bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nationwide 30-Day Readmissions After Elective Orthopedic Surgery: Reasons and Implications
Authors: Minhas Shobhit V. , Kester Benjamin S. , Lovecchio Francis C. , Bosco Joseph A.
Published: May 2016

Introduction:

Reducing readmissions after orthopedic surgery is important for decreasing hospital costs and patient morbidity. Our goals were to establish national rates and reasons for 30-day readmissions after common elective orthopedic procedures.

Methods:

Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty, total hip arthroplasty, posterior lumbar fusion, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, or total shoulder arthroplasty were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Thirty-day readmission rates, timing, and reasons were recorded for each procedure. Multivariate analysis was used to identify risk factors of readmissions.

Results:

A total of 3.8% of patients had an all-cause readmission, 3.6% had an unplanned readmission, and 2.4% had an unplanned readmission related to surgery (URRS). The most common reason was surgical site complication followed by venous thromboembolism and bleeding. Only 3.2% of all patients with a URRS were readmitted because of a predischarge complication. Independent predictors of URRS were current smoking, any inpatient complication, and non–home discharge.

Conclusions:

Unplanned readmissions were a proxy for new postdischarge complications rather than a re-exacerbation of previous inpatient events. Emphasis should be on more effective prevention strategies for surgical site infections, continuing to prevent inpatient complications and focusing on home discharge.
Age-related Morbidity and Mortality After Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts
Authors: Suraweera Duminda , Jimenez Melissa , Viramontes Matthew , Jamal Naadir , Grotts Jonathan , Elashoff David , Lee Edward W. , Saab Sammy
Published: May 2016

Aim:

To compare age-related morbidity and mortality after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS).

Methods:

We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent TIPS at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center between 2008 to 2014. Elderly patients (65 y and older) were matched with nonelderly patients (controls, below 65 y) by model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score (±3), indication for TIPS (refractory ascites vs. variceal bleeding), serum sodium level (±5), in a ratio of 1:1. Endpoints measures were hospital stay post-TIPS, rifaximin, or lactulose use, TIPS failure at 30 days, readmission at 90 days, MELD at 90 days, and mortality at 90 days.

Results:

A total of 30 patient matches were included in this study: 30 control and 30 elderly patients. The median [interquartile (IQR)] MELD scores for controls and elderly were 11 (9, 13.8) for the controls and 11.5 (9, 14.8) for elderly patients (P=0.139). There were no significant differences in serum sodium and indication for TIPS. Thirty and 90-day follow-up laboratory test results were also similar between elderly and control patients. Event-free survival at 90 days was similar between controls and elderly patients [odds ratio (OR), 0.86; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.3-2.5; P>0.05]. There was a trend toward greater hospitalization (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 0.52-5.95; P=0.546) and mortality (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 0.3-14.01; P=0.182).

Conclusions:

The results of this study suggest event-free survival is similar between nonelderly and elderly patients. Although statistically significant, there is a tendency toward greater mortality and hospitalization in the elderly.
Study of Gender Differences in Proton Pump Inhibitor Dose Requirements for GERD
Authors: Helgadóttir Hólmfridur , Metz David C. , Lund Sigrún H. , Gizurarson Sveinbjorn , Jacobsen Elin I. , Asgeirsdóttir Gudrún A. , Yngadóttir Yrsa , Björnsson Einar S.
Published: May 2016

Goals:

To determine the proportion of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease who are on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) who could reduce their prior dosage by half, and identify predictors of successful step-down.

Background:

Appropriate hypergastrinemia results from gastric acid inhibition. A gender difference in fasting gastrin with higher levels among women than among men on long-term PPI therapy has been demonstrated.

Study:

Patients with endoscopically verified erosive esophagitis on long-term PPI therapy were randomized double blindly to step down their dose by half or continue with the same dose for 8 weeks. Fasting gastrin levels were measured before and after treatment. The primary endpoint was successful step-down throughout the study period.

Results:

Overall, 100 patients were randomized, 49 (24 females) to continue with the same dose as before and 51 (25 females) to step down. Female patients had higher gastrin levels compared with male patients: 78 pg/mL (IQR, 50 to 99) versus 50 pg/mL (IQR, 36 to 74) (P=0.007). Among those randomized to the step-down intervention only 3/25 (12%) women failed to complete the 2 months of lower-dose therapy versus 9/25 (36%) men (P=0.09). Female gender (P=0.048) was the strongest predictor for successful step-down (odds ratio=1.27; 95% CI, 1.01-1.60). The chance of failing to maintain symptom control was twice as high in the reduction group (24%) as compared with the control group (13%) (P=0.2).

Conclusions:

Female patients on long-term PPI therapy were 3 times more likely to tolerate half of their prior dose. Female gender had higher probability for successful step-down. These results indicate that women with gastroesophageal reflux disease might manage with lower doses of PPIs as compared with men.

