bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Confronting the “fraud bottleneck”: private sanctions for fraud and their implications for justice
Authors: Button Mark , Wakefield Alison , Brooks Graham , Lewis Chris , Shepherd David
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the ways in which contemporary organisations are imposing their own private sanctions on fraudsters.

Design/methodology/approach

– The research draws on primary data from interviews with counter fraud practitioners in the UK, secondary sources and case examples.

Findings

– Such developments have been stimulated, at least in part, by the broader limitations of the criminal justice system and in particular a “fraud bottleneck”. Alongside criminal sanctions, many examples are provided of organisations employing private prosecutions innovative forms of civil sanction and “pseudo state” sanctions, most commonly civil penalties comparable to fines.

Research limitations/implications

– Such changes could mark the beginning of the “rebirth of private prosecution” and the further expansion of private punishment. Growing private involvement in state sanctions and the development of private sanctions represents a risk to traditional guarantees of justice. There are differences in which comparable frauds are dealt with by corporate bodies and thus considerable inconsistency in sanctions imposed. In contrast with criminal justice measures, there is no rehabilitative element to private sanctions. More research is needed to assess the extent of such measures, and establish what is happening, the wider social implications, and whether greater state regulation is needed.

Practical implications

– Private sanctions for fraud are likely to continue to grow, as organisations pursue their own measures rather than relying on increasingly over-stretched criminal justice systems. Their emergence, extent and implications are not fully understood by researchers and therefore need much more research, consideration and debate. These private measures need to be more actively recognised by criminal justice policy-makers and analysts alongside the already substantial formal involvement of the private sector in punishment through prisons, electronic tagging and probation, for example. Such measures lack the checks and balances, and greater degree of consistency as laid out in sentencing guidelines, of the criminal justice system. In light of this, consideration needs to be given to greater state regulation of private sanctions for fraud. More also needs to be done to help fraudsters suffering problems such as debt or addiction to rebuild their lives. There is a strong case for measures beyond the criminal justice system to support such fraudsters to be created and publicly promoted.

Originality/value

– The findings are of relevance to criminal justice policy-makers, academics and counter fraud practitioners in the public and private sectors.
The development of the private security industry in South Korea: history, progress, and critical issues, 1950-2014
Authors: Kim Dae Woon
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The literature on the growth and regulations pertaining to private security has been largely confined to western countries, with very little published on other jurisdictions including South Korea. The purpose of this paper is to provide a general account of the development of the South Korean industry and an assessment of regulation, covering the period from 1950 to the present day, and to explore areas of possible improvement in regulation.

Design/methodology/approach

– A research synthesis method was utilised to identify and integrate qualitative materials on turning points and regulatory changes, with the addition of a gap analysis based on established concepts of best practice in industry regulation.

Findings

– The security industry in South Korea has grown exponentially, worth over $2.7 billion per annum. Notwithstanding this, regulation evolved through piecemeal rather than comprehensive changes. The problem is similar to those found in many other countries. However, in South Korea, over-reliance on market mechanisms of regulation, combined with the government’s lukewarm stance on stimulating the non-public security sector, means that there are inadequate guarantees of baseline competence and integrity.

Practical implications

– The study demonstrates the need for governments to be more proactive and consultative in regulating the burgeoning security industry, and move away from ad hoc responses to industry problems. Regulation should be comprehensive in covering all relevant operational aspects of security work that are reflective of a growth profile. Regulatory agencies should actively explore training programmes linked to career path development and professionalisation. Execution of regulatory enforcement should be independent from political or third-party influence. Regulators should be innovative in applying and evaluating research-based regulatory strategies.

Originality/value

– The study provides a comprehensive overview of the South Korean security industry and regulatory issues, adding to a more international understanding of regulatory challenges in security.
Mass shootings in Australia and the United States, 1981-2013
Authors: Lemieux Frederic , Bricknell Samantha , Prenzler Tim
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to compare the incidence and main characteristics of mass shooting events in Australia and the USA in the period 1981-2013.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study adopted a conservative definition of mass shootings derived from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, covering four or more fatalities not including the offender. Australian cases were accessed from the Australian Institute of Criminology’s National Homicide Monitoring Programme (NHMP) database and several secondary sources. The US data were collected from the Mother Jones database, a report prepared for Mayors Against Illegal Guns and a New York Police Department report. The time series data were related to changes in firearms regulations in the two jurisdictions.

Findings

– For Australia, the study identified 13 mass shooting events and 104 fatalities from gunshot wounds. For the USA, there were 73 events and 576 victims. Of note is the fact that all cases in Australia pre-dated the implementation of the restrictive 1996 National Firearms Agreement. In the USA, a small decline was evident during the 1994-2004 Federal Assault Weapon Ban. Incidents and fatalities increased after 2004.

