bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relation between voluntary carbon disclosure and environmental performance
Authors: Giannarakis Grigoris , Konteos George , Sariannidis Nikolaos , Chaitidis George
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of environmental performance on the environmental disclosure level.

Design/methodology/approach

Carbon disclosure leadership index score is considered as a proxy of carbon disclosure level, while greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as a proxy of environmental performance. In addition, six control variables are used: return on assets, financial leverage, company’s size, CEO duality, board size and percentage of independent directors on board. The sample comprises 102 companies from a population of Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) companies over a five-year period, 2009-2013.

Findings

Results revealed that higher pollution levels in terms of GHG emissions affect negatively the dissemination of carbon disclosure information, suggesting a positive relationship between environmental performance and environmental disclosure level. In addition, companies with good environmental performance in relation to their average environmental performance disseminate more carbon information in their disclosures. Thus, the carbon disclosure level is indicative of environmental performance consistent with the voluntary disclosure theory.

Practical implications

The managerial behavior regarding the relation of environmental disclosure and environmental performance is explained. In addition, the findings should be of use to those investors interested in finding carbon emission information so that they assess investments and evaluate their current portfolios in terms of environmental sustainability.

Originality/value

It is intended to ascertain the reliability level of carbon disclosure regarding carbon emission information by incorporating the carbon disclosure leadership index score and GHG emissions.
Corporate governance and non-bank financial institutions profitability
Authors: Ofoeda Isaac
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of corporate governance structures of non-bank financial institutions (NBFI) on their profitability.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is performed using data derived from the Bank of Ghana database during a nine-year period, 2006-2014. Correlated panels corrected standard errors model is used to estimate the regression equation. The study uses board size, board independence, gender diversity, CEO duality and tenure and board meetings as proxies for corporate governance. Audit committee size, independence and meetings are used as measures of audit committee activity. The study also uses the return on assets as measures of NBFI profitability.

Findings

Results of the study show that there exists positive relationship among board size, audit committee size, meetings of the audit committee and profitability. However, board composition, gender diversity, board meetings and audit committee independence show a negative relationship with NBFI performance. From the findings of the study, it is evident that there are mixed results regarding corporate governance mechanisms and profitability of Ghanaian NBFIs. The results imply that the Ghanaian NBFI industry have unique characteristics and may react differently to corporate governance structures.

Originality/value

The value of this study is in its contribution to the extant literature on corporate governance and profitability of NBFIs.
Oral history and farmworker studies
Authors: Hagood Jonathan , Schriemer Clara
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore three sociocultural themes common to migrant and seasonal farmworkers and to demonstrate the value of incorporating oral history into healthcare practice and quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods research programs, as oral history is a culturally sensitive approach to working with vulnerable populations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines 17 oral histories from farmworkers residing in Ottawa County, Michigan, in the late summer of 2014. The theoretical framework section has two aims. First, it explains the significance of “cultural sensitivity” and “deep structure” to the practice of effective healthcare. Second, it introduces oral history as a form of deep structure cultural sensitivity.

Findings

Three themes emerge from the collected oral histories: stress/anxiety of undocumented status, honor/worth of honest work, and the importance of educating migrant children. Undocumented status is found to be the hub of farmworker health inequities while worth of work and education are described as culturally sensitive points of conversation for healthcare workers engaging with this population. Finally, oral history is found to be a useful method for establishing the deep structure of cultural sensitivity.

Originality/value

This paper gives a voice to farmworkers, an inconspicuous population that disproportionately suffers from health inequities. In addition, this paper acts as a case study promoting the use of oral history as a novel, culturally sensitive research method.
Stakeholder influence strategies in China: the case of Beijing’s MasterCard Center
Authors: Xue Hanhan , Mason Dan
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine influence strategies in organization-stakeholder relationships, by examining the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Anschutz Entertainment Group’s (AEG) involvement in the operations of MasterCard Center in Beijing, China.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Frooman’s model of stakeholder influence strategies, a case study of AEG and the NBA China was undertaken, relying on archival sources and interviews with key stakeholders.

Findings

The study produced two major findings. First, Bloomage employed different influence strategies to press the NBA and AEG to further reduce their involvement in the MasterCard Center’s operations. Second, Bloomage used cultural differences to justify the need to reduce its reliance on the NBA and AEG.

Originality/value

The study adds to the literature on stakeholder theory and sport organizations by examining organizations establishing themselves in foreign markets, and the influence strategies employed by key local stakeholders.
The experiential offering system of museums: evidence from Italy
Authors: Pencarelli Tonino , Conti Emanuela , Splendiani Simone
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new management approach to analyse the processes of museums in the experience logic and, on the basis of such a model, to study the management processes of the National Gallery of the Marches in Urbino, one of the most important museums in Italy.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a qualitative methodology and a descriptive-exploratory approach. The proposed model, which aimed to create and manage experiences and transformations in museums, was tested in the National Gallery of the Marches by adopting the case study method.

