bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
London’s burning: integrating water flow rates and building types into fire risk maps
Authors: Ronan Thomas , Teeuw Richard
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore fire risk and preparedness, with regard to water flow rates and building types in London, focusing on Southall district.

Design/methodology/approach

– A land use survey was carried out to identify water requirements for firefighting across the study area. Local fire hydrant flow rates were analysed, using measurements taken during 2013 and archive data held by the London Fire Brigade (LFB). QGIS was used to explore relationships between fire hydrant flow rates, urban fire risk and socio-economic vulnerability data held by the LFB.

Findings

– A new type of map, which includes data on water flow rates and building types, was created using QGIS and applied to Southall district, resulting in a map showing Combined Vulnerability to fires. Inadequate fire hydrant water supply was found across many parts of the borough.

Practical implications

– This new approach to the evaluation and mapping of urban fire risk could be applied in other cities, to assess problems with water supply and the firefighting water flow requirements of various building types. The methodology can thus assist with adaptations to urban fire resource allocation, tactics, planning and preparedness.

Social implications

– When socio-economic data are also available, this Geographical Information System-based methodology becomes very useful for assessing fire risk and developing strategies for preparedness and response.

Originality/value

– This is the first time that London’s fire hydrant water pressures have been mapped and linked with socio-economic vulnerability maps, to produce a Combined Vulnerability map for assessing fire risk.
The nexus of transformational leadership of emergency services systems
Authors: Caro Denis
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– In the face of diverse national and international threats, the purpose of this paper is to explore the transformational leadership challenges in emergency services systems in Canada. These adaptive complex systems respond to critical mass emergencies, disasters and catastrophes.

Design/methodology/approach

– This qualitative research study uses grounded theory to examine the phenomenology of emergency services leadership from systems perspective. Using the theoretical Wu-Shi-Ren (WSR)-Li systems paradigm, this key informant study of 103 emergency leaders from 81 organizations focusses on the systemic challenges that transformational leaders face in emergency services systems. The response rate was 83.5 percent using a semi-structured and open-ended questionnaire.

Findings

– This key informant study underscores the competencies for transformational leadership and identifies 12 key leadership challenges in the context of the future evolution of emergency services systems. From the use of a grounded theory methodology, the new theory of transcendental transformational emergency leadership is posited.

Research limitations/implications

– Qualitative studies such as this key informant study underscores the relevance of the WSR-Li systems paradigm and grounded theory approach in discerning leadership challenges that are specific if not unique to emergency services systems.

Practical implications

– This study underscores the theoretical and pragmatic implications of the transformational leadership challenges for leadership paradigms, innovation and inter-sectorial collaborative networks and possible future emergency services research.

Social implications

– This study stresses the importance of addressing leadership challenges of emergency services systems as instrumental in ultimately saving lives, minimizing injuries and assuring complete health and social recovery from the scourges of emergency events nationally and internationally.

Originality/value

– Qualitative studies of the perspectives of strategic emergency leadership of systemic emergency services systems has not hitherto been done in Canada nor internationally. This key informant study underscores the relevance of the WSR-Li systems paradigm and grounded theory approach in discerning transformational leadership challenges that are specific if not unique to emergency services systems. Moreover, from the use of a grounded theory approach, a new theory of transcendental transformational emergency leadership emerged.
The changing paradigm of document delivery – exploring researchers’ peer to peer practices
Authors: Muhonen Ari , Saarti Jarmo
Published: June 2016

Purpose

By definition, interlibrary lending is a process involving two libraries. The digital revolution changed the method by which the scientific documents were disseminated during the past couple of decades. Nowadays, researchers can exploit several software applications that enable them to upload, save and deliver their documents from one peer to another without the need for a middle man. This paper reviews this change via a study conducted in two Finnish academic universities. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which researchers have adopted these new possibilities for document dissemination and how this change will affect the role of the libraries in document delivery in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a survey conducted with the academic professors in two Finnish universities. The results were analyzed descriptively.

Findings

Academics mainly used digital resources when acquiring documents; library interlending (ILL) was the least widely used means. The majority of the academics usually transmitted their own documents to other persons by e-mail.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is based on data from two Finnish universities.

Practical implications

Libraries should be better aware of current peer-to-peer document delivery practices and evaluate how this will impact on their interlibrary loan services.

Social implications

Libraries should be more active in document delivery implemented through the various internet applications for academic document dissemination.

Originality/value

Peer-to-peer document exchange is an inadequately investigated topic, especially from a library perspective.
“Access to Research”: how UK public libraries are offering access to over 15 million academic articles for free
Authors: Griffin Jonathan
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to describe a unique service offering by UK public libraries that provides access to over 15 million academic articles for free.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is descriptive.

Findings

The service has been a success with users, but more training for staff, as well as promotion, is needed.

Social implications

The study will be potentially important for enabling access to a vast amount of published academic articles for a wide section of UK citizens.

