bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Converting values awareness to values enactment through frame-of-reference training
Authors: O’Neill Grant , Travaglione Antonio , McShane Steven , Hancock Justin , Chang Joshua
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether values enactment could be increased through frame-of-reference (FOR) training configured around values prototyping and behavioural domain training for managers within an Australian public sector organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

Employees from an Australian public sector organisation were studied to ascertain the effect of values training and development via a three-way longitudinal design with a control group.

Findings

The findings indicate that FOR training can increase employee values enactment clarity and, thereby, have a positive impact upon organisational values enactment.

Practical implications

The application of FOR training constitutes a new approach to supporting the development of employee values clarity, which, in turn, can support the achievement of organisational values enactment. Through FOR training, employees can learn to apply organisational values in their decision-making and other behaviours irrespective of whether they are highly congruent with their personal values.

Originality/value

Empirical research into values management is limited and there is a lack of consensus to what is needed to create a values-driven organisation. The article shows that FOR training can be a beneficial component of a broader human resource strategy aimed at increasing organisational values enactment. With reference to the resource-based view of the firm, it is argued that values enactment constitutes a distinctive capability that may confer sustained organisational advantage.
Authentic leadership and creativity: the mediating role of happiness
Authors: Semedo Ana Suzete Dias , Coelho Arnaldo Fernandes Matos , Ribeiro Neuza Manuel Pereira
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Authentic leadership (AL) as a style can influence, directly or indirectly, employees’ attitudes and behaviors. In this perspective, the purpose of this study is to investigate how AL predicts affective well-being (AWB) and employees’ creativity. The mediating role of AWB and the moderating role of satisfaction with management will be analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers have analyzed the data from a questionnaire administered to a sample of 543 employees belonging to various public and private organizations in Cape Verde. Structural equation modelling was used to test the proposed hypotheses and a multi-group analysis was performed to identify how the level of satisfaction with the management may impact the proposed relationships.

Findings

The results of this study reveal that perceptions of AL predict employees’ creativity both directly and through the mediating role of AWB. Satisfaction with the management seems to moderate the relationship between AL, AWB and creativity.

Practical implications

The research outcomes suggest that organizations should focus on training leaders who value self-awareness and transparency in their relationships with others, who display an internal moral perspective and demonstrate balanced processing of information, to guarantee good results at the individual level and, consequently, at the organizational level. This study provides practitioners with possible routes to act in favor of a much happier and more creative workforce.

Originality/value

The originality of this study is because of the integration of these four concepts in a single study, providing evidence of the relationship between AL and creativity through the mediating role of AWB and moderating role of satisfaction with the management.
Strategy and ecology: a synthesis and research agenda
Authors: Hu Yixin
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This article aims to synthesize the tension between agency notions inherent in strategy and deterministic notions inherent in ecology, and in doing so, develop a research agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, emerging themes around the strategy-ecology literature will be analyzed and synthesized from a socio-ecological perspective.

Findings

The following propositions can be synthesized. First, the socio-ecological level of analysis is useful, because from this level, strategy and ecology are mutually exclusive, enabling resource-based views of competitive advantage. Second, the order of strategy and ecology is found to be changeable, given they are mutually exclusive. Here, ecological mechanisms and relationships in the ecosystem can provide information on a strategic choice.

Research limitations/implications

These propositions contribute toward a research agenda. Nevertheless, evolutionary mechanisms will need to be more specific in addressing what is being selected.

Originality/value

By introducing the socio-ecological perspective as the way of synthesizing organizational strategy and ecology, new research ideas can foster.
Corporate responsible behavior in multinational enterprise
Authors: Andersen Torben Juul
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This study aims to analyze how leadership influenced corporate responsible behavior in a complex multinational organization with ethical principles imposed by concrete actions on regulatory, environmental and international labor issues. Increasing functional specialization, multinational diversity and business acquisitions challenged the core values and called for more formal enforcement. Core values executed through investment in positive economic externalities enhanced the reputation and facilitated sustainable collaborative solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

This single-case study collects evidence from experienced multinational executives for practitioner-based theory building. The information is interpreted against prevailing theory to gain deeper insights for practice. Observed phenomena are discussed in various managerial audiences and cross-checked against documents, news articles, books and involved external stakeholders. The case material and executive narratives are further assessed from storytelling and retrospective sense-making perspectives.

Findings

The study illustrates how core values were enforced through concrete executive decisions driving corporate reputation and good stakeholder relationships. It provides evidence of positive outcomes as future conflicts are reduced while levering the reputation to deal more effectively with emergent risks. The core values influenced corporate responsible behavior and supported long-term adaptability, but increasing diversification and global expansion also diluted those values.

