bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primary determinants of a large-scale curriculum reform
Authors: Tikkanen Lotta , Pyhältö Kirsi , Soini Tiina , Pietarinen Janne
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to gain a better understanding of how national board administrators, more precisely, officials at the Finnish National Board of Education (FNBE) have perceived the primary influencing factors, or “regulators”, of the national core curriculum reform and the success of the implementation. The alignment between the identified regulators was also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

Altogether, 23 FNBE officials participated in this mixed methods study.

Findings

The results showed that the officials perceived the core curriculum reform as a systemic entity: the reform was implemented using a top-down and bottom-up strategy, and several regulators were identified at different levels of the education system. The officials also viewed the implementation as successful, and identified more promoting than hindering factors in it. However, they emphasised regulators at the administrative level, whereas regulators at the district or national levels were less often identified. They also highlighted the importance of orchestrating collaboration in comparison with the other regulators.

Practical implications

The results imply that in addition to considering separate determinants of reform success, it is important to pay attention to sufficient alignment between the regulators at different levels of the education system in order to better understand and promote the implementation of a large-scale reform.

Originality/value

This study provides new knowledge on national board administrators’ perspectives on what regulates the implementation of a large-scale curriculum reform.
A decade of entrepreneurship education in the Asia Pacific for future directions in theory and practice
Authors: Wu Yen-Chun Jim , Wu Tienhua
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to systematically review the literature on entrepreneurship education (EE) in the Asia Pacific spanning a ten-year publishing period. The results of previous EE research are summarily analyzed and the key themes are critically addressed.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a systematic literature review of EE articles published from 2007 to 2016 in peer-reviewed, English-speaking journals that are available on the Scopus database. Frequency, bibliometrical data, and research content of the literature review are analyzed.

Findings

Research in this area is experiencing a steady growth, and a small percentage of scholars or countries in the Asia Pacific are found to make significant contributions to a body of knowledge on EE. The findings also show that the majority of studies lack theoretical legitimacy on the definition of EE and its underpinning theories; however, some articles consider an institutional or contextual perspective on EE, present individual-centered pedagogy in a traditional educational context, or indicate the intertwined connections between EE initiatives and economic growth. Thus, the findings manifest EE research in the Asia Pacific as relatively limited across research agenda, viewpoints, and levels.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the discussion on key themes, a multi-faceted and multi-tier perspective and a longitudinal study are suggested to provide broader and deeper understanding of the complexities in EE provision and its role in the relationship with national entrepreneurship. Thus, the gap between Western/Asian research contexts and enabling a common evolving body of knowledge can be bridged.

Practical implications

This study provides valuable insights that can aid educators and policymakers to establish and improve EE design and operations. This study would benefit EE systems in countries of the Asia Pacific region and should improve their practical outcomes. The relevance of integrating functional, personality, and behavioral views into EE development seems difficult but is suitable for EE advancements, thereby boosting the acceptance of entrepreneurship in society and subsequently impacting the economic development of a country.

Originality/value

This study is the first literature review on EE research in the Asia Pacific; it provides a summary analysis of the current state of EE and future directions in theory and practice.
The impact of entrepreneurial education on entrepreneurial intention of engineering students in Hong Kong
Authors: Sun Hongyi , Lo Choi Tung , Liang Bo , Wong Yuen Ling Belle
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Theory of planned behavior (TPB) has been used to study the impact of entrepreneurial education (EE) on entrepreneurial intention (EI) for more than 20 years, yet an intensive literature review reveals that there are gaps in both the conceptual models and the research methods. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of EE on EI with a view to address the gaps in previous research.

Design/methodology/approach

This research proposes a conceptual model that links the entire antecedent variables of TPB and the elaborated four components of entrepreneurship education (Why, What, How, and Who). The model is tested by a structural equation modeling with the empirical data from 200 engineering students from three universities in Hong Kong.

Findings

The empirical test reveals that the four components of entrepreneurial education do influence attitude, social norm, self-efficacy, and EI, correspondingly. Additionally, it also reveals that the four EE components and the three TPB antecedent variables are also interrelated with each other.

Originality/value

This study bridges specific education components and EI, providing significant insight into how the key components influence the entrepreneurial attitudes and intentions of students. It fills the gap in the knowledge required for fostering EI through entrepreneurship education. It not only answers the question on whether EE influences EI but also on how to nurture the intention by designing a relevant EE course.
The factors that influence the development of entrepreneurship education
Authors: Lin Song , Xu Zhengda
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors that influence the development of entrepreneurship education and attempt to establish a theoretical framework for the development of entrepreneurship education.

