bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diffuse Peripheral Zone T2 Hypointensity: When to Worry About Prostate Cancer
Authors: Navot Benjamin , Ahmed Firas S. , Shaish Hiram
Published: June 2019

Objective

Evaluate the accuracy of an obscured surgical capsule (OSC) for detecting diffuse prostate cancer (PCa) in the setting of diffusely T2 hypointense peripheral zones (PZs) on prostate magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods

Axial T2-weighted sequences of prostate magnetic resonance imaging performed on July 1, 2015, to August 1, 2017, were blindly assessed for diffusely T2 hypointense PZs, OSC, and focal diffusion abnormalities by 2 radiologists. Diffuse PCa was defined by the presence of bilateral PCa on at least 4 contiguous biopsy cores involving 2/3 levels. Interobserver agreement and multivariate analysis were performed.

Results

Seven (10%) of 70 patients had diffuse PCa. There was weak interreader agreement for OSC (κ coefficient = 0.58). Obscured surgical capsule was 57% sensitive and 89% specific for the presence of diffuse PCa and was associated with it (odds ratio, 17.6; P = 0.0008). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that OSC was the only significant predictor for the presence of diffuse PCa.

Conclusion

Obscured surgical capsule is a strong independent predictor for diffuse PCa in T2 hypointense PZs.
Parathyroid Glands Hyperplasias Mimicking Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Metastatic Lymph Nodes on 18F-DOPA PET/CT
Authors: Terroir Marie , Grimaldi Serena , Hartl Dana , Leboulleux Sophie , Deandreis Désirée
Published: June 2019

A pre operatory assessment by neck US, 18F-DOPA and 18F-choline PET/CT was performed in a 43-year-old MEN 2A woman affected by hyperparathyroidism and medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). On 18F-DOPA, two thyroid uptakes were analyzed as multifocal MTC and two others in the central neck compartment as MTC metastatic lymph nodes. After surgery, multifocal intra thyroidal MTC and two parathyroid glands hyperplasias were proved without MTC adenopathies. We report a case of rare false positive uptake on 18F-DOPA. In case of several endocrine diseases coexistence as in MEN 2A, 18F-DOPA should be carefully analyzed.
Retroperitoneal Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor on 99mTc-DTPA Renal Scintigraphy
Authors: Jia Xi , Gao Rui , Liang Yiqian , Liang Hua , Yang Aimin
Published: June 2019

Findings of 99mTc-DTPA renal scintigraphy of a retroperitoneal malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor are reported here. The patient was a 48-year-old woman who presented discomfort and intermittent dull pain in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen for approximately 3 weeks.
Does Kidney Transplantation Affect Sleep and Fatigue in Patients With Kidney Disease?
Authors: Tandukar Srijan , Hou Surui , Yabes Jonathan , Ran Xinhui , Fletcher Mary , Strollo Patrick , Patel Sanjay R. , Unruh Mark , Jhamb Manisha
Published: June 2019

Background.

Sleep disorders and fatigue are highly prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients but there is limited evidence on the effect of kidney transplant (KTx) on these.

Methods.

In a prospective cohort study of patients with advanced CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate<30 mL/min/1.73 m2) or ESKD, polysomnography and patient-reported symptom assessments were conducted. Pre- and post-KTx changes in sleep apnea (SA) severity (measured by apnea hypopnea index [AHI]) were analyzed and compared with patients who did not receive KTx. Regression models were used to examine predictors of SA severity.

Results.

Among 77 patients (mean age 51 y, BMI 29 kg/m2, 66% males, 23% ESKD), 61% had SA at baseline. Among 39 KTx recipients, 56% had SA, with 39% having moderate-severe SA after 10 ± 5.6 months post-KTx. There was no difference in AHI in either the KTx (median 6 versus 8; P = 0.37) or no-KTx (median 15 versus 16; P = 0.61) groups after an average of 19.9 ± 8.9 months. KTx led to significant clinically meaningful improvements in fatigue and health-related quality of life (adjusted effect size 0.3–0.6). In multivariable regression, baseline AHI was the only significant predictor of SA severity (adjusted β = 3.6/5 units, 95% confidence interval 2.1, 5.2) after adjusting for KTx status, age, sex, and body mass index.

Conclusions.

