bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reducing uncertainty in follow‐up foreign direct investment: Imitation by family firms
Authors: Fourné Sebastian P. L. , Zschoche Miriam 
Published: October 2018

Research SummaryThis paper examines to what extent family firms rely on imitation when deciding on foreign investment growth, highlighting the role of mimetic isomorphism and social categories. We propose that family firms pursue trait‐based imitation to reduce uncertainty in follow‐up foreign direct investment (FDI), and test our predictions on a large sample of German family firms. We find that family firms imitate successful peers that are also owned by a family. A family firm's tendency to imitate is strengthened during the initial years in a foreign market or when the firm is publicly listed. Performance below or above social aspiration strengthens or weakens imitation, respectively. We discuss the implications for research at the nexus of foreign investment growth, social categories, and the pursuit of imitation by family firms.
Managerial SummaryExperience in a foreign market helps firms to reduce uncertainty in follow‐up FDI. Besides experience gathered from own investments, firms might also learn from investment decision of peers in this market. By examining the foreign investment strategies of family firms over time, this study identifies mimetic behavior in follow‐up FDI. The inclination to imitate visible, family‐owned peer firms is stronger during the initial years in a foreign market, when underperforming relative to competitors, and when there are outside shareholders. Family firm managers rely less on imitation when outperforming their competitors.
Regional subcortical shape analysis in premanifest Huntington's disease
Authors: Tang Xiaoying , Ross Christopher A. , Johnson Hans , Paulsen Jane S. , Younes Laurent , Albin Roger L. , Ratnanather J. Tilak , Miller Michael I. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHuntington's disease (HD) involves preferential and progressive degeneration of striatum and other subcortical regions as well as regional cortical atrophy. It is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the Huntingtin gene, and the longer the expansion the earlier the age of onset. Atrophy begins prior to manifest clinical signs and symptoms, and brain atrophy in premanifest expansion carriers can be studied. We employed a diffeomorphometric pipeline to contrast subcortical structures’ morphological properties in a control group with three disease groups representing different phases of premanifest HD (far, intermediate, and near to onset) as defined by the length of the CAG expansion and the participant's age (CAG‐Age‐Product). A total of 1,428 magnetic resonance image scans from 694 participants from the PREDICT‐HD cohort were used. We found significant region‐specific atrophies in all subcortical structures studied, with the estimated abnormality onset time varying from structure to structure. Heterogeneous shape abnormalities of caudate nuclei were present in premanifest HD participants estimated furthest from onset and putaminal shape abnormalities were present in participants intermediate to onset. Thalamic, hippocampal, and amygdalar shape abnormalities were present in participants nearest to onset. We assessed whether the estimated progression of subcortical pathology in premanifest HD tracked specific pathways. This is plausible for changes in basal ganglia circuits but probably not for changes in hippocampus and amygdala. The regional shape analyses conducted in this study provide useful insights into the effects of HD pathology in subcortical structures.
[FeFe]‐hydrogenase H‐cluster mimics mediated by mixed (S, Se) and (S, Te) bridging moieties: Insight into molecular structures and electrochemical characteristics
Authors: Abul‐Futouh Hassan , El‐khateeb Mohammad , Görls Helmar , Weigand Wolfgang 
Published: October 2018

AbstractTwo synthetic models of the active site of [FeFe]‐hydrogenase containing mixed (S, Se) and (S, Te) bridges have been synthesized and characterized. These complexes [Fe2(CO)6{μ‐S(CH2)4E‐μ)}] (E = Se (1), Te (2)) are obtained in moderate yields from the reaction of Fe3(CO)12 with 1,2‐thiaselenane or 1,2‐thiatellurane. They have been characterized by spectroscopic techniques (IR, 1H‐, 13C{1H}‐, 77Se{1H}‐, 125Te{1H}‐NMR, and MS) and elemental analysis. The structures of [Fe2(CO)6{μ‐S(CH2)4Se‐μ)}] and [Fe2(CO)6{μ‐S(CH2)4Te‐μ)}] are determined by X‐ray structure determination and show the expected butterfly geometry. Moreover, the influence of the mixed chalcogen atoms on the redox properties and the catalytic behavior of 1 and 2 are studied using cyclic voltammetry.
