bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consumer views on “healthier” processed meat
Authors: Shan Liran Christine , Regan Aine , Monahan Frank J , Li Chenguang , Murrin Celine , Lalor Fiona , Wall Patrick G. , McConnon Aine
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate consumer attitudes towards and interest in enriching processed meat with healthy ingredients (“functional processed meat”).

Design/methodology/approach

– Seven focus groups across age and gender were conducted. Discussions were analysed using an inductive thematic approach.

Findings

– Strategies that participants felt as important for improving the healthiness of processed meat mainly included the use of better quality meat and less salt, fat, preservatives and other additives. “Functional processed meat” was a new concept for participants. Four themes were constructed to reflect participants’ attitudes towards functional processed meat: opposing views on processed meat as a carrier of healthy ingredients; belief in the health benefits of functional processed meat; perceived value of functional processed meat for different consumer groups; and trust and perceived risk surrounding the functional food concept. A large proportion of the participants were unconvinced about the concept of functional processed meat; however many of the participants expressed an openness to purchase this food product if taste and price remained uncompromised.

Research limitations/implications

– The sample size of the current study is small. Complementary quantitative research with a more representative sample should be implemented. Adopting a quantitative approach, the findings from this study should be explored further to investigate their application in a representative sample of the population.

Originality/value

– This study represents a first exploratory investigation of consumer views on functional processed meat. It can inform further consumer and market research in relation to the development of “healthier” processed meat.
A structural model for destination travel intention as a media exposure
Authors: Koo Chulmo , Joun Youhee , Han Heejeong , Chung Namho
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effects of a prospective traveler’s perception of media exposure on their intention to visit a destination (i.e. South Korea). Cultural exposure to a particular country through media affects people’s preference for that foreign country, and may ultimately be a function of the behavior for consuming that country’s cultural products – e.g. traveling to that country. Media exposure has been recognized as a major underlying reason for the desire to visit a destination.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the impacts of potential travelers’ media exposure in three different language-use groups (i.e. English, Japanese and Chinese) and their perception of the media exposure on their intention to visit the actual site (i.e. South Korea). To enhance the understanding of the intention to visit the destination, this study proposes a research model based on use and gratification theory and the belief–desire–intention model.

Findings

Mass and social media exposure had an effect on the intention to visit a destination as a result of the gratification and desire experienced through the content.

Research limitations/implications

This study suggests the synthesis of the use and gratification theory and the belief–desire–intention model and an examination of theoretical and practical implications.

Originality/value

This study involved a sample of users of destination marketing sites. In addition, this study investigated the users’ intentions to visit a real tourism destination taking into consideration mass media (traditional media) and social media (new media) based on the use of gratification theory and the belief–desire–intention model. Practically, the findings highlight the crucial role of social media in the intention to visit the tourism destination.
Membership-based consumer switching intentions and benefit exchange theory
Authors: Chuang Yi-Fei , Tai Yang-Fei
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This research aims to predict private club members’ intentions to switch service providers based on the benefit exchange theory through a structural model with a second-order factor.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a qualitative procedure to develop a functional, social and psychological model based on the benefit exchange and switching intention literatures. A further quantitative analysis surveyed a sample of 366 private club members and assessed the usefulness of this model.

Findings

The results of the confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling indicate that social benefits have a stronger impact on switching intention than loss of functional benefits under the context of a high level of interaction between members and between members and service providers. In addition, they confirm the moderating effects of psychological benefits on the relationship between functional benefits and switching intention.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that members are unlikely to switch if there are positive word of mouth and interpersonal interactions between members and the club (social benefits). Even if they are disappointed with the functional benefits of the club’s products or services, they may still choose to stay with it owing to psychological benefits affecting their decision to switch. The findings offer managerial insights into utilizing relationship marketing activities to strengthen interpersonal relationships, word of mouth, trust, commitment and emotional factors to retain members.

Originality/value

This research confirms that the benefit exchange theory can explain members’ intentions to switch from their current clubs and provides valuable recommendations to managers on retaining their clubs’ members. Because the switching intentions of club members have not previously been adequately studied, this study fills an important gap in the literature.
Free trade zones, liberalization, remittances, and tourism, for what?
Authors: Caraballo-Cueto Jose
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The Dominican trade deficit represents almost 16 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) and is insufficiently counteracted by tourism and remittances; not even a high devaluation closed the imbalance. Eighty per cent of the exports are from free trade zones. These facts reflect their low domestic entrepreneurial capacity. The purpose of this study is to critically evaluate the Dominican economic model.

Design/methodology/approach

The author motivates the discussion with descriptive statistics and then applies multiple time-series regressions at the macro level and at the industry level.

Findings

The attraction of foreign firms appears to substitute, and not complement, the building of local capacity. Regressions show that a GDP growth of 5 per cent does not decrease the high unemployment rate.

