bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A business intelligence framework for sustainability information management in higher education
Authors: Scholtz Brenda , Calitz Andre , Haupt Ross
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Higher education institutions (HEIs) face a number of challenges in effectively managing and reporting on sustainability information, such as siloes of data and a limited distribution of information. Business intelligence (BI) can assist in addressing the challenges faced by organisations. The purpose of this study was to propose a BI framework for strategic sustainability information management (the Sustainable BI Framework) that can be used in HEIs.

Design/methodology/approach

The research applied the design science research methodology whilst using a South African HEI as a case study. The problems with sustainability information management were identified, and a theoretical framework was proposed. In addition, a practical BI software tool was developed as proof of concept to address these problems and to assist with the management of strategic sustainability information in an HEI.

Findings

The proposed sustainability BI tool was evaluated through heuristic and usability evaluations with senior management. The results indicated that the usability of the BI tool was positively rated and that the framework can assist in overcoming the constraints that HEIs face in effectively managing sustainability information.

Research limitations/implications

The research was limited to a single case. However, the theoretical framework was derived from and expanded on existing stakeholder theory, sustainability reporting theory and literature on BI dashboard development. The framework was implemented successfully in the Sustainable BI Tool prototype at the case study, and the results reveal in-depth information regarding information management for sustainability reporting in higher education.

Practical implications

The Sustainable BI Tool is a solution that integrates data from multiple areas of sustainability and provides a single integrated view of the information to stakeholders. The information is provided through performance dashboards, which provide predictive capabilities to enable management to report on sustainability and determine if the institution is meeting its strategic goals. The lessons learnt can also assist other HEIs considering implementing BI for sustainability reporting.

Social implications

Improved sustainability reporting for HEIs provided by the BI framework can improve the environmental and social impact of the educational community.

Originality/value

This study provides the most comprehensive framework for guiding the design of a BI tool to assist in effectively managing sustainability information in HEIs.
Roadmapping towards sustainability proficiency in engineering education
Authors: Rodriguez-Andara Alejandro , Río-Belver Rosa María , Rodríguez-Salvador Marisela , Lezama-Nicolás René
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deliver a roadmap that displays pathways to develop sustainability skills in the engineering curricula.

Design/methodology/approach

The selected approach to enrich engineering students with sustainability skills was active learning methodologies. First, a survey was carried out on a sample of 189 students to test the current sustainability literacy and determine the roadmap starting point. Next, a scientometric study regarding active learning methodologies was executed. A total of 2,885 articles and conference proceedings from the period 2013-2016 were retrieved from the Web of Science database. The records were then imported into text mining software to undergo a term clumping process. Annual knowledge clusters based on key terms were outputted. Finally, a roadmap was created by experts based on the annual knowledge clusters.

Findings

Four annual pathways were created along the roadmap to develop sustainability skills during the four-year college course in engineering. The first consisted on promoting a recycling campaign through a circular economy. The second aimed at creating educational videos regarding sustainability. The third reinforced reasoning and argumentative skills by preparing a debate on environmental issues. The last path assumed that the student is working in internship programs and prepared him/her to apply environmental management models to solve sustainability issues within the company.

Research limitations/implications

Roadmaps should be updated approximately every two years to reflect novelty. The proposed methodology shows an easy way to create them.

Practical implications

Results from this paper, as well as the proposed methodology, can be applied to any organization forming individuals: from primary school education to employee training programs in organizations.

Social implications

The development of sustainability skills has a direct, positive impact on professional decision-making and, ultimately, on the environment.

Originality/value

This paper presents a roadmapping process to develop sustainability competences throughout engineering college education.
Honour based abuse: the response by professionals to vulnerable adult investigations
Authors: Aplin Rachael L.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine responses by police and Adult Social Care to honour based abuse (HBA) victims who have a diagnosed or perceived vulnerability, such as a physical disability or mental health issue. The aim is to improve professional practice in ensuring vulnerable victims are safeguarded.

Design/methodology/approach

Findings are drawn from 100 HBA investigations (2012-2014) derived from classified police electronic records and interviews with 15, predominantly specialist, public protection police officers in one UK force.

Findings

HBA against vulnerable adults is an obscure crime area. In cases of diagnosed vulnerability (3 per cent), police officers wrongly attributed “freewill” and choice to vulnerable adults who legally lacked the capacity to consent to marriage. Conversely, in 9 per cent of cases where victims were depressed and/or self-harming, perpetrators exaggerated the poor mental health of victims in order to discredit them to law enforcement. Professionals illogically latched onto perpetrator explanations and in turn undermined and problematised the victims.

Research limitations/implications

There is limited access to data on vulnerable adult abuse, making this an under researched area of crime.

