bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Promoting sustainability in a college café by opposite-sex cashiers
Authors: Tifferet Sigal , Rosenblit Niv , Shalev Maya
Published: September 2017

Purpose

People engage in green consumption for many reasons, both conscious and unconscious. This paper aims to draw on evolutionary psychology to propose that hard-wired mating strategies encourage both men and women to increase their green consumption in the presence of members of the opposite sex.

Design/methodology/approach

Observations were conducted on 324 students who purchased cold drinks in disposable cups from a college café. The students were offered the choice of adding 20 cents to their purchase for a bio-degradable cup.

Findings

Overall, 160 students agreed to pay the premium for a bio-degradable cup, with green purchases 46 per cent higher among women and 61 per cent higher among men when facing a cashier of the opposite sex.

Originality/value

The findings suggest that the activation of mating cues prompts students to display prosocial, altruistic behavior and/or to engage in conspicuous consumption (i.e. agreeing to pay more for the sustainable product). The study was conducted in the field using naïve participants and demonstrates the application of evolutionary psychology to green marketing. It also adds to what is a surprisingly small literature on the effect of employee–customer gender mismatch.
Effective strategies for enhancing waste management at university campuses
Authors: Ebrahimi Kianoosh , North Leslie A.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify and assess the waste management strategies that should be priorities for higher education institutions. The role of policy instruments (i.e. purchasing policies and recycling initiatives) in implementing sustainable zero-waste management programs at higher education institutions was investigated through comparison of American top-level and Western Kentucky University (WKU) benchmark universities.

Design/methodology/approach

Waste minimization-oriented policy instruments implemented at American top-level and WKU benchmark universities were analyzed through policy evaluation techniques. Digital surveys were distributed to sustainability coordinators at WKU benchmark and top-level universities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with survey participants.

Findings

It is important to identify well-defined temporal periods with goals and allocated tasks for direct and indirect stakeholders. Time periods should include planning for readiness programs and infrastructural needs, along with performing comprehensive waste characterization studies. As the waste program matures, the creation of integrated waste management policies with specific responsibilities for all stakeholders and departments will be required.

Research limitations/implications

The sampling of universities evaluated in this research is not representative of all universities in the USA or internationally, as they can vary widely. Yet, general waste management trends applicable to most universities can be gleaned from this research.

Practical implications

Widely varying zero-waste strategies are readily implemented at universities. A holistic review of successful waste management plans highlights key management approaches that should be included in all plans to ensure their success.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first of its kind to holistically evaluate policy factors influencing effective zero-waste management at higher education institutions.
Students’ attitudes to solid waste management in a Nigerian university
Authors: Ifegbesan Ayodeji Peter , Ogunyemi Biodun , Rampedi Isaac T.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Waste management is a critical element of the campus sustainability movement in which Nigerian universities are yet to actively participate. The purpose of this study was to investigate prevalent waste management practices and the disposition of undergraduate students in a Nigerian University.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection involved the use of a questionnaire, focus group discussion and participative observation. Respondents consisted of 840 students drawn from four academic faculties of the university. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to address the research questions raised to guide the investigation.

Findings

Indiscriminate littering, open dumping of waste, weedy and overgrown lawns, proliferation of power generating sets, uncollected refuse sites and defaced walls with postings were the major observed environmental challenges. Open burning of refuse was found to be the single most prevalent way of managing large volumes of waste generated on the university campus. Although the problems were widespread, only 40.5 per cent of the students expressed serious concern for the solid waste practices. Also, while the students were positively disposed to innovative ways of addressing the challenge of waste management in the university, there were significant differences in students’ awareness and disposition according to sex, age, academic level and faculties.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of the findings for campus-based sustainability education are discussed.

Originality/value

This study is an original research article which interrogated the students’ attitudes to solid waste management in a Nigerian University. It used a combination of both qualitative and quantitative techniques, such as questionnaire, focus group discussion and participative observation.
Between sealed borders and welcome culture
Authors: Jungblut Marc
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the German and Hungarian Governments’ mediated public diplomacy (mpd) efforts during the European migrant crisis and their reflection in the international news media.

Design/methodology/approach

The study relies on a quantitative content analysis of English press releases and interviews distributed by the governments and their reflection in CNN and Al-Jazeera English. Overall, a sample of 483 texts was coded. Herein, the main actors, topics, frames, and information subsidies were analyzed. A comparison of the public diplomacy efforts and their reflection in the news then allows for assumptions about their potential impact on the news.

Findings

The data shows that the Hungarian Government uses more information subsidies in their communication than their German counterpart. Hence, the news agenda shows more similarities to the main topics put forward in the Hungarian sub-sample. The news framing, however, is more favorable toward the perspectives put forward in the German public diplomacy.

