bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of explicit ethics institutionalization and management accountability in influencing newcomer trust
Authors: Tseng Lu-Ming , Chung Chi-Erh
Published: July 2017

Purpose

It was common for newcomers to organizations to feel anxiety and uncertainty. Yet, gaining the newcomers’ trust may contribute to solving these problems. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impacts of explicit ethics institutionalization and management accountability on newcomer trust in manager and company.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of novice salespeople in the life insurance companies in Taiwan was used to investigate the relationships among the constructs.

Findings

It was found that newcomers’ recognition of explicit ethics institutionalization was positively associated with the newcomers’ perception of management accountability, and the perception was positively related to trust in manager and company.

Practical implications

Explicit ethics institutionalization and management accountability could play an important role in enhancing newcomer trust. Thus, it was suggested that researchers and managers should focus on these issues and considered how explicit ethics institutionalization and management accountability could be enhanced in the workplace.

Originality/value

Newcomer distrust may lead to newcomer job dissatisfaction and newcomer turnover behaviors. This research examines the mediating role of management accountability in the relationship between explicit ethics institutionalization and newcomer trust.
Interest rate, liquidity, and sovereign risk: derivative-based VaR
Authors: Gubareva Mariya , Borges Maria Rosa
Published: July 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study connections between interest rate risk and credit risk and investigate the inter-risk diversification benefit due to the joint consideration of these risks in the banking book containing sovereign debt.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops the historical derivative-based value at risk (VaR) for assessing the downside risk of a sovereign debt portfolio through the integrated treatment of interest rate and credit risks. The credit default swaps spreads and the fixed-leg rates of interest rate swap are used as proxies for credit risk and interest rate risk, respectively.

Findings

The proposed methodology is applied to the decade-long history of emerging markets sovereign debt. The empirical analysis demonstrates that the diversified VaR benefits from imperfect correlation between the risk factors. Sovereign risks of non-core emu states and oil producing countries are discussed through the prism of VaR metrics.

Practical implications

The proposed approach offers a clue for improving risk management in regards to banking books containing government bonds. It could be applied to access the riskiness of investment portfolios containing the wider spectrum of assets beyond the sovereign debt. The approach represents a useful tool for investigating interest rate and credit risk interrelation.

Originality/value

The proposed enhancement of the traditional historical VaR is twofold: usage of derivative instruments’ quotes and simultaneous consideration of the interest rate and credit risk factors to construct the hypothetical liquidity-free bond yield, which allows to distil liquidity premium.
Banking stability in the MENA region during the global financial crisis and the European sovereign debt debacle
Authors: Trad Naama , Rachdi Houssem , Hakimi Abdelaziz , Guesmi Khaled
Published: July 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the main determinants of the performance and stability-banking sector in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region during the global financial crisis. Using a data set of 13 countries with both of 77 Islamic and 101 conventional banks during the period 2006-2013, empirical results show that specific variables allow explaining the change in the level of performance and stability for conventional and Islamic banks. However, the effect of some banks’ characteristics is not the same for the two bank groups. For the macroeconomic effect, it is observed that inflation exerts a negative effect on the bank performance except for conventional banks when it increases the profitability.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a data set of 13 countries with both of 77 Islamic and 101 conventional banks (CvB) during the period 2006-2013 and performing the generalized method of moments (GMM) method, the findings provide comprehensive evidence for the bank systems studied which are of interest also to policy makers and practitioners.

Findings

The main finding is that after the international financial crises of 2008, many worldwide banks have been experiencing crises in contrast to Islamic banks (IsB) which remain Gen more stable and more profitable. Foreign banks had a higher degree of exposure to risk, given their higher number of subsidiaries in the developed economies. As for the determinants of profitability, the bank-specific variables allow to explain the change in the level of performance and stability for conventional and Islamic banks. However, the effect of some banks characteristics is not the same for the two bank groups. For the macroeconomic effect, it is observed that inflation exerts a negative effect on the bank performance except for CvB when it increases the profitability measured by the return on assets (ROA). It is also found that the growth rate acts positively when the dependent variable is the ROA and negatively when the performance is measured by return on equity.

Originality/value

The inflation rate exerts a negative effect only on the ROA. This study differs from previous contributions in that it is tested the hypothesis of determinants of bank profitability and stability for both conventional and Islamic banks in the MENA region. It is of great interest to both policymakers and investors, with respect to regional development policies and dedicated portfolio investment strategies in each emerging region respectively. The authors adopted several ratios from the empirical literature on bank profitability and stability. Using a data set of 13 countries with both of 77 Islamic and 101 CvB during the period 2006-2013 and performing the GMM method, the findings have significant contributions to the literature by comprehensively clarifying and critically analyzing the current state of profitability and stability for both banks.
Attitudes towards shared decision making in mental health: a qualitative synthesis
Authors: Kaminskiy Emma , Senner Simon , Hamann Johannes
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Shared decision making (SDM) prioritises joint deliberation between practitioner and service user, and a respect for service-users’ experiential knowledge, values and preferences. The purpose of this paper is to review the existing literature pertaining to key stakeholders’ attitudes towards SDM in mental health. It examines whether perceived barriers and facilitators differ by group (e.g. service user, psychiatrist, nurse and social worker) and includes views of what facilitates and hinders the process for service users and practitioners.

