bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth and development in children with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Authors: Bonfig Walter
Published: November 2016

Purpose of review

Final height outcome in classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) has been of interest for many years. With analysis of growth patterns and used glucocorticoid regimens, enhanced treatment strategies have been developed and are still under development.

Recent findings

Most of the current reports on final height outcome are confirmative of previous results. Final height data is still reported in cohorts that were diagnosed clinically and not by newborn screening. Clinical diagnosis of CAH leads to delayed diagnosis especially of simple virilizing CAH with significantly advanced bone age resulting in early pubertal development and reduced final height. In contrast salt-wasting CAH is diagnosed at an earlier stage in most cases resulting in better final height outcome in some cohorts. Nevertheless, final height outcome in patients with CAH treated with glucocorticoids is lower than the population norm and also at the lower end of genetic potential.

Achievement of regular adult height is still a challenge with conventional glucocorticoid treatment in patients with CAH, which is why new hydrocortisone formulations and new treatment options for CAH are underway.
Growth in patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Mitchell Deborah M.
Published: November 2016

Purpose of review

As the incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1DM) continues to rise, complications including impairment of childhood growth remain a major concern. This review provides an overview of alterations in growth patterns before and after the onset of T1DM.

Recent findings

Recent advances in this field include several prospective investigations of height and weight trajectories in children leading up to the development of islet autoimmunity and T1DM as well as evaluations of larger cohorts of T1DM patients to better assess predictors of altered growth. In addition, genetic and metabolic investigations have improved our understanding of the more rare severe growth impairment of Mauriac Syndrome.

Despite advances in medical care of children with T1DM, growth remains suboptimal in this population and likely reflects ongoing metabolic derangement linked with classic microvascular diabetic complications.
An update on sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors for the treatment of diabetes mellitus
Authors: Hsia Daniel S. , Grove Owen , Cefalu William T.
Published: November 2016

Purpose of review

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are the newest class of oral antihyperglycemic agents that have been approved for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Over the past year, there have been significant developments in both the safety and efficacy of this class of medications that are presented in this review.

Recent findings

Apart from data on the glucose-lowering effect of SGLT2 inhibitors, other metabolic benefits have been demonstrated for this class of medications. Moreover, there have been three Food and Drug Administration Drug Safety Communications issued in 2015 that have led to additional drug labeling. The basic mechanism of action, indications, glucose-lowering benefits, other metabolic benefits, and adverse side-effects of SGLT2 inhibitors are presented in this review.

SGLT2 inhibitors are medications that have a unique mechanism of action and that lower glucose independent of insulin. Given the recent findings on efficacy and benefits, these agents are rapidly establishing their role in the treatment of diabetes. Especially in patients with type 2 diabetes not willing or not ready to start insulin, SGLT2 inhibitors may be another option in those patients requiring additional glucose lowering and in those with acceptable risk factor profiles. Although there appears to be some positive benefits in cardiovascular endpoints, more research on the long-term outcomes in people taking SGLT2 inhibitors is warranted.
Risk Classification for Enteroviral Infection in Children With Meningitis and Negative Gram Stain
Authors: Zakhour Ramia , Aguilera Elizabeth , Hasbun Rodrigo , Wootton Susan H.
Published: November 2016

Objectives

Enterovirus is the most common cause of aseptic meningitis in children. This study aimed at identifying baseline variables associated with a positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Enterovirus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to aid clinicians in targeting patients who could be tested and treated as outpatients.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of children (2 months to 17 years old) admitted to the Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, TX, between January 2005 and December 2010 with symptoms of meningitis, CSF white cell count of greater than 5 cells/mm3, and a negative CSF Gram stain, who had a CSF Enterovirus PCR.

Results

One hundred thirty-seven children were reviewed; median age was 4.7 (0.1–17.1) years, and 79 (58%) were male. Fifty patients (37%) had positive CSF Enterovirus PCR. Only 13 (15%) of the Enterovirus PCR-negative patients had an identifiable etiology. All patients were hospitalized. The mean hospital stay for patients with Enterovirus was 2.9 days; 88% received empiric antibiotics. Rates of antibiotic administration were not different between PCR-positive and PCR-negative groups (P > 0.05). All patients with Enterovirus had a favorable clinical outcome.

