bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The causes of never events in hospitals
Authors: Gitlow Howard , “Amy” Zuo Qun , Ullmann Steven G. , Zambrana David , Campo Rafael E. , Lubarsky David , Birnbach David J.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to posit that it is possible to identify contributing factors for “never events,” preventable adverse events in the healthcare setting, and to develop “best practices” to prevent them.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper focuses on three specific never events: patient falls, pressure ulcers, and hospital acquired pneumonia. A model is suggested to identify “gold standard best practice” protocols to be used to prevent these events. A literature review identifies two categories of factors: uncontrollable patient‐related factors and controllable environmental related factors. The methodology is to use the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Breakthrough Series Collaborative Model to develop best practice protocols for controllable environmental factors.

Findings

Controllable environmental variables may be positively impacted by using Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), Value Stream Mapping, Kanban, 5S technique, Reduction of Complexity, Total Production Maintenance, Poke‐Yoke, and Quick Change Overs. Controllable environmental variables may then be positively impacted by these methodologies and tools.

Originality/value

The tools and methods indicated have been used individually in the healthcare sector, but this approach has never been used in an integrated manner. The concept is to work with patient safety organizations in order to reduce never events in healthcare; events that, to date, have significantly increased the costs of healthcare and reduced the quality of processes and outcomes in healthcare.
The effects of industrialization on social capital: the case of Iran
Authors: Mahdavi Abolghasem , Azizmohammadlou Hamid
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This article aims to take into consideration the mechanism in which the process of industrialization affects social capital in Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to investigate the way in which industrialization affects social capital, a system of simultaneous equations has been introduced and then coefficients have been estimated using the three stages least squares method and the panel data of the 30 provinces of the country during the 2001‐2006 period.

Findings

The results show that industrialization has a significant effect on the level and composition of social capital in Iran. Although industrialization has improved the level of income through which bridging social capital has increased, a large part of this effect has been balanced out as a result of worsening the income distribution due to industrialization. Since industrialization has increased migration from non‐industrial to industrial regions, bonding social capital has been weakened while bridging social capital in the immigrant accepting regions has been strengthened. The increase of specialization in economic activities and division of labor resulting from industrialization have also improved bridging social capital and worsened bonding social capital. Industrialization has increased the demand for education. However, due to the non‐efficient and individual‐based trainings, this variable does not show a significant effect on the level and composition of social capital.

Originality/value

This research has tried to provide a more comprehensive theoretical explanation and introduced two more mechanisms through which industrialization can affect social capital. The subject of this paper is related to both economic and social affairs. Industrialization is one of the most important issues in the field of economic development and social capital is the completely relevant subject to cultural changes. Investigation of the social capital status and determinants can provide a suitable basis to analyse the cultural and social changes.
Recruitment and group composition strategies for family‐based substance misuse prevention interventions: an exploratory evaluation
Authors: Segrott Jeremy
Published: July 2013

Purpose

This paper aims to report findings from an evaluation of the Strengthening Families Programme 10‐14 (UK) (SFP 10‐14 UK), focusing on the strategies used to recruit families into a universal prevention intervention, the approach taken to group composition, and the experiences of participating families.

Design/methodology/approach

Methods comprised interviews with programme coordinating team members, a focus group with programme facilitators, focus groups with parents and young people, observation of programme sessions and coordinator visits to families, and analysis of programme questionnaires.

Findings

Paying attention to group composition and the needs of families with challenges holds promise in terms of reach and acceptability, delivery fidelity, enabling intended psycho‐social programme processes and promoting positive changes in parenting and family communication.

Originality/value

First, the paper examines the development of strategies for recruiting participants, which has been identified as a key implementation challenge. Second, it explores approaches for managing group composition and dynamics in family‐based programmes. While much has been written about the development of group norms and peer learning processes in interventions for young people, less has been written about how group dynamics work in programmes involving both parents and young people and the implications for implementation fidelity.
Equities or real estate? An international evaluation of listed property markets
Authors: Haran Martin , Davis Peadar , McCord Michael , Grissom Terry , Newell Graeme
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to examine the role of securitised real estate within the confines of a multi‐asset investment portfolio and to identify if indeed securitised real estate can afford investors the desired investment benefits of direct property investment whilst mitigating many of the recognised barriers and risks.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a suite of analytical techniques; lead‐lag correlations are utilised to examine market dynamics between listed and direct real estate markets across jurisdictions. Grainger causality and co‐integration techniques are applied to examine the nature and extent of relationships between investment markets with optimal portfolio analysis utilised to explore the role of securitised real estate and the optimum weighting allocation within the confines of a multi‐asset investment portfolio.

