

A focus on partnerships and good communication between food regulators is likely to facilitate effective management of food incidents, and maximise the chances that food incidents do not lead to increased consumer morbidity and mortality as a result of a poor response to a food incident.
Preparation of Substrate for Flavorant from Chicken Bone Residue with Hot‐Pressure Process
Authors: Wang Jin‐Zhi , Dong Xian‐Bing , Yue Jian‐Ying , Zhang Chun‐Hui , Jia Wei , Li Xia
Published: January 2016

Hot‐pressure extraction (HPE), which is regarded as a “green” technology, was applied to extract nutrients (protein, collagen, and minerals) from chicken bone residue (CBR). Amino acids (AA), color, and volatile flavor compounds of chicken bone extract (CBE) were also investigated. Results showed that contents of protein, total soluble solids, minerals, and collagen of CBE were positively correlated with extraction time and temperature. High ratios of protein (83.51%) and collagen (96.81%) were obtained with 135 °C and 120 min. Essential AA accounted for 31.03% to 47.73% of total AA in CBE. The percentage of bitter AA in TAA decreased from 28.94% to 25.02% at 0 min to 20.19% and 21.41% at 120 min, although fresh AA increased from 46.35% to 50.84% (0 min) to 53.14% (120 min) at 130 and 135 °C, respectively, indicating CBE was nutritionally beneficial with good flavor. Color and volatile flavor of CBE improved significantly after extraction, although calcium in CBE (4.2 to 4.8 mg/100 g) was relatively low compared with that of CBR (1078 mg/100 g). It can be concluded that HPE is a promising way to transform CBR into a nutritious flavorant substrate, but it is not an efficient way to extract calcium.
Individual‐based integral projection models: the role of size‐structure on extinction risk and establishment success
Authors: Schreiber Sebastian J. , Ross Noam
Published: January 2016

Matrix models or integral projection models (IPMs) are commonly used to study the dynamics of structured populations, where discrete or continuous traits influence survival, growth or reproduction.

When a population's size is small, as is often the case for threatened species or potentially invasive species arriving in novel habitats, extinction risk may be substantial due to demographic stochasticity. Branching processes, which are individual‐based counterparts to matrix models and IPMs, allow one to quantify these risks of extinction.

For discretely structured populations, the theory of multitype branching processes provides analytic methods to compute how extinction risk changes over time and how it depends on the size and composition of the population. Building on prior work on continuous‐state branching processes, we extend these analytic methods to individual‐based models accounting for any mixture of discrete and continuous population structure.

The individual‐based IPMs are defined by probabilistic update rules at the level of the individual which determine how each individual with a given trait value dies, changes trait values (e.g. grows in size) or produces individuals with the same or other trait values. We show that probabilities of extinction can be analytically determined by probability‐generating functionals associated with the individual‐based IPMs. In particular, we present analytical expressions for how extinction probabilities change over time and depend on the initial abundance and trait distribution of the population.

We illustrate how to numerically implement these methods using data from the short‐lived desert shrub species Cryptantha flava and provide a more general discussion of how to implement these methods to other data sets including those involving fluctuating environmental conditions.

As most IPM studies have the necessary data to parameterize individual‐based IPMs, these methods provide a computationally efficient means to explore how continuously structured populations differing in their evolutionary history and environmental context may differ in their vulnerability to extinction or ability to colonize new habitats.
There is no cephalocaudal gradient of computed tomography densities or lung behavior in supine patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: El‐Dash S. A. , Borges J. B. , Costa E. L. V. , Tucci M. R. , Ranzani O. T. , Caramez M. P. , Carvalho C. R. R. , Amato M. B. P.
Published: January 2016

Background

There is debate whether pressure transmission within the lungs and alveolar collapse follow a hydrostatic pattern or the compression exerted by the weight of the heart and the diaphragm causes collapse localized in the areas adjacent to these structures. The second hypothesis proposes the existence of a cephalocaudal gradient in alveolar collapse. We aimed to define whether or not lung density and collapse follow a ‘liquid‐like’ pattern with homogeneous isogravitational layers along the cephalocaudal axis in acute respiratory distress syndrome lungs.

Methods

Acute respiratory distress syndrome patients were submitted to full lung computed tomography scans at positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP) zero (before) and 25 cmH2O after a maximum‐recruitment maneuver. PEEP was then decreased by 2 cmH2O every 4 min, and a semi‐complete scan performed at the end of each PEEP step.

