bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the mechanisms of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): How brain state and baseline performance level determine behavioral effects of TMS
Authors: Silvanto Juha , Bona Silvia , Marelli Marco , Cattaneo Zaira
Published: September 2017

The behavioral effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can change qualitatively when stimulation is preceded by initial state manipulations such as priming or adaptation. In addition, baseline performance level of the participant has been shown to play a role in modulating the impact of TMS. Here we examined the link between these two. This was done using data from a previous study using a TMS-priming paradigm, in which, at group level, TMS selectively facilitated targets incongruent with the prime while having no statistically significant effects on other prime-target congruencies. Correlation and linear mixed-effects analyses indicated that, for all prime-target congruencies, a significant linear relationship between baseline performance and the magnitude of the induced TMS effect was present: low levels of baseline performance were associated with TMS-induced facilitations and high baseline performance with impairments. Thus as performance level increased, TMS effects turned from facilitation to impairment. The key finding was that priming shifted the transition from facilitatory to disruptive effects for targets incongruent with the prime, such that TMS-induced facilitations were obtained until a higher level of performance than for other prime-target congruencies. Given that brain state manipulations such as priming operate via modulations of neural excitability, this result is consistent with the view that neural excitability, coupled with nonlinear neural effects, underlie behavioral effects of TMS.
Farm credit access, credit constraint and productivity in Ghana
Authors: Sekyi Samuel , Abu Benjamin Musah , Nkegbe Paul Kwame
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine farmers’ access to credit, credit constraint, and productivity in the Northern Savannah ecological zone of Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data from the Ghana Feed the Future baseline survey involving a total sample of 2,968 farm households were used. The conditional mixed process (CMP) framework was applied to estimate access to credit, credit constraint, and productivity simultaneously. As a system estimator the CMP corrects for possible heterogeneity and sample selection bias.

Findings

The results from the estimations revealed that age, literacy, farm non-mechanized equipment, and group membership were the variables influencing farmers’ access to credit. Credit constraint conditions were determined by household size, locality, group membership, and household durable assets. Finally, the results showed that productivity of farmers was dependent on marital status, household size, locality, farm size, commercialization, farm mechanized equipment, group membership, and household durable assets.

Originality/value

This paper is the first, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to use the CMP framework to jointly estimate access to credit, credit constraint, and productivity. The results indicate that estimating credit access and constraint models separately would have yielded biased estimates. Thus, this paper informs future research on farmers’ credit access, credit constraint, and productivity for informed policymaking.
Rural demographic change, rising wages and the restructuring of Chinese agriculture
Authors: Li Tianxiang , Yu Wusheng , Baležentis Tomas , Zhu Jing , Ji Yueqing
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the effects of recent demographic transition and rising labor costs on agricultural production structure and pattern in China during 1998-2012.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors, first, theoretically discuss the effects of changing relative input prices due to rising labor cost on producers’ decisions regarding input mix (substitution effect), output level, and product quality (output effect). A logarithmic mean Divisia index decomposition method is then applied to empirically identify these effects at aggregated levels, followed by an analysis based on the visualization of land use indicators on changing cropping patterns across Chinese provinces.

Findings

The authors find that tightened effective agricultural labor supply and rises in rural labor costs are associated with divergent changes in input mixes and output choices across products. Producers of land-intensive products focusing more on input mix adjustment, while those of labor-intensive products seem to more likely to adjust output choices. Producers’ adaption strategies also varied across Chinese provinces due to natural conditions, leading to shifts and concentrations in the regional distribution of agricultural products, with lower-value bulk products concentrating in the plain areas, whereas higher-value horticulture products increasingly prevailing in sloped areas.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates how adjustments in input mixes and output choice in Chinese agriculture counteracted disadvantages caused by rising labor costs and how such adjustments are product and region specific. Based on these observations, implications regarding further innovations in production technology and institutional arrangements needed within China’s agricultural sector are highlighted in the paper.
Crop price insurance in China: pricing and hedging using futures market
Authors: Ye Minghua , Wang Rongming , Tuo Guozhu , Wang Tongjiang
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how crop price insurance premium can be calculated using an option pricing model and how insurers can transfer underwriting risks in the futures market.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on data from spot and futures market in China, this paper develops an improved B-S model for the calculation of crop price insurance premium and tests the possibility of hedging underwriting risks by insurance firms in the futures market.

Findings

The authors find that spot price of crops in China can be estimated with agricultural commodity futures prices, and can be taken as the insured price for crop price insurance. The authors also find that improved B-S model yields better estimation of crop price insurance premium than traditional B-S model when spot price does not follow geometric Brownian motion. Finally, the authors find that hedging can be one good alternative for insurance firms to manage underwriting risks.

