bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How does a foreign subsidiary’s differentiation strategy fit competitive dynamics and mandate?
Authors: Pehrsson Anders
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Drawing on the contingency perspective of strategy, the purpose of this paper is to extend current understanding of fit between a differentiation strategy of the industrial firm’s foreign subsidiary and key contextual boundaries.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework is developed in which a differentiation strategy involves the complementary approaches of innovativeness and customer responsiveness. The key boundaries consist of local competitive dynamics and the value-adding mandate assigned to the subsidiary. Detailed features of four types of differentiation strategies are identified by analysing strategies applied by subsidiaries of industrial firms operating on the US market.

Findings

Four propositions are developed regarding alignment between strategy types and the boundaries. Relationships are proposed regarding a strategy type and a context specified by rivalry/relational competitive dynamics, and a broad/narrow value-adding mandate.

Research limitations/implications

The conceptual framework and the propositions may be tested by analysing statistical data on industrial firms’ subsidiaries operating in several host countries.

Practical implications

To increase a foreign subsidiary’s contribution to the global competitiveness of an industrial firm, an awareness of the boundaries to the subsidiary’s strategy of differentiation that may hamper the subsidiary’s performance is essential.

Originality/value

The conceptual framework, and the propositions, contributes to literature on the industrial firm’s global strategy because it focuses on subsidiary strategy and extends present understanding of the mechanisms that drive the effectiveness of a foreign subsidiary’s differentiation strategy.
The angel-halo effect
Authors: Walker Kent , Zhang Zhou , Yu Bing
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how increases in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate social irresponsibility (CSiR) relate to firm performance. Further, this paper investigates how increases in CSR (CSiR) while CSiR (CSR) is present relate to three measures of firm performance: profitability, management efficiency and market valuation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using over 10,000 observations from 2009-2013 and combined data from Sustainalytics and Compustat, this paper examines how increases in either CSR or CSiR relate to firm performance.

Findings

The paper finds that increased CSR significantly relates to increased firm performance in all three measures, and that increased CSiR significantly relates to decreased profitability only. Furthermore, increased CSR when CSiR is present relates to increased efficiency and market valuation. Finally, increased CSiR when CSR is present relates to increased profitability and efficiency. The results suggest that CSR dominates the relationship to firm performance, as it was positively related to all three measures of firm performance, and when CSR and CSiR exist simultaneously, CSR has a dominant positive effect.

Research limitations/implications

The study sample consists of US firms only from 2009-2013, thus the generalizability of the results to other countries and periods is unknown.

Practical implications

The results demonstrating differing effects based on the measure of firm performance suggest that managers should be specific with which measures are used to gauge the impact of CSR and CSiR. In addition, managers would be wise to invest in CSR, as the results suggest that they can improve profitability, efficiency and market value. Even further, the empirically identified angel-halo effect suggests that investments in CSR may counter any potential negative effects from CSiR. Finally, the latter results suggest that firms can “get away” with some degree of CSiR when CSR is present.

Originality/value

By examining changing levels of CSR and CSiR independently and conjunctly across various measures of firm performance, this paper found a dominating role for CSR, which is labeled as the angel-halo effect.
Intensifying online loyalty! The power of website quality and the perceived value of consumer/seller relationship
Authors: Tsao Wen-Chin , Hsieh Ming-Tsang , Lin Tom M.Y.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Stimulated by trends in group purchasing and online social communities, consumers are changing their shopping behavior and increasingly turning to websites for their shopping needs. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how website quality influences shopping websites to create value for the customer and promote loyalty among customers, as well as moderating effects of online shopping experience.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collected data from 275 respondents for testing against the proposed research model by means of the partial least squares (PLS) path modeling. ADANCO software was used to assess the reliability and validity of the measurement model, conduct an analysis of the goodness of model fit for the overall model, and test the hypotheses through structural modeling.

Findings

Empirical results demonstrate that system quality and electronic service quality (e-service quality) have a significant positive effect on the perceived value of consumer/seller relationship; the perceived value of the consumer/seller relationship has a significant positive effect on online loyalty; online shopping experience does not exert a moderating effect on the relationship between website quality and the perceived value of consumer/seller relationship.

