bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When and why do negative organization-related career shocks impair career optimism? A conditional indirect effect model
Authors: Hofer Annabelle , Spurk Daniel , Hirschi Andreas
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study investigates when and why negative organization-related career shocks affect career optimism, which is a positive career-planning attitude. The indirect effect of negative organization-related career shocks on career optimism via job insecurity and the role of perceived organizational career support as a first-stage moderator were investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Three-wave time-lagged data from a sample of 728 employees in Switzerland was used. Time-lagged correlations, an indirect effect model and a conditional indirect effect model with bootstrapping were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

First, this study showed a significant negative correlation between negative organization-related career shocks (T1) and career optimism (T3), a positive correlation between negative organization-related career shocks (T1) and job insecurity (T2) and a negative correlation between job insecurity (T2) and career optimism (T3). Second, findings revealed that negative organization-related career shocks (T1) have a negative indirect effect on career optimism (T3) via job insecurity (T2). Third, perceived organizational career support (T1) buffers the indirect effect of negative organization-related career shocks (T1) on career optimism (T3).

Originality/value

This study provides an initial examination of the relationship between negative organization-related career shocks and career optimism by applying assumptions from the JD-R model and Conservation of Resources theory. Implications about how to deal with negative career shocks in HRM and career counseling are discussed.
Comparative analysis of FDI by Indian and Chinese MNEs in Europe
Authors: Avioutskii Viatcheslav , Tensaout Mouloud
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Exploration of potential markets in foreign regions such as Europe becomes critical for emerging market multinational enterprises (MNEs). This study aims to investigate structural factors that affect the location choice of Chinese and Indian MNEs in Europe and compares them with USA and Japanese MNEs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a holistic approach to identify possible configurations of the determinants of Indian and Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI) into 38 European countries. The authors test two configurations as follows: knowledge-seeking by Chinese and Indian MNEs in “non-predictable” markets; market-seeking by USA and Japanese MNEs.

Findings

The findings reveal several strategies deployed in Europe by Chinese and Indian MNEs that are more specific than the pure strategies identified in the literature (e.g. market-seeking, knowledge-seeking). More importantly, unlike USA and Japanese MNEs, the findings confirm a two-stage strategy hypothesis for Chinese MNEs in Europe. Additionally, they show that the quality of institutions and infrastructure underlies the attractiveness of a territory.

Research limitations/implications

Multilevel configurational research might have also been used to consider firm- and industry-level determinants.

Practical implications

Good governance positively affects the entire set of locational determinants. In addition, good infrastructure and institutions are necessary conditions for a country to attract FDI inflow.

Originality/value

Recent internationalization models have been useful in identifying drivers of FDI by emerging market multinational enterprises vs advanced market multinational enterprises in Europe. This study mobilizes a comparative configurational approach.
Analysis of an extended two-lane lattice hydrodynamic model considering mixed traffic flow and self-stabilization effect
Authors: Wang Ting , Cheng Rongjun , Ge Hongxia
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of the mixed traffic flow, self-stabilization effect and the lane changing behavior on traffic flow stability.

Design/methodology/approach

An extended two-lane lattice hydrodynamic model considering mixed traffic flow and self-stabilization effect is proposed in this paper. Through linear analysis, the stability conditions of the extended model are derived. Then, the nonlinear analysis of the model is carried out by using the perturbation theory, the modified Kortweg–de Vries equation of the density of the blocking area is derived and the kink–antikink solution about the density is obtained. Furthermore, the results of theoretical analysis are verified by numerical simulation.

Findings

The results of numerical simulation show that the increase of the proportion of vehicles with larger maximum speed or larger safe headway in the mix flow are not conducive to the stability of traffic flow, while the self-stabilization effect and lane changing behavior is positive to the alleviation of traffic congestion.

Research limitations/implications

This paper does not take into account the factors such as curve and slope in the actual road environment, which will have more or less influence on the stability of traffic flow, so there is still a certain gap with the real traffic environment.

Originality/value

The existing two-lane lattice hydrodynamic models are rarely discussed in the case of mixed traffic flow. The improved model proposed in this paper can better reflect the actual traffic, which can also provide a theoretical reference for the actual traffic governance.
Toward the development of a model of student usage of MOOCs
Authors: Fianu Eli , Blewett Craig , Ampong George Oppong
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The study seeks to investigate the factors that influence MOOC usage by students in tertiary institutes in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

As this study sought both to test existing UTAUT variables and potentially identify additional variables impacting MOOC usage, a mixed method approach was used. The quantitative study was used to test the significance of UTAUT variables on MOOC usage while the qualitative study was conducted to validate the quantitative results and potentially determine additional factors impacting MOOC usage.

Findings

The results of the quantitative data analysis showed that computer self-efficacy, performance expectancy and system quality had a significant influence on MOOC usage intention. Facilitating conditions, instructional quality and MOOC usage intention were found to have a significant influence on actual MOOC usage. The results of the qualitative data analysis showed that information-seeking behaviour and functional Internet access were dominant non-UTAUT factors that influence actual MOOC usage, while teacher motivation was a dominant non-UTAUT factor that influenced MOOC usage intention.