Findings

The empirical research underlined the partial application of the proposed model in the museum under examination and the potential for the museum to improve the offering value to its visitors.

Research limitations/implications

Although a single case was investigated, the present work offers a preliminary theoretical contribution, which is useful for perfecting the conceptual framework and applying it to a wider number of cases.

Practical implications

The management of the National Gallery of the Marches should first plan a greater number of more detailed experiences and transformations around the theme of the Renaissance, and promote the active role of visitors. Second, it should improve the communication of the offer, especially through social networks. Third, personnel (especially front office) should be motivated and trained to create value for visitors.

Originality/value

The paper aims at developing a new management approach for the museums to create value for the visitors and museums by bringing the insight of the experience logic into the field of cultural heritage management.
“Let the community decide”? The vision and reality of soundness-only peer review in open-access mega-journals
Authors: Spezi Valerie , Wakeling Simon , Pinfield Stephen , Fry Jenny , Creaser Claire , Willett Peter
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to better understand the theory and practice of peer review in open-access mega-journals (OAMJs). OAMJs typically operate a “soundness-only” review policy aiming to evaluate only the rigour of an article, not the novelty or significance of the research or its relevance to a particular community, with these elements being left for “the community to decide” post-publication.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reports the results of interviews with 31 senior publishers and editors representing 16 different organisations, including 10 that publish an OAMJ. Thematic analysis was carried out on the data and an analytical model developed to explicate their significance.

Findings

Findings suggest that in reality criteria beyond technical or scientific soundness can and do influence editorial decisions. Deviations from the original OAMJ model are both publisher supported (in the form of requirements for an article to be “worthy” of publication) and practice driven (in the form of some reviewers and editors applying traditional peer review criteria to OAMJ submissions). Also publishers believe post-publication evaluation of novelty, significance and relevance remains problematic.

Originality/value

The study is based on unprecedented access to senior publishers and editors, allowing insight into their strategic and operational priorities. The paper is the first to report in-depth qualitative data relating specifically to soundness-only peer review for OAMJs, shedding new light on the OAMJ phenomenon and helping inform discussion on its future role in scholarly communication. The paper proposes a new model for understanding the OAMJ approach to quality assurance, and how it is different from traditional peer review.
Under-promising and over-delivering: pleasing the customer or strategic blunder?
Authors: Topaloglu Omer , Fleming David E.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to provide a theoretical and empirical examination of the relationship between service expectation management, expectation inducing agent and customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the disconfirmation paradigm in services and the promise-keeping premise in psychology, the hypotheses are developed and empirically tested using three experiments that manipulated expectations, expectation inducing agent and service outcome.

Findings

The findings provide reconciliation to the previous studies in services and show that effectiveness of expectation management strategy depends on the individual expectation thresholds and the expectation inducing agent. If customers patronize a firm expecting more, then over-delivering on the service promise results in a significant benefit. However, for those customers whose mental expectation threshold is exceeded, keeping promises is as effective as exceeding promises.

Practical implications

The practical implication of this paper is that services managers should be cognizant of the mental expectation threshold of customers and be wise in utilizing the under-promise, over-deliver strategy.

Originality/value

Using a threshold approach, this paper introduces a new perspective to service practitioners who are trying to manage expectations in a highly variable business environment. It also benefits service researchers who are trying to enhance the understanding of service expectation management.
An exploratory study of online review management in hospitality services
Authors: Niu Run Hong , Fan Ying
Published: October 2017

Purpose

More and more customers refer to online reviews before making any purchasing decisions thanks to the increasing popularity of social media and online shopping. This phenomenon has caught the attention of business managers who are increasingly aware that online reviews provide great opportunities to connect with current and potential customers. However, both practices and research on online review management from the businesses’ perspective are fragmented. The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrative framework that includes the key dimensions of an online review management system.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the Grounded Theory approach, the authors conducted a multiple case study by analyzing the interviews with 11 hospitality services.

Findings

The authors found that an online review management system should go beyond the current norm of response management to incorporate key dimensions of formality, centralization, specialization, response customization, integration and review analytics.

Practical implications

The study provides a systematic guideline for online review management practices. The framework can be used as a tool for a business to evaluate existing online review management practices and develop/refine its online review management system.