Practical implications

The results indicate that well planned and designed messaging does not guarantee successful communication. It also shows that critical journalism still plays an important role in the international news production.

Originality/value

The paper’s main contribution is that it goes beyond the war-based case studies on mpd and investigates one of the most relevant transnational issues in the last decades. In addition, it sheds light on why the media reflect some sponsored frames while they mostly discredit others.
The response of Swedish and Norwegian public diplomacy and nation branding actors to the refugee crisis
Authors: Pamment James , Olofsson Alexandra , Hjorth-Jenssen Rachel
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the communication management of the Swedish and Norwegian Governments during the 2015-2016 refugee crisis. It does so in the context of recent debates into public diplomacy (PD) and nation branding, on the understanding that governments seek to manage their reputations in order to attract trade, investment and tourism, as well as generate broader interest in their policies and values.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based upon a case study of each country’s response, and draws upon qualitative interviews and document analysis.

Findings

The study finds that more than a decade of advances in PD can be readily adapted to negative branding aimed at dissuading undesired publics. However, opportunities remain for communication professionals to ensure that brand values are not discarded.

Originality/value

The study is among the first to examine the contemporary PD and nation branding apparatus when it is used to dissuade and even repulse target groups. It therefore explores some important issues related to communication management in the public sector.
Investor perspectives on property crowdfunding: evidence from Australia
Authors: Lowies Braam , Viljoen Christa , McGreal Stanley
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions of property investors of the risks and returns associated with property crowdfunding as an investment vehicle. The study contributes to the understanding of alternative property investment vehicles and how it is perceived by investors.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focusses on investor perceptions in using property crowdfunding as an investment vehicle and follows a survey-based design. A questionnaire was finalised after the completion of a pilot study and was distributed to existing property crowdfunding investors via email. Inferential statistical measures were used.

Findings

The results show, to an extent, similarities to general equity-based crowdfunding studies. However, the uniqueness of property crowdfunding as an investment vehicle may explain the insignificance of the results when related to other studies. Overall, the property crowdfunding investor seems to present cautious behaviour with a conservative perception of property crowdfunding as an investment vehicle.

Practical implications

It is recommended that property crowdfunding platforms present prospective investors with more formal regulation of the property crowdfunding industry. Such a regulatory framework may lessen the current level of uncertainty presented by investors.

Originality/value

The study enhances the understanding of the role of property crowdfunding as an alternative investment vehicle in Australia. More importantly, it went some way towards enhancing the understanding of how investors perceive and behave vis-à-vis property crowdfunding as an investment vehicle.
Professional expertise amongst speech-language therapists: “willing to share”
Authors: Jackson Bianca N. , Purdy Suzanne Carolyn , Cooper-Thomas Helena
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The current healthcare environment provides several challenges to the existing roles of healthcare professionals. The value of the professional expert is also under scrutiny. The purpose of this paper is to generate a construction of professional expertise amongst practitioners in the current healthcare environment. It used the speech-language therapy community in New Zealand (NZ) as an example.

Design/methodology/approach

Speech-language therapists currently practicing in NZ completed an online survey including qualitative and quantitative components. The range of experience and work settings of participants (n=119) was representative of the workforce.

Findings

Participants clearly identified being “highly experienced” and “having in-depth knowledge” as essential elements of professional expertise. Thematic analysis generated two interconnected themes of a professional expert being a personal leader and teacher, and a highly experienced, knowledgeable and skilful practitioner. Additionally, practitioners needed to be seen to contribute to the community in order to be known as experts. Clinical practice was valued differently from research generation.

Originality/value

This study is novel in exploring a construction of professional expertise amongst practitioners in a current healthcare community. Within that community, experts could be viewed as highly effective practitioners that visibly contribute to the professional community. The study draws attention to the role of reputation and the impacts of being a clinical teacher or leader compared with pursuing a research role. This could be particularly relevant in the promotion of evidence-based practice.
Tapping into the emerging Muslim-friendly medical tourism market: evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Rahman Muhammad Khalilur , Zailani Suhaiza , Musa Ghazali
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Emerging interest in medical tourism products offers a lucrative market and opens doors for Malaysia in positioning itself as a Muslim-preferred halal medical care center point. In spite of the tremendous capability of this industry, the Muslim-friendly medical tourism practice is rationally new idea, with endeavors to clarify such tourism product is inadequate. This paper aims to investigate the promoting Muslim-friendly medical tourism market mechanism and its prospects and challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

As the purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions of the Muslim patient’s inspiration towards Muslim-friendly medical tourism market mechanism in Malaysia. This study uses structural equation modeling (SEM) technique for data analysis. The target population for this research comprised Muslim medical tourists coming to Malaysia seeking Muslim-friendly medical tourism. A total sample size of 231 is gathered through non-probability sampling method during the period between July and December 2015.

