bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Arabidopsis Squamosa promoter binding Protein-Like genes act together in plant acclimation to copper or zinc deficiency?
Authors: Schulten Anna , Bytomski Lucas , Quintana Julia , Bernal Maria , Kraemer Ute
Published: March 2019

The genome of Arabidopsis thaliana encodes approximately 260 copper (Cu)-dependent proteins, which include enzymes in central pathways of photosynthesis, respiration and responses to environmental stress. Under Cu-deficient growth conditions, Squamosa promoter binding Protein-Like 7 (SPL7) activates the transcription of genes encoding Cu acquisition systems and mediates a metabolic reorganization to economize on Cu. The transcription factor SPL7 groups among comparably large proteins in the SPL family, which additionally comprises a second group of small SPL proteins targeted by miRNA156 with roles in plant development. SPL7 shares extended regions of sequence homology with SPL1 and SPL12. Therefore, we investigated the possibility of a functional overlap between these three members of the group of large SPL family proteins. We compared the spl1 spl12 double mutant and the spl1 spl7 spl12 triple mutant with the wild type and the spl7 single mutant under normal and Cu-deficient growth conditions. Biomass production, chlorophyll content and tissue elemental composition at the seedling stage, as well as plant and flower morphology during reproductive stages, confirmed the involvement of SPL7, but provided no indication for important roles of SPL1 or SPL12, in the acclimation of Arabidopsis to Cu deficiency. Furthermore, we analyzed the effects of zinc (Zn) deficiency on the same set of mutants. Different from what is known in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Arabidopsis did not activate Cu deficiency responses under Zn deficiency, and there was no Cu overaccumulation in either shoot or root tissues of Zn-deficient wild-type plants. Known Zn deficiency responses were unaltered in spl7, spl1 spl12 and spl1 spl7 spl12 mutants. We observed that CuZnSOD activity is strongly downregulated in Zn-deficient A. thaliana, in association with an about 94% reduction in the abundance of the CDS2 transcript, a known target of miR398. However, different from the known Cu deficiency responses of Arabidopsis, this Zn deficiency response was independent of SPL7 and not associated with an upregulation of MIR398b primary transcript levels. Our data suggest that there is no conservation in A. thaliana of the crosstalk between Zn and Cu homeostasis mediated by the single SPL family protein CRR1 in Chlamydomonas. In the future, resolving how the specificity of SPL protein activation and recognition of target gene promoters is achieved will advance our understanding of the specific functions of different SPL family proteins in either Cu deficiency response regulation or growth and development of land plants.
Expression and distribution of Trophoblast Glycoprotein in the mouse retina
Authors: Wakeham Colin M , Ren Gaoying , Morgans Catherine W
Published: March 2019

We recently identified the leucine-rich repeat adhesion protein, trophoblast glycoprotein (TPBG), as a novel PKCα-dependent phosphoprotein in retinal rod bipolar cells (RBCs). Since TPBG has not been thoroughly examined in the retina, this study characterizes the localization and expression patterns of TPBG in the developing and adult mouse retina using two antibodies, one against the N-terminal, leucine-rich domain and the other against the C-terminal PDZ-interacting motif. Both antibodies labeled dendrites and synaptic terminals of RBCs, as well as the cell bodies and dendrites of an uncharacterized class of amacrine cell. In transfected HEK293 cells, TPBG was localized to the plasma membrane and intracellular membranes and was associated with the tips of thin filopodia-like membrane projections. TPBG immunofluorescence in RBCs detected with the C-terminal antibody was strongly dependent on the activity state of the adult retina, with less labeling in dark-adapted compared to light-adapted retina, and less labeling in light-adapted PKCα knockout and TRPM1 knockout retinas compared to wild type, despite no change in total TPBG detected by immunoblotting. These results suggest that the C-terminal epitope is blocked in the dark-adapted and knockout retinas compared to light-adapted wild type retinas, possibly through interaction with a PDZ domain protein. During development, TPBG expression increases dramatically just prior to eye opening with a time course closely correlated with that of TRPM1 expression. In the retina, leucine-rich repeat proteins like TPBG have been implicated in the development and maintenance of functional bipolar cell synapses, and TPBG may play a similar role in RBCs.
Synthesis and molecular structure of biologically significant bis(1,3-dimesityl-4,5-naphthoquinoimidazol-2-ylidene)gold(I) complexes with chloride and dichloridoaurate counter-ions
Authors: Selvakumar Jayaraman , Miles Meredith H. , Grossie David A. , Arumugam Kuppuswamy
Published: March 2019

