bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social motivation for the use of social technologies
Authors: Osatuyi Babajide , Turel Ofir
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nature of the underlying social motivation, including collective norm and subjective norm, which shapes users’ decisions to revisit a social commerce site.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the research model using data from a survey of 531 social commerce users.

Findings

Results support the importance of subjective and collective norms as measures of social norm. Both norms were combined to: develop a parsimonious higher order measure of social motivation, and examine the consequent impact on social commerce continuance behavior. In addition, the authors demonstrate that the factors that influence the social impact theory variables, specifically time spent during each visit, affective experience and gender can moderate the impact of social norm on social commerce continuance use intention.

Practical implications

Social commerce website designers can provide visibility of the number of a user’s close contacts (or contacts that the user either interacts with or follows) as well as the total number of people using the same technology as a visual cue to encourage user retention on the site.

Social implications

The results indicate that customers’ social commerce revisit intentions are strongly influenced by a combination of how they perceive the behavior as endorsed both by their friends and by the majority view in their social network.

Originality/value

This study examines and validates sources of social influence that affect continuance use intention with social technologies such as social commerce sites.
Upward social comparison and depression in social network settings
Authors: Li Yongzhan
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Previous research has linked upward social comparison on social network sites (SNSs) to depressive symptoms; however, the mechanism underlying this relationship remains unclear. The purpose of this paper is to explore the roles of envy and self-efficacy in the relationship between upward social comparison on SNSs and depressive symptoms.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the social comparison theory and previous related literature, a moderated mediation model integrating upward social comparison on SNSs, depressive symptoms, envy and self-efficacy was developed and empirically examined based on the data collected from 934 Chinese high school students.

Findings

The structural equation modeling analysis shows that envy partially mediates the relationship between upward social comparison on SNSs and depressive symptoms, whereas self-efficacy moderated both the direct effect of upward social comparison on SNSs on depressive symptoms and the mediating effect of envy in the relationship between upward social comparison on SNSs and depressive symptoms.

Practical implications

The findings offer interesting implications for guiding adolescents to use SNSs properly. This study found that envy and self-efficacy act as a mediator and moderator, respectively, between upward social comparison on SNSs and depressive symptoms, indicating that reducing envy and enhancing self-efficacy should be feasible to alleviate the negative effect of SNSs use.

Social implications

In order to alleviate the negative effect of SNSs use, parents and educators should direct adolescents to view others’ achievements and happiness properly and manage to improve self-efficacy among adolescents with poor self-efficacy through effective training.

Originality/value

Through building and examining a moderated mediation model integrating envy and self-efficacy into the relationship between upward social comparison on SNSs and depressive symptoms, the present study advances our understanding of how and when upward social comparison on SNSs augments the risk of depressive symptoms among adolescents.
How the information use environment influences search activities
Authors: Rutter Sophie , Clough Paul David , Toms Elaine G.
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The information use environment (IUE) – the context within which the search activity takes place – is critical to understanding the search process as this will affect how the value of information is determined. The purpose of this paper is to investigate what factors influence search in English primary schools (children aged 4–11) and how information found is subsequently used.

Design/methodology/approach

Ten teachers, selected using maximal variation sampling, describe search-related activities within the classroom. The resulting interview data were analysed thematically for the influence of the environment on search and different information uses. The findings were then validated against three classroom observations.

Findings

12 categories of information use were identified, and 5 aspects of the environment (the national curriculum, best practice, different skills of children and teachers, keeping children safe, and limited time and resource) combine to influence and shape search in this setting.

Research limitations/implications

Findings support the argument that it is the IUE that is the key influence of search activity. What makes children a distinct user group is linked to the environment within which they use information rather than age, as advocated in previous studies.

Practical implications

The features of search systems and practical guidance for teachers and children should be designed to support information use within the IUE.

Originality/value

As far as the authors are aware, this is the first study to consider the influence of the IUE on how search is enacted within primary schools.
An intellectual capital ontology in an integrated reporting context
Authors: Stacchezzini Riccardo , Florio Cristina , Sproviero Alice Francesca , Corbella Silvano
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the intellectual capital (IC) ontology in an integrated reporting context to explore the function that integrated report (IR) preparers assign to IC elements and the role of integrated thinking in this process.

Design/methodology/approach

Social ontology theory helps elucidate how an energy-sector company socially constructed an IC ontology in which IC is a core element of the value creation story told in the IR. The empirical analysis benefited from in-depth interviews with the corporate staff.

Findings

The subjective nature of IC ontology emerges, in that IC’s function is defined during the very process of IR preparation. The intangible elements drive sustainability-oriented financial value creation according to the sustainability approach embraced by the company’s business model. Integrated thinking both facilitates this perspective on IC is shared among various departments of the company and provides a procedure for scrutinising what counts as IC in this integrated reporting context.

