bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rebound of Frontal Plane Malalignment After Tension Band Plating
Authors: Farr Sebastian , Alrabai Hamza M. , Meizer Elisabeth , Ganger Rudolf , Radler Christof
Published: August 2016

Background:

Despite the popularity of tension band plating (TBP) current literature lacks clinical data concerning recurrence (“rebound”) of frontal plane malalignment. This study investigated the rebound phenomenon after TBP in idiopathic genu varum/valgum deformities. We analyzed factors that may contribute to the development of rebound after removal of TBP.

Methods:

Patients who had correction of idiopathic valgus or varus deformities by TBP at the distal femoral and/or proximal tibial growth plate were selected from a prospective consecutive database. Only patients who had plates removed for at least 1 year and had a long standing radiograph of the lower limbs before plate removal were included. Patients who had presumably not yet reached skeletal maturity (age under 14 y for girls and under 16 y for boys) were excluded. The change of the mechanical axis from plate removal to follow-up after skeletal maturity was evaluated and a statistical analysis was performed.

Results:

Twenty-nine patients (64 extremities) were eligible. The mean follow-up was 39.1 months (range, 12.3 to 67.3 mo). The mean mechanical axis deviation (MAD) was +0.8 mm (range, −26 to +22 mm) after plate removal and −2.4 mm (range, −29 to +27 mm) at follow-up, accounting for a significant change of MAD (P=0.046). We observed a mean, relative recurrence of frontal plate malalignment into valgus direction of −3.2 mm (range, −48 to +23 mm). Twenty extremities (31%) showed <3 mm of MAD change; 27 extremities (42%) showed >3 mm of MAD change into valgus, and 17 extremities (27%) >3 mm of MAD change into varus direction. Patients with <3 mm MAD change had only 0.8 years, and those >3 mm a mean of 2.0 years of remaining growth until skeletal maturity. Each additional m2/kg of body mass index increased the risk of valgus recurrence by 12.1%. The 3 genua vara patients revealed to have an even higher rate of malalignment recurrence (4 of 6 limbs) at final follow-up.

Conclusions:

Given our strict criteria, there is a high rate of radiologic recurrence of frontal plane malalignment after TBP. Children who are more than 1 year before skeletal maturity at TBP removal, and those with increased body mass index are at higher risk for rebound growth.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV—consecutive therapeutic case series.
An Exploration of Nursing Assistants' Perceptions About Job Satisfaction
Authors: Brady Darcie M.
Published: August 2016

High levels of staff turnover of certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are costly and disruptive to patient care. A variety of factors contribute to a 36% turnover rate of CNAs nationwide (2015 Staffing Report, 2015). According to Stone and Wiener, high rates of turnover and staff vacancies have multilayered consequences; patient care suffers, cost of constantly replacing workers soars, and worker job dissatisfaction increases. This study examined the CNAs' beliefs about job satisfaction as an approach to prevent job turnover and retain high achieving staff in one acute care hospital in a south eastern region. The goal was to determine how CNAs define job satisfaction, evaluate their understanding of and gauge interest in the career options presented at information sessions as well as listen to their ideas on how they believe are the best approaches to achieve job satisfaction for the CNAs at this facility. A qualitative key informant design was used to interview a purposive sample of 9 nursing assistants who were currently employed at the hospital for at least 6 months and who attended a brief information session. Individual 20-minute face-to-face interviews of consented participants were recorded, transcribed, and coded for themes using constant comparative analysis. Four major categories emerged from the interviews: CNA views of job satisfaction, clinical ladder option, support services option, and what CNAs want.
MULTIMODAL IMAGING OF POSTERIOR POLAR ANNULAR CHOROIDAL DYSTROPHY
Authors: Forte Raimondo , Aptel Florent , Feldmann Audrey , Chiquet Christophe
Published: August 2016

Background:

Posterior polar annular choroidal dystrophy (PPACD) is a rare disease. Patients with PPACD show loss of retinal pigment epithelium and choriocapillaries surrounding the vascular arcades and optic nerve.

Methods:

Two patients with PPACD were evaluated with multimodal imaging, including fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and adaptive optics (AO).

Report of Cases:

One patient (32 year old, one eye) with PPACD was followed up for 3 years. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was stable at 20/40, whereas a slight enlargement of paravascular atrophy of pigment epithelium was observed at fundus autofluorescence (FAF). Adaptive optics obtained at last examination showed reduced density of foveal cone photoreceptors. The second patient (30 year old, two eyes) with PPACD showed bilateral normal BCVA, associated with reduction in the density of foveal cone photoreceptors.

