bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface–bulk interrelation in a PbZrO3single crystal
Authors: Kajewski D. , Kubacki J. , Bussmann-Holder A. , Roleder Krystian
Published: September 2017

In many cases, functionality is connected with the response of a material to the action of an external electric field.
Enhanced electronic transport in Fe3+-doped TiO2 for high efficiency perovskite solar cells
Authors: Gu Xiangling , Wang Yafei , Zhang Ting , Liu Detao , Zhang Rui , Zhang Peng , Wu Jiang , Chen Zhi David , Li Shibin
Published: September 2017

PCE of perovskite solar cells based on Fe3+-doped compact TiO2 is improved from 16.02% to 18.60%.
The role ofCRPandATG9Bexpression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Ma Zheng , Qi Zengguang , Shan Zhengfei , Li Jiangsong , Yang Jing , Xu Zhonghua
Published: September 2017

The purpose of the study is to investigate the correlation between the expression of C-reactive protein (CRP) and autophagy-related 9B (ATG9B) and pathological features of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) patients. We also intended to explore the effects of manipulated expression of CRP and ATG9B on the apoptosis and cell cycle progression of CCRCC cell line. ATG9B expression in CCRCC tissues and adjacent renal tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Gene expression was determined at transcription and translational levels using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. The association between CRP/ATG9B expression and clinical-pathological parameters including age, gender, pathological grades, TNM stage and distant metastasis of the patients was assessed by correlation analysis. siRNA and overexpression plasmids construction were used to manipulate the expression of CRP in human CCRCC cell line 786-O. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle progression were determined using flow cytometry (FCM) and Hoechst 33258 staining. CRP expression correlates with ATG9B expression. The expression of CRP and ATG9B are significantly correlated with TNM staging, distant metastasis, and survival time of CCRCC patients. A high-level of CRP indicates a poor overall survival (OS). In addition, CRP expression influences cell cycle and apoptosis of CCRCC cells. The study reveals that CRP might be a CCRCC development promoter. In addition, there is a close relationship between CRP and ATG9B in CCRCC carcinogenesis.
Predictors of Surgical Outcome in Isolated Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis: Single Center Experience of 60 Patients
Authors: Singer Mahmoud , Mohsen Tarek , Roushdy Amr , Akl Alsayed , Mashaal Marwa , Alkady Hesham
Published: September 2017

Background Tricuspid valve (TV) endocarditis may be associated with serious complications, and 25% of patients require surgical intervention. However, indications and outcomes of surgery are not clearly identified. In this study, 60 patients are retrospectively reviewed to determine preoperative predictors of surgical outcome.

Patients and Methods Sixty patients with isolated TV endocarditis who underwent surgery in the period between January 2012 and December 2016 are reviewed retrospectively from the medical records of Cairo University Hospitals. Forty-two (70%) patients were males, and 18 (30%) were females with a mean age of 29.3 ± 10.6 years. Eleven patients had an underlying cardiac lesion, and 27 patients were intravenous (IV)-drug addicts.

Results TV repair could be done in nine (15%) patients, and the rest received TV replacement with biological valves. Twenty-four (40%) patients experienced postoperative complications. On multivariate analysis, a vegetation size >2.2 cm was a significant preoperative predictor for embolic complications and prolonged ventilation. In-hospital mortality occurred in 10 (16.67%) patients. Significant preoperative predictors of mortality were pulmonary embolization, congestive heart failure (HF), and the presence of pericardial effusion. During a mean follow-up period of 25 ± 12.6 months with echocardiography, two (4%) IV drug user patients developed recurrence of infection and needed reoperation.

Conclusion Surgery for tricuspid valve endocarditis (TVE) can be performed with good early and mid-term results. A large size of vegetations >2.2 cm is a significant risk factor for embolic complications. Preoperative predictors of in-hospital mortality according to our study are pulmonary embolization, congestive heart failure, and pericardial effusion.
Transfusionstrigger in der orthopädischen Endoprothetik
Authors: Holten Dirk , Zaar Peter , Kessler Stefan
Published: September 2017

Studienziel Die Etablierung einer Transfusionstriggercheckliste ist eine kostengünstige und einfach zu implementierende fremdblutsparende Maßnahme aus dem Patient-Blood-Management. Ziel dieser Studie war es, den Effekt dieser Einzelmaßnahme auf die Transfusionsraten und die klinischen Verläufe in der orthopädischen Endoprothetik zu untersuchen.

