bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling Deming’s quality principles to improve performance using interpretive structural modeling and MICMAC analysis
Authors: Agrawal Nishant Mukesh
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the 14 principles of Edwards Deming and create significant relationships between them. No research has been reported on the implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) using Deming’s 14 principles. To fill this gap, Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and MICMAC analysis have been developed to understand mutual interactions among variables and find both the dependence and driving power of these variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The research paper discusses a blend of practical applications and introduces a theoretical framework. An ISM-based methodology is used to study and examine interactions between identified variables, while MICMAC analysis is used to identify the dependence and driving power.

Findings

This research utilizes Deming’s 14 quality principles, with experts from academia and industry consulted to identify contextual relationships among variables. The result shows that the stated principles “take action to accomplish the transformation,” “institute training,” “encourage education to employees” and “institute leadership” are strategic requirements, while “drive out fear,” “break down barrier between staff areas” and “eliminate numerical quotas” are tactical requirements. “Adopt the new philosophy,” “create constancy in improvement of product and service” and “cease dependence on mass inspections” are operational requirements for TQM applications.

Originality/value

An ISM-based quality framework, dependence power and driving power of variables using MICMAC analysis have been recommended to the service and manufacturing industry as a new focus area in the implementation of TQM.
Constructing better health and wellbeing? Understanding structural constraints on promoting health and wellbeing in the UK construction industry
Authors: Hanna Esmée Sinéad , Markham Steven
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The construction industry has high rates of work-related ill health. Whilst there have been more recent calls for a “health like safety” narrative within the industry, health has still predominantly been viewed via health risks rather than a more holistic conceptualisation of health and well-being. The workplace is viewed as a fruitful site for health promotion work, yet we know little about the possibilities and promise of health promotion within the construction industry. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explores the views of stakeholders with health-related roles and responsibilities within the UK construction industry. From the 21 semi-structured qualitative interviews, thematic analysis was conducted and two key themes emerged: the construction industry as anti-health promoting and understanding industry-specific health issues.

Findings

The construction industry faces significant constraint in attempting to promote better health and well-being due to its makeup, yet the health and well-being issues of the industry notably stress, and early retirement are major issues for both the industry and individuals.

Practical implications

The authors argue that only through understanding the structural constraints of the industry in this way can the possibilities and potentials for undertaking health promotion work be fully embedded within the industry in order to help create meaningful change for both employees and the industry as a whole.

Originality/value

This paper offers insight into the challenges that exist within construction for promoting positive employee health and well-being and takes an in-depth approach to exploring why health promotion may not be occurring within the industry.
Digital services governance: IT4IT™ for management of technology
Authors: Tambo Torben , Filtenborg Jacob
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present, analyse and demonstrate the impact and potentials of a pragmatically derived information technology (IT) governance framework, IT4IT™, for the discipline of management of technology (MoT) especially within the IT industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on an extensive literature study working with the limitations of the relatively recent publication of IT4IT™ and the normative character of IT4IT™. A mixed-method case study is presented based on an IT service provider organisation. Both a qualitative method and a systems and design oriented method are being used.

Findings

IT4IT™ can provide value and a clearer understanding of the service delivery framework if the technological core of the focal organisation is adapted to a value stream thinking. This suggests a more operational character of all IT processes and analogue to general MoT frameworks and corporate governance models.

Research limitations/implications

Given the recent publication of the IT4IT™ framework, this study is primarily ex ante and suggests further full-scale ex post research in the future.

Practical implications

Validation and successful implementation of the IT4IT™ framework will give companies better opportunities for safe and controlled value creation using IT. Control connects with risk reduction and less risk can encourage innovation and “tame” development complexity. Using value streams will align IT better with manufacturing and services.

Originality/value

Companies are striving to seek governance and risk minimisation in IT development and operations. This paper is discussing the applicability of the IT4IT™ framework for finding a better understanding of the value creation and value proposition delivered by introducing controlled processes minimising risk.
The learning experience continues: two decades and counting for CSULB’s SMIF program
Authors: Ammermann Peter , Gupta Pia , Ma Yulong
Published: April 2019

Purpose

The student-managed investment fund (SMIF) program at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), was launched in 1995 with one portfolio worth $50,000. In the two decades since then, the program has grown to include three portfolios with a combined value of more than $700,000, managed on behalf of three different clients. The purpose of this paper is to describe the creation, evolution and growth of the program including the development of the new quantitative approach and its subsequent implementation. The paper also discusses the ongoing organizational, educational and investment-management challenges associated with the program.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper includes a description of the development and evolution of the program along with a discussion of the investment results for one of its three portfolios.

Findings

The paper finds: the new quantitative approach implemented in the program is effective as insurance against “black swan” events; and SMIF-type programs can provide learning experiences both for students and faculty members.

