bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of barriers in the adoption of halal certification: a fuzzy DEMATEL approach
Authors: Khan Shahbaz , Khan Mohd Imran , Haleem Abid
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Higher level of customer satisfaction for halal products can be achieved by the effective adoption of halal certification through assessment and accreditation (HCAA). There are certain issues that seem detrimental towards the adoption of HCAA. The purpose of this paper is to identify the major barriers towards the adoption of HCAA and evaluate inter-relationships among them for developing the strategies to mitigate these barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

The barriers towards the adoption of HCAA are identified through an integrative approach of literature review and expert’s opinion. The inter-relationship among the identified barriers is evaluated using fuzzy-based decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (fuzzy DEMATEL) technique, which categorises them into influential and influenced group.

Findings

The evaluation of inter-relationship among barriers using fuzzy DEMATEL indicates four influencing barriers and six influenced barriers towards the adoption of HCAA. Further, findings suggest an extensive government, and management support is vital in terms of commitment, resources and actions to realise the benefits attributed with HCAA.

Research limitations/implications

The inter-relationship among barriers is contextual and based on the perception of experts which may be biased as per their background and area of expertise. This study pertains to a specific region and can be extended to the generalised certification system.

Originality/value

The empirical base of the research provides the inter-relationship among the barriers towards the adoption of HCAA which can be effectively used as input in the decision-making process by producers, manufacturers and distributor. The policy maker can analyse the cause group and effect group of barriers to formulate policies that would help in the adoption of HCAA.
Integrating fuzzy case-based reasoning and discrete-event simulation to develop a decision support system for part-fixture assignment and fixture flow control
Authors: Kasie Fentahun Moges , Bright Glen
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This study aims to propose a decision support system (DSS) that performs a decision-based part-fixture assignment and fixture flow control in planned production periods.

Design/methodology/approach

The principal approaches were fuzzy case-based reasoning (FCBR) and discrete-event simulation (DES). Besides, the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP), an object-oriented (OO) method and a fuzzy weighted Euclidean distance were used to support the decision-making process.

Findings

It shows that integrating FCBR and DES systems is a promising approach to address part-fixture planning problems. The FCBR subsystem proposed various stable numbers of fixtures as scenarios. The DES model analyzed the future performances of these scenarios and identified the best alternative.

Research limitations/implications

The DSS was tested in laboratory environments using a numerical analysis; however, it was not validated in industrial situations.

Originality/value

The synergy of integrating FCBR and DES systems was not exploited in the past in part-fixture assignment and fixture flow control problems.
Improving the quality of mobile government services in the Gulf Cooperation Council
Authors: Alsaadi Meiaad Rashid , Ahmad Syed Zamberi , Hussain Matloub
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to provide a concrete, integrated plan to improve the service quality of mobile government (m-government) services from the customer perspective in the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was used to analyze a case study of the UAE Ministry of Interior (MOI) mobile application and a competitor: the MOI application of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a focus group.

Findings

Results show that the technical requirement “real time” has the highest priority for deployment and “tangible service” has the lowest priority.

Research limitations/implications

Findings are limited to m-government services. Further studies could explore other government services such as traditional face-to-face services.

Practical implications

Results imply that if government decision-makers or software developers aim to understand customer requirements and improve their mobile services accordingly, the quality-function-deployment (QFD) approach is much more effective than traditional approaches in which decisions regarding services are prioritized based on the decision-makers or software developers’ perspectives.

Originality/value

Many previous studies have applied QFD for developing products based on customer needs. This, however, is one of the few studies to successfully apply the QFD matrix to m-government services.
Enhancing customer knowledge: the role of banks in financial well-being
Authors: Losada-Otalora Mauricio , Valencia Garcés Carlos Augusto , Juliao-Rossi Jorge , Donado Pedro Mario , Ramírez F. Efraín
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of banks in enhancing consumer knowledge aiming to increasing customer’s financial well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

This research applied two quantitative studies with customers of banks in a Latin American country. The literature review and the results of the data analysis founded the development of a model that relates bank information transparency and subjective financial well-being through consumer financial knowledge.

Findings

By being transparent banks may transform the financial well-being of their customers. Particularly, this paper shows that consumer financial knowledge mediates the relationship between bank information transparency and the subjective financial well-being of individuals. However, the mediational effect occurs by subjective but not objective financial knowledge.

Research limitations/implications

The mediational model of this research does not take in consideration the role that individual factors play in the exposition and processing of the information provided by banks and its final impact on the subjective well-being of individuals. Also, this paper does not explore potential moderators of the theoretical relationships neither include cultural variables in the analysis.

