bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring total factor productivity change of microfinance institutions in India using Malmquist productivity index
Authors: Ambarkhane Dilip , Singh Ardhendu Shekhar , Venkataramani Bhama
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) provide small loans and other financial services to the poor. These institutions are established for helping the poor to raise income levels and to reduce poverty. Recently, MFIs are required to reduce their dependence on grants and subsidies. Consequently, they face conflicting objectives of improving reach and profitability. These can be achieved by improving productivity. This paper aims to investigate productivity change in 21 major MFIs in India which are rated by Credit Rating and Information Services of India Limited in 2014.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper attempts to examine total factor productivity change in 21 major Indian MFIs during the period from 2014 to 2016 using Malmquist productivity index. The inputs and outputs are selected considering objectives of outreach and financial sustainability. The authors have categorized MFIs in three categories, namely, large, medium and small, depending on asset size.

Findings

It is revealed that large MFIs are able to catch up with industry best practices by improving their systems and processes, but they need to improve scale efficiency. The Reserve Bank of India has recently initiated a policy of granting banking licenses to those financial institutions which have good outreach and are financially strong. It can be used for shortlisting MFIs before granting permission to operate as banks. The method can also be used for benchmarking them for productivity. It can also be replicated in other countries.

Originality/value

In India, MFIs are playing important role in economic development by providing microcredit to the poor. However, very few studies have been undertaken regarding productivity of MFIs in India. The present study intends to fill this gap. It will facilitate benchmarking of MFIs as competitive and sustainable financial institutions catering to the requirements of small borrowers.
Organisational factors: impacting on health for ambulance personnel
Authors: Harrison Juliet
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish if organisational factors are leading to a negative effect on ambulance personnel’s health. In recent years, frontline ambulance personnel have displayed a consistent high rate of sickness amongst healthcare workers within the National Health Service in the UK. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has previously been cited, but organisational factors may be stressors to health.

Design/methodology/approach

A search of electronic databases MEDLINE EBSCO, MEDLINE OVID, MEDLINE PUBMED, AMED, CINAHL, Web of Science, Zetoc within the time period of 2000–2017 resulted in six mixed methods studies. Hand searching elicited one further study. The literature provided data on organisational and occupational stressors (excluding PTSD) relating to the health of 2,840 frontline ambulance workers in the UK, Australia, Norway, the Netherlands and Canada. The robust quantitative data were obtained from validated questionnaires using statistical analysis, whilst the mixed quality qualitative data elicited similar themes. Narrative synthesis was used to draw theories from the data.

Findings

Organisational factors such as low job autonomy, a lack of supervisor support and poor leadership are impacting on the health and well-being of frontline ambulance workers. This is intertwined with the occupational factors of daily operational demands, fatigue and enforced overtime, so organisational changes may have a wider impact on daily occupational issues.

Originality/value

The findings have possible implications for re-structuring organisational policies within the ambulance service to reduce staff sickness.
Identify critical success factors to implement integrated green and Lean Six Sigma
Authors: Mishra Mrigendra Nath
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is analysis of Green and Lean Six Sigma, based on the success factors in its use through a well thought-out literature review, is being planned; a framework has been integrated in a productive manner with the Green and Lean and Six Sigma methods so as to incorporate and actualize the execution.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology consists of comparative investigation of Green, Lean management and Six Sigma using open written work, essential analysis at data and master experience of the researchers. To achieve this goal, a significant review of the existing literature of the subject area has been done to prepare a framework in view of the critical success factors. A study was arranged and flowed survey from various businesses utilizing John’s Macintosh Project (JMP) statistical software.

Findings

The paper establishes the distinguishing proof of five success factors with their situational importance and shows that the integrated Green and Lean Six Sigma can drive the organizations to optimize their resources and cost of services or productions.

Practical implications

A Green and Lean Six Sigma organization would take profits by the use of the proposed framework in an alternate extent of organizations should be dynamic. The organizations should assess their shortcomings and qualities, set needs and perceive objectives for fruitful implementation.

Originality/value

Suggestions are being made regarding thoughts and methods that would constitute a Green and Lean Six Sigma organization. The suggested framework compare the method for improvements that may occur in organizations while implementation of the Green and Lean management or Six Sigma.
“I don’t complain, but I am ready for any eventuality”
Authors: Paillé Pascal , Valéau Patrick
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which the influence of professional commitment on intention to leave a profession is contingent on the combined effect of job search and sportsmanship.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on a sample of professional employees (N= 327). Moderated moderation was the approach used for testing the hypotheses.

Findings

Findings showed that the moderating effect of job search on the relationship between professional commitment and intention to leave a profession is higher at a low level of sportsmanship and lower when sportsmanship is high.

