bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Commentary: vulnerable consumers in service settings
Authors: Rosenbaum Mark Scott , Seger-Guttmann Tali , Giraldo Mario 
Published: June 2017

Purpose
This commentary aims to introduce a collection of articles that highlights the experiences, needs and challenges of vulnerable consumers within a variety of service contexts. As a research collection, the investigations reveal that service researchers have overlooked how service design and processes affect vulnerable consumers.

Design/methodology/approach
The commentary is a conceptual perspective based on the investigations put forward in this special issue, extant literature and the editors’ perspectives.

Findings
Many consumers enter service contexts in some type of vulnerable condition. These conditions may include those relating to deafness, hearing impairments, older age, sexual orientation, immigration status and acculturation, participation in sexual exploitation, geographical remoteness, mental health challenges, obesity, natural disasters, language barriers and being the brunt of service provider discrimination.

Research limitations/implications
Service researchers are encouraged to consider how the service marketing’s foundational theories, frameworks, concepts and axioms generalize among vulnerable consumers.

Practical implications
Service practitioners need to realize customers often enter service contexts owing to some type of vulnerable condition that influences their expectations and perceptions of service quality.

Originality/value
This special issue expands the discipline’s understanding of vulnerable consumers and exposes an array of conditions that affect their experiences and journeys within service settings. Service organizations dedicated to enhancing consumer well-being must understand how they can help remedy, or lessen, the consequences associated with vulnerable conditions.
Early‐life immune activation increases song complexity and alters phenotypic associations between sexual ornaments
Authors: Merrill Loren , Naylor Madeleine F. , Dalimonte Merria , McLaughlin Sean , Stewart Tara E. , Grindstaff Jennifer L. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractEarly‐life adversity can have long‐lasting effects on physiological, behavioural, cognitive, and somatic processes. Consequently, these effects may alter an organism's life‐history strategy and reproductive tactics.In response to early‐life immune activation, we quantified levels of the acute phase protein haptoglobin (Hp) during development in male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Then, we examined the long‐term impacts of early‐life immune activation on an important static sexual signal, song complexity, as well as effects of early‐life immune activation on the relationship between song complexity and a dynamic sexual signal, beak coloration. Finally, we performed mate‐choice trials to determine if male early‐life experience impacted female preference.Challenge with keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) resulted in increased song complexity compared with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment or the control. Hp levels were inversely correlated with song complexity. Moreover,KLH‐treatment resulted in negative associations between the two sexual signals (beak coloration and song complexity). Females demonstrated some preference forKLH‐treated males over controls and for control males overLPS‐treated males in mate choice trials.Developmental immune activation has variable effects on the expression of secondary sexual traits in adulthood, including enhancing the expression of some traits. Because developmental levels of Hp and adult song complexity were correlated, future studies should explore a potential role for exposure to inflammation during development on song learning.Early‐life adversity may differentially impact static vs. dynamic signals. The use of phenotypic correlations can be a powerful tool for examining the impact of early‐life experience on the associations among different traits, including sexual signals.Aplain language summaryis available for this article.
Grazing decreases N partitioning among coexisting plant species
Authors: Barthelemy Hélène , Stark Sari , Kytöviita Minna‐Maarit , Olofsson Johan 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Herbivores play a key role in shaping ecosystem structure and functions by influencing plant and microbial community composition and nutrient cycling.

This study investigated the long‐term effects of herbivores on plant resource acquisition. We explored differences in the natural δ15N signatures in plant, microbial and soil N pools, and examined mycorrhizal colonization in two tundra sites that have been either lightly or heavily grazed by reindeer for more than 50 years. The study examined changes in nutrient acquisition in five common tundra plants with contrasting traits and mycorrhiza status; the mycorrhizal dwarf shrubs, Betula nana, Vaccinium myrtillus and Empetrum hermaphroditum; a mycorrhizal grass, Deschampsia flexuosa, and a non‐mycorrhizal sedge, Carex bigelowii.

There were large variations in δ15N among coexisting plant species in the lightly grazed sites. This variation was dramatically reduced in the heavily grazed sites. At an individual species level, δ15N was higher in E. hermaphroditum and lower in C. bigelowii in the heavily grazed sites. Mycorrhizal colonization in B. nana and E. hermaphroditum roots were also lower in the heavily grazed sites. The δ15N signatures of the total soil N pool and of the microbial N pools were higher in the heavily grazed sites.

