bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge sharing in franchise system: franchisee self-leadership, satisfaction, and compliance
Authors: Lee Kyoung-Joo
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deepen the understanding of the predictors and outcomes of knowledge sharing in a franchise system. An integrative framework is proposed to examine the influence of franchisee self-leadership on knowledge sharing and its subsequent influence on franchisee satisfaction and compliance.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of a survey of 111 franchisees of two leading bakery franchise brands in Korea, this study confirmed data validity and tested hypotheses by adopting partial least square–structural equation modeling.

Findings

Regarding the predictor of knowledge sharing, this research found that franchisee self-leadership has a positive effect on knowledge sharing. As outcomes, it found that active knowledge sharing has a positive effect on franchisee satisfaction and compliance. This study also shows that knowledge sharing mediates the relationship between self-leadership and franchisee satisfaction.

Practical implications

This research advises franchisors to actively develop programs and communication channels for knowledge sharing with franchisees to induce high levels of compliance and satisfaction. Furthermore, as selecting potential franchisees is key to the success of franchising, this research highlights the significance of self-leadership as a crucial personal trait of franchisees.

Originality/value

Despite the rapidly growing academic interest in franchise knowledge sharing, sparse theoretical approaches and empirical evidence are available. To address these limitations, this research presents an integrative model and empirical evidence.
Hotel employees’ organizational behaviors from cross-national perspectives
Authors: Kim MiRan , Choi Laee , Knutson Bonnie J. , Borchgrevink Carl P.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationships among leader–member exchange (LMX), employee voice, team–member exchange (TMX), employee job satisfaction and employee commitment to customer service (ECCS) across the USA and Chinese cultures within the hotel context.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was completed by hotel employees across the USA (n= 315) and China (n= 363). The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings of this study imply that the relationships among constructs between two nations are very similar, with a few significant differences. Specifically, this study shows that there are significant differences between the USA and China regarding the effects of LMX on employee voice, TMX, job satisfaction and ECCS.

Research limitations/implications

The research should be extended with more than two national cultures to increase the generalizability of the research findings. Primary implication is that leader in China, and the USA should seek to build LMX quality to reap organizational benefits.

Practical implications

This study can help global hospitality firms develop management strategies effectively.

Originality/value

The study’s findings provide researchers with a better understanding of the LMX framework across USA and Chinese cultures. It also verifies the underlying relational effects among LMX and its outcomes across different nations, thus offering global hospitality organizations best management practices across cultures. Further, this study seeks to fill gaps in previous LMX and employee voice studies by providing robust explanations of the cultural influences on LMX framework across nations.
Food choices and service evaluation under time constraints: the school lunch environment
Authors: Sharma Amit , Moon Joonho , Bailey-Davis Lisa , Conklin Martha
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Few states or local school districts mandate a minimum time for lunch. With increasing pressure on schools to maximize instructional time, many US students have witnessed continued reductions in the time allotted to lunch periods and, thus, less time to choose from an increasing number of food options. This study aims to investigate middle and high school students’ preferences regarding the time available for school lunches and whether the amount of time would affect their food choice preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigated students’ self-reported lunchtime constraints and food choice preferences through a paper-and-pencil survey. The categorical and ratio responses were analyzed using ordinal logistic regression.

Findings

Students responded that they rarely had enough time to eat school lunch and that the lunch line waiting time strongly or very strongly influenced their food choices. For the students for whom time available for lunch and time in the lunch line influenced what they ate, they were more likely to prefer limited food choices in several categories of the school lunch menu.

Practical implications

Foodservice professionals who wish to actively promote better nutrition might consider practical ways to reduce the foodservice wait time for students. While making healthier default options (e.g. a fruit or fresh vegetable side) could increase service convenience, time required for students to make informed meal choices should not be compromised.

Originality/value

Because lunch line waiting time is related to students’ food choices, schools need to review the number and types of food choices offered in terms of whether they encourage students to make more healthful choices. This study offers a unique perspective on the relationship between time and individual food choices in the school lunch environment and how this relationship affects the quality of children’s diets and their eating behaviors.
Linking LMX, engagement, innovative behavior, and job performance in hotel employees
Authors: Kim Min-Seong , Koo Dong-Woo
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The concept of leader–member exchange (LMX) is well accepted in the service industry. This study examines how the quality of LMX helps hotels to achieve desirable outcomes, such as innovative behavior and job performance. The model was developed based on the LMX theory, and considers the relationship among the quality of LMX, employee engagement, innovative behavior and job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The model was tested on employees of hotels in South Korea using a survey method. Data were analyzed using frequency, reliability, confirmatory factor, correlation and structural equation modeling analyses.

Findings

LMX significantly influenced job engagement and innovative behavior but did not significantly affect organization engagement. Job engagement significantly affected organization engagement and innovative behavior but did not significantly influence job performance. Organization engagement significantly influenced job performance but did not significantly affect innovative behavior. Job performance was significantly influenced by innovative behavior.