Diffraction-quality single crystals of two gold(I) complexes, namely bis(1,3-dimesityl-4,5-naphthoquinoimidazol-2-ylidene)gold(I) chloride benzene monosolvate, [Au(C29H26N2O2)2]Cl·C6H6or [(NQMes)2Au]Cl·C6H6,2, and bis(1,3-dimesityl-4,5-naphthoquinoimidazol-2-ylidene)gold(I) dichloridoaurate(I) dichloromethane disolvate, [Au(C29H26N2O2)2][AuCl2]·2CH2Cl2or [(NQMes)2Au][AuCl2]·2CH2Cl2,4, were isolated and studied with the aid of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound2crystallizes in a monoclinic space groupC2/cwith eight molecules in the unit cell, while compound4crystallizes in the triclinic space groupP\overline{1} with two molecules in the unit cell. The crystal lattice of compound2reveals C—H...Cl−interactions that are present throughout the entire structure representing head-to-tail contacts between the aromatic (C—H) hydrogens of naphthoquinone and Cl−counter-ions. Compound4stacks with the aid of short interactions between a naphthoquinone O atom of one molecule and the mesityl methyl group of another molecule along theaaxis, leading to a one-dimensional strand that is held together by strong π–η2interactions between the imidazolium backbone and the [AuCl2]−counter-ion. The bond angles defined by the AuIatom and two carbene C atoms [C(carbene)—Au—C(carbene)] in compounds2and4are nearly rectilinear, with an average value of ∼174.1 [2]°. Though2and4share the same cation, they differ in their counter-anion, which alters the crystal lattice of the two compounds. The knowledge gleaned from these studies is expected to be useful in understanding the molecular interactions of2and4under physiological conditions.
Consuming material authenticity in the age of digital reproduction
Authors: Goulding Christina , Derbaix Maud
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how and why an “old” technology and mode of consumption – vinyl records, which should have become obsolete – has managed not only to survive but also revive in the face of supposedly cheaper and superior digital formats.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used constructivist grounded theory (CGT), a methodology rooted in pragmatism. The authors acknowledge the primacy of relational, conversational and social practices as the source of individual and social life, and that all knowledge is local and the product of negotiation between people within a given context and time frame. In terms of data, the authors draw on the extensive use of memos and participatory observation at the oldest vinyl record store in the UK. The authors also draw on interviews with the store owner and workers and in-depth interviews with vinyl enthusiasts.

Findings

The authors argue that authenticity is not a fixed and static concept but has fluid and porous boundaries that can be experienced by individuals in different situations. The findings center around three experiences of authenticity – staged authenticity, interpersonal authenticity and intrapersonal/existential authenticity.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited to a specific market, typical of old or second-hand vinyl consumption. Future research would benefit from broadening the sample to include new consumers and female enthusiasts of both old and new vinyl.

Practical implications

The paper has implications for consumer service and personal selling relationships.

Originality/value

Originality lies in theoretically positioning the phenomenon within a conceptual framework of authenticity. In particular, the authors shed light on the role that authenticity plays in the experiences of vinyl music consumption amongst buyers and sellers in a store that has a long established heritage. The authors find that vinyl in the age of digital reproduction retains and maintains a number of qualities that are missing from allegedly superior forms of musical reproduction. The authors further maintain that as it has aged, original vinyl has taken on greater power and meaning, and now that it is out of the realm of mass production/consumption, it has opened up a deeper more authentic interaction between human beings and technology. This deeper interaction goes beyond the immediate experience with the object itself and extends to the sensorial, the social and the personal.
Rethinking some of the rethinking of partial least squares
Authors: Hair Joseph F. , Sarstedt Marko , Ringle Christian M.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is an important statistical technique in the toolbox of methods that researchers in marketing and other social sciences disciplines frequently use in their empirical analyses. The purpose of this paper is to shed light on several misconceptions that have emerged as a result of the proposed “new guidelines” for PLS-SEM. The authors discuss various aspects related to current debates on when or when not to use PLS-SEM, and which model evaluation metrics to apply. In addition, this paper summarizes several important methodological extensions of PLS-SEM researchers can use to improve the quality of their analyses, results and findings.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper merges literature from various disciplines, including marketing, strategic management, information systems, accounting and statistics, to present a state-of-the-art review of PLS-SEM. Based on these findings, the paper offers a point of orientation on how to consider and apply these latest developments when executing or assessing PLS-SEM-based research.

Findings

This paper offers guidance regarding situations that favor the use of PLS-SEM and discusses the need to consider certain model evaluation metrics. It also summarizes how to deal with endogeneity in PLS-SEM, and critically comments on the recent proposal to adjust PLS-SEM estimates to mimic common factor models that are the foundation of covariance-based SEM. Finally, this paper opposes characterizing common concepts and practices of PLS-SEM as “out-of-date” without providing well-substantiated alternatives and solutions.

Research limitations/implications

The paper paves the way for future discussions and suggests a way forward to reach consensus regarding situations that favor PLS-SEM use and its application.

Practical implications

This paper offers guidance on how to consider the latest methodological developments when executing or assessing PLS-SEM-based research.

