bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Policy impact of the Indonesian Central Bank certificate related on loan interest rate to the demand growth of property
Authors: Wirjodirdjo B , Asjari H Y
Published: April 2018

The Indonesian economic indicators shown a positive progress in the last three years, Foreign exchange reserves position of the end of March 2017 stood at US $ 121.8 billion higher than the position of the end of 2015 amounted to US $ 105.9 billion of the end of 2015. This reserve would ensure the resilience and maintaining sustainable Indonesian economic growth in the future. Although Indonesia’s foreign exchange is better, the structure of expenditure in the country is still less than ideal due the proportion of spending of consumer goods is far greater than the capital goods and tend to be unproductive spending. This needs to be regulated so that in the long term does not cause balance of payments deficit. Therefore, Indonesian Central Bank took a policy to raise interest rates for retail banks from 6% to 7.25% per annum gradually up to present. Policies relating to the interest rates on loans are intended to reduce the proportion of debt financing of consumer goods, however, these policies have implications to various economic sectors and one of those is property sector. A lot of research has been conducted related the impact of loan interest to the property sector but most of it is still in partial related to the ability the people to buy. However, this research has tried to see the implication of the macro Economic Policy of Indonesian Central Bank to the property sector as a systemic problem. This paper is going to present the study on the effects of these policies on the property sector, especially residence house. To obtain a comprehensive analysis and capture the relationship between interest rate policies and their impacts to the property sector, in this study the model developed and simulated using system dynamic methodology as an approach. Various scenarios are applied to the model to get an accurate information about how and when the effectiveness of the policy related to the property sector can be enforced. The result of this study can be delivered to the policy maker as feed-back to improving the policies related the interest rate.
Surgical Resection With Radiation Treatment Planning of Spinal Tumors
Authors: Jakubovic Raphael , Ruschin Mark , Tseng Chia-Lin , Pejović-Milić Ana , Sahgal Arjun , Yang Victor X D
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

The clinical paradigm for spinal tumors with epidural involvement is challenging considering the rigid dose tolerance of the spinal cord. One effective approach involves open surgery for tumor resection, followed by stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Resection extent is often determined by the neurosurgeon's clinical expertise, without considering optimal subsequent post-operative SBRT treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the effect of incremental epidural disease resection on tumor coverage for spine SBRT in an effort to working towards integrating radiotherapy planning within the operating room.

METHODS

Ten patients having undergone spinal separation surgery with postoperative SBRT were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging was coregistered to postoperative planning computed tomography to delineate the preoperative epidural disease gross tumor volume (GTV). The GTV was digitally shrunk by a series of fixed amounts away from the cord (up to 6 mm) simulating incremental tumor resection and reflecting an optimal dosimetric endpoint. The dosimetric effect on simulated GTVs was analyzed using metrics such as minimum biologically effective dose (BED) to 95% of the simulated GTV (D95) and compared to the unresected epidural GTV.

RESULTS

Epidural GTV D95 increased at an average rate of 0.88 ± 0.09 Gy10 per mm of resected disease up to the simulated 6 mm limit. Mean BED to D95 was 5.3 Gy10 (31.2%) greater than unresected cases. All metrics showed strong positive correlations with increasing tumor resection margins (R2: 0.989-0.999, P < .01).

CONCLUSION

Spine separation surgery provides division between the spinal cord and epidural disease, facilitating better disease coverage for subsequent post-operative SBRT. By quantifying the dosimetric advantage prior to surgery on actual clinical cases, targeted surgical planning can be implemented.
ATCA 16 cm observation of CIZA J1358.9−4750: Implication of merger stage and constraint on non-thermal properties
Authors: Akahori Takuya , Kato Yuichi , Nakazawa Kazuhiro , Ozawa Takeaki , Gu Liyi , Takizawa Motokazu , Fujita Yutaka , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Okabe Nobuhiro , Makishima Kazuo
Published: April 2018

We report the Australia Telescope Compact Array 16 cm observation of CIZA J1358.9−4750. Recent X-ray studies imply that this galaxy cluster is composed of merging, binary clusters. Using the EW367 configuration, we found no significant diffuse radio emission in and around the cluster. An upper limit of the total radio power at 1.4 GHz is ∼1.1 × 1022 W Hz−1 in 30 square arcminutes, which is a typical size for radio relics. It is known that an empirical relation holds between the total radio power and X-ray luminosity of the host cluster. The upper limit is about one order of magnitude lower than the power expected from the relation. Very young (∼70 Myr) shocks with low Mach numbers (∼1.3), which are often seen at an early stage of merger simulations, are suggested by the previous X-ray observation. The shocks may generate cosmic-ray electrons with a steep energy spectrum, which is consistent with non-detection of bright (>1023 W Hz−1) relic in this 16 cm band observation. Based on the assumption of energy equipartition, the upper limit gives a magnetic field strength of below 0.68f(Dlos/1 Mpc)−1(γmin/200)−1 μG, where f is the cosmic-ray total energy density over the cosmic-ray electron energy density, Dlos is the depth of the shock wave along the sightline, and γmin is the lower cutoff Lorentz factor of the cosmic-ray electron energy spectrum.
Detection of Latent Peronospora effusa Infections in Spinach
Authors: Subbarao Chaitra S. , Anchieta Amy , Ochoa Lorena , Dhar Nikhilesh , Kunjeti Sridhara G. , Subbarao Krishna V. , Klosterman Steven J.
Published: April 2018