Originality/value

Corporate responsible behavior is a significant challenge in large organizations with many and diverse multinational stakeholders. Ethical conduct derives from executive morality, but the role of leaders as instigators of responsible behavior has not been studied in the context of multinational enterprise. Hence, this article fills a need for more granular longitudinal studies of complex internationalizing organizations.
How does human resource management influence organisational performance? An integrative approach-based analysis
Authors: Katou Anastasia A.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Drawing on the contingency perspective between business strategies and human resource (HR) practices, the purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of human resource management (HRM) system (which integrates both content and process of HR practices) on both proximal organisational outcomes (such as job satisfaction, motivation, and organisational commitment) and distal organisational outcomes (such as employee engagement, organisational citizen behaviour (OCB), co-operation among employees, intention to quit, and operational performance).

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a sample of 996 Greek employees working in 108 private organisations and the statistical method employed is structural equation modelling with bootstrapping estimation.

Findings

The results indicate that HRM content is more positively related to job satisfaction and motivation and less related to organisational commitment than HRM process. Moreover, HRM system is sequentially related to organisational outcomes (both directly and indirectly) and significantly influences employee job satisfaction and motivation, as well as OCB and co-operation among employees, and operational performance.

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected using a questionnaire at a single point in time, and thus, not allowing dynamic causal inferences. Considering that Greece is experiencing a severe financial crisis, the findings from this unique context may not generalise across other contexts.

Practical implications

The core messages to decision makers are that employee development and rewards are the major dimensions of the content of an HRM system and that consistency and distinctiveness are the principal features of the process of an HRM system, even in cases where the organisation is operating under an economic crisis environment.

Originality/value

Investigations into the relationship between HRM systems and organisational performance have become increasingly common. Nevertheless, empirical studies that measure the impact of HRM systems, which being contingent on business strategies integrate both content and process of HR practices on organisational performance are still rare. This paper partially fills this gap.
Impact of organizational citizenship behavior on job performance in Indian healthcare industries
Authors: Basu Eeman , Pradhan Rabindra Kumar , Tewari Hare Ram
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and job performance. It also examines the mediating role of social capital in influencing the relationship between OCB and job performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study explores the dynamic relationship among the variables of OCB and job performance and social capital. Data were collected from 501 respondents working in 15 healthcare organizations in Kolkata, India, through questionnaire survey. Likert-type rating scales of OCB, job performance and social capital with sound reliability and validity were used to carry out the survey. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results of the present study show that OCB significantly predicts job performance in healthcare organizations. Social capital found to be a significant mediator between OCB and job performance.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the study have a number of implications for organizations in acknowledging and leveraging social capital and encouraging OCB to facilitate superior performance of employees. The generalization of the findings of the study should be restricted to the healthcare organizations in Kolkata due to its own style of functioning, workforce and work environment. The role of demographic variables in influencing the outcome measures has not been considered for the present study. Further research on these aspects may reveal more interesting results with regard to the dynamics among organizational citizenship behavior, social capital and job performance.

Practical implications

Employee-friendly management practices should be adopted in organizations to facilitate the formation of network building and development of social capital which serves as an asset to organizations and creates competitive advantage.

Originality/value

The research findings enrich our understanding of voluntary social participation and citizenship behavior of employees for influencing performance at work. The study also provides useful and unique insight on the benefits of networking in healthcare organizations particularly helping employees to cope with emergency situations. The findings as well as methodology used in this study are original and unique.
An empirical investigation on lean supply chain management frameworks in Indian manufacturing industry
Authors: Jasti Naga Vamsi Krishna , Kurra Suresh
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Supply chain management plays a vital role in deciding the final cost of products. A huge number of non-value-added activities are performed throughout supply chain process. Lean principles are useful to identify and eliminate waste activities across the supply chain management processes. The purpose of this paper is to examine the validity and reliability of the existing lean supply chain management (LSCM) frameworks in the Indian manufacturing industry through questionnaire survey methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study collected empirical data from 180 top- and middle-level management personnel from the Indian manufacturing industry. Factor analysis was performed to check unidimensionality of LSCM frameworks by using empirical data. Cronbach’s α value of each selected LSCM framework was calculated to find out its reliability. Finally, frequency distribution analysis was performed on the selected framework to identify and reveal critical constructs of LSCM.

Findings

It was found that nine LSCM frameworks show unidimensionality. The study established that most of the selected frameworks exposed a high level of reliability. The frequency distribution analysis revealed that the larger part of the constructs had a high mean score and mode. It is concluded that there is a need for a new LSCM framework to fulfill the requirements of the Indian manufacturing industry.