Findings

The outcome confirms that Muslim tourist’s perceptions play a critical part in travel intention to Malaysia for Muslim-friendly medication. Along these lines, Malaysia needs to promote the success of such medical tourism endeavors with proper practice and services they offer to pull in more outside patients.

Practical implications

Malaysia is a country that has long been a stronghold for Muslim leisure visitors. Differences in general and spiritual values raise challenges to Muslim-friendly medical care services. A comprehensive research is required on the best way to advance and set up emerging Muslim-friendly medical tourism market mechanism.

Originality/value

Muslim-friendly medical tourism is a rising advertising discipline. It is confident that the findings could expand information on Muslim-friendly medical tourism service sector and improve providers’ capacity to take advantage of the developing business sector, offering quality medical care services and opportunities that suit the Muslim patients’ needs. In addition, it is essential to understand the most ideal approach to outline Muslim-friendly medical tourism market to make it more useful to various spiritual and religious accept.
The impact of customer service quality on customer satisfaction in Islamic banking
Authors: Janahi Mohamed Abdulnaser , Al Mubarak Muneer Mohamed Saeed
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the Islamic banking literature by examining the impact of different factors of customer service quality on customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a model which is not frequently used in Islamic banking literature and shows relationships between six factors of customer service quality and customer satisfaction in the Islamic banking sector. Customers of five main Islamic banks are contributing in this study.

Findings

This paper demonstrates strong and positive relationships between the six main dimensions of customer service quality (Compliance, Assurance, Reliability, Tangibility, Empathy and Responsiveness) and customer satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

The study may suffer from lack of generalization, as it is conducted in one country (Bahrain). It might also be useful to enlarge the study sample and include comparison between Islamic versus conventional banking with regard to service quality and customer satisfaction.

Practical implications

This paper can influence the current Islamic banks with regard to service quality with an ultimate aim of increasing customer satisfaction and retaining customers.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few that focus on effects of customer service quality dimensions on customer satisfaction in the Islamic banking sector. It reveals that, although customers pay special attention to Sharia’h laws (compliance) in their transactions with banks, the way services are delivered matters to them too.
Motivations and benefits ofhalalfood safety certification
Authors: Ab Talib Mohamed Syazwan
Published: September 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to review the motivation and benefits of implementinghalalfood safety certification (HFSC) from the upstream perspectives. Food safety certification (FSC) has long been a prevailing issue in the field of food safety research. However, there remains a general paucity of research in religion-specific form of FSC, such as the HFSC. At present, the limited existing studies on HFSC focus on the demand side, but studies on the supply side are scarce and largely inconclusive. The review is further scrutinised by addressing the internal and external motivations and benefits of HFSC.

Design/methodology/approach

The explanatory and general review of this paper is based on an extensive literature review in FSC as well as the author’s personal reflections on past research inhalalcertification.

Findings

The internal motivations concern a firm’s internal processes, people and the available resources, while the external motivations relate to a firm’s external elements such as government intervention and market pressure. A firm can reap the internal benefits, such as improved product quality, or enjoy the external benefits of better marketing and larger market shares.

Originality/value

The paper offers unique acumens and advances of a less-researched side of thehalalfood chain. It also compiles the conclusions of FSC research that could have a significant bearing on the internal and external impetuses and advantages of HFSC.
Dynamic capabilities and their impact on research organizations’ R&D and innovation performance
Authors: Babelytė-Labanauskė Kristina , Nedzinskas Šarunas
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal and justify influential factors of dynamic capabilities on research organizations’ R&D and innovation performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Adoption of seminal D. Teece’s (1997) concept of dynamic capabilities and operationalized matrix of key performance indicators in the area of R&D and innovation allowed the construction of the strategic management model for research organizations, consequently tested by methods of statistical analysis.

Findings

The empirical findings reveal that there exists positive influence of the dynamic capabilities on research organizations’ R&D and innovation performance. Explicitly, sensing, seizing and re-configuring dimensions of dynamic capabilities have positive impact on R&D and innovation results; consequently, the peculiarities of their inter-dependencies are identified.

Research limitations/implications

Delivered research is based on the investigation of Lithuanian research organizations’ dynamic capabilities and their impact on their R&D and innovation performance. Therefore, further research could be extended to foreign countries.

