bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do psychological contract and organizational citizenship behavior affect organizational performance in non-profit organizations?
Authors: Tsui-Hsu Tsai Tracy , Jing Lin Arthur
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to survey volunteers and full-time employees in international non-profit organizations (NPOs) and explore the relationships among psychological contract (PC), organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and organizational performance (OP).

Design/methodology/approach

– Using 573 usable responses, a linear structural equation model (SEM) was developed to examine the relationships.

Findings

– The results demonstrate significant positive relationships between PC and OCB, OCB and OP and PC and OP. They also show the mediating effect of OCB on the relationship between PC and OP.

Research limitations/implications

– Beside mediation effect, OCB and other variables might exert significant moderation effect on the relationship between PC and OP. Companies could conduct longitudinal studies to examine the changes of PC and OCB impacts on OP.

Practical implications

– Companies pursuing Chinese market should cooperate with NPOs in multiple ways including marketing for philanthropic purposes, supporting volunteer services and sponsoring the NPO. This way the company’s image will improve and its business will expand among its Chinese clientele.

Originality/value

– Budget concerns often force NPOs to downsize full-time staff, making considerable portion of their operations rely on a large number of volunteers. This study offers practical guidelines for NPOs to effectively entice and support both volunteers and employees for achieving its organizational goals.
Corporate political performance: approaches and theories
Authors: Wei Wu , Li Yanping , Zhang Pengcheng
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework of corporate political performance (CPP) in corporate political activity. In fact, CPP refers to political benefits obtained by firms when they formulate and implement political strategies to influence the public policy process though the investment of political resources. This paper focuses on answering what is perhaps the most fundamental question to strategy researchers: “How do firms engage in political strategies to improve their performance?”

Design/methodology/approach

– In building a theoretical framework, this paper, first, provides a historical analysis of political efficiency and effectiveness. Then, this paper attempts to illustrate conceptually our understanding of political performance process by a generalized and contingent approach. Finally, this paper discusses the framework, its theoretical contribution and practical implications for Chinese management, and comments on limitations for future research.

Findings

– The paper presents a conceptual CPP model that integrates political efficiency and effectiveness approach. In the conceptual framework, three phases of CPP include sources of political advantage, political competitive advantage and political performance outcome, and three dimensions are identified as political efficiency, effectiveness and adaptiveness. CPP approach is not a “generalized” nature of political performance measurement, as the difference among firms and industries in this area may be significant, which reflects the effect of context, reaction and outcome factors.

Research limitations/implications

– While it provides a strong theoretical foundation, this paper still has almost little empirical evidence concerning CPP process. However, how to measure CPP has increasingly begun to focus on an important research domain in corporate political strategy literature. This paper believes that this model has a need for future research to test its feasibility by using the measurement scales in Chinese context.

Originality/value

– This paper is original in its attempt to measure CPP to help the business practice in corporate of political activity, and broaden corporate political strategy research in mainstream strategic management.
Governance for China: a multi-method research in corruption studies
Authors: Foo Check-Teck , Wu Weiwei , Chin Tachia
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to utilize a multi-method design for research on corruption in China. Corruption in any society is inimical to good governance. Singapore, despite her size, is argued to be a plausible model for China.

Design/methodology/approach

– Taking a multi-method approach, the phenomena of corruption is investigated from: etymological analyses for corruption (European roots) and its Chinese equivalent, 贪污 (pinyin:tan wu) case studies taken from three periods: current, Qing Dynasty and to founding of China (zhong guo, Qin Dynasty) to ground our policy recommendation of China be modeling after Singapore on the basis of our analysis of statistical (2013 and longitudinal) data. In the process, the authors embark on inter-country comparisons (mainly Confucian China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan).

Findings

– Here are the key insights: scholars are unaware the English word corruption is narrower in scope than the Chinese equivalenttan wu贪污. As far back as 3,000 years, the Chinese had attributedwu, 污 as filthy, polluting, dirty to psychological concept of greedtan, 贪. In English, corruption does not denote greedper se. Falsification of facts as a political ploy dates back to Qin dynasty. Destabilizing corrupt cases occurred in China today as in Qing Dynasty. Singapore rather Hong Kong is a better model for China in reforming society.

Practical implications

– This paper illustrates a distinctively, in-depth approach to research on Chinese management. It shows why it is important to clarify key concepts: corruption in the West andtan wu贪污in the East. Historical cases are utilized to show the presence of a continuing Chinese mind set. The authors argued for China to embark on a city-by-city strategy (modeling after Singapore) toward becoming a corruption-free society. Now, as 3,000 years ago, the Chinese conceptualization of corruption embeds the psychology of greed.

