bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of dietary supplement form and dosage on perceived efficacy
Authors: Homer Pamela Miles , Mukherjee Sayantani
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of supplement form and dosage level on consumers’ perceptions of dietary supplement efficacy.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw upon literature on dietary supplements and accessibility–diagnosticity theory to derive their hypotheses. Hypotheses are tested through two experiments that use a 2 (supplement form: single-ingredient [SI] vs multi-ingredient [MI]) × 2 (dosage level: low vs high) factorial design.

Findings

The findings show that consumers perceive that lower dose MI supplements are more effective than lower dose SI supplements, consistent with a “more is better” heuristic. In contrast, under high doses, the supplement form effect is insignificant; that is, MI and SI supplements are perceived to be comparable in terms of efficacy.

Practical implications

Dietary supplements are not regulated the same way as prescription drugs. Consumers often draw inferences about supplement efficacy based on their perceptions rather than objective evidence. This may leave consumers vulnerable to potentially harmful consequences. This research has implications for designing supplement marketing efforts and public policy, which could help consumers to make informed choices when purchasing dietary supplements.

Originality/value

A growing awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle has motivated consumers of all ages to consider alternative remedies, most notably using dietary supplements. Past research offers little insight into understanding consumer reactions to dietary supplement form such as SI and MI supplements and their dosage levels. The studies reported here address this gap in research. Public policy and marketing implications are also discussed.
The S-D logic-informed “hamburger” model of service innovation and its implications for engagement and value
Authors: Hollebeek Linda D. , Andreassen Tor W.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

While research on customer engagement and service innovation is rapidly emerging, limited insight exists into the interface of these topic areas. However, given the shared notion of (e.g. customer/firm) interactivity across these concepts, the purpose of this paper is to explore their theoretical interface that remains nebulous to date.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on a literature synthesis, the authors develop an S-D logic-informed “hamburger” model of service innovation that depicts the service innovation process, and its ensuing outcomes for particular actor groups, including the firm, its customers, etc. They conclude by proposing frontiers for future research that arise from the model.

Findings

The authors explore the theoretical foundations of customer engagement and service innovation, and integrate these in their S-D logic-informed “hamburger” model of service innovation. In the model, they acknowledge the key role of organizational resources in enabling service innovation, which will interact with specific service innovation actors (e.g. customers, employees) to create successful service innovations. The model next proposes service innovation development and implementation, from which focal service innovation actors will seek, and derive, particular types of value (e.g. profit for the actor of the firm), as shown at the top of the model. They conclude by offering a set of future research directions that arise from the model.

Research limitations/implications

The S-D logic-informed “hamburger” model of service innovation can be used to guide future research into service innovation, including studies investigating service innovation’s role in driving customer engagement and value.

Practical implications

The attained insight will be useful to managers seeking to enhance their service innovation-based returns (e.g. by suggesting ways in which service innovation can enhance customer engagement).

Originality/value

The authors propose a novel, S-D logic-informed “hamburger” model of service innovation and its key antecedents (e.g. firm-based resources) and consequences (e.g. customer engagement and value).
Simulating air transportation networks under capacity constraints
Authors: Karaman Abdullah S.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Congestion as a consequence of the rapidly growing air traffic is one of the outstanding problems of the air transportation industry. Traffic impediment rates, having an increasing acceleration while the airport capacities have been kept constant due to several reasons, cause problems such as arrival/departure delays, schedule interruptions, cancellations and customer dissatisfaction. In this paper, the author aims to study transitioning from a single-hub air transportation system to a multi-hub infrastructure via Monte Carlo simulation.

Design/methodology/approach

The current hub has reached its capacity limits for long so that the growth potential of the air transportation has been affected adversely. One of the possible remedies suggested by authorities, professionals and academics was to transform the air transportation infrastructure into a multi-hub setting. Current air traffic of the country was modeled by means of simulation. Airport capacities and performances are simulated and analyzed under different scenarios considering a potential alternative hub along with the central one. Possible delays in both hubs are studied in case of moderately increasing traffic congestion.

Findings

As a result, decreased delay levels in the central hub are observed, whereas no delays are experienced in the potential one in all the scenarios.

Originality/value

This study, proposing to organize the national and international air traffic of the country while harmonizing the delay rates and increasing the passenger satisfaction, is to contribute significantly to the aviation sector companies, airliners and airport operators by shedding light on the imminent capacity issues air transportation industry is going to face.
Operational performance measures for startups
Authors: Rompho Nopadol
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the uses of performance measures in startup firms, including perceived importance and performance of those measures.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey method is used in this study. Data are collected from founders/chief executive officers/managers of 110 startups in Thailand. The correlation analysis and analysis of variance techniques are used as the analysis tool in this study.

