bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementing the Gantt chart in Europe and Britain: the contributions of Wallace Clark
Authors: Wren Daniel A.
Published: October 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to trace the European and British activities of Wallace Clark and his consulting firm with public sector agencies and private firms implement Henry L. Gantt’s chart concept.

Design/methodology/approach

Archival records and secondary sources in English and French.

Findings

Developed to meet the shipbuilding and use needs for the Great War (World War I), the Gantt chart was disseminated through the work of Wallace Clark during the 1930s in numerous public sector and private organizations in 12 nations. The Gantt concept was applied in a variety of industries and firms using batch, continuous processing and/or sub-assembly lines in mass production. Traditional scientific management techniques were expanded for general management, such as financial requirement through budgetary control. Clark and his consulting firm were responsible for implementing a managerial tool, the Gantt chart, in an international setting.

Research limitations/implications

Some firms with which Clark consulted could not be identified because the original records of the Wallace Clark Company were disposed of by New York University archival authorities. Industries were identified from the writings of Pearl Clark and Wallace Clark, and some private or public organizations were discerned from archival work and the research of French and British scholars.

Originality/value

This is the first study of the diffusion of a managerial tool, developed in America by Henry L. Gantt, into Europe and Britain through the contributions of Wallace Clark.
Distribution channels and internationalization in a developing-country clothing industry
Authors: Ogunrin Florence Olu , Inegbenebor Anthony U
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the distribution channels used by a Nigerian sample of apparel producers and investigate the association between the channels in use and the sample’s export involvement. In this era of sophisticated computer- and internet-mediated marketing practices, the larger proportion of entrepreneurs in developing economies still deploy largely informal marketing practices. Countries indeed have adopted the marketing revolution to varying degrees, consistent with prevailing level of development.

Design/methodology/approach

– A structured interview schedule was used in collecting data from 111 apparel entrepreneurs.

Findings

– Most of the respondents were domestic market-focused haute couture producers or low-volume producers of ready-to-wear (r-t-w) clothing who supply institutions or boutiques, using direct channels. Only a few export, mainly through ethnic-commercial networks involving overseas-based family/friends.

Practical implications

– For now, current distribution channels seem adequate for the personal and business goals of these entrepreneurs. However, large-volume clothing exporting through formal global distribution channels is what drives industrialization and development. These apparel entrepreneurs therefore require institutional assistance to link up with formal global marketing channels. It is only then that the industry would serve similar development roles as witnessed in other emerging economies which have climbed the development ladder through export of labour-intensive manufactures like clothing.

Originality/value

– The study confirmed earlier observations about apparel exporting in Nigeria, such as prevalent use of informal channels, and also draws attention to less-known details, including the existence of fledgling local trade intermediaries, “disappointed exporters” and an emerging group (yet miniscule) of exporters who utilize more formalized channels.
Networks and marketing in small professional service businesses
Authors: Menelec Valerie , Jones Brian
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to explore networks in relation to small professional service businesses. Both the structural and relational components of networks are considered to better understand what networks are and how they operate. The paper investigates the link between networks and marketing and discusses the extent to which small professional service businesses use their networks for marketing activities.

Design/methodology/approach

– The literature review identifies key elements of professional service businesses, networks and marketing activities. The primary research is qualitative by design and exploratory in nature and used a multi-case study approach. Data were collected from five small management consultancy businesses through in-depth interviews using semi-structured questionnaires.

Findings

– The study finds that small professional service businesses lack the business/marketing language to articulate their approaches and values. They are increasingly relying on collaboration to deliver changing services. Findings show that “core groups” are highly significant in the structure of their networks. Furthermore, while most connections are work-related, networks are not strategically motivated. Linkages are strong and motivations to network and networking activities are both short and long term. Generating work and developing lasting collaborative relationships is based on similar values and interests.

Originality/value

– The study offers insight and practical understanding on the relations that small businesses have with their networks. It also builds and adds value to the theory of network and networking in both the small business field and professional services related industry. It explores networks by considering the structural and relational components separately whilst also highlighting their interconnection.
Selecting business partner for service delivery co-innovation and competitive advantage
Authors: Tsou Hung-Tai , Cheng Colin C.J. , Hsu Hsuan-Yu
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– While co-innovation with third parties (e.g. customer or supplier) has been widely documented, the literature seems to pay scant attention on co-innovation with business partners. Building on the resource dependence theory (RDT) and the input-process-output model, the purpose of this paper is to examine how four criteria of business partner selection affect service delivery co-innovation, which, in turn, influences firms’ competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

– A mail survey was sent to 600 IT service firms in Taiwan, the target respondents being senior marketing managers in charge of collaborative new service development. A total of 120 usable questionnaires were collected, for a response rate of 20 percent.

Findings

– The findings support the argument that all four criteria of business partner selection have positive relationships with service delivery co-innovation. Meanwhile, adopting these criteria, firms’ service delivery co-innovation is able to create superior competitive advantage.