Social implications

– China is at a crossroad of her economic development. There is a possible risk of China being destabilized through the corruption of the top rung of leadership. Chinese authorities must with urgency, rein in corruption. An approach is proposed in this paper.

Originality/value

– In terms of style, approach and method of research, this paper is highly original. The integrative research here provides a rationale and basis for the Chinese leaders to implement a policy for a less corrupt society.
Consumer expertise matters in price negotiation
Authors: M. Barrutia Jose , Paz Espinosa María
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The main purpose of this paper is to study the effect of consumer expertise on mortgage loan prices. We argue that consumer expertise should affect price due to two reasons: (1) loan mortgage prices in non-price-regulated settings are usually the result of a bank-customer negotiation process; and (2) a mortgage loan is a complex product.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data on mortgage loan prices were used for a sample of 1,055 households for 2005 (Bank of Spain Survey of Household Finances, EFF-2005).

Findings

– The regression results indicate that consumer expertise-related metrics are highly significant as predictors of mortgage loan prices. Findings also indicate that cost-related variables and a measure of risk with low discrimination power (i.e. having a permanent employment contract, which accounts for 70 per cent of contracts in Spain) affect price. Surprisingly, more sophisticated measures of credit risk do not have such a significant impact on mortgage prices.

Research limitations/implications

– Empirical results refer to the credit conditions prior to the financial crisis and could shed some light on the factors that led to it.

Practical implications

– Findings seem to indicate that, in the period under study, bank managers prioritized capturing new business in the short-term against normative prescriptions, which suggest that price should be credit-risk adjusted (financial literature) and long-term consumer potential adjusted (marketing literature). The post-2008 difficult economic situation of Spanish banks (linked to an excessive portfolio of mortgage loans granted at very low prices) shows that these strategies were wrong.

Originality/value

– An uncommon perspective was adopted. The importance of consumer expertise-related variables on price has been underemphasized by prior research. The effect of consumer expertise is assessed by using a large and comprehensive database.
International market selection for small firms: a fuzzy-based decision process
Authors: Marchi Gianluca , Vignola Marina , Facchinetti Gisella , Mastroleo Giovanni
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This study aims to build and test an International Market Selection (IMS) decision process method that is able to capture, within a small firm’s risk-averse setting, the entrepreneur's experience, reduce cognitive biases, and preserve the flexibility of the decision, by combining the advantages of systematic and behavioural-based international market selection approaches.

Design/methodology/approach

– The unit of analysis is the IMS decision process of a small firm venturing abroad. We adopt a ranking approach based on three-step screening. We assess the markets through a multi-criteria approach with a wider set of variables aggregated within a tree-shaped model. To obtain the ranking, we use a Fuzzy Expert System (FES) as an evaluative tool.

Findings

– The results show that the proposed decision method is consistent with the entrepreneur’s strategic orientation and experience, while preserving the flexibility requested for decision-making in small firms. Unlike traditional behavioural IMS approaches, the method demonstrates an ability to reduce the cognitive biases associated with the use of a limited set of variables and unreliable evaluation models.

Research limitations/implications

– The single-case-study approach limits generalization of the findings.

Practical implications

– The proposed methodology helps the decision-maker to improve the quality of the IMS decision by reducing the effect of cognitive biases that usually affect traditional behavioural models.

Originality/value

– For the first time, a decision-process methodology based on an FES is applied to a small firm’s IMS problem.
Evaluation of forecasting models for air cargo
Authors: Klindokmai Sirikhorn , Neech Peter , Wu Yue , Ojiako Udechukwu , Chipulu Max , Marshall Alasdair
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– Virgin Atlantic Cargo is one of the largest air freight operators in the world. As part of a wider strategic development initiative, the company has identified forecasting accuracy as of strategic importance to its operational efficiency. This is because accurate forecast enables the company to have the right resources available at the right place and time. The purpose of this paper is to undertake an evaluation of current month-to-date forecasting utilized by Virgin Atlantic Cargo. The study employed demand patterns drawn from historical data on chargeable weight over a seven-year-period covering six of the company's routes.

Design/methodology/approach

– A case study is carried out, where a comparison between forecasting models is undertaken using error accuracy measures. Data in the form of historical chargeable weight over a seven-year-period covering six of the company's most profitable routes are employed in the study. For propriety and privacy reasons, data provided by the company have been sanitized.

Findings

– Preliminary analysis of the time series shows that the air cargo chargeable weight could be difficult to forecast due to demand fluctuations which appear extremely sensitive to external market and economic factors.

