bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pediatric Orbeez Ingestions Reported to Texas Poison Centers
Authors: Forrester Mathias B.
Published: July 2017

Objectives

There is concern that ingestion of superabsorbent polymer toys, which can absorb large amounts of fluid and increase greatly in volume, may pose a risk if swallowed by children.

The intent of this study was to characterize pediatric Orbeez ingestions reported to a statewide poison center system.

Methods

Cases were Orbeez ingestions among patients 19 years or younger reported to Texas poison centers during January 2011 to June 2016. The distribution by various demographic and clinical factors was determined.

Results

Of 110 total cases, 56% were female and 55% were 5 years or younger. Eighty-six percent of the ingestions were unintentional. Sixty-nine percent occurred at the patient's home and 28% at school. Seventy-eight percent of the patients were managed on site. The reported adverse effects were vomiting (4%), abdominal pain (3%), constipation (1%), diarrhea (1%), and fever (1%). The reported treatments were dilution (42%), food or snack (16%), other emetics (1%), whole bowel irrigation (1%), antihistamines (1%), and intravenous fluids (1%).

Conclusions

Pediatric Orbeez ingestions tended to involve younger children, were unintentional, and occurred at the child's home or school. Most ingestions were managed outside of a healthcare facility. This study provides further evidence that ingestion of Orbeez by children is not likely to result in serious problems, such as intestinal obstruction. The information in this investigation may assist in prevention and education activities.
Smartphone-based mobile thermal imaging technology to assess limb perfusion and tourniquet effectiveness under normal and blackout conditions
Authors: Barron Morgan R. , Kuckelman John P. , McClellan John M. , Derickson Michael J. , Phillips Cody J. , Marko Shannon T. , Smith Joshua P. , Eckert Matthew J. , Martin Matthew J.
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Over the past decade, there has been a resurgence of tourniquet use in civilian and military settings. Several key challenges include assessment of limb perfusion and adequacy of tourniquet placement, particularly in the austere or prehospital environments. We investigated the utility of thermal imaging to assess adequacy of tourniquet placement.

METHODS

The FLIR ONE smartphone-based thermal imager was utilized. Ten swine underwent tourniquet placement with no associated hemorrhage (n = 5) or with 40% hemorrhage (n = 5). Experiment 1 simulated proper tourniquet application, experiment 2 had one of two tourniquets inadequately tightened, and experiment 3 had one of two tourniquets inadequately tightened while simulating blackout-combat conditions. Static images were taken at multiple time points up to 30 minutes. Thermal images were then presented to blinded evaluators who assessed adequacy of tourniquet placement.

RESULTS

The mean core temperature was 38.3 °C in non-hemorrhaged animals versus 38.2 °C in hemorrhaged animals. Hemorrhaged animals were more hypotensive (p = 0.001), anemic (p < 0.001), vasodilated (p = 0.008), and had a lower cardiac output (p = 0.007) compared to non-hemorrhaged animals. The thermal imaging temperature reading decreased significantly after proper tourniquet placement in all animals, with no difference between hemorrhaged and non-hemorrhaged groups at 30 minutes (p = 0.23). Qualitative thermal image analysis showed clearly visible perfusion differences in all animals between baseline, adequate tourniquet, and inadequate tourniquet in both hemorrhaged and non-hemorrhaged groups. Ninety-eight percent of blinded evaluators (n = 62) correctly identified adequate and inadequate tourniquet placement at 5 minutes. Images in blackout conditions showed no adverse impact on thermal measurements or in the ability to accurately characterize perfusion and tourniquet adequacy.

CONCLUSIONS

A simple handheld smartphone-based forward looking infrared radiometry device demonstrated a high degree of accuracy, reliability, and ease of use for assessing limb perfusion. Forward looking infrared radiometry also allowed for rapid and reliable identification of adequate tourniquet placement that was not affected by major hemorrhage or blackout conditions.
Impact of venous thromboembolism chemoprophylaxis on postoperative hemorrhage following operative stabilization of spine fractures
Authors: Sharpe John P. , Gobbell Wade C. , Carter Andrea M. , Pahlkotter Maranda K. , Muhlbauer Michael S. , Camillo Francis X. , Fabian Timothy C. , Croce Martin A. , Magnotti Louis J.
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Prophylactic anticoagulation may decrease the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with spine fractures following blunt trauma but comes with the threat of postoperative bleeding in patients requiring stabilization of these fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of preoperative anticoagulation on VTE and bleeding complications in patients with blunt spine fractures requiring operative stabilization.

