Negative parental responses to coming out and family functioning in a sample of lesbian and gay young adults

Parental responses to youths' coming out (CO) are crucial to the subsequent adjustment of children and family. The present study investigated the negative parental reaction to the disclosure of same-sex attraction and the differences between maternal and paternal responses, as reported by their homosexual daughters and sons. Participants' perceptions of their parents' reactions (evaluated through the Perceived Parental Reactions Scale, PPRS), age at coming out, gender, parental political orientation, and religiosity involvement, the family functioning (assessed through the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales, FACES IV), were assessed in 164 Italian gay and lesbian young adults. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relation between family functioning and parental reaction to CO. The paired sample t-test was used to compare mothers and fathers' scores on the PPRS. Hierarchical multiple regression was conducted to analyze the relevance of each variable. No differences were found between mothers and fathers in their reaction to the disclosure. The analysis showed that a negative reaction to coming out was predicted by parents' right-wing political conservatism, strong religious beliefs, and higher scores in the scales Rigid and Enmeshed. Findings confirm that a negative parental reaction is the result of poor family resources to face a stressful situation and a strong belief in traditional values. These results have important implications in both clinical and social fields

Performance in franchising: the effects of different management styles

Various theoretical approaches uphold the relevance of the relationship between the form of management and performance. Different management styles influence the relationships of agencies [Jensen, M.C. (1998). Foundations of organizational strategy. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press], the cost of governing transactions [Williamson, O.E. (1985). The economics institutions of capitalism: Firms, markets, relational contracting. New York, NY: Free Press], and the allocation of resources between the exploitation and exploration of activities [March, J.G. (1991). Exploration and exploitation in organizational learning. Organization Science, 2(1), 71-87], and this is manifested in firm performance. In light of these assumptions, this article presents an empirical verification of the relationship between the management of franchises and their performance, examining how different styles of management on the part of franchisers over their franchisees have significant effects on the growth and profits of franchiser firms.Peris-Ortiz, M.; Willoughby, MC.; Rueda Armengot, C. (2012). Performance in franchising: the effects of different management styles. Service Industries Journal. 32(16):2507-2525. doi:10.1080/02642069.2011.594876S250725253216Altinay, L., & Okumus, F. (2010). Franchise partner selection decision making. The Service Industries Journal, 30(6), 929-946. doi:10.1080/02642060802322275Child, J. (1972). Organizational Structure, Environment and Performance: The Role of Strategic Choice. Sociology, 6(1), 1-22. doi:10.1177/003803857200600101Combs, J. G., & Ketchen, D. J. (1999). CAN CAPITAL SCARCITY HELP AGENCY THEORY EXPLAIN FRANCHISING? REVISITING THE CAPITAL SCARCITY HYPOTHESIS. Academy of Management Journal, 42(2), 196-207. doi:10.2307/257092Combs, J. (2003). Why Do Firms Use Franchising as an Entrepreneurial Strategy?: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Management, 29(3), 443-465. doi:10.1016/s0149-2063(03)00019-9COMBS, J. G., KETCHEN, D. J., & IRELAND, R. D. (2006). Effectively managing service chain organizations. Organizational Dynamics, 35(4), 357-371. doi:10.1016/j.orgdyn.2006.08.006Combs, J. G., Michael, S. C., & Castrogiovanni, G. J. (2009). Institutional Influences on the Choice of Organizational Form: The Case of Franchising. Journal of Management, 35(5), 1268-1290. doi:10.1177/0149206309336883Crook, T. R., Shook, C. L., Madden, T. M., & Morris, M. L. (2009). A review of current construct measurement in entrepreneurship. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 6(4), 387-398. doi:10.1007/s11365-009-0114-7Fama, E. F., & Jensen, M. C. (1983). Agency Problems and Residual Claims. The Journal of Law and Economics, 26(2), 327-349. doi:10.1086/467038Fama, E. F., & Jensen, M. C. (1983). Separation of Ownership and Control. The Journal of Law and Economics, 26(2), 301-325. doi:10.1086/467037Gillis, W. E., & Combs, J. G. (2009). Franchisor strategy and firm performance: Making the most of strategic resource investments. Business Horizons, 52(6), 553-561. doi:10.1016/j.bushor.2009.07.001Gouldner, A. W. (1960). The Norm of Reciprocity: A Preliminary Statement. American Sociological Review, 25(2), 161. doi:10.2307/2092623Gupta, A. K., Smith, K. G., & Shalley, C. E. (2006). The Interplay Between Exploration and Exploitation. Academy of Management Journal, 49(4), 693-706. doi:10.5465/amj.2006.22083026Hambrick, D. C. (2007). Upper Echelons Theory: An Update. Academy of Management Review, 32(2), 334-343. doi:10.5465/amr.2007.24345254Hambrick, D. C., & Mason, P. A. (1984). Upper Echelons: The Organization as a Reflection of Its Top Managers. The Academy of Management Review, 9(2), 193. doi:10.2307/258434Hindle, K., & Moroz, P. (2009). Indigenous entrepreneurship as a research field: developing a definitional framework from the emerging canon. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 6(4), 357-385. doi:10.1007/s11365-009-0111-xJensen, M. C., & Meckling, W. H. (1976). Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure. Journal of Financial Economics, 3(4), 305-360. doi:10.1016/0304-405x(76)90026-xJensen, M. C., & Heckling, W. H. (1995). SPECIFIC AND GENERAL KNOWLEDGE, AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE. Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, 8(2), 4-18. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6622.1995.tb00283.xKlein, B., Crawford, R. G., & Alchian, A. A. (1978). Vertical Integration, Appropriable Rents, and the Competitive Contracting Process. The Journal of Law and Economics, 21(2), 297-326. doi:10.1086/466922Liu, W., Lepak, D. P., Takeuchi, R., & Sims, H. P. (2003). Matching leadership styles with employment modes: strategic human resource management perspective. Human Resource Management Review, 13(1), 127-152. doi:10.1016/s1053-4822(02)00102-xMarch, J. G. (1991). Exploration and Exploitation in Organizational Learning. Organization Science, 2(1), 71-87. doi:10.1287/orsc.2.1.71Mitsuhashi, H., Shane, S., & Sine, W. D. (2008). Organization governance form in franchising: efficient contracting or organizational momentum? Strategic Management Journal, 29(10), 1127-1136. doi:10.1002/smj.702Orlikowski, W. J. (1992). The Duality of Technology: Rethinking the Concept of Technology in Organizations. Organization Science, 3(3), 398-427. doi:10.1287/orsc.3.3.398Ouchi, W. G. (1980). Markets, Bureaucracies, and Clans. Administrative Science Quarterly, 25(1), 129. doi:10.2307/2392231Gómez, R. S., González, I. S., & Vázquez, L. (2009). Multi-unit versus single-unit franchising: assessing why franchisors use different ownership strategies. The Service Industries Journal, 30(3), 463-476. doi:10.1080/02642060802252027Gómez, R. S., González, I. S., & Suárez, L. V. (2011). Service quality control mechanisms in franchise networks. The Service Industries Journal, 31(5), 713-723. doi:10.1080/02642060902833338Sarkees, M., & Hulland, J. (2009). Innovation and efficiency: It is possible to have it all. Business Horizons, 52(1), 45-55. doi:10.1016/j.bushor.2008.08.002Sebora, T. C., & Theerapatvong, T. (2009). Corporate entrepreneurship: a test of external and internal influences on managers’ idea generation, risk taking, and proactiveness. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 6(3), 331-350. doi:10.1007/s11365-009-0108-5Shane, S., & Foo, M.-D. (1999). New Firm Survival: Institutional Explanations for New Franchisor Mortality. Management Science, 45(2), 142-159. doi:10.1287/mnsc.45.2.142Shane, S., Shankar, V., & Aravindakshan, A. (2006). The Effects of New Franchisor Partnering Strategies on Franchise System Size. 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Factors Associated with Bovine Neonatal Pancytopenia (BNP) in Calves: A Case-Control Study