Originality/value

This study applied the PLS path modeling approach using ADANCO variance-based structural equation modeling software to verify that website quality plays an important role in distinguishing a brand from other brands in e-tailing, making it an essential factor of a shopping website’s business success. This study further verified that the amount of previous online shopping experience a consumer has does not interfere with the positive influence that website quality exerts on the perceived value of the consumer/seller relationship. The above indicates that it is imperative for website managers to adopt online shopping experience of consumers as a market segmentation variable so as to enhance website quality, increase the perceived value of consumer-seller relationships, and win consumer loyalty.
Mediation analysis in partial least squares path modeling
Authors: Nitzl Christian , Roldan Jose L. , Cepeda Gabriel
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Indirect or mediated effects constitute a type of relationship between constructs that often occurs in partial least squares (PLS) path modeling. Over the past few years, the methods for testing mediation have become more sophisticated. However, many researchers continue to use outdated methods to test mediating effects in PLS, which can lead to erroneous results. One reason for the use of outdated methods or even the lack of their use altogether is that no systematic tutorials on PLS exist that draw on the newest statistical findings. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This study illustrates the state-of-the-art use of mediation analysis in the context of PLS-structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

This study facilitates the adoption of modern procedures in PLS-SEM by challenging the conventional approach to mediation analysis and providing more accurate alternatives. In addition, the authors propose a decision tree and classification of mediation effects.

Originality/value

The recommended approach offers a wide range of testing options (e.g. multiple mediators) that go beyond simple mediation analysis alternatives, helping researchers discuss their studies in a more accurate way.
Local water stress impacts on global supply chains
Authors: Yatskovskaya Ekaterina , Srai Jagjit Singh , Kumar Mukesh
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel resource availability assessment for supply chain (SC) configuration. This approach involves understanding both local resource availability and the demand-side implications of supplying global/regional markets as part of a more holistic SC design activity that incorporates local environmental factors.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed framework was derived from literature analysis, bridging relevant literature domains – natural capital theory, industrial ecology and SC configuration – in order to develop design rules for future resource-constrained industrial systems. In order to test the proposed framework, an exploratory case study, based on secondary data, was conducted.

Findings

Research findings suggest that this approach might better identify relationships and vulnerabilities between natural resource availability and the viability of regional/global SCs. The research suggests that natural resource availability depends upon three elements – local resource consumption, global resource demand and external environmental factors.

Research limitations/implications

The framework has two main limitations. The current work is focussed on a single industry case study used to exemplify the approach. Second, the framework does not consider other possible industries, which might enter or leave the specific location during the company’s operation. Furthermore, no assessment was made of the migration of populations within the area.

Practical implications

For practitioners, such as those in the agri-food sector, the resource availability assessment framework informs SC configuration design. For policymakers, the research aims to provide policy guidelines, which can help to improve water-saving strategies for a particular region. At a broader societal level, the research raises awareness of resource scarcity amongst industrial players and the wider public.

Originality/value

A resource availability assessment framework has been proposed, suggesting that the dynamics of both global and local resource demand, in conjunction with changing local environmental factors, can over time significantly deteriorate a firm’s natural resource impact on the local environment. Thus, the framework seeks to deliver mechanisms to evaluate potential vulnerabilities and solutions available to firms using a more proactive SC design method and to apply reconfiguration processes that account for natural resources, based primarily on network and resource attributes.
Value congruence and commitment to change in healthcare organizations
Authors: Erkutlu Hakan , Chafra Jamel
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between value congruence and affective commitment to change as well as to test the moderating roles of psychological contract breach and workplace ostracism on that very relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 13 university hospitals in Turkey. The sample included 1,113 randomly chosen certified nurses and head nurses of their units. The moderating roles of psychological contract breach and workplace ostracism on the value congruence and affective commitment to change relationship were tested using the moderated hierarchical regression analysis.

Findings

The moderated hierarchical regression analysis results revealed a significant positive relationship between value congruence and employees’ commitment to change. In addition, this very relation was weaker when both psychological contract breach and workplace ostracism were higher than when they were lower.

Practical implications

This study showed that employee perception of value congruence increased employee’s affective commitment to change. Organizations can enhance employees’ affective commit by recruiting individuals who fit well within their organizations’ characteristics and by encouraging supervisors to develop close, supportive relationships with subordinates. Moreover, recognizing that employees are likely to experience concern and discomfort about a change initiative along with the fact that such psychological states (psychological contract breach or workplace ostracism) can dramatically impact the effectiveness of change efforts can help organizations to better plan change-related strategies geared towards managing properly such potentially harmful reactions.

Originality/value

The study provides new insights into the influence that value congruence may have on affective commitment to change and the moderating roles of psychological contract breach and workplace ostracism in the link between value congruence and change commitment. The paper also offers a practical assistance to employees in healthcare management and their leaders interested in building trust, increasing person-organization fit and change commitment, and lowering workplace ostracism.
What makes services customers say “buy it with a mobile phone”?
Authors: San-Martín Sonia , Prodanova Jana , López Catalán Blanca
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This study aims to explore the issue of word of mouth (WOM) about mobile shopping, including activities conducted by consumers using a wireless internet connection to make a purchase. The objective is to ascertain the determinants of m-shoppers’ WOM.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a causal model to examine how satisfaction, perceived control, perceived entertainment and subjective norms affect WOM about mobile commerce. The authors treated a sample of 447 Spanish mobile phone buyers and applied different sound theoretical approaches to support the research.

