bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Value similarity and overall performance: trust in responsible investment
Authors: Bonnefon Jean-François , Heimann Marco , Lobre-Lebraty Katia 
Published: May 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show how overall performance can help foster trust in financial institutions. While a climate of mistrust amongst investors and the general public toward financial institutions has developed since the recent turmoil in the financial markets, it is believed that mutual funds adopting the overall performance approach can help recover a climate of trust owing to the implied balance between economic, social and environmental performance. More specifically, overall performance promotes values that are similar to investors’ values and could be used by responsible investment funds if they want to contribute to the restoration of trust in investment funds.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses an innovative, experimental design to test the effect of value similarity on the trust that investors have in the investment fund. This effect cannot be studied in isolation, which is why it is compared with the effects of financial performance and ethical labeling on trust.FindingsThe authors find that funds with similar values are perceived as more trustworthy by investors. Consequently, overall performance should be added to fund managers' toolbox if they want to foster trust in their fund. The effect of financial performance on trust applies only when the investor has no other information regarding the fund. As for the ethical labeling of funds, it has no effect on trust.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings encourage research that aims to develop a comprehensive approach of integrated overall performance focusing on financial and extra-financial values. Bonnetet al.’s (2016) fieldwork on socio-economic management and Naro and Travaillé©’s (2016) work on management controllers provide promising examples in this regard.Practical implicationsInvestment funds can acquire an edge by communicating on overall performance and specific values of their target investors. Merely labeling funds as ethical is not sufficient to increase trust.Social implicationsIncreasing similarity in values to investors and adopting the overall performance approach in investment funds will increase investors' trust. Trust contributes to social capital and allows societies to create flexible large-scale businesses needed to be competitive in a global environment.Originality/valueUsing an innovative experimental methodology, this paper shows that the underlying factor of overall performance on trust in investment funds is value similarity. It provides researchers and practitioners with insight about the underlying mechanisms of the effect of overall performance on trust.
Phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 in the epidermis in adult‐onset Still's disease
Authors: Takeichi Takuya , Watanabe Naoki , Muro Yoshinao , Teshigawara Shiho , Sato Motoki , Ban Nobutaro , Akiyama Masashi 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAdult‐onset Still's disease (AOSD) is characterized by multiple systemic inflammation of unknown etiology. Although the typical eruption of AOSD is salmon‐pink rheumatoid rash on the trunk and extremities, persistent pruritic papules and plaques have also been reported. Correlations between serum cytokines, including interleukin‐6 and ‐18, and disease activity in AOSD have been reported. Activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is transported into the nucleus, where it functions as a transcription factor that regulates genes involved in cell survival and inflammation. To assess whether STAT3 was phosphorylated in skin samples from AOSD patients, we conducted immunohistochemical analysis of affected and unaffected lesions from four AOSD patients in comparison with 10 normal controls. Quantitative analysis was conducted by measuring the ratio of epidermal keratinocytes with phosphorylated STAT3 (p‐STAT3)‐positive nuclei to total epidermal keratinocytes. p‐STAT3 was found to be more strongly expressed in the nuclei in the epidermis of AOSD than in normal controls. Quantification of the data revealed significant differences in staining for p‐STAT3 between AOSD and normal skin. Our findings suggest that phosphorylation of STAT3 may be a potential therapeutic target for AOSD.
Present conditions may mediate the legacy effect of past land‐use changes on species richness and composition of above‐ and below‐ground assemblages
Authors: Janssen Philippe , Bec Stéphane , Fuhr Marc , Taberlet Pierre , Brun Jean‐Jacques , Bouget Christophe 
Published: May 2017

Abstract

In forest ecosystems, the influence of landscape history on contemporary biodiversity patterns has been shown to provide a convenient framework to explain shifts in plant assemblages. However, very few studies have controlled for present human‐induced activities when analysing the effect of forest continuity on community structures. By cutting and removing trees, foresters substantially change stand ecological conditions, with consequences on biodiversity patterns. Disentangling the effect of past and present human activities on biodiversity is thus crucial for ecosystem management and conservation.

