bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk-based entry decision into African construction markets: a proposed integrated model
Authors: Odediran Sunday Julius , Windapo Abimbola Oluwakemi
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a risk-based entry decision model to mitigate the impact of risk and ease the entry of multinational construction companies (MNCCs) into African construction market (ACM).

Design/methodology/approach

A review of extant literature helps identify risks in the international construction market (ICM) and entry modes used by MNCCs to enter into the ICM. A conceptual model is designed for a risk-based entry decision. Data for validating the proposed model are sourced from multiple sources – survey, interview and financial and annual report of companies surveyed.

Findings

Findings reveal significant risks in the ICM and different modes of MNCCs entry to foreign market. Experience of MNCCs shows that the perceived impact of risk influence decisions made to enter into foreign markets, and interactive relationships between resources and entry decisions made to mitigate the perceived impact of risks.

Originality/value

Significant risks are expected in the ACM. However, adequate perception of risks based on resources levels of MNCCs and strategic entry decisions would assist in mitigating the potential impacts of risk.
Factors affecting building services’ coordination during the design development and review stages
Authors: Hassanain Mohammad A. , Adewale Babatunde , Al-Hammad Abdul-Mohsen , Sanni-Anibire Muizz O.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify and assess the factors affecting building services’ coordination during the design development and review stages of building projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review and interviews were conducted to identify the factors affecting building services’ coordination. In total, 36 factors were identified under six categories: planning phase of the project; design of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems; construction of MEP systems; operation and maintenance of MEP systems; owner; and design team and tools used. This formed the basis of a questionnaire survey designed utilizing a 5-point Likert scale of importance. The survey was assessed by practitioners in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

Findings

The top five factors include the scale and complexity of the project, the level of experience of the design team, the quality of the preliminary/conceptual design of the building project, the clarity of the requirements and objectives provided by the owner, the allotted budget for the project and communication skills of the design team members. A high level of agreement between A/E professionals and contractors, and between contractors and facility managers was noted. The research provides the ranking of the identified factors for prioritization.

Practical implications

The paper provides stakeholders in the building services industry with the ranks of the factors that affect building services’ coordination.

Originality/value

The study provided a significant contribution to research and industry, especially in the regional context, where few studies have been conducted. The findings of the study will help in the reduction of construction wastes, delays and cost over-runs.
An empirical investigation of customer intentions influenced by service quality using the mediation of emotional and cognitive responses
Authors: Alsaggaf Mohammed Ahmad , Althonayan Abraham
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of customer perceptions of service quality on electronic word of mouth (eWOM) and switching intentions through cognitive and emotional responses.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have developed a theoretical framework based on behavioural theories to analyse the environmental aspects of relationships that affect customer behavioural intentions. The authors adapted a quantitative methodology along with the positivist philosophical approach to investigate the hypotheses within the theoretical framework. The authors applied a protracted stimuli-organism-response model to highlight the peripheral reliability, responsiveness, tangibility, empathy, assurance, and the impact of the customer’s feelings while simultaneously linking the elements to each other. In addition, the authors applied the theory of reasoned action to reflect the marginal elements of subjective norms, attitude, and customers’ behavioural intentions. A survey with 601 responses has been used in this study.

Findings

In the setting of KSA’s mobile telecom industry, the authors confirm that there is a positive effect of customer perceptions of service quality on their eWOM and switching intentions through their cognitive and emotional responses.

Originality/value

The framework of this study enhances our understanding of the role of service quality as an environmental influence on an individual’s intentions to switch and eWOM. This conceptual framework is essential in evaluating the mediating roles of attitude and emotions in relation to eWOM and intention to switch.
How SMEs develop ICT-based capabilities in response to their environment
Authors: Neirotti Paolo , Raguseo Elisabetta , Paolucci Emilio
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has some peculiarities that may depend on the combined effect of size and the competitive environment. The purpose of this paper is to use a contingency approach to explore how SMEs develop organizational capabilities through ICT investments in response to environmental conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey on 284 SMEs in Italy was conducted and data were analyzed with regression models for testing seven hypotheses on the environmental influence on the development of ICT-based capabilities and the role played by firm size.

Findings

The results show that the environment influences the development of such capabilities in a different way, depending on size. Within munificent environments, ICT-based capabilities are more diffused among larger SMEs, whereas under environmental complexity, this pattern is inverted, with larger SMEs exhibiting a more limited deployment of ICT in support of both their internally and externally oriented processes. Under environmental dynamism medium-sized firms tend to develop more internally oriented ICT capabilities, but fail in reporting superior capabilities for managing external relationships.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to understand the relationship between the environment and ICT investments in SMEs. Since the combined effect of size and the competitive environment may influence considerably the ICT investments in SMEs, this study investigates the organizational responses with respect to how SMEs use ICT to address their external environment. This focus provides a contribution to understand the challenges that SMEs are facing in the current technological and market environment, where changes in the ICT paradigm raise the level of complexity and dynamism and bring changes in competition levels that leave few resources for growth to SMEs.
An empirical analysis on outsourcing decision: the case of e-banking services
Authors: Hanafizadeh Payam , Zare Ravasan Ahad
Published: December 2017

Purpose

A multitude of factors influence the information technology outsourcing (ITO) decision. Organizations must systematically evaluate these factors prior to making the ITO decision. The purpose of this paper is to provide an in-depth analysis toward understanding the critical factors in affecting ITO decision in the context of e-banking services.

