bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Profiting on purpose: creating a master narrative
Authors: Hirsch Peter Buell
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the origins of and current practices in corporations seeking to define themselves as “purpose-driven”. The literature suggests that consumers, in particular Millennials, are attracted to companies that define themselves in this way both in terms of their buying behaviors and as places they would wish to work. The author also wanted to examine whether this trend represented a significant departure from previous activities in corporate citizenship, corporate social responsibility, sustainability or the triple bottom line.

Design/methodology/approach

This viewpoint reviewed the history of corporate philanthropy and social commitments from the 1880s to today to identify trend waves in this category. The author then examined some current examples of “purpose-driven” behavior to identify best practices.

Findings

The author found that there is considerable confusion in the marketplace about what constitutes best practices in corporate citizenship. The author also found that the outputs from preceding waves of corporate citizenship have created atomized pockets of similar activities in individual companies that either overlapped or were at odds with each other. This analysis suggested that there were four key requirements for companies trying to maintain a purpose-driven corporate brand: long-term commitment, authenticity, that they be employee-driven and be based on collaboration.

Research limitations/implications

The viewpoint was based on secondary source material and did not involve any primary research.

Practical implications

By identifying some core principles for purpose-driven activity, the viewpoint will help companies create and effectively maintain a master narrative.

Social implications

This review of corporate social responsibility will also create framework for thinking about the appropriate balance between the social and profit-driven motives of today’s corporations.

Originality/value

The author believes that this viewpoint is the first to examine the entire spectrum of corporate social commitment from both a historical and contemporary perspective.
Scrapping new product development efforts: when to keep going, when to fold
Authors: Webb James R.
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The innovative process of new product development remains unique within most organizations. This uniqueness stems from the requirements of the new product development manager to grapple with both the universe of emerging technologies from which a new feature or improvement must be found and to simultaneously maintain a constant awareness of the requirements of an ever-changing customer base. Amongst all of this uncertainty, there is still a time when new product development managers choose to ignore the warning signals that a project is failing and continue to commit resources. This paper refers to this as irrational commitment. This paper aims to examine the uncertainty of new product development and the reasons for this irrational commitment to failed projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper used a structured systematic review of literature to identify the most common types of irrational commitment in new product development and their impact on the corporation.

Findings

The paper provides insights into the causes and effects of management irrationally committing to new product development projects that are doomed to failure. It suggests that the three major areas of knowledge that need to be better integrated into the decision-making process are technology trends, marketing knowledge and the capabilities of the company itself.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen research approach of using a systematic review of literature, primary research needs to be conducted in the future to validate and refine the findings of the paper.

Practical implications

The paper provides leadership with guidelines to avoid irrationally committing to failed new product development efforts.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the literature on innovation systems.
How customer and product orientations shape political brands
Authors: Bigi Alessandro , Treen Emily , Bal Anjali
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a theory of consumer and product orientation in the realm of political branding to illustrate how politicians can choose to position and present themselves to voters. It is evident that some politicians play an active role in shaping the beliefs and actions of their constituents, while others are more influenced by voter sentiment. The effectiveness of the political strategy is highly influenced by the market realities of the voting body in question.

Design/methodology/approach

A dichotomy is presented to shed light on how consumer and product orientation might influence the way in which politicians choose to address the public. Specifically, four modified strategic orientation archetypes are presented and analyzed with particular focus on political brands and strategy.

Findings

Product and consumer orientations have been shown to also be applicable to the strategic positioning of political brands. While it can be argued that no strategy is superior over another, careful consideration of the political environment in question and subsequent execution of an appropriate stance can be used to better manage the relationship between the electorate and politicians.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides academics in this area with a comprehensive examination of strategic orientation literature in political contexts, and lays out a strong groundwork for future studies. In this burgeoning area of research, there are several opportunities for marketing and political strategy academics to dive deeper into the intricacies that drive politicians to adopt specific strategic orientations, and how these strategies evolve over time and in differing political environments.

Practical implications

This analysis suggests that there are opportunities for political strategists to explore the relationship between the identified strategic orientations and political brands, and for political marketing scholars to investigate the modes of focus presented.

Originality/value

This analysis provides better understanding of how politicians can influence voters and voters can influence political brands, and how the strategic orientation archetypes can be used to influence decisions about political strategy.
Storygiving as a co-creation tool for luxury brands in the age of the internet: a love story by Tiffany and thousands of lovers
Authors: Üçok Hughes Mine , Bendoni Wendy K. , Pehlivan Ekin
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce the concept of storygiving as a co-creation tool and provides a guideline for its successful use by luxury brand managers.

Design/methodology/approach

A study of Tiffany and Co.’s social media-based site and its use of stories as co-created marketing content provides us with managerial strategies applicable to luxury brands in general. The authors emphasize how luxury brands deal with co-created brand images compared to mainstream brands.

Findings

Storygiving enables consumers to share their personal experiences through narratives and provides contextualized connections among community members through shared experiences. One successful example of storygiving is Tiffany & Co.’s ‘What Makes Love True’ campaign.

