bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Executive capability for innovation: the Irish seaports sector
Authors: Kearney Arthur , Harrington Denis , Kelliher Felicity
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a framework of executive capability for innovation in the Irish seaport context.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses an approach based on a critical review of literature. The paper takes the form of a critical review of academic literature, focussed by dynamic managerial capabilities theory. Specifically, the work of Lawson and Samson (2001) is drawn on to frame executive capability for innovation.

Findings

The framework proposes that the executive capability for innovation in the Irish seaport sector emerges as a dynamic managerial capability. The framework is dynamic in nature with environmental feedback loops inhibiting and enabling executive capability development. Supply chain innovation emerges from the framework based on an interpretation of executive capability emerging from Lawson and Samson (2001).

Research limitations/implications

The paper is entirely conceptual in nature. Future empirical research taking a qualitative approach is necessary. Further, an alternative theoretical perspective to that of dynamic managerial capabilities would offer new conceptual insight.

Practical implications

The paper contributes to executive practice through providing a framework of executive capability for innovation facilitating dialogue between executive practitioners and academic theory. Policymakers are challenged to contemplate the framework as a means of transforming competitiveness in an industry identified as foundational to Irish economic development.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to an emerging area of interest in the academic literature in the area of executive capability for innovation. Specifically, the paper argues the unique contextual nature of executive capability for innovation in the context of the seaport industry.
Quantifying demolition fitout waste from Australian office buildings
Authors: Forsythe Perry , Ahmadian Fard Fini Alireza
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The short life cycle replacement of fitout in modern high-rise office buildings represents an under-researched waste problem. This paper aims to quantify the amount of demolition waste from office strip-out including attention to waste streams going to landfill, reuse and recycling.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative waste data (by weight) were measured from 23 office fitout projects situated in “A” grade office building stock from the Sydney CBD. Waste streams were measured separately for landfill, reuse and recycled materials. Descriptive and clustering statistics are presented and analysed.

Findings

From a total of 9,167 tonnes office fitouts demolished, 5,042 tonnes are going to landfill. The main contributor to landfill stream is the mixed waste generated in a fast-track demolition process. This approach partly resulted from the office interiors lacking regularity and easy disassembly. Moreover, considerable variability is observed in the waste per area, the waste streams and the waste compositions. Also, it is noteworthy that the recycled waste stream considerably increases when there exist economically viable conversion facilities, as for metals, hard fills and plasterboards.

Research limitations/implications

The research is focused upon work practices that take place in Australia; therefore, generalisability is limited to situations that have similar characteristics. Future studies are needed to verify and extend the findings of this research.

Practical implications

A key area arising from the research findings is the need to design fitout with recycling and reuse in mind to divert more from landfill. This must explore and incorporate onsite demolition processes to ensure the design is well suited to commercially dominant processes in the overall demolition process, as well as attention to developing economies of scale and viability in re-sale markets for reused items.

Originality/value

Little empirical or quantitative research exists in the area of office fitout waste. This research provides entry to this area via quantifiable data that enables comparison, benchmarking and diagnostic ability that can be used to underpin strategic solutions and measurement of improvements.
Mobile-banking adoption: empirical evidence from the banking sector in Pakistan
Authors: Farah Maya F. , Hasni Muhammad Junaid Shahid , Abbas Abbas Khan
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the important factors which help explain consumer intention and use behavior in mobile banking (m-banking) adoption. All constructs of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 are studied. Non-monetary value is studied through perceived value. Trust and perceived risk are also included to predict intention.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was utilized to evaluate customer responses on a five-point Likert scale. A convenience sampling technique was used to collect data from a sample of 490 respondents in Pakistan. The data were analyzed using AMOS and SPSS for Cronbach’s α, CR, CMV, AVE, Harmon’s single factor test, correlation and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results of the study show that most of the predictors of intention, including perceived value, performance expectancy, habit, social influence, effort expectancy, hedonic motivation (except for facilitating condition), perceived risk and trust, are significant. All predictors of usage behavior are significant.

Research limitations/implications

A cross-sectional study was conducted due to time constraints.

Practical implications

Bank managers must focus on improving customers’ intentions to use m-banking as well as on providing facilitating conditions to increase its actual use. To boost mobile banking, banks’ management must consider the customers’ habits while designing their m-banking products.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper are not only interesting in terms of boosting m-banking diffusion rate, but also in terms of financial inclusion of the vast majority of mobile users. Further the impact of intention, facilitating condition and habit were checked on actual use behavior since people tend not always to act upon their intentions.
Can informal corporate governance mechanisms mitigate diversification discount? Evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Lee Kian Tek , Hooy Chee-Wooi
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether any specific informal corporate governance mechanisms under consideration in this study, namely, political connection, business group affiliation and ownership concentration, are able to mitigate the diversification discount for emerging-market diversified firms using Malaysia as an examination lab.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a sample data of the entire non-financial public-listed firms in Malaysia over a 12-year period from 2001 to 2012. The generalized method of moments estimators are employed to account for the endogeneity of both corporate governance and diversification.