Practical implications

Failing to undertake risk assessments, or record whether the victim is legally vulnerable should lead to a review of police practice. An evaluation of joint working arrangements is necessary concerning which agency (police or Adult Social Care) should take primacy.

Social implications

Vulnerable adult victims were retained in risk predicaments alongside perpetrating family members.

Originality/value

Police officers suggesting vulnerable adults can “consent” to marriage is a new concept, along with issues of goal displacement which illustrates avoidance behaviours by professionals and under protection by the state.
Oops! Its happened again! Evidence of the continuing abuse of older people in care homes
Authors: Moore Steve
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present findings from an empirical research project designed to enhance knowledge of the current extent and nature of abuse in contemporary care homes for older people.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-completion, postal questionnaire was used to elicit both numerical and textual data that was subsequently subjected to both quantitative and qualitative analysis. The questionnaire was distributed to newly appointed care staff in six participating care homes providing care to older people to determine the nature of any abuse they may have witnessed in the homes in which they had previously worked.

Findings

A significant proportion of respondents described instances of predominantly psychological and physical abuse and neglect.

Research limitations/implications

Though the research draws upon the experiences of only 194 anonymous questionnaire respondents, of whom 140 had witnessed abuse; data suggest that abuse continues to occur in some care homes for older people.

Originality/value

The research has revealed staffs’ recent experiences of a range of abusive acts and practices. Findings suggest that changes are required to current methods of external scrutiny and investigation of practices in care homes.
Barriers and facilitators in supporting people with intellectual disability to report sexual violence: perspectives of Australian disability and mainstream support providers
Authors: Fraser-Barbour Ellen Frances , Crocker Ruth , Walker Ruth
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Evidence from Australia and worldwide has highlighted the ongoing marginalisation, discrimination, abuse, violence and neglect of people with disability. One of the main areas of concern is that despite such evidence there remain fundamental barriers for people with disability to report violence and/or access supports. Significantly few studies have canvased the perspectives of people with intellectual disability (ID), family members or disability service providers. Accordingly as a first step, the purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of disability and violence-response professionals’ regarding the barriers and facilitators of effective support for people with ID reporting sexual violence and accessing mainstream supports.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research design informed the basis of this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants who held roles within disability services and mainstream violence response. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. These transcripts were then analysed individually using a combination of thematic analysis and discourse analysis to bring to light the social and material structures within service systems in terms of how they disempower or empower supports for people with ID.

Findings

Participants from both services reported that professionals (particularly those outside the disability sector) lacked awareness of practical ways in which they could support people with ID to report and access services outside of disability-specific services. Participants also felt the capacity for people with ID to have a voice about what happens in the “aftermath” of reporting sexual violence was rarely acknowledged. Participants called for education and development of resources which could guide professional practice across disability and wider violence-response services. Participants saw investment in building interagency relationships across sectors as key to supporting the citizenship of people with ID.

Originality/value

This study suggests that there is a strong need for better community engagement and understanding of the multi-faceted issues surrounding responses to violence concerning people with ID. The findings of this study also outline implications for practice and policy which may be of interest to professionals both within disability and wider violence-response sectors in Australia and internationally.
Entrepreneurial communities and family enterprises of India
Authors: Bakhru Kanupriya Misra , Behera Manas , Sharma Alka
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the traditional business communities and family businesses of India, their emergence and sustained growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyze the role of business communities in family businesses of India and identify business communities that have still sustained and marked a global presence.

Findings

Business communities such as Marwaris have the knack for business activities and are leaders of family businesses in India today, who have sustained their past success and continue to create new histories. Other traditional business communities such as Parsis, Sindhis, Chettiars and Gujarati banias have not been able to sustain much. Possible reasons were switching to white-collar jobs, taking up diplomacy and other professions, inter caste marriages, international migration in search of business and Indian government policies.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a useful source of information for academics, policy-makers and economists.

Practical implications

Traditional business communities populate the list of family businesses that have marked their global presence. This paper identifies various factors that are responsible for the growth and sustainability of these business communities.

Social implications

The study clarifies the role of business communities in domestic economic development.

Originality/value

The paper explored traditional business communities of India and assessed their role in family businesses of India that currently mark a global presence.
Entrepreneurial orientation for sustainable mobility through electric vehicles
Authors: Shalender Kumar
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The research aims to clarify and give insights on the importance of entrepreneurial orientation for sustained mobility through the four business models which are currently operational in different regions of the world for supporting the commercialization drive of electric vehicles (EVs).

Design/methodology/approach

By drawing on extant literature, the author develops systematic business frameworks undergirded by the triad of entrepreneurial orientation (innovation, risk-taking and proactiveness) depicting enablers of value creation, capturing and adoption barriers related to EVs. These multidimensional frameworks are then used to analyse the selected business models for their strengths and weaknesses.

