bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Language and material conduct in legal discourse
Authors: Matoesian Gregory
Published: October 2013

Since the groundbreaking works of Atkinson and Drew () and O'Barr () the field of language and law (sometimes called ‘forensic linguistics’) has developed at an accelerating pace to become a major subfield in sociolinguistics as well as neighboring disciplines. A wealth of research has revealed the complex dimensions of power and ideology in both written and verbal modes of legal discourse and how the law is indeed a ‘law of words’ (Tiersma). Rather than being the passive vehicle for the imposition of law, language actively channels our interpretation of evidence, statutes and credibility into distinct strands of legal relevance. But the law is more than ‘just words’ and here I demonstrate in vivid detail how the integration of language and material conduct like artifacts, audio‐recordings and transcripts figure in the production of legal reality. Using a lengthy extract from a criminal trial, I illuminate how language and material conduct reflexively animate one another and other visual resources. In so doing, I show how disparate streams of multimodal resources converge in an incremental build‐up of suspense and intertextual escalation of evidence that circulate around a key moment of legal discourse.
Bacteroides fragilis concealed in an infant with Escherichia coli meningitis
Authors: Ganeshalingham Anusha , Buckley David , Shaw Ian , Freeman Joshua T , Wilson Francessa , Best Emma
Published: October 2013

Anaerobic meningitis in infants is rare, therefore a high index of clinical suspicion is essential as routine methods for processing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) do not detect anaerobes and specific antimicrobial therapy is required. We present an infant with Escherichia coli meningitis where treatment‐resistance developed in association with culture negative purulent CSF. These features should have alerted us to the presence of anaerobes, prompting a search for the causes of polymicrobial meningitis in infants.
Infant wheeze: Is asthma a possibility?
Authors: Pattemore Philip K
Published: October 2013

Most infant wheeze is not asthma. Nonetheless, infants are able to develop reversible airway obstruction with or without allergic sensitisation, and asthma does occur at this age. The many other causes of infant wheeze, however, make asthma more difficult to distinguish from the background ‘noise’. Consideration of risk factors and clinical features can enable some infants to be given a provisional diagnosis and, if their symptoms are disabling, a cautious trial of asthma treatment.
Correlated Equilibrium, Conformity, and Stereotyping in Social Groups
Authors: CARTWRIGHT EDWARD , WOODERS MYRNA
Published: October 2013

We argue that a social norm and the coordination of behavior within social groups can be expressed by a correlated equilibrium. Given a social group structure (a partition of individuals into social groups), we propose four conditions that one may expect of a correlated equilibrium consistent with social norms. These are: (1) within‐group anonymity (conformity within groups), (2) group independence (no conformity between groups), (3) homophily (individuals in the same group have similar attributes), and (4) predictable group behavior (ex post stability). We demonstrate that correlated equilibrium satisfying (1)–(3) exist very generally and equilibrium satisfying (1)–(4) exist in games with many players. We also consider stereotyped beliefs—beliefs that all individuals in a social group can be expected to behave in the same way—and show that stereotyping is not costly to the person who stereotypes but may or may not be beneficial to society.
Thematic Clubs and the Supremacy of Network Externalities
Authors: AMIR RABAH , GABSZEWICZ JEAN , RESENDE JOANA
Published: October 2013

We explore the issue of minorities' survival in the presence of positive network externalities. We rely on a simple example of thematic clubs to illustrate why and how such survival problems might appear, first considering the case of simple‐network effects (fully anonymous externalities) and then the case of cross‐network effects (type‐dependent externalities). In both cases, the analysis is framed as a simple noncooperative game with a continuum of players and binary action sets. There is a unique and interior Nash equilibrium under mild network effects and two corner equilibria under strong network effects, with one club driven out. A utilitarian planner would accentuate the clustering effects of network externalities, and call for the disappearance of the minority club more often than the noncooperative solution. A simple myopic learning algorithm capturing the progression of network lock‐in effects is studied.
Variants of Hop stunt viroid Associated with Mulberry Vein Clearing in Iran
Authors: Amiri Mazhar Mahdi , Bagherian Seyed Ali Akbar , Izadpanah Keramat
Published: October 2013

Samples of mulberry leaves showing vein clearing, yellow speckle and leaf deformation symptoms were collected in the Fars Province of Iran. Grafting of buds from affected trees onto a number of healthy mulberry rootstocks resulted in transmission of the pathogen 40 days postinoculation. Likewise, mechanical inoculation of sap from affected leaves resulted in induction of similar symptoms in mulberry seedlings. Total nucleic acid was extracted from leaf tissues and subjected to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) using Hop stunt viroid (HSVd) and Citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd)‐specific primers, followed by sequencing of PCR products. RT‐PCR with HSVd primers amplified a 302‐ or 305‐bp product from affected samples, but none from healthy plants. CEVd was not detected in affected trees. HSVd was also found in graft‐ and mechanically inoculated plants. Sequence analyses showed three variants of HSVd in symptomatic mulberries related to plum and peach variants of this viroid with 94.9% identity, but with only 93% identity to Lebanese and Italian mulberry isolates. This is the first report of HSVd associated with vein clearing in mulberry in Iran.
Caries experience in schoolchildren in Bucharest, Romania: The PAROGIM study
Authors: Funieru Cristian , Twetman Svante , Funieru Elena , Dumitrache Adina Mihaela , Sfeatcu Ruxandra Ionela , Baicus Cristian
Published: October 2013

Objective

This cross‐sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence and experience of dental caries among children from public middle schools in Bucharest in relation to socioeconomic status and access to school‐based dental care.

