Initial Entry Research Articles

Gendered Pathways: Employment Behavior among Family-Based and Skill-Based Immigrants in the United States

The United States is the only country to admit the majority of its immigrants on the basis of kinship ties. Although policy makers typically view family migration as less favorable and assume that family immigrants do not contribute to the U.S. economy, this argument is oversimplified and ignores the role of gender and the various ways that family immigration works. This study captures the multiple aspects of immigrants’ entry visas and its intersection with gender to examine the employment behavior of college-educated immigrant men and women who arrived in the United States via several family-based and skill-based categories. Using nationally representative data from 2010, 2013, and 2015 National Survey of College Graduates, the author finds that immigrants’ initial entry pathways into the United States continue to stratify their employment behavior and trajectories, especially for immigrant women. The conditions of family-sponsored immigration matter; temporary migration as a spouse is negatively associated with immigrant women’s employment but not permanent family migration.

Innovation adaptation and post-entry growth in international new ventures

Innovation plays a vital role in the internationalization process of international new ventures (INVs). However, to date, there are insufficient empirical studies exploring the innovation decisions that enable these firms to grow once the internationalization process has started. In response to this research gap, this paper examines the impacts of the technological pattern adopted at the initial foreign entry and the decisions to improve it afterward. In general, while the original technological patterns contributed to the immediate growth of INVs (that is, 1 year after the market entry), the results of this study reveal that the changes that occurred in the patterns have more significance on the post-entry growth (that is, 4 years after the market entry). Therefore, this study is supported by earlier works that emphasize the role of innovation as a stimulus for internal change as well as resource adaptation as a means of achieving sustainable growth in the international markets.

Evaluation of the pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction between the antiretroviral agents fostemsavir and maraviroc: a single-sequence crossover study in healthy participants

Background Fostemsavir is an oral prodrug of temsavir, a first‐in‐class attachment inhibitor that binds HIV‐1 gp120, preventing initial HIV attachment and entry into host immune cells. Objective The pharmacokinetic interaction was determined between temsavir and maraviroc, a CCR5 allosteric inhibitor indicated for CCR5-tropic HIV-1 that may be co-administered with fostemsavir as part of combination antiretroviral therapy in heavily treatment-experienced adults with multidrug-resistant HIV-1 infection. Methods This was a Phase 1, open-label, single-sequence, 3-period crossover study evaluating the effect of fostemsavir on maraviroc pharmacokinetics and the effect of maraviroc on temsavir pharmacokinetics (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02480894). Fourteen healthy participants received fostemsavir 600 mg twice daily (BID) for 4 days in Period 1 (followed by a 3-day washout), maraviroc 300 mg BID for 5 days in Period 2, and fostemsavir 600 mg BID with maraviroc 300 mg BID for 7 days in Period 3. Study drugs were administered orally with a standard meal. Results Following fostemsavir and maraviroc co-administration, maraviroc area under the plasma concentration-time curve over the dosing interval (AUCτ) increased 25% (from 1914 to 2382 ng.h/mL) and maraviroc plasma concentration at the end of the dosing interval (Ctrough) increased 37% (from 36.5 to 49.9 ng/mL), but there was no change in maximum observed concentration (Cmax). Following fostemsavir and maraviroc co-administration, temsavir AUCτ and Cmax increased 10-13% and Ctrough decreased 10%. Conclusions Co-administration of fostemsavir and maraviroc did not result in clinically relevant changes in maraviroc or temsavir exposure. Fostemsavir and maraviroc may be co-administered without dose adjustment of either antiretroviral agent.

Does an Imitation Strategy Promote Long-Term Firm Growth in a Dynamic Environment? A Meta-Analysis.