Design/methodology/approach

The effect of technological, organizational, and environmental attributes on e-banking services outsourcing decision were investigated in this paper. The study was carried out using the quantitative research methodology based on a survey of 23 banks. The partial least squares technique was utilized as the method of data analysis.

Findings

The results of the data analysis illustrated that nine out of 11 assumed factors (i.e. perceived complexity, perceived cost, service observability to the client, cultural fit between client and supplier, perceived loss of organizational knowledge, prior outsourcing experience, external pressure, market volatility, and suppliers’ power) influence the outsourcing decision of e-banking services. The findings also confirmed that the nature of the service and client IT capabilities did not exert any influence on the outsourcing decision.

Originality/value

The study is among the first kind of ITO decision research which empirically investigates the effect of service observability, cultural fit, perceived loss of organizational knowledge, external pressure, market volatility, and suppliers’ power amongst other factors on the ITO decision. The findings from this study provide insights for the banks and service providers to better understand the factors affecting the outsourcing decisions of e-banking services in contexts of less developed countries. Implications based on a specific situation of the Iranian banking sector is also proposed.
Walking side-by-side: Recovery Colleges revolutionising mental health care
Authors: Sommer Joanne , Gill Katherine , Stein-Parbury Jane
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The Recovery College model is an innovative approach to providing education to consumers, carers and mental health staff, with the potential to facilitate both personal recovery gains and organisational transformation towards recovery-focused service provision. The purpose of this paper is to explore the experiences of students who attended the South Eastern Sydney Recovery College (SESRC).

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory, descriptive qualitative design was employed with data collected through seven focus group interviews with consumers and mental health staff who had participated in courses run by the SESRC. Thematic analysis of the data was conducted using both deductive and inductive processes in order to interpret the data.

Findings

All participants were positive about their involvement in the RC. Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis: connection with others, hope for the future, the importance of the lived experience, and changing attitudes and systems.

Originality/value

The outcomes of this study indicate that the SESRC is achieving its aims in relation to both personal recovery gains, and the potential to impact on service transformation. It highlights the centrality of co-production as a fundamental aspect of the Recovery College model. This paper contributes to the emerging evidence base for this model and provides evidence that this model is applicable to the Australian context.
Differences in food and nutrient intakes between Australian‐ and Asian‐born women living in Australia: Results from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health
Authors: Liu Huaqing , Hall John J. , Xu Xiaoyue , Mishra Gita D. , Byles Julie E.
Published: December 2017

Aim

To determine differences in food and nutrient intakes between Australian‐ and Asian‐born women living in Australia.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, including 6461 women born in Australia or Asia who completed food frequency questionnaires in 2001 and 2013. Diet was assessed using the Dietary Questionnaire for Epidemiological Studies version 2. Longitudinal generalised estimating‐equation modelling was performed to determine the effect of country of birth and survey year on fruit and vegetable intake.

Results

Asian‐born women ate more cereals, soybeans and fish but less vegetables, legumes, dairy, meat and meat products than Australian‐born women both in 2001 and in 2013. Asian‐born women ate less cereals, rice and noodles, meat and its products (P < 0.05) in 2013 than in 2001. The earlier people came to Australia, the less their rice and noodle intake per day. However, the reverse was demonstrated regarding vegetable intake. Asian‐born women had a lower daily intake of fat, calcium, zinc, thiamin, riboflavin, folate and retinol compared with those born in Australia.

Conclusions

Asian‐born women living in Australia show different food and nutrient intakes from Australian‐born women, although their diets tend to deviate from typical Asian characteristics and approach a Western diet.
Exenatide exhibits anti‐inflammatory properties and modulates endothelial response to tumor necrosis factor α‐mediated activation
Authors: Garczorz Wojciech , Gallego‐Colon Enrique , Kosowska Agnieszka , Kłych‐Ratuszny Agnieszka , Woźniak Michał , Marcol Wiesław , Niesner K.J. , Francuz Tomasz
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of mortality and morbidity in the industrialized world. Incretin‐mimetic compounds such as exenatide are currently used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Aims

We investigated the effects of incretin drugs on apoptosis, adhesion molecule expression, and concentration of extracellular matrix (ECM) metalloproteinases under inflammatory conditions within the context of atherosclerotic plaque formation of both human coronary artery endothelial cells (hCAECs) and human aortic endothelial cells (hAoECs). TNF‐α‐stimulated hCAEC and hAoEC were treated with exenatide (1 and 10 nmol/L) and GLP‐1 (10 and 100 nmol/L) then evaluated for caspase 3/7 activity and assayed for protein levels of adhesion molecules sICAM‐1, sVCAM‐1, and P‐selectin. Concentrations of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP‐1, MMP‐2, MMP‐9, and their inhibitors—tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), TIMP‐1, TIMP‐2 were also measured to evaluate the effects on extracellular matrix turnover within an inflammatory environment. Intracellular signaling pathways were evaluated via transfection of endothelial cells with a GFP vector under the NF‐κB promoter.

