bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Walking the environmental responsibility talk” in the automobile industry
Authors: Valentini Chiara , Kruckeberg Dean
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the corporate behavior of Volkswagen in its emissions scandal. It describes and analyzes a complex ethics dilemma within the purview of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate sustainability (CS) and examines how this dilemma impacts critical stakeholders, thus offering several “opportunities to learn” for professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

The case takes a stakeholder perspective, applying Cavanagh et al. (1981) and Gao’s (2008) ethical judgement framework. It is situated within a qualitative approach to textual analysis. Social actors, topics and evaluative statements were identified and grouped into broader categories.

Findings

Six major stakeholders were directly affected by Volkswagen’s behavior: customers, investors and shareholders, the US Environmental Protection Agency, German authorities, European institutions and society-at-large. Stakeholder concerns were condensed into three dominant themes: economic, legal and environmental. According to the ethical judgment framework, Volkswagen corporate behavior showed ethical problems, theoretically demonstrating that under no ethical principle was Volkswagen’s actions justifiable, even under instrumental justifications.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis was primarily based on corporate material and news media reporting. Consequently, diverse managers’ prospectives and opinions are not entirely captured.

Practical implications

This paper offers several “opportunities to learn” for corporate communication professionals.

Originality/value

The focus on stakeholder perspectives allows professionals to take an outside-in approach when evaluating the impact of corporate actions on stakeholders’ interests. The case analysis through Cavanagh et al. (1981) and Gao’s (2008) ethical judgment framework provides a practical theoretical instrument to assess corporate behaviors that can be used both as pre- and post-evaluations of corporate actions on CSR and CS issues.
The role of human resource practices and managers in the development of well-being
Authors: Lucia-Casademunt Ana M. , Cuéllar-Molina Deybbi , García-Cabrera Antonia M.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Organisational change is increasingly important and interesting to study. Change may affect employees’ attitudes and impact on their well-being. In this regard, it is important to examine how organisations enhance employees’ well-being when the competitive environment requires organisational changes whose implementation could cause well-being to deteriorate. Research suggests that human resource management practices (HRMPs) may have a positive impact on well-being. However, there is little research that analyses how the internal and external contexts of changing organisations may influence the outcome of HRMPs as regards well-being, which is of interest as it pertains to the application of suitable HRMPs in every setting. Thus, to address this research gap, the purpose of this paper is to analyse how employees’ perceptions of HRMPs and support from supervisors enhance well-being, taking into account the national cultural context of organisations.

Design/methodology/approach

Linear regression models tested the proposed hypotheses on a sample of 10,866 employees from 18 European countries who participated in the Fifth European Working Conditions Survey. Of the total sample, 5,646 respondents were involved in substantial restructuring and organisational change.

Findings

Results confirm the importance of national “uncertainty avoidance” values in the choice of the proper HRMPs to enhance employees’ well-being.

Originality/value

The literature highlights that HRMPs and supervisor support have a positive impact on well-being, and it also warns that national culture may condition the outcomes of human resource (HR) interventions. Based on this, the current study analyses how such HR interventions enhance well-being, taking into account national cultural context of organisations in both stable contexts and those involving change.
Mobile BIM implementation and lean interaction on construction site
Authors: Koseoglu Ozan , Nurtan-Gunes Elif Tugce
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Building information modeling (BIM) and lean construction are two practices that are developed in order to increase productivity, efficiency and quality in construction by implementing various procedures. However, the practical execution of both BIM and lean is mostly limited with the tasks performed in the office environments in the design phase. The purpose of this paper is to examine the benefit realizations in terms of lean interactions resulting from mobile BIM processes through a framework by focusing on digital transformations performed on the construction site.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the benefit realizations in terms of lean interactions resulting from mobile BIM processes through a framework by focusing on digital transformations performed on the construction site. To describe the case, BIM project management processes during construction phase have been explained by a participatory research. With a comprehensive literature review, interactions between site BIM processes and lean principles have been defined and the case has been evaluated accordingly.

Findings

By focusing on the mobile BIM delivery of project information via tablets to construction site, it has been identified that through the use of technology enabled by BIM practices, lean construction principles are also simultaneously accomplished. This achievement is not only realized with technology but also with the strategic implementation and transformation of organization with the proper BIM practices.

Research limitations/implications

The research is focused on mobile BIM processes applied on-site to enhance traditional project management processes. With the findings of this paper, practitioners may identify research questions to resolve real-life implementation challenges.

Practical implications

This research will enlighten construction practitioners regarding site BIM application capabilities and lean achievements with the utilization of improved project management processes enabled by BIM.

