bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In praise of a flexible and sustainable HR support
Authors: Persson Sybille , Agostini Bertrand , Kleber Aurélie
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the Western roots of the gap between practice and theory in HRM to underline the relevance of a flexible HR support. This support deserves to be nurtured by an insightful consideration of traditional Chinese thought, especially “vital nourishments” and “non-action.”

Design/methodology/approach

Following the methodology of deconstruction provided by French Sinologist and Philosopher François Jullien, this paper brings forward the implicit tenets of Western thought that feed HRD. The work of deconstruction relies here on an “heterotopia” (which literally means “a thought coming from elsewhere”) while making use of the founding tenets of traditional Chinese thought.

Findings

A flexible support, echoing some existing practices of coaching, mentoring and other developmental interactions, acts as an efficient and natural “non-active” development of HR especially relevant when facing stress at work.

Research limitations/implications

If it is worth recalling the already existing bridges between theory and practice in HRM, it is also important to imagine new ones favorable to HRD.

Practical implications

The paper provides a critical reference for managers in charge of HRD.

Social implications

The paper provides a critical reference for academics who wish to be more scholarly engaged in supporting executives and managers.

Originality/value

The paper challenges the Western ethnocentric reading of management in order to welcome another millenary way of thinking built in China. It escapes the fundamentals of managerial thought which have durably ruled over Western management studies.
Ping pong in Phuket: the intersections of tourism, porn and the future
Authors: Mars Michelle Stella , Yeoman Ian Seymour , McMahon-Beattie Una
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Sex tourism is well documented in the literature, but what about porn tourism? Whether it is a Ping Pong show in Phuket or the Banana show in Amsterdam, porn and tourism have an encounter and gaze no different from the Mona Lisa in the Louvre or magnificent views of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explores the intersections of tourism, porn and the future as a conceptual framework.

Findings

Four intersections are derived from the conceptual framework. Intersection 1, the Future of Tourism, portrays the evolution of tourism and explores its technological future. Interaction 2, Porn in Tourism, distinguishes between soft- and hard-core porn tourism. Intersection 3, Portraying Porn as a Future Dimension, delves into futurism, science fiction and fantasy. The fourth intersection, the Future Gaze, conveys the thrust of the paper by exploring how technological advancement blends with authenticity and reality. Thus the porn tourist seeks both the visual and the visceral pleasures of desire. The paper concludes with four future gazes of porn tourism, The Allure of Porn, The Porn Bubble, Porn as Liminal Experience and Hardcore.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is that this is the first paper to systematically examine porn tourism beyond sex tourism overlaying with a futures dimension. Porn tourists actively seek to experience both visual and visceral pleasures. Tourism and pornography both begin with the gaze. The gaze is an integral component of futures thinking. Technology is changing us, making us smarter, driving our thirst for liminal experiences. Like the transition from silent movies to talking pictures the porn tourism experience of the future is likely to involve more of the bodily senses.
Using a social-ecological systems perspective to understand tourism and landscape interactions in coastal areas
Authors: Heslinga Jasper Hessel , Groote Peter , Vanclay Frank
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look at the potential synergies between tourism and landscapes and examine the potential contribution of tourism to build social-ecological resilience in the Dutch Wadden.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors reveal how a social-ecological systems perspective can be used to conceptualize the Wadden as a coupled and dynamic system. This paper is a conceptual analysis that applies this approach to the Dutch Wadden. The data used for the inquiry primarily comes from a literature review.

Findings

The authors argue that the social-ecological systems perspective is a useful approach and could be used to improve the governance of multi-functional socio-ecological systems in coastal areas. Opportunities for synergies between tourism and landscapes have been overlooked. The authors consider that tourism and nature protection are potentially compatible and that the synergies should be identified.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is only a conceptual application rather than an empirical case study. Further research to actually apply the methodology is needed.

Practical implications

Managers of protected areas should consider applying a social-ecological systems approach.

Social implications

The views of a wide variety of stakeholders should be considered in landscape planning.

Originality/value

The value of this paper lies in the articulation of the social-ecological systems perspective as a way to identify and understand the complex interactions between tourism and landscape, and the potential synergies between them.
Geographies of African corruption
Authors: Warf Barney
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the uneven geographies of corruption on the African continent. Corruption is an entrenched part of African political culture. However, the degree and impacts of corruption vary widely across the continent, ranging from failed states such as Somalia to the region’s bright spot Botswana. This paper first defines corruption and discusses its causes and effects. It then delves into the specifics of African corruption, including its causes and effects such as patrimonial political cultures, clientelism and the role of natural resource exports.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses data from Transparency International to assess African corruption empirically and geographically, and links its levels of severity using correlations to gross domestic product per capita, literacy, income inequality and freedom of the media.

Findings

The major findings are that while the vast majority of the continent’s one billion people live under very corrupt regimes, the impacts of corruption on economic growth are questionable. Few geographic studies of corruption exist.

