bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the non-linear Wagner’s hypothesis in South Africa
Authors: Leshoro Temitope Lydia A.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The commonly adopted view of the relationship between government spending and economic growth follows the Keynesian approach, in which government spending is considered to determine economic growth. However, there is another theory, which suggests that economic growth in fact determines government spending. This is Wagner’s hypothesis. The purpose of this paper is to investigate which of the two approaches applies to South Africa, and further observes the level of non-linearity between the two variables.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was carried out using quarterly time series data from 1980Q1 to 2015Q1. Granger causality technique was used to observe the direction of causality between the two variables, while regression error specification test (RESET) was employed to determine whether the variables exhibit linear or non-linear behaviour. This was followed by observing the threshold band, using two techniques, namely, sample splitting threshold regression and quadratic generalised method of moments.

Findings

The causality result shows that South Africa follows Wagner’s law, whereby government spending is determined by economic growth, supporting Odhiambo (2015). The RESET result shows that the variables depict a non-linear relationship, thus the government spending economic growth model is non-linear. It was found that if positive economic development is to be achieved, economic growth should preferably be kept within the −1.69 and 3.0 per cent band, and specifically above 1 per cent band.

Originality/value

The unique contribution of this study is that no previous study has attempted the non-linear government spending-economic growth nexus whether within the Keynesian or Wagner law for South Africa.
Return and volatility spillovers between oil and stock markets in South Africa and Nigeria
Authors: Fowowe Babajide
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine return and volatility spillovers between oil and the stock markets of Nigeria and South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors make use of an innovative new methodology of capturing spillovers, which is different from what many existing studies use. The authors employ the measures of return spillovers and volatility spillovers of Diebold and Yilmaz (2009, 2012), referred to as spillover indexes. The spillover index facilitates an assessment of the net contribution of one market in the information transmission mechanism of another market.

Findings

The empirical results show bi-directional, but weak interdependence between the South African and Nigerian stock markets returns and oil market returns. The results for volatility spillovers show independence of volatilities between Nigeria stock markets and oil markets, while weak bi-directional spillovers were found between South African equity volatilities and oil volatilities. The time-varying total spillover plots for returns and volatilities are broadly similar and show a trend that has been observed in other studies: an increasing trend during the non-crisis period, a burst in the crisis year, a maintained higher level of transmission afterwards.

Originality/value

Existing studies examining spillovers between oil and stock markets have largely ignored Sub-Saharan African markets. A common feature of existing studies is that they have been conducted for two groups of countries: either European and US markets; or Gulf Cooperation Council markets Thus, this study fills this gap in the literature by examining return and volatility spillovers between oil and the stock markets of Nigeria and South Africa.
Exploring high-performance work processes in effective virtual teams
Authors: De Bruyn Anita Juliana
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to bridge the void in virtual teams’ (VTs) lived experiences on the high-performance work process theme by exploring process alignment best practices for the functioning of effective VTs in the software sector of the technology industry of South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, interpretivist case study was used to gain insight into the lived experiences of VT members. A purposive sample was selected, and data were collected through an electronic questionnaire and analysed by means of content analysis.

Findings

International literature corpus informed the process theme. Empirical evidence suggests that a value-driven work orientation to combat cybercrime linked with the pre-existence to specific architecture effectively contribute to the practice of VT expertise by delivering innovative new paths instead of aligning to traditional processes.

Research limitations/implications

The qualitative approach of this paper limits the replication possibilities beyond the information and communication technology (ICT) VTs who participated in the study. The themes, elements and the virtual nature of the study could be generalised across various technology-infused organisations in other VTs and within other knowledge working fields.

Practical implications

An exemplary questionnaire and method to obtain deep knowledge from the lived experiences of the virtually dispersed participants could be utilised for similar future studies.

Social implications

ICT software organisations trading on the African, within VT environments and South Africa, people practitioners and risk managers would benefit from the process alignment practices suggested in this study.

Originality/value

This paper complements seminal VT theorists, and presents suggestions towards a practical implementable novel framework for the implementation of VT processes alignment.
Resilience of hospital facilities in Singapore’s healthcare industry: a pilot study
Authors: Low Sui Pheng , Gao Shang , Wong Gina Qi Er
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Singapore’s health-care infrastructure is suffering from increasing pressure due to population growth and a rapidly ageing population. This paper aims to assess the resilience of hospital facilities in Singapore’s health-care industry. The main attribute of resilience is adaptive capacity, which is also associated with vulnerability. Vulnerability is defined as the system’s susceptibility to threats that cause damage and affect its normal performance, while resilience is defined as the ability to anticipate and the capacity to change before a setback becomes obvious.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was adopted for the study, with respondents drawn randomly from both the health-care professionals as well as the public. The questionnaire survey results from 83 respondents, consisting of 31 health-care professionals and 52 members of the public, are analysed in this pilot study.