Design/methodology/approach

This review adopts the principles of a qualitative research synthesis. A key word search of research published between 1990 and 2016 was undertaken. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods studies were included.

Findings

In total, 43 papers were included and several themes identified for service user and practitioner perspectives. Both practitioners and service users see SDM as an ethical imperative, and both groups highlight the need to be flexible in implementing SDM, suggesting it is context dependent. A range of challenges and barriers are presented by both practitioners and service users reflecting complex contextual and cultural features within which interactions in mental health take place. There were qualitative differences in what service users and practitioners describe as preventing or enabling SDM. The differences highlighted point towards different challenges and priorities in SDM for service users and practitioners.

Originality/value

The presentation of nuanced views and attitudes that practitioners and service users hold represent an important and under reported area and offer insight into the reasons for the gap between idealised policy and actual practice of SDM in mental health settings.
Involvement of adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette subfamily B member 1 in the augmentation of triacylglycerol excretion by Propionibacterium acnes in differentiated hamster sebocytes
Authors: Mizuno Koji , Akimoto Noriko , Kawamura Mina , Nakase Keisuke , Noguchi Norihisa , Sato Takashi
Published: July 2017

An onset of acne, a common inflammatory skin disease, is associated with excess sebum production and secretion in sebaceous glands. Because Propionibacterium acnes has been reported to augment intracellular sebum accumulation in sebaceous glands in hamsters, it remains unclear whether P. acnes influences sebum secretion from differentiated sebocytes. Both P. acnes culture media (Acnes73‐CM) and formalin‐killed P. acnes (F‐Acnes73) dose‐dependently increased the extracellular levels of triacylglycerol (TG), a major sebum component, and Rhodamine 123, a substrate of adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter, from differentiated hamster sebocytes (DHS). In addition, the gene expression of the ABC subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) was dose‐dependently augmented by adding Acnes73‐CM and F‐Acnes73 into DHS. Furthermore, the F‐Acnes73‐induced increase of TG excretion was suppressed by PSC833, a selective ABCB1 inhibitor. On the other hand, peptidoglycan (PGN), which is a Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) ligand in P. acnes, increased extracellular TG levels, transporter activity and ABCB1 mRNA expression in DHS. The PGN‐augmented TG excretion was suppressed by PSC833. Thus, these results provide novel evidence that P. acnes facilitates sebum secretion due to the activation of ABCB1 concomitantly with the increased ABCB1 expression, which may result from the activation of the TLR2 pathway in DHS. Therefore, the ABCB1 inhibitor is likely to become a candidate as a possible therapeutic for the treatment of acne.
Improving Experienced Auditors’ Detection of Deception in CEO Narratives
Authors: HOBSON JESSEN L. , MAYEW WILLIAM J. , PEECHER MARK E. , VENKATACHALAM MOHAN
Published: July 2017

We experimentally study the deception detection capabilities of experienced auditors, using CEO narratives from earnings conference calls as case materials. We randomly assign narratives of fraud and nonfraud companies to auditors as well as the presence versus absence of an instruction explaining that cognitive dissonance in speech is helpful for detecting deception. We predict this instruction will weaken auditors’ learned tendency to overlook fraud cues. We find that auditors’ deception judgments are less accurate for fraud companies than for nonfraud companies, unless they receive this instruction. We also find that instructed auditors more extensively describe red flags for fraud companies and more accurately identify specific sentences in narratives that pertain to underlying frauds. These findings indicate that instructing experienced auditors to be alert for cognitive dissonance in CEO narratives can activate deception detection capabilities.
Influence of Residual Renal Function in Carotid Modeling as a Marker of Early Atherosclerosis in Dialysis Patients
Authors: Rroji Merita , Spahia Nereida , Seferi Saimir , Barbullushi Myftar , Spasovski Goce
Published: July 2017

Atherosclerosis is frequently present in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) treated with dialysis. We evaluated the association between residual renal function (RRF), phosphate level, inflammation and other risk factors in carotid modeling as a marker of early atherosclerosis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) compared with hemodialysis (HD) patients. We studied 39 stable PD and 53 HD patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) for 3 to 36 months duration. B‐mode ultrasonography was used to determine carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT). We classified patients with atherosclerosis if they have CIMT >10 mm and or presence of plaque. Out of our total dialysis population studied of 92 patients, 16.3% were diabetics and 57.6% were on hemodialysis. Expectedly, PD patients had a higher RRF (P < 0.001), 24 h urine volume (P < 0.001); C‐reactive protein (P = 0.047), and a lower serum phosphate (P = 0.01), PTH (P < 0.05), alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05), and albumin levels (P < 0.001) compared to hemodialysis patients. Atherosclerosis was found in 66.3% of patients and in 100% of a diabetic population. There was no significant difference in the presence of atherosclerosis between PD and HD patients [56.4 vs 73.6% HD, respectively]. Multiple regression analysis showed age, diabetes, HD modality, RRF, phosphate, PTH and pulse pressure as independent parameters associated with atherosclerosis. Apart from the traditional risk factors like age and diabetes, our study showed a link of atherosclerosis with metabolic abnormalities secondary to renal failure. We demonstrated a novel, independent association between RRF and atherosclerosis, underlining the importance of preservation of the RRF in dialysis patients.
‘In the Greatest Wildness of my Youth’: Sir Charles Hanbury Williams and Mid‐Eighteenth‐Century Libertinism
Authors: Butterwick‐Pawlikowski Richard
Published: July 2017

