bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intents of green advertisements
Authors: Kumar Prashant
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore intents of green advertisements.

Design/methodology/approach

Using NVivo, a convenient sample of 237 green print advertisements published between August 2010 and July 2015 in leading Indian newspapers and magazines were content analysed.

Findings

Four types of intents of green advertisements were identified: intent to communicate corporate environmental approaches; intent to develop believability towards environmental claims; intent to inform consumers; and intent to engage consumers.

Research limitations/implications

This study explored intents of green advertisements and elaborated upon strategic importance of content in green advertising.

Practical implications

The intent-based exploration of green advertisements indicates marketing managers of green products the importance of: expanding their advertising framework that incorporates sharing environmental vision and mission of their companies with consumers, and relating them with consumers’ needs and demands; inculcating functional, emotional and experiential elements in green advertisements that facilitate green product experience to the consumers; and active interactions between marketing managers and consumers for effectively capturing market-related information, and accordingly shaping their short- and long-term marketing and advertising decisions.

Originality/value

This study is unique to determine intents of green advertisements.
Community rebuilding processes in a disaster-damaged area through community currency
Authors: Nakazato Hiromi , Lim Seunghoo
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Community currency (CC) is used as a tool for reviving local communities by promoting economic growth and facilitating the formation of social capital. Although the Japanese CC movement has stagnated since mid-2005, a new experiment,Fukkou Ouen Chiiki Tsuka(CC for supporting disaster recovery), was introduced across disaster-damaged areas after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami of March 2011. Previous studies assessing the role of CC in these earthquake-damaged areas are rare; the purpose of this paper is to examine the micro processes of community rebuilding that underlie the transactional networks mediated by one of the experiments,Domo, in Kamaishi.

Design/methodology/approach

Using transactional records capturing residents’ CC activities during the five-month pilot period before actual implementation ofDomosimultaneous investigation for empirical network analysis techniques identify the network configuration dynamics representing the multiple observed forms of social capital in this disaster-affected local community.

Findings

This study of the five-month pilot for theDomosystem revealed: intensive dependence on the coordinating role of core members (i.e. the creation of weak ties), a lack of balanced support among members and the resulting uni-directional transactions (i.e. the avoidance of generalized exchanges), and the reinforcement of previous transactional ties via reciprocation or transitive triads (i.e. the formation of strong ties).

Originality/value

This study provides guidance for practitioners, researchers, and policy makers on how community residents’ engagement in CC activities could function as a potential tool for generating positive socio-economic effects for local communities in disaster areas.
Disability through an inclusive lens: disaster risk reduction in schools
Authors: Ronoh Steve
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use an inclusive lens to explore pathways and considers, through the voices of children and adult participants, the complexities in implementing effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) in schools comprising children with disabilities. It identifies obstacles and suggests policy recommendations that consider their needs in DRR.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on a case study of two schools supporting children with disabilities in the New Zealand regions of Hawke’s Bay and Auckland, each with differing experiences of past natural hazards and disasters. Data from children’s workshop activities, participant observation, semi-structured interviews, workshop photographs, school safety and policy documents were coded in Nvivo software to categorize data and to identify themes for cross-case analysis and discussion.

Findings

The research reveals three key pathways that schools can take in promoting inclusiveness in DRR. They are the provision of safe and accessible school building designs and facilities, avenues for children’s involvement and leadership in DRR initiatives, and in decision-making processes. Schools also offer opportunities for a collaborative effort towards inclusiveness in DRR within the school and with other stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the findings, the paper suggests four broad policy recommendations for consideration towards strengthening the role of schools in disability-inclusive DRR.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to ongoing DRR efforts and adds new information to the disaster literature on the role of schools in disability-inclusive DRR.
The importance of the political order for peace
Authors: Mikulan Kildi Janja , Cepoi Victor
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the issue of security challenges in the selected states in Eurasia and Central and Eastern Europe from the perspective of peace and politics. Since the security situation differs significantly across the sub-regions under scrutiny, the main objective of the current research is to establish and test a theoretical model of relevant combinations of political factors and their relation to peace. The theoretical framework has been designed by following Fukuyama’s idea of political order and upgraded with the newly constructed index of social exclusion.

Design/methodology/approach

According to the objective and methodological gaps in this field, the paper applies comparative fuzzy set analysis. The method relies on the theoretical framework and empirical data and allows a constant communication between the two. It has allowed the research to focus on what conditions are necessary and/or sufficient for peace in the selected countries.

Findings

It is evident there are several different paths to achieve peace. However, the rule of law clearly constitutes both the necessary and sufficient conditions for peace in the selected regions. Moreover, the results of the research reveal that the concepts of interest are highly interlinked with each other, especially when it comes to the rule of law, state, and democratic accountability. Thus, further research should focus on in-depth analysis of each particular case to explore which conditions or combinations are decisive in particular setting.

