bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Abel transformation deconvolves comets: Gas structure of comet C/2013 R1 (Lovejoy)
Authors: Hasegawa Takashi , Kawakita Hideyo
Published: March 2017

The Abel transformation is introduced and applied to the surface brightness of gas emission from C/2013 R1 (Lovejoy) to reproduce the local volume luminosity density and the shell luminosity, which represents the luminosity density over the spherical surface. This transformation may be more extensively and objectively applied than the Haser model (1957, Bull. Acad. Roy. de Belgique, Classe de Sci., 43, 740), which is limited to the gas emission produced by a two-step process. The scale lengths of the emission from C/2013 R1 are measured for CN and C3; compared with the scale length at the time of solar maxima in the literature, the CN emission had a longer lifetime, whereas a typical scale length is observed for the parent molecule. The emission of C3 is much more compact than recorded in the literature. More importantly, apart from these two-step processes, the “core” region of CN is reported in the shell luminosity with a scale length shorter than 8.4 × 103 km (observed at 0.85 au). The Abel transformation is thus powerful in time-domain analysis for radially expanding multiple zones of gas emission from comets.
Increased Risk of Tics in Children Infected with Enterovirus: A Nationwide Population-Based Study
Authors: Lin Jiun-Nong , Lin Cheng-Li , Yen Hung-Rong , Yang Chi-Hui , Lai Chung-Hsu , Lin Hsi-Hsun , Kao Chia-Hung
Published: March 2017

Objective:

Both tics and enterovirus (EV) infections are common in children. The association between EV infections and tics has been seldom evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of diagnosed tics after EV infections in children.

Methods:

A nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted to determine the risk of tics after EV infections by analyzing data from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Children aged < 18 years with EV infection during 2000 to 2007 were enrolled. For comparison, non-EV–infected children were randomly selected and matched with EV-infected children at a 1:1 ratio according to sex, age, urbanization level, parental occupation, and the year of EV infection. All patients were followed up until the diagnosis of tics, death, loss to follow-up, withdrawal from the insurance system, or December 31, 2008.

Results:

A total of 282,321 EV-infected and 282,317 non-EV–infected children were included in this study. The mean age was 2.39 years in both cohorts. The overall incidences of tics were 9.12 and 6.21 per 10,000 person-years in the EV-infected and non-EV–infected cohorts, respectively. Children with EV infection were significantly associated with an increased risk of tics compared with those without EV infection (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.27–1.5). Multivariable analyses showed that boys, children living in urbanized areas, children whose parents had white-collar jobs, and children with allergic rhinitis or bronchial asthma exhibited a significantly increased risk of tics.

Conclusion:

This study revealed an increased risk of tics after EV infection in children.
Effects of ultralow topical estriol dose on vaginal health and quality of life in postmenopausal women who underwent surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: Caruso Salvatore , Cianci Stefano , Vitale Salvatore Giovanni , Matarazzo Maria Grazia , Amore Francesca Flavia , Cianci Antonio
Published: March 2017

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy of low concentrations of vaginal estriol gel in postmenopausal women with pelvic static disorders before and after vaginal surgical treatment, assessing vaginal health, sexual function, and quality of life (QoL).

Methods:

Women affected by genital prolapse were enrolled. Vaginal health, QoL, and sexual function were investigated at baseline (T0), before surgery (T1), and 13 weeks after surgery (T2). At baseline, participants were randomized 1:1. Women in group A (38 women) were treated daily with vaginal gel containing 50 μg estriol for 12 weeks and women in group B (37 women) did not receive any estrogen treatment. After this period and before surgery, a first examination was carried out (T1). One week after surgical treatment, group A underwent randomization 1:1 to group A1 repeating estriol vaginal gel for 12 weeks, and group A2 discontinuing the estrogen treatment. The second follow-up examination (T2) was performed at the 13th week after surgery.

Results:

All aspects of vaginal health improved in group A on estriol before surgery with respect to baseline (P < 0.001). After surgery, 17 participants of group A1, 16 of group A2, and 30 of group B completed the study. Group A1 (on estriol plus surgery) further improved with respect to the presurgery estriol treatment (P < 0.01). Moreover, group A2 (T2) experienced a worsening of vaginal health versus intragroup presurgery estriol treatment (P < 0.01), and versus intergroup surgical estriol treatment (P < 0.05). QoL improved in women only after surgery, with (P < 0.01) or without (P < 0.05) estriol treatment. Finally, the sexual function of participants on estriol before surgery did not change. On the contrary, it improved after surgery in both participants on estriol (P < 0.001) and without estriol (P < 0.01). Moreover, surgical estriol participants had a better score than surgical no-estriol participants (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Estriol vaginal gel (0.005%) administration significantly improved the vaginal health of natural postmenopausal women before and after vaginal surgery. Both sexual health and QoL also significantly improved after surgery.
Baclofen Pumps
Authors: Woolf Seth M. , Baum Carl R.
Published: March 2017

