bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling risk governance and risk perception in personal prevention with regard to food safety issues
Authors: Zhang Huan , Gao Na , Wang Yean , Han Yixuan
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to model how risk governance (RG) influences risk prevention behaviors toward food safety issues, considering the perception of related risks in the Taiwanese context.

Design/methodology/approach

The national representative data on risk society modules from the Taiwan Social Change Survey data were used (sample size = 2,005). The procedure for the analysis consisted of investigation of the model fit indices of structural equation modeling, incorporating the mediation effect. Multiple-group analysis was used to examine the moderation effects.

Findings

Results show that the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the advanced TRA can accurately explain personal risk perception (RP) (R2=0.40) and risk prevention (R2=0.42). Results also suggest that RG institutions can affect personal RP and risk prevention through subjective norms. In addition, moderation effects of media and gender were found.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first attempts to examine the RG effects on RP and risk prevention behavior of food safety issues in Taiwan. The results and findings may be helpful for RG institutions.
The problem of heterogeneity between protected geographical indications: a meta-analysis
Authors: Leufkens Daniel
Published: October 2018

Purpose

For a long time the European geographical indication (GI) regulation has been of great interest to economists and policymakers. To justify exclusive European regulation it is necessary to prove the positive value of a GI quality signal (i.e. label), which is often achieved by quantifying its monetary value for the consumers. But even though a large number of literary contributions already deal with this question, they lack the evaluation of overall effect sizes for the GI label. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to quantify and evaluate the overall marginal consumer willingness to pay for the European GI label.

Design/methodology/approach

To reach this aim, a meta-analysis is used for which a literature survey had been carried out in order to determine the GI label effects (LEs). In addition to previous works, this paper not only includes a meta-analysis, but also implements a heterogeneity analysis to distinguish between the LEs of individual GI standards. To eliminate study- and product-specific determinants of heterogeneity, moderator variables are used.

Findings

The empirical results indicate that consumers have a highly significant and positive marginal willingness to pay for GIs. However, the marginal willingness to pay differs significantly between the individual GI standards and indicates great heterogeneity between the protected products.

Originality/value

As an extension to previous studies and meta-analysis; this paper includes the most extensive GIs meta-data set so far, and conducts for the first time an independent heterogeneity analysis to distinguish between the LEs of individual GI standards and implements a moderator analysis to eliminate study- and product-specific determinants of heterogeneity from the GI effects.
Heat generating porous matrix effects on Brownian motion of nanofluid
Authors: Zehforoosh Aydin , Hossainpour Siamak , Rashidi Mohammad Mehdi
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to indicate the effect of mounting heat generating porous matrix in a close cavity on the Brownian term of CuO-water nanofluid and its impact on improving the Nusselt number.

Design/methodology/approach

Because of the presence of heat source in porous matrix, couple of energy equations is solved for porous matrix and nanofluid separately. Thermal conductivity and viscosity of nanofluid were assumed to be consisting of a static component and a Brownian component that were functions of volume fraction of the nanofluid and temperature. To explain the effect of the Brownian term on the flow and heat fields, different parameters such as heat conduction ratio, interstitial heat transfer coefficient, Rayleigh number, concentration of nanoparticles and porous material porosity were investigated and compared to those of the non-Brownian solution.

Findings

The Brownian term caused the cooling of porous matrix because of rising thermal conductivity. Mounting the porous material into cavity changes the temperature distribution and increases Brownian term effect and heat transfer functionality of the nanofluid. Besides, the effect of the Brownian term was seen to be greatest at low Rayleigh number, low-porosity and small thermal conductivity of the porous matrix. It is noteworthy that because of decrement of thermal conduction in high porosities, the impact of Brownian term drops severely making it possible to obtain reliable results even in the case of neglecting Brownian term in these porosities.

Originality/value

The effect of mounting the porous matrix with internal heat generation was investigated on the improvement of variable properties of nanofluid.
The effects of self-regulated learning and cognitive load on beginning to watch and completing video lectures at a cyber-university
Authors: Hughes Christopher , Costley Jamie , Lange Christopher
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The paper aims to examine the effect of levels of self-regulated effort (SRE) and levels of cognitive load on the watching and completing of video lectures used as the main source of instruction in online learning environments.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey provided data on the students’ engagement with video lectures, their level of SRE and the level of cognitive load they perceived while watching video lectures. The relationships between these variables and statistical significance were analyzed.

Findings

There were three key findings: a positive relationship between SRE and both watching and completing lectures; a negative relationship between SRE and perceptions of existing cognitive load; and students in different demographic groups watched fewer lectures, experienced higher cognitive load and reported lower levels of SRE.