Methode 893 Patienten zur elektiven Hüft- oder Knie-TEP-Implantation wurden in 2 6-Monats-Zeiträumen untersucht: 481 Patienten vor und 412 Patienten nach Implementierung der Transfusionstriggercheckliste. Zusätzlich zu demografischen Daten wurden Hämoglobinkonzentrationen präoperativ, am 5. postoperativen Tag und vor jeder Transfusion erhoben, um den perioperativen Blutverlust und die Transfusionsschwelle (Hämoglobinkonzentration vor Transfusion) in beiden Gruppen zu errechnen und miteinander zu vergleichen. Die Transfusionsraten und die Krankenhausverweildauer wurden ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse Die Transfusionsraten sanken von 12,3% (HTEP) und 12,3% (KTEP) auf 4,7% (HTEP) und 3,2% (KTEP) nach Implementierung der Transfusionstriggercheckliste. Die durchschnittliche hämoglobinbasierte Transfusionsschwelle sank von 8,17 auf 7,13 g/dl. Die Krankenhausverweildauer sank von 10,20 (HTEP) und 10,59 (KTEP) Tagen auf 9,48 (HTEP) und 9,81 (KTEP) Tage.

Schlussfolgerung Wir haben in dieser Untersuchung gezeigt, dass die Transfusionstriggerkontrolle – in unserem Fall in Form einer Checkliste – zu den effektivsten fremdblutsparenden Maßnahmen im Patient-Blood-Management zählt. Im Bereich der orthopädischen Endoprothetik unserer Einrichtung ließen sich hierdurch die Transfusionsrate und der Transfusionsindex um über 65% senken. Die Krankenhausverweildauer als Marker eines komplizierten Verlaufs und als betriebswirtschaftlich relevante Größe verlängerte sich durch den Verzicht auf einen Großteil der Transfusionen nicht.
Quantum Singwi-Tosi-Land-Sjölander approach for interacting inhomogeneous systems under electromagnetic fields: Comparison with exact results
Authors: Kosugi Taichi , Matsushita Yu-ichiro
Published: September 2017

For inhomogeneous interacting electronic systems under a time-dependent electromagnetic perturbation, we derive the linear equation for response functions in a quantum mechanical manner. It is a natural extension of the original semi-classical Singwi-Tosi-Land-Sjölander (STLS) approach for an electron gas. The factorization ansatz for the two-particle distribution is an indispensable ingredient in the STLS approaches for the determination of the response function and the pair correlation function. In this study, we choose an analytically solvable interacting two-electron system as the target for which we examine the validity of the approximation. It is demonstrated that the STLS response function reproduces well the exact one for low-energy excitations. The interaction energy contributed from the STLS response function is also discussed.
Identifying intrinsic ferroelectricity of thin film with piezoresponse force microscopy
Authors: Guan Zhao , Jiang Zhen-Zheng , Tian Bo-Bo , Zhu Yi-Ping , Xiang Ping-Hua , Zhong Ni , Duan Chun-Gang , Chu Jun-Hao
Published: September 2017

Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) is a powerful technique to characterize ferroelectric thin films by measuring the dynamic electromechanical response. The ferroelectricity is commonly demonstrated by the PFM hysteresis loops and a 180o phase difference of PFM images before and after poling. Such ferroelectric-like behaviors, however, recently are also found in many non-ferroelectrics. Consequently, it is still a challenge to identify intrinsic ferroelectricity in various kinds of thin films. Here, using PFM, we systematically studied the electromechanical responses in ferroelectric thin films with fast (BaTiO3) and slow (PVDF) switch dynamics, and also in the non-ferroelectric (Al2O3) thin films. It is found that both of the ac voltage (Vac) and pulsed dc voltage (Vdc) play an important role in the PFM measurement. When the Vac amplitude is higher than a explicit threshold voltage (Vc), collapse of the PFM hysteresis loops is observed for the films with fast switch dynamics. By measuring PFM hysteresis loops at various Vdc frequencies, an explicit Vc could be found in ferroelectric rather than in non-ferroelectric. The existence of an explicit Vc as well as nonvolatile behavior is proposed as an important approach to unambiguously identify intrinsic ferroelectricity in materials regardless of switch dynamics.
What happens to the basic level in language?
Authors: Győri Gábor
Published: September 2017

It is a common assumption that basic level categories are cognitive units that share perceptual and linguistic characteristics at the same time. They are taken to be perceptual and functional gestalts designated by words that have a special status with regard to lexical development in children and frequency of occurrence and usefulness in everyday communication. Despite this connectedness of the two aspects of the basic level they do not go hand in hand. The perceptual side of basic level categorization is primary to language and exists independently of it. Basic level categories emerge naturally in the human perceptual-cognitive system as a result of our biological make-up in order to facilitate a proper functioning and orientation in our environment. The linguistic side relies on perception but is at the same time determined by several other factors. Basic level designations do not directly represent perceptual information because they contain additional conceptual knowledge reflecting cultural conceptualizations. This dissociation between the two sides can be seen on the one hand in the inconsistencies between perceptual qualities of entities and the way in which these entities are grouped together in linguistic basic level categories. On the other hand it is revealed through crosslinguistic discrepancies in category boundaries as delineated by words that are considered basic level terms and seemingly correspond in their semantics. An explanation of these phenomena requires that we do not handle the basic level as one phenomenon in which the perceptual and linguistic aspects merge but keep the two sides of the basic level apart while paying attention to their specific connections and influences on each other.
A crosslinguistic study into culturally motivated resemblances and variations in transferred epithet metaphors in Chinese and English
Authors: Sun Yi , Yang Yishu , Kirner-Ludwig Monika
Published: September 2017