Originality/value

The present study is focused on checking the suitability of existing LSCM frameworks in the Indian manufacturing sector. It is anticipated that the study will be helpful to the professionals who wish to execute appropriate LSCM framework in the manufacturing organization.
Formal human resource practices in family firms
Authors: Steijvers Tensie , Lybaert Nadine , Dekker Julie
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The importance of formal human resource (HR) practices is widely recognized in management literature, but under-researched in the small business and family firm domain. Previous research indicates that family firms rely more on informal HR practices, based on social networks. However, given the heterogeneity of family firms, one cannot assume that all family firms are reluctant to formalize their HR. As the CEO is the key decision maker who covers HR management in family firms, the effect of the CEO type on formal HR practices will be studied. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a large-scale survey, resulting in a response of 532 family SMEs, the authors perform a hierarchical regression analysis studying the effect of a family/nonfamily CEO on the use of formal HR practices, introducing several moderating effects: CEO generational stage, tenure and education.

Findings

Results indicate that family firms with a family CEO have more formal HR practices than those managed by a nonfamily CEO due to higher levels of goal alignment and intentional trust between the owning family and family CEO. Moreover, family firms managed by first generation family CEOs and family CEOs with a higher education have more formal HR practices.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that family CEOs can be equally or even more able as nonfamily CEOs to run a family firm in a formalized/professionalized manner.

Originality/value

Given the scant amount of research on HR formalization in family firms, even though literature documents performance increasing effects, this study fulfils the need to study the effect of the CEO on HR formalization.
Healthcare managers’ perception of economies of scale
Authors: Svarts Anna
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how healthcare managers perceive economies of scale and the underlying mechanisms for how scale/size affects performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected in 20 in-depth interviews with healthcare professionals from 13 healthcare delivery organizations and from a public authority that finances and contracts healthcare services. Data were coded and analysed using content analysis.

Findings

The study concludes that the impact of scale on performance is perceived by healthcare professionals to be different for different types of healthcare services: For surgery, significant scale effects related to spreading of fixed cost, the experience curve, and potential for process improvement. For inpatient care, moderate scale effects related to spreading of fixed costs and costs of doctors on on-call duty. For outpatient care, small or no scale effects.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample of interviewees from a single geographical region and healthcare system limits the applicability of the findings.

Originality/value

The paper provides insights into how healthcare managers experience scale effects and how they consider economies of scale when planning hospital configuration. Also, past studies of economies of scale in hospitals proffer mixed results and the findings in this paper indicate a possible explanation for this inconclusiveness, i.e. differences in service mix between different hospitals.
Rethinking compassion fatigue
Authors: Gerard Nathan
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to argue for a revision of the concept of compassion fatigue in light of both its history and psychodynamics.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper calls into question conventional interpretations of compassion fatigue and the assumptions underlying them. As an alternative, a psychoanalytic interpretation is offered that sheds light on the phenomenon’s unconscious and organizational dynamics. This interpretation also aligns with the concept’s historical use in media and politics.

Findings

In contrast to the assumption that compassion fatigue arises from too much compassion, historical use of the term suggests just the opposite: compassion fatigue is the result of too little compassion. Healthcare literature on compassion fatigue has not only failed to account for this opposing view, but also the underlying psychodynamics at play. By attending to these neglected dimensions, healthcare scholars and practitioners can gain new insights into compassion fatigue and devise more sustainable interventions.

Originality/value

This paper reveals hidden dimensions to compassion fatigue that call into question conventional interpretations and offer novel perspectives on a core concern of healthcare work.
Occupational health and safety management practices and musculoskeletal disorders in aged care
Authors: Oakman Jodi , Bartram Timothy
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether occupational health and safety (OHS) management used to manage musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the aged care sector reflects contemporary research evidence of best practice to reduce the incidence of these disorders.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 58 interviews were conducted with managers and supervisors in the aged care sector across four organisations in Australia. Policies and procedures relating to MSDs were reviewed for each organisation.

Findings

Policies and procedures for managing MSDs do not reflect contemporary evidence, which supports a complex aetiology, related to a range of physical and psychosocial workplace factors. Despite strong evidence that psychosocial factors contribute to MSD development, these were not included in the policies and procedures reviewed. Findings from the interviews management practices including leadership and various components of HRM were functioning well but fragmentation was evident due to the challenging nature of the aged care sector.

Practical implications

To address the significant burden of MSDs in the aged care sector, policies and procedures need to include coverage of psychosocial and physical workplace factors. The development of systematic and integrated OHS management at the workplace level may play an important role in the effective management of MSDs.