Research limitations/implications

The study employed a non-probability sampling technique which imposes limitations on the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the study was conducted in two out of the ten geographical and administration regions of Ghana; this also imposes limitations on the generalizability of the findings.

Practical implications

It is important that lecturers and university management find ways of motivating students to participate in MOOCs. Lecturers can influence students to use MOOCs if they regularly and persistently spur the students on to use MOOCs. Lecturers can also adopt other innovative strategies such as posting MOOC information on student noticeboards, the formation of MOOC clubs and the commissioning of MOOC champions on campuses.

Social implications

The significance of functional Internet access in MOOC usage implies that good Internet connectivity is critical for online learning in developing countries. Regulators of Internet service providers must enforce strict adherence to quality of service standards regarding the provision of Internet service. The Internet service pricing regime must favour the use of the Internet for learning purposes.

Originality/value

The study adopted a mixed method approach to explore MOOC usage in a West African university context. The non-significance of two key UTAUT variables (effort expectancy and social influence) points to a key difference between the application of adoption and usage models to information systems compared to e-learning systems. Additionally, three other variables, namely information-seeking behaviour, functional Internet access and teacher motivation, were found to impact MOOC usage. The study presents a model of MOOC usage (MMU).
Personality trait determinants of frontline employee customer orientation and job performance: a Russian study
Authors: Ashill Nicholas J. , Semaan Rania W. , Gibbs Tanya , Gazley Aaron
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Despite major market-orientated reforms to enhance the competitive advantage of Russian domestic firms, the antecedents and consequences of frontline employee (FLE) customer orientation (CO) remain poorly understood. Acknowledging this paucity of research, the authors draw upon a hierarchical model of personality to examine personality trait determinants of CO and job performance in the context of the Russian financial services sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 186 FLEs using a self-administered survey questionnaire and analyzed using AMOS.

Findings

The results identify which basic personality traits matter in translating FLE CO behavior into higher job performance in the Russian retail-banking sector.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of the study include the generalizability of the findings within one organizational context. Future research should examine whether the found associations hold true for FLEs working in other service sectors in other parts of the country.

Practical implications

Study findings differ significantly to Western-based research and provide valuable insight into the process that motivates Russian FLEs in a commercial retail setting to perform better in their jobs.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study that employs a hierarchical model of the effects of basic personality traits on FLE CO and job performance in a former socialist/communist economy. We also advance existing research on FLE CO by distinguishing between two types of CO behavior. Findings provide an understanding of those personality traits that affect the ability of Russian FLEs to better satisfy customer needs and to interact and serve customers in an enjoyable way.
Investing in IT: a new method for improving the efficiency of contract governance in interfirm relationships
Authors: Zhang Tao , Qian Liping
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study aims to enhance our understanding of how advanced IT improves the efficiency of contract governance in mitigating partners' opportunistic behaviors in interfirm cooperation and the moderating effects of boundary spanners' personal relationships and cooperative orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

Contract governance is divided into two subdimensions: contract completeness and contract execution safeguards. Then, the hypotheses are examined using partial least squares–based structural equation modeling based on survey data collected from manufacturers in supply chain relationships.

Findings

The results first demonstrate that advanced IT can improve efficiency in both the design of complete contracts and the provision of contract execution safeguards. Second, the results also show that both the personal relationships between boundary spanners and the cooperative orientation of the firm have different moderating effects. Finally, contract execution safeguards are effective in mitigating partners' opportunistic behaviors, whereas contract completeness is not.

Originality/value

This study enriches the contract governance literature in two ways. First, it unveils how advanced IT improves the efficiency of contract governance and the effects of two contingent factors (i.e. personal relationships and cooperative orientation), thus extending the research on contract governance. Second, it reveals the different effects of contract completeness and contract execution safeguards on partners' opportunistic behaviors, thus deepening our understanding of the role of contracts in interfirm cooperation.
The role of active teaching, academic self-efficacy, and learning behaviors in student performance
Authors: Andres Hayward
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate a theoretical framework that examines and extends understanding of the role of cognitive/information processing, learning motivation and learning task behaviors in facilitating student engagement, course persistence and academic performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Student subjects were used to collect survey data. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the impact of active teaching, academic self-efficacy and task avoidance on the dependent variables – course grade, course persistence and expectancy for success.

Findings

Active teaching and academic self-efficacy were positive predictors of course grade while task avoidance was a negative predictor of course grade. Course persistence was positively impacted by academic self-efficacy and diminished by task-avoidance behaviors. Academic self-efficacy was shown to positively impact expectancy for success.

Practical implications

The results confirm the importance of adopting active teaching techniques, the need for periodic opportunities for experienced academic success and the need for coaching on self-regulation of study habits and class attendance behaviors.