Research limitations/implications

Implications of this study are that video lecture creation would benefit from the development of best practices, consideration of students’ levels of self-regulation, minimization of extraneous load and individual differences among groups of students. Limitations are the context-specific nature of the findings and the fact that data were drawn from self-reported survey responses, meaning they are subjective in nature.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in its investigation of relationship between SRE, cognitive load and video lecture viewership. No research of this topic could be found during the literature review. Findings are of value to those interested in reaping increased levels of video lecture viewership by showing elements that will encourage engagement, satisfaction and better transmission of instruction.
Effects of exchange rate and income on the US bilateral trade with China under Chinese managed floating exchange rate system
Authors: Wang Yongqing
Published: October 2018

Purpose

China’s exchange rate system remains a public concern. This paper aims to investigate the effects of the appreciation of the US dollar (or depreciation of Chinese Yuan) under China’s “managed floating exchange rate system” on the US bilateral trade deficit with China, the US exports to China and the US imports from China.

Design/methodology/approach

The author uses quarterly data from 2005Q3 to 2017Q3 and applies autoregressive distributed lags model to carry out the empirical analysis.

Findings

The results suggest that both the US and Chinese income are important determinants of the US bilateral trade deficit with China, the US exports to China and the US imports from China. Further, the appreciation of the US dollar with respect to Chinese currency may discourage the US exports to China, but will not considerably promote the US imports from China in the long run. Finally, the appreciation of the US dollar does not contribute significantly to the US trade deficit with China in the long run.

Originality/value

Policymakers may want to pay attention to the results of currency depreciation on bilateral trade flows and trade balance in both the short and the long run. The results are different. Policymakers may also want to keep the following in mind: both the US and Chinese income are vital factors of bilateral trade balance, exports and imports.
Size premium, value premium and market timing: evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Rashid Syed Haroon , Sadaqat Mohsin , Jebran Khalil , Memon Zulfiqar Ali
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the market timing strategy in different market conditions (i.e. up, down, normal and in-financial-crisis situation) in the emerging market of Pakistan over the period 1995 to 2015. Furthermore, this study tests the validity of the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) and Fama and French model.

Design/methodology/approach

This study considers monthly stock returns of 167 firms and constructs six different portfolios on the basis of different size and book to market ratio. The Treynor and Mazuy model is used to capture the market timing strategy.

Findings

The results indicate evidence of the market timing in normal market conditions. However, there is less supportive evidence of market timing in up-market, down-market and in-financial-crisis situations. This study also confirms the validity of the capital asset pricing model and Fama and French three-factor model with strong support of value premium and size premium in the stock market.

Practical implications

The findings of this study are helpful to companies in estimating the cost of issuing equity more accurately. The investors can use market timing to make their investment in a more better and profitable manner.

Originality/value

Unlike other previous studies, this study considers an extended period to test the validity of the capital asset pricing model and Fama and French model. In addition, this study is novel in testing the marketing timing of the firms in the context of emerging economy of Pakistan.
Perspective-varying effects of peripheral knowledge in IT outsourcing: when vendor and client are collated
Authors: Shim Seonyoung , Lee Jung , Kim Sojung
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to examine how the role of peripheral knowledge changes along with the perspectives of vendor and client in inter-organizational IT outsourcing. To this end, this study tests the effects of the peripheral knowledge of vendors and clients on IT outsourcing performance under three different combinations of performance-assessing views from both parties.

Design/methodology/approach

To contrast the effects of the peripheral knowledge of vendors and clients based on their views, this study collects matching data on 107 projects from both parties. The survey method is adopted to measure the peripheral knowledge levels of vendors and clients and IT outsourcing success. The associations between peripheral knowledge and IT outsourcing performance are then assessed when the views match, cross and agree to a certain level.

Findings

The peripheral knowledge of vendors plays a more significant role than that of clients in most IT outsourcing cases. Moreover, the agreement between the peripheral knowledge of vendors and clients shows a moderating effect only when the performance is assessed by clients than by vendors.

Originality/value

This study contrasts the peripheral knowledge of vendors and clients by altering performance-assessing views in IT outsourcing. This study also rationalizes why the peripheral knowledge of vendors is more important than that of clients, as well as explains whose perspective is more significant when the performance is assessed.
Knowledge management and value creation in the post-crisis banking system
Authors: Campanella Francesco , Derhy Armand , Gangi Francesco
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate the existence of a relationship between the knowledge creation process and competitive advantage in the banking system. The framework of knowledge creation processes adopted in this research is the spiral of knowledge proposed by Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995). The concept of competitive advantage is limited to the measurement of economic value by adopting methods that compare the financial performance of the banks with related markets. The objective of this research is to answer the following research question: Which factors of the spiral of knowledge are relevant for increasing a bank’s economic value?