It has been postulated that a cognitive approach may lend itself well to the study of transferred epithets, as this traditional rhetoric device possesses all the essences of metaphor from the perspective of Cognitive Linguistics. Transferred epithet metaphors are gradually cognitively cultivated upon human beings’ repetitive and recursive experiences of the real world and it has been well established that they cannot be separated from culture’s limitations or reformulation. The coupling between experientialism and culture in transferred epithet metaphors necessitates the establishment of a double paradigm to comprehensively and profoundly delve into the twofold restraints.
Judgments under emotioncy’s influence
Authors: Pishghadam Reza , Abbasnejad Hannaneh
Published: September 2017

Following a number of studies on discovering the controlling dormant forces in linguistic biases, this study attempts to introduce the concept of emotioncy as a driving force in explicating the causes of prejudice manifested through biases in speech. To this end, two scales for measuring individuals’ bias and their emotioncy levels were devised and validated through Rasch measurement. A total number of 341 participants were asked to take the scales. Afterward, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to investigate the probable relationships between sub-constructs of the scales. The results indicated that as individuals’ emotioncy level increases, the bias level decreases. In other words, involvement slides people toward being less judgmental and thus less biased in language, while exvolvement leads people toward using more abstract words, and therefore more biased language. In the end, implications of the findings were discussed in the realm of judgment and decision making.
New Public Management
Authors: Lægreid Per
Published: September 2017

New Public Management (NPM) reforms have been around in many countries for over the past 30 years. NPM is an ambiguous, multifaceted, and expanded concept. There is not a single driving force behind it, but rather a mixture of structural and polity features, national historical-institutional contexts, external pressures, and deliberate choices from political and administrative executives. NPM is not the only show in town, and contextual features matter. There is no convergence toward one common NPM model, but significant variations exist between countries, government levels, policy areas, tasks, and over time. Its effects have been found to be ambiguous, inconclusive, and contested. Generally, there is a lack of reliable data on results and implications, and there is some way to go before one can claim evidence-based policymaking in this field. There is more knowledge regarding NPM’s effects on processes and activities than on outcome, and reliable comparative data on variations over time and across countries are missing. NPM has enhanced managerial accountability and accountability to users and customers, but has this success been at the expense of political accountability? New trends in reforms, such as whole-of-government, have been added to NPM, thereby making public administration more complex and hybrid.
Sipros Ensemble improves database searching and filtering for complex metaproteomics
Authors: Guo Xuan , Li Zhou , Yao Qiuming , Mueller Ryan S , Eng Jimmy K , Tabb David L , Hervey William Judson , Pan Chongle
Published: September 2017

Motivation

Complex microbial communities can be characterized by metagenomics and metaproteomics. However, metagenome assemblies often generate enormous, and yet incomplete, protein databases, which undermines the identification of peptides and proteins in metaproteomics. This challenge calls for increased discrimination of true identifications from false identifications by database searching and filtering algorithms in metaproteomics.

Results

Sipros Ensemble was developed here for metaproteomics using an ensemble approach. Three diverse scoring functions from MyriMatch, Comet and the original Sipros were incorporated within a single database searching engine. Supervised classification with logistic regression was used to filter database searching results. Benchmarking with soil and marine microbial communities demonstrated a higher number of peptide and protein identifications by Sipros Ensemble than MyriMatch/Percolator, Comet/Percolator, MS-GF+/Percolator, Comet & MyriMatch/iProphet and Comet & MyriMatch & MS-GF+/iProphet. Sipros Ensemble was computationally efficient and scalable on supercomputers.

Availability and implementation

Freely available under the GNU GPL license at http://sipros.omicsbio.org.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Bending the laws of optics with metamaterials: an interview with John Pendry
Authors: Ball Philip
Published: September 2017

Metamaterials show us that nature's laws might not always be as fixed as they seem to be. One of the laws of optics, for example, states that a light ray passing from one transparent medium to another—air to water or glass, say—is bent at the interface by an amount that depends on the so-called refractive indices of the two media. And all transparent materials have a refractive index greater than that of a vacuum (or, roughly speaking, of air), which is set equal to 1. Or do they? In the 1960s, the Russian physicist Victor Veselago explained what would be needed, in theory, for a material to have a refractive index that is not only less than 1 but in fact negative, so that it bends light the ‘wrong way’.