Originality/value

The research indicates that job search does not necessarily constitute a sign of acceleration of intention to leave one’s profession. In the case of professionals expressing a high level of sportsmanship, job search appears more like a precaution.
New CEOs’ previous experience and acquisition performance
Authors: Woo Heejin
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how new CEOs’ previous experiences in other organizations and other industries create value in acquisitions. Drawing on the upper echelon perspective, this study theorizes that the multiorganizational experience of new CEOs is positively associated with acquisition performance and, in particular, that the multi-industry experience of new CEOs leads to better performance in diversifying acquisitions than in related acquisitions. While new CEOs without multiorganizational experience undergo a cognitive entrenchment in firm-specific experience, new CEOs with multiorganizational experience can lead acquisitions with more flexibility and agility.

Design/methodology/approach

Acquisition and organizational data were drawn from the US manufacturing industries (SIC 20-39) between 2008 and 2010. The event study method was used to test hypotheses. In 346 acquisitions made by 139 firms, acquisition performance was measured according to cumulative abnormal returns.

Findings

Consistent with the hypotheses, the multiorganizational experience of new CEOs was positively associated with acquisition performance and, in particular, the multi-industry experience of new CEOs led to better performance in diversifying acquisitions than in related acquisitions.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the CEO literature and acquisition literature by suggesting that the multiorganizational experience of new CEOs can be a valuable source of competitive advantages, particularly when implementing corporate strategies involving interorganizational integration processes.
Public-private partnerships in developing countries
Authors: Kang Seong , Mulaphong Dhanakorn , Hwang Eunjin , Chang Chih-Kai
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Mounting fiscal constraints and increasing complexity of public services have led governments to search for alternative service delivery mechanisms. The public–private partnership (PPP) is one type of service arrangement in which the public and private sectors enter into a long-term cooperative relationship for the purpose of delivering a public good or service. Despite increasing private sector participation in developing nations, there is a need for more systematic assessment of PPPs in such countries. The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that affect the adoption and implementation of projects in the context of developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple case holistic design is employed to analyze 19 select projects across several developing countries to identify and pool clusters of variables that facilitate or impede PPPs.

Findings

The results indicate five broad categories of political, economic, legislative, financial and management requisites.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this research is that the cases were not selected at random. However, the projects are spread across several areas such as public health, public utilities, public works, transportation and water/wastewater infrastructure in different countries. This allows the authors to examine how the common factors apply across different contextual settings.

Originality/value

This paper seeks to contribute to the literature by examining several developing countries to identify and pool clusters of variables that facilitate or impede the effective implementation of PPP projects in the context of such regions.
Another look at motivating – and retaining – salespeople
Authors: Lai Christine Jaushyuam , Gelb Betsy D.
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This study aims to investigate to what extent salespeople are satisfied, dissatisfied or neither with various aspects of their job in ways predicted by the “two-factor model” assocating satisfaction with recognition and personal growth but not “hygiene factors.” It further investigates which aspects of the salesperson’s job are most strongly associated with commitment to the organization – or intention to leave.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviewers gathered data from 176 salespeople in 154 companies. Those data were analyzed to identify aspects of the salesperson’s job that are satisfiers, dissatisfiers or prompt indifference. The data were then correlated with the extent to which salespeople expressed commitment to their organization – and the extent to which they expressed likelihood of leaving their current job.

Findings

Aspects of the salesperson’s job do cluster into categories associated with the two-factor theory: satisfiers, dissatisfiers and other “hygiene factors” that are neither. However, two deviations from the theory appear. Pay is a satisfier, contrary to the assumptions behind the model, and factors beyond those intrinsic to the salesperson are also satisfiers. Supporting relevance of the theory for salespeople, however, is the strong association of recognition/personal growth aspects of the job positively with organizational commitment and negatively with intention to leave.

Research limitations/implications

Although the data come from a convenience sample of salespeople, the results can be useful. For example, consideration of new products and of mergers should take into account their impact on salesperson satisfaction and dissatisfaction as motivational issues.

Originality/value

This study is broader in focus than previous work relating the two-factor theory to salespeople, providing more confidence in the generalizability of the results.
Reshaping mental models – enabling innovation through service design
Authors: Vink Josina , Edvardsson Bo , Wetter-Edman Katarina , Tronvoll Bård
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how service design practices reshape mental models to enable innovation. Mental models are actors’ assumptions and beliefs that guide their behavior and interpretation of their environment.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper offers a conceptual framework for innovation in service ecosystems through service design that connects the macro view of innovation as changing institutional arrangements with the micro view of innovation as reshaping actors’ mental models. Furthermore, through an 18-month ethnographic study of service design practices in the context of healthcare, how service design practices reshape mental models to enable innovation is investigated.

