bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A practice perspective on strategic communication
Authors: Aggerholm Helle Kryger , Asmuß Birte
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to link the authentic, communicative activities, e.g. organization-wide meetings at the micro-level, to the institutionalized practices at the macro-level within an organization, e.g. change management decisions and communication strategy (Steyn, 2003). Thus, the concern is with the relationship between institutionalized strategic management and the real-life strategic communication processes, thus advancing the understanding of the role of texts and discourses in the actual practice of strategic communication in an organizational context of strategic change processes.

Design/methodology/approach

– The data are based on a large corpus of video-taped management meetings and organization-wide meetings in a large Danish public, knowledge-based organization. The method applied for studying the management discourse is a conversation-analytical approach (Sackset al., 1974; Sidnell, 2010). This method has been chosen as it enables the authors to focus on micro-aspects of organizational practices (Nicolini, 2013) by investigating the interactional patterns that serve as resources for doing legitimation as an institutionalized practice.

Findings

– The common denominator for the entire analysis is legitimation accomplished through the discursive use of distanciation and the analysis identifies three different discursive elements or micro-level strategies directly related to the concrete doing of strategic communication. First, legitimation is created by reference to the socio-economic context of the organization. Second, legitimation is generated by means of pointing to the abnormality of the strategic situation. And third legitimation is fostered by the use of idiomatic expressions. These different ways of accomplishing legitimacy are in a strategy-as-practice perspective related to the specific, in-situ communicative praxis and accomplished by the concrete actions of the strategic communicators, and thus the authors can position the instances of strategic communication at the organizational micro-level.

Originality/value

– This paper studies at a micro-level how strategic actors use various discursive resources to legitimize strategic decisions and how these resources constitute the discursive basis of strategic communication as a managerial practice. The authors focus on the role of discourse in the legitimization processes of strategic managerial decisions analyzing micro-level instances of organizational communication. The paper thereby links the actor process activities (Langley, 2007), e.g. organization-wide meetings at the micro-level, to the institutional field practices at the macro-level within an organization, e.g. strategy and planning (Johnsonet al., 2007).
Message strategies in smartphone patent battles
Authors: Kim Ji Young
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of message attributes on public opinion in regards to corporate reputation and communication intention.

Design/methodology/approach

– It conducted a 2×2 between-subject factorial experiment, manipulating media messages in terms of which company owns the patents, and the level of innovation emphasized through the companies’ marketing communication efforts.

Findings

– The two-way analysis of variance results showed that, for Samsung, the main effects of the two independent variables (ownership and innovation) were found on the perceived corporate reputation; while only a main effect of innovation capability attribute was found on the perceived secondary communication intention for Apple.

Research limitations/implications

– One main theoretical contribution of this current study is the exploration of the attribute level of agenda setting in the context of a business communication setting with an experimental study.

Practical implications

– This result would suggest that practitioners should focus on their marketing strategies as well when they are involved in a lawsuit case. When a company loses a lawsuit, the company’s perceived reputation is dropped; however, the dropping gap can be reduced when the company has been portrayed as an innovative leader in the market.

Social implications

– Combined together, market shares of the two companies exceed more than half of the smartphone vender sales, and they have set the standard in the smartphone industry. Hence, media and public pay great attention to the patent battles. Court rulings are not only survived in the courtroom, but the fight also took place in their marketing, communication, and public relations.

Originality/value

– This is an empirical experiment exploring a causal effect of message attributes on public opinion. The two companies in this study are the industry leaders and the case is current.
Strategic intent, organizational environment, and organizational learning mechanisms
Authors: Fang Shih-Chieh , Chen Hung Ku
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop different kinds of organizational learning mechanisms based on various types of strategic intents (proactive- and reactive-orientation) and organizational environments (stable and unstable).

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors utilized a grounded theory approach, and corroborated the results using multiple interviews and documents related to various cases. The authors determined the inter-judge agreement and performed a composite reliability analysis to ensure the robustness of the research.

Findings

– Successful organization learning is contingent upon managerial strategic intent and the organizational environment in which the organization operates. Proactive strategic intent will cultivate a group-oriented learning system, whereas reactive strategic intent emphasizes the effectiveness of personal learning. Firms in an environment marked by radical change utilize experiential learning mechanisms (participation- and experience-orientation), whereas firms in a stable environment use a specialist-knowledge-oriented approach to learning (benchmarking- and specializing-orientation).

Originality/value

– The authors offer a theoretical framework two-by-two matrix that has practical implications in providing managers with guidance in selecting the appropriate organizational learning mechanism to implement in their firms.
Entrepreneurial marketing in online businesses
Authors: Anwar Muhammad Naveed , Daniel Elizabeth
Published: July 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the marketing of online businesses operated by ethnic minority entrepreneurs. The authors apply an entrepreneurial marketing lens to explore how such entrepreneurs draw on the resources to market their businesses. They also consider whether online businesses offer such entrepreneurs the opportunity to break out of the highly competitive sectors with which they are traditionally associated.

