bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deriving an information security assurance indicator at the organizational level
Authors: Pathari Vinod , M. Sonar Rajendra
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– Measurement of information security assurance (ISA) is an important but difficult task. This paper aims to propose a framework, which helps in refining information security requirements into controls whose effectiveness can be measured. This work also provides aggregation techniques to combine these measurements so as to obtain an indicator for ISA at the organizational level.

Design/methodology/approach

– A top-down approach of refining security objectives to measurable independent tasks is carried out using assign graph as the model. This captures the various objectives and their interrelationships whose initial values and relative impacts are obtained from experts. Using fuzzy cognitive model (FCM), these initial values are combined together to obtain an indicator for ISA at the firm's level.

Findings

– The two applications of the framework revealed that interrelationships do exist between the different controls employed in actual security implementations and that these dependencies are seldom accounted for. When those few controls that are to be measured are clearly identified, the security experts can focus their attention on them and ensure their correct implementation and appropriate measurement. The extent of impact of a single control on the overall security picture of the firm can also be found using this approach.

Research limitations/implications

– While the framework is generic, the assurance values obtained are context-sensitive. This is primarily because of the subjectivity involved in assigning impact measures and initial values.

Practical implications

– This work helps in answering two difficult questions in information security management: “what to measure?” and “how to quantify the overall security assurance of the organization?” This assists the information security team in identifying and refining those controls that needs to be appropriately emphasized. The proposed framework helps the top management in doing “what-if” analysis, thereby aiding their decision-making for information security investments.

Originality/value

– The novel framework proposes a top-down approach for security control refinement and a bottom-up approach for combining the confidence values to obtain an indicator for ISA. This work identifies and accommodates the possibilities of having interdependencies between security controls. The proposed aggregation method using FCM is being applied for the first time in information security context and provides convergence even in the presence of cyclic dependencies amongst the controls.
A survey of security risks of mobile social media through blog mining and an extensive literature search
Authors: He Wu
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– As mobile malware and virus are rapidly increasing in frequency and sophistication, mobile social media has recently become a very popular attack vector. The purpose of this paper is to survey the state-of-the-art of security aspect of mobile social media, identify recent trends, and provide recommendations for researchers and practitioners in this fast moving field.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper reviews disparate discussions in literature on security aspect of mobile social media though blog mining and an extensive literature search. Based on the detailed review, the author summarizes some key insights to help enterprises understand security risks associated with mobile social media.

Findings

– Risks related to mobile social media are identified based on the results of the review. Best practices and useful tips are offered to help enterprises mitigate risks of mobile social media. This paper also provides insights and guidance for enterprises to mitigate the security risks of mobile social media.

Originality/value

– The paper consolidates the fragmented discussion in literature and provides an in-depth review to help researchers understand the latest development of security risks associated with mobile social media.
Investor sentiment and yield spread determinants: evidence from European markets
Authors: Spyrou Spyros
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to investigate the yield spread determinants for a sample of European markets in the light of the recent financial crisis. It utilises findings from two different strands in the literature: findings on bond spread determinants and findings on the effect of investor sentiment on equity returns.

Design/methodology/approach

– The explanatory variables in the regression models proxy not only for economic fundamentals (e.g. economic activity, default risk, liquidity risk, general market conditions) but also for investor sentiment. A vector autoregressive approach is employed.

Findings

– The results indicate that fundamental variables are significant for the determination of the level of yield spreads, as suggested by previous studies. Local and international investor sentiment, however, both current and past, is also a statistically significant determinant for both the level and monthly changes of yield, especially during the crisis period 2007-2011.

Research limitations/implications

– The implication of this finding is significant for all parties involved: government officials, private lenders, EU/ECB/IMF officials, and market participants.

Practical implications

– Focusing solely on quantitative economic performance indicators may not have the desirable effect of reducing borrowing rates and facilitating the return to economic stability. Perhaps, reassuring and/or sending strong qualitative signals to financial markets may be as important. Involved agents may have to address not only technical financial issues but also the perception that market participants have about the proposed solutions to the crisis and eventually affect market sentiment.

Originality/value

– The issue of the effect of investor sentiment on government yield spreads during a crisis has not been investigated before.
Energy consumption, pollution and economic development in 16 emerging countries
Authors: Al-mulali Usama , Normee Che Sab Che
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This study aims to investigate the impact of total primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions on the economic development in 16 emerging countries.

Design/methodology/approach

– The panel model was used taking the period 1980-2008.