Since the strong δ15N differentiation among plant species has been interpreted as a result of plants with different mycorrhizal types using different sources of soil nitrogen, we suggest that the lower variation in δ15N in heavily grazed sites indicates a lower niche differentiation in nitrogen uptake among plants. Reduced mycorrhiza‐mediated nitrogen uptake by some of the species, a shift towards a more mineral nutrition due to higher nutrient turnover, and uptake of labile nitrogen from dung and urine in the heavily grazed sites could all contribute to the changes in plant δ15N.

We conclude that herbivores have the potential to influence plant nutrient uptake and provide the first data suggesting that herbivores decrease nutrient partitioning on the basis of chemical N forms among plant species. Reduced niche complementarity among species is potentially important for estimates of the effects of herbivory on plant nutrient availability and species coexistence.

A plain language summary
is available for this article.
Effective implementation of age restrictions increases selectivity of sport hunting of the African lion
Authors: Begg Colleen M. , Miller Jennifer R. B. , Begg Keith S. 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Sport hunting of wildlife can play a role in conservation but can also drive population declines if not managed sustainably. Previous simulation modelling found that large felid species could theoretically be hunted sustainably by restricting harvests to older individuals that have likely reproduced. Several African countries currently use age‐based hunting for lions although the outcomes have yet to be evaluated in a wild population.

Here we provide the first empirical evidence that a system of incentives sufficiently encouraged age‐based hunting and reduced offtake of a wild felid, thereby reducing the potential risk of unsustainable hunting on a threatened species. We examined long‐term hunting data and the lion population trend in Niassa National Reserve, Mozambique.

To incentivise hunter compliance, a “points” system was developed, which rewards operators that harvest lions older than the 6‐year minimum trophy age recommended for sustainable hunting and penalises operators that hunt “underage” lions (<4 years). A key component of this system is the ecological application of key physical traits that predictably change with age in order to estimate (by hunters) and validate (by authorities) trophy individuals’ ages pre‐ and post‐mortem, respectively. Analysis of 138 lion hunts and 87 lion trophies from 2003 to 2015 revealed that after enforcement of age restrictions in 2006, hunters shifted harvests to suitably aged lions (>6 years), from 25% of offtakes in 2004 to 100% by 2014.

Simultaneously, the number of lions and percentage of quota harvested decreased, resulting in lower lion offtakes. Following an initial decrease after enforcement of the ageing system, the percentage of hunts harvesting lions stabilised, demonstrating that hunters successfully located and aged older lions.

