bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The future of democracy: the end of democracy as we know it
Authors: Goede Miguel 
Published: June 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this article is to explore the future of democracy, given the transition the countries of the world are experiencing.

Methodology
The paper draws on literature concerning democracy, ICT and artificial intelligence. A framework for understanding the working of democracy is developed. This framework or model is tested in 20 countries, and conclusions are presented.

Findings
Globally, there is a shift taking place away from representative democracy toward less democratic forms of government.

Originality
Most studies are implicitly dogmatic in assuming that representative democracy is a superior form of government. The influences of corporations, media and the elite are moving representative democracy away from the ideal of democracy.

Conclusions
The future of democracy is uncertain. It is not likely that representative democracy will become the universal form of government. Global government is possible, but it is not likely to be a representative democracy.
Lost in translation
Authors: Briseño Arturo , Leal Ana R. , Aguiñaga Eduardo , López-Lira Alfonso 
Published: June 2019

Purpose
In this paper, empirical evidence is presented regarding the translation of the learning tactics inventory (LTI) instrument that measures learning versatility in entrepreneurs with four main learning strategies: acting, thinking, feeling or access to others. The purpose of this paper is to show how translating instruments from other languages and for cross-cultural studies is not sufficient to achieve instrument validity, and the use of structural equation modeling can help to strengthen the process.

Design/methodology/approach
After using iterative and multi-technique strategies that involved close translation and adaptation, structural equation modeling was also performed to validate whether relationships exist among the constructs and their variables using a confirmatory analysis.

Findings
After careful translation, the Spanish version of the LTI instrument does not measure the intended constructs. Such evidence was uncovered by contrasting the different dimensions of the English and Spanish translated versions.

Research limitations/implications
Instruments in cross-cultural studies require more than translation strategies to adapt the instrument to the new context. This paper shows that, with the use of structural equation modeling, constructs may change in different international contexts and how misinterpretations of the instrument can occur if additional validity tests are ignored.

Originality/value
Consistent with the extant literature, the findings suggest that, when studying a complex phenomenon such as learning through a survey developed in a different country and language, cultural factors should be explained to maintain construct validity. Hence, in entrepreneurship and management research, instruments such as the LTI need to be validated with confirmatory analysis to accurately reflect the different learning strategies of entrepreneurs across cultures.
Institutions and IPO activity: a multi-country study
Authors: Rivas Jose Luis , Adamuz Mercedes 
Published: June 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the differential effects that institutions have on country IPO activity.Design/methodology/approachWith a sample of 64 countries over a 15-year period (2000-2014), the authors test the variables rule of law, uncertainty avoidance and masculinity on subsamples of developed (27) and emerging (37) countries to explore their influence on domestic IPO activity level.FindingsFor developed countries, only uncertainty avoidance and masculinity are significant. Within emerging countries, it is uncertainty avoidance and rule of law that are significant.Research limitations/implicationsUsing different country classification frameworks could yield more detailed and focused results on the influence that country-level variables have on IPO activity.Practical implicationsMultinational firms could use these findings for decisions related to their potential subsidiary IPOs.Originality/valueThis is a novel empirical work relating institutions to IPO activity, using emerging and developed country subsamples. It also focuses on IPO activity instead of IPO underpricing/performance and contributes to extend the scope of the IPO literature to global non-Anglo contexts.
Employability and performance
Authors: Philippaers Kristien , De Cuyper Nele , Forrier Anneleen 
Published: June 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to advance two seemingly conflicting paths from perceived employability to employee performance. Both paths start from the idea that feeling employable makes employees more independent from their employer. Framed positively, independence implies the perception of being in control, and perceived control may promote employee performance. Framed negatively, independence implies reduced attachment to the organization, while such ties drive employee performance. Innovative features in this study are threefold. First, the authors introduce perceived justice as a moderator. Second, the authors distinguish between perceived quantitative and qualitative employability: this relates to seeing “other” vs “better” job opportunities. Third, the authors include a range of performance indicators: task performance, organizational citizenship behavior and counterproductive work behavior.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data were collected within one Belgian public-sector organization (n=1,500 employees) and analyzed using structural equation modeling.FindingsPerceived control mediated the relationship between perceived employability and employee performance, yet only upon high perceived justice. Affective organizational commitment mediated the relationship between perceived employability and employee performance, regardless of perceived justice. Those relationships were positive for quantitative perceived employability and negative for qualitative perceived employability.Originality/valuePerceived employability relates positively to employee performance, especially upon high perceived justice. Yet this relationship is bounded to which job alternatives are perceived, just “other” or instead “better.”
NMR imaging of 3D printed biocompatible polymer scaffolds interacting with water
Authors: Morozov Evgeny , Novikov Mikhail , Bouznik Vyacheslav , Yurkov Gleb 
Published: June 2019