Originality/value

This paper complements recently proposed “new guidelines” with the aim of offering a counter perspective on some strong claims made in the latest literature on PLS-SEM. It also clarifies some misconceptions regarding the application of PLS-SEM.
Consumption-oriented engagement in social network sites
Authors: Ho Hillbun , Ito Kenichi
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Mounting empirical evidence shows that engagement in social network sites (SNSs) could have a negative impact on users’ personal well-being. However, studies of the undesirable effects of SNS use have not examined SNSs as a channel for users to share consumption information and experiences. To extend prior research, this study aims to examine the impact of consumption-oriented engagement (COE) in SNSs on young adult consumers’ personal well-being in terms of anxiety and self-esteem, as well as excessive spending.

Design/methodology/approach

Surveys were the primary means of data collection from a sample of young college students (N = 900). Moderated hierarchical regression was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

COE is positively associated with anxiety and excessive spending and negatively associated with self-esteem. Social comparison mediates these relationships, and individuals’ materialistic values moderate the mediation.

Research limitations/implications

This study demonstrates the psychological and behavioral outcomes of consumer socialization via digital media among young adult consumers. It introduces and empirically validates social comparison as a theoretical explanation for the effects of COE. In addition, it validates materialistic values as a personal trait that moderates the effects of COE.

Practical implications

The study validates COE as a key precursor to the well-being of young adult users of SNSs and social comparison as the mediator. With this understanding, public policies can be designed to mitigate the root cause of the negative impact of SNS use.

Originality/value

Findings shed light on the negative repercussions of engagement in SNSs in the consumption domain and provide an impetus for educators, researchers and policymakers to make further efforts to gain a thorough understanding of the pitfalls of social media use.
A competency framework for contractual workers of manufacturing sector
Authors: Shaheen Musarrat , Azam MD Sikandar , Soma Mahesh Kumar , Kumar T. Jagan Mohan
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a competency dictionary and model for contractual workers of the steel manufacturing sector of India.

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth interviews with 30 supervisors and behavioral events interviews (BEIs) with 40 contractual workers were conducted to identify and validate the competencies of the contractual workers.

Findings

The competencies identified are arranged according to the similarity and dissimilarity between it under three broad categories of competencies, i.e., knowledge, skills and attitudes. These categories are used to develop a competency dictionary which has behavioral indicators, and a framework that can be used to map and evaluate the competencies.

Practical implications

The competency dictionary and the framework developed in the present study will assist human resource practitioners in implementing competency-based human resource processes such as recruitment and selection, training and development and performance management for the contractual workers in the manufacturing sector.

Originality/value

The present study is among the few empirical studies that provide a competency dictionary and a framework of contractual workers in the manufacturing sector of India.
On operations and marketing in microfinance-backed enterprises
Authors: Nilakantan Rahul , Iyengar Deepak , Rao Shashank
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Financial inclusion remains one of the most promising avenues to bring about development for the poorest segments of society. A substantial body of work has looked into financial inclusion, especially in terms of microfinance, but much of it has been anecdotal and case-based. There is little scholarship that broadly investigates how microfinance-funded businesses choose to use the loans, especially given the ever-present competition for resources that such businesses face regarding which investment priority to pursue. In addition, the efficacy of these investments in terms of subsequent profitability remains unexplored, and so too does the influence of the entrepreneur’s embeddedness in the local community. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This study reports the results from a field investigation of 927 women entrepreneurs who received a microfinance loan from a leading Indian microfinance institution. Logit and OLS regression models are employed in a moderation analysis by way of hierarchical regression.

Findings

Results indicate that access to microfinance increases the likelihood that the enterprise invests in marketing infrastructure and operational scale. In addition, structural embeddedness has a weakening effect on this relationship for operational scale while having a strengthening effect on the relationship for marketing infrastructure. Finally, operational scale is related to enterprise profitability, while marketing infrastructure is not. These findings suggest that embeddedness in the community is associated with the entrepreneur making sub-optimal choices regarding microfinance utilization.

Originality/value

To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the simultaneous marketing and operational impacts of microfinance access. It is also the first study to relate these measures to the profitability of the enterprise, especially in the context of structural embeddedness in the network.
Explaining India’s current account deficit: a time series perspective
Authors: Behera Harendra Kumar , Yadav Inder Sekhar
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the issue of high current account deficit (CAD) from various perspectives focussing its behaviour, financing pattern and sustainability for India.

Design/methodology/approach

To begin with the trends, composition and dynamics of CAD for India are analysed. Next, the influence of capital flows on current account is investigated using Granger non-causality test proposed by Toda and Yamamoto (1995) between current account balance (CAB) to GDP ratio and financial account balance to GDP ratio. Also, the sustainability of India’s current account is examined using different econometrics techniques. In particular, Husted’s (1992), Johansen’s cointegration and vector error correction model (VECM) is applied along with conducting unit root and structural break tests wherever applicable. Further, long-run and short-run determinants of the CAB are estimated using Johansen’s VECM.

