bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GWLM–NARX
Authors: Mohd Razeef , Butt Muheet Ahmed , Baba Majid Zaman
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Weather forecasting is the trending topic around the world as it is the way to predict the threats posed by extreme rainfall conditions that lead to damage the human life and properties. These issues can be managed only when the occurrence of the worse weather is predicted in advance, and sufficient warnings can be executed in time. Thus, keeping in mind the importance of the rainfall prediction system, the purpose of this paper is to propose an effective rainfall prediction model using the nonlinear auto-regressive with external input (NARX) model.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes a rainfall prediction model using the time-series prediction that is enabled using the NARX model. The time-series prediction ensures the effective prediction of the rainfall in a particular area or the locality based on the rainfall data in the previous term or month or year. The proposed NARX model serves as an adaptive prediction model, for which the rainfall data of the previous period is the input, and the optimal computation is based on the proposed algorithm. The adaptive prediction using the proposed algorithm is exhibited in the NARX, and the proposed algorithm is developed based on the Grey Wolf Optimization and the Levenberg–Marqueret (LM) algorithm. The proposed algorithm inherits the advantages of both the algorithms with better computational time and accuracy.

Findings

The analysis using two databases enables the better understanding of the proposed rainfall detection methods and proves the effectiveness of the proposed prediction method. The effectiveness of the proposed method is enhanced and the accuracy is found to be better compared with the other existing methods and the mean square error and percentage root mean square difference of the proposed method are found to be around 0.0093 and 0.207.

Originality/value

The rainfall prediction is enabled adaptively using the proposed Grey Wolf Levenberg–Marquardt (GWLM)-based NARX, wherein an algorithm, named GWLM, is proposed by the integration of Grey Wolf Optimizer and LM algorithm.
Breach of psychological contract: impact on workforce motivation and organizational sustainability
Authors: Dogar Muhammad Nadeem
Published: January 2020

Learning outcomes

This case study aims to expect the following learning outcomes. A better understanding of the nature of a psychological contract being developed by employees in non-profit organizations, especially working in the areas of social development and the impact of this contract on employee commitment. Enhanced understanding of conflict of interest (personal versus public) in social development organizations and its implications. Identification of issues of task conflict versus interpersonal conflict and its impact on organizational functions. Identification of dynamics of exclusion of internal stakeholders from organizational strategic decision-making process along with its impact on organizational performance and sustainability. Devising a mechanism to avoid such conflicts in social development organizations, in particular, and organizations in general.

Case overview/synopsis

This case highlights five issues as follows: it identifies and discusses conflict of interest between privileged class possessing decision-making positions in the board of directors and implementers working at the grassroots level at ANMOL (a non-governmental organization working for poor girls education in Baluchistan-hub of China–Pakistan Economic Corridor); it discusses the basis for formulation of psychological contracts and impact of its violation on stakeholder’s commitment and motivation; it discusses the implications of difference of opinion of both stakeholders regarding organizational vision and possible drawbacks of converting task conflict into interpersonal conflict on individuals, organization and end-users; it explores implications of exclusion of key stakeholders from organizational decision-making and its impact on organizational smooth working and sustainability; and it suggests a mechanism to avoid conversion of task conflict into interpersonal conflict and smooth functioning of an organization. Hence, this case discusses theories of conflict of interest between top-leadership and workforce, psychological contract and implications of its breach on employee motivation and organizational sustainability in the context of social development organizations.

Complexity academic level

This case provides sufficient material to be discussed at master level courses (management sciences – master of business administration (MBA) level) such as human resource management (dynamics of psychological contract and conflict resolution), leadership and change management in social development organizations (social enterprises).

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 7: Management Science.
Sangeeth Varghese: a dilemma of democratization and detachment
Authors: Bhattacharyya Arun , Varghese Sangeeth , Gupta Amit
Published: January 2020

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are as follows: understanding the importance of aligning an entrepreneur’s personal orientation and values (e.g. detachment from the enterprise) with business decisions related to enterprise development; appreciating how prior exposure to business settings can be a source of entrepreneurship pursuits for an entrepreneur; and understand whether a different type of leadership can be instrumental in the creation, running and growth of an entrepreneurial venture, especially in terms of introducing differentiated offerings in the target market.

Case overview/synopsis

The case is about an entrepreneur, Sangeeth Varghese, with a very humble and conservative background, who worked in various firms, small and large, and become a young global leader at World Economic Forum, before foraying into entrepreneurship. He is driven by the core values of detachment and democratization, which is reflected throughout his life course and has developed his own views on leadership. After running his first venture LeadCap Ventures with some measure of success, Sangeeth is about to launch his new venture LeadBurg, a web- and mobile-based application for behavioral rating and competency discovery for individuals. The predicament for Sangeeth is about the uncertainties related to the new launch from a business perspective, as well as the concern whether the core principles of democratization and detachment that he identified with, would stand the test in this launch.

Complexity academic level

Master level program (e.g. MBA).