The increasing number of successful latecomer enterprises has led to a growing research interest in the area, but there is a lack of consensus in academic circles on the relationship between imitation strategy and firm growth. While some enterprises achieved sustainable growth based on an imitation strategy, others withdrew from the market soon after their initial market entry. In this context, this meta-analysis synthesizes empirical findings including 23 independent samples (N = 66,110) to obtain evidence and explore the extent to which an imitation strategy affects firm growth. Moreover, by further examining the moderating effects of industry conditions, country-specific factors, and performance time horizons, this research also aims to address a complementary research question: in which context is imitation strategy more beneficial for the firm growth? We found that an imitation strategy is more effective in promoting firm growth in low-tech industries than in high-tech industries and in non-OECD countries than in OECD countries. It fosters the short-term performance rather than the long-term performance of a firm. Our research findings are meaningful for enterprises to choose an appropriate imitation strategy according to their unique attributes, enabling sustainable growth in a dynamic environment.

A scoping review of system-level mechanisms to prevent children being in out-of-home care.

Identifying which approaches can effectively reduce the need for out-of-home care for children is critically important. Despite the proliferation of different interventions and approaches globally, evidence summaries on this topic are limited. This study is a scoping review using a realist framework to explore what research evidence exists about reducing the number of children and young people in care. Searches of databases and websites were used to identify studies evaluating intervention effect on at least one of the following outcomes: reduction in initial entry to care; increase in family reunification post care. Data extracted from papers included type of study, outcome, type and level of intervention, effect, mechanism and moderator, implementation issues and economic (EMMIE) considerations. Data were coded by: primary outcome; level of intervention (community, policy, organisation, family or child); and type of evidence, using the realist EMMIE framework. This is the first example of a scoping review on any topic using this framework. Evaluated interventions were grouped and analysed according to system-level mechanism. We present the spread of evidence across system-level mechanisms and an overview of how each system-level mechanism might reduce the number of children in care. Implications and gaps are identified.

Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis: Multidisciplinary Development of a Clinical Practice Guideline.

Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis: Multidisciplinary Development of a Clinical Practice Guideline.

Assessing Trade Attractiveness Using International Marketing Environmental Factors and Fuzzy DEMATEL

International market entry of entities can be through exporting, licensing, franchising, partnering and strategic alliance, acquisition and Greenfield venture. However, small and medium enterprises (SMEs’) initial international market entries are limited to exporting. Hence, assessing the international marketing environment is essential for deciding the pre-export or initial export stages of going international. It also needs favourable policies to support the trade growth of SMEs between countries. Hence, this research study aims to develop a quantitative approach for assessing the international trade attractiveness between regions with physical, political, economic, sociocultural and technological (PPEST) variables and the fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique. This research study is novel in its approach for identifying the prominence causal variables of trade attractiveness by applying the Fuzzy DEMATEL technique. The results revealed that ‘focusing on the development of new technologies’ and ‘Physical distribution and communication network’ were the core factors influencing the trade attractiveness between the regions. Furthermore, directions for policy implementation and research expansion in this domain were also presented.

A simplified method and numerical simulation for wedge-shaped plunger wavemaker

The wave can be obtained by the horizontal movement of the piston-plate or flap-plate, and also could be obtained by the vertical movement of the wedge. In this paper, Firstly, the implicit equations of the relationship between the wedge vertical motion trajectory and the targeted wave including linear wave, stokes-fifth-order wave, solitary wave and irregular wave, are derived. Secondly, the RNG k-ε turbulence model and VOF method are combined to solve the RANS equations for wave-making of targeted wave by wedge-shaped plunger wavemaker using CFD software Fluent. Thirdly, the numerical results are compared with the analytical solutions systematically, also the characteristics of the wave surface, velocity field, water particle trajectories, as well as their evolution and propagation are elaborately explored. Meanwhile, the effect of the initial entry depth and the wedge angle on the wave-making quality was discussed, and the differences in the force and power between wedge-shaped plunger wavemaker and piston-type wavemaker are compared in detail. The velocity field and water particle trajectories present a comprehensive understanding of wave generation and propagation. The results indicate that the proposed simplified method and numerical simulation have high accuracy for linear wave, weakly-nonlinear stokes-fifth-order wave, solitary wave and irregular wave.