A predictive model was created using 3 baseline variables independently associated with a positive Enterovirus PCR (P < 0.05): May to November presentation, CSF protein of less than 100 mg/dL, and absence of focal neurologic signs. The model classified patients into 2 risk categories for a positive Enterovirus PCR (low risk, 0% [0/17 patients]; high risk, 42% [50/120 patients]; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our predictive model can be used to identify children for whom Enterovirus PCR testing is warranted. Such testing could avoid unnecessary hospitalization and antibiotic administration.
Reinnervated Split-Muscle Technique for Creating Additional Myoelectric Sites in an Animal Model
Authors: Deslivia Maria Florencia , Lee Hyun-joo , Zulkarnain Rizki Fajar , Zhu Bin , Adikrishna Arnold , Jeon In-ho , Kim Keehoon
Published: November 2016

Background:

This study proposes a novel reinnervated split-muscle operation to create additional myoelectric sites as sources of command signals of myoelectric prostheses for enhanced dexterous hand-to-wrist motions. The aim of this study was to investigate the postprocedure electromyographic properties of the muscles as distinct myoelectric sites in a rat model.

Methods:

The reinnervated split-muscle group (n = 6) had the gastrocnemius muscle separated along its longitudinal axis and nerves transferred to each new muscle (peroneal nerve to lateral muscle head and tibial to medial one); the non–split-muscle group (n = 6) only had nerve transfers with its muscle intact. Functional testing was conducted after 10 weeks. The main parameter is the difference in mean electromyographic amplitude between the new muscles, with greater values indicating better separability.

Results:

After the reinnervated split-muscle procedure, there is a significant increase of the average ratio between two muscles compared with the control group, from 0.44 (range, 0.02 to 0.86) to 0.77 (range, 0.35 to 0.98) (p = 0.011). In addition, compared with the non–split muscle group, nerve transfer in the split-muscle group is more successful in reaching its intended target muscle.

Conclusion:

A reinnervated split-muscle procedure could be beneficial for acquiring a more precise and discrete command signal in upper limb amputees, thus enabling the creation of more dexterous prosthetic arm.
A frameshift mutation is repaired through nonsense-mediated gene revising inE. coli
Authors: Wang Xiaolong , Wang Xuxiang , Li Chunyan , Peng Haibo , Wang Yalei , Chen Gang , Zhang Jianye
Published: November 2016

The molecular mechanisms for repairing DNA damages and point mutations have been well understood but it remains unclear how a frameshift mutation is repaired. Here we report that frameshift reversion occurs inE. colimore frequently than expected and appears to be a targeted gene repair signaled by premature termination codons (PTCs), producing high-level variations in the repaired genes. Genome resequencing shows that the revertant genome is highly stable, and the single-molecule variations in the repaired genes are derived from RNA editing. A multi-omics analysis shows that the expression levels change greatly in most the DNA and RNA manipulating genes. DNA replication, transcription, RNA editing, RNA degradation, nucleotide excision repair, mismatch repair, and homologous recombination were upregulated in the frameshift or revertant, but the base excision repair was not. Moreover, genes and transposons in a duplicate region silenced in wild typeE. coliwere activated in the frameshift. Finally, we propose anonsense-mediated gene revising(NMGR) model for frame repair, which also acts as a driving force for molecular evolution. In essence, nonsense mRNAs are recognized, edited, and transported to template the repair of the coding gene by RNA-directed DNA repair, nucleotide excision, mismatch repair, and homologous recombination. Thanks to NMGR, the mutation rate temporarily rises in a frameshift gene, bringing genetic diversity while repairing the frameshift mutation and accelerating the evolution process without a high mutation rate in the genome.
The crystal structure of the endoglucanase Cel10, a family 8 glycosyl hydrolase fromKlebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Attigani Ayman , Sun Lifang , Wang Qing , Liu Yadan , Bai Dingping , Li Shengping , Huang Xiaohong
Published: November 2016

Cellulases are produced by microorganisms that grow on cellulose biomass. Here, a cellulase, Cel10, was identified in a strain ofKlebsiella pneumoniaeisolated from Chinese bamboo rat gut. Analysis of substrate specificity showed that Cel10 is able to hydrolyze amorphous carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and crystalline forms of cellulose (Avicel and xylan) but is unable to hydrolyzep-nitrophenol β-D-glucopyranoside (p-NPG), proving that Cel10 is an endoglucanase. A phylogenetic tree analysis indicates that Cel10 belongs to the glycoside hydrolase 8 (GH8) subfamily. In order to further understanding of its substrate specificity, the structure of Cel10 was solved by molecular replacement and refined to 1.76 Å resolution. The overall fold is distinct from those of most other enzymes belonging to the GH8 subfamily. Although it forms the typical (α/α)6-barrel motif fold, likeAcetobacterxylinumCMCax, one helix is missing. Structural comparisons withClostridium thermocellumCelA (CtCelA), the best characterized GH8 endoglucanase, revealed that sugar-recognition subsite −3 is completely missing in Cel10. The absence of this subsite correlates to a more open substrate-binding cleft on the cellooligosaccharide reducing-end side.
Crystal structure of fluroxypyr
Authors: Park Hyunjin , Choi Myong Yong , Kwon Eunjin , Kim Tae Ho
Published: November 2016