Findings

Ninety-one per cent of the respondents perceived bed shortage as an indication of vulnerability. The survey results showed that bed shortages, high bed-occupancy and long waiting hours were perceived as indications of vulnerability. The top three vulnerabilities identified were Singapore’s ageing population, the fast-growing population and the increasing trend of chronic diseases in its population. From the results, respondents appeared doubtful about the resilience of Singapore’s public hospitals. On a positive note, Singapore residents are still, relatively speaking, confident of the quality of Singapore’s health-care delivery system, which can be translated as one with relatively strong community resilience.

Originality/value

In conclusion, it appears fair to say that the public perceive hospital facilities in Singapore’s health-care industry to be reasonably resilient, but expect further improvements to ensure continuous delivery of quality health-care services.
Integrated supply chain risk management: a systematic review
Authors: Zhu Quan , Krikke Harold , Caniëls Marjolein C.J.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Supply chain risks specifically refer to risks that transmit among supply chain members, thus they should be understood and managed as a whole for an end-to-end supply chain. The purpose of this paper is to review literature of integrated supply chain risk management (ISCRM) that connects supply chain integration (SCI) with supply chain risk management.

Design/methodology/approach

The systematic literature review methodology was used to select and categorize articles between 1998 and 2015 in peer-reviewed journals. A contingency analysis was further applied to detect association patterns and links between category items.

Findings

Through a systematic literature review, the research has clearly analyzed risk sources, scopes and dimensions of SCI, and scopes and dimensions of performance in the field of ISCRM. Furthermore, by applying the contingency analysis, the paper has proposed future research directions that are based on the extant literature findings.

Originality/value

The identified insights, gaps, and future research directions will encourage researchers as well as managers to drive the development of ISCRM.
Male sexual assault survivors: lessons for UK services
Authors: Lowe Michelle
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a concise, selective review of the current status of service provision for male survivors of sexual assault in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explored to what extent services are equipped to support the specific and complex needs of the male survivor and highlighted key implications for research, policy and practice.

Findings

The review outlined the historical backdrop to how and why services for male survivors have been consistently lacking, the current status of UK service provision is reported and suggestions for continued research in this developing area are made.

Originality/value

Despite a flurry of research in this area in recent years, UK service provision for male sexual assault survivors is inconsistent across locale. The value of the current paper is that it provides an outline of relevant work to date, and provides important suggestions for future directions.
Local institutions and global value chains
Authors: Yoshida Noburu
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the shrimp aquaculture export industry in Vietnam can achieve further development in the highly competitive global market particularly in the context of complying with food safety standards set by the markets.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applies two conceptual approaches, local institutions and global value chains. The concept of global value chains helps this paper to understand what extent the external pressures are placed on the industry while the concept of local institutions effectively examines its responses to the external pressures. Applying this conceptual framework this paper examines an empirical case analysing secondary data and literature.

Findings

Market requirements on food safety are brought by global buyers through the global value chains governance structure to the local institutional function. It includes local buyer-supplier relationship within the industrial cluster, industrial policy and business institutions, although it is less likely to address the local backwards suppliers to improve the industrial capability of food safety standard compliance.

Research limitations/implications

This paper has a research limitation due to the prioritised research scope that critically examines potential pathway for further development of Vietnamese shrimp aquaculture export industry. Therefore, it needs further comparative in-depth analysis with more vertically organised industrial structure performed by the countries such as Thailand.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper is to critically examine the conceptual limitation of global value chains approach in the context of food safety standard compliance issue, which is likely to be originated in local backward suppliers by applying a complementary concept, local institutions.
Competitiveness model for the bovine livestock industry in Mexico
Authors: Perez Brito Antonio Emmanuel , Bojorquez Zapata Martha Isabel
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a model of competitiveness for the bovine livestock industry in the state of Yucatan, Mexico, by considering factors such as innovation, marketing, and finance (Perea and Rivas, 2008).

Design/methodology/approach

Owners of 30 cattle ranches were included in the state surveys, with each ranch having at least 1,000 head of cattle. The study was quantitative, and used the method of thresholds (Pengfei, 2006), stratification of Dalenius and Hodges (1959), Pearson’s correlation, and multivariate regression analysis.

Findings

The level of competitiveness in the livestock industry in Yucatan, and a model for its determination obtained as results reflect a similar importance for the three factors, with marketing and innovation being considered relatively more important.

Research limitations/implications

It is worth nothing the context in which this information can be applies.

Originality/value

This study is unique because the results obtained have important practical implications for the sector. The livestock industry in Yucatan represents one of the main strategic activities of the state, and now faces serious problems of competitiveness.
Transforming Burundi’s coffee sector through strategic value chain investments
Authors: Bro Aniseh , Clay Daniel C.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the early stages of the transition to specialty coffee in Burundi and the role of an agribusiness support program as a catalyst for this transition.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses two years of panel data (2007 and 2012) to analyze changes in technology adoption among coffee washing stations (CWSs) and how the adoption of improved technologies affects coffee quality.

