bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing a GRI-G4-based persuasive communication framework for sustainability reporting (SR)
Authors: Kumar Ranjan , Pande Neerja , Afreen Shamama
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine sustainability reporting (SR) practices of top 10 Indian banks, on parameters derived from a Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)-G4-based persuasive communication framework.

Design/methodology/approach

SR metrics from GRI-G4 guidelines were mapped to persuasive communication parameters to develop a blended analytical framework. Content analysis (CA) technique was used to assess SR of top 10 banks on this framework.

Findings

The study has three key findings. First, most of the top 10 Indian banks are yet to adopt adequate disclosure and transparency practices in SR. Second, even though environmental and social goals are broadly reported, there are glaring omissions on metrics like “equal remuneration,” “occupational health and safety” and “customer privacy.” Third, stakeholder engagement focus is weak as reflected in low persuasive appeal of SR content of most banks.

Research limitations/implications

The blended framework provides a theoretical and analytical pathway for operationalizing the sustainability context principle, which has been inadequately addressed even within the GRI framework implementation.

Practical implications

The paper provides a “health check” and identifies “red flags” in SR of top 10 Indian banks, enabling them to undertake a critical review of their sustainability metrics and reporting practices.

Social implications

The paper establishes the significance of evaluating non-financial reporting practices addressing broader sustainability metrics in the banking sector, in an emerging economy context.

Originality/value

This paper develops a GRI-G4-based persuasive communication framework for SR assessment, and conducts an evaluation of top 10 Indian banks using CA technique.
Impact analysis of US quantitative easing policy on emerging markets
Authors: Lin Joung-Yol , Batmunkh Munkh-Ulzii John , Moslehpour Massoud , Lin Chuang-Yuang , Lei Ka-Man
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Since the 2008 financial crisis, the USA has three times implemented quantitative easing (QE) policy. The results of the policy, however, were far below all expectations. Furthermore, it flooded emerging markets (EMs) with low-priced dollars. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the overall and individual impacts of the policy on EMs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses panel data regression model together with the fixed effects model. Also, a unit root test is conducted to check stationary properties of the data, as well as Durbin-Watson statistic to check serial correlation issues in the models. In estimating empirical models, this paper employs macroeconomic data set of stock market returns, exchange rates, lending interest rates, consumer price index, monetary aggregates and foreign exchange reserves from seven diversified emerging economies. The EMs in this study include China, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Russia and Brazil. The time period undertaken in this study is from 2008 to 2012. In order to measure impacts of the different stages of the policy, the authors use dummy variables to represent each stage of the policy.

Findings

The results of the study show that the QE policy has significant impacts on foreign exchange reserves, foreign exchange markets and stock markets of the sample economies. Domestic credit markets, however, appear to be least influenced field by the policy. Finally, the results show that only the first stage of the policy exhibits strong significant impacts, however, leverage of the policy decreases over time.

Research limitations/implications

Further studies may use different samples, also variables that measure foreign capital inflows such as changes in financial accounts, foreign direct investment and foreign portfolio investment.

Originality/value

The present study has the following contributions on assessing the impacts of QE policy. First, the overall and individual impacts of the policy are analyzed. Second, in order to establish more valid results, the sample of this study is designed to include several EMs from three continents and diverse regions.
Internal vs external promotion: advancement of teachers to administrators
Authors: Buckman David Garland , Johnson Arvin D. , Alexander Donna L.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine selection practices of school districts by capturing the promotion of teachers to assistant principal positions to determine if: there is a relationship between employability and assistant principal promotion (within-school, within-district, and external); and if the state-specific educational leadership policy directly impacts the employability of assistant principal candidates.

Design/methodology/approach

Principals in the state of Georgia were the unit of analysis, and data collected included personal characteristics of each participant when entering their first assistant principal position, school characteristics of the place of promotion, and type of promotion (internally within-school, internally within-district, and externally). Both descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were utilized to examine the impact of type of promotion as well as the state-specific educational leadership policy on participant employability at the time of promotion.

Findings

This study found a significant positive relationship between internal promotion (within-school) and employability as well as a negative association between participant employability and Georgia state-specific policy. Additional findings indicate a positive relationship between combination schools (i.e. grades K-8; 6-12) and participant employability.

Originality/value

This study advances the HRM literature concerning employee selection by expanding the scope of hiring practices outside of the private sector and provides focus on the public sector, specifically, the public school environment. In addition, the focal position (public school administrators in the state of Georgia) has yet to be utilized in employee selection research in the areas of internal and external promotion. Previous researchers have studied the probability of internal and external promotion based on demographic factors such as race and gender, however, this specific study uses distinctive predictor variables backed by literature to evaluate applicant employability.
Organizational forgetting, absorptive capacity, and innovation performance
Authors: Huang Dujuan , Chen Song , Zhang Gupeng , Ye Jiangfeng
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the organizational forgetting affect innovation performance under the consideration of the environmental turbulence as a moderating factor of the analysis framework.