Results

Our experimental data suggest that GLP‐1 receptor (GLP‐1R) agonists downregulate activation of NF‐κB and adhesion molecules ICAM and VCAM, but not P‐selectin, in both endothelial cell lines. Exendin‐4 and GLP‐1 modulate the expression of MMPs and TIMPs, with statistically significant effects observed at high concentrations of both incretins. Expressive modulation may be mediated by NF‐κB as observed by activation of the vector when stimulated under inflammatory conditions.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that GLP‐1 analogs have anti‐inflammatory properties in endothelial cells that may play an important role in preventing atherosclerosis.
Early Eocene Radiolarian Fauna from the Sangdanlin, Southern Tibet: Constraints on the Timing of Initial India‐Asia Collision
Authors: WANG Tianyang , LI Guobiao , LI Xinfa , NIU Xiaolu
Published: December 2017

This is a new report on the early Eocene radiolarian fauna from the Sangdanlin section in the Gyirong region, along the southern margin of the Yarlung Zangbo Suture Zone. The Sangdanlin section measured in this study is divided into three lithostratigraphic units from bottom to top: the Zongzhuo, Sangdanlin, and Zheya formations. Abundant radiolarian fossils were obtained from the Sangdanlin section and 54 species of 30 genera were identified and assigned as follows: Cryptamphorella conara‐C. macropora the late Cretaceous Zone and Amphisphaera coronate, Buryella tetradica‐Bekoma campechensis, and B. bidartensis‐B. divaricata the Paleocene‐early Eocene Interval Zones. The Paleocene‐early Eocene radiolarian zones are comparable to the radiolarian zones RP4‐RP8 in New Zealand. Based on the data of radiolaria and lithofacies, it is suggested that the Zongzhuo Formation should be deposited along the base of the north‐facing, continental slope of the Greater Indian continental margin, and the Sangdanlin Formation should be a deep marine, sedimentary sequence located in a foreland basin. The early Eocene radiolarian fauna in the Sangdanlin Formation constrains the initial age of the India‐Asia collision to no later than 53.6 Ma.
Archean‐Paleoproterozoic Lithospheric Mantle at the Northern Margin of the North China Craton Represented by Tectonically Exhumed Peridotites
Authors: TIAN Wei , WANG Shuangyue , LIU Fenglin , CHU Zhuyin , WANG Bin , CHEN Mimi , PRICHARD Jennifer
Published: December 2017

Tectonically emplaced peridotites from North Hebei Province, North China Craton, have retained an original harzburgite mineral assemblage of olivine (54%–58%) + orthopyroxene (40%–46%) +minor clinopyroxene (<1%)+spinel. Samples with boninite‐like chemical compositions also coexist with these peridotites. The spinels within the peridotites have high‐Al end‐members with Al2O3content of 30 wt%–50 wt%, typical of mantle spinels. When compared with experimentally determined melt extraction trajectories, the harzburgites display a high degree of melting and enrichment of SiO2, which is typical of cratonic mantle peridotites. The peridotites display variably enriched light rare earth elements (REEs), relatively depleted middle REEs and weakly fractionated heavy REEs, which suggest a melt extraction of over 25% in the spinel stability field. The occurrence of arc‐ and SSZ‐type chromian spinels in the peridotites suggests that melt extraction and metasomatism occurred mostly in a subduction‐related setting. This is also supported by the geochemical data of the coexisting boninite‐like samples. The peridotites have187Os/188Os ratios ranging from 0.113–0.122, which is typical of cratonic lithospheric mantle. These187Os/188Os ratios yield model melt extraction ages (TRD) ranging from 981 Ma to 2054 Ma, which may represent the minimum estimation of the melt extraction age. The Al2O3–187Os/188Os‐proxy isochron ages of 2.4 Ga‐2.7 Ga suggest a mantle melt depletion age between the Late Achaean and Early Paleoproterozoic. Both the peridotites and boninite‐like rocks are therefore interpreted as tectonically exhumed continental lithospheric mantle of the North China Craton, which has experienced mantle melt depletion and subduction‐related mantle metasomatism during the Neoarchean‐ Paleoproterozoic.
Geological and Geochemical Constraints on the Newly Discovered Yangchongli Gold Deposit in Tongling Region, Lower Yangtze Metallogenic Belt
Authors: DUAN Liu'an , GU Huangling , YANG Xiaoyong
Published: December 2017

