bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Refugees’ narratives of career barriers and professional identity
Authors: Mackenzie Davey Kate , Jones Catherine
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how refugees from a professional career domain restore a coherent narrative when confronting barriers to recognition of their former career status. It focuses in particular on the identity work in which they engage in order to reconcile tensions between their current status as refugees and their professional identity.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 15 refugees to the UK who were professionally qualified in medicine or teaching in their country of origin took part in interviews or focus groups exploring career barriers, plans and future aspirations. Initial inductive thematic analysis identified recognition of professional identities as a primary concern. Further analytic iterations between theory and empirical material sharpened the focus on identifying the tensions in their professional identity work.

Findings

Participants struggled both to restore their former professional identity and to develop alternative identities. Professional identity work limited, but also sustained them in the face of barriers they encountered as refugees.

Practical implications

More support for refugee career development would facilitate adaptation to local job markets, thereby addressing gaps in education and health services in the UK.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the tensions in refugee professional identity work and particularly the challenges and rewards of professional identification in the face of employment barriers.
Statistical data analysis for harmonic reduction in 3Ø -fragmented source using novel fuzzy digital logic switching technique
Authors: T. Yuvaraja , Ramya K.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the Luo super boost converter coupled fragmented source inversion system (LC-FSIS) and the progress of a controller structure for energy stored. The inversion system is characterized by a diode arm structure and can be easily amassed into a conversion system for high/medium- power conversion systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigation is based on the practice of a simplified circuit established as common anode/common cathode, where all the diodes in each arm are connected to a renewable DC voltage source. In this proposed work, a novel fuzzy digital logic switching technique (FDLST) for three-phase fragmented source inversion (FSI) for enhancement in power excellence is measured to enterprise the novel fuzzy digital logic switching technique to authorize operative voltage utilization and enhanced harmonic spectrum.

Findings

Sequential circuit design using flip-flops is used in the analysis of fuzzy digital logic switching technique.

Originality/value

The three-phase fragmented source configuration is designed using a split DC source which is obtained from the Opto-electric source and is implemented using MOSFET. The procedure of novel FDLST reduces the Statistical Harmonic Reduction (SHR). Simulation and results are carried out to prove the dominance of designed FDLST.
The role of big data in China’s sustainable forest management
Authors: Hasan Shaikh Shamim , Zhang Yue , Chu Xi , Teng Yanmin
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Forest as a vital natural resource in China plays an irreplaceable important role in safeguarding ecological security and human survival and development. Due to the vast territory, huge population and widespread forest landscape of China, forest management is a complex system involving massive data and various management activities. To effectively implement sustainable forest management, the big data technology has been utilized to analyze China’s forestry resources. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to clarify the role of big data technology in China’s forest management.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors revisited the roles of big data in forest ecosystem monitoring, forestry management system development, and forest policy implementation.

Findings

It demonstrates that big data technology has a great potential in forest ecosystem protection and management, as well as the government’s determination for forest ecosystem protection. However, to deepen the application of big data in forest management, several challenges still need to be tackled.

Originality/value

Thus, enhancing modern science and technology to improve big data, cloud computing, and information technologies and their combinations will contribute to tackle the challenges and achieve wisdom of forest management.
Degendered leadership in the UAE: breaking the glass ceiling
Authors: Singh Abhilasha
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate experiences of women working at managerial positions to develop a degendering of leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was based on interview-based approach to investigate the work experience of a group of around 35 women from a total of 15 different institutions. Face-to-face and semi-structured interviews were conducted to study the leadership experiences within the organizations, unlike the positivist frame that make sense of their association to power structure. The results were analyzed through thematic analysis.

Findings

The results showed that the gender of a leader is inconsequential, where men and women are treated equally. The working-women at managerial posts have depicted high level productivity and performance in their work. The career advancement of women requires increased commitment and motivation. These factors are significant as they are likely to pose a significant impact on their ability to respond to the environmental influences.

Originality/value

These findings helped to understand the reasons regarding under-representation of women at managerial positions and gender segregation.
Dark sides of self-efficacy and task interdependence: victimization
Authors: Dadaboyev Sherzodbek , Park Jisung , Ahn Seong Ik
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test theoretical propositions explaining why and under what circumstances highly self-efficacious employees experience victimization at work and how task interdependence leads to the situation that employee victimization emerges.

Design/methodology/approach

To test hypotheses, the authors collected the data from four organizations, which are private company, public enterprise, medical institution and government office in Gyungbuk province, South Korea. The final sample for analyses was 209 employees.