Originality/value

This paper develops an improved B-S model that is data-driven in nature. Insured price of the crop price insurance, or the exercise price used in the B-S model, is estimated from a co-integration model built on spot and futures market price series. Meanwhile, distributional patterns of spot price series, one important factor determining the applicability of B-S model, is factored into the improved B-S model so that the latter is more robust and friendly to data with varied distributions. This paper also verifies the possibility of hedging of underwriting risks by insurance firms in the futures market.
Exploring market orientation among Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises
Authors: Zhang Long , Kara Ali , Spillan John E. , Mintu-Wimsatt Alma
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The role of marketing as a business function is rapidly changing in China. Consequently, their views on marketing orientation – whether it is accepted, rejected, modified or reframed – have been seriously impacted. This paper aims to report on the results of a survey among Chinese small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) managers and their perceptions of the market-orientation philosophy. In particular, emphasis was placed on three dimensions of market orientation: intelligence generation, intelligence dissemination and responsiveness. The effect of market orientation on business performance was also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data from 214 managers from SMEs. These businesses were located in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. The commonly used market orientation (MARKOR) measure was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Consistent with the extant literature, the findings provided empirical support for the three dimensions of market orientation among Chinese SME. The authors also found that a positive relationship existed between Chinese SME market orientation and firm performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides major insights into the market orientation measurement and practices of SME in China. From a measurement perspective, the empirical support for MARKOR across a non-Western context is noteworthy. From a practitioner perspective, the implications relating to understanding Chinese SME and how these companies can best market their products and services to their respective markets are critical. Some of the limitations of our study relates to the sample size, convenience sampling and geographic concentration of the respondents.

Originality/value

This study addresses the gaps in the literature by exploring market orientation in non-large scale businesses as well as the adaptation of the concept in a non-Western cultural setting. The findings extend the conceptualization and application of market orientation to Chinese SME.
Using hierarchical linear modeling to test the effect of overall strategic fit on firm performance in different industry
Authors: Dang Van Thac , Lin Chin-Shien
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This study aims at investigating the effect of an overall fit among strategy, environmental factors and organizational resources on firm performance, and the moderating role of industry on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses hierarchical linear modeling to analyze the nested data structure from the financial and electronics companies in Taiwan’s stock market from 2011 to 2012.

Findings

The empirical results indicate that overall strategic fit is positively related to firm performance, and this relationship varies across financial industry and electronics industry.

Originality/value

This study provides important implications for both academic researchers and practitioners. From a theoretical aspect, this study integrates two research streams of strategic fit (external fit and internal fit) into an overall model of strategic fit, and has explored the moderating role of industry on the relationship between strategic fit and firm performance. In addition, this study has also used hierarchical linear modeling method to test the hypotheses, which has not been used in the previous strategic fit literature. From a practical aspect, the empirical results have derived implications for managers as to understand the effects of overall strategic fit on performance in different industry, which may be helpful for making decisions in specific industry context.
The roles of CEO transformational leadership and organizational factors on product innovation performance
Authors: Sattayaraksa Tharnpas , Boon-itt Sakun
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the direct and indirect effects of CEO transformational leadership on product innovation performance. This research investigates the mechanism between CEO transformational leadership and product innovation performance, to understand the process through which transformational CEOs exert their influence.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is a quantitative research. Data were collected from 269 manufacturing firms in Thailand through a mail survey. This research applied a two-step structural equation modeling process.

Findings

The results indicate that CEO transformational leadership indirectly affects product innovation performance through an innovation culture, organizational learning, and the new product development (NPD) process. CEO transformational leadership has a strong effect on innovation culture and organizational learning. Organizational learning is strongly associated with the NPD process, which significantly leads to product innovation performance. By integrating the knowledge of leadership and operations management fields, this study helps extend the understanding of how leaders at the top of an organization influence the NPD process and product innovation outcomes.

Practical implications

For practical implications to be more effective, CEOs focusing on product innovation should develop their skills and behaviors of transformational leadership to foster innovation culture and organizational learning, which in turn will affect product innovation performance.

Originality/value

This study makes a contribution to the literature by filling the research gaps proposed by several prior studies and offering a theoretical framework of the relationship between CEO transformational leadership and product innovation performance.
The relationship between board of directors’ structure and company ownership with corporate social responsibility disclosure
Authors: Salehi Mahdi , Tarighi Hossein , Rezanezhad Malihe
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of the structure of board of directors and company ownership on social responsibility disclosure of listed companies on the Tehran Stock Exchange.