Veselago's idea was all but forgotten until it was unearthed in the late 1990s by electrical engineer David Smith. He was wondering if it might be possible to make a ‘scaled-up’ version of such a material, built from ‘artificial atoms’ and later called a metamaterial, which could show this effect at longer wavelengths than those of light, in the microwave part of the spectrum. By happy coincidence, physicist Sir John Pendry of Imperial College London, UK, had already come up with a prescription for making a similar structure from loops of wire. Smith and his colleagues created a negative-refractive-index metamaterial in 1999—and it was only in the course of publishing this work that they rediscovered Veselago's prescient paper from 1967. Smith later moved to Duke University in North Carolina and teamed up with Pendry to develop a general theory—transformation optics—that described how such substances can manipulate the paths of light in new and unexpected ways. In 2006 they designed and built a metamaterial device with a far more remarkable property: it could bend light (rather, microwave) rays around an object to render it invisible.

With that dramatic innovation, the field of metamaterials was well and truly launched. NSR spoke with John Pendry about the history and prospects of this intersection of physics, materials science and engineering.
The frequency of nonaccidental trauma in children under the age of 3 years with femur fractures: is there a better cutoff point for universal workups?
Authors: Son-Hing Jochen P. , Deniz Olgun Z.
Published: September 2017

The purpose of this study was to evaluate narrower age groups in children aged 0–4 years to determine whether guidelines should be refined when investigating femur fractures for nonaccidental trauma (NAT). This was a retrospective review of the pediatric trauma database at our level 1 pediatric trauma center. The database was examined from 2009 to present. We examined rates of NAT in the less than or equal to 12-month, 13–24-month, 25–36-month, and 37–48-month age groups. χ
2 was used to compare rates of NAT between these groups, and P less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Over the indicated time period, there were 138 femur fractures in children aged 0–4 years, of which 30 were determined to be NAT. The rate of NAT in the less than or equal to 12-month age group was 74.1%, accounting for 20 of the 30 NAT femur fractures. A significant difference in rates of NAT was found between the less than or equal to 12-month age group and all other age groups (P<0.00001). No significant difference in rates of NAT was found between the 13–24-month, 25–36-month, and 37–48-month age groups. Although our institution has generally felt that NAT should be universally evaluated in patients below 36 months of age with femur fractures, our data suggest that there is little justification for universally evaluating 13–36-month-old patients with femur fractures for NAT when the rates do not differ for 37–48-month-old patients. NAT does exist in femur fractures in children above 12 months of age, but it is most worrisomely high in patients of less than or equal to 12 months of age.
Disparities in Health Care Utilization of Adults With Traumatic Brain Injuries Are Related to Insurance, Race, and Ethnicity: A Systematic Review
Authors: Gao Shiyao , Kumar Raj G. , Wisniewski Stephen R. , Fabio Anthony
Published: September 2017

Objective:

To characterize racial/ethnic and insurance disparities in the utilization of healthcare services among US adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods:

The PubMed database was used to search for articles that directly examined the association between race/ethnicity and insurance disparities and healthcare utilization among patients with TBI. Eleven articles that met the criteria and were published between June 2011 and June 2016 were finally included in the review.

Results:

Lack of insurance was significantly associated with decreased use of inhospital and posthospital healthcare services among patients with TBI. However, mixed results were reported for the associations between insurance types and healthcare utilization. The majority of studies reported that racial/ethnic minorities were less likely to use inhospital and posthospital healthcare services, while some studies did not indicate any significant relation between race/ethnicity and healthcare utilization among patients with TBI.

Conclusions:

This review provides evidence of a relation between insurance status and healthcare utilization among US adults with TBI. Insurance status may also account for some portion of the relation between race/ethnicity and healthcare utilization.
Testicular Torsion Pain Honeymoons
Authors: Mellick Larry Bruce , Sinex James
Published: September 2017

A subset of testicular torsion patients report resolution of their initial severe pain that is followed by variable periods of hours to days of reduced or absent pain. Other patients report only mild pain that is described as gradual in onset. Because of delayed initial presentations or less than timely returns for secondary evaluation, these pain honeymoons may be partially responsible for poor clinical outcomes of the torsed spermatic cords and ischemic testicles.
Targeting Histone Acetylation
Authors: Benton Christopher B. , Fiskus Warren , Bhalla Kapil N.
Published: September 2017

