bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Greening competitiveness for hotels and restaurants
Authors: Iraldo Fabio , Testa Francesco , Lanzini Pietro , Battaglia Massimo 
Published: June 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the results of a survey-based study performed on Italian SMEs in the “hotel, restaurant, café” (HORECA) sector, aimed at investigating the relationship between pro-environmental strategies and competitiveness and how such strategies can be exploited to outperform competitors.Design/methodology/approachThe survey involved 317 Italian SMEs. Regression models have been developed to analyze the causal relationship between three dimensions of competitiveness (competitive advantage over competitors, customer satisfaction and employees’ motivation), and environmental practices that can be adopted by HORECA SMEs.FindingsTop management commitment emerges as a key driver of competitiveness, confirming the strategic relevance of a sound approach to sustainability also in SMEs operating in the tourism sector. Moreover, actions aimed at investing in green food products (e.g. organic food) and awareness campaigns emerge as strong predictors of good business performance. Finally, at managerial level, entrepreneurs and owners evaluate the implementation of internal sustainability monitoring systems as a relevant support to increase their competitive performance.Research limitations/implicationsSince the results are limited to Italian HORECA businesses, a cross-country comparison could represent a potential improvement of the research. Moreover, since the sector is characterized by the predominance of small and micro firms, specific attention should be devoted to the role played by entrepreneurs’ personal values in shaping business strategies.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the ongoing debate on the relationship between SMEs in the tourism sector and the environmental dimension analyzing the link between the adoption of “green” practices and the competitive performance. The results suggest that customer involvement represents an essential pre-requisite to turn sustainability into an opportunity of market distinctiveness and stress the strategic role of the implementation of performance monitoring systems.
Experimental evolution of Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Zeigler Daniel R. , Nicholson Wayne L. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryThe endospore‐forming bacteria have persisted on earth perhaps 3Ga, leveraging the flexibility of their distinctive lifestyle to adapt to a remarkably wide range of environments. This process of adaptation can be investigated through the simple but powerful technique of laboratory evolution. Evolved strains can be analyzed by whole genome sequencing and an array of omics technologies. The intensively studied, genetically tractable endospore‐former, Bacillus subtilis, is an ideal subject for laboratory evolution experiments. Here, we describe the use of the B. subtilis model system to study the adaptation of these bacteria to reduced and stringent selection for endospore formation, as well as to novel environmental challenges of low atmospheric pressure, high ultraviolet radiation, and unfavourable growth temperatures. In combination with other approaches, including comparative genomics and environmental field work, laboratory evolution may help elucidate how these bacteria have so successfully adapted to life on earth, and perhaps beyond.
How mass media attract political elites’ attention
Authors: SEVENANS JULIE 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPolitical agenda‐setting research has shown that policy makers are responsive vis‐à‐vis media priorities. However, the mechanisms behind this effect have remained understudied so far. In particular, agenda‐setting scholars have difficulties determining to what extent politicians react to media coverage purely because of the information it contains (information effect), and to what extent the effect is driven not by what the media say but by the fact that certain information is in the media (media channel effect), which is valued for its own sake – for instance, because media coverage is considered to be a reflection of public opinion. By means of a survey‐embedded experiment with Belgian, Canadian and Israeli political elites (N = 410), this study tests whether the mere fact that an issue is covered by the news media causes politicians to pay attention to this issue. It shows that a piece of information gets more attention from politicians when it comes via the media rather than an identical piece of information coming via a personal e‐mail. This effect occurs largely across the board: it is not dependent on individual politician characteristics.
The opposition deficit in EU accountability: Evidence from over 20 years of plenary debate in four member states
Authors: RAUH CHRISTIAN , DE WILDE PIETER 
Published: June 2017

AbstractDebates about the European Union's democratic legitimacy put national parliaments into the spotlight. Do they enhance democratic accountability by offering visible debates and electoral choice about multilevel governance? To support such accountability, saliency of EU affairs in the plenary ought to be responsive to developments in EU governance, has to be linked to decision‐making moments and should feature a balance between government and opposition. The recent literature discusses various partisan incentives that support or undermine these criteria, but analyses integrating these arguments are rare. This article provides a novel comparative perspective by studying the patterns of public EU emphasis in more than 2.5 million plenary speeches from the German Bundestag, the British House of Commons, the Dutch Tweede Kamer and the Spanish Congreso de los Diputados over a prolonged period from 1991 to 2015. It documents that parliamentary actors are by and large responsive to EU authority and its exercise where especially intergovernmental moments of decision making spark plenary EU salience. But the salience of EU issues is mainly driven by government parties, decreases in election time and is negatively related to public Euroscepticism. The article concludes that national parliaments have only partially succeeded in enhancing EU accountability and suffer from an opposition deficit in particular.