Findings

Programmatic investment in Burundi’s coffee value chain resulted in a significant shift in adoption of processing technologies by CWSs. Producers who processed at these stations saw a significant increase in the quality of their coffee and forged sustainable trade relationships with international buyers.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should investigate the incentives and barriers of producers to invest in production boosting practices.

Originality/value

This is one of the first empirical papers that analyzes Burundi’s transition from ordinary to specialty coffee and how programmatic investments in improved technologies has helped to make the change possible.
Contextualising the antecedents of organisational innovativeness
Authors: Ahrens Thomas , Al-Sereidi Aishah A.K. , Al-Shaebi Halimah F. , Rahmdel Asra H.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the specific meanings underlying the general antecedents of organisational innovativeness (OI) in one specific public sector context, to fill empirically the categories employed in prior quantitative research and to understand better some of the opportunities for strengthening facilitators of OI and overcoming barriers to OI that present themselves in particular contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is based on a field study. It uses 29 semi-structured interviews with the members of UAE government and semi-government organisations. The research methodology is qualitative: it seeks to elucidate the meanings that structure the respondents’ understandings of innovation at work.

Findings

Across the UAE public sector there are great differences in organisational members’ interest in, and readiness to engage with, OI. Members of the public sector tended to conceptualise OI as a set of individual efforts and relationships in which the trust with superiors played a key role, as did the availability of individual rewards. For some respondents communication served as an umbrella term to denote organisational characteristics that would enable individuals to join efforts to make the public sector more innovative. Overall, the great variations in respondents’ ability to articulate and conceptualise the antecedents of OI suggests that organisational capabilities to support OI need strengthening.

Research limitations/implications

The paper’s insights are based on the study of the public sector of only one country and may be difficult to generalise to other countries.

Practical implications

The paper suggests ways in which Emirati public sector organisations can strengthen the facilitators of OI and overcome the obstacles presented by the barriers to OI in order to help public sector leaders and employees make innovation a routine element of their day-to-day work.

Originality/value

The paper presents a first attempt at using qualitative research to deepen our understanding of the antecedents of organisational innovativeness in the public sector.
The Great Leveraging in the European crisis countries
Authors: Cuestas Juan Carlos , Staehr Karsten
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The Great Leveraging was an episode of rapid credit growth and booming housing markets leading up to the global financial crisis. It is important to identify the key drivers of the Great Leveraging and, to this end, the purpose of this paper is to model the relationship between domestic credit and net foreign liabilities in the EU countries most affected by the crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The analyses show that domestic credit and net foreign liabilities were cointegrated one-to-one for Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain, while there was no cointegration for Ireland. Estimation of vector error correction models (VECMs) shows that the adjustment to deviations from the cointegrating relationship took place through changes in domestic credit for Greece and Italy, while the adjustment was bidirectional for Spain and maybe also for Portugal.

Findings

These results suggest that external factors in the form of foreign capital inflows were important drivers of the pre-crisis leveraging in the southern crisis countries, although to varying degrees across the countries.

Originality/value

Key novelties include the use of stock variables instead of flow variables and the estimation of VECMs for the countries individually instead of in a panel.
Understanding everyday life and mental health recovery through CHIME
Authors: Piat Myra , Seida Kimberly , Sabetti Judith
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how daily life reflects the recovery journeys of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) living independently in the community.

Design/methodology/approach

The go-along technique, which blends participant observation and interviewing, was used to gather data from 19 individuals with SMI living in supported housing. Data were analyzed through the CHIME framework of personal recovery, which includes social connectedness, hope and optimism, identity, meaning in life, and empowerment.

Findings

Applying the CHIME framework to qualitative data reveals the multiple ways in which everyday experiences, within and beyond formal mental healthcare environments, shapes personal recovery processes.

Research limitations/implications

Combining novel methods and conceptual frameworks to lived experiences sharpens extant knowledge of the active and non-linear aspects to personal recovery. The role of the researcher must be critically considered when using go-along methods.

Practical implications

Practitioners working with this population should account for the role of socially supportive and financially accessible spaces and activities that support the daily work of recovery beyond the context of formal care and services.

Originality/value

This study utilizes an innovative method to illustrate the crucial role of daily and seemingly banal experiences in fostering or hindering personal recovery processes. It is also the one of the first studies to comprehensively apply the CHIME framework to qualitative data in order to understand the recovery journeys of individuals with SMI living in supported housing.
Transforming followers into fans: a study of Chinese users of the WeChat Official Account
Authors: Guo Lingyun , Zhang Mingli , Kang Kai , Hu Mu
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Drawing upon the social cognitive and customer engagement theories, the purpose of this paper is to investigate how individuals’ simple follow, purely aiming for information but with little contribution, could affect fans behavior and make them engage in company social network (CSN). The study identifies the impact of personal motivators (follower participation motivation), environmental antecedents (perception of information quality) and individual behavior (fan engagement behavior and stickiness) on CSNs and examines the interaction relationship between the follower participation motivation and perception of information quality.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected from 392 valid questionnaires from WeChat Official Account users were analyzed by structural equation modeling.