Originality/value

The first article on this service is aimed specifically at the LIS community.
Low-barrier-to-entry data tools: creating and sharing humanities data
Authors: Rath Linda L.
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to determine whether TAMS Analyzer and Viewshare are viable free and open source software data sharing and creation tools for those with limited funding and technological skills.

Design/methodology/approach

– The participant observer method was used to collect experiential evidence while applying the tools to a collection of text-, image-, and video-based digital cultural records.

Findings

– TAMS Analyzer was found to be a low barrier to entry tool for those with coding and qualitative data analysis experience. Those with general experience will be able to create datasets with the support of manuals and tutorials, while those with limited experience may find it difficult to use. Viewshare was found to be a low barrier to entry tool for sharing data online, and accessible for all skill levels.

Research limitations/implications

– TAMS Analyzer supports Mac and Linux platforms only, so a low-cost software recommendation was made for those in Windows environments.

Practical implications

– Librarians can use these tools to address data access gaps while promoting library digital collections.

Social implications

– With a greater understanding of data tools, librarians can be advisors, collaborators, agents for data culture, and relevant participants in digital humanities scholarship.

Originality/value

– The research evaluates both the capabilities of the tools and the barriers to using or accessing them, which are often neglected. The paper addresses a need in the literature for greater scrutiny of tools that are a critical component of the data ecology, and will further assist librarians when connecting scholars to tools of inquiry in an environment with limited funding and technical support.
Internet of Things – potential for libraries
Authors: Wójcik Magdalena
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to subject the potential of Internet of Things (IoT) technology for libraries in terms of the possible scope and usage forms of this technology in public and academic library services.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on analysis of the subject literature, the main areas of IoT applications in commercial institutions were identified, then an analysis of Library and Information Science English-language literature from the years 2010 to 2015 was conducted in order to create a profile of modern library services. The range of activities of commercial and non-commercial institutions were compared to ascertain if areas in which commercial entities using or planning to use IoT could also be an inspiration for libraries. In this way, a theoretical model of IoT use in library activities was developed.

Findings

– The research showed that IoT technology might have the potential to be used in library services and other activities, similar to how it is implemented in the commercial sector.

Research limitations/implications

– The aim of the paper is to determine the possible, not the actual, scope and forms of using this technology in public and academic libraries’ services.

Practical implications

– The results can be widely used in libraries as an inspiration for the use of IoT technology in modern library services.

Social implications

– The use of new technologies in libraries can help to improve the image of these institutions in the eyes of users, especially the younger generation.

Originality/value

– The use of IoT in libraries is a new issue that has not been studied much yet. The issue of using the potential of this technology for the needs of libraries has, in recent years, been raised at international conferences, become a subject of interest to librarian associations, and been widely discussed in the blogosphere, thus proving that this topic is important to practitioners. It is difficult, however, to find any scientific, comprehensive studies of this topic.
Implementation and evaluation of mobile e-books in a cloud bookcase using the information system success model
Authors: Chiu Po-Sheng , Chao I-Ching , Kao Chih-Chien , Pu Ying-Hung , Huang Yueh-Min
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– To continue to develop and improve cloud e-bookcases, the purpose of this paper is to implement a cloud e-bookcase and modifies the information systems (ISs) success model to make it capable of assessing this system. It also provides suggestions for future systems development.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study implements a cloud bookcase and uses the IS success model to evaluate user intention and satisfaction with the system. It also develops a success model for the cloud bookcase.

Findings

– The results of study indicate that user satisfaction and intention with regard to using the system are positively related to net benefits. In other words, increasing user satisfaction and intention with regard to using the system will have a positive effect on the benefits users receive from doing so.

Practical implications

– Users think the functions and services of the cloud bookcase can indeed help them search for and organize information about electronic books. However, they are not satisfied with the information quality. Therefore, further work is needed to identify any important factors that this study did not investigate. This study suggests that the quality of a system’s functions and guide service have to be upgraded in order to increase user satisfaction with and intention to use the system.

Originality/value

– This study implements a cloud bookcase and uses the IS success model for verification. An overall explanatory power of 77.9 percent is achieved with this approach. User satisfaction with and intention to use the system are independent from each other, and the results caused by various factors can be separately identified. The findings of this study have considerable practical value.
Pink accounting in Italy: cultural perspectives over discrimination and/or lack of interest
Authors: Baldarelli Maria Gabriella , Baldo Mara Del , Vignini Stefania
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The issue of gender inequality in the Italian universities and academic context does not seem to be particularly debated and is really rare. Starting from this “lack of interest”, the paper aims to inquire into the “state-of-the-art” of existing inequality in the scientific and academic path of Italian female scholars and academia, answering the following research question: Is discrimination between women and men linked to the number of scientific contributions in periodicals and their presence within academic boards of scientific accounting associations and journals in Italy?

