bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Basic fibroblast growth factor/vascular endothelial growth factor in the serum from severe burn patients stimulates the proliferation of cultured human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells via activation of Notch signaling pathways
Authors: Liu Ling-Ying , Hou Yu-Sen , Chai Jia-Ke , Hu Quan , Duan Hong-Jie , Yu Yong-Hui , Yin Hui-Nan , Hao Dai-Feng , Feng Guang , Li Tao , Du Jun-Dong
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the leading cellular constituents used in regenerative medicine. MSCs repair and reconstruct wounds of acute traumata and radiation-induced burns through proliferation, differentiation, and trophic activity. However, repair effect of MSCs on severe burn wounds remain to be clarified because severe burns are much more complex traumata than radiation-induced burns. Survival and proliferation of MSCs in microenvironments affected by severe burns are very important for improving wound repair/regeneration. This study aimed to elucidate the survival and proliferation effects and the potential proliferation mechanism of serum from severe burn patients (BPS) on human umbilical cord MSCs (hUCMSCs) in vitro.

METHODS

The hUCMSCs were isolated, cultured, and identified. Next, we evaluated the effects of BPS on cell numbers, cell cycle progression, cyclin D expression, and key proteins and genes of the Notch signaling pathway. Putative mechanisms underlying the proliferation of hUCMSCs were investigated.

RESULTS

BPS markedly increased the number of hUCMSCs, and the results of the cell cycle studies indicated that BPS induced cell cycle progression into the M phase. Cyclin D expression was higher with BPS than in the control group. Moreover, Notch-1, a key determinant of hUCMSC activation and proliferation, and its target gene Hes-1 were overexpressed after BPS treatment. Proliferation numbers of hUCMSC, rate of proliferation period (G2/M+S), and the expression of cyclin D, Notch-1, and Hes-1 were markedly decreased by Notch signaling inhibitors (DAPT/GSI). In the case of BPS, basic fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor were the key factors that promoted hUCMSC proliferation.

CONCLUSION

This study provides novel evidence for the role of BPS in the survival and rapid proliferation of hUCMSCs and suggests that these cells could be used for cell therapy–based clinical applications for treating severe burns. Furthermore, hUCMSC proliferation was induced by basic fibroblast growth factor/vascular endothelial growth factor in BPS through activation of Notch signal.
From the barn to the operating room and back
Authors: Rogers Amelia , Horst Michael , Rogers Frederick , Lee John , Reihart Michael
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

The Amish culture is known for simple living, reluctance to use modern technology, and a heavy emphasis on church and family relationships. We hypothesized that the strong work ethic and social structure of the Amish would lead to improved outcome following trauma.

METHODS

Trauma registry was queried for all patients from years 2000 to 2010. Patients separated into Amish versus non-Amish. Groups were compared using univariate logistic regression, with the first outcome variable being mortality and the second being hospital length of stay (LOS) greater than 5 days. Factors significant on univariate analysis were included in the multivariate models for the same dependent variables.

RESULTS

From 2000 to 2010, our Level II trauma center admitted 18,337 trauma patients, 802 (4.4%) of whom were Amish. When adjusted for age of 65 years or older, Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 16 or greater, and the occurrence of at least one complication, the Amish are at 96% lower odds for having an overall hospital LOS greater than 5 days (odds ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.40–0.66; p < 0.001). The Amish have a 72% lower odds of dying following trauma, when controlling for age of 65 years or older, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 13 or less, ISS of 16 or greater, and Revised Trauma Score (RTS) of 7 or less (odds ratio, 0.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.33–0.96; p = 0.036). The hospital LOS model had a receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.77, and the mortality model had a receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.88.

CONCLUSION

When adjusted for injury severity, age, and physiology, the Amish have a 72% lower odds of dying following trauma than their non-Amish counterparts. When adjusted for injury severity, age, physiology, and complications, the Amish have a 96% lower odds of having an extended hospital LOS than their non-Amish counterparts. Understanding the unique social structure of the Amish population may allow scarce social services’ resources to be shifted to more underserved areas.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Epidemiologic, level III.
The value of digital rectal examination in assessing for pelvic fracture–associated urethral injury
Authors: Johnson Michael H. , Chang Andrew , Brandes Steven B.
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

The Advanced Trauma Life Support Manual (8th ed.) recommend a digital rectal examination (DRE) as part of the initial evaluation of all trauma patients. A “high-riding” or “nonpalpable” prostate is a contraindication to urethral catheterization and an indication for urethrography. However, there are no published guidelines on, definitions of, or predictive values for high riding. Moreover, prostate evaluation can be difficult in the supine/trauma position.

