bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical investigation on the behaviour of concrete in-filled cold-formed duplex stainless steel square tubular column
Authors: Ilango Saranya , Mahato Sunil
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Concrete in-filled stainless steel square tubular column combines both the benefits of concrete and steel material, providing enhanced ductility and high compressive strength to the vertical structural members. Other advantages include high stiffness, better resistance to corrosion, increased pace of construction, enhanced bearing capacity, etc. The purpose of this paper is to understand the various behavioural aspects of concrete in-filled cold-formed duplex stainless steel (CI-CFDSS) square tubular column under axial compressive loads and to assess its structural performance.

Design/methodology/approach

In the current paper, the performance of CI-CFDSS square tubular column is numerically investigated under uniform static loading using finite element technique. The numerical study was based on an experimental investigation, which was carried out earlier, in order to study the effects of concrete strength and shape of stainless steel tube on the strength and behaviour of CI-CFDSS square tubular column. The experimental CI-CFDSS square tubular column has a length equal to 450 mm, breadth of 150 mm, width of 150 mm, thickness of 6 mm and a constant ratio of length to overall depth equal to 3. Numerical modelling of the experimental specimen was carried out using ABAQUS software by providing appropriate material properties. Non-linear finite element analysis was performed and the load vs axial deflection curve of the numerical CI-CFDSS square tubular column obtained was validated with the results of the experiment. In order to understand the behaviour of CI-CFDSS square tubular column under axial compressive loads, a parametric study was performed by varying the grade of concrete, type of stainless steel, thickness of stainless steel tube and shape of cross section. From the results, the performance of CI-CFDSS square tubular column was comparatively studied.

Findings

When the grade of concrete was increased the deformation capacity of the CI-CFDSS square tubular column reduced but showed better load carrying capacity. The steel tube made of duplex stainless steel exhibited enhanced performance in terms of load carrying capacity and axial deformation than the other forms, i.e. austenitic and ferritic stainless steel. The most suitable cross section for the CI-CFDSS square tubular column with respect to its performance is rectangular cross section and variation of the steel tube thickness led to the change of overall dimensions of the N-CI-CFDSS-SHS1C40 square tubular column showing marginal difference in performance.

Originality/value

The research work presented in this manuscript is authentic and could contribute to the understanding of the behavioural aspects of CI-CFDSS square tubular column under axial compressive loads.
The impact of IT application on supply chain learning and service performance
Authors: Huo Baofeng , Haq Muhammad Zia Ul , Gu Minhao
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Despite the recognition that supply chain (SC) learning is important for competitive advantage, little is known how to enable such learning. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of information technology (IT) application on different types of SC learning (i.e. internal, customer and supplier learning) and service performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies structural equation modeling to test the conceptual model based on data collected from 213 manufacturing firms in China.

Findings

Although strategic application has a direct and negative relationship with all three dimensions of SC learning, it indirectly and positively improves SC learning through tactical and operational application. The authors observe that tactical application is positively related to all three dimensions of SC learning, while operational application improves internal and customer learning only. The authors also notice that internal and customer learning are positively related to service performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study classifies IT application into strategic, tactical and operational dimensions, which may not adequately cover the entire set of IT application portfolio.

Practical implications

The findings suggest managers to use corresponding IT application to improve SC learning and service performance.

Originality/value

This study provides a new framework to understand the relationships between IT application, SC learning and service performance.
Nikola Motors: a case study in bundling as a market entry strategy
Authors: Woo Heejin , Grandy Jake
Published: November 2019

Purpose

By introducing how a young entrepreneurial firm leverages bundling as a market entry strategy, this study aims to suggest a way that a relatively vulnerable startup can secure its position from a threat of resource-rich established competitors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a qualitative investigation into Nikola Motors, a Class 8 heavy-duty truck manufacturer based in Phoenix, Arizona. The analysis revealed the underlying mechanisms that allow a startup to effectively enter a market through bundling in the truck manufacturing industry.

Findings

Nikola Motors Co. uses a bundled business model in commercializing hydrogen-power technology used for heavy-duty truck manufacturing. Instead of focusing on a single product, Nikola’s business model created an ecosystem surrounding hydrogen fuel-cell electric heavy trucks, including hydrogen fueling stations, maintenance service and leasing. By leveraging partnership with players in other areas, it overcomes the resource limitation as a relatively small firm.

Originality/value

Startups seeking to disrupt markets with novel technologies risk losing their competitive advantage to imitation by more resource-rich established firms. This study examines a novel approach to a bundled business model that can be effective for relatively resource-poor new companies. It suggests practical implications on how firms which are relatively in a weak position compete with established incumbents.
Government expenditure and economic growth nexus in ECOWAS countries
Authors: Olaoye Olumide Olusegun , Orisadare Monica , Okorie Ukafor Ukafor
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the direction of causality between government expenditure and economic growth in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts the recently developed panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) by Love and Abrrigo (2015) and two-step system generalized method of moments (GMM) in order to resolve the inherent problems of endogeneity and persistence in economic data.