Intrathecal baclofen therapy, given via an implanted pump in the abdominal wall either as a continuous infusion or bolus dosing, has been used for more than 25 years to treat the spasticity and dystonia associated with various brain and spinal cord conditions. Pediatric clinicians occasionally encounter baclofen pumps, and in the pediatric setting, significant morbidity can arise from their use. This article presents the background, mechanism of action, uses, and complications of intrathecal baclofen therapy and discusses various management strategies should complications occur.
Buccal Midazolam Compared With Rectal Diazepam Reduces Seizure Duration in Children in the Outpatient Setting
Authors: Moretti Raffaella , Julliand Sebastien , Rinaldi Victoria Elisa , Titomanlio Luigi
Published: March 2017

Background

Seizures are very common in children. They frequently happen in outpatient settings, in the presence of caregivers who are not always trained in their management. First-line rescue therapy is based on benzodiazepine, historically diazepam. Recent studies have investigated the use of other benzodiazepines in the treatment of acute seizures.

Objectives

The aims of this study were to evaluate the management of pediatric seizures carried out by parents or caregivers in an outpatient setting and to evaluate the differences in terms of immediate management and subsequent outcome when comparing the use of rectal diazepam versus buccal midazolam.

Methods

In this retrospective study, medical records of children consulting for seizures at the Robert Debré Pediatric Emergency Department of Paris, France, over 18 months were analyzed to evaluate seizure characteristics, management by caregivers, received treatments, and the admission rate.

Results

Five hundred ninety-four patients resulted eligible for the study. The interview was completed for 135 children who presented a further episode of seizure after inclusion. In the subgroup of children receiving buccal midazolam, compared with the subgroup receiving intrarectal diazepam, seizure duration was significantly shorter (10.3 vs 48.4 minutes, P = 0.0004), and the risk of a status epilepticus decreased (1 vs 11, P = 0.0008). The admission rate was not different between the 2 subgroups.

Conclusions

Based on our results, buccal midazolam seems to have some advantages compared with rectal diazepam in terms of feasibility in an outpatient setting and in terms of reduced seizure duration.
Ebola Preparedness in the Netherlands: The Need for Coordination Between the Public Health and the Curative Sector
Authors: Swaan Corien M. , Öry Alexander V. , Schol Lianne G. C. , Jacobi André , Richardus Jan Hendrik , Timen Aura
Published: March 2017

Context:

During the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in 2014-2015, close cooperation between the curative sector and the public health sector in the Netherlands was necessary for timely identification, referral, and investigation of patients with suspected Ebola virus disease (EVD).

Objective:

In this study, we evaluated experiences in preparedness among stakeholders of both curative and public health sectors to formulate recommendations for optimizing preparedness protocols. Timeliness of referred patients with suspected EVD was used as indicator for preparedness.

Design:

In focus group sessions and semistructured interviews, experiences of curative and public health stakeholders about the regional and national process of preparedness and response were listed. Timeliness recordings of all referred patients with suspected EVD (13) were collected from first date of illness until arrival in the referral academic hospital.

Results:

Ebola preparedness was considered extensive compared with the risk of an actual patient, however necessary. Regional coordination varied between regions. More standardization of regional preparation and operational guidelines was requested, as well as nationally standardized contingency criteria, and the National Centre for Infectious Disease Control was expected to coordinate the development of these guidelines. For the timeliness of referred patients with suspected EVD, the median delay between first date of illness until triage was 2.0 days (range: 0-10 days), and between triage and arrival in the referral hospital, it was 5.0 hours (range: 2-7.5 hours). In none of these patients Ebola infection was confirmed.

Conclusions:

Coordination between the public health sector and the curative sector needs improvement to reduce delay in patient management in emerging infectious diseases. Standardization of preparedness and response practices, through guidelines for institutional preparedness and blueprints for regional and national coordination, is necessary, as preparedness for emerging infectious diseases needs a multidisciplinary approach overarching both the public health sector and the curative sector. In the Netherlands a national platform for preparedness is established, in which both the curative sector and public health sector participate, in order to implement the outcomes of this study.
Changes in Markers of Mineral Metabolism After Living Kidney Donation
Authors: Tan Sven-Jean , Hewitson Tim D. , Hughes Peter D. , Holt Stephen G. , Toussaint Nigel D.
Published: March 2017

Background

Living kidney donors (LKDs) experience reduction in kidney function, however serum phosphate (sPi) levels are lower compared to patients with chronic kidney disease matched for reduced kidney function. Mineral metabolism adaptations that occur in LKDs have not been adequately investigated. To evaluate the effect of nephrectomy on markers of mineral metabolism in LKDs compared to healthy volunteers (HV) over 12 months.