Originality/value

Firm transparency has been related to various constructs in the marketing literature; however, its impact on consumer financial well-being is under-researched. This paper shows that companies need to aim to increase the subjective financial knowledge of their customers as a way to improve ultimate well-being of their customers.
Feedbacks link ecosystem ecology and evolution across spatial and temporal scales: Empirical evidence and future directions
Authors: Ware Ian M. , Fitzpatrick Connor R. , Senthilnathan Athmanathan , Bayliss Shannon L. J. , Beals Kendall K. , Mueller Liam O. , Summers Jennifer L. , Wooliver Rachel C. , Van Nuland Michael E. , Kinnison Michael T. , Palkovacs Eric P. , Schweitzer Jennifer A. , Bailey Joseph K.
Published: December 2018

Unifying ecosystem ecology and evolutionary biology promises a more complete understanding of the processes that link different levels of biological organization across space and time. Feedbacks across levels of organization link theory associated with eco‐evolutionary dynamics, niche construction and the geographic mosaic theory of co‐evolution.

We describe a conceptual model, which builds upon previous work that shows how feedback among different levels of biological organization can link ecosystem and evolutionary processes over space and time. We provide empirical examples across terrestrial and aquatic systems that indicate broad generality of the conceptual framework and discuss its macroevolutionary consequences.

Our conceptual model is based on three premises: genetically based species interactions can vary spatially and temporally from positive to neutral (i.e. no net feedback) to negative and drive evolutionary change; this evolutionary change can drive divergence in niche construction and ecosystem function; and lastly, such ecosystem‐level effects can reinforce spatiotemporal variation in evolutionary dynamics. Just as evolution can alter ecosystem function locally and across the landscape differently, variation in ecosystem processes can drive evolution locally and across the landscape differently.

By highlighting our current knowledge of eco‐evolutionary feedbacks in ecosystems, as well as information gaps, we provide a foundation for understanding the interplay between biodiversity and ecosystem function through an eco‐evolutionary lens.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Phytochemical changes in milkweed induced by elevated CO2 alter wing morphology but not toxin sequestration in monarch butterflies
Authors: Decker Leslie E. , Soule Abrianna J. , de Roode Jacobus C. , Hunter Mark D.
Published: December 2018

Environmental change has the potential to influence trophic interactions by altering the defensive phenotype of prey.

Here, we examine the effects of a pervasive environmental change driver, elevated atmospheric concentrations of CO2 (eCO2), on toxin sequestration and flight morphology of a specialist herbivore.

We fed monarch butterfly larvae, Danaus plexippus, foliage from four milkweed, Asclepias, species of varying chemical defence profiles grown under either ambient or eCO2. We also infected a subset of these herbivores with a protozoan parasite, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha, to understand how infection and environmental change combine to alter herbivore defences. We measured changes in phytochemistry induced by eCO2 and assessed cardenolide, toxic steroid, sequestration and wing morphology of butterflies.

Monarchs compensated for lower plant cardenolide concentrations under eCO2 by increasing cardenolide sequestration rate, maintaining similar cardenolide composition and concentrations in their wings under both CO2 treatments. We suggest that these increases in sequestration rate are a by‐product of compensatory feeding aimed at maintaining a nutritional target in response to declining dietary quality under eCO2.

Monarch wings were more suitable for sustained flight (more elongated) when reared on plants grown under eCO2 or when reared on Asclepias syriaca or Asclepias incarnata rather than on Asclepias curassavica or Asclepias speciosa. Parasite infection engendered wings less suitable for sustained flight (wings became rounder) on three of four milkweed species. Wing loading (associated with powered flight) was higher on A. syriaca than on other milkweeds, whereas wing density was lower on A. curassavica. Monarchs that fed on high cardenolide milkweed developed rounder, thinner wings, which are less efficient at gliding flight.

Ingesting foliage from milkweed high in cardenolides may provide protection from enemies through sequestration yet come at a cost to monarchs manifested as lower quality flight phenotypes: rounder, thinner wings with lower wing loading values.

Small changes in morphology may have important consequences for enemy evasion and migration success in many animals. Energetic costs associated with alterations in defence and morphology may, therefore, have important consequences for trophic interactions in a changing world.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
R&D intensity of investment across Europe before and after the crisis
Authors: Censolo Roberto , Colombo Caterina
Published: December 2018

In this paper we investigate the comovements between the R&D intensity of private investment and GDP growth in different European Union (EU) areas over the period 1999–2014. Our empirical analysis shows that only core countries display a common countercyclical mechanism leading to an increased intensity of R&D over prolonged downturns. The lack of an effective countercyclical pattern of R&D intensity over the evolution of GDP growth in periphery countries makes this area highly vulnerable to persistent recessions, with potentially harmful consequences for long‐term growth. For recent EU members the evidence of acyclicality should be evaluated in the light of the catching‐up process still at work in this area. Our analysis suggests that any successful EU innovation policy should not disregard the potential divergence in R&D performance due to the dispersion of the countercyclical properties of the investment intensity in productivity enhancing activities in the different EU areas.
The impact of minimum wages and foreign domestic workers in Taiwan
Authors: Wang Chieh‐Hsuan , Chung Chien‐Ping , Hwang Jen‐Te
Published: December 2018