Findings

The findings of the research underlined the importance of adopting entrepreneurial orientation, conceiving flexible business model, forging inter-industry partnerships and leveraging on shared resources as prime requirements for achieving success in EV segment.

Research limitations/implications

This study underlines the importance of entrepreneurial orientation and has the recommendations for the entrepreneurs, the EV companies and the policymakers.

Originality/value

This study fulfils the identified need of developing entrepreneurial orientation and sound business models for EVs.
Gauging underdog entrepreneurship for disabled entrepreneurs
Authors: Saxena Siddhartha Satish , Pandya Rushi Sanat Kumar
Published: January 2018

Purpose

In the past decade, entrepreneurship research has evolved with the contribution of different scholars, but there is a lack of studies available that focused on entrepreneurship with disabilities. The objective of the research is understanding differently abled entrepreneurs and their entrepreneurial journey. How challenges caused by disability contribute to motivate them to pursue entrepreneurship as a career. This study is based on “Underdog entrepreneurs: Challenge-based entrepreneurship model” theoretical model proposed by Miller and Breton-Miller (2017).

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative research includes case study methodology to study eight differently abled entrepreneurs. All the identified cases are located in the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. In-depth interviews and multiple visits were scheduled to collect the data. Transcripts of the interview and observation notes were developed for the analysis of the content according to the adopted theoretical model.

Findings

Differently abled entrepreneurs show similar traits as the non-disabled entrepreneurs. They are also found to be more resilient and persistent while dealing with the challenges of failure, stress and uncertainty. Difficult conditions and experiences of discrimination indirectly prepare them for tackling challenges while pursuing entrepreneurship. People close to differently abled entrepreneurs play a critical role in shaping and supporting their ventures.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the lack of authentic information available on disabled entrepreneurs, the study does not include different entrepreneurs with more disabilities such as hearing impairment, speech impairment and mental illness. The study also focuses on the entrepreneurs of Ahmedabad City, Gujarat because of the similar reason.

Originality/value

This paper is an original submission and contributes towards understanding the differently abled entrepreneurs.
Stroke: the critically neglected first year post-stroke
Authors: Gaines Kenneth , Commiskey Patricia
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the USA and worldwide. While stroke care has evolved dramatically, many new acute approaches to therapy focus only on the first 3-12 hours. Significant treatment opportunities beyond the first 12 hours can play a major role in improving outcomes for stroke patients. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the issues that affect stroke care delivery for patients and caregivers and describe an integrated care model that can improve care across the continuum.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper details evidence-based research that documents current stroke care and efforts to improve care delivery. Further, an innovative integrated care model is described, and its novel application to stroke care is highlighted.

Findings

Stroke patients and caregivers face fragmented and poorly coordinated care systems as they move through specific stroke nodes of care, from acute emergency and in-hospital stay through recovery post-discharge at a care facility or at home, and can be addressed by applying a comprehensive, technology-enabled Integrated Stroke Practice Unit (ISPU) Model of Care.

Originality/value

This paper documents specific issues that impact stroke care and the utilization of integrated care delivery models to address them. Evidence-based research results document difficulties of current care delivery methods for stroke and the impact of that care delivery on patients and caregivers across each node of care. It offers an innovative ISPU model and highlights specific tenets of that model for readers.
Engagement within a service system: a fuzzy set analysis in a higher education setting
Authors: Sim Max , Conduit Jodie , Plewa Carolin
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Despite recognition that organizations operate in interrelated service systems, extant literature has focused strongly on dyadic engagement relationships (e.g. customer-to-brand). Taking into account the multiple engagement foci that exist within a service system, the purpose of this paper is to examine the interdependence among engagement with these multiple foci in a higher education setting. Specifically, the research investigates different configurations of engagement dimensions with the service provider and brand as they pertain to engagement with the study context.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 251 students were surveyed in regards to their engagement with a service provider (lecturer), brand (university) and study context. Data analysis utilized Fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis to identify the unique combinations of causal condition consistent with high student engagement with the study context.

Findings

Five solutions were identified, each with a different constellation of engagement dimensions. Most solutions entailed engagement with both the service provider and the brand, and cognitive processing (service provider) emerged as a core condition for every solution. This suggests service providers should seek to engage with consumers, particularly from a cognitive perspective, understanding this will support engagement with the context of study.