The simultaneous disclosure of shareholder and stakeholder corporate governance practices and their antecedents
Authors: Gyapong Ernest , Afrifa Godfred Adjapong 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIn making corporate governance (CG)‐related disclosure, firms may solely focus on shareholders or may broaden their scope of disclosure to serve other stakeholders as well. This study examines whether there are differences in the disclosure of shareholder and stakeholder CG practices. Based on a hand‐collected dataset of 1,110 firm years in South Africa and a disclosure index using 72 CG provisions from the King III report of CG, we find that the disclosure of stakeholder CG practices is higher than that of shareholder CG practices. Our evidence suggests that foreign ownership, institutional ownership, racial diversity, and gender diversity increase total voluntary disclosure. In contrast, chief executive officer (CEO) age decreases total voluntary disclosure. Also, although foreign ownership, institutional ownership, gender diversity, and racial diversity increase both shareholder and stakeholder CG disclosures, CEO age has a negative relationship with both shareholder and stakeholder CG disclosures. Further, board size reduces shareholder disclosure but not stakeholder disclosure. Our results further indicate that, ceteris paribus, the extent of shareholder CG disclosure relative to stakeholder CG disclosure is (a) lower with board size, gender diversity, and racial diversity and (b) higher with the level of institutional ownership. Our findings are robust across a raft of econometric techniques.
Abortion as a human right: The struggle to implement the abortion law in Colombia
Authors: Stifani Bianca M. , Gil Urbano Laura , Gonzalez Velez Ana Cristina , Villarreal Velásquez Cristina 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIn 2006, a Colombian Constitutional Court decision legalized abortion in cases of risk to a woman's physical or mental health, fetal malformation incompatible with life, or rape or incest. This decision resulted from legal action brought by feminist groups, and frames abortion as a human right. Advocates played a key role in implementing the new law by educating providers and the public about its broad interpretations. Healthcare providers and facilities did not have an organized response to the new law. Nonprofit organizations filled this gap, and provide a majority of legal abortions throughout the country. Civil society facilitated implementation of the new law by providing legal accompaniment to women facing barriers to accessing abortions. Despite these efforts, few legal abortions are performed each year, and clandestine, often unsafe abortions continue to prevail. Lack of information about the new law, stigma, and fluctuating political will remain key barriers.
From harm reduction to legalization: The Uruguayan model for safe abortion
Authors: Stifani Bianca M. , Couto Martin , Lopez Gomez Alejandra 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAdvocacy by feminists and healthcare providers was essential in passing the 2012 bill legalizing abortion in Uruguay, which was primarily framed in terms of a public health imperative. Prior to legalization, a group of influential physicians had established a “harm reduction” approach consisting of pre‐ and postabortion counseling with a focus on safer abortion methods. The existence of a network of providers from this initiative facilitated the implementation of abortion services after legalization. Particularities of the Uruguayan model include a strong focus on medical abortion, and a multidisciplinary approach to patient counseling. The implementation of services was largely successful, and rates of abortion‐related morbidity and mortality have decreased. Remaining concerns include high rates of conscientious objection and insufficient human resources to staff interdisciplinary counseling teams. The focus on medical abortion has led to a lack of method choice. Finally, data collection gaps complicate monitoring and identification of barriers to access.
Label‐free optical detection of cyclosporine in biological fluids
Authors: Marzejon Marcin , Kosowska Monika , Majchrowicz Daria , Bułło‐Piontecka Barbara , Wąsowicz Michał , Jędrzejewska‐Szczerska Małgorzata 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIn this paper, a spectroscopic method for determination of cyclosporine concentrations in biological fluids is presented. Blood plasma and hemoglobin solutions are chosen for the experiment. For various cyclosporine concentrations in blood plasma and hemoglobin, absorbance measurements in spectra range from 600 to 1100 nm are performed. The measurement results are analyzed by the use of a dedicated algorithm. The obtained data are characterized by a high coefficient of correlation R2, which is equal to 0.9461 and 0.9808 for blood plasma and hemoglobin, respectively. The proposed method enables the selective detection of cyclosporine level and could be applied in medicine and laboratory diagnostics. The obtained result can be the base to build the point‐of‐care CsA level detection optical sensor.