Research limitations/implications

Only one luxury brand was used in this case study of online co-creation and storygiving. Further research, especially comparative case studies, would expand understanding of brand image management in the age of social media and consumer empowerment.

Practical implications

This paper presents a strategic guideline for luxury brand managers highlighting a customer-centric insight into ways luxury brands can develop marketing strategies incorporating co-creation.

Originality/value

To differentiate it from storytelling, the co-creation of brand stories through consumer-generated content is known as storygiving. The use of social media marketing in the process of storygiving is a powerful tool for luxury brands. The changed narrative from the brand’s point of view to that of the brand’s community is a major point made in this research.
Assessing the impact of mystery client traits on service evaluation
Authors: Brito Pedro Quelhas , Rambocas Meena
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the reliability of a mystery client (MC) as a service evaluation technique taking into consideration personal differences of the MC agents.

Design/methodology/approach

The ratings from 144 MCs from 355 evaluations of computer and electronic stores were cross analyzed with eight psychographic and demographic profile variables.

Findings

MCs who were highly involved in the product category were more critical of service responsiveness with respect to product demonstrations and listening to customer requirements. On the other hand, MCs with stronger faith in intuition were more inclined to rate services higher on empathy with respect to employees making a conscientious effort to understand customers’ needs.

Practical implications

Depending on the service marketing goals, managers learn to define which aspects of MC profile they should consider or avoid during the recruitment as well as becoming more critical when they analyze the evaluation reports to avoid an interpretation bias.

Originality/value

The usefulness of the MC tool relies on its reliability and credibility as a marketing research technique. It was identified that the MC personality traits are more likely associated with marketing service evaluation variability.
The role of service relationships in employees’ and customers’ emotional behavior, and customer-related outcomes
Authors: Medler-Liraz Hana
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore service encounters from a social behavior perspective. By proposing that employees’ emotional labor strategies are influenced by customer displays of emotion, this paper answers calls to investigate the reciprocal nature of service interactions and the importance of taking both customers and service providers into account when delivering high-quality service is the goal.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consisted of 121 dyads of customers and service employees from hairstyling salons. Data were collected from observations of the customers’ emotional displays, self-report surveys administered to the service employees measuring strategies of emotional labor and self-report surveys administered to the customers to assess their rapport with the service providers and their loyalty intentions.

Findings

Length of acquaintance was positively related to customers’ positive display, which mediated the relationship between length of acquaintance and employee-customer rapport. Customers’ positive display was negatively related to employees’ deep acting (i.e. modifying inner feelings) but not to surface acting (i.e. modifying superficial expressions). Customers’ positive display and employees’ surface acting were related to loyalty intentions through the mediation of rapport.

Originality/value

This study provides a better understanding of the customer’s role as the target, and a possible cause of emotional regulation among service employees. It underscores the role of service relationships in customers’ emotional behavior and customer-related outcomes.
Property taxation and its revenue utilisation for urban infrastructure and services in Ghana
Authors: Mabe Joshua Biliwi , Kuusaana Elias Danyi
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss property taxation and examine the extent of its contribution to financing urban infrastructure/services in Ghana. Dwelling on existing literature, it analyses the contribution of property tax to local level internally generated funds (IGF) and expenditure on urban infrastructure/services financed from IGF.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a case study approach with a combination of both quantitative and qualitative research, this research was carried out in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis in the Western region, Ghana based on its economic and social diversity, business and economic opportunities and different land tenure systems. Data were collected through expert interviews and questionnaires, with a baseline study from 2006 to 2013. To check the veracity of data, triangulation of data were adopted.

Findings

– The study revealed that property rate accounted for 28 per cent of IGF of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA). This revenue was expended mostly on waste management, education, social services, street lights and health facilities. For the period between 2006 and 2013, property rates revenue alone was able to finance not less than 84 per cent of total expenditure from IGF. It was estimated that if the challenges to property taxation were resolved in Ghana, the tax could finance the entire annual IGF budget of the STMA on urban infrastructure and services over and above the expended expenditure with a surplus margin of 13 per cent.

Practical implications

– This paper makes available empirical evidence of property tax contribution to IGF of STMA that could stimulate and enhance revenue mobilisation of other local government authorities. Debate on property tax revenue contribution towards financing urban infrastructure/services is also stimulated.

Originality/value

– There exist many researches on property tax, however, none of these studies have examined the exact contributions of property rating revenue in financing urban infrastructure and services. This paper is the product of the original research conducted in Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis.
Measuring customer satisfaction: a study of the Swedish real estate industry
Authors: Palm Peter
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify the strategies of formal customer evaluations and the use of satisfied customer index in the Swedish commercial real estate industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research is based on an inventory of 24 commercial real estate companies use of formal customer evaluations and an analysis of 15 interviews with top-level managers in the Swedish commercial real estate sector.