Findings

The results show that there is a positive relationship between the perceived importance and the performance of each metric. However, no significant differences are found in the importance and performance of each metric among the various stages of startups.

Research limitations/implications

Because there are so few startups compared to large corporations, the sample size of this study is relatively small, which is a limitation for some statistical tests.

Practical implications

Startup should measure and monitor the correct metrics in a particular stage, instead of trying to perform well in all areas, which will lead them to lose focus, and possibly even fail. Results obtained from this study will aid startups in properly monitoring and managing their performance.

Originality/value

Unlike large corporations, the performance measures used by startups vary, and depend on a startup’s stage and type. Because of the fact that there are much fewer startups than large corporations, there are a limited number of studies in this area. This research is among the first studies that try to investigate the uses of performance measure for this new type of organizations.
Strategic analysis of CSF’s for not-for-profit organizations
Authors: Strang Kenneth David
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze how strategic planning is used as critical success factors (CSF’s) in not-for-profit (NFP) organizations. This was because many nonprofits had to innovate their operations owing to the global fiscal crises, the continuing international economic instability, natural disasters or the increasing man-made worldwide terrorism. Additionally, the objective is to identify what successful nonprofit organizations actually do to remain effective at the national association level of analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

A constructivist research design ideology is applied (in contrast to the customary positivist philosophy to collect quantitative). The literature is critically reviewed to identify NFP CSF’s and terms such as capacity building. NFP institutions are theoretically sampled using US-based retrospective data to identify practitioner CSF activities. Applying a constructivist research design ideology, the theoretical CSF’s from the literature review are compared to practitioner activities. Representatives of NFP organizations are invited to participate in a strategic planning exercise to identify the most important CSF’s from the literature and practice that would be needed in the future.

Findings

Seven of the nine United Nations NFP capacity building CSF’s are similar to NFP nine practitioner best practices. In comparison to the general literature, NFP practitioners applied leadership, strategic planning, innovation, documented procedures/training, human/technology resource management, financial management, accountability practices, ethical standards with professional communications policies, collaborative fundraising and marketing initiatives along with performance success evaluations.

Research limitations/implications

The sample was drawn theoretically from 44 nonprofit state-centered institutions in the USA. Although statistically the results pertain strictly to US-based nonprofits, the principles should generalize to other countries as revealed by the similarity with United Nations innovation and strategic planning recommendations.

Originality/value

The authors applied a strategic planning exercise with the 44 participants at their recommendations to prioritize the CSF’s. The result was an innovative SWOT-TOWS diagram that summarized how the nine CSF’s were prioritized and grouped into the three categories of market performance, ethical responsibility and human resources.
A double-DEA framework to support decision-making in the choice of advanced manufacturing technologies
Authors: lo Storto Corrado
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodological framework that combines several data envelopment analysis (DEA) models to deal with the problem of evaluating and ranking advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) without introducing any subjectivity in the analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology follows a two-phase procedure. First, the relative efficiency of every technology is calculated by implementing different DEA cross-efficiency models generating the same number of high-order indicators as efficiency vectors. Second, high-order indicators are used as outputs in a SBM-DEA super-efficiency model to obtain a comprehensive DEA-like composite indicator.

Findings

The framework is implemented to evaluate a sample of flexible manufacturing systems. Comparing it to other methods, results show that the methodology provides reliable information for AMTs selection and effective support to management decision-making.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the body of knowledge about the utilization of DEA to select AMTs. The framework has several advantages: a discriminating power higher than the basic DEA models; no subjective judgment relative to weights necessary to aggregate single indicators and choice of aggregation function; no need to perform any transformation normalizing original data; independence from the unit of measurement of the DEA-like composite indicator; and great flexibility and adaptability allowing the introduction of further variables in the analysis.
How to develop dynamic capabilities in multiunits
Authors: Lee Po-Yen
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a more robust understanding of how to develop dynamic capabilities (DCs) in multiunits by examining the roles of international experience and career capital.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a survey of a sample of 413 managers in multiunits and applies structural equation modeling to determine the relationships among variables.

Findings

The analyses identify international experience as an important antecedent for the career capital of managers in multiunits; further, they show the impact of knowing-how and knowing-why among the aspects of career capital in developing DCs in multiunits.

Practical implications

This study offers a practical trajectory for developing DCs in multiunits by leveraging the advantages of the international experience of managers and career capital (knowing-how and knowing-why).