Practical implications

The model on management of research organization’s dynamic capabilities with the aim for better R&D and innovation performance is conceptualized and specified hereinafter. In the course of the research, constructed toolkit to eventually measure research organization’s R&D and innovation performance or use it as the set of key performance indicators in the benchmarking exercise is suggested.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the first to suggest novel application of dynamic capabilities’ view within the domain of research organizations.
Prioritizing the solutions of lean implementation in SMEs to overcome its barriers
Authors: Belhadi Amine , Touriki Fatima Ezahra , El fezazi Said
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The implementation of lean production in small manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) harbors a great deal of barriers on practical, theoretical, financial and organizational sides. In view of this, the purpose of this paper is to explore and prioritize the solutions to overcome these barriers and pitfalls in order to identify a list of the most feasible and efficient solutions on which SMEs must focus to success their lean journey.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a review of the published articles along with the interview of some lean experts have allowed to identify 20 barriers grouped into five categories along with 17 solutions proposed to overcome these barriers. Afterwards, an integrated fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process-Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (AHP-TOPSIS) was proposed to evaluate and rank the solutions of lean implementation in SMEs and overcome its barriers. The AHP is used to determine weights of the barriers as criteria, and the fuzzy TOPSIS method is used to determine the final ranking of the solutions of lean adoption in SMEs.

Findings

The top five barriers of lean implementation in SMEs were found to be: lack of management involvement, lack of adapted methodology of lean implementation, short-term vision, fear and resistance to change and lack of understanding of lean. Moreover, the top five solutions to overcome the barriers of lean adoption in SMEs are as follows: commitment and participation of management, adoption of simple measurement and KPIs, development of organizational learning culture, early deployment of lean culture through training and allocation of sufficient time and resources for change.

Originality/value

The findings of this study can provide a basis for researchers and practitioners in order to understand the real reasons of lean failure in SMEs and develop improvement plans to increase its success rate. Moreover, it proposes a more reliable, robust and systematic decision support tool for stepwise implementation of the solutions of lean adoption in SMEs since they lack sufficient resources to address all the solutions simultaneously.
Servitization of manufacturing: the effect of economic context
Authors: Szász Levente , Demeter Krisztina , Boer Harry , Cheng Yang
Published: September 2017

Purpose

Following the identified need for more explicit contextual studies in servitization research, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationships between and among economic context, service provision and service return, including the service paradox.

Design/methodology/approach

Firm-level and macroeconomic (country competitiveness) data are combined to operationalize the constructs considered in the study. Structural equation modeling and cluster analysis are used to investigate the direct relationships between economic context, service provision and service return, and the negative association between the development of economic context and the service paradox.

Findings

The analyses confirm the general assumption that service provision has a positive direct effect on service return. Economic context seems to have no direct effect on service return and, contrary to what was expected, it has a negative impact on the intensity of service provision. Thus, service provision fully mediates the negative impact of context on service return. Finally, the service paradox occurs more frequently in less-developed economic contexts, where the probability of a relatively low service return coupled with high service provision is significantly higher.

Practical implications

The study identifies five key elements of economic context that have to be incorporated into the strategic decision-making process regarding product-related services offered by manufacturers.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the contextual research of services offered by manufacturers. Subject to future empirical testing, it is proposed that a more favorable economic context offers more possibilities for manufacturers to cooperate with other business actors to provide services.
Ex-citable accounting and the development of pervasive innovation
Authors: Revellino Silvana , Mouritsen Jan
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain the role of the performativity theory for understanding how the calculative instruments of accounting provoke innovation and participate in the generation of values by activating processes that pervade everything rather than being limited to categorical spaces.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on Judith Butler’s work and her notion of excitability to explain how multiple values may arise when accounting interacts with innovation. Through this lens, accounting, as a language based on signs, can be theorised as an ex-citable force involved in provoking and transforming innovation and its associated values, notably beyond innovators’ initial intentions. Thus, innovation is not a stable object but a pervasive movement diffusing multiple values.

Findings

By introducing the notion of pervasiveness, the paper argues that even if values can be imagined ab origine, they may not be contractible to a plan. The calculative instruments of accounting provoke innovation and participate in the generation of value(s) by activating processes that pervade everything rather than being limited to categorical spaces. In the course of this pervasive process, innovations, which are born to develop private interests, can possibly generate public goods.

Originality/value

The notion of pervasiveness the paper advances is used to challenge the division between business and social innovation. It well expresses the effects that ex-citable calculative practices put in place when interacting with innovation. It suggests that it is only possible to create productions – to assemble things – in ongoing processes, and the value(s) produced in such movements are always evolving and multiple. However, in this sense, they are social.
New public management a re-packaging of extant techniques?
Authors: Quinn Martin , Warren Liz
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore, if, similar to other management initiatives, new public management may be a repackaging of already existent concepts. Emerging in the 1970s and 1980s as an innovative way to manage public sector elements, new public management affected both the ownership and management of public sector companies, services and utilities. Minimal research has been undertaken previously, using historic archival sources of public entities, to explore if elements of the concept originated prior to the 1970s.