The newly discovered Yangchongli gold deposit is a unique independent gold deposit in the Tongling ore‐cluster region controlled by the tectonic alteration firstly discovered in the Lower Yangtze Metallogenic Belt (LYMB). The host magmatic rocks mainly consist of monzodiorite and K‐feldspar granite. The LA‐ICP‐MS U‐Pb zircons dating yielded weighted mean 206Pb/238U ages of 140.7 ± 1.8 Ma and 126.4 ± 1.2 Ma for the monzodiorite and K‐feldspar granite, respectively. Monzodiorites are enriched in Sr, Ba, Rb, and depleted in Y, Yb with high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios, similar to the geochemical features of adakite, considered as products of differentiation of mafic magmas originating from lithospheric mantle melt/fluids caused by metasomatism during paleo‐Pacific Plate subduction in the Mesozic. In contrast, the compositions of K‐feldspar granites are A‐type granites, indicating an extensional tectonic background. Gold ores hosted in the fracture zone occurred as quartz vein within cataclastic rock. Sulfur and lead isotopes from pyrites show crust‐mantle mixing characteristics. Metal components from strata also took part in the gold mineralization, and resulted from two episodes of magmatism that were probably related to tectonic transition from a compressive to an extensional setting between 140–126 Ma, which led to the Mesozoic large‐scale polymetallic mineralization events in eastern China.
Geochronological Constraints on the Haftcheshmeh Porphyry Cu‐Mo‐Au Ore Deposit, Central Qaradagh Batholith, Arasbaran Metallogenic Belt, Northwest Iran
Authors: HASSANPOUR Shohreh , MOAZZEN Mohsen
Published: December 2017

The Haftcheshmeh porphyry Cu‐Mo‐Au deposit in the Arasbaran metallogenic belt (AMB) of NW Iran contains more than 185 Mt of ore, with a grade ranging from 0.3% to 0.4%. It is hosted within a porphyritic diorite to granodiorite intruded into an older gabbro ‐ diorite intrusion. 40Ar/39Ar analyses of primary magmatic hornblende from the granodiorite porphyry and gabbro ‐ diorite show plateau ages of 26.41 ± 0.59 Ma, with an inverse isochron age of 25.9 ± 1.0 Ma and a plateau age of 27.47 ± 0.17 Ma, with an inverse isochron age of 27.48 ± 0.35 Ma for these two rock types, respectively. Comparing these new age data with those from the nearby Sungun (20.69 ± 0.35 Ma) and Kighal porphyry deposits defines a northwest‐southeast Cu‐Mo‐Au mineralization zone extending for 20 km over the time span of ∼27 to 20 Ma. Geochemically, Haftcheshmeh rocks are calc‐alkaline with high potassium affinities with tectonic setting in relation to volcanic arc setting. Large ion lithophile elements (LILE) such as Th, U and K show enrichment on a primitive mantle normalized diagram (specially Pb), and are depleted in high field strength elements (HFSE) such as Ti and Nb, pointing to a mantle magma source contamination with crustal materials by subducted oceanic crust.
Geochemical Characteristics and Genetic Types of Natural Gas in the Xinchang Gas Field, Sichuan Basin, SW China
Authors: WU Xiaoqi , LIU Quanyou , LIU Guangxiang , WANG Ping , LI Huaji , MENG Qingqiang , CHEN Yingbin , ZENG Huasheng
Published: December 2017

The molecular compositions and stable carbon and hydrogen isotopic compositions of natural gas from the Xinchang gas field in the Sichuan Basin were investigated to determine the genetic types. The natural gas is mainly composed of methane (88.99%–98.01%), and the dryness coefficient varies between 0.908 and 0.997. The gas generally displays positive alkane carbon and hydrogen isotopic series. The geochemical characteristics and gas‐source correlation indicate that the gases stored in the 5th member of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation are coal‐type gases which are derived from source rocks in the stratum itself. The gases reservoired in the 4th member of the Xujiahe Formation and Jurassic strata in the Xinchang gas field are also coal‐type gases that are derived from source rocks in the 3rd and 4th members of the Xujiahe Formation. The gases reservoired in the 2nd member of the Upper Triassic Xujiahe Formation are mainly coal‐type gases with small amounts of oil‐type gas that is derived from source rocks in the stratum itself. This is accompanied by a small amount of contribution brought by source rocks in the Upper Triassic Ma'antang and Xiaotangzi formations. The gases reservoired in the 4th member of the Middle Triassic Leikoupo Formation are oil‐type gases and are believed to be derived from the secondary cracking of oil which is most likely to be generated from the Upper Permian source rocks.
Extinction and reinstatement of an operant responding maintained by food in different models of obesity
Authors: Burokas Aurelijus , Martín‐García Elena , Espinosa‐Carrasco Jose , Erb Ionas , McDonald Jerome , Notredame Cedric , Dierssen Mara , Maldonado Rafael
Published: December 2017