Originality/value

Previous DC studies ignored the development of DCs in multiunits and ignored the role of the manager in multiunits. This paper contributes to the theoretical view of this subject in two important ways: first, it identifies a new pivotal role for career capital (knowing-how and knowing-why) in enabling DC development; second, it shows that the international experience of managers is an important antecedent of career capital advantage and of developing DCs in multiunit routines.
Animation intensity of sponsorship signage
Authors: Otto Felix , Rumpf Christopher
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Visual animation of sponsorship signage has become a frequently used technique at televised sports with the aim to increase viewer attention. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of animation intensity of sponsorship signage on sport viewers’ attention and to examine viewers’ visual confusion as a reaction to increasing animation intensity.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a lab experiment, eye-tracking methodology was applied to analyze the participants’ visual attention to animated sponsorship signage. The stimulus films showed a highlight video clip of a tennis match and included five different intensity levels of animated signage. The hypothesized causal relationships were tested by using linear regression analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results demonstrate that animation intensity of sponsorship signage positively influences sport viewers’ attention. The findings also reveal that animation intensity has no significant effect on sport viewers’ visual confusion.

Practical implications

The findings suggest the use of higher animation intensity levels for effective sponsorship communication in sports broadcasts. Furthermore, there is still more potential to improve sponsorship communication at televised tennis events as viewer confusion was not affected by animation intensity.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the body of knowledge by taking into account different intensity levels of animated sponsorship signage in a tennis event context. It is the first study that demonstrates the impact of animation intensity to improve sponsorship communication at televised sporting events.
Money laundering through gambling devices
Authors: Buchanan June
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to examine how money laundering occurs through electronic gaming devices, the regulatory requirements for operators of electronic gaming machines, the issues of on-line versus land-based gambling and a discussion about ethics and social responsibility.

Design/methodology/approach

This is primarily a conceptual paper which includes an identification of several theories relevant to money laundering. Primary data were obtained from one respondent through a face-to-face meeting and another through a telephone conversation.

Findings

A strong, globally co-ordinated effort is required to fight against the increasingly “dark side” of money laundering. The tenets of corporate social responsibility (CSR), including a strong focus on ethics, is vitally important in the gambling industry in helping to wipe out money laundering, which is used to make “dirty” money “clean” and in some instances, used to fund terrorism.

Research limitations/implications

Further studies could be conducted incorporating a sample of primary data within, and between, jurisdictions. Further work is recommended for developing a form of global collective targeted practical deterrents, supported by technology including artificial intelligence as identified to some degree in this paper. Whilst this paper has included a discussion on CSR, moral management and ethics as a means of arbitrating money laundering, future research could put this idea to the test.

Practical implications

Efforts (including technological) to combat money laundering at the venue level continue to be developed. Further, regulations could include mandatory training in CSR and ethics for all employees in organisations identified by regulators as being particularly susceptible to money laundering.

Social implications

Terrorist actions have gained increasing attention as various countries have had to endure seemingly escalating atrocities in their jurisdictions. Government has an important role to take the necessary steps to strike out terrorism to protect its citizens.

Originality/value

No peer-reviewed academic articles could be identified using a Google Scholar search on money laundering and/or marketing and or CSR. A limited number of articles were identified using the search terms “money laundering and gambling”.
Factors that influence the success of small and medium-sized suppliers in public procurement: evidence from a centralized agency in Germany
Authors: Glas Andreas Herbert , Eßig Michael
Published: February 2018

Purpose

One of the major methods to promote small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in public procurement is to split tenders into lots. The basic assumption is that SMEs have better chances of awarding smaller or more specialized contracts. This paper aims to investigate whether this widely accepted assumption is correct.

Design/methodology/approach

This article examines four hypotheses about the factors that influence SME success in public procurement. The empirical analysis uses real data from 380 contract award files and logistic regression to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that a higher number of lots in a tender does not significantly increase the success rate of SMEs, and other factors, including the type of public procurement procedure, the number of participating companies and the overall tender volume, significantly influence SME success.

Research limitations/implications

There are several implications for theory and practice, including the need to further strengthen the academic evaluation of public procurement policies, the suggestion to implement SME support instruments in public legislation with the utmost caution in practice and the managerial indication that SME competitiveness is more relevant to their success in public bidding than public support policies.

Originality/value

The findings stand in fundamental contrast to the legal regulations, which postulate that lots are the driving force for SME promotion in public procurement. This is also in contrast to public procurement policies that, for many years, have recommended splitting contracts into smaller lots to become SME-friendly.
Among‐strain consistency in the pace and shape of senescence in duckweed
Authors: Barks Patrick M. , Dempsey Zach W. , Burg Theresa M. , Laird Robert A.
Published: February 2018

Comparative studies have demonstrated extensive variation in age trajectories of mortality and fecundity, both within and among species, with many taxa exhibiting a general pattern of age‐related demographic decline referred to as senescence. Whereas a considerable body of theory is devoted to explaining the origin and persistence of senescence, the evolutionary forces underlying variation in demographic trajectories more generally remain poorly understood.