Findings

– Only half of the companies included in the study conduct formal evaluations, although they are considered to work customer oriented. Two different strategies for using formal evaluations is, for improvement work and for signalling quality. One proposed explanation to why only half of the companies conduct formal evaluations is the possibility that the official Swedish Real Estate Barometer is not sufficient if the company would like to use the result for organisational development. There are instead indications that this barometer mainly is used in publicity and marketing purpose, to signal quality.

Research limitations/implications

– The research in this paper is limited to Swedish commercial real estate sector. But, the overall strategies for conducting formal evaluations should be applicable in general.

Practical implications

– The insight the paper provides regarding how the industry perceive the Swedish Real Estate Barometer gives direct implications of improvements of the barometer.

Originality/value

– It provides an insight regarding the use of formal customer evaluations and a proposition of how the Swedish Real Estate Barometer could be changed to better support and fulfil the aim of being a barometer for benchmarking.
Nonlinear pricing and exclusion:II. Must‐stock products
Authors: Choné Philippe , Linnemer Laurent
Published: July 2016

Dominant firms often are unavoidable trading partners. Buyers may consider switching a fraction of their requirements to rival products, but that fraction is highly uncertain in rapidly evolving industries. Nonlinear pricing serves to adjust the competitive pressure placed on rival firms, depending on the joint distribution of the buyer willingness to pay for the rival's good and the share of contestable demand. Concave price‐quantity schedules erect barriers to entry. Convex parts in schedules introduce barriers to expansion. Dominant firms use all‐units discounts to create high entry barriers for rival firms with intermediate levels of contestable demand.
Employee referrals as a screening device
Authors: Ekinci Emre
Published: July 2016

This article develops a career‐concerns model to examine the screening function of employee referrals. First, I show that employees' reputational concerns provide them with an incentive to refer high‐ability applicants. This result explains how firms that offer fixed payments, rather than bonuses contingent on the referral's posthire performance, can elicit high‐ability referrals from their employees. Second, I consider the promotion competition as a potential mechanism that creates a conflict of interest between a firm and its employees concerning referral hiring. I show that referrals may still serve a screening function even when the promotion competition distorts employees' referral decisions.
Divergence of helper, cytotoxic, and regulatory T cells in the decidua from miscarriage
Authors: Ebina Yasuhiko , Shimada Shigeki , Deguchi Masashi , Maesawa Yoko , Iijima Norifumi , Yamada Hideto
Published: July 2016

Problem

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate phenotypic differences of helper T (Th), cytotoxic T (Tc), and regulatory T (Treg) cells in the deciduae of missed miscarriage with a normal chromosome karyotype of a fetus (MN) and missed miscarriage with an abnormal chromosome karyotype of a fetus (MA).

Methods of study

The decidua of 19 MN and 28 MA was obtained. Additionally, the decidua of 15 induced abortion (IA) and the endometrium of 19 non‐pregnant women (EM) were obtained. IFN‐γ+, IL‐17+, CD25highFoxp3+ cells in CD4+ (Th) cells, and IFN‐γ+ cells in CD8+ (Tc) cells were evaluated by flow cytometry.

Results

The percentages of IFN‐γ+ Tc and CD4+CD25highFoxp3+ (Treg) cells in MN were significantly increased as compared with MA and IA. The percentage of IFN‐γ+ Th in MN was increased as compared with IA.

Conclusion

Activation of IFN‐γ+ Tc and Treg cells in the decidua might be associated with the pathophysiology underlying MN.
Back‐calculating baseline creatinine overestimates prevalence of acute kidney injury with poor sensitivity
Authors: Kork F. , Balzer F. , Krannich A. , Bernardi M. H. , Eltzschig H. K. , Jankowski J. , Spies C.
Published: July 2016

Aim

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is diagnosed by a 50% increase in creatinine. For patients without a baseline creatinine measurement, guidelines suggest estimating baseline creatinine by back‐calculation. The aim of this study was to evaluate different glomerular filtration rate (GFR) equations and different GFR assumptions for back‐calculating baseline creatinine as well as the effect on the diagnosis of AKI.

Methods

The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease, the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology (CKD‐EPI) and the Mayo quadratic (MQ) equation were evaluated to estimate baseline creatinine, each under the assumption of either a fixed GFR of 75 mL min−1 1.73 m−2 or an age‐adjusted GFR. Estimated baseline creatinine, diagnoses and severity stages of AKI based on estimated baseline creatinine were compared to measured baseline creatinine and corresponding diagnoses and severity stages of AKI.

Results

The data of 34 690 surgical patients were analysed. Estimating baseline creatinine overestimated baseline creatinine. Diagnosing AKI based on estimated baseline creatinine had only substantial agreement with AKI diagnoses based on measured baseline creatinine [Cohen's κ ranging from 0.66 (95% CI 0.65–0.68) to 0.77 (95% CI 0.76–0.79)] and overestimated AKI prevalence with fair sensitivity [ranging from 74.3% (95% CI 72.3–76.2) to 90.1% (95% CI 88.6–92.1)]. Staging AKI severity based on estimated baseline creatinine had moderate agreement with AKI severity based on measured baseline creatinine [Cohen's κ ranging from 0.43 (95% CI 0.42–0.44) to 0.53 (95% CI 0.51–0.55)].