Research limitations/implications

– Of necessity, the paper adopts a conservative FBI-based definition of mass shootings that limits the number of cases captured. The absence of an official government US database also most likely limits the number of cases identified.

Practical implications

– The findings lend support to policy considerations regarding regulating access to firearms.

Originality/value

– The paper is unique in comparing mass shootings in these two jurisdictions over three decades in association with changes in firearms regulation.
Perceived versus actual knowledge of alcohol and halal food among food technology undergraduate students in a Malaysian university
Authors: Ahmad Anis Najiha , Yang Tajul A. , Wan Abdullah Wan Nadiah
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to evaluate the perceived knowledge of the general concept of halal food and actual knowledge of halal food principles with emphasis on alcohol (alcoholic drinks and ethanol).

Design/methodology/approach

– A cross-sectional descriptive survey, using quantitative research methods, was utilized. A self-administered survey was distributed to 188 undergraduate students of the food technology programme at Universiti Sains Malaysia, and a total of 114 responses were obtained.

Findings

– Results indicate that respondents believed that they have above average competence regarding the concept, sources, ingredients, processing and the overall production of halal foods (score: 3.75-4.18). In addition, all of the 114 respondents also agreed that alcoholic drinks are fundamentally prohibited in Islam. However, the survey also revealed that the respondents were less certain about the application of alcohol in halal food production. Respondents’ actual knowledge on these issues was low to average.

Research limitations/implications

– This study is limited by its cross-sectional nature. In addition, the research was only conducted on undergraduate-level students of the food technology programme, and therefore, results derived might not be generalized to the other segments of the population. The overall uncertainty and misconception about the application of alcohol in halal food highlights the need to improve the knowledge of these undergraduate students to more than a mere theory of the concepts of halal and haram.

Originality/value

– No previous study has been conducted to explore the issue pertaining to alcohol in halal food, and this paper categorically strives to fill this gap.
Bringing Islamic tradition back to management development
Authors: Kashif Muhammad , De Run Ernest Cyril , Abdul Rehman Mohsin , Ting Hiram
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to understand the practice of Dawah among Muslims by discovering its perceived motives and benefits that can be replicated to organizational settings. Furthermore, the motives and benefits of performing Islamic Dawah are tied together to establish a Dawah based framework to foster ethical decision making in organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

– This qualitative study is based on interviews conducted among 40 male Muslims from Pakistan. The sample consists of Muslim scholars having strong religious knowledge, younger people and old-age Muslims. The data collected through the interviews are transcribed and content-analysed by using multiple coding schemes.

Findings

– The Islamic Dawah-based framework is based on five elements, which are self-reform, transcendence, complacency, dutifulness and pridefulness. The findings reveal that Muslim scholars put much emphasis on sharing of Islamic faith and livelihood among the members of the community, while the common people, both from the younger and older generations, are more concerned with establishing their own understanding of the Islamic value system and self-improvement. Aside from the spiritual impact that Dawah has on them, the role of family members in stimulating the practice of Dawah is highlighted.

Practical implications

– The study has managerial relevance in a way that the highlighted themes represented by a framework can be replicated to an organizational setting to impart a culture of ethicality which is purely based on Islamic tradition. The roles of peers, CEO and self-correction are pivotal to establishment of an ethical workplace culture.

Originality/value

– This study extends marketing knowledge in general and internal marketing knowledge specifically by presenting a first-ever Islamic Dawah-based model to foster workplace ethics.
Describing work as meaningful: towards a conceptual clarification
Authors: Ghadi Mohammed Yasin , Fernando Mario , Caputi Peter
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– Providing employees with meaning in their work has inspired numerous researchers to study the role of personal meaningful work and its related outcomes. Despite this high level of interest, the theoretical views and methodological approaches used to explore this concept still require refinement and development. Without a comprehensive review of these views and approaches, the concept of meaningful work will remain an ill defined notion. The purpose of this paper is to address this gap with a review of the theoretical and empirical research on meaningful work.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper includes a discussion on the concepts of “meaning” and “work”, and its importance and the sources for conceptual confusion, and a synthesis of the common features that form the idea of meaningful work in numerous empirical and theoretical studies.

Findings

– The paper found meaningful work is derived when the employee has a perfect understanding of the nature and expectations of the task environment (i.e. the work has a clear goal, purpose and value that is connected to the employee), the employee feels a sense of fit or congruence between their own core values and the job requirements and organizational mission and goals, and when perfect understanding exists of how employees’ roles contribute to the purpose of the organization.

Practical implications

– As part of an effective HRM strategy, organizations should actively encourage and develop managers’ abilities to redesign jobs and the climate to build enhanced feelings of meaning in work. Furthermore, organizations can promote greater experiences of meaningful work among employees by implementing the “job crafting” concept. Also, the role of top management is to focus on job elements that would possibly change personal needs of employees and hence perceive their jobs to be more meaningful.