Practical implications

The paper explains the practical application of the new quantitative approach as well as the educational benefits of a SMIF-type program.

Originality/value

The paper provides insight into the structure of CSULB’s SMIF program and discusses a unique quantitative approach to asset allocation and security selection.
The role of culture personality and self-congruity in the evaluation of cultures as destinations
Authors: Gyulavári Tamás , Malota Erzsébet
Published: April 2019

Purpose

This study aims to determine cultures as personalities and investigates whether similarities or dissimilarities compared to the respondent’s own personality (actual self) are more attractive. The objectives are to identify the culture personality dimensions relevant for destination choice and to investigate the effect of congruity between perceived actual self and perceived culture personality on the evaluation of the examined cultures as ideal destinations. In this manner, numerous participants in the tourism industry may gain more specific insights into certain segments, while communication related to the specific culture can be targeted more efficiently.

Design/methodology/approach

A culture personality scale was developed by identifying the five relevant dimensions (three items in each). To measure actual self, the same 15 scale items were used. In the framework of the current research, 238 respondents evaluated the Turkish and French culture personality and their own personality.

Findings

Results show that for both cultures highly similar personality structures can be observed; incorporating dimensions such as competence, interpersonal approach, aura, life approach and rectitude. In relation to congruity theory, the authors found that the effect of the similarity between perceived culture personality and actual self is marginal. Instead, results show that the more positively culture personality is perceived relative to perceived actual self, the more positive the attitude respondents have towards cultures as destinations.

Research limitations/implications

The generalizability of the results is subject to some limitations due to the student sample.

Originality/value

Both the developed scale and the revealed effects contribute to the research field.
Collateral, labour monitoring and banking accelerator
Authors: Zhang Hongru
Published: April 2019

This paper derives the determination of external finance premium (EFP) in the context of banking sector profit maximisation behaviour. EFP/credit spread stems from the managerial cost, associated with the intermediation process, of factor payments to collateral and labour services. The stake of entrepreneurs is relevant to determine the EFP on two grounds: (a) the ratio of entrepreneurial net wealth to collateral value influences the total managerial cost; and (b) entrepreneurs' net worth (fraction of total collateral) helps mitigate the EFP from extracting rebate from collateral service. Based on these, we can derive an observationally similar relationship between EFP and entrepreneurial leverage, as in previous studies. This provides a rationale for us to understand the financial friction from a novel perspective. Besides the leverage ratio, the EFP is shown to be determined also by the resource cost of financial intermediation, for which the model generates a mechanism that contains broader ingredients in determining the behaviour of EFP.
Credit card cash‐out as informal financing: Evidence from China
Authors: Ma Yihong , Xue Yi , Yang Jiefei
Published: April 2019

Using a proprietary account‐level database from a commercial bank in China, we document that credit card holders can ease their credit constraints through the practice of cash‐out based on bogus transactions using credit cards. We find that such behaviour might be beneficial to both cardholders and banks. First, we find that a 1% increase in the cumulative number of credit card cash‐out transactions lowers the probability of default by 9.59%. Second, for private businesses, a 1% increase in the number of abnormal cash‐out transactions lowers overdue risk by 13.45%. Third, by lowering the overdue risk, the card‐issuing bank earns a larger profit. Our results are consistent with the notion that unconventional credit card cash‐out can mitigate the extent of capital misallocation in emerging markets.
Commitment or expertise? Technocratic appointments as political responses to economic crises
Authors: ALEXIADOU DESPINA , GUNAYDIN HAKAN
Published: April 2019

Why do prime ministers or presidents appoint non‐elected experts, also known as technocrats, during economic crises? Do they appoint them for their expertise or for their commitment to pro‐market reforms? Answering this question is crucial for understanding and predicting the longer‐term role of technocrats in democracies. With the aid of unique data on the political and personal background of finance ministers in 13 parliamentary and semi‐presidential European democracies this article shows that commitment, not expertise is the primary driver of technocratic appointments during major economic crises. Technocrats are preferred over experienced politicians when the latter lack commitment to policy reform. An important implication of the findings is that technocratic appointments to top economic portfolios in West European countries are unlikely to become the norm outside economic crises, assuming economic crises are short‐lived and not recurring.
Knowledge of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) in pregnant women in Australia is low, and improved with education
Authors: Lazzaro Amanda , Vo Mai Linh , Zeltzer Justin , Rawlinson William , Nassar Natasha , Daly Kate , Lainchbury Anne , Shand Antonia
Published: April 2019

Background

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection and can cause hearing loss and neurodevelopmental disability in infected infants. International research shows women have limited knowledge about CMV.

Aims

To assess pregnant women's knowledge and attitudes about CMV before and after provision of information.

Materials and Methods

Cross‐sectional survey of pregnant women between November 2017 and February 2018 at two Australian hospitals. Participating women completed an initial survey on maternal characteristics, knowledge of infections, and CMV risk behaviours. Participants were then given an information leaflet and completed a follow‐up survey.