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Impact analysis and classification of aircraft functional failures by using improved FHA based on gray correlation
Authors: Zhang Yuhang , Huang Yan , Xu Tingting , Liu Chang , Tao Liangyan
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The classification of aircraft failures has been a significant part of functional hazard analysis (FHA). Aiming at the shortcomings of the traditional FHA method in the evaluation of aircraft risk, the purpose of this paper is to put forward a new approach by combining the gray comprehensive relation calculation method in the gray system theory with the traditional FHA in order to deal with the problem of “little data, poor information.”

Design/methodology/approach

This paper combines FHA, 1–9-scale method and gray relation analysis. At first, aircraft failure scenarios are chosen and data from experts are collected; then gray system theory is applied to find the relevance of such scenarios. Finally, the classification according to relevance is determined.

Findings

In the past, “little data, poor information” made it difficult for researchers to implement FHA. In this paper, the authors manage to deal with the problem of “poor information” and provide an approach to find the seriousness of aircraft failure.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the use of expert-evaluating methods, the classification of failures is still a little subjective and can be improved in this area. In the future, the method can be improved from the perspective of combining FMEA to analyze more complex indicators or using multisource heterogeneous solutions to solve fuzzy numbers, probabilities, gray numbers and indicators that cannot be assigned.

Practical implications

The paper uses FHA to divide the failure state and establishes a gray evaluation model of the aircraft failure state classification to verify the relevant method. Some aircraft safety design requirements are used to check the safety hazards of the aircraft during the design process, and to provide rational recommendations for the functional design of the aircraft.

Social implications

Improving the safety of aircraft is undoubtedly of great practical significance and has become a top priority in the development of the civil aviation industry. In this paper, the FHA method and the failure state of the aircraft are studied. The original FHA method is innovated by using the gray system theory applicable to the poor information state. Therefore, to some extent, this study has significance for improving the safety of civil aircraft flight, ensuring people’s travel safety and enhancing the society’s trust in civil aviation.

Originality/value

The main innovation of this paper is integrating the FHA method and the gray system theory. This study calculates the comprehensive relation degree of each failure under different flight stages, and uses FHA to divide the failure state, and finally establishes a gray evaluation model of the aircraft failure state classification to analyze the different conditions of the landing gear brake system, so that it improves the present situation, and the problem with the character of “little data, poor information” can be addressed better.
Gravitational effects on electroosmotic flow in micro heat pipes
Authors: Chang Fun Liang , Hung Yew Mun
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the coupled effects of electrohydrodynamic and gravity forces on the circulation effectiveness of working fluid in an inclined micro heat pipe driven by electroosmotic flow. The effects of the three competing forces, namely, the capillary, the gravitational and the electrohydrodyanamic forces, on the circulation effectiveness of a micro heat pipe are compared and delineated.

Design/methodology/approach

The numerical model is developed based on the conservations of mass, momentum and energy with the incorporation of the Young–Laplace equation for electroosmotic flow in an inclined micro heat pipe incorporating the gravity effects.

Findings

By inducing electroosmotic flow in a micro heat pipe, a significant increase in heat transport capacity can be attained at a reasonably low applied voltage, leading to a small temperature drop and a high thermal conductance. However, the favorably applied gravity forces pull the liquid toward the evaporator section where the onset of flooding occurs within the condenser section, generating a throat that shrinks the vapor flow passage and may lead to a complete failure on the operation of micro heat pipe. Therefore, the balance between the electrohydrodyanamic and the gravitational forces is of vital importance.

Originality/value

This study provides a detailed insight into the gravitational and electroosmotic effects on the thermal performance of an inclined micro heat pipe driven by electroosmotic flow and paves the way for the feasible practical application of electrohydrodynamic forces in a micro-scale two-phase cooling device.
The effect of product complexity and communication quality on IOCM and OBA in buyer– supplier relationships
Authors: DhaifAllah Bakil , Md-Auzair Sofiah , Maelah Ruhanita , Ismail Md Daud
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of product complexity and communication quality on inter-organizational cost management (IOCM) and open book accounting (OBA) practices in buyer–supplier relationships in Malaysian manufacturing firms.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was administrated to CFOs or accounting managers of Malaysian suppliers. Exploratory factor analysis and Structural Equation Modeling procedures were applied to test convergent and discriminant validity of the measurement model and examine the relationships among the latent constructs in the structural model.

Findings

The results suggest that IOCM and OBA scales show acceptable reliability and validity. The findings also report that both product complexity and communication quality have a positive effect on IOCM and OBA in buyer–supplier relationships. However, the results suggest that IOCM does not influence OBA practice.

Research limitations/implications

Although IOCM and OBA constructs exhibited satisfactory reliability and validity, future research is required to refine and further validate these constructs. The data were only collected from the supplier’s perspective. Thus, future research is invited to benefit from matched data from both suppliers and buyers to generate additional insights on IOCM and OBA.

