bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying future directions for IC research in education: a literature review
Authors: Bisogno Marco , Dumay John , Manes Rossi Francesca , Tartaglia Polcini Paolo
Published: November 2017

Purpose

It is important to have a literature review to open any special issue as a way of introducing the state-of-the-art topics and link past research with the papers appearing in this special issue on IC in education. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses the structured literature to investigate the state-of-the-art and future directions of IC literature in education. In total, 47 articles are explored including nine from this special issue.

Findings

IC in education research is concentrated in Europe and mainly addresses IC in universities. Additionally, current IC research is progressing by examining IC practices inside universities using a third-stage IC approach, with new research also concentrating on third-mission outcomes, thus there is scope to continue IC and education research beyond universities. IC in education can also expand into fifth stage IC research, which abandons the boundaries of the educational institution and concentrate on the impact of IC and education on multiple stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

Current IC in education research is too narrow and mainly investigates IC in European contexts using case study methodology. However, there is ample scope to widen research that develops new frameworks in different educational and country contexts using a wider range of research methodologies. IC in education needs to expand its boundaries so it does not lose its relevance, and thus be able to contribute to wider policy debates.

Originality/value

This paper presents the current state-of-the-art structured literature review of the articles investigating IC in education.
Internet surveillance after Snowden
Authors: Fuchs Christian , Trottier Daniel
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present results of a study that focused on the question of how computer and data experts think about Internet and social media surveillance after Edward Snowden’s revelations about the existence of mass-surveillance systems of the Internet such as Prism, XKeyscore and Tempora. Computer and data experts’ views are of particular relevance because they are confronted day by day with questions about the processing of personal data, privacy and data protection.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted two focus groups with a total of ten experts based in London. As London is considered by some as the surveillance capital of the world, and has a thriving Internet industry, it provided a well-suited context.

Findings

The focus group discussions featured three topics that are of crucial importance for understanding Internet and social media surveillance: the political economy surveillance in general; surveillance in the context of the Snowden revelations; and the question what the best political reactions are to the existence of a surveillance-industrial complex that results in political and economic control of the Internet and social media. The focus groups provided indications that computer and data experts are pre-eminently informed on how Internet surveillance works, are capable of critically assessing its implications for society and have ideas about on what should be done politically.

Originality/value

Studies of privacy and surveillance after Edward Snowden’s revelations have taken on a new dimension: Large-scale covert surveillance is conducted in a collaborative endeavour of secret services, private communications corporations and security companies. It has become evident that a surveillance-industrial Internet surveillance complex exists, in which capitalist communications and security corporations and state institutions collaborate.
Firm’s strategic choices and network knowledge dynamics: how do they affect innovation?
Authors: Belso-Martinez Jose Antonio , Diez-Vial Isabel
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explain how the evolution of knowledge networks and firms’ strategic choices affect innovation. Endogenous factors associated with a path-dependent evolution of the knowledge network are jointly considered with a firm’s development of international relationships and increasing internal absorptive capacity over time.

Design/methodology/approach

In a biotech cluster, the authors gathered data on the firms’ characteristics and network relationships by asking about the technological knowledge they received in the cluster in 2007 and 2012 – “roster-recall” method. Estimation results were obtained using moderated regression analysis.

Findings

Firms that increase their involvement in knowledge networks over time also tend to increase their innovative capacity. However, efforts devoted to building international links or absorptive capacity negatively moderate the impact of network growth on innovation.

Practical implications

Practitioners have two alternative ways of increasing innovation inside knowledge networks: they can increase their centrality by developing their knowledge network interactions or invest in developing their internal absorptive capacity and new international sources of knowledge. Investing in both of these simultaneously does not seem to improve a firm’s innovative capacity.

Originality/value

Coupling firms’ strategic options with knowledge network dynamics provide a more complete way of explaining how firms can improve their innovative capacity.
Universities as inclusive learning organizations for women?
Authors: Gouthro Patricia , Taber Nancy , Brazil Amanda
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of the learning organization, first discussed by Senge (1990), to determine if it can work as a model in the higher education sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a critical feminist framework, this paper assesses the possibilities and challenges of viewing universities as inclusive learning organizations, with a particular focus on women in academic faculty and leadership roles.

Findings

It argues that, ultimately, the impact of neoliberal values and underlying systemic structures that privilege male scholars need to be challenged through shifts in policies and practices to address ongoing issues of gender inequality in higher education.

Originality/value

The paper draws attention to the need to bring a critical feminist lens to an analysis of the concept of the learning organization if it is to be perceived as having merit in the higher education sector.
Introduction to special issue
Authors: Buzzanell Patrice M.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to first introduce the four contributions to the themed issue of The Learning Organization entitled “Learning Organization/Organizational Learning and Gender Issues”. Second, the commonalities among these articles function as themes that can generate further research and engaged or problem-driven scholarship and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Feminist critique.