The purpose of setting the minimum wage is mainly to protect the rights and interests of vulnerable workers and to enhance productivity of labour. In this paper, an attempt has been made to explore the effect of the upwards adjustment of the minimum wage in Taiwan on the inflation rate, the unemployment rate, labour productivity, economic growth and other macroeconomic variables by means of an analysis of empirical data using a structural vector auto‐regressive model. The findings of the paper show that upwards adjustment of the minimum wage in Taiwan will not intensify the unemployment rate. On the contrary, it will help to promote labour productivity to an extent that will have a positive effect on the economic growth rate. In addition, this paper investigates, long‐term care system should incorporate the foreign domestic worker labour pool, which could provide the additional personnel necessary for the nation's long‐term care. Minimum wage should apply to foreign domestic workers, and foreign domestic workers should not be treated as a separate group of workers in minimum wage policy.
The UK's Participation in Global Value Chains and Its Implications for Post‐Brexit Trade Policy
Authors: IJtsma Pieter , Levell Peter , Los Bart , Timmer Marcel P.
Published: December 2018

The aim of this paper is to provide quantitative information about the position of the UK in the network of global value chains (GVCs) and to discuss its implications for the UK's post‐Brexit trade policy. We find that the UK has become much less integrated into global production networks than other EU countries over the period 2000–14, and is almost unique among EU countries in that the domestic content of its exports increased over this period. This reflects the relatively high and growing domestic service content in UK exports. As a result of this, reducing the UK's tariffs on imported goods is unlikely to have a large direct effect on the average export competitiveness of UK firms. Potentially more significant for the UK is how future trade barriers with the EU are likely to affect its participation in cross‐country value chains that meet final demand in markets in North America and East Asia. Such indirect exports are not captured in conventional trade statistics and can only be analysed using a GVC approach. Our findings suggest that the UK will benefit only to a limited extent from bilateral trade agreements with countries outside the EU (a ‘Global Britain’ strategy) if it gives up its role in the supply chains that service these countries via the EU hub.
Integrating trauma registry data into real‐time patient care
Authors: O'Reilly Gerard , Fitzgerald Mark
Published: December 2018

Trauma and other disease registries have been used to improve patient care and outcomes at the system level. Paradoxically, registries have had little role in informing the care of any individual patient while that care is being determined and delivered. The lack of timeliness of useful data is a major barrier to the value of registries in improving individual patient care real‐time. What do trauma and emergency care providers require from their trauma registries to inform real‐time patient‐tailored improvements in trauma care? Research is urgently needed to improve the usefulness of disease registries, and to develop innovative processes and applications using patient data to inform patient care real‐time, thereby improving patient outcomes.
Self‐Curation, Self‐Editing and Audience Construction by Eighteenth‐Century Scots Vernacular Poets
Authors: Brown Rhona
Published: December 2018

This article analyses paratextual and self‐editing practices in the work of three eighteenth‐century Scots vernacular poets: Allan Ramsay, Robert Fergusson and Robert Burns. Taking the theories of paratext articulated by Gerard Genette and J. Hillis Miller as its starting‐point, the article considers the varying ways in which these three poets fashioned their own literary personae and, simultaneously, their audience, through prefaces, footnotes and glossing practice. It also explores the relationship between the three poets, analysing the ways in which Burns learned from both Ramsay and Fergusson, and how each navigated his place as poet in the literary market‐place.
Understanding American Power: Conceptual Clarity, Strategic Priorities, and the Decline Debate
Authors: Quinn Adam , Kitchen Nicholas
Published: December 2018

What does it mean for the United States to be powerful? The prospect of a decline in American power, especially relative to a rising China, has attracted considerable scholarly and political attention. Despite a wealth of data, disagreements persist regarding both the likely trajectory of theUS‐China balance and the most effective strategy for preserving America's advantage into the future. This article locates the source of these enduring disputes in fundamental conceptual differences over the meaning of power itself. We map the distinct tracks of argument within the decline debate, showing that competing positions are often rooted in differences of focus rather than disputes over fact. Most fundamental is a divide between analyses dedicated to national capabilities, and others that emphasise mechanisms of relational power. This divide underpins how strategists think about the goal of preserving or extending American power. We therefore construct a typology of competing understandings of what it means for America to be powerful, to show that a strategy suited to bolstering American power according to one definition of that goal may not support, and may even undermine, American power understood in other ways.
Revealing Corporate Financial Misreporting
Authors: Curtis Quinn D. , Donelson Dain C. , Hopkins Justin J.
Published: December 2018