METHODS

All patients with blunt spine fractures requiring operative stabilization over a 6-year period were identified. Patients with a hospital stay of less than 48 hours or missing data were excluded. Patients were stratified by age; severity of shock, spinal cord injury, fracture location, injury severity; and timing and duration of anticoagulation. Outcomes included bleeding complications (wound hematoma/infection and development of epidural hematoma) and VTE (pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis). Outcomes were evaluated to determine risk factors for bleeding complications and VTE in the management of operative spine fractures.

RESULTS

Seven hundred five patients were identified: 355 patients received one dose or more of preoperative anticoagulation, and 350 did not receive preoperative anticoagulation. Seventy-two percent were male, with a mean injury severity score and Glasgow Coma Scale score of 21 and 14, respectively. Bleeding complications occurred in 18 patients (2.6%), and 20 patients (2.8%) had VTE. Patients with VTE were more severely injured (Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13 vs 15, p ≤ 0.001 and injury severity score of 27 vs 18, p = 0.008). Despite longer time to mobilization (4 vs 2 days, p < 0.001), patients who received 50% or more of their scheduled preoperative doses had fewer episodes of pulmonary embolism (0.4% vs 2.2%, p < 0.05), with no difference in bleeding complications (2.1% vs 2.9%, p = 0.63) compared to patients who received either no preoperative anticoagulation or less than 50% of their scheduled preoperative doses.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative anticoagulation in patients with operative spine fractures reduced the risk of pulmonary embolism without increasing bleeding complications. Preoperative anticoagulation is both safe and beneficial in patients with operative spine fractures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic study, level IV.
Artificial Intelligence for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis
Authors: Desjardins-Proulx Philippe , Poisot Timothée , Gravel Dominique
Published: July 2017

The grand ambition of theorists studying ecology and evolution is to discover the logical and mathematical rules driving the world’s biodiversity at every level from genetic diversity within species to differences between populations, communities, and ecosystems. This ambition has been difficult to realize in great part because of the complexity of biodiversity. Theoretical work has led to a complex web of theories, each having non-obvious consequences for other theories. Case in point, the recent realization that genetic diversity involves a great deal of temporal and spatial stochasticity forces theoretical population genetics to consider abiotic and biotic factors generally reserved to ecosystem ecology. This interconnectedness may require theoretical scientists to adopt new techniques adapted to reason about large sets of theories. Mathematicians have solved this problem by using formal languages based on logic to manage theorems. However, theories in ecology and evolution are not mathematical theorems, they involve uncertainty. Recent work in Artificial Intelligence in bridging logic and probability theory offers the opportunity to build rich knowledge bases that combine logic’s ability to represent complex mathematical ideas with probability theory’s ability to model uncertainty. We describe these hybrid languages and explore how they could be used to build a unified knowledge base of theories for ecology and evolution.

case study you explore using the Salix tritrophic system.
Why are tropical mountain passes ‘low’ for some species? Genetic and stable-isotope tests for differentiation, migration, and expansion in elevational generalist songbirds
Authors: Gadek Chauncey R. , Newsome Seth D. , Beckman Elizabeth J. , Chavez Andrea C. , Galen Spencer C. , Bautista Emil , Witt Christopher C.
Published: July 2017

Most tropical bird species have narrow elevational ranges, likely reflecting climatic specialization. This is consistent with Janzen’s Rule, the tendency for mountain passes to be effectively ‘higher’ in the tropics. Hence, those few tropical species that occur across broad elevational gradients raise questions. Are they being sundered by diversifying selection along the gradient? Does elevational movement cause them to resist diversification or specialization? Have they recently expanded, suggesting that elevational generalism is short-lived in geological time? Here we tested for differentiation, movement, and expansion in four elevational generalist songbird species on the Andean west slope. We used morphology and mtDNA to test for genetic differentiation between high- and low-elevation populations. Morphology differed for House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) and Hooded Siskin (Spinus magellanicus), but not for Cinereous Conebill (Conirostrumcinereum) and Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis), respectively. mtDNA was structured by elevation only inZ. capensis. To test for elevational movements, we measured hydrogen isotope (δ2H) values of metabolically inert feathers and metabolically active liver. δ2H data indicated elevational movements by two tree- and shrub-foraging species with moderate-to-high vagility (C. cinereumandS. magellanicus), and sedentary behavior by two terrestrial-foraging species with low-to-moderate vagility (T. aedonandZ. capensis). InS. magellanicus, elevational movements and lack of mtDNA structure contrast with striking morphological divergence, suggesting strong diversifying selection on body proportions across the ∼50 km gradient. All species exceptC. cinereumexhibited mtDNA-haplotype variation consistent with recent population expansion across the elevational gradient.In sum,three out of four elevational generalist species underwent genetic divergence despite gene flow, two of four make seasonal elevational movements, and three of four have recently expanded. In different ways, each species defies the tendency for tropical birds to have long-term stable distributions and sedentary habits. We conclude that tropical elevational generalism is rare due to evolutionary instability.
SRSF shape analysis for sequencing data reveal new differentiating patterns
Authors: Wesolowski Sergiusz , Vera Daniel , Wu Wei
Published: July 2017

Motivation

Sequencing-based methods to examine fundamental features of the genome, such as gene expression and chromatin structure, rely on inferences from the abundance and distribution of reads derived from Illumina sequencing. Drawing sound inferences from such experiments relies on appropriate mathematical methods to model the distribution of reads along the genome, which has been challenging due to the scale and nature of these data.