Findings

The findings demonstrated the unresponsive nature of direct real estate markets relative to listed real estate markets – in some jurisdictions the extent of lag can be as much as 12 months. Whilst the research did not identify a Grainger causality relationship between listed and direct property markets across the jurisdictions, co‐integration analysis does infer trend reverting price behaviour in the long run (ten years) between direct and listed real estate markets. Optimal portfolio analysis serves to demonstrate the crucial role of real estate within a multi‐asset portfolio in terms of both mitigating risk and enhancing performance over the ten‐year time series. Indeed, the optimal portfolio analysis highlights the compatibility and complementarity of listed and direct real estate within a multi‐asset investment portfolio.

Originality/value

The question if securitised real estate is a viable proxy for direct property investment is as inconclusive as it is enduring. In contrast to the large embodiment of previous work, this paper adopts an international market perspective depicting the global nature of securitised real estate investment markets whilst also reflecting on the extent of co‐integration between asset classes and across jurisdictions during a period of extreme financial and economic distress.
Financial structure of PPPs deals post‐GFC: an international perspective
Authors: Haran Martin , McCord Michael , Hutchison Norman , McGreal Stanley , Adair Alastair , Berry Jim , Kashyap Anil
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the implications of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) on Public Private Partnership (PPP) markets around the world. Specifically, it aims to highlight the extent of over reliance on debt finance, as well as the conditions needed to attract enhanced levels of institutional investment into key infrastructural provision.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative insight for the paper is derived from the Infrastructure Online Database. TheInfrastructure Journal(IJ) Online Database profiles PFI/PPP deals around the world depicting the key actors involved, as well as the capital value of deals and the financial structures applied in terms of debt, equity and Multilateral and Government Finance. The quantitative insight derived from theIJdatabase is complemented by interview evidence and forum‐based discussion. In total, 38 interviews were conducted with a diverse range of key stakeholder groupings from across the public and private sectors, including government advisers, client side representatives (Health and Education sectors), contractors, financiers and FM providers. Interviewees were drawn from five key PPP markets at different stages in the maturity cycle, namely, Australia, Canada, India, the UK and the USA. In addition to the interviews, three forum‐based discussions were undertaken as part of the investigation exploring the key themes to emerge from the interviews from multi‐stakeholder perspectives.

Findings

The findings from the study highlight a number of inherent deficiencies in the PPP model, including the over reliance on private sector debt. Additionally, the research profiles the extent and form of national government interventions in PPP markets around the world, highlighting the need for a more innovative, sustainable and balanced funding frameworks for essential infrastructure conducive to the next economic/financial cycle.

Originality/value

This study is distinct in that it examines the cross‐jurisdictional implications of the global financial crisis on PPP markets.
Analysing the perceptions of UK building contractors on the contributors to the cost of construction plant theft
Authors: Fadiya Olusanjo O. , Georgakis Panos , Chinyio Ezekiel , Akadiri Peter
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the significance of the sources of cost of construction plant theft identified in previous studies and derive rates which can enhance proper estimation of the cost of plant theft to the construction industry. The direct and indirect costs of plant theft include replacement cost (new‐for‐old/depreciated), emergency cost, hire replacement cost, productivity loss, increased labour cost, loss of goodwill, administration cost, increased insurance premium and social cost.

Design/methodology/approach

The cost‐contribution of these various sources was studied, using a structured questionnaire which was administered to building contractors in the UK construction industry, to measure their opinions of the frequency and severity of the contribution of the sources to the cost of construction plant theft. The questionnaires were administered to 220 companies and 51 of them were fully completed, representing 23.1 per cent of the original sample. The responses were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics to derive the probabilities of sources contributing to the cost of plant theft.

Findings

The results of the analysis show that the rates of contribution to the cost of plant theft varies significantly between the sources, with “loss of output” and “increased insurance premium” ranking as the top‐two costs of plant theft in the UK construction industry. The rates derived in this study can be used by contractors to reasonably estimate the cost of plant theft, especially when there is need to justify the adoption of measures that can mitigate plant theft.

Originality/value

This study generated rates of contribution by factors which contribute to the overall cost of theft of construction plant in the UK. These rates can provide a more reliable estimate of the cost of plant theft than current estimations which vary significantly.
Intellectual capital assessment practices: overview and managerial implications
Authors: Lerro Antonio , Schiuma Giovanni
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Acknowledging the strategic relevance of assessing and managing intellectual capital (IC), this editorial first aims to discuss a classification of the IC assessment strategies and second seeks to introduce the main topics investigated by the papers collected in this special issue. The notion of IC assessment strategy is interpreted as the set of economic and managerial decisions and purposes characterising the assessment of an organisation's knowledge assets. It is argued that the definition of a knowledge asset assessment strategy has to take into account two dimensions: on the one hand, the nature of the managerial approach to be adopted for the assessment, distinguishing between “value management” and “value communication”; and on the other hand, the most appropriate “evaluation architecture” to be used in order to gather and report the assessment information for control and decision making.