Conclusion:

At FAF, longitudinal follow-up of PPACD showed progression of the paravascular atrophy of the pigment epithelium. Foveal cone photoreceptors can be reduced even in the presence of preserved visual acuity.
Practitioner Research in Early Childhood Education and Care
Authors: Shannon Darbianne , Smith Sara , Dana Nancy
Published: August 2016

Practitioner research has the potential to facilitate the ongoing knowledge and skill development of preservice and in-service early childhood education and care teachers. The purpose of this systematic literature review is to describe the landscape of practitioner research conducted in the United States. This study synthesizes more than 20 years of practitioner research conducted by practitioners in the “birth to five” context. Critical components that help understand (a) who engages in practitioner research, (b) under what structural conditions practitioner research occurs, and (c) how practitioner researchers actively query their context and collect and analyze data are described. Following the review of the literature, a summary of what is known and implications for expanded understanding are discussed.
Autism Identification Policies and Practices in Early Childhood
Authors: Barton Erin E. , Harris Bryn , Leech Nancy
Published: August 2016

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups; however, children from culturally and linguistically diverse groups are, on average, misdiagnosed more often and identified later than White children. Understanding current practices and procedures is important for ensuring the use of evidence-based identification practices and the early and appropriate identification of culturally and linguistically diverse children with ASD. The purpose of this article is to describe the results of a survey regarding the early identification and intervention practices of professionals working with young children with ASD in one state in the United States. Results indicated that practitioners did not use practices that align with professional guidelines to identify young culturally and linguistically diverse children with ASD and that the requirements/standards for the ASD identification evaluation process varied across programs/agencies within the state. Also, most practitioners reported using non-evidence-based practices within the identification evaluation process.
Affordable Care Act Impact on Community Health Center Staffing and Enrollment
Authors: Miller Sophie C. , Frogner Bianca K. , Saganic Laura M. , Cole Allison M. , Rosenblatt Roger
Published: August 2016

Over 500 000 Washingtonians gained health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As more patients gain insurance, community health centers (CHCs) expect to see an increase in demand for their services. This article studies the CHCs in Washington State to examine how the increase in patients has been impacting their workload and staffing. We found a reported mean increase of 11.7% and 5.4% in new Medicaid and Exchange patients, respectively. Half of the CHCs experienced large or dramatic workload impact from the ACA. Our findings suggest that CHCs need further workforce support to meet the expanding patient demand.
Development and Real World Use of a Vibratory Haptic Feedback System for Upper-Limb Prosthetic Users
Authors: Rosenbaum-Chou Teri , Daly Wayne , Austin Ray , Chaubey Pravin , Boone David A.
Published: August 2016

Introduction

Sensory feedback is largely unavailable for persons with upper-limb amputation with conventional prostheses. The current study created a portable vibratory haptic feedback system integrated into the prosthesis to test its usefulness in gripping objects during daily life.

Materials and Methods

Development involved optimizing a mapping algorithm between the force sensor and the feedback tactor vibration, developing a custom process for mounting a wireless force sensor onto the prosthetic thumb with reliable output, and developing an instrumented object for testing grip force accuracy. Clinical testing involved optimizing tactor placement, measuring grip force accuracy, measuring the ability to perform daily gripping tasks, and surveying prosthetic users' opinion of the system after using the vibratory haptic device at home. A total of six individuals with unilateral transradial amputation participated in this study.

Results

The results demonstrated optimal tactor placement more proximal versus distal on the forearm. Accuracy with haptic versus no haptic feedback demonstrated that haptic feedback improved the grip force accuracy by 129% (adjusted P = 0.041) for light grip force target (2 lb or 0.9 kg) in the nonportable system and 21% (adjusted P = 0.051) for medium grip force target (10 lb or 4.5 kg) in the portable system. Haptic feedback did not statistically improve grip accuracy at strong grip forces (20 lb or 9.1 kg). Haptic feedback improved the gripping technique during the Assessment of Capacity for Myoelectric Control (ACMC) by 1.22 points, although this was not statistically significant (P = 0.27, n = 4). The participants provided specific positive examples of how the vibratory haptic system was useful at home. The overall usability score was 3.6 where 4 indicated excellent and 0 indicated poor.

Conclusions

This kind of system has potential to improve the lives of upper-limb prosthetic users.
Combining the Absence of Electromagnetic Fields and Mirror Therapy to Improve Outcomes for Persons with Lower-Limb Vascular Amputation
Authors: Houston Helen , Dickerson Anne E. , Wu Qiang
Published: August 2016

Objective

The objective of this pilot study was to explore whether or not the combination of using a residual limb cover to eliminate electromagnetic fields and a mirror therapy exercise program facilitates healing and decreases pain for individuals with lower-limb vascular amputation.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional repeated measures design compared two groups based on the time of amputation. Participants in the acute group (n = 11) began treatment within 48 hrs of their amputation, and those who had surgery at least 6 weeks before starting the study comprised the chronic group (n = 5). Effectiveness was measured by physical factors (e.g., edema, temperature) and perception of phantom limb pain (e.g., intensity, frequency, bothersomeness) at three times: pretreatment, posttreatment at 4 weeks, and maintenance after 8 weeks (interval of 4 weeks of no treatment).