Findings

These articles challenge commonsense, blur boundaries between reality and imagined visions and form a multilevel matrix for understanding and change regarding gendered learning organizations.

Originality/value

As an introduction to a special issue, this essay summarizes and extends on the four contributions and then extends the insights to encourage discovery, learning and engagement.
Expanding Our Understanding of Crime
Authors: Lauritsen Janet L. , Cork Daniel L.
Published: November 2017

Research Summary

This article summarizes the recommendations of the National Academies’ Committee on National Statistics’ Panel on Modernizing the Nation's Crime Statistics first report—Modernizing Crime Statistics, Report 1: Defining and Classifying Crime (Lauritsen and Cork, 2016)—and discusses some of its implications for criminologists and practitioners.

Policy Implications

The crime classification offered in the National Academies’ report recommends the adoption and development of a more expanded system of crime statistics so that the nation has reliable and comparative data on crime beyond what is currently available. Many basic facts about the levels and changes in crime are not known or well understood, posing significant problems for crime policy development and evaluation, particularly in the areas of crimes by and against businesses, organizations, and governments and crimes against the environment. We discuss the new crime classification system in an effort to engage criminologists and practitioners in the work that is necessary to improve our responses to crime.
Concurrent application of ethyl formate and 1‐methylcyclopropene to control Tetranychus urticae on exported sweet persimmons (Diospyros kaki Thunb. ‘Fuyu’)
Authors: Lee Byung‐Ho , Park Chung‐Gyoo , Yang Jeong‐Oh , Kim Kyeongsoon , Lee Sung‐Eun
Published: November 2017

Extending the shelf life of fruits during post‐harvest storage and eradicating pests associated with quarantine issues could together comprise the key steps toward expanding the exportation of sweet persimmon in South Korea. Here we firstly investigated the concurrent application of ethyl formate (EF), a methyl bromide alternative fumigant, which is currently considered a beneficial and safe fumigant in quarantine use, and 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP), an anti‐ethylene compound that is broadly used in post‐harvest systems, on sweet persimmon. We also suggest the proper fumigation methods to be follow when using these compounds. Tetranychus urticae, an important quarantine pest, was inoculated under the calyx of sweet persimmon, and the fruits were then fumigated using 35.0 mg L−1 of EF for 6 h before and after treating with 1.0 μL L−1 of 1‐methylcyclopropene for 24 h under storage conditions of 5°C. Our results showed that concurrent treatments with 1‐MCP and EF could be suitable for commercial purposes by extending shelf life, delaying color changes and softening, and offering complete control of the target pest, Tetranychus urticae.
Eastern gray squirrels are consistent shoppers of seed traits: insights from discrete choice experiments
Authors: SUNDARAM Mekala , LICHTI Nathanael I. , WIDMAR Nicole J. Olynk , SWIHART Robert K.
Published: November 2017

Seeds of many hardwood trees are dispersed by scatter‐hoarding rodents, and this process is often mediated by the traits of seeds. Although numerous studies have linked seed traits to seed preference by rodents, little is known about how rodents forage for seeds when multiple desirable and undesirable seed traits are available simultaneously. Here, we adopt a novel method of designing choice experiments to study how eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) select for 6 traits (caloric value, protein content, tannin concentration, kernel mass, dormancy period and toughness of shell) among seeds. From n = 426 seed‐pair presentations, we found that squirrels preferentially consumed seeds with short dormancy or tougher shells, and preferentially cached seeds with larger kernel mass, tougher shells and higher tannin concentrations. By incorporating random effects, we found that squirrels exhibited consistent preferences for seed traits, which is likely due to the fitness consequences associated with maintaining cached resources. Furthermore, we found that squirrels were willing to trade between multiple traits when caching seeds, which likely results in more seed species being cached in the fall. Ultimately, our approach allowed us to compute the relative values of different seed traits to squirrels, despite covariance among studied traits across seed species. In addition, by investigating how squirrels trade among different seed traits, important insights can be gleaned into behavioral mechanisms underlying seed caching (and, thus, seed survival) dynamics as well as evolutionary strategies adopted by plants to attract seed dispersers. We describe how discrete choice experiments can be used to study resource selection in other ecological systems.
The Changing Behavior of Trading Volume Reactions to Earnings Announcements: Evidence of the Increasing Use of Accounting Earnings News by Investors
Authors: Barron Orie E. , Schneible Richard A. , Stevens Douglas E.
Published: November 2017