Design/methodology/approach

This study constructs and verifies a moderated mediating model of organizational forgetting to innovation performance, using the exploratory factor analysis and the hierarchical regression analysis based on a survey sample of 320 Chinese companies.

Findings

The organizational forgetting is a critical determinant for improving innovation performance of an enterprise. A more detailed analysis reveals that first organizational forgetting cannot promote organization’s innovation performance without absorptive capacity. Second, the mediating effect of absorptive capacity is more positive when environmental turbulence is higher.

Practical implications

This study provides empirical evidence about the importance of organizational forgetting in the firm innovation.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the existing literature by providing a clear explanation of the impacts of organizational forgetting on innovation performance through a comprehensive empirical study. Contrasting with previous research, this research clarifies the boundary conditions under which organizational forgetting enhances innovation performance. In particular, the authors find that organizational forgetting is not equally positive but instead increases with the level of environmental turbulence.
Innovation in social media strategy for movie success
Authors: Nanda Madhumita , Pattnaik Chinmay , Lu Qiang (Steven)
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how movie studios develop an integrated social media strategy to achieve box office success. Departing from prior studies which focus on single social media platforms, this study examines the role of integrated social media promotion strategy using multiple social media platforms on movie success in the Bollywood movie industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts an in-depth and comprehensive case study approach to examine the promotional strategies adopted through YouTube, Facebook and Twitter throughout the life cycle of the movie and its impact on the box office success of the movie.

Findings

The study provides three major findings. First, the social media promotional strategy was centred on developing appropriate content to match the unique characteristics of the social media platforms. While Facebook was utilised primarily to connect audiences through organising fun events, Twitter was used to retweet the positive word-of-mouth generated from the audiences. Second, emphasis on promotional strategy through social media platforms in the post-release stage of the movie was found to be equally important as the pre-release stage. Finally, the social media platforms were utilised to develop emotional connection with the audience by promoting the content through which the audience identified themselves with the main protagonist of the movie.

Originality/value

This study is among the very few studies which examines the role of integrative social media strategy on the box office success in the movie industry. This study emphasises the way firms can utilise the synergies across different social media platforms to achieve success in the movie industry.
How open innovation performance responds to partner heterogeneity in China
Authors: Huang Shufang , Chen Jin , Liang Liang
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The link between openness and innovative performance has been established as an inverted U-shape relationship, namely, the openness-performance connection is not always positive. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the concept of partner heterogeneity to characterize the influence of “quality” changes in partners on innovative performance, that is, the focus of this paper. Given that partner heterogeneity is crucial in explaining open innovative performance, it is also worth placing the examination of this key construct in emerging regions such as China.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample selection of this study covers a wide range of industries, but requires that the sample firms be manufacturing enterprises with an open innovation strategy. With opportunities and challenges associated with partner collaboration toward open innovation, the Chinese province of Zhejiang has established its reputation. Thus, empirical data were collected randomly from data pool of Zhejiang Province Economic and Information Commission, as well as a survey questionnaire. Data were using a cross-sectional survey methodology encompassing diverse organizations, industries, and nations.

Findings

Empirical testing of this assumption in a sample of 217 manufacturing firms indicates that partner heterogeneities, which are classified as organizational heterogeneity, industry heterogeneity, and national heterogeneity are all positively associated with innovative performance, but the strength of this association is influenced by environmental turbulence. Technological turbulence significantly and positively modulates the relationships of organizational and national heterogeneities with innovative performance. Market turbulence also plays a significant positive role on the relationship between national heterogeneity and innovative performance, while technological and market turbulence roles on the relationship between industry heterogeneity and innovative performance are not confirmed.

Originality/value

This paper refines the connotative dimensions of partner heterogeneity around the core concept of partner heterogeneity in open innovation in the context of emerging region, China. The study presents a systematic, in-depth analysis, and verifies the impact mechanisms of partner heterogeneity in open innovation on innovative performance by integrating the resource-based view, organizational learning theory, and transaction cost theory.
Determinants of company innovation and market performance
Authors: Psomas Evangelos , Kafetzopoulos Dimitrios , Gotzamani Katerina
Published: November 2017

Purpose

The present study focuses on two basic determinants of company innovation, namely, quality practices of top management and process quality management. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of these determinants on product and process innovation. Determining the impact of these dimensions of innovation on the market performance of a company is also an aim of the present study.