Downy mildew disease of spinach, caused by Peronospora effusa, is managed in conventional fields by a combination of host resistance and scheduled fungicide applications. Fungicides are currently applied to prevent downy mildew epidemics regardless of the infection status of spinach crops. A more streamlined approach would be to develop methods to target either latent infections for fungicide application in conventional production systems or to hasten harvest in organic production. In this study, conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to detect P. effusa DNA in symptomless spinach leaves in three spatially and temporally separated field plots, each containing four 2-m beds, 35 m in length. Spinach leaves were sampled weekly at 3-m intervals at 48 locations throughout each plot. Initial samples were asymptomatic and yet PCR enabled detection of P. effusa DNA extracted from sampled spinach leaves. Detection of latent downy mildew infection in spinach leaves was confirmed by PCR as early as 7 days prior to symptom development. The limit of pathogen DNA detection in spinach leaves was calculated at 10 pg using the conventional PCR approach. Quantitative PCR with TaqMan methodology revealed the presence of inhibitors from spinach leaf DNA extracts and affected amplification efficiencies, but not when diluted, enabling detection of P. effusa DNA at a concentration of <0.1 pg. In conclusion, detection of latent infections may enable management decisions for earlier-than-normal harvest of infected, symptomless organic crops, and for timing fungicide applications on symptomless plants in conventional production.
Early-Season Fungicide Programs for Peanut Disease Management
Authors: Tsai Y. C. , Brenneman T. B.
Published: April 2018

The efficacy of early-season prothioconazole applications on stem rot (Sclerotium rolfsii) epidemics of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) planted on different dates was evaluated to better understand stem rot development and obtain more consistent disease control. The industry standard cultivar (Georgia-06G) was planted on four different dates at about 2-week intervals starting 25 April of both 2012 and 2013. Plots were either not treated or treated with prothioconazole (0.16 kg a.i./ha) at 21 or 35 days after planting (DAP) applied in a 30-cm band. All plots received chlorothalonil (2.09 kg a.i./ha) for leaf spot control. The mean final stem rot incidence in nontreated plots for planting dates 1 to 4 were 32, 15, 13, and 9% in 2012 and 25, 13, 24, and 6% in 2013, respectively. Final incidence of stem rot in plots treated with prothioconazole followed a similar pattern, but disease incidence was reduced by an average of 36 and 46% in 2012 and 4 and 14% in 2013 for the 21 and 35 DAP applications, respectively. Pod yields in nontreated plots for planting dates 1 to 4 (chlorothalonil only) were 6,446, 6,578, 5,479, and 2,613 kg/ha in 2012 and 2,914, 6,456, 5,399, and 3,123 kg/ha in 2013, respectively. Prothioconazole-treated plots (at either 21 or 35 DAP) averaged 475 and 600 kg/ha higher yield than nontreated plots in 2012 and 2013, respectively, but the differences between these two timings were not significant (P > 0.10). Both 2012 and 2013 had relatively cooler spring temperatures and lower risk of early stem rot. The efficacy and yield increase from the early prothioconazole application may have been greater in a warmer spring.
Mumps
Authors: Balbi Alanna M. , Van Sant Amanda A. , Bean Eric W. , Jacoby Jeanne L.
Published: April 2018

Mumps is a systemic viral illness, preventable by vaccination, that typically affects children and is characterized by unilateral or bilateral swelling of the parotid glands. Uncommon complications such as orchitis, oophoritis, deafness, pancreatitis, aseptic meningitis, and encephalitis occur more often in adults. Recent outbreaks of the disease appear to be caused by a failure to maintain herd immunity in certain populations, particularly in affluent white communities. This article reviews the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and potential complications in patients with mumps.
Strategic foresight, leadership, and the future of rural healthcare staffing in the United States
Authors: Reimers-Hild Connie
Published: April 2018

This article uses a strategic foresight tool, megatrends, to examine forces influencing long-term healthcare staffing in the rural United States. Two megatrends—exponential advances in science and technology and the continued evolution of the decentralized global marketplace—will influence and ultimately help shape the future of rural healthcare. Successful health ecosystems of the future will need to be customer-driven, more affordable, and tech-savvy. Successful evolution in an era of continuous change will require a blend of intentional engagement with stakeholders, strategic foresight, and future-focused leadership. More research is needed to fully understand not only the challenges of rural healthcare but also the emerging opportunities.
Occupational and Ergonomic Factors Associated With Low Back Pain Among Car-patrol Police Officers
Authors: Benyamina Douma Nabiha , Côté Charles , Lacasse Anaïs
Published: April 2018

Objectives:

Low back pain (LBP) is frequent and burdensome among police officers, but occupational and ergonomic factors associated with LBP and its chronic symptoms have never been studied among these workers using a biopsychosocial model. This study aimed at exploring such factors associated with acute or subacute LBP and chronic low back pain (CLBP) among car-patrol police officers.