Findings

This study finds that business group affiliation particularly with large size can help to mitigate the diversification discount whereby political connection and ownership concentration magnify the discount. The finding is robust to alternative diversification measurements, to alternative methods and to endogeneity bias.

Research limitations/implications

This result implies that diversified firms with affiliation to large business groups are able to reduce the magnitude of the discounted value of diversification.

Practical implications

This study helps managers, shareholders and investors to evaluate their current/future investments related to firms with diversified business segments. This study also provides implications for policymakers and regulatory bodies to assess the adequacy and competency of the current corporate governance frameworks in place.

Originality/value

This study incorporates the country-specific institutional dimension in designing a research framework that is more relevant in examining the influential effect of governance-related characteristics on the diversification-firm value relationship in an emerging market.
Self-concept orientation and organizational identification: a mediated relationship
Authors: Guo Chun , Miller Jane K. , Woodard Melissa S. , Miller Daniel J. , Silvernail Kirk D. , Aydin Mehmet Devrim , Lemos Ana Heloisa da Costa , Kumpikaite-Valiuniene Vilmante , Nair Sudhir , Donnelly Paul F. , Marx Robert D. , Peters Linda M.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test a mediated model of the relationship between self-concept orientation (individualist and collectivist) and organizational identification (OrgID, Cooper and Thatcher, 2010), with proposed mediators including the need for organizational identification (nOID, Glynn, 1998) as well as self-presentation concerns of social adjustment (SA) and value expression (VE, Highhouse et al., 2007).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 509 participants in seven countries. Direct and mediation effects were tested using structural equation modeling (AMOS 25.0).

Findings

Individualist self-concept orientation was positively related to VE and collectivist self-concept orientation was positively related to nOID, VE and SA. VE mediated the relationship between both self-concept orientations and OrgID. In addition, nOID mediated the relationship for collectivist self-concept orientation.

Practical implications

This study identifies underlying psychological needs as mediators of the relationship of self-concept orientation to OrgID. Understanding these linkages enables employers to develop practices that resonate with the self-concept orientations and associated psychological needs of their employees, thereby enhancing OrgID.

Originality/value

This study provides a significant contribution to the OrgID literature by proposing and testing for relationships between self-concept orientations and OrgID as mediated by underlying psychological needs. The results provide support for the mediated model as well as many of Cooper and Thatcher’s (2010) theoretical propositions, with notable exceptions.
Why do informal service enterprises remain informal? A RIDIT approach
Authors: Jha Sunanda , Bag Dinabandhu
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify reasons as to why firms operate informally, and to explore the rationalisation of not moving towards formalisation.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on empirical data collected through interviews with the entrepreneurs of the informal service enterprises of Delhi and peripheral areas, this paper presents the results of the survey conducted in 2017. By using the analytical tool developed by I. Bross, the authors have identified the most significant contributing factors to informality.

Findings

In the research, the authors establish that competition and lack of awareness are the most dominant reasons due to which informal firms are hesitant in moving towards formalisation. For successful transition towards formalisation, a “new pact” between the workers, enterprises and governments needs to be developed, based on capacity building, productivity gains, enabling business environment, empowerment and entitlements to social and economic rights.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited only to informal service enterprises located in Delhi, the national capital of India, and the peripheral areas.

Practical implications

By identifying the most dominant factors, focussed steps can be taken to reduce the size of the informal sector.

Originality/value

The informal service enterprises are not a widely explored community by researchers and policy makers. This sector can employ more people with less investment, and hence requires intensive study. The use of RIDIT approach to rank the identified factors due to which the firms do not move towards formalisation is the novelty of this work.
Research watch: men’s social inclusion and suicide prevention
Authors: Holttum Sue
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore recent research on reducing suicide, especially in men, who are often seen as excluding themselves from needing support, or they are excluded because people think they do not want it.

Design/methodology/approach

A search was carried out for recent papers on suicide prevention in men.

Findings

One study of 75 regions of Europe reported a link between higher value on giving social support and lower suicide rates, especially for men. Another study reported on the fall in a previously high suicide rate, especially in men, in Quebec province in Canada. A programme of suicide prevention may have contributed to this reduction. Finally, a small interview study reported on how certain kinds of encounters with professionals can inspire hope to carry on after a suicide attempt.

