bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The double-edge resource-based view of logistics performance and governance in Asian countries
Authors: Koh Bee Hui , Wong Wai Peng , Tang Chor Foon , Lim Ming K. 
Published: April 2018

PurposeAsia has been transformed into a well-regulated dynamic platform for trade and is today world’s fastest-developing economic region. However, the increasing cross-border economic activities create new opportunities for corruption. The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of corruption on trade facilitation using logistics performance index (LPI). This paper also examines the moderating effect of governance or government effectiveness (GE) on the relationship between corruption and LPI within Asian countries.Design/methodology/approachA panel of time-series data from year 2007 to 2014 of 26 Asian countries was collected for analysis. Static linear panel models which comprised of pooled ordinary least squares, fixed-effect model and random-effect model were utilised to analyse the panel data.FindingsThe findings show that corruption significantly affects LPI and each of the six dimensions in LPI. The results also show that governance or GE has a moderating effect on the relationship between corruption and LPI.Practical implicationsThis study benefits Asian governments to gain a better understanding on influences of corruption on trade facilitation and triggering suggestions of a government role in the relationship. Practically, the results could be used as a guideline in improving national LPI. Besides, the findings could be used to support policy decision to modify corruption regulations at the national and regional levels.Originality/valueThis study reveals that the optimistic view of sands in the wheel overcomes the dark side of the grease in the wheel practices. To be corrupt free or less corrupt is a rare and inimitable resource capability that makes nations logistically competitive.
The Power of Group Stigmatization: Wealthy Roma, Urban Space and Strategies of Defence in Post‐socialist Romania
Authors: Creţan Remus , Powell Ryan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractRecent research on Roma stigmatization has tended to focus on the marginal socio‐economic and spatial position of Roma people within European societies, with poverty, persistent inequalities and substandard housing conditions (for example, ghettoization) highlighting their differential treatment. Central to such accounts are group images and stereotypes of Roma as ‘benefit scroungers’ and/or ‘beggars’ lacking notions of self‐restraint and social responsibility. This body of research is hugely important in terms of its contribution to an understanding of the complex dynamics of marginalization and stigmatization of poor Roma households. Yet not all Roma are characterized by poverty and economic hardship. This article explores the neglected experiences of wealthy Roma within urban spaces in Romania. It draws on empirical evidence from interviews with Roma families, leaders and local authorities. Our analysis exposes the way in which Roma are vehemently stigmatized regardless of their economic position or housing circumstances and highlights deep underlying sentiments towards them within Romanian society. We critique Wacquant's concept of territorial stigmatization by applying it to wealthy groups outwith typical areas of relegation (for example, Roma ghettos) within the specific urban context of post‐socialist Romania. While our analysis points to the internalization of stigma, we also identify distinct defensive strategies wealthy Roma employ to counter and avoid stigmatization. We suggest that a focus on the neglected spaces of wealthy Roma groups can facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the distinct urban power relations that shape Roma stigmatization, reveal how this long‐term process has recently been accentuated within Europe alongside a more overt populist and anti‐Roma political agenda, and contribute to the development and refinement of Wacquant's thesis.
An audit of pregnancy outcomes in solid organ transplant recipients at a metropolitan hospital
Authors: Fang Yunjing E. , Nayyar Roshini , Diplock Hayley 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundPregnancies in patients with solid organ transplants have higher rates of complications and caesarean sections (CS).AimTo perform an audit of the pregnancy outcomes in transplant recipients, to determine the rate of CS in our cohort, the appropriate skin incision for CS in these patients and to formulate recommendations for preoperative planning.Materials and MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study. All patients who had a solid organ transplant were identified from the obstetrics database. The operation records of the transplant recipients who delivered by CS were reviewed and the de‐identified data were evaluated for pregnancy outcomes.ResultsThis cohort consisted of 22 women: six had simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplants and 16 had kidney transplants. Over a ten‐year period, four women had two pregnancies and one had a twin pregnancy, thus 27 babies were born. The rate of CS was 58% (n = 15) and the surgical approach in 13 of these patients was by Pfannenstiel incision. One patient had an elective midline incision at the first CS, which was repeated in the next pregnancy. Two CS were complicated by bladder injury, both occurring in SPK recipients.ConclusionPatients with solid organ transplants have a higher rate of CS and SPK patients may be at a higher risk of bladder injuries during CS. Our data suggest that Pfannenstiel skin incision is still suitable for these patients. We recommend reviewing the operative details of the transplant operation and a pelvic magnetic resonance imaging for pre‐operative planning.
