bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the archetypes of engineer-to-order: an empirical analysis
Authors: Willner Olga , Powell Daryl , Gerschberger Markus , Schönsleben Paul
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize archetypes of engineer-to-order (ETO) to support companies in determining the appropriate degree of design standardization and automation, and as a result achieve superior performance. Products of ETO manufacturers are classified in a 2×2 matrix using annual units sold and engineering complexity as dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research adopted a theory refining approach based on multiple case studies. Seven ETO manufacturers from different industry sectors participated in the study. Data collection was primarily based on a series of in-depth interviews supported by observations and archival sources.

Findings

– The paper proposes four distinct archetypes of ETO (complex, basic, repeatable, and non-competitive) and empirically validates three of them. The organizational structures and processes most suitable for the different archetypes are described, and standardization and automation strategies are linked to the quadrants of the matrix. The matrix can support practitioners in making strategic choices and provides a framework for benchmarking their ETO products and processes.

Originality/value

– Existing conceptualizations of ETO consider the company as the primary object of investigation, rather than the product or product family. However, companies often have different product families demanding different strategies. Also, there is little or no focus on the engineering perspective. The authors move the engineering perspective to the center of investigation and identify a set of standardization and automation strategies for different types of ETO products.
Impact of leader member exchange, human resource management practices and psychological empowerment on extra role performances
Authors: Srivastava Anugamini Priya , Dhar Rajib Lochan
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to seek to examine the mediating role of organizational commitment (OC) in the relationship that extra role performance (EXR) shares with leader member exchange (LMX), psychological empowerment (PE) and human resource management practices (HRMP) in a large, public-sector service organization in India.

Design/methodology/approach

– Structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to evaluate the hypothesized model. Reliability and validity of measures were also examined.

Findings

– Statistical analysis indicated that each of the following - LMX, PE and HRMP had a positive impact on OC, and OC influenced EXR. Further LMX influence EXR through OC while HRMP and PE partially influence EXR.

Practical implications

– In an Indian context, this study offers a deeper understanding of the factors influencing OC, and how OC affects EXR. This understanding will help practitioners formulate effective human resource policies and restructure their training programs to increase commitment levels and enhance performance of their employees.

Originality/value

– This paper considers a sample in a large, public-sector service organization in India which has not been attempted earlier; previous studies have focussed more on Western contexts. Further, findings of this research corroborate the findings of previous studies that established a positive relation between OC and EXR, and found that LMX, PE and HRMP positively influenced OC.
Systematic review and meta-regression analysis of technical efficiency in dairy farms
Authors: Mareth Taciana , Thomé Antonio Marcio Tavares , Cyrino Oliveira Fernando Luiz , Scavarda Luiz Felipe
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to complement and extend previous literature reviews on Technical Efficiency (TE) in dairy farms, analysing the effects of different methodologies and study-specific characteristics on Mean TE (MTE).

Design/methodology/approach

– The researchers independently conducted a systematic review of more than 400 abstracts and 85 full-text papers. Original keywords were applied to seven key electronic databases. Results from a meta-regression analysis of 85 published papers totalling 443 TE distributions in dairy farms worldwide are discussed.

Findings

– The variation in the MTE indexes reported in the literature can be explained by the methodology of estimations (method of estimation, functional form of frontier models, model dimensionality), the farms geographical location and farm size. Additionally, the results suggest that, given the state of technology prevailing in each country at the time that the studies on TE were conducted, dairy farmers in the sample could increase milk output by 20.9 per cent (level of inefficiency), on average, if they produce on their frontiers.

Originality/value

– This study makes two important contributions: first, it updates and compares previous works on frontier estimation of TE in dairy farms; and second, it adds two dimensions of dairy farms, size (herd and land area) and economic development, to the known differentials of TE measurement.
Factors influencing labor productivity on construction sites
Authors: Naoum Shamil George
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– Productivity is a worldwide problem and efforts have been made over the last three decades or so to explore ways to increase the rate of productivity on construction sites. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the state of the art in productivity research and to present the findings of a survey into the factors that can impair productivity on site.

Design/methodology/approach

– A literature review is structured under five general headings: pre-construction activities; activities during construction; managerial and leadership issues; motivational factors; and organizational factors. In total, 46 determinants were extracted from the above headings and were assessed by 36 main contractors.

Findings

– The literature review revealed that while there has been an advancement in developing techniques and tools to improving productivity on site, more need to be done to invest in technology and innovation. The interview survey indicated that factors associated with pre-construction activities, namely, the “experience of the selected site and project managers,” “design errors,” “buildability of the design,” “project planning,” “communication,” “ leadership style” and “procurement method” as the most critical factors influencing site productivity. Other highly ranked factors are “mismanagement of material” and “the work environment.”

Research limitations/implications

– The survey is based on main contractors and thus not generalized to cover other sectors of the building team such as designers and engineers.