Conclusion

Diagnosing AKI and staging AKI severity on the basis of estimated baseline creatinine in surgical patients is not feasible. Patients at risk for post‐operative AKI should have a pre‐operative creatinine measurement to adequately assess post‐operative AKI.
A vesicular (blistering) skin condition in a dog following putative contact exposure to Plumbago auriculata
Authors: Seavers A , Robson D , Weingarth JM
Published: July 2016

Case report

A 2‐year‐old male Airedale Terrier was presented with an acute and painful, predominantly ventral, vesicular skin eruption following putative dermal contact with Plumbago auriculata (Sky Flower, Leadwort). Prompt dermal decontamination and supportive therapy brought about a rapid recovery in the patient.

Conclusion

Contact with botanical triggers is an important consideration for causes of acute vesicular skin conditions in dogs.
Preliminary study of tissue concentrations of penicillin after local administration into the guttural pouches in four healthy horses
Authors: Kendall A , Mayhew IG , Petrovski K
Published: July 2016

Background

Treatment of subclinical carriers of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi with a gelatine‐penicillin formulation deposited in the guttural pouch has been empirically proposed, but data on local tissue penicillin concentrations after treatment are lacking.

Methods

We analysed tissue levels of penicillin after administration into the guttural pouches of four healthy horses. Two horses received local treatment with gelatine‐penicillin and two horses received local treatment with an intramammary formulation of penicillin. Tissues were harvested for analysis either 12 or 24 h later.

Conclusion

Results indicate that local treatment may be effective, but more research on optimal drug formulations in a larger sample size is warranted.
DJ‐1 modulates mitochondrial response to oxidative stress: clues from a novel diagnosis of PARK7
Authors: Di Nottia M. , Masciullo M. , Verrigni D. , Petrillo S. , Modoni A. , Rizzo V. , Di Giuda D. , Rizza T. , Niceta M. , Torraco A. , Bianchi M. , Santoro M. , Bentivoglio A.R. , Bertini E. , Piemonte F. , Carrozzo R. , Silvestri G.
Published: July 2016

DJ‐1 mutations are associated to early‐onset Parkinson's disease and accounts for about 1–2% of the genetic forms. The protein is involved in many biological processes and its role in mitochondrial regulation is gaining great interest, even if its function in mitochondria is still unclear. We describe a 47‐year‐old woman affected by a multisystem disorder characterized by progressive, early‐onset parkinsonism plus distal spinal amyotrophy, cataracts and sensory‐neural deafness associated with a novel homozygous c.461C>A [p.T154K] mutation in DJ‐1. Patient's cultured fibroblasts showed low ATP synthesis, high ROS levels and reduced amount of some subunits of mitochondrial complex I; biomarkers of oxidative stress also resulted abnormal in patient's blood. The clinical pattern of multisystem involvement and the biochemical findings in our patient highlight the role for DJ‐1 in modulating mitochondrial response against oxidative stress.
Sacral neuromodulation for faecal incontinence following obstetric sphincter injury – outcome of percutaneous nerve evaluation
Authors: Rydningen M. B. , Dehli T. , Wilsgaard T. , Lindsetmo R. O. , Kumle M. , Stedenfeldt M. , Norderval S.
Published: July 2016

Aim

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of percutaneous nerve evaluation (PNE) in women with faecal incontinence (FI) following obstetric anal sphincter injury and to relate the outcomes to baseline factors, with special emphasis on the extent of the sphincter defect.

Method

This was a prospective study at a tertiary colorectal referral unit at the University Hospital of North Norway conducted from 2012 to 2014. Sixty‐three women underwent a 3‐week PNE using a tined lead and the Verify® external neurostimulator. The primary outcome was efficacy, defined as the percentage reduction in weekly FI episodes, and patients with a reduction of 50% or more were defined as responders. Baseline factors affecting the primary outcome were explored. Sphincter defects were classified with a validated three‐dimensional endoanal ultrasound defect score.

Results

Fifty‐six (89%) of the 63 women were responders with a reduction in weekly FI episodes of 94.5%, from a median (interquartile range) of 4.8 (2.0–11.0) to 0.5 (0–2.0) (P < 0.001). Twenty‐nine (52%) reported no weekly FI episodes, and urgency episodes disappeared in 18 (32%). In the multivariable linear regression model, efficacy was related to concomitant urinary incontinence (P = 0.04), body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.03) and pain during PNE (P = 0.046) but not to the extent of the sphincter defect (P = 0.1). Responders had a higher St Mark's score than nonresponders (P = 0.046).

