bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation Apprehension and Impression Management in Clinical Medical Education
Authors: McGaghie William C.
Published: January 2018

Historically, clinical medical education has relied on subjective evaluations of students and residents to judge their clinical competence. The uncertainty associated with these subjective clinical evaluations has produced evaluation apprehension among learners and attempts to manage one’s professional persona (impression management) among peers and supervisors. Such behavior has been documented from antiquity through the Middle Ages to the present, including in two new qualitative studies in this issue of Academic Medicine on the social psychology of clinical medical education. New approaches to medical education, including competency-based education, mastery learning, and assessment methods that unite evaluation and education, are slowly changing the culture of clinical medical education. The author of this Invited Commentary argues that this shift will bring greater transparency and accountability to clinical medical education and gradually reduce evaluation apprehension and the impression management motives it produces.
Revision Total Ankle Replacement in the Setting of Significant Bone Loss
Authors: O’Neil Joseph T. , Raikin Steven M.
Published: January 2018

The use of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) for the treatment of end-stage ankle arthritis is on the rise. Aseptic loosening and subsidence represent the most common complications leading to failure following TAA and can be associated with a significant amount of bone loss. Revision TAA has become a more viable treatment option but the management of bone loss in the tibia and talus remains a challenge. There is a paucity of literature regarding the success of revision TAA in the setting of surrounding bone loss. Published outcomes are mixed and complications can be quite serious. More recent implant designs, particularly of the talar component, allow for less bony resection during a primary ankle replacement and offer promise for the future. Frequent clinical and radiographic monitoring following a primary TAA is key to preventing the development of significant periprosthetic bone loss.

Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Latissimus Dorsi and Immediate Fat Transfer (LIFT) for Complete Autologous Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Economides James M. , Song David H.
Published: January 2018

Background:

Despite the popularity of latissimus dorsi (LD) flap in breast reconstruction, a breast implant is often necessary to achieve sufficient volume. Prior reports describe fat grafting to the LD flap as a secondary procedure to correct contour deformities and improve volume. Our institution has instituted autologous breast reconstruction with an LD flap and immediate fat transfer (LIFT).

Methods:

A retrospective review of all patients undergoing the LIFT procedure was undertaken. Patient age, total volume of fat transfer, length of follow-up, need for adjuvant therapy, and complications were recorded. The procedure begins with harvest of the LD flap and fat. Prior to disorigination of the latissimus muscle, fat is injected into the flap. Flap harvest is then completed and inset to create a breast mound.

Results:

Eighteen patients underwent LIFT procedures over 3 years with an average follow-up of 8.7 months (range, 2–24). Four breasts (22.2%) had previously received adjuvant radiation therapy. The mean total fat grafting volume was 515.5 mL (range, 325–730) per breast. The average estimated fat graft take was 66.8% (range, 50–80%). Four patients (22.2%) experienced complications.

Conclusion:

Autologous augmentation of the LD flap with lipotransfer has been used to avoid placement of an implant. We improve the technique by performing lipotransfer during index reconstruction. Furthermore, we perform lipotransfer prior to disorigination of the LD muscle to minimize trauma to the flap and increase the efficiency of fat grafting. Our experience demonstrates that this technique is a viable autologous alternative to microsurgical breast reconstruction.
Long-term outcome following decompressive craniectomy: an inconvenient truth?
Authors: Honeybul Stephen , Ho Kwok M. , Gillett Grant R.
Published: January 2018

Purpose of review

There is little doubt that decompressive craniectomy can reduce mortality following malignant middle cerebral infarction or severe traumatic brain injury. However, the concern has always been that the reduction in mortality comes at the cost of an increase in the number of survivors with severe neurological disability.

Recent findings

There has been a number of large multicentre randomized trials investigating surgical efficacy of the procedure. These trials have clearly demonstrated a survival benefit in those patients randomized to surgical decompression. However, it is only possible to demonstrate an improvement in outcome if the definition of favourable is changed such that it includes patients with either a modified Rankin score of 4 or upper severe disability. Without this recategorization, the results of these trials have confirmed the ‘Inconvenient truth’ that surgery reduces mortality at the expense of survival with severe disability.

Given these results, the time may have come for a nuanced examination of the value society places on an individual life, and the acceptability or otherwise of performing a procedure that converts death into survival with severe disability.
Neuro-ICU patient disposition: optimal venue for acute needs
Authors: Badenes Rafael , Robba Chiara , Taccone Fabio S. , Bilotta Federico
Published: January 2018

Purpose of review

This article revises the recent evidence on ICU admission criteria for acute neurological patients [traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, postoperative neurosurgical procedures and stroke].