Practical implications

– Outcome of this research can be used to provide professionals and contractors guidance for focussing, acting upon and controlling the most significant factors perceived to influence the construction labor productivity (CLP) on site.

Originality/value

– First, reviewed the state of the art and trends in construction productivity research. Second, primary survey with industry experts to rank the relative importance of factors that can influence CLP on site.
Antillean Islander Space: On the Religious Beliefs and Representations of the Taíno People
Authors: Rodríguez López Ivan
Published: February 2016

This study aims to shed light on Taíno polytheism and its imprint in the Antillean geographic space and the unitary and differentiated development of its religious beliefs and representations, by means of mythic substitution and iconographic hybridisation, as a result of the multinatural perspectivism (animism) shared with its South American relatives and indigenous transculturation processes. It will also show the implications of a revised interpretation of the archaeological heritage based on a comparative approach using the available Caribbean ethnohistoric records (dated from the fifteenth century, mostly, like the mythological passages recorded by friar Ramón Pané) and contemporary lowland Amerindian ethnography along with the iconographic analysis of Taíno imagery in context, an area in which the pioneer linguist José Juan Arrom made the first advances, but his work now demands review.
Real social analytics: A contribution towards a phenomenology of a digital world
Authors: Couldry Nick , Fotopoulou Aristea , Dickens Luke
Published: February 2016

This article argues against the assumption that agency and reflexivity disappear in an age of ‘algorithmic power’ (Lash 2007). Following the suggestions of Beer (2009), it proposes that, far from disappearing, new forms of agency and reflexivity around the embedding in everyday practice of not only algorithms but also analytics more broadly are emerging, as social actors continue to pursue their social ends but mediated through digital interfaces: this is the consequence of many social actors now needing their digital presence, regardless of whether they want this, to be measured and counted. The article proposes ‘social analytics’ as a new topic for sociology: the sociological study of social actors’ uses of analytics not for the sake of measurement itself (or to make profit from measurement) but in order to fulfil better their social ends through an enhancement of their digital presence. The article places social analytics in the context of earlier debates about categorization, algorithmic power, and self‐presentation online, and describes in detail a case study with a UK community organization which generated the social analytics approach. The article concludes with reflections on the implications of this approach for further sociological fieldwork in a digital world.
Biogenic amines and their producers in Akawi white cheese
Authors: Pachlová Vendula , Buňka František , Buňková Leona , Purkrtová Sabina , Havlíková Šárka , Němečková Irena
Published: February 2016

The aim of this work was to study the biogenic amine content of brine‐ripened cheeses after one year of storage and then to investigate possible contaminating micro‐organisms with decarboxylase activity. The biogenic amine production of isolates was tested in vitro. The most frequent biogenic amines were putrescine, histamine and tyramine. The biogenic amine content detected in one cheese sample was above 120 mg/kg; this can be considered toxicologically relevant. Decarboxylase activity was found for 33 contaminating micro‐organisms. Isolates belonging to Bacillus licheniformis, Debaryomyces hansenii, Staphylococcus equorum and Serratia marcescens produced significant amounts of putrescine and cadaverine.
Does knowledge of fetal outcome influence the interpretation of intrapartum cardiotocography and subsequent clinical management? A multicentre European study
Authors: Reif P , Schott S , Boyon C , Richter J , Kavšek G , Timoh KN , Haas J , Pateisky P , Griesbacher A , Lang U , Ayres‐de‐Campos D
Published: February 2016

Objective

To investigate whether knowledge of fetal outcome influences retrospective interpretation of cardiotocographic tracings and subsequent management recommendations.

Design

Prospective online study.

Setting

Seven university hospitals in five European countries.

Population

Forty‐two intrapartum tracings from women with singleton pregnancies and uneventful antepartum courses.

Methods

Using an online questionnaire, 123 healthcare professionals interpreted 42 tracings without any knowledge of fetal outcome and provided management recommendations according to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines (intrapartum care). Two months later, 93 of the 123 participants re‐interpreted the same re‐ordered tracings, this time with information on the newborn's umbilical artery pH.

Outcome measures

Comparison of the evaluation of tracing features, overall tracing classification, and management recommendations between the initial analysis and re‐interpretation.

Results

In newborns with umbilical artery pH ≤ 7.05, knowledge of the pH value led to significant changes in the evaluation of all basic tracing features. In this group, classification of tracings as ‘normal’ decreased 76% (8.8–2.1%, P < 0.001), whereas classification as ‘pathologic’ increased 51% (44.7–67.5%, P < 0.001). In newborns with pH 7.06–7.19, classification of tracings as ‘normal’ decreased 36% (22.4–14.4%, P < 0.001), and in those with pH ≥ 7.20, classification of tracings as ‘pathologic’ decreased 40% (23.4–14.1%, P < 0.001). In the group of newborns with umbilical artery pH ≤ 7.05, the recommendations ‘no attention needed’ decreased 75% (10.2–2.6%, P < 0.001), and the number of recommendations ‘rapid reversal of hypoxic cause or immediate delivery’ increased 70.3% (42.1–71.7%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

When provided with information on adverse fetal outcome, healthcare professionals provide a more pessimistic evaluation of basic tracing features, overall classification, and clinical management recommendations.

