bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal expectation modulates cortical dynamics of sensory memory
Authors: Wilsch Anna , Henry Molly J. , Herrmann Björn , Herrmann Christoph S. , Obleser Jonas
Published: October 2017

Increased memory load is often signified by enhanced neural oscillatory power in the alpha range (8–13 Hz), taken to reflect inhibition of task-irrelevant brain regions. The corresponding neural correlates of memory decay, however, are not yet well-understood. Here, we investigated auditory sensory memory decay using a delayed matching-to-sample task with pure-tone sequences. First, in a behavioral experiment we modeled memory behavior over six different delay-phase durations. Second, in a magnetoencephalography (MEG) experiment, we assessed alpha-power modulations over three different delay-phase durations. In both experiments, the temporal expectation for the to-be-remembered sound was manipulated, so that it was either temporally expected or not. In both studies, memory performance declined over time but this decline was less strong under a more precise temporal expectation. Similarly, patterns of alpha power in and alpha-tuned connectivity between sensory cortices changed parametrically with delay duration (i.e., decrease in occipito-parietal regions, increase in temporal regions). Notably, temporal expectation counteracted alpha-power decline in heteromodal brain areas (i.e., supramarginal gyrus), in line with its memory-decay counteracting effect on performance. Correspondingly, temporal expectation also boosted alpha connectivity within attention networks known to play an active role during memory maintenance. The present data outline how patterns of alpha power orchestrate sensory memory decay, and encourage a refined perspective on alpha power and its inhibitory role across brain space and time.

Significance Statement

Our sensory memories of the physical world fade quickly. We show here that this decay of sensory memory can be counteracted by so-called temporal expectation, that is, knowledge of when to expect the to-be-remembered sensory event (here, brief sound patterns). We also show that distinct patterns and modulations of neural oscillations in the “alpha” (8–13 Hz) range index both, the degree of memory decay, and any benefit from temporal expectation, both of which affect memory performance. Critically, spatially distributed cortical patterns of alpha power, with opposing effects in auditory vs. visual sensory cortices and alpha-tuned connectivity changes within supramodal attention networks, reflect the allocation of neural resources as sensory memory representations fade.
Persistent DNA-break potential near telomeres increases initiation of meiotic recombination on short chromosomes
Authors: Subramanian Vijayalakshmi V. , Zhu Xuan , Markowitz Tovah E. , Vale-Silva Luis A. , San-Segundo Pedro A. , Hollingsworth Nancy M. , Keeney Scott , Hochwagen Andreas
Published: October 2017

Faithful meiotic chromosome inheritance and fertility relies on the stimulation of meiotic crossover recombination by potentially genotoxic DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). To avoid excessive damage, feedback mechanisms down-regulate DSBs on chromosomes that have successfully initiated crossover repair. InSaccharomyces cerevisiae, this regulation requires the removal of the conserved DSB-promoting protein Hop1/HORMAD during chromosome synapsis. Here, we identify privileged end-adjacent regions (EARs) spanning roughly 100 Kb near all telomeres that escape DSB downregulation. These regions retain Hop1 and continue to break in pachynema despite normal synaptonemal complex deposition. Differential retention of Hop1 requires the disassemblase Pch2/TRIP13, which preferentially removes Hop1 from telomere-distant sequences, and is modulated by the histone deacetylase Sir2 and the nucleoporin Nup2. Importantly, the uniform size of EARs among chromosomes contributes to disproportionately high DSB and repair signals on short chromosomes in pachynema, suggesting that EARs partially underlie the curiously high recombination rate of short chromosomes.
Hemispheric lateralization of Heschl’s gyrus and amygdala subdivisions are involved in differentiating happy and sad acoustic emotion
Authors: Manno Francis A. M. , Fernández-Ruíz Juan , Barrios Fernando A.
Published: October 2017

Emotion is known to activate different areas of the cortex; nevertheless, how activation represents the variety of emotion is unknown. We asked whether functional activation in Heschl’s gyrus and amygdala subdivisions could differentiate happy and sad acoustic stimuli. A sparse sampling fMRI paradigm assessing hemispheric laterality by subdivision was employed to investigate this question. Differences between left Heschl’s gyrus subdivisions Te1.1 and Te1.0 compared to Te1.2 were significant for sad acoustic stimuli and right Heschl’s gyrus subdivisions Te1.0 different than Te1.1 and Te1.2 for sad acoustic stimuli, with no subdivision specificity for happy greater than sad. A prominent right greater than left difference was notable for centromedial, laterobasal, and superficial amygdala subdivisions for sad, while happy was more bilaterally activated. Activation and deactivation profiles of Heschl’s gyrus and amygdala subdivisions added to the explanation of left/right asymmetry by emotion with activation profiles significant for Heschl’s gyrus and amygdala response to sad.
Meta-analysis of massive parallel reporter assays enables functional regulatory elements prediction
Authors: Kreimer Anat , Yan Zhongxia , Ahituv Nadav , Yosef Nir
Published: October 2017