Originality/value

This research provides evidence that students can engage with their study context through different configurations of engagement with the service provider and the brand. Thus, it demonstrates the need to examine constellations of engagement dimensions related to multiple focal objects to understand their interdependencies and potential influence on engagement at a higher level of aggregation in a complex service environment.
Analyzing Big Data through the lens of customer knowledge management
Authors: Del Vecchio Pasquale , Secundo Giustina , Passiante Giuseppina
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate how customer knowledge management (CKM) can opportunely support the process of value creation from Big Data. Focusing on tourism as a knowledge-intensive industry, the paper tries to contribute to the debate on management of Big Data by proposing CKM as a meaningful approach for transforming the huge amount of data available on social networks into valuable assets for competitiveness of tourism destinations.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a qualitative research methodology based on multiple exploratory case studies identified in a set of digital local events related to the Apulia destination (southern Italy).

Findings

Research findings demonstrate that the three dimensions of CKM (knowledge for, from and about customers) could be adopted as lens for analyzing the huge amount of data created for, from and about tourist experiences and for transforming them into valuable assets supporting the competitiveness of tourism destinations.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations are related to the industry and the regional dimension of the sample. Accordingly, more research is necessary to prove the validity of the approach and to assure its larger replicability.

Practical implications

Implications for the agenda of organizations and destinations’ makers for designing and implementing knowledge-based services and products arise.

Originality/value

Elements of originality reside into the adoption of CKM as framework to analyze Big Data in the tourism industry.
Factors influencing people’s health knowledge adoption in social media
Authors: Huo Chaoguang , Zhang Min , Ma Feicheng
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors influencing people’s health knowledge adoption in social media, with an eye toward promoting health information literacy and healthy behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the integration of sense-making theory, social influence theory, information richness theory, fear appeal theory, and ELM (elaboration likelihood method), a health knowledge adoption model is constructed. Taking spondylopathy as an example, high health threat and low health threat experiments and questionnaires are designed to complete the empirical study. In all, 355 effective survey samples are collected and analyzed, leveraging a partial least squares method.

Findings

Research results indicate that perceived knowledge quality, perceived knowledge consensus, and perceived source credibility have positive effects on health knowledge adoption via the mediator – trust; knowledge richness contributes to the perception of knowledge quality, source credibility, and knowledge consensus, especially under high health threat; health threat has significant positive moderating effects on the relationship between trust and health knowledge adoption, and the relationship between perceived knowledge quality and trust, with negative moderating effects on the relationships between perceived knowledge consensus, perceived source credibility, and trust.

Originality/value

This paper examines the mediating effecting of trust in the process of health knowledge adoption. Based on the integration of fear appeal theory, social influence theory, sense-making theory, information richness theory and elaboration likelihood model, this study investigates the factors influencing health knowledge adoption in social media from the perspective of a user, and explores the moderating effect of health threat on health knowledge adoption.
Motivating issues affecting students’ use of social media sites in Ghanaian tertiary institutions
Authors: Asiedu Nasir Koranteng , Badu Edwin Ellis
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Social media usage has become popular among the youth. The popularity and acceptance of this tool by the youth in large numbers make it necessary to find out more about the reasons why the youth are so interested in social media sites and as a result rely so much on it in every social engagement irrespective of the dangers or demerits it poses. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

With the adoption of survey methodology, this paper randomly selected 204 students majoring in sociology from University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to participate in the study.

Findings

Using the uses and gratifications theory, this study identified the following: WhatsApp was found to be the most widely used social media tool in both institutions; chatting and keeping in touch with loved ones and maintaining distant relationships are the major factors that motivate students in both institutions to use social media sites. The results further indicated that students are highly influenced by social media sites and, therefore, this has become their main medium of communication within and outside campus.

Practical implications

Social media, one way or the other is controlling the world and everything in it. The exposure of students to this tool requires the taking of certain relevant measures to direct the focus of its usage in tertiary institutions. It is against this background that this paper strongly recommended its integration into the academic system and the enshrinement of social media policies in the handbook of university students in Ghana.

Originality/value

This paper adds to existing literature on students frequent use of social media and confirms the assumptions of the uses and gratifications theory which simply asks the question why and how people use media.
Cara Pils, a brand despite itself
Authors: Kervyn Nicolas , Breazeale Michael , Herak Iskra
Published: January 2018

Synopsis

Cara Pils is the private label beer brand of Colruyt, the biggest supermarket retailer in Belgium. As a true private label brand, Cara Pils has never been advertised. In 2015, Colruyt undertook an initiative to reposition its numerous private label brands under two larger private label brands. Unexpectedly, customers were incensed by this initiative, came out in droves and took the matter to social media hoping to lament the demise of their beloved brand. This case study investigates the roots of this strong brand attachment and the consequences for its brand management.

Research methodology

This case is built on primary (one in-depth interview and two focus group) as well as secondary data sources (previous research and web information).

Relevant courses and levels

This case is designed to be used in a marketing management or brand strategy course for students that already followed an introduction to marketing course or for students at a master level.