Tweetable abstract

Knowledge of adverse fetal outcome leads to more pessimistic CTG evaluation and management recommendations.
Next‐Generation Sequencing of the Bacterial 16S rRNA Gene for Forensic Soil Comparison: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Jesmok Ellen M. , Hopkins James M. , Foran David R.
Published: February 2016

Soil has the potential to be valuable forensic evidence linking a person or item to a crime scene; however, there is no established soil individualization technique. In this study, the utility of soil bacterial profiling via next‐generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was examined for associating soils with their place of origin. Soil samples were collected from ten diverse and nine similar habitats over time, and within three habitats at various horizontal and vertical distances. Bacterial profiles were analyzed using four methods: abundance charts and nonmetric multidimensional scaling provided simplification and visualization of the massive datasets, potentially aiding in expert testimony, while analysis of similarities and k‐nearest neighbor offered objective statistical comparisons. The vast majority of soil bacterial profiles (95.4%) were classified to their location of origin, highlighting the potential of bacterial profiling via next‐generation sequencing for the forensic analysis of soil samples.
Self‐inflicted Firearm Discharge from Heating Using a Gas Burner
Authors: Osawa Motoki , Matsushima Yutaka , Kumar Alok , Tsuboi Akio , Kakimoto Yu , Satoh Fumiko
Published: February 2016

A male in his 70s was found lying dead in the living room of his house. A gunshot entrance wound was observed in the left orbit, with a lead slug and wadding left in the skull, which exhibited fatal cranio‐cerebral trauma. A cartridge had been discharged from a handmade launcher, or zip gun, that had been fixed to a spare gun barrel on a pipe chair, by heating the launcher from the side using a gas burner. The deceased had owned guns for hunting in the past and had returned the license, but he had retained a spare barrel and live cartridges at home. In this unique case of suicide, a zip gun was discharged by heating with a gas burner.
Incidence of Low Body Mass Index in the Elderly in Forensic Cases—A Possible Marker for Frailty Syndrome?
Authors: Byard Roger W. , Bellis Maria
Published: February 2016

Diagnosing frailty syndrome at autopsy may be difficult if no adequate clinical history is provided. As low body mass index (BMI) may be associated with frailty in the elderly, the following study was undertaken to determine the percentage of medicolegal cases with BMIs < 18.5 in decedents aged over 75 years. Review was undertaken over three time periods: January to December 1986, January to December 2006, and January to December 2012. In 1986, 16% (15 of 93) of individuals aged ≥75 years had BMIs < 18.5, in 2006, 15% (50 of 336), and in 2012, 13% (35 of 274). In no case was frailty syndrome mentioned. This study demonstrates that frailty syndrome appears to be an underappreciated diagnosis in forensic practice despite a significant percentage of elderly decedents (13–16% over a 27‐year period) having low BMIs. Prospective assessment of this group is required to determine the incidence and contribution to mortality of frailty syndrome in a forensic context.
Isolation of microsatellite loci and reliable genotyping using noninvasive samples of a critically endangered primate,Trachypithecus leucocephalus
Authors: WANG Weiran , QIAO Yu , ZHENG Yitao , YAO Meng
Published: February 2016

Genetic information can be critical in identifying conservation priorities and developing conservation strategies. There is an urgent need for noninvasive genetic tools to study the wild populations of Asian colobine monkeys. The majority of these species are threatened with habitat destruction, population reduction and even extinction, but generally lack information on their genetic diversity and population structure. Genetic sampling and tissue collection have been scarce in these species owing to strict regulations on manipulation of endangered species, and the difficulties and risks associated with capturing these arboreal and fast‐moving monkeys in the challenging environments that they inhabit. These difficulties have hindered the development of molecular genetic markers, which are usually derived from tissues or blood. In this study, we present a method forde novomicrosatellite isolation and genotyping using DNA from noninvasive origins of a critically endangered Asian colobine, the white‐headed langur (Trachypithecus leucocephalus). Genomic DNA isolated from hair was shown to be sufficient for microsatellite enrichment and isolation, with similar isolation efficiencies as from tissue DNA. We identified and characterized 20 polymorphic microsatellite loci, and evaluated their amplification success and genotyping reliability with 86 field‐collected fecal samples. These results show that this panel of loci can produce reliable genotypes from fecal samples, and represent a useful tool for noninvasive investigation of genetic structure, individual identification and kinship assessment in this highly endangered species. Our approach can be applied to conservation genetic studies of other wild species that lack sequence information and tissue samples.
The impact of introducing biologics to patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Taiwan: a population‐based trend study
Authors: Lang Hui‐Chu , Lee Hou‐Ching , Lee Shinn‐Shing , Lin Hsiao‐Yi , Chiu Ying‐Ming
Published: February 2016

Aim

The biologics used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with a catastrophic illness certificate have been free without co‐payment since 2003 in Taiwan. The purpose of this study was to explore the trend of health care expenditures and the cost of biologics for the treatment of RA patients between 1999 and 2009.