Findings

This research highlights that service design reshapes mental models through the practices of sensing surprise, perceiving multiples and embodying alternatives. This paper delineates the enabling conditions for these practices to occur, such as coaching, diverse participation and supportive physical materials.

Research limitations/implications

This study brings forward the underappreciated role of actors’ mental models in innovation. It highlights that innovation in service ecosystems is not simply about actors making changes to their external context but also actors shifting their own assumptions and beliefs.

Practical implications

This paper offers insights for service managers and service designers interested in supporting innovation on how to catalyze shifts in actors’ mental models by creating the conditions for specific service design practices.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to shed light on the central role of actors’ mental models in innovation and identify the service design practices that reshape mental models.
Collaboration with private companies as a vehicle for school improvement
Authors: Sahlin Susanne
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine principals’ experience and sensemaking of collaboration with private companies, focussing on leadership and school improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is set against the backdrop of a project where three public Swedish schools collaborated with private companies within their communities. Data were collected over three years and consisted of semi-structured interviews, meeting notes, field observations, field notes and document analysis. A qualitative content analysis was performed using the Atlas.ti 6.2 software tool.

Findings

The study shows that important sensemaking for the principals in this collaboration between schools and private companies is related to the sense of collective responsibility and involvement, development of improvement culture and trust between key actors, and common improvement initiatives based on mutual interest. Challenges in the collaboration are related to principal changes, a lack of implementation of the collaboration, and that there was no clear vision of external collaboration in two out of three schools. In terms of possibilities, the collaboration was based on the needs of the school, a collaborative culture was developed, and the development/activities were undertaken between involved schools and private companies during the collaboration.

Research limitations/implications

Inevitably, there are limitations that need to be identified and recognised in this study. First, the small number of cases in this multiple case study, as well as the specific social context, limits the possibility of generalising the findings. Second, the study was not independently selected, and the findings and analyses are linked to national and local contexts, which can be seen as a limitation and strength. Notwithstanding, this study contributes with in-depth information about how a beyond-school collaboration with private companies is practised as well as how involved principals made sense of the collaboration from the perspective of school improvement.

Originality/value

The originality is the collaboration between schools and private companies. The paper contributes with new knowledge about how principals experience and make sense of this collaboration as a vehicle for school improvement.
Hoteliers as crime control partners
Authors: Morton Paul J. , Luengen Kelsy , Mazerolle Lorraine
Published: December 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present evaluation results of Operation Galley, an intelligence-led policing (ILP) intervention that sought to proactively address the problem of drug dealing from hotel rooms by engaging hoteliers as crime control partners with the Queensland Police Service.

Design/methodology/approach

Operation Galley, a randomized control field trial, rank ordered and matched 120 hotels on size, star rating, location and estimated degree of suspicious behaviour. Hotels were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: Operation Galley hotels who received a procedurally just letter, followed by a personal visit with detectives; the letter-only hotels who received the procedurally just letter; and the business as usual hotels.

Findings

Using repeated measures ANOVA and general linear models, results of the 12-month trial indicate that the Operation Galley condition led to an increase in police engagement with hoteliers, increasing the recognition, reporting and police enforcement of drug offenders.

Practical implications

The Operation Galley trial demonstrates that the ILP approach helped foster positive engagement between hoteliers and detectives. The approach cultivated hoteliers as crime control partners and thereby increased the flow of human source intelligence, helping police to better target and respond to drug dealing problems in hotel rooms.

Originality/value

Results of the Operation Galley trial demonstrate that hoteliers can be leveraged as crime control partners, providing important human source intelligence about drug dealing and facilitating the capacity of police to better respond to drug problems in hotels.
Exploring the relationship between corporate responsibility and firm performance from a social media perspective
Authors: Cao Ray Qing , Schniederjans Dara G. , Gu Vicky Ching , Schniederjans Marc J.
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Corporate responsibility perceptions from stakeholders are becoming more difficult to manage. This is in part because of large amount of social media being projected to stakeholders on a daily basis. In light of this, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between corporate responsibility framing from the social media perspective firm’s performance as defined by abnormal-return (defined as the difference between a single stock or portfolios return and the expected return) and idiosyncratic-risk (defined as the risk of a particular investment because of firm-specific characteristics).

Design/methodology/approach

Hypotheses are developed through agenda-setting theory and stakeholder and shareholder viewpoints. The research model is tested using sentiment analysis from a collection of social media from several industries.

Findings

The results provide support that three corporate responsibility social media categories (economic, social and environmental-framing) will have different impacts (delayed, immediate) on abnormal-return and idiosyncratic-risk. This study finds differences between immediate (one-day lag) and delayed (three-day lag) associations on abnormal-return and idiosyncratic-risk.