Practical implications

This study may assist suppliers and buyers in relationships by suggesting that complex products require the adoption of IOCM and OBA practices to reduce information asymmetries and manage costs. Furthermore, emphasizing quality of communication may enhance the implementation of these practices.

Originality/value

Theoretically, this study contributes to the academic stream of management accounting and cost management as it enhances an understanding of contributions introduced in prior literature on IOCM and OBA. It uses a complementary approach of transaction cost theory (TCT) and social exchange theory (SET) to explain the research model. Methodologically, the study validated scales for measuring IOCM and OBA in a new environment.
Analyzing the purchase intention of Peruvian maca
Authors: Pipoli de Azambuja Gina María Maria , García-Arrizabalaga Iñaki , Rodríguez-Peña Gustavo
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relation between the purchase intention of Peruvian maca and each of the following variables: Peru’s country image, maca’s product image, Peru’s country familiarity and maca’s product familiarity.

Design/methodology/approach

To compile primary information, a survey of closed questions was applied to students in two countries with different levels of familiarity with Peru: France and the USA.

Findings

There is a direct association between the studied variables in the cases where the foreign consumer has a high familiarity with Peru. Similarly, there is a positive association between maca’s product image, Peru’s country familiarity and maca’s product familiarity with the consumer purchase intention of maca from Peru in the cases where the consumer has low familiarity with Peru.

Research limitations/implications

The characteristics of the sample did not allow to analyze the purchase intention according to gender, age and socioeconomic level.

Practical implications

This study provides innovative insights to design international marketing strategies for Peruvian maca entrepreneurs and export promotion policies to policymakers, to support them to overcome the increase of the global competitive environment of maca.

Social implications

The paper helps maca producers and exporters to develop international marketing strategies to position their maca products in markets with high or low familiarity with Peru.

Originality/value

The uniqueness of this paper is based on the study of the purchase intention of agricultural products such as maca, which is a developing product available in Peru.
Intangible resources and the growth of women businesses
Authors: Sallah Cynthia Ayorkor , Caesar Livingstone Divine
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Intangible assets are widely considered as key success factors for the growth of businesses in various economies. While the relationship between intangible assets or resources and business growth or performance have been extensively researched in advanced economies, there is limited understanding of the complexity of the phenomenon in developing/emerging markets. In Ghana specifically, there is a dearth of research on the impact of intangible assets on the growth of women businesses. Consequently, this paper aims to investigate how intangible assets available to women entrepreneurs contribute to the performance of their businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an exploratory sequential research design (a type of mixed methods design), the data collection was organized into two main phases. The first phase was the qualitative phase where nine respondents were interviewed, and the responses were analysed using thematic analysis. The second phase was the quantitative phase where some 264 questionnaires were collected and analysed using multiple regression analysis.

Findings

Specifically, the findings focused on three intangible resources: social capital, human capital and reputational capital. The study found that, social, human and reputational capital all significantly contributed to the growth of women businesses. The study also showed a positive and significant effect of social capital, reputational capital and human capital on business growth.

Practical implications

These findings have implications for women entrepreneurs in Ghana. If they must grow their businesses, then using intangible assets alone may not be able to deliver growth in the required proportions. Serious consideration must be given to the significant impact of intra and extra industry networking and the social competency skills of the entrepreneur. The rationality of this assertion hinges on the findings made from this study that social competence can be effectively used to further enhance the effects of the value of one’s intangible assets.

Originality/value

Policymakers in Sub-Saharan Africa and specifically Ghana have accorded high priority to private sector entrepreneurship towards reduction in the dependence of the citizenry on government for jobs. Perhaps, this paper adds to the growing body of knowledge on female entrepreneurship in Ghana to understand how intangible assets available to women entrepreneurs contribute to the performance of their businesses.
Channels of financial sector development and the inequality widening (narrowing) hypothesis – evidence from India
Authors: Mehta Atul , Bhattacharya Joysankar
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The study aims to understand how various channels of financial sector development affect the income inequality across Indian states and whether the inequality widening or narrowing hypothesis of financial development may be confirmed at a sub-national level.

Design/methodology/approach

Using state-wise annual data for the period from 1999-2000 to 2011-2012, a panel data analysis using generalised method of moments (GMM) estimator is conducted for a sample of 15 major Indian states.

Findings

The results confirm the inequality widening hypothesis of financial sector development in India. While each channel affects different section of the population in a different way, their overall effect on the income inequality remains unfavourable.

Originality/value

This paper is the first ever study to provide a comparative empirical evidence for the effect of each channel of financial development on the income inequality in India. The results provide significant insights to the policymakers, practitioners and academia in the financial sector with respect to the efficiency of each channel of financial development in bridging the gap between the poor and rich.
Delineating entrepreneurial orientation efficacy on retailer’s business performance
Authors: Sellappan Palaniappan , Shanmugam Kavitha
Published: January 2020

Purpose

In today’s technology-led volatile business environment all established businesses are trembling and retailing is no exception. Exploration of the entrepreneurial side of retailers will expose the essential attitudes to survive in the new world order. The present study is an endeavor towards this end.

