bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mediation of product design and moderating effects of reference groups in the context of country-of-origin effect of a luxury Brand
Authors: Coudounaris Dafnis N. 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the symbolic representations of non-users compared to the life experiences of users related to a luxury brand. In particular, the study examines whether product design mediates the relationship between antecedent factors of country-of-origin effect and product experience, and it also investigates the moderating effects of reference groups (non-users vs users) on the relationship between antecedent factors of country-of-origin effect and product design related to a luxury brand, namely, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class or E-Series.

Design/methodology/approach
A sample of convenience of 272 persons classified as non-users and users is investigated. An online questionnaire was used and 28 statements are included in the analysis based on a seven-point Likert scale.

Findings
The study reveals that the country-of-origin effect for the model of non-users and users has a very good fit with current data and is statistically significant. It also reveals that all relationships are significant except for price consciousness to product design and for brand familiarity to price consciousness. There is also partial mediation of product design between antecedent factors and product experience. Furthermore, the moderating effect of reference groups appears to play an important role, as it impacts the relationship between antecedent factors of the country-of-origin effect and product design/product experience.

Originality/value
This study indicates that the non-users’ group based on the hypothetical purchases of a luxury brand with a strong country image has a different country-of-origin effect to the users’ group of the same luxury brand. Moreover, the study concludes that there are statistically significant differences between the non-users’ group versus users’ group of a luxury brand (Mercedes-Benz), and these differences are concerned with the constructs of brand familiarity, brand commitment, product design and product experience. Finally, the study reveals that “price consciousness” is not relevant for luxury brands. Managerial implications, limitations of the study and future research directions are discussed.
Diverging assessments of learning organizations during reform implementation
Authors: Borge Baard H. , Filstad Cathrine , Olsen Trude Høgvold , Skogmo Per Øyvind 
Published: September 2018

Purpose
This study aims to explore whether hierarchical position and organizational size affect perceptions of a learning organization (LO) during reform implementation.

Design/methodology/approach
An electronic survey was distributed in four Norwegian police districts at an early stage of reform implementation. One of the objectives of the reform was to develop the police toward being more knowledge-based, and there had been specific calls for the police to become a LO. The 753 respondents were top managers, middle managers and employees.

Findings
Respondents rated their organizations lower than benchmark scores on supportive learning environment, learning processes and practices and leadership that reinforces learning. The perceptions diverged across hierarchical levels: middle managers and top managers gave higher scores to the organization as a learning one than employees did. Respondents from large police districts gave higher scores to their organizational units as LOs than respondents from small police districts.

Research limitations/implications
The study captures perceptions of characteristics of a LO at one point in reform implementation, and further studies are needed to fully understand explanations of diverging views within an organization as to whether it can be characterized as a LO.

Practical implications
Actual differences in local learning practices or different assessments of learning practices within the organization should be considered when developing LOs.

Originality/value
The study contributes to our knowledge of LOs by showing diverging views within the same organization in a context of reform implementation.
Adolescents’ self-reported level of dispositional advertising literacy: how do adolescents resist advertising in the current commercial media environment?
Authors: De Jans Steffi , Hudders Liselot , Cauberghe Veroline 
Published: September 2018