Findings

Shopping experience, control over the process, group influence and satisfaction with mobile purchasing affect subsequent WOM shopping recommendations by innovative and pioneer mobile shoppers. Besides, entertainment, group influence, shopping experience and perceived control influence customer satisfaction in mobile shopping contexts.

Originality/value

This research provides a better understanding of WOM regarding m-shopping and contributes by outlining important variables for recommending WOM regarding m-shopping, which is key in the m-shopping diffusion. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is a pioneer study in Europe focusing on these variables for addressing the ways of achieving m-shopper WOM and one of the few addressing WOM in the m-shopping context. This study is based on information collected from real buyers, who are pioneer in m-shopping.
Outcome versus process value in service delivery
Authors: Luu Ngoc , Hau Le Nguyen , Ngo Liem Viet , Bucic Tania , Cuong Pham Hung
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This study is embedded in social exchange and transaction cost theories. The purpose of this paper is to compare the relative importance of process value and outcome value in building affective and cognitive relationship strength and to compare the relative effects of each type of relationship strength on attitudinal and behavioral loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical study features a quantitative approach. The sample comprises 167 business-to-business (B2B) customers of a large transportation and logistics company in Vietnam.

Findings

Process value and outcome value have different effects on affective relationship strength. The effect of process value is greater than that of outcome value. In addition, cognitive strength has a stronger impact on both attitudinal and behavioral loyalty than affective strength.

Research limitations/implications

These insights extend extant literature regarding the process and outcome components of the service assessment. Further studies also should use a cross-industry, cross-country sample to examine the potential moderating effects of country- or industry-specific factors. These findings show B2B managers how to make appropriate resource allocation and investment decisions to enhance relationship strength and resulting customer loyalty.

Originality/value

To clarify the links among customer value, relationship strength and customer loyalty, this study examines the relative importance of rational and non-rational factors (i.e. process value vs outcome value and affective strength vs cognitive strength) for relationship performance. Unlike most prior research, this study is set in the B2B context of a developing country.
Applications of medical rapid prototyping assisted customized surgical guides in complex surgeries
Authors: Dahake Sandeep W. , Kuthe Abhaykumar M. , Mawale Mahesh B. , Bagde Ashutosh D.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an overview of applications of medical rapid prototyping (MRP)-assisted customized surgical guides (CSGs) and shows the potential of this technology in complex surgeries. This review paper also reports two case studies from open literature where MRP-assisted CSGs have been successfully used in complex surgeries.

Design/methodology/approach

Key publications from the past two decades have been reviewed.

Findings

This study concludes that the use of MRP-assisted CSGs improves the accuracy of surgery. Additionally, MRP-assisted CSGs make the surgery much faster, accurate and cheaper than any other technique. The outcome based on literature review and two case studies strongly suggested that MRP-assisted CSGs might become part of a standard protocol in the medical sector to operate the various complex surgeries, in the near future.

Practical implications

Advanced technologies like radiology, image processing, virtual surgical planning (VSP), computer-aided design (CAD) and MRP made it possible to fabricate the CSGs. MRP-assisted CSGs can easily transfer the VSP into the actual surgery.

Originality/value

This paper is beneficial to study the development and applications of MRP-assisted CSGs in complex surgeries.
3D printing with moondust
Authors: Goulas Athanasios , Friel Ross J.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of the main process parameters of laser melting (LM) type additive manufacturing (AM) on multi-layered structures manufactured from JSC-1A Lunar regolith (Moondust) simulant powder.

Design/methodology/approach

Laser diffraction technology was used to analyse and confirm the simulant powder material particle sizes and distribution. Geometrical shapes were then manufactured on a Realizer SLM™ 100 using the simulant powder. The laser-processed samples were analysed via scanning electron microscopy to evaluate surface and internal morphologies, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to analyse the chemical composition after processing, and the samples were mechanically investigated via Vickers micro-hardness testing.

Findings

A combination of process parameters resulting in an energy density value of 1.011 J/mm2 allowed the successful production of components directly from Lunar regolith simulant. An internal relative porosity of 40.8 per cent, material hardness of 670 ± 11 HV and a dimensional accuracy of 99.8 per cent were observed in the fabricated samples.