Research limitations/implications

The research scope is limited to the IR preparation process. Further research could explore IC ontologies beyond this process.

Originality/value

This study is the first to explore IC ontology empirically within an innovative integrated reporting context. It opens paths to further research on the relationships between IC and integrated thinking.
Developing trust through stewardship
Authors: Dumay John , La Torre Matteo , Farneti Federica
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper examines the gap between reporting and managers’ behaviour to challenge the current theoretical underpinnings of intellectual capital (IC) disclosure practice and research. The authors explore how the key features from IC and integrated reporting can be combined to develop an extended model for companies to comply with EU Directive 2014/95/EU and increase trust in corporate disclosures and reports.

Design/methodology/approach

This essay relies on academic literature and examples from practice to critique the theories that explain corporate disclosure and reporting but do not change management behaviour. Based on this critique, the authors argue for a change in the fundamental theories of stewardship to frame a new concept for corporate disclosure incorporating using a multi-capitals framework.

Findings

We argue that, while the inconsistency between organisations’ reporting and behaviour persists, increasing, renewing or extending the information disclosed is not enough to instil trust in corporations. Stewardship over a company’s resources is necessary for increasing trust. The unanticipated consequences of dishonest behaviour by managers and shareholders compels a new application of stewardship theory that works as an overarching guide for managerial behaviour and disclosure. Emanating from this new model is a realisation that managers must abandon agency theory in practice, and specifically the bonus contract.

Research limitations/implications

We call for future empirical research to explore the role of stewardship theory within the dynamics of corporate disclosure using the approach. The research implications of those studies should incorporate the potential impacts on management behaviours within a stewardship framework and how those actions, and their outcomes, are disclosed for rebuilding public trust in business.

Practical implications

The implications for integrated reporting and reports complying with the new EU Directive are profound. Both instruments rely on agency theory to coax managers into reducing information asymmetry by disclosing more. However, agency theory only re-affirms the power managers have over corporate information. It does not change their behaviour, nor to act in the interest of all stakeholders as the stewards of an organisation’s resources.

Social implications

We advocate that, in business education, greater emphasis is needed on how stewardship has a more positive impact on management behaviour than agency, legitimacy and stakeholder theories.

Originality/value

We reflect on the current and compelling issues permeating the international landscape of corporate reporting and disclosure and explain why current theories which explain corporate disclosures do not change behaviour or engender trust in business and offer an alternative disclosure model based on stewardship theory.
Knowledge acquisition and firm competitiveness: the role of complements and knowledge source
Authors: Bloodgood James M.
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to propose positive and negative firm competitiveness effects of knowledge acquisition of pertinent, irrelevant and erroneous knowledge based on its distinctiveness, the source of knowledge and the presence of firm complements.

Design/methodology/approach

Aspects of knowledge acquisition from the innovation, knowledge and routines literatures are integrated to create propositions showing the effects of knowledge acquisition on firm competitiveness. Examples from different eras of the automobile industry are used to illustrate the propositions and demonstrate the enduring nature of these issues.

Findings

Various combinations of firm complements and knowledge type and criticality can cause significant competitive effects, such as parity, relative harm and opportunity capture, that managers should be cognizant of when planning knowledge acquisition.

Research limitations/implications

Knowledge researchers should use a more integrative, holistic approach concerning firm resources to their empirical studies. This better allows for the competitive effects of interactions between new and existing firm resources to be captured.

Practical implications

The propositions emphasize the importance of increased managerial attention and understanding of potential problems of new knowledge acquisition. Moreover, managers should pay particular attention to their firm’s existing complements when assessing knowledge acquisition benefits.

Originality/value

The positive value of firm knowledge receives substantially more research attention than the potential negative effects. This paper identifies the competitiveness effects of acquiring pertinent, irrelevant or erroneous knowledge. Increased attention on the interaction of new knowledge and complements illustrates the positive and negative effects on firms.
Prioritising dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation for supply chain flexibility development in an uncertain environment
Authors: Mishra Ruchi , Mishra Onkar Nath
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the underlying relationships between entrepreneurial orientation and supply chain flexibility (SCF) in a market characterised by several uncertainties.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies an explanatory sequential mixed method, in which an analytical approach is proposed and validated to establish the underlying relationships between environmental uncertainties, SCF, and entrepreneurial orientation. Thereafter, a focus group study is carried out to explain the findings of a case study analysis.