More than half of the KTx recipients had SA. There was no significant change in SA severity with KTx. Clinically meaningful moderate size improvements in patient-reported fatigue and health-related quality of life may be seen with KTx.
Evaluating sepsis definitions for clinical decision support against a definition for epidemiological disease surveillance
Authors: Lin Anthony L. , Sendak Mark , Bedoya Armando D. , Clement Meredith E. , Brajer Nathan , Futoma Joseph , Bosworth Hayden B. , Heller Katherine A. , O’Brien Cara L.
Published: May 2019

Epidemiological definitions for sepsis have been used to improve disease surveillance and assist in national assessment of sepsis detection and treatment. However, epidemiological definitions are often optimized for retrospective review and alignment of epidemiological and real-time clinical decision support definitions is unknown. This 15-month retrospective observational study involving 43,046 adult patient encounters and 30,973 unique patients compared cohorts captured by the EHR-based Sepsis-1, Sepsis-3, and Duke Adult Sepsis definitions. We assessed hospital length of stay, in-hospital mortality, admission to the intensive care unit, and sensitivity and specificity of these definitions compared to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention epidemiological ‘gold-standard’ definition. Both Duke Adult Sepsis and Sepsis-3 maintained a high specificity, but the former had higher sensitivity. By directly comparing definitions designed for clinical decision support with an epidemiological disease surveillance tool, this work provides guidance to health systems seeking to implement clinical decision support to improve sepsis management.
Loss-functions matter, on optimizing score functions for the estimation of protein models accuracy
Authors: Sidi Tomer , Keasar Chen
Published: June 2019

Motivation

Methods for protein structure prediction (PSP) generate multiple alternative structural models (aka decoys). Thus, supervised learning methods for the evaluation and ranking of these models are crucial elements of PSP. Supervised learning involves optimization of loss functions, but their influence on performance is typically overlooked. Here we put the loss functions in the spotlight, and study their effect on prediction performance.

Results

Here we report the performances of three variants of MESHI-score, a supervised learning method for the estimation of model accuracy (EMA). Each variant was trained with a different loss function and showed better performance in different aspects of the EMA problem. Most importantly, better discrimination between models of the same target, is gained by target centered loss functions.

Availability

All data is available at http://meshi1.cs.bgu.ac.il/SidiAndKeasar2018Data_download/. The MESHI-package (version 9.412) is available at https://github.com/meshiprot/meshi/releases).

Contact

chen.keasar@gmail.com
Mutually exclusive autism mutations point to the circadian clock and PI3K signaling pathways
Authors: Manning Hannah , O’Roak Brian J. , Babur Özgün
Published: May 2019

Mutual exclusivity analysis of genomic mutations has proven useful for detecting driver alterations in cancer patient cohorts. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, that this pattern is also present among de novo mutations in autism spectrum disorder. We analyzed three large whole genome sequencing studies and identified mutual exclusivity patterns within the most confident set of autism-related genes, as well as in the circadian clock and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.
Stringent Response Governs the Virulence and Oxidative Stress Resistance of Francisella tularensis
Authors: Ma Zhuo , King Kayla , Alqahtani Maha , Worden Madeline , Muthuraman Parthasarthy , Cioffi Christopher , Bakshi Chandra Shekhar , Malik Meenakshi
Published: May 2019

Francisella tularensis is a Gram-negative bacterium responsible for causing tularemia in the northern hemisphere. F. tularensis has long been developed as a biological weapon due to its ability to cause severe illness upon inhalation of as few as ten organisms and based on its potential to be used as a bioterror agent is now classified as a Tier 1 Category A select agent by the CDC. The stringent response facilitates bacterial survival under nutritionally challenging starvation conditions. The hallmark of stringent response is the accumulation of the effector molecules ppGpp and (p)ppGpp known as stress alarmones. The relA and spoT gene products generate alarmones in several Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. RelA is a ribosome-associated ppGpp synthetase that gets activated under amino acid starvation conditions whereas, SpoT is a bifunctional enzyme with both ppGpp synthetase and ppGpp hydrolase activities. Francisella encodes a monofunctional RelA and a bifunctional SpoT enzyme. Previous studies have demonstrated that stringent response under nutritional stresses increases expression of virulence-associated genes encoded on Francisella Pathogenicity Island. This study investigated how stringent response governs the oxidative stress response of F. tularensis. We demonstrate that RelA/SpoT-mediated ppGpp production alters global gene transcriptional profile of F. tularensis in the presence of oxidative stress. The lack of stringent response in relA/spoT gene deletion mutants of F. tularensis makes bacteria more susceptible to oxidants, attenuates survival in macrophages, and virulence in mice. Mechanistically, we provide evidence that the stringent response in Francisella contributes to oxidative stress resistance by enhancing the production of antioxidant enzymes.