Originality/value

Such findings can contribute to improving the areas where Eurasian countries are still lagging behind. Further research should focus on small but significant differences within these four groupings of countries, to improve the understanding of prerequisites for peace and contribute to the development of state and human security in the EU neighborhood.
Auditors’ perceptions of the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in a developing country
Authors: Nurunnabi Mohammad
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) have been adopted by 140 countries around the globe, including the G20 countries. Most of the prior literature focuses on adoption issues in developed countries. Due to the paucity of research on implementation issues in developing countries, the purpose of this paper is to explore the impediments of IFRS implementation in a developing country from 1998 to 2014 based on the auditors’ perceptions and documentary analyses.

Design/methodology/approach

Three rounds of interviews (2010, 2012, and 2014) from a total of 75 auditors (including 12 internal auditors and 13 external auditors) were conducted and enforcement documents from 1998 to 2010 were evaluated. The purpose of the three rounds of interviews was to explore the reflection on the changes which the interviewees have experienced over a five-year period.

Findings

Using institutional isomorphism, the results suggest that policy makers should focus on several factors to implement IFRS effectively, including low audit fees, a lack of qualified accountants, a lack of interest in IFRS by managers of some companies, a culture of secrecy, and a family-based private sector. Surprisingly, chartered accountancy firms are able to continue their work because of a culture of non-punishment for violating rules and the absence of any reliable exercising of due care or professional ethics in Bangladesh. Regulators such as the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh are not inclined to enforce actions against corrupt chartered accountant firms. This raises question about the professional integrity of auditors as well as regulators. Unlike, Albuet al.(2011) (World Bank as coercive) and Hassanet al.(2014) (western influence as coercive), the findings of this study imply that coercive isomorphism (regulatory authorities in Bangladesh) should be more proactive to ensure a successful implementation of IFRS.

Research limitations/implications

This study has some limitations, including transcribing information from Bengali to English and some enforcement documents were not available on the BSEC website. This last limitation is mitigated by the fact that a substantial number of enforcement releases (1,647 enforcement notices for a 13-year period) are analysed and three rounds of interviews were conducted.

Originality/value

The findings of this study contribute to, and advance the incremental knowledge of IFRS implementation issues and auditing literature in a developing country’s experience to policy makers (e.g. World Bank, IMF, Basel Committee, G20, IOSCO, and IFAC). The findings may be generalised to other developing countries that are facing effective implementation of IFRS.
Corporate disclosure of human capital via LinkedIn and ownership structure
Authors: Pisano Sabrina , Lepore Luigi , Lamboglia Rita
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between ownership concentration and human capital (HC) disclosure released via LinkedIn.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a quantitative methodology. The sample is composed of 150 European companies. Content analysis was used to examine HC disclosure via LinkedIn. Regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis.

Findings

The results indicate that ownership concentration negatively influences HC disclosure via LinkedIn, confirming that closely held firms have little motivation to voluntarily release information.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this study relates to the sample size. Furthermore, this study investigates only the quantity of HC disclosure; it does not consider the quality of this information.

Practical implications

The typical ownership structure of European firms generates a force that opposes the growing pressure for internationalization and global transparency. This important issue needs to be considered in investor decisions, HC management and reporting and in setting accounting standards. Moreover, the study points out that, despite the potential opportunities provided by LinkedIn to build and enforce relationships with their stakeholders, companies mainly use LinkedIn for recruitment purposes.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on HC disclosure because it is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the first study that exclusively examines HC disclosure by European companies via LinkedIn and because it develops a disclosure index that includes items concerning the stock of knowledge and capabilities of employees in addition to the practices in human resource management.
Analysing and improving the strategic alignment of firms’ resource dynamics
Authors: Zakery Amir , Afrazeh Abbas , Dumay John
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on improving value creation from intellectual capital (IC) through reducing causal ambiguity and finding effective IC interventions.

Design/methodology/approach

First, several guiding rules demonstrating the contribution of system dynamics (SD) to the field of IC management are introduced. Second, evidence for modelling resource dynamics is provided across a knowledge-based industry, insurance. Third, a management problem of an insurance company is modelled and then simulated using SD tools to monitor and improve the alignment of key resources with the firm’s market growth strategy.

Findings

The modelling and further simulation practice demonstrated the advantages of applying SD for analysing resource management problems to identify the critical IC components, intervention points and decision rules that may stimulate value-creating loops. Specifically for the case of an insurance company’s failure in market growth, it led to recognising the critical role of agency sales productivity as a key component of company’s relational capital and the intellectual liabilities that can lead to value destruction.