Results

Four hundred and fifty‐seven women completed the initial survey, of whom 73/457 (16%) had heard of CMV. Behaviours increasing risk of CMV transmission were common: 58% reported regularly kissing their child on the lips; 57% did not always wash their hands after changing a wet nappy. Knowledge about CMV significantly improved after reading the leaflet in the 145 women completing the follow‐up survey. More women correctly identified that CMV could cause deafness in a baby (35% before, 85% after), was spread by saliva (38% vs 94%) or urine (27% vs 86%) and prevented by hand‐washing (55% vs 99%; all P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Knowledge about CMV was low in pregnant women. An educational leaflet was effective in improving knowledge.
Randomized immunotherapy trial in dual‐allergic patients using “active allergen placebo” as control
Authors: Wagenmann Martin , Worm Margitta , Akboga Yasemin , Karjalainen Martin , Hohlfeld Jens M.
Published: April 2019

Background

Placebo control in allergen immunotherapy (AIT) trials presents ethical and blinding concerns. We tested a trial design with an “active allergen placebo,” as proposed by ARIA‐GA2LEN, to investigate in a double‐blind trial the efficacy and safety of AIT in dual‐allergic patients (grass and birch pollen) using active untargeted treatments as controls.

Methods

We randomized 95 patients to receive either grass (N = 47) or birch AIT (N = 48). Patients were exposed to both allergens in an allergen challenge chamber (ACC) before and after 9 months of AIT. Targeted (ACC‐allergen = AIT‐allergen) and untargeted (ACC‐allergen ≠ AIT‐allergen) treatment effects were assessed.

Results

Immunotherapy reduced significantly the mean (95% confidence interval) area under the curve of total nasal symptom score (targeted effects) by −13.55 (−17.56, −9.54; P < 0.001) after grass and −9.81 (−14.13, −5.50; P < 0.001) after birch AIT. Differences in targeted vs untargeted effects between AIT groups (utility of control group) were statistically significant for both grass (P = 0.02) and birch (P = 0.02) allergens. Targeted vs untargeted differences within‐treatment groups (specificity of ACC measurement) were significant for grass AIT (P < 0.001) but not significant for birch AIT group (P = 0.24). Specific immunoglobulin G4 to both allergens increased significantly (P < 0.001) after targeted treatment, while remained unchanged for untargeted treatments. Both treatments were well tolerated.

Conclusions

Immunotherapies for both grass and birch allergens were efficacious and safe. The study confirms the specificity of AIT. Untargeted treatment groups could serve as controls in future AIT trials.
The Mythical Shapeshifting of Capital and Petrification of Labour: Deepening Conflict on the Agrofuel Frontier
Authors: Garvey Brian , Aparecido Souza Edevaldo , Rodrigues Mendonça Marcelo , dos Santos Crispim Valmir , Virginio Francis Vinicius Portes
Published: April 2019

In the great civilisations of the past, shapeshifting promised a restoration of order in turbulent times in return for the deference of loyal subjects. It was a strategy of the powerful to maintain advantage and could also be used to bind opponents to an undesired form. This study finds its resonance in the contemporary shapeshifting that is the supposed transition from the fossil fuel economy. With reference to the fusion of oil, grain and sugar companies in Brazil's ethanol sector, it explores how amidst economic, environmental and political insecurity these “old villains” of the carbon economy have fused and emerged as the “new heroes” of the green economy. Accounts of dissenting rural subjects, however, unveil the mythical nature of avowed social gains from this shapeshifting. Amidst rural conflict and a successive weakening of regulation, it becomes evident how their petrification, in a metaphorical and increasingly literal sense is required.
Side effects of powdered sodium carbonate (washing or ‘Lectric’ soda) used as an oral emetic agent in five dogs
Authors: Watson AK , Indrawirawan YH
Published: April 2019

Case series

The administration of emetic agents in dogs for the purpose of gastric decontamination is not without risk, although the incidence of adverse effects is unknown and likely under‐reported. This case series describes gastrointestinal and respiratory side effects observed in five dogs that were administered powdered sodium carbonate to induce emesis.

Clinical significance

The safety of inducing emesis in dogs using powdered sodium carbonate is discussed.
Oxalate‐degrading bacteria, including Oxalobacter formigenes, colonise the gastrointestinal tract of healthy koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) and those with oxalate nephrosis
Authors: Speight KN , Houston‐Francis M , Mohammadi‐Dehcheshmeh M , Ebrahimie E , Saputra S , Trott DJ
Published: April 2019

Background

Koalas in the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia, have a high prevalence of oxalate nephrosis, or calcium oxalate kidney crystals. Gastrointestinal tract oxalate‐degrading bacteria, particularly Oxalobacter formigenes, have been identified in other animal species and humans, and their absence or low abundance is postulated to increase the risk of renal oxalate diseases. This study aimed to identify oxalate‐degrading bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of koalas and determine their association with oxalate nephrosis.