Conclusions

The vast majority of women had successful PNE tests. Responders had higher baseline St Mark's scores than nonresponders. Efficacy was related to concomitant urinary incontinence, BMI and pain, not to the extent of the sphincter defect.
Ezetimibe increases intestinal expression of the LDL receptor gene in dyslipidaemic men with insulin resistance
Authors: Drouin‐Chartier Jean‐Philippe , Tremblay André J. , Lemelin Valéry , Lépine Marie‐Claude , Lamarche Benoît , Couture Patrick
Published: July 2016

Aim

To gain further insight into intestinal cholesterol homeostasis in dyslipidaemic men with insulin resistance (IR) by examining the impact of treatment with ezetimibe on the expression of key genes involved in cholesterol synthesis and LDL receptor (R)‐mediated uptake of lipoproteins.

Methods

A total of 25 men with dyslipidaemia and IR were recruited to participate in this double‐blind, randomized, crossover, placebo‐controlled trial. Participants received 10 mg/day ezetimibe or placebo for periods of 12 weeks each. Intestinal gene expression was measured by quantitative PCR in duodenal biopsy samples collected by gastroduodenoscopy at the end of each treatment.

Results

A total of 20 participants completed the protocol. Treatment with ezetimibe significantly increased intestinal LDLR (+16.2%; P = .01), 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐glutaryl‐CoA reductase (HMG‐CoAR; +14.0%; P = .04) and acetyl‐Coenzyme A acetyltransferase 2 (ACAT‐2) mRNA expression (+12.5%; P = .03). Changes in sterol regulatory element‐binding transcription factor 2 (SREBP‐2) expression were significantly correlated with changes in HMG‐CoAR (r = 0.55; P < .05), ACAT‐2 (r = 0.69; P < .001) and proprotein convertase substilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) expression (r = 0.45; P < .05).

Conclusions

These results show that inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption by ezetimibe increases expression of the LDLR gene, supporting the concept that increased LDL clearance with ezetimibe treatment occurs not only in the liver but also in the small intestine.
Public–Private Mixed Delivery and Information Effects
Authors: Kwon Illoong , Park Sangin
Published: July 2016

This paper analyses public–private mixed delivery of essential public services under price regulation. A private firm may have lower production costs and can potentially provide a performance benchmark for a public firm. A public firm may offer higher‐quality service and can reveal the production cost of the private firm to the regulator. However, this paper shows that public–private mixed delivery does not always dominate public delivery or private delivery. Mixed delivery is optimal only when (i) the cost uncertainty of the private firm is large, (ii) the managerial incentive problem of the public firm is large, and (iii) the performances of the public and private firms are highly correlated.
Sale of Visas: a Smuggler's Final Song?
Authors: Auriol Emmanuelle , Mesnard Alice
Published: July 2016

Is there a way of eliminating human smuggling? We set up a model to simultaneously determine the provision of human smuggling services and the demand from would‐be migrants. A visa‐selling policy may be successful in eliminating smugglers by eroding their profits, but it also increases immigration. In contrast, repression decreases migration but fuels cartelized smugglers. To overcome this trade‐off we show that legalization through selling visas in combination with repression can be used to weaken human smuggling while controlling migration flows. Our results highlight the complementarities between repression and selling visas, and call into question current policies.
Left Ventricular Function in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: The Role of Two‐Dimensional Speckle Tracking Strain
Authors: de Amorim Corrêa Ricardo , de Oliveira Fernanda Brito , Barbosa Marcia M. , Barbosa Jose Augusto A. , Carvalho Taís Soares , Barreto Michele Campos , Campos Frederico Thadeu A. F. , Nunes Maria Carmo Pereira
Published: July 2016

Background

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by elevated mean pulmonary arterial pressure with abnormal right ventricular (RV) pressure overload that may alter left ventricular (LV) function. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of RV pressure overload on LV function in PAH patients using two‐dimensional (2D) speckle tracking strain.

Methods

The study enrolled 37 group 1 PAH patients and 38 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls. LV longitudinal and radial 2D strains were measured with and without including the ventricular septum. Six‐minute walk test (6MWT) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were also obtained in patients with PAH.

Results

The mean age of patients was 46.4 ± 14.8 years, 76% women, and 16 patients (43%) had schistosomiasis. Sixteen patients (43%) were in WHO class III or IV under specific treatment for PAH. The overall 6MWT distance was 441 meters, and the BNP levels were 80 pg/mL. Patients with PAH more commonly presented with LV diastolic dysfunction and impairment of RV function when compared to controls. LV global longitudinal and radial strains were lower in patients than in controls (−17.9 ± 2.8 vs. −20.5 ± 1.9; P < 0.001 and 30.8 ± 10.5 vs. 49.8 ± 15.4; P < 0.001, respectively). After excluding septal values, LV longitudinal and radial strains remained lower in patients than in controls. The independent factors associated with global LV longitudinal strain were LV ejection fraction, RV fractional area change, and tricuspid annular systolic motion.