Design/methodology/approach

In this descriptive research, a pre-tested entrepreneurial orientation questionnaire constructed by De Nobrega (2012) was adopted, and it was fine-tuned to suit for the retail environment. Initially, an exploratory study was organized, and it was followed by confirmatory factor analysis. Data collected were analyzed with SPSS 23.0, and the conceptual model was validated in AMOS 23.0.

Findings

The study evinces that the retailer’s entrepreneurial orientation is induced by five factors, namely, autonomy, risk-taking, innovation, competitive aggressiveness and pro-activeness. The study exposes the five dimensions and their ascendancy on business performance.

Research limitations/implications

The study is operationalized in a small sample, confined to two types of trade, limited to small and medium retailers in Chennai and all the constructs are measured with the help of perceptual self-reporting scales.

Practical implications

The study highlights that the art of spearheading retail business performance lies in attitude orientation. This work will propel retailers and trade bodies to nurture the entrepreneurial orientation.

Social implications

The study emphasizes that boosting entrepreneurial mindset of retailers will enable them to achieve business progress and protects the grass root sector of the society.

Originality/value

This work is the very first study to identify and evaluate the impact of five-dimensional entrepreneurial orientation construct on small and medium retailer’s business performance. The present study is a pioneering empirical contribution to the Indian context.
Understanding surface roughness of additively manufactured nickel superalloy for space applications
Authors: Shelton Travis Edward , Stelzer Dylan Joseph , Hartsfield Carl R. , Cobb Gregory Richard , O'Hara Ryan P. , Tommila Christopher D.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

For many applications, including space applications, the usability and performance of a component is dependent on the surface topology of the additively manufactured part. The purpose of this paper is to present an investigation into minimizing the residual surface roughness of direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) samples by manipulating the input process parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the ability to manipulate surface roughness by modifying processing parameters was explored. Next, the surface topography was characterized to quantify roughness. Finally, microthruster nozzles were created both additively and conventionally for flow testing and comparison.

Findings

Surface roughness of DMLS samples was found to be highly dependent on the laser power and scan speed. Because of unintended partially sintered particles adhering to the surface, a localized laser fluence mechanism was explored. Experimental results show that surface roughness is influenced by the varied parameters but is not a completely fluence driven process; therefore, a relationship between laser fluence and surface roughness can be incorporated but not completely assumed.

Originality/value

This paper serves as an aid in understanding the importance of surface roughness and the mechanisms associated with DMLS. Rather than exploring a more common global energy density, a localized laser fluence was initiated. Moreover, the methodology and conclusions can be used when optimizing parts via metal additive manufacturing.
Children’s pester power, packaging and unhealthy food preference
Authors: Christino Juliana Maria Magalhães , Cardozo Erico Aurelio Abreu , Silva Thaís Santos , Mazzini Caroline
Published: January 2020

Purpose

This study aims to understand the extent to which packaging influences Brazilian parents' purchasing willingness based on children's food preferences for unhealthy food products.

Design/methodology/approach

Parents, with children up to 12 years old, answered questions about the positive influence of the packaging on the children, the preferences of the children in their willingness to buy and the propensity to give in to the desires of the children. Data analysis was performed with the statistical software SPSS and Stata used for structural equations modeling.

Findings

The results back the outlined hypotheses and point out that the characteristics of the packaging positively influence children's preferences as well as parents’ who are prone to give in to such influences. In some relationships, there was a minute moderating effect of social desirability and social class.

Research limitations/implications

The research presents as a limitation the nature of the sample, parents, to the extent that the influences of the packages on the children were analyzed from their perspectives.

Practical implications

Findings from the research can be used to think about preventive public policies to protect children as highly vulnerable subjects. Another practical implication is that the same marketing strategies that are used for unhealthy foods can also be used for healthy foods, improving their linkage to the children once there are evidences that packaging can positively influence their preferences.

Originality/value

The originality of this study is to focus on children's food preferences for unhealthy products and in parents with children up to 12 years old, which is not often investigated by researchers.
Interleukin IL‐1B gene polymorphism in Tunisian patients with chronic hepatitis B infection: Association with replication levels
Authors: Ben Dhifallah Imen , Ayouni Kaouther , Najjar Ghofrane , Chelbi Hanene , Sadraoui Amel , Hammami Walid , Touzi Henda , Triki Henda
Published: January 2020

