bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Production Sharing Contracts in Indian Oil & Gas Sector
Authors: Pandey Ajay
Published: November 2020

The case describes the policies followed by the Government of India to attract private investments for Oil & Gas exploration. This case is based around observations made by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on some of the petroleum sharing contracts and the remedial measures suggested by a committee appointed by the Government. The case describes how such contracts are structured elsewhere and raises issue about how such contracts can be structured and managed by the state.
Delhi Transport Department: Case of Uber Taxi Rape
Authors: Raghuram G , Jasani Darshit
Published: November 2020

This case describes the events following an incident of a rape in a taxi associated with Uber, by its driver. Uber was an application based taxi operator. The events raised several issues for government systems and processes, such as need for regulation of new formats of business like application based taxi services, integrated databases, checks against forgery and holistic approach towards women safety. The case also brings out how an e-commerce business raises regulatory concerns.
That's a case of sexual harassment… Isn't it?
Authors: Kulkarni Vaibhavi
Published: November 2020

This case centres around a senior vice-president in a private bank, who becomes aware of a potential sexual harassment (SH) case within his team. The case captures his reactions, right from his initial attempt to understand the scenario, to his conversations with the woman concerned, and his eventual attempt to minimise the incident. The purpose of the case is to explore how such incidents can play out in the Indian corporate sector, where socio-cultural factors and gender role expectations influence the way organisational members perceive and respond to the complaints. Influence of factors such as gender role expectations, power dynamics, office politics, individual differences, and business concerns in a) perception of harassment incidents and b) attributes related to harassment incidents
Team Dynamics at Suvasi Textiles
Authors: Sharda Kirti
Published: November 2020

This case is intended to introduce participants to basic personality types and the role they play in group decision making situations. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) framework is used as the theoretical foundation to explore various personality types. The complexities involved in decision making in a group with divergent personalities are explored through a dilemma faced by Suvasi Textiles. The management team of Suvasi Textiles is grappling with a critical decision which can decisively change the future of the organisation; the case illustrates how the different personality types are impacting the decision making process. The case can serve to highlight the impact of type dynamics on team effectiveness, conflict negotiation, response to change and stress management.
Industry and country effects on innovation effort
Authors: Nieto Mariano , Alonso-Martínez Daniel , González-Álvarez Nuria
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to study the determinants of firms' innovation effort using the main approaches in strategic management. The authors specifically analyze the joint effects of industry structure and country characteristics on innovation effort while controlling for firm resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses proposed are tested using a data set that includes firms registered in the EU Industrial R&D Investment (IRI) Scoreboard (European Commission, 2011). Specifically, the authors designed and applied a Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) method to perform an empirical analysis using a panel of 1,211 innovative firms in 55 industries and 26 countries between 2004 and 2012.

Findings

Country factors have significant effects on innovation effort. Results also indicate that the moderating and complementary effects of industry and country factors depend on the geographical area.

Practical implications

Although managers have generally tended to take into account only the firm perspective in innovation activities, this paper highlights that institutional factors are also relevant and play a key role in innovation effort. The authors provide suggestions for managers on how to ensure that their investment in innovation is efficient. They also suggest that the effect of some institutional factors may be modified by competitive pressure on firms' innovation effort.

Originality/value

The paper makes an incremental contribution to the literature on the determinants of innovation by providing a different approach to firm innovation determinants and taking into account the complementarities between institutional and industrial factors.
How to unleash innovative work behavior of SMEs' workers through knowledge sharing? Accessing functional flexibility as a mediator
Authors: Anser Muhammad Khalid , Yousaf Zahid , Yasir Muhammad , Sharif Muhammad , Nasir Muhammad Hamid , Rasheed Muhammad Imran , Waheed Junaid , Hussain Hadi , Majid Abdul
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the direct impact of knowledge sharing (KS) and functional flexibility (FF) on innovative work behavior (IWB) of small medium enterprises (SME’s) employees. This study also observes the mediating role of FF in the connection between KS and IWB.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adapted a quantitative methodology and used the cross-sectional data. Data were collected from the 751 workers of SMEs to validate the mediation model.

Findings

Results reveal that KS and FF significantly affect IWB in SME’s workers. The findings also reveal that FF acts as a mediator between KS and IWB link.

Originality/value

The live experience of currently working employees shows that IWB is dependent of employees' KS and FF. Moreover, this study contributed to the streams of knowledge management and organizational innovation perspective by emphasizing upon the mediating mechanism of FF.
Avoiding the ask on social media: investigating how process-related factors influence SNS donation avoidance
Authors: Li Xiaodong , Zhang Chen , Chen Juan , Zhang Shengliang
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The domain of monetary donation is evolving with the combination of professional donation platforms and social network sites (SNSs) in the agency process, potentially enhancing information communication and facilitating money transfers between donors and recipients. However, SNS donation avoidance hinders the leveraging of significant economic and social values. To address the limited understanding of the phenomenon of SNS donation avoidance, this study aims to investigate the influencing factors of people's avoidance behavior in the agency process of SNS donation.

Design/methodology/approach

A model was devised containing four process-related factors (requests overload, process ambiguity, channel security concerns and perceived distributive injustice) as antecedents of SNS donation avoidance, with probable mediating paths of negative emotions, altruistic outcome expectation and egoistic outcome expectation. Data were collected through a survey of 398 users of WeChat Moment in China. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the proposed model.