Originality/value

The study contributes to online review management literature by developing a comprehensive framework to understand the structure and processes of online review management. The key dimensions of an online review management system identified in this study provide an initial measurement model for the online review management construct. Furthermore, the study provides a springboard for future empirical validation and refinement of the key factors for effective online review management.
Is saltmarsh restoration success constrained by matching natural environments or altered succession? A test using niche models
Authors: Sullivan Martin J. P. , Davy Anthony J. , Grant Alastair , Mossman Hannah L.
Published: October 2017

Restored habitats, such as saltmarsh created through managed realignment, sometimes fail to meet targets for biological equivalence with natural reference sites. Understanding why this happens is important in order to improve restoration outcomes.

Elevation in the tidal frame and sediment redox potential are major controls on the distribution of saltmarsh plants. We use niche models to characterize 10 species’ responses to these, and test whether differences in species occurrence between restored and natural saltmarshes in the UK result from failure to recreate adequate environmental conditions.

Six species occurred less frequently in recently restored marshes than natural marshes. Failure of restored marshes to achieve the elevation and redox conditions of natural marshes partially explained the underrepresentation of five of these species, but did not explain patterns of occurrence on older (>50 years) restored marshes.

For all species, an effect of marsh age remained after controlling for differences in environmental conditions. This could be due to differences in successional mechanism between restored and natural marshes. In recently restored marshes, high‐marsh species occurred lower in the tidal frame and low‐marsh species occurred higher in the tidal frame than in natural marshes. This supports the hypothesis that competition is initially weaker in restored marshes, because of the availability of bare sediment across the whole tidal frame. Species that establish outside their normal realized niche, such as Atriplex portulacoides, may inhibit subsequent colonization of other species that occurred less frequently than expected on older restored marshes.

Synthesis and applications. Niche models can be used to test whether abiotic differences between restored sites and their natural counterparts are responsible for discrepancies in species occurrence. In saltmarshes, simply replicating environmental conditions will not result in equivalent species occurrence.
Endogenous Timing in Mixed Duopolies With Externality
Authors: Matsumura Toshihiro , Ogawa Akira
Published: October 2017

We investigate endogenous timing in a mixed duopoly with a negative externality. We find that quantity (price) competition yields a simultaneous‐move (sequential‐move) outcome under a significant negative externality. These results indicate that mixed duopolies yield the same results as private duopolies under a significant negative externality, which is in sharp contrast to the results in mixed duopolies without a negative externality. Unless the negative externality is insignificant, public leadership yields greater welfare than private leadership, and public leadership is more robust than the private leadership as equilibrium. If optimal environmental tax policy is introduced, however, private leadership yields the greatest welfare and this an equilibrium outcome in the endogenous timing game under quantity competition.
Product Quality With Heterogeneous Consumers and Linear Pricing
Authors: Sibly Hugh
Published: October 2017

This paper considers a linear‐pricing monopolist that conducts vertical product differentiation. Previous analyses consider customers who either have unit demand or firms who conduct nonlinear pricing. In this paper, customers’ opportunity cost of time generates a demand for quality. Customers differ in either their demand, income or taste for quality. Differences in income and taste for quality are sources of vertical differentiation. The presence of quality distortion and the variety that may exhibit it are dependent on the functional form of the customer types’ demand.
The electoral connection in staggered parliaments: Evidence from Australia, France, Germany and Japan
Authors: WILLUMSEN DAVID M. , STECKER CHRISTIAN , GOETZ KLAUS H.
Published: October 2017

This article explores whether differential time horizons in legislative chambers that result from staggered membership renewal affect legislative behaviour. The analysis focuses on patterns of bill initiation and the introduction of amendments in the upper chambers of Australia, France, Germany and Japan – all four of which contain two or more classes of members that face re‐election at different times. Drawing on original comparative data, clear evidence is found of over‐time variation in legislative activity levels in the upper chambers. Approaching elections lead to increased activity levels, with increases in the introduction of bills, but also, to a lesser extent, amending activity. Such variation is found not only for those members facing the most proximate election, but for all members of the chamber. Importantly, there are no significant differences in legislative behaviour between those members up for re‐election and those not facing the electorate in the most proximate election. These patterns are interpreted tentatively as evidence of the paramount importance of political parties in parliamentary systems.
Molecular characterization, spatial‐temporal expression and magnetic response patterns of iron‐sulfur cluster assembly1 (IscA1) in the rice planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens
Authors: Xu Jing‐Jing , Zhang Ying‐Chao , Wu Jian‐Qi , Wang Wei‐Hong , Li Yue , Wan Gui‐Jun , Chen Fa‐Jun , Sword Gregory A. , Pan Wei‐Dong
Published: October 2017