Originality/value

The two papers looking at regions (across Europe and one province of Canada) suggest how social forces may contribute to reducing suicide, especially in men. The Canadian study suggests the possibility that suicide might be reduced partly by enabling help-seeking in men to be seen as a positive aspect of masculine identity, rather than seeing masculinity as excluding men from support. The small qualitative study illustrates vividly how individual encounters after a suicide attempt might promote hopefulness and are relevant to both sexes.
An examination of sustainability reporting in valuation practice
Authors: Thanh Le Tu , Warren-Myers Georgia
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The importance of sustainability in the property industry is well recognised, and many studies have proved the existence of sustainability premiums in real estate markets. Valuers play the most pivotal role in reflecting the market, however despite the efforts of both academic and professional bodies to improve valuer knowledge and perceptions of sustainability there remains significant limitation of consideration of sustainability in valuation within the profession. The purpose of this paper is to investigate valuation practice through examining institutional grade commercial valuers’ approaches and consideration of sustainability in valuation.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used a case study approach and interviewed institutional grade commercial valuers in Melbourne, Australia, exploring their consideration of sustainability in their valuation reports for commercial properties. A semi-structured interview technique was utilised with responses using qualitative content analysis that investigated the processes used, knowledge and incorporation of sustainability in valuation practice.

Findings

The study has found substantial limitations in the incorporation of sustainability in property valuation in Melbourne’s real estate market, comprising valuers’ limited knowledge, reluctance to consider sustainability in the valuation process, poor verification or investigation of sustainability considerations, client instructions did not direct valuers to consider sustainability, lack of data and limited tools for detailed analysis.

Research limitations/implications

Although a small sample, the data redundancy found in this research suggests a level of consensus on certain aspects of practice within the sector in Melbourne. This corroborates similar findings from a large-scale study of valuers and property professionals in Europe and the UK (Michlet al.2016).

Practical implications

There is urgent need for more education and direction in the consideration and incorporation of sustainability in valuation for valuers. Enhancing the enforcement of guidelines from professional bodies is also crucial in order to deepen the analysis of sustainability in property valuation.

Originality/value

The research has provided an in-depth perspective of valuation practice in the commercial sector, that identifies and expands on the barriers in regard to limited incorporation of sustainability in property valuation reports, physical reporting, comparative analysis and depth of discussion. Further, it highlights the limited consideration of guidance notes in regard to sustainability from professional bodies.
Case study: from an “underperforming 80’s bank” to one of Oman’s best – the transformation of BankDhofar
Authors: Babicci Kris , Wongsurawat Winai
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this case study is to chronicle a remarkable business turnaround in the banking sector of Oman.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative of the rapid transformation of a laggard bank into Oman's second largest bank is presented and analyzed.

Findings

The momentum for change was initiated and sustained through the leadership’s willingness to take big risks and use massive challenges as opportunities to kindle team spirit and solidify a new, winning attitude among the staff.

Practical implications

The bank focused on offering frictionless, low-risk, incremental value at scale. That’s the digital era performance requirement. For example, it introduced a highly successful no-frills credit card marketed as a fast-to-approve and easy-to-use alternative.

Originality/value

The case provides a rare glimpse into management practices in middle eastern banking sector.
How chief learning officers build learning organizations
Authors: Haight Veronica D. , Marquardt Michael J.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This study aims to identify how and why chief learning officers (CLOs) build the learning organization. The study was undertaken in the conceptual framework of leadership and change by using the lens of the Marquardt Systems Model.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory study used semi-structured interviews with 20 participants. The purpose of the interviews was to understand the themes and subthemes associated with how CLOs define and build the learning organization, as well as the activities and strategies they use to build a learning organization.

Findings

Four major conclusions were drawn from the study: CLOs collaborate and encourage others to collaborate both within and outside of the organization; they assess and measure learning and development programs consistently; they seek and secure funding and resources; and they have a vision for the learning organization and realize that vision through strategy development and implementation.

Originality/value

This study is the first to provide comprehensive research on how CLOs build learning organizations, as well as the first to analyze this role using the Marquardt Systems Model.
Profile of the skin microbiota in a healthy Chinese population
Authors: Zhai Wanfang , Huang Yong , Zhang Xuelei , Fei Wenmin , Chang Yuling , Cheng Shasha , Zhou Yi , Gao Jinping , Tang Xianfa , Zhang Xuejun , Yang Sen
Published: September 2018

The skin microbiota is an inseparable component of the skin barrier structure, which participates in the stabilization or impairment of the barrier function as well as the development of many skin diseases. To characterize the normal skin microbiota and its association with skin sites, age and sex, we recruited 50 volunteers divided into children, adolescents, young adults, middle‐aged adults and the elderly. The skin sites consisted of cheeks, volar forearms (representing dry environments) and upper back (representing sebaceous environments). A total of 9 574 365 high‐quality sequences of the V3 to V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene were annotated with taxonomic information related to two archaeal phyla (Thaumarchaeota and Euryarchaeota) and five dominant bacterial phyla (Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Cyanobacteria). The skin bacteria community structure was influenced by skin sites, and was closely related to age and sex. The upper back was dominated by Propionibacterium and Staphylococcus, and the cheeks facilitated the survival of Betaproteobacteria, while Alphaproteobacteria were prevalent on the volar forearms. Regarding the effects of age, after sexual maturity, the cheek microbiota became more similar to sebaceous sites (i.e. the upper back). The volar forearms appeared to experience the aging process earlier than the other two sites. The elderly had greater species richness and diversity and their community composition no longer had skin‐site selectivity. Males had a greater species richness than females, but the sex differences in the community structure only present at certain age groups and skin sites.
Effects of Medicare Medical Reviews on Ambiguous Short‐Stay Hospital Admissions
Authors: Silver Benjamin C. , Rahman Momotazur , Wright Brad , Besdine Richard , Gozalo Pedro , Mor Vincent
Published: September 2018

Objective

To examine the effects of Medicare's Medical Review (MR) program on short‐stay inpatient hospitalization.