Design/methodology/approach

The sample used for this empirical research is composed of 960 banks operating in 24 countries. The sample was analyzed from 2012 to 2015 and includes 3,840 observations. Regarding the methodology, hypothesis demonstration was carried out using a panel analysis (generalized least squares regression) on a set of variables.

Findings

The results show that Nonaka and Takeushi’s spiral of knowledge has a positive influence on value creation in the banking system. However, not all factors of the four modalities of converting tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge and vice versa have a positive influence on the economic value of banks. Therefore, by excluding factors that have a negative influence or are not significant, it is possible to formulate an empirical model that illustrates the relationship between the spiral of knowledge and the economic value of banks.

Originality/value

There is a lack of studies on the knowledge creation process in the banking system because most of the research is geographically limited, and empirical tests are performed on small samples. Second, generally, these studies are limited to the relationship between intellectual capital and bank performance measured by accounting ratios. However, intellectual capital is only one component of the broader concept of knowledge. This research uses a large and geographically diverse sample and studies the relationship between the spiral of knowledge and economic value, which is measured by various financial techniques.
Woodward’s aegis: a critical biography of Joan Woodward
Authors: Garrity Caroyln , Liguori Eric W. , Muldoon Jeff
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to offer a critical biography of Joan Woodward, often considered the founder of contingency theory. This paper examines Woodward’s background to develop a more complete understanding of the factors that influenced her work.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on insights gained from personal correspondence with two colleagues of Woodward, one who recruited her to the Imperial College where she conducted her most prominent work and one whom she recruited while at the college. In addition, Woodward’s original work, academic literature, published remembrances and a plethora of other secondary sources are reviewed.

Findings

By connecting these otherwise disparate sources of information, a more complete understanding of Woodward’s work and its context is provided. It is argued that Woodward’s education, training, brilliance, values, the relative weakness of British sociology and the need to improve the economy helped to make Woodward’s work both original and practical.

Originality/value

The originality of this work is to examine the work of Woodward through the lens of critical biography. Despite Woodward’s contributions, Woodward remains an underappreciated figure. The purpose is to provide her contribution against the backdrop of the British industrial and educational sphere.
Entrepreneurs’ personal values and CSR orientations: evidence from SMEs in Zambia
Authors: Choongo Progress , Paas Leo Jasper , Masurel Enno , van Burg Elco , Lungu John
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between entrepreneurs’ personal values and corporate social responsibility (CSR) orientations among small- and medium-sized enterprises in a developing country, Zambia.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through questionnaires. Two linear regression models were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Self-transcendence values have a significant positive influence on socially oriented CSR but do not influence environmentally oriented CSR. Self-enhancement values do not affect social and environmental CSR orientations. Conservation values have a marginally positive influence on environmentally oriented CSR but no influence on socially oriented CSR. Finally, openness to change has a significant positive influence on environmentally orientated CSR but no influence on socially oriented CSR.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study relates to the sector from which the sample was drawn, other predictors of CSR orientations, use of cross-sectional data, and the replication of this study to validate its findings.

Practical implications

The findings inform policy-makers, scholars, educators, and regulators on the importance of aligning personal values with environmental and social concerns, thereby influencing entrepreneurs’ CSR orientations for the well-being of society and the natural environment.

Originality/value

This paper shows the influence of personal values on CSR orientations among entrepreneurs in a hardly researched Sub-Saharan Africa country.
Antecedents of relationship between customer and organization developed through social networking sites
Authors: Kujur Fedric , Singh Saumya
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose a theoretical model of how content-related factors, social factors and perceptual factors influence consumer engagement in brand social networking sites (SNSs) pages and further how consumer engagement behavior influences the customer–organization relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used an online and offline questionnaire to conduct empirical research and collected and analyzed data of 430 samples by using the structural equation modeling approach.

Findings

The result showed that all three factors, i.e. content-related factors, social factors and perceptual factors, had positive influence on consumer engagement. Further, the result also showed a positive influence of consumer engagement on the customer–organization relationship. Another important thing the study found was that social media users mostly engage in consuming the content and contributing.