Design/methodology/approach

A research study was carried out on a sample of 433 Greek manufacturing and service companies. Data were obtained through a structured questionnaire from the chief executive officers of the companies. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses are applied to extract and validate all the latent factors considered in the suggested model, while their relationships are determined through structural equation modeling.

Findings

The analysis of the empirical data shows that both the dimensions of company innovation examined in the present study (product and process innovation) are positively influenced by the quality practices of top management and process quality management. Improving these two dimensions of company innovation, in turn, results in increased market performance.

Research limitations/implications

First, the sample of the responding manufacturing and service Greek companies which includes both small and medium-sized enterprises and large companies and which operate in circumstances of financial crisis; second, the subjective data collected from only one company representative; and third, the examination of only two factors influencing company innovation, are the main limitations of the present study. Based on these limitations, future research studies are recommended.

Practical implications

The empirically validated theoretical model of the present study can guide the policy makers of a company to select a quality management and innovation strategy through which the company can lay the foundations to increase its market performance, and thus, overcome the current economic downturn and financial crisis. Researchers can also use the suggested valid model as an assessment tool, a benchmarking tool and a tool for the design of their future research studies.

Originality/value

The present study contributes to the literature by determining a valid model that describes simultaneously the relationships between quality management factors, product and process innovation and market performance. This is also the first study reflecting Greek companies’ efforts to withstand the current downturn and penetrate the market through innovation.
Proteomic profiling of integral membrane proteins associated to pathogenicity in Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains
Authors: Pérez‐Acosta Jesús A. , Martínez‐Porchas Marcel , Elizalde‐Contreras José M. , Leyva Juan Manuel , Ruiz‐May Eliel , Gollas‐Galván Teresa , Martínez‐Córdova Luis R. , Huerta‐Ocampo José Ángel
Published: November 2017

Vibrio parahaemolyticus has been recognized as the causal agent of early mortality syndrome and is currently considered an emerging shrimp disease causing losses of millions in the aquaculture industry. Integral membrane proteins are widely recognized as pathogenicity factors involved in essential mechanisms for V. parahaemolyticus infection, which makes them attractive as therapeutic targets. However, their physico‐chemical properties and weak expression has resulted in under‐representation of these proteins in conventional bottom‐up proteomics, making integral membrane proteomics a challenging task. Integral membrane proteins from a bacterial strain isolated from the hepatopancreases of white shrimp with early mortality syndrome and identified by 16S rRNA sequencing as V. parahaemolyticus and an ATCC strain that is pathogenic for humans were obtained by a sequential extraction method and subjected to relative quantification and identification by isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantitation. A homology database search resulted in identification of more than two hundred proteins, 35 of which are recognized as pathogenic factors showed statistically significant differential accumulation between the strains. These proteins are mainly associated with adherence, secretion systems, cell division, transport, lysogenization, movement and virulence. Identification of pathogenicity‐related proteins in V. parahaemolyticus provides valuable information for developing strategies based on molecular mechanisms that inhibit these proteins, which may be useful therapeutic targets for assisting the shrimp and aquaculture industry.
Balancing tensions: Buffering the impact of organisational restructuring and downsizing on employee well‐being
Authors: Harney Brian , Fu Na , Freeney Yseult
Published: November 2017

This study examines the impact of employee experiences of restructuring and downsizing on well‐being. The job demands‐resources model was used to develop hypotheses related to job demands in the form of work intensity and job resources in the form of consultation. The job demands‐resources model allows for direct incorporation of employee perceptions and does not assume a singular, predetermined consequence of HRM practices. Hypotheses were tested via structural equation modelling on a nationally representative sample of over 5,110 employees from the Republic of Ireland in 2009. The findings indicate that work intensity serves as a conduit through which experiences of restructuring and downsizing negatively impact employee well‐being. Notably, consultation served as a buffer, diminishing the extent of this negative experience. The findings illuminate the complex pathways that shape how restructuring and downsizing are perceived by employees and the consequences for well‐being. We discuss the theoretical and managerial implications of these findings.
Heparan sulfate inhibits inflammation and improves wound healing by downregulating the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in diabetic rats
Authors: Wang Tao , Zhao Jun , Zhang Jian , Mei Jiacai , Shao Mingzhe , Pan Ye , Yang Wenchao , Jiang Yujie , Liu Fang , Jia Weiping
Published: November 2017

Background

Heparan sulfate (HS) attenuates the inflammatory response and improves diabetic wound healing in rats. However, the specific mechanisms by which HS suppresses inflammation are not clear. Given that NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) is a major receptor involved in innate immune regulation, the aim of the present study was to elucidate the effects of HS on NLRP3 and proinflammatory cytokines in diabetic wounds.