Results

For acute participants, edema, temperature, frequency, and bothersomeness demonstrated significant differences, whereas for the chronic group, temperature, pain intensity, frequency, and bothersomeness were significantly different. Unanticipated results were that the residual limb incisions of the individuals with acute amputations were sufficiently healed to begin prosthetic fitting a month earlier than the typical protocol—a decrease from 12 weeks to 8 weeks—and that wearing tolerance increased from 0 to 2 hrs to 8 to 12 hrs for the individuals with chronic amputations after completion of this treatment intervention.

Conclusions

Results suggest that this combined treatment may improve outcomes for individuals with vascular lower-limb amputations and should be investigated further.
Effect of a Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis on Knee Kinematics and Kinetics in an Individual with Varus Knee Alignment
Authors: Alfatafta Huda H. , Hutchins Stephen , Liu Anmin , Jones Richard
Published: August 2016

Background

Knee valgus braces are used to reduce knee load and varus deformities in individuals with medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the kinematics and kinetics of the knee are improved when wearing a knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) compared with knee valgus braces while walking and stair climbing.

Materials and Methods

One male individual (with 10° of knee varus) was assessed with a control shoe, custom, and off-the-shelf (OTS) Unloader knee valgus braces, and a custom-made KAFO in situ during walking and stair climbing.

Results

The KAFO significantly reduced the knee varus angle compared with the shoe and both knee valgus braces during walking and stair climbing, as well as the first peak of the external knee adduction moment (EKAM) during walking and the knee adduction angular impulse (KAAI) during ascending compared with the shoe. No significant differences were noted between the custom and OTS knee valgus braces in any measures.

Conclusions

Knee-ankle-foot orthoses may be recommended for individuals with high knee varus angles.
Obesity and government
Authors: Kahan Scott , Zvenyach Tracy
Published: August 2016

Purpose of review

Despite much effort, obesity prevalence and disease severity continues to worsen. The purpose of this review is to describe the leading government supported food and nutrition interventions and policies to prevent and address obesity in the USA. The review also summarizes obesity interventions and policies that the government plays a role in, but further development is warranted.

Recent findings

The government's role in obesity has largely focused on interventions and policies such as national surveillance, obesity education and awareness, grant-based food subsidy programs, zoning for food access, school-based nutrition programs, dietary guidelines, nutrition labeling, and food marketing and pricing policies. The government has played a lesser role in obesity interventions and policies that provide access to evidence-based obesity care to people affected by the disease.

Given the magnitude of the obesity epidemic, the government should explore multiple evidence-based interventions and policies across prevention and clinical care.
Serum amyloid A and atherosclerosis
Authors: Getz Godfrey S. , Krishack Paulette A. , Reardon Catherine A.
Published: August 2016

Purpose of review

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammation associated with increased expression of the acute phase isoforms of serum amyloid A (SAA) and in humans is a plasma biomarker for future cardiovascular events. However, whether SAA is only a biomarker or participates in the development of cardiovascular disease is not well characterized. The purpose of this review is to summarize putative functions of SAA relevant to atherogenesis and in-vivo murine studies that directly examine the effect of SAA on atherosclerosis.

Recent findings

Modulation of the expression of SAA1 and/or SAA2 in murine models of atherosclerosis suggests that SAA promotes early atherogenesis. SAA secreted from bone-marrow-derived cells contributes to this antiatherogenic phenotype. SAA also promotes angiotensin-induced abdominal aneurysm in atherogenic mouse models. The reduction in atherosclerosis may be due, at least in part, to remodeling of the acute phase HDL to reduce its capacity to promote cholesterol efflux and reduce its anti-inflammatory ability.

SAA is more than a marker of cardiovascular disease and is a participant in the early atherogenic process.
Mock Hospital Ethics Committee
Authors: Hagedorn Wonder Amy
Published: August 2016

Limited opportunities exist for prelicensure nursing students to observe the interprofessional process required to resolve complex ethical cases in practice. Therefore, a mock hospital ethics committee (MHEC) was assembled to teach the application of ethics in practice through simulation. The MHEC meeting is an example of how nursing education and practice can partner to create meaningful learning experiences.
Balance, Body Motion, and Muscle Activity After High-Volume Short-Term Dance-Based Rehabilitation in Persons With Parkinson Disease: A Pilot Study
Authors: McKay J. Lucas , Ting Lena H. , Hackney Madeleine E.
Published: August 2016

Background and Purpose:

The objectives of this pilot study were to (1) evaluate the feasibility and investigate the efficacy of a 3-week, high-volume (450 minutes per week) Adapted Tango intervention for community-dwelling individuals with mild-moderate Parkinson disease (PD) and (2) investigate the potential efficacy of Adapted Tango in modifying electromyographic (EMG) activity and center of body mass (CoM) displacement during automatic postural responses to support surface perturbations.

