bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling consumer preferences for electric vehicles in Portugal: an exploratory study
Authors: Oliveira Gabriela Duarte , Dias Luis Miguel Cândido , Sarabando dos Santos Paula Cristina
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to understand consumer preferences concerning electric vehicles (EV) in Portugal, based on comparisons with other vehicles with different powertrains.

Design/methodology/approach

– The analysis incorporated two survey-based approaches: choice-based conjoint analysis (CBC) and multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) based. The survey interviewed 252 respondents. The criteria characterizing each vehicle are purchase price, range, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Another criterion was added to verify the potential of EV privileges to influence consumer preferences. A sensitivity analysis on the influence of purchase price and fuel price in the global utility of the vehicles was performed.

Findings

– The results showed that monetary criteria are those influencing vehicle purchase decisions the most, whereas the existence of privileges for EV owners has little relevance. EV are chosen by the consumer only if their price decreases or if gasoline and diesel prices increase sharply. The position of PHEV in the rankings makes the promotion of this type of vehicle an interesting path to exploit as potential intermediates to the diffusion of EV.

Practical implications

– The results underline the need of improving technical barriers of EV that are responsible for consumers’ relevant concerns and that a price subsidy could eventually be effective to increase EV sales at its current market price.

Originality/value

– This study compares a wide range of vehicles (conventional, hybrid and electric), addresses the Portuguese market and proposes an MCDA-based approach to obtain preference information, which is compared with a CBC approach.
Urban open space transition and management in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Adedeji Joseph Adeniran , Fadamiro Joseph Akinlabi
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The poor outdoor quality of highly populated third-world cities is a consequence of the misuse of public open spaces as refuse dumps and for informal trading activities. This describes the situation of Lagos metropolis before the present political will that has infused great landscaping transition into the cityscape. However, the challenges of maintenance are germane to the sustainability of these landscape products. The purpose of this paper is to assess the quality and characteristics of the landscapes that have undergone transition and to formulate a framework for maintenance strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study objectively evaluates the physical qualities of 22 randomly selected sites that have undergone transition through on-site assessment and photographic recording. The management regimes were subjectively studied to appraise the level of their effectiveness and to guide future strategies. This was carried out by collecting the opinions of 130 selected government officials in charge of maintaining the spaces with the aid an interview guide.

Findings

– Analyses of the data revealed rich values of the landscapes and management strategies in favour of a public-private partnership. It recommends public open space transformation for recreational activities in cities as a vital means of enhancing urban living and city outlooks.

Practical implications

– The study concludes with formulation of sustainable management framework for the landscapes and argues in its favour. It thus has policy implications on the maintenance of urban open spaces that have undergone transition in Lagos and Nigeria at large.

Originality/value

– The study was carried out in May 2011. Its significance lies in its capacity of enhancing the quality of urban open spaces through appropriate policy formulation of management regimes.
Socio-environmental performance of transportation systems
Authors: Amiri Khorheh Mohammadreza , Moisiadis Frank , Davarzani Hoda
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify and categorize the social and environmental impacts of transportation systems, and address the appropriate solutions to mitigate and manage these impacts in order to achieve sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research performs a comprehensive literature review to suggest a framework on socio-environmental impacts of transportation and related solutions. The proposed framework is analyzed through quantitative methods and a survey study in freight transport.

Findings

– Findings support the direct relation of potential solutions and socio-environmental impacts of transportation. All four categories of solutions (technological, socio-economic and political, cultural and behavioral, and infrastructure related) reveal direct impact on reduction of environmental impacts. However only technological solutions were found to be influential on social impacts of the transportation.

Originality/value

– To the best of the authors’ knowledge there has not been any comprehensive framework covering social and environmental impacts of transportation in the literature. In addition, this paper categorizes potential solutions to enhance socio-environmental performance of the transportation and investigates their effectiveness.
Weathering of wood-polypropylene and wood-wollastonite-polypropylene composites containing pigments in Finnish climatic conditions
Authors: Butylina Svetlana , Hyvärinen Marko , Kärki Timo
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the resistance of wood-polypropylene and wood-wollastonite-polypropylene composites containing pigments to natural weathering.

Design/methodology/approach

– Natural weathering of composites was conducted in Finnish climatic conditions for one year. The colour of the composites was determined with a spectrophotometer, the morphology of the composite surface was analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the changes in the polymer structure in surface layer of the composites were analysed with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Charpy impact strength was determined with an impact tester.

Findings

– The pigments used in this study reduced the colour change of the composites exposed to outdoor weathering as compared with the un-coloured composite. The carbon black pigment was more effective than the iron oxide pigment. Moreover, only the carbon black pigment was found to reduce the degradation of the surface layer of the composites. The addition of the carbon black pigment had a positive effect on the dimensional stability of the composites in a water absorption test. Only the combination of the carbon black pigment and wollastonite resulted in a composite which was capable to retain its Charpy impact strength both after one year of outdoor weathering and cyclic treatment.