Design/methodology/approach

The approaches, evidences and insights discussed in this introduction result from the integration of the theory analysis with the insights extracted from the discussions that took place at the conference “International Forum on Knowledge Assets Dynamics” organized in June 2012 in Matera, Italy. At this leading international conference, experts discussed the importance of intellectual capital for organizational business excellence in the 21st century business landscape, the new IC key‐value drivers to focus on in order to face emergent competitive challenges, and the research and management practices most appropriate to address complexity, uncertainty and changes of today's business landscape.

Findings

Four IC assessment strategies are proposed, addressing their relevance for management actions. This represents the background to introduce the main topics investigated by the papers that are collected in this special issue.

Originality/value

This editorial outlines the key IC assessment strategies that organisations and practitioners should take into account when designing measurement systems aimed at gathering information to inform IC management actions.
Web 2.0 tools usage: a comparative study of librarians in university libraries in Nigeria and South Africa
Authors: Baro Emmanuel E. , Joyce Ebiagbe Ebiere , Zaccheaus Godfrey Vera
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the extent to which librarians in university libraries in Nigeria and South Africa use Web 2.0 tools.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is a descriptive survey using comparative method. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 110 librarians from 11 leading university libraries in Nigeria and South Africa.

Findings

The results showed that the librarians from both countries use Web 2.0 tools, but differences exist between the librarians in university libraries in Nigeria and South Africa. It emerged that librarians in South Africa use various Web 2.0 tools frequently, more than the librarians in university libraries in Nigeria. This might be as a result of lack of awareness, lack of interest, lack of skills, and not willing to embrace emerging technologies on the part of librarians in university libraries in Nigeria. The results revealed that librarians in university libraries in Nigeria are confronted with challenges such as power failure, lack of facilities, lack internet connectivity and lack of skills when compared to their South African counterparts in the use of Web 2.0 tools.

Originality/value

These research results can be consulted by interested librarians, mostly in developing countries, when planning for Web 2.0 applications in their libraries.
Unobservable service quality and moral hazard: the case of impartial business valuations
Authors: Prokop Jörg
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss agency relationships occurring in an impartial business valuation setting. In particular, it shows how monitoring and sanctioning mechanisms, reputational concerns, and competition may affect the quality of valuation services rendered.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews findings from auditing research and from the economic theory on credence goods, and applies them to an impartial business valuation setting.

Findings

Impartial valuation experts face incentives to either overwork, or underwork and overcharge their client. Which type of moral hazard is more likely to occur depends on the degree of competition among the agents. While market concentration gives rise to overworking, competition promotes underworking and overcharging. Due to regulatory differences, this effect is more pronounced in the valuation services market than in the auditing industry.

Research limitations/implications

The results imply that a client may be able to infer how to set up an effective monitoring and sanctioning system from the degree of competition among the impartial valuation experts. Future research should empirically validate the theoretical findings, and explore the relationship between service quality and internal governance structures of business valuation firms.

Practical implications

The results underline the necessity of an effective valuation quality assurance system set up by the client. They are thus relevant for clients, but also for regulatory bodies seeking to ensure the integrity of the valuation services market, and for valuation service providers striving to improve their corporate governance system.

Originality/value

The paper offers a new perspective on the reliability of business values determined by impartial experts. It emphasises the potential influence of the experts' competitive environment on service quality, and it shows how to design an effective valuation quality assurance system.
Histological evaluation of dermal tissue remodeling with the 1444‐nm neodymium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser in in vivo model
Authors: Kim Ji Hoon , Min Kyung Hee , Heo Chan Yeong , Baek Rong Min , Park Hyo Jin , Youn Sang Woong , Kim Eun Hee
Published: July 2013

Laser lipolysis has a skin tightening effect by heating the deep dermis, in addition to the removal of fat tissues. The 1444‐nm neodymium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Nd:YAG) laser has been expected to be more effective and safe for laser lipolysis, due to higher affinity to fat and water, than 1064‐nm and 1320‐nm wavelengths. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the skin tightening effect of the 1444‐nm Nd:YAG laser through in vivo guinea pig models. The 1444‐nm Nd:YAG laser was used to irradiate shaved dorsal skin of the guinea pigs and compared with controls (no power, only tunneling). Immediately, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after laser administration, full‐thickness skins were harvested and to evaluate dermal thickness, collagen organization, fibroblast proliferation, and intensity of elastic fibers and mucopolysaccharides, using hematoxylin–eosin, Masson‐trichrome, Verhoeff's stain and Alcian blue stain. Dermal thickness showed an increase with time in all groups. In collagen organization, fibroblast proliferation, and intensity of elastic fibers and mucopolysaccharides, the treatment groups were higher than those of the control group, overall. Our study showed that the 1444‐nm Nd:YAG laser appeared to be effective for the skin tightening effect in in vivo guinea pig models. The 1444‐nm Nd:YAG laser can be used for skin tightening, as well as reduction of fat tissues.
Reflecting on a Decade of Australian Social Housing Policy: Changes in Supply and Geography, 2001–2011
Authors: GROENHART LUCY
Published: July 2013