Studying variation in demographic trajectories is complicated by the fact that different species (or even different populations of a given species) may live and reproduce on different time‐scales, which, for comparative purposes, can make it challenging to disentangle patterns of age‐related demographic change (the shape of demographic age trajectories) from the time‐scale on which those changes happen (the pace of demographic age trajectories).

Here, we examine variation in the pace and shape of demographic trajectories among strains of the aquatic plant Lemna turionifera Landolt from 24 sites across Alberta, Canada. Our main objectives were to describe the shape of demographic trajectories in L. turionifera, and test for among‐strain variation in pace and shape. We also tested whether potential variation in pace and shape is (1) constrained by trade‐offs with other life‐history traits, and (2) consistent with local adaptation to environmental characteristics at the sites of strain origin.

The strains we examined were overwhelmingly subject to age‐related increases in mortality and declines in fecundity, with increases in mortality tending to decelerate and plateau at advanced ages. Despite substantial among‐strain variation in cumulative fecundity and plant size, measures of pace and shape did not in themselves vary significantly among strains. Both within and among strains, we observed a negative relationship between plant size and the shape of fecundity trajectories, but we found no other evidence for life‐history trade‐offs involving pace or shape, nor for local adaptation.

Synthesis. Angiosperms display remarkable demographic variation. Our results suggest that the pace and shape of demographic trajectories are highly conserved within one particular angiosperm species (Lemna turionifera), despite substantial among‐strain variation in other life‐history traits.
Independent effects of host and environment on the diversity of wood‐inhabiting fungi
Authors: Krah Franz‐Sebastian , Seibold Sebastian , Brandl Roland , Baldrian Petr , Müller Jörg , Bässler Claus
Published: February 2018

Dead wood is a habitat for numerous fungal species, many of which are important agents of decomposition. Previous studies suggested that wood‐inhabiting fungal communities are affected by climate, availability of dead wood in the surrounding landscape and characteristics of the colonized dead‐wood object (e.g. host tree species). These findings indicate that different filters structure fungal communities at different scales, but how these factors individually drive fungal fruiting diversity on dead‐wood objects is unknown.

We conducted an orthogonal experiment comprising 180 plots (0.1 ha) in a random block design and measured fungal fruit body richness and community composition on 720 dead‐wood objects over the first 4 years of succession. The experiment allowed us to disentangle the effects of the host (beech and fir; logs and branches) and the environment (microclimate: sunny and shady plots; local dead wood: amount and heterogeneity of dead wood added to plot).

Variance partitioning revealed that the host was more important than the environment for the diversity of wood‐inhabiting fungi. A more detailed model revealed that host tree species had the highest independent effect on richness and community composition of fruiting species of fungi. Host size had significant but low independent effects on richness and community composition of fruiting species. Canopy openness significantly affected the community composition of fruiting species. By contrast, neither local amount nor heterogeneity of dead wood significantly affected the fungal diversity measures.

Synthesis. Our study identified host tree species as a more important driver of the diversity of wood‐inhabiting fungi than the environment, which suggests a host‐centred filter of this diversity in the early phase of the decomposition process. For the conservation of wood‐inhabiting fungi, a high variety of host species in various microclimates is more important than the availability of dead wood at the stand level.
Coexistence of novel gammaproteobacterial and Arsenophonus symbionts in the scale insect Greenisca brachypodii (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha: Eriococcidae)
Authors: Michalik Anna , Schulz Frederik , Michalik Katarzyna , Wascher Florian , Horn Matthias , Szklarzewicz Teresa
Published: February 2018

Scale insects are commonly associated with obligate, intracellular microorganisms which play important roles in complementing their hosts with essential nutrients. Here we characterized the symbiotic system of Greenisca brachypodii, a member of the family Eriococcidae. Histological and ultrastructural analyses have indicated that G. brachypodii is stably associated with coccoid and rod‐shaped bacteria. Phylogenetic analyses have revealed that the coccoid bacteria represent a sister group to the secondary symbiont of the mealybug Melanococcus albizziae, whereas the rod‐shaped symbionts are close relatives of Arsenophonus symbionts in insects – to our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of Arsenophonus bacterium in scale insects. As a comparison of 16S and 23S rRNA genes sequences of the G. brachypodii coccoid symbiont with other gammaprotebacterial sequences showed only low similarity (∼90%), we propose the name ‘Candidatus Kotejella greeniscae’ for its tentative classification. Both symbionts are transovarially transmitted from one generation to the next. The infection takes place in the neck region of the ovariole. The bacteria migrate between follicular cells, as well as through the cytoplasm of those cells to the perivitelline space, where they form a characteristic ‘symbiont ball’. Our findings provide evidence for a polyphyletic origin of symbionts of Eriococcidae.
The Mirror Effect: Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Social Irresponsibility and Firm Performance in Coordinated Market Economies and Liberal Market Economies
Authors: Walker Kent , Zhang Zhou , Ni Na (Nina)
Published: February 2018