Methods:

Individuals with PD (n = 26) were recruited for high-volume Adapted Tango (15 lessons, 1.5 hour each over 3 weeks). Twenty participants were assessed with clinical balance and gait measures before and after the intervention. Nine participants were also assessed with support-surface translation perturbations.

Results:

Overall adherence to the intervention was 77%. At posttest, peak forward CoM displacement was reduced (4.0 ± 0.9 cm, pretest, vs 3.7 ± 1.1 cm, posttest; P = 0.03; Cohen's d = 0.30) and correlated to improvements on Berg Balance Scale (ρ = −0.68; P = 0.04) and Dynamic Gait Index (ρ = −0.75; P = 0.03). Overall antagonist onset time was delayed (27 ms; P = 0.02; d = 0.90) and duration was reduced (56 ms, ≈39%, P = 0.02; d = 0.45). Reductions in EMG magnitude were also observed (P < 0.05).

Discussion and Conclusions:

Following participation in Adapted Tango, changes in kinematic and some EMG measures of perturbation responses were observed in addition to improvements in clinical measures. We conclude that 3-week, high-volume Adapted Tango is feasible and represents a viable alternative to longer duration adapted dance programs.

Video Abstract available for more insights from the authors (see Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A143).
The Reading Frame Surveillance Hypothesis
Authors: Gray John T.
Published: August 2016

Abbreviations

RFS

Reading Frame Surveillance

RdRP

RNA-dependent RNA Polymerase

frRNAs

Framing RNAs

LSU

Large Subunit

SSU

Small Subunit

tRF

Transfer RNA derived Fragment

nt

nucleotide

An alternative model for protein translation is presented wherein ribosomes utilize a complementary RNA copy of protein coding sequences to monitor the progress of messenger RNAs during their translation to reduce the frequency of frameshifting errors. The synthesis of this ‘framing RNA’ is postulated to be catalyzed by the small subunit of the ribosome, in the decoding center, by excising and concatemerizing tRNA anticodons bound to each codon of the mRNA template. Various components of the model are supported by previous observations of tRNA mutants that impact ribosomal frameshifting, unique globin-coding RNAs in developing erythroblasts, and the epigenetic, intergenerational transfer of phenotypic traits via mammalian sperm RNA. Confirmation of the proposed translation mechanism is experimentally tractable and might significantly enhance our understanding of several fundamental biological processes.
How ecological networks evolve
Authors: Poisot Timothée , Stouffer Daniel B.
Published: August 2016

Ecological networks represent the backbone of biodiversity. As species diversify over macro-evolutionary time-scales, the structure of these networks changes; this happens because species are gained and lost, and therefore add or remove interactions in their communities. The mechanisms underlying such dynamic changes in ecological network structure, however, remain poorly understood. Here we show that several types of ecological interactions share common evolutionary mechanisms that can be parametrised based on extant interaction data. In particular, we found that a model mimicking birth-death processes for species interactions describes the structure of extant networks remarkably well. Moreover, the various types of ecological interactions we considered—seed dispersal, herbivory, parasitism, bacteriophagy, and pollination—only differed in the position they occupy in the parameters’ multi-dimensional space. Notably, we found no clustering of parameters values between antagonistic and mutualistic interactions. Our results provide a common modelling framework for the evolution of ecological networks that we anticipate will contribute to the greater consideration of the explicit role played by species interactions in models of macro-evolution and adaptive radiations.
Trends in dissolved organic matter cycling, sediment microbiomes, and methylmercury production across vegetation heterogeneity in a Great Lakes wetland
Authors: Graham Emily B. , Knelman Joseph E. , Gabor Rachel S. , Schooler Shon , McKnight Diane M. , Nemergut Diana R.
Published: August 2016

