bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reward produces learning of a consciously inaccessible feature
Authors: Dong Xue , Zhang Mingxia , Dong Bo , Jiang Yi , Bao Min
Published: December 2019

Reward has significant impacts on behavior and perception. Most past work in associative reward learning has used distinct visual cues to associate with different reward values. Thus, it remains unknown to what extent the learned associations depend on the consciousness. Here we resolved this issue by using an inter-ocular suppression paradigm with the monetary rewarding and non-rewarding cues identical to each other except for the eye-of-origin. Thus, the reward coding system cannot rely on the consciousness to select the reward-associated cue. Surprisingly, the targets in the rewarded eye broke into awareness faster than those in the non-rewarded eye. We further revealed that producing this effect required both attention and inter-ocular suppression. These findings suggest that the human’s reward coding system can produce two different types of reward-based learning. One is independent of the consciousness yet fairly consuming attentional resource. The other one results from volitional selections guided by top-down attention.
Symmetrically-dispersed spectroscopic single-molecule localization microscopy
Authors: Song K. , Zhang Y. , Brenner B. , Sun C. , Zhang H. F.
Published: December 2019

Spectroscopic single-molecule localization microscopy (sSMLM) achieved simultaneously imaging and spectral analysis of single molecules for the first time. Current sSMLM fundamentally suffers from reduced photon budget because of dividing photons from individual stochastic emission into spatial and spectral channels. Therefore, both spatial localization and spectral analysis only use a portion of the total photons, leading to reduced precisions in both channels. To improve the spatial and spectral precisions, we present symmetrically-dispersed sSMLM or SDsSMLM to fully utilize all photons from individual stochastic emissions in both spatial and spectral channels. SDsSMLM achieved 10-nm spatial and 0.8-nm spectral precisions at a total photon budget of 1000. Comparing with existing sSMLM using a 1:3 splitting ratio between spatial and spectral channels, SDsSMLM improved the spatial and spectral precisions by 42% and 10%, respectively, under the same photon budget. We also demonstrated multi-color imaging in fixed cells and three-dimensional single-particle tracking using SDsSMLM.
Yeast Securin is trafficked through the endomembrane system to regulate cell cycle arrest during the DNA damage response
Authors: Lemos Brenda R. , Waterman David P. , Haber James E.
Published: December 2019

The yeast securin protein, Pds1, belongs to a class of highly conserved eukaryotic proteins that regulate the timing of chromatid segregation during mitosis by inhibiting separase, Esp1. During the metaphase to anaphase transition Pds1 is degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system in the nucleus, unleashing Esp1’s protease activity to cleave cohesin surrounding sister chromatids. In response to DNA damage Pds1 is phosphorylated and stabilized, stalling mitotic progression to preserve genomic integrity. In addition, during the DNA damage checkpoint response, securin and separase are partially localized in the vacuole. Here we genetically dissect the requirements for securin’s vacuolar localization and find that it is dependent on the Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) endosomal transport pathway but not autophagy. Blocking retrograde traffic between the Golgi and the endoplasmic reticulum, by inhibiting COPI vesicle transport, drives Pds1 into the vacuole, whereas inhibiting antegrade transport by disrupting COPII-mediated traffic, results in the unexpected loss of Pds1 and the extinction of DNA damage-induced cell cycle arrest. We report that the induction of ER stress, either genetically or by treating cells with dithiothreitol, is sufficient to extinguish the DNA damage checkpoint, suggesting crosstalk between these two pathways. These data highlight new ways in which Pds1 and Esp1 are regulated during a DNA damage induced G2/M arrest and its requirement in the maintenance of the DNA damage checkpoint response.
Global broadcasting of local fractal fluctuations in a bodywide distributed system supports perception via effortful touch
Authors: Mangalam Madhur , Carver Nicole S. , Kelty-Stephen Damian G.
Published: December 2019

A long history of research has pointed to the importance of fractal fluctuations in physiology, but so far, the physiological evidence of fractal fluctuations has been piecemeal and without clues to bodywide integration. What remains unknown is how fractal fluctuations might interact across the body and how those interactions might support the coordination of goal-directed behaviors. We demonstrate that a complex interplay of fractality in mechanical fluctuations across the body supports a more accurate perception of heaviness and length of occluded handheld objects via effortful touch in blindfolded individuals. For a given participant, the flow of fractal fluctuation through the body indexes the flow of perceptual information used to derive perceptual judgments. These patterns in the waxing and waning of fluctuations across disparate anatomical locations provide novel insights into how the high-dimensional flux of mechanotransduction is compressed into low-dimensional perceptual information specifying properties of hefted occluded objects.
Transcription-factor binding to replicated DNA
Authors: Bar-Ziv Raz , Brodsky Sagie , Chapal Michal , Barkai Naama
Published: December 2019