Originality/value

Through the implementation of project management processes enabled by BIM practices on construction site, lean principles are achieved and bottlenecks are identified.
Fog computing and IoT based healthcare support service for dengue fever
Authors: Singh Sonia , Bansal Ankita , Sandhu Rajinder , Sidhu Jagpreet
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper has proposed a Fog architecture-based framework, which classifies dengue patients into uninfected, infected and severely infected using a data set built in 2010. The aim of this proposed framework is to developed a latency-aware system for classifying users into different categories based on their respective symptoms using Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and audio and video files.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the aforesaid aim, a smart framework is proposed, which consist of three components, namely, IoT layer, Fog infrastructure and cloud computing. The latency of the system is reduced by using network devices located in the Fog infrastructure. Data generated by IoT layer will first be processed by Fog layer devices which are in closer proximity of the user. Raw data and data generated will later be stored on cloud infrastructure, from where it will be sent to different entities such as user, hospital, doctor and government healthcare agencies.

Findings

Experimental evaluation proved the hypothesis that using the Fog infrastructure can achieve better response time for latency sensitive applications with the least effect on accuracy of the system.

Originality/value

The proposed Fog-based architecture can be used with IoT to directly link it with the Fog layer.
Does credit access lead to expansion of income and multidimensional poverty? A study of rural Assam
Authors: Das Tiken
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of credit access on income and multidimensional poverty by providing an econometric framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is conducted in Assam, India and uses a quasi-experiment design to gather primary data. Econometric tools like Heckit procedure, Tobit selection equation and probit model are used for empirical purpose.

Findings

The paper finds that the level of individual welfare is influenced by equivalent factors. In addition, the study observes a larger incidence of poverty among treatment households of semiformal and informal borrowers. The study argues that formal sources are more effective in reducing the number of poor households by lifting those who are closest to the poverty line.

Research limitations/implications

The study indicates a vicious circle of income and multidimensional poverty among semiformal and informal borrowers. By tradition, as rural Assam gets a dominant role of traditional community-based financial institutions, we should develop the banking structure by involving these institutions. The study excludes other probable explanatory variables while evaluating the impact of credit access on income and multidimensional poverty, and this limitation is left to future research.

Originality/value

This is probably the first empirical paper in Assam showing the impact of credit access on multidimensional poverty by adjusting for endogeneity and selection bias.
A systematic review of bullying definitions: how definition and format affect study outcome
Authors: Younan Ben
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how varying definitions of bullying and formats of the definitions affect research study outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic search of empirical studies within the following databases was conducted: PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science and Wiley Online Library. Empirical studies examining laypersons and researcher’s definitions of bullying or how differences in the format of the definition of bullying results in varied outcomes were eligible to be included in this review. As traditional forms of bullying differ from cyber-bullying research on the latter were excluded.

Findings

Only 17 of the 18,045 screened met the study eligibility criteria. In total, 12 of the screened studies explored how participants define bullying and five explored how the different presentation of the definition may lead to different reported prevalence. The findings showed that laypersons definitions of bullying are not only inconsistent but they rarely meet the criteria used by researchers. The varying presentations of the bullying definition also affected outcomes with the more detailed definitions leading to a better understanding of the behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

Researchers should always provide a definition of bullying to participants either in a written format or if possible in a more detail like an educational video that clearly highlights the five characteristics researchers used to define the behaviour.

Originality/value

This is the first paper that reviews empirical studies on the definition of bullying.
A taxonomy of event participants based on risk and security perceptions
Authors: Carter Hannah , Moital Miguel
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to create a taxonomy of event participants based on risk and security perceptions.

Design/methodology/approach

Two focus groups were established with British mothers, one with five mothers and the other with six, recruited through convenience and snowball sampling. A tree diagram was employed to uncover the taxonomic structure underlying risk and security perceptions. In creating the taxonomy, two critical issues were found to best categorise participants: the extent to which risks were considered before attending an event and whether or not participants showed an interest in knowing about security measures in advance of the event.

Findings

Six taxonomy categories were created, based on the unique combination of attitude and reactions: overthinker, investigator, naïve, ignorer, survivalist and optimiser. Similarities and differences between the types of participants were examined across 12 typical traits and reactions to risk and security.

Practical implications

The results provide event organisers with an understanding of whether they need to communicate their risk management strategy, and if so how they can best achieve this.

Originality/value

Existing taxonomies have tended to identify customer types based on risk perceptions alone. This research expands such work by considering attitudes towards both risk and security and how these affect event attendance. Hence, the descriptive taxonomy developed in the paper provides empirical evidence of the diverse risk and security perceptions at public events.
Impacts of knowledge sourcing on employee innovation: the moderating effect of information transparency
Authors: Che Tong , Wu Zijing , Wang Yaoyu , Yang Rui
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Innovation is the combination of idea generation and idea implementation. Sourcing relevant and credible external knowledge is critical for individuals to generate new feasible ideas and reduce the uncertainty of implementation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of knowledge sourcing on employee’s innovations behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected by paper-based survey in four Chinese companies’ R&D departments and consisted of 569 valid responses. Structure equitation modeling method was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate that knowledge sourcing, which is formatively conceptualized by tacit knowledge sourcing and explicit knowledge sourcing, significantly influences employee’s innovation behavior. In particular, the direct effect of knowledge sourcing is fully mediated by task-efficacy. Furthermore, the effects of knowledge sourcing are contingent upon information transparency.