A major problem in treating obesity is the high rate of relapse to abnormal food‐taking habits after maintaining an energy balanced diet. Alterations of eating behavior such as compulsive‐like behavior and lack of self‐control over food intake play a critical role in relapse. In this study, we used an operant paradigm of food‐seeking behavior on two different diet‐induced obesity models, a free‐choice chocolate‐mixture diet and a high‐fat diet with face validity for a rapid development of obesity or for unhealthy food regularly consumed in our societies. A reduced operant performance and motivation for the hedonic value of palatable chocolate pellets was revealed in both obesity mouse models. However, only mice exposed to high‐fat diet showed an increased compulsive‐like behavior in the absence of the reinforcer further characterized by impaired operant learning, enhanced impulsivity and intensified inflexibility. We used principal component analysis to globally identify the specific behaviors responsible for the differences among diet groups. Learning impairment and inflexible behaviors contributed to a first principal component, explaining the largest proportion of the variance in the high‐fat diet mice phenotype. Reinforcement, impulsion and compulsion were the main contributors to the second principal component explaining the differences in the chocolate‐mixture mice behavioral phenotype. These behaviors were not exclusive of chocolate group because some high‐fat individuals showed similar values on this component. These data indicate that extended access to hypercaloric diets differentially modifies operant behavior learning, behavioral flexibility, impulsive‐like and compulsive‐like behavior, and these effects were dependent on the exposure to each specific diet.
A novel mutation in the HPGD gene causing primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy with digital clubbing in a Pakistani family
Authors: Khan Anwar Kamal , Muhammad Noor , Khan Sher Alam , Ullah Waheed , Nasir Abdul , Afzal Sibtain , Ramzan Khushnooda , Basit Sulman , Khan Saadullah
Published: December 2017

Primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO) is a congenital multisystemic entity characterized by three major clinical symptoms: pachydermia, periostosis, and digital clubbing. Recently it has been reported that pathogenic mutations in two genes are known to be associated with PHO: HPGD and SLCO2A1. In the present study, a five‐generation consanguineous Pakistani family harboring primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in autosomal‐recessive pattern was ascertained. Whole genome single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) genotyping and sequence analysis revealed a novel homozygous missense mutation (c.577T˃C) of the human HPGD gene in all affected members of the family. The study presented here demonstrate the first case of primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy reported in Pashtun population.
Repeated doses of salbutamol and aeroallergen sensitisation both increased salbutamol‐induced hypoxia in children and adolescents with acute asthma
Authors: Ozer Murat , Buyuktiryaki Betul , Sahiner Umit Murat , Teksam Ozlem , Karaatmaca Betul , Soyer Ozge , Sekerel Bulent Enis
Published: December 2017

Aim

We aimed to identify the frequency, magnitude and risk factors of salbutamol‐induced hypoxia in children with acute asthma.

Methods

This study was conducted at Hacettepe University on children who presented to the paediatric allergy clinic or the paediatric emergency room with acute asthma between July 2014 and June 2015. Vital signs, pulse oximetry‐defined oxygen saturation and modified pulmonary index scores were evaluated before and after the first, second and third doses of nebulised salbutamol and repeated one and 10 days later.

Results

We included 304 patients (65.7% male) from median age of 5.3 years (range 1–18 years). Salbutamol‐induced hypoxia was detected in 14.7%, 3.9% and 1.3%, respectively, after the first, second and third doses of salbutamol. The risk factors for hypoxia were younger age and a higher modified pulmonary index score, but the risk factors for salbutamol‐induced hypoxia were the number of salbutamol doses given in the last six hours and the presence of aeroallergen sensitisation. The maximum decrease in oxygen saturation after salbutamol was %5.

Conclusion

Although bronchodilators are the first‐line treatment for acute asthma, they caused modest hypoxaemia, especially at repeated doses and, or, in patients with aeroallergen sensitisation.
Uniaxial strain of cultured mouse and rat cardiomyocyte strands slows conduction more when its axis is parallel to impulse propagation than when it is perpendicular
Authors: Buccarello A. , Azzarito M. , Michoud F. , Lacour S. P. , Kucera J. P.
Published: December 2017

Aim

Cardiac tissue deformation can modify tissue resistance, membrane capacitance and ion currents and hence cause arrhythmogenic slow conduction. Our aim was to investigate whether uniaxial strain causes different changes in conduction velocity (θ) when the principal strain axis is parallel vs perpendicular to impulse propagation.

Methods

Cardiomyocyte strands were cultured on stretchable custom microelectrode arrays, and θ was determined during steady‐state pacing. Uniaxial strain (5%) with principal axis parallel (orthodromic) or perpendicular (paradromic) to propagation was applied for 1 minute and controlled by imaging a grid of markers. The results were analysed in terms of cable theory.

Results

Both types of strain induced immediate changes of θ upon application and release. In material coordinates, orthodromic strain decreased θ significantly more (P < .001) than paradromic strain (2.2 ± 0.5% vs 1.0 ± 0.2% in n = 8 mouse cardiomyocyte cultures, 2.3 ± 0.4% vs 0.9 ± 0.5% in n = 4 rat cardiomyocyte cultures, respectively). The larger effect of orthodromic strain can be explained by the increase in axial myoplasmic resistance, which is not altered by paradromic strain. Thus, changes in tissue resistance substantially contributed to the changes of θ during strain, in addition to other influences (eg stretch‐activated channels). Besides these immediate effects, the application of strain also consistently initiated a slow progressive decrease in θ and a slow recovery of θ upon release.

Conclusion

Changes in cardiac conduction velocity caused by acute stretch do not only depend on the magnitude of strain but also on its orientation relative to impulse propagation. This dependence is due to different effects on tissue resistance.
Hard tissue volume stability of guided bone regeneration during the healing stage in the anterior maxilla: A clinical and radiographic study
Authors: Jiang Xi , Zhang Yu , Di Ping , Lin Ye
Published: December 2017

Background

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is currently the most widely used technique to reconstruct localized peri‐implant bone defects.