We investigate the classic management debate of agency versus institutional pressures through the application of the varieties of capitalism literature. In particular, we examine corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate social irresponsibility (CSiR) and their relationships with firm performance in two types of capitalist systems: coordinated market economies (CMEs) and liberal market economies (LMEs). We note that while the CSR literature has tended to develop a balanced view on the influence of agency and institutional pressures, the CSiR literature has tended to emphasize the influence of agency. The latter appears to be a result of the fundamental attribution bias, where irresponsible corporate behaviours are attributed to individual managers or organizations, rather than the institutional environment. Our results, which include five years of data across 16 countries, show significantly greater CSR and significantly lower CSiR in CMEs compared with LMEs. Further, we find a positive relationship between CSR and firm performance in CMEs but not LMEs, and a negative relationship between CSiR and firm performance in LMEs but not CMEs. Overall, our results demonstrate the influence of the institutional environment, suggesting that corporate behaviours mirror the external environment.
Substrate and electron donor limitation induce phenotypic heterogeneity in different metabolic activities in a green sulphur bacterium
Authors: Zimmermann M. , Escrig S. , Lavik G. , Kuypers M. M. M. , Meibom A. , Ackermann M. , Schreiber F.
Published: February 2018

Populations of genetically identical cells can display marked variation in phenotypic traits; such variation is termed phenotypic heterogeneity. Here, we investigate the effect of substrate and electron donor limitation on phenotypic heterogeneity in N2 and CO2 fixation in the green sulphur bacterium Chlorobium phaeobacteroides. We grew populations in chemostats and batch cultures and used stable isotope labelling combined with nanometer‐scale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) to quantify phenotypic heterogeneity. Experiments in H2S (i.e. electron donor) limited chemostats show that varying levels of
limitation induce heterogeneity in N2 fixation. Comparison of phenotypic heterogeneity between chemostats and batch (unlimited for H2S) populations indicates that electron donor limitation drives heterogeneity in N2 and CO2 fixation. Our results demonstrate that phenotypic heterogeneity in a certain metabolic activity can be driven by different modes of limitation and that heterogeneity can emerge in different metabolic processes upon the same mode of limitation. In conclusion, our data suggest that limitation is a general driver of phenotypic heterogeneity in microbial populations.
Regulation of σ factors by conserved partner switches controlled by divergent signalling systems
Authors: Bouillet Sophie , Arabet Dallel , Jourlin‐Castelli Cécile , Méjean Vincent , Iobbi‐Nivol Chantal
Published: February 2018

Partner‐Switching Systems (PSS) are widespread regulatory systems, each comprising a kinase‐anti‐σ, a phosphorylatable anti‐σ antagonist and a phosphatase module. The anti‐σ domain quickly sequesters or delivers the target σ factor according to the phosphorylation state of the anti‐σ antagonist induced by environmental signals. The PSS components are proteins alone or merged to other domains probably to adapt to the input signals. PSS are involved in major cellular processes including stress response, sporulation, biofilm formation and pathogenesis. Surprisingly, the target σ factors are often unknown and the sensing modules acting upstream from the PSS diverge according to the bacterial species. Indeed, they belong to either two‐component systems or complex pathways as the stressosome or Chemosensory Systems (CS). Based on a phylogenetic analysis, we propose that the sensing module in Gram‐negative bacteria is often a CS.
Simulation‐based point‐of‐care ultrasound training: a matter of competency rather than volume
Authors: Jensen J. K. , Dyre L. , Jørgensen M. E. , Andreasen L. A. , Tolsgaard M. G.
Published: February 2018

Background

Point‐of‐care ultrasonography plays an increasingly important role in the initial resuscitation of critically ill patients but acquisition of the skill is associated with long learning curves. The skills required to perform ultrasound examinations can be practiced in a simulated setting before being performed on actual patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the learning curves for novices training the FAST protocol on a virtual‐reality simulator.