Originality/value

Reducing causal ambiguity in IC value creation through modelling and simulating firm resource dynamics is the main contribution of this paper. It enables finding the best intervention points for developing IC-based initiatives to stimulate value-creation mechanisms, as well identifying possible points of value destruction.
Forward-looking intellectual capital disclosure in IPOs
Authors: Garanina Tatiana , Dumay John
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This study contributes to intellectual capital (IC) disclosure research. Focussing on reducing the information asymmetry associated with agency theory, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which managers and owners disclose IC in initial public offering (IPO) prospectuses. In particular, it examines the influence on post-issue stock performance based on the IPOs of technology companies listing on the NASDAQ from 2002 to 2013. Parallels are drawn to integrated reporting (), which was developed after the global financial crisis (GFC) because of the perceived shortcomings of regulated forms of financial reporting.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply a two-stage methodology, using content analysis of prospectuses to determine the extent of IC disclosure, then combining this data with market data using regression analysis to determine the influence of IC disclosure in IPO prospectuses on post-issue stock performance.

Findings

According to the content analysis results, these IPO prospectuses contain significant amounts of IC disclosure for the subsequent analysis. The authors find that after the GFC technology companies disclose more IC information. The econometric analysis also reveals that IC disclosure has a higher influence on post-issue stock performance after the GFC than before.

Research limitations/implications

The research shows how IPO prospectuses are a valid form of disclosure to investigate the impact of reducing IC information asymmetry because they contain significant amounts of forward-looking non-financial information about the company’s development. Additionally, the results are relevant to discussions about the impact of . If IC and non-financial disclosures contained in an integrated report are forward-looking and reduce information asymmetry then  may have value relevance to a firm.

Practical implications

The research confirms that more IC disclosure information in prospectuses may positively influence companies’ post-issue stock performance, especially in the long run. However, the authors caution that disclosing IC information to investors is not the panacea for increased post-IPO share performance.

Originality/value

This paper is novel because it shows the value relevance of IC disclosures to reduce information asymmetry through its focus on prospectuses, which helps to understand of the potential impact of .
Intellectual capital disclosure: a structured literature review
Authors: Cuozzo Benedetta , Dumay John , Palmaccio Matteo , Lombardi Rosa
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an up-to-the-minute literature review of intellectual capital disclosure (ICD) to: identify the major themes developed within this research stream; investigate the evolution of the theory; and derive insights to guide future research agendas for the benefit of researchers and ICD users.

Design/methodology/approach

Research articles from ten relevant journals for the 17-year period between 2000 and 2017 are categorised and analysed in a structured literature review (Massaroet al., 2016) to answer these three research questions. This study adds to a data set established by Guthrieet al.(2012) and presents the results in a consistent and comparable manner across the studies.

Findings

A lack of significant innovation in the evolution of ICD indicates that this research stream may have been a victim of its own success (Dumay and Guthrie, 2017). Stuck in overview mode, studies continue to fixate on general issues, largely drawing their analysis from the corporate reports of publicly listed companies in Europe. Very few studies examine ICD in the USA and beyond, nor do they drill down to organisational level to examine ICD in practice.

Practical implications

We academics need to leave our ivory towers and base future research on how organisations, in different contexts, using different languages, harness intangible assets to create value. Without discouraging content analysis from corporate reports, we need to be more innovative in searching for IC from the rich variety of media resources modern corporate communication channels offer, and recognise that, while we are all working towards the same thing, we may not be using the same language to get there.

Originality/value

Despite extending previous work, this study highlights some of the new insights revealed from ICD research, especially over the last two years. The findings regarding differing use of terminology across continents, a general decline in published research due to lack of interest or new ground to cover, and zero evidence for a “groundswell” of IC disclosures by listed companies should motivate further reading in many researchers.
Abusive supervision and employee creativity in China
Authors: Gu Jibao , Song Jun , Wu Jianlin
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how abusive supervision affects employee creativity, incorporating departmental identification as a mediator and face as a moderator based on social identity theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample consisted of 207 full-time employees in China.

Findings

Results indicate that abusive supervision is negatively related to employee creativity and this relationship is fully mediated by departmental identification. In addition, face held by employees plays a moderating role: the direct effect of abusive supervision on departmental identification and the mediating effect of departmental identification are stronger when face is low rather than high.

Practical implications

This study also has major practical implications for organizations. First, the organizations should fully understand the harmfulness of abusive supervision and try to avoid abusive behaviors. Second, the organizations could enhance employee creativity by promoting departmental identification. Third, employees who hold low face should get more attention and support.