Findings

– The results showed that a long-run relationship is present between total primary energy consumption, CO2 emission, and economic development in the countries under investigation. It was also found that both total primary energy consumption have a positive causal relationship with the economic development and other economic aspects playing an important role in achieving high economic performance with the consequence of higher pollution.

Practical implications

– The main recommendation of this study is to increase their investment and government spending on green energy projects to increase the share of green energy out of their total energy consumption. This can be considered a good solution for their energy woes.

Originality/value

– Different from the previous studies, it was also found that total primary energy consumption have a positive causal relationship with the economic development and other economic aspects playing an important role in achieving high economic performance with the consequence of higher pollution. In addition, there are a number of countries that had not investigated before.
Informal economy and spatial mobility: are informal workers economic refugees?
Authors: Arbex Marcelo , Freguglia Ricardo , Chein Flavia
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The paper aims to focus the attention on a particular segment of the labor market – informal workers. Despite a large literature on migration, interesting and relevant questions remain to be studied. The paper investigates whether informal workers could be compared to political refugees in terms of their performance in the source and in the destination economies. The paper estimates the effects of wage differentials, education and other personal and labor market controls on the probability of migration.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper studies empirically the probability of migration of workers engaged in informal activities in Brazil using a binary choice model (probit) with particular attention to the self-selection problem of migrants. The paper uses data from the Informal Urban Economy Survey (IBGE).

Findings

– The results show that the probability of migration of informal workers is negatively related to a worker's education level. The paper finds that the probability of migration is increasing in the ability bias and in wage differentials. The results bring new evidence regarding the possibility of negative selection of migrants considering their observable characteristics, while it corroborates a positive selection of ability or unobservable characteristics of informal worker migrants. The paper presents evidence that less-educated workers are more likely to migrate and show that informal workers migrants behave as economic refugees.

Originality/value

– To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first paper to study the migration of workers engaged in informal activities.
Institutions and growth: a developing country case study
Authors: Nakabashi Luciano , Elisa Gonçalves Pereira Ana , Sachsida Adolfo
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The Brazilian municipalities show a huge disparity in income level. The GDP per capita difference between the richest and the poorest municipalities is about 190 times, according to IBGE (2000) database. This paper aims to analyze the impacts of Brazilian municipalities institutional quality on their levels of per capita income.

Design/methodology/approach

– Institutionalist theory provides a plausible explanation for the gap among municipalities income level. Many empirical studies based on cross-country data have found a high correlation between institutional quality and the level of economic development, but there is little research concerning the extreme inequality within the national territory and its relationship with institutional quality. The theory suggests that the institutions matter for the level of economic development because of their effects on political power distribution, generation of economic opportunities, innovation, human capital accumulation, and so on.

Findings

– Overall, an increase by one point in the average quality of the institutions is able to increase the average GDP per capita around 20 percent. This means that each point of increase in the quality of the municipality institutions is able to increase the municipality GDP per capita by R$1,000 (around US$600).

Originality/value

– This is an important research that sheds light to the importance of institutional quality at local level and its influence over growth in a developing country.
An investigation on competitiveness in services: Turkey versus European Union
Authors: Hiziroglu Mahmut , Hiziroglu Abdulkadir , Hulusi Kokcam Abdullah
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The aim of this study is to investigate the competitiveness of the selected services in Turkey in comparison with the EU and the selected EU countries based on three comparative advantage indices.

Design/methodology/approach

– Three different revealed comparative advantage indices were utilised in a combined way. Import and export figures of six service sectors were taken into account for the period of 2000-2010. The selected services are: transportation, travel, construction, financial services and insurance, communications and IT services, and personal, cultural and recreational services. Consistency of the results was achieved through correlation analyses.

Findings

– Strong comparative advantages exist for Turkey in construction, tourism and transportation sectors. Although Turkish financial and insurance and communication and computer-information sectors appear to be weak compared to EU, there is a substantial potential for improvement.

Originality/value

– A detailed comparative investigation of services' competitiveness for Turkey was provided. The policy decision makers in Turkey and in Europe's selected countries can utilise the findings and recommendations of the study for projection of the investigated sectors.
CEO compensation in China
Authors: Xiao Zhongyi , He Rui , Lin Zhangxi , Elkins Hamilton
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This study investigates the determinants of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) cash compensation in relation to corporate governance and performance in China's listed firms. This article also aims at analyzing gender earning differentials among CEOs.

Design/methodology/approach

– The empirical analysis is based on the panel data set which contains information on the CEOs of 1,701 firm-year observations over the period 2006-2010. A Oaxaca decomposition is also implemented to measure the gap between male and female CEO compensation.