Findings

The study found that the widening of CAD is due to fall in household financial savings and corporate investments. Also, it was found that a large part of India’s CAD has been financed by FDI and portfolio investments which are partly replaced by short-term volatile flows. The unit root and cointegration tests indicate a sustainable current account for India. Further, econometric analysis reveals that India’s current account is driven by fiscal deficit, terms of trade growth, inflation, real deposit rate, trade openness, relative income growth and the age dependency factor.

Practical implications

Since India’s CAD has widened and is expected to widen primarily due to rise in gold and oil imports, policy makers should focus on achieving phenomenal export growth so that a sustainable current account is maintained. Also, with rising working-age and skilled population, India should focus more on high-value product exports rather than low-value manufactured items. Further, on the structural side it is important to correct fiscal deficit as it is one of the important factors contributing to large CAD.

Originality/value

The paper is an important empirical contribution towards explaining India’s CAD over time using latest and comprehensive data and econometric models.
Functional domains of business incubators for refugee entrepreneurs
Authors: Harima Aki , Freudenberg Julia , Halberstadt Jantje
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize business incubators and their support for entrepreneurial refugees. While the number of initiatives supporting refugees’ entrepreneurial activities has increased in recent years, we still know little about how they differ from other types of business incubators.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study investigates a business incubator in Hamburg, Germany, targeting enterprising refugees. For this paper, 14 in-depth interviews with program participants and incubation managers were conducted.

Findings

This paper inductively derives five functional domains of refugee business incubators: providing structured entrepreneurial knowledge; alleviating anxiety related to institutional differences; guiding through the process at the incubator and motivating participants; understanding and tapping into social capital in the host country; and providing soft support concerning personal matters. The findings show that business incubators could and possibly should address specific needs of refugees and that there is much room for improvement. This study suggests that the five domains listed above represent key characteristics that distinguish refugee business incubators from traditional business incubators.

Practical implications

This paper offers valuable practical insights for refugee business incubators, which need to consider and develop functional domains listed above. Because these kinds of incubators are a fairly recent phenomenon, there is a general lack of and need for blueprints. The findings of this paper suggest that business incubators could integrate and support entrepreneurial refugees provided that they consider the five functional domains identified here. The findings also provide evidence that entrepreneurship can be a possible means of vocational integration for refugees and one way of institutions and policy-makers in host country seeking to support refugees’ entrepreneurial activities, for example, by developing or subsidizing business incubators targeting refugees.

Originality/value

This paper’s contributions are twofold. First, this paper addresses a gap in the literature on refugee entrepreneurship by providing insights concerning the important role of support institutions. Second, this paper conceptualizes business incubators for enterprising refugees as a distinctive type of business incubators. This paper has, however, some limitations. Because it only considered a relatively small number of refugee entrepreneurs, it is difficult to generalize the findings. The cross-cultural setting of the empirical study, with its potential for linguistic and cultural misunderstandings, may have affected the results.
Strategic investment acquisitions performance in UK firms: the impact of managerial overconfidence
Authors: Adel Nour , Alkaraan Fadi
Published: March 2019

Purpose

This paper focuses on the influence of overconfident managers on strategic investment acquisitions performance, by investigating the influence of key contextual factors on acquirers’ returns of UK domestic and cross-border acquisitions during the period 2000-2009. In this study, particular attention has been paid to management attributes (frequent acquirers vs non-frequent acquirers); method of payment (cash vs non-cash deals); the geographic scope (domestic vs cross-border deals); the type of the target (public vs private); the industry scope; and the relative size.

Design/methodology/approach

An event study is used to analyse domestic and cross-border acquisitions. The market model is used for estimating the acquirers’ abnormal returns of 1,133 domestic and cross-border acquisitions by UK firms between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2009.

Findings

The findings reveal that acquirers with domestic targets have higher returns than cross-border targets. Infrequent acquirers generate higher returns from domestic and cross-border acquisitions than frequent acquirers. Further, acquirers that acquire domestic targets from different industrial sectors produce higher returns than acquirers with targets from the same sector. Acquirers with cash deals, private targets and high book-to-market ratio generate significant returns compared to acquirers with non-cash deals, low book-to-market ratio and public targets and that for domestic and cross-border deals. These results suggest that UK domestic and cross-border acquisitions are partially shaped by overconfident managers.

Research limitations/implications

The study has a number of limitations, including the use of the market model, the data-collection process and the limited number of contextual factors. Future research may examine a number of avenues related to the current study, including incorporating the acquiring firms’ financial characteristics.

Practical implications

The study provides a better understanding of the influence of contextual factors on the success and failure of strategic investment projects such as acquisitions. Results of post-acquisitions performance in UK firms show how estimation of value can be distracted at the pre-acquisition stage because of overconfident managers.