Identification of novel CYP4V2 genotypes associated with Bietti crystalline dystrophy and atypical anterior segment phenotypes in Spanish patients
Authors: García‐García Gerardo Pedro , Martínez‐Rubio Magdalena , Moya‐Moya Medina‐Azahara , Pérez‐Santonja Juan José , Escribano Julio 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPurposeTo identify the spectrum of disease‐causing CYP4V2 variants in Spanish patients with clinically diagnosed Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD) over an 8‐year period and to analyse the phenotype–genotype correlation of the identified variants.MethodsFour unrelated Spanish probands with a clinical diagnosis of BCD were recruited. Ophthalmological examination included visual acuity (VA), slit lamp examination, in vivo corneal confocal microscopy, funduscopy and fluoresceinic angiography. Genomic DNA was obtained from blood samples, and the exons and flanking intron sequences of the CYP4V2 gene were screened by Sanger sequencing. Family members of the patients with mutations in CYP4V2 gene were subsequently studied.ResultsClinical examination revealed retinal and corneal patterns compatible with BCD in all the participants. We identified a total of six CYP4V2 variants among the four carriers. As far as we know, the variant p.(Trp244Cysfs*33) has not previously been reported. This variant along with p.(Ala204Thr) and p.(Arg443Trp) were combined in three novel pathogenic phenotypes that share the presence of bilateral limbic glistening deposits, severe retinal damage and visual impairment and a fast rate of progression of the disease.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this study represents the largest effort to determine the genetic alterations underlying BCD in Spain to date. Our results show that analysis of CYP4V2 variants is required for a reliable diagnosis of BCD. We report a high prevalence of anterior segment changes in this Spanish BCD cohort, which we consider representative of the Spanish patients.
Primary tonsillar mast cell tumour in a dog
Authors: Shekell CC , Thomson MJ , Miller RI , Mackie JT 
Published: April 2018

Case reportA 6‐year‐old speyed female Bull Arab‐cross dog was found to have a small tonsillar nodule. Histological examination revealed a well‐differentiated mast cell tumour (MCT). At initial staging, no evidence of concurrent cutaneous or visceral MCTs was found on a complete blood count, a single lateral thoracic radiograph, abdominal ultrasound or cytology of the spleen and regional lymph nodes. A diagnosis of primary tonsillar MCT was made. At 40 months postoperatively, the dog is alive with no evidence of gross tumour progression, in contrast to some previous reports of rapid disease progression and metastasis in dogs with primary oral MCTs.ConclusionTo the authors’ knowledge, no previous reports of a primary MCT of the tonsil in dogs exist in the veterinary literature.
What makes a word so attractive? Disclosing the urge to read while bisecting
Authors: Girelli Luisa , Previtali Paola , Arduino Lisa S. 