Originality/value

This study offers insights into the previously unexplored area of MSD risk management and the role of management practices such as HRM in the aged care sector.
Forecasting the yield curve of government bonds: a dynamic factor approach
Authors: Ben Omrane Walid , He Chao , He Zhongzhi Lawrence , Trabelsi Samir
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Forecasting the future movement of yield curves contains valuable information for both academic and practical issues such as bonding pricing, portfolio management, and government policies. The purpose of this paper is to develop a dynamic factor approach that can provide more precise and consistent forecasting results under various yield curve dynamics.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a unified dynamic factor model based on Diebold and Li (2006) and Nelson and Siegel (1987) three-factor model to forecast the future movement yield curves. The authors apply the state-space model and the Kalman filter to estimate parameters and extract factors from the US yield curve data.

Findings

The authors compare both in-sample and out-of-sample performance of the dynamic approach with various existing models in the literature, and find that the dynamic factor model produces the best in-sample fit, and it dominates existing models in medium- and long-horizon yield curve forecasting performance.

Research limitations/implications

The authors find that the dynamic factor model and the Kalman filter technique should be used with caution when forecasting short maturity yields on a short time horizon, in which the Kalman filter is prone to trade off out-of-sample robustness to maintain its in-sample efficiency.

Practical implications

Bond analysts and portfolio managers can use the dynamic approach to do a more accurate forecast of yield curve movements.

Social implications

The enhanced forecasting approach also equips the government with a valuable tool in setting macroeconomic policies.

Originality/value

The dynamic factor approach is original in capturing the level, slope, and curvature of yield curves in that the decay rate is set as a free parameter to be estimated from yield curve data, instead of setting it to be a fixed rate as in the existing literature. The difference range of estimated decay rate provides richer yield curve dynamics and is the key to stronger forecasting performance.
‘Close the door on your way out’: parent perspectives on supported transition planning for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Ireland
Authors: Doyle Alison , Mc Guckin Conor , Shevlin Michael
Published: May 2017

Students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities encounter complex and circuitous transitions from post‐primary settings to Higher Education. In Ireland, inequitable access to Individual Education Plans, and a lack of policy infrastructure to provide formal transition planning, means that these journeys are varied and uncertain. This study presents findings from surveys completed by parents supporting students with disabilities in their final 3 years of mainstream secondary school (n = 69), and in‐depth interviews with a self‐selected subset of parents (n = 8). Results point to: (i) disparate levels and quality of support and guidance, (ii) fissures in communication channels between parents and schools, (iii) insufficient awareness and understanding of the interplay between disability and successful post‐school outcomes, and (iv) high levels of stress, anxiety and frustration experienced by students, parents and carers.
Detection of Contact Traces of Powdery Substances
Authors: Pawłowski Wojciech , Matyjasek Łukasz , Karpińska Monika
Published: May 2017

The current practice in securing the contact traces of chemical substances taken from clothes belonging to a person suspected of manual handling explosives is focused on pockets and cuffs. The outerwear worn by people who had contact with fluorescent powders that simulate explosives and drugs was the subject of this study. Clothes were first exposed to the test substance for a period of time and then analyzed by fluorescence methods to determine the location of the highest quantity of traces. The results obtained from the study confirm that the areas with the highest concentration of powdery traces are different from those suggested by current forensic practice. They appear to be promising for a more efficient identification of the suspects involved in illegal manufacturing of drugs of abuse or explosives. Moreover, they may be helpful for developing the methodology for handling the evidence material in the forensic clothing examination process.
Molecular and functional characterization of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, Rab5: the first exopterygotan low molecular weight ovarian GTPase during oogenesis
Authors: Elmogy Mohamed , Mohamed Amr A. , Tufail Muhammad , Uno Tomohide , Takeda Makio
Published: May 2017

The small Rab GTPases are key regulators of membrane vesicle trafficking. Ovaries of Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus) (Blattodea: Blattidae) have small molecular weight GTP/ATP‐binding proteins during early and late vitellogenic periods of oogenesis. However, the identification and characterization of the detected proteins have not been yet reported. Herein, we cloned a cDNA encoding Rab5 from the American cockroach, P. americana, ovaries (PamRab5). It comprises 796 bp, encoding a protein of 213 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular weight of 23.5 kDa. PamRab5 exists as a single‐copy gene in the P. americana genome, as revealed by Southern blot analysis. An approximate 2.6 kb ovarian mRNA was transcribed especially at high levels in the previtellogenic ovaries, detected by Northern blot analysis. The muscle and head tissues also showed high levels of PamRab5 transcript. PamRab5 protein was localized, via immunofluorescence labeling, to germline‐derived cells of the oocytes, very early during oocyte differentiation. Immunoblotting detected a ∼25 kDa signal as a membrane‐associated form revealed after application of detergent in the extraction buffer, and 23 kDa as a cytosolic form consistent with the predicted molecular weight from amino acid sequence in different tissues including ovary, muscles and head. The PamRab5 during late vitellogenic periods is required to regulate the endocytotic machinery during oogenesis in this cockroach. This is the first report on Rab5 from a hemimetabolan, and presents an inaugural step in probing the molecular premises of insect oocyte endocytotic trafficking important for oogenesis and embryonic development.
New insight into foregut functions of xenobiotic detoxification in the cockroach Periplaneta americana
Authors: Zhang Jian‐Hua , Zhang Song , Yang Yuan‐Xue , Zhang Yi‐Xi , Liu Ze‐Wen
Published: May 2017

