bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mobile value, spectrum and data demand – a bootstrap approach to estimation
Authors: Williamson Brian , Wood Sam
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to integrate mobile supply and demand on an economic basis and to model the economic value of additional data capacity, spectrum demand and data growth under a range of parameter and policy assumptions.

Design/methodology/approach

The modelling requires an iterative solution to find an equilibrium between supply and demand, which allows data demand to be bootstrapped, i.e. determined endogenously within the model.

Findings

The sensitivity of the model to input parameter changes differs from a modelling approach where data demand is assumed to be exogenous, whilst in some instances, the sign of the relationship is reversed, e.g. the response of economic value to mobile site cost changes.

Research limitations/implications

The approach suggests a research agenda to estimate willingness to pay for data and the price elasticity of data demand, and may also suggest new explanatory variables to test econometrically in relation to spectrum value.

Practical implications

The approach provides a different route to spectrum valuation and allows estimation of the economic impacts of a range of policy questions.

Originality/value

This paper provides the integration of supply and demand and endogenous estimation of data demand and economic value, coupled with quantitative assessment of a range of policy questions.
The evolution of US mobile operators within a multi-play world
Authors: Curwen Peter , Whalley Jason
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyse the ways in which mobile operators in the USA that previously presented themselves as providers of essentially a single service have had to adapt to the requirements of a multi-play world that includes mobile and fixed-wire voice, broadband internet and Pay-TV.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is empirical in its entirety and based upon a historical review of the actions of (primarily) the nationwide mobile operators in the USA. Account is taken of the actions of companies in what were historically separate spheres of business such as cable and satellite.

Findings

It can be seen that there has been a great deal of restructuring activity in the US mobile sector during the past decade driven by a number of factors such as the need to achieve scale and to provide high-date-rate transmission. However, in very recent times, the main driving force has been the need to gear up for the provision of multi-play services.

Research limitations/implications

The next few years will see an acceleration of restructuring activity as previously independent companies link up voluntarily or via takeovers.

Social implications

It can be argued that it is the evolving use of smartphones, especially among those aged under 30, that is a key reason why mobile operators are having to change their business models, rather than the reverse.

Originality/value

Regulators, in particular, appear to be stuck in a world in which different segments of the world of telecommunications continue to plough independent furrows. However, multi-play is the future of the sector and there has not so far been much attention paid to this phenomenon.
Institutional distances, resources and entry strategies
Authors: Kittilaksanawong Wiboon
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of institutional distances (IDs) on the choices of host country and the entry strategies, taking into account various firm resources.

Design/methodology/approach

Institutions are quantified in terms of regulatory, normative, and cognitive aspects. Firm resources include technological and marketing resources, organizational slack, and internally generated and externally raised financial resources. The research context is foreign direct investments of Taiwanese listed firms in the electronics and computer industry from the year 2000 to 2007, which include 732 companies investing in 3,691 projects in 41 countries.

Findings

The tacitness of technological resources inhibits their transfer to distant countries. Marketing resources are more transferable to distant countries in terms of explicit regulative institutions. Organizational slack may weaken motives of firms in entering distant countries. Internally generated financial resources encourage risky investments in distant countries in terms of regulative institutions. Externally raised financial resources, due to their providers, restrict firms to finance risky projects in distant countries. High-control entry strategies are preferred to minimize appropriation risks regardless of funding sources. Involving local partners through a shared ownership provides institutional knowledge for foreign firms to mobilize local legitimacy in host countries. Firm resources directly and indirectly determine entry strategies through perceived IDs.

Originality/value

This study bridges the effect of firm-level resources and country-level institutions on the choices of host country and the entry strategies. It is among the first to quantify institutions in terms of their regulatory, normative, and cognitive aspects.
An institutional view of the communication flows between relation-based and rule-based countries
Authors: Graca Sandra Simas , Doney Patricia M. , Barry James M.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the strategic decision-making process regarding communication flows and trust and their impact on firm cooperation in the context of buyer-supplier relationships in rule-based vs relation-based countries. An institutional view is explored to demonstrate how informal institutions shape a firm’s strategic decision making in the internationalization process.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model and accompanying research hypotheses are tested on data from a survey of 169 US and 110 Brazilian buyers. Structural equation modeling is used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results suggest that the pattern of flows of communication on building trust and increasing strategic cooperation is based upon the governance of the individual’s country of origin. Quality communication is found to have a greater impact on trust in the USA, while two-way communication is the factor with the greatest effect on trust in Brazil. Frequency of communication and socialization are also found to have indirect, but important distinct roles in the flows of communication in both countries. Trust is also found to be a strong predictor of strategic cooperation.