Deciphering the potential of non-coding loci to influence gene regulation has been the subject of intense research, with important implications in understanding genetic underpinnings of human diseases. Massively parallel reporter assays (MPRAs) can measure regulatory activity of thousands of DNA-sequences and their variants in a single experiment. With increasing number of publically available MPRA datasets, one can now develop data-driven models which, given a DNA-sequence, predict its regulatory activity. Here, we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis of several MPRA datasets in a variety of cellular contexts. We first applied an ensemble of methods to predict MPRA output in each context and observed that the most predictive features are consistent across datasets. We then demonstrate that predictive models trained in one cellular context can be used to predict MPRA output in another, with loss of accuracy attributed to cell-type specific features. Finally, we show that our approach achieves top performance in the Fifth Critical Assessment of Genome Interpretation “Regulation Saturation” Challenge for predicting effects of single nucleotide variants. Overall, our analysis provides insights into how MPRA data can be leveraged to highlight functional regulatory regions throughout the genome and can guide effective design of future experiments by better prioritizing regions of interest.
What makes restaurateurs adopt healthy restaurant initiatives?
Authors: Seo Sunhee (Sunny) , Lee Hyunjeong
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to uncover what affected restaurateurs in their intention to participate in the healthy restaurant initiative.

Design/methodology/approach

In all, 53 restaurateurs who participated in healthy restaurant initiatives in Korea responded to a survey. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to reveal the influences of perceived innovation characteristics (PICs), attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) on the intention to sustain a healthy restaurant.

Findings

The results showed that PBC, attitudes toward healthy restaurants, relative advantage for restaurants, and complexity among PICs were significant influences on the intention to sustain healthy restaurant initiatives.

Research limitations/implications

This research has made the first attempt to evaluate healthy restaurant initiatives using the perspectives of restaurateurs who actually participated in healthy restaurant initiatives. Also, this study extends the research model testing behavior intention using the theory of planned behavior and the innovation adoption theory to investigate the influences on restaurateur intentions to sustain healthy restaurant initiatives.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that operators must have access to sufficient technical resources and a sense of self-efficacy, which encourage restaurateurs to maintain healthy restaurant initiatives. Enhancing positive attitudes and the relative advantages of the healthy restaurant initiatives also encouraged participation. Finally, voluntary and continuous participation and expansion of healthy restaurant initiatives require community and government support, a simple use of process to change, and a good understanding of the relative advantages of healthy restaurant initiatives.

Originality/value

This study first illustrates the factors that best explain the intention to sustain a healthy restaurant from the perspective of restaurateurs. PICs shed light on how complexity and relative advantage for customers helps predict intentions to sustain healthy restaurant initiatives.
Influence of online product presentation on consumers’ trust in organic food
Authors: Yue Liuqing , Liu Yongmei , Wei Xuhua
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Against the background of industrialisation and modernisation of agriculture, food production issues and environmental hazards have become more and more obvious and consumers are increasingly concerned about food safety and health, which is strengthening demand for organic food. E-commerce provides a new channel for sales. Research on consumer trust in online organic food sales is the basis of network marketing. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A laboratory experiment was used to empirically test the effects of media richness on consumers’ trust and the moderating effect of online review length. A 2×2 factorial design (i.e. two types of online product presentation formats (between-subject)×two levels of online review lengths (between-subject)) was used.

Findings

Media richness has a significant positive effect on consumers’ trust and that this effect is moderated by online review length. Meanwhile, perceived risk conveys the interaction effect of the media richness of online product presentation and online review length to trust.

Practical implications

E-commerce websites should aim to promote organic food by using a variety of online product presentation formats and by presenting high quality online reviews in order to reduce consumers’ perceived risk and improve their degree of trust when buying online.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new insight into consumers’ attitude of buying organic food online. The results of the research could provide proposals for promoting organic food sales online.
Eating habits associated with body weight gain in female university students
Authors: Sprake Eleanor , Lavin Jacquie , Grabowski Peter , Russell Jean , Featherstone Megan , Barker Margo
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore factors associated with body weight gain among British university students who were members of a slimming club.

Design/methodology/approach

Student members of a national commercial slimming programme completed an online survey about cooking ability, weight gain, eating habits and physical activity levels. Non-parametric statistical tests and regression analysis were employed to examine factors associated with weight gain.