Design/methodology/approach

By using vertical and horizontal data on entrepreneurship education in China, the authors demonstrate the influence of multiple factors. Relevant statistical methods include variance and regression analyses.

Findings

The factors that influence the development of entrepreneurship education are divided into supply and demand categories. Data show that the increasing number of policies and the expansion of business schools are positively correlated with the development of entrepreneurship education, whereas the advancement of academia and the lowering of employment pressure are negative indicators.

Research limitations/implications

The authors’ measurement of entrepreneurship education lacks accuracy because of scarcity of data. Not all factors that affect the development of entrepreneurship education have been considered, and certain factors with significant influence may have been missed.

Practical implications

This study is expected to help countries and regions gain insights into their policies for the development of entrepreneurship education and propel the development of entrepreneurship education by certain means. Business schools can select targeted educational programs to help drive national economic development and transition.

Originality/value

This study proposes a theoretical framework regarding the factors that influence the development of entrepreneurship education and establishes three models. The framework provides theoretical insights into the relationship between the development of entrepreneurship education and its dependent external environment. Furthermore, the authors argue that the existing research overestimates the role of policy when investigating the development of entrepreneurship education, which also contributes to the existing literature on public goods and development economics.
Is brand value co-creation actionable? A facilitation perspective
Authors: Biraghi Silvia , Gambetti Rossella Chiara
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Extant branding literature is dominated by a metaphorical view of value co-creation in which the roles of brand actors remain unspecified. To help provide clarity, the purpose of this paper is to critically appraise how brand professionals understand brand value co-creation and perceive their role in facilitating it, with the aim of questioning its viability in day-to-day brand management practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on brand professionals’ reflexivity, the study develops a qualitative methodological glance via semi-structured interviews based on confrontational techniques with a purposive sample of 28 experienced brand decision-makers.

Findings

Brand professionals perceive accessibility, reciprocity and citizenship as the gateways provided by the firm for value co-creation to happen. Despite their enthusiastic rhetorical afflatus in making explicit their viewpoints about how firms can facilitate value co-creation, the current translation into practice of the role of the firm does not seem to be able to overcome the sender-biased approach that still resides in brand management.

Practical implications

To go beyond the limits of rhetorical representations and make brand value facilitation more actionable, the authors provide guidelines on how firms can create and enhance the circumstances for the co-creation of brand value to occur in interactions with consumers and stakeholders.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the critical actionability of the brand value co-creation by elucidating how firms currently perceive their facilitation role. The paper provides strategic recommendations to put co-creation rhetoric into practice by reframing and expanding the scope and the significance of brand management.
Ethical leadership and employee task performance: examining moderated mediation process
Authors: Yang Qi , Wei Hua
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of ethical leadership on employee task performance, specifically the mechanisms through which ethical leadership impacts employee task performance and the moderating role of employee proactive personality. Social identity, social learning, and self-concordance theory were used to explain the way ethical leadership affects employee task performance, and provided another way to understand this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected survey-based dyadic data from middle management team members and subordinates in Chinese companies. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The empirical findings indicate that ethical leadership positively influences employee task performance. Organizational identification (OID) mediates the relationship between ethical leadership and employee task performance. Furthermore, the relationship between ethical leadership and employee task performance via OID is moderated by employee proactive personality.

Originality/value

Employee task performance is critical for a firm’s competitive advantage. This paper adds to knowledge about the relationship between ethical leadership and employee task performance and contributes to effective management.
Social capital, motivations, and knowledge sharing intention in health Q&A communities
Authors: Zhang Xing , Liu Shan , Chen Xing , Gong Yeming (Yale)
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Although health question-and-answer (Q&A) communities have become popular in recent years, only a few communities have successfully retained and motivated their members to share knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the ways by which social capital and motivation influence knowledge sharing intention from the perspectives of health professionals and normal users in health Q&A communities.

Design/methodology/approach

The developed theoretical model integrates individual motivation and social capital theories. On the basis of a sample comprising 363 members from health Q&A communities in China, the authors tested the hypotheses by using structural equation modeling.

Findings

This study empirically finds that social capital positively affects intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, which then positively influence the intention of health professionals and normal users to share knowledge. Motivations of members fully mediate the effects of social capital on knowledge sharing intention. Specifically, intrinsic motivation influences knowledge sharing intention more for health professionals than for normal users, whereas extrinsic motivation influences knowledge sharing intention more for normal users than for health professionals.