Approaches based on association studies have proven useful in identifying genetic predictors for many diseases, including susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B. In this study we were interested by the IL‐1B genetic variants that have been involved in the immune response and we analyzed their role in the susceptibility to develop chronic hepatitis B in the Tunisian population. IL‐1B is a potent proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in inflammation of the liver. Polymorphic gene IL‐1 (−511, +3954) was analyzed in a total of 476 individuals: 236 patients with chronic hepatitis B from different cities of Tunisia recruited in Pasteur Institute between January 2017 and December 2018 and 240 controls. Genomic DNA was obtained using the standard salting‐out method and genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐restriction fragment length polymorphism. For −511C>T polymorphism a significant association was found between patients and controls when comparing the genotypic (P = 0.007; χ2 = 9.74 and odds ratio [OR] = 0.60; confidence interval [CI] = 0.41–0.89) and allelic (P = 0.001; χ2 = 10.60) frequencies. When the viral load was taken into account a highly significant difference was found (P = 9 × 10−4; χ2 = 10.89). For +3954C>T polymorphism a significant association was found between patients and controls when comparing genotypic (P = 0.0058; χ2 = 7.60 and OR = 1.67; CI = 1.14–2.46) and allelic (P = 0.0029; χ2 = 8.81) frequencies. T allele can be used as a strong marker for hepatitis B virus disease for both polymorphisms.
Fighting and aggressive sound determines larger male to win male‐male competition in a bark beetle
Authors: Liu Zhu‐Dong , Wickham Jacob D. , Sun Jiang‐Hua
Published: January 2020

Intrasexual selection occurs in male‐male competition over access to females and usually results in the larger male winning. While much research has documented that size matters, little is known about how the larger male wins. Dendroctonus valens is an aggregating monogamous bark beetle in which males have large variation in body size and display intense competition over females. Behavioral observation showed two males fight each other within the gallery by pushing/shoving and stridulated more when two males encountered each other. Experiments using two different‐sized males synchronously competing showed that larger males won 95% of contests. Reciprocal displacement experiments using muted and intact males of different or equal size were used to simulate male‐male competition. Larger males displaced the smaller resident male in 90% of contests, while smaller males prevailed over larger residents in 6.7% of contests. With both males silenced, larger males displaced smaller males in 80% of contests, while smaller males prevailed in 8% of contests. Further experiments using equal‐sized males showed aggressive sound‐emitting males displaced muted males in 67% of contests, yet intact males displaced other intact males in only 37.5% of contests. Sound analysis showed sound pressure level is an honest signal of body size and males chose soft sounds over loud aggressive sounds in assays. Therefore, D. valens males have evolved dual behaviors, fighting and aggressive sounds associated with body size, to assess rivals to compete for a partner, gaining insights in male‐male competition for this species and for other animals.
Contribution of HLA‐B*51:01 and ‐A*26:01 to Behçet's disease and their clinical association in Thai patients
Authors: Louthrenoo Worawit , Kasitanon Nuntana , Pathanapitoon Kessara , Wangkaew Suparaporn , Kuwata Shoji , Nishi Ai , Kaburaki Toshikatsu , Tanaka Rie , Takeuchi Fujio
Published: January 2020

Aims

To investigate susceptible human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and their associations with clinical features in Thai patients with Behçet's disease (BD).

Method

Eighteen HLA‐A and 36 HLA‐B alleles were determined in 42 Thai BD patients and 99 healthy controls (HCs) by reverse line blot assay, and reconfirmed by MICRO SSP assay.

Results

The BD patients had significantly higher allele frequency (AF) of HLA‐B*51 than the HCs (13.10% vs 5.05%,P = .025). The AF of HLA‐A*26, ‐A*26:01 and ‐B*51:01 also was higher and almost reached statistical significance (5.59% vs 1.52%,P = .054, 5.95% vs 1.52%,P = .054 and 10.71% vs 4.04%,P = .051, respectively). However, the BD patients had significantly higher AF of either HLA‐A*26:01 or ‐B*51:01 (16.67% vs 5.56%,P = .005), or ‐A*26:01 or ‐B*51X (19.05% vs 6.56%,P = .003). The AF of HLA‐B*51:01 and ‐B*51X increased significantly in ‐A*26:01 non‐carrier BD patients (12.16% vs 4.17%,P = .024 and 14.86% vs 5.21%,P = .019, respectively); and that of HLA‐A*26:01 was significantly higher in ‐B*51X non‐carrier BD patients (7.58% vs 1.67%,P = .034). HLA‐B*51:01 associated significantly with the presence of posterior uveitis and visual impairment (18.18% vs 2.50%,P = .031 for both conditions). HLA‐B*51:01 was not observed in BD patients with gastrointestinal involvement or arthritis. Furthermore, the AF of HLA‐B*51:01 was significantly higher in HLA‐A*26:01 non‐carrier BD patients without arthritis (17.30% vs 0%,P = .050).