Recent advances have allowed for greater investigation into microbial regulation of mercury toxicity in the environment. In wetlands in particular, dissolved organic matter (DOM) may influence methylmercury (MeHg) production both through chemical interactions and through substrate effects on microbiomes. We conducted microcosm experiments in two disparate wetland environments (oligotrophic unvegetated and high-C vegetated sediments) to examine the impacts of plant leachate and inorganic mercury loadings (20 mg/L HgCl2) on microbiomes, DOM cycling, and MeHg production in the St. Louis River Estuary. Our research reveals the greater relative capacity for mercury methylation in vegetated over unvegetated sediments. Further, our work shows how mercury cycling in oligotrophic unvegetated sediments may be susceptible to DOM inputs in the St. Louis River Estuary: microcosms receiving leachate produced substantially more MeHg than unamended microcosms. We also demonstrate (1) changes in microbiome structure towardsClostridia, (2) metagenomic shifts toward fermentation, and (3) degradation of complex DOM; all of which coincide with elevated net MeHg production in unvegetated microcosms receiving leachate. Finally, we examine microbial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) classified as known potential methylators and identify important organisms for future research in the Great Lakes region. Together, our work shows the influence of wetland vegetation in controlling MeHg production in the Great Lakes region and provides evidence that this may be due to both enhanced microbial activity as well as differences in microbiome composition.
Evaluation of GRCh38 and de novo haploid genome assemblies demonstrates the enduring quality of the reference assembly
Authors: Schneider Valerie A. , Graves-Lindsay Tina , Howe Kerstin , Bouk Nathan , Chen Hsiu-Chuan , Kitts Paul A. , Murphy Terence D. , Pruitt Kim D. , Thibaud-Nissen Françoise , Albracht Derek , Fulton Robert S. , Kremitzki Milinn , Magrini Vince , Markovic Chris , McGrath Sean , Steinberg Karyn Meltz , Auger Kate , Chow Will , Collins Joanna , Harden Glenn , Hubbard Tim , Pelan Sarah , Simpson Jared T. , Threadgold Glen , Torrance James , Wood Jonathan , Clarke Laura , Koren Sergey , Boitano Matthew , Li Heng , Chin Chen-Shan , Phillippy Adam M. , Durbin Richard , Wilson Richard K. , Flicek Paul , Church Deanna M.
Published: August 2016

The human reference genome assembly plays a central role in nearly all aspects of today’s basic and clinical research. GRCh38 is the first coordinate-changing assembly update since 2009 and reflects the resolution of roughly 1000 issues and encompasses modifications ranging from thousands of single base changes to megabase-scale path reorganizations, gap closures and localization of previously orphaned sequences. We developed a new approach to sequence generation for targeted base updates and used data from new genome mapping technologies and single haplotype resources to identify and resolve larger assembly issues. For the first time, the reference assembly contains sequence-based representations for the centromeres. We also expanded the number of alternate loci to create a reference that provides a more robust representation of human population variation. We demonstrate that the updates render the reference an improved annotation substrate, alter read alignments in unchanged regions and impact variant interpretation at clinically relevant loci. We additionally evaluated a collection of new de novo long-read haploid assemblies and conclude that while the new assemblies compare favorably to the reference with respect to continuity, error rate, and gene completeness, the reference still provides the best representation for complex genomic regions and coding sequences. We assert that the collected updates in GRCh38 make the newer assembly a more robust substrate for comprehensive analyses that will promote our understanding of human biology and advance our efforts to improve health.
Disaster risk reduction infrastructure requirements for South-Western Bangladesh
Authors: Wedawatta Gayan , Kulatunga Udayangani , Amaratunga Dilanthi , Parvez Ahmed
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Development of effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies for communities at risk of being affected by natural disasters is considered essential, especially in the wake of devastating disaster events reported worldwide. As part of a wider research study investigating community perspectives on existing and potential strategies for enhancing resilience to natural disasters, community perspectives on infrastructure and structural protection requirements were investigated. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Patuakhali region in South-Western Bangladesh is a region significantly at risk of multiple natural hazards. In order to engage local communities and obtain their perspectives, focus group discussions were held with local community leaders and policy makers of at-risk communities in Patuakhali region, South-Western Bangladesh.

Findings

Infrastructure and structural protection requirements highlighted included multi-purpose cyclone shelters, permanent embankments and improved transport infrastructure. Much of the discussions of focus group interviews were focused on cyclone shelters and embankments, suggesting their critical importance in reducing disaster risk and also dependence of coastal communities on those two measures.

Originality/value

The research design adopted sought to answer the research questions raised and also to inform local policy makers on community perspectives. Local policy makers involved in DRR initiatives in the region were informed of community perspectives and requirements, thus contributing to community engagement in implementing DRR activities.
Capacity building of institutions for disaster risk reduction
Authors: Rose Jo , Jayawickrama Janaka
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the role of local communities in responding to crises and disasters. The paper highlights that most communities have their own mechanisms of dealing with uncertainties and dangers produced by disasters. The paper acknowledges that most disaster response and disaster risk reduction (DDR) organisations advocate to work with local communities and most seek to build the capacity of these communities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on a series of case studies gathered together with their experience over the past decade of working with both local communities that have been affected by disasters and international organisations involved in DDR and humanitarian responses.

Findings

This paper concludes that whilst international institutions continue to make attempts at building the capacity of local communities they need to seek to work collaboratively with local communities. International institutions must ultimately learn from them and build their own capacity for developing context specific and effective DDR strategies and disaster responses.