Chromatin packaging of DNA provides a framework for transcriptional regulation. Modifications to DNA and histone proteins in nucleosomes lead to conformational changes, alterations in the recruitment of transcriptional complexes, and ultimately modulation of gene expression. We provide a focused review of control mechanisms that help modulate the activation and deactivation of gene transcription specifically through histone acetylation writers and readers in cancer. The chemistry of these modifications is subject to clinically actionable targeting, including state-of-the-art strategies to inhibit basic oncogenic mechanisms related to histone acetylation. Although discussed in the context of acute leukemia, the concepts of acetylation writers and readers are not cell-type-specific and are generalizable to other cancers. We review the challenges and resistance mechanisms encountered to date in the development of such therapeutics and postulate how such challenges may be overcome. Because these fundamental cellular mechanisms are dysregulated in cancer biology, continued research and in-depth understanding of histone acetylation reading and writing are desired to further define optimal therapeutic strategies to affect gene activity to target cancer effectively.
The evolution of massive stars: bridging the gap in the Local Group
Authors: Massey Philip , Neugent Kathryn F. , Levesque Emily M.
Published: September 2017

The nearby galaxies of the Local Group can act as our laboratories in helping to bridge the gap between theory and observations. In this review, we will describe the complications of identifying samples of OB stars, yellow and red supergiants, and Wolf–Rayet stars, and what we have so far learned from these studies.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Bridging the gap: from massive stars to supernovae’.
k-mer Distributions of Aminoacid Sequences are Optimised Across the Proteome
Authors: Morozov A.A.
Published: September 2017

k-mer based methods are widely utilized for the analysis of nucleotide sequences and were successfully applied to proteins in several works. However, the reasons for the species-specificity of aminoacidk-mer distributions are unknown. In this work I show that performance of these methods is not only due to orthology between k-mers in different proteomes, which implies the existence of some factors optimizing k-mer distributions of proteins in a species-specific manner. Whatever these factors could be, they are affecting most if not all proteins and are more pronounced in structurally organized regions.
Effects of public health insurance on labor supply in rural China
Authors: Shen Zheng , Parker Marie , Brown Derek , Fang Xiangming
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Since the implementation of the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) in 2003, this program has experienced rapid growth. Even so, little is known about the association between NCMS expansion and labor force supply among rural residents in China. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of the NCMS on labor force supply for rural Chinese populations.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), a difference-in-differences (DD) approach is employed to estimate the impact of NCMS expansion on labor supply outcomes, including hours of worked in agriculture, off-farm labor force participation, not working, and weeks off due to illness. A number of falsification tests are conducted to identify whether the assumption of common trends of DD analyses is satisfied. The robustness of results is checked through additional estimation, including panel fixed effects and instrumental variable approach.

Findings

Results show that the NCMS expansion has a positive effect on the hours of worked in agriculture and off-farm labor force participation, and reduces the likelihood of not working and weeks off due to illness. The effect on hours of agricultural production is larger for male adults, those aged 50 or more, and individuals in low-income families. This study demonstrates the importance of potential health improvements from public health insurance in promoting rural residents’ labor productivity.

Originality/value

Studies concerning the effects of public health insurance on labor supply in developing countries remain limited. The findings of this study provide important insights into how public health insurance programs, like the NCMS, may affect patterns of labor supply among rural residents, and can help policymakers improve health policies aimed to reduce the number of uninsured farmers while maintaining high levels of labor supply, productivity, and health status among the most vulnerable of populations.
The impact of task level demands, work group level support and affective commitment on emotional exhaustion among services managers
Authors: Laila Ume , Hanif Rubina
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This study aims to explain the effects of affective commitment as a mediator between task-level job demands (quantitative workload, qualitative workload, feedback and role conflict) and emotional exhaustion among service mangers.

Design/methodology/approach

Sub-scales of task-level demand and work group-level resources have been selected from job demands and resources indigenous scale. While emotional exhaustion was measured with the subscale of Maslach burnout inventory. For this purpose, data were obtained from 239 respondents to check the relationship between variables. Amos 21 was used to analyze the model fit among variables.

Findings

The results of the study show that there is a significant positive relationship between high task-level demands and emotional exhaustion. The results also signify that affective commitment partially mediates the relationship.

Research limitations/implications

The present study is cross-sectional in design, whereas longitudinal studies would be effective to explain causality relationship. Term of service managers is also not well defined. Data were collected as per the convenient sampling technique.

Originality/value

The research is based on PhD thesis by the author.
Consumer behaviour of Islamic home financing
Authors: Amin Hanudin
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the contributing factors that affect consumer behaviour of Islamic home financing in Malaysia. The effects of perceived religiosity on property, perceived Islamic debt principle and perceivedmaqasidon homeownership on consumer behaviour are examined. Furthermore, the effects of perceived religiosity and consumer behaviour on religious satisfaction are also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the theory of Islamic consumer behaviour (TiCB) as a baseline theory identified from the literature, this study proposes a conceptual model of consumer behaviour of Islamic home financing in Malaysia. Data from the 205 usable questionnaires are analysed using partial least squares (PLS).