Research limitations/implications

– The findings enrich the existing literature by proposing and empirically confirming that the use of appropriate criteria to select business partners enhances the effectiveness of firms’ service delivery co-innovation and competitive advantage.

Practical implications

– Managers must be aware of the criteria to select their business partners, in terms of developing service delivery co-innovation.

Originality/value

– This study adds to the service innovation literature by providing support for the RDT that partner reliability, partner complementarity, partner expertise, and partner compatibility are important business partner selection criteria to create service delivery co-innovation and achieve firms’ competitive advantage.
The effect of organizational learning and Web 2.0 on innovation
Authors: Zeng Shouzhen , Gonzalez Joaquin , Lobato Clemente
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse the relationships between Web 2.0 adoption, innovation, organizational learning and organizational performance in the hotel industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– A sample of four and five-star hotels provides the data. The fieldwork took place between February and June 2013. The questionnaire was sent to top managers of Chinese hospitality firms that provide their e-mail addresses on the main Chinese tourism web pages. The final sample comprises 278 hotels. This percentage of responses yields a sample error of 6.9 per cent for a 95 per cent confidence level. The authors followed a two-step approach for structural equation modelling, using EQS 5.7 software to conduct the tests.

Findings

– Results suggest that competitive advantage in the hotel industry requires firm strategies focusing on Web 2.0, innovation capacity and organizational learning. This finding contributes to the strategic management field by offering an explanation of the differences in firm performance within a particular industry. Therefore, the findings mark an important contribution to the literature, introducing a new variable that mediates the relationship between Web 2.0 and firm performance.

Originality/value

– The results hold that Web 2.0 adoption is crucial for enhancing innovativeness, which is a fundamental source of sustainable competitive advantage. In addition, organizational learning also has a positive effect on innovativeness. Innovation, which is the essence of competitive advantage, is a key concept for firms nowadays.
Current status of additive manufacturing for tissue engineering scaffold
Authors: Li Yan , Li Dichen , Lu Bingheng , Gao Dajing , Zhou Jack
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to review the current status of additive manufacturing (AM) used for tissue engineering (TE) scaffold. AM processes are identified as an effective method for fabricating geometrically complex objects directly from computer models or three-dimensional digital representations. The use of AM technologies in the field of TE has grown rapidly in the past 10 years.

Design/methodology/approach

– The processes, materials, precision, applications of different AM technologies and their modified versions used for TE scaffold are presented. Additionally, future directions of AM used for TE scaffold are also discussed.

Findings

– There are two principal routes for the fabrication of scaffolds by AM: direct and indirect routes. According to the working principle, the AM technologies used for TE scaffold can be generally classified into: laser-based; nozzle-based; and hybrid. Although a number of materials and fabrication techniques have been developed, each AM technique is a process based on the unique property of the raw materials applied. The fabrication of TE scaffolds faces a variety of challenges, such as expanding the range of materials, improving precision and adapting to complex scaffold structures.

Originality/value

– This review presents the latest research regarding AM used for TE scaffold. The information available in this paper helps researchers, scholars and graduate students to get a quick overview on the recent research of AM used for TE scaffold and identify new research directions for AM in TE.
On design for additive manufacturing: evaluating geometrical limitations
Authors: Adam Guido A. O. , Zimmer Detmar
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present Design Rules for additive manufacturing and a method for their development.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, a process-independent method for the development of Design Rules was worked out. Therefore, geometrical standard elements and attributes that characterize the elements’ shapes have been defined. Next, the standard elements have been manufactured with different attribute values with Laser Sintering, Laser Melting and Fused Deposition Modeling, and their geometrical quality was examined. From the results, Design Rules for additive manufacturing were derived and summarized in a catalogue.

Findings

– Due to the process independent method, Design Rules were developed that apply for the different considered additive manufacturing technologies equally. These Design Rules are completely function-independent and easily transferable to individual part designs.

Research limitations/implications

– The developed Design Rules can only apply for the considered boundary conditions. To extend the Design Rules’ validity, their applicability should be proven for other boundary conditions.

Practical implications

– The developed Design Rules practically support the design of technical parts. Additionally they can be used for training and teaching in the field of “design for additive manufacturing”.

Originality/value

– The developed Design Rules constitute a first step toward general Design Rules for Additive Manufacturing. Thus, they might form a suitable basis for further scientific approaches, and the Design Rules can be used to set up teaching documentations for lessons and seminars.
Increasing flowability and bulk density of PE-HD powders by a dry particle coating process and impact on LBM processes
Authors: Blümel Christina , Sachs Marius , Laumer Tobias , Winzer Bettina , Schmidt Jochen , Schmidt Michael , Peukert Wolfgang , Wirth Karl-Ernst
Published: October 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the processability of cohesive PE-HD particles in laser beam melting processes (LBM) of polymers. Furthermore, we present a characterization method for polymer particles, which can predict the quality of the powder deposition via LBM processes.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study focuses on the application of dry particle coating processes to increase flowability and bulk density of PE-HD particles. Both has been measured and afterwards validated via powder deposition of PE-HD particles in a LBM machine.