In the title pyridine herbicide {systematic name: 2-[(4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6-fluoropyridin-2-yl)oxy]acetic acid}, C7H5Cl2FN2O3, the mean plane of the carboxylic acid substituent and the pyridyl ring plane subtend a dihedral angle of 77.5 (1)°. In the crystal, pairs of O—H...O hydrogen bonds form inversion dimers withR22(8) ring motifs. These are extended into chains along [011] by N—H...F hydrogen bonds. In addition, intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds and weak π–π interactions [ring centroid separation = 3.4602 (9) Å] connect these chains into a three-dimensional network.
4-Amino-3-[2-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)ethyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5(4H)-thione dimethyl sulfoxide monosolvate
Authors: Mague Joel T. , Mohamed Shaaban K. , Akkurt Mehmet , El-Emary Talaat I. , Albayati Mustafa R.
Published: November 2016

In the crystal of the title compound, C16H15N5S·C2H6OS, both the 1,2,4-triazole derivative molecules and the disordered [refined occupancy ratio = 0.604 (1):0.396 (1)] dimethyl sulfoxide solvent molecules form centrosymmetric dimers, by way of pairwise N—H...S and C—H...O hydrogen bonds, respectively. In the crystal, the two types of dimer are connected by N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming infinite chains parallel to [101]. The packing is assisted by π–π stacking and C—H...π(ring) and N—H...π(ring) interactions.
2,5-Bis(4-chlorobenzylidene)cyclopentanone
Authors: Samshuddin Seranthimata , Naveen S. , Ananya L. N. , Vishwanatha P. , Lokanath N. K. , Abdoh Muneer
Published: November 2016

The title bis-chalcone compound, C19H14Cl2O, crystallizes with one half-molecule in the asymmetric unit. The molecule has crystallographic mirror symmetry with the C=O bond on the mirror plane. The molecule adopts anEconfiguration about the central olefinic bonds. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviaweak C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming supramolecular chains propagating along the [100] direction.
1-[({5-[(4-Methylphenoxy)methyl]-4-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl}sulfanyl)methyl]-1H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazole
Authors: Mohamed Shaaban K. , Al-Taifi Elham A. , Akkurt Mehmet , Mague Joel T. , Bakhite Etify M.
Published: November 2016

The title molecule, C23H20N6OS, adopts a cup-shaped conformation with the planes of the two benzene rings and the benzotriazole unit close to being parallel. The crystal packing features C—H...π(ring) and offset π–π stacking interactions.
Scenario-based forecasting on commercial potential of SDHWS
Authors: Raju Rekha , Kumar Manish , Changat Manoj
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to show how scenario-based forecasting can give a better understanding of future commercial potential of a newly developed technology. This study aims to bridge the existing gaps in technology commercialization process for various projects supported under innovation support schemes in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The scope of this study is to understand the commercial potential and future deployment prospect of “sun direct hot water system (SDHWS)”. Scenarios have been drawn using “cone of plausibility” method and the commercial potential forecasted under different scenarios using arithmetic and linear regression forecasting tool.

Findings

The SDHWS is an incremental innovation but has great potential to overcome major constraints and barriers associated with existing solar water heater (SWH) technologies. Among the three scenarios drawn, plausible scenario is most likely to happen in future. The SDHWS is technically and economically capable of replacing existing conventional systems of SWHs.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to developing alternate qualitative scenarios and, further, an attempt to quantify the commercial potential. Various assumptions have been taken because of non-availability of past data on SDHWS technology.

Originality/value

Scenario-based forecasting to understand commercial potential for innovative technology is a new approach. The adoption of such insight and analysis would brighten the chance of SDHWS technology to reach the market.
Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site and sustainable development
Authors: Macheka Mavis Thokozile
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the extent to which Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site has contributed to the sustainable development of the local people who live in its vicinity. What is critically important to underscore is the value of the site to society.

Design/methodology/approach

The relevant data were collected through questionnaires, personal interviews and site visits.

Findings

The paper reveals that cultural heritage has affected sustainable development of local communities living in its vicinity in social and cultural terms. There is promotion of Shona traditions through exhibitions and selling of curios by local people at community projects such as the Shona Village and the Great Zimbabwe Nemanwa Craft Centre. The two projects also generate revenue to the local communities. However it was established that a number of benefits from the site such as employment creation are temporary and unsustainable. The main challenge for effecting sustainable development to local communities is lack of community participation.