Much has been written about discourses concerning male sexual behaviour in the eighteenth century; given the nature of the surviving sources, it is harder to research actual sexual behaviour. Sir Charles Hanbury Williams (1708–1759) was a celebrated poet, wit and diplomat in his own lifetime but is now largely forgotten. The copious surviving manuscripts of his correspondence and verses provide rich and explicit material for an examination of mid‐eighteenth‐century libertinism from two perspectives – that of its ribald practitioners and that of an ex‐libertine father and mentor – within the context of scholarly debates on eighteenth‐century politeness and masculinities.
Non‐epistemic Values and Concerns about Evolutionary Mindsets in Conservation Policy
Authors: Holthuijzen Wieteke A. , Baumgaertner Bert
Published: July 2017

This short article offers reflections on an approach to environmental policy and land management forwarded by Peter Kareiva and Emma Fuller. Their approach both mimics evolution in its structure and seeks to manage for evolution in application. They argue this approach is a novel perspective on policy that is more adaptive and flexible in setting realistic conservation goals and objectives. While we agree that their approach is a novel starting point for discussion of ecosystem resilience and adaptive management, we argue that they do not offer the required framework of guiding principles, or—more importantly—a set of values on which to base this particular environmental policy and management approach. We analyze the main driver behind Kareiva and Fuller's article (an evolutionary perspective in regards to policy) with respect to non‐epistemic values and outline key questions that will be important to inform environmental and conservation research, efforts, and policy.
Effect of gemfibrozil and rifampicin on the pharmacokinetics of selexipag and its active metabolite in healthy subjects
Authors: Bruderer Shirin , Petersen‐Sylla Marc , Boehler Margaux , Remeňová Tatiana , Halabi Atef , Dingemanse Jasper
Published: July 2017

Aims

Based on in vitro data, there is evidence to suggest that cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 is involved in the metabolism of selexipag and its active metabolite, ACT‐333679. The present study evaluated the possible pharmacokinetic interactions of selexipag with gemfibrozil, a strong CYP2C8 inhibitor, and rifampicin, an inducer of CYP2C8.

Methods

The study consisted of two independent parts, each conducted according to an open‐label, randomized, crossover design. The pharmacokinetics and safety of selexipag and ACT‐333679 were studied following single‐dose administration either alone or in the presence of multiple‐dose gemfibrozil (part I) or rifampicin (part II) in healthy male subjects.

Results

Gemfibrozil had comparatively small effects on selexipag (less than 2‐fold difference in any pharmacokinetic variable) but, with respect to ACT‐333679, increased the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) 3.6‐fold [90% confidence interval (CI) 3.1, 4.3] and the area under the plasma concentration–time curve from zero to infinity (AUC0–∞) 11.1‐fold (90% CI 9.2, 13.4). The marked increased exposure to ACT‐333679, which mediates the majority of the pharmacological activity of selexipag, was accompanied by significantly more adverse events such as headache, nausea and vomiting. Coadministration of rifampicin increased the Cmax of selexipag 1.8‐fold (90% CI 1.4, 2.2) and its AUC0–∞ 1.3‐fold (90% CI 1.1, 1.4); its effects on ACT‐333679 were to increase its Cmax 1.3‐fold (90% CI 1.1, 1.6), shorten its half‐life by 63% and reduce its AUC0–∞ by half (90% CI 0.45, 0.59).

Conclusion

Concomitant administration of selexipag and strong inhibitors of CYP2C8 must be avoided, whereas when coadministered with inducers of CYP2C8, dose adjustments of selexipag should be envisaged.
The ethics and politics of patient‐physician mistrust in contemporary China
Authors: Yan Yunxiang
Published: July 2017

Focusing on the shared sense of victimization and disadvantage‐ness by both patients and doctors/medical workers in cases of medical conflicts, this paper aims to examine the current patient‐doctor tensions in the larger context of moral transformation in Chinese society since the 1980s. Although the decline of public trust in certain aspects is closely associated with the impact of commodification and commercialization of medical sector during the past two decades, other factors play important role as well. In the case of patient‐doctor tension, mutual disrespect and mistrust also result from the ongoing process of individualization and the remaking of moral self, in which the individual demand for respect, dignity, and trust seem to have unexpectedly and ironically contributed to the rise of tensions and conflicts between patients and doctors as well as other medical workers.
‘The Extremely Difficult Realization That Something Other Than Oneself Is Real’: Iris Murdoch on Love and Moral Agency
Authors: Hopwood Mark
Published: July 2017