Practical implications

The findings of this study suggest that an immediate leader plays a critical role in fostering engagement, behavior and performance.

Originality/value

The current study is the first to use the LMX theory to develop and test a research model that accounts for the antecedents and desired outcomes (i.e. innovative behavior and job performance) of two types of employee engagement in the hotel context.
Integrating service quality as a second-order factor in a customer satisfaction and loyalty model
Authors: Nunkoo Robin , Teeroovengadum Viraiyan , Thomas Peta , Leonard Llewellyn
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The study conceptualizes service quality as a second-order factor and analyzes its influence on customer satisfaction, perceived value, image, consumption emotions and customer loyalty by testing a structural equation model.

Design/methodology/approach

The model is tested using data collected from 672 guests staying in accommodation establishments located in South Africa. The study follows a hierarchical approach using confirmatory factor analysis to test the second-order factor model and structural equation modeling to test the overall model.

Findings

The results indicate that the second-order factor model is acceptable both empirically as well as conceptually and performs better than other competing models of service quality. The findings provide support for all hypotheses and evidence of a structural model with a high explanatory power.

Research limitations/implications

The second-order factor model is less useful when fine-grained analyses are needed, such as when a detailed assessment of the level of quality of service offered by a hospitality organization is required.

Practical implications

The second-order factor model allows for an analysis of service quality at different levels of abstraction. Accommodation managers interested in customers’ evaluation of service on a cumulative basis can make use of the global measure to determine service quality evaluations. Practitioners can also use the findings to manage the different dimensions of service quality.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates that service quality is best represented as a second-order factor, and in doing so, it provides an improved measurement of the construct. More so, by integrating the variable in a nomological network, the research develops a more parsimonious model than the existing ones.
Building channel power: the role of IT resources and information management capability
Authors: Zhang Tao , Wang Xinchun , Zhuang Guijun
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a better understanding of how information technology (IT) resources influence a firm’s channel power development. Specifically, this study hypothesizes that two types of IT resources (i.e. IT infrastructure resources and IT human resources) are key antecedents to channel power and that information management capability is a key mediator between IT resources and channel power.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses are tested using survey data gathered from a sample of Chinese companies. The analyses are performed using partial least squares technique.

Findings

The results suggest that both of the two IT resources play key roles in enhancing a firm’s channel power, but they do so in different ways. Specifically, while IT human resources can enhance a firm’s channel power by strengthening both information acquisition and dissemination capabilities, IT infrastructure resources can influence channel power only by enhancing a firm’s information acquisition capability.

Research limitations/implications

The measurement of IT resources might potentially be influenced by subjective divergence. In addition, information management contains many sub-processes, and this study only examines two of them: information acquisition and information dissemination.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that managers should develop/improve both IT infrastructure and human resources to enhance channel power by building stronger information management capability. More importantly, the findings reveal that IT human resource can provide more benefits as it strengthens both information acquisition and dissemination capabilities.

Originality/value

This study extends the existing literature by investigating how a firm’s IT resources affect its channel power. The results of this study provide insightful guidance for managers and researchers in how to better manage IT resources to improve channel governance performance.
Augmenting justice: Google glass, body cameras, and the politics of wearable technology
Authors: Healey Kevin , Stephens Niall
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to uncover the assumptions and concerns driving public debates about Google Glass and police body cameras. In doing so, it shows how debates about wearable cameras reflect broader cultural tensions surrounding race and privilege.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a form of critical discourse analysis to discover patterns in journalistic coverage of these two technologies.

Findings

Public response to Glass has been overwhelmingly negative, while response to body cameras has been positive. Analysis indicates that this contrasting response reflects a consistent public concern about the dynamics of power and privilege in the digital economy. While this concern is well-founded, news coverage indicates that technologists, policy makers and citizens each hold assumptions about the inevitability and unvarnished beneficence of technology.

Research limitations/implications

Since this qualitative approach seeks to discern broad emergent patterns, it does not employ a quantifiable and reproducible coding schema.

Practical implications

The article concludes by arguing that grassroots action, appropriate regulatory policy and revitalized systems of professional journalism are indispensable as the struggle for social justice unfolds in the emerging digital economy.

Social implications

These debates represent a struggle over what and how people see. Yet public discourse often glosses over the disadvantages of technological change, which impacts who is able to amass social power.