Methods

Caecal and faecal samples were collected at necropsy from 22 Mount Lofty Ranges koalas that had been euthanased on welfare grounds, with 8 koalas found to have oxalate nephrosis by renal histopathology. Samples were analysed by PCR for the oxc gene, which encodes oxalyl‐CoA decarboxylase, and also by Illumina sequencing of the V3–V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene.

Results

The oxc gene was detected in 100% of koala samples, regardless of oxalate nephrosis status. Oxalobacter formigenes was detected in all but one faecal sample, with no difference in abundance between koalas affected and unaffected by oxalate nephrosis. Other species of known oxalate‐degrading bacteria were infrequently detected.

Conclusion

This is the first study to identify Oxalobacter and other oxalate‐degrading bacterial species in koalas, but an association with oxalate nephrosis and absence or low abundance of Oxalobacter was not found. This suggests other mechanisms underlie the risk of oxalate nephrosis in koalas.
Psychotic symptoms and suicidal ideation in child and adolescent bipolar I disorder
Authors: Duffy Mary E. , Gai Anna R. , Rogers Megan L. , Joiner Thomas E. , Luby Joan L. , Joshi Paramjit T. , Wagner Karen D. , Emslie Graham J. , Walkup John T. , Axelson David
Published: April 2019

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore associations between specific types of hallucinations and delusions and suicidal ideation in a sample of children and adolescents with bipolar I disorder.

Methods

Participants (N = 379) were children and adolescents aged 6‐15 years (M = 10.2, SD = 2.7) with DSM‐IV diagnoses of bipolar I disorder, mixed or manic phase. The study sample was 53.8% female and primarily White (73.6% White, 17.9% Black, and 8.5% Other). Presence and nature of psychotic symptoms, suicidal ideation, and functioning level were assessed through clinician‐administered measures. A series of logistic regressions was performed to assess the contribution of each subtype of psychotic symptom to the presence of suicidal ideation above and beyond age, sex, socio‐economic status, age at bipolar disorder onset, and global level of functioning.

Results

Hallucinations overall, delusions of guilt, and number of different psychotic symptom types were uniquely associated with increased odds of suicidal ideation after accounting for covariates. Other forms of delusions (eg, grandiose) and specific types of hallucinations (eg, auditory) were not significantly uniquely associated with the presence of suicidal ideation.

Conclusions

Findings of this study suggest the presence of hallucinations as a whole, delusions of guilt specifically, and having multiple concurrent types of psychotic symptoms are associated with the presence of suicidal ideation in children and adolescents with bipolar I disorder. Psychotic symptom subtypes, as opposed to psychosis as a whole, are an under‐examined, potentially important, area for consideration regarding suicidal ideation in pediatric bipolar I disorder.
Use of transforming growth factor‐β loaded onto β‐tricalcium phosphate scaffold in a bone regeneration rat calvaria model
Authors: Elimelech Rina , Khoury Nizar , Tamari Tal , Blumenfeld Israel , Gutmacher Zvi , Zigdon‐Giladi Hadar
Published: April 2019

Background

Transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β1) enhances mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation into osteoblasts.

Purpose

The aim of the study was to assess whether TGF‐β1 loaded onto β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) synthetic scaffold enhances bone regeneration in a rat calvaria model. The release kinetics of TGF‐β1 from β‐TCP scaffold was evaluated in vitro.

Materials and Methods

TGF‐β1 in various concentrations (1‐40 ng/mL) was loaded onto the β‐TCP scaffold, and release kinetics was monitored by ELISA. The effect of TGF‐β1 on the proliferation of MSCs was assessed using AlamarBlue, and MSC differentiation was evaluated by Alizarin Red quantification assay.Bone augmentation following transplantation of TGF‐β1 loaded onto β‐TCP in a rat calvaria model was evaluated in vivo.

Results

Greater TGF‐β1 release from the 40 ng/mL concentration was found. A suppressive effect of TGF‐β on the MSCs proliferation was observed with maximum inhibition obtained with 40 ng/mL compared to the control group (P = .028). A positive effect on MSCs osteogenic differentiation was found.Bone height and bone area fraction in vivo were similar with or without TGF‐β1; however, blood vessel density and degradation of the scaffold were significantly higher in the TGF‐β1 group.

Conclusion

TGF‐β1 adsorbed to β‐TCP stimulated angiogenesis and scaffold degradation that may enhance bone formation.
A study on the prevalence of dental anxiety, pain perception, and their interrelationship in Chinese patients with oral implant surgery
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Wang Bei , Qiao Shi‐Chong , Gu Ying‐Xin , Shi Jun‐Yu , Lai Hong‐Chang
Published: April 2019

Background

Accumulating evidence has revealed that dental anxiety (DA) is associated with pain and patient satisfaction related to dental procedures. However, relevant reports are limited and inconsistent in oral implant patients.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of dental anxiety, pain perception, and analyze their interrelationship in Chinese patients with oral implant surgery.