The increase in investor diversity over the last 35–40 years prompted us to revisit trading volume reactions to earnings announcements and how these reactions vary with firm size. We argue that this increase in investor diversity would likely increase differences in the precision of pre‐announcement information around earnings announcements, particularly for large firms. This suggests that the role of earnings announcements in resolving investor disagreement, as reflected in trading volume reactions, has increased. Over the 35‐year period 1977–2011, we find a dramatic increase in the magnitude and frequency of volume reactions to earnings announcements, particularly for large firms. The increase in large firms’ trading volume reactions is so pronounced that the relation between volume reactions and firm size has turned positive in recent years, reversing Bamber's (, ) previously documented negative relation. We provide intuition and empirical evidence that our results are attributable to the resolution of differential prior precision among increasingly diverse investors following large firms.
Lenders’ Response to Peer and Customer Restatements
Authors: Files Rebecca , Gurun Umit G.
Published: November 2017

We investigate whether restatements announced by economically related firms influence the contract terms a borrower receives from lenders. A restatement by a major customer firm increases the loan spread of a borrower by 11 basis points, on average. The contagion effects of customer restatements are higher (45 basis points) when a borrower's switching costs are high. Restatements by peer firms in the same industry also increase a borrower's loan spread, and this increase occurs regardless of restatement severity. Moreover, the sensitivity of loan spread to peer restatements is significantly greater when the restating peer firms are also in the bank's lending portfolio, suggesting that a lender's personal experience with restatements in an industry makes it more attuned to the potential implications of these restatements for the borrowing firm. Finally, our results suggest that lenders utilize information from peer restatements to anticipate future restatements by the borrowing firm.
17α‐estradiol acts through hypothalamic pro‐opiomelanocortin expressing neurons to reduce feeding behavior
Authors: Steyn Frederik J. , Ngo Shyuan T. , Chen Vicky Ping , Bailey‐Downs Lora C. , Xie Teresa Y. , Ghadami Martin , Brimijoin Stephen , Freeman Willard M. , Rubinstein Marcelo , Low Malcolm J. , Stout Michael B.
Published: November 2017

Weight loss is an effective intervention for diminishing disease burden in obese older adults. Pharmacological interventions that reduce food intake and thereby promote weight loss may offer effective strategies to reduce age‐related disease. We previously reported that 17α‐estradiol (17α‐E2) administration elicits beneficial effects on metabolism and inflammation in old male mice. These observations were associated with reduced calorie intake. Here, we demonstrate that 17α‐E2 acts through pro‐opiomelanocortin (Pomc) expression in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) to reduce food intake and body mass in mouse models of obesity. These results confirm that 17α‐E2 modulates appetite through selective interactions within hypothalamic anorexigenic pathways. Interestingly, some peripheral markers of metabolic homeostasis were also improved in animals with near complete loss of ARC Pomc transcription. This suggests that 17α‐E2 might have central and peripheral actions that can beneficially affect metabolism cooperatively or independently.
Comparative proteomic profiling reveals a role for Cisd2 in skeletal muscle aging
Authors: Huang Yi‐Long , Shen Zhao‐Qing , Wu Chia‐Yu , Teng Yuan‐Chi , Liao Chen‐Chung , Kao Cheng‐Heng , Chen Liang‐Kung , Lin Chao‐Hsiung , Tsai Ting‐Fen
Published: November 2017

Skeletal muscle has emerged as one of the most important tissues involved in regulating systemic metabolism. The gastrocnemius is a powerful skeletal muscle composed of predominantly glycolytic fast‐twitch fibers that are preferentially lost among old age. This decrease in gastrocnemius muscle mass is remarkable during aging; however, the underlying molecular mechanism is not fully understood. Strikingly, there is a ~70% decrease in Cisd2 protein, a key regulator of lifespan in mice and the disease gene for Wolfram syndrome 2 in humans, within the gastrocnemius after middle age among mice. A proteomics approach was used to investigate the gastrocnemius of naturally aged mice, and this was compared to the autonomous effect of Cisd2 on gastrocnemius aging using muscle‐specific Cisd2 knockout (mKO) mice as a premature aging model. Intriguingly, dysregulation of calcium signaling and activation of UPR/ER stress stand out as the top two pathways. Additionally, the activity of Serca1 was significantly impaired and this impairment is mainly attributable to irreversibly oxidative modifications of Serca. Our results reveal that the overall characteristics of the gastrocnemius are very similar when naturally aged mice and the Cisd2 mKO mice are compared in terms of pathological alterations, ultrastructural abnormalities, and proteomics profiling. This suggests that Cisd2 mKO mouse is a unique model for understanding the aging mechanism of skeletal muscle. Furthermore, this work substantiates the hypothesis that Cisd2 is crucial to the gastrocnemius muscle and suggests that Cisd2 is a potential therapeutic target for muscle aging.
Eye gaze perception in bipolar disorder: Self‐referential bias but intact perceptual sensitivity
Authors: Yao Beier , Mueller Savanna A , Grove Tyler B , McLaughlin Merranda , Thakkar Katharine , Ellingrod Vicki , McInnis Melvin G , Taylor Stephan F , Deldin Patricia J , Tso Ivy F
Published: November 2017

Objectives

Deficits in social cognition predict poor functional outcome in severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and autism. However, research findings on social cognition in bipolar disorder (BD) are sparse and inconsistent. This study aimed to characterize a critical social cognitive process—eye gaze perception—and examine its functional correlates in BD to inform psychopathological mechanisms.