Originality/value

– Given the limited amount of recent literature focused on defining meaningful work, this paper provides valuable resources to help organizations succeed in their understanding of how to engage in creating meaningful work environment. It also examines the underlying features that constitute the meaningful work concept and offers guidance for future research by presenting the current state of knowledge about meaningful work.
Achieving growth-quality of work life ambidexterity in small firms
Authors: Snell Lan , Sok Phyra , Danaher Tracey S.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the individual mechanisms that mediate the relationship between marketing practices and growth-quality of work life ambidexterity.

Design/methodology/approach

– Data were collected from small service firms via an online survey questionnaire electronically distributed to 7,271 owners of small firms in Australia. Partial least squares was used to test our mediation hypotheses on the data obtained.

Findings

– The authors demonstrate the mediation effect of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and passion for work in enhancing the relationship between marketing practices and growth-quality of work life ambidexterity.

Practical implications

– The findings indicate that being good at marketing does not always lead directly to achieving growth-quality of work life ambidexterity. The results suggest that achievement in both domains requires owners of small service firms to have a strong self-belief that they can perform their job successfully (entrepreneurial self-efficacy) as well as a strong passion to do the job they are doing (passion for work). Policy makers or small firm advisors can include this information to develop enactive mastery measures to promote efficacy and passion for work which can increase small firm survival rates.

Originality/value

– The high percentage of business terminations reported without financial loss underscores the importance of including both financial and non-financial goals for small firms. The approach to conceptualize and operationalize growth-quality of work life ambidexterity as a dependent variable representing firm performance assists by providing a more detailed and practical understanding of the organizational and individual variables that enable small firms to realize both.
Stigmatized service workers in crisis: mitigating the effects of negative media
Authors: Pervan Simon J. , Bove Liliana L.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how a crisis affects public attitudes toward stigmatized service workers (SSWs) who are blamed by the media for the event.

Design/methodology/approach

– Hypotheses grounded in two theories, crisis communication and empathic concern, are tested using two experimental design studies of 180 and 107 adult respondents.

Findings

– The effects of both empathy (positive) and anger (negative) on attitudes toward the SSWs involved in crisis are mediated by controllability of attribution of crisis. Empathic concern mitigates negative public attitudes toward stigmatized workers and appears to remove the effect of anger but only when the crisis severity is not too high. In a severe crisis both empathy and anger are important predictors of public response.

Research limitations/implications

– Boundary conditions in terms of severity, nature and victim of crisis and media framing need to be investigated.

Practical implications

– Proactive crisis management practice is required by professional associations of SSW. Eliciting empathy and paying attention to prior crisis history and professional reputation offers scope to quell public anger and desire for punishment.

Social implications

– The attrition rates of socially stigmatized workers following crisis events have profound social and financial costs to society. This study sets a foundation for substantive managerial change in crisis response, and how the perception of socially stigmatized workers, is managed.

Originality/value

– This study is the first to examine the voracity of two theories which provide informed but different insights to public response to service workers in crisis.
Common‐shot Fresnel beam migration based on wave‐field approximation in effective vicinity under complex topographic conditions
Authors: Huang Jianping , Yang Jidong , Liao Wenyuan , Wang Xin , Li Zhenchun
Published: August 2015

Gaussian beam migration is a versatile imaging method for geologically complex land areas, which overcomes the limitation of Kirchhoff migration in imaging multiple arrivals and has no steep‐dip limits of one‐way wave‐equation migration. However, its imaging accuracy depends on the geometry of Gaussian beam that is determined by the initial parameter of dynamic ray tracing. As a result, its applications in exploration areas with strong variations in topography and near‐surface velocity are limited. Combined with the concept of Fresnel zone and the theory of wave‐field approximation in effective vicinity, we present a more robust common‐shot Fresnel beam imaging method for complex topographic land areas in this paper. Compared with the conventional Gaussian beam migration for irregular topography, our method improves the beam geometry by limiting its effective half‐width with Fresnel zone radius. Moreover, through a quadratic travel‐time correction and an amplitude correction that is based on the wave‐field approximation in effective vicinity, it gives an accurate method for plane‐wave decomposition at complex topography, which produces good imaging results in both shallow and deep zones. Trials of two typical models and its application in field data demonstrated the validity and robustness of our method.
Gestural abilities of children with specific language impairment
Authors: Wray Charlotte , Norbury Courtenay Frazier , Alcock Katie
Published: August 2015

Background

Specific language impairment (SLI) is diagnosed when language is significantly below chronological age expectations in the absence of other developmental disorders, sensory impairments or global developmental delays. It has been suggested that gesture may enhance communication in children with SLI by providing an alternative means to convey words or extend utterances. However, gesture is a complex task that requires the integration of social, cognitive and motor skills, skills that some children with SLI may find challenging. In addition, there is reason to believe that language and gesture form an integrated system leading to the prediction that children with a SLI may also have difficulties with gestural communication.