Originality/value

The paper’s novelty stems in part from being the first to explore African corruption from a spatial perspective, illustrating its widely varying contexts and consequences.
The provisioning of collective goods by MNEs in emerging markets
Authors: Boddewyn Jean J.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to determine the essential “collective goods” which a foreign multinational enterprise (MNE) must have before production can start in a remote area of an emerging economy, and to consider the alternative governance modes available to procure or create these goods.

Design/methodology/approach

This purpose is examined conceptually and theoretically. First, the concept of “collective goods” is presented, followed by a consideration of the traditional “buy, ally or make” contractual approaches available to obtain goods and services. These approaches are repositioned in the context of an “emerging economy” so that alternative “ordering systems” as well as “non-contractual” means of obtaining things have to be considered in the context of internalization and reciprocity theories.

Findings

It is difficult to obtain collective goods in remote areas of emerging economies where private ordering prevails and even succeeds but at high transaction costs and with substantial government intervention. However, the use of non-contractual modes of exchange such as reciprocity is available to facilitate exchanges between market MNEs and nonmarket state offices and civil-society associations such as non-governmental organizations with which collaboration is necessary but which cannot be acquired or controlled by MNEs. However, market firms can use philanthropy and lobbying to obtain the help of these nonmarket actors who know how to operate under private and state-ordering systems.

Research limitations/implications

Theoretical implications: Internalization theory explains why MNEs are able to obtain collective goods by providing them “in-house”, while reciprocity theory exemplifies how non-contractual modes of exchange can substitute for the traditional but contractual “buy, ally and/or make”.

Practical implications

Managerial implications: In terms of the organizational structure of the subsidiary of an MNE operating in an emerging economy, it appears that the line functions of procurement, engineering and production may rely more on contractual exchanges with foreign suppliers, while the staff functions of public affairs, government relations and human resources may be more adept at using reciprocal exchange with local suppliers.

Originality/value

The provisioning of the collective goods when a firm builds its facilities in a remote and underdeveloped part of an emerging economy has hardly received any research attention nor have the non-contractual ways – such as reciprocity – available in the context of private ordering to obtain these goods.
Architecture guideline for game-based stroke rehabilitation
Authors: Kamkarhaghighi Mehran , Mirza-Babaei Pejman , El-Khatib Khalil , Gerling Kathrin M.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Strokes are the most common cause of long-term disability of adults in developed countries. Continuous participation in rehabilitation can alleviate some of the consequences, and support recovery of stroke patients. However, physical rehabilitation requires commitment to tedious exercise routines over lengthy periods of time, which often cause patients to dropout of this form of therapy. In this context, game-based stroke rehabilitation has the potential to address two important barriers: accessibility of rehabilitation, and patient motivation. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a review of design efforts in human-computer interaction (HCI) and gaming research to support stroke rehabilitation.

Findings

Based on extensive review, this paper highlights challenges and opportunities in this area, and discusses an architecture guideline for a game-based stroke rehabilitation system.

Originality/value

This study was an original study.
Project System: totalitarian utopia as a role-playing game
Authors: Kotryová Lujza
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine how to educate people about complicated social topics or politics?; how to lead them to critical thinking?; and how to convey emotions or life experience they never lived through?

Design/methodology/approach

Project System is a three-day experience for adult participants concerning totalitarian regime, freedom and inequality. The Project System does not give fast and easy answers but leads participants to find them on their own. For 30 hours, participants find themselves within a larp, which is a very intense type of role-playing game based on human interactions. The author has chosen a larp as a medium as one of the most immersive and influential method of game-based learning which can facilitate topics that are normally hard to explain through conventional methods of learning. Participants learn firsthand through their roles, emotions, story and experience.

Findings

Project System was a really strong and important experience for many players that may have partially changed their lives. After more than 500 players walked through it, the author can say that this method is beneficial.

Originality/value

Larp as an educational tool is used all over the world; however, there are still only few professional organizations. Most of them are focused on using larp (or similar role-playing methods) as a tool at elementary or secondary schools. Using larp in andragogy is currently pioneering.
A gamified approach for engaging teams in corporate innovation and entrepreneurship
Authors: Patricio Rui
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain the link between gamification and innovation and describes the use of a particular gamified method and tool, which helps teams get committed and engaged in idea development. The goal is to provide valuable insights on how gamification can accelerate innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

A study was conducted using a combination of qualitative methods: workshops based on action research method followed by semi-structured interviews with workshop participants and problem/challenge owners, representing two segments, corporate innovation teams and entrepreneurship. Data were collected from innovation consultants and IT/Software companies’ team members that used this gamification approach to address innovation challenges as well as from an entrepreneurship class from university that also used this particular gamification approach to support an idea competition program.

Findings

The paper provides insights and discusses the major impacts of gamification from the perspective of innovation consultants, corporate teams as well as from young entrepreneurs. It suggests that the application of this gamified method and tool enhances the quality of the idea that is developed to address an outlined innovation challenge. It was also found that team members/participants as a result of this process subsequently developed important innovation and entrepreneurship capabilities.