Originality/value

This comparative approach yields unique conceptual insight into debates about technologies that augment ways of seeing.
Complete excision of proliferating core in auricular keloids significantly reduces local recurrence: A prospective study
Authors: Chong Yosep , Kim Chan Woo , Kim Yong Sung , Chang Choong Hyun , Park Tae Hwan
Published: October 2017

Keloids are mysterious soft‐tissue tumors that are characterized by excessive reparative processes composed of collagen‐forming fibroblasts and inflammatory cells. Generally, complete tumor excision regardless of sufficient margin is considered as a first‐line treatment because they are considered reactive rather than a neoplastic condition. Recently, a specific part of the keloids is being highlighted as an important microstructure for local recurrence, but there has been very little evidence. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the relationship of recurrence and several clinicopathological parameters with specific focus on surgical resection margin. A total 87 cases of auricular keloids from 71 patients were included. The resection margins were carefully evaluated by an exhaustive grossing method and thorough microstructural assessment. During up to 48.8 months of the follow‐up period, local recurrence has been monitored and documented. The clinicopathological data including symptoms, bilaterality, size, location, prior treatment and operation history, gross type and etiology were collected and analyzed. Positive margin status was significantly related to tumor recurrence (P < 0.0001). Complete excision warrants a lower recurrence of auricular keloids in an Asian population. The most reasonable explanation for this seems to be remnant “proliferating core”, which may serve a key role in local recurrence.
Pleiotropic effect of the Flowering Locus C on plant resistance and defence against insect herbivores
Authors: Rasmann Sergio , Sánchez Vilas Julia , Glauser Gaétan , Cartolano Maria , Lempe Janne , Tsiantis Miltos , Pannell John R.
Published: October 2017

Plants vary widely in the extent to which they defend themselves against herbivores. Because the resources available to plants are often site‐specific, variation among sites dictates investment into defence and may reveal a growth–defence trade‐off. Moreover, plants that have evolved different life‐history strategies in different environments may situate themselves on this trade‐off curve differently. For instance, plants that flower later have a longer vegetative life span and may accordingly defend themselves differently than those that flower earlier.

Here, we tested whether late‐flowering plants, with a longer vegetative life span, invest more in defence than early‐flowering plants, using recombinant genotypes of the annual herb Cardamine hirsuta that differ in flowering time as a result of differences in the activity of the major floral repressor Flowering Locus C (FLC).

We found that variation at FLC was mainly responsible for regulating flowering time and allocation to reproduction, but this partially depended on where the plants grew. We also found that variation at FLC mediated plant allocation to defence, with late‐flowering plants producing higher levels of total glucosinolates and stress‐related phytohormones. Nonetheless, plant growth and the qualitative values of plant defence and plant resistance against specialist herbivores were mainly independent from FLC.

Synthesis. Our results highlight pleiotropic effects associated with flowering‐time genes that might influence plant defence and plant–herbivore interactions.
Fast Parallels? Contesting Mobile Policy Technologies
Authors: Weller Sally
Published: October 2017

This article extends recent examinations of incomplete or disrupted policy mobility by examining the politically volatile case of policies to manage the regional impacts of decarbonization in Australia. The article's extended case study shows how political interests differently incorporated figments of circulating policy into longstanding debates and how more‐than‐local political networks defeated an antipolitical, technocratic exercise in ‘new regional’ governance. ‘Follow the policy’ methods could not have revealed the complexities of this case. The article concludes that mobilities approaches need to be more attentive to institutional arrangements, to the contested politics of policy formation and to the ambiguities of perceived policy likenesses. This case highlights the importance of considering how antipolitical institutional architectures facilitating policy mobility relate to established political power networks.
Search Benefit in Housing Markets: An Inverted U‐Shaped Price and TOM Relation
Authors: He Xin , Lin Zhenguo , Liu Yingchun , Seiler Michael J.
Published: October 2017

The nature of the relationship between a property's selling price and its marketing time in the housing market remains an open question to date, despite almost 40 years of inquiry and hundreds of regressions conducted on various data sources. This study attempts to settle the long‐standing open question by examining the issue from a new perspective. We demonstrate that the true price–TOM relationship should be nonlinear and characterized by an inverted U‐shaped curve wherein the selling price increases with TOM up to a certain threshold, reflective of a positive exposure effect and decreases thereafter to reflect a negative stigma effect. This relationship is borne out in an empirical analysis using a large sample of home sales from the Hampton Roads, Virginia metropolitan area during an extended period of time. We then formulate hypotheses about the benefit of search by home sellers, which are subsequently confirmed by the empirical findings.
Amino Acids Inhibitory Effects and Mechanism on 2‐Amino‐1‐Methyl‐6‐Phenylimidazo [4,5‐b]Pyridine (PhIP) Formation in the Maillard Reaction Model Systems
Authors: Linghu Ziyi , Karim Faris , Smith J. Scott
Published: October 2017

This study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of amino acids (AAs) on the formation of 2‐amino‐1‐methyl‐6‐phenylimidazo [4,5‐b]pyridine (PhIP) and to evaluate the inhibition mechanism of PhIP in Maillard model systems. Different AAs were individually added into model systems heat‐treated at 180 °C/1 h. The PhIP, phenylacetaldehyde (PheAce), and pyrazines derivatives were determined using HPLC and GC‐MS. AAs significantly reduced (P < 0.05) PhIP levels in a dose‐dependent response, ranking as: Trp = Lys > Pro > Leu > Met > Val > Ile > Thr > Phe > Asp, at the highest molar ratio. The PheAce content was gradually reduced with increasing AAs levels, suggesting that AAs may inhibit PhIP formation through scavenging the available PheAce. A correlation between PhIP inhibition and PheAce‐scavenging activity of AAs was observed when PheAce and AAs were heated. The variety and quantity of pyrazines formed are highly depending on the type of AAs.
Accretion of Nutrients and Sediment by a Constructed Stormwater Treatment Wetland in the Lake Tahoe Basin
Authors: Qualls Robert G. , Heyvaert Alan C.
Published: October 2017