Originality/value

This study explores the factors that affect the intentions of sharing knowledge in health Q&A communities by integrating social capital and motivation theories. Individual motivations can then bridge social capital and knowledge sharing intention. The effects of the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations of two user types were further examined and compared. These findings can extend the understanding of the underlying drivers of intention to share knowledge in the context of e-health.
Factors determining the success or failure of a tourism tax: a theoretical model
Authors: Sheng Li
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This theoretical paper aims to illustrate that tourism economies differ substantially with respect to market conditions, such as demand elasticity and industrial structure, which have a clear effect on the distribution of the tax burden.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has used partial and general equilibrium frameworks to study the effects of a production tax on the overall welfare of a tourism economy. The two frameworks are linked via the relative price of tourism based on the assumption that it is influenced by a typical tourism economy that is able to enjoy a certain degree of market power in its tourism exports.

Findings

We have discovered that the division of the tax burden is significantly affected by local market conditions, such as demand elasticity and industrial structure. Generally, tourism economies differ with respect to those characteristics, which can be crucial in determining the success of a tourism tax. This line of research has enabled us to determine why different tourism tax rates have been adopted in various markets and to provide a justification for government selection of a particular tax in a given market. The rational criterion for tax choices is to maximize the likelihood of enhancing welfare or to minimize the risk of reducing efficiency.

Originality/value

This paper argues that those conditions are crucial to determining the success or failure of a tourism tax and may thus be able to explain why each tourism economy has adopted a different tax.
Scientific progress on strategic management in hospitality and tourism: a state-of-the-art
Authors: Okumus Fevzi , Köseoglu Mehmet Ali , Morvillo Alfonso , Altin Mehmet
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to offer a critical review of studies of scientific progress of strategic management (SM) research in the hospitality and tourism field (H&T).

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted through a critical literature review based on three dimensions: intellectual, conceptual and social structures of SM research.

Findings

The boundaries of SM under the three dimensions (intellectual, conceptual and social structure) are addressed. Based on these three components, SM in hospitality and tourism realm shows a discursive structure. There are few studies assessing the evolution of SM research in the H&T industry. However, all of these studies are review papers that explored the boundaries of SM research in H&T by using limited keywords to find SM papers, and generally considered papers which are published in a few leading H&T journals.

Research limitations/implications

This study focused on only H&T journals to elaborate the boundaries of SM in H&T. The findings of this study can help researchers (re)design research agendas to contribute to both mainstream and H&T industry SM literature and to enhance the essential elements of theory development in SM research related to H&T industry.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies assessing the development of SM research related to hospitality and tourism by considering the boundaries of SM in three issues: intellectual, conceptual and social structure.
Determinants of tourism in Indian states: an empirical analysis
Authors: Parida Yashobanta , Bhardwaj Parul , Roy Chowdhury Joyita
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the determinants of foreign and domestic tourist arrivals and revenue receipts from tourism using state-level panel data in 25 Indian states for the period 1995 to 2011.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses IV-2SLS method to examine the determinants of foreign and domestic tourist arrivals in Indian states. Economic development (proxied by per capita income, PCI) is an endogenous variable. We have used the state-wise “liable to flood prone area” as an instrument for PCI to control for endogeneity. An inverse relationship exists between state-wise “liable to flood prone area” and real PCI, in a sense that states with greater proportion of area marked as liable to flood experience lower economic development. For robust analysis, the study has also used IV-Tobit model to examine the effects of economic development and crime on revenue receipts from tourism.

Findings

The empirical results based on IV-2SLS method suggest that, in addition to economic development, other factors such as the presence of world-class monuments, natural landscapes and cultural heritage also encourage both international and domestic visitors in Indian states. While crime activities adversely affect the inflow of foreign and domestic tourist arrivals, terror activities do not significantly impact tourist arrivals and tourism receipts. Finally, the estimates of IV-Tobit model show that economic development and government expenditure on tourism sector leads to a significant increase in tourism receipts.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study done in Indian context in which state-level panel data have been used to examine the impact of economic, social and cultural factors on tourist arrivals and revenue earnings from tourism. Hence, the present study not only contributes to existing tourism literature, but also makes an important contribution to structuring suitable tourism management policies for the Indian states.
Linking functional diversity and ecosystem processes: A framework for using functional diversity metrics to predict the ecosystem impact of functionally unique species
Authors: Kuebbing Sara E. , Maynard Daniel S. , Bradford Mark A.
Published: July 2017

Functional diversity (FD) metrics are widely used to assess invasion ecosystem impacts, but we have limited theory to predict how FD should respond to invasion. A key challenge to effectively using FD metrics is the complexity of conceptualizing alterations to multidimensional trait space, making it difficult to select a priori the most appropriate metric for specific ecological questions.

Here, we provide expectations on how invasion should change four commonly used FD metrics—functional richness (FRic), evenness (FEve), divergence (FDiv) and dispersion (FDis)—and then test these expectations in a laboratory decomposition experiment. We simulate invasion of a forest by understorey plants by adding leaf litter from 18 natives and non‐natives to a representative canopy tree litter mixture to test changes in FD and decomposition.