The mechanisms of magnetoreception have been proposed as the magnetite‐based, the chemical radical‐pair and biocompass model, in which magnetite particles, the cryptochrome (Cry) or iron‐sulfur cluster assembly 1 (IscA1) may be involved. However, little is known about the association among the molecules. Here we investigated the molecular characterization and the mRNA expression of IscA1 in different developmental stages, tissues and magnetic fields in the migratory brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens. NlIscA1 contains an open reading frame of 390 bp, encoding amino acids of 129, with the predicted molecular weight of 14.0 kDa and the isoelectric point of 9.10. Well‐conserved Fe‐S cluster binding sites were observed in the predicted protein. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated NlIscA1 to be clustered into the insect's IscA1. NlIscA1 showed up‐regulated mRNA expression during the period of migration. The mRNA expression of NlIscA1 could be detected in all the three tissues of head, thorax and abdomen, with the highest expression level in the abdomen. For the macropterous migratory Nilaparvata lugens, mRNA expression of NlIscA1 and N. lugens cryptochrome1 (Nlcry1) were up‐regulated under the magnetic fields of 5 Gauss and 10 Gauss in strength (vs. local geomagnetic field), while N. lugens cryptochrome2 (Nlcry2) remained stable. For the brachyterous non‐migratory Nilaparvata lugens, no significant changes were found in mRNA expression of NlIscA1, Nlcry1 and Nlcry2 among different magnetic fields. These findings preliminarily reveal that the expression of NlIscA1 and Nlcry1 exhibited coordinated responses to the magnetic field. It suggests some potential associations among the putative magneto‐sensitive molecules of cryptochrome and iron‐sulfur cluster assembly.
Field efficacy of insect pathogen, botanical, and jasmonic acid for the management of wheat midge Sitodiplosis mosellana and the impact on adult parasitoid Macroglenes penetrans populations in spring wheat
Authors: Shrestha Govinda , Reddy Gadi V. P.
Published: October 2017

The wheat midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana, is a serious pest of wheat worldwide. In North America, management of S. mosellana in spring wheat relies on the timely application of pesticides, based on midge adults levels caught in pheromone traps or seen via field scouting during wheat heading. In this context, biopesticides can be an effective alternative to pesticides for controlling S. mosellana within an Integrated Pest Management program. A field study using insect pathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana GHA, nematode Steinernema feltiae with Barricade polymer gel 1%, pyrethrin, combined formulations of B. bassiana GHA and pyrethrin, Jasmonic acid (JA) and chlorpyrifos (chemical check) was performed to determine to which extent they affect midge larval populations, kernel damage levels, grain yield, and quality, and the impacts on adult parasitoid Macroglenes penetrans populations. The results indicated that biopesticides JA and S. feltiae were the most effective in reducing larval populations and kernel damage levels, and produced a higher spring wheat yield when compared to the water control at both study locations (East Valier and North Valier, Montana, USA). Increased test weight in wheat had been recorded with two previous biopesticides at East Valier but not for North Valier, when compared over water control. These results were comparable in efficacy to the chlorpyrifos. This study also suggested that B. bassiana and pyrethrin may work synergistically, as exemplified by lower total larval populations and kernel damage levels when applied together. This study did not demonstrate the effect of any treatments on M. penetrans populations.
Inhibition of Cholesterol Synthesis in HepG2 Cells by GINST—Decreasing HMG‐CoA Reductase Expression Via AMP‐Activated Protein Kinase
Authors: Han Joon‐Seung , Sung Jong Hwan , Lee Seung Kwon
Published: October 2017

GINST, a hydrolyzed ginseng extract, has been reported to have antidiabetic effects and to reduce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Hypercholesterolemia is caused by diet or genetic factors and can lead to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine whether GINST and the ginsenoside metabolite, IH‐901 (compound K), reduce cholesterol synthesis in HepG2 cells and the signal transduction pathways involved. Concentrations of cholesterol were measured by using an enzymatic method. Expression levels of sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 2 (SREBP2), HMG‐CoA reductase (HMGCR), peroxisome proliferators‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer‐binding proteins α (C/EBPα), GAPDH, and phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein kinase α (AMPKα), protein kinase B (PKB, also known as Akt), and mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) were measured using western blot. Total cholesterol concentration decreased after GINST treatment for 24 and 48 h. Expression of HMGCR decreased more with GINST than with the inhibitors, U18666A and atorvastatin, after 48 h in a dose‐dependent manner. Phosphorylation of AMPKα increased 2.5x by GINST after 360 min of treatment, and phosphorylation of Akt decreased after 120 and 360 min. We separated compound K from GINST extracts flash chromatography. Compound K decreased cholesterol synthesis in HepG2 cells at 24 and 48 h. Therefore, we conclude that GINST inhibits cholesterol synthesis in HepG2 cells by decreasing HMGCR expression via AMPKα activation.