Originality/value

This paper offers local case studies that give a rare insight into some of the ways local communities deal with disasters and view international responses to disasters and conflicts. This paper demonstrates the role of local communities in building the capacity of international institutions for DDR.
Growing self-leaders: the role of motivating language
Authors: Mayfield Milton , Mayfield Jacqueline
Published: August 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how leader communication can help foster an employee’s ability to set and achieve goals and align these goals with organizationally relevant purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

To better understand this process, the authors use two well-supported theories – motivating language to provide a framework for understanding leader communication and self-leadership to examine employee goal setting.

Findings

Examining these two theories together has resulted in a practical, theory-based guide for how managers can use leader communication to improve workplace results.

Originality/value

This paper offers researchers a new lens through which to view workplace practices in organizations driven by innovation and knowledge management, and a framework for managers and consultants to develop methods for inspiring and guiding workers toward improved organizational performance.
TQM and market orientation in care home services
Authors: San Miguel Eduardo , Heras-Saizarbitoria Iñaki , Tarí Juan José
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to operationalize the concepts of total quality management (TQM) and market orientation (MO) and to analyze the relationship between them in a major economic sector of activity, namely, the social services sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzes the aforementioned relationships by means of a quantitative study carried out with information from managers of 137 Spanish organizations in the field of social service provision and, more specifically, in nursing homes for the elderly. Structural equation models were used to contrast the relationships.

Findings

Evidence is provided for the multi-dimensional structure of TQM and MO. The results confirm that TQM contributes to a greater degree of MO in the organizations analyzed, since a significant positive relationship between a set of components of the first concept (namely, processes, leadership and people) and the second is found.

Practical implications

Managers need to take into account the fact that the application of a management system in nursing homes that is based on TQM dimensions favors the development of an MO culture. The staff are the key factor in orientating the residential home toward the market.

Originality/value

The research covers a gap in the literature since these relationships have not been studied empirically in depth in service sectors such as social services and nursing homes, despite great and growing economic importance of this sector.
Work-related wellbeing in UK prison officers: a benchmarking approach
Authors: Kinman Gail , James Clements Andrew , Hart Jacqui
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the well-being of UK prison officers by utilising a benchmarking approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Stress Indicator Tool is widely used in the UK to assess key psychosocial hazards in the workplace encompassing demands, control, support from managers and co-workers, relationship quality, role and change management. This study utilises this approach to examine the extent to which a sample of UK prison officers meets the HSE recommended minimum standards for the management of work-related well-being. Levels of mental health and job satisfaction in the sector are also assessed using measures with extensive occupational norms. The psychosocial hazards that make the strongest contribution to mental health and job satisfaction are also considered.

Findings

Respondents reported lower levels of well-being for all of the hazard categories than recommended. Moreover, mental health and job satisfaction were considerably poorer among prison officers than other occupational groups within the emergency and security services in the UK. Considerable variation was found in the psychosocial hazards that predicted mental health and job satisfaction.

Practical implications

The high levels of stressors and strains experienced by UK prison officers gives serious cause for concern. Priority areas for interventions to enhance well-being in the sector are considered and areas for future research discussed.

Originality/value

This study highlights the wide-ranging benefits of a benchmarking approach to investigate work-related stressors and strains at the sector level.
Assessing m-Health success in Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Alamgir
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Mobile health, i.e. m-Health possesses huge potential, especially to the developing countries and remote locations of developed countries. The success of such systems may create a healthier society through eradicating health incidents, which cannot otherwise be addressed with “brick and mortar” type of health systems. The purpose of this paper is to develop an m-Health success model from users’ perspective and validate in a developing country context.

Design/methodology/approach

Epistemologically, positivist approach has been adopted for the current research. An initial research model was developed from existing information system (IS) literature, which was then validated with survey data applying partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The results summarise that continuance intention (CI) of m-Health services is dependent on perceived value (PV) and user satisfaction (STF); PV positively influences STF. Moreover, platform quality, quality of medical advice, and interaction quality have positive and direct effect on PV and STF; finally, CI drives to better quality of health life.

Practical implications

The findings of this study provide strategic implications to health managers and practitioners recognising the determinants of m-Health success and comprehending their relationships. It is underscored that, in order to secure the success of an m-Health system in a given society both human and technology-related components are vital and therefore should be taken care of.

Originality/value

This is the first attempt that develops and validates an m-Health system success model, particularly from the context of a country with low-health profile. Moreover, the contextualisation of the related variables and extension of existing IS success models is theoretically original.
Investigating the structural linkage between IT capability and organizational agility
Authors: Panda Sukanya , Rath Santanu Kumar
Published: August 2016

Purpose

Information technology (IT) is normally regarded as an enabling factor for making firms agile. Usually, it has been realized that greater IT spending enhances a firm’s agility. However, the role of IT as an obstructing factor towards organizational agility cannot be overlooked. Taking this commonly perceived but less-studied IT-agility contradiction into account, the purpose of this paper is to investigate whether IT can augment or impede organizational agility. This research which is conducted in context to privately owned Indian financial enterprises proposes the premise that effective IT resource management is imperative for organizations to thrive for greater firm-wide IT capability for enhanced agility.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data collected from 300 business and IT executives working in various privately owned financial enterprises across India are used for this study and a structural equation modelling is employed to assess the IT-agility link.