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is primarily developed through a deductive analysis of the literature strands concerning gender accounting, accounting in academia and the role of women in universities and academia. Second, within the inductive perspective, the authors have chosen to inquire into the scientific publications of women on the oldest Italian journal in the accounting field – the Rivista Italiana di Ragioneria e di Economia Aziendale (RIREA). Subsequently, the position and career of women were analysed in academia investigating their presence and role within the boards of a sample of Italian journals and the main Italian accounting scientific associations

Findings

Accordingly, this paper concentrates on gender inequalities in university and academia in Italy and on eventual obstacles that get in the way of the existence of scientific contributions in journals and of career progress of those women who carry on scholarly work in accounting.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis confirms the need to open more space for women at the summits of political, economic and cultural institutions, including accounting academia and scientific journals. The paper has some limitations concerning the consideration of only Italian journals and academic associations. Then, we will develop the analysis in comparative terms, as attention will be addressed on the participation in scientific committees and boards of some of the major international scientific associations of accounting. Moreover, we will consider the narrative approach describing the stories of Italian women and accounting scholars to carefully investigate the reasons for this persistent discrimination.

Originality/value

The innovative contribution of the paper is due to the fact that the authors are unaware of previous studies aimed at investigating if female accounting scholars are under-represented compared to their male colleagues within the top positions of the most prestigious Italian accounting associations and scientific journals. Previous research also did not investigate the existence of correlation between Italian women’s scientific productivity, their under-representation within academia and scientific career.
When fluid structures fail
Authors: Fodor Oana C. , Flestea Alina Maria
Published: June 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the dynamics of the communication network established within a multi-team system (MTS) and analyzes its implications for the MTS processes, emergent states and performance during a search and rescue operation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors take a bifocal approach and combine both network analysis metrics and a qualitative analysis of the message content in addressing the research questions.

Findings

The findings illustrate the emergence of a decentralized network and that the extent to which decentralization is conducive toward MTS performance also depends on the density of the communication lines established among the component teams (CTs) and the communication content. Low density of the communication network was associated with impaired MTS processes and low effectiveness. Node centrality metrics indicate a limited connectivity between the leader of the operation and the MTS CTs, also with negative impact on MTS performance. Whereas, informal CTs become central to the MTS communication network and positively influence MTS performance during the last episodes of the mission.

Originality/value

This paper is among the first to use a social network approach to the study of MTS functioning and illustrates how the fluid structure of the MTS alters communication networks, which in turn influence other MTS processes, emergent states and overall performance.
A review of the hotel industry in Nigeria: size, structure and issues
Authors: Nwosu Belinda
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the dynamics that define, govern and shape the tourism and hospitality sector in Nigeria, in particular, the hotel industry with respect to its size, structure and salient issues that impact on it.

Design/methodology/approach

To explain the dynamics within the hotel sector, primary survey data from STR Global were used. In addition, content analysis of secondary data from government, education and industry sources were used to identify the issues within the industry.

Findings

The findings show positive indicators for employment and further expansion within the hotel sector in Nigeria. However, the lack of supporting institutions, legal frameworks and industry representation makes the management of human resources an area of concern.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this research are limited due to the sample size and to the lack of publicly available data from government, education and industry. However, the implications suggest the need for a research agenda for the tourism and hospitality industry in Nigeria. This will create the framework to understand and improve best practices particularly with institutional frameworks, employment and human capital development.

Originality/value

The gap in the literature concerning any systematic review of the hotel industry in Nigeria makes this research timely, as it synthesises widely different sources into a coherent whole. This will help to form a reference point for future research in the field.
Keeping the business afloat
Authors: Menkiti Max , Ward Trevor
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide first-hand experiences of running a hotel business in Nigeria from the perspective of an entrepreneur.

Design/methodology/approach

An informal interview was carried out via email. Max Menkiti is an entrepreneur in the hospitality industry with extensive experience in bootstrap start-ups and operations in the UK and Nigeria. He is currently the Director of Millennium Apartments and Studios in Lagos. Before that, he developed and operated the @venue series of boutique hotels. Max has over 11 years experience in the hospitality industry in Nigeria.

Findings

The interview offers valuable insights for researchers in hospitality industry entrepreneurship so as to understand the rationale for business decisions.

Originality/value

The backdrop for this paper is the business environment in Nigeria. The transcript makes available an insider’s view of the number and form of issues that entrepreneurs face in emerging economies.
The way forward: human capital development in the hotel industry in Nigeria
Authors: Nwosu Belinda , Ward Trevor
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review contributions made to the strategic question about human capital development issues in the hotel industry in Nigeria and how they can be addressed.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the strategic question, a critical analysis of each contribution was carried out to identify the key themes, and then the issues, impacts and proposed solutions related to each theme.

Findings

The findings show eight key themes related to the human capital development question in the hotel industry in Nigeria.

