bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can public procurement be strategic? A future agenda proposition
Authors: Guarnieri Patricia , Gomes Ricardo Corrêa
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate how public procurement can be strategic.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted following the protocol from Pagani, Kovaleski and Resende (2015), called Methodi Ordinatio, to select the relevant literature on this topic. The analysis of papers selected was carried out following the procedures of categorical content analysis (Bardin, 1977).

Findings

In all, 68 full papers were analyzed from Science Direct and Web of Science. The results present the main characteristics of publications analyzed and the authors propose some categories of strategic practices related to public procurement that are in turn related to: sustainability, partnerships and supplier management, information systems and technology and other issues.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitations of this paper are: the publication period considered of the articles selected is from January 2012 to March 2017; the databases Science Direct and Web of Science are selected as the sources of articles; the Methodi Ordinatio is used as the basic protocol of the SLR and, consequently, the inclusion and exclusion criteria described in the steps of the protocol are used.

Practical implications

Showing how the public procurement can be strategic, this paper highlights the benefits of best procurement practices; similarly, it highlights those practices adopted by the private sector, which can highly contribute to the creation of value in public services that are aligned with the concept of obtaining “the best value for money”.

Social implications

The incorporation of strategic practices in public procurement can result in the best expenditure of public resources and the reduction of corruption in the process of procurement.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to synthesize the knowledge on strategic procurement, a topic exploited by few people in the public organizations. It differentiates from other literature reviews already published, considering that these studies do not deal, specifically, with public procurement and, also, do not use protocols of SLR. Moreover, this paper indicates a future agenda of research, which can aid researchers and practitioners acting in this field of knowledge.
The role of private label tiers and private label naming strategies in the relationship between private label brand equity and store loyalty
Authors: Rubio Natalia , Villaseñor Nieves , Yagüe María
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The evolution of private labels (PL) is a recent trend in the retail industry: many retailers now manage a PL portfolio that includes multiple value propositions, as well as various brand name strategies. Little research has been done, however, on how this combination of PL strategies conditions the results of the retailer that manages them. This study aims to examine the formation of PL brand equity and its effect on store loyalty for retailers with differently tiered PL programs (a “better” program with standard PL vs a full PL quality spectrum with economy, standard and premium PLs) and different PL naming strategies (store-banner name or stand-alone brand name).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey (N = 644) was used to test the model in the context of the consumer goods retail industry. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and multi-group structural equation modelling techniques were used to assess the proposed model.

Findings

The results show differences in the formation of PL loyalty based on whether the retailer has a tiered PL program. In portfolios with economy, standard and premium PLs, PL associations have a stronger effect than PL awareness in the formation of PL loyalty. Portfolios with a standard PL show balanced effects of PL associations and PL awareness on PL loyalty formation. As to the positive effect of PL brand equity on store loyalty, this study also shows a stronger effect of PL brand equity on store loyalty in chains that choose to use their store banner name in their PLs.

Practical implications

Retailers that manage multi-tier PL portfolios (as opposed to those that commercialise a standard PL) can increase loyalty to the PL portfolio significantly by constructing highly differentiated images of their economy, standard and premium PLs to ensure that consumers truly perceive the different value propositions of their PL tiers. As to PL naming strategy, the authors recommend that retailers that use the same retail chain name for one or several of their PLs invest in their corporate reputation to strengthen the brand equity achieved by their PLs and thus increase loyalty to the retail chain. Retailers must perform specific communication and advertising campaigns for PLs with the stand-alone brand name.

Originality/value

Today, any reference to PLs as a whole is overly simplistic, but no research has assessed empirically differences in the influences of a multi-tiered vs a standard PL program on the PL loyalty formation for PL portfolios. Nor has any empirical research incorporated the influence of PL naming strategy on store loyalty. This study fills these gaps, integrating into the same model two signiﬁcant moderating variables of retailers’ strategy: their PL tier strategy and their PL naming strategy.
Context-sensitive and attribute-based sentiment classification of online consumer-generated content
Authors: Bansal Barkha , Srivastava Sangeet
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Vast volumes of rich online consumer-generated content (CGC) can be used effectively to gain important insights for decision-making, product improvement and brand management. Recently, many studies have proposed semi-supervised aspect-based sentiment classification of unstructured CGC. However, most of the existing CGC mining methods rely on explicitly detecting aspect-based sentiments and overlooking the context of sentiment-bearing words. Therefore, this study aims to extract implicit context-sensitive sentiment, and handle slangs, ambiguous, informal and special words used in CGC.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel text mining framework is proposed to detect and evaluate implicit semantic word relations and context. First, POS (part of speech) tagging is used for detecting aspect descriptions and sentiment-bearing words. Then, LDA (latent Dirichlet allocation) is used to group similar aspects together and to form an attribute. Semantically and contextually similar words are found using the skip-gram model for distributed word vectorisation. Finally, to find context-sensitive sentiment of each attribute, cosine similarity is used along with a set of positive and negative seed words.