Bovine neonatal pancytopenia (BNP; previously known as idiopathic haemorrhagic diathesis and commonly known as bleeding calf syndrome) is a novel haemorrhagic disease of young calves which has emerged in a number of European countries during recent years. Data were retrospectively collected during June to November 2010 for 56 case calves diagnosed with BNP between 17 March and 7 June of the same year. These were compared with 58 control calves randomly recruited from herds with no history of BNP. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that increased odds of a calf being a BNP case were associated with its dam having received PregSure® BVD (Pfizer Animal Health) vaccination prior to the birth of the calf (odds ratio (OR) 40.78, p<0.001) and its herd of origin being located in Scotland (OR 9.71, p = 0.006). Decreased odds of a calf being a BNP case were associated with the calf having been kept outside (OR 0.11, p = 0.006). The longer that a cattle herd had been established on the farm was also associated with decreased odds of a calf in that herd being a BNP case (OR 0.97, p = 0.011)

Observations on some cellulosic chytridiaceous fungi

Two new species of Endochytrium, E. multiguttulatum and E. cystarum , are described. Nephrochytrium buttermerense Willoughby is transferred to Diplophlyctis under the binomial Diplophlyctis buttermerense (Willoughby) comb. nov. Morphologic and developmental information on an incompletely known fungus, possibly a Solutoparies , and on other previously known cellulosic chytrid species are also given.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/46147/1/203_2004_Article_BF00412053.pd

Author Correction: Cross-ancestry genome-wide association analysis of corneal thickness strengthens link between complex and Mendelian eye diseases.

Emmanuelle Souzeau, who contributed to analysis of data, was inadvertently omitted from the author list in the originally published version of this Article. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article

Quality and Safety Aspects of Infant Nutrition

Quality and safety aspects of infant nutrition are of key importance for child health, but oftentimes they do not get much attention by health care professionals whose interest tends to focus on functional benefits of early nutrition. Unbalanced diets and harmful food components induce particularly high risks for untoward effects in infants because of their rapid growth, high nutrient needs, and their typical dependence on only one or few foods during the first months of life. The concepts, standards and practices that relate to infant food quality and safety were discussed at a scientific workshop organized by the Child Health Foundation and the Early Nutrition Academy jointly with the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and a summary is provided here. The participants reviewed past and current issues on quality and safety, the role of different stakeholders, and recommendations to avert future issues. It was concluded that a high level of quality and safety is currently achieved, but this is no reason for complacency. The food industry carries the primary responsibility for the safety and suitability of their products, including the quality of composition, raw materials and production processes. Introduction of new or modified products should be preceded by a thorough science based review of suitability and safety by an independent authority. Food safety events should be managed on an international basis. Global collaboration of food producers, food-safety authorities, paediatricians and scientists is needed to efficiently exchange information and to best protect public health. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Base

NMR metabolomics of cerebrospinal fluid differentiates inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system

BACKGROUND: Myriad infectious and noninfectious causes of encephalomyelitis (EM) have similar clinical manifestations, presenting serious challenges to diagnosis and treatment. Metabolomics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was explored as a method of differentiating among neurological diseases causing EM using a single CSF sample. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: 1H NMR metabolomics was applied to CSF samples from 27 patients with a laboratory-confirmed disease, including Lyme disease or West Nile Virus meningoencephalitis, multiple sclerosis, rabies, or Histoplasma meningitis, and 25 controls. Cluster analyses distinguished samples by infection status and moderately by pathogen, with shared and differentiating metabolite patterns observed among diseases. CART analysis predicted infection status with 100% sensitivity and 93% specificity. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These preliminary results suggest the potential utility of CSF metabolomics as a rapid screening test to enhance diagnostic accuracies and improve patient outcomes