bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Political economy of Malawi: contextual leadership in expanding entrepreneurial businesses
Authors: Scheepers Caren , White Lyal , Kitimbo Adrian
Published: October 2017

Subject area

Leadership; Political Economy; Strategy; Entrepreneurship.

Study level/applicability

Masters in Business Administration (MBA); MPhil in Strategic Leadership.

Case overview

On 5 February 2016, South African entrepreneur Jannie Van Eeden faced a dilemma about whether to expand his current businesses or not. He had to choose between focusing exclusively on hospitality and tourism or dividing his time and resources between the tourism business and expanding his existing logistics business. Expansions to his logistics business would entail investing in a warehouse and supplying fresh produce to the lodges in the wider area of Lake Malawi where he was based. Van Eeden realised that he needed to take into account the political economy of Malawi in unpacking the contextual variables related to his decision. Various stakeholders’ roles are illustrated in the case, for example the government’s role in enabling entrepreneurial businesses as well as the investments made by foreign organisations and international donors.

Expected learning outcomes

Development of leaders who can take contextually intelligent decisions. Insights into conducting Political Economy analysis to enable doing business in Africa.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or emailsupport@emeraldinsight.comto request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 7: Management Science.
The journey of Blitz: challenges lie in running the family business
Authors: Subramaiam Sloksana , Quoquab Farzana , Mohammad Jihad
Published: October 2017

Subject area

This case can be used in teaching Marketing Management, Principles of Marketing and Consumer Behavior. More specifically, marketing strategies, growth strategies, market segmentation.

Study level/applicability

This case is designed for undergraduate and MBA students.

Case overview

This case illustrates the challenges a woman faces taking on the running of her family business, without any prior experience. Hema is a well-educated girl with a diploma in childhood education from UTM-Johor; she was happily working as a school teacher. Her parents are entrepreneurs Encik Sittumalai and Puan Rani. Her Mother Puan Rani set up a business in 2005, under the name of Blitz, producing and selling Indian cookies. In 2010, Blitz was one of the best homemade Indian cookies in the market of Johor Bahru, and supplied their products to five main Indian restaurants. In March 2012, Rani was diagnosed with final stage colon cancer and as a result the business was halted, and the organization was not able to pay employees’ salaries. Hema found herself left with no choice but to resign from her teaching job and take care of the family business.

Expected learning outcomes

From this case, it is expected that the students will be able to: understand the fundamental functions of marketing; learn about the four Ps of marketing including product, price, promotion and place; learn about different techniques and strategies to analyze organizations and market situation including SWOT and Porter’s five forces; gain knowledge about market segmentation and growth strategies; identify problems and challenges faced by a new manager in running a company; analyze a situation whereby a new manager needs to adapt to a new role, duties and responsibilities; analyze the external and internal environment using SWOT; understand competition using Porter’s 5 forces; think thoroughly, deeply and critically to make a decision that can solve the problem in hand.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 8: Marketing.
Uber taxi cab-handling crisis communication
Authors: Maheshwari Nidhi
Published: October 2017

Subject area

The case is written for MBA or senior undergraduate courses on communication global strategy, leadership or strategy implementation.

Study level/applicability

The case is written for MBA or senior undergraduate courses on communication global strategy, leadership or strategy implementation. The case can be taught towards the end of a communications course to learn about crisis communications and the importance of understanding the local institutional and socio-political contexts, including the media during a crisis. For a strategy implementation class, this case can be used in the segment focusing on action and leadership.

Case overview

An extremely difficult situation arose for Uber Cab, a US-based company operating in India, on December 8, 2014, when its taxi services were banned by the Delhi government due to growing anger over the suspected rape of a 27-year-old female executive by one of its drivers. Uber Cab claims that it offers the “safest rides on the road”, but this episode proved otherwise, as the accused was identified as a repeat offender. Initial interrogation by the police highlighted the negligence of the company regarding background checks and police verification while recruiting driver partners. The police further revealed that the driver did not have a Delhi Transport Authority-issued license. Furthermore, the company was not able to provide a call log to police, as such information was said to be gathered at the company’s headquarters in New York. To handle this situation, Uber Cab suspended its operations until the company could apply for a fresh registration and trade license. What was the significance of this incident to a brand like Uber Cab? Could its effect on the regulation of taxi services have been anticipated? How and when should the brand have reacted? Looking forward, what contingency planning would be appropriate? Should brand management, customer service management or the human resources department have been held accountable, or did the responsibility lie elsewhere in the organization?