All four metrics changed predictably with invasion. Species that were more functionally unique or when added at greater proportions had larger impacts on FD. Overall, FRic, FEve and FDiv were poor choices for understanding impacts of non‐native species. FDis was the only metric that both changed predictably with addition of understorey litter and correlated intuitively with changes in carbon mineralization. Furthermore, ranking species based upon how much they changed FDis of the litter mixture provided a fair assessment of which species had the largest impact on decomposition. As such, functional dispersion may be a key tool for predicting a priori which non‐natives will have the greatest impact on ecosystem processes.

Synthesis. We highlight the need to assess the suitability of each functional diversity metric for the specific ecological question at hand. Our work reveals the pitfalls of considering multiple metrics or randomly choosing a single metric without suitability assessments. At the same time, it suggests a framework for metric assessment that should help lead to selection of a metric or metrics that provide robust a priori insights into how invasion by non‐native species can impact ecosystem processes.
Spatial Accessibility of Primary Care in England: A Cross‐Sectional Study Using a Floating Catchment Area Method
Authors: Bauer Jan , Müller Ruth , Brüggmann Dörthe , Groneberg David A.
Published: July 2017

Objective

To analyze the general practitioners (GPs) with regard to the degree of urbanization, social deprivation, general health, and disability.

Data Sources

Small area population data and GP practice data in England.

Study Design

We used a floating catchment area method to measure spatial GP accessibility with regard to the degree of urbanization, social deprivation, general health, and disability.

Data Collection

Data were collected from the Office for National Statistics and the general practice census and analyzed using a geographic information system.

Principal Findings

In all, 25.8 percent of the population in England lived in areas with a significant low GP accessibility (mean z‐score: −4.2); 27.6 percent lived in areas with a significant high GP accessibility (mean z‐score: 7.7); 97.8 percent of high GP accessibility areas represented urban areas, and 31.1 percent of low GP accessibility areas represented rural areas (correlation of accessibility and urbanity: r = 0.59; p<.001). Furthermore, a minor negative correlation with social deprivation was present (r = −0.19; p<.001). Results were confirmed by a multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

This study showed substantially differing GP accessibility throughout England. However, socially deprived areas did not have poorer spatial access to GPs.
The BRICS’ New Development Bank: Shifting from Material Leverage to Innovative Capacity
Authors: Cooper Andrew F.
Published: July 2017

This article argues that the BRICS’ New Development Bank (NDB) deserves more attention not because it is equivalent to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) but because of its differences. Unlike the AIIB the NDB does not possess impressive material capacity or overt connections to a wider state‐led geo‐political strategy. What distinguishes the NDB is its creative design with four significant elements of novelty. Unlike other multilateral financial institutions, including the AIIB, the NDB is committed to a principle of equality across its core membership. Product innovation is advanced by its promotion of sustainable development with an exclusive focus on niche clean renewable energy projects. The expressed aim of the NDB with regard to resources is to use green bonds denominated in BRICS’ national currencies. And the focus on delivery centers on the need for speed. Although each of these elements face severe tests, the ability of the NDB to navigate around serious internal tensions through improvisation and trade‐offs points to an original emerging pattern of collective policy making and global governance.
Intraoperative music application in children and adolescents – a pilot study
Authors: Buehler P. K. , Spielmann N. , Buehrer S. , Schmidt A. R. , Weiss M. , Schmitz A.
Published: July 2017

Background

Hospitalization, surgery and anaesthesia may lead to new‐onset maladaptive behaviour, emotional distress and trauma. This pilot study aims to investigate the influence of intraoperatively applied music on post‐operative behaviour in children and adolescents.

Methods

Children with an ASA physical state classification of I or II, aged from 4 to 16 years and scheduled for elective circumcision or inguinal hernia repair under combined general and caudal anaesthesia were included. The children were randomized into two groups. They wore headphones during surgery, and were either exposed to music or not. All involved staff were blinded. Post‐operative behaviour was documented by parents on day 7, 14 and 28 after surgery, using a questionnaire adapted from the “Post Hospitalization Behavioural Questionnaire” (PHBQ). Overall occurrence of at least one item indicating maladaptive behaviour was the primary outcome. Data are presented as median (interquartile range).

Results

In total, 135 children aged 6.6 (5.3–8.5) years, weighing 22 (19–29) kg, were included, with 112 completed questionnaires returned. Overall occurrence of at least one maladaptive item was lower in the music group, with a significantly lower incidence on day 7 (51% vs. 77% in controls; P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Intraoperative music application in children undergoing minor surgical procedures may reduce the incidence of post‐operative maladaptive behaviour within the first week.
Gender differences in the correlates of loneliness among Japanese persons aged 50–70
Authors: van den Broek Thijs
Published: July 2017

Objective

This study aimed to explore gender differences in the correlates of loneliness among Japanese persons aged 50–70.