This paper compares the intent of three Australian social housing policy interventions in the decade to 2011 with outcomes shown in time series data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census. The three policy interventions are the supply stimulus that occurred in 2009 with funding to construct almost 20 000 new social housing dwellings by 2012, the push to diversify social housing supply through the transfer of public housing stock to community not‐for‐profit housing providers, and the physical renewal of public housing estates to reduce concentrations of social deprivation. Its aims are threefold: to understand how the supply and geography of social housing dwellings has changed over the past decade; to relate these changes to the objectives of social housing policy in the time period; and to identify issues for the future of social housing in Australia emerging from identified disparities between policy rhetoric and supply reality. The paper employs quantitative analysis of social housing supply for all of Australia and mapping of social housing supply changes in the east‐coast mainland state capital cities. This analysis reveals the overall stagnation of social housing supply in Australia over the previous decade, combined with evidence of stock loss in areas of renewal in some cities.
From Simplicity to Complexity: The Changing Geography of Land Vulnerability to Degradation in Italy
Authors: SALVATI LUCA
Published: July 2013

Although territorial disparities in land quality are commonly observed in Mediterranean‐type ecosystems, how different geographical gradients impact the changing distribution of land vulnerable to degradation over time and space is poorly investigated in southern Europe. The present study assesses the spatial distribution of vulnerable land according to a composite index that describes the degree of land vulnerability to degradation in Italy along eight gradients during two time periods (1960–1990 and 1990–2010), representing distinct socio‐economic and environmental conditions. While the degree of land vulnerability increased at similar paces from 1960 to 1990 and from 1990 to 2010, the spatial distribution of vulnerable land changed considerably. From 1960 to 1990, the area of vulnerable lands increased in coastal areas, lowlands, and areas with moderately high population density, mainly owing to the increased climate aridity. By contrast, peri‐urban areas experienced, especially in northern Italy, the highest vulnerability from 1990 to 2010 owing to increased human pressure on land generating, e.g. land‐use changes. Results indicate that the importance of the gradients shaping the distribution of vulnerable land in Italy is reflected in the (changing) role of climate, vegetation cover, and human pressure as factors predisposing land to degradation. Finally, policy implications of the changing geography of vulnerable land in the Mediterranean region are discussed.
The Current State of Business History inLatinAmerica
Authors: Dávila Carlos
Published: July 2013

Business history inLatinAmerica has seen significant growth in the past 25 years, most notably since the beginning of this century. Although the sub‐discipline benefitted from seminal studies byBritish andU.S. scholars, most works of note are currently produced by local scholars.LatinAmerican business history holds great comparative potential for business historians in other parts of the world undertaking studies in the areas of emerging economies, business‐state relationships, the role of entrepreneurship, business groups, entrepreneurial families, and foreign investment and imperialism.
Low threshold T‐type calcium channels as targets for novel epilepsy treatments
Authors: Powell Kim L. , Cain Stuart M. , Snutch Terrance P. , O'Brien Terence J.
Published: July 2013

Low voltage‐activated T‐type calcium channels were originally cloned in the 1990s and much research has since focused on identifying the physiological roles of these channels in health and disease states. T‐type calcium channels are expressed widely throughout the brain and peripheral tissues, and thus have been proposed as therapeutic targets for a variety of diseases such as epilepsy, insomnia, pain, cancer and hypertension. This review discusses the literature concerning the role of T‐type calcium channels in physiological and pathological processes related to epilepsy. T‐type calcium channels have been implicated in pathology of both the genetic and acquired epilepsies and several anti‐epileptic drugs (AEDs) in clinical use are known to suppress seizures via inhibition of T‐type calcium channels. Despite the fact that more than 15 new AEDs have become clinically available over the past 20 years at least 30% of epilepsy patients still fail to achieve seizure control, and many patients experience unwanted side effects. Furthermore there are no treatments that prevent the development of epilepsy or mitigate the epileptic state once established. Therefore there is an urgent need for the development of new AEDs that are effective in patients with drug resistant epilepsy, are anti‐epileptogenic and are better tolerated. We also review the mechanisms of action of the current AEDs with known effects on T‐type calcium channels and discuss novel compounds that are being investigated as new treatments for epilepsy.
Urinary incontinence as a marker of higher mortality in patients receiving home care services
Authors: John Gregor , Gerstel Eric , Jung Michel , Dällenbach Patrick , Faltin Daniel , Petoud Véronique , Zumwald Catherine , Rutschmann Olivier T.
Published: July 2013

Objective

To evaluate urinary incontinence (UI) as a predictor of nursing home admission, hospitalization or death in patients receiving home care services.

Subjects and Methods

A total of 699 community‐dwelling participants receiving home care services in Geneva were evaluated in Autumn 2004 using the Minimal Data Set‐Home Care, a validated instrument that includes grading of UI.