Findings

Personal factor such as follower participation motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic motivator) was found to be significant predictor of fan engagement behavior. Environmental factor (perception of information quality: perceived usefulness as well as perceived entertainment) was a significant factor in determining followers’ proclivity to engage in CNSs. One significant interaction effect was found: the effect of perceived entertainment on fan engagement behavior was manifested to a greater extent when followers’ participation aimed for intrinsic motivator. The second interaction effect, between the extrinsic motivator and perceived usefulness, was also found to be statistically significant.

Originality/value

This study enriches and extends the studies on the theories of customer engagement and social cognitive theory. It applies the above theories to CSNs and advances CSNs research by taking into consideration both personal and environmental factors (follower participation motivation and perception of information quality), and the interaction effects of the two on individual behavior.
Responsible tourism as a strategic marketing tool for improving the negative image of South Africa
Authors: George Richard
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of a destination positioning itself as a responsible tourist destination to improve its image.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of the literature pertaining to responsible tourism management, crime risk and destination image.

Findings

This paper observes that responsible tourism policy can help improve the image of destination South Africa.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides recommendations for destinations impacted by a negative global perception or being seen as a risky area to travel to, in the context of crime.

Originality/value

This paper examines the role of responsible tourism management in countering the negative image of crime risk in South Africa. In general, there is a dearth of research on this association.
Introduction: what marketing strategy for destinations with a negative image?
Authors: Séraphin Hugues , Gowreesunkar Vanessa G.B.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This introductory paper aims to provide an overview of the significance of the theme issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper sheds lights on issues that post-colonial, post-conflict and post-disaster destinations are facing, and more importantly provides strategies to overcome the issues. The solutions are tailored to the particular profile of the destination.

Findings

For post-colonial, post-conflict and post-disaster destinations to enhance their image to potential visitors and to be able to compete equally with established destinations, it is important to provide solutions that are tailor-made to their own situation and circumstances, as one size does not fit all.

Originality/value

The value of this paper is that it re-visits the realities faced by post-colonial, post-conflict and post-disaster destinations while highlighting their potentials and barriers.
Competition in Retail Petrol Markets
Authors: Tappata Mariano , Yan Jing
Published: September 2017

We study the relationship between prices and market structure in geographically isolated markets that are exposed to large demand shocks. The temporal variation in market size allows us to overcome the classical endogeneity bias in standard concentration‐performance regressions. We find evidence of local market power in petrol markets due to product differentiation. Additionally, the high margins that characterise concentrated markets dissipate quickly with the number of competitors. Ignoring market structure endogeneity leads to underestimating the effect of market concentration on prices between 55 and 70%.
Production of chitin and chitosan from the exoskeleton of adult two‐spotted field crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus)
Authors: Kim Min‐Woo , Song Yong‐Su , Han Yeon Soo , Jo Yong Hun , Choi Myung Hyo , Park Young‐Kyu , Kang Seung Ho , Kim Sun‐Am , Choi Changyong , Jung Woo‐Jin
Published: September 2017

Chitin and chitosan were extracted from all specimens of Type I and II two‐spotted field crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus) following chemical treatment with an acid and alkali. For chitin extraction, 2 N HCl and 1.25 N NaOH solutions were used to achieve demineralization and deproteinization, respectively. For chitosan extraction, 50 % NaOH (w/v) and 50 % NaOH (w/w) solutions were used to achieve deacetylation. Chitosan yielded from adult exoskeletons of G. bimaculatus in Test A of Type I was 1.76 and 8.40 % on a fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW) basis, respectively, after treatment with 50 % NaOH (w/v) at 95°C for 3 h. Furthermore, the chitosan yielded in Test D of Type II was 1.79 and 7.06 % on FW and DW basis, respectively, after treatment with 50 % NaOH (w/w) at 105°C for 3 h. The average yield of chitin and chitosan was 2.42 and 1.65 % on a FW basis, and 10.91 and 7.50 % on DW basis, respectively. The deacetylation (%) of chitosan extracted from adult exoskeletons in Tests A, B, C1, C2, D1, and D2 were 81.2 %, 14.5 %, 19.6 %, 90.7 %, 17.1 %, and 95.5 %, respectively. The viscosities of the chitosans extracted from adult exoskeletons in Tests A, C2, and D2 were 32.0, 21.6, and 62.4 cP (centi Poise), respectively. The molecular weight of chitosan from adult exoskeletons of G. bimaculatus was 308.3 kDa. Our results indicate that adult exoskeletons of G. bimaculatus could be used as a source of chitin and chitosan for use as functional additives in industrial animal feeds.
Antagonism between Byssochlamys spectabilis (anamorph Paecilomyces variotii) and plant pathogens: Involvement of the bioactive compounds produced by the endophyte
Authors: Rodrigo S. , Santamaria O. , Halecker S. , Lledó S. , Stadler M.
Published: September 2017