Design/methodology/approach

The variables of the study included independent board of directors, institutional ownership, managerial ownership, family ownership and family-managerial ownership. The study population consisted of 125 listed companies on the Tehran Stock Exchange during the years 2009-2014. Content analysis used to measure social responsibility disclosure level and test hypothesis was performed using multiple regression analysis.

Findings

The results demonstrated that there was no significant relationship between any of the independent variables and the level of social responsibility disclosure. This study empirically shows managers, investors and other stakeholders that if business owners are made of different groups, namely, institutional ownership, managerial and family ownership, it will not affect the social responsibility disclosure in annual reports.

Originality/value

The outcomes of the current study may bridge the gap between social responsibility disclosure and ownership structure in a developing country like Iran.
Acceptance of Islamic banking as innovation: a case of Pakistan
Authors: Ali Muhammad , Puah Chin-Hong
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the factors that determine the customer adoption of Islamic banking in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper aims to use a sample of 540 Islamic bank customers located in the biggest city of Pakistan (Karachi). This study is based on the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory and analyzed the role of five attributes (compatibility, relative advantage, complexity, observability and trialability) along with the consumer awareness about the customer adoption of Islamic banking. Additionally, the present research also considers Islamic banking as a new idea (innovation) in Pakistan under the framework of DOI theoretical assumptions. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses are applied to the sample data. The theoretical framework is then tested using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings of the study revealed that all five attributes of the DOI theory are positively and significantly related to the customer adoption of Islamic banking. The customer awareness also proved its importance in the hypothesized model by representing a positive and significant relationship.

Originality/value

The present study provides a useful guideline for the Islamic bank managers and the academicians to better understand the customer adoption of Islamic banking.
Higher apprenticeships and the new apprenticeship standards
Authors: Saraswat Arti
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The UK government is actively promoting higher apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships and this agenda has been gaining momentum amongst the various providers of apprenticeships. The purpose of this paper is to draw on an exploratory study on English further education (FE) colleges and highlight some of the key drivers of delivery, and possible challenges that can be faced by the providers in any expansion of this provision. Staff perceptions on the new apprenticeship standards are also presented in the paper.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on a qualitative exploratory study with ten FE colleges in England. As part of the study, 19 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with college staff and managers.

Findings

Higher apprenticeships have the potential to offer work-focussed alternatives to the conventional full-time degree models of higher education, however, the paper sheds light on a number of factors can limit the uptake of higher and degree apprenticeships.

Practical implications

The paper presents some practical challenges in developing higher apprenticeships and outlines some successful instances of higher apprenticeships which will be useful for those involved in the design and delivery of apprenticeships at FE colleges as well as at other providers.

Originality/value

This paper draws on research with FE colleges and will be of particular significance to FE colleges and universities that may consider delivering higher apprenticeships. The paper presents insights into institutional experiences and decision-making associated with higher and degree apprenticeships and, in doing so, the paper offers valuable contributions to the body of knowledge in this under-researched area.
The role of personality traits in investors trading behaviour: empirical evidence from Greek
Authors: Kourtidis Dimitrios , Chatzoglou Prodromos , Sevic Zeljko
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether, and to what extent, specific personality traits drive investors’ trading behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates these assumptions in an innovative way by employing an integrated model and using structural equation modelling analysis to examine them simultaneously as they would occur in the complex real world environment.

Findings

The results provide strong evidence that these personality traits influence investors’ trading behaviour and stock trading performance. The most powerful relationships are found to be those between over-confidence and stock trading volume, frequency and performance.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge there is no any similar study. This paper is the authors’ original unpublished work and it has not been submitted to any other journal for reviews.
Identity and difference – re-thinking UK South Asian entrepreneurship
Authors: McPherson Mark Christopher
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This paper, which is part of a larger study, aims to discuss from an ethno-cultural perspective, the notion of self-identification and difference pertaining to first and second-generation South Asian male entrepreneurs. In essence, previous studies have not explored this dimension to any sufficient depth. Therefore, evidence is unclear as to how ethno-culture has informed entrepreneurial identity and difference.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting a phenomenological research paradigm, 42 semi-structured interviews were conducted with first- and second-generation Sikh and Pakistani Muslim male entrepreneurs in Greater London. A typology of second-generation entrepreneurs is developed and a research agenda proposed.