Findings

All four process-related factors have positive associations with SNS donation avoidance. Requests overload, channel security concerns and perceived distributive injustice all positively influence people's expectation of negative emotions and lead, in turn, to their SNS donation avoidance. Perceived distributive injustice also leads to SNS donation avoidance via negatively influencing people's expectations of both altruistic and egoistic outcomes.

Originality/value

Theoretically, this empirical study synthetically associates process-related factors to donation avoidance through the paths of emotional responses and rational outcome expectations. Practically, it emphasizes key factors to consider in the process management of SNS donation.
Impact of the volatility of resource revenue on non-resource revenue volatility
Authors: Gnangnon Sena Kimm
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates the effect of the volatility of resource revenue on the volatility of non-resource revenue.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis has utilized an unbalanced panel data set comprising 54 countries over the period 1980–2015. The two-step system generalized methods of moments (GMM) is the main economic approach used to carry out the empirical analysis.

Findings

Results show that resource revenue volatility generates lower non-resource revenue volatility only when the share of resource revenue in total public revenue is lower than 18%. Otherwise, higher resource revenue volatility would result in a rise in non-resource revenue volatility.

Research limitations/implications

In light of the adverse effect of volatility of non-resource revenue on public spending, and hence on economic growth and development prospects, countries whose total public revenue is highly dependent on resource revenue should adopt appropriate policies to ensure the rise in non-resource revenue, as well as the stability of the latter.

Practical implications

Economic diversification in resource-rich countries (particularly in developing countries among them) could contribute to reducing the dependence of economies on natural resources, and hence the dependence of public revenue on resource revenue. Therefore, policies in favour of economic diversification would contribute to stabilizing non-resource revenue, which is essential for financing development needs.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, this topic has not been addressed in the literature.
Development and validation of the trainee rated impact of involvement index (TRIple-I) in clinical psychology training
Authors: Holttum Sue , Lea Laura , Strohmaier Sarah
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Previous research suggests that service user and carer involvement (SUCI) in clinical psychology training may have an impact. The purpose of this study was to develop a validated questionnaire to enable trainee clinical psychologists to rate this.

Design/methodology/approach

A collaborative project was carried out with service users and carers and trainee clinical psychologists. The principles of questionnaire design were followed. The authors developed and validated a trainee self-report questionnaire, based on focus groups and relevant literature indicating potential impacts of involvement on practice. A draft 60-item version was piloted with 15 trainee clinical psychologists. Then, 133 trainees from 22 UK clinical psychology courses completed it (estimated response rate of 13.2%). The sample was representative of UK trainees in gender and ethnicity, but slightly older.

Findings

The principal component analysis produced a 36-item questionnaire with four factors: human communication, carer perspectives, empathy and challenging/changing. The questionnaire showed good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Stakeholder consultation suggested face and content validity and there was some indication of construct validity.

Originality/value

The project has resulted in a usable co-produced questionnaire, which is now available to clinical psychology courses to assess the self-reported impact of SUCI in training, and which may also be used in future research.
Exploring the antecedents of English language teachers' teaching self-efficacy: a qualitative study
Authors: Alibakhshi Goudarz , Abdollahi Hossein , Nezakatgoo Behzad
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study aimed at exploring the antecedents of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers' self-efficacy (SE). That is, the main purpose was to deeply delve into the main variables and latent which lead to a high sense of SE among teachers of English as a foreign language.

Design/methodology/approach

A phenomenological inquiry was employed to explore the antecedents of language teachers from their eyes. In this study, the phenomenon is SE antecedents. The researchers employed this method to help identify the meaning behind the human experience as it is related to a phenomenon or notable collective occurrence. A semistructured interview checklist was developed, carefully worded, reviewed by five teacher educators known as experts in qualitative research methodology and teacher education and edited based on the experts' feedback

Findings

The findings showed that the antecedents of SE can be categorized into personal variables, educational variables and institutional variables. Personal variables include verbal intelligence, language proficiency and some other traits. The institutional variables include support from administration, support from colleagues, support from the community and quality of work life. The educational antecedents include preservice and in-service training courses. Preservice training courses included the following: the courses on general language skills, courses on teaching methods, practicum courses, etc.

Originality/value

This study was undertaken in a specific context and the participants are specific. Almost all studies on SE are quantitative, and this qualitative study explored the antecedents of teachers' SE from their own eyes. Some of the explored studies were not mentioned in any of the related studies.
Dynamics of social identity and cultural intelligence in acculturative adaptation of an ethnic minority group in India
Authors: Sharma Namrata , Hussain Dilwar
Published: November 2020