Originality/value

Despite the growing body of literature on gamification, there is a lack of empirical research that examines the use of gamification tools on companies’ innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives. This paper contributes to clarify the contribution of gamified methods and tools toward the success of corporate innovation and entrepreneurship programs by describing the use of a particular gamified approach. Researchers will gain insights into the effects of gamification approaches and a better understanding of the integration requirements with other related research areas. Practitioners will understand how this new method and tool can be implemented in order to drive innovation and entrepreneurship forward.
Serum levels of genomic DNA of α1(I) collagen are elevated in scleroderma patients
Authors: Sawamura Soichiro , Jinnin Masatoshi , Shimbara Miki , Nakamura Kayo , Kudo Hideo , Inoue Kuniko , Nakayama Wakana , Kajihara Ikko , Fukushima Satoshi , Ihn Hironobu
Published: March 2017

Recent studies have indicated that various nucleic acids are present in human sera, and attracted attention for their potential as novel disease markers in many human diseases. In this study, we tried to evaluate the possibility that DNA and RNA of collagens exist in human sera, and determined whether their serum levels can be useful biomarkers in scleroderma patients. The RNA or DNA of collagens were purified from sera, and detected by polymerase chain reaction or quantitated by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Among approximately 18 360 bases of full‐length α1(I) collagen DNA, various regions were detected by polymerase chain reaction in human sera. However, α2(I) collagen DNA, α1(I) collagen RNA or α2(I) collagen RNA were not detectable. α1(I) Collagen DNA in sera was quantitative using our method. The levels of serum α1(I) collagen DNA were significantly increased in scleroderma patients compared with healthy control subjects or systemic lupus erythematosus patients. According to the receiver–operator curve analysis, serum α1(I) collagen DNA levels were shown to be effective as a diagnostic marker of scleroderma. Furthermore, when we determined the association of serum α1(I) collagen DNA levels with clinical/laboratory features in scleroderma patients, those with elevated α1(I) collagen DNA levels showed significantly higher prevalence of pitting scars/ulcers. In summary, elevation of serum α1(I) collagen DNA levels in scleroderma patients may be useful as the diagnostic marker, reflecting the presence of vasculopathy.
Antigenic diversity of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses of clade 2.3.4.4 isolated in Asia
Authors: Ohkawara Ayako , Okamatsu Masatoshi , Ozawa Makoto , Chu Duc‐Huy , Nguyen Lam Thanh , Hiono Takahiro , Matsuno Keita , Kida Hiroshi , Sakoda Yoshihiro
Published: March 2017

H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) have spread in both poultry and wild birds since late 2003. Continued circulation of HPAIV in poultry in several regions of the world has led to antigenic drift. In the present study, we analyzed the antigenic properties of H5 HPAIV isolated in Asia using four neutralizing mAbs recognizing hemagglutinin, which were established using A/chicken/Kumamoto/1‐7/2014 (H5N8), belonging to clade 2.3.4.4 and also using polyclonal antibodies. Viruses of clades 1.1, 2.3.2.1, 2.3.4, and 2.3.4.4 had different reactivity patterns to the panel of mAbs, thereby indicating that the antigenicity of the viruses of clade 2.3.4.4 were similar but differed from the other clades. In particular, the antigenicity of the viruses of clade 2.3.4.4 differed from those of the viruses of clades 2.3.4 and 2.3.2.1, which suggests that the recent H5 HPAIV have further evolved antigenically divergent. In addition, reactivity of antiserum suggests that the antigenicity of viruses of clade 2.3.4.4 differed slightly among groups A, B, and C. Vaccines are still used in poultry in endemic countries, so the antigenicity of H5 HPAIV should be monitored continually to facilitate control of avian influenza. The panel of mAbs established in the present study will be useful for detecting antigenic drift in the H5 viruses that emerge from the current strains.
Electric field data in inductive source electromagnetic surveys
Authors: Yang Dikun , Oldenburg Douglas W.
Published: March 2017

Measurement of the electric field data due to an inductive loop source in a controlled source electromagnetic survey is not common, because electric field data, usually involving grounded electrodes, are expensive to acquire and difficult to interpret. With the recently developed capability of versatile three‐dimensional inversion, we revisit the idea of measuring electric field in a large ground loop survey for mineral exploration. The three‐dimensional modelling and inversion approach helps us quantitatively understand the detectability and recoverability of the proposed survey configuration. Our detectability study using forward modelling shows that the relative anomaly (percentage difference) in electric field does not decay with a lower induction number, but the conventional magnetic field data (dB/dt) does. Our recoverability study examines how much and what kind of information can be extracted from electric field data for the reconstruction of a three‐dimensional model. Synthetic inversions show the following observations. (i) Electric field data are good at locating lateral discontinuity, whereas dB/dt has better depth resolution. (ii) Electric field is less sensitive to the background conductivity and, thus, is prone to misinterpretation because of a bad initial model in inversion. We recommend warm‐starting the electric field inversion with an initial model from a separate dB/dt inversion. (iii) Electric field data may be severely contaminated by near‐surface heterogeneity, but an inversion can recover the deep target concealed by the geologic noise. (iv) Even one line of single‐component electric field data can greatly improve the horizontal resolution in a dB/dt inversion. Finally, we investigate a field dataset of both electric field and dB/dt measurements at a uranium deposit. The field example confirms that the electric field and magnetic field data contain independent information that is crucial in the accurate recovery of subsurface conductivity. Our synthetic and field examples demonstrate the benefit of acquiring electric field data along with magnetic field data in an inductive source survey.
Data‐driven time–frequency analysis of seismic data using non‐stationary Prony method
Authors: Wu Guoning , Fomel Sergey , Chen Yangkang
Published: March 2017