Data on death, hospitalization and nursing home admission were collected up until June 2007.

The impact of UI on time‐dependent outcomes was analysed using survival analysis and multivariate regression Cox models to adjust for age, gender, body mass index, cardiac failure, cognitive impairment, delirium, depression, disability, alcohol and tobacco use, self‐rated health, faecal incontinence and number of medications.

Results

We found that UI was present in 193 participants (27.8%). After adjustment for confounding factors, UI was associated with a longer length of hospital stay: +36.7 days, (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2–72.3) and a higher mortality rate (hazard ratio [HR] 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1–2.6).

The HR for death was 1.5 (95% CI: 0.9–2.5) for participants complaining of one episode of urinary leakage per week at most, 2.0 (95% CI: 1.2–3.5) for those presenting with two or more episodes per week and 4.2 (95% CI: 2.3–7.7; P for trend: <0.001) for daily UI compared with participants without UI.

Institutionalization (HR 1.1; 95% CI: 0.6–2.2) and hospitalization rates (HR 1.0; 95% CI: 0.7–1.3) were not different between patients with or without UI.

Conclusion

In a cohort of patients receiving home care services, UI was a strong predictor of length of hospital stay and mortality, increasing with UI severity.
Long‐term functional outcomes after artificial urinary sphincter implantation in women with stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Phé Véronique , Benadiba Steeve , Rouprêt Morgan , Granger Benjamin , Richard François , Chartier‐Kastler Emmanuel
Published: July 2013

Objective

To assess the long‐term outcomes obtained after artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Materials and Methods

Women with SUI caused by intrinsic sphincter deficiency who underwent an AUS placement between 1984 and 1992 were included.

Explantation, revision and deactivation rates of the AUS were reported.

Continence, defined as no pad use, was assessed at the end of the follow‐up.

Kaplan–Meier survival curves were generated to evaluate the survival rate of the device without explantation or revision.

Results

A total of 34 patients were included. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age of the patients at surgery was 56.5 (50–64.7) years and the median (IQR) follow‐up was 17 (12–19) years.

Overall, 26 women (74%) still had their AUS in place at the end of the follow‐up, while eight patients underwent an explantation of the device.

The 10‐, 15‐ and 20‐year device survival rates without explantation were 80, 80 and 74%, respectively. The 10‐, 15‐ and 20‐year survival rates of the device without revision were 79, 65 and 40%, respectively.

After 20 years of follow‐up, 11 women still had successful outcomes (61%).

Conclusion

The AUS provided satisfactory very long‐term functional results among women with SUI caused by intrinsic sphincter deficiency.
Single‐stage preputial skin flap urethroplasty for long‐segment urethral strictures: evaluation and determinants of success
Authors: Mathur Raj Kumar , Nagar Milesh , Mathur Rahul , Khan Fareed , Deshmukh Chaitanya , Guru Nilesh
Published: July 2013

Objective

To determine the overall efficacy and predictors of success of the penile preputial flap in the management of complex urethral strictures >2.5 cm in length.

Patients and Methods

We performed a retrospective and prospective study of 58 patients undergoing single‐stage penile preputial flap urethroplasty for complex long‐segment urethral strictures, without lichen sclerosus, repaired between May 2005 and April 2012 at our institution.

For obvious reasons circumcised patients were excluded from the study.

Results were assessed by univariate analysis of various patient characteristics, preoperative and postoperative patient satisfaction (based on symptoms), and urethral ultrasonography, retrograde urethrography and uroflowmetry.

Results

The median (range) follow‐up was 42 (6–90) months, the median (range) intra‐operative stricture length was 48.5 (26–85) mm and the median (range) operating time was 90 (85–125) min.

A total of 87.93% of patients had a satisfactory outcome, with an overall success rate of 81.03%.

Diabetes mellitus (relative risk [RR] 5.21, confidence interval [CI] 2.31–64.68, P = 0.003) and smoking (RR 4.19, CI 1.54– 45.0, P = 0.01) were predictors of failure, while postinfective aetiology (RR 2.19), panurethral stricture (RR 2.73), stricture length >70 mm (RR 3.25), previous urethroplasty (RR 2.4) and severe peri‐urethral fibrosis (RR 2.37) were also associated with a higher risk of failure.

Conclusions

A urologist should try to gain experience of all the methods of urethroplasty as the techniques may vary according to the circumstances.

Single‐stage preputial skin flap urethroplasty, in experienced and expert hands, has results equivalent to all other methods of urethroplasty in complex urethral strictures.

