bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
French in Switzerland
Authors: Racine Isabelle , Andreassen Helene N. , Benetti Laurence
Published: October 2016

The chapter analyses a short discussion between three close friends living in Neuchâtel, a small town situated in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. The discussion centres on the temporary loss of a mobile phone, called natel in Switzerland. The analysis of the excerpt reveals the presence of some lexical regionalisms, but does not show any syntactic regional features. As far as phonetics and phonology are concerned, our speaker exhibits typical features of the region: an opposition between /e/–/ɛ/ and /o/–/ɔ/ in word-final open syllables, contrastive vowel length in word final open and closed syllables, extensive use of diaeresis, consonants from the Germanic adstratum, or revealing a dialectal substratum, and /R/ realized with a high degree of friction.
French in Alberta
Authors: Walker Douglas C. , Canac-Marquis Réjean
Published: October 2016

The Peace River region in northwest Alberta is home to the largest concentration of francophones in a province where the nineteenth-century francophone majority has now been reduced to less than 2 per cent of the province’s population. Nonetheless, French remains the langue du foyer for many families in this close-knit set of agricultural communities, despite continual assimilatory pressures from English. PFC fieldwork for a phonologically oriented study of the area has serendipitously resulted in data allowing an analysis of typical phonological, morphological, syntactic, and lexical properties of this vernacular—a vernacular closely linked to its earlier Quebec sources. This structural information, coupled with demographic data, illustrates the ecological status of a variety of Canadian French in a perilous minority situation.
French in interaction
Authors: Mondada Lorenza , Traverso Veronique
Published: October 2016

This chapter presents the main characteristics of spoken French in interaction through the analysis of a video excerpt of a professional meeting held in Paris. It shows not only the types of resources that are mobilized by the participants (linguistic resources such as lexis and syntax, as well as embodied resources such as gesture, gaze, manipulations of objects), but it pays particular attention to the detailed organization of these resources in specific sequential environments.
Approaching variation in PFC
Authors: Nguyen Noël
Published: October 2016

Current studies in phonological and phonetic variation make an ever-increasing use of large oral corpora. This has fostered the development of powerful techniques for the processing and analysis of speech data, which include tools for the automatic segmentation, phonetic labelling, and extraction of phonetic parameters from speech recordings, as well as a wide variety of probabilistic data analysis methods. Perceptual experiments have also been conducted to better characterize how phonological/phonetic variation is dealt with in large groups of listeners by means of experimental designs that allow the results to be generalized to yet larger populations. This chapter gives a brief overview of these tools and methods, using as the primary example cross-disciplinary work recently carried out on the distribution and phonetic realization of mid vowels in different varieties of French.
Variation in the capital city of France
Authors: Hansen Anita Berit , Østby Kathrine Asla
Published: October 2016

This papers deals with the inherent variation in Parisian French, and its relation to ongoing phonetic change. The studied data come mainly from recordings with eight Parisian speakers—all in their 20s—of whom four are from the higher strata of society (haute bourgeoisie), and four from the middle class. Two young upper-working class speakers and two upper-class speakers in their 60s have been added to the analysis, in order to explore potentially social or diachronic divergences from the main speakers. The results show that Parisian speakers indeed exhibit variation, both according to class and age. Social variation is apparent for the palatalization of /k/ (almost exclusively used by middle- and working-class speakers), whereas all speakers seem to engage in the changes concerning schwa-tagging, loss of liaison after c’est, reductions in mid- and low oral vowels, and in nasal vowels. However, the haute-bourgeoisie speakers exhibit important delays for certain variables.
The Effects of Music on Pain: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lee Jin Hyung
Published: October 2016

Background:

Numerous meta-analyses have been conducted on the topic of music and pain, with the latest comprehensive study published in 2006. Since that time, more than 70 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been published, necessitating a new and comprehensive review.

Objective:

The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine published RCT studies investigating the effect of music on pain.

Methods:

The present study included RCTs published between 1995 and 2014. Studies were obtained by searching 12 databases and hand-searching related journals and reference lists. Main outcomes were pain intensity, emotional distress from pain, vital signs, and amount of analgesic intake. Study quality was evaluated according to the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines.

Results:

Analysis of the 97 included studies revealed that music interventions had statistically significant effects in decreasing pain on 0–10 pain scales (MD = –1.13), other pain scales (SMD = –0.39), emotional distress from pain (MD = –10.83), anesthetic use (SMD = –0.56), opioid intake (SMD = –0.24), non-opioid intake (SMD = –0.54), heart rate (MD = –4.25), systolic blood pressure (MD = –3.34), diastolic blood pressure (MD = –1.18), and respiration rate (MD = –1.46). Subgroup and moderator analyses yielded additional clinically informative outcomes.