Data Sources/Study Setting

One Hundred percent of Medicare Part A and Part B claims and the Master Beneficiary Summary File (2007–2010).

Study Design

Retrospective observational study using a difference‐in‐differences approach. We examined six primary intake diagnoses, we believed likely to be targeted by MR. We stratified by hospital profit structure, bed size, system membership, and inpatient admission rate to test for differential effects. The comparison group was hospital visits occurring in those MACs that had yet to implement, as well as those that did not implement during the period of interest.

Data Collection

None.

Principal Findings

Medical Review significantly reduced the likelihood of inpatient admission for patients with an intake diagnosis of “Non‐Specific Chest Pain” by 1.29 percentage points (p < .001). This effect was stronger in larger hospitals (−2.03, p < .001), nonsystem hospitals (−2.54, p < .001), and those with a lower inpatient rate (−1.86, p < .001).

Conclusions

Short inpatient hospitalizations were emphasized by MR, and our results show that MR modestly reduced their prevalence among certain patients and certain hospitals. Future work should examine whether this resulted in adverse patient outcomes.
Autologous platelet‐rich gel treatment for diabetic chronic cutaneous ulcers: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Li Yan , Gao Yunyi , Gao Yun , Chen Dawei , Wang Chun , Liu Guanjian , Yang Xin , Ran Xingwu
Published: September 2018

Background

In recent years, many studies have reported that autologous platelet‐rich gel (APG) is an effective adjuvant treatment for chronic cutaneous ulcers in diabetics. The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy and safety of APG for the topical treatment of diabetic chronic cutaneous ulcers.

Methods

The China Biology Medicine (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals (VIP), Chinese Wanfang database, PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCOhost, and Cochrane Library were systematically searched for relevant studies published up to 18 October 2017. Fixed‐ and random‐effects models were used to calculate risk ratios (RR), odds ratios (ORs), and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Subgroup analyses were conducted according to the Diabetic Foot Wagner Classification.

Results

Fifteen randomized control trials (RCTs) with 829 patients were eligible for inclusion in this analysis. Compared with standard care or conventional treatment, APG significantly improved the healing rate (RR 1.39; 95% CI 1.29, 1.50; P < 0.00001), shortened the healing time (MD ‐9.18; 95% CI −11.32, −7.05; P < 0.00001), and reduced the incidence of infection (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.15, 0.77; P = 0.009).

Conclusions

Current evidence suggests that APG is effective and safe, and is feasible for use as an adjuvant treatment for diabetic ulcers, especially chronic refractory ulcers. However, more RCTs with a good design and of a high quality are needed before the use of APG can be implemented widely.
Surface Rupture of the 1515 Yongsheng Earthquake in Northwest Yunnan, and Its Seismogeological Implications
Authors: HUANG Xiaolong , WU Zhonghai , WU Kungang
Published: September 2018

The 1515 M7¾ Yongsheng earthquake is the strongest earthquake historically in northwest Yunnan. However, its time, magnitude and the seismogenic fault have long been a topic of dispute. In order to accurately define those problems, a 1:50000 active tectonic mapping was carried out along the northern segment of the Chenghai–Binchuan fault zone. The result shows that there is an at least 25 km–long surface rupture and a series of seismic landslides distributed along the Jinguan fault and the Chenghai fault. Radiocarbon dating of the14C samples indicates that the surface rupture should be a part of the deformation zone caused by the Yongsheng earthquake in the year 1515. The distribution characteristics of this surface rupture indicate that the macroscopic epicenter of the 1515 Yongsheng earthquake may be located near Hongshiya, and the seismogenic fault of this earthquake is the Jinguan–Chenghai fault, the northern part of the Chenghai–Binchuan fault zone. Striations on the surface rupture show that the latest motion of the fault is normal faulting. The maximum co–seismic vertical displacement can be 3.8 m, according to the empirical formula for the fault displacement and moment magnitude relationship, the moment magnitude of the Yongsheng earthquake was Mw 7.3–7.4. Furthermore, combining published age data with the14C data in this paper reveals that at least four large earthquakes of similar size to the 1515 Yongsheng earthquake, have taken place across the northern segment of the Chenghai–Binchuan fault zone since 17190±50 yr. BP. The in–situ recurrence interval of Mw 7.3–7.4 characteristic earthquakes in Yongsheng along this fault zone is possibly on the order of 6 ka.
Potash–Forming Regularity of the Ordovician Marine Northern Shaanxi Salt Basin: Insight from Review and Prospect of the Deep Geology of the Ordos Basin
Authors: WANG Zhentao , ZHENG Mianping
Published: September 2018