Aims

To explore the link between language and gesture in children with poor language skills.

Methods & Procedure

Fifteen children with SLI and 14 age‐matched typically developing children (TD) participated in this study. The children completed measures of expressive and receptive vocabulary, non‐verbal cognition, motor control, gesture comprehension and gesture production.

Outcomes & Results

TD children achieved significantly higher scores on measures of gesture production and gesture comprehension relative to children with SLI. Significant correlations between both measures of vocabulary and both measures of gesture suggest a tight link between language and gesture.

Conclusions & Implications

The findings support the idea that gesture and language form one integrated communication system, rather than two separate communication modalities. This implies that children with SLI may have underlying deficits that impact not only on language but also on gesture production and comprehension.
When the state is (n)ever present: on cynicism and political mobilization in Lebanon
Authors: Hermez Sami
Published: August 2015

This article looks at the way cynical reasoning consumes political action in Lebanon. Through ethnographic observations with political activists and former militia fighters, specifically during the final days of the 2009 Lebanese parliamentary elections, I show how cynicism is present in political mobilization. I argue that political mobilization moves between modes of cynicism and resistance, calling on us to see these two postures as discursively related. This work has broader implications for understanding political reactions and mobilizations in the aftermath of the 2011 Arab revolts.
Biochemical Characterization of Dovyalis hebecarpa Fruits: A Source of Anthocyanins with High Antioxidant Capacity
Authors: Bochi Vivian Caetano , Barcia Milene Teixeira , Rodrigues Daniele , Godoy Helena Teixeira
Published: August 2015

Dovyalis hebecarpa, which is also known as the Ceylon gooseberry, is an attractive exotic purple berry that is produced in the southwest of Brazil with high yields. Current literature lacks information about the nutritional composition and antioxidant capacity of this fruit. As such, this work aimed to evaluate and compare the proximate composition, phytochemical content, and antioxidant capacity of D. hebecarpa over two seasons through the application of a range of different methods, including FRAP, ABTS, and ORAC assays. The proximate composition and biometric parameters were monitored for quality purposes. The results significantly changed between seasons in accordance with variations in rain incidence and average temperatures. The Ceylon gooseberry contained a similar or higher content of anthocyanins (ACY) than other berries commonly consumed in human diet. These ACY were identified at higher levels in the fruit's skin (284 to 351 mg of cyanidin‐3‐glucoside equivalents/100 g of fresh weight [FW]) than in its pulp (49 to 69 mg/100 g of FW). The use of an ORAC assay identified higher antioxidant activity (145 μmol of Trolox equivalents [TE]/g in the skins and 179 μmol of TE/g in the pulp on a FW basis) than all other methods used to determine antioxidant activity. Thus, D. hebecarpa is a rich source of ACY that demonstrates high antioxidant activity against the peroxyl radicals formed in ORAC assay conditions.
Release Kinetic in Yogurt from Gallic Acid Microparticles with Chemically Modified Inulin
Authors: García Paula , Vergara Cristina , Robert Paz
Published: August 2015

Gallic acid (GA) was encapsulated with native (NIn), cross‐linked (CIn) and acetylated (AIn) inulin by spray‐drying. Inulin microparticles were characterized by encapsulation efficiency (EE) and their release profile in yogurt. The EE was significantly higher for GA‐CIn (98%) compared with GA‐NIn (81%) and GA‐AIn (77%) microparticles, showing the effect of the modification of inulin on interaction of GA‐polymer. GA release profile data in yogurt for GA‐CIn, GA‐NIn and GA‐AIn were fitted to Peppas and Higuchi models in order to obtain the GA release rate constant. Although the GA release rate constants were significantly different among systems, these differences were slight and the GA release was fast (80% < 2 h) in the three systems, showing that inulin‐systems did not control GA release in yogurt. The mechanism of GA release followed a Fickian diffusion and relaxation of chains for all microparticles. According to the release profile, these microparticles would be best suited for use in instant foods.
Australian dentists’ perspectives on rapid HIV testing
Authors: Santella AJ , Schlub TE , Schifter M , Tolani M , Hillman RJ
Published: August 2015

Background

Fourteen per cent of people living with HIV in Australia, as in other countries, are not aware of their infection or their infective status. Dentists have the necessary expertise and are well‐placed for access by those sections of the population who would not normally access screening for HIV.

Methods

A national cross‐sectional online survey of 532 Australian dentists was conducted during the period June to October 2013. We surveyed dentists’ understanding and willingness to undertake rapid HIV testing (RHT).

Results

The majority of respondents (65.1%) believed that RHT was needed in dental clinics, with approximately two‐thirds of respondents indicating that RHT should be made available immediately. If RHT was to be undertaken in a dental setting, 51.1% of dentists thought that it should be conducted on saliva only, as opposed to blood or blood/saliva. Only 21.9% of dentists would currently be comfortable advising a patient of a reactive (i.e. positive) result indicative of HIV infection, with male dentists (26.1% comfortable) more comfortable than female dentists (17.5% comfortable) (p = 0.009).