Findings

Contrary to the prediction, high self-efficacy did not show a statistically significant relationship with victimization. However, task interdependence is related to victimization and functions as an important situational contributor to exacerbate highly self-efficacious employees’ victimization.

Research limitations/implications

The findings have research implications by exploring victimization of the employees with high self-efficacy, which is an underdeveloped area in the victimization literature and showing that task interdependence is the critical factor to trigger and aggravate employee victimization. Despite these implications, this study should be evaluated in light of several limitations such as the data from single source for all variables and the use of cross-sectional data.

Practical implications

Managers need to be aware that highly self-efficacious employees can be vulnerable to victimization at work, where there is high task interdependence. The evidence suggests that managers may take safeguards to deter employee victimization, when tasks are closely related among members.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to expand the understanding of employee victimization by examining the roles of self-efficacy and task interdependence to crystalize antecedents and boundary conditions of victimization at workplace.
The nexus of aging in family businesses
Authors: Bulut Cagri , Kahraman Serpil , Ozeren Emir , Nasir Sobia
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on the preferences of parent founders within family businesses in selecting a suitable successor with the increase in life expectancy.

Design/methodology/approach

The study presents alternative decision-making preference models of a suitable succession for parent founders based on the models of microeconomic theory in the context of family businesses.

Findings

The theories and models of economics in the current study illustrate that the increase in the life expectancy of the parent founders with their decisions toward the preference of a suitable successor under the age constraint may restrict the sustainability of their family businesses. As a result, the opportunity cost theory appears as to be at the ahead of the other theories in microeconomics in order to support the decision making of parent founders on selecting the suitable successor for the future of the family business.

Research limitations/implications

The paper illustrates the models on the preferences of the parent founder for the future of the family businesses with their perception toward the increase in overall life expectancy. The current study is limited to the perspectives of founder entrepreneurs toward an effective succession decision. Future research may consider the perspectives of in-family as well as non-family successors.

Originality/value

In the light of alternative preference decision-making models for parent founders for choosing a suitable successor under the age constraint, this study will make a noteworthy contribution to the sustainable growth of their family businesses. The approach of this study through the microeconomics not only methodologically contributes to the body of knowledge in aging and employment in general, but also to the intergenerational relationships of parent founders, especially their succession-related plans at their early stages of career.
Unions as institutional entrepreneurs
Authors: Pulcher Simone , Guerci Marco , Köllen Thomas
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Research on the diffusion and adaptation of LGBT diversity management practices has, until now, rarely considered the role of unions in this process; where it has done, the consideration has largely been cursory or tangential. In order to contribute towards overcoming this research gap, the purpose of this paper is to focus more closely on this issue, within the Italian context.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretically based on the notion of institutional entrepreneurship, the paper analyses the ways in which trade unions contribute to the diffusion of LG-inclusive policies. Empirically this study is based on qualitative interviews with representatives from the unions, LGBT activists and individuals from those companies that have received support from the unions in terms of shaping their initiatives.

Findings

Italian unions act as institutional entrepreneurs in the sexual orientation field by framing the issue of the inclusion of LGBT workers as an issue of including minority groups under the broad umbrella of equality in workplaces, and by cooperating with LGBT associations. The latter provides the unions with two different things. First, with more legitimacy, from the viewpoint of LGBT employees; second, with the specific competencies in dealing with these issues. The accomplishments of the unions consist of arranging single agreements concerning the establishment of “punishment systems” for discriminatory behaviours, rather than promoting inclusion-oriented behaviours within the organization.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the role of unions, and in doing so, focusses on a hitherto marginalized actor in the process of adapting LGBT diversity initiatives. In focussing on the Italian context, it adds an important perspective to a discourse that has previously consisted of predominantly Anglo-American views.
The intersection of professionalism gay men, bodies and power
Authors: Roberts Simon Peter
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to build upon the paucity of UK research on gay men and how they manage their identities, bodies and selves in the workplace. Particular focus is placed on gay male professionals working in positions of authority and how they make sense of themselves against the dominant expectations of professionalism.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws upon in-depth interview data with eight gay male professionals working in positions of authority.

Findings

Overall, the research reveals that although the majority of participants had disclosed their sexuality in the workplace, they actively sought to integrate and normalise their gay identities. Gendered organisational norms significantly impacted upon the ways they presented their identities, bodies and selves. This was brought into focus where participants had to exercise authority. There were limited opportunities to present non-normative forms of masculinity.