The Effects of Fat Structures and Ice Cream Mix Viscosity on Physical and Sensory Properties of Ice Cream
Authors: Amador Julia , Hartel Rich , Rankin Scott 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this work was to investigate iciness perception and other sensory textural attributes of ice cream due to ice and fat structures and mix viscosity. Two studies were carried out varying processing conditions and mix formulation. In the 1st study, ice creams were collected at −3, −5, and −7.5 °C draw temperatures. These ice creams contained 0%, 0.1%, or 0.2% emulsifier, an 80:20 blend of mono‐ and diglycerides: polysorbate 80. In the 2nd study, ice creams were collected at −3 °C draw temperature and contained 0%, 0.2%, or 0.4% stabilizer, a blend of guar gum, locust bean gum, and carrageenan. Multiple linear regressions were used to determine relationships between ice crystal size, destabilized fat, and sensory iciness. In the ice and fat structure study, an inverse correlation was found between fat destabilization and sensory iciness. Ice creams with no difference in ice crystal size were perceived to be less icy with increasing amounts of destabilized fat. Destabilized fat correlated inversely with drip‐through rate and sensory greasiness. In the ice cream mix viscosity study, an inverse correlation was found between mix viscosity and sensory iciness. Ice creams with no difference in ice crystal size were perceived to be less icy when formulated with higher mix viscosity. A positive correlation was found between mix viscosity and sensory greasiness. These results indicate that fat structures and mix viscosity have significant effects on ice cream microstructure and sensory texture including the reduction of iciness perception.
Overlap Indices: Tools to quantify the amount of anatomical overlap among groups of incomplete terminal taxa in phylogenetic analyses
Authors: Tschopp Emanuel , Tschopp Friedrich A. , Mateus Octávio 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPhylogenetic analyses of morphological data are often characterized by missing data due to incomplete operational taxonomic units, as in fossils. This incomplete knowledge derives from various reasons, including—in the case of fossils—the numerous filters an organism has to pass through during taphonomy, fossilization, weathering and collecting. Whereas several methods have been proposed to address issues raised by the inclusion of incomplete terminal taxa, until recently no tool existed to easily quantify the amount of anatomical overlap within a particular clade. The Overlap Indices provide such values and might prove useful for comparative cladistics. We herein describe these new indices and their applications in detail and provide an example file for their calculation. A case study of diplodocid sauropod dinosaurs shows how the Overlap Indices will help to explore and quantify, which one of a number of conflicting tree topologies is supported by more anatomical traits, which skeletal regions are underrepresented in a particular phylogenetic matrix, and which taxon would improve character state score completeness.
To Brexit or not to Brexit: The roles of Islamophobia, conspiracist beliefs, and integrated threat in voting intentions for the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum
Authors: Swami Viren , Barron David , Weis Laura , Furnham Adrian 
Published: June 2017

We used an identities approach to examine voting intentions in the June 2016 UK referendum on membership of the European Union (EU). In April 2016, 303 British adults (58.7% women, age M = 34.73) indicated their voting intentions for the referendum and completed measures of identification with the national in‐group, perceived threat from Muslim immigrants, belief in Islamophobic conspiracy narratives, Islamophobia, general conspiracist beliefs, ambiguity tolerance, and belief in a clash of civilizations. Path and mediation analyses indicated that greater belief in Islamophobic conspiracy theories mediated the link between Islamophobia and intention to vote to leave. Islamophobia and Islamophobic conspiracist beliefs also mediated the effects of perceived threat from Muslims on voting intentions. Other variables acted as antecedents of perceived threat or Islamophobic conspiracy narratives. These findings highlight the role that identity‐based cognitions may have played in shaping voting intentions for the UK EU referendum.