Research limitations/implications

The findings create a framework to kick-start a conversation by all stakeholders in the hotel industry in Nigeria. The lack of reliable data in many areas is a limitation in reaching empirically based quantitative conclusions. It would be useful to include a wider range of stakeholders in the conversation.

Originality/value

All ten articles have contributed different perspectives to the conversation; all confirm that an engagement of all industry stakeholders is critical if a sustainable resolution is to be achieved.
Anti‐HIV‐1 potency of the CRISPR/Cas9 system insufficient to fully inhibit viral replication
Authors: Ueda Shuhei , Ebina Hirotaka , Kanemura Yuka , Misawa Naoko , Koyanagi Yoshio
Published: June 2016

The range of genome‐editing tools has recently been expanded. In particular, an RNA‐guided genome‐editing tool, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)‐associated 9 (Cas9) system, has many applications for human diseases. In this study, guide RNA (gRNA) to target gag, pol and a long terminal repeat of HIV‐1 was designed and used to generate gRNA‐expressing lentiviral vectors. An HIV‐1‐specific gRNA and Cas9 were stably dually transduced into a highly HIV‐1‐susceptible human T‐cell line and the inhibitory ability of the anti‐HIV‐1 CRISPR/Cas9 lentiviral vector assessed. Although clear inhibition of the early phase of HIV‐1 infection was observed, as evaluated by a VSV‐G‐pseudotyped HIV‐1 reporter system, the anti‐HIV‐1 potency in multiple rounds of wild type (WT) viral replication was insufficient, either because of generation of resistant viruses or overcoming of the activity of the WT virus. Thus, there are potential difficulties that must be addressed when considering anti‐HIV‐1 treatment with the CRISPR/Cas9 system alone.
The Alliance Experience Transfer Effect: The Case of Industry Convergence in the Telecommunications Equipment Industry
Authors: Hsu Sean T. , Prescott John E.
Published: June 2016

A central premise of the industry change literature is that firms change their strategic actions when an industry changes. Industry convergence (IC), the blending of boundaries between industries creating competition among firms that previously did not compete, is increasingly impacting many industries and is a salient case of industry change. Acquisitions are an important action shaping the course of IC because they trigger imitation and bandwagon effects further accelerating IC. This paper focuses on why and when learning from alliances reduces uncertainty resulting in acquisitions during IC: an ‘alliance experience transfer effect’. We demonstrate the utility of this mechanism for the substitution‐based form of IC that occurred between the telecommunications equipment and computer networking industries. Our key insight is that when the extent of IC is low there are significant transfer effects but, as the extent of IC increases, firms have access to an expanding volume and diversity of information sources that reduce uncertainty, thus weakening the transfer effect mechanism. We contribute to the alliance–acquisition relationship and learning literatures by demonstrating that the alliance experience transfer effect mechanism explains changes in firm strategic action (alliancing and acquiring) as the extent of IC changes. We also introduce a semi‐convergence perspective by directly measuring the extent of IC.
The No‐men of England: The Geordie Revolt that Defeated the Scotland and Wales Bill in 1977
Authors: McLean Iain
Published: June 2016

The Scotland and Wales Acts 1978 failed on multiple criteria. Although devolution of powers to Scotland and Wales was a principal policy of the Labour governments in office from 1974 to 1979, it was defeated in a guillotine vote in 1977. That defeat was orchestrated by the leaders of Tyne & Wear County Council, angry that a government of their own party was apparently neglecting their region in favour of Scotland. The project was rescued in two separate bills, but a further rebel amendment inserted a minimum assent condition in the required referendums. The people of Wales rejected the devolution they were offered. The people of Scotland accepted it, but by a margin that failed to cross the threshold. The resulting vote of confidence brought down the Labour government in March 1979. The role of Tyne & Wear County Council in killing the first bill has never been fully acknowledged. The lessons of the story for current devolution policy are explored. If the UK remains a single country, any policy for tax transfers must be fair to the English as well as to the people of the other three territories.
Changes in Income Distributions and the Role of Tax‐Benefit Policy During the Great Recession: An International Perspective
Authors: Bargain Olivier , Callan Tim , Doorley Karina , Keane Claire
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we examine the impact of the economic crisis and the policy reaction on inequality and relative poverty in four European countries: France, Germany, Ireland and the UK. The period examined, 2008–13, was one of great economic turmoil, yet it is unclear whether changes in inequality and poverty rates over this time period were mainly driven by changes in market income distributions or by tax‐benefit policy reforms. We disentangle these effects by producing counterfactual (‘no reform') scenarios using tax‐benefit microsimulation and representative household surveys for each country. For the first stage of the Great Recession, we find that the policy reaction contributed to stabilising or even decreasing inequality and relative poverty in the UK, France and, especially, Ireland. Market income changes nonetheless pushed up inequality and relative poverty in France. Relative poverty increased in Germany as a result of policy responses combined with market income changes. Subsequent policy reforms, in the later stage of the crisis, had markedly different cross‐country effects, decreasing overall poverty in France, increasing it in Ireland, and giving mixed effects for different subgroups in Germany and the UK.
Magnetic resonance elastography identifies fibrosis in adults with alpha‐1 antitrypsin deficiency liver disease: a prospective study
Authors: Kim R. G. , Nguyen P. , Bettencourt R. , Dulai P. S. , Haufe W. , Hooker J. , Minocha J. , Valasek M. A. , Aryafar H. , Brenner D. A. , Sirlin C. B. , Loomba R.
Published: June 2016

Background

Limited data exist on the clinical presentation and non‐invasive detection of liver fibrosis in adults with homozygous Z genotype alpha‐1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency.

