bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between availability of WLB practices and financial results
Authors: Martínez-León Inocencia María , Olmedo-Cifuentes Isabel , Sanchez-Vidal M. Eugenia 
Published: May 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of work-life balance (WLB) practices on the financial results of Spanish accounting audit SMEs.Design/methodology/approachUsing survey data from 148 Spanish accounting audit SMEs, a regression analysis was developed to estimate the direct effects of WLB practices on firms’ financial results (return on capital employed and return on assets). Firm age and size are considered as control variables.FindingsSenior managers should foster some WLB practices (time-reduction and flexible-work practices) so as to enhance SME audit firms’ financial results. Work-leave practices should be analyzed so as to promote some positive outcomes for firms, through internal reorganization or by reorienting employees to resorting to the most beneficial practices.Practical implicationsNot all WLB practices have positive effects on the business results of SMEs. Therefore, managers may try to reduce these negative effects or redirect employees to WLB practices that have more positive effects on their firms’ financial results. Strategic information is also provided to employees and public institutions about fostering WLB in SMEs.Social implicationsThe availability of WLB practices has been deemed fundamental not only for policy makers and society, but also for the organizational culture and for human resource management practices.Originality/valueThis study is the first to investigate the association between the availability of WLB initiatives in SMEs and firms’ financial results.
Effect of aluminium content and processing parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of laser powder-bed fused magnesium-aluminium (0, 3, 6, 9wt%) powder mixture
Authors: Niu Xiaomiao , Shen Hongyao , Xu Guanhua , Zhang Linchu , Fu Jianzhong , Deng Xiaolei 
Published: May 2019

Purpose
Mg-Al powder mixture was used to manufacture Mg-Al alloy by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process. This study aims to investigate the influence of initial Al content and processing parameters on the formability, microstructure and consequent mechanical properties of the laser powder bed fused (LPBFed) component.

Design/methodology/approach
In this study, Al powder with different weight ratio ranged from 3 to 9 per cent was mixed with pure Mg powder, and the powder mixture was processed using different LPBF parameters. Microstructure and compressive properties of the LPBFed components were examined.

Findings
It was found that the presence of Al significantly modified the microstructure and improved the mechanical properties of the LPBFed components. Higher volume of ß-Al12Mg17 precipitates was produced at higher initial Al content and higher laser energy density. For this reason, the a-Mg was significantly refined and the compressive strength was improved. The highest yield compressive strength achieved was 279 MPa when using Mg-9 Wt. % Al mixture.

Originality/value
This work demonstrates that LPBF of Mg-Al powder mixture was a viable way to additively manufacture Mg-Al alloy. Both Al content and processing parameters can be modified to control the microstructure and mechanical properties of the LPBFed components.
Title sponsorship of cause-related sport events
Authors: O’Reilly Norm , Deshpande Sameer , Faulkner Guy , Latimer Amy , Leblanc Allana , Rhodes Ryan E. , Tremblay Mark , Werman Melissa 
Published: May 2019

Purpose
Corporations often benefit from associating their brand(s) with a sports property; in some cases, the property is owned or supported by a not-for-profit organization (NFP) championing a cause. Title sponsorship of such a sport event has received limited research attention but is important to a NFP for raising funds and in-kind contributions to support their cause. The purpose of this paper is to investigate title sponsorship of cause-related sport events.

Design/methodology/approach
This research examines the title sponsorship of a cause-related sport event and its effectiveness in relation to the event, the organization, the cause and other sponsors of the NFP. Specifically, this study examines these questions in the context of a specific annual event, Sports Day in Canada organized by ParticipACTION, a national Canadian NFP and whose title sponsor is Royal Bank of Canada (RBC).

Findings
Results show that title sponsorship has significant potential value for the sponsor and the cause, perhaps to the detriment of other (lower tier) sponsors of the event and the NFP.

