bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Corporate governance in Spanish savings banks and its relationship with financial and social performance
Authors: Bachiller Patricia , Garcia-Lacalle Javier 
Published: February 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present empirical evidence about relationships between the corporate governance (CG) mechanisms of the Spanish savings banks, their financial and social performance and their profitability prior to their collapse.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use a structural equation model (SEM), taking the return on assets as the dependent variable, and CG, corporate social responsibility and efficiency as explanatory constructs. SEM methodology provides interesting features that allows a better definition of some organisational characteristics.FindingsResults indicate that CG characteristics, including the politicisation of governance bodies, did not affect the financial performance. The size of the board of directors had a significant influence on social responsibility. In addition, results suggest that the whole board focused on social issues, whereas non-executive members were less concerned about economic issues. Greater money allocation to social welfare programmes resulted in higher profitability, which can be explained by competitive advantages, reputation and customer satisfaction.Social implicationsNowadays, some political parties demand either for the creation of a public banking sector or banks with social goals. This paper provides interesting insights into the debate.Originality/valueThe influence of personal attributes of board members on performance needs to be analysed in greater depth in the non-profit sector. The SEM methodology allows us to include some board attributes and performance dimensions in a better way than with other methodologies.
Influence of WOM and content type on online engagement in consumption communities
Authors: Le Tri D. 
Published: February 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of word-of-mouth (WOM) types, WOM valence, content types and discussion topics of user posts on online engagement in two channels of a consumption community. The posts are composed by users on the discussion forum and shared to the Facebook channel of the consumption community by the administrators.

Design/methodology/approach
The data for this study were obtained from a popular car consumption community in Vietnam. A total of 505 user posts on the discussion forum were manually coded and assigned to WOM types, valence and content characteristics. The online engagement metrics were measured by the number of views and replies on the discussion forum, and the number of likes, comments and shares on Facebook.

Findings
The results indicate that the WOM types and valence have a significant impact on online engagement and the popularity of posts on Facebook is associated with the number of views on a discussion forum. The content type and discussion topic partially influence some factors of the online engagement metrics.

Practical implications
The findings are helpful for consumption community administrators to understand and manage their users’ engagement. Moreover, it indirectly supports brands and companies, since the consumption communities also include sub-communities of particular brands and marketers cooperate with consumption communities for their social media marketing strategies.

Originality/value
This research contributes to the literature of online engagement in two aspects. First, this study examines the impact of WOM types and valence. Second, this is the first study investigating the effects of posts by users within an information flow from a discussion forum to Facebook.
The Impact of Nonthermal Technologies on the Microbiological Quality of Juices: A Review
Authors: Roobab Ume , Aadil Rana Muhammad , Madni Ghulam Muhammad , Bekhit Alaa El‐Din 
Published: February 2018

AbstractFruit and vegetable juices are rich sources of nutrients that support microbiological growth and ultimately undergo rapid deterioration of safety and quality. The loss of nutritional quality of juices due to intensive thermal processing is a major problem encountered during the treatment of commercially preserved liquid foods. Conventional thermal processing technologies inactivate microorganisms and enzymes and extend the shelf life of foods but exert negative effects on nutritional and organoleptic properties of juices, for example, a loss of vitamins, of a desirable flavor, and of bioactive compounds and development of different sensory profiles as a result of heating. Nonthermal technologies including ultrasonication, a pulsed electric field, high‐pressure processing, irradiation, and their combinations are suitable alternatives for achieving the same preservation effect without the adverse effects of heat on the quality of juices and meet consumer demand for clean‐label, safe, and wholesome products without compromising their nutritional properties.
First molecular genetic evidence for automictic parthenogenesis in cockroaches
Authors: Tanaka Masashi , Daimon Takaaki 
Published: February 2018

AbstractParthenogenesis is an asexual mode of reproduction that plays an important role in the evolution of sex, sociality, and reproduction strategies in insects. Some species of cockroach exhibit thelytoky, a type of parthenogenesis in which female offspring are produced without fertilization. However, the cytological and genetic mechanisms of parthenogenesis in cockroaches are not well understood. Here we provide the first molecular genetic evidence that cockroaches can reproduce through automixis. Using the American cockroach Periplaneta americana, we performed microsatellite analysis to investigate the genetic relationship between parthenogenetically produced nymphs and the parent virgin females, and found that all parthenogenetic offspring were homozygous for autosomal microsatellite markers, whereas the female parents were heterozygous. In addition, flow cytometry analysis revealed that the parthenogenetic offspring were diploid. Taken together, our results demonstrate that P. americana exhibits automixis‐type thelytoky, in which diploidy is restored by gamete duplication or terminal fusion. These findings highlight the unique reproduction strategies of cockroaches, which are more varied than was previously recognized.
Tolvaptan in Chinese cirrhotic patients with ascites: A randomized, placebo‐controlled phase 2 trial
Authors: Wang Yong Feng , Tang Jie Ting , Han Tao , Ding Hui Guo , Ye Wei Jiang , Wang Mao Rong , Cheng Jun , Yang Yong Ping , Chen Cheng Wei , Xie Qing , Mao Qing , Niu Jun Qi , Wang Zheng Hua , Wei Zhong , Chen Ying Xuan , Zeng Min De , Mao Yi Min 
Published: February 2018