Originality/value

This research paper is investigating the novel application of a powder bed fusion AM process category as a potential on-site manufacturing approach for manufacturing structures/components out of Lunar regolith (Moondust). It was shown that this AM process category has the capability to directly manufacture multi-layered parts out of Lunar regolith, which has potential applicability to future moon colonization.
Post-traumatic zygomatic osteotomy and orbital floor reconstruction
Authors: Peel Sean , Eggbeer Dominic , Sugar Adrian , Evans Peter Llewelyn
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Post-traumatic zygomatic osteotomy, fracture reduction, and orbital floor reconstruction pose many challenges for achieving a predictable, accurate, safe, and aesthetically pleasing result. This paper aims to describe the successful application of computer-aided design (CAD) and additive manufacturing (AM) to every stage of the process – from planning to surgery.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-disciplinary team was used – comprising surgeons, prosthetists, technicians, and designers. The patient’s computed tomography scan data were segmented for bone and exported to a CAD software package. Medical models were fabricated using AM; for diagnosis, patient communication, and device verification. The surgical approach was modelled in the virtual environment and a custom surgical cutting guide, custom bone-repositioning guide, custom zygomatic implant, and custom orbital floor implant were each designed, prototyped, iterated, and validated using polymer AM prior to final fabrication using metal AM.

Findings

Post-operative clinical outcomes were as planned. The patient’s facial symmetry was improved, and their inability to fully close their eyelid was corrected. The length of the operation was reduced relative to the surgical team’s previous experiences. Post-operative scan analysis indicated a maximum deviation from the planned location for the largest piece of mobilised bone of 3.65 mm. As a result, the orbital floor implant which was fixed to this bone demonstrated a maximum deviation of 4.44 mm from the plan.

Originality/value

This represents the first application of CAD and AM to every stage of the process for this procedure – from diagnosis, to planning, and to surgery.
Merging elemental and macronutrient approaches for a comprehensive study of energy and nutrient flows
Authors: Wilder Shawn M. , Jeyasingh Punidan D.
Published: October 2016

Global warming and predation risk can have important impacts on animal physiology and life histories that can have consequences for ecosystem function. Zhang et al. () recently tested the separate and interactive effects of warming and predation risk on the body composition of Daphnia magna. By measuring both the elemental and biochemical composition of individuals, they showed that D. magna body elemental composition responded opposite to theoretical predictions and previous studies but that these changes were explained by adaptive life‐history shifts in allocation to protein in eggs versus body lipid reserves. Photograph by Joachim Mergeay.

image

Global warming and predation risk can have important impacts on animal physiology and life histories that can have consequences for ecosystem function. Zhang et al. () recently tested the separate and interactive effects of warming and predation risk on the body composition of Daphnia magna. By measuring both the elemental and biochemical composition of individuals, they showed that D. magna body elemental composition responded opposite to theoretical predictions and previous studies but that these changes were explained by adaptive life‐history shifts in allocation to protein in eggs versus body lipid reserves. Photograph by Joachim Mergeay.

Zhang, C., Jansen, M., De Meester, L. & Stoks, R. (2016) . Journal of Animal Ecology 85, 1431–1441.

Understanding the mechanisms through which energy and nutrients flow through ecosystems is critical to predicting and mitigating the consequences of climate change and other ecological disturbances. Ecological stoichiometry and nutritional geometry, using data on elements and macromolecules, respectively, have independently made major contributions towards this goal. Zhang et al. () provide data demonstrating that these two major frameworks can provide complementary insight into the consequences of global warming and predation risk for the physiology and life‐history traits of a key aquatic herbivore, Daphnia magna. This study should catalyse further work to unite these two parallel and complementary frameworks.
Natural history matters: how biological constraints shape diversified interactions in pollination networks
Authors: Jordano Pedro
Published: October 2016

Species‐specific traits constrain the ways organisms interact in nature. Some pairwise interactions among coexisting species simply do not occur; they are impossible to observe despite the fact that partners coexist in the same place. The author discusses these ‘forbidden links’ of species interaction networks. Photo: the sphingid moth Agrius cingulata visiting a Bauhinia mollis flower; Las Yungas, Argentina. Courtesy of Andrea Cocucci.

In Focus: Sazatornil, F.D., Moré, M., Benitez‐Vieyra, S., Cocucci, A.A., Kitching, I.J., Schlumpberger, B.O., Oliveira, P.E., Sazima, M. & Amorim, F.W. (2016) Beyond neutral and forbidden links: morphological matches and the assembly of mutualistic hawkmoth‐plant networks. Journal of Animal Ecology, 85, 1586–1594.

Species‐specific traits and life‐history characteristics constrain the ways organisms interact in nature. For example, gape‐limited predators are constrained in the sizes of prey they can handle and efficiently consume. When we consider the ubiquity of such constrains, it is evident how hard it can be to be a generalist partner in ecological interactions: a free‐living animal or plant cannot simply interact with every available partner it encounters. Some pairwise interactions among coexisting species simply do not occur; they are impossible to observe despite the fact that partners coexist in the same place. Sazatornil et al. (2016) explore the nature of such constraints in the mutualisms among hawkmoths and the plants they pollinate. In this iconic interaction, used by Darwin and Wallace to vividly illustrate the power of natural selection in shaping evolutionary change, both pollinators and plants are sharply constrained in their interaction modes and outcomes.
The effect of light and seed mass on seed germination of common herbaceous species from the eastern Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau
Authors: Bu Haiyan , Ge Wenjing , Zhou Xianhui , Qi Wei , Liu Kun , Xu Danghui , Wang Xuejing , Du Guozhen
Published: October 2016