Originality/value

– The study contributes to existing literature on air cargo forecasting and is therefore of interest to scholars examining the problems of overbooking. Overbooking which is employed by air cargo operators to hedge against “no-show” bookings. However, the inability of air cargo operators to accurately predict cargo capacity unlikely to be used implies that operators are unable to establish with an aspect of certainty their revenue streams. The research methodology adopted is also predominantly discursive in that it employs a synthesis of existing forecasting literature and real-life data for accuracy analysis.
The development of a framework for route selection in multimodal transportation
Authors: Kengpol Athakorn , Tuammee Sopida , Tuominen Markku
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for route selection in multimodal transportation which can reduce cost, lead time, risk and CO2emission in multimodal transportation systems.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research proposes the development of a framework for route selection in multimodal transportation that includes a six-phase framework to select an optimal multimodal transportation route. The first phase is to collect the data of each route and select the origin and destination. The second phase is to calculate time and cost of each route by using a multimodal transport cost-model. In the third phase, the CO2emissions are calculated based upon the 2006 guidelines of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The fourth phase proposes an integrated quantitative risk assessment, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and data envelopment analysis methodology to evaluate the multimodal transportation risk. The fifth phase is to prioritize criteria by using the AHP which can be used in the objective function. The final phase is to calculate the optimal route by using the zero-one goal programming.

Findings

– The aims of the model are to minimize transportation costs, transportation time, risk and CO2emission.

Practical implications

– The approach has been tested on a realistic multimodal transportation service, originating from Bangkok in Thailand to a destination at Da Nang port in Vietnam. The results have shown that the approach can provide guidance in choosing the lowest cost route in accordance with other criteria, and to minimize the CO2emission effectively.

Originality/value

– The contribution of this research lies in the development of a new decision support approach that is flexible and applicable to logistics service providers, in selecting multimodal transportation route under the multi-criteria in term of cost, time, risk and importantly the environmental impact.
Discovery tools as electronic billboards to market your library
Authors: David Shapiro Steven
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this article is to describes Sprague Library’s experience in using EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) to market library services and resources in order to draw conclusions for other institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Uses the case study of Montclair State University in developing a strategy for using Discovery Tools as a library promotional tool. Also includes examples from other institutions.

Findings

– EDS (and other Discovery Services) can be helpful in highlighting library resources and services that may go unnoticed. Studies show a correlation between discovery tools and increased Interlibrary Loan (ILL) activity so it’s important to promote services like ILL within your discovery service.

Practical implications

– With a reasonable effort, libraries can use discovery tools to provide additional modes of communication with users.

Originality/value

– Highlights some of Sprague Library’s unique efforts in utilizing EDS to promote library resources and services.
Evaluation of color and textural properties of chicken meat momos
Authors: Singh Tanuja , Pathak Vikas , Verma Arun , Vincentraju Rajkumar , Goswami Meena , Singh Veer
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The aim of the present study was to evaluate the textural, color, sensory and microbiological properties of meat momos.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three different levels of boiled chopped chicken meat, namely, T1 (45 per cent chicken meat), T2 (50 per cent chicken meat) and T3 (55 per cent chicken meat) were taken as filling material for preparation of meat momos.

Findings

– There was no significant difference in lightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) values. The mean hardness, adhesiveness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess and chewiness values also differed non significantly. Salmonella and Coliform were not detected in freshly prepared chicken momos. No significant difference was observed for total plate count and the sensory attributes except meat flavor intensity. The overall sensory scores were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) higher for T2 treatment than other two treatments.

Research limitations/implications

– The trials are needed to carry out further study to evaluate storage stability of developed momos.

Originality/value

– Meat momos available in the market are not standardized and do not have a defined nutrient content. The standardization and quality evaluation of chicken meat moms can provide the platform for their commercialization at industrial level.
Development and evaluation of quality characteristics of egg balls
Authors: Goswami Meena , Pathak Vikas , Bharti Sanjay , Singh Veer , Singh Tanuja , Sengar Abhishek
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The present study was aimed to enhance the nutritional quality of veg bottle gourd balls by incorporating boiled mashed egg replacing bottle guard in the formulation of batter.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three different levels, viz. 50, 60 and 70 per cent of boiled mashed whole egg were taken to optimize the level of egg in veg balls by replacing the bottle gourd. The developed products were evaluated for physico-chemical, proximate analysis and sensory evaluation on Day 0, 3, 6 and 9 of storage, whereas microbiological studies of the product were conducted on Day 1, 4, 7 and 10.