Originality/value

Most researchers are arguing that sustainability of cultural heritage is much more difficult compared to natural heritage but the findings reflect that cultural heritage through Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site could be an essential engine and valuable resource for sustainable development.
Maintenance of shared spaces: courtyards of Tbilisi
Authors: Prizeman Oriel
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The courtyard dwellings of Tbilisi form a critical part of the city’s architectural identity. However, the multiple occupation of these buildings is blamed for confounding their prospects for repair and consequent valorisation as a World Heritage Site. Models for the shared ownership of residential blocks have been adapted globally. Some have established communal sources for rehabilitation and maintenance applicable to historic buildings. The purpose of this paper is to assess the relevance of such precedents to the complex and urgent context of Tbilisi’s threatened architectural heritage.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses existing literature and data to establish a hypothesis in support of adopting a collaborative approach for the maintenance and rehabilitation of shared buildings in a challenging and specific context. Using socio-economic data to characterise the occupants of such buildings and current critical sources, the paper investigates how existing collective communities can be empowered to capitalise from their unique social frameworks.

Findings

It finds evidence to support theoretical claims that there is scope for co-operative networks to flourish there.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited to a desktop analysis and relies upon available data and literature to draw its conclusions.

Originality/value

This paper addresses a critical problem in the formulation of conservation plans for Old Tbilisi, it tests the relevance of global exemplars for community repair programmes by reference to existing data for the care of the predominantly domestic architecture of Old Tbilisi at a time of rapid change.
Debunking the myth of denial’s effectiveness in crisis communication: context matters
Authors: Coombs W. Timothy , Holladay Sherry Jean , Claeys An-Sofie
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the under-researched issue of how formal determinations of organizational responsibility for a crisis affect the effectiveness of the denial strategy in protecting organizational reputation. Because studies that omit later determinations of responsibility produce misleading representations of the value of denial, a pilot study and primary study investigated how later determinations of organizational culpability in a management misconduct crisis interact with crisis response strategies to affect reputation and anger.

Design/methodology/approach

Two studies used experimental designs to assess how denial interacted with determinations of crisis responsibility to influence reputation and anger.

Findings

The pilot study demonstrated reputational damage and stakeholder anger increased when an organization initially denied responsibility and then was found to be responsible for the crisis. The second study replicated the pilot study findings and also demonstrated that later determinations of guilt decreased reputation scores. When found guilty, the organization’s reputation was significantly more favorable when the positive action strategy was used. Comparison of three response strategies (no response, denial, and positive action) revealed the denial and no response conditions were significantly less effective than the positive response strategy when the organization was found guilty.

Research limitations/implications

Paper demonstrates the need for research on the denial strategy to consider later determinations of crisis responsibility (guilt) when assessing denial’s impact on organizational reputation.

Practical implications

When selecting response strategies in situations where crisis responsibility is unclear, practitioners should consider how later determinations of responsibility could affect reputation.

Originality/value

This paper questions past research on the value of the denial strategy, integrates findings from the trust violations research, and demonstrates the importance of considering formal judgments of organizational responsibility when selecting crisis response strategies.
Fraud victimization in Greece: room for improvement in prevention and detection
Authors: Krambia Kapardis Maria , Papastergiou Konstantinos
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate fraud victimisation of Greek companies during the financial crisis years. Moreover, the paper seeks to encourage the implementation of proactive and reactive measures in an effort to minimize fraud victimisation.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on an extensive literature review and utilising a questionnaire administered by Krambia-Kapardis and Zopiatis (2010), auditors and management of companies who had fallen victim to fraud provided information on the typology of fraud and on proactive and reactive measures taken after a fraud incident had been reported to them. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to analyze the collected data and address the postulated research questions.

Findings

The survey has found that no industry or size of company is immune from fraud, with bigger companies and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) falling victim to industrial espionage and theft of cash and counterfeit, respectively. The banking and insurance sector appeared to be affected mainly by money laundering. Management fraud was mainly in the form of window dressing, whilst employee fraud involved predominately theft of cash and assets. Loss of reputation emerged as the main concern for the victim, and it had a determining impact on deciding not to report cases to the police.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the sensitive topic being investigated and despite having assured the respondents that their anonymity would be guaranteed, the respondents were hesitant in responding. Thus, the response rate was 16.4 per cent, slightly lower than a similar study carried out in Cyprus (Krambia-Kapardis and Zopiatis 2010). The findings, however, are considered to be reliable, given the fact that the respondents were individuals well versed with the topic under investigation and in a position to know if their company had fallen victim to fraud.