Originality/value

Results of post-acquisitions performance in UK firms show how estimation of value can be distracted at the pre-acquisition stage because of overconfident managers.
How Facebook influences non-professional investors’ affective reactions and judgments
Authors: Farkas Maia , Keshk Walied
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The use of social networking websites by companies to disclose corporate news and by investors to collect information for investment purposes is increasing rapidly. However, the role of investors’ affective reactions to corporate disclosures on social networking websites is under-researched. This paper aims to examine how the disclosure platform (disclosing news on a company’s Facebook Web page or the corporate investor relations Web page) and news valence (positive or negative) jointly influence investors’ affective reactions to corporate news and stock price change judgments.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conduct an experimental study using 364 participants from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk website as a proxy for reasonably informed investors.

Findings

Results show that the disclosure platform influences investors’ affective reactions and stock price change judgments when the corporate news is negative, but not when the corporate news is positive. In addition, investors’ affective reactions mediate the influence of the disclosure platform on investors’ stock price change judgments when the corporate news is negative rather than positive.

Originality/value

This paper extends the theory on affective reactions to a social networking context by showing that differences in disclosure platforms and news valence influence investors’ affective reactions to corporate news. In addition, the study’s theory and findings have significant implications for researchers, company managers and public relations specialists, capital market participants, regulators and investor education organizations and users of social networking websites.
Teacher education and multicultural courses in North Carolina
Authors: Williams III John Andrew , Glass Tehia Starker
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Teacher effectiveness in diverse school environments depends highly on the multicultural education courses provided by Educator Preparation Programs (EPP). Research measuring new teachers’ (i.e. teachers having 0-3 years of teaching experience) effectiveness as a result of EPPs’ multicultural education courses is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine if any association occurred between the number of multicultural courses offered to pre-service teacher candidates by EPPs and their graduates rating of effectiveness, as it pertains to creating a culturally diverse classroom environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and public EPPs course catalogs for North Carolina, this descriptive study investigates multicultural education course offerings and recent teacher graduate data for North Carolina for 2015, as it pertains to creating culturally diverse learning environments for students of color.

Findings

The results indicate that multiple EPPs in North Carolina are not providing multicultural courses for their pre-service teachers, and that novice teachers in North Carolina are lacking the ability to produce diverse learning environments for students of color at a high capacity as defined by the North Carolina Teacher Effectiveness definition.

Research limitations/implications

Data were retrieved from 2015. In the current year, EPPs could have boosted their offerings of multicultural courses since that time.

Social implications

It is anticipated that the lack course offerings by EPPs will directly reflect new teachers’ ability to create respectful learning environment for students of color, suggesting that EPPs may be counterproductive towards teacher candidates’ understanding of race in the classroom.

Originality/value

This study’s originality exists in its ability to begin to connect new teachers’ productivity with regards for promoting diversity or multiculturalism and the multicultural courses offered by EPPs.
Conceptualising corporate entrepreneurial strategy
Authors: Omotosho Sule Ishola , Anyigba Hod
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize corporate entrepreneurial strategy using collaborative dynamics of contingency and agency theories, and to demonstrate how some constructs of these two theories are integrated to support long-term strategies of entrepreneurial firms in sustaining their competitive advantages and enhancing their performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Review of literature on strategic entrepreneurship, firm growth, contingency and agency theories were explored to support the conceptualized framework of the entrepreneurial strategy developed in this paper. The authors adopt a vignette approach to problematize theoretical gaps identified. The vignette was also used to embody the entrepreneurial strategy matrix developed.

Findings

This paper suggests that the effectiveness of corporate entrepreneurial strategies is influenced by the impacts of contingent environment and agency problem of goal conflicts. It provides some propositions for qualitative and empirical research that will extend the rigours of strategic entrepreneurship literature.

Practical implications

This paper highlights the implications of understanding and adopting diverse competitive and sustenance strategies. It provides avenues for entrepreneurial firms to take cognizance and use of the contingency and agency approaches to influence their long-term strategic directions to stay competitive. Institutional authorities will also benefit from having a conceptual reference and guide to further improve their entrepreneurship policies.

Originality/value

The authors took three novel steps to address the existing gap in the literature. First, the theories of entrepreneurship, contingency and agency were bound together and unified as a single framework to conceptualize entrepreneurial strategy. Second, the identified gaps were embodied in a vignette to problematize the theoretical issues and lastly, some testable propositions were put forward to explain different forms of entrepreneurial strategy. The authors also developed a corporate entrepreneurial strategy matrix based on the Covin and Miles (1999) forms of corporate entrepreneurship. It forms the basis for the propositions.
Restructuring through spin-off: impact on shareholder wealth
Authors: Aggarwal Puja , Garg Sonia
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of spin-off announcements on the parent firm’s share prices. Also, it is studied that during which period the announcement impacts the share prices significantly thereby affecting the shareholder wealth.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 76 Indian firms has been taken which announced the spin-off of their one or more divisions during 2010–2011 to 2015–2016. The authors have used the event study methodology with an event window period of −35 to +35. Estimation window of 256 (−290, −35) days is considered in the study. S&P BSE 500 is used as a market index.

