Personalised Interventions - A Precision Approach for the Next Generation of Dietary Intervention Studies

Acknowledgments The research of Baukje de Roos is supported by the Scottish Government’s Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division (RESAS). Lorraine Brennan acknowledges The European Research Council ERC (647783). Conflicts of Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Professional HRM practices in family owned-managed enterprises

The primary purpose of this study is to examine and explain differences in the professional HRM practices between family and non-family owned and managed firms. We present a model concerning direct and indirect effects of family firm characteristics on the use of professional HRM practices. We find that, based on our sample and model, family firms are less likely to use professional HRM practices than their counterparts. This family firm effect occurs not only indirectly (since family businesses tend to be smaller, and/or less complex than non-family businesses, where complexity stimulates the application of professional HRM practices), but also directly. The direct effects are consistent with predictions consistent with agency theory, which predict less monitoring in the family firm. On the other hand, the results cannot rule out other interpretations offered by organization control theory and/or institutional theory. Furthermore, the indirect family firm effect is consistent with predictions based on the resource-based view although once again, alternative interpretations of the findings cannot be ruled out. We have not examined whether it is actually better or worse for family firms to rely upon less professional HRM practices. Lacking performance data, it is still possible to argue that family firms rely less heavily on professional HRM practices because it is unnecessary to do so, especially in many of the small firms within this study. Thus, future research is needed to examine relations between the use of professional HRM practices and performance for small firms, using family firm as a contingency variable.

Convergence in law in the second Wiener/Wigner chaos

Let L be the class of limiting laws associated with sequences in the second Wiener chaos. We exhibit a large subset L_0 of L satisfying that, for any F_infinity in L_0, the convergence of only a finite number of cumulants suffices to imply the convergence in law of any sequence in the second Wiener chaos to F_infinity. This result is in the spirit of the seminal paper by Nualart and Peccati, in which the authors discovered the surprising fact that convergence in law for sequences of multiple Wiener-It\^o integrals to the Gaussian is equivalent to convergence of just the fourth cumulant. Also, we offer analogues of this result in the case of free Brownian motion and double Wigner integrals, in the context of free probability.Comment: 14 pages. This version corrects an error which, unfortunately, appears in the published version in EC

The Relationship between Traditional and Electronic Word of Mouth and Customer Experience Quality in the Appliance Industry in South Africa

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management Johannesburg, 2017Interest in word of mouth (WOM) communication to promote and generate curiosity in products and brands has existed for many years, given that WOM is more influential on consumer behaviour than other marketer-controlled sources. Additionally, consumers are now demanding more than just a competent product offering, but rather seeking an experience around what they are purchasing. The current study explores the relationship between traditional and electronic word of mouth pre- and post-purchase and customer experience quality in the major domestic appliance industry in South Africa. The findings, from a survey of 144 respondents, indicate that consumers are actively engaged in seeking out all forms of WOM pre-purchase, and in providing all forms of WOM post-purchase. In addition, respondents are highly satisfied with the quality of the experience they have with their brand of appliance purchased, but that this alone does not account for why they engage in post-purchase WOMGR201

Predicting outcome in acute low back pain using different models of patient profiling

Study Design: Prospective observational study of prognostic indicators, utilising data from a randomised, controlled trial of physiotherapy care of acute low back pain (ALBP) with follow up at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. Objective: To evaluate which patient profile offers the most useful guide to long-term outcome in ALBP. Summary of Background Data: The evidence used to inform prognostic decision-making is derived largely from studies where baseline data is used to predict future status. Clinicians often see patients on multiple occasions so may profile patients in a variety of ways. It is worth considering if better prognostic decisions can be made from alternative profiles. Methods: Clinical, psychological and demographic data were collected from a sample of 54 ALBP patients. Three clinical profiles were developed from information collected at baseline, information collected at 6 weeks, and the change in status between these two time points. A series of regression models were used to determine the independent and relative contributions of these profiles to the prediction of chronic pain and disability. Results: The baseline profile predicted long-term pain only. The 6-week profile predicted both long-term pain and disability. The change profile only predicted long-term disability (p \u3c 0.01). When predicting long-term pain, after the baseline profile had been added to the model, the 6-week profile did not add significantly when forced in at the second step (p \u3e 0.05). A similar result was obtained when the order of entry was reversed. When predicting long-term disability, after the 6-week profile was entered at the first step, the change profile was not significant when forced in at the second step. However, when the change profile was entered at the first step and the 6-week clinical profile was forced in at the second step, a significant contribution of the 6-week profile was found. Conclusions: The profile derived from information collected at 6 weeks provided the best guide to long-term pain and disability. The baseline profile and change in status offered less predictive value

Family ownership, innovation and other context variables as determinants of sustainable entrepreneurship in SMEs: An empirical research study

This study focuses on the prediction of sustainable entrepreneurship, that is, behavior which demonstrates a firm’s concern about the natural environment, especially among small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Using a random sample of 382 Dutch SMEs we examine how organizational context (firm sector, size, ownership structure) and innovativeness influence SMEs engagement in sustainable entrepreneurship. Results show that firms from more “tangible” sectors (manufacturing, construction and agriculture), larger firms, family-owned firms, and firms with a more innovative orientation are more likely to report positive activity related to the natural environment. The paper discusses implications of the obtained results.