Originality/value

This study also suggests differences between the amount and sentiment of corporate responsibility social media framing on abnormal-return and idiosyncratic-risk. Finally, results identify interaction effects between different corporate responsibility social media categories.
Regenerating the learning organisation: towards an alternative paradigm
Authors: Pedler Mike , Hsu Shih-wei
Published: December 2018

Purpose

This paper aims to take a critical view of the concepts of the Learning Organisation and Organisational Learning (LO/OL) and respond to two questions about their current state: are existing perspectives on LO/OL still fit for purpose? What are the possibilities for an alternative paradigm of LO/OL?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper critically reviews the literature of LO/OL and uses the concept of problematisation together with some guiding principles from ancient wisdoms to articulate an alternative paradigm.

Findings

Two waves of LO/OL are identified. A first wave rests on a series of assumptions that have shaped a predominant understanding of LO/OL, including the suppositions that all learning is good; that those organisations adopting LO/OL strategies are engaged in useful work and in pursuing socially valuable ends; and that neo-liberal beliefs favouring market-based solutions are the most appropriate response to organisational problems. A more reflexive approach to LO/OL has challenged these predominant views, and although it has had little impact on practice, it paves the way for a possible second wave perspective. With the help of a theoretical excursion of Taoism and Buddhism, the authors portray a possible picture of a new paradigm for LO/OL.

Originality/value

Whilst existing critical accounts have problematised the mainstream assumptions of LO/OL, they have not clearly indicated any different perspectives. Drawing upon ancient wisdom, the paper identifies some guiding principles for an alternative LO/OL paradigm and discourse.
Conventional methods for enhancing connectivity in conservation planning do not always maintain gene flow
Authors: Hanson Jeffrey O. , Fuller Richard A. , Rhodes Jonathan R.
Published: December 2018

Protected area systems need to conserve species in places with suitable habitat that are configured to facilitate gene flow. Since genetic data require considerable resources to obtain, many proxy methods have been developed to generate plans for protected area systems (prioritizations) that facilitate gene flow without needing genetic data. However, the effectiveness of such methods—such as minimising fragmentation or enforcing contiguity among priority areas—remains largely untested.

We investigated the ability of prioritizations to maintain gene flow when they are generated using conventional methods for promoting connectivity. Using existing environmental, genetic, and occurrence datasets, we created maps of habitat suitability and resistance to gene flow for nine alpine plant species. Next, we generated multispecies prioritizations that secured 10% of the suitable habitat for each species and attempted to maintain gene flow by (a) penalizing fragmentation, (b) representing species in contiguous areas of suitable habitat, and (c) representing species in contiguous areas with minimal resistance to gene flow as modelled from genetic data.

We found that prioritizations generated using fragmentation penalties failed to represent seven of the nine species in areas that would maintain high levels of gene flow. Similarly, prioritizations that represented species in contiguous areas of suitable habitat were unable to maintain high levels of gene flow for six species—potentially because a few areas with high resistance can disrupt gene flow throughout an entire prioritization. Although prioritizations generated using genetic data successfully maintained gene flow, they also selected over three times more land than other prioritizations, suggesting that failing to account for gene flow when setting priorities may underestimate the scale of conservation action required.

Synthesis and applications. We found that conventional methods for enhancing connectivity in conservation planning, such as spatially clustering priority areas or providing connected sections of suitable habitat, were generally unable to maintain high levels of gene flow. Our results suggest that conservation plans could be substantially improved by directly using genetic data, although whether this is a good choice for a particular situation will also depend on the costs of obtaining these data.
Prebiotic, Immunomodulating, and Antifatigue Effects of Konjac Oligosaccharide
Authors: Zeng Yan , Zhang Jiangang , Zhang Ying , Men Yan , Zhang Bo , Sun Yuanxia
Published: December 2018

Irregular and long time work schedules not only makes people feel fatigue, but also brings great risks of diseases, due to gastrointestinal disorder and immune dysfunction. Therefore, it has positive significance to help challenged people stay energetic and healthy with food supplement. Konjac oligosaccharide has shown various physiological benefits and been recommended in the fortification of functional foods. However, there have been few reports on its application aimed to simultaneously relieve physical fatigue and keep body healthy. In this paper, the potential prebiotic, immunoregulatory, and antifatigue activities of konjac oligosaccharide were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that konjac oligosaccharide could promote probiotics growth and short chain fatty acids production in mice cecum. At the concentration of 50 to 200 μg/mL, konjac oligosaccharide could activate murine macrophage RAW 264.7 to secret NO and cytokines of IL‐10 and IL‐6. Moreover, this oligosaccharide could alleviate physical fatigue by prolonging exhaustive time, improving the level of superoxide dismutases and glutathione peroxidase, increasing the content of blood glucose, and decreasing the content of blood urea nitrogen. The results suggested that konjac oligosaccharide had prebiotic, immunoregulatory, and antifatigue effects, providing its application potential in functional food aimed at people with irregular and long time work.
Intracranial pressure during hemodialysis in patients with acute brain injury
Authors: Lund Anton , Damholt Mette B. , Wiis Jørgen , Kelsen Jesper , Strange Ditte G. , Møller Kirsten
Published: December 2018