Practical Application

GINST, a hydrolyzed ginseng extract, can inhibit cholesterol synthesis in liver cells via activation of AMPKα. IH‐901 (compound K), which is the main component with bioactivity in GINST, also has anticholesterol effects. Thus, we suggest that GINST can be used to reduce hypercholesterolemia.
Pitfalls in diagnosis with the use of circulating tumor‐derived epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in lung cancer harboring pretreatment T790M
Authors: Ogawara Daiki , Soda Hiroshi , Suyama Takayuki , Yoshida Masataka , Harada Tatsuhiko , Fukuda Yuichi , Mukae Hiroshi
Published: October 2017

The circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assay has recently been approved for the selection of EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors as first‐line treatment in lung cancer. However, it remains to be determined whether this assay can detect all complex EGFR mutations within a single tumor. We report a case of an elderly woman with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma, in which EGFR mutation assays detected L858R and pretreatment T790M from a tissue biopsy. In contrast, the circulating tumor DNA assay detected L858R, but not pretreatment T790M in the plasma, regardless of the fact that similar amounts of each mutation were present in the biopsy specimen. Treatment with afatinib was not effective, but subsequent treatment with osimertinib remarkably regressed the tumor. Our findings indicate that physicians should accurately evaluate EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor‐insensitive mutations using tissue samples in the first‐line setting, even when L858R and exon 19 deletions are detected in the plasma.
Remarkable response of nivolumab‐refractory lung cancer to salvage chemotherapy
Authors: Ogawara Daiki , Soda Hiroshi , Iwasaki Keisuke , Suyama Takayuki , Taniguchi Hirokazu , Fukuda Yuichi , Mukae Hiroshi
Published: October 2017

Promising outcomes of salvage chemotherapy after nivolumab therapy have been reported; however, little is known about the detailed clinical and immunologic features in lung cancer patients in whom nivolumab is unsuccessful. We report two cases of nivolumab‐refractory lung cancer, in which chemotherapy resulted in rapid regression of the lung cancer. Upon initial diagnosis, the biopsy specimens showed PD‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1)‐expressing cancer cells, accompanied by tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes with a favorable CD8/CD4 ratio. Immunosuppressive regulatory T cells and cells positive for TIM‐3 were also observed. Physicians should take caution in treating lung cancer patients after progression on nivolumab. Further studies with a large cohort are warranted to identify the patients that may benefit from salvage chemotherapy.
Estimation of the Potential Effectiveness of Lowering the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limit for Driving from 0.08 to 0.05 Grams per Deciliter in the United States
Authors: Fell James C. , Scherer Michael
Published: October 2017

Background

In 2013, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a report recommending that states lower the illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for driving from 0.08 to 0.05 g/dl. The NTSB concluded that there is a strong evidence‐based foundation for a BAC limit of 0.05 or lower. Most industrialized nations have already enacted a 0.05 illegal BAC limit. This study was undertaken to contribute to the scientific evidence as to whether lowering the BAC limit to 0.05 will be an effective alcohol policy in the United States.

Methods

We accomplished our objective by: (i) conducting a meta‐analysis of qualifying international studies to estimate the range and distribution of the most likely effect size from a reduction to 0.05 BAC or lower; (ii) translating this synthesis toward estimating the effects of reducing the current 0.08 BAC limit to 0.05 in the United States; and (iii) estimating the life‐saving benefits of the proposed 0.03 reduction in the driving limit from 0.08 to 0.05 BAC.

Results

In our meta‐analysis of studies on lowering the BAC limit in general, we found a 5.0% decline in nonfatal alcohol‐related crashes, a 9.2% decline in fatal alcohol‐related crashes from lowering the BAC to 0.08, and an 11.1% decline in fatal alcohol‐related crashes from lowering the BAC to 0.05 or lower. We estimate that 1,790 lives would be saved each year if all states adopted a 0.05 BAC limit.

Conclusions

This study provides strong evidence of the relationship between lowering the BAC limit for driving and the general deterrent effect on alcohol‐related crashes.
Impulsive Personality Traits Mediate the Relationship Between Adult Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Symptoms and Alcohol Dependence Severity
Authors: Daurio Allison M. , Aston Sean A. , Schwandt Melanie L. , Bukhari Mohammad O. , Bouhlal Sofia , Farokhnia Mehdi , Lee Mary R. , Leggio Lorenzo
Published: October 2017

Background

While the role of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a risk factor for developing alcohol use disorder (AUD) has been established, the underlying pathways connecting the two are still not fully understood. Overlapping constructs such as impulsivity may explain the increased risk for developing AUD in individuals with ADHD.

Methods

In this study, we assessed whether adult ADHD symptoms increase the odds of having a diagnosis of AUD. Furthermore, we tested whether facets of impulsivity explained the relationship between ADHD symptoms and alcohol dependence (AD) severity.