Methods

Clinical data were collected from 1,595 schoolchildren aged 10‐17 years, randomly allocated by clusters into a stratified sample population. The dental caries were scored according to the World Health Organization (WHO) clinical criteria and expressed based on tooth and surface levels [Decayed–Missing–Filled Teeth/Surfaces indices (DMFT/DMFS)]. A questionnaire was administered to the children to determine the education level of their parents and their living standard.

Results

The caries prevalence was 75 percent, and 64 percent had untreated caries. The mean DMFT value for the entire sample was 2.8, and its highest component was decayed teeth (mean DT 2). Parental education level had the strongest influence on the caries scores; 70 percent of children whose parents had not completed a university degree had untreated caries (%DT) compared to only 49 percent of children whose parents had a higher level of education (P < 0.05). Children with access to school‐based dental care had significantly better dental health (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Compared to previous national surveys, the caries rates among schoolchildren in Bucharest are slowly declining. However, there was still a high proportion of untreated caries with a clear socioeconomic gradient, and a change in the school‐based oral preventive strategy is needed to meet the needs of the children.
Access to endodontic care in North Carolina public health and Medicaid settings
Authors: Richardson Steven L. , Khan Asma A. , Rivera Eric M. , Phillips Ceib
Published: October 2013

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate issues related to access to endodontic care in North Carolina for individuals who used dental public health resources such as public health clinics (PHCs) or private practices that accept Medicaid or other government‐sponsored reimbursement programs private practices that accept Medicaid (PPM).

Methods

Surveys were sent to 1,195 dentists regarding frequency and type of endodontic conditions encountered, treatments provided, and perceived barriers to care. Results were analyzed using logistic regression with the level of significance set at 0.05.

Results

Five hundred forty‐six surveys were returned for a 45.7% response rate. Of the respondents, 79% reported frequently encountering an endodontic condition, but only 34% reported performing any type of definitive endodontic procedure. Graduates after the year 2000 were significantly more likely to perform definitive endodontic procedures (P < 0.05). Lack of insurance was the greatest barrier to care with 89% considering it a moderate to major barrier, followed by cost of the endodontic treatment (87%) and cost of the restoration following treatment (86%). PPMs were more likely to consider cost and insurance a major barrier (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In North Carolina public health and Medicaid settings, the frequency of endodontic treatments provided was much lower than the frequency of endodontic conditions encountered that might have benefited from treatment. Graduation year was the best indicator for the provision of root canal therapy. Additionally, treatment patterns and perceptions of barriers to care are different for PHCs and PPMs.
Variations of the chemical composition and bioactivity of essential oils from leaves and stems of Liquidambar styraciflua (Altingiaceae)
Authors: El-Readi Mahmoud Z , Eid Hanaa H , Ashour Mohamed L , Eid Safaa Y , Labib Rola M , Sporer Frank , Wink Michael
Published: October 2013

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the variations of the chemical composition and bioactivity of essential oils of Liquidambar styraciflua L. (Altingiaceae) collected in different seasons.

Methods

The oils were analysed by GLC/FID and GLC/MS. The antioxidant activity was investigated by diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide anion radical scavenging assays and the deoxyribose degradation assay. Inhibition of both 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in hepatic cancer (HepG-2) cells were used to assess the anti-inflammatory activity. The cytotoxic activity was investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

Key findings

Altogether, 64 volatile secondary metabolites were identified. The major components of the leaf oil were d-limonene, α-pinene and β-pinene, and of the stem oil were germacrine D, α-cadinol, d-limonene, α-pinene, and β-pinene. Leaf and stem oils collected in spring could reduce DPPH● (IC50 = 3.17 and 2.19 mg/ml) and prevent the degradation of the deoxyribose sugar (IC50 = 17.55 and 14.29 μg/ml). The stem oil exhibited a higher inhibition of both 5-LOX and PGE2 than the leaf oil. The cytotoxic activity of leaf and stem oils was low in cancer cell lines (IC50 = 136.27 and 119.78 μg/ml in cervical cancer (HeLa) cells).