This study evaluated the main and interactive effects of social identity and cultural intelligence on the acculturative adaptation of an ethnic minority diaspora in India. This cross‐sectional survey study (N = 246, 58.5% female, mean age = 26.7 years) focused on the dichotomy of ethnic and national aspects of social identity of the northeast Indian diaspora in Indian cities outside the northeastern region. Path analysis showed that identification of the national group predicted adaptation and cultural intelligence positively moderated that association. The ethnic identity had no main effects on adaptation and reported adaptive outcomes only through its interaction with cultural intelligence. This study reveals that pursuing bi‐cultural identity is not a sufficient condition for adaptation, particularly in prejudiced acculturation contexts where the dominant social groups may not espouse multiculturalism. Here, cultural intelligence is a vital skill that facilitates adaptive outcomes of an integrated bi‐cultural identity for ethnic minority groups.
Manifestationen, Krankheitsverlauf und prognostische Parameter bei kutaner Polyarteriitis nodosa
Authors: Munera‐Campos Mónica , Bielsa Isabel , Martínez‐Morillo Melania , Aparicio Gloria , Olivé Alejandro , Ferrándiz Carlos
Published: November 2020

Hintergrund und Ziele

Die kutane Polyarteriitis nodosa (CPAN) ist eine relativ seltene Vaskulitis, die kleine Arterien und Arteriolen im Unterhautfettgewebe und in der dermo‐subkutanen Übergangszone befällt. Über ihren Verlauf liegen für die europäische Bevölkerung nur wenige Daten vor. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, Manifestationen und Prognoseparameter für ein Rezidiv bei CPAN zu beschreiben.

Patienten und Methoden

Wir stellen eine retrospektive Studie an Patienten mit klinischer und histologischer Evidenz für CPAN vor, die zwischen 1989 und 2019 in zwei tertiären Referenzzentren in Spanien behandelt wurden.

Ergebnisse

Eingeschlossen waren 31 Patienten. Die häufigste Manifestation waren subkutane Knoten (90,3 %). Zum Zeitpunkt der Diagnose traten häufig Ulzera auf (35,5 %). Bei zwei Dritteln der Patienten lag mindestens eine extrakutane Manifestation vor. Siebzehn Patienten (54,8 %) erlitten ein Rezidiv. Der stärkste Prädiktor für ein Rezidiv waren Ulzerationen in der ersten Episode (OR 18,6; 95%‐KI 2,73–38; p < 0,01). Entzündungsassoziierte Laborparameter (wie C‐reaktives Protein und Neutrophilen/Lymphozyten‐Verhältnis) vor der Behandlung waren bei der Gruppe mit Rezidiv signifikant höher. Krankheitsbedingte Todesfälle traten nicht auf und kein Patient entwickelte eine systemische PAN.

Schlussfolgerung

CPAN ist eine auf die Haut begrenzte Vaskulitis. Jedoch können die Symptome auf benachbarte Skelettmuskeln oder periphere Nerven übergreifen. Die Krankheit ist nicht lebensbedrohlich, jedoch sind Ulzerationen und der Anstieg bestimmter Laborparameter mit einer schlechten Prognose assoziiert.
Forschung in der Praxis: Onkogene GNAQ‐Mutationen als therapeutischer Angriffspunkt beim Uveamelanom
Authors: Gaffal Evelyn
Published: November 2020

Das Uveamelanom hat eine schlechte Prognose und ist die häufigste Form von Augenkrebs. Obwohl der Primärtumor in den meisten Fällen durch lokale Operation oder Strahlentherapie effektiv behandelt werden kann, entwickeln mehr als 50 % der Patienten systemische Metastasen insbesondere in der Leber. Im Gegensatz zum kutanen Melanom steht für das metastasierte Uveamelanom keine Standardbehandlung zur Verfügung. Vor kurzem wurden bei etwa 85 % der Uveamelanome onkogene Treibermutationen in GNAQ oder GNA11 identifiziert, die zu einer konstitutiven Aktivierung des Gαq/11‐Signalwegs und seiner nachgeschalteten Effektoren führen. Der direkte zielgerichtete Eingriff in die deregulierte Gαq/11‐Signalgebung könnte daher eine Therapieoption für Patienten mit Uveamelanom sein. In unserer Studie konnten wir das zyklische Depsipeptid FR‐900359, das aus der immergrünen Pflanze Ardisia crenata isoliert wurde, als wirksamen Inhibitor konstitutiv aktiver Gαq/11‐Proteine und ihrer nachgeschalteten Zielmoleküle identifizieren. Obwohl unsere Daten noch vorläufig sind, könnten sie zu einer zukünftigen Behandlungsoption für Patienten mit metastasiertem Uveamelanom beitragen.
Lichturtikaria: Klinik, Diagnostik, Verlauf und Therapiemanagement bei 27 Patienten
Authors: Gaebelein‐Wissing Noemi , Ellenbogen Eran , Lehmann Percy
Published: November 2020

Hintergrund und Ziele:

Die Lichturtikaria ist eine seltene Photodermatose, deren Diagnostik und Therapie bisher nicht vereinheitlicht ist. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, innovative Strahlenquellen zur Diagnostik zu verwenden, deren Emissionsspektren und Dosen definiert und reproduzierbar sind, sowie ein einheitliches Therapiestufenschema zu entwickeln.

Patienten und Methodik:

In einer longitudinalen Studie wurden 27 Patienten mit Lichturtikaria über 13 Jahre untersucht. Bei charakteristischer Anamnese erfolgte die Diagnosesicherung mit Photoprovokationen durch verschiedene Strahlenquellen (UVB, UVB311nm, UVA, UVA1, Grünlich, Rotlicht) sowie ein Therapiestufenschema aus Lichtschutz, Antihistaminika, Rush‐Hardening mit UVA‐1 sowie die Gabe von Omalizumab.