Findings

The data set comprised 272 current students. The majority of students (67 per cent) reported weight gain between 3.2 and 12.7 kg during studying in university: 20.4 per cent reported to have gained >12.7 kg. Students commonly attributed their weight gain to academic stress and nearly all identified with needing support to learn to cook on a budget. Students reporting greatest weight gain had most frequent consumption of ready meals & convenience foods, take-away & fast foods and least frequent consumption of fruits & vegetables. Weight-stable students reported lowest consumption of alcohol and were most able to cook complex meals. Students who reported greatest weight gain reported lower physical activity levels. There were inter-correlations between cooking ability and lifestyle factors. In a multivariate model, low physical activity and frequent consumption of ready meals and convenience food independently predicted weight gain.

Weight gain was inversely associated with diet quality, cooking ability and physical activity with reliance on ready meals & convenience food and low physical activity particularly important. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these cross-sectional associations and to explore how the university setting may contribute to the effect.

Originality/value

The study adds additional perspective to understanding student weight gain at university in that it focuses on a body weight-conscious sub-group of the student population, as opposed to the general population of students.
Bankarization in the first European cities with an equal number of Muslim and Christian inhabitants
Authors: Pérez-Castro Miguel Ángel , Montero-Alonso Miguel Ángel , Abderrahman-Azaar Akram
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the situation of the financial system in the Spanish-governed cities of Melilla and Ceuta, Christian and Muslim cities located on the north coast of Africa, and compared it with the mean bankarization level in the rest of Spain in 2000-2015.

Design/methodology/approach

Although different calculation methods have been proposed, most authors agree that the bankarization level of a country or a territory reflects the development of the society as a whole and has a positive correlation with economic growth. The indicators of financial depth proposed by these researchers are not only the ratio between variables such as loans, deposits, etc., but also the ratios of these variables to the population and the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country or territory.

Findings

The results obtained revealed that there are differences between these two North African Spanish cities. Furthermore, the financing gap between the mean bankarization levels of these cities and those of mainland Spain was found to be even larger than most of the other economic indicators (GDP per capita and the unemployment rate).

Practical implications

The authors are convinced that the manuscript is a contribution of great interest for serving pilot experience in cities wishing to offer a development of traditional banking and Islamic banking. The paper should be of interest to readers in the areas of finance systems and commercial banks where two different cultures coexist.

Originality/value

This is the first research study on the financial framework of European cities whose populations have an approximately equal percentage of Christians and Muslims. The data reflected the existence of savings and loan methods parallel to conventional banking. The conclusion was that in the near future, it would be advisable for European banks to take into account the cultural customs and religious practices of potential Muslim clients.
The origins of marketing practice in Britain: from the ancient to the early twentieth century
Authors: Hawkins Richard A.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the development of marketing practice in Britain from the ancient to the early twentieth century. It builds upon the author’s chapter in the 2016Routledge Companion to the History of Marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a review of secondary history and archaeology literature supplemented by digitised historic newspaper and magazine advertising. The literature is frameworked using a modified version of Fullerton’s 1988 periodization which has been extended to include the medieval and Roman eras.

Findings

One of the significant findings of this paper is the key role the state has played in the development of marketing practice in Britain, the construction of pavements being a good example.

Originality/value

Apart from Nevett’s 1982 history of British advertising and the author’sRoutledge Companion to the History of Marketingchapter, this is the first survey of the historical development of British marketing practice. It assembles and presents in a useful way important information. This paper will be of interest to marketing historians, especially students and researchers new to the subject.
Origins of sports car marketing: early 20th Century British cycle-cars
Authors: Jones D.G. Brian , Richardson Alan J.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The aim of this study is to explore the attempts by early twentieth century cyclecar manufacturers in the UK and USA to segment the personal transportation market and to position early cyclecars through the development of unique product attributes and advertising. More specifically, the authors speculate about early twentieth century British cyclecar marketing strategies that implicitly recognized a sports car segment and positioned cyclecar brands to meet the needs of that segment.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary source material for this research is a sample of 205 print ads and articles from the early twentieth century (1912-1921) specialty magazines devoted to cyclecars in the UK and USA. We combine the content analysis of the sample of ads with a critical reading and interpretation of a sub-sample of those same ads.