Design/methodology/approach

This research draws on archival records from a publicly owned electricity company, covering about three decades from 1946, during which a large investment project was undertaken by the company. This study draws on key tenets of what is today called new public management, examining prior research to ascertain if similar elements were present in the case organisation.

Findings

When reviewing the progress of the investment project, many of the key elements of new public management emerged, even during the early part of the project.

Originality/value

There is little historical research on the origins of new public management, and the findings here suggest that it may not be entirely new. While this does not at all invalidate existing research, it suggests that new public management may be to an extent a repackaging of previously extant techniques. This opens up possibilities for future historic research in terms of how and why it was repackaged, and also what was/was not repackaged.
Diffraction imaging by prestack reverse‐time migration in the dip‐angle domain
Authors: Dafni Raanan , Symes William W.
Published: September 2017

Prestack image volumes may be decomposed into specular and non‐specular parts by filters defined in the dip‐angle domain. For space‐shift extended image volumes, the dip‐angle decomposition is derived via local Radon transform in depth and midpoint coordinates, followed by an averaging over space‐shifts. We propose to employ prestack space‐shift extended reverse‐time migration and dip‐angle decomposition for imaging small‐scale structural elements, considered as seismic diffractors, in models with arbitrary complexity. A suitable design of a specularity filter in the dip‐angle domain rejects the dominant reflectors and enhances diffractors and other non‐specular image content. The filter exploits a clear discrimination in dip between specular reflections and diffractions. The former are stationary at the specular dip, whereas the latter are non‐stationary without a preferred dip direction. While the filtered image volume features other than the diffractor images (for example, noise and truncation artefacts are also present), synthetic and field data examples suggest that diffractors tend to dominate and are readily recognisable. Averaging over space‐shifts in the filter construction makes the reflectors‧ rejection robust against migration velocity errors. Another consequence of the space‐shift extension and its angle‐domain transforms is the possibility of exploring the image in a multiple set of common‐image gathers. The filtered diffractions may be analysed simultaneously in space‐shift, scattering‐angle, and dip‐angle image gathers by means of a single migration job. The deliverables of our method obviously enrich the processed material on the interpreter's desk. We expect them to further supplement our understanding of the Earth's interior.
Flipped classroom instruction for inclusive learning
Authors: Altemueller Lisa , Lindquist Cynthia
Published: September 2017

The flipped classroom is a teaching methodology that has gained recognition in primary, secondary and higher education settings. The flipped classroom inverts traditional teaching methods, delivering lecture instruction outside class, and devoting class time to problem solving, with the teacher's role becoming that of a learning coach and facilitator. This methodology provides an avenue for more hands‐on and student‐driven learning during class time. The benefits of a flipped classroom include increased student motivation, differentiating instruction, self‐pacing lessons and mastery learning, increased collaboration and instant feedback for formative assessment. Although limited research has been conducted regarding students with learning difficulties in inclusive settings using a flipped learning model, initial research indicates flipping a classroom can be beneficial. Information is provided on inclusive practices from numerous countries that are beneficial to students with learning difficulties, as well as strategies and resources for individuals who may want to implement a flipped classroom.
Controversial Suicide Case Using a Submachine Gun with a Sound Suppressor—The Need of Team Work of Forensic Chemistry and Firearm Examiners
Authors: Brożek‐Mucha Zuzanna , Zdeb Krzysztof
Published: September 2017

Evidence materials in a presumed suicide case were studied by a firearm examiner and a forensic chemist. The victim's body with double gunshot wounding in his forehead, a machine gun in the sustained fire mode with a silencer, and four cartridge cases were found. Examinations of the evidence, the case file studies, and experiments dedicated to the case were carried out. Relationships between the placement of cartridge cases and the gun were established using a fast camera. The distributions of gunshot residues on the evidence materials and within the comparative gunshot patterns were studied by means of optical and electron microscopy, X‐ray microanalysis, and infrared spectroscopy. The shooting distance was assessed to be 30 cm or more, whereas the greatest distance that could have been achieved by the victim himself was about 11–13 cm. The obtained results supported the version of homicide rather than suicide.
Using Named Entities for Computer‐Automated Verbal Deception Detection
Authors: Kleinberg Bennett , Mozes Maximilian , Arntz Arnoud , Verschuere Bruno
Published: September 2017