Conclusions

Essential oils of L. styraciflua exhibited an interesting anti-inflammatory activity with low cytotoxicity, supporting its traditional use to treat inflammation.
The beneficial effects of melatonin against heart mitochondrial impairment during sepsis: inhibition of iNOS and preservation of nNOS
Authors: Ortiz Francisco , García José A. , Acuña‐Castroviejo Darío , Doerrier Carolina , López Ana , Venegas Carmen , Volt Huayqui , Luna‐Sánchez Marta , López Luis C. , Escames Germaine
Published: October 2013

While it is accepted that the high production of nitric oxide (NO˙) by the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) impairs cardiac mitochondrial function during sepsis, the role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) may be protective. During sepsis, there is a significantly increase in the expression and activity of mitochondrial iNOS (i‐mtNOS), which parallels the changes in cytosolic iNOS. The existence of a constitutive NOS form (c‐mtNOS) in heart mitochondria has been also described, but its role in the heart failure during sepsis remains unclear. Herein, we analyzed the changes in mitochondrial oxidative stress and bioenergetics in wild‐type and nNOS‐deficient mice during sepsis, and the role of melatonin, a known antioxidant, in these changes. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture, and heart mitochondria were analyzed for NOS expression and activity, nitrites, lipid peroxidation, glutathione and glutathione redox enzymes, oxidized proteins, and respiratory chain activity in vehicle‐ and melatonin‐treated mice. Our data show that sepsis produced a similar induction of iNOS/i‐mtNOS and comparable inhibition of the respiratory chain activity in wild‐type and in nNOS‐deficient mice. Sepsis also increased mitochondrial oxidative/nitrosative stress to a similar extent in both mice strains. Melatonin administration inhibited iNOS/i‐mtNOS induction, restored mitochondrial homeostasis in septic mice, and preserved the activity of nNOS/c‐mtNOS. The effects of melatonin were unrelated to the presence or the absence of nNOS. Our observations show a lack of effect of nNOS on heart bioenergetic impairment during sepsis and further support the beneficial actions of melatonin in sepsis.
Influence of melatonin receptor signalling on parameters involved in blood glucose regulation
Authors: Bazwinsky‐Wutschke Ivonne , Bieseke Lars , Mühlbauer Eckhard , Peschke Elmar
Published: October 2013

The pineal hormone melatonin is known to influence insulin secretion via the G‐protein‐coupled receptor isoforms MT1 and MT2. The present study was aimed to further elucide the impact of melatonin on blood glucose regulation. To this end, mouse lines were used, in which one of the two or both melatonin receptors were deleted. In comparison with wild‐type mice of the same age (8–12 months old), increased plasma insulin and melatonin levels and decreased blood glucose levels and body weights were detected in the MT1‐ and double‐knockout lines. The elimination of melatonin receptor signalling also altered blood glucose concentrations, body weight and melatonin and insulin levels when comparing wild‐type and receptor knockout mice of different ages (6 wk and 8–12 months old); such changes, however, were dependent on the type of receptor deleted. Furthermore, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction results provided evidence that melatonin receptor deficiency has an impact on transcript levels of pancreatic islet hormones as well as on pancreatic and hepatic glucose transporters (Glut1 and 2). Under stimulated insulin secretion in the presence of melatonin in the rat insulinoma β‐cells INS‐1, the Glut1 transcript level was decreased. In conclusion, the present findings demonstrate that melatonin receptor knockout types affect blood glucose levels, body weight, plasma levels of melatonin and insulin, as well as pancreatic hormone and Glut1 expression in significantly different manners.
Transcriptional and post‐translational regulation of Bim controls apoptosis in melatonin‐treated human renal cancer Caki cells
Authors: Park Eun Jung , Woo Seon Min , Min Kyoung‐jin , Kwon Taeg Kyu
Published: October 2013

Melatonin (N‐acetyl‐5‐methoxytryptamine) has recently gained attention as an anticancer agent and for combined cancer therapy. In this study, we investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms of the effects of melatonin on cancer cell death. Treatment with melatonin induced apoptosis and upregulated the expression of the pro‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2‐interacting mediator of cell death (Bim) in renal cancer Caki cells. Furthermore, downregulation of Bim expression by siRNA markedly reduced melatonin‐mediated apoptosis. Melatonin increased Bim mRNA expression through the induction of Sp1 and E2F1 expression and transcriptional activity. We found that melatonin also modulated Bim protein stability through the inhibition of proteasome activity. However, melatonin‐induced Bim upregulation was independent of melatonin's antioxidant properties and the melatonin receptor. Taken together, our results suggest that melatonin induces apoptosis through the upregulation of Bim expression at the transcriptional level and at the post‐translational level.
Adopting Design Thinking in Novice Multidisciplinary Teams: The Application and Limits of Design Methods and Reflexive Practices
Authors: Seidel Victor P. , Fixson Sebastian K.
Published: October 2013