Abstract: In the last few years, there has been a revival of interest in the philosophy of Iris Murdoch. Despite this revival, however, certain aspects of Murdoch's views remain poorly understood, including her account of a concept that she famously described as ‘central’ to moral philosophy—i.e., love. In this paper, I argue that the concept of love is essential to any adequate understanding of Murdoch's work but that recent attempts by Kieran Setiya and David Velleman to assimilate Murdoch's account of love to neo‐Aristotelian or neo‐Kantian theories of moral agency are misconceived. We will not understand what Murdoch is trying to do unless we understand her position as a radical alternative to such theories. Here, I present a reading of Murdoch's account of love as a form of Platonicerosdirected toward two objects: the Good and the particular individual. It is in navigating the tension between these two objects that we find ourselves facing what Murdoch famously described as ‘the extremely difficult realization that something other than oneself is real’. When properly understood, Murdoch's account of love opens up conceptual space for an alternative approach to some of the central questions in contemporary moral theory.
The effect of soil on human health: an overview
Authors: Steffan J. J. , Brevik E. C. , Burgess L. C. , Cerdà A.
Published: July 2017

Soil has a considerable effect on human health, whether those effects are positive or negative, direct or indirect. Soil is an important source of nutrients in our food supply and medicines such as antibiotics. However, nutrient imbalances and the presence of human pathogens in the soil biological community can cause negative effects on health. There are also many locations where various elements or chemical compounds are found in soil at toxic levels because of either natural conditions or anthropogenic activities. The soils of urban environments have received increased attention in the last few years, and they too pose a number of human health questions and challenges. Concepts such as soil security may provide a framework within which issues on soil and human health can be investigated using interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches. It will take the contributions of experts in several different scientific, medical and social science fields to address fully soil and human health issues. Although much progress was made in understanding links between soil and human health over the last century, there is still much that we do not know about the complex interactions between them. Therefore, there is still a considerable need for research in this important area.

Highlights

Soil is important to human health.

Effects can be positive or negative, direct or indirect.

Advances have been made in recent years.

Inter‐ and trans‐disciplinary research is needed.
Feel good, do good? Disentangling reciprocity from unconditional prosociality
Authors: Schmid Res , Schneeberger Karin , Taborsky Michael
Published: July 2017

Direct and generalised reciprocity can establish evolutionarily stable levels of cooperation among unrelated individuals, with animals reciprocating help based on whether they have been helped by a social partner before. It has been argued that the actual cooperative act by a social partner may be of minor importance for seemingly reciprocal cooperation and that a mere positive experience might suffice to enhance helpful behaviour towards a conspecific (‘feel good, do good’). However, this effect could easily be exploited by defectors free‐riding on an individual's enhanced propensity to cooperate after an unspecific positive experience, without investing in reciprocity themselves. Here, we use female Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) to test if a positive experience that was not provided by a helping partner increases the propensity to subsequently help a social partner. We manipulated the experience of test subjects by providing them with treats, either in the presence or absence of a conspecific. Thereafter, we assessed whether they produce treats and if so, how many, for an unfamiliar social partner compared to a situation in which they had not received treats before. As the treats the test subject received had not been provided by a social partner even if the partner was present, we predicted that the rats should not be more cooperative after they had received treats than if they had not. Indeed, the helping behaviour of rats was apparently not influenced by prior experience made either in a social or non‐social context. Rats have been shown previously to perform both direct and generalised reciprocity in the same variant of the iterated prisoner's dilemma game. Our results suggest that this behaviour cannot be explained by an unspecific positive experience. The decision to help a social partner seems to be contingent on previously receiving help from a social partner (reciprocity), not on any positive experience (unconditional prosociality).
Review of the application and efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in equine tendon and ligament injuries
Authors: Yocom A. F. , Bass L. D.
Published: July 2017

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) has been implemented as a treatment for musculoskeletal injuries in horses. ESWT uses acoustic waves applied to a region of injury, and has been shown to improve lameness, decrease time of healing and improve ultrasonographic appearance of tendon and ligament injuries. However, much of the current literature surrounding the use of ESWT in veterinary medicine is positively biased and most studies have lower levels of evidence‐based experimental design. Randomised clinical trials are needed to determine specific energy settings, dose, frequency and case selection for different anatomical regions, and to investigate long‐term effects of ESWT as well as interactions between ESWT and regenerative biological therapies.
Identification of hypoglycin A binding adsorbents as potential preventive measures in co‐grazers of atypical myopathy affected horses
Authors: Krägeloh T. , Cavalleri J. M. V. , Ziegler J. , Sander J. , Terhardt M. , Breves G. , Cehak A.
Published: July 2017

Background

Intestinal absorption of hypoglycin A (HGA) and its metabolism are considered major prerequisites for atypical myopathy (AM). The increasing incidence and the high mortality rate of AM urgently necessitate new therapeutic and/or preventative approaches.

Objectives

To identify a substance for oral administration capable of binding HGA in the intestinal lumen and effectively reducing the intestinal absorption of the toxin.

Study design

Experimental in vitro study.

