bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enabling lifelong learning: the key to agility at ThoughtWorks India
Authors: Pathak Atul Arun
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to describe the innovative learning culture, practices and processes at ThoughtWorks India (TWI), a software application development company in India. These practices support continual learning and development at the level of employees, project teams and the entire organization.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws upon the unique case of TWI. It describes the need for continual learning at TWI. It then describes how the organization has promoted a culture of continual learning on an individual, team and organizational level. It explains how the learning practices and processes aligns to the project level and organizational goals.

Findings

Because of the complex and difficult nature of software development projects that TWI takes up regularly, it needs its employees to be at the cutting edge of technological skills and know-how. If this was to be attempted through formal training programs, it would turn out to be extremely expensive and inefficient way of learning for TWI. Instead, TWI relies on on-the-job-learning. It does so through a variety of innovative work practices that are described in the paper. It also achieves its learning goals through a culture that supports continual learning and development of employees.

Practical implications

The learning related practices, processes and mechanisms used at TWI can be emulated by companies in the software development industry. This will ensure that employees learn and develop their skill-sets all the time and remain at the cutting edge of technological developments. This will help organizations pitch for and successfully deliver difficult and complex software development projects that add very high value to their clients.

Social implications

The social implications of the approach followed by TWI are positive. Employees are motivated to improve themselves every day. They understand the need for doing so. Also, they appreciate the fact that TWI supports continual learning and development. Knowledge sharing among employees is encouraged through the practices followed almost daily in projects.

Originality/value

The paper considers a unique set of learning and development practices, processes and mechanisms in TWI, a software development company in India.
Study of factors which facilitate increase of effectiveness of university education
Authors: Albekov Adam , Romanova Tatyana , Vovchenko Natalya , Epifanova Tatyana
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the factors which facilitate the increase of effectiveness of university education and determination of perspectives of their management for provision of maximization of effectiveness of university education by the example of modern Russia.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors define the notion and sense of effectiveness of university education under the conditions of market economy, conduct theoretical review, classify factors which facilitate the increase of effectiveness of university education, and conduct regression and correlation analyses of influence of various factors on effectiveness of university education.

Findings

As a result of the research, the authors come to the conclusion that the volume of financing of science is not a factor of efficiency of scientific activities of Russian universities; the most important factors of effectiveness of university education are the number of universities and quantity of academic staff. Perspectives of provision of maximization of university education effectiveness in modern Russia are related to management of human capital – academic staff of universities – and finding a balance of quantitative growth and increase of quality of university education.

Practical implications

Practical significance of the conducted research consists in the fact that its results could be used during development and conduct of the state policy for the management of effectiveness of the system of university education in modern Russia.

Originality/value

The research has high theoretical significance, as it contributes to the development of the concept of effectiveness and understanding of foundations of management of the system of university education under the conditions of market economy.
Provision of effectiveness of university education on the market economy
Authors: Kuznetsov Nikolai , Usenko Lyudmila , Ivanova Olga , Kostoglodova Elena
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and determine the effectiveness of university education on the economy of various countries.

Design/methodology/approach

To determine the necessity and expedience of making provision for the effectiveness of university education on the market economy, this work uses the method of regression and correlation analysis. Evaluation of effectiveness of the system of university education is performed separately for students, state, and employers by taking as example countries with specially developed formulas.

Findings

The authors substantiate the necessity for provision of effectiveness of university education on the market economy, view the effective system of university education as a basis for the development of a knowledge economy, determine approaches to evaluate the effectiveness of university education on the market economy, perform evaluation of effectiveness of the system of university education by the example of various countries, determine its connection with indicators of economic growth and development, and provide recommendations for provision of effectiveness of the system of university education on modern market economies.

Practical implications

The practical value of results of the conducted research consists in the possibility to use the developed formulas for determining the level of effectiveness of the system of university education on various countries of the world.

Originality/value

Theoretical value of this paper consists in the possibility for the application of authors’ conclusions and recommendations in the process of development of the policy of management of effectiveness of university education system.
Towards the implementation of an assessment-centred blended learning framework at the course level
Authors: Nguyen Viet Anh
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to build an assessment-centred blended learning (BL) framework to assess learners, to analyse and to evaluate the impact of the technology support in the form of formative assessment in students’ positive learning.

Design/methodology/approach

This research proposed an assessment-centred BL framework at the course level to support formative assessment in students by designing a variety of online learning activities combined with e-assessment tools of learning management system (LMS) to analyse and evaluate the impact of the technology application in the form of formative assessment student learning initiative. The author has tested this model in five years with more than 200 courses.