Theoretical bases

This case should provide the basis of discussions on the topics of brand management, private-label brands, repositioning strategy, brand portfolio management, brand architecture, brand equity, brand elements, brand nostalgia, and consumers’ relationships with brands.
Chronicity index, especially glomerular sclerosis, is the most powerful predictor of renal response following immunosuppressive treatment in patients with lupus nephritis
Authors: Park Dong‐Jin , Choi Sung‐Eun , Xu Haimuzi , Kang Ji‐Hyoun , Lee Kyung‐Eun , Lee Ji Shin , Choi Yoo‐Duk , Lee Shin‐Seok
Published: January 2018

Aim

Renal responses to immunosuppressive agents in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) differ depending on ethnicity, follow‐up duration, disease severity and treatment. Thus, we evaluated predictors of complete remission during the first year following immunosuppressive treatment in patients with LN.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 79 patients who underwent kidney biopsy prior to the start of induction treatment and who were subsequently treated with immunosuppressive drugs for at least 6 months and followed‐up for more than a year. Complete remission (CR) was defined as inactive urinary sediment, a decrease in urinary protein to a creatinine ratio < 0.2, and normal or stable renal function. Multivariate analyses were performed using the logistic regression model to identify independent predictors of CR in LN patients.

Results

After 1 year, renal response was achieved in 39 of 79 patients (49.4%) treated with immunosuppressive drugs. Intravenous cyclophosphamide was most commonly used as a treatment, followed in descending order of frequency by mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine and cyclosporine. CR was associated with disease duration at the onset of LN, serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate, chronicity index on renal histology, glomerular sclerosis, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and the use of hydroxychloroquine at the onset of LN. In multivariable regression analysis, glomerular sclerosis in the chronicity index was a significant predictor of complete remission in LN patients.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that glomerular sclerosis in the chronicity index is an independent predictor of CR after the start of therapy in LN patients.
Opportunistic infections in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies
Authors: Redondo‐Benito Ada , Curran Adrian , Villar‐Gomez Ana , Trallero‐Araguas Ernesto , Fernández‐Codina Andreu , Pinal‐Fernandez Iago , Rodrigo‐Pendás Jose Ángel , Selva‐O'Callaghan Albert
Published: January 2018

Aim

To describe the prevalence, clinical characteristics and risk factors of opportunistic infection (OI) in a cohort of patients with inflammatory myopathies, and compare mortality rates between those with and without OIs.

Methods

In total, 204 patients from our myositis cohort were reviewed to identify patients who had experienced an OI during the period 1986–2014. The patients’ clinical characteristics, treatments received, and outcomes were systematically recorded. Disease activity at the OI diagnosis and the cumulative doses of immunosuppressive drugs were analyzed, as well as the specific pathogens involved and affected organs.

Results

The prevalence of OI in the total cohort was 6.4%: viruses, 44.4% (varicella‐zoster virus, cytomegalovirus); bacteria, 22.2% (Salmonella sp., Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. chelonae); fungi, 16.7% (Candida albicans, Pneumocystis jirovecii); and parasites, 16.7% (Toxoplasmosis gondii, Leishmania spp.). Lung and skin/soft tissues were the organs most commonly affected (27.8%). Overall, 55.6% of OIs developed during the first year after the myositis diagnosis and OI was significantly associated with administration of high‐dose glucocorticoids (P = 0.0148). Fever at onset of myositis (P = 0.0317), biological therapy (P < 0.001) and sequential administration of four or more immunosuppressive agents during myositis evolution (P = 0.0032) were significantly associated with OI. All‐cause mortality in the OI group was 3.69 deaths per 100 patients/year versus 3.40 in the remainder of the cohort (P = 0.996).

Conclusions

The prevalence of OI was 6.4% in our myositis cohort, higher than the rest of the inpatients of our hospital (1.7%; P < 0.01). High‐dose glucocorticoids at disease onset and severe immunosuppression are the main factors implicated.
Frailty prevalence in Australia: Findings from four pooled Australian cohort studies
Authors: Thompson Mark Q , Theou Olga , Karnon Jonathon , Adams Robert J , Visvanathan Renuka
Published: January 2018

Objective

To examine frailty prevalence in Australian older adults.

Methods

Frailty was measured using a modified Fried Frailty Phenotype (FFP) in a combined cohort of 8804 Australian adults aged ≥65 years (female 86%, median age 80 (79–82) years) from the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing Project and the North West Adelaide Health Study.

Results

Using the FFP, 21% of participants were frail while a further 48% were prefrail. Chi‐squared testing of frailty among four age groups (65–69, 70–74, 75–79 and 80–84 years) for sex, and marital status revealed that frailty was significantly higher for women (approximately double that of men), increased significantly with advancing age for both sexes, and was significantly higher for women who were widowed, divorced or never married.