Methods

Substances commonly used in equine practice (activated charcoal composition, di‐tri‐octahedral smectite, mineral oil and activated charcoal) were tested for their binding capacity for HGA using an in vitro incubation method. The substance most effective in binding HGA was subsequently tested for its potential to reduce intestinal HGA absorption. Jejunal tissues of 6 horses were incubated in Ussing chambers to determine mucosal uptake, tissue accumulation, and serosal release of HGA in the presence and absence of the target substance. Potential intestinal metabolism in methylenecyclopropyl acetic acid (MCPA)‐conjugates was investigated by analysing their concentrations in samples from the Ussing chambers.

Results

Activated charcoal composition and activated charcoal were identified as potent HGA binding substances with dose and pH dependent binding capacity. There was no evidence of intestinal HGA metabolism.

Main limitations

Binding capacity of adsorbents was tested in vitro using aqueous solutions, and in vivo factors such as transit time and composition of intestinal content, may affect adsorption capacity after oral administration.

Conclusions

For the first time, this study identifies substances capable of reducing HGA intestinal absorption. This might have major implications as a preventive measure in cograzers of AM affected horses but also in horses at an early stage of intoxication.
Effects of free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE) on nitrogen assimilation and growth of winter wheat under nitrate and ammonium fertilization
Authors: Dier Markus , Meinen Rieke , Erbs Martin , Kollhorst Lena , Baillie Christin‐Kirsty , Kaufholdt David , Kücke Martin , Weigel Hans‐Joachim , Zörb Christian , Hänsch Robert , Manderscheid Remy
Published: July 2017

A 2‐year Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) experiment was conducted with winter wheat. It was investigated whether elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration (e[CO2]) inhibit nitrate assimilation and whether better growth and nitrogen acquisition under e[CO2] can be achieved with an ammonium‐based fertilization as it was observed in hydroponic culture with wheat. Under e[CO2] a decrease in nitrate assimilation has been discussed as the cause for observed declines in protein concentration in C3 cereals. Wheat was grown under ambient [CO2] and e[CO2] (600 ppm) with three levels (deficiency, optimal, and excessive) of nitrate‐based fertilization (calcium ammonium nitrate; CAN) or with optimal ammonium‐based fertilization. Ammonium fertilization was applied via injection of an ammonium solution into the soil in the 1st year and by surface application of urea combined with nitrification inhibitors (UNI) in the 2nd year. Results showed that ammonium‐based fertilization was successfully achieved in the 2nd year with respect to nitrification control, as soil ammonium concentration was considerably higher over the growing season for UNI fertilized plots compared to optimal CAN plots. Also, stem nitrate concentration, flag leaf nitrate reductase activity, and transcript levels were lower in UNI fertilized plants compared to optimal CAN. Regarding the e[CO2] effect on nitrate reductase activity and transcript levels, no alteration could be observed for any nitrogen fertilizer treatment. Flag leaf growth was stimulated under e[CO2] leading to an enhanced nitrate reductase activity referred to m2 ground area at late flowering being in line with a higher nitrogen acquisition under e[CO2]. Moreover, nitrogen acquisition was considerably higher in nitrate fertilized plants compared to ammonium fertilized plants under e[CO2]. Our results obtained under field conditions show that a change from nitrate‐ to ammonium‐based fertilization will not lead to a better growth and nitrogen acquisition of winter wheat under future e[CO2].
Effects of kiwifruit and mixed dietary fibre on faecal properties and microbiota in rats: a dose–response analysis
Authors: Monro John A. , Paturi Gunaranjan , Mishra Suman
Published: July 2017

In this study, a rat model was used to explore the interaction of kiwifruit with co‐consumed mixed dietary fibre. Rats were used in three consecutive trials in which faecal properties and composition, and bacterial populations were examined. In trial 1 diets, content of a dietary fibre mixture (DFM; Raftiline–citrus fibre–wheat fibre) was increased from 0% to 20%. In trial 2, dried kiwifruit pulp (KFP) content was increased from 0% to 20%. In trial 3, KFP was increased from 0% to 20% in a diet containing a 20% basal content of the DFM. The KFP caused a small dose‐dependent increase in faecal bulk and water‐holding capacity and had much less effect than the DFM. Faecal bacterial populations examined were stable across all diets and intakes of DFM and KFP. The disappearance of fermentable fibre during hind gut passage was not reduced with increasing KFP. Therefore, kiwifruit may not only have the beneficial effect of extending fermentation distally in the colon through gut activation, but may do so without disrupting the bacterial ecosystem and its functions.
Biochemical and antioxidant properties of peptidic fraction generated from crab (Portunus trituberculatus) shells by enzymatic hydrolysis
Authors: Jiang Wei , Hu Shiwei , Li Shijie , Liu Yu
Published: July 2017