Ergosterol peroxide inhibits HBV infection by inhibiting the binding of the pre-S1 domain of LHBsAg to NTCP

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection leads to severe liver diseases, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). More than 257 million individuals are chronically infected, particularly in the Western Pacific region and Africa. Although nucleotide and nucleoside analogues (NUCs) and interferons (IFNs) are the standard therapeutics for HBV infection, none eradicates HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) from the infected hepatocytes. In addition, long-term treatment with NUCs increases the risk of developing drug resistance and IFNs may cause severe side effects in patients. Thus, a novel HBV therapy that can achieve a functional cure, or even complete elimination of the virus, is highly desirable. Regarding the HBV life cycle, agents targeting the entry step of HBV infection reduce the intrahepatic cccDNA pool preemptively. The initial entry step in HBV infection involves interaction between the pre-S1 domain of the large hepatitis B surface protein (LHBsAg) and the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), which is a receptor for HBV. In this study, ergosterol peroxide (EP) was identified as a new inhibitor of HBV entry. EP inhibits an early step of HBV entry into DMSO-differentiated immortalized primary human hepatocytes HuS-E/2 cells, which were overexpressed NTCP. Also, EP interfered directly with the NTCP–LHBsAg interaction by acting on the NTCP. In addition, EP had no effect on HBV genome replication, virion integrity or virion secretion. Finally, the activity of EP against infection with HBV genotypes A–D highlights the therapeutic potential of EP for fighting HBV infection.

Study of the friction coefficient during the steady-state process of continuous hot rolling of steel strips in conditions of the 1950 industrial mill

This paper describes a method for determining the value of the friction coefficient in a steady-state hot rolling under industrial conditions of the casting and rolling complex of “Vyksa Steel Works” located in Vyksa. The algorithm implies the forward slip method for determining the friction coefficient using the Ekelund formula. Measurements of hot rolling technological parameters from sensors are used as input parameters. Mathematical formulas are implemented in the ibaAnalyzer software, with the help of calculations are made for several thousand strips and data on the friction coefficient are obtained under various conditions. The data processing results demonstrate a normal distribution of the friction coefficient. The highest value of the friction coefficient is typical for the first finisher stands F1-F2, and the lowest values are found for the thinner gauge products rolled at high speed. The influence of the working layer of the work rolls on the friction value is demonstrated. High-chromium cast iron rolls have lower values of the friction coefficients, in contrast to indefinite cast iron, which is used for the working layer of the last finisher stands of mill 1950. A detailed comparison of the results with the classical methods for determining the friction coefficient in a steady-state process has been carried out. The dependence of the ratio of the friction coefficient during initial entry to the steady-state friction coefficient was refined.

Owner CEO narcissism, international entrepreneurial orientation and post-entry speed of internationalization: an empirical study of exporting SMEs from China

PurposeThis study explores the impact of owner chief executive officers' (CEO) narcissism on the exporting small to medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) decision-making on the international market expansion speed after their initial entry. Specifically, the authors use the mechanism of firms' international entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) to examine how owner CEO narcissism may influence SMEs' post-entry speed of internationalization (PSI), both directly and indirectly.Design/methodology/approachTo test the hypotheses, the authors draw on data from a two-wave questionnaire and on archival export data from 291 Chinese exporting SMEs in three municipalities and 17 provinces from 2019 to 2020.FindingsThe results support the theoretical predictions that owner CEO narcissism shapes exporting SMEs' decisions on PSI, both directly and indirectly, through the mediation of firm-level IEO.Originality/valueThe study extends emerging research on the role of CEO narcissism in the upper echelons literature into the international marketing (IM) context. It also offers new insights into what drives exporting SMEs' IM decision-making from a psychological microfoundations perspective. Furthermore, the authors theoretically establish and empirically demonstrate the key role of a firm's IEO as a mediator to complement the existing literature's focus on the direct influence of CEO narcissism on firms' internationalization decisions.