Methods:

A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among car-patrol officers working in the province of Quebec (Canada). Factors associated with acute or subacute LBP and CLBP (as opposed to absence of LBP) were studied using a multivariate multinomial regression model.

Results:

A total of 2208 car-patrol officers composed the study population. Statistically significant occupational/ergonomic determinant for higher prevalence of acute or subacute LBP was more frequent discomfort in the lower back when sitting in the patrol car as a driver (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.008; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.170-4.168). More frequent posttraumatic interventions was associated with lower prevalence of acute or subacute LBP (adjusted OR, 0.609; 95% CI, 0.410-0.907). Occupational and ergonomic factors associated with higher prevalence of CLBP were greater seniority (adjusted OR, 1.061; 95% CI, 1.007-1.118) and more frequent discomfort in the lower back when sitting in the patrol car as a driver (adjusted OR, 7.546; 95% CI, 5.257-10.831).

Discussion:

Few occupational and ergonomic factors that police organizations could use to better tailor prevention were found to be associated with acute or subacute LBP and CLBP. This cross-sectional study is an efficient first investigation for screening hypotheses that should be confirmed in further cohort studies.
Comparison of Anterior Suprascapular, Supraclavicular, and Interscalene Nerve Block Approaches for Major Outpatient Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery
Authors: Auyong David B. , Hanson Neil A. , Joseph Raymond S. , Schmidt Brian E. , Slee April E. , Yuan Stanley C.
Published: April 2018

Background

The interscalene nerve block provides analgesia for shoulder surgery, but is associated with diaphragm paralysis. One solution may be performing brachial plexus blocks more distally. This noninferiority study evaluated analgesia for blocks at the supraclavicular and anterior suprascapular levels, comparing them individually to the interscalene approach.

Methods

One hundred-eighty-nine subjects undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery were recruited to this double-blind trial and randomized to interscalene, supraclavicular, or anterior suprascapular block using 15 ml, 0.5% ropivacaine. The primary outcome was numeric rating scale pain scores analyzed using noninferiority testing. The predefined noninferiority margin was one point on the 11-point pain scale. Secondary outcomes included opioid consumption and pulmonary assessments.

Results

All subjects completed the study through the primary outcome analysis. Mean pain after surgery was: interscalene = 1.9 (95% CI, 1.3 to 2.5), supraclavicular = 2.3 (1.7 to 2.9), suprascapular = 2.0 (1.4 to 2.6). The primary outcome, mean pain score difference of supraclavicular–interscalene was 0.4 (–0.4 to 1.2; P = 0.088 for noninferiority) and of suprascapular–interscalene was 0.1 (–0.7 to 0.9; P = 0.012 for noninferiority). Secondary outcomes showed similar opioid consumption with better preservation of vital capacity in the anterior suprascapular group (90% baseline [P < 0.001]) and the supraclavicular group (76% [P = 0.002]) when compared to the interscalene group (67%).

Conclusions

The anterior suprascapular block, but not the supraclavicular, provides noninferior analgesia compared to the interscalene approach for major arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Pulmonary function is best preserved with the anterior suprascapular nerve block.
Revisiting the Elastic Band Tourniquet in Pediatric Upper Limb Surgery
Authors: Kang Yong Chiang , Arjandas Mahadev , Teoh Lam Chuan
Published: April 2018

Pediatric upper limb surgery requires fine tissue handling in a bloodless surgical field. Standard pneumatic tourniquets are often ineffective in the very young, as they do not fit all limb circumferences. We describe a simple and effective elastic band tourniquet technique and report our experience of safety with 113 cases.
Muramyl Dipeptide Induces Reactive Oxygen Species Generation Through the NOD2/COX-2/NOX4 Signaling Pathway in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Authors: Kong Ling-Jun , Liu Xiao-Qian , Xue Ying , Gao Wei , Lv Qian-Zhou
Published: April 2018