METHODS

A total of 100 patients underwent DRE in lateral decubitus position. Prostate size and distance from anal verge to the prostate apex were recorded. DRE in the supine position was then performed, noting the most proximal part of the prostate that was palpable. High-riding prostate was defined as the apex being one or more SDs farther from the anal verge than the mean. Fifty index finger lengths were measured to ensure that DRE findings were applicable to the average examiner.

RESULTS

A total of 100 prostates were evaluated. Mean (SD) distance from the anal verge to the prostate apex in patients with palpable prostates was 4.86 (1.38) cm (range, 2.5–8 cm). The prostate was nonpalpable in the decubitus position in 8 of the 100 patients and in the supine position in 42 of the 100 patients. Mean (SD) body mass index in the nonpalpable group was 32.6 (5.8) kg/m2 versus palpable group with 28.1 (5.7) kg/m2 (p < 0.01). Of the 100 patients, 26 had prostates that were “high riding” (defined as >6.2 cm from the anal verge), 2 of which were palpable in the supine position. Palpable prostates were closer to the anal verge at 4.13 cm compared with nonpalpable at 6.15 cm (p < 0.01). Mean (SD) index finger length is 7.3 (0.60) cm.

CONCLUSION

DRE in the pelvic fracture trauma setting to evaluate for urethral disruption is unreliable. Patients with a larger body mass index were less likely to have a palpable prostate. The use of the criteria of “nonpalpable” prostate has a high false-positive rate. Our objective definition of high-riding prostate should be incorporated into all trauma protocols.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Epidemiologic study, level V.
Surgical management of traumatic isolated sternal fracture and manubriosternal dislocation
Authors: Divisi Duilio , Di Leonardo Gabriella , Crisci Roberto
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical procedures of osteosynthesis and the respective costs in isolated sternal fractures and manubriosternal dislocations.

METHODS

Between January 2006 and July 2011, we treated 47 patients with an isolated fracture and 18 patients with a dislocation of the sternum surgically. In case of sternal fracture, the titanium plate was used in 30 (64%), steel plate in 12 (25%), and steel wire in 5 patients (11%). The stabilization after traumatic luxation was obtained with steel wire in 4 patients (22%) and titanium plate associated with demineralized bone matrix in 14 patients (78%). The quality adjusted life years (QALYs) was analyzed, as well as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio based on QALYs.

RESULTS

In the sternal fractures, titanium plate showed a decreased time of intervention (30 [2] minutes), length of stay (3 [1] days), and total cost (€2,277.10) compared with steel plate (€2,667.70) and steel wire (€2,801.60) procedures, displaying an excellent difference in QALYs (0.825 and 1.615, respectively). In the sternal dislocation, steel wire technique highlighted a poor QALYs, although this approach was less expensive than titanium plate with demineralized bone matrix (€3,553.60 vs. €6,047.80). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio revealed that the titanium plate costs were €623.55 more than the steel wire per QALYs gained.

CONCLUSION

The rigid titanium plate application ensured a safe and easy management of traumatic sternal lesions with a good prognosis of patients, justified by the improved QALYs compared with other methods.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic study, level IV; economic analysis, level IV.
Spinal cord injury without radiologic abnormality in children imaged with magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Mahajan Prashant , Jaffe David M. , Olsen Cody S. , Leonard Jeffrey R. , Nigrovic Lise E. , Rogers Alexander J. , Kuppermann Nathan , Leonard Julie C.
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare children diagnosed with cervical spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality (SCIWORA) relative to whether there is evidence of cervical spinal cord abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS

We conducted a planned subanalysis of a cohort of children younger than 16 years with blunt cervical spine injury presenting to Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network centers from January 2000 to December 2004 who underwent cervical MRI and did not have bony or ligamentous injury identified on neuroimaging. We defined SCIWORA with normal MRI finding as children with clinical evidence of cervical cord injury and a normal MRI finding and compared them with children with SCIWORA who had cervical cord signal changes on MRI (abnormal MRI finding).

RESULTS

Of the children diagnosed with cervical spine injury, 55% (297 of 540) were imaged with MRI; 69 had no bony or ligamentous injuries and were diagnosed with SCIWORA by clinical evaluation; 54 (78%) had normal MRI finding, and 15 (22%) had cervical cord signal changes on MRI (abnormal MRI finding). Children with abnormal MRI findings were more likely to receive operative stabilization (0% normal MRI finding vs. 20% abnormal MRI finding) and have persistent neurologic deficits at initial hospital discharge (6% normal MRI finding vs. 67% abnormal MRI finding).