Practical implications

The findings have practical relevance to both industry stakeholders and academics who wish to further explore fraud victimization in the Greek business environment. Given that the financial crisis in Greece is continuing, fraud risk assessment ought to concentrate in the area of cash, and preventative measures need to be considered by the regulators and the victims.

Originality/value

Whilst fraud victimisation studies are becoming popular by the Big 4 accounting firms, there is no fraud victimisation study concentrating on the typology of fraud in Greece. With this survey, it will be possible to draw conclusions and make suggestions to the accounting profession on how to combat fraud, at a time, when the economic crisis is persisting and fraud is expected to escalate.
The essential role of the investigation in fighting economic crime in Italy
Authors: Vanni Domitilla
Published: November 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the evolution of European anti-money laundering discipline passing from the First Money Laundering Directive 91/308/EEC, that was only referred to banks and financial intermediaries, that has been furthermore extended to some activities and professions outside the financial sector. The research examines the different steps done buy Italian Legislation in the field of economic crime: at first Law n. 14/2003 of 3 February 2003 (Community Law 2002), they transposed the 2001 Directive 2001/97/EC and then the Law n. 56/2004 of 20 February 2004, that has implemented Directive 2001/97/EC. Now it is urgent to implement Directive 2005/60/EC that has extended the scope of the legislation, including the fight against the financing of terrorism and modified anti-money laundering obligations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper deals with the Legislations of some European States (in particular UK and Italy) interpreting them by a comparative method.

Findings

This paper has put in clear some differences and some analogies between national legislations of different countries.

Research limitations/implications

In Italy, at first Law n. 14/2003 of 3 February 2003 (Community Law 2002), has transposed the 2001 Directive 2001/97/EC and then the Law n. 56/2004 of 20 February 2004, has implemented Directive 2001/97/EC. In 2005, Directive 2005/60/EC has extended the scope of the legislation, including the fight against the financing of terrorism and modified anti-money laundering obligations.

Practical implications

In the context of economic crime, capital investigations represent one of the most effective tools to fight the activities of organized crime in the phase of managing wealth illicitly produced and its immission in the circuit of the legal economy.

Social implications

The need of fighting economic crime must always be harmonized with the protection of right to privacy that has been acknowledged by Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights of 1950 as a fundamental right.

Originality/value

This paper develops the need to balance the right to privacy of every European citizen (Article 8 CEDU) with investigative power exercised by Public or Private Authorities, considering the possibility to comprise the first – if necessary – to allow the regular exercise of the second.
Development, the European Union and the financial crisis: assessing the picture
Authors: Baber Graeme
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the developmental status of the Member States of the European Union (EU) in the wake of the global financial crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considers the three elements in pairs, i.e. development and the EU, development and the financial crisis, and the EU and the financial crisis, and synthesises these by answering the questions propounded in the introduction. A sustainable development index is constructed for all 28 Member States of the EU. In the next section, the association between the financial crisis and sustainable development is considered for four non-European developing countries, using correlation analysis. Following this, the construction of the EU’s regulatory framework in the wake of the financial crisis is summarised.

Findings

Member States who did not have the status of advanced economies on joining the EU have closed the development gap on their neighbours. Of the four non-European countries, the financial crisis is not a major factor in the sustainable development of three of them. Post-crisis legislative reforms within the EU are comprehensive. Nonetheless, a long-term perspective must be taken to effectively address the issues that underlie development, within the EU and beyond.

Research limitations/implications

The sustainable development index incorporates most, but not all, of the World Bank’s sustainable development goals. Countries omit to supply data to the World Bank, so figures need to be estimated. Regression analysis is avoided, because of the variable measurement problems therein. Therefore, no claims are made as to causation. All arithmetic workings are shown.

Originality/value

The paper integrates three concepts, which is a new research.
Class action suits by shareholders in India
Authors: Bhomawat Dishi
Published: November 2016

Purpose

As a part of the overhaul of the corporate governance norms, the Indian Government recently introduced class action suits for shareholders in India. This paper aims to analyze the efficacy of the existing legislation in its present form. It also examines whether the Indian law is equipped to handle the globalized markets, wherein shareholders are spread across different continents.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper relies on meta-analyses. This study analyzes the existing case laws, news reports and legislative materials.

Findings

The author, through her analyses, has concluded that the introduction of class action suits into the Indian corporate governance regime is only a half-hearted attempt. The Indian lawmakers have failed to learn from their foreign counterparts. There are no provisions to deter frivolous litigation. Furthermore, it is contentious whether the Indian law will be able to cater to transnational class action suits.