Background

Because osmotic fluid shifts may occur over the blood‐brain barrier, patients with acute brain injury are theoretically at risk of surges in intracranial pressure (ICP) during hemodialysis. However, this remains poorly investigated. We studied changes in ICP during hemodialysis in such patients.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of patients with acute brain injury admitted to Rigshospitalet (Copenhagen, Denmark) from 2012 to 2016 who received intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) or continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) while undergoing ICP monitoring. Data from each patient's first dialysis session were collected. Area under the curve divided by time (AUC/t) for ICP was calculated separately before and during dialysis.

Results

Thirteen patients were included. During dialysis, ICP increased from a baseline of 11.9 mm Hg (median; interquartile range 6.3‐14.7) to a maximum of 21 mm Hg (18‐27) (P = 0.0024), and AUC/t for ICP was greater during dialysis (15.2 (13.4‐18.8) vs 11.7 mm Hg (6.4‐15.1), P = 0.042). The maximum ICP increase was independent of dialysis modality, but peak values were reached earlier in patients treated with IHD (N = 4) compared to CRRT (N = 9) (75 [30‐90] vs 375 min [180‐420] after start of treatment, P = 0.0095). The maximum ICP increase correlated positively to the baseline plasma urea concentration (Spearman's r = 0.69, P = 0.017).

Conclusion

Hemodialysis is associated with increased ICP in neurocritically ill patients, and the magnitude of the increase may be related to initial plasma urea levels.
Illicit fentanyls in the opioid street market: desired or imposed?
Authors: Mars Sarah G. , Rosenblum Daniel , Ciccarone Daniel
Published: December 2018

Background

Illicitly manufactured fentanyl and its analogues are appearing in countries throughout the world, often disguised as heroin or counterfeit prescription pills, with resulting high overdose mortality. Possible explanations for this phenomenon include reduced costs and risks to heroin suppliers, heroin shortages, user preferences for a strong, fast‐acting opioid and the emergence of Dark Web cryptomarkets. This paper addresses these potential causes and asks three questions: (1) can users identify fentanyl; (2) do users desire fentanyl; and (3) if users want fentanyl, can they express this demand in a way that influences the supply?

Argument/analysis

Existing evidence, while limited, suggests that some users can identify fentanyl, although not reliably, and some desire it, but because fentanyl is frequently marketed deceptively as other drugs, users lack information and choice to express demand effectively. Even when aware of fentanyl's presence, drug users may lack fentanyl‐free alternatives. Cryptomarkets, while difficult to quantify, appear to offer buyers greater information and competition than offline markets. However, access barriers and patterns of fentanyl‐related health consequences make cryptomarkets unlikely sources of user influence on the fentanyl supply. Market condition data indicate heroin supply shocks and shortages prior to the introduction of fentanyl in the United States and parts of Europe, but the much lower production cost of fentanyl compared with heroin may be a more significant factor

Conclusion

Current evidence points to a supply‐led addition of fentanyl to the drug market in response to heroin supply shocks and shortages, changing prescription opioid availability and/or reduced costs and risks to suppliers. Current drug users in affected regions of the United States, Canada and Europe appear largely to lack both concrete knowledge of fentanyl's presence in the drugs they buy and access to fentanyl‐free alternatives.
Racial or Spatial Voting? The Effects of Candidate Ethnicity and Ethnic Group Endorsements in Local Elections
Authors: Boudreau Cheryl , Elmendorf Christopher S. , MacKenzie Scott A.
Published: December 2018

With the growth of Latino and Asian American populations, candidates frequently must appeal to diverse electorates. Strategies for doing so include emphasizing candidates’ racial/ethnic identity and securing endorsements from racial/ethnic groups. While many scholars focus on candidates’ racial/ethnic attributes, ethnic group endorsements are understudied. Whether such endorsements induce voters to choose ideologically similar candidates (spatial voting), or choose based on race/ethnicity (racial voting) is unclear. We address this question by examining elections in multiethnic local settings. Using original surveys and exit polls, we create comparable measures of candidate and voter ideology, and examine how race/ethnicity and ideology affect voters’ choices. We also embed experiments that manipulate ethnic group endorsements. We find that ideology influences voters’ choices, but that ethnic group endorsements weaken spatial voting. The latter effect among whites is driven by racial/ethnic stereotypes. These reactions explain why some candidates seek such endorsements and why others might prefer to avoid them.
Cognitive and emotional challenges in children with reading difficulties
Authors: Nachshon Ohad , Horowitz‐Kraus Tzipi
Published: December 2018