Genome replication perturbs the DNA regulatory environment by displacing DNA-bound proteins, replacing nucleosomes, and introducing dosage-imbalance between regions replicating at different S phase stages. Recently, we showed that these effects are integrated to maintain transcription homeostasis: replicated genes increase in dosage, but their expression remains stable due to replication-dependent epigenetic changes that suppress transcription. Here, we examined whether reduced transcription from replicated DNA results from limited accessibility to regulatory factors, by measuring the time-resolved binding of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) and specific transcription factors (TFs) to DNA during S phase in budding yeast. We show that RNAPII binding-pattern is largely insensitive to DNA dosage, indicating limited binding to replicated DNA. By contrast, binding of three TFs (Reb1, Abf1 and Rap1) to DNA increased with the increasing DNA dosage. We conclude that the replication-specific chromatin environment remains accessible to regulatory factors, but suppresses RNA polymerase recruitment.
Narcissistic leadership and voice behavior: the role of job stress, traditionality, and trust in leaders
Authors: Yao Zhu , Zhang Xianchun , Liu Zhenxuan , Zhang Lili , Luo Jinlian
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of narcissistic leadership on employee voice behavior from the perspective of job stress, trust in leaders and traditionality in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a survey on 437 employees to assess their narcissistic leadership in Time 1. In Time 2, they measured their job stress, trust in leaders and traditionality. In Time 3, they assessed the voice behavior of these employees.

Findings

Narcissistic leadership correlates positively with employees’ job stress, which mediates between narcissistic leadership and employee voice behavior. Trust in leaders negatively moderates the correlation between job stress and employee voice behavior, as well as moderates the mediation effect of job stress on the correlation between narcissistic leadership and employee voice behavior. In addition, traditionality positively moderates the correlation between job stress and employee voice behavior, as well as moderates the mediation effect of job stress on the correlation between narcissistic leadership and employee voice behavior.

Originality/value

This study establishes the impact of narcissistic leadership on employee behavior from the perspective of job stress, trust in leaders and traditionality.
“Attitudes do matter”: generic competences in the selection of Business graduates
Authors: Charterina Jon , Pando-Garcia Julian , Periáñez-Cañadillas Iñaki
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine what competences are considered critical for team and human resources (HR) managers when selecting inexperienced Business graduates. Second, the authors aim to find out differences existing among businesses and organizations according to company size, and very particularly, the resources used with respect to the inexperienced graduate personnel selection practices.

Design/methodology/approach

To this end, the authors have performed an empirical study consisting of two qualitative data-gathering processes and a survey. First, the authors completed 12 in-depth interviews, followed by three world cafés with HR managers and consultants. Second, a survey was also conducted with 186 experienced Business graduates, team managers or middle-level staff.

Findings

The main results support the idea that generic competencies are the ones most appreciated in graduates. Attitudes are among the generic competencies considered most critical in inexperienced Business graduates. In particular, intra-personal, followed by inter-personal attitudes and values, were the most frequently cited and highly valued competencies. In contrast, most of the specific knowledge competences that are required for Business graduates are taken for granted. For its part, the authors found that excelling inexperienced graduates are those who show convincing proofs of holding attitudinal competences, signaled through some experience of international interchange programs, or pre-graduate internships in companies. Also, the authors found that HR managers and consultants show clear differences of preference for a set of competences or another depending on the size of the recruiting company. In particular, generic competences of knowledge, abilities, attitudes and values rate higher among small firms than larger ones.

Originality/value

Finally, the authors give recommendations for faculties and business schools headed to a more intensive development of generic competences, and the learning of skills on how to tailor curricula during studies and how to find jobs.
Determinants of international subsidiaries’ performances
Authors: Lo Fang-Yi , Tan Ricky
Published: December 2019

Purpose

One important strategy Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) employ to compete in the global market is to engage in foreign investment, but firms must know how they can perform better in the host country market. International subsidiaries’ performances play a chief role for MNEs’ globalization strategy. The purpose of this paper is to construct multi-level research with parent-level data at the higher level and subsidiary-level data at the lower level.

Design/methodology/approach

This study helps capture the rapid growing trend in emerging markets and uses a sample of Taiwanese enterprises and their subsidiaries in China. The data come from theTaiwan Economic Journaldatabase. Precisely, the authors obtain 711 Taiwanese MNEs and 4,458 of their subsidiaries in China.

Findings

This study finds among the parent company’s attributes that firm size, firm total performance, depth of internationalization and foreign shareholding have significant impacts on subsidiary performance, while within the subsidiary’s attributes, subsidiary size, subsidiary-owned capital and total investment fund significantly affect subsidiary performance.