Methods

Mineral parameters were evaluated in twenty-one adult LKDs and twenty HVs. Parameters included sPi, intact parathyroid hormone, fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23), soluble Klotho (sKl) and urinary phosphate, measured prior to donation (T0), 1 month (T1), 6 months (T6) and 12 months (T12) post-kidney donation. Statistical analyses were conducted on normalized variables and changes were assessed using 2-way analysis of variance.

Results

Mean ages of LKDs and HVs were 54.1 ± 14.7 and 52.6 ± 8.0 years, respectively. There were no baseline clinical or biochemical differences between LKDs and HVs. In LKDs at T1, serum creatinine increased (from 75 ± 12 to 114 ± 22 μmol/L), FGF23 increased (52 ± 15 to 70 ± 19 pg/mL) and sKl decreased (564 [469-662] to 424 [375-523] pg/mL), all P less than 0.001. Changes were sustained at T12. After donation, LKDs consistently demonstrated lower sPi compared with T0, with the maximal sPi change at T6 (−0.19 mmol/L difference, P < 0.001). Other markers of mineral metabolism were unchanged in LKDs. There were no mineral differences in HVs over 12 months.

Conclusions

Prospective evaluation of mineral metabolism parameters in LKDs provides valuable insight into compensatory mechanisms after reduction in kidney function. Further reduction of sPi at T6 despite early alterations in FGF23 and sKl suggest adaptation of mineral metabolism continues long-term in LKDs.
Arabidopsis thalianaTrihelix Transcription factor AST1 mediates abiotic stress tolerance by binding to a novel AGAG-box and some GT motifs
Authors: Xu Hongyun , He Lin , Guo Yong , Shi Xinxin , Zang Dandan , Li Hongyan , Zhang Wenhui , Wang Yucheng
Published: March 2017

Trihelix transcription factors are characterized by containing a conserved trihelix (helix-loop-helix-loop-helix) domain that bind to GT elements required for light response, play roles in light stress, and also in abiotic stress responses. However, only few of them have been functionally characterised. In the present study, we characterized the function of AST1 (Arabidopsis SIP1 clade Trihelix1) in response to abiotic stress. AST1 shows transcriptional activation activity, and its expression is induced by osmotic and salt stress. The genes regulated by AST1 were identified using qRT-PCR and transcriptome assays. A conserved sequence highly present in the promoters of genes regulated by AST1 was identified, which is bound by AST1, and termed AGAG-box with the sequence [A/G][G/A][A/T]GAGAG. Additionally, AST1 also binds to some GT motifs including GGTAATT, TACAGT, GGTAAAT and GGTAAA, but failed in binding to GTTAC and GGTTAA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with qRT-PCR analysis suggested that AST1 binds to AGAG-box and/or some GT motifs to regulate the expression of stress tolerance genes, resulting in reduced reactive oxygen species, Na+accumulation, stomatal apertures, lipid peroxidation, cell death and water loss rate, and increased proline content and reactive oxygen species scavenging capability. These physiological changes mediated by AST1 finally improve abiotic stress tolerance.
Crystal structure ofN-(2-benzoyl-5-ethynylphenyl)quinoline-2-carboxamide
Authors: Peña-Solórzano Diana , König Burkhard , Sierra Cesar A. , Ochoa-Puentes Cristian
Published: March 2017

In the title compound, C25H16N2O2, the quinoline ring system is essentially planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.030 (1) Å, and forms a dihedral angle of 20.9 (1)° with benzoyl benzene ring. The unsubstituted phenyl ring forms dihedral angles of 52.7 (1)° with the quinoline ring system and 54.1 (1)° with the ethynyl-substituted benzene ring. The molecule contains an intramolecular bifurcated N—H...(O,N) hydrogen bond, formingS(5) andS(6) rings, which may influence the conformation of the molecule. In the crystal, weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into a three-dimensional network. In addition, the three-dimensional structure contains π–π stacking interactions, with centroid–centroid distances of 3.695 (1) and 3.751 (1) Å.
5,7-Dimethyl-1H-indole-2,3-dione
Authors: Perez Matthew F. , Desikan Vasumathi , Golen James A. , Manke David R.
Published: March 2017

The title compound, C10H9NO2, crystallizes with four molecules in the asymmetric unit. The molecules are all near planar, with the non-H atoms possessing mean deviations from planarity of 0.017, 0.026, 0.020 and 0.007 Å. In the crystal, the molecules form two dimers, each linked by a pair of N—H...O hydrogen bonds.
Fault tolerant control against actuator faults based on enhanced PID controller for a quadrotor
Authors: Ermeydan Ahmet , Kiyak Emre
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present fault tolerant control of a quadrotor based on the enhanced proportional integral derivative (PID) structure in the presence of one or more actuator faults.