Originality/value

This study makes several theoretical implications. First, findings contribute to enriching one’s understanding of the relationship between abusive supervision and employee creativity in China. Second, the domain of abusive supervision is expanded by empirically testing departmental identification as a crucial psychological mechanism explaining the abusive supervision – employee creativity relationship. Third, this study also advances one’s understanding of social identity process by examining empirically moderating effects of cultural value in the relationship between abusive supervision and employee creativity.
Multilevel structural equation modeling analysis of the servant leadership construct and its relation to job satisfaction
Authors: Zhang Zhonghua , Lee John Chi-Kin , Wong Ping Ho
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the statistical issues associated with the hierarchically structured data in previous studies that focused on servant leadership. To resolve these issues, multilevel modeling methods were applied to re-visit the construct validity of the servant leadership questionnaire developed by Barbuto and Wheeler (2006) and investigate the relationship between servant leadership and job satisfaction under a multilevel framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey data was obtained from a sample of 2,089 teachers from 117 primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong. The analyses were conducted using multilevel confirmatory factor analysis (MLCFA) and multilevel structural equation modeling (MLSEM).

Findings

The results revealed the significant and non-trivial variances that were explained at the organization level in the items measuring servant leadership, which justified the use of MLCFA and MLSEM. The results of MLCFA provided empirical support for the multidimensional construct as well as the second-order factorial structure of servant leadership measures at both the individual and organization levels. In addition, the positive relationships between servant leadership and the followers’ job satisfaction were found to vary at different levels.

Originality/value

This study reiterates the importance of using appropriate methods to capture a solid definition of the construct of servant leadership and provides new insights into the conceptual framework of servant leadership as well as the effects of servant leadership on individual and organizational outcomes.
Investigating the role of religiosity as a deterrent against digital piracy
Authors: Casidy Riza , Lwin Michael , Phau Ian
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of religiosity as a deterrent to habitual digital piracy behaviour. Specifically, it will examine the extent to which “religious teaching” affects consumer attitudes towards digital piracy and their habitual digital piracy behaviour in a developing market.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 400 usable samples were collected from large religious organisations in Indonesia using convenience sampling. The latent moderation structural equation technique was used to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicated that: facilitating conditions are a significant driver of digital piracy habit; attitude towards piracy is a significant deterrent of digital piracy and moderates the relationship between facilitating conditions and habitual digital piracy; and religious teaching is a significant deterrent of digital piracy habit, mediated by attitude towards piracy.

Originality/value

This study investigates the influence of Christian religious teaching as a deterrent to digital piracy behaviour. Further, it investigates the mediating and moderating role of attitude in a digital piracy context. The study findings would provide insights for policy makers to deter digital piracy behaviour through the use of religious appeals.
The physiological costs of prey switching reinforce foraging specialization
Authors: Hooker Oliver E. , Van Leeuwen Travis E. , Adams Colin E.
Published: January 2017

Sympatric speciation is thought to be strongly linked to resource specialization with alternative resource use acting as a fundamental agent driving divergence. However, sympatric speciation through niche expansion is dependent on foraging specialization being consistent over space and time.

Standard metabolic rate is the minimal maintenance metabolic rate of an ectotherm in a post‐absorptive and inactive state and can constitute a significant portion of an animal's energy budget; thus, standard metabolic rate and growth rate are two measures frequently used as an indication of the physiological performance of individuals. Physiological adaptations to a specific diet may increase the efficiency with which it is utilized, but may have an increased cost associated with switching diets, which may result in a reduced standard metabolic rate and growth rate.

In this study, we use the diet specialization often seen in polymorphic Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) populations to study the effects of different prey on standard metabolic rate and growth rate as well as the effects that early prey specialization may have on the ability to process other prey types efficiently.

We found a significant effect of prey type on standard metabolic rate and growth rate. Furthermore, we found evidence of diet specialization with all fish maintaining a standard metabolic rate and growth rate lower than expected when fed on a diet different to which they were raised, possibly due to a maladaptation in digestion of alternative prey items.

Our results show that early diet specialization may be reinforced by the elevated costs of prey switching, thus promoting the process of resource specialization during the incipient stages of sympatric divergence.
TANGO ‐ a screening tool to identify comorbidities on the causal pathway of nocturia
Authors: Bower Wendy F. , Rose Georgie E. , Ervin Claire F. , Goldin Jeremy , Whishaw David M. , Khan Fary
Published: January 2017

Objectives

To develop a robust screening metric for use in identifying non‐lower urinary tract comorbidities pertinent to the multidisciplinary assessment of patients with nocturia.