Findings

– The paper observes that CEO compensation relies more on firm accounting performance than on stock market performance. This relationship is especially evident when accounting performance is measured as the return-on-assets. Dominant shareholders such as the state and block holders have a distinct impact on the use of incentive pay. The presence of a compensation committee in a Chinese listed firm is correlated with an excessive pay package for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), even though there is evidence that pay-for-performance is more likely in the presence of a compensation committee. Furthermore, this context extends the international body of evidence on CEO compensation by offering a novel accounting of the gender gap in pay among China's listed firms. Examination of the dataset reveals that women represent approximately 6.8 percent of CEOs. In keeping with international norms, female CEOs are more senior and better educated than their male counterparts, yet they receive less favorable compensation. The Oaxaca decomposition shows a larger unexplained part of the pay-gap and suggests that the gender statistically explains a great deal of the gap in pay between male and female CEOs across China's listed firms.

Originality/value

– This article contributes to the international corporate governance literature and implications for the design of good corporate governance for China's listed firms. Moreover, this article also highlights the current gender gap among CEOs in compensation.
The “Greenest Department Competition”: an exemplary student-led project
Authors: Antal Miklós
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– A student-led department greening competition brought significant change to certain departments at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary. The purpose of the paper is to help sustainability groups at other tertiary education institutions to organize similar competitions.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, the approach and methodology of the competition are explained in detail. Second, results of the competition in the first three years are summarized. Third, opportunities for improvement are discussed. Fourth, potentials and limitations are reviewed. Finally, the most important success criteria are listed.

Findings

– Eight weeks of assisted learning and two audit-based assessments are appropriate to facilitate the greening process of departments. To successfully organize a competition, a reliable team with a core group of at least five to six experienced members is needed. Maximal effectiveness can only be achieved if local environmental leaders at departments are activated.

Practical implications

– If local environmental leaders act as internal project managers, environmental practices can change significantly. Improvements can affect material and energy use, transportation behavior and external outreach activities.

Originality/value

– The project description shows a structure for how to engage in greening departments. A consistent rubric was applied across multiple departments over a span of three years, which allows for drawing general conclusions. Insights can facilitate similarly effective projects elsewhere.
The influences of tourism awareness on the travel patterns and career choices of high school students in South Africa
Authors: van Niekerk Mathilda , Saayman Melville
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to investigate whether tourism awareness can be created through introducing tourism as a subject in high schools in South Africa. It also explores if studying tourism as a high-school subject has an influence on the travel patterns of students and their parents, and if it stimulates students to pursue a career in the tourism industry.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is exploratory in nature. Based on a literature review, a questionnaire was developed and administered to 250 students with tourism as a high-school subject (research group), 250 students without tourism as a high-school subject (control group), 250 parents whose children have tourism as a high-school subject (research group) and 250 parents (control group) whose children do not have tourism as a high-school subject in South Africa.

Findings

– Data revealed that introducing tourism as a high-school subject created tourism awareness among students. The travel patterns of those parents whose children studied tourism were also influenced. Results also indicated that students who studied tourism at high-school level are likely to pursue a career in the tourism industry.

Research limitations/implications

– The study was conducted on learners who had been exposed to the tourism curriculum for only a year-and-a-half and therefore did not measure the full impact of the three-year curriculum. The study was also conducted in only one of the nine provinces of South Africa and the demographic location of the learners could have had an influence on the findings. More advanced statistical analysis could have been performed to increase the value of the study. The Bartlett Tests of Sphericity and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin overall measure could also have been reported. The study can be replicated in other countries, where tourism is currently being offered as a school subject to measure the effectiveness of the tourism curriculum as an awareness tool. The influence of children on their parents' travel patterns should also be further studied as it can assist in strategic development, planning and marketing of tourism attractions.

Practical implications

– Introducing tourism as a high-school subject in other developing countries can be considered as a way of creating tourism awareness, and to stimulate the domestic tourism market and the tourism industry as a whole. If tourism can be introduced as a subject at a younger age students will be able to influence their parents' travel patterns and are likely to pursue a career in the tourism industry.

Originality/value

– This study is one of the first to measure the effectiveness of a tourism curriculum as a tourism awareness tool. It also adds to a limited body of knowledge on how children influence their parents' travel patterns. Last, it shows the effect that tourism awareness has on students in their decision to pursue a career in the tourism industry in South Africa.
Tourism specialization and economic output in small islands
Authors: Croes Robertico
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This study aims to investigate growth differentials among small islands and the impact of tourism specialization on the growth and the economic performance of small islands.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is based on trade theory and uses data from a panel of small islands for 1995-2007. It applies panel regression and standard time series methods combined with a qualitative approach.