This study examines how frequently firms restate when they materially misstate their financial statements using stock option backdating as the setting. Stock option backdating provides a unique opportunity to study this issue because it is possible to estimate misstatements with publicly available information to a high level of confidence, and the extensive media coverage of backdating notified boards of directors of the significant risk of misstatement. After identifying firms that materially misstated earnings due to stock option backdating with 95 percent (99 percent) probability, we find that only 11.5 percent (16.1 percent) of these firms subsequently restated. Restating firms are larger, have greater board independence, higher litigation risk and ROA, a lower market‐to‐book ratio, less discretionary accruals, and are more likely to have a CFO that was not involved in backdating. Restating firms are also more likely to disclose other adverse news, face securities litigation, and turn over the CFO than firms that appear to materially backdate but do not restate. Since nearly 9 of 10 firms failed to restate, our results give pause to researchers who use restatements as an indicator of misreporting, and to regulators who levy penalties on those who do self‐report.
Genetic variations and population data on five supplementary STR markers in Lebanon
Authors: El Andari Ansar , Mourad Lama , Mansour Issam
Published: December 2018

Population representative short tandem repeat (STR) allele frequencies are crucial for proper probabilistic interpretation of DNA forensic evidence. STR allele frequencies also provide information about the genetic diversity of a given population. The Lebanese population is characterized by the presence of more than 18 religious communities that have high recorded rates of endogamous and consanguineous marriages, where the choice of marriages is mainly influenced by their respective geographical distributions and religious affiliation. These factors could have led to an increase in complex DNA cases, whereby high numbers of STR markers are needed to help clear the case. Allele frequencies for 23 STR loci in the Lebanese population were recently estimated and published. The present study aims at estimating the STR allele frequencies for five supplementary STRs, namely, the LPL, F13B, FESFPS, F13A01, and Penta C STR markers, which are mainly used to resolve complex kinship investigations. A DNA database representative of the Lebanese population that comprises 505 Lebanese unrelated individuals was used to amplify the five STR systems, using the CS7 kit released by Promega. The allele frequencies for these STR systems were estimated, and a significant departure from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was detected after Bonferroni correction for multiple tests at locus LPL, F13A01, and Penta C. The newly added systems appeared to have variation in their discriminative power among Lebanese individuals. Penta C showed the highest power of discrimination, whereas FESFPS showed the lowest power of discrimination. The estimated frequencies and population data could provide local DNA relationship testing laboratories with additional tools that help resolve complex DNA cases.
The Trichoscopy Derived Sinclair Scale: Enhancing visual assessment through quantitative trichoscopy
Authors: Kasprzak Michal , Sicińska Justyna , Sinclair Rodney
Published: December 2018

Introduction

The Sinclair Scale of hair midline density is commonly used in clinical dermatology practice as a tool to evaluate the severity of female pattern hair loss (synonym androgenetic alopecia, AGA) and to monitor patient response to treatment. The Sinclair Scale involves a visual evaluation of central hair parting line width, that is performed quickly and with no optical instrumentation. Another approach used to score severity of hair loss is quantitative trichoscopy. While quantitative trichoscopy is more accurate in terms of reproducibility and objectivity, it is more time‐consuming.

Materials and Methods

Patients with different stages of AGA were evaluated using both the Sinclair Scale and quantitative trichoscopy. A correlation analysis was performed between the Sinclair Scale and different parameters derived from statistical analysis of trichoscopy images. A novel parameter, cumulative hair thickness density was introduced.

Results

Very good correlation was observed between Sinclair Scale and the cumulative hair thickness density. The quality of correlation is sufficient to estimate Sinclair Scale from cumulative hair thickness density. A formula to calculate the ‘Trichoscopy Derived Sinclair Scale’ from trichoscopy statistics was derived.

Discussion

We propose the term ‘Trichoscopy Derived Sinclair Scale’ to describe the hair midline density as derived from trichoscopy and to differentiate this assessment of midline hair density from the traditional one based on visual inspection alone.
The multidisciplinary management of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) within a single tertiary centre: A ten‐year experience
Authors: Yasin Nooraishah , Slade Laura , Atkinson Elinor , Kennedy‐Andrews Sue , Scroggs Steven , Grivell Rosalie
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) covers a spectrum of placental adherence abnormalities: placenta accreta, increta and percreta. PAS is associated with significant maternal morbidity and mortality. Studies have shown the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork in the management of PAS.