European Clinical Trial Database (https://eudract.ema.europa.eu/), number 2013-002067-26.
Potential impact of novel diagnostics and treatments on the burden of antibiotic resistant inEscherichia coli
Authors: Nouvellet Pierre , Robotham J.V. , Naylor N.R. , Woodford N. , Ferguson Neil M.
Published: May 2016

The rising threat of antibiotic resistance in Europe and beyond is of increasing concern and is prompting renewed effort to better understand and mitigate their impact.Escherichia Coliblood stream infections are a more major concern in Europe given their incidence and severe associated outcomes. Additionally the level of 3rdgeneration cephalosporins and carbapenems resistance among those bacteraemia has significantly increased, limiting available treatment options. We estimated the current burden associated withE. coliblood stream infections in Europe at 17,000 (95%CI [8,000; 30,000]) excess deaths and 960,000 (95%CI [600,000; 1,450,000]) extra hospital bed days. From those, the contribution due to 3rdgeneration cephalosporins and carbapenems resistant strains reached 6,000 (95%CI [2,000; 12,000]) excess deaths, and 200,000 (95%CI [76,000; 420,000]) extra hospital bed stay. In the worst case scenario, we estimated the burden ofE. coliblood stream infection in 2026 could increase over 4-fold, mostly resulting from an increase in the level of resistance rather than an increase in the incidence of blood stream infections. Finally, we estimated that the impact of combined novel diagnostics and treatments could substantially reduce the excess mortality by 18.5% to 55.5%, and length of stay by 13.2% to 75.6%.
Multiscale quantification of tissue behavior during amniote embryo axis elongation
Authors: Bénazéraf Bertrand , Beaupeux Mathias , Tchernookov Martin , Wallingford Allison , Salisbury Tasha , Shirtz Amelia , Shirtz Andrew , Huss Dave , Pourquié Olivier , François Paul , Lansford Rusty
Published: May 2016

Embryonic axis extension is a complex multi-tissue morphogenetic process responsible for the formation of the posterior part of the amniote body. Cells located in the caudal part of the embryo divide and rearrange to participate in the elongation of the different embryonic tissues (e.g. neural tube, axial and paraxial mesoderm, lateral plate, ectoderm, endoderm). We previously identified the paraxial mesoderm as a crucial player of axis elongation, but how movements and growth are coordinated between the different posterior tissues to drive morphogenesis remain largely unknown. Here we use the quail embryo as a model system to quantify cell behavior and movements in the various tissues of the elongating embryo. We first quantify the tissue-specific contribution to axis elongation by using 3D volumetric techniques, then quantify tissue-specific parameters such as cell density and proliferation at different embryonic stages. To be able to study cell behavior at a multi-tissue scale we used high-resolution 4D imaging of transgenic quail embryos expressing constitutively expressed fluorescent proteins. We developed specific tracking and image analysis techniques to analyze cell motion and compute tissue deformations in 4D. This analysis reveals extensive sliding between tissues during axis extension. Further quantification of “tissue tectonics” showed patterns of rotations, contractions and expansions, which are coherent with the multi-tissue behavior observed previously. Our results confirm the central role of the PSM in axis extension; we propose that the PSM specific cell proliferation and migration programs control the coordination of elongation between tissues during axis extension.
Cell-to-cell spread of microsporidia causesC. elegansorgans to form syncytia
Authors: Balla Keir M. , Luallen Robert J. , Bakowski Malina A. , Troemel Emily R.
Published: May 2016

The growth of pathogens is dictated by their interactions with the host environment. Many obligate intracellular pathogens undergo several cellular decisions as they progress through their life cycles inside of host cells. We studied this process for several species of microsporidia in the genusNematocidain their co-evolved animal hostCaenorhabditis elegans. We found that microsporidia can restructure multicellular host tissues into a single contiguous multinucleate cell. In particular, we found that all threeNematocidaspecies we studied were able to spread across the cells ofC. eleganstissues before forming spores, with two species causing syncytial formation in the intestine, and one species causing syncytial formation in the muscle. We also found that the decision to switch from replication to differentiation inN. parisiiwas altered by the density of infection, suggesting that environmental cues influence the dynamics of the pathogen life cycle. These findings show how microsporidia can maximize the use of host space for growth, and that environmental cues in the host can regulate a developmental switch in the pathogen.
Corticosteroid and progesterone transactivation of mineralocorticoid receptors from Amur sturgeon and tropical gar
Authors: Sugimoto Akira , Oka Kaori , Sato Rui , Adachi Shinji , Baker Michael E. , Katsu Yoshinao
Published: May 2016