Ergebnisse:

Aktionsspektren: UVB 44 %, UVA 70 %, UVA1 89 %, Grünlicht 37 % und 22 % Rotlicht. Bei 20 Patienten wurde ein Rush‐Hardening mit anschließender Erhaltungstherapie durchgeführt, wobei 17 hierdurch ausreichend geschützt waren. Bei drei weiteren wurde zusätzlich Omalizumab verabreicht.

Schlussfolgerungen:

Die Photoprovokation mit UVB, UVB311nm, UVA, UVA‐1 und sichtbarem Licht ist in jeder Hautklinik mit einer Lichtabteilung einheitlich möglich. Anhand des Therapiestufenschemas können die Patienten gut eingestellt werden. Ein Rush‐Hardening mit dem UVA‐1‐Metallhalogenstrahler mit konsekutiver Erhaltungstherapie ist eine sichere Methode, der Mehrheit der Patienten über die sonnenreiche Jahreszeit zu helfen. Bei unzureichender Effektivität ist Omalizumab eine weitere Therapieoption mit guter Wirksamkeit, die momentan nur im Off‐label‐Use möglich ist.
Trajectories of Hybrid Governance: Legitimacy, Order and Leadership in India
Authors: Wenner Miriam
Published: November 2020

This article analyses the relationships between legitimacy, leadership and stability of hybrid orders in spaces of contested state authority. Complementing studies on public authority, the analysis builds on the observation that hybrid orders are often violent and unstable. The article goes beyond the one‐sided views of legitimacy that focus on the legitimating registers of non‐state governing authorities and which ignore for the most part the perceptions and evaluations of such strategies by the governed. It does so by conceptualizing legitimacy as a relational property, which emerges between governing authorities and the governed. Drawing on a case study from Darjeeling in West Bengal, India (where hybrid order appears in the domains of development and security), this article finds that non‐state leaders tend to withdraw from hybrid agreements in order to regain legitimacy and trust when confronted with threats to their regional dominance. The stability of hybrid orders is not only dependent on the abilities of competing authorities to adapt to changing and conflicting normative and factual demands of their constituents, but is also an outcome of the struggle over the normative and moral bases of such evaluations.
The allosteric interplay between S‐nitrosylation and glycine binding controls the activity of human serine racemase
Authors: Marchesani Francesco , Gianquinto Eleonora , Autiero Ida , Michielon Annalisa , Campanini Barbara , Faggiano Serena , Bettati Stefano , Mozzarelli Andrea , Spyrakis Francesca , Bruno Stefano
Published: November 2020

Human serine racemase (hSR) catalyzes the biosynthesis of D‐serine, an obligatory co‐agonist of the NMDA receptors. It was previously found that the reversible S‐nitrosylation of Cys113 reduces hSR activity. Here, we show by site‐directed mutagenesis, fluorescence spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and molecular dynamics that S‐nitrosylation stabilizes an open, less‐active conformation of the enzyme. The reaction of hSR with either NO or nitroso donors is conformation−dependent and occurs only in the conformation stabilized by the allosteric effector ATP, in which the ε‐amino group of Lys114 acts as a base toward the thiol group of Cys113. In the closed conformation stabilized by glycine—an active‐site ligand of hSR—the side chain of Lys114 moves away from that of Cys113, while the carboxyl side‐chain group of Asp318 moves significantly closer, increasing the thiol pKa and preventing the reaction. We conclude that ATP binding, glycine binding, and S‐nitrosylation constitute a three‐way regulation mechanism for the tight control of hSR activity. We also show that Cys113 undergoes H2O2‐mediated oxidation, with loss of enzyme activity, a reaction also dependent on hSR conformation.
Correlation between octopaminergic signalling and foraging task specialisation in honeybees
Authors: Arenas Andrés , Lajad Rocío , Peng Tianfei , Grüter Christoph , Farina Walter
Published: November 2020

Regulation of pollen and nectar foraging in honeybees is linked to differences in the sensitivity to the reward. Octopamine (OA) participates in the processing of reward‐related information in the bee brain, being a candidate to mediate and modulate the division of labour among pollen and nectar foragers. Here we tested the hypothesis that OA affects the resource preferences of foragers. We first investigated whether oral administration of OA is involved in the transition from nectar to pollen foraging. We quantified the percentage of OA‐treated bees that switched from a sucrose solution to a pollen feeder when the sugar concentration was decreased experimentally. We also evaluated if feeding the colonies sucrose solution containing OA increases the rate of bees collecting pollen. Finally, we quantified OA and tyramine (TYR) receptor genes expression of pollen and nectar foragers in different parts of the brain, as a putative mechanism that affects the decision‐making process regarding the resource type collected. Adding OA in the food modified the probability that foragers switch from nectar to pollen collection. The proportion of pollen foragers also increased after feeding colonies with OA‐containing food. Furthermore, the expression level of the AmoctαR1 was upregulated in foragers arriving at pollen sources compared with those arriving at sugar‐water feeders. Using age‐matched pollen and nectar foragers that returned to the hive, we detected an upregulated expression of a TYR receptor gene in the suboesophageal ganglia. These findings support our prediction that OA signalling affects the decision in honeybee foragers to collect pollen or nectar.
Fulgurites: lightning strikes providing unique clues to palaeoenvironments
Authors: Painter Deborah
Published: November 2020

