bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The dimensions of the learning organization questionnaire (DLOQ)
Authors: Chai Dae Seok , Dirani Khalil 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
This study aims to address the reliability and validity of the shortened versions of the Arabic dimensions of the learning organization questionnaire (DLOQ) to provide evidence on the learning organization (LO) concept in Lebanon and to draw attention to the applicability of the LO concept to facilitate the development and operationalization of the LO in the Lebanese context.

Design/methodology/approach
A total of 298 cases from five Lebanese firms were analyzed. Rigorous translation procedures have been applied to ensure the relevance of this instrument in the Arabic context. Confirmatory factor analysis, item-internal consistency estimates and item intercorrelation analysis showed that the 21- and the seven-item versions of the Arabic DLOQ have produced reliable measurement scores with a construct validity adequate to measure the LO culture in the Lebanese context.

Findings
The results of the current study confirmed that the shortened 21- and seven-item versions of the Arabic DLOQ are reliable, validated and applicable in the Lebanese context. This study also added to the stability of this foundation and pointed out weak areas that can be addressed by refining and developing the research, theory and practice of the LO.

Research limitations/implications
The results of this study based on the shortened versions contributed to operationalizing a conceptually developed LO theory, which is an appropriate example of theory building in an applied discipline. The results also suggest that the LO comprised interdependent building blocks that need to be integrated at the individual, team and organizational levels to promote change and development in a system.

Practical implications
This study provides managers and HR practitioners, especially in the Lebanese context, with a sound model of the LO theory to be applied in their organizations.

Originality/value
This study provides scholars with an understanding of the potential value of the LO in the Lebanese context. The results present evidence of the cultural impact on the perceptions of the LO in the Lebanese context, confirm the applicability of the shortened Arabic DLOQ and provide HR practitioners in Lebanon with a tool to diagnose LO characteristics accurately and consistently and to determine if there is a link between the LO and organizational performance.
(−)‐Epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate induces cell apoptosis in chronic myeloid leukaemia by regulating Bcr/Abl‐mediated p38‐MAPK/JNK and JAK2/STAT3/AKT signalling pathways
Authors: Xiao Xiang , Jiang Kaiming , Xu Yunxiao , Peng Hongling , Wang Zhihua , Liu Sufang , Zhang Guangsen 
Published: September 2018

SummaryEpigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG), a major polyphenolic constituent of green tea, possesses remarkable chemopreventive and therapeutic potential against various types of cancer, including leukaemia. However, the molecular mechanism involved in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), especially imatinib‐resistant CML cells, is not completely understood. In the present study, we investigated the effect of EGCG on the growth of Bcr/Abl+ CML cell lines, including imatinib‐resistant cell lines and primary CML cells. The results revealed that EGCG could inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in CML cells. The mechanisms involved inhibition of the Bcr/Abl oncoprotein and regulation of its downstream p38‐MAPK/JNK and JAK2/STAT3/AKT pathways. In conclusion, we documented the anti‐CML effects of EGCG in imatinib‐sensitive and imatinib‐resistant Bcr/Abl+ cells, especially T315I‐mutated cells.
Control of pellicle biogenesis involves the diguanylate cyclases PdgA and PdgB, the c‐di‐GMP binding protein MxdA and the chemotaxis response regulator CheY3 in Shewanella oneidensis
Authors: Gambari Cyril , Boyeldieu Anne , Armitano Joshua , Méjean Vincent , Jourlin‐Castelli Cécile 
Published: September 2018