Practical implications

Results provide insight into what patterns of communication flows are most influential in increasing a buyer’s trust in a supplier, so that suppliers can better formulate strategies to enter overseas markets.

Originality/value

This study extends the communication, trust, and cooperation literature to the context of buyer-supplier relationships in distinct county settings. Comparisons are made between one developed country characterized by rule-based governance, with a low-context style of communication and high country trust and one emerging market characterized by relation-based governance, with a high-context style of communication and low country trust.
Internationalization and performance of Indian born globals
Authors: Ganvir Manish B. , Dwivedi Neeraj
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to study internationalization-performance relationship of Indian born global (IBG) firms from multi-theoretical lens and establish the nature of this relationship; second, to highlight the role of foreign equity in moderating this relationship; and third, to establish the relevance of export intensity (EI) in determining these firms’ financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 411 IBG firms were identified based on born global (BG) definition and post-entry internationalization age requirement of this study. A balanced panel comprising of three years from 2010 to 2012 was analyzed using pooled panel and moderated multiple regression techniques.

Findings

The authors empirically prove that though EI and financial performance are positively related at overall level, this relationship is curvilinear in nature. In presence of foreign equity this positive curvilinear relationship is moderated to inverted-U shape.

Research limitations/implications

The data sample is restricted to 411 private limited IBGs between the years 2009 and 2012. Implications of the findings are for policy makers and managers to sharpen their strategic foresight for exporting firms in its post-entry period. Also, investors can take level of internationalization into cognizance when investing in BG firms.

Practical implications

The authors believe the results have practical implications for numerous parties, such as shareholders, institutional investors, scholars, policymakers and managers. It emboldens modern day managers to make further foray into internationalization due to its positive benefits on both productivity as well as profitability. Also, firms that look for foreign equity participation have to balance their strategies for greater scale and scope into international markets.

Originality/value

This is the first study that brings out the vital relationship aspect of EI with financial performance of IBG firms in their post-entry internationalization period, adding to international business literature in area of BG firms in their post-entry internationalization period.
The dark side of global sourcing: a systematic literature review and research agenda
Authors: Stanczyk Alina , Cataldo Zelal , Blome Constantin , Busse Christian
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review of the literature concerning the negative aspects of global sourcing (GS). It complements prior research on the positive aspects of GS, advances theoretical understanding of the phenomenon, and suggests an agenda for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The sourcing, international business and supply chain management literature is systematically reviewed and findings from 83 previous studies are investigated.

Findings

Research on the downsides of GS has intensified over the last decade, but the related knowledge has been very fragmented and oftentimes latent. This literature review extracts knowledge around 28 antecedents to GS downsides from the literature and illustrates their potential harmful effects along operational and financial performance dimensions. Findings suggest that future research should focus more on the effects of decision-making biases and the effects of firm-internal barriers. The dynamic and hidden costs of GS should also be scrutinized in more depth.

Originality/value

This study is the first systematic literature review of the downsides of GS. It facilitates a more balanced and nuanced picture of GS to help managers make better-informed GS decisions. The review also offers a holistic research framework that opens up avenues for much-needed research into the “dark side” of GS.
Linking decision-control and decision-management uses of performance measurement systems
Authors: Sanchez Jose M. , Velez Maria L. , Ramón-Jerónimo María Ángeles , Araujo Pedro
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze, for both parties of a distribution channel, to what extent each party perceives the counterpart’s use of performance measurement systems (PMS) and how this perception affects the perceiver’s own use of these systems, for either decision control or decision management.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper proposes a conceptual model tested at different levels using structural equations models. A case study uses survey data from 107 distributors and 91 manufacturer managers.

Findings

PMS allow evaluation by the manufacturer and daily management by distributors; both uses of PMS can be simultaneous and complementary. Results show that each party’s perception of the counterpart’s use contributes to its own use, although real uses do not significantly influence these perceptions.

Research limitations/implications

The results must be interpreted with caution because the sample is small. This study calls for further data collection in real situations with larger samples, and for eliminating the influence of the distribution channel type. Further work is needed to analyze other constructs driving the relationship between real use and perception.