Conclusion

If frailty could be prevented or reversed, it would have an impact on a larger number of older people.
Laparoscopic repair of bowel herniation into the space between the obturator nerve and the umbilical artery after pelvic lymphadenectomy for cervical cancer
Authors: Minami Hironori , Nagasaki Toshiya , Akiyoshi Takashi , Konishi Tsuyoshi , Fujimoto Yoshiya , Nagayama Satoshi , Fukunaga Yosuke , Fukuoka Hironori , Ueno Masashi
Published: January 2018

Bowel herniation through the space between the exposed structures after pelvic lymphadenectomy is a very rare cause of postoperative bowel obstruction. Here, a case of laparoscopic release of bowel migration into the space after pelvic lymphadenectomy is described. This is the seventh such reported case in the world. A 38‐year‐old woman who had a history of undergoing laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy for cervical cancer was diagnosed with strangulated bowel obstruction. Emergency laparoscopic surgery was performed, and bowel migration into the space between the right umbilical artery and the obturator nerve was detected. The loop of strangulated bowel was released laparoscopically, and bowel blood flow was improved. To prevent recurrence of bowel migration, the umbilical artery was resected. It is very important to consider the possibility of bowel herniation into the space between exposed structures in patients with bowel obstruction after minimally invasive pelvic lymphadenectomy.
Empowering the poor: A field study of the social psychological consequences of receiving autonomy or dependency aid in Panama
Authors: Alvarez Katherina , van Leeuwen Esther , Montenegro‐Montenegro Esteban , van Vugt Mark
Published: January 2018

This field study investigated the consequences of receiving poverty aid through conditional transfer programmes in the form of autonomy‐oriented help (i.e., cash) or dependency‐oriented help (i.e., vouchers) in impoverished rural communities in Panama. The empowering effects of autonomy‐ (vs. dependency‐) help have so far only been studied in laboratory settings, or in settings where help could easily be refused. Little is known about the reactions of people who rely on help for extended periods of time. This study provides insights into how aid recipients are influenced by the type of aid they receive. Results showed that, as expected, recipients of cash reported more autonomy, empowerment, and life improvements than recipients of vouchers. Training, another type of autonomy‐oriented help, was positively related to empowerment, personal, and family change beliefs. These findings illustrate the benefits of autonomy‐oriented help programmes in empowering people from extremely poor communities around the world, who rely on aid for extended periods of time.
Thermal biology mediates responses of amphibians and reptiles to habitat modification
Authors: Nowakowski A. Justin , Watling James I. , Thompson Michelle E. , Brusch George A. , Catenazzi Alessandro , Whitfield Steven M. , Kurz David J. , Suárez‐Mayorga Ángela , Aponte‐Gutiérrez Andrés , Donnelly Maureen A. , Todd Brian D.
Published: January 2018

Human activities often replace native forests with warmer, modified habitats that represent novel thermal environments for biodiversity. Reducing biodiversity loss hinges upon identifying which species are most sensitive to the environmental conditions that result from habitat modification. Drawing on case studies and a meta‐analysis, we examined whether observed and modelled thermal traits, including heat tolerances, variation in body temperatures, and evaporative water loss, explained variation in sensitivity of ectotherms to habitat modification. Low heat tolerances of lizards and amphibians and high evaporative water loss of amphibians were associated with increased sensitivity to habitat modification, often explaining more variation than non‐thermal traits. Heat tolerances alone explained 24–66% (mean = 38%) of the variation in species responses, and these trends were largely consistent across geographic locations and spatial scales. As habitat modification alters local microclimates, the thermal biology of species will likely play a key role in the reassembly of terrestrial communities.
Relative changes in handgrip strength and skeletal muscle volume in patients with chronic liver disease over a 2‐year observation period
Authors: Hiraoka Atsushi , Michitaka Kojiro , Izumoto Hirofumi , Ueki Hidetaro , Kitahata Shogo , Aibiki Toshihiko , Okudaira Tomonari , Yamago Hiroka , Miyamoto Yuji , Iwasaki Ryuichiro , Tomida Hideomi , Mori Kenichiro , Miyata Hideki , Tsubouchi Eiji , Kishida Masato , Hirooka Masashi , Abe Masanori , Matsuura Bunzo , Ninomiya Tomoyuki , Hiasa Yoichi
Published: January 2018

Aim

There are few reports regarding relative changes in muscle function of patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). We examined CLD patients to evaluate relative changes in handgrip strength and muscle volume.