Research limitations/implications

This study has considered one popular SNS: Facebook. As the usage purpose and features of different SNSs vary, the future research should be directed by taking other popular SNSs, such as Twitter and LinkedIn, to gain a broader insight of consumer engagement on other brand SNS pages. Further, the present study has stressed on the exploring the quality of customer–organization relationship as the major outcome of consumer engagement on brand SNS pages. Therefore, the future study should be directed toward measuring the relationship between consumer engagement and other important outcomes, such as brand advocacy behaviors, positive word-of-mouth behaviors and brand loyalty.

Practical implications

This paper suggests strategies for consumer engagement through SNSs, especially Facebook advertisements. First, the study has identified content-related factors, social factors and perceptual factors which will help the managers to set strategies for engaging new and prospective consumers on brand SNS pages. Second, it also describes how the online activities of consumers on brand SNS pages strengthen the relationship between customer and organizations. This conception will definitely help marketing managers to develop quality relationship with their existing and new customers.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study is that it attempts to explore the combined effect of content-related factors, social factors and perceptual factors on consumer engagement and also explores the nature and specific types of engagement behavior on brand SNS pages.
The relevance of teacher factors in understanding tertiary students’ performances
Authors: Nkrumah Maame Afua
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This study aims to find out the relevance of observable teacher characteristics – age, gender, teaching experience and qualification in understanding the performance of tertiary students.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was taken. The input-process–output-context framework by Schereens (2004) was used in selecting appropriate variables for the study. Students’ examination results and other administrative records as well as data collected via teacher survey were analyzed using multilevel statistical techniques. Overall, 40 teachers and over 1,800 students were involved in the study.

Findings

The effect of the selected teacher variables was mixed. For example, while female teachers impacted negatively on first semester Communication Skills (CS1), their effect on the same course during the second semester was positive. Also, teachers with teaching experiences between five and eight years impacted negatively on CS1 but positively on first semester Computer Literacy (CL1).

Research limitations/implications

Even at the tertiary level, the teacher factor is an important variable influencing student performance. However, a contextualized interpretation of the findings is emphasized considering the fact that only one Ghanaian Polytechnic was studied.

Practical implications

The study provides a starting point for building a body of evidence that would inform policymakers, quality assurance practitioners and Polytechnic staff alike of possible approaches, methodologies and variables to focus on in ensuring internal quality.

Social implications

The study would help the studied Polytechnic to direct its resources to areas that can practically improve educational quality and society in general.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the debate about quality in African higher education given that studies that use the value-added approach in examining institutional effectiveness in the African context are almost non-existent.
A modified LBM for non-Newtonian effect of cement paste flow in 3D printing
Authors: Wu Weiwei , Huang Xiaodiao , Li Yuanyuan , Fang Chenggang , Jiang Xianhui
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The screw extruder is applied in cement-three-dimensional (3D) printing. The cement paste flow in 3D printing is the typical Herschel–Bulkley fluid. To understand the flow in the channel, the improved lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

For Herschel–Bulkley flow, an improved LBM is presented to avoid the poor stability and accuracy. The non-Newtonian effect is regard as a special forcing term. The Poiseuille flow is taken to discuss the detailed process of the method. With the method, the analytical solution and numerical solution are obtained and compared. Then, the effect of the initial yield stress on the numerical solution is both explored by the shear-thickening fluid and the shear-thinning fluid. Moreover, the variations of the relative errors under different lattice nodes and different power-law indexes are analyzed. Finally, the method is applied into the simulation of the flow in the extruder of cement-3D printing.

Findings

The results show that the improved method is effective for Herschel–Bulkley fluids, which can simulate the flow in the extruder stably and accurately.

Practical implications

The simulation can contribute to understand the cement paste flow in the screw extruder, which helps to optimize the structure of the extruder in the following periods.

Originality/value

The improve method provide a new way to analyze the flow in the extruder of cement-3D printing. Also, in the past research, LBM for Herschel–Bulkley fluid is ignored, whereas the study can provide the reference for the numerical simulation.
The influence of knowledge management practices on e-government success
Authors: Abu-Shanab Emad , Shehabat Issa
Published: October 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the perceived influence of knowledge management (KM) practices on the success of e-government initiatives. This paper proposes a framework depicting the overall perspective of the interactions between the environment and KM practices and associated processes in the context of e-government.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework was built to set the stage for empirical analysis, which included four major constituents: IT infrastructure, administrative issues, KM practices and e-government projects success. A sample of 181 civil servants completed a survey measuring the factors included in the research model. Structural equation modeling technique was used to test the model.