The biochemical properties and in vitro antioxidant activity of the crab (Portunus trituberculatus) shell hydrolysates (CSHs) generated by pepsin and protamex hydrolysis were evaluated. The amino acids profile of CSHs showed a high percentage of essential amino acids (>36%). The hydrolysates were mainly composed of low molecular weight peptides (<3 kDa). CSHs showed excellent solubility and possessed interfacial properties, which were governed by their concentrations. The antioxidant activities of CSHs were evaluated using various in vitro antioxidant assays, including the total antioxidant activity, DPPH, hydroxyl and ABTS radical scavenging method and reducing power assay. CSHs exhibited a good antioxidant activity compared to that of ascorbic acid. Results from this study suggested that the peptidic fractions of crab shells were good source of natural antioxidants and peptides with interesting functionalities.
The effect of gender on transformational leadership and job satisfaction among Saudi nurses
Authors: Alghamdi Mohammed G. , Topp Robert , AlYami Mansour S.
Published: July 2017

Aim

To compare nurses’ job satisfaction and perceptions of transformational leadership style of their manager among four different nurse/manager gender dyads in Saudi Arabia.

Background

Women and men differ on many behavioural characteristics and are influenced by the cultural environment. Understanding these differences may have an impact on leadership behaviours and job satisfaction.

Design

A descriptive analysis of one‐time survey data collected in 2011 from Saudi nurses employed in six general public hospitals located in three cities.

Method

Three hundred and eight (51.3%) of 600 Saudi nurses solicited to participate completed anonymous questionnaires that measured their job satisfaction and perceptions of transformational leadership style of their manager.

Findings

Factorial ANOVA tested the main effects of gender of the nurse, gender of the manager and the interaction term on the nurse's job satisfaction, and perceived transformational leadership style of their manager. These analyses indicated a main effect of gender of the manager on both job satisfaction and perceived transformational leadership style of the manager (p < .05) with no significant effect of the gender of the nurse or the interaction term on these variables. Post hoc analysis indicated that nurses regardless of their gender reported higher job satisfaction and perceived transformational leadership style of their manager when their manager was male.

Conclusion

These findings contrast with what other researchers have reported that nurse job satisfaction and perceived leadership characteristics of their manager are independent of the gender of the manager. These perceptions of Saudi nurses may be a result of “sex‐role spillover” in a male‐dominated, gender‐segregated society.
Annual Research Review: Early adversity, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis, and child psychopathology
Authors: Koss Kalsea J. , Gunnar Megan R.
Published: July 2017

Background

Research on early adversity, stress biology, and child development has grown exponentially in recent years.

Findings

We review the current evidence for the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) axis as a stress‐mediating mechanism between various forms of childhood adversity and psychopathology. We begin with a review of the neurobiology of the axis and evidence for relations between early adversity–HPA axis activity and HPA axis activity–psychopathology, as well as discuss the role of regulatory mechanisms and sensitive periods in development.

Conclusions

We call attention to critical gaps in the literature to highlight next steps in this research including focus on developmental timing, sex differences, stress buffering, and epigenetic regulation. A better understanding of individual differences in the adversity–HPA axis–psychopathology associations will require continued work addressing how multiple biological and behavioral systems work in concert to shape development.
Bilingual Baby: Foreign Language Intervention in Madrid's Infant Education Centers
Authors: Ferjan Ramirez Naja , Kuhl Patricia
Published: July 2017

The first years of life represent a unique window of opportunity for foreign language learning. However, key questions are: How much and what kind of foreign language exposure is needed to ignite learning? We conducted a foreign language (English) intervention in four public Infant Education Centers in Madrid, Spain. Intervention children (N = 126, ages 7–33.5 months) experienced 18 weeks of daily, hour‐long, group English sessions with native‐speaking tutors, using a brain‐based method of infant language development. Intervention infants were compared to a matched Current Practice Comparison (CPC) group of peers in the same schools. Intervention children outperformed the CPC group, showing rapid gains on measures of English word comprehension and English speech production. Schools' neighborhood wealth was not a significant factor in learning. Follow‐up analyses show that the language gains were fully retained 18 weeks post‐intervention. Children's foreign language skills advance quickly in school using this research‐to‐practice curriculum.
Association between maternal social capital and infant complementary feeding practices in rural Ethiopia
Authors: Kang Yunhee , Kim Jane , Seo Eunkyo
Published: July 2017

Few studies have explored the potential of social capital in improving child nutritional status; however, most components of pathways between social capital and nutritional status have remained unexplained. Complementary feeding practice is a strong mediator of child nutritional status. This study examined the association between complementary feeding practice and maternal social capital in rural Ethiopia, using cross‐sectional data of infant aged 6–12 months and their mother pairs (n = 870). The Short Social Capital Assessment Tool was used to assess maternal structural (i.e., community group membership, having emotional/economic support from individuals, and citizenship activities) and cognitive social capital (i.e., trust, social harmony, and sense of belonging) in the past 12 months. Infant's dietary diversity score (DDS, range: 0–7), minimum dietary diversity (MDD), and minimum meal frequency (MMF) were assessed using a 24‐hr dietary recall. Multivariable ordinal/binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. Having support from two or more individuals was associated with higher DDS (OR = 1.84) and meeting a minimum level of dietary diversity (MDD: OR = 5.20) but not with MMF, compared to those having no support. Having two or more group memberships was associated with higher DDS (OR = 2.2) but not with MDD or MMF, compared to those without group membership. Citizenship activities showed mixed associations with MMF and no association with DDS or MDD. Cognitive social capital showed no association with DDS or MDD and lower odds of meeting MMF (OR = 0.56). These mixed results call for further studies to examine other potential pathways (e.g., hygiene and caring behaviours) in which social capital could improve child nutritional status.
Non‐canonical activation of histidine kinase KdpD by phosphotransferase protein PtsN through interaction with the transmitter domain
Authors: Mörk‐Mörkenstein Markus , Heermann Ralf , Göpel Yvonne , Jung Kirsten , Görke Boris
Published: July 2017

