bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Responses to emotional exhaustion: do worker cooperatives matter?
Authors: Park Rhokeun
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating role of organizational identification in the relationship between emotional exhaustion and turnover intention. It also examines the moderating roles of worker cooperatives in the relationships of emotional exhaustion with organizational identification and turnover intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Surveys of worker cooperatives and capitalist firms in the Seoul metropolitan area were conducted in 2016. The hypotheses of this study were tested through multilevel moderated mediation analyses.

Findings

This study revealed that organizational identification partially mediated the relationship between emotional exhaustion and turnover intention. The findings of the study provided evidence that worker cooperatives alleviated the adverse relationships of emotional exhaustion with organizational identification and turnover intention.

Research limitations/implications

Since it was conducted with a cross-sectional data set, this study is not free from the issue of causality. However, the findings provide insights into how emotional exhaustion may be associated with organizational identification and turnover intention, and how worker cooperatives may alter these relationships.

Practical implications

Capitalist firms should provide their employees with more autonomy and more opportunities to participate in organizational decision-making, as in worker cooperatives, to induce their employees to hold more positive attitudes.

Originality/value

There is no extant research on the mechanism through which emotional exhaustion is associated with turnover intention via organizational identification, and on the moderating roles of worker cooperatives in this mechanism.
Millennials empowerment: youth entrepreneurship for sustainable development
Authors: Ogamba Ikedinachi K.
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to knowledge and theory building in youth empowerment and entrepreneurship development.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper critically examines the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN) programme and its relevance as a youth economic empowerment programme through the lens of the UNDP Youth Strategy entry points for promoting economic empowerment of youth and extant literature on critical youth empowerment using participatory development theories.

Findings

While YouWiN is a significant intervention towards entrepreneurship development, it presents some flaws and limitations in the design and implementation process, which may challenge sustainable economic development. Hence, there is a need to explore the millennials empowerment paradigm in light of three key complementary action-oriented approaches to youth entrepreneurship development.

Originality/value

This paper proposes three key complementary action-oriented approaches to youth entrepreneurship policy/programme design, implementation and evaluation for the multilateral agencies, private and voluntary sectors. These are in the form of facilitating participatory engagement and diversity, managing drivers (push/pull factors) of entrepreneurship, and ensuring access to enablers/support. There is the need for further debate and critical inputs to improve theory building towards a normative framework in youth empowerment and entrepreneurship. This contributes to ending poverty, and promoting intergenerational equity and sustainable development.
Comparison of 2‐D shear wave elastography with clinical score in localized scleroderma: A new method to increase the diagnostic accuracy
Authors: Wang Ying , Shan Jie‐ling , Chen Hu‐yan , Wu Zhi‐feng
Published: December 2018

There is no established diagnostic criteria or widely accepted severity classification of localized scleroderma (LS) by imaging. Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) technology by normalized mean shear wave velocity (SWV) may be as a probing tool for diagnosing and staging LS accurately and objectively. Fifty‐six patients with LS of inflammatory (n = 21), sclerotic (n = 24) and atrophic (n = 11) stage and 30 healthy controls were evaluated on the basis of pathological results. Dermal thickness, ARFI quality (elastography score) and quantity (mean SWV) were measured by ultrasonography (US), diagnosis and stage performances of LS using the dermal thickness, elastography score and mean SWV compared with modified localized scleroderma skin severity index (mLoSSI) were evaluated. Significant differences in the dermal thickness, elastography score and mean SWV were found between the normal adult and LS patients; for diagnosing LS, the area under the receiver–operator curves (AUROC) of the dermal thickness, elastography score, mean SWV and mLoSSI were 0.93 ± 0.03, 0.95 ± 0.01, 0.93 ± 0.03 and 0.93 ± 0.02, respectively. Compared with the dermal thickness, the elastography score and mLoSSI, the AUROC and the specificities of mean SWV for differentiating sclerotic from inflammatory stage and atrophic from sclerotic LS increased significantly, especially by normalized mean SWV (AUROC, 0.84 ± 0.06 and 0.83 ± 0.07; specificity, 85.71% and 91.67%). As non‐invasive methods, mean SWV and dermal thickness by US may provide reliable information to diagnose and stage LS compared with mLoSSI especially by normalized mean SWV.
Ecosystem feedbacks contribute to geographic variation in plant–soil eco‐evolutionary dynamics across a fertility gradient
Authors: Van Nuland Michael E. , Ware Ian M. , Bailey Joseph K. , Schweitzer Jennifer A.
Published: December 2018

Plant species that occur in different soil nutrient environments often vary in plant functional traits that affect soil nutrient cycling, creating positive feedbacks that reinforce nutrient availability. Variation in such nutrient feedbacks could affect plant fitness, but few studies have explored the eco‐evolutionary dynamics of within‐species nutrient feedbacks, and the role that soil communities may play in mediating plant evolutionary responses.