Originality/value

This study builds on prior calls for more investigations on the role of teaching style on student psychological responses, engagement, learning task behaviors and academic performance. The teaching and learning processes were examined on four levels – attention/engagement, encoding, processing/synthesizing and learning task behaviors. In addition, prior work was extended by incorporating behavioral indicators (e.g. task avoidance) of learning motivation as opposed to reliance on self-reported levels of motivation that may have not been consistent with actual behaviors.
Influence of induced magnetic field and slip conditions on convective Prandtl fluid flow over a stretching surface with homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions
Authors: Meenakumari R. , Lakshminarayana P. , Vajravelu K.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

The aim of the present paper is to investigate the homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions on Prandtl fluid flow at a stretching sheet with an induced magnetic field and slip boundary conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing equations include the continuity, induced magnetic field, momentum, energy and homogeneous–heterogeneous equations. Initially, with suitable similarity variables, the governing partial differential equations and converted into a system of ordinary differential equations. Then, the nonlinear ordinary differential equations are solved by a shooting technique with the help of the BVC5C Matlab package.

Findings

The results of the present investigation are presented through graphs for different values of the various parameters. The authors observed that the large values of the stretching ratio and the induced magnetic parameters are moderate magnetic field, velocity and temperature primarily. Also, the authors found the more velocity and temperatures by boosting the slip parameters.

Originality/value

In addition, the values of the skin friction and the rate of heat transfer for various values of physical parameters are tabulated and deliberated in detail.
A shared perspective on managing Amazonian sustainable‐use reserves in an era of megafires
Authors: Nóbrega Spínola Jackeline , Soares da Silva Maria Jociléia , Assis da Silva Jose Risonei , Barlow Jos , Ferreira Joice
Published: June 2020

Unprecedented forest fires are affecting large swathes of what were once fire‐free Amazonian forests, including extensive areas of community‐managed reserves. This shared overview of experiences of practitioners and researchers examines ways in which these reserves can be supported to reduce the risk of forest fires.

We highlight six considerations that are key to fire reduction: inclusive management and community leadership, adapting to demographic and cultural changes, identifying examples of good practice, socially just alternative livelihoods, forecasting and planning and bridging scientific research and innovation.

Policy implications. The escalating fire problem in Amazonia and elsewhere means we urgently need to learn from past experiences. Co‐developed ecological and social research can support novel approaches to reserve management, but achieving this will require sustained investment and ongoing dialogue between communities, managers, researchers and the government.
Shifts in taxonomic and functional composition of trees along rainfall and phosphorus gradients in central Panama
Authors: Umaña María Natalia , Condit Richard , Pérez Rolando , Turner Benjamin L. , Wright Stuart Joseph , Comita Liza S.
Published: May 2020

Environmental gradients act as potent filters on species distributions driving compositional shifts across communities. Compositional shifts may reflect differences in physiological tolerances to a limiting resource that result in broad distributions for tolerant species and restricted distributions for intolerant species (i.e. a nested pattern). Alternatively, trade‐offs in resource use or conflicting species' responses to multiple resources can result in complete turnover of species along gradients.

We combined trait (leaf area, leaf mass per area, wood density and maximum height) and distribution data for 550 tree species to examine taxonomic and functional composition at 72 sites across strong gradients of soil phosphorus (P) and rainfall in central Panama.

We determined whether functional and taxonomic composition was nested or turned over completely and whether community mean traits and species composition were more strongly driven by P or moisture.

Turnover characterized the functional composition of tree communities. Leaf traits responded to both gradients, with species having larger and thinner leaves in drier and more fertile sites than in wetter and less fertile sites. These leaf trait–moisture relationships contradict predictions based on drought responses and suggest a greater role for differences in light availability than in moisture. Shifts in wood density and maximum height were weaker than for leaf traits with taller species dominating wet sites and low wood density species dominating P‐rich sites.

Turnover characterized the taxonomic composition of tree communities. Geographic distances explained a larger fraction of variation for taxonomic composition than for functional composition, and community mean traits were more strongly driven by P than moisture.

Synthesis. Our results offer weak support for the tolerance hypothesis for tree communities in central Panama. Instead, we observe functional and taxonomic turnover reflecting trade‐offs and conflicting species' responses to multiple abiotic factors including moisture, soil phosphorus and potentially other correlated variables (e.g. light).
Multi‐population seedling and soil transplants show possible responses of a common tropical montane tree species (Weinmannia bangii) to climate change
Authors: Tito Richard , Vasconcelos Heraldo L. , Feeley Kenneth J.
Published: May 2020

A possible response of many plant species to global warming is migration to higher elevations. However, these migrations may not be required if species can tolerate higher temperatures, or may be prevented if there are other factors such as changes in soil conditions that make upslope areas unsuitable.