Aim

This study was designed to describe the maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality associated with PAS in our centre over a ten‐year period.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of pregnancies complicated by PAS between February 2006 and January 2016 at Flinders Medical Centre (FMC), South Australia. Electronic and medical records were examined to obtain patient demographics, antenatal and surgical, findings and postnatal outcomes.

Results

There were 67 PAS cases with an overall incidence of 2.3 per 1000 deliveries. Three cases were excluded due to incomplete information. Of the remaining 64 cases, 56 women were antenatally diagnosed. Sixty cases were confirmed to be invasive at delivery; 28 accreta (superficial) and 32 increta/percreta (deep) cases. The four cases with no invasion at delivery were suspected antenatally to have PAS. The median (Q1, Q3) number of caesarean sections in this cohort was 2 (1, 3). Deep invasion is significantly associated with increased bleeding, intensive care unit admission, surgical complications and an extended postpartum stay.

Conclusion

The incidence of PAS at FMC is high as it is the state's tertiary referral centre. While PAS is associated with increased morbidity, thorough perioperative planning by a multidisciplinary team is crucial for excellent patient outcomes.
“Solidarity is our weapon”: Social Mobilisation in Scotland in the Contest of the Post‐Political Condition
Authors: Mocca Elisabetta , Osborne Stephen
Published: December 2018

The consensual climate of the post‐political order has been recently disrupted in Europe. The mass protests staged in different European countries and the resurgences of the extreme parties in response to the multiple European crises witness the “cracks” in consensual politics. While much of the scholarly attention has been drawn onto the socio‐political implications of large‐scale upraises, the contribution of bottom‐up sub‐national groups to the “return of the political” has been under‐researched. Therefore, this article focuses on sub‐national grassroots groups as instances of the “properly political” (Swyngedouw 2009, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research 33[3]:601–620). It is contended that these groups, by putting in place acts of solidarity, are “agonistic” political forms, containing in nuce the potential to counteract the post‐political order and to shape a new politics. To interrogate this argument, the article reports the findings of a case study analysis involving four grassroots groups based in Scotland.
Boys and girls differ in symptoms and neurodevelopmental outcome after perinatal metabolic acidosis, a population‐based study
Authors: Hafström Maria , Salvesen Øyvind , Kjellmer Ingemar
Published: December 2018

Aim

To evaluate sex differences in infants born at term with metabolic acidosis with regard to perinatal health and symptomatology, and developmental outcome.

Methods

From a population‐based cohort of infants born at term (n = 14 687), 78 were prospectively identified as having metabolic acidosis at birth. Two matched controls per case were selected. Sex differences in perinatal characteristics and in neurodevelopmental outcome at 6.5 years of age were analysed. Subgroup analysis was made based on need of neonatal care and planned follow‐up.

Results

Acidotic boys who appeared healthy, that is with no need of specialised neonatal care respectively only followed at ordinary health care service, have worse perinatal symptoms and less favourable neurodevelopmental outcome compared to girls. The male disadvantage concerning neurodevelopmental outcome was also indicated in children without acidosis. Outcome at 6.5 years was associated with Apgar at 10 minutes (p = 0.03), need of neonatal care (p = 0.04) and sex (p = 0.02) but not acidosis per se (p = 0.54).

Conclusion

Sex affected immediate symptomatology in term acidotic infants and neurodevelopmental outcome at the age of 6.5 years. The findings were seen in those who appeared healthy in the neonatal period. The results suggest that sex should be considered in assessment of acidotic children.
Implementation of discharge recommendations in type 1 diabetes depends on specialist nurse follow‐up
Authors: Tiberg I , Hansson H , Hallström I , Carlsson A
Published: December 2018

Aim

This paper presents an implementation study following previous research including a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of hospital‐based home care (HBHC), referring to specialist care in a home‐based setting. The aim was to evaluate whether the effects sustained when rolled out into wider practice.

Methods

In 2013–2014, 42 children newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes were included in the study at a university hospital in Sweden and followed for two years. Measurements of child safety, effects of services, resource use and service quality were included. Descriptive statistics were used to present the results and then discussed in relation to the same intervention ofHBHCpreviously evaluated in anRCT.

Results

Shorter in‐hospital stay was partially implemented but increased support after discharge by the diabetes nurse was not. The results indicated that the implementedHBHCwas equally effective in terms of child outcomes two years from diagnosis but less effective in terms of parents’ outcome. The results furthermore indicated that the quality of services decreased.