Findings

– For efficient coating in a dry particle coating process, the PE-HD particles and the attached nanoparticles need to show similar surface chemistry, i.e. both need to behave either hydrophobic or hydrophilic. It is demonstrated that dry particle coating is appropriate to enhance flowability and bulk density of PE-HD particles and hence considerably improves LBM processes and the resulting product quality.

Originality/value

– At present, in LBM processes mainly polyamide (PA), 12 particles are used, which are so far quite expensive in comparison to, for example, PE-HD particles. This work provides a unique and versatile method for nanoparticulate surface modification which may be applied to a wide variety of materials. After the coating, the particles are applicable for the LBM process. Our results provide a correlation between flowability and bulk density and the resulting product quality.
Transvaginal ultrasound cervical length for prediction of spontaneous labour at term: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Saccone G , Simonetti B , Berghella V
Published: October 2015

Background

The possibility to predict the delivery date is a question frequently raised by pregnant women. However, a clinician has currently little to predict when a woman at term will deliver.

Objective

To evaluate the predictive accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) cervical length (CL) for spontaneous onset of labour in singleton gestation enrolled at term by a meta‐analysis.

Search strategy

We performed a literature search in electronic databases.

Selection criteria

We included only studies assessing the accuracy of TVU CL in prediction of spontaneous onset of labour in singleton gestations with vertex presentation who were enrolled at term.

Data collection and analysis

The primary outcome was the accuracy of CL for prediction of spontaneous labour within 7 days. Pooled sensitivities and specificities were calculated.

Main results

Five studies including 735 singleton gestations were included. For the prediction of spontaneous labour within 7 days for CL <30 mm the pooled sensitivity was 64% and pooled specificity was 60%. The higher the CL, the better the sensitivity; the lower the CL, the better the specificity. A woman with a singleton gestation at term and a TVU CL of 30 mm has a <50% chance of delivering within 7 days, while one with a TVU CL of 10 mm has an over 85% chance of delivery within 7 days.

Conclusions

TVU CL at term has moderate value in predicting the onset of spontaneous labour. A woman with a TVU CL of 10 mm or less has a high chance of delivering within a week.

Tweetable abstract

Cervical length at term has moderate value in predicting the onset of spontaneous labour.
Impact of Medicare Age Eligibility on Health Spending among U.S. and Foreign‐Born Adults
Authors: Tarraf Wassim , Jensen Gail A. , González Hector M.
Published: October 2015

Objective

Examine differences in health care expenditures between foreign‐born and U.S.‐born adults in late mid‐life, and how these differences change after age 65, when Medicare is near‐universal.

Data

Medical Expenditures Panel Survey data (2000–2010) on adults ages 55–75 years (n = 46,132) to examine annual total and payer‐specific expenditures.

Study Design

We use (1) propensity score matching to generate quasi‐experimental samples with equivalent health needs and health care preferences, (2) generalized linear modeling to estimate group differences in expenditures, and (3) bootstrapping methods to obtain variance estimates for significance testing.

Principal Findings

Among adults ages 55–64, the foreign‐born spend $3,314 (p < .001) less on health care, even when they have equivalent health needs and health care preferences. This difference is due mainly to lower spending through private insurance. After age 65, differences in total spending disappear but not differences in payer‐specific spending. The foreign‐born continue to spend significantly less through private insurance and begin to spend significantly more through Medicare and Medicaid.

Conclusion

Foreign‐born adults in late mid‐life spend significantly less on health care than U.S.‐born adults. After age 65, with near‐universal Medicare coverage, differences in total spending disappear between the groups, although differences in spending by payer persist.
Nutritional quality of a selection of children's packaged food available in Australia
Authors: Meloncelli Nina J.L. , Pelly Fiona E. , Cooper Sheri L.
Published: October 2015

Aim

To assess the nutritional quality of a selection of children's packaged food products available in Australian supermarkets that were not clear discretionary choices.

Methods

Packaged food products targeted towards children were purchased from three Australian regional supermarkets in July 2013. Products that made reference to a core food group ingredient on the product label or did not meet the criteria of a discretionary food were included for analysis. Two methods were used to assess the nutritional quality of the products. These methods involved the Food Standards Australia New Zealand nutrient profiling scoring criterion and a core food group method developed by the researchers. Nutrient composition and ingredients were obtained from the product labels. Products were classified as ‘healthy’ or ‘less healthy’ and the level of agreement between the two methods was compared.