We investigated whether a widespread Populus species regulates soil fertility, resulting in positive nutrient feedbacks that influence population divergence. Here, we combined field observations, a reciprocal transplant experiment, and soil community sequencing to test how nutrient feedbacks might facilitate plant adaptation to soil environments.

We find that: (1) Plant populations exist along a soil fertility gradient in the field and display trait variation consistent with positive nutrient feedbacks, (2) populations assemble distinct soil prokaryotic communities that are structured by soil chemistry, (3) populations show inconsistent patterns of local adaptation to their soil communities, however (4) genetic variation in plant–soil interactions reinforces soil nutrient differences.

Soil communities may mediate variation in plant adaptation across a soil fertility gradient such that plant–soil interactions reinforce positive nutrient feedbacks. Identifying the eco‐evolutionary links between plant trait variation, soil nutrients and microbial communities demonstrates that plants modify and adapt to soil environments. These results support the hypothesis that eco‐evolutionary feedbacks may result when plant–soil interactions (eco) affect ecosystem‐level processes that sustain population‐level feedbacks and selective gradients (evo).

A plain language summary is available for this article.
A shared limiting resource leads to competitive exclusion in a cross‐feeding system
Authors: Hammarlund Sarah P. , Chacón Jeremy M. , Harcombe William R.
Published: December 2018

Species interactions and coexistence are often dependent upon environmental conditions. When two cross‐feeding bacteria exchange essential nutrients, the addition of a cross‐fed nutrient to the environment can release one species from its dependence on the other. Previous studies suggest that continued coexistence depends on relative growth rates: coexistence is maintained if the slower‐growing species is released from its dependence on the other, but if the faster‐growing species is released, the slower‐growing species will be lost (a hypothesis that we call ‘feed the faster grower’ or FFG). Using invasion‐from‐rare experiments with two reciprocally cross‐feeding bacteria, genome‐scale metabolic modelling and classical ecological models, we explored the potential for coexistence when one cross‐feeder became independent. We found that whether nutrient addition shifted an interaction from mutualism to commensalism or parasitism depended on whether the nutrient that limited total growth was required by one or both species. Parasitism resulted when both species required the growth‐limiting resource. Importantly, coexistence was only lost when the interaction became parasitism, and the obligate species had a slower growth rate. Under these restricted conditions, the FFG hypothesis applied. Our results contribute to a mechanistic understanding of how resources can be manipulated to alter interactions and coexistence in microbial communities.
Phototrophic marine benthic microbiomes: the ecophysiology of these biological entities
Authors: Stal Lucas J. , Bolhuis Henk , Cretoiu Mariana S.
Published: December 2018

Phototrophic biofilms are multispecies, self‐sustaining and largely closed microbial ecosystems. They form macroscopic structures such as microbial mats and stromatolites. These sunlight‐driven consortia consist of a number of functional groups of microorganisms that recycle the elements internally. Particularly, the sulfur cycle is discussed in more detail as this is fundamental to marine benthic microbial communities and because recently exciting new insights have been obtained. The cycling of elements demands a tight tuning of the various metabolic processes and require cooperation between the different groups of microorganisms. This is likely achieved through cell‐to‐cell communication and a biological clock. Biofilms may be considered as a macroscopic biological entity with its own physiology. We review the various components of some marine phototrophic biofilms and discuss their roles in the system. The importance of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) as the matrix for biofilm metabolism and as substrate for biofilm microorganisms is discussed. We particularly assess the importance of extracellular DNA, horizontal gene transfer and viruses for the generation of genetic diversity and innovation, and for rendering resilience to external forcing to these biological entities.
Magnetic resonance imaging for common peroneal nerve injury in trauma patients: Are routine knee sequences adequate for prediction of outcome?
Authors: Tran Thi My Anh , Lim Beng Ghee , Sheehy Rohan , Robertson Patricia L
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Common peroneal nerve (CPN) injury occurs in 10–40% of patients following knee dislocation. Is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using routine knee protocols able to adequately evaluate CPN injury and predict long‐term outcome?

Methods

Trauma patients presenting for knee MRI at a single public hospital, between July 2007 and May 2017, were retrospectively identified using radiology and orthopaedic databases. Medical records were retrieved for clinical scores. MRI images were scored by two independent radiologists blinded to the clinical CPN status and scores correlated with initial clinical scores using the Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results

Final cohort included 107 patients (81 males and 26 females) with a mean age of 39 (range 19–81 years). MRI was considered to be adequate for coverage of the CPN in 84 patients. Fourteen patients had CPN injury clinically (seven complete and seven partial). Concordance between MRI scores and initial clinical scores was 0.456 (P = 0.01). MRI sensitivity and specificity for CPN injury on the 84 adequate scans were 54.5% and 93.2% respectively. All seven cases of partial CPN injury and three of seven cases of complete CPN injury recovered fully. High MRI scores of 5 and 8 were given for the two patients with a persisting complete CPN palsy. Highest scores for partial CPN injury subjects were 2 and 4.