We explored the response of plant and springtail species richness and composition to forest continuity (ancient vs. recent) in montane forests, while controlling for stand maturity (mature vs. overmature). We established 70 sites in landscapes dominated by unfragmented ancient forests where we surveyed plants and assessed springtails by analysing environmental DNA.

Neither plant nor springtail species richness was influenced by forest continuity or by stand maturity. Instead, site‐specific characteristics, especially soil properties and canopy openness, were of major importance in shaping above‐ and below‐ground richness.

For plant and springtail species composition, the effect of forest continuity was mediated by stand maturity. Thus, both plants and springtails showed a convergence in assemblage patterns with the increasing availability of overmature stand attributes. Moreover, soil and stand‐scale factors were evidently more important than landscape‐scale factors in shaping above‐ and below‐ground species composition.

Synthesis. We clearly demonstrated that biodiversity patterns are more strongly influenced by present human‐induced activities than by past human‐induced activities. In the Northern Alps where our study sites were located, the colonization credit of most species has been paid off and the transient biodiversity deficit usually related to forest continuity has moved towards equilibrium. These findings emphasize the necessity to better control for local‐scale factors when analysing the response of biodiversity to forest continuity; we call for more research into the effects of forest continuity in unfragmented mountain forests.
Kinetic Parameters for the Thermal Inactivation of Peroxidase and Lipoxygenase in Precooked Frozen Brassica Species
Authors: Pérez‐Calderón John , Califano Alicia , Santos María Victoria , Zaritzky Noemí 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThermal inactivation of peroxidase (POD) and lipoxygenase (LOX), both enzymes present in broccoli and Brussels sprouts, is required before freezing, to obtain high‐quality precooked frozen vegetables. Rate constants of a 1st‐order biphasic model for the heat‐labile and heat‐resistant POD and LOX isoenzymes were determined at different temperatures (75, 80, and 90 °C) and the corresponding activation energies were estimated using nonlinear regressions. In the case of Brussels sprouts, the activation energies for the resistant and labile fractions were 56.3 and 62.5 kJ/mol for POD and 63.7 and 65.8 kJ/mol for LOX, respectively. For Brussels sprouts, different precooking times were tested to analyze the effect of residual enzyme activity on quality parameters and sensory attributes, after a frozen storage of 4 mo at −20 °C. A significant reactivation of enzyme activity after frozen storage was observed (especially in the case of POD) for short precooking times (<6 min) leading to low‐quality parameters at the interior zone of the vegetable. A precooking time of 6 min at 90 °C allowed an adequate inactivation of LOX and POD obtaining a high‐quality final frozen vegetable. A sensory analysis confirmed the global acceptability of the product. The obtained results are relevant to define the precooking stage conditions in the production of frozen cruciferous vegetables.
Patterns of practice survey for brachytherapy for cervix cancer in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Lim Karen , van Dyk Sylvia , Khaw Pearly , Veera Jacqueline , Mileshkin Linda , Ohanessian Lucy , Harrison Michelle , Vinod Shalini K 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIntroductionThe purpose of this survey was to explore the current patterns of practice for brachytherapy in cervix cancer in Australia and New Zealand. The survey was also intended to explore clinician attitudes towards image‐guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) and identify barriers to the implementation of IGABT.MethodsElectronic surveys were sent to all radiotherapy centres in Australia and New Zealand under collaboration with Australia New Zealand Gynaecology and Oncology Group (ANZGOG), in order to identify patterns of radiotherapy practice. The survey was sent out in December 2013, with a reminder in February 2014.ResultsOf the 75 radiotherapy centres in Australia and New Zealand, 23 centres replied (31% response rate). Twenty‐two responding departments treat cervix cancer with external beam radiation (EBRT) (22/23; 96%). Fourteen responses were from departments that also use intracavitary brachytherapy (14/22; 64%). The remaining eight departments who do not offer intracavitary brachytherapy referred their patients on to other centres for brachytherapy. Ultrasound was used by 86% for applicator guidance. CT and MRI were used by 79%, and 50% respectively for planning. Optimisation was based on organs at risk (93%) and target volumes (64%).ConclusionsBrachytherapy remains an integral component of definitive treatment for cervix cancer in Australia and New Zealand. There was increased use of soft tissue imaging modalities with emphasis on verification; high rates of volumetric planning, and adherence to a defined overall treatment period. Brachytherapy was not substituted with other EBRT modalities. Despite this, there remain barriers to implementation of image‐guided brachytherapy.