Conclusions:

Considering all the possible benefits, music interventions may provide an effective complementary approach for the relief of acute, procedural, and cancer/chronic pain in the medical setting.
Marginal prescription equivalent to the isocenter prescription in lung stereotactic body radiotherapy: preliminary study for Japan Clinical Oncology Group trial (JCOG1408)
Authors: Kawahara Daisuke , Ozawa Shuichi , Kimura Tomoki , Saito Akito , Nishio Teiji , Nakashima Takeo , Ohno Yoshimi , Murakami Yuji , Nagata Yasushi
Published: October 2016

A new randomized Phase III trial, the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) 1408, which compares two dose fractionations (JCOG 0403 and JCOG 0702) for medically inoperable Stage IA NSCLC or small lung lesions clinically diagnosed as primary lung cancer, involves the introduction of a prescribed dose to the D95% of the planning target volume (PTV) using a superposition/convolution algorithm. Therefore, we must determine the prescribed dose in the D95% prescribing method to begin JCOG1408. JCOG 0702 uses density correction and the D95% prescribing method. However, JCOG 0403 uses no density correction and isocenter- prescribing method. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prescribed dose to the D95% of the PTV equivalent to a dose of 48 Gy to the isocenter (JCOG 0403) using a superposition algorithm. The peripheral isodose line, which has the highest conformity index, and the D95% of the PTV were analyzed by considering the weighting factor, i.e. the inverse of the difference between the doses obtained using the superposition and Clarkson algorithms. The average dose at the isodose line of the highest conformity index and the D95% of the PTV were 41.5 ± 0.3 and 42.0 ± 0.3 Gy, respectively. The D95% of the PTV had a small correlation with the target volume (r2 = 0.0022) and with the distance between the scatterer and tumor volumes (r2 = 0.19). Thus, the prescribed dose of 48 Gy using the Clarkson algorithm (JCOG0403) was found to be equivalent to the prescribed dose of 42 Gy to the D95% of the PTV using the superposition algorithm.
Smartphone-Based Hearing Screening at Primary Health Care Clinics
Authors: Louw Christine , Swanepoel De Wet , Eikelboom Robert H. , Myburgh Hermanus C.
Published: October 2016

Objective:

To evaluate the performance of smartphone-based hearing screening with the hearScreen™ application in terms of sensitivity, specificity, referral rates, and time efficiency at two primary health care clinics.

Design:

Nonprobability purposive sampling was used at both clinics. A total of 1236 participants (mean age: 37.8 ± SD 17.9 and range 3 to 97 years; 71.3% female) were included in the final analysis. Participants were screened using the hearScreen™ application following a two-step screening protocol and diagnostic pure-tone audiometry to confirm hearing status.

Results:

Sensitivity and specificity for smartphone screening was 81.7 and 83.1%, respectively, with a positive and negative predictive value of 87.6 and 75.6%, respectively. Sex [χ
2(1, N = 126) = 0.304, p > 0.05] and race [χ
2(1, N = 126) = 0.169, p > 0.05)] had no significant effect on screening outcome for children while for adults age (p < 0.01; β = 0.04) and sex (p = 0.02; β = −0.53) had a significant effect on screening outcomes with males more likely to fail. Overall referral rate across clinics was 17.5%. Initial screening test times were less than a minute (48.8 seconds ± 20.8 SD) for adults and slightly more than a minute for children (73.9 seconds ± 44.5 SD).

Conclusions:

The hearScreen™ smartphone application provides time-efficient identification of hearing loss with adequate sensitivity and specificity for accurate testing at primary health care settings.
Mantram Repetition With Homeless Women
Authors: Weinrich Sally P. , Bormann Jill E. , Glaser Dale , Hardin Sally , Barger Mary , Lizarraga Cabiria , del Rio Juan , Allard Carolyn B.
Published: October 2016

Women and families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. Negative attitudes of nurses toward homeless women are a major barrier to homeless women seeking health care. This cross-sectional, mixed-methods pilot study, conducted primarily by nurses, tested the Mantram Repetition Program for the first time with 29 homeless women. The Mantram Repetition Program is a spiritually based skills training that teaches mantram (sacred word) repetition as a cost-effective, personalized, portable, and focused strategy for reducing stress and improving well-being. For the cross-sectional, pretest-posttest design portion of the study, the hypothesis that at least half of the homeless women would repeat their mantram at least once a day was supported with 88% of the women repeating their mantram 1 week later. The qualitative portion of this study using phenomenology explored the women's thoughts on mantram week 2. Themes of mantram repetition, mantram benefits, and being cared for emerged. This groundbreaking, interventional, mixed-methods pilot study fills a gap in interventional homeless research.
Child Abuse and Neglect and Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease Among Midlife Women
Authors: Thurston Rebecca C. , Chang Yuefang , Barinas-Mitchell Emma , von Känel Roland , Jennings J. Richard , Santoro Nanette , Landsittel Doug P. , Matthews Karen A.
Published: October 2016

Objective

A childhood history of abuse or neglect may be associated with elevated adult cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. No studies have examined associations between child abuse/neglect and subclinical CVD using a validated measure of abuse and neglect. We hypothesized that midlife women with a history of childhood abuse or neglect would have increased subclinical CVD beyond standard CVD risk factors. We tested moderation of associations by sleep, hot flashes, and race/ethnicity.