Conclusions

Magnetic resonance imaging using a routine knee protocol is not adequate for the assessment of CPN injury in many subjects. More specific MRI neural sequences with complete CPN coverage may be worth trialing.
Educating for uncertainty
Authors: HANDY CHARLES
Published: December 2018

Business schools have always been educational pioneers, but new times bring new challenges – so now they must do it all over again, says Charles Handy
Harnessing the winds of change
Authors: CHANDY RAJESH
Published: December 2018

Globalisation may have accentuated global income inequalities – but, says Rajesh Chandy, developing countries are well‐placed to exploit new technologies
Shining a light on shadow banking
Authors: PORTES RICHARD
Published: December 2018

Conventional banking is safer than a decade ago but, says Richard Portes, risk from the non‐banking sector could spread to the rest of the global financial system
How post‐Brexit Britain can become a global trade hub
Authors: YUEH LINDA
Published: December 2018

Linda Yueh argues that opening up services sectors around the world could help the UK economy exploit one of the fastest growing areas of international trade
Women in finance: beyond the ‘glass ceiling’
Authors: BATES SARAH , WOODMAN CLARE
Published: December 2018

Achieving gender balance in the financial services sector requires change at every level, argue Sarah Bates and Clare Woodman
Turning ordeal into opportunity
Authors: BROWN KATHERINE
Published: December 2018

Katherine Brown explains how a new form of impact investing would see investment capital deployed to address the needs of fragile populations
Tackling a deadly legacy
Authors: PAPAIOANNOU ELIAS , CHIOVELLI GIORGIO , MICHALOPOULOS STELIOS
Published: December 2018

Landmines kill and maim ‐ and strangle growth in conflict‐devastated countries. Elias Papaioannou, Giorgio Chiovelli and Stelios Michalopoulos show how a rigorous approach to their removal can help speed economic recovery
The private equity challenge to corporate finance
Authors: TALMOR ELI
Published: December 2018

Once viewed as an illiquid asset class and best avoided, Eli Talmor says private equity is now characterised by high performance and exemplary governance
Less is more it's a scientific fact
Authors: SIVANATHAN NIRO , KAKKAR HEMANT
Published: December 2018

You may not have heard of the dilution effect – but you will doubtless have made decisions under its influence. By Niro Sivanathan and Hemant Kakkar
Why Champagne's female grape‐growers have reason to celebrate
Authors: FERNANDEZ‐MATEO ISABEL , ODY‐BRASIER AMANDINE
Published: December 2018

Viniculture is male‐dominated, but women have found a way to exploit a distinct edge, say Isabel Fernandez‐Mateo and Amandine Ody‐Brasier
How to give critical feedback effectively
Authors: KESEBIR SELIN
Published: December 2018

Having to tell people you manage something they'd prefer not to hear is at best a challenge and at worst highly unproductive. Selin Kesebir has a guide to keeping those often difficult conversations positive
Thinking inside the box
Authors: WADE ROGER
Published: December 2018

The move from streetwear to shipping container pop‐up stores isn't an obvious entrepreneurial progression. But Roger Wade's ventures have passion and entrepreneurial flair in common – and, of course, boxes
Validation of reference genes for gene expression analysis using quantitative polymerase chain reaction in pea lines (Pisum sativum) with different lodging susceptibility
Authors: Knopkiewicz Michał , Wojtaszek Przemysław
Published: December 2018

Real‐time PCR data from every gene expression analysis experiment have to be normalised with appropriate reference genes, which are uniformly expressed in a sample set being analysed. Reference genes have to be tested independently for each experimental set. We estimated the gene expression of five potential reference genes (Phosphoprotein phosphatase 2A, histone H3, β‐tubulin, transcription factor IIA and actin) in 33 pea (Pisum sativum L.) samples. Plant material comprised stem fragments from four pea accessions (three cultivars with different lodging susceptibility and stem stiffness and one wild‐type accession). Different phenological development stages of plants and environmental conditions were tested under three sample subsets. Phosphoprotein phosphatase 2A and β‐tubulin were the most stable genes in the subset of 30‐day plants, grown in the greenhouse. Plants at the beginning of flowering stage were grown in the greenhouse and in the field. Phosphoprotein phosphatase 2A and transcription factor IIA exhibited the most stable expression under field conditions, while histone H3 and β‐tubulin were the most stable under greenhouse conditions. Phosphoprotein phosphatase 2A and β‐tubulin were also the most stable genes among all the tested samples. We have identified stably expressed genes, which may be used as a reference for normalisation of real‐time PCR data in our sample subset. Our research is a good starting point for other studies of gene expression in pea stem tissue. This is the first step to perform gene expression studies connected with lodging resistance of pea.
Twenty Years of Accounting and Finance Research on the Chinese Capital Market
Authors: Han Jianlei , He Jing , Pan Zheyao , Shi Jing
Published: December 2018