SummaryShewanella oneidensis is an aquatic proteobacterium with remarkable respiratory and chemotactic abilities. It is also capable of forming biofilms either associated to surfaces (SSA‐biofilm) or at the air–liquid interface (pellicle). We have previously shown that pellicle biogenesis in S. oneidensis requires the flagellum and the chemotaxis regulatory system including CheA3 kinase and CheY3 response regulator. Here we searched for additional factors involved in pellicle development. Using a multicopy library of S. oneidensis chromosomal fragments, we identified two genes encoding putative diguanylate cyclases (pdgA and pdgB) and allowing pellicle formation in the non‐pellicle‐forming cheY3‐deleted mutant. A mutant deleted of both pdgA and pdgB is affected during pellicle development. By overexpressing phosphodiesterase encoding genes, we confirmed the key role of c‐di‐GMP in pellicle biogenesis. The mxd operon, previously proposed to encode proteins involved in exopolysaccharide biosynthesis, is also essential for pellicle formation. In addition, we showed that the MxdA protein, containing a degenerate GGDEF motif, binds c‐di‐GMP and interacts with both CheY3 and PdgA. Therefore, we propose that pellicle biogenesis in S. oneidensis is controlled by a complex pathway that involves the chemotaxis response regulator CheY3, the two putative diguanylate cyclases PdgA and PdgB, and the c‐di‐GMP binding protein MxdA.
Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii Virus and host: genomic characterization and ecological relevance
Authors: Martin Robbie M. , Moniruzzaman Mohammad , Mucci Nicholas C. , Willis Anusuya , Woodhouse Jason N. , Xian Yuejiao , Xiao Chuan , Brussaard Corina P. D. , Wilhelm Steven W. 
Published: September 2018

Summary
Cylindrospermopsis (Raphidiopsis) raciborskii is an invasive, filamentous, nitrogen‐fixing cyanobacterium that forms frequent blooms in freshwater habitats. While viruses play key roles in regulating the abundance, production and diversity of their hosts in aquatic ecosystems, the role(s) of viruses in the ecology of C. raciborskii is almost unexplored. Progress in this field has been hindered by the absence of a characterized virus–host system in C. raciborskii. To bridge this gap, we sequenced the genome of CrV‐01T, a previously isolated cyanosiphovirus, and its host, C. raciborskii strain Cr2010. Analyses suggest that CrV‐01T represents a distinct clade of siphoviruses infecting, and perhaps lysogenizing, filamentous cyanobacteria. Its genome contains unique features that include an intact CRISPR array and a 12 kb inverted duplication. Evidence suggests CrV‐01T recently gained the ability to infect Cr2010 and recently lost the ability to form lysogens. The cyanobacterial host contains a CRISPR‐Cas system with CRISPR spacers matching protospacers within the inverted duplication of the CrV‐01T genome. Examination of metagenomes demonstrates that viruses with high genetic identity to CrV‐01T, but lacking the inverted duplication, are present in C. raciborskii blooms in Australia. The unique genomic features of the CrV/Cr2010 system offers opportunities to investigate in more detail virus–host interactions in an ecologically important bloom‐forming cyanobacterium.
Sowing Seeds of Displacement: Gentrification and Food Justice in Oakland, CA
Authors: Alkon Alison Hope , Cadji Josh 
Published: September 2018