Findings

Between 1910 and 1921, a new form of personal transportation was developed that combined the technology of motorcycles with the utility of automobiles. Known as “cyclecars”, these vehicles were typically constructed from off-the-shelf motorcycle parts and assembled in small batches by a myriad of manufacturers. Current scholarship suggests that the cyclecar craze of the 1910s ended with the introduction of low cost “real” automobiles such as the Ford Model T, Austin 7 and Morris Oxford. We use the content analysis of cyclecar advertisements to construct a brand-positioning map of this emerging segment of the transportation market. We argue that while the core cyclecar positioning was in direct competition with small economically positioned cars such as the Ford Model T, a significant part of the market, primarily centered in the UK, could be considered as for sports cars. That segment of the cyclecar market, along with the development of cyclecars into urban delivery vehicles, continued over time and has re-emerged today in a range of three-wheeled sports cars, including the updating and continuation of the British Morgan 3 Wheeler model which was launched during the heyday of cyclecars.

Research limitations/implications

The authors can only speculate about the impact of the Ford Model T in this study. Further research on that issue is needed.

Originality/value

This is the first historical study of cyclecar marketing. Most of what little has been published about cyclecars focuses on their design and technology.
The case for employee resource groups
Authors: Welbourne Theresa M. , Rolf Skylar , Schlachter Steven
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that employee resource groups (ERGs) are a valuable addition to organizations and should be an important focus of research, particularly given the diversity and inclusion challenges faced by many businesses and communities today.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors review the ERG literature, develop a theoretical framework using social identity theory (SIT) and suggest research directions.

Findings

ERGs represent a fairly unexplored area of research. Using SIT, a series of propositions is presented for research into ERG effects on individual, group and organizational outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

ERGs have impact beyond the topics explored using SIT. As ERGs become more prominent, there is ample room to conduct empirical research to learn more about the underlying process by which ERGs are affecting identity and employee integration (or lack of) into groups and organizations.

Originality/value

Despite their prevalence in the business world, there has been a scarce amount of theorizing and research focused on ERGs. To help facilitate the development of this work, the authors introduce a theoretical framework using SIT, as well as propositions that can serve to spur additional research on a critical topic for today’s businesses.
Passion or people? Social capital and career sustainability in arts management
Authors: Richardson Julia , Jogulu Uma , Rentschler Ruth
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of social capital for career success and sustainability among arts managers and the implication for human resource practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a qualitative study comprising interviews with 73 arts managers in Australia.

Findings

While answering an occupational calling and having a sense of passion for the arts is a key driver to embark upon a career in arts management, it is social capital that is essential for both objective and subjective career success and thus for career sustainability. The authors also identify the value of education, global experience and well-honed soft skills for building social capital.

Research limitations/implications

The study is located in Australia – arts management in other national contexts and industries may be different.

Practical implications

This paper identifies the need for arts managers to develop heterogeneous social capital to support both career success and sustainability. It also indicates that whereas passion for the arts may be an important driver, other skills and competencies are required. Both of these themes need to be incorporated into human resource practice in the arts industry.

Social implications

This paper demonstrates the growing need to acknowledge the impact of relational social capital in the arts in an increasingly volatile work environment.

Originality/value

This paper fills the gap in our understanding of careers that bridge both the arts and management as professional domains of activity and extends understanding on the role of social capital in management careers more generally.
Can HRM alleviate the negative effects of the resource curse on firms? Evidence from Brunei
Authors: Darwish Tamer K. , Mohamed Abdul Fattaah , Wood Geoffrey , Singh Satwinder , Fleming Jocelyne
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The resource curse literature suggests that firms operating in non-oil and non-gas industries in petrostates face considerable challenges in securing competitiveness and sustaining themselves. Based on a firm-level survey within a micro-petrostate, Brunei, the purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between specific HR policies and practices and organisational performance; analyse, compare, and contrast oil and gas with non-oil and non-gas sectors; and draw out the comparative lessons for understanding the potential and performance consequences of HR interventions in resource-centred national economies.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study were generated from a primary survey administered amongst the HR directors in companies operating in all sectors in Brunei. A statistically representative sample size of 214 was selected.

Findings

The authors confirmed that firms in the oil and gas sector indeed performed better than other sectors. However, the authors found that the negative effects associated with operating outside of oil and gas could be mitigated through strategic choices: the strategic involvement of HR directors in the affairs of the company reduced employee turnover and added positively to financial returns across sectors.

Practical implications

Developing and enhancing the role of people management is still very much easier than bringing about structural institutional reforms: the study confirms that at least part of the solution to contextual difficulties lies within, and that the firm-level consequences of the resource curse can be ameliorated through a strategic choice.