The two‐component system KdpD/KdpE governs K+ homeostasis by controlling synthesis of the high affinity K+ transporter KdpFABC. When sensing low environmental K+ concentrations, the dimeric kinase KdpD autophosphorylates in trans and transfers the phosphoryl‐group to the response regulator KdpE, which subsequently activates kdpFABC transcription. In Escherichia coli, KdpD can also be activated by interaction with the non‐phosphorylated form of the accessory protein PtsN. PtsN stimulates KdpD kinase activity thereby increasing phospho‐KdpE levels. Here, we analyzed the interplay between KdpD/KdpE and PtsN. PtsN binds specifically to the catalytic DHp domain of KdpD, which is also contacted by KdpE. Accordingly, PtsN and KdpE compete for binding, providing a paradox. Low levels of non‐phosphorylated PtsN stimulate, whereas high amounts reduce kdpFABC expression by blocking access of KdpE to KdpD. Ligand fishing experiments provided insight as they revealed ternary complex formation of PtsN/KdpD2/KdpE in vivo demonstrating that PtsN and KdpE bind different protomers in the KdpD dimer. PtsN may bind one protomer to stimulate phosphorylation of the second KdpD protomer, which then phosphorylates bound KdpE. Phosphorylation of PtsN prevents its incorporation in ternary complexes. Interaction with the conserved DHp domain enables PtsN to regulate additional kinases such as PhoR.
Thawing Rivalries and Fading Friendships: An Experimental Approach to Rapprochement and Alienation
Authors: Albuyeh Rod , Paradis Mark
Published: July 2017

Although international relations (IR) theorists generally assume that actors update their beliefs about the intentions of adversaries and allies based on structure, costly signaling, and past actions, little is known about how the process of rapprochement between adversaries differs from the process of alienation between allies, particularly with respect to the nature and degree of costly signaling. Furthermore, until recently the role of the individual in these processes has only been engaged by a small number of scholars, and fewer still have integrated this perspective with conventional approaches to rapprochement and alienation. Drawing from findings in social psychology, We present results from an original survey experiment showing that (1) political belief systems are a powerful determinant of how individuals perceive the intentions of other states, more so than an observed state's signaling behavior; (2) there are diminishing returns in increasing the cost of a signal; and (3) hostile signals are more effective in signaling intent than reassuring signals.
Values Voters: The Conditional Effect of Income on the Relationship Between Core Values and Political Attitudes and Behavior
Authors: Ciuk David J. , Lupton Robert N. , Thornton Judd R.
Published: July 2017

The postmaterialism thesis contends that newer cultural and social justice issues will supplant traditional, class‐based economic concerns as societies become increasingly wealthy. Although macrolevel evidence broadly supports this prediction, individual‐level evidence for the theory in the United States has been sparse. Moreover, alternative theories predict that postmaterialism will not travel well to the American context because religious cleavages that divide the major parties will be most salient. We test the postmaterialism thesis at the individual level using unique data that enable us to evaluate citizens' value‐preference structures across income levels, as well as the conditional effect of income on the relationship between individuals' ranked value preferences and political attitudes and behavior. Consistent with the theory, greater income strengthens the association between egalitarianism and ideology, partisanship, evaluations of President Obama, and presidential vote choice, and weakens the relationship between moral traditionalism and these same variables. However, income does not moderate the association between economic security and individuals' identities, evaluations, or behavior. Additionally, value‐preference hierarchies are quite similar across income groups after controlling for partisanship and ideology. The results lend insight into the nature of value‐ and income‐based cleavages in American politics.
Combining two model systems of psychosis: The effects of schizotypy and sleep deprivation on oculomotor control and psychotomimetic states
Authors: Meyhöfer Inga , Steffens Maria , Faiola Eliana , Kasparbauer Anna‐Maria , Kumari Veena , Ettinger Ulrich
Published: July 2017

