bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The gut microbiome as a driver of individual variation in cognition and functional behaviour
Authors: Davidson Gabrielle L. , Cooke Amy C. , Johnson Crystal N. , Quinn John L. 
Published: August 2018

Research into proximate and ultimate mechanisms of individual cognitive variation in animal populations is a rapidly growing field that incorporates physiological, behavioural and evolutionary investigations. Recent studies in humans and laboratory animals have shown that the enteric microbial community plays a central role in brain function and development. The ‘gut–brain axis’ represents a multi-directional signalling system that encompasses neurological, immunological and hormonal pathways. In particular it is tightly linked with the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA), a system that regulates stress hormone release and influences brain development and function. Experimental examination of the microbiome through manipulation of diet, infection, stress and exercise, suggests direct effects on cognition, including learning and memory. However, our understanding of these processes in natural populations is extremely limited. Here, we outline how recent advances in predominantly laboratory-based microbiome research can be applied to understanding individual differences in cognition. Experimental manipulation of the microbiome across natal and adult environments will help to unravel the interplay between cognitive variation and the gut microbial community. Focus on individual variation in the gut microbiome and cognition in natural populations will reveal new insight into the environmental and evolutionary constraints that drive individual cognitive variation.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Causes and consequences of individual differences in cognitive abilities’.
Environmentally induced changes to brain morphology predict cognitive performance
Authors: Pike Thomas W. , Ramsey Michael , Wilkinson Anna 
Published: August 2018

The relationship between the size and structure of a species' brain and its cognitive capacity has long interested scientists. Generally, this work relates interspecific variation in brain anatomy with performance on a variety of cognitive tasks. However, brains are known to show considerable short-term plasticity in response to a range of social, ecological and environmental factors. Despite this, we have a remarkably poor understanding of how this impacts on an animal's cognitive performance. Here, we non-invasively manipulated the relative size of brain regions associated with processing visual and chemical information in fish (the optic tectum and olfactory bulbs, respectively). We then tested performance in a cognitive task in which information from the two sensory modalities was in conflict. Although the fish could effectively use both visual and chemical information if presented in isolation, when they received cues from both modalities simultaneously, those with a relatively better developed optic tectum showed a greater reliance on visual information, while individuals with relatively better developed olfactory bulbs showed a greater reliance on chemical information. These results suggest that short-term changes in brain structure, possibly resulting from an attempt to minimize the costs of developing unnecessary but energetically expensive brain regions, may have marked effects on cognitive performance.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Causes and consequences of individual differences in cognitive abilities’.
Anterior prefrontal cortex mediates implicit inferences
Authors: Wokke Martijn E. , Ro Tony 
Published: August 2018

AbstractFrequent experience with regularities in our environment allows us to use predictive information to guide our decision process. However, contingencies in our environment are not always explicitly present and sometimes need to be inferred. Heretofore, it remained unknown how predictive information guides decision-making when explicit knowledge is absent and how the brain shapes such implicit inferences. In the present experiment, participants performed a discrimination task in which a target stimulus was preceded by a predictive cue. Critically, participants had no explicit knowledge that some of the cues signaled an upcoming target, allowing us to investigate how implicit inferences emerge and guide decision-making. Despite unawareness of the cue-target contingencies, participants were able to use implicit information to improve performance. Concurrent EEG recordings demonstrate that implicit inferences rely upon interactions between internally and externally oriented networks, whereby anterior prefrontal regions inhibit right parietal cortex under internal implicit control.SignificanceRegularities in our environment can guide our behavior providing information about upcoming events. Interestingly, such predictive information does not need to be explicitly represented in order to effectively guide our decision process. Here, we show how the brain engages in such real-world ‘data mining’ and how implicit inferences emerge. We employed a contingency cueing task and demonstrate that implicit inferences influenced responses to subsequent targets despite a lack of awareness of cue-target contingencies. Further, we show that these implicit inferences emerge through interactions between internally- and externally-oriented neural networks. The current results highlight the importance of the anterior prefrontal cortex in transforming external events into predictive internalized models of the world.
Which way is the bookstore? A closer look at the judgments of relative directions task
Authors: Huffman Derek J. , Ekstrom Arne D. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe present a detailed analysis of a widely used assay in human spatial cognition, the judgments of relative direction (JRD) task. We conducted three experiments involving virtual navigation interspersed with the JRD task, and included confidence judgments and map drawing as additional metrics. We also present a technique for assessing the similarity of the cognitive representations underlying performance on the JRD and map drawing tasks. Our results support the construct validity of the JRD task and its connection to allocentric representation. Additionally, we found that chance performance on the JRD task depends on the distribution of the angles of participants’ responses, rather than being constant and 90 degrees. Accordingly, we present a method for better determining chance performance.
Cuckoo search as a tool for optimal design of PM brushless DC motor
Authors: Cvetkovski Goga Vladimir , Petkovska Lidija , Lefley Paul 
Published: August 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to perform an optimal design of a single-phase permanent magnet brushless DC motor (SPBLDCM) by using efficiency of the motor as an objective function. In the design procedure of the motor, a cuckoo search (CS) algorithm is used as an optimization tool.