Conclusions

The majority of respondents were willing to provide RHT in their community settings. However, our data indicate that dentists would need additional training in HIV medicine, test administration and giving reactive results.
Alopecia, palmoplantar keratoderma, skin fragility and follicular hyperkeratoses due to compound heterozygous mutations in desmoplakin
Authors: Tekin Burak , Yucelten Deniz , Liu Lu , McGrath John A
Published: August 2015

Inherited mutations in desmosome genes can present with a spectrum of skin, hair and cardiac abnormalities. Here we describe a 4‐year‐old Turkish boy with a cardio‐cutaneous syndrome resulting from compound heterozygous nonsense mutations in desmoplakin. Early recognition of such cases by clinical awareness of the dermatological features and molecular diagnostics can improve patient management through early cardiac support, although the risk of cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias poses a major health concern.
Emerging issues in invasive prenatal diagnosis: Safety and competency in the post‐NIPT era
Authors: Hui Lisa , The Stephanie , McCarthy Elizabeth A. , Walker Susan P.
Published: August 2015

Background

Numbers of invasive prenatal procedures are declining in response to improved aneuploidy screening methods.

Objective

To assess current practice and attitudes of clinicians performing invasive prenatal diagnosis in regard to patient consent and safety, maintaining procedural competence and uptake of chromosomal microarrays (CMAs).

Methods

Anonymous online survey of the Australian Association of Obstetrical and Gynaecological Ultrasonologists conducted in March 2015.

Results

The survey had a 45% response rate with 59 respondents from Australia. Of these, 34 were subspecialists in maternal fetal medicine or obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound. Fifty‐six (95%) currently performed amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. Of these, 14 (25%) performed <25 procedures and 8 (14%) performed >150 annually, with most respondents (60%) proposing 10–25 amniocenteses/year as adequate activity to maintain their skills. The majority neither expected referrers to provide results of hepatitis B and HIV serology, nor followed up missing results. There was uncertainty regarding the procedure‐related vertical transmission risk of HBV in women with high viral load, with most respondents stating they were either unsure of the risk (22%) or that the risk was unknown (30%). Fifty per cent of practitioners routinely ordered CMA after invasive testing; all recommended CMA following a diagnosis of structural abnormality.

Conclusions

In a period of declining testing, many Australian specialists are performing <25 procedures annually. Consideration of the potential risks of bloodborne viruses is limited. CMAs are rapidly being incorporated into clinical practice. These data have implications for patient consent and safety, and workforce training and practice.
Relationship between J Waves and Vagal Activity in Patients Who Do Not Have Structural Heart Disease
Authors: Baek Yong‐Soo , Park Sang‐Don , Lee Man‐Jong , Kwon Sung‐Woo , Shin Sung‐Hee , Woo Sung‐Il , Kwan Jun , Kim Dae‐Hyeok
Published: August 2015

Background

J waves are associated with increased vagal activity in patients with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation in several studies to date. However, the relationship between J waves and autonomic nervous activity in patients without structural heart disease remains under investigation. We investigated whether the presence of a J wave on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) was related to increased vagal activity in patients without structural heart disease.

Methods

This retrospective study included 684 patients without structural heart disease who had undergone Holter ECG and surface ECG monitoring. Based on the presence of J waves on the surface ECG, patients were divided into two groups: those with J waves (group 1) and those without J waves (group 2). We compared heart rate variability (HRV), reflecting autonomic nervous activity, using 24‐h Holter ECG between the groups.

Results

J waves were present in 92 (13.4%) patients. Heart rate (HR) in group 1 was significantly lesser than that in group 2 (P = 0.031). The ratio of low‐frequency (LF) components to high‐frequency (HF) components (LF/HF) in group 1 was significantly lower than that in group 2 (P = 0.001). The square root of the mean squared differences of successive NN intervals in group 1 was also significantly higher than that in group 2 (P = 0.047). In a multivariate regression analysis, male sex, HR, and LF/HF ratio remained independent determinants for the presence of J waves (P = 0.039, P = 0.036, and P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

In patients without structural heart disease, the presence of a J wave was associated with a slow HR, male sex, and increased vagal activity, independently.
Evaluation of Index of Cardio‐Electrophysiological Balance (iCEB) as a New Biomarker for the Identification of Patients at Increased Arrhythmic Risk
Authors: Robyns Tomas , Lu Hua Rong , Gallacher David J. , Garweg Christophe , Ector Joris , Willems Rik , Janssens Stefan , Nuyens Dieter
Published: August 2015

Background

Recently a new risk marker for drug‐induced arrhythmias called index of cardio‐electrophysiological balance (iCEB), measured as QT interval divided by QRS duration, was evaluated in an animal model. It was hypothesized that iCEB is equivalent to the cardiac wavelength λ (λ = effective refractory period (ERP) x conduction velocity) and that an increased or decreased value of iCEB would potentially predict an increased susceptibility to TdP or non‐TdP mediated VT/VF, respectively.