Research limitations/implications

– This study is a part of continuous research on the development of wood-polymer composites (WPUs) suitable for outdoor applications in Finnish climatic conditions. The first part of the study, which has been published earlier, showed the results of weathering of composites in accelerated tests in comparison with 1,000 hours outdoor exposure during summer time (June and July). Outdoor weathering limited to 1,000 hours cannot give an objective view on the weathering behaviour of composites in Finnish climatic conditions. The results of the current study were obtained from one-year outdoor exposure of composites.

Originality/value

– The wood-polypropylene composite made with the combination of the carbon black pigment and wollastonite can be recommended for outdoor applications. The study provides useful information on the resistance of wood-polypropylene composites to weathering in Finnish climatic conditions.
Effect of substituents moiety in organic sensitiser based on carbazole on the performance of nanostructure dye-sensitised solar cells
Authors: Gharanjig Kamaladin , Hosseinnezhad Mozhgan
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to prepare new organic dyes and use them as sensitisers in dye-sensitised solar cells. These dyes were synthesised and purified and then characterised by analytical techniques. Spectrophotometric evaluations of the prepared dyes were carried out in solution and on a nano-anatase TiO2 substrate to assess the possible changes in the status of the dyes in different environments. Finally, the photovoltaic properties were investigated in dye-sensitised solar cells.

Design/methodology/approach

– So as to synthesise dyes, N-substituents carbazole were utilised as the fundamental electron donor group and cyanoacrylic acid or acrylic acid as electron acceptor anchoring groups. Purified dyes were dissolved in solution and coated on TiO2 substrate. Finally, dye-sensitised solar cells were fabricated to determine the photovoltaic behaviour and conversion efficiency of each individual dye.

Findings

– The results showed that the dyes form j-type aggregates on the nano TiO2. The oxidation potential of synthesised carbazole dyes is
>
0.2 V vs Fc/Fc+; hence, their high performance in dye-sensitised solar cells. Dye 3 exhibited 2.11 per cent of conversion efficiency in comparison to 2.89 per cent for the identical cells with Dye 9 containing cyanoacrylic acid which acted as the best acceptor group.

Practical implications

– The novel dyes look as promising as highly light fast, efficient dyes for dye-sensitised solar cells.

Social implications

– Organic dye provides low cost and less hazardous materials for dye-sensitised solar cells.

Originality/value

– A series of new organic dyes were synthesised as sensitisers for dye-sensitised solar cells for the first time.
BisGMA/EPDM/amine functionalised MWCNTs based nanocomposites
Authors: Praharaj Ankita Pritam , Behera Dibakar , Bastia Tapan Kumar , Rout Arun Kumar
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to focus on the development and study properties of bisphenol-A glycidyldimethacrylate (BisGMA) and ethylene–propylene–diene monomer (EPDM) blend-based nanocomposites containing amine-functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-NH2) as a compatibiliser.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, BisGMA was synthesised from epoxy and methacrylic acid followed by the amine functionalisation of MWCNTs. A novel two-roll milling technique was then conducted to prepare nanocomposite specimens with MWCNT-NH2 as compatibiliser. Effect of MWCNT-NH2 content on the mechanical, thermal, electrical, corrosive and water absorption properties of the nanocomposites was investigated and results have been reported.

Findings

– The results of the present work reveal that MWCNT-NH2 acts as a potential compatibiliser and nanofiller in BisGMA/EPDM blend-based nanocomposites. The authors report here that the nanocomposites exhibit improved mechanical, thermal and electrical properties with increased addition of MWCNT-NH2. Moreover, desirable results are obtained at 5 phr of nanofiller loading beyond which the properties deteriorate due to particle agglomeration. The nanocomposites display negligible corrosion and water absorption characteristics. Thus, the above fabricated nanocomposites with optimum compatibiliser content can serve as low-cost structural, thermal and electrical materials which can also be utilised in corrosive and moist environments.

Research limitations/implications

– The present investigation has come up with the successful and cost-effective fabrication of BisGMA/EPDM blend-based nanocomposites with optimum nanofiller/compatibiliser (MWCNT-NH2) content that can be used for a wide range of structural, thermal and electrical projects, as it is corrosion and moisture resistant. It is also the most durable from the mechanical point of view.

Originality/value

– The above nanocomposites have never been designed before.
Indole-3-carbaldehyde and 2-methylindole as corrosion inhibitors of mild steel during pickling
Authors: Ashhari Shabnam , Sarabi Ali Asghar
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the corrosion inhibition effects of indole-3-carbaldehyde and 2-methylindole on mild steel in 1 M HCl solution.

Design/methodology/approach

– Indole-3-carbaldehyde and 2-methylindole as corrosion inhibitors of mild steel in 1 M HCl solution were investigated by polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Adsorption isotherm and mechanism were calculated. Quantum chemical calculations were used to find out a correlation between electronic structure of inhibitors and inhibition efficiency. Changes in the properties of metal surface in HCl solution in the presence of inhibitors were studied by contact angle measurements.