Findings

– The pH, cooking yield and weight gain were non significantly higher in egg-incorporated balls as compared to control. Similar trends were observed for mean Thio Barbituric Acid (TBA) and free fatty acid (FFA) values, however, the estimated values remained within the acceptable limit throughout the storage period. Mean protein and fat content were significantly (p< 0.05) higher and the moisture content was significantly lower (p< 0.05) in egg-incorporated balls. There was no significant difference for mean Total Plate Count, Yeast and mould count and Psychrophillic count between the treatments and control during storage except at later stage on Day 7 and 10. The mean sensory scores were found to be the highest for egg balls, with 60 per cent boiled mashed whole egg for all sensory attributes and the flavor was very much liked by the sensory panelists.

Research limitations/implications

– The trials can be further carried out for some color and properties, with the addition of various antioxidants and antimicrobial agents.

Originality/value

– Veg bottle gourd balls are a very much relished delicacy of Indian culinary practices. The incorporation of egg not only enhanced the nutritional properties, also improved the flavor and consumer acceptance. It can be a very good alternative to cope up with malnutrition and hunger.
Composition of commercially produced organic and conventional strawberries
Authors: Tõnutare Tõnu , Keert Kati , Szajdak Lech , Moor Ulvi
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this study was to determine differences in taste-related and bioactive compounds of organically (OR) and conventionally (CONV) cultivated commercially produced strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). Addresses the question if the consumers buying OR strawberries are likely to purchase fruits with better taste and richer in bioactive compounds than those buying CONV fruits.

Design/methodology/approach

– Only information commonly available to the consumers [cultivar, quality class, product origin (country) and eco-labelling], was considered in selecting experimental material. “Polka” strawberries from 14 farms (7 OR and 7 CONV) from South Estonia were used for analyses.

Findings

– No evidence was found that OR strawberries contain more bioactive compounds or have higher soluble solids content and titratable acids ratio (associated with better taste) compared to CONV strawberries. There were significant differences in content of total phenolics, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, total antioxidant capacity, titratable acids and soluble solids between strawberries from individual farms irrespective of cultivation system.

Research limitations/implications

– Our study was limited to strawberry “Polka” and some other cultivars might response differently to production systems.

Social implications

– Consumers get information that by choosing an organic product in the marketplace, it is not guaranteed that this product has higher content of bioactive compounds.

Originality/value

– Comparative studies of organic and conventional products are preferably performed with products grown at the same location with the same amount of nutrients etc. However, information of production site’s microclimate, soil texture or the amount of plant available nutrients is never available to the consumers. Therefore, our consumer-oriented approach might be valuable.
Size matters
Authors: Johnson Valerie , Ranade Sonia , Thomas David
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to focus on a highly significant yet under-recognised concern: the huge growth in the volume of digital archival information and the implications of this shift for information professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

– Though data loss and format obsolescence are often considered to be the major threats to digital records, the problem of scale remains under-acknowledged. This paper discusses this issue, and the challenges it brings using a case study of a set of Second World War service records.

Findings

– TNA’s research has shown that it is possible to digitise large volumes of records to replace paper originals using rigorous procedures. Consequent benefits included being able to link across large data sets so that further records could be released.

Practical implications

– The authors will discuss whether the technical capability, plus space and cost savings will result in increased pressure to retain, and what this means in creating a feedback-loop of volume.

Social implications

– The work also has implications in terms of new definitions of the “original” archival record. There has been much debate on challenges to the definition of the archival record in the shift from paper to born-digital. The authors will discuss where this leaves the digitised “original” record.

Originality/value

– Large volumes of digitised and born-digital records are starting to arrive in records and archive stores, and the implications for retention are far wider than simply digital preservation. By sharing novel research into the practical implications of large-scale data retention, this paper showcases potential issues and some approaches to their management.
Challenges to born-digital institutional archiving: the case of a New York art museum
Authors: Cocciolo Anthony
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to highlight the challenges to born-digital institutional archiving using a New York Archive Museum (NYAM) as a case.

Design/methodology/approach

– The digital record-keeping practices at NYAM were studied using three data sources: focus groups with staff, totaling 81 individuals, or approximately one-third of all staff; analysis of network file storage; and analysis of digital records in archival storage, or specifically removable media in acid-free archive boxes.

Findings

– This case study indicates that the greatest challenges to born-digital institutional archiving are not necessarily technological but social and cultural. Or rather, the challenge is getting individuals to transfer material to a digital archive so that it can undergo the technological transformations needed to ensure its long-term availability. However, transfer is impeded by a variety of factors which can be addressed through education, infrastructure development and proactive appraisal for permanent retention.

Practical implications

– This paper highlights the challenges to born-digital institutional archiving, yet notes that these challenges can be overcome by following a multi-pronged approach.