ObjectiveTo evaluate tolvaptan as a novel therapeutic option for Chinese patients with liver cirrhosis‐associated ascites in a phase 2 clinical trial.MethodsThis randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicenter trial was conducted in patients with insufficient responses to combination therapies of an oral loop diuretic and an aldosterone antagonist. Reduction in body weight and abdominal circumference, increase in 24‐h cumulative urine volume and improvement in serum sodium level from baseline to the end of treatment in the tolvaptan groups (15 mg/day or 30 mg/day orally) were compared with those in the placebo group. Drug safety was also assessed.ResultsSixty‐two patients were allocated to the placebo group, 56 to the tolvaptan 15‐mg group and 63 to the tolvaptan 30‐mg group. Their mean changes in body weight were ‐0.5 ± 1.6 kg, ‐2.1 ± 2.0 kg and ‐1.9 ± 2.0 kg, respectively. Body weight reductions in both tolvaptan groups were significantly greater than that in the placebo group (difference ‐1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] ‐2.5 to ‐0.8, and difference ‐1.4, 95% CI, ‐2.2 to ‐0.7, both P < 0.0001). The administration of tolvaptan also significantly reduced the abdominal circumference, increased 24‐h cumulative urine volume and serum sodium level compared with placebo. The most common adverse events in the tolvaptan groups were constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth and thirst, with no severe adverse events observed.ConclusionTolvaptan at 15 mg/day significantly reduced the body weight and abdominal circumference in patients with liver cirrhosis‐associated ascites, which needs to be confirmed in a phase 3 trial.
Genomic variation in Pekin duck populations developed in three different countries as revealed by whole‐genome data
Authors: Zhang Z. , Jia Y. , Chen Y. , wang L. , Lv X. , Yang F. , He Y. , Ning Z. , Qu L. 
Published: February 2018

SummaryIt is well known that both British and American Pekin ducks originated from China. However, the populations differ substantially in production performance, but the genetic changes involved are still poorly understood. Herein, we sequenced 24 individual Pekin ducks (eight from each population) with an average sequencing depth of more than 45× for each population (mean coverage of 6.29 per individual). Among these populations from three different countries, we identified a large number of SNPs and indels as well as many unique population variants, which can be used as population‐specific molecular markers. Genomic comparisons among the three duck populations revealed many candidate genes as well as pathways and Gene Ontology categories that are putatively associated with meat yield in the British population, growth in the American population and brain development in all three populations. These findings will enable a better understanding of the artificial selection history of Pekin ducks and provide a valuable resource for future research on the breeding of this species.
Effect of sarcopenia on the outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy for distal cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Umetsu Satoko , Wakiya Taiichi , Ishido Keinosuke , Kudo Daisuke , Kimura Norihisa , Miura Takuya , Toyoki Yoshikazu , Hakamada Kenichi 
Published: February 2018

BackgroundThe relationship between sarcopenia and patient outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for distal cholangiocarcinoma (DCC) remains unclear. We assessed the impact of sarcopenia on the outcomes after PD for DCC.MethodsWe retrospectively analysed 65 patients who underwent PD for DCC. The quality of skeletal muscle indicated by the psoas muscle mass index (PMI) were measured on pre‐operative computed tomography images. The impact of pre‐operative sarcopenia on short‐ and long‐term outcomes was evaluated.ResultsRegarding short‐term surgical outcomes, there were no marked differences between the high and low PMI groups. Regarding long‐term oncological outcomes, the rates of recurrence (23.5% versus 58.3%, P = 0.011) was significantly lower in the high PMI group than in the low PMI group. Furthermore, the recurrence‐free survival and disease‐specific survival were longer in the high PMI group (P = 0.023 and P = 0.043, respectively). On multivariate analyses, low PMI was an independent predictor of recurrence (hazard ratio (HR) 11.06; P = 0.022) and disease‐specific death (HR 11.88; P = 0.043).ConclusionsOur findings suggested an association between pre‐operative sarcopenia and poor long‐term oncological outcomes after PD for DCC.
Connecting game design with problem posing skills in early childhood
Authors: Kalmpourtzis George 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis paper presents a teaching experiment with preschoolers, considering games as means for presenting problem‐based situations and focusing on the development of game design in connection to problem posing skills. The study was conducted in a focus group of eighteen 5–6‐year‐old students who participated in game design sessions, compared to a control group of students of the same age, who did not participate in any game design interventions. An experimental design research methodology was applied, where their skills, both in game design and in problem posing, were examined by a pretest and posttest. The findings suggest that the development of game design skills with the support of appropriate organized teaching interventions can also have a positive impact on the development of problem posing skills.
Ileal vaginoplasty as vaginal reconstruction in transgender women and patients with disorders of sex development: an international, multicentre, retrospective study on surgical characteristics and outcomes
Authors: van der Sluis Wouter B. , Pavan Nicola , Liguori Giovanni , Bucci Stefano , Bizic Marta R. , Kojovic Vladimir , Hess Jochen , Meijerink Wilhelmus J.H.J. , Mullender Margriet G. , Özer Müjde , Smit Jan Maerten , Buncamper Marlon E. , Krege Susanne , Djordjevic Miroslav L. , Trombetta Carlo , Bouman Mark‐Bram 
Published: February 2018