Fungal endophytes can be part of the defensive system of plants against multiple pathogens by competing for resources, hyperparasitism or producing bioactive compounds with antimicrobial properties. There is an ever‐increasing interest for obtaining new and environmentally friendly products to use in the fight against pathogens. With this purpose, Byssochlamys spectabilis (anamorph Paecilomyces variotii), which is a fungal species that commonly occurs, was evaluated as an antagonistic organism towards three phytopathogens (Biscogniauxia mediterranea, Fusarium moniliforme and Phytophthora cinnamomi). First, an in vitro experiment was designed to test the effect that the endophyte filtrate had on the three pathogens. The endophyte filtrate decreased the radius growth rate of F. moniliforme by nearly 10%. Consequently, the antagonism between B. spectabilis and F. moniliforme was evaluated in Lolium rigidum plants under greenhouse conditions by means of co‐inoculations. The endophyte produced a decrease of 50–75% in the disease severity caused by the pathogen in the earliest infection stages. Crude extracts of B. spectabilis were obtained to determine the secondary metabolites responsible for such an effect. The bioactivity‐guided chromatography and HPLC‐MS (high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) of the active fraction suggested that the antibiotic activity was caused by viriditoxin. In conclusion, the fungal endophyte B. spectabilis and/or its bioactive compounds showed antagonism towards several phytopathogens and deserves further study to investigate its actual potential for use as a biocontrol agent.
Optimal designs for minimising covariances among parameter estimators in a linear model
Authors: Mandal S. , Torsney B. , Chowdhury M.
Published: September 2017

We construct approximate optimal designs for minimising absolute covariances between least‐squares estimators of the parameters (or linear functions of the parameters) of a linear model, thereby rendering relevant parameter estimators approximately uncorrelated with each other. In particular, we consider first the case of the covariance between two linear combinations. We also consider the case of two such covariances. For this we first set up a compound optimisation problem which we transform to one of maximising two functions of the design weights simultaneously. The approaches are formulated for a general regression model and are explored through some examples including one practical problem arising in chemistry.
Book Reviews
Authors: Schuckers Michael E.
Published: September 2017

This article is a review of a book, Analytics Methods in Sports by Severini, in a rapidly growing area, sports, of statistical application.
Joint estimation of multiple high‐dimensional Gaussian copula graphical models
Authors: He Yong , Zhang Xinsheng , Ji Jiadong , Liu Bin
Published: September 2017

A joint estimation approach for multiple high‐dimensional Gaussian copula graphical models is proposed, which achieves estimation robustness by exploiting non‐parametric rank‐based correlation coefficient estimators. Although we focus on continuous data in this paper, the proposed method can be extended to deal with binary or mixed data. Based on a weighted minimisation problem, the estimators can be obtained by implementing second‐order cone programming. Theoretical properties of the procedure are investigated. We show that the proposed joint estimation procedure leads to a faster convergence rate than estimating the graphs individually. It is also shown that the proposed procedure achieves an exact graph structure recovery with probability tending to 1 under certain regularity conditions. Besides theoretical analysis, we conduct numerical simulations to compare the estimation performance and graph recovery performance of some state‐of‐the‐art methods including both joint estimation methods and estimation methods for individuals. The proposed method is then applied to a gene expression data set, which illustrates its practical usefulness.
Trends in the quality and hygiene parameters of bulk Italian Mediterranean buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) milk: A three year study
Authors: Pasquini Marina , Osimani Andrea , Tavoletti Stefano , Moreno Itzhak , Clementi Francesca , Trombetta Maria Federica
Published: September 2017

Buffalo milk represents an indispensable source of nourishment in many parts of the world and it is the second most consumed milk worldwide. Buffalo milk is actually used for the production of many dairy products such as pasteurized or concentrated milk, butter, yogurt, ice‐cream, dehydrated milk products and cheeses. Due to its high nutritional value and the presence of natural bioactive substances, buffalo milk can also provide health benefits to consumers. In Italy, buffalo milk is used mainly for cheese making, mozzarella PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), which is a highly valued dairy product. This 3‐year study, carried out between 2011 and 2013, was aimed at evaluating the quality of bulk Italian Mediterranean buffalo milk by monitoring physico‐chemical parameters, somatic cell and total bacterial counts. A total of 51 samples of bulk milk were collected from one herd throughout the monitored period. Analysis of variance, carried out to test month, season and year main effects, highlighted remarkable seasonal effects for fat, protein and lactose content, as well as for predicted mozzarella cheese yield, and somatic cell counts. The calculation of simple correlations allowed the identification of positive correlations between estimated cheese yield and fat and protein content.
Incidence of laminitis and survey of dietary and management practices in pleasure horses and ponies in south‐eastern Australia
Authors: Potter SJ , Bamford NJ , Harris PA , Bailey SR
Published: September 2017

Objectives

The aims of this study were to (1) report the incidence of laminitis among a population of horses and ponies attending Pony Clubs in Victoria, Australia, and (2) describe the dietary and management practices of the sample population.