Originality/Value

– This paper outlines the challenges to born-digital institutional archiving, which is not often discussed in the literature outside of the context of higher education.
Inspire, Respect, Reward: re-framing leadership assessment and development
Authors: Wiley Jack , Lake Francis
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe how a major financial services organisation used the results of an independent research project to alter its approach to leadership assessment and development.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research project involved collecting employee opinion data from roughly equal samples of employees from 22 countries worldwide (total n = 47, 236). Subsequent linkage research analyses involved employee opinions being correlated with measures of customer satisfaction and financial performance for up to 187 organisations worldwide.

Findings

– Findings revealed that what employees most want from the top leaders of their organisations is to be inspired, respected and rewarded. Organisations whose leadership teams scored higher on measures of inspiring, respecting and rewarding employees also achieved higher employee engagement, customer satisfaction and financial performance.

Practical implications

– These findings spurred the development of a new direction for leadership development and assessment for Lloyds Banking Group, a major financial services organisation based in the United Kingdom.

Originality/value

– This research answers a fundamental question from a sample of employees from 22 countries worldwide: what do employees most want from the top leaders of their organisations? Using performance data from up to 187 organisations worldwide this research also demonstrates that organisations whose top leaders provide employees with what they most want achieve superior organisational performance. Knowing this allows organisations to review and revise a wide variety of talent management approaches, including leadership assessment, development and reward systems. It also informs the design of employee survey instruments to ensure coverage of topics with known links to organisational success.
The employee survey: benefits, problems in practice, and the relation with the high performance organization
Authors: de Waal André
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to discuss the role of the employee in the high performance organization. One of the management techniques which has gained much popularity the past 15 years is the employee satisfaction survey. Many organizations, both profit and non-profit, use a yearly questionnaire, which measures the satisfaction of employees with all sorts of things in the organization. Yet recently, dissenting opinions can be heard that are critical of what they call “the yearly employee survey ritual”. The criticism focuses on the results of the survey which are not dealt with adequately so that the employee survey gradually has become a dissatisfier for employees. Another phenomenon is that organizations that are considering to conduct a high performance organization (HPO) diagnosis renounce this using the justification that “we are already doing an employee survey.”

Design/methodology/approach

– In this article the purpose of the employee survey, its advantages, its problems in practice and its relation with the HPO Framework are discussed.

Findings

– It is shown how the employee survey can be improved. In addition, its is shown that the employee survey and the HPO Framework are two different but complementary techniques that can and should be used in conjunction with each other.

Originality/value

– This article is one of the first to discuss the relation between two important management improvement techniques: the employee survey and the HPO framework.
Acquiring and developing leaders on a global or multinational scale
Authors: Kronz Elmar
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to highlight good practice methodologies for acquiring and developing leaders on a global or multinational scale.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is based on the experience and research of global talent management consultancy, Inc. (DDI), throughout its 40-year history helping some of the world’s largest companies choose and execute the right talent strategies.

Findings

– Multinational organisations need to adopt talent systems that are flexible enough to operate in different local markets, but consistent enough to provide meaningful data across the organisation to support leadership succession and development.

Originality/value

– The practice advice in this article will help talent management and Human Resources (HR) professionals in large and multinational organisations improve the acquisition and development of their managers.
Employee benefits are the norm, but using them is not
Authors: Walker David
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this article is to examine the reasons why a small percentage of eligible employees actually regularly access the range of voluntary benefits their employers offer, and to identify ways of increasing employee participation.

Design/methodology/approach

– Personal Group have found that despite the diversification of benefits on offer and the savings that can result from the use of a voluntary programme, the vast majority of employees are still refraining from taking up the schemes that their employers are offering.

Findings

– Personal Group have found that despite the diversification of benefits on offer and the savings that can result from the use of a voluntary programme, the vast majority of employees are still refraining from taking up the schemes that their employers are offering.

Originality/value

– Higher engagement in benefits programmes lead to higher productivity rates. This in turn has a material impact on the overall practical and financial performance of a company.
Ranking the Binding Energies of p53 Mutant Activators and Their ADMET Properties
Authors: Omar Sara Ibrahim , Tuszynski Jack
Published: November 2014

The guardian of the genome, p53, is the most mutated protein found in all cancer cells. Restoration of wild‐type activity to mutant p53 offers promise to eradicate cancer cells using novel pharmacological agents. Several molecules have already been found to activate mutant p53. While the exact mechanism of action of these compounds has not been fully understood, a transiently open pocket has been identified in some mutants. In our study, we docked twelve known activators to p53 into the open pocket to further understand their mechanism of action and rank the best binders. In addition, we predicted the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity properties of these compounds to assess their pharmaceutical usefulness. Our studies showed that alkylating ligands do not all bind at the same position, probably due to their varying sizes. In addition, we found that non‐alkylating ligands are capable of binding at the same pocket and directly interacting with Cys124. The comparison of the different ligands demonstrates that stictic acid has a great potential as a p53 activator in terms of less adverse effects although it has poorer pharmacokinetic properties.
Assessment of children's emotional adjustment: construction and validation of a new instrument
Authors: Thorlacius Ö. , Gudmundsson E.
Published: November 2014

Background

The present study describes the Children's Emotional Adjustment Scale (CEAS), a 47‐item parent‐reported scale designed to capture children's emotional functioning on four continuous dimensions.