Recent findings

The appropriate utilization of ICU beds is essential, but it is complex and a challenge to attain. To date there are no widely accepted international guidelines for managing these acute brain-injured patients (stroke, TBI, postneurosurgery) in the ICU. The criteria for ICU admission after neurological acute injury, high-dependency unit or a specialized neurosurgical ward vary from institution to institution depending on local structures and characteristics of the available resources. Better evidence to standardize the treatment and the degree of monitoring is needed during neurological acute injury. It is highly recommended to implement clinical vigilance in these patients regardless of their destination (ICU, stroke unit or ward).

Currently evidence do not allow to define standardized protocol to guide ICU admission for acute neurological patients (TBI patients, postoperative neurosurgical procedures and stroke).
Androgen abuse epidemiology
Authors: Sagoe Dominic , Pallesen Ståle
Published: January 2018

Purpose of review

To systematically review current epidemiological literature on androgen abuse. Estimates from 32 empirical epidemiological articles were reviewed.

Recent findings

Generally, androgen abuse epidemiology and prevalence is higher in Europe, the Middle East, North America (the USA), Oceania (Australia and New Zealand), and South America (Brazil) and lower in Africa and Asia. In contrast to the general population, androgen abuse epidemiology and prevalence is higher among athletes, injection drug users, recreational sportspeople, and sexual and gender minorities.

From the 1970s, androgen abuse spread from athletes into the general population. Consistent with previous evidence, reviewed studies suggest that androgen abuse epidemiology and prevalence is higher in Western cultural contexts, the Middle East, and South America (Brazil) and lower in Africa and Asia. Evidence also corroborates indications that androgen abuse is less prevalent among women (vs. men), and in the general population in contrast to particular subpopulations consisting of athletes, injection drug users, recreational sportspeople, and sexual and gender minorities. Adolescents’ androgen abuse should be of special concern. Androgen abuse in some nonsports occupations (e.g. security workers) requires further exploration. Polypharmacy and the Internet proliferation of androgens and other PIEDs require surveillance for prevention and harm reduction.
Novel metabolic phenotypes in lecithin cholesterol acyltyransferase-deficient mice
Authors: Ng Dominic S.
Published: January 2018

Purpose of review

Lecithin cholesterol acyltyransferase (LCAT) deficiency is a rare monogenic disorder causing lipoprotein dysregulation and multiple organ dysfunctions, including renal impairment. LCAT knockout mice have been shown informative in elucidating mechanisms of many major clinical morbid phenotypes. Extended characterization of the LDL receptor/LCAT double knockout (Ldlr/Lcat-DKO or DKO) mice had led to the discovery of a number of novel protective metabolic phenotypes, including resistance to obesity, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and insulin resistance. We seek to integrate the findings to explore novel pathogenic pathways.

Recent findings

The chow fed DKO mice were found more insulin sensitive than their Ldlr-KO controls. Joint analyses of the three strains (DKO, Ldlr-KO and wild-type) revealed differential metabolic responses to a high cholesterol diet (HCD) vs. high-fat diet (HFD). DKO mice are protected from HFD-induced obesity, hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, insulin resistance, ER cholesterol and NASH markers (steatosis and inflammasomes). Joint analysis revealed the HFD-induced NASH is dependent on de-novo hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis. DKO mice are protected from HCD-induced hepatic ER stress, ER cholesterol, but not NASH, the latter likely due to cholesterol crystal accumulation. DKO mice were found to develop ectopic brown adipose tissue (BAT) in skeletal muscle. Ectopic BAT derived in part from myoblast in utero and from adult satellite cells. Primed expression of PRDM16 and UCP in quiescent satellite cell caused by LCAT deficiency synergizes with cell cholesterol depletion to induce satellite cell-to-BAT transdifferentiation.

Metabolic phenotyping of selective LCAT null mice led to the discovery of novel metabolically protective pathways.
MACRA and the Quality Payment Program
Authors: Smith Mary Atkinson
Published: January 2018

The introduction of 2017 also brought with it the beginning of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) legislation related to the Quality Payment Program (QPP), in addition to alternative payment models and the merit-based incentive payment system. The successful implementation of the QPP within the specialty of orthopaedics will rely heavily on the active involvement of orthopaedic nurses when it comes to improving quality, lowering costs, and incorporating value. It is important for orthopaedic nurses to understand the QPP and the role it plays in determining value-based payment of orthopaedic care delivery, in addition to how the structure of the QPP correlates with nursing diagnoses and respective plans of care delivery.
A Provider-Focused Intervention to Promote Optimal Care of Pediatric Patients With Suspected Elbow Fracture
Authors: Diaz Maria Carmen G. , Werk Lloyd N. , Crutchfield James H. , Handy Lori K. , Franciosi James P. , Dent Joanne , Villanueva Raymond , Antico Eileen , Taylor Alex , Wysocki Tim
Published: January 2018

Objective

Emergency department (ED) and urgent care (UC) physicians' accurate assessment of the neurovascular and musculoskeletal (NV/MSK) examination in pediatric patients with suspected elbow fracture is crucial to the early recognition of neurovascular compromise. Our objective was to determine the impact of computer-based simulation (CBS) and computerized clinical decision support systems (CCDSS) on ED and UC physicians' assessment of the NV/MSK examination of pediatric patients with elbow fracture as noted in their documentation.