Empirical mode decomposition aims to decompose the input signal into a small number of components named intrinsic mode functions with slowly varying amplitudes and frequencies. In spite of its simplicity and usefulness, however, empirical mode decomposition lacks solid mathematical foundation. In this paper, we describe a method to extract the intrinsic mode functions of the input signal using non‐stationary Prony method. The proposed method captures the philosophy of the empirical mode decomposition but uses a different method to compute the intrinsic mode functions. Having the intrinsic mode functions obtained, we then compute the spectrum of the input signal using Hilbert transform. Synthetic and field data validate that the proposed method can correctly compute the spectrum of the input signal and could be used in seismic data analysis to facilitate interpretation.
Living in the line of fire: the impact of the exposure to warfare on couple relationships
Authors: Shamai Michal , Enosh Guy , Machmali‐Kievitz Ronit , Gilad Dvorit
Published: March 2017

The study explored how civilians living in the line of fire perceived the impact of the exposure to war on their relationships. Couple resilience and loss and gain of couple resources were hypothesized to mediate between the level of exposure and couple relationships. Data were collected from sixty‐one individuals living in Israel close to the border with the Gaza Strip and 121 individuals living some distance from the border. No differences were found between the groups on couple relationships. However, the high exposure group reported significantly higher negative and positive implications of the security situation for couple relationships. Recommendations for couple and systemic intervention focused on the positive impacts for couples and on a broader macro‐level approach, through group work with couples and training medical and education workers.

Practitioner points

Many therapists working with populations in war situations tend to focus on the painful and stressful aspects, emphasizing traumatic symptoms and their impact on relationships

This study shows that stress created by exposure to war might also enrich some aspects of couple relationships

This enrichment, such as in the ability to communicate, to share, and to reach agreement and trust, should be taken into consideration when planning and implementing therapy
Effects of forage ensiling and ration fermentation on total mixed ration pH, ruminal fermentation and performance of growing Holstein‐Zebu cross steers
Authors: Meenongyai Watcharawit , Pattarajinda Virote , Stelzleni Alexander M. , Sethakul Jutarat , Duangjinda Monchai
Published: March 2017

Our objective was to determine the effect of forage ensiling and ration fermentation on total mixed ration pH, ruminal fermentation and animal performance. Thirty Holstein‐Zebu cross steers were allotted to feeding treatments for 188 days in a randomized complete block design including: fresh grass‐total mixed ration (GTMR; pH 4.7), grass silage‐TMR (STMR; pH 4.0) and fermented‐TMR (FTMR; pH 3.5). Average daily gain for STMR was greatest during the first 3 months period; however, that for FTMR tended to be greater than GTMR during the second 3 months period (P < 0.10). During the second period dry matter intake for STMR was the greatest (P < 0.01), but feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01) and cost per gain (P < 0.01) were the least for FTMR. Protein digestibility tended (P < 0.10) to be greater for FTMR than STMR and fat digestibility was greater (P < 0.05) for GTMR and FTMR than STMR. FTMR had less (P < 0.01) ruminal NH3‐N content than STMR. Total volatile fatty acids post‐feeding was greatest for GTMR (P < 0.01). Ruminal proportions of acetic and butyric acids were greater for FTMR than GTMR (P < 0.05); in contrast, propionic acid was greater for GTMR (P < 0.05). Utilizing silage or total ration fermentation did not negatively impact on ruminal pH. STMR and FTMRs can be used to maintain performance of growing crossbred Holstein steers.
Effects of supplementation of iodixanol to semen extender on quality and fertilization ability of frozen–thawed Thai native bull sperm
Authors: Chuawongboon Phirawit , Sirisathien Saksiri , Pongpeng Jatuporn , Sakhong Denpong , Nagai Takashi , Vongpralub Thevin
Published: March 2017