Expected learning outcomes

The expected learning outcomes are as follows: to understand how institutional differences can create unintended consequences for an multinational enterprise working in an emerging market (early-stage institutions); to understand the critical role of a country manager in mobilizing the local organization and the headquarters to respond to a crisis; also, the role of the headquarters to provide flexibility and support to the local executive; and to understand the inevitable role of the local press in an organizational crisis, and the need for business leaders to deal with the press effectively.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.

Subject code

CSS 6: Human Resource Management.
The impacts of hotels’ error management culture on customer engagement behaviors (CEBs)
Authors: Wei Wei , Hua Nan , Fu Xiaoxiao , Guchait Priyanko
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Drawing upon an error management perspective, this study aims to examine how in the wake of an information security breach, a hotel’s error management culture influences customer engagement behaviors and trust. The potential moderating effects of the perceived error controllability are also assessed.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops four experimental conditions concerning a privacy breach in Hotel A, where different levels of error controllability and error management culture are manipulated for testing hypotheses. Data collection is administered with the help of Amazon Mechanical Turk.

Findings

The findings from 235 former hotel guests show significant influences of error management culture on customer engagement behaviors, which are mediated by consumer trust. No moderating effect of the perceived error controllability is found.

Practical implications

This study stresses the significance of cultivating a high error management culture and communicating it to attract consumers. It also provides guidance to hoteliers for adopting effective error analysis and management approaches, improving customer engagement and, ultimately, enhancing the firm’s performance.

Originality/value

The results of this study expand the error management literature by studying the impacts of error management within the organization to its impacts on consumer-related outcomes. Further, this study contributes to the customer engagement literature by focusing on a series of customer engagement behaviors after a service failure scenario. Third, this study extends previous service failure and recovery literature to credence-related service encounters.
Female underperformance or goal orientated behavior?
Authors: Watson John , Stuetzer Michael , Zolin Roxanne
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating effect of an owner’s growth goal on the relationship between the gender of new venture owners and the growth outcomes of their ventures.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a quantitative study using a large, national database and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings indicate that the negative relationship between gender and growth outcomes is fully mediated by the growth goals of new venture owners, their available internal resources and the amount of time and money they are able (prepared) to invest in their new venture.

Research limitations/implications

The research implications include the need to better understand the impact of goal setting on new venture performance outcomes.

Practical implications

The government policies (for example, to stimulate firm growth) need to be designed by having a proper understanding of the various motives/goals that entrepreneurs might have when launching a new venture. Similarly, anyone providing advice to individuals involved in establishing a new venture should, before providing that advice, ensure that they have a clear understanding of the individual’s goals.

Social implications

Social implications include a need to better understand the negative impact that lower available human and financial capital can have on the goals set by female new venture owners and the outcomes achieved by those ventures.

Originality/value

This research makes an original contribution to the literature by demonstrating: the impact of gender on human, social and financial capital; the influence of these resources on new venture goals; and, in turn, the influence of goals on new venture performance outcomes.
Gender diversity and innovation in mining – a corpus-based discourse analysis
Authors: Fältholm Ylva , Norberg Cathrine
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to gain increased knowledge about gender diversity and innovation in mining by analyzing how women are discursively represented in relation to these two concepts, and in doing so establish how diversity management is received and communicated in the industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on analysis of texts including references to gender diversity and innovation in mining found on the web. The tool used to retrieve the data has been WebCorpLive, a tool designed for linguistic analysis of web material.

Findings

Although increased female representation is communicated as a key component in the diversity management discourse, based on the idea that diversity increases innovation and creativity, closer analysis of texts on diversity and innovation in mining shows that what women are expected to contribute with has little explicit connection with innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes with increased knowledge about diversity management by providing an example of how it is received in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that for diversity management to have a real effect in mining, it needs to be based on gender equality and social justice motives, rather than on a business case rationale – the principal motive today. To enable this change, stereotypical gender patterns, as shown in this study, need to be made visible and problematized among policy makers, practitioners and actors on all levels of the industry.