Findings

The results from the study show no evidence of either unidirectional or bidirectional causal relationship between government expenditure and economic growth in ECOWAS member countries.

Originality/value

Unlike previous studies that adopted cointegration technique, we adopt a system GMM through the application of a dynamic PVAR framework within the framework of panel data analysis in order to address the possibility of feedback effect in the causal relationship between government expenditure and economic growth. In addition the PVAR also allows us to model shocks across countries.
The effects of goals attainment on CEO-owner satisfaction and the role of family involvement
Authors: Machek Ondřej , Hnilica Jiří
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the satisfaction with economic and non-economic goals achievement is related to the overall satisfaction with the business of the CEO-owner, and whether family involvement moderates this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a survey among 323 CEO-owners of family and non-family businesses operating in the Czech Republic, the authors employ the OLS hierarchical regression analysis and test the moderating effects of family involvement on the relationship between the satisfaction with different goals attainment and the overall satisfaction with the business.

Findings

The main finding is that family and non-family CEO-owner’s satisfaction does not differ significantly when economic goals (profit maximisation, sales growth, increase in market share or firm value) and firm-oriented non-economic goals (satisfaction of employees, corporate reputation) are being achieved; both classes of goals increase the overall satisfaction with the firm and the family involvement does not strengthen this relationship. However, when it comes to external non-economic goals related to the society or environment, there is a significant and positive moderating effect of family involvement.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the family business literature. First, to date, most of the studies focused on family business goals have been qualitative, thus not allowing for generalisation of findings. Second, there is a lack of evidence on the ways in which family firms integrate their financial and non-financial goals. Third, the authors contribute to the literature on the determinants of personal satisfaction with the business for CEOs, which has been the focus on a relatively scarce number of studies.
African religious ministers’ transition from expatriation to migration
Authors: Ramboarison-Lalao Lovanirina , Brewster Chris , Boyer Pierre-Yves
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the contextual determinants of transition from expatriation to migration (TEM) among ministers of religion originating from the developing world.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used in-depth analysis of narratives of four African religious ministers working in France, plus interviews with their five superiors and three host country national colleagues.

Findings

The findings point to personal-level, organisational-level and country-level contextual determinants, which come into play as levers or barriers in the “TEM” process.

Originality/value

The study identifies a new category of global mobility research at the intersection of expatriation and migration and develops a theoretical framework which points to the positive and negative influence of three-layered contextual determinants on how expatriated low-status church ministers from the developing world become migrants. The authors found a so far unreported determinant of the personal context: the role of a world view: very visible as “God centrality” in the participants. Results also shed new light on the international careers of this overlooked category of “non-traditional expatriates” from Africa.
The job design happiness scale (JDHS)
Authors: Dutschke Georg , Jacobsohn Lia , Dias Alvaro , Combadão Jaime
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that individuals consider necessary to be happy in their job. Based on these factors, a measure of job design happiness (JDH) is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

Two methods were applied: a qualitative study with content analyses (n=969) to develop an exploratory questionnaire; and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis by applying structural equations models. In this second study the questionnaire was sent to a second sample (n=1,079).

Findings

Five first-order factors were identified: self-fulfillment; group working, attaining goals; leadership; and sustainability and job/family balance. These factors are explained by a second order factor: JDH.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is needed to determine how the identified “job design happiness” components may interact with one another. Testing the measure of different industries and national cultures is also suggested.

Practical implications

Managers and human resources practitioners can improve job and organizational performance by applying the scale in several moments in time measuring the job happiness “pulse,” monitoring their decisions.

Social implications

The adoption of this measure for decision making in organizational and job design can contribute to the improvement of living standards and firm sustainability.

Originality/value

Research on organizational happiness has been increasing but instruments to measure JDH, considering organizational factors, are limited.
A systems model of organizational change
Authors: Maes Guido , Van Hootegem Geert
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a meta-model of organizational change that allows to look at change from different angles. This meta-model starts from the idea that there are different discourses about organizational change, each having their own merits but also their own limitations. Bringing these discourses together into an integrated systems model allows the authors to capture the essence of organizational change a lot better.

Design/methodology/approach

This model is designed based on a literature review of organizational theories, systems theories related to theories of organizational change and specific theories about organizational change.

Findings

The literature review resulted in a systems model of organizational change that is better able to grasp the complexity of change than linear models.

Originality/value

This model goes beyond the usual change models from the normative discourse and provides a multidimensional view on organizational change.
Managing customer-to-customer interaction (CCI) – insights from the frontline
Authors: Nicholls Richard , Gad Mohsen Marwa
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the capacity of frontline employees (FLEs) to provide insights into customer-to-customer interaction (CCI) and its management in service organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory study used focus groups and semi-structured in-depth interviews with FLEs to investigate their experiences and reflections in dealing with CCI in a complex service setting in the UK.