Findings

First-generation respondents regard the UK as home and do not suffer from shifts in identity. These particular respondents identify themselves as Sikh or Pakistani Muslim or a Businessman. However, the second-generation identify themselves via three distinct labels. Here respondents stress their ethnicity by using Hyphenated British identities or hide their ethnicity behind the term a Normal Businessman, or appear opportunists by using ethnicity as a resource to espouse a true entrepreneurial identity.

Research limitations/implications

The research environment within the Greater London area where the respondents are located may not be as generalisable when compared with other parts of the UK.

Originality/value

This paper offers a unique insight into self-prescribed identity and difference noted among London’s ethnic entrepreneurs.
Between a business and a social enterprise
Authors: Islam Durdana , Berkes Fikret
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the function of an Indigenous commercial fishery at Norway House Cree Nation as a social enterprise, and to examine its potential to enhance community economic development.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted in three phases, and the outcome of each phase was used as an input for the next phase. In the first phase, questionnaire surveys were administered among commercial fishing households. In the second phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants, and in the third, with fisheries experts, food development experts and government officials.

Findings

Norway House Fisherman’s Co-op functions as a social enterprise mainly because commercial fishers contribute to local food security by sharing fish, and the Co-op operates additional businesses which contribute to job creation and community economic development.

Research limitations/implications

The study was carried out in only one community and commercial fishery from northern Manitoba, and the results will not be directly applicable elsewhere.

Practical implications

This research provides recommendations for further development of commercial fisheries at Norway House: fuller use of existing fish resources, value-added economic development and creative use of regulatory options.

Originality/value

The Co-op is identified as the engine of community development. It functions well, but there are additional opportunities for development, such as reducing the discard of lower value fish, which is consistent with indigenous Cree cultural values of not wasting resources.
Response of thermoelastic functionally graded beam due to ramp type heating in modified couple stress with dual-phase-lag model
Authors: Kumar Rajneesh , Devi Shaloo
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the thermoelastic functionally graded beam in a modified couple stress theory subjected to a dual-phase-lag model.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing equations are solved by using the Euler-Bernoulli beam assumption and the Laplace transform technique. The lateral deflection, temperature change, displacement component, axial stress and thermal moment of the beam are obtained by ramp type heating in the transformed domain. A general algorithm of the inverse Laplace transform is developed to recover the results in a physical domain.

Findings

The lateral deflection, temperature change, displacement component, axial stress and thermal moment of the beam are computed numerically and presented graphically to show the effect of ramp time parameter and phase lags of heating.

Originality/value

Comparisons are made in the absence and presence of coupled dual-phase-lag thermoelastic and coupled thermoelastic L-S theories and also different values of ramp type parameter.
Brinkman ferroconvection
Authors: Ravisha M. , Shivakumara I.S. , R. Gangadhara Reddy
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The simultaneous effects of local thermal non-equilibrium (LTNE) and vertical heterogeneity in permeability on the onset of ferromagnetic convection in a Brinkman porous medium are analyzed in the presence of a uniform vertical magnetic field. The eigenvalue problem is solved numerically using shooting method for isothermal rigid-ferromagnetic boundaries for various forms of vertically stratified permeability function Γ(z). The effect of vertically stratified permeability is found to either hasten or delay the onset of ferromagnetic convection. The deviation in the critical Rayleigh number between different forms of Γ(z) is found to be not so significant with an increase in the Darcy number. It is observed that the general quadratic variation of Γ(z) has more destabilizing effect on the system when compared to the constant permeability porous medium case. Besides, the influence of LTNE and magnetic parameters on the criterion for the onset of ferromagnetic convection has been assessed in detail. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Ferroconvection in a porous medium has been analyzed considering heterogeneity in the permeability of the porous medium. The resulting eigenvalue problem has been solved numerically using shooting method as well as Galerkin method for realistic boundary conditions.

Findings

The novelty of the present study lies in understanding the effect of heterogeneity in the permeability of the porous medium on control of ferroconvection in a porous medium. In analyzing the problem, realistic boundary conditions are considered and the resulting eigenvalue problem is solved numerically using shooting method as well as Galerkin method.