Originality/value

In order to capture subsidiary performance, this study uses a multi-level analysis approach with the Hierarchical Linear Model statistic method to separate parent company attributes and subsidiary-owned attributes as two distinct levels. This method fills the gap in the literature by analyzing subsidiary performance and clarifying that foreign direct investment is a multi-level phenomenon that cannot be analyzed using a one-level analysis method.
Practising innovation in the healthcare ecosystem: the agency of third-party actors
Authors: Russo Spena Tiziana , Cristina Mele
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Over recent years, few industries have seen such dramatic changes as the healthcare industry. The potential connectivity of digital technologies is completely transforming the healthcare ecosystem. This has resulted in companies increasingly investing in digital transformations to exploit data across channels, operations and patient outreach, by building on a practice approach and actor-network theory and being informed by service-dominant logic, this study aims to contribute by advancing the agential role of third-party actors to prompt innovation and shape service ecosystems.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is grounded in an epistemological contextualism. To gain situated knowledge and address the role of context in knowledge, understanding and meaning the authors adopted a qualitative methodology to study actors in their different contexts. The empirical research was based on case theory. The authors also took guidance from practice scholars about how to investigate actors’ practices. The unit of analysis moves from dyadic relationships to focus on practices across different networks of actors.

Findings

This study expands on the conceptualization of triad as proposed by Siltaloppi and Vargo (2017) by moving from the form of triadic relationships – brokerage, mediation and coalition – to the agency of e-health third-parties; and their practices to innovate in the healthcare ecosystem. This study focuses on the actors and the performativity of actions and grounding the conceptual view on an empirical base.

Practical implications

Third-party actors bring about innovative ways of doing business in the healthcare ecosystem. Their actions challenge the status quo and run counter to long-time practices. Third-parties support the complex set of interconnections between different healthcare actors for the provision of new service co-creation opportunities. Considering how these e-health third-parties performs has implications for health managers, patients and other actors.

Originality/value

This study focuses on the actors and the performativity of actions and grounding the conceptual view on an empirical base. The agency of third-party actors is their ability to act among others and to connect multiple social and material structures to boost innovation. They prompt innovation and shape service ecosystems by brokering, mediating and coalescing among a great variety of resources, practices and institutions.
The crimes of first-time offenders: same or different from the crimes of habitual criminals?
Authors: Walters Glenn D.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how first-time offenders and habitual criminals, while displaying wide differences in offense frequency, appear to follow a similar pattern in committing crime.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual approach is adopted in this paper.

Findings

It is argued that criminal thinking is the common denominator in both patterns, the difference being that habitual criminals have a higher resting level of proactive and reactive criminal thinking than first-time offenders. With an earlier age of onset, the habitual criminal may be more impulsive and reactive than first-time offenders, which partially explains why most low-rate offenders are not identified until adulthood.

Practical implications

Because actual and perceived deterrents to crime correlate weakly, if at all, it is recommended that perceived environmental events and criminal thinking be the primary targets of prevention and intervention programs.

Social implications

Environmental stimuli, such as events that produce general strain, increase opportunities for crime, reinforce criminal associations, irritate the individual and interfere with the deterrent effect of perceived certainty, can both augment and interact with criminal thinking to increase the likelihood of a criminal act in both first-time offenders and habitual criminals.

Originality/value

The unique aspect of this paper is that it illustrates that certain features of crime and criminality are found across offending levels, whereas other features are more specific to a particular level.
Sanctification of work and turnover of teachers under insurgency
Authors: Vem Linus Jonathan , Mbasua Yakubu Ali , Davireng Makrop
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Sanctification of work research is still a growing area among management and educational guild of researchers. The purpose of this paper is to explore the intervening role of career satisfaction and affective commitment in the relationship between sanctification and turnover intentions among teachers in a Boko Haram infested region of Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted a cross-sectional survey design using 375 responses out of the 600 administered questionnaires to three states within the context of this study. The usable data were analyzed using SmartPLS version 3.2.7 to evaluate the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The results reveal: negative but insignificant relationship between sanctification and turnover intention; career satisfaction and affective commitment mediate the relationship between sanctification of work and employee intention to leave.

Originality/value

The predictive role of sanctification was proven to be insignificant under unfriendly work environment, which is contrary to the literature on the role sanctification. The mediating role of career satisfaction and affective commitment between sanctification and turnover intention is relatively new. The two constructs constitute the mechanism through which the relationships are sustained; hence the hypotheses on the indirect relationships are established.
An investigation into BIM-based detailed cost estimating and drivers to the adoption of BIM in quantity surveying practices
Authors: Babatunde Solomon Olusola , Perera Srinath , Ekundayo Damilola , Adeleye Tolulope Esther
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Although studies have shown the relevance of building information modeling (BIM) in cost estimating process, efforts at investigating BIM based detailed cost estimating among professional quantity surveyors through quantitative approach are scanty. The purpose of this study is to identify and examine the usage of BIM-based detailed cost estimating software and assesses the drivers to BIM adoption within the Nigerian quantity surveying consulting firms.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive literature review, pilot study and questionnaire survey were adopted. The survey targeted both the BIM users and non- BIM users’ quantity surveying consulting firms in Lagos, Nigeria. The data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean score, standard deviation, Mann–Whitney test and factor analysis.