AbstractGreen gentrification is the process through which the elimination of hazardous conditions or the development of green spaces is mobilized as a strategy to draw in affluent new residents and capital projects. Based on observations and interviews in Oakland, California, we argue that food justice organizations seeking to promote access to healthy food in low‐income communities can unwittingly create spaces that foster this process. Despite a desire to serve long‐term residents, activists embody a hip green aesthetic that is palatable to affluent whites and can be appropriated by urban boosters to promote the neighborhood. We use this process as a lens to theorize links between food and green gentrification, highlighting the importance of food to cities’ efforts to brand themselves as ripe for redevelopment, and understand green gentrification as a racialized process tied to cultural foodways. We also attend to the practical stakes for food justice activism, arguing that a clear understanding of green gentrification and food justice activists’ unwitting role in it can help the latter to attempt to mitigate their culpability and seek to develop broad inclusive strategies for locally led development without displacement.
When Diverse Norms Meet Weak Plans: The Organizational Dynamics of Urban Rubble Clearance in Post‐Earthquake Haiti
Authors: Hooper Michael 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn the face of rapid global urbanization, cities are increasingly at risk from major disasters. While considerable attention has been given to other aspects of urban post‐disaster recovery, less has been dedicated to rubble clearance. This article examines the dynamics of rubble clearance through a study of how the diverse organizations responding to the 2010 Haiti earthquake addressed this issue in Port‐au‐Prince. It draws on interviews with 52 organizations spanning the range of organizational types engaged in recovery efforts. Building on an evaluation of rubble clearance plans developed for other seismically at‐risk cities, the results indicate that organizations in Port‐au‐Prince lacked a shared understanding of who should coordinate, and engage in, this vital activity. The diverse organizations involved in recovery brought widely diverging norms concerning rubble clearance to a context with weak plans in place for this task. The outcome was uncoordinated action and slow progress. The article draws on the literature on interorganizational norms to contextualize its findings from Port‐au‐Prince. It concludes by arguing for efforts to generate new, shared norms concerning who should lead urban rubble clearance and, in particular, for greater support for, and deference to, local plans around this issue. Such plans would enable governments to establish robust protocols to coordinate action on this increasingly important challenge for cities.
Why implantation of bio‐loggers may improve our understanding of how animals cope within their natural environment
Authors: FORIN‐WIART Marie‐Amélie , ENSTIPP Manfred R. , LE MAHO Yvon , HANDRICH Yves 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBio‐loggers are miniaturized autonomous devices that record quantitative data on the state of free‐ranging animals (e.g. behavior, position and physiology) and their natural environment. This is especially relevant for species where direct visual observation is difficult or impossible. Today, ongoing technical development allows the monitoring of numerous parameters in an increasing range of species over extended periods. However, the external attachment of devices might affect various aspects of animal performance (energetics, thermoregulation, foraging as well as social and reproductive behavior), which ultimately affect fitness. External attachment might also increase entanglement risk and the conspicuousness of animals, leaving them more vulnerable to predation. By contrast, implantation of devices can mitigate many of these undesirable effects and might be preferable, especially for long‐term studies, provided that the many challenges associated with surgical procedures can be mastered. Implantation may then allow us to gather data that would be impossible to obtain otherwise and thereby may provide new and ecologically relevant insights into the life of wild animals. Here, we: (i) discuss the pros and cons of attachment methods; (ii) highlight recent field studies that used implanted bio‐loggers to address eco‐physiological questions in a wide range of species; and (iii) discuss logger implantation in light of ethical considerations.
Volatile Profile of Grilled Lamb as Affected by Castration and Age at Slaughter in Two Breeds
Authors: Gkarane Vasiliki , Brunton Nigel P. , Harrison Sabine M. , Gravador Rufielyn S. , Allen Paul , Claffey Noel A. , Diskin Michael G. , Fahey Alan G. , Farmer Linda J. , Moloney Aidan P. , Monahan Frank J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess the effect of castration and slaughter age on the volatile profile of cooked meat from Scottish Blackface (SB) and Texel × Scottish Blackface (T × SB) lambs. M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum was sampled at slaughter and subjected to volatile analysis by SPME‐GC‐MS. Rams had higher relative proportions, expressed as relative abundance (RA), in lipid oxidation products while castrates had higher RA in pyrazines and benzenoid compounds. There was no consistent age effect on the RA of volatiles, although rams in November and January had a different volatile profile to castrates. There were higher proportions of free branched‐chain fatty acids in muscle from SB compared to T × SB lambs. Overall, the results showed that production factors affected the volatile profile of cooked lamb meat which may explain differences in lamb flavor.Practical ApplicationLamb meat has a characteristic flavor which, according to the evidence to date, may be influenced by farm production factors like gender or slaughter age. Our results showed variations in the proportions of some flavor compounds in cooked lamb between rams and castrated lambs while an increase in slaughter age did not have a consistent effect on proportions of compounds.
The Effects of Biasing Performance Measurement Systems on Incentives and Retention Decisions
Authors: Balakrishnan Ramji , Drymiotes George , Sivaramakrishnan Konduru 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTWe examine a principal–agent setting in which the principal uses a performance measurement system for multiple purposes—to provide incentives and for retention decisions. The principal chooses the nature and extent of bias in the system, which determines whether the performance report is stringent, neutral, or lenient relative to the unobservable actual outcome. We show that when the report is used only for incentive purposes (an incentive role), stringency alleviates moral hazard. On the other hand, when the principal's objective is to minimize the cost from incorrect retention and firing decisions (a fit evaluation role), there is a demand for leniency. Surprisingly, however, we show that adding a fit evaluation role to a system serving an incentive role can accentuate the demand for stringency because stronger incentives can also indirectly improve retention decisions.
Disruption of financial intermediation by FinTech: a review on crowdfunding and blockchain
Authors: Cai Cynthia Weiyi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBased on a systematic review of influential publications among 402 papers published between 2010 and 2018, this paper identifies gaps in Economics and Finance research regarding two applications of FinTech: crowdfunding and blockchain. Analysing these records shows that (i) current research on FinTech is fragmented with limited theoretical grounding; (ii) crowdfunding and blockchain can be regarded as two innovations that may disrupt traditional financial intermediation but in different ways; (iii) crowdfunding platforms substitute for traditional financial intermediaries and serve as a new intermediary, without eliminating the need for intermediation; (iv) similar to crowdfunding, blockchain also creates new intermediaries; and (v) the trust element inherent in blockchain enables blockchain to eliminate the need for intermediaries in some financial areas but not all.
Assessment of Thrombelastography and Platelet Life Span in Ovines
Authors: Johnson Carl A. , Woolley Joshua R. , Snyder Trevor A. , Shankarraman Venkat , Haney Elaine I. , Wagner William R. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOvines are a common animal model for the study of cardiovascular devices, where consideration of blood biocompatibility is an essential design criterion. In the ovine model, tools to assess blood biocompatibility are limited and continued investigation to identify and apply additional assays is merited. Toward this end, the thrombelastograph, clinically utilized to assess hemostasis, was used to characterize normal ovine parameters. In addition, platelet labeling with biotin was evaluated for its potential applicability to quantify ovine platelet life span. Mean ovine thrombelastograph values were reaction‐time: 4.9 min, K‐time: 2 min, angle: 64.1°, maximum amplitude: 68.6mm, actual clot strength: 11.9 kd/s, and coagulation index: 1.5. Reaction time was significantly shorter and maximum amplitude, actual clot strength, and coagulation index were all significantly higher when compared to normal human thrombelastograph values suggesting some hypercoagulability of sheep blood. Biotinylation and reinfusion of ovine platelets allowed temporal tracking of the labeled platelet cohort with flow cytometry. These data indicated a mean ovine platelet life span of 188h with a half‐life of 84h. The collection of these parameters for normal ovines demonstrates the applicability of these techniques for subsequent studies where cardiovascular devices may be evaluated and provides an indication of normal ovine values for comparison purposes.
The impact and understanding of childhood drowning by a community in West Bengal, India, and the suggested preventive measures
Authors: Lukaszyk Caroline , Mittal Srabani , Gupta Medhavi , Das Rumeli , Ivers Rebecca , Jagnoor Jagnoor 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAimOur aim was to improve our understanding of the contextual factors contributing to child drowning in rural West Bengal, India.MethodsThis 2017 study used interviews, focus groups and observations and the participants included community leaders, household heads, parents and children aged 7–17 years from three remote villages. They included adults and children who had been directly affected by the loss of family members or friends.ResultsWe conducted 19 in‐depth interviews, six focus groups and three informal observations in public locations where people were exposed to water. The area contained a high number of natural open areas of water, which increased the drowning risk. Participants reported that children frequently played unsupervised near potentially hazardous water, as their parents worked long hours and there was a lack of safe recreational spaces. Suggested approaches to reducing the drowning risk included parental education to improve child supervision and establishing village committees to effectively communicate the drowning risks to local government. Low‐cost, community‐based approaches to improving child water safety need to be developed.ConclusionDrowning was clearly a complex issue in rural West Bengal, with a significant impact on children and their families. Community‐based approaches are clearly needed.
Ectogenesis and a right to the death of the prenatal human being: A reply to Räsänen
Authors: Kaczor Christopher 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBoth many critics of abortion and many defenders of abortion have suggested that artificial wombs could end the abortion debate. If the fetus is removed from the uterus, women have an end to an unwanted pregnancy. If the living fetus is then put in an artificial uterus for ectogenesis, there is no termination of the life of the fetus. Joona Räsänen challenges this view in his article, Ectogenesis, abortion and a right to the death of the fetus. Räsänen provides three arguments for a right to secure the death of the human being in utero, namely the ‘right not to become a biological parent argument’, the ‘right to genetic privacy argument’, and the ‘right to property argument’. This article critiques these three arguments for a right to the death of the fetus.
Efficacy and safety of polydimethylsiloxane injection (Macroplastique®) for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: results of a series of 85 patients with ≥3 years of follow‐up
Authors: Serati Maurizio , Soligo Marco , Braga Andrea , Cantaluppi Simona , Coluccia Anna C. , Di Dedda Maria C. , Salvatore Stefano , Cetin Irene , Ghezzi Fabio ,   Publication Committee of the Italian Society of Urodynamics
Published: September 2018