Originality/value

This paper adds to a dearth of studies on gay men, professionalism and managing their bodies, selves and identities in the workplace. The paper builds upon and contributes to our understanding of how gay men use and construct their bodies and their self-identities as professionals. An area that has had little empirical investigation. Furthermore, the paper contributes to our understanding of organisational heteronormativity and professionalism in the workplace. The paper draws attention to issues of diversity and inclusion challenging heteronormative discourses of professionalism which are draped in masculinity. This paper highlights how professionalism serves as a normalising process that pressurises gay men to perform a specific type of masculinity. The paper argues for a more inclusive reappraisal of the meanings attached to the term professionalism.
The curvilinear relationship between knowledge leadership and knowledge hiding
Authors: Xia Qing , Yan Shumin , Zhang Yuliang , Chen Baizhu
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the curvilinear relationship between knowledge leadership and knowledge hiding and the moderating role of psychological ownership on influencing the curvilinear relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 403 data were collected from participants in a high-technology company via a two-wave survey. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results revealed an inverted U-shaped relationship between knowledge leadership and knowledge hiding. The employees exhibited more knowledge hiding in a moderate level of knowledge leadership than in lower and higher levels of knowledge leadership. Moreover, psychological ownership significantly moderated the curvilinear relationship such that the inverted U-shaped relationship was more pronounced among employees with high psychological ownership.

Practical implications

Employees’ reaction to knowledge leadership may vary from different levels of knowledge leadership. Moreover, organizations should boost employees’ psychological ownership especially for the collective identity that helps them own knowledge as “ours.”

Originality/value

This study extends both the leadership and knowledge management behavior literatures.
I’ll do it myself: self-leadership, proactivity, and socialization
Authors: Cranmer Gregory A. , Goldman Zachary W. , Houghton Jeffery D.
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore newcomers as active participants within their own socialization, through the influence of self-leadership on proactivity and subsequently organizational socialization and organizational commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected from 193 organizational newcomers (i.e. individuals within their first year at an organization) working in a variety of industries were examined within three serial mediation models in PROCESS.

Findings

The results of these analyses suggest that self-leadership influences organizational newcomers’ adjustment and subsequent commitment by assisting them in seeking organizational resources.

Research limitations/implications

This study answers calls to explore both the mediating mechanisms through which self-leadership processes influence organizational outcomes and the complex relationships between human workplace interactions and the proximal and distal outcomes of socialization.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that organizational stakeholders should enhance the self-leadership abilities of newcomer, thereby easing the socialization burden on organizations.

Originality/value

This paper offers a novel framework (i.e. self-leadership) for understanding newcomer socialization and provides an encompassing model that recognizes individual capacities, communicative behaviors, adjustment and subsequent organizational attitudes.
The information content of stock prices after bankruptcy
Authors: Nishi Hirofumi , Peabody S. Drew
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate if the volatility of stock prices in the days surrounding the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process predicts a firm’s likelihood to successfully restructure and emerge from bankruptcy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a sample of Chapter 11 cases between 1980 and 2016 that have available stock price data surrounding the bankruptcy filing dates. Following Goyal and Wang (2013), the KMV–Merton model is utilized to estimate the probability that a firm successfully emerges from its restructuring process. In order to interpret the market’s assessment about a firm, the authors use the analogy of a European call option to derive the assessment of the firm’s prospects as the probability that it will emerge from bankruptcy. This estimated probability of emergence is compared to actual outcomes of bankruptcy cases and tested for significance using various regression techniques.

Findings

This study exploits the information found in stock prices surrounding the bankruptcy process and finds that volatility after, but not before, filing for bankruptcy significantly predicts a firm’s likelihood to emerge. In addition, the market-based probability of emergence has better predictive power on the recovery rates of unsecured creditors than measures based on financial statements.

Originality/value

Predictors of bankruptcy have been extensively studied by scholars over the decades, with early studies focusing on accounting-based measures and recent studies incorporating market-driven variables. However, in recent years, studies have begun to assess bankrupt firms’ ability to reorganize and successfully emerge from bankruptcy. This study contributes to the recent literature investigating market-based predictors of successful emergence.
A review of the literature on dual-class firms
Authors: Hossain Ashrafee Tanvir , Kryzanowski Lawrence
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically review the relevant literature from the perspective of dual-class firms and to provide suggestions for future research on dual-class firms, and on methodological issues that should be addressed in such research.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design consists of three parts: an introduction to dual-class firms (motivations for; firm life cycle effects) in Part 1; concerns with firms with such share class structures (valuation; governance; accounting and corporate policy issues) in Part 2; and some solutions or ways to accommodate the trade-offs involved with such share class structures (retention arguments; index/exchange exclusions; contractual provisions; external monitoring) in Part 3. Throughout the paper, the authors provide some critiques of existing studies, particularly from a methodological perspective, the authors’ opinion on the state of the literature and suggestions for future areas of research.