Findings

– Small islands experienced stronger basic patterns of growth than many developed countries, especially where economies of scale are not an issue. The findings further suggest that tourism specialization is not harmful to growth, and, in lieu of technological gaps and resource limitations, tourism specialization is a sound option. Size, a lack of complete sovereignty or independence and export orientation do not seem to affect the variance in the real per capita GDP at a greater degree. Finally, small islands may leverage returns to scale in global markets.

Research limitations/implications

– While tourism specialization is assumed to enhance growth, in the case of small island destinations, the study did not formally test whether increased terms-of-trade may be perpetually improved.

Practical implications

– The study prompted four policy suggestions: small island economies should engage in tourism specialization; small island economies should allocate more resources to the tourism industry than other economic sectors; the success of tourism specialization does not depend exclusively on comparative advantage; and institutional realities and path dependence may play a role in economic performance.

Originality/value

– The originality of this study lies in the detection of a paradox in mainstream economics that indicates that small islands may not enjoy sustained economic growth. The detection led to a surprising discovery that tourism specialization may propel growth. The value of the study is twofold: theoretical value is added by suggesting a reconceptualization of the construct capital; and, practical value is strengthened in the sense that tourism specialization may only work under a condition where upon tourism offerings command higher prices than other commodities.
Guests' perception of staged authenticity in a theme park: an example from Disney's Epcot's World Showcase
Authors: Milman Ady
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The study aimed to investigate the role of staged authenticity on guests' overall experience when visiting a theme park. It also assessed their evaluative perception of the “real experience” versus the “staged experience.” In addition, the study explored the variables that may predict guest's perceived level of authenticity, realism and truth when experiencing “reproduced” landmarks at a theme park.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study's setting was the World Showcase at Disney's Epcot theme park that features well-known “staged” landmarks. The study adopted a theoretical framework initially developed by Naoi that measures guests' perceived authenticity at tourist attractions. Personal interviews were conducted with 336 local residents, domestic and international tourists in Central Florida using a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS and included descriptive statistics, t-tests, and multiple regression analysis.

Findings

– Patrons' overall experience at Epcot's World Showcase was perceived to be “unique,” “authentic,” “fantasy,” “exotic,” “adventurous,” “secure,” “safe” and “sanitary.” Respondents also perceived the country pavilions to be “truthful,” the architecture to be “realistic” and the ethnic food to be “authentic.” Respondents' perceived level of authenticity, realism, and truthfulness was predicted by their travel experience, visiting experience to Epcot and other Central Florida's theme parks, demographic characteristics, and several variables that measured perceived authenticity.

Research limitations/implications

– The study was conducted in the world's third busiest theme park and therefore, guests' perception of “staged authenticity” may be different in other theme parks. The instrument used was adopted from studies that were not conducted in the theme park industry. The study provided a theoretical contribution on the measurement and prediction of guests' level of perceived authenticity when visiting a theme park. This theoretical framework can be extended to other hospitality operations that present “staged authenticity” settings like hotels, restaurants, festivals, events, retail outlets and more. The findings may also be useful for investors, designers, operators, and marketing executives when developing “staged authenticity” experiences for different market segments.

Originality/value

– With the continuing growth of the global theme park industry, coupled with its high capital investment in architecture and design, it is necessary to investigate the impact of “staged authenticity” attributes on the overall guest experience.
Responding to trends
Authors: Miththapala Srilal , (Chandi) Jayawardena Chandana , Mudadeniya Dileep
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide a snapshot of the customer focused Environmentally-friendly Sustainable Operations (ESO) of Sri Lankan hotels in response to the global trends and post-war tourism trends in Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is written in the context of a strategic question: “how might post-war Sri Lanka develop inbound tourism?” The co-authors opted for an evident-based conceptual approach. The results of an airport survey with 4,500 tourists, conducted by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority in 2012, are analysed.

Finding

– The key findings in this paper are 13 predicted trends that are likely to have a direct impact on hotels in Sri Lanka. Having analysed ESO, the authors of this paper test the Evolving Tourist Expectation Model (ETEM), developed by two of the authors. The five stages of this model are presented in the conclusion section.

Practical implications

– This concept should be further tested. Considering that ESO is not a luxury anymore and it is now simply the norm for hotels, hoteliers in Sri Lanka as well as around the world should benefit from this paper.