Findings

Experimental results using more than 400,000 Amazon mobile phone reviews showed that the proposed method efficiently found product attributes and corresponding context-aware sentiments. This method also outperforms the classification accuracy of the baseline model and state-of-the-art techniques using context-sensitive information on data sets from two different domains.

Practical implications

Extracted attributes can be easily classified into consumer issues and brand merits. A brand-based comparative study is presented to demonstrate the practical significance of the proposed approach.

Originality/value

This paper presents a novel method for context-sensitive attribute-based sentiment analysis of CGC, which is useful for both brand and product improvement.
Modelling and simulation analysis of a bulk queueing system
Authors: R.P. Nithya , M. Haridass
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide simulation modelling for bulk arrival bulk service queueing system involved in a textile industry and analyze the performance metrics.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes the simulation modelling of a bulk queueing system with limited number of admissions and multiple vacations. The model is developed for the proposed queueing system using Flexsim 2017, and it is explained through an application observed in a textile industry involving the process of cone winding.

Findings

In this paper, the simulation model has been developed to study the behaviour of queues at different resources in a production system. Various performance measures such as average components, average waiting time, total number of inputs and outputs, processing time and idle time involved in a textile industry are evaluated using simulation and justified through numerical illustration.

Practical implications

The proposed simulation model may be used in various scenarios wherever a real time situation exists related to bulk queueing system. The results produced in this paper can be used by the manufacturing industries to enhance the need-based accuracy. It is worth pointing out that the findings are of direct practical relevance and can be successfully used for a number of industrial applications.

Originality/value

The approach suggested in this paper attempts to deal with the queueing system involved in a textile industry and provides numerical results in less time with less computer resources. It provides a reasonably good approximation for simple and complex queueing models where it is difficult to find closed form of theoretical results.
Climate risk and private participation projects in infrastructure
Authors: Lupton Nathaniel C. , Jiménez Alfredo , Bayraktar Secil , Tsagdis Dimitrios
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of climate risk on the success vs failure of foreign direct investments (FDIs) in private participation infrastructure (PPI) projects. The authors also consider the extent to which project-level characteristics mitigate such risks.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors study a sample from the World Bank covering 18,846 projects in 111 countries from 2004 to 2013. The authors apply logistic regressions to determine the impact of climate risk and mitigating project characteristics on project failure.

Findings

The authors find that higher levels of climate risk at the host country level are associated with higher risk of project failure. The authors also find that the disadvantage of higher climate risk is weakened by two project-level characteristics, namely, the inclusion of host government ownership in the project consortium and the size of the project.

Originality/value

The research contributes to the current debate about the impact of climate risks on international business ventures. The authors demonstrate that climate risk is a locational disadvantage for FDI in PPI projects. The authors establish that the “fittest” projects in locations characterized by higher climate risk tend to be those that involve host government participation in their ownership structure as well as those of larger sizes.
Firm heterogeneity and innovation diffusion performance: absorptive capacities
Authors: Wang Hongying , Sun Bing
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to undertake research on the relationship of firm heterogeneity and innovation diffusion performance, and the role of absorptive capacity in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the diffusion of innovation theory, enterprise heterogeneity directly affects the evaluation stage (considering whether to adopt it) and the experimental stage (observing whether it is suitable for one’s own situation) of the diffusion process. Therefore, the paper uses a structural equation model to construct the influencing factors model of enterprise heterogeneity on technology diffusion. Furthermore, questionnaires were distributed to 236 enterprises with different scales, nature and location to explore the impact of heterogeneity on technology diffusion with scientific, objective and comprehensive data.

Findings

Firm heterogeneity has a positive effect on absorptive capacity and absorptive capacity has a positive effect on technological innovation diffusion performance. Thus, absorptive capacity plays an intermediary role in the effect on enterprise heterogeneity and technological innovation diffusion performance. More interestingly, the authors get some results that are not entirely consistent with the theoretical assumptions.

Practical implications

Firm heterogeneity plays a central role in the process of innovation diffusion. Enterprises should build internal management platforms to enhance cooperation among employees, and establish links with other enterprises for opportunities for win-win cooperation. In addition, enterprises should control the frequency of internal activities, which will undermine the enthusiasm of enterprise members to participate in technology sharing.

Originality/value

This paper explores the interaction between technology potential, cooperation frequency and absorptive capacity from the perspective of systems theory. The findings enrich the theory of innovation diffusion, and explore the inherent reasons why enterprise heterogeneity affects innovation diffusion. Furthermore, the theory that intra-firm cooperation promotes innovation diffusion is not always correct.
Coping with emotional labor: an intervention study
Authors: Weaver Adam D. , Allen Joseph A. , Erks Byrne Rebekka
Published: August 2019

Purpose

Emotional labor is generally seen as a response to organizational display rules, which seek to guide the employee’s emotional expressions in such a way as to benefit the organization – generally by increasing customer satisfaction and fostering a positive regard for the organization itself. This study aims to investigate the degree to which a workshop intervention providing information about emotional labor and targeting effective coping strategies could have an effect on teachers’ burnout.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of educators in primary and secondary schools, participants completed a pre-intervention survey, the training intervention and a post-intervention survey six months after the training.