CONCLUSION

Children diagnosed with SCIWORA but with normal MRI finding in our cohort presented differently and had substantially more favorable clinical outcomes than those with cervical cord abnormalities on MRI.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Epidemiologic study, level III.
Contemporary acute care surgery percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement
Authors: Glazer Evan S. , Kulvatunyou Narong , Green Donald J. , Gries Lynn , Joseph Bellal , O’Keeffe Terence , Tang Andrew L. , Wynne Julie L. , Friese Randall S. , Rhee Peter M.
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

As the role of acute care surgery (ACS) becomes more prevalent, clinicians in this specialty will be placing more percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes. In this contemporary series of ACS PEG procedures, we hypothesized that technical aspects of PEG tube placement may play an important role.

METHODS

For our retrospective study, we queried our tertiary Level I trauma center’s prospectively maintained ACS database for PEG tube placement. Our study period was from July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2012. We excluded patients who underwent “push” PEG placement, an outpatient PEG tube placement, or an open or laparoscopic gastrostomy tube operation. We conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis of factors contributing to complications.

RESULTS

During our 24-month study period, of 184 patients, 133 underwent “pull” PEG tube placement with sufficient data for analysis. The mean (SD) age was 56 (22) years; 66% were male. Overall, 33 (25%) experienced complications: 13 (10%) were major and 20 (15%) were minor complications. In our multivariate logistic regression analysis, we found that an extreme bumper height (<2 or >5 cm) (odds ratio, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.14–2.16) and upper aerodigestive tract malignancy as the operative indication (odds ratio, 1.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–2.26) were significantly associated with complications.

CONCLUSION

Although pull PEG tube placement is typically a straightforward procedure, morbidity can be significant. Bumper height is an easily modifiable variable; obtaining the proper height for each patient could decrease complications after PEG tube placement.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic study, level IV.
Extracorporeal life support in patients with multiple injuries and severe respiratory failure
Authors: Biderman Philippe , Einav Sharon , Fainblut Michael , Stein Michael , Singer Pierre , Medalion Benjamin
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

The use of extracorporeal life support in trauma casualties is limited by concerns regarding hemorrhage, particularly in the presence of traumatic brain injury (TBI). We report the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)/interventional lung assist (iLA) as salvage therapy in trauma patients. High-flow technique without anticoagulation was used in patients with coagulopathy or TBI.

METHODS

Data were collected from all adult trauma patients referred to one center for ECMO/iLA treatment owing to severe hypoxemic respiratory failure.

RESULTS

Ten casualties had a mean (SD) Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 50.3 (10.5) (mean [SD] age, 29.8 [7.7] years; 60% male) and were supported 9.5 (4.5) days on ECMO (n = 5) and 7.6 (6.5) days on iLA (n = 5). All experienced blunt injury with severe chest injuries, including one cardiac perforation. Most were coagulopathic before initiation of ECMO/iLA support. Among the seven patients with TBI, four had active intracranial hemorrhage. Complications directly related to support therapy were not lethal; these included hemorrhage from a cannulation site (n = 1), accidental removal of a cannula (n = 1), and pressure sores (n = 3). Deaths occurred owing to septic (n = 2) and cardiogenic shock (n = 1). Survival rates were 60% and 80% on ECMO and iLA, respectively. Follow-up of survivors detected no neurologic deterioration.

CONCLUSION

ECMO/iLA therapy can be used as a rescue therapy in adult trauma patients with severe hypoxemic respiratory failure, even in the presence of coagulopathy and/or brain injury. The benefits of rewarming, acid-base correction, oxygenation, and circulatory support must be weighed individually against the risk of hemorrhage. Further research should determine whether ECMO therapy also confers survival benefit.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic study, level V.
Predicting surgical exploration in renal trauma
Authors: Shoobridge Jennifer J. , Bultitude Matthew F. , Koukounaras Jim , Royce Peter L. , Corcoran Niall M.
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to externally validate a previously described nomogram that predicts the need for renal exploration in the trauma setting.

METHODS

The predicted probability of nephrectomy was manually calculated using prospectively collected data from consecutive patients with renal trauma who presented to our institution between May 2001 and January 2010. To assess nomogram performance, receiver operating characteristic curves against the observed exploration rate were generated, and areas under the curve were calculated. Calibration curves were generated to assess performance across the range of predicted probabilities. Logistic regression modeling was used to determine clinical factors predicting exploration in a contemporary setting, and a nomogram was derived and internally validated using bootstrapping.

RESULTS

The established nomogram was applied to the 320 patients who presented during the 9-year period. The global performance of the established nomogram was very high, with an area under the curve of 0.95. However, the model performance was poor for higher predicted probabilities, thus lacking predictive ability in the population where the model has the greatest potential utility. A clinical tool was generated to better predict trauma nephrectomy in our contemporary population, using platelet transfusion within the first 24 hours, blood urea nitrogen, hemoglobin, and heart rate on admission. The global accuracy for the new model was similar to the previous nomogram, but it was significantly better calibrated for patients with higher probabilities of nephrectomy, with good predictive accuracy even in patients with Grade 5 injuries.