We prefer this technique in this part of the world where buccal mucosa cannot be used because of dyskeratotic changes as a result of consumption of gutkha, tobacco, pan masala, betel nut.
Mining Aboriginal success: The politics of difference in continuing education for industry needs
Authors: McCreary Tyler
Published: July 2013

This article uses a study of a northern School of Mining to interrogate questions about the relationship being negotiated between aboriginality and neoliberalism. Aboriginal Peoples have long fought for control over education as central to their right of self‐determination. There are now many examples of programming and policies oriented to Aboriginal people in Canadian public post‐secondary institutions. Alongside these Aboriginal gains, there has been a neoliberal restructuring of post‐secondary education. This restructuring has served to open spaces to contest established colonial rationalities, technologies of power, and normed subjectivities in education, but it has also increasingly oriented schooling to economic goals, particularly skilling workers for local labour markets. Through neoliberal reforms, Aboriginal Peoples have achieved new forms of increased recognition. Elements of these changes correspond to Aboriginal Peoples’ long‐standing demands and vital aspirations. However, neoliberal governmentality continues to condition the possibilities for change. I argue the intertwining of Aboriginal self‐determination with efforts to restructure education to better serve labour markets has shaped an aporetic terrain, where neoliberalism, under the banner of social justice, has itself become the vehicle for a limited version of justice demanded by marginalized communities. This advances a partial form of recognition which necessarily leaves aspects of Aboriginal claims unanswered.
How should I approach standard endocrine evaluation in patients with coeliac disease?
Authors: Napier Catherine , Pearce Simon H.S.
Published: July 2013

Endocrine evaluation is an important consideration in the longitudinal assessment of patients with coeliac disease (CD). In addition to wide‐ranging nutritional implications, this common autoimmune disorder has a significant impact on bone health. A strategy to prevent osteomalacia, in conjunction with regular assessment of bone mineral density, is essential to minimize the possibility of increased fracture risk. Clinicians should readily acknowledge that patients with CD have a higher risk of developing a coexisting autoimmune condition. A considered clinical assessment and timely biochemical evaluation, as indicated in the wider context of continued emphasis on a gluten‐free diet, will ensure optimal patient management.
High incidence of large deletions in the PMS2 gene in Spanish Lynch syndrome families
Authors: Brea‐Fernández A.J. , Cameselle‐Teijeiro J.M. , Alenda C. , Fernández‐Rozadilla C. , Cubiella J. , Clofent J. , Reñé J.M. , Anido U. , Milá M. , Balaguer F. , Castells A. , Castellvi‐Bel S. , Jover R. , Carracedo A. , Ruiz‐Ponte C.
Published: July 2013

Lynch syndrome (LS) is caused by germline mutations in one of the four mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Defects in this pathway lead to microsatellite instability (MSI) in DNA tumors, which constitutes the molecular hallmark of this disease. Selection of patients for genetic testing in LS is usually based on fulfillment of diagnostic clinical criteria (i.e. Amsterdam criteria or the revised Bethesda guidelines). However, following these criteria PMS2 mutations have probably been underestimated as their penetrances appear to be lower than those of the other MMR genes. The use of universal MMR study‐based strategies, using MSI testing and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, is being one proposed alternative. Besides, germline mutation detection in PMS2 is complicated by the presence of highly homologous pseudogenes. Nevertheless, specific amplification of PMS2 by long‐range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the improvement of the analysis of large deletions/duplications by multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) overcome this difficulty. By using both approaches, we analyzed 19 PMS2‐suspected carriers who have been selected by clinical or universal strategies and found five large deletions and one frameshift mutation in PMS2 in six patients (31%). Owing to the high incidence of large deletions found in our cohort, we recommend MLPA analysis as the first‐line method for searching germline mutations in PMS2.
The effects of mechanical instruments on contaminated titanium dental implant surfaces: a systematic review
Authors: Louropoulou Anna , Slot Dagmar E. , Weijden Fridus
Published: July 2013

Objective

The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the ability of mechanical instruments to clean contaminated implant titanium surfaces.

Materials and methods

MEDLINE, Cochrane‐CENTRAL and EMBASE databases were searched up to May 2013 to identify controlled studies on the cleaning efficacy of mechanical instruments on contaminated titanium surfaces.

Results

A comprehensive search identified 1893 unique potential papers. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were selected for this systematic review. Most of the studies were in vitro studies. Different surfaces and different contamination methods were used. Most studies used titanium discs, strips and cylinders. The air abrasive was the treatment mostly evaluated. The available studies had a high heterogeneity that precluded any statistical analysis of the data. Therefore, the conclusions are not based on quantitative data. Non‐metal curettes and rubber cups were found to be ineffective. Positive results were reported for (ultra)sonic scalers with a metal tip on polished surfaces, (ultra)sonic scalers with a non‐metal tip on smooth and sand‐blasted and acid‐etched (SLA) surfaces, metal curettes and rotating titanium brushes on SLA surfaces. The air abrasive was found to be effective in cleaning machined, SLA and titanium plasma‐sprayed (TPS) surfaces.