Results

Lung densities were homogeneous within each lung layer. Lung density increased along the ventrodorsal axis toward the dorsal region (β = 0.49, P < 0.001), while there was no increase, but rather a slight decrease, toward the diaphragm along the cephalocaudal axis and toward the heart. Higher PEEP attenuated density gradients. At PEEP 18 cmH2O, dependent lung regions started to collapse massively, while best compliance was only reached at a lower PEEP.

Conclusions

We could not detect cephalocaudal gradients in lung densities or in alveolar collapse. Likely, external pressures applied on the lung by the chest wall, organs, and effusions are transmitted throughout the lung in a hydrostatic pattern with homogeneous consequences at each isogravitational layer. A single cross‐sectional image of the lung could fully represent the heterogeneous mechanical properties of dependent and non‐dependent lung regions.
Other comprehensive income: a review and directions for future research
Authors: Black Dirk E.
Published: January 2016

Accounting standard setters continue to grapple with conceptual distinctions between components of net income and other comprehensive income (OCI). Bank regulators are dealing with the recommendations of Basel III for Tier 1 Capital, which includes more components of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). Motivated by these standard setting and regulatory debates and changes, I review the literature on the investor and contracting usefulness of comprehensive income, OCI, OCI components and AOCI. I present ideas for future research, including opportunities arising from Basel III changes to bank regulatory capital.
Does internal control over financial reporting really alleviate agency conflicts?
Authors: Qi Baolei , Li Liuchuang , Zhou Qing , Sun Jinghui
Published: January 2016

This study investigates whether internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) alleviates the managerial expropriation of corporate resources. We do this by examining the potential effects of material weaknesses in internal control on the values of corporate cash holdings and capital expenditures. Our findings suggest that ICFR facilitates the scrutiny and discipline of capital markets and thus alleviates the agency problems. Our results support the premise that high financial reporting quality impairs managers’ abilities to use corporate resources in a self‐serving manner.
Intra‐cerebral and intra‐nasal melanocortin‐4 receptor antagonist blocks withdrawal hyperalgesia in alcohol‐dependent rats
Authors: Roltsch Hellard Emily A. , Impastato Renata A. , Gilpin Nicholas W.
Published: January 2016

Humans diagnosed with alcohol use disorder are more sensitive to painful stimuli during withdrawal, which suggests that excessive alcohol drinking worsens pain outcomes. Alcohol‐dependent rats exhibit increases in nociceptive sensitivity during withdrawal. Data from animal models suggest that brain melanocortin‐4 receptors (MC4Rs) mediate alcohol drinking and nociception. Here we tested: (1) the effect of alcohol dependence on thermal nociception in rats, and (2) the ability of acute alcohol and (3) MC4R antagonists to reverse hyperalgesia during withdrawal in alcohol‐dependent rats. Rats were trained to self‐administer operant alcohol and were tested for baseline thermal nociception. Half of the rats were made dependent on alcohol, then all rats were cannulated in the lateral ventricle. We tested the effects of acute alcohol drinking, acute fixed‐dose alcohol, intra‐ventricular agouti‐related protein (endogenous MC4R antagonist), intra‐ventricular HS014 (synthetic MC4R antagonist) and intra‐nasal HS014 on hyperalgesia during withdrawal in alcohol‐dependent rats, relative to non‐dependent drinkers and alcohol‐naïve controls. Alcohol‐dependent rats exhibit thermal hyperalgesia that is abolished by alcohol drinking, bolus alcohol and intra‐ventricular and intra‐nasal MC4R antagonists. These manipulations did not affect thermal nociception in non‐dependent drinkers and alcohol‐naïve controls, suggesting that alcohol dependence produces neuroadaptations in brain MC4R systems. These results suggest that brain MC4R systems may be an effective therapeutic target for reducing nociception in the alcohol‐dependent organism.
The Effect of Corporate Governance on Post Reverse Merger Survival
Authors: Kim Hyun‐Dong , Lee Bong‐Soo , Lee Sang Whi , Park Kwangwoo , Jambal Khishigjargal
Published: January 2016