The Chinese capital market has attracted increasing academic attention due to its rising global influence, ongoing regulatory reforms, and distinct institutional background. In this paper, we review scholarly accounting and finance research pertaining to the Chinese capital market in Mainland China published in Tier 1 and Asia‐Pacific regional journals during the 1999–2018 period. Our review is based along four dimensions: top‐cited articles, main research fields, frequently contributing authors, and emerging research trends. We find that the increasing presence of China in global capital markets, along with its ongoing economic reforms, provides academics with opportunities to investigate distinct institutional environments and utilize natural experiments. This has led to the formulation of novel accounting and finance research questions, greatly advancing our understanding of accounting and finance research.
ECT beyond unipolar major depression: systematic review and meta‐analysis of electroconvulsive therapy in bipolar depression
Authors: Bahji A. , Hawken E. R. , Sepehry A. A. , Cabrera C. A. , Vazquez G.
Published: December 2018

Objective

In this systematic review and meta‐analysis, the response, remission, and speed of response in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder in depressive episode (BDD) receiving an acute course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were quantitatively analyzed.

Methods

Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analysis guidelines, 1660 citations were identified through five electronic databases. Nineteen articles met final inclusion criteria for meta‐analysis.

Results

The pooled response and remission rates with ECT in MDD were 74.2% (n = 1246/1680) and 52.3% (n = 850/1626), respectively. In BDD, they were 77.1% (n = 437/567) and 52.3% (n = 275/377), respectively. Although response rates to ECT were statistically higher in BDD (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.56–0.95, P = 0.02), remission rates were similar (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.65–1.26, P = 0.56). Individuals with BDD vs. MDD required fewer number of ECT sessions to achieve response (SMD = −0.23, 95% CI: −0.44 to −0.023, P = 0.03). There were no significant moderator effects identified.

Conclusion

Response rates and speed of response are higher in individuals with BDD; however, remission rates are equivalent. These findings support increased utilization of ECT in individuals with treatment‐refractory BDD.
Comorbid immune‐mediated diseases in inflammatory bowel disease: a nation‐wide population‐based study
Authors: Park Sung‐Wook , Kim Tae Jun , Lee June Young , Kim Eun Ran , Hong Sung Noh , Chang Dong Kyung , Yang Mi , Kim Seonwoo , Shin Myung‐Hee , Kim Young‐Ho
Published: December 2018

Background

Although a higher risk of other immune‐mediated diseases has been reported in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, the risk factors of immune‐mediated diseases development and the effect of concomitant immune‐mediated diseases on outcomes remain poorly defined.

Aim

To determine the risk factors of incident immune‐mediated diseases and the impact of comorbid immune‐mediated diseases on outcomes in IBD.

Methods

Using the National Health Insurance claims data for the entire Korean population, we identified 35 581 IBD patients without immune‐mediated diseases and 595 IBD patients with immune‐mediated diseases from 2012 to 2013, and follow‐up until 2016. We selected four controls by age and sex for comparing with cases.

Results

A total of 35 581 IBD patients without immune‐mediated diseases and 142 324 matched controls without immune‐mediated diseases were followed from 2014 to 2016 and of these 239 IBD patients and 357 controls developed immune‐mediated disease. The overall immune‐mediated diseases risk was higher in IBD patients (HR, hazard ratio, 2.47; 95% confidence interval, CI, 2.09‐2.91). In a nested case‐control study of the IBD cohort, adult patients aged ≥20 years and frequent hospitalisation ≥1 per year were independent risk factors for incident immune‐mediated diseases, in contrast, 5‐aminosalicylic acid (5‐ASA) use had protective effect (odds ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.41‐0.90) for developing immune‐mediated diseases. In addition, IBD patients with another immune‐mediated disease had an increased risk of needing anti‐TNF‐α agent (HR, 2.40; 95% CI, 2.02‐2.84) and developing acute flare (HR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.37‐2.26).

Conclusions

The incidence of immune‐mediated diseases in IBD patients was higher than that of non‐IBD population. 5‐ASA use may reduce this risk.
ECONOMIC POLICY UNCERTAINTY EFFECTS ON CREDIT AND STABILITY OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Authors: Caglayan Mustafa , Xu Bing
Published: December 2018

We examine policy‐related economic uncertainty effects on the availability of credit, non‐performing loans and loan loss provisions using a panel of 18 countries. We provide significant evidence that uncertainty reduces the availability of credit while leading to increases in banks' non‐performing loans and loan loss provisions, distorting sectoral stability. Our findings are economically meaningful.
UNION WAGE COMPRESSION AND SKILL ACQUISITION
Authors: Aksoy Tolga
Published: December 2018