Importance

The unique intracellular life cycle of Francisella in addition to nutritional stress also exposes the bacteria to oxidative stress conditions upon its brief residence in the phagosomes, and escape into the cytosol where replication takes place. However, the contribution of the stringent response in gene regulation and management of the oxidative stress response when Francisella is experiencing oxidative stress conditions is not known. Our results provide a link between the stringent and oxidative stress responses. This study further improves our understanding of the intracellular survival mechanisms of F. tularensis.
Variant Phasing and Haplotypic Expression from Single-molecule Long-read Sequencing in Maize
Authors: Wang Bo , Tseng Elizabeth , Baybayan Primo , Eng Kevin , Regulski Michael , Jiao Yinping , Wang Liya , Olson Andrew , Chougule Kapeel , Buren Peter Van , Ware Doreen
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Haplotype phasing of genetic variants in maize is important for interpretation of the genome, population genetic analysis and functional genomic analysis of allelic activity. Accordingly, accurate methods for phasing the full-length isoforms are essential for functional genomics studies. We performed an isoform-level phasing study in maize, using two inbred lines and their reciprocal crosses, based on the single-molecule full-length cDNA sequencing. To phase and analyze the full-length transcripts between hybrids and parents, we developed a tool called IsoPhase. Using this tool, we validated the majority of SNPs called against matching short-read data and identified cases of allele-specific, gene-level and isoform-level expression. Our results revealed that maize parental lines and hybrid lines exhibit different splicing activities. After phasing 6,907 genes in two reciprocal hybrids using embryo, endosperm and root tissues, we annotated the SNPs and identified large-effect genes. In addition, based on single-molecule sequencing, we identified parent-of-origin isoforms in maize hybrids, distinct novel isoforms in maize parent and hybrid lines, and imprinted genes from different tissues. Finally, we characterized variation in cis- and trans-regulatory effects. Our study provides measures of haplotypic expression that could increase accuracy in studies of allelic expression.
GIP: A Gene network-based integrative approach for Inferring disease-associated signaling Pathways
Authors: Chen Xi
Published: May 2019

Dysregulation or crosstalk of signal transduction pathways contributes to disease development. Despite the initial success of identifying causal links between source and target proteins in simple or well-studied biological systems, it remains challenging to investigate alternative pathways specifically associated with a disease. We develop a Gene network-based integrative approach for Inferring disease-associated signaling Pathways (GIP). Specifically, we identify alternative pathways given source and target proteins. GIP was applied to human breast cancer data. Experimental results showed that GIP identified biologically meaningful pathway modules associated with antiestrogen resistance.
Multiplexable fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) probes for Abl and Src-family kinases
Authors: Damayanti Nur P. , Jena Sampreeti , Tan Jackie , Irudayaraj Joseph M. K. , Parker L. L.
Published: May 2019

Most commonly employed strategies to map kinase activities in live cells require expression of genetically-encoded proteins (e.g. FRET sensors). In this work, we describe development and preliminary application of a set of cell-penetrating, fluorophore labelled peptide substrates for fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) of Abl and Src-family kinase activities. These probes do not rely on FRET pairs or genetically-encoded protein expression. We also demonstrate image-by-image and pixel-by-pixel quantification of probe phosphorylation ratio, suggesting that this strategy will be useful for detailed mapping of single cell and subcellular kinase activity in live cells.
Production of interspecies somatic/pluripotent heterokaryons using polyethylene glycol (PEG) and selection by imaging flow cytometry for the study of nuclear reprogramming
Authors: Villafranca M. Cristina , Makris Melissa R. , Garrido Bauerle Maria Jesus , Jensen Roderick V. , Eyestone Willard H.
Published: May 2019

Fusion of somatic cells to pluripotent cells such as mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells induces reprogramming of the somatic nucleus, and can be used to study the effect of trans-acting factors from the pluripotent cell on the somatic nucleus. Moreover, fusion of cells from different species permits the identification of the transcriptome of each cell, so the gene expression changes can be monitored. However, fusion only happens in a small proportion of the cells exposed to fusogenic conditions, hence the need for a protocol that produces high fusion rate with minimal cell damage, coupled with a method capable of identifying and selecting fusion events from the bulk of the cells. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a polymer of repeated ethylene oxide units known to induce cell fusion within a certain range of molecular weight. Here, we describe a method to induce formation of bi-species heterokaryons from adherent mammalian cells, which can then be specifically labeled and selected using live cell immunostaining and a combination of imaging and traditional flow cytometry. First, we tested several PEG-based fusion conditions to optimize a protocol to consistently produce both mouse NIH/3T3 fibroblast and primary bovine fetal fibroblast (bFF) homokaryons. Initially, we obtained 7.28% of NIH/3T3 homokaryons when using 50% PEG 1500. Addition of 10% of DMSO to the PEG solution increased the percentage of NIH/3T3 homokaryons to 11.71%. In bFFs, treatment with 50% PEG 1500 plus 10% DMSO produced 11.05% of homokaryons. We then produced interspecies heterokaryons by fusing mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells to bFFs. To identify bi-species fusion products, heterokaryons were labeled using indirect immunostaining in live cells and selected using imaging (Amnis ImageStream Mark II) and traditional (BD FACSAria I) flow cytometry. Heterokaryons selected with this method produced ES cell-like colonies when placed back in culture. The method described here can also be combined with downstream applications such as nucleic acid isolation for RT-PCR and RNA-seq, and used as a tool to study cellular processes in which the effect of trans-acting factors is relevant, such as in nuclear reprogramming.
Detection of apoptosis and matrical degeneration within the intervertebral discs of rats due to passive cigarette smoking
Authors: Nakahashi Masahiro , Esumi Mariko , Tokuhashi Yasuaki
Published: May 2019