Conclusions

This study showed impaired LV contractility in patients with PAH assessed by speckle tracking strain, irrespective of ventricular septal involvement. Global LV longitudinal strain was associated independently with RV fractional area change and tricuspid annular systolic motion, after adjustment for LV ejection fraction.
Spatial patterns of immunogenetic and neutral variation underscore the conservation value of small, isolated American badger populations
Authors: Rico Yessica , Ethier Danielle M. , Davy Christina M. , Sayers Josh , Weir Richard D. , Swanson Bradley J. , Nocera Joseph J. , Kyle Christopher J.
Published: July 2016

Small and isolated populations often exhibit low genetic diversity due to drift and inbreeding, but may simultaneously harbour adaptive variation. We investigate spatial distributions of immunogenetic variation in American badger subspecies (Taxidea taxus), as a proxy for evaluating their evolutionary potential across the northern extent of the species’ range. We compared genetic structure of 20 microsatellites and the major histocompatibility complex (MHC DRB exon 2) to evaluate whether small, isolated populations show low adaptive polymorphism relative to large and well‐connected populations. Our results suggest that gene flow plays a prominent role in shaping MHC polymorphism across large spatial scales, while the interplay between gene flow and selection was stronger towards the northern peripheries. The similarity of MHC alleles within subspecies relative to their neutral genetic differentiation suggests that adaptive divergence among subspecies can be maintained despite ongoing gene flow along subspecies boundaries. Neutral genetic diversity was low in small relative to large populations, but MHC diversity within individuals was high in small populations. Despite reduced neutral genetic variation, small and isolated populations harbour functional variation that likely contribute to the species evolutionary potential at the northern range. Our findings suggest that conservation approaches should focus on managing adaptive variation across the species range rather than protecting subspecies per se.
Time‐related changes in post‐operative equine morbidity: A single‐centre study
Authors: Borland K. J. , Shaw D. J. , Clutton R. E.
Published: July 2016

Our objective was to test the hypothesis that the prevalence and type of post‐operative equine morbidity at a single centre does not change over time with a retrospective and prospective observational study. The post‐operative case records of 92 (of 96) horses undergoing nonabdominal procedures, and surviving to discharge, were compared with previous data from the same centre. Predefined morbidities were recorded from horses undergoing surgery between August 2013 and July 2014. This was compared with data collected from the same institute from April 2004 to June 2005 and published in a previous study. The overall prevalence of morbidities increased from 13.4% to 25%. The prevalence of post‐anaesthetic colic, thrombophlebitis, pyrexia, lameness, neuropathy and myopathy increased while the proportion of incidence of diarrhoea, respiratory distress and wounds sustained in recovery decreased. There was a statistically significant association (P = 0.045) between the duration of surgery and the prevalence of post‐anaesthetic colic. Geldings were less likely (odds ratio 0.12, 95% confidence interval 0.02–0.84) to develop swelling at the catheter site and the likelihood of thrombophlebitis increased by 1.20 (95% confidence interval 1.01–1.41) for every year of life. Tracking morbidities and changes in their prevalence may elucidate their possible causation and allow prophylactic measures to be taken.
Mitochondrial biogenesis and clearance: a balancing act
Authors: Ploumi Christina , Daskalaki Ioanna , Tavernarakis Nektarios
Published: July 2016

Mitochondria are semi‐autonomous organelles of prokaryotic origin that are postulated to have been acquired by eukaryotic cells through an early endosymbiotic event. Except for their main role in energy production, they are also implicated in fundamental cellular processes, including ion homeostasis, lipid metabolism, and initiation of apoptotic cell death. Perturbed mitochondrial function has been correlated with severe human pathologies such as type‐2 diabetes, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, proper mitochondrial physiology is a prerequisite for health and survival. Cells have developed sophisticated and elaborate mechanisms to adapt to stress conditions and alterations in metabolic demands, by regulating mitochondrial number and function. Hence, the generation of new and the removal of damaged or unwanted mitochondria are highly regulated processes that need to be accurately coordinated for the maintenance of mitochondrial and cellular homeostasis. Here, we survey recent research findings that advance our understanding and highlight the importance of the underlying molecular mechanisms.
Effect of Nonmagnetic Zn2+ Cations on Initial Permeability of Microwave‐Treated NiMg Ferrites
Authors: Chandra Babu Naidu K. , Madhuri Wuppulluri
Published: July 2016

Magnesium is replaced systematically by zinc in Ni0.2Mg0.8‐xZnxFe2O4 (x = 0.2–0.8) prepared by microwave‐assisted solid‐state reaction route. The structure is confirmed by X‐ray diffractograms. An improvement in initial permeability is observed with substituent in Ni0.2Mg0.8‐xZnxFe2O4 due to increase in average grain size. The obtained permeability values are varying between 106 and 687 at 1 MHz. The permeability plots revealed that Curie‐transition temperature (Tc) is decreasing with increase in zinc. Both x = 0.2 and 0.4 compositions show low relative loss factor of order 10−5 to 10−4, which are exhibiting required magnetic properties for transformer and inductor core applications.
Wound management for the 21st century: combining effectiveness and efficiency
Authors: Lindholm Christina , Searle Richard
Published: July 2016