Findings

– Polarisation results revealed inhibitors could reduce cathodic and anodic reactions rates on metal surface. EIS analysis showed that inhibition efficiency of indoles increases by increasing the inhibitors’ concentration; maximum inhibition efficiency was 95 and 94 per cent in solutions containing 1 mM indole-3-carbaldehyde and 2-methylindole, respectively. Inhibitors’ adsorptions on metal surface were confirmed by analysing the exposed metals’ surface through contact angles measurements. The adsorption of inhibitors was found to follow Langmuir isotherm. Quantum chemical calculations showed that a more positively charged benzene ring in the structure of two indole-based inhibitors would lead to higher adsorption to metal.

Originality/value

– This research was carried out to understand the effects of two different functional groups (-C=O, -CH3) with different induction effects on the indole structure and on inhibition efficiency of corrosion inhibitors with the purpose of using these components in industrial application as acid wash solutions to etch and remove rusts from metal surfaces.
Influence of agricultural practice on mobile bla genes: IncI1‐bearing CTX‐M, SHV, CMY and TEM in Escherichia coli from intensive farming soils
Authors: Jones‐Dias Daniela , Manageiro Vera , Caniça Manuela
Published: August 2015

Many calls have been made to address antibiotic resistance in an environmental perspective. With this study, we showed the widespread presence of high‐level antibiotic resistant isolates on a collection of non‐susceptible Gram‐negative bacteria (n = 232) recovered from soils. Bacteria were selected using amoxicillin, cefotaxime and imipenem, from sites representing different agricultural practices (extensive, intensive and organic). Striking levels of non‐susceptibility were noticed in intensive soils for norfloxacin (74%), streptomycin (50.7%) and tetracycline (46.6%); indeed, the exposure to intensive agricultural practices constituted a risk factor for non‐susceptibility to many antibiotics, multidrug resistance and production of extended‐spectrum β‐lactamases (ESBL). Analyses of non‐susceptibility highlighted that environmental and clinical bacteria from the same species might not share the same intrinsic resistance patterns, raising concerns for therapy choices in environment‐borne infections. The multiple sequence‐type IncI1‐driven spread of penicillinases (blaTEM‐1, blaTEM‐135), ESBL (blaSHV‐12 and blaCTX‐M‐1) and plasmid‐mediated AmpC β‐lactamases (blaCMY‐2), produced by isolates that share their molecular features with isolates from humans and animals, suggests contamination of agricultural soils. This is also the first appearance of IncI1/ST28‐harbouring blaCTX‐M‐1, which should be monitored to prevent their establishment as successfully dispersed plasmids. This research may help disclose paths of contamination by mobile antibiotic resistance determinants and the risks for their dissemination.
Life Stressors and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Seriously Mentally Ill Jail Population,
Authors: Gosein Varendra J. , Stiffler Jon D. , Frascoia Alan , Ford Elizabeth B.
Published: August 2015

Inmates represent a vulnerable population with increased rates of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, little is known about the rates of trauma and PTSD among male inmates with acute psychiatric illness. This prospective, randomized study was conducted to assess the current rates of trauma and PTSD in this population. The sample consisted of 48 patients admitted to a hospital jail psychiatry service in New York City. Subjects were administered the Life Stressor Checklist‐Revised and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV‐TR Disorders, PTSD Module (SCID‐I). The rate of PTSD diagnosis via SCID‐I was 46.2% as compared to 2.1% diagnosis via clinical interview. All participants reported a history of at least one stressful and/or traumatic event, and many of these events occurred during incarceration. These results demonstrate that a great deal of trauma and PTSD goes unrecognized and untreated in this population, indicating the need for more effective treatment interventions.
Climate Change, Water and Agriculture: Challenges and Adaptation Strategies
Authors: Hardelin Julien , Lankoski Jussi
Published: August 2015

Climate change is expected to have numerous and complex impacts on water resources, with consequences for agricultural production through changes in crop water requirements; the availability and quality of water; and increases in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events such as droughts and floods. Although there is substantial uncertainty about the magnitude of impacts, especially at the local level, this does not call for inaction. On the basis of the recent work undertaken by OECD in this area, we identify and discuss three main dimensions for a comprehensive adaptation strategy for agricultural water management: i) creating an enabling environment to foster on‐farm adaptive capacities through policies targeted at innovation, education, and advisory and extension services; ii) improving agricultural water management through the development of flexible and robust instruments, such as water pricing and water markets, to deal with both short‐run water shortages and long‐run water stress; iii) developing and improving risk management tools for droughts and floods to ensure that the true cost of risks is signalled to farmers while at the same time improving the efficiency of risk allocation. We highlight the importance of policy coherence in recognising the linkages between climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Better Drip than Flood: Reaping the Benefits of Efficient Irrigation
Authors: Ignaciuk Ada , D'Croz Daniel , Islam Shahnila
Published: August 2015