Findings

While motivations for the use of dual-class voting structures include flexibility so that the idiosyncratic vision of their entrepreneurs/founders can be pursued in a less encumbered fashion, greater innovation and long-term managerial orientation, there are many possible costs (e.g. underinvestment and managerial entrenchment) to this ownership structure. Nevertheless, the authors believe that such firms should have provisions in place that facilitate a reversion to a single-class structure longer term when such firms have become more mature, less dependent on the idiosyncratic vision of the entrepreneurs/founders at IPO and have attracted more managerial talent.

Originality/value

The literature arrives at no consensus on the benefits/drawbacks of this type of share ownership structure which means that many topics of research require further academic examination. The authors provide suggested directions for such future enquiries.
Motivating gender use in financial research: a survey of recent literature
Authors: Lahtinen Kyre Dane
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify key channels through which gender is applied to financial research.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is designed as a survey and review of relevant literature.

Findings

There are many theoretical and practical applications of gender in financial research.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to consolidate theoretical motivations for the use of gender in financial research.
Emerging human resource management practices in Industry 4.0
Authors: Rana Geeta , Sharma Ravindra
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The study aims to offer a fresh perspective on best management practices to encourage innovation and learning in the firm to keep abreast with and adopt industry 4.0 advancements. The human resource (HR) department must take proactive steps to adopt these technologies and update itself in terms of necessary skill. The study highlights the importance of human resource management practices in industry 4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper discusses the transforming role of HR 4.0 in a disrupting economy with the help of the conceptual framework. This paper illustrates how the new role of HR boosts engagement by designing the best personalized benefits, trusting teams, collaborating and providing personal development, which make a great case for a successful retention strategy.

Findings

This paper reveals how organizations can ensure their success and survival in this age of technological disruptions through their people. Top management must be ready for a new transformed role of the HR through innovative HR practices.

Originality/value

This paper provides plenty of information to interest practicing managers, researchers and students in HR management, organizational behavior and industrial relations.
Wellness and healthy lifestyle in tourism settings
Authors: Težak Damijanić Ana
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the concept of wellness as a form of healthy lifestyle in tourism settings.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a self-complete questionnaire administered to a sample of guests staying in wellness hotels in Croatia. These data were processed using univariate statistics (general description of the sample), cluster analysis (segmentation purposes), multinomial regression analysis (profiling the clusters) and confirmatory factor analysis (confirmation of wellness-related lifestyle).

Findings

Six wellness-related lifestyle dimensions (diet, fitness, social interactions, cultural diversity, health awareness and personal development) were confirmed, and four segments emerged (high-level wellness, diet- and health-oriented, fitness-oriented and low-level wellness clusters). They differed in their travel motivation.

Originality/value

This paper suggests a wellness-related lifestyle scale that integrates the elements of wellness intervention models and healthy lifestyle, confirms the link between healthy lifestyle and travel motivation and establishes the importance of the social, intellectual and spiritual dimensions of a tourist’s lifestyle.
75 years of Tourism Review: survival by transformation: a perspective article
Authors: Laesser Christian , Bieger Thomas , Pechlaner Harald , Keller Peter , Buhalis Dimitrios
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reconstruct and analyze the long history of Tourism Review and try to outline the future of this journal.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors show that Tourism Review has been a good example of multiple life cycles over time and of survival by adaption.

Findings

The authors illustrate also how this journal has seen decline, as well as revival, and stagnation, as well as innovation.

Originality/value

It is also a proxy of the state and issues of tourism research and publication over 75 years.
Invasion of human microvascular endothelial cells by Mycobacterium leprae through Mce1A protein
Authors: Idris Irfan , Abdurrahman Ahmad Haykal , Fatulrachman  , Aftitah Vienza Beby , Fadlitha Viesta Beby , Sato Naoya , Fujimura Takao , Takimoto Hiroaki
Published: August 2019