Conclusion

The suggested overall conclusion was that the implementedHBHCservices were safe but had become less effective, at least in relation to theHBHCprovided under controlled circumstances.
Population pharmacokinetics of oral ivermectin in venous plasma and dried blood spots in healthy volunteers
Authors: Duthaler Urs , Suenderhauf Claudia , Karlsson Mats O. , Hussner Janine , Meyer zu Schwabedissen Henriette , Krähenbühl Stephan , Hammann Felix
Published: December 2018

Aims

The anthelminthic ivermectin is receiving new attention as it is being repurposed for new indications such as mass drug administrations for the treatment of scabies or in malaria vector control. As its pharmacokinetics are still poorly understood, we aimed to characterize the population pharmacokinetics of ivermectin in plasma and dried blood spots (DBS), a sampling method better suited to field trials, with special focus on the influence of body composition and enterohepatic circulation.

Methods

We performed a clinical trial in 12 healthy volunteers who each received a single oral dose of 12 mg ivermectin, and collected peripheral venous and capillary DBS samples. We determined ivermectin concentrations in plasma and DBS by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry using a fully automated and scalable extraction system for DBS sample processing. Pharmacokinetic data were analysed using non‐linear mixed effects modelling.

Results

A two‐compartment model with a transit absorption model, first‐order elimination, and weight as an influential covariate on central volume of distribution and clearance best described the data. The model estimates (inter‐individual variability) for a 70 kg subject were: apparent population clearance 7.7 (25%) l h−1, and central and peripheral volumes of distribution 89 (10%) l and 234 (20%) l, respectively. Concentrations obtained from DBS samples were strongly linearly correlated (R2 = 0.97) with plasma concentrations, and on average 30% lower.

Conclusion

The model accurately depicts population pharmacokinetics of plasma and DBS concentrations over time for oral ivermectin. The proposed analytical workflow is scalable and applicable to the requirements of mass drug administrations.
Deficits in frontoparietal activation and anterior insula functional connectivity during regulation of cognitive‐affective interference in bipolar disorder
Authors: Ellard Kristen K. , Gosai Aishwarya K. , Felicione Julia M. , Peters Amy T. , Shea Conor V. , Sylvia Louisa G. , Nierenberg Andrew A. , Widge Alik S. , Dougherty Darin D. , Deckersbach Thilo
Published: December 2018

Objectives

Bipolar disorders (BD) are characterized by emotion and cognitive dysregulation. Mapping deficits in the neurocircuitry of cognitive‐affective regulation allows for potential identification of intervention targets. This study used functional MRI data in BD patients and healthy controls during performance on a task requiring cognitive and inhibitory control superimposed on affective images, assessing cognitive and affective interference.

Methods

Functional MRI data were collected from 39 BD patients and 36 healthy controls during performance on the Multi‐Source Interference Task overlaid on images from the International Affective Picture System (MSIT‐IAPS). Analyses examined patterns of activation in a priori regions implicated in cognitive and emotional processing. Functional connectivity to the anterior insula during task performance was also examined, given this region's role in emotion‐cognition integration.

Results

BD patients showed significantly less activation during cognitive interference trials in inferior parietal lobule, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, anterior insula, mid‐cingulate, and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex regardless of affective valence. BD patients showed deviations in functional connectivity with anterior insula in regions of the default mode and frontoparietal control networks during negatively valenced cognitive interference trials.

Conclusions

Our findings show disruptions in cognitive regulation and inhibitory control in BD patients in the presence of irrelevant affective distractors. Results of this study suggest one pathway to dysregulation in BD is through inefficient integration of affective and cognitive information, and highlight the importance of developing interventions that target emotion‐cognition integration in BD.
The development of Messenger bots for teaching and learning and accounting students’ experience of the use thereof
Authors: Schmulian Astrid , Coetzee Stephen A.
Published: December 2018

This study reports on the development of two Messenger bots, designed to facilitate the learning of introductory and intermediate accounting. The Messenger bots were developed using a visual development environment that requires no coding knowledge. A thick description of the development of the Messenger bots is provided to encourage replication. It is submitted that instructors, rather than programmers, should take ownership of developing Messenger bots for teaching and learning. Preliminary exploration of the students’ satisfaction yielded positive results. Suggestions are made for specific applications of Messenger bots in teaching and learning and for further research exploring the use of Messenger bots in teaching and learning.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Mobile instant messaging (MIM) applications (apps) have potential to facilitate effective social constructivist‐based collaborative learning.

Students extensively use MIM apps.

There is reluctance from instructors to engage in after hours MIM student consultation.

Messenger bots can deliver content on demand, using inter alia text, images and video, and the effective use thereof in teaching and learning has not yet been explored.

What this paper adds

Instructors, without coding knowledge, are enabled to develop Messenger bots for teaching and learning.

Social constructivist‐based suggestions for specific teaching and learning applications of Messenger bots are provided.

Preliminary evidence suggests students positively experienced the use of Messenger bots in their learning.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Messenger bots may support instruction in large classes.