Originality/value

Using new Okun’s equations, it is concluded that sectors dominated by local producers and improvements in the trade balance better impact the unemployment. These findings challenge conventional wisdom that characterizes the Dominican economy as a “successful story”.
Introducing PEARL
Authors: Carlson Claire Elizabeth , Isihara Paul A. , Sandberg Roger , Boan David , Phelps Kaile , Lee Kyu Lim , Diedrichs Danilo R. , Cuba Daniela , Edman Johnny , Gray Melissa , Hesse Roland , Kong Robin , Takazawa Kei
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The need in disaster response to assess how reliably and equitably funding was accounted for and distributed is addressed by a standardized report and index applicable to any disaster type. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data from the Nepal earthquake (2015), Typhoon Haiyan (2013), the Haiti earthquake (2010), Sri Lankan flood (2011), and Hurricane Sandy (2012) illustrate uses of a public equitable allocation of resources log (PEARL). Drawing from activity-based costing and the Gini index, a PEARL spreadsheet computes absolute inequity sector by sector as well as a cumulative index. Response variations guide index value interpretation.

Findings

– Index values indicates major inequity in Nepal hygiene kit distribution and Haiti earthquake (both PEARL indices near 0.5), moderate inequity for the Sri Lankan flood (index roughly 0.75) and equitable distributions for Typhoon Haiyan and Hurricane Sandy (both indices approximately 0.95). Indices are useful to approximate proportions of inequity in the total response and investigate allocation under uncertainty in sector need specification.

Originality/value

– This original tool is implementable using a website containing a practice PEARL, completed examples and downloadable spreadsheet. Used across multiple sectors or for a single sector, PEARL may signal need for additional resources, correct inequitable distribution decisions, simplify administrative monitoring/assessment, and foster greater accounting transparency in summary reports. PEARL also assists historical analysis of all disaster types to determine completeness of public accounting records and equity in fund distribution.
Emergency preparedness planning in developed countries: the Swedish case
Authors: Kaneberg Elvira , Hertz Susanne , Jensen Leif-Magnus
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to understand the needs of the supply-chain (SC) network when coping with permanent and temporary demands, this paper analyzes the Swedish emergency preparedness SC network. This network comprises planning procedures and resources, as well as numerous organizations and other participants in civil society that take part in the system to cope with threats and ongoing crises. Planning constitutes a critical infrastructure because the system must develop the ability to shift SC functions from permanent to temporary networks in ongoing crises and war.

Design/methodology/approach

– A research study is performed based on data gathered by three qualitative methods concerning the SC network of emergency preparedness planning.

Findings

– This study demonstrates the relevance of a wide empirical field challenging several theoretical perspectives of the SC network in preparedness planning and the shift to ongoing crises. Further research targeting key capabilities is needed to further improve understanding of the challenges for developed countries in managing potential threats and crises.

Originality/value

– Actors taking part in the preparedness system have found it challenging to coordinate. Due, in part, to the lack of a common threat profile, key capabilities remain outside preparedness planning, e.g., military, commercial and voluntary actors as well as unclear and inconsistent regulations. Thus, building the SC network demonstrates the need to target the military, the voluntary and commercial sectors and their ability to develop the networks in preparedness planning. In a reformed system, all actors must strengthen civil defense in an all-hazard approach, which in planning encompasses the entire threat scale, demonstrating key functions and the ability to shift to temporary networks responding to ongoing crises, including war.
Board composition and subsidiary risk: an exploratory study
Authors: Rivas J.L.
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the association between firm subsidiary risk and the board composition attributes of international experience, government experience and independence (outsiders).

Design/methodology/approach

We sample the directors of the 104 largest European and US service and industrial firms by market capitalization as listed in the Financial Times (FT) Global index of 2008 using a cross-sectional design with data from 2009-2011.

Findings

International experience increases and government experience decreases firm subsidiary risk.

Research limitations/implications

Our subsidiary data are limited to the number of subsidiaries per country and not to other potentially valuable information like size, number of employees or even board composition at the subsidiary levels. Additionally, the use of a diversified US and European firm could add unnecessary variance due to different contexts involved in 104 firms.

Practical implications

The desired level of firm subsidiary risk could be influenced by modifying the profile of board members.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to analyze the influence of board composition and risk at the firm level. Risk is a variable closely associated to internationalization.
Predicting costs of alien species surveillance across varying transportation networks
Authors: Blackburn Laura , Epanchin‐Niell Rebecca , Thompson Alexandra , Liebhold Andrew
Published: July 2016

Efforts to detect and eradicate invading populations before they establish are a critical component of national biosecurity programmes. An essential element for maximizing the efficiency of these efforts is the balancing of expenditures on surveillance (e.g. trapping) versus treatment (e.g. eradication). Identifying the optimal allocation of resources towards surveillance requires an underlying model of how costs and the probability of detection fluctuate with survey intensity across various landscapes. Here, we develop a model, widely applicable across biological systems, for predicating costs associated with varying surveillance intensities across diverse road networks.