Model systems of psychosis, such as schizotypy or sleep deprivation, are valuable in informing our understanding of the etiology of the disorder and aiding the development of new treatments. Schizophrenia patients, high schizotypes, and sleep‐deprived subjects are known to share deficits in oculomotor biomarkers. Here, we aimed to further validate the schizotypy and sleep deprivation models and investigated, for the first time, their interactive effects on smooth pursuit eye movements (SPEM), prosaccades, antisaccades, predictive saccades, and measures of psychotomimetic states, anxiety, depression, and stress. To do so, n = 19 controls and n = 17 high positive schizotypes were examined after both a normal sleep night and 24 h of sleep deprivation. Schizotypes displayed higher SPEM global position error, catch‐up saccade amplitude, and increased psychotomimetic states. Sleep deprivation impaired SPEM, prosaccade, antisaccade, and predictive saccade performance and increased levels of psychotomimetic experiences. Additionally, sleep deprivation reduced SPEM gain in schizotypes but not controls. We conclude that oculomotor impairments are observed in relation to schizotypy and following sleep deprivation, supporting their utility as biomarkers in model systems of psychosis. The combination of these models with oculomotor biomarkers may be particularly fruitful in assisting the development of new antipsychotic or pro‐cognitive drugs.
Esthesiometric evaluation of corneal analgesia after topical application of 1% morphine sulfate in normal horses
Authors: Gordon Emma , Sandquist Christy , Cebra Christopher K. , Heidel Jerry , Poulsen Keith , Schlipf John W.
Published: July 2017

Objective

To evaluate whether topical ocular application of 1% morphine sulfate would change corneal sensitivity and to identify the duration of action.

Animal studied

Eight healthy adult horses.

Procedure

Corneal touch threshold (CTT) was measured in the center of one randomly selected eye of each horse by Cochet–Bonnet esthesiometer (Luneau Cochet–Bonnet Esthesiometer; Western Ophthalmics, Lynnwood, WA, USA). Immediately following baseline CTT measurement, 0.3 ml of 1.0% preservative‐free morphine sulfate (Morphine Sulfate 25 mg/ml Preservative‐free; Hospira, Lake Forest, IL, USA) (3 mg) was applied to the tested eye. The same volume of artificial tear (LiquiTears; Major Pharmacauticals, Livonia, MI, USA) solution was then applied to the control eye following acquisition of baseline CTT. Corneal touch threshold was then subsequently measured at 1 min after medication application, followed by every 5 min until 60 min post administration. If the corneal touch threshold had not returned to baseline by 60 min, measurements were continued at 15‐min intervals until corneal sensitivity returned to baseline CTT measurement up to 180 min post administration if needed. The control eye was treated identically and measurements on the control eye stopped when the corresponding treated eye returned to baseline.

Results

Mean baseline CTT of both eyes was 21.8 mm with an identical range of 15–30 mm. Mean corneal touch threshold was not statistically different between morphine‐treated and control eyes (P = 0.22). There was a large degree of inter‐ and intrasubject variation in the CTT measurements obtained. All but three horses were considered to be at baseline values by 60 min.

Conclusions

Topical ophthalmic 1% morphine sulfate did not have a clinically significant analgesic effect on the corneal touch threshold of intact healthy equine corneas.
In situ macrophage phenotypic transition is affected by altered cellular composition prior to acute sterile muscle injury
Authors: Patsalos Andreas , Pap Attila , Varga Tamas , Trencsenyi Gyorgy , Contreras Gerardo Alvarado , Garai Ildiko , Papp Zoltan , Dezso Balazs , Pintye Eva , Nagy Laszlo
Published: July 2017

Key points

The in situ phenotypic switch of macrophages is delayed in acute injury following irradiation.

The combination of bone marrow transplantation and local muscle radiation protection allows for the identification of a myeloid cell contribution to tissue repair.

PET‐MRI allows monitoring of myeloid cell invasion and metabolism.

Altered cellular composition prior to acute sterile injury affects the in situ phenotypic transition of invading myeloid cells to repair macrophages.

There is reciprocal intercellular communication between local muscle cell compartments, such as PAX7 positive cells, and recruited macrophages during skeletal muscle regeneration.

Skeletal muscle regeneration is a complex interplay between various cell types including invading macrophages. Their recruitment to damaged tissues upon acute sterile injuries is necessary for clearance of necrotic debris and for coordination of tissue regeneration. This highly dynamic process is characterized by an in situ transition of infiltrating monocytes from an inflammatory (Ly6Chigh) to a repair (Ly6Clow) macrophage phenotype. The importance of the macrophage phenotypic shift and the cross‐talk of the local muscle tissue with the infiltrating macrophages during tissue regeneration upon injury are not fully understood and their study lacks adequate methodology. Here, using an acute sterile skeletal muscle injury model combined with irradiation, bone marrow transplantation and in vivo imaging, we show that preserved muscle integrity and cell composition prior to the injury is necessary for the repair macrophage phenotypic transition and subsequently for proper and complete tissue regeneration. Importantly, by using a model of in vivo ablation of PAX7 positive cells, we show that this radiosensitive skeletal muscle progenitor pool contributes to macrophage phenotypic transition following acute sterile muscle injury. In addition, local muscle tissue radioprotection by lead shielding during irradiation preserves normal macrophage transition dynamics and subsequently muscle tissue regeneration. Taken together, our data suggest the existence of a more extensive and reciprocal cross‐talk between muscle tissue compartments, including satellite cells, and infiltrating myeloid cells upon tissue damage. These interactions shape the macrophage in situ phenotypic shift, which is indispensable for normal muscle tissue repair dynamics.

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