We used a set of 3‐year field transplant experiments in the remote Peruvian Andes to simulate two possible responses of an abundant tropical montane cloudforest tree species (Weinmania bangii) to global warming: (a) ‘upward migration’, in which case seedlings of W. bangii's were grown at their current elevation/temperature but in soils transplanted from higher elevations and (b) ‘migration failure’, in which case seedlings were transplanted downslope along with their home soils into areas that are 1°C or 2°C warmer. We conducted separate experiments with populations from the upper/leading edge, middle and lower/trailing edges of W. bangii's elevational/thermal range to assess the influence of local adaptation on responses to changes in temperature or soil.

We found that seedling survival and growth were not affected by changes in soil conditions, regardless of the origin population. However, seedling survival decreased with temperature. A simulated warming of 1°C caused a significant reduction in the survival of seedlings transplanted from the mid‐range population, and 2°C warming caused a severe decrease in the survival of seedlings transplanted from both the mid‐range and bottom‐edge populations.

Synthesis. Our findings reveal that rising temperatures are a serious threat to plants, especially in populations growing in the hotter portion of their species’ range. At least in the case of W. bangii, novel soil conditions will not limit the establishment or growth of seedlings at higher elevations. As such, decreases in the survivorship at lower elevations may be offset through upward migrations as temperatures continue to increase.
Intergenerational Mobility: What Do We Care About? What Should We Care About?
Authors: Corak Miles
Published: June 2020

Inequality threatens intergenerational income mobility, but different types of inequality threaten mobility in different ways, raising distinct policy challenges. This is why empirical researchers should be agnostic in the choice of statistics they use to measure intergenerational mobility. I argue that Australia is on the whole characterised by a good deal of intergenerational mobility, but that a full picture requires judicious international comparisons across different dimensions of mobility citizens care about, mobility not just of incomes, but also of position and direction, particularly the scope for upward mobility.
TM‐Link: An Internationally Linked Trademark Database
Authors: Petrie Stephen , Adams Mitchell , Mitra‐Kahn Ben , Johnson Matthew , Thomson Russell , Jensen Paul , Palangkaraya Alfons , Webster Elizabeth
Published: June 2020

This article describes a new database—TM‐Link—that contains 12 million trademark applications and registrations across six jurisdictions. A feature of the database is the identification of trademark equivalents (or families) within and across national trademark offices. Equivalent trademarks are two, or more, insignias for the same product applied for by the same company. Unlike patents, the incentive to file for global priority is comparatively weak since legal priority for trademarks is territorial. To identify the number of true trademark equivalents we therefore create synthetic links using a neural network‐based machine learning algorithm.
Traditional organizations and crisis management in transition—Organizational perspectives on new dynamics of independent civil engagement
Authors: Max Matthias
Published: May 2020

Digitalization and the trend towards more short‐term and project‐oriented social engagement have had a direct impact on traditional crisis management. This societal change has supported the evolution of new types of volunteers who use low‐threshold potentials to organize and maintain support independently. Traditional institutions like the German Red Cross are challenged to deal with these rapid changes regarding their own organizational culture in relation to the new phenomenon of so‐called unaffiliated volunteers. This paper investigates how unaffiliated volunteers influence and change the organizational culture of German disaster management by analysing and reflecting organizational adaptation processes in the aftermath of the German floods in 2013, the storm events in the west of Germany in 2014 and the refugee relief mission in 2015–2016. Therefore, semi‐structured interviews with experts of the German Red Cross were held to analyse their reactions towards unaffiliated Volunteers during the Floods in 2013 and the refugee relief missions, and further focus group interviews were conducted to validate the extracted results. Findings suggest that among professionals and leading entities in the German Red Cross, a process of rethinking has emerged, recognizing the importance and necessity to open up organizational structures for the collaboration and coordination of unaffiliated volunteers.
Australia's Immigration Selection System and Labour Market Outcomes in a Family Context: Evidence from Administrative Data
Authors: Guven Cahit , Tong Lan Anh , Yuksel Mutlu
Published: June 2020

This paper examines the efficacy of the Australian points system in a family context among working‐age permanent resident immigrants who arrived between 2000 and 2011 when there was a major focus on skills selection. Sixty‐seven per cent of these immigrants were granted a skilled visa while 25 per cent hold a spousal visa (spouses of Australian citizens). More than half of the skilled visa recipients are the spouses of the primary applicants. Primary applicants among skilled visa holders are assessed for their skills in line with the Australian points system but secondary applicants, such as spouses, among skilled visa holders and spousal visa holders are not subject to any skills assessment before becoming permanent residents. We study differences in economic outcomes by permanent visa types and the role of points system factors in explaining these differences using the Personal Income Tax and Migrants Integrated Dataset and the Australian Census Longitudinal Dataset. We find that primary skilled visa holders earn at least 26–28 per cent more than spousal visa holders, and this is similar for both genders. However, spouses of primary skilled visa holders earn 13–18 per cent more than spousal visa holders. This difference is higher among females than males. Occupation differences can account for nearly half of the differences in income and can entirely capture the role of education and English proficiency. Primary skilled immigrants and their spouses have higher rates of labour force participation and employment than spousal visa holders, starting in the first year of arrival, and the gap is much higher for primary skilled visa holders, but these differences do not disappear quickly.
The use of nanoadditives within recycled polymers for food packaging: Properties, recyclability, and safety
Authors: López de Dicastillo Carol , Velásquez Eliezer , Rojas Adrián , Guarda Abel , Galotto María José
Published: June 2020