Methods

Full‐thickness wounds were created on the back of diabetic rats. The experimental group received HS treatment (1 mg/kg, i.m., on Days 0 and 7), whereas the control group received vehicle (0.1% dimethylsulfoxide in 0.9% NaCl). Expression of NLRP3 and its downstream effector molecules, namely cleaved interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐18, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), proteinase inhibitor 9, and caspase‐12, in the wound tissues was examined.

Results

Treatment with HS accelerated wound healing in diabetic rats. Rats treated with HS exhibited decreased activation of cleaved IL‐1β, IL‐18, and TNF‐α, as well as decreased expression of NLRP3 and ASC. In addition, HS increased levels of proteinase inhibitor 9 and caspase‐12.

Conclusions

Heparan sulfate inhibits inflammation and improves wound healing by downregulating the NLRP3 inflammasome and cleaved IL‐1β during the wound healing process in diabetic rats.
Paravascular abnormalities observed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography are risk factors for retinoschisis in eyes with high myopia
Authors: Li Tong , Wang Xiaohan , Zhou Yanping , Feng Tonghui , Xiao Meichun , Wang Fenghua , Sun Xiaodong
Published: November 2017

Purpose

To investigate the retinal features and distribution of paravascular abnormalities (PVAs) and their relationship with retinoschisis in eyes with high myopia.

Methods

One hundred and fifty‐two eyes of 88 patients with high myopia [refractive error greater than −6 dioptres (D) or axial length (AL) ≥26.5 mm] who had undergone comprehensive ophthalmic examinations were evaluated in this cross‐sectional study. Multiple optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans were performed to study the microstructural alterations adjacent to the retinal vascular arcades and the entire macular area. The presence and distribution patterns of various PVAs, retinoschisis and the association between these parameters were analysed.

Results

Of the 152 highly myopic eyes, PVAs were detected by OCT in 126 eyes (82.9%), including paravascular microfolds in all 126 eyes, paravascular cysts in 109 eyes (71.7%) and paravascular lamellar holes in 44 eyes (28.9%). All three types of PVAs were observed more frequently along the temporal vascular arcades than along the nasal vascular arcades (p < 0.005). Seventy‐eight eyes (51.3%) were identified with retinoschisis at retinal vascular arcades, most frequently in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) and along temporal arcades. Eyes with all three types of PVAs (microfolds, cysts and lamellar holes) had the highest incidence of retinoschisis at vascular arcades (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that age, the AL, presence of paravascular microfolds and cysts, and simultaneously existence of all three types of PVAs were associated with an increased risk for retinoschisis at vascular arcades. Macular retinoschisis was detected in 25 eyes (19.8%) and presented with splitting of the outer retina in all cases. All seven eyes with entire macular area retinoschisis (S4 grade) were accompanied by retinoschisis at vascular arcades within multiple layers, including outer retinoschisis, IPL schisis and inner limiting membrane (ILM) detachment.

Conclusion

Our findings indicated that all three types of PVAs and different types of retinoschisis were most frequently observed along the temporal vascular arcades. Eyes with paravascular microfolds and cysts, and those with all three paravascular lesions may in risk of developing retinoschisis at vascular arcades.
Strictly controlled glucose infusion rates are associated with a reduced risk of hyperglycaemia in extremely low birth weight preterm infants
Authors: Stensvold Hans Jorgen , Lang Astri M. , Strommen Kenneth , Abrahamsen Tore G. , Ogland Bjorn , Pripp Are H. , Ronnestad Arild E.
Published: November 2017

Aim

We evaluated a strict strategy that aimed to avoid fluctuations in glucose infusion rates (GIRs) and assessed the independent effects of maximal daily GIRs on the hyperglycaemia risk among extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants receiving early enhanced parenteral nutrition.

Methods

This study comprised all ELBW infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Norway, before (2007–2009) and after (2012–2013) implementing a strict GIR strategy. Severe hyperglycaemia was defined as two consecutive blood glucose values over 12 mmol/L. Maximum daily GIRs (mg/kg/min) were categorised into low (<5.1), intermediate (5.1–7.0) or high (>7.0). Mixed effects logistic regression modelling for repeated measurements was applied to investigate independent determinants of hyperglycaemia.

Results

We included 1293 treatment days for 195 infants. The maximum daily GIR decreased (6.3 versus 5.8 mg/kg/min), while mean daily glucose and energy intakes were maintained in the post‐strategy period. The prevalence of severe hyperglycaemia (48% versus 23%), insulin use (39% versus 16%) and mortality (26% versus 10%) fell. Intermediate GIR (odds ratio 2.11) and high GIR (odds ratio 2.85) were significant independent predictors of severe hyperglycaemia compared to low GIR.