This study investigates the effects of iodixanol supplementation in varied concentrations to Tris egg yolk (TEY) extender on the quality and fertilization ability of frozen–thawed sperm of Thai native bulls. Each ejaculate was divided into four different groups, as follows: sperm were treated withTEYextender (control group) andTEYextender supplemented with three different concentrations of iodixanol (1.25%, 2.50% and 5.00%). Semen straws were frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor. After thawing, sperm motility characteristics, viability, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity were determined. Also, frozen–thawed spermatozoa from all groups were used forin vitrofertilization and artificial insemination (AI)in natural estrus Thai native cows. The results showed that the post‐thaw quality of the 2.50% iodixanol group was superior to the other iodixanol groups (P < 0.05). However, iodixanol had no beneficial effect on post‐thaw spermin vitrofertilization ability and pregnancy rate afterAI(P > 0.05). It can be concluded that the supplementation of 2.50% iodixanol extender significantly improves the progressive motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity of cryopreserved semen from Thai native bulls, but it has no beneficial effect onin vitrofertilization ability and pregnancy rate afterAI.
An Assessment of Two Parenting Training Manuals Used in Swedish Parenting Interventions
Authors: Rooth Hetty , Forinder Ulla , Piuva Katarina , Söderbäck Maja
Published: March 2017

In Sweden, all parents of children aged 0–18 years are entitled to attend free parenting courses as part of a national strategy presented by the Government in 2009. This broad parental support welfare strategy is expected to fulfil the intentions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In this study, two parenting training manuals were analysed: the Canadian Connect program, based on attachment theory, and the Swedish ABC program, based on social learning theory. The results indicate that the manuals use strategies that can both hinder and support children's rights, regardless of rhetoric of children's best interests.
A critique of the historical‐fire‐regime concept in conservation
Authors: Freeman Johanna , Kobziar Leda , Rose Elizabeth White , Cropper Wendell
Published: March 2017

Prescribed fire is widely accepted as a conservation tool because fire is essential to the maintenance of native biodiversity in many terrestrial communities. Approaches to this land‐management technique vary greatly among continents, and sharing knowledge internationally can inform application of prescribed fire worldwide. In North America, decisions about how and when to apply prescribed fire are typically based on the historical‐fire‐regime concept (HFRC), which holds that replicating the pattern of fires ignited by lightning or preindustrial humans best promotes native species in fire‐prone regions. The HFRC rests on 3 assumptions: it is possible to infer historical fire regimes accurately; fire‐suppressed communities are ecologically degraded; and reinstating historical fire regimes is the best course of action despite the global shift toward novel abiotic and biotic conditions. We examined the underpinnings of these assumptions by conducting a literature review on the use of historical fire regimes to inform the application of prescribed fire. We found that the practice of inferring historical fire regimes for entire regions or ecosystems often entails substantial uncertainty and can yield equivocal results; ecological outcomes of fire suppression are complex and may not equate to degradation, depending on the ecosystem and context; and habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and other modern factors can interact with fire to produce novel and in some cases negative ecological outcomes. It is therefore unlikely that all 3 assumptions will be fully upheld for any landscape in which prescribed fire is being applied. Although the HFRC is a valuable starting point, it should not be viewed as the sole basis for developing prescribed fire programs. Rather, fire prescriptions should also account for other specific, measurable ecological parameters on a case‐by‐case basis. To best achieve conservation goals, researchers should seek to understand contemporary fire–biota interactions across trophic levels, functional groups, spatial and temporal scales, and management contexts.
Individual investors and local bias in the UK, 1870–1935
Authors: Rutterford Janette , Sotiropoulos Dimitris P. , van Lieshout Carry
Published: March 2017

This article examines the long‐run evolution of local bias by UK investors between the 1870s and the 1930s. It uses a large sample of nearly 30,000 shareholders based on 197 sets of share records, a large and representative database of the investor population across sectors and time. It investigates the structure and the evolution of local investment preference between shareholders and the companies in which they invested, as measured by the distance between where they lived and corporate headquarters. The study offers evidence of strong initial local investment preference, which declined over time for non‐Londoners, but remained strong for Londoners until the 1930s. Local investment preference of security holders was related to the size of the board of directors and, for wealthy investors, was related to the age of the firm. For large firms, local networks between investors and directors appear stronger when director shareholdings and voting rights were important. This study supports the analytical hypothesis of local informal trust networks between investors and directors as a means to overcome informational asymmetries and weak legal protection, and provides evidence that local preference was a means to curb insider opportunism and private benefits of control.
Exit from and re‐entry into social assistance benefit in Belgium among people with migration background and the native‐born
Authors: Carpentier Sarah , Neels Karel , Van den Bosch Karel
Published: March 2017

Whereas several studies have examined the timing of exit from social assistance, little is known about the exit destinations after social assistance and whether these entail different risks of re‐entry into social assistance. Using administrative data, we studied 13,552 people with various migration backgrounds who entered social assistance in Belgium in 2004 or 2005. We tracked their social assistance spell(s) and the income source(s) after exit on a quarterly basis over 4 years, using random‐effects hazard models. We found that one‐third of the beneficiaries exited from first‐spells to work, whereas 14% left to active labour market programmes (ALMPs) and 16% to social insurance benefits. About a third re‐entered social assistance, in particular after short work exits. Participation in ALMPs and social insurance benefit receipt was less common among beneficiaries with migration background compared with native‐born and these exits led less frequently to re‐entry than did exits to paid employment.
Preliminary screening of mutations in the glucokinase gene of Chinese patients with gestational diabetes
Authors: Wang Zhixin , Ping Fan , Zhang Qian , Zheng Jia , Zhang Huabing , Yu Miao , Li Wenhui , Xiao Xinhua
Published: March 2017