Nanotechnology is considered a highly valued technology to reduce the current environmental problem that is derived from plastic accumulation. The need to recycle and reuse packaging materials is essential to create a sustainable society towards a circular economy. However, the reprocessing of polymers leads to the deterioration of their characteristic mechanical, optical, thermal, and barrier properties due to the degradation of their polymeric chains. When recycled polymers are reinforced with nanoadditives, aforementioned properties improve and their use in the circular economy is more viable. In this review, different types of nanoadditives and recent advances in the development of recycled polymer nanocomposites reinforced with nanoadditives will be presented. In addition, there is a description of two research topics of current interest, recyclability of nanocomposites and safety for food packaging applications. Recyclability of nanocomposites requires a study that includes the nature of the polymer matrix, the type of polymer and the concentration of nanofiller, the morphology, the presence of additives, and the conditions of the thermal‐mechanical cycles. Finally, safety section is dedicated to clarify the migration process in nanoreinforced‐recycled polymers in order to assess their safety for food contact applications.
Synergistic antioxidant effects of petunidin and lycopene in H9c2 cells submitted to hydrogen peroxide: Role of Akt/Nrf2 pathway
Authors: Zheng Shilian , Deng Zeyuan , Chen Fang , Zheng Liufeng , Pan Yao , Xing Qian , Tsao Rong , Li Hongyan
Published: June 2020

Phenolics and carotenoids coexist in fruits and vegetables and could possess interaction effects after consumption. The present study aims to elucidate the possible mechanisms of the antioxidant interactions between anthocyanins and carotenoids using petunidin and lycopene as examples in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)‐induced heart myofibroblast cell (H9c2) line model. The results revealed that petunidin and lycopene showed antioxidant effects and petunidin in a larger proportion mixed with lycopene, for example, petunidin: lycopene = 9:1 significantly protected against the loss of the cell viability (8.98 ± 1.03%) and intracellular antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD, 27.07 ± 3.51%), catalase (CAT, 29.51 ± 6.12%), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px, 20.33 ± 2.65%). Moreover, the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expressions of NAD(P)H quinone reductase (NQO1) and heme oxygenase (HO‐1) of the nuclear factor erythrocyte 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway were significantly induced in petunidin, lycopene, and synergistic combinations, suggesting that the antioxidant action was through activating the Nrf2 antioxidant response pathway. This was further validated by Nrf2 siRNA, and the results that petunidin significantly induced more of NQO1 expression and lycopene more of HO‐1 suggested that the synergism may be a result of concerted actions by the two compounds on these two different target genes of the Nrf2 pathway. The two compounds also significantly increased the phosphorylation of Akt in synergistic combinations. Findings of the present study demonstrated that petunidin and lycopene exerted synergistic antioxidant effects when petunidin in a larger proportion in the combinations and contribute to the prevention of cellular redox homeostasis, which might provide a theoretical basis for phenolics and carotenoids playing beneficial effects on the cardiovascular risk.

Practical Application

In this study, we revealed that the combined treatments of petunidin and lycopen inhibited H2O2‐induced oxidative damage in myocardial cells. Moreover, the treatments contributed to the Nrf2 pathway and the restoration of cellular redox homeostasis might provide a theoretical basis for phenolics and carotenoids playing beneficial effects on the cardiovascular risk.
Therapeutic benefits of combined sorafenib for intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma unresponsive to transarterial chemoembolization in a Chinese population
Authors: Lee Shou Wu , Tung Chun Fang , Peng Yen Chun , Lien Han Chung , Chang Chi Sen
Published: May 2020

Objective

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the treatment modality for intermediate, or Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its beneficial effect on outcomes is still unsatisfactory. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of combined TACE and sorafenib for patients with intermediate HCC.

Methods

Patients with intermediate HCC who were receiving TACE alone (the monotherapy group), or combined TACE and sorafenib (the combined therapy group) from January 2013 to June 2018 were enrolled.

Results

Altogether 64 patients were enrolled, of whom 34 were assigned to the monotherapy group and 30 to the combined therapy group. A prolonged time‐to‐progression (TTP) (mean 14.46 mo vs 6.39 mo, P = 0.001) was noted in the combined therapy group compared with the monotherapy group. Overall survival (OS) (mean 18.96 mo vs15.44 mo, P = 1.000) between the two groups did not differ significantly. After adjustment, there were no significant differences in the 12‐18 month mortality rate between the two groups.