Originality value

The study contributes with new knowledge about gender in the mining industry previously not attended to by using a method which so far has been sparsely used in discourse analysis, although pointed out as promising.
Challenging gender norms and practices through women’s entrepreneurship
Authors: Bianco M. Emilia , Lombe Margaret , Bolis Mara
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the potential of women’s entrepreneurship to bring about greater gender equality. Understanding women’s entrepreneurship as a gendered process (Bird and Brush, 2002), the study presents the challenges encountered by women entrepreneurs as a result of gender ideologies. It documents structural barriers, discriminatory interactions and oppressive gender scripts and their effects on the women and their businesses. Acknowledging women’s possibilities for agency and resistance, the study analyzes how women entrepreneurs conform, contest or negotiate gender scripts and constraints, and looks at the consequences of these actions.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from elements of social interactionism and the doing and undoing gender theories, the authors use a feminist theoretic framework to guide analysis of qualitative data from two focus groups conducted with 19 women entrepreneurs in Colombia.

Findings

Gender ideologies were manifested in the forms of interrelated structural barriers that restricted women entrepreneurs’ access to resources. Social interactions represented spaces in which gender ideologies were reinforced, but also spaces women used to produce changes through resistance and accommodation strategies. Entrepreneurship was associated with positive changes toward greater gender equality, although negative consequences were reported.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the limited sample, more studies across countries may be needed for the consolidation of a generalizable theoretical framework.

Originality/value

This study presents a feminist theoretic framework in dialogue with the lived experiences of women entrepreneurs. It observes the processes of change toward gender equality embedded in business development.
Making meaning as well as money: the experience of young female entrepreneurs
Authors: Lewis Kate V.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to focus on the meaning of entrepreneurial work for young female entrepreneurs. Specific domains of exploratory emphasis are: the link between the individual and the business; the entwinement of self-esteem and business outcomes; and the language of attachment.

Design/methodology/approach

Four longitudinal case studies using multiple in-depth, phenomenologically oriented interviews inform the paper.

Findings

The nature of the relationship between the entrepreneurs and their work was intense and all-encompassing. Further, this sample overlaid their stories with an emotional dimension that was inseparable from the narratives of “business life” and openly advocated this emotional way of working.

Originality value

Coverage of age and gender in relation to entrepreneurship is virtually non-existent.
Fostering partner relationship management in B2B ecosystems of electronic media
Authors: Barac Dušan , Ratkovic-Živanovic Vanjica , Labus Milica , Milinovic Suzana , Labus Aleksandra
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss relationship management in business-to-business (B2B) ecosystem of electronic media. The goal of this research is twofold. First, the goal is to understand and model the impact of customer relationship management technology adoption on B2B relationships. Second, the authors investigated how trends in e-business and partner relationship management (PRM) affect partner relationship quality in public broadcasting.

Design/methodology/approach

This study deals with the impact that relationship capability, relationship fulfillment, operational PRM, analytical PRM, social PRM and readiness to adopt new e-business models produce on relationship quality of a public broadcaster. The research was conducted on a testing sample of 78 participants. All the participants were representatives of the Serbian public broadcaster’s business partners.

Findings

Results revealed that relationship capability, analytical and social PRM have a significant impact on relationship quality. In addition to this, the survey suggested that activities such as organizing social events, developing new services, personalization and tailoring of services could improve PRM outcomes.

Practical implications

The results aim to help practitioners to enhance their relationships with stakeholders and maximize the total outcomes of those relationships. Specifically, managers and practitioners doing business in the field of electronic media could benefit from the presented results.

Originality/value

Significance of the paper is reflected in the fact that it analyzes innovative concepts and technologies. Conclusions and recommendations put forward in the paper could serve as a good basis and framework for other public broadcasters, particularly for those from the developing countries.
Relational capabilities in Thai buyer-supplier relationships
Authors: Rungsithong Rapeeporn , Meyer Klaus E. , Roath Anthony S.
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper uses the relational capabilities perspective to provide new insights into the mediating role of relational capabilities and their performance implications. Specially, this paper aims to explain how characteristics of a partnership influence relational capabilities that in turn enhance firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from an original survey of 156 partnership projects between buyers and suppliers in the Thai manufacturing sector, the authors use a structural model to test their hypotheses.

Findings

The empirical analysis shows that the impact of relational and economic attributes of a partnership on firm performance is mediated by knowledge sharing routines and complementary capability. However, the impact varies between operational and strategic performance, as relational capabilities are strongly associated with operational performance but only indirectly associated with strategic performance.