Findings

Experimental results have shown that formative assessment evaluation form is more efficient when supported by technology such as LMS.

Originality/value

This research proposed an assessment-centred BL framework at the course level by using LMS tools combined with traditional teaching.
Improving UK retail academic-practitioner research: insights from relationship marketing
Authors: Blackley Nelson , Resnick Sheilagh Mary , Cassidy Kim
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the reasons for the continuing “gap” between UK retail academic research and practice. A relationship marketing (RM) lens, focussing on relationship antecedents, is used to develop a deeper understanding of the barriers to collaboration and propose new solutions to close the gap.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a qualitative methodology to compile the evidence, using multiple data sources to identify the dynamics of the retail academic-practitioner divide.

Findings

The research illustrates a marked absence of the majority of the customer focussed, seller focussed and dyadic antecedents, essential for effective relational exchanges, and highlights that at the heart of the problem lies a lack of shared understanding of mutual relationship benefits with academics currently neither motivated nor incentivised to develop such relationships.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is needed to explore what characterises a successful sustainable research relationship. There is also a pressing need to understand the experience, skills and knowledge of “boundary spanners” who operate successfully in both academic and business cultures.

Practical implications

Universities should adopt a strategic approach towards building relationships with retailers based upon relationship antecedents. Reward structures should be developed to encourage academics to develop research relationships. Resources should be allocated to better defining and communicating the benefits of a university research relationship with retailers.

Originality/value

There has been limited empirical research on the academic-practitioner gap within the context of the UK retail sector. The RM lens draws attention to new insights about barriers to successful relationships and generates concrete ideas for closing the gap moving forward.
Consumers’ desire to interact with a salesperson during e-shopping: development of a scale
Authors: Lee Yun Jung , Dubinsky Alan J.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a desire to interact with a salesperson scale and to explore possible tools for replacing salespeople on e-commerce websites.

Design/methodology/approach

For the exploratory phase of this paper, Study 1 used in-depth consumer interviews. Quantitative surveys were conducted for Studies 2 and 3.

Findings

A two-dimensional (instrumental and autotelic) eight-item scale for desire to interact with a salesperson was developed. The results of Study 3 suggested that e-tailers can increase customer satisfaction by implementing effective customer-based information (e.g. customer reviews) and e-contact features (e.g. live chatting with a salesperson).

Research limitations/implications

Although the current study validated the scale, a future study should further validate this scale in different contexts.

Originality/value

The present research was the first attempt to develop a desire to interact with a salesperson scale. This new scale now makes it possible to acknowledge differences in a desire to interact with a salesperson across demographics, product types, shopping purposes, etc., which should improve customer experience management.
Dimensions of the perceived value of malls: Muslim shoppers’ perspective
Authors: El-Adly Mohammed Ismail , Eid Riyad
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify customers’ perceived value constructs of shopping malls from the perspective of Muslim shoppers and to develop items for measuring these constructs, empirically validate the scale, and carry out an initial investigation of the effect of these dimensions on behavioural outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

By means of a multi-dimensional procedure on a sample of 329 Muslim mall shoppers in the UAE, the authors have developed a scale of measurement of these shoppers’ perceived value of malls through grouping 30 value items into eight dimensions.

Findings

The study constructed and validated a scale of perceived value of malls taking into consideration the mall shopper’s religion (i.e. Islam). The authors name this new scale Muslim MALLVAL. This scale demonstrates that, like any other shoppers, Muslims who shop in malls assess the shopping experience through both cognitive and affective values in addition to the Islamic value of the mall. The study in addition reveals that the dimensions of Muslim MALLVAL have significant positive influences on behavioural outcomes such as willingness to continue shopping and recommendation of the mall to others.

Research limitations/implications

This study is carried out on Muslim shoppers in the UAE context. However, the authors urge other researchers to replicate the study and get replies from different countries and in particular to use the measures developed in this study to test their robustness.

Practical implications

Muslim mall shoppers evaluate not only the traditional aspects of mall value but also the religious identity related aspects that contribute to the value creation. Therefore, mall developers and managers who target Muslim shoppers (residents and/or tourists) should create and maintain the appropriate shopping environment for Muslim shoppers.

Originality/value

This study is the first to provide an integrative scale for the perceived value of shopping malls from the perspective of Muslim shoppers.
How are we doing in tribal libraries?
Authors: Chen Hsuanwei Michelle , Ducheneaux Tawa
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the operation and management as well as the activities of tribal libraries in general, providing insights and implications in five areas: general operations and management, staffing and human resource management, financial operations, service and program management, and technology-related activities, using Oglala Lakota College (OLC) Library as a case study.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses information visualization techniques to create visual displays of report data collected from OLC Library. Visualizations were created using Tableau software to provide a quantitative, analytical, and evidence-based view of how tribal libraries operate and are managed.