Aim

Dyslexia is characterised by a primary difficulty in both reading and cognitive control. Children with reading difficulties also experience a broad range of social and emotional difficulties, such as low self‐esteem, anxiety and depression. The aim of the study was to determine whether there is a linkage between emotional and cognitive‐control difficulties and challenges in reading in children with reading difficulties compared to typical readers.

Methods

Children eight years to 12 years of age (N = 98) either with reading difficulties or typical readers participated in the current study. Cognitive control, specifically executive functions, and emotional and reading abilities were compared between the two groups and correlated.

Results

Children with reading difficulties showed significantly lower executive functions and emotional abilities compared to typical readers. Decreased reading ability was related to decreased executive functions and emotional abilities.

Conclusion

The results provide insight regarding the relationship between cognitive, emotional and reading abilities: executive functions difficulties may cause emotional stress, which in turn decreases the ability to monitor, inhibit and pay attention to the written material, which impair reading to a greater degree. Results support the need for an emotional evaluation in children with reading difficulties that can be performed in a paediatrician's consulting room.
Introduction of rotavirus vaccination in a Swedish region: assessing parental decision‐making, obtained vaccination coverage and resulting hospital admissions
Authors: Oldin Carin , Golsäter Marie , Schollin Ask Lina , Fredriksson Sara , Stenmarker Margaretha
Published: December 2018

Aim

This study evaluated the introduction of rotavirus vaccination in Jönköping County, Sweden, starting in 2014. This project explored the parental factors that influenced the decision to vaccinate and studied the obtained vaccination coverage and its potential influence on hospital admissions due to acute gastroenteritis.

Methods

This was a descriptive, cross‐sectional study based on a study‐specific questionnaire (n = 356) and regional statistical data on vaccination coverage and hospital admissions in Jönköping County, Sweden.

Results

Central aspects when deciding on vaccination were vaccine efficacy and safety, that the vaccine was offered to all children, and recommended by healthcare professionals. One in five parents expressed uncertainty about whether they had sufficient information to make a decision. However, the rotavirus vaccination coverage was elevated from 76.1% to 81.0% and the hospital admissions due to acute gastroenteritis decreased by approximately 60%.

Conclusion

The results highlight the necessity for Child Health Services to have solid knowledge regarding vaccinations, to understand individual parental issues and to support uncertain parents. The high vaccination coverage achieved is an indication of the trust in healthcare professionals and is considered to be a major contributing factor to the substantial reduction of hospital admissions due to acute gastroenteritis.
Effect of anticholinergic burden on treatment modification, delirium and mortality in newly diagnosed dementia patients starting a cholinesterase inhibitor: A population‐based study
Authors: Ah Young‐Mi , Suh Yewon , Jun Kwanghee , Hwang Sunghee , Lee Ju‐Yeun
Published: December 2018

Few studies have evaluated the association between anticholinergic burden and treatment modification after starting a cholinesterase inhibitor in clinical practice. We aimed to evaluate the effect of anticholinergic burden on anti‐dementia treatment modification, delirium and mortality. We retrospectively analysed older adults (n = 25 825) who started a cholinesterase inhibitor during 2003–2011 from Korean National Health Insurance Service Senior Cohort Database. High anticholinergic burden was defined as an average daily Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) score of >3 during the first 3 months. We investigated the impact of high anticholinergic burden on the rate of treatment modification, delirium and mortality in comparison with minimal ACB (ACB score ≤1) in propensity‐matched cohorts (N = 7438). Approximately 6.0% of patients with dementia were exposed to a high anticholinergic burden within the first three months of treatment. In high anticholinergic burden cohorts, significantly more patients experienced treatment modification (34.9% vs. 32.1%) or delirium (5.6% vs. 3.6%) and the mortality rate was also higher (16.8% vs. 14.1%) than controls. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that an average ACB score >3 within the first three months significantly increased the risk of treatment modification (hazard ratio (HR): 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02‐1.24), delirium (HR: 1.52, CI: 1.17‐1.96) and mortality (HR: 1.23, CI: 1.06‐1.41). This study showed that high anticholinergic burden negatively affected the treatment response to cholinesterase inhibitors and that an average ACB score >3 was an independent prognostic factor for delirium or mortality in dementia patients.
Non‐therapeutic male genital cutting and harm: Law, policy and evidence from U.K. hospitals
Authors: Fox Marie , Thomson Michael , Warburton Joshua
Published: December 2018