Findings

FLEs are able to recall CCI encounters, both positive (PCCI) and negative (NCCI), with ease. They are capable of conceptualising and exploring complex nuances surrounding CCI encounters. FLEs can distinguish levels of seriousness of negative CCI and variations in customer sensitivity to CCI. FLEs vary in their comfort in intervening in negative CCI situations. Whilst FLEs draw on skills imparted in an employee-customer interaction context, they would benefit from CCI-specific training. Propositions are advanced for further empirical testing.

Research limitations/implications

The authors studied FLE views on CCI in a customer-centric service organisation in the UK. Future research should further address the FLE perspective on CCI in less service-driven organisations and in other countries. A wide range of themes for further research are proposed.

Practical implications

The insights presented will assist service managers to assess the CCI context of their own organisation and develop strategies and guidelines to support FLEs in detecting, understanding and responding to CCI encounters.

Social implications

The paper highlights and discusses the complexity of intervening in negative CCI encounters in socially inclusive service environments.

Originality/value

Based on FLE-derived perceptions of CCI, the paper contributes conceptually to CCI knowledge by identifying the existence of “concealed CCI”, distinguishing between gradual and sudden CCI intervention contexts and exploring the human resource development consequences of this distinction, with original implications for service management. The study also contributes to extending the scope of research into triadic service interactions.
Understanding the reading habit and attitudes among the rural community in low literacy rate areas in Malaysia
Authors: Samsuddin Samsul Farid , Mohamed Shaffril Hayrol Azril , Bolong Jusang , Mohamed Nor Aini
Published: November 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the reading habit and attitude among rural communities in the low literacy rate areas in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

Multi-stage cluster and simple random sampling were employed and 400 respondents who live nearby the rural library were selected.

Findings

Moderate levels of reading attitude were obtained from the result of the study, in which several variables produced a significant relationship in the reading attitude (education level, household income and time spent in reading).

Practical implications

Better understanding on the reading habit and attitude among rural communities could produce better information on the service provision towards the establishment of rural libraries in low literacy rate areas in Malaysia. This would also increase the utilisation of reading sources and services provided.

Originality/value

The paper provides better understanding on the reading habit and attitude among the rural communities in the low literacy rate areas in using the facilities provided by the rural libraries. The findings may be useful to the rural literacy and library development community in the developing countries.
Cost of capital and probability of default in value-based risk management
Authors: Gleißner Werner
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to present the combination of enterprise risk management (ERM) and value-based management as especially suitable methods for companies with a shareholder value imperative. Among its major benefits, these methods make the contribution of risk management for business decisions more effective.

Design/methodology/approach

Any possible inconsistencies between ERM, generating value because of imperfect capital markets and the CAPM to calculate cost of capital, which assumes perfect markets, must be avoided. Therefore, it is imperative that valuation methods used are based on risk analysis, and thus do not require perfect capital markets.

Findings

Value-based risk management requires the impact of changes in risk on enterprise value to be calculated and the aggregation of opportunities and risks related to planning to calculate total risk (using Monte Carlo simulation) and valuation techniques that reflect the effects changes in risk, on probability of default, cost of capital and enterprise value (and do not assume perfect capital markets). It is recommended that all relevant risks should be quantified and described using adequate probability distributions derived from the best information.

Practical implications

This approach can help to improve the use of risk analysis in decision-making by improving existing risk-management systems.

Originality/value

This extension of ERM is outlined to provide risk-adequate evaluation methods for business decisions, using Monte Carlo simulation and recently developed methods for risk–fair valuation with incomplete replication in combination with the probability of default. It is shown that quantification of all risk using available information should be accepted for the linking of risk analysis and business decisions.
Countries’ regulatory context and voluntary carbon disclosures
Authors: Mateo-Márquez Antonio J. , González-González José M. , Zamora-Ramírez Constancio
Published: November 2019

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the relationship between countries’ regulatory context and voluntary carbon disclosures. To date, little attention has been paid to how specific climate change-related regulation influences companies’ climate change disclosures, especially voluntary carbon reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

The New Institutional Sociology perspective has been adopted to examine the pressure of a country’s climate change regulation on voluntary carbon reporting. This research uses Tobit regression to analyse data from 2,183 companies in 12 countries that were invited to respond to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) questionnaire in 2015.

Findings

The results show that countries’ specific climate change-related regulation does influence both the participation of its companies in the CDP and their quality, as measured by the CDP disclosure score.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is restricted to 12 countries’ regulatory environment. Thus, caution should be exercised when generalising the results to other institutional contexts.