Findings

Tribal populations can be well served despite limited funding and staff resources, providing academic and public library services on par with urban libraries.

Research limitations/implications

Drawing a story from the data proved to be difficult because a bias had been created by the legal service area that most tables of the state data set used to compare reported data. How tribal libraries translate value also posed another challenge. Because the research was conducted in a single tribal library, further research in different, expanded settings and contexts is suggested.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to investigate tribal library activities by exploring report data and quantitatively using information visualization techniques.
Competencies for information specialists in emerging roles
Authors: Fraser-Arnott Melissa
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Librarians are increasingly involved in projects and teams that require them to exhibit a broad range of knowledge and competencies which extend beyond traditional librarianship to include aspects of records management, information management, and knowledge management. In effect, librarians need to be information specialists, but the task of broadening one’s knowledge and competencies may be daunting, and it is helpful to explore the competencies of these various information disciplines as a guideline for competency development. The purpose of this paper is to provide some insights into the shared competencies and knowledge of these disciplines.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes an analysis of the competency profiles of librarians, records managers, information managers, archivists, and knowledge managers and provides a competency profile for information specialists that incorporates the knowledge and competencies from all of these areas. The sources used for this analysis were existing competency profiles developed by professional associations and employers of information workers such as government agencies.

Findings

The analysis resulted in the development of a competencies list which includes five competencies groups. These competency groups are: collaboration, client service, and communication; organizational understanding and strategic alignment; programme and service delivery and management; records, information, and knowledge management technical competencies; and personal qualities.

Practical implications

This analysis may be useful for librarians or library students who are determining which professional development opportunities to undertake as well as for managers who are seeking to define job profiles for their library staff in today’s complex information environment.

Originality/value

This paper bridges the disciplines of librarianship, information management, records management, archives, and knowledge management by comparing their relative competency profiles in order to create a set of competencies that are common to all disciplines.
Securities class actions and operating performance
Authors: McCarten Matthew , Diaz-Rainey Ivan
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the filing of a securities class action, and associated corrective actions taken by management, impact the operating performance of sued firms.

Design/methodology/approach

A matched sample is formed three years prior to the filing of a class action, as opposed to the traditional one year used in the literature. Match adjusted performance is analyzed from three years prior to the filing to five years after. Further the authors analyze the impact corrective actions have on operating performance.

Findings

The results show that operating underperformance happens considerably earlier than had hitherto been believed. Further, there is no evidence that the filing adversely affects performance, rather securities class actions appear to act as a turning point. The findings also indicate that firms that increase leverage post filing, experience subsequent increases in their operating performance.

Originality/value

The results show that rather than leading to a deterioration in performance, as is currently understood, the filing of a securities class actions results in improved operating performance. This improvement is, in part, associated with more optimal use of leverage by management. Overall, class actions appear to be an effective disciplinary mechanism.
Insider trading surrounding securities class action litigation and settlement announcements
Authors: Davis Frederick , Taghipour Behzad , Walker Thomas J.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the trading patterns of corporate insiders, both managing and non-managing, around the announcement dates of securities class action lawsuits and related legal settlements.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use market model event study methodology to examine the impact of class action litigation and settlement announcements on the stock prices of sued firms. The authors then determine the extent of abnormal insider trading surrounding such announcements by comparing insider trading activity (volume and transaction counts) to prior insider trading in the same firm, and to a matched sample of firms not experiencing such litigation announcements. A multivariate framework is utilized to provide further insight into the determinants of such abnormal insider trading.

Findings

The authors establish that class action litigation and settlement announcements have a significant impact on the stock prices of sued firms, and that foreknowledge of these events appears to be used by insiders to earn abnormal profits. Moreover, results indicate that managing insiders exhibit higher opportunistic abnormal trading activity than non-managing insiders. Multivariate analysis shows that size, prior firm returns, and the implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act are important determinants of such insider trading.

Originality/value

This appears to be the first paper to analyze insider trading surrounding class action settlement announcements, and raises concerns about the ethical conduct of certain insider groups while highlighting the importance of access to private information, even amongst insiders themselves.
High-speed Cherry Hooper flash analog-to-digital converter
Authors: Faure Nicolaas , Sinha Saurabh
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The 60 GHz unlicensed band is being utilized for high-speed wireless networks with data rates in the gigabit range. To successfully make use of these high-speed signals in a digital system, a high-speed analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is necessary. This paper aims to present the use of a common collector (CC) input tree and Cherry Hooper (C-H) differential amplifier to enable analog-to-digital conversion at high frequencies.