Methods

First, the correlation between QT interval and ERP was evaluated by invasively measuring ERP during a ventricular stimulation protocol in humans (N = 40). Then the effect of administration of sotalol and flecainide on iCEB was measured in 40 patients with supraventricular tachycardias. Finally iCEB was assessed in carriers of a long QT syndrome (LQTS, N = 70) or Brugada syndrome (BrS, N = 57) mutation and compared them with genotype negative family members (N = 65).

Results

The correlation between QT interval and ERP was established (Pearson R2 = 0.25) which suggests that iCEB≈ERPxCV≈QT/QRS. Sotalol administration increased iCEB (+ 0.23; P = 0.01), while it decreased with the administration of flecainide (–0.21, P = 0.03). In the LQTS group iCEB was increased (5.22 ± 0.93, P < 0.0001) compared to genotype negative family members (4.24 ± 0.5), while it was decreased in the BrS group (3.52 ± 0.43, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Our data suggest that iCEB (QT/QRS) is a simple but effective ECG surrogate of cardiac wavelength. iCEB is increased in situations that predispose to TdP and is decreased in situations that predispose to non‐TdP mediated VT/VF. Therefore, iCEB might serve as a noninvasive and readily measurable marker to detect increased arrhythmic risk.
Systematic review: microbial dysbiosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Wieland A. , Frank D. N. , Harnke B. , Bambha K.
Published: August 2015

Background

The human intestinal microbiota is a key regulator of host metabolic and immune functions and alterations in the microbiome (‘dysbiosis’) have been implicated in several human diseases. Because of the anatomical links between the intestines and the liver, dysbiosis may also disrupt hepatic function and thereby contribute to the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Aim

To perform a comprehensive review of the medical literature investigating associations between intestinal dysbiosis and NAFLD, with a particular emphasis on studies that characterise the microbiome in NAFLD.

Methods

We conducted a search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science using multiple search terms including: ‘NAFLD, NASH, fatty liver, steatohepatitis’ combined with ‘metagenome, microbiom*, microbiota*, fecal flora, intestinal flora, gut bacteria’. Results were manually reviewed and studies selected based on relevance to intestinal microbiota and NAFLD. We also included studies that addressed potential mechanistic models of pathways linking the dysbiosis to NAFLD.

Results

Nine studies (five human and four animal models) were identified in our search that assessed associations between specific intestinal microbiota composition and NAFLD. We reviewed and summarised the results of additional investigations that more broadly addressed the mechanisms by which the microbiome may impact NAFLD pathogenesis.

Conclusions

Investigations in humans and animals demonstrate associations between intestinal dysbiosis and NAFLD; however, causality has not been proven and mechanistic links require further delineation. As the field of microbiome research matures in techniques and study design, more detailed insights into NAFLD pathogenesis and its associations with the intestinal microbiota will be elucidated.
Laparoscopic Toupet Fundoplication using an Air Seal Intelligent Flow System and Anchor Port in a 1.8‐kg infant: A Technical Report
Authors: Miyano Go , Morita Keiichi , Kaneshiro Masakatsu , Miyake Hiromu , Nouso Hiroshi , Yamoto Masaya , Koyama Mariko , Nakano Reiji , Tanaka Yasuhiko , Fukumoto Koji , Urushihara Naoto
Published: August 2015

Introduction

We report a case of a 1.8‐kg infant who had laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication (LTF) using the AirSeal Intelligent Flow System and Anchor Port (AP).

Materials and Surgical Technique

Our case had severe gastroesophageal reflux in association with genetic and cardiac anomalies. Despite the patient being continuously fed, persistent vomiting caused failure to thrive, and LTF was performed at 4 months of age when he weighed 1.8 kg. The AirSeal Intelligent Flow System is a novel laparoscopic CO2 insufflation system that improves the visual field by constantly evacuating smoke and providing a more stable pneumoperitoneum. The AP is a recently developed, stretchable, elastomeric, low‐profile cannula. Three 5‐mm AP were inserted: one subumbilically for the scope and one in both the right and left upper abdomen for the surgeon. A 5‐mm AirSeal trocar was inserted in the left lower abdomen for the assistant. The gastrosplenic ligament was dissected free, and the intra‐abdominal esophagus was prepared. A posterior hiatoplasty was performed, followed by the 270° fundoplication. During the fundoplication, the esophagus was fixed to the crus and then the right and left wraps were fixed to the esophagus. Pneumoperitoneum was maintained stably throughout the LTF procedure, with optimal operative field. Total operating time for LTF was 90 min. Body temperature dropped from 37.4°C to 35.7°C during pneumoperitoneum but resolved once pneumoperitoneum was ceased. Postoperative progress was uneventful, and an upper gastrointestinal study on postoperative day 2 showed no residual gastroesophageal reflux.