Beyond Size: Predicting engagement in environmental management practices of Dutch SMEs

This study focuses on the prediction of the engagement of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in environmental management practices, based on a random sample of 689 SMEs. The study finds that several endogenous factors, including tangibility of sector, firm size, innovative orientation, family influence and perceived financial benefits from energy conservation, predict an SME’s level of engagement in selected environmental management practices. For family influence, this effect is found only in interaction with the number of owners. In addition to empirical research on SMEs’ environmental behavior, the article draws on the ecological modernization literature as well as the theory of planned behavior.

<i>‘God is in the details’: visual culture of closeness in the circle of Cardinal Reginald Pole</i>

As one of the most important political and religious figures of the mid sixteenth century, Cardinal Reginald Pole (1500–58) has been the subject of valuable historical studies. Although the English prelate was also a humanist, part of a vast intellectual and artistic network he established during his travels to Italy, Flanders, Spain and England, Pole has yet to receive the attention he deserves in History of Art. This article aims at re-appreciating the artistic patronage of the cardinal, in spite of the difficulties raised by the lack of surviving artworks he commissioned and his apparent insensitivity to visual arts. It will be shown that Pole and his religious circle, the spirituali, tried to develop a visual culture of their own, influenced by their religious beliefs and meditational practices. Building on Michelangelo's famous presentation drawings to Vittoria Colonna – the Pietà and the Crucifixion – as well as on painted and drawn works deriving from them by the hand of other artists, this paper examines Pole and his friends’ preference for sober, small-sized and confidential artworks, suggesting the genre of the miniature as a promising avenue of research as regards to Pole's patronage.This is the accepted manuscript. The final version is available at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/rest.12177/abstract

International low back pain guidelines: A comparison of two research based models of care for the management of acute low back pain.

Evidence based guidelines for the management of acute low back pain (ALBP) have been formulated by numerous countries. There are discrepancies between guidelines regarding physiotherapy treatment. The aim of this study was to compare two research based models derived from international LBP guidelines. A single-blind randomised controlled trial was undertaken in a physiotherapy outpatients department. Subjects with ALBP were randomly allocated to an ‘assess/advise/treat’ group (n = 50) or an ‘assess/advise/wait’ group (n = 52). The primary outcome measure was the Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). Secondary outcome measures of pain (VAS, usual pain intensity) depressive symptoms (MZSRDS) somatic distress (MSPQ) anxiety (STAIS) quality of life (SF36) and general health (EuroQol) were also obtained. Outcomes were assessed at 6-weeks, 3-months and 6-months. At 6-weeks subjects in the assess/advise/treat group demonstrated less LBP related disability (p = 0.02) and depressive symptoms (p = 0.01), as well as better general health (p = 0.006, p = 0.05), vitality (p \u3c 0.001), social functioning (p = 0.004) and mental health (p = 0.002). At long-term assessment (3 and 6 months) subjects in the assess/advise/treat group were less distressed (p = 0.004), anxious (p = 0.01) and had fewer depressive symptoms (p = 0.001), as well as reporting better general health (p = 0.009, p = 0.05), emotional role (p = 0.03) and mental health (p = 0.04). Active physiotherapy produces better short-term outcomes than advice. Delaying treatment has no long-term consequences on pain or disability, but affects the development of psychosocial features

Newcomer perceptions of identity and school membership: Program comparisons between English only and dual language immersion tracks

This study examined the differences is ways newcomer ELs in the dual language immersion program characterized identity and sense of belonging in comparison to newcomer ELs in the English-only track. Interview data was analyzed to reveal differences in perceptions of school membership along three different themes: perception of Spanish in the school, academic participation, and peer acceptance. The concept of communities of practice (Lave & Wenger, 1991) was employed to understand students’ participation and sense of belonging within the school community, and the topics of agency and self-efficacy are discussed as they relate to students’ identities. The results of this study suggest that newcomer ELs in the dual language immersion program perceive higher levels of school membership than newcomer ELs in the English-only track. This paper concludes with pedagogical implications and suggestions for educators and administrators of Middle School dual language programs