The response to a panel of steroids by the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) from Amur sturgeon and tropical gar, two basal ray-finned fish, expressed in HEK293 cells was investigated. Half-maximal responses (EC50s) for transcriptional activation of sturgeon MR by 11-deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, cortisol and aldosterone, and progesterone were between 13 pM and 150 pM. For gar MR, EC50s were between 8 pM and 55 pM. Such low EC50s support physiological regulation by these steroids of the MR in sturgeon and gar. Companion studies with human MR and zebrafish MR found higher EC50s compared to EC50s for sturgeon and gar MR, with EC50s for zebrafish MR closer to gar and sturgeon MR than was human MR. For zebrafish MR, EC50s were between 75 pM and 740 pM; for human MR, EC50s were between 65 pM and 2 nM. In addition to progesterone, spironolactone and 19nor-progesterone were agonists for all three fish MRs, in contrast to their antagonist activity for human MR, which is hypothesized to involve serine-810 in human MR because all three steroids are agonists for a mutant human Ser810Leu-MR. Paradoxically, sturgeon, gar and zebrafish MRs contain a serine corresponding to serine-810 in human MR. Our data suggests alternative mechanism(s) for progesterone, spironolactone and 19nor-progesterone as MR agonists in these three ray-finned fishes and the need for caution in applying data for progesterone signaling in zebrafish to human physiology.
Genome sequencing of a single tardigrade Hypsibius dujardini individual
Authors: Arakawa Kazuharu , Yoshida Yuki , Tomita Masaru
Published: May 2016

Tardigrades are ubiquitous microscopic animals that play an important role in the study of metazoan phylogeny. Most terrestrial tardigrades can withstand extreme environments by entering an ametabolic desiccated state termed anhydrobiosis. Due to their small size and the non-axenic nature of laboratory cultures, molecular studies of tardigrades are prone to contamination. To minimize the possibility of microbial contaminations and to obtain high-quality genomic information, we have developed an ultra-low input library sequencing protocol to enable the genome sequencing of a single tardigradeHypsibius dujardiniindividual. Here, we describe the details of our sequencing data and the ultra-low input library preparation methodologies.
Exact Bayesian lineage tree-based inference identifies Nanog negative autoregulation in mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Feigelman Justin , Ganscha Stefan , Hastreiter Simon , Schwarzfischer Michael , Filipczyk Adam , Schroeder Timm , Theis Fabian J. , Marr Carsten , Claassen Manfred
Published: May 2016

The autoregulatory motif of Nanog, a heterogeneously expressed core pluripotency factor in mouse embryonic stem cells, remains debated. Although recent time-lapse microscopy data provide the unparalleled ability to monitor Nanog expression at the single-cell level, the extraction of mechanistic knowledge is precluded by the lack of inference techniques suitable for noisy, incomplete and heterogeneous data obtained from proliferating cell populations.

This work identifies Nanog’s autoregulatory motif from quantified time-lapse fluorescence line-age trees with STILT (Stochastic Inference on Lineage Trees), a novel particle-filter based algorithm for exact Bayesian parameter inference and model selection of stochastic models. We first verify STILT’s ability to accurately infer parameters and select the correct autoregulatory motif from simulated data. We then apply STILT to time-lapse microscopy movies of a fluorescent Nanog fusion protein reporter and reject the possibility of positive autoregulation. Finally, we use STILT for experimental design, performin silicooverexpression simulations, and experimentally validate model predictions via exogenous Nanog overexpression. We finally conclude that the protein expression dynamics and overexpression experiments strongly suggest a weak negative feedback from the protein on the DNA activation rate.

We find that a simple autoregulatory mechanism can explain the observed heterogeneous Nanog dynamics. This finding has implications on the understanding of the core pluripotency network, such as supporting the ability of mESC populations to diversify their proteomic profile to respond to a spectrum of differentiation cues. Beyond this application STILT constitutes a generally applicable fully Bayesian approach for model selection of gene regulatory models on the basis of time-lapse imaging data of proliferating cell populations. STILT is freely available at:http://www.imsb.ethz.ch/research/claassen/Software/stilt—stochastic-inference-on-lineage-trees.html
The multiple testing burden in sequencing-based disease studies of global populations
Authors: Pulit Sara L. , de With Sera A.J. , de Bakker Paul I.W.
Published: May 2016