Findings

The study evaluates and prioritises dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation to develop SCF in a market characterised by several environmental uncertainties. It also develops a structured, effective, and flexible methodological approach to establish the relationships between environmental uncertainty, SCF, and entrepreneurial orientation.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to a single firm; therefore, the use of larger sample size can improve its generalisability.

Practical implications

Supply chain practitioners should emphasise on innovative culture to support SCF. The study also proposes an analytical approach to improve flexibility in the supply chain.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the area of interdisciplinary research by developing an integrated analytical approach that identifies and brings together concepts that existed in the disparate form in supply chain, flexibility, and entrepreneurship literature.
Original equipment manufacturer (OEM)-supplier integration to prepare for production ramp-up
Authors: Wlazlak Paraskeva , Säfsten Kristina , Hilletofth Per
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Although prior research provides evidence that production ramp-up is often disrupted by supplier-related problems, it fails to discuss how the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and various types of suppliers integrate their functions and operations to secure preparations for production ramp-up. The purpose of this paper is to investigate OEM–supplier integration in a new product development (NPD) project to prepare for production ramp-up.

Design/methodology/approach

The results presented in this paper are based on a real-time, longitudinal study of a single collaborative NPD project in the mechanical engineering industry. The NPD project involves seven suppliers and it is carried out in a large Swedish company (the OEM) and fits the theory-elaborating approach of this research.

Findings

This study argues that the aspect of timing in OEM–supplier integration, the OEM’s research and development (R&D) attitude toward collaboration and the OEM’s (R&D) operating procedure are challenges affecting the preparation for production ramp-up. The following three mechanisms to facilitate OEM–supplier integration in order to prepare for production ramp-up are also discussed: the mediator’s role, the OEM’s face-to-face meeting at the project level and suppliers’ formal face-to-face meetings with the OEM and internally.

Originality/value

This paper elaborates on and extends prior research on production ramp-up by conducting an empirical analysis that incorporates supplier integration in NPD. It bridges the gap between the literature on production ramp-up and on supplier integration in NPD and clearly indicates that supplier integration is an important prerequisite for successful production ramp-up.
Theory building in public procurement
Authors: Koala Kouliga , Steinfeld Joshua
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the level of theory building in public procurement by reviewing and classifying manuscripts published in the Journal of Public Procurement (JoPP) from 2001 to 2016.

Design/methodology/approach

The articles are divided into four important periods: discovery, agenda setting, embracing and expansion and consolidation. The articles are classified according to a hierarchical level of theory building composed of six levels: rapporteurs, reporters, testers, qualifiers, builders and expanders.

Findings

Key findings indicate that public procurement, in light of JoPP publications from 2001 to 2016, is at the tester level. There is also increase in the classification of articles with high level of theoretical contribution over time.
Co-designing an outcome-based public procurement
Authors: Koivisto Juha
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to increase the understanding of involvement and participation in the co-design of an outcome-based procurement.

Design/methodology/approach

First, it presents a relational model for performing co-design activities. Second, it examines how the model might be applied in performing an outcome-based procurement. Third, it presents a Web-based platform for co-designing procurement, developed according to the relational model. Fourth, it illustrates the model with a concrete procurement where the collaboration is mainly performed face to face, but partly mediated by the Web-based platform.

Findings

As a conclusion, the relational co-design model seems to work well in framing the core tasks of an outcome-based procurement. In spite of that, the Web-based platform does not direct the user enough to perform procurement.
From victim to saboteur
Authors: Hongbo Li , Waqas Muhammad , Tariq Hussain
Published: December 2018

Purpose

By integrating affective events theory and insights from the displaced aggression literature, the purpose of this paper is to highlight that state hostility can serve as an explanation for how perceived undermining by co-workers leads to antagonistic consequences. Distress tolerance and organizational identification are theorized to moderate the hypothesized relationships that are investigated in this study.

Design/methodology/approach

PROCESS macro developed by Hayes (2013) was used to test all the hypotheses by using time-lagged, multi-source data collected from 218 Chinese employees associated with the service industry.

Findings

The paper finds that state hostility seems to trigger unethical behavior on the part of employees resulting in service sabotage. It is concluded that perceptions of undermining are positively linked to employees’ hostility, which in turn drive service sabotage behavior. Furthermore, employee distress tolerance weakens the effects of perceived undermining on employees’ state hostility, while organizational identification alleviates the effect of employees’ hostility on service sabotage behavior.

Practical implications

This study not only highlights the outcomes of perceived coworker undermining, the mechanism through which it occurs, and the moderating effects of given factors, but also provides insights to the organizations for managing service sector employees so that they can more effectively interact with customers. The findings suggest that employees with high organizational identification are less involved in service sabotage, thus, such measures are necessary to take which help employers to enhance employees’ organizational identification. The authors also suggest managers to clearly communicate the adverse consequences which employees could have to face if they exhibit unethical behavior.