Aims/Introduction

Mutations in the glucokinase gene (GCK) are a pathogenetic cause of maturity‐onset diabetes of the young. Studies have found that female patients with GCK maturity‐onset diabetes of the young often present with gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Our aim was to preliminarily assess the prevalence of mutations in the glucokinase gene in Chinese women with gestational diabetes.

Materials and Methods

Chinese gestational diabetes patients who underwent a 100‐g oral glucose tolerance test in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from July 2005 to May 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. Participants were selected for direct sequencing of the GCK gene if they met the following criteria: (i) fasting plasma glucose between 5.5 and 10.0 mmol/L; and (ii) a small increment (<4.6 mmol/L) during a 2‐h oral glucose tolerance test.

Results

Of the 501 participants with gestational diabetes, there were 38 participants who met the criteria for GCK analysis. In the 29 participants whose deoxyribonucleic acid samples were available, two mutations in coding regions were detected, c.626 C>T (p.T209M, NP_000153.1) mutation in exon 6 and c.824 G>A (p.R275H, NP_000153.1; rs767565869) mutation in exon 7. According to our results, the minimum prevalence of GCK mutations in Chinese women with gestational diabetes was estimated to be 0.4%, and the minimum prevalence of GCK maturity‐onset diabetes of the young in the Chinese population might be one in 2,000.

Conclusions

Our screening criteria allowed for the identification of glucokinase‐deficient patients who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and these mutations in the GCK gene were not common in Chinese women with gestational diabetes.
Evaluation of performance and thermophysical properties of alumina nanofluid as a new heating medium for processing of food products
Authors: Jafari Seid Mahdi , Saremnejad Farinaz , Dehnad Danial , Rashidi Ali Morad
Published: March 2017

Increasing energy consumption and constraints on fossil fuels make it necessary to optimize heat transfer processes. Due to exceptional thermal properties of nanofluids, compared with conventional heating fluids, their usage in heat exchangers has been increased recently. In this research, application of alumina‐water nanofluid for thermal processing of watermelon juice was investigated. Different temperatures of 75, 80, or 85 °C (for durations of 15, 30, or 45 s) and nanoparticles concentrations (0, 2, and 4%) were applied, and changes in thermophysical properties, including density, thermal capacity, viscosity, thermal conductivity and overall heat transfer coefficient, energy consumption rate, and process duration were studied. Our results revealed that, at a constant temperature, density of the nanofluid remained stable until 2% nanoparticle addition, after which it escalated up to 11.47%. Also, heat capacity dwindled by 17.94% as the nanoparticle concentration augmented to 4%. Viscosity of 0 and 4% nanofluids were 0.798 and 3 mPa.s, respectively but it still remained Newtonian due to the low volume concentration of nanoparticles. While increasing the temperature to 77 °C descended viscosity of 2 and 4% nanofluids by 56.07 and 59.35%, compared with the base fluid, respectively, this increased thermal conductivity of nanofluids up to 14.6% (belonging to 4% nanoparticles). The effectiveness of working fluid in heat exchanger was raised by 58.65% after addition of 4% nanoparticle to the base fluid. Duration of watermelon juice processing diminished by 24.88 and 51.63% for 2 and 4% concentrations of nanoparticles, compared with water, respectively, and its energy consumption by 22.74 and 47.48%.

Practical applications

Thermal conductivity of conventional fluids is much lower than metals and oxidized metals. Accordingly, fluids with suspended particles of metals or oxidized metals benefit from better heat transfer properties. There is no research dealing with effects of adding nanoparticles to conventional thermal fluids for fruit juices processing. So, the goal of this research was to introduce nanofluid technology for thermal processing of food products for the first time, increasing heat transfer efficiency in shell and tube exchangers by nanofluids and frugality in energy consumption for pasteurization, reducing thermal processing duration and better quality retention of food products.
Neo‐developmentalism and a “vía campesina” for rural development: Unreconciled projects in Ecuador's Citizen's Revolution
Authors: Clark Patrick
Published: March 2017