Design/methodology/approach

Key informant interviews are undertaken with 22 entrepreneurs operating online businesses in the UK and augmented by complementary sources of data such as their websites and press coverage.

Findings

Use of an entrepreneurial marketing perspective demonstrates that marketing in such businesses is not haphazard or chaotic. Rather it reflects the emergent and flexible use of resources. The affordances of online businesses appear to offer opportunities for break out, but the reliance on incremental experimentation and copying others results in highly homogeneous approaches to marketing. The authors also provide empirical evidence of the link between visa status and entrepreneurial choices.

Originality/value

Despite the popularity of online businesses, previous studies have not explored them as an opportunity for ethnic minority entrepreneurs. This study moves the consideration of break out from market-entry to the ongoing marketing activities that sustain a business. It also demonstrates how the domains of ethnic minority entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial marketing can be brought together via a focus on resources. Finally, it enriches entrepreneurial marketing by evidencing connections with notions of effectuation and entrepreneur-venture fit.
Using qualitative research for establishing content validity of e-lifestyle and website quality constructs
Authors: Pandey Shweta , Chawla Deepak
Published: July 2016

Purpose

This study illustrates the use of qualitative methods for establishing content validity for e-lifestyle and website quality constructs in relation to their impact on loyalty towards clothing e-retailers. The use of constructs without going through a content validation process limits the overall validity of conclusions drawn from the research results and therefore, the study addresses this research gap.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a detailed literature review, dimensions of the two constructs were identified. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions across 29 online shoppers were used for exploring the definition and scope of each construct dimension. This was followed by identification, adaptation and/or addition of items for each dimension basis inputs from respondents. Further, expert inputs were used for elimination of redundant items whilst ensuring proportional representation of all facets of the construct domain.

Findings

Use of qualitative methods for content validity and scale item development in effect contributed to the existing literature and highlighted issues as well as suggestions for clothing e-retailers.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is limited to the process of content validity. Further techniques may be used for establishing other forms of validity. Modification and adaptation of constructs may be required for other product segments.

Practical implications

The paper enhances the extant knowledge about the two constructs in terms of definitions and items, which can be further used for marketing and driving loyalty.

Originality/value

The use of qualitative methods for establishing content validity is an important but often neglected step in marketing research. This paper reveals how the same can reveal interesting and important insights for marketers.
Antipodean agricultural and resource economics at 60: agricultural innovation
Authors: Alston Julian M. , Pardey Philip G.
Published: July 2016

Innovation in agriculture – itself an innovation some 10,000 years ago – is at the centre of many economic and social issues, either as a cause of problems or a solution to them. From the beginning, but especially over the past 150 years, innovation has transformed agriculture and in doing so has contributed to the transformation of whole economies. The consequences have been profoundly important for lives and livelihoods, generally favourable, but almost always with some undesirable consequences for at least some people. Economic and policy issues arise because agricultural research is subject to various market failures, because the resulting innovations and technological changes have important economic consequences for net income and its distribution among individuals and among factors of production, and because the consequences are difficult to discern and attribute among causes. These issues have been studied by economists and documented in the literature on the economics of innovation in agriculture that began as such in the 1950s, around the time of the creation of the Australian Agricultural Economics Society. Members of that nascent society were early contributors to this emerging field of study and have played disproportionately significant roles in it over the ensuing decades.
Iron‐encapsulated cold‐set whey protein isolate gel powder – Part 1: Optimisation of preparation conditions and in vitro evaluation
Authors: Onsekizoglu Bagci Pelin , Gunasekaran Sundaram
Published: July 2016

A central composite design with a quadratic model was used to investigate the effects of three independent variables involved in the synthesis of iron‐encapsulated cold‐set whey protein isolate gel (WPI) on encapsulation efficiency (EE) and L*, a*, b* colour characteristics. The optimal conditions for maximum EE with minimum colour alteration were determined as 6.8% WPI, 18.8 mM iron and pH 7. In an in vitro gastrointestinal assay, only about 28% of the encapsulated iron was released in the gastric condition (with pepsin at pH 1.2), compared to 95% in the intestinal condition (with pancreatin at pH 7.5).
Long‐term response of temperate canopy trees to removal of browsing from an invasive arboreal herbivore in New Zealand
Authors: Sweetapple Peter J. , Nugent Graham , Whitford Jacqueline , Latham M. Cecilia , Pekelharing Kees
Published: July 2016