Methods

Researchers visited 10 Pony Clubs over a 10‐month period. Horse and pony owners completed a questionnaire to provide information on management relating to diet and exercise. Owners were also asked to report their animal’s history of laminitis, if any.

Results

From a survey population of 233 horses and ponies, 15.0% of animals (35 individuals) were reported to have suffered from at least one episode of laminitis. Of the animals that had suffered from laminitis, more than half had experienced multiple episodes. The majority of previously laminitic horses and ponies (71.4%) had not experienced an episode of laminitis within the past 12 months; however, 14.2% had experienced an incident within the past month. The proportion of ponies affected by laminitis (31/142; 21.8%) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than the proportion of horses affected by laminitis (4/91; 4.4%). The incidence of laminitis within the pony group sampled was 6.5 cases per 100 pony years, while the incidence in horses was 0.55 cases per 100 horse years.

Conclusion

This study provided information on the incidence of laminitis in the general population of pleasure horses and ponies in south‐eastern Australia. It also provided an overview of dietary and management practices. Given the high incidence of animals that had been affected by laminitis (and the associated welfare implications), this study highlights the importance of owner education regarding appropriate feeding and management strategies to reduce the risk of laminitis.
Surgery for constipation: systematic review and practice recommendations
Authors: Mercer‐Jones M. , Grossi U. , Pares D. , Vollebregt P. F. , Mason J. , Knowles C. H. ,   the NIHR CapaCiTY working group,   the Pelvic floor Society
Published: September 2017

Aim

To assess the outcomes of rectal excisional procedures in adults with chronic constipation.

Method

Standardised methods and reporting of benefits and harms were used for all CapaCiTY reviews that closely adhered to PRISMA 2016 guidance. Main conclusions were presented as summary evidence statements with a summative Oxford Centre for Evidence‐Based Medicine (2009) level.

Results

Forty‐seven studies were identified, providing data on outcomes in 8340 patients. Average length of procedures was 44 min and length of stay (LOS) was 3 days. There was inadequate evidence to determine variations in procedural duration or LOS by type of procedure. Overall morbidity rate was 16.9% (0–61%), with lower rates observed after Contour Transtar procedure (8.9%). No mortality was reported after any procedures in a total of 5896 patients. Although inconsistently reported, good or satisfactory outcome occurred in 73–80% of patients; a reduction of 53–91% in Longo scoring system for obstructive defecation syndrome (ODS) occurred in about 68–76% of patients. The most common long‐term adverse outcome is faecal urgency, typically occurring in up to 10% of patients. Recurrent prolapse occurred in 4.3% of patients. Patients with at least 3 ODS symptoms together with a rectocoele with or without an intussusception, who have failed conservative management, may benefit from a rectal excisional procedure.

Conclusion

Rectal excisional procedures are safe with little major morbidity. It is not possible to advise which excisional technique is superior from the point of view of efficacy, peri‐operative variables, or harms. Future study is required.
Atrial dyssynchrony and left atrial stiffness are risk markers for cryptogenic stroke in patients with patent foramen ovale
Authors: Mahfouz Ragab A. , Alawady Waleed S. , Salem Abdelhakem , Abdelghafar Adel S.
Published: September 2017

Objective

The clinical and echocardiographic parameters associated with the risk predictors of cryptogenic stroke (CS) in patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) still diverse and with a great debate. We hypothesized that left atrial stiffness (LASt) and atrial dyssynchrony may increase the risk of CS in patients with PFO.

Methods

A total of 129 consecutive patients presented without clinical reasoning of stroke were recruited. Transesophageal echocardiographic assessment was performed to investigate the presence of PFO. PFO was identified in 52% (group I) and absent in 48% (group II). Utilizing speckle‐tracking imaging LASt and atrial dyssynchrony was evaluated among patients with PFO (group I) vs those without PFO (group II).

Results

LASt was significantly increased in group I patients compared with group II (P < .001). Likewise patients with PFO had a significant LA dyssynchrony compared with those in group II (P < .001). Interatrial dyssynchrony and left atrial dyssynchrony were correlated with LASt (r = .47 and 0.51, respectively; P < .001). Cardiac arrhythmias were significantly encountered in group I patients (at presentation and with Holter monitoring) P < .001. Besides significantly increase in atrial dyssynchrony and in LASt in patients with arrhythmias compared with those without (P < .001). ROC analysis revealed that LASt index ≥ 0.61 and LA dyssynchrony ≥ 23.5 predicts cardiac arrhythmias in CS patients with PFO with (AUC: 0.85 and 0.87, respectively, P < .001).