Findings

The study found that 46.58 per cent of quantity surveying consulting firms are aware of BIM and have adopted it for detailed cost estimating, while 49.32 per cent of quantity surveying consulting firms are aware but have not adopted BIM-based detailed cost estimating, and 4.10 per cent of quantity surveying consulting firms are not aware at all. Also, the study identified various BIM-based detailed cost estimating software used in quantity surveying practices and found that Microsoft Excel is often used alongside 3D software, Autodesk QTO, Navisworks, Innovaya Composer and CostX are prevalent BIM software used for detailed cost estimating. In addition, the study identified 21 drivers to the adoption of BIM in quantity surveying practices. The result of factor analysis grouped the 21 identified drivers into five principal factors: improved whole lifecycle/design quality, enhanced decision and visualization, cost and time saving, marketing and support for quantity surveyor tasks and government and client pressure.

Practical implications

This study provides significant insight into the application of BIM to quantity surveying consulting practices, thereby enabling consultant quantity surveyors to make informed decisions to select BIM cost estimating software to suit their practices. Further, the study findings can be useful for individuals’, clients’ and contractors’ quantity surveyors to be fully aware of the opportunities BIM could bring in relation to their service delivery.

Originality/value

Accurate cost estimating, effective cost monitoring and control are essential elements to a construction project success. This study further emphasized the importance of BIM to quantity surveying practices, particularly in the area of the detailed cost estimating.
Embedded opportunities and conflict of subsidiary initiatives
Authors: Ahworegba Akiebe Humphrey , Colovic Ana
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to advance understanding of why subsidiary initiative opportunities face constant opposition, despite being essential to the competitiveness of international organizations. The paper also develops a detailed theoretical framework to showcase the conflicts and opportunities created by subsidiary initiatives, as most research in this field is descriptive and comparative.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws substantially on entrepreneurship, agency, contingency and institutional theories, and focuses on the conflict generated by subsidiary initiatives in the context of headquarters–subsidiaries relationships, including the impact of developed and emerging markets. Based on a thorough analysis of the literature, the paper’s conceptual approach aims to develop models of how MNC networks deal with subsidiary initiatives.

Findings

The findings indicate that subsidiary initiative opportunities face opposition from both the organization and its environment.

Originality/value

The paper builds conceptual models showing the network of opportunities and conflicts created by subsidiary initiatives.
Financial fraud contagion through board interlocks: the contingency of status
Authors: Jiang Yusi , Zhao Yapu
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the implications of the relative status between two interlocking firms for financial fraud or non-fraud contagion through interlock ties.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a sample of publicly listed firms in China over a ten-year period from 2005 to 2014. Data are collected from the China Stock Market and Accounting Research Database.

Findings

This study finds that non-fraud behaviors of lower-status partners inhibit fraud behaviors of the focal firm, whereas their fraud behaviors have no effect on the focal firm. In contrast, fraud behaviors of higher-status partners facilitate fraud behaviors of the focal firm, whereas their non-fraud behaviors have no effect on the focal firm.

Originality/value

This study provides new insights to the misconduct contagion literature by considering firms’ status differential as an important factor that governs the contagion process of fraud or non-fraud behaviors in board interlocks. It combines role theory and the contagion literature by studying the influence of the match between the status-based role expectations and practices of interlocking firm on the focal firm’s decision to engage in the same type of practice.
Children’s relationships with brands: intergenerational and transgressions
Authors: Chaudhary Monica , Lopez Alberto , Rodriguez Rachel
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand and explore how young children relate to brands. The paper specifically attempts to explore their favourite and everyday brands with which they interact, understand the phenomenon of intergenerational transfer of brands, and study how child consumers experience and cope with brand transgressions.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative study where 20 in-depth interviews were conducted among young Indian children in the age-group of 8–12 years. For data analysis “iterative method” is used. Inspiration was taken from Spiggle’s (1994), Ereaut’s (2002) and Holt and Thompson (2004).

Findings

Children’s relationships with brands are mainly characterised by four categories: their favourite brands, everyday brands, intergenerational brands and brand transgressions. Children’s favourite brands can be categorised in fantasy, yummy, identity construction, social bonding, technology and trusted brands. Parents have a big influence on kids’ lives leading to intergenerational brand-transfer. Children consumers also reveal having experience brand transgressions, more importantly, they also show signs of brand forgiveness.