Smaller seeds might encounter more severe selective pressure than larger ones because they have fewer food reserves and are more easily buried; thus, seed mass can be considered to be directly related to the effect of light on germination. To investigate the effect of light on seed germination and associated seed mass variation within a whole plant community, we compiled germination data for common herbaceous species from an alpine meadow on the eastern Qinghai‐Tibet plateau. The results showed the following. (i) Light had a general positive effect on seed germination. Under light, the proportion of species with lower germinability was decreased, mean germination percentage was increased by 20% and the speed of germination was doubled. (ii) Irrespective of light environment, species with medium‐sized seeds (seed mass ranging from 0.11 to 0.5 mg) had higher germination percentage and speed when compared with species within the largest seed mass group. (iii) The germination of smaller‐seeded species was more dependent on light stimulation than larger‐seeded ones. In darkness, the species within the smallest seed mass group had the lowest percentage and speed of germination; however, under light, the species within the largest seed mass group had the lowest percentage and speed of germination. Our results suggested that the germination characteristics and especially seeds’ response to light among species in the alpine meadow might be an adaptation to natural selective pressure.
Paralogs are revealed by proportion of heterozygotes and deviations in read ratios in genotyping‐by‐sequencing data from natural populations
Authors: McKinney Garrett J. , Waples Ryan K. , Seeb Lisa W. , Seeb James E.
Published: October 2016

Whole‐genome duplications have occurred in the recent ancestors of many plants, fish, and amphibians, resulting in a pervasiveness of paralogous loci and the potential for both disomic and tetrasomic inheritance in the same genome. Paralogs can be difficult to reliably genotype and are often excluded from genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) analyses; however, removal requires paralogs to be identified which is difficult without a reference genome. We present a method for identifying paralogs in natural populations by combining two properties of duplicated loci: (i) the expected frequency of heterozygotes exceeds that for singleton loci, and (ii) within heterozygotes, observed read ratios for each allele in GBS data will deviate from the 1:1 expected for singleton (diploid) loci. These deviations are often not apparent within individuals, particularly when sequence coverage is low; but, we postulated that summing allele reads for each locus over all heterozygous individuals in a population would provide sufficient power to detect deviations at those loci. We identified paralogous loci in three species: Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) which retains regions with ongoing residual tetrasomy on eight chromosome arms following a recent whole‐genome duplication, mountain barberry (Berberis alpina) which has a large proportion of paralogs that arose through an unknown mechanism, and dusky parrotfish (Scarus niger) which has largely rediploidized following an ancient whole‐genome duplication. Importantly, this approach only requires the genotype and allele‐specific read counts for each individual, information which is readily obtained from most GBS analysis pipelines.
The effect of inhaled nitric oxide in acute respiratory distress syndrome in children and adults: a Cochrane Systematic Review with trial sequential analysis
Authors: Karam O. , Gebistorf F. , Wetterslev J. , Afshari A.
Published: October 2016

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Inhaled nitric oxide has been used to improve oxygenation but its role remains controversial. Our primary objective in this systematic review was to examine the effects of inhaled nitric oxide administration on mortality in adults and children with acute respiratory distress syndrome. We included all randomised, controlled trials, irrespective of date of publication, blinding status, outcomes reported or language. Our primary outcome measure was all‐cause mortality. We performed several subgroup and sensitivity analyses to assess the effect of inhaled nitric oxide. There was no statistically significant effect of inhaled nitric oxide on longest follow‐up mortality (inhaled nitric oxide group 250/654 deaths (38.2%) vs. control group 221/589 deaths (37.5%; relative risk (95% CI) 1.04 (0.9–1.19)). We found a significant improvement in PaO2/FIO2 ratio at 24 h (mean difference (95% CI) 15.91 (8.25–23.56)), but not at 48 h or 72 h, while four trials indicated improved oxygenation in the inhaled nitric oxide group at 96 h (mean difference (95% CI) 14.51 (3.64–25.38)). There were no statistically significant differences in ventilator‐free days, duration of mechanical ventilation, resolution of multi‐organ failure, quality of life, length of stay in intensive care unit or hospital, cost‐benefit analysis and methaemoglobin and nitrogen dioxide levels. There was an increased risk of renal impairment (risk ratio (95% CI) 1.59 (1.17–2.16)) with inhaled nitric oxide. In conclusion, there is insufficient evidence to support inhaled nitric oxide in any category of critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome despite a transient improvement in oxygenation, since mortality is not reduced and it may induce renal impairment.
Hepatic resection for post‐operative solitary liver metastasis from oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Liu Jingeng , Wei Zhiru , Wang Yuebin , Xia Zongjiang , Zhao Gaofeng
Published: October 2016

Background

Liver metastasis is common in patients with oesophageal cancer. The effect of operative intervention for post‐operative solitary liver metastasis from oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has not previously been examined. This research was to compare the effect of surgery and non‐surgical therapy in patients with post‐operative solitary liver metastasis from ESCC.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 69 consecutive patients with solitary hepatic metastasis who had undergone oesophagectomy for ESCC and were subsequently referred to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2005 to December 2013. The survival rates of the surgical and non‐surgical groups were compared.