Efficacy of Intravenous Cobinamide Versus Hydroxocobalamin or Saline for Treatment of Severe Hydrogen Sulfide Toxicity in a Swine (Sus scrofa) Model
Authors: Bebarta Vikhyat S. , Garrett Normalynn , Brenner Matthew , Mahon Sari B , Maddry Joseph K. , Boudreau Susan , Castaneda Maria , Boss Gerry R. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundHydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a potentially deadly gas that naturally occurs in petroleum and natural gas. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration cites H2S as a leading cause of workplace gas inhalation deaths. Mass casualties of H2S toxicity may be caused by exposure from industrial accidents or release from oil field sites. H2S is also an attractive terrorism tool because of its high toxicity and ease with which it can be produced. Several potential antidotes have been proposed for hydrogen sulfide poisoning but none have been completely successful.ObjectiveThe objective was to compare treatment response assessed by the time to spontaneous ventilation among groups of swine with acute H2S‐induced apnea treated with intravenous (IV) cobinamide (4 mg/kg in 0.8 mL of 225 mmol/L solution), IV hydroxocobalamin (4 mg/kg in 5 mL of saline), or saline alone.MethodsTwenty‐four swine (45–55 kg) were anesthetized, intubated, and instrumented with continuous femoral and pulmonary artery pressure monitoring. After stabilization, anesthesia was adjusted such that animals would spontaneously ventilate with an FiO2 of 0.21. Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS; concentration of 8 mg/mL) was begun at 1 mg/kg/min until apnea was confirmed for 20 seconds by capnography. This infusion rate was sustained for 1.5 minutes postapnea and then decreased to a maintenance rate for the remainder of the study to replicate sustained clinical exposure. Animals were randomly assigned to receive cobinamide (4 mg/kg), hydroxocobalamin (4 mg/kg), or saline and monitored for 60 minutes beginning 1 minute postapnea. G* power analysis using the Z‐test determined that equal group sizes of eight animals were needed to achieve a power of 80% in detecting a 50% difference in return to spontaneous ventilations at α = 0.05.ResultsThere were no significant differences in baseline variables. Moreover, there were no significant differences in the mg/kg dose of NaHS (5.6 mg/kg; p = 0.45) required to produce apnea. Whereas all of the cobinamide‐treated animals survived (8/8), none of the control (0/8) or hydroxocobalamin (0/8)‐treated animals survived. Mean (±SD) time to spontaneous ventilation in the cobinamide‐treated animals was 3.2 (±1.1) minutes.ConclusionsCobinamide successfully rescued the severely NaHS‐poisoned swine from apnea in the absence of assisted ventilation.