Findings

Findings indicate that helpful coping strategy responses increased from pre-intervention to post-intervention. Regression tests showed the relationships between emotional labor and burnout weakened from time 1 to time 2.

Originality/value

These findings suggest that a brief, 60 min, intervention was effective in reducing the strength of the relationship between emotional labor and burnout. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Auction models with resource pooling in modern supply chain management
Authors: Chen Lihua , Wang Liying , Lan Yingjie
Published: August 2019

Purpose

In this paper, the main focus is on supply and demand auction systems with resource pooling in modern supply chain from a theoretical modeling perspective. The supply and demand auction systems in modern supply chains among manufacturers and suppliers serve as information sharing mechanisms. The purpose of this paper is to match the supply and demand such that a modern supply chain can achieve incentive compatibility and economic efficiency. The authors design such a supply and demand auction system that can integrate resources to efficiently match the supply and demand.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose three theoretic models of modern supply chain auctions with resource pooling according to the Vickrey auction principle. They are supply auction model with demand resource pooling, demand auction model with supply resource pooling, and double auction model with demand and supply resource pooling. For the proposed auction models, the authors present three corresponding algorithms to allocate resources in the auction process by linear programming, and study the incentive compatibility and define the Walrasian equilibriums for the proposed auction models. The authors show that the solutions of the proposed algorithms are Walrasian equilibriums.

Findings

By introducing the auction mechanism, the authors aim to realize the following three functions. First is price mining: auction is an open mechanism with multiple participants. Everyone has his own utility and purchasing ability. So, the final price reflects the market value of the auction. Second is dynamic modern supply chain construction: through auction, firm can find appropriate partner efficiently. Third is resources integration: in business practices, especially in modern supply chain auctions, auctioneers can integrate resources and ally buyers or sellers to gain more efficiency in auctions.

Originality/value

In the paper, the authors propose three theoretic models and corresponding algorithms of modern supply chain auctions with resource pooling according using the Vickrey auction principle, which achieves three functions: price mining, dynamic modern supply chain construction and resources integrating. Besides, these proposed models are much closer to practical settings and may have potential applications in modern supply chain management.
The impact of visitors’ experience intensity on in-situ destination image formation
Authors: Iordanova Elitza , Stylidis Dimitrios
Published: August 2019

Purpose

This study aims to shed some light on destination image formation by exploring whether image is altered as a result of tourists’ experience intensity with a destination.

Design/methodology/approach

A visitor experience intensity index was developed based on the amount of events and attractions visitors have already attended/visited or were planning to attend/visit during their stay. The data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and the total sample consisted of 400 tourists in Linz, Austria. Principal component analysis, multivariate analysis of variance and discriminant analysis were applied to analyse the data.

Findings

The findings indicate that the higher the experience intensity score, the more favourable the cognitive and affective evaluations of destination image, indicating that tourists’ experiences are central in the formation of thein situimage.

Research limitations/implications

The “level of psychological involvement” with the destination should be considered by future studies, as this paper focussed on level of experience intensity.

Practical implications

This paper supports the effective and innovative solutions for place marketing and branding of tourist destinations such as promoting experiences that further enhance destination image. The study also assists places with bad reputation or negative image, like the selected case study (Linz, Austria), in repositioning themselves as attractive experience providers.

Originality/value

The paper’s originality lies in applying “mere exposure theory” in tourism and using an innovative way of measuring tourists’ experience through an intensity index. The study addresses a significant, but still neglected image determinant, that of experience intensity, contributing to a better understanding of thein situdestination image formation process.
Seasonal shifts and complementary use of pollen sources by two bees, a lacewing and a ladybeetle species in European agricultural landscapes
Authors: Bertrand Colette , Eckerter Philipp W. , Ammann Lolita , Entling Martin H. , Gobet Erika , Herzog Felix , Mestre Laia , Tinner Willy , Albrecht Matthias
Published: August 2019

Continuous availability of food resources, such as pollen, is vital for many insects that provide pollination and pest control services to agriculture. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the shared or complementary use of floral resources by such species, which hampers more effective landscape management to simultaneously promote them in agroecosystems.

Here, we simultaneously quantified pollen use by a bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and a mason bee (Osmia bicornis), two bee species recognized as important crop pollinators, as well as a lacewing (Chrysoperla carnea) and a ladybeetle species (Harmonia axyridis), both common predators of crop aphids, throughout the season in 23 agricultural landscapes in Germany and Switzerland.

Pollen diets were more diverse and similar among C. carnea and H. axyridis compared to the two bee species, but all four species shared key pollen types early in the season such as Acer, Quercus, Salix and Prunus. All species exhibited a pronounced shift in pollen sources from primarily woody plants (mainly trees) in spring to primarily herbaceous plants in summer. The majority of pollen (overall ≥64%) came from non‐agricultural plants even in crop‐dominated landscapes.