Originality/value

This study’s originality comes from the conceptual model, data set, and levels of analysis. Decoupling real use and perception, it challenges the prevailing assumption that managers accurately perceive counterpart managers’ use of PMS. Analyzing at both group and individual levels, it extends the more usual dyadic studies by recognizing that any given manager’s perception may be almost wholly formed by his/her interaction with a group of individuals.
Supporting caregiver employees: managers’ perspective in Canada
Authors: Sethi Bharati , Williams Allison , Ireson Rachelle
Published: January 2017

Purpose

There is a growing recognition that when employees who are caregivers lack the organizational support/resources to manage their paid work with care responsibilities, it could result in poor job performance, increase absenteeism, and have an impact on their well-being. Very little is known about managers’ perceptions in supporting their employees through workplace initiatives such as caregiver-friendly workplace policies (CFWPs). The purpose of this paper is: to examine managers’ experience(s) with employees that are engaged in formal paid care and informal care; to explore availability of CFWPs; and to explore managers’ standpoints on offering CFWPs to support their employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on the findings from semi-structured qualitative interviews with 20 (n=20) managers working in the health care sector in an urban-rural region in Ontario, Canada.

Findings

Intersectionality analysis of participant interviews revealed three key themes: managers’ experiences with employees who are caregivers; knowledge and availability of CFWPs; and balancing business care with staff care.

Practical implications

Data were drawn from health care sectors in one community in Ontario, Canada and may not generalize to other settings. The small sample size and purposive sampling further limits the generalizability of the findings.

Social implications

Study findings can be applied to develop workplace policies and procedures that are responsive to workers who are providing unpaid care.

Originality/value

This study contributes to limited literature on manager’s perspectives in supporting employees through CFWPs.
Cycling, car, or public transit: a study of stress and mood upon arrival at work
Authors: Brutus Stéphane , Javadian Roshan , Panaccio Alexandra Joelle
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of various commuting modes on stress and mood upon arrival at work.

Design/methodology/approach

Data on stress and mood were collected after 123 employees arrived at work by bike, car, or public transit. In order to account for the natural fluctuation of stress and mood throughout the day, the assessment of the dependent variables was made within the first 45 minutes of arrival at work.

Findings

As hypothesized, those who cycled to work were less stressed than their counterparts who arrived by car. However, there was no difference in mood among the different mode users.

Practical implications

A lower level of early stress among cyclists offers further evidence for the promotion of active commute modes.

Originality/value

This study underscores the importance of being sensitive to time-based variations in stress and mood levels when investigating the impact of commute modes.
Leanness and agility: a comparative theoretical view
Authors: Eltawy Nesrine , Gallear David
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare and distinguish between two salient means for improving the management of, and leveraging the effectiveness of, supply chains. Leanness and agility have been considered recently as prominent and successful means for competing. The paper examines the literature on leanness and agility thinking including their definitions, importance and practices. The paper also highlights the argument surrounding the relationship direction between these two concepts.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic comparative review was conducted on the lean literature and agility literature at three levels: manufacturing, organisation and supply chain. The systematic review on the lean concept has been conducted based on articles published over the last two decades. The agility concept review was conducted based on the articles published from its inception in 1991 through early 2016.

Findings

A conceptual framework is presented following the in-depth review. The conceptual framework sets out the input, operational practice and output elements necessary for both philosophies to take root successfully. A discussion based on the review of the literature on the direction of the relationship between leanness and agility is also presented, and should also be included in any future empirical testing of the conceptual framework.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is based on a systematic review which extends previous research as it has been conducted in a detailed and clear systematic manner which enables a deep understanding of the similarities and differences between leanness and agility philosophies from an operational perspective: inputs, operational and outcomes elements. Future research is required to empirically test the conceptual relationships.

Practical implications

Companies are constantly searching for ways to improve their supply chains. This paper seeks to provide a deep understanding for lean and agility philosophies as important means for achieving this goal. This has been conducted by clarifying the differences, similarities and the direction of the relationship that may exist between these two approaches as means for improving a company’s supply chain.

Originality/value

Based on a systematic review on leanness and agility philosophies, a conceptual framework exploring the differences and similarities between both philosophies from an operational systematic perspective is presented.
Analysts’ evaluation of KPI usefulness, standardisation and assurance
Authors: Smith Susan , van der Heijden Hans
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine analysts’ evaluations of usefulness of KPIs disclosed by UK corporates. The disclosure of KPIs, both financial and non-financial is driven by legislation in the form of the Companies Act 2006. The paper considers two of the key concerns raised with KPI disclosure: a lack of standardisation (leading to inconsistency of calculation) and a lack of external assurance.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was prepared which was used as the basis for semi-structured interviews with senior professional equity analysts. Questions were designed to cover aspects of usefulness and desirability of standardisation to improve consistency and comparability as well as the incremental value of audit firms providing assurance of KPIs.