Results

There were 26 patients in the surgical group and 43 patients in the non‐surgical group. There was no operative death in the surgical group. Post‐operative complications were observed in six patients, and all of these patients recovered after additional treatments. Patients in the surgical group had 1‐ and 2‐year cumulative survival rates of 50.8 and 21.2%, respectively, which were significantly higher than the 31.0 and 7.1% survival rates of patients in the non‐surgical group (P < 0.05). In each group, the patients with a disease‐free interval (DFI) lasting >12 months had a better survival rate than those with a DFI lasting ≤12 months (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Operative intervention is a better treatment choice for patients with post‐operative solitary liver metastasis from ESCC, especially for patients with a DFI lasting >12 months. Patients selected for hepatic resection should be considered on an individual basis through a multidisciplinary team of specialists.
The space‐math link in preschool boys and girls: Importance of mental transformation, targeting accuracy, and spatial anxiety
Authors: Wong Wang I.
Published: October 2016

Spatial abilities are pertinent to mathematical competence, but evidence of the space‐math link has largely been confined to older samples and intrinsic spatial abilities (e.g., mental transformation). The roles of gender and affective factors are also unclear. This study examined the correlations between counting ability, mental transformation, and targeting accuracy in 182 Hong Kong preschoolers, and whether these relationships were weaker at higher spatial anxiety levels. Both spatial abilities related with counting similarly for boys and girls. Targeting accuracy also mediated the male advantage in counting. Interestingly, spatial anxiety moderated the space‐math links, but differently for boys and girls. For boys, spatial abilities were irrelevant to counting at high anxiety levels; for girls, the role of anxiety on the space‐math link is less clear. Results extend the evidence base of the space‐math link to include an extrinsic spatial ability (targeting accuracy) and have implications for intervention programmes.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Much evidence of a space‐math link in adolescent and adult samples and for intrinsic spatial abilities.

What does this study add?

Extended the space‐math link to include both intrinsic and extrinsic spatial abilities in a preschool sample.

Showed how spatial anxiety moderated the space‐math link differently for boys and girls.
Group differences in the legitimization of inequality: Questioning the role of social dominance orientation
Authors: Pehrson Samuel , Carvacho Héctor , Sibley Chris G.
Published: October 2016

Social dominance orientation (SDO) is conceived as an individual's level of support for group‐based hierarchy in general that causes support for more specific group hierarchies. According to social dominance theory, group differences in SDO underpin ideological and behavioural group differences related to specific group hierarchies. Using representative 5‐year longitudinal panel data from New Zealand (N = 3,384), we test whether SDO mediates effects of sex and ethnicity on legitimizing myths (LMs) relating to gender and ethnic hierarchy over time. The SDO mediation hypothesis is supported in the case of hostile sexism. However, it is unsupported in the case of benevolent sexism and LMs relating to ethnic hierarchy, where there was no cross‐lagged effect of SDO. Moreover, being in the dominant ethnic group is associated with more legitimization of ethnic hierarchy but less legitimization of gender hierarchy, which is inconsistent with the notion of a general orientation underpinning group differences in legitimation. There was mixed evidence for a reverse path whereby specific LMs mediate group differences in SDO across time. We argue for the need to find alternative ways to theorize ideological consensus and difference between groups.
How is supervision recorded in child and family social work? An analysis of 244 written records of formal supervision
Authors: Wilkins David
Published: October 2016