Female genital cutting (FGC) is generally understood as a gendered harm, abusive cultural practice and human rights violation. By contrast, male genital cutting (MGC) is held to be minimally invasive, an expression of religious identity and a legitimate parental choice. Yet scholars increasingly problematize this dichotomy, arguing that male and female genital cutting can occasion comparable levels of harm. In 2015 this academic critique received judicial endorsement, with Sir James Munby's acknowledgement that all genital cutting can cause ‘significant harm’. This article investigates the harm occasioned by MGC. It is informed by a Freedom of Information (FoI) study which provides some empirical evidence of the nature and frequency of physical harm caused by MGC in U.K. hospitals. While acknowledging the challenges and limitations of FoI research, we outline important lessons that this preliminary study contains for medical ethics, law and policy. It provides some empirical evidence to support claims regarding the risks which accompany the procedure and the obligation of health professionals to disclose them, and reveals the paucity of measures in place to ensure that harms are recorded, disclosed and monitored.
An improved stochasticEMalgorithm for large‐scale full‐information item factor analysis
Authors: Zhang Siliang , Chen Yunxiao , Liu Yang
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we explore the use of the stochasticEMalgorithm (Celeux & Diebolt (1985)Computational Statistics Quarterly,2,73) for large‐scale full‐information item factor analysis. Innovations have been made on its implementation, including an adaptive‐rejection‐based Gibbs sampler for the stochastic E step, a proximal gradient descent algorithm for the optimization in the M step, and diagnostic procedures for determining the burn‐in size and the stopping of the algorithm. These developments are based on the theoretical results of Nielsen (2000,Bernoulli,6, 457), as well as advanced sampling and optimization techniques. The proposed algorithm is computationally efficient and virtually tuning‐free, making it scalable to large‐scale data with many latent traits (e.g. more than five latent traits) and easy to use for practitioners. Standard errors of parameter estimation are also obtained based on the missing‐information identity (Louis, 1982,Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series B,44, 226). The performance of the algorithm is evaluated through simulation studies and an application to the analysis of theIPIP‐NEOpersonality inventory. Extensions of the proposed algorithm to other latent variable models are discussed.
Changes in Cortical Sensitivity to Infant Facial Cues From Pregnancy to Motherhood Predict Mother–Infant Bonding
Authors: Dudek Joanna , Colasante Tyler , Zuffianò Antonio , Haley David W.
Published: December 2018

The transition to motherhood triggers changes in human brain structure that may facilitate mother–infant bonding. Although much research on maternal cortical responses to infant faces has focused on the postpartum period, no previous study has examined whether longitudinal functional changes in the maternal cortex during pregnancy and postpartum are associated with mother–infant bonding. Using electroencephalography, prenatal to postnatal changes in cortical sensitivity (P1, P2, late positive potential, N170 event‐related potentials) to infant and adult faces were examined in relation to reported mother–infant bonding in 40 mothers (Mage = 30.5 years). Prenatal to postnatal increases in P1 and P2 responses to infant faces predicted stronger bonding. Findings suggest that cortical changes in attention allocation rather than in face‐specific encoding enhance bonding.
Bilingual Children Adapt to the Needs of Their Communication Partners, Monolinguals Do Not
Authors: Gampe Anja , Wermelinger Stephanie , Daum Moritz M.
Published: December 2018

We explored the ability of children to adapt their communication to the needs of their communication partner. Monolingual and bilingual 3‐year‐old children (N = 110) observed two puppets looking for puzzle pieces. One puppet showed its appreciation of the children's help, the other puppet wanted to solve the puzzle on its own. The children's communicative acts were coded in terms of level of ostension (how obviously they indicated the hiding place of the puzzle piece) and level of information (how clearly they indicated the location). Monolinguals and bilinguals were equally helpful and informative. In contrast, only bilingual children adapted their level of ostension selectively between the two puppets. These findings point to the greater skills of bilinguals to adapt their communication accordingly.
An integrated framework using high‐dimensional mass cytometry and fluorescent flow cytometry identifies discrete B cell subsets in patients with red meat allergy
Authors: Cox Kelly M. , Commins Scott P. , Capaldo Brian J. , Workman Lisa J. , Platts‐Mills Thomas A. E. , Amir El‐ad D. , Lannigan Josephine A. , Schuyler Alexander J. , Erickson Loren D.
Published: December 2018

Background

B cells play a critical role in the development and maintenance of food allergy by producing allergen‐specific IgE. Despite the importance of B cells in IgE‐mediated food allergy, the identity of sIgE‐producing human B cells and how IgE is regulated are poorly understood.