Originality/value

This study addresses the question: when and how perceived coworker undermining affects customers’ services. To date, most of the existing literature considered customers’ negative event and customers’ mistreatment as an antecedent of employees’ service sabotage. However, this study concluded that these are not the only reasons for employees’ service sabotage, employees’ interpersonal mistreatment which occurred beyond customers’ interaction also causes service sabotage.
Insights from a systematic review of literature on social enterprise and networks
Authors: Littlewood David , Khan Zaheer
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute to better understanding of where and how network concepts, theories and perspectives, organisational networks, and networking practices, are being studied and deployed in social enterprise research. This is done through a systematic review of social enterprise and networks literature in business and management journals. Key trends and developments in this literature, and gaps and limitations, are identified, culminating in discussion of what next for social enterprise and networks research. The papers in this special issue on “Social Enterprise and Networks” are introduced.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review was undertaken of social enterprise and networks literature in business and management journals. Journals sampled included all those in the Entrepreneurship and Small Business subject area of the Association of Business Schools (ABS) Academic Journal Guide 2018, the journals in the Financial Times 50 research ranking, and selected wider business and society, non-profit management and public administration journals.

Findings

Analysis of publishing patterns of social enterprise and networks research finds that such research is growing, and that varied network perspectives, concepts and theories are being deployed. Social enterprise and networks are also being studied globally, using different methodologies. Nevertheless, there remains scope for deeper theoretical engagement, and for a wider range of network theories to be used. More even geographic coverage is also needed, and further insights can be gained through use of alternative methodologies.

Research limitations/implications

Discussions in this paper have implications for research through outlining systematically the state of current scholarship on social enterprise and networks. In so doing, insight is provided on what is known about social enterprise and networks. But also on what is not known and where further enquiry is needed. Direction is thus provided for future social enterprise and networks scholarship.

Practical implications

In this paper, how, and the extent to which, social enterprise and networks scholarship offers implications for practice and policy is considered.

Originality/value

This paper makes a valuable contribution to social enterprise scholarship. It outlines the state of current knowledge and research on social enterprise and networks, identifying where and how relationships between social enterprise and networks have been studied, whilst also providing insights for what next in future social enterprise and networks research.
Auditors in the financial meltdown: an examination
Authors: Sy Aida , Tinker Anthony M.
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the financial crises and the role of auditors in those crises. The paper is concerned with the banking system, as the last financial crisis in 2008 was provoked by the mortgage business and the big banks and risks management.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper choses to use data from corporations, practices and professional websites. The authors use interviews that were available and related to the subject matter. Academic works are also used to discuss the literature review and various issues.

Findings

The paper explores the auditors’ responsibilities and finds that there is a growing concern for auditing. This research is complex, as it discovers that corporate executives in the banking business should be more responsible; this is confirmed by the high risks in the financial area that still persists.

Research limitations/implications

This is a very complex topic; however, the authors designed it so that it can be read and used by non-accountants, that is to say, CEOs and governmental agencies that are in charge of the regulatory system. Further research studies are needed to ensure ongoing discussions about the financial crisis. The Word is not free from such bad economic events.

Practical implications

The contribution is important; this research can be used by organizations, governments and academics.

Social implications

The paper includes implications for the banking and auditing industries. It extends to the public interest.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature for academic and can be used for teaching purposes. Students can understand the paper, as the authors did not use a regression model.
Socially responsible human resource practices: disclosures of the world’s best multinational workplaces
Authors: Greige Frangieh Charbel , Khayr Yaacoub Hala
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the socially responsible human resource practices disclosed by the “World’s Best Multinational Workplaces,” with the aim of facilitating the benchmarking of these disclosed practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the “World’s Best Multinational Workplaces” list was a strategic decision in this study due to the rigorous methodology used in the preparation of the list as it concentrated largely on the employees’ feedback, thus ensuring that these listed companies are actually top workplaces. Both manifest and latent content analysis, are applied on 23 of the 25 listed Multinational Corporations’ websites and reports, and company reviews done on these companies by the Great Place to Work for to pinpoint the social responsible human resource practices.

Findings

Most of the practices disclosed are oriented toward enhancing the employees’ work experiences whether that happened through improving their employment conditions or through having a diverse and inclusive workplace. Thus, the employee-oriented human resource management practices got the lion’s share of the disclosures, rather than the legal or the Corporate social responsibility–human resources facilitation components.

Research limitations/implications

The practices that are already used at small and medium enterprises within national contexts were not covered in this study.