Synthesis and applications. Our results highlight the importance of trees as pollen sources for many insect species, particularly early in the season. Our findings support incentives that promote heterogeneous agricultural landscapes including both woody and herbaceous semi‐natural habitats, ensuring phenological complementarity of floral resources for insect species that can provide pollination and pest control services to agriculture. The identified key plant species can help to design and optimize agri‐environment schemes to promote these functionally important insects.
Microbial diversity of Livanjski cheese with the emphasis on lactic acid bacteria based on culture‐dependent and sequencing method
Authors: Vladimír Dráb , Miloslava Kavková , Markéta Markvartová , Jaroslava Hanáková , Petr Roubal
Published: August 2019

The microbial diversity of artisanal Livanjski cheese from traditional farms and dairies was analysed. The polyphasic approach included the isolation of microorganisms by using culture‐dependent methods and the identification of viable isolates by sequencing methods. In total, 159 isolates were identified, including five strains of yeast and 15 strains of fungi. Twenty‐two species of homofermentative and heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria were classified. The Shannon–Wiener index of diversity ranged from 0.462 to 2.51 within the cheese samples from the farms and dairies. The hygiene conditions during cheese production and the age of the cheese significantly influenced the counts and diversity of microorganisms.
Deep endometriosis transvaginal ultrasound in the workup of patients with signs and symptoms of endometriosis: a cost analysis
Authors: Leonardi M , Martin E , Reid S , Blanchette G , Condous G
Published: August 2019

Objective

Deep endometriosis transvaginal ultrasound (DE TVS) is accurate in the detection of ovarian endometriosis and DE; however, realisation of its full potential and utilisation remains variable. As such, patients may require a two‐step surgical approach (diagnostic followed by therapeutic laparoscopy) or experience incomplete surgical treatment. Besides the clinical implications, the economic impact of a two‐step approach to diagnosis and treatment on the healthcare system is likely to be significant. We aim to compare the economic costs of two diagnostic models of care for patients with potential endometriosis.

Design

Cost analysis using Markov model with 12‐month time horizon comparing the economic costs of two diagnostic models.

Setting

The study used a hypothetical population of 1000 women visiting a public tertiary gynaecology clinic.

Population

Women with potential endometriosis. Estimates for endometriosis prevalence and severity were drawn from local Australian hospital data.

Methods

The conventional model (M1) includes the basic TVS and diagnostic laparoscopy. The novel model (M2) includes the DE TVS. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was conducted to capture the uncertainty in the information used to populate the models.

Main outcome measure

Changes to government, health‐service and patient costs with the adoption of the DE TVS compared with standard diagnostic methods. Costs are given in Australian dollars (AU$) and also in pound sterling (£).

Results

The total annual cost of the novel model (M2) is AU$12,547,724.03 (£6,826,673.63), cheaper than the conventional model (M1), which cost AU$13,472,161.67 (£7,329,620.15).

Conclusions

For a population of 1000 women, the integration of the DE TVS may save healthcare costs of AU$924,437 (£502,946.17) annually.

Tweetable abstract

An endometriosis‐focused ultrasound may negate a two‐step surgery pathway, including diagnostic surgery, and save healthcare money.
Α Simple Method for the Determination of Lacosamide in Blood by GC‐MS
Authors: Mouskeftara Thomai , Alexandridou Anastasia , Krokos Adamantios , Gika Helen , Mastrogianni Orthodoxia , Orfanidis Amvrosios , Raikos Nikolaos
Published: August 2019

Lacosamide is a functionalized amino acid with antiepileptic function. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in patients for lacosamide is critical as it allows clinicians to control epileptic seizures. A single liquid–liquid extraction step was applied for the extraction of lacosamide from whole blood samples which were thereafter analyzed by GC‐MS. Optimum extraction conditions were selected on the basis of experiments with various solvents at different pHs, indicating ethyl acetate at pH 12 as the most efficient parameters for the extraction of lacosamide. Method exhibited linearity from 2 to 100 μg/mL with R2 = 0.998. Accuracy and precision were evaluated at three concentrations and found to be within acceptable limits. LOD and LOQ were determined at 0.1 and 0.5 μg/mL, respectively. Lacosamide was found to be stable at storage conditions. The developed method was applied successfully in clinical samples and postmortem blood sample from an overdose case.
A commercial seaweed extract structured microbial communities associated with tomato and pepper roots and significantly increased crop yield
Authors: Renaut Sébastien , Masse Jacynthe , Norrie Jeffrey P. , Blal Bachar , Hijri Mohamed
Published: August 2019