Results

We propose a new framework (SRSFseq) based on Square Root Slope Functions shape analysis to analyse Illumina sequencing data. In the new approach the basic unit of information is the density of mapped reads over region of interest located on the known reference genome. The densities are interpreted as shapes and a new shape analysis model is proposed. An equivalent of a Fisher test is used to quantify the significance of shape differences in read distribution patterns between groups of density functions in different experimental conditions. We evaluated the performance of this new framework to analyze RNA-seq data at the exon level, which enabled the detection of variation in read distributions and abundances between experimental conditions not detected by other methods. Thus, the method is a suitable supplement to the state of the are count based techniques. The variety of density representations and flexibility of mathematical design allow the model to be easily adapted to other data types or problems in which the distribution of reads is to be tested. The functional interpretation and SRSF phase-amplitude separation technique gives an efficient noise reduction procedure improving the sensitivity and specificity of the method.
Imprinted loci may be more widespread in humans than previously appreciated and enable limited assignment of parental allelic transmissions in unrelated individuals
Authors: Partida Gabriel Cuellar , Laurin Charles , Ring Susan M. , Gaunt Tom R. , Relton Caroline L. , Smith George Davey , Evans David M.
Published: July 2017

Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic mechanism leading to parent-of-origin dependent gene expression. So far, the precise number of imprinted genes in humans is uncertain. In this study, we leveraged genome-wide DNA methylation in whole blood measured longitudinally at 3 time points (birth, childhood and adolescence) and GWAS data in 740 Mother-Child duos from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) to systematically identify imprinted loci. We reasoned thatcis-meQTLs at genomic regions that were imprinted would show strong evidence of parent-of-origin associations with DNA methylation, enabling the detection of imprinted regions. Using this approach, we identified genome-wide significantcis-meQTLs that exhibited parent-of-origin effects (POEs) at 35 novel and 50 known imprinted regions (10−10< P <10−300). Among the novel loci, we observed signals near genes implicated in cardiovascular disease (PCSK9), and Alzheimer’s disease (CR1), amongst others. Most of the significant regions exhibited imprinting patterns consistent with uniparental expression, with the exception of twelve loci (including theIGF2, IGF1R,andIGF2Rgenes), where we observed a bipolar-dominance pattern. POEs were remarkably consistent across time points and were so strong at some loci that methylation levels enabled good discrimination of parental transmissions at these and surrounding genomic regions. The implication is that parental allelic transmissions could be modelled at many imprinted (and linked) loci and hence POEs detected in GWAS of unrelated individuals given a combination of genetic and methylation data. Our results indicate that modelling POEs on DNA methylation is effective to identify loci that may be affected by imprinting.
Climate-driven shifts in sediment chemistry enhance methane production in northern lakes
Authors: Emilson E.J.S , Carson M.A. , Yakimovich K.M. , Gunn J.M. , Mykytczuk N.C.S , Basiliko N. , Tanentzap A.J.
Published: July 2017

Freshwater ecosystems are a major source of methane (CH4), contributing 0.65 Pg (in CO2equivalents) yr-1towards global carbon (C) emissions and thereby offsetting ∼25% of the terrestrial carbon sink. Most CH4emissions come from littoral sediments, where large quantities of plant material are decomposed. As climate change is predicted to shift plant community composition, and thus change the quality of inputs into detrital food webs, this can affect CH4production and have far-reaching consequences for global C emissions. Here we find that variation in polyphenol availability from decomposing organic matter underlies large differences in CH4production in lake sediments. Production was at least 400-times higher from sediments composed of macrophyte litter compared to terrestrial sources (coniferous and deciduous), which we link to the inhibition of methanogenesis by polyphenol leachates. Applying our estimates to projected northward advances in the distribution ofTypha latifolia, a widespread and dominant macrophyte, we find that CH4production could increase by at least 73% in the lake-rich Boreal Shield ecozone solely due to increases in this one macrophyte species. Our results now suggest that earth system models and carbon budgets should consider the effects of plant communities on sediment chemistry and ultimately CH4emissions at a global scale.