Findings

The findings of the study are two-folded. First, this study concludes that IT capability acts as an enabler for business process and market responsive organizational agility. Second, if IT spending is not properly translated into creating superior capability, huge and impudent IT investments will impede the overall organizational agility.

Originality/value

This paper investigates both exogenous variable (IT capability) and endogenous variable (organizational agility) in terms of second-order reflective measures and establishes a significant structural link between both the dimensions of IT capability (managerial and technical) and organizational agility (business process and market responsive). This analysis illustrates the moderating effect of IT spending on each of these relationships, thereby greatly contributes and extends the existing IT capability-agility related information systems literature.
Factors affecting social interaction on social network sites: the Facebook case
Authors: Maiz Ander , Arranz Nieves , Fdez. de Arroyabe Juan Carlos
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on understanding the factors which affect the social interaction in the case of Facebook. Many authors point out the great potential of these networks for social interaction and as conduits of information. However, studies show that the topology of the network is disconnected, consisting of small sub-networks that make Facebook unsuitable for disseminating information. This situation has created the need to introduce exogenous factors, aimed at boosting and providing cohesion to the network structure. In this context, the authors test the following question: how exogenous and endogenous factors contribute to encouraging social interaction on Facebook.

Design/methodology/approach

For the analysis of social interaction on Facebook, a population consisting of all the followers of the walls of ten corporate social networks was used. From the total 269,424 users analyzed, a stratified sample of 132 followers was obtained and networks were built for each of them. The authors then proceeded to search for each follower’s friends and friends of friends to build the social network up to the fourth level, obtaining a total of 132 subnets with 1,628,074 links between them. To determine the impact of both exogenous and endogenous factors in the interaction of the network the authors performed a causal analysis.

Findings

The results obtained from this study provide empirical evidence on the adequacy of companies’ dynamization measures used and how exogenous and endogenous factors influence the social interaction on Facebook. Thus, the results show that exogenous factors, such as the activity of the community manager and the digital marketing investment in the network, do not have a significant effect on the interaction. On the other hand, endogenous factors, such as network density and clustering, have a positive effect on the trigger of social interaction between the followers. Therefore, companies must consider the importance of the structural factors that characterize network followers, such as density or clustering coefficient, to be able to interpret and optimize them to obtain higher levels of social interaction.

Originality/value

This is one of a few papers that examine interactions in social network sites (SNS), particularly in corporate network sites in Facebook. The results expose the importance for organizations to have reliable information on the patterns of interaction to properly manage the resources allocated for this purpose in SNS.
Recombinant Escherichia coli with sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase and persulfide dioxygenase rapidly oxidises sulfide to sulfite and thiosulfate via a new pathway
Authors: Xin Yufeng , Liu Honglei , Cui Feifei , Liu Huaiwei , Xun Luying
Published: August 2016

Many heterotrophic bacteria contain sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQR) and persulfide dioxygenase (PDO) genes. It is unclear how these enzymes cooperate to oxidise sulfide in bacteria. Cupriavidus pinatubonensis JMP134 contains a gene cluster of sqr and pdo, and their functions were analysed in Escherichia coli. Recombinant E. coli cells with SQR and PDO rapidly oxidised sulfide to thiosulfate and sulfite. The SQR also contains a DUF442 domain that was shown to have rhodanese activities. E. coli cells with PDO and SQR‐C94S, an active site mutant of the rhodanese domain, oxidised sulfide to thiosulfate with transitory accumulation of polysulfides. Cellular and enzymatic evidence showed that DUF442 speeds up the reaction of polysulfides with glutathione to produce glutathione persulfide (GSSH). Thus, SQR oxidises sulfide to polysulfides; rhodanese enhances the reaction of polysulfides with glutathione to produce GSSH; PDO oxidises GSSH to sulfite; sulfite spontaneously reacts with polysulfides to generate thiosulfate. The pathway is different from the proposed mitochondrial pathway because it has polysulfides, that is, disulfide and trisulfide, as intermediates. The data demonstrated that heterotrophic bacteria with SQR and PDO can rapidly oxidise sulfide to thiosulfate and sulfite, providing the foundation for using heterotrophic bacteria with SQR and PDO for sulfide bioremediation.
Among friends: a qualitative exploration of the role of peers in young people's alcohol use using Bourdieu's concepts of habitus, field and capital
Authors: MacArthur Georgie J. , Jacob Nina , Pound Pandora , Hickman Matthew , Campbell Rona
Published: August 2016