Originality/value
This research has value to sponsors and cause-related sport events alike. In the case of sponsors, it provides insight into the value of title sponsorship vs other categories of sponsorship, for a brand considering sponsorship of cause-related sport property. For cause-related sport events, the research informs about the importance and possible revenue generation opportunity linked to the title sponsor category.
Crude oil price and implied volatility
Authors: Fousekis Panos 
Published: May 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate empirically the pattern of co-movement between prices and implied volatility in the future markets for crude oil.

Design/methodology/approach
The tool of non-parametric quantile regression is applied to daily price returns and implied volatility changes from 2007 to 2018.

Findings
For the total sample period, the link between price returns and forward-looking volatility expectations is contemporaneous, negative and asymmetric, and it exhibits an (approximately) inverted U-shaped pattern suggesting that: the pricing of implied volatility is heavier for large (in absolute value terms) changes relative to small ones and it is lighter for large positive changes relative to large negative ones. The pattern of co-movement, therefore, appears to be in line with the theoretical postulates of fear, exuberance and loss aversion. The main characteristics of the relationship are present in some (but not in all) sub-periods, which are also considered in this study.

Originality/value
Less than a handful of works have assessed the link between implied volatility and prices for commodity ETFs. This is the first one relying on flexible non-parametric quantile regressions.
Detection of Clostridium perfringens in tsunami deposits after the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Makino Asuka , Xu Jun , Nishimura Junko , Isogai Emiko 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe Great East Japan Earthquake struck off the Tohoku and caused a tsunami in 2011. Most of the microbial characteristics of tsunami‐affected soil remain unknown and no published study has shown how a tsunami affects the risk of infection by Clostridium perfringens living in soil. In 2011 and 2015, C. perfringens was assessed in deposits in soil from tsunami‐damaged areas and undamaged areas of Miyagi. It was found that the number of C. perfringens was overwhelmingly greater in 2011 than in 2015 in the tsunami‐damaged areas. According to real‐time PCR, the prevalence C. perfringens organisms (%) was 103 fold greater in the damaged than in the undamaged areas.
Prior selfing can mitigate the negative effects of mutual reproductive interference between coexisting congeners
Authors: Katsuhara Koki R. , Ushimaru Atushi 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

When more than one closely related plant species share the same pollination niche, reproductive interference via interspecific pollen transfer should limit their coexistence. However, some studies have reported the sympatric coexistence of two native close relatives pollinated by the same pollinators under reproductive interference, even without niche partitioning.

We examined the frequency dependency of reproductive interference between close relatives in natural conditions and the potential roles of autonomous selfing in mitigating the negative reproductive interference effects between congeneric species. We investigated sympatrically growing Commelina communis (Cc) and C. c. f. ciliata (Ccfc) populations. These species exhibit very large overlaps in habitat preference, flowering phenology and pollination niche, but seldom produce hybrids. First, we conducted a hand‐pollination experiment to examine the negative effects of heterospecific pollen deposition on seed production and the potential of self‐pollination to mitigate the effects in both species. Then, we examined the effects of reproductive interference on reproductive success and the potential for autonomous selfing in the field.

We found significant negative effects of heterospecific pollen deposition on seed production and the mitigation effects of prior and competing self‐pollination, in both Cc and Ccfc. For both species in the field, intraspecific pollinator movements and reproductive success significantly decreased with an increase in the relative floral abundance of competing species, although the negative reproductive interference effect on reproductive success was lower in Cc than in Ccfc. We also found greater potential for prior autonomous selfing in Cc than in Ccfc. Our findings suggest that Cc flowers were less affected by reproductive interference from competing species, which was likely due to a higher prior selfing ability compared to Ccfc flowers. The asymmetry in susceptibility to reproductive interference may explain the Cc‐biased distribution in the study area.