Strange in appearance and unique in origin, fulgurites are named for the Latin word for lightning. They are formed when lightning strikes rocks or sand that contains silica. They can form remarkably quickly… seconds as opposed to years or millennia. That in itself makes them remarkable, but they have other unusual qualities that make them even more amazing. Some hold ancient air within that can offer a window into past environments.
Essay review: two noteworthy, yet forgotten books
Authors: Donovan Stephen K.
Published: November 2020

Retirement—what are the attractions for a geologist? One is, paradoxically, time, the basis of our science. For example, we have all accumulated more books and papers than we have read. Herein, I look at two books from my shelves, bought years ago, but rediscovered only now. Both are old and almost unknown today, yet they contain much information that is still current and thought‐provoking.
Transmission electron microscopy study of extended defect evolution and amorphization in SiC under Si ion irradiation
Authors: Costantini Jean‐Marc , Ribis Joël
Published: November 2020

The damage induced in 3C‐SiC epilayers on a silicon wafer by 2.3‐MeV Si ion irradiation for fluences of 1014, 1015, and 1016 cm−2, was studied by conventional and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM/HRTEM). The evolution of extended defects and lattice disorder is followed in both the 3C‐SiC film and Si substrate as a function of ion fluence, with reference to previous FTIR spectroscopy data. The likelihood of athermal unfaulting of native stacking faults by point defect migration to the native stacking faults is discussed in relation to damage recovery. Threshold energy densities and irradiation doses for dislocation loop formation and amorphous phase transformation are deduced from the damage depth profile by nuclear collisions. The role of electronic excitations on the damage recovery at high fluence is also addressed for both SiC and Si.
Tunable upconversion luminescence in new Ho3+/Yb3+‐doped SrBi4Ti4O15 photochromic ceramics for switching application
Authors: Bi Jianqiang , Wei Tong , Shen Linghui , Yang Fengming , Zhao Chuanzhen , Wang Mingchao , Yang Qiqian , Lin Yuxuan
Published: November 2020

Upconversion (UC) luminescence modulation is quite important in controlling and processing light for active components of light sources, photoswitches, optical memories, and optical sensing devices. In this work, we reported one kind of novel phosphor, Ho3+/Yb3+‐doped SrBi4Ti4O15 ceramics, which displayed both strong UC luminescence and obvious photochromic (PC) reaction. The UC luminescence, PC effect, and the modulation of UC performance based on PC behavior were investigated in detail. By alternating visible light irradiation and thermal stimulus, the UC luminescence could be reversibly regulated. Meanwhile, the modulation was unveiled to tightly rely on the irradiation time and thermal treatment processes. Excellent reproducibility was also achieved. In addition, as an alternative method to thermal treatment, the manipulation of luminescence by electric field was also explored. Finally, the mechanism related to the UC luminescence manipulation was illustrated. The results indicate that these samples could be potentially utilized in optical data storage and anti‐counterfeiting security fields.
Design and experimental research of haw core removal machine based on buoyancy orientation mechanism
Authors: Xie Ming‐Li , An Zi‐Jun , Xu Li‐Zhong , Cao Wei‐Hua , Sheng Rong‐Xin , Yang Yue
Published: November 2020

In order to solve the problems of the labor cost and the low mechanization level in the intensive processing of the haw products, a haw core removal machine based on the buoyancy orientation was designed, which solved the two key technical problems including the oriented conveying and the core removal in its coring process. The effects of different cutting edge structures on the force on the pulp and the shape of the final pulp were studied, and the effects of the haw's own shape and the medium flow velocity on the orientation righting rate were analyzed. The results showed that the ratio of height to diameter had a direct effect on the orientation righting rate of hawthorn, and the two unstable equilibrium points could be improved by increasing the flow velocity of the medium. The prototype experiment showed that the buoyancy oriented conveying was a feasible and effective method in the processing of the small‐scale fruit with the uniaxial symmetry such as the haw. In the same scale of the haw core removal processing, its production capacity could be increased by about 30%. The research results provided a basis for the follow‐up improvement of the automatic haw core removal machine.

Practical applications

The traditional haw deep processing enterprises mostly use manual or semi‐automatic equipment for the haw core removal, which greatly restricts the production efficiency of enterprises. The present study provides an automatic haw core removal processing equipment based on the buoyancy orientation mechanism and gives the optimal cutting edge structure. The experimental results show that the main factors affecting the haw orientation and centering are the shape of the haw and the flow velocity. Furthermore, on the basis of orthogonal experiment, the process parameter surface of the orientation righting rate is established, which can provide reference for the subsequent design of the haw core removal machine and the optimization of the process parameters in the production process.
Why do life insurance policyholders lapse? The roles of income, health, and bequest motive shocks
Authors: Fang Hanming , Kung Edward
Published: November 2020