Drinking is viewed by young people as a predominantly social activity which provides an opportunity for entertainment and bonding with friends. Using Bourdieu's concepts of habitus, field and capital, this article explores young people's attitudes and beliefs around alcohol use, influences on behaviour, and the role of peers, with a view to informing the development of preventive interventions. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 28 young people aged 18–20 in the south west of England. We describe how friends were integral in drinking experiences, and drinking with friends was equated with fun and enjoyment. In this way, the desire for social and symbolic capital appeared to be a key motivator for adolescent drinking. Critically, however, wider cultural norms played the predominant role in shaping behaviour, via the internalisation of widely accepted practice and the subsequent externalisation of norms through the habitus. Applying Bourdieu's theory suggests that population‐level interventions that regulate alcohol consumption, and thus disrupt the field, are likely to facilitate behaviour change among young people by driving a response in habitus.
Determinants of dietary compliance among Italian children: disentangling the effect of social origins using Bourdieu's cultural capital theory
Authors: Oncini Filippo , Guetto Raffaele
Published: August 2016

Making use of Bourdieu's threefold conceptualisation of cultural capital, this paper examines and disentangles the association between social origins and children's food consumption. The aim of the work is twofold. Using data from the Multipurpose survey on daily life conducted by Istat (2009–2012), we first show that children's compliance with dietary advice is indeed influenced by their social origins, but more so in terms of familial cultural resources than economic ones. All types of cultural capital enhance the quality of children's nutrition. Second, we concentrate on the role of the school canteen as a child‐centred investment strategy intended to reduce health inequalities by providing a wholesome lunch for all children. Although the school meal effectively improves the degree of dietary compliance, the results indicate that this public service is less often used by children from lower social origins. Moreover, we do not find any equalising effect of the school meal on the diets of disadvantaged children. These findings are discussed in light of future research on sociology of health stratification and health promotion programmes.
A rising generation of Europeans? Revisited
Authors: DOWN IAN , WILSON CAROLE J.
Published: August 2016

The EJPR article ‘A rising generation of Europeans?’ provided systematic evidence for the existence of generational differences in attitudes towards the European Union (EU). In this research note, it is argued that identifying generational differences in specifically affective orientations is the crucial issue for the future of the EU. Drawing on and extending the earlier work expectations in respect to generational and life‐cycle differences in affective orientations are developed and tested, highlighting the existence of the former, their consistency across a range of indicators, and the absence of the latter. The results are an important counterpoint to the growth in ambivalence in attitudes towards the EU.
New waves underneath the purple strain
Authors: Tortajada Marta
Published: August 2016

Successful merging of chemical and biotechnological operations is essential to achieve cost‐efficient industrialization of bio‐based processes. The demonstration of the use of syngas, derived from microwave assisted pyrolysis of municipal solid waste, for the improved growth and poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate production in Rhodospirillium rubrum, stands out as an example of the synergistic contribution of chemical engineering and applied microbiology to sustainable biomaterial manufacturing, paving the way to similar applications for other syngas derived bioproducts.
Association between the ratio of triglyceride to high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and incident type 2 diabetes in Singapore Chinese men and women
Authors: Wang Ye‐Li , Koh Woon‐Puay , Talaei Mohammad , Yuan Jian‐Min , Pan An
Published: August 2016

Background

Increased triglycerides (TG) and decreased high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) are risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2D). The relationship between TG:HDL‐C ratio and T2D risk is not clear, and it is not known whether the association is modified by gender, body mass index, or fasting status. This study examined the relationship between TG:HDL‐C ratio and risk of incident T2D, and the predictive ability of the ratio on top of other diabetes risk factors.

Methods

Blood biomarkers were determined in 571 T2D cases and 571 controls nested within a prospective, population‐based cohort study, the Singapore Chinese Health Study. Participants were free of diagnosed diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer at the time of blood collection (1999–2004). Incident self‐reported T2D cases were identified at follow‐up interview (2006–10). Controls were matched 1:  1 for age, sex, dialect group, and date of blood collection. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compute the odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI).

Results

The ORs (95 % CI) of T2D per 1‐SD increment in TG and TG:  HDL‐C ratio were 1.70 (1.39–2.09) and 1.72 (1.37–2.17), respectively. The relationships were stronger among females than males (Pinteraction = 0.028 and 0.017, respectively), and stronger among lean (<23 kg/m2) than overweight/obese participants (Pinteraction = 0.051 and 0.046, respectively). Both TG and TG:  HDL‐C improved T2D prediction to a similar degree.

Conclusions

Both TG and TG:HDL‐C ratio are independent risk factors for incident T2D, and confer greater risk in women and lean participants. The TG:  HDL‐C ratio is not a better predictor of diabetes than TG alone.