CONCLUSION

Older nomogram fails to accurately predict renal exploration in high-grade injuries in the contemporary setting. A new nomogram that more accurately predicts the need for exploration is presented.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic study, level IV; prognostic study, level III.
S.T.A.R.T.T.
Authors: Ziesmann Markus T. , Widder Sandy , Park Jason , Kortbeek John B. , Brindley Peter , Hameed Morad , Paton-Gay John Damian , Engels Paul T. , Hicks Christopher , Fata Paola , Ball Chad G. , Gillman Lawrence Marshall
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

Most medical errors are nontechnical and include failures in team communication, situational awareness, resource use, and leadership. Other high-risk industries have adopted team-based crisis resource management (CRM) training strategies to address “nontechnical” skills and to improve human error and safety. Here, we describe the development and evaluation of a national multidisciplinary trauma CRM curriculum.

METHODS

A needs analysis survey was distributed to general surgery program directors across Canada. With the use of this feedback, a course called STARTT [Standardized Trauma and Resuscitation Team Training] was developed and held in conjunction with the Canadian Surgery Forum. Participants completed a precourse and postcourse evaluation exploring changes in attitudes toward simulation and CRM principles using previously validated instruments.

RESULTS

Twenty surgical residents, 6 nurses, 4 respiratory therapists, and 11 instructors (trauma surgeons, emergency physicians, nurses, and intensivists) participated. Of the participants, 100% completed the survey. Satisfaction was very high, with 97.5% of the participants rating the course as “good” or “excellent” and 97.5% recommending it to others. The presurvey and postsurvey showed statistically significant improvement in attitudes toward simulation and overall CRM principles (136.3 vs. 140.3 of 170, p = 0.004) following the course, primarily in the domain of teamwork (69.1 vs. 72.0 of 85, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Creation of a national multidisciplinary trauma CRM curriculum is feasible, has high satisfaction among participants, and can improve attitudes toward the importance of simulation and CRM principles with the ultimate goal of improving patient safety and care.
Microcephaly models in the developing zebrafish retinal neuroepithelium point to an underlying defect in metaphase progression
Authors: Novorol Claire , Burkhardt Janina , Wood Kirstin J. , Iqbal Anila , Roque Claudio , Coutts Nicola , Almeida Alexandra D. , He Jie , Wilkinson Christopher J. , Harris William A.
Published: October 2013

Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) is a congenital disorder characterized by significantly reduced brain size and mental retardation. Nine genes are currently known to be associated with the condition, all of which encode centrosomal or spindle pole proteins. MCPH is associated with a reduction in proliferation of neural progenitors during fetal development. The cellular mechanisms underlying the proliferation defect, however, are not fully understood. The zebrafish retinal neuroepithelium provides an ideal system to investigate this question. Mutant or morpholino-mediated knockdown of three known MCPH genes (stil,aspmandwdr62) and a fourth centrosomal gene,odf2, which is linked to several MCPH proteins, results in a marked reduction in head and eye size. Imaging studies reveal a dramatic rise in the fraction of proliferating cells in mitosis in all cases, and time-lapse microscopy points to a failure of progression through prometaphase. There was also increased apoptosis in all the MCPH models but this appears to be secondary to the mitotic defect as we frequently saw mitotically arrested cells disappear, and knocking down p53 apoptosis did not rescue the mitotic phenotype, either in whole retinas or clones.
Perceived value in community supported agriculture (CSA)
Authors: Chen Weiping
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is threefold: to conceptualize a construct of the perceived value in CSA and its dimensions, to operationalize and validate the construct, and to empirically investigate the influence of perceived value in CSA on consumer satisfaction and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research begins by reviewing relevant literature that frames the concept of perceived value in CSA and integrates this construct into a nomological network. Operational measures for each component of perceived value in CSA are then developed. The scale is validated, and then used to test the hypothesized model in a sample of 198 consumers of Beijing's five CSA farms using partial least squares (PLS) as an analytical tool.

Findings

– Perceived value in CSA is found to be a formative, multi-dimensional, third-order construct. Further, the results suggest that perceived value in CSA has both a direct positive effect on consumer loyalty and an indirect effect mediated through consumer satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

– Limitations and research directions refer to the need to increase the sample size and replicate research in other places, the possibility of conducting longitudinal research, the need to identify antecedents of perceived value, and the opportunity to assess perceived value across a number of CSA member characteristics.