One-sentence summary

Production of methane from lakes is at least 400-times lower when 24 sediments receive forest- as opposed to macrophyte-derived (Typha latifolia) litterfall.
Parallel pattern of differentiation at a genomic island shared between clinal and mosaic hybrid zones in a complex of cryptic seahorse lineages
Authors: Riquet Florentine , Liautard-Haag Cathy , Woodall Lucy , Bouza Carmen , Louisy Patrick , Hamer Bojan , Otero-Ferrer Francisco , Aublanc Philippe , Béduneau Vickie , Briard Olivier , Ayari Tahani El , Hochscheid Sandra , Belkhir Khalid , Arnaud-Haond Sophie , Gagnaire Pierre-Alexandre , Bierne Nicolas
Published: July 2017

Diverging semi-isolated lineages either meet in narrow clinal hybrid zones, or have a mosaic distribution associated with environmental variation. Intrinsic reproductive isolation is often emphasized in the former and local adaptation in the latter, although both can contribute to isolation. Rarely these two patterns of spatial distribution are reported in the same study system. Here we report that the long-snouted seahorseHippocampus guttulatusis subdivided into discrete panmictic entities by both types of hybrid zones. Along the European Atlantic coasts, a northern and a southern lineage meet in the southwest of France where they coexist in sympatry with little hybridization. In the Mediterranean Sea, two lineages have a mosaic distribution, associated with lagoon-like and marine habitats. A fifth lineage was identified in the Black Sea. Genetic homogeneity over large spatial scales contrasts with isolation maintained in sympatry or close parapatry at a fine scale. A high variation in locus-specific introgression rates provides additional evidence that partial reproductive isolation must be maintaining the divergence. Surprisingly, fixed differences between lagoon and marine populations in the Mediterranean Sea belong to the most differentiated SNPs between the two Atlantic lineages, against the genome-wide pattern of structure. These parallel outlier SNPs cluster on a single chromosome-wide island of differentiation. Since Atlantic lineages do not match the lagoon-sea habitat variation, genetic parallelism at the genomic island suggests a shared genetic barrier contributes to reproductive isolation in contrasting contexts -i.e.spatialvs. ecological. We discuss how a genomic hotspot of parallel differentiation could have evolved and become associated either with space or with a patchy environment in a single study system.
Sequential regulatory activity prediction across chromosomes with convolutional neural networks
Authors: Kelley David R. , Reshef Yakir A. , Bileschi Maxwell , Belanger David , McLean Cory Y. , Snoek Jasper
Published: July 2017

Models for predicting phenotypic outcomes from genotypes have important applications to understanding genomic function and improving human health. Here, we develop a machine-learning system to predict cell type-specific epigenetic and transcriptional profiles in large mammalian genomes from DNA sequence alone. Using convolutional neural networks, this system identifies promoters and distal regulatory elements and synthesizes their content to make effective gene expression predictions. We show that model predictions for the influence of genomic variants on gene expression align well to causal variants underlying eQTLs in human populations and can be useful for generating mechanistic hypotheses to enable fine mapping of disease loci.
A modification of DMVs based state space model of variation propagation for multistage machining processes
Authors: Yang Fuyong , Jin Sun , Li Zhimin
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Complicated workpiece, such as an engine block, has special rough locating datum features (i.e. six independent datum features) due to its complex structure. This locating datum error cannot be handled by current variation propagation model based on differential motion vectors. To extend variation prediction fields, this paper aims to solve the unaddressed variation sources to modify current model for multistage machining processes.

Design/methodology/approach

To overcome the limitation of current variation propagation model based on differential motion vectors caused by the unaddressed variation sources, this paper will extend the current model by handling the unaddressed datum-induced variation and its corresponding fixture variation.

Findings

The measurement results of the rear face with respect to the rough datum W and the pan face with respect to the hole Q by coordinate measuring machine (CMM) are −0.006 mm and 0.031 mm. The variation results for rear face and pan face predicted by the modified model are −0.009 mm and 0.025 mm, respectively. The discrepancy of model prediction and measurement is very small.

Originality/value

This paper modifies the variation propagation model based on differential motion vectors by solving the unaddressed variation sources, which can extend the variation prediction fields for some complicated workpiece and is useful in the future work for many fields, such as process monitoring, fault diagnosis, quality-assured setup planning and process-oriented tolerancing.
A novel LLSDPso method for nonlinear dynamic parameter identification
Authors: Yuan Jian-jun , Wan Weiwei , Fu Xiajun , Wang Shuai , Wang Ning
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a novel method to identify the parameters of robotic manipulators using the torque exerted by the robot joint motors (measured by current sensors).