Vascular endothelium dysfunction caused by oxidative stress accelerates the pathologic process of cardiovascular diseases. NOD2, an essential receptor of innate immune system, has been demonstrated to play a critical role in atherosclerosis. Here, the aim of our study was to investigate the effect and underlying molecular mechanism of muramyl dipeptide (MDP) on NOX4-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The 2,7-dichlorofluorescein diacetate staining was to measure the intracellular ROS level and showed MDP-promoted ROS production in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The mRNA and protein levels of NOX4 and COX-2 were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to silence NOD2 or COX-2 gene expression and investigate the mechanism of NOD2-mediated signaling pathway in HUVECs. Data showed that MDP induced NOX4 and COX-2 expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner. NOD2 knock-down suppressed upregulation of COX-2 and NOX4 in HUVECs treated with MDP. Furthermore, silence of COX-2 in HUVECs downregulated the NOX4 expression after MDP stimulation. Collectively, we indicated that NOD2 played a leading role in MDP-induced COX-2/NOX4/ROS signaling pathway in HUVECs, which was a novel regulatory mechanism in the progress of ROS generation.
Measuring Endothelial Cell Loss on DMEK Grafts After Transplantation in Human Cadaveric Whole Eyes: Description of the Technique and Pilot Study
Authors: Tran Khoa D. , Alabi Rolake O. , Odell Kelly , Dye Philip K. , Downes Kenneth , Sales Christopher S.
Published: April 2018

Purpose:

To describe a novel method for analyzing Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) graft damage after implantation into human cadaveric donor eyes and to compare results achieved by performing DMEK with a surgeon's long-established technique compared with those of an unfamiliar technique.

Methods:

Eight DMEK grafts were implanted into previously frozen human cadaveric eyes. Four grafts were implanted using a Straiko injector and tap technique familiar to the surgeon (C.S.S., 3-yr experience), and 4 grafts were implanted using the Tan EndoGlide and “donor mat device” pull-through technique new to the surgeon. After implanting a DMEK graft and attaching it to the recipient stroma with an air bubble tamponade, the corneoscleral cap was “recovered” from the cadaveric globe using standard techniques. The DMEK graft was stained with Calcein-AM. After staining, a 9.5-mm stromal “carrier button” was punched, and the carrier and graft were transferred to a microscope slide. Grafts were imaged and analyzed using FIJI trainable segmentation.

Results:

Donor graft characteristics were similar between both groups. Grafts implanted using the surgeon's routine technique showed an average endothelial cell loss (ECL) of 31% ± 4% (n = 3). Grafts implanted using the technique unfamiliar to the surgeon showed an average ECL of 47% ± 24%, but with a trend toward improvement (1 = 76%, 2 = 65%, 3 = 32%, 4 = 17% ECL).

Conclusions:

Our proof-of-principle experiment shows that this imaging approach enables quantification of ECL caused by different instruments and surgical techniques after graft implantation. We have used this method to visualize the learning curve of 1 surgeon when learning a new surgical technique.
Cross-Sectional Investigation of Self-Reported Concussions and Reporting Behaviors in 866 Adolescent Rugby Union Players: Implications for Educational Strategies
Authors: Beakey Mark , Roe Mark , Tiernan Stephen , Keenan Brian , Collins Kieran
Published: April 2018

Objective:

To examine the self-recalled concussion and bell ringer (BR) prevalence, reporting rates, and reporting behaviors in adolescent rugby players.

Design:

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting:

School classroom.

Participants:

Adolescent male rugby players aged 12 to 18 years (n = 866).

Main Outcome Measures:

Concussion and BR prevalence, reporting rates, and reporting behaviors.

Results:

The sample reported a concussion and BR prevalence rate of 40% and 69.9%, respectively. Of these athletes with a history, 38.4% and 86.4% suffered recurrent concussions and BRs, respectively. The total reporting rates per 1000 suspected concussions and BRs were 474.8 [95% confidence interval (CI), 415.4-534.3] and 238.7 (95% CI, 217.8-259.5), respectively. The athletes highlighted several barriers which hindered their truthful reporting of concussion, including “not thinking the injury is serious enough to report” (70%), “wanting to win the game” (38%), and “not wanting to miss future games or training” (48%).

Conclusions:

Educational interventions are an invaluable component within a socioecological framework aimed at improving the concussion reporting rates of adolescent athletes. The self-recalled prevalence, underreporting rates, and behaviors of the sample are alarming, which prompts the need to further explore their motivational beliefs behind their decision to underreport a potential concussion. The information obtained can be used to tailor personalized interventions for specific athlete samples.
Assessment of fluid responsiveness: recent advances
Authors: Monnet Xavier , Teboul Jean-Louis
Published: April 2018

Purpose of review

In the field of prediction of fluid responsiveness, the most recent studies have focused on validating new tests, on clarifying the limitations of older ones, and better defining their modalities.

Recent findings

The limitations of pulse pressure/stroke volume variations are numerous, but recent efforts have been made to overcome these limitations, like in case of low tidal volume ventilation. Following pulse pressure/stroke volume variations, new tests have emerged which assess preload responsiveness by challenging cardiac preload through heart–lung interactions, like during recruitment manoeuvres and end-expiratory/inspiratory occlusions. Given the risk of fluid overload that is inherent to the ‘classical’ fluid challenge, a ‘mini’ fluid challenge, made of 100 ml of fluid only, has been developed and investigated in recent studies. The reliability of the passive leg raising test is now well established and the newest publications have mainly aimed at defining several noninvasive estimates of cardiac output that can be monitored to assess its effects.