Methods

We enrolled 413 CLD outpatients who underwent handgrip strength measurements in both 2015 and 2017 (age 67.9 ± 10.0 years; male / female = 242/171; hepatitis C virus [HCV] / hepatitis B virus [HBV] / HBV and HCV / alcohol / others = 239/92/4/22/56; Child–Pugh score [CPS] in 2015 [5/6/7/8/9/≥10 = 335/51/12/11/3/1]). Relative change in muscle volume (ΔPI) from 2015 to 2017 was evaluated using computed tomography findings in 230 of the patients, using a previously reported method. Clinical characteristics, as well as relative changes of handgrip strength (ΔHGS) and ΔPI were analyzed.

Results

For the patient cohort as a whole, CPS became significantly worse in 2017 (5/6/7/8/9/≥10 = 319/56/13/11/5/9; P = 0.002). In individual patients with CPS decline, serum albumin level was significantly decreased (3.78 ± 0.50 to 3.33 ± 0.61 g/dL; P < 0.001), whereas no decrease was seen in those without such a decline (4.16 ± 0.48 to 4.20 ± 0.44 g/dL; P = 0.028). Furthermore, ΔHGS (−1.4 ± 4.8 [n = 59] vs. 0.7 ± 4.8 kg [n = 354]; P = 0.002) and ΔPI (−0.44 ± 0.88 [n = 38] vs. 0.03 ± 0.64 cm2/m2 [n = 192]; P = 0.003) were worse in patients with, compared to those without, a decline in CPS. Age was not significantly different between patients with and without handgrip strength decline (66.5 ± 10.3 vs. 65.3 ± 9.9 years; P = 0.256). There was a significant relationship between ΔHGS, ΔPI and relative change in serum albumin (r = 0.161, P = 0.001 and r = 0.225, P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

Decline in CPS, especially decreasing serum albumin level, showed a significant relationship with muscle function reduction and muscle volume loss.
Audit firm tenure, auditor familiarity, and trust: Effect on auditee whistleblowing reporting intentions
Authors: Wilson Aaron B. , McNellis Casey , Latham Claire Kamm
Published: January 2018

Mandatory audit firm rotation has been researched for decades with resulting opposition as well as support. Research has mainly treated mandatory auditor rotation at the firm macro level. We submit the client relationship length is comprised of firm tenure and audit team continuity, or auditor familiarity. Increased tenure, at the interorganizational or firm level and interpersonal or individual level, has been shown to increase trust; and further, trust is positively related to employee voice, such as speaking up about fraud (whistleblowing). We conduct an experiment examining whether increased audit firm tenure and auditor familiarity leads to increased trust, which enhances the willingness to whistleblow. We find evidence that suggests auditor familiarity enhances trust, which, in turn, positively influences an employee's intentions to whistleblow. This has important implications for the profession and for future research exploring mandatory audit firm rotation; in particular, the need to include auditor familiarity as a construct.
Second‐hand smoke prevalence in 252 regions of South Korea in three exposure locations
Authors: Sun Li‐Yuan , Park Jae‐Hyun
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The association between regional contextual factors and second‐hand smoke (SHS) prevalence is important, but is unclear. This study investigated the changes of SHS prevalence from 2011 to 2013 and explored the correlations of SHS prevalence and regional contextual factors by exposure location.

Methods

The data were obtained from the 2011 and 2013 Korean Community Health Survey and the Development of Health Indicators for Community Health Ranking report. A t‐test was used to examine and compare the SHS prevalence in 2011 and 2013 by exposure location (home, workplace, and public places). A correlation analysis and linear regression were used to investigate the impacts of the regional variables on SHS prevalence by location.

Results

The prevalence of SHS in all three locations had a decreased trend overall, but remained high in public locales. There were clear differences in the prevalence of SHS and its change by region between 2011 and 2013. The SHS prevalence in the workplace and public places had increased in the high social and economic characteristic regions, compared to the other regions in 2 years. The SHS had an increased trend in regions featuring a high level of socioeconomic development. It was observed that regional factors affecting SHS prevalence differed in the three locations.

Conclusion

The differences and changes of regional SHS prevalence by location were influenced by specific social contextual factors of the particular region. Local government initiatives regarding special SHS protective measures or tailored regulations, according to specific regional status and location, are recommended, with attention to high socioeconomic regions in particular.
Weaving cotton‐led development? Liberalization, cotton producer organizations, and uneven development in Burkina Faso
Authors: Gray Leslie C. , Dowd‐Uribe Brian , Kaminski Jonathan
Published: January 2018

This article argues that the politics of scale in a nested hierarchy of cotton governance institutions in Burkina Faso are weighted against smaller producers, with what looks like success from a broader scale producing uneven development at the local scale. We show that at the national level, Burkina Faso has succeeded in increasing its output of cotton lint. At the local level, we see a differentiated outcome where the liberalization‐initiated system of shared liability has improved overall cotton cooperative management but this has come at a significant cost: the exit of poorer farmers from the cotton sector and an increasing debt burden on those individual farmers who remain. The novelty of this article is that it considers producers' institutions as a key level of analysis linking macro‐scale policy decisions to micro‐scale village and farm outcomes. The resulting analysis allows us to focus on the politics of scale, particularly the power relations of different actors and the ability to capture resources at different levels, as well as the role of multilevel institutions in producing differentiated outcomes.
Risk‐Taking‐Neutral Background Risks
Authors: Franke Guenter , Schlesinger Harris , Stapleton Richard C.
Published: January 2018