Conclusion

HLA‐B*51:01 was a susceptible allele for Thai BD patients, and associated with posterior uveitis and visual impairment. HLA‐A*26:01 was another susceptible allele in HLA‐B*51X non‐carrier patients. The protective effect of HLA‐B*51:01 on arthritis needs further investigation.
A case of middle mediastinal cavernous hemangioma
Authors: Cai Xianqi , Liu Chunquan , Cui Yong
Published: January 2020

While cavernous hemangioma are frequently observed in various tissues and locations in the body, mediastinal cavernous hemangiomas (CHMs) are rare, particularly in the middle mediastinum. Here, we report a case of a middle CHM which was diagnosed and treated in our hospital. A male patient age 57 years was admitted with a mediastinal circular low‐density lesion. Preoperative examination was performed with a subsequent diagnosis of a mediastinal lesion. The lesion was resected and post‐operative histopathology suggested that it was a cavernous hemangioma. Post‐operative recovery was uneventful, and a follow‐up examination nearly one year later showed that the patient had no recurrence.
Usefulness of pre‐operative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in diagnosis and management of forme fruste choledochal cyst in children
Authors: Wang Qianqian , Moon Suk Bae , Zang Jingyu , Liu Jun , Weng Hao , Wang Xuefeng , Wang Jun , Chen Jie
Published: January 2020

Background

Forme fruste choledochal cyst (FFCC), characterized by a minimally dilated common bile duct (CBD) and associated pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM), is difficult to diagnose in a timely manner in clinical practice. However, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can clearly delineate CBD and PBM. Hence, we evaluated the value of ERCP in the diagnosis and management of FFCC.

Methods

The medical records of patients diagnosed with FFCC were retrospectively reviewed. From January 2003 to December 2010, patients underwent surgery without ERCP (non‐ERCP group); from January 2011, all patients underwent pre‐operative ERCP (ERCP group). Demographics, laboratory results, perioperative data and post‐operative complications were compared between the two groups.

Results

There were 24 patients in the ERCP group and 11 in the non‐ERCP group. Laboratory data improved to a greater extent after ERCP. ERCP was superior to both magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and ultrasonography in delineating CBD and PBM. In the ERCP group, 20 of the 24 patients were noted to have filling defects in the biliary tract and underwent pre‐operative endoscopic sphincterotomy. Intra‐operative blood loss was lower and transfusion less frequent in the ERCP group (P < 0.05). There were no ERCP‐related complications.

Conclusions

ERCP can accurately delineate the minimal CBD dilatation, associated pancreaticobiliary tract abnormalities and PBM of FFCC. ERCP can improve the perioperative and post‐operative results of paediatric patients with FFCC.
Early development of Jingdezhen ceramic glazes
Authors: Wu J. , Ma H. , Wood N. , Zhang M. , Qian W. , Wu J. , Zheng N.
Published: January 2020

Major types of ceramics produced in the history of Jingdezhen, from the Tang green glaze stoneware, through the Five Dynasties white ware, the Song dynasty bluish‐white ware to the Yuan and Ming dynasties blue‐and‐white ware were analysed for their glaze chemistries to reveal, chemically, how the glazes of different periods in Jingdezhen evolved. Possible early period glaze recipes are proposed. Important events in the course of the technological development of Jingdezhen ceramic, such as the first use of limestone as a glaze flux, and how they may have impacted the way Jingdezhen ceramic technology advanced, are discussed.
Detection of candidate polymorphisms around the QTL for fat area ratio to rib eye area on BTA7 using whole‐genome resequencing in Japanese Black cattle
Authors: Sasazaki Shinji , Kawaguchi Fuki , Nakajima Ayaka , Yamamoto Raito , Akiyama Takayuki , Kohama Namiko , Yoshida Emi , Kobayashi Eiji , Honda Takeshi , Oyama Kenji , Mannen Hideyuki
Published: January 2020

In our previous study, we performed genome‐wide association study (GWAS) to identify the genomic region associated with Fat area ratio to rib eye area (FAR) and detected a candidate in BTA7 at 10–30 Mbp. The present study aims to comprehensively detect all polymorphisms in the candidate region using whole‐genome resequencing data. Based on whole‐genome resequencing of eight animals, we detected 127,090 polymorphisms within the region. Of these, 31,945 were located within the genes. We further narrowed the polymorphisms to 6,044 with more than five allele differences between the high and low FAR groups that were located within 179 genes. We subsequently investigated the functions of these genes and selected 170 polymorphisms in eight genes as possible candidate polymorphisms. We focused on SLC27A6 K81M as a putative candidate polymorphism. We genotyped the SNP in a Japanese Black population (n = 904) to investigate the effect on FAR. Analysis of variance revealed that SLC27A6 K81M had a lower p‐value (p = .0009) than the most significant SNP in GWAS (p = .0049). Although only SLC27A6 K81M was verified in the present study, subsequent verification of the remaining candidate genes and polymorphisms could lead to the identification of genes and polymorphisms responsible for FAR.
Invasions of rainbow trout and brown trout in Japan: A comparison of invasiveness and impact on native species
Authors: Hasegawa Koh
Published: January 2020