Synthesis and applications. Evidence suggests that age restrictions combined with an incentive‐based points system regulated sport hunting and reduced pressure on the lion population. We attribute the successful implementation of this management system to: (1) committed, consistent enforcement by management authorities, (2) genuine involvement of all stakeholders from the start, (3) annual auditing by an independent third party, (4) the reliable, transparent, straightforward ageing process and (5) the simple, pragmatic points system for incentivising hunter compliance. Our study demonstrates that the use of age restrictions can increase the selectivity of sport hunting and lower trophy offtakes to reduce the possibility of unsustainable sport hunting negatively impacting species populations in the absence of reliable estimates of population size. It must be noted, however, that there was no measurable change in the lion numbers over the past decade that could be attributed to the implementation of this policy alone.
Complementarity Effect of Financial Development and FDI on Investment in Sub‐Saharan Africa: A Panel Data Analysis
Authors: Boateng Elliot , Amponsah Mary , Annor Baah Collins 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis paper examines the interactive effect of financial development and foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows on domestic investment in sub‐Sahara Africa (SSA). A panel data of 16 SSA countries sampled from 1980 to 2014 are employed. Using the fixed effect, pooled OLS and the FMOLS techniques, our empirical results show that financial development complements FDI inflows to augment domestic investment in SSA. Among other things, the direct effect of FDI inflows, financial sector development, real GDP growth, domestic savings and trade openness are investment promoting while lending rate and inflation inhibit domestic investment in the region. As a policy implication, deepening the financial sector demands considerable attention since it serves as an important channel through which FDI influences domestic investment. While developing the financial sector, it is equally essential that policymakers give enough attention to key macroeconomic stability.
Using primary tumor volumetry to predict treatment outcome for patients with oropharyngeal cancer who were treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Lee Yun Hee , Song Jin Ho , Choi Hoon‐Sik , Jeong Hojin , Kang Ki Mun , Kang Jung Hun , Woo Seung Hoon , Park Jung Je , Kim Jin Pyeong , Jeong Bae Kwon 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAimThis study aimed to determine predictive values for volumetric measures in patients with oropharyngeal cancer who received definitive chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).MethodsContrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained before radiotherapy (RT) (I), after delivering a median RT of 50.6 Gy (R) and three months after RT (F). Primary site gross tumor volumes (GTV) were assessed using these scans (GTVI, GTVR and GTVF). The percentage volume change between GTVI and GTVR (GTV change) was calculated. Volumetric analyses of primary site local control (LC) and progression‐free survival (PFS) were performed.ResultsIn total, 35 patients were evaluated, with a median 31 months of follow‐up. The 2‐year LC rates (LCRs) were 95.0% for patients with GTVI <23 cc, and 42.9% for those with GTVI ≥23 cc (P = 0.001); the 2‐year PFS rates were 85.9% and 21.9% (P = 0.002), respectively. Using GTVR classifications <11 cc or ≥11 cc, log‐rank tests demonstrated differences in 2‐year LCR (95.2% vs 33.3%, P < 0.001) and 2‐year PFS (86.5% vs 0%, P < 0.001). There was no local progression in patients with GTV change ≥75%, and GTV change predicted poor PFS (P = 0.026). On multivariate analysis, GTVR ≥11 cc was a significant predictor of poor LCR (hazard ratio [HR] = 26, P = 0.009) and PFS (HR = 8.33, P = 0.046).ConclusionFor patients with oropharyngeal cancer treated with definitive CCRT, GTVI, GTVR and GTV changes predicted LC and PFS; GTVR was the most significant predictor of LC and PFS. RT intensification should be considered for patients with larger remaining tumors after CCRT.
Index cholecystectomy in a rural hospital: it can be done
Authors: Maloney Jay , McLachlan Alice , Welch Melissa , Davenport Emily 
Published: June 2017

BackgroundIndex cholecystectomy (IC) refers to an operation during a patient's first hospital admission with symptomatic gallstone (GS) disease. There are proven reductions in cost, hospital bed days and GS‐related complications while awaiting elective surgery. IC has not been universally adopted, particularly in smaller centres where logistics can present a barrier. The aim of this paper is to describe the introduction of routine IC at Hastings Hospital and the effects in terms of waiting time until surgery; GS‐related re‐presentations and complications while awaiting surgery; operative complications and overall hospital stay.MethodsData were collected for all patients who underwent cholecystectomy in the year following the introduction of IC (2015/2016). The results were compared with data from the year 2009/2010.ResultsA total of 259 cholecystectomies were performed over the 2015/2016 study period compared with 186 in the 2009/2010 study period. The IC rate increased from 9.89% in 2009 to 75.4% in 2015 (P < 0.001). The incidence of GS pancreatitis whilst waiting for surgery reduced from six in 2009 compared with one in 2015 (P = 0.046). The operative complications were similar in both groups. Total hospital stay was also similar.ConclusionThe study shows that it is possible to perform IC in a rural setting reducing complications of waiting and in particular, rates of GS‐related pancreatitis were significantly reduced. It can be done safely with an accommodating acute on‐call system.
Editorial: the Millennium study cohort―evaluating environmental determinates of IBD in the 21st Century. Authors' reply
Authors: Porter C. K. , Riddle M. S. , Hooper T. I. 
Published: June 2017

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Porter et al and Kaplan papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.13991 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14077.
Editorial: the diminishing returns of normalisation of the oesophageal mucosa―Authors' reply
Authors: Mastracci L. , Fiocca R. , Engstrom C. , Attwood S. , Ell C. , Galmiche J. P. , Hatlebakk J. G. , Långström G. , Eklund S. , Lind T. , Lundell L. 
Published: June 2017