Practical implications

The results are of use to regulators and policymakers to better understand how specific climate change-related regulation influences voluntary carbon disclosure. Investors may also benefit from this research, as it shows which institutional contexts present greater regulatory stringency and how companies in more stringent environments take advantage of synergy to disclose high-quality carbon information.

Social implications

By linking regulatory and voluntary reporting, this study sheds light on how companies use voluntary carbon reporting to adapt to social expectations generated in their institutional context.

Originality/value

This is the first research that considers specific climate change-related regulation in the study of voluntary carbon disclosures.
Ghacem in Ghana: marketing cement in a newly competitive environment
Authors: Kpekpena Israel , Hu Haiyan
Published: November 2019

Theoretical basis

This case study applies the scanning of marketing environment (i.e. typology of marketing environments); strategic marketing planning process, involving SWOT analysis, growth strategies; and marketing mix (four ps).

Research methodology

This is modeled as a qualitative study. Primary data were collected through a phone interview with the key informants, and secondary data came from various publications such as government reports, news portals and company websites.

Case overview/synopsis

Ghacem was the first cement manufacturing company in Ghana and had enjoyed a monopoly for almost 33 years. The company offered a homogeneous product to an undifferentiated market from 1967 until competition began in 2000. New competitors promote the use of cement grade numbers on their product packaging to signal a better value, which intensified the competition. As the Head of Marketing of the company, Benny was asked to develop a marketing strategy for the company’s newly developed product for the company to remain competitive.

Complexity academic level

Undergraduate students taking Principles of Marketing.
On the low reproductive success of two Cyrtopodium species (Orchidaceae: Cyrtopodiinae): The relative roles of biotic and abiotic pollination
Authors: Maciel Artur A. , Cardoso João C. F. , Oliveira Paulo E.
Published: November 2019

Rewardless orchid species are pollinated by deception and have reduced reproductive success. Those species that present self‐compatibility followed by alternative mechanisms of autogamy may compensate for such episodic allogamy events. This is the case for rain‐assisted self‐pollination, a rare mechanism in Orchidaceae. In this study, we investigated the reproductive biology of two terrestrial species: Cyrtopodium hatschbachii and C. paludicolum. We studied their reproductive systems, examined pollinators and male and female successes, and ascertained if rain promotes self‐pollination. Both species are allogamous but self‐compatible. However, natural fruit set is low, not exceeding 1.40% during 4 years of observation. This may result from the reduced frequency of pollinator visitation followed by a high pollinator specificity, because each species was pollinated by a single specialist bee. Although spontaneous selfing did not occur, we verified fruits formed by rain action. The evaporation of the water droplet that accumulates on stigma helps the pollinarium to slip back, promoting selfing. This occurred in approximately 10% of C. hatschbachii fruits, but in C. paludicolum it was recorded only once during three observation years. This indicates that the phenomenon happens at random and may vary temporally. Nevertheless, rain may confer additional fruit set, especially under circumstances of pollinator limitation. Overall, we confirmed deception as a strategy for this understudied genus. In addition, we report a further two cases of rain‐assisted self‐pollination for Cyrtopodium, for species from the center of diversity of the genus, indicating that it may be more widespread than previously thought.
Dynamics of economic efficiency in tariff and trade
Authors: Nawaz Nasreen
Published: November 2019

When the efficiency losses or gains as a result of an ad valorem import tariff are accounted for, the exisiting literature compares the equilibrium states before and after the tariff. However, after the imposition of an ad valorem tariff, the cost of the foreign producer to sell in the domestic market jumps upwards by the extent of the ad valorem tariff. This affects the quantity of imports, and the market is no longer in the initial equilibrium. The market then adjusts and after some efficiency loss, a new equilibrium state is arrived at. The mechanism of price adjustment has a basis of lack of coordination among buyers and sellers at the exisiting prices. The economic efficiency loss when the market is out of equilibrium is not taken into consideration in the literature, while deriving an optimal ad valorem tariff rate. In this article, an optimal ad valorem tariff schedule has been derived. From optimality, it should be construed that the economic efficiency losses get minimised when the market is adjusting and also during the equilibrium. A revenue constraint has to be met in addition.
Understanding Different Approaches to Benefit‐Based Taxation
Authors: Scherf Robert , Weinzierl Matthew
Published: November 2019

The normative principle of benefit‐based taxation has exerted substantial influence on many areas of public finance, but it has been largely set aside in the modern theoretical approach to optimal income taxation, where welfarist objectives dominate. A prerequisite for that gap to close is the clarification of what benefit‐based income taxation would mean, specifically in a first‐best setting. This paper seeks to provide clear, accessible descriptions and novel graphical representations of four major approaches to first‐best benefit‐based taxation, explain how these approaches relate to each other, and apply them within the classical benefit‐based framework for optimal income taxation of Smith (1776).
Upregulation of E‐cadherin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid‐derived exosomes in patients with lung cancer
Authors: Zhang Ying , Liu Ziyu , Li Shanyu , Wang Manning , Dai Dayou , Jing Hongyu , Liu Lingyun
Published: November 2019

Background

Lung cancer features extremely high rates of morbidity and mortality. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), obtained by bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar perfusion, can provide information on the cellular components of the lung microenvironment to assist with diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.