The physiological functions of insect foregut, especially in xenobiotic detoxification, are scarcely reported because of unimportance in appearance and insufficient molecular information. The cockroach Periplaneta americana, an entomological model organism, provides perfect material to study physiological functions of foregut tissue due to its architectural feature. Through Illumina sequencing of foregut tissue from P. americana individuals (control) or insects treated with cycloxaprid, as a novel neonicotinoid insecticide, 54 193 166 clean reads were obtained and further assembled into 53 853 unigenes with an average length of 366 bp. Furthermore, the number of unigenes involved in xenobiotic detoxification was analyzed, mainly including 70 cytochrome P450s, 12 glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs), seven carboxylesterases (CarEs) and seven adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Compared to control, the expression of 22 xenobiotic detoxification unigenes was up‐regulated after cycloxaprid application, mainly containing 18 P450s, one GST, two CarEs and one ABC adenosine triphosphate transporter, indicating that the oxidation‐reduction was the major reactive process to cycloxaprid application. Through quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis, the expression of selected unigenes (six P450s, one GST and one CarE) was up‐regulated at least two‐fold following cycloxaprid treatment, and was generally in agreement with transcriptome data. Compared to the previous midgut transcriptome of P. americana, it looks like the expressive abundance of the xenobiotic detoxification unigenes might be important factors to the detoxifying functional differences between foregut and midgut. In conclusion, insect foregut would also play important roles in the physiological processes related to xenobiotic detoxification.
Can clinical factors predict the need for intervention after a positive intraoperative cholangiogram?
Authors: Kaif Mohammed , Agrawal Deepak , Sreenarasimhaiah Jayaprakash
Published: May 2017

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether clinical factors such as the elevation or decline of biochemical liver tests and bile duct dilation can help to identify patients who will truly benefit from therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) following a positive intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) study.

METHODS

All cholecystectomies during a 3‐year period were examined retrospectively for positive intraoperative cholangiograms. Sonographic findings of bile duct dilation and transaminase levels at admission, including trends during the course of hospitalization and prior to ERCP, were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of 369 patients with intraoperative cholangiogram studies, 80 (21.7%) were positive. Prior to surgery, a sonogram showed biliary dilation in 50 (62.5%) and ERCP demonstrated actual stones in 27 (61.4%) out of 44 patients. In 24 patients with persistent elevation in transaminases and no biliary dilation, ERCP revealed stones in 12 (50.0%). Sonographic finding of biliary dilation had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 61.4% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 60.0%. Persistent elevation in transaminases had a PPV of 59.3%. A 50% decline in transaminases had a NPV of 41.2%. Overall, only 39 (48.8%) of all patients with a positive intraoperative cholangiogram study required therapeutic ERCP.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated transaminases and sonographic biliary dilation have poor predictive values for choledocholithiasis. Thus, patients with a positive intraoperative cholangiogram may benefit from additional studies, such as endoscopic ultrasound or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography prior to ERCP.
Pricing and Mispricing of Accounting Fundamentals in the Time‐Series and in the Cross Section
Authors: Nichols D. Craig , Wahlen James M. , Wieland Matthew M.
Published: May 2017

This study examines the extent to which parsimonious and general cross‐sectional valuation models, restricted to include only publicly available historical accounting information, explain share prices in the cross section, identify periods when market mispricing may be more pervasive, and also identify which shares within those cross sections are more likely to be mispriced. Our model simply includes historical book value, earnings, dividends, and growth, but it explains on average over 60 percent of the cross‐sectional variation in share prices in annual estimations across 1975–2011. We also examine the extent to which the residuals indicate mispricing. The quintile of stocks picked by our model as most likely underpriced outperform the quintile of stocks picked as most likely overpriced by an average of 9.9 percent over the following 12 months, after controlling for size. We also predict and find that value residuals are better predictors of future abnormal returns: (i) among firms that are not covered by analysts; (ii) among firms that face fewer accounting measurement challenges; and (iii) when we estimate value model parameters by industry/year. We also predict and find our approach works better in periods when the mapping of fundamentals into prices is weaker. This study contributes a novel and straightforward approach to map accounting fundamentals into share prices in order to identify mispricing in time‐series and in the cross section.
Effects of sleep on substance use in adolescents: a longitudinal perspective
Authors: Nguyen‐Louie Tam T. , Brumback Ty , Worley Matthew J. , Colrain Ian M. , Matt Georg E. , Squeglia Lindsay M. , Tapert Susan F.
Published: May 2017