Methods

All ED UC physician participants received CBS training about management of pediatric patients with suspected elbow fracture. Participants were then randomized to receive CCDSS (intervention arm) when an eligible patient was seen or no further intervention (comparison arm.) Participants received feedback on the proportion of patients with discharge diagnosis of elbow fracturewith proper examination elements documented.

Results

Twenty-eight ED and UC physicians were enrolled — 14 in each arm. Over the span of 16 weeks, 50 patients with a discharge diagnosis of elbow fracture were seen — 25 in each arm. Twenty-two of 25 (88%) patients seen by intervention arm participants had a complete NV/MSK examination documented. Six of 25 (24%) patients seen by comparison arm participants had a complete NV/MSK examination documented. Elements most commonly missed in the comparison arm included documentation of ulnar pulse as well as radial, median, and ulnar nerve motor functions.

Conclusions

Compared with single CBS training alone, repeated exposure to CCDSS after CBS training resulted in improved documentation of the NV/MSK status of pediatric patients with elbow fracture.
Primary Ovarian Pregnancy: A Case Series and Analysis
Authors: Wang Yiying , Chen Hao , Zhao Miaoqing , Fadare Oluwole , Zheng Wenxin
Published: January 2018

The preoperative diagnosis of primary ovarian pregnancy (POP) remains elusive and the final diagnosis relies heavily on histologic findings. The diagnostic criteria for POP, established in 1878 by Spiegelberg, are based primarily on the identification of an embryonic sac within the ovary and the localization of conception products therein. However, these diagnostic criteria may be overly strict, which may not only significantly underestimate the prevalence of POP, but also potentially mislead patient management. In this series, we present 7 cases that showed no embryonic sac within the ovary (thus not meeting the Spiegelberg criteria for POP), but were nonetheless classified by the authors as POP based on the unequivocal presence of chorionic villi and implantation sites within the ovary. Immmunohistochemical studies for beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, human placental lactogen, and inhibin highlighted the trophoblastic populations. These findings indicate that POP may occur even if no embryonic sac is pathologically demonstrable. Accordingly, we propose the following modified diagnostic criteria for POP: (1) no pathologic evidence of ipsilateral fallopian tube involvement is present; and (2) evidences of gestation, including presence of chorionic villi and/or implantation site are present within the ovary. If both criteria are met, the diagnosis of POP should be rendered. These proposed diagnostic criteria should lead to more accurate diagnoses of POP, provide more contemporary insights into its true prevalence, heighten clinical awareness of the disease, and ultimately, optimize its clinical management.
Using System Inflammatory Response Syndrome as an Easy-to-Implement, Sustainable, and Automated Tool for All-Cause Deterioration Among Medical Inpatients
Authors: Fogerty Robert L. , Sussman L. Scott , Kenyon Kathleen , Li Fangyong , Sukumar Nitin , Kliger Alan S. , Acker Kurt , Sankey Christopher
Published: January 2018

Objectives

Clinical deterioration detection among adult inpatients is known to be suboptimal, and many electronic health record tools have been developed to help identify these patients. Many of these tools are focused on sepsis spectrum disorders, but the evolution of the definition of sepsis is moving toward increased specificity, which may make automated detection of clinical deterioration from nonsepsis-related conditions less likely. The objectives of this study were to develop and to examine the use of a low-cost, highly sustainable deterioration detection tool based on systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria.

Methods

Using existing resources, a SIRS-based electronic health record monitoring and intervention tool was developed with a focus on ease of implementation and high sustainability. This tool was used to monitor 15,739 adult inpatients in real time during their admission.

Results

The SIRS-based tool, created with focus on ease of implementation and high sustainability, identified patients with higher risk of clinical deterioration. The project was rapidly deployed for a 4-month period at a 900-bed campus of an academic medical center with minimal additional resources required.