Conclusion

In conclusion, we demonstrated that LASt and atrial dyssynchrony might be risk markers of cryptogenic stroke in patients with PFO.
Reduced infancy and childhood epilepsy following hypothermia‐treated neonatal encephalopathy
Authors: Liu Xun , Jary Sally , Cowan Frances , Thoresen Marianne
Published: September 2017

Objective

To investigate what proportion of a regional cohort of cooled infants with neonatal encephalopathy develop epilepsy (determined by the International League Against Epilepsy [ILAE] definition and the number of antiepileptic drugs [AEDs]) up to 8 years of age.

Methods

From 2006–2013, 151 infants with perinatal asphyxia underwent 72 h cooling. Clinical and amplitude‐integrated electroencepalography (aEEG) with single‐channel EEG‐verified neonatal seizures were treated with AEDs. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was assessed using a 0–11 severity score.

Postneonatal seizures, epilepsy rates, and AED treatments were documented. One hundred thirty‐four survivors were assessed at 18–24 months; adverse outcome was defined as death or Bayley III composite Cognition/Language or Motor scores <85 and/or severe cerebral palsy or severely reduced vision/hearing. Epilepsy rates in 103 children age 4–8 years were also documented.

Results

aEEG confirmed seizures occurred precooling in 77 (57%) 151 of neonates; 48% had seizures during and/or after cooling and received AEDs. Only one infant was discharged on AEDs. At 18–24 months, one third of infants had an adverse outcome including 11% mortality. At 2 years, 8 (6%) infants had an epilepsy diagnosis (ILAE definition), of whom 3 (2%) received AEDs. Of the 103 4‐ to 8‐year‐olds, 14 (13%) had developed epilepsy, with 7 (7%) receiving AEDs. Infants/children on AEDs had higher MRI scores than those not on AEDs (median [interquartile range] 9 [8–11] vs. 2 [0–4]) and poorer outcomes. Nine (64%) of 14 children with epilepsy had cerebral palsy compared to 13 (11%) of 120 without epilepsy, and 10 (71%) of 14 children with epilepsy had adverse outcomes versus 23 (19%) of 120 survivors without epilepsy. The number of different AEDs given to control neonatal seizures, aEEG severity precooling, and MRI scores predicted childhood epilepsy.

Significance

We report, in a regional cohort of infants cooled for perinatal asphyxia, 6% with epilepsy at 2 years (2% on AEDs) increasing to 13% (7% on AEDs) at early school age. These AED rates are much lower than those reported in the cooling trials, even with adjusting for our cohort′s milder asphyxia. Long‐term follow‐up is needed to document final epilepsy rates.
Review: Diagnostic accuracy of PCR‐based detection tests for Helicobacter Pylori in stool samples
Authors: Khadangi Fatemeh , Yassi Maryam , Kerachian Mohammad Amin
Published: September 2017

Background

Although different methods have been established to detect Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, identifying infected patients is an ongoing challenge. The aim of this meta‐analysis was to provide pooled diagnostic accuracy measures for stool PCR test in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection.

Methods

In this study, a systematic review and meta‐analysis were carried out on various sources, including MEDLINE, Web of Sciences, and the Cochrane Library from April 1, 1999, to May 1, 2016. This meta‐analysis adheres to the guidelines provided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses report (PRISMA Statement). The clinical value of DNA stool PCR test was based on the pooled false positive, false negative, true positive, and true negative of different genes.

Results

Twenty‐six of 328 studies identified met the eligibility criteria. Stool PCR test had a performance of 71% (95% CI: 68‐73) sensitivity, 96% (95% CI: 94‐97) specificity, and 65.6 (95% CI: 30.2‐142.5) diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) in diagnosis of H. pylori. The DOR of genes which showed the highest performance of stool PCR tests was as follows: 23S rRNA 152.5 (95% CI: 55.5‐418.9), 16S rRNA 67.9 (95%CI: 6.4‐714.3), and glmM 68.1 (95%CI: 20.1‐231.7).