Discussion

We believe the AirSeal Intelligent Flow System and AP contributed to the successful completion of LTF in a 1.8‐kg infant.
Video‐assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the left lateral decubitus position in an esophageal cancer patient with pectus excavatum
Authors: Sato Shinsuke , Nagai Erina , Hazama Hiroyuki , Taki Yusuke , Takahashi Michiro , Kyoden Yusuke , Watanabe Masaya , Ohata Ko , Kanemoto Hideyuki , Oba Noriyuki , Takagi Masakazu
Published: August 2015

During thoracic cavity operations, it is difficult to obtain sufficient working space and good operative field visibility in patients with pectus excavatum because the space between the vertebral bodies and sternum is very narrow. Here, we report the successful treatment of esophageal cancer in a patient with pectus excavatum. A 77‐year‐old man with esophageal cancer was referred to our hospital for further treatment. He was diagnosed with multiple early esophageal squamous cell carcinomas. The patient had pectus excavatum, but because it was asymptomatic, a video‐assisted thoracoscopic radical esophagectomy in the left lateral decubitus position without pectus excavatum repair was selected. Despite the patient's unusual anatomy, video‐assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the left decubitus position allowed for good operative field visibility, as the videoscope was inserted from the side of the diaphragm. This operative procedure is useful in patients with esophageal cancer who also have pectus excavatum. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second report of video‐assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy in an esophageal cancer patient with pectus excavatum.
Effect of short‐chain fatty acids on triacylglycerol accumulation, lipid droplet formation and lipogenic gene expression in goat mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Sun Yuting , Luo Jun , Zhu Jiangjiang , Shi Hengbo , Li Jun , Qiu Siyuan , Wang Ping , Loor Juan J.
Published: August 2015

Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the major energy sources for ruminants and are known to regulate various physiological functions in other species. However, their roles in ruminant milk fat metabolism are still unclear. In this study, goat mammary gland epithelial cells (GMECs) were treated with 3 mmol/L acetate, propionate or butyrate for 24 h to assess their effects on lipogenesis. Data revealed that the content of triacylglycerol (TAG) and lipid droplet formation were significantly stimulated by propionate and butyrate. The expression of FABP3, SCD1, PPARG, SREBP1, DGAT1, AGPAT6 and ADRP were upregulated by propionate and butyrate treatment. In contrast, the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of FASN and LXRα was not affected by propionate, but reduced by butyrate. Acetate had no obvious effect on the content of TAG and lipid droplets but increased the mRNA expression of SCD1 and FABP3 in GMECs. Additionally, it was observed that propionate significantly increased the relative content of mono‐unsaturated fatty acids (C18:1 and C16:1) at the expense of decreased saturated fatty acids (C16:0 and C18:0). Butyrate and acetate had no significant effect on fatty acid composition. Overall, the results from this work help enhance our understanding of the regulatory role of SCFAs on goat mammary cell lipid metabolism.
Performance and nutrient digestibility in growing pigs fed wheat dried distillers’ grain with solubles‐containing diets supplemented with phytase and multi‐carbohydrase
Authors: Woyengo Tofuko A. , Ige Dupe V. , Akinremi Oluwole O. , Nyachoti Charles M.
Published: August 2015

Effect of supplementing wheat dried distillers’ grain with solubles (DDGS)‐containing diet with enzymes on nutrient utilization by growing pigs was evaluated in two experiments. In Experiment 1, 60 pigs weighing ~30 kg were fed five diets that included a corn‐based diet (Control), Control with 10% wheat DDGS (DDGS‐PC), DDGS‐PC without inorganic P source (DDGS‐NC), and DDGS‐NC plus phytase alone or with multi‐carbohydrase for 4 weeks to determine average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and gain‐to‐feed ratio (G:F). In Experiment 2, 30 barrows weighing 22 kg were fed five diets fed in Experiment 1 to determine nutrient digestibility and retention. Pigs fed DDGS‐PC and Control diets had similar ADG and G:F. The ADG and G:F for DDGS‐PC diet were higher (P < 0.05) than those for DDGS‐NC diet. Phytase improved (P < 0.05) ADG, G:F, total tract P digestibility and P retention by 6.6, 8.7, 86.0 and 85.5%, respectively. Addition of multi‐carbohydrase to phytase‐supplemented diet did not affected growth performance, but reduced (P < 0.05) P retention. In conclusion, inclusion of 10% wheat DDGS in growing pig diet may not affect growth performance of growing pigs. Phytase supplementation to wheat DDGS‐containing diet can eliminate the need for inorganic P supplement in pig diets.
Effects of supplementation with cellooligosaccharides on growth performance of weaned calves on pasture
Authors: Kido Kyoko , Tejima Shigeki , Nagayama Haruka , Uyeno Yutaka , Ide Yasuyuki , Kushibiki Shiro
Published: August 2015