Findings

KPIs are indeed a useful supplement to the financial statements in developing a corporate narrative. Analysts highlighted that a significant amount of this information is released to the market in advance of the Annual Report which performs a confirmatory role. Whilst analysts highlight inconsistencies in calculation methods of KPIs they did not feel that a standard calculation should be prescribed. Further they did not feel that assurance over the calculation would be valuable as they perceived that this would remove the flexibility of companies to select the most appropriate measures.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes to the body of research on disclosure by focussing on how the KPI disclosure is used by the intended audience and whether and how the disclosure mechanism may be strengthened.

Practical implications

The findings provide an interface between theory and practice adding to the body of knowledge on disclosure theory and in particular KPI disclosure and how it is used. This will in turn help the standard setters in ensuring that disclosures enhance usefulness.

Originality/value

Insight into the actual usefulness of these measures is important to inform this debate on presentation of the corporate “narrative”. This goes some way to addressing the unanswered questions in Healy and Palepu (2001) and the calls for further qualitative research in the area (Watson et al., 2002).
Websites for women’s studies students: finding, evaluating, promoting
Authors: Clink Kellian
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to identify and review websites that contribute knowledge about and by women for scholars in women’s studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors scoured the internet for those sites with timely, authoritative research reports about and by women with a feminist viewpoint.

Findings

There are many gems that provide statistical, theoretical and heuristic insights into the condition of women that may, unless promoted, not be discovered by students who need them.

Research limitations/implications

New websites will be created and others described herein will evolve.

Practical implications

The lived experiences of women are largely not covered by standard reference sources, and this requires the librarian to seek out and promote the freely available websites out there that help inform scholars about the experiences of half the world’s population.

Originality/value

There is not one place where the gender and women’s studies librarian can go to find a comprehensive list of the freely available resources that can benefit the feminist scholar, and this paper brings together many of them in one place.
Thermal segregation drives patterns of alder and willow expansion in a montane ecosystem subject to climate warming
Authors: Rinas Christina L. , Dial Roman J. , Sullivan Patrick F. , Smeltz T. Scott , Tobin S. Carl , Loso Michael , Geck Jason E.
Published: January 2017

Tall‐shrub expansion into low‐statured communities, a hallmark of recent vegetative change across tundra ecosystems, involves three major genera: Alnus, Betula and Salix. Which genus expands most into tundra landscapes will determine ecosystem properties.

We show that Alnus and Salix shrubs segregate thermal space (elevation × insolation) and colonize tundra landscapes differently in response to climate warming, thereby replacing different tundra types.

Vegetative change estimated from repeat photography should account for hill‐slope. Methodologically, slope determines surface area estimated from orthophotos as projected pixel area times secant of pixel slope. Ecologically, the change in thermally responsive vegetative area is sensitive to terrain steepness, scaling as the cosecant of hill‐slope, so that studies should expect more shrub expansion in areas of shallow slopes than steep slopes.

Repeat aerial photography in Alaska's Chugach Mountains from 1972 to 2012 orthorectified on a high‐resolution lidar digital elevation model indicated tall Salix was rare in 1972 and colonized warmer slopes by 2012. Tall Alnus colonized steeper, cooler slopes both by 2012 and by 1972. Salix and forest colonized similar thermal space. Colonization probability for both shrub genera was maximized at intermediate elevations.

Alnus colonization adjacent to dwarf‐shrub tundra was twenty times as likely as Salix colonization. Salix colonization adjacent to low‐shrub/herbaceous tundra was three times as likely as Alnus colonization. Replacement of dwarf‐shrub tundra by Alnus and of low‐shrub/herbaceous communities by Salix will affect herbivores and soil properties.

Good agreement between observations of plant functional type and multinomial predictions in a thermal space defined by elevation and insolation suggested that these two variables were sufficient for forecast modelling. Spatially explicit, climate‐driven generalized linear multinomial and random forest classification models in available thermal space forecast surface areas of forest, Alnus, Salix and tundra over a range of warming, modelled as upward shifted isotherms, including expected IPCC scenarios. Both modelling approaches indicated that shrubs may respond nonlinearly to warming.

Synthesis. The provision of taxon‐specific coefficients for climate‐driven, spatially explicit models using high‐resolution digital elevation models is necessary for accurately forecasting vegetative change due to climate warming in montane and arctic regions.
Progressivism in British Politics: Some Revisionist Themes
Authors: Jackson Ben
Published: January 2017

This article argues that a return to the history of progressive political thought can help us to think afresh about what a renewed centre‐left politics might look like today. The article identifies some significant aspects of this history that attracted little attention in earlier debates over the British progressive tradition—in particular, debates about social ownership, nationalism and distributism. This revisionist history of British progressivism points the way towards some common ideological ground that could provide a starting point for a new dialogue between different ‘progressive’ political parties and interests.
Creative literacy activities promote positive reading attitude in children learning English as a foreign language
Authors: Chow Bonnie Wing‐Yin , Hui Anna Na Na , Chui Barbie Hiu‐Tung
Published: January 2017