Findings

Results have identified IT infrastructure and administrative issues as significant predictors of e-government projects’ success, where the relationship was mediated by KM practices. The model explained 52.7 per cent of the variance in e-government success.

Research limitations/implications

Governments need to enforce policies to encourage KM practices and make available the needed infrastructure for such environment. The sample size and the new Arabic survey used in the study are the major limitations, where more research is encouraged to validate the instrument and generalize the findings to different environments.

Originality/value

This study is the first in Jordan, and one of the few that related e-government to KM practices by proposing a comprehensive model that sums the factors related to such relationship. Its value stems from its sample of public employees and the support of its proposed framework.
Who is in Control? Brexit and the Westminster Model
Authors: Baldini Gianfranco , Bressanelli Edoardo , Massetti Emanuele
Published: October 2018

This article provides a preliminary assessment of the impact of the Brexit process—from the June 2016 referendum to June 2018—on the British political system. Drawing on the classic work of Arend Lijphart and the ensuing scholarship applying the Westminster model to Britain, it seeks to understand whether and to what extent Brexit has impacted on the majoritarian features of the system. Adapting Lijphart's criteria, it focuses on the electoral‐party dimension, the executive–legislative relations and the territorial power‐sharing arrangements. It argues that Brexit has brought to light several intertwined tensions that had been brewing inside British politics over the course of a number of years, and which are likely to continue unfolding for several years to come. Even if emerging trends tend to be fragile, complex, even contradictory, and the current uncertainty makes any long(er)‐term assessment futile, recent developments appear to signal a possible strengthening of the executive over the legislature and of the central over the devolved administrations, thus consolidating the majoritarian traits of the British political system.
A post‐liberal theory of stratification
Authors: Jackson Michelle , Grusky David B.
Published: October 2018

The iconic ‘liberal theory’ of stratification fails to attend to the many types of downward mobility and wage loss generated by late‐industrial stratification systems. Although the liberal theory and its close cousins assume that loss and failure will be interpreted in individualistic terms, recent developments suggest instead that they are generating solidary groups that are increasingly locked into zero‐sum contest and successfully mobilized by politicians and other norm entrepreneurs. These developments imply a Marxisant future for late‐industrial inequality that bears scant resemblance to the highly individualized, unstructured, and non‐conflictual stratification system envisaged by the liberal theory. We outline a new post‐liberal theory of stratification that better captures the forces making for change and resistance in late‐industrial societies.
In situ Study on the Diffusion Kinetics of Seal Ink by Microinfrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Li Kai‐kai
Published: October 2018

In document examination, it is of great importance to determine the composition of seal ink with different imprint times, and spectroscopic methods are widely used today. In this research, the diffusion of seal inks from three different brands on the same type of paper is monitored in situ by microinfrared spectroscopy and microinfrared imaging technology. The area of the absorption peak at 1743 cm−1 gradually decreases with increasing diffusion time. The diffusion kinetics of seal ink on paper are also studied by analyzing the infrared spectra of seal inks at the same measuring point with different diffusion times. The research provides a basic study in understanding the diffusion behavior of seal ink on paper over short time spans.
Bleeding and thrombosis in intensive care patients with thrombocytopenia—Protocol for a topical systematic review
Authors: Jonsson Andreas Bender , Rygård Sofie Louise , Russell Lene , Perner Anders , Møller Morten Hylander
Published: October 2018

Background

Thrombocytopenia is a common condition in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). It is associated with prolonged stay in the ICU, increased transfusion requirements, risk of bleeding and mortality. The evidence regarding the use of prophylactic platelet transfusion and thrombosis prophylaxis in patients with thrombocytopenia in the ICU is unknown. To direct future research, we aim to assess the current evidence regarding prophylactic platelet transfusion and thrombosis prophylaxis on patient‐important benefits and harms in the ICU population.

Methods

We will conduct a topical systematic review of all study designs (ie no study design will per se be excluded from the proposed review) in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) statements. We will include studies on adult patients in the ICU where the incidence of thrombocytopenia and the predefined outcome measures, including mortality, quality‐of‐life, thrombotic events and haemorrhagic events are reported. We will provide descriptive analyses of the included studies/trials, ie no meta‐analyses will be conducted, and the quality of evidence will be assessed according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

Conclusion

The outlined topical systematic review will provide important data on the benefits and harms of prophylactic platelet transfusion and thrombosis prophylaxis in ICU patients with thrombocytopenia and provide estimates on the rate of thrombocytopenia in this vulnerable population.
Aerosolized corticosteroids to prevent postoperative sore throat in adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kuriyama Akira , Maeda Hirokazu , Sun Rao
Published: October 2018

Background

Postoperative sore throat negatively affects patient recovery and satisfaction levels. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of aerosolized corticosteroids in the prevention of postoperative sore throat in adults undergoing tracheal intubation for surgery.