Conclusions

Whereas the definition of sepsis moves away from SIRS, SIRS-based criteria may still have clinical benefit as an easy-to-automate detection tool for all-cause clinical deterioration among medical inpatients.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in HIV-Infected Patients Receiving the Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Pongthananikorn Suyanee , Jantarathaneewat Kittiya , Somnikha Pondsarun , Jaturapullarp Sirirat , Meksawan Kulwara
Published: January 2018

This study aimed to evaluate prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome in human immunodeficiency virus–infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 18.5%. The patients with metabolic syndrome had significantly higher fasting blood sugar level, triglyceride level, systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, and body mass index but lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol than those without metabolic syndrome. A significant difference of carbohydrate intake between groups was observed. These findings indicated that metabolic syndrome could be found in human immunodeficiency virus–infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy, and the management of this problem should be taken into consideration.
Prediction of Early BK Virus Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients by the Number of Cells With Intranuclear Inclusion Bodies (Decoy Cells)
Authors: Yamada Yoshiteru , Tsuchiya Tomohiro , Inagaki Isao , Seishima Mitsuru , Deguchi Takashi
Published: January 2018

Background

BK virus (BKV) is the cause of nephropathy. Because BKV nephropathy can progress to graft loss, early diagnosis of BKV infection is very important. In this study, we aimed to investigate the utility of quantifying cells with intranuclear inclusion bodies (decoy cells) in urinary sediment for the screening and monitoring of BKV infection in renal transplant recipients at our hospital.

Methods

This was a retrospective single-center study. Urine sediment examination was performed at each outpatient visit, and the number of decoy cells was measured in the whole microscopic field. Patients (n = 41) were divided into the BK viremia group (blood positive for BKV DNA by polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) and non-BK viremia group (blood negative for BKV DNA by PCR), and the decoy cell count in urinary sediments was examined.

Results

The maximum decoy cell count was significantly higher (P = 0.04) in the BK viremia group than in the non-BK viremia group. In the receiver operating characteristic curve for the maximum decoy cells, the cutoff value was 507 cells. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.8774 (95% confidence interval, 0.7739-0.9810). The number of decoy cells at the time of appearance in the BK viremia group was not significantly different from that in the non-BK viremia group. However, the BK viremia group showed an increasing trend, whereas the non-BK viremia group showed a decreasing trend, in the number of decoy cells. There was a positive correlation between the number of decoy cells and the data from the urine BKV-DNA PCR quantification (correlation coefficient [r] = 0.74).

Conclusions

Measurement of decoy cells in urinary sediments may predict early BKV infection, and if performed quickly, it may be useful for screening and continuous monitoring of BKV infection in renal transplant recipients.
Tailored Rabbit Antithymocyte Globulin Induction Dosing for Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Singh Namita , Rossi Ana P. , Savic Marizela , Rubocki Ronald J. , Parker Mark G. , Vella John P.
Published: January 2018

Background

Rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) is the most widely used kidney transplant induction immunotherapy in the United States. It was recently Food and Drug Administration approved for this indication with typical dose recommendations of 1.5 mg/kg for up to 7 days given via a central line.

Methods

We theorized that reduced rATG dosing when compared with conventional dosing (6-10.5 mg/kg) is safe and effective, leading to development of a risk-stratified treatment protocol. Five-year data from a retrospective cohort of 224 adult kidney transplants (2008-2013) with follow-up through 2015 is presented. Cumulative rATG doses of 3 mg/kg were administered peripherally to nonsensitized living donor recipients, 4.5 mg/kg to nonsensitized deceased donor recipients. A subset of higher immunologic risk recipients (defined as history of prior transplant, panel reactive antibody greater than 20%, or flow cytometry crossmatch positivity) received 6 mg/kg.

Results

There were no differences in patient or graft survival between the 3 groups. One-year rejection rates in the first 2 groups were 8.3% and 8.8%, respectively, comparable to contemporaneous rates reported to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. Dose tailoring permitted substantial cost savings estimated at US $1 091 502. Mean length of stay fell by almost 3 days as the protocol was refined. There were no episodes of phlebitis. Infection rates were comparable with those reported to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients.

Conclusions

The novel findings of the current study include peripheral administration, reduced dosing, favorable safety, excellent allograft outcomes, and clear associative data regarding reduced costs and length of stay.
Parameter-robustness analysis for a biochemical oscillator model describing the social-behaviour transition phase of myxobacteria
Authors: Taghvafard Hadi , Jardón-Kojakhmetov Hildeberto , Cao Ming
Published: January 2018