Findings

The authors found that spin-offs have a significantly positive influence on the share prices of the parent firm. The authors also found that average abnormal return (AAR) of all the 76 companies taken together have been highest on day 0 and the cumulative AAR is highest for day +1. These results are in consonance with what had been concluded by Hite and Owers (1983), Cusatis et al. (1993), Miles and Rosenfeld (1983) and Rosenfeld (1984). All these studies are based on the data derived from the USA. Outcome of this study substantiates the same results when Indian spin-offs are analysed.

Originality/value

This paper provides the first comprehensive analysis of the impact of Indian spin-offs on the shareholder’s wealth.
Paediatric acute care: Highlights from the Paediatric Acute Care–Advanced Paediatric Life Support Conference, Hobart, 2018
Authors: Teo Stephen Sze Shing , Oakley Ed , Stanford Jane , Cichero Jane
Published: March 2019

The Paediatric Acute Care Conference (PACC) is an annual conference organised by APLS Australia to advance paediatric acute care topics for clinicians in pre‐hospital medicine, EDs, acute paediatrics, intensive care and anaesthesia. The PACC 2018 was held in Hobart, Tasmania. We provide a summary of some of the presentations.
Criminal justice outcomes over 5 years after randomization to buprenorphine‐naloxone or methadone treatment for opioid use disorder
Authors: Evans Elizabeth A. , Zhu Yuhui , Yoo Caroline , Huang David , Hser Yih‐Ing
Published: March 2019

Aims

To compare long‐term criminal justice outcomes among opioid‐dependent individuals randomized to receive buprenorphine or methadone.

Design, setting and participants

A 5‐year follow‐up was conducted in 2011–14 of 303 opioid‐dependent participants entering three opioid treatment programs in California, USA in 2006–09 and randomized to receive either buprenorphine/naloxone or methadone.

Intervention and comparator

Participants received buprenorphine/naloxone (BUP; n = 179) or methadone (MET; n = 124) for 24 weeks and then were tapered off their treatment over ≤ 8 weeks or referred for ongoing clinical treatment. Midway through the study, the randomization scheme was switched from 1 : 1 BUP : MET to 2 : 1 because of higher dropout in the BUP arm.

Measurements

Study outcomes included arrests and self‐reported incarceration. Predictors included randomization condition (buprenorphine versus methadone), age, gender, race/ethnicity, use of cocaine, drug injection in the 30 days prior to baseline and study site. Treatment status (buprenorphine, methadone, none) during follow‐up was included as a time‐varying covariate.

Findings

There was no significant difference by randomization condition in the proportion arrested (buprenorphine: 55.3%, methadone: 54.0%) or incarcerated (40.9%, 47.3%) during follow‐up. Among methadone‐randomized individuals, arrest was less likely with methadone treatment (0.50, 0.35–0.72) during follow‐up (relative to no treatment) and switching to buprenorphine had a lower likelihood of arrest than those receiving no treatment (0.39, 0.18–0.87). Among buprenorphine‐randomized individuals, arrest was less likely with receipt of buprenorphine (0.49, 0.33–0.75) during follow‐up and switching to methadone had a similar likelihood of arrest as methadone‐randomized individuals receiving no treatment. Likelihood of arrest was also negatively associated with older age (0.98, 0.96–1.00); it was positively associated with Hispanic ethnicity (1.63, 1.04–2.56), cocaine use (2.00, 1.33–3.03), injection drug use (2.19, 1.26–3.83), and study site.

Conclusions

In a US sample of people treated for opioid use disorder, continued treatment with either buprenorphine or methadone was associated with a reduction in arrests relative to no treatment. Cocaine use, injection drug use, Hispanic ethnicity and younger age were associated with higher likelihood of arrest.
A new system of sperm cryopreservation: evaluation of survival, motility, DNA oxidation, and mitochondrial activity
Authors: Pabón D. , Meseguer M. , Sevillano G. , Cobo A. , Romero J. L. , Remohí J. , de los Santos M. J.
Published: March 2019

Background

Sperm vitrification (V) is a method for cryopreservation, without the use of conventional cryoprotectants, by plunging the sperm suspension directly into liquid nitrogen (LN25).

Objective

This study aimed to compare the new system of V with conventional freezing (CF) protocol using fresh spermatozoa as reference (C).