In this paper, we examine how firm financial conditions and governance characteristics affect reverse mergers’ survival. Using a sample of reverse mergers that took place in the United States during the 1997–2009 period, we find that firms with better corporate governance are more likely to survive after a reverse merger. In particular,CEOownership, staggered board dummy, and venture dummy have a positive association with reverse merger survival. We also show a concave relation between the average board tenure and the probability of reverse merger survival. In contrast, most of the firm characteristic variables have an insignificant relationship with reverse merger survival. Our results suggest that the survivability of reverse mergers relies more on the presumed value‐enhancing governance characteristics than on the financial conditions of the merging firms.
Average Price Futures Contracts: Pricing, Characteristics, and Implications
Authors: Yoo Jin
Published: January 2016

We define and price average index and currency futures, show how they reduce price manipulation, explore their features as financial instruments, and discuss their policy implications. They offer investors protection against price manipulation, effective hedging, and even rational speculation. The study shows that the mean and variance of the price of an arithmetic average futures contract are functions of its reference dates and that it can be flexibly designed to meet diverse hedging needs of investors. With these features, average price futures contracts can serve as a good complement to existing plain vanilla futures.
The Shocks in the Interbank Market: An Analysis of China and the US
Authors: Fei Ziwei , Jiang Xiaoquan , Zeng Li , Peng Jiangang
Published: January 2016

We compare the contagion risk in the interbank market between China and the United States during the period from 2011 to 2013. Applying simulation method, we find that the contagion risk of an individual bank shock in the US interbank market is relatively lower than that in China during the period. For a group bank shock, we find that the group with the lowest capital adequacy ratio in China induces a serious contagion, while the group with the highest concentration degree in the US induces a mild contagion. One potential reason is that the additional capital of most commercial banks in China is relatively lower than that of the US and most banks in China highly depend on the interbank market for acquiring liquidity or income.
Intraday Volatility and Volume in China's Stock Index and Index Futures Markets
Authors: Nishimura Yusaku , Sun Bianxia
Published: January 2016

This paper examines the effects of intraday trading volume on return volatility across China's stock index and index futures markets using 5‐min intraday data. The periodic characteristics of intraday data are considered and aFIEGARCHmodel is employed to allow for long memory properties of intraday volatility. We find that volume has significant positive influences on volatility across the two markets, and that the impact of futures volume on spot volatility is significantly stronger than the impact of spot volume on futures volatility. These findings indicate a stronger information flow from the futures market to the spot market than vice versa, which might result from current access restrictions on investors in China's stock index futures market.
Progesterone‐Regulated Endometrial Factors Controlling Implantation
Authors: Bhurke Arpita S. , Bagchi Indrani C. , Bagchi Milan K.
Published: January 2016

The steroid hormone progesterone (P), acting via the progesterone receptor (PR) isoforms, PR‐A and PR‐B, exerts a profound influence on uterine functions during early gestation. In recent years, chromatin immunoprecipitation‐sequencing in combination with microarray‐based gene expression profiling analyses have revealed that the PR isoforms control a substantially large cistrome and transcriptome during endometrial differentiation in the human and the mouse. Genetically engineered mouse models have established that several PR‐regulated genes, such as Ihh, Bmp2, Hoxa10, and Hand2, are essential for implantation and decidualization. PR‐A and PR‐B also collaborate with other transcription factors, such as FOS, JUN, C/EBPβ and STAT3, to regulate the expression of many target genes that functions in concert to properly control uterine epithelial proliferation, stromal differentiation, angiogenesis, and local immune response to render the uterus ‘receptive’ and allow embryo implantation. This review article highlights recent work describing the key PR‐regulated pathways that govern critical uterine functions during establishment of pregnancy.
Age‐related macular degeneration in Portugal: prevalence and risk factors in a coastal and an inland town. The Coimbra Eye Study – Report 2
Authors: Cachulo Maria da Luz , Laíns Inês , Lobo Conceição , Figueira João , Ribeiro Luísa , Marques João P. , Costa José , Vieira António , Rodrigues João , Alves Dalila , Nunes Sandrina , Costa Miguel , Rodrigues Victor , Cunha‐Vaz José , Delcourt Cecile , Silva Rufino
Published: January 2016

Purpose

To determine the age‐ and sex‐specific prevalence of early and late age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) in two Portuguese population‐based samples and to identify its risk factors.

Population

A population of 6023 adults aged ≥55 years was recruited from two Portuguese primary healthcare units in the central region of Portugal – one from a coastal (n = 3000) and another from an inland town (n = 3023).