Research in this field is still very active, such that several indices and tests of fluid responsiveness are now available. They may contribute to reduce excessive fluid balance by avoiding unnecessary fluid administration and, also, by ensuring safe fluid removal.
Near Real-time Surveillance for Consequences of Health Policies Using Sequential Analysis
Authors: Lu Christine Y. , Penfold Robert B. , Toh Sengwee , Sturtevant Jessica L. , Madden Jeanne M. , Simon Gregory , Ahmedani Brian K. , Clarke Gregory , Coleman Karen J. , Copeland Laurel A. , Daida Yihe G. , Davis Robert L. , Hunkeler Enid M. , Owen-Smith Ashli , Raebel Marsha A. , Rossom Rebecca , Soumerai Stephen B. , Kulldorff Martin
Published: April 2018

Background:

New health policies may have intended and unintended consequences. Active surveillance of population-level data may provide initial signals of policy effects for further rigorous evaluation soon after policy implementation.

Objective:

This study evaluated the utility of sequential analysis for prospectively assessing signals of health policy impacts. As a policy example, we studied the consequences of the widely publicized Food and Drug Administration’s warnings cautioning that antidepressant use could increase suicidal risk in youth.

Method:

This was a retrospective, longitudinal study, modeling prospective surveillance, using the maximized sequential probability ratio test. We used historical data (2000–2010) from 11 health systems in the US Mental Health Research Network. The study cohort included adolescents (ages 10–17 y) and young adults (ages 18–29 y), who were targeted by the warnings, and adults (ages 30–64 y) as a comparison group. Outcome measures were observed and expected events of 2 possible unintended policy outcomes: psychotropic drug poisonings (as a proxy for suicide attempts) and completed suicides.

Results:

We detected statistically significant (P<0.05) signals of excess risk for suicidal behavior in adolescents and young adults within 5–7 quarters of the warnings. The excess risk in psychotropic drug poisonings was consistent with results from a previous, more rigorous interrupted time series analysis but use of the maximized sequential probability ratio test method allows timely detection. While we also detected signals of increased risk of completed suicide in these younger age groups, on its own it should not be taken as conclusive evidence that the policy caused the signal. A statistical signal indicates the need for further scrutiny using rigorous quasi-experimental studies to investigate the possibility of a cause-and-effect relationship.

Conclusions:

This was a proof-of-concept study. Prospective, periodic evaluation of administrative health care data using sequential analysis can provide timely population-based signals of effects of health policies. This method may be useful to use as new policies are introduced.
Inpatient Care for the Cancer Survivor
Authors: Raj Vishwa S. , Pugh Terrence M.
Published: April 2018

Cancer continues to evolve from a terminal diagnosis to a chronic medical condition. With improved survivorship rates, opportunities exist to deliver rehabilitation care throughout the oncology continuum. By definition, inpatient rehabilitation is generally considered postacute care and is provided either in inpatient rehabilitation facilities, in skilled nursing facilities, or in long-term care hospitals. Each institution is subject to specific regulations and legislation that help define appropriateness for admission based on diagnosis, medical necessity, and functional need. However, these criteria may present barriers to access care for the oncology survivor. As the healthcare landscape changes, and reimbursement structures shift from fee-for-service to those that emphasize effectiveness and efficiency in care, inpatient rehabilitation has a unique opportunity to improve value in terms of outcomes and cost. With the implementation of the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act, standardization of measures throughout postacute care may allow for a more consistent approach to delivery of inpatient rehabilitation care. Further work will be necessary to define the parameters by which oncology survivors should be gauged in this framework.
Experience of Using Shear Wave Elastography Imaging in Superficial Venous Insufficiency of the Lower Extremity
Authors: Durmaz Mehmet Sedat , Arslan Serdar , Baysal Ahmet Nihat , Durmaz Funda Gökgöz , Sivri Mesut , Cebeci Hakan , Tolu İsmet
Published: April 2018

We investigated the effectiveness of shear wave elastography (SWE) in patients with lower extremity superficial venous insufficiency (VI). A total of 138 symptomatic patients, 51 asymptomatic volunteers, and a total of 359 lower extremities (257 symptomatic, 102 asymptomatic) were examined. All participants underwent Doppler ultrasound (US) evaluation to determine VI and SWE measurements performed by manually drawing vein wall and perivenous tissue with free region of interest at the great saphenous vein (GSV) and small saphenous vein (SSV). The GSV, SSV diameter, VI, and volume flow of reflux were compared with the SWE values. The SWE values of the symptomatic group for GSV and SSV were significantly higher than those of the asymptomatic control group regardless of whether VI was detected by Doppler US (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant increase in SWE values for the symptomatic group who were diagnosed as having reflux in GSV and SSV (P < 0.001). A significant positive correlation between increased GSV, SSV diameter, and SWE values was seen (P < 0.001). Venous insufficiency can be diagnosed with a 84.7% sensitivity and 84.2% specificity when 2655 m/s was designated as cutoff value, and with a 85.4% sensitivity and 84.2% specificity when 22,350 kPa was designated as the cutoff value in GSV. Venous insufficiency can be diagnosed with a 84.3% sensitivity and 82.4% specificity when 2845 m/s was designated as cutoff value, and with a 85.7% sensitivity and 84.4% specificity when 27,100 kPa was designated as the cutoff value in SSV. Shear wave elastography may be used effectively in addition to conventional Doppler US examination in diagnosing and following VI.
When institutional entrepreneurship failed
Authors: Major Maria , Conceição Ana , Clegg Stewart
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the role of power relations in initiating and blocking accounting change that involves increased “responsibilisation” and “incentivisation”, and to understand how institutional entrepreneurship is steered by power strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