Methods

Logistic regression models were estimated on cross‐sectional Japanese Generations and Gender Survey data of 4057 persons aged 50–70. Loneliness was measured as having a score of 2 or higher on the shortened De Jong Gierveld loneliness scale.

Results

For more than half of the respondents, De Jong Gierveld loneliness scores exceeded the threshold of 2. Loneliness was more prevalent among men than among women. Living without a spouse or partner was more strongly associated with loneliness for men than for women. Childlessness was more strongly associated with loneliness for women than for men.

Conclusion

A large proportion of Japanese people between 50 and 70, particularly men, are lonely. Programs aimed at reducing loneliness should acknowledge that antecedents of loneliness differ between women and men.
Brain metastases from colorectal cancer: characteristics and management
Authors: Mege Diane , Sans Arnaud , Ouaissi Mehdi , Iannelli Antonio , Sielezneff Igor
Published: July 2017

Background

Brain metastases (BMs) are the most common intracranial neoplasms in adults, but they rarely arise from colorectal cancer (CRC). The objective of this study was to report an overview of the characteristics and current management of CRC BMs.

Methods

A systematic review on CRC BMs was performed using Medline database from 1983 to 2015. The search was limited to studies published in English. Review articles, not relevant case report or studies or studies relating to animal and in vitro experiments were excluded.

Results

BMs occurred in 0.06–4% of patients with CRC. Most BMs were metachronous and were associated with lung (27–92%) and liver (12–80%) metastases. Treatment options depended on the number of BMs, the general conditions of the patient and the presence of other metastases. Most frequent treatment was whole‐brain radiotherapy (WBRT) alone (36%), with median overall survival comprised between 2 and 9 months. Median overall survival was better after surgery alone (from 3 to 16.2 months), or combined with WBRT (from 7.6 to 14 months). After stereotactic radiosurgery alone, overall survival could reach 9.5 months. Many favourable prognostic factors were identified, such as high Karnofsky performance status, low recursive partitioning analysis classes, lack of extracranial disease, low number of BMs and possibility to perform surgical treatment.

Conclusion

BMs from CRC are rare. In the presence of favourable prognostic factors, an aggressive management including surgical resection with or without WBRT or stereotactic radiosurgery can improve the overall survival.
Paediatric obesity treatment had better outcomes when children were younger, well motivated and did not have acanthosis nigricans
Authors: Dalla Valle Marketta , Laatikainen Tiina , Lehikoinen Miika , Nykänen Päivi , Jääskeläinen Jarmo
Published: July 2017

Aim

This study evaluated the efficacy of a paediatric obesity treatment programme and explored the factors that contributed to the outcome.

Methods

We recorded the body mass index standard deviation scores (BMI SDS) of 654 children aged 2‐18 years who were treated for obesity in 2005–2012 in three Finnish hospitals, one year before treatment and up to three years after treatment. The family‐based multidisciplinary treatment included nutritional advice, exercise and behavioural counselling. The BMI SDS changes, and their contributors, were explored with mixed‐model and logistic regression analyses.

Results

BMI SDS increased before baseline and decreased at six, 12 and 24 months (all p < 0.001) and 36 months (p = 0.005). Younger age (p < 0.001), higher BMI SDS at baseline (p = 0.001), motivation (p = 0.013), adherence to the protocol (p = 0.033) and lack of acanthosis nigricans (p < 0.001) improved the outcome. The BMI SDS of children aged 2–6 decreased best from baseline to 12 (−0.35), 24 (−0.58) and 36 months (−0.64) (all p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Paediatric obesity treatment was most effective at a younger age. Good motivation and adherence contributed to favourable outcomes, while acanthosis nigricans was associated with a poor outcome.
Positive Youth Development as a Strategy for Addressing Readiness and Equity: A Commentary
Authors: Pittman Karen J.
Published: July 2017

Attention to addressing child and youth disparities associated with race, gender, and class has significantly increased the demand for guidance on how to help local systems and organizations that already serve low‐income youth and youth of color sharpen program components and improve program practices in ways that address the broader and often more complex needs of these populations. In this commentary, the author reflects on how the research findings and themes in the articles included in the special section (a) advance our ability to answer specific questions such as how to improve social skill growth among trauma‐exposed children and (b) reinforce the importance of continuing to link positive youth development to the tenets of program quality and self‐transformation.
Statistical Learning and Spelling: Older Prephonological Spellers Produce More Wordlike Spellings Than Younger Prephonological Spellers
Authors: Treiman Rebecca , Kessler Brett , Boland Kelly , Clocksin Hayley , Chen Zhengdao
Published: July 2017