In this paper, I examine the relationship between unionisation and total output in an economy with a dual labour market, heterogeneous agents, and human capital investment. My primary focus is the skill acquisition channel, through which unionization affects total output. I theoretically demonstrate that the skill premium, and thus human capital investment, is determined by the prevalence of unions in high‐ or low‐skill‐intensive sectors. In particular, if a low (high)‐skill sector is unionised, then the skill premium is higher (lower), ensuring a larger (smaller) high‐skill sector, irrespective of the unions bargaining power. To test this hypothesis, I also empirically investigate the effects of unionisation on total productivity. The results indicate that through the reallocation of labour, unionisation induces an expansion of high‐skill‐intensive sectors, while low‐skill‐intensive sectors contract.
The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland consensus guidelines in surgery for inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Brown S. R. , Fearnhead N. S. , Faiz O. D. , Abercrombie J. F. , Acheson A. G. , Arnott R. G. , Clark S. K. , Clifford S. , Davies R. J. , Davies M. M. , Douie W. J. P. , Dunlop M. G. , Epstein J. C. , Evans M. D. , George B. D. , Guy R. J. , Hargest R. , Hawthorne A. B. , Hill J. , Hughes G. W. , Limdi J. K. , Maxwell‐Armstrong C. A. , O'Connell P. R. , Pinkney T. D. , Pipe J. , Sagar P. M. , Singh B. , Soop M. , Terry H. , Torkington J. , Verjee A. , Walsh C. J. , Warusavitarne J. H. , Williams A. B. , Williams G. L. , Wilson R. G. ,   ACPGBI IBD Surgery Consensus Collaboration
Published: December 2018

Aim

There is a requirement of an expansive and up to date review of surgical management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can dovetail with the medical guidelines produced by the British Society of Gastroenterology.

Methods

Surgeons who are members of theACPGBIwith a recognised interest inIBDwere invited to contribute various sections of the guidelines. They were directed to produce a procedure based document using literature searches that were systematic, comprehensible, transparent and reproducible. Levels of evidence were graded. An editorial board was convened to ensure consistency of style, presentation and quality. Each author was asked to provide a set of recommendations which were evidence based and unambiguous. These recommendations were submitted to the whole guideline group and scored. They were then refined and submitted to a second vote. Only those that achieved >80% consensus at level 5 (strongly agree) or level 4 (agree) after 2 votes were included in the guidelines.

Results

All aspects of surgical care forIBDhave been included along with 157 recommendations for management.

Conclusion

These guidelines provide an up to date and evidence based summary of the current surgical knowledge in the management ofIBDand will serve as a useful practical text for clinicians performing this type of surgery.
Primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium pleomorphic T‐cell lymphoproliferative disorder: Where do we stand? A systematic review
Authors: Salah Eman
Published: December 2018

Primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium pleomorphic T‐cell lymphoproliferative disorder (PCSMP‐TLPD) is a provisional entity with uncertain malignant potential according to the latest revision of the WHO classification for lymphoid neoplasms. We conducted a systematic literature review of all previously reported cases of PCSMP‐TLPD to highlight their typical and atypical features. The main features of PCSMP‐TLPD and its possible clinicopathologic overlap with similar disorders are also discussed. It is hoped that this review will provide a useful outline of this condition and the most important differential diagnoses. Finally, we recommend a rigorous consensus among cutaneous lymphoma experts in drafting diagnostic criteria and the best case definition.
Lack of survival benefit in sentinel lymph node‐positive melanoma with immediate complete lymphadenectomy – a review
Authors: Stadler Rudolf , Leiter Ulrike , Garbe Claus
Published: December 2018

For decades, melanoma surgery has been guided by the Halstedian concept of stepwise metastasis, first into the lymph nodes and subsequently to distant sites. Early complete lymph node dissection (CLND) was therefore recommended in order to improve survival. Four large prospective randomized trials failed to show any survival benefit of CLND in comparison to observation alone. Sentinel lymph node biopsy was introduced in the 1990's, and CLND was limited to patients with positive sentinel nodes. Based on lymphoscintigraphy, it was pointed out that draining lymph nodes can now be detected more accurately. In one large trial, sentinel lymph node‐guided CLND was compared to observation alone, and no advantage for melanoma‐specific survival was detected. More recently, two prospective randomized studies tested whether CLND improved melanoma‐specific survival or overall survival in patients with positive sentinel nodes. Neither study found a better survival rate for patients with CLND than with observation alone. The reason for the failure of CLND to improve survival is clearly parallel development and not stepwise development of lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis. Immediate CLND in melanoma surgery is therefore called into question.
A proposal for a positive listing of the uses evaluated at zonal level according to EPPO Standard PP 1/278
Authors: Hucorne P.
Published: December 2018

For a more harmonized application of EPPO Standard PP 1/278 Principles of zonal data production and evaluation, it would be useful to have an agreed list of major uses that can be evaluated at zonal level. This paper proposes a methodology for developing such a list and shows possible results from following such a methodology. It represents the views of the author on an approach which could be considered for inclusion in future EPPO guidance.
Effects of dietary supplementation with creatine on homocysteinemia and systemic microvascular endothelial function in individuals adhering to vegan diets
Authors: Van Bavel Diogo , de Moraes Roger , Tibirica Eduardo
Published: December 2018