There is an increasing demand for automated verbal deception detection systems. We propose named entity recognition (NER; i.e., the automatic identification and extraction of information from text) to model three established theoretical principles: (i) truth tellers provide accounts that are richer in detail, (ii) contain more contextual references (specific persons, locations, and times), and (iii) deceivers tend to withhold potentially checkable information. We test whether NER captures these theoretical concepts and can automatically identify truthful versus deceptive hotel reviews. We extracted the proportion of named entities with two NER tools (spaCy and Stanford's NER) and compared the discriminative ability to a lexicon word count approach (LIWC) and a measure of sentence specificity (speciteller). Named entities discriminated truthful from deceptive hotel reviews above chance level, and outperformed the lexicon approach and sentence specificity. This investigation suggests that named entities may be a useful addition to existing automated verbal deception detection approaches.
Ebstein Anomaly and Sudden Childhood Death
Authors: Freeman Amanda , Byard Roger W.
Published: September 2017

A 13‐year‐old girl is reported who died suddenly and unexpectedly in her sleep from previously undiagnosed Ebstein anomaly. At autopsy, there was dilatation of the right atrium with marked dilatation of the right auricle and apical displacement of the tricuspid valve into the right ventricular cavity with atrialization of the upper portion of the right ventricle. There were also prominent dysplastic changes in both the septal and posterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve with thickening of the valve and fusion of leaflets to the wall of the ventricle. Histology of the myocardium showed focal, minor microscopic areas of interstitial fibrosis with marked fibrous dysplasia and thickening of the tricuspid valve. Lethal arrhythmias occur in this condition because of the geographical relationship of the conduction system to the abnormal anatomical structures. As adolescents who died suddenly are often minimally symptomatic, cases will rarely present de novo to forensic autopsy.
Maternal Alcohol Use and Nutrition During Pregnancy: Diet and Anthropometry
Authors: Carter R. Colin , Senekal Marjanne , Dodge Neil C. , Bechard Lori J. , Meintjes Ernesta M. , Molteno Christopher D. , Duggan Christopher P. , Jacobson Joseph L. , Jacobson Sandra W.
Published: September 2017

Background

Despite known risks of prenatal nutritional deficiencies and studies documenting increased prevalence of poor dietary intake among nonpregnant alcohol abusers, the nutritional status of heavy drinking pregnant women remains largely unstudied. Animal models have found interactions between prenatal ethanol exposure and micronutrients, such as choline, folate, B12, and iron, and human studies have reported that lower maternal weight and body mass confer increased fetal alcohol‐related risk.

Methods

One hundred and twenty‐three heavy drinking Cape Coloured pregnant women and 83 abstaining controls were recruited at their first antenatal clinic visit. At 3 prenatal study visits, each gravida was interviewed about alcohol, smoking, and drug use and weight, height, and arm skinfolds were measured. Dietary intakes of energy, protein, fat, and major micronutrients were assessed from three 24‐hour recall interviews.

Results

The majority of women gained less than the recommended 0.42 kg/wk during pregnancy. Whereas methamphetamine use was associated with smaller biceps skinfolds, an indicator of body fat, alcohol consumption was not related to any anthropometric indicator. Alcohol was related to higher intake of phosphorus, choline, and vitamins B12 and D. Alcohol, cigarette, and methamphetamine use were related to lower vitamin C intake. Insufficient intake was reported by >85% of women for 10 of 22 key nutrients, and >50% for an additional 3 nutrients.

Conclusions

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy was not associated with meaningful changes in diet or anthropometric measures in this population, suggesting that poor nutrition among drinkers does not confound the extensively reported effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on growth and neurobehavior. The poor gestational weight gain and high rates of insufficient intake for several nutrients in both the alcohol‐exposed and control groups are also of public health importance.
Documenting the functional form of dynamic risk‐taking behaviour in a real options context using sporting contests
Authors: Easton Stephen , Pinder Sean , Stern Steven
Published: September 2017

Changes in risk‐taking behaviour based on interim performance are examined in high‐stakes competition. A real options framework is used to provide a richer characterisation of risk‐taking behaviour than examined in extant studies. This framework is applied to an examination of ball‐by‐ball data from 1207 cricket matches. Consistent with modelled expectations, risk taking is found to increase (decrease) at a decreasing rate following below par (above par) interim performance. This result is especially strong in situations where the resources remaining are low, a result predicted by the real options model.
CEO/CFO turnover and subsequent remediation of information technology material weaknesses
Authors: Li Wanyun , Phang Soon‐Yeow , Ho Shuk Ying
Published: September 2017