Originality/value

– This paper fulfils an identified need to debate concepts that are relevant and important to emerging destinations such as Sri Lanka. An analysis of a European Union funded “Greening Sri Lankan hotels” programme and a case study from John Keells Holdings – the largest hotel company in Sri Lanka – strengthen the paper.
Focusing on realistic tourism targets for post-war Sri Lanka
Authors: Fernando Priantha , (Chandi) Jayawardena Chandana
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to analyze the current state of tourism in Sri Lanka and make practical suggestions for the future.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is written in the context of a strategic question: “how might post-war Sri Lanka develop inbound tourism?” An analytical approach is taken to discuss potential growth of tourism in Sri Lanka from 2013 to 2016.

Findings

– 26 years of war affected tourism in Sri Lanka negatively and a dramatic turnaround came when the war ended in 2009. In 2012 most tourist generating countries indicated significant growth. In 2012 Sri Lanka passed two milestones in its tourism history by emerging as a “Million Tourist Destination” and a “Billion Dollar Export Income Earner”. However, from 1,005,605 tourists in 2012, the number who utilized tourist services and facilities is established as 725,000. Sri Lanka is now aiming to attract 2.5 million tourists by 2016. The paper debates that this target is not realistic.

Practical implications

– To further develop tourism, Sri Lanka must develop a practical plan with realistic targets. In conclusion, the authors suggest a ten-point plan.

Originality/value

– This paper aims to learn from the present and plan for the future. A former Marketing Director of the national tourism authority of Sri Lanka joined hands with an international hospitality and tourism educator to co-write this paper to advocate for a practical approach in forecasting realistic targets for tourism growth in Sri Lanka.
Engaging the rural communities of Sri Lanka in sustainable tourism
Authors: Teare Richard , Bandara Chandrarathne , (Chandi) Jayawardena Chandana
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to explains how rural communities in Sri Lanka are responding to the challenges of high unemployment and low household income in a post-conflict society and to explore the possibilities for engaging rural communities in sustainable tourism development as part of their response.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper outlines how the South Asian Academy for Good Governance (SAAGG) is using action learning to enable participants to better utilize the resources available to them. It also draws on discussions with community leaders about harnessing this approach to industry training and the resource challenges arising from the Government's strategy for in-bound tourism.

Findings

– The following are outlined: a framework for self-directed development in rural communities; why rural communities with a long tradition of subsistence farming are reluctant to participate in tourism development; and a community-driven approach to sustainable tourism that could yield benefits for the whole community and at the same time, preserve the traditional way of life.

Practical implications

– The paper highlights: an approach to capacity building that assists in the creation sustainable micro enterprise; and the need for innovative thinking and action to mobilize rural communities in support of Sri Lanka's drive to become a leading Asian tourist destination.

Social implications

– The study provides an example of sustainable development that could be replicated by rural communities in other locations. It also identifies the pivotal role of rural community members in providing an authentic tourism experience for international tourists and poses some questions about the best way(s) to engage with this group.

Originality/value

– Indigenous culture and traditional ways of learning are drawn on to explain how subsistence communities can develop and implement a business approach that enables them to achieve greater self-reliance and financial independence. The paper also draws on the views of community leaders who are actively involved in facilitating community-based learning and development.
Influence of combined pesticide and parasite exposure on bumblebee colony traits in the laboratory
Authors: Fauser‐Misslin Aline , Sadd Ben M. , Neumann Peter , Sandrock Christoph
Published: October 2013

Pollinating insects provide vital ecosystem services of enormous importance for economies and biodiversity. Yet, there is a concerning global trend of pollinator declines. Parasites and pesticides are among the suspected principle drivers of these declines. However, especially in the case of key wild pollinators, there are insufficient data on the relative impact of these individual environmental stressors and whether they interact to increase detrimental effects.

Using a fully crossed factorial design, we investigated how laboratory exposure to neonicotinoid insecticides, thiamethoxam and clothianidin, over a 9‐week period and a prevalent trypanosome gut parasite Crithidia bombi affects various crucial colony traits of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris.

We show that chronic dietary exposure from an early stage of colony development to doses of thiamethoxam and clothianidin that could be encountered in the field truncated worker production, reduced worker longevity and decreased overall colony reproductive success. Further, we demonstrate a significant interaction between neonicotinoid exposure and parasite infection on mother queen survival. The fate of the mother queen is intrinsically linked to colony success, and under combined pressure of parasite infection and neonicotinoid exposure, mother queen survival was lowest. This indicates increased detrimental effects of combined exposure on this crucial colony trait. Combined effects may be exacerbated in stressful natural environments where more pronounced parasite virulence is expected.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings reiterate that dietary exposure to neonicotinoids can impact on bumblebee colony performance and fitness. The indication of combined negative effects of ecologically relevant pressures suggests additional adverse consequences for long‐term population dynamics under complex field conditions. To help safeguard pollinator health, whole life‐cycle fitness assessments, particularly for non‐Apis bees, stringently incorporating chronic and sublethal side effects of pesticides, as well as interactions with common natural stressors, such as prevalent parasites, should be considered in the corresponding test guidelines.
Etiology and morphology of carditis: Experiences from a single center in China
Authors: Miao Qi , Ma Yao Zhou , Cai Gan Hui , Chen Xiao Yu
Published: October 2013

Objective

To investigate the type of cardiac mucosa and its relationship with age and gender of the participants and to determine the coincidence of endoscopic and pathological diagnosis of carditis as well as its etiology.