We present and empirically implement a dynamic discrete choice model of life insurance decisions to assess the importance of various factors in explaining life insurance lapsation. We estimate a model using information on life insurance holdings from the Health and Retirement Study. Counterfactual simulations using the estimates of our model suggest that a large fraction of life insurance lapsations are driven by idiosyncratic shocks, uncorrelated with health, income, and bequest motives, particularly when policyholders are relatively young. As the remaining policyholders get older, however, the role of such independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) shocks gets smaller, and more of their lapsation is driven by income, health, or bequest motive shocks. As anticipated, income and health shocks are relatively more important than bequest motive shocks in explaining lapsation when policyholders are young, with bequest motive shocks playing a more important role as we age.
I Wasn’t Expecting That! The Relational Impact of Negotiation Strategy Expectation Violations
Authors: Thomas Stephanie P. , Murfield Monique L. Ueltschy , Eastman Jacqueline K.
Published: November 2020

While negotiation within ongoing buyer–supplier relationships is a key element in supply chain management, the emphasis in the literature has been on one‐time, isolated event negotiations. This research, through three scenario‐based experiments with supply chain managers, considers how buyers’ perceptions of past negotiation strategies help to develop future negotiation strategy expectations of their suppliers. If the buyers’ strategy expectations are not met (violated) by the suppliers, these buyers will seek to understand why. Using the combination of expectancy violation theory and attribution theory, this research examines the relational impact of a negotiation strategy expectation violation and the role of extra‐relational factors. The results suggest that relationship history does influence how buyers respond to negotiation strategy expectation violations and that the relational impact of a negative violation is tempered by the history as opposed to a single event reaction. While the findings support that extra‐relational factors can also have a relational impact, buyers perceive differences based on the type of extra‐relational factor (organizational or external) and the type of relational outcome (commitment and relationship value). The results of the interaction of the strategy expectation violation and extra‐relational factor may stretch the boundary conditions of attribution theory. The findings suggest that suppliers should consider how their buying partners may perceive their negotiation behavior and determine the potential relational ramifications of behavior outside of the buyers’ expectations based on previous exchanges.
Plasmopara viticola effector PvRXLR111 stabilizes VvWRKY40 to promote virulence
Authors: Ma Tao , Chen Shuyun , Liu Jiaqi , Fu Peining , Wu Wei , Song Shiren , Gao Yu , Ye Wenxiu , Lu Jiang
Published: November 2020

Plasmopara viticola, the causal organism of grapevine downy mildew, secretes a vast array of effectors to manipulate host immunity. Previously, several cell death‐inducing PvRXLR effectors have been identified, but their functions and host targets are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of PvRXLR111, a cell death‐inducing RXLR effector, in manipulating plant immunity. When coexpressed with other PvRXLR effectors, PvRXLR111‐induced cell death was prevented. Transient expression of PvRXLR111 in Nicotiana benthamiana suppressed bacterial flagellin peptide flg22‐elicited immune responses and enhanced Phytophthora capsici infection. PvRXLR111 induction in Arabidopsis increased susceptibility to Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis. PvRXLR111 expression in Pseudomonas syringae promoted bacterial colonization. By immunoprecipitation‐mass spectrometry analysis, yeast two‐hybrid, pull‐down, and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, it was shown that PvRXLR111 interacted with Vitis vinifera putative WRKY transcription factor 40 (VvWRKY40), which increased VvWRKY40 stability. Transient expression of VvWRKY40 in N. benthamiana inhibited flg22‐induced reactive oxygen species burst and enhanced P. capsici infection and silencing NbWRKY40 attenuated P. capsici colonization. These results suggest VvWRKY40 functions as a negative regulator in plant immunity and that PvRXLR111 suppresses host immunity by stabilizing VvWRKY40.
Temperature‐sensitive biochemical 18O‐fractionation and humidity‐dependent attenuation factor are needed to predict δ18O of cellulose from leaf water in a grassland ecosystem
Authors: Hirl Regina T. , Ogée Jérôme , Ostler Ulrike , Schäufele Rudi , Baca Cabrera Juan C. , Zhu Jianjun , Schleip Inga , Wingate Lisa , Schnyder Hans
Published: November 2020

We explore here our mechanistic understanding of the environmental and physiological processes that determine the oxygen isotope composition of leaf cellulose (δ18Ocellulose) in a drought‐prone, temperate grassland ecosystem.

A new allocation‐and‐growth model was designed and added to an 18O‐enabled soil–vegetation–atmosphere transfer model (MuSICA) to predict seasonal (April–October) and multi‐annual (2007–2012) variation of δ18Ocellulose and 18O‐enrichment of leaf cellulose (Δ18Ocellulose) based on the Barbour–Farquhar model.

Modelled δ18Ocellulose agreed best with observations when integrated over c. 400 growing‐degree‐days, similar to the average leaf lifespan observed at the site. Over the integration time, air temperature ranged from 7 to 22°C and midday relative humidity from 47 to 73%. Model agreement with observations of δ18Ocellulose (R2 = 0.57) and Δ18Ocellulose (R2 = 0.74), and their negative relationship with canopy conductance, was improved significantly when both the biochemical 18O‐fractionation between water and substrate for cellulose synthesis (εbio, range 26–30‰) was temperature‐sensitive, as previously reported for aquatic plants and heterotrophically grown wheat seedlings, and the proportion of oxygen in cellulose reflecting leaf water 18O‐enrichment (1 – pexpx, range 0.23–0.63) was dependent on air relative humidity, as observed in independent controlled experiments with grasses.