Aims

To compare demographic, biochemical, histological and imaging data of AAT deficient patients to normal‐control and biopsy‐proven non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients, and to assess the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in detecting fibrosis in AAT deficiency.

Methods

Study includes 33 participants, 11 per group, who underwent clinical research evaluation, liver biopsy (AAT and NAFLD groups), and MRE. Histological fibrosis was quantified using a modified Ishak 6‐point scale and liver stiffness by MRE. Diagnostic performance of MRE in detecting fibrosis was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

Mean (±s.d.) of age and BMI of normal‐control, AAT and NAFLD groups was 57 (±19), 57 (±18), and 57 (±13) years, and 22.7 (±2.5), 24.8 (±4.0) and 31.0 (±5.1) kg/m2 respectively. Serum ALT [mean ± s.d.] was similar within normal‐control [16.4 ± 4.0] and AAT groups [23.5 ± 10.8], but was significantly lower in AAT than NAFLD even after adjustment for stage of fibrosis (P < 0.05, P = 0.0172). For fibrosis detection, MRE‐estimated stiffness had an area under the ROC curve of 0.90 (P < 0.0001); an MRE threshold of ≥3.0 kPa provided 88.9% accuracy, with 80% sensitivity and 100% specificity to detect presence of any fibrosis (stage ≥1).

Conclusions

This pilot prospective study suggests magnetic resonance elastography may be accurate for identifying fibrosis in patients with alpha‐1 antitrypsin deficiency. Larger validation studies are warranted.
Opioid and cannabinoid synergy in a mouse neuropathic pain model
Authors: Kazantzis Nicholas P , Casey Sherelle L , Seow Patrick W , Mitchell Vanessa A , Vaughan Christopher W
Published: June 2016

Background and Purpose

Clinical studies have reported that pan‐cannabinoid receptor agonists may have efficacy in neuropathic pain states and that this might be enhanced by co‐administration with opioids. While cannabinoid–opioid analgesic synergy has been demonstrated in animal models of acute pain, it has not been examined in neuropathic pain models. We examined the effect of combination treatment with cannabinoid and opioid receptor agonists on allodynia and side effects in a nerve injury‐induced neuropathic pain model.

Experimental Approach

C57BL/6 mice were subjected to chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. The effects of systemic administration of morphine and the pan‐cannabinoid receptor agonist, WIN55212, on allodynia and side effects were examined at 7–10 days post‐CCI surgery. Isobolographic analysis was used to determine whether the effects of the combination were synergistic.

Key Results

The opioid agonist morphine reduced CCI‐induced mechanical and cold allodynia and produced motor incoordination, in a dose‐dependent manner. WIN55212 reduced CCI‐induced allodynia and produced motor incoordination, catalepsy and sedation, in a dose‐dependent manner, as we have observed previously. When administered together, WIN55212 and morphine reduced allodynia in a synergistic manner but had only an additive effect on motor incoordination.

Conclusions and Implications

These findings indicate that administration of a combination of a non‐selective opioid and cannabinoid receptor agonist synergistically reduces nerve injury‐induced allodynia, while producing side effects in an additive manner. This suggests that this combination treatment has an improved anti‐allodynic potency and therapeutic index in a neuropathic pain model.
Reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ‐SP) in school‐age children
Authors: Lucas‐de la Cruz L. , Martínez‐Vizcaino V. , Álvarez‐Bueno C. , Arias‐Palencia N. , Sánchez‐López M. , Notario‐Pacheco B.
Published: June 2016

Background

Sleep disorders in schoolchildren are a common problem worldwide, and when are not adequately diagnosed and treated, their negative impact on daytime functioning may be significant.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ).

Methods

Participants were 286 school‐aged children from a community‐based sample, aged 4 to 7 years. The sleep behaviour was evaluated using the CSHQ and actigraphy (ActiSleep monitor). The CSHQ was adapted to the Spanish language. The internal consistency of the questionnaire and the test–retest reliability between scores at baseline and three‐weeks‐later were estimated. Associations between CSHQ items and accelerometer sleep quality indicators were used as indicators of concurrent validity.