Design/methodology/approach

Mathematical model of the quadrotor is derived by parameter identification of the system for the simulation of the UAV dynamics and flight control in MATLAB/Simulink. An improved PID structure is used to provide the stability of the nonlinear quadcopter system both for attitude and path control of the system. The results of the healty system and the faulty system are given in simulations, together with motor dynamics.

Findings

In this study, actuator faults are considered to show that a robust controller design handles the loss of effectiveness in motors up to some extent. For the loss of control effectiveness of 20 per cent in first and third motors, psi state follows the reference with steady state error, and it does not go unstable. Motor 1 and Motor 3 respond to given motor fault quickly. When it comes to one actuator fault, steady state errors remain in some states, but the system does not become unstable.

Originality/value

In this paper, an enhanced PID controller is proposed to keep the quadrotor stable in case of actuator faults. Proposed method demonstrates the effectiveness of the control system against motor faults.
Factors affecting Taiwanese consumers’ responses toward pop-up retail
Authors: Chen Wei-Chen , Fiore Ann Marie
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the desired benefits affecting consumer’s attitude and attitude’s consequent influence on behavioral intentions toward pop-up retail, an experiential marketing practice emerging in Taiwan, and to explore the effect of individual differences (consumer innovativeness and materialism) on desired benefits and the moderating effect of cultural values (independent self/interdependent self-construal).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey containing modified scales, distributed to college students from various majors in ten Taiwanese universities, produced 902 useable responses. Structural equation modeling was employed to investigate the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

Hedonic benefits and a new utilitarian benefits variable (self-enhancement (SE)) influenced Taiwanese consumers’ attitude toward pop-up retail, and attitude affected patronage intentions. Consumer innovativeness and materialism affected desired benefits. Interdependent self-construal moderated the relationship between materialism and the perceived utilitarian benefit of SE.

Research limitations/implications

Respondents from one narrow, but appropriate, demographic group in one non-western society were examined. Comparison across demographic groups and non-western and western societies would reveal the prevalence of SE associated with pop-up retail acceptance.

Practical implications

Pop-up shop design that emphasizes hedonic experience and social status of consumers could lead to successful experiential marketing in Taiwan and perhaps other Chinese societies.

Originality/value

This appears to be the first empirical study in English examining consumer acceptance of pop-up retail in a non-western society. It verifies the importance of the perceived utilitarian benefit (self-enhancement), absent in previous pop-up retail studies, and the impact of individual differences and cultural values on Taiwanese consumer behavior.
The enactment of public relations functions: insights from the Indonesian mining industry
Authors: Yudarwati Gregoria Arum , Tjiptono Fandy
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the process in which organizational members construct and enact public relations (PR) functions as well as how the organization accommodates local values in the PR enactment.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of three large mining companies representing multinational, state-owned, and privately owned mining companies in Indonesia was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 37 key informants (three top executives and 34 members of PR units).

Findings

The Indonesian private mining company and the multinational corporation actively engaged in their environment during the post-Suharto era. They perceived the local community to be more powerful than ever before as a result of the socio-cultural and political changes in the country. They changed their organization designs to gain organizational legitimacy by establishing independent PR divisions at the mining sites and assigning field officers who had the same cultural background as the community. These companies enacted the role of PR as relationship agents and cultural interpreters. Unlike these two companies, the state-owned mining company did not actively search for information from its environment. It relied on the government support for its organizational legitimacy and ignored the environmental changes.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first few studies examining the enactment of PR functions in Indonesia, an emerging country that is under-represented in the marketing and PR literature.
Using the critical process targeting method to improve SMEs’ process understanding
Authors: de Salas Kristy , Lewis Ian J. , Huxley Craig
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) exhibit limited understanding of their business processes. This lack of understanding limits the potential of these businesses and is a direct contributor to the high failure rates of this sector of the economy. Research has suggested that existing BP methods to not support SMEs in gaining an improved understanding of their processes due to the high complexity and resource intensity of these tools, more suitable for deployment within a large business context. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports on two qualitative case studies of medium-sized financial entities that employ a new approach, the critical process targeting method (CPTM), to improve their understanding of their processes.

Findings

In reviewing these two case studies, the authors find that the CPTM can be considered a useful tool in improving process understanding in SMEs, and can lead to the achievement of strategic goals. This paper, however, also describes a number of practical limitations that were encountered when employing the CPTM within the SME context.