Practical implications

– CSA farmers should recognize the importance of value creation to build and maintain long time relationships. This study suggests that CSA farmers can enhance value from two approaches. One approach is to build strategies to facilitate delivery of product benefits, emotional benefits, and social benefits. Another approach is to invest in efforts to reduce inconvenience and lower risk. In addition, the formative model means that CSA farmers can allocate resources depending on the relative weight of each in value perceptions.

Originality/value

– This research is one of the first to conceptualize perceived value in a CSA setting; it argues that modeling of perceived value in CSA should take a formative approach and finds support for this; and assesses the nomological validity of the perceived value in CSA.
In search of differentiation and the creation of value: the quest of the Scottish pig supply chain
Authors: M.K. Leat Philip , Revoredo-Giha Cesar
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to analyse different aspects of the concept of value and to provide examples of value creation, identifying the conditions necessary for their production within a case study of a Scottish pig supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

– The case study involved in-depth, recorded interviews of between 60 and 75 minutes (undertaken between June and August 2010) with seven people involved in the chain and its management.

Findings

– Value within the supply chain (i.e. value in exchange) was created through farmers engaging in horizontal and vertical collaboration. For farmers this value arises from efficient pig collection and transport, improved market and price security, and information on improving pig performance. For the processor and retailer, value is generated in terms of improved security of supply of an assured quality and the ability to communicate with their pigmeat supply base. For consumers, value (i.e. value in use) comes through market development associated with a label that communicates clear provenance, high animal welfare practices and consistent product quality.

Research limitations/implications

– A limitation of the research is that the findings are based on the analysis of a particular supply chain. However, the pig cooperative involved currently produces over half of Scotland's weekly pig production.

Practical implications

– The lessons of the case study are highly transferable to other agri-food supply chains. It shows producers' successful efforts to reflect attributes that are important for different stakeholders (e.g. retailers, consumers). It also illustrates the importance of shared goals, information exchange and collaborative interaction between supply chain stakeholders in value creation.

Originality /value

– The paper's contribution derives from showing the creation of value at different stages of a supply chain.
Value in the territorial brand: the case of champagne
Authors: Charters Stephen , Menival David , Senaux Benoit , Serdukov Svetlana
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The aim of this study is to consider how key actors in a territorial brand view the creation of value, and how it is balanced between the territorial and individual brands – using champagne as a means of exploring this.

Design/methodology/approach

– The project was exploratory and a qualitative process involving interviews with key actors in the region was adopted.

Findings

– Members of the champagne industry adopt a range of views about the nature of value, focusing on image, reputation and perceived quality, but varying between an individualist approach (which considers that value creation lies with the proprietary brands) and a more collectivist perspective, which considers it is predominantly the result of the territorial brand.

Research limitations/implications

– Research into the organisation of territorial brands is just beginning; while merely exploratory this research suggests that issues around value merit further consideration.

Practical implications

– Actors within a territorial brand need to clearly negotiate how they view value in order to maintain coherence and a common message. They may also need to pay more attention to issues around brand co-creation.

Originality/value

– No research in this precise field has previously been carried out and this study highlights variations in the perceptions of key actors within a territorial brand.
Unified trust establishment by leveraging remote attestation – modeling and analysis
Authors: Khiabani Hamed , Bashah Idris Norbik , Ab Manan Jamalul-lail
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– Ambient service provisioning with the least human participation in a pervasive computing environment, which is composed of interconnected devices and sensors, raises several trust and security issues. Accurate measuring of the integrity of the nodes that are willing to interact in this intimate environment can boost the trust evolution process, particularly in the uncertainty state and initiation phase. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper presents a unified approach in calculating the trust value among the nodes by leveraging some trusted computing functionalities. The approach aggregates different trust metrics like context, recommendation, and history to compute the trust index of each party more accurately. The paper also describes several existing remote attestation techniques including the chosen attestation technique for the model. The paper simulated the behaviour of the model in different scenarios and evaluates its responsiveness when the trustworthiness among peer nodes can be attested.

Findings

– The results obtained from different simulated scenarios demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed model. It is shown that trust evaluation process in the proposed model is very granular and also can be fine-tuned according to the application and context. The model strength in solving the uncertain situations and assigning appropriate initial trust values is shown, as well. Finally, the paper describes the future research plan to evaluate the accuracy of the model.

Originality/value

– The novel idea of applying remote attestation in trust determination may open up new avenues of research in the study of trust management and trust models.
A comparison of password feedback mechanisms and their impact on password entropy
Authors: Ciampa Mark
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– Text-based passwords created by users are typically weak. A common mitigation is to provide meaningful feedback to users regarding the relative strength of their newly created password. However, the effects of these feedback mechanisms on users to create stronger passwords have not been well studied. This study examined four different types of password feedback mechanisms to determine which, if any, are the most effective. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Undergraduate student volunteers created four different passwords and then entered the passwords into four different online password feedback mechanisms. Participants were then asked whether the feedback persuaded them to change their original password.