Results

Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the subscales ranged from 0.60 to 0.81, and 0.81 for the full scale; the intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.56 to 0.81. A moderate correlation was observed in sleep latency and awakenings measurements using both parents' reported sleep habits (CSHQ‐SP) and sleep quality indicators (ActiSleep).

Conclusions

The CSHQ‐SP has demonstrated adequate psychometric properties, and it serves as a useful instrument for clinical and research setting.
Taking a Third‐Person Perspective Requires Inhibitory Control: Evidence From a Developmental Negative Priming Study
Authors: Aïte Ania , Berthoz Alain , Vidal Julie , Roëll Margot , Zaoui Mohamed , Houdé Olivier , Borst Grégoire
Published: June 2016

To determine whether the growing ability to take a third‐person perspective (3PP) is explained in part by the growing ability to inhibit a first‐person perspective (1PP), 10‐year‐old children (n = 49) and 22‐year‐old adults (n = 52) performed a negative priming adaptation of the own body transformation task. Both children and adults were less efficient in adopting a 1PP after they adopted a 3PP—with a smaller amplitude of the negative priming effect with older age—and adults’ and children's performances in the own body transformation task were predicted in part by their Stroop interference scores. These results suggest that the growing efficiency to adopt a 3PP is rooted in part in the growing efficiency to inhibit the 1PP.
Distal lower limb strength is reduced in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and is related to elevated intramuscular fat level and vitamin D deficiency
Authors: Almurdhi M. M. , Reeves N. D. , Bowling F. L. , Boulton A. J. M. , Jeziorska M. , Malik R. A.
Published: June 2016

Aim

To quantify muscle strength and size in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in relation to intramuscular non‐contractile tissue, the severity of neuropathy and vitamin D level.

Methods

A total of 20 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and 20 control subjects underwent assessment of strength and size of knee extensor, flexor and ankle plantar and dorsi‐flexor muscles, as well as quantification of intramuscular non‐contractile tissue and detailed assessment of neuropathy and serum 25‐hydroxy vitamin D levels.

Results

In subjects with impaired glucose tolerance, proximal knee extensor strength (P = 0.17) and volume (P = 0.77), and knee flexor volume (P = 0.97) did not differ from those in control subjects. Ankle plantar flexor strength was significantly lower (P = 0.04) in the subjects with impaired glucose tolerance, with no difference in ankle plantar flexor (P = 0.62) or dorsiflexor volume (P = 0.06) between groups. Intramuscular non‐contractile tissue level was significantly higher in the ankle plantar flexors and dorsiflexors (P = 0.03) of subjects with impaired glucose tolerance compared with control subjects, and it correlated with the severity of neuropathy. Ankle plantar flexor muscle strength correlated significantly with corneal nerve fibre density (r = 0.53; P = 0.01), a sensitive measure of small fibre neuropathy, and was significantly lower in subjects with vitamin D deficiency (P = 0.02).

Conclusions

People with impaired glucose tolerance have a significant reduction in distal but not proximal leg muscle strength, which is not associated with muscle atrophy, but with increased distal intramuscular non‐contractile tissue, small fibre neuropathy and vitamin D deficiency.
A multicentre demonstration project to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of the web‐based Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation (JADE) programme with or without nurse support in Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Tutino G. E. , Yang W. Y. , Li X. , Li W. H. , Zhang Y. Y. , Guo X. H. , Luk A. O. , Yeung R. O. P. , Yin J. M. , Ozaki R. , So W. Y. , Ma R. C. W. , Ji L. N. , Kong A. P. S. , Weng J. P. , Ko G. T. C. , Jia W. P. , Chan J. C. N. ,   the China JADE Study Group
Published: June 2016

Aims

To test the hypothesis that delivery of integrated care augmented by a web‐based disease management programme and nurse coordinator would improve treatment target attainment and health‐related behaviour.

Methods

The web‐based Joint Asia Diabetes Evaluation (JADE) and Diabetes Monitoring Database (DIAMOND) portals contain identical built‐in protocols to integrate structured assessment, risk stratification, personalized reporting and decision support. The JADE portal contains an additional module to facilitate structured follow‐up visits. Between January 2009 and September 2010, 3586 Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes from six sites in China were randomized to DIAMOND (n = 1728) or JADE, plus nurse‐coordinated follow‐up visits (n = 1858) with comprehensive assessments at baseline and 12 months. The primary outcome was proportion of patients achieving ≥ 2 treatment targets (HbA1c < 53 mmol/mol (7%), blood pressure < 130/80 mmHg and LDL cholesterol < 2.6 mmol/l).