Conclusion

The available data suggest that the air abrasive may remove plaque effectively from machined, SLA and TPS titanium surfaces. Positive results were also observed for rotating titanium brushes on SLA surfaces and ultrasonic scalers with non‐metal tip on polished and SLA surfaces. However, the clinical impact of these findings requires further clarification.
Non‐uniform muscle oxygenation despite uniform neuromuscular activity within the vastus lateralis during fatiguing heavy resistance exercise
Authors: Miyamoto Naokazu , Wakahara Taku , Ema Ryoichi , Kawakami Yasuo
Published: July 2013

Previous studies have reported for the vastus lateralis (VL) that the extent of muscle hypertrophy in response to resistance training is greater in the distal than in the middle region, despite uniform muscle fibre composition within VL along its length. In the present study, to investigate mechanism(s) for such non‐uniform muscle hypertrophy, we simultaneously measured neuromuscular activity and muscle oxygenation state at the middle and distal regions of VL during fatiguing heavy resistance exercise. Twelve males performed unilateral knee extension exercise which consisted of 4 sets of 8 repetitions at intensity of 80% of the individual one repetition maximum. During the resistance exercise, neuromuscular activities and muscle oxygenation status at the middle and distal regions (50% and 70% of the thigh length, respectively) of VL were measured by using electromyography and near‐infrared spectroscopy, respectively. Neuromuscular activities were similar between the distal and middle regions of VL, whereas muscle tissue oxygenation saturation was significantly lower at the distal than at the middle region of VL. These results suggest a possibility that the regional difference in muscle oxygenation but not in neuromuscular activity during fatiguing heavy resistance exercise is responsible for the regional difference in hypertrophy within a muscle.
An Excel Solver Exercise to Introduce Nonlinear Regression
Authors: Pinder Jonathan P.
Published: July 2013

Business students taking business analytics courses that have significant predictive modeling components, such as marketing research, data mining, forecasting, and advanced financial modeling, are introduced to nonlinear regression using application software that is a “black box” to the students. Thus, although correct models are estimated, students often do not obtain a thorough understanding of the nonlinear estimation process. The exercise presented in this article was created to demonstrate to students the need for nonlinear regression estimation—rather than using linear transformations and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and subsequently demonstrate the nonlinear optimization process to estimate nonlinear regression models. Using the spreadsheet exercise, students can see effects on the fit of the model by changing the model parameters as they change the values of the decision variables. After applying the spreadsheet to further exercises, students have expressed a deep understanding of the linear regression software. This exercise is innovative because the active learning exercise requires the students to make the logical connections between the structure of the model, the model's parameters, and the objective function.
An Active Learning Exercise for Introducing Agent‐Based Modeling
Authors: Pinder Jonathan P.
Published: July 2013

Recent developments in agent‐based modeling as a method of systems analysis and optimization indicate that students in business analytics need an introduction to the terminology, concepts, and framework of agent‐based modeling. This article presents an active learning exercise for MBA students in business analytics that demonstrates agent‐based modeling by solving a knapsack optimization problem. For the activity, students act as naïve agents by using dice to randomly selecting items for a finite capacity knapsack to maximize the value of the knapsack. Students then design a greedy heuristic to skew the probability of selection item. These pencil‐and‐paper models are then implemented in a spreadsheet model to demonstrate the effects of altering the agents’ behavior. Finally, a binary integer programming model is examined to contrast agent‐based modeling with traditional mathematical programming formulations. This exercise is innovative because it combines student engagement via active learning with an innovative, individual‐based, modeling methodology.
Esophageal Carcinoma and Transthoracic Echocardiography
Authors: Cianciulli Tomás F. , Saccheri María C. , Lax Jorge A. , Bianchi Ricardo A. , Beck Martín A. , Ferreiro Daniel E.
Published: July 2013

We report a rare case of a patient with esophageal carcinoma diagnosed using transthoracic echocardiography. This examination proved to be useful in the identification of a paracardiac mediastinal mass. Images of the esophageal carcinoma, of the stent in the esophagus, and the bubbles inside the stent generated with the ingestion of a carbonated beverage, have not been previously published. Therefore, we believe our findings may be useful to other echocardiographers.
The Fear Premium and Daily Comovements of the S&P 500 E/P ratio and Treasury Yields before and during the 2008 Financial Crisis
Authors: Faugère Christophe
Published: July 2013

I develop a new risk measure called the Total Fear Premium that generalizes Faugere‐Van Erlach (2009) and accounts for both flight‐to‐safety and flight‐to‐liquidity behavior. This new measure helps to explain why the daily S&P 500 forward earnings yield (E/P ratio) is strongly negatively correlated with daily Treasury yields of all maturities during the 2008 financial crisis, which is a reversal from the relation that prevailed before the crisis. The Total Fear Premium “mimics” the VIX during the financial crisis. Once the basic GARCH formulation modeling the interaction between the earnings yield and Treasury yields is augmented with the Total Fear Premium, the relation between the earnings yield and short‐term Treasury yields becomes significantly positive, in line with Fama's (1975) view that short‐term yields are good proxies for expected inflation. Two by‐products of this analysis are: 1) a new risk premium measure associated with flight‐to‐liquidity and 2) a new way to measure the inflation risk premium on a daily basis.
Diagnostic accuracy of des‐gamma‐carboxy prothrombin versus α‐fetoprotein for hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review
Authors: Li Changzai , Zhang Zhiming , Zhang Pan , Liu Jianyong
Published: July 2013