Method

A large community sample of mothers of children (n = 606) aged 6–13 years was used to examine the psychometric properties of the CEAS.

Results

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis supported the hypothesized four‐factor structure of the instrument: (1) temper control; (2) anxiety control; (3) mood repair; and (4) social assertiveness. Cronbach's alphas for the factors were consistently above 0.90, and convergent validity of the factors was satisfactory with maternal ratings of child psychopathology. Children rated by their mothers as having emotional problems in the clinical range on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire had significantly lower scores on the CEAS scales.

Conclusions

The CEAS is a psychometrically sound instrument, covering healthy emotional adjustment as well as maladjustment. The scale might prove to be valuable in the assessment and screening of behaviours underlying child psychopathology.
Development of recombinant stable house dust mite allergen Der p 3 molecules for component‐resolved diagnosis and specific immunotherapy
Authors: Bouaziz A. , Walgraffe D. , Bouillot C. , Herman J. , Foguenne J. , Gothot A. , Louis R. , Hentges F. , Jacquet A. , Mailleux A.‐C. , Chevigné A. , Galleni M. , Adam E. , Dumez M.‐E.
Published: November 2014

Background

The allergen Der p 3 is underrepresented in house dust mite (HDM) extracts probably due to autolysis. Recombinant stable molecule of the allergen is thus needed to improve the diagnosis of allergy and the safety and efficacy of immunotherapy.

Objective

The current study reports the immunological characterization of two recombinant molecules of the HDM allergen Der p 3 as useful tools for diagnosis and immunotherapy.

Methods

Recombinant mature (rDer p 3) and immature (proDer p 3) Der p 3 and their corresponding S196A mutants were produced in Pichia pastoris and purified. The stability, IgE‐binding capacity and allergenicity of the different proteins were analysed and compared with those of the major mite allergen Der p 1 used as a reference. Additionally, the immunogenicity of the different allergens was evaluated in a murine model of Der p 3 sensitization.

Results

Compared to the IgE reactivity to recombinant and natural Der p 3 (nDer p 3), the mean IgE binding of patient's sera to rDer p 3‐S196A (50%) was higher. The poorly binding to nDer p 3 or rDer p 3 was due to autolysis of the allergen. Contrary to Der p 3, proDer p 3 displayed very weak IgE reactivity, as measured by sandwich ELISA and competitive inhibition, rat basophil leukaemia degranulation and human basophil activation assays. Moreover, proDer p 3 induced a TH1‐biased immune response that prevented allergic response in mice but retained Der p 3‐specific T‐cell reactivity.

Conclusion

rDer p 3‐S196A should be used for the diagnosis of HDM allergy elicited by Der p 3, and proDer p 3 may represent a hypoallergen of Der p 3.
Visualizing the Evolution of Communities in Dynamic Graphs
Authors: Vehlow C. , Beck F. , Auwärter P. , Weiskopf D.
Published: November 2014

The community structure of graphs is an important feature that gives insight into the high‐level organization of objects within the graph. In real‐world systems, the graph topology is oftentimes not static but changes over time and hence, also the community structure changes. Previous timeline‐based approaches either visualize the dynamic graph or the dynamic community structure. In contrast, our approach combines both in a single image and therefore allows users to investigate the community structure together with the underlying dynamic graph. Our optimized ordering of vertices and selection of colours in combination with interactive highlighting techniques increases the traceability of communities along the time axis. Users can identify visual signatures, estimate the reliability of the derived community structure and investigate whether community evolution interacts with changes in the graph topology. The utility of our approach is demonstrated in two application examples.
Positive effect of exercise training at maximal fat oxidation intensity on body composition and lipid metabolism in overweight middle‐aged women
Authors: Tan Sijie , Wang Jianxiong , Cao Liquan , Guo Zhen , Wang Yuan
Published: November 2014