This unique study evaluates the cumulative 16‐year lifetime performance of a wetland retention basin designed to treat stormwater runoff. Sediment cores were extracted prior to basin excavation and restoration to evaluate accretion rates and the origin of materials, retention characteristics of fine particulate matter, and overall pollutant removal efficiency. The sediment and organic layers together accreted 3.2 cm of depth per year, and 7.0 kg/m2/yr of inorganic material. Average annual accretion rates in g/m2/yr were as follows: C, 280; N, 17.7; P, 3.74; S, 3.80; Fe, 194; Mn, 2.68; Ca, 30.8; Mg, 30.7; K, 12.2; Na, 2.54; Zn, 0.858; Cu, 0.203; and B, 0.03. The accretion of C, N, P and sediment was comparable to nonwastewater treatment wetlands, overall, and relatively efficient for stormwater treatment wetlands. Comparison of particle size distribution between sediment cores and suspended solids in stormwater runoff indicated the wetland was effective at removing fine particles, with sediment cores containing 25% clay and 56% silt. A majority of the accretion of most metals and P could be attributed to efficient trapping of allochthonous material, while over half the accretion of C and N could be attributed to accumulation of autochthonous organic matter. Stormwater treatment was shown to be effective when physical properties of a retention basin are combined with the biological processes of a wetland, although sediment accretion can be relatively rapid.
Predicting animal behaviour using deep learning: GPS data alone accurately predict diving in seabirds
Authors: Browning Ella , Bolton Mark , Owen Ellie , Shoji Akiko , Guilford Tim , Freeman Robin
Published: October 2017

To prevent further global declines in biodiversity, identifying and understanding key habitats is crucial for successful conservation strategies. For example, globally, seabird populations are under threat and animal movement data can identify key at‐sea areas and provide valuable information on the state of marine ecosystems. To date, in order to locate these areas, studies have used global positioning system (GPS) to record position and are sometimes combined with time–depth recorder (TDR) devices to identify diving activity associated with foraging, a crucial aspect of at‐sea behaviour. However, the use of additional devices such as TDRs can be expensive, logistically difficult and may adversely affect the animal. Alternatively, behaviours may be resolved from measurements derived from the movement data alone. However, this behavioural analysis frequently lacks validation data for locations predicted as foraging (or other behaviours).

Here, we address these issues using a combined GPS and TDR dataset from 108 individuals by training deep learning models to predict diving in European shags, common guillemots and razorbills. We validate our predictions using withheld data, producing quantitative assessment of predictive accuracy. The variables used to train these models are those recorded solely by the GPS device: variation in longitude and latitude, altitude and coverage ratio (proportion of possible fixes acquired within a set window of time).

Different combinations of these variables were used to explore the qualities of different models, with the optimum models for all species predicting non‐diving and diving behaviour correctly over 94% and 80% of the time, respectively. We also demonstrate the superior predictive ability of these supervised deep learning models over other commonly used behavioural prediction methods such as hidden Markov models.

Mapping these predictions provides useful insights into the foraging activity of a range of seabird species, highlighting important at sea locations. These models have the potential to be used to analyse historic GPS datasets and further our understanding of how environmental changes have affected these seabirds over time.
Necrotizing soft tissue infections – a multicentre, prospective observational study (INFECT): protocol and statistical analysis plan
Authors: Madsen M. B. , Skrede S. , Bruun T. , Arnell P. , Rosén A. , Nekludov M. , Karlsson Y. , Bergey F. , Saccenti E. , Martins dos Santos V. A. P. , Perner A. , Norrby‐Teglund A. , Hyldegaard O.
Published: October 2017

Background

The INFECT project aims to advance our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms in necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs). The INFECT observational study is part of the INFECT project with the aim of studying the clinical profile of patients with NSTIs and correlating these to patient‐important outcomes. With this protocol and statistical analysis plan we describe the methods used to obtain data and the details of the planned analyses.

Methods

The INFECT study is a multicentre, prospective observational cohort study. Patients with NSTIs are enrolled in five Scandinavian hospitals, which are all referral centres for NSTIs. The primary outcomes are the descriptive variables of the patients. Secondary outcomes include identification of factors associated with 90‐day mortality and amputation; associations between affected body part, maximum skin defect and Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score and 90‐day mortality; 90‐day mortality in patients with and without acute kidney injury (AKI) and LRINEC score of six and above or below six; and association between affected body part at arrival and microbiological findings. Exploratory outcomes include univariate analyses of baseline characteristics associations with 90‐day mortality. The statistical analyses will be conducted in accordance with the predefined statistical analysis plan.