Practical implications

It is assumed that businesses can benefit from the practices of these MNCs which are considered as great places to work for, and as pioneers in their socially responsible human resource approaches.

Originality/value

This study is likely to fill an important gap in the corporate social responsibility literature, which gave pint-sized attention to the internal stakeholders, rendering the academic coverage of employee-related practices scarce if not absent
The influence of environmental gradients on individual behaviour: Individual plasticity is consistent across risk and temperature gradients
Authors: Cornwell Tomas O. , McCarthy Ian D. , Snyder C. Richard A. , Biro Peter A.
Published: December 2018

The expression of individual behaviour as a function of environmental variation (behavioural plasticity) is recognized as a means for animals to modify their phenotypes in response to changing conditions. Plasticity has been studied extensively in recent years, leading to an accumulation of evidence for behavioural plasticity within natural populations.

Despite the recent attention given to studying individual variation in behavioural plasticity, there is still a lack of consensus regarding its causes and constraints. One pressing question related to this is whether individual plasticity carries over across temporal and environmental gradients. That is, are some individuals more plastic (responsive) than others in general?

Here, we examined the influence of temporal and environmental gradients on individual behavioural responses in a marine gastropod, Littoraria irrorata. We measured individual boldness repeatedly over time and in response to tidal cycle (high vs. low, an index of risk) and daily temperature fluctuations (known to affect metabolism), in a controlled field experiment.

On average, boldness increased from high to low tide and with increasing temperature but decreased marginally over time. Individuals also differed in their responses to variation in tide and temperature, but not over time. Those which were relatively bold at high tide (when predation risk is greater) were similarly bold at low tide, whereas shy individuals became much more “bold” at low tide. Most notably, individuals that were more responsive to tide (and thus risk) were also more responsive to temperature changes, indicating that plasticity was correlated across contexts (r = 0.57) and that bolder individuals were least plastic overall.

This study provides a rare and possibly first example of consistency of individual behavioural plasticity across contexts, suggesting underlying physiology as a common mechanism, and raises the possibility of correlational selection on plasticity.
Understanding of inclusive education practices among parents in Ghana
Authors: Amponteng Michael , Opoku Maxwell Peprah , Agyei‐Okyere Elvis , Afriyie Sally Adwoa , Tawiah Richard
Published: December 2018

The significant contribution of parents towards education of children has been well explored in the literature. In effort towards practicing inclusive education, parents have been urged to work closely with teachers in order to sustain inclusive practices. In Ghana, the Inclusive Education Policy document has reiterated the need for diverse stakeholders, including parents, to be involved in implementation of inclusive education. However, not much has been done to assess the perceptions of parents regarding inclusive education practices in schools. We adapted Parent Attitude Towards Inclusive Education survey questionnaire to examine attitude, knowledge and social norm influencing inclusive practices among parents. We used Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as framework to assess the perceptions of 411 parents, selected from two regions in Ghana. We calculated means, t‐test, analysis of variance, correlation and regression to understand variables which will impact on perception of parents. Although there was relationship between the three TPB variables of attitudes, knowledge and social norms, parents indicated low knowledge about inclusive practices. Also, there was no significant difference between parents of children with disabilities and those with typical developing children. Limitations, recommendation for future study and educating parents about inclusive practices are discussed extensively.
Availability and composition of weight‐loss supplements in Sri Lanka
Authors: Jayawardena Ranil , Sooriyaarachchi Piumika , Ranasinghe Priyanga , Perera Amila , Hills Andrew P.
Published: December 2018

Aim

The present study aims to investigate the composition and availability of weight‐loss supplements in Sri Lanka and explore the evidence for their effectiveness.

Methods

Data were collected by visiting drug stores, searching the Internet for websites and referring to advertisements in national newspapers and magazines from August to October 2017.

Results

A total of 100 weight‐loss products were identified of which the majority (n = 57) were available from drug stores. Most commonly, products were available in capsule form (36.0%). The number of active ingredients in products varied from 1 to a maximum of 22 with a total of 155 different active ingredients distinguished. The ingredients mainly originated from plants (77.4%) while green tea (Camellia sinensis), garcinia (Garcinia cambogia) and caffeine anhydrous were the three most common. At least one of the top 10 ingredients was included in 75 of the products sourced. Directions for use were specified in only 72 products, while a further 6 products lacked any information on ingredients. Literature predicted positive weight‐loss effects for green tea and ginger while garcinia was reported for both positive and negative effects.