Design/methodology/approach
For the purpose of this research work, a computer program for optimal design of electrical machines based on the CS optimization has been developed. Based on the design characteristics of SPBLDCM, some of the motor parameters are chosen to be constant and others variable. A comparative analysis of the initial motor model and the CS model based on the value of the objective function, as well as the values of the optimization parameters, is performed and presented.

Findings
Based on the comparative data analysis of both motor models, it can be concluded that the main objective of the optimization is realized, and it is achieved by an improvement of the efficiency of the motor.

Practical implications
The optimal design approach of SPBLDCM presented in this research work can be also implemented on other electrical machines and devices using the same or even other objective functions.

Originality/value
An optimization technique using CS as an optimization tool has been developed and applied in the design procedure of SPBLDCM. According to the results, it can be concluded that the CS algorithm is a suitable tool for design optimization of SPBLDCM and electromagnetic devices in general. The quality of the CS model has been proved through the data analysis of the initial and optimized solution. The quality of the CS solution has been also proved by comparative analysis of the two motor models using FEM as a performance analysis tool.
Utilizing multimode interference effects in integrated graded-index optical waveguides for efficient power splitting
Authors: Roth Jan-Philipp , Kühler Thomas , Griese Elmar 
Published: August 2018

Purpose
For the realization of optical waveguide components, needed for photonic integrated circuits, multimode-interference based (MMI-based) devices are an excellent component class for the realization of low loss optical splitters. A promising approach to the manufacturing of these components is their embedding in thin glass sheets by ion-exchange diffusion processes, which has not yet been extensively studied. This study aims to significantly enhance the modeling of the diffusion process to support manufacturing of graded-index, MMI-based optical splitters.

Design/methodology/approach
The methods of design and analysis of MMI-based components are based on a step-index refractive index profile. In this work, fundamental correlations between the properties of the manufacturing ion-exchange process and the characteristics of the graded-index, MMI-based components are established. The refractive index profile is calculated with a proprietary solver based on the finite element method. Any further investigation with respect to parameter influence is based on the beam propagation method, specifically a finite difference based, semi-vectorial, wide-angle beam propagation algorithm. The influence of the parameters of the self-imaging effect is investigated. On this basis, different approaches for efficient power splitting with graded-index, MMI-based waveguide components are evaluated.

Findings
Easy approximations – mostly linear – can be found to model the dependencies of the investigated parameters. The resulting graded-index splitters are characterized by their low excess and insertion loss.

Originality/value
These findings are the first step in the direction of the semi-analytical modeling of the respective waveguide components to reduce the numerical effort.
Destinations’ response to terrorism on Twitter
Authors: Barbe Danielle , Pennington-Gray Lori , Schroeder Ashley 
Published: August 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the online communication strategies used by destination management organizations (DMOs) during a terrorist attack. In particular, this study analyzes Twitter use during seven terrorism incidents in six European cities (Paris, Brussels, Nice, Berlin, London and Barcelona) between 2015 and 2017.Design/methodology/approachTwitter content was collected via NCapture, a web browser extension of NVivo, one week prior to the attacks, the day of, and two weeks following to determine the timeframe in which DMOs communicated about the crisis, the types of messages being communicated, and whether these messages are effective. This study uses Coombs’ Situational Crisis Communication Theory as a guide to analyzing the effectiveness of the crisis communication strategies.FindingsThe findings of this paper indicate that DMOs are not effectively using Twitter during a terrorist attack. Few tweets relating to the attacks provided tourists with information regarding their safety, with the remaining only communicating as victims. Many DMOs went offline in the days immediately following the attacks and each DMO’s crisis communication on Twitter only lasted up to one week following the attacks.Originality/valueThis study provides insight into the ways DMOs are using social media for crisis communication. These results inform DMOs on their responsibility in communicating information during a terrorist attack. Messages of support are useful in the recovery stage, but tourists need information on how to stay safe and Twitter is often the first source people go to for information (Simonet al., 2014).
The effect of entrepreneurial marketing on halal food SMEs performance
Authors: Hendijani Fard Morteza , Seyyed Amiri Nader 
Published: August 2018