Methods

We searched Medline, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for eligible studies from inception to 13 May 2018. We included randomized controlled trials that assessed the efficacy and safety of aerosolized corticosteroids, compared either with non‐analgesic or analgesic controls, in adults undergoing tracheal intubation for surgery. Incidence and severity of sore throat 24 hours postoperatively and adverse events were the primary outcomes.

Results

Nine randomized controlled trials involving 984 patients were included. Compared with non‐analgesic control, aerosolized corticosteroids were associated with a reduced incidence (risk ratio [RR], 0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26‐0.58) and were likely associated with decreased severity (standardized mean difference [SMD], −0.96; 95% CI, −2.52, 0.59) of postoperative sore throat. Among these, four trials reported that there were no adverse events. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) suggested that the evidence on the incidence of postoperative sore throat, in comparison with the non‐analgesic control, was not definitive (TSA‐adjusted CI, 0.07‐1.98). The GRADE quality of evidence on each outcome was very low.

Conclusions

Aerosolized corticosteroids may be superior to non‐analgesic methods in preventing postoperative sore throat, but the evidence for efficacy and safety is still limited and not definitive.
Seed set in Sorghum stipoideum, and not fire, determines the timing of breeding by Gouldian finches (Erythrura gouldiae)
Authors: Weier Anna , Radford Ian J. , Bellairs Sean M. , Lawes Michael J.
Published: October 2018

Seeds of native grasses are an important food source for granivorous finches throughout the tropical savannas of northern Australia. The iconic Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae), a threatened species endemic to these savanna grasslands, relies almost exclusively on the grass seeds of annual Sorghum spp. when breeding, and appears to time breeding with the availability of these seeds. Fire is common throughout the savanna grasslands of northern Australia and has the potential to alter Sorghum spp. seed germination and plant reproductive phenology which in turn could alter the Gouldian finch breeding phenology window. This study examines if the temporal relationship between breeding by Gouldian finches in the north‐east Kimberley region of Australia relates to fire and Sorghum stipoideum seed phenology. The availability of S. stipoideum seed was monitored at Gouldian finch breeding sites in association with local fire history and Gouldian finch breeding data. The effect of experimental fire (heat and smoke) on S. stipoideum seed dormancy and germination was also investigated. We found that the first heavy rainfalls preceded germination of S. stipoideum in November/December. Synchronous seed set by S. stipoideum plants the following March/April coincided with the start and duration of the Gouldian finch breeding season. The timing of dry season fires had no relationship with seed dormancy or the phenology of seed germination and seed set. Nor did the effects of smoke or heat affect seed dormancy and germination. These findings support the importance of the seed phenology of annual grass species, such as S. stipoideum, to breeding Gouldian finches, and also suggest that the occurrence of fire at a breeding site in the previous year does not alter the S. stipoideum seed or finch breeding window. The implications of these results for threatened Gouldian finch ecology and management are discussed in relation to previously published fire impacts on S. stipoideum seed nutrition and finch breeding site selection.
Jellyfish‐like sonographic pattern can help recognition of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Report of 3 new cases and review of the literature
Authors: Rodríguez Bandera Ana Isabel , Moreno Bonilla Gilberto , Feito Rodríguez Marta , Beato Merino María José , de Lucas Laguna Raúl
Published: October 2018

High‐frequency ultrasonography (HFUS) can help improve dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) recognition. We present three cases of DFSP in which a “jellyfish‐like” sonographic pattern was a useful adjunct in formulating the diagnosis. In addition, we review all DFSP ultrasound images available in the literature.
Neomyogenesis in 3D Dynamic Responsive Prosthesis for Inguinal Hernia Repair
Authors: Amato Giuseppe , Romano Giorgio , Puleio Roberto , Agrusa Antonino , Goetze Thorsten , Gulotta Eliana , Gordini Luca , Erdas Enrico , Calò Piergiorgio
Published: October 2018