Scholarly and practitioner literature have both described the potential benefits of using methods associated with a “design thinking” approach to develop new innovations. Most studies of the main design thinking methods—needfinding, brainstorming, and prototyping—are based either on analyses of experienced designers or examine each method in isolation. If design thinking is to be widely adopted, less‐experienced users will employ these methods together, but we know little about their effect when newly adopted. Drawing on perspectives that consider concept development as broadly consisting of a divergent concept generation phase followed by a convergent concept selection phase, we collected data on 14 cases of novice multidisciplinary product development teams using design methods across both phases. Our hybrid qualitative and quantitative analysis indicate both benefits and limits of formal design methods: First, formal design methods were helpful not only during concept generation, but also during concept selection. Second, while brainstorming was valuable when combined with other methods, increased numbers of brainstorming sessions actually corresponded to lower performance, except in the setting where new members may join a team. And third, increased team reflexivity—such as from debating ideas, processes, or changes to concepts—was associated with more successful outcomes during concept generation but less successful outcomes during concept selection. We develop propositions related to the contingent use of brainstorming and team reflexivity depending on team composition and phase of development. Implications from this study include that novice multidisciplinary teams are more likely to be successful in applying design thinking when they can be guided to combine methods, are aware of the limits of brainstorming, and can transition from more‐ to less‐reflexive practices.
Measuring New Product Portfolio Innovativeness: How Differences in Scale Width and Evaluator Perspectives Affect its Relationship with Performance
Authors: Schultz Carsten , Salomo Søren , Talke Katrin
Published: October 2013

Portfolio innovativeness is a central variable in innovation management. However, the impact of portfolio innovativeness on new product development (NPD) performance is unclear, which may partly be due to the construct's multifaceted nature. Different facets may reflect different degrees of innovativeness and may have different relationships with performance. In addition, firm members with different functional backgrounds may perceive and thus assess these facets differently, which again may influence the performance effect of portfolio innovativeness. Based on a sample of 746 CEOs and marketing as well as technology professionals from 117 firms and using Item Response Theory (IRT), a multifaceted scale of portfolio innovativeness, whose facets are able to cover the entire innovativeness spectrum, is developed. In addition, it is shown that the performance impact of portfolio innovativeness is dependent on the facets included in the scale, and on the specialization of the professional assessing the facets. Inverted U‐shaped performance effects are found when the scale covers the entire spectrum of innovativeness, and linear positive or zero effects with different types of more narrowly modeled scales. Inverted U‐shaped performance effects are also found when technology professionals assess the facets, while the assessments by marketing professionals lead to linear positive effects.
Evolution and Transformation of Innovation in the Global Automotive Industry
Authors: Townsend Janell D. , Calantone Roger J.
Published: October 2013

The automotive industry is an integral component of the global economy and is unique in that it encompasses every aspect of the value chain—from raw materials to design and development, manufacturing, sales and service, and even disposal. All of these value‐creating areas are undergoing significant innovative change as a result of environmental and competitive forces. In this issue, we explore some of the most salient topics related to innovation and product management in the context of the contemporary global automotive industry.
Where Firm‐Level Innovation and Industrial Policy Meet: Consensus Roadmaps for Low‐Carbon Powertrain Technologies
Authors: Holweg Matthias
Published: October 2013

Environmental mandates, energy security concerns, and societal demands place considerable pressure on automotive manufacturers to develop novel powertrain technologies that reduce energy consumption, and in turn, carbon emissions. The economic case for these novel technologies is far from clear, however, and firms often turn to the respective national governments for R&D aid and demand‐side subsidies. Government on the other hand often feels unable to back any single technology for competition regulatory reasons, while at the same time being presented with conflicting messages from industry where to focus its support. This paper reports on an initiative by the U.K. Government that led to the establishment of a permanent forum for government‐industry exchange, the Automotive Council U.K., in which the author has participated from the outset. In the course of the Council's work, two “consensus roadmaps” have been developed jointly by industry and the U.K. Government to guide national efforts in the transition for both passenger car and commercial vehicle powertrain technologies toward low‐carbon alternatives. This paper discusses the key technological development stages and projections outlined in these technology roadmaps and comments on the general determinants of an effective interaction between government and industry in the light of a technological discontinuity.
Coevolutionary Dynamics of Automotive Competition: Product Innovation, Change, and Marketplace Survival
Authors: Talay M. Berk , Calantone Roger J. , Voorhees Clay M.
Published: October 2013

Innovation and new model development have been paramount in the U.S. automotive industry. The industry has invested around $16–18 billion annually to launch new models and improve existing ones in response to incessant evolution of consumer preferences, competitive pressures, and changes in safety and emission regulations. Although these investments have significantly reduced cycle time and increased efficiency (e.g., through platform communization), it still costs around $1 billion to develop and launch a new model from scratch.

Therefore, the strategic focus in the U.S. automotive industry is rapidly shifting away from manufacturing efficiency to product development and innovation as firms engage in an “arms race” to develop innovative new products ahead of the competition. The outcome of this new focus manifests itself in the total development time for a new platform vehicle, which is expected to drop from roughly four years in 1998 to two years in 2014. As development cycles continue to shorten, competition in the industry intensifies, and a new insight is needed to better understand how increased competition can affect the gains from innovations. The need for research to fill this gap is especially critical as executives continue to grow more cynical about returns offered by increases in research and development (R&D) expenditures and see no statistically significant relationship between R&D expenditures and firm performance.