Methods

This study used a specially requested nation‐wide RA patient claim dataset from National Health Insurance program. We identified all patients by both the primary diagnosis code ICD‐9‐CM 714.0 and the catastrophic illness certificate for RA. A total of 30 013 patients were recorded in the treated RA cohort from 1999 to 2009.The growth rates before and after introducing biologics were compared and tested.

Results

We found that from 1999 to 2009 the adjusted incidence rate for RA stably increased. Drug costs accounted for 53.2–70.3% of the total medical cost during the study period. There was a significant increase in biologics cost, climbing rapidly from 2.8% in 2003 to 60.4% of the total drug cost in 2009. The growth rate of outpatient drug costs was much higher after the introduction of biologics (2003–2009), which was 207.8% versus 42.0% as compared to the earlier period (1999–2002). Biologics such as etanercept, adalimumab and rituximab, were the crucial factors responsible for this increase in drug cost.

Conclusions

The financial impact of adopting new biologics on healthcare costs is a critical issue that needs to be addressed by the National Health Insurance.
Call it good, bad or no news? The valuation effect of debt issues
Authors: Zhu Yushu
Published: February 2016

Studies investigating market reactions to changes in capital structure aim to find the impact of private information conveyed. However, these studies ignore that financial decisions are not made randomly but are conditional on managers’ private information. Using a sample of U.S. leverage‐increasing public companies with public long‐term debt offerings, we find that debt offerings convey no new information to the markets after considering the conditionality of decisions. We also show that results can be biased if the deterministic role played by private information ex ante is omitted, which may explain the conflicting valuation evidence found in the literature.
The effect of forest age and habitat structure on the ground‐dwelling ant assemblages of lowland poplar plantations
Authors: Gallé Róbert , Torma Attila , Maák István
Published: February 2016

Intensive management causes significant changes to the habitat structure of forest stands and threatens forest specialist insect species. To assess and counteract the effect of periodic intensive forestry interventions, such as clear‐cutting and reforestation, it is important to adequately quantify the recovery rate and composition of the native biota. We aimed to characterize the above parameters for ant assemblages in forests with different structure and age.

Epigeic ant assemblages were studied using pitfall traps in young (6–10 years old), middle‐aged (23–26 years old) and mature (35–37 years old) poplar forest plantations in the Kiskunság region of Hungary.

Species richness of ant assemblages and the abundance of nonforest ants did not differ among the age classes. The abundance of forest specialist ants was, however, higher in middle‐aged and mature stands compared with young plantations. The assemblage composition of ants significantly correlated with habitat structure and forest age.

We conclude that nonforest ant species can persist throughout the entire forestry cycle in poplar plantations with moderate tree density. The present study suggests that forest age and habitat structure together shape the ant assemblages of lowland poplar plantations.
Reduced dispersal and survival in the sweet potato weevil (Euscepes postfasciatus) after irradiation
Authors: Ichinose Katsuya , Yasuda Keiji , Yamashita Nobuo , Matsumura Masaya , Okada Yoshihiro
Published: February 2016

In southern Japan, sweet potato weevils Euscepes postfasciatus (Fairmaire) are being eradicated using the sterile insect technique because of their damaging effects on sweet potato crops. However, the effect of irradiation on the dispersal and survival of this species needs to be evaluated.

We observed the dispersal of normal and irradiated weevils for 21 days after their release in a sweet potato field during all four seasons, and estimated their survival using the Weibull function.

Normal weevils generally moved further than irradiated weevils, and all weevils had greater dispersal distances in the summer than in the winter, with spring and autumn intermediate between these two extremes (summer: 0.23 m/day versus 0.29 m/day; winter: 0.15 m/day versus 0.07 m/day; spring: 0.20 m/day versus 0.17 m/day; autumn: 0.20 m/day versus 0.15 m/day, respectively).

Normal weevils had low variation in mean life expectancy (approximately 8 days throughout the year), whereas the life expectancy of irradiated weevils was drastically reduced in the summer (2.20 days).