From the outside, it appears that the government of President Rafael Correa in Ecuador has put in place a legal and policy framework for a vía campesina model of rural development, inspired by food sovereignty and buen vivir. Recent studies have, however, concluded that a considerable disjuncture exists between this framework and the actual agricultural policies and programmes implemented by the government. In this paper, I provide a broad overview of the agricultural and rural development policies under the Correa government and analyse some of the causes of the gap between the policy framework and policy implementation. I argue that Ecuador under Correa speaks to the difficulties of reconciling a vía campesina approach to rural development with a neo‐developmental economic model. I focus on several issues in particular in order to explain the disjuncture: how the growth of “vía campesina” proposals and political discourse in Ecuador since the 1980s coincided with significant processes of agrarian change; the transformation of rural social movement federations from a sociopolitical force into a political/electoral force and the subsequent decline of these movements; and the deepening integration of small‐scale producers into domestic agribusiness commodity chains and the growth of national agribusiness firms during the Correa government.
Women's land rights, rural social movements, and the state in the 21st‐century Latin American agrarian reforms
Authors: Deere Carmen Diana
Published: March 2017

This paper addresses the disjuncture between women's formal land rights and their attaining these in practice, examining the four agrarian reforms carried out by progressive governments after 2000 in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Venezuela. It finds that while all four strengthened women's formal land rights, only the reforms in Bolivia and Brazil resulted in a significant share and number of female beneficiaries. In both countries, strong national‐level rural women's movements were the main advocates behind women's land rights in a context in which they formed part of the coalition that brought these regimes to power. In Bolivia, women have benefited principally through joint titling of land to couples in the country's massive land regularization programme. Brazil's reform has been the most redistributionary, and women have benefited through the priority given to female household heads as well as the mandatory joint allocation of land to couples in the agrarian reform settlements.
Percentage and severity of periodontal diseases in Turkish adults aged 35+ years, 2009‐10
Authors: Ilhan Duygu , Oktay Inci , Nur Burcu , Fisekcioglu Erdogan , Lim Sungwoo , Lepkowski James M. , Ismail Amid I.
Published: March 2017

Objective

This article presents data on the burden of periodontal diseases in Turkish adults aged 35 years or older.

Methods

Within each region of Turkey, a rural and an urban area or city were selected in 2009‐10 using a probability proportional to size method. In the selected towns, local officials who were familiar with their communities assisted in recruiting subjects. Loss of Attachment (LOA) was measured at six sites around each tooth present in the mouth, excluding third molars. Additionally, the Community Periodontal Index was used to assess the severity of periodontal diseases around 12 index teeth. Self‐reported data on key risk factors were also collected. Weights were computed using a raking ratio adjustment procedure and used in all analyses.

Results

Almost all examined adults had some loss of periodontal attachment. The proportion of those with more than 3 mm LOA ranged from 43 percent in 35‐44 year olds to 91 percent in those aged 65+ years. Among females, older age, low education status, smoking 11‐40+ cigarettes a day, being employed, and presence of high number of missing tooth surfaces were associated with LOA > 3 mm. Among males LOA >3 mm was associated with older age, use of alcohol, and unemployment. The CPI data did not yield the same associations with periodontal diseases and risk factors.

Conclusions

Periodontal diseases in Turkish adults are highly prevalent. A tailored common risk factor health promotion program is recommended to reduce the burden of periodontal infection in Turkey.
Association between Survival Time and Changes inNT‐proBNPin Cats Treated for Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Pierce K.V. , Rush J.E. , Freeman L.M. , Cunningham S.M. , Yang V.K.
Published: March 2017

Background

Reductions in N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) concentrations after treatment have been associated with improved survival in people with congestive heart failure (CHF), but have not been reported in cats withCHF.

Objectives

To evaluate changes inNT‐proBNPconcentrations in cats withCHFafter treatment and determine whether serialNT‐proBNPmeasurements provide prognostic information.

Animals

Thirty‐one client‐owned cats.

Methods

Prospective, observational study in cats with new onsetCHFsecondary to cardiomyopathy. Concentrations ofNT‐proBNPwere measured within 4 hours of admission to the hospital, on the day of discharge, and at re‐evaluation 7–10 days later.

Results

MedianNT‐proBNPconcentrations decreased significantly from admission (1,713 pmol/L [range, 160–3,784 pmol/L]) to discharge (902 pmol/L [range, 147–3,223 pmol/L]);P= .005) and from admission to re‐evaluation (1,124 pmol/L [range, 111–2,727 pmol/L];P= .024). Median survival time was 109 days (range, 1–709 days), with 5 cats still alive at the time of analysis. Cats with a larger percent decrease inNT‐proBNPfrom admission to discharge had a longer survival time (P= .048). Cats with evidence of activeCHFat the time of re‐evaluation (P= .010) and cats whose owners had difficulty administering medications (P= .045) had shorter survival times.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Cats with a larger percent decrease inNT‐proBNPduring hospitalization and no evidence ofCHFat the time of re‐evaluation had longer survival times. Additional studies are needed to determine whetherNT‐proBNPcan help guide treatment in cats withCHF.
Demonstration that Feeds Containing <1% Fishmeal Can Support Grow‐out of Large Juvenile Red Drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, and Reduce Nutrient Waste
Authors: Denson Michael R. , Sandifer Paul A. , Leffler John W. , Yost Justin , Bearden Daniel W. , Zeigler Thomas R.
Published: March 2017