Design/methodology/approach

The CC input tree is designed to separate the input Miller capacitance of each comparator stage. The CC stages are biased to obtain bandwidth speeds higher than the comparator stages while using less current than the comparator stages. The C-H differential amplifier is modified to accommodate the low breakdown voltages of the technology node and implemented as a comparator. The comparator stages are biased to obtain a high output voltage swing and have a small signal bandwidth up to 29 GHz. Simulations were performed using foundry development kits to verify circuit operation. A two-bit ADC was prototyped in IBM’s 130 nm SiGe BiCMOS 8HP technology node. Measurements were carried out on test printed circuit boards and compared with simulation results.

Findings

The use of the added CC input tree showed a simulated bandwidth improvement of approximately 3.23 times when compared to a basic flash architecture, for a two-bit ADC. Measured results showed an effective number of bits (ENOB) of 1.18, from DC up to 2 GHz, whereas the simulated result was 1.5. The maximum measured integral non-linearity and differential non-linearity was 0.33 LSB. The prototype ADC had a figure of merit of 42 pJ/sample.

Originality/value

The prototype ADC results showed that the group delay for the C-H comparator plays a critical role in ADC performance for high frequency input signals. For minimal component variation, the group delay between channels deviate from each other, causing incorrect output codes. The prototype ADC had a low gain which reduced the comparator performance. The two-bit CC C-H ADC is capable of achieving an ENOB close to 1.18, for frequencies up to 2 GHz, with 180 mW total power consumption.
Working capital management and firm profitability: a meta-analysis
Authors: Singh Harsh Pratap , Kumar Satish , Colombage Sisira
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to quantitatively aggregate the findings of prior literature on the effect of working capital management (WCM) on corporate profitability using the meta-analysis technique developed by Hunter et al. (1982).

Design/methodology/approach

A set of 46 research articles that directly studied the relationship between WCM, and profitability was analyzed for the purpose. In addition to overall meta-analysis, a detailed subgroup study was also conducted to test whether the differences in results are due to moderating effects related to different profitability proxies, economic development of a specific country and size of the firms under study.

Findings

The findings of this meta-analysis confirm that WCM is negatively associated with profitability, which means an aggressive WCM policy leads to higher profitability. Overall, and in all the subgroup studies, the cash conversion cycle was found to be negatively associated with profitability.

Originality/value

Unlike narrative literature review papers, this meta-analysis provides quantitatively aggregate evidence on the relationship of WCM and firms’ profitability. To the best of authors’ knowledge, no previous meta-analysis paper is published on the topic.
Comfort Characteristics of Knitted Active Sportswear: Liquid Water Transportation
Authors: Manshahia M. , Das A.
Published: January 2017

Liquid water transport is a critical factor that affects the physiological comfort of sportswear. In this study, active kinds of sportswear of different international brands are studied and their liquid transport performances are evaluated. The fabric structure has been analysed by using a Leicamicroscope and the filament cross section has been analysed by using scanning electron microscopy. Vertical wicking against gravity is measured by using a vertical wicking tester. The in-plane flow of liquid is measured by using an in-plane gravimetric wicking tester. The liquid transport along the thickness is measured in terms of absorbency by using a gravimetric absorbency tester. It has been observed that the fabric structure, filament cross sectional shape and filament denier have substantial influence on liquid water transport.It is seen that with an increase in the fibre specific surface area, by changing the fibre shape factor and diameter, the wicking rate throughout the fabric increases.
Investigation into The Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Hebeish A. , El-Rafie M. H. , Ramadan M. A. , El-Naggar M. E.
Published: January 2017

Hydroxypropyl starch (HPS) is synthesized by using maize starch and different concentrations of both propylene oxide )PO) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with the intent to obtain HPS products which can better serve as a reducing and stabilizing agent during the preparation of silver nanoparticles. Such a preparation is carried out under a variety of conditions which include: pH, temperature, duration of the reaction medium, molar substitution (MS) of HPS, and concentration of both HPS and silver nitrate (AgNO3). The yield of silver nanoparticle colloids is monitored via color and ultraviolet (UV) visible spectral analyses whereas their evaluation is performed by making use of a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to determine size and size distribution. The results obtained conclude that the optimum conditions for preparation of silver nanoparticle colloids with excellent size and size distribution which range from 6-8 nm could be produced by using 0.9 gm of HPS (MS = .84), 0.425 gm of AgNO3, a pH of 12, and temperature of 70°C for 15 minutes. Furthermore, the silver nanoparticle colloid solution prepared under these conditions is stable and remains without aggregation for more than six months. Thus preparation of a well stabilized silver nanoparticle solution with a concentration of 1608 ppm and a diameter of 9-18 nm can be achieved. A silver nanoparticle solution with these unique characteristics may be suitable for industrial applications.
Design of Ergonomic Garment for Elderly Indian Women
Authors: Gupta Deepti , Das Amrit , Jain Vasu , Soneja Tanvi , Dang Payal , Srivastava Prateeksha
Published: January 2017