We assumed that surveillance is conducted across a set of point locations. Resources needed to conduct surveillance include the fixed costs associated with surveying a point (e.g. cost of materials or labour time spent at the survey point) and variable costs that correspond to the expense of the time and distance travelled between points. We estimated travel time and distance between points as functions of surveillance intensity and road network characteristics using data from simulated least cost driving routes connecting points located on real‐world road networks. Time and distance estimates were then combined with cost data from an actual gypsy moth Lymantria dispar surveillance programme in the state of Washington to predict per trap costs of surveillance across varying road network densities and surveillance intensities.

Per point driving time, driving distance and total costs all decline with increasing survey point density and increasing road density. Surveillance intensity (planned point spacing) explains ˜94% of the average time driven per point and 97% of the distance driven per point – thus representing the primary explanatory variable. Incorporating road density and dead end road density explains relatively little additional variance in the model, although they improve goodness of fit.

Synthesis and applications. This work predicts costs associated with surveillance of invasive species populations. We find that the cost per survey point diminishes with increasing survey point density and also depends on road network characteristics. When combined with maps for the relative risk of alien species establishment across landscapes and measures of surveillance efficacy dependent on effort, these cost predictions can increase efficiency of surveillance and eradication efforts for the gypsy moth and other invasive species.
I am just a ‘maae’ (mother): experiences of mothers injecting drugs in Thailand
Authors: Haritavorn Niphattra
Published: July 2016

Mothers who use drugs face much discriminatory action as society in general finds female drug users’ modes of caring for their children unacceptable. In this article, I explore the ways in which Thai women's injecting practices revolve around the role of mother ‘maae’ and the ways they employ tactics to challenge the motherhood discourse. This article draws on in‐depth interviews with 30 Thai mothers injecting drugs. Thai mothers injecting drugs struggled with stigma and self‐blame. They internalise the values of the mother ‘maae’, that is, what the mother is supposed to be; attempting to combine their drug use with their parental responsibilities. Having a child is treated as a means for many women to manage the hostile social impacts of being an addict mother as well as anxieties about the future of their children. To maintain identity as a mother, as gender norms dictates, the mothers employ several tactics to defend that identity from the threats. In conclusion, the findings have implications for harm reduction and reproductive services for women using drugs in Thailand; health care providers need to appreciate the ramifications of the lived experiences of the women who take drugs.
Rehabilitating the Spirituality of Pre‐Islamic Arabia: On the Importance of the Kahin, the Jinn, and the Tribal Ancestral Cult
Authors: Moreman Christopher M.
Published: July 2016

This article brings into focus the misunderstood and oft‐ignored pre‐Islamic spirituality of, primarily, the Hejaz and their religious leaders, the kahins, often uncharitably translated as soothsayers. A combination of factors has limited discussion of pre‐Islamic religion, including the persistent rejection by Muslims of pre‐Islamic history as a time of ignorance (jahiliyyah) and a Judaeo‐Christian bias in Western scholarship. From the perspectives of anthropology and comparative religion, certain conclusions about pre‐Islamic spirituality can be derived. Most important among these is that the pre‐Islamic Arabs engaged in clearly religious practices revolving around the importance of the tribe and its members, living and dead. This article will hopefully spark a renewed interest in the study of the spirituality and religion of the pre‐Islamic Arabs.
Psychological morbidity associated with hyperemesis gravidarum: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Mitchell‐Jones N , Gallos I , Farren J , Tobias A , Bottomley C , Bourne T
Published: July 2016

Background

Psychological illness occurring in association with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) has been widely reported.

Objective

To determine if there is a higher incidence of psychological morbidity in women with HG compared with women without significant nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

Search strategy

PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase and PsychINFO were searched up to September 2015.

Selection criteria

Articles referring to psychological morbidity in relation to HG. For meta‐analysis case–control studies using numerical scales to compare psychological symptoms.

Data collection and analysis

Articles were independently assessed for inclusion by two reviewers and methodology was appraised using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Comparison was made using the standard mean difference (SMD) in symptom scale scores.

Main results

In all, 59 articles were included in the systematic review, 12 of these were used in the meta‐analysis. Meta‐analysis of depression scale scores demonstrated a very large effect with statistically significantly higher depression scale scores in women with HG (SMD 1.22; 95% CI 0.80–1.64; P ≤ 0.01) compared with controls. Meta‐analysis of anxiety scores demonstrated a large effect with statistically significantly higher anxiety disorder scale scores in women with HG (SMD 0.86; 95% CI 0.53–1.19; P ≤ 0.01). In both analyses significant heterogeneity was identified (depression and HG I2 = 94%, P ≤ 0.01; anxiety and HG I2 = 84%, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Our systematic review and meta‐analysis have shown a significantly increased frequency of depression and anxiety in women with HG. The findings should prompt service development for women with HG that includes provision of psychological care and support.

Tweetable abstract

Meta‐analysis demonstrates an increase in #PsychologicalMorbidity in women with #HyperemesisGravidarum
Immediate compared with on‐demand maternal full feeding after planned caesarean delivery: a randomised trial
Authors: Tan PC , Alzergany MM , Adlan A‐S , Noor Azmi MA , Omar SZ
Published: July 2016

Objective

To evaluate immediate compared with on‐demand full maternal oral feeding after caesarean delivery

Study design

A randomised trial.