Originality/value

This new contribution to theory adds significant and critical support to academia and practice in business process understanding where current methods are found to be too resource heavy for even some large organisations. These two case studies have also provided support for struggling management teams being overwhelmed by the need to understand business processes within their organisations. Published literature and the case study experience both suggest that medium-sized entities have difficulty understanding their business processes.
Consumer-based virtual brand personality (CBVBP), customer satisfaction and brand loyalty in the online banking industry
Authors: Ong Khian Sin , Nguyen Bang , Syed Alwi Sharifah Faridah
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a consumer-based virtual brand personality (CBVBP) concept by examining its sub-dimensions in the context of online banking, thus extending existing brand personality research. In addition, it examines the relationship between CBVBP with customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method was employed and data were collected from 219 online banking users in Malaysia. A series of hypotheses were tested using both multiple and hierarchical regression analyses to determine the direct and mediating effects of CBVBP, customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

Findings

The dimensions that comprise CBVBP are found to include Excitement, Sophistication and Competence. These dimensions help online bankers to strategise, communicate and position their online banking sites better in order to compete against other online banking services. The study confirmed positive relationships between CBVBP, customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. Specifically, in the online banking context, customer satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between CBVBP and brand loyalty, extending the current understanding of online branding, consumer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

Originality/value

The major contribution of this study lies in the development of the CBVBP concept and to study its direct and mediating effects with customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. The study emphasises the importance of measuring the virtual brand personality traits as part of an overall online banking brand strategy in the virtual environment in order to better understand how to position against competitors.
Longitudinal models for dynamic segmentation in financial markets
Authors: Bassi Francesca
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Dynamic market segmentation is a very important topic in many businesses where it is interesting to gain knowledge on the reference market and on its evolution over time. Various papers in the reference literature are devoted to the topic and different statistical models are proposed. The purpose of this paper is to compare two statistical approaches to model categorical longitudinal data to perform dynamic market segmentation.

Design/methodology/approach

The latent class Markov model identifies a latent variable whose states represent market segments at an initial point in time, customers can switch to one segment to another between consecutive measurement occasions and a regression structure models the effects of covariates, describing customers’ characteristics, on segments belonging and transition probabilities. The latent class growth approach models individual trajectories, describing a behaviour over time. Customers’ characteristics may be inserted in the model to affect trajectories that may vary across latent groups, in the author’s case, market segments.

Findings

The two approaches revealed both suitable for dynamic market segmentation. The advice to marketer analysts is to explore both solutions to dynamically segment the reference market. The best approach will be then judged in terms of fit, substantial results and assumptions on the reference market.

Originality/value

The proposed statistical models are new in the field of financial markets.
Nurse staffing levels and outcomes – mining the UK national data sets for insight
Authors: Leary Alison , Tomai Barbara , Swift Adrian , Woodward Andrew , Hurst Keith
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Despite the generation of mass data by the nursing workforce, determining the impact of the contribution to patient safety remains challenging. Several cross-sectional studies have indicated a relationship between staffing and safety. The purpose of this paper is to uncover possible associations and explore if a deeper understanding of relationships between staffing and other factors such as safety could be revealed within routinely collected national data sets.

Design/methodology/approach

Two longitudinal routinely collected data sets consisting of 30 years of UK nurse staffing data and seven years of National Health Service (NHS) benchmark data such as survey results, safety and other indicators were used. A correlation matrix was built and a linear correlation operation was applied (Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient).

Findings

A number of associations were revealed within both the UK staffing data set and the NHS benchmarking data set. However, the challenges of using these data sets soon became apparent.

Practical implications

Staff time and effort are required to collect these data. The limitations of these data sets include inconsistent data collection and quality. The mode of data collection and the itemset collected should be reviewed to generate a data set with robust clinical application.

Originality/value

This paper revealed that relationships are likely to be complex and non-linear; however, the main contribution of the paper is the identification of the limitations of routinely collected data. Much time and effort is expended in collecting this data; however, its validity, usefulness and method of routine national data collection appear to require re-examination.
How linkages fuel dependent economic policy initiatives
Authors: Singh Amanjot , Singh Manjit
Published: March 2017

Purpose

With the globalization and liberalization in terms of increasing financial flows across the countries, the policy makers around the world are not independent in the context of monetary and fiscal policy initiatives. In this regard, this paper aims to attempt to quantify and capture long run, short run as well as time-varying linkages among the two financial stress indices, namely, Kansas City Financial Stress Index (KCFSI) and Indian Financial Stress Index (IFSI) across the monthly period (2004 to 2014).

Design/methodology/approach

Owing to the non-existence of a standardized financial stress index with regards to the Indian financial system, the study has developed an index/stress indicator using principal component analysis. Furthermore, to comprehend the linkages, the study uses bivariate Johansen cointegration model, vector error correction model, impulse response functions (IRF), variance decomposition analysis (VDA), Toda-Yamamoto’s Granger causality test and, finally, bivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic (BVGARCH) (1,1) model under constant conditional correlation (CCC) framework.