Originality/value

This qualitative study has addressed the pressing need to understand child understands of brands. This is one of the very few empirical studies that have investigated child consumer behaviour regarding their association with brands.
Instantly upgrading a foreign subsidiary’s value-adding scope: impact on growth
Authors: Pehrsson Anders , Pehrsson Andreas
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Drawing on the knowledge-based theory, the purpose of this paper is to extend the current understanding of a company’s upgrading of a foreign subsidiary’s value-adding scope and its impact on growth.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies a longitudinal approach and analyses the value-adding scopes of the subsidiaries of two Swedish industrial companies in the USA, resulting in a proposed model.

Findings

Greater adaptation of the corporate competitive strategy is linked to a greater likelihood of upgrading the subsidiary’s scope to include R&D and production activities. Also, market experience of the subsidiary is positively associated with this likelihood. The greater the coherence between the scope and knowledge originating from the local adaptation of the corporate competitive strategy and the subsidiary’s market experience, the greater the growth of the subsidiary.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the literature on international business and strategy in several ways. Future studies may turn the propositions into hypotheses for statistical tests.

Practical implications

An industrial company striving for the growth of a foreign subsidiary must assess subsidiary knowledge pertaining to value-adding. To achieve high growth, the subsidiary’s value-adding scope must be aligned with knowledge stemming from the corporate competitive strategy and market experience.

Originality/value

This is the first study explicitly explaining the crucial upgrading of a foreign subsidiary’s value-adding scope to include R&D and production. Coherence between an upgraded scope and crucial knowledge explains the subsidiary’s growth.
A More Efficient Method for Synthetic Textile Fiber Analysis Using Polarized Light Microscopy
Authors: Reffner John A. , Kammrath Brooke W. , Kaplan Samuel
Published: December 2019

The efficiency of conventional polarized light microscopy (PLM) methods for analyzing synthetic fiber evidence analyses is improved. Historically, using PLM for fiber identification relied on measuring refractive index. This prior PLM technology is reliable, but it is not efficient. Most fibers are optically anisotropic, having two principal refractive index values, N(High) and N(Low). When the fiber is mounted in intermediate refractive index medium, efficiency is improved by observing the change in contrast while the polarized light’s vector is rotated relative to the fiber’s axis. Minimum contrast occurs when the refractive indices of the mounting medium and fiber are equal. This angle of equality is determined by orienting the fiber’s highest refractive index parallel to the polarized light’s electric field vector, rotating the fiber or polarizing element, observing minimum contrast and measuring the angle of equality. This method is rapid, reduces remounting fibers in different mounting media and provides a quantitative measure for fiber comparisons.
Lymphoedema rates in pedicled anterolateral thigh flaps for coverage of irradiated groin defects
Authors: Fuzzard Sibon K. , Mah Eldon , Choong Peter F. M. , Grinsell Damien
Published: December 2019

Background

Limb salvage surgery in conjunction with adjuvant radiotherapy is the preferred treatment for soft tissue sarcoma. This study aims to determine if ipsilateral pedicled anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap reconstruction of groin defects post soft tissue sarcoma resection results in acceptable rates of lymphoedema, while also providing good soft tissue cover and minimal donor site morbidity.

Methods

A retrospective chart audit was conducted with ethics approval, obtaining a case series of 16 patients operated on at a single institution by the senior surgeon. Patients who underwent ipsilateral pedicled ALT flap coverage of irradiated groin defects following soft tissue sarcoma resection were included. Comparative six‐point limb circumference measurements were utilized to diagnose lymphoedema, with a difference of 10% when compared to the non‐operative side being deemed significant.

Results

Lymphoedema was noted in three patients (18.8%) with an average follow‐up period of 40.9 (range 8–59) months.

Conclusion

Previously published lymphoedema rates in sarcoma limb salvage surgery of 15.5–30% are comparable to the rates obtained in this cohort. Lymphoedema rates do not appear to be higher in patients undergoing ipsilateral pedicled ALT flap reconstruction, thus making it a useful soft tissue coverage technique in this cohort.
Realities of offering advice to governments on CITES
Authors: Aylesworth Lindsay , Foster Sarah J. , Vincent Amanda C.J.
Published: December 2019