Originality/value

The nature of the present investigation is one of few studies conducted in South East Asia in general and in the context of Brunei, in particular. It also contributes to the authors’ understanding whether HR interventions can ameliorate the challenges of operating in a non-resource sector in a resource-rich country.
Customer aggression and organizational turnover among service employees
Authors: Kashif Muhammad , Zarkada Anna , Thurasamy Ramayah
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The episodes of customer rage with employees during service encounters are common and adversely affect the long-term commitment of employees with an organization. The service organizations, in an effort to control employee turnover, are striving hard but have failed. There are a wide variety of studies that address employee turnover but the research which encapsulates a combined effect of perceived justice and organizational pride to study exhaustion-turnover path are almost scant. The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of customer aggression on the frontline food service managers’ emotional exhaustion and turnover intentions. The mitigating effects of perceived distributive justice and emotional organizational pride are also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 250 frontline employees of global fast food chain outlets located in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling by AMOS.

Findings

The customer aggression is found to influence emotional exhaustion which in turn reduces job satisfaction and increases turnover intentions among frontline food service managers. The mitigating effects of distributive justice on the customer aggression to emotional exhaustion path and of emotional organizational pride on the job satisfaction to turnover intentions path are confirmed.

Practical implications

The results reveal importance of maintaining a supportive and justice-oriented organizational culture. Rewarding frontliners, celebrating the organizational successes that build pride, and acknowledging the emotional burden misbehaving customers place on employees are identified as shields to guard against employee dissatisfaction and turnover.

Originality/value

The turnover intentions resulting from the emotional exhaustion caused by customer aggression in the global fast food industry is studied for the first time. Furthermore, the inclusion of distributive justice and emotional organizational pride as cognitive and affective factors that reduce the effects of customer aggression on frontliners is unique to this study.
Examining employees’ safety behaviours: an industry-level investigation from Ghana
Authors: Howard Quartey Samuel
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine employees’ safety behaviours (ESBs) within the beverage manufacturing industry. It also assessed employees’ perception of their own safety behaviours. It further investigated the impact of organisational culture (OC) on ESBs. Finally, the study identified the likely determinants of ESBs.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey methodology was employed as an appropriate approach. In total, 197 valid questionnaires were retrieved from employees working in the beverage manufacturing industry. The questionnaires were processed for quantitative analyses to test the hypotheses. A simple regression analysis was carried out to assess employees’ perception of their own safety behaviours and to investigate the impact of OC on ESBs. Descriptive frequencies and percentages were used to identify the determinants of ESBs.

Findings

The results suggest that employees’ perception of their own safety behaviour was positive. OC was reported to have a strong positive impact on ESBs. Safe working conditions, job satisfaction and organisational leadership were identified as the key organisational determinants of safety behaviours among the employees.

Research limitations/implications

Interpreting these findings must be done with caution as the sample size was relatively small and solely obtained from four beverage manufacturing firms. Generalising the findings from this study must also be carefully done as the study is industry-specific and country-specific.

Practical implications

Besides the loss of talents through unsafe behaviours, accidents can hurt work performance, productivity and profitability of an organisation. Industry organisations and their managers can therefore implement perceptual, organisational and cultural interventions that reinforce appropriate safety behaviours among employees at the workplace.

Social implications

Understanding these cultural, perceptual and organisational perspectives on ESBs is not only a significant input for safety behavioural analysis and interventions but can also reduce the socioeconomic cost of unsafe and risk behaviours among employees at the firm, industry, national and global levels.

Originality/value

The empirical tests of employees’ perception of their own safety behaviours are heavily biased towards data originating from the developed country industry settings which suggest that the dynamics of ESBs in the less developed economies are likely to be unknown. This study is first to examine ESBs in a developing country beverage manufacturing industry setting.
Workplace authenticity as an attribute of employer attractiveness
Authors: Reis Germano Glufke , Braga Beatriz Maria , Trullen Jordi
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relevance of authenticity as a possible attribute of employer attractiveness. Additionally, the study compares authenticity to other factors of attractiveness, such as economic, development, social, interest and application values.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted with a total of 937 respondents. The questionnaire consisted of the employer attractiveness scale developed by Berthon, Ewing, and Hah (2005) and an adapted version of the authentic living scale (Woodet al., 2008).

Findings

The results show that workplace authenticity is equally valued as an attractiveness attribute as having opportunities for economic and personal development, and that it is significantly more highly valued than other attractiveness dimensions of the work environment, such as interest value, social value, and application value. The results also show that authenticity matters more as an attribute of attractiveness for top management, older professionals as well as women.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that firms become more competitive in attracting talent if their recruitment strategies place more emphasis on authenticity as a psychological benefit that can be obtained through working in the company. The use of social media (e.g. employee testimonials, chats, and blogs) can help to this end.