Substance use (SU) and sleep problems appear interrelated, but few studies have examined the influence of adolescent sleep patterns on development of SU disorders. This study prospectively examined the influence of sleep habits on subsequent SU in youth who later transitioned into heavy drinking. At time 1 (T1), participants (n = 95) were substance‐naive 12‐ to 14‐year‐olds. Path‐analytic models examined whether the effects of T1 risk factors (familial SU disorder, inhibition control, and externalizing and internalizing traits) on time 3 (M = 19.8 years old) tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis were mediated by time 2 (M = 15.1 years old) sleep chronotype, daytime sleepiness, and erratic sleep/wake behaviors. Significant direct path effects of T1 risk factors and time 2 sleep behaviors on time 3 SU were found, Ps < 0.05. In models that examined the effect of each individual sleep behavior separately on SU, more erratic sleep/wake and greater daytime sleepiness predicted higher lifetime use events for all substances (Ps < 0.01). Higher evening chronotype tendencies predicted lower tobacco and higher alcohol and cannabis lifetime use events (Ps < 0.01). Erratic sleep/wake behaviors mediated the effect of inhibitory control on subsequent SU; less erratic sleep/wake behaviors predicted better inhibition control (
= −0.20, P < 0.05). Early‐mid adolescent psychiatric health and sleep behaviors prior to drinking onset predicted greater SU 5 years later. Participants were substance‐naïve at baseline, allowing for the examination of temporal order in the relationship between sleep problems and alcohol use. Early adolescent sleep problems may be an important risk factor for SU in later life.
Nucleus accumbens functional connectivity at age 20 is associated with trajectory of adolescent cannabis use and predicts psychosocial functioning in young adulthood
Authors: Lichenstein Sarah D. , Musselman Samuel , Shaw Daniel S. , Sitnick Stephanie , Forbes Erika E.
Published: May 2017

Aims

(1) To identify trajectories of cannabis use across adolescence, (2) to measure the influence of cannabis use characteristics on functional connectivity of the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and (3) to assess whether patterns of functional connectivity related to cannabis use are associated with psychosocial functioning 2 years later.

Design

The Pitt Mother and Child Project (PMCP) is a prospective, longitudinal study of male youth at high risk for psychopathology based on family income and gender.

Setting

Participants were recruited between age 6 and 17 months from the Women, Infants and Children Nutritional Supplement program (WIC) in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area.

Participants

A total of 158 PMCP young men contributed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and substance use data at age 20 years.

Measurements

Latent class growth analysis was used to determine trajectories of cannabis use frequency from age 14 to 19 years. Psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis was used to measure functional connectivity between the NAcc and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Adolescent cannabis use trajectory, recent frequency of use and age of initiation were considered as developmental factors. We also tested whether functional connectivity was associated with depressive symptoms, anhedonia and educational attainment at age 22.

Findings

We identified three distinct trajectories of adolescent cannabis use, characterized by stable high, escalating or stable low use. The cannabis use trajectory group had a significant effect on NAcc functional connectivity to the medial PFC (F = 11.32, Z = 4.04, Pfamily‐wise error‐corrected (FWE‐corr) = 0.000). The escalating trajectory group displayed a pattern of negative NAcc‐mPFC connectivity that was linked to higher levels of depressive symptoms (r = –0.17, P < .05), anhedonia (r = –0.19, P < .05) and lower educational attainment (t = –2.77, P < .01) at age 22.

Conclusions

Pattern of cannabis use frequency across adolescence in US youth could have consequences for mood symptoms and educational attainment in early adulthood via altered function in neural reward circuitry.
Malnutrition risk of older people across district health board community, hospital and residential care settings in New Zealand
Authors: Wham Carol , Fraser Emily , Buhs‐Catterall Julia , Watkin Rebecca , Gammon Cheryl , Allen Jacqui
Published: May 2017

Objective

To determine the prevalence of malnutrition risk in older people across three settings.

Methods

Older people living in the community or newly admitted to hospital or residential care were assessed for malnutrition risk using the validated Mini‐Nutritional Assessment – Short Form and dysphagia risk using the Eating Assessment Tool‐10. Demographic, physical and health data were collected.