What happens when those who provide conservation advice are required to take policy and management action based on that advice? Conservation advocates and scientists often try to prompt regulatory change that has significant implications for government without facing the challenge of managing such change. Through a case study, we placed ourselves in the role of the government of Thailand, facing obligations to seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). These obligations include ensuring that its exports of seahorses do not damage wild populations. We applied a CITES‐approved framework (which we developed) to evaluate the risks of such exports to 2 seahorse species. We used the framework to evaluate the pressures that put wild populations of the species at risk; whether current management mitigates the risk or offsets these pressures; and whether the species is responding as hoped to management policy. We based our analysis on information in published and grey literature, local knowledge, citizen science data, results of government research, and expert opinion. To meet CITES obligations, exports of both species would need to be prohibited until more precautionary adaptive management emerged. The risk of any exports of Hippocampus trimaculatus was above a tolerable level because of a lack of appropriate management to mitigate risks. In contrast, the risk of any exports of Hippocampus kuda could become tolerable if monitoring were put in place to assess the species’ response to management. The process we developed for Authorities to determine risk in response to CITES guidelines was challenging to implement even without the need for government to consider social implications of conservation action. Despite the imperfections of our risk evaluation, however, it still served to support adaptive management. Conservationists need to keep implementation in mind when offering advice.
Fetal surgical intervention for myelomeningocele: lessons learned, outcomes, and future implications
Authors: Danzer Enrico , Joyeux Luc , Flake Alan W , Deprest Jan
Published: December 2019

Fetal myelomeningocele (fMMC) closure (spina bifida aperta) has become a care option for patients that meet inclusion criteria, but it is clear that fetal intervention, while improving outcomes, is not a cure. This review will: (1) focus on the rationale for fMMC surgery based on preclinical studies and observations that laid the foundation for human pilot studies and a randomized controlled trial; (2) summarize important clinical outcomes; (3) discuss the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of recent developments in fetal surgical techniques and approaches; and (4) highlight future research directions. Given the increased risk of maternal and fetal morbidity associated with prenatal intervention, accompanied by the increasing number of centres performing interventions worldwide, teams involved in the care of these patients need to proceed with caution to maintain technical expertise, competency, and patient safety. Ongoing assessment of durability of the benefits of fMMC surgery, as well as additional refinement of patient selection criteria and counselling, is needed to further improve outcomes and reduce the risks to the mother and fetus.

What this paper adds

High‐quality prospective studies are needed to broaden the indication for fetal surgery in the general myelomeningocele population.

Innovative minimally invasive approaches have had promising results, yet lack comprehensive and robust experimental or clinical evaluation.

Important information to help families make informed decisions regarding fetal surgery for myelomeningocele is provided.
Right ventricular mechanics and exercise capacity in patients with microvascular angina: The impact of microvascular function
Authors: Mahfouz Ragab A. , Gouda Mohammad , Arab Mohamed
Published: December 2019

Objectives

We planned to assess the right ventricular mechanics in subjects with typical chest pain and angiographically normal coronary arteries (microvascular angina [MVA]) and to search for an association between right ventricular mechanics, coronary flow reserve, and exercise tolerance.

Methods

Seventy‐one patients with MVA (mean age of 48.5 ± 7.9 years, 63% female) and 30 healthy control subjects were recruited. Right ventricular mechanics were calculated utilizing speckle tracking imaging. The exercise capacity was assessed by metabolic equivalents (METs). Coronary flow reserve (CFR) was calculated as the ratio between hyperemic (in response to intravenous adenosine) diastolic peak flow velocity and the basal diastolic peak velocity.

Results

Coronary flow reserve (a surrogate marker of microvascular dysfunction) was diminished in MVA patients compared with the control group (2.41 ± 0.35 vs 3.35 ± 0.5; P < .03). Patients with lower right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) and right ventricular global longitudinal strain rate (RVGLSr) had a considerably lower CFR (P < .001) and a significantly lower MET (P < .001) than patients with normal RV mechanics. Right ventricular global longitudinal strain and RVGLSr were significantly correlated with both CFR and METs in subjects with MVA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that RVGLS ≤ −14.5 was the best cutoff value for the prediction of impaired exercise tolerance in patients with MVA.

Conclusion

We suggested that impaired right ventricular mechanics in subjects with microvascular angina was associated with reduced exercise capacity. Moreover, right ventricular mechanics is significantly correlated with coronary flow reserve. Henceforth, right ventricular mechanics might be of value for both risk stratification and follow‐up in cases with microvascular dysfunction.
Trust, regulation, and contracting institutions
Authors: Cline Brandon N. , Williamson Claudia R.
Published: December 2019

This paper demonstrates that trust directly influences contracting efficiency. We document that trust reduces demand for contract regulation and positively relates to a high‐quality contracting environment, supporting a substitution hypothesis. Furthermore, contract regulation no longer leads to poor contracting outcomes. These findings suggest that lack of trust significantly explains inefficient contracting institutions. Based on interaction effects, we note that trust could complement formal enforcement in countries with weak regulation. As regulation increases, trust substitutes for contract regulation. Overall, trust positively promotes efficient contracting by reducing burdensome regulation and providing an alternative to formal contract enforcement.
BAX inhibitor‐1: between stress and survival
Authors: Lebeaupin Cynthia , Blanc Marina , Vallée Déborah , Keller Harald , Bailly‐Maitre Béatrice
Published: December 2019