Results

Of the 156 children's food products assessed, 62.2% (n = 97) were classified as ‘less healthy’ using the Food Standards Australia New Zealand nutrient profiling scoring criterion. Using the alternative core food grouping method 66.7% (n = 104) of products surveyed were classified as ‘less healthy’.

Conclusions

Many children's food products available in Australian supermarkets should be considered discretionary choices.
Development of twelve novel microsatellite markers in the medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris (Ascomycota: Clavicipitaceae) for its strain identification and genetic analysis
Authors: Kim Kee Young , Hong In Pyo , Kang Ji Hyoun , Kim Ki‐Hwan , Kim Iksoo , Lee Hyuk Je
Published: October 2015

Cordyceps militaris (a caterpillar fungus), which belongs to the class Ascomycetes, has extensively been used for medicinal purposes in East Asia. Here, we isolated and characterized 12 microsatellite loci from the medicinal mushroom, C. militaris. Twenty‐nine individual samples were taken from a single locality in southwestern Korea and used to characterize the developed markers. The number of alleles of these loci ranged from two to 13 (mean allelic richness = 6.44). Observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity in the population ranged from 0.035 to 0.880 and from 0.035 to 0.886, respectively. Five of 12 loci significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium, most likely due to heterozygote deficiency caused by inbreeding. Tests of genotypic linkage disequilibrium between the 12 loci showed no significant association of alleles. These microsatellite markers will provide valuable tools for genetic analyses for the strain identification of C. militaris as well as for its resource conservation.
Impact of socioeconomic status on mortality and unplanned readmission in septic intensive care unit patients
Authors: Schnegelsberg A. , Mackenhauer J. , Nibro H. L. , Dreyer P. , Koch K. , Kirkegaard H.
Published: October 2015

Background

Little is known about the potential association between socioeconomic status (SES) and prognosis after sepsis. We analysed how SES impacted mortality and readmission in septic patients treated at the intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital.

Methods

We performed a cohort study including all adult patients admitted to a general tertiary ICU with severe sepsis or septic shock during 2008–2010. Data on SES (educational level, personal income, and cohabitation), comorbidity, readmissions, and mortality were obtained from public registries. We used Cox regression analysis to examine the impact of SES on 30‐ and 180‐day mortality and on first unplanned readmission within 180 days after hospital discharge.

Results

A total of 387 patients were included of whom 111 (29%) died within 30 days after ICU admission, and 55 (20%) died within 180 days after hospital discharge. Adjusted for sex, comorbidity and SAPS II, patients with low income had a substantially greater risk of dying within 30 days of admission compared to those with high income (35.7% vs. 23.3%; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.99; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24–3.21), and tended to show higher 180‐day mortality (25.0% vs. 15.5%; adjusted HR 1.72; 95% CI 0.86–3.45). Among patients discharged from hospital, 125 (45%) were readmitted within 180 days. Patients with low education and low income showed a tendency towards early readmission.

Conclusions

Among septic ICU patients, low income was significantly associated with increased 30‐day mortality. There was a trend towards earlier readmission among surviving patients with low educational level and personal income.
Alternative perspectives on reintroduction success
Authors: Haskins K. E.
Published: October 2015

Read the Feature Paper: Defining reintroduction success using IUCN criteria for threatened species: a demographic assessment; other Commentaries on this paper: Using the IUCN Red List criteria to assess reintroduction success; Developing a standard for evaluating reintroduction success using IUCN Red List indices and the Response from the authors: Reintroducing reintroductions into the conservation arena
Developing a standard for evaluating reintroduction success using IUCN Red List indices
Authors: Shier D. M.
Published: October 2015

Read the Feature Paper: Defining reintroduction success using IUCN criteria for threatened species: a demographic assessment; other Commentaries on this paper: Using the IUCN Red List criteria to assess reintroduction success; Alternative perspectives on reintroduction success and the Response from the authors: Reintroducing reintroductions into the conservation arena
Experiential Learning and Presidential Management of the U.S. Federal Bureaucracy: Logic and Evidence from Agency Leadership Appointments
Authors: Krause George A. , O'Connell Anne Joseph
Published: October 2015

Presidents become increasingly effective at managing the bureaucracy because of the information and expertise that they acquire from on‐the‐job experience. In their appointment choices, this theory predicts that presidents become better at reducing information asymmetries incurred from the bureaucracy (Agent Selection Learning), improve the vertical balance of leadership agent traits between top supervisory positions and subordinates directly beneath them (Agent Monitoring Learning), and place a greater relative premium on loyalty in response to horizontal policy conflict between the White House and the Senate (Common Agency Learning). This logic obtains empirical support from the analysis of bureaucratic agent traits for Senate‐confirmed presidential appointees serving in leadership positions covering 39 U.S. federal government agencies from 1977 to 2009. Presidents’ appointment strategies reflect their increasing effectiveness at managing the bureaucracy, thus complementing their increasing reliance on administrative mechanisms to achieve policy objectives as their tenure in office rises.
Immunoregulation of multiple sclerosis by gut environmental factors
Authors: Croxford J. Ludovic , Miyake Sachiko
Published: October 2015