PurposeSmall and medium enterprises (SMEs) need to use specific marketing strategies and approaches due to their limited resources and capabilities. Entrepreneurial marketing (EM) is an alternative marketing management approach under the special conditions that describe SMEs. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate whether EM has a positive and significant effect on different aspects of performance of Iranian halal food SMEs.Design/methodology/approachA correlative descriptive research method is used and 384 questionnaires with five-point Likert scale are distributed among managers of Iranian halal food SME producers chosen by simple random sampling method. To analyze the data, structural equations modeling based on partial least squares is applied using SmartPLS 3.FindingsThe result of data analysis indicates a positive and significant effect of EM on the market and innovative performances of halal food SMEs. Nevertheless, the effect of EM on production performance of aforementioned companies is not confirmed. The findings also show that production, market and innovative performances of halal food SMEs result in their financial performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe study’s sample is limited to halal food SMEs of Iran. Although the objectives of the study have been aimed, more research can be done investigating this relationship in other companies from different sectors, contexts and countries. Similar studies can be conducted cross-culturally and in different Islamic countries.Practical implicationsFor halal food SMEs that tend to achieve better performance, obtaining improved innovative and market performances requires using EM activities effectively. This paper suggests that halal food SMEs should be innovative, proactive, opportunist, risk-taker and customer-oriented to achieve better market and innovative performances and consequently earn higher profits.Originality/valueThis is one of the earliest studies investigating the effects of EM in the halal food industry. Although very few papers practically recognized the impact of EM on the performance of SMEs and entrepreneurial ventures, the effect of this concept on halal food SMEs has remained unknown.
‘Enoch Powell Speaks for Britain’: The Press, the Public and the Speech
Authors: Sandbrook Dominic 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis article explores popular reactions to Enoch Powell's speech in Birmingham on 20 April 1968. It describes the protests by sympathetic workers, such as the Smithfield meat porters, and the responses of the press, both nationally and in the West Midlands. It considers the speech's impact on immigrants themselves and it makes the case that Powell's real significance was as an early champion of a particular kind of anti‐Establishment populism, which has now become a very familiar feature of our political landscape.
Leaf litter and irrigation can increase seed germination and early seedling survival of the recalcitrant‐seeded tree Beilschmiedia miersii
Authors: Kremer Klaus N. , Promis Álvaro A. , Mancilla Gabriel , Magni Carlos R. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAlthough regeneration of recalcitrant‐seeded tree species can be affected by prolonged drought, especially in Mediterranean regions, little is known about the response of such species to varying site conditions. A field experiment was performed to determine the effect of irrigation and leaf litter cover on seed germination and early seedling survival of the vulnerable recalcitrant‐seeded tree Beilschmiedia miersii (Lauraceae). Two levels of irrigation (non‐irrigated and irrigated units) and three levels of leaf litter depth (0, 5 and 12 cm) were applied to 72 groups of 30 seeds along a wet ravine of the Coastal Range of Central Chile, equally distributed across sites with different levels of canopy cover. Seed germination was significantly increased by irrigation only under closed‐canopy cover, and by leaf litter cover (>5 cm) under all canopy conditions. The effect of leaf litter on germination increased with canopy openness, while the effect of irrigation did not show any tendency. Meanwhile, early seedling survival was significantly increased by irrigation under intermediate canopy cover, and by leaf litter (>5 cm) under closed‐canopy cover. As a result of its overall positive effect on germination, leaf litter should be maintained within B. miersii communities, particularly under intermediate to closed‐canopy conditions, where it can also increase early seedling survival, and both seed germination and early seedling survival might be increased through additional water inputs. The presence of leaf litter might help retaining such inputs, prolonging their effect on regeneration of B. miersii communities. We see this as a baseline assessment of regeneration and persistence that needs further testing on species with similar traits, given the expected increase in the frequency and length of dry periods into the future.
Comparison of maternal and perinatal outcomes in women with super obesity based on planned mode of delivery
Authors: Parambi Anisha , Davies‐Tuck Miranda , Palmer Kirsten R. 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundCurrently, little evidence exists to guide mode of delivery in pregnant women with super obesity. There is a trend toward elective caesarean delivery in this population with little evidence of improved maternal or neonatal outcomes.AimOur study compares maternal and neonatal outcomes based on planned mode of delivery and aimed to identify predictors for a successful vaginal delivery.Materials and MethodsThis retrospective observational study explored maternal and neonatal outcomes of women with a body mass index ≥50 who birthed following a singleton pregnancy at ≥36 weeks gestation over a 10 year period at a single centre in Melbourne, Australia. Outcomes between women having a planned vaginal or planned caesarean birth were compared on an intention‐to‐treat basis, with logistic regression used to determine factors predictive of a vaginal birth.ResultsA total of 275 women with super obesity were identified. One hundred and ninety‐nine (72%) planned a vaginal birth, which was successful for 70%. Planned vaginal birth was associated with lower rates of postpartum complications requiring readmission (5% vs 16%; P = 0.003). Neonatal resuscitation requirements and Apgar scores at five minutes were similar between groups. Multiparity was the strongest predictor of a successful vaginal birth while medical intervention in labour was associated with a reduced rate of success in primiparous women.ConclusionsContrary to current trends in practice, a trial of labour for women with super obesity, when facilities and skills permit, appears a safe option for mother and baby.
Hong Kong consumer preferences for Japanese beef: Label knowledge and reference point effects
Authors: Kikushima Ryosuke , Nakajima Shinsaku , Takano Masahiro , Ito Nobuhiro 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe excellent flavor of Wagyu is becoming increasingly popular all over the world. However, the popularity of Wagyu has encouraged competition for authentic Japanese Wagyu, resulting in the appearance of inauthentic Wagyu beef. To ward off this export competition, Japanese Wagyu producers need to improve and differentiate their value‐added beef. As hardly any past studies focus on the consumption of Japanese Wagyu in Hong Kong, this paper uses a choice experiment to examine the valuation of beef by Hong Kong consumers in terms of country of origin. Data from 250 Hong Kong consumers obtained through a web questionnaire were used to analyze the beef preferences. In addition to the beef's country of origin, its marbling level, the Japanese Wagyu label and reference point effects were considered. The results indicate that Hong Kong consumers place a significant premium on Japanese Wagyu over Australian or American Wagyu. That premium is greater among consumers who have seen the Japanese Wagyu label. Reference price effects were also statistically confirmed. To promote Japanese Wagyu beef consumption, therefore, it is important to make the consumer aware of the advantages of Japanese Wagyu.
Early compensatory responses against neuronal injury: A new therapeutic window of opportunity for Alzheimer's Disease?
Authors: Merlo Sara , Spampinato Simona Federica , Sortino Maria Angela 
Published: August 2018

SummaryAlzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by extensive neurodegeneration and inflammation in selective brain areas, linked to severely disabling cognitive deficits. Before full manifestation, different stages appear with progressively increased brain pathology and cognitive impairment. This significantly extends the time lag between initial molecular triggers and appearance of detectable symptoms. Notably, a number of studies in the last decade have revealed that in the early stage of mild cognitive impairment, events that appear in contrast with neuronal distress may occur. These have been reproduced in vitro and in animal models and include increase in synaptic elements, increase in synaptic and metabolic activity, enhancement of neurotrophic milieu and changes in glial cell reactivity and inflammation. They have been interpreted as compensatory responses that could either delay disease progression or, in the long run, result detrimental. For this reason, these mechanisms define a new and previously undervalued window of opportunity for intervention. Their importance resides especially in their early appearance. Directing efforts to better characterize this stage, in order to identify new pharmacological targets, is an exciting new avenue to future advances in AD research.
Hand Position and Response Assignment Modulate the Activation of the Valence‐Space Conceptual Metaphor
Authors: Castaño Emilia , Gilboy Elizabeth , Feijóo Sara , Serrat Elisabet , Rostan Carles , Hilferty Joseph , Cunillera Toni 
Published: August 2018

AbstractConceptual metaphor is ubiquitous in language and thought, as we usually reason and talk about abstract concepts in terms of more concrete ones via metaphorical mappings that are hypothesized to arise from our embodied experience. One pervasive example is the conceptual projection of valence onto space, which flexibly recruits the vertical and lateral spatial frames to gain structure (e.g., good is up‐bad is down and good is right‐bad is left). In the current study, we used a valence judgment task to explore the role that exogenous bodily cues (namely response hand positions) play in the allocation of spatial attention and the modulation of conceptual congruency effects. Experiment 1 showed that congruency effects along the vertical axis are weakened when task conditions (i.e., the use of vertical visual cues, on the one hand, and the horizontal alignment of responses, on the other) draw attention to both the vertical and lateral axes making them simultaneously salient. Experiment 2 evidenced that the vertical alignment of participants’ hands while responding to the task—regardless of the location of their dominant hand—facilitates the judgment of positive and negative‐valence words, as long as participants respond in a metaphor–congruent manner (i.e., up responses are good and down responses are bad). Overall, these results support the claim that source domain representations are dynamically activated in response to the context and that bodily states are an integral part of that context.