Setting

Obstetric unit of a university hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Population

Women admitted for a planned caesarean under spinal anaesthesia.

Methods

Participants were randomised to a sandwich meal served immediately on return to the ward or on‐demand.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcomes were patient satisfaction VAS (visual analog scale of 100 mm) on the feeding regimen and vomiting at 24 hours.

Results

453 women were initially enrolled, 395 were randomised and available for analysis. Median (full range) patient satisfaction VAS scores were 82 (15–100) versus 84 (0–100) mm, P = 0.88 and vomiting rates were 1/197 (0.5%) versus 2/198 (1.0%), P > 0.99 for immediate compared with on‐demand feeding, respectively. The immediate versus on‐demand arms first ate at a median of 105 (35–210) versus 165 (45–385) minutes, P < 0.001, had second meal at 5.3 (1.2–15.5) versus 5.8 (2.2–29.7), P < 0.001, flatus passage at 9.5 (3.1–29.0) versus 10.3 (2.8–24.6), P = 0.023 hours post‐caesarean and opiate analgesia use was 10/197 (5.1%) versus 23/198 (11.6%), P = 0.028, RR 0.4 (95% CI 0.2–0.9), NNTb 16 (95% CI 8–89). The median visual numerical rating scale (0–10 scale) for nausea and bloating at 8, 16 and 24 hours was similarly scored at zero in both arms. Other outcomes were similar.

Conclusion

Immediate full feeding has some advantage over on‐demand feeding. Both regimens are tolerated well. Patients probably should be fed as soon as practicable after a caesarean.

Tweetable abstract

Full maternal oral feeding should commence as soon as practicable after an uncomplicated caesarean section.
Institutional checks and corruption: The effect of formal agenda access on governance
Authors: HELLER WILLIAM B. , KYRIACOU ANDREAS P. , ROCA‐SAGALÉS ORIOL
Published: July 2016

Legislative checks give whoever wields them influence over policy making. It is argued in this article that this influence implies the ability not only to affect legislative content, but also to direct public resources toward private ends. Rational politicians should use access to checks to make themselves better off – for example, by biasing policy toward private interests or creating opportunities to draw directly from the public till. Disincentives exist only to the extent that those able to observe or block corruption do not themselves benefit from it. Political opponents thus can use checks to stymie each other, but legislative checks controlled by political allies create conditions for collusion and corruption. Testing this claim against data from a sample of 84 countries, the results presented in this article show strong support for the hypothesised relationship between institutional checks and corruption.
State structure and political representation: Comparing the views of statewide and sub‐state legislators across 14 countries
Authors: ANDRÉ AUDREY , DEPAUW SAM , DESCHOUWER KRIS
Published: July 2016

How the recent creation, re‐invention or reinforcement of regional levels of political decision making across Europe compounds political representation is one of the key issues of contemporary democratic government. Despite growing scholarly interest, the critical question as to whether the regional institutional setting has brought about distinct representational roles among sub‐state legislators has yet to be addressed. To advance research in this field, this study bridges the literature on multilevel politics and legislative studies that to date have developed in isolation. Using innovative survey data from 14 statewide and 56 regional legislatures across Europe, it provides the first comprehensive test of how the state structure affects a legislator's views on representation. The results highlight that, relative to legislators in unitary states and national legislators in multilevel states, legislators at the regional level are more constituency‐oriented. Moreover, this heightened responsiveness to constituents at the regional level is not offset by weaker collective representation operating through political parties. Beyond these findings’ immediate relevance to scholars of federalism/regionalisation and parliaments, they also speak to the wider normative debate about the quality of political representation and public policy.
A roadmap for biocatalysis – functional and spatial orchestration of enzyme cascades
Authors: Schmidt‐Dannert Claudia , Lopez‐Gallego Fernando
Published: July 2016

Advances in biological engineering and systems biology have provided new approaches and tools for the industrialization of biology. In the next decade, advanced biocatalytic systems will increasingly be used for the production of chemicals that cannot be made by current processes and/or where the use of enzyme catalysts is more resource efficient with a much reduced environmental impact. We expect that in the future, manufacture of chemicals and materials will utilize both biocatalytic and chemical synthesis synergistically. The realization of such advanced biomanufacturing processes currently faces a number of major challenges. Ready‐to‐deploy portfolios of biocatalysts for design to production must be created from biological diverse sources and through protein engineering. Robust and efficient multi‐step enzymatic reaction cascades must be developed that can operate simultaneously in one‐pot. For this to happen, bio‐orthogonal strategies for spatial and temporal control of biocatalyst activities must be developed. Promising approaches and technologies are emerging that will eventually lead to the design of in vitro biocatalytic systems that mimic the metabolic pathways and networks of cellular systems which will be discussed in this roadmap.
Role of Riparian Areas in Atmospheric Pesticide Deposition and Its Potential Effect on Water Quality
Authors: Rice Clifford P. , Bialek Krystyna , Hapeman Cathleen J. , McCarty Gregory W.
Published: July 2016