By 2050, the global demand for land and water for agricultural use is projected to increase. Climate change is likely to affect agricultural production through increased temperatures as well as through altered precipitation patterns, which are likely to increase water deficiency in many regions. Measures seeking to increase water efficiency and resilience of the agricultural sector to climate change will therefore be critical. The benefits of more efficient irrigation systems are especially apparent in regions already suffering from water shortages, such as the Mediterranean Basin, or those that are likely to suffer in the future, such as the Southern Cone of South America. However, unless incentives for saving water are in place, farmers may decide to expand their area of irrigated land, or to switch to water‐intensive, higher‐value commodities. Extending irrigation generally constitutes mixed blessings. In regions experiencing water deficits, extending irrigation may lead to greater water stress on irrigated agriculture. Meanwhile, when applied globally and governed carefully, efficient irrigation techniques and extending irrigation can yield overall increases in agricultural production that can reduce agricultural commodity prices. Stimulating water‐efficient irrigation systems may thus prove crucial in improving farmers' resilience over time, though such measures should be supported by other economic instruments such as water pricing or water trading, where necessary.
Using GIS to Delineate Headwater Stream Origins in the Appalachian Coalfields of Kentucky
Authors: Villines Jonathan A. , Agouridis Carmen T. , Warner Richard C. , Barton Christopher D.
Published: August 2015

Headwater streams have a significant nexus or physical, chemical, and/or biological connection to downstream reaches. Generally, defined as 1st‐3rd order with ephemeral, intermittent, or perennial flow regimes, these streams account for a substantial portion of the total stream network particularly in mountainous terrain. Due to their often remote locations, small size, and large numbers, conducting field inventories of headwater streams is challenging. A means of estimating headwater stream location and extent according to flow regime type using publicly available spatial data is needed to simplify this complex process. Using field‐collected headwater point of origin data from three control watersheds, streams were characterized according to a set of spatial parameters related to topography, geology, and soils. These parameters were (1) compared to field‐collected point of origin data listed in three nearby Jurisdictional Determinations, (2) used to develop a geographic information system (GIS)‐based stream network for identifying ephemeral, intermittent, and perennial streams, and (3) applied to a larger watershed and compared to values obtained using the high‐resolution National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). The parameters drainage area and local valley slope were the most reliable predictors of flow regime type. Results showed the high‐resolution NHD identified no ephemeral streams and 9 and 65% fewer intermittent and perennial streams, respectively, than the GIS model.
The Effect of a Cardiovascular Polypill Strategy on Pill Burden
Authors: Truelove Michael , Patel Anushka , Bompoint Severine , Brown Alex , Cass Alan , Hillis Graham S. , Peiris David , Rafter Natasha , Reid Christopher M. , Rodgers Anthony , Tonkin Andrew , Usherwood Tim , Webster Ruth ,   the Kanyini GAP Collaboration
Published: August 2015

Aims

Recent trials of cardiovascular polypills in high‐risk populations show improvements in the use of cardiovascular preventive treatments, compared to usual care. We describe patterns of pill burden in Australian practice, define the impact of polypill therapy on pill burden, and explore how physicians add medication to polypill therapy.

Methods

The Kanyini Guidelines Adherence with the Polypill Study was an open‐label trial involving 623 participants in Australia which randomized participants to a polypill strategy (containing a statin, antiplatelet agent, and two blood‐pressure‐lowering medications) or usual care. Participants either had established cardiovascular disease or were at high calculated risk (≥15% over 5 years). Current medications, daily pill burden, and self‐reported use of combination treatment were recorded prior to randomization and at study end. Median pill burden at baseline and study end was compared in both arms. Subgroup analysis of the polypill strategy on trial primary outcomes was conducted by pill burden at baseline.

Results

Median total and cardiovascular pill burdens of the polypill group decreased from 7 to 5 and from 4 to 2, respectively (median change −2; IQR −3, 0), with no change in the usual care group (comparison of change; P < 0.001). No change was seen for noncardiovascular medications. Of those still using the polypill at study end, 43.8% were prescribed additional medications; 84.5% of these additional medications were blood‐pressure‐lowering medications. Within the polypill group, lower pill burden at baseline was associated with greater increases in the use of indicated cardiovascular preventive medications at study end compared to those with higher pill burdens. No trend was observed between the level of baseline pill burden and the effect of poylpill treatment on systolic blood pressure or total cholesterol.