Materials and Methods

A cross‐sectional study was performed according to the strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) guideline. Consecutive patients who received oral implant surgeries during February‐March of 2018 in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital were recruited. The modified dental anxiety scale and visual analog scale were used to evaluate the level of the patient's DA and pain perception. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to analyze the influence of DA on pain perception of patients during oral implant surgery.

Results

The prevalences of moderate and high preoperative DA were 66.6% and 11.9% in Chinese patients with oral implant surgery, respectively. Seven points eight percent of patients experienced pain perception during surgery. The result of multiple logistic regression showed that there was no significant influence of moderate preoperative DA (OR = 2.0, 95%CI: 0.5‐8.2) on pain perception. However, a significant influence of high preoperative DA (OR = 6.4, 95%CI: 1.3‐30.8) was found on pain perception of patients with oral implant surgery. Significant influences of moderate perioperative DA (OR = 5.0, 95%CI: 1.1‐22.9) and high perioperative DA (OR = 8.7, 95%CI: 1.1‐69.9) were also found on pain perception of patients during oral implant surgery.

Conclusions

The results of the study indicated that DA was very common in Chinese patients with oral implant surgery. DA may increase pain perception of patients during oral implant surgery.
Retrospective study on the clinical outcomes of small‐diameter implants supporting fixed prostheses without bone augmentation in the posterior region after 2 to 12 years
Authors: Si Misi , Zhang Yu , Li Jiaying , He Fuming
Published: April 2019

Background

Small‐diameter implants (SDIs: diameter <3.5 mm) are often chosen as an alternative to bone augmentation in clinical practice, but the scientific evidence regarding SDI application in the posterior area remains deficient.

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of SDIs supporting fixed prostheses without bone augmentation in the posterior region, and to analyze the potential influencing factors related to SDI failures.

Materials and Methods

Clinical and radiographic data of 243 SDIs in 156 patients were retrospectively assembled after 2 to 12 (mean 4.75) years of follow‐up. Implant and prosthesis failures, mechanical and biological complications, and radiographic marginal bone loss (MBL) were evaluated. The influence of patient/implant characteristics and prosthetic design on SDI failures was investigated.

Results

Five implants in five patients failed, contributing to 10‐year cumulative survival rates of 97.9% on an implant‐based analysis and 96.8% on a patient‐based analysis. Biological complications and mechanical complications were detected in 22 (9.1%) and 31 (12.8%) of implants, respectively. No implant fracture was detected. Peri‐implant MBL during 10 years was 0.60 ± 0.90 mm on average. The implant type (bone‐level or tissue‐level) was the only factor that significantly influenced SDI failures.

Conclusion

SDIs supporting fixed prostheses in the posterior region achieved predictable long‐term clinical outcomes. However, tissue‐level titanium SDIs should be avoided where possible.
An innovative hybrid approach for extracting named entities from unstructured text data
Authors: Thomas Anu , Sangeetha S.
Published: April 2019

Named entity recognition (NER) is the core part of information extraction that facilitates the automatic detection and classification of entities in natural language text into predefined categories, such as the names of persons, organizations, locations, and so on. The output of the NER task is crucial for many applications, including relation extraction, textual entailment, machine translation, information retrieval, etc. Literature shows that machine learning and deep learning approaches are the most widely used techniques for NER. However, for entity extraction, the abovementioned approaches demand the availability of a domain‐specific annotated data set. Our goal is to develop a hybrid NER system composed of rule‐based deep learning as well as clustering‐based approaches, which facilitates the extraction of generic entities (such as person, location, and organization) out of natural language texts of domains that lack generic named entities labeled domain data sets. The proposed approach takes the advantages of both deep learning and clustering approaches but separately, in combination with a knowledge‐based approach by using a postprocessing module. We evaluated the proposed methodology on court cases (judgments) as a use case since it contains generic named entities of different forms that are poorly or not present in open‐source NER data sets. We also evaluated our hybrid models on two benchmark data sets, namely, Computational Natural Language Learning (CoNLL) 2003 and Open Knowledge Extraction (OKE) 2016. The experimental results obtained from benchmark data sets show that our hybrid models achieved substantially better performance in terms of the F‐score in comparison to other competitive systems.
Challenges and supports for women conservation leaders
Authors: Jones Megan S. , Solomon Jennifer
Published: April 2019