The Ordovician Northern Shaanxi Salt Basin (ONSSB), located in the east–central Ordos Basin, western North China Craton (NCC), is one of the largest marine salt basins yet discovered in China. A huge amount of halite deposited in the Mid‐Ordovician Majiagou Formation, and potash‐containing indication and local thin layer of potash seam were discovered in O2m65 (6th submember, 5th member of the Majiagou Formation). This makes ONSSB a rare Ordovician potash‐containing basin in the world, and brings new hope for prospecting marine solid potash in this basin. However, several primary scientific problems, such as the coupling relationship between ONSSB and the continent nucleus, how the high‐precision basement fold controls the ONSSB, and how the basement faults and relief control ONSSB, are still unclear due to the limitations of the knowledge about the basement of the Ordos Basin. This has become a barrier for understanding the potash‐forming regularity in the continental nucleus (CN) area in marine salt basin in China. Up to now, the material accumulation has provided ripe conditions for the answers to these questions. Latest zircon U‐Pb ages for the basement samples beneath the Ordos Basin reveal that there exists a continental nucleus (Yi‐Meng CN) beneath the northern Ordos Basin. And this brings light into the fact that the ONSSB lies not overlying on the Yi‐Meng CN but to south Yi‐Meng CN. Both do not have superimposed relationship in space. And borehole penetrating into the basement reached Palaeoproterozoic meta‐sedimentary rocks, which suggests the ONSSB is situated in the accretion belt of Yi‐Meng CN during geological history. Basement relief beneath the ONSSB area revealed by seismic tomography and aeromagnetic anomaly confirms the existence of basement uplift and faults, which provides tectonic setting for sedimentary center migration of the ONSSB. Comparative research with various data sources indicates that the expanding strata in the ONSSB adopted the shape of the basement folds. We found that the orientations of the potash sags showed high correlation with those of several basement and sedimentary cover faults in the ONSSB. The secondary depressions are also controlled by the faults. Comparative research between all the global salt basins and continental nuclei distribution suggests that distribution of the former is controlled by the latter, and almost all the salt basins developed in or at the margin of the continental nucleus area. The nature of the tectonic basement exerts a key controlling effect on potash basin formation. And on this basis we analyzed in detail the geological conditions of salt‐forming and potash‐forming in the ONSSB.
Determination and pharmacokinetic study of AZD‐3759 in rat plasma by ultra performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometer
Authors: Wu Qingjun , Hua Ailian , Sun Yaoguang , Ma Chao , Tian Wenxin , Huang Chuan , Yu Hanbo , Jiao Peng , Wang Shuanghu , Tong Hongfeng , Qiu Weiwen
Published: September 2018

Background

AZD‐3759 is a new, potent, oral, active central nervous system‐penetrant EGFR inhibitor. Despite promising clinical activity among patients pretreated and never treated with EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors, no time saving pharmacokinetic study method has been reported in an animal model.

Methods

Protein was precipitated with acetonitrile and then used for sample pre‐processing. A CORTECS BEH C18 column was used to separate the analytes at 40°C. Acetonitrile and water (containing 0.1% formic acid) were chosen as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The analytes were quantified by multiple reaction monitoring mode with positive electrospray ionization.

Results

The target fragment ions were m/z 460.38→141 for AZD‐3759 and m/z 285.1→193.1 for internal standard diazepam. The calibration curve exhibited good linearity for AZD‐3759 at a range of 1–500 ng/mL. The intra‐run and inter‐run precision variations were both < 8.22%. The recovery rate of AZD‐3759 from plasma was > 76.4%.

Conclusion

An accurate, simple ultra performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometer method was developed and validated to determine AZD‐3759 in rat plasma. Our validated method can be applied to the pharmacokinetic study of AZD‐3759 at an oral dosage of 10 mg/kg.
Peri‐implant inflammation and marginal bone level changes around dental implants in relation to proximity with and bone level of adjacent teeth
Authors: Ng KT , Fan MHM , Leung MC , Fokas G , Mattheos N
Published: September 2018

Objectives

This retrospective study assessed radiographic bone changes and prevalence of inflammation around teeth and neighbouring implants supporting a single‐unit fixed dental prosthesis (FDP), in relation to implant‐ positioning and characteristics.

Material and Methods

Patients with an implant‐supported FDP in function for at least 1 year were recruited. The radiographic horizontal and vertical position of the implants were identified. Probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP) and radiographic bone level around implants and adjacent teeth at the time of placement, prosthesis delivery, and the most recent review were assessed.