Defoliation of forest tree canopies by herbivores and other agents, leading to tree mortality and reduced productivity, threatens the ecological stability of forests globally. This study shows that long‐term control of a mammalian arboreal folivore (brushtail possums;Trichosurus vulpeculaPhalangeridae) reduces crown dieback and increases foliage cover in browsing‐damaged canopy trees. We monitored indices of possum density, possum browsing, tree foliage cover and crown dieback for 20 years following initiation of possum control in 1994 that repeatedly reduced possum densities to near zero every 5–6 years and kept the population below 35% of pre‐control levels over the entire period. Observable possum browsing was recorded on 20–49% of individuals of three palatable tree species at the time of first control. Those percentages fell to zero after control and never exceeded 2–10% for individual species over the next 19 years. We recorded significant increases in foliage cover attributable to recovery from defoliation by possums for all three species during the first 10 years. Large increases in foliage cover occurred on individuals that were heavily browsed in 1994 (mean increases: 36–89%), but mean population increases were modest (3–19%) because only 10–19% of trees were initially heavily browsed. Twenty‐year mortality rates were similar for plants with, or without, initial possum browsing, indicating no residual impact of pre‐control browsing on tree mortality. Times for full recovery of crown foliage cover varied from 10 years for the youngest trees and faster growing species to more than 20 years for mature individuals of the slowest growing species.
Increased plasminogen activator inhibitor results in a hypofibrinolytic state in adolescents with obesity: in vivo and ex vivo evidence
Authors: Dietrich Kevin , Ball Geoff D. C. , Mitchell Lesley G.
Published: July 2016

Obesity in adolescents increases their risk for deep vein thrombosis. The objectives of this study were to determine potential mechanisms for thrombotic risk by investigating the fibrinolytic pathway in a sample of adolescents with and without obesity. Thirty‐seven adolescents with obesity and 16 normal weight age‐matched controls were recruited. Plasma levels of components of the fibrinolytic system were measured in addition to a Global Haemostasis Potential assay (GHP), which assesses plasma capacity to generate and lyse a fibrin clot. Levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)/PAI complexes were increased in adolescents with obesity when compared to normal weight controls. There was a significant inverse association of increasing PAI with a decrease in plasmin‐antiplasmin complexes. The GHP in obese adolescents displayed a hypofibrinolytic response with a markedly increased t½ clot lysis time, as well as an increase in fibrin clot density as indicated by increased absorbance at maximum peak height. In the obese group, immunodepletion of PAI decreased both t½ lysis time and absorbance at maximum peak height. We have shown in vivo and ex vivo there is a hypofibrinolytic state in obese adolescents and have established the hypofibrinolytic state is due to increased PAI levels.
Nanotechnology combined therapy: tyrosine kinase‐bound gold nanorod and laser thermal ablation produce a synergistic higher treatment response of renal cell carcinoma in a murine model
Authors: Liu James , Abshire Caleb , Carry Connor , Sholl Andrew B. , Mandava Sree Harsha , Datta Amrita , Ranjan Manish , Callaghan Cameron , Peralta Donna V. , Williams Kristen S. , Lai Weil R. , Abdel‐Mageed Asim B. , Tarr Matthew , Lee Benjamin R.
Published: July 2016

Objective

To investigate tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and gold nanorods (AuNRs) paired with photothermal ablation in a human metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) mouse model. Nanoparticles have been successful as a platform for targeted drug delivery in the treatment of urological cancers. Likewise, the use of nanoparticles in photothermal tumour ablation, although early in its development, has provided promising results. Our previous in vitro studies of nanoparticles loaded with both TKI and AuNRs and activated with photothermal ablation have shown significant synergistic cell kill greater than each individual arm alone. This study is a translation of our initial findings to an in vivo model.

Materials and Methods

Immunologically naïve nude mice (athymic nude‐Foxn1nu) were injected subcutaneously bilaterally in both flanks (n = 36) with 2.5 × 106 cells of a human metastatic renal cell carcinoma cell line (RCC 786‐O). Subcutaneous xenograft tumours developed into 1‐cm palpable nodules. AuNRs encapsulated in human serum albumin protein (HSA) nanoparticles were synthesised with or without a TKI and injected directly into the tumour nodule. Irradiation was administered with an 808‐nm light‐emitting diode laser for 6 min. Mice were humanely killed 14 days after irradiation; tumours were excised, formalin fixed, paraffin embedded, and evaluated for size and the percentage of necrosis by a genitourinary pathologist. The untreated contralateral flank tumours were used as controls.

Results

In mice that did not receive irradiation, TKI alone yielded 4.2% tumour necrosis on the injected side and administration of HSA‐AuNR‐TKI alone yielded 11.1% necrosis. In the laser‐ablation models, laser ablation alone yielded 62% necrosis and when paired with HSA‐AuNR there was 63.4% necrosis. The combination of laser irradiation and HSA‐AuNR‐TKI had cell kill rate of 100%.