Results

Of 167 participants, 23% were malnourished and 35% were at high risk of malnutrition. Those recently admitted to residential care versus a hospital or living in the community had a higher prevalence of malnourishment (47% vs 23% and 2%) (P < 0.001). Risk of dysphagia differed with settings (P < 0.001) with highest risk in residential care. Hospitalised and residential care participants were significantly more likely to have ≥4 comorbidities, take ≥5 medications and have below normal cognition compared to community participants.

Conclusion

Choice of nutrition intervention is setting dependent.
Projections of the number of Australians with disability aged 65 and over eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme: 2017–2026
Authors: Biddle Nicholas , Crawford Heather
Published: May 2017

Objective

To develop projections of the size of the Australian population aged 65 years and over eligible for disability support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for the decade following its introduction, to support planning and costing of the scheme.

Methods

We estimate disability and mortality transition probabilities and develop projections of the NDIS‐eligible, ageing population from 2017 to 2026.

Results

An estimated 8000 men and 10 200 women aged 65 years and over will be eligible for support through the NDIS in 2017 (the scheme's first full year), increasing to 48 800 men and 56 900 women in 2026.

Conclusions

Growth in the NDIS‐eligible, ageing population has implications for relative budget allocations between the NDIS and the aged‐care system, and projections of the size of this population are useful for calculating the overall cost of the NDIS.
Conservation value of disturbed and secondary forests for ferns and lycophytes along an elevational gradient in Mexico
Authors: Carvajal‐Hernández César I. , Krömer Thorsten , López‐Acosta Juan Carlos , Gómez‐Díaz Jorge A. , Kessler Michael
Published: May 2017

Questions

How do species richness and composition of fern assemblages change with elevation and, within elevational belts, in differently impacted forest habitats? Is there a relationship between fern assemblages and microclimate, both along gradients of elevation and disturbance? Which species are most sensitive to habitat disturbance and microclimatic changes?

Location

From sea level close to the Gulf of Mexico 81 km away in a direct line on the eastern slopes of the Cofre de Perote at 3500 m, central Veracruz, Mexico.

Methods

We studied the richness and composition of fern assemblages in 120 study plots at eight elevations from 20–3500 m in three forest types: natural forest (NF), disturbed forest (DF) subjected to timber extraction and grazing, and secondary forest (SF) regrown after total clearance 15–20 yr ago. In addition, we measured microclimatic conditions in the three forest types at five elevations over a year.

Results

Fern richness peaked in humid montane forests at mid‐elevations and was low in the drier habitats at the ends of the gradient. Humid montane forests were most sensitive to disturbance, showing increases in mean annual temperatures by about 1 °C and reduction in relative air humidity by about 20% in DF and SF compared to NF. This was together with a reduction in fern species richness of 5–60% and marked changes in species composition. In contrast, drought‐deciduous forests at low elevations and coniferous forests at high elevations already had low humidity and high light intensity in NF and were less affected by human impact: their microclimatic conditions and fern assemblages did not change markedly in DF and SF.

Conclusions

The conservation of much of the humidity‐dependent biota (ferns and presumably also groups such as bryophytes and amphibians) in humid montane forests depends on the protection of natural fragments without human disturbance. In contrast, the naturally open forests at the ends of the gradient can be subjected to some exploitation while conserving much of their fern flora as long as a general forest structure is maintained.
Initial multicentre experience of 68gallium‐PSMA PET/CT guided robot‐assisted salvage lymphadenectomy: acceptable safety profile but oncological benefit appears limited
Authors: Siriwardana Amila , Thompson James , van Leeuwen Pim J. , Doig Shaela , Kalsbeek Anton , Emmett Louise , Delprado Warick , Wong David , Samaratunga Hemamali , Haynes Anne‐Maree , Coughlin Geoff , Stricker Phillip
Published: May 2017

Objectives

To evaluate the safety and short‐term oncological outcomes of 68gallium‐labelled prostate‐specific membrane antigen (68Ga‐PSMA) positron‐emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT)‐directed robot‐assisted salvage node dissection (RASND) for prostate cancer oligometastatic nodal recurrence.

Materials and Methods

Between February 2014 and April 2016, 35 patients across two centres underwent RASND for 68Ga‐PSMA PET/CT‐detected oligometastatic nodal recurrence. RASND was performed using targeted pelvic dissection, unilateral extended pelvic template or bilateral extended pelvic template dissection, depending on previous pelvic treatment and extent/location of nodal disease. Complications were reported using the Clavien–Dindo classification system. Definitions of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) treatment response to RASND were defined as 6‐week PSA <0.2 ng/mL (broad definition) or PSA <0.05 ng/mL (strict definition) in those who had undergone primary prostatectomy, and 6‐week PSA level < post‐radiotherapy nadir in those who had undergone primary radiotherapy. Biochemical recurrence (BCR) after RASND was defined as a PSA >0.2 ng/mL or PSA > nadir, for those who had undergone primary prostatectomy and primary radiotherapy, respectively. Predictors of treatment response were analysed using univariate binary logistic regression.