The implications of these results for the efficiency of this eradication technique are discussed.
Association of Thrombomodulin Gene Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Atherosclerotic Diseases: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Xu Jie , Jin Jun , Tan Sheng
Published: February 2016

Previous studies have proved that the dysfunction of thrombomodulin (TM) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic diseases. In order to reveal their inherent relationship, we conducted a meta‐analysis to uncover the association between two polymorphisms ‐33G/A and Ala455Val (c.1418C>T) in the TM gene and atherosclerotic diseases. We carried out a systematic search in PubMed, Science Direct, BIOSIS Previews, SpringerLink, the Cochrane library, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Chinese Biomedical Database, the Wei Pu database, and the Wanfang Database. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed to show the association. We included 22 eligible studies which involved 5472 patients and 7786 controls. There were statistically significant associations between ‐33G/A polymorphisms in TM and the MI group under the Allele and Recessive models in Asians (G vs. A: OR = 0.67, 95%CI = 0.56–0.78, P < 0.00001; GG vs. GA+AA: OR = 0.66, 95%CI = 0.56–0.78, P < 0.00001). However, these findings of the overall and subgroups showed that Ala455Val polymorphisms did not have any relationship with atherosclerotic diseases. After Bonferroni correction, the above associations remained statistically significant. This meta‐analysis provides robust evidence of association between the ‐33G/A polymorphism in the TM gene and the risk of myocardial infarction in Asians. The A allele may increase the incidence of MI in Asians. However, the Ala455Val variant was not associated with atherosclerotic risk. Further studies with adequate sample size are needed to verify our findings.
Isolation Through Humanitarianism: Subaltern Geopolitics of the Siege on Gaza
Authors: Smith Ron J.
Published: February 2016

Scholars have argued that in attempts to achieve geopolitical goals, siege often results in covert assaults against civilian populations. In the Gazan context, siege subjects are rendered as surplus to the Israeli state, and are therefore isolated and deprived of basic human needs as well as human rights. In 2006, siege was enacted against Gaza, enforced by the Egyptian and Israeli militaries. As a consequence, the population of Gaza is isolated from the exchange of goods, services, people, and ideas. This article begins with an analysis of siege as a violent process and as a subset of occupation practices. Using ethnographic data collected in Gaza between 2009 and 2014, this article mobilizes the methods and approach of subaltern geopolitics to undermine the notion of siege as a humanitarian alternative to war. This study reveals the micro‐scale, graduated nature of siege and its impacts on the civilians living in Gaza.
Helicobacter‐negative gastritis: polymerase chain reaction for Helicobacter DNA is a valuable tool to elucidate the diagnosis
Authors: Kiss S. , Zsikla V. , Frank A. , Willi N. , Cathomas G.
Published: February 2016

Background

Helicobacter‐negative gastritis has been increasingly reported. Molecular techniques as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may detect bacterial DNA in histologically negative gastritis.

Aim

To evaluate of Helicobacter PCR in gastric biopsies for the daily diagnostics of Helicobacter‐negative gastritis.

Methods

Over a 5‐year period, routine biopsies with chronic gastritis reminiscent of Helicobacter infection, but negative by histology, were tested by using a H. pylori specific PCR. Subsequently, PCR‐negative samples were re‐evaluated using PCR for other Helicobacter species.

Results

Of the 9184 gastric biopsies, 339 (3.7%) with histological‐negative gastritis and adequate material were forwarded to PCR analysis for H. pylori and 146 (43.1%) revealed a positive result. In 193 H. pylori DNA‐negative biopsies, re‐analysis using PCR primers for other Helicobacter species, revealed further 23 (11.9%) positive biopsies, including 4 (2.1%) biopsies with H. heilmannii sensu lato. PCR‐positive biopsies showed a higher overall inflammatory score, more lymphoid follicles/aggregates and neutrophils (P < 0.05). No Helicobacter DNA was found in control biopsies of 48 patients with neither primer set (P < 0.0001). In 274 patients with an endoscopic description, detection of H. pylori DNA was associated with ulcers and erosions (P < 0.01). Over all, in 339 histologically‐negative gastric biopsies, Helicobacter DNA was detected in 169 (49.9%) samples with at least one primer set.

Conclusion

Molecular testing offers a sensitive and specific diagnosis to a selected group of patients, in whom adequate searches for bacteria by conventional histology have resulted in the unsatisfactory diagnosis of H. pylori‐negative gastritis.
Achieving and evidencing research ‘impact’? Tensions and dilemmas from an ethic of care perspective
Authors: Evans Ruth
Published: February 2016

While many academics are sceptical about the ‘impact agenda’, it may offer the potential to re‐value feminist and participatory approaches to the co‐production of knowledge. Drawing on my experiences of developing a UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) impact case study based on research on young caregiving in the UK, Tanzania and Uganda, I explore the dilemmas and tensions of balancing an ethic of care and participatory praxis with research management demands to evidence ‘impact’ in the neoliberal academy. The participatory dissemination process enabled young people to identify their support needs, which translated into policy and practice recommendations and in turn, produced ‘impact’. It also revealed a paradox of action‐oriented research: this approach may bring greater emotional investment of the participants in the project in potentially negative as well as positive ways, resulting in disenchantment that the research did not lead to tangible outcomes at local level. Participatory praxis may also pose ethical dilemmas for researchers who have responsibilities to care for both ‘proximate’ and ‘distant’ others. The ‘more than research’ relationship I developed with practitioners was motivated by my ethic of care rather than by the demands of the audit culture. Furthermore, my research and the impacts cited emerged slowly and incrementally from a series of small grants in an unplanned, serendipitous way at different scales, which may be difficult to fit within institutional audits of ‘impact’. Given the growing pressures on academics, it seems ever more important to embody an ethic of care in university settings, as well as in the ‘field’. We need to join the call for ‘slow scholarship’ and advocate a re‐valuing of feminist and participatory action research approaches, which may have most impact at local level, in order to achieve meaningful shifts in the impact agenda and more broadly, the academy.
Safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic properties of coadministered azithromycin and piperaquine in pregnant Papua New Guinean women
Authors: Moore Brioni R. , Benjamin John M. , Auyeung Siu On , Salman Sam , Yadi Gumul , Griffin Suzanne , Page‐Sharp Madhu , Batty Kevin T. , Siba Peter M. , Mueller Ivo , Rogerson Stephen J. , Davis Timothy ME
Published: February 2016