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Mastracci et al and Genta papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14038 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14097.
Institutional Investor Protection Pressures versus Firm Incentives in the Disclosure of Integrated Reporting
Authors: García‐Sánchez Isabel‐María , Noguera‐Gámez Ligia 
Published: June 2017

AbstractCorporate disclosures aim to decrease the expectation gap between investors, decrease the advantage of informed investors and consequently reduce information asymmetry. However, the existence of higher numbers of companies’ reports makes the decision making of firms’ stakeholders difficult. To avoid these problems, companies have started to disclose integrated reports. Previous studies have observed that this voluntary corporate disclosure is a consequence of large firms’ incentives associated with preventing abnormal earnings. In this paper, we examine whether these internal factors have a lower/higher impact than institutional contracting pressures. Our results are evidence that firms’ incentives are the main determinants of the voluntary disclosure of integrated reports, and we observe that there is a substitutive role between institutional country pressures and firms’ transparency decisions. However, the contracting environment plays a complementary role when firms suffer from lower asymmetry problems.
Beta‐blocker use and fall risk in older individuals: Original results from two studies with meta‐analysis
Authors: Ham Annelies C. , van Dijk Suzanne C. , Swart Karin M. A. , Enneman Anke W. , van der Zwaluw Nikita L. , Brouwer‐Brolsma Elske M. , van Schoor Natasja M. , Zillikens M. Carola , Lips Paul , de Groot Lisette C. P. G. M. , Hofman Albert , Witkamp Renger F. , Uitterlinden André G. , Stricker Bruno H. , van der Velde Nathalie 
Published: June 2017

AimsTo investigate the association between use of β‐blockers and β‐blocker characteristics – selectivity, lipid solubility, intrinsic sympathetic activity (ISA) and CYP2D6 enzyme metabolism – and fall risk.MethodsData from two prospective studies were used, including community‐dwelling individuals, n = 7662 (the Rotterdam Study) and 2407 (B‐PROOF), all aged ≥55 years. Fall incidents were recorded prospectively. Time‐varying β‐blocker use was determined using pharmacy dispensing records. Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for age and sex were applied to determine the association between β‐blocker use, their characteristics – selectivity, lipid solubility, ISA and CYP2D6 enzyme metabolism – and fall risk. The results of the studies were combined using meta‐analyses.ResultsIn total 2917 participants encountered a fall during a total follow‐up time of 89 529 years. Meta‐analysis indicated no association between use of any β‐blocker, compared to nonuse, and fall risk, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.97 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88–1.06]. Use of a selective β‐blocker was also not associated with fall risk, HR = 0.92 (95%CI 0.83–1.01). Use of a nonselective β‐blocker was associated with an increased fall risk, HR = 1.22 (95%CI 1.01–1.48). Other β‐blocker characteristics including lipid solubility and CYP2D6 enzyme metabolism were not associated with fall risk.ConclusionOur study suggests that use of a nonselective β‐blocker, contrary to selective β‐blockers, is associated with an increased fall risk in an older population. In clinical practice, β‐blockers have been shown effective for a variety of cardiovascular indications. However, fall risk should be considered when prescribing a β‐blocker in this age group, and the pros and cons for β‐blocker classes should be taken into consideration.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of the role of metronidazole in post‐haemorrhoidectomy pain relief
Authors: Lyons N. J. R. , Cornille J. B. , Pathak S. , Charters P. , Daniels I. R. , Smart N. J. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAimConventional haemorrhoidectomy is still considered the reference standard for the management of severe or recurrent haemorrhoids. Pain is reported by patients to be the most common postoperative complication. Although the literature lacks a consensus on its effectiveness, metronidazole is often used to reduce postoperative pain. We have performed a meta‐analysis of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the use of metronidazole for pain relief after haemorrhoidectomy.MethodA systematic review was undertaken in accordance with the PRISMA protocol using the MESH headings ‘haemorrhoidectomy’, ‘hemorhoidectomy’, ‘hemorrhoidectomy’, ‘haemorrhoid’, ‘metronidazole’, ‘Flagyl®’ ‘antibiotic’ and ‘pain’. The search returned 421 articles of which eight were RCTs suitable for inclusion in the review with a total population of 437 patients. The outcomes of interest were postoperative pain intensity on days 1, 2 and 7 and on first defaecation as measured using a visual analogue scale.ResultsThe meta‐analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in postoperative pain for patients treated with metronidazole with a reduced mean difference for the metronidazole group on day 1 of −1.42 (95% CI: −2.14 to −0.69, P = 0.0001), on day 2 of −1.43 (95% CI: −2.45 to −0.40, P = 0.006) and on day 7 of −2.40 (95% CI: −3.10 to −1.71, P < 0.00001). Pain on first defaecation was likewise reduced with a mean difference of −1.38 (95% CI: −2.15 to −0.60, P = 0.0005). Limitations of this study include variation in the grade of haemorrhoids treated and variability in the quality of included studies.ConclusionMetronidazole is a cheap, safe and effective intervention for reducing postoperative pain following conventional haemorrhoidectomy.
Aquagene Hauterkrankungen
Authors: Wang Fang , Zhao Yu‐Kun , Luo Ze‐Yu , Gao Qian , Wu Wei , Sarkar Rashmi , Luo Di‐Qing 
Published: June 2017