PurposeActive employment of additive manufacturing for scaffolds preparation requires the development of advanced methods which can accurately characterize the morphologic structure and its changes during an interaction of the scaffolds with substrate and aqueous medium. This paper aims to use the method of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging for preclinical characterization of 3D-printed scaffolds based on novel allyl chitosan biocompatible polymer matrices.Design/methodology/approachBiocompatible polymer scaffolds were fabricated via stereolithography method. Using NMR imaging the output quality control of the scaffolds was performed. Scaffolds stability, polymer matrix homogeneity, kinetic of swelling processes, water migration pathways within the 3D-printed parts, effect of post-print UV curing on overall scaffolds performance were studied in details.FindingsNMR imaging visualization of water uptake and polymer swelling processes during the interaction of scaffolds with aqueous medium revealed the formation of the fronts within the polymer matrices those dynamics is governed by case I transport (Fickian diffusion) of the water into polymer network. No significant difference was observed in front propagation rates along the polymer layers and across the layers stack. After completing the swelling process, the polymer scaffolds retain their integrity and no internal defects were detected.Research limitations/implicationsNMR imaging revealed that post-print UV curing aimed to improve the overall performance of 3D-printed scaffolds might not provide a better quality of the finish product, as this procedure apparently yield strongly inhomogeneous distribution of polymer crosslink density which results in subsequent inhomogeneity of water ingress and swelling processes, accompanied by stress-related cracks formation inside the scaffolds.Practical implicationsThis study introduces a method which can successfully complement the standard tests which now are widely used in either additive manufacturing or scaffolds engineering.Social implicationsThis work can help to improve the overall performance of the polymer scaffolds used in tissue engineering.Originality/valueThe results of this study demonstrate feasibility of NMR imaging for preclinical characterization of 3D printed biocompatible polymer scaffolds. The results are believed to contribute to better understanding of the processes vital for improving the design of 3D-printed polymer scaffolds.
When carbon accounting systems make us forget nature: from commodification to reification
Authors: Martineau Régis , Lafontaine Jean-Philippe 
Published: June 2019

Purpose
This paper aims to show that the implementation of carbon accounting systems is problematic because it contributes to the commodification of nature, leading individuals to “forget about nature.”

Design/methodology/approach
The authors use the concept of reification to explore the subjective dimension of the commodification process. They construct an analytical framework that helps to explain how and why nature may ultimately be “forgotten” by individuals during the commodification process. The example of France is used to illustrate this argument.

Findings
The paper presents and discusses three mechanisms (the objectivation of nature, economic reasoning and individuals’ environmental consciousness) that form the basis for the rationale and modus operandi of carbon accounting systems. By comparing these mechanisms with the concept of reification, it highlights three criticisms that could be put to advocates of these systems.

Practical implications
This analysis shows that discussions of carbon accounting systems should focus more on their philosophical principles rather than merely examining the technical problems posed by their implementation.

Social implications
This research provides some answers to explain the inefficiency of policies implemented within the framework of global climate governance.

Originality/value
This study helps to put carbon accounting research into perspective. It goes further than existing work on the commodification of nature by describing the subjective dimension of individuals who are led to disconnect their arguments and practices from their primary and emotional relationship with nature.
Does plant biomass partitioning reflect energetic investments in carbon and nutrient foraging?
Authors: Kong Deliang , Fridley Jason D. 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Studies of plant resource‐use strategies along environmental gradients often assume that dry matter partitioning represents an individual's energy investment in foraging for above‐ versus below‐ground resources. However, ecosystem‐level studies of total below‐ground carbon allocation (TBCA) in forests do not support the equivalency of energy (carbon) and dry matter partitioning, in part because allocation of carbon to below‐ground pools and fluxes that are not accounted for by root biomass (e.g., mycorrhizal hyphae, rhizodeposition; root and soil respiration) can be substantial. Here, we apply this reasoning to individual plants in controlled environments and ask whether dry matter partitioning below‐ground (root mass fraction, RMF) accurately reflects TBCA in studies of optimal partitioning theory.

We quantified the relationship between RMF and TBCA in individual plants, using 311 observations from 51 studies that simultaneously measured both allocation variables. Our analysis included tests of whether the RMF‐TBCA relationship depended on mutualist soil microbes, plant growth form, age and study methodology including isotopic pulse–chase duration.

We found that RMF was a poor proxy for below‐ground energy investment. This disconnect of RMF and TBCA was driven in part by plants of low RMF (<0.4) exhibiting significantly higher rates of root and soil respiration per unit root mass than plants of high RMF. Root colonization by mutualist microbes, including arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen‐fixing bacteria, increased TBCA by 5%–7%, and TBCA was lower in grasses than other species by 9%–16%. These patterns were evident for relationships assessed both within and between species.