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of common disease have been hugely successful in implicating loci that modify disease risk. The bulk of these associations have proven robust and reproducible, in part due to community adoption of statistical criteria for claiming significant genotype-phenotype associations. Currently, studies of common disease are rapidly shifting towards the use of sequencing technologies. As the cost of sequencing drops, assembling large samples in global populations is becoming increasingly feasible. Sequencing studies interrogate not only common variants, as was true for genotyping-based GWAS, but variation across the full allele frequency spectrum, yielding many more (independent) statistical tests. We sought to empirically determine genome-wide significance for various analysis scenarios. Using whole-genome sequence data, we simulated sequencing-based disease studies of varying sample size and ancestry. We determined that future sequencing efforts in>2,000 samples should practically employ a genome-wide significance threshold of of p <5 ×10−9, though the threshold does vary with ancestry. Studies of European or East Asian ancestry should set genome-wide significance at approximately p <5×10−9, but similar studies of African or South Asian samples should be more stringent (p <1×10−9). Because sequencing analysis brings with it many challenges (especially for rare variants), appropriate adoption of a revised multiple test correction will be crucial to avoid irreproducible claims of association.
PIVOT: Platform for Interactive Analysis and Visualization of Transcriptomics Data
Authors: Zhu Qin , Fisher Stephen A , Dueck Hannah , Middleton Sarah , Khaladkar Mugdha , Kim Junhyong
Published: May 2016

Many R packages have been developed for transcriptome analysis but their use often requires familiarity with R and integrating results of different packages is difficult. Here we present PIVOT, an R-based application with a uniform user interface and graphical data management that allows non-programmers to conveniently access various bioinformatics tools and interactively explore transcriptomics data. PIVOT supports many popular open source packages for transcriptome analysis and provides an extensive set of tools for statistical data manipulations. A graph-based visual interface is used to represent the links between derived datasets, allowing easy tracking of data versions. PIVOT further supports automatic report generation, publication-quality plots, and program/data state saving, such that all analysis can be saved, shared and reproduced.
The proteasome acts as a hub for local and systemic plant immunity inArabidopsis thalianaand constitutes a virulence target ofPseudomonas syringaetype-III effector proteins
Authors: Üstün Suayib , Sheikh Arsheed , Gimenez-Ibanez Selena , Jones Alexandra , Ntoukakis Vardis , Börnke Frederik
Published: May 2016

Recent evidence suggests that the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is involved in several aspects of plant immunity and a range of plant pathogens subvert the UPS to enhance their virulence. Here, we show that proteasome activity is strongly induced during basal defense in Arabidopsis and mutant lines defective in proteasome subunitsRPT2aandRPN12asupport increased bacterial growth of virulentPseudomonas syringaeDC3000 (Pst), strains in local leaves. Both proteasome subunits are required for PTI events such as production of reactive oxygen species and mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling as well as for defense gene expression. Furthermore, analysis of bacterial growth after a secondary infection of systemic leaves revealed that the establishment of systemic-acquired resistance (SAR) is impaired in proteasome mutants, suggesting that the proteasome plays an important role in defense priming and SAR. In addition, we show thatPstinhibits proteasome activity in a type-III secretion dependent manner. A systematic screen for type-III effector proteins fromPstfor their ability to interfere with proteasome activity revealed HopM1, HopAO1, HopA1 and HopG1 as candidates. Identification of proteins interacting with HopM1 by mass-spectrometry indicate that HopM1 resides in a complex together with several E3 ubiquitin ligases and proteasome subunits, supporting the hypothesis that HopM1 associates with the proteasome leading to its inhibition. We conclude that the proteasome is an essential component of the plant immune system and that some pathogens have developed a general strategy to overcome proteasome-mediated defense.

One sentence summary

The proteasome is required for local and systemic immune responses and is targeted by Pseudomonas type-III effectors
Neutron and hard X-ray diffraction studies of the isothermal transformation kinetics in the research reactor fuel candidate U–8 wt%Mo
Authors: Säubert Steffen , Jungwirth Rainer , Zweifel Tobias , Hofmann Michael , Hoelzel Markus , Petry Winfried
Published: May 2016

Exposing uranium–molybdenum alloys (UMo) retained in the γ phase to elevated temperatures leads to transformation reactions during which the γ-UMo phase decomposes into the thermal equilibrium phases,i.e.U2Mo and α-U. Since α-U is not suitable for a nuclear fuel exposed to high burn-up, it is necessary to retain the γ-UMo phase during the production process of the fuel elements for modern high-performance research reactors. The present work deals with the isothermal transformation kinetics in U–8 wt%Mo alloys for temperatures between 673 and 798 K and annealing durations of up to 48 h. Annealed samples were examined at room temperature using either X-ray or neutron diffraction to determine the phase composition after thermal treatment, andin situannealing studies disclosed the onset of phase decomposition. While for temperatures of 698 and 673 K the start of decomposition is delayed, for higher temperatures the first signs of transformation are already observable within 3 h of annealing. The typical C-shaped curves in a time–temperature–transformation (TTT) diagram for both the start and the end of phase decomposition could be determined in the observed temperature regime. Therefore, a revised TTT diagram for U–8 wt%Mo between 673 and 798 K and annealing durations of up to 48 h is proposed.
Visualization of mouse spinal cord intramedullary arteries using phase- and attenuation-contrast tomographic imaging
Authors: Cao Yong , Yin Xianzhen , Zhang Jiwen , Wu Tianding , Li Dongzhe , Lu Hongbin , Hu Jianzhong
Published: May 2016