Link between growth faulting and initiation of a mass transport deposit in the northern Taranaki Basin, New Zealand
Authors: Panpichityota Nuttakarn , Morley Christopher K. , Ghosh Jaydeep 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe Neogene section in the northern Taranaki Basin, offshore New Zealand, displays an interaction among prograding clinoforms, listric growth faults formed at the base of slope and mass transport deposits that fill the growth fault depocentres. This study focuses on one of these systems, the Karewa Fault and mass transport deposit (MTD), in order to understand the genetic relationship between the fault and the MTD in its hangingwall depocentre, i.e. did the MTD fill existing accommodation space? Did the MTD trigger growth fault displacement? Or is there some other relationship? Most mass transport deposits are elongate in the transport direction and exhibit a length:width aspect ratio of more than 1. However, the 90 km2 Karewa Fault MTD is at least three times wider than it is long, which is atypical for MTDs reported in the literature, where ~80% have a length:width ratio >1. The transport direction of the MTD is to the WNW, as indicated by the location and internal structure of the compressional toe and the headwall scarp region of the Karewa Fault. The structural and sequence geometries on seismic reflection data indicate the MTD formed during the late stage of growth fault activity, and locally truncates the upper part of the Karewa Fault. The MTD is inferred to have originated by local destabilization of the sediment package overlying the Karewa Fault related to the escape of overpressured fluids along the fault. The resulting MTD was translated locally by only a few kilometres. This unusual cause for an MTD also resulted in its atypical length–width–thickness aspect ratios.
When and How Do Students Benefit From Ethnic Diversity in Middle School?
Authors: Juvonen Jaana , Kogachi Kara , Graham Sandra 
Published: June 2017

The effects of school‐based ethnic diversity on student well‐being and race‐related views were examined during the first year in middle school. To capture the dynamic nature of ethnic exposure, diversity was assessed both at the school‐level (n = 26) and based on academic course enrollments of African American, Asian, Latino, and White students (n = 4,302; M = 11.33 years). Across all four pan‐ethnic groups, school‐level ethnic diversity was associated with lower sense of vulnerability (i.e., feeling safer, less victimized, and less lonely) as well as perceptions of teachers’ fair and equal treatment of ethnic groups and lower out‐group distance. Underscoring the role of individual experiences, exposure to diversity in academic classes moderated the association between school‐level diversity and the two aforementioned race‐related views.
Fibroblastic connective tissue nevus: Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of 14 cases
Authors: Pennacchia Ilaria , Kutzner Heinz , Kazakov Dmitry V. , Mentzel Thomas 
Published: June 2017

BackgroundWe present herein a series of 14 lesions showing overlapping features with the newly defined benign cutaneous mesenchymal neoplasm labeled as fibroblastic connective tissue nevus (FCTN).Methods and ResultsTotal of 8 patients were male and 5 were female, ranging in age from 1 to 56 years. Lesions appeared as isolated nodules or plaques on the trunk (7 cases), the limbs (4 cases) and the neck (2 cases). Histologically, all cases were composed of bundles of bland spindle cells of fibroblastic/myofibroblastic lineage irregularly branching within the reticular dermis and along fibrous septa in the subcutis. Adnexal structures and dermal adipocytes were entrapped by the fascicles, the epidermis was often papillomatous and elastic fibers were decreased and fragmented. Expression of CD34 and ASMA was found in 8 and 7 cases, respectively. Follow‐up was available for 7 patients (mean follow‐up, 5 years; range, 1‐10 years). None of the cases metastasized or recurred, even when incompletely excised.ConclusionThe differential diagnosis of FCTN is broad and includes hypertrophic scar, dermatofibroma, dermatomyofibroma, pilar leiomyoma, plaque‐stage DFSP, CD34‐positive plaque‐like dermal fibroma, fibroblastic‐predominant plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor, lipofibromatosis, superficial desmoid fibromatosis and fibrous hamartoma of infancy, of which it represents probably the monophasic variant.