Aims

Des‐gamma–carboxy prothrombin (DCP) and α‐fetoprotein (AFP) are useful tumor markers for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, it remains controversial whether the diagnostic accuracy of DCP is superior to AFP. The aims of this review were to compare the diagnostic accuracy of DCP, AFP and combination of both markers for detecting HCC and further compare their accuracy in diagnosing early stage HCC.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane library until April 2013. Two authors independently assessed the methodological quality of each included study. Summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) were calculated.

Results

Forty‐nine studies involving 14 118 participants (including 1544 with early stage HCC) were included. In case of detection of HCC, the summary estimates of DCP were: sensitivity 63% (95% confidence interval [CI], 58%–67%), specificity 91% (95% CI, 88%–93%), and the values of AFP were: sensitivity 59% (95% CI, 54%–63%), specificity 86% (95% CI, 82%–89%). The AUROC of DCP, AFP and combination of both markers were 0.83, 0.77 and 0.88, respectively. Among the early stage HCC, the summary estimates of DCP and AFP were: sensitivity 45% (95% CI, 35%–57%) versus 48% (95% CI, 39%–57%), and specificity 95% (95% CI, 91%–97%) versus 89% (95% CI, 79%–95%). The AUROC was 0.84 for DCP, 0.68 for AFP and 0.83 for the combination of both markers.

Conclusion

Des‐gamma–carboxy prothrombin shows more diagnostic accuracy than AFP, especially in diagnosing early stage HCC, and the combination of both markers cannot improve the diagnostic accuracy of early stage HCC.
Migratory and resident Blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla wintering in southern Spain show no resource partitioning
Authors: Luis Tellería José , Blázquez María , De La Hera Iván , Pérez‐Tris Javier
Published: July 2013

When different populations of the same bird species share non‐breeding habitats, competition for food may promote resource partitioning. We studied food choice by resident and migratory Blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla in sympatric wintering grounds in southern Spain. Resident Blackcaps have a larger bill, which may allow them to feed on a broader range of fruit sizes, and they may know the distribution of food better than do migrants. Based on fruit and bird counts, we transformed both fruit crop and bird abundance to a common energy currency. During two winters with low and high fruit production, available energy from fruit in mid‐January was estimated to be 80 and 1300 times, respectively, the daily requirements of Blackcaps. Furthermore, Blackcap numbers did not track between‐winter changes in fruit abundance during 10 consecutive years of monitoring, further suggesting that fruit food is not limiting. Analysis of food items from 760 samples of 717 individuals showed that migrants and residents fed primarily on fruits of Wild Olive Olea europaea sylvestris, the most energetic fruit resource. There was no evidence that the larger bills of resident Blackcaps provided any foraging benefit. Migratory Blackcaps fed on Wild Olives and invertebrates, two resources with high energetic and structural value, more frequently than did residents. This food choice could be more important for migratory Blackcaps because they have lower body mass to reduce wing load. Our results suggest that the wintering grounds of Blackcaps in Iberia provide abundant food that is used by sympatric migrants and residents without resource partitioning. Slight differences in food choice suggest that migrants might benefit from feeding on more nutritive food than residents to counteract the energetic constraints associated with a smaller body size.
Thermal Behavior of Delithiated Li1−xMnPO4 (0 ≤ x <1) Structure for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Yoshida Jun , Nakanishi Shinji , Iba Hideki , Abe Hiroya , Naito Makio
Published: July 2013

High‐voltage and high‐capacity cathode‐active materials are required to increase the energy density of rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries for hybrid vehicles. The olivine‐type LiMnPO4 is considered as a good candidate for the next‐generation lithium‐ion battery due to its high voltage (4.1 V vs Li+/Li), low cost, and lower toxicity compared with the currently used layered materials. However, recent research has demonstrated that the thermal stability of delithiated phase of Li1−xMnPO4 (0 ≤ x <1) was less than that of Li1−xFePO4. These reports verified that the delithiated MnPO4 decomposed and changed into Mn2P2O7 with O2 release at high temperature. In this study, we focused on the particle and crystal changes in LiMnP O4/MnPO4 at high temperature on a nanoscale. As a result, we have succeeded to observe directly the particle and crystal changes using transmission electron microscope (TEM) with heating. It revealed that MnPO4 was a thermally unstable phase because dendrites of Mn2P2O7 began to generate around 200°C.