Many species of salmonids have been stocked into waters outside of their native range. The invasiveness and impact of these species on native species varies depending on their biological traits, and on environmental conditions, such as climate. In Japan, rainbow trout and brown trout, both listed in 100 of the world's worst invasive alien species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, occur as non‐native species. The invasiveness of these two species is thought to be related to seasonal flooding, given flood waters can physically damage fry and prevent population establishment. Rainbow trout have successfully invaded waters in Hokkaido, northern Japan, where the likelihood of flooding is low between June and July, when their fry emerge, but successful invasions are rare in regions south of Hokkaido. Brown trout, however, have successfully invaded waters not only in Hokkaido, but also other regions. Since brown trout have a similar life history to the native white‐spotted charr and masu salmon, with fry emerging before the flood season, they are more suited to the Japanese climate than Rainbow trout. Rainbow and brown trout interact with native species in various ways, but a common outcome of these interactions is the displacement of native charr species. Legal regulations of non‐native salmonids should be based on understandings of the ecological traits of each invasive species and regional impacts on native species. Given the ongoing nature of climate change, the nature and extent of the effects of rainbow and brown trout on native species might also change.
Erasmus student mobility flows
Authors: Breznik Kristijan , Skrbinjek Vesna
Published: January 2020

This article identifies student mobility flows using Erasmus data from 2007–2008 to 2013–2014. We used the software programmes “R” for statistical analysis and “Pajek” for analysis of networks. Findings provide an overview of student mobility from three perspectives. We find the most balanced relative outbound and inbound mobility in Spain, Switzerland, Austria and Poland. Moreover, Spain and Italy exchange the most students between each other. Overall, the core centres for student mobility are Spain, France, Germany and Italy. Smaller countries, such as Luxemburg, Malta and Liechtenstein, have large numbers of mobile students considering the size of the country's student population. The network analysis revealed three groups of countries: (1) good receivers and senders (Spain, Italy, and Germany), (2) good receivers only (Finland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Portugal) and (3) good senders only (Belgium and the Czech Republic).
MYC rearrangement and MYC/BCL2 double expression but not cell‐of‐origin predict prognosis in R‐CHOP treated diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Xu Jie , Liu Jing‐Lan , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Huang Wenting , Khoury Joseph D , McDonnell Timothy J. , Tang Guilin , Schlette Ellen , Yin C. Cameron , Bueso‐Ramos Carlos E. , Lin Pei , Li Shaoying
Published: January 2020

Objective

Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) can be classified as germinal center B cell–like (GCB) or activated B cell–like (ABC)/non‐GCB based on cell‐of‐origin (COO) classification. This study evaluated the prognostic significance of COO classification in 250 patients diagnosed with de novo DLBCL who received R‐CHOP therapy. We also assessed whether the genomic status of MYC, BCL2, or MYC/BCL2 double expression (DE) could provide additional prognostic information for DLBCL patients.

Methods

The clinicopathologic features and outcome of patients with GCB DLBCL were compared to patients with non‐GCB DLBCL using Fisher's exact test. The prognostic significance of COO, MYC‐R, and MYC/BCL2 DE were studied using multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis.

Results

There were 162 men and 88 women with a median age of 62 years (range, 18‐86). Forty‐five of 250 (18%) cases harbored MYC rearrangement (R). The frequency of MYC‐R was much higher in GCB than in non‐GCB tumors (40/165, 24% vs 5/85, 6%) (P = .0001). MYC/BCL2 DE was observed in 53 of 125 (42%) cases. COO classification failed to predict overall survival (OS) in DLBCL patients, either those patients with MYC‐R were included (P = .10) or not (P = .27). In contrast, MYC‐R and MYC/BCL2 DE significantly correlated with inferior OS (P = .0001 and P = .001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, MYC‐R and MYC/BCL2 DE were still independent prognostic factors in DLBCL patients.

Conclusions

MYC‐R and MYC/BCL2 DE are independent prognostic factors for DLBCL patients treated with R‐CHOP. In this cohort, COO classification failed to stratify patient outcome.
Pro tutela regni: revisiting a royal diploma from 918 on the birth of Normandy and the first ‘ducal’ laws
Authors: Davy Gilduin
Published: January 2020

The Treaty of Saint‐Clair‐sur‐Epte (911) and the cession of Normandy to Rollo have long been considered as evidence of a decline in Carolingian power during the reign of Charles III the Simple. If, during the twentieth century, this view has undergone gradual revision, the role that the king could have played in the process of the Normans’ installation on the Seine remains obscure. A review of the relevant royal diplomas, in particular that of 14 March 918, suggests, however, active participation by the king in the emergence of a Norman march in Neustria: that is to say, a political and legal programme intended to reaffirm royal authority over this part of the regnum Francorum. This rereading, based on Frankish texts, on Christian ideology and on the Roman heritage, suggests a new interpretation of the settlement of Scandinavians in Normandy, the emergence of a Norman principality, and the genesis of the famous ‘laws of Rollo’.
Paying attention to dreams in early medieval normative sources (400–900): countering non‐Christian practices or negotiating Christian dreaming?
Authors: Keskiaho Jesse
Published: January 2020