Methods

The data of 70 patients with carditis (the carditis group) and 30 individuals with endoscopically normal‐appearing cardiac mucosa (the control group), including their baseline characteristics and histopathological findings, were reviewed. Their Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) status was also reviewed.

Results

Three main types of cardiac mucosa: mucous, oxyntic and mixed types, were found in 45.0%, 40.0% and 15.0% of all the participants, respectively. The distribution of these types was related to the age of the participants but not to their gender. Moderate to severe mucosal inflammation was detected in 60.0% (18/30) of the control group. The etiologies of cardiac inflammation were H. pylori infection and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). For antral H. pylori‐negative participants, cardiac mucosal inflammation was correlated with esophageal mucosal inflammation (P < 0.05), while for those with antral H. pylori infection it was associated with antral mucosal inflammation (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The distribution of different cardiac mucosal types was related to the participants' age. Normal‐appearing cardiac mucosa under endoscopy might present with histopathologically moderate to severe cardiac inflammation. The etiologies of cardiac inflammation were H. pylori infection and GERD. Different causes of carditis may result in the different histological performance of the cardia.
Binge Drinking in Spain, 2008–2010
Authors: Soler‐Vila Hosanna , Galán Iñaki , Valencia‐Martín José Lorenzo , León‐Muñoz Luz Mª , Guallar‐Castillón Pilar , Rodríguez‐Artalejo Fernando
Published: October 2013

Background

Most alcohol‐related research has focused on northern and eastern Europe and the United States. Data on Mediterranean countries point to drinking patterns approaching the sporadic and excessive patterns found in northern and eastern Europe. This is the first study to estimate the prevalence of binge drinking (BD) and the joint distribution of BD, regular heavy alcohol consumption, and alcohol abuse or dependence (AAD) in a nationally representative sample of the adult population of Spain.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study conducted in 2008 to 2010 with 9,130 persons aged 18 to 64 years. BD was defined as intake of ≥80 g of alcohol in men (≥60 g in women) during any drinking occasion in the previous month, with ≥3 BD episodes discriminating between frequent and sporadic BD. Regular alcohol consumption was measured with a validated diet history, and the threshold between moderate and heavy drinking was ≥40 g of alcohol/d in men (≥24 g in women). AAD was defined by a CAGE score ≥2.

Results

BD prevalence was 10% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.8 to 11.2) in men and 4.2% (95% CI: 3.5 to 4.8) in women, and proved highest among 18‐ to 24‐year‐olds (19.5% in men and 10.3% in women). During the latest BD episode, men consumed a mean of 114 g of alcohol versus 85.3 g in women; spirits accounted for 65.2 and 66.2% of total intake, respectively. The mean number of monthly BD episodes was 2.3 in men and 2 in women. Among binge drinkers, 61% were 18‐ to 34‐year‐olds, over 80% had regular moderate drinking, 25% reported frequent BD, and 22.8% reported AAD. In multivariate analyses, sporadic BD and frequent BD were associated with AAD independently of regular alcohol intake.

Conclusions

Prevalence of BD in Spain is moderately high. Prevention interventions should consider that the majority of binge drinkers are young men with regular moderate consumption and no AAD traits.
Inappropriate Feeding Behaviors and Dietary Intakes in Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder or Probable Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Authors: Werts Rachel L. , Van Calcar Sandra C. , Wargowski David S. , Smith Susan M.
Published: October 2013

Background

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is a leading cause of significant neurobehavioral and neurocognitive deficits. Its potential consequences for eating behaviors, nutritional status, and other nutritional issues in childhood have received little attention.

Methods

Nineteen children (11 boys, 8 girls) of mean age 9.6 years, referred for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) screening and assessment, were analyzed with physical exams and caregiver questionnaires to identify possible abnormalities in food and eating behaviors. Fourteen children contributed 24‐hour diet recalls and were assessed for nutritional status.