Conclusions

The ingredients are reported to have both beneficial and adverse effects. Many consumers may find it challenging to make informed purchase decisions as a number of products failed to provide adequate nutritional information and safety measures. Government regulatory authorities should pay closer attention to the availability and provision of products sold to the general public.
Amyloid β‐induced elevation of O‐GlcNAcylated c‐Fos promotes neuronal cell death
Authors: Choi Heesun , Kim Chaeyoung , Song Hyundong , Cha Moon‐Yong , Cho Hyun Jin , Son Sung Min , Kim Haeng Jun , Mook‐Jung Inhee
Published: December 2018

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age‐related neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive memory loss resulting from cumulative neuronal cell death. O‐linked β‐N‐acetyl glucosamine (O‐GlcNAc) modification of the proteins reflecting glucose metabolism is altered in the brains of patients with AD. However, the link between altered O‐GlcNAc modification and neuronal cell death in AD is poorly understood. Here, we examined the regulation of O‐GlcNAcylation of c‐Fos and the effects of O‐GlcNAcylated c‐Fos on neuronal cell death during AD pathogenesis. We found that amyloid beta (Aβ)‐induced O‐GlcNAcylation on serine‐56 and 57 of c‐Fos was resulted from decreased interaction between c‐Fos and O‐GlcNAcase and promoted neuronal cell death. O‐GlcNAcylated c‐Fos increased its stability and potentiated the transcriptional activity through higher interaction with c‐Jun, resulting in induction of Bim expression leading to neuronal cell death. Taken together, Aβ‐induced O‐GlcNAcylation of c‐Fos plays an important role in neuronal cell death during the pathogenesis of AD.
Perceptions of shareholders and directors on corporate governance: what we learn about director primacy
Authors: Adrian Christofer , Wright Sue
Published: December 2018

This paper compares shareholder and director perceptions since the financial crisis on what constitutes effective corporate governance. We find three issues on which they have differing perceptions of good corporate governance: multiple directorships, provision of non‐audit services and CEO duality, and one issue on which shareholders express concern: directors' tenure. Our results highlight the need for regulations and recommendations to more subtly define good corporate governance practices in these areas. Our results also support the theory of director primacy, providing empirical evidence that this description of corporate power is accurate even for issues on which shareholders and directors differ.
Does stronger corporate governance constrain insider trading? Asymmetric evidence from Australia
Authors: Hodgson Allan , Seamer Michael , Uylangco Katherine
Published: December 2018

We investigate the role of internal corporate governance in limiting opportunities for ASX company ‘insiders’ to extract abnormal returns from trading ‘own shares’. We show that stronger governance translates into more restrictive insider trading policies and, while not resulting in lower insider purchase volumes, values or profits, it does reduce insider selling profitability. Firm size and increasing trading policy restrictiveness is associated with reduced insider purchase profitability while insider sale profitability is reduced by aggregate governance, trading restrictions and increasing trading policy restrictiveness. We conclude that internal firm governance constrains insider sales but not purchases, providing contrarian trading signals.
Sexuality and sexual health: Policy in Australian residential aged care
Authors: McAuliffe Linda , Fetherstonhaugh Deirdre , Bauer Michael
Published: December 2018

Objective

To examine the extent and scope of written policies about sexuality and sexual health for older people living in Australian residential aged care facilities.

Methods

Postal survey sent to all 2766 Australian residential aged care facilities. Respondents were asked to indicate whether the facility had written policies on sexuality and sexual health and to return copies. Content analysis was performed on policies returned.

Results

Surveys were returned by 1094 facilities. Less than one‐quarter reported having a policy regarding sexuality (n = 237/1049; 23%) or sexual health (n = 129/985; 13%). Less than one‐tenth (n = 74/1049; 7%) returned a written policy; only two‐thirds of these policies were dedicated to sexuality or sexual health.

Conclusion

Most residential aged care staff do not have access to policies on sexuality or sexual health to guide their practice resident intimacy and sexual health needs are at risk of being ignored.
International publication trends in hepato‐pancreato‐biliary surgery: emergency compared to oncology
Authors: Liang Yi , Lo‐Cao Edward , Punch Gratian , Lam Vincent , Richardson Arthur
Published: December 2018

Background

There is growing interest in publishing trends given the increasing amount of research publication across various specialities. Studies relating to hepato‐pancreato‐biliary (HPB) surgery show an oncological focus compared to benign, emergency and trauma.

Methods

Analysis of ISI JCR impact factors in the Web of Knowledge and the Scimago Journal Rank through Scopus was performed to select four readily available, relevant and frequently read journals from the surgery category. A total of 5265 articles between 2012 and 2016 were categorized relating to emergency or oncology topics. A secondary analysis of PubMed MeSH term was performed to scrutinize trends of publishing over the period 1960–2016.