Ergonomic designs for blouses, worn as a top with the Indian sari, have been proposed to suit the needs of elderly Indian women. A group of 160 women, 65 to 80 years of age, living in Delhi and its satellite towns, were interviewed to identify their clothing needs, preferences and requirements. The results showed that the subjects had difficulty in finding age-appropriate clothing since most clothing available in the market was designed with young people in mind. It was also established that more than 80% of the women wore the traditional Indian sari during the day as well as at night and that they faced major problems with regard to the fit and comfort of blouses worn as a top with the same. Based on the feedback obtained from the subjects, 10 blouse designs were developed using various fabrics and style features for various occasions and activities. Ergonomic features have been incorporated to suit the requirements of a changed body shape and limitations posed on movement, dexterity and strength. Three of the designs have been discussed in this paper in detail.
Piece by piece: understanding graffiti-writing in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Ho Man , Ku Ka Chun , Li Pak Kei Toma , Ng Hiu Kwan , Ng Suet Yi Michelle
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the development of graffiti in Hong Kong. Based on cultural criminological theories, the study looks at graffiti from the cultural verstehen perspective (Ritzer, 1996) – giving voice to graffiti writers, instead of focusing on how the police or the general public react to the graffiti issue. The research also examines the motives of those writers and whether they perceive graffiti as an act of vandalism or an expression of an art form.

Design/methodology/approach

Graffiti is still an underdeveloped research topic in Hong Kong, which is absent not only in the mainstream discourse, but also in mainstream arts. It merely catches the media’s attention when graffiti are associated with political struggles. Thus, this paper aims to bridge the gap between the existing literature reviews and the graffiti development in this cosmopolitan city. In particular, it gives voice to graffiti writers to let readers understand how this hidden group of people perceive the notion of graffiti within their own subcultural discourse – and, at the same time, how the public responds to those graffiti-writings.

Findings

The research project, to a certain extent, manifests similarities to the literature reviews at an international level, especially the graffiti studies in London and New York. There are similarities in the graffiti styles – tags, bombs and pieces – and also in terms of the meanings carried behind graffiti-writing in public spaces, which showcase power through occupying space and its association with commercialization. Nevertheless, graffiti in Hong Kong have certain unique features, particularly as regards the official response to graffiti and the linkage of graffiti with politics. As seen in the Umbrella Movement and the Ai wei-wei incident, the legal responses were rigid and efficient, showing that the government paid great attention to the messages delivered in these cases. When no complaints or reports are made to the police, graffiti work is left undisturbed. Only when strong political messages are carried will prompt action be taken.

Originality/value

Graffiti are an underdeveloped research topic in Hong Kong, which is absent not only in the mainstream discourse but also in the mainstream arts. This paper aims to bridge the gap between the existing literature reviews and the graffiti development in Hong Kong. It gives voice to graffiti writers to let readers understand how this hidden group of people perceives the notion of graffiti within their own subcultural discourse and how city dwellers respond to those graffiti-writings.
Sexual harassment of women in China: the role of liberal sexual attitudes
Authors: Lui Lake
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Sexual liberation for women is often seen as a means of empowerment. Yet challenging the conventional Chinese beliefs of what constitutes a “good woman” might threaten men’s power, resulting in sanctioning. This study aims to uncover the link between women’s liberal sexual attitudes and an extreme form of sanctioning – sexual harassment.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data fromChinese Health and Family Life Survey, structural equation modeling is applied to examine the hypothesized relationships between sexual harassment and individual and community characteristics, as well as the direct and indirect effects of liberal sexual attitudes.

Findings

The author found that a woman’s liberal sexual attitude has a positive direct effect on sexual harassment. Whether the woman resides in rural or urban areas is not directly linked to sexual harassment, yet liberal sexual attitudes among urban women mediate the effect of geographical location, leading to their greater risk of being harassed. Youthfulness and women having a paid job are risk factors for sexual harassment but self-rated attractiveness is not.

Research limitations/implications

The results reflect a conservative societal view of women’s sexuality, even though it is often believed that China’s sexual revolution is on the way – which plausibly refers to the greater permissiveness for heterosexual men. This study thus illuminates the importance of gender egalitarianism in the process of liberalization of social and moral attitudes toward sex.