Conclusion

A cardiovascular polypill in contemporary Australian practice reduces cardiovascular and total pill burdens, despite frequent prescription of additional medications.
Sources of Authoritarian Responsiveness: A Field Experiment in China
Authors: Chen Jidong , Pan Jennifer , Xu Yiqing
Published: August 2015

A growing body of research suggests that authoritarian regimes are responsive to societal actors, but our understanding of the sources of authoritarian responsiveness remains limited because of the challenges of measurement and causal identification. By conducting an online field experiment among 2,103 Chinese counties, we examine factors that affect officials' incentives to respond to citizens in an authoritarian context. At baseline, we find that approximately one‐third of county governments respond to citizen demands expressed online. Threats of collective action and threats of tattling to upper levels of government cause county governments to be considerably more responsive, whereas identifying as loyal, long‐standing members of the Chinese Communist Party does not increase responsiveness. Moreover, we find that threats of collective action make local officials more publicly responsive. Together, these results demonstrate that top‐down mechanisms of oversight as well as bottom‐up societal pressures are possible sources of authoritarian responsiveness.
Allergens in veterinary medicine
Authors: Mueller R. S. , Janda J. , Jensen‐Jarolim E. , Rhyner C. , Marti E.
Published: August 2015

Allergic diseases in animals are increasingly gaining importance in veterinary practice and as research models. For intradermal testing and allergen immunotherapy, a good knowledge of relevant allergens for the individual species is of great importance. Currently, the knowledge about relevant veterinary allergens is based on sensitization rates identified by intradermal testing or serum testing for allergen‐specific IgE; crude extracts are the basis for most evaluations. Only a few studies provide evidence about the molecular structure of (particularly) dust mite, insect and mould allergens in dogs and horses, respectively. In those species, some major allergens differ from those in humans. This position paper summarizes the current knowledge about relevant allergens in dogs, cats and horses.
Overweight and obesity decreased in Greek schoolchildren from 2009 to 2012 during the early phase of the economic crisis
Authors: Kleanthous Kleanthis , Dermitzaki Eleni , Papadimitriou Dimitrios T. , Papaevangelou Vassiliki , Papadimitriou Anastasios
Published: August 2015

Aim

We examined the weight status of Greek schoolchildren from November 2009 to May 2012, shortly before, and during the early years, of the Greek economic crisis.

Methods

This was a mixed longitudinal study that formed part of the West Attica Growth Study and followed children at the ages of 6–7, 9–10, 12–13 and 15–16 years every six months for 2.5 years. Each child's height and weight were measured and their body mass index calculated. We were able to determine the weight status of 1327 children (53% boys) based on their first and last measurements. Overweight, obesity and underweight were defined using the International Obesity Task Force criteria.

Results

During the 2.5‐year study period, there was a decrease in the total prevalence of overweight and obesity, which reached a statistical significance for both sexes. It decreased from 43% to 37.3% (p = 0.02) in boys and from 33.4% to 26.9% (p = 0.0056) in girls. There was also a statistically significant increase in normal weight children and a slight but insignificant increase in underweight children of both sexes.

Conclusion

During the initial years of the Greek economic crisis, there was a statistically significant reduction in overweight and obesity in children from six to 16 years of age.
T‐cell homeostasis in chronic HCV‐infected patients treated with interferon and ribavirin or an interferon‐free regimen
Authors: Hartling Hans Jakob , Birch Carsten , Gaardbo Julie C. , Hove Malene , Trøseid Marius , Clausen Mette Rye , Gerstoft Jan , Ullum Henrik , Nielsen Susanne Dam
Published: August 2015

Direct‐acting antiviral has replaced pegylated interferon‐α and ribavirin‐based treatment in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. While interferon‐α is immune modulating and causes lymphopenia, interferon‐free regimens seem to be well‐tolerated. This study aimed to compare T‐cell homeostasis before, during, and after HCV treatment with or without interferon‐α in patients with chronic HCV infection. A total of 20 patients with chronic HCV infection were treated with pegylated interferon‐α and ribavirin, and six patients were treated with an interferon‐free regimen. All patients were treated for a minimum of 12 weeks. Interferon‐α treatment caused an increase in the density of the receptor for IL‐7 (IL‐7Rα) during treatment, while interferon‐free regimens caused a decrease in IL‐7Rα density. After a sustained viral response, proportions of IL‐7Rα+ T cells and IL‐7Rα density decreased compared to prior treatment values. Finally, a proportion of CD8+ effector memory was lower while proportion of apoptotic T cells was higher after sustained virologic response compared to prior treatment. Despite lymphopenia during interferon, alterations in T‐cell homeostasis during treatment were relatively similar in patients receiving interferon‐based treatment and in patients receiving interferon‐free treatment, and alterations during and after treatment seem to illustrate a reduced need for high levels of T cells aimed at controlling infection.
Impact of epidermal growth factor receptor and transforming growth factor–α on hepatitis C virus‐induced hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Badawy Afkar Abdel‐Ghany , El‐Hindawi Ali , Hammam Olfat , Moussa Mona , Gabal Samia , Said Noha
Published: August 2015