We develop a tool based on bifurcation analysis for parameter-robustness analysis for a class of oscillators and, in particular, examine a biochemical oscillator that describes the transition phase between social behaviours of myxobacteria. Myxobacteria are a particular group of soil bacteria that have two dogmatically different types of social behaviour: when food is abundant they live fairly isolated forming swarms, but when food is scarce, they aggregate into a multicellular organism. In the transition between the two types of behaviours, spatial wave patterns are produced, which is generally believed to be regulated by a certain biochemical clock that controls the direction of myxobacteria’s motion. We provide a detailed analysis of such a clock and show that, for the proposed model, there exists some interval in parameter space where the behaviour is robust, i.e. the system behaves similarly for all parameter values. In more mathematical terms, we show the existence and convergence of trajectories to a limit cycle, and provide estimates of the parameter under which such a behaviour occurs. In addition, we show that the reported convergence result is robust, in the sense that any small change in the parameters leads to the same qualitative behaviour of the solution.
Native turncoats and indirect facilitation of species invasions
Authors: Northfield Tobin D. , Laurance Susan G. W. , Mayfield Margaret M. , Paini Dean R. , Snyder William E. , Stouffer Daniel B. , Wright Jeffrey T. , Lach Lori
Published: January 2018

At local scales, native species can resist invasion by feeding on and competing with would-be invasive species. However, this relationship tends to break down or reverse at larger scales. Here, we consider the role of native species as indirect facilitators of invasion and their potential role in this diversity-driven ‘invasion paradox’. We coin the term ‘native turncoats’ to describe native facilitators of non-native species and identify eight ways they may indirectly facilitate species invasion. Some are commonly documented, while others, such as indirect interactions within competitive communities, are largely undocumented in an invasion context. Therefore, we use models to evaluate the likelihood that these competitive interactions influence invasions. We find that native turncoat effects increase with the number of resources and native species. Furthermore, our findings suggest the existence, abundance and effectiveness of native turncoats in a community could greatly influence invasion success at large scales.
How animals follow the stars
Authors: Foster James J. , Smolka Jochen , Nilsson Dan-Eric , Dacke Marie
Published: January 2018

Throughout history, the stars have provided humans with ever more information about our world, enabling increasingly accurate systems of navigation in addition to fuelling some of the greatest scientific controversies. What information animals have evolved to extract from a starry sky and how they do so, is a topic of study that combines the practical and theoretical challenges faced by both astronomers and field biologists. While a number of animal species have been demonstrated to use the stars as a source of directional information, the strategies that these animals use to convert this complex and variable pattern of dim-light points into a reliable ‘stellar orientation’ cue have been more difficult to ascertain. In this review, we assess the stars as a visual stimulus that conveys directional information, and compare the bodies of evidence available for the different stellar orientation strategies proposed to date. In this context, we also introduce new technologies that may aid in the study of stellar orientation, and suggest how field experiments may be used to characterize the mechanisms underlying stellar orientation.
Prevalence of disruptive selection predicts extent of species differentiation in Lake Victoria cichlids
Authors: van Rijssel Jacco C. , Moser Florian N. , Frei David , Seehausen Ole
Published: January 2018

Theory suggests that speciation with gene flow is most likely when both sexual and ecological selection are divergent or disruptive. Divergent sexual and natural selection on the visual system have been demonstrated before in sympatric, morphologically similar sister species of Lake Victoria cichlids, but this does not explain the subtle morphological differences between them. To investigate the significance of natural selection on morphology during speciation, we here ask whether the prevalence of disruptive ecological selection differs between sympatric sister species that are at different stages of speciation. Some of our species pairs do (
Pundamilia
) and others do not (
Neochromis
) differ distinctively in sexually selected male nuptial coloration. We find that (i) evidence for disruptive selection, and for evolutionary response to it, is prevalent in traits that are differentiated between sister species; (ii) prevalence of both predicts the extent of genetic differentiation; and (iii) genetic differentiation is weaker in species pairs with conserved male nuptial coloration. Our results speak to the existence of two different mechanisms of speciation with gene flow: speciation mainly by sexual selection tightly followed by ecological character displacement in some cases and speciation mainly by divergent ecological selection in others.
Universal service in Vietnam: the role of government
Authors: Do Manh Thai , Falch Morten , Williams Idongesit
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to look at the universal service policy in Vietnam interval 2005-2010 from a stakeholder perspective to clarify the role of stakeholders as well as initiatives used to implement the policy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applies the stakeholder framework of Papazafeiropoulou and Pouloudi (2000) to identify which actors implemented the universal service policy and what initiatives were used by the central government. In addition, this paper also uses the qualitative method to clarify the stakeholders’ position on performing the universal service policy. The qualitative interview is recruited to verify and triangulate the result of the secondary data.

Findings

This paper finds that the Vietnamese government controlled the universal service policy via an administrative regime that the central government ordered and other stakeholders followed; the universal service policy focused much on delivering universal service and infrastructure; however, there was lack of initiatives rising awareness of rural users about the benefit of the internet, or training courses on improving rural users’ skills to use the internet; and stakeholders implementing the universal service policy were state entities in which the national government played a central role, and there was no involvement of the private sector and the civil society.