Objectives

To evaluate hard tissue volume stability during the healing stage of GBR with particulate bone graft and resorbable collagen membrane.

Materials and methods

Twenty‐eight patients who were missing a single maxillary incisor and required implant placement combined with GBR were randomly assigned to 2 groups: submerged (n = 14) and transmucosal (n = 14) healing groups. Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed before, immediately after and 6 months post‐surgery. The 3 sets of CBCT data were three‐dimensionally reconstructed and superimposed. Horizontal hard tissue alterations at different vertical levels were recorded. The relative position and distances from the boundary line of the bony defect envelope to the outlines of the augmented ridge were determined immediately post‐augmentation and 6 months after healing.

Results

Augmented ridge underwent horizontal volume reduction during the healing period. Vertical levels (P = .000) rather than healing strategies (submerged or transmucosal) (P = .182) had statistically significant impacts on the reduction width. The boundary line of the ridge defect envelope located within the bony profile immediately after surgery, but outside of the bony profile after 6 months.

Conclusions

GBR with resorbable membrane and particulate bovine bone would undergo horizontal volume reduction during the healing stage. New bone formation at the coronal site may only be predictable within the bony envelope.
Implications of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement for Processed Food Markets
Authors: Devadoss Stephen , Luckstead Jeff
Published: December 2017

Canada and the European Union (EU) recently completed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) to liberalize bilateral trade. Processed food trade between Canada and the EU is one of the fastest growing markets, in spite of large trade restrictions due to high tariffs and egregious nontariff barriers (NTB). The processed food sector is characterized by firms which differ in size, productivity, produce differentiated products, and engage in monopolistic competition. We implement a four‐region (Canada, the EU, the United States, and the Rest of the World) model of the processed food industry, incorporating these firm characteristics to study the effects of CETA. The results show Canadian and EU bilateral trade flows expand, the number of exporting firms rises, and net welfare in both these countries increases. Though CETA does not liberalize NTBs, we examine the impacts of a 40% cut in NTBs to highlight the benefits that would have accrued had CETA also covered NTBs. Under this scenario, the trade flows would have expanded significantly, and, more importantly, Canadian and EU welfare would have risen by 11.8‐ and 39.4‐fold, respectively. Since CETA excludes the United States, the U.S. processed food industry loses due to greater competition in Canadian and the EU markets, and the net U.S. welfare declines.
Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound using bolus injections of contrast agent for assessment of postprandial microvascular blood volume in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Mertz Kenneth H. , Bülow Jacob , Holm Lars
Published: December 2017

Methods capable of measuring blood flow in a tissue‐specific manner are needed. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using bolus injections of SonoVue® is an useful method for assessing postprandial changes in microvascular perfusion in the vastus lateralis muscle. Ten healthy, young subjects were recruited for this study. Six subjects participated in washout and reproducibility protocols to assess washout time of SonoVue® and the reproducibility of the method when measuring microvascular blood volume (MBV). Six subjects (two of which also participated in the washout and reproducibility protocols) participated in exercise and nutrition protocols, to assess the ability of the method to detect changes in MBV in response to these interventions. Intraday variation (coefficients of variation) for MBV indices, as assessed by peak signal intensity (PI) or mean plateau signal intensity (mPI), was high (PI: 19 ± 4·2%; mPI: 23 ± 3·3%). The exercise protocol induced significant increases in MBV indices (PI:+113%, P˂0·0001; mPI:+218%, P˂0·0001) acutely after exercise cessation. There were no changes in MBV indices in response to feeding during the nutrition protocol (PI: P = 0·51; mPI: P = 0·51). We conclude that CEUS using bolus injections of SonoVue® is not capable of detecting changes in MBV of vastus lateralis in response to feeding. This is probably due to the low reproducibility of the method. However, the method is capable of measuring changes in MBV in response to exercise. This method could therefore be used when investigating exercise‐induced changes in microvascular perfusion.
Continuous spike‐wave during sleep: treating an epilepsy without seizures
Authors: Varadkar Sophia
Published: December 2017

This commentary is on the original article by Vega et al. on pages 283‐289 of this issue.
Settling preferences of the whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci on infected plants varies with virus family and transmission mode
Authors: Maluta Nathalie Kristine Prado , Fereres Alberto , Lopes João Roberto Spotti
Published: December 2017