Methods

Thirty participants with BD, 37 healthy controls (HC), and 46 psychiatric controls with schizophrenia (SZ) completed an eye‐contact perception task. They viewed faces with varying gaze directions, head orientations, and emotion, and made eye‐contact judgments. Psychophysics methods were used to estimate perception thresholds and the slope of the perception curve, which were then compared between the groups and correlated with clinical and functional measures using Bayesian inference.

Results

Compared with HC, patients with BD over‐perceived eye contact when gaze direction was ambiguous, and this self‐referential bias was similar to that in SZ. Patients with BD had lower thresholds (i.e., needed weaker eye‐contact signal to start perceiving gaze as self‐directed) but a similar slope compared with HC. Regression analyses showed that steeper slope predicted better socio‐emotional functioning in HC and SZ, but not in BD.

Conclusions

The psychopathology of social dysfunction was fundamentally different between BD and SZ in this modest sample. Eye gaze perception in BD was characterized by a self‐referential bias but preserved perceptual sensitivity, the latter of which distinguished BD from SZ. The relationship between gaze perception and broader socio‐emotional functioning in SZ and HC was absent in BD.
Country of Origin Effects and New Financial Actors: Private Equity Investment and Work and Employment Practices of French Firms
Authors: Stevenot Anne , Guery Loris , Wood Geoffrey , Brewster Chris
Published: November 2017

This is a study of the effects of alternative investors on a range of work and employment practices in France, paying specific attention to whether investors are indigenous or not. We use data from a detailed survey of French firms, and set our research in the context of the literature on comparative capitalisms. We find that private equity (PE) investments from abroad are associated with greater job insecurity, less spending on training and lower wages, but French PE investments are not. We explore the reasons behind this variation and the implications for theory and practice.
The impact of individual motivations on idea submission and future motivation to participate in an organization's virtual idea campaign
Authors: Saether Erik Andreas , Sætre Alf Steinar
Published: November 2017

We used time‐lagged survey data to investigate the effects of various types of motivation on idea submission and future motivation to participate in a virtual idea campaign (VIC). We also used qualitative data to illuminate context and enrich explanations. Applying forms of motivation from self‐determination theory—intrinsic motivation and external motivation—and the additional composite form of identified‐prosocial motivation, our study offers insight into their effects on idea submission and future motivation to participate in idea campaigns. We found that intrinsic motivation led to idea submission and future motivation to participate, while external motivation negatively related to idea submission. Identified‐prosocial motivation positively related to participants' motivation to participate in future idea campaigns, but surprisingly, its interaction with intrinsic motivation did not lead to idea submission. We provide managers and innovation researchers with useful lessons for the effective management of idea campaigns in organizations, and our results highlight the value of autonomous forms of motivation, especially intrinsic motivation.
Organizational interfaces for knowledge integration in product development collaborations
Authors: Axelson Mattias , Richtnér Anders
Published: November 2017

Through an inductive case study over three years of two product development collaborations, we identified how four organizational interfaces play out over time and how they are related to each other. This study therefore contributes to our understanding of how organizational interfaces evolve and their mutual dependencies in shaping conditions for knowledge integration. Our study extends previous work on organizational interfaces that have either focused on interfaces within the organization or focused on one or two organizational interfaces and their link to knowledge integration without considering the enabling conditions. Our longitudinal approach helps to understand how organizational interfaces play out over time and how they interact and influence each other. Our research helps managers to ask the right questions about how they can design preconditions for knowledge integration in product development collaborations.
Collective action problems in public sector innovation: A business model perspective
Authors: Axelson Mattias , Netz Joakim , Sandström Christian
Published: November 2017

We explore how the literature on business models can explain the outcomes of innovation attempts in the public sector. Our findings suggest that governments can access a well‐developed knowledge domain for a public sector area but have a weak ability to propagate its value for society. Drawing on the business model literature concerning interdependence and distributed agency, we illustrate how a collective action problem related to innovation may arise in the public sector. We illustrate this new category of public innovation challenge with the (failed) case of the Swedish civil contingencies system and subsequently discuss a new line of inquiry for future research.
Clustering patterns of oral and general health‐risk behaviours in Brazilian adolescents: Findings from a national survey
Authors: Jordão Lidia M. R. , Malta Deborah C. , Freire Maria do Carmo M.
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To evaluate how oral and general health‐risk behaviours cluster among Brazilian adolescents.