Results

Seventy‐nine percent of participants were diagnosed with FASD and 63.2% had confirmed PAE. Fifty percent of girls were overweight or obese, whereas 37% of boys had reduced stature, weight, or body mass index for their age. Recurring feeding problems included constant snacking (36.8%), lack of satiety (26.3%), and picky eating/poor appetite (31.6%). None had oral feeding problems. Constipation was common (26.3%). Macronutrient intakes were largely normal, but sugar consumption was excessive (140 to 190% of recommendations) in 57% of subjects. Vitamin A intake exceeded the upper limit for 64% of participants, whereas ≥50% had intakes <80% of recommended daily allowances (RDAs) for choline, vitamin E, potassium, β‐carotene, and essential fatty acids; 100% had vitamin D intakes <80% of the RDA.

Conclusions

PAE may be associated with altered acquisition and distribution of body mass with increasing age. Disordered eating was common. The increased feeding behaviors surrounding lack of satiety suggest that self‐regulation may be altered. Constipation could reflect low dietary fiber or altered gastrointestinal function. These exploratory data suggest that children with PAE may be at risk for nutritional deficiencies, which are influenced by inappropriate food preferences, disordered eating patterns, medication use, and the stressful dynamics surrounding food preparation and mealtime.
First‐episode types in bipolar disorder: predictive associations with later illness
Authors: Baldessarini R. J. , Tondo L. , Visioli C.
Published: October 2013

Objective

Characteristics of initial illness in bipolar disorder (BD) may predict later morbidity.

Method

We reviewed computerized clinical records and life charts of DSM‐IV‐TR BD‐I or BD‐II patients at affiliated mood‐disorder centers to ascertain relationships of initial major illnesses to later morbidity and other clinical characteristics.

Results

Adult BD patient–subjects (N = 1081; 59.8% BD‐I; 58.1% women; 43% ever hospitalized) were followed 15.7 ± 12.8 years after onsets ranking: depression (59%) > mania (13%) > psychosis (8.0%) ≥ anxiety (7.6%) ≥ hypomania (6.7%) > mixed states (5.5%). Onset types differed in clinical characteristics and strongly predicted later morbidity. By initial episode types, total time‐ill ranked: mania ≥ hypomania ≥ mixed‐states ≥ psychosis > depression > anxiety. Depression was most prevalent long‐term, overall; its ratio to mania‐like illness (D/M, by per cent‐time‐ill) ranked by onset type: anxiety (4.75) > depression (3.27) > mixed states (1.39) > others (all <1.00). The MDI (mania or hypomania–depression–euthymia interval) course‐pattern was most common (34.4%) and associated with psychotic or manic onset; the depression before mania (DMI) pattern (25.0%) most often followed anxiety (38.8%), depression (30.8%), or mixed onsets (13.3%); both were predicted by initial mania depression sequences.

Conclusion

First‐lifetime illnesses and cycles predicted later morbidity patterns among BD patients, indicating value of early morbidity for prognosis and long‐term planning.
The role of oral soft tissues in swallowing function: what can tongue pressure tell us?
Authors: Kieser JA , Farland MG , Jack H , Farella M , Wang Y , Rohrle O
Published: October 2013

Tongue pressure data taken from healthy subjects during normal oral activities such as mastication, speech and swallowing are providing us with new ways of understanding the role of the tongue in craniofacial growth and function. It has long been recognized that the sequential contact between the tongue and the palate plays a crucial role in the oropharyngeal phase of swallowing. However, because the focus of most research on intraoral pressure has been on the generation of positive pressure by the tongue on the hard palate and teeth, generation and coordination of absolute intraoral pressures and regional pressure gradients has remained unexplored.

Ongoing research in our laboratory has uncovered highly variable individual pressure patterns during swallowing, which can nonetheless be divided into four stages: preparatory, primary propulsive, intermediate and terminal. These stages may further be sub‐classified according to pressure patterns generated at the individual level as tipper or dipper patterns in the preparatory stage, roller or slapper in the primary propulsive and monophasic or biphasic during the intermediate stage. Interestingly, while an increase in bolus viscosity can result in significant changes to pressure patterns in some individuals, it has little effect in others. Highly individual responses to increased viscosity are also observed with swallowing duration.

The above, together with other findings, have important implications for our understanding of the aetiology of widely differing conditions such as protrusive and retrusive malocclusions, dysphagia and sleep apnoea, as well as the development of novel food products.
Efficacy of sorafenib in advanced renal cell carcinoma independent of prior treatment, histology or prognostic group
Authors: Tafreshi Ali , Thientosapol Eddy , Liew Mun Sem , Guo Yuan , Quaggiotto Melissa , Boyer Michael , Davis Ian D
Published: October 2013

Aim

To assess the response rate and safety of sorafenib in different subpopulations of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods

Single‐arm open access trial. Key eligibility: advanced RCC with either clear‐cell or non‐clear‐cell histopathology; progression on prior systemic chemotherapy or treatment naïve. Sorafenib was commenced at 400 mg twice daily continuously.