Written records belie the complexity of social work practice. And yet, keeping good records is a key function for social workers in England (and elsewhere). Written records provide a future reference point for children, especially those in public care. They are foundational for the inspection of children's services. They provide practitioners and managers with an opportunity to record their thinking and decisions. They add to result from and cause much of the bureaucratic maze that practitioners have to navigate. As part of a wider study of child and family social work practice, this paper describes an analysis of more than 200 written records of supervision. These records primarily contain narrative descriptions of activity, often leading to a set of actions for the social worker to complete – what they should do next. Records of why these actions are necessary and how the social worker might undertake them are usually absent, as are records of analytical thinking or the child's views. This suggests that written records of supervision are not principally created in order to inform an understanding of the social work decision‐making process; rather, they are created to demonstrate management oversight of practice and the accountability of the practitioner.
Xq28 duplication including MECP2 in six unreported affected females: what can we learn for diagnosis and genetic counselling?
Authors: El Chehadeh S. , Touraine R. , Prieur F. , Reardon W. , Bienvenu T. , Chantot‐Bastaraud S. , Doco‐Fenzy M. , Landais E. , Philippe C. , Marle N. , Callier P. , Mosca‐Boidron A.‐L. , Mugneret F. , Le Meur N. , Goldenberg A. , Guerrot A.‐M. , Chambon P. , Satre V. , Coutton C. , Jouk P.‐S. , Devillard F. , Dieterich K. , Afenjar A. , Burglen L. , Moutard M.‐L. , Addor M.‐C. , Lebon S. , Martinet D. , Alessandri J.‐L. , Doray B. , Miguet M. , Devys D. , Saugier‐Veber P. , Drunat S. , Aral B. , Kremer V. , Rondeau S. , Tabet A.‐C. , Thevenon J. , Thauvin‐Robinet C. , Perreton N. , Des Portes V. , Faivre L.
Published: October 2016

Duplication of the Xq28 region, involving MECP2 (dupMECP2), has been primarily described in males with severe developmental delay, spasticity, epilepsy, stereotyped movements and recurrent infections. Carrier mothers are usually asymptomatic with an extremely skewed X chromosome inactivation (XCI) pattern. We report a series of six novel symptomatic females carrying a de novo interstitial dupMECP2, and review the 14 symptomatic females reported to date, with the aim to further delineate their phenotype and give clues for genetic counselling. One patient was adopted and among the other 19 patients, seven (37%) had inherited their duplication from their mother, including three mildly (XCI: 70/30, 63/37, 100/0 in blood and random in saliva), one moderately (XCI: random) and three severely (XCI: uninformative and 88/12) affected patients. After combining our data with data from the literature, we could not show a correlation between XCI in the blood or duplication size and the severity of the phenotype, or explain the presence of a phenotype in these females. These findings confirm that an abnormal phenotype, even severe, can be a rare event in females born to asymptomatic carrier mothers, making genetic counselling difficult in couples at risk in terms of prognosis, in particular in prenatal cases.
Aerial adult dragonflies are highly sensitive to in‐water conditions across an ancient landscape
Authors: Kietzka Gabriella J. , Pryke James S. , Samways Michael J.
Published: October 2016

Aim

Adult dragonflies are renowned for being good bioindicators of anthropogenic change, but their response to the heterogeneity of undisturbed river systems has received little investigation. The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) has had a long lineage of natural selection which has honed life stages to the fine grain of the river systems. This leads to the intriguing question: How sensitive are the aerial adults to the in‐water conditions?

Location

Rivers of the CFR, in the Western Cape Province, South Africa, are naturally heterogeneous and complex ecosystems running across a geologically ancient landscape. The CFR is a significant centre of local endemism for many taxa, including dragonflies.

Methods

We investigated dragonfly assemblages and 20 environmental variables along untransformed reaches of three CFR rivers.

Results

We found that each river has its own particular ‘signature’ dragonfly assemblage. We also found that certain in‐water parameters were the most important factors driving adult dragonfly assemblages, and not variables associated with substrate or riparian vegetation under these historic, natural conditions. This responsiveness to a heterogeneous range of in‐water variables was similar from one river to the next, and also was independent of species turnover among the different dragonfly assemblages.

Main conclusions

From a conservation perspective, the natural variation in certain water parameters, particularly in‐water conditions, is essential for supporting the full suite of adult dragonfly species. Challenging but important for conservation planning is that each river has its own biotic merit. Addressing this challenge also means that maintenance and restoration of historic, heterogeneous, in‐water conditions in addition to the removal of alien invasive trees which are already known to be highly detrimental to this largely irreplaceable dragonfly fauna. Prioritizing which rivers to conserve can be achieved through using indices involving dragonflies.
A systematic review of interventions to improve outcomes for young adults with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: O'Hara M. C. , Hynes L. , O'Donnell M. , Nery N. , Byrne M. , Heller S. R. , Dinneen S. F. ,   the Irish Type 1 Diabetes Young Adult Study Group
Published: October 2016

Background

Many young adults with Type 1 diabetes experience poor outcomes. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the evidence regarding the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving clinical, behavioural or psychosocial outcomes for young adults with Type 1 diabetes.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched. Any intervention studies related to education, support, behaviour change or health service organizational change for young adults aged between 15‐30 years with Type 1 diabetes were included. A narrative synthesis of all studies was undertaken due to the large degree of heterogeneity between studies.