Originality/value

This study thus illuminates the importance of gender egalitarianism in the process of liberalization of social and moral attitudes toward sex.
Living arrangements of adults with learning disabilities across the UK
Authors: Hatton Chris
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare data from national social care statistics on the living situations of people with learning disabilities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Design/methodology/approach

National social care statistics (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) reporting the living situations of adults with learning disabilities (residential and nursing care, living with family, other forms of accommodation) were accessed, with data extracted on trends over time and rate of service use.

Findings

There were substantial differences in the statistics collected across the UK. Overall, there were higher reported rates of adults with learning disabilities in residential/nursing accommodation in England than Scotland or Wales, but much lower reported rates of adults living in other forms of unsupported and supported accommodation and much lower reported rates of adults living with their families. In all three countries, trends over time suggest that reductions in residential care towards more independent living options may be stalling. In Northern Ireland reductions in currently extensive residential and nursing care services are continuing, unlike other parts of the UK.

Social implications

Despite similar policy ambitions across the four parts of the UK, statistics on the living situations of adults with learning disabilities report substantial differences.

Originality/value

This paper is a first attempt to compare national social care statistics concerning the living situations of adults with learning disabilities across the UK. With increasing divergence of health and social service systems, further comparative analyses of services for people with learning disabilities are needed.
Relationships grow with time: a note of caution about energy expenditure‐proxy correlations, focussing on accelerometry as an example
Authors: Halsey Lewis G.
Published: January 2017

Scientists studying the energy expenditure of air‐breathing divers are interested in developing a more tractable technique to support their endeavour. Accelerometers instrumented to animals can return a tangible measure of those animals’ activity levels, which in some situations correlates with their metabolic rate.

However, I argue that reported evidence for this correlation in semi‐aquatic animals while diving is not always as strong as it seems. This is because some analyses have derived a measure of activity level by calculating the sum of accelerometry‐based values and compared those data points to measures of summed (total) energy expenditure. These summations mean that time (duration) has been introduced into both sides of the regression equation. This is likely to generate a correlation between body acceleration and energy expenditure even if the two variables are not mechanistically linked because time will correlate with itself.

Thus, a strong relationship between a summed measure of energy expenditure and a summed proxy of energy expenditure indicates only that as time passes an animal burns calories. Issues concerning summation of variables in principle extend to other potential proxies of energy expenditure, such as heart rate. I demonstrate the artefactual effect of regressing summed values with analyses of modelled data using ecologically valid parameters.

Unless a summed proxy predicts total energy expenditure substantially better than does time alone, there is little evidence upon which to base a claim that body acceleration is suitably predictive of metabolic rate. Clarity about the predictive power of body acceleration to estimate metabolic rate should be sought by simply presenting a graph of the relationship between these raw values.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Unusual Combination of Multiple Vascular Anomalies in a German Shepherd Puppy with Megaoesophagus
Authors: Biasato I. , Lanteri G. , Guarda F. , Capucchio M. T. , Marino F. , Briguglio G. , Macrì F.
Published: January 2017

A 2‐months‐old male German shepherd puppy was referred for regurgitation and delayed growth. Radiographic and endoscopic investigations revealed a precardiac megaoesophagus and oesophageal constriction at the level of the heart base. At post‐mortem examination, a specific form of persistent right aortic arch characterized by an aberrant left subclavian artery in combination with a ligamentum arteriosum originating at the aberrant left subclavian artery (PRAA‐SA‐LA) was detected. A complete‐type persistent left cranial vena cava (PLCVC) was also observed. This is the first report describing the association between PRAA‐SA‐LA and PLCVC in a dog with megaoesophagus.
Topical ivermectin improves allergic skin inflammation
Authors: Ventre E. , Rozières A. , Lenief V. , Albert F. , Rossio P. , Laoubi L. , Dombrowicz D. , Staels B. , Ulmann L. , Julia V. , Vial E. , Jomard A. , Hacini‐Rachinel F. , Nicolas J.‐F. , Vocanson M.
Published: January 2017

Background

Ivermectin (IVM) is widely used in both human and veterinary medicine to treat parasitic infections. Recent reports have suggested thatIVMcould also have anti‐inflammatory properties.

Methods

Here, we investigated the activity ofIVMin a murine model of atopic dermatitis (AD) induced by repeated exposure to the allergenDermatophagoides farinae, and in standard cellular immunological assays.

Results

Our results show that topicalIVMimproved allergic skin inflammation by reducing the priming and activation of allergen‐specific T cells, as well as the production of inflammatory cytokines. WhileIVMhad no major impact on the functions of dendritic cellsin vivoandin vitro,IVMimpaired T‐cell activation, proliferation, and cytokine production following polyclonal and antigen‐specific stimulation.