Treatment of wounds of different aetiologies constitutes a major part of the total health care budget. It is estimated that 1·5–2 million people in Europe suffer from acute or chronic wounds. These wounds are managed both in hospitals and in community care. The patients suffering from these wounds report physical, mental and social consequences of their wounds and the care of them. It is often believed that the use of wound dressings per se is the major cost driver in wound management, whereas in fact, nursing time and hospital costs are together responsible for around 80–85% of the total cost. Healing time, frequency of dressing change and complications are three important cost drivers. However, with the use of modern, advanced technology for more rapid wound healing, all these cost drivers can be substantially reduced. A basic understanding of the terminology and principles of Health Economics in relation to wound management might therefore be of interest.
Regular consumption of Lactobacillus reuteri‐containing lozenges reduces pregnancy gingivitis: an RCT
Authors: Schlagenhauf Ulrich , Jakob Lena , Eigenthaler Martin , Segerer Sabine , Jockel‐Schneider Yvonne , Rehn Monika
Published: July 2016

Aim

This randomized controlled trial assessed the impact of Lactobacillus reuteri on pregnancy gingivitis in healthy women.

Materials and Methods

Forty‐five healthy women (24 test/21 placebo) with pregnancy gingivitis in the third trimester of pregnancy were enrolled. At baseline Gingival Index (GI) and Plaque Index (PlI) were assessed at the Ramfjord teeth and venous blood taken for TNF‐α analysis. Subsequently participants were randomly provided with lozenges to be consumed 2 × daily until birth (approx. 7 weeks) containing ≥108 CFU L. reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 and ≥108 CFU L. reuteri DSM 17938 (test) or being devoid of L. reuteri (placebo). Within 2 days after birth recording of GI, PlI and blood sampling were repeated.

Results

At baseline, mean GI and mean PlI did not differ significantly between both groups. In the test group mean TNF‐α serum level was significantly (p < 0.02) lower than in the placebo group. At reevaluation, mean GI and mean PlI of the test group were both significantly (p < 0.0001) lower than in the placebo group. Mean TNF‐α serum level did no longer differ significantly between the groups.

Conclusions

The consumption of L. reuteri lozenges may be a useful adjunct in the control of pregnancy gingivitis.
The Lived Experience of Food Sovereignty: Gender, Indigenous Crops and Small‐Scale Farming in Mtubatuba, South Africa
Authors: Ngcoya Mvuselelo , Kumarakulasingam Narendran
Published: July 2016

Food sovereignty has become a powerful concept to critique the dominant global food regime. Although it has not taken root in South Africa as fiercely as elsewhere, we use this concept to explore how one small‐scale farmer seeks to wean herself from the dominant food system in the small town of Mtubatuba, KwaZulu‐Natal. Using ethnographic methods and in‐depth interviews about this single intense and extreme case, we explore this farmer's commitment and argue that it constitutes what we call the ‘lived experience of food sovereignty’. If food sovereignty is concerned with small‐farmer control over decisions about food cultivation, distribution and consumption, we examine this farmer's praxis and explore the obstacles she faces. These include gendered and racialized agrarian questions, land struggles, social reproduction and perceptions of her indigenous crops. We also examine the networks, knowledge, systems and methods that have allowed her to cultivate her self‐reliance.
Pelvic floor muscle exercise for fecal incontinence quality of life after coloanal anastomosis
Authors: Hung Shu‐Ling , Lin Yu‐Hua , Yang Hsing‐Yu , Kao Chia‐Chan , Tung Hong‐Yu , Wei Li‐Hsiang
Published: July 2016

Aims and objectives

To assess the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle exercise for enhancing fecal incontinence quality of life after coloanal anastomosis in colorectal cancer patients.

Background

Methods of improving incontinence have been evaluated in many countries, but never in a Taiwan population.

Design

A longitudinal experimental study.

Methods

Fifty‐two colorectal cancer patients who had received colostomy closure and coloanal anastomosis surgery were recruited from a general hospital in southern Taiwan and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 26) or a control group (n = 26). Both groups received routine postoperative care. However, the experimental group received private consultations, educational DVDs and pamphlets to instruct them in performing pelvic flow muscle exercise. In all participants, the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale was used to measure quality of life before discharge and at one, two, three, six and nine months after discharge. Generalised estimating equations were used to compare longitudinal effects between the two groups.

Results

The generalised estimating equations revealed that all participants had significantly improved Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale scores at two, three, six and nine months after discharge. Compared to the controls, however, the experimental group had significantly higher scores at two, three, and six months after discharge.

Conclusions

Patient education in pelvic floor muscle exercise positively affects Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale scores in patients who have received coloanal anastomosis.