Virus infection may change not only the host‐plant phenotypic (morphological and physiological) characteristics, but can also modify the behavior of their insect vector in a mutualistic or rather antagonistic manner, to promote their spread to new hosts. Viruses differ in their modes of transmission and depend on vector behavior for successful spread. Here, we investigated the effects of the semi‐persistently transmitted Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV, Crinivirus) and the persistent circulative Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV, Begomovirus) on alighting preferences and arrestment behavior of their whitefly vector Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Middle East Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) on tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Santa Clara, Solanaceae). The vector alighting preferences between infected and uninfected plants in choice assays were apparently influenced by the presence of ToCV and ToSRV in the whiteflies or by their previous exposure to infected plants. The observed changes in vector behavior do not seem to benefit the spread of ToCV: non‐viruliferous insects clearly preferred mock‐inoculated plants, whereas ToCV‐viruliferous insects landed on mock‐inoculated and ToCV‐infected plants, indicating a partial change in insect behavior – ToCV was able to directly affect the preference of its vector B. tabaci, but this change in insect behavior did not affect the virus spread because viruliferous insects landed on mock‐inoculated and infected plants indistinctly. In contrast, ToSRV‐viruliferous insects preferred to land on mock‐inoculated plants, a behavior that increases the probability of spread to new host plants. In the arresting behavior assay, the majority of the insects remained on mock‐inoculated plants when released on them. A greater number of insects moved toward mock‐inoculated plants when initially released on ToCV‐ or ToSRV‐infected plants, suggesting that these viruses may repel or reduce the nutritional quality of the host plants for B. tabaci MEAM1.
Changes in native bull trout and non‐native brook trout distributions in the upper Powder River basin after 20 years, relationships to water temperature and implications of climate change
Authors: Howell Philip J.
Published: December 2017

Many bull trout populations have declined from non‐native brook trout introductions, habitat changes (e.g. water temperature) and other factors. We systematically sampled the distribution of bull trout and brook trout in the upper Powder River basin in Oregon in the 1990s and resampled it in 2013–2015, examined temperature differences in the habitats of the two species and analysed trends in temperatures in the light of possible increases associated with climate change. The species’ distributions are currently similar to those in the 1990s, except in one stream where bull trout declined. However, bull trout consisting of resident forms remain restricted to a few kilometres of habitat at the upper end of fish distribution. In streams where both species occur, the typical pattern was an intermediate zone of mixed bull trout, brook trout, and hybrids downstream of allopatric bull trout and allopatric brook trout extending farther downstream. Temperature differences between where bull trout and most brook trout occurred were small (0.5–1.0°C August mean). There were no statistical increases in water temperatures in nearby streams since the 1990s and no warming trends in air temperatures for the past 25–60 years. However, peak summer water temperatures are occurring about 3 weeks earlier than 25 years ago. Future effects of climate change, including possible increases in temperature, changes in timing and other factors (e.g. snowpack, flow and extreme events) remain a concern for the persistence of these populations. However, it is difficult to precisely predict where those changes will occur and what they will be.
Towards an explanation of inequality in premodern societies: the role of colonies, urbanization, and high population density
Authors: Milanovic Branko
Published: December 2017

Using a newly expanded set of 41 social tables from premodern societies, this article tries to identify the factors associated with the level of inequality and the inequality extraction ratio (how close to the maximum inequality the elites have pushed actual inequality). Strong evidence is found to show that elites in colonies were more extractive, and that more densely populated and less urbanized countries exhibited lower extraction ratios. Several possibilities are proposed, linking high population density to low inequality and to low elite extraction.
Binding language: structuring sentences through precisely timed oscillatory mechanisms
Authors: Segaert Katrien , Mazaheri Ali , Hagoort Peter
Published: December 2017

Syntactic binding refers to combining words into larger structures. UsingEEG, we investigated the neural processes involved in syntactic binding. Participants were auditorily presented two‐word sentences (i.e. pronoun and pseudoverb such as ‘I grush’ and ‘she grushes’, for which syntactic binding can take place) and wordlists (i.e. two pseudoverbs such as ‘pob grush’ and ‘pob grushes’, for which no binding occurs). Comparing these two conditions, we targeted syntactic binding while minimising contributions of semantic binding and of other cognitive processes such as working memory. We found a converging pattern of results using two distinct analysis approaches: one approach using frequency bands as defined in previous literature, and one data‐driven approach in which we looked at the entire range of frequencies between 3 and 30 Hz without the constraints of pre‐defined frequency bands. In the syntactic binding (relative to the wordlist) condition, a power increase was observed in the alpha and beta frequency range shortly preceding the presentation of the target word that requires binding, which was maximal over frontal‐central electrodes. Our interpretation is that these signatures reflect that language comprehenders expect the need for binding to occur. Following the presentation of the target word in a syntactic binding context (relative to the wordlist condition), an increase in alpha power maximal over a left‐lateralised cluster of frontal‐temporal electrodes was observed. We suggest that this alpha increase relates to syntactic binding taking place. Taken together, our findings suggest that increases in alpha and beta power are reflections of distinct the neural processes underlying syntactic binding.
Extending the Economic Foundations of Entrepreneurship Research
Authors: McCaffrey Matthew
Published: December 2017