In patients with lepromatous leprosy, Mycobacterium leprae is often observed inside the human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) surrounding Schwann cells (SC) at the site of lesions in the peripheral nerves. Based on this observation, it is considered that the nasal mucous may be the invasion pathway for M. leprae and HMVEC serve as an important reservoir for the bacteria before they invade SC. In light of previous research which revealed that Mce1A protein mediates bacterial invasion into nasal epithelial cells and HMVEC, we conducted a study to determine whether the invasion of M. leprae into HMVEC can be suppressed by blocking the Mce1A protein. In this study, we analyzed bacterial invasive activity by adding recombinant Escherichia coli, which express the active region (InvX:72 a.a.) of Mce1A protein on their external membrane, into cultured HMVEC, using the adhesin involved in the diffuse adherence mechanism. The number of bacteria that invaded into the cells was then measured by a colony counting method. The active region of Mce1A was divided into four sections, and hyperimmune antisera was prepared for each section for analyzing the inhibitory effect against invasion. The invasive activity was suppressed by antibodies against InvX regions 1–24 a.a., 25–46 a.a. and 58–72 a.a. This suggests that the InvX regions 1–24 a.a., 25–46 a.a. and 58–72 a.a. of Mce1A protein play an important role in the invasion of M. leprae into HMVEC and that it may be possible to suppress entry of M. leprae in HMVEC with antibodies against these regions.
Increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease among patients with psoriasis in Korea: A 15‐year nationwide population‐based cohort study
Authors: Jung Keum Ji , Kim Tae‐Gyun , Lee Jae Won , Lee Minseok , Oh Jongwook , Lee Sang‐Eun , Chang Hyuk‐Jae , Jee Sun Ha , Lee Min‐Geol
Published: August 2019

The association between psoriasis and risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has not been thoroughly evaluated in a large longitudinal cohort of an Asian population. We conducted a nationwide population‐based retrospective cohort study encompassing more than 1.7 million Koreans with a 15‐year follow‐up period. The period prevalence of psoriasis was 0.33% among the baseline participants (1997–2000). In Cox proportional hazard analyses, the individuals with psoriasis had a higher adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for incidence of overall atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (HR, 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–1.27) compared with controls. Subgroup analyses revealed that the risk for myocardial infarction was commonly increased in both sexes with moderate to severe psoriasis (male: HR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.35–3.24; female: HR, 3.23; 95% CI, 1.34–7.76), whereas the risk for ischemic stroke was specifically increased in female individuals with moderate to severe psoriasis (HR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.24–3.30). Our data suggest that appropriate medical screening for possible cardiovascular comorbidities is warranted in Asian psoriatic patients according to disease severity and sex.
Interference of Eupatorium adenophorum (Spr.) and its allelopathic effect on growth and yield attributes of traditional food crops in Indian Himalayan Region
Authors: Rawat Lakhpat S. , Maikhuri Rakesh K. , Bahuguna Yateesh M. , Maletha Ajay , Phondani Prakash C. , Jha Nabi K. , Pharswan Dalbeer S.
Published: August 2019

The objective of this study was to understanding the allelopathic dynamic of invasive species Eupatorium adenophorum residues against traditional crops viz., Amaranthus caudatus and Vigna unguiculata in laboratory and green house. In laboratory, the effect of different concentrations of the aqueous extract and leaf leachate of decomposed residues (DR) and un‐decomposed residues (UDR) of the selected weed was examined on shoot and root length of the selected crops. In pot study, different concentrations of dose and leachate of DR and UDR of selected weed was evaluated against growth and yield performance of the studied crops. Shoot and root length of both crops was significantly reduced by the aqueous extract of both kinds of residues. Aqueous extract at 8% of UDR residues was noticed to be harmful to V. unguiculata and reduced 66.23% and 75.28% shoot and root length, respectively. Similarly, soil amended with DR and UDR of the weed had a significant effect on growth and yield attributes of the studied crops and reduced 64.90% growth and 86.30% branch/plant of V. unguiculata at 8% concentration compared to control soil. A significant amount of water‐soluble phytotoxins was found in the UDR and DR of E. adenophorum. Leaf leachate of the selected weed was more harmful as compared to aqueous extract and soil amended residues. The UDR was found to be more phytotoxic than DR. These results suggest that the phytotoxic potential of E. adenophorum to plant community could be minimized if the whole plant of invasive weed is decomposed.
Ingredient Functionality During Foam‐Type Cake Making: A Review
Authors: Godefroidt Thibault , Ooms Nand , Pareyt Bram , Brijs Kristof , Delcour Jan A.
Published: August 2019

Foam‐type cakes are complex food systems. Their main ingredients are wheat flour, hen eggs, sugar, leavening agent, and, in some cases, oil and/or surfactants. In contrast to the vast amount of research outcomes on the contribution of ingredients to the quality of batter‐type cake systems, information on the functionality and importance of the ingredients and their constituents in foam‐type cake systems is lacking. This review defines foam‐type cakes, describes how they are made, summarizes the current knowledge of factors determining their quality, and identifies the current knowledge gaps.
Finally Free to Green Agriculture Policy? UK post‐Brexit Policy Developments in the Shadow of the CAP and Devolution
Authors: Gravey Viviane
Published: August 2019