Many spinal cord circulatory disorders present the substantial involvement of small vessel lesions. The central sulcus arteries supply nutrition to a large part of the spinal cord, and, if not detected early, lesions in the spinal cord will cause irreversible damage to the function of this organ. Thus, early detection of these small vessel lesions could potentially facilitate the effective diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. However, the detection of such small vessels is beyond the capability of current imaging techniques. In this study, an imaging method is proposed and the potential of phase-contrast imaging (PCI)- and attenuation-contrast imaging (ACI)-based synchrotron radiation for high-resolution tomography of intramedullary arteries in mouse spinal cord is validated. The three-dimensional vessel morphology, particularly that of the central sulcus arteries (CSA), detected with these two imaging models was quantitatively analyzed and compared. It was determined that both PCI- and ACI-based synchrotron radiation can be used to visualize the physiological arrangement of the entire intramedullary artery network in the mouse spinal cord in both two dimensions and three dimensions at a high-resolution scale. Additionally, the two-dimensional and three-dimensional vessel morphometric parameter measurements obtained with PCI are similar to the ACI data. Furthermore, PCI allows efficient and direct discrimination of the same branch level of the CSA without contrast agent injection and is expected to provide reliable biological information regarding the intramedullary artery. Compared with ACI, PCI might be a novel imaging method that offers a powerful imaging platform for evaluating pathological changes in small vessels and may also allow better clarification of their role in neurovascular disorders.
Land use change on U.S. floodplain buyout sites, 1990-2000
Authors: Zavar Elyse , Hagelman III Ronald R.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides guidelines for the management of open space created through property acquisition (buyouts); however, land use decisions are primarily left to local governments manifesting in a variety of uses. The purpose of this paper is to provide a land use assessment of buyout sites, to describe the changes in those uses that have occurred during a ten-year period from 1990 to 2000, and to offer an assessment of management approaches employed across these sites.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using a mixed-methods approach consisting of a land use classification survey and a semi-structured questionnaire of floodplain managers, this study explores the land use trends at buyout sites, diverse approaches local governments take in managing the open spaces created through floodplain buyout programs, and the successes and challenges communities face in open space management.

Findings

– Results indicate strong support from floodplain managers for property acquisition and several cases emerged where communities put their newly acquired public land to creative uses. However, the opportunity to leverage these properties for greater public values is largely being missed, primarily because of limited funding.

Practical implications

– The analysis indicates strong support among floodplain managers for the buyout approach; however, additional resource-sharing and funding opportunities are needed to increase the utility of buyout properties.

Originality/value

– By evaluating the long-term management strategies floodplain managers utilize on buyout sites, this study adds to an underrepresented area of scholarship and is of value to practitioners, government officials, and academics.
Informational capital and disaster resilience: the case of Jalin Merapi
Authors: Tasic Justyna , Amir Sulfikar
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a concept of informational capital to explain the interplay between social capital and information technology in community-based disaster management. It aims to discuss the role and formation of informational capital in community disaster resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on an exploratory case study focusing on the 2010 eruption of Merapi volcano in Central Java, Indonesia, the paper seeks to analyse the emergence of disaster response fully organized by grassroots groups in Yogyakarta. In advancing the concept of informational capital, this paper analyses how the grassroots groups were able to mobilize resources for disaster mitigation, through which social capital became the foundation of community-based disaster response and recovery. Furthermore, the mobilization of social capital was significantly enhanced by mutual interactions facilitated by the use of information technology. This is evident in the role of Jalin Merapi, a web-based organization formed to respond to the crisis after the volcano eruption.

Findings

– The concept of informational capital revolves around the ways in which social capital and information act as crucial assets when a disaster strikes. Through informational capital, strong community bonds and ties are transformed into organized information that effectively facilitates collective action to face the emergency crisis.

Originality/value

– This paper presents a new concept of informational capital and highlights its key role in facilitating disaster management processes and contribution to community disaster resilience.
Sequential expansion in a foreign market
Authors: Pehrsson Anders
Published: May 2016

Purpose

A multinational firm’s expansion in a foreign market is a key issue of international business. The purpose of this study is to extend the understanding of essential drivers that will facilitate firm’s assessment of alternative modes of sequential expansion.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies the knowledge-based view and explores a multinational firm’s sequential post-entry expansion in a foreign market. Event histories of Swedish industrial firms’ establishments of wholly owned subsidiaries in Germany, the UK and the USA were explored using Cox regression.