This study attempts to address this gap by adopting a coevolutionary perspective that analyzes the relationship between innovations and firm performance by accounting for the impact of competitive forces in the industry. First, this study explicitly models competitive interactions between firms, known in the ecology literature as the Red Queen competition, in which gains from innovations are relative and impermanent. Second, hypotheses are tested using a comprehensive data set comprising all automobile manufacturers ever known to compete in the U.S. automobile market at any time between 1891 and 2000. Complete coverage of 110 years enables precise analysis of the link between innovations and firm performance as well as the coevolution in the U.S. automobile industry.

The results suggest that although extensiveness of an innovation is relevant, a firm's ability to keep up with the competition in the innovation arms race is a more significant driver of survival in the market. Thus, firms cannot simply evaluate their innovation efforts in a silo but must constantly assess their efforts versus the innovation launches of their key competitors. Based on the findings, automotive manufacturers must develop a structured product development program that allows for continual and steady new product introductions; otherwise, even momentary setbacks can have a damaging impact on a firm's ability to survive in the automotive marketplace.
Decomposing Pioneer Survival: Implications for the Order‐of‐Entry Effect
Authors: Wang Qi , Xie Jinhong
Published: October 2013

In contrast to previous studies of pioneer survival that directly compare the survival of market pioneers with later entrants, this paper proposes that a market pioneer, as the first entrant, operates under two distinctly different survival processes, one during the initial monopoly period and another during the later competition period. The two processes of market pioneers need to be separately estimated and compared with the survival process of later entrants.

This paper demonstrates a method for decomposing the pioneer's survival and empirically shows how researchers can compare the pioneer survival in two periods with that of later entrants and identify period‐specific advantages of pioneering. Our empirical analysis using data collected from two different types of industries—a low‐tech (i.e., newspaper) industry and several high‐tech industries—reveals several interesting new findings that illustrate the advantages of decomposing pioneer survival. For example, this paper shows that when treating first‐mover survival as a single process, one can only find an oversimplified pattern showing that first movers have a survival chance equal to that of second movers in the newspaper industry, but a lower one than the second movers in high‐tech industries. However, when analyzing the first‐mover's survival as a sequence of monopoly and competition processes, new insights emerge. In the newspaper industry, the pioneers can have survival advantages in both the monopoly and the competition periods relative to the second movers, and there is a significant survival advantage for those second entrants who delay market entry until the first entrant exits. In contrast, the overall pioneer survival disadvantage identified in the high‐tech industries when treating the survival as a single process comes from the survival disadvantage in the competition period but not in the monopoly period. Furthermore, our empirical analyses using data from two types of industries reveal completely different patterns with regard to the pioneer survival advantage, which suggests that being first can benefit pioneers in both two‐market periods in low‐tech industries but can be extremely risky for pioneers to gain any survival advantages in both two‐market periods in high‐tech industries because the former markets have relatively low market and technology uncertainties, and organizational change is less important; whereas the latter industries have significantly high market and technology uncertainties, technological advances emerge frequently, and firms are required to adapt themselves quickly to a fast‐changing environment.
The Decision to Exploit anR&DProject: Divergent Thinking across Middle and Senior Managers
Authors: Behrens Judith , Ernst Holger , Shepherd Dean A.
Published: October 2013

Research and development (R&D) generates projects, but the question often remains: which projects should be exploited? Building on the innovation, strategy, and managerial cognition literatures, we use a conjoint field experiment to collect data on 4032 decisions made by 126R&Dmanagers to test how project attributes, strategic context, and managers' characteristics influence innovation exploitation decisions. Using hierarchical linear modeling, we find that (1) experience impacts project exploitation decision policies of middle managers more than senior managers, (2) divergent thinking across middle and senior managers increases with experience, and (3) experienced middle managers diverge from experienced senior managers in their decisions to exploit opportunities by placing greater emphasis on strategic context (relative to competitors and fit within the portfolio) and lesser emphasis on uncertainty (technological and demand). These findings have implications for the strategy and innovation literature.
Product Innovation in Resource‐Poor Environments: Three Research Streams
Authors: Cunha Miguel Pina e , Rego Arménio , Oliveira Pedro , Rosado Paulo , Habib Nadim
Published: October 2013

We explore the role and relevance of resource scarcity in product innovation. The literature tends to assume that the development of new products requires resource sufficiency for the process to be conducted systematically. But we are also taught that necessity is the mother of invention and that resource scarcity may be a trigger of innovation in adverse contexts. In this discussion, we organize the literature on product innovation in resource‐poor contexts in three streams. The paper contributes to a finer‐grained understanding of the role of scarcity in product innovation and suggests that creative approaches to scarcity may contribute to knowledge enrichment of product innovation theory and practice.
Bricolage as a Path to Innovativeness for Resource‐Constrained New Firms
Authors: Senyard Julienne , Baker Ted , Steffens Paul , Davidsson Per
Published: October 2013