Originality/value

This study not only contributes to knowledge sourcing literature by investigating knowledge sourcing from idea generation and idea implementation perspectives, but also is of importance to knowledge management research by demonstrating the moderating effects of information transparency.
The influence of organizational culture on how we define and pursue goals
Authors: Rich Lauren L. , Rich James , Hair Joe
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and validate a model of organizational culture capable of more strongly predicting individual work behavior. For this purpose, the authors integrate the organizational culture profile (OCP) with two independent theories – regulatory focus theory and the theory of basic values.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data were collected from 22 US public accounting firms. Partial least squares confirmatory composite analysis was used to test the theoretical structure and measurement metrics of the proposed factors.

Findings

The results support that the influence of organizational culture can be conceptualized consistent with a regulatory focus framework. The findings of our research indicate that promotion-focused culture is distinct from prevention-focused culture.

Practical implications

The results raise questions about the common practice across existing person-organization fit research of expecting generic effects across all seven OCP dimensions when predicting individual behaviors. Moreover, empirical evidence for the separate higher-order cultural dimensions supports the conclusion that the OCP’s seven dimensions reflect different underlying motivations likely important in predicting individual work behavior.

Originality/value

This study is the first to not only provide a confirmatory composite analysis of the measure of culture based on the OCP’s original seven cultural dimensions, but also examine the motivational properties of organizational culture through a regulatory focus framework.
Exploring forensic environments: how do environmental factors influence individual outcomes for residents and staff? A systematic review
Authors: Greenacre Karine , Palmer Emma
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Increasing attention is focusing on the role of environments in the rehabilitation of offenders, with a range of reported outcomes in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to explore forensic environments and the outcomes and changes that result, in order to assess the current knowledge in this area and to inform current and future practice.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a systematic review approach with an extensive literature search and robust application of appraisal methods, nine studies were identified. The studies included one mixed method study (n=1), qualitative methods (n=4) that utilised thematic analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis and Foucauldian discourse analysis and quantitative methods (n=4) that utilised the responses to psychometric measures including the EssenCES and correctional institution environment scale (CIES) to assess the quality and outcomes associated with environments in forensic settings.

Findings

Three superordinate themes were identified: factors required for successful environments, factors that influence successful environments and factors affected by successful environments.

Research limitations/implications

Further research would be beneficial around motivation, as it appears to influence the success of environments and be a potential outcome of environments. Further research might usefully explore the ideal time in services, for optimal outcomes in order to advise those currently commissioning services of this nature.

Originality/value

In addition to outcomes, this review found factors required for forensic environments that are consistent with previous literature within the field, and factors that might influence how successful environments can be.
Potentiality of probiotic yoghurt as a functional food – a review
Authors: Sarkar S.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

Yoghurt is most popular and more acceptable throughout the world because of its general positive image among consumers because of its diverse nutritional and therapeutic properties and can be the most suitable probiotic carrier. Key factors for consumer’s inclination towards functional foods are increased awareness for healthy foods because of health deterioration resulting from busy lifestyles, growing healthcare cost and the aspiration for an improved quality life in later years. Yoghurt is still not consumed in certain parts of the world because of a lack of a cultural tradition of consuming yogurt and further people are not aware of the health benefits associated with yogurt consumption. In this study an attempt has been to project probiotic yoghurt as a functional food in the current era of self-care and complementary medicine.

Design/methodology/approach

Attempt has been made to review the literature on the biochemical activities of yoghurt cultures and their behavior in association with diverse probiotic cultures. Both review and research papers related to biochemical activities and functional properties of yoghurt cultures in association with probiotics and their health benefits published in diverse journals under Pub Med and Science Direct have been considered. Keywords used for data search included functional foods, yoghurt, probiotic, health benefits, etc.

Findings

Functional properties of yoghurt can be further enhanced with fortification of minerals and vitamins or inclusion of probiotic cultures. Diversity in biochemical behavior yoghurt cultures in association with different probiotic cultures has been reported. Conjugated application of probiotics with yoghurt cultures would result in a product with enhanced functional properties to extend health benefits.