Microbiota exist symbiotically in the human gut to aid the digestion of nutrients. However, gut microbiota also have immunoregulatory properties. The hygiene hypothesis describes the idea that environmental factors, such as diet, pollution, antibiotic use, vitamin D insufficiency and increased sanitation/hygiene, can alter the natural development of the immune system, thus making individuals more susceptible to allergy or autoimmune disease. Therefore, factors that are more prevalent in the current environment and living a “modern” lifestyle have depleted important microbiota in the gut that “shape” the development of our immune system. Studies in animal models of disease have shown that alterations in gut microbiota can affect autoimmune diseases, such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and that specific bacterial species are involved in pathogenic (pro‐T helper 17 cells) or regulatory (Foxp3+ regulatory T cells) pathways. Recent multiple sclerosis studies have also reported changes in gut microbiota between multiple sclerosis patients and healthy individuals. The role of these microbiota in disease, as well as which specific microbial products mediate their effects, will be important for the development of probiotic therapies. The present review provides an overview of the evidence regarding gut microbiota, how it relates to the immune system, and recent evidence in animal models and human disease with a focus on the central nervous system demyelinating disease, multiple sclerosis.
Patterns of Wnt signaling in the life cycle of Podocoryna carnea and its implications for medusae evolution in Hydrozoa (Cnidaria)
Authors: Sanders Steven M. , Cartwright Paulyn
Published: October 2015

Hydrozoans are known for their complex life cycles, alternating between benthic, asexually reproducing polyps and pelagic, sexually reproducing medusae. Although patterning in hydrozoan polyps has been well studied, little is known about the signaling mechanisms governing medusa development. In order to investigate the role of Wnt signaling in medusa development, we use RNA‐Seq data collected from three discrete life cycle stages of Podocoryna carnea to assemble, annotate, and assess enrichment and differential expression (DE) of Wnt pathway elements in P. carnea's transcriptome. Enrichment analyses revealed a statistically significant enrichment of DE Wnt signaling transcripts in the transcriptome of P. carnea, of which, the vast majority of these were significantly up‐regulated in developing and adult medusae stages. Whole mount in situ hybridization (ISH) reveals co‐expression of the Wnt ligand, Wnt3, and a membrane bound Wnt receptor, frizzled3, at the distal and oral ends of the developmental axes of medusae and polyps in P. carnea. DE and ISH results presented here reveal expression of Wnt signaling components consistent with it playing a role in medusa development. Specifically, Wnt ligand expression in the oral region suggests that the Wnt pathway may play a role in medusa patterning, similar to that of polyps. Previous Wnt expression studies in hydrozoan taxa with reduced medusa have failed to detect co‐expression of Wnt3 and a frizzled receptor at their truncated developmental axes, suggesting that down regulation of Wnt pathway elements may play a key role in the loss of the medusa life cycle stage in hydrozoan evolution.
The Common Elements of treatment engagement for clinically high‐risk youth and youth with first‐episode psychosis
Authors: Becker Kimberly D. , Buckingham Sara L. , Rith‐Najarian Leslie , Kline Emily R.
Published: October 2015

Aim

Without treatment, clinically high‐risk (CHR) youth or youth with first‐episode psychosis (FEP) have increased risk for significant complications from their illness; yet, treatment engagement among these youth is critically low. The purpose of this study was to examine engagement efforts with CHR/FEP youth to stimulate new ideas that might facilitate participation in services for this population.

Methods

A literature review using distillation methods identified engagement practices reported in two bodies of literature. The first body of literature (i.e. ‘CHR/FEP engagement’) included 13 studies employing qualitative designs to explore consumer perspectives about treatment engagement practices in samples of CHR/FEP youth and their families. The second body of research (i.e. ‘CHR/FEP RCTs’) included 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing treatments for CHR/FEP youth and their families. Engagement practice frequencies were compared with the frequency of these practices within effective engagement interventions, as tested in 40 RCTs within the broader child and adolescent mental health literature (i.e. ‘CAMH engagement’).

Results

Treatment attrition and attendance were the most frequent engagement outcomes measured in the CHR/FEP RCTs. There were notable efforts described in the CHR/FEP RCTs towards engaging youth and families, yet CHR/FEP RCTs reportedly included only a small proportion of engagement practices described in either the CHR/FEP or CAMH engagement literatures.