Originality/value

Control of ferroconvection in a porous medium is an important feature in heat transfer-related problems and many mechanisms are being used to understand this aspect in the literature. The novelty of the present study lies in recognizing the effect of heterogeneity in the permeability of the porous medium on control of ferroconvection. This fact has been analyzed in detail for various forms of heterogeneity functions using numerical techniques by considering realistic boundary conditions.
The influence of status differentiation on vertical brand extension
Authors: Fang Xiang , Lin Shengdong
Published: September 2017

Purpose

In this paper, the authors aim to propose that status differentiation, the extent to which people differentiate their behaviors or attribute power to others according to perceived status differences, moderates the effect of stretch direction upward or downward and brand image prestige or functional on consumers 2019 responses to line extensions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was a 2 (culture: Chinese vs American) × 2 (stretch direction: up vs down) × 2 (brand image: prestige vs functional) experiment design. Study 2 was a 2 (status differentiation: high vs low) × 2 (stretch direction: up vs down) × 2 (brand image: prestige vs functional) experiment design.

Findings

The results of two studies show that high status differentiation has a positive prestige-enhancement effect on an upward extension but a detrimental effect on a downward extension. This effect is more pronounced for prestige brands than for functional brands. In addition, the authors have found similar patterns for the prestige perceptions of the parent brands after extension.

Research limitations/implications

This research makes important contributions to the fields of cross-cultural psychology. The status differentiation beliefs could be primed temporarily and had a significant impact on individuals’ responses to line extension.

Practical implications

The research identifies status differentiation as an important factor for marketers to consider when extending their brands to global markets.

Originality/value

Past research on vertical extensions has examined numerous factors influencing consumers’ responses. This paper is the only one to examine culture factor.
The changing nature of strategic collaboration
Authors: Goode Graham
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to highlight the use of equity participation as an emerging strategic collaboration response to the turbulent conditions caused by digital disruption in the UK broadcast media industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on quantitative content analysis of 169 reported instances of strategic collaboration in the period 2010-2016.

Findings

The findings show that equity participation, as a collaborative strategy in the UK media industry, has emerged to become the predominant form of collaboration, compared to traditional forms of collaboration. The findings show that, for equity participation, a majority of stated motivations of both partners are to gain access to complementary capabilities and to reduce barriers to market entry. For the lead partner, this form of collaboration provides the capabilities to allow the other, often smaller partner, to maintain creative autonomy and agility while gaining access to the resources, content, talent and people expertise that strengthens both partners’ strategic positions.

Originality/value

For strategy managers, the research highlights the benefits of equity participation as a collaborative strategy in terms of dynamic response and risk-sharing, based on an industry experiencing turbulent conditions as a result of digital disruption.
Lessons from the steel industry: if you can’t compete on price, innovate your way to value-added differentiation
Authors: Blitz Amy
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Threats from low cost competitors are a fact of markets, a trend likely not just to continue in coming years but to accelerate. The fundamental strategic question the authors consider is how best to compete when competing on price alone is not a realistic option.

Design/methodology/approach

This case details how Korea’s POSCO steel company has successfully pivoted from competing on price to competing on innovation.

Findings

POSCO introduced new revenue-generating offerings as well as innovative cost-saving processes while also improving its environmental footprint.

Practical implications

POSCO began sending engineers to work directly with customers to identify areas of opportunity for specialized, differentiated, high value added steel products.

Originality/value

This case shows how POSCO managed to identify and address a host of unmet customer needs, introducing new revenue-generating offerings as well as cost-saving new processes while also improving the company’s environmental footprint, making it a desirable partner for customers concerned about having a socially responsible supply chain.
Geophysical mapping of buried faults in parts of Bida Basin, North Central Nigeria
Authors: Awoyemi Musa Olufemi , Ajama Ojudoo Darius , Hammed Olayide Sakirudeen , Arogundade Augustine Babatunde , Falade Sesan Cornelius
Published: September 2017

High‐resolution aeromagnetic data over the Bida Basin, North Central Nigeria has been analysed to investigate the possible continuity of Ifewara fault zone, through the Bida Basin, to Zungeru fault zone. Analytic signal magnitude, horizontal gradient magnitude, and Euler deconvolution methods were applied to the aeromagnetic data to delineate the subsurface structures. The results showed that a prominent NNE–SSW trending fault associated with the Ifewara fault zone extends through the study area. Other faults trending in the ENE–WSW, NE–SW, NW–SE, E–W, and WNW–ESE directions were also mapped. Interpreted models revealed the presence of intrusives and a possible mineralised zone within the study area. We therefore concluded that the inferred fault zones within the basin have affinity with the trend of the Ifewara fault zone, which is an indication of possible extension and linkage with Zungeru fault zone through the Bida Basin.
Seismic data interpolation using generalised velocity‐dependent seislet transform
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhang Peng , Liu Cai
Published: September 2017