Originality/value

Inclusion of probiotic cultures in yoghurt is suggested to extend the functional properties of normal yoghurt, thus providing necessary nutrients, improving health and preventing or reducing nutrition-related diseases. Regular intake of probiotic yoghurt is suggested for healthy lifestyles, as it will help in retaining their health and reduce the potentially long-term risk of disease. Food industries can have profit-driven business by projecting the probiotic yoghurt as a functional food.
Sex trafficking and sex tourism in a globalised world
Authors: Brooks Ann , Heaslip Vanessa
Published: September 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the dark side of the relationship between gender, mobility, migration and tourism. Specifically, the paper looks at one form of human trafficking, the global sex industry and the relationship between sex trafficking and sex tourism. More particularly, the paper examines the global sex industry (Goh, 2009; Sasse, 2000, 2001) and the impact of migration and human rights aspects (Voronova and Radjenovic, 2016) of sex trafficking and sex tourism, as well as the emotional dimensions of trauma, violence and vulnerability (Heaslip, 2016).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is an interdisciplinary discussion paper combining socio-economic perspectives (Goh, 2009; Brooks and Devasayaham, 2011), human rights perspectives (Cheah, 2006), migration perspectives (Voronova and Radjenovic, 2016), tourism perspectives (Carolin et al., 2015) and health perspectives (Cary et al., 2016; Matos et al., 2013; Reid and Jones, 2011). The contribution of these intersecting perspectives to an understanding of sex trafficking and sex tourism is explored.

Findings

The paper highlights the moral and ethical responsibility of the tourist industry to counteract sex trafficking and sex tourism, an issue which tourism studies have failed to fully engage with. In presenting the human costs of trafficking from a gender perspective, the paper considers the ways in which the tourism industries, in some countries, are attempting to respond.

Research limitations/implications

The originality of the research is the focus on the dark side of the relationship between gender, mobility and tourism through sex trafficking and sex tourism drawing on an interdisciplinary perspective.

Social implications

The paper looks at the individual and social implications of sex trafficking and sex tourism for different countries and states and for the individuals concerned. In addition, it looks at the ways in which the tourism industry is responding to sex trafficking and sex tourism and the social impact of this.

Originality/value

In theorising the relationship between gender, migration, sex trafficking and tourism from an interdisciplinary perspective, exploring the societal and individual impact, this paper provides a framework for further empirical research or policy changes with regard to the intersection of sex trafficking and tourism.
The fibronectin‐binding protein homologue Fbp62 of Streptococcus anginosus is a potent virulence factor
Authors: Kodama Yoshitoyo , Ishikawa Taichi , Shimoyama Yu , Sasaki Daisuke , Kimura Shigenobu , Sasaki Minoru
Published: September 2018

Streptococcus anginosus appears to be able to adhere to cultured epithelial cells or fibronectin and this may be associated with bacterial pathogenicity. In the present study, the molecular characteristics and virulence of the fibronectin‐binding protein (FBP), Fbp62, of S. anginosus were investigated in animal models to determine the role of the molecule in bacterial infection. fbp62 encodes a 549 amino acid residue with an apparent molecular mass of 62.8 kDa that lacks a membrane anchor motif and a leader peptide, suggesting that fbp62 codes for an atypical FBP. It has been observed that the S. anginosus Fbp62 is very similar to the FbpA of Streptococcus gordonii, PavA of Streptococcus pneumoniae, SmFnB of Streptococcus mutans and Fbp54 of Streptococcus pyogenes. Recombinant Fbp62 prepared from pGEX‐4T‐2 was found to bind to fibronectin in a dose‐dependent manner and competitively inhibit the binding of S. anginosus to fibronectin. Furthermore, anti‐Fbp62 antiserum abrogated the binding of S. anginosus to fibronectin. Adhesion of the isogenic mutant, Δfbp62, constructed from S. anginosus NCTC 10713 (wild‐type, WT) by homologous recombination to HEp‐2 cells and DOK cells was significantly weaker than that of S. anginosus WT. In addition, Δfbp62’s lethality and ability to form abscesses were weaker in a mouse model of infection than in the WT strain. Taken together, these results suggest that Fbp62 is an important pathogenic factor of S. anginosus.
Contingent factors explain average divergence in functional composition over 88 years of old field succession
Authors: Clark Adam Thomas , Knops Johannes M. H. , Tilman Dave
Published: September 2018

“Old fields” are ecosystems that have been previously managed and subsequently abandoned, usually from agricultural use. These systems are classic testing grounds for hypotheses about community assembly. However, old field succession can be difficult to predict: seemingly similar fields often diverge in terms of species composition and environmental conditions.

Here, we test the relative roles of contingency and stochasticity in driving vegetative successional dynamics. We draw on three decades of surveys in 24 old fields at the Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve (Minnesota, USA), and focus on five drivers that are known to shape local plant communities: soil fertility, fire, climate, competition, and demography. These drivers can contribute to contingency when they act consistently across fields and years (e.g., soil nitrogen accumulation, experimental fire regimes, or average climate), or to stochasticity when their effects are variable (e.g., annual variations in weather, or colonization and mortality events).