An in-depth case study was carried out between 2010 and 2015 in a cardiothoracic surgery service (CSS) where a responsibility centre was introduced.

Findings

Introducing a responsibility centre within a CSS led to a change process, despite pressures for stability. The institutionalisation of change was conditioned by entrepreneurship that flowed through three circuits of power. Strategies were adapted according to changes in exogenous environmental contingencies and alterations in the actors’ relationships.

Originality/value

The contributions of the paper are several: first, it demonstrates that the existing literature discussing the implementation of responsibility centres cannot be isolated from power issues; second, it expands understanding of the power dynamics and processes of institutional entrepreneurship when implementing accounting change; third, it shows how change introduced by exogenous political economic events structured organisational circuits of power and blocked the introduction of the change initiative.
Making space for choice, voice and critique: critical literacy workshop in the era of Trump
Authors: Land Charlotte L. , Taylor Laura A. , Lavender Haylee , McKinnon Barbara
Published: April 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to consider how students and teachers engaged in political work in their design and enactment of critical literacy workshops in one US elementary school facing pressures of accountability and standardization.

Design/methodology/approach

As a collaborative team of university researchers and classroom teachers, the authors used a qualitative, thematic approach to analyze data collected across a two-year, ethnographic case study.

Findings

Drawing on Janks’ (2012) conceptualization ofp/Politics, this analysis identified three ways in which teachers approached their teaching politically: constructing flexible and broad definitions of readers and writers; blurring hierarchies between teachers, students and texts; and viewing literacy as a tool of power. In addition to elaborating on these themes, the findings illustrate how these political teaching practices supported students’ engagement with explicitlyPolitical topics.

Originality/value

The era of Trump and “fake news” calls for people to not only start discussions about important social issues but also be able to engage in these discussions diplomatically and critically – in other words, to not only respond to the world but also to reconstruct it (Luke, 2004) and to imagine it better (Greene, 1995). This study offers a timely examination of ways to reshape reading and writing workshops in more critical ways, helping to prepare students for participation in the civic, career and personal worlds within and beyond school.
Linking dimensions of employer branding and turnover intentions
Authors: Kashyap Vaneet , Verma Neha
Published: April 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the impact of employer branding dimensions i.e. social value, interest value, economic value, development value and application value on turnover intentions (TIs) of employees working in Indian information technology (IT) sector organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 380 junior-, middle- and senior-level executives have been surveyed using a structured questionnaire to measure employees’ perception with respect to the dimensions of employer branding and TIs. Hypotheses have been tested using multiple regression analysis.

Findings

Employer branding dimensions are negatively correlated with employees’ TIs, and two dimensions (social value and development value) are significant predictors of TIs.

Practical implications

Higher perceived value in employer brand reduces the TIs. Higher employee retention rates further lead to reduction in the cost of hiring and training of new employees, thereby contributing to the profitability of any organization. Hence, practical relevance is there for handling employee turnover and theoretical importance is for further enhancing the talent management concepts.

Originality/value

Uniqueness of this study lies in its approach. The role of organizational-level factors rather than individualistic characteristics has been analyzed as predictors of the employees’ decision to leave their organization. Furthermore, the sample of progressive Indian IT sector executives adds to the originality of the work.
Corporate diversification and firm performance: an empirical investigation of causality
Authors: Bhatia Aparna , Thakur Anu
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the causal relationship between extent of diversification and performance among Indian companies. The key issue is to find out whether diversification provides irresistible opportunities to increase firm performance or is it the superior profitability that motivates management to diversify.

Design/methodology/approach

Product diversification is calculated by using Entropy index measure. To measure joint endogeneity of corporate diversification and firm performance, both variables are treated as endogenous in a simultaneous equation model.

Findings

The results report that the association between diversification and performance turn strongly significant and positive after controlling the issue of endogeneity. The study finds a strong two-way relationship between extent of diversification and firm performance. As indicated by the results, the extent of diversification is positively related to performance, thereby implying that diversified firms experience a significant diversification premium. The study also demonstrates a positive relation of performance and total diversification indicating that good performance leads to greater diversification.