Data interpolation is an important step for seismic data analysis because many processing tasks, such as multiple attenuation and migration, are based on regularly sampled seismic data. Failed interpolations may introduce artifacts and eventually lead to inaccurate final processing results. In this paper, we generalised seismic data interpolation as a basis pursuit problem and proposed an iteration framework for recovering missing data. The method is based on non‐linear iteration and sparse transform. A modified Bregman iteration is used for solving the constrained minimisation problem based on compressed sensing. The new iterative strategy guarantees fast convergence by using a fixed threshold value. We also propose a generalised velocity‐dependent formulation of the seislet transform as an effective sparse transform, in which the non‐hyperbolic normal moveout equation serves as a bridge between local slope patterns and moveout parametres in the common‐midpoint domain. It can also be reduced to the traditional velocity‐dependent seislet if special heterogeneity parametre is selected. The generalised velocity‐dependent seislet transform predicts prestack reflection data in offset coordinates, which provides a high compression of reflection events. The method was applied to synthetic and field data examples, and the results show that the generalised velocity‐dependent seislet transform can reconstruct missing data with the help of the modified Bregman iteration even for non‐hyperbolic reflections under complex conditions, such as vertical transverse isotropic (VTI) media or aliasing.
Large woody debris “rewilding” rapidly restores biodiversity in riverine food webs
Authors: Thompson Murray S. A. , Brooks Stephen J. , Sayer Carl D. , Woodward Guy , Axmacher Jan C. , Perkins Daniel M. , Gray Clare
Published: September 2017

Extensive habitat destruction and pollution have caused dramatic declines in aquatic biodiversity at local to global scales. In rivers, the reintroduction of large woody debris is a common method aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems through “rewilding.” However, causal evidence for its effectiveness is lacking due to a dearth of replicated before–after control‐impact field experiments.

We conducted the first replicated experiment of large woody debris rewilding across multiple rivers and organisational levels, from individual target species populations to entire food webs.

For the first time, we demonstrate causal links between habitat restoration, biodiversity restoration and food web responses. Populations of invertebrates and an apex predator, brown trout (Salmo trutta), increased, and food web analysis suggested increased biomass flux from basal resources to invertebrates and subsequently fishes within restored reaches.

Synthesis and applications. This study contributes significant new evidence demonstrating that large woody debris rewilding can help to restore human‐impacted river ecosystems, primarily through altering the abundance and biomass of consumers and resources in the food web. We also outline a means to gauge the magnitude of ecological responses to restoration, relative to environmental stressors, which could help to prioritise the most effective conservation efforts.
Relationship between urinary sodium‐to‐potassium ratio and ambulatory blood pressure in patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Libianto Renata , Moran John , O'Callaghan Christopher , Baqar Sara , Chen Angela X , Baker Scott T , Clarke Michelle , MacIsaac Richard J , Jerums George , Ekinci Elif I
Published: September 2017

Previous studies investigating the relationship between sodium intake and blood pressure have mostly relied on dietary recall and clinic blood pressure measurement. In this cross‐sectional study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between 24 hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion, and their ratio, with 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure parameters including nocturnal blood pressure dipping in patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes. We report that in 116 patients with diabetes, systolic blood pressure was significantly predicted by the time of day, age, the interaction between dipping status with time, and 24 hour urinary sodium‐to‐potassium ratio (R2 = 0.83) with a relative contribution of 53%, 21%, 20% and 6%, respectively. However, there was no interaction between urinary sodium‐to‐potassium ratio and dipping status.
Trace DNA Sampling Success from Evidence Items Commonly Encountered in Forensic Casework
Authors: Dziak Renata , Peneder Amy , Buetter Alicia , Hageman Cecilia
Published: September 2017

Trace DNA analysis is a significant part of a forensic laboratory's workload. Knowing optimal sampling strategies and item success rates for particular item types can assist in evidence selection and examination processes and shorten turnaround times. In this study, forensic short tandem repeat (STR) casework results were reviewed to determine how often STR profiles suitable for comparison were obtained from “handler” and “wearer” areas of 764 items commonly submitted for examination. One hundred and fifty‐five (155) items obtained from volunteers were also sampled. Items were analyzed for best sampling location and strategy. For casework items, headwear and gloves provided the highest success rates. Experimentally, eyeglasses and earphones, T‐shirts, fabric gloves and watches provided the highest success rates. Eyeglasses and latex gloves provided optimal results if the entire surfaces were swabbed. In general, at least 10%, and up to 88% of all trace DNA analyses resulted in suitable STR profiles for comparison.
Injury Patterns Sustained in Fatal Motor Vehicle Collisions with Driver's Third‐Generation Airbag Deployment
Authors: Kuk Mariya , Shkrum Michael J.
Published: September 2017

The Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario database for 2011–2012 was used to compare fatal injury patterns in drivers whose third‐generation airbags deployed compared to first‐ and second‐generation airbag deployments and airbag nondeployments with and without seatbelt use. There were 110 frontal and offset frontal crashes analyzed. The small sample size meant that the odds of craniocerebral, cervical spinal, thoracic, and abdominal injuries were not statistically different for airbag generation, deployment status, and seatbelt use; however, the risk of fatal thoracic injuries in third‐ and second‐generation cases was increased. Seatbelt usage in third‐ and second‐generation deployment cases reduced the risk of all injuries except abdominal trauma. High severity impacts and occupant compartment intrusion were frequently observed. The analyses in this retrospective study were challenged by data that were not collated in a standardized way and were limited in details about scene, vehicle, and driver variables.
Developing aDNAbarcode library for perciform fishes in the South China Sea: Species identification, accuracy and cryptic diversity
Authors: Hou Gang , Chen Wei‐Tao , Lu Huo‐Sheng , Cheng Fei , Xie Song‐Guang
Published: September 2017

DNAbarcodes were studied for 1,353 specimens representing 272 morphological species belonging to 149 genera and 55 families of Perciformes from the South China Sea (SCS). The average Kimura 2‐parameter (K2P) distances within species, genera and families were 0.31%, 8.71% and 14.52%, respectively. A neighbour‐joining (NJ) tree, Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum‐likelihood (ML) trees and Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) revealed 260, 253 and 259 single‐species‐representing clusters, respectively. Barcoding gap analysis (BGA) demonstrated that barcode gaps were present for 178 of 187 species analysed with multiple specimens (95.2%), with the minimum interspecific distance to the nearest neighbour larger than the maximum intraspecific distance. A group of threeThunnusspecies (T. albacares,T. obesusandT. tonggol), a pair ofGerresspecies (G. oyenaandG. japonicus), a pair ofIstiblenniusspecies (I. edentulousandI. lineatus) and a pair ofUranoscopusspecies (U. oligolepisandU. kaianus) were observed with low interspecific distances and overlaps between intra‐ and interspecific genetic distances. Three species (Apogon ellioti,Naucrates ductorandPsenopsis anomala) showed deep intraspecific divergences and generated two lineages each, suggesting the possibility of cryptic species. Our results demonstrated thatDNAbarcodes are highly reliable for delineating species of Perciformes in theSCS. TheDNAbarcode library established in this study will shed light on further research on the diversity of Perciformes in theSCS.
StructureSelector: A web‐based software to select and visualize the optimal number of clusters using multiple methods
Authors: Li Yu‐Long , Liu Jin‐Xian
Published: September 2017

Inferences of population genetic structure are of great importance to the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology. The program structure has been widely used to infer population genetic structure. However, previous studies demonstrated that uneven sampling often leads to wrong inferences on hierarchical structure. The most widely used ΔK method tends to identify the uppermost hierarchy of population structure. Recently, four alternative statistics (medmedk, medmeak, maxmedk and maxmeak) were proposed, which appear to be more accurate than the previously used methods for both even and uneven sampling data. However, the lack of easy‐to‐use software limits the use of these appealing new estimators. Here, we developed a web‐based user‐friendly software structureselector to calculate the four appealing alternative statistics together with the commonly used Ln Pr(X|K) and ΔK statistics. structureselector accepts the result files of structure, admixture or faststructure as input files. It reports the “best” K for each estimator, and the results are available as HTML or tab separated tables. The program can also generate graphical representations for specific K, which can be easily downloaded from the server. The software is freely available at http://lmme.qdio.ac.cn/StructureSelector/.
Association between polymorphisms in microRNA target sites and survival in early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yoo Seung Soo , Hong Mi Jeong , Lee Jang Hyuck , Choi Jin Eun , Lee Shin Yup , Lee Jaehee , Cha Seung Ick , Kim Chang Ho , Seok Yangki , Lee Eungbae , Cho Sukki , Jheon Sanghoon , Park Jae Yong
Published: September 2017