Cellular gatekeepers are essential to maintain order within a cell and anticipate signals of stress to promote survival. BCL2 associated X, apoptosis regulator (BAX) inhibitor‐1 (BI‐1), also named transmembrane BAX inhibitor motif containing‐6, is a highly conserved endoplasmic reticulum (ER) transmembrane protein. Originally identified as an inhibitor of BAX‐induced apoptosis, its pro‐survival properties have been expanded to include functions targeted against ER stress, calcium imbalance, reactive oxygen species accumulation, and metabolic dysregulation. Nevertheless, the structural biology and biochemical mechanism of action of BI‐1 are still under debate. BI‐1 has been implicated in several diseases, including chronic liver disease, diabetes, ischemia/reperfusion injury, neurodegeneration, and cancer. While most studies have demonstrated a beneficial role for BI‐1 in the ubiquitous maintenance of cellular homeostasis, its expression in cancer cells seems most often to contribute to tumorigenesis and metastasis. Here, we summarize what is known about BI‐1 and encourage future studies on BI‐1's contribution to cellular life and death decisions to advocate its potential as a target for drug development and other therapeutic strategies.
Regional patterns of pastoralist migrations under the push of reduced precipitation in imperial China
Authors: Pei Qing , Li Guodong , Winterhalder Bruce P. , Lowman Margaret
Published: December 2019

Aim

As a response of pastoralists to climate change, nomadic migration deeply shaped Chinese history during the imperial era. Existing research on climate‐driven nomadic migration is conducted mainly on a national–continental scale. To advance the current work, we aim to resolve migratory movements at a provincial–regional scale using a large and long‐term historical dataset as a first attempt. The spatio‐temporal features of nomadic migration under climatic effects, specifically precipitation, are analysed in the theoretical context of behavioural ecology.

Location

China.

Time

Imperial era (220 BC–1910 AD).

Study subject

Nomadic pastoralist minorities in imperial China.

Methods

We frame the analysis using an ideal free distribution model. A total of 1,842 historical location records of pastoralist immigration are empirically examined. Precipitation anomalies and nomadic migration are statistically assessed with nonparametric and Poisson regression methods, and temporal interdependencies among provincial–regional migratory movements are explored with a vector autoregressive model.

Results

We divide imperial China into six regions according to statistical results and geographic factors. Overall, decreased precipitation and drought provoked pastoralist migrations in a north‐to‐south direction. Northern nomads, with an apparent preference for central China as a major destination, triggered the most conflicts with resident agriculturalists. Nomads originating from the Tibetan minority regions moved north‐eastward into Qinghai Province as their main destination.

Main conclusions

Long‐term regional patterns of pastoralist migration are closely associated with drought‐induced ecological change in imperial China. Climate‐driven dynamics assessed with long‐term historical data facilitate the understanding of climate–ecology–society interactions in behavioural ecology and macroecology. Moreover, findings from imperial China may imply that cultural acceptance and communications could avoid conflicts between immigrants and original residents when facing mass migration, an issue of growing contemporary urgency in many parts of the world.
DTSGUI: A Python Program to Process and Visualize Fiber‐Optic Distributed Temperature Sensing Data
Authors: Domanski Marian , Quinn Daven , Day‐Lewis Frederick D. , Briggs Martin A. , Werkema Dale , Lane John W.
Published: December 2019

Fiber‐optic distributed temperature sensing (FO‐DTS) has proven to be a transformative technology for the hydrologic sciences, with application to diverse problems including hyporheic exchange, groundwater/surface‐water interaction, fractured‐rock characterization, and cold regions hydrology. FO‐DTS produces large, complex, and information‐rich datasets. Despite the potential of FO‐DTS, adoption of the technology has been impeded by lack of tools for data processing, analysis, and visualization. New tools are needed to efficiently and fully capitalize on the information content of FO‐DTS datasets. To this end, we present DTSGUI, a public‐domain Python‐based software package for editing, parsing, processing, statistical analysis, georeferencing, and visualization of FO‐DTS data.
Nurse staffing models in medical‐surgical units of acute care settings: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Assaye Ashagre Molla , Wiechula Richard , Schultz Timothy J. , Feo Rebecca
Published: December 2019

Background

Nurse staffing models have been developed across different countries to address nursing shortages and improve quality of nursing care. However, there is no published study that describes nurse staffing models in Ethiopian hospitals.