This study investigated the effects of creative literacy classroom activities on the acquisition of English as a foreign language. Ninety Chinese second graders were tested on reading attitude and English receptive vocabulary knowledge. They were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group, which engaged in English creative classroom activities for 10 weeks. Repeated measures analyses showed a significant interaction effect for reading attitude, providing empirical evidence that English creative classroom activities can enhance reading attitude. This study extends past research by demonstrating the links between creative activities and reading attitude, as well as highlights the feasibility of incorporating creative literacy activities within foreign language education. This provides a new direction for researchers and educators to develop instructional practices that incorporate a stimulating environment for English‐as‐a‐foreign‐language students. Future longitudinal research could examine whether these benefits can be maintained over a longer period.
Current insights into the aetiology, pathobiology, and management of local disease recurrence in squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva
Authors: Yap JKW , O'Neill D , Nagenthiran S , Dawson CW , Luesley DM
Published: January 2017

Squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva is predominantly a disease of the elderly, where the mainstay of treatment is radical surgery. Local vulval recurrence (LVR) is a significant problem for these patients, and the rates of recurrence have not improved over the last three decades. Disappointingly, we still lack an understanding of how LVRs develop, and the best approach to prevent and manage the condition. This review discusses recent insights into the key prognostic factors that influence the risk of recurrence, focusing on the role of tumour‐adjacent non‐neoplastic epithelial disorders, which are thought to play a causative role.

Tweetable abstract

A review that discusses the key prognostic factors that influence local recurrence in vulval cancer.
Diabetes coaching for individuals with type 2 diabetes: A state‐of‐the‐science review and rationale for a coaching model
Authors: Sherifali Diana
Published: January 2017

Diabetes coaching is emerging as an important role in self‐management and care. The conceptualization of coaching, and how to implement and evaluate coaching has not been articulated in the literature. The aim of the study was to review the literature to: (i) identify the components of coaching using a validated framework, including the description of the role of technology; (ii) describe the implementation and evaluation measures for diabetes coaching; and (iii) propose a diabetes coaching model for future implementation. The EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsychINFO and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched from inception to January 2015. Two evaluators independently screened and extracted data from eligible studies for descriptions of coaching. Eight trials met the selection criteria, with no consistency in the core components of coaching. However, elements noted across all studies included goal setting, diabetes knowledge acquisition, individualized care, and frequent follow‐up. Only two studies leveraged technology for coaching communication purposes. Diabetes coaching is an intervention that can support the ongoing and complex needs of patients; however, implementation and evaluation strategies are limited in the literature. A diabetes coaching model is presented, derived from components identified throughout the literature with direction for implementation and evaluation approaches, and optimal integration into the healthcare system.
Effect of postprocedural full‐dose infusion of bivalirudin on acute stent thrombosis in patients with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention: Outcomes in a large real‐world population
Authors: Wang Heyang , Liang Zhenyang , Li Yi , Li Bin , Liu Junming , Hong Xueyi , Lu Xin , Wu Jiansheng , Zhao Wei , Liu Qiang , An Jian , Li Linfeng , Pu Fanli , Ming Qiang , Han Yaling
Published: January 2017

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of prolonged full‐dose bivalirudin infusion in real‐world population with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Background

Subgroup data as well as meta‐analysis from randomized clinical trials have shown the potency of postprocedural full‐dose infusion (1.75 mg/kg/h) of bivalirudin on attenuating acute stent thrombosis (ST) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

In this multicenter retrospective observational study, 2047 consecutive STEMI patients treated with bivalirudin during primary PCI were enrolled in 65 Chinese centers between July 2013 and May 2016. The primary outcome was acute ST defined as ARC definite/probable within 24 hours after the index procedure, and the secondary endpoints included total ST, major adverse cardiac or cerebral events (MACCE, defined as death, reinfarction, stroke, and target vessel revascularization), and any bleeding at 30 days.

Results

Among 2047 STEMI patients, 1123 (54.9%) were treated with postprocedural bivalirudin full‐dose infusion (median 120 minutes) while the other 924 (45.1%) received low‐dose (0.25 mg/kg/h) or null postprocedural infusion. A total of three acute ST (0.3%) occurred in STEMI patients with none or low‐dose prolonged infusion of bivalirudin, but none was observed in those treated with post‐PCI full‐dose infusion (0.3% vs 0.0%, P=.092). Outcomes on MACCE (2.1% vs 2.7%, P=.402) and total bleeding (2.1% vs 1.4%, P=.217) at 30 days showed no significant difference between the two groups, and no subacute ST was observed.