Luxury fashion retailers' localised marketing strategies in practice – evidence from China

PurposeFrom an international retailing perspective, this empirical study aims to examine luxury fashion retailers' changing marketing strategies in China.Design/methodology/approachUsing case studies of 14 luxury fashion retailers, qualitative data were collected via 31 semi-structured executive interviews.FindingsBoth standardised global and localised multinational marketing strategies were found to have initially been employed by luxury fashion retailers entering into China. Subsequently, localised multinational strategies became increasingly important for their post-entry operations and business development, particularly in terms of their product strategies. More specifically, as well as the introduction of Chinese brand names, product design has been adapted according to Chinese market conditions, and product portfolios have been adapted to satisfy regional differences. However, localised product sourcing in China is far less common.Research limitations/implicationsAs the findings are generated from China, they may not explain luxury fashion retailers' marketing strategies in other markets. Despite the relatively small sample size, the 14 luxury fashion retailer case studies originate from across a wide range of countries, retail formats and ownership structures and are therefore considered to be varied enough to represent the market.Practical implicationsThe study offers practitioners insights into the success that can be generated by the manipulation of marketing strategies, particularly product strategies, within the world's second biggest luxury market.Originality/valueThis paper extends the current international retailing literature by examining and comparing the motives and practices of luxury fashion retailers and the increasing localisation of their marketing strategies in China as they move from initial market entry into their post-entry operations.

Predictors of smell recovery in a nationwide prospective cohort of patients with COVID-19

ObjectiveTo determine which factors (demographic, symptoms, comorbidities, and treatments) are associated with recovery of smell in patients with COVID-19 associated olfactory loss. Study designProspective, longitudinal questionnaires. SettingNational survey. MethodsA longitudinal web-based nationwide survey of adults with COVID-19 associated smell and taste loss was launched April 10, 2020. After completing an initial entry survey, participants received detailed follow-up questionnaires 14 days, and 1, 3 and 6 months later. ResultsAs of June 25, 2021, 798 participants met study inclusion criteria and completed 6-month questionnaires. Of demographic characteristics only age <40 years was positively associated with smell recovery (p < .003). Of symptoms, difficulty breathing was negatively associated with smell recovery (p < .004), and nasal congestion positively associated with smell recovery (p < .03). Of pre-existing comorbidities only previous head injury (p < .017) was negatively associated with smell recovery. None of the queried medications used to treat COVID were associated with better rates of smell recovery. ConclusionsAge <40 and presence of nasal congestion at time of COVID-19 infection were predictive of improved rates of smell recovery, while difficulty breathing at time of COVID-19 infection, and prior head trauma predicted worsened rates of recovery. Further study will be required to identify potential mechanisms for the other observed associations. Such information can be used by clinicians to counsel patients suffering COVID-19 associated smell loss as to prognosis for recovery.

Optimal adaptive race strategy for a Formula-E car

Appropriately managing battery state-of-charge and temperature while ensuring minimized lap time represents a crucial issue in Formula-E competitions. An open research question might relate to simultaneously guarantee near-optimality in the race strategy solution, computational light-weighting, and effective adaptability with respect to varying and unpredictable race conditions. In this paper, a novel near-optimal real-time capable Formula-E race controller is introduced that takes inspiration from the adaptive equivalent consumption minimization strategy (A-ECMS) approach. A reduced-order Formula-E car plant model is detailed first. The optimal Formula-E race problem subsequently discussed involves controlling at each lap the depletable battery energy, the thermal management mode, and the race mode in order to minimize the overall race time. Moreover, avoiding excessively depleting the battery energy and overheating the battery are considered as constraints for the race optimization problem. Dynamic programing (DP) is implemented first to obtain the global optimal Formula-E race strategy solution in an off-line control approach. The proposed real-time capable A-ECMS based race controller finds then detailed illustration. The flexibility of the introduced A-ECMS Formula-E race controller is guaranteed by optimally calibrating the related equivalence factors to adapt to the current vehicle states (i.e. battery state-of-charge, battery temperature, and lap number). Simulation results for the Marrakesh e-prix considering different race scenarios in terms of battery initial temperature and Safety car entry demonstrate that the estimated race time achieved by the A-ECMS race controller is always near-optimal being 1.7% higher at most compared with the corresponding global optimal benchmark provided by DP.