Conclusion

Necrotizing soft tissue infections result in severe morbidity and mortality. The INFECT study will be the largest prospective study in patients with NSTIs to date and will provide important data for clinicians, researchers and policy makers on the characteristics and outcomes of these patients.
Wood‐rotting basidiomycetes associated with declining native trees in timber‐harvesting compartments of the Garden Route National Park of South Africa
Authors: Tchotet Tchoumi James Michel , Coetzee Martin Petrus Albertus , Vivas Maria , Rajchenberg Mario , Roux Jolanda
Published: October 2017

Trees in the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) indigenous forests in South Africa are selectively harvested for timber based on criteria that include signs and symptoms induced by wood‐rotting fungi. However, virtually nothing is known regarding the identity and host associations of these macro‐fungi in this natural ecosystem. Surveys were conducted in three harvesting compartments in the GRNP to investigate the taxonomic affiliation and species richness of these fungi on standing and recently harvested trees. Samples were collected from basidiomes on infected trees and tree stumps, and from diseased tissues on symptomatic trees. Phylogenetic analyses using ITS sequences characterized the isolates obtained into 26 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) belonging to 17 genera after clustering the sequences at a 97% identity threshold. Ganoderma (Ganodermataceae) and Inonotus (Hymenochaetaceae) were the most species‐rich genera and the Bloukrans compartment, with 22 OTUs, showed the highest species richness. A fungus (OTU1) affiliated with Ganoderma pfeifferi was the most abundant in the surveyed areas. Its predominance was also evidenced on host trees since it occurred on 15 of the 20 tree species sampled, with Olea capensis subsp. macrocarpa (Oleaceae) being the most colonized host. Given the wide variety of wood‐rotting basidiomycetes revealed by this study and particularly the preponderance of species with pathogenic potential, more attention should be given to better understand their ecological role in this natural ecosystem as well as the effects of logging that may enhance their dissemination or negatively affect their diversity and the health of trees in the region.
Intranasal administration of allergen increases specific IgE whereas intranasal omalizumab does not increase serum IgE levels—A pilot study
Authors: Eckl‐Dorna J. , Fröschl R. , Lupinek C. , Kiss R. , Gattinger P. , Marth K. , Campana R. , Mittermann I. , Blatt K. , Valent P. , Selb R. , Mayer A. , Gangl K. , Steiner I. , Gamper J. , Perkmann T. , Zieglmayer P. , Gevaert P. , Valenta R. , Niederberger V.
Published: October 2017

Background

Administration of the therapeutic anti‐IgE antibody omalizumab to patients induces strong increases in IgE antibody levels.

Objective

To investigate the effect of intranasal administration of major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1, omalizumab or placebo on the levels of total and allergen‐specific IgE in patients with birch pollen allergy.

Methods

Based on the fact that intranasal allergen application induces rises of systemic allergen‐specific IgE, we performed a double‐blind placebo‐controlled pilot trial in which birch pollen allergic subjects were challenged intranasally with omalizumab, placebo or birch pollen allergen Bet v 1. Total and allergen‐specific IgE, IgG and basophil sensitivity were measured before and 8 weeks after challenge. For control purposes, total, allergen‐specific IgE levels and omalizumab‐IgE complexes as well as specific IgG levels were studied in subjects treated subcutaneously with either omalizumab or placebo. Effects of omalizumab on IgE production by IL‐4/anti‐CD40‐treated PBMCs from allergic patients were studied in vitro.

Results

Intranasal challenge with Bet v 1 induced increases in Bet v 1‐specific IgE levels by a median of 59.2%, and this change differed significantly from the other treatment groups (P = .016). No relevant change in allergen‐specific and total IgE levels was observed in subjects challenged with omalizumab. Addition of omalizumab did not enhance IL‐4/anti‐CD40‐induced IgE production in vitro. Significant rises in total IgE (mean IgE before: 131.83 kU/L to mean IgE after: 505.23 kU/L) and the presence of IgE‐omalizumab complexes were observed after subcutaneous administration of omalizumab.

Conclusion

Intranasal administration of allergen induced rises of allergen‐specific IgE levels, whereas intranasal administration of omalizumab did not enhance systemic total or allergen‐specific IgE levels.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: the significance of histological disease severity in lean patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Sookoian S. , Pirola C. J.
Published: October 2017

Background

Current evidence suggests that lean and obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) share an altered metabolic and cardiovascular profile. However, there is an incomplete understanding of the natural history of “lean‐NAFLD.” Indeed, an unanswered question is whether lean (BMI ≤ 25 Kg/m2) NAFLD‐patients are protected from severe histological outcomes.

Aim

To perform a meta‐analysis with the goal of providing a quantitative estimation of the magnitude of fibrosis, as well as histological features associated with the disease severity, in lean versus overweight/obese‐NAFLD patients.