Findings

The PLS results suggest that perceived religiosity on property, perceived Islamic debt principle and perceivedmaqasidon homeownership are instrumental in determining consumer behaviour, thus revealing these factors as “Islamic factors” that represent the TiCB. Furthermore, the effect of consumer behaviour on religious satisfaction is also significant, implying that good behaviour makes people happier – seeking pleasure for doing well that is blessed and approved by Allah (S.W.T).

Research limitations/implications

Two limitations are available for future studies. First, this study included only Malaysians in East Malaysia, suggesting that further testing of the proposed model should be conducted across different geographies to determine the generalisability of this study’s findings. Second, this study’s contributions are narrowed down to the factors examined. These limitations, however, provide directions for further future research.

Practical implications

The results provide directions to bank managers to effectively manage Islamic home financing services for the benefit of their customers. Islamic home financing products tend to be used by consumers if the patronage factors investigated are considered more profoundly.

Originality/value

This study examines the behaviour of consumers of Islamic home financing using the proposed framework derived from TiCB.
Why co-design and delivery is “a no brainer” for higher and degree apprenticeship policy
Authors: Bravenboer Darryll
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contend that collaboration between employers and universities in the design and delivery of programmes of work-based study is an effective way to align the higher-level skills needs of employers with the aspirations of individuals who wish to gain university qualifications in the workplace. In mapping the fluctuations of UK higher-level skills policy through workforce development to degree apprenticeships it is argued that the facility for employers and universities to co-design and develop degree apprenticeship standards should be extended to the development of Higher Apprenticeships in England.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an analysis of a broad range of higher education (HE) skills related UK policy documents to map the fluctuations in policy that underpin the opportunities for employers and universities to collaborate in the design and delivery of HE programmes in England, including degree apprenticeships.

Findings

It is noted that the approach to collaborative employer-university development signalled for degree apprenticeships described in policy documents unhelpfully perpetuates the presumed distinction between “academic learning” and “on the job training”. However, it is also concluded that despite this, the rationale for co-design and delivery should equally apply to the development of all higher apprenticeships to ensure that the expertise that universities can bring in designing and assessing higher-level learning is not unnecessarily excluded from the process.

Originality/value

This paper provides value through its analysis of how the fluctuations of HE and skills policy has affected the basis upon which employers and universities can collaborate in the design and delivery of work-based HE including higher and degree apprenticeships in England. It also seeks to inform HE policy and practice in the development of employer-responsive provision.
Sheffield Hallam University and Nestlé
Authors: Daley Jo , Coyle Jill , Dwyer Chloe
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Following a competitive bid, Sheffield Hallam University were successful in developing and delivering a Corporate Business and Management Degree, for Nestlé UK and Ireland. The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of how the degree programme has evolved and been developed into an apprenticeship, the challenges faced and the partnership approach taken to overcome them. It will also explore the impact on the apprentices, Nestlé and Sheffield Hallam University.

Design/methodology/approach

Information presented in the paper is drawn from the organisations own work in developing a degree apprenticeship programme. It builds on information from the original project brief and the bid, as well as on-going evaluation of how the programme is progressing.

Findings

Responding to talent gaps in the general management population the development of a level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship provides progression for future managers of Nestlé, offering a fast-track route into a career in business and management. The evolution of this higher degree apprenticeship scheme and potential benefits are brought to life in this case study.

Originality/value

The paper is based on the authors own experience and employer consultation.
Workplace policies and practices promoting physical activity across England
Authors: Knox Emily Caitlin Lily , Musson Hayley , Adams Emma J.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Many adults fail to achieve sufficient moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The purpose of this paper is to understand how workplaces most effectively promote physical activity for the benefit of public health.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected via two online surveys. First, 3,360 adults employed at 308 workplaces across England self-reported their MVPA, activity status at work and frequency of journeys made through active commuting. From this sample, 588 participants reported on the policies and practices used in their workplace to promote physical activity. Factor and cluster analysis identified common practice. Regression models examined the association between the workplace factors and engagement in physical activity behaviours.

Findings

Five factors emerged: targeting active travel, availability of information about physical activity outside the workplace, facilities and onsite opportunities, sedentary behaviour, and information about physical activity within the workplace. Further, five clusters were identified to illustrate how the factors are typically being utilised by workplaces across England. Commonly used practices related to promoting active travel, reducing sedentary behaviour and the provision of information but these practices were not associated with meeting MVPA guidelines. The provision of facilities and onsite exercise classes was associated with the most positive physical activity behaviour outcomes; however, these structures were rarely evident in workplaces.