The incidence of cardiovascular diseases in vegetarian individuals is lower than that in the general population. Nevertheless, individuals who adhere to vegan diets have a higher prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia with eventual adverse effects on vascular reactivity. Creatine supplementation (CrS) reduces plasma homocysteine levels and enhances vascular reactivity in the microcirculation. Thus, we investigated the effects of CrS on systemic microcirculation and homocysteine blood levels in strict vegan subjects. Forty‐nine strict vegan subjects were allocated to the oral CrS (5 g micronized creatine monohydrate daily for three weeks; n = 31) and placebo (n = 18) groups. Laser speckle contrast imaging coupled with acetylcholine skin iontophoresis was used to evaluate cutaneous microvascular reactivity, and intravital video‐microscopy was used to evaluate skin capillary density and reactivity before and after CrS. We demonstrated that CrS reduces the plasma levels of homocysteine and increases those of folic acid. After the CrS period, the homocysteine levels of all of the vegan subjects normalized. CrS also induced increases in baseline skin functional capillary density and endothelium‐dependent capillary recruitment in both normo‐ (N‐Hcy) and hyperhomocysteinemic (H‐Hcy) individuals. CrS increased endothelium‐dependent skin microvascular vasodilation in the H‐Hcy vegan subjects but not in the N‐Hcy vegan subjects. In conclusion, three weeks of oral CrS was sufficient to increase skin capillary density and recruitment and endothelium‐dependent microvascular reactivity. CrS also resulted in plasma increases in folic acid levels and reductions in homocysteine levels among only the H‐Hcy individuals.
Over two decades of orthopaedic surgery in patients with inhibitors—Quantifying the complication of bleeding
Authors: Erturan Gurhan , Guevel Borna , Alvand Abtin , Goddard Nicholas J.
Published: December 2018

Patients with haemophilia who have developed inhibitors against factor VIII (FVIII) or factor IX present a significant concern to those surgeons who operate on them. The evidence base for bypassing agents such as recombinant factor VIIa and activated prothrombin complex concentrate has amassed over several decades. The literature is open to positive interpretation on the successful use of these agents in the treatment of inhibitor‐positive patients. However, there are equally persistent concerns amongst surgeons, in particular orthopaedic surgeons, regarding the high complication rate of bleeding. To explore and quantify this concern, we present a literature review spanning two decades of publications on haemophilia patients with inhibitors undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Irrespective of the progress made with haemostatic protocols, trepidation on embarking on surgery is valid. The high risk of bleeding is a function of the inherent complexity of the disease and rightfully translates into difficulties in its management. Combined with the prospect of orthopaedic surgery, those involved in the care of such patients are justified in their continued anxiety and diligence when considering the benefits in quality of life against the prevalent complications.
Use of platelet‐rich plasma to suspend noncultured epidermal cell suspension improves repigmentation after autologous transplantation in stable vitiligo: a double‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Parambath Nimitha , Sharma Vinod K. , Parihar Anita S. , Sahni Kanika , Gupta Somesh
Published: December 2018

Background

Noncultured epidermal cell suspension (NCES) is an effective surgical modality for stable vitiligo which involves transplantation of the basal layer of epidermal cells onto the dermabraded vitiliginous patch. Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) has growth factors which may stimulate melanocyte migration and proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts. The objective of this study was to compare the extent of repigmentation achieved by transplantation of NCES suspended in PRP with that of NCES suspended in phosphate buffered saline (PBS).

Methods

Twenty‐one patients of stable vitiligo with at least two lesions of comparable size were included. The two vitiligo patches were randomized to receive NCES suspended in PRP or PBS. Postoperatively after 1 week, patients were given heliotherapy for 15 minutes daily.

Results

At 6 months follow‐up, mean repigmentation by area method in PRP arm was 75.6 ± 30% SD and in non‐PRP arm was 65 ± 34% SD (P = 0.0036). Patient satisfaction by visual analogue scale at 6 months also showed better results in PRP arm (P = 0.001). Assessment by three independent observers showed better repigmentation in PRP side both at 3 and 6 months.

Conclusions

Suspending NCES in PRP can result in significantly greater mean repigmentation and patient satisfaction than suspending in PBS.
Bringing Home the Bacon: The Relationships among Breadwinner Role, Performance, and Pay
Authors: Manchester Colleen Flaherty , Leslie Lisa M. , Dahm Patricia C.
Published: December 2018

We evaluate the relationships among breadwinner role, performance, and pay. Differences in pay are present despite limited differences in performance. We find a pay premium for primary‐breadwinner employees across gender, yet a pay penalty for secondary‐breadwinners employees only for women, suggesting an asymmetric relationship among breadwinner role, gender, and pay.
Socially Useless Jobs
Authors: Dur Robert , van Lent Max
Published: December 2018