Results

Of 3586 participants enrolled (mean age 57 years, 54% men, median disease duration 5 years), 2559 returned for repeat assessment after a median (interquartile range) follow‐up of 12.5 (4.6) months. The proportion of participants attaining ≥ 2 treatment targets increased in both groups (JADE 40.6 to 50.0%; DIAMOND 38.2 to 50.8%) and there were similar absolute reductions in HbA1c [DIAMOND −8 mmol/mol vs JADE −7 mmol/mol (−0.69 vs −0.62%)] and LDL cholesterol (DIAMOND −0.32 mmol/l vs JADE −0.28 mmol/l), with no between‐group difference. The JADE group was more likely to self‐monitor blood glucose (50.5 vs 44.2%; P = 0.005) and had fewer defaulters (25.6 vs 32.0%; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Integrated care augmented by information technology improved cardiometabolic control, with additional nurse contacts reducing the default rate and enhancing self‐care. (Clinical trials registry no.: NCT01274364)
Effectiveness of intensification therapies in Danes with Type 2 diabetes who use basal insulin: a population‐based study
Authors: Thomsen R. W. , Baggesen L. M. , Søgaard M. , Pedersen L. , Nørrelund H. , Buhl E. S. , Haase C. L. , Johnsen S. P.
Published: June 2016

Aims

To examine the usage and real‐life effectiveness of intensification therapies in people with Type 2 diabetes treated with basal insulin.

Methods

We used population‐based healthcare databases in Denmark during 2000–2012 to identify all individuals with a first basal insulin prescription (with or without oral drugs), and evaluated subsequent intensification therapy with bolus insulin, premixed insulin or glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonists. Poisson regression was used to compute the adjusted relative risks of reaching glycaemic control targets.

Results

We included 7034 initiators of basal insulin (median age 64 years, diabetes duration 5.3 years, 84% with oral co‐medication and median (interquartile range) pre‐insulin HbA1c level 77 (65–92) mmol/mol [9.2% (8.1–10.6%)]. Of these, 3076 (43.7%) received intensification therapy after a median of 11 months: 58.5% with premixed insulin, 29.0% with bolus insulin, 10.6% with GLP‐1 receptor agonists, and 1.9% with more than one add‐on. Overall, 22% had attained an HbA1c level of < 53 mmol/mol (< 7%) by 3–6 months after intensification, while 38% attained an HbA1c < 58 mmol/mol (< 7.5%). Compared with premixed insulin intensification, attainment of HbA1c < 53 and < 58 mmol/mol was similar with bolus insulin add‐on [adjusted relative risk 1.03 (95% CI 0.86–1.24) and 1.02 (95% CI 0.91–1.15), and higher for GLP‐1 receptor agonist add‐on [adjusted relative risk 1.56 (95% CI 1.27–1.92) and 1.27 (1.10–1.47)].

Conclusions

Among people with Type 2 diabetes, 22 and 38% reached a target HbA1c < 53 mmol/mol (< 7%) or < 58 mmol/mol (< 7.5%), respectively, after intensification of their basal insulin therapy. Compared with premixed insulin, target attainment was similar with bolus insulin and higher with GLP‐1 receptor agonists.
Responses to global challenges: trends in aid‐financed global public goods
Authors: Cepparulo Alessandra , Giuriato Luisa
Published: June 2016

Based on four decades (1973–2013) of OECD‐Development Assistance Committee aid to developing countries, this article aims to show aid‐financed global public goods trends, their changing composition and their main drivers. In particular, a constant increase in the share of aid‐financed global public goods and a shift towards weighted‐sum and weakest‐link global goods are observed. Economic conditions, imitation effects, global engagement and domestic spending result as the main drivers of donors’ demand for aid‐financed global public goods. Besides, a certain complementarity in the provision of global goods plays a role, especially in European countries and Japan, partially easing the prognosis for the collective action problems related to global goods
Poverty, oil and corruption: the need for a Quad‐Sector Development Partnership (QSDP) in Nigeria's Niger Delta
Authors: Gonzalez Adrian
Published: June 2016

This article starts by charting the conflicting position in Nigeria's Niger Delta between its petroleum wealth and the poverty of its inhabitants before observing how government corruption has hampered development agencies from rectifying this situation. It then examines trans‐national company (TNC) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives via a case study of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). It concludes that, while there are useful projects, their success is felt at a micro level that cannot supplant wider government development. Finally, the article sets out why Quad‐Sector Development Partnerships (QSDP) between an international development agency, the state, TNCs and civil society will help to neutralise the national problem of corruption so that Niger‐Delta socioeconomic development can be improved.
Echocardiographically Derived Pulse Wave Velocity and Diastolic Dysfunction Are Associated with an Increased Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Systolic Heart Failure
Authors: Bonapace Stefano , Rossi Andrea , Cicoira Mariantonietta , Targher Giovanni , Marino Paolo , Benfari Giovanni , Mugnai Giacomo , Arcaro Guido , Vassanelli Corrado
Published: June 2016

Background

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is an established risk factor of atrial fibrillation (AF), but the prognostic value of cardiac and hemodynamic parameters in assessing the risk of developing AF among patients with CHF is less defined.