Results

In a logistic regression of 749 participants (464 = AD, 285 = controls), overall adult ADHD symptoms, and more specifically, symptoms of hyperactivity/restlessness and problems with self‐concept, increased the odds of having a diagnosis of AD. Within the AD sample, we found that impulsivity mediated the relationship between adult ADHD symptoms and AD severity. In particular, negative and positive urgency meditated the relationship of overall adult ADHD symptoms, and symptoms of hyperactivity/restlessness and problems with self‐concept with AD severity.

Conclusions

These results highlight the importance of looking at cohorts of ADHD symptoms and facets of impulsivity to assess the risk of developing AUD. They also suggest potential avenues for intervention strategies in individuals with preexisting adult ADHD symptoms who are seeking treatment for AUD.
Posterior corneal surface differences between non‐laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and 10‐year post‐LASIK myopic eyes
Authors: Dai Ma‐Li , Wang Qin‐mei , Lin Zu‐Shun , Yu Ye , Huang Jin‐hai , Savini Giacomo , Zhang Jia , Wang Ling , Xu Chen‐chen
Published: October 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the posterior corneal surface differences between non‐laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and 10‐year post‐LASIK myopic eyes.

Methods

The study included 130 eyes from 65 patients, who were treated with myopic LASIK 10 years ago. In addition, 130 eyes from 65 unoperated myopic patients of matching present age and preoperative refraction were divided into control group. Data on the posterior corneal surface and anterior chamber were obtained from Pentacam software and compared between the groups. Postoperative visual acuity (VA) and refractive error were also analysed.

Results

The mean preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) was −6.99 ± 1.78 dioptre (D) in the LASIK group. Ten years after surgery, the mean SE was −0.45 ± 1.22 D, the efficacy index was 0.98, and the safety index was 1.01. The posterior corneal elevations of the LASIK group at 2 mm corneal diameter were significantly lower than those of the control group. However, posterior corneal elevations at 6 mm corneal diameter were higher in the LASIK group than the controls (p < 0.01 for all). The mean Q‐values of posterior corneal surface demonstrated significant positive direction compared to that of control eyes at 6 and 7 mm corneal diameters (p < 0.05 for both). At the thinnest point of the cornea, the anterior chamber depths were shallower in the LASIK group than in controls. Meanwhile, the anterior chamber volumes (ACV) were smaller in the LASIK group than in the control group.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that the posterior corneal surface tends to show signs of central flattening and peripheral steepening 10 years after myopic LASIK surgery compared to that of non‐operated myopic eyes.
Colectomy prior to diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis is associated with improved prognosis in a nationwide cohort study of 2594 PSC‐IBD patients
Authors: Nordenvall C. , Olén O. , Nilsson P. J. , von Seth E. , Ekbom A. , Bottai M. , Myrelid P. , Bergquist A.
Published: October 2017

Background

Despite the close relationship between primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the association between colectomy and the prognosis of PSC remains controversial.

Aim

To explore whether colectomy prior to PSC‐diagnosis is associated with transplant‐free survival.

Methods

A nationwide cohort study in Sweden including all patients aged 18 to 69 years in whom both PSC and IBD was diagnosed between 1987 and 2014 was undertaken. Each patient was followed from date of both PSC and IBD diagnoses until liver transplantation or death, or 31 December 2014. Patients with colon in situ, and colectomy prior to PSC‐diagnosis were compared. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan‐Meier method and multivariable Cox regression models.

Results

Of the 2594 PSC‐IBD patients, 205 patients were treated with colectomy before PSC‐diagnosis. During follow‐up, liver transplantations were performed in 327 patients and 509 died. The risk of liver transplantation or death was lower in patients treated with colectomy prior to PSC‐diagnosis (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.53‐0.95) than in patients with colon in situ. Male gender, longer time between IBD and PSC‐diagnosis and older age were all associated with an increased risk of liver transplantation or death. Colectomy after PSC‐diagnosis was however not associated with an increased risk of liver transplantation or death during long‐term follow‐up.