Despite undisputed improvements, prosthetics hernia repair continues to be affected by unacceptable rates of complications. Postoperative adverse events such as discomfort and chronic pain represent a subject of increasing concern among the surgical community. Poor quality biologic response, stiff scar plates, and mesh shrinkage, a typical effect of conventional static meshes and plugs, are all indicated as the main reasons for many of the complications related to inguinal hernia repair. Even the conventional concept of treatment based upon a supposed reinforcement of the groin consequent to the fibrotic incorporation of meshes, would appear to be inadequate in the light of the latest scientific evidence concerning the degenerative genesis of inguinal hernia. Following these recent studies, a newly conceived 3D dynamically responsive implant has been developed. It concerns a multilamellar shaped prosthesis, intended to be placed fixation‐free to obliterate the hernia defect. This 3D structure has already demonstrated to induce a probiotic biological response with development of viable tissue, instead of the fibrotic plaque typical of conventional meshes. Newly formed elastic fibers, neo‐angiogenesis, and neo‐nerve genesis in a surrounding of well perfused connective tissue are the typical elements of the biologic response in the newly conceived implant. In addition to these elements, muscle fibers have also been detected in the implant structure. The aim of this research was to determine the ingrowth of muscle fibers in the implant by assessing the quantity and quality of muscle development in the short, medium, and long term post‐implantation. Histological examination of biopsy samples excised from patients who underwent dynamic hernia repair with the 3D dynamic implant showed the presence of muscular elements that in the short term could be described as multiple spots of myocytes in the early stage of development. Over the mid‐ to long‐term, muscle fibers increased in number and level of maturation, assuming the typical aspect of standard muscle bundles in the final phase. Effectively, long term, myocytes histologically evidenced the distinctive arrangement of the muscle structure, with nuclei and striated elements being similar to normal muscle elements. The development of this highly specialized connective tissue in the 3D dynamic responsive implant seems to document the finalization of an enhanced biologic response leading to the ingrowth of typical tissue components of the groin. Reverting degenerative pathogenesis into effective regeneration recognized in the newly conceived 3D prosthesis would appear to represent a significant concept change in the repair of inguinal hernias.
Correlation between corneal and retinal neurodegenerative changes and their association with microvascular perfusion in type II diabetes
Authors: Hafner Julia , Karst Sonja , Sacu Stefan , Scholda Christoph , Pablik Eleonore , Schmidt‐Erfurth Ursula
Published: October 2018

Purpose

The pathophysiology of diabetic neurodegeneration and microvasculopathy remains controversial. Neurosensory layer thickness and corneal nerve fibre loss represent potential biomarkers of neuropathy. The purpose of this cross‐sectional study was to determine the correlation between these neurodegenerative features and their association with retinal microvascular integrity in patients with type II diabetes without retinopathy.

Methods

Nerve fibre length (NFL), density (NFD) and branch density (NBD) were assessed using corneal confocal microscopy. Spectralis optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used for peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), and macular RNFL, ganglion cell (GCL), inner plexiform (IPL) and inner nuclear layer (INL) thicknesses. Parafoveal vessel density (PVD) was determined using OCT angiography.

Results

We analysed 118 eyes of 61 patients. Peripapillary RNFL, macular RNFL, GCL, IPL and INL were 101 ± 8, 29 ± 3, 43 ± 4, 36 ± 3 and 36 ± 3 μm. NFL, NFD and NBD were 12.3 ± 4.4 mm/mm2, 17.8 ± 7.4/mm2 and 26.7 ± 15.2/mm2. Corneal nerve fibre variables were neither associated with inner retinal thicknesses nor PVD. A significant positive correlation was found between macular GCL, IPL and peripapillary RNFL with deep capillary plexus PVD (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that corneal and retinal neurodegeneration are independent changes early in type II diabetes and that distinct retinal, but not corneal neurodegenerative features, are associated with retinal microvascular perfusion.
Long‐distance interaction in Urartu?: Provenance and composition of copper alloys from Ayanis, Turkey
Authors: Batmaz A. , Lehner J. W. , Dardeniz G.
Published: October 2018

The paper analyses tin bronze weaponry found at the first‐half‐of‐the‐seventh‐century‐BCE Urartian fortress in the Lake Van region of eastern Turkey. Examples of finely manufactured artefacts provide evidence for the consumption of high‐quality bronzes in a well‐defined elite context. This study tests for the presence or absence of long‐distance procurement of the raw materials used to produce status objects. The results of quantitative elemental and lead isotope abundance ratio analyses show that the bronzes were produced with varying copper tin alloys, and the copper was procured from several possible locations, including Anatolia and Cyprus.
Genetic diversities and population structures of four popular Myanmar local cattle breeds
Authors: Lwin Moe , Mon Su Lai Y. , Yamanaka Hayate , Nagano Yukio , Mannen Hideyuki , Faruque Mohammad O. , Kawabe Kotaro , Okamoto Shin , Shimogiri Takeshi
Published: October 2018