Aims

The aim of the present study was to investigate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of coadministered azithromycin (AZI) and piperaquine (PQ) for treating malaria in pregnant Papua New Guinean women.

Methods

Thirty pregnant women (median age 22 years; 16–32 weeks' gestation) were given three daily doses of 1 g AZI plus 960 mg PQ tetraphosphate with detailed monitoring/blood sampling over 42 days. Plasma AZI and PQ were assayed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and high‐performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Pharmacokinetic analysis was by population‐based compartmental models.

Results

The treatment was well tolerated. The median (interquartile range) increase in the rate‐corrected electrocardiographic QT interval 4 h postdose [12 (6–26) ms0.5] was similar to that found in previous studies of AZI given in pregnancy with other partner drugs. Six women with asymptomatic malaria cleared their parasitaemias within 72 h. Two apararasitaemic women developed late uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infections on Days 42 and 83. Compared with previous pregnancy studies, the area under the concentration–time curve (AUC0–∞) for PQ [38818 (24354–52299) μg h l−1] was similar to published values but there was a 52% increase in relative bioavailability with each dose. The AUC0–∞ for AZI [46799 (43526–49462) μg h l−1] was at least as high as reported for higher‐dose regimens, suggesting saturable absorption and/or concentration‐dependent tissue uptake and clearance from the central compartment.

Conclusions

AZI–PQ appears to be well tolerated and safe in pregnancy. Based on the present/other data, total AZI doses higher than 3 g for the treatment and prevention of malaria may be unnecessary in pregnant women, while clearance of parasitaemia could improve the relative bioavailability of PQ.
Living with bipolar disorder: the impact on patients, spouses, and their marital relationship
Authors: Granek Leeat , Danan Dor , Bersudsky Yuly , Osher Yamima
Published: February 2016

Objectives

Patients with bipolar disorder are characterized by an unusually high divorce rate. As such, the purpose of the present study was to uncover information relating specifically to the impact of bipolar disorder on patients and spouses individually, and on the marital relationship from the perspectives of both patients and spouses.

Methods

Eleven patients with bipolar disorder and ten spouses were interviewed separately about the impact of bipolar disorder on their lives and on their marital relationship. Data were analyzed using the grounded theory method.

Results

The impact of bipolar disorder for spouses included self‐sacrifice, caregiving burden, emotional impact, and a sense of personal evolution. The impact of bipolar disorder on patients included an emotional impact, responsibility for self‐care, and struggling socially and developmentally. When comparing patient and spouse perspectives on the impact of the disorder, neither the patient nor the spouse was able to accurately assess the impact of the disorder on their partner's lives. The impact of bipolar disorder on the relationship included volatility in the relationship, strengthening the relationship, weakening the relationship, and family planning.

Conclusions

The research indicated that patients and partners alike struggle with the tremendous impact of bipolar disorder on their lives and on their relationships. Given the high rates of divorce and volatility in these relationships, healthcare professionals can provide (or refer to) emotional and practical support both to patients and spouses on their own, and as a couple in their clinics.
Thrombopoietic status of patients on haemodialysis
Authors: Bat Taha , Bat Betul E. , El‐Moghraby Ahmed , Patel Samir , Feng Xingmin , Dunbar Cynthia E. , Sarac Erdal
Published: February 2016

Thrombocytopenia is a potential dialysis‐related treatment complication. Developments in bio‐compatible dialyser membranes have decreased the occurrence of thrombocytopenia. We investigated whether thrombopoiesis is impaired in haemodialysis patients by measuring the thrombopoietin level and absolute immature platelet number (AIPN) in the blood of patients undergoing haemodialysis. Samples were collected from the dialysis tubing pre‐ and post‐ haemodialysis in a cohort of 45 well‐characterized haemodialysis patients. Thrombopoietin levels and AIPN increased following haemodialysis, despite no change in platelet count. Observed increase in release of immature platelets from the bone marrow following haemodialysis indicates possible complement activation secondary to interaction between blood constituents and the dialysis membrane.
d‐Penicillamine modulates hydrogen sulfide (H2S) pathway through selective inhibition of cystathionine‐γ‐lyase
Authors: Brancaleone Vincenzo , Esposito Iolanda , Gargiulo Antonella , Vellecco Valentina , Asimakopoulou Antonia , Citi Valentina , Calderone Vincenzo , Gobbetti Thomas , Perretti Mauro , Papapetropoulos Andreas , Bucci Mariarosaria , Cirino Giuseppe
Published: February 2016