Methods

Two hundred ninety-five midlife women completed the Child Trauma Questionnaire, physiologic hot flash and actigraphic sleep monitoring, blood draw, and carotid ultrasound (intima media thickness [IMT]; plaque). Relations between abuse/neglect and outcomes were tested in linear regression models adjusting for demographic, psychosocial, and CVD risk factors. Interactions with sleep, hot flashes, and race/ethnicity were tested.

Results

Forty-five percent of women reported a history of child abuse or neglect. Women with any child abuse or neglect had higher IMT [b(SE) = .039 (.011), p = .001] and carotid plaque [odds ratio (95% [CI] = 1.95 [1.15–3.33]); p = .014] than nonabused/neglected women. Furthermore, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and emotional neglect were associated with higher subclinical CVD. Sexual abuse was associated with higher IMT among nonwhite women. Interactions with sleep time and sleep hot flashes (p values < .05) indicated that higher subclinical CVD with an abuse/neglect history was observed primarily among women sleeping less than 6 hours/night or with sleep hot flashes.

Conclusions

A history of child abuse or neglect is associated with higher subclinical CVD in women, particularly when paired with short sleep or hot flashes. Findings underscore the importance of childhood adversity in midlife women's CVD risk.
Early-Life Experiences and Telomere Length in Adult Rhesus Monkeys: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Schneper Lisa M. , Brooks-Gunn Jeanne , Notterman Daniel A. , Suomi Stephen J.
Published: October 2016

Objective

Child-rearing environments have been associated with morbidity in adult rhesus monkeys. We examine whether such links are also seen with leukocyte telomere length.

Methods

To determine telomere length in leukocytes, blood was collected from 11 adult female monkeys aged 7 to 10 years who had been exposed to different rearing environments between birth and 7 months. Four had been reared with their mothers in typical social groups composed of other female monkeys, their offspring, and 1 to 2 adult male monkeys. The other 7 had been reared in either small groups of peers or individual cages with extensive peer interaction daily. After 7 months, all shared a common environment.

Results

Telomere lengths were longer for those adults who had been reared with their mothers in social groups (median = 16.0 kb, interquartile range = 16.5–15.4) than for those who were reared without their mothers (median = 14.0 kb, interquartile range = 14.3–12.7; 2.2 kb/telomere difference,p< .027).

Conclusions

This observation adds to emerging knowledge about early adverse child-rearing conditions and their potential for influencing later morbidity. Because newborns were randomly assigned to the mother or other rearing conditions, the findings are not confounded by other conditions that co-occur with adverse child-rearing environments in humans (e.g., prenatal stress, nutrition and health as well as postnatal nutrition and negative life experiences over and above rearing conditions).
Activity Dynamics and Signal Representation in Striatal Network Model with Distance-dependent Connectivity
Authors: Spreizer Sebastian , Angelhuber Martin , Bahuguna Jyotika , Aertsen Ad , Kumar Arvind
Published: October 2016

Striatum is predominantly inhibitory and the main input nucleus of the basal ganglia. A functional characterization of its activity dynamics is crucial for understanding the mechanisms underlying phenomenon such as action selection and initiation. Here, we investigated the effects of the spatial connectivity structure on the emergence and maintenance of localized bumps of activity in large-scale striatal networks (~10,000 neurons). We show that in striatal network model in which the distance-dependent connection probability varies in a Gaussian fashion (Gaussian networks), the activity remains asynchronous irregular (AI) and spatially homogeneous, independent of the background input. By contrast, when the distance-dependent connectivity varies according to a Gamma distribution (Gamma networks), with short-range connectivity suppressed, a repertoire of activity dynamics can be observed: While weak background inputs induce spatially homogeneous AI activity, stronger background inputs induce stable, spatially localized activity bumps as in ‘winner-take-all’ (WTA) dynamics. Interestingly, for intermediate background inputs, the networks exhibit spatially localized, but unstable activity bumps (Transition Activity, TA), resembling the experimentally observed neuronal assembly dynamics in the striatum.

Among the three main regimes of network activity (AI, WTA, TA) we found that in the AI and TA regimes, network dynamics are flexible and can be easily modified by external stimuli. Moreover, the dynamical state of the network returns to the baseline after the stimulus is removed. By contrast, the dynamics in the WTA state are rigid and can only be changed by very strong external stimuli. These results support the hypothesis that the flexibility of the striatal network state in response to stimuli is important for its normal function and the ‘rigid’ network states (WTA) correspond to brain disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, where the striatum looses its repertoire of dynamic states and is only receptive to very strong inputs.
Cost vs credibility: the student sample trap in business research
Authors: Ford John B.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This paper focuses on the problems inherent in the use of student samples in business research.