Conclusion

A strict GIR strategy reduced the risk of severe hyperglycaemia and adverse outcomes.
Mapping the interview transcript: Identifying spatial policy areas from daily working practices
Authors: Orford Scott , Webb Brian
Published: November 2017

An interview transcript can be a rich source of geographical references whose potential are not always fully realised in their conventional analysis. Geo‐referencing techniques can be used to assign a spatial footprint to place names, adding value to these data and allowing the geographic information within them to be exploited when coupled with GIS technology. This paper discusses a method of analysing and visualising interview transcripts in order to understand the spatial extent of public policy practitioners’ activities. Through aggregation and statistical mapping it is possible to gain insight into the importance of space across a range of public policy themes and to understand the relationship between practitioner‐defined policy themes and the formal administrative boundaries within which they typically work. The research demonstrates that spatial working practices rarely conform to formal administrative boundaries and that there are varying degrees of spatial focus between different policy themes within localities. It also reveals that spatial working practices can continue to be influenced by historic geographies and can be pulled in different directions, reflecting both the devolved nature of the sector and the particular geographical context of the setting. It concludes that mapping the interview transcript can add value and provide additional insights to more conventional analysis.
The parenthood argument
Authors: Simkulet William
Published: November 2017

Don Marquis is well known for his future like ours theory (FLO), according to which the killing beings like us is seriously morally wrong because it deprives us of a future we can value. According to Marquis, human fetuses possess a future they can come to value, and thus according to FLO have a right to life. Recently Mark Brown has argued that even if FLO shows fetuses have a right to life, it fails to show that fetuses have a right to use their mother's body, evoking Judith Jarvis Thomson's famous violinist case. In the wake of Brown's conclusion, Marquis presents a new argument—the parenthood argument (PA)—which he believes shows that abortion is seriously morally wrong. Here I argue that the PA fails to show abortion is seriously morally wrong for the same reasons FLO fails to show abortion is seriously morally wrong.
Conscientious objection, professional duty and compromise: A response to Savulescu and Schuklenk
Authors: Hughes Jonathan A.
Published: November 2017

In a recent article in this journal, Savulescu and Schuklenk defend and extend their earlier arguments against a right to medical conscientious objection in response to criticisms raised by Cowley. I argue that while it would be preferable to be less accommodating of medical conscientious than many countries currently are, Savulescu and Schuklenk's argument that conscientious objection is ‘simply unprofessional’ is mistaken. The professional duties of doctors should be defined in relation to the interests of patients and society, and for reasons set out in this article, these may support limited accommodation of conscientious objection on condition that it does not impede access to services. Moreover, the fact that conscientious objection appears to involve unjustifiable compromise from the objector's point of view is not a reason for society not to offer that compromise. Arguing for robust enforcement of the no‐impediment condition, rather than opposing conscientious objection in principle, may be a more effective way of addressing the harms resulting from an over‐permissive conscientious objection policy.
Judgments of moral responsibility in tissue donation cases
Authors: Beverley John , Beebe James
Published: November 2017

If a person requires an organ or tissue donation to survive, many philosophers argue that whatever moral responsibility a biological relative may have to donate to the person in need will be grounded at least partially, if not entirely, in biological relations the potential donor bears to the recipient. We contend that such views ignore the role that a potential donor's unique ability to help the person in need plays in underwriting such judgments. If, for example, a sperm donor is judged to have a significant moral responsibility to donate tissue to a child conceived with his sperm, we think this will not be due to the fact that the donor stands in a close biological relationship to the recipient. Rather, we think such judgments will largely be grounded in the presumed unique ability of the sperm donor to help the child due to the compatibility of his tissues and organs with those of the recipient. In this paper, we report the results of two studies designed to investigate the comparative roles that biological relatedness and unique ability play in generating judgments of moral responsibility in tissue donation cases. We found that biologically related individuals are deemed to have a significant moral responsibility to donate tissue only when they are one of a small number of people who have the capacity to help.
Enthusiastic portrayal of 3D bioprinting in the media: Ethical side effects
Authors: Gilbert Frederic , Viaña John Noel M. , O'Connell Cathal D. , Dodds Susan
Published: November 2017

There has been a surge in mass media reports extolling the potential for using three‐dimensional printing of biomaterials (3D bioprinting) to treat a wide range of clinical conditions. Given that mass media is recognized as one of the most important sources of health and medical information for the general public, especially prospective patients, we report and discuss the ethical consequences of coverage of 3D bioprinting in the media. First, we illustrate how positive mass media narratives of a similar biofabricated technology, namely the Macchiarini scaffold tracheas, which was involved in lethal experimental human trials, influenced potential patient perceptions. Second, we report and analyze the positively biased and enthusiastic portrayal of 3D bioprinting in mass media. Third, we examine the lack of regulation and absence of discussion about risks associated with bioprinting technology. Fourth, we explore how media misunderstanding is dangerously misleading the narrative about the technology.
What do first‐year university students in Newfoundland and Labrador know about Aboriginal peoples and topics?
Authors: Godlewska Anne , Schaefli Laura , Massey Jennifer , Freake Sheila , Adjei Jones K. , Rose John , Hudson Chloe
Published: November 2017

Key Messages

Students enter university in Newfoundland and Labrador deeply ignorant of Aboriginal people and topics.