The study improves our understanding of how prior autonomous selfing can reduce the negative reproductive interference effect from competing species in mixed‐mating species with frequent pollinator visits.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
The Roots of Informal Responses to Regulatory Change: Non‐compliant Small Firms and the National Living Wage
Authors: Ram Monder , Edwards Paul , Meardi Guglielmo , Jones Trevor , Doldor Sabina 
Published: May 2019

AbstractHow do small ‘non‐compliant’ firms (those evading existing regulations) react to further regulatory change? The impact of the National Living Wage in the UK in 2016 is analysed through 22 mostly longitudinal case studies of small non‐compliant firms. The varied responses, endurance of non‐compliance, and blurred and dynamic nature of transitions to compliance are discussed through the lens of institutional approaches to informality. The analysis sheds new light on the relative autonomy of micro processes and the conditions under which external forces affect these processes. Non‐compliant informality, as a persisting feature of small business, is unlikely to be transformed by legal regulation alone.
Review article: Goals‐of‐care discussions for adult patients nearing end of life in emergency departments: A systematic review
Authors: Hanning Jennifer , Walker Katherine J , Horrigan Diane , Levinson Michele , Mills Amber 
Published: May 2019

AbstractGoals‐of‐care discussions at end‐of‐life are associated with increased patient satisfaction and reduced treatment burdens, reduced family and healthcare worker distress and healthcare costs, while achieving equal life‐expectancy. It is unclear how goals‐of‐care discussions should occur. The objective of the study was to determine which patients could benefit, requirements, content, documentation, and harms and benefits of emergency medicine goals‐of‐care discussions. We sought primary evidence on goals‐of‐care discussions in EDs with adult patients nearing end‐of‐life, published in English after 1989. Data sources included Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science and reference lists of included articles. One thousand nine hundred and twenty abstracts were screened, five articles selected. There was no consensus on the meaning of goals‐of‐care, which is often confused with advanced care planning and treatment limitation. Emergency clinicians can identify most patients needing discussions following training. There was no evidence for how to involve stakeholders, nor how to adapt conversations to meet cultural and linguistically diverse needs. Expert panels have suggested requirements and content for conversations with little supporting evidence. There was no evidence for how emergency conversations differ to those in other settings, nor for harms or benefits for holding goals‐of‐care conversations in EDs. Increased ED goals‐of‐care conversations increased hospice referral and reduced in‐patient admissions. Most studies were of moderate quality only, outcomes were not standardised and sample sizes were small. ‘Goals‐of‐care’ is used inconsistently across the literature. This is the first systematic review regarding goals‐of‐care discussions in EDs. Further research is needed on all aspects of these conversations.
TMIS: a new image‐based software application for the measurement of tear meniscus height
Authors: Yang Jiarui , Zhu Xingyu , Liu Yushi , Jiang Xiaodan , Fu Jiayu , Ren Xiaotong , Li Kaixiu , Qiu Weiqiang , Li Xuemin , Yao Jun 
Published: May 2019