Findings

The results report a stochastic trend among the two indices wherein the US financial system acts as a source of a shock causing disequilibrium in the long run co-movement. About 40 per cent of the adjustments take place in one month and rest in the coming months. Both the IRF and VDA report a greater degree impact of the US financial stress on the Indian financial system. Moreover, there is a uni-directional short run causality running from the stress in the US financial system to the Indian financial stress. Furthermore, the co-movement between the US and Indian financial stress reached to its maximum significant level during the sub-prime crisis even confirmed by the Markov switching model results.

Practical implications

Overall, the results provide an insight to the financial market investors both domestic as well as international in their act of risk management. The financial stress prevailing in an economy further has an impact on different economic factors like foreign exchange rates, interest rates, yield curves, equity market returns and volatility. So, the empirical results support strong implications for the Indian policy makers as well as investors in the Indian financial markets.

Originality/value

The present study contributes to the literature in three senses. First, the study considers indices reflecting financial stress in the Indian as well as US financial system. Second, the study captures long run as well as short run linkages among the financial stress indices relating to a developed and an emerging market. Finally, the study uses CCC-BVGARCH (1,1) model to account for the time-varying co-movement among the financial stress indices. This helps in comprehending time-varying nature of the co-movement of the stress in the financial system prevalent in the respective markets.
The impact of the Salomon principle on directors’ remuneration in the UK
Authors: Ndzi Ernestine
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the Salomon principle of separate legal personality and its impact on the regulation of directors’ remuneration in the UK. The aim of the paper is to explore the Salomon principle to determine whether it serves as a driving factor for directors’ remuneration levels. The paper will also examine the restrictive approach of the courts to move away from the principle and their reluctance to get involved in directors’ remuneration issues of a company. The paper explains the Salomon principle, describes the nature of the problem on directors’ remuneration and provides an analysis on how the Salomon principle impacts on the directors’ remuneration.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews case law, statutory provisions and academic opinions on the directors’ remuneration and the concept of separate legal entity. The paper critically reviews the impact of the concept of separate entity on directors’ remuneration.

Findings

The paper finds that the courts are reluctant to come away from the concept of separate legal personality as well as reluctant to get involved with directors’ remuneration. This reluctance of the court makes the concept of separate legal personality to act as one of the drivers of directors’ remuneration.

Originality/value

The paper offers a different explanation into why directors’ remuneration continuous to be an issue in the UK. It points out that the concept of separate legal personality is a potential driver of directors’ remuneration in the UK.
Analysing banks’ intermediation and operating efficiencies using the two-stage network DEA model
Authors: Gulati Rachita , Kumar Sunil
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a holistic approach for measuring overall bank efficiency and its decomposition in intermediation and operating efficiencies.

Design/methodology/approach

Recently developed two-stage network data envelopment analysis model by Lianget al.(2008) has been used for obtaining intermediation and operational efficiencies along with overall bank efficiency. The bootstrapped truncated regression algorithm as proposed by Simar and Wilson (2007) has been employed to explore the influential determinants of intermediation and operating efficiencies.

Findings

The empirical results reveal that the operating inefficiency is the dominant source of overall bank inefficiency in Indian banking sector. Another interesting finding is that public sector banks are more efficient than private banks in the intermediation stage of production process, while private banks are more efficient in the operating stage of production process. Finally, the results of bootstrapped truncated regression show that variations in intermediation efficiency are explained by bank size, liquidity position, directed lending and intermediation cost, while inter-bank differences in operating efficiency are influenced by profitability and income diversification.

Practical implications

The most significant practical implication that has been derived from the research findings is that at the industry level, overall efficiency enhancement needs improvement both in terms of resource-utilization and income-generating abilities of the banks. However, the relatively easy way to achieve higher bank efficiency is to improve the efficiency of banks in generating incomes from interest and fee-based sources.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to provide a comprehensive assessment of performance of Indian banks by examining the efficiency of individual banks considering both the intermediation and operating approaches simultaneously.
Retro-methodologies: insights for city tourism research
Authors: Pearce John Robert , Pearce Philip L.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the applicability of older methodologies to contemporary city tourism research.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews and identifies categories of methodologies for new uses.

Findings

Four methods are considered to advance the toolkit of city tourism researchers – two are projective techniques and two are judgment tasks. More specifically a version of the thematic apperception test and the cognitive mapping approach belong to the first category while the use of the triad judgement tasks and just noticeable differences assessments belong to the latter category.