Published: April 2018

Expert readers have been repeatedly reported to misperceive the centre of visual stimuli, shifting systematically to the left the bisection of any lines (pseudoneglect) while showing a cross‐over effect while bisecting different types of orthographic strings (Arduinoet al., 2010,Neuropsychologia, 48, 2140). This difference has been attributed to asymmetrical allocation of attention that visuo‐verbal material receives when lexical access occurs (e.g., Fischer, 2004,Cognitive Brain Research, 4, 163). The aim of this study was to further examine which visual features guide recognition of potentially orthographic materials. To disentangle the role of orthography, heterogeneity, and visuo‐perceptual discreteness, we presented Italian unimpaired adults with four experiments exploiting the bisection paradigm. The results showed that a cross‐over effect emerges in most discrete strings, especially when their internal structure, that is being composed of heterogeneous elements, is suggestive of orthographically relevant material. Interestingly, the cross‐over effect systematically characterized the processing of letter strings (Experiment 2) and words (Experiments 3 and 4), whether visually discrete or not. Overall, this pattern of results suggests that neither discreteness nor heterogeneity per se are responsible for activating visual scanning mechanisms implied in text exploration, although both contribute to increasing the chance of a visual stimulus undergoing a perceptual analysis dedicated to pre‐lexical processing.
Insulin receptor in the brain: Mechanisms of activation and the role in the CNS pathology and treatment
Authors: Pomytkin Igor , Costa‐Nunes João P. , Kasatkin Vladimir , Veniaminova Ekaterina , Demchenko Anna , Lyundup Alexey , Lesch Klaus‐Peter , Ponomarev Eugene D. , Strekalova Tatyana 
Published: April 2018

SummaryWhile the insulin receptor (IR) was found in the CNS decades ago, the brain was long considered to be an insulin‐insensitive organ. This view is currently revisited, given emerging evidence of critical roles of IR‐mediated signaling in development, neuroprotection, metabolism, and plasticity in the brain. These diverse cellular and physiological IR activities are distinct from metabolic IR functions in peripheral tissues, thus highlighting region specificity of IR properties. This particularly concerns the fact that two IR isoforms, A and B, are predominantly expressed in either the brain or peripheral tissues, respectively, and neurons express exclusively IR‐A. Intriguingly, in comparison with IR‐B, IR‐A displays high binding affinity and is also activated by low concentrations of insulin‐like growth factor‐2 (IGF‐2), a regulator of neuronal plasticity, whose dysregulation is associated with neuropathologic processes. Deficiencies in IR activation, insulin availability, and downstream IR‐related mechanisms may result in aberrant IR‐mediated functions and, subsequently, a broad range of brain disorders, including neurodevelopmental syndromes, neoplasms, neurodegenerative conditions, and depression. Here, we discuss findings on the brain‐specific features of IR‐mediated signaling with focus on mechanisms of primary receptor activation and their roles in the neuropathology. We aimed to uncover the remaining gaps in current knowledge on IR physiology and highlight new therapies targeting IR, such as IR sensitizers.
Mixed mode crack tip parameters for different wheel positions relative to a vertical crack at the rail foot
Authors: Ayatollahi M.R. , Lordejani A. Ardeshiri , Guagliano M. , Vergani L. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractFinite element method is used to analyze a rail with a vertical bottom up crack at its foot, under the axle load and surface traction of a wheel. The possibility of crack formation at the foot of the rail in the neighborhood of a welding connection is discussed. A brief review on the importance of T‐stress in brittle fracture is presented. Seven cases with different locations of the crack relative to rail's sleeper contact region are considered. Numerous positions of the wheel are considered, and in each case, 3 crack parameters KI, KII, and T‐stress are calculated. Then, the biaxiality ratio and the mixity parameter for each loading and crack condition are calculated. It is shown that the location of crack and wheel can create mixed mode loading in the cracked rail and that the magnitude of crack tip parameters are strongly dependent on these geometric variables. In particular, the magnitudes of T‐stress and biaxiality ratio are significant in some cases. The effect of friction between the crack faces in the presence of compressive mode I loading on the mode II stress intensity factor is studied. Under mixed mode loading, due to the axle load and surface traction, the most critical condition is the formation of vertical cracks near the sleeper contact region.