Originality/value

The subject of workplace authenticity has been receiving increasing attention in the academic literature, and the studies reveal the benefits that it may entail for both developing and retaining a more engaged and productive workforce. However, previous research has not considered how perceptions of workplace authenticity may also help organizations become more attractive in the eyes of potential job applicants.
Understanding the role of supervisor support in retaining employees and enhancing their satisfaction with life
Authors: Rathi Neerpal , Lee Kidong
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the association of supervisor support with organizational commitment, turnover intentions, and life satisfaction, while also examining the mediating role of quality of work life (QWL) in these associations.

Design/methodology/approach

For testing the research hypotheses, data were collected from 244 respondents working in organizations within the organized retail sector in India. Existing, established scales were used to measure the research constructs.

Findings

The results of this study indicate that supervisor support was positively related to QWL. Moreover, QWL was found to be positively related to organizational commitment and life satisfaction, whereas a negative association was observed between QWL and turnover intentions. Finally, the results show that QWL mediated the association of supervisor support with organizational commitment, turnover intentions, and life satisfaction.

Practical implications

The current study suggests that a supportive supervisor enhances employees’ emotional attachment to the organization and life satisfaction by augmenting their QWL. The findings of this study may be helpful for organizational leaders in designing human resource practices that focus on enhancing supervisor support. An enhanced level of supervisor support may further help in retaining employees and improving their lives in today’s highly competitive and stressful business environment.

Originality/value

Although the association of supervisor support with employee attitudes and behavior at work has been extensively investigated, previous research did not clarify how supervisor support is linked to these outcomes. By investigating the mediating role of QWL, this research elucidates the underlying mechanisms linking supervisor support with organizational commitment, turnover intentions, and life satisfaction. This research provides an important contribution not only to the workplace support literature, but also to the field of human resource management.
Models for understanding the influence of Supply Chain Governance on Supply Chain Performance
Authors: Dolci Pietro Cunha , Maçada Antonio Carlos Gastaud , Paiva Ely Laureano
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop models and analyse the influence of supply chain governance (SCG) and its conceptions (contractual, relational and transactional) on supply chain performance (SCP).

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple case studies and survey methods were used. Data collection in the multiple case studies was performed by in-depth interviews with supply chain executives from top strategic levels in six companies. The research instrument was applied to 185 executives from large companies that possessed a broad, complex supply chain in Brazil.

Findings

It was identified that SCG, comprising contractual, relational and transactional aspects, has a positive influence on operational and financial SCP. SCG was found to be a more comprehensive view of the supply chain that focuses on more strategic aspects and long-term inter-organizational relationships. SCG affects SCP, primarily in the operational aspects with regard to global costs and in the financial aspects of investment return.

Originality/value

SCG is a topic that has been widely studied in recent years for analysing inter-organizational relations as a multi-dimensional phenomenon embedded in the company’s structures and processes. Studies analysing all aspects of SCG at the same time, however, have not been found. Moreover, there are a number of performance indicators, but there is a lack of consensus on what determines the performance of these supply chains. Furthermore, few studies have attempted to understand the effects of SCG on supply chain performance.
Developing asymmetry in a screening mammogram: A cautionary tale of a missed cancer
Authors: Peart Jane , Thomson Glen , Wood Stephen
Published: October 2017

The developing asymmetry has a 12–15% risk of malignancy but poses challenges of detection and interpretation due to the lack of typical features of cancer and the frequent absence of an ultrasound correlate. Failure to biopsy these lesions may lead to delayed diagnosis of breast cancer.
Political connection, market frictions and financial constraints: evidence from China
Authors: Deng Kebin , Zeng Haijian , Zhu Yushu
Published: October 2017

This paper studies the relationship between market frictions and political connections in determining financial constraints. We develop a novel index to measure the depth of political connections (PC) at the firm level and provide robust empirical evidence that firms in China actively build PC to alleviate the costs of market frictions. Specifically, we find that firms facing severe market frictions are not as financially constrained as expected. This is because these firms also possess strong PC, which alleviate the costs of market frictions. We find that market frictions can significantly affect financial constraints in Chinese firms, but only for those firms with modest levels of PC.
Microcredit for rural poverty alleviation and social well‐being: A study of Sabah, Malaysia
Authors: Wahab Haris Abd , Bunyau William , Rezaul Islam M.
Published: October 2017

Microcredit is an influential intervention used to alleviate poverty and improve social well‐being in rural communities in Sabah, Malaysia. This study examined the effects of a microcredit scheme, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), on the well‐being of these communities. Using a survey method, a pre‐tested interview schedule was administered to 277 AIM recipients in Sabah, Malaysia. Social well‐being was examined based on the three indicators of Midgley's social development approach: the management of problems, the fulfillment of basic needs, and social opportunities provided. AIM microcredit schemes were successful in improving the well‐being of AIM recipients, although the recipients faced a number of problems, including unemployment, lack of education, and access to public services and healthcare facilities. The findings of this study represent a useful guideline to the AIM authority, development practitioners, policymakers, and governmental organization and non‐governmental organization workers.
Weight gain after treatment of Graves’ disease in children
Authors: Alonso Guy Todd , Rabon Shona , White Perrin C.
Published: October 2017

Objective

The frequency of and risk factors for weight gain in children treated for Graves’ disease have not been described. We evaluated change in BMI‐Z score and predictors of weight gain in this population.