Research limitations/implications

The techniques are advanced as proposals for further development. They have had only limited tourism city use and testing their usefulness offers creative possibilities for researcher insights.

Practical implications

New techniques are needed for the contemporary times and the suggested proposals fit this requirement.

Social implications

Non-questionnaire techniques provide better access to the social lives of those less familiar with surveys.

Originality/value

The work revitalizes older ideas and offers approaches which may prove a useful addition to the researcher toolkit.
Will their absence make a difference? The role of local volunteer NGOs in home-stay intermediation in Ghana’s Garden City
Authors: Mensah Esi Akyere , Agyeiwaah Elizabeth , Dimache Alexandru O.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in home-stay arrangements in Ghana’s cultural city, Kumasi, and further assess NGO intermediation of home-stay from home-stay operators’ and international volunteer tourists’ perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixture of quantitative and qualitative approaches is used to target three main stakeholders of volunteer tourism including international volunteer tourists, home-stay operators, and local NGOs.

Findings

There are seven major roles played by volunteer NGOs in the home-stay arrangement. However, from operators’ perspective, NGOs may hinder the economic viability of home-stay through inadequate/low payment.

Originality/value

The study highlights the unexplored brokerage role of NGOs in volunteer tourism in home-stay intermediation and its implications for sustainable tourism.
Determinants of work performance of seafarers
Authors: Tsai Chaur-Luh , Liou Yan-Wei
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the aims of discovering the problems existing in the seafarer recruitment management system and of finding out an efficiency recruitment system for shipping companies to retain skillful seafarers continue serving in their companies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study interviewed with the senior managers of shipping companies to clarify the seafarers’ problems they have encountered and conducted questionnaire survey to collect the seafarers’ perceptions for further analysis. Exploratory factor analysis and multi-regression analysis were applied for the data analysis.

Findings

There were four primary dimensions relating to seafarers’ management, namely, work attitude, loyalty, payment and welfare and opportunity. The results revealed that dimensions of payment and welfare and opportunity were significantly positive effect on seafarers’ loyalty; only the dimension of payment and welfare was found to significantly effect on the work attitude. However, these four dimensions were all found a positive effect on the work performance as well.

Research limitations/implications

The results of cross-section research cannot fit all economic fluctuation conditions.

Practical implications

The ship owners and the operators should consider both the environmental motivation and the hygiene factor to establish a proper seafarers’ recruitment management system to retain seafarers and lead to better performance of the seafarers. The study findings also suggest the shipping company should pay attention to hire local seafarers, i.e. seafarers from the place where the company is based, as those local seafarers might have more work commitment than seafarers from other countries.

Originality/value

The findings of the study show that welfare and opportunity is the most important factor on loyalty, while it also exerts significant effect on work attitude and work performance. The results suggest that the motivation and performance are not merely dependent upon environmental needs (payment). The findings provide evidences of the importance of non-monetary remuneration within the seafarers’ recruitment management system.
Gate automation system evaluation
Authors: Chao Shih-Liang , Lin Ya-Lan
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This study has two purposes. The first is to identify the determinants influencing the selection of a container number recognition system via a quantitative method to thereby establish an evaluation structure. The second purpose is to conduct an empirical study to determine the weights of the criteria and alternatives.

Design/methodology/approach

The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) were applied to determine the evaluation structure and weights of the criteria and alternatives, respectively.

Findings

An empirical study based on a dedicated terminal at Keelung Port is conducted. The result demonstrates that the radio-frequency identification (RFID) system is a suitable system for the terminal under consideration in this study.

Originality/value

The value of this study is twofold. First, EFA was applied to extract common factors from a wide questionnaire survey, thereby establishing a hierarchical analysis structure. This method and comprehensive evaluation structure are useful references for both practitioners and researchers to deal with problems of gate automation. Second, fuzzy AHP was used to decide the weights of the hierarchical structure. The weights obtained by this method are more objective and rational as the imprecision expressions in returned samples have been considered and dealt with.
The accuracy of spread decomposition models in capturing informed trades
Authors: Gregoriou Andros , Rhodes Mark
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the empirical relationship between trades undertaken by informed agents (managers) and the proxies for informed trades computed by bid-ask spread decomposition models.

Design/methodology/approach

An econometric application of spread decomposition models to data from the London Stock Exchange, with an examination of whether the model predictions are co-integrated with actual outcomes.

Findings

The authors find overwhelming evidence of non-stationary behaviour between the actual and predicted informed trade prices. The findings suggest that there is a clear need for an alternative to extant spread decomposition models perhaps incorporating findings from behavioural finance.