Lack of awareness of Aboriginal people and topics reinforces racism in Canada.

Curricular and textbook reform has the capacity to make a significant difference for Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal students.
Canadian economics research on immigration through the lens of theories of justice
Authors: Green David A. , Worswick Christopher
Published: November 2017

We assess the current state of knowledge in the economics of immigration and consider how economic theories of knowledge can be used to further the goal of developing a just immigration policy. In the process, we highlight the contributions of economists working in Canada and Canadian economists internationally in furthering our understanding of this important research area. We identify research gaps such as the need for more research on the underlying causes of the poor returns to foreign work experience for immigrants from non‐traditional source countries and the effect of immigrants on stimulating innovation. More research is also needed on the implications of temporary foreign worker (TFW) programs and the growing importance of employers in immigrant selection systems.
KDM6A promotes chondrogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells by demethylation of SOX9
Authors: Wang Pingting , Li Yanjing , Meng Tingting , Zhang Junjiang , Wei Yuanyuan , Meng Zhaosong , Lin Yunfeng , Liu Dayong , Sui Lei
Published: November 2017

Objectives

KDM6A has been demonstrated critical in the regulation of cell fates. However, whether KDM6A is involved in cartilage formation remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of KDM6A in chondrogenic differentiation of PDLSCs, as well as the underlying epigenetic mechanisms.

Methods

KDM6A shRNA was transfected into PDLSCs by lentivirus. The chondrogenic differentiation potential of PDLSCs was assessed by Alcian blue staining. Immunofluorescence was performed to demonstrate H3K27me3 and H3K4me3 levels during chondrogenesis. SOX9, Col2a1, ACAN and miRNAs (miR‐29a, miR‐204, miR‐211) were detected by real‐time RT‐PCR. Western blot was performed to evaluate SOX9, H3K27me3 and H3K4me3.

Results

The production of proteoglycans in PDLSCs was decreased after knockdown of KDM6A. Depletion of KDM6A inhibited the expression of SOX9, Col2a1, ACAN and resulted in increased H3K27me3 and decreased H3K4me3 levels. EZH2 inhibitor rescued the chondrogenic potential of PDLSCs after knockdown of KDM6A by regulating H3K27me3. Additionally, miR‐29a, miR‐204 and miR‐211 were also involved in the process of PDLSCs chondrogenesis.

Conclusions

KDM6A is required in chondrogenic differentiation of PDLSCs by demethylation of H3K27me3, and EZH2 inhibitor could rescue chondrogenesis of PDLSCs after knockdown of KDM6A. It could be inferred that upregulation of KDM6A or application of EZH2 inhibitor might improve mesenchymal stem cell mediated cartilage regeneration in inflammatory tissue destruction such as osteoarthritis.
Person‐centred, web‐based support in pregnancy and early motherhood for women with Type 1 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Linden K. , Berg M. , Adolfsson A. , Sparud‐Lundin C.
Published: November 2017

Aims

To report results from and explore use of a multicentre, parallel‐group, unblinded, randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness in terms of well‐being and diabetes management of a person‐centred, web‐based support programme for women with Type 1 diabetes, in pregnancy and postpartum.

Methods

Between 2011 and 2014, 174 pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes were randomly allocated (1:1) to web‐based support and standard care (intervention group, n=83), or standard care (control group, n=91). The web‐based support consisted of evidence‐based information; a self‐care diary for monitoring of daily activities; and peer support in a discussion forum. The primary outcomes (mean difference, measured at 6 months after childbirth) were well‐being and diabetes management.

Results

No differences were found with regard to the primary outcome measure scores for general well‐being [1.04 (95% CI –1.28 to 3.37); P=0.68] and self‐efficacy of diabetes management [0.08 (95% CI –0.12 to 0.28); P= 0.75], after adjustment for baseline differences in the insulin administration method, nor with regard to the secondary outcome measures.

Conclusions

At 6 months after childbirth, the web‐based support plus standard care was not superior to standard care in terms of general well‐being or self‐efficacy of diabetes management. This might be explained by the low number of participants who had a high activity level. Few simultaneously active participants in the web‐based programme and stressors in motherhood and diabetes postpartum were the main barriers to its use. Further intervention studies that offer web‐based support are needed, with lessons learned from the present study.