ObjectiveTo describe the surgical outcomes of ileal vaginoplasty in transgender women and patients with disorders of sex development (DSD).Patients and MethodsTransgender women and patients with DSD, who underwent ileal vaginoplasty at the VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, University Hospital Trieste, University Hospital Essen, and Belgrade University Hospital, were retrospectively identified. A chart review was performed, recording surgical technique, intraoperative characteristics, complications, and re‐operations.ResultsWe identified a total of 32 patients (27 transgender and five non‐transgender), with a median (range) age of 35 (6–63) years. Ileal vaginoplasty was performed as the primary procedure in three and as a revision procedure in the remaining 29. The mean (sd) operative time was 288 (103) min. The procedure was performed laparoscopically (seven patients) or open (25). An ileal ‘U‐pouch’ was created in five patients and a single lumen in 27. Intraoperative complications occurred in two patients (one iatrogenic bladder damage and one intraoperative blood loss necessitating transfusion). The median (range) hospitalisation was 12 (6–30) days. Successful neovaginal reconstruction was achieved in all. The mean (sd) achieved neovaginal depth was 13.2 (3.1) cm. The median (range) clinical follow‐up was 35 (3–159) months. In one patient a recto‐neovaginal fistula occurred, which lead to temporary ileostomy. Introital stenosis occurred in four patients (12.5%).ConclusionIleal vaginoplasty can be performed with few intra‐ and postoperative complications. It appears to have similar complication rates when compared to sigmoid vaginoplasty. It now seems to be used predominantly for revision procedures.
The desmin network is a determinant of the cytoplasmic stiffness of myoblasts
Authors: Charrier Elisabeth E. , Montel Lorraine , Asnacios Atef , Delort Florence , Vicart Patrick , Gallet François , Batonnet‐Pichon Sabrina , Hénon Sylvie 
Published: February 2018

Background InformationThe mechanical properties of cells are essential to maintain their proper functions, and mainly rely on their cytoskeleton. A lot of attention has been paid to actin filaments, demonstrating their central role in the cells mechanical properties, but much less is known about the participation of intermediate filament (IF) networks. Indeed the contribution of IFs, such as vimentin, keratins and lamins, to cell mechanics has only been assessed recently. We study here the involvement of desmin, an IF specifically expressed in muscle cells, in the rheology of immature muscle cells. Desmin can carry mutations responsible for a class of muscle pathologies named desminopathies.ResultsIn this study, using three types of cell rheometers, we assess the consequences of expressing wild‐type (WT) or mutated desmin on the rheological properties of single myoblasts. We find that the mechanical properties of the cell cortex are not correlated to the quantity, nor the quality of desmin expressed. On the contrary, the overall cell stiffness increases when the amount of WT or mutated desmin polymerised in cytoplasmic networks increases. However, myoblasts become softer when the desmin network is partially depleted by the formation of aggregates induced by the expression of a desmin mutant.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that desmin plays a negligible role in the mechanical properties of the cell cortex but is a determinant of the overall cell stiffness. More particularly, desmin participates to the cytoplasm viscoelasticity.SignificanceDesminopathies are associated with muscular weaknesses attributed to a disorganisation of the structure of striated muscle that impairs the active force generation. The present study evidences for the first time the key role of desmin in the rheological properties of myoblasts, raising the hypothesis that desmin mutations could also alter the passive mechanical properties of muscles, thus participating to the lack of force build up in muscle tissue.
Integrin diversity brings specificity in mechanotransduction
Authors: Seetharaman Shailaja , Etienne‐Manneville Sandrine 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCells sense and respond to the biochemical and physical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) through adhesive structures that bridge the cell cytoskeleton and the surrounding environment. Integrin‐mediated adhesions interact with specific ECM proteins and sense the rigidity of the substrate to trigger signalling pathways that, in turn, regulate cellular processes such as adhesion, motility, proliferation and differentiation. This process, called mechanotransduction, influenced by the involvement of different integrin subtypes and their high ECM–ligand binding specificity, contributes to the cell‐type‐specific mechanical responses. In this review, we describe how the expression of particular integrin subtypes affects cellular adaptation to substrate rigidity. We then explain the role of integrins and associated proteins in mechanotransduction, focusing on their specificity in mechanosensing and force transmission.
Variation in traction forces during cell cycle progression
Authors: Vianay Benoit , Senger Fabrice , Alamos Simon , Anjur‐Dietrich Maya , Bearce Elizabeth , Cheeseman Bevan , Lee Lisa , Théry Manuel 
Published: February 2018