Background and Purpose

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gasotransmitter produced from l‐cysteine through the enzymatic action of cystathionine‐γ‐lyase (CSE) and/or cystathionine‐β‐synthase. d‐Penicillamine is the d isomer of a dimethylated cysteine and has been used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. As d‐penicillamine is structurally very similar to cysteine, we have investigated whether d‐penicillamine, as a cysteine analogue, has an effect on the H2S pathway.

Experimental Approach

We tested the effect of d‐penicillamine (0.01–1 mM) in mouse aortic rings mounted in isolated organ baths and determined whether it could affect H2S biosynthesis. In particular, we investigated any possible inhibitor or donor behaviour by using recombinant enzyme‐based assays and an in vivo approach.

Key Results

d‐Penicillamine, per se, showed little or no vasodilator effect, and it cannot be metabolized as a substrate in place of l‐cysteine. However, d‐penicillamine significantly reduced l‐cysteine‐induced vasodilatation in a concentration‐dependent manner through inhibition of H2S biosynthesis, and this effect occurred at concentrations 10 times lower than those needed to induce the release of H2S. In particular, d‐penicillamine selectively inhibited CSE in a pyridoxal‐5′‐phospate‐dependent manner.

Conclusions and Implications

Taken together, our results suggest that d‐penicillamine acts as a selective CSE inhibitor, leading to new perspectives in the design and use of specific pharmacological tools for H2S research. In addition, the inhibitory effect of d‐penicillamine on CSE could account for its beneficial action in rheumatoid arthritis patients, where H2S has been shown to have a detrimental effect.
“More Normal than Welfare”: The Mincome Experiment, Stigma, and Community Experience
Authors: Calnitsky David
Published: February 2016

Cet article traite de l'impact d'une expérience sociale menée dans les années 1970, l'Expérience du revenu annuel de base du Manitoba (MINCOME). J'examine le lieu de “saturation” de la MINCOME, la ville de Dauphin au Manitoba, où tous les habitants étaient admissibles à des versements de revenus annuels garantis pendant trois ans. À partir d'archives de récits qualitatifs des participants je montre que la conception et le discours autour de la MINCOME ont amené les participants à voir les versements d'un oeil pragmatique, contrairement à la perspective moralisatrice qu'inspire le bien‐être sociale. Conformément à la théorie existante cet article constate que la participation à la MINCOME n'a pas produit de stigmate social. Plus largement, cette étude discute de la faisabilité d'autres formes d'organisation socio‐économique à travers une prise en compte des aspects moraux de la politique économique. La signification sociale de la MINCOME était suffisamment puissante pour que même les participants ayant des attitudes négatives à l'égard d'aides gouvernementales se sentirent capables de recevoir des versements de la MINCOME sans un sentiment de contradiction. En occultant les distinctions entre les “pauvres méritants” et les “pauvres non‐méritants”, les programmes universalistes de support économique peuvent affaiblir la stigmatisation sociale et augmenter la durabilité du programme.

This paper examines the impact of a social experiment from the 1970s called the Manitoba Basic Annual Income Experiment (Mincome). I examine Mincome's “saturation” site located in Dauphin, Manitoba, where all town residents were eligible for guaranteed annual income payments for three years. Drawing on archived qualitative participant accounts I show that the design and framing of Mincome led participants to view payments through a pragmatic lens, rather than the moralistic lens through which welfare is viewed. Consistent with prior theory, this paper finds that Mincome participation did not produce social stigma. More broadly, this paper bears on the feasibility of alternative forms of socioeconomic organization through a consideration of the moral aspects of economic policy. The social meaning of Mincome was sufficiently powerful that even participants with particularly negative attitudes toward government assistance felt able to collect Mincome payments without a sense of contradiction. By obscuring the distinctions between the “deserving” and “undeserving” poor, universalistic income maintenance programs may weaken social stigmatization and strengthen program sustainability.
Safety and efficacy response to interferon beta‐1a therapy in Japanese patients with multiple sclerosis: Interim results of a postmarketing surveillance study
Authors: Saida Takahiko , Makioka Haruki , Kira Jun‐ichi
Published: February 2016

Objectives

To evaluate safety and efficacy of intramuscular interferon beta‐1a (IFN beta‐1a) in Japanese patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis over the first 2 years of treatment.

Methods

Safety data were collected from patients registered in a postmarketing surveillance (PMS) study and combined with spontaneous safety reports from other Japanese patients receiving IFN beta‐1a. Efficacy, including annualized relapse rate (ARR), was assessed only in patients in the postmarketing surveillance study.