Methods

BALF was performed using a flexible bronchofiberscope. Exosomes were collected by ultracentrifugation. ELISA detected the amount of E‐cadherin. Transmission electron microscopic, ELISA and WB were conducted to identify the existence of the exosomes. Transwell and Wound healing assays were used to detect the ability of migration and invasion.

Results

We identified the existence of exosomes in BALF. Furthermore, we observed larger amounts of E‐cadherin in the BALF obtained from patients with lung cancer than in the control obtained from the healthy side of pneumonia. Exosomes from lung cancer groups promoted the migration and invasion of A549 cancer cells.

Conclusion

The exosomes from lung cancer BALF promoted the migration and invasion of A549 cancer cells by carrying E‐cadherin. E‐cadherin on the surface of exosomes may act through a VE‐cadherin dependent mechanism and induce lung cancer metastasis.
Morphological study of the lingual papillae in the fruit bat (Rousettus amplexicaudatus) by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy
Authors: Gunawan Geraldus , Saragih Golda Rani , Umardani Yusuf , Karnati Srikanth , Wihadmadyatami Hevi , Kusindarta Dwi Liliek
Published: November 2019

This study was carried on the tongues of ten normal, healthy and adult fruit bats (Rousettus amplexicaudatus, also known as the nyap biasa bat) in Yogyakarta, Java Island, Indonesia. The tongue was protrusible, elongated and flat with a rounded apex, and its width and thickness increased gradually towards to lingual root. There were two main types of lingual papillae, mechanical (filiform) and gustatory (fungiform and circumvallate). The tongue was divided into three parts (apex, corpus and radix), and then, each part was subdivided into three regions (two lateral regions and a median region). There were six subtypes of the filiform papillae—three types on the anterior part (small, scale‐like and giant), one type on the middle part (leaf‐like papillae) and two types on the posterior part (rosette‐shaped filiform and conical filiform papillae)—in addition to transitional papillae presented on the corpus and radix. Two types of gustatory papillae were represented by a small number of fungiform papillae that are scattered among the filiform papillae on the lingual apex and corpus, while three circumvallate papillae on the posterior part are arranged in a “V” shape pointing directly at the larynx.
Variant frequencies of KCNQ1, KCNH2, and SCN5A in a Chinese inherited arrhythmia cohort and other disease cohorts undergoing genetic testing
Authors: Li Xin , Liu Nian , Bai Rong
Published: November 2019

KCNQ1, KCNH2, and SCN5A are the most common genes responsible for long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome. However, the genetic variant frequencies of the three genes in different Chinese disease cohorts are largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed the genetic variants of KCNQ1, KCNH2, and SCN5A in patients from seven cohorts (total N = 11945, including patients clinically suspected to have inherited arrhythmia [n = 122], other cardiovascular diseases [n = 1045], epilepsy [n = 4797], or other diseases [n = 5841], and healthy controls [n = 140]) who had undergone genetic testing. All of these variants were identified via genetic testing by two Chinese companies using the Hi‐Seq 2000 platform. A total of 1018 variants (minor allele frequency <0.01) were identified, with 186 (18%), 374 (37%), and 458 (46%) variants in the coding exons of KCNQ1, KCNH2, and SCN5A, respectively. Of these variants, 84% had unknown or uncertain clinical significance. The frequency of identified ClinVar pathological/likely pathological variants was higher for KCNQ1 (13/186, 7.0%) than for KCNH2 (6/374, 1.6%) or SCN5A (10/458, 2.2%), and KCNH2 held the highest number and proportion of radical mutations (30/374, 8%). The prevalence of variants was highest in the inherited arrhythmia cohort (35%) and lowest in the healthy controls (<4%), as expected. Noticeably, the variant prevalence was relatively high in the epilepsy cohort (27%). Finally, only 22 of the 82 variants (26%) identified by both companies had consistent interpretations of pathogenicity between the two companies. Our study demonstrated a comprehensive spectrum of variants in KCNQ1, KCNH2, and SCN5A in a large number of Chinese individuals, including inherited arrhythmia, cardiovascular diseases, and epilepsy. The detailed variant frequency data of each cohort could serve as a valuable reference to facilitate further variant classification by others. We also found that the interpretations of pathogenicity differed greatly among the companies.
Intraductal carcinomas of the salivary glands: systematic review and classification of 93 published cases
Authors: Palicelli Andrea
Published: November 2019