Findings

– In all cases, the feedback mechanisms significantly influenced users with lower password entropy to choose a more secure password. The password feedback mechanism that was most effective was the feedback of the estimated amount of time to break the password.

Research limitations/implications

– Undergraduate students in an academic environment were the participants, which may limit external validity.

Practical implications

– The implications are for designers of web sites and other applications that require users to create a text-based password: any feedback mechanism can influence users to create passwords with higher entropy, yet those that indicate the length of time it would take to crack the password are most effective.

Originality/value

– There are a wide variety of password feedback mechanisms in use. However, their effects on influencing users to create stronger passwords have not been well studied.
Moving cultural information systems research toward maturity
Authors: Tams Stefan
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose both short-term and long-term recommendations, with the potential to help cultural information systems (IS) research overcome the definitional and epistemological problems that cause it to remain largely immature.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses an extensive literature review to identify the major definitional and epistemological problems inherent in cultural IS research and to propose ways to overcome these problems.

Findings

– The paper finds that cultural research in the area of IT and people needs to employ more consistent definitions of the culture construct and that such research could benefit from a diversification of the epistemological approaches employed.

Originality/value

– The present paper finds that a more contemporary definition of culture is needed alongside a greater emphasis of the interpretivist approach to move cultural IS research toward maturity. The paper also suggests that anthropology constitutes a promising reference discipline for cultural IS research. In line with recent research in IS and anthropology, future IS research may consider defining culture consistently as shared values among the members of a collective rather than as a nation state since the former definition accounts for the fact that nation states are no longer culturally homogeneous.
Customer satisfaction in Web 2.0 and information technology development
Authors: Sharma Gajendra , Baoku Li
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the individual and organizations best use Web 2.0 social networking technologies to improve its relationships with customers.

Design/methodology/approach

– The theoretical background used in the paper was the familiarity-liking theory and prospect theory to understand the extent of user satisfaction with the services. Online survey from Second Life users was conducted to investigate customer satisfaction in Web 2.0 social networks and recent development on information technologies.

Findings

– The findings suggested that IT development is the inseparable part of Web 2.0 and enables to understand customer satisfaction as well as their perception on online technology. Both customer satisfaction and IT development has positive influence on consumer's service enjoyment and experience.

Research limitations/implications

– The generalizability of the paper is limited. The survey data in this study have some common method bias. The possibility of the existence of the common method bias cannot be completely eliminated.

Practical implications

– The paper provides the significance of customer satisfaction for organizations, researchers, managers, and policy makers. The paper provides validated measurements to facilitate evaluation of several major user satisfaction constructs.

Originality/value

– The recent development of information and communication technology (ICT), especially the internet and its related technologies has become the main force of the development of online social network. The number of Web 2.0 users has been growing so rapidly that it has become an important channel for marketers to reach their customers.
Estimating the time varying NAIRU in Iran
Authors: Valadkhani Abbas , M. Mehdee Araee Sayyed
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The main purpose of this paper is to provide more accurate estimates of Iran's time varying non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment (NAIRU) than what already exists in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using the Kalman filter approach and annual time series data spanning from 1959 to 2008, the paper presents two estimates of the NAIRU for Iran.

Findings

– The estimated two measures appear to be robust and consistent in terms of their magnitude and pattern, having a more logical upper limit of 11.1 per cent. Irrespective of which of the two models are considered, the results clearly indicate that overall Iran's NAIRU has been on the rise since the 1960s and whenever the unemployment rate lies below the NAIRU, the rate of inflation has exhibited an explosive behaviour. Such a phenomenon was observed in both 1995-1996 and the post 2006 era.

Originality/value

– In the context of Iran, all previous studies have consistently over-estimated the maximum value of the time varying NAIRU. In these studies, the NAIRU's upper limit ranges from 14 to 20.7 per cent. The paper concludes that such implausible high rates are as a result of the overestimation associated with misspecification errors in their model.
Corporate governance and organizational survival under punctuational change
Authors: Li Sun Sunny , Zhang Yanli
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– How do different corporate governance structures fare under conditions of fundamental environmental transformations? Treating governance structure as a knowledge distribution mechanism embedded in institutional frameworks, the paper aims to propose that the efficiency of this knowledge diffusing process will increase organizational survival under a punctuational change.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using the case of Chinese banking industry during 1897-1927, a period of rapid technological, economic, and regulatory shifts.