Methods and results

We followed an outpatients cohort of CHF patients secondary to left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, who were free of AF at baseline. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, comprehensive echocardiography, and blood drawing in the same morning. Aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), a measure of aortic stiffness, was determined by Doppler echocardiography. A total of 77 patients (age 63 ± 9 years; 79% male) with mean LVEF (34 ± 8%) formed the study population. Fifteen patients developed incidental AF. At baseline, CHF patients who developed AF during follow‐up had higher E‐wave velocity (75 ± 2 cm/sec vs. 60 ± 2 cm/sec; P = 0.02), higher difference duration between mitral and pulmonary vein A velocity (A′–A), (10 ± 35 msec vs. 43 ± 44 msec P = 0.02), aPWV (7.1 ± 2.6 vs. 5.3 ± 1.9 m/sec P = 0.004), and furosemide dosage (110 ± 145 mg vs. 49 ± 48 mg P = 0.01) than those remaining free from AF. The two groups of patients did not significantly differ in terms of NYHA, LV volumes, ejection fraction, left atrial volume, creatinine, hemoglobin, renin, epinephrine, amino‐terminal propeptide of type III and I procollagens, ACE inhibitor, and β‐blocker dose (P > 0.1 for all). Notably, higher aPWV (P = 0.01) and longer A–A′ duration (P = 0.04) were associated with an increased incidence of AF, independently of potential confounders.

Conclusions

Increased aortic stiffness and LV diastolic dysfunction are strong predictors of new onset of AF among patients with systolic CHF.
Pectus excavatum: echocardiographic, pathophysiologic, and surgical insights
Authors: Silbiger Jeffrey J. , Parikh Aditya
Published: June 2016

Patients with pectus excavatum (PEX) may be referred for echocardiographic examination for a variety of complaints including exercise intolerance, dyspnea, palpitations, or chest pain. It is therefore important for the echocardiographer to have an appreciation of the various abnormalities associated with this disorder. Echocardiographic imaging may reveal a number of structural alterations of the right ventricle as well as a reduction in right ventricular systolic function. Interestingly, a number of these abnormalities have also been described in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, although patients with PEX do not share a predilection for malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Additional echocardiographic abnormalities associated with PEX include prolapse of the mitral and/or tricuspid valves, Marfan's aortopathy, pericardial effusion, prominence of the crista terminalis, and possibly a number of congenital cardiac anomalies. This review discusses the echocardiographic abnormalities associated with PEX and their pathophysiologic significance. The effects of corrective orthopedic surgery on cardiac function are also discussed.
Effect of sampling grain on patterns of species richness and turnover in Amazonian forests
Authors: Tuomisto Hanna , Ruokolainen Kalle , Vormisto Jaana , Duque Alvaro , Sánchez Mauricio , Paredes Victor Vargas , Lähteenoja Outi
Published: June 2016

Grain (size of sampling units) affects the spatial resolution at which ecological patterns can be observed and analysed, and potentially has an important effect on the results of broad‐scale studies on diversity gradients. Here we examine the effect of grain on patterns of species richness and turnover in lowland rainforests of western Amazonia (Peru and Colombia). We inventoried pteridophytes (ferns and lycophytes), melastomes (Melastomataceae) and palms (Arecaceae) in four line transects of 22–29 km length. Different grains were obtained by aggregating original 100‐m‐long sampling units into larger segments up to 19.2 km long. With any given grain and plant group, local species richness varied considerably both within and among transects, and a transect segment that was species‐rich with one grain could be relatively species‐poor with another. Which transect had the highest vs lowest mean species richness per sampling unit (α richness) differed among plant groups. It also varied to some degree with grain, as transects differed in how rapidly local species richness increased with increasing grain. Patterns of species turnover were more consistently correlated among plant groups than patterns of species richness were, and NMDS ordinations were rather similar with all grains and plant groups. Floristic heterogeneity within the Amazonian terra firme rainforest seems to contain a general compositional pattern that is sufficiently robust to be detectable with various sampling schemes, but patterns of species richness appear more case‐specific. Therefore, using one plant group as an indicator for patterns in other plant groups can be expected to work better for species turnover than for species richness.
Incorporating android conversational agents in m‐learning apps
Authors: Griol David , Molina José Manuel , Callejas Zoraida
Published: June 2016

Smart mobile devices have fostered new learning scenarios that demand sophisticated interfaces. Multimodal conversational agents have became a strong alternative to develop human‐machine interfaces that provide a more engaging and human‐like relationship between students and the system. The main developers of operating systems for such devices have provided application programming interfaces for developers to implement their own applications, including different solutions for developing graphical interfaces, sensor control and voice interaction. Despite the usefulness of such resources, there are no strategies defined for coupling the multimodal interface with the possibilities that these devices offer to enhance mobile educative apps with intelligent communicative capabilities and adaptation to the user needs. In this paper, we present a practical m‐learning application that integrates features of Android application programming interfaces on a modular architecture that emphasizes interaction management and context‐awareness to foster user‐adaptively, robustness and maintainability.