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that 10 weeks of supervised exercise training at the maximal fat oxidation (FATmax) intensity would improve important variables of body composition and lipid metabolism in overweight middle‐aged women. A longitudinal study design was employed to evaluate the effects of FATmax exercise training. Thirty women (45–59 years old; BMI 28·2 ± 1·8 kg m−2; body fat 38·9 ± 4·1%) were randomly allocated into the Exercise and Control groups, n = 15 in each group. Body composition, FATmax, predicted VO2max, lipid profile, plasma lipoprotein lipase activity and serum leptin concentration were measured before and after the experimental period. The Exercise group was trained at the individualized FATmax intensity, 5 days per week and 1 h per day for 10 weeks. No diet control was introduced during the experimental period for all participants. Exercise group obtained significant decreases in body mass, BMI, body fat % and abdominal fat mass, as well as the concentrations of triglycerides, serum leptin and blood glucose. The activity of lipoprotein lipase was increased in trained participants. There were no changes in these variables in the Control group. In addition, there was no significant change in daily energy intake for all participants before and after the experimental period. In conclusion, the 10‐week FATmax exercise training achieved improvements in body composition and lipid metabolism in overweight middle‐aged women. This result suggests FATmax is an effective exercise training intensity for obesity treatment.
Support for identifying predictors of functional communication in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Washington Karla N
Published: November 2014

This commentary is on the original article by Coleman et al. on pages 279–285 of this issue.
Trismus in the paediatric population
Authors: Shires Peter M , Chow Gabriel
Published: November 2014

Trismus is a rare presentation affecting neonates, children, and adults. In newborns there are serious implications, with potential to affect feeding, cause airway problems, and make intubation difficult. Causes of trismus seen in the paediatric patient are discussed in this review article; they are divided into intra‐ and extra‐articular types. The extra‐articular group consists of congenital and acquired disorders. The acquired group includes infective causes such as tetanus, iatrogenic causes related to drugs, cancer or dental treatment, and trauma causing articulation difficulty or triggering a rare type of bone growth in myositis ossificans. Changes in the mouth resulting from oral submucous fibrosis can undergo malignant transformation. This review aims to raise awareness of potential causes of trismus in paediatric populations, helping clinicians identify the underlying pathology so appropriate strategies for treatment be applied, with the ultimate aim of improving long‐term outlook and quality of life for affected children.
Impact of gestational diabetes mellitus and high maternal weight on the development of diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease: a population‐level analysis
Authors: Kaul P. , Savu A. , Nerenberg K. A. , Donovan L. E. , Chik C. L. , Ryan E. A. , Johnson J. A.
Published: November 2014

Aims

To examine the association between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and high maternal weight and the risk of development of chronic disease.

Methods

Women with singleton deliveries between April 1999 and March 2010 in Alberta, Canada, were categorized according to pre‐pregnancy weight (overweight ≥ 91 kg) and GDM status. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes, as well as the long‐term incidence of maternal diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease were examined.

Results

Of 240 083 women, 213 765 (89%) had no GDM and were not overweight (reference group), 17 587 (7.3%) were overweight only, 7332 (3%) had GDM only and 1399 (0.6%) had GDM and were overweight. Significant differences in Caesarean section rates, induction rates and birthweight were observed across the four groups. During a median follow‐up of 5.3 years, diabetes incidence was 36% in the GDM and overweight, 18.8% in the GDM only, 4.8% in the overweight only and 1.1% in the reference group. With respect to hypertension and cardiovascular disease, the GDM and overweight group had the highest rates (26.8% and 3.1%, respectively) and the reference group had the lowest rates (5.8% and 1.0%, respectively). However, rates were similar in the GDM only (14.9% and 1.9%, respectively) and overweight only groups (14.9% and 1.5%, respectively).

Conclusions

Not surprisingly, the presence of both high maternal weight and GDM compounds the risk of developing diabetes. However, the association between overweight alone and GDM alone and hypertension and cardiovascular disease appears similar suggesting a need for effective interventions to manage both these conditions to improve the health of these patients.
Utilization of International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria vs. a two‐step approach to screening for gestational diabetes mellitus in Chinese women with twin pregnancies
Authors: Liu X. , Chen Y. , Zhou Q. , Shi H. , Cheng W. W.
Published: November 2014

Aim

To evaluate prevalence and pregnancy outcomes using the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria and screening protocol vs. a standard two‐step screening approach for gestational diabetes mellitus in Chinese twin pregnancies.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study for pregnancies during 2007–2013 was performed in a tertiary hospital in Shanghai, China. Data were abstracted from the medical records of twin pregnancies delivered at the hospital. During the period 2007–2011, this hospital used a two‐step approach with a 50 g screening with a cut‐off value of ≥ 7.8 mmol/l followed by a 100 g diagnostic oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) utilizing Carpenter–Coustan criteria. In 2012–2013, the hospital switched to the IADPSG protocol of universal 75 g OGTT.