Results

98 patients with 195 implants were evaluated for a mean of 37.8 months. Survival rate was 99.6% and success ranged from 31.3% to 91.3% when different success criteria were utilized. Significantly greater interproximal bone loss around teeth and higher prevalence of interproximal peri‐implant inflammation occurred when the horizontal distance of BL implants was <1 mm, but not with TL implants. There was no significant impact of the corono‐apical positioning of the implants on marginal bone loss.

Conclusion

Proximity of implants to adjacent teeth of <1 mm leads to increased prevalence of inflammation and interproximal bone resorption at the teeth adjacent to bone level implants.
Largest Shareholder Ownership and Downward Real‐activity Earnings Management in Korean Seasoned Equity Offerings Firms
Authors: Kim Su‐In , Byun Jin‐Ho , Shin Hye‐Jeong
Published: September 2018

We investigate whether firms’ real‐activity earnings management (REM) around seasoned equity offerings (SEOs) and stock return performance after SEOs are different for the largest shareholders’ participation in SEOs. Using Korean firms, we find that an increase in the largest shareholders’ ownership is negatively related to REM in the quarters preceding an SEO. Additionally, positive market responses to SEO with the largest shareholders’ ownership increases are mitigated by the level of REM. We conclude that firms manage earnings in favor of the largest shareholders rather than other existing shareholders.
Transient LTRE analysis reveals the demographic and trait‐mediated processes that buffer population growth
Authors: Maldonado‐Chaparro Adriana A. , Blumstein Daniel T. , Armitage Kenneth B. , Childs Dylan Z.
Published: September 2018

Temporal variation in environmental conditions affects population growth directly via its impact on vital rates, and indirectly through induced variation in demographic structure and phenotypic trait distributions. We currently know very little about how these processes jointly mediate population responses to their environment. To address this gap, we develop a general transient life table response experiment (LTRE) which partitions the contributions to population growth arising from variation in (1) survival and reproduction, (2) demographic structure, (3) trait values and (4) climatic drivers. We apply the LTRE to a population of yellow‐bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventer) to demonstrate the impact of demographic and trait‐mediated processes. Our analysis provides a new perspective on demographic buffering, which may be a more subtle phenomena than is currently assumed. The new LTRE framework presents opportunities to improve our understanding of how trait variation influences population dynamics and adaptation in stochastic environments.
Piecing together our woodlands – Interview with Suzanne Prober
Authors: McDonald Tein , Prober Suzanne M.
Published: September 2018

Over nearly three decades, Suzanne Prober has played a pivotal role in shifting research in Australian agricultural landscapes to include a focus on native woodlands, and to examine ways woodland conservation can co‐exist with production, contributing to new models for conservation within multi‐use landscapes.
Analyst revenue forecast reporting and the quality of revenues and expenses
Authors: Bilinski Pawel , Eames Michael
Published: September 2018

We decompose earnings quality into revenue and expense quality and examine their associations with analyst propensity to supplement their earnings forecasts with revenue forecasts. Analysts report more revenue forecasts to I/B/E/S when expense quality is low to compensate for the low accuracy of their earnings estimates, which has a positive association with expense quality. Expense quality is unassociated with revenue forecast accuracy, thus revenue forecasts become increasingly useful for valuing firms when expense quality is low. Analysts report fewer revenue forecasts when revenue quality is low because both earnings and revenue forecast accuracy decline as revenue quality deteriorates. To control for endogeneity, we use firm‐fixed effects to control for unobserved time‐invariant heterogeneity across firms, instrumental variables regressions and regression in changes.
Association between insomnia and personality traits among Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Otaka Hideyuki , Murakami Hiroshi , Nakayama Hirofumi , Murabayashi Masaya , Mizushiri Satoru , Matsumura Koki , Tanabe Jutaro , Matsuhashi Yuki , Yanagimachi Miyuki , Yoshida Kazutaka , Sugawara Norio , Yasui‐Furukori Norio , Daimon Makoto
Published: September 2018

Aims/Introduction

Insomnia is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and results in a low quality of life. There are several known relationships between insomnia and personality. Thus, we clarified the association between some personality traits and insomnia among Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Materials and Methods

The participants were 504 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (mean age 63.9 ± 12.5 years). Sleep disturbance and personality traits were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index‐Japanese version and the Ten‐Item Personality Inventory Japanese version, respectively. Lifestyle factors, glycated hemoglobin levels and depressive status of the patients were also included in the analyses.

Results

Among the 504 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 154 (30.6%) showed probable insomnia. After adjustment for confounders, being female, living alone, high body mass index and “high neuroticism” were found to be significantly correlated with current insomnia. No other relationships between insomnia and glycated hemoglobin or lifestyle factors, such as smoking, drinking alcohol or exercise frequency, were found.