AbstractPurposeTo present a new automated image recognition software for the measurement of tear meniscus height (TMH) and investigate its correlation and efficacy compared with an open‐source software (NIH ImageJ) and manual evaluation.MethodsA total of 520 slit lamp photographs, among which 276 were in ×16 magnification and 244 were ×40 magnified, captured from 138 eyes of 69 healthy subjects were assessed for TMH by the new automated Tear Meniscus Identification Software (TMIS), ImageJ and human graders. Images processing of TMIS included filtration, recognition and measurement of slit lamp photographs under certain algorithm, which output two measurement patterns, TMISMax and TMISMean. TMH measured by ImageJ software, considered as the reference value, was conducted by a masked observer while four masked ophthalmologists performed the manual evaluation.ResultsIn both magnifications, TMH measured by TMISMean showed similar values with ImageJ while manual evaluation demonstrated underestimated results, and a strong correlation was detected between TMIS and ImageJ. In ×16 magnified photographs, manually obtained TMH revealed a higher correlation with ImageJ, whereas a notably stronger correlation of TMIS with ImageJ was observed in ×40 photographs. Correspondingly, the accuracy for both TMISMax and TMISMean appeared to be lower than most doctors in ×16 slit lamp images, in contrast to a better precision of TMISMean in ×40 ones.ConclusionThe new software displayed high accuracy and efficacy in ×40 magnification and TMISMean pattern, suggesting the possibility of this automated TMH measurement platform to be a valid tool in dry eye screening and follow‐up practice.
Cardiac changes during the peri‐menopausal period in a VCD‐induced murine model of ovarian failure
Authors: Fernandes Rosephine Del , Hall Alexandra , Ferguson Melissa , Lorenzen‐Schmidt Ilka , Balasubramaniam Vishali , Pyle W. Glen 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimCardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is lower in pre‐menopausal females vs age matched males. After menopause risk equals or exceeds that of males. CVD protection of pre‐menopausal females is ascribed to high circulating oestrogen levels. Despite experimental evidence that oestrogen are cardioprotective, oestrogen replacement therapy trials have not shown clear benefits. One hypothesis to explain the discrepancy proposed hearts remodel during peri‐menopause. Peri‐menopasual myocardial changes have never been investigated, nor has the ability of oestrogen to regulate heart function during peri‐menopause.MethodsWe injected female mice with 4‐vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD, 160 mg/kg/d IP) to cause gradual ovarian failure over 120d and act as a peri‐menopausal modelResultsLeft ventricular function assessed by Langendorff perfusion found no changes in VCD‐injected mice at 60 or 120 days compared to intact mice. Cardiac myofilament activity was altered at 60 and 120 days indicating a molecular remodelling in peri‐menopause. Myocardial TGF‐β1 increased at 60 days post‐VCD treatment along with reduced Akt phosphorylation. Acute activation of oestrogen receptor‐α (ERα) or ‐β (ERβ) depressed left ventricular contractility in hearts from intact mice. ER‐regulation of myocardial and myofilament function, and myofilament phosphorylation, were disrupted in the peri‐menopausal model. Disruption occurred without alterations in total ERα or ERβ expression.ConclusionsThis is the first study to demonstrate remodelling of the heart in a model of peri‐menopause, along with a disruption in ER‐dependent regulation of the heart. These data indicate that oestrogen replacement therapy initiated after menopause affects a heart that is profoundly different from that found in reproductively intact animals.
Human renal response to furosemide: Simultaneous oxygenation and perfusion measurements in cortex and medulla
Authors: Haddock Bryan , Larsson Henrik B. W. , Francis Susan , Andersen Ulrik B. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimDisturbances of renal medullary perfusion and metabolism have been implicated in the pathogenesis of kidney disease and hypertension. Furosemide, a loop diuretic, is widely used to prevent renal medullary hypoxia in acute kidney disease by uncoupling sodium metabolism, but its effects on medullary perfusion in humans are unknown. We performed quantitative imaging of both renal perfusion and oxygenation using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) before and during furosemide. Based on the literature, we hypothesized that furosemide would increase medullary oxygenation, decrease medullary perfusion, but cause minor changes (<10%) in renal artery flow (RAF).MethodsInterleaved measurements of RAF, oxygenation (T2*) and perfusion by arterial spin labelling in the renal cortex and medulla of 9 healthy subjects were acquired before and after an injection of 20 mg furosemide. They were preceded by measurements made during isometric exercise (5 minutes handgrip bouts), which are known to induce changes in renal hemodynamics, that served as a control for the sensitivity of the hemodynamic MRI measurements. Experiments were repeated on a second day to establish that the measurements and the induced changes were reproducible.ResultsAfter furosemide, T2* values in the medulla increased by 53% (P < 0.01) while RAF and perfusion remained constant. After hand‐grip exercise, T2* values in renal medulla increased by 22% ± 9% despite a drop in medullary perfusion of 7.2% ± 4.7% and a decrease in renal arterial flow of 17.5% ± 1.7% (P < 0.05). Mean coefficients of variation between repeated measurements for all parameters were 7%.ConclusionFurosemide induced the anticipated increase in renal medullary oxygenation, attributable exclusively to a decrease in renal oxygen consumption, since no change of RAF, cortical or medullary perfusion could be demonstrated. All measures and the induced changes were reproducible.
A case of zolpidem dependence with extremely high daily doses
Authors: Bajaj Vikrant , Kalra Ishat , Bajaj Arushi , Sharma Devasheesh , Kumar Rohit 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe human population has been witnessing an increase in the number of diseases which are a consequence of progressively increasing physical and mental stress. Insomnia is one such condition whose prevalence is rising all over the world. Apart from the conventional behavioral interventions and use of benzodiazepines, the use of non‐benzodiazepine drugs has seen a surge in recent times. The various adverse effects associated with benzodiazepines, dependence potential being one of them, led to an ever increasing use of non‐benzodiazepine sedatives like zolpidem and zopiclone all over the world. But with their continuous and ever increasing use, it is seen that even these drugs carry dependence potential. Numerous cases of zolpidem abuse have been reported in literature until now. Here, we are presenting the case of a zolpidem‐dependent patient who consumed it in quantities of 2400 mg/day, a quantity not reported anywhere in literature and around 240 times more than its usual prescribed daily dosage.
Problematic smartphone use and related factors in young patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Lee Ju‐Yeon , Chung Young‐Chul , Kim Seon‐Young , Kim Jae‐Min , Shin Il‐Seon , Yoon Jin‐Sang , Kim Sung‐Wan 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIntroductionThe present study aimed to examine smartphone use in young patients with schizophrenia and to explore factors that may affect the severity of problematic smartphone use.MethodsA total of 148 schizophrenia patients aged 18 to 35 years completed self‐administered questionnaires exploring sociodemographic characteristics; Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), the Big Five Inventory‐10 (BFI‐10), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale (RSES). All were also assessed using the Clinician‐Rated Dimensions of Psychosis Symptom Severity (CRDPSS) Scale and the Personal and Social Performance (PSP) Scale.ResultsThe mean subject age was 27.5 ± 4.5 years. No significant differences in the SAS scores occurred between gender, jobs, and level of education. The Pearson r‐correlation test showed that the SAS scores were significantly positively correlated with HADS anxiety, PSS, and BFI‐10 neuroticism scores; it was negatively correlated with RSES, BFI‐10 agreeableness, and conscientiousness scores. In the stepwise linear regression analysis, the severity of PSU was significantly associated with both high anxiety and low agreeableness.DiscussionOur results suggest that specific groups of patients with schizophrenia may require special care to prevent problematic smartphone use.
Steady‐state population pharmacokinetics of terizidone and its metabolite cycloserine in patients with drug‐resistant tuberculosis
Authors: Mulubwa Mwila , Mugabo Pierre 
Published: May 2019