Design/methodology/approach

Previous studies used additional sensors like force sensor and inertia measurement unit, or additional payload mounted on the end-effector to perform parameter identification. The settings of these previous works were complicated. They could only identify part of the parameters. This paper uses the torque exerted by each joint while performing Fourier periodic excited trajectories. It divides the parameters into a linear part and a non-linear part, and uses linear least square (LLS) parameter estimation and dual-swarm-based particle swarm optimization (DPso) to compute the linear and non-linear parts, respectively.

Findings

The settings are simpler and can identify the dynamic parameters, the viscous friction coefficients and the Coulomb friction coefficients of two joints at the same time. A SIASUN 7-Axis Flexible Robot is used to experimentally validate the proposal. Comparison between the predicted torque values and ground-truth values of the joints confirms the effectiveness of the method.

Originality/value

The proposed method identifies two joints at the same time with satisfying precision and high efficiency. The identification errors of joints do not accumulate.
Financing agricultural cooperatives with retained earnings
Authors: Royer Jeffrey
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the advantages equity capitalization programs based on retained earnings from patronage sources may provide cooperatives and their patrons that traditional equity financing methods do not offer.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a model used to assess patron benefits from a cooperative that is financed by a combination of allocated equity acquired from noncash patronage refunds and unallocated equity acquired from retained earnings. The level of patron benefits is represented by the present value of the after-tax cash flow patrons receive from the cooperative, and the model is used to determine the combination of noncash patronage refunds and retained earnings that provides the greatest present value given the levels of those parameters that affect capitalization of the cooperative and the distribution of cash benefits to patrons.

Findings

The analysis demonstrates that only pure plans, i.e., plans based entirely on retained patronage refunds or entirely on retained earnings, will be associated with the greatest present value for any particular set of parameter values. Cooperatives that are characterized by low marginal tax rates and growth rates and whose patrons are characterized by high marginal tax rates and discount rates are those most likely to benefit from equity capitalization programs based on retained earnings.

Research limitations/implications

The model is based on the assumption of constant parameter values and does not account for the existence of nonpatronage income.

Practical implications

A useful extension of this work would be the development of a decision aid capable of generating basic operating statement and balance sheet data and enabling cooperative decision makers to conduct experiments concerning alternative financing strategies based on retained earnings.

Originality/value

The analysis contained in this paper is based on an explicit model and extends across a broad range of values for various parameters that affect the level, timing, and present value of cash distributions from cooperatives. Because the cash flow received by patrons is determined after the cooperative’s planned equity growth is met, cash flow comparisons are equivalent with respect to the capital provided the cooperative. In addition, the revolving period is endogenously determined.
Uncovering transfer – a cross-national comparative analysis
Authors: Sinell Anna , Iffländer Vivien , Muschner Antonia
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Successful knowledge and technology transfer (KTT) is necessary to ensure the competitiveness and growth of national innovation systems. In this regard, technology transfer offices (TTOs) are becoming indispensable in their capacity as intermediaries between science, policy, industry, and the public. The purpose of this paper is to examine the strategies and operations of particularly productive transfer offices in five different countries in order to account for the high levels of transfer activity.

Design/methodology/approach

To this end, the authors interviewed 34 senior KTT managers in these offices. The collected protocols were analysed in three phases. First, the authors extracted and organised the key characteristics of the transfer practices by applying rigorous method of open-end, qualitative content analysis. The authors then enhanced the thus gathered descriptive statistics and ultimately developed a transfer office typology by building on the concept of attribute space.

Findings

The analysis suggests two ideal types of transfer offices, distinguishable in terms of their intertwined characteristics such as their goals, practices, sources of income, and positions within their associated organisations. While the primarily state-funded common good type would seek benefits to the public, the self-financed entrepreneurial type would pursue commercial success. The former would therefore create opportunities for disseminating knowledge and strengthening the local innovation ecosystem, while the latter would scout for promising ideas and cultivate relationships with industry.

Originality/value

The goal was to uncover the individual characteristics of the offices under study, and the relationships between these characteristics, that can help explain these offices’ exceptional productivity. This study is the first to propose a TTO typology, which can support interorganisational and international transfer collaboration. The findings provide empirical evidence for the theoretical Quadruple Helix model of the innovation system and have implications for research and practice.
Survey process quality: a question of healthcare manager approach
Authors: Nilsson Petra , Blomqvist Kerstin
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how healthcare first-line managers think about and act regarding workplace survey processes.

Design/methodology/approach

This interview study was performed at a hospital in south Sweden. First-line healthcare managers (n=24) volunteered. The analysis was inspired by phenomenography, which aims to describe the ways in which different people experience a phenomenon. The phenomenon was a workplace health promotion (WHP) survey processes.

Findings

Four main WHP survey process approaches were identified among the managers: as a possibility, as a competition, as a work task among others and as an imposition. For each, three common subcategories emerged; how managers: stated challenges and support from hospital management; described their own work group and collaboration with other managers; and expressed themselves and their situation in their roles as first-line managers.