Conclusions

In the absence of laser irradiation, TKI treatment alone or when delivered via nanoparticles produced moderate necrosis. Irradiation with and without gold particles alone also improves tumour necrosis. However, when irradiation is paired with gold particles and drug‐loaded nanoparticles, the combined therapy showed the most significant and synergistic complete tumour necrosis of 100% (P < 0.05). This study illustrates the potential of combination nanotechnology as a new approach in the treatment of urological cancers.
Synthesis of Met‐enkephalin by solution‐phase peptide synthesis methodology utilizing para‐toluene sulfonic acid as N‐terminal masking of l‐methionine amino acid
Authors: Khan Riaz A.
Published: July 2016

The Met‐enkephalin, Tyr‐Gly‐Gly‐Phe‐Met, was synthesized by the solution‐phase synthesis (SPS) methodology employing ‐OBzl group as carboxyls' protection, while the t‐Boc groups were employed for the N‐terminal α‐amines' protection for the majority of the amino acids of the pentapeptide sequence. The l‐methionine (l‐Met) amino acid was used as PTSA.Met‐OBzl obtained from the simultaneous protection of the α‐amino, and carboxyl group with para‐toluene sulfonic acid (PTSA) and as‐OBzl ester, respectively in a C‐terminal start of the 2 + 2 + 1 fragments condensation convergent synthetic approach. The protection strategy provided a short, single‐step, simultaneous, orthogonal, nearly quantitative, robust, and stable process to carry through the protected l‐methionine and l‐phenylalanine coupling without any structural deformities during coupling and workups. The structurally confirmed final pentapeptide product was feasibly obtained in good yields through the current approach.
Functional brain organization of working memory in adolescents varies in relation to family income and academic achievement
Authors: Finn Amy S. , Minas Jennifer E. , Leonard Julia A. , Mackey Allyson P. , Salvatore John , Goetz Calvin , West Martin R. , Gabrieli Christopher F.O. , Gabrieli John D.E.
Published: July 2016

Working memory (WM) capacity reflects executive functions associated with performance on a wide range of cognitive tasks and education outcomes, including mathematics achievement, and is associated with dorsolateral prefrontal and parietal cortices. Here we asked if family income is associated with variation in the functional brain organization of WM capacity among adolescents, and whether that variation is associated with performance on a statewide test of academic achievement in mathematics. Participants were classified into higher‐income and lower‐income groups based on family income, and performed a WM task with a parametric manipulation of WM load (N‐back task) during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Behaviorally, the higher‐income group had greater WM capacity and higher mathematics achievement scores. Neurally, the higher‐income group showed greater activation as a function of WM load in bilateral prefrontal, parietal, and other regions, although the lower‐income group exhibited greater activation at the lowest load. Both groups exhibited positive correlations between parietal activations and mathematics achievement scores, but only the higher‐income group exhibited a positive correlation between prefrontal activations and mathematics scores. Most of these findings were maintained when higher‐ and lower‐income groups were matched on WM task performance or nonverbal IQ. Findings indicate that the functional neural architecture of WM varies with family income and is associated with education measures of mathematics achievement.
Healthy overweight/obese youth: early osteosarcopenic obesity features
Authors: Stefanaki Charikleia , Peppa Melpomeni , Boschiero Dario , Chrousos George P.
Published: July 2016

Background

Osteosarcopenic obesity was recently described as a variant phenotype of obesity, mainly observed in old age. This nested case–control study was performed to detect the differences in body composition between young, healthy overweight/obese and healthy lean populations of both genders. Our null hypothesis was that except for the fat mass, there would be absence of body composition differences, namely skeletal muscle and bone masses, between the groups.

Methods

We used an advanced bio‐impedance device to determine the body composition and measured circulating CRP (hsCRP) and diurnal salivary cortisol concentrations, as indices of inflammation and chronic stress, respectively. Overall, 2551 subjects aged 18–21 years participated in the study.

Results

The healthy lean group included 1072 participants [900 males (84%) and 172 females (16%)], and the healthy overweight/obese group included 1479 participants [74 males (5%) and 1405 females (95%)]. Healthy overweight/obese participants presented with an increased fat mass (P < 0·001), as expected, but lower muscle (P < 0·001) and bone (P < 0·001) masses than lean controls. These findings were accompanied by increased extracellular water compartments, circulating hsCRP levels and evening salivary cortisol concentrations in the healthy overweight/obese group.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that ‘osteosarcopenic’ elements exist even in very young populations. These may represent a ‘precursor’ or forme fruste of the osteosarcopenic obesity phenotype in young healthy overweight/obese subjects, who may progressively develop osteosarcopenia in its full form at an older age. Our study highlights the significance of body composition analysis in medical practice, improving prevention and alleviating later health‐related economic burden.
Armoured scale insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) intercepted at the ports of entry in the Republic of Korea over the last 20 years
Authors: Suh S.‐J.
Published: July 2016