Parthenium hysterophorus, an emergent weedy plant species expands its geographical ranges in Pakistan

Parthenium hysterophorus [commonly known as Carrot grass; native to American tropics; family Asteraceae] is a flowering, short-lived perennial or an annual invasive-weedy plant. In the recent few years, the plant is spread (in epidemic proportions) vigorously, at least, in the two provinces (KP and Punjab) and the twin capital cities (Islamabad and Rawalpindi). The weed came in the lame light soon after the monsoon rains and floods of September 2012 and August 2013 that hit larger areas of KP and Punjab provinces of Pakistan. The massive boom in the weed was witnessed in areas under floods of the river Kabul and the Indus Ocean. It is speculated that after initial entry into the flood zones, the seeds then germinated and dispersed into the near and farther areas in the country, including hilly areas. The plant is categorized as a poisonous weed, and a source of skin allergies and itching. It may be a cause of increased reports of asthma, cough, fever, and allergies related to eyes in these areas [1, 2]. Due to its vigorous growth and allelopathic effects, the plant soon dominated over all other weeds and crop plants. Furthermore, it has a tremendous potential to withstand abiotic and biotic stresses. Its vigorous growth has resulted in the loss of local floral biodiversity [3]. Specifically in Islamabad, it has dominated completely the wild cannabis (weeds). However, this year, the cannabis weed seems to overcome gradually the parthenium dominance. The coming years may witness the revival of other plant species suppressed by parthenium. Although the plant seems to be resistant/tolerant to biotic stresses, very few plants were identified with leaf rolling, vein yellowing, stunting and bunchy-top like diseases, indicative of begomovirus infection. PCR amplification and sequencing confirmed a symptomatic parthenium plant positive for the viral infection (unpublished observation; Figure 2). Previously, only a single report is available of parthenium being infected with geminiviruses [4].&#x0D; Currently, no weedicide is available to eradicate the weedy plant. The only available alternative is to drag the plants out of soil along with their roots before they bear seeds. The presence of the plant everywhere on barren lands, streets, along the drains, hilly terraces, orchards, in lawn grass, and in crop fields makes complete eradication almost impossible (Figure 1a-c). Increased ailment linked with parthenium like – toxicity in the livestock and insect pollinators, skin allergies in humans and reduced agricultural productivity necessitates that the government and non-government stakeholders should take stringent measures to save human health, livestock and agricultural production.&#x0D;

CFD modelling and grid uncertainty analysis of the free-falling water entry of 2D rigid bodies

The open source Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) library, OpenFOAM, is utilized to simulate the water impact of two-dimensional wedges and ship bow sections. For the free falling cases, the predicted results are validated against existing experimental data, and the parameter study is performed regarding the number of cells, time step, and width of the water domain applied in the numerical models. Grid uncertainty analysis for the CFD results is performed with a constant Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy number, to assess the consistency and accuracy of the CFD solver in solving the present problem. Three uncertainty estimation methods are compared on the peak slamming forces and pressures: Correction Factor (Cf), Factor of Safety (Fs), and Least-squares Fit (Lf) based approaches. All three of them can provide reliable uncertainty estimation for CFD simulations, as long as the right mesh configuration has been used. The variations of pressure distribution on wedge sections with various deadrise angles and initial entry velocities are analyzed. To examine the capability of the tool to predict the slamming loads for a section with roll motions two cases are simulated: one considering a free roll motion and another with constant roll angles. The predicted slamming loads are compared with the available experimental data and other numerical results.