Conclusion

Results suggest there might be practices available to complement current efforts at engaging CHR/FEP youth in treatment, and that increased attention to the measurement of engagement outcomes could provide important information regarding engagement in a population with low treatment engagement rates.
Improving the monitoring of crop productivity using spaceborne solar‐induced fluorescence
Authors: Guan Kaiyu , Berry Joseph A. , Zhang Yongguang , Joiner Joanna , Guanter Luis , Badgley Grayson , Lobell David B.
Published: October 2015

Large‐scale monitoring of crop growth and yield has important value for forecasting food production and prices and ensuring regional food security. A newly emerging satellite retrieval, solar‐induced fluorescence (SIF) of chlorophyll, provides for the first time a direct measurement related to plant photosynthetic activity (i.e. electron transport rate). Here, we provide a framework to link SIF retrievals and crop yield, accounting for stoichiometry, photosynthetic pathways, and respiration losses. We apply this framework to estimate United States crop productivity for 2007–2012, where we use the spaceborne SIF retrievals from the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment‐2 satellite, benchmarked with county‐level crop yield statistics, and compare it with various traditional crop monitoring approaches. We find that a SIF‐based approach accounting for photosynthetic pathways (i.e. C3 and C4 crops) provides the best measure of crop productivity among these approaches, despite the fact that SIF sensors are not yet optimized for terrestrial applications. We further show that SIF provides the ability to infer the impacts of environmental stresses on autotrophic respiration and carbon‐use‐efficiency, with a substantial sensitivity of both to high temperatures. These results indicate new opportunities for improved mechanistic understanding of crop yield responses to climate variability and change.
Micrometeorological measurements over 3 years reveal differences in N2O emissions between annual and perennial crops
Authors: Abalos Diego , Brown Shannon E. , Vanderzaag Andrew C. , Gordon Robert J. , Dunfield Kari E. , Wagner‐Riddle Claudia
Published: October 2015

Perennial crops can deliver a wide range of ecosystem services compared to annual crops. Some of these benefits are achieved by lengthening the growing season, which increases the period of crop water and nutrient uptake, pointing to a potential role for perennial systems to mitigate soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. Employing a micrometeorological method, we tested this hypothesis in a 3‐year field experiment with a perennial grass‐legume mixture and an annual corn monoculture. Given that N2O emissions are strongly dependent on the method of fertilizer application, two manure application options commonly used by farmers for each crop were studied: injection vs. broadcast application for the perennial; fall vs. spring application for the annual. Across the 3 years, lower N2O emissions (P < 0.001) were measured for the perennial compared to the annual crop, even though annual N2O emissions increased tenfold for the perennial after ploughing. The percentage of N2O lost per unit of fertilizer applied was 3.7, 3.1 and 1.3 times higher for the annual for each consecutive year. Differences in soil organic matter due to the contrasting root systems of these crops are probably a major factor behind the N2O reduction. We found that a specific manure management practice can lead to increases or reductions in annual N2O emissions depending on environmental variables. The number of freeze‐thaw cycles during winter and the amount of rainfall after fertilization in spring were key factors. Therefore, general manure management recommendations should be avoided because interannual weather variability has the potential to determine if a specific practice is beneficial or detrimental. The lower N2O emissions of perennial crops deserve further research attention and must be considered in future land‐use decisions. Increasing the proportion of perennial crops in agricultural landscapes may provide an overlooked opportunity to regulate N2O emissions.
Effect of a postoperative exercise program on arteriovenous fistula maturation: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fontseré Néstor , Mestres Gaspar , Yugueros Xavier , López Teresa , Yuguero Anna , Bermudez Patricia , Gomez Fernando , Riambau Vicenç , Maduell Francisco , Campistol Josep M.
Published: October 2015

Exercises after arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation may help to improve maturation; however, their usefulness has only been examined in indirect, non‐comparative studies or small trials. Between June 2013 and November 2014, we included all ambulatory patients with stages 5‐5D chronic kidney disease who were candidates for the creation of a native AVF in our center. After surgery, all patients were randomized to an exercise group or a control group with single‐blind control. At 1 month postoperatively, clinical maturation (expert nurse inspection) and ultrasonographic maturation (flow >500 mL/min, venous diameter >5 mm and depth <6 mm) were assessed in all patients. A total of 72 patients were randomized, 3 were lost to follow‐up, and 69 were finally analyzed. The mean age was 66.8 years (standard deviation 13.8), 70.0% were men, and 65.2% were in pre‐dialysis. After surgery (42.0% had distal AVF), the patients were randomized (31 controls, 38 exercise group). At 1 month after surgery, global clinical and ultrasonographic maturation was assessed in 88.4% and 78.3% of AVF, respectively (kappa = 0.539). Non‐significant differences in clinical or ultrasonographic maturation were seen between exercise and control group (94.7% vs. 80.6%, P = 0.069; 81.6% vs. 74.2%, P = 0.459). A stepwise logistic regression was performed to control previously analyzed asymmetrically distributed confounding factors (AVF localization), revealing that the exercise group showed greater clinical, but not ultrasonographic, maturation (odds ratio [OR] 5.861, 95% confidence interval: 1.006–34.146 and OR 2.403, 0.66–8.754). A postoperative controlled exercise program after AVF creation seems to increase 1‐month clinical AVF maturation in distal accesses. Furthermore, exercise programs should be taken into account, especially in distal accesses.
Dysregulated miRNA in progression of hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review
Authors: Mizuguchi Yoshiaki , Takizawa Toshihiro , Yoshida Hiroshi , Uchida Eiji
Published: October 2015