Originality/value

Previous research has identified a number of efficacious actions for promoting physical activity in the workplace, however, research investigating which of these are likely to be acceptable to worksites is limited. The present study is the first to combine these two important aspects. Five common profiles of promoting physical activity in worksites across England were identified and related to physical activity outcomes. Guidance is given to workplace managers to enable them to maximise the resources they have for the greatest gains in employee health. Where feasible, facilities, and classes should be provided to achieve the most positive outcomes.
Behind closed doors: university employees as stakeholders in campus sexual violence
Authors: Rosenthal Marina , Smith Carly P. , Freyd Jennifer J.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine employees’ experiences of institutional betrayal after a campus sexual assault.

Design/methodology/approach

University employees completed online measures evaluating various attitudes toward the university.

Findings

The majority of participants reported institutional betrayal in the university’s response to the case. Employees who reported institutional betrayal indicated significantly lower attachment to the university than employees who reported no institutional betrayal. Institutional betrayal mediated the relationship between institutional attachment and institutional forgiveness.

Social implications

Universities’ failure to respond effectively and promptly to sexual violence does not go unnoticed by employees. Institutional actions after sexual assault have the power to damage employees’ attachment to the university – employees who experienced institutional betrayal were less attached, and ultimately less forgiving of the institution. Universities’ poor prevention and response efforts impact their entire campus community and compromise community members’ ongoing relationship with the school.

Originality/value

College students’ active resistance to sexual violence on campus is featured prominently on the pages of major news outlets. Yet, less featured in research and media is the impact of campus sexual assault on university employees, particularly after sexual assault cases are mishandled. This study offers perspective on employees’ experiences and reactions after a prominent sexual assault case.
Information asymmetry and conditional financial sector development
Authors: Asongu Simplice , Nwachukwu Jacinta
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of reducing information asymmetry (IA) on conditional financial sector development in 53 African countries for the period 2004-2011.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical evidence is based on contemporary and non-contemporary quantile regressions. Instruments for reducing IA include public credit registries (PCRs) and private credit bureaus (PCBs). Hitherto unexplored dimensions of financial sector development are used, namely, financial sector dynamics of formalization, informalization, semi-formalization and non-formalization.

Findings

The following findings are established. First, the positive (negative) effect of information sharing offices (ISO) on formal (informal) financial development is consistent with theory. Second, ISOs consistently increase formal financial development, with the incidence of PCRs higher in terms of magnitude, and financial sector formalization, with the impact of PCBs higher for the most part. Third, only PCBs significantly decrease informal financial development and both ISOs decrease financial sector informalization. Policy implications are discussed.

Originality/value

The study assesses the effect of reducing IA on financial development when existing levels of it matter because current studies based on mean values of financial development provide blanket policy implications which are unlikely to be effective unless they are contingent on prevailing levels of financial development and tailored differently across countries with high, intermediate and low initial levels of financial development.
Impact of ownership types and political connection on private equity placement
Authors: Tian Gaoliang , Si Yi , Fonseka M.M
Published: September 2017

Purpose

In China, private equity placement (PEP) has become the most important equity refinancing method because most listed firms issue new stocks in this method. However, previous literature has not paid much attention to the impact of political connections on PEP. In this paper, the authors aim to focus on the effect of ultimate ownership types and political connections on approval, approval time, approval results and proceeds of PEP. Besides that the authors also explore the influence of different types and levels of political connections on PEP.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates the impact of ultimate ownership and political connections of private firms on the approval of PEPs. The authors obtain a final sample of 1,651 private placement events of Chinese-listed firms. To test the hypothesis that the authors developed in this paper, the authors use empirical models from the existing literature about political connections and corporate finance. They establish multiple linear regressions to test Hypothesis 1 and 3 and introduce a logit model to test Hypothesis 2.

Findings

First, this study documents that state-owned firms have significant advantages over private firms in approval procedure. Second, political connections seem to help private firms obtain approval of placements from China Securities Regulatory Commission. Third, political connections through government officers are not useful for firms to obtain refinance resources, whereas the connections of being members of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and People’s Congress are the two valuable types of political connections to help private firms obtain approval.

Originality/value

This paper has three main contributions to the previous literature. The first contribution is to provide an evidence for the relation between political connections and PEP approval procedures. The second contribution is to provide a comparison between government officer’s connection and social title’s connection. The third contribution of this paper is to reveal the influence of non-disclosed political connection on PEP approval. All the three contributions are important for understanding the relation between political connections and firm refinancial policy.
Failing to lose your head: using Intelligent Fast Failure to defeat the Red Queen
Authors: November Eben David
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to, first, present Red Queen competition as a psychological explanation of market entry failure and then, second, illustrate how an intervention called Intelligent Fast Failure (IFF) can be used to avoid faulty market entry decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Red Queen competition as a lens, a theoretical analysis of how IFF can improve market entry decision-making is provided.