Although low-back pain is considered to be associated with cigarette smoking, the influence of cigarette smoking on the intervertebral discs (IVD) has not been confirmed. We established a rat model of passive cigarette smoking-induced IVD degeneration, and investigated the cytohistological changes in the IVD and the accompanying changes in gene expression. IVD from rats exposed to 8 weeks of passive cigarette smoking were stained with Elastica van Gieson, and exhibited marked destruction of the supportive structure of the reticular matrix in the nucleus pulposus (NP). Positive signals on safranin O, alcian blue, type II collagen and aggrecan staining were decreased in the destroyed structure. Safranin O and type II collagen signals were also decreased in the cartilage end-plate (CEP) after 4- and 8-weeks of cigarette smoking. In the CEP, the potential for apoptosis was increased significantly, as demonstrated by staining for single-strand DNA. However, there were no signs of apoptosis in the NP or annulus fibrosus cells. Based on these findings, we concluded that passive cigarette smoking-induced stress stimuli first affect the CEP through blood flow due to the histological proximity, thereby stimulating chondrocyte apoptosis and reduction of the extracellular matrix (ECM). This leads to reduction of the ECM in the NP, destroying the NP matrix, which can then progress to IVD degeneration.
Implementation of cancer next-generation sequencing testing in a community hospital
Authors: Akkari Yassmine , Smith Tamara , Westfall Jennifer , Lupo Stacie
Published: June 2019

In the current era of personalized medicine, the field of oncology is witnessing a paradigm shift in patient care that is driving a tighter integration of genomic analysis modalities in patient care decision. This is driven by the expanding category of targeted therapies that require a broader understanding of the mutational profile of patient samples to more precisely guided personalized treatment decisions. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has proved to be of tremendous power in detecting and characterizing a broad spectrum of activating or loss-of-function mutations across many gene targets. This power of NGS also results in significant challenges related to technical expertise, bioinformatics, computing infrastructure, laboratory practices, and integration into clinical decision-making. These challenges are particularly relevant to smaller and mid-tier hospital networks that are faced with the need to modernize their clinical practices and offer their patients access to advanced genomic technologies to improve outcomes. Adoption of such personalized medicine relies on information about a patient's cancer genome and the identification of its variants. This is best achieved using NGS. However, there are challenges to the adoption of such a complex technology and workflow, especially in smaller hospital systems. This commentary summarizes key considerations and challenges related to implementation of NGS in a community hospital setting.
Fit or not? Bringing regulatory fit into the frame on health food preferences
Authors: Kuo Kuo-Shuan , Chuang Shih-Chieh , Huang Molly Chien-jung , Wu Pei-ying
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to facilitate the use of public communication in the development of healthy food plans for consumers. This research aims to investigate whether the influence of “fit” to individuals’ goal pursuit strategies on the effectiveness of advertisement frames can intensify persuasion to consume healthy (virtue) foods or restrain the consumption of unhealthy (vice) foods in health promotion.

Design/methodology/approach

Two experiments were conducted to investigate how goal-framed messages for different food types affect consumer decision making by moderating regulatory focus.

Findings

The results demonstrate that the compatibility between the mere exposure to virtue (vice) food in a negative (positive) frame drives the effectiveness of a given goal framing. However, when additional regulatory focus is added, the fit in the vice/promotion and virtue/prevention condition causes the effect of framing to disappear. Moreover, the unfit in the virtue/promotion and vice/prevention condition suppresses the virtue (vice) preference in the positive (negative) frame.

Research limitations/implications

These findings suggest that under different valence framing, advertising messages provide different amounts of persuasion in virtue/vice conditions and the moderation effect of regulatory fit on framing to influence virtue/vice food preference.

Practical implications

Public policy executives and marketers can increase the likelihood that consumers will make healthy food choices by fitting goals to strengthen persuasion. The unfitted goal orientation between food and regulatory focus enhances the framing effect leading to food preference changes.