Conclusion

Patients with intermediate HCC receiving combined TACE and sorafenib had a better TTP, but not OS, than those receiving TACE alone.
Green and scalable synthesis of chiral aromatic alcohols through an efficient biocatalytic system
Authors: Han Meng‐Nan , Wang Xu‐Ming , Pei Chao‐Hong , Zhang Chao , Xu Zhidong , Zhang Hong‐Lei , Li Wei
Published: June 2020

Chiral aromatic alcohols have received much attention due to their widespread use in pharmaceutical industries. In the asymmetric synthesis processes, the excellent performance of alcohol dehydrogenase makes it a good choice for biocatalysts. In this study, a novel and robust medium‐chain alcohol dehydrogenase RhADH from Rhodococcus R6 was discovered and used to catalyse the asymmetric reduction of aromatic ketones to chiral aromatic alcohols. The reduction of 2‐hydroxyacetophenone (2‐HAP) to (R)‐(‐)‐1‐phenyl‐1,2‐ethanediol ((R)‐PED) was chosen as a template to evaluate its catalytic activity. A specific activity of 110 U mg−1 and a 99% purity of e.e. was achieved in the presence of NADH. An efficient bienzyme‐coupled catalytic system (RhADH and formate dehydrogenase, CpFDH) was established using a two‐phase strategy (dibutyl phthalate and buffer), which highly raised the tolerated substrate concentration (60 g l−1). Besides, a broad range of aromatic ketones were enantioselectively reduced to the corresponding chiral alcohols by this enzyme system with highly enantioselectivity. This system is of the potential to be applied at a commercial scale.
The elevated mist‐net frame: A robust and versatile manoeuvrable design for capturing upper strata birds
Authors: Holbech Lars Haubye
Published: May 2020

Classic standard mist‐netting limits sampling to understorey birds flying <3 m above‐ground level. Methodological innovations targeting higher strata birds (and bats) are important for ecological studies, particularly in tropical forests.

I present and evaluate a method of applying elevated mist‐net frames (EMF) up to ~25–30 m. I designed detachable mobile alloy frames for standard‐sized 3 × 6 m mist‐nets, weighing ~11 kg including fittings, and suspended by three‐point cable‐wire mounting. State‐of‐the‐art archery and fishing gear are employed for securing anchor lines, with hoisting applied by pulley, ropes and guys.

Elevated mist‐net frame is assembled and detached by two–three team members within 15–20 min, and up‐down hoisting lasts 1–3 min. EMF excludes tree‐climbing and arboreal platforms, through versatile manoeuvring in lightly cluttered naturally open corridors. EMF costs are source and quantity dependent, and feasible to institutions and grant beneficiaries.

Elevated mist‐net frame is a workable alternative or supplement to existing elevated mist‐netting applying poles, ropes and pulleys, owing to strength and durability, replicable construction and versatile manoeuvrability in upper strata. The EMF design demonstrates favourable prospects for high‐tech development, thus further innovations are recommended.
A New Instrument for Measuring Dietary Knowledge in Patients With Diabetes: Psychometric Testing of the CoNOCidiet‐Diabetes
Authors: Romero‐Sánchez José Manuel , Brito‐Brito Pedro Ruymán , Martínez‐Alberto Carlos Enrique , Martín‐García Ángel , Rodríguez‐Álvaro Martín , Group CoNocidiet‐Research , Paloma‐Castro Olga
Published: May 2020

PURPOSE

To determine the psychometric properties of the CoNOCidiet‐Diabetes, a new instrument based on nursing outcome “Knowledge: prescribed diet.”

METHODS

Methodological design. The participant were 359 patients diagnosed with diabetes visiting 27 primary healthcare centers in Spain. Reliability (internal consistency and test‐retest), validity (convergent criterion validity, concurrent content validity and known‐groups validity), and sensitivity to change was tested.

FINDINGS

CoNOCidiet‐Diabetes has shown evidence of acceptable psychometric properties as instrument but some items should be revised.

CONCLUSIONS

This research provides a new instrument developed to specifically measure dietary knowledge in individuals with diabetes.

IMPLICATIONS

For nursing practice: The literalness of the CoNOCidiet‐Diabetes with the nursing outcome “Knowledge: prescribed diet” facilitate its measurement using the patient's statements.
Using Demand Curves to Quantify the Reinforcing Value of Social and Solitary Drinking
Authors: Acuff Samuel F. , Soltis Kathryn E. , Murphy James G.
Published: May 2020

Background

Young adults typically drink in social settings and report high levels of episodic heavy drinking despite a range of adverse consequences. Behavioral economics posits that this may reflect a reinforcer pathology in which alcohol is overvalued relative to other reinforcers. Theoretically, the value of alcohol is related to both the direct pharmacological effects of alcohol (euphoria, sedation) and the associated social reinforcement, but to date no studies have differentiated the value of social vs. solitary drinking. The current study examines two modified hypothetical alcohol purchase tasks (APTs), one explicitly social and one explicitly solitary, in order to quantify the reward value of social vs. solitary drinking and to determine whether there are unique clinical correlates of solitary alcohol demand.

Methods

Participants were young adults (N = 274, Mage = 25.15, SD = 4.10) recruited from Mturk and from a university subject pool. Participants completed a solitary and social APT, in addition to measures of alcohol consumption and problems.