Contrast‐enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography for differential diagnosis of localized gallbladder lesions
Authors: Kamata Ken , Takenaka Mamoru , Kitano Masayuki , Omoto Shunsuke , Miyata Takeshi , Minaga Kosuke , Yamao Kentaro , Imai Hajime , Sakurai Tosiharu , Nishida Naoshi , Kashida Hiroshi , Chikugo Takaaki , Chiba Yasutaka , Nakai Takuya , Takeyama Yoshifumi , Lisotti Andrea , Fusaroli Pietro , Kudo Masatoshi 
Published: June 2017

Background and AimDifferential diagnosis of localized gallbladder lesions is challenging. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the utility of contrast‐enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography (CH‐EUS) for diagnosis of localized gallbladder lesions.MethodsOne hundred and twenty‐five patients with localized gallbladder lesions were evaluated by CH‐EUS between March 2007 and February 2014. This was a single‐center retrospective study.Utilities of fundamental B‐mode EUS (FB‐EUS) and CH‐EUS in the differentiation of gallbladder lesions and sludge plug were initially compared. Thereafter, these two examinations were compared with respect to their accuracy in the diagnosis of malignant lesions. Five reviewers blinded to the clinicopathological results evaluated microcirculation patterns in the vascular and perfusion images.ResultsIn the differentiation between gallbladder lesions and sludge plug, FB‐EUS had a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 82%, 100%, and 95%, respectively, whereas CH‐EUS had a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 100%, 99%, and 99%, respectively. FB‐EUS‐based diagnosis of carcinomas based on tumor size and/or shape had a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 61–87%, 71–88%, and 74–86%, respectively. Additional information regarding irregular vessel patterns in the vascular image and/or heterogeneous enhancement in the perfusion image on CH‐EUS increased the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for the diagnosis of carcinomas to 90%, 98%, and 96%, respectively. There was a significant difference between FB‐EUS and CH‐EUS in terms of carcinoma diagnosis.ConclusionCH‐EUS was useful for the evaluation of localized gallbladder lesions.
Predicting inpatient hypoglycaemia in hospitalized patients with diabetes: a retrospective analysis of 9584 admissions with diabetes
Authors: Stuart K. , Adderley N. J. , Marshall T. , Rayman G. , Sitch A. , Manley S. , Ghosh S. , Toulis K. A. , Nirantharakumar K. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAimsTo explore whether a quantitative approach to identifying hospitalized patients with diabetes at risk of hypoglycaemia would be feasible through incorporation of routine biochemical, haematological and prescription data.MethodsA retrospective cross‐sectional analysis of all diabetic admissions (n=9584) from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014 was performed. Hypoglycaemia was defined as a blood glucose level of <4 mmol/l. The prediction model was constructed using multivariable logistic regression, populated by clinically important variables and routine laboratory data.ResultsUsing a prespecified variable selection strategy, it was shown that the occurrence of inpatient hypoglycaemia could be predicted by a combined model taking into account background medication (type of insulin, use of sulfonylureas), ethnicity (black and Asian), age (≥75 years), type of admission (emergency) and laboratory measurements (estimated GFR, C‐reactive protein, sodium and albumin). Receiver‐operating curve analysis showed that the area under the curve was 0.733 (95% CI 0.719 to 0.747). The threshold chosen to maximize both sensitivity and specificity was 0.15. The area under the curve obtained from internal validation did not differ from the primary model [0.731 (95% CI 0.717 to 0.746)].ConclusionsThe inclusion of routine biochemical data, available at the time of admission, can add prognostic value to demographic and medication history. The predictive performance of the constructed model indicates potential clinical utility for the identification of patients at risk of hypoglycaemia during their inpatient stay.