(Clinicaltrials.gov identification number: NCT015665824)
Testosterone therapy for sexual dysfunction in men with Type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Algeffari M. , Jayasena C. N. , MacKeith P. , Thapar A. , Dhillo W. S. , Oliver N.
Published: November 2017

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of testosterone therapy on a range of sexual function domains in men with Type 2 diabetes.

Method

Electronic databases were searched for studies investigating the effect of testosterone therapy on sexual function in men with Type 2 diabetes. All randomized controlled trials were considered for inclusion if they compared the efficacy of testosterone therapy with that of placebo and reported sexual function outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using a random‐effects model, and heterogeneity was expressed using the I2 statistic.

Results

A total of 611 articles were screened. Six randomized control trials, in a total of 587 men with Type 2 diabetes, were eligible for inclusion. The pooled data suggested that testosterone therapy improves sexual desire (random‐effects pooled effect size 0.314; 95% CI 0.082–0.546) and erectile function (random‐effects pooled effect size 0.203; 95% CI 0.007–0.399) when compared with control groups. Testosterone therapy had no significant effect on constitutional symptoms or other sexual domains compared with control groups. No studies have investigated the incidence of prostate cancer, fertility and cardiovascular disease after testosterone therapy in men with Type 2 diabetes.

Conclusion

Testosterone therapy may moderately improve sexual desire and erectile function in men with Type 2 diabetes; however, available data are limited, and the long‐term risks of testosterone therapy are not known in this specific patient group. We conclude that testosterone therapy is a potential treatment for men with Type 2 diabetes non‐responsive to phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitors. Testosterone therapy could be considered for men with Type 2 diabetes when potential risks and benefits of therapy are carefully considered and other therapeutic options are unsuitable.
MONITOR‐GCSF DLBCL subanalysis: Treatment patterns/outcomes with biosimilar filgrastim for chemotherapy‐induced/febrile neutropenia prophylaxis
Authors: Gascón Pere , Krendyukov Andriy , Höbel Nadja , Aapro Matti
Published: November 2017

Objective

Prospective data on the use of granulocyte‐colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) in non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma and its aggressive subtypes, including diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), are limited. MONITOR‐GCSF is a pan‐European, multicenter, prospective, observational study aiming to describe treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in patients receiving biosimilar filgrastim in the prophylaxis of chemotherapy‐induced neutropenia (CIN) and febrile neutropenia (FN).

Methods

This analysis describes patient characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes for 245 patients with stage 3 or 4 DLBCL receiving ≤6 chemotherapy cycles as part of MONITOR‐GCSF study, including patients aged ≥65 years and ≥70 years. Outcomes of interest included the incidence of CIN and FN, antibiotic prophylaxis, biosimilar filgrastim prophylaxis, and adverse events (AEs).

Results

MONITOR‐GCSF included 245 patients with DLBCL. Of these patients, 87 (35.5%) experienced one or more CIN (any grade) episode and 24 (9.8%) experienced FN (any grade). The most frequent AE reported was bone pain (n = 7, 2.9%), followed by arthralgia (n = 2, 0.8%) and back pain (n = 2, 0.8%).

Conclusion

In real‐life practice, biosimilar filgrastim demonstrated clinical effectiveness and safety in patients with DLBCL. The large percentage of patients aged ≥65 years adds to the evidence on how to best treat older patients with DLBCL receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy.
Structured education to improve primary‐care management of headache: how long do the benefits last? A follow‐up observational study
Authors: Braschinsky M. , Haldre S. , Kals M. , Arge M. , Saar B. , Niibek M. , Katsarava Z. , Steiner T. J.
Published: November 2017

Background and purpose

Our earlier study showed that structured education of general practitioners (GPs) improved their practice in headache management. Here the duration of this effect was assessed.

Methods

In a follow‐up observational study in southern Estonia, subjects were the same six GPs as previously, managing patients presenting with headache as the main complaint. Data reflecting their practice were collected prospectively during a 1‐year period commencing 2 years after the educational intervention. The primary outcome measure was referral rate (RR) to neurological services. Comparisons were made with baseline and post‐intervention data from the earlier study.

Results

In 366 patients consulting during the follow‐up period, the RR was 19.9%, lower than at baseline (39.5%; P < 0.0001) or post‐intervention (34.7%; P < 0.0001). The RR was diagnosis‐dependent: the biggest decline was for migraine. Use of headache diagnostic terms showed changes generally favouring specific terminology. In particular, the proportion of patients given migraine diagnoses greatly increased whilst use of the inappropriate M79.1 (Pericranial) myalgia almost disappeared. Requests for investigations, which had fallen from 26% (of patients seen) at baseline to 4% post‐intervention, resurged to 23% (mostly laboratory investigations; requests for X‐rays continued to dwindle). Initiation of treatment by the GPs remained at the post‐intervention level of just over 80% (up from baseline 58%).