We proceed in two steps. First, we fit regressions estimating abundance, colonization, and mortality for eight major functional groups in relation to these five drivers. We then use these regressions to parameterize a series of metacommunity simulation models, and test whether observed levels of stochasticity and variation in the drivers are sufficient to explain successional divergence.

All drivers were significantly associated with plant species abundances, colonization, and mortality. Contingent factors strongly altered predicted successional trajectories. However, replicate simulations with similar conditions followed similar successional trajectories, suggesting that stochastic processes did not lead to divergence. This robustness of successional dynamics may be explained by compensatory trade‐offs. For example, species that were abundant late in succession typically suffered from low colonization rates and high mortality rates early in succession.

Synthesis. Average successional dynamics among old fields at Cedar Creek follow largely consistent trends. Though dynamics of individual fields vary, much of this variation can be explained by contingent factors. Stochastic processes appear not to be sufficiently strong to create divergent successional trajectories among fields with similar sets of drivers. Our results therefore suggest that divergence among successional trajectories in chronosequences may be the result of predictable contingent factors, rather than unpredictable stochastic fluctuations.
Short‐ and Long‐Run Policy Evaluation: Support for Grassland‐Based Milk Production in Switzerland
Authors: Mack Gabriele , Kohler Andreas
Published: September 2018

Following the abolition of the milk quota in 2008, farmers in Switzerland strongly increased the use of concentrate feed in milk production. Against this background, the Swiss government introduced the voluntary grassland‐based milk and meat (GMF) programme in 2014, which combines economic incentives with feeding restrictions to reduce the reliance on concentrate feed and increase the use of grass feed. We analyse the economic and ecological impacts of the GMF programme at the farm and at the sector level in the short‐ and long‐run. We use a difference‐in‐differences approach (ex‐post) and an agent‐based simulation model SWISSland (ex‐ante) to construct counterfactual states to evaluate the programme's impacts. We find that the GMF programme reduces the use of concentrate feed and increases the use of grass feed in Swiss milk production. Whereas the programme has a positive effect on economic indicators such as the farm income, we find no effect on ecological indicators such as the N surplus. Our analysis suggests that feeding restrictions on concentrate feed are not enough to achieve a reduction in the N surplus. Additional feeding restrictions on grassland are necessary. Furthermore, the GMF programme has a dampening effect on sectoral milk supply, and leads to a higher milk price.
Shareholder Activism and Voluntary Disclosure Initiation: The Case of Political Spending
Authors: Baloria Vishal P. , Klassen Kenneth J. , Wiedman Christine I.
Published: September 2018

Demand for disclosures on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues has increased dramatically. Using corporate political spending disclosures as our setting, we conduct a detailed inquiry of 541 political spending‐related shareholder proposals from 2004 to 2012 to highlight the role of shareholder activism as a mechanism to motivate ESG disclosure. Unlike earlier studies, we examine both proposals that went to a vote and proposals that were withdrawn by the activist, allowing us to assess more comprehensively the success of shareholder activism. We find that 20 percent of firms targeted by disclosure proposals begin disclosing in the subsequent year, although implementation rates vary by proposal type—8 percent for proposals subject to a vote versus 56 percent for proposals withdrawn. The sponsor is also important: unions and public pension funds are less likely than other activists to target firms with agency problems and are less successful in having proposals withdrawn, and the implementations they obtain are viewed more negatively by the broader investor base. Our findings highlight shareholder proposals as one mechanism through which investors can successfully express their preferences for corporate disclosure policies. Given activists' long‐standing interest in environmental and social disclosure policies, we believe our findings generalize to a broader set of ESG disclosures.
Robust, real‐time and autonomous monitoring of ecosystems with an open, low‐cost, networked device
Authors: Sethi Sarab S. , Ewers Robert M. , Jones Nick S. , Orme Christopher David L. , Picinali Lorenzo
Published: September 2018

Automated methods of monitoring ecosystems provide a cost‐effective way to track changes in natural system's dynamics across temporal and spatial scales. However, methods of recording and storing data captured from the field still require significant manual effort.

Here, we introduce an open source, inexpensive, fully autonomous ecosystem monitoring unit for capturing and remotely transmitting continuous data streams from field sites over long time‐periods. We provide a modular software framework for deploying various sensors, together with implementations to demonstrate proof of concept for continuous audio monitoring and time‐lapse photography.

We show how our system can outperform comparable technologies for fractions of the cost, provided a local mobile network link is available. The system is robust to unreliable network signals and has been shown to function in extreme environmental conditions, such as in the tropical rainforests of Sabah, Borneo.