Recent research suggests that many workers in modern economies think that their job is socially useless, i.e., that it makes no or a negative contribution to society. However, the evidence so far is mainly anecdotal. We use a representative dataset comprising 100,000 workers from forty‐seven countries at four points in time. We find that approximately 8 percent of workers perceive their job as socially useless, while another 17 percent are doubtful about the usefulness of their job. There are sizeable differences among countries, sectors, occupations, and age groups, but no trend over time. A vast majority of workers cares about holding a socially useful job and we find that they suffer when they consider their job useless. We also explore possible causes of socially useless jobs, including bad management, strict job protection legislation, harmful economic activities, labor hoarding, and division of labor.
Induction of Krüppel‐like factor 2 reduces K/BxN serum‐induced arthritis
Authors: Das Manjusri , Laha Dipranjan , Kanji Suman , Joseph Matthew , Aggarwal Reeva , Iwenofu Obiajulu H. , Pompili Vincent J. , Jain Mukesh K. , Das Hiranmoy
Published: December 2018

Krüppel‐like factor 2 (KLF2) critically regulates activation and function of monocyte, which plays important pathogenic role in progressive joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is yet to be established the molecular basis of KLF2‐mediated regulation of monocytes in RA pathogenesis. Herein, we show that a class of compound, HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) induced KLF2 expression in monocytes both in vitro and in vivo. KLF2 level was also elevated in tissues, such as bone marrow, spleen and thymus in mice after infusion of HDACi. Importantly, HDACi significantly reduced osteoclastic differentiation of monocytes with the up‐regulation of KLF2 and concomitant down‐regulation of matrixmetalloproteinases both in the expression level as well as in the protein level. In addition, HDACi reduced K/BxN serum‐induced arthritic inflammation and joint destruction in mice in a dose‐dependent manner. Finally, co‐immunoprecipitation and overexpression studies confirmed that KLF2 directly interacts with HDAC4 molecule in cells. These findings provide mechanistic evidence of KLF2‐mediated regulation of K/BxN serum‐induced arthritic inflammation.
Effects of muscle protein denaturation and water distribution on the quality of false abalone (Volutharpa ampullacea perryi) during wet heating
Authors: He Shudong , Sun Xianbao , Du Ming , Chen Hui , Tan Mingqian , Sun Hanju , Zhu Beiwei
Published: December 2018

The effects of wet heating at 95–100 °C on the degree of myosin and actin denaturation in false abalone (Volutharpa ampullacea perryi) were predicted by a heat transfer model. The contributions of water mobility and tenderness to sensory acceptability were assessed after 5, 10, 15, 30, and 60 min heating treatments. 3D finite element heat transfer analysis and reaction kinetics demonstrated that the muscle proteins were completely denatured in 60–80 s during wet heating. In the low field 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analyses, the content of immobilized water was reduced with extended cooking time, and the shear force also decreased. Sensory acceptability was reduced with the increase of cooking time. Partial least squares (PLS) analysis indicated a high correlation among immobilized water, color, taste, and sensory acceptability. Our results may help in understanding the mechanisms of quality assessment and control during seafood cooking.

Practical applications

False abalone (Volutharpa ampullacea perryi) has been widely consumed as it can provide a high quality of nutrition with a relatively inexpensive cost. Wet heating is the most conventional processing procedure, then the effects of heating on the sensory and textual properties of false abalone meat should be carefully controlled. Since most researches are concerning the changes of collagen, the present study provided quantitative characterizations of muscle protein denaturation and water distribution on the quality of false abalone using 3D finite element heat transfer analysis, LF‐NMR, MRI techniques, and PLS analysis. The results would be useful to simulate actin and myosin denaturation as well as the protons distribution under different thermal schedules of food cooking, and they could be applied for the food quality control in the industry.
The fractional calculus in studies on drying: A new kinetic semi‐empirical model for drying
Authors: de Souza Matias Gustavo , Bissaro Camila Andressa , de Matos Jorge Luiz Mario , Rossoni Diogo Francisco
Published: December 2018

In this article is introduced a new kinetic semi‐empirical model for drying. The model was developed by arbitrary‐order generalization of Lewis's kinetic equation that was obtained using the Laplace transform and Laplace's Inverse Transform. Kinetic data on soybean drying at 50, 60, 70, and 80 °C were retrieved to test the model which was compared to first‐order Lewis's model and to Page's model by quantitative criteria. Results show that the process is best described by the fractional‐order model and that arbitrary‐order equation may be employed to adjust experimental data on drying, with better results among other models analyzed.