Design/methodology/approach

The subject is examined through the opinions of prior researchers, and the pros and cons are presented. The issues of internal and external validity are discussed, and the dangers of theory development without proper application are highlighted.

Findings

Business researchers are cautioned, especially in the case of scale development and cross-cultural research, to avoid the use of student samples.

Originality/value

While this subject has been the source of debate for many years, business researchers are still regularly using student samples for their research. The dangers are too great to simply be ignored because the price is right.
Private label outsourcing at MegaTex – necessity, accessory or a parasite?
Authors: Chaurasia Sushil S. , Kolati Rani Poojitha Devi
Published: October 2016

Subject area

The subject area is marketing strategy.

Study level/applicability

The case is well suited for MBA and executive MBA class on retailing management, strategic management, marketing strategy and brand management.

Case overview

Retailers see private label as a strategic weapon against brand manufacturer to increase store profitability, but looking at the private label from brand manufacturer’s perspective, determinants and strategic choices are even more complex than that of a retailer. The case is about MegaTex Ltd.’s strategic call for private label production opportunity by Maximus Fashion and Retail Limited. The case discusses the dilemma of MegaTex for manufacturing private label in spite of having their own brand in competition. The case compels to drive strategic questions such as in what circumstances brand manufacturers should concentrate on manufacturing their own brand or should they concentrate on both private label and their brand? Or, as an alternative, should they purely dedicate themselves in manufacturing private label and stop manufacturing their own brand?

Expected learning outcomes

Participants will be able to understand the concept and economics of private label. Participants will be able to understand the determinants and strategic choices for private label from retailer’s and manufacturer’s perspective. Participants will be able to understand the rationale for which brand manufacturer opts for manufacturing private label in spite of having its own brand in competition. Participants will be able to identify the situations under which a brand manufacturer should concentrate on manufacturing his/her own brand or both private label and his/her brand.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or e-mail support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Measuring quality perception in electronic commerce
Authors: Kemény Ildikó , Simon Judit , Nagy Ákos , Szucs Krisztián
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The perceived electronic-service quality (e-SQ) has become a relevant research area, not only in developed but also in smaller, less-developed countries. The purpose of this paper is to provide a description of an analysis into the relationship of the dimensions of perceived e-SQ and satisfaction as well as WOM intention in case of an online bookstore in Hungary where technical development and internet penetration is emerging; however, it is developing from an economic perspective. Beyond this a potential segmentation is introduced in the Hungarian market.

Design/methodology/approach

The direct effect of perceived e-SQ’s dimensions on satisfaction and on traditional WOM were analysed using the PLS-SEM method, which was followed by the segmentation approach. The paper also demonstrates differences of the identified consumer segments, using multivariate analysis of variance.

Findings

According to the research only the dimension of efficiency and responsiveness have a significant positive effect on satisfaction, and beside these the quality perception of fulfilment has a significant influence on WOM intention. Using the relevant latent variable scores segmentation was conducted and four clusters were identified.

Originality/value

Due to peculiarities of e-services, quality measurement needs a constant revision and adoption. Extent amount of research has been dedicated to analyse the relationship of quality and satisfaction, but the direct effect of relevant quality dimensions on word-of-mouth intention is a new research field. Segmenting customers based on latent variable scores of the proposed model has not been conducted before in case of an online bookstore in Hungary. According to the results the evaluation of the technology-based components has the greatest effect on satisfaction and WOM intention. However, web-shops managers should focus not only on online characteristics but also on offline, human-based interactions and the service quality of their delivery partners.
Identifying the perspectives for sustainability enhancement
Authors: Bhanot Neeraj , Rao P. Venkateswara , Deshmukh S.G.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Integrating sustainability strategies with business processes is the most challenging task for industry professionals due to the lack of a proper understanding of sustainability concepts. At the same time, a lack of proper guidance restricts them from pursuing such activities. As far as the aspects of implementation are concerned, it is very tough to analyse and pick up key points to start with. The purpose of this paper is to utilize a text mining approach to analyse qualitative data and identify the critical issues for implementing sustainability in the manufacturing sector by focussing on turning processes based on the survey responses of researchers and industry professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated method employing principal component analysis (PCA) and the k-means clustering algorithm has been applied to extract useful information from a set of various suggestions provided by both the groups surveyed. The textual data has also been visualized using word clouds and, thus, it has been compared with the results of the text mining approach.

Findings

The results of the study indicate the importance of the role of government organizations and the need for a skilled workforce, which are crucial for enhancing aspects of sustainability in the manufacturing sector, as supported by both researchers and industry professionals. Besides this, researchers have highlighted the need to focus more on environmentally related issues, whereas industry professionals have raised performance-related issues.

Practical implications

The findings of the study present the important concerns of both the groups towards sustainability initiatives and, thus, will help to enhance the understanding of the underlying possibilities of negotiating jointly to enhance the performance of machining processes.