Results

Of the 5265 articles screened, 2062 related to HPB surgery. Of these, 49% (1007 of 2062) were oncology related. This trend towards oncology‐related topics is continued in HPB subspecialty journals where 51% (679 of 1320) of articles are oncology related. Emergency‐ and trauma‐related topics accounted 10% (198 of 2062) overall, whereas in subspecialty journals, they account for 8% (111 of 1320). Secondary analysis of MeSH term trends demonstrated a now stable trend over the last 20 years of liver and pancreatic trauma to oncology ratio of 1:10 publications, and biliary trauma to oncology publishing ratio of 1:5.

Conclusions

Quantitatively oncology topics are published favourably, whereas emergency‐ and trauma‐related HPB articles appear static. This is in keeping with baseline trends over the last five decades. Further analysis could delineate whether publishing in trauma subspecialty journals compensate for this trend.
How I manage children with Diamond‐Blackfan anaemia
Authors: Bartels Marije , Bierings Marc
Published: December 2018

Diamond‐Blackfan anaemia (DBA) is a rare inherited marrow failure disorder, characterized by hypoplastic anaemia, congenital anomalies and a predisposition to cancer as a result of ribosomal dysfunction. Historically, treatment is based on glucocorticoids and/or blood transfusions, which is accompanied by significant toxicity and long‐term sequelae. Currently, stem cell transplantation is the only curative option for the haematologicalDBAphenotype. Whereas this procedure has been quite successful in the last decade in selected patients, novel therapies and biological insights are still warranted to improve clinical care for allDBApatients. In addition to paediatric haematologists, other physicians (e.g. endocrinologist, gynaecologist) should ideally be involved in the care of this chronic condition from an early age, to improve lifelong management of haematological and non‐haematological symptoms, and screen forDBA‐associated malignancies. Here we provide an overview of current knowledge and recommendations for the day‐to‐day care ofDBApatients.
Efficacy and safety of prothrombin complex concentrate in patients treated with rivaroxaban or apixaban compared to warfarin presenting with major bleeding
Authors: Arachchillage Deepa R. J. , Alavian Sharon , Griffin Jessica , Gurung Kamala , Szydlo Richard , Karawitage Nilanthi , Laffan Mike
Published: December 2018

This retrospective study investigated the efficacy and safety of prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) for management of major bleeding events (MBE) in 344 patients receiving the anticoagulants rivaroxaban, apixaban or warfarin during the period January 2016 to April 2018. Median (range) PCC dose was 2000 units (1000–4500). Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) was the most common indication (137/344, 39·8%) for PCC use followed by gastrointestinal bleeding (93/344, 27%). ICH patients more frequently received rivaroxaban (62·5%) or apixaban (52·5%) compared to warfarin (34·5%), P = 0·002; and visceral bleeding patients received warfarin more frequently (24·2%) than rivaroxaban (5%) or apixaban (10%), P = 0·003. Median rivaroxaban and apixaban levels were 230 ng/ml (47–759) and 159 ng/ml (45–255). Median International Normalised Ratio pre‐ and post‐PCC in patients on warfarin were 3·4 (1·9–15·4) and 1·2 (1·0–1·9). Blood products use was the same between groups. Thirty‐day mortality and re‐bleeding rates in patients with ICH were 35% (P = 0·50) and 18% (P = 0·90) with no differences between the groups. Thrombosis occurred in 4·1% patients within 30 days with no difference between groups. Two of 91 (2·2%) patients with ICH only (both on warfarin) had ischaemic strokes within 30 days post‐PCC. In conclusion, there was no difference in the safety (thrombosis) or efficacy (30‐day mortality, re‐bleeding) in use of PCC for MBE in patients on warfarin, rivaroxaban or apixaban.
Managing a moral identity in debt advice conversations
Authors: Andelic Nicole , Stevenson Clifford , Feeney Aidan
Published: December 2018

Previous research has found that stigma can be a barrier to service use but there has been little work examining actual service encounters involving members of stigmatized groups. One such group are those with problematic or unmanageable debts. Providing advice to members of this group is likely to be particularly difficult due to the stigma associated with being in debt. Using conversation analysis and discursive psychology, this study examines 12 telephone advice conversations between debt advisors and individuals in debt. Both clients and advisors oriented to the negative moral implications of indebtedness and typically worked collaboratively to manage these issues. Clients often claimed a moral disposition as a way to disclaim any unwanted associations with debt, but could find it difficult to reconcile this with an insolvency agreement. Moreover, the institutional requirements of the interaction could disrupt the collaborative management of stigma and advisors could manage the subsequent resistance from clients in either client‐centred or institution‐centred ways. The findings suggest that the products offered by debt advice agencies, as well as the manner in which they are offered to clients, can either help or hinder debtors negotiate the stigma‐related barriers to service engagement.
A GOOD ADVISOR
Authors: Berg Nathan , Kim Jeong‐Yoo
Published: December 2018