We provide full details on how to assemble the hardware, and the open‐source software. Paired with appropriate automated analysis techniques, this system could provide spatially dense, near real‐time, continuous insights into ecosystem and biodiversity dynamics at a low cost.
Corrective ventilation strategies in delivery room resuscitation of preterm infants
Authors: Kilmartin Keira C. , Finn Darragh , Hawkes Gavin A. , Kenosi Mmoloki , Dempsey Eugene M. , Livingstone Vicki , Ryan Anthony C.
Published: September 2018

Aim

Corrective ventilation strategies (CVS) during neonatal resuscitation and stabilisation (R&S) are taught through the MRSOPA mnemonic: Mask adjustment, Repositioning airway, Suctioning, Opening the mouth, Increasing inspiratory Pressure, and Alternative airway. The aim was to examine the use of CVS and to investigate the relationship between MRSOPA strategies and intubation of very preterm infants <32 weeks’ gestation in the delivery room.

Methods

Retrospective review of video recordings of R&S of preterm infants born in Cork University Maternity Hospital, Ireland.

Results

In 46 resuscitation recordings, mask adjustment was observed in almost all (95.6%), followed by suctioning, (23.9%), opening the mouth (100%), increasing inspiratory pressure (81.0%) and intubation (32.6%). The most frequently used mask holds were: one‐handed (95.6%), two‐handed (63.0%), stem hold (23.8%), and modified spider hold (6.5%). There were no significant associations between individual mask holds and intubation. The more CVS employed the greater the need for intubation.

Conclusion

The greater the number of MRSOPA strategies used in the delivery room, the more likely intubation occurred. Further studies may identify the effect of these CVS on short‐ and long‐term outcomes, in order to enhance R&S training and clinical practice.
Infant body mass index growth patterns predicted overweight at five years, waist‐to‐height ratio did not add to this predictivity
Authors: Lindholm Annelie , Bergman Stefan , Alm Bernt , Almquist‐Tangen Gerd , Dahlgren Jovanna , Roswall Josefine
Published: September 2018

Aim

The aim of the present study was to examine body mass index (BMI) and waist‐to‐height ratio (WHtR) growth patterns from birth until five years regarding their ability to predict overweight or obesity in children at five years of age.

Methods

Population‐based longitudinal birth cohort study of 1540 children from the south‐west region of Sweden, recruited at the first visit to the child health care centres in 2007–2008. The children were followed for five years and classified into two weight groups according to the 2012 International Obesity Task Force criteria. BMI and WHtR standard deviation scores (SDS) were analysed with Student's t‐tests and multiple logistic regression models.

Results

BMI‐SDS and WHtR‐SDS growth patterns were from an early age different in children with overweight or obesity, compared to in children with normal weight or underweight. Overweight or obesity was significantly predicted by BMI‐SDS at 0–1 month (p < 0.001), ΔBMI‐SDS between 0–1 and 12 months (p < 0.001) and between 18 and 48 months (p < 0.001), but not by WHtR‐SDS, except for a negative association between 18 and 48 months in the boys (p = 0.040).

Conclusion

Overweight or obesity at five years could be predicted by early BMI‐SDS growth patterns, and WHtR‐SDS did not add to the predictivity with regard to BMI‐SDS.
Predictive value of combined analysis of pro‐NPY and ERG in localized prostate cancer
Authors: Kristensen Gitte , Røder Martin Andreas , Berg Kasper Drimer , Elversang Johanna , Iglesias‐Gato Diego , Moreira José , Toft Birgitte Grønkær , Brasso Klaus
Published: September 2018

This study aimed to investigate if combined analysis of pro‐Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and ERG expression in tumor tissue are associated with biochemical failure (BF), castration‐based treatment, castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), and prostate cancer (PCa)‐specific death for men undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) for PCa. This study included 315 patients, who underwent RP from 2002 to 2005. Both pro‐NPY and ERG expression were analyzed using immunohistochemistry and were scored as low or high and negative or positive, respectively. Risk of BF, castration‐based treatment, CRPC, and PCa‐specific death were analyzed with multiple cause‐specific Cox regression analyses and stratified cumulative incidences using competing risk assessment. Median follow‐up was 13.0 years (95% CI: 12.7–13.2). In total, 85.7% were pro‐NPY high and 14.3% were pro‐NPY low. The combined analyses of pro‐NPY and ERG expression was not associated with risk of BF (p = 0.7), castration‐based treatment (p = 0.8), CRPC (p = 0.4) or PCa‐specific death (p = 0.5). In the multiple cause‐specific Cox regression analysis, pro‐NPY high and ERG positivity was not associated with BF (HR: 1.02; 95% CI 0.6–1.7; p = 0.94). In conclusion the combination of pro‐NPY and ERG expression did not show association with risk of BF, castration‐based treatment, CRPC, and PCa‐specific death following RP.
Performance characteristics of newer MIC gradient strip tests compared with the Etest for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Jönsson Agnez , Jacobsson Susanne , Foerster Sunniva , Cole Michelle J. , Unemo Magnus
Published: September 2018