Objective

To identify the immunophenotypes of circulating B cells associated with the production of galactose‐alpha‐1,3‐galactose‐specific IgE production in patients with red meat allergy.

Methods

B cells in PBMC samples obtained from 19 adults with physician‐diagnosed red meat allergy and 20 non‐meat allergic healthy controls were assessed by mass cytometry along with a bioinformatics analysis pipeline to identify discrete B cell phenotypes that associated with serum sIgE. Fluorescent flow cytometry was then applied to sort purify discrete B cell subsets, and B cells were functionally evaluated on an individual cell level for the production of sIgE by ELISPOT.

Results

Discrete B cell phenotypes abundant in meat allergic subjects compared to non‐meat allergic controls were found in peripheral blood that do not share typical characteristics of classical isotype‐switched memory B cells that express high levels of CD27. These B cell subsets shared higher IgD and lower IgM expression levels coupled with CXCR4, CCR6 and CD25 expression. In vitro polyclonal stimulation of purified B cell subsets from meat allergic subjects demonstrated that these subsets were enriched for cells induced to secrete sIgE.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Circulating B cells display increased abundance of discrete B cell subsets in meat allergic subjects. This observation, coupled with the capacity of individual B cell subsets to produce sIgE following activation, implicates these novel B cell phenotypes in promoting IgE in meat allergy.
Rush desensitization with a single antigen induces subclinical activation of mast cells and protects against bystander challenge in dually sensitized mice
Authors: Killoran Kristin E. , Kropp Laura E. , Lindrose Alyssa R. , Curtis Holly E. , Cook David , Mitre Edward
Published: December 2018

Background

Rush desensitization can provide short‐term tolerance to individuals who are allergic to certain medications in instances where other therapeutic interventions are limited. While rush desensitization (DS) is typically successful in preventing adverse type I hypersensitivity reactions, the mechanism of allergic protection remains unknown. Given the rise in prevalence of individuals displaying multiple allergies, understanding the impact of rush DS on “bystander” allergens, or additional allergens to which an individual is sensitized, could help inform clinical recommendations.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of rush DS on bystander sensitization.

Materials and Methods

We used a murine model of rush DS, whereby BALB/c mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) and desensitized through repeated intraperitoneal injections of OVA. Using a local anaphylaxis assay, we measured ear swelling by Evans blue extravasation following intradermal challenge. In studies to measure the impact on bystander antigens, a modified protocol was used in which mice were dually sensitized to OVA and Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), and densensitized to either OVA or KLH prior to allergic challenge.

Results

The immunological effects of rush DS were independent of changes in Th1 and Th2 cytokine production and circulating OVA‐IgE levels. Instead, rush DS resulted in subclinical degranulation of mast cells prior to challenge. In our dual sensitization model, rush DS with a single antigen conferred protection against allergic challenge to a secondary antigen. Bystander protection required prior sensitization, as DS with an irrelevant antigen did not impact allergic responsiveness.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

We reveal that a key mechanism of rush DS protection against allergic responsiveness may be the subclinical degranulation of mast cells. Therefore, performing rush DS to a single antigen to which one is IgE‐sensitized may be sufficient to desensitize to multiple allergens. Future studies could lead to streamlined protocols of rush DS for patients with multiple allergies.
An adaptive memetic algorithm for feature selection using proximity graphs
Authors: Abu Zaher Amer , Berretta Regina , Noman Nasimul , Moscato Pablo
Published: December 2018

We propose a multivariate feature selection method that uses proximity graphs for assessing the quality of feature subsets. Initially, a complete graph is built, where nodes are the samples, and edge weights are calculated considering only the selected features. Next, a proximity graph is constructed on the basis of these weights and different fitness functions, calculated over the proximity graph, to evaluate the quality of the selected feature set. We propose an iterative methodology on the basis of a memetic algorithm for exploring the space of possible feature subsets aimed at maximizing a quality score. We designed multiple local search strategies, and we used an adaptive strategy for automatic balancing between the global and local search components of the memetic algorithm. The computational experiments were carried out using four well‐known data sets. We investigate the suitability of three different proximity graphs (minimum spanning tree, k‐nearest neighbors, and relative neighborhood graph) for the proposed approach. The selected features have been evaluated using a total of 49 classification methods from an open‐source data mining and machine learning package (WEKA). The computational results show that the proposed adaptive memetic algorithm can perform better than traditional genetic algorithms in finding more useful feature sets. Finally, we establish the competitiveness of our approach by comparing it with other well‐known feature selection methods.