Originality/value

Little research on universal service policies in Vietnam has been made. By analyzing the Vietnamese case, achievements and drawbacks in implementing universal service policies are identified and lessons for other developing countries are derived.
The subjective side of DiDIY: the profile of makers in network marketers communities
Authors: Guerini Carolina , Minelli Eliana Alessandra
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the profile of DiDIYers and the antecedents of digital do it yourself (DiDIY) in Network Marketing Direct Selling Organizations (NMDSO).

Design/methodology/approach

A two-step research design allowed the detection of DiDIYers strictu sensu (i.e. digital makers). After collecting data about the attitudes and the actual use of digital technology (DT) by network marketers through an online survey, an open-ended interview technique made it possible to analyze the personal characteristics of DiDIYers, the motivations that drive them and the activities that mainly foster the creation of artifacts in the DT domain. Besides, it allowed to recognize the perceived benefits and the impact of DiDIY output on networkers’ downline and firms’ performance.

Findings

The results provide a preliminary profile of the DiDIYer in network marketing communities that is suitable for further comparative studies. More specifically, this exploratory study acknowledges the most important antecedents of DiDIY in digital literacy – including the awareness of being a digital literate and/or a potential appropriateur – and in organizational culture.

Research limitations/implications

This is an exploratory study based on a limited sample of DiDIYers, nevertheless it offers a preliminary view of the subjective side of the DiDIY phenomenon in network marketing and represents as well a context-bound study.

Practical implications

Considering the ascribed benefits of DiDIY output on the traditional network marketing objectives (effectiveness, efficiency, cohesion, mutual assistance and reinforcement) network marketing communities could benefit from an increase of attention to the topic.

Originality/value

The study throws light on the process of DiDIY within direct sales and network marketing activities by defining a preliminary profile of digital makers and thus, underlining a phenomenon neglected so far.
The impact of goal (non)attainment on consumer preference through changes in regulatory focus
Authors: Mantovani Danielle , B. Andrade Eduardo , H.M. Prado Paulo
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Previous research has investigated how performance outcome impacts effort and subsequent goal pursuit. However, little is known about the incidental impact of goal (non)attainment on consumer preference via changes in regulatory focus. This paper aims to suggest that performance feedback has a direct impact on consumers’ regulatory focus, which in turn influences their attitudes and preferences toward future events. Additionally, the authors assess the extent to which emotions arising out of goal (non)attainment play a critical role in the process.

Design/methodology/approach

In a series of three experiments, this paper demonstrates that goal (non)attainment induces a specific regulatory focus, which in turn interacts with the frame of an upcoming advertisement to impact consumer preference.

Findings

This research demonstrates that previous goal (non)attainment interacts with the framing of an upcoming message (promotion vs prevention) and impacts consumer preference. The authors also find initial evidence for the role of emotions on the relationship between goal (non) attainment and preferences for regulatory-focused message frames.

Practical implications

The findings have important implications because they reveal consumers’ preferences after goal (non)attainment.

Originality/value

This study complements prior research by integrating two research streams (goal pursuit and regulatory focus) to address an open question of whether/how goal (non)attainment impacts message persuasiveness and consumer preference through changes in regulatory focus. Therefore, this research is intended to contribute to the literature by addressing the interacting effects of goal attainment and regulatory focus on consumer decisions and the role of emotions in this process.
Familial fictions: families and food, convenience and care
Authors: Jackson Peter
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the way diverse family forms are depicted in recent TV advertisements, and how the ads may be read as an indication of contemporary attitudes to food. It focuses particularly on consumers’ ambivalent attitude towards convenience foods given the way these foods are moralised within a highly gendered discourse of “feeding the family”.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a critical reading of the advertisments and their complex meanings for diverse audiences, real and imagined. The latter part of the paper draws on the results of ethnographically-informed fieldwork in the north of England.

Findings

The research highlights the value of food as a lens on contemporary family life. It challenges the conventional distinction between convenience and care, arguing that convenience food can be used as an expression of care.

Research limitations/implications

The paper makes limited inferences about audiencing processes in the absence of direct empirical evidence.

Originality/value

The paper’s value lies in its original interpretation of TV food advertising within the context of contemporary family life and in the novel connections that are drawn between convenience and care.
Innovation system foresight and systemic innovation for the overseas countries and territories
Authors: Jezic von Gesseneck Milan , Toffanin Renato , Jezic von Gesseneck Josip
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe through innovation system foresight and systemic innovation approach to address key systemic issues of European Union (EU) Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) concerning the sustainable development and economic resilience: the authors highlight the need for a systemic approach to innovation policy for the sustainable islands’ growth.