Methods

The study comprised a total of 109 104 adolescents (52.2% female) participating in the Brazilian National School‐based Student Health Survey (PeNSE). Seventeen behaviours (including diet; oral and hand hygiene; frequency of dental visits; tobacco, alcohol and drug use; sexual behaviour; physical activity, and risk for external causes) were measured using a self‐reported questionnaire. Pairwise correlations between the health‐risk behaviours were performed, and clustering was assessed by the hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis (HACA), which was used to identify stable cluster solutions of the health‐risk behaviours.

Results

All health‐risk behaviours were correlated with at least 1 behaviour (P < .01). HACA indicated 2 broad stable clusters (n = 105 604). The first cluster included current smoking, illegal drug use, no hand washing before meals, unprotected sex, no helmet use, less frequent toothbrushing, no seatbelt use, physical fighting, skipping breakfast, current drinking, high sugar intake and, at the final stage, no dental visits. The second cluster included insufficient physical activity, eating while watching TV or studying, and low fruit intake.

Conclusions

The health‐risk behaviours clustered into 2 specific patterns among Brazilian adolescents. One cluster gathered a combination of lack of adherence to preventive behaviours and the undertaking of risky conduct, while the second reflected an unhealthy lifestyle (sedentary habits and low fruit diet). Knowledge about the clustering patterns of oral and general health behaviours in adolescents can better direct the integration of oral and general health promotion interventions.
Alternatives to biodiversity offsets for mitigating the effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems
Authors: Coker Myles E. , Bond Nick R. , Chee Yung En , Walsh Christopher J.
Published: November 2017

Globally, offset schemes have emerged in many statutory frameworks relating to development activities, with the aim of balancing biodiversity conservation and development. Although the theory and use of biodiversity offsets in terrestrial environments is broadly documented, little attention has been paid to offsets in stream ecosystems. Here we examine the application of offset schemes to stream ecosystems and explore whether they suffer similar shortcomings to those of offset schemes focused on terrestrial biodiversity. To challenge the applicability of offsets further, we discuss typical trajectories of urban expansion and their cascading physical, chemical and biological impacts on stream ecosystems. We argue that the highly connected nature of stream ecosystems and urban drainage networks can transfer impacts of urbanization across wide areas, complicating the notion of like‐for‐like exchange and the prospect of effectively mitigating biodiversity loss. Instead, we identify in‐catchment options for stormwater control, which can avoid or minimize the impacts of development on downstream ecosystems, while presenting additional public and private benefits. We describe the underlying principles of these alternatives, some of the challenges associated with their uptake, and policy initiatives being trialed to facilitate adoption. In conclusion, we argue that stronger policies to avoid and minimize the impacts of urbanization provide better prospects for protecting downstream ecosystems, and can additionally, stimulate economic opportunities and improve urban liveability.
Subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction detected by two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma and preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Ding Li , Zhu Wen Ling , Zeng Zheng Pei , Li Han Zhong , Ji Jin , Fang Li Gang , Sun Jing Ping
Published: November 2017

Background

Excessive catecholamine leads to pressure overload and left ventricular (LV) remodeling. The goal of this study was to explore subclinical LV systolic dysfunction and the mechanism of preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma using two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

Methods

A total of 48 patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma and preserved LVEF and 38 age‐ and gender‐matched volunteers were studied. Echocardiographic parameters including LVEF, and global peak longitudinal and circumferential strains were measured. The correlation between echocardiographic parameters and blood pressure as well as biochemical parameters was analyzed.

Results

LVEF was similar between patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma and controls. The amplitude of LV longitudinal strain was decreased, and the amplitude of LV circumferential strain was increased in the pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma group (P = .003 and P = .009). LV mass index and blood pressure were positively correlated with 24‐hour urinary norepinephrine (r = .696, P < .0001; r = .470, P = .0007). The amplitude of LV longitudinal strain reduced with increase in blood pressure, 24‐hour urinary norepinephrine and LV mass index (r = −.305, P = .035; r = −.506, P = .0002; r = −.680, P < .0001).

Conclusions

This study revealed that excessive norepinephrine in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma was associated with increased blood pressure and LV mass. The LV longitudinal strain was decreasing with increase in blood pressure and LV mass index. The enhanced LV circumferential strain might be the mechanism of compensation to maintain the normal LVEF in these patients.
Rural placement experiences in dental education and the impact on professional intentions and employment outcomes—A systematic review
Authors: Johnson G. , Wright F. C. , Foster K. , Blinkhorn A.
Published: November 2017

Context/Introduction

The availability of clinical dental services in rural locations is a major concern for many countries as dental care professionals gravitate to work in metropolitan areas. This systematic review examines the literature on Rural Placement Programs within dentistry and their impact on workforce intentions and employment outcomes. The review provides a detailed analysis of the methodological characteristics of the literature, considers the quality of the evidence and compares the outcomes within an international context.