Originality/value

The framing effect disappears when additional regulatory fit the food type, but is enhanced when additional regulatory focus does not fit the food type. By bringing fit into the frame and the virtue/vice food type, this research extends the notion of regulatory fit into three pairs of given goal orientations on the persuasiveness of message framing to health-related communication. It provides a substantial explanation underlying persuasion to promote a greater understanding of virtue/vice food preferences.
Trends and gaps for integrating lean and green management in the agri-food sector
Authors: Muñoz-Villamizar Andrés , Santos Javier , Grau Paloma , Viles Elisabeth
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze gaps and trends, as well suggest approaches and methodologies that should be addressed by future studies for implementing the lean and green management in the agri-food sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a sample with 117 papers, this paper presents a systematic review on the integration of lean and green in the agri-food sector.

Findings

Key findings indicate that research on lean and green topics has increased in recent years, an important gap in the integration of lean and green in the agri-food sector has been identified. Two paths that remain open for further research are detected: the lack of theoretical, prescriptive and quantitative research and the possibility of integrating the two most used tools of lean (i.e. value stream mapping) and green (i.e. life-cycle assessment).

Practical implications

This study does not only advance the theoretical knowledge of the lean and green field, but it is also beneficial for agri-food companies who aim to effectively deploy lean and green in their processes in order to improve both operational and environmental performances.

Social implications

No other industry matches in such a complete way the agri-food industry’s challenge of sustainability that is due to the amount of resources it consumes and its interrelatedness with the well-being of humanity.

Originality/value

There are separate streams of established research on lean and green management in the agri-food sector, yet very few authors have addressed the intersection of these strategic initiatives.
How fair-trade claims and emotional empathy affect the consumer’s propensity to buy fair chocolate?
Authors: Zerbini Cristina , Vergura Donata Tania , Luceri Beatrice
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Concerns related to the ethical issues are evident in the increasingly socially conscious marketplace. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the importance of fair-trade communication activities in the buying decision-making process of chocolate. The role of emotional empathy in influencing the willingness to pay and the purchase intention was also explored.

Design/methodology/approach

A mail survey with a sample of 199 Italian chocolate consumers was conducted. Respondents were equally and randomly distributed among the four print advertising stimuli: conventional brand with conventional campaign; conventional brand with pro-social campaign; pro-social brand with conventional campaign; and pro-social brand with pro-social campaign. A between-subjects factorial design was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results showed the effectiveness of pro-social marketing campaigns in increasing consumers’ willingness to pay and purchase intention for fair-trade chocolate. Contextually, consumers with a high level of emotional empathy showed a greater purchase intention as opposed to those with a low level.

Research limitations/implications

As the ethical nature of the product should be communicated in several ways, the effect of different types of textual information on the dependent variables should be considered.

Originality/value

The study enriches the literature on ethical consumption and provides some guidance to manufacturers and product managers for understanding the role of pro-social marketing communication in influencing consumer behaviour.
Perceived value dimension in repetitive fish consumption in Indonesia by using an extended theory of planned behavior
Authors: Fiandari Yulist Rima , Surachman Surachman , Rohman Fatchur , Hussein Ananda Sabil
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study aims to establish the findings by confirming the extent to which an extended version of the TPB estimation relates to repetitive fish consumption. This study is important for the sustainable consumption of fish in society. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship that explains perceived value, consisting of monetary and non-monetary values, in shaping attitudes on repetition of fish consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

The sampling of this study was conducted for eight months of 365 people who consumed fish for at least one year. This research was conducted in Malang City, Indonesia. Data analysis applied structural equation modelling by measuring perceived values, attitudes, social norms, behaviour control, intentions and frequency of fish consumption.

Findings

It mostly follows the extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) sections, with exception on the relationship of subjective norms to intentions and attitudes, subjective norms and perceived value towards repetition of fish consumption. The results of the study indicate that attitudes are preceded by the formation of perceived values. The perceived value significantly affects attitude formation. The perceived value of fish consumption is explained by health and monetary values. A positive attitude does not always precede consumption. Subjective norms provide a weak role in the repetition of fish consumption, while behaviour control plays an important role in realising action on repetitive fish consumption.

Originality/value

This study helps explain the extended TPB, and intentions towards the behaviour of repetitive fish consumption. Attitudes are preceded by the formation of perceived values in the TPB in intention repetitive fish consumption.
Challenges in halal food ecosystems: the case of the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Randeree Kasim
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate challenges in balancing interoperability, food quality and customer satisfaction in halal food supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed ethnography and grounded theory research methodologies. Research methods were ethnographic content analysis and document content analysis. The research framework encompassed a range of stakeholder groups connected with the halal food supply chain in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), focussing on Islamic jurisprudence, halal food sector analysis, import regulation compliance, halal food certification (HFC), food production, retailing and consumption.

Findings

The research found that supply chain intermediaries are challenged in balancing interoperability issues around non-unified global certification standards. Consequent variability in customer confidence in halal standards was found.