We conducted two feeding experiments to evaluate the effects of cellooligosaccharide (CE) supplementation on growth performance in grazing beef calves. Calf sex and age and duration of the experimental period differed between the experiments. Experiment 1 (10 weeks) used 5.6‐month‐old castrated males; Experiment 2 (13 weeks) used 3.9‐month‐old females. Eight Japanese Black calves were assigned to either a control group (CON) or an experimental group (CE) fed CE at a rate of 10 g/day mixed with concentrate. Calves were stocked in fields in which Kentucky bluegrass was dominant. In both experiments, average daily gain tended to be greater in CE than in CON, especially in late stages of experiments, but no significant differences in body weight changes were observed. In Experiment 2, final heart girth was larger in CE than in CON calves. We monitored rumen microbial community composition in Experiment 2 and found increases in fibrolytic bacteria and methanogenic archaea in CE calves, but the overall microbial composition did not differ between the groups. Our results suggest that supplementation with CE may positively affect growth performance in weaned calves on pasture, but longer‐term CE supplementation may be required to exhibit the effect.
Hormonal contraceptive use inIreland: trends and co‐prescribing practices
Authors: O'Mahony Laura , Liddy Anne‐Marie , Barry Michael , Bennett Kathleen
Published: August 2015

Hormonal contraceptives are highly prevalent. Currently, little is known about Irish hormonal contraceptive trends to date since the 1995 British media contraceptive controversy. The aim of this study was to examine recent trends in contraceptive use inIrelandand to determine the frequency of co‐prescriptions with important interacting medications. Approximately 40% of the Irish population are prescribed 70% of total medicines under the Irish GMS scheme. Medicines were identified using the WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system. Regression analysis was used to examine trends over time. Of all contraceptives dispensed in 2013, oral contraceptives were used the most (74%) and long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) the least (7.5%). Fourth generation combined oral contraceptives (COCs) predominated, although a slight significant decline was shown (P < 0.0001). Second and third generation COCs were significantly increasing and decreasing, respectively (P < 0.0001). Progestin‐only pills were significantly increasing (P < 0.0001 across age groups). Low rates of contraceptive co‐prescribing with important interacting drugs are shown. However, 93.6% of those on enzyme‐inducing anti‐epileptic medications were co‐prescribed ineffective contraception containing <50 μg oestrogen.Irish prescribing trends of second and third generation COCs have remained consistent since 1995. The slow decline in fourth generation COC uptake follows new evidence of an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) reported in 2011. The low, but increasing, uptake of LARCs is consistent with other countries. Co‐prescribing practices involving hormonal contraceptives requires continued vigilance. This study emphasizes the need to optimize co‐prescribing practices involving hormonal contraceptives and anti‐epileptic medications and highlights the need to address the barriers to the currently low uptake of LARC methods inIreland.
The virtue of participatory governance: a MacIntyrean alternative to shareholder maximization
Authors: Bernacchio Caleb , Couch Robert
Published: August 2015

We draw on Alasdair MacIntyre's virtues, practices, and institutions schema to argue that employee participation in governance practices can play an important role in developing virtue. Whereas MacIntyre's schema has been most widely employed to understand how productive practices can cultivate virtue, we focus instead on the way that meaningful deliberation about the common good can provide experiences requiring employees to exercise the virtues. We then apply this theoretical framework to an analysis of the Mondragon Cooperative Corporation. Our analysis emphasizes the importance of participatory governance over employee ownership. Based on this analysis, we draw several implications for increasing participatory governance in a way that will prevent shareholder maximization from crowding out virtue, even in corporate contexts where productive activity itself does not provide a meaningful, virtue‐instilling experience.
Positive business: doing good and doing well
Authors: Meyer Marcel
Published: August 2015

This article investigates the meaning of doing good and doing well in positive business. It examines the relationship between the two expressions and discusses their relevance, shedding new light on the significance of ‘positive’ in positive business and positive organizational scholarship (POS). Thus, this article illuminates the ultimate end of positive states and practices. ‘Positive’ primarily represents values and assumptions. These lead to the creation of beneficial situations and marked improvements, which put individuals and organizations on an upward trajectory toward achieving excellent functioning, assuring profitability in addition to sustainability and social well‐being. Doing well, with reference to economic performance and profits, is partly constitutive of doing good. This presents a new approach regarding the role of economic outcomes in positive business and POS. It means that financial criteria do not have priority. Profits are considered vital and necessary, but the final ‘raison d'être’ of positive states and practices is the overall well‐being of the stakeholders.