AimsDespite terizidone being part of the second‐line recommended drugs for treatment of drug‐resistant tuberculosis (DR‐TB), information on its pharmacokinetics is scarce. The aim of this study was to describe the steady‐state population pharmacokinetics (PPK) of terizidone and its primary metabolite cycloserine in patients with DR‐TB and determine the effect of patient characteristics.MethodsThis clinical study involved 39 adult DR‐TB patients admitted to Brewelskloof Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa for intensive treatment phase. Blood samples were collected at predose and 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 3.5, 4, 8, 16 and 24 hours after drug administration. The estimation of PPK parameters was performed using nonlinear mixed‐effects modelling software Monolix 2018R1. Free‐fat mass was used to perform allometric scaling on disposition parameters.ResultsA 1‐compartment model best described the pharmacokinetics of terizidone and cycloserine. A modified transit compartment model described the absorption of terizidone. The parameters of terizidone model were mean transit time (1.7 h), absorption rate constant (2.97 h−1), apparent volume of distribution (Vp/F: 13.4 L) and apparent total clearance (0.51 L h−1). In the joint model, apparent fraction of terizidone converted to cycloserine was 0.29 while apparent clearance of terizidone via other routes and apparent cycloserine clearance was 0.1 L h−1 and 2.94 L h−1, respectively. Serum albumin had significant effect on Vp/F.ConclusionsThe developed PPK model described well the concentration–time profile for terizidone and cycloserine in DR‐TB patients. High albumin concentration was associated with low Vp/F.