Riparian buffers are known to mitigate hydrologic losses of nutrients and other contaminants as they exit agricultural fields. The vegetation of riparian buffers can also trap atmospheric contaminants, and these pollutants can subsequently be delivered via rain to the riparian buffer floor. These processes, however, are poorly understood especially for pesticide residues. Therefore, we conducted a four‐year study examining stemflow and throughfall to a riparian buffer which was adjacent a cultured Zea mays field treated with atrazine and metolachlor. Stemflow is rain contacting the tree canopy traveling down smaller to larger branches and down the tree trunk, whereas throughfall is rain that may or may not contact leaves and branches and reaches the earth. Stemflow concentrations of the herbicides were larger than throughfall concentrations and accounted for 5‐15% of the atrazine and 6‐66% of the metolachlor depositional fluxes under the canopy. Larger depositional fluxes were measured when leaves were more fully emerged and temperatures and humidity were elevated. Rain collected outside the riparian buffer on the field side and on the back side revealed the trees trapped the herbicide residues. Herbicide loading to the riparian buffer stream was found to be linked to tree canopy deposition and subsequent washoff during rain events. These results indicate that in agricultural areas canopy washoff can be an important source of pesticides to surface waters.
RADcap: sequence capture of dual‐digest RADseq libraries with identifiable duplicates and reduced missing data
Authors: Hoffberg Sandra L. , Kieran Troy J. , Catchen Julian M. , Devault Alison , Faircloth Brant C. , Mauricio Rodney , Glenn Travis C.
Published: July 2016

Molecular ecologists seek to genotype hundreds to thousands of loci from hundreds to thousands of individuals at minimal cost per sample. Current methods, such as restriction‐site‐associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) and sequence capture, are constrained by costs associated with inefficient use of sequencing data and sample preparation. Here, we introduce RADcap, an approach that combines the major benefits of RADseq (low cost with specific start positions) with those of sequence capture (repeatable sequencing of specific loci) to significantly increase efficiency and reduce costs relative to current approaches. RADcap uses a new version of dual‐digest RADseq (3RAD) to identify candidate SNP loci for capture bait design and subsequently uses custom sequence capture baits to consistently enrich candidate SNP loci across many individuals. We combined this approach with a new library preparation method for identifying and removing PCR duplicates from 3RAD libraries, which allows researchers to process RADseq data using traditional pipelines, and we tested the RADcap method by genotyping sets of 96–384 Wisteria plants. Our results demonstrate that our RADcap method: (i) methodologically reduces (to <5%) and allows computational removal of PCR duplicate reads from data, (ii) achieves 80–90% reads on target in 11 of 12 enrichments, (iii) returns consistent coverage (≥4×) across >90% of individuals at up to 99.8% of the targeted loci, (iv) produces consistently high occupancy matrices of genotypes across hundreds of individuals and (v) costs significantly less than current approaches.
Post‐operative serious adverse events in a mixed surgical population – a retrospective register study
Authors: Hansen M. S. , Petersen E. E. , Dahl J. B. , Wetterslev J.
Published: July 2016

Background

The number of surgical procedures is increasing, and knowledge of surgical risk factors, post‐operative mortality and serious adverse events (SAE) is essential. The aim with our study was to determine the risk of a composite outcome of post‐operative: death; myocardial infarction; pulmonary embolism; stroke; gastrointestinal bleeding; dialysis or reoperation.

Methods

Data of surgical procedures in the period from January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012 were retrieved from the Danish Anaesthesia Database (DAD). Follow‐up of all patients undergoing hip or knee replacement, abdominal or gynaecological surgery was conducted retrieving data from The Danish Civil Registration System and the National Patient Register. Total observation time was from January 1, 2012 to June 6, 2013.

Results

A total7449 adult patients were included in the final analysis. The risk of the composite outcome during a follow‐up until 342 days after inclusion of the last patient was estimated to 8.3%, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) (7.8–9.0), with a median observation time of 437 days (IQR 387–485, range 0–522). The risk of the composite outcome within 90‐ and 180‐day follow‐up of each patient was 4.8% (4.4–5.3) and 5.9% (5.4–6.5), respectively. Mortality within longest follow‐up as well as 90 and 180 days post‐operatively was 3.6% (3.1–4.0), 1.7% (1.4–2.0), and 2.2% (1.9–2.6), respectively.

Conclusion

We found a risk of one or more events in the composite outcome within 342 days after inclusion of the last patients of 8.3% (7.8–9.0). The results are applicable in estimations of adequate sample sizes in future clinical trials investigating effects of interventions on SAEs.
Implicit Alcohol Approach and Avoidance Tendencies Predict Future Drinking in Problem Drinkers
Authors: Martin Braunstein Laura , Kuerbis Alexis , Ochsner Kevin , Morgenstern Jon
Published: July 2016

Background

Addiction is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and substance use, yet many individuals break free of these patterns and change their behavior. Traditional candidate predictors of behavior change/persistence rely on self‐reports of factors such as readiness to change. However, explicit measures only characterize top‐down influences on behavior. The incentive sensitization model of addition suggests that more implicit, automatic processes, such as the tendency to approach substance cues, play a major role in behavior.