Practical implications

The need to coordinate and mobilize complementary resources not only increases the interdependence between buyers and suppliers but also contributes to firm performance. Specifically, operations can be enhanced by knowledge sharing routines and complementary capability. At a strategic level, operational effectiveness enables firms to benefit from inter-organizational relationships.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to industrial marketing knowledge by shedding light on mediation of relational capabilities between inter-organizational attributes and firm performance. The findings demonstrate the value of the relationship between a firm’s supply chain and its relational capabilities which in turn drive project performance.
Institutional networks for supporting the internationalisation of SMEs: the case of industrial business associations
Authors: Costa Eric , Lucas Soares António , Pinho de Sousa Jorge
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to study and explore the activities and the use of institutional network resources by industrial business associations (IBAs) to support and facilitate internationalisation processes of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Other goals are to understand the internationalisation follow-up process and the future vision of IBAs to improve this internationalisation support.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on empirical evidence and following an abductive approach, this paper presents a qualitative exploratory field research, providing insights from interviews performed with 20 IBAs based in Portugal.

Findings

The findings suggest that the current institutional network support to internationalisation is mainly provided through promotional activities; counselling, training and technical and legal support; information sharing; and cooperation with other institutional entities. Each support category is explored and explained and a new conceptual model is developed to represent these findings. Regarding the internationalisation follow-up, IBAs provide a continuous support for the international operations by using some instruments and mechanisms to assist SMEs after an internationalisation initiative. Finally, collaboration and the use of new information technology are the main aspects to improve IBAs’ support in a near future.

Research limitations/implications

The qualitative methodological approach adopted in this work can imply a larger difficulty to obtain a generalisation of the findings. Another limitation is that the participating IBAs are based in only one country.

Practical implications

Findings can help SMEs to understand the functioning and the benefits of using the institutional network resources of IBAs in overcoming their lack of resources to operate in international markets. IBAs can also understand their current position in terms of internationalisation support and think about new ways for improving this support.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to a better understanding of the influence of institutional networks in SME internationalisation by exploring the specific role of one of the institutional actors rather than focusing on the institutional network as a whole. Therefore, this study details the current activities and uncovers other types of support provided by IBAs that are not based on export promotion programmes. New knowledge is also obtained about the specific information content, information sources and means and channels of information sharing used by IBAs for supporting SME internationalisation.
Corporations and professionalism: awkward bed-fellows?
Authors: Kreps David
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to respond to Burmeister’s paper on Professionalism in information and communication technology.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a short and simple response to an issue that seemed central to Burmeister’s paper.

Findings

A key conundrum between the definitions of professionalism and corporations needs addressing.

Originality/value

This conundrum is a global political situation outwith the ability of the profession to address.
Asynchronous social search as a single point of access to information
Authors: Buijs Marco , Spruit Marco
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present asynchronous social search as a novel and intuitive approach to search for information in which people collaborate to find the information they are looking for.

Design/methodology/approach

A prototype was built to test the feasibility in a business environment. A case study was performed at an organisation with over 1,000 employees to evaluate the quality of asynchronous social search as a single point of access to information.

Findings

Based on the results, the authors conclude that asynchronous social search has great potential as a single point of access to organisational information. Key strengths include that the implementation requires no integration with the existing information technology infrastructure of organisations and participants were very satisfied with the results provided by the prototype.

Originality/value

This work demonstrates that asynchronous social search indeed provides a very good starting point for a single point of access to information, as integration with existing software systems is not necessary, and due to the lightweightness of the approach it also performs really well which, in turn, stimulates the technology’s acceptance by its end-users.
Developing a context-aware annotation system for Hakka culture-specific language learning
Authors: Chang Chen Chi , Liao Chien Hsiang
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This paper describes a computer supported ubiquitous learning environment for minority language learning. Hakka language involved various tones, art, craft, festivals, food, drink, medicine, religion and custom in different regions. The tones also vary across the dialects of Hakka. The majority of Hakka dialects have six tones in Taiwan. The context for Hakka language translation and use is extremely important. The purpose of this paper is to present the context-aware annotation service to help readers get the right information for Hakka language use and learning more easily.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes the context-aware learning support system for Hakka culture-specific items or language, which is called Hakka culture-specific items annotation system (HACSIAS). HACSIAS is the context-aware annotation system, helping learners to add links of culture-specific items when they are reading the electronic journals, books, and web pages.

Findings

The HACSIAS provides learner appropriate information for Hakka culture-specific items deriving the learner’s situation and personal information. The context-aware computing will automatically provide translation service by searching a given culture-specific items database while these items or terminology appear in a document, either by displaying terms in the translation memory.