Research limitations/implications

Certain variables such as R&D intensity, export intensity and risk could not be included in the analysis for want of data. Inclusion of these independent variables could have strengthened the model and its implications.

Practical implications

The results strongly implicate/recommend the managers of developing countries to adopt the strategy of diversification to overcome institutional inefficiencies prevailing in their domicile environment. Corporate heads must also capture the correct timings/dynamism in environment before pursuing diversification as a strategy of growth. There exists causality between diversification and performance; hence, profitable firms should capitalize synergetic effects of diversification strategy and use it as a medium of growth.

Originality/value

There was hardly any literature available on causal relationship between diversification and performance with respect to emerging countries. There was even a wider gap specifically in relation to India where none of the researchers has so far studied causality between diversification and performance controlling endogeneity.
Learning how to manage by watching TV
Authors: Towers Ian
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The transfer of management knowledge is usually seen as a formal process involving business schools, training courses and books. This paper aims to investigate the managerial content of TV drama programmes, considering the mechanisms that determine this and showing how this changes over time. The paper also shows how the content forms part of management discourse and how it may be used by viewers to understand what good and bad managers do and to modify their behaviour accordingly.

Design/methodology/approach

Two links are discussed: between the economic system and cultural products and between cultural products and the individual. Police drama series are used as an example to show how current management practices are mediated through popular culture and how they are legitimised.

Findings

The management styles and practices observed in police drama series have changed over the past 40 years to reflect the most recent trends. Bureaucratic management styles are shown in a negative light, whereas teamwork is shown positively. New trends such as the heavy use of consultants are also represented in recent programmes, providing evidence of how popular culture can make management practices part of managerial discourse.

Originality/value

Films and TV programmes are analysed by management scholars, but usually to illustrate a particular theme. This paper does not take the managerial content as a given but identifies mechanisms through which it is determined and shows how it changes. Additionally, it shows the relationship between content and viewer. It provides evidence of the role of popular culture in the transfer of management knowledge and of how management related contents change over time.
Going with the flow
Authors: Duong Hue Trong , Parker Lukas
Published: April 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to examine motorcycle driving norms and their implications for social marketing practice. It investigates whether misperceptions of descriptive norms related to motorcycle speeding behaviour are prevalent among young motorcyclists, and whether there is an association between these misperceptions with their speeding behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey of 541 young motorcyclists was carried out as the second phase of a larger project, which examined the role of social norms related to road safety attitudes and behaviours.

Findings

The results showed misperceptions of perceived speeding norms among both male and female young motorcyclists. There was an association between normative misperceptions and speeding behaviour, and between speeding behaviour and approval to speeding behaviour by young motorcyclists. In addition, peer presence was found to moderate the relationship between misperceptions of speeding norms and speeding behaviour.

Originality/value

The study contributes to addressing the call for study of social norms marketing and health risks in non-Western contexts. Further, the results provide support for social marketers to consider the use of social norms approach in designing social marketing campaigns to promote safe motorcycle driving behaviours.
Developing an innovative business model for hospital services in Iran: a case study of Moheb Hospitals
Authors: Miremadi Marjan , Goudarzi Kamyar
Published: April 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the role of hospital business models by examining the innovative business model of Moheb Hospitals, which have successfully achieved the goal of reducing costs and delivering high-quality health-care services in Iran by encouraging public–private partnership.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a single case study.

Findings

The study results illustrate the hospital’s current business model and its underlying elements. After presenting the findings, this paper is concluded by presenting the standing issues that should also be addressed and how improvements and adjustments can be made.

Originality/value

This study offers new insight to identify and analyze the shortcomings of health-care sector in Iran and introduces new methods to efficiently use current competencies.
Effects of perfume packaging on Basque female consumers purchase decision in Spain
Authors: Salem Mohammed Z.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine perfume packaging in Spain and its effects on Basque female consumers’ purchase decision. The study population was made up of females, as they represent the highest consumer in the perfume market, accounting for 67 percent of the total perfume sales (Trufragance.com). Furthermore, in the past few years the perfume industry has basically targeted females (McIntyre, 2013).

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study was conducted using a questionnaire to collect primary data in order to test the hypotheses. The questionnaire was distributed to 400 randomly selected respondents, from the general female population.

Findings

The findings show a relationship between the independent variables (i.e. visual packaging design, verbal packaging design, and packaging benefits) and the dependent variable (i.e. consumer purchase decision) based on several reasons discussed thoroughly in this paper. Additionally, age, education level, marital status, monthly income, and employment category of sample subjects influence the effect of perfume packaging on purchase decisions.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this study is the use of simple random sampling. The research findings bear important implications for more functional, emotional, environmental, and socially responsible marketing practice where packaging is concerned.

Practical implications

The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of packaging as a strategic marketing tool and how it can significantly influence the female’s purchase decision. Thus, giving managers and marketers a competitive advantage in this increasingly growing market. A new concept and measurement scale is presented that can be used for identifying creative packaging design and its benefits.