Methods

We examined implicit alcohol approach and avoidance tendencies using a reaction time (RT) task in a sample of problem drinkers with alcohol use disorder (AUD) seeking to reduce heavy drinking. We measured alcohol approach and avoidance tendencies at baseline and at outcome, 12 weeks later. We asked whether alcohol approach and avoidance tendencies (i) changed over time, (ii) related to current drinking, and (iii) predicted changes in drinking from baseline to outcome.

Results

Approach and avoidance tendencies did not significantly change over time, nor did they correlate with current drinking, but these tendencies at baseline did predict drinking weeks later. Faster alcohol approach was associated with greater overall drinking at outcome, and faster alcohol avoidance predicted fewer drinking days per week at outcome. Exploratory analyses examined the relationship between approach and avoidance and traditional explicit measures including appraisals of alcohol and motivation to change. Implicit approach tendencies were largely distinct from explicit measures, and approach and avoidance tendencies explained unique variance in outcome drinking.

Conclusions

The current findings suggest that implicit alcohol approach and avoidance tendencies assessed via a simple reaction time task can predict relative changes in drinking weeks later. Given that many explicit measures typically used in treatment studies fail to predict who will change, approach and avoidance tendencies are promising candidates to understand individual differences in treatment responses.
Desire to Drink Alcohol is Enhanced with High Caffeine Energy Drink Mixers
Authors: Marczinski Cecile A. , Fillmore Mark T. , Stamates Amy L. , Maloney Sarah F.
Published: July 2016

Background

Consumption of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) has been associated with a variety of risks beyond that observed with alcohol alone. Consumers of AmED beverages are more likely to engage in heavy episodic (binge) drinking. This study was to investigate whether the consumption of high caffeine energy drink mixers with alcohol would increase the desire to drink alcohol compared to the same amount of alcohol alone using a double‐blind, within‐subjects, placebo‐controlled study design.

Methods

Participants (n = 26) of equal gender who were social drinkers attended 6 double‐blind dose administration sessions that involved consumption of alcohol and energy drinks, alone and in combination. On each test day, participants received 1 of 6 possible doses: (i) 1.21 ml/kg vodka + 3.63 ml/kg decaffeinated soft drink, (ii) 1.21 ml/kg vodka + 3.63 ml/kg energy drink, (iii) 1.21 ml/kg vodka + 6.05 ml/kg energy drink, (iv) 3.63 ml/kg decaffeinated soft drink, (v) 3.63 ml/kg energy drink, and (vi) 6.05 ml/kg energy drink. Following dose administration, participants repeatedly completed self‐reported ratings on the Desire‐for‐Drug questionnaire and provided breath alcohol readings.

Results

Alcohol alone increased the subjective ratings of “desire for more alcohol” compared to placebo doses. Energy drink mixers with the alcohol increased desire for more alcohol ratings beyond that observed with alcohol alone.

Conclusions

This study provides laboratory evidence that AmED beverages lead to greater desire to drink alcohol versus the same amount of alcohol consumed alone. The findings are consistent with results from animal studies indicating that caffeine increases the rewarding and reinforcing properties of alcohol.
Macular atrophy in patients with long‐term anti‐VEGF treatment for neovascular age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Munk Marion R. , Ceklic Lala , Ebneter Andreas , Huf Wolfgang , Wolf Sebastian , Zinkernagel Martin S.
Published: July 2016

Purpose

To identify the prevalence and progression of macular atrophy (MA) in neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) patients under long‐term anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy and to determine risk factors.

Method

This retrospective study included patients with neovascular AMD and ≥30 anti‐VEGF injections. Macular atrophy (MA) was measured using near infrared and spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT). Yearly growth rate was estimated using square‐root transformation to adjust for baseline area and allow for linearization of growth rate. Multiple regression with Akaike information criterion (AIC) as model selection criterion was used to estimate the influence of various parameters on MA area.

Results

Forty‐nine eyes (47 patients, mean age 77 ± 14) were included with a mean of 48 ± 13 intravitreal anti‐VEGF injections (ranibizumab:37 ± 11, aflibercept:11 ± 6, mean number of injections/year 8 ± 2.1) over a mean treatment period of 6.2 ± 1.3 years (range 4–8.5). Mean best‐corrected visual acuity improved from 57 ± 17 letters at baseline (= treatment start) to 60 ± 16 letters at last follow‐up. The MA prevalence within and outside the choroidal neovascularization (CNV) border at initial measurement was 45% and increased to 74%. Mean MA area increased from 1.8 ± 2.7 mm2 within and 0.5 ± 0.98 mm2 outside the CNV boundary to 2.7 ± 3.4 mm2 and 1.7 ± 1.8 mm2, respectively. Multivariate regression determined posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and presence/development of intraretinal cysts (IRCs) as significant factors for total MA size (R2 = 0.16, p = 0.02). Macular atrophy (MA) area outside the CNV border was best explained by the presence of reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) and IRC (R2 = 0.24, p = 0.02).