Originality/value

This paper is original. There is a scarcity of literature on Indian corporate governance norms. This paper examines the very nascent concept of class action suits in India. India has become an investment hub in the past decade. Therefore, this paper has practical implications in understanding the Indian legal setup, in comparison to its foreign counterparts.
The effect of terror incidents on the yield of developing and developed markets
Authors: Tavor Tchai
Published: November 2016

Purpose

The proliferation of terror threats in the past decades and the increasing number of terror incidents at different locations around the world have engendered a counter reaction from the members of the international community. This study aims to examine how terror incidents that happened over the past decade have affected the capital markets of the targeted countries and whether the effect was permanent or transitory.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine the incident’s effect, the study uses the TI (variable) index – a measure of pessimism with values ranging from 5 to 16 – for four days around a terrorist incident. By using this index, this study can reflect the investors’ level of pessimism resulting from the intensity of the terrorist incident. Five parameters that have a major influence on the incident’s severity have been used to construct the index.

Findings

By using the terror index, terror incidents were analyzed in four main tests. The results point at the following conclusions: There is a correlation between the yield index on the day of a terror incident and the two following work days. There is a negative correlation between the severity of the event and the yield indices. On the day of the terror incident, there is no difference in yield indices between large and small countries and between democratic and authoritarian countries. Developing countries, however, show a steeper decline than developed countries. In larger and developed countries, terror incidents are permanent, whereas in democratic countries, they are transitory.

Originality/value

This study investigates the effect of terrorism on the stock markets of different countries with relation to the country’s size, type of regime and level of development. The work is based on a unique sample of terror attacks. The study offers a quantitative index to measure the level of pessimism that contains different components of an incident, such as the location of the incident and the type of terrorism.
From philanthropy to broader social engagement
Authors: Nickerson Catherine , Goby Valerie Priscilla
Published: November 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the potential effectiveness of using corporate social marketing (CSM) as part of an advertising campaign targeting local Muslim consumers in Dubai. It aims to assess whether Dubai’s local Muslim community’s construal of corporate commitment has evolved beyond philanthropy toward receptiveness to a more embedded corporate societal engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

The examination is based on the framework of corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication that postulates a relationship between internal outcomes, such as the awareness of a cause, and external outcomes, such as the likelihood that a consumer will purchase a product. The authors designed a questionnaire using authentic advertisements for the same product, one with a CSM message and one without, and queried respondents’ opinions of the advertisements, their willingness to purchase the product and their perceptions of the company. Complete responses were collected from 245 Emirati women.

Findings

Significant differences in response to the CSM versus the non-CSM advertisement emerged. The product advertised via the CSM strategy engendered enhanced perceptions of the company among respondents, coupled with a heightened willingness on their part to purchase the product. This indicates that Emirati consumers have gone beyond the simple expectation of philanthropy, which is frequently associated with Muslim consumer loyalty, and value more evolved corporate social commitment.

Originality/value

While Muslim groups have been investigated extensively from various marketing perspectives, the present study is the first to investigate the impact of incorporating CSR into an authentic advertising campaign targeted at Muslim consumers.
Forecasting patronage factors of Islamic credit card as a new e-commerce banking service
Authors: Jamshidi Dariyoush , Hussin Nazimah
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Understanding the important patronage factors of Islamic credit card as a new e-commerce banking service is essential for bankers and users. Although some previous studies have focused on the factors that influence adoption of Islamic credit card, there are few empirical research studies that use a well-established adoption model that helps bankers and consumers to accept and use the Islamic credit card. This study aims to provide such a model to facilitate the adoption of Islamic credit card.

Design/methodology/approach

In response, a conceptual model was developed that combines the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with perceived religiosity (a new developed construct in this study) and trust to explain usage intention of this new banking product. Accordingly, the data were collected from 327 bank customers, and the results supported the applicability of TAM to describe usage behavior of Islamic credit card. Besides, the newly developed construct (perceived religiosity) increased the TAM power regarding explaining adoption of a new e-commerce banking service.

Findings

Theoretically, the results of this study advocate that perceived religiosity increase the TAM predictive power to clarify intention to use. While, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and attitude explained low level of the variance regarding intention to use, by adding perceived religiosity to TAM, these constructs contributed to an increase in the described variance, therefore offering a better explanatory power. In addition, the proposed joint TAM, perceived religiosity and trust explained 57.1 per cent of usage behavior variance. These results are of prime importance, as, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that proves the applicability of TAM for explaining adoption and usage of the Islamic credit card.