Originality/value

The novelty of this paper lies in its identification of important initiatives that are having a direct impact on the sustainable aspects of the machining process, based on the views of researchers and industry professionals.
Fear appeals: the influence of threat orientations
Authors: Awagu Chrysantus , Basil Debra Z.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the interactive impact of dispositional threat orientation and affirmation (both self-affirmation and self-efficacy) on the effectiveness of fear appeals.

Design/methodology/approach

A 3 × 2 × 2 × 2 fully crossed, mixed experimental design is used. The study is conducted through an on-line survey platform. Participants are nationally representative in terms of age, gender and geographic location within the USA.

Findings

Threat orientation impacts individuals’ responses to fear appeals. Control-oriented individuals respond in a more adaptive manner, heightened-sensitivity-oriented individuals are a “mixed-bag” and denial-oriented individuals respond in a more maladaptive manner. Affirmations (both self-affirmation and self-efficacy) interact with threat orientation in some cases to predict response to threat.

Research limitations/implications

This research used a cross-sectional approach in an on-line environment. A longitudinal study with a stronger self-affirmation intervention and self-efficacy manipulation would offer a stronger test.

Practical implications

Social marketers should consider whether their primary target market has a general tendency toward a particular threat orientation when considering the use of fear appeals. Social marketers should consider the potential benefits of a self-affirmation intervention.

Social implications

Individuals’ personality dispositions impact how they respond to fear appeals, which may explain why some seemingly well executed fear appeals are unsuccessful whereas others succeed.

Originality/value

Little or no research has examined the use of self-affirmation to overcome the challenges posed by dispositional threat orientation. This research gives an early glimpse into how these issues interplay.
User acceptance of the e-information service as information resource
Authors: Barhoumi Chokri
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to extend significantly the technology acceptance model (TAM) of Davis to design an extended TAM model to be used in the evaluation and assessment of e-information services for information research such as e-library services. The present TAM extension is based on two variables of behavioral intention: the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of a system. Furthermore, the user satisfaction, free access, information architecture, content richness, policies and rules, publishers’ quality, system self-efficacy and task technology fit were incorporated into the TAM to extend it with other factors theoretically motivated and would be of interest more generally.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher adopted an experimental approach-based comparison between an experimental group (107 researchers) using an electronic information service (the e-library service of the university) and a control group (107 researchers) not registered in this e-information service of the university.

Findings

The researcher used the effect size values based t-test independent samples at the 0.05 level to adapt the structural model equation to the experimental sample. Principal results show that the behavioral intention was influenced significantly by user satisfaction. The perceived usefulness of the e-library services was influenced significantly by the perceived ease of use, information architecture, content richness, free access, publishers’ quality, task-technology fit and e-library service self-efficacy.

Originality/value

This paper is useful in advancing a framework for the evaluation and assessment of the electronic information service used for information research and exploring users’ attitudes toward using that service.
Efficient isolation of human parainfluenza viruses 1 and 3 using MNT‐1, a human malignant melanoma cell line system that exhibits an apparent cytopathic effect
Authors: Sato Ko , Watanabe Oshi , Ohmiya Suguru , Chiba Fumiko , Hayashi Masahiro , Suzuki Tamio , Kawakami Kazuyoshi , Nishimura Hidekazu
Published: October 2016

Isolation of human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) serotypes 1 and 3 from clinical specimens is not very efficient because of the lack of a cell culture system capable of inducing CPE. In this study, the utility of a melanoma cell line, MNT‐1, that allows HPIV growth and displays CPE was demonstrated. In particularly, the efficiency of isolating HPIV1 and HPIV3 using MNT‐1 was greater than for cell lines conventionally used for HPIV isolation. Our demonstrated efficacy of HPIV1 and HPIV3 isolation with apparent CPE using the MNT‐1 cell culture system has the potential to improve virus isolation from clinical specimens.
Means, Motive, and Opportunity – Local Government Data Distortion in a High‐Stakes Environment
Authors: Drew Joseph , Grant Bligh
Published: October 2016

Regulatory authorities are increasingly relying upon performance data for developing public policy. However, this reliance necessarily assumes that the data are free from material distortion. This paper provides a conceptual framework for understanding the ‘means’, ‘motive’, and ‘opportunity’ for distorting data employed in high‐stakes performance‐management programmes. We present empirical evidence which suggests that the use of data drawn entirely from financial statements by no means guarantees a distortion‐free depiction of performance. In addition, we provide econometric evidence of some important determinants of performance data distortion. Taken as a whole, the following analysis provides a comprehensive picture of the salient matters which must be addressed to ensure accurate data for public policy‐making purposes.
Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum on the survival of acid‐tolerant non‐O157 Shiga toxin‐producing E. coli (STEC) strains in fermented goat's milk
Authors: Fayemi Olanrewaju E , Buys Elna M
Published: October 2016