A total of 88 species of armoured scale insects from 40 different countries were intercepted by quarantine inspectors in the Republic of Korea on consignments of plants and plant products at the ports of entry in the Republic of Korea from 1996 to 2015. A list of all the species identified, along with a dichotomous key to the 88 intercepted species of armoured scale insects, is provided to help in the detection and identification of species of this important group of plant pests.
Parasitoids on codling moth Cydia pomonella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in apple and walnut orchards in Syria
Authors: Basheer A. M. , Alhaj Sh. I. , Asslan L. H.
Published: July 2016

A survey was performed between 2007 and 2013 to investigate the complex of parasitoids on Cydia pomonella (codling moth) in apple and walnut orchards in Syria. This study showed the presence of 17 species belonging to 7 families from two orders (Hymenoptera and Diptera). The families Ichneumonidae and Braconidae were most common, comprising 8 and 4 species, respectively. Mastrus ridibundus and Neoplectops pomonella were new records for Syria.
The EFSA assessment of Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae as biocontrol agent of the invasive alien plant Acacia longifolia: a new area of activity for the EFSA Plant Health Panel?
Authors: Jeger M. J. , Pautasso M. , Stancanelli G. , Vos S.
Published: July 2016

This paper summarizes the first assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Plant Health (PLH) Panel of a biological control agent (BCA) of an invasive plant. This followed a request by the European Union (EU) Commission to assess the risk to plant health in the EU of an intentional release of the bud‐galling wasp Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae for the control of Acacia longifolia. The EFSA PLH Panel also published a statement on the process of assessing the risk of the intentional releases of BCAs of invasive alien plants. Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae feeds on A. longifolia and Acacia floribunda. Acacia longifolia is an invasive alien plant species that has a negative effect on biodiversity and ecosystems in Portugal, whereas A. floribunda is not invasive in the EU. Both species are cultivated as ornamental plants in some EU countries. Climatic conditions in the EU are suitable for establishment of T. acaciaelongifoliae where host species are present. This BCA is moderately likely to spread in the EU by natural means, but could be intentionally moved to control A. longifolia in other locations. Its potential effects on invasive A. longifolia and on the cultivated ornamentals were assessed. The EFSA PLH Panel has shown with this work how such advice could be provided in the European Union.
The regulation of biological control of weeds in Europe – an evolving landscape
Authors: Shaw R. , Schaffner U. , Marchante E.
Published: July 2016

After a difficult start, classical biological control of weeds is becoming recognized as an option for management of invasive plants in European Union (EU) Member States with intentional releases in three countries over the past 5 years. Many European countries are benefitting from the presence of Stenopelmus rufinasus, the azolla weevil, which has been accidentally introduced to the region. However, the UK experience with the official release of the psyllid Aphalara itadori against Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and the subsequent release of the rust Puccinia komarovii var glanduliferae against Impatiens glandulifera showed the regulatory framework that could be followed by EU Member States. This process was followed in advance of the subsequent release of Trichilogaster acaciaelongifoliae, a specific Australian bud‐galling wasp, against the invasive Acacia longifolia in Portugal. Soon the case of Ophraella communa, another accidental introduction that is severely limiting Ambrosia artemisiifolia populations, will influence affected countries, some of which have been uninterested in this technique until now, to consider the advantages and disadvantages of classical biocontrol. The future looks bright for classical weed biocontrol and the EU Regulation on Invasive Species should further aid this situation.
Treatment of Cluster Headache: The American Headache Society Evidence‐Based Guidelines
Authors: Robbins Matthew S. , Starling Amaal J. , Pringsheim Tamara M. , Becker Werner J. , Schwedt Todd J.
Published: July 2016

Background

Cluster headache (CH), the most common trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia, is an extremely debilitating primary headache disorder that is often not optimally treated. New evidence‐based treatment guidelines for CH will assist clinicians with identifying and choosing among current treatment options.

Objectives

In this systematic review we appraise the available evidence for the acute and prophylactic treatment of CH, and provide an update of the 2010 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) endorsed systematic review.

Methods

Medline, PubMed, and EMBASE databases were searched for double‐blind, randomized controlled trials that investigated treatments of CH in adults. Exclusion and inclusion criteria were identical to those utilized in the 2010 AAN systematic review.

Results and Recommendations

For acute treatment, sumatriptan subcutaneous, zolmitriptan nasal spray, and high flow oxygen remain the treatments with a Level A recommendation. Since the 2010 review, a study of sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation was added to the current guideline and has been administered a Level B recommendation for acute treatment. For prophylactic therapy, previously there were no treatments that were administered a Level A recommendation. For the current guidelines, suboccipital steroid injections have emerged as the only treatment to receive a Level A recommendation with the addition of a second Class I study. Other newly evaluated treatments since the 2010 guidelines have been given a Level B recommendation (negative study: deep brain stimulation), a Level C recommendation (positive study: warfarin; negative studies: cimetidine/chlorpheniramine, candesartan), or a Level U recommendation (frovatriptan).