Conclusion

A majority of patients show MA after long‐term anti‐VEGF treatment. Reticular pseudodrusen (RPD), IRC and PVD but not number of injections or treatment duration seem to be associated with the MA size.
Randomised clinical trial: low‐FODMAP rye bread vs. regular rye bread to relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Laatikainen R. , Koskenpato J. , Hongisto S.‐M. , Loponen J. , Poussa T. , Hillilä M. , Korpela R.
Published: July 2016

Background

Grains are high in FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligo‐, Di‐, Monosaccharides And Polyols) and often considered as triggers of IBS symptoms.

Aim

To evaluate if rye bread low in FODMAPs would be better tolerated than regular rye bread in subjects with IBS.

Methods

The study was conducted as a randomised double blind controlled cross‐over study (n = 87). Participants were supplied with both regular rye bread and low‐FODMAP rye bread for 4 weeks. Symptoms were measured with a symptom severity scoring system (IBS‐SSS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) assessments of individual symptoms. Quality of life was monitored. Colonic fermentation was measured by the breath hydrogen test and dietary intake by food diaries.

Results

Dietary fibre intake increased during both study periods compared to baseline. Many signs of IBS i.e. flatulence, abdominal pain, cramps and stomach rumbling were milder on the low‐FODMAP rye bread (P‐values: 0.04; 0.049; 0.01 and 0.001). The mean of VAS measurements was favourable towards LF bread [−3 (95% CI): −6 to −1, P = 0.02] but no differences were detected in IBS‐SSS or quality of life. The AUC of breath hydrogen values was significantly lower during the low‐FODMAP bread period (median 52.9 vs. 72.6; P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Low‐FODMAP rye bread helps IBS patients to control their symptoms and reduces gastrointestinal gas accumulation. However, replacing regular rye bread by low‐FODMAP bread without concomitant broader dietary changes does not improve quality of life or IBS‐SSS. Nonetheless, inclusion of low‐FODMAP rye bread in diet might be one way that IBS patients could increase their fibre intake.
HCV eradication does not impact gut dysbiosis or systemic inflammation in cirrhotic patients
Authors: Bajaj J. S. , Sterling R. K. , Betrapally N. S. , Nixon D. E. , Fuchs M. , Daita K. , Heuman D. M. , Sikaroodi M. , Hylemon P. B. , White M. B. , Ganapathy D. , Gillevet P. M.
Published: July 2016

Background

Eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is increasing but its residual impact on the pro‐inflammatory milieu in cirrhosis, which is associated with gut dysbiosis, is unclear.

Aim

To define the impact of sustained virological response (SVR) on gut dysbiosis and systemic inflammation in HCV cirrhosis patients.

Methods

Cirrhotic out‐patients with HCV with/without SVR (achieved >1 year prior) and age‐matched healthy controls underwent serum and stool collection. Serum was analysed for IL‐6, TNF‐α and endotoxin while stool microbiota analysis was performed using multitagged pyrosequencing. Microbial comparisons were made using UNIFRAC and cirrhosis dysbiosis ratio (lower score indicates dysbiosis). Comparisons were performed between cirrhotics with/without SVR and controls vs. cirrhotic patients.

Results

A total of 105 HCV cirrhotics and 45 age‐matched healthy controls were enrolled. Twenty‐one patients had achieved SVR using pegylated interferon + ribavrin a median of 15 months prior. No significant differences on demographics, cirrhosis severity, concomitant medications or diabetes were seen between cirrhotics with/without SVR. There was no significant difference in overall microbiota composition (UNIFRAC P = 0.3) overall or within specific microbial families (cirrhosis dysbiosis ratio median 1.3 vs. 1.0, P = 0.45) between groups with/without SVR. This also extended towards IL‐6, TNF‐α and endotoxin levels. Both cirrhosis groups, however, had significant dysbiosis compared to healthy controls [UNIFRAC P = 0.01, cirrhosis dysbiosis ratio (1.1 vs. 2.9, P < 0.001)] along with higher levels of endotoxin, IL‐6 and TNF‐α.