Methods

Through a systematic search up to July 2017, we identified eight studies that compared histological outcomes in lean (n = 493) versus overweight/obese (n = 2209) patients.

Results

Relative to lean‐NAFLD, overweight/obese‐NAFLD patients showed significantly (P = .032) higher fibrosis scores; the observed difference in means between the two groups, which is the absolute difference between the mean value of fibrosis score [0‐4] ± standard error, was 0.28 ± 0.13. The risk of having nonalcoholic steatohepatitis‐NASH (OR 0.58 95% CI 0.34‐0.97) was significantly lower in lean‐NAFLD (n = 322) than in overweight/obese‐NAFLD (n = 1357), P = .04. Relative to lean‐NAFLD, overweight/obese‐NAFLD patients also have significantly greater NAFLD activity (difference in means ± SE: 0.58 ± 0.16, P = .0004) and steatosis (difference in means ± SE: 0.23 ± 0.07, P = .002) scores.

Conclusions

Lean‐NAFLD patients tend to show less severe histological features as compared to overweight/obese‐NAFLD patients. Subsequent longitudinal assessment is needed to understand the clinical impact of these findings; however, the significant ~ 25% increment of mean fibrosis score in overweight/obese patients suggests that obesity could predict a worse long‐term prognosis.
Influence of stewing time on the texture, ultrastructure and in vitro digestibility of meat from the yellow‐feathered chicken breed
Authors: Qi Jun , Li Xiao , Zhang Wenwen , Wang Huhu , Zhou Guanghong , Xu Xinglian
Published: October 2017

This study assessed the influence of stewing (1, 2 or 3 h) on the texture, ultrastructure and in vitro digestibility of meat from the yellow‐feathered chicken, which is a popular broiler chicken in Asia. Results indicated that longer stewing considerably increased cooking loss of the chicken carcass and tenderness of thigh meat. After 3 h of stewing, protein digestibility decreased from 90.5% to 80.3% and fiber diameter decreased by 8.63 μm. The shear force value of breast meat decreased from 32.34 N at 1 h to 10.29 N at 2 h, and then increased to 39.98 N at 3 h. The texture profile of breast meat remarkably decreased during stewing. Moreover, increased stewing time induced longitudinal and transversal shrinkage of muscle fibers and the degradation of the myosin heavy chain. These findings suggested that prolonged stewing (3 h) resulted in decreased meat qualities, based on the changes in cooking loss, digestibility and texture profile, but that stewing for 2 h increased thigh and breast tenderness. Producers could utilize this information to stew yellow‐feathered chicken meat with desirable qualities.
Experimental investigation into the role of trust in collusion
Authors: Lee Wing Shing , Chuang Yuan‐Hsien
Published: October 2017

Trust has traditionally been regarded as conducive to ethical decision making. However, empirical studies on the relationship between trust and ethical decision making are rare, especially those concerning the negative effects of trust. Therefore, our study aimed to provide empirical evidence in this area. An experiment was designed to investigate whether trusted parties are more likely than non‐trusted parties to enter into a collusion that will have unfair consequences for a third party. The results showed that trusted parties are significantly more likely to collude than are non‐trusted parties. Furthermore, an ancillary analysis revealed the mechanism of trust. First, participants with a stronger need to collude were the most likely to collude in the trust group. Second, experimental and hypothetical settings generated different results, and we suspect that real harm plays a vital role. Overall, we conclude that the absence of trust serves as an impediment to collusion.
What is currently known about the genetics of venous thromboembolism at the dawn of next generation sequencing technologies
Authors: Trégouët David‐Alexandre , Morange Pierre‐Emmanuel
Published: October 2017

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has a strong genetic component. This review summarizes what is known at the seventeen genes that are now well established to harbour VTE‐associated genetic variants. In addition, it discusses additional candidate genes that deserve further validation before being claimed as VTE associated genes. Finally, several research strategies are briefly described to identify other molecular determinants of the disease.
Looking back to move forward: Reflections and lessons learned about transitions to adulthood for youth with disabilities
Authors: Nguyen T. , Stewart D. , Gorter J. W.
Published: October 2017

Background

Transition to adulthood is a significant development process experienced by all youth. Since the mid 1990s, researchers at the CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research have been studying this process to assist transitioning youth with disabilities and their families. The objective of this narrative review is to reflect on the work conducted by CanChild researchers, in collaboration with stakeholders, about transitions to adulthood for youth and young adults with disabilities since the publication of the best practice guidelines in 2009.

Methods

A narrative review was undertaken through a reflective approach to critically review and summarize all the transition studies completed at CanChild since 2009. The following data were systematically extracted from articles and research reports: study (authors and year of publication), purpose, methods, sample, and lessons learned.

Results

Five studies were identified. An analysis of the findings revealed five key themes that represented lessons learned since the publication of the Ontario‐based best practice guidelines: promoting a noncategorical and lifecourse approach to care; active collaboration among stakeholders involved in transition; capacity building through peer mentorship; greater understanding of the significance of opportunities and experiences; as well as the significance of information, education, and research.