Conclusions

In PSC‐IBD patients, colectomy prior to PSC‐diagnosis is associated with a decreased risk of liver transplantation or death.
Institutions Without Belief: Incalculability and Legitimate Domination Under the Chinese Communist Party
Authors: Truong Nhu
Published: October 2017

Despite the focus in the extant literature on the significance of institutions to the stability of nondemocratic regimes, little attention has been paid to the relationship between institutionalization and authoritarian legitimation. In a review of three recent works, the article proposes the importance of considering this relationship alongside analyses of institutional change within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Based on Max Weber's conceptualization of the rational‐legal basis of legitimate domination, the article thus examines the extent to which institutionalization contributes to the legitimacy and durability of the CCP. Through a survey of the relevant scholarship, the article finally suggests that institutions under the CCP lack the high degree of “calculability” required under Weber's definition of rational‐legal institutions, which raises questions regarding their ability to command “legal authority.”
The Philippines Confronts a Post‐American World: Geopolitical‐Domestic‐Institutional Intersections
Authors: Ba Alice D.
Published: October 2017

In ASEAN, no state's development has been as deeply affected by the United States and its policies as the Philippines, where colonial legacies have left lasting marks on its political institutions and security orientation. Today, uncertainties about the future role of the United States underscore questions about adopting any strategy that overly or exclusively relies on the United States. Moreover, new President Rodrigo Duterte has created uncertainties of his own by reversing the very U.S.‐oriented strategy pursued by his predecessor, Aquino. This confluence suggests impending shifts in the national security orientation of each country and a potential turning point in U.S.‐Philippine relations. As this Special Issue of APP makes clear, however, for a variety of material, geopolitical, institutional, and domestic reasons, the U.S. alliance is likely to remain an important Philippine foreign policy priority, but changing strategic trends also compel ongoing recalibrations.
GLUT1‐mediated venlafaxine‐thiamine disulfide system‐glucose conjugates with “lock‐in” function for central nervous system delivery
Authors: Zhao Yi , Zhang Li , Peng Yao , Yue Qiming , Hai Li , Guo Li , Wang Qiantao , Wu Yong
Published: October 2017

Venlafaxine, a novel third‐generation antidepressant drug, has been described as a reference treatment for major depression, owing to its ability of inhibiting both noradrenalin and serotonin neuronal reuptake, and inhibiting dopamine reuptake slightly. However, its clinical application is hampered by a limited brain distribution. Glucosylation is an effective way to enhance the brain targeting ability of drugs, but the bidirectional transport of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) might decrease the concentrations of venlafaxine‐glucose (V‐G) in brain before the release of parent drug venlafaxine. To conquer this drawback of GLUT1, “lock‐in” thiamine disulfide system (TDS) was introduced to modify the V‐G conjugate. Both conjugates could release venlafaxine when incubated with the various buffers, mice plasma, and brain homogenate. The evaluation in vivo demonstrated that venlafaxine‐TDS‐glucose (V‐TDS‐G) had an improved targeting ability and significantly increased the level of venlafaxine in brain compared to the naked venlafaxine and V‐G. The relative uptake efficiency (RE) and concentration efficiency (CE) were enhanced to 5.69 and 5.70 times higher than that of naked venlafaxine, respectively. The results of this study suggest that the conjugate strategy based on the glucose‐TDS (G‐TDS) is available to enhance the delivery of central nervous system (CNS) drugs into brain.
Exhaustive sampling of the fragment space associated to a molecule leading to the generation of conserved fragments
Authors: Heikamp Kathrin , Zuccotto Fabio , Kiczun Michael , Ray Peter , Gilbert Ian H.
Published: October 2017

The first step in hit optimization is the identification of the pharmacophore, which is normally achieved by deconstruction of the hit molecule to generate “deletion analogues.” In silico fragmentation approaches often focus on the generation of small fragments that do not describe properly the fragment space associated to the deletion analogues. We present significant modifications to the molecular fragmentation programme molBLOCKS, which allows the exhaustive sampling of the fragment space associated with a molecule to generate all possible molecular fragments. This generates larger fragments, by combining the smallest fragments. Additionally, it has been modified to deal with the problem of changing pharmacophoric properties through fragmentation, by highlighting bond cuts. The modified molBLOCKS programme was used on a set of drug compounds, where it generated more unique fragments than standard fragmentation approaches by increasing the number of fragments derived per compound. This fragment set was found to be more diverse than those generated by standard fragmentation programmes and was relevant to drug discovery as it contains the key fragments representing the pharmacophoric elements associated with ligand recognition. The use of dummy atoms to highlight bond cuts further increases the information content of fragments by visualizing their previous bonding pattern.
Parental Autonomy Support in Two Cultures: The Moderating Effects of Adolescents’ Self‐Construals
Authors: Marbell‐Pierre Kristine N. , Grolnick Wendy S. , Stewart Andrew L. , Raftery‐Helmer Jacquelyn N.
Published: October 2017