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most frequent cancer and the third cause of cancer‐related mortality worldwide. The primary risk factor for HCC is liver cirrhosis secondary to persistent infection with hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus. Although a number of cellular phenomena and molecular events have been reported to facilitate tumor initiation, progression and metastasis, the exact etiology of HCC has not yet been fully uncovered. miRNA, a class of non‐coding RNA, negatively regulate post‐transcriptional processes that participate in crucial biological processes, including development, differentiation, apoptosis and proliferation. In the liver, specific miRNA can be negative regulators of gene expression. Recent studies have uncovered the contribution of miRNA to cancer pathogenesis as they can function as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. In addition, other studies have demonstrated their potential value in the clinical management of patients with HCC as some miRNA may be used as prognostic or diagnostic markers. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the roles of miRNA in the carcinogenesis and progression of HCC.
Clinical course of hepatitis B surface antigen positive subjects following screening: A retrospective observational study from April 2008 to January 2013
Authors: E. Furukawa Naoko , Yamashita Shu‐ichi , Maeyama Keishiro , Oeda Satoshi , Iwane Shinji , Hirai Kenji , Ozaki Iwata , Eguchi Yuichiro
Published: October 2015

Aim

Determination of the percentage of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive participants who undergo screening and treatment may reduce the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. This study assessed the percentages of HBsAg positive participants detected by free screening at medical institutions in Saga Prefecture who underwent detailed examinations and antiviral treatment.

Methods

Participants were screened for HBsAg positivity at medical institutions in Saga Prefecture from April 2008 to January 2013, with some visiting physicians for detailed examinations and applying for reimbursement. Participants in the database of the Health Promotion Division of Saga Prefecture and results of detailed examinations were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

Screening revealed 193 eligible participants, 105 men (54%) and 88 women (46%), of a mean age of 55.5 ± 14.9 years. Of these 193 participants, 147 (76%) visited physicians for detailed examinations, 24 (16%) were regarded as needing treatment and seven (3.6%) were reimbursed for antiviral treatments. The 46 participants who did not undergo detailed examinations were significantly younger than the 147 examined participants (50.9 ± 13.2 vs 56.9 ± 15.2 years, P = 0.018). Of the 110 participants thought to require observation, 68 (62%) were assigned to this group without determination of alanine aminotransferase or hepatitis B virus DNA concentration, and 15 (14%) had indications for antiviral treatment according to the 2014 guidelines of the Japanese Society of Hepatology.

Conclusion

The proportion of HBsAg positive participants receiving antiviral treatment was lower than that of participants undergoing detailed examinations.
New recognition of the natural history and growth pattern of hepatic hemangioma in adults
Authors: Jing Li , Liang Huang , Caifeng Liu , Jianjun Yan , Feng Xu , Mengchao Wu , Yiqun Yan
Published: October 2015

Aim

Surgical indications for hepatic hemangiomas are still not clearly defined due to limited data on their natural history. This study aimed to investigate the natural history and growth pattern of hepatic hemangiomas in adults.

Methods

From April 2010 to March 2013, adult patients with hepatic hemangioma who had no prior treatment were enrolled. A routine follow up was performed to observe the natural history of the lesions and their tendency to cause complications.

Results

A total of 236 patients were enrolled in the study. The median size of hemangiomas was 4.5 cm (range, 0.6–19.2). During a median follow‐up period of 48 months (range, 3–266), 61.0% patients had hemangiomas that increased in size, 23.7% patients had stable lesions and 8.5% patients had hemangiomas that decreased in size. The peak growth period of hemangiomas was in patients of less than 30 years of age (0.46 ± 0.41 cm/year) and the growth rate decreased significantly after 50 years of age (0.21 ± 0.40 cm/year). Hemangiomas of less than 2 cm had the lowest growth rate (0.16 ± 0.42 cm/year). The peak growth rate of hemangioma size was 8–10 cm (0.80 ± 0.62 cm/year), then decreased rapidly to 0.47 ± 0.91 cm/year while the hemangiomas were of more than 10 cm. Only nine patients had severe symptoms caused by hemangioma. No patients presented with hemangioma‐related complications.

