bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exporting and firm performance: evidence from India
Authors: Gupta Apoorva , Patnaik Ila , Shah Ajay 
Published: December 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the direction of causality between firm productivity and export status. The correlation can arise from multiple alternative causal models, and the authors study if more productive firms export, and/or if firms learn to export, and/or if firms learn by exporting.

Design/methodology/approach
The authors investigate these relationships, harnessing the natural experiments offered by firms which transitioned into exporting, in a dataset of Indian firms from 1989 to 2015. Each firm which made the transition is matched against a control which did not. The transitions take place across many years, thus permitting a matched event study in firm outcomes.

Findings
The authors find there is self-selection of more productive firms into exporting. Firms that make the transition into exporting become bigger, but there is little evidence of learning by exporting, of improvements in productivity right after exporting commences. However, there is evidence of learning to export, that is there is improvement in productivity of export starters in comparison to their productivity a couple of years before they begin to export.

Originality/value
The strength of the paper lies in an opportunity for sound measurement: we observe firms make a transition from domestic market into exporting. The transitions take place across many years, thus permitting a matched event study in firm outcomes. Using this methodology, the authors find that firms become more productive a few years before they export, that is they learn to export. They contribute to the literature by bringing evidence of “learning to export” from a developing country.
Risk factors for occupational stress among Greek police officers
Authors: Galanis Petros , Fragkou Despoina , Kaitelidou Daphne , Kalokairinou Athena , Katsoulas Theodoros A. 
Published: December 2018

PurposeIn view of the absence of police stress research in Greece, the purpose of this paper is to measure occupational stress among police officers and to investigate occupational stress risk factors.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study with a convenience sample was conducted among 336 police officers in Athens, Greece. Data collection was performed during January to March 2018 and the response rate was 77.8 percent. Demographic characteristics, job characteristics, lifestyle factors and coping strategies were considered possible risk factors. The “Operational Police Stress Questionnaire” and the “Organizational Police Stress Questionnaire” were used to measure occupational stress, while the “Brief Cope” questionnaire was used to measure coping strategies.FindingsRegarding service operation, the most stressor events were personal relationships outside work, tiredness, bureaucracy, injury risk and lack of leisure for family and friends. Regarding service organization, the most stressor events were lack of personnel, inappropriate equipment, lack of meritocracy, lack of sources and inappropriate distribution of responsibilities in work. According to multivariate analysis, increased use of avoidance-focused coping strategy, and decreased sleeping, physical exercise and family/friends support were associated with increased occupational stress. Moreover, police officers who work out of office experienced more occupational stress than police officers who work in office.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in Greece addressing the risk factors for occupational stress among police officers. Modifiable occupational stress risk factors among police officers were found and should be carefully managed to decrease stress and improve mental health.
RanGAP‐mediated nucleocytoplasmic transport of Prospero regulates neural stem cell lifespan in Drosophila larval central brain
Authors: Wu Di , Wu Litao , An Huanping , Bao Hongcun , Guo Pengfei , Zhang Bei , Zheng Huimei , Zhang Fan , Ge Wanzhong , Cai Yu , Xi Yongmei , Yang Xiaohang 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBy the end of neurogenesis in Drosophila pupal brain neuroblasts (NBs), nuclear Prospero (Pros) triggers cell cycle exit and terminates NB lifespan. Here, we reveal that in larval brain NBs, an intrinsic mechanism facilitates import and export of Pros across the nuclear envelope via a Ran‐mediated nucleocytoplasmic transport system. In rangap mutants, the export of Pros from the nucleus to cytoplasm is impaired and the nucleocytoplasmic transport of Pros becomes one‐way traffic, causing an early accumulation of Pros in the nuclei of the larval central brain NBs. This nuclear Pros retention initiates NB cell cycle exit and leads to a premature decrease of total NB numbers. Our data indicate that RanGAP plays a crucial role in this intrinsic mechanism that controls NB lifespan during neurogenesis. Our study may provide insights into understanding the lifespan of neural stem cells during neurogenesis in other organisms.
Knockdown of heterochromatin protein 1 binding protein 3 recapitulates phenotypic, cellular, and molecular features of aging
Authors: Neuner Sarah M. , Ding Shengyuan , Kaczorowski Catherine C. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIdentifying genetic factors that modify an individual's susceptibility to cognitive decline in aging is critical to understanding biological processes involved and mitigating risk associated with a number of age‐related disorders. Recently, heterochromatin protein 1 binding protein 3 (Hp1bp3) was identified as a mediator of cognitive aging. Here, we provide a mechanistic explanation for these findings and show that targeted knockdown of Hp1bp3 in the hippocampus by 50%–75% is sufficient to induce cognitive deficits and transcriptional changes reminiscent of those observed in aging and Alzheimer's disease brains. Specifically, neuroinflammatory‐related pathways become activated following Hp1bp3 knockdown in combination with a robust decrease in genes involved in synaptic activity and neuronal function. To test the hypothesis that Hp1bp3 mediates susceptibility to cognitive deficits via a role in neuronal excitability, we performed slice electrophysiology demonstrate transcriptional changes after Hp1bp3 knockdown manifest functionally as a reduction in hippocampal neuronal intrinsic excitability and synaptic plasticity. In addition, as Hp1bp3 is a known mediator of miRNA biogenesis, here we profile the miRNA transcriptome and identify mir‐223 as a putative regulator of a portion of observed mRNA changes, particularly those that are inflammatory‐related. In summary, work here identifies Hp1bp3 as a critical mediator of aging‐related changes at the phenotypic, cellular, and molecular level and will help inform the development of therapeutics designed to target either Hp1bp3 or its downstream effectors in order to promote cognitive longevity.
To sit or not to sit? A systematic review and meta‐analysis of seated exercise for older adults
Authors: Sexton Bernadette P , Taylor Nicholas F 
Published: December 2018