Originality/value

This study remains one of few research works focusing on the four dimensions of packaging benefits: functional, social, emotional, and environmental. Furthermore, it attempts to fulfill the identified need for encompassing potential and generally accepted packaging elements, including both the visual and verbal elements. Therefore, the uniqueness of this study arises from its examination of both aspects simultaneously, which has been ignored in previous research.
Corporate rebranding failure and brand meanings in the digital environment
Authors: Tarnovskaya Veronika , Biedenbach Galina
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the dynamic process of brand meaning creation by multiple stakeholders during corporate rebranding in the digital environment.

Design/methodology/approach

By applying a symbolic interactionist perspective, the case study analyses a failed corporate rebranding of Gap. A variety of narratives by managers, consumers, designers, and marketing professionals were captured by collecting qualitative data on Facebook, Twitter, and professional forums on the internet.

Findings

The study demonstrates that the process of brand meaning creation is affected by the complexity of brand meaning negotiation within and between different stakeholder groups. The findings illustrate that the polarisation of brand meanings, in which both antagonistic and supportive forms co-exist, has a determinable impact on the outcome of corporate rebranding.

Research limitations/implications

The study analyses one case of corporate rebranding failure with the focus being on the four key stakeholder groups. Future studies could examine multiple cases of successful and failed corporate rebranding, including a broader variety of internal and external stakeholders.

Practical implications

Marketing managers should engage multiple stakeholders proactively during the process of brand meaning creation. They are encouraged to learn from antagonistic incidents of brand meaning negotiation as well as to utilise opportunities arising during constructive episodes of brand meaning co-creation.

Originality/value

The study contributes to previous research by exploring how the process of brand meaning creation can trigger the collision of brand meanings, which lead to the failure of corporate rebranding.
A review of literature on mediators and moderators of workplace bullying
Authors: Rai Arpana , Agarwal Upasna A.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

During the past 26 years, there has been a phenomenal growth in the literature on workplace bullying. The purpose of this paper is to review and synthesize the extant empirical studies on underlying and intervening mechanisms in antecedents–bullying and bullying–outcomes relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 53 studies on mediators and moderators in antecedents–bullying and bullying–outcomes relationships (2001-2016) were selected from academic databases (Google Scholar, Research Gate, Emerald Insight, Science Direct, etc.)

Findings

The review suggests that while a reasonable number of studies examine the role of mediators and moderators in bullying–outcomes relationships, such efforts are meager in antecedents–bullying relationships. The paper concludes by proposing some potential variables that can explain the underlying mechanisms in the bullying phenomenon and alleviate/aggravate the antecedents–bullying–outcomes relationships.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first review on mediators and moderators of workplace bullying.
Workplace spirituality: empirical evidence revisited
Authors: Vasconcelos Anselmo Ferreira
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the current outcomes of the empirical research on workplace spirituality (WS) theory, that is, it provides an updated review about the knowledge of this managerial domain, as well as its limitations, problems and opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has searched for empirical articles of WS in the websites of relevant scientific publications such as Emerald, Sage, Taylor & Francis, as well as Google Academic, ProQuest and EBSCO. It has analyzed 882 published works, including books and book chapters. Overall, it has gathered 78 useful empirical studies.

Findings

Although WS theory is strongly linked to management studies, the research output has been published by a set of outlets from different domains. As a consequence, WS has made inroads through an interdisciplinary view. Findings indicated that quantitative method was the most preferred alternative by WS researchers, whereas qualitative and mixed-methods were less used. Data revealed the shortage of experimental studies in this area. As expected, the USA has been the most studied country in terms of the WS theory. Factor analysis is the most commonly utilized statistical technique followed by regression analysis. Data also suggested that Pearson correlation and structural equation modeling continue to be valuable statistic techniques for researchers in this area of knowledge. At last, the content analysis has identified five themes: positive effects, experiences/perceptions, uncertainties, measures and outcomes.

Originality/value

Unlike previous work, this study focuses exclusively on research output over a 16-year period (2000-2015). In doing so, it contributes to theory development by addressing the preferences of research designs, data collection methods, statistical techniques, countries surveyed, top journals of this field and major themes of research.
Reframing inclusion: an exclusive–inclusive approach
Authors: Nugent Michael
Published: April 2018

This study focuses on the nature of the exclusive–inclusive profile. Given the tensions that exist between these forces at institutional level, much can be learned by examining the state of their relationship. In order for schools to be considered fully exclusive, for example, many will attempt to discourage everything that appears to threaten this educational ideal. Inclusive values are invariably hallowed and valorised, typically championed and defended as being ‘correct’. Exclusive behaviour, conditions and processes are assumed to be among the leading undesirables in this respect. They are regularly overwhelmed by the esteem shown toward their inclusive counterparts, even though these exclusive elements, it is claimed, constitute the bedrock of all laughter behaviour. More than that, they connote the type of acts and interactions that lie at the very heart of all social life. The implications for inclusive schooling are discussed.