Conclusion

The majority of hepatic hemangiomas have the tendency to increase in size but rarely cause complications. All the hemangiomas can be safely managed by observation, and surgery is only considered for patients with severe complications.
Monastic ‘Governmentality’: Revisiting ‘Community’ and ‘Communalism’ in South Asia
Authors: Chatterjee Indrani
Published: October 2015

This essay extends and revises the Foucauldian concept of ‘governmentality’ in order to root theories about the ‘political community’ in the historical evidence available from the Indian subcontinent. It uses this revised understanding as a frame for rethinking issues of violence between identical communities relevant to understanding the violence of 1947‐1971. Such violence, the essay argues, was not tied to the inherent nature of any one community. Nor was it related in any direct way to violence of the 17th and 18th century. Instead, it suggests that historians need to reconceive the distinct strands that made up a political community in terms of lay and monastic households and investigate the shifting relationships between these strands in order to understand the moment at which both diplomacy and sociality failed.
The Dramatic Middle East: Performance as History in Egypt and Beyond
Authors: Gitre Carmen M. K.
Published: October 2015

This article highlights a limited but rich literature focusing on the history of theatrical performance in Egypt and surrounding countries. In the 19th and 20th centuries, people throughout the Middle East consciously wrestled with the incoming flow of Western technologies and ideas in relation to their local contexts, experiences, and desires. Performative spaces offer unique vantage points to more carefully examine the changing worldviews of everyday people. I demonstrate here that theatrical texts, performative spaces, and audience responses all provide insight into the imaginings, hopes, and sufferings of diverse people in the region. Theatrical performance offers a unique lens into the process of identity formation not least because it incorporates a broad array of the population as agents in the process. I argue that the subfield of drama in the Middle East is underdeveloped but full of potential for unearthing histories of individuals, ideas, and artistic production largely unheralded by extant studies.
Childhood, Growth, and Dependency in Liberal Political Philosophy
Authors: Kane Laura Wildemann
Published: October 2015

Political philosophy presents a static conception of childhood as a state of lack, a condition where intellectual, physical, and moral capacities are undeveloped. This view, referred to by David Kennedy as the deficit view of childhood, is problematic because it systematically disparages certain universal features of humanity—dependency and growth—and incorrectly characterizes them as features of childhood only. Thus there is a strict separation between childhood and adulthood because adults are characterized as fully autonomous agents who have reached the end of their moral and cognitive development. I argue that this view is mistaken, and limits both the developmental abilities of adults and ongoing moral development within an organized state. I propose that we view dependency as a human condition. By doing so, children and adults form the kind of relationship with one another that encourages the growth and development of our moral sense in both childhood and adulthood.
A Republican Housewife: Marie‐Jeanne Phlipon Roland on Women's Political Role
Authors: Bergès Sandrine
Published: October 2015

In this paper I look at the philosophical (and sometimes personal) struggles of one eighteenth‐century woman writer to reconcile a desire and obvious capacity to participate in the creation of republican ideals and their applications on the one hand, and on the other a deeply held belief that women's role in a republic is confined to the domestic realm. I argue that Marie‐Jeanne Phlipon Roland's philosophical writings—three unpublished essays, published and unpublished letters, as well as parts of her memoirs—suggest that even though she adopted a Rousseau‐style rural republicanism that relies on complementarity of men and women's virtues, she somehow succeeds in proposing a less sexist picture of the republican family, one that makes it possible for men and women to take an equal part in family business and politics.
A Golden Lever for Politics:Feminist Emotionand Women's Agency
Authors: Langle de Paz Teresa
Published: October 2015

Pervasive feminism is a component located in emotionality—feminist emotion—and contains women's primary agency. Because affect and emotions are elusive, an interpretive conceptual tool is necessary and is key to making use of their potential for feminist politics aimed at women's empowerment and well‐being and to build gender equality. This essay builds on contemporary feminist theory and affect theory and draws from multidisciplinary research. It presents a new theoretical framework anchored in hermeneutics and phenomenology to pin down the affective component of women's multifaceted, intersectional emotional experiences of gender. A case study also illustrates how the theoretical premises around the concept offeminist emotionare compatible with and useful for feministpraxis.
Managerial Talent and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): How Do Talented Managers View Corporate Social Responsibility?
Authors: Chatjuthamard Pattanaporn , Jiraporn Pornsit , Tong Shenghui , Singh Manohar
Published: October 2015

Motivated by the ongoing debate on the costs and benefits of corporate social responsibility (CSR), we explore how talented managers view CSR investments. Based on nearly 20,000 observations across 17 years, our evidence reveals a nonmonotonic effect of managerial talent on CSR. Exploiting a novel measure of managerial ability, we find that talented managers view CSR investments favorably. However, only those with especially strong talent are in favor of CSR investments. For executives ranked above the 75th percentile in terms of managerial talent, an increase in managerial ability leads to more CSR investments, suggesting that these strongly talented managers perceive CSR as enhancing firm performance. In contrast, for those with weaker talent, CSR investments are negatively associated with managerial ability, implying that these weakly talented managers view CSR as a wasteful deployment of resources. Further evidence shows that our conclusion is unlikely confounded by endogeneity.