Conclusions

The prevalence of insomnia in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus was high, and the risk factors included some personality factors. Future prospective studies are required to confirm the therapeutic effects of behavioral interventions for insomnia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Paclitaxel delivery system based on poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles and chitosan thermo-sensitive gel for mammary adenocarcinoma treatment
Authors: Pesoa Juan I , Rico María J , Rozados Viviana R , Scharovsky O Graciela , Luna Julio A , Mengatto Luciano N
Published: September 2018

Objectives

To evaluate the combination of more than one release system in the same formulation as a useful strategy to achieve paclitaxel delivery in a more sustained and controlled manner.

Methods

The present study deals with the preparation of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles loaded with paclitaxel and included in a chitosan thermo-sensitive gelling solution. The microparticles were characterized by their size, shape and drug loading. The formulation was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, in vitro release experiments and was evaluated in mice bearing mammary adenocarcinoma.

Key findings

The formation of paclitaxel crystals in a pharmaceutical formulation reduces its efficacy. In this work, the use of microparticles avoided this phenomenon. Combining more than one delivery system allowed delivering paclitaxel in a more sustained and controlled manner leading to a long-term effect in the site of action. The formulation showed an inhibition in tumour volume of 63.0% in comparison with the control group.

Conclusions

One intratumour injection of gelling solution containing the microparticles was at least as efficacious as four intraperitoneal injections of a commercial formulation. In addition, the delivery system was nontoxic, and the treated mice presented the highest percentage of tumour regression and median survival time.
Validation of a Japanese Version of the Work Engagement Scale for Students
Authors: Tayama Jun , Schaufeli Wilmar , Shimazu Akihito , Tanaka Masanori , Takahama Akari
Published: September 2018

We sought to verify the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale for Students (UWES‐S‐J). We examined 824 university students. We calculated the goodness of fit for a single‐factor model and the three‐factor model. The fit to the data was better for the three‐factor than for the single‐factor model, but all factors were highly positively correlated. Additionally, the UWES‐S‐J had good internal consistency and test–retest reliability. For the content validity, there were significant positive correlations between the UWES‐S‐J score and social support, a resilience scale, and subjective happiness. The UWES‐S‐J has good reliability and validity and may therefore be used to assess study engagement among Japanese students.
Design of a bacterial speck resistant tomato by CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated editing of SlJAZ2
Authors: Ortigosa Andrés , Gimenez‐Ibanez Selena , Leonhardt Nathalie , Solano Roberto
Published: September 2018

Due to their different lifestyles, effective defence against biotrophic pathogens normally leads to increased susceptibility to necrotrophs, and vice versa. Solving this trade‐off is a major challenge for obtaining broad‐spectrum resistance in crops and requires uncoupling the antagonism between the jasmonate (JA) and salicylate (SA) defence pathways. Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pto) DC3000, the causal agent of tomato bacterial speck disease, produces coronatine (COR) that stimulates stomata opening and facilitates bacterial leaf colonization. In Arabidopsis, stomata response to COR requires the COR co‐receptor AtJAZ2, and dominant AtJAZ2Δjas repressors resistant to proteasomal degradation prevent stomatal opening by COR. Here, we report the generation of a tomato variety resistant to the bacterial speck disease caused by PtoDC3000 without compromising resistance to necrotrophs. We identified the functional ortholog of AtJAZ2 in tomato, found that preferentially accumulates in stomata and proved that SlJAZ2 is a major co‐receptor of COR in stomatal guard cells. SlJAZ2 was edited using CRISPR/Cas9 to generate dominant JAZ2 repressors lacking the C‐terminal Jas domain (SlJAZ2Δjas). SlJAZ2Δjas prevented stomatal reopening by COR and provided resistance to PtoDC3000. Water transpiration rate and resistance to the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea, causal agent of the tomato gray mold, remained unaltered in Sljaz2Δjas plants. Our results solve the defence trade‐off in a crop, by spatially uncoupling the SA‐JA hormonal antagonism at the stomata, entry gates of specific microbes such as PtoDC3000. Moreover, our results also constitute a novel CRISPR/Cas‐based strategy for crop protection that could be readily implemented in the field.
A Ma10 gene encoding P‐type ATPase is involved in fruit organic acid accumulation in apple
Authors: Ma Baiquan , Liao Liao , Fang Ting , Peng Qian , Ogutu Collins , Zhou Hui , Ma Fengwang , Han Yuepeng
Published: September 2018