Leadership and inclusivity are increasingly recognized as fundamental to conservation success, yet women's leadership within the conservation profession is understudied. This study identifies gender‐related challenges women conservation leaders experienced in their careers, and supports helping them advance. Using an intersectionality framing to identify intersections between gender, race/ethnicity, age, and leadership position, we conducted and analyzed semi‐structured interviews with 56 women leaders in conservation organizations across the United States. All interviewees reported experiencing or witnessing a gender‐related workplace challenge in at least one of six categories, and the vast majority reported encountering four or more of these challenges: salary inequality and difficulty negotiating, formal exclusion, informal exclusion, harassment and inadequate organizational response, assumptions of inadequacy, and assumptions of wrongness. Participants also experienced two categories of supports: structural supports and supportive relationships. Women's experiences varied based on age, race and ethnicity, and leadership position. Our results indicate more effort is needed to identify effective strategies for making conservation a more inclusive, empowering, and appealing profession in which to work.
Patio Swings Intermodal Shipping Competition: An Inquiry‐Based Partial Information Exercise
Authors: Snider Brent , Southin Nancy , Cole Rosanna
Published: April 2019

Rather than providing all the required information as classroom exercises typically do, this international purchase and intermodal transportation competitive in‐class exercise intentionally holds back selected supply chain details. This inquiry‐based learning (IBL) approach simulates a real‐world Distribution Requirements Planning scenario by requiring students to identify what information they need and seek out those details from the instructor while competing with fellow student groups. In this 20‐30 minute exercise students are challenged to identify the all the necessary supply chain activities required to effectively ship patio swings from a supplier in China to a national retail chain in time for a spring sale. Generating the benefits of improved critical thinking in a fraction of the time required for traditional IBL, the approach is best described as a Partial Information Exercise. A student survey (n = 310) found that students strongly supported the inquiry approach, it generated significantly increased interest in global supply chain management roles and responsibilities, and over 91% of participants recommended the exercise continue to be part of the introductory operations and supply chain management course.
A Kaleidoscope heart
Authors: Ntalas Ioannis , Freitas Dario , Gowland Abigail , Rajani Ronak
Published: April 2019

In the current manuscript, we report an unusual case of a young 18‐year‐old woman who survived an out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest secondary to Bland‐White‐Garland syndrome. Her transthoracic echocardiogram showed an abnormal color Doppler flow‐pattern within the myocardium indicative of coronary fistulous flow that prompted further evaluation with coronary CT angiography, which confirmed the diagnosis. Our case serves not only as a reminder to consider coronary artery anomalies as a cause of sudden cardiac death in young individuals but also as a prompt to investigate unusual echocardiographic findings with alternative imaging when the diagnosis may not be initially clear.
A rare case series of mitral valve clefts diagnosed by 3D echocardiography and mini‐review of the literature
Authors: Moura‐Ferreira Sara , Sampaio Francisco , Ribeiro José , Fontes‐Carvalho Ricardo
Published: April 2019

Mitral valve cleft is a rare entity. However, it must be recognized as a differential mechanism for mitral valve regurgitation. 3D transesophageal echocardiography plays an essential role in the evaluation of single and multiple mitral valve clefts, improving morphological and functional assessment of the valve, with potential implications on surgical planning. The authors present four rare cases of mitral valve cleft presenting during adulthood, followed by a mini‐review about the role of 3D echocardiography, as well as its pitfalls, in the assessment of this complex congenital mitral valve disease.
COOPERATION IN PUBLIC GOODS GAMES PREDICTS BEHAVIOR IN INCENTIVE‐MATCHED BINARY DILEMMAS: EVIDENCE FOR STABLE PROSOCIALITY
Authors: Mullett Timothy L. , McDonald Rebecca L. , Brown Gordon D.A.
Published: April 2019

We report the results of an experiment in which subjects completed second mover public goods game tasks and second mover binary social dilemma tasks. Each task was completed under three different incentive structures which were matched across tasks. The use of nonlinear incentive structures, along with a novel categorization method, allowed us to identify behavioral subtypes that cannot be distinguished using conventional linear incentive structures. We also examined how well behavior could be predicted across tasks. Subjects' average conditional cooperation levels showed significant cross‐task predictability and stability. However, almost a third of responses (28%) demonstrated unambiguous preference reversals across tasks. We argue that prosociality is best described as an individual‐level trait, similar to risk aversion in choice under risk. (JEL C7, C91, H41)
Dentists’ intentions to manage drug users: Role of theory of planned behaviour and continuing education
Authors: El Tantawi Maha , AlJameel AlBandary H. , Fita Sarah , AlSahan Basma , Alsuwaiyan Fatimah , El Meligy Omar
Published: April 2019

Objectives

To assess dentists’ intention to manage drug users (DUs) and to evaluate the role of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and continuing education (CE) in explaining this intention.