Defining and characterising age-friendly community pharmacies: a qualitative study
Authors: Malet-Larrea Amaia , Arbillaga Leire , Gastelurrutia Miguel Á , Larrañaga Belén , Garay Ángel , Benrimoj Shalom I , Oñatibia-Astibia Ainhoa , Goyenechea Estíbaliz 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe Global Network of Age-friendly Cities is a project promoted by the World Health Organization as a response to demographic ageing and urbanization process. San Sebastian, Spain, is one of these Age-friendly Cities and community pharmacies of the city joined the initiative.ObjectiveTo define and implement the Age-friendly Pharmacy concept to promote active ageing, optimize the contribution of community pharmacies of San Sebastian to the friendliness of the city and to the improvement of quality of life of the ageing population.MethodA bottom-up participative approach was undertaken. A focus group was conducted to determine elderly people’s opinions and expectations of community pharmacy. The information obtained was analysed using content analysis and validated for reliability, usefulness and applicability through three expert groups of community pharmacy owners and staff.Key findingsFifteen requirements were agreed, covering four main areas: relationships, pharmacy layout, pharmaceutical services and communication of services. Initially, 18 community pharmacies committed to become Age-friendly Pharmacies by pledging to these requirements and the Official Pharmacist Association of Gipuzkoa supported pharmacies in the implementation of the initiative.ConclusionThis study suggests that there is demand for a patient-centred community pharmacy to support older people, in which pharmaceutical care services are required. The 18 Age-friendly Pharmacies together with the Official Pharmacist Association of Gipuzkoa have publicly committed to actively work on social and patient-centred care to meet the needs of the ageing population.
Geostatistical Methods for Disease Mapping and Visualisation Using Data from Spatio‐temporally Referenced Prevalence Surveys
Authors: Giorgi Emanuele , Diggle Peter J. , Snow Robert W. , Noor Abdisalan M. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryIn this paper, we set out general principles and develop geostatistical methods for the analysis of data from spatio‐temporally referenced prevalence surveys. Our objective is to provide a tutorial guide that can be used in order to identify parsimonious geostatistical models for prevalence mapping. A general variogram‐based Monte Carlo procedure is proposed to check the validity of the modelling assumptions. We describe and contrast likelihood‐based and Bayesian methods of inference, showing how to account for parameter uncertainty under each of the two paradigms. We also describe extensions of the standard model for disease prevalence that can be used when stationarity of the spatio‐temporal covariance function is not supported by the data. We discuss how to define predictive targets and argue that exceedance probabilities provide one of the most effective ways to convey uncertainty in prevalence estimates. We describe statistical software for the visualisation of spatio‐temporal predictive summaries of prevalence through interactive animations. Finally, we illustrate an application to historical malaria prevalence data from 1 334 surveys conducted in Senegal between 1905 and 2014.
Receipt and effectiveness of influenza vaccination reminders for adults, 2011‐2012 season, United States
Authors: Benedict Katharine M. , Santibanez Tammy A. , Kahn Katherine E. , Pabst Laura J. , Bridges Carolyn B. , Kennedy Erin D. 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundReminders for influenza vaccination improve influenza vaccination coverage. The purpose of this study was to describe the receipt of reminders for influenza vaccination during the 2011‐12 influenza season among US adults.MethodsWe analyzed data from the March 2012 National Flu Survey (NFS), a random digit dial telephone survey of adults in the United States. Relative to July 1, 2011, respondents were asked whether they received a reminder for influenza vaccination and the source and type of reminder they received. The association between reminder receipt and demographic variables, and the association between influenza vaccination coverage and receipt of reminders were also examined.ResultsOf adults interviewed, 17.2% reported receiving a reminder since July 1, 2011. More than half (65.2%) of the reminders were sent by doctor offices. Hispanics and non‐Hispanic blacks were more likely than non‐Hispanic whites to report receiving a reminder. Adults who reported having a usual healthcare provider, health insurance, or a high‐risk condition were more likely to report receiving reminders than the respective reference group. Adults reporting receipt of reminders were 1.15 times more likely (adjusted prevalence ratio, 95% CI: 1.06‐1.25) to report being vaccinated for influenza than adults reporting not receiving reminders.ConclusionsDifferences exist in receipt of influenza vaccination reminders among adults. Reminders are important tools to improve adult influenza vaccination coverage. Greater use of reminders may lead to higher rates of adult influenza vaccination coverage and reductions in influenza‐related morbidity.