Research limitations/implications

This research focussed on the internal supply chain in the UAE, with future scope in HFC systems among external supplier nations and wider market research on customer perceptions of halal food integrity.

Practical implications

Transferability of the findings is high; to other halal food markets in particular, as well as supply chain systems for halal products across other Islamic economy sectors, notably halal pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Aligning the halal ecosystem with trends in healthy eating and environmentalism is also considered.

Originality/value

The paper uniquely explores the halal food sector from the perspective of variant stakeholder disciplines in halal sector governance and operation. It exposes vulnerabilities in halal supply chains in a nation with one of the most demanding and diverse agri-food supply systems in the world.
Exploring the use of electronic resources by humanities scholars during the research process
Authors: Chen Shih-Chuan
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study aims to examine the types of documents that humanities scholars use in their publications, how humanities scholars use electronic resources during their research, and their opinions are regarding their library’s acquisition policy for electronic and printed resources.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 13 university faculty members from the fields of Chinese literature, history and philosophy participated in this study. The documents cited in their publications were analyzed and in-depth interviews were conducted.

Findings

The results showed that books were the dominant document type cited by the participants. They frequently used electronic resources during the stages of idea generation; document search and collection; and interpretation and writing. If they used an ancient book in an electronic format, they cross-checked it with its printed version to verify the accuracy of the text. Although the participants anticipated that the university library would favour e-journals instead of printed journals, they expected the university library to continue purchasing printed books.

Originality/value

Many university libraries encounter difficulties in choosing between materials in electronic and printed formats, particularly in the humanities field. The study findings provide a clear understanding of how humanities scholars use electronic resources in the digital age.
Lean supply chain management in healthcare: a systematic review and meta-study
Authors: Khorasani Sasan T. , Cross Jennifer , Maghazei Omid
Published: June 2019

Purpose

By applying a systematic literature review, this paper aims to identify the major healthcare problem domains (i.e.target areas) for lean supply chain management (LSCM) and to provide a list of the most common techniques for implementing LSCM in healthcare. Moreover, this study intends to investigate various contingency factors that may have influenced the selection of LSCM target areas or the application of LSCM techniques by healthcare organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was carried out following the method presented by Tranfield et al. (2003). Thereby, 280 peer-reviewed journal articles, published between 1995 and 2018, were selected, profiled and reviewed. In total, 75 papers were also selected for a qualitative analysis, known as meta-study, on the basis of high relevancy to the research objectives.

Findings

This work extracts, from previous research, a set of target areas for improving supply chain in healthcare by applying lean approaches. The work also unifies the language of lean thinking and supply chain in healthcare by defining metaphors in circumstances under which healthcare organizations pursue similar objectives from their supply chain management and lean programs (Schmitt, 2005). This paper also outlines a list of applications of lean for supply chain improvement in healthcare. Finally, a set of contingency factors in the field of lean supply chain in healthcare is found via the published literature.

Practical implications

This paper provides insights for decision-makers in the healthcare industry regarding the benefits of implementing LSCM, and it identifies contingency factors affecting the implementation of LSCM principles for healthcare. Implementing LSCM can help healthcare organizations improve the following domains: internal interaction between employees, supply chain cost management, medication distribution systems, patient safety and instrument utilization.

Social implications

The research shows potential synthesis of LSCM with the healthcare industry’s objectives, and, thus, the outcome of this research is likely to have positive influence on the quality and cost of healthcare services. The objectives of the healthcare industry are cost reduction and providing better service quality, and LSCM implementation could be an effective solution to help healthcare to achieve these objectives.

Originality/value

The prime value of this paper lies in conducting a systematic literature review using a meta-study to identify the major factors of implementing LSCM in healthcare. Only a few other studies have been published in the literature about LSCM in healthcare.
Supply chain resilience: the whole is not the sum of the parts
Authors: Sá Marcelo Martins de , Miguel Priscila Laczynski de Souza , Brito Renata Peregrino de , Pereira Susana Carla Farias
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how resilience at different nodes in the supply chain influences overall supply chain resilience (SCRES) during an extreme weather event.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on 41 in-depth interviews, this qualitative study examines two Brazilian agri-food supply chains (AFSC). The interviews explored the impacts, preparedness, response and adaptation strategies adopted by farmers, processors and manufacturers during Brazil’s extreme drought of 2014–2015.

Findings

SCRES does not depend on all organizations in the supply chain but rather on the company able to reconfigure the resources to control for the disruption. In a supply chain with low interdependence among players, individual firm resilience elements might be preferable to interorganizational ones.

Research limitations/implications

This study is based on the context of AFSCs with low interdependence among players and during the experience of a climatic event. The results might not be generalizable to other sectors and phenomena.