Practical implications

Insights into how hospital management can understand their first-line managers’ motivation for survey processes and practical suggestions and how managers can work proactively at organizational, group and individual level are presented.

Originality/value

Usually these studies focus on those who should respond to a survey; not those who should run the survey process. Focusing on managers and not co-workers can lead to more committed and empowered managers and thereby success in survey processes.
Applying adult development theories to improvement science
Authors: Kjellström Sofia , Andersson Ann-Christine
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address how adult development (AD) theories can contribute to quality improvement (QI).

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical analysis and discussion on how personal development empirical findings can relate to QI and Deming’s four improvement knowledge domains.

Findings

AD research shows that professionals have qualitatively diverse ways of meaning-making and ways to approach possibilities in improvement efforts. Therefore, professionals with more complex meaning-making capacities are needed to create successful transformational changes and learning, with the recognition that system knowledge is a developmental capacity.

Practical implications

In QI and improvement science there is an assumption that professionals have the skills and competence needed for improvement efforts, but AD theories show that this is not always the case, which suggests a need for facilitating improvement initiatives, so that everyone can contribute based on their capacity.

Originality/value

This study illustrates that some competences in QI efforts are a developmental challenge to professionals, and should be considered in practice and research.
The impact of industry, firm age and education level on financial management performance in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Authors: Karadag Hande
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are crucial for socio-economic growth due to their significant role in creating new workforce, gross domestic product increase, innovation and entrepreneurship. This paper aims to examine financial management performance in SMEs with regard to industry, firm age and education level of owner/managers differences.

Design/methodology/approach

The data used in the study are collected from 188 SMEs through structured questionnaires, and three hypotheses regarding the associations are tested by using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Findings of one-way ANOVA tests indicate that performance in financial management practices has a strong and positive correlation with education level of small business owner/managers, whereas no significant difference is found regarding SMEs operating in different industries. For the impact of company age, independent samplest-test is conducted, and a meaningful difference between small- and medium-sized companies which are five years or older and younger is found.

Research limitations/implications

This study shows that a significant difference for age of an SME is present between over and under five-year-old SMEs, with respect to financial management performance, which is an important finding for both small business and financial management literatures. The tests regarding the particular hypotheses about education level of SME owner/managers indicate that education level of SME owner/managers significantly impacts financial management performance.

Practical implications

The present study provides important practical implications. First, the importance of education level of owner/managers on SME financial performance is highlighted. Second, strong empirical support is found for the impact of company age on SME performance, which might be discussed as the importance of accumulation of knowledge of the owner/managers and the changes required with the growth patterns of the company, with increasing company age. Third, the study shows that industry differences do not exhibit a significant performance variation factor in financial management of SMEs, with respect to other demographic factors. Overall, these contributions help us better understand the financial management performance indicators in small and medium sized businesses.

Originality/value

This study focuses on company age, education level and industry differences with respect to financial management performance in SMEs in emerging economies, therefore provides additional empirical evidence to a research area where very few empirical studies exist.
The propensity to business startup
Authors: Abu Bakar Abdul Rahim , Ahmad Syed Zamberi , Wright Norman S. , Skoko Hazbo
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the determining factors of entrepreneurial business startup in Saudi Arabia from an eclectic perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on Global Entrepreneurship Monitor data of 2000 Saudi Arabian respondents, the study analyzes a multitude of individual factors which are classified into four groups: financial resources; social legitimacy; entrepreneurial personality; and entrepreneurial competencies. Gender and education are moderating variables influencing the relationship, whereas age is a control variable using binary logistic regression technique.

Findings

Out of ten hypotheses, only four hypotheses, namely, income, fear of failure, perception of high status and knowledge of other entrepreneurs, have a significant relationship with the possibility of a business startup.

Originality/value

Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.
Iran’s trade policy of Asianization and de-Europeanization under sanctions
Authors: Nasre Esfahani Mohammad , Rasoulinezhad Ehsan
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find out whether under sanctions, Iran’s trade direction has shifted from Europe (trade policy of de-Europeanization) toward Asia (trade policy of Asianization).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper conducts three panel data estimations (FE, RE, and FMOLS) based on the gravity model approach for bilateral trade patterns between Iran-25 EU members and Iran-25 Asian countries over the period 2006-2013.