Originality/value

The findings of the current study showed that perceived usefulness is an important factor effecting people’s intention to use the Islamic credit card. Consequently, managers need to first ensure that the Islamic credit card and its services are technically sound and work in an appropriate manner. The focus should be on promoting speed, efficiency and effectiveness of this new product. In financial part, there is a need to reduce the interest rate in the long run to encourage potential users to consider the usage of the Islamic credit card and its offered services.
From bureaucratic machines to inter-organizational networks
Authors: Gil-Garcia J. Ramon , Pardo Theresa A. , Sayogo Djoko Sigit
Published: November 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to argue that the structure of the response to the World Trade Center (WTC) crisis can be characterized as an inter-organizational network and the majority of the activities can be identified as network management.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a mixed-method research strategy encompassing in-depth interviews and a sociometric survey, the authors characterize the response as an inter-organizational network and describe significant factors that facilitate the effective functioning and management of an emergency response.

Findings

The results provide empirical support for the claim that the management of the WTC response was very different from normal government operations in many respects. However, it was also found that complete detachment of the network-form of organization from bureaucratic hierarchy is not always possible in an emergency response, particularly in terms of leadership and the availability of resources.

Originality/value

The authors argue that bureaucratic leadership exists in political layers and is sometimes needed to provide social value to the general public and promote their engagement. Finally, the authors found evidence that the effectiveness of networks in an emergency response is influenced by certain enabling conditions, such as the severity of events, and suggest some implications for government operations.
Use levels of electronic government services among German citizens
Authors: Gerpott Torsten J. , Ahmadi Nima
Published: November 2016

Purpose

To better understand the use intensity of e-government service offerings among citizens, a considerable number of studies have examined correlations between various attitudinal constructs related to such offerings and citizens’ service adoption (intentions). This investigational paper aims to take a different angle by exploring associations between a set of 11 objectively identifiable household and individual behavioral and socio-demographic characteristics on the one side and three levels of e-government services use on the other.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis is based on survey responses of a random sample of 17,012 individuals residing in Germany.

Findings

Ordinal logistic regression analysis suggests that citizens with low use levels of public e-service offerings are most likely younger male persons with low levels of computer literacy, internet affinity and education, who have a migration background and live in small mid-level-income households located in rural communities.

Practical implications

The findings imply that public institutions may find it difficult to rapidly raise e-government acceptance by distributing only “technocratic” information explaining various service options. Public authorities should consider supplementing “pure” information programs by measures which ensure that the software of e-government service platforms is designed in a way guaranteeing a very high level of “usability”. Furthermore, they should analyze whether the benefits of providing e-government services in specific foreign languages outweigh the costs of such a service extension. If this is the case, an easy-to-use software menu item should be introduced which enables citizens to switch to another common foreign language.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper results from the analysis of a set of objective predictors of e-government service use in a large random sample of citizens residing in Germany, whereas most prior studies are based on surveys of small convenience samples in other countries.
Overview of Food Safety Hazards in the European Dairy Supply Chain
Authors: van Asselt E. D. , van der Fels‐Klerx H.J. , Marvin H.J.P. , van Bokhorst‐van de Veen H. , Groot M. Nierop
Published: November 2016

Monitoring of dairy products should preferably focus on the most relevant food safety hazards in the dairy supply chain. For this purpose, the possible presence of microbiological, chemical, and physical hazards as well as trends in the dairy supply chain that may affect their presence were assessed. A literature review was combined with available data from EFSA, RASFF, and the Dutch monitoring program on chemical hazards as well as expert information. This study revealed that microbiological hazards are encountered more frequently in dairy products than chemical and physical hazards. Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, and human pathogenic Escherichia coli were identified as the most important microbiological hazards in dairy products. Soft and semisoft cheeses are most frequently associated with L. monocytogenes and S. aureus enterotoxins, whereas raw milk is most frequently associated with human pathogenic E. coli and Campylobacter spp., Cronobacter spp., and Salmonella spp. are the microbiological hazards of most concern in powdered infant formula. Based on literature, monitoring, and RASFF data, the most relevant chemical hazards in dairy products are aflatoxin M1, dioxins, and dioxin‐like compounds and residues of veterinary drugs. Chemical hazards primarily occur at the dairy farm and may accumulate during further processing. The most relevant physical hazards are metal, glass, and plastic particles introduced during processing. Analysis of trends in the near future revealed that increased milk production is seen as most relevant in relation to food safety. Other trends affecting food safety are climate change and changes at the farm level, which aim to improve animal welfare and environmental sustainability.
Historical Trends in Graduate Research and Training of Diplomates of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology
Authors: Bethard Jonathan D.
Published: November 2016