Practical implications

Firms must evaluate their positions in supply chains and their interfirm relationships to determine which resilience strategy to invest in and rely on. Moreover, to leverage resilience at the supply chain level, firms must intensify information sharing and improve proactive resilience strategies upstream as well as downstream in the supply chain.

Originality/value

This study presents a broader perspective of resilience by comparing resilience elements at both the node and supply chain levels and by discussing their interactions and trade-offs.
Customers’ behavioral responses to unfavorable pricing errors: the role of perceived deception, dissatisfaction and price consciousness
Authors: Bozkurt Siddik , Gligor David
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Although unfavorable pricing errors (UPEs) cost customers billions of dollars each year, research has not yet examined customers’ reactions to UPEs. This paper aims to fill this gap by examining customers’ reactions to UPEs in terms of frequency, magnitude and the interaction between frequency and magnitude. Also, this study explores the moderated mediating role of price consciousness.

Design/methodology/approach

Three experimental studies were conducted to examine customers’ reactions to UPEs in terms of frequency, magnitude and the interaction between frequency and magnitude. PROCESS Model 6 and 84 along with multivariate regression analysis and MANOVA were used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that high-frequency and high-magnitude UPEs lead to increased perceived deception and dissatisfaction, resulting in a higher negative attitude toward the grocery store, decreased re-patronage intentions and increased negative word-of-mouth (NWOM). Also, results show that regardless of customers’ price consciousness level, customers display negative reactions when encountering UPEs.

Research limitations/implications

This paper only investigates UPEs in the brick and mortar setting; future studies should examine UPEs in different settings.

Practical implications

The findings show that UPEs can cause significant problems for grocery stores. Thus, managers should take precautionary measures (e.g. constantly checking shelves) to ensure that the advertised price and the checkout price match.

Originality/value

This paper represents the first attempt to empirically examine the relationship between UPEs frequency and magnitude, on the one hand, and perceived deception, dissatisfaction, customer attitude, re-patronage intentions, NWOM and price consciousness on the other.
Social and Emotional Learning in the age of virtual play: technology, empathy, and learning
Authors: Walker Gabriela , Venker Weidenbenner Jeni
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Empathy is part of what makes us human and humane, and it has become a core component of the Social Awareness competency of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) (CASEL, 2019). SEL fosters the understanding of others’ emotions, is the basis of Theory of Mind skills and frames the development of empathy. The purpose of this paper is to trace the links between empathy development and social and emotional learning when using real versus virtual environments. Empathy is a uniquely human emotion facilitated by abstract thinking and language. Virtual play is a teaching tool for acquiring prosocial behaviors. And finally, human-mediated (traditional and virtual) play is most favorable for SEL growth. Recognition of emotions such as empathy and other socio-communication skills have been taught to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Therefore, technology can be a venue for acquiring empathy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a qualitative interpretive methodology to advocate for the use of technology with human mediation to teach Social and Emotional Learning skills, based on the premise that cognitive and social-emotional development occurs synergistically and mediated by speech and interaction with the environment.

Findings

Technology is best seen as an instrument of assessing and teaching socio-emotional skills, but not as the only means to an end, because what makes us human can only be taught within an ecology of human interaction in real-life situations.

Originality/value

This paper reviews previous research works (both empirical and theoretical) that bring to light the connection between socio-emotional development, specifically empathy development, and virtual environments.
Customer product returns – feedback and knowledge management
Authors: Klapalová Alena
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a multidimensional understanding of the management of feedback from customer product returns and the management practices that lead to the occurrence of product returns in the context of knowledge management. The characteristics of product returns indicate that to manage them requires specific knowledge management, as the nature of their management is rather complex.

Design/methodology/approach

Understanding of feedback concept for the purpose of product returns avoidance management and its linkages with knowledge management through the theoretical review was performed first. Second, soft systems methodology (SSM) to analyze the very complex situation, as the product returns present, provided the conceptual framework for empirical research. The principles and best practices of SSM were followed and an analysis of documents together with the theoretical knowledge of feedback, product returns and knowledge management served as the basis for the action research.

Findings

The research highlighted the importance of knowledge management (even in a rather simple form) for the solution of the problematic situation and underlined the necessary interconnections between different areas of business processes management and the need to manage knowledge. It also showed that product returns act as important feedback for the whole organization.

Originality/value

This paper is the first attempt to apply current knowledge of the feedback construct into the knowledge and product returns management. It is also the first attempt to apply SSM to product returns management.
Propensity toward indebtedness: evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Azma Nurul , Rahman Mahfuzur , Adeyemi Adewale Abideen , Rahman Muhammad Khalilur
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a model for studying the propensity towards indebtedness in Malaysia using behavioural factors.