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of seated exercise on impairment, activity and participation levels of older adults living with a health condition or impairment.MethodsA systematic search of health databases combined concepts of seated exercise and controlled trials. Selected trials were appraised for quality and results synthesised by calculating standardised mean differences (SMD) and conducting meta‐analyses where appropriate.ResultsFourteen randomised controlled trials met inclusion criteria. Compared to usual care or social activities, seated exercise had a large positive effect on cognition (SMD 1.20, 95% confidence interval 0.25, 2.16) with smaller effects on strength, spinal flexion, activity, depression and quality of life. There was no effect on balance or mobility. There were no positive effects when seated exercise was compared to weight‐bearing and functional exercise.ConclusionSeated exercise has a positive effect on cognition and is also of some benefit for older adults who are unable to exercise in upright positions.
TWO DECADES OF DBFO ROADS IN THE UK AND SPAIN: AN EVALUATION OF THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Authors: ACERETE Basilio , GASCA Mar , STAFFORD Anne 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTRoad schemes are of major importance in the global PPP market. We focus on Design‐Build‐Finance‐Operate (DBFO) arrangements covered by shadow toll or availability payment mechanisms, where the UK and Spain are key players. Now that a good number of DBFO schemes in the UK and Spain have been operational for well over half the contract period, there is scope for a detailed ex post evaluation of DBFO performance in both countries and an analysis of how the DBFO model has evolved. Preliminary results show that these contracts continue to be very expensive for public administrations, especially in the UK, where the financing costs and fee per kilometre are high. On the other hand, they are an easy source of revenue for the parent companies of the concessionaires, where the increased use of subordinated debt rather than equity seeks to reduce risk. However, despite circumventing the controversial hard‐tolling, some projects in both Spain and the UK present poor outcomes. Several other problems around these projects are identified, including lack of public accountability and transparency or poor governance, raising long‐term questions around affordability and opportunities for further study.
Effects of initial functional‐group composition on assembly trajectory in savanna restoration
Authors: Coutinho André Ganem , Alves Monique , Sampaio Alexandre Bonesso , Schmidt Isabel Belloni , Vieira Daniel Luis Mascia 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAimsIndicators that can provide information during the early stages of restoration are very useful for predicting restoration outcomes. We posed the following questions: Can savanna restoration outcomes be affected by the initial functional‐group composition? Are there functional groups that, when established early, can prevent colonization by invasive grasses, trigger a successful restoration trajectory, and be used as early indicators of restoration success?LocationBrazilian savanna (cerrado) in Central Brazil (14°07′2.54″ S, 47°38′30.36″ W).MethodsWe established 110 plots spanning a naturally occurring range of species composition in savanna areas that had been restored through direct seeding. We looked for different initial compositions of the following functional groups: perennial grasses, annual grasses, short‐lived shrubs, and invasive grasses. We measured vegetation cover over two years and evaluated the effects of the initial functional composition on the successional trajectory of the plots.ResultsThe initial dominant functional group determined the assembly trajectory. Short‐lived and fast‐growing species were replaced by perennial species, indicating a fast species turnover. Invasive grass cover remained stable over time, demonstrating that once they establish and dominate an area, an alternative stable state is achieved.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate the importance of introducing a mixture of functional groups when restoring savannas in severely disturbed areas. Fast‐growing and short‐lived species are important for quickly covering the ground, creating the conditions for the establishment of perennial grasses that naturally dominate the herbaceous layer of savannas. Trees are also characteristic of the savanna structure and must be introduced. Our results indicate that invasive grasses must be eliminated and/or constantly controlled before native species are introduced.
Kinetics of T‐cell subset reconstitution following treatment with bendamustine and rituximab for low‐grade lymphoproliferative disease: a population‐based analysis
Authors: Martínez‐Calle Nicolás , Hartley Sarah , Ahearne Matthew , Kasenda Benjamin , Beech Amy , Knight Helen , Balotis Constantine , Kennedy Ben , Wagner Simon , Dyer Martin J. S. , Smith Dean , McMillan Andrew K. , Miall Fiona , Bishton Mark , Fox Christopher P. 
Published: December 2018