Materials and Methods

The systematic review identified published literature between 2005 and 2016 from databases including EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, NursingOVID and Cochrane. The PRISMA protocol was adopted for the development of the study, and the Health Gains Notation Framework was implemented to assess the quality of the selected research papers.

Results

Eleven studies considering Rural Clinical Placement Programs met the inclusion criteria. The studies were from Australia, South Africa, United States, Thailand and India. The evidence in this review indicates that well‐designed, financially supported programmes that provide a perceived valuable clinical experience, good supervision and professional support in a rural environment can lead to dental students stating increased intentions to working in a rural location. However, there was a lack of evidence and research into whether these rural intentions result in positive action to take up employment in a rural location.

Conclusion

The evidence suggests that well‐prepared rural clinical placements, which have experienced clinical supervisors, good professional student support from the dental school, provide a valuable clinical experience and are sufficiently funded, can increase intentions to work in a rural location upon graduation. However, there is a lack of evidence in dentistry into whether intentions translate into practitioners taking clinical positions in a rural location. Future research should be planned, which will undertake longitudinal cohort studies to identify factors that have an important influence on rural job choice.
Improving quality of software product line by analysing inconsistencies in feature models using an ontological rule‐based approach
Authors: Bhushan Megha , Goel Shivani , Kumar Ajay
Published: November 2017

In software product line engineering, feature models (FMs) represent the variability and commonality of a family of software products. The development of FMs may introduce inaccurate feature relationships. These relationships may cause various types of defects such as inconsistencies, which deteriorate the quality of software products. Several researchers have worked on the identification of defects due to inconsistency in FMs, but only a few of them have explained their causes. In this paper, FM is transformed to predicate‐based feature model ontology using Prolog. Further, first‐order logic is employed for defining rules to identify defects due to inconsistency, the explanations for their causes, and suggestions for their corrections. The proposed approach is explained using an FM available in Software Product Line Online Tools repository. It is validated using 26 FMs of discrete sizes up to 5,543 features, generated using the FeatureIDE tool and real‐world FMs. Results indicate that the proposed methodology is effective, accurate, and scalable and improves software product line.
Accountability and not‐for‐profit organisations: Implications for developing international financial reporting standards
Authors: Crawford Louise , Morgan Gareth G. , Cordery Carolyn J.
Published: November 2017

This paper provides empirical evidence which informs contemporary debates on developing international financial reporting standards for not‐for‐profit organisations (NPOs). Drawing on a global survey with respondents showing experience of NPO reporting in 179 countries, we explore: practice and beliefs about NPO financial reporting internationally; perceptions of accountability between NPOs and stakeholders; and implications for developing international financial reporting standards. Interpreting our research in the context of accountability, we find considerable support for developing international financial reporting standards for NPOs, recognising broad stewardship accountability to all stakeholders as important, but prioritising accountability upwards to external funders and regulators.
Optimization of pork jerky fermentation with Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Authors: Zhao Changqing , Shu Li , Lu Ziyang , Huang Jing , He Sha , Li Yubin
Published: November 2017

Lactobacillus bulgaricus was used to ferment raw pork to pork jerky at different fermentation conditions, including temperature, initial pH value, and time. Through assessing the sensory attributes, the free amino acids, and pH of the pork jerky, it was determined that the optimum conditions for fermentation was temperature of 35 °C, initial pH of 6.5, and fermentation time of 36 hr. Through fermenting with L. bulgaricus, the texture, the color, and the flavor of the prepared pork jerky were improved. The pH of pork jerky was lower than fresh pork which thus, potentially enhanced the safety of pork jerky. Additionally, the free amino acids contents of pork jerky were higher (greater than 143.5 mg/100 g) than the fresh pork (64.0 mg/100 g) which suggest more benefits and better absorption. The results presented herein demonstrate that the L. bulgaricus can be used for the production of fermented pork jerky to improve the quality attributes and the safety of pork jerky.

Practical applications

Pork jerky is a traditional food in China. It is popular because it is tasty and easy to carry. Microbial fermentation technology was applied to the production process of the pork jerky, which can change the traditional dried meat product quality and processing technology that change little for years. The fermented pork jerky not only improves the flavor of pork jerky, also improve its security. Therefore, the fermented pork jerky can overcome the defects of traditional process, such as hard palate, off‐color, and preservative addition.
Prevalence, molecular identification and characterization of Bacillus cereus isolated from beef burgers
Authors: Soleimani Maryam , Hosseini Hedayat , Pilevar Zahra , Mehdizadeh Mehrangiz , Carlin Frédéric
Published: November 2017

The 3‐component hemolysin BL (Hbl) and non‐hemolytic enterotoxin (Nhe) are probably associated with Bacillus cereus diarrheal outbreaks. In this study, toxin transcription of 18 biochemically positive isolates isolated from 80 beef burgers containing different percentage of meat (30, 60, and 90%) were evaluated using PCR method. Bacterial growth curves were further obtained by Bioscreen C to predict B. cereus population of uncooked and fried burgers kept at refrigerator and at room temperatures. The results showed that 22.5% of beef burgers (18 of 80 burgers) were contaminated with B. cereus where 14/18 and 5/18 of the samples contaminated to B. cereus with Nhe and Hbl genes, respectively. No significant growth was observed in burgers stored at 4 °C, although after 8 hr the uncooked burgers and within 10 hr the fried burgers stored at 20 °C were considered as spoiled by reaching B. cereus counts of >106 cfu/g.