Methods

Variables having a significant risk association with nocturia of greater than once per night were identified. Discriminating items from validated and reliable tools measuring these comorbidities were identified. A self‐completed 57‐item questionnaire was developed and a medical checklist and pertinent clinical measures added. Pre‐determined criteria were applied to retain or remove items in the development of the Short‐Form (SF) screening tool. The tool was administered to 252 individuals with nocturia who were attending either a tertiary level Sleep, Continence, Falls or Rehabilitation service for routine care. Data collected were subjected to descriptive analysis; criteria were applied to reduce the number of items. Using pre‐determined domains, a nocturia screening metric, entitled TANGO, was generated. The acronym TANGO stands for Targeting the individual's Aetiology of Nocturia to Guide Outcomes.

Results

The demographic characteristics of the sample are described, along with item endorsement levels. The statistical and structural framework to justify deleting or retaining of items from the TANGO Long‐Form to the SF is presented. The resultant TANGO‐SF patient‐completed nocturia screening tool is reported.

Conclusions

A novel all‐cause diagnostic metric for identifying co‐existing morbidities of clinical relevance to nocturia in patients who present across disciplines and medical specialties has been developed. TANGO has the potential to improve practice and smooth inequalities associated with a siloed approach to assessment and subsequent care of patients with nocturia.
Immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibodies to proteinase 3 in granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis
Authors: Clain J M , Hummel A M , Stone J H , Fervenza F C , Hoffman G S , Kallenberg C G M , Langford C A , McCune W J , Merkel P A , Monach P A , Seo P , Spiera R F , St Clair E W , Ytterberg S R , Specks U
Published: January 2017

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) appear to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). However, ANCA alone are not sufficient to generate disease, and some evidence suggests that infectious triggers may serve as inciting events for AAV disease activity. Antibodies of the immunoglobulin (Ig)M isotype often serve as markers of recent infection, and IgM ANCA have been identified previously in patients with AAV, although the frequency and clinical relevance of IgM ANCA is not well established. We sought to characterize IgM ANCA more clearly by creating a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgM antibodies to proteinase 3 [IgM proteinase 3 (PR3)–ANCA], which we applied to two large, clinically well-characterized trial cohorts of patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis. In the first cohort, IgM PR3–ANCA occurred with a frequency of 15·0%, and were associated with a higher degree of disease severity and a trend towards a higher rate of alveolar haemorrhage (29·6 versus 15·7%, P = 0·10). Analysis of follow-up samples in this cohort showed that the presence of IgM PR3–ANCA was transient, but could recur. In the second cohort, IgM PR3–ANCA occurred with a frequency of 41·1%, and were also associated with a higher degree of disease severity. A higher rate of alveolar haemorrhage was observed among those with IgM PR3–ANCA (45·3 versus 15·8%; P < 0·001). The association of transient IgM PR3–ANCA with an acute respiratory manifestation of AAV suggests a possible link between an infectious trigger and AAV disease activity.
Prospective Evaluation of Genetic Variation in Platelet Endothelial Aggregation Receptor 1 Reveals Aspirin‐Dependent Effects on Platelet Aggregation Pathways
Authors: Backman JD , Yerges‐Armstrong LM , Horenstein RB , Newcomer S , Shaub S , Morrisey M , Donnelly P , Drolet M , Tanner K , Pavlovich MA , O'Connell JR , Mitchell BD , Lewis JP
Published: January 2017

Genetic variation in the platelet endothelial aggregation receptor 1 (PEAR1) gene, most notably rs12041331, is implicated in altered on‐aspirin platelet aggregation and increased cardiovascular event risk. We prospectively tested the effects of aspirin administration at commonly prescribed doses (81, 162, and 324 mg/day) on agonist‐induced platelet aggregation by rs12041331 genotype in 67 healthy individuals. Prior to aspirin administration, rs12041331 minor allele carriers had significantly reduced adenosine diphosphate (ADP)‐induced platelet aggregation compared with noncarriers (P = 0.03) but was not associated with other platelet pathways. In contrast, rs12041331 was significantly associated with on‐aspirin platelet aggregation when collagen and epinephrine were used to stimulate platelet aggregation (P < 0.05 for all associations), but not ADP. The influence of PEAR1 rs12041331 on platelet aggregation is pathway‐specific and is altered by aspirin at therapeutic doses, but not in a dose‐dependent manner. Additional studies are needed to determine the impact of PEAR1 on cardiovascular events in aspirin‐treated patients.
Physician step prescription and monitoring to improve ARTERial health (SMARTER): A randomized controlled trial in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension
Authors: Dasgupta Kaberi , Rosenberg Ellen , Joseph Lawrence , Cooke Alexandra B. , Trudeau Luc , Bacon Simon L. , Chan Deborah , Sherman Mark , Rabasa‐Lhoret Rémi , Daskalopoulou Stella S. ,   SMARTER Trial Group
Published: January 2017

Aims

There are few proven strategies to enhance physical activity and cardiometabolic profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. We examined the effects of physician‐delivered step count prescriptions and monitoring.