SummaryDelayed lymphocyte and T‐cell immune reconstitution following bendamustine‐rituximab (BR) for indolent non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL) has been described, but no information is available for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). We present a population‐based retrospective analysis of immune reconstitution and risk of infection following BR. Outcomes included timing/correlates of CD4+ recovery and risk of ≥grade 3 infections. Consecutively treated patients (1 April 2014 to 31 January 2017) were included (n = 295),with a median age of 65 years (range 33–92); 57% were 1st line treatments. Median cumulative bendamustine dose was 1080 mg/m2 (range 140–1440 mg/m2). CD4/CD8/CD19/NK subsets were available for 148 patients. Median follow‐up was 24 months. Median times to lymphocyte count (ALC) recovery (≥1 × 109/l) and CD4+ recovery (≥0·2 × 109/l) were 26 and 24 months, respectively. Bendamustine total dose >1080 mg/m2 (hazard ratio [HR] 0·4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0·2–0·8), end‐of‐treatment ALC ≤0·4 × 109/l (HR 0·53; 95% CI: 0·3–0·9) and CD4+ <0·1 × 109/l 1‐year post‐BR (HR 0·03; 95% CI: 0·008–0·15) were covariables for delayed CD4+ recovery. ALC‐recovery ≥1 × 109/l was an unreliable predictor of CD4+ recovery (negative predictive vale 74%, positive predictive value 86%, likelihood ratio 3·3). CD4+ lymphopenia >3 years was a significant risk factor for ≥grade 3 infections (Odds ratio 3·4; 95% CI: 1·4–6·9). CD4+ recovery after BR is unexpectedly delayed and late recovery is associated with risk of serious infections. Monitoring CD4+ following BR could identify patients at high risk of delayed infections.
The time point of completion thyroidectomy has no prognostic impact in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer
Authors: Lenschow Christina , Mäder Uwe , Germer Christoph‐Thomas , Reiners Christoph , Schlegel Nicolas , Verburg Frederik A. 
Published: December 2018

SummaryBackgroundAfter partial resection of the thyroid gland, a second operation referred to as “completion thyroidectomy” may be required if histopathological analysis indicates the presence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Although there is little evidence, it is assumed that the time point of completion thyroidectomy is not critical for oncological prognosis of patients with DTC. We assessed whether patients with total thyroidectomy (TTx) in a two‐step procedure have an equal long‐term prognosis with regard to disease‐specific survival (DSS) compared to patients immediately undergoing total thyroidectomy in a one‐step procedure.MethodsA database study using the Würzburg thyroid cancer database with 2258 patients with pT1a‐pT4b tumours DTC who were operated between 1980 and 2016 was carried out.ResultsA total of 277 patients with papillary microcarcinoma pT1aN0M0 were treated by hemithyroidectomy. TTx as one‐step procedure was performed in 1114 patients compared to 867 with TTx as a two‐step procedure. Patients with papillary thyroid cancer more frequently had a TTx as one‐step procedure than follicular thyroid cancer patients (59.4% vs 47%; P < 0.001). Compared to a one‐step thyroidectomy, overall complication rate was not different compared to patients undergoing a single operation. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of distant metastases, T‐stage and age at diagnosis were the only independent determinants for DTC‐specific survival, regardless of a one‐ or two‐time thyroidectomy.ConclusionThe present study on the largest of such patient collectives provides evidence that a delayed completion operation does not affect DSS in DTC, nor does it lead to a significant increase in complication rates.
The functional loading of implants increases their stability: A retrospective clinical study
Authors: Brizuela‐Velasco Aritza , Chávarri‐Prado David 
Published: December 2018