Conclusion

Altogether, our results show thatIVMis endowed with topical anti‐inflammatory properties that could have important applications for the treatment of T‐cell‐mediated skin inflammatory diseases.
Thromboelastography (TEG) or rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) to monitor haemostatic treatment in bleeding patients: a systematic review with meta‐analysis and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Wikkelsø A. , Wetterslev J. , Møller A. M. , Afshari A.
Published: January 2017

Coagulopathy and severe bleeding are associated with high mortality. We evaluated haemostatic treatment guided by the functional viscoelastic haemostatic assays, thromboelastography or rotational thromboelastometry in bleeding patients. We searched for randomised, controlled trials irrespective of publication status, publication date, blinding status, outcomes published or language from date of inception to 5 January 2016 in six bibliographic databases. We included 17 trials (1493 participants), most involving cardiac surgery. Thromboelastography or rotational thromboelastometry seemed to reduce overall mortality compared to any of our comparisons (3.9% vs. 7.4%, RR (95% CI) 0.52 (0.28–0.95); I2 = 0%, 8 trials, 717 participants). However, the quality of evidence is graded as low due to the high risk of bias, heterogeneity, imprecision and low event rate. Thromboelastography or rotational thromboelastometry significantly reduced the proportion of patients transfused with red blood cells (RR (95% CI) 0.86 (0.79–0.94); I2 = 0%, 10 trials, 832 participants), fresh frozen plasma (RR (95% CI) 0.57 (0.33–0.96); I2 = 86%, 10 trials, 832 participants) and platelets (RR (95% CI) 0.73 (0.60–0.88); I2 = 0%, 10 studies, 832 participants). There was no difference in proportion needing surgical re‐interventions (RR (95% CI) 0.75 (0.50–1.10); I2 = 0%, 9 trials, 887 participants). Trial sequential analysis of mortality suggests that only 54% of the required information size has been reached so far. Transfusion strategies guided by thromboelastography or rotational thromboelastometry may reduce the need for blood products in patients with bleeding, but the results are mainly based on trials of elective cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass, with low‐quality evidence.
Severe fear of childbirth indicates high perinatal costs for Swedish women giving birth to their first child
Authors: Nieminen Katri , Wijma Klaas , Johansson Sanna , Kinberger Emelie K. , Ryding Elsa‐Lena , Andersson Gerhard , Bernfort Lars , Wijma Barbro
Published: January 2017

Introduction

The objective of this study was to calculate costs associated with severe fear of childbirth (FOC) during pregnancy and peripartum by comparing two groups of women expecting their first child and attending an ordinary antenatal program; one with lowFOCand one with severeFOC.

Material and methods

In a prospective case–control cohort study one group with lowFOC[Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W‐DEQ) sum score ≤60,n= 107] and one with severeFOC(W‐DEQ≥85,n= 43) were followed up till 3 months postpartum and included in the analysis. Medical records were assessed and medical parameters were mapped. Mean costs for healthcare consumption and sick leave during pregnancy were calculated and compared.

Results

When means were compared between the groups, the group with severeFOChad more visits for psychosocial reasons (p= 0.001) and more hours on sick leave (p= 0.03) during pregnancy, and stayed longer at the maternity ward (p= 0.04). They also more seldom had normal spontaneous deliveries (p= 0.03), and more often had an elective cesarean section on maternal request (p= 0.02). Postpartum, they more often than the group with lowFOCpaid visits to the maternity clinic because of complications (p= 0.001) and to the antenatal unit because of adverse childbirth experiences (p= 0.001). The costs for handling women with severeFOCwas 38% higher than those for women with lowFOC.

Conclusion

Women with severeFOCgenerate considerably higher perinatal costs than women with lowFOCwhen handled in care as usual.
Can immunohistochemistry replace immunofluorescence in diagnosis of skin bullous diseases?
Authors: Al‐Shenawy Hanan Al‐Saeid
Published: January 2017