A high‐throughput mapping method of RNA–RNA interactions by crosslinking, ligation, and sequencing of hybrids (CLASH) can not only provide information about canonical but also non‐canonical interactions. We evaluated the associations between variants in microRNA target sites using CLASH data and survival outcomes of 782 early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who underwent curative surgical resection. Among the 100 variants studied, two variants showed significant association with survival outcomes. The POLR2A rs2071504 C > T variant was associated with poor overall and disease‐free survival under a dominant model (hazard ratio [HR] 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–1.88; P = 0.01 and HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.08–1.67; P = 0.01, respectively). Patients carrying the NR2F6 rs2288539 TT genotype showed significantly better overall survival than those with the NR2F6 rs2288539 CC or CT genotypes (HR 0.13, 95% CI 0.02–0.90; P = 0.04). These findings suggest that POLR2A rs2071504 C > T and NR2F6 rs2288539 C > T can influence prognosis in early‐stage NSCLC patients.
In a randomized trial in prostate cancer patients, dietary protein restriction modifies markers of leptin and insulin signaling in plasma extracellular vesicles
Authors: Eitan Erez , Tosti Valeria , Suire Caitlin N. , Cava Edda , Berkowitz Sean , Bertozzi Beatrice , Raefsky Sophia M. , Veronese Nicola , Spangler Ryan , Spelta Francesco , Mustapic Maja , Kapogiannis Dimitrios , Mattson Mark P. , Fontana Luigi
Published: September 2017

Obesity, metabolic syndrome, and hyperleptinemia are associated with aging and age‐associated diseases including prostate cancer. One experimental approach to inhibit tumor growth is to reduce dietary protein intake and hence levels of circulating amino acids. Dietary protein restriction (PR) increases insulin sensitivity and suppresses prostate cancer cell tumor growth in animal models, providing a rationale for clinical trials. We sought to demonstrate that biomarkers derived from plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) reflect systemic leptin and insulin signaling and respond to dietary interventions. We studied plasma samples from men with prostate cancer awaiting prostatectomy who participated in a randomized trial of one month of PR or control diet. We found increased levels of leptin receptor in the PR group in total plasma EVs and in a subpopulation of plasma EVs expressing the neuronal marker L1CAM. Protein restriction also shifted the phosphorylation status of the insulin receptor signal transducer protein IRS1 in L1CAM+ EVs in a manner suggestive of improved insulin sensitivity. Dietary PR modifies indicators of leptin and insulin signaling in circulating EVs. These findings are consistent with improved insulin and leptin sensitivity in response to PR and open a new window for following physiologic responses to dietary interventions in humans.
Interobserver Agreement in Pediatric Cervical Spine Injury Assessment Between Prehospital and Emergency Department Providers
Authors: Browne Lorin R. , Schwartz Hamilton , Ahmad Fahd A. , Wallendorf Michael , Kuppermann Nathan , Lerner E. Brooke , Leonard Julie C.
Published: September 2017

Background

Investigators have derived cervical spine injury (CSI) decision support tools from physician observations. There is a need to demonstrate that prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) providers can use these tools to appropriately determine the need for spinal motion restrictions and make field disposition decisions.

Objectives

The objective was to determine the interobserver agreement between EMS and emergency department (ED) providers for CSI risk assessment variables and overall gestalt for CSI in children after blunt trauma.

Methods

This was a planned, substudy of a four‐site, prospective cohort of children < 18 years transported by EMS to pediatric EDs for evaluation of CSI after blunt trauma. Inclusion criteria were trauma team activation and/or EMS‐initiated spinal motion restriction. Exclusion criteria were penetrating trauma, transfer to another facility for definitive care, state custody, or substantial language barrier. For each eligible child, the transporting EMS provider and treating ED provider independently recorded their clinical assessment for CSI. This included mechanism of injury and patient history and physical examination findings. We assessed each paired variable for interobserver agreement between EMS and ED provider using kappa (κ) analysis. We considered variables with κ lower confidence interval values ≥0.4 to have moderate or better agreement.

Results

We obtained 1,372 paired observations for 29 variables. After finding prevalence and observer bias were adjusted for, all variables achieved moderate to better agreement including eight variables previously shown to be independently associated with CSI in children: diving mechanism, high‐risk motor vehicle collision, altered mental status, focal neurologic findings, neck pain, torticollis, substantial torso injury, and predisposing medical condition. EMS and ED providers, however, showed less than moderate agreement for their overall gestalt for CSI in children. Of note, both EMS and ED providers did not assess for neck pain, inability to move the neck, and/or cervical spine tenderness in more than 10% of study patients.

Conclusions

Emergency medical services and ED providers achieved at least moderate agreement in the assessment of CSI risk factors in children after blunt trauma. However, EMS and ED providers did not achieve moderate agreement on gestalt for CSI and some risk factors went unassessed by providers. These findings support the development of a pediatric CSI risk assessment tool for EMS and ED providers to reduce interventions for those children at very low risk for CSIs while still identifying all children with injury.