Results

A total 47 participants with metastatic RCC were treated with sorafenib. Overall, 1 participant experienced complete response, 6 (13%) had documented partial response (PR) and 29 (62%) had stable disease (SD) as the best response. Eight (17%) had non‐clear‐cell histopathology and five (10%) had sarcomatoid features. In the non‐clear‐cell histopathology cohort, five participants (62.5%) had SD. Twenty‐three (49%) participants were treatment naïve; of these, 1/23 showed CR, 5/23 experienced PR and 13/23 had SD (clinical benefit: 83%). Overall, 14 (30%) and 22 (47%) participants had high‐risk status according to MSKCC (Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center) and Heng prognostic scores, respectively. In the MSKCC poor prognostic group (14 participants), one participant had CR, two participants showed PR and eight participants had SD (clinical benefit: 79%). In Heng poor prognostic group (22 participants), 1 participant experienced CR, 2 participants showed PR and 13 had SD (clinical benefit: 73%). Hand–foot syndrome (53%), rash (47%), fatigue (42%), nausea (40%), anorexia (34%) and diarrhea (32%) were the most common adverse events.

Conclusions

This study confirms the efficacy and tolerability of sorafenib in a different spectrum of advanced RCC patients including non‐clear‐cell histology, poor prognostic status and as first‐line treatment.
Late development of complete atrioventricular block may be immune mediated and congenital in origin
Authors: Bergman Gunnar , Skog Amanda , Tingström Joanna , Ottosson Vijole , Hoxha Ariela , Ambrosi Aurelie ,   The Swedish Congenital Heart Block Study Group, Salomonsson Stina , Wahren‐Herlenius Marie
Published: October 2013

Aim

To investigate the correlation between maternal autoantibodies and age at diagnosis of isolated complete atrioventricular (AV) block (CAVB) and to study signs of late progression of foetal immune‐mediated insults in cases of postnatally diagnosed CAVB.

Methods

Patients with CAVB (n = 190) identified in a population‐based manner were included. Maternal autoantibody profile was correlated with age at CAVB diagnosis. A structured review of medical records was performed if a late CAVB diagnosis (>27 days post‐partum) was associated with a sero‐positive mother.

Results

Maternal Ro/La autoantibodies were observed in 88% of cases with a congenital diagnosis. Thirteen cases with a sero‐positive mother and late CAVB diagnosis were found (age‐range: 4 months–43 years). In two cases, CAVB was diagnosed in conjunction with infections, one case had a family history of cardiomyopathy and two cases had nontypical clinical presentations, indicating alternative pathogenetic mechanisms. In the remaining eight cases, no likely factors inducing CAVB, other than maternal autoantibodies, could be identified.

Conclusion

Our observations support the hypothesis that late progression to CAVB can be the result of an immune‐mediated pathogenetic mechanism during foetal life. An autoantibody‐associated diagnosis after the neonatal period is therefore possible, and testing of maternal serology at the time of diagnosis is recommended.
Macroanatomic, light microscopic, and scanning electron microscopic studies of the tongue in the seagull (Larus fuscus) and common buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Authors: Onuk Burcu , Tütüncü Serife , Kabak Murat , Alan Aydın
Published: October 2013

The tongues of ten seagulls and six common buzzards were examined. In both species, papillae linguales caudales were shaped like a letter “V” between the corpus linguae and the radix linguae. From these papillae, the length of the laterally placed papillae was greater compared with others in both species. Two or three secondary papillae were detected on these papillae in the seagull. In scanning electron microscope (SEM) examinations, in the seagull, the apex linguae was composed of multilayered desquamated cells, while in the buzzard, scalelike simple projections on the surface of desquamated cells were observed. In the buzzard, glandula (gll). linguales, and gll. mandibulares caudales were seen, while in the seagull, gll. cricoarytenoideae and gll. mandibulares caudales were present. In the seagull, apex linguae were bifurcated, and there were desquamating multilayered cells, particularly at the apex linguae. The number and location of salivary gland orifices are specific to this species. The common buzzard had similarities to many characteristics of the long‐legged buzzard. An absence of long and curly threadlike projections at the two lateral sides of the corpus linguae and an excessive number of salivary gland orifices at the corpus linguae were the main differences from the long‐legged buzzard.