Practical applications

Drying is one of the most complex and energy‐consuming chemical unit operations. The modeling of drying kinetics can be applied in the project of drying equipment and to reduce costs of energy consumption. In general, the approach used in drying kinetics modeling is based on differential balances to represent the temporal variability of moisture content. In some cases, the Mathematical models cannot fit good the experimental data by to the fact that the models obtained by differential balances are exponential and the experimental data nonexponential. The fractional calculus can be an alternative to generalize the order of differential equations and fit process. The modeling procedure presented in this article presents the use of fractional calculus to generalize the order of a classic differential model. The model obtained by the fractional calculus approach provides best fits and more reliable adjusts than the classic model, the results indicate an anomalous diffusion.
Bacteriological quality of commonly consumed fruit juices and vegetable salads sold in some fruit juice houses in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Kechero Fekadu Ketema , Baye Kaleab , Tefera Anteneh Tesfaye , Tessema Tesfaye Sisay
Published: December 2018

This study was conducted by collecting samples of 63 fruit juices and 21 vegetable salads from 21 juice houses. The survey indicated poor kiosk sanitary situation and personal hygiene, and bad storage conditions. Mean average of total viable counts of the samples of juices and vegetable salads was found to be 5.96 log cfu/g. The highest and lowest mean total coliform counts (TCCs) were that of avocado (1.17 log cfu/mL) and mango (0.51 log cfu/mL) juice samples. Mean fecal coliform counts were between 0.04 and 0.09 log cfu/mL. Treatment with sodium benzoate (0.1%) was found effective in reducing the total viable count. Escherichia coli and Salmonella were detected from 32.14% and 3.6% of samples, respectively. All E. coli and Salmonella isolates were found resistant to vancomycin. Hygienic status of the kiosks, storage situation of prepared juices and vegetable salads, and ingredients are the critical contributing factors for high microbial load of juices and vegetable salads.

Practical applications

This study was conducted to assess the hygienic status, risk associated with consumption of juices and vegetable salads, and effectiveness of treatments used before serving in juice houses in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Our results showed the existing sanitary situation and bacteriological safety status of the preparation of juices and vegetable salads in the vending kiosks; moreover, the risks associated with the consumption of the products. The study has pointed out the need for targeted awareness creation training on the attitude and practices of workers in the houses. The findings may further serve as an additional evidence on the level of risk associated with the consumption of the products. The results of this study may also be used by the regulatory bodies to take the due care they need to exercise in licensing and during their regular inspection of the kiosks to reduce the degree of the problem to protect consumers.
The Korean food franchise industry: Diverse development and conceptual definitions of a food safety managing body
Authors: Park Jong Myong , Kim Jong Mun , Lee Ah Reum , Cho Hyun Min , Hong Ji Won , Ghim Sa‐Youl
Published: December 2018

Factors in the operation of diversified food franchises in Korea have a direct impact on food safety management. The body in charge of systemic food safety management must be clearly identified and provided with a statute‐based system governing all aspects of food safety management. Several types of Korean food franchise business operations were first defined and categorized. Factors related to each food franchise operation have a direct impact on determining the managing body and its responsibility and authority. Multiple Korean statutory systems are closely related to food safety management in each category of franchise operations. These legal systems cannot clearly define a food safety managing body, especially considering the newly emerging food franchise operation types: the master franchise, concession industry, and commercial facilities. These clues provide basic data for further reinforcement of the national statutory system. In ambiguous situations, food franchises can complement food safety management using their own tactics.

Practical applications

Foodservice businesses, especially franchises, are currently rapidly developing in Korea. Depending on the development history of these food franchises and their growth strategies, complex new types of franchises with different operating strategies are appearing. New entities have been involved in the establishment or operation of diverse food franchise types, such as master franchises or concession businesses. This has led to a lack of clarity in the identification of the food safety or food origin managing body. In fact, that body may not even exist, while in other contexts, there may be overlapping bodies. This is because the Korean statutory system that directly governs food safety and indirectly governs food franchise operations has gaps as a result of the fast‐paced changes in the food franchise industry. The statutory system in Korea stipulates duties required of a specific subject (either a type of seller or a business owner). However, the statutory system for the Korean food industry does not address the diverse forms of franchise operations and various operating entities (such as master franchisors, master franchisees and their unit stores, direct franchisors and their unit franchisee stores, operators of nonfood commercial facilities, operators of concession businesses, and others). This study contends that if this description of the situation is accurate, the food safety management system can be supplemented by the strategic or hygienic controls of each food franchise or through inter‐business‐contract management with multiple operational entities. This study also makes a case for amending the national statutory framework.
Relational Developmental Systems and Family Research: Considering Qualitative Applications
Authors: Bell Nancy J.
Published: December 2018

Relational developmental systems (RDS), a metatheory grounded in the relationism worldview, is becoming more widely accepted in developmental science. Its principles define a perspective that is relational, systemic, holistic, dynamic, and process oriented. Even though child and family development was the topic of the initial formulation of RDS nearly 40 years ago, its application in successive years has remained largely within human development. Here, I consider the applicability of this metatheory to family science. My consideration includes a summary of RDS principles; a description of RDS‐compatible qualitative research in a range of family science topic areas; a discussion of the usefulness of RDS in enhancing coherence among metatheory, methodology, theory, and methods; and conclusions about its potential fit with family science.