Understanding physiological information in δ18Ocellulose requires quantitative knowledge of climatic effects on pexpx and εbio.
The familial trend of the local inflammatory response in periodontal disease
Authors: Monteiro Mabelle Freitas , Casati Márcio Zaffalon , Sallum Enilson Antonio , Silvério Karina Gonzales , Nociti‐Jr Francisco Humberto , Casarin Renato Corrêa Viana
Published: November 2020

Objectives

The imbalanced host response in front of a dysbiotic biofilm is one of the major aspects of severe periodontitis, which also presents a strong familial aggregation related to the susceptibility factors transmission within family members. This study hypothesized that aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) patients and their descendants could present a similar trend of a local inflammatory response that is different from healthy controls.

Methods

Fifteen GAgP subjects and their children and fifteen healthy subjects and their children were clinically assessed, and the concentration of interferon (IFN)‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐10, IL‐17, IL‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α was evaluated in the gingival fluid using the multiplexed bead immunoassay.

Results

Children from the GAgP group presented lower IL‐10 and IFN‐γ subgingival concentration than Health children, despite no difference in the clinical parameters. GAgP parents showed a lower IFN‐γ, IL‐10, and IL‐6 than healthy subjects. IL‐10/IL‐1β and IFN‐γ/IL‐4 ratios were reduced in GAgP dyads, suggesting a familial trend in the subgingival cytokine's profile. The cytokines correlated to the clinical data and were predictors of probing depth increase.

Conclusion

GAgP parents and their children presented a similar cytokine profile and an imbalance in the subgingival response characterized by decreased IFN‐γ/IL‐4 and IL10/IL‐1β ratios.
Flüchtlinge und Integration in Luise Rists Morgenland (2018) und Inaam Kachachis Tashari (dt. Splitter) (2013)
Authors: Asaad Hend
Published: November 2020

Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht anhand der Romane Morgenland der deutschen Schriftstellerin Luise Rist und Tashari (dt. Splitter) der irakischen Schriftstellerin Inaam Kachachi die Flüchtlingsthematik in verschiedenen sozialen und kulturellen Kontexten. Dies wird anhand der menschenrechtsverletzenden Faktoren im Heimatland erläutert werden, die den Flüchtlingen und Auswanderern in beiden Romanen aufzwingen, in Ländern einer anderen Rechtskultur zu leben. Deswegen werden die Integrationsschwierigkeiten der Flüchtlingsfiguren in den Blickpunkt gerückt, weil sowohl Flüchtlinge als auch Aufnahmestaaten mit Differenzen konfrontiert sind, die wegen ethnischer, religiöser und kultureller Unterschiede entstehen. Die theoretische Grundlage bilden die soziologischen und ethnologischen Überlegungen über Integration und kulturelle Differenzen. Der Beitrag verfolgt zwei Ziele, nämlich erstens die literarische Fiktion und die Frage der Flüchtlingsrechte miteinander in Verbindung zu setzen, und zweitens die Rolle der kulturellen Differenzen bei der Integration bzw. Desintegration der Flüchtlingsfiguren in beiden Romanen zu verdeutlichen.
Natural goodness without natural history
Authors: Moosavi Parisa
Published: November 2020

Neo‐Aristotelian ethical naturalism purports to show that moral evaluation of human action and character is an of evaluation ofnatural goodness—a kind of evaluation that applies to living things in virtue of their nature and based on their form of life. The standard neo‐Aristotelian view defines natural goodness by way of generic statements describing thenatural history, or the ‘characteristic’ life, of a species. In this paper, I argue that this conception of natural goodness commits the neo‐Aristotelian view to a problematic anti‐individualism that results in the wrong assessment of individuals with uniquely adaptive adjustments. I then offer an alternative account of natural goodness that avoids this problem. Instead of relying on generic statements about a species, my account defines natural goodness based on counterfactual conditionals describing the modal properties of a single individual. I argue that this modal‐explanatory account gives a conception of natural goodness that is more intuitively plausible and better suited to capture the diversity and plasticity distinctive of life.
Contemporary Presidency: Going Public in an Era of Social Media: Tweets, Corrections, and Public Opinion
Authors: Christenson Dino P. , Kreps Sarah E. , Kriner Douglas L.
Published: November 2020

Presidents invariably use the bully pulpit to push a political agenda, but whether this leads to political success in advancing that agenda has long been the subject of debate. The increased reliance on social media has renewed that debate, particularly in light of new policies that flag or remove objectionable presidential content. This research conducts a survey experiment that evaluates the effect of presidential tweets on support for executive policies, including proposed unilateral action, and studies the effect of social media corrections of those tweets. We find little evidence that social media appeals move public opinion overall, although they do increase support among Republicans. Corrections generally worked as intended among Democrats but backfired among Republicans, canceling each other out in the aggregate. The findings offer important insights into the efficacy of going public on social media and of corrections to such claims in an era of stark partisan polarization.
Mathematics and science teacher training program improves inquiry practices for teachers
Authors: Cribbs Jennifer D. , Day Martha , Duffin Lisa , Cowley Kimberly
Published: November 2020