PurposeThis study aims to examine adolescents’ (between 12 and 18 years) perceptions of their knowledge and skills related to advertising (i.e. dispositional advertising literacy). More specifically, adolescents’ beliefs about their recognition and understanding of advertising (cognitive facet), their emotional reaction to advertising (affective facet) and their moral evaluation of advertising (moral facet) were investigated together with their beliefs about the way they resist advertising.Design/methodology/approachA large-scale survey was conducted, taking information from 2,602 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 years.FindingsThe findings show that adolescents believe they can recognize advertising reasonably well and have a moderate understanding of it. They tend to be negative toward advertising, perceive it as an unfair practice and claim to resist it strongly. In addition, adolescents’ self-reported moral and affective advertising literacy positively affect advertising resistance. Adolescents’ cognitive advertising literacy increases with the number of different media device types owned, and cognitive and moral advertising literacy increase with age.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first to examine adolescents’ beliefs about their dispositional advertising literacy. Most previous studies examined advertising literacy among young children (under 12 years) or adults after exposure to a specific advertising format (i.e. situational advertising literacy), while this study focuses on adolescents’ self-reported levels of cognitive, moral and affective dispositional advertising literacy. In addition, the focus on resistance strategies to examine how adolescents resist advertising is unique.
Content of Selected Vitamins and Antioxidants in Colored and Nonpigmented Varieties of Quinoa, Barley, and Wheat Grains
Authors: Granda Leiter , Rosero Amparo , Benešová Karolína , Pluháčková Helena , Neuwirthová Jana , Cerkal Radim 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe diversity in human diets that can be reached by proper use of different crops and varieties, including some underutilized ones, is a potentially powerful strategy to ensure food security and prevent serious health problems caused by current diets that are often not fulfilling nutritional requirements.In the framework of this research, the content of tocopherols and tocotrienols, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, and superoxide dismutase in nine varieties of quinoa, both colored and nonpigmented, obtained from 4 different countries, was investigated and compared to the content of the same vitamins and antioxidants in barley and wheat, both colored and nonpigmented, cultivated in the same experimental field. The aim of this work was to create a crop diversity strategy and encourage the consumption of underutilized crops to ensure that the human diet fulfills nutritional requirements.The contents of vitamin B1, B2, B6, tocopherol, and tocotrienol isomers and superoxide dismutase were determined via HPLC; imaging techniques were used to evaluate the seed color. Quinoa grains had the greatest concentration of tocopherol isomers and activity, represented mainly by α‐tocopherol and γ‐tocopherol. Wheat and barley seeds had substantial concentrations of tocopherols and tocotrienols. The concentration of riboflavin was greater in barley and wheat than in quinoa, the concentrations of pyridoxine and thiamine were variety‐dependent in all grains. Quinoa grains had greater concentration of superoxide dismutase compared to wheat and barley. The richness of each variety and crop should be recognized and used integrally to improve the diet quality.Practical ApplicationNutritional potential of crops was evaluated from the viewpoint of selected vitamins and antioxidants to create a well‐balanced diet. Combined use of both traditional (wheat, barley) and underutilized crops (quinoa) is recommended. HPLC methods and image analysis were successfully used as viable tools for food quality determination.
Testing the potential of Twitter mining methods for data acquisition: Evaluating novel opportunities for ecological research in multiple taxa
Authors: Hart Adam G. , Carpenter William S. , Hlustik‐Smith Estelle , Reed Matt , Goodenough Anne E. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

Social media provides unique opportunities for data collection. Retrospective analysis of social media posts has been used in seismology, political science and public risk perception studies but has not been used extensively in ecological research. There is currently no assessment of whether such data are valid and robust in ecological contexts.

We used “Twitter mining” methods to search Twitter (a microblogging site) for terms relevant to three nationwide UK ecological phenomena: winged ant emergence; autumnal house spider sightings; and starling murmurations. To determine the extent to which Twitter‐mined data were reliable and suitable for answering specific ecological questions the data so gathered were analysed and the results directly compared to the findings of three published studies based on primary data collected by citizen scientists during the same time period.

Twitter‐mined data proved robust for quantifying temporal ecological patterns. There was striking similarity in the temporal patterns of winged ant emergence between previously published work and our analysis of Twitter‐mined data at national scales; this was also the case for house spider sightings. Spatial data were less available but analysis of Twitter‐mined data was able to replicate most spatial findings from all three studies. Baseline ecological findings, such as the sex ratio of house spider sightings, could also be replicated. Where Twitter mining was less successful was answering specific questions and testing hypotheses. Thus, we were unable to determine the influence of microhabitat on winged ants or test predation and weather hypotheses for initiation of murmuration behaviour.

Twitter mining clearly has great potential to generate spatiotemporal ecological data and to answer specific ecological questions. However, we found that the types and usefulness of data differed substantially between the three phenomena. Consequently, we suggest that understanding users' behaviour when posting on ecological topics would be useful if using social media is to generate ecological data.
Positive association between cholesterol in human seminal plasma and sperm counts: results from a cross‐sectional cohort study and immunohistochemical investigations
Authors: de Neergaard R. , Nielsen J. E. , Jørgensen A. , Toft B. G. , Goetze J. P. , Jørgensen N. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundCholesterol is essential for cell membrane stability, permeability, and fluidity. Cholesterol is present in seminal plasma, but whether a relationship between the level of cholesterol in seminal plasma and semen quality exists remains to be elucidated.ObjectivesTo explore the association between cholesterol levels in seminal plasma and serum cholesterols, semen quality, and serum reproductive hormones. Secondly, to explore whether the associations are biologically plausible.Materials and MethodsAn association study between cholesterol levels in seminal plasma and semen quality in 403 men, median age 19 years, from the general population. Additionally, an immunohistochemical evaluation of proteins involved in cholesterol metabolism and transport in tissues from the male reproductive tract (testis, epididymis, prostate, and seminal vesicle). Tissue specimens were investigated by immunohistochemistry for markers of cholesterol metabolism and transport (ABCA1, ABCG1, CYP11A1, CYP51A1, HMGCR, LAL, LCAT, LDLR, and SOAT1).ResultsTrend analyses showed that total amount of total cholesterol in seminal plasma was positively associated with sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility, and morphology (all p < 0.008, adjusted). Cholesterol concentrations in seminal plasma were neither associated with serum cholesterol and lipid levels nor serum reproductive hormone (FSH, LH, testosterone, estradiol, sex‐hormone‐binding globulin, inhibin b) levels. All investigated markers of cholesterol metabolism and transport were expressed in the investigated tissue specimens to varying degrees.DiscussionSeminal plasma level of cholesterol was positively associated with semen parameters. The presence of proteins and enzymes involved in cholesterol metabolism in Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and maturing germ cells in the seminiferous tubules supports the view that cholesterol may be important for spermatogenesis.ConclusionCholesterol level in seminal plasma may be an indicator of semen quality. Investigations are needed to corroborate or refute our findings and to clarify the exact role of cholesterols for semen quality.
Analysis of differentially expressed genes and the promoters in bovine endometrium throughout estrus cycle and early pregnancy
Authors: Musavi Sayed A.A. , Yamashita Seiya , Fujihara Taisuke , Masaka Hironori , Islam Md. Rashedul , Kim Sangwan , Gotoh Takafumi , Kawahara Manabu , Tashiro Kosuke , Yamauchi Nobuhiko 
Published: September 2018