Epidermal growth factor receptor system plays a central hepato‐protective and pro‐regenerative role in liver. Transforming growth factor‐α (TGF‐α) is an important autocrine growth regulator of hepatocytes that plays a role in development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). This study was done on 40 core liver biopsies from patients with CHC, 20 liver specimens from HCC cases on top of CHC as well as five normal controls. All were immunohistochemically stained with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and TGF‐α antibodies. Some selected HCC cases were submitted for FISH technique to detect EGFR gene alteration. By immunohistochemistry EGFR and TGF‐α were overexpressed in HCC and cirrhotic cases compared to CHC cases without cirrhosis. Also, their expression was stronger in CHC cases with higher grades of activity and stages of fibrosis compared to lower ones. FISH positive results for EGFR were detected in 33.3% of the examined HCC cases. EGFR and TGF‐α can be used as predictive markers for activity, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis in CHC patients. Overexpression of EGFR in HCC patients can be promising in selecting those who can get benefit from anti‐EGFR target therapy.
Effect of dexamethasone on the expression of atrogin‐1/MAFbx in chick skeletal muscle
Authors: Nakashima Kazuki , Ishida Aiko , Ijiri Daichi , Ohtsuka Akira
Published: August 2015

Expression of atrogin‐1/MAFbx, a muscle‐specific E3 ubiquitin ligase, is high under catabolic conditions, that result in muscle atrophy. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of atrogin‐1/MAFbx is increased by the glucocorticoid dexamethasone in mammalian skeletal muscle. This study investigated the effects of dexamethasone on expression of atrogin‐1/MAFbx in skeletal muscle of neonatal chicks and in chick myotubes. Chicks were given a single intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone at a concentration of 10 mg/kg body weight. Twenty‐four hours after dexamethasone administration, the Pectoralis muscle weight of chicks was decreased. mRNA expression of atrogin‐1/MAFbx in skeletal muscle of chicks was significantly increased by dexamethasone administration. Expression of other proteolytic‐related genes (20S proteasome C2 subunit, m‐calpain large subunit, and cathepsin B) in skeletal muscle of chicks was not increased by dexamethasone administration. Chick myotubes were incubated with dexamethasone (1, 10 or 100 µmol/L) for 6 h. Expression of atrogin‐1/MAFbx mRNA in chick myotubes was increased in the presence of all concentrations of dexamethasone. However, expression of other proteolytic‐related genes (20S proteasome C2 subunit, m‐calpain large subunit and cathepsin B) in chick myotubes was not affected by dexamethasone treatment. These results indicate that dexamethasone enhances atrogin‐1/MAFbx expression in chick skeletal muscle, resulting in increased muscle atrophy.
Economic losses related to internal diseases in Japanese black cattle
Authors: Inoue Keiichi , Honda Takeshi , Oyama Kenji
Published: August 2015

The objective of this study was to estimate the direct economic losses due to the condemnation of the liver and large intestine because of internal diseases (multifocal necrosis in the liver (MNL) and inflammation of the large intestine (ILI)), and the indirect losses because of reductions in carcass performance from MNL, bovine abdominal fat necrosis (BFN) and ILI using data from 5383 Japanese Black cattle. Direct losses were estimated by multiplying the price of the condemned part by the frequency of its occurrence owing to the disease. Similarly, indirect losses were estimated as the product of unit carcass price and reduction in carcass weight (CW) due to the disease. The direct impact on the beef cattle industry from MNL and ILI was estimated at around $1.29 million (US$1 = ¥120) per year. A least‐squares analysis showed that MNL had no influence on any carcass trait, whereas BFN and ILI significantly reduced CW, rib eye area and darkened the beef. ILI also reduced rib thickness. The indirect losses from BFN and ILI were estimated as a maximum of $131.7 and $256.4 per animal and around $6.26 million and $4.03 million for the industry, respectively, mostly because of the reduction in CW.
Mining ofluxSgenes from rumen microbial consortia by metagenomic and metatranscriptomic approaches
Authors: Ghali Ines , Shinkai Takumi , Mitsumori Makoto
Published: August 2015

Although rumen bacterial communities vary depending on many factors such as diet, age and physiological conditions, a core microbiota exists within the rumen. In many natural environments, some bacteria use a quorum‐sensing (QS) system to regulate their physiological activities. However, very limited information is available about QS systems in rumen. To investigate the autoinducer 2 (AI‐2)‐mediated QS system in rumen, we detected genes (luxS) encoding the AI‐2 synthase (LuxS), from three datasets embedded in metagenomics RAST server (MG‐RAST) and from a metatranscriptome dataset. We collected 135luxSgenes from the metagenomic datasets, which were presumed to originate fromBacteroidetes,Firmicutes,FusobacteriaandActinobacteria, and 34luxSgenes from the metatranscriptome dataset, which probably originated fromBacteroidetes,FirmicutesandSpirochaetes. Because the essential amino acids for LuxS activity were conserved in the LuxS homologues predicted fromluxSgene sequences from both datasets, the LuxS homologues probably function in the rumen. Since the largest number of sequences ofluxSgenes were collected from the generaPrevotella,RuminococcusandEubacterium, which include many fibrolytic bacteria and constituent members of biofilm on feed particles, an AI‐2‐mediated QS system is likely involved in biofilm formation and fibrolytic activity in the rumen.
Concurrent Use of Low‐Dose Aspirin and Omega‐3 Fatty Acids and Risk of Upper Gastrointestinal Complications: A Cohort Study with Nested Case–Control Analysis
Authors: Roberto Giuseppe , Simonetti Monica , Cricelli Claudio , Cricelli Iacopo , Giustini Saffi Ettore , Parretti Damiano , Lapi Francesco
Published: August 2015