Results

A total of 58 lesions suspicious for lymph node metastases (LNM) in 35 patients were detected on 68Ga‐PSMA imaging. A total of 32 patients (91%) had histopathologically proven LNM at RASND, with a total of 87 LNM and a median (interquartile range) of 2 (1–3) LNM per patient. In all, eight patients (23%) experienced complications, all Clavien–Dindo grade ≤2. Treatment response was seen in 15 (43%) and 11 patients (31%), using the broad and strict definitions, respectively. BCR‐free survival and clinical recurrence‐free survival at a median follow‐up of 12 months were 23% and 66%, respectively, for the entire cohort. Bilateral template dissection was the only significant univariate predictor of treatment response in our cohort.

Conclusions

Although RASND appears safe and feasible, less than half of our cohort had a treatment response, and less than a quarter experienced BCR‐free survival at 12‐month median follow‐up. 68Ga‐PSMA imaging underestimates micro‐metastatic disease, therefore RASND will rarely be curative. Strict patient selection and restricting RASND to clinical trials is recommended. Long‐term follow‐up from such trials is required to further assess potential quality of life and mortality benefits.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress in the heart: insights into mechanisms and drug targets
Authors: Wang Shunyao , Binder Pablo , Fang Qiru , Wang Zhenzhong , Xiao Wei , Liu Wei , Wang Xin
Published: May 2017

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) serves several essential cellular functions including protein synthesis, protein folding, protein translocation, calcium homoeostasis and lipid biosynthesis. Physiological or pathological stimuli, which disrupt ER homoeostasis and disturb its functions, lead to an accumulation of misfolded and unfolded proteins, a condition referred to as ER stress. ER stress triggers the unfolded protein response to restore the homoeostasis of ER, through activating transcriptional and translational pathways. However, prolonged ER stress will lead to cell dysfunction and apoptosis. Recent evidence revealed that ER stress is involved in the development and progression of various heart diseases, such as cardiac hypertrophy, ischaemic heart diseases and heart failure. Therefore, improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms of ER stress in heart disease will help to investigate more potential targets for new therapeutic interventions and drug discovery.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on Spotlight on Small Molecules in Cardiovascular Diseases. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.8/issuetoc
Development of protein degradation inducers of oncogenic BCR‐ABL protein by conjugation of ABL kinase inhibitors and IAP ligands
Authors: Shibata Norihito , Miyamoto Naoki , Nagai Katsunori , Shimokawa Kenichiro , Sameshima Tomoya , Ohoka Nobumichi , Hattori Takayuki , Imaeda Yasuhiro , Nara Hiroshi , Cho Nobuo , Naito Mikihiko
Published: May 2017

Chromosomal translocation occurs in some cancer cells, which results in the expression of aberrant oncogenic fusion proteins that include BCR‐ABL in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Inhibitors of ABL tyrosine kinase, such as imatinib and dasatinib, exhibit remarkable therapeutic effects, although emergence of drug resistance hampers the therapy during long‐term treatment. An alternative approach to treat CML is to downregulate the BCR‐ABL protein. We have devised a protein knockdown system by hybrid molecules named Specific and Non‐genetic inhibitor of apoptosis protein [IAP]‐dependent Protein Erasers (SNIPER), which is designed to induce IAP‐mediated ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation of target proteins, and a couple of SNIPER(ABL) against BCR‐ABL protein have been developed recently. In this study, we tested various combinations of ABL inhibitors and IAP ligands, and the linker was optimized for protein knockdown activity of SNIPER(ABL). The resulting SNIPER(ABL)‐39, in which dasatinib is conjugated to an IAP ligand LCL161 derivative by polyethylene glycol (PEG) × 3 linker, shows a potent activity to degrade the BCR‐ABL protein. Mechanistic analysis suggested that both cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1 (cIAP1) and X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) play a role in the degradation of BCR‐ABL protein. Consistent with the degradation of BCR‐ABL protein, the SNIPER(ABL)‐39 inhibited the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) and Crk like proto‐oncogene (CrkL), and suppressed the growth of BCR‐ABL‐positive CML cells. These results suggest that SNIPER(ABL)‐39 could be a candidate for a degradation‐based novel anti‐cancer drug against BCR‐ABL‐positive CML.