Adding to prior research on internal control material weaknesses (ICMW), our study investigates whether information technology material weaknesses (ITMWs) are associated with CEO/CFO turnover, and whether their turnover will promote subsequent remediation. We find that disclosures of ITMW are positively associated with CEO/CFO turnover; however, only CEO turnover promotes subsequent remediation. Our findings on ITMW are different from the prior findings on ICMW – aligned with prior research on ICMW, ITMWs are associated with CEO/CFO turnover; however, unlike prior research on ICMW suggests, dismissals of CFOs do not promote subsequent remediation of ITMW. Thus, future research should consider ICMW and ITMW separately in the examination of their consequences and remediation.
A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of DNA methyltransferase 3B gene is a risk factor for recurrent spontaneous abortion
Authors: Barišić Anita , Pereza Nina , Hodžić Alenka , Ostojić Saša , Peterlin Borut
Published: September 2017

Problem

Aberrant DNA methylation has been suggested as a potential cause of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Considering the growing evidence on the important roles of DNA methylation in gametogenesis and early pregnancy, we investigated the potential association of DNA methyltransferase gene polymorphisms (DNMT1 rs2228611, DNMT3A rs1550117, DNMT3B rs1569686) with RSA in Slovenian reproductive couples.

Method of study

A total of 146 couples with ≥3 consecutive spontaneous abortions and 149 control women and men with ≥2 normal pregnancies were included. Genotyping was performed using PCR‐RFLP methods.

Results

We found a statistically significant higher frequency of the DNMT3B rs1569686 GG genotype (X2=7.37;P = .025) and G allele (X2 = 6.33;P = .012) in RSA women compared with controls. Moreover, the odds for RSA in women were increased under the recessive genetic model (GGvsTG+TT: OR=1.92; 95% CI=1.18‐3.09; P = .008).

Conclusion

DNMT3B rs1569686 gene polymorphism in women might be a genetic marker for the susceptibility to RSA.
Postimplantation ventricular ectopic burden and clinical outcomes in cardiac resynchronization therapy‐defibrillator patients: a MADIT‐CRT substudy
Authors: Ruwald Anne‐Christine , Aktas Mehmet K. , Ruwald Martin H. , Kutyifa Valentina , McNitt Scott , Jons Christian , Mittal Suneet , Steinberg Jonathan S. , Daubert James P. , Moss Arthur J. , Zareba Wojciech
Published: September 2017

Background

Frequent ventricular ectopy on preimplantation Holter has been associated with attenuated benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). However, it is unclear whether ectopic burden measured post‐CRT implantation can be utilized to evaluate long‐term prognosis. We aimed to describe the association between post‐CRT implantation ectopic burden and subsequent risk of clinical outcomes.

Methods

At the 12‐month follow‐up visit, 24‐hour Holter recordings were performed in 698 CRT‐D patients from the MADIT‐CRT study. The mean number of ventricular premature complexes (VPCs/hour) was calculated. High ectopic burden was defined as >10 VPCs/hour and low burden as ≤10 VPCs/hour. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to assess the association between 12‐month ectopic burden and the risk of the end points of heart failure (HF) or death and ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT/VF).

Results

At 12 months, 282 (40%) patients presented with low ectopic burden and 416 (60%) patients presented with high ectopic burden. The 3‐year risk of HF/death and VT/VF was lower in patients with a low burden (7% and 8%) and significantly higher (25% and 24%) in patients with high burden. In multivariate analyses, patients with a high ectopic burden had approximately threefold increased risk of both HF/death (HR=2.76 [1.62–4.70], p < .001) and VT/VF (HR=2.79 [1.69–4.58], p < .001).

Conclusion

In CRT‐D patients with mild heart failure, high ectopic burden at 12‐month follow‐up was associated with a high 3‐year risk of HF/death and VT/VF and threefold increased risk as compared to patients with low burden. Ectopic burden at 12 months may be a valuable approach for evaluating long‐term prognosis.
Follow‐up protocol was useful for children whose parents attended emergency departments after partner violence, substance abuse or a suicide attempt
Authors: Hoytema van Konijnenburg Eva M. M. , Gigengack Maj , Teeuw Arianne H. , Sieswerda‐Hoogendoorn Tessa , Brilleslijper‐Kater Sonja N. , Flapper Boudien C. , Lindauer Ramón J. L. , van Goudoever Johannes B. , van der Lee Johanna H. ,   the aftERcare group
Published: September 2017

Aim

This was a one‐year follow‐up of families referred to support services after the parents visited the emergency department due to intimate partner violence, substance abuse or a suicide attempt. Its aim was to evaluate the well‐being of any children.

Methods

Data on families identified a year earlier by the Amsterdam protocol were gathered from child protective services and parent and child self‐reports in two Dutch regions from 2012‐2015.