Findings

The empirical evidence indicates a significant negative effect of sanctions on Iran-EU bilateral trade, while it has a positive impact on trade between Iran and the Asian countries. These findings empirically confirmed that the imposition of various sanctions related to the Iran’s nuclear program has pushed the foreign trade policy of this country toward Asianization and away from Europeanization.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first attempt to examine the Iran’s trade policy changing under the imposition of sanctions related to its nuclear program.
Examining the portrayal of homophobic and non-homophobic aggression in print media through an integrated grounded behavioural linguistic inquiry (IGBLI) approach
Authors: Birch Philip , Ozanne Rebecca , Ireland Jane
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The role of the media in supporting an understanding of the social world is well documented. The representation of homosexuals in the media can therefore impact on homophobia within society. The purpose of this paper is to examine how homosexuals are portrayed in the media generally, before examining and comparing newspaper reports of homosexual aggression with heterosexual aggression.

Design/methodology/approach

Utilising a new and innovative research methodology, an integrated grounded behavioural linguistic inquiry (IGBLI) approach, four daily newspapers in circulation within the USA, Canada, the UK and Australia are examined.

Findings

While there are similarities in the way print media report on these aggressive incidents, the differences which emerge from the findings are of interest which require further, more in-depth study.

Practical implications

To extend the methodology of IGBLI to other forms of media content in order to further validate the approach. To reduce the differences between LGBTI news reports and heterosexual news reports. To hold the media to account for the ways in which they express their content. To encourage users of the media, in particular print media, to be critical of what they read.

Originality/value

Typically, analysis of media utilises the research method of content analysis. This paper adopts a new and innovative research method, an IGBLI approach, which incorporates a behavioural assessment in the form of a SORC.
Co-morbidity of personality disorder and clinical syndrome in high-risk incarcerated offenders
Authors: Bennett Alice , Johnson Darren
Published: July 2017

Purpose

In light of the clinical importance of understanding co-morbidity within offender populations, the purpose of this paper is to examine the prevalence and comorbidities of clinical disorder (Axis I) and personality disorder (Axis II) within a sample of high risk, male offenders located in a high secure, prison-based personality disorder treatment service.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilised clinical assessment data for both Axis I diagnoses (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV) and Axis II diagnoses (International Personality Disorder Examination) of 115 personality disordered offenders who met the criteria for the treatment service between 2004 and 2015.

Findings

Co-morbidity between Axis I and Axis II diagnoses was high, with 81 per cent of the sample having co-morbid personality disorder and clinical disorder diagnosis. The most prevalent Axis I disorder was substance misuse, and Axis II was antisocial, borderline, and paranoid personality disorder. Following χ2 analysis, Cluster A personality disorder demonstrated co-morbidity with both mood disorder and schizophrenia/other psychotic disorder. Paranoid, schizoid, narcissistic, and avoidant personality disorder demonstrated a level of co-morbidity with Axis I disorders. There was no association found between the clinical disorders of substance use and anxiety with any personality disorder within this sample.

Practical implications

In part these results suggest that certain Axis II disorders may increase the risk of lifetime Axis I disorders.

Originality/value

The findings of no co-morbidity between the clinical disorders of substance use and anxiety with any personality disorder within sample are inconsistent to previous findings.
Effects of nano-layered silicates on mechanical and chemical properties of acrylic-melamine automotive clear coat
Authors: Bahreini Zaker , Heydari Vahid , Namdari Zahra
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Mechanical and chemical properties of acrylic-melamine automotive clear coat in the presence of different percentages of well dispersed nano-layered sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) silicate particles were investigated. For this purpose, prepared dry clear coat film samples were subjected to the entire standard test series, usually carried out in automotive coating industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Effects of adding different percentages of nano-layered silicate on mechanical and chemical properties of acrylic-melamine automotive clear coat were investigated. To increase the compatibility of nanoclays with polymer matrix of clear coat, the surface of nanoclays was modified by benzalkonium chloride as a cationic surfactant. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used for characterization and comparison between clays before and after modification, and also after dispersion in coating. Prepared dry clear coat film samples subjected to the test series are usually carried out in automotive coating industry.

Findings

The results indicated that incorporation of 1 and 2 Wt.% of nano-layered silicate caused desired improvement in chemical and physical properties of the acrylic-melamine clear coat. Increasing the percentage of nanoclay to over 2 Wt.% caused damage in some properties such as hardness, cupping and gloss.

Research limitations/implications

All materials and methods were used in this research are industrial grade. Therefore, the introduced modified clear coat sample has potential for commercial production as an automotive clear coat.

