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Barriers to cross-cultural instruction challenge even experienced educators and their students. To increase cross-cultural competence and bridge learning gaps, professors in two countries adapted the Photovoice methodology to develop shared visual vocabularies with students and unearth hidden assumptions. Results from an anonymous evaluation showed that the assignment using the Photovoice method led to higher interest, enthusiasm, and engagement. As students become active participants of image gathering and interpretation, learning arises from increased visual literacy and exploration of cultural bias. Students can use lessons to improve business practices and societal conditions. The appendices include assessment results, sample instructions, and sample student slides.

Purpose: This study aims to profile mobile users based on their need for cognitive closure (NFC) (preference for order, preference for predictability, discomfort with ambiguity, close-mindedness and decisiveness) and identify differences among the groups regarding their perceptions of personalized preferences and privacy concerns. Design/methodology/approach: Based on the data from 285 participants, the authors seek to identify and profile unique consumer segments (mobile users) generated based on their NFC. Second, once the segments are established, the authors analyze how the segments differ across their personalized preferences and privacy concerns. Findings: The data generated three distinct consumer segments: equivocal users, structured users and eclectic users. Across the segments, there were differences in their mobile personalization (experience, value and actions) and preference for information privacy (perceived risks and fabrication of personal information). Research limitations/implications: United States (US)-based sample may restrict the generalizability of this research. Thus, future research should include participants from other geographic regions to increase external validity. Practical implications: Retail managers can apply this knowledge to implement appropriate personalization strategies for these distinct target groups. Originality/value: Segmenting clusters based on differences in consumption trait (NFC) provides key insights to retailers looking to deliver personalized customer experience, particularly in a mobile shopping context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The choice of an appropriate dependence structure in modelling multivariate risks is an important issue because different tail structure embedded in copula leads to a different capital requirement for the institution. We present how to select a well-specified dependence structure to given application data. Using a simple simulation technique, we develop a statistical test to assess the adequacy of a specific dependence structure. We examine the sensitivity of risk estimates to the choice of copulas using the S&P 500 and FTSE 100 stock indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines are based on studies with a limited number of Asian subjects; therefore, they are difficult to apply to Asian patients, including Korean patients., Materials and Methods: Data were extracted from the clinical data warehouse system of Seoul St. Mary's hospital (January 2010 - December 2012) to determine the percent change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels at an average 3 and 6 months from baseline. Statins with statistically similar lowering effects were placed in one group (group A, B, or C). The proportions of patients who achieved LDL-C < 100 mg/dL were compared between baseline LDL-C levels: low (< 130 mg/dL), medium (130 - 160 mg/dL), and high (> 160 mg/dL)., Results: The majority of the 9 statins of various doses (2,349 patients) were effective at 3 months, with additional, smaller decreases at 6 months. The LDL-C lowering effect of group A (atorvastatin (20 mg), rosuvastatin (10 mg)) was ~ 45%; that of group B (atorvastatin (10 mg), pitavastatin (2 mg), pravastatin (40 mg), simvastatin (20 mg)) was 35 - 37%. groups A and B contained only moderate-intensity statins (ACC/AHA guidelines). With baseline LDL-C ≥ 130 mg/dL, greater proportions of patients achieved LDL-C < 100 mg with atorvastatin (20 mg) and rosuvastatin (10 mg)., Conclusion: Because of the demonstrated LDL-C lowering effects and target achievement rates, the ACC/AHA guidelines might not apply to Korean patients. Korean treatment guidelines should consider statins with relatively low potency. Additional studies regarding appropriate statin doses should be conducted with Asian populations.

Objective: To examine the associations among the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)-style diet, the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), and mortality risk in metabolically obese normal-weight (MONW) adults., Patients and Methods: Data were from normal-weight (body mass index of 18.5 to <25) adults aged 30 to 90 years at baseline in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, October 18, 1988, through October 15, 1994, followed up for deaths (all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer related) until December 31, 2011. A total of 2103 participants without known cardiovascular disease and cancer at baseline were included in this prospective cohort study. Metabolic obesity was defined as having 2 or more of the following: high glucose, blood pressure, triglyceride, C-reactive protein, and insulin resistance values and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels; metabolic healthy status was defined as having 0 or 1 of these metabolic derangements., Results: During median follow-up of 18.6 years, there were 344 and 296 deaths in the MONW and metabolically healthy normal-weight (MHNW) phenotypes, respectively. In MONW individuals, a 1-SD increment in adherence to a DASH diet (2 points) or HEI (14 points) was significantly associated with reductions (17% [hazard ratio (HR), 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72-0.97] and 22% [HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.68-0.90], respectively) in the risk of all-cause mortality, after adjustment for potential confounders. The corresponding HRs for cardiovascular disease mortality were 0.72 (95% CI, 0.55-0.94) and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.65-0.97), respectively. In addition, reduction of cancer mortality was observed with 1-SD increment of HEI (HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.46-0.88). However, no association was observed in the MHNW phenotype. Sensitivity analyses suggested relationships robust to different definitions of MONW and also dose responses with the number of metabolic derangements., Conclusion: Higher diet quality scores were associated with lower risk of mortality in normal-weight individuals with metabolic abnormalities., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)