For Neisseria gonorrhoeae susceptibility testing, Etest, comparable to agar dilution, is frequently used. In recent years, newer MIC gradient strip tests have been commercialized. However, these tests have not been appropriately evaluated for gonococci. We evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, quality, availability of antimicrobials and cost of the MIC Test Strip (Liofilchem), M.I.C.Evaluator (Oxoid) and Ezy MIC Strip (HiMedia), compared to the reference Etest (bioMérieux), for gonococcal susceptibility testing. The MICs of eight antimicrobials in 103 gonococcal international reference strains (n = 29) and clinical isolates (n = 74) were examined. Coefficient of determination (R2), complete agreement, essential agreement, SIR categorical agreement, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were calculated. R2 of the MICs for the antimicrobials ranged between 0.674–0.996, 0.617–0.993, and 0.643–0.994 for the MIC Test Strip, M.I.C.Evaluator strips and Ezy MIC Strips respectively. The essential agreement (SIR categorical agreement) was 99.6% (88.6%), 100% (87.1%) and 93.0% (83.1%) respectively. M.I.C.Evaluator strips for gonococcal key antimicrobials were lacking and the Ezy MIC Strips showed an inconsistent accuracy, quality and some strips were contaminated. The Liofilchem MIC Test Strips had limitations, but might be relatively accurate alternatives to Etest for gonococci. Strict quality assurance (at manufacturing and testing laboratory), including quality controls, are required.
Genotype‐sensitive reversible and time‐dependent CYP2D6 inhibition in human liver microsomes
Authors: Storelli Flavia , Desmeules Jules , Daali Youssef
Published: September 2018

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 metabolizes a wide range of xenobiotics and is characterized by a huge interindividual variability. A recent clinical study highlighted differential magnitude of CYP inhibition as a function of CYP2D6 genotype. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CYP2D6 genotype on the inhibition of dextromethorphan O‐demethylation by duloxetine and paroxetine in human liver microsomes (HLMs). The study focused on genotypes defined by the combination of two fully functional alleles (activity score 2, AS 2, n = 6), of one fully functional and one reduced allele (activity score 1.5, AS 1.5, n = 4) and of one fully functional and one non‐functional allele (activity score 1, AS 1, n = 6), which all predict extensive metabolizer phenotype. Kinetic experiments showed that maximal reaction velocity was affected by CYP2D6 genotype, with a decrease in 33% of Vmax in AS 1 HLMs compared to AS 2 (P = 0.06). No difference in inhibition parameters Ki, KI and kinact was observed neither with the competitive inhibitor duloxetine nor with the time‐dependent inhibitor paroxetine. Among the genotypes tested, we found no difference in absolute CYP2D6 microsomal levels with ELISA immunoquantification. Therefore, our results suggest that genotype‐sensitive magnitude of drug‐drug interactions recently observed in vivo is likely to be due to differential amounts of functional enzymes at the microsomal level rather than to a difference in inhibition potencies across genotypes, which motivates for further quantitative proteomic investigations of functional and variant CYP2D6 alleles.
Overcoming Segmentation in Social Policy? Comparing New Early Education and Childcare Efforts in Costa Rica and Uruguay
Authors: Franzoni Juliana Martínez , SANCHEZ‐ACONCHEA DIEGO
Published: September 2018

During the late 2000s, Early Child Education and Care (ECEC) became a policy priority for several Latin American countries. Coherent with international ideas yet against the legacy of deep‐seated segmentation, the new programs embraced universalist aims. Are countries able to achieve universalism? Why are some countries advancing more than others? This article addresses this question, exploring changes in the policy architectures and policy processes behind ECEC in Costa Rica and Uruguay—two regional leaders in these efforts. Based on document analysis and interviews with policymakers, we show that Uruguay advanced more decisively towards unification and explore why.
Supporting social sustainability in resource‐based communities through leisure and recreation
Authors: Lamanes Trina , Deacon Leith
Published: September 2018

Community development can be conceptualized as a balance that exists amongst environmental, economic, and social systems; this achievement, however, is difficult for communities undergoing rapid urban development. In particular, resource‐based communities (RBCs) that develop as a result of investment into the extraction of a natural resource such as oil and gas have been found to experience uneven economic development, environmental degradation, and social instability. A contributing factor to social instability in RBCs is the reliance on a large transient workforce drawn to the area in search of employment opportunities and the inability to provide this burgeoning population with sufficient urban infrastructure and services. Building on previous research that theorized the key to increasing the sustainability of RBCs is to retain a permanent population, this research explores the contribution that opportunities for leisure and recreation makes to resident retention. Using Fort McMurray, Alberta as a case study, results indicate that among a group of people who lack established social ties, the main source of social interaction is participation in leisure and recreation activities. However, traditional activities associated with leisure and recreation did not take into account the unique challenges found in RBCs indicating an adaptable approach to provision is necessary.
FGF9/FGFR2 increase cell proliferation by activating ERK1/2, Rb/E2F1, and cell cycle pathways in mouse Leydig tumor cells
Authors: Chang Ming‐Min , Lai Meng‐Shao , Hong Siou‐Ying , Pan Bo‐Syong , Huang Hsin , Yang Shang‐Hsun , Wu Chia‐Ching , Sun H. Sunny , Chuang Jih‐Ing , Wang Chia‐Yih , Huang Bu‐Miin
Published: September 2018

Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) promotes cancer progression; however, its role in cell proliferation related to tumorigenesis remains elusive. We investigated how FGF9 affected MA‐10 mouse Leydig tumor cell proliferation and found that FGF9 significantly induced cell proliferation by activating ERK1/2 and retinoblastoma (Rb) phosphorylations within 15 minutes. Subsequently, the expressions of E2F1 and the cell cycle regulators: cyclin D1, cyclin E1 and cyclin‐dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) in G1 phase and cyclin A1, CDK2 and CDK1 in S‐G2/M phases were increased at 12 hours after FGF9 treatment; and cyclin B1 in G2/M phases were induced at 24 hours after FGF9 stimulation, whereas the phosphorylations of p53, p21 and p27 were not affected by FGF9. Moreover, FGF9‐induced effects were inhibited by MEK inhibitor PD98059, indicating FGF9 activated the Rb/E2F pathway to accelerate MA‐10 cell proliferation by activating ERK1/2. Immunoprecipitation assay and ChIP‐quantitative PCR results showed that FGF9‐induced Rb phosphorylation led to the dissociation of Rb‐E2F1 complexes and thereby enhanced the transactivations of E2F1 target genes, Cyclin D1, Cyclin E1 and Cyclin A1. Silencing of FGF receptor 2 (FGFR2) using lentiviral shRNA inhibited FGF9‐induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and cell proliferation, indicating that FGFR2 is the obligate receptor for FGF9 to bind and activate the signaling pathway in MA‐10 cells. Furthermore, in a severe combined immunodeficiency mouse xenograft model, FGF9 significantly promoted MA‐10 tumor growth, a consequence of increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis. Conclusively, FGF9 interacts with FGFR2 to activate ERK1/2, Rb/E2F1 and cell cycle pathways to induce MA‐10 cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo.
Diagnosing intellectual disability: detecting big concerns with small instruments
Authors: Murphy Tara
Published: September 2018

This commentary is on the original article by McKenzie et al. on pages 444–450 of this issue.
Investigating Key Antecedents and Outcomes of Employee‐based Brand Equity
Authors: Boukis Achilleas , Christodoulides George
Published: September 2018

A wealth of research examines firm or consumer‐based brand equity but largely ignores internal stakeholders' perceptions of the brand asset. The present study focuses on service employees who affect both internal (i.e. other employees) and external (i.e., customers) stakeholders through their interactions. The study draws on cognitive psychology and social identity theory to develop and empirically test an integrated model of antecedents and consequences of employee‐based brand equity (EBBE) that distinguishes between a cognitive and an affective route for its development via brand knowledge and brand identification respectively. The research extends the limited work on EBBE by examining how perceptions of employees about their supervisors' brand leadership behaviors and their supervisors' focus on their subordinates significantly drive employees' responses to the internal brand. The proposed model also highlights the significant role of EBBE vis‐à‐vis two citizenship behaviors, namely brand value dissemination and customer orientation.
Minocycline decreases Th2 chemokines from M2 macrophages: Possible mechanisms for the suppression of bullous pemphigoid by traditional bullous disease drugs
Authors: Tanita Kayo , Fujimura Taku , Sato Yota , Lyu Chunbing , Aiba Setsuya
Published: September 2018

Minocycline/tetracycline is clinically used for the treatment of bullous pemphigoid (BP), and its clinical benefits are superior to those of prednisolone when considering adverse events. Although the clinical benefits of minocycline/tetracycline are well known, its immunosuppressive mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of traditional anti‐BP drugs (minocycline, nicotinic acid amide, dexamethasone and cyclosporine) on CD163+ M2 macrophages in vitro, with special focus on the production of CCL18 and CCL22, both of which are produced by CD163+ M2 macrophages in the lesional skin of BP and are increased in the serum of BP patients. Minocycline decreased the production of CCL22, CCL24 and CCL26 as well as CCL2 from M2 macrophages. CCL18 from M2 macrophages was decreased by dexamethasone and cyclosporine, but not decreased by minocycline. These data suggest that the clinical benefit of minocycline is partially explained by its suppressive effects against the production of specific Th2 chemokines from M2 macrophages, which should contribute to the recruitment of Th2 cells and eosinophils in the lesional skin of BP patients.