Neonatal hypothyroidism affects testicular glucose homeostasis through increased oxidative stress in prepubertal mice: effects on GLUT3, GLUT8 and Cx43
Authors: Sarkar D. , Singh S. K. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryThyroid hormones (THs) play an important role in maintaining the link between metabolism and reproduction and the altered THs status is associated with induction of oxidative stress in various organs like brain, heart, liver and testis. Further, reactive oxygen species play a pivotal role in regulation of glucose homeostasis in several organs, and glucose utilization by Leydig cells is essential for testosterone biosynthesis and thus is largely dependent on glucose transporter 8 (GLUT8). Glucose uptake by Sertoli cells is mediated through glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) under the influence of THs to meet energy requirement of developing germ cells. THs also modulate level of gap junctional protein such as connexin 43 (Cx43), a potential regulator of cell proliferation and apoptosis in the seminiferous epithelium. Although the role of transient neonatal hypothyroidism in adult testis in terms of testosterone production is well documented, the effect of THs deficiency in early developmental period and its role in testicular glucose homeostasis and oxidative stress with reference to Cx43 in immature mice remain unknown. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of neonatal hypothyroidism on testicular glucose homeostasis and oxidative stress at postnatal days (PND) 21 and 28 in relation to GLUT3, GLUT8 and Cx43. Hypothyroidism induced by 6‐propyl‐2‐thiouracil (PTU) markedly decreased testicular glucose level with considerable reduction in expression level of GLUT3 and GLUT8. Likewise, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and intratesticular concentration of lactate were also decreased in hypothyroid mice. There was also a rise in germ cell apoptosis with increased expression of caspase‐3 in PTU‐treated mice. Further, neonatal hypothyroidism affected germ cell proliferation with decreased expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Cx43. In conclusion, our results suggest that neonatal hypothyroidism alters testicular glucose homeostasis via increased oxidative stress in prepubertal mice, thereby affecting germ cell survival and proliferation.
Australian validation of the Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment Post‐Surgical score to predict biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Beckmann Kerri , O'Callaghan Michael , Vincent Andrew , Roder David , Millar Jeremy , Evans Sue , McNeil John , Moretti Kim 
Published: May 2017

BackgroundThe Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment Post‐Surgical (CAPRA‐S) score is a simple post‐operative risk assessment tool predicting disease recurrence after radical prostatectomy, which is easily calculated using available clinical data. To be widely useful, risk tools require multiple external validations. We aimed to validate the CAPRA‐S score in an Australian multi‐institutional population, including private and public settings and reflecting community practice.MethodsThe study population were all men on the South Australian Prostate Cancer Clinical Outcomes Collaborative Database with localized prostate cancer diagnosed during 1998–2013, who underwent radical prostatectomy without adjuvant therapy (n = 1664). Predictive performance was assessed via Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional regression analyses, Harrell's Concordance index, calibration plots and decision curve analysis.ResultsBiochemical recurrence occurred in 342 (21%) cases. Five‐year recurrence‐free probabilities for CAPRA‐S scores indicating low (0–2), intermediate (3–5) and high risk were 95, 79 and 46%, respectively. The hazard ratio for CAPRA‐S score increments was 1.56 (95% confidence interval 1.49–1.64). The Concordance index for 5‐year recurrence‐free survival was 0.77. The calibration plot showed good correlation between predicted and observed recurrence‐free survival across scores. Limitations include the retrospective nature and small numbers with higher CAPRA‐S scores.ConclusionsThe CAPRA‐S score is an accurate predictor of recurrence after radical prostatectomy in our cohort, supporting its utility in the Australian setting. This simple tool can assist in post‐surgical selection of patients who would benefit from adjuvant therapy while avoiding morbidity among those less likely to benefit.
Swedish child health nurses treat fathers more equally in 2014 than 2004, but mothers remain their primary focus
Authors: Wells Michael B. , Massoudi Pamela , Bergström Malin 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAimThis study focused on Swedish child health nurses’ attitudes and the support they provided to fathers and mothers, highlighting changes from 2004 to 2014.MethodIn 2014, 363 child health nurses in Stockholm County completed a 23‐item questionnaire, similar to the questionnaire by Massoudi et al. in 2004, on their attitudes and the support they gave to fathers and mothers. Analyses were completed using chi‐square tests of nurses’ attitudes and support to fathers and mothers, and the results from the 2004 and 2014 studies were compared.ResultsIn 2014, the vast majority of nurses fully agreed that it was important to have close contact with both parents, but more than two‐thirds did not feel they had the same competencies for mothers and fathers and three quarters found it complicated to support both parents. The majority viewed fathers more equally in 2014 than in 2004 and although they did provide more support to both parents, mothers in 2014 still received more support than fathers.ConclusionWhile Swedish child health nurses viewed fathers as more equal to mothers in 2014 than 2004, mothers still received the majority of the parenting support.