Findings

– Money shops (qianzhuang) with decentralized, open and extended governance structure were better able to adapt to rapid changes in the environment and had a higher survival chance than ticket stores (piaohao) with centralized, closed and internalized governance structure.

Research limitations/implications

– When exogenous shocks dramatically change the environment, decentralized, open and extended governance structures can more easily discover new habitats in which a modified form of organization can thrive.

Originality/value

– By examining the Chinese banking industry during the fundamental shift of the environment at the turn of the twentieth century, this paper sheds new wisdom on the understanding of the current turbulent world and helps us discover new solutions to cope with the institutional transition necessary to survive and prosper in the new world environment and pave the road ahead.
The contingent effect of corporate social responsibility fit on consumer brand attitude
Authors: Tian Hong , Yuan Haixia
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purposes of this study are to demonstrate the conditional effect of functional fit and image fit on consumer brand attitude through the altruistic attributions and identify the criteria for choosing a perfect social cause for managers.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on the existing research, a conceptual model is proposed, explained the moderating effect of social cause affinity on the indirect influence of functional fit and image fit on consumer brand attitude via altruistic attributions; these relationships were assessed through a bootstrap procedure. The model was estimated with a sample of 240 subjects. Two newly created, printed corporate social responsibility (CSR) information served as the basic stimulus of this article.

Findings

– The main conclusions are as follows: first, social cause affinity moderates the effect of functional fit and image fit on altruistic attributions, and the combination of image fit and social cause affinity both on high levels can more easily lead to the emergence of suspicion of company's altruistic motives, contrary to functional fit. Second, contingent on social cause affinity, CSR fit has an indirect relationship with consumer brand attitude mediated by altruistic attribution. More specifically, the indirect effect will be more positive for functional fit with higher levels of social cause affinity, but for image fit with low levels of affinity.

Research limitations/implications

– The experiment relied on fictitious corporate name. Most of the responders were students from Changchun. This may reduce the generalizability of the results.

Practical implications

– Besides functional fit and image fit, social cause affinity should be treated as a key criterion to choose social cause.

Originality/value

– This work analyses and compares the indirect effect of functional fit and image fit on consumer brand attitude through altruistic attributions. The findings give some enlightenment on solutions to contradictions in existing research.
Managing regional centres' of expertise collaborations with stakeholders including higher education institutions
Authors: Liane Brown Francesca , Meyer Jonas , Diethart Mario
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assist the United Nations Regional Centres of Expertise (RCEs) in continuing their fundamental work within the region and to address some of the prominent challenges within the RCE community. Specific RCE case studies from the global network were employed, emphasizing experiences in collaboration with multiple stakeholders including higher education institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Conducting a literature review and employing a qualitative research methodology with the use of a guided questionnaire, the paper aims to gain a deeper understanding of the operations of RCEs in general and more specifically the case studies.

Findings

– The paper shows some of the strategies implemented by the cohort of case studies to overcome their common challenges. Key recommendations based on the findings are made in its quest for continual development and final conclusions assessing the contentious challenges are drawn.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper focuses on RCEs within Europe, with cases from the USA and Canada for comparison. Although the paper highlights common themes and challenges, it is highly probable that RCEs outside of the studied regions may contend with similar challenges; further research would have to be conducted to assess the wider scope of the situation.

Originality/value

– The paper gives an external perspective of the challenges faced and identifies some areas in which improvements could be made. It is also generated from information gathered from multi-case study RCEs.
Sustainability reporting and performance management in universities
Authors: A. Adams Carol
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This article aims to provide a perspective on sustainability reporting and performance management in the university sector making a case for increased accountability, improved (management of) performance and greater innovation in approach.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author provides a personal perspective drawing on experience in sustainability standard setting and as a sustainability researcher, advisor and practitioner in the university sector and others.

Findings

– The paper finds that university practice in sustainability reporting and performance management significantly lags other sectors and falls far short of optimising the potential of the sector to influence transformational change through knowledge transfer.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper suggests some areas for further research.

Practical implications

– This article makes a case for increased sustainability performance management and reporting in universities arguing that it would lead to increased accountability and improved performance. It calls for social, environmental and economic sustainability to integrated into university processes. The paper has implications for university policy makers and regulators.

Originality/value

– Little attention has been paid to the university sector in the sustainability reporting and social responsibility literature or indeed in recognised standards for sustainability reporting and management.
Developing a brand structure pyramid model for travel-related online social networks
Authors: Barreda Albert , Nusair Khaldoon , Okumus Fevzi , Bilgihan Anil
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to develop a comprehensive model that combines brand awareness, brand image, brand emotional attachment, brand evaluation and also shows how these constructs affect e-loyalty through the use of travel-related online social network (OSN) websites.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on an in-depth literature review, a conceptual e-loyalty model was developed. Empirical data were collected through a web-based questionnaire from 236 respondents. A structural equation modeling was utilized to test the e-loyalty model.