Seaweeds have been used as a source of natural fertilizer and biostimulant in agriculture for centuries. However, their effects on soil and crop root microbiota remain unclear. Here, we used a commercially availableAscophyllum nodosumextract (ANE) to test its effect on bacterial and fungal communities of rhizospheric soils and roots of pepper and tomato plants in greenhouse trials. Two independent trials were conducted in a split‐block design. We used amplicon sequencing targeting fungalITSand bacterial 16SrRNAgene to determine microbial community structure changes. We find that productivity parameters of root, shoot and fruit biomass were positively and significantly influenced by theANEamendment. In addition,a‐diversity differed significantly between amended and control plants, but only in some of the experimental conditions. Species composition among sites (b‐diversity) differed according to the amendment treatment in all four communities (fungal‐root, fungal‐soil, bacterial‐root and bacterial‐soil). Finally, we identified a number of candidate taxa most strongly correlated with crop yield increases. Further studies on isolation and characterization of these microbial taxa linked to the application of liquid seaweed extract may help to enhance crop yield in sustainable agro‐ecosystems.
Does child maltreatment predict alcohol use disorders in young adulthood? A cohort study of linked notifications and survey data
Authors: Kisely Steve , Mills Ryan , Strathearn Lane , Najman Jake M.
Published: August 2019

Background and aims

Most studies of the association between child maltreatment and subsequent problem alcohol use are retrospective. We studied the association of prospectively substantiated child maltreatment with problem alcohol use in adulthood.

Design

We used a prospective cohort record linkage correlational design using data from a statutory child protection agency of prospectively substantiated child maltreatment linked to a birth cohort from a major metropolitan maternity hospital.

Setting

The Mater‐University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy in Brisbane, Australia.

Participants

Of the 3762 young people at the 21‐year follow‐up, 169 (4.5%) had a history of substantiated maltreatment by 16 years. This was most commonly emotional abuse (n = 90).

Measurements

The main outcome was heavy alcohol use at the 21‐year follow‐up, defined as four or more standard drinks per day. Secondary outcomes were life‐time and 12‐month diagnoses of alcohol use disorders in  2531 participants who completed the Composite International Diagnostic Interview‐auto (CIDI‐auto) version. Predictor variables were physical, sexual and emotional abuse, as well as neglect.

Findings

At follow‐up, 407 of the 3762 participants reported heavy alcohol use (10.8%). On adjusted analyses, participants who had experienced emotional abuse were significantly more likely to report heavy alcohol use at the time of interview (adjusted odds ratio = 1.856; 95% confidence interval = 1.038–3.319; P = 0.037). Neglect was associated with a life‐time CIDI diagnosis of an alcohol use disorder. Other types of child maltreatment were not significantly associated with any of the outcomes.

Conclusions

Prospectively identified experience of childhood emotional abuse and neglect appears to be positively associated with problem alcohol use at age 21.
Evaluation of adding the community reinforcement approach to motivational enhancement therapy for adults aged 60 years and older with DSM‐5 alcohol use disorder: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Andersen Kjeld , Behrendt Silke , Bilberg Randi , Bogenschutz Michael P. , Braun Barbara , Buehringer Gerhard , Ekstrøm Claus Thorn , Mejldal Anna , Petersen Anne Helby , Nielsen Anette Søgaard
Published: August 2019

Aim

To examine whether adding the Community Reinforcement Approach for Seniors (CRA‐S) to Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) increases the probability of treatment success in people aged ≥ 60 years with alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Design

A single blind multi‐centre multi‐national randomized (1 : 1) controlled trial.

Setting

Out‐patient settings (municipal alcohol treatment clinics in Denmark, specialized addiction care facilities in Germany and a primary care clinic in the United States).

Participants

Between January 2014 and May 2016, 693 patients aged 60+ years and fulfilling DSM‐5 criteria for AUD participated in comparing MET (n = 351) and MET + CRA‐S (n = 342).

Intervention and comparator

MET (comparator) included four manualized sessions aimed at increasing motivation to change and establishing a change plan. CRA‐S (intervention) consisted of up to eight further optional, manualized sessions aimed at helping patients to implement their change plan. CRA‐S included a specially designed module on coping with age and age‐related problems.

Measurements

The primary outcome was either total alcohol abstinence or an expected blood alcohol concentration of ≤ 0.05% during the 30 days preceding the 26 weeks follow‐up (defined as success) or blood alcohol concentration of > 0.05% during the follow‐up period (defined as failure). This was assessed by self‐report using the Form 90 instrument. The main analysis involved complete cases.

Findings

The follow‐up rate at 26 weeks was 76.2% (76.9% in the MET group and 76.0% in the MET + CRA‐S group). The success rate in the MET group was 48.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 42.9–54.9%] versus 52.3% (95% CI = 46.2–58.3%) in the MET + CRA‐S group. The odds of success in the two conditions did not differ (odds ratio = 1.22. 95% CI = 0.86–1.75, P = 0.26, Bayes factor = 0.10). Sensitivity analyses involving alternative approaches to missing values did not change the results.