ObjectiveTo assess the long‐term efficacy and safety of polydimethylsiloxane injection (Macroplastique®, Cogentix Medical, Orangeburg, New York, USA) for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI), with a minimum follow‐up of 3 years.Patients and MethodsThis is an observational analytical prospective cohort study conducted in a single uro‐gynaecological unit. All consecutive women with urodynamically confirmed pure SUI treated with the Macroplastique procedure, were included. Data regarding patient outcomes (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Short Form, Patient Global Impression of Improvement, and patient satisfaction scores), objective cure rates, and adverse events were collected during follow‐up. Uni‐ and multivariable analyses were performed to investigate outcomes. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify factors involved in the risk of failure of the procedures or recurrence of SUI.ResultsIn all, 85 women had the Macroplastique procedure. At the 3‐year follow‐up, all 85 (100%) patients were available for the evaluation. We did not find any significant change in the surgical outcomes during this time. At 3 years after surgery, 42 of 85 patients (49%) declared themselves cured (P = 0.67). Similarly, at the 3‐year evaluation, 40 of 85 patients (47%) were objectively cured. There was no significant deterioration of objective cure rates over time (P = 0.3). A history of radical pelvic surgery and a low surgeon's skill were significantly associated with the risk of failure of Macroplastique. The multivariate analysis confirmed these findings; a previous history of radical pelvic surgery and a low surgeon's skill independently predicted the subjective and objective failure of Macroplastique.ConclusionsThe 3‐year results of this study showed that Macroplastique could be an acceptable alternative for the treatment of SUI with stable results over time and a negligible complication rate.
Outcomes of long‐term follow‐up of asymptomatic renal stones and prediction of stone‐related events
Authors: Li Xiaohang , Zhu Wei , Lam Wayne , Yue Youwei , Duan Haifeng , Zeng Guohua 
Published: September 2018