Relevance to clinical practice

Early education in pelvic floor muscle exercise can improve management of fecal incontinence symptoms after coloanal anastomosis and can improve quality of life.
Pedagogical Gestures as Interactional Resources for Teaching and Learning Tense and Aspect in the ESL Grammar Classroom
Authors: Matsumoto Yumi , Dobs Abby Mueller
Published: July 2016

This study investigated the functions of gesture in teaching and learning grammar in the context of second language (L2) classroom interactions. The data consisted of video‐recorded interactions from a beginner‐ and an advanced‐level grammar classroom in an intensive English program at a U.S. university. The sequences of talk‐in‐interaction selected for sequential analysis involved gestures that are used by teachers for explaining English temporal concepts, and those by students to respond to their teacher's gesture. Our analysis revealed that teachers and students repeatedly used abstract deictic gestures and metaphoric gestures in the classroom, which can become important interactional resources for instruction as well as assessment of student learning. Furthermore, students effectively used gestural catchments to demonstrate their understanding of temporal concepts and to construct interactional alignments with their teachers. These findings suggest that gesture is an important element of interactional competence for teaching and learning in L2 grammar classrooms.
Structural stability of flagellin subunit affects the rate of flagellin export in the absence of FliS chaperone
Authors: Furukawa Yukio , Inoue Yumi , Sakaguchi Aya , Mori Yoko , Fukumura Takuma , Miyata Tomoko , Namba Keiichi , Minamino Tohru
Published: July 2016

FliS chaperone binds to flagellin FliC in the cytoplasm and transfers FliC to a sorting platform of the flagellar type III export apparatus through the interaction between FliS and FlhA for rapid and efficient protein export during flagellar filament assembly. FliS also suppresses the secretion of an anti‐σ factor, FlgM. Loss of FliS results in a short filament phenotype although the expression levels of FliC are increased considerably due to an increase in the secretion level of FlgM. Here to clarify the rate limiting step of FliC export in the absence of FliS, we isolated bypass mutants from a Salmonella ΔfliS mutant. All the bypass mutations were identified in FliC. These bypass mutations increased the export rate of FliC by ca. twofold, allowing the bypass mutant cells to produce longer filaments than the parental ΔfliS cells. Both far‐UV CD measurements and limited proteolysis revealed that the bypass mutations significantly destabilize the folded structure of FliC monomer. These results suggest that an unfolding step of FliC limits the export rate of FliC in the ΔfliS mutant, thereby producing short filaments. We propose that FliS promotes FliC docking at the FlhA platform to facilitate subsequent unfolding of FliC.
Coexistence of congenital long QT syndrome and autonomic dysregulation in children
Authors: Ogawa Yoshiharu , Aiba Takeshi , Kamei Naoya , Tominaga Kenta , Fujita Hideki , Miyamoto Yoshihiro , Tanaka Toshikatsu , Kido Sachiko
Published: July 2016

Loss of consciousness (LOC) in long QT syndrome (LQTS) patients can be caused by torsade de pointes (TdP) or vasovagal syncope (VVS). On genetic testing and head‐up tilt testing (HUTT), we diagnosed three young patients with both genotyped LQTS and autonomic dysregulation. According to grade of prolongation of QT interval and LOC status, syncope episodes in two patients were classified as due to VVS, while those of the other patient were due to TdP. We also diagnosed one patient with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Syncope in LQTS patients should not automatically be labeled TdP. If there is a possibility of VVS, HUTT should be performed, but careful observation is required because TdP cannot be completely ruled out.
All the President's Men and Women: Coalition Management Strategies and Governing Costs in a Multiparty Presidency
Authors: Pereira Carlos , Bertholini Frederico , Raile Eric D.
Published: July 2016

This project examines the effects of a president's coalition management decisions on associated governing costs in a multiparty system. A strategic president who is concerned about policy outcomes and about her various management functions will consider these costs in working toward an optimal strategy. The results of our empirical analyses support the argument that large and ideologically diverse coalitions and disproportional cabinets tend to be more expensive over time. Further, the results indicate that presidential choices about how to manage coalitions influence governing costs even after controlling for a variety of other factors that matter to the bargaining game.
Academic spin‐off creation: barriers and how to overcome them
Authors: Neves Maria , Franco Mário
Published: July 2016

The aim of this study is to analyze the process of academic spin‐off creation, identifying the barriers to suggest how to overcome them. For this purpose, a case study method was adopted, and as data‐collecting instruments, several in‐depth interviews and documentary analysis were used from three academic spin‐offs. The empirical evidence captures the different views of the founding researchers of the academic spin‐offs, the researching lecturers in the department creating the spin‐offs and the manager of the technology transfer office at the Portuguese university studied here. The results show that the different perceptions of barriers are seen to be solved through an internal strategy within the university. The findings also show that applied research should be valued in assessing lecturers, as it contributes, not only to the link with industry, and therefore to regional development, but also to universities' sustainability, overcoming the lack of financial support as a result of constant budget cuts. The contact networks resulting from universities' links with the different stakeholders will benefit the spin‐offs themselves, facilitating their survival in the first years of their life.