Conclusions

In older adults with an alcohol use disorder diagnosis, adding the ‘community reinforcement approach for seniors’ intervention to brief out‐patient motivational enhancement therapy treatment did not improve drinking outcome.
Laparoscopic totally extra‐peritoneal groin hernia repair with self‐gripping polyester mesh: a series of 780 repairs
Authors: Stavert Bethany , Chan Daniel L. , Ozmen John , Loi Ken
Published: August 2019

Background

Laparoscopic groin hernia repair is an increasingly common procedure with benefits of reduced post‐operative pain and infection. Post‐operative chronic pain remains an ongoing concern in about 10% of patients. Parietex ProGrip™, a polyester self‐gripping mesh, has a theoretical benefit of avoiding tacks for mesh‐fixation. This case series reflects our long‐term experience of this technique.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective case series from November 2011 to December 2017. Patients were identified through an operative Medicare Benefits Schedule item number search. Clinical documentation was reviewed with length of stay, mesh infection, chronic pain, recurrence and re‐operation as primary data points.

Results

A total of 514 patients underwent 780 laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs with self‐gripping polyester mesh during this period. There were 53 female (10.3%) and 461 male patients (89.7%). Unilateral hernia repair was performed in 248 patients (48.2%) and bilateral repair in 266 patients (51.8%). Almost all repairs (779, 99.8%) were primary hernias. There were no mesh infections. Four recurrences were noted (0.51%) and three of these subsequently underwent open redo‐hernia repairs (0.38%). Post‐operative follow‐up was up to 4.4 years.

Conclusions

Our series of laparoscopic groin hernia repair with self‐gripping mesh demonstrate this is a safe and reliable mesh and effective technique with low recurrence rates.
Sarcopenia is an independent predictor of delayed gastric emptying following pancreaticoduodenectomy: a retrospective study
Authors: Shintakuya Ryuta , Sasaki Masaru , Nakamitsu Atsushi , Kohyama Mohei , Tazaki Tatsuya , Sugiyama Yoichi , Hirano Toshinori , Kaiki Yuki
Published: August 2019

Background

The pathogenesis of delayed gastric emptying (DGE), a common complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy, is unclear. Loss of skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia) is associated with post‐pancreaticoduodenectomy complications; however, few studies have investigated the relationship between sarcopenia and DGE. The aim of this study was to investigate whether post‐pancreaticoduodenectomy DGE is affected by pre‐operative skeletal muscle mass.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the data of 112 consecutive patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy and divided them into the following two groups: no DGE (n = 100) and with DGE (n = 12). Patients were stratified by quartiles according to each element of body composition. The lowest quartile for skeletal muscle mass was defined as having sarcopenia.

Results

Ten and two patients had grades B and C DGE, respectively. According to univariate analysis, body mass index (P = 0.031), clinically relevant post‐operative pancreatic fistula (P < 0.001) and skeletal muscle mass (P = 0.002) were significantly associated with DGE. According to multivariate analysis, high body mass index (≥25 kg/cm2) (P = 0.005), post‐operative pancreatic fistula (P = 0.027) and low skeletal muscle mass (P = 0.004) were independently associated with DGE.

Conclusion

Sarcopenia is an independent predictor of DGE after pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Primary immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia: a retrospective long‐term study in 61 dogs
Authors: Weingart C , Thielemann D , Kohn B
Published: August 2019

Objectives

The objective of this study is to describe the course of disease of dogs with primary immune‐mediated haemolytic anaemia (pIMHA) with an observation period longer than 90 days in regard to clinical signs, laboratory results and treatment response.

Material and methods

Clinical records between January 2003 and December 2011 were reviewed. Diagnosis of pIMHA was based on the presence of haemolytic anaemia with a packed cell volume of <0.35 L/L, a positive Coombs' test and/or erythrocyte agglutination, spherocytosis and exclusion of an underlying disease. Included were dogs which could be monitored for more than 90 days after initial presentation.

Results

Sixty‐one dogs with pIMHA were included. The initial packed cell volume ranged from 0.08 to 0.30 L/L (median 0.16). Immunosuppressive treatment included prednisolone in all the cases; 32 dogs successively received cyclosporine (28), cyclophosphamide (5), leflunomide (2) or human intravenous immunoglobulins (2) in addition. In 33/61 dogs, the drugs were discontinued 67–3372 days (median 334) after beginning of therapy; in 28 dogs, the drug dosage was reduced, but not discontinued until the end of the study. Three dogs developed immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia (days 132, 156 and 680). The observation period ranged from 96 to 4147 days (median 628). A total of 22.9% (14/61) of the dogs developed a relapse after 94–3972 days (median 517). Five dogs were euthanased due to a relapse after 96–1188 days (median 628).