Originality/value

The context-aware annotation system for Hakka culture-specific language learning allows Hakka cultural resources to be smoothly integrated into learning materials.
Investigating the uptake of educational systems by academics using the technology to performance chain model
Authors: Harrati Nouzha , Bouchrika Imed , Mahfouf Zohra
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the perceived performance, software usability, and attitude of academics to use online technology to perform their tasks in the academic context.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper assesses the acceptance and utilization of university lecturers for an online educational system using the technology-to-performance chain model. The evaluation process is conducted via an online survey which is administered to 180 university staff meanwhile objective measurements describing the actual utilization are considered during the analysis. Partial least squares path modeling is used in this study in tandem with other statistical methods to test the significance and influence of different constructs and factors related to the user.

Findings

The usability of information systems plays a crucial role compared to the attitude and social norms for lecturers to actually utilize technological products. Meanwhile, the TTF is observed to have more influence than the actual utilization for the perceived impact on performance. For the individual’s characteristics, the study indicates that the age is an influential factor on the utilization and performance in contrast to the gender which has a marginal impact.

Originality/value

The study describes a model to assess the acceptance of technology by academics based on combining self-reported data and objective quantitative measures which describe the actual utilization of the user. Further, the usability estimated using the well-known System Usability Scale is integrated within the developed model to reflect the ease of use for technology. Further, covariate analysis is conducted to explore how different types of users interact and react to educational systems for different factors including age, gender, academic qualifications and experience.
Who will cite you back? Reciprocal link prediction in citation networks
Authors: Daud Ali , Ahmed Waqas , Amjad Tehmina , Nasir Jamal Abdul , Aljohani Naif Radi , Abbasi Rabeeh Ayaz , Ahmad Ishfaq
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Link prediction in social networks refers toward inferring the new interactions among the users in near future. Citation networks are constructed based on citing each other papers. Reciprocal link prediction in citations networks refers toward inferring about getting a citation from an author, whose work is already cited by you. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors study the extent to which the information of a two-way citation relationship (called reciprocal) is predictable. The authors propose seven different features based on papers, their authors and citations of each paper to predict reciprocal links.

Findings

Extensive experiments are performed on CiteSeer data set by using three classification algorithms (decision trees, Naive Bayes, and support vector machines) to analyze the impact of individual, category wise and combination of features. The results reveal that it is likely to precisely predict 96 percent of reciprocal links. The study delivers convincing evidence of presence of the underlying equilibrium amongst reciprocal links.

Research limitations/implications

It is not a generic method for link prediction which can work for different networks with relevant features and parameters.

Practical implications

This paper predicts the reciprocal links to show who is citing your work to collaborate with them in future.

Social implications

The proposed method will be helpful in finding collaborators and developing academic links.

Originality/value

The proposed method uses reciprocal link prediction for bibliographic networks in a novel way.
Learning attitudes and problem-solving attitudes for blended problem-based learning
Authors: Tsai Meng-Hsiun , Tang Ya-Chun
Published: October 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the design and implementation of a blended problem-based learning (PBL) teaching model and corresponding teaching materials for a university-level bioinformatics course. The effects of this teaching model on student performance in terms of problem solving and learning attitudes were investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Students in both groups completed assessments of problem-solving attitudes and learning attitudes both one week both before and after experimental instruction. Collected data were analyzed using one-way ANCOVA. Group discussions and student interviews were recorded and treated as part of the data analysis.

Findings

The study produced the following findings: the experimental group was found to perform better than the control group in terms of learning attitudes, but the results were not statistically significant; the experimental group was found to outperform the control group in terms of problem-solving attitudes, and the difference was statistically significant; lesson plan contents need to be designed based on problem-based learning theory, and reflect real-world conditions; participants in the experimental group approved of the blended PBL and group discussion approach.

Originality/value

Results are expected to provide a useful reference for educators and researchers. These findings can be applied to relevant instructional fields to enhance learner motivation and engagement, thus improving learning outcomes.
Is there any efficient reading strategy when using text signals for navigation in a long document?
Authors: Lu Quan , Liu Qingjun , Chen Jing , Li Ji
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Since researchers have utilized text signals to develop a mass of within-document visualization analysis tools for reading aid in a long document, there is an increasing need to study the relationship between readers’ behavior of using text signals for navigation and their reading performance in the tools. The purpose of this paper is to combine the text signals using behavior and reading performance in two kinds of analysis tools to verify their relationship and discover whether there is any efficient reading strategy when using text signals to navigate a long document.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is a case study. The authors reviewed related literature first. After explaining the design ideas, interface and functions of THC-DAT and BOOKMARK, which are two reading tools utilizing two main kinds of text signals, one utilizing topics and the other utilizing headings for reading aid, a case study was presented to collect click data on the text signals of participants and their reading effectiveness (score) and efficiency (time).