Results

Participants reported significantly greater demand in the social APT compared to the solitary APT across all demand indices. Elevated solitary and social demand were associated with elevated levels of alcohol use and problems. Using a residualized change approach, solitary demand amplitude (maximum consumption and expenditure) and persistence (price sensitivity) contributed additional variance above and beyond their social APT composite counterparts in predicting typical drinks per week and the self‐care, academic/occupational, and physical dependence subscales of the YAACQ.

Conclusions

The presence of peers increases alcohol demand compared to a solitary scenario, and greater relative solitary drinking demand may be a risk factor for greater alcohol consumption and problems.
Patterns of infection following transrectal ultrasound‐guided biopsy of the prostate in a regional New South Wales Centre
Authors: Grant Alice , Henegan Jessica , Jones Arthur , Ahmadi Nariman , Thomas Robert , Stanton Raymond , Sowter Steven
Published: June 2020

Objective

To determine the rates, severity and patterns of resistance in patients presenting with post‐transrectal ultrasound infection in a regional centre in New South Wales, Australia.

Design

A single‐centre retrospective review from August 2013 until August 2017.

Setting

Murrumbidgee Local Health District, New South Wales.

Participants

All patients who underwent transrectal ultrasonography biopsy of the prostate in the public health system.

Main outcome measures

Rate of infection and sepsis following biopsy of the prostate requiring readmission to hospital within 30 days from the procedure.

Results

A total of 317 men underwent transrectal ultrasound‐guided biopsy of the prostate over the study period. Nineteen (6%) patients presented with clinical signs of post‐transrectal ultrasound infection, of which 18 (5.7%) required readmission for intravenous antibiotics. Median time to readmission was 2 days (0‐7), and the average length of hospital stay was 5 days (1‐15). Three (0.3%) patients required admission to intensive care for inotropic support. Thirteen patients (68%) had positive blood cultures, and all were positive forEscherichia coli. Four of these patients (21%) had extended spectrum beta‐lactamase producing isolates resistant to their preoperative antibiotics.

Conclusion

Prostate cancer is common in the elderly community with worse outcomes in regional settings. Infective complications from transrectal ultrasound biopsy were 6% in this regional setting with high rates of multi‐resistant organisms. Awareness of this is important for rural health practitioners who are likely to be exposed to this patient population.
Analgesic effect of intravenous dexamethasone after volar plate surgery for distal radius fracture with brachial plexus block anaesthesia: a prospective, double‐blind randomised clinical trial*
Authors: Holmberg A. , Hassellund S. S. , Drægni T. , Nordby A. , Ottesen F. S. , Gulestøl A. , Ræder J.
Published: May 2020

Rebound pain after brachial plexus block resolution and development of long‐lasting pain are problems associated with volar plate fixation for distal radius fractures. The aim of this double‐blind study was to evaluate the effect of a single prophylactic intravenous dose of dexamethasone in this setting. The primary endpoint was highest pain score during the first 24 hours after surgery. We included 51 adults of ASA physical status 1–2 due to undergo planned acute fixation of the radius. All received premedication with oral paracetamol and etoricoxib, and a pre‐operative brachial plexus block with ropivacaine. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: a dexamethasone group receiving 16 mg dexamethasone intravenously at start of surgery and a control group receiving 4 ml saline. After surgery, all patients received fixed doses of paracetamol, etoricoxib and oxycodone, with further oxycodone added as needed in the first 48 hours. Pain, analgesic consumption and daily function were registered at predefined times up to 1 year after surgery. Median (IQR [range]) worst pain score in the first 24 hours, as assessed by verbal numeric rating scale (0–10), was 4 (2‐6 [0–7]) in the dexamethasone group compared with 8 (5–8 [2–10]) in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Average pain score, 2 (1–4 [0–5]) vs. 5 (3–6 [0–8]), p = 0.001 and rescue oxycodone consumption, 5 (0‐10 [0‐35]) mg vs. 10 (5‐15 [0‐50]) mg, p = 0.037), respectively, were both significantly lower in the dexamethasone group compared with control from 8 to 24 hours. Brachial plexus block duration was 69% longer in the dexamethasone group, 21.5 (19.1‐23.4 [12.9‐24.1]) hours vs. 12.7 (11.9‐15.3 [7.4‐26.6]) hours, p < 0.001. Two patients (9%) in the dexamethasone group compared with 12 (50%) in the placebo group experienced worst pain scores of 8‐10 during the first 36 hours (p = 0.002). At 3 and 7 days postoperatively, there were no significant differences between groups for pain scores or opioid consumption. At 6 months, 27 patients (57%) reported pain at the site of surgery, with significantly higher average pain score (p = 0.024) in the placebo group. At 1 year, two patients in the dexamethasone group reported pain compared with 10 in the placebo group (p = 0.015), and worst pain score was significantly higher in the placebo group (p = 0.018). We conclude that intravenous dexamethasone improves early postoperative analgesia and may also improve clinical outcomes after 6 and 12 months.
Is the use of alternative therapy in children just another form of medicalisation? A prospective study
Authors: Ventura Giovanna , Battistuz Elena , Posocco Francesca , Cossovel Francesca , Ghirardo Sergio , Barbi Egidio , Cozzi Giorgio
Published: June 2020

Aim

The use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) seems widespread in adults and children, despite the conflicting evidence regarding its effectiveness and safety. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of the use of CAM in a population of Italian children.