Clinical significance

Long‐term prognosis in dogs with pIMHA is favourable. However, a relapse can occur after many years. Relapse was the most common cause of death in dogs with pIMHA that survive more than 90 days.
Combinatorial ixazomib and belinostat therapy induces NFE2L2‐dependent apoptosis in Hodgkin and T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Passero Frank C. , Ravi Dashnamoorthy , McDonald J. Tyson , Beheshti Afshin , David Kevin A. , Evens Andrew M.
Published: August 2019

Ixazomib activity and transcriptomic analyses previously established in T cell (TCL) and Hodgkin (HL) lymphoma models predicted synergistic activity for histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitory combination. In this present study, we determined the mechanistic basis for ixazomib combination with the HDAC inhibitor, belinostat, in HL and TCL cells lines (ixazomib‐sensitive/resistant clones) and primary tumour cells. In ixazomib‐treated TCL and HL cells, transient inhibition followed by full recovery of proteasomal activity observed was accompanied by induction of proteasomal gene expression with NFE2L2 (also termed NRF2) as a prominent upstream regulator. Downregulation of both NFE2L2 and proteasomal gene expression (validated by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction) occurred with belinostat treatment in Jurkat and L428 cells. In addition, CRISPR/Cas9 mediated knockdown of NFE2L2 in Jurkat cells resulted in a significant decrease in cell viability with ixazomib compared with untreated control cells. Using transcriptomic and proteasomal activity evaluation of ixazomib, belinostat, or ixazomib + belinostat treated cells, we observed that NFE2L2, proteasome gene expression and functional recovery were abrogated by ixazomib + belinostat combination, resulting in synergistic drug activity in ixazomib‐sensitive and ‐resistant cell lines and primary cells. Altogether, these results suggest that the synergistic activity of ixazomib + belinostat is mediated via inhibition NFE2L2‐dependent proteasomal recovery and extended proteasomal inhibition culminating in increased cell death.
CR4056, a powerful analgesic imidazoline‐2 receptor ligand, inhibits the inflammation‐induced PKCε phosphorylation and membrane translocation in sensory neurons
Authors: Vellani Vittorio , Sabatini Chiara , Milia Chiara , Caselli Gianfranco , Lanza Marco , Letari Ornella , Rovati Lucio Claudio , Giacomoni Chiara
Published: August 2019

Background and Purpose

CR4056 is a first‐in‐class imidazoline‐2 (I2) receptor ligand characterized by potent analgesic activity in different experimental animal models of pain. In a recent phase II clinical trial, CR4056 effectively reduced pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of CR4056 on PKCε translocation in vitro and on PKCε activation in vivo in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons.

Experimental Approach

Effects of CR4056 on bradykinin‐induced PKCε translocation were studied in rat sensory neurons by immunocytochemistry. PKCε activation was investigated by immunohistochemistry analysis of DRG from complete Freund's adjuvant‐treated animals developing local hyperalgesia. The analgesic activity of CR4056 was tested on the same animals.

Key Results

CR4056 inhibited PKCε translocation with very rapid and long‐lasting activity. CR4056 decreased hyperalgesia and phospho‐PKCε immunoreactivity in the DRG neurons innervating the inflamed paw. The effect of CR4056 on PKCε translocation was blocked by pertussis toxin, implying that the intracellular pathways involved Gi proteins. The inhibition of PKCε translocation by CR4056 was independent of the α2‐adrenoeceptor and, surprisingly, was also independent of idazoxan‐sensitive I2 binding sites. The I2 agonist 2BFI had no effect alone but potentiated the activity of low concentrations of CR4056.

Conclusions and Implications

Our results demonstrate that CR4056 shares the ability to inhibit PKCε translocation with other analgesics. Whether the inhibition of PKCε involves binding to specific subtype(s) of I2 receptors should be further investigated. If so, this would be a new mode of action of a highly specific I2 receptor ligand.
Targeting valosin‐containing protein enhances the efficacy of radiation therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Luo Hui , Song Hengli , Mao Ronghu , Gao Qiang , Feng Zhuo , Wang Nan , Song Shuai , Jiao Ruidi , Ni Peizan , Ge Hong
Published: August 2019

Overcoming resistance to radiation is a great challenge in cancer therapy. Here, we highlight that targeting valosin‐containing protein (VCP) improves radiation sensitivity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines and show the potential of using VCP as a prognosis marker in locally advanced ESCC treated with radiation therapy. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines with high VCP expression were treated with VCP inhibitor combined with radiotherapy. Cell proliferation, colony formation, cell death, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling were evaluated. Moreover, patients with newly diagnosed locally advanced ESCC who were treated with radiotherapy were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of VCP. The correlation between overall survival and VCP was investigated. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells treated with VCP inhibitor and radiotherapy showed attenuated cell proliferation and colony formation and enhanced apoptosis. Further investigation showed this combined strategy activated the ER stress signaling involved in unfolded protein response, and inhibited the ER‐associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. Clinical analysis revealed a significant survival benefit in the low VCP expression group. Targeting VCP resulted in antitumor activity and enhanced the efficacy of radiation therapy in ESCC cells in vitro. Valosin‐containing protein is a promising and novel target. In patients with locally advanced ESCC who received radiotherapy, VCP can be considered as a useful prognostic indicator of overall survival. Valosin‐containing protein inhibitors could be developed for use as effective cancer therapies, in combination with radiation therapy.
Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy
Authors: Kimura Akio , Takekoshi Akira , Yoshikura Nobuaki , Nakanishi Etsuro , Shimohata Takayoshi
Published: August 2019

Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy (GFAP‐A) was recently reported as a spectrum of autoimmune inflammatory central nervous system disorders characterized by the detection of immunoglobulin G (IgG) against GFAP in cerebrospinal fluid using tissue‐ and cell‐based testing. The most common phenotypes of GFAP‐A are meningoencephalitis with or without myelitis. Patients present with headache and fever followed by consciousness disturbance and meningeal signs. Movement disorders, ataxia, hyperreflexia and blurred vision related to optic disc edema are sometimes observed. Some patients with GFAP‐A have a neoplasm. The most commonly detected neoplasm is ovarian teratoma. Coexisting neural antibodies are also sometimes detected. N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDA‐R)‐IgG is the most common coexisting antibody, and patients with coexisting N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor‐IgG have a clinical course resembling N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor encephalitis. Lymphocytic pleocytosis lasts for several months and brain linear perivascular radial gadolinium‐enhancement patterns, an imaging hallmark of GFAP‐A, are sometimes observed. A previous neuropathological study reported inflammatory infiltrates including T‐, B‐ and plasma cells surrounding blood vessels. Although the pathophysiological mechanisms of GFAP‐A remain to be elucidated, GFAP‐specific CD8+ T cells are likely effectors of this disorder. GFAP‐A is usually corticosteroid responsive in the acute stage. However, some patients are prone to relapse or even die. In relapsed or refractory patients, the administration of oral prednisolone or a steroid‐sparing agent might be necessary. Because the timing of corticosteroid therapy might affect patient prognosis, cerebrospinal fluid GFAP‐IgG should be examined in patients with meningoencephalitis with or without myelitis who present with characteristic clinical features.
Transanal repair of rectocele: prospective assessment of functional outcome and quality of life
Authors: Tsunoda A. , Takahashi T. , Kusanagi H.
Published: August 2019

Aim

This study aimed to assess the functional outcome of transanal repair of rectocele using patient symptom scores and quality of life (QOL) instruments.

Method

Patients who underwent transanal repair for symptomatic rectocele between February 2012 and August 2017 were included. This study was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. A standard questionnaire including the Constipation Scoring System (CSS), the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI) and QOL instruments [Patient Assessment of Constipation (PAC)‐QOL, Fecal Incontinence QOL Scale, Short‐Form 36 Health Survey (SF‐36)] was administered before and after the operation. Physiological assessment and proctography were performed before and after the operation.

Results

Thirty patients were included. The median follow‐up was 36 (6–72) months. Postoperative proctography showed a reduction in rectocele size [34 mm (14–52 mm) vs 10 mm (0–28 mm), P < 0.0001]. Physiological assessment showed no significant postoperative changes. Constipation was improved in 15/21 patients (71%) at 1 year and 14/20 patients (70%) at the mid‐term follow‐up. The CSS score reduced at 3 months [12 (8–12) vs 6 (1–12), P < 0.0001] and remained significantly reduced over time until the mid‐term follow‐up. Faecal incontinence was improved in two‐thirds patients at 1 year. Four patients developed new‐onset faecal incontinence. All the PAC‐QOL scale scores significantly improved over time until 1 year, while two of the eight SF‐36 scale scores showed significant postoperative improvement.

Conclusion

Transanal repair for rectocele improves constipation and constipation‐specific QOL.
Soy expansion in Brazil's Cerrado
Authors: Rausch Lisa L. , Gibbs Holly K. , Schelly Ian , Brandão Amintas , Morton Douglas C. , Filho Arnaldo Carneiro , Strassburg Bernardo , Walker Nathalie , Noojipady Praveen , Barreto Paulo , Meyer Daniel
Published: August 2019

The Cerrado biome is Brazil's breadbasket and a major provider of ecosystem services, though these dual roles are increasingly at odds, in part because there are few mechanisms to protect remaining vegetation from large‐scale agricultural expansion. We assessed Cerrado conversion to soy using over 580,000 property boundaries, covering 77% of the biome that is eligible for commercial land use, and using microwatersheds, to cover 100% of eligible areas. Soy expansion accounted for 22% of conversion during 2003–14. Only 15% of clearing exceeded restrictions on private properties under the Forest Code (FC). However, 51% of soy farms have violated the FC, five times the rate of other farms. As a leading cause of both Cerrado conversion and FC violations, the soy sector has environmental and economic incentives to shift production to already cleared land. We used suitability maps to identify potential pathways for soy expansion across both old and new cropland frontiers.
908. PTEROSTYLIS REPANDA
Authors: Schuiteman André , Cribb Phillip , Want Terry
Published: August 2019

Pterostylis repanda, a recently‐named species from New Caledonia, is illustrated. Its distinctions from related species are discussed, and suggestions for its cultivation are given.
913. MEEHANIA FARGESII var. PEDUNCULATA
Authors: Rix Martyn
Published: August 2019

Meehania fargesii var. pedunculata (Hemsley) C. Y. Wu, from the mountains of western China, is illustrated. The history and variation in the species is discussed, and suggestions for its successful cultivation are given.