Design/methodology/approach

A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among Malaysians who work in Klang Valley, Kuala Lumpur. The questionnaire contained several demographic variables and four behavioural factors: financial literacy, risk perception, materialism and emotions. A total of 201 completed questionnaires were received and the data were tested using structural equation modelling with partial least squares.

Findings

This study found that emotion and materialism are statistically significant for a propensity towards indebtedness, while financial literacy and risk perceptions are insignificant for a propensity towards indebtedness.

Originality/value

The results of this study would be useful in helping design better models for credit offerings and addressing credit problems in the long run.
Influence of substrate characteristics on residual stress of SLMed Inconel 718
Authors: Cheng Yong , Xiao Zhongxu , Zhu Haihong , Zeng Xiaoyan , Wang Guoqing
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Selective laser melting (SLM) is a promising additive manufacturing technology in the field of complex parts’ fabrication. High temperature gradient and residual stress are vital problems for the development of SLM technology. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of substrate characteristics on the residual stress of SLMed Inconel 718 (IN718).

Design/methodology/approach

The SLMed IN718 samples were fabricated on the substrates with different characteristics, including pre-compression stress, materials and pre-heating. The residual stress at the center of the top surface was measured and compared through Vickers micro-indentation.

Findings

The results indicate that the residual stress reduces when the substrate contains pre-compression stress before the SLM process starts. Both substrate thermal expansion coefficient and thermal conductivity affect the residual stress. In addition to reducing the difference of thermal expansion coefficient between the substrate and the deposited material, the substrate with low thermal conductivity can also decrease the residual stress. Substrate pre-heating at 150°C reduces nearly 42.6 per cent residual stress because of the reduction of the temperature gradient.

Originality/value

The influence of substrate characteristics on the residual stress has been studied. The investigation results can help to control the residual stress generated in SLM processing.
Corporate social responsibility: a value-creation strategy to engage millennials
Authors: Ahmad Tashfeen
Published: May 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this short piece is to share ideas on value creation strategies to engage millennials at work. This is in the context of changing requirements and expectations of younger workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper offers the viewpoint of this author which is backed by recent findings and surveys.

Findings

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been instrumental in creating value and growth for businesses; however, Deloitte’s recent survey (2018) indicates that the younger generation of millennials are expressing grave misgivings about the true intentions and motivations surrounding a company’s CSR policy and ethical conduct. This piece offers three perspectives on CSR implementation strategies which are useful guidelines to generate enhanced value in the changing times.

Originality/value

Businesses have to be flexible and responsive by adopting appropriate CSR strategies in order to remain relevant and competitive. The three models in this viewpoint will help business managers to enhance engagement, create value, and build their businesses for stakeholders and wider society. Most importantly, these strategies will help in gaining millennials’ losing trust on businesses and streamlining strategic direction.
France and its purgatory
Authors: ITEANU ANDRÉ
Published: June 2019

This article compares the experiences migrants face in the banlieue of France to rites of passage in Papua New Guinea, where the author has performed long‐term fieldwork. Seen from a Turnerian anthropological point of view, the banlieue resembles a rite of passage with its separation, liminality, reintegration and its ambiguous meanings. However, its liminality lacks a communitas characterized by equality, direct relations between its members and an absence of ownership.
Do multilingual androids dream of a better life in Australia? Effectiveness of information technology for government translation to support refugees and migrants in Australia
Authors: O'Mara Ben , Carey Gemma
Published: May 2019

Without high‐quality translation of online information about government support and services, refugees and migrants from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Australia experience a major barrier to improved health, employment, education and social outcomes. Recent advances in the ability of Google Translate, Skype Translator and other forms of machine translation that use artificial intelligence can help translate government information to better support refugees and migrants but they bring the risk of ineffective communication, and exclusion from services that could positively impact on settlement experiences and daily life. Evidence suggests that government agencies are likely to be using human translators for most translation work, but the degree to which any form of information technology is used, how it may be best applied and the associated effects are not known. This study systematically reviewed the peer‐reviewed and grey literature to determine effective ways of using information technology for translating government information to refugees and migrants from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Australia. Included studies were analysed to identify techniques and other characteristics of translation, information technology and language support more broadly, and outcomes on education, health, social and other refugee and migrant experiences relating to translated information. Our review found a small evidence base featuring studies with strong evaluation demonstrating effective forms of ‘language support’ for refugees and migrants from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Australia in a broad sense. However, there is a major gap in knowledge that is contributing to barriers in the use of online government information in Australia. In particular, there is an absence of evidence demonstrating what is effective in the use of machine translation with artificial intelligence, websites and other kinds of information technology for translating government information with refugees and migrants from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The oversight risks further excluding already marginalised groups from services and support. This paper makes a number of suggestions practitioners can take to address the issue and guidelines for future research.