Conclusions

This AHS guideline can be utilized for understanding which therapies have superiority to placebo or sham treatment in the management of CH. In clinical practice, these recommendations should be considered in concert with other variables including safety, side effects, patient preferences, clinician experience, cost, and the invasiveness of the intervention. Given the lack of Class I evidence and Level A recommendations, particularly for a number of commonly used preventive therapies, further studies are warranted to demonstrate safety and efficacy for established and emerging therapies.
Living With Cluster Headache: A Qualitative Study of Patients’ Perspectives
Authors: Palacios‐Ceña Domingo , Talavera Blanca , López‐Ruiz Pedro , Gutiérrez‐Viedma Álvaro , Palacios‐Ceña María , Arias José A. , Fernández‐de‐las‐Peñas César , Cuadrado María L.
Published: July 2016

Objective

Our aim was to explore the views and experiences of a group of Spanish men suffering from cluster headache (CH).

Background

CH has considerable effects on patients' quality of life, impairs everyday activities, and can modify lifestyle. This is the first time the experience of patients with CH is examined in a clinical study using a qualitative, phenomenological approach.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative phenomenological study exploring how 20 male patients with CH, followed at the Headache Unit of a Spanish hospital, perceived their disease. Data were collected through in‐depth interviews, researchers’ field notes and patients’ personal letters. A systematic text condensation analysis was performed following appropriate guidelines for qualitative research.

Results

Mean age was 41.15 years (standard deviation, 11.25). Seventeen patients had episodic CH and three patients had chronic CH. Five main themes describing the significance of suffering CH emerged: (a) meaning of disease, (b) experience of attacks, (c) meaning of treatment, (d) healthcare, and (e) social and family interaction. Patients with CH often live in fear and uncertainty because of their condition. Intensity and frequency of attacks, the use of ineffective treatments, skepticism perceived from social and workplace environments and physician unawareness play a significant role.

Conclusions

Qualitative research offers insight into the way CH patients experience their disease, and may be helpful in establishing a fruitful relationship with these patients.
Assessment of hepatic fibrosis with superb microvascular imaging in hepatitis C virus‐associated chronic liver diseases
Authors: Koyama Nobuko , Hata Jiro , Sato Tokeshi , Tomiyama Yasuyuki , Hino Keisuke
Published: July 2016

Aim

Superb microvascular imaging (SMI) is an ultrasound Doppler technique using a unique algorithm that allows visualization of minute vessels with slow velocity and minimal motion artifacts. The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate whether SMI could predict liver fibrosis by visualizing the vessels present in the vicinity of the liver surface because the morphology of the peripheral hepatic vasculature is affected by the progression of liver fibrosis.

Methods

We recruited 29 patients with biopsy‐proven chronic hepatitis C or liver cirrhosis C, and 36 patients without liver disease as controls. Using an Aplio 500 ultrasound system with a 7‐MHz or 12‐MHz linear probe, we assessed the vascular shapes and the bifurcation angles of five randomly selected vessels in the vicinity of the liver surface. The vascular shape was scored based on the number of winding and/or irregular vessels.

Results

The mean vascular score and the mean bifurcation angle were significantly greater in patients with advanced liver fibrosis (3.5 ± 1.1 and 90.5 ± 14.3) than in those with mild‐to‐moderate liver fibrosis (1.3 ± 1.4 and 68.0 ± 16.1) and controls (0.6 ± 0.7 and 62.2 ± 10.5). The area under the receiver–operating curve of the vascular score and the bifurcation angle were 0.88 with 76.5% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity, and 0.87 with 94.1% sensitivity and 75.0% specificity, respectively.

Conclusion

The present results indicate that SMI potentially predicts the extent of liver fibrosis by detecting small vessels present in the vicinity of the liver surface.
Physical health promotion for young people at ultra‐high risk for psychosis: An application of the COM‐B model and behaviour‐change wheel
Authors: Carney Rebekah , Bradshaw Tim , Yung Alison R.
Published: July 2016

People with psychotic illnesses, such as schizophrenia, have high rates of unhealthy lifestyle factors, such as smoking and physical inactivity. Young people who seek help for mental health care, particularly those at high risk for psychosis, often also display high rates of these unhealthy behaviours. Although healthy living interventions have been applied to people with established psychosis, no attempt has been made to offer them to young people at risk for developing psychosis, despite potential benefits to mental and physical health. We propose that the COM‐B model (consisting of capability, opportunity and motivation) and behaviour‐change wheel might be an appropriate framework that mental health nurses and other health professionals could apply. Using a systematic and theoretically‐based approach to intervention development could result in effective methods of health promotion in this group. Further training and development for mental health nurses could encourage a greater integration of mental and physical health care.
Oral health status in victims of child abuse: a case–control study
Authors: Duda João Gilberto , Biss Stephanye Pinto , Bertoli Fernanda Mara de Paiva , Bruzamolin Carolina Dea , Pizzatto Eduardo , Souza Juliana Feltrin , Losso Estela Maris
Published: July 2016

Background

Few studies have evaluated the oral health status of children with a history of maltreatment.