Messenger bots may be suited to supplemental instruction rather than replacing face‐to‐face instruction.

Specific teaching and learning applications of Messenger bots should be implemented and the effectiveness thereof explored.
ON THE PROFITABILITY OF RESALE PRICE MAINTENANCE WHEN DEMAND IS UNCERTAIN
Authors: Wang Hao
Published: December 2018

A previous study finds that in a market where a manufacturer faces uncertain demand and sells to consumers through competitive retailers, the manufacture wishes to support adequate retail inventories by imposing resale price maintenance (RPM). I show that if retail inventories are allocated to consumers throughfirst‐come‐first‐servedrule rather thanefficient rationingrule in the game with unconstrained retail competition, imposing RPM may not be profitable. It may not encourage more retail inventories either. RPM may also lower consumer surpluses and social welfare. This study casts some doubt on the demand uncertainty theory that supports RPM.
Reinventing tradition: Exploring the creation of new meaning through innovations involving craft‐based design
Authors: Holmquist Anna , Magnusson Mats , Livholts Mona
Published: December 2018

Many studies in the field of innovation focus on novelty and technology, but recent literature and contemporary design practices have proposed an alternative view. Innovation has instead been suggested to bring about new meanings, often driven by design, and lately the role of tradition has been highlighted as a source of innovation rather than an obstacle. However, research has thus far not explained how tradition is actually used in innovation practice. By exploring design elements from craft‐based design practice, the overall aim of this study is to identify and explore how craft‐based design leads to new meaning and Innovation Through Tradition (ITT). To gain further insights into craft‐based design for ITT, the Research Through Design method in combination with narrative writing was used, investigating innovation from inside design practice. The empirical design work highlights the innovation potential when craft‐based design and production processes deliberately use tradition, not only by embracing the value of tradition itself, but also by creating new meaning through its unexpected combination with novel components. Finally, a visualization of key elements that can be reinvented is outlined to highlight tensions between different design elements that have the potential to produce new and valuable product meanings.
Use of social media in Canadian public administration: opportunities and barriers
Authors: Gintova Maria
Published: December 2018

Many government agencies in Canada are using social media to communicate with various audiences. Some research, however, shows that government uses social media to publish content available on its websites and does not engage in two‐way interactions. This article examines interaction on Twitter between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Twitter users. It explores established government social media practices and under‐researched experiences and perspectives of government social media users. Although some of the findings are IRCC specific, users’ experiences and perspectives offer valuable insights for any government agency that uses social media.
Carcinoembryonic antigen cell adhesion molecule 1 inhibits the antitumor effect of neutrophils in tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Ning , Wang Qingjie , Chi Jinghua , Xiang Fenggang , Lin Mei , Wang Wenhong , Wei Fengcai , Feng Yuanyong
Published: December 2018

Carcinoembryonic antigen cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1), a transmembrane glycoprotein, has multiple functions. In tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC), CEACAM1 overexpression is correlated with neutrophil infiltration, and both are associated with poor clinical outcomes. However, the mechanism underlying CEACAM1's effect on neutrophil function in TSCC remains unclear. We cocultured tongue carcinoma cells overexpressing CEACAM1‐4L, CEACAM1‐4S and differentiated HL‐60 cells. This significantly upregulated the expression of MMP‐9, interleukin 8, and VEGF‐A in the differentiated HL‐60 cells and downregulated the expression of TNF‐α, relative to vector and blank control groups (P < 0.05). Additionally, CEACAM1 overexpression in tongue carcinoma cells weakened the cytotoxicity of differentiated HL‐60 cells in the coculture system (P < 0.05). Thus, CEACAM1 expression in TSCC may induce an antitumor to protumor transformation of neutrophils. We performed qRT‐PCR and ELISA to evaluate the underlying mechanism, and found that CEACAM1 expression in tongue carcinoma cells upregulated transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) expression, while blocking of TGF‐β1 inhibited the neutrophils’ changes in the coculture system. Immunohistochemical analysis of clinical specimens revealed strong expression of TGF‐β1 protein in TSCC. TGF‐β1 expression was positively correlated with CEACAM1 expression, lymph node metastasis, and tumor recurrence. Double immunofluorescence results revealed colocalization of CEACAM1 and TGF‐β1 protein in TSCC. A xenograft nude mouse model revealed that CEACAM1 overexpression in TSCC promoted tumor formation and growth, and was associated with more neutrophils infiltration. Our results indicate that CEACAM1 overexpression in TSCC may induce transformation of neutrophils from antitumor to protumor type via TGF‐β1, which may further promote tumor progression.
Children's Experience During Cultural Change
Authors: Gauvain Mary , Munroe Robert L.
Published: December 2018