We conclude that optimal partitioning studies of plants along environmental gradients are likely to underestimate plant energy allocation below‐ground if the C costs of root and soil respiration are ignored, especially under conditions favouring low RMF. Because energy rather than biomass better reflects how assimilated C supports fitness, this omission of respired C suggests existing studies misrepresent the significance of below‐ground processes to plant function.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Unravelling the sulphur cycle of marine sediments
Authors: Jørgensen Bo Barker 
Published: June 2019

SummaryIn this invited paper, I give a personal description of my start as a young scientist studying the sulphur cycle of marine sediments. The initial objective was to quantify the processes experimentally using 35S as a tracer. The results showed an unexpected large contribution of sulphate reduction to the oxidation of sediment organic matter. This implied that sulphate reducing bacteria can perform complete oxidation of their substrates to CO2. A quantification of sulphate reducing bacteria compared to measured rates of sulphate reduction revealed that the viable counting techniques available at the time vastly underestimated the true cell numbers. Through our introduction of microsensors for oxygen, sulphide and pH, the microbial oxidation of H2S could be analysed at high spatial resolution. Studies of the large, filamentous sulphur bacteria revealed surprising adaptations to sulphide oxidation based on anaerobic respiration with nitrate stored in vacuoles.
Pectin Hydrolysates from Different Cultivars of Pink/Red and White Grapefruits (Citrus Paradisi [macf.]) as Culture and Encapsulating Media for Lactobacillus Plantarum
Authors: La Cava Enzo L. , Gerbino Esteban , Sgroppo Sonia C. , Gómez‐Zavaglia Andrea 
Published: June 2019

AbstractCitrus pectin hydrolysates (Citrus paradisi [Mafc.]) from “Foster,” “Red Shambar,” “Tangelo Orlando,” and “Citrumelo Swingle” cultivars were obtained by partial chemical hydrolysis and their properties as culture media (sole carbon/nutrient source) and encapsulating agents of Lactobacillus plantarum CIDCA 83114 were evaluated.
The concentration of neutral sugars was maximal after 2‐hour hydrolysis. All hydrolysates were rich in glucose >xylose >galactose >galacturonic acid >mannose >arabinose. “Citrumelo Swingle” cultivar was the one with the highest concentration of xylose. After 24 hr of fermentation with L. plantarum CIDCA 83114, bacterial viability increased from 6.76 ± 0.14 to almost 9 log CFU/mL, and lactic acid concentration, from 2.63 ± 0.41 to 7.82 ± 0.15 mmol/L in all hydrolysates. Afterwards, bacteria were entrapped in pectate‐calcium beads by ionotropic gelation. Bacterial viability did not significantly decrease after freeze‐drying and storage the beads at 4 °C for 45 days.Practical ApplicationPectin hydrolysates were adequate culture media for microorganisms, as determined by the viabililty and lactic acid production. Considering that citrus peels are agro‐wastes obtained in large quantities, their use as encapsulating materials provides a solution to overcome the environmental problem they entail.
Effect of Chronic Krill Oil Supplement on Seizures Induced by Pentylenetetrazole in the Hippocampus of Adult Rats with Previous Febrile Seizures
Authors: Medina‐Ceja Laura , Villalpando‐Vargas Fridha , Girón de la Cruz Gloria I. , Lara‐ Vazquez Adriana M. , Flores‐Mancilla Leopoldo , Salazar‐Sánchez Juan C. , Morales‐Villagrán Alberto 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWe evaluated the effect of krill oil (KO) supplement on seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in animals with previous febrile seizures (FSs) induced by hyperthermia to determine its effectiveness in seizure susceptibility and as an anticonvulsant. Male Wistar rats with FS separated into water (W, 1 mL), palm oil (PO, 300 mg/kg, total volume 1 mL), or KO (300 mg/kg, total volume 1 mL) groups. All drugs were administered chronically via the intragastric route. Electrical activity was recorded by intracranial EEG simultaneously with convulsive behavior. All animals’ brains were processed by immunofluorescence against GFAP, NeuN, and connexins (Cx); cellular quantification was performed in hippocampus and pyramidal or granular layer thickness was evaluated with cresyl violet (CV) staining. The results showed a significant delay in convulsive behavior and a slight increased survival time after PTZ administration in the group treated with KO compared with PO and W groups. The epileptiform activity showed high amplitude and frequency, with no significant differences between groups, nor were there differences in the number and duration of discharge trains. KO and PO increased the number of astrocytes and the number of neurons compared with the W group. KO and PO decreased the expression of Cx36 without affecting Cx43 expression or the thickness of layers. Based on these data, we consider it important to perform more experiments to determine the anticonvulsant role of KO, taking into account the partial effect found in this study. KO could be used as a coadjuvant of traditional anticonvulsive treatments.Practical ApplicationIn this study was evaluated the anticonvulsive effect of a chronic krill oil (KO) supplement in animals with seizures. Results showed that KO had partial anticonvulsive effects measured by EEG activity and convulsive behavior analysis. These data justify further research that looks at KO supplementation as a prospective coadjuvant of pharmacologic management of seizure disorder.
Short‐term outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy in the state of Victoria: hospital resources are more important than volume
Authors: Stevens Claire L. , Watters David A. K. 
Published: June 2019

BackgroundPancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a high‐risk procedure. Australian hospitals perform a relatively low volume of PD. This study sought to gain an understanding of hospital volume and short‐term outcomes of the procedure in the Australian state of Victoria.MethodsThe Dr Foster Quality Investigator tool was used to interrogate the Victorian Admitted Episodes Database for the Australian Classification of Health Intervention code for PD (30584) from July 2010 to June 2016. The data set included patients from a peer group of 14 hospitals that included all the public hospitals performing PD during this period. Patient characteristics, inpatient mortality, 30‐day readmission rates and median length of stay were reported for each de‐identified hospital.ResultsThere were 547 PD conducted over 6 years in 10 public hospitals. The median patient age was 65 years. Inpatient mortality was 2.7%. There was a significant risk adjusted difference in mortality between principal referral and other public hospitals. Annual hospital volume ranged from 3 to 20 PD, and there was no significant relationship between mortality, readmission rates or length of stay and hospital volume.ConclusionThe inpatient mortality associated with PD in Victorian public hospitals is comparable to that seen in overseas studies. While hospital volume is relatively low, there does not seem to be a relationship between volume and short‐term outcomes. Variability between hospital peer groups suggests that resource availability is more important than volume. The development of a procedure specific registry would be useful to test the outcomes of this study and determine long‐term PD outcomes.
Cigarette smoking differentially affects immunoglobulin class levels in serum and saliva: An investigation and review
Authors: Tarbiah Nesrin , Todd Ian , Tighe Patrick J. , Fairclough Lucy C. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to compare concentrations of IgG, IgA, IgM and IgD in both serum and saliva samples from smoking and non‐smoking individuals using a protein microarray assay. The findings were also compared to previous studies. Serum and saliva were collected from 48 smoking male individuals and 48 age‐matched never‐smoker male individuals. The protein microarray assays for detection of human IgG, IgM, IgA and IgD were established and optimized using Ig class‐specific affinity‐purified goat anti‐human Ig‐Fc capture antibodies and horseradish peroxidase (HRP)‐conjugated goat anti‐human Ig‐Fc detection antibodies. The Ig class specificity of the microarray assays was verified, and the optimal dilutions of serum and saliva samples were determined for quantification of Ig levels against standard curves. We found that smoking is associated with reduced IgG concentrations and enhanced IgA concentrations in both serum and saliva. By contrast, smoking differentially affected IgM concentrations—causing increased concentrations in serum, but decreased concentrations in saliva. Smoking was associated with decreased IgD concentrations in serum and did not have a significant effect on the very low IgD concentrations in saliva. Thus, cigarette smoking differentially affects the levels of Ig classes systemically and in the oral mucosa. Although there is variation between the results of different published studies, there is a consensus that smokers have significantly reduced levels of IgG in both serum and saliva. A functional antibody deficiency associated with smoking may compromise the body's response to infection and result in a predisposition to the development of autoimmunity.
Home‐range size of an Andean bird: Assessing the role of physical condition
Authors: Castaño María Isabel , Cadena Carlos Daniel , Avendaño Jorge Enrique 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBecause space‐use patterns are a key aspect of the ecology and distribution of species, identifying factors associated with variation in size of territories and home ranges has been central to studies on population ecology. Space use might vary in response to extrinsic factors like habitat quality and to intrinsic factors like physical condition and individual aggressiveness. However, the role of these factors has been poorly documented in the tropics, particularly in high‐elevation bird species. We report the home‐range size of a Neotropical Andean bird, the gray‐browed brush finch (Arremon assimilis), and evaluate the role of physical condition in explaining variation in home‐range size among individuals. We performed spot mapping to estimate the home ranges of 14 territorial males in Bogotá, Colombia, using minimum convex polygons (MCP) and 95% kernel density estimators (KDE). The mean home‐range size estimated for the 100% MCP was 0.522 ± 0.305 ha (range = 0.15–1.18 ha), whereas the 95% KDE estimation was 0.504 ± 0.471 ha (range = 0.13–1.88). We calculated the real mass index of each bird as a proxy of physical condition to assess whether individuals in better physical condition had larger home ranges. Because we found no relation between our estimations of physical condition and home‐range size, we conclude that space use in this species might depend more on ecological factors such as habitat quality or neighbor density than on individual traits.Abstract in French is available with online material.