Aim

This case–control study evaluated oral health in children who were victims of abuse and in child protective services in Curitiba, Brazil.

Design

One hundred twenty‐two children who were victims of abuse and 240 children with no history of abuse (mean ages, 8.56 and 8.24 years, respectively) were included in the study. Dental caries were assessed according to the Decayed, Missing, or Filled Teeth index (dmft index and DMFT index) by two calibrated examiners. The presence of anterior open bite and posterior crossbite was recorded. Data were analyzed using bivariate and adjusted odds ratios using a multivariate logistic regression model analyses.

Results

In the case group, we found a higher DMFT index (P < 0.001) and a significantly higher prevalence of missing primary teeth (P = 0.04), untreated decayed permanent teeth (P < 0.001), filled permanent teeth (P < 0.001), and anterior open bite (P = 0.04). Children who were victims of abuse presented an odds ratio of 6.48 (95% CI: 3.52–11.95) for caries in permanent teeth and an odds ratio of 2.28 (95% CI: 1.04–4.99) for open bite.

Conclusion

Victims of child abuse had a worse oral health status, demonstrating the need to establish special policies for oral healthcare for this population.
A systematic review on methods used to evaluate patient preferences in psoriasis treatments
Authors: Gutknecht M. , Schaarschmidt M.‐L. , Herrlein O. , Augustin M.
Published: July 2016

In the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, recently approved medications undergo the ‘early benefit assessment’ in Germany. Psoriasis treatments differ in a multiplicity of characteristics like side‐effects, beneficial effect, cost and process attributes, which serve to evaluate the patient‐relevant benefit compared to standard treatments. Patient preferences might help to aggregate the various patient‐relevant outcomes into a single measure. In this context, besides the calculation of the quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs), the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) refers to methods of multi‐criteria decision making or preference evaluation like analytic hierarchy process and conjoint analysis. The objective was to give an overview of methods that have been used in international published studies to evaluate patient preferences in psoriasis treatments. The review is based on a systematic literature research on December 2014 in selected electronic databases, using the keywords ‘psoriasis’ and ‘preferences’ as well as the name of specific methods, known from the literature to evaluate patient preferences. The search resulted 389 hits without duplicates. 21 articles met the inclusion criteria. Depending on the study objective, preferences were elicited for health states, health state domains, treatment attributes or treatment alternatives focusing on different outcomes of preferences. Thereby, different methods were used in included studies. For this reason, there is no single outcome available that might be useful in the benefit assessment of theIQWiG. Willingness‐to‐pay, often included as part of a conjoint analysis, was the predominant method to elicit preferences. So far, the analytic hierarchy process has not been used in psoriasis studies. The use of this method in future studies might provide new essential knowledge in the evaluation of patient preferences in psoriasis treatments. However, a clear assignment when to use which method is not given by theIQWiG and should be prioritized.
Theory, experience and practice
Authors: Loughlin Michael , Fuller Jonathan , Bluhm Robyn , Buetow Stephen , Borgerson Kirstin
Published: July 2016

Despite its potential hazards, the activity of questioning theoretical frameworks and proposing solutions is necessary if progress is even to be possible. Intellectual history has by no means ended, so we cannot expect to have all the answers, and from time to time the activity of critical questioning will be frustrating. But intellectual progress requires us to continue the process of asking fundamental questions. The alternative to thinking in this way is indeed unthinkable.
Temporal changes in physiological parameters of systemic inflammatory response syndrome during the three days prior to a diagnosis of sepsis: a case–control study
Authors: Oh HyunSoo , Bae EunKyoung , Lim SeonYoung , Oh JiHye , Han SunYoung , Seo WhaSook
Published: July 2016

Aims and objectives

This study was conducted to determine temporal patterns of early changes in physiological parameters of systemic inflammatory response syndrome over three days prior to a diagnosis of sepsis.

Background

Early detection and timely management of systemic inflammatory response syndrome are often not implemented due to a failure to recognise or diagnose systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Design

A retrospective case–control study design was adopted.

Methods

All 81 study subjects in an intensive care unit were included: 33 case subjects who received a definitive diagnosis of sepsis and 48 control patients who were not diagnosed with systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis. Vital signs (temperatures, heart rates, blood pressures and respiratory rates) and white blood cell count, urine output, serum creatinine concentration, platelet count and serum glucose level data were collected for one, two and three days prior to sepsis diagnosis.