Local cattle breeds are popular in Myanmar because they make excellent draught animals, so it is of fundamental importance that their genetic diversities and population structures are elucidated for breeding and conservation purposes. In this study, we characterized the genetic diversities and population structures of four popular Myanmar local cattle breeds and five native cattle populations from neighboring countries (Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam) using the GGP Bovine 50K array. The mean observed and expected heterozygosity estimates using pruned datasets ranged from 0.317 and 0.322, respectively, in Cambodia to 0.448 and 0.421, respectively, in Vietnam South. The four Myanmar local breeds exhibited similar levels of genetic diversity. However, AMOVA revealed significant genetic differentiation among the nine populations (p < 0.00001), and Neighbor‐Net analysis showed that Shan Ngwar Pu was distinct from the other Myanmar local breeds. Furthermore, PCA and population structure analyses revealed that the native cattle from neighboring countries genetically influenced the Myanmar local breeds to some extent and that the genetic origins could also be observed in the local breeds. These findings highlight the importance of Myanmar local breeds as genetic resources and provide useful information for the future development of breeding strategies and conservation management plans.
Pattern and prognostic value of FLT3‐ITD mutations in Chinese de novo adult acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Liu Song‐Bai , Qiu Qiao‐Cheng , Bao Xie‐Bing , Ma Xiao , Li Hong‐Zhi , Liu Yue‐Jun , Chen Su‐Ning , Song Yao‐Hua , Wu De‐Pei , Xue Sheng‐Li
Published: October 2018

FMS‐like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is one of the most frequently mutated genes in hematological malignancies. FLT3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3‐ITD) mutations located in juxtamembrane domain (JMD) and tyrosine kinase domain 1 (TKD1) regions account for two‐thirds of all FLT3 mutations. The outcome of patients remains unsatisfactory, with low survival rates. It is not yet known whether the different mutations within the FLT3 gene are all associated with patient outcome. In addition, the cause of FLT3‐ITD in‐frame duplication events remains unknown. Although there are some published studies investigating the FLT3‐ITD mutation and its clinical implications in Chinese acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, sample sizes tend to be small and detailed molecular profiles of FLT3 mutations are lacking in these studies. In our study, 227 FLT3‐ITD sequences were analyzed from 227 Chinese de novo AML patients. ITD were next classified into 3 types based on molecular profiles of insertion DNA sequences: DNA complete duplication (type I), DNA partial duplication (type II) and complete random sequence (type III). From the 154 patients, we confirmed that high ITD allelic ratio (≥.5) and allogeneic stem cell transplant treatment under CR1 are independent prognostic factors. We also presented evidence that ITD integration sites in the hinge region or beta1‐sheet region are an unfavorable prognostic factor in adult AML patients with FLT3‐ITD mutations. These findings may help to decipher the mechanisms of FLT3‐ITD in‐frame duplication events and stratify patients when considering different therapeutic combinations.
Adult Learning and Language Simplification
Authors: Atkinson Mark , Smith Kenny , Kirby Simon
Published: October 2018

Languages spoken in larger populations are relatively simple. A possible explanation for this is that languages with a greater number of speakers tend to also be those with higher proportions of non‐native speakers, who may simplify language during learning. We assess this explanation for the negative correlation between population size and linguistic complexity in three experiments, using artificial language learning techniques to investigate both the simplifications made by individual adult learners and the potential for such simplifications to influence group‐level language characteristics. In Experiment 1, we show that individual adult learners trained on a morphologically complex miniature language simplify its morphology. In Experiment 2, we explore how these simplifications may then propagate through subsequent learning. We use the languages produced by the participants of Experiment 1 as the input for a second set of learners, manipulating (a) the proportion of their input which is simplified and (b) the number of speakers they receive their input from. We find, contrary to expectations, that mixing the input from multiple speakers nullifies the simplifications introduced by individuals in Experiment 1; simplifications at the individual level do not result in simplification of the population's language. In Experiment 3, we focus on languageuseas a mechanism for simplification, exploring the consequences of the interaction between individuals differing in their linguistic competence (as native and non‐native speakers might). We find that speakers who acquire a more complex language than their partner simplify their language during interaction. We ultimately conclude that adult learning can result in languages spoken by more people having simpler morphology, but that idiosyncratic simplifications by non‐natives do not offer a complete explanation in themselves; accommodation—by comparatively competent non‐natives to less competent speakers, or by native speakers to non‐natives—may be a key linking mechanism.