Hemostasis testing and therapeutic plasma exchange: Results of a practice survey
Authors: Zantek Nicole D. , Pagano Monica B. , Rollins‐Raval Marian A. , Smith Roy E. , Schmidt Amy E. , Crane Jason E. , Boral Leonard I. , Li Yanhua , Svensson Annika M. , Yamada Chisa , Wu Yanyun , Wong Edward C. C. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIntroductionPerforming therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) with albumin replacement decreases coagulation factor and platelet levels. No defined guidelines exist regarding laboratory testing to assess hemostasis in patients undergoing TPE.Materials and methodsA survey to evaluate hemostasis testing with TPE was distributed using online survey software. One response per institution was analyzed based on a hierarchical algorithm, excluding membrane filtration users, resulting in a maximum of 120 respondents per question. Descriptive analysis was performed with results reported as the number and/or frequency (%) of respondents to each question.ResultsThe practices represented vary by institution type, number of apheresis procedures per year, and performance of TPE on children. Prior to TPE planned with albumin replacement, many respondents obtain laboratory studies for almost all patients (54.9% outpatients and 68.7% inpatients); however, some do not routinely obtain laboratory studies (9.7% outpatients and 4.4% inpatients). Hemoglobin/hematocrit, platelet count, fibrinogen, partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and international normalized ratio (INR) are obtained prior to all TPE by 62.5%, 53.4%, 31.0%, 18.1%, and 17.7% of respondents, respectively; however, 1.0%, 8.7%, 29.0%, 38.3%, and 35.4%, respectively, do not routinely obtain these studies. Variation was observed in laboratory threshold values for action; the most common reported were hemoglobin/hematocrit <7 g/dL or 21% (31.0%), platelet count <50 × 109/L (24.1%), fibrinogen <100 mg/dL (65.3%), aPTT >reference range and >1.5 times reference range (tied, 28.1%), and INR >1.5 (20.7%).ConclusionsPractice variation exists in hemostasis laboratory testing and threshold values for action with TPE. Further studies are needed to determine optimal hemostasis testing strategies with TPE.
NAP modulates hyperglycemic–inflammatory event of diabetic retina by counteracting outer blood retinal barrier damage
Authors: D'Amico Agata Grazia , Maugeri Grazia , Rasà Daniela , Federico Concetta , Saccone Salvatore , Lazzara Francesca , Fidilio Annamaria , Drago Filippo , Bucolo Claudio , D'Agata Velia 
Published: October 2018

AbstractDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common microvascular complication of diabetes. Prolonged hyperglycemia stimulates inflammatory pathway characterized by the release of some cytokines leading to the impairment of blood retinal barrier (BRB). NAP exerts a protective effect in various eye diseases, including DR. So far, the role of NAP in the modulation of inflammatory event during early phase of this pathology has not been investigated yet. In the current study, we have studied the retinal protective effect of NAP, injected into the eye, in diabetic rats. NAP treatment exerts a dual effect downregulating interleukin (IL)‐1β and its related receptors and upregulating IL‐1Ra expression. We have also tested the role of this peptide in human retinal epithelial cells (ARPE19) cultured on a semipermeable support and exposed to hyperglycemic–inflammatory insult, representing a in vitro model of diabetic macular edema, a clinical manifestation of DR. The results have shown that NAP prevents outer BRB impairment by upregulating the tight junctions. In conclusion, deepened characterization of NAP action mechanism on hyperglycemic–inflammatory damage may be useful to develop a new strategy to prevent retinal damage during DR.