Parental autonomy support has been related to positive adolescent outcomes, however, its relation to outcomes in collectivist cultural groups is unclear. This study examined relations of specific autonomy supportive behaviors and outcomes among 401 adolescents (Mage = 12.87) from the United States (N = 245) and collectivist‐oriented Ghana (N = 156). It also examined whether adolescents’ self‐construals moderated the relations of specific types of autonomy support with outcomes. Factor analyses indicated two types of autonomy support: perspective taking/open exchange and allowance of decision making/choice. In both countries, perspective taking/open exchange predicted positive outcomes, but decision making/choice only did so in the United States. With regard to moderation, the more independent adolescents’ self‐construals, the stronger the relations of decision making/choice to parental controllingness and school engagement.
Haematological indices and haematinic levels after mini gastric bypass: a matched comparison with Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass
Authors: Madhok B. M. , Mahawar K. K. , Hadfield J. N. , Courtney M. , Stubbing‐Moore A. , Koshy S. , Small P. K.
Published: October 2017

Many surgeons believe mini gastric bypass (MGB) is more likely to cause micronutrient malabsorption compared to Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Till date, there is no published study evaluating haematological indices and haematinic levels in patients undergoing MGB and comparing these with a matched cohort of RYGB. Two hundred patients who underwent MGB between October 2012 and October 2015 were matched to 200 patients who underwent RYGB for age, sex, body mass index and time of surgery. We then compared haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, iron, ferritin, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels preoperatively and at 6 monthly intervals after surgery until 2 years. The percentage total weight loss was significantly higher in the MGB group compared to the RYGB group at all time points. At 2 years, MGB and RYGB both led to an increase in anaemia rates but the difference was only significant for MGB group. Compared to RYGB, MGB patients were more likely to be anaemic at 2 years, although the difference was not significant statistically (16.6% vs. 12.7%; P value = 0.55). There was a trend for lower iron and folate levels in MGB group compared to RYGB group but the difference was statistically significant at some of the time periods only (significantly lower folate at 6 and 12 months and lower iron at 6 months in the MGB group). MGB leads to a significant increase in anaemia rates in a supplemented cohort. There is a trend towards lower iron and folate levels and higher anaemia rates in MGB group in comparison with RYGB. Larger studies with longer follow‐up should evaluate results of MGB with a shorter biliopancreatic limb.
Marine Noise Budgets in Practice
Authors: Merchant Nathan D. , Faulkner Rebecca C. , Martinez Roi
Published: October 2017

Many countries have made statutory commitments to ensure that underwater noise pollution is at levels which do not harm marine ecosystems. Nevertheless, coordinated action to manage cumulative noise levels is lacking, despite broad recognition of the risks to ecosystem health. We attribute this impasse to a lack of quantitative management targets—or “noise budgets”—which regulatory decision‐makers can work toward, and propose a framework of risk‐based noise exposure indicators which make such targets possible. These indicators employ novel noise exposure curves to quantify the proportion of a population or habitat exposed, and the associated exposure duration. This methodology facilitates both place‐based and ecosystem‐based approaches, enabling the integration of noise management into marine spatial planning, risk assessment of population‐level consequences, and cumulative effects assessment. Using data from the first international assessment of impulsive noise activity, we apply this approach to herring spawning and harbor porpoise in the North Sea.
‘It is an entrustment’: Broad consent for genomic research and biobanks in sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Tindana Paulina , Molyneux Sassy , Bull Susan , Parker Michael
Published: October 2017

In recent years, there has been an increase in the establishment of biobanks for genetic and genomic studies around the globe. One example of this is the Human Heredity and Health in Africa Initiative (H3Africa), which has established biobanks in the sub‐region to facilitate future indigenous genomic studies. The concept of ‘broad consent’ has been proposed as a mechanism to enable potential research participants in biobanks to give permission for their samples to be used in future research studies. However, questions remain about the acceptability of this model of consent. Drawing on findings from empirical research about the role of trust in decision‐making, we argue that an account of entrustment may be an appropriate way of addressing current challenges of seeking consent for biobank research in Africa. We propose a set of key points to consider that can support the proposed entrustment framework.
‘Faith can come in, but not religion’: secularity and its effects on the disaster response to Typhoon Haiyan
Authors: Wilkinson Olivia
Published: October 2017

While other works have analysed what constitutes a faith‐based approach, this study examines what values and practices are employed in a secular approach to disaster response in communities where religion matters. Evidence of a secular approach is assessed in the context of the disaster response to Typhoon Haiyan (2013) in the Philippines, a country in which more than 90 per cent of the population identify themselves as religious. Using interviews with staff members of non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) and focus groups composed of beneficiaries, this paper provides an overview of how respondents commonly characterise a secular approach to disaster response. Results indicate differing NGO and beneficiary opinions on interaction over efficiency and the impartiality and neutrality of organisations. Secularity had a distinct effect on the disaster response to Haiyan, mostly by creating boundaries vis‐à‐vis when and where religion was permitted in the secularised humanitarian system. An awareness of these effects is encouraged to improve interaction with affected populations and local organisations.