Conclusions

The sensitivity and specificity of stool PCR test are relatively in the same spectrum of other diagnostic methods for the detection of H. pylori infection. In descending order of significance, the most diagnostic candidate genes using PCR detection were 23S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and glmM. PCR for 23S rRNA gene which has the highest performance could be applicable to detect H. pylori infection.
De‐escalation techniques used, and reasons for seclusion and restraint, in a forensic psychiatric hospital
Authors: Kuivalainen Satu , Vehviläinen‐Julkunen Katri , Louheranta Olavi , Putkonen Anu , Repo‐Tiihonen Eila , Tiihonen Jari
Published: September 2017

In Finland, the Mental Health Act determines the legal basis for seclusion and restraint. Restrictive measures are implemented to manage challenging situations and should be used as a last resort in psychiatric inpatient care. In the present study, we examined the reasons for seclusion and restraint, as well as whether any de‐escalation techniques were used to help patients calm down. Seclusion and restraint files from a 4‐year period (1 June 2009–31 May 2013) were retrospectively investigated and analysed by content analysis. Descriptive statistics were calculated. A total of 144 episodes of seclusion and restraint were included to analyse the reasons for seclusion and restraint, and 113 episodes were analysed to examine unsuccessful de‐escalation techniques. The most commonly‐used techniques were one‐to‐one interaction with a patient (n = 74, 65.5% of n = 113) and administration of extra medication (n = 37, 32.7% of n = 113). The reasons for seclusion and restraint were threatening harmful behaviour (n = 51, 35.4% of n = 144), direct harmful behaviour (n = 43, 29.9%), indirect harmful behaviour (n = 42, 29.1%), and other behaviours (n = 8, 5.6%). In general, the same de‐escalation techniques were used with most patients. Most episodes of seclusion or restraint were due to threats of violence or direct violence. Individual means of self‐regulation and patient guidance on these techniques are needed. Additionally, staff should be educated on a diverse range of de‐escalation techniques. Future studies should focus on examining de‐escalation techniques for the prevention of seclusion.
Ulysses in the United Kingdom: Difficulties with a capacity‐based justification for self‐binding in bipolar disorder
Authors: Kane Nuala B.
Published: September 2017

There has been a recent proposal by Gergel and Owen for introduction of legally enforceable self‐binding directives for persons with bipolar affective disorder in the United Kingdom. The model is rooted in presence or absence of decision‐making capacity, and the notion of capacity used is an expansion of the usual notion of capacity, in that it is individualized and diachronic. In this article, I argue that an individualized notion of capacity either lacks a coherent foundation or exposes itself to a situation where epistemological error results in a double standard or unjustified enforcement of the directive. I also raise concern that the diachronic notion of capacity leads to an authenticity type account, which fails to incorporate differences in individual prognosis. I then present a rough sketch of an alternative account, more in keeping with current mental health legislation, which uses an individualized notion of “risk to self” to justify self‐binding directives in bipolar disorder.
Reasoning, evidence, and clinical decision‐making: The great debate moves forward
Authors: Loughlin Michael , Bluhm Robyn , Buetow Stephen , Borgerson Kirstin , Fuller Jonathan
Published: September 2017

When the editorial to the first philosophy thematic edition of this journal was published in 2010, critical questioning of underlying assumptions, regarding such crucial issues as clinical decision making, practical reasoning, and the nature of evidence in health care, was still derided by some prominent contributors to the literature on medical practice. Things have changed dramatically. Far from being derided or dismissed as a distraction from practical concerns, the discussion of such fundamental questions, and their implications for matters of practical import, is currently the preoccupation of some of the most influential and insightful contributors to the on‐going evidence‐based medicine debate. Discussions focus on practical wisdom, evidence, and value and the relationship between rationality and context. In the debate about clinical practice, we are going to have to be more explicit and rigorous in future in developing and defending our views about what is valuable in human life.
A phase II randomised study to evaluate the efficacy of aprepitant plus palonosetron for preventing delayed‐phase CINV associated with TC therapy in gynaecological cancer
Authors: Sugimori Yayoi , Ota Tsuyoshi , Ujihira Takafumi , Ishiguro Tomonori , Ogishima Daiki
Published: September 2017

Aim

Chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is one of the most frequently encountered side effects of cancer treatment. Severe CINV can lead patients to refuse chemotherapy, which ultimately affects cancer outcomes. The development of fairly new antiemetic agents, 5‐hydroxytryptamine‐3 receptor antagonists, palonosetron and neurokinin‐1 receptor antagonists and aprepitant has reduced the risk and incidence of CINV. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of aprepitant plus palonosetron against palonosetron for CINV in patients receiving moderately emetic cancer chemotherapy (paclitaxel and carboplatin combination [TC] therapy).

Methods

Between November 2010 and March 2014, 78 patients with gynecological cancer treated with TC therapy were randomized into two groups: an aprepitant group (administered aprepitant, dexamethasone and palonosetron) and a control group (administered dexamethasone and palonosetron). The primary study endpoint was complete response, defined as the complete absence of emetic events in the delayed phase.

Results

The complete response rate in the delayed phase differed significantly between the two groups, with 82% in the aprepitant group and 97% in the control group (P = 0.025).

Conclusion

The combination of aprepitant and palonosetron appears to be of greater efficacy than palonosetron alone for the prevention of delayed‐phase CINV induced by TC therapy.