Conclusions

This is the first review to provide perspective on trends in transition research since the publication of the best practice guidelines in 2009. It is hoped that this reflection will assist in the ongoing work of researchers, service providers, policy makers, communities, and families in the area of adult transitions for youth with disabilities.
Immediately restored full arch‐fixed prosthesis on implants placed in both healed and fresh extraction sockets after computer‐planned flapless guided surgery. A 3‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Ciabattoni Giampiero , Acocella Alessandro , Sacco Roberto
Published: October 2017

Background

The treatment of patients by the use of immediate implant placement in post‐extractive site is a challenging procedure.

Purpose

A 3‐year clinical and radiological study of post‐extractive implants placed using flapless guided surgery and immediately functioning.

Materials and Methods

Thirty‐two patients (23 females and 9 males), aged between 44 and 73 years (a mean age of 59.5) were treated with immediate full arch restorations and flapless implant surgery in fresh extraction and healed sites. A double‐guide technique stent in conjunction with the NobelGuide system (Nobel Biocare AB, Göteborg, Sweden) was used.

Results

A total of 285 implants over 32 patients were assessed. The patients were clinically and radiologically followed for 3 years. One hundred and ninety‐five implants were placed in the maxilla and 90 in the mandible. Eight patients received implants in both arches. One hundred and ninety‐seven implants were placed in extraction sites (137 maxilla, 60 mandible) and 88 in healed sites (58 maxilla and 30 mandible). The overall cumulative implant survival rate (CISR) was 97.54%. Two implants failed in maxillary healed sites (CISR 96.55%), three in maxillary extraction sites (CISR 97.81%), and two in mandibular extraction sites (CISR 96.66%). No implant failed in healed mandibular sites (CSR 100%). All fixed prostheses maintained stability and good functionality during the follow‐up, accounting for a cumulative prosthesis survival rate (CPSR) of 100%. The overall marginal bone level (MBL) was −0.52 mm (SD −0.18) after 6 months, −0.88 mm (SD −0.20) after 12 months, −1.05 mm (SD −0.21) after 24 months, and −1.32 mm (SD −0.41) after 36 months.

Conclusions

Computer‐guided surgery using double‐template technique (DTT) shows a predictable outcome in the medium term, decreasing treatment timing and patient discomfort.
Aetiology of type 1 diabetes: Physiological growth in children affects disease progression
Authors: Skog Oskar , Korsgren Olle
Published: October 2017

The prevailing view is that type 1 diabetes (T1D) develops as a consequence of a severe decline in β‐cell mass resulting from T‐cell‐mediated autoimmunity; however, progression from islet autoantibody seroconversion to overt diabetes and finally to total loss of C‐peptide production occurs in most affected individuals only slowly over many years or even decades. This slow disease progression should be viewed in relation to the total β‐cell mass of only 0.2 to 1.5 g in adults without diabetes. Focal lesions of acute pancreatitis with accumulation of leukocytes, often located around the ducts, are frequently observed in people with recent‐onset T1D, and most patients display extensive periductal fibrosis, the end stage of inflammation. An injurious inflammatory adverse event, occurring within the periductal area, may have negative implications for islet neogenesis, dependent on stem cells residing within or adjacent to the ductal epithelium. This could in part prevent the 30‐fold increase in β‐cell mass that would normally occur during the first 20 years of life. This increase occurs in order to maintain glucose metabolism during the physiological increases in insulin production that are required to balance the 20‐fold increase in body weight during childhood and increased insulin resistance during puberty. Failure to expand β‐cell mass during childhood would lead to clinically overt T1D and could help to explain the apparently more aggressive form of T1D occurring in growing children when compared with that observed in affected adults.
Cardiopulmonary exercise test predicts right heart catheterization
Authors: Correale Michele , Tricarico Lucia , Ferraretti Armando , Monaco Ilenia , Concilio Morena , Padovano Giuseppina , Acanfora Gianfranco , Di Biase Matteo , Brunetti Natale Daniele
Published: October 2017

Background

Right heart catheterization (RHC) is usually required to confirm the diagnosis of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). As an invasive test, RHC may be associated with possible complications, so noninvasive parameters able to predict PAH at RHC would be extremely useful.

Aim

To ascertain possible correlations between cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and hemodynamic parameters at RHC indicative of pulmonary hypertension (PH).

Methods

Thirty‐six consecutive outpatients with suspect of PAH underwent CPET and RHC; the intercept of ventilation (VEint) on the VE vs carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2) and VE/VCO2 slope at CPET and diastolic pressure gradient (DPG), trans‐pulmonary pressure gradient (TPG), mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) at RHC were assessed and compared.

Results

Ventilation VCO2 slope was directly related to DPG (r: .41, P: .019), TPG (r: .45, P: .01), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP, r: .36, P: .031), PVR (r: .41, P: .029), VEint and VE/VCO2 slope inversely related to DPG (r: −.63, P < .001), TPG (r: −.67, P < .001), mPAP (r: −.68, P < .001) and PVR (r: −.5, P < .001).