Findings

The results confirm that the text signals using behavior for navigation has a significant impact on reading efficiency and no impact on reading effectiveness in both BOOKMARK and THC-DAT. The discrete degree of clicks behavior on text signals has an impact on reading efficiency. The using behavior of different types of text signals has different impacts on reading efficiency.

Research limitations/implications

Using text signals for navigation time evenly can help improve reading efficiency. And a basic strategy suggested to readers is focusing on reducing their time to find answers when using text signals for navigation in a long document. As to utilizing the two different kinds of text signals, readers can have different strategies. Accordingly, personalized recommendation based on interval of adjacent clicks will help to improve computer-aided reading tools.

Originality/value

This paper combines the text signals using behavior for navigation and reading performance in two kinds of visual analysis tools, studied the relationship between them and discovers some efficient reading strategies when using text signals for navigation to read a long document.
Deployment of organic farming at a landscape scale maintains low pest infestation and high crop productivity levels in vineyards
Authors: Muneret Lucile , Thiéry Denis , Joubard Benjamin , Rusch Adrien
Published: October 2017

Organic farming is a promising way to reduce pesticide use but increasing the area under organic farming at the landscape scale could increase pest infestations and reduce crop productivity. Examining the effects of organic farming at multiple spatial scales and in different landscape contexts on pest communities and crop productivity is a major step in the ecological intensification of agricultural systems.

We quantified the infestation levels of two pathogens and five arthropod pests, the intensity of pesticide use and crop productivity in 42 vineyards. Using a multi‐scale hierarchical design, we unravelled the relative effects of organic farming at both field and landscape scales from the effects of semi‐natural habitats in the landscape.

At the field scale, pest communities did not differ between organic and conventional farming systems. At the landscape scale, increasing the area under organic farming did not increase pest infestation levels.

Three out of seven pest taxa were affected both by local farming systems and the proportion of semi‐natural habitats in the landscape. Our findings revealed that the proportion of semi‐natural habitats reduced pest infestation for two out of seven pest taxa.

Organic vineyards had much lower treatment intensities, very similar levels of pest control and equal crop productivity levels.

Synthesis and Applications. Our results clearly indicate that policies promoting the development of organic farming in conventional vineyard landscapes will not lead to greater pest and disease infestations but will reduce the pesticide treatment intensity and maintain crop productivity. Moreover, the interactions between semi‐natural habitats in landscape and local farming practices suggest that the deployment of organic farming should be adapted to landscape contexts.
AGIS‐based Quantitative Approach for the Search of Clandestine Graves, Italy
Authors: Somma Roberta , Cascio Maria , Silvestro Massimiliano , Torre Eliana
Published: October 2017

Previous research on theRAGcolor‐coded prioritization systems for the discovery of clandestine graves has not considered all the factors influencing the burial site choice within aGISproject. The goal of this technical note was to discuss aGIS‐based quantitative approach for the search of clandestine graves. The method is based on cross‐referencedRAGmaps with cumulative suitability factors to host a burial, leading to the editing of different search scenarios for ground searches showing high‐(Red), medium‐(Amber), and low‐(Green) priority areas. The application of this procedure allowed several outcomes to be determined: If the concealment occurs at night, then the “search scenario without the visibility” will be the most effective one; if the concealment occurs in daylight, then the “search scenario with theDSM‐based visibility” will be most appropriate; the different search scenarios may be cross‐referenced with offender's confessions and eyewitnesses’ testimonies to verify the veracity of their statements.
Evaluation of Australian soup manufacturer compliance with national sodium reduction targets
Authors: Levi Rebecca , Probst Yasmine , Crino Michelle , Dunford Elizabeth
Published: October 2017

Aim

Packaged foods dominate Australia's food supply and are important contributors to nutrition‐related disease. To help address this problem, the Food and Health Dialogue (FHD) was launched in 2009, setting voluntary sodium reduction targets for various categories of packaged foods. The aim of this study was to examine the food industry's progress and compliance with the FHD sodium reduction targets for soup products.

Methods

Nutritional information was collected from product labels of all soup products available from four major Australian supermarkets annually between 2011 and 2014. Products were assigned to categories in line with those in the FHD. The proportion of soup products meeting sodium reduction targets was examined by (i) soup category; (ii) FHD participant status; and (iii) manufacturer.