The risk of upper gastrointestinal complications (UGIC) due to low‐dose aspirin (LDA) can be further increased by the concurrent exposure to other antithrombotic agents. Little is known on the combined therapy with LDA and medications containing omega‐3 (OM3) fatty acids, which also exert antiplatelet activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of UGIC in patients exposed to LDA–OM3 combination. The Italian Health Search IMS Health Longitudinal Patients Database was used to perform a population‐based cohort study. Patients aged ≥18 years with cardio‐ or cerebrovascular ischaemic disease recorded between 2002 and 2012 (cohort entry) were selected. All UGIC cases (index date) observed up to December 2013 were identified. According to a nested case–control analysis, up to 10 controls were matched to each case on age, sex and calendar period. The risk of UGIC was investigated among current (up to 30 days preceding index date), recent (31–60 days) and past users (61–365 days) of the LDA–OM3 combination. Exposure assessment was lagged by 30 days to minimize reverse causation. Additionally, a duration–response analysis was performed. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using conditional logistic regression. Non‐users of the LDA–OM3 combination were the reference category. Current (OR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.44–1.00), recent (OR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.52–1.33) and past users (OR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.57–1.15) did not statistically significantly increase the risk of UGIC. No duration–response relationship was found. Our results suggest that LDA–OM3 combination therapy does not affect the UGIC risk in patients with cardio‐ or cerebrovascular ischaemic diseases. Given the novelty of these findings, further studies are needed.
Three questions about engagement and exclusion in responsible investment
Authors: Kolstad Ivar
Published: August 2015

There is a move towards more use of engagement strategies in responsible investment. This change in strategies is motivated by a number of claims about the effectiveness of engagement versus exclusion of companies from the investment universe (the set of investment objects available to an investor). This paper examines the basis for three central claims: (1) That engagement, in contrast to exclusion, does not reduce the investment universe; (2) That exclusion reduces an investor's influence on a company; and (3) That engagement with exclusion is necessarily a more effective means of influencing companies than pure exclusion. All three claims are argued to be open to challenge. It is possible that the move towards more engagement reflects bureaucratic incentives and political considerations among institutional investors, rather than arguments about the effectiveness and efficiency of engagement.
ALLOWING FOR JUMP MEASUREMENTS IN VOLATILITY: A HIGH‐FREQUENCY FINANCIAL DATA ANALYSIS OF INDIVIDUAL STOCKS
Authors: Papavassiliou Vassilios G.
Published: August 2015

Following recent advances in the non‐parametric realized volatility approach, we separately measure the discontinuous jump part of the quadratic variation process for individual stocks and incorporate it into heterogeneous autoregressive volatility models. We analyse the distributional properties of the jump measures vis‐à‐vis the corresponding realized volatility ones, and compare them to those of aggregate US market index series. We also demonstrate important gains in the forecasting accuracy of high‐frequency volatility models.
PRICE SETTING PRACTICES IN GREECE: EVIDENCE FROM A SMALL‐SCALE FIRM‐LEVEL SURVEY
Authors: Nicolitsas Daphne
Published: August 2015

The paper documents the price setting practices followed by some 400 or so firms operating in Greece. Survey replies reveal a low percentage of firms changing prices with frequency higher than annual and staggering of price changes during the year. As to firms’ reactions to unexpected shocks, prices appear to adjust sluggishly to cost shocks with asymmetries in price adjustment across positive and negative shocks. Adjustments to increases in costs appear speedier than those to reductions in demand. The data confirm a result found for other countries: the existence of cross‐sectional variations in price setting strategies and in the extent to which prices are adjusted in reaction to unexpected shocks. The results suggest a positive association between, on the one hand, product market competition and, on the other hand, state‐dependent pricing, frequent price changes and the likelihood of a price adjustment following an adverse demand shock.
The Performance Effects of Combining Rationality and Intuition in Making Early New Product Idea Evaluation Decisions
Authors: Eling Katrin , Langerak Fred , Griffin Abbie
Published: August 2015

New product idea evaluation decisions made by individual development team members during their idea generation activities allow for and may also benefit from the use of both rational and intuitive approaches to decision‐making. Unfortunately, there is a lack of empirical research on whether at all and, if yes, in which temporal sequence the two approaches should best be combined in making single idea evaluation decisions. To start filling this gap in the innovation and decision‐making literatures, this research empirically explores which approach (combination) increases idea evaluation decision‐making quality and speed. To this end, an experiment with product development practitioners was conducted, manipulating the use of either only intuition, only rationality, or combining intuition with rationality in both sequences in making a typical idea evaluation decision. The results show that only one combination, starting with intuitively analysing the ideas and then rationally considering the resulting intuition in making the final decision, leads to both the highest quality and speed. This finding has significant implications for theory and practice and provides ample opportunities for further research.
Measuring the Deliverable and Impressible Dimensions of Service Experience
Authors: Beltagui Ahmad , Darler William , Candi Marina
Published: August 2015