The ability of goat's milk fermented with a Lactobacillus plantarum strain B411, and in combination with commercial starter culture, to inhibit acid‐adapted (AA) and non‐acid‐adapted (NAA) environmental non‐O157 STEC strains was investigated. Acid‐adapted and NAA non‐O157 STEC strains were not inhibited in the L. plantarum‐fermented goat's milk, while the goat's milk fermented with the combination of L. plantarum and starter culture inhibited AA more than NAA non‐O157 STEC strains. Environmental acid‐tolerant non‐O157 STEC strains were not inhibited by L. plantarum, starter culture or combination of starter culture with L. plantarum unless they were subjected to prior acid adaptation such as backslopping.
Methoprene does not affect juvenile hormone titers in honey bee (Apis mellifera) workers
Authors: Huang Zachary Y. , Lin Stephanie , Ahn Kiheung
Published: October 2016

Methoprene, a juvenile hormone (JH) analog, is a widely used insecticide that also accelerates behavioral development in honey bees (Apis mellifera). JH regulates the transition from nursing to foraging in adult worker bees, and treatment with JH or methoprene have both been shown to induce precocious foraging. To determine how methoprene changes honey bee behavior, we compared JH titers of methoprene‐treated and untreated bees. Behavioral observations confirmed that methoprene treatment significantly increased the number of precocious foragers in 3 out of 4 colonies. In only 1 out of 4 colonies, however, was there a significant difference in JH titers between the methoprene‐treated and control bees. Further, in all 4 colonies, there was no significant differences in JH titers between precocious and normal‐aged foragers. These results suggest that methoprene did not directly affect the endogenous JH secreted by corpora allata. Because methoprene caused early foraging without changing workers’ JH titers, we conclude that methoprene most likely acts directly on the JH receptors as a substitute for JH.
IFRS Disclosure Compliance in Malaysia: Insights from a Small‐sample Analytical Study
Authors: Che Azmi Anna , English Linda M.
Published: October 2016

This study provides unique insights into the disclosure practices of large Malaysian publicly listed companies. Using an expanded compliant/non‐compliant data classification scheme, the 2011 annual reports of nine government linked companies (GLCs) and their non‐GLC industry equivalents are examined to determine compliance with all the disclosure requirements of eight accounting standards that form part of International Financial Reporting Standards. Results indicate that overall compliance is 45.8%, is not predictable and differs widely between standards. Contributions to the literature include distinguishing between ‘Note 1’ disclosures and standard‐specific disclosures that impact current or future year profitability and financial position, investigating incidences of partial disclosures and errors in disclosure, detection and analysis of patterns in disclosure/non‐disclosure, and reflections on the influence of data classification decisions on findings in compliance research. Firms tend to routinely comply with ‘Note 1’ descriptive disclosures and with standard‐specific disclosures that impact current year profitability and financial position. They routinely fail to provide details and explanations of undisclosed financial statement/off balance sheet items that impact future profitability and financial position. There is some evidence that GLCs demonstrate higher levels of standard‐related compliance in five (of eight) industries than do non‐GLCs. The study finds no association between disclosure and auditor.
Interactive effects of land‐use history, tree encroachment and distance to edge on species richness in an unmanaged heathland
Authors: Kepfer‐Rojas Sebastian , Damgaard Christian , Riis‐Nielsen Torben , Schmidt Inger Kappel
Published: October 2016

Questions

How do land‐use legacies, tree encroachment and distance to the edge interact to determine species richness patterns in the ground vegetation of an unmanaged heathland? What are the direct and indirect effects of these factors? Do different functional groups respond differently to these factors?

Location

Nørholm heathland, southwest Denmark.

Methods

We recorded the overstorey and ground vegetation along with environmental variables in 129 plots on a 350 ha heathland where management ceased more than 100 yrs ago. We used structural equation models (SEM) to examine the relationship between species richness of functional groups (herbs, dwarf shrubs and tree seedlings) and ground vegetation cover, overstorey development, distance to the edge and nutrient availability.

Results

The relative importance of the driving factors differed between functional groups. Herb richness increased with increasing nutrient availability from previous land use and decreased with overstorey development. Dwarf shrub richness responded negatively to overstorey development and herb cover. In contrast, species richness of tree seedlings responded strongly and positively to overstorey development but not to environmental variables or ground vegetation. In general, the effect of nutrient availability and distance to the edge were of similar magnitude and were largely mediated by the overstorey and ground vegetation.

Conclusions

Land‐use legacies and tree encroachment can have differential effects on the species richness of different functional groups. Typical heathland dwarf shrubs were able to withstand moderate levels of increased nutrient availability and tree colonization. However, the combination of these factors poses a serious threat, as dwarf shrub richness decreased due to an increase in the cover of herbaceous species and light limitation. The absence of management did not lead to a rapid loss of typical heathland species.
Effect of opicapone multiple‐dose regimens on levodopa pharmacokinetics
Authors: Rocha José‐Francisco , Sicard Éric , Fauchoux Nicolas , Falcão Amílcar , Santos Ana , Loureiro Ana I. , Pinto Roberto , Bonifácio Maria João , Nunes Teresa , Almeida Luís , Soares‐da‐Silva Patrício
Published: October 2016

Aims

To compare the levodopa/carbidopa (LC) and levodopa/benserazide (LB) pharmacokinetic profiles following repeated doses of opicapone (OPC) administered apart from levodopa.