Impact of sarcopenia on prognostic value of cirrhosis: going beyond the hepatic venous pressure gradient and MELD score
Authors: Kang Seong Hee , Jeong Woo Kyoung , Baik Soon Koo , Cha Seung Hwan , Kim Moon Young 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundSarcopenia has been reported as a prognostic factor. We evaluated the impact of sarcopenia to the conventional prognostic factors [Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, Child–Turcotte–Pugh (CTP) score, hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG)] in cirrhosis.MethodsOverall, 452 patients with cirrhosis were stratified by MELD score (low < 15, high ≥ 15), CTP class, and HVPG [non‐clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH), 6–9 mmHg; CSPH, 10–19 mmHg; extremely severe PH, ≥20 mmHg]. L3 skeletal muscle index as marker of sarcopenia was subdivided into quartiles (47.01–52.25–58.22 cm2/m2).ResultsAmong the patients, 42% (190/452) presented with sarcopenia. During a median follow‐up period of 21.2 months, sarcopenia was associated with mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.253, P < 0.001) and specifically with compensated and early decompensated stages of cirrhosis, but not with advanced decompensated stages; low (P < 0.001) and high (P = 0.095) MELD scores; CTP classes A (P = 0.034), B (P < 0.001), and C (P = 0.205); and non‐CSPH (P = 0.018), CSPH (P < 0.001), and extremely severe PH (P = 0.846). In quartiles of sarcopenia, MELD score, CTP class, and HVPG were independent predictors of mortality in non‐sarcopenia, but not in severe sarcopenia (MELD, P = 0.182; CTP, P = 0.187; HVPG, P = 0.077).ConclusionsSarcopenia is associated with mortality in compensated and early decompensated cirrhosis, and existing conventional prognostic factors had limited value in severe sarcopenia. Therefore, incorporating sarcopenia in the conventional prognostic factors had added value, particularly in compensated and early decompensated cirrhosis. Subclassification of prognostic factors according to sarcopenia may help to better assess the prognosis of cirrhosis.
Paediatric appendiceal ultrasound: a survey of Australasian sonographers’ opinions on examination performance and sonographic criteria
Authors: Reddan Tristan , Corness Jonathan , Harden Fiona , Mengersen Kerrie 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe objectives of this study were to identify knowledge gaps and/or perceived limitations in the performance of paediatric appendiceal ultrasound by Australasian sonographers. We hypothesised that: sonographers’ confidence in visualising the appendix in children was poor, particularly outside predominantly paediatric practice; workplace support for prolonging examinations to improve visualisation was limited; and the sonographic criteria applied in diagnosis did not reflect contemporary literature.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey of Australasian sonographers regarding paediatric appendicitis was conducted using a mixed methods approach (quantitative and qualitative data). Text responses were analysed for key themes, and quantitative data analysed using chi‐square, Mann–Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests.ResultsOf the 124 respondents, 27 (21.8%) reported a visualisation rate of less than 10%. Workplace support for extending examination time was significantly related to a higher appendix visualisation rate (χ2(2) = 16.839, P < 0.001). Text responses reported frustration locating the appendix and a desire for more time and practice to improve visualisation. Sonographers suggested a significantly lower maximum diameter cut‐off in a 5‐year‐old compared to a 13‐year‐old (Z = −6.07, P < 0.001), and considered the presence of inflamed peri‐appendiceal mesentery as the most useful sonographic criterion in diagnosing acute appendicitis.ConclusionsRespondents had a low opinion of their ability to confidently identify the appendix. Confidence was greater in those centres where extending scanning time was encouraged. Application of echogenic mesentery as the most significant secondary sonographic criterion is supported by recent studies. Opinions of diameter cut‐offs varied, indicating potential for improved awareness of recent research.