Materials and Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 2017, including dentists from three major Saudi cities. A questionnaire assessed personal and professional background and components of TPB: attitude, perceived social norms, perceived control and intention to manage DUs. Respondents expressed their agreement on a scale from 1 (disagree) to 7 (agree). Receiving CE to manage DUs was also assessed. Adjusted linear regression was used to assess the impact of the TPB constructs and receiving CE on dentists’ intention.

Results

Response rate = 72% (255/354), mean (SD) age = 35.2 (11.9). The mean (SD) for positive intention to manage DUs = 5.34 (1.37), negative attitude = 4.03 (1.10), positively perceived norms = 5.78 (1.06) and perception of no control = 4.45 (1.08). Only 9% received CE to manage DUs. Positive intention was associated with perception of positive norms (B = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.59, 0.87) and perception of no control (B = −0.47, 95% CI = −0.63, −0.32) but not with receiving CE (P = 0.58).

Conclusion

In major Saudi cities, dentists’ intention to manage DUs was positive and was explained by TPB components: perception of norms and perception of control. Modified and targeted CE is needed to address this problem.
An improved TOPSIS approach for the competitiveness analysis of provincial information resource industries in China
Authors: Qian Minghui , Wang Yuxi , Xu Wei , Deng Hepu
Published: April 2019

The development of information resources industries is becoming increasingly important for improving the competitiveness of individual economies. As a result, effectively evaluating the performance of individual information resources industries becomes a critical problem that needs to be adequately addressed. This paper presents an improved Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) approach for evaluating the performance of provincial information resources industries in an objective manner in China. The concept of information entropy is appropriately used for determining the objective weighting of the evaluation criteria in the evaluation process. The Mahalanobis distance is adequately adopted for better reflecting the relative distance between individual alternatives and the idea solution in determining the overall performance of individual alternatives across all the evaluation criteria. This leads to the determination of consistent performance evaluation outcomes, which are better accepted by all the stakeholders in the evaluation process. An example of evaluating the competitiveness of provincial information resources industries in China is presented. The result shows that the improved TOPSIS approach is effective for evaluating the competitiveness of information resources industries in the real‐world setting.
Transfer prices and innovation in public healthcare: Costing and clinical choices in the NHS
Authors: Guven‐Uslu Pinar , Seal Will
Published: April 2019

The establishment of an internal market for clinical services in a publically funded National Health Service (NHS) requires a process for setting transfer prices. Given the values and logics of actors in a public healthcare system, attempts to determine an “optimal” price for specific treatments as prescribed by well‐known transfer pricing texts, are likely to be inappropriate. Rejecting a reductionist model of Economic Man, the study adopted a richer perspective on actor reality through a pragmatic constructivist (PC) methodology. The PC methodology was used to interpret data drawn from a case study of a specialist healthcare centre of English NHS. The case study revealed different realities constructed by clinical and managerial actors. Clinical actors in the study were willing to spread a technological innovation but were not being supported by managers whose reality was influenced by centrally set tariff prices which favoured traditional high cost procedures rather than less costly technical innovations. Characterising the different realities as the “pragmatic truth” of managers and the “proactive truth” of clinicians, the challenge was to bring these together for a fully integrated and coherent solution. This challenge required avoiding a top‐down “command and control” model of governance and greater flexibility for transfer pricing and incentives. More generally, the study supports alternative institutional mechanisms that can routinely promote the spread of new technological innovations which are not only clinically superior but, as this case illustrates, are sometimes cheaper than the current procedures.
A Franconian Knight at King Arthur's Court: Regional Identity and Medieval Iconography in Die phantastischen Abenteuer des Glücksritters Wigalois (2011)
Authors: Oehme Annegret
Published: April 2019

Wigalois, son of Gawein, is perhaps not the most famous of King Arthur's knights, but his story has been retold many times, in German and Yiddish, in medieval manuscript and modern forms. Die phantastischen Abenteuer des Glücksritters Wigalois () offers an adaptation of the Middle High German Wigalois (1210/20) as a graphic novel that provides a powerful example of reworking medieval texts for a younger and broader audience, both increasing the interest in medieval narratives and in the manuscripts as material objects. The theoretical framework of Adaptation Studies allows for a critical analysis of the text that does not assume the medieval Wigalois as original, best version of the text. The exploration of this graphic novel will also show, however, that its creators focus more on references to the Middle Ages than on the potential a new adaption offers and, in consequence, present their readers with a white‐washed version of the Middle Ages.
Association between oral health and frailty: A systematic review of longitudinal studies
Authors: Hakeem Faisal F. , Bernabé Eduardo , Sabbah Wael
Published: April 2019

Objective

To systematically review longitudinal studies on the association between oral health and frailty indicated by any validated scale or index.

Background

Frailty and poor oral health are common among ageing populations; however, evidence from longitudinal studies is scarce.

Methods

Three databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and LILACS) were searched for published literature up to July 2018 using prespecified search strategy. Grey literature was searched using OpenGrey and Google Scholar. Quality of included studies was checked using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) for longitudinal studies.