Material and methods

Prospective cohort study. A total of 47 sperm samples from men attending the infertility clinic at Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad Valencia. The sperm V solution was 0.3 M trehalose–sucrose and plunged directly in liquid nitrogen in microdroplets of 5–10 lL, using a new system collector of V. Sperm viability indicators such as sperm motility, vitality rates, mitochondrial function, and sperm DNA oxidation were assessed before and after cryopreservation. Sperm motility and vitality analysis were performed according to published guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO, 2010). Mitochondrial function was evaluated using JC‐1 (fluorescent cationic dye, 5,50,6,60‐tetrachloro‐1‐10,3,30‐tetraethyl‐benzamidazolocarbocyanin iodide). Sperm DNA oxidation was determined using a fluorescent assay (Oxy‐DNA test) for the detection of 8‐oxoguanine. The evaluation was carried out before and after cryopreservation using flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and chi‐square test, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Result(s)

Sperm parameters, including progressive motility, total motility, and viability, observed after cryopreservation were as follows: C = 74.9% [1] 12.3, CF = 27.2% [1] 8.4, V = 42.3% [1] 9.3, p < 0.001; C = 90.1 [1] 6.8, CF = 42.0 [1] 12.9, V = 61.4 [1] 11.8, p < 0.001; C = 90.0% [1] 7.4, CF = 42.5% [1] 14.6, V = 70.9% [1] 6.5, p < 0.001, respectively. Regarding Oxy‐DNA and mitochondrial activity, they were significantly affected in both groups (V and CF) when compared to the control group.

Discussion

The sperm V and CF have negative impact on sperm parameters as well as DNA integrity and mitochondrial activity. However, sperm V presented improved sperm motility recovery, similar levels of DNA oxidation, and, moreover, a slightly increase in mitochondrial activity when compared to the conventional method.

Conclusion(s)

V as an optimal protocol for sperm cryopreservation.
Current knowledge of medical complications in adults with achondroplasia: A scoping review
Authors: Fredwall Svein O. , Maanum Grethe , Johansen Heidi , Snekkevik Hildegun , Savarirayan Ravi , Lidal Ingeborg B.
Published: March 2019

This article provides an overview of the current knowledge on medical complications, health characteristics, and psychosocial issues in adults with achondroplasia. We have used a scoping review methodology particularly recommended for mapping and summarizing existing research evidence, and to identify knowledge gaps. The review process was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA‐ScR guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews). The selection of studies was based on criteria predefined in a review protocol. Twenty‐nine publications were included; 2 reviews, and 27 primary studies. Key information such as reference details, study characteristics, topics of interest, main findings and the study author's conclusion are presented in text and tables. Over the past decades, there has only been a slight increase in publications on adults with achondroplasia. The reported morbidity rates and prevalence of medical complications are often based on a few studies where the methodology and representativeness can be questioned. Studies on sleep‐related disorders and pregnancy‐related complications were lacking. Multicenter natural history studies have recently been initiated. Future studies should report in accordance to methodological reference standards, to strengthen the reliability and generalizability of the findings, and to increase the relevance for implementing in clinical practice.
Zirconia compared to titanium dental implants in preclinical studies—A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Roehling Stefan , Schlegel Karl A. , Woelfler Henriette , Gahlert Michael
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To evaluate whether zirconia implants demonstrate differences in hard and soft tissue integration compared to titanium implants in preclinical studies.

Material and Methods

In March 2017, electronic (MEDLINE, EMBASE) and hand search was performed to identify preclinical studies comparing zirconia and titanium implants. Primary outcomes were bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) and removal torque out (RTQ), respectively, push‐in (PI) measurements. Secondary outcomes included biologic width (BW) dimensions.

Results

A total of 37 studies were included for data extraction after screening of 91 from 1,231 selected titles. Thirty‐seven experimental studies using six different species were identified. The follow‐up periods ranged between 0.4 and 56 weeks. For titanium, mean values of 59.1% (95% CI: 53.3 – 64.8), 102.6 Ncm (95% CI: 81.5 – 123.6), and 25.1 N (95% CI: 20.2 – 30.0) for BIC, RTQ, and PI were estimated, respectively. The mean values for zirconia were 55.9% (95% CI: 51.6 – 60.1), 71.5 Ncm (95% CI: 51.1 – 91.9), and 22.0 N (95% CI: 13.2 – 30.7) for corresponding parameters. Confounding factors such as animal species, implant material, loading protocol, and study or loading duration significantly influenced the outcomes. Similar qualitative soft tissue integration was reported for zirconia and titanium implants. However, faster maturation processes of epithelial and connective tissues around zirconia implants were assumed. Quantitatively, similar BW dimensions were evaluated for titanium (3.5 mm; 95% CI: 2.9 – 4.2) and zirconia (3.2 mm; 95% CI: 2.7 – 3.7), whereas the loading protocol significantly influenced the outcomes.