Methods

This is a prospective observational study conducted in 4 family paediatric clinics, in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy, from February to June 2019. Children were enrolled after being visited. The use of CAM and essential therapies (ET) in the previous year was investigated with an anonymous questionnaire. The demographic characteristics of children and families were also collected.

Results

Six hundred children were enrolled, mean age 5.8 years, 50% females. In the previous year, 358 (60%) children used both essential therapies and CAM, 209 children (35%) only essential therapies, 25 (4%) only CAM, and 8 (1%) no therapy. CAM was more frequently used in children whose parents have a higher educational level and come from high‐income countries (P < .0001). Non‐vaccinated children received more CAM than vaccinated ones (P < .003).

Conclusion

In our population, more than 60% of children receive CAM. The use of this medical approach seems strictly related to the social and cultural status of families.
Governing the “Golden Age of Infrastructure”: Assessing Transparency Innovations in Philippine Infrastructure Development
Authors: Mendoza Ronald U. , Cruz Jerome Patrick
Published: June 2020

Amidst rising infrastructure investment across the Asia‐Pacific, glaring accountability deficits have raised questions about governments’ capacity to contain corruption in infrastructure development in the region. Recent developments in the Philippines, however, indicate the presence of challenges related to the ability of digitally enhanced transparency measures to bridge such accountability deficits. This article presents the shifting emphasis in transparency and accountability reforms related to Philippine infrastructure development beginning from the 1990s and assesses transparency innovations under the Duterte administration. While milestone measures such as the establishment of an electronic freedom of information (eFOI) platform have provided convenient access to public information, major hurdles remain in obtaining critical documents concerning infrastructure projects. As borne out in an exercise to request the feasibility studies of 48 flagship infrastructure projects, access to information is still obstructed by factors ranging from technical constraints, uneven service delivery, coordination failures, as well as active legal restrictions against the public’s right to know.
Nonmedical use of benzodiazepines and Z‐drugs in the UK
Authors: Hockenhull Joanna , Black Joshua C. , Haynes Colleen M. , Rockhill Karilynn , Dargan Paul I. , Dart Richard C. , Wood David M.
Published: May 2020

Aims

To estimate prevalence of last 12‐month nonmedical use (NMU) of benzodiazepines and Z‐drugs (the nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics zaleplon, zolpidem and zopiclone) in the UK.

Methods

Data were collected using the Non‐Medical Use of Prescription Drugs survey with poststratification weighting applied to be representative of the UK population (≥16 years). Participants were questioned about whether they had nonmedically used benzodiazepines and/or Z‐drugs in the last 12‐months and from where they had obtained the drug (including via a prescription, or illicitly from a friend/family member, a dealer or via the internet). Additional questions were asked about last 12‐month use of illicit drugs (cannabis, cocaine, 3,4‐methylenedioxymethylamphetamine [MDMA], non‐pharmaceutical amphetamine, crack cocaine and/or heroin).

Results

The study included 10 006 eligible participants representing approximately 52 927 000 UK adults. The estimated prevalence of past 12‐month NMU of any benzodiazepine and/or Z‐drug was 1.2% (95% confidence interval: 1.0–1.5) corresponding to approximately 635 000 adults; amongst this group only an estimated 4.6% (1.2–8.0) had NMU of both a benzodiazepine and a Z‐drug. The highest prevalence of NMU for only Z‐drugs was among those who had used heroin in the last 12‐months (5.4%, 2.7–10.5), whilst the highest prevalence of NMU for only benzodiazepines was among those who had used illicit stimulants in the last 12‐months: cocaine (5.9%, 3.8–8.9), amphetamine (5.6%, 3.1–10.0) and MDMA (5.2%, 3.1–8.8). The drug non‐medically used was more commonly acquired without than with a prescription for both only benzodiazepines (70.2%, 59.4–81.1 compared to 51.3%, 41.5–64.6) and only Z‐drugs (75.6%, 61.6–89.7 compared to 33.9%, 16.9–51.0).

Conclusion

There is little overlap between benzodiazepine and Z‐drug NMU suggesting distinct nonmedical use of the drugs; future studies need to explore whether this relates to personal preference, drug availability or other factors. A significant proportion are acquiring these drugs for NMU without a prescription, so without guidance and monitoring from a medical practitioner. While the dangers of mixing benzodiazepines and heroin/other opioids are well documented, there is a paucity of data regarding concomitant NMU of benzodiazepines and stimulant drugs, or NMU of Z‐drugs and opioids, and, given the prevalence of these combinations, this requires further investigation.