Since the EU referendum, the UK government has pledged to deliver a ‘Green Brexit', with a profound rethink of agricultural policies in line with a ‘public money for public goods' agenda. Will Brexit finally set the UK government free to green its farming policies? To answer this question, this article looks back at the UK's Common Agricultural Policy greening record and at early proposals for future UK policy. It shows that while UK governments have pioneered and pushed for many green instruments in the CAP, their overarching priority remained to limit funding – both EU and national – for agriculture. After Brexit, the UK will be leaving the CAP, yet early policy discussions in the UK show that UK decision‐makers face very similar challenges to their EU counterparts: how should agriculture policy be funded and how should funding be shared between the UK four nations? How much divergence in policy is acceptable without threatening the level playing field? In the UK these challenges are compounded by, first, the devolution settlements, with agriculture and environment in devolved competences while trade is reserved to the UK government; and second, the uncertainties surrounding the future trading relationships among the UK, the EU and the wider world.
Development of an Oxygen Sensitive Model Gel System to Detect Defects in Metal Oxide Coated Multilayer Polymeric Films
Authors: Parhi Ashutos , Bhunia Kanishka , Rasco Barbara , Tang Juming , Sablani Shyam S.
Published: August 2019

Metal oxide coated multilayered polymeric pouches provide a suitable alternative to foil‐based packaging for shelf‐stable products with extended shelf‐life. The barrier performance of these films depends upon the integrity of the metal oxide coating which can develop defects as a result of thermal processing and improper handling. In this work, we developed a methodology to visually identify these defects using an oxygen‐sensitive model gel system. Four pouches with different metal oxide coatings: MOA (Coated PET), MOB (SiOx‐coated PET), MOC (Overlayer‐AlOx‐Organic‐coated PET), MOD (Overlayer‐SiOx‐coated PET) were filled with water and retort‐processed for 30 and 40 min at 121 °C. After processing, the pouches were cut open, dried and subsequently filled with a gel containing methylene blue that changes color in the presence of oxygen. The pouches were then stored at 23 and 40 °C for 180 and 90 days, respectively. Defects were identified by observing the localized color change from yellow to blue in the packaged gel. These observations were confirmed through measurement of oxygen and water vapor transmission rates, as well as SEM and CLSM analyses. The MOC pouches showed the least change in barrier properties after thermal processing. This was due to crosslinking in the organic coating and protection provided by the overlayer. The melting enthalpy of all films increased significantly (P < 0.05) after sterilization. This may increase the brittleness of the substrates after processing. Findings may be used to improve the barrier performance of metal oxide coated polymeric films intended for food packaging applications.

Practical Application

In this study, we developed a methylene blue‐based, oxygen‐sensitive model gel system to identify defects in metal oxide coated polymeric structures induced by thermal processing and mechanical stresses. We also performed a comprehensive analysis of these defects through CLSM and SEM. The gel system and methodology developed may be useful in the design and development of high barrier metal oxide coated films.
Physical Properties of Monoglycerides Oleogels Modified by Concentration, Cooling Rate, and High‐Intensity Ultrasound
Authors: Giacomozzi Anabella S. , Palla Camila A. , Carrín María E. , Martini Silvana
Published: August 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of monoglycerides (MG) concentration (3, 4.5, and 6 wt%), cooling rate (0.1 and 10 °C/min), and high‐intensity ultrasound (HIU) application on physical properties of oleogels from MG and high oleic sunflower oil. Microstructure, melting profile, elasticity (G′), and solid fat content (SFC) were measured immediately after preparation of samples (t = 0) and after 24 hr of storage at 25 °C. Samples’ textural properties (hardness, adhesiveness, and cohesiveness) and oil binding capacity (OBC) were evaluated after 24 hr at 25 °C. In general, samples became less elastic over time. Slow cooling rate resulted in lower G′ after 24 hr compared to the ones obtained using 10 °C/min. Network OBC was improved by increasing MG concentration and cooling rate, and by applying HIU. After storage, oleogel melting enthalpy increased with MG concentration. In general, this behavior was not correlated with an increase in SFC. An improvement in the network structure was generally reached with the increase in cooling rate, according to texture and rheology results, for both sonicated and nonsonicated conditions. At the highest MG concentration, HIU application was more efficient at increasing OBC and hardness of the network at 0.1 °C/min. Microscopy images showed that the oleogels microstructure was changed as a consequence of HIU application and cooling rate, evidencing smaller crystals both in sonicated and faster cooled samples. Obtained results demonstrate that cooling rate, MG concentration, and HIU can be used satisfactorily to tailor physical properties of MG oleogels.