AbstractEndometrial gene expression is primarily regulated by the ovarian steroids and pregnancy recognition factors. This study was aimed to characterize differential expression genes (DEGs) in bovine endometrium together with the analysis of their promoter region. Bovine uteri at follicular stage (FS), luteal stage (LS), and implantation stage (IS) at Day 18 of pregnancy were collected. Total RNA extracted and prepared cDNA were then subjected to high‐throughput sequencing. For promoter analysis, 1 kb upstream promoter region of each DEG was analyzed. The numbers of highly expressed DEGs were 496 and 597 at FS and LS, respectively. When compared the gene expression of IS with LS, 383 and 346 DEGs showed higher and lower expression at IS, respectively. It was also observed that 20–30 transcription factors (TFs) were included in each DEGs. In addition, promoter analyses estimated 150–160 TFs for each stage. DLX4 and interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) at FS, and IRF5, IRF9, STAT1, and STAT2 at IS were in common to DEGs and estimated TFs, respectively. This study highlighted potential molecular mechanisms controlling endometrial function during estrus cycle and IS, which will further guide to better understand the endometrial functions in future studies.
The use of direct oral anticoagulants in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Parker Kathrine , Thachil Jecko 
Published: September 2018

SummaryIncreasing use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has made management of non‐valvular atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism easier in most patients. But the presence of co‐existing renal impairment could render the use of DOACs problematic because all of these drugs have varying degrees of renal excretion. In this paper we address misconceptions about the safety and efficacy of DOACs in moderate‐severe renal impairment by presenting a summary of the literature from phase III trials and real‐world studies. It also addresses the important consideration of correct estimate of renal function for DOAC dosing. It is hoped that the review will serve as a valuable resource for clinicians involved in anticoagulation decision‐making in patients with renal impairment to guide the choice of most suitable agent. Accurate dosing is of particular relevance as registry data suggests it is done inconsistently and may be resulting in avoidable thromboembolic and bleeding events.
Closure of the perineal defect after abdominoperineal excision for rectal adenocarcinoma – ACPGBI Position Statement
Authors: Foster J. D. , Tou S. , Curtis N. J. , Smart N. J. , Acheson A. , Maxwell‐Armstrong C. , Watts A. , Singh B. , Francis N. K. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundPerineal wound morbidity is common following abdominoperineal excision of the rectum (APE). There is no consensus on the optimum perineal reconstruction method after APE, and in particular ‘extra‐levator APE’ (ELAPE).MethodsA systematic review of the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed. This position statement formulated clinical questions and graded the evidence to make recommendations.ResultsPerineal wound complications may be higher following ELAPE compared to ‘conventional APE (cAPE)’ however there is insufficient evidence to recommend cAPE over ELAPE with regards to the impact upon perineal wound healing. The majority of cAPE studies have used primary closure with varying complication rates reported. Where concerns regarding perineal wound healing exist, myocutaneous flap closure may be considered as an alternative method. There is minimal available evidence on perineal mesh reconstruction following cAPE. Primary closure, mesh use and myocutaneous flap reconstruction following ELAPE has been reported although variations in definitions and low‐quality of available evidence limit comparison. There is insufficient evidence to recommend one particular method of perineal closure after ELAPE. Primary perineal closure is likely to have a higher risk of perineal herniation. Myocutaneous flaps and biological mesh have been effectively used in ELAPE closure. There is insufficient evidence to support one particular type of flap or mesh. Perineal wound complication rates are significantly increased when neo‐adjuvant radiotherapy is delivered, regardless of surgical technique. There is no evidence that laparoscopy reduces APE perineal wound complications.ConclusionThis position statement updates clinicians on current evidence around perineal closure after APE surgery.
“The Inimba It Cuts”: A Reconsideration of Mother Love in the Context of Poverty
Authors: Rubin Sarah E. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractConsiderations of motherhood in contexts of poverty often explore how material scarcity transforms or degrades women's capacity to love or nurture their children. In this article, I focus on Xhosa mothers who live in the extreme poverty of an urban township on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa, and how they struggle with the decision to send their children to be raised by other mother‐figures. My argument reveals that the Xhosa idiominimbaoffers three models for mother love, but poverty exacerbates the contradictions between the models and intensifies the moral dilemma of sending. I demonstrate how, for these Xhosa township mothers, poverty intersects with mother love in unexpected ways whereby the model itself is not remade or profoundly transformed, rather the moral stakes seem higher for the mothers who perceive mother love as crucial to their children's well‐being and integral to their selfhood as good mothers. In developing this argument, I aim to further our understandings of poverty and the complex ways that they intersect and interact with cultural models and practice.