ZusammenfassungAquagene Hauterkrankungen sind eine Gruppe seltener Störungen oder Beschwerden, die durch kurzen Kontakt mit Wasser ausgelöst werden und aquagene Urtikaria, aquagenen Pruritus und aquagenes Akrokeratoderm umfassen. Aquagene Urtikaria ist charakterisiert durch juckende Quaddeln an Stellen, die mit Wasser in Kontakt gekommen sind. Sie entstehen innerhalb von Minuten und klingen 30–60 min nach Entfernen des Wassers wieder ab. Aquagener Pruritus tritt in Form von schwerem Juckreiz oder als stechendes, kribbelndes oder brennendes Gefühl ohne sichtbare Hautveränderungen auf. Die Symptome treten unmittelbar oder einige Minuten nach Wasserexposition der Haut auf und halten mindestens eine Stunde lang an. Das aquagene Akrokeratoderm zeigt sich meist durch weißliche Papeln oder Plaques, Ödeme und Schrumpeln innerhalb von 2–20 min nach einer kurzen Wasserexposition. Die Symptome klingen einige Minuten bis eine Stunde nach dem Abtrocknen der Haut wieder ab. Die Pathomechanismen dieser Erkrankungen sind noch nicht vollständig aufgeklärt und ihre Diagnose stützt sich primär auf die klinischen Merkmale. Ihre Behandlung ist schwierig. Wir geben hier eine Literatur‐übersicht zu diesen seltenen Störungen.
Laser interstitial thermal therapy: A first line treatment for seizures due to hypothalamic hamartoma?
Authors: Du Victor X. , Gandhi Shashank V. , Rekate Harold L. , Mehta Ashesh D. 
Published: June 2017

SummarySuccessful treatment of hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) can result in the resolution of its sequelae including epilepsy and rage attacks. Risks and morbidity of open surgical management of this lesion have motivated the development of laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) as a less invasive treatment approach to the disease. Although overall morbidity and risk would appear to be lower, complications related toLITTtherapy have been reported, and the longer‐term follow‐up that is now possible after initial experience helps address the question of whetherLITTprovides equivalent efficacy compared to other treatment options. We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes in eight patients undergoingLITTforHHat our center using the Visualase/Medtronic device. Five patients had refractory epilepsy, one had rage attacks, and two had both. We also compared the published seizure‐free outcomes over time and the complication rates for different interventional approaches to the treatment of epilepsy due toHHincluding open craniotomy, neuroendoscopic, radiosurgical, and radiofrequency approaches. With a mean follow‐up of 19.1 months in our series of eight patients, six of seven epilepsy patients achieved seizure freedom, whereas the one patient with rage attacks only did not have improvement of his symptoms. A length of hospital stay of 2.6 days reflects low morbidity and rapid postoperative recuperation withLITT. Considering other reported series and case reports, the overall published seizure freedom rate of 21 of 25 patients is superior to published outcomes ofHHcases treated by stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), craniotomy, or neuroendoscopy, and comparable to radiofrequency ablation. The cumulative experience of our center with other published series supports relatively lower operative morbidity than more invasive approaches and efficacy that is as good or better than open craniotomy procedures andSRS. Although morbidity appears to be lower than other open approaches, complications related toLITTand their avoidance should be considered carefully.