Service innovation has become a priority within the field of innovation management and is increasingly focused on creating memorable experiences that can result in customer loyalty. Studies of experience design suggest individual service elements to be managed when staging an experience, whereas conceptual models in the literature emphasize the holistic way in which an experience is perceived. In short, service experience is greater than the sum of its parts. Therefore, successful innovation management requires the ability to understand and measure the mechanisms by which service innovations impact customers' experiences. Our research addresses this need by identifying dimensions of service experience and developing a tool for their measurement. Using a three stage process of systematic literature review, rigorous scale development and reduction, and validation, we identify six dimensions of the service experience and develop scales to measure each one. This results in a model of service innovation that highlights the levers through which a company's service innovation efforts can result in memorable experiences and ultimately new service success.
Unveiling the Potentialities Provided by New Technologies: A Process to Pursue Technology Epiphanies in the Smartphone App Industry
Authors: Buganza Tommaso , Dell'Era Claudio , Pellizzoni Elena , Trabucchi Daniel , Verganti Roberto
Published: August 2015

When new technologies approach the market, companies usually look for ways to improve existing applications or simply to replace previous technologies. The management literature identifies several strategies for gaining value from technological discontinuities, including improving performance, becoming the cost leader and being the first‐mover, and scholars have identified several managerial practices and processes to leverage these various strategies. Recent literature suggests that there might be something more, namely, discovering new meanings, enabled by the technological discontinuity: a technology epiphany. No research has yet tried to understand what companies could do to actually develop such innovations. This paper aims to identify a process companies could adopt to pursue a technology epiphany strategy. Employing a case study approach, we investigate the navigation apps industry, both turn‐by‐turn and marine, to understand how companies manage the technology discontinuity embedded in smartphones. Comparing several players in the two industries, we first demonstrate that the rise of a new market leader is not related to a traditional strategy but to a technology epiphany. Finally, we propose a five‐step process to pursue a technology epiphany strategy.
Industrial Designers: Are You Ready for Foreign Markets? Assessing Designer Confidence and Prediction Accuracy in a Transnational Marketing Context
Authors: Zhang Dan
Published: August 2015

In order to boost sales in foreign markets and compete with emerging local competitors, global companies from developed countries are realizing that they need to develop products specifically for the local markets. Meanwhile, companies in developing nations are building up their design staff and seeking to establish their own global brands. This recent growth in design activity targeting overseas markets suggests the need for academic research to better understand the phenomenon of design expertise transfer across national borders. The present research explores industrial designers' expertise transfer across cultures with respect to knowledge calibration. Based on the literature on expertise and Shanteau's theory of expert competence, several hypotheses are developed regarding the main effect of culture, and the interaction between culture and expertise level, on design confidence and prediction accuracy. A three‐phase experimental study is conducted to test the hypotheses. Results suggest that both expert designers and non‐expert designers are poorly calibrated and overconfident. Nonetheless, expert designers are better calibrated when designing products for a foreign market than for their home market. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
A Developmental Analysis of Caregiving Modalities Across Infancy in 38 Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries
Authors: Bornstein Marc H. , Putnick Diane L. , Lansford Jennifer E. , Deater‐Deckard Kirby , Bradley Robert H.
Published: August 2015

Caregiving is requisite to wholesome child development from the beginning of life. A cross‐sectional microgenetic analysis of six caregiving practices across the child's 1st year (0–12 months) in 42,539 families from nationally representative samples in 38 low‐ and middle‐income countries is reported. Rates of caregiving varied tremendously within and across countries. However, caregiving practices followed one of two developmental trajectories: (a) greater proportions of caregivers read, told stories, and named, counted, and drew with each additional month of infant age, and (b) proportions of caregivers who played, sang songs, and took their infants outside increased each month from birth but reached an asymptote at 4–5 months. Rates and growth functions of caregiving have implications for infant care and development.
Whom to Trust: The Role of Mediation and Perceived Harm in Support Seeking by Cyberbullying Victims
Authors: Cerna Alena , Machackova Hana , Dedkova Lenka
Published: August 2015

This study focuses on two coping strategies in cyberbullying: talking to parents and talking to peers. The subsample of cyberbullying victims aged 9–16 (N = 1395; 59% female) from the EU Kids Online II project was analysed. We predicted talking to parents and peers according to mediation style, perceived harm, support‐seeking tendencies, parental knowledge of the child's activities online, age and gender. The results show that perceived harm and active mediation increase the likelihood of confiding. Parents play a central role and should be encouraged to show their children interest about and understanding of their online activities.