Methods

Participants randomized to the active arm were provided with pedometers and they recorded step counts. Over a 1‐year period, their physicians reviewed their records and provided a written step count prescription at each clinic visit. The overall goal was a 3000 steps/day increase over 1 year (individualized rate of increase). Control arm participants were advised to engage in physical activity 30 to 60 min/day. We evaluated effects on step counts, carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV, primary) and other cardiometabolic indicators including haemoglobin A1c in diabetes (henceforth abbreviated as A1c) and Homeostasis Model Assessment‐Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR) in participants not receiving insulin therapy.

Results

A total of 79% completed final evaluations (275/347; mean age, 60 years; SD, 11). Over 66% of participants had type 2 diabetes and over 90% had hypertension. There was a net 20% increase in steps/day in active vs control arm participants (1190; 95% CI, 550‐1840). Changes in cfPWV were inconclusive; active vs control arm participants with type 2 diabetes experienced a decrease in A1c (−0.38%; 95% CI, −0.69 to −0.06). HOMA‐IR also declined in the active arm vs the control arm (ie, assessed in all participants not treated with insulin; −0.96; 95% CI, −1.72 to −0.21).

Conclusions

A simple physician‐delivered step count prescription strategy incorporated into routine clinical practice led to a net 20% increase in step counts; however, this was below the 3000 steps/day targeted increment. While conclusive effects on cfPWV were not observed, there were improvements in both A1c and insulin sensitivity. Future studies will evaluate an amplified intervention to increase impact.
Greater temperature sensitivity of plant phenology at colder sites: implications for convergence across northern latitudes
Authors: Prevéy Janet , Vellend Mark , Rüger Nadja , Hollister Robert D. , Bjorkman Anne D. , Myers‐Smith Isla H. , Elmendorf Sarah C. , Clark Karin , Cooper Elisabeth J. , Elberling Bo , Fosaa Anna M. , Henry Gregory H. R. , Høye Toke T. , Jónsdóttir Ingibjörg S. , Klanderud Kari , Lévesque Esther , Mauritz Marguerite , Molau Ulf , Natali Susan M. , Oberbauer Steven F. , Panchen Zoe A. , Post Eric , Rumpf Sabine B. , Schmidt Niels M. , Schuur Edward A. G. , Semenchuk Phillip R. , Troxler Tiffany , Welker Jeffrey M. , Rixen Christian
Published: January 2017

Warmer temperatures are accelerating the phenology of organisms around the world. Temperature sensitivity of phenology might be greater in colder, higher latitude sites than in warmer regions, in part because small changes in temperature constitute greater relative changes in thermal balance at colder sites. To test this hypothesis, we examined up to 20 years of phenology data for 47 tundra plant species at 18 high‐latitude sites along a climatic gradient. Across all species, the timing of leaf emergence and flowering was more sensitive to a given increase in summer temperature at colder than warmer high‐latitude locations. A similar pattern was seen over time for the flowering phenology of a widespread species, Cassiope tetragona. These are among the first results highlighting differential phenological responses of plants across a climatic gradient and suggest the possibility of convergence in flowering times and therefore an increase in gene flow across latitudes as the climate warms.
Influence of water quality on nutritional and sensory characteristics of green tea infusion
Authors: Murugesh C. S. , Manoj J. B. , Haware D. J. , Ravi R. , Subramanian R.
Published: January 2017

Impact of water quality on the nutritional and sensory characteristics of green tea infusion was studied. The total soluble tea solids, catechins and l‐theanine concentrations were significantly higher in infusions prepared from water having lower total dissolved solids (TDS, 0.59 to 13.0 ppm), conductivity (1.12 to 26.20 µS), and pH (6.04 to 6.90). The difference in extractability was explained using the mass transfer equation dNT/dt = kLAs(CTe − CTL); where dNT/dt‐mass transfer rate, kL‐mass transfer coefficient, As‐surface area, CTe‐equilibrium concentration, and CTL‐concentration in bulk liquid. The major catechins reduced (∼84–93%) in the infusions prepared from water with higher TDS (315 to 338 ppm), conductivity (630 to 679 µS), and pH (7.65 to 8.05), accompanied with undesirable color changes during storage following the first‐order kinetics. Tea cream and turbidity were much higher with water having higher calcium concentration (51.60 mg/L). The study recommended water with low TDS, conductivity and pH for hot‐infusions and beverages.