The authors analyzed the spellings of 179 U.S. children (age = 3 years, 2 months–5 years, 6 months) who were prephonological spellers, in that they wrote using letters that did not reflect the phonemes in the target items. Supporting the idea that children use their statistical learning skills to learn about the outer form of writing before they begin to spell phonologically, older prephonological spellers showed more knowledge about English letter patterns than did younger prephonological spellers. The written productions of older prephonological spellers were rated by adults as more similar to English words than were the productions of younger prephonological spellers. The older children s spellings were also more wordlike on several objective measures, including length, variability of letters within words, and digram frequency.
Invariant natural killer cells change after an oral allergy desensitization protocol for cow's milk
Authors: Cianferoni A. , Saltzman R. , Saretta F. , Barni S. , Dudek E. , Kelleher M. , Spergel J. M.
Published: July 2017

Background

Cow milk (CM) allergy (CMA) affects up to 3% of the paediatric population and recent data suggest that only about 50% will outgrow by age 8. Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is a type of immune‐modulating treatment that is able to induce desensitization to food allergens, to increase tolerance threshold, to reduce the risk of anaphylaxis, and to improve the patient's quality of life. The examination of the immunological changes observed during the establishment of food allergy (FA) desensitization in FA patients is a window into the pathogenesis of food allergy and food tolerance development. In this pathway, we have previously found that invariant natural killer T cells (iNKTs) are involved in CM allergy sensitization and now examine their role in OIT.

Methods

In this study, 10 of the 11 children with CM induced anaphylaxis enrolled in a CMA OIT clinical trial and completed the protocol. Peripheral blood iNKTs were quantitatively and qualitatively via flow cytometry characterized ex vivo and after culture with milk lipids before and after completing the OIT protocol.

Results

After completing OIT for CM, children were able to reintroduce CM in their diet. For the first time, we demonstrated that OIT induced a significant increase in the peripheral blood iNKT, as well as their switch from a T helper (Th‐2; ie IL‐4, IL‐13) to Th‐1 (ie IFN‐γ) cytokine profile.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

This study confirms the efficacy and safety of CM‐OIT as well as the role of iNKT cells in CM allergy.
Developing an interdisciplinary and cross‐sectoral community of practice in the domain of forests and livelihoods
Authors: Watkins Cristy , Zavaleta Jennifer , Wilson Sarah , Francisco Scott
Published: July 2017

Although significant resources are being spent researching and fostering the relationship between forests and livelihoods to promote mutually beneficial outcomes, critical gaps in understanding persist. A core reason for such gaps is that researchers, practitioners, and policy makers lack the structured space to interact and collaborate, which is essential for effective, interdisciplinary research, practice, and evaluation. Thus, scientific findings, policy recommendations, and measured outcomes have not always been synthesized into deep, systemic understanding; learning from practice and implementation does not easily find its way into scientific analyses, and science often fails to influence policy. Communities of practice (CofPs) are dynamic sociocultural systems that bring people together to share and create knowledge around a common topic of interest. They offer participants a space and structure within which to develop new, systemic approaches to multidimensional problems on a common theme. Uniquely informed by a systems‐thinking perspective and drawing from the scientific and gray literatures and in‐depth interviews with representatives of established CofPs in the natural resource management and development domain, we argue that a well‐designed and adequately funded CofP can facilitate interdisciplinary and cross‐sectoral relationships and knowledge exchange. Well‐designed CofPs integrate a set of core features and processes to enhance individual, collective, and domain outcomes; they set out an initial but evolving purpose, encourage diverse leadership, and promote collective‐identity development. Funding facilitates effective communication strategies (e.g., in person meetings). We urge our colleagues across sectors and disciplines to take advantage of CofPs to advance the domain of forests and livelihoods.
Two Models of Moral Judgment
Authors: Bretz Shane , Sun Ron
Published: July 2017

This paper compares two theories and their two corresponding computational models of human moral judgment. In order to better address psychological realism and generality of theories of moral judgment, more detailed and more psychologically nuanced models are needed. In particular, a motivationally based theory of moral judgment (and its corresponding computational model) is developed in this paper that provides a more accurate account of human moral judgment than an existing emotion‐reason conflict theory. Simulations based on the theory capture and explain a range of relevant human data. They account not only for the original data that were used to support the emotion–reason conflict theory, but also for a wider range of data and phenomena.
Availability of immunocytochemistry using cocktail antibody targeting p63/cytokeratin14 for the differential diagnosis of fibroadenoma and ductal carcinoma in situ in fine needle aspiration cytology of the breast
Authors: Maeda I. , Oana Y. , Tsugawa K. , Takagi M.
Published: July 2017

Objective

The differential diagnosis of fibroadenoma (FA) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has been problematic in fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAC) because it has been difficult to differentiate between the “large epithelial clusters” associated with FA and those associated with DCIS. The purpose of this study was to prospectively validate the usefulness of immunocytochemical staining using cocktail antibody targeting p63/CK14 in the differential diagnosis of FA and DCIS.