Conclusions

Improvements in GPs’ practice after a structured educational programme mostly last for ≥3 years, some showing further betterment. A few measures suggest the beginnings of a decline towards baseline levels. This policy‐informing evidence for continuing medical education indicates that the educational programme needs repeating every 2–3 years.
Severe infantile onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathy caused by mutations in autophagy gene WDR45
Authors: Carvill Gemma L. , Liu Aijie , Mandelstam Simone , Schneider Amy , Lacroix Amy , Zemel Matthew , McMahon Jacinta M. , Bello‐Espinosa Luis , Mackay Mark , Wallace Geoffrey , Waak Michaela , Zhang Jing , Yang Xiaoling , Malone Stephen , Zhang Yue‐Hua , Mefford Heather C. , Scheffer Ingrid E.
Published: November 2017

Heterozygous de novo variants in the autophagy gene, WDR45, are found in beta‐propeller protein‐associated neurodegeneration (BPAN). BPAN is characterized by adolescent onset dementia and dystonia; 66% patients have seizures. We asked whether WDR45 was associated with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). We performed next generation sequencing of WDR45 in 655 patients with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. We identified 3/655 patients with DEE plus 4 additional patients with de novo WDR45 pathogenic variants (6 truncations, 1 missense); all were female. Six presented with DEE and 1 with early onset focal seizures and profound regression. Median seizure onset was 12 months, 6 had multiple seizure types, and 5/7 had focal seizures. Three patients had magnetic resonance susceptibility‐weighted imaging; blooming was noted in the globus pallidi and substantia nigra in the 2 older children aged 4 and 9 years, consistent with iron accumulation. We show that de novo pathogenic variants are associated with a range of developmental and epileptic encephalopathies with profound developmental consequences.
Is bank capital sensitive to a tax allowance on marginal equity?
Authors: Martin‐Flores Jose , Moussu Christophe
Published: November 2017

This paper studies how bank capital changes following the implementation and removal of a tax incentive on equity. We examine the impact of the introduction of a tax allowance in Italy granted to banks (and other firms) that increase their equity from a base year. Using a difference‐in‐differences setting, we observe an 8.83% increase in bank capital ratios following the implementation of this reform. When this tax mechanism is phased out, we observe an opposite effect on the equity ratio, showing the absence of a hysteresis effect in bank capital. We document a heterogeneous effect for large and small banks.
An estimation of US horse‐owner/caregiver willingness‐to‐pay for daily use and infectious upper respiratory disease treatment options
Authors: Kibler M. L. , Pendell D. L. , Costanigro M. , Traub‐Dargatz J.
Published: November 2017

Background

Equine injury and disease cause two types of costs for those financially responsible for treating and caring for the infected horse(s); direct costs of treating the horse and indirect cost of lost use of the horse for a period of time to the user of the horse (daily horse use). Indirect costs are more difficult to estimate but pose significant financial implications for equine‐owners/caregivers. Additionally, there exists a gap in existing research regarding the valuation of infectious treatment options in horses.

Objective

To estimate the value a US horse‐owner/caregiver places on daily horse use and describe respondents’ willingness‐to‐pay for various attributes of equine treatment options.

Study design

Online questionnaire survey.

Methods

An online questionnaire was provided to equine‐owners and caretakers, and owner demographic, horse care and horse use information from respondents were requested. Additionally, respondents were presented with hypothetical disease treatment options with the following attributes: daily dosage, number of days of rest required, route of administration and out‐of‐pocket cost to the owner/caretaker through a choice experiment. Data were analysed using a rank‐ordered logit analysis and willingness‐to‐pay estimates for daily use and treatment options were calculated.

Results

Results suggest that the average horse‐owner with an uninsured and insured horse is willing to pay $12.07 (95% confidence interval: −$15.01, −$9.69) and $17.95 (95% confidence interval: −$25.30, −$11.20) per day to reduce lost use days required (due to need for rest) respectively. Respondents showed preferences for oral administration over treatments requiring i.m. injections.

Main limitations

As this study employed an online survey it was subjected to self‐selection bias and a sample size calculation was not performed.

Conclusions

Veterinarians and pharmaceutical companies may use these results when promoting various treatment options to horse‐owners/caregivers and in product development. Additionally, promotion efforts may be targeted towards equine‐owners with higher daily use values (owners with insured horses).