Background InformationTissue morphogenesis results from the interplay between cell growth and mechanical forces. While the impact of geometrical confinement and mechanical forces on cell proliferation has been fairly well characterised, the inverse relationship is much less understood. Here, we investigated how traction forces vary during cell cycle progression.ResultsCell shape was constrained on micropatterned substrates in order to distinguish variations in cell contractility from cell size increase. We performed traction force measurements of asynchronously dividing cells expressing a cell‐cycle reporter, to obtain measurements of contractile forces generated during cell division. We found that forces tend to increase as cells progress through G1, before reaching a plateau in S phase, and then decline during G2.ConclusionsWhile cell size increases regularly during cell cycle progression, traction forces follow a biphasic behaviour based on specific and opposite regulation of cell contractility during early and late growth phases.SignificanceThese results highlight the key role of cellular signalling in the regulation of cell contractility, independently of cell size and shape. Non‐monotonous variations of cell contractility during cell cycle progression are likely to impact the mechanical regulation of tissue homoeostasis in a complex and non‐linear manner.
Managing the flow of private information on children and parents in poverty situations: Creating a panoptic eye in interorganizational networks?
Authors: Van Haute Dorien , Roets Griet , Alasuutari Maarit , Vandenbroeck Michel 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn this article, we discuss how the flow of private information about children and families in poverty situations is managed in interorganizational networks that aim to combat child poverty. Although practices for sharing information and documentation between child and family social work services are highly encouraged and recommended to create supportive features for parents and children, this development often results in undesirable forms of governmentality. Interorganizational networking also creates controlling side effects because the exchange of information in networks of child and family services may wield a holistic power over families. We theorize this issue by using the Foucauldian concepts of the panopticon and pastoral power, which allows us to grapple with the major tension between support and control in the information‐ and documentation‐sharing practices of social workers. A critical analysis of our empirical data reveals four central fields of tension in which social workers and their organizations must position themselves: (a) craving control and handling uncertainty, (b) using and misusing private information and trust, (c) constructing families as subjects and objects of intervention, and (d) including and excluding families.
Dispersal ecology of deadwood organisms and connectivity conservation
Authors: Komonen Atte , Müller Jörg 
Published: February 2018

AbstractLimited knowledge of dispersal for most organisms hampers effective connectivity conservation in fragmented landscapes. In forest ecosystems, deadwood‐dependent organisms (i.e., saproxylics) are negatively affected by forest management and degradation globally. We reviewed empirically established dispersal ecology of saproxylic insects and fungi. We focused on direct studies (e.g., mark‐recapture, radiotelemetry), field experiments, and population genetic analyses. We found 2 somewhat opposite results. Based on direct methods and experiments, dispersal is limited to within a few kilometers, whereas genetic studies showed little genetic structure over tens of kilometers, which indicates long‐distance dispersal. The extent of direct dispersal studies and field experiments was small and thus these studies could not have detected long‐distance dispersal. Particularly for fungi, more studies at management‐relevant scales (1–10 km) are needed. Genetic researchers used outdated markers, investigated few loci, and faced the inherent difficulties of inferring dispersal from genetic population structure. Although there were systematic and species‐specific differences in dispersal ability (fungi are better dispersers than insects), it seems that for both groups colonization and establishment, not dispersal per se, are limiting their occurrence at management‐relevant scales. Because most studies were on forest landscapes in Europe, particularly the boreal region, more data are needed from nonforested landscapes in which fragmentation effects are likely to be more pronounced. Given the potential for long‐distance dispersal and the logical necessity of habitat area being a more fundamental landscape attribute than the spatial arrangement of habitat patches (i.e., connectivity sensu strict), retaining high‐quality deadwood habitat is more important for saproxylic insects and fungi than explicit connectivity conservation in many cases.