Findings

Broad market experiences stemming from corporate strategy and deep experiences from the preceding subsidiary increase the likelihood of a sequential investment. Effects of broad experiences are contingent on the context specified by the geographic scope of the firm and its general subsidiary experience.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to international expansion theory and integrates sources of knowledge originating from strategy theory and internationalization theory. The study shows that the dual approach is needed to understand international expansion.

Practical implications

In evaluating a further subsidiary investment in a foreign market, the multinational firm is advised to assess whether it possesses enough market experiences to justify the investment. The experiences should be associated with corporate strategy, the previous wholly owned subsidiary and the context specifications identified in the study.

Originality/value

The study is unique, as it addresses the simultaneous impact of broad and deep market experiences. Also, the inclusion of central context specifications makes the study novel.
Falling through the cracks? An analysis of health and safety resources for migrant workers in Australia
Authors: Kosny Agnieszka , Allen Amy R
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Many migrants coming to Australia end up in poor quality jobs that can lead to injury or illness. The purpose of this paper is to examine work-related resources available to migrants in Australia to determine whether these contain information on employment standards (ES), occupational health and safety (OHS) and workers’ compensation (WC).

Design/methodology/approach

– National and state-based websites of government, unions, WC boards and community organizations were searched for relevant materials. Resources were analysed and categorized according to location, content, resource type, audience and language.

Findings

– We found 175 work-related resources that targeted migrants, or those working with them. The greatest numbers of resources were found in New South Wales, Victoria, and at a national level. There was a lack of comprehensive resources, with most resources containing only general work-related information. Those that had information on ES, OHS and WC generally covered only one topic in depth. Few resources were directed at temporary foreign workers. Although there are many resources to help newcomers find employment, these often do not include comprehensive information about rights at work, injury prevention and WC.

Practical implications

– Improving the comprehensiveness and accessibility of work-related resources could assist migrant workers in understanding ES, OHS and WC in Australia.

Originality/value

– This study, a first of its kind in Australia, examines work-related resources aimed at recent immigrants and whether these contain information related to health and safety, employment rights and responsibilities or what to do in the event of an injury. The analysis suggests that there is a paucity of comprehensive resources that address these topics. This is significant because recent immigrants, compared to native-born workers are more likely to work in jobs that expose them to hazards and increase their risk of injury. Resources preparing newcomers for work in Australia should include work and health-related information.
Psychosocial dynamics affecting health and social care of forced migrants: a narrative review
Authors: Bottura Benedetta , Mancini Tiziana
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Through the overview of studies on social representations of forced migrants (socio-cultural level of analysis), the purpose of this paper is to highlight how the variables implicated at the macro levels of analysis may affect the way social and health workers relate to and care for forced migrants (inter-personal level of analysis), as well as the settlement process of forced migrants and their identity reconstruction during the post-migration period.

Design/methodology/approach

– The narrative review analyses empirical studies from peer-reviewed journals in the field of social psychology that address forced migration. Indeed, the framework used for analysing this literature is the interplay within different levels of analysis, as proposed by Willem Doise’s (1982) using the socio-psychological approach.

Findings

– Psychosocial factors play influential roles on structuring the way natives health and social professionals relate with forced migrants: among others, needs related to possible traumatising processes are attributed to forced migrants by natives providers. Therefore, identity negotiation process in the forced migration shows a tendency of migrants to reshape the definition of the self within those narrative boundaries that would ensure the protection by the law and that reinforce the social representation of the “medicalised” victim.

Originality/value

– The review would represent a possibility to reflect around dynamics created by the complex interplay within different social actors that contact during the settlement process of forced migrants inside host societies.
Access to and utilization of health care services among Canada’s immigrants
Authors: Tiagi Raaj
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyze patterns of health services utilization – visits to family practitioner and visits to an emergency room – by recent immigrants (those who have lived in Canada for less than ten years) and “established” immigrants (those who have resided in Canada for ten years or longer) relative to their Canadian-born counterparts.

Design/methodology/approach

– The 2009/2010 files of the Canadian Community Health Survey were used for the analysis. A logit model was used to analyze utilization while a zero-inflated negative binomial model was used to measure the intensity of health services utilization.

Findings

– Results suggest that relative to native-born Canadians, recent immigrants are more likely to visit an emergency room and are less likely to visit a family/general practitioner. The opposite effect is observed for “established” immigrants. In terms of intensity of use, native-born Canadians are more likely to use physicians’ services intensively compared with either recent or established immigrants.

Originality/value

– The paper’s findings suggest that provincial governments in Canada will need to focus effort to ensure that recent immigrants have access to a family/general practitioner. This will be necessary given the recent primary care reform initiatives introduced across Canada that emphasize the physician as the first point-of-contact with the health system.
Forgetting your mother tongue: the effect of early separation on the socioeconomic position
Authors: Heilala Cecilia , Komulainen Erkki , Santavirta Nina
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– During Second World War 48,628 Finnish children were evacuated to Sweden and temporarily placed in foster care. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationships between the parental socioeconomic position (SEP), evacuation, language acquisition, and education and to analyze how these are related to SEP in separated compared to non-separated in later life.