ObjectivesTo evaluate the long‐term outcomes of patients undergoing observation of asymptomatic renal calculi and identify factors associated with stone‐related events.Patients and MethodsPatients with asymptomatic renal calculi electing active surveillance of their stones were retrospectively reviewed. Patients underwent annual ultrasonography and clinical visits with standardised questions regarding the development of symptoms or complications from calculi. Spontaneous stone passage, stone growth, development of stone‐related symptoms, and requirement for intervention during follow‐up were deemed as stone‐related events.ResultsBetween 2007 and 2017, 293 patients were reviewed to evaluate the natural history of asymptomatic renal calculi. The mean follow‐up was 4.2 years. Overall incidences of spontaneous passage, stone growth, development of stone‐related symptoms, and requirement of intervention were 32.1%, 16.7%, 28.3% and 12.3%, respectively. Stones >5 mm and lower pole stones were significantly less likely to pass spontaneously. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperuricaemia or non‐lower calyceal stone were more likely to experience stone growth. Stones >5 mm or non‐lower pole stones were more likely to become symptomatic. Significant predictors of surgical intervention were stone size (>5 mm) and patients' age (>60 years). Primary therapy was extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy in 33 patients and flexible ureteroscopy in three.ConclusionThe natural history of asymptomatic renal stones rarely requires intervention, although they do have a slightly higher rate of symptomatic events and growth over the intermediate term. In particular, patients with stones >5 mm, DM, hyperuricaemia, or non‐lower calyceal stones are at higher risk of developing stone‐related events, and should therefore be recommended for regular follow‐up.