Results

Among 1461 twin pregnancies, 643 were screened utilizing IADPSG criteria and 818 using the two‐step protocol. Gestational diabetes mellitus was diagnosed more frequently in the IADPSG group than in the two‐step group [20.4% and 7.0%, respectively; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.22; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.30–4.52]. During the IADPSG period, the incidence of pre‐eclampsia was 38% lower in non‐gestational diabetes mellitus affected pregnancies compared with the two‐step period (aOR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.44–0.87). We observed no significant differences in most perinatal outcomes between the two groups.

Conclusion

Compared with a standard two‐step approach to screening and diagnosis, the IADPSG screening method resulted in a three‐fold increase in the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus in twin pregnancies, with a 38% lower risk of pre‐eclampsia but no significant difference in most perinatal outcomes in non‐gestational diabetes mellitus affected pregnancies.
Effects of acute exercise on pancreatic endocrine function in subjects with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Knudsen S. H. , Karstoft K. , Winding K. , Holst J. J. , Pedersen B. K. , Solomon T. P. J.
Published: November 2014

We determined the effects of exercise on pancreatic endocrine responses to metabolic stimuli in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and examined the influence of subjects' diabetic status. Fourteen subjects underwent a hyperglycaemic clamp with glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) infusion and arginine injection, the morning after a 1‐h walk or no exercise. Subjects were stratified by high and low fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and by glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, as well as by current use/non‐use of antidiabetic medication. In the entire cohort, exercise did not alter insulin secretion, while glucagon levels were increased in all clamp phases (p < 0.05 to <0.01). In subjects with low FPG levels, exercise increased GLP‐1‐stimulated insulin secretion (p < 0.05), with the same trend being observed for arginine (p = 0.08). The same trends were seen for subjects with low HbA1c levels. Furthermore, exercise increased GLP‐1‐ and arginine‐stimulated insulin secretion (p < 0.05) in subjects who were antidiabetic drug‐naïve. Exercise‐induced increases in insulin secretion are blunted in subjects with T2D with high rates of hyperglycaemia and in those using antidiabetic drugs.
Efficacy and tolerability of albiglutide versus placebo or pioglitazone over 1 year in people with type 2 diabetes currently taking metformin and glimepiride: HARMONY 5
Authors: Home P. D. , Shamanna P. , Stewart M. , Yang F. , Miller M. , Perry C. , Carr M. C.
Published: November 2014

Aims

To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of albiglutide, a weekly glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist, when added to metformin and glimepiride in a triple therapy regimen in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

This was a 156‐week, randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group, multicentre study. In the present paper we describe the primary results, namely those at 52 weeks. Adult participants (n = 685) were randomly assigned to albiglutide (30 mg/week), pioglitazone (30 mg/day) or placebo. If needed, blinded uptitration of albiglutide (to 50 mg/week) and pioglitazone (to 45 mg/day) was allowed. The participant's current dose of metformin (>1500 mg/day) was maintained throughout. The glimepiride dose (4 mg/day), standardized before randomization, could be decreased if persistent hypoglycaemia occurred.

Results

The week 52 model‐adjusted difference in change of glycated haemoglobin (primary endpoint) for albiglutide versus placebo was ‐0.87 [95% confidence interval (CI) –1.07, –0.68]%‐units (p < 0.001), and for albiglutide versus pioglitazone it was 0.25 (95% CI 0.10, 0.40)%‐units; therefore, not non‐inferior. In the albiglutide group only, fasting plasma glucose reduced rapidly in the first 2 weeks. Confirmed hypoglycaemia occurred in 14% of participants on albiglutide, 25% on pioglitazone and 14% on placebo. The mean (± standard error) weight change was −0.42 (±0.2) kg with albiglutide, +4.4 (±0.2) kg (p < 0.001) with pioglitazone, and −0.40 (±0.4) kg with placebo and serious adverse events occurred in 6.3, 9.0 and 6.1% of participants in the respective groups. Injection site reactions occurred in 13% of participants on albiglutide and resulted in treatment discontinuation for four participants (1.4%).

Conclusions

Albiglutide, as part of triple therapy, provided effective glucose‐lowering and was generally well tolerated.
Country Size and Exchange Rates
Authors: Galstyan Vahagn
Published: November 2014

This paper studies how country size affects the role of the exchange rate in external adjustment. First, the impact of country size on the sensitivity of relative prices to external imbalances is explored in a two‐country neoclassical model. Second, at the empirical level, a significant effect of external imbalances on relative prices is found. In particular, a trade surplus is associated with a depreciation of the real exchange rate. Our estimations reveal a systematic pattern in the sensitivity of the real exchange rate to external imbalances: larger countries are characterized by a higher absolute trade elasticity of the exchange rate.