Probiotics for the prevention of necrotising enterocolitis in very low‐birth‐weight infants: a meta‐analysis and systematic review
Authors: Thomas John P. , Raine Tim , Reddy Sanath , Belteki Gusztav 
Published: May 2017

AbstractWe performed an updated meta‐analysis incorporating the results of recent randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to measure the effectiveness of probiotic supplementation in preventing necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) and death in very low‐birth‐weight (VLBW) infants, and to investigate any differences in efficacy by probiotic agent. Using meta‐regression analysis, we assessed the contribution of other measured variables on the overall effect size and between‐study variability. Conclusion: Overall, probiotics lead to significant reductions in NEC incidence and mortality in VLBW infants. Differences in probiotic agents and the influence of prenatal steroids and feeding regimens may explain the differences in outcomes between studies.
BARGAINING AMONG FARMERS, GOODWILL, AND THE SUCCESS OF COOPERATIVES
Authors: RANJAN Ram 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTA model of concessional bargaining among farmers explains the success (or lack thereof) of cooperative institutions in rural farm settings in the developing regions. Concessional bargaining in day‐to‐day interactions generates goodwill, which helps smoothen future dealings amongst farmers as well as with outside agents. In particular, we model the existence of goodwill amongst farmers as enhancing their ability to collectively bargain with an outside dealer that buys their farm produce. Results suggest that when dealing with each other, farmers offer higher concessions when the risk of loss or reversal in bargaining power is high; however, the level of concession is also influenced by the degree of reciprocity and parameters that affect bargaining surplus. Findings provide further insights over the success of cooperative institutions in rural farm settings where inter‐farmer goodwill dynamics determines the cooperative's bargaining outcomes. Specifically, when farmers generously reciprocate each other's goodwill gestures, it leads to better outcomes through increasing their cooperative reservation price. In contrast, when the degree of reciprocity is lower, or when the risk of bargaining power switching is higher, farmers extract more surplus from other farmers, and this also lowers the cooperative's bargaining outcomes and makes the cooperative arrangement unviable in the long term.
Systematic review: interventions for abdominal pain management in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Norton C. , Czuber‐Dochan W. , Artom M. , Sweeney L. , Hart A. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryBackgroundAbdominal pain is frequently reported by people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including in remission. Pain is an under‐treated symptom.AimTo systematically review evidence on interventions (excluding disease‐modifying interventions) for abdominal pain management in IBD.MethodsDatabases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane Library) were searched (February 2016). Two researchers independently screened references and extracted data.ResultsFifteen papers were included: 13 intervention studies and two cross‐sectional surveys. A variety of psychological, dietary and pharmacological interventions were reported. Four of six studies reported pain reduction with psychological intervention including individualised and group‐based relaxation, disease anxiety‐related Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and stress management. Both psychologist‐led and self‐directed stress management in inactive Crohn's disease reduced pain compared with controls (symptom frequency reduction index=−26.7, −11.3 and 17.2 at 6‐month follow‐up, respectively). Two dietary interventions (alcoholic drinks with high sugar content and fermentable carbohydrate with prebiotic properties) had an effect on abdominal pain. Antibiotics (for patients with bacterial overgrowth) and transdermal nicotine patches reduced abdominal pain. Current and past cannabis users report it relieves pain. One controlled trial of cannabis reduced SF‐36 and EQ‐5D pain scores (1.84 and 0.7, respectively). These results must be treated with caution: data were derived from predominantly small uncontrolled studies of moderate to low quality.ConclusionsFew interventions have been tested for IBD abdominal pain. The limited evidence suggests that relaxation and changing cognitions are promising, possibly with individualised dietary changes. There is a need to develop interventions for abdominal pain management in IBD.