Results

A 6% reduction in sodium levels in soups overall was found from 2011 to 2014 (P = 0.002). Significant reductions were observed for FHD participants (P < 0.05 for all) but not for non‐participants. In 2014, 67% dry soups and 76% of wet soups met national sodium reduction targets.

Conclusions

Despite the majority of soup products meeting the sodium reduction targets specified by the FHD, re‐evaluation of the targets may be required to further reduce sodium levels in soups. Manufacturers participating in the FHD are likely to be driving sodium reductions in the Australian soup market, further highlighting the need for continued government leadership in this area to ensure all manufacturers are actively involved in the process.
Bovine Hemoglobin Derived Peptide Asn‐Phe‐Gly‐Lys Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Cells Metastasis by Targeting Secreted Hsp90α
Authors: Wang Yu , Zhang Ting , Zhang Hongyi , Yang Haixia , Li Yanju , Jiang Yiqun
Published: October 2017

Pancreatic cancer is a digestive system malignant carcinoma with poor prognosis. The majority of patients are diagnosed with metastatic disease, which is also the leading cause of pancreatic cancer death. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimetastatic effect of Asn‐Phe‐Gly‐Lys (NFGK), a tetrapeptide derived from bovine hemoglobin pepsin hydrolysate, on human pancreatic cancer cell line MIAPaCa‐2. Wound healing assay and transwell invasion assay results showed that NFGK inhibited MIAPaCa‐2 cell migration and invasion dose‐dependently. Cell proliferation assay data showed that NFGK had slight cytotoxicity on MIAPaCa‐2 cells. Fluorescence confocal imaging data revealed that NFGK targeted the cell membrane of MIAPaCa‐2. Molecular docking data displayed that NFGK bond to the N‐terminus ATP‐binding pocket of secreted heat shock protein 90α (Hsp90α). Western blotting results further proved that NFGK inhibited secreted Hsp90α and downstream matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) level dose dependently, while it did not inhibit intracellular Hsp90 and cyclin‐dependent‐kinase 4 (CDK4). All above results demonstrated that bovine hemoglobin derived peptide NFGK inhibited pancreatic cancer cell metastasis by targeting secreted Hsp90α and its downstream MMP‐9.

Practical Application

Peptide NFGK comes from bovine hemoglobin, which is digested by pepsin in stomach after eating. After digesting to NFGK, bovine hemoglobin will obtain new function of inhibiting pancreatic cancer cell metastasis without dramatic cell toxicity. These means NFGK may help those patients who are suffering pancreatic cancer to avoid cancer cell metastasis without too much side effect.
Protective Role of Flaxseed Oil and Flaxseed Lignan Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside Against Oxidative Stress in Rats with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Pilar Bruna , Güllich Angélica , Oliveira Patrícia , Ströher Deise , Piccoli Jacqueline , Manfredini Vanusa
Published: October 2017

This study evaluated the protective effect of flaxseed oil (FO) and flaxseed lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) against oxidative stress in rats with metabolic syndrome (MS). 48 rats were allocated into the following 6 groups: Groups 1 (control), 5 (FO), and 6 (SDG) received water and were treated daily orally with saline, FO, and SDG, respectively. Groups 2 (MS), 3 (MS+FO), and 4 (MS+SDG) received 30% fructose in drinking water for MS induction and were treated daily orally with saline, FO, and SDG, respectively. After 30 d, animals were sacrificed, and blood was collected for biochemical and oxidative analysis. Body weight was recorded weekly. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured before and after treatment. Fructose could produce MS and oxidative stress. FO and SDG prevented changes in SBP, lipids, and glucose. FO and SDG prevented oxidative damage to lipids, and only FO prevented oxidative damage to proteins associated to MS. FO and SDG improved enzymatic antioxidants defenses and reduced glutathione levels, which was greater with SDG. Total polyphenol levels were enhanced in groups that received SDG. Thus, the results of this study demonstrated that treatment with a 30% fructose solution for 30 d is effective for MS induction and the oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of MS induced by fructose‐rich diets. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the antioxidant effects attributed to flaxseed are mainly due to its high lignan content especially that of SDG, suggesting that this compound can be used in isolation to prevent oxidative stress associated with MS.