Results

Safety analyses were based on 2589 patients, and efficacy analyses included 1241 of the 1638 patients registered in the postmarketing surveillance study who had completed 2 years of treatment (mean treatment duration, 598 days). Safety findings were consistent with those seen in clinical trials; the most commonly reported adverse event was fever (9.8%). The ARR decreased by 71% (from 0.95 at baseline, before study enrolment, to 0.28 at the last on‐therapy assessment) overall, and by 89% (from 1.22 to 0.14) among the 374 IFN beta‐naive patients. Among the 653 patients with relapse data at baseline and at year 2, 401 (61.4%) were classified as responders to intramuscular IFN beta‐1a therapy (defined as those with lower ARR at both year 1 and year 2 than at baseline), with an 87% reduction in ARR (from 1.29 at year 1 to 0.17 at year 2).

Conclusions

The results of this interim analysis are consistent with those of previous studies carried out largely in Caucasian patients, and show the efficacy and safety of intramuscular IFN beta‐1a treatment for Japanese patients with multiple sclerosis in clinical practice.
Caregiver involvement in behavioural health services in the context of child welfare service referrals: a qualitative study
Authors: Pérez Jolles Monica , Flick Jodon Anne (Jodi) , Wells Rebecca , Chuang Emmeline
Published: February 2016

Human service agencies serve a growing number of adults with behavioural health needs. Despite these agencies' key role in identifying need and facilitating services, many individuals do not receive care or end services prematurely. Few studies have explored the experiences of families referred to behavioural health services by such agencies or the extent to which families' perceptions of service need align with those of treatment providers and frontline workers. This study presents findings from a qualitative study of caregivers involved with child welfare agencies who were referred to behavioural health services. Researchers reviewed agencies' case records and conducted in‐depth interviews with 16 caregivers, 9 child welfare caseworkers and 12 behavioural health treatment counsellors. Findings suggest that when deciding to engage in services, caregivers weigh not only their individual and family behavioural health needs but also potential agency intervention, including loss of child custody. Many professionals reported that involvement with a child welfare agency hindered the caregiver's disclosure of behavioural healthcare needs. Implications for managers and practitioners are discussed.
Towards best practice: combining evidence‐based research, structured assessment and professional judgement
Authors: De Bortoli Lillian , Ogloff James , Coles Jan , Dolan Mairead
Published: February 2016

Limitations of instruments adopting consensus and actuarial approaches are well documented when assessing risk of abusive behaviour. Whilst the consensus approach is flexible and useful for structuring information, it relies upon the practitioner's ability to combine information and apply knowledge of empirical research. The actuarial approach involves a graduated probability measure in the form of a score that determines the likelihood of a particular event occurring; however, this approach focuses upon static risk factors and tends to be inflexible given its necessary reliance on nomothetic factors. A third approach, structured professional judgement comprises evidence‐based risk factors and decision‐making guidelines to inform professional judgement and standardize assessments. Instruments focus upon dynamic risk factors that assist practitioners monitor risk levels and manage risk. This approach is useful for social work practice that commonly requires ongoing risk assessments and risk management. Structured professional judgement has not been meaningfully explored in Australian child protection practice despite it being used successfully for approximately two decades for assessing a range of offending and violent behaviour. Given the complexity of child protection cases, further research on approaches to risk assessment that combine evidence‐based research, structured assessment and clinical judgement, is warranted.
Clinical Outcomes of Implants Placed in Extraction Sockets and Immediately Restored: A 7‐Year Single‐Cohort Prospective Study
Authors: Barone Antonio , Marconcini Simone , Giammarinaro Enrica , Mijiritsky Eitan , Gelpi Federico , Covani Ugo
Published: February 2016

Background

The placement of implants immediately after tooth extraction has proven to be a predictable treatment strategy with a very high success rate.

Purpose

The aim of the present 7‐year prospective single cohort study was to evaluate the success rate, marginal bone level (MBL), soft tissue stability of implants placed in fresh extraction sockets and immediately restored.

Material and Methods

This prospective cohort study included 37 implants in 32 patients (19 females and 13 males) with an average age of 40.1 ± 13.3 (range: 21–63 years) who received immediate implants and immediate single unit restorations. Outcome evaluations were: implant failures, complications, MBL, width of keratinized gingiva, facial soft tissue (FST) levels, modified Plaque Index and modified Bleeding Index.

Results and Conclusions

The cumulative survival rate was of 94.6% at 7‐year visit. The mean MBL was −0.6 ± 0.49 mm at baseline and 1 ± 0.2 mm after 7 years. The FST Level was 0.4 ± 0.69 mm at baseline and 0.02 ± 0.70 mm at the 7‐year follow‐up. The Width of Keratinazed Gingiva was 3.8 ± 0.47 mm at baseline and 3.1 ± 0.42 mm at 7‐year follow‐up. Implants placed immediately after tooth extraction and immediately restored showed predictable clinical outcomes in this prospective study.