Materials and methods

Twenty patients diagnosed as having an uncertain malignant potential (indeterminate) for breast cancer on the basis of a FNAC finding were selected randomly: ten patients with FA and ten with DCIS. The cover glass on a specimen stained with the Papanicolaou stain on a glass slide was peeled off, and the specimen was restained by immunocytochemical staining of cocktail antibody targeting p63 and CK14.

Results

Six of the twenty patients were CK14‐immunopositive: FA, 6; DCIS, 0. The remaining patients were CK14‐immunonegative: FA, 4; DCIS, 10. The number of CK14‐immunopositive DCIS patients was significantly different from that of FA patients (P=.0054). Eight out of the twenty patients were p63‐immunopositive: FA, 8; DCIS, 0. The remaining patients were p63‐immunonegative: FA, 2; DCIS, 10. The number of p63‐immunopositive DCIS patients was significantly different from that of FA patients (P=.0004).

Conclusions

Immunocytochemical staining using cocktail antibody targeting p63/CK14 was useful for the differential diagnosis of FA and DCIS in FNAC of the breast.
Efficacy and tolerability of the new autoinjected suspension of exenatide once weekly versus exenatide twice daily in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Wysham Carol H. , Rosenstock Julio , Vetter Marion L. , Dong Fang , Öhman Peter , Iqbal Nayyar
Published: July 2017

Aims

To simplify administration of aqueous exenatide once weekly, which requires reconstitution, the exenatide microspheres have been reformulated in a ready‐to‐use autoinjector with a Miglyol diluent (exenatide QWS‐AI). This study compared the efficacy and safety of exenatide QWS‐AI with the first‐in‐class glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist exenatide twice daily (BID).

Materials and Methods

This randomized, open‐label, controlled study in patients with type 2 diabetes using diet and exercise or taking stable oral glucose‐lowering medication randomized patients 3:2 to either exenatide QWS‐AI (2 mg) or exenatide BID (10 μg) for 28 weeks. The primary outcome was the 28‐week change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). A subset of patients completed a standardized meal test for postprandial and pharmacokinetic assessments.

Results

A total of 375 patients (mean HbA1c, 8.5% [69 mmol/mol]; body mass index, 33.2 kg/m2; diabetes duration, 8.5 years) received either exenatide QWS‐AI (n = 229) or exenatide BID (n = 146); HbA1c was reduced by −1.4% and −1.0%, respectively (least‐squares mean difference, −0.37%; P = .0072). More patients achieved HbA1c <7.0% with exenatide QWS‐AI (49.3%) than with exenatide BID (43.2%; P = .225). Body weight was reduced in both groups (P = .37 for difference). Gastrointestinal adverse events (AEs) were reported in 22.7% (exenatide QWS‐AI) and 35.6% (exenatide BID) of patients; fewer patients in the exenatide QWS‐AI group withdrew because of AEs than in the exenatide BID group. Minor hypoglycaemia occurred most often with concomitant sulfonylurea use.

Conclusions

Exenatide QWS‐AI was associated with a greater reduction in HbA1c, similar weight loss and a favorable gastrointestinal AE profile compared with exenatide BID.
Estimating the Marginal Contribution to Systemic Risk by A CoVaR‐model Based on Copula Functions and Extreme Value Theory
Authors: Di Clemente Annalisa
Published: July 2017

In this paper, we quantify the contribution to systemic risk of a single financial institution by utilizing a analytical framework based on the principles of Extreme Value Theory (EVT) for modelling the marginal distributions and on the properties of copula functions for describing the dependence structure between the financial system and the single financial institution. Among the several systemic risk measures proposed nowadays by academics and estimated by public data, we choose to adopt as systemic risk metric the Conditional Value‐at‐Risk (CoVaR). We select a co‐risk measure like the CoVaR because of its macro‐dimension that allows us to integrate the dependence structure of the single financial institution and of the whole financial system in the systemic risk measurement. While the copula functions have been utilized in some pioneer studies on this area, the EVT principles have not yet been implemented in such a context of systemic risk contribution measurement.
Options for integrating ecological, economic, and social objectives in evaluation and management of fisheries
Authors: Benson Ashleen J. , Stephenson Robert L.
Published: July 2017