Practical Application

Oleogels have been studied in the last years as semisolid fat replacers in food products. Cooling rate is an important processing parameter in the oleogel preparation because it affects their final physical properties, while high‐intensity ultrasound (HIU) is a relatively novel technique to tailor lipid properties. This study is focused on the application of a slow/fast cooling rate in combination with/without HIU treatment at different monoglycerides and high oleic sunflower oil mixtures as a successful strategy to obtain oleogels with different physical properties and with potential applications in the food industry, such as fat substitutes in bakery.
The efficacy of low molecular weight heparin in severe acute pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Qiu Qiu , Li Guo Jun , Tang Liang , Guo Yan , Wen Liang Zhi , Wang Bin , Chen Dong Feng , Liu Kai Jun
Published: August 2019

Objective

The effects of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) have been controversial. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of LMWH on prognosis of SAP by systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Methods

We searched relevant studies published up to March 2019 in five databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Chinese Journal of Science and Technology of VIP database).

Results

Sixteen randomized controlled trials with 1625 patients were included in the final analysis. Most studies were from China. In analysis of laboratory parameters and clinical scores, SAP patients receiving LMWH treatment had lower white blood cell counts, C‐reactive protein level, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and computed tomography severity index. In clinical outcomes, SAP patients who received LMWH treatment had shorter hospital stay (pooled mean difference [95% confidence interval; CI] −8.79 [−11.18, −6.40], P < .01), lower mortality (pooled risk ratio [RR] [95% CI] 0.33 [0.24‐0.44], P < .01), lower incidences of multiple organ failure (pooled RR [95% CI] 0.34 [0.23‐0.52], P < .01), pancreatic pseudocyst (pooled RR [95% CI] 0.49 [0.27‐0.90], P = .02), and operation rate (pooled RR [95% CI] 0.39 [0.31‐0.50], P < .01).

Conclusions

LMWH could improve the prognosis of SAP, and has a potential role in reducing hospital stay, mortality, incidences of multiple organ failure, pancreatic pseudocyst, and operation rate.
Histological assessment of human regenerative endodontic procedures (REP) of immature permanent teeth with necrotic pulp/apical periodontitis: A systematic review
Authors: Digka Anna , Sakka Dimitra , Lyroudia Kleoniki
Published: August 2019

The aim of this study was to systematically review the histological evidence of the neo‐formed tissues inside the root canals of human teeth having previously received regenerative endodontic treatment. An electronic research was performed in the MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases using controlled vocabulary. The retrieved studies were screened by two reviewers according to the predetermined inclusion and extrusion criteria and were full‐text‐evaluated. Research resulted in 160 studies. Among them, twelve fitted the inclusion criteria and were critically appraised. The tissues formed in the root canals of immature human teeth treated with REP indicate repair or a combination of repair and regeneration. Pulp remnants and healthy periapical tissues seem to improve regeneration. The level of available evidence was low. Further clinical studies are needed in order to establish the appropriate treatment protocol related to the pretreatment status of the dental pulp and the periapical tissues.
G9a and histone deacetylases are crucial for Snail2‐mediated E‐cadherin repression and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hu Yue , Zheng Yayuan , Dai Mingrui , Wang Xueju , Wu Jiaxin , Yu Bin , Zhang Haihong , Cui Yinqiu , Kong Wei , Wu Hui , Yu Xianghui
Published: August 2019

Functional E‐cadherin loss, a hallmark of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), is important for metastasis. However, the mechanism of Snail2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) EMT and metastasis remains unclear. Here, we showed that Snail2 was upregulated in primary HCC, and significantly increased during transforming growth factor‐β‐induced liver cell EMT. Snail2‐overexpressing and knockdown cell lines have been established to determine its function in EMT in HCC. H3K9 methylation was upregulated and H3K4 and H3K56 acetylation were downregulated at the E‐cadherin promoter in Snail2‐overexpressing cancer cells. Furthermore, Snail2 interacted with G9a and histone deacetylases (HDACs) to form a complex to suppress E‐cadherin transcription. Snail2 overexpression enhanced migration and invasion in HCC cells, whereas G9a and HDAC inhibition significantly reversed this effect. Moreover, Snail2 overexpression in cancer cells increased tumor metastasis and shortened survival time in mice, whereas G9a and HDAC inhibitors extended survival. Our study not only reveals a critical mechanism underlying the epigenetic regulation of EMT but also suggests novel treatment strategies for HCC.
A meta‐analysis of recreation effects on vertebrate species richness and abundance
Authors: Larson Courtney L. , Reed Sarah E. , Merenlender Adina M. , Crooks Kevin R.
Published: August 2019