Design

Retrospective review of data from January 2000 to July 2011.

Patients

Two hundred and twenty two children and adolescents with Graves’ disease (ages 2‐18 years) evaluated following radioactive iodine administration (RAI); (n = 101), thyroidectomy (n = 9) and initiation of medical therapy (n = 112).

Measurements

Changes in body mass index Z score over 12 months (ΔBMI‐Z0‐12).

Results

All treatment groups in each gender and race increased BMI‐Z (median ΔBMI‐Z0‐12 was positive). T3 levels following RAI (P = .04) and weight lost at the time of administration (P = .02) in the RAI group and free T4 levels in the medical therapy group (P = .03) were positively correlated with ΔBMI‐Z0‐12. Race was a significant predictor only in the medical therapy group (P = .01). Age negatively correlated with ΔBMI‐Z0‐12 in both the RAI (P < .001) and medical therapy groups (P = .003). Gender, maximum TSH in the 12 months after RAI and initial dose of LT4 replacement did not correlate with ΔBMI‐Z0‐12. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in our cohort was similar to US children.

Conclusions

Weight gain during treatment for Graves’ disease is common in children, and many children become overweight or obese during treatment. Risk factors include greater degree of hyperthyroidism at presentation and time of RAI and younger age. Weight lost upon presentation may also predict greater weight gain. Control of subsequent hypothyroidism does not appear to affect weight gain.
Pharmaceutical opioid use and harm in Australia: The need for proactive and preventative responses
Authors: Larance Briony , Degenhardt Louisa , Peacock Amy , Gisev Natasa , Mattick Richard , Colledge Samantha , Campbell Gabrielle
Published: October 2017

There are parallels between the North American experience of escalating pharmaceutical opioid utilisation and harm and the trends being observed in Australia. In Australia, opioid utilisation has increased dramatically over the past two decades. There have been significant shifts away from the predominant prescribing of ‘weak’ and short‐acting opioids, to ‘strong’ and long‐acting opioids, for an increasing range of chronic pain indications. In concordance with escalating use, Australia is experiencing increases in opioid‐related hospital admissions and overdose, as well as opioid dependence and treatment seeking. Despite increasing concern regarding pharmaceutical opioid use and harms in Australia, responses have been limited. There have been no recent changes in regulatory systems for prescription‐only pharmaceutical opioids, opioid prescribing guidelines, limits on doctors’ prescribing, monitoring of patient or doctor access to opioids, or in access to medicines via public subsidy. Potentially abuse‐deterrent opioid formulations have entered the Australian market, with studies suggesting that these formulations are less likely to be tampered with by people who inject drugs; but to date, there have been limited impacts on opioid utilisation and harm. Additional strategies may include enhancing access to effective approaches to pain management and opioid dependence, and scaling‐up naloxone provision. There is a unique opportunity for a proactive and preventative response to pharmaceutical opioids in Australia, to avoid experiencing the scale of problems seen elsewhere.
Neurocognitive problems in children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Lyall Hermione
Published: October 2017

This commentary is on the original article by Korndewal et al. on pages 1261–1268.
Nutritional intervention and neurodevelopmental outcome in infants with suspected cerebral palsy: the Dolphin infant double‐blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Andrew Morag J , Parr Jeremy R , Montague‐Johnson Christine , Laler Karen , Qi Cathy , Baker Bonny , Sullivan Peter B
Published: October 2017

Aim

To investigate whether docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), choline, and uridine‐5‐monophosphate (UMP) supplementation improves neurodevelopmental outcome in infants with suspected cerebral palsy (CP) versus a comparison group of children.

Method

Infants aged 1 to 18 months with suspectedCPwere recruited fromUKchild development centres. Participants received daily treatment or control supplementation for 2 years (double‐blind randomized control design). Stratification was by age, sex, predominant pattern of motor involvement (four limbs or other), and visual impairment (or not). The primary outcome was the cognitive composite score of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (CCS‐Bayley‐III). Secondary outcomes included language composite and motor composite scores of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley‐III).