Findings

– Results indicate that brand awareness positively affects brand image. Brand awareness directly and indirectly influences brand emotional attachment and brand evaluations. The total effects of brand awareness and brand image suggest that higher awareness level and positive image encourage OSN users to be more loyal. In return, this increases the probability that OSN members will repurchase through the OSN websites that they are emotionally connected with. Study results further suggest that there is no difference between the conceptualization of loyalty and the medium used when brands attempt to create consumer loyalty either in the traditional offline medium or the online medium.

Practical implications

– Study results suggest that travel-related brands should consider brand emotional attachment and brand evaluation as the most important antecedents to e-loyalty, while e-loyalty results in the increased transaction intentions of online users.

Originality/value

– Very few studies have so far looked at the cause-and-effect relationship between brand emotional attachment and brand evaluation, and e-loyalty through the use of travel-related OSN websites. Study results confirm that the conceptualization of loyalty is similar to the conceptualization of e-loyalty.
Forty six years of organised tourism in Sri Lanka (1966-2012)
Authors: Samaranayake H.M.S. , Lantra Nizam , (Chandi) Jayawardena Chandana
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– This paper aims to provide a backdrop for the Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes (WHATT) theme issue on tourism in Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is written in the context of a strategic question: “how might post-war Sri Lanka develop inbound tourism?” A narrative approach is taken to cover a period of 46 years.

Findings

– 26 years of war affected tourism in Sri Lanka resulting in low demand, low prices and a reputation as a cheap destination. Turnaround came when the war ended in 2009. In 2012 Sri Lanka passed two milestones in its tourism history by emerging as a “million tourist destination” and a “billion dollar export income earner”. Sri Lanka is now aiming to attract 2.5 million tourists by 2016.

Practical implications

– Tourism in Sri Lanka has the potential to emerge as a major export income earner. To further develop tourism, Sri Lanka must develop a long-term tourism master plan with inputs from all stake holders. Authors suggest that such a master plan is needed to achieve a target of 4.5 million tourist arrivals by 2024.

Originality/value

– This paper learns from the past and plans for the future. A former Chairman and a former Director of the national tourism authority of Sri Lanka joined hands with an international hospitality and tourism educator to co-write this paper to advocate for a holistic plan in further development of tourism in Sri Lanka.
A Screen of Zebrafish Mutants Identifies Ethanol‐Sensitive Genetic Loci
Authors: Swartz Mary E. , Wells Michael B. , Griffin Melissa , McCarthy Neil , Lovely Charles B. , McGurk Patrick , Rozacky Jenna , Eberhart Johann K.
Published: October 2013

Background

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a highly variable set of phenotypes caused by fetal alcohol exposure. Numerous factors influence FASD phenotypes, including genetics. The zebrafish is a powerful vertebrate model system with which to identify these genetic factors. Many zebrafish mutants are housed at the Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC). These mutants are readily accessible and an excellent source to screen for ethanol (EtOH)‐sensitive developmental structural mutants.

Methods

We screened mutants obtained from ZIRC for sensitivity to EtOH teratogenesis. Embryos were treated with 1% EtOH (41 mM tissue levels) from 6 hours postfertilization onward. Levels of apoptosis were evaluated at 24 hours postfertilization. At 4 days postfertilization, the craniofacial skeleton, peripheral axon projections, and sensory neurons of neuromasts were examined. Fish were genotyped to determine whether there were phenotype/genotype correlations.

Results

Five of 20 loci interacted with EtOH. Notable among these was that vangl2, involved in convergent extension movements of the embryonic axis, interacted strongly with EtOH. Untreated vangl2 mutants had normal craniofacial morphology, while severe midfacial defects including synophthalmia and narrowing of the palatal skeleton were found in all EtOH‐treated mutants and a low percentage of heterozygotes. The cell cycle gene, plk1, also interacted strongly with EtOH. Untreated mutants have slightly elevated levels of apoptosis and loss of ventral craniofacial elements. Exposure to EtOH results in extensive apoptosis along with loss of neural tissue and the entire craniofacial skeleton. Phenotypes of hinfp, mars, and foxi1 mutants were also exacerbated by EtOH.

Conclusions

Our results provide insight into the gene–EtOH interactions that may underlie EtOH teratogenesis. They support previous findings that EtOH disrupts elongation of the embryonic axis. Importantly, these results show that the zebrafish is an efficient model with which to test for gene–EtOH interactions. Understanding these interactions will be crucial to understanding of the FASD variation.