Regulation of kindling epileptogenesis by hippocampal Toll‐like receptors 2
Authors: Medel‐Matus Jesús‐Servando , Reynolds Ashley , Shin Don , Sankar Raman , Mazarati Andrey 
Published: June 2017

SummaryThis study examined whether Toll‐like receptors 2 (TLR2) contribute to rapid kindling epileptogenesis. A TLR2 agonist, lipoteichoic acid (LTA), LTA antibody (LTA‐A), or normal saline (control) was administered daily over 3 consecutive days, unilaterally into ventral hippocampus of adult male Wistar rats. Thirty minutes after the last injection, the animals were subjected to a rapid kindling procedure. The ictogenesis was gauged by comparing afterdischarge threshold (ADT) and afterdischarge duration (ADD) before the treatments, after the treatments prior to kindling, and 24 h after kindling. Kindling progression and retention were analyzed using video recording. The results showed that before kindling, LTA produced an ADT reduction. Neither LTA nor LTA‐A affected baseline ADD. On kindling progression, LTA accelerated occurrence of generalized seizures, whereas LTA‐A delayed this effect. Treatment with LTA‐A reduced the number of secondary generalized complex partial seizures. Twenty‐four hours after kindling, the rats of both the saline and LTA groups showed increased hippocampal excitability as compared with prekindling parameters. Administration of LTA‐A prevented kindling‐induced increase of hippocampal excitability. Immunostaining revealed that LTA‐A attenuated the inflammatory response produced by seizures. These findings suggest that the activation of TLR2 in the hippocampus may facilitate limbic epileptogenesis.
Postictal hypoperfusion/hypoxia provides the foundation for a unified theory of seizure‐induced brain abnormalities and behavioral dysfunction
Authors: Farrell Jordan S. , Colangeli Roberto , Wolff Marshal D. , Wall Alexandra K. , Phillips Thomas J. , George Antis , Federico Paolo , Teskey G. Campbell 
Published: June 2017

SummaryA recent article by Farrell et al. characterizes the phenomenon, mechanisms, and treatment of a local and severe hypoperfusion/hypoxia event that occurs in brain regions following a focal seizure. Given the well‐established role of cerebral ischemia/hypoxia in brain damage and behavioral dysfunction in other clinical settings (e.g., stroke, cerebral vasospasm), we put forward a new theory: postictal hypoperfusion/hypoxia is responsible for the negative consequences associated with seizures. Fortunately, inhibition of two separate molecular targets, cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and l‐type calcium channels, can prevent the expression of postictal hypoperfusion/hypoxia. These inhibitors are important experimental tools used to separate the seizure from the resulting hypoperfusion/hypoxia and can allow researchers to address the contribution of this phenomenon to negative outcomes associated with seizures. Herein we address the implications of this postictal stroke‐like event in acute behavioral dysfunction (e.g., Todd's paresis) and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Moreover, anatomic alterations such as increased blood–brain barrier permeability, glial activation, central inflammation, and neuronal loss could also be a consequence of repeated hypoperfusion/hypoxic events and, in turn, underlie chronic interictal cognitive and behavioral comorbidities (e.g., memory deficits, anxiety, depression, and psychosis) and exacerbate epileptogenesis. Thus these seemingly disparate and clinically important observations may share a common point of origin: postictal hypoperfusion/hypoxia.
Canopy height and N affect herbage accumulation and the relative contribution of leaf categories to photosynthesis of grazed brachiariagrass pastures
Authors: Yasuoka J. I. , Pedreira C. G. S. , da Silva V. J. , Alonso M. P. , da Silva L. S. , Gomes F. J. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe effects of three canopy heights (10, 25 and 40 cm) and two N rates (50 and 250 kg ha−1 year−1) on herbage accumulation (HA), participation of leaf categories in the leaf area index (LAI) and photosynthesis of grazed “Mulato II” brachiariagrass (Brachiaria brizantha × B. decumbens × B. ruziziensis) were investigated during two summer growing seasons in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. The HA and LAI increased linearly from 8560 to 13600 kg DM ha−1 year−1 and 2.3 to 5.5 m2 m−2, respectively, as canopy height increased. Mulato II brachiariagrass maintained at 10 cm canopy height showed greater proportion of young leaves, but was less productive than taller canopies. Taller canopies had greater proportion of mature leaves in the LAI as well as greater photosynthesis. The greater N rate contributed to increased LAI, leaf and canopy photosynthesis rates and HA but did not affect the LAI composition. The total leaf area is more important to HA than the proportion of young leaves in the LAI, as taller canopies were more productive, suggesting that maintaining Mulato II brachiariagrass at 25 or 40 cm is advantageous for this grass.