Results

Forty infants were recruited; 35 began supplementation, 29 completed 1 to 2 years' supplementation. The treatment groupCCS‐Bayley‐IIIwas non‐significantly higher than the comparison group (mean 77.7 [SD 19.2] and 72.2 [SD19.8] respectively, mean modelled difference 4.4 [−2.8, 11.6]). The treatment group language scores, but not motor scores, were non‐significantly higher than for the comparison group.

Interpretation

Most families found supplementation feasible. No statistically significant differences in neurodevelopmental outcome between the treatment and comparison groups were identified. Further investigation of neurodevelopmental outcome after supplementation withDHA, choline, andUMPof infants with suspectedCPis warranted.

What this paper adds

This was the first trial of phosphatidylcholine precursor supplementation in infants with suspected cerebral palsy (CP).

Families of infants with suspected CP found 2‐year nutritional supplementation feasible.

There was no statistically significant neurodevelopmental advantage for the treatment group versus the comparison group.

However, treatment group cognitive and language advantage were of clinically meaningful magnitude.
Why do SGLT2 inhibitors reduce heart failure hospitalization? A differential volume regulation hypothesis
Authors: Hallow Karen M. , Helmlinger Gabriel , Greasley Peter J. , McMurray John J. V. , Boulton David W.
Published: October 2017

The effect of a sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) in reducing heart failure hospitalization in the EMPA‐REG OUTCOMES trial has raised the possibility of using these agents to treat established heart failure. We hypothesize that osmotic diuresis induced by SGLT2 inhibition, a distinctly different diuretic mechanism than that of other diuretic classes, results in greater electrolyte‐free water clearance and, ultimately, in greater fluid clearance from the interstitial fluid (IF) space than from the circulation, potentially resulting in congestion relief with minimal impact on blood volume, arterial filling and organ perfusion. We utilize a mathematical model to illustrate that electrolyte‐free water clearance results in a greater reduction in IF volume compared to blood volume, and that this difference may be mediated by peripheral sequestration of osmotically inactive sodium. By coupling the model with data on plasma and urinary sodium and water in healthy subjects who received either the SGLT2i dapagliflozin or loop diuretic bumetanide, we predict that dapagliflozin produces a 2‐fold greater reduction in IF volume compared to blood volume, while the reduction in IF volume with bumetanide is only 78% of the reduction in blood volume. Heart failure is characterized by excess fluid accumulation, in both the vascular compartment and interstitial space, yet many heart failure patients have arterial underfilling because of low cardiac output, which may be aggravated by conventional diuretic treatment. Thus, we hypothesize that, by reducing IF volume to a greater extent than blood volume, SGLT2 inhibitors might provide better control of congestion without reducing arterial filling and perfusion.
Influence of metabolic syndrome and race on the relationship between intensive blood pressure control and cardiovascular outcomes in the SPRINT cohort
Authors: Dungan Kathleen , Craven Timothy E. , Soe Kyaw , Wright Jackson T. , Basile Jan , Haley William E. , Kressin Nancy R. , Rani Uzma , Tamariz Leonardo , Whittle Jeff , Wiggers Alan , Osei Kwame
Published: October 2017

Aims

To determine whether baseline metabolic syndrome (MetS) modifies the effect of intensive blood pressure control on cardiovascular (CV) outcomes, and whether the effects varied by race/ethnicity.

Methods

We performed post hoc analyses among non‐Hispanic black, non‐hispanic white and Hispanic participants, with and without MetS, in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), who were randomized to a systolic blood pressure (SBP) target of <120 mm Hg (intensive group, N = 4544) or an SBP target of <140 mm Hg (standard group, N = 4553). The median follow‐up was 3.26 years. The primary outcome was the composite of the first occurrence of myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, non‐myocardial infarction acute coronary syndrome or CV death.

Results

Overall, 3521/9097 participants (38.7%) met the criteria for MetS at baseline. Baseline characteristics were similar in the two SBP target groups within each MetS subgroup, except body mass index was slightly higher in the standard arm of the MetS subgroup (33.3 ± 5.6 vs 33.0 ± 5.3 kg/m2; P < .01), but were similar across treatment arms in the non‐MetS subgroup. The hazard ratio for the primary outcome was similarly reduced in participants with or without baseline MetS: 0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.57, 0.96) and 0.71 (95% CI 0.57, 0.87), respectively (adjusted P value for treatment by subgroup interaction = .98). Similarly, there was no evidence of treatment × MetS subgroup interaction for all‐cause mortality (adjusted interaction P value = .98). The findings were also similar across race/ethnic subgroups.

Conclusions

In this analysis the CV benefit of intensive SBP control did not differ among participants by baseline MetS status, regardless of race/ethnicity.