Originality/value

Given the importance of stock market liquidity and the extensive use of spread decomposition models in predicting informed trades, the authors believe that the research conducted in the paper is an important contribution to the market microstructure literature.
Critical role of environmental factors in the pathogenesis of psoriasis
Authors: Zeng Jinrong , Luo Shuaihantian , Huang Yumeng , Lu Qianjin
Published: March 2017

Psoriasis is a common cutaneous disease with multifactorial etiology including genetic and non‐genetic factors, such as drugs, smoking, drinking, diet, infection and mental stress. Now, the role of the interaction between environmental factors and genetics are considered to be a main factor in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. However, it is a challenge to explore the mechanisms how the environmental factors break the body balance to affect the onset and development of psoriasis. In this article, we review the pathogenesis of psoriasis and summarize numerous clinical data to reveal the association between environmental factors and psoriasis. In addition, we focus on the mechanisms of environmental risk factors impact on psoriasis and provide a series of potential treatments against environmental risk factors.
Flourodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scan may be helpful in the case of ductal variant prostate cancer when prostate specific membrane antigen ligand positron emission tomography scan is negative
Authors: McEwan Louise M , Wong David , Yaxley John
Published: March 2017

Gallium‐68 prostate specific membrane antigen ligand (Ga‐68 PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanning is emerging as a useful imaging modality for the staging of suspected and known recurrent or metastatic prostate cancer and in staging of newly diagnosed higher grade prostate cancer. However, we have observed at our institution that in some cases of the more aggressive ductal variant, Ga‐68 PSMA uptake has sometimes been poor compared with prominent 18‐flourodeoxyglucose (F‐18 FDG) avidity seen in F‐18 FDG PET/CT, which would suggest that FDG PET/CT scans are important in staging of ductal pattern prostate cancer.
Population‐based study showed that necrotising enterocolitis occurred in space–time clusters with a decreasing secular trend in Sweden
Authors: Magnusson Amanda , Ahle Margareta , Swolin‐Eide Diana , Elfvin Anders , Andersson Roland E.
Published: March 2017

Aim

This study investigated space–time clustering of neonatal necrotising enterocolitis over three decades.

Methods

Space–time clustering analyses objects that are grouped by a specific place and time. The Knox test and Kulldorff's scan statistic were used to analyse space–time clusters in 808 children diagnosed with necrotising enterocolitis in a national cohort of 2 389 681 children born between 1987 and 2009 in Sweden. The municipality the mother lived in and the delivery hospital defined closeness in space and the time between when the cases were born – seven, 14 and 21 days – defined closeness in time.

Results

The Knox test showed no indication of space–time clustering at the residential level, but clear indications at the hospital level in all the time windows: seven days (p = 0.026), 14 days (p = 0.010) and 21 days (p = 0.004). Significant clustering at the hospital level was found during 1987–1997, but not during 1998–2009. Kulldorff's scan statistic found seven significant clusters at the hospital level.

Conclusion

Space–time clustering was found at the hospital but not residential level, suggesting a contagious environmental effect after delivery, but not in the prenatal period. The decrease in clustering over time may reflect improved routines to minimise the risk of contagion between patients receiving neonatal care.
Minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer after esophageal perforation
Authors: Murakawa Katsuhiko , Ono Koichi , Yamamura Yoshiyuki , Niwa Hiroki , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Muto Jun , Kato Kohei , Ichinokawa Masaomi , Yoshioka Tatsuya , Ohtake Setsuyuki
Published: March 2017

Both esophageal rupture and esophageal cancer are life‐threatening diseases. We report a case of esophageal cancer that occurred after esophageal rupture was treated with thoracoscopic and laparoscopic surgery. A 76‐year‐old man presented with vomiting followed by epigastric pain and was diagnosed with spontaneous esophageal rupture. Laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery were performed. Primary closure was completed with a fundic patch, and thoracic lavage was performed. Ten months later, his condition was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma of the abdominal esophagus. He underwent thoracoscopic esophageal resection in the prone position, and a gastric conduit was created laparoscopically. The pathological finding was superficial esophageal carcinoma without lymph node metastasis. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and there was no recurrence at 21 months of follow‐up.
Cytoreductive nephrectomy in the era of targeted therapies: a review
Authors: Pindoria Nisha , Raison Nicholas , Blecher Gideon , Catterwell Rick , Dasgupta Prokar
Published: March 2017

In the pre‐targeted therapy era, palliative cytoreductive nephrectomy combined with cytokine immunotherapy was the standard treatment protocol for the management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The introduction of targeted therapies has improved response rates, median survival and overall prognosis when compared to immunotherapy. The role of cytoreductive nephrectomy in providing an independent survival advantage when used alongside immunotherapy has been demonstrated by two randomised controlled trials. However, with the new shift in improved treatment outcomes from cytokine immunotherapy to targeted therapies, the continuing role of cytoreductive nephrectomy as a viable surgical treatment method remains controversial.