Methods

Cross‐sectional population‐based study. Participants were enrolled in the two locations between August 2009 and October 2013. Responders underwent standardized interviews and ophthalmologic examination, including digital fundus imaging. All fundus photographs were graded according to an International Classification and Grading System. The main outcome measures consisted of age‐ and sex‐adjusted prevalence of early and late AMD. Potential epidemiologic risk factors were also evaluated using logistic regression analysis.

Results

Of the 6023 subjects enrolled, 5996 had gradable fundus images and were included in the analysis. The crude prevalence of early and late AMD was 6.99 and 0.67%, respectively, for the coastal town and 15.39 and 1.29% for the inland town. Age‐ and sex‐adjusted prevalence of any AMD for the Portuguese population was 12.48% (95% CI: 11.61–13.33) with late AMD accounting for 1.16% (95% CI: 0.85–1.46). Neovascular AMD (NV‐AMD) and geographic atrophy (GA) accounted for 0.55% (95% CI: 0.36–0.75) and 0.61% (95% CI: 0.37–0.84) of individuals, respectively. After adjusting for possible confounding factors, prevalence of early and late AMD increased with increasing age (OR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.23–1.49 for early and OR = 3.01; 95% CI: 2.22–4.08 for late AMD, per each decade of age increase, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age, sex, family history, smoking history, hypertension, diabetes and BMI, subjects from the inland town presented a significantly higher OR of early and late AMD than subjects from the coastal town (OR = 2.57, 95% CI: 2.12–3.12, p < 0.001 for early and OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.07–3.95, p = 0.029 for late AMD).

Conclusions

The prevalence of early and late AMD in this Portuguese population was similar to other large‐scale population‐based cohorts. After controlling for confounders, age and study site of inclusion were significant independent predictors for both early and late forms of the disease. Further analysis will be needed to completely unravel the underlying reasons for this difference regarding geographic location.
Effects of focal/grid laser treatment on the central visual field in diabetic macular oedema: a 2‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Tababat‐Khani Poya , Bengtsson Boel , Agardh Elisabet
Published: January 2016

Purpose

To assess the long‐term effects of focal/grid laser treatment on the central visual field in subjects with clinically significant diabetic macular oedema (CSMO).

Methods

Twenty‐six subjects with CSMO were included in the study. Fundus photography, assessment of retinal thickness by time‐domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), measurement of visual acuity (VA) and standard automated perimetry of the central 10° of the visual field were performed at baseline before focal/grid laser treatment and thereafter at four follow‐up visits 6 months apart, when the laser treatment was also repeated in subjects with persistent oedema. Changes in VA and retinal thickness between baseline and study end at 24‐month follow‐up were calculated. Trends in changes in the visual field were assessed by linear regression of number of significantly depressed test points over time.

Results

On average after the laser treatment, retinal thickness decreased by 17% and VA decreased by three letters. In most eyes, visual fields were stable over time: the mean of the trend slopes (0.05 points/month) did not differ significantly from 0 (p = 0.63). The number of depressed test points at follow‐up was not correlated with either the total number of laser effects or the number of laser sessions.

Conclusion

Focal/grid laser treatment for CSMO did not affect retinal sensitivity in the central visual field in the subjects included in this 2‐year follow‐up study.
Overweight parents are twice as likely to underestimate the weight of their teenage children, regardless of their sociodemographic characteristics
Authors: Christofaro DGD , Andrade SM , Fernandes RA , Cabrera MAS , Rodríguez‐Artalejo F , Mesas AE
Published: January 2016

Aim

It is unclear whether parents' weight affects their ability to recognise whether their teenage children are overweight. This study analysed whether overweight parents assessed their child's weight as well as normal weight parents.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was carried out in Londrina, Brazil, in 2011 and included teenagers between 14 and 17 years of age and their parents or guardians. We recorded the weight and height of the teenagers and asked the parents or guardians to fill in a questionnaire that included how they perceived their child's weight and demographic information.

Results

We studied 1231 teenagers – 58.2% girls – and 19.4% were overweight or obese. In 842 (68.4%) of cases both parents replied to the questionnaire. We found that 8.7% of the 1202 mothers and 10.0% of the 871 fathers underestimated how overweight their child was. The adjusted analyses confirmed they were twice as likely to underestimate their child's weight if they were overweight themselves, with an odds ratio of 1.96 for the mothers and 2.04 for the fathers. Sociodemographic characteristics did not affect the results.

Conclusion

Overweight parents were twice as likely to underestimate the weight of their teenage children, regardless of the sociodemographic characteristics.