Early medieval Christian cultures found important roles for dreams and visions, while at the same time perpetuating learned traditions advising suspicion of dreams and warning of the dangers of the wrong kinds of dreams. This article examines prohibitions against the heeding or interpretation of dreams and the transmission of these prohibitions in early medieval normative sources (canonical collections, penitentials, and royal and episcopal capitularies). It argues that such prohibitions were less likely related to any non‐Christian practices involving dreams than they were motivated by a need to define conceptual places for Christian dreaming. On the one side lay concerns about dreams arising from patristic writings, chiefly those of Gregory the Great; on the other was the importance of dreams in Christian cult and thought.
The Relationship between Organizational Culture and Small‐firm Performance: Entrepreneurial Orientation as Mediator
Authors: Khedhaouria Anis , Nakara Walid A. , Gharbi Samiha , Bahri Chaima
Published: January 2020

The importance of organizational culture to a small firm's entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and performance has been extensively investigated in the literature, but little attention has been paid to understanding the mechanisms underlying these relationships. In the present study, we mobilized the competing values framework (CVF) to examine the relationships between key dimensions of organizational culture (i.e., adhocracy, clan, hierarchy, and market) and EO (i.e., innovativeness, risk‐taking, and proactiveness) and their effects on the performance of small firms. Our study of 106 small Tunisian firms provides empirical evidence for the mediating role of EO, through which adhocracy and market cultures influence small‐firm performance by fostering innovative and proactive behaviors. We discuss the implications of these findings for theory and practice.
“Free” and “unfree” money in German prisons: The role of accounting in educating public service users
Authors: Iloga Balep Nathalie , Junne Jaromir
Published: January 2020

This paper explores how public organizations use accounting as a pedagogical instrument for educating individual citizens. Drawing on conceptions of financial literacy and governmentality, our paper presents the findings of a qualitative case study of German prisons and analyzes how accounting practices shape interactions between public organizations and individual citizens. Our findings show how three types of financial accounts—prison money, gate money, and private money—grant prisoners differentiated access to funds. Prison administrators refer to these accounts as “free” or “unfree,” depending on whether prisoners can decide how the money will be used. The study reveals how German law, ministries, and prison administrations attach three basic virtues to prisoner accounts—legal consumption, financial prudence, and social responsibility—in an attempt to include individuals (back) into a population of economically and socially functioning citizens. To public management research, this paper contributes a description of how public institutions employ accounting as a pedagogical technology in interactions with individual citizens. To prior works on financial literacy, we add the idea that educative measures not only produce viable and disciplined market actors, but also transport specific virtues of being a social citizen. Finally, our study discusses how disciplinary and postdisciplinary notions of accounting interact and provide possibilities for governing through freedom—even behind bars.
Proprotein convertase 7 (PCSK7) reduces apoA‐V levels
Authors: Ashraf Yahya , Duval Stéphanie , Sachan Vatsal , Essalmani Rachid , Susan‐Resiga Delia , Roubtsova Anna , Hamelin Josée , Gerhardy Stefan , Kirchhofer Daniel , Tagliabracci Vincent S. , Prat Annik , Kiss Robert Scott , Seidah Nabil G.
Published: January 2020

The locus of the human proprotein convertase subtilisin–kexin type‐7 (PC7) gene (PCSK7) is on chromosome 11q23.3 close to the gene cluster APOA5/APOA4/APOC3/APOA1, a region implicated in the regulation of lipoprotein metabolism. A GWAS reported the association of PCSK7 SNPs with plasma triglyceride (TG), and exome sequencing of African Americans revealed the association of a low‐frequency coding variant of PC7 (R504H; SNP rs142953140) with a ~ 30% TG reduction. Another PCSK7 SNP rs508487 is in linkage disequilibrium with a promoter variant of the liver‐derived apolipoprotein A‐V (apoA‐V), an indirect activator of the lipoprotein lipase (LpL), and is associated with elevated TG levels. We thus hypothesized that PC7 regulates the levels/activity of apoA‐V. Studies in the human hepatic cell line HuH7 revealed that wild‐type (WT) PC7 and its endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐retained forms bind to and enhance the degradation of human apoA‐V in acidic lysosomes in a nonenzymatic fashion. PC7‐induced degradation of apoA‐V is inhibited by bafilomycin A1 and the alkalinizing agents: chloroquine and NH4Cl. Thus, the PC7‐induced apoA‐V degradation implicates an ER‐lysosomal communication inhibited by bafilomycin A1. In vitro, the natural R504H mutant enhances PC7 Ser505 phosphorylation at the structurally exposed Ser‐X‐Glu507 motif recognized by the secretory kinase Fam20C. Co‐expression of the phosphomimetic PC7‐S505E with apoA‐V resulted in lower degradation compared to WT, suggesting that Ser505 phosphorylation of PC7 lowers TG levels via reduced apoA‐V degradation. In agreement, in Pcsk7−/− mice fed high‐fat diet, plasma apoA‐V levels and adipocyte LpL activity are increased, providing an in vivo mechanistic link for a role of liver PC7 in enhanced TG storage in adipocytes.