Design/methodology/approach

– The sample consists of 749 separated and 1,535 non-separated persons. Pre-evacuation data on the separated were collected from the archives. The non-separated were matched for age, gender, place of birth, and mother tongue Finnish/Swedish. Data from both cohorts were collected by a postal questionnaire in autumn 2005. Stratified hierarchical regression analysis was used to predict SEP.

Findings

– The results show that the SEP and education of those Finnish-speaking evacuees who had lost their mother tongue when returning home were lower compared to the Finnish-speaking non-evacuees. On the contrary, the SEP of the Swedish-speaking evacuees was higher than of the Swedish-speaking non-evacuees.

Research limitations/implications

– Selection bias and attrition bias is a concern when interpreting the results.

Practical implications

– The study shows the importance of supporting the mother tongue of temporary migrants while staying in the host country and of taking actions for language policy planning when they return back home.

Originality/value

– This study uses data on a large child evacuation operation during Second World War to study how unaccompanied evacuation and loss of mother tongue affect SEP in later life. To the knowledge no such study has been conducted.
Critical success factors for international development projects in Maldives
Authors: Yamin Mohamed , Sim Adriel K.S.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the perceptions of local project teams on critical success factors and project success in the context of international development projects in Maldives. It identifies the critical success factors of international development projects, examines how the success of international development projects in Maldives is perceived by local project team members, and analyzes the relationship between critical success factors and project success from the project teams’ perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey questionnaire was used and 41 project team members participated in the study. Correlation analysis and regression analysis were performed to understand the relationship with project success and critical success factors.

Findings

– The study found out that the levels of success of projects were perceived high among the project teams. The results indicated that monitoring CSF, coordination CSF, design CSF, training CSF, and institutional environment CSF had a significant relationship with project success. However, results of the regression analysis indicated that only monitoring CSF was significant in influencing project success.

Research limitations/implications

– The limited sample size and optimism bias of respondents were a constraint. Furthermore, further analysis of data may be required to advance analysis.

Originality/value

– The study looks through the lens of project implementation teams in order to provide insights from their vantage point. The study provides insights based on the Maldivian context which will benefit similar island nation communities implementing similar projects.
Managing paradoxical tensions during the implementation of lean capabilities for improvement
Authors: Maalouf Malek , Gammelgaard Britta
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Through the identification and investigation of the organisational paradoxes in lean, the purpose of this paper is to deepen the understanding of lean implementation intricacies, and contribute to sustaining lean in companies.

Design/methodology/approach

– Case study based on semi-structured interviews with participants in lean conversion from three companies in Denmark. The companies come from different business sectors: public transport, healthcare and finance.

Findings

– This study identifies three types of organisational paradoxes in lean: organising, performing and belonging. The study also points to a range managerial responses used for dealing with the three paradoxes and facilitating lean transformation.

Research limitations/implications

– This is a theory development paper which increases the understanding regarding the role of the organisational paradoxes in facilitating or hindering lean transformation.

Practical implications

– The study generates insights which help managers identify and deal with the individual motivations for opposing lean practices, and thus facilitates lean transformation.

Originality/value

– This study adds clarity to the process of managing lean implementation by identifying three different motivations for people to oppose lean transformation. The study also recommends managerial actions for dealing with each situation.
Risk management for product-service system operation
Authors: Reim Wiebke , Parida Vinit , Sjödin David Rönnberg
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a product-service systems (PSS) risk management decision-making framework for PSS operation, which can enable global manufacturing companies to offer PSS successfully. Thus, the authors aim to contribute primarily to developing the PSS literature by integrating insights from the literatures on risk management and decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is based on an exploratory, single case study with a Swedish manufacturing company that has long-term experience with providing PSS. In total, the authors conducted 25 semi-structured interviews with diverse respondents from different functional units.

Findings

– The study’s main findings include identifying and proposing an interconnection between the operational risks associated with providing PSS, possible risk management responses, and decision criteria, all of which enable decision makers to select an appropriate risk management response.

Research limitations/implications

– The study contributes to the literature in three ways. First, the authors classify PSS operational risks into three categories related to delivery competence risks, technical risks, and behavioural risks. Second, the authors explain conditions under which each risk can be mitigated using different risk management strategies (avoidance, reduction, sharing/transfer, and retention). Finally, the authors combine different risk categorizations, decision criteria, and risk responses into an integrated decision framework of PSS risk management.