Practical applications

The study was initiated to select a suitable type of water for the preparation of green tea infusion and ready‐to‐drink (RTD) beverages. For infusion, the extractability of the nutrients as well as the sensory characteristics are important. Accordingly, ultra‐pure (UP), packaged drinking (PD), or reverse osmosis (RO) water may be used for the preparation. But, in the case of RTD beverages, the physical stability and visual appearance are also equally important for consumer acceptance, as they are held in storage and distribution before being consumed. Furthermore, the results indicated that stability of catechins need to be considered as a parameter for the selection of water. Even though UP, PD, or RO meets all these criteria, economic considerations propel RO water for RTD production. Thus the inferences obtained from this scientific study has practical relevance in the selection of appropriate quality of water for the preparation of green tea beverages.
Antimicrobial efficacy of curcumin nanoparticles against Listeria monocytogenes is mediated by surface charge
Authors: No Da Som , Algburi Ammar , Huynh Phong , Moret Aubry , Ringard Marion , Comito Nicole , Drider Djamel , Takhistov Paul , Chikindas Michael L.
Published: January 2017

Curcumin, a hydrophobic phenolic compound isolated from tumeric (Curcuma longa), has gained a great attention due to its health benefits and antimicrobial effects. In this study, curcumin nanoparticles (CNPs) were formulated via acusto‐plastic deformation technique, with three differently surface‐charged surfactants‐sodium dodecylsulfate, Tween 20 and cetrimonium bromide (CTAB). The fabricated CNPs were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes, one of the most severe foodborne pathogens. Our results demonstrated that the CNPs formulated with positively charged surfactant (CTAB) exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes, indicating that there is a strong relationship between surface charge and antimicrobial activity of curcumin. The enhanced antimicrobial action of CNPs‐CTAB was concluded to be due to the increased cell‐antimicrobial interaction, which resulted from the opposing electrical charges between CNPs‐CTAB and L. monocytogenes cells, as well as increased antimicrobial penetration endowed by the small size.

Practical applications

In this study, we showed that surface charge as well as the small size of curcumin nanoparticles play a key role in enhancing cell‐antimicrobial interaction and antimicrobial efficacy. The fabricated CNP‐CTAB showed the best antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes. A size reduction to nano‐scale is a recently developed strategy used to improve drug/food delivery and matching the public demand for effective and safe antimicrobial formulations for control of foodborne pathogens.
Geographic access to dental care varies in Missouri and Wisconsin
Authors: Nasseh Kamyar , Eisenberg Yochai , Vujicic Marko
Published: January 2017

Objective

To examine geographic access to dental providers for the general population and children with public insurance in Missouri and Wisconsin.

Methods

Using a newly constructed dentist office database from the American Dental Association master file and other sources, we use the two‐step floating area catchment area method to calculate population to provider ratios at the census block group level. These ratios are used to determine potential geographic dentist shortage areas. We utilize street network data to estimate travel times and catchment areas between population centers and dental offices. This methodology accounts for the actual spatial distribution of dental providers and potential dental patients.

Results

Within and across Missouri and Wisconsin, there is some variation in geographic access to dental offices for the general population and publicly insured children. More than 90 percent of publicly insured children have access to dental providers within 30 minutes. Among the states examined, Missouri has more geographic disparities to dental care.

Conclusion

The Health Resources and Services Administration, which designates dental health professional shortage areas, relies on administrative boundaries to calculate population to dental provider ratios. These boundaries may not reflect actual or “real‐time” dental care markets. The methods employed in this paper may give policymakers a template to better determine geographic dentist shortage areas.
An update of management of insomnia in patients with chronic orofacial pain
Authors: Almoznino G , Haviv Y , Sharav Y , Benoliel R
Published: January 2017

In this review, we discuss the management of chronic orofacial pain (COFP) patients with insomnia. Diagnostic work‐up and follow‐up routines of COFP patients should include assessment of sleep problems. Management is based on a multidisciplinary approach, addressing the factors that modulate the pain experience as well as insomnia and including both non‐pharmacological and pharmacological modalities. Parallel to treatment, patients should receive therapy for comorbid medical and psychiatric disorders, and possible substance abuse that may be that may trigger or worsen the COFP and/or their insomnia. Insomnia treatment should begin with non‐pharmacological therapy, to minimize potential side effects, drug interactions, and risk of substance abuse associated with pharmacological therapy. Behavioral therapies for insomnia include the following: sleep hygiene, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, multicomponent behavioral therapy or brief behavioral therapy for insomnia, relaxation strategies, stimulus control, and sleep restriction. Approved U.S. Food and Drug Administration medications to treat insomnia include the following: benzodiazepines (estazolam, flurazepam, temazepam, triazolam, and quazepam), non‐benzodiazepine hypnotics (eszopiclone, zaleplon, zolpidem), the melatonin receptor agonist ramelteon, the antidepressant doxepin, and the orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant. Chronic orofacial pain can greatly improve following treatment of the underlying insomnia, and therefore, re‐evaluation of COFP is advised after 1 month of treatment.
The more, the merrier? Obligate symbiont density changes over time under controlled environmental conditions, yet holds no clear fitness consequences
Authors: Parkinson Jasmine F. , Gobin Bruno , Hughes William O. H.
Published: January 2017