We conducted a 16‐wk feeding trial with large juvenile red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus. Four diets were randomly assigned to six replicate tanks per treatment. Three isonitrogenous (ca. 44.5% protein) and isolipidic (ca. 14.1% lipid) extruded diets were formulated to compare a fishmeal‐based diet with diets using alternative protein sources. Diet 1 contained 19.60% fishmeal and 21.42% poultry meals as primary protein sources. Two alternative diets were formulated reducing the fishmeal to 0.61% by substituting poultry meals (33.85%) and soybean protein concentrate (11.55% in Diet 2 and 11.70% in Diet 3). Diet 3 also included Allzyme Vegpro® and Allzyme® SSF at 0.04%. Diet 4, a natural diet consisting of chopped cigar minnows, squid, and shrimp, was used as a positive control to compare growth rates of formulated feeds to near maximum growth under these culture conditions. We found that reducing the amount of fishmeal to <1% by using alternative protein sources did not affect the growth rate, survival, or health of red drum but improved assimilation of phosphorus, reduced potential release of P to the environment, and significantly lowered the amount of feeder fish needed in feed. The control diet identified performance benchmarks for future feeds development work.
L. fermentum CECT 5716 prevents stress‐induced intestinal barrier dysfunction in newborn rats
Authors: Vanhaecke T. , Aubert P. , Grohard P.‐A. , Durand T. , Hulin P. , Paul‐Gilloteaux P. , Fournier A. , Docagne F. , Ligneul A. , Fressange‐Mazda C. , Naveilhan P. , Boudin H. , Le Ruyet P. , Neunlist M.
Published: March 2017

Background

Intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) dysfunction plays a critical role in various intestinal disorders affecting infants and children, including the development of food allergies and colitis. Recent studies highlighted the role of probiotics in regulating IEB functions and behavior in adults, but their effects in the newborn remain largely unknown. We therefore characterized in rat pups, the impact of Lactobacillus fermentum CECT 5716 (L. fermentum) on stress‐induced IEB dysfunction, systemic immune response and exploratory behavior.

Methods

Newborn rats received daily by gavage either L. fermentum or water. Intestinal permeability to fluorescein sulfonic acid (FSA) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was measured following maternal separation (MS) and water avoidance stress (WAS). Immunohistochemical, transcriptomic, and Western blot analysis of zonula occludens‐1 (ZO‐1) distribution and expression were performed. Anxiety‐like and exploratory behavior was assessed using the elevated plus maze test. Cytokine secretion of activated splenocytes was also evaluated.

Key Results

L. fermentum prevented MS and WAS‐induced IEB dysfunction in vivo. L. fermentum reduced permeability to both FSA and HRP in the small intestine but not in the colon. L. fermentum increased expression of ZO‐1 and prevented WAS‐induced ZO‐1 disorganization in ileal epithelial cells. L. fermentum also significantly reduced stress‐induced increase in plasma corticosteronemia. In activated splenocytes, L. fermentum enhanced IFNγ secretion while it prevented IL‐4 secretion. Finally, L. fermentum increased exploratory behavior.

Conclusions & Inferences

These results suggest that L. fermentum could provide a novel tool for the prevention and/or treatment of gastrointestinal disorders associated with altered IEB functions in the newborn.
Appetite influences the responses to meal ingestion
Authors: Pribic T. , Nieto A. , Hernandez L. , Malagelada C. , Accarino A. , Azpiroz F.
Published: March 2017

Background

We have previously shown that the postprandial experience includes cognitive sensations, such as satiety and fullness, with a hedonic dimension involving digestive well‐being and mood. Preload conditioning has been shown to modulate appetite and food consumption under certain conditions, but its effects on the responses to meal ingestion are not clear. We hypothesized that appetite modulation by preload conditioning has differential effects on the cognitive and the emotive responses to meal ingestion.

Methods

The effects of preload conditioning (ingestion of a low‐ vs a high‐calorie breakfast) on appetite and on the cognitive and emotive responses to a comfort probe meal ingested 2 hours later (ham and cheese sandwich with orange juice; 300 mL, 425 Kcal) was tested in healthy subjects (n=12) in a cross‐over design. Sensations were measured at regular intervals 15 minutes before and 60 minutes after the probe meal.

Key Results

As compared to the low‐calorie breakfast, the high‐calorie breakfast reduced basal hunger sensation and influenced the responses to the subsequent probe meal: it increased satiety (4.3±0.2 score vs 2.7±0.2 score; P<.001) and fullness (5.4±0.5 score vs 3.1±0.5; P<.001), but reduced the expected postprandial experience of digestive well‐being after a palatable meal (1.3±0.7 score vs 3.0±0.3; P=.045).

Conclusion and Inferences

Appetite modulation by preload conditioning has differential effects on the cognitive and emotive responses to a meal. Preload conditioning of the postprandial experience may be applicable to dietary planning and prevention of postprandial symptoms.