Methods

Ultrasound novices (N = 25) were instructed to complete a FAST training program on a virtual‐reality ultrasound simulator. Participants were instructed to continue training until they reached a previously established mastery learning level, which corresponds to the performance level of a group of ultrasound experts. Performance scores and time used during each FAST examination were used to determine participants’ learning curves.

Results

The participants attained the mastery learning level within a median of three (range two to four) attempts corresponding to a median of 1 h 46 min (range 1 h 2 min to 3 h 37 min) of simulation training. The ultrasound novices’ examination speed improved significantly with training, and continued to improve even after they attained the mastery learning level (P = 0.011). Twenty‐three participants attained the mastery learning level.

Conclusion

Novices can attain mastery learning levels using simulation‐based ultrasound training with less than, on average, 2 h of practice. However, we found large variations in the amount of training needed, which raises questions about the adequacy of current volume‐based models for determining ultrasound competency.
The Firm and Common Pool Resource Theory: Understanding the Rise of Benefit Corporations
Authors: Hiller Janine S. , Shackelford Scott J.
Published: February 2018

In September 2015, the crowdfunding site Kickstarter announced that it would adopt a new corporate form, that of a benefit corporation. Kickstarter is far from alone in this decision; in fact, it joined a growing list of tech firms that are moving toward adopting a benefit corporation designation. The result of the legal movement is that corporate governance across the nation may be changing, impacting everything from business ethics training to board decision making, with potentially wide‐ranging implications for the economy, environment, and civil society. Despite its growing popularity, though, the rationale behind the emergence of benefit corporations is an understudied question. In this article, we argue that benefit incorporation affects the very nature of the corporation by creating corporate common pool resources (CPRs) and that the CPR theory provides a way to understand the puzzle and future of the movement. This approach is important because it resituates the conversation, from a narrow view of the effect of the legislation on traditional corporate concepts to a broader view of the impact of the legislation. Furthermore, we consider the benefit corporation through the lens of Professor Elinor Ostrom's design principles, offering a unique perspective through which to analyze if the designs of state statutes and implementation by business entities meet criteria that would predict successful governance of the benefit corporation CPR.
The United Kingdom Right to Request as a Model for Flexible Work in the European Union
Authors: Bird Robert C. , Brown Liz
Published: February 2018

Flexible work, the practice of giving employees some control over their working time, can transform the modern workplace. Once the province of scattered national legislation, the European Union is now considering the inclusion of flextime rights in the Working Time Directive (WTD), the leading EU legislation related to work time. In this article, we propose that the European Commission should adopt a right to request flexible work as part of the WTD. Adoption of the right to request flexible work would significantly alleviate the challenges employees face in maintaining work–life balance. The right to request flexible work can also provide benefits to employers by increasing employee loyalty and productivity. Finally, adoption of the right to request flexible work into the WTD would improve the overall effectiveness of the EU's employment law framework in an increasingly fast‐paced and competitive society.
Redefining Corporate Social Responsibility in an Era of Globalization and Regulatory Hardening
Authors: Berger‐Walliser Gerlinde , Scott Inara
Published: February 2018

Globalization and the growth of multinational enterprises (MNEs) have been accompanied by an increasing call for corporations to take responsibility for their environmental and social impacts, and for greater corporate disclosure and transparency with regard to nonfinancial risks (collectively known as corporate social responsibility or CSR). At the same time, governments have increasingly turned to mandatory obligations for formerly voluntary CSR engagement, a trend we call the legalization of CSR. This article analyzes the “hardening” and legalization of CSR, and considers what this process tells us about norms and assumptions regarding the social responsibility of firms in the United States and around the world. Through our analysis of corporate trends, regulations, and case law from the United States, European Union, China, and India, we argue that the process of legalization and redefinition of CSR through a shareholder primacy lens may, troublingly, undermine the very notion of CSR. In the face of these trends, this article concludes with a redefinition of CSR that includes an express commitment to corporations’ social and ethical responsibility to society.
Yellow, red, dead: the nutritional consequences for Cardiaspina densitexta (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae) nymphs of inducing senescence in old Eucalyptus fasciculosa leaves
Authors: Steinbauer Martin J , Salminen Juha‐Pekka , Watson Simon J
Published: February 2018