Multilocus phylogeography of Patella caerulea (Linnaeus, 1758) reveals contrasting connectivity patterns across the Eastern–Western Mediterranean transition
Authors: Villamor Adriana , Costantini Federica , Abbiati Marco 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimThe Mediterranean Sea is a biodiversity hotspot, hosting a wide variety of habitats and organisms resulting from its complex past history and present‐day processes. Although several biogeographical areas are defined within the Mediterranean Sea, a comprehensive description of the main connectivity patterns among these areas is still lacking. In the present work, we describe the main features structuring the past and present genetic diversity and connectivity in a shallow subtidal limpet across the Mediterranean Sea.LocationMediterranean Sea.MethodsThe genetic diversity and structure of the common and widespread limpet Patella caerulea were analysed in 32 locations across the Mediterranean Sea using two mitochondrial markers (COI and 16S) and five nuclear microsatellite loci. Demographic history and phylogenetic analyses were carried out using mitochondrial markers, and assignment tests were performed on nuclear markers.ResultsTwo main evolutionary units were detected according to both mitochondrial markers. The most significant genetic differentiation was located between the southern tip of Sicily and the Calabria Peninsula. However, the full transition between the Western and Eastern basins is broadly located in the area between the Siculo–Tunisian Strait and the eastern Ionian Sea. Highly variable nuclear markers revealed further complexity related to current connectivity patterns, showing a genetic structure in the Sicily Channel and the Tyrrhenian–Ligurian transition and gene flow across the Messina Strait. The three markers showed a consistent pattern of isolation by distance only in the Eastern basin.Main conclusionsComplex connectivity patterns in the central Mediterranean confirm that this area represents a genetic diversity hotspot for limpets, reflecting the interplay of the past and present processes. For this crucial area, we propose to use the term “transition area,” which may better reflect its complexity and so avoid further debate on the location of a single “genetic barrier.”
Legacy of post‐glacial colonization affects β‐diversity: Insights into local community assembly processes
Authors: Douda Jan , Havrdová Alena , Doudová Jana , Mandák Bohumil 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimDifferences in local β‐diversity (i.e., within‐site β‐diversity) along climatic and biogeographical gradients may result from regional differences in the importance of local community assembly processes (e.g. dispersal limitation and habitat filtering) or from regional differences in species pool sizes (i.e. species potentially able to colonize a focal site). Here, we assess the importance of processes influencing regional differences in local plant β‐diversity.LocationEurope.MethodsWe sampled herbaceous assemblages of Alnus‐dominated floodplain forests. At each of 67 locations, we placed a 50‐m long transect with ten subplots. We compared the influence of post‐glacial colonization history, climatic conditions and local environmental conditions on the turnover and nestedness‐resultant components of local β‐diversity. To evaluate the importance of local and regional processes influencing local β‐diversity, we took a variance partitioning approach and applied null‐model fixing of site γ‐diversity. By considering functional community composition, we estimated the degree to which regional differences in local β‐diversity correlate with species functional traits.ResultsWe found that regional factors and local environmental conditions contribute more or less equally to local β‐diversity. The effect of regional factors was not strongly affected by variation in γ‐diversity of sites, indicating the presence of regional differences in local community assembly processes rather than strong effects of species pool sizes. The time of the post‐glacial expansion of dominant Alnus trees was the most important regional variable influencing the components of local β‐diversity. Plant clonality was negatively correlated with the time of the Alnus expansion.Main conclusionsRegional factors influenced local β‐diversity primarily due to changes in local community assembly processes. Specifically, the post‐glacial colonization history influenced local β‐diversity likely by sorting species according to their functional traits with a non‐random nested community structure in refugial areas and a structure close to the null expectations in recently colonized areas.