Results

We included 399 children (52%) boys with a median age of eight years (range 1–18) in the study using child protective services data. Of the 101 families who participated in the first measurement, 67 responded one year after the parent's emergency department visit. The results showed that 20% of the children had no or minor problems, voluntary support services were involved in 60% of cases and child protective services were involved in 20%. Compared to their first assessment a year earlier, the children's psychosocial problems had not increased, but this could have been an underestimation due to selective responses.

Conclusion

The Amsterdam protocol was valuable in referring families to voluntary support services, but given the ongoing problems in some families, professionals need to carefully monitor whether support services are sufficiently effective.
Role of Individual Social Capital in Wage Determination: Evidence from China
Authors: Liu Yang
Published: September 2017

The present study examines the role of individual‐level social capital in workers’ wage determination in a Nash‐bargaining wage model using Chinese micro‐level data. The study finds a significant contribution of individual‐specific social capital to the wage level. In particular, larger individual social networks and workers’ positive attitudes toward social capital significantly increase the wage level. Moreover, the effect of social capital on the wage level is much larger for men than for women. The results indicate that construction of individual social capital could increase workers’ wages. However, efforts are needed to reduce the unequal contributions of social capital between men and women.
Reliability and validity of the Korean‐language version of the Communication Function Classification System in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Choi J. Y. , Hwang E. H. , Rha D. , Park E. S.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) and Viking Speech Scale (VSS) are useful systems for describing the broad communication function and speech intelligibility, respectively, of children with cerebral palsy (CP). The aims of this study were to determine the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the CFCS and also to investigate the association between the CFCS and the VSS and other functional classifications for children with CP.

Materials and methods

Participants were 50 children with CP (33 males, 17 females; mean age 7.2 years, range 4–16 years) recruited from a rehabilitation hospital. We analysed the interrater and intrarater reliabilities of the Korean version of the CFCS and VSS between parents, a physiatrist, and a speech–language pathologist (SLP). The social function domain of the Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory was assessed to examine the concurrent validity of the CFCS and VSS.

Results

The intrarater reliabilities of the CFCS and VSS were excellent in a physiatrist (ƙ = 0.92, ƙ = 0.94, respectively) and an SLP (ƙ = 0.98, ƙ = 0.98) and very good in parents (ƙ = 0.87, ƙ = 0.89). The interrater reliability of the CFCS and VSS was very good between the physiatrist and SLP (ƙ = 0.87, ƙ = 0.89) and good between parents and the SLP (ƙ = 0.63, ƙ = 0.78) and between parents and the physiatrist (ƙ = 0.61, ƙ = 0.76). The CFCS and VSS were strongly related with the social function domain of Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory. In addition, we found very strong associations between the VSS and CFCS.

Conclusions

The Korean version of the CFCS is a valid and reliable tool to classify communication ability and is strongly associated with the VSS, a reliable tool to classify speech intelligibility.
Long‐term success of oral health intervention among care‐dependent institutionalized seniors: Findings from a controlled clinical trial
Authors: Schwindling Franz Sebastian , Krisam Johannes , Hassel Alexander J. , Rammelsberg Peter , Zenthöfer Andreas
Published: September 2017

Objectives

The purpose of this work was to investigate the long‐term effectiveness of oral health education of caregivers in nursing homes with care‐dependent and cognitively impaired residents.

Methods

Fourteen nursing homes with a total of 269 residents were allocated to a control group, with continued normal care, or to an intervention group. Allocation was performed at nursing home level. In the intervention group, caregivers were given oral health education, and ultrasonic cleaning devices were provided to clean removable prostheses. Oral health was assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months by use of the Plaque Control Record (PCR), Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI), Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) and Denture Hygiene Index (DHI). Mixed models for repeated measures were performed for each target variable, with possible confounding factors (intervention/control group, age, sex, residence location and care‐dependence).

Results

In the control group, no changes of target variables were observed between baseline and the 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐ups. After 6 and 12 months, PCR and DHI were significantly improved in the intervention group. For PCR, the intergroup difference of improvements was −14.4 (95% CI: −21.8; −6.9) after 6 months. After 12 months, the difference was −16.2 (95% CI: −27.7; −4.7). For DHI, the intergroup difference compared to baseline was −15 (95% CI: −23.6; −6.5) after 6 months and −13.3 (95% CI: −24.9; −1.8) after 12 months. There was neither a statistically significant effect on GBI nor on CPITN. Care‐dependency showed a substantial trend to smaller improvements in PCR (P = .074), while an inverse effect was apparent for DHI (P < .001).

Conclusions

Education of caregivers improves and maintains the oral health of care‐dependent nursing home residents over longer periods. Use of ultrasonic devices is a promising means of improving denture hygiene among the severely care‐dependent. Such interventions can be easily and cheaply implemented in routine daily care.