Practical applications

Bacillus cereus is recognized as a causative agent of emetic and diarrheal foodborne poisoning. To differentiate the encoding chromosomal genes of Nhe (i.e., nheA, nheB, and nheC) and Hbl (i.e., hblC, hblD, and hblA), multiplex PCR was quite selective to perform.
Cost‐Effectiveness of a Care Transitions Program in a Multimorbid Older Adult Cohort
Authors: Hanson Gregory J. , Borah Bijan J. , Moriarty James P. , Ransom Jeanine E. , Naessens James M. , Takahashi Paul Y.
Published: November 2017

Background/Objectives

Facing penalties for preventable 30‐day hospital readmissions, many provider groups have implemented programs to remedy this problem, but the cost efficacy and value of such programs are not well delineated. The objective was to compare total cost of care over 30 days of individuals enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Care Transitions (MCCT) program and individuals not enrolled.

Design

Retrospective cohort study using secondary data analysis of a previously published cohort study.

Setting

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

Participants

MCCT participants (n = 363) and individuals in a propensity‐matched referent cohort (n = 365).

Intervention

MCCT program enrollment.

Measurements

The primary outcome was total cost of care over 30 days after hospital discharge. A 2‐part modeling strategy was used to analyze 30‐day costs: whether individuals had non‐zero costs during the 30 days after discharge and a generalized linear model for individuals who incurred costs. Potential heterogeneous effects of the MCCT program were examined according to decile of 30‐day costs using quantile regression.

Results

Mean age was 83 in both groups. Adjusted mean 30‐day cost after hospitalization was $3,363 (95% confidence interval (CI) = $2,512−4,213) in the MCCT group and $4,161 (95% CI = $3,096−5,226) in the control group (P = .25). Cost savings of $2,744 (P = .008) at the eighth decile and $3,388 (P = .20) at the ninth decile were demonstrated. Thus, the only statistically significant differences were in the post hoc subgroup analysis in the highest‐cost subgroups.

Conclusion

We did not find a difference in overall mean costs between the MCCT group and the control group, although intervention participants in the upper deciles of costs appeared to experience lower costs than controls. A larger study cohort might better determine the value of the intervention.
Oracle Properties, Bias Correction, and Bootstrap Inference for Adaptive Lasso for Time SeriesM‐Estimators
Authors: Audrino Francesco , Camponovo Lorenzo
Published: November 2017

We derive new theoretical results on the properties of the adaptive least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (adaptive lasso) for possibly nonlinear time series models. In particular, we investigate the question of how to conduct inference on the parameters given an adaptive lasso model. Central to this study is the test of the hypothesis that a given adaptive lasso parameter equals zero, which therefore tests for a false positive. To this end, we introduce a recentered bootstrap procedure and show, theoretically and empirically through extensive Monte Carlo simulations, that the adaptive lasso can combine efficient parameter estimation, variable selection, and inference in one step. Moreover, we analytically derive a bias correction factor that is able to significantly improve the empirical coverage of the test on the active variables. Finally, we apply the adaptive lasso and the recentered bootstrap procedure to investigate the relation between the short rate dynamics and the economy, thereby providing a statistical foundation (from a model choice perspective) for the classic Taylor rule monetary policy model.
Too Dangerous to Disclose? FOIA, Courtroom “Visual Theory,” and the Legal Battle Over Detainee Abuse Photographs
Authors: Banchik Anna Veronica
Published: November 2017

As law deepens its engagement with visual data, legal scholars have expressed concern that courts all too often uphold photographic evidence as objective representations of truth, rather than as necessarily partial portrayals of reality. To combat this naïve realism in legal institutions, some are incorporating insights from media studies in calling for a jurisprudence of the visual. Drawing on an ongoing lawsuit over the disclosure of detainee abuse photographs taken in Iraq and Afghanistan after September 11, I suggest this project expand its scope to examine litigants' interpretations of images in courtrooms, as well as concerns beyond photographic objectivity that arise in disclosure disputes, including images' unique privacy implications and national security risks. Though the stakes in this case are atypical, these specific concerns are to varying degrees more germane. Having all been raised before, they are likely to be heard again, if only by a single judge or jury.
Evaluation of a diagnostic therapeutic educational pathway for asthma management in youth
Authors: Guarnaccia Sebastiano , Quecchia Cristina , Festa Andrea , Magoni Michele , Moneda Marco , Gretter Valeria , Scarcella Carmelo , Pluda Ada , Gasparotti Cinzia , Frassine Malica , Vitale Luigi , D'Agata Emanuele , Limina Rosa Maria , Donato Francesco
Published: November 2017