Many psyllids are manipulative herbivores that alter their hosts to provide shelter and ameliorate nutritional quality. Among eucalypt‐feeding psyllids, Cardiaspina have specialised to manipulate natural processes of foliar senescence and thereby host nutritional quality but not foliar morphology. Using a natural outbreak, we assessed the effects of feeding by nymphs of Cardiaspina densitexta Taylor, ultraviolet exposure and temperature on changes in nutritional quality and leaf abscission. Over 6 months, we followed the responses of tagged Eucalyptus fasciculosa F.Muell. leaves that, at the beginning of the study, were at one of three different stages of utilisation by psyllids (no psyllids, only eggs present, or leaves with late instar nymphs and red lesions). We measured foliar pigments, free amino acids and polyphenols every second month to characterise foliar nutritional quality. Psyllid feeding was briefly associated with chlorosis but lesions rapidly turned red (anthocyanic) and died after nymphs had matured. Red leaves had shortened longevities and their risk of abscission was positively correlated with the UV‐index rating of the preceding fortnight but not with psyllid abundance or area necrotic. Hence, psyllids altered the balance of chlorophylls and anthocyanin‐equivalents of green leaves and presumably therefore their ability to fully utilise incoming light energy. Green leaves had distinct free amino acids and polyphenol compositions compared to red leaves. In green leaves, changes in anthocyanin‐equivalents were negatively correlated with methionine while in red leaves psyllids were positively correlated with threonine and negatively correlated with leucine. Feeding by Cardiaspina densitexta nymphs is associated with the visible symptoms of photodamage which are associated with pronounced changes in nutritional quality. These changes are not analogous to foliar hypersensitive responses because they are expressed by old leaves, necrotic tissues are not abscised, they occur late in the development of nymphs and do not directly affect their survival. Specialisation of Cardiaspina on old eucalypt leaves may appear maladaptive if these modules are considered to be low in amino nitrogen and high in polyphenols. This perspective needs refining given the influence of photodamage on nutrient availability and because condensed tannins (weak pro‐oxidants) are more abundant than hydrolysable tannins in old leaves.
Arm morbidity of axillary dissection with sentinel node biopsy versus delayed axillary dissection
Authors: Ballal Helen , Hunt Catherine , Bharat Chrianna , Murray Kevin , Kamyab Roshi , Saunders Christobel
Published: February 2018

Background

Staging of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer is important for prognostication and planning of adjuvant therapy. The traditional practice of proceeding to axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) if sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is positive is being challenged and clinical trials are underway. For many centres, this will mean a move away from intra‐operative SLNB assessment and utilization of a second procedure to perform ALND. It is sometimes perceived that a delayed ALND results in increased tissue damage and thus increased morbidity. We compared morbidity in those undergoing SLNB only, or ALND as a one‐ or two‐stage procedure.

Methods

A retrospective review of a prospectively collected institutional database was used to review rates of lymphoedema and shoulder function in women undergoing breast cancer surgery between 2008 and 2012.

Results

The overall lymphoedema rate in 745 patients was 8.2% at 12 months. There was no difference in lymphoedema rates between those undergoing immediate or delayed ALND (17.8 and 8.6%, respectively, P = 0.092). Post‐operative shoulder elevation, odds ratio (OR) = 0.390, 95% confidence interval (CI) = (0.218, 0.698) and abduction, OR = 0.437 (95% CI = (0.271, 0.705)) were reduced if an ALND was performed although there was no difference between immediate or delayed.

Conclusion

ALND remains a risk factor for post‐operative morbidity. There is no increased risk of lymphoedema or shoulder function deficit with a positive SLNB and delayed ALND compared to immediate ALND.
Presenilin PS1∆E9 disrupts mobility of secretory organelles in rat astrocytes
Authors: Stenovec M. , Trkov Bobnar S. , Smolič T. , Kreft M. , Parpura V. , Zorec R.
Published: February 2018

Aim

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is largely considered a neuron‐derived insult, but also involves failure of astroglia. A recent study indicated that mutated presenilin 1 (PS1M146V), a putative endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ channel with decreased Ca2+ conductance, impairs the traffic of astroglial peptidergic vesicles. Whether other pathogenically relevant PS1 mutants, such as PS1ΔE9, which code for ER channel with putative increased Ca2+ conductance, similarly affect vesicle traffic, is unknown.

Methods

Here, we cotransfected rat astrocytes with plasmids encoding mutant PS1ΔE9 and atrial natriuretic peptide or vesicular glutamate transporter 1 tagged with fluorescent proteins (pANP.emd or pVGLUT1‐EGFP respectively), to microscopically examine whether alterations in vesicle mobility and Ca2+‐regulated release of gliosignalling molecules manifest as a general vesicle‐based defect; control cells were transfected to co‐express exogenous or native wild‐type PS1 and pANP.emd or pVGLUT1‐EGFP. The vesicle mobility was analysed at rest and after ATP stimulation that increased intracellular calcium activity.