Evidence suggests that both nascent and young firms (henceforth: “new firms”)—despite typically being small and resource‐constrained—are sometimes able to innovate effectively. Such firms are seldom able to invest in lengthy and expensive development processes, which suggests that they may frequently rely instead on other pathways to generate innovativeness within the firm. In this paper, we develop and test arguments that “bricolage,” defined as making do by applying combinations of the resources at hand to new problems and opportunities, provides an important pathway to achieve innovation for new resource‐constrained firms. Through bricolage, resource‐constrained firms engage in the processes of “recombination” that are core to creating innovative outcomes. Based on a large longitudinal dataset, our results suggest that variations in the degree to which firms engage in bricolage behaviors can provide a broadly applicable explanation of innovativeness under resource constraints by new firms. We find no general support for our competing hypothesis that the positive effects may level off or even turn negative at high levels of bricolage.
The Value of Customer Cocreated Knowledge during the Innovation Process
Authors: Mahr Dominik , Lievens Annouk , Blazevic Vera
Published: October 2013

Customer cocreation during the innovation process has recently been suggested to be a major source for firms' competitive advantage. Hereby, customers actively engage in a firm's innovation process and take over innovation activities traditionally performed by a firm's employees. Despite its suggested importance, previous research has revealed contradictory findings regarding its impact, the nature of involved customers, and the channels of communication that enable cocreation. To provide a more fine‐grained picture, customer cocreated knowledge is first delineated into its key value dimensions of relevance, novelty, and costs, and then their impact on various innovation outcomes is investigated. Next, the study examines the antecedent role of customer determinants; that is, lead user characteristics and customer–firm closeness, on these knowledge value dimensions. Finally, we explore how these effects are moderated by the type of communication channel used. An empirical validation of the conceptual model is performed by means of survey data from 126 customer cocreation projects. The data analysis indicates that customer cocreation is most successful for the creation of highly relevant but moderately novel knowledge. Cocreation with customers who are closely related to the innovating firm results in more highly relevant knowledge at a low cost. Yet, cocreation with lead users produces novel and relevant knowledge. These effects are contingent on the richness and reach of the communication channels enabling cocreation. Overall, the findings shed light on opportunities and limitations of customer cocreation for innovation and reconcile determinants originating in relationship marketing and innovation management. At the same time, managers obtain recommendations for selecting customers and communication channels to enhance the success of their customer cocreation initiatives.
Product Innovation Processes in Small Firms: Combining Entrepreneurial Effectuation and Managerial Causation
Authors: Berends Hans , Jelinek Mariann , Reymen Isabelle , Stultiëns Rutger
Published: October 2013

This article reports a multimethod study of product innovation processes in small manufacturing firms. Prior studies found that small firms do not deploy the formalized processes identified as best practice for the management of new product development (NPD) in large firms. To explicate small firms' product innovation, this study uses effectuation theory, which emerged from entrepreneurship research. Effectuation theory discerns two logics of decision‐making: causation, assuming that means are selected to attain goals; and effectuation, assuming that goals are created based upon available means. The study used a process research approach, investigating product innovation trajectories in five small firms across 352 total events. Quantitative analyses revealed early effectuation logic, which increasingly turned toward causation logic over time. Further qualitative analyses confirmed the use of both logics, with effectual logic rendering product innovation resource‐driven, stepwise, and open‐ended, and with causal logic used especially in later stages to set objectives and to plan activities and invest resources to attain objectives. Because the application of effectuation logic differentiates the small firm approaches from mainstreamNPDbest practices, this study examined how small firms' product innovation processes deployed effectuation logic in further detail. The small firms: (1) made creative use of existing resources; (2) scoped innovations to be realizable with available resources; (3) used external resources whenever and wherever these became available; (4) prioritized existing business over product innovation projects; (5) used loose project planning; (6) worked in steps toward tangible outcomes; (7) iterated the generation, selection, and modification of goals and ideas; and (8) relied on their own customer knowledge and market probing, rather than early market research. Using effectuation theory thus helps us understand how small firm product innovation both resembles and differs fromNPDbest practices observed in larger firms. Because the combination of effectual and causal principles leverages small firm characteristics and resources, this article concludes that product innovation research should more explicitly differentiate between firms of different sizes, rather than prescribing large firm best practices to small firms.
Ecosystem functioning impacts of the invasive seaweed Sargassum muticum (Fucales, Phaeophyceae)
Authors: Vaz‐Pinto Fátima , Olabarria Celia , Arenas Francisco
Published: October 2013