Methods

Two randomized, double blind, sex‐balanced, placebo‐controlled studies in four groups of 12 or 18 healthy subjects each. In each group, enrolled subjects received a once‐daily morning (5, 15 and 30 mg) or evening (5, 15 and 50 mg) administration of OPC or placebo for up to 28 days. On the morning of Day 11, 12 h after the OPC or placebo evening dose, or the morning of Day 21, 1 h after the OPC or placebo dose, a single dose of immediate‐release 100/25 mg LC was administered. Similarly, on Day 18 morning, 12 h after the OPC or placebo evening dose, or Day 28 morning, 1 h after the OPC or placebo dose, a single dose of immediate‐release 100/25 mg LB was administered.

Results

All OPC treatments, in relation to the placebo group, presented a higher extent of exposure (AUC) to levodopa following either LC or LB doses. A relevant but not dose‐dependent increase in the levodopa AUC occurred with all OPC dose groups in relation to placebo. All active treatments significantly inhibited both peak (Emax) and extent (AUEC) of the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase activity in relation to placebo. The tolerability profile was favourable.

Conclusion

Opicapone, as once‐daily oral evening regimen and/or 1 h apart from levodopa therapy, increases the bioavailability of levodopa associated with its pronounced, long‐lasting and sustained catechol‐O‐methyltransferase inhibition. The tolerability profile was favourable and similar between OPC and placebo.
Synthesis and evaluation of novel amonafide–polyamine conjugates as anticancer agents
Authors: Wang Yuxia , Zhang Jianying , Li Meng , Li Ming , Xie Songqiang , Wang Chaojie
Published: October 2016

With the aim of upregulating antitumor efficacy and downregulating adverse effects, the amino group in the three‐position of amonafide aromatic ring was modified by coupling with different amine/polyamine motifs via two linkers. Two series of naphthalimide derivatives were designed and synthesized and evaluated for their antitumor properties in vitro and in vivo. The preliminary in vitro trials revealed that compounds with urea as the linker were not active, and the presence of aspirin elevated the potency of 6k against tumor cells, wound healing, and the protein expression of cyclic D1 and MMP9. The in vivo trials on three H22 tumor transplant models demonstrated that the combination of 6k and aspirin markedly improved the efficacy in terms of inhibitive effect, pulmonary metastasis, and extension of the life span. More importantly, the combination of 6k and aspirin displayed the reduced side‐effects compared to that of amonafide.
The Children's Delphi: considerations for developing a programme for promoting children's self‐concept and well‐being
Authors: Benninger Elizabeth , Savahl Shazly
Published: October 2016

This study is premised on the notion that intervention programmes aimed at improving children's well‐being should be inclusive of activities which promote children's self‐concept. Using a child participation framework, this study aimed to explore children's perceptions of the nature and content of intervention programmes aimed at improving children's self‐concept within two impoverished communities of the Western Cape, South Africa. The Delphi technique was followed with a group of 10 children between the ages of 10 and 12 years who were considered to be knowledgeable experts and authorities on matters affecting their lives and well‐being of children. They suggested that intervention programmes include a focus onsafety, the provision of social support, the creation of opportunities for learning and for play and the provision of basic material needs.
Microvascular dysfunction affects the development and prognosis of sudden idiopathic hearing loss
Authors: Koçak H.E. , Filiz Acıpayam A.Ş. , Acıpayam H. , Çakıl Erdoğan B. , Alakhras W.M.E. , Kıral M.N. , Keskin M. , Kayhan F.T.
Published: October 2016

Objective

The aim of our study is to investigate whether systemic microvascular function affects the development and prognosis of sudden idiopathic hearing loss (SHL).

Type of study

A prospective case–control study.

Materials and methods

Fifty patients diagnosed with SHL at our hospital between September 2015 and May 2016 were included as the SHL group, and 50 healthy volunteers who came to the hospital for medical screening were included in the control group. Thirty‐one patients from the SHL group who responded to treatment and 19 patients who did not respond to treatment were identified according to the Siegel criteria and were grouped. Patients with comorbid disorders were excluded from the study. To determine microvascular function, the videocapillaroscopic examination was conducted from the nailfold, measuring the capillary density (CD) and post‐occlusive reactive hyperaemia (PORH) values and statistical analysis was performed between the groups.