Effective education requires strategic consideration. If students doubt the motives of teachers and advisors, then students rationally ignore the advice they receive. Valuable information is lost in such bad communication outcomes and, consequently, the quality of education suffers. In this paper, we argue that an advisor's sacrifice is an essential virtue of a good advisor for efficient communication between an advisor and a student. We model the relation between them as a signaling game. We find a separating equilibrium in which a good advisor (whose objective function truly coincides with the student's own objective function) makes a costly sacrifice that causes the student to believe what the advisor says, while a non‐good advisor (whose objective does not coincide with the student's) chooses not to make the costly sacrifice and, consequently, the student completely ignores the advisor. In fact, it turns out to be the unique equilibrium that survives the Intuitive Criterion. The model demonstrates the importance of making students aware of those aspects of the advisor's objectives that students may not realize are closely aligned with their own (e.g., the extent to which an advisor cares about students' academic and professional trajectories as evaluated by students themselves).
Adolescent self‐harm prevention and intervention in secondary schools: a survey of staff in England and Wales
Authors: Evans Rhiannon , Parker Rachel , Russell Abigail Emma , Mathews Frances , Ford Tamsin , Hewitt Gillian , Scourfield Jonathan , Janssens Astrid
Published: December 2018

Background

Adolescent self‐harm is a major public health concern. To date there is a limited evidence‐base for prevention or intervention, particularly within the school setting. To develop effective approaches, it is important to first understand the school context, including existing provision, barriers to implementation, and the acceptability of different approaches.

Methods

A convenience sample of 222 secondary schools in England and Wales were invited to participate in a survey, with a 68.9% (n = 153) response rate. One member of staff completed the survey on behalf of each school. Participants responded to questions on the existing provision of adolescent self‐harm prevention and intervention, barriers to delivery, and future needs.

Results

Adolescent self‐harm is an important concern for senior management and teachers. However, emotional health and well‐being is the primary health priority for schools. Health services, such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and on‐site counselling are the main approaches schools currently use to address adolescent self‐harm, with counselling cited as the most useful provision. Fifty‐two per cent of schools have received some staff training on adolescent self‐harm, although only 22% rated the adequacy of this training as high. Where schools do not have existing provision, respondents stated that they would like staff training, specialist student training, external speakers, posters and assemblies, although the latter four options were infrequently ranked as the most useful approaches. Key barriers to addressing adolescent self‐harm were: lack of time in the curriculum; lack of resources; lack of staff training and time; and fear of encouraging self‐harm amongst adolescents.

Conclusions

Adolescent self‐harm is a priority for schools. Intervention might focus on increasing the availability of training to teaching staff.
Ivermectin induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of HeLa cells via mitochondrial pathway
Authors: Zhang Ping , Zhang Yang , Liu Kuikui , Liu Bin , Xu Wenping , Gao Jufang , Ding Lei , Tao Liming
Published: December 2018

Objectives

The aim of study was to investigate the anticancer activities of Ivermectin (IVM) and the possible mechanisms in cells level via cell proliferation inhibition, apoptosis and migration inhibition in model cancer cell HeLa.

Materials and methods

The MTT assay was used to study the inhibitory effect of IVM on the proliferation of Hela cells, and the cell cycle was analysed by flow cytometry. The neutral comet assay was used to study the DNA damage. The presence of apoptosis was confirmed by DAPI nuclear staining and flow cytometry. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were determined using Rhodamine 123 staining and DCFH‐DA staining. Western blot analysis for apoptosis‐related proteins was carried out. We use scratch test to analyse the antimigration potential of IVM.

Results

Ivermectin can inhibit the viability of HeLa cells significantly. In addition, treatment with IVM resulted in cell cycle arrest at the G1/S phase which partly account for the suppressed proliferation. Typical apoptosis morphological changes were shown in IVM treatment cells including DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation. At the same time, the results of flow cytometry analysis showed that the number of apoptotic cells increased significantly with the increase of IVM concentration. Moreover, we observed that the mitochondrial membrane potential collapses and the ratio of Bax/Bcl‐2 in the cytoplasm increases, which induces cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm, activates caspase‐9/‐3 and finally induces apoptosis. We also found that IVM can significantly increase intracellular ROS content. At the same time, we determined that IVM can significantly inhibit the migration of HeLa cells.

Conclusions

Our experimental results show that IVM might be a new potential anticancer drug for therapy of human cancer.