Design/methodology/approach

This research focuses on a multiple case study of selected OCTs, members of the Association of the OCTs. Specifically, this paper illustrates the foresight approach implemented in six OCTs in the context of the Territorial Strategies for Innovation project funded by the 10th European Development Fund.

Findings

The focus is on innovation system foresight and systemic innovation: the authors argue that key innovation elements of the individual OCTs can be used as crucial components of an emerging innovation system while this specific type of foresight can assist the governments of respective OCTs in the selection and design of specific instruments in relation to the formulation of their innovation strategies and policies.

Originality/value

This paper is based on work undertaken by the Territorial Strategies for Innovation project team during a three-year period dedicated to supporting the governments of OCTs both in defining and in implementing their innovation strategies. Its main contribution is to develop the concept of innovation system foresight and systemic innovation for the OCTs. The work presented here is considered to be of value by highlighting specific innovation elements for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in OCTs.
Gender and organizational climate
Authors: Kumar Manish , Jauhari Hemang , Ladha Rani S. , Shekhar Niti
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to study gender differences on six organizational climate variables. Employees’ views on their identification level, clarity of goals, perceived equity, welfare measures and outward focus of the organization were solicited in two different studies, while supervisors’ views on subordinates’ deviant behavior was explored in one of the studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design incorporated getting data using a questionnaire from two large organizations in India: a government utility and a private sector company. In all, 545 responses from government utility and 8,853 responses from the private company were analyzed, which formed the basis for this study.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that gender differences in employee perceptions are not only socially determined for some variables but in fact may also depend on the organizational structural contexts in presence of explicit supporting policies. Gender differences in identification level and goal clarity were determined by larger social context in the absence of any structural arrangement in both organizations. However, gender differences regarding perceived climate of welfare measures, outward focus of the organization and fairness were contingent on the structural context of the two organizations on account of differing arrangements in both the organizations. Also, women participants were perceived by their supervisors to indulge less in deviant behavior as compared to male participants in one of the study.

Research limitations/implications

Although this research includes only two organizations and the findings may, thus, not be generalizable, a key finding that emerges is that to balance the needs of both genders, managers may need to be cognizant of both organizational and social contexts.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is first to consider a detailed analysis of organizational climate with respect to gender perception particularly in the Indian context. The context of the study in two structurally different large organizations further adds to the value of this research.
Synthesizing technical skill building framework for extended enterprises in emerging economies
Authors: Goswami Mohit
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to formulate extended enterprise-oriented structure and process map for technical skill building for firms belonging to emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors identify technical skill building (lies at the intersection of product, process and people) as a key enabler for furthering organizational competitiveness. The authors employ define measure explore develop implement- and supplier, input, process, output, and customer (SIPOC-) based framework for arriving at a technical skill building framework.

Findings

By utilizing the SIPOC-based framework, the authors identify the supplier(s), input(s), process(s), output(s) and customer(s) in the value chain of technical skill building as far as the extended enterprise is concerned.

Originality/value

The paper uses pragmatic and user-friendly conceptualization for technical skill building framework.
Factors influencing early stage healthcare-academia partnerships
Authors: Uvhagen Håkan , von Knorring Mia , Hasson Henna , Øvretveit John , Hansson Johan
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore factors influencing early implementation and intermediate outcomes of a healthcare-academia partnership in a primary healthcare setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The Academic Primary Healthcare Network (APHN) initiative was launched in 2011 in Stockholm County, Sweden and included 201 primary healthcare centres. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2013-2014 with all coordinating managers (n=8) and coordinators (n=4). A strategic change model framework was used to collect and analyse data.

Findings

Several factors were identified to aid early implementation: assignment and guidelines that allowed flexibility; supportive management; dedicated staff; facilities that enabled APHN actions to be integrated into healthcare practice; and positive experiences from research and educational activities. Implementation was hindered by: discrepancies between objectives and resources; underspecified guidelines that trigger passivity; limited research and educational activities; a conflicting non-supportive reimbursement system; limited planning; and organisational fragmentation. Intermediate outcomes revealed that various actions, informed by the APHN assignment, were launched in all APHNs.

Practical implications

The findings can be rendered applicable by preparing stakeholders in healthcare services to optimise early implementation of healthcare-academia partnerships.