Uniting 25 Years of School-to-Work Transition Research: An Integrative Review and Research Agenda

A successful school-to-work transition is crucial for initial labor market entry as well as long-term career success. Scholarly interest in how young adults can achieve a successful transition to work has grown considerably in recent years in a range of disciplines. However, there is little interdisciplinary connectivity, which causes a lack of clear definition, scope, and empirical body of knowledge in this area. To synthesize this fragmented field, we systematically reviewed school-to-work transition literature published during the past 25 years, using a careers lens as an organizing framework. The objectives of this paper were threefold: a) to provide an overarching definition of the school-to-work transition, b) to systematically review the antecedents and outcomes of the school-to-work transition, and c) to synthesize the literature by developing an integrative theoretical model of antecedents and outcomes of the school-to-work transition. In doing so, we argue that school-to-career transition, thereby considering both short-term and long-term outcomes, is a more appropriate term to adopt moving forward. Finally, we provide suggestions for several key areas for further research, as well as practical implications for young adults, educational institutions, and human resource professionals.

Serological and RT-PCR Surveillance for COVID-19 in an Asymptomatic US Army Trainee Population.

BackgroundSignificant variability exists in the application of infection control policy throughout the US Army initial entry training environment. To generate actionable information for the prevention of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)/coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission among new recruits, active enhanced surveillance was conducted for evidence of and exposure to SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19.MethodsWe serially tested recruits with a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 and/or total antibody to SARS-CoV-2 tests at days 0, 14, and week 10 upon arrival for basic combat training at a location in the Southern United States.ResultsAmong 1403 recruits who were enrolled over a 6-week period from August 25 through October 11, 2020, 84 recruits tested positive by RT-PCR, with more than half (55%, 46/84) testing positive at arrival and almost two-thirds (63%, 53/84) also testing seropositive at arrival. Similarly, among an overall 146 recruits who tested seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 during the period of observation, a majority (86%) tested seropositive at arrival; no hospitalizations were observed among seropositive recruits, and antibody response increased at week 10.ConclusionsThese findings that suggest serological testing may complement current test-based measures and provide another tool to incorporate in COVID-19 mitigation measures among trainees in the US Army.

A degree of recognition across policing: embedding a degree apprenticeship encompassing work-based research

PurposeAs the police service across England and Wales moves towards degree-level study for new recruits as a component of recognising the profession of policing, this paper describes and discusses the introduction of the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) and the core skills of evidence-based policing (EBP) as an educational theme for solving work-based problems.Design/methodology/approachAuthored by both policing practitioners and researchers, this paper refers to key literature whilst exploring the implementation of the PCDA as a component of a Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF). It highlights some of the challenges faced with its implementation along with the benefits of the adopting this degree-level education and work-based programme where EBP is embedded in to both study and professional practice.FindingsThere are significant benefits to the police service of adopting the PCDA as one of the entry routes for new police constables and embracing the educational development and professional application of EBP. However, this does not come without a number of challenges for the service and the professional body for policing.Originality/valueThis paper, co-authored by both policing practitioners and researchers, provides a contemporary view on the introduction of the PCDA as an initial entry route for new police constables and the embedding of EBP within both their learning and professional practice. As the first graduates complete their studies, the paper discusses the opportunities the adoption presents and the challenges it faces both locally and nationally.

Limited asymptomatic colonization of apple tree shoots by Neonectria ditissima following infection of leaf scars and pruning wounds

AbstractEuropean apple canker, caused by Neonectria ditissima, is an important disease of apple (Malus domestica). The fungus may reside in the tree without causing symptoms for up to a few years, thus making canker control difficult. Asymptomatic infections established in the nursery can result in severe canker outbreaks in newly established apple orchards. It has been suggested that N. ditissima might colonize the tree beyond the infection point during the asymptomatic stage. We investigated whether N. ditissima can colonize the internal tissues of apple shoots, both prior to and after visual symptoms. Apple trees were artificially inoculated via pruning wounds and leaf scars; then the pathogen was tracked at the inoculation point and beyond with isolation or real‐time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Before visual symptoms, N. ditissima could be detected in the infected pruning cut or leaf scar, but not at a distance of 10–15 mm from the entry point, or greater. Conversely, after symptom expression, the pathogen could be detected in the symptomless tissue at 10–15 mm from a canker lesion. This study demonstrated that the asymptomatic infection by N. ditissima can be detected using qPCR and that the pathogen does not grow systemically much beyond the initial entry point inside the plant before visual canker symptoms appear.