Teams as boundaries: How intra‐team and inter‐team brokerage influence network changes in knowledge‐seeking networks
Authors: Balkundi Prasad , Wang Lei , Kishore Rajiv 
Published: October 2018

SummaryWhat role does an ego's brokerage location—within a team (intra‐team) or outside the team (inter‐team)—play in the evolution of an instrumental knowledge‐seeking network in terms of both proximal (i.e., within the team) and distal (i.e., outside the team) tie formation and tie decay? We address this question by drawing on literature about social networks, brokerage, and teams. We use temporally separated data from 302 students embedded in 97 teams to test our hypotheses about the impacts of intra‐team and inter‐team brokerage on proximal and distal network evolution, specifically on four network changes in knowledge‐seeking networks: proximal tie formation, proximal tie decay, distal tie formation, and distal tie decay. We find that these four changes depend on individual network brokerage location even after controlling for personality and task characteristics. Specifically, inter‐team brokers change their networks both within and outside their teams, whereas intra‐team brokers curtail their network changes. We argue that these opposite effects occur because inter‐team brokers have greater autonomy than intra‐team brokers. This study adds to the ongoing dialog about network evolution in social network literature and to the conversations about brokerage and its location in the context of team‐based work.
Gold‐patterned microarray chips for ultrasensitive surface‐enhanced Raman scattering detection of ultratrace samples
Authors: Chen Si , Guo Zhinan , Sang David K. , Wang Huide , Xu Yanhua , Tang Siying , Luo Qian , Cao Rui , Wang Xiaolei , Zhang Ling , Liao Jianghai , Zhang Han , Yu Xue‐Feng , Zhao Bing , Fan Dianyuan 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis paper reports the fabrication of gold‐patterned microarray chips for fast and ultrasensitive surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection of trace samples. By micro‐nano machining based on electron‐beam lithography, magnetron sputtering, and chemical modification, gold‐patterned microarray chips with hydrophilic and hydrophobic periodic structures are fabricated, and a polyethylene glycol (PEG) layer is coated on the surface of the gold well, making the chips long‐term stable. The hydrophilic surface of each gold well is surrounded by a hydrophobic layer, which makes the ultratrace sample amount for SERS measurement only 0.3 μl. In the detection of malachite green (MG), 4‐mercaptopyridine (4‐MPY), rhodamine 6G (R6G), and melamine, great enhanced SERS signals with the detection limit reaching nM level can be achieved due to the enrichment effect of the periodic structures and the hot‐spots generated between the sandwich structure built on the gold wells. Such gold‐patterned microarray chip is promising in fast and ultrasensitive SERS detection of various chemical and biological species with trace amount.
Development of conventional PCR and real‐time PCR assays to discriminate the origins of Chinese pepper oil and herbal materials from Zanthoxylum
Authors: Kim Wook Jin , Yang Sungyu , Choi Goya , Park Inkyu , Noh Pureum , Seo Chang‐Seob , Moon Byeong Cheol 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDTo ensure the safety, quality and therapeutic efficacy of processed foods and herbal medicines, it is important to identify and discriminate economically motivated adulterants. Zanthoxylum schinifolium is sold at a higher price than other Zanthoxylum species and is frequently adulterated with closely related Zanthoxylum species because of its high demand as a Korean food ingredient and medicinal material in markets. In addition, the pericarps of three Zanthoxylum species (Z. schinifolium, Z. bungeanum and Z. piperitum) are defined as herbal medicine Zanthoxyli Pericarpium in Korean pharmacopoeias, but not Z. piperitum in Chinese pharmacopoeias. Further confusion arises in the morphological similarity between Z. armatum (adulterant) and Z. bungeanum. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker for discrimination of four Zanthoxylum species.RESULTSWith the goal of developing rapid and reliable tools for genetic discrimination of authentic Zanthoxyli Pericarpium, we designed species‐specific SCAR markers, based on ITS2 sequences, that generate amplicons of less than 200 bp. Using these markers, we established both conventional and real‐time PCR assay methods capable of differentiating samples at the species level. We validated the ability of SCAR markers to authenticate edible oil and herbal medicine, and confirmed that some herbal medicines contaminated with Z. armatum are being distributed as Zanthoxyli Pericarpium in Korean and Chinese markets.CONCLUSIONSThe SCAR markers and PCR methods described represent powerful tools for protecting against adulteration and ensuring standardization of processed foods and herbal medicine. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.