Autoimmune bullous diseases are distressing and sometimes risky bullous dermatoses characterized by the presence of antibodies focused against disease‐specific target antigens. Recognition of these antibodies using immunofluorescence is used to be the only sure diagnostic method after reviewing the routine histopathological section. Because of many causes that make the using of immunofluorescence difficult, we tried to evaluate the role of immunohistochemistry in diagnosis of these bullous skin diseases; 40 pemphigus cases (30 pemphigus vulgaris and 10 pemphigus foliaceus) and 37 non‐pemphigus cases (35 vesiculobullous skin diseases and 2 normal skin). Skin biopsy was obtained for histopathological diagnosis, immunofluorescence study, and immune‐histochemical studying for IgG4 and C3d expression. IgG4 was positive in almost all cases of pemphigus vulgaris and most of pemphigus foliaceus and bullous pemphigoides, while all other diseases were negative. C3d expression was positive in almost all bullous pemphigoides and pemphigus gestationis cases, while it was negative in almost all other cases. Sensitivity and specificity of both markers increase by using them in combination in diagnosis of such bullous diseases. IgG4 and C3d immunohistochemistry could replace DIF in almost all of our cases, so before doing DIF, reliable immunohistochemical detection of IgG4 and C3d on formalin‐fixed tissue is advised to be done.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: vasoactive drugs for the treatment of hepatorenal syndrome type 1
Authors: Gifford F. J. , Morling J. R. , Fallowfield J. A.
Published: January 2017

Background

Hepatorenal syndrome type 1 (HRS1) is a functional, rapidly progressive, potentially reversible form of acute kidney injury occurring in patients with cirrhosis. Characterised by intense renal arterial vasoconstriction, it carries a very poor prognosis. There is a significant unmet need for a widely approved, safe and effective pharmacological treatment.

Aim

To re‐evaluate efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatments for HRS1, in the light of recently published randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

MEDLINE (OvidSP), EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane registers were searched for RCTs reporting efficacy and adverse events related to pharmacological treatment of HRS1. Search terms included: ‘hepatorenal syndrome’, ‘terlipressin’, ‘noradrenaline’, ‘octreotide’, ‘midodrine’, ‘vasopressin’, ‘dopamine’, ‘albumin’ and synonyms. Comparison of vasoactive drugs vs. placebo/no treatment, and two active drugs were included. Meta‐analysis was performed for HRS1 reversal, creatinine improvement, mortality and adverse events.

Results

Twelve RCTs enrolling 700 HRS1 patients were included. Treatment with terlipressin and albumin led to HRS1 reversal more frequently than albumin alone or placebo (RR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.51–4.26). Noradrenaline was effective in reversing HRS1, but trials were small and nonblinded. Overall, there was mortality benefit with terlipressin (RR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.63–1.01), but sensitivity analysis including only trials with low risk of selection bias weakened this relationship (RR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.71–1.06). Notably, there was a significant risk of adverse events with terlipressin therapy (RR: 4.32, 95% CI: 0.75–24.86).

Conclusions

Terlipressin treatment is superior to placebo for achieving HRS1 reversal, but mortality benefit is less clear. Terlipressin is associated with significant adverse events, but infusion regimens may be better tolerated. There is continued need for safe and effective treatment options for hepatorenal syndrome.
Serum alkylresorcinols as biomarkers of dietary gluten exposure in coeliac disease
Authors: Choung R. S. , Murray J. A. , Marietta E. V. , Van Dyke C. T. , Ross A. B.
Published: January 2017

Background

Therapy for coeliac disease (CD) mainly relies on following a gluten‐free diet (GFD); however, a serum marker for gluten intake has yet to be established.

Aim

To evaluate the utility of alkylresorcinol concentrations for detecting gluten intake in studies of human and mouse.

Methods

Alkylresorcinol concentrations were compared among treated patients with coeliac disease (n = 34), untreated coeliac disease patients (n = 36) and controls (n = 33). Furthermore, seven additional coeliac disease patients whose serum samples were available at diagnosis and after GFD were evaluated. In mice studies, alkylresorcinol concentrations were compared in the serum of five mice fed a regular chow and 10 mice fed lifelong with a gluten‐free chow. In addition, the effect of adding gluten on changes of alkylresorcinol concentrations was also evaluated.

Results

Total alkylresorcinol concentrations were significantly lower in treated with coeliac disease [median (IQR), 3 (2–8) nmol/L], compared to untreated patients [median (IQR), 32 (11–74) nmol/L; P < 0.0001] or healthy controls [median (IQR), 54 (23–112) nmol/L; P < 0.0001]. Moreover, alkylresorcinol concentrations in coeliac disease patients significantly decreased after introduction of a GFD (median, 34 nmol/L at diagnosis vs. 5 nmol/L after GFD, P = 0.02). In the mice, median (IQR) total alkylresorcinol concentrations in serum samples of mice fed lifelong with a gluten‐free chow was 1.8 (1.6–2.3) nmol/L, which was further significantly increased to 16 (11–22) nmol/L after 8 days of feeding with the gluten‐free chow that had gluten added to it. (P = 0.008).

Conclusion

Serum alkylresorcinol concentrations could be a useful marker for dietary gluten in coeliac disease.