Intraductal carcinomas (IDCs) are rare, not well‐characterized salivary gland tumors. A systematic literature review of pure IDCs (without stromal invasion) of low‐grade (LG‐IDCs) or high‐grade (HG‐IDCs) was performed: IDCs were classified using the apocrine (AR+/S100−) vs intercalated (S100+/AR−) classification. Eighty‐two LG‐IDCs and 11 HG‐IDCs were identified (84% parotid; 11% oral; 3% submandibular; 1% lacrimal; and 1% unknown). Out of 11 HG‐IDCs, 2 HG‐IDCs (18%) recurred as HG‐IDC or invasive carcinoma. IDCs were classified as follows: intercalated (30%); mixed apocrine and intercalated (27%); apocrine (11%); oncocytic (6%); intercalated with focal oncocytic features (1%); and unclassifiable (25%). Double AR/S100 expressors (4%) or discrepancies between morphology and immunophenotype (9%) were found. Apocrine features and necrosis were more frequent in HG‐IDCs (55%; 45%). Pleomorphism favored HG‐IDCs (especially when combined with >10 mitoses/10 HPFs and/or Ki67 index >10%), being associated with apocrine areas at least in 3 HG‐IDCs (27%). IDCs were typically mammaglobin+/ER‐/PR‐/DOG1‐. No immunomarker clearly distinguished HG‐IDCs from LG‐IDCs. About 57% IDCs (16 LG‐IDCs, 1 HG‐IDC) showed RET rearrangements, including NCOA4‐RET (eight intercalated and two unclassifiable IDCs) and TRIM27‐RET fusions (two mixed IDCs). No ETV6, ALK‐1, ROS, NTRK3, MAML2, MAML3, or PLAG1 rearrangements were identified. Complete excision and total sampling should exclude invasive areas.
A phase 1/1b study of PUR1900, an inhaled formulation of itraconazole, in healthy volunteers and asthmatics to study safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics
Authors: Hava David L. , Tan Lisa , Johnson Patrick , Curran Aidan K. , Perry Jason , Kramer Steve , Kane Katie , Bedwell Pauline , Layton Gary , Swann Clarie , Henderson Dennis , Khan Naimat , Connor Lucy , McKenzie Litza , Singh Dave , Roach James
Published: November 2019

Aims

Oral itraconazole has variable pharmacokinetics and risks of adverse events associated with high plasma exposure. An inhalation formulation of itraconazole (PUR1900) is being developed to treat allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, an allergic inflammatory disease occurring in asthmatics and patients with cystic fibrosis.

Methods

A 3‐part, open‐label Phase 1 study was conducted to evaluate safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of PUR1900. Healthy volunteers (n = 5–6/cohort) received either single (Part 1) or multiple (Part 2) ascending doses of PUR1900 for up to 14 days. In Part 3 stable, adult asthmatics received a single dose of 20 mg PUR1900 or 200 mg of oral Sporanox (itraconazole oral solution) in a 2‐period randomized cross‐over design. Itraconazole plasma and sputum concentrations were evaluated.

Results

None of the adverse events considered as at least possibly related to study treatment were moderate or severe, and none were classed as serious. The most common was the infrequent occurrence of mild cough. Itraconazole plasma exposure increased with increasing doses of PUR1900. After 14 days, PUR1900 resulted in plasma exposure (area under the concentration–time curve up to 24 h) 106‐ to 400‐fold lower across doses tested (10–35 mg) than steady‐state exposure reported for oral Sporanox 200 mg. In asthmatics, PUR1900 geometric mean maximum sputum concentrations were 70‐fold higher and geometric mean plasma concentrations were 66‐fold lower than with oral Sporanox.

Conclusion

PUR1900 was safe and well‐tolerated under the study conditions. Compared to oral dosing, PUR1900 achieved higher lung and lower plasma exposure. The pharmacokinetic profile of PUR1900 suggests the potential to improve upon the efficacy and safety profile observed with oral itraconazole.
Evaluating conservation dogs in the search for rare species
Authors: Bennett Emma M. , Hauser Cindy E. , Moore Joslin L.
Published: November 2019