Conclusion

Post‐PCI full‐dose bivalirudin infusion is safe and has a trend to protect against acute ST in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI in real‐world settings.
Chemotype diversity in Planktothrix rubescens (cyanobacteria) populations is correlated to lake depth
Authors: Haruštiaková Danka , Welker Martin
Published: January 2017

The cyanobacterial species Planktothrix rubescens is known to preferably inhabit deep, stratified, oligo‐ to mesotrophic lakes. It is also known for the production of diverse bioactive peptides, including the hepatotoxic microcystins. A number of studies showed that P. rubescens populations generally consist of multiple distinct genotypes or chemotypes, respectively. In the present study, variability of chemotype diversity was analysed. Filaments of P. rubescens were isolated from water samples originating from 10 European lakes and analysed by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry. In most of the analysed filaments multiple peptides belonging to multiple peptide classes could be detected. A resulting data matrix of 964 filaments and 37 individual peptides was subjected to correspondence analysis and K‐means clustering. From the latter analysis the distribution of chemotypes among the lakes was established and diversity estimated by computing Shannon‐Indices. Diversity varied strongly among lakes with the lowest diversity found in non‐alpine lakes. Further, chemotype diversity was strongly correlated to the maximum depth of the sampled lakes in alpine and non‐alpine lakes. The possible influence of both factors, geographic isolation and water column depth, on the observed patterns of chemotype diversity of P. rubescens populations is discussed.
Cognitive Rest and Graduated Return to Usual Activities Versus Usual Care for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Emergency Department Discharge Instructions
Authors: Varner Catherine E. , McLeod Shelley , Nahiddi Negine , Lougheed Rosamond E. , Dear Taylor E. , Borgundvaag Bjug
Published: January 2017

Objectives

It is estimated that 15%–25% of patients with a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) diagnosed in the emergency department (ED) will develop postconcussive syndrome. The objective of this study was to determine if patients randomized to graduated return to usual activity discharge instructions had a decrease in their Post‐Concussion Symptom Score (PCSS) 2 weeks after MTBI compared to patients who received usual care MTBI discharge instructions.

Methods

This was a pragmatic, randomized trial of adult (18–64 years) patients of an academic ED (annual census 60,000) diagnosed with MTBI occurring within 24 hours of ED visit. The intervention group received cognitive rest and graduated return to usual activity discharge instructions, and the control group received usual care discharge instructions that did not instruct cognitive rest or graduated return. Patients were contacted by text message or phone 2 and 4 weeks post–ED discharge and asked to complete the PCSS, a validated, 22‐item questionnaire, to determine if there was a change in their symptoms. Secondary outcomes included change in PCSS at 4 weeks, number follow‐up physician visits, and time off work/school.

Results

A total of 118 patients were enrolled in the study (58 in the control group and 60 in the intervention). The mean (±SD) age was 35.2 (±13.7) years and 43 (36.4%) were male. There was no difference with respect to change in PCSS at 2 weeks (10.5 vs. 12.8; ∆2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.0 to 11.7) and 4 weeks post–ED discharge (21.1 vs 18.3; ∆2.8, 95% CI = 6.9 to 12.7) for the intervention and control groups, respectively. The number of follow‐up physician visits and time off work/school were similar when the groups were compared. Thirty‐eight (42.2%) and 23 (30.3%) of patients in this cohort had ongoing MTBI symptoms (PCSS > 20) at 2 and 4 weeks, respectively.

Conclusions

Results from this study suggest graduated return to usual activity discharge instructions do not impact rate of resolution of MTBI symptoms 2 weeks after ED discharge. Given that patients continue to experience symptoms 2 and 4 weeks after MTBI, more investigation is needed to determine how best to counsel and treat patients with postconcussive symptoms.
Substance use outcomes of patients served by a large US implementation of Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)
Authors: Aldridge Arnie , Linford Robyn , Bray Jeremy
Published: January 2017

Aims

To estimate changes in the substance use behaviors of patients who received services as part of the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) grant program.

Methods

We use a pre–post design and performance monitoring data collected by SBIRT organizations. For a sample of 17 575 patients, we compare pre‐SBIRT substance use with substance use 6 months after receipt of SBIRT services. SBIRT's correlation with changes in substance use was estimated using generalized linear mixed models to account for the clustering of patients within health‐care facility and US state.