As the entrepreneurship discipline grows, it increasingly faces unique research challenges. Recently, ‘interactive, activity based, cognitively hot, compassionate, and prosocial’ approaches to the study of entrepreneurship have arisen to meet these challenges. This paper builds on recent discussions by emphasizing, in addition, the persistent value of economic foundations for a progressive research agenda in entrepreneurship. A realist economic perspective is both fundamental for entrepreneurship and complements newer research trends. It has also stood the test of time: economic questions relating to methodological individualism, uncertainty, judgment, opportunities, social motivations, and incentives have not only set the tone for past research, but continue to offer starting points and insights for contemporary work. This paper thus makes two contributions: first, it explains the relevance of each of these concepts for contemporary work in entrepreneurship studies, and second, it uses them to pose novel research questions. These questions complement the abovementioned emerging trends in entrepreneurship.
A pathway‐based association analysis identified FMNL1‐MAP3K14 as susceptibility genes for leprosy
Authors: Zhang Huimin , Wang Zhenzhen , Fu Xi'an , Sun Yonghu , Mi Zihao , Yu Gongqi , Sun Lele , Wang Na , Wang Chuan , Zhao Qing , Pan Qing , Yue Zhenhua , Liu Hong , Zhang Furen
Published: December 2017

The nuclear transcription factor‐κB (NF‐κB) plays a pivotal role in controlling both innate and adaptive immunity and regulates the expressions of many immunological mediators. Abundant evidences have showed the importance of NF‐κB pathway in the host immune responses against Mycobacterium leprae in the development of leprosy. However, no particular association study between leprosy and NF‐κB pathway‐related gene polymorphisms was reported. Here, we performed a large‐scale and two‐stage candidate association study to investigate the association between 94 NF‐κB pathway‐related genes and leprosy. Our results showed that rs58744688 was significantly associated with leprosy (P = 7.57 × 10−7, OR = 1.12) by combining the previous genomewide association data sets and four independent validation sample series, consisting of a total of 4631 leprosy cases and 6413 healthy controls. This founding implicated that MAP3K14 and FMNL1 were susceptibility genes for leprosy, which suggested the involvement of macrophage targeting and NF‐κB pathway in the development of leprosy.
Structural plasticity of mini‐M conotoxins – expression of all mini‐M subtypes by Conus regius
Authors: Franco Aldo , Dovell Sanaz , Möller Carolina , Grandal Meghan , Clark Evan , Marí Frank
Published: December 2017

The mini‐M conotoxins are peptidic scaffolds found in the venom of cones snails. These scaffolds are tightly folded structures held together by three disulfide bonds with a CC‐C‐C‐CC arrangement (conotoxin framework III) and belong to the M Superfamily of conotoxins. Here, we describe mini‐M conotoxins from the venom of Conus regius, a Western Atlantic worm‐hunting cone snail species using transcriptomic and peptidomic analyses. These C. regius conotoxins belong to three different subtypes: M1, M2, and M3. The subtypes show little sequence homology, and their loop sizes (intercysteine amino acid chains) vary significantly. The mini‐Ms isolated from dissected venom contains preferentially hydroxylated proline residues, thus augmenting the structural reach of this conotoxin class. Using 2D‐NMR methods, we have determined the 3D structure of reg3b, an M2 subtype conotoxin, which shows a constrained multi‐turn scaffold. The structural diversity found within mini‐M conotoxin scaffolds of C. regius is indicative of structural hypervariability of the conotoxin M superfamily that is not seen in other superfamilies. These stable minimalistic scaffolds may be investigated for the development of engineered peptides for therapeutic applications.

Databases

Sequences are available in GenBank under accession numbers MF588935‐MF588952. Structural data are available in the RCSB protein database under the accession code 6BX9.
Membrane localization of a Myb3 transcription factor regulated by a TvCyP1 cyclophilin in the parasitic protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis
Authors: Chu Chien‐Hsin , Huang Yu‐Hsin , Liu Hsing‐Wei , Hsu Hong‐Ming , Tai Jung‐Hsiang
Published: December 2017

In Trichomonas vaginalis, a TvCyP1 cyclophilin was previously demonstrated to regulate the nuclear translocation of Myb1 and Myb3, which respectively repress and activate transcription of an adhesion protein ap65‐1 gene. In the present study, TvCyP1 was found to bind to Myb3 at sites spanning 54Gly‐Pro55 and 72Gly‐Pro73 with differential affinities. When Gly54 and Gly72 in Myb3 were both mutated, the mutant protein was restrained on outer membranes of hydrogenosomes and some cytoplasmic vesicles. In the purified Myb3 protein complex, a high molecular weight Myb3‐interacting protein (Myb3IPhmw) and a 72‐kDa heat shock protein (TvHSP72) were identified and characterized, with direct binding of Myb3 to Myb3IPhmw and TvHSP72 confirmed in vitro. When cell lysates were fractionated by the differential and gradient centrifugations, TvCyP1 and Myb3 were always associated with membrane fractions enriched with Myb3IPhmw and Myb1, as well as hydrogenosomes and VMyb organelle fractions. Mutations of Gly54 and/or Gly72 resulted in membrane redistribution of Myb3 and the aberrant assembly of the Myb3 protein complex. Consistent with these findings, the involvement of TvCyP1 in membrane distribution of Myb3, and dissociation of Myb3 from TvCyP1 protein complex were demonstrated, with direct interactions between TvCyP1 and Myb3IPhmw and that between TvCyP1 and TvHSP72, confirmed in vitro. These observations suggest that TvCyP1 directly binds to Myb3 and some of its interacting proteins to mediate serial conformational switches of Myb3 for its transition from the membrane compartments toward the nucleus.