AbstractPurposeTo assess the difference in the evolution of implant stability values, determined by resonance frequency analysis (RFA), between two groups of implants subjected to two different loading protocols: immediate and delayed.Materials and MethodsA retrospective clinical study was conducted, including a total of 93 implants placed in 38 patients. All implants corresponded to one of two models of the Klockner Implant System (Essential Cone and Vega) and were divided into two groups according to the loading protocol adopted: delayed loading in group A (>10 weeks) and immediate loading in group B (<48 hours). Implant stability was measured four times throughout the study period with a Penguin RFA device: implant placement (T0), definitive loading (T1), 6 months after loading (T2), and 12 months after loading (T3).ResultsImplant stability quotient (ISQ) values showed a statistically significant increase in both groups after loading. In group A, the greatest increase in stability occurred between T1 and T2, whereas in group B, the greatest increase occurred between T0 and T1, coinciding in both cases with the period in which the implants were subjected to prosthetic loading.ConclusionsThe functional loading of implants increases their stability, as measured in ISQ values by RFA. Increases in ISQ values are greater during the months immediately following loading, which shows that immediate or early loading protocols are not only possible but can also be beneficial.
The developmental relations between spatial cognition and mathematics in primary school children
Authors: Gilligan Katie A. , Hodgkiss Alex , Thomas Michael S. C. , Farran Emily K. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractSpatial thinking is an important predictor of mathematics. However, existing data do not determine whether all spatial sub‐domains are equally important for mathematics outcomes nor whether mathematics–spatial associations vary through development. This study addresses these questions by exploring the developmental relations between mathematics and spatial skills in children aged 6–10 years (N = 155). We extend previous findings by assessing and comparing performance across Uttal et al.'s (2013), four spatial sub‐domains. Overall spatial skills explained 5%–14% of the variation across three mathematics performance measures (standardized mathematics skills, approximate number sense and number line estimation skills), beyond other known predictors of mathematics including vocabulary and gender. Spatial scaling (extrinsic‐static sub‐domain) was a significant predictor of all mathematics outcomes, across all ages, highlighting its importance for mathematics in middle childhood. Other spatial sub‐domains were differentially associated with mathematics in a task‐ and age‐dependent manner. Mental rotation (intrinsic‐dynamic skills) was a significant predictor of mathematics at 6 and 7 years only which suggests that at approximately 8 years of age there is a transition period regarding the spatial skills that are important for mathematics. Taken together, the results support the investigation of spatial training, particularly targeting spatial scaling, as a means of improving both spatial and mathematical thinking.
Childhood disintegrative disorder and autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review
Authors: Mehra Chirag , Sil Annesha , Hedderly Tammy , Kyriakopoulos Marinos , Lim Ming , Turnbull Jessica , Happe Francesca , Baird Gillian , Absoud Michael 
Published: December 2018

AimIn an attempt to clarify the debate surrounding the diagnostic validity of childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), we systematically reviewed its characteristics and compared it with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).MethodFour databases were searched (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and Web of Science). Included articles had participants with CDD, as defined by symptoms present in the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision and the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision. Comparison groups were those with ASD and ASD with regression. Case studies were excluded.ResultsTwenty articles, comprising 96 participants with CDD (80 males, 16 females), were included. Most studies were cross‐sectional. The prevalence of CDD was 1.1 to 9.2 per 100 000, with a mean age at regression of 3 years 2 months (SD 1y 1mo), with a range of 2 years to 7 years. In addition to core CDD symptoms, most had intellectual impairment, anxiety, challenging behaviours, and regressed in toileting skills. Participants with CDD and ASD shared core diagnostic and extra‐diagnostic features. However, participants with CDD seemed to have more severe symptoms and a different symptom profile, including apparently typical development before regression, faster regression, more affective symptoms, and more global developmental deficit. Possible genetic and autoimmune neurobiological mechanisms were identified.InterpretationThere is limited high‐quality evidence describing the aetiology and outcomes of CDD. However, given the qualitative and prognostic differences between ASD and CDD, we recommend that future diagnostic criteria should distinguish late‐onset regression.
‘Herbal’ preparations for equine dermal neoplasms contain large amounts of zinc chloride
Authors: Ramey D. W. , Poppenga R. 
Published: December 2018

SummaryThis original study was performed to investigate the levels of zinc chloride (ZnCl2) in ‘herbal black salve’ preparations, purportedly containing an active ingredient of bloodroot, sometimes used to treat equine dermal neoplasms. Three samples of different ‘bloodroot’ preparations were tested. Zinc and other elements were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP‐AES). The chloride in the samples was partitioned into an aqueous solution and measured by ion chromatography (IC). The studied products contained between 11.6% and 25% ZnCl2. Veterinarians should be aware that ‘herbal’ or ‘black salve’ preparations intended for the treatment of equine cutaneous neoplasms may contain significant amounts of zinc chloride (ZnCl2), a caustic, corrosive chemical. Equine practitioners should also be aware that various international government agencies have warned against the use of black salve products in human cancer therapy.