Results

Homogeneity test revealed greater proportions of the aged and subjects with diabetes mellitus, hypertension and wound in the case group. Analysis also showed significant intergroup differences in systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria score, heart rates, platelet counts and blood glucose levels, but no intergroup differences in body temperatures, blood pressures, respiratory rates, urine outputs or serum creatinine levels. A larger proportion of case subjects were fitted with a central venous or Foley catheter.

Conclusions

The presence of a wound, hypertension or diabetes mellitus, and the use of an invasive medical device may increase the risk of systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Of the physiological parameters examined, heart rate, platelet counts, and blood glucose levels might serve as significant early signs of systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Relevance to clinical practice

Caution should be observed whenever diabetic or hypertension patients develop sudden and persistent hyperglycaemia or tachycardia, and nurses should also be aware of the potential for systemic inflammatory response syndrome in patients with a central venous or indwelling urinary catheter.
Determination of nurses' mental workloads using subjective methods
Authors: Sönmez Betül , Oğuz Zeynep , Kutlu Leman , Yıldırım Aytolan
Published: July 2016

Aims and objectives

To adapt the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index scale into Turkish, to determine the nurses' mental workload using subjective methods and to identify the factors affecting the mental workloads of nurses.

Background

As the concept of safety gains prominence in healthcare services, the determination of employees' mental workloads using subjective methods is considered important in preventing errors caused by employees.

Design

Methodological and descriptive design.

Methods

The population of the study consisted of a total of 1900 nurses working at three hospitals and a dentistry faculty hospital affiliated with a public university in Istanbul. The sample of the study consisted of 1266 nurses who agreed to participate in the study (the rate of return was 66·6%). Language and content validity and reliability measurements were performed to adapt the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index into Turkish, which was used as the data collection tool.

Results

It was found that the mean total mental workload score of the nurses was 80·48 (SD 11·76), and the weighted score of mental workload was 83·7. While the highest mean score was obtained on the subscale of mental demand (88·08, SD 16·12), the lowest mean score was obtained on the subscale of frustration (54·52, SD 29·96). The mean total mental workload score of the nurses showed a significant difference according to the units in which the nurses worked.

Conclusion

The mean mental workload scores of nurses working at hospitals within the scope of the study were higher than the results of other studies.

Relevance to clinical practice

It is recommended that nurse managers perform mental workload measurements of nurses and compare the results with the quality indicators observed in units to determine and employ a labour force that is qualified for the profession and that may benefit more effectively from human resources.
Crusticorallina gen. nov., a nongeniculate genus in the subfamily Corallinoideae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta)
Authors: Hind Katharine R. , Gabrielson Paul W. , P. Jensen Cassandra , Martone Patrick T.
Published: July 2016

Molecular phylogenetic analyses of 18S rDNA (SSU) gene sequences confirm the placement of Crusticorallina gen. nov. in Corallinoideae, the first nongeniculate genus in an otherwise geniculate subfamily. Crusticorallina is distinguished from all other coralline genera by the following suite of morpho‐anatomical characters: (i) sunken, uniporate gametangial and bi/tetrasporangial conceptacles, (ii) cells linked by cell fusions, not secondary pit connections, (iii) an epithallus of 1 or 2 cell layers, (iv) a hypothallus that occupies 50% or more of the total thallus thickness, (v) elongate meristematic cells, and (vi) trichocytes absent. Four species are recognized based on rbcL, psbA and COI‐5P sequences, C. painei sp. nov., the generitype, C. adhaerens sp. nov., C. nootkana sp. nov. and C. muricata comb. nov., previously known as Pseudolithophyllum muricatum. Type material of Lithophyllum muricatum, basionym of C. muricata, in TRH comprises at least two taxa, and therefore we accept the previously designated lectotype specimen in UC that we sequenced to confirm its identity. Crusticorallina species are very difficult to distinguish using morpho‐anatomical and/or habitat characters, although at specific sites, some species may be distinguished by a combination of morpho‐anatomy, habitat and biogeography. The Northeast Pacific now boasts six coralline endemic genera, far more than any other region of the world.
The Unconscious Conscience: Implicit Processes and Deception in Negotiation
Authors: Gaspar Joseph P. , Chen Chao C.
Published: July 2016

Deception is pervasive in negotiations, and proponents of bounded ethicality propose that the decision to use deception reflects the influence of (unconscious) implicit processes. In this article, we empirically explore the bounded ethicality perspective. In the first experiment, we found that an implicit association between business and morality interacted with the competitive and cooperative characteristics of a negotiation to influence both negotiators' attitudes toward deception and their intentions to use deception. But in a second and third experiment, we found that these did not interact to influence negotiators' actual deception decisions. The results of our studies provide important insights into the deception decision process and complicate our understanding of bounded ethicality.