Conclusions

Gut dysbiosis and a pro‐inflammatory systemic milieu, are found in HCV cirrhosis regardless of SVR. This persistent dysbiosis could contribute towards varying rates of improvement after HCV eradication in cirrhosis.
The Production and Circulation of Carthaginian Glass Under the Rule of the Romans and the Vandals (Fourth to Sixth Century ad): A Chemical Investigation
Authors: Siu l. , Henderson J. , Faber E.
Published: July 2016

Fifty‐seven glass samples from Carthage dating to the fourth to sixth century ad were analysed using the electron microprobe. The results show that these samples are all soda–lime–silica glass. Their MgO and K2O values, which are below 1.5%, suggest that they were made from natron, a flux that was widely used during the Roman period. The major and minor elements show that these samples can be divided into four groups, three of which correspond to the late Roman period glass groups that were found throughout the Roman Empire: Levantine I, and ‘weak’ and ‘strong’ HIMT. Of particular interest is our Group 2, which is technologically and compositionally similar to HIMT glass and the CaO and Al2O3 values of which are similar to those of Levantine I. Glass of similar composition has been reported by several authors and is predominantly found dating from the late fifth to seventh century. This could represent a ‘new’ glass group; therefore further study is needed to determine its origin. Also, this study suggests that the Vandal invasion in North Africa did not disrupt the glass trade between Carthage and the Levantine coast.
The effect of pelleting on in situ rumen degradability of compound feed containing brown rice for dairy cows
Authors: Tagawa Shin‐ichi , Yoshida Norio , Iino Yukihiro , Horiguchi Ken‐ichi , Takahashi Toshiyoshi , Watanabe Maria , Takemura Kei , Ito Syuhei , Mikami Toyoji
Published: July 2016

This study was conducted to determine the effect of pelleting on in situ dry matter degradability of pelleted compound feed containing brown rice for dairy cows. Mash feed of the same composition was used as a control and the in situ study was conducted using three non‐lactating Holstein steers fitted with a rumen cannula. The feeds contained 32.3% brown rice, 19.4% rapeseed meal, 11.4% wheat bran and 10.6% soybean meal (fresh weight basis). Except for moisture content, the chemical composition of the feed was not affected by pelleting. In situ dry matter disappearance of the feed increased from 0 to 2 h and after 72 h of incubation with pellet processing. Integration of the dry matter disappearance values over time revealed that degradability parameter a (soluble fraction) increased with pellet processing, whereas parameter b (potentially degradable fraction) decreased. Parameter c (fractional rate of degradation) and effective degradability (5% passage rate) were not affected by pellet processing. We concluded that pellet processing promotes rumen degradability at early incubation hours when the pelleted feed contains brown rice.
Validation of VEGFR1 rs9582036 as predictive biomarker in metastatic clear‐cell renal cell carcinoma patients treated with sunitinib
Authors: Beuselinck Benoit , Jean‐Baptiste Johnny , Schöffski Patrick , Couchy Gabrielle , Meiller Clément , Rolland Frederic , Allory Yves , Joniau Steven , Verkarre Virginie , Elaidi Reza , Lerut Evelyne , Roskams Tania , Patard Jean‐Jacques , Oudard Stephane , Méjean Arnaud , Lambrechts Diether , Zucman‐Rossi Jessica
Published: July 2016

Objectives

To validate vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐1 (VEGFR1) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs9582036 as a potential predictive biomarker in metastatic clear‐cell renal cell carcinoma (m‐ccRCC) patients treated with sunitinib.

Materials and Methods

m‐ccRCC patients receiving sunitinib as first‐line targeted therapy were included. We assessed response rate (RR), progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and clinical and biochemical parameters associated with outcome. We genotyped five VEGFR1 SNPs: rs9582036, rs7993418, rs9554320, rs9554316 and rs9513070. Association with outcome was studied by univariate analysis and by multivariate Cox regression. Additionally, we updated survival data of our discovery cohort as described previously.

Results

Sixty‐nine patients were included in the validation cohort. rs9582036 CC‐carriers had a poorer PFS (8 vs 12 months, P = 0.02) and OS (11 vs 27 months, P = 0.003) compared to AC/AA‐carriers. rs7993418 CC‐carriers had a poorer OS (8 vs 24 months, P = 0.004) compared to TC/TT‐carriers. rs9554320 AA‐carriers had a poorer RR (0% vs 53%, P = 0.009), PFS (5 vs 12 months, P = 0.003) and OS (10 vs 25 months, P = 0.004) compared to AC/CC‐carriers. When pooling patients from the discovery cohort, as described previously (n = 88), and the validation cohort, in the total series of 157 patients, rs9582036 CC‐carriers had a poorer RR (8% vs 49%, P = 0.004), PFS (8 vs 14 months, P = 0.003) and OS (13 vs 30 months, P = 0.0004) compared to AC/AA‐carriers. Unfavorable prognostic markers at start of sunitinib were well balanced between rs9582036 CC‐ and AC/AA‐carriers.

Conclusion

VEGFR1 rs9582036 is a candidate predictive biomarker in m‐ccRCC‐patients treated with sunitinib.
Institutional Transnationalism, Parental Values, and the Next Generation
Authors: DURRELL JACK
Published: July 2016

This paper examines ‘next’ generation institutional transnationalism, a concept that refers to individuals born and/or brought up in a country of settlement who are involved in transnational organisations oriented towards their country of origin – in this case Mexican and Salvadoran groups active within the United States. Building on previous research which views parental transmission as a major cause of next‐generation transnationalism, this paper explores an additional and previously overlooked influence – parental involvement in cross‐border organisations or causes.