Acidity is one of the main determinants of fruit organoleptic quality. Here, comparative transcriptome analysis was conducted between two cultivars that showed a significant difference in fruit acidity, but contained homozygous non‐functional alleles at the major gene Ma1 locus controlling apple fruit acidity. A candidate gene for fruit acidity, designated M10, was identified. The M10 gene encodes a P‐type proton pump, P3A‐ATPase, which facilitates malate uptake into the vacuole. The Ma10 gene is significantly associated with fruit malate content, accounting for ~7.5% of the observed phenotypic variation in apple germplasm. Subcellular localization assay showed that the Ma10 is targeted to the tonoplast. Overexpression of the Ma10 gene can complement the defect in proton transport of the mutant YAK2 yeast strain and enhance the accumulation of malic acid in apple callus. Moreover, its ectopic expression in tomato induces a decrease in fruit pH. These results suggest that the Ma10 gene has the capacity for proton pumping and plays an important role in fruit vacuolar acidification in apple. Our study provides useful knowledge towards comprehensive understanding of the complex mechanism regulating apple fruit acidity.
The Predictive Power of Subjective Probabilities: Probabilistic and Deterministic Polling in the Dutch 2017 Election
Authors: Bresser Jochem , Soest Arthur
Published: September 2018

The paper evaluates the predictive validity of stated intentions for actual behaviour. In the context of the 2017 Dutch parliamentary election, we compare how well polls based on probabilistic and deterministic questions line up with subsequent votes. Our empirical strategy is built around a randomized experiment in a representative panel. Respondents were either asked which party they will vote for or were asked to allocate probabilities of voting for each party. The results show that probabilities predict individual behaviour better than deterministic statements for a large majority of respondents. There is, however, substantial heterogeneity in the predictive power of subjective probabilities. We find evidence that they work better for those with higher probability numeracy, even though probability numeracy was measured 8 years earlier.
Physiological adaptations to resistance training in rats selectively bred for low and high response to aerobic exercise training
Authors: Ahtiainen Juha P. , Lensu Sanna , Ruotsalainen Ilona , Schumann Moritz , Ihalainen Johanna K. , Fachada Vasco , Mendias Christopher L. , Brook Matthew S. , Smith Kenneth , Atherton Philip J. , Koch Lauren G. , Britton Steven L. , Kainulainen Heikki
Published: September 2018

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Can phenotypic traits associated with low response to one mode of training be extrapolated to other exercise‐inducible phenotypes? The present study investigated whether rats that are low responders to endurance training are also low responders to resistance training.

What is the main finding and its importance?

After resistance training, rats that are high responders to aerobic exercise training improved more in maximal strength compared with low‐responder rats. However, the greater gain in strength in high‐responder rats was not accompanied by muscle hypertrophy, suggesting that the responses observed could be mainly neural in origin.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether rats selectively bred for low and high response to aerobic exercise training co‐segregate for differences in muscle adaptations to ladder‐climbing resistance training. Five high‐responder (HRT) and five low‐responder (LRT) rats completed the resistance training, while six HRT and six LRT rats served as sedentary control animals. Before and after the 6 week intervention, body composition was determined by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Before tissue harvesting, the right triceps surae muscles were loaded by electrical stimulation. Muscle fibre cross‐sectional areas, nuclei per cell, phosphorylation status of selected signalling proteins of mTOR and Smad pathways, and muscle protein, DNA and RNA concentrations were determined for the right gastrocnemius muscle. The daily protein synthesis rate was determined by the deuterium oxide method from the left quadriceps femoris muscle. Tissue weights of fore‐ and hindlimb muscles were measured. In response to resistance training, maximal carrying capacity was greater in HRT (∼3.3 times body mass) than LRT (∼2.5 times body mass), indicating greater improvements of strength in HRT. However, muscle hypertrophy that could be related to greater strength gains in HRT was not observed. Furthermore, noteworthy changes within the experimental groups or differences between groups were not observed in the present measures. The lack of hypertrophic muscular adaptations despite considerable increases in muscular strength suggest that adaptations to the present ladder‐climbing training in HRT and LRT rats were largely induced by neural adaptations.
Synthesis, characterization and theoretical calculations of Cu(I) complex of trithiocyanuric acid [Cu(ttc)3]
Authors: Jaramillo-Fierro Ximena Verónica , Zambrano César , Fernández Francisco , Saenz-Puche Regino , Costa César , Guerrero Victor , González Silvia
Published: September 2018

A new Cu(I) complex constructed by reaction of trithiocyanuric acid (ttc) and copper (II) perchlorate hexahydrate has been successfully synthesized by a slow sedimentation method in a DMF solvent at room temperature. The molecular structure of the compound was elucidated by MALDI-TOFMS, UV Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, DSC-TGA analysis and magnetic susceptibility measurement. The proposed structure was corroborated by a computational study carried out with the Gaussian09 and AIMAII programs using the RB3LYP hybrid DFT functional with both 6-31G and Alhrich-TZV basis sets. The calculated vibrational frequencies values were compared with experimental FTIR values. Photophysical properties of the synthesized complex were evaluated by UV-Visible spectroscopy and compared with computed vertical excitation obtained from TDDFT. The theoretical vibrational frequencies and the UV Vis spectra are in good agreement with the experimental values. Additionally, the Frontier Molecular Orbitals (HOMO-LUMO) and the Molecular Electrostatic Potential of the complex was calculated using same theoretical approximation. The results showed the interaction between three coordinatedl igand atoms and the Cu(I) ion.