Results

Five longitudinal studies from three countries (Mexico, Japan, and UK) that examined the association between oral health and frailty were identified. All studies used Fried's frailty phenotype criteria for measuring frailty. Oral health indicators were number of teeth, periodontal disease, oral functions (functional dentition with occluding pairs and maximum bite force), use of removable dentures, accumulation of oral health problems and dry mouth symptoms. The studies showed significant association of number of teeth (two studies), oral functions (two studies), accumulation of oral health problems and number of dry mouth symptoms with frailty incidence, whereas periodontal disease showed inconsistent associations.

Conclusion

This systematic review identified significant longitudinal associations between oral health indicators and frailty that highlight the importance of oral health as a predictor of frailty in older age. There is a need for further research exploring the role of nutrition as a mediator of the relationship between oral health and frailty.
Functional dentition, dietary intake and nutritional status in Thai older adults
Authors: Gaewkhiew Piyada , Sabbah Wael , Bernabé Eduardo
Published: April 2019

Objectives

To explore the relationship between functional dentition and nutritional status among Thai older adults, and the role of nutrient intake in this association.

Background

Evidence on the interplay between tooth retention, diet and nutritional status is still inconclusive, with most evidence coming from Western countries.

Methods

Seven hundred and eighty‐eight Thai adults, aged 60+ years, living in Phetchaburi Province, Thailand, participated in this cross‐sectional study. Data were collected through questionnaires, body measurements and dental examinations. Being underweight (Body Mass Index < 18.5) and overweight/obese (BMI > 25) were the two outcome measures. Functional dentition was defined as having 10+ functional tooth units. The association of functional dentition with each outcome was assessed in regression models adjusted for sociodemographic factors, behaviours, chronic conditions and total energy intake. The role of various nutrients in explaining the above associations was quantified via the per cent attenuation in the coefficient for functional dentition.

Results

Functional dentition was associated with being underweight but not with being overweight/obese. After adjustments, participants with functional dentition were 61% (prevalence ratio: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.95) less likely to be underweight than those with neither functional dentition nor dentures. In addition, participants with functional dentition had significantly greater intake of dietary fibre and thiamine (Vitamin B1) than those with neither functional dentition nor dentures. The two nutrients explained a small part of the association between functional dentition and being underweight.

Conclusion

Having a functional dentition was negatively associated with being underweight. The consumption of dietary fibre and thiamine explained a small part of this association.
Changing clinical and molecular characteristics of hepatitis E virus infection in Mie Prefecture, Japan: Disappearance of indigenous subtype 3e strains
Authors: Nakano Tatsunori , Okano Hiroshi , Takahashi Masaharu , Nagashima Shigeo , Shiraki Katsuya , Oya Yumi , Inoue Hidekazu , Ohmori Shigeru , Tsukimoto Mone , Ishida Satoshi , Fujimoto Shino , Kobayashi Makoto , Yamawaki Makoto , Kumagai Masanari , Ninomiya Jun , Maegawa Tadashi , Kojima Yuji , Araki Jun , Hamaoka Shima , Horiike Shinichiro , Yoshimura Hitoshi , Takeuchi Keisuke , Itoh Keiichi , Akachi Shigehiro , Uraki Satoko , Yamamoto Norihiko , Ogura Suguru , Sugimoto Kazushi , Yoshikawa Kyoko , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Iwasa Motoh , Takei Yoshiyuki , Okamoto Hiroaki
Published: April 2019

Aim

To evaluate the clinical and molecular characteristics of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in Mie Prefecture, Japan, from 2004 through 2018.

Methods

The clinical information of hepatitis E cases was collected from 21 medical institutions in Mie Prefecture. The nucleotide sequences of infecting HEV strains were determined for cases with available serum samples. The origins or transmission routes were inferred from phylogenetic analyses of the nucleotide sequences.

Results

Fifty‐three patients were diagnosed with HEV infection. The number of cases increased each year through 2012 and then decreased. Analyses of the clinical characteristics of the cases indicated that even mild cases were detected in the latter 10 years of the study. Nucleotide sequence analyses were undertaken on 38 of the 53 cases. The HEV subtype 3e (HEV‐3e) strains identified for 13 cases were closely related to a swine HEV‐3e strain that was isolated from the liver of a pig bred in Mie Prefecture. The number of cases infected with the indigenous Mie HEV‐3e strains increased until 2012 but have not been reported since 2014. In the latter half of the study, cases involving various HEV strains of different genotypes and subtypes emerged.

Conclusions

The disappearance of indigenous Mie HEV‐3e strains appeared to be the primary cause for the decrease in hepatitis E cases in Mie Prefecture. The disappearance might have been associated with improved hygienic conditions on pig farms or the closure of contaminated farms. The results suggest that indigenous HEV strains can be eradicated by appropriate management.