Aims

To describe the existing staffing models for nursing practice in acute care units of two hospitals (one public and one private) in Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted from July to December 2018. A self‐administered questionnaire was used to collect data such as shift patterns, hours worked, and number of patients cared for per shift. Unit‐level data on nurse staffing were collected using a checklist developed specifically for this study.

Results

Fifty‐nine percent (59.9%) of participants reported that they worked six or seven days per week. On average, they worked 50 hours per week and 12% working over 60 hours per week. The number of patients they provided care for during their last shift ranged from four to 45 with an average of 13 patients.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that nurses working in acute care settings in Ethiopia are typically working more than 40 hours per week and caring for many patients per shift, which has the potential to impact patient safety.
Youth‐oriented active labour market policies and economic crisis: Explaining policy effort in Greece and Portugal
Authors: Kougias Konstantinos
Published: December 2019

The starting point of this study is the implementation of seemingly similar youth‐oriented labour market policies in Greece and Portugal. Both countries have suffered high youth unemployment rates and have been pressured to restructure their labour market as part of the rescue programmes adopted during the European sovereign debt crisis. Despite convergence in terms of policy trajectories, there is a significant divergence in employment outcomes. In Portugal, youth‐oriented policies were better‐targeted and structured. Their implementation has been more effective and has involved the social partners from the outset of the crisis. In Greece, policy design failures, administrative weaknesses and unfavourable macroeconomic conditions have limited the dynamics of youth‐oriented policies thus increasing youth insecurity. Τhe analysis suggests that convergence in policy content can be compatible with divergence in terms of outcomes.
Dl‐3n‐butylphthalide improves traumatic brain injury recovery via inhibiting autophagy‐induced blood‐brain barrier disruption and cell apoptosis
Authors: Wu Fangfang , Xu Ke , Xu Kebin , Teng Chenhuai , Zhang Man , Xia Leilei , Zhang Kairui , Liu Lei , Chen Zaifeng , Xiao Jian , Wu Yanqing , Zhang Hongyu , Chen Daqing
Published: December 2019

Blood‐brain barrier (BBB) disruption and neuronal apoptosis are important pathophysiological processes after traumatic brain injury (TBI). In clinical stroke, Dl‐3n‐butylphthalide (Dl‐NBP) has a neuroprotective effect with anti‐inflammatory, anti‐oxidative, anti‐apoptotic and mitochondrion‐protective functions. However, the effect and molecular mechanism of Dl‐NBP for TBI need to be further investigated. Here, we had used an animal model of TBI and SH‐SY5Y/human brain microvascular endothelial cells to explore it. We found that Dl‐NBP administration exerts a neuroprotective effect in TBI/OGD and BBB disorder, which up‐regulates the expression of tight junction proteins and promotes neuronal survival via inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis. The expressions of autophagy‐related proteins, including ATG7, Beclin1 and LC3II, were significantly increased after TBI/OGD, and which were reversed by Dl‐NBP treatment both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, rapamycin treatment had abolished the effect of Dl‐NBP for TBI recovery. Collectively, our current studies indicate that Dl‐NBP treatment improved locomotor functional recovery after TBI by inhibiting the activation of autophagy and consequently blocking the junction protein loss and neuronal apoptosis. Dl‐NBP, as an anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidative drug, may act as an effective strategy for TBI recovery.
Building on the Greenbook: A Perpetrator Pattern‐Based Approach to Improve Child Welfare’s Response to Domestic Violence
Authors: Mandel David , Wright Claire
Published: December 2019

The Greenbook Initiative has acted as a catalyst for change across the United States and globe. In this article, the authors discuss how the Greenbook has shaped the environment related to perpetrator accountability in child welfare, how a paradigm shift in work with fathers can advance domestic violence‐informed practice, and how a perpetrator pattern‐based approach, as exemplified by the Safe & Together Model, can help advance the vision of the Greenbook.
Introduction of highly effective proactive food safety management programs into food distribution channels: For safe food labeling and safe advertisements
Authors: Park Jong Myong , Kim Jong Mun , Hong Ji Won , Ghim Sa‐Youl
Published: December 2019

This study introduces a proactive management strategy in food distribution channels and measures its effectiveness quantitatively. Experts conducted 5,131 assessments of 3,390 products based on a food safety assessment criteria checklist. Three on‐site audits at the point of sales without prior interventions showed nonconformance of 5.19, 5.74, and 6.22%. Then, prior interventions were conducted thrice in the contract stages, and corrective actions were recommended to food manufacturers. The research team verified the corrective actions’ adequacy and approved contract volume production. After distribution, on‐site evaluation showed that conformity increased to 91.74%. This study confirmed that the safety of labeling and advertising of food products supplied to distribution channels, which act as a bottleneck of food distribution, can be managed efficiently and improved through proactive management programs, and it also identified an optimal timing for intervention.