Originality/value

This study increases understanding of interactions between factors that influence early stage partnerships between healthcare services and academia in primary healthcare settings.
Reliability, availability and maintainability (RAM) analysis for wine packaging production line
Authors: Tsarouhas Panagiotis
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide results for a complete reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM) analysis utilizing data sets from a production system in a wine packaging line. Through the illustrated case study, the author demonstrates how RAM analysis is very useful for deciding maintenance intervals, and for planning and organizing the adequate maintenance strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

RAM analysis has been done for each machine by using failures data. The parameters of some common probability distributions, such as Weibull, exponential, lognormal, and normal distributions, have been estimated by using the Minitab software package. An investigation to determine which of these distributions provide the best fit for characterizing the failure pattern at machine and line level has been made. Reliability and maintainability of both wine packaging and its machines has been estimated at different mission times with their best fit distribution. High maintainability issues and potential factors with their potential failure modes were presented, through failure mode and effect analysis process.

Findings

Analysis of the total downtime, breakdown frequency, reliability, and maintainability characteristics of different machines shows that: first, the availability for the wine packaging line was 91.80 percent, and for the remaining 8.2 percent the line is under repair. Second, about two failures per shift are displayed on the line, whereas for the mean time-to-repair (TTR) a failure is 24 minutes. Third, there is no correlation between the time-between-failures and the TTRs for the wine packaging line. Fourth, the main three factors affecting the maintainability process in the production line are: resources availability, manpower management, and maintenance planning procedures.

Originality/value

This study is anticipated to serve as an illuminating effort in conducting a complete RAM analysis in the much advertised field of wine packaging production line which on the other hand so little has been published on operational availability and equipment effectiveness. It can also be useful to serve as a valid data source for winery product manufacturers, who wish to improve the design and operation of their production lines.
“I should like you to see them some time”
Authors: Stobo Victoria , Patterson Kerry , Erickson Kristofer , Deazley Ronan
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The inability of cultural institutions to make available digital reproductions of collected material highlights a shortcoming with the existing copyright framework in a number of national jurisdictions. Overlapping efforts to remedy the situation were recently undertaken in the form of EU Directive 2012/28/EU, the “Orphan Works” directive, and a new licensing scheme introduced by the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO). The purpose of this paper is to empirically evaluate both the EU and UK policy approaches, drawing on data collected during a live rights clearance simulation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors attempted to clear rights in a sample of 432 items contained in the mixed-media Edwin Morgan Scrapbooks collection held by the University of Glasgow Library. Data were collected on the resource costs incurred at each stage of the rights clearance process, from initial audit of the collection, through to compliance with diligent search requirements under EU Directive 2012/28/EU and the UKIPO licensing procedures.

Findings

Comparing results against the two current policy options for the use of orphan works, the authors find that the UKIPO licensing scheme offers a moderate degree of legal certainty but also the highest cost to institutions (the cost of diligent search in addition to licence fees). The EU exception to copyright provides less legal certainty in the case of rightsholder re-emergence, but also retains high diligent search costs. Both policy options may be suitable for institutions wishing to make use of a small number of high-risk works, but neither approach is currently suitable for mass digitisation.

Research limitations/implications

This rights clearance exercise is focussed on a single case study with unique properties (with a high proportion of partial works embedded in a work of bricolage). Consequently, the results obtained in this study reflect differences from simulation studies on other types of orphan works. However, by adopting similar methodological and reporting standards to previous empirical studies, the authors can compare rights clearance costs between collections of different works.

Originality/value

This study is the first to empirically assess the 2014 UK orphan works licensing scheme from an institutional perspective. The authors hope that it will contribute to an understanding of how policy could more effectively assist libraries and archives in their digitisation efforts.
Designing an inference engine for assessment of researchers’ maturity using rough set theory
Authors: Karimi Tooraj , Sadeghi Moghadam Mohammad Reza , Mardani Amirhosein
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to design an expert system that gets data from researchers and determines their maturity level. This system can be used for determining researchers’ support programs as well as a tool for researchers in research-based organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focuses on designing the inference engine as a component of an expert system. To do so, rough set theory is used to design rule models. Various complete, discretizing and reduction algorithms are used in this paper, and different models were run.

Findings

The proposed inference engine has the validity of 99.8 per cent, and the most important attributes to determine the maturity level of researchers in this model are “commitment to research” and “attention to research plan timeline”.

Research limitations/implications

To accurately determine researchers’ maturity model, solely referring to documents and self-reports may reduce the validation. More validation could be reached through using assessment centers for determining capabilities of samples and observations in each maturity level.

Originality/value

The assessment system for the professional maturity of researchers is an appropriate tool for funders to support researchers. This system helps the funders to rank, validate and direct researchers. Furthermore, it is a valid criterion for researchers to evaluate and improve their abilities. There is not any expert system to assess the researches in literature, and all models, frameworks and software are conceptual or self-assessment.