The history of forensic anthropology has been documented by numerous scholars. These contributions have described the work of early pioneers in the field and have described important milestones, such as the founding of the Physical Anthropology Section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) in 1972 and the American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA) in 1977. This paper contributes to the growing literature on the history of forensic anthropology by documenting the academic training of all individuals who have been granted diplomate status by the ABFA (n = 115). Doctoral dissertation titles were queried to discern broad patterns of research foci. A total of 39 doctoral granting institutions have trained diplomates and 77.3% of board‐certified forensic anthropologists wrote dissertations involving skeletal biology, bioarchaeology, or forensic anthropology. Board‐certified forensic anthropologists are a broadly trained group of professionals with far‐reaching anthropological interests and expertise.
A Kinetic Study of Furan Formation in Wheat Flour‐Based Model Systems during Frying
Authors: Mariotti‐Celis María S. , Zúñiga Rommy N. , Cortés Pablo , Pedreschi Franco
Published: November 2016

Furan is a possible human carcinogen, which is formed in worldwide highly consumed fried starchy foods. In order to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for its occurrence in this food category and propose techniques for its mitigation, the kinetics of furan formation, oil absorption, lipid oxidation, and color change were studied in wheat flour‐based model systems during frying at 160, 170, 180, and 190 °C up to 13 min and data were fitted to mathematical models. Additionally, an Arrhenius‐type dependency with temperature was evaluated for all studied responses. More drastic frying conditions increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) the furan content of fried samples. Furan formation followed a sigmoid trend with frying time only for frying temperature of 190 °C (RMS190°C: 7.6%). At lower temperatures, furan generation did not reach the asymptotic concentration level. Color change, lipid oxidation, and oil absorption increased with frying temperature and followed asymptotic relationships with frying time. For all evaluated temperatures, color change (RMS: 4.4% to 12.5%) and polar compound generation (RMS: 2.6% to 7.4%) presented good fit to a first‐order kinetic model. Oil absorption was successfully fit to a mass balance‐based model (RMS: 10.0% to 19.8%). Under the experimental conditions studied, only color change (EA: 15.47 kJ/mol), lipid oxidation (EA: 6.67 kJ/mol), and oil absorption (EA: 76.98 kJ/mol) presented good fit (RMS: 0.7% to 6.3%) to an Arrhenius‐type equation. Based on our results, the keeping of frying temperature below 180 °C and the reduction of the frying time would contribute to reduce not only the final furan occurrence in fried foods but also their oil content.
Acceptability and Preference Drivers of Freshly Roasted Peanuts
Authors: Wang Shangci , Adhikari Koushik , Hung Yen‐Con
Published: November 2016

The objectives of this study were to determine and compare the sensory perceptions and aroma volatiles of 6 freshly roasted peanut samples and to explore the drivers of consumer acceptability. Normal‐oleic Georgia 06G kernels (06G), high‐oleic Georgia 13M kernels (13M), Georgia runner (mixed) in‐shell (InR) & kernels (R), and Virginia (mixed) in‐shell (InVA) & kernels (VA) were roasted to medium doneness for consumers, descriptive, and gas chromatography‐mass spectroscopy (GC‐MS) tests. For Virginia variety, InVA was preferred over VA. High‐oleic 13M was preferred over normal‐oleic 06G in overall liking, aroma liking, flavor liking, sweet liking and roasted peanut flavor liking, and so on. Descriptive tests showed that 06G was highest in bitter taste. Cluster analysis divided consumers into 3 segments. Consumer overall liking was positively correlated with attributes related to fresh products and negatively correlated with the attributes that gave consumer the impression of oxidation and overroast. Consumer in cluster 3 had more light eaters and paid less attention to textural aspects. GC‐MS data identified benzene derivatives and pyrazines as the principal volatiles. 06G had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher concentration of alcohols and aldehydes with the lowest concentration of pyrazines. As the major pyrazine, 2,5‐dimethyl‐pyrazine had the strongest correlation with roasted peanutty flavor, while octanal, nonanal, hexanal, and 2‐pentyl pyridine showed closer correlation with overall oxidized flavor.
Effect of Different Aloe Fractions on the Growth of Lactic Acid Bacteria
Authors: Chiodelli Giulia , Pellizzoni Marco , Ruzickova Gabriela , Lucini Luigi
Published: November 2016

Several foods on the market, such as yogurt and fermented milk, include mixtures of prebiotics and probiotic microorganisms effective in promoting the proliferation and equilibrium of intestinal bacteria, thus improving gut health. Particularly, researchers and the public have shown increasing interest in the combination of probiotics with natural substances that promote health or that can act as substrates to promote bacterial growth. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of different extracts of Aloe barbadensis and Aloe arborescens in fermented milk, taking into account both the prebiotic effect of aloe polysaccharides and the antimicrobial activity of several secondary metabolites. The results demonstrate a beneficial effect of 5% aloe inner gel on Lactobacillus growth and confirm the antimicrobial activity of the phenolic compounds peculiar of green rind extracts.