Ongoing changes in natural diversity due to anthropogenic activities can alter ecosystem functioning. Particular attention has been given to research on biodiversity loss and how those changes can affect the functioning of ecosystems, and, by extension, human welfare. Few studies, however, have addressed how increased diversity due to establishment of nonindigenous species (NIS) may affect ecosystem function in the recipient communities. Marine algae have a highly important role in sustaining nearshore marine ecosystems and are considered a significant component of marine bioinvasions. Here, we examined the patterns of respiration and light‐use efficiency across macroalgal assemblages with different levels of species richness and evenness. Additionally, we compared our results between native and invaded macroalgal assemblages, using the invasive brown macroalga Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt as a model species. Results showed that the presence of the invader increased the rates of respiration and production, most likely as a result of the high biomass of the invader. This effect disappeared when S. muticum lost most of its biomass after senescence. Moreover, predictability–diversity relationships of macroalgal assemblages varied between native and invaded assemblages. Hence, the introduction of high‐impact invasive species may trigger major changes in ecosystem functioning. The impact of S. muticum may be related to its greater biomass in the invaded assemblages, although species interactions and seasonality influenced the magnitude of the impact.
Rural Primary Care Practices and Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records: The Role of Regional Extension Centers
Authors: Casey Michelle M. , Moscovice Ira , McCullough Jeffrey
Published: October 2013

Purpose

To examine the role of Regional Extension Centers (RECs) in helping rural physician practices adopt electronic health records (EHRs) and achieve meaningful use.

Methods

Using data from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, we conducted a county‐level regression analysis using ordinary least squares to better understand rural‐urban differences in REC participation, EHR implementation, and meaningful use, controlling for counties’ economic conditions. We prepared case studies of 2 RECs that are serving a large number of rural practices, based on interviews with key individuals at the RECs, their partner organizations, and rural primary care practices that received assistance from the RECs.

Findings

RECs are largely achieving their objective of targeting providers in communities that face barriers to EHRs. REC participants are disproportionately rural and more likely to come from high poverty and low employment communities. The case study RECs had long‐standing relationships with rural providers, as well as extensive staff expertise in quality improvement and EHR implementation, and employed a variety of strategies to successfully assist rural providers. Rural providers report that REC assistance was invaluable in helping them implement EHRs and achieve meaningful use status.

Conclusion

Modifying the criteria for Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentives could help additional rural providers pay for EHRs. REC federal funding is scheduled to end in 2014, but practices that have not yet adopted EHRs may need significant, ongoing assistance to receive meaningful use.
Ketamine as a part of anaesthetic management in a dog with twiddler's syndrome
Authors: De monte V. , Staffieri F. , Birettoni F. , Bufalari A.
Published: October 2013

An 11‐year‐old male German shepherd dog was referred for possible pacemaker implantation. A routine 6‐lead electrocardiogram revealed a third‐degree atrio‐ventricular block with a heart rate of 40 to 45 beats/minute. A transvenous pacemaker implantation procedure was scheduled. The dog was premedicated with 10 µg/kg acepromazine and 5 mg/kg pethidine. A dose of 5 mg/kg ketamine and 0·2 mg/kg diazepam were used for induction and isoflurane in O2 and a constant rate infusion of ketamine (20 to 30 µg/kg/minute) were administered for maintenance of general anaesthesia. Due to a twiddler's syndrome, the pacemaker had to be repositioned. For the second procedure, the same protocol was employed except for a lower dose of ketamine both for induction (3 mg/kg) and constant rate infusion (10 to 15 µg/kg/minute). Ketamine appeared to be useful for both management of anaesthesia and cardiac pacemaker implantation in the absence of a temporary pacemaker.
Associations between obesity and physical activity in dogs: a preliminary investigation
Authors: Morrison R. , Penpraze V. , Beber A. , Reilly J. J. , Yam P. S.
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To assess whether obesity has any association with objectively measured physical activity levels in dogs.

Methods

Thirty‐nine dogs wore ActigraphGT3Xaccelerometers (Actigraph) for 7 consecutive days. Each dog was classified as ideal weight, overweight or obese using the 5‐point body condition scoring system. Total volume of physical activity and time spent in sedentary behaviour, light‐moderate intensity physical activity and vigorous intensity physical activity were compared between body condition categories.

Results

Valid accelerometry data were returned for 35 of 39 dogs recruited. Eighteen dogs were classed as ideal weight, 9 as overweight and the remaining 8 as obese. All dogs spent a significant proportion of the day sedentary and obese dogs spent significantly less time in vigorous intensity physical activity than ideal weight dogs (7 ±3 minute/day versus 21 ±15 minute/day, P=0·01).

Clinical Significance

Obesity is associated with lower vigorous intensity physical activity in dogs, as is also thought to occur in humans. These preliminary findings will help inform a future, larger study and may also improve our understanding of the associations between obesity and physical activity in dogs.
RAPD derived markers for separating Manchurian walnut (Juglans mandshurica) and Japanese walnut (J. ailantifolia) from close congeners
Authors: ZHAO Peng , ZHAO Gui‐Fang , ZHANG Shuo‐Xin , ZHOU Hui‐Juan , HU Yi‐Heng , WOESTE Keith E.
Published: October 2013