Result

While CD was an average of 83.1 ± 6 in the SHL group, it was measured as 96.2 ± 10 in the control group. The CD value was significantly lower in the SHL group than the control group (P < 0.05). While the average PORH value in the SHL group was 80.5 ± 7.7, it was measured as 97.5 ± 10 in the control group. The PORH value was significantly lower in the SHL group than the control group (P < 0.05). The CD value did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the group that responded to treatment (83.4 ± 5.5) and the group that did not respond to treatment (82.7 ± 6.9). The PORH value was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the group that did not respond to treatment (75.2 ± 7.9) than the group that did (83.8 ± 5.6).

Conclusion

To our best knowledge, our study is the first study in the literature. Although the role of specific mechanisms in SHL is not entirely understood, the capillaroscopic examination can show the importance of microvascular function in SHL. CD and PORH values were found to be low in SHL patients, and a low PORH value was found to be a factor of poor prognosis.
Linagliptin as add‐on to empagliflozin and metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes: Two 24‐week randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy, parallel‐group trials
Authors: Tinahones Francisco J. , Gallwitz Baptist , Nordaby Matias , Götz Sophia , Maldonado‐Lutomirsky Mario , Woerle Hans J. , Broedl Uli C.
Published: October 2016

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of linagliptin vs placebo as add‐on to empagliflozin and metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and methods

Patients with inadequate glycaemic control despite stable‐dose metformin received open‐label empagliflozin 10 mg (study 1) or 25 mg (study 2) as add‐on therapy for 16 weeks. Subsequently, those with HbA1c ≥7.0 and ≤10.5% (>53 and ≤91 mmol/mol) (N = 482) were randomized to 24 weeks’ double‐blind, double‐dummy treatment with linagliptin 5 mg or placebo in study 1, or to linagliptin 5 mg or placebo in study 2; all patients continued treatment with metformin and empagliflozin 10 mg (study 1) or metformin and empagliflozin 25 mg (study 2). The primary endpoint was change from baseline (defined as the last value before first intake of randomized, double‐blind treatment) in HbA1c at week 24.

Results

At week 24, HbA1c (mean baseline 7.82‐8.04 [62‐64 mmol/mol]) was significantly reduced with linagliptin vs placebo; adjusted mean (SE) differences in change from baseline in HbA1c with linagliptin vs placebo were −.32% (.10) (−3.59 [1.08] mmol/mol) (
P
= .001) for patients on empagliflozin 10 mg and metformin, and −0.47% (0.10) (−5.15 [1.04] mmol/mol) (
P
< 0.001) for patients on empagliflozin 25 mg and metformin. Adverse events were reported in more patients receiving placebo than in those receiving linagliptin: 55.5% vs 48.4% in study 1 and 58.9% vs 52.7% in study 2.

Conclusions

Linagliptin as add‐on to empagliflozin and metformin for 24 weeks improved glycaemic control vs placebo, and was well tolerated.
European Union Development Policy: Collective Action in Times of Global Transformation and Domestic Crisis
Authors: Bodenstein Thilo , Faust Jörg , Furness Mark
Published: October 2016

This special issue of Development Policy Review reflects on European Union (EU) efforts to build a more effective global development policy amid a rapidly changing international context. As 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals have made clear, global development challenges require collective action if they are to be resolved. Contributions to the special issue explore the ways in which theEUapproaches collective action challenges in different development cooperation frameworks and policy settings. Themes explored include strategies for overcoming collective action problems, the impacts of these interactions onEUand member state aid policies, coherence between development and other policy fields, relations between European and other development actors, and the reception of theEU's efforts in developing countries.
Comment on Parkinson and Cashmore's (2015) Research and Proposal for Reforming Child Custody Relocation Law: Child Custody Evaluator and Psychological Perspecitve
Authors: Austin William G.
Published: October 2016

Parkinson and Cashmore () described their innovative, qualitative, and longitudinal research program on the experience of Australian families involved in relocation family law litigation. This constructive comment discusses the value and limitations of their main findings. Parkinson and Cashmore's approach is contrasted with the excellent quantitative research on the effects of residential mobility on children of divorce. The author disagrees with Parkinson and Cashmore's position of opposing the use of relocation factors in statute and/or case law so as to not hinder the exercise of judicial discretion any further, but agrees with their integration of the least detrimental alternative concept into a relocation analysis.
The Adoption and Safe Families Act: Proposing a “Best Efforts” Standard to Eliminate the Ultimate Obstacle for Family Reunification
Authors: Lercara Brittany
Published: October 2016

The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA) was enacted in an attempt to expedite the child's permanency plan by pushing for adoption of children in foster care. The ASFA requires the U.S. Department of Health to make reasonable efforts to reunify and preserve existing families while rewarding the states for increased adoption of foster care children. The ASFA was enacted to ensure the best interests of the child are to remain paramount, but in practice, the ASFA is furthering the best interests of the state. This Note proposes amendment of the ASFA to increase the obligation of the Department of Social Services (DSS) to make its best efforts to preserve and reunify the existing family unit, while also imposing a penalty if the DSS fails to do so.