Detecting rare species is important for both threatened species management and invasive species eradication programs. Conservation scent dogs provide an olfactory survey tool that has advantages over traditional visual and auditory survey techniques for some cryptic species. From the literature, we identified 5 measures important in evaluating the use of scent dogs: precision, sensitivity, effort, cost, and comparison with other techniques. We explored the scale at which performance is evaluated and examined when field testing under real working conditions is achievable. We also identified cost differences among studies. We examined 61 studies published in 1976–2018 that reported conservation dog performance, and considered the inconsistencies in the reporting of scent dog performance among these studies. The majority of studies reported some measure of performance; however, only 8 studies reported all 3 aspects necessary for performance evaluation: precision, sensitivity, and effort. Although effort was considered in 43 studies, inconsistent methods and incomplete reporting prevented meaningful evaluation of performance and comparison among studies. Differences in cost between similar studies were influenced by geographical location and how the dog and handler were sourced for the study. To develop consistent reporting for evaluation, we recommend adoption of sensitivity, precision, and effort as standard performance measures. We recommend reporting effort as the total area and total time spent searching and reporting sensitivity and precision as proportions of the sample size. Additionally, reporting of costs, survey objectives, dog training and experience, type of detection task, and human influences will provide better opportunities for comparison within and among studies.
A novel hybridized metaheuristic technique in enhancing the diagnosis of cross‐sectional dent damaged offshore platform members
Authors: Punurai Wonsiri , Azad Md Samdani , Pholdee Nantiwat , Bureerat Sujin , Sinsabvarodom Chana
Published: November 2019

Offshore jacket platforms are widely used for oil and gas extraction as well as transportation in shallow to moderate water depth. Tubular cross‐sectional elements are used to construct offshore platforms. Tubular cross sections impart higher resistance against hydrodynamic forces and have high torsional rigidity. During operation, the members can be partially or fully damaged due to lateral impacts. The lateral impacts can be due to ship collisions or through the impact of falling objects. The impact forces can weaken some members that influence the overall performance of the platform. This demonstrates an urgent need to develop a framework that can accurately forecast dent depth as well as dent angle of the affected members. This study investigates the use of an adaptive metaheuristics algorithm to provide automatic detection of denting damage in an offshore structure. The damage information includes dent depth and the dent angle. A model is developed in combination with the percentage of the dent depth of the damaged member and is used to assess the performance of the method. It demonstrates that small changes in stiffness of individual damaged bracing members are detectable from measurements of global structural motion.
Spending to save: What will it cost to halt Australia's extinction crisis?
Authors: Wintle Brendan A. , Cadenhead Natasha C.R. , Morgain Rachel A. , Legge Sarah M. , Bekessy Sarah A. , Cantele Matthew , Possingham Hugh P. , Watson James E.M. , Maron Martine , Keith David A. , Garnett Stephen T. , Woinarski John C. Z. , Lindenmayer David B.
Published: November 2019

As with most governments worldwide, Australian governments list threatened species and proffer commitments to recovering them. Yet most of Australia's imperiled species continue to decline or go extinct and a contributing cause is inadequate investment in conservation management. However, this has been difficult to evaluate because the extent of funding committed to such recovery in Australia, like in many nations, is opaque. Here, by collating disparate published budget figures of Australian governments, we show that annual spending on targeted threatened species recovery is around U.S.$92m (AU$122m) which is around one tenth of that spent by the U.S. endangered species recovery program, and about 15% of what is needed to avoid extinctions and recover threatened species. Our approach to estimating funding needs for species recovery could be applied in any jurisdiction and could be scaled up to calculate what is needed to achieve international goals for ending the species extinction crisis.
Landscape genomics predicts climate change‐related genetic offset for the widespread Platycladus orientalis (Cupressaceae)
Authors: Jia Kai‐Hua , Zhao Wei , Maier Paul Andrew , Hu Xian‐Ge , Jin Yuqing , Zhou Shan‐Shan , Jiao Si‐Qian , El‐Kassaby Yousry A , Wang Tongli , Wang Xiao‐Ru , Mao Jian‐Feng
Published: November 2019

Understanding and quantifying populations' adaptive genetic variation and their response to climate change are critical to reforestation's seed source selection, forest management decisions, and gene conservation. Landscape genomics combined with geographic and environmental information provide an opportunity to interrogate forest populations' genome‐wide variation for understanding the extent to which evolutionary forces shape past and contemporary populations' genetic structure, and identify those populations that may be most at risk under future climate change. Here, we used genotyping by sequencing to generate over 11,000 high‐quality variants from Platycladus orientalis range‐wide collection to evaluate its diversity and to predict genetic offset under future climate scenarios. Platycladus orientalis is a widespread conifer in China with significant ecological, timber, and medicinal values. We found population structure and evidences of isolation by environment, indicative of adaptation to local conditions. Gradient forest modeling identified temperature‐related variables as the most important environmental factors influencing genetic variation and predicted areas with higher risk under future climate change. This study provides an important reference for forest resource management and conservation for P. orientalis.
Benefits of foreign language learning and bilingualism: An analysis of published empirical research 2012–2019
Authors: Fox Rebecca , Corretjer Olga , Webb Kelley
Published: November 2019