Conclusion

In patients with suspected PAH, VEint during exercise and the VE/VCO2 slope might provide useful information to predict results of RHC. Their correlations with PVR and with DPG may be helpful in discriminating patients with isolated postcapillary PH from those with combined postcapillary and precapillary.
Nature protection areas of Europe are insufficient to preserve the threatened beetle Rosalia alpina (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): evidence from species distribution models and conservation gap analysis
Authors: BOSSO LUCIANO , SMERALDO SONIA , RAPUZZI PIERPAOLO , SAMA GIANFRANCO , GARONNA ANTONIO P. , RUSSO DANILO
Published: October 2017

1. Natura 2000 network (N2000) and national protected areas (NPAs) are recognised as the most important core ‘units’ for biological conservation in Europe.

2. Species distribution models (SDMs) were developed to detect the potential distribution of the rare and threatened cerambycid beetle Rosalia alpina L. in Europe, and the amount of suitable habitat within the N2000 network [special areas of conservation (SACs) and special protection areas (SPAs)], NPAs (e.g. national parks, regional parks, state reserves, natural monuments and protected landscapes) and the overall European protected area network (EPAN) (N2000 + NPAs) was quantified.

3. According to this analysis, the suitable habitat for R. alpina in Europe amounts to c. 754 171 km2 and stretches across substantially uninterrupted areas from Portugal to Romania (west to east) and from Greece to Germany (south to north). The overlay between the existing system of conservation areas in Europe (N2000 and NPAs) and the binary map for R. alpina showed that only c. 42% of potential habitat is protected. SACs and SPAs protect c. 25% and 21% of potential habitat, respectively. However, because the two site types often spatially overlap, when taken together the entire N2000 network protects c. 31% of potential habitat. Instead, NPAs offer a degree of protection of c. 29%. Overall, almost 60% of the area potentially suitable for the species is unprotected by the EPAN, an aspect that should be considered carefully when planning the conservation of this beetle at a large scale.

4. These results may also help to focus field surveys in selected areas where greater chances of success are encountered to save resources and increase survey effectiveness.
Old English sǣte and the historical significance of ‘folk’ names
Authors: Baker John
Published: October 2017

Old English sǣte names survive in documentary sources and place‐names, and have been used in historical discourse as evidence for early and middle Anglo‐Saxon socio‐political organization. Earlier analyses, founded on incomplete datasets, have attempted to interpret the material in isolation from its onomastic context; this has led to confusion about the significance of such names. Here the analysis of sǣte names is based on a more complete corpus, leading to a radically new interpretation of their distribution, chronology and historical context, with significant implications for our understanding of the evolution of Anglo‐Saxon administrative geography and the wider perception of so‐called ‘folk’ names.
Early medieval slave‐trading in the archaeological record: comparative methodologies
Authors: Fontaine Janel M.
Published: October 2017

Efforts to identify archaeological indicators of slave‐trading have highlighted four main criteria: shackles, fortified settlements, currency, and burials. However, little effort has been made to examine these indicators together for the early medieval period. By comparing finds, studies, and methodologies from the two major slave‐trading regions of Britain and Ireland and Slavic east central Europe, it becomes clear that these so‐called ‘indicators’ for slave‐trading are inconclusive, and textually attested slave‐trading can remain archaeologically invisible. To better understand slave‐trading in the seventh to eleventh centuries, historians and archaeologists should instead focus on its context within general trade.
Dental hygienist attendance and its covariates in an ageing Swedish cohort
Authors: Åstrøm Anne N. , Ekbäck Gunnar , Ordell Sven , Lie Stein A. , Gulcan Ferda
Published: October 2017

Delegation of tasks between professional groups is important to make health‐care services accessible and effective for ageing people. Focussing on a Swedish 1942 birth cohort and guided by Andersen's Behavioral Model, this study assessed dental hygienist attendance from age 50 to age 70 and identified covariates at the population‐averaged and person‐specific levels. In 1992, a census of 50‐yr‐old subjects was invited to participate in a questionnaire survey. Of the 6,346 respondents, 3,585 completed follow‐ups in 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted using a marginal model and a random intercept model. Cochran's Q test revealed that significantly more respondents confirmed dental hygienist attendance in 2012 than in 1992 (57.2% in 2012 vs. 26.0% in 1992). Population‐averaged ORs for dental hygienist attendance across time were 3.5 at age 70 yr compared with age 50 yr (baseline); 2.0 if being a regular rather than an irregular dental attendee; and 0.7 if being of non‐native origin compared with native origin. The corresponding person‐specific ORs were 8.9, 3.2, and 0.5. Consistent with Andersen's Behavioral Model, predisposing, enabling, and need‐related factors were associated with dental hygienist attendance at population‐averaged and person‐specific levels. This has implications for promoting dental hygienist attendance among ageing people.