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was used as a molecular tool to evaluate genomes of butternut (Juglans cinerea), Japanese walnut (Juglans ailantifolia), black walnut (Juglans nigra), Persian walnut (Juglans regia), Manchurian walnut (Juglans mandshurica), and an interspecific hybrid (J. ailantifolia × J. cinerea) for species‐specific markers. Forty decamer RAPD primers generated 668 RAPD amplicons that were used to characterize bulked DNA pools of butternut, Japanese walnut Persian walnut, Manchurian walnut, and buartnut hybrids and to identify genomic regions found only in Japanese walnut or Manchurian walnut. The amplicons ranged in size from 150 to 2068 bp; sixty‐five were polymorphic (9.7%) among the six taxa evaluated. Thirty‐eight amplicons were unique to Japanese walnut and buartnut hybrids but absent in butternut. The RAPD markers we used were not sufficiently polymorphic to characterize intraspecific variability within Japanese walnut, butternut, or their hybrids. However, they can be used to identify hybrids based on the presence of introgressed genomic fragments inherited from Japanese walnut. They may also be useful for distinguishing whether Japanese walnut or Manchurian walnut was the parent of a hybrid lineage. The results confirmed that some hybrids can be distinguished by their morphology, and genetic similarity based on RAPDs appears to reflect known pedigree information. These RAPD markers may prove useful for conservation of butternut, an endangered North American species. These results also may prove useful for the molecular identification of species and species hybrids within Juglans.
Beliefs about Penis Size: Validation of a Scale for Men Ashamed about Their Penis Size
Authors: Veale David , Eshkevari Ertimiss , Read Julie , Miles Sarah , Troglia Andrea , Phillips Rachael , Echeverria Lina Maria Carmona , Fiorito Chiara , Wylie Kevan , Muir Gordon
Published: October 2013

Introduction

No measures are available for understanding beliefs in men who experience shame about the perceived size of their penis. Such a measure might be helpful for treatment planning, and measuring outcome after any psychological or physical intervention.

Aim

Our aim was to validate a newly developed measure called the Beliefs about Penis Size Scale (BAPS).

Method

One hundred seventy-three male participants completed a new questionnaire consisting of 18 items to be validated and developed into the BAPS, as well as various other standardized measures. A urologist also measured actual penis size.

Main Outcome Measures

The BAPS was validated against six psychosexual self-report questionnaires as well as penile size measurements.

Results

Exploratory factor analysis reduced the number of items in the BAPS from 18 to 10, which was best explained by one factor. The 10-item BAPS had good internal consistency and correlated significantly with measures of depression, anxiety, body image quality of life, social anxiety, erectile function, overall satisfaction, and the importance attached to penis size. The BAPS was not found to correlate with actual penis size. It was able to discriminate between those who had concerns or were dissatisfied about their penis size and those who were not.

Conclusions

This is the first study to develop a scale for measurement of beliefs about penis size. It may be used as part of an assessment for men who experience shame about the perceived size of their penis and as an outcome measure after treatment. The BAPS measures various manifestations of masculinity and shame about their perceived penis size including internal self-evaluative beliefs; negative evaluation by others; anticipated consequences of a perceived small penis, and extreme self-consciousness.
Impact of Prostate Cancer on Sexual Relationships: A Longitudinal Perspective on Intimate Partners' Experiences
Authors: Ramsey Scott D. , Zeliadt Steven B. , Blough David K. , Moinpour Carol M. , Hall Ingrid J. , Smith Judith Lee , Ekwueme Donatus U. , Fedorenko Catherine R. , Fairweather Megan E. , Koepl Lisel M. , Thompson Ian M. , Keane Thomas E. , Penson David F.
Published: October 2013

Introduction

In this prospective study of localized prostate cancer patients and their partners, we analyzed how partner issues evolve over time, focusing on satisfaction with care, influence of cancer treatment, and its impact on relationship with patient, cancer worry, and personal activities.

Aims

Our study aims were twofold: (i) to determine whether the impact of treatment on patients and partners moderate over time and (ii) if receiving surgery (i.e., radical prostatectomy) influences partner issues more than other treatments.

Methods

Patients newly diagnosed with localized prostate cancer and their female partners were recruited from three states to complete surveys by mail at three time points over 12 months.

Main Outcome Measures

The four primary outcomes assessed in the partner analysis included satisfaction with treatment, cancer worry, and the influence of cancer and its treatment on their relationship (both general relationship and sexual relationship).

Results

This analysis included 88 patient–partner pairs. At 6 months, partners reported that cancer had a negative impact on their sexual relationship (39%—somewhat negative and 12%—very negative). At 12 months, this proportion increased substantially (42%—somewhat negative and 29%—very negative). Partners were significantly more likely to report that their sexual relationship was worse when the patient reported having surgery (P = 0.0045, odds ratio = 9.8025, 95% confidence interval 2.076–46.296). A minority of partners reported significant negative impacts in other areas involving their personal activities (16% at 6 months and 25% at 12 months) or work life (6% at 6 months, which increased to 12% at 12 months).

Conclusion

From partners' perspectives, prostate cancer therapy has negative impact on sexual relationships and appears to worsen over time.