The 21st century has seen a strong upward trajectory in empirical research on the multiple benefits that foreign language/world language learning and bilingualism can afford to both individuals and society. This analysis of research published from 2012‐2019 extends Fox et al.'s analysis of research published from 2005 to 2011 (Part I). The 100 empirical studies in Part II, drawn from seven data bases, were conducted in multiple countries. Six overarching themes emerged: cognitive abilities and benefits, aging and health, employability, academic achievement, communicative and intercultural competence, and enhanced creativity. Results report multiple cognitive benefits of language study and bi‐multilingualism, particularly later in life, including enhancement of cognitive flexibility, higher cognitive reserve in advanced age, and delay in the onset of dementia. Other results underscore the importance of early and sustained language learning and support for L1 literacy development. Additional results stress the benefits of foreign/world language skills relating to employability and academic achievement and propose that the accumulation of years of language learning positively impacts the development of cross‐cultural awareness and communicative competence. This research illustrates the importance of establishing cross‐/interdisciplinary research and sharing results with language advocates, policy makers, and legislators.
Partial loss of actin nucleator actin‐related protein 2/3 activity triggers blebbing in primary T lymphocytes
Authors: Obeidy Peyman , Ju Lining A , Oehlers Stefan H , Zulkhernain Nursafwana S , Lee Quintin , Galeano Niño Jorge L , Kwan Rain YQ , Tikoo Shweta , Cavanagh Lois L , Mrass Paulus , Cook Adam JL , Jackson Shaun P , Biro Maté , Roediger Ben , Sixt Michael , Weninger Wolfgang
Published: November 2019

T lymphocytes utilize amoeboid migration to navigate effectively within complex microenvironments. The precise rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton required for cellular forward propulsion is mediated by actin regulators, including the actin‐related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex, a macromolecular machine that nucleates branched actin filaments at the leading edge. The consequences of modulating Arp2/3 activity on the biophysical properties of the actomyosin cortex and downstream T cell function are incompletely understood. We report that even a moderate decrease of Arp3 levels in T cells profoundly affects actin cortex integrity. Reduction in total F‐actin content leads to reduced cortical tension and disrupted lamellipodia formation. Instead, in Arp3‐knockdown cells, the motility mode is dominated by blebbing migration characterized by transient, balloon‐like protrusions at the leading edge. Although this migration mode seems to be compatible with interstitial migration in three‐dimensional environments, diminished locomotion kinetics and impaired cytotoxicity interfere with optimal T cell function. These findings define the importance of finely tuned, Arp2/3‐dependent mechanophysical membrane integrity in cytotoxic effector T lymphocyte activities.
Neuropsychological Assessment of First‐Year Architecture Students’ Visuospatial Abilities: Overview
Authors: Acar Aktan , Soysal Acar A. Şebnem
Published: November 2019

First‐year architecture students are expected to utilise visuospatial abilities to generate/construct, retain, rotate and manipulate space mentally and physically through physical and digital representations. This study of 57 female and 23 male participants was conducted to investigate first‐year architecture students’ visuospatial abilities by means of the Beck Depression Inventory, Logical Reasoning Test and Judgment of Line Orientation (JLO) test. Participants’ sexes, cognitive development level, depression scale scores, university entrance exam results, vision disorders, physical competences, art training prior to university and error types were the study’s main parameters. The results showed that academic scores of the participants both to enrol in the program and complete the first‐year studio did not correlate with their JLO scores. Nondepressed participants performed better in JLO. Error analyses demonstrated that there is a concentration on certain items according to the test stimulus line positions, especially in females. Those who reported limited physical and visual competency made more mistakes in the same items. The study concludes that sex, depression, and individual differences in physical and visual competency, and art training, are significant variables for visuospatial performance. Judging visuospatial parameters through spatial design exercises is different from having proper methods and instruments to assess the achievements of the students regarding those abilities in architectural design education. It is important to map students’ visuospatial abilities individually from a developmental perspective. There is a strong need to develop 4D psychometric instrument to assess visuospatial abilities.
Disparities in healthcare transition support received by adolescents with special healthcare needs
Authors: Heron Laura M. , Agarwal Rumi , Greenup Joel , Maddux Marlaina , Attong Nicole , Burke Shanna L.
Published: November 2019

Background

Transitioning to adult healthcare systems can be challenging, especially if left unaddressed for adolescents with special healthcare needs (ASHCN), such as those with autism spectrum disorder and attention‐deficit/ hyperactivity disorder. While there is evidence of disparities between different demographics regarding general healthcare services, research on healthcare‐specific transition planning is lacking. Thus, there is a critical need to continually investigate these disparities.

Method

Using nationally representative data from the 2016 National Survey for Children's Health, several analyses were conducted to examine doctor–patient interactions and discussions about transitioning to adult health care. Accounting for demographic and diagnostic indicators allowed for the assessment of disparities.

Results

Findings revealed significant disparities between age, disability and race relative to various healthcare transition support services.

Conclusions

Findings provide valuable information that can inform the development of training programmes for healthcare providers, influence policy, modify procedures and interventions and highlight the need for increased advocacy for ASHCN.