Background

In spite of some evidence for positive effects of patient's education to asthma self‐management by randomized clinical trials, there are few studies on the impact of patient’ s educational programs in the real world. We aimed to assess the impact of a diagnostic therapeutic educational pathway (DTEP) on asthma control of children and adolescents by comparing frequency of outcomes indicative of asthma control before and after attending the pathway.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study including all patients aged 6‐11 and 12‐17 years who attended the DTEP in 2007‐2014. The DTEP includes 3 specialist's evaluations at 8‐ to 12‐week intervals and two follow‐up visits. Patients and their parents receive an educational course concerning prevention measures, early recognition of symptoms, and appropriate use of drugs and devices. The rates of hospitalizations, outpatient services, emergency room visits, and drug prescriptions were considered as outcomes and computed as number of events divided by person‐time.

Results

A total of 806 patients were enrolled. A statistically significant decrease in rates from before to after DTEP was observed for almost all outcomes, in both age groups, with relative risks ranging from 0.12 to 0.60. The rates of drug prescription showed a statistically significant decrease, from before to after DTEP, for each type of medicine for asthma, in both age groups, from percent difference of −66% to −24.3%.

Conclusions

The positive impact of this program on the outcomes indicative of asthma control in both children and adolescents suggests that it may be valuable for asthma management.
Shaftesbury on Persons, Personal Identity and Character Development
Authors: Boeker Ruth
Published: November 2017

Shaftesbury's major work Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times was one of the most influential English works in the eighteenth century. This paper focuses on his contributions to debates about persons and personal identity and shows that Shaftesbury regards metaphysical questions of personal identity as closely connected with normative questions of character development. I argue that he is willing to accept that persons are substances and that he takes their continued existence for granted. He sees the need to supplement metaphysical debates of personal identity and believes that we have to turn to the character that is realized by a substance if we want to understand who we are. For Shaftesbury, persons have a particular character, can act and govern themselves. I propose that Shaftesbury's approach to persons has a developmental dimension, which is meant to encourage personal development and improvement of character. The developmental dimension can be understood as an intellectual journey that invites us to search for our true self, to develop our character and to seek happiness, which ultimately involves understanding our place as persons in the order of the universe. I show that my developmental interpretation is preferable to other existing interpretations.
Pisatin involvement in the variation of inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi spore germination by root exudates of Pisum spp. germplasm
Authors: Bani M. , Cimmino A. , Evidente A. , Rubiales D. , Rispail N.
Published: November 2017

Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi (Fop) is one of the major constraints of pea worldwide. Its control is difficult and is mainly based on the use of resistant cultivars. This study aimed to identify and characterize resistance mechanisms interfering with Fop spore germination, as an additional pre‐penetration resistance mechanism little explored so far. For this, root exudates were collected from 12 pea accessions with differential responses to the disease, from resistant to susceptible, and their effects on Fop germination and growth were determined. While root exudates from most accessions stimulated Fop germination, the root exudates of three accessions, JI 1412, JI 2480 and P42, did not stimulate, or even inhibited, Fop germination. Although some additional compounds might be involved, the analysis showed that the most active metabolite was the pea phytoalexin pisatin. Pisatin was identified in the active fraction of pea root exudate extracts and its amount in the root exudates was negatively correlated with the extent of Fop germination. This suggests an important role of pisatin in the constitutive defence of pea against F. oxysporum.
Skeletal open‐bite treatment with zygomatic anchorage for a child with mental retardation: A new modality
Authors: Shetty Y. Rajmohan , Keshan Anisha , Hegde Amitha M. , R Manju , Shetty Ashutosh
Published: November 2017

Anterior open bite (AOB) is one of the most difficult malocclusions to treat and maintain in orthodontics. Malocclusion occurs more frequently in children with disabilities than in healthy children. Surgical correction of severe AOB often requires maxillary impaction to reduce the anterior facial height. The zygomatic buttress area could be a valuable anchorage site to achieve intrusion of maxillary posterior teeth. A 16‐year‐old boy with mental retardation showing signs of persistence of infantile behavior, decreased cognitive functioning, and psychomotor skill deficits (no identified syndrome) with an AOB was treated by intrusion of maxillary posterior teeth using I‐shaped multipurpose titanium miniplate (SK Surgicals, India). A 7 mm AOB was corrected after 6 months of intrusion. The benefits of this treatment as an alternative to conventional orthodontic appliances are significant in subjects who lack the understanding or with manual dexterity to use an orthopedic appliance.