A particle swarm optimizer with modified velocity update and adaptive diversity regulation
Authors: Çomak Emre 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis study introduces reverse direction supported particle swarm optimization (RDS‐PSO) with an adaptive regulation procedure. It benefits from identifying the global worst and global best particles to increase the diversity of the PSO. The velocity update equation of the original PSO was changed according to this idea. To control the impacts of the global best and global worst particles on the velocity update equation, the alpha parameter was added to the velocity update equation. Moreover, a procedure for diversity regulation based on cosine amplitude or max–min methods was introduced. Alpha value was changed adaptively with respect to this diversity measure. Besides, RDS‐PSO was implemented with both linearly increasing and decreasing inertia weight (with 1,000 and 2,000 iterations) in order to survey the effects of these variations on RDS‐PSO performances. Six most commonly used benchmark functions and three medical classification problems were selected as experimental data sets. All experimental results showed that when the grain searching ability is not so small in the last generations, the algorithm performance continues to increase. Experimental proof of it was showed up especially in RDS‐PSO using the cosine amplitude approach. Because the best results among all the RDS‐PSO types for decreasing inertia weight modes were obtained with 2,000 maximal iterations rather than 1,000 ones.
Exploring changes in oral hygiene behaviour in patients with diabetes and periodontal disease: A feasibility study
Authors: Jaedicke Katrin M. , Bissett Susan M. , Finch Tracy , Thornton Jared , Preshaw Philip M. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveExploring the feasibility to understand changes in oral hygiene behaviour using the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model applied to qualitative research interviews in patients with diabetes and periodontitis undergoing standard periodontitis treatment.MethodsPatients with type 1/2 diabetes and chronic periodontitis (n = 8) received standard non‐surgical periodontal treatment accompanied with personalized oral hygiene instructions by a dental hygienist. Clinical indices (% bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), % of sites with PD ≥ 5 mm, periodontal epithelial surface area (PESA) and periodontal inflammatory surface area (PISA) were recorded pre‐ and post‐treatment. At 3 months post‐treatment, patients were interviewed using a topic guide relating to oral health. A behaviour change framework was constructed from elements of the HAPA model and used directly to map interview data to evaluate oral hygiene behaviour in these patients.ResultsData from this feasibility study suggest a clinical improvement in periodontal status, albeit only monitored for 3 months. Application of the HAPA model highlighted the behavioural change pathway that diabetes patients undertake before, during and after periodontal treatment. The data suggest that patients move through all elements of the motivation phase and all elements of the volition phase except for the recovery self‐efficacy element.ConclusionThe novel approach of applying the HAPA model to qualitative research data allowed for the collection of richer data compared to quantitative analysis only. Findings suggest that, in general, patients with periodontitis and diabetes successfully manage to incorporate new oral hygiene behaviours into their daily routine.
Amaranth functional cookies exert potential antithrombotic and antihypertensive activities
Authors: Sabbione Ana Clara , Suárez Santiago , Añón María Cristina , Scilingo Adriana 
Published: September 2018

SummaryIn this study, amaranth flour was used as an ingredient to prepare gluten‐free cookies. The production process and attributes of amaranth cookies were characterised, and the potential use of amaranth flour as a functional ingredient was analysed. Cookies exhibited a non‐uniform reddish brown colour and a cookie factor ratio of 4.5 ± 0.6. Storage studies indicated that after 3 weeks at room temperature cookies presented slight variations in the texture. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion of this product was able to release peptides capable of exerting potential antithrombotic and antihypertensive activities, IC50 values of 0.22 ± 0.04 and 0.23 ± 0.03 mg mL−1 protein, respectively. This work demonstrates for the first time that food made with amaranth flour exerts potential antithrombotic and antihypertensive activity. In conclusion, these amaranth cookies could be an alternative way of incorporating potentially health beneficial products for people who choose a conscious diet, including coeliac or vegan consumers.