Results

In PS1ΔE9 astrocytes, spontaneous mobility of both vesicle types was reduced (P < .001) when compared to controls. Post‐stimulatory recovery of fast vesicle mobility was hampered in PS1ΔE9 astrocytes. The ATP‐evoked peptide release was less efficient in PS1ΔE9 astrocytes than in the controls (P < .05), as was the pre‐stimulatory mobility of these vesicles.

Conclusion

Although the PS1 mutants PS1M146V and PS1ΔE9 differently affect ER Ca2+ conductance, our results revealed a common, vesicle‐type indiscriminate trafficking defect in PS1ΔE9 astrocytes, indicating that reduced secretory vesicle‐based signalling is a general deficit in AD astrocytes.
Hypolipidemic and anti‐inflammatory effects of aorta and heart tissues of cattle and pigs in the atherosclerosis rat model
Authors: Chernukha Irina M. , Fedulova Liliya V. , Kotenkova Elena A. , Takeda Shiro , Sakata Ryoichi
Published: February 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aorta and heart tissues obtained from cattle and pigs on atherosclerosis disorders. Atherosclerosis model rats were provided with the respective diets consisting of aorta and heart tissues. Administration of each tissue suppressed body weight gain as compared to that of the control. In particular, the aorta tissues of pigs and cattle demonstrated significant suppressions in body weight gain in the model rats. The aorta tissues of pigs and cattle showed a significant increase and decrease in the serum high‐density lipoproteins and atherogenic index, respectively, which was correlated with the increase in apolipoprotein A1. Hematological analysis revealed that aorta tissues of pigs and cattle clearly reduced the ratio of granulocytes/lymphocytes in the atherosclerosis rats. Serum vascular cellular adhesion molecule‐1 levels in the atherosclerosis rats, which were administered these aorta tissues, were also significantly reduced. Additionally, there was an increase in von Willebrand factor in the rat serum. Based on the results obtained, the aorta tissues of pigs and cattle, in particular, demonstrated positive effects in the atherosclerosis rats due to the alteration of lipid metabolism and reduction in inflammation related to atherosclerosis.
The pharmacodynamic and clinical trial evidence for statin dose
Authors: Dimmitt Simon B. , Stampfer Hans G. , Warren John B.
Published: February 2018

Statin doses around estimated effective dose 50 (ED50) can reduce myocardial infarction by over 25% and mortality by around 10%. Being a competitive enzyme inhibitor, statin efficacy plateaus at doses that are multiples above the ED50, whilst on‐ and off‐target adverse events increase in number and severity with increasing dose. For example, myopathy has been shown to increase by up to 29‐fold and liver dysfunction by up to nine‐fold as statin dose is increased. Doses of up to 40‐fold ED50 have been promoted, but above five‐fold ED50, for example 10 mg of atorvastatin, there is no randomized controlled clinical trial evidence that coronary mortality is lowered, or that survival is increased.
School‐based assessment of mental health risk in children: the preliminary development of the Child RADAR
Authors: Burns John R. , Rapee Ronald M.
Published: February 2018

Background

Screening young people for risk of mental health difficulties in schools is an effective method to facilitate monitoring and early intervention. This study is a preliminary report on the adaptation of the Youth RADAR screening instrument for primary school children. Specifically designed to be used in schools, the Child RADAR assesses a child's balance of risk and protective factors known to be associated with the development of mental health problems.

Method

Three hundred and thirty‐nine children drawn from six primary schools across NSW, Australia, completed the alpha version of the Child RADAR in addition to an assessment of depression and anxiety symptoms and subjective well‐being.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis revealed the Child RADAR to have an acceptable factor structure. Reliability for the Total Child RADAR was satisfactory based on both internal consistency (α = .86) and test–retest reliability (r = .85). Convergent validity was demonstrated through significant associations with symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Conclusions

The Child RADAR shows preliminary promise as a school‐based screener of mental health risk. Further evaluation is required to demonstrate the generalizability of the instrument across different populations.
Perceptual Organization in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Evers Kris , Van der Hallen Ruth , Noens Ilse , Wagemans Johan
Published: February 2018

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is typically associated with problems in social communication and interaction, combined with restrictive and repetitive interests, behaviors, and activities. In addition, individuals with ASD often experience sensory abnormalities and have difficulties with perceptual organization, which can affect other aspects of information processing, such as attention, and perception of faces and motion. Researchers have studied atypical perceptual organization in individuals with ASD over the past decades, particularly in visual perception, finding both a reduced tendency to integrate information into meaningful wholes and a stronger focus on details in individuals with autism. In this article, we review empirical findings and describe briefly two influential theoretical accounts (weak central coherence and enhanced perceptual functioning theory), as well as more recent theoretical frameworks that emphasize the imbalance between local and global processing, or anomalies at the level of the brain as an engine of prediction.