Symbiotic bacteria are highly diverse, play an important role in ecology and evolution, and are also of applied relevance because many pest insects rely on them for their success. However, the dynamics and regulation of symbiotic bacteria within hosts is complex and still poorly understood outside of a few model systems. One of the most intriguing symbiotic relationships is the obligate, tripartite nutritional mutualism in sap‐feeding, economically‐destructive mealybugs (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Pseudococcidae), which involves γ‐proteobacteria hosted within β‐proteobacteria hosted within the mealybugs. The present study examines whether there is population variation in symbiont density (i.e. infection intensity, or titre) in the citrus mealybug Planococcus citri (Risso) and how this impacts host life‐history. Symbiont density is found to differ significantly between populations when reared under controlled environmental conditions, indicating that the density of symbiont infections is influenced by host or symbiont genotype. However, symbiont density changes in populations over multiple generations, indicating that symbiont densities are dynamic. Surprisingly, given that the symbionts are essential nutritional mutualists, the density of the symbionts does not correlate significantly with either host fecundity or development. Higher levels of symbionts have no clear benefit to hosts and therefore appear to be superfluous, at least under constant, optimized environmental conditions. Excessive symbiont density may be an evolutionary artefact from a period of inefficient vertical transmission when the balance of conflict between host and symbiont was still being established.
Functional characterisation and cell specificity of BvSUT1, the transporter that loads sucrose into the phloem of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) source leaves
Authors: Nieberl P. , Ehrl C. , Pommerrenig B. , Graus D. , Marten I. , Jung B. , Ludewig F. , Koch W. , Harms K. , Flügge U.‐I. , Neuhaus H. E. , Hedrich R. , Sauer N.
Published: January 2017

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is one of the most important sugar‐producing plants worldwide and provides about one third of the sugar consumed by humans. Here we report on molecular characterisation of the BvSUT1 gene and on the functional characterisation of the encoded transporter.

In contrast to the recently identified tonoplast‐localised sucrose transporter BvTST2.1 from sugar beet taproots, which evolved within the monosaccharide transporter (MST) superfamily, BvSUT1 represents a classical sucrose transporter and is a typical member of the disaccharide transporter (DST) superfamily.

Transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing the β‐GLUCURONIDASE (GUS) reporter gene under control of the BvSUT1‐promoter showed GUS histochemical staining of their phloem; an anti‐BvSUT1‐antiserum identified the BvSUT1 transporter specifically in phloem companion cells. After expression of BvSUT1 cDNA in bakers’ yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) uptake characteristics of the BvSUT1 protein were studied. Moreover, the sugar beet transporter was characterised as a proton‐coupled sucrose symporter in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Our findings indicate that BvSUT1 is the sucrose transporter that is responsible for loading of sucrose into the phloem of sugar beet source leaves delivering sucrose to the storage tissue in sugar beet taproot sinks.
Collective Trauma From the Lab to the Real World: The Effects of the Holocaust on Contemporary Israeli Political Cognitions
Authors: Canetti Daphna , Hirschberger Gilad , Rapaport Carmit , Elad‐Strenger Julia , Ein‐Dor Tsachi , Rosenzveig Shifra , Pyszczynski Tom , Hobfoll Stevan E.
Published: January 2017

This research tested whether chronic or contextually activated Holocaust exposure is associated with more extreme political attitudes among Israeli Jews. Study 1 (N = 57), and Study 2 (N = 61) found that Holocaust primes increased support for aggressive policies against a current adversary and decreased support for political compromise via an amplified sense of identification with Zionist ideology. These effects, however, were obtained only under an exclusive but not an inclusive framing of the Holocaust. Study 3 (N = 152) replicated these findings in a field study conducted around Holocaust Remembrance Day and showed that the link between Holocaust exposure, ideological identification, and militancy also occurs in real‐life settings. Study 4 (N = 867) demonstrated in a nationally representative survey that Holocaust survivors and their descendants exhibited amplified existential threat responses to contemporary political violence, which were associated with militancy and opposition to peaceful compromises. Together, these studies illustrate the Holocaustization of Israeli political cognitions 70 years later.