Findings

This paper supports the view that failure is a valuable source of organizational learning. Moreover, the analysis suggests that IFF may provide learning that is valuable for market entry decision-making.

Originality/value

While IFF has previously been applied to areas such as foreign language learning, aeronautical safety, and technology-based design, no one to date has suggested its value as an organizational learning tool for market entry. Therefore, this paper is a valuable resource for researchers, managers, and consultants who provide organizational learning and strategic planning services to organizations.
Two efficiency-driven networks on a collision course: ALDI’s innovative grocery business model vs Walmart
Authors: Chatterjee Sayan
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This case study of the strategy of the U.S. grocery chain, ALDI, shows how businesses can use a systematic process to develop and iteratively refine the core strategy powering their business model.”

Design/methodology/approach

The case describes how ALDI, the upstart entrant established a foothold, a strategy stumble by Walmart, the market leader, provided the newcomer with an attractive opportunity to expand its competitive reach into more upscale neighborhoods.

Findings

Aldi is continuing to build a business model that allowes it to price its products at an order of magnitude below other grocers and also develop a reputation for private label quality that has ultimately enabled it to challenge leading discount grocers.

Social implications

Some analysts expect a significant number of supermarket war casualties–more grocery store bankruptcies and liquidations over the next few years.

Originality/value

ALDI has begun a campaign to offer its customers more value at even lower prices. Other foreign entrants sense their moment has arrived to leap into the fray now that giant Walmart finally seems open to attack. Amazon is experimenting with grocery selling. Recent chain store news headlines tell the breaking story: “Supermarket Wars!”
Cerebral palsy; clinical safety of clomiphene citrate; BJOG's impact
Authors: Chien Patrick
Published: September 2017

Deputy Editor‐in‐Chief, Dr Patrick Chien, discusses his top articles from this issue in an audio podcast available at: https://soundcloud.com/bjog/October-editors-choice-2017.
Genome‐wide association study of a nicotine metabolism biomarker in African American smokers: impact of chromosome 19 genetic influences
Authors: Chenoweth Meghan J. , Ware Jennifer J. , Zhu Andy Z. X. , Cole Christopher B. , Cox Lisa Sanderson , Nollen Nikki , Ahluwalia Jasjit S. , Benowitz Neal L. , Schnoll Robert A. , Hawk Larry W. , Cinciripini Paul M. , George Tony P. , Lerman Caryn , Knight Joanne , Tyndale Rachel F. ,   on behalf of the PGRN‐PNAT Research Group
Published: September 2017

Background and aims

The activity of CYP2A6, the major nicotine‐inactivating enzyme, is measurable in smokers using the nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR; 3′hydroxycotinine/cotinine). Due to its role in nicotine clearance, the NMR is associated with smoking behaviours and response to pharmacotherapies. The NMR is highly heritable (~80%), and on average lower in African Americans (AA) versus whites. We previously identified several reduce and loss‐of‐function CYP2A6 variants common in individuals of African descent. Our current aim was to identify novel genetic influences on the NMR in AA smokers using genome‐wide approaches.

Design

Genome‐wide association study (GWAS).

Setting

Multiple sites within Canada and the United States.

Participants

AA smokers from two clinical trials: Pharmacogenetics of Nicotine Addiction Treatment (PNAT)‐2 (NCT01314001; n = 504) and Kick‐it‐at‐Swope (KIS)‐3 (NCT00666978; n = 450).

Measurements

Genome‐wide SNP genotyping, the NMR (phenotype) and population substructure and NMR covariates.

Findings

Meta‐analysis revealed three independent chromosome 19 signals (rs12459249, rs111645190 and rs185430475) associated with the NMR. The top overall hit, rs12459249 (P = 1.47e‐39; beta = 0.59 per C (versus T) allele, SE = 0.045), located ~9.5 kb 3′ of CYP2A6, remained genome‐wide significant after controlling for the common (~10% in AA) non‐functional CYP2A6*17 allele. In contrast, rs111645190 and rs185430475 were not genome‐wide significant when controlling for CYP2A6*17. In total, 96 signals associated with the NMR were identified; many were not found in prior NMR GWASs in individuals of European descent. The top hits were also associated with the NMR in a third cohort of AA (KIS2; n = 480). None of the hits were in UGT or OCT2 genes.

Conclusions

Three independent chromosome 19 signals account for ~20% of the variability in the nicotine metabolite ratio in African American smokers. The hits identified may contribute to inter‐ethnic variability in nicotine metabolism, smoking behaviours and tobacco‐related disease risk.