Originality/value

– The novel contribution is developing a PSS risk management decision support framework, which holds theoretical and practical value.
Consolidated performance measurement framework for government e-procurement focusing on internal stakeholders
Authors: Chomchaiya Suvil , Esichaikul Vatcharaporn
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a consolidated framework for government e-procurement (e-GP) performance measurement based on the importance internal stakeholders attach to performance measures and metrics, providing in-depth understanding of their interest in e-GP performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study is divided into two main phases: internal stakeholder identification and consolidation of performance measures and metrics. The mixed-methods approach follows semi-structured expert interviews with questionnaires collected from 413 internal stakeholders.

Findings

– Five internal stakeholder groups were identified: management, auditors, financial officers, service users, and service support staff. Eight measures and 44 corresponding metrics were consolidated, and 21 significantly distinct performance metrics were identified from stakeholders’ perceptions. As expected, financial measures were most important to financial officers, while contract management was most important to service support staff.

Practical implications

– Although e-GP processes can vary by country, this study’s approach to developing an e-GP performance measurement framework is adaptable, offering beneficial guidelines for designing e-GP performance measurement systems.

Originality/value

– This paper goes beyond the existing literature by magnifying the internal stakeholder roles and perceptions of importance, as reflected in the consolidated e-GP performance measurement framework. The consolidation approach with theoretical references (new public management, transaction cost economics, and institutional theory) yielded comprehensive e-GP-specific performance measures and metrics, providing a rigorous approach to measuring e-GP performance.
Compliance with GLOBALGAP standards among smallholder pineapple farmers in Akuapem-South, Ghana
Authors: Annor Baah Prince , Mensah-Bonsu Akwasi , Jatoe John Baptist D.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the adherence, constraints and key factors associated with smallholder pineapple farmers’ compliance with Global working group for Good Agricultural Practice (GLOBALGAP) standards in the Akuapem-South Municipal area, Ghana. It utilizes the modeling of socio-economic, farm, market and institutional factors influencing smallholder farmers’ compliance with GLOBALGAP standards. This paper aims to enhance smallholder farmers’ compliance with food safety standards in particular GLOBALGAP so they can continue to participate in international food trade.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study uses mainly primary data solicited from 150 randomly selected smallholder farmers. Descriptive statistics are employed in estimating compliant farmers’ rate of adherence with standards requirements and identifying constraints of farmers while a probit regression model is used to determine the factors influencing GLOBALGAP compliance decision of farmers.

Findings

– Findings of the study show that compliant farmers’ rate of adherence with the standard is about 90 percent and this is below the minor musts compliance criteria of 95 percent. The results also indicate that lack of access to farm credits, high cost of farm inputs and high cost of labor are the major constraints to GLOBALGAP compliance. Factors found to positively influence farmers’ compliance decision are number of pineapple farms, access to off-farm income, access to market information and extension services. However, compliance is negatively influenced by age.

Research limitations/implications

– Majority of Ghanaian smallholder pineapple farmers are not GLOBALGAP certified. The study was limited to Akuapem-South because most farmers produce pineapple for the export market and are certified under the Option II GLOBALGAP group certification.

Originality/value

– This paper brings to bear issues confronting food safety standards compliance among smallholder farmers in developing countries, particularly Ghana.
A study on entrepreneurial attitudes of upcountry vegetable farmers in Sri Lanka
Authors: Rosairo H. S. Rohitha , Potts David J.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the entrepreneurial attitudes of upcountry vegetable farmers in Sri Lanka with respect to the characteristics of innovation, opportunity seeking and risk taking and considers their implications for rural development efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study was carried out in the hilly areas of the Badulla district in the Uva Province of Sri Lanka. Primary data were collected through a survey using a researcher-administered questionnaire as the data collection instrument and the individual farmer as the unit of analysis.

Findings

– Most vegetable farmers in the upcountry areas were found to be attitudinally entrepreneurial. Entrepreneurial attitudes were determined more by educational background and farming experience than age, gender, extent of farmland, type of farming and ownership of farmland. Farming experience related positively with innovation, opportunity seeking and risk taking, but farmers’ educational background showed no significant association with innovation.

Research limitations/implications

– It is suggested that farmer-owned companies with appropriate institutional arrangements could reduce transaction costs for buyers, and introduce accessible rural finance schemes to enhance provision of assets and technology. Such a rural setting would gain from initiatives on marketing alternatives and entrepreneurial skill development. Future research could benefit from analysis of the financial and social performance and entrepreneurial skills of vegetable farmers.

Originality/value

– The entrepreneurial attitude of farmers is an under-researched area of study particularly in the Sri Lanka context. Rural development initiatives could target entrepreneurial farmers based on these criteria to achieve maximum production impact. However care needs to be taken to consider the potential distributive impact of such targeting on farmers regarded as non-entrepreneurial.