Conclusions

Zirconia and titanium implants demonstrate a similar soft and hard tissue integration capacity. However, titanium tended to show a faster initial osseointegration process compared to zirconia. Importantly, not only material characteristics but predominantly animal species and study protocols can significantly influence the outcomes.
Single versus bilateral lung transplantation for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Wei Dong , Gao Fei , Wu Bo , Zhou Min , Zhang Ji , Yang Hang , Liu Dong , Fan Li , Chen Jingyu
Published: March 2019

Background

Lung transplantation, either single or bilateral, serves as the only effective treatment for end‐stage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but their superiority is still being debated, and its application in Chinese patients has not been data analysed.

Methods

We reviewed 109 IPF patients who received lung transplantation at our centre between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2017. The patients were divided into single lung transplantation (SLT) group and bilateral lung transplantation (BLT) group. We compared the two groups’ demographic characteristics and clinical indexes (intraoperative conditions, postoperative complications, follow‐ups and life qualities).

Results

Patients in BLT group were significantly younger than those in SLT group (P < 0.001), and had more pretransplant infections (P = 0.007). The total ischemic time (P < 0.001) was shorter and intraoperative blood loss was less (P = 0.001) in SLT group. No significant difference was found in the proportion of patients in using anti‐fibrosis drugs, pulmonary artery pressure, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation during the surgery; the length of intensive care unit stay; the incidence of complication; and the overall survival rate between two groups. However, the hierarchical analysis found that patients aged > 60 years showed a better survival in SLT group (P = 0.008). Both groups got normal MOS 36‐item Short Form (SF‐36) scores, and the scores of BLT were higher than those of SLT. The BLT group had better lung function than SLT group 1 year post‐lung transplantation.

Conclusions

Both SLT and BLT are effective and SLT is more favourable for the patients of > 60 years.
Conservation implications of misidentification and killing of protected species
Authors: Newth Julia L. , Wood Kevin A. , McDonald Robbie A. , Nuno Ana , Semenov Igor , Chistyakov Anton , Mikhaylova Galina , Bearhop Stuart , Belousova Anna , Glazov Petr , Cromie Ruth L. , Rees Eileen C.
Published: March 2019

Killing protected species mistaken for morphologically similar quarry species, or species with weaker protection, can hinder their conservation. Despite policy aims to reduce threats from illegal killing, information is lacking on susceptible species, conservation impacts and the identification accuracy of hunters. We examined the ability of hunters (n = 232) in Arctic Russia to identify the endangered Northwest European Bewick's swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii using photographs. Only 14% (n = 33) identified this species correctly and distinguished it from sympatric and congeneric whooper swans C. cygnus and mute swans C. olor, with 15% of individuals admitting to accidentally hunting a Bewick's swan in the previous 3 years. We conclude that there is a risk of Bewick's swans being shot accidentally when mistaken for similar species with less legal protection. Improving hunters' skills in discerning protected from legitimate quarry species is likely to be an effective tool for conservation of morphologically similar species.
The transmission of business cycles: Lessons from the 2004 enlargement of the EU and the adoption of the euro
Authors: Nguyen Hoang Sang , Rondeau Fabien
Published: March 2019

This paper evaluates the macroeconomic interdependencies of seven Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) with the Euro Area (EA) through trade relationship. We estimate a near‐VAR model and simulate the responses of activity in those CEECs to output shocks for 12 former members of the EA before and after the 2004 enlargement of the European Union. During both periods, empirical results show that spillover effects come through the main economies of the EA: Germany, France and Italy. Furthermore, CEECs were more responsive to output shocks in the EA after 2004 than before (3.3 times more on average). Increases in spillover effects are larger for the three CEECs that adopted the Euro early (Slovenia, Slovakia and Estonia) than the other CEECs but without higher trade intensity with the EA. Our results show that trade effects are positive inside the same currency area but negative for the CEECs without the euro.
Competing for father's love? The politics of central government agency termination in China
Authors: Chen Sicheng , Christensen Tom , Ma Liang
Published: March 2019

It is well known that public agencies are nearly immortal, but what explains their termination? This article argues that apart from conventional antecedents, political salience defined by top leaders largely shapes government agencies' life cycle. In one of the first large‐N analyses of agency termination in a non‐Western authoritarian regime, we used longitudinal data for the central apparatus in China from 1949 to 1976 to test this hypothesis. We specifically used Chairman Mao's written directives to measure political salience and found that agencies that received more directives were less likely to be terminated. In contrast, agencies less attended to the boss were less likely to survive major restructurings. We also found that peripheral agencies (e.g., smaller, lower‐ranking agencies with noncore functions) benefited more from leaders' attention. We compare the results with the existing literature and suggest some theoretical and policy implications.
President’s Message
Authors: Watson Robyn
Published: March 2019

This is the last Editorial for me as President of IFDH. It has been an unforgettable time during the last 6 years on the Board and I am very grateful for all the support from colleagues around the world and from my Executive team. Corrie Jongbloed, our President Elect from the Netherlands will be assuming the role and I wish her the very best in her future endeavour.