Most protected areas globally have a dual mission to conserve natural resources and provide access for outdoor recreation or ecotourism, yet questions remain about the ecological effects of recreation. We conducted a global meta‐analysis of the effects of recreation on vertebrate richness and abundance. We estimated that vertebrate richness (n = 15 articles) and abundance (n = 32) are lower in association with higher levels of recreation in over two‐thirds (70%) of cases. We observed a moderate negative group‐level effect of recreation on bird and mammal abundance, but the group‐level effect on fish and reptiles was not significant. Effects were stronger for carnivores and herbivores than for omnivores, and stronger for small‐bodied birds and ground‐nesting birds than larger and tree‐ and shrub‐nesting birds. Terrestrial activities were associated with reduced vertebrate abundance, whereas aquatic activities were not. Both motorized and nonmotorized activities were associated with reduced vertebrate abundance, but the effect for motorized activities was uncertain due to small sample size. These results pose a challenge to natural resource management agencies who must balance recreation access with natural resource protection, and to conservation organizations that rely on outdoor recreation for public support and funding. We recommend that managers plan recreational access at a regional scale and include some areas that are closed to recreation to minimize trade‐offs between recreation and animal conservation.
Understanding the interacting factors that influence social vulnerability: a case study of the 2016 central Italy earthquake
Authors: Frigerio Ivan , Zanini Francesca , Mattavelli Matteo , De Amicis Mattia
Published: August 2019

This paper seeks to identify those areas that proved socially vulnerable to the earthquake that struck central Italy on 24 August 2016. The study involved four key steps. First, six relevant social vulnerability indicators were selected, based on previous conclusions in the literature. Second, the indicators were mapped using the inverse distance weighted interpolation method. Third, social vulnerability was assessed according to a spatial combination of the indicators. Fourth, in order to build a heterogeneity map, another approach was employed to represent the spatial variability of social vulnerability and to provide additional information on the synergistic contributions of the indicators. The results indicate that age and accessibility indicators affect the entire region under review, with highly vulnerable zones being close to small historical centres. These findings will be useful to governments, policymakers, and stakeholders with regard to implementing vulnerability mitigation strategies in Italian territories that are highly susceptible to earthquake hazards.
Long noncoding RNA KCNQ1OT1 promotes apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells by regulating miR‐296‐5p/Bax axis
Authors: Li Meng‐Meng , Liu Xiao‐Hui , Zhao Yi‐Chen , Ma Xiao‐Ye , Zhou Yu‐Chen , Zhao Yan‐Xin , Liu Xue‐Yuan
Published: August 2019

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of multiple cellular processes such as cell invasion, growth, apoptosis and differentiation. LncRNAs can function as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) which sponge and sequester microRNA (miRNA) to regulate specific targets. Previously, we found that the target genes of several miRNAs, including FADD, Fas, Casp and Bax, are related to neuronal apoptosis and form a regulatory network. Among several factors, microRNA‐296‐5p expression was found to be negatively correlated with caspase activity and apoptosis. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of miR‐296‐5p in neuroblastoma (NB) cells. By performing quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR), western blot and flow cytometry assays we analysed the expression of apoptotic markers in NB cells transfected with miR‐296‐5p mimics or inhibitor. Pathway‐specific PCR array allowed us to identify the target genes of miR‐296‐5p. Using LncBase online tool, we predicted lncRNA KCNQ1 opposite strand/antisense transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) as an upstream regulator of miR‐296‐5p. The binding of KCNQ1OT1 and miR‐296‐5p was validated via RNA immunoprecipitation and Biotin pull‐down assays. We also demonstrate that miR‐296‐5p suppresses apoptosis of NB cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, miR‐296‐5p directly bound the 3′UTR of Bax mRNA, thus repressing Bax at the mRNA and protein level. Moreover, through bioinformatic analysis and molecular experiments, we showed that KCNQ1OT1 sponged miR‐296‐5p and impaired its effect on NB cell apoptosis. In summary, KCNQ1OT1 is a potent promoting factor of cell apoptosis, which acts by sponging miR‐296‐5p and upregulating Bax. Our findings identify a regulatory axis of cell fate in NB cells.