There has been growing international attention in recent years to the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries, Ecologically Sustainable Development, and similar initiatives that demand a comprehensive evaluation of the social, economic, and ecological performance of fisheries. However, the practical integration and application of these aspects continue to present a significant challenge for management. Progress to date has been limited by gaps in governance, objectives, disciplinary breadth, and methods. In this study, we develop an inventory of the methods that have been proposed to be able to incorporate ecological, economic, and social objectives and to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of fisheries and management. Our inventory includes both a description of the range of methods, and an evaluation against a set of criteria related to their utility in an applied, decision support context.
Impact of metabolic syndrome on early recovery of continence after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Nishikawa Masatomo , Watanabe Hiromitsu , Kurahashi Toshifumi
Published: July 2017

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of metabolic syndrome on the early recovery of urinary continence after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy.

Methods

The present study included a total of 302 consecutive Japanese patients with clinically localized prostate cancer who underwent robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy. In this study, postoperative urinary continence was defined as no leak or the use of a security pad. The continence status was assessed by interviews before and 1 and 3 months after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy. Metabolic syndrome was defined as follows: body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 and two or more of the following: hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. The effect of the presence of metabolic syndrome on the continence status of these patients was retrospectively examined.

Results

A total of 116 (38.4%) and 203 (67.2%) of the 302 patients were continent at 1 and 3 months after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy, respectively. A total of 31 (10.3%) patients were judged to have metabolic syndrome. Despite the operative time being longer in patients with metabolic syndrome, no significant differences were observed in the remaining preoperative, intraoperative or postoperative variables between patients with or without metabolic syndrome. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, metabolic syndrome and the duration of hospitalization were significantly correlated with the 1‐month continence status. Similarly, metabolic syndrome and estimated blood loss during surgery were independent predictors of continence rates at 3 months after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the presence of metabolic syndrome could have a significant impact on the early recovery of urinary continence after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy.
Affecting Lives: How Winning the US Diversity Visa Lottery Impacts DV Migrants Pre‐ and Post‐Migration
Authors: Imoagene Onoso
Published: July 2017

Usual debates about the diversity visa (DV) programme revolve around the impact of DV initiated mass migration on African countries’ development, on whether the programme sufficiently diversifies U.S. immigrant streams, and on whether there is a tradeoff in immigrant quality for diversity. This article seeks to extend the focus of these debates by examining the impact of the diversity visa programme on DV migrants at the micro‐level pre‐ and post‐migration. Based on in‐depth interviews with sixty‐one diversity visa lottery winners from Ghana and Nigeria, the article examines how this immigration policy has become a contextual determinant of immigrant incorporation. It argues that an account of the impact of immigration policies on immigrants pre‐ and post‐migration must be added to theorization of state agency in shaping migration flows. It concludes with a discussion on ways the diversity visa programme can be modified to facilitate incorporation of DV migrants in the United States.
Characteristics of carotid atherosclerosis in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes at different disease course, and the intervention by statins in very elderly patients
Authors: Chen Wenjun , Tian Tao , Wang Shiming , Xue Yan , Sun Zongqin , Wang Shuli
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Chronic complications of diabetes have become the leading cause of death in elderly patients with diabetes. Carotid atherosclerosis, one of the major complications, was evaluated and the effects of atorvastatin on carotid atherosclerosis in very elderly patients with type 2 diabetes were observed.

Materials and Methods

Patients were divided into three groups: (i) disease course <5 years; (ii) disease course 5–10 years; (iii) disease course >10 years, and carotid atherosclerosis was evaluated. The very elderly patients were treated with statins, and the effect was observed.

Results

Carotid intima‐media thickness values, plaque instability and levels of homocysteine, cystatin, and C‐reactive protein in diabetes patients were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group, whereas levels of C‐peptide and estimated glomerular filtration rate in the patients were significantly lower. In patients with type 2 diabetes for >10 years, intima‐media thickness values and plaque instability were obviously higher than those in patients with type 2 diabetes for <5 years, while levels of fasting C‐peptide and estimated glomerular filtration rate were lower than those in patients with type 2 diabetes for <5 years. In the very elderly patients, after statins treatment, intima‐media thickness values, levels of homocysteine and C‐reactive protein were significantly reduced, as well as the number of unstable plaques.

Conclusions

In the elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, carotid atherosclerosis‐related factors increased obviously, and renal function declined obviously, which were closely related to the disease course. Atorvastatin significantly reduced homocysteine and C‐reactive protein, and delayed and reversed the progress of carotid atherosclerosis in very elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.