Originality/value

As far as it was searched in the literature, effects of adding nanoclay particles on mechanical and physical properties of different clear coats, such as epoxy clear coat, have been investigated in a few researches, but in this research, common and special tests which are necessary in automotive coating industry have been ignored. In the present study for the first time, acrylic-melamine clear coat was subjected to modification using nano-clay, and also, the most common industrial test methods were used for investigation of mechanical and chemical properties.
Effect of acid hydrolysis on alizarin content, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Rubia tinctorum extracts
Authors: Essaidi Ismahen , Snoussi Ahmed , Ben Haj Koubaier Hayet , Casabianca Hervé , Bouzouita Nabiha
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to analyse the effect of acid hydrolysis on the chemical composition and the biological activities of Rubia tinctorum collected from the south of Tunisia. It proposes to clarify the relationship between alizarin content and the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Rubia extract.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for analytical tools (HPLC) and the in-vitro study of biological activities, namely, the antioxidant activity which is evaluated using the radical scavenging assay (ABTS) and ferric reducing power assay (FRAP); the antimicrobial activity is tested using the wells agar diffusion method.

Findings

The paper provides information about the positive effect of acid hydrolysis, namely, the enhancement of alizarin content in the extract which has increased its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to study the relationship between the chemical composition, biological activities and colour enhancement.
Non‐linear stochastic inversion of gravity data via quantum‐behaved particle swarm optimisation: application to Eurasia–Arabia collision zone (Zagros, Iran)
Authors: Jamasb Ali , Motavalli‐Anbaran Seyed‐Hani , Zeyen Hermann
Published: July 2017

Potential field data such as geoid and gravity anomalies are globally available and offer valuable information about the Earth's lithosphere especially in areas where seismic data coverage is sparse. For instance, non‐linear inversion of Bouguer anomalies could be used to estimate the crustal structures including variations of the crustal density and of the depth of the crust–mantle boundary, that is, Moho. However, due to non‐linearity of this inverse problem, classical inversion methods would fail whenever there is no reliable initial model. Swarm intelligence algorithms, such as particle swarm optimisation, are a promising alternative to classical inversion methods because the quality of their solutions does not depend on the initial model; they do not use the derivatives of the objective function, hence allowing the use of L1 norm; and finally, they are global search methods, meaning, the problem could be non‐convex. In this paper, quantum‐behaved particle swarm, a probabilistic swarm intelligence‐like algorithm, is used to solve the non‐linear gravity inverse problem. The method is first successfully tested on a realistic synthetic crustal model with a linear vertical density gradient and lateral density and depth variations at the base of crust in the presence of white Gaussian noise. Then, it is applied to the EIGEN 6c4, a combined global gravity model, to estimate the depth to the base of the crust and the mean density contrast between the crust and the upper‐mantle lithosphere in the Eurasia–Arabia continental collision zone along a 400 km profile crossing the Zagros Mountains (Iran). The results agree well with previously published works including both seismic and potential field studies.
Species‐specific flowering cues among general flowering Shorea species at the Pasoh Research Forest, Malaysia
Authors: Chen Yu‐Yun , Satake Akiko , Sun I‐Fang , Kosugi Yoshiko , Tani Makoto , Numata Shinya , Hubbell Stephen P. , Fletcher Christine , Nur Supardi Md. Noor , Wright S. Joseph
Published: July 2017

In a unique phenomenon restricted to the ever wet forests of Southeast Asia, hundreds of species from dozens of plant families reproduce synchronously at irregular, multi‐year intervals. The proximate environmental cues that synchronize these general flowering events have not been evaluated systematically because there have been no long‐term, high temporal resolution, species‐level records from the region.

We present 13 years of weekly flowering records for five Shorea species as well as daily temperature and rainfall records from the Pasoh Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia. We constructed models to evaluate hypothesized relationships between flowering and cool temperature, drought, and additive and synergistic effects of cool temperature and drought for each species. Model parameters include periods of time for floral cue accumulation and flower development and temperature and/or rainfall thresholds required for floral initiation. Parameters estimated using flowering observations from 2001 to 2011 were used to forecast flowering for 2011–2014.

We show that drought and cool temperatures acting synergistically best explain the timing of flowering events for all Shorea species in the section Mutica and forecast the largest general flowering event accurately. Periods estimated for signal accumulation ranged from 54 to 90 days among species. Periods estimated for flowers to develop ranged between 43 and 96 days and closely followed the interspecific sequence of flowering in the Shorea species. Drought and temperature thresholds also varied among species, with Shorea maxwelliana requiring the most severe drought and Shorea leprosula the lowest temperatures.

Synthesis. Our results indicate that cool temperatures and low rainfall occurring on seasonal time‐scales of about 2–3 months rather than brief cold snaps or brief droughts best explain general flowering in Shorea species at the Pasoh Forest Reserve. Low rainfall is equally likely in winter (December–February) and summer (July–August) and cool temperatures are most likely in winter at Pasoh, which explains why general flowering events are restricted to spring and fall, with more frequent and stronger flowering in spring. In addition, species‐specific sensitivity to environmental cues suggests that future climate change will have differential impacts on the frequency of reproduction, with potential consequences for regeneration of these dominant species of lowland tropical forests.