Results

Eighteen studies (of a possible 1700) were selected and categorized: Health Services Delivery (n = 4), Group Education and Peer Support (n = 6), Digital Platforms (n = 4) and Diabetes Devices (n = 4). Study designs included one randomized controlled trial, three retrospective studies, seven feasibility/acceptability studies and eight studies with a pre/post design. Continuity, support, education and tailoring of interventions to young adults were the most common themes across studies. HbA1c was the most frequently measured outcome, but only 5 of 12 studies that measured it showed a significant improvement.

Conclusion

Based on the heterogeneity among the studies, the effectiveness of interventions on clinical, behavioural and psychosocial outcomes among young adults is inconclusive. This review has highlighted a lack of high‐quality, well‐designed interventions, aimed at improving health outcomes for young adults with Type 1 diabetes.
The diet‐derived short chain fatty acid propionate improves beta‐cell function in humans and stimulates insulin secretion from human islets in vitro
Authors: Pingitore Attilio , Chambers Edward S. , Hill Thomas , Maldonado Inmaculada Ruz , Liu Bo , Bewick Gavin , Morrison Douglas J. , Preston Tom , Wallis Gareth A. , Tedford Catriona , Castañera González Ramón , Huang Guo C. , Choudhary Pratik , Frost Gary , Persaud Shanta J.
Published: October 2016

Aims

Diet‐derived short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) improve glucose homeostasis in vivo, but the role of individual SCFAs and their mechanisms of action have not been defined. This study evaluated the effects of increasing colonic delivery of the SCFA propionate on β‐cell function in humans and the direct effects of propionate on isolated human islets in vitro.

Materials and methods

For 24 weeks human subjects ingested an inulin‐propionate ester that delivers propionate to the colon. Acute insulin, GLP‐1 and non‐esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels were quantified pre‐ and post‐supplementation in response to a mixed meal test. Expression of the SCFA receptor FFAR2 in human islets was determined by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Dynamic insulin secretion from perifused human islets was quantified by radioimmunoassay and islet apoptosis was determined by quantification of caspase 3/7 activities.

Results

Colonic propionate delivery in vivo was associated with improved β‐cell function with increased insulin secretion that was independent of changes in GLP‐1 levels. Human islet β‐cells expressed FFAR2 and propionate potentiated dynamic glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion in vitro, an effect that was dependent on signalling via protein kinase C. Propionate also protected human islets from apoptosis induced by the NEFA sodium palmitate and inflammatory cytokines.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that propionate has beneficial effects on β‐cell function in vivo, and in vitro analyses demonstrated that it has direct effects to potentiate glucose‐stimulated insulin release and maintain β‐cell mass through inhibition of apoptosis. These observations support ingestion of propiogenic dietary fibres to maintain healthy glucose homeostasis.
Metformin reduces the rate of small intestinal glucose absorption in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Wu Tongzhi , Xie Cong , Wu Hang , Jones Karen L. , Horowitz Michael , Rayner Christopher K.
Published: October 2016

In rodents, metformin slows intestinal glucose absorption, potentially increasing exposure of the distal gut to glucose to enhance postprandial glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) secretion. We evaluated the effects of metformin on serum 3‐O‐methylglucose (3‐OMG; a marker of glucose absorption) and plasma total GLP‐1 concentrations during a standardized intraduodenal infusion of glucose and 3‐OMG in patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 12 patients, treated with metformin 850 mg twice daily or placebo for 7 days each in a double‐blind, randomized, crossover design (14 days’ washout between treatments), were evaluated on days 5 or 8 of each treatment (6 subjects each). On each study day, 30 minutes after ingesting 850 mg metformin or placebo, patients received an infusion of glucose (60 g + 5 g 3‐OMG, dissolved in water to 240 mL) via an intraduodenal catheter over the course of 120 minutes. Compared with placebo, metformin was associated with lower serum 3‐OMG (
P
< .001) and higher plasma total GLP‐1 (
P
= .003) concentrations. The increment in plasma GLP‐1 after metformin vs placebo was related to the reduction in serum 3‐OMG concentrations (
P
= .019). Accordingly, metformin inhibits small intestinal glucose absorption, which may contribute to augmented GLP‐1 secretion in type 2 diabetes.
The European Union as a Collective Actor: Aid and Trade in African Public Opinion
Authors: Bodenstein Thilo , Kemmerling Achim
Published: October 2016

Perceptions of the impact and effectiveness of development aid are used to assess whether the EU is viewed as a collective actor in foreign aid policy. Using Afrobarometer data, we explore the image of the EU in Africa relative to that of France, Britain, the US and China. We compare these results with the effects of trade and investment relationships between donor countries and their African counterparts. There are significant differences in the visibility of the major bilateral donors’ activities in sub‐Saharan Africa, and foreign aid has a positive impact on public opinion about the EU. The EU has partially overcome its collective action dilemma and has come to be perceived as a foreign aid actor in its own right.