The process of globalization is widespread, with consequences for social and psychological development. Cultural changes associated with globalization are manifested in children's experiences—how they spend their time, interact with one another, and learn about the world. To illustrate, in this article, we describe findings from research that examined children's behaviors when formal schooling is established, the economic base changes, and small‐scale traditional communities incorporate elements from industrialized societies. The effect of cultural change on children's development is a bidirectional process, and certain characteristics of childhood may make young people more likely to be early adopters of resources that are introduced during change. We conclude by stressing the need for more research and theory on children's contribution to cultural change.
A Longitudinal Study on Stability and Transitions Among Bullying Roles
Authors: Zych Izabela , Ttofi Maria M. , Llorent Vicente J. , Farrington David P. , Ribeaud Denis , Eisner Manuel P.
Published: December 2018

Trajectories of stability and change in bullying roles were examined through a longitudinal prospective study of 916 school students followed up biannually from age 11 to 17. Perpetrators and victims had relatively stable trajectories with most of the children remaining in the same role over time or becoming uninvolved. Bully/victim was the most unstable role with frequent transitions to perpetrators or victims. Developmental change in bullying roles was found with a decrease in physical forms over time in bullies and victims but with persistently high perpetration and victimization in bully/victims. These findings open new horizons in research and practice related to bullying and can be useful for its early detection or design of targeted interventions.
Dual Language and English‐Only Learners’ Expressive and Receptive Language Skills and Exposure to Peers’ Language
Authors: Gámez Perla B. , Griskell Holly L. , Sobrevilla Yaxal N. , Vazquez Melissa
Published: December 2018

This study examined dual language learners’ (DLLs n = 24) and English‐only (EO n = 20) children's expressive and receptive language in kindergarten (Mage = 5.7 years) as well as the relation to peers’ language use. Expressive language skills (vocabulary diversity, syntactic complexity) were measured in the fall, winter, and spring (2014–2015 year). Receptive language skills (vocabulary, sentence comprehension) were measured in the fall and spring. Findings revealed increases in children's expressive and receptive language, except in terms of syntactic complexity. Moreover, peers’ vocabulary diversity was positively associated with children's vocabulary diversity. Peers’ syntactic complexity was positively associated with children's syntactic complexity and receptive vocabulary. Findings suggest that peers’ language use may influence DLLs’ and EO children's language learning.
Visual Constancies Amidst Changes in Handled Objects for 5‐ to 24‐Month‐Old Infants
Authors: Burling Joseph M. , Yoshida Hanako
Published: December 2018

Manual skills slowly develop throughout infancy and have been shown to create clear views of objects that provide better support for visually sustained attention, recognition, memory, and learning. These clear views may coincide with the development of manual skills, or that social scaffolding supports clear viewing experiences like those generated by toddlers during active object exploration. This study used a head‐mounted eye tracker to record 5‐ to 24‐month‐olds’ object views during repeated mother‐infant play sessions (Ns = 18). Results show an early beginning of scaffolding in which parents generate views similar to those of older infants and toddlers, resulting in increased fixations to objects. The finding implicates parents as early scaffolders of object attention and learning.
To reflect human autoimmune thyroiditis, thyroid peroxidase (not thyroglobulin) antibodies should be measured in female (not sex-independent) NOD.H2h4 mice
Authors: McLachlan S M , Aliesky H A , Rapoport B
Published: December 2018

NOD.H2h4 mice are the most commonly used model for human autoimmune thyroiditis. Because thyroid autoimmunity develops slowly (over months), NOD.H2h4 mice are usually exposed to excess dietary iodide to accelerate and amplify the process. However, unlike the female bias in human thyroid autoimmunity, autoantibodies to thyroglobulin (TgAb) are reported to be similar in male and female NOD.H2h4. We sought evidence for sexual dimorphism in other parameters in this strain maintained on regular or iodized water. Without iodide, TgAb levels are higher in males than in females, the reverse of human disease. In humans, autoantibodies to thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) are a better marker of disease than TgAb. In NOD.H2h4 mice TPOAb develop more slowly than TgAb, being detectable at 6 months of age versus 4 months for the latter. Remarkably, unlike TgAb, TPOAb levels are higher in female than male NOD.H2h4 mice on both regular and iodized water. As previously observed, serum T4 levels are similar in both sexes. However, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are significantly higher in males than females with or without iodide exposure. TSH levels correlate with TgAb levels in male NOD.H2h4 mice, suggesting a possible role for TSH in TgAb development. However, there is no correlation between TSH and TPOAb levels, the latter more important than TgAb in human disease. In conclusion, if the goal of an animal model is to closely reflect human disease, TPOAb rather than TgAb should be measured in older female NOD.H2h4 mice, an approach requiring patience and the use of mouse TPO protein.