Results

From pre‐ to post‐SBIRT we found large and statistically significant decreases for almost every measure of substance use. Model‐adjusted means indicate that the prevalence of alcohol use was lower 6 months later by 35.6%, heavy drinking by 43.4% and illicit drug use by 75.8%. Greater intervention intensity was associated with larger decreases in substance use. The study design does not support causal conclusions and estimated decreases in reported substance use are due, at least in part, to a well‐known set of confounders and natural substance use patterns that may be unrelated to any particular SBIRT intervention.

Conclusions

Compared with previously published findings on the Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment grant program, our estimates of substance use reduction were smaller, but still consistently large in absolute magnitude and within ranges of estimates from past trials of Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment.
Selection bias and relationships between alcohol consumption and mortality
Authors: Naimi Timothy S. , Stockwell Timothy , Saitz Richard , Chikritzhs Tanya
Published: January 2017

Commentary to: Selection biases in observational studies affect associations between ‘moderate’ alcohol consumption and mortality
No Evidence for Association of β‐Defensin Genomic Copy Number with HIV Susceptibility, HIV Load during Clinical Latency, or Progression to AIDS
Authors: Abujaber Razan , Shea Patrick R. , McLaren Paul J. , Lakhi Shabir , Gilmour Jill , Allen Susan , Fellay Jacques , Hollox Edward J. ,   IAVI Africa HIV Prevention Partnership, Swiss HIV Cohort Study
Published: January 2017

Common single‐nucleotide variation in the host accounts for 25% of the variability in the plasma levels of HIV during the clinical latency stage (viral load set point). However, the role of rare variants and copy number variants remains relatively unexplored. Previous work has suggested copy number variation of a cluster of β‐defensin genes affects HIV load in treatment‐naïve sub‐Saharan Africans and rate of response to antiretroviral treatment. Here we analyse a total of 1827 individuals from two cohorts of HIV‐infected individuals from Europe and sub‐Saharan Africa to investigate the role of β‐defensin copy number variation on HIV load at set point. We find no evidence for association of copy number with viral load. We also compare distribution of β‐defensin copy number between European cases and controls and find no differences, arguing against a role of β‐defensin copy number in HIV acquisition. Taken together, our data argue against an effect of copy number variation of the β‐defensin region in the spontaneous control of HIV infection.
Response of vascular pigment epithelium detachment due to age‐related macular degeneration to monthly treatment with ranibizumab: the prospective, multicentre RECOVER study
Authors: Clemens Christoph R. , Wolf Armin , Alten Florian , Milojcic Carolin , Heiduschka Peter , Eter Nicole
Published: January 2017

Purpose

To assess the effects of monthly intravitreal ranibizumab injections in patients with vascularized pigment epithelium detachment (vPED) secondary to age‐related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

A total of 40 patients were prospectively observed and treated monthly with 0.5 mg ranibizumab injections (ClinicalTrials.gov Ident. NCT00976222). Inclusion criterion was a treatment‐naïve vPED lesion with a minimum height of ≥200 μm. Best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) were evaluated at all visits. Fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography were performed at baseline and quarterly. Lesions were differentiated between serous vascular PED (svPED, group A, 29 patients) and fibrovascular PED (fPED, group B, 11 patients). Primary outcome was the effectivity of continuous monthly treatment during a 12‐month period as measured in change in BCVA. Secondary outcomes were change in PED height and PED greatest linear diameter (GLD). Further secondary outcomes were the presence of subretinal fluid and prognostic markers of an impending retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tear: PED lesion height and diameter, ratio of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) size to PED size, hyperreflective lines in near‐infrared images, microrips and subretinal cleft.

Results

Mean BCVA was 56.9 ± 11.5 letters (A: 55.4 ± 10.8; B: 59.1 ± 13.4) at baseline and 55.1 ± 15.9 (A: 53.7 ± 17.0; B: 58.9 ± 12.7) at 12‐month follow‐up. Excluding the RPE tear patients, the svPED group showed an increase in BCVA from 56.1 ± 10.3 at baseline to 62.4 ± 10.2 at 12‐month follow‐up (p = 0.048). Best‐corrected visual acuity in patient who developed a RPE tear was 55.8 ± 12.5 at baseline and 37.1 ± 14.9 at 12‐month follow‐up. The mean change in PED height was −242.1 μm ± 285.5 (A: −427.3 μm ± 299.7; B: −51.6 μm ± 99.5). The mean decrease in PED GLD was −471.8 μm ± 727.6 (A: −738.9 μm ± 788.2; B: −10.4 μm ± 185.6). In group A, 10 patients developed a RPE tear (25%) after a mean of 3.6 injections. No tear was documented in group B. Lesion height, ratio of CNV size to PED size and presence of hyperreflective lines differed significantly between patients with and without RPE tear development.