This article examines how decision making under uncertainty is affected by the presence of a linearly dependent background risk, for individuals with HARA utility. A linearly dependent background risk is a background risk that increases linearly in the chosen tradable outcome. In order to do this, we construct a parametric class of background risks that we label as risk‐taking‐neutral (RTN). These background risks have the property that they will not alter the decision made with respect to the market risk. As such, these RTN background risks provide a benchmark. In many situations, a background risk that is faced by an investor can be compared to one from the RTN class in order to predict qualitative changes in the investor's choice decision. As this benchmark is easily available, it is convenient to use to predict these changes.
Effect of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir + dasabuvir regimen on health‐related quality of life for patients with hepatitis C
Authors: Saab Sammy , Mehta Darshan , Hudgens Stacie , Grunow Nathan , Bao Yanjun , Pinsky Brett
Published: January 2018

Background & Aims

This study analyses health‐related quality of life data from 8 randomized clinical trials using ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir ± ribavirin to investigate: (i) the impact of the treatment vs placebo during treatment on health‐related quality of life; (ii) the sustainability of such treatment effect after 12‐week treatment period; and (iii) if results from (i) and (ii) differ in subgenotypes 1a vs 1b.

Methods

Six registration trials and 2 post‐approval trials were pooled and analysed using longitudinal mixed models to estimate the effect of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir ± ribavirin on health‐related quality of life outcomes adjusting for baseline scores, as well as patient demographics and clinical characteristics.

Results

Patients treated with ribavirin‐free ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir regimen reported statistically significant increase in health‐related quality of life outcomes as compared to placebo patients. While ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir + ribavirin treatment saw statistically significant decline in health‐related quality of life outcomes during treatment vs baseline and placebo, effect on health‐related quality of life outcomes associated with ribavirin did not persist in the post‐treatment period for ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir patients followed for up to 52 weeks. The analysis also found Genotype 1b patients reported greater improvements in health‐related quality of life as compared to genotype 1a patients.

Conclusions

During the active treatment period, small but statistically significant decrements in health‐related quality of life outcomes were observed potentially driven by ribavirin, which were not sustained during the post‐treatment follow‐up period. Differences were observed by patient subgenotype, where health‐related quality of life improvements were consistently higher for genotype 1b patients as compared to genotype 1a patients.
New‐onset left bundle branch block‐associated idiopathic nonischemic cardiomyopathy and time from diagnosis to cardiac resynchronization therapy: The NEOLITH II study
Authors: Wang Norman C. , Li Jack Z. , Adelstein Evan C. , Althouse Andrew D. , Sharbaugh Michael S. , Jain Sandeep K. , Mendenhall G. Stuart , Shalaby Alaa A. , Voigt Andrew H. , Saba Samir
Published: January 2018

Background

The optimal timing for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) after diagnosis of new‐onset left bundle branch block (LBBB)‐associated idiopathic nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) and treatment with guideline‐directed medical therapy (GDMT) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe relationships between time from diagnosis to CRT and outcomes in new‐onset LBBB‐associated idiopathic NICM with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study examined associations between time from diagnosis to CRT (≤9 months vs >9 months) and clinical and echocardiographic outcomes.

Results

In 123 subjects with LBBB‐associated idiopathic NICM, time from diagnosis to CRT was ≤9 months in 60 (49%) subjects and 9 months in 63 (51%) subjects. Clinical outcomes were similar for those implanted ≤9 months versus >9 months for adverse clinical events (hazard ratio [HR], 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41–1.78; P = 0.67) and all‐cause mortality (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.19–1.70; P = 0.31). Multivariable analyses demonstrated similar results. In 105 subjects with post‐CRT echocardiograms, LVEF improvement to >35% was more likely in those implanted ≤9 months when compared to >9 months (odds ratio [OR], 3.53; 95% CI, 1.32–9.46; P = 0.01). This association persisted in the final multivariable model adjusted for age at diagnosis, sex, QRS duration, post‐GDMT LVEF, and time from CRT to post‐CRT echocardiogram (OR, 5.10; 95% CI, 1.71–15.22; P = 0.004).

Conclusion

In LBBB‐associated idiopathic NICM, earlier CRT implantation was associated with more favorable cardiac remodeling. Delaying CRT may miss a critical period to halt and reverse progressive myocardial damage.