With the call for increasing the level of inquiry‐based instruction in mathematics and science classrooms, it is imperative for teacher education programs to prepare teachers with these skills. This study draws from classroom observation data to determine the influence a unique teacher certification program has on key aspects of teacher practice using a series of Kruskal‐Wallis and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests. Findings indicate that teachers participating in the program have a statistically significant level of growth in their use of inquiry practices related to Classroom Culture. In addition, by the fourth semester of their involvement in the program, participating teachers employ higher levels of inquiry instruction than a comparison group of teachers for almost every factor assessed.
Swarm‐based optimizer for convolutional neural network: An application for flood susceptibility mapping
Authors: Chou Tien‐Yin , Hoang Thanh‐Van , Fang Yao‐Min , Nguyen Quoc‐Huy , Lai Tuan Anh , Pham Van‐Manh , Vu Van‐Manh , Bui Quang‐Thanh
Published: November 2020

This article investigates the use of the galactic swarm optimization algorithm in searching for parameters of a convolutional neural network for flood susceptibility mapping. Ha Giang province, the mountainous area of Vietnam, was chosen as a case study because of the frequent occurrence of floods. From this study area, 11 predictor variables and historical flood locations were selected to build up the training datasets, in which each sample is prepared in the 3D form of (height × width × channels or variables) = (5 × 5 × 11), (7 × 7 × 11), and (9 × 9 × 11), respectively for three experiments. The model performance was assessed by root mean square error, area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC), and overall accuracy (OA). The results showed that the examined model significantly improved the classification accuracies: OA = 83.093, AUC = 0.917; OA = 83.726, AUC = 0.923; and OA = 82.791, AUC = 0.908 for the three training datasets in comparison to benchmarked classifiers, and this model can be considered as an alternative solution for flood susceptibility mapping.
Semiquantitative acid–base analysis in dogs with typical hypoadrenocorticism
Authors: Osborne Laura G. , Burkitt‐Creedon Jamie M. , Epstein Steven E. , Hopper Kate
Published: November 2020

Objective

To describe the semiquantitative acid–base status of dogs with untreated naturally occurring typical hypoadrenocorticism and to compare this to the status determined by traditional acid–base analysis.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

University teaching hospital.

Animals

Thirty‐three dogs with newly diagnosed typical hypoadrenocorticism between 2000 and 2017.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and main results

Dogs were included if they had newly diagnosed hypoadrenocorticism, post‐ACTH stimulation serum cortisol concentration <2 μg/dL, and blood collected within 6 hours of presentation for acid–base, electrolyte, and serum biochemical assays. Dogs were excluded if the Na+:K+ratio was ≥28 or the dog had received a mineralocorticoid‐containing corticosteroid medication within the preceding month. Traditional acid–base analysis identified normal acid–base status in 1 dog, simple respiratory acid–base abnormalities in 2 of 33 dogs, and simple metabolic acidosis in 14 of 33 dogs. A mixed disorder was most common, noted in 16 of 33 dogs. The semiquantitative approach identified metabolic abnormalities in all cases. All dogs had ≥1 acidifying process, and 29 of 33 had both acidifying and alkalinizing processes. Acidosis attributable to excess free water was present in all dogs, and an acidifying phosphate effect was present in 27 of 33. Hyperlactatemia contributed to the acidosis in 8 of 33 dogs, with a median (range) lactate concentration of 1.5 mmol/L (13.5 mg/dL) (0.3–4.2 mmol/L [2.7–37.8 mg/dL]).

Conclusions

Dogs with untreated Addison's disease have complex acid–base derangements. The semiquantitative approach to acid–base analysis provides greater insight into the underlying mechanisms of metabolic acid–base abnormalities in these dogs, particularly because lactic acidosis appears to be a minor influence in most cases.
New-graduate physiotherapists’ self-efficacy and preparedness for patient education practice: A mixed methods study
Authors: Wilesmith Sarah , Lao Andrew , Forbes Roma
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Patient education is a fundamental component of effective physiotherapypractice. Current literature suggests that physiotherapists may not be adequately prepared for patient education practice; however, perception of graduate preparedness for professional practice has not been explored. This study aimed to investigate newgraduate physiotherapists’ self-efficacy for practising patient education and explore their perceived preparedness for transitioning into this professional role.Methods: This study utilised a sequential mixed-methods design. New-graduate physiotherapists completed the Patient Education Self Efficacy Scale at the conclusion of their pre-professional training (n = 149). Following entry to the workforce, a randomised sample of 15 of these individuals participated in semi-structured interviews exploring perceptions and experiences of practising patient education. Interview data were subject to framework analysis.Results: Highest scoring self-efficacy items were: understanding the role of patient education and questioning to seek the patient’s perceptions and concerns about their condition. The lowest scoring item was: recognising and effectively managing barriers to effective education. Five themes emerged: (1) patient education is a powerful tool, (2) individualised education is highly valued, (3) decreased confidence when facing complexity, (4) overcoming patient-related barriers is challenging and (5) practical experience is critical for skill development.Conclusion: New-graduate physiotherapists demonstrated high self-efficacy and perceived preparedness in most aspects of patient education. Interview findings corroborated survey results indicating that new graduates perceive difficulty in managing barriers to patient education and are challenged when facing complex situations. Direct experience was perceived as the most beneficial for enhancing self-efficacy and preparedness for patient education.