Conclusion

Serous vascular PED lesions showed an improvement regarding BCVA and morphologic characteristics unless an RPE tear occurred. In fPED lesions, a functional and morphological stabilization was observed. Monthly ranibizumab injections are an effective treatment regarding the resorption of subretinal fluid in vPED due to AMD. Patients should be screened for the presence of morphologic risk factors for RPE tear development before and during treatment.
Emergency uncross‐matched blood transfusions in a tertiary neonatal unit
Authors: Finn D , Dorrian A , Sheehy J , Dempsey EM , Ryan CA
Published: January 2017

Aim

To determine the neonatal incidence, indications and outcomes following transfusions with emergency uncross‐matched O‐negative blood.

Methods

A five‐year retrospective review in a single tertiary neonatal unit was conducted. The blood transfusion laboratory's database was analysed for all infants who had received an emergency released blood transfusion (ERBT) between January 2010 and December 2014.

Results

We calculated a total ERBT rate of 0.91 per 1000 live births (39/42 657) and a rate of 0.43 per 1000 in infants >34 weeks’ gestation (18/41 637). A rate of 0.14 per 1000 births (6/42 657) received an ERBT as part of newborn stabilisation despite almost half of our infant cohort having intrapartum haemorrhages (n = 18, 46%). One‐third (13/39) of all infants who were transfused died. Outcome varied depending on underlying aetiology, gestation and birthweight. The highest mortality was in preterm infants weighing <1000 g, of whom 70% died.

Conclusion

This study establishes an ERBT rate of <1 per 1000 births, and 0.14 per 1000 infants received an ERBT as part of newborn delivery room stabilisation. ERBTs are associated with a high mortality rate. This study highlights the need for further research and guidelines that clarify the role of ERBTs in newborn stabilisations.
Defining and Negotiating the Social Value of Research in Public Health Facilities: Perceptions of Stakeholders in a Research‐Active Province of South Africa
Authors: Lutge Elizabeth , Slack Catherine , Wassenaar Douglas
Published: January 2017

This article reports on qualitative research conducted in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa, among researchers and gate‐keepers of health facilities in the province. Results suggest disparate but not irreconcilable perceptions of the social value of research in provincial health facilities. This study found that researchers tended to emphasize the contribution of research to the generation of knowledge and to the health of future patients while gate‐keepers of health facilities tended to emphasize its contribution to the healthcare system and to current patients. Furthermore, relations between research stakeholders were perceived to be somewhat fragile, making it difficult for stakeholders to achieve consensus about the social value of research, as well as on ways to maximize value. Interventions to negotiate a shared perspective on the social value of research would appear to be warranted, and the findings of this study suggest some focus areas for such intervention.
Reconfiguring Social Value in Health Research Through the Lens of Liminality
Authors: Ganguli‐Mitra Agomoni , Dove Edward S. , Laurie Graeme T. , Taylor‐Alexander Samuel
Published: January 2017

Despite the growing importance of ‘social value’ as a central feature of research ethics, the term remains both conceptually vague and to a certain extent operationally rigid. And yet, perhaps because the rhetorical appeal of social value appears immediate and self‐evident, the concept has not been put to rigorous investigation in terms of its definition, strength, function, and scope. In this article, we discuss how the anthropological concept of liminality can illuminate social value and differentiate and reconfigure its variegated approaches. Employing liminality as a heuristic encourages a reassessment of how we understand the mobilization of ‘social value’ in bioethics. We argue that social value as seen through the lens of liminality can provide greater clarity of its function and scope for health research. Building on calls to understand social value as a dynamic, rather than a static, concept, we emphasize the need to appraise social value iteratively throughout the entire research as something that transforms over multiple times and across multiple spaces occupied by a range of actors.
Bayesian Genome- and Epigenome-Wide Association Studies with Gene Level Dependence
Authors: Lock Eric F. , Dunson David B.
Published: January 2017

High-throughput genetic and epigenetic data are often screened for associations with an observed phenotype. For example, one may wish to test hundreds of thousands of genetic variants, or DNA methylation sites, for an association with disease status. These genomic variables can naturally be grouped by the gene they encode, among other criteria. However, standard practice in such applications is independent screening with a universal correction for multiplicity. We propose a Bayesian approach in which the prior probability of an association for a given genomic variable depends on its gene, and the gene-specific probabilities are modeled nonparametrically. This hierarchical model allows for appropriate gene and genome-wide multiplicity adjustments, and can be incorporated into a variety of Bayesian association screening methodologies with negligible increase in computational complexity. We describe an application to screening for differences in DNA methylation between lower grade glioma and glioblastoma multiforme tumor samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Software is available via the package BayesianScreening for R: github.com/lockEF/BayesianScreening.