Practical Application

We report that the antioxidant effects attributed to flaxseed are mainly due to its high lignan content, especially that of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside. This is significant because suggests that this compound can be used in isolation to prevent oxidative stress associated with MS. Furthermore, this study was the only one to perform a comparison of the abilities of 2 components of flaxseed to protect against oxidative stress in an MS model, which brings a great advance in the medicine's field, since it indicates another alternative for improve the health and the quality of life of patients with this disorder.
Functional dyspepsia and duodenal eosinophilia: A new model
Authors: Fan Kening , Talley Nicholas J
Published: October 2017

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a highly prevalent disorder that affects more than 10% of the population. In the past decade, the theoretical underpinning of the concept of FD has begun to change, in light of new data on the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of this disorder, with a focus on the duodenum. The Rome IV criteria, published in 2016, note that gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome overlap with FD more than expected by chance, suggesting that they may be part of the same disease spectrum. Infection byHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori) may explain a minority of cases of FD and in the Rome IV criteriaH. pylori‐associated dyspepsia (defined as symptom relief after eradication therapy) is considered a separate entity. Duodenal inflammation characterized by increased eosinophils and in some cases mast cells, may impair the intestinal barrier. Post‐infectious gastroenteritis is now an established risk factor for FD. Other risk factors may include atopy, owning herbivore pets and exposure to antibiotics, together with gastroduodenal microbiome disturbances. Small bowel homing T cells and increased cytokines in the circulation occur in FD, correlating with slow gastric emptying, and a possible association with autoimmune rheumatological disease supports background immune system activation. A genetic predisposition is possible. FD has been linked to psychological disorders, but in some cases psychological distress may be driven by gut mechanisms. Therapeutic options are limited and, aside from responders toH. pylorieradication, provide only modest and temporary relief. Advances in understanding FD may alter clinical practice, and the treatment of duodenal inflammation or microbiome alterations may lead to a cure for a subset of these patients in the future.
‘Shi Han Quan’ natural soda water prevents development of gout
Authors: Zhao Qingsong , Wang Lipei , Wu Xiongbin , Liu Tingting , Xu Jinmei , Li Ming , Li Bo , Guo Min , Cheng Zhifeng
Published: October 2017

Purpose

This study aimed to explore the regulatory mechanism of the natural soda Shi Han Quan (SHQ) in the development of gout.

Methods

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated with monosodium urate (MSU) for 24 h to induce acute gouty inflammation in vitro. HUVECs were divided into four groups: ddH2O group, ddH2O + MSU group, 1/2 ddH2O +1/2 SHQ + MSU group, and SHQ + MSU group. The effects of SHQ on cell viability, concentration and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), and MSU‐induced release of interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐6 were investigated. Additionally, cell viability and ICAM‐1 concentration and expression were detected after HUVECs were incubated with the culture supernatant of THP‐1 cells that had been treated with phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA), MSU and SHQ for 24 h.

Results

The viability of HUVECs was significantly decreased with increasing transfection concentrations of MSU, and MSU treatment resulted in a significant increase of the concentration and expression of ICAM‐1. In addition, SHQ improved the MSU‐induced decrease in cell viability and alleviated MSU‐mediated increase in ICAM‐1 levels. Moreover, SHQ decreased MSU‐induced release of IL‐1β and IL‐6. After HUVECs were incubated with the culture supernatant of THP‐1 cells that had been treated with PMA, MSU and SHQ for 24 h, SHQ also markedly alleviated the effects of MSU, such as by increasing cell viability and decreasing ICAM‐1 levels.

Conclusions

Drinking natural soda water may have a significant role in preventing gouty inflammation.
Learning curve and advantages of endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration as a first‐line diagnostic and staging procedure
Authors: Lin Ching‐Kai , Lai Chao‐Lun , Chang Lih‐Yu , Wen Yueh‐Feng , Ho Chao‐Chi
Published: October 2017

Background

Endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA) is now the standard for mediastinal lymph node staging of lung cancer. Training and maintenance of technical skills is very important in order to apply new techniques in clinical use.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed of patients who underwent EBUS‐TBNA from November 2009 to December 2015. We assessed the learning curve, accuracy (%), and whether this procedure shortened the duration of lung cancer staging.

Results

The EBUS‐TBNA learning curve continued to improve beyond 120 procedures. Diagnostic accuracy was similar between benign and malignant populations. There was no difference in the learning curve between the groups. Non‐small cell lung cancer patients who underwent EBUS‐TBNA as the first investigative procedure underwent fewer subsequent investigative procedures (1.47 vs. 2.05; P < 0.001), and had a shorter staging duration (4.52 vs. 11.05 days; P = 0.006) compared to those who underwent other procedures for the first